Cambridge University R|e-Playing Society

Infomercial the First 1994/95

Welcome to a new year, following all of those wonderful Tripos
exams, and a great big welcome to all you lovely new potential
members. Thys looks like a good year for the society, and we
plan to expand on last years resounding success.

For those new (potential) members, we are a prosperous society,
offering ample opportunities to try role-playing in many of its
forms. We can try to arrange any games or systems that you
fancy, and can almost guarantee that most of the old favourites
will be run. Last year we0had games of Warhammer, AD&D, Call of
Cthulxu, Star Wars, Cyberpunk, Dream Park< Over The Edge,
Werewolf, Vampire, Qabbal, Rolemaster, Ars Magica, D&D, MERP and
Champions, plus a selection of other fantasy, historic and
futuristic games. We hope to increase the range even more.

We hold a directory of the games that are being run by society
members to help you select a campaign. This should help you to
find something that interests you and has proved invaluable in
the past as a convenient way of matching GMs and players,
especially for those holding sessions outside the weekly
meetings. If any of you are thinking of run~ing a campaign this
year, could you please contact the Vice-President, Jon Rabone
(details at end), who will be holding the campaign directory for
the year. The committee can also give guidance to any novice GMs.

The society meets weekly on a Tuesday, starting on the 11th of
October for the Michaelmas term, and the first Tuesday (i.e. the
very first day of full term) for the Lent and Easter terms. The
majority of our gaming sessions occur at these meetings. For the
first time this year we hope to hold these in the Buttery at
Clare College. This is as yet unconfirmed, but we do not expect
too many problems. If there should be a change of venue we will
leave a message in a prominent location. If you have any
problems, contact your nearest Committee Member. We also hold
fortnightly pub meetings in Catz (St> Catherine's Cllege) Bar,
on Thursdays at 7.30 p.m., starting on the 13th of October.



We wi|l be holding a squash to welcome new members, and
introduce them to the ways of the society. There will be
refreshments and participatin games for all. Both old and
prospective members are welcome. Come along, and join in. We
will be accepting membership moneys, and taking sign-ups for
this year's games. Don't worry if you can't make it, committee
members will be able to furnish you with more details (just turnup at their rooms, and ask for coffee, or leave a note in their
pigeon-holes, and they will drink your coffee for you). You can
always join, and sign up for available places at any society
event.



The society also maintains a library of role-playing material.
For a refundable deposit, games, adventures and magazines can be
borrowed. The library currently resides with the President (See
Below), but this may change soon so stay awake. The society
purchased most of this at 'Games and Puzzles' of 24, Green
Street, who offer a 10% discount to society members. The
discount is available to members of the society only, and is
subject to the following conditions:



i)	The discount only applies to role-playing materials.

ii)	It is not available on Saturdays.

iii)	It is not available for Credit Card purchases.
iv)	You must produce a current society membership card, with the
date of expiry clearly written on it, 		together with some means
of photographic identification.

The society charges a pittance of a membership fee. The current
rates are 6.00 for life (not just three years, butindefinitely), or 3.50 for one year. For those people who only
joined for one year last year, but have now seen the error of
their ways and wish to reoain members, you can upgrade for a
further measly 3.50. If you wish to continue to receive
newsletters after you leave Cambridge, we are quite happy to
send them on to you, but we need 2.50 per annum for postage &
packing (and the Secretary's drink fund). If you can receive
e-mail in the real world, then give the Secretary your address
and a text copy will be forwarded free of charge (Coo! Aren't we
generous?). 



The society offers several amazingly good annual events. Details
are as follows.



The Christmas Party

At the end of the Michaelmas Term we hold a fitting celebratin
for Christmas, the imminent New Year, and the end of a hard
term's work. We organise several games, and the food and drink
provided is noteworthy and maybe even edible. Tickets will cost
so}ewhere in the region of three pounds.



Video Evenings

These are held several times during the year. We will be showing
selections of films vaguely connected with various aspects of
Role-Playing Any suggestions for films will be grateful|y
accepted by any committee member.


The Annual Dinner

Ngar the end of the Lent Term we offer you the opportunity
participate in an event that is the talk of Cambridge. There is
Wine and Mead, food to delight and a dress code that is bound to
get you noticed.



The Punt Party - 

The only fitting way to celebrate the end of the Easter term on
those long hot summer days when the ex**s (sorry to mention
them) have finished, is to punt down to Grantchester, getting
suitably inebriated, feast there, and then 'punt' back. Learn
how to punt six punts down the Cam - Side by side! Last year's
highlights included the VP's punt (complete with L-plates)
bouncing off every corner going down the Cam, Ian Lewis (Asst.
Sec.) and his amazing punt acrobatics and some very VERY wet
people. (Mike Pitt, I want to talk to you!)



One-Offs

Occasionally, instead of the weekly meetings, we give the GMs a
break, and encourage others to try their hand, running a game
for a single evening. These are usually heavi|y over-subscribed.



Varsity Match

Once a year, we challenge Oxford to a test of wits and skill.
This year it's their turn to host this prestigious conflict, as
well as the numerous other events that make up a very enjoyable
weekend. So, start coming up with s}e suitable ideas. Last
year, we were trounced honourably in a game set in Ankh-Morpork.



Live Role-Playing

	       Due to the formation of Darkrych, the University LRP
society, we have passed responsibility for this over to them.
The two societies are thoroughly intermixed and we co-operate
wherever possible for major events. Currently, CURS members are
also entitled to take part in any Darkrych games.

The Rag Dungeon

We (or rather you) raise money through sponsorshyp of a
continuous 24-hour session of role-playing. Good fun< and all in
aid of charity. Don't you feel better already?



Gaming Conventions

A group of people usually heads off towards the major gaming
conventions in the country (e.g. Gen Con and Games Fair).  If
you're interested contact a committee member for more details.



Society Filespace

Those of you who have been introduced to the arcane rights of
Hermes and the PWF may like to know that the society has its own
account. This means that you can send mail to the committee as
well as to your friends. We0can be contacted at the addresses
below. The filespace also contains a copy of the campaign
directory, and other useful information. Have a look. See the
Secretary or Vice-President for more information.



The Society T-Shirt

The society has large stocks of its own T-shirt design (right) .
Prices are 8.See your nearest committee member for more details.



This Newsletter

Newsletters are normally distributed every couple of weeks,
usually as the result of a committee meeting.  If you have
anything useful to submit, can you again collar a committee
member, preferably either the Secretary or the VP.



This year's committee is:



President	Mark Mackey	Trinity Hall	mdm1004@cus.cam.ac.uk

Vice-President	Jon Rabone	Churchill	93jkr@eng.cam.ac.uk

Secretary	Steve McIntyre	Churchill	sam1007@hermes.cam.ac.uk

Assistant Secretary	Ian Lewis	Emmanuel	no e-mail

Junior Treasurer	Paul Killworth	Clare	not known

External Officer	Rob Wi|cox	Clare	rjw1005@hermes.cam.ac.uk