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r-Carrier Corner I feel the pamphlet entitled "Dun- geons and Dragons _ Only a Game?", published by Pro Family Forum of Fort Worth. Texas, is a total misrepresenta- tion of what playing Dungeons and Dragons involves. It contains many misleading state- ments. including quotes taken out of context, and conjecture which has little or no basis in fact. It is clear to anyone who is really familiar with the game that the author(s) began with the assumption that D & D is the epitome of all evil. The argument can not be upheld if an objective look is taken at Dungeons and Dragons. In the first paragraph, it is stated that "D & D games are fought in the minds of the players as the DM (Dungeon Master, or god) sets the stage in the fantasy world. Each player assumes the identity of the character he creates." A little further on, “If it continues long, most players identify themselves with their characters, and the line between fantasy and reality tends to grow fuzzy." D & D caml ligns l game itself is separate from individual game settings) are not fought. Combat is but a part of playing. The majority of time is spent describing circumstances. discussing alternative courses of action and deter- mining the consequences of the deei- sions of the players. At times, combat is avoided, as the ultimate "winning') of the game is having the character you are playing survive. Combat can easily decrease, or eliminate the prospects of winning. People who enjoy D & D are generally very intelligent and highly imaginative. They are certainly capable of maintain- ing a strong grasp of reality. To imply that players of D & D eventually lose track of reality must also mean that television actors and actresses or movie stars must eventually believe that they really are one of the characters they play. Dr. Gary North is quoted as saying, “these games are the most effective, most magnificently packaged, most profitably marketed, most thoroughly researched introduction to the occult in man's recorded history." Christian Life glnistries “concludes: Dungeons and ragons, instead of a same is a teaching on demonology. witchcraft, voodoo, murder, rape, blasphemy, suicide, as- sassination. insanity, sex perversion, homosexuality, prostitution, Satan wor- ship, gambling, Jungian psychology, Mariam. cannibalism. sadism, dese cratlon. demon summoning, necroman- ties, divination and many more teach- ings, brought to you in living color direct from the pit of hell!!!" These statements are pure sensation. allsm. E. Gary Gygax, the founder of TSR Hobbies, in an article written by Charles M. Young and published in Rolling Stem mugafme. said, "When -ritu'ridmtlirtr with" things that have no but lp really. you, htttreAo metre up the your facts about them. You have to go tttto t detail to explain monsters and drama more detail than in the all. of Monopoly. because not-09d! A space of our Sean Van Koughnett in the Cyclopedia, "Deities and Demi- gods", in the editors' introduction, you will find: "The most important thing to remember about this book is that, unlike the other AD & D volumes, everything contained within this book is guidelines, not rules. DDG is an aid for the DM, not instructions. We would not presume to tell a Dungeon Master how to set up his or her campaign's religious system. Probably no facet of AD&D varies more from campaign to campaign than this, and that's the way it should be. Many DMs will choose to use pantheons or systems other than the ones included herein, or will alter the information presented. Feel free. players already [mow what a hotel, is.", ln oyreesearch and compilation of this book, we ourselves have altered many facts, either for reasons of game bal- ance and consistency or because sources conflict. DElTlES & DEMIGODS is not a scholarly work or reference - it is a game accessory." This is also the case with the Monster Manuals and Fiend Folio. They are not literally necessary to play the game. The truth is there are two hooks on how to play, one for the player and one {or the DM. There are Advanced D & D rule books, two Just for players and one for referees, making five rule books in total, only two of which would he used at any one time. At this point I wish to point out two evident untruths presented as fact. The author(s) state, "The manual guideline will determine whether the character will be 'good' or 'evil'." In fact, the players themselves choose whether their character will be 'good', 'evil' or 'neutral'. The author(s) also mention that "you will probably find twenty or more books on how to play D a D." Half of this pamphlet cites, quotes which concern various forms of "evil", all of which sound pretty horrible. Of course, no quotes which concern "good" are given, even though "good" is as much a part of D & D as "evil". The author(s) also draw a mistaken comparison between playing D a D and psycho - drama techniques, maintaining that "it is ridiculous to believe that people, young or old, can absorb their minds with violence, murder, human sacrifice, suicide, demonology." (etc. ad nauseum) ... "and every other form of perverted and violent conduct without being intensely - and perhaps Perma- nently - affected adversely. We ARE what we THINK." (emphasis theirs). Dr. John Eric Holmes. in an article published by Psychology Today, says. "I don't think this imaginary violence is any more likely to warp the minds of the participants then is the endless stream of violence in TV. movies, or literature. Quite possibly " provides a healthy outlet for those people who are imagina- tive and inclined to enjoy the game. 7 In order for the game to provide viearioytt, release for unacceptable be- haviop, the entire group of players must go along with the convention that game roles are Independent of the actual This weeks carrier of the week, Sean ls 13-yearsotd and the grade eight student at MaeGrxtttur school delivers the Chronicle In the Crun- son Court area of the city. There's one thing you can't accuse Sean Van KW of being and that's lnactivg, - Sean has been on the honor roll for two years, now at HIcGregor and is an exemplary role model In his community. A sports tohr to be sure, Sean enjoys lasagna“. yolleyttall, (not; ball, baseball and hockey with school and all-stars teams. But he also finds time to babysit. mow neighbors' lawns, and shovel snow both at home and for neighbors. Wouldn't we all love to have him in our neighborhood? After finishing school. Sean has his sights set on becoming a professional umpire or basketball players. and we wish him all the in a section entitled "Testimony of Negative Effects". the pamphlet au- thor(s) cite a case of a sixteen year old committing suicide after playing D h D for two years. Some police departments say there is " 'some correlation' be- tween Fantasy Rote Playing Games and incidents showing up on their police ttlotters." Similar correlations have been found involving the time of the full moon. Other studies show no such correlations so who is to be believed? Finally. Pro Family Forum - these questions: 0 Does this one promote respect tor M Japan, winter sure can bring out the but In talks. Just the other day, at a mid-inm- tion lender-hauler (you can and than any day of the week. at any particular time, usually within walking distance). “You're more of a hazard than a bleepin Montreal cab driver." Now that's low. Despite tooling somewhat compelled to point out the difference between a Montreal cab driver and a K-W driver, I nevertheless passed on the opportunity at that point, tearing any interjection could lead to a swat on the head with a Schneider's ball hat or kick in the pants from a salt-stained Kaufman boot. However, feeling somewhat safer be hind the typewriter away from the heat of the action, I will try to' point out the differences between a Montreal cab driver and a K-W driver, citing various conditions and situations. Oh, and just for interest’s sake, we'll lead off each circumstance with a control variable, detailing what a normal driver might be expected to do. Icy roads: For obvious reasons, icy roads present one of the greatest of winter driving hazards. Accordingly, the normal driver will learn to recognize the condition, slow speed to a reasonable level, and leave plenty of room to brake. A Montreal cab driver goes looking for icy roads so he can practice his skids, which he then uses to force apoplectic fares to cough up all their bucks for the prive- lege of being excused from further terror. A K-W driver denies the exis- tence of ice until his car bumps into something, which _usually occurs first about mid-November on the Conestoga Parkway. Leaving space: A good rule of thumb for normal winter drivers is the four-second rule, where you count four seconds between the time the car ahead of you passes an object and the time you pass the same object. A Montreal cabby uses a .4 second rule. keeping all cars within swearing earshot, while a K-W driver of Letters welcome A picture you would like to see published? Do It t.ATERu$0t1NRtDtttRE.tjtt+tAV,N-tvt8, terr-At-r A Space of Our Own for the people of Waterloo Please Address all correspondence to: Go bump l Waterloo. Ontario NM 1L7 all: Rlck Campbell. editor Do you have a story to tell'.' Waterloo Chronicle "A Space of Our Own" 45 Erb St. E. _ the sanctity of life? Or does it rather serve " basic training in brutality and disregard for life? eDoes it increase. or decrease. a player’s faith in God and His Word? q Does it trivialize. and even blaspheme. Christianity? Theanswertoalloi these questions is; "The game does not." It is simply a game. albeit an involved one. but its purpose itr,to exercise the brain and allow the player to enjoy a pastime which is more challenging than any The old wives‘ tales, sorry to say. . out the m. A normal driver new realizes that it la hush as”) he“. became during the time bet is d the Irate, the car continues to hale towards Meant. Faced with an equally-hazardous situation, the lan- mal cahby prefers topunp the acceler- ator, while the K-W driver, having been taught how to drive on his grandfather’s ’58 Volkswagen. remains set in his ways at!!! pumps the hack of some woman's www.mmmu ottlfetertq-daotetir+evieo. Hey, haven’t we all been, at some time? Normal people have the right equipment in their trunk (salt, sand, traction pads) but if they remain stuck, especially in a rut, they will rock hack and forth to gain momentum, remem- bering to brake before shifting. Tommy Transmission says thank you. Montreal cab drivers spin their tires to 43,000,000 rpms to spray the guy who stuck them withd " cent tip. K-W drivers spin their tires until spring, or asphalt, whichever comes first. Clear visilility: Knowing the hassles that can be avoided, a normal driver takes the time to clean off his/her car, scraping all the windows and clearing the roof, hood and lights before heading out. A Montreal cabby knocks snow off the driver's side window with his glove and then spends five minutes polishing the window on his meter. A K-W driver makes one scrape three inches long on the driver's side, in roughly the same shape as his nose, which he then presses against the inside window while driving, until the defroster starts working 45 minutes later. leer-wheel skids: Of course, normal drivers remember the key is not to panic. And turn the steering wheel in the direction of the skid! Montreal cabhies. faced with I rear-wheel skid, get a real rush, and turn their steering wheel in the direction of the nearest brasserie. K-W drivers panic. turn their headsinthedirection of the skid, and shear off a 30-foot stretch of snowbnnk. _ mud... on.