Kent Kraft/For the Gazette: A random NPC, left in black, narrowly defeats Kim Kong, right in white, in a match for the title of Lead Jammer at the Solar System Smackdown earlier this year.

By KENT KRAFT

For the Gazette

Most years, there are rule changes in sports that fans may not notice because they don’t change the overarching nature of the game itself. In the National Football League, for example, all failed fourth-down conversions have been automatically reviewed since 2023 and all scoring plays since 2011. Major League Baseball implemented a pitching clock that has reduced the total time of a game by an average of 45 minutes.

None of these rule changes change the sport in a way that would affect a long-time fan’s understanding. However, sometimes there are big rule changes that fundamentally alter a sport.

In football, the forward pass was not legalized until 1906. In professional basketball, shot clocks were not introduced until 1954 and the three-point line did not appear until 1979. Flat track roller derby did not appear until 2001.

Random NPC has skated with Keweenaw Roller Derby (KRD) for about a season and a half so far. They have come out of retirement, forced by a knee injury severe enough to require surgery, to skate with the team.

Before joining KRD, they played for several years in a junior league (for players under 18) and an adult league in Oregon with the Emerald City Roller Girls. They also played for a time with the Granite City team from Aberdeen, Scotland. When comparing roller derby in these places, they noticed a difference, not in the regional progression of the game, but in how roller derby has evolved and defined itself over the years.

For Random NPC, the changes made since Flat Track Derby’s increased popularity have been aimed at increasing player safety, making gameplay more digestible for audiences, and reinforcing the seriousness and legitimacy of the sport.

At this point, they believe a balance has been achieved between the flashy, fun and showy nature of the players and the more serious athleticism of the players. There are both hobbyist and competitive teams and players; KRD is a wonderful mix of both.

Random NPC grew up rather introverted and surprised both his mother and himself with his interest in roller derby. Although the sport was still in its infancy at the time, his mother was more than happy to see him pursue it and supported his choice.

Being surrounded by a group of unapologetically strong women during their formative years is something they don’t take for granted, and they cited a common saying from people in the sport: roller derby saved their souls. Sure, the game ruined their knee once, but they wouldn’t trade their derby years for anything.

The sense of community on a roller derby team is something every derby member mentioned during these interviews, and Random NPC cited it as the reason they, too, keep coming back for practice and fight after fight.

Without Derby, they wouldn’t have had the resources to pursue new experiences, like studying abroad in Scotland. Not only did the team help them push themselves more, but they were able to build a connection with the Derby team in Scotland and find someone to provide them with housing that was closer to campus and cheaper than the dorms.

Obviously, Derby has shaped their lives and they hope to make an impression on the racetrack in the fights as well. Over the years they have realised that it is not just the impression you make that counts, but the impression you make on others who you have inspired.

The impetus for this realization came toward the end of their junior careers when they were approached by a younger player. This person mentioned that they had originally come to watch their cousin in the new skating program, but when they saw random NPCs skating, they were inspired to join as well.

Such validation, given voluntarily by someone, really sticks in their minds. New players have to come from somewhere, and Random NPC hopes that the KRD skaters will put on an impressive show that inspires the audience to join in.

For those who have made it this far and are still confused about their chosen roller derby name, Random NPC, here’s a quick but necessary background: In role-playing games (both tabletop and video varieties), players create characters who are guided through a journey by a coordinator, called a Dungeon Master or DM. This player paints the story to the players through narrative and through the general population outside of the players’ characters.

Anyone who appears in the story and is controlled by the DM rather than the players is called non-player characters, or NPCs. Think of them as random people you pass by or briefly encounter on a daily basis.

Random NPC is a proud, self-proclaimed and incorrigible nerd at heart who enjoys role-playing games and thought this would not only be a funny name, but also entertaining for the commentators. “And a random NPC is now our main troublemaker…”

Going deeper into the name choice, they said they also saw it as a sort of alter ego, something like Wonder Woman or Bat Girl who has an academic job during the day but puts that aside and kicks criminals’ asses at night. In a broader sense, they think they could just be a random NPC to a person during the day who you might not notice walking by, but on the derby track you’ll definitely notice when they walk by you.

To stay on topic, they chose the number 4 because that’s the number of hit points a random villager NPC has in Dungeons & Dragons. With a mischievous grin, they added: “And anyone who has ever seen me play knows that it takes so many hits before I’m down.”

Given their history, they’ll be the first to admit that serious injury is a legitimate concern whether you’re new to the sport or a long-time participant. But they’re also quick to point out that no one is going to pressure you to push yourself beyond your limits.

What they like most about roller derby is the appreciation for individual growth from season to season. While there are some players who focus on intense athleticism, they don’t force that on others.

Everyone is encouraged to look within themselves and find out when and how much they can contribute to the team.

Additionally, Random NPC added that derby is much more than just skating, with a variety of jobs off the skates or even non-contact roles on skates like refereeing. If you’re even remotely interested in helping KRD, there’s a place where you’ll fit in perfectly.

When asked what they would say to someone who had never been to a fight, Random NPC first answered: “If you like hockey but it’s summer, try roller derby! It has a similar atmosphere and is a lot of fun to watch.”

Then came an inspired addendum: KRD players benefit from the energy of the crowd in a symbiotic relationship between players and fans. The more fans in the stands cheering them on, the more energy they can bring to the battle. Locals take pride in representing Keweenaw well when hosting teams and traveling to games.

KRD is a local grassroots organization that really needs the community’s buy-in and support to keep the team alive. Simply joining the fight supports them, and there is only one chance left to do that.

You can cheer on Random NPC and the rest of the KRD team at their final home match against the Kingsford Krush on August 31st at 6pm at the Calumet Colosseum. Doors open at 5pm. To learn more about how you can support Random NPC and the team, including how you can get a part of the action by volunteering, visit the KRD website at https://keweenawrollerderby.com/.