Beyond the Board: The Ian-credible Adventures of Mohawk's Dice Crushing Leader

A boring day at work, a pair of worn-in earbuds and a curiosity for a new podcast all led Ian Moore to his life-changing experience as a D&D (Dungeons and Dragons) fan, to now leader of the Dark Snakes D&D club at Mohawk College. 

Being a third-year mechanical engineering student at Mohawk, Moore’s obsession with gears and gadgets found an intriguing path to his love for the realm of D&D. His passion for the game was instantaneous and grew stronger as the days passed. His immersion was so deep that he took on the role of club leader back in 2022.

Moore arrived at the interview wearing MSA (Mohawk Students Association) and D&D merchandise. The excitement on his face bubbled up like a cauldron of magical potions, and he couldn't wait to start answering questions about his favourite game. 

What Moore finds most fulfilling about his role as a leader is the joy of helping others and being a shoulder for newcomers to lean on. 

“Being able to help and train others on how to play the game is great,” Moore said. “What I found for most people is that if you don't have someone to bounce questions off of, it doesn't work. The ability to immediately ask a follow-up question is invaluable. So, I want to be that kind of person for people, and that's exactly what my role as president allows me to do.” 

As Moore talks about the game and his involvement, his smile gets bigger, his dimples get deeper, and he is very theatrical with his voice and hands. 

Last spring, the club won the Outstanding Engagement award. Moore tried his best not to sound egotistical, but he described that the success was a result of his dedication and going the extra mile compared to other club leaders at Mohawk. 

“I try to take as much initiative as I can to get people into D&D,” Moore said. “I set them up with resources, make it as free as possible and make it so that they have a gentle push into the world of D&D. I try, and I try hard, and it’s exhausting, but I know it’s good for people, so it’s worth it.” 

Moore is currently working with a program called Wellness and Dragons. The program at

Mohawk helps students deal with social anxiety and gives them a positive group environment to learn how to tackle their issues together. One way Moore helps the students deal with this is by teaching them to play D&D to get them to interact with people. 

He emphasizes that the game not only helps to meet new people and pass the time but also equips members with valuable skills to help them in the outside world. 

“D&D can help you look at things differently in the real world,” Moore said. “Some people are quick to judge and are very analytical, but D&D can help with that. The game can help you think on your feet and expect the unexpected.”

Moore talked about his collection of D&D merchandise and encouraged everyone to avoid making the same mistakes he did as a D&D rookie, like buying expensive gaming books. His room is a testament to his love for the game. Mini figurines of D&D characters and monsters dot every corner. He collects posters and dice as a hobby and goes as far as to say that it’s an incurable addiction.

As he talked, Moore carried a small brightly coloured figurine with him that he pulled from his bag to help embody his D&D spirit. 

Moore believes that the most essential quality a leader can have is confidence. He wants his members to look up to him and set a good example of what the club is all about. 

“I always try to be as confident as I can in what I'm saying and doing,” Moore said. “I'm a leader, and the minute you slip up, people will take notice and not take you as seriously later on.”

As Moore was explaining what makes him a great leader, he was interrupted by a lone, confused girl asking for assistance with the vending machine. Moore assisted the girl with her problem and embodied the qualities of a confident problem-solver a leader should have. He walked back pridefully with a smile on and a sense of happiness. 

Corey Lepp is a member of the club who became close friends with Moore when they did a one-on-one session a year ago. Lepp was quick to say that Moore is a great leader and embodies many fantastic traits.  

“Communication, the guy is very adverse when it comes to different forms of communicating, whether that's one-on-one or group sessions, but he also knows how to calm the waters, especially with people who are having issues,” Lepp said.  

Lepp also described what things Moore isn't the greatest at and talked about his admiration for Moore’s initiative with the school. 

“Sometimes it feels like he doesn't have the best time management, but he makes do with the amount of stuff he has on his plate,” Lepp said. “The fact that he wants to be involved with the school on multiple levels and cares about the student body is great.” 

Moore has several upcoming events lined up for the club, which include getting his members customizable figurines using a 3D printer. 

For students interested in taking a break from reality and embarking on adventures through extraordinary worlds, the Dark Snakes Dungeons and Dragons club awaits.