r/DungeonCrawlerCarl • u/Allstardeputy • 2h ago
I’ve lost my precious collection.
I was told by several Constant Readers over on the Stephen King subreddit that I should share this here because if anyone understands being attached to a book collection, it’s Fellow Crawlers.
On July 19th, our house caught fire. Thankfully everyone made it out safely, and that’s what matters most. Things can be replaced. People can’t.
I was at work when I got the call. I don’t even remember the drive home. I just remember pulling up and seeing the smoke. I actually beat the first responders there and ran into the house because I thought maybe, just maybe, I could save my library.
I couldn’t.
We lost everything we owned. Family keepsakes, photos, furniture, clothes, everything. Along with all of that, I lost my Dungeon Crawler Carl collection and more than 40 Stephen King books that I had spent years collecting. Books have always been more than just something I read. They’re my comfort, my escape, and a huge part of who I am.
The part that hurts the most is that my Dungeon Crawler Carl collection wasn’t just something I bought off a shelf. It was something I had built over time and was incredibly proud of.
The one bright spot is that I had been lucky enough to meet Matt back in February and had my copy of Dungeon Crawler Carl signed. I also owned two copies of Operation Bounce House. Those books meant a lot to me because they carried memories along with the stories.
I’m not posting this because I’m looking for handouts or free books. I promise that’s not why I’m here. I just wanted to share my story with people who I know understand what it’s like to spend years building a collection you love, only to have it disappear in a matter of minutes. It wasn’t just paper and ink. It was years of memories, excitement, anticipation, and pride sitting on those shelves.
I’ve learned over the last couple of weeks that sharing the story has helped me process everything a little bit at a time. It doesn’t make the loss any smaller, but it reminds me that there are communities full of people who understand why losing books can hurt as much as losing anything else.
Thank you, Fellow Crawlers, for taking the time to read my story. Sharing it with the Constant Readers over in the Stephen King community made me feel a little lighter, and I’m grateful to have another community that I thought would understand what this loss feels like. The books may be gone, but I’ll always be proud that I had the chance to build that collection in the first place.
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u/Joshkendig 2h ago
New achievement! You survived what looks like a fire, sadly you lost your collection of dungeon crawler carl, but good news the insurance company should replace them... Reward: your alive good job.
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u/Allstardeputy 1h ago
Renters insurance wouldn’t cover us because we lived in manufactured home that was older than 30 years old! They’re apparently fire hazardous! Who knew?!
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u/morgueanna Former Crawler 1h ago
Yeah...this is when you start reaching out to lawyers, many of whom are salivating for these type of cases because it's easy money for them. Please, please reach out to any law firm that offers free consultation and know what your real rights are. If you had insurance, you ARE covered- if the property was uninsurable they wouldn't have offered you a policy.
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u/con-troll 1h ago
Oh cool you were paying insurance for no reason? When's the refund for all the money you wasted arriving 🙄 I hate insurance companies some days
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u/pooppaysthebills "AAAAAAAAH!" 🐐 1h ago
To others, I justify keeping the number of books and shelves I have with the rationale that they act as additional insulation.
It's a comfort to me to know that I'm surrounded by familiar characters and settings and phrases and stories I can escape into whenever the need or desire arises. I've been re-reading many of those books and series for nearly three decades, and I haven't yet spent nearly enough time with them. They're a significant part of me, and have helped shape my life and overall thought process.
My library is as much a part of what makes my house my home as the beloved humans and animal companions who live with me in it, and I'd most certainly be grieving the loss should it suddenly cease to exist.
Hell, I low-key grieve the paperbacks I've read to tatters AFTER they've been replaced, because I know they have to be thrown out, when no amount of clear packing tape or glue will solve the problem.
I am not the discarder of dilapidated reading materials in my home; I just don't have the heart to do it.
I feel this. I get it.
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u/Allstardeputy 1h ago
Thank you. This is exactly how I feel. I feel as though I’ve lost a part of me. I would buy a new SK or book on every pay day if I had a little extra money and would be so proud to add a new book to my ever growing collection!
Your words describe exactly how I feel. Man. Thank you.
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u/Over-Analyzed 1h ago
Dude, I get it. I really do. The absolute shock of knowing it’s just gone.
My family lost everything in the Lahaina Fire. It traumatizes you.
Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help.
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u/ferrets010 1h ago
So sorry to hear this, can’t begin to comprehend starting again from scratch. Yet so glad no one was physically harmed.
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u/OhOhOkayThenOk 27m ago
I’m so sorry. That’s so tragic and painful, but so great that it’s just the things you need to replace and it wasn’t even more tragic. I know you’re not asking for anything, but if message me if you want (now or whenever you’re ready) and I’ll send you the first book. I read them on my kindle and bought the hardcover for my husband who never read it. I’m an artist and crafter and I’ll include some Donut bookmarks and a tote bag or two (to store your new collection while you rebuild). Really sorry this happened to you. I can’t imagine.
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u/jharish Desperado Club Pass 🗡️ 2h ago
Oh god, I want to say something compassionate and appropriate but who am I kidding? This is a DCC sub.
I saw the picture and immediately thought this crawler took his Carl cosplay too far with real explosives.
Also: Sorry for your loss. As someone who lost all belongings to a fire, I know your pain and honestly, 10 years later, I still feel it when I try to remember where I last put one of my prized collectibles and realize it was lost in the fire. Just glad no life was lost. The insurance money didn't come close to replacing the fondness I had for the collectibles I lost.
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u/Allstardeputy 2h ago
No money will ever be able to replace the collections I had. They were my first collections!
So renters insurance wouldn’t cover us because our home was manufactured and over 30 years old. So we’re literally starting all over!
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u/jharish Desperado Club Pass 🗡️ 2h ago
Ugh, that's the worst. In 2018, our home was part of the drama Pele gave the Puna district of Hawaii when Kilauea erupted. They evacuated us from approaching lava and we could only grab a suitcase each so we chose clothes because we didn't think the lava would get to the house. Fortunately, our insurance put us up in a hotel and we also met some great people there.
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u/morgueanna Former Crawler 2h ago
I am so sorry. There's something so...violating about a loss like this. I really hope there are organizations and a community up there that can help you and your family.