Where are the old gamers ??

Back in 1985, Chris Buono introduced me (his "little bro" Tim) to Ren's campaign, which was running Temple of Elemental Evil, and Chris became his assistant DM. I ran through several characters (because I was 12, impulsive, and mostly enjoyed being the comedy relief!)
My characters included a Half Ogre who valiantly held up a collapsing ceiling so the party could escape, a well-endowed Leprecauhn nicknamed "T-Square", a gay Duelist, and a few other less memorable casualties...

I remember our group: There was "Bill the Cat" (he was studying Chinese), Mike (played a ranger with a blue crystal magic sword), Jim (played a Cleric called "Lightbringer"), and an attractive girl (whose name escapes me) who played a female elf with super comeliness / charisma...and there was also this guy whose character acquired a cube of force...

I remember Mike and several of the experienced gamers taking me under their wing...we used to go across the street to Ponderosa to grab some food, and there was a convenience store close by...

Ren was actually running two Saturday afternoon campaigns...I remember hanging out waiting during our group's "downtime".

I remember when Mike's ranger was extricated from danger floating away on a floating disk (scratching himself vigorously) and when he acquired a blue crystal magic sword.

I remember when we entered a specific room in Dungeon level III of the Temple of Elemental Evil, where before us were two naked human prisoners (male and female) tied in chains...and my Lecherous Leprechaun took liberties with the female---inadvertantly exposing their devious illusion as they were actually were-jaguars!

Chris used to have this Cavalier who (as I heard the story) charged a Tower on horseback, and went down a long flight of stairs...

I could probably go on ad nauseum but these were some of the best times...

Bo-staffs rule!
Make mine 1st Edition!

Chris Buono here...

I gamed at the Studio (on-and-off) from 1980 until 1990, or later.

I remember playing in Reynolds' game since I was about 11 or 12. I was either Skinmin Saurmore or Lord Clockwork (self-titled). Sandy is the person I most remember from way back then. I also remember sleeping at the Studio overnight during Council. A group of us went with Reynolds to GenCon in Cherry Hill, NJ around that time too. In retrospect, I can't believe my mother let me go so far away with people she barely knew. Of course, all was fine.

Then I played with Bill Dwyer and Chris Borucki (still in Ren's game) a couple of years later. Hi guys!

After a break I returned to gaming at the Studio with Neil Selden.

Now I play in a couple of homegrown games.

Ann sent me this link, and it brings a lot of old memories... This is Marcus Catlin (then, now Jaiclin), player in Reynolds' Sat afternoon, then evening games of Tauron the Leprechaun, who later became Tauron the Faerie Dwarf under circumstances which are now vague to me. I am finishing (finally) a PhD in Math at UAlbany this year, where I teach part-time, mostly Calculus. I still have a couple of Greg's paintings of my character. The SWA cons and games are some of my fonder memories from my teen years (I graduated high school in '89). I used to run AD&D games at camp and college for a few years after high school, and played some MtG for a while, but mostly just have time for board games that take under three hours these days. I never made the upgrade to AD&D 2nd ed; somehow, I just couldn't face relearning everything I ever knew. I still love Titan, though... I live in Holyoke, Mass, but am in Albany/Sch'dy a couple of days a week to teach.

Anyone who knew Jeff Bubb -- he died about a decade ago in an avalanche, while climbing in the Himalayas. Most of the rest of the Sunday game crew is doing well, though; I keep in touch with Brian Kranick still. Chad Wilhelmson was on local radio for a long time as 'Alex Taylor' on WEQX, but I have no idea where he is now. It is nice to know that SWA is alive and well.

Wow...

Bill Dwyer!
Erich Schmidt!

Good to hear from you guys.
Stop in some time.

Bill, I'll put you on our Star Fleet Battles email list.

-Dave Cheng

Been a long long time Bill,
I remember you and your cat character from Ren's game, and I think that you were studying Japanese at the time. I used to come with George Savage, and a bunch of others. We used to have Ren's Saturday night game for a few years. I played TinneY StonewhackeR the Deep Gnome in that campaign. I did most of the art for Aphonion if that helps you remember me. Do you keep up with anyone from those days? Dave Chang, Vicious, the Catlin bros., Mark Russman, etc.? I have been in CT for the last 11 years, so I lost touch with just about everyone when I went to college. It would be cool to get the word out and have a Studio reunion someday. I bet that would be a lot more fun than a H.S. reunion (though with far fewer old flames to flirt with). Where did you end up anyway, I remember that you wanted to be an ambassador or something? I have been at Yale for the last 10+ years working for one of their art museums. Well, hopefully these posts will draw some of the other ancients out of the woodwork, and maybe we can have another D&D go-round for our mid life crisis.

Hello all,
I played at the Studio from the late 1970s into the mid 80s. Mostly I played in Reynolds Aphonion D&D but occasionally some other games as well. I was and still am best buds with Chris Borucki who now lives in Maryland. Ive been doing mostly historical wargaming for the last 17 years. After a long absence from roleplaying Ive recently been thinking about AD&D 1st edition again. Looked into 3.5 but man thats just way too complicated. Im hoping to attend some game a thon weekends in the new year, and maybe play a little Star fleet battles, too.
Bill Dwyer

And you never know when one of us old timers just kinda ambles in.

A tip 'o the hat to y'all, Erich "Kevin" Schmidt, here. I happened to come across some things that made me remember the weekends that I spent in Ren's, Shirley's and Linda's games, and I wondered if the SWA and the Council still was extant. It seems that it is. I spent most of my weekends of the '80s at the Studio, and have a lot of fond memories of the place and the people. I'm glad to see that things are still alive.

Perhaps I'll expend a little effort and make it to Council next year, after all.

Good to see you all.

TinneY says "Deep Gnomes do it in the dark!"

Hey, if any of the old Saturday AM / PM Studio gang is out there I want to give a big f'n WASSUP!!! I miss the good old days of the studio - for me '84 ish to 94. In addition the the Councils and Gameathons, I played in Ren's game and many others. I was one of the artist types, and I made a lot of the logos and stuff back then for the cons I also did a lot of the art in Ren's early Aphonion books and printed materials.
After college I moved to CT, and lost touch with most of the old crew. I played in both of Ren's Saturday games, so I know a lot of you would remember me. I see that Rusman is still around, he must be a crusty old fart by now- hehhehheh. If any of you remember me, and would like to catch up, drop a line. I have recently started playing with George Savage and Mark Fendley again about once a month (it's about a 2 hour drive for us to all meet up). It would be cool to round up some of the old gang for a last hurrah, or some new action.
Let me know if you are still alive, cause life in CT is pretty boring. You can reach me at gregory.shea@yale.edu Oh, and... Long live 1st ed!

How old do you have to be in order to be an oldtimer? By the way ask Dave to lend you his movie with the picture of the Pipe Carrying Thug on the front cover. Its awesome!

Carl is deceased. He passed away after a heart attack. You may have remembered him.

Some of us have passed on our habits in the family. When I am home in NY visiting I play Up Front with my brother and his two sons. I know some other people have also had their kids either pick up gaming or go into computer gaming.

I'm glad I saw this post. I actually came to the forum because I was curious about the same thing.

I used to come to the Studio of Bridge & Games every Friday. I guess it must have been around 1988-1990. Reynolds (they used to call him Ren, right?) was usually my DM. Is the Studio still in the same place? I remember passing by it once and I thought it looked closed.

I doubt anyone remembers me. I was a teenager at the time, and used to come with a guy named Mike Kenyon.

I was very loud and obnoxious. If anyone does remember me, I probably yelled at you at least once. Sorry about that.

I remember there was a big guy who wore fishnet stockings on his arms that everyone called Tiny. He had this big white mark on his arm where he claimed he'd sandblasted off a tattoo. I went to a very small con at the studio once and Tiny was participating in a 36-hour-long game of Paranoia. I slept in the Studio, on this kind of raised platform, and Tiny said I'd rolled off it in the middle of the night and he'd picked me up and put me back. And I was a pretty heavy guy.

hehe , If I am back east , visiting my folks , or my inlaws , I will try to stop in and see whats going on there. Maybe I will bring along my 3 doggies I have now with me

I guess I qualify for being one of the old-timers...I spent every saturday afternoon at the studio. ..something like 1979 to 1985.

of course I'm older now -- and I made the mistake of telling my 7-year old son about how I used to play role-playing games.

he's begged me mercilessly to teach him...so I dusted off my GURPs rules...now I've been scouring the net looking for material after some digging I found that the SWA had a site...cool.

--erik

Hey there old fella...

Sandy is living in Cohoes with her husband Mike, son Craig, and Daughter Autumn.

Ren is living in town, but due to....er um...difficulties, doesn't stop by..

Stop by sometime on Saturday..if your in town

Ok , so I see some of the names you mentioned , I remember , some I dont , but oh well , thanks for the info.

If I was back there in NY , I definately would be part of the 20 + club, lol

I used to come in the Studio , with my 2 dogs , all the time

I dont have much of a chance to play rpgs's these days , except computer rpgs.

dont mind my mindless babbling

it comes with old age <g>

There are a few of us "old timers" still active with SWA, but not many.

I heard a rumour that Reynolds returned to the Capital District, but we haven't seen him at SWA events at all.

I've heard rumours of Shirley and Sandy going to buy stuff at Flights of Fantasy, in Albany, but we haven't seen them at SWA events at all in the past six years.

I've been involved with the SWA, on and off, for about 26 years. Mark Russman, Eric & Jennifer Paperman, John Fitzpatrick, Charles Morehouse, Brian Kelly; I think these folks are all members of the 20+ club, and are still active. Pat Stevens, a club Founding Father, is still active at the larger events.

-Dave Cheng