Gamers and other adventurers will have the chance to prove their role-playing prowess, beyond the realm of their computer screens, at this summer's 22nd annual Bristol Renaissance Faire. Opening July 11 for nine weekends through Labor Day Monday, Sept. 7, RenQuest invites willing patrons to immerse themselves in an evolving adventure of riddles, spells, hunts and other challenges. This year, as guest-participants interact with the period performers, artisans and merchants who inhabit the wooded village of the Faire, they will once again face the evils of the Draco Disciples while racing to secure what Bloodtharken the Dragon left behind... her egg!

Players will also experience some new additions to the RenQuest experience. Taking place daily, players and guests can accompany Thoren Grymm and his mates along a tour of Bristol's finest establishments in the Bristol Pub Crawl! Prove who is best by challenging your friends and foes with the Bags of Fate, RenQuest's new set of "Player versus Player" (PVP) rules. Find a friendly home or taunt your rivals at one of the two new faction locations on site. All this and more awaits you.

"An estimated 20 million people have played Dungeons & Dragons since Gary Gygax first released the game in 1974," said Shane Hill, director of Bristol's Gamers Guild. "Today, gamers worldwide are flocking to the latest phenomenon of massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs), and a growing number of these are seeking out opportunities to expand their group role-playing into live action settings."

The interactive theatrical experience provided in Bristol's RenQuest goes well beyond the traditional expectation of live action fantasy games. The setting takes place in the 30-acre village of 1,200 inhabitants in position to engage participants along their quests and a professional production team to ensure a top-quality and memorable adventure for veteran gamers, as well as those who've never experienced role-playing games before.

In addition to gaining individual experience points, RenQuest players will accumulate points toward the advancement of one of two feuding factions with which they are aligned - the brave and noble Order of the Sun, or the wild, chaotic Lunar Tribe. Some quests will last a day; others will extend over multiple weekends or the entire season.

Like all Faire festivities, Bristol's RenQuest will take place within the framework of the summer day in 1574 when Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth visited the English hamlet of Bristol. Along their quests, participants will partake in 16th Century games, rides, arts, crafts, food, music, and one-of-a-kind encounters with the larger-than-life characters that have become the staple of the Bristol Renaissance Faire. They will interact with noble knights, swashbuckling swordsmen, strolling minstrels and an eclectic assortment of comedic performers, all eager to aid (or thwart) them in their quests.

The Bristol Renaissance Faire is open rain or shine, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., every Saturday and Sunday, July 11 through Sept. 6, and on Labor Day, Sept. 7. Tickets purchased at the gate are $18.95 for adults and $9.50 for children age 5 to 12. RenQuest participation costs an additional small fee to play. Check the Faire website at for upcoming details or join the Bristol RenQuest fan page on Facebook to learn about opportunities to earn online-only rewards!