CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS SOCIETY NEWSLETTER the First 1991/92 A Beginner's Guide to Ye Subtle Art of Role-Playing Written For Ye Discerning Reader in Three Si}ple Stages by Diverse Masters of Ye Craft 1 - Character Generation "[A] Character is the result of a system of stereotyped principles." David "Try rolling your Constitution again," Hume 2 - Combat The Player: It's what [characters] do best. They have to exploit whatever talent is given to them, and their talent is dying. They can die heroically, comically, ironically, slowly, suddenly, disgustingly, charmingly, or from a great height... Rosencrantz: Is that all they can do - die? The Player: No, no - they kill beautifully. In fact some of them kill even better than they die. The rest die better than they kill. They're a team. From "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead" by Tom "This is probably a good time to spend a Fate Point" Stoppard 3 - Character Advancement "That which does not kill us makes us stronger." Friedrich "Oh all right, have another 200 Experience Points" Nietzsche Hello and welcome to the Cambridge Unyversity Dungeons & Dragons Society (which you are going to join, aren't you?). We exist to promote Role-Playing in all its multifarious forms, so before you ask, yes we do play games other than D&D - GURPS, Rolemaster, Cthulhu, Cyberpunk, Champions, Marvel Super Heroes, Warhammer, Twilight 2000, Traveller, En Garde, Qabbal... You name it, we play it, and even if we don't, we can probably help you organise it if you want to run it (and need players) or play it (and need a GM). It doesn't matter if you've been playing for years, or if you're only just thinking of taking up role-playing here and now, either way you won't be the only one, and there is usually a game going on somewhere to suit any taste. Si~ce your interest has sustained you this far into the Newsletter, you are cordially invited to The Squash 3:00pm, Saturday 12th October, Party Room, Downing College Current members are welcome as well, naturally. We will be distributing refreshments and accepting membershyp money. Membership costs 3 for one year, 5 for life, 2 to upgrade from one to the other. For your edification and delight, a game of some variety will be arranged - feel free either to watch or join in. The Squash will be followed (after an appropriate break in which to eat) by the first Pub Meeting of the year. We shall be gathering in the Mitre (on Bridge St.) at 8:00pm that evening. Other Pub Meetings will be organised at regular intervals later on in term. Now, what else do we have to offer? Turn the page and read on... Weekly Meetings The Society organises weekly role-playing sessions, during which a number of different campaigns wi|l be run. Members will also have the opportunity to try out new or different game systems, not only in these regular campaigns, but also in occasional meetings devoted to one-off scenarios, held roughly once a term. Members of the committee are usually to be found at these meetings, just in case you have difficulty in contacting them at other times. These meetings usually adjourn to the nearest barafterwards. Provisional arrangements have been made to hold the weekly meetings in the Upper Hall at Emmanuel on Tuesdays during Full Term< from 7:00pm to 10:30pm. The first meeting will be on Tuesday 15th October. Prospective GMs wishing to arrange campaigns should arrive early. Other Regular Events VIDEO EVENINGS - We will be holding a number of video showings throughout the year. Requests and suggestions welcome. LABYRINTH - Live R|e-Playing trips are arranged to Labyrinth (deep in the bowels of Chislehurst Caves) roughly once a term. Annual Events CHRISTMAS PARTY - Mulled wine, mince pies and at least one bar room brawl. ANNUAL DINNER - Usually held around March. Fancy Dress, Black Tie optional. VARSITY MATCH - Played against Oxford. We have now won this for three years run~ing, and we'd like to make it four. So0if you're interested in beating Oxford at something, join us rather than the Boat Club. RAG DUNGEON - 24 hr Marathon held in aid of Rag. PUNT PARTY - May Week Extravaganza. And There's More... 10% DISCOUNT at Games & Puzzles on Green St., the only local game stockists. This is available to student members of the Society only, and is subject to a number of conditions:- i) The discount applyes only to role-playing materials. ii) It is not available on Saturdays. iii) It does not apply in conjunction with credit cards. iv) It is available only on production of a current Society membership card, with the date of expiry clearly written on it. THE LIBRARY - We0possess an erratically increasi~g library of game systems, supplements, modules, magazines, figures and dice. These are available for members to borrow. Deposits are required, but post-dated cheques are accepted. However, there may be some restrictions on the hiring out of rare or out of print items. Last Year's A.G.M. A late news item... Since last year's A.G.M. was held right atthe end of term< we0were unable to get a Newsletter out informing you of what momentous decisions were made. Firstly, the new system for electing committee members that had been proposed failed to get the necessary two-thirds majority required to write it into the constitution. Those present did however give the President a mandate to write the old system into the constitution, so that last year's confusion will hopefully not be visited on the Society again. Secondly, a motion to change the name of the Society to the Cambridge University Role-Playing Society (C.U.R.P.S.) also failed to get a two-thirds majority, and was also rejected. Thirdly, this year's committee was elected. For who they are, what they are to be known as, and where they may be found, see below. The Committee are President: Pete Moore (The Train) Rm. 12, 27 Green St. (Gonville & Caius) Vice-President: Chris Carr (Zebedee) N4, Downing,  Secretary: Iain Walker (The Cutout Cardboard Shrub With No Soul) 42 Warkworth St. (Emmanuel) Assistant Secretary: Rebecca Teed (Rosemary) 42 Warkworth St. (Emmanuel), Junior Treasurer: Matt Nesbit (Dylan) A9, Kings External Officer: Harvey Maycock (Brian) A21, Fitzwilliam,