Cambridge University R|e-Playing Society Newsletter the Seventh 1993/94 As the golden ball of fire broke the horizon once more, amidst the curses from a rather annoyed Apprentice who knew that, sure enough, he would be the one to clear up the laboratory again, the motley crew met once more. This was all really a pretence. All knew that no matter what they decided, the king would ignore it. Indeed the only curb to his megalomania was the sarcasm of the Scribe. How anything was done was an abso|ute miracle. God help them all. Everything had been trundling along quite nicely, thank you very much. The Black Knight had not been heard of for several weeks. That may have had something to do with the Feast of the Egg, but who cared, it was a blessing. And only a small problem with the memorabilia, but as no-one had been able to decipher the advertising, no-one had really noticed. The restful peace was shattered, the quiet trill of the Oozlum bird drowned. Slowly, the gang of six (well, five of them) prized themselves slowly out of their great oaken chairs and, pausing only to awaken the Scribe, huddled around the greatwindow - the Window of Protection from Fresh Air. Outside, a sight so new, so frightening, that their jaws dropped. As did the Scribe, but only because Ratty was no longer supporting him. Outside, was a rapidly increasing multitude. The smile of recognition of his adoring fans slowly slyd away from the King's face, as the rocks bounced off, and in some cases through, the window. This was no Party Political Conference. This mob wanted sacrifices, and goats weren't going to satisfy them. Their cries resounded across the courtyard. "Lynch them!" "Down with the Traitors." "Rat on a stick? Get them whyle their hot. Only five gold sovereigns." "Murderers, all of them!" "What about the tax cuts." Even the ever-popular Magician, and his eCRiAnP party (Ed Carter really is a nice person) felt the hostility. "I think this may be a good time for an election," proposed the Apprentice. "That will appease them. Maybe we wi|l even escape with our lives." It had been a long time since people had contested for places on the Committee, an even longer time since anyone had cared who the Committee was, but now they had come to regret it. Thys shouldn't present too many problems though. After all, the Scribe had nearly finished rewriting the electoral procedure. Weekly Meetings Due to the impending onset of exams, and the committee's need to get some revision done, there wi|l be just two more weekly meetings this term. These will hopeful|y be held in the UpperHall at Emma on the 26 Apri| and 3 May. At the time of going to press, these have not begn confirmed. If there are any changes we0will arrange for prominent notices to be left in Emma. Pub Meetings For those of you who wish to be educated in the techniques of Bar Rom Brawlyng (demonstrations' courtesy of Catz rugby club), there wi|l be three more Pub Meetings held in Catz Bar this year. These will be held on Thursday, 28 April Thursday, 12 May Thursday, 9 June As usual the start will be at 7.30pm> As usual there will be more opportunities to quaff ale, in the aftermath of the AGM (see later) Varsity Match Many thanks to all of those wh turned out for the Varsity Match and associated events. If you missed it, then make a point of attending at Oxford next year. For thse of you who have not heard yet, we narrowly lost, although Ian Lewis did receive the GMs award for best player. As a result Oxford retain the Katana for another year. The match itself consisted of a free-form Live Role-Play, on the streets of Anhk-Morpork. Those people who were not competing took on the roles of the numerous NPCs. If the rumours from our compatriots at Oxford are correct, then next year's event wi|l follow in much the same vein. The committee would like to extend their thanks to the two GMs, Doug Reay and Matt Nesbit for making the job look so easy. AGM For all of you who want to have the chance to influence the direction of the society next year, this is your chance. Cme along to the meeting in Z Basement Christ's at 7pm on Thursday, 5 May. This year we can guarantee elections, as well as several motions to vote on. It's not too late yet to add your name to the list. Take a look at the following list of positions and what they actually do. If you are desperate to know the official descriptions then check out the copy of the constitution on the Society File-Space. You can stand for up to0two posts, but they will be voted upon in the above order. Those members who are female are especially encouraged to stand for a position. President: Gets to worry a lot, and tries to make sure that everything is co-ordinated, and happens according to plan. Gets to be disturbed at 2am when another member of the committee has a good idea. If anything ever goes wrong you get blamed for it, even if you had nothing to do with it. The buck really does stop here. Oh, you get the casting vote when the others can't make up their minds. Vice-President: One of the cushy jobs on the committee. If the president gets ill, you have to fill in for him, otherwise you can sit back with your feet up. Nobody wi|l object to you offering to do the general tasks split between the committee, so if you are smart you can jump in first and pick the best ones. Secretary: Write things, mostly the newsletters. If you can't write anything funny for the front of the newsletter, then you will need to know someone who can. Ok, maybe not, but it would be nice for a change. You'll also be expected to reply to mail from other organisations, both within the unyversity, and in the Real World. At the start of the year, you get to try deciphering the random scrawl that appears on the mailing list from the Societies Fair, and turn it into lists, so that the others know who to deliver newsletters to. It helps if you have access to a computer, preferably a PC, so you can access all the stuff that has already been written by previous year's committees. Assistant Secretary: You help the secretary with all of his duties, whych probably means dashing to the printers with a freshly penned newsletter and staggering back with the finished copy, before distributing the appropriate numbers to the rest of the committee. It also gives you a front seat when the Secretary suffers from a mental breakdown. Junior Treasurer: Count the gold coins in the Societies coffers and not let anyone spend them. At the start of the year you get to collect the membership fees, with the Secretary. The rest of the time you act as a walking cheque book. Don't let the others spend too much as this will increase the amount you have to write for the end of year accounts. External Officer: You have the honour of letting the committee know what is happening in the Real World. This involves keeping track of other R|e-Playing Societies, and national conventions. You also get to co-ordinate the annual Varsity Match with Oxford, and make sure that everyone has a good time. Thys may come as a surprise to you, it did to the rest of the current committee. You also get to try and work out what the hell Darkrych are doing. Now you know what we do, grab a piece of non absorbent paper, parchment, or vellum (we really don't care what) and inscribe your name and college on it. Add the names of the posts you're standing for, and sign it. Then accost another society member (at gun point?) and get them to add their signature, paw print, or cross. Next attach forcibly to your most reliable slave, with instructions to place it in the president's p/hole before Midnight on 3 May. If for some unfathomable reason, other mgmbers run screaming from your sight, then visit the president, or any other committee member, personally and politely ask them to add their mark. All that is left now, is to turn up for the elections. Any ideas you have that wi|l improve the society should be proposed and seconded in writing, and left in same place as above. The deadline for motions for the AGM is the same as that above, so don't leave thing too late. T-Shirt The society T-Shirt is now available in all its monochromal glory. Varius sizes are available, all in a distinctive whyte on black clour scheme, for a miserly 8. They are proving to be more popular than originally expected, so get yours from the President now, whyle stocks last. Punt Party This year's nautical expedition along the Cam, will be held on Sunday, 12 June. Tickets must be bought in advance at the cost of only 6. For this price you will be provided with more coleslaw than you can possibly eat, as well as other assorted culinary delights, but you will have to provide your own drink. If you can book a college punt, then do so and let us know before the day. We will pay for the punt hire as well as reimbursing the cost of your ticket. The deadline for the purchase of tickets is the pub meeting on 9 June. Further details, wi|l be given in the next, and final newsletter of the year, due out in early June. In the meantime don't plan any|hing for the whle day. Those Possessing Ultimate Power This Week Are: President Chris (The exams are when?) Watts W32 - Christ's Vice-President Mark (Oh! Thse newsletters) Mackey Trinity Hall Secretary Mark (A Literary Masterpiece) Brown 6 Fen Court - Peterhouse Assistant Secretary Ian (Fancy a 'hair cut?') Lewis Rm> 1, 34 Warkworth St. - Emma Junior Treasurer Tom (Mad Vlad) Wi|liams E301, Wolfson Court - Girton External Officer Ed (You organise the Varsity Match) Carter 37, Lingholme Close 0223-312448