It was this exciting atmosphere of adventure which founder Sharifah Hanna was trying to evoke when naming her store “Here Be Dragons”.
Located in the busy suburbs of TTDI in Kuala Luompur, this “one stop tabletop shop” – Hanna likes the rhyme – is a haven for game lovers of all kinds, supplying almost everything one could need when it comes to card, board, tabletop or roleplaying games (RPG).
“I’ve been playing board games since I was a kid with my family. And tabletop games are so interesting to me, because they are, for lack of a better word, one of the nerdier hobbies, but it’s so social and community based. And I love that about it,” Hanna, 29, told FMT Lifestyle.
“I’m a self-confessed introvert, but I enjoy storytelling and engaging, and RPGs are a cross-section of all the things I love. You get to spend time with loved ones in a cosy setting while telling stories. Or fighting to the death, for some board games!”
Listening to the bubbly Hanna speak, it is clear how enthusiastic she is about board games and RPGs. It might be surprising, therefore, to learn she never planned to enter this business.
Hanna was originally working in film production in New York. Unfortunately, after the pandemic rolled around, she was unable to continue her job there, and had to return to her hometown of Kuala Lumpur.
With a lot of time on her hands, and little to do, Hanna delved into something she had always wanted to try: Dungeons and Dragons.
“I wished I had something like this as a kid. It was so great, how come more people don’t know about this? And I thought, someone should open a place for this. But not me though, I can’t do that. Maybe in a year, if my career wasn’t working out?” Hanna pondered.
The call to adventure, however, proved too loud to be ignored. Two weeks later, Hanna quit her current job, and it was off to start “Here Be Dragons”.
Her store now stocks about 100 games of all kinds. There’s even a special section for local products. Players are welcome to sit down at the store’s specially built tables and comfortable seats to try them out: snacks and beverages are also available for the peckish!
The staff have been specially trained to recommend games, and even teach visitors how to play them, so even the greenest game newbie has nothing to fear.
And if you see him, say hello to the store’s mascot, the little chubby dragon figurine Thember-chonk!
“Here be Dragons” also features a special painting room, which is dedicated to painting tabletop miniatures.
There’s also a private room, with velvet chairs and a digital screen (very handy as an interactive adventure map!) for players who prefer a more personalised gaming experience.
Unlike many other local board game outlets, “Here be Dragons” is slightly focused towards RPGs: however, games of every stripe are welcome at Hanna’s store. You can come in and play “Scrabble” or “Monopoly” if you’d like to.
It may have just opened in August, but Hanna has big plans for her shop. Regular game and RPG sessions are being planned, as well as an event to celebrate the upcoming “Doctor Who” expansion of the popular “Magic: The Gathering” card game. Halloween is also coming up, which is a top time for game enthusiasts!
“The community here has been amazing, and very supportive. I think it’s much bigger and more varied than most people realise, and more welcoming,” Hanna said.
Running a place like this may be a challenge sometimes, but so far, running “Here Be Dragons” has felt like a fantasy for Hanna.
“At times, it doesn’t feel real, you know?” she said with a laugh. “That I get to play games, and help people learn to play for a living. Honestly, sometimes it feels like a dream.”
Here Be Dragons
2nd Floor, 54-B,
Lorong Rahim Kajai 14,
Taman Tun Dr Ismail,
60000 Kuala Lumpur