In the world of tabletop roleplaying games, most campaigns are fortunate to last a few months. Some dedicated groups might keep their adventures going for a year or two. But what about a campaign that has spanned generations, survived multiple edition changes, and created memories that will last a lifetime? A 32-year long Dungeons and Dragons campaign is coming to an end, marking the conclusion of one of the most extraordinary gaming achievements in history.
The Unprecedented Journey of Decaldor’s Campaign
Phong Nguyen, known in gaming circles as Decaldor, has been running the same Dungeons & Dragons campaign since 1993. As a professor of fiction writing at the University of Missouri and an accomplished author, Nguyen has poured his creative expertise into crafting a world that has captivated his players for over three decades. The campaign, which began during the 2nd Edition era of Dungeons & Dragons, has evolved through multiple rule systems, survived apocalyptic total party kills, and even included an isekai campaign within a campaign complete with a level reset.
What makes this achievement even more remarkable is the dedication required to maintain continuity across such an extended period. While popular actual play shows like Critical Role have completed multiple campaigns since 2015, Decaldor’s singular game has lasted more than three times as long as one of the most popular D&D streams’ entire existence.
From 1993 to 2028: A Timeline of Gaming History
The campaign’s journey through gaming history is nothing short of extraordinary. Beginning in 1993, the group has witnessed:
- The transition from 2nd Edition to 3rd Edition (2000)
- The controversial shift to 4th Edition (2008)
- The resurgence with 5th Edition (2014)
- Multiple player roster changes while maintaining core continuity
- Technological evolution from handwritten notes to digital tools
Each edition change presented unique challenges for maintaining campaign continuity. Nguyen had to carefully adapt his world and rules to accommodate new mechanics while preserving the rich history that had been built over years of gameplay. This adaptability has been crucial to the campaign’s longevity and success.
The Final Confrontation: Orthangul Awaits
After 32 years of adventure, the campaign is heading toward its epic conclusion in 2028. The final boss, Orthangul, represents the ultimate challenge for these seasoned adventurers. Described as the spawn of the king of devils and queen of demons, Orthangul defeated the party back in 2022, setting the stage for this climactic final confrontation.
The group meets approximately once a month, meaning they have roughly 30 more sessions to prepare for and execute this final battle. This extended buildup allows for meaningful character development, strategic planning, and emotional resolution for storylines that have been decades in the making.
Celebrating Milestones in Style
One of the most inspiring aspects of Decaldor’s campaign is how the group celebrates their milestones. Rather than simply gathering around a kitchen table, they’ve made their anniversary sessions special events:
- 30th Anniversary: Three days straight in the Beckham Creed cave lodge
- 32nd Anniversary: Four days in the Highlands Castle in New York
- Future Plans: A treehouse retreat in Broken Bow, Oklahoma, for 2026
These spectacular venues demonstrate the group’s commitment to making each milestone memorable. The Highlands Castle celebration, in particular, captured the imagination of the D&D community when shared on TikTok, where Decaldor has amassed over 50,000 followers and nearly two million likes.
The Social Media Phenomenon
Decaldor’s campaign has transcended the gaming table to become a social media phenomenon. His TikTok account (@decaldor) offers glimpses into this extraordinary world, sharing everything from battle maps and miniatures to the emotional moments that define such a long-running campaign. This transparency has inspired countless other Dungeon Masters and players, showing what’s possible with dedication and creativity.
The campaign’s online presence has also led to additional creative projects. Nguyen has transformed the rich lore and stories from his D&D world into a fantasy book series, including titles like “Roundabout” and “Bronze Drum.” This cross-media approach demonstrates how tabletop gaming can inspire other forms of creative expression.
Beyond 32 Years: The World’s Longest Campaign
While Decaldor’s 32-year campaign is extraordinary, it’s not actually the longest-running Dungeons & Dragons campaign in history. That distinction belongs to Robert A. Wardhaugh, a Canadian historian and professor at the University of Western Ontario, whose campaign has been running continuously since 1982 – making it 43 years old as of 2025.
Wardhaugh’s campaign holds the Guinness World Record for the longest-running D&D campaign and features:
- Over 500 player characters throughout its history
- More than 50 players participating over the decades
- A massive world combining alternate Earth with Tolkien’s Middle-earth
- 30,000 hand-painted miniatures for immersive gameplay
- Never more than three weeks without a session
The contrast between these two remarkable campaigns highlights different approaches to long-term gaming. While Wardhaugh’s game emphasizes scale and continuity with a rotating cast of dozens of players, Decaldor’s campaign focuses on a more intimate group experience with spectacular milestone celebrations.
What Makes a Campaign Last Decades?
The success of these ultra-long campaigns offers valuable insights for Dungeon Masters who want to create lasting gaming experiences:
1. Flexibility and Adaptation
Both Wardhaugh and Nguyen demonstrate the importance of adapting to changing circumstances. Whether it’s new rule editions, player availability, or life events, the ability to pivot while maintaining core continuity is essential.
2. Investment in the World
Long-term campaigns thrive on rich, detailed worlds that feel alive and evolving. Both DMs have created settings with deep history, complex politics, and meaningful consequences for player actions.
3. Player Investment and Legacy
The most successful long campaigns make players feel like their actions matter and create lasting impacts on the world. In Wardhaugh’s campaign, players’ characters have family trees extending over fifteen generations, creating a true sense of legacy.
4. Spectacle and Celebration
Decaldor’s approach of celebrating major milestones in spectacular venues creates memorable experiences that reinforce the group’s commitment and shared history.
The Emotional Impact of Ending a Long Campaign
For many gaming groups, the end of a campaign is bittersweet, but when that campaign has lasted 32 years, the emotional weight is immense. The players in Decaldor’s campaign have grown up together, experienced life changes, and created bonds that extend far beyond the gaming table.
The conclusion represents not just the end of a story but the closing of a significant chapter in their lives. This emotional resonance is what makes such long campaigns special – they become intertwined with the players’ personal histories and identities.
Lessons for Aspiring Dungeon Masters
The story of this 32-year campaign offers several valuable lessons for Dungeon Masters who dream of creating lasting gaming experiences:
Start with Strong Foundations
Both Decaldor and Wardhaugh built their campaigns on solid foundations of compelling world-building and clear narrative direction. While flexibility is important, having a strong core concept helps maintain focus over the long term.
Embrace Change
Long campaigns must evolve. Whether it’s adapting to new rule systems, incorporating player feedback, or adjusting to changing group dynamics, the ability to evolve is crucial for longevity.
Create Shared Ownership
The most successful long campaigns make players feel like co-creators of the world. When players feel invested in the setting and its future, they’re more likely to remain committed for years to come.
Celebrate the Journey
Marking milestones and celebrating achievements reinforces the group’s shared history and creates positive associations with the campaign. These celebrations become part of the campaign’s legacy.
The Future of Long-Form Campaigns
As Dungeons & Dragons continues to grow in popularity, with tools like virtual tabletops and streaming platforms making the game more accessible than ever, we may see more attempts at ultra-long campaigns. However, the dedication required to maintain a campaign for decades remains extraordinary.
The story of Decaldor’s 32-year campaign coming to an end serves as both inspiration and a reality check. While most groups won’t achieve such longevity, the principles that made these campaigns successful – flexibility, investment, community, and celebration – can enhance any gaming experience, regardless of duration.
A Final Tribute to Gaming Dedication
As we look toward 2028 and the conclusion of this remarkable 32-year Dungeons & Dragons campaign, we’re reminded of the power of shared storytelling and gaming communities. What began as a group of friends gathering around a table in 1993 has evolved into a multi-generational phenomenon that has inspired countless others.
The end of this campaign represents not just the conclusion of a story but the culmination of decades of friendship, creativity, and shared imagination. It stands as a testament to what’s possible when passionate people come together to create something extraordinary.
For the Dungeons & Dragons community, the conclusion of this 32-year long Dungeons and Dragons campaign coming to an end marks both an ending and a beginning – the end of an epic saga and the beginning of its legacy in gaming history. The stories, characters, and memories created over these 32 years will continue to inspire and influence tabletop gaming for generations to come.