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| The Avatar Trilogy By TSR and DC comics |
| The role of Kelemvore Lyonsbane was handed to me by Dameon Willich, one of the artists. The plan was to film models in costume and armor, acting out the frames of the story. It was nine months of horseback riding; learning to joust, training with the equpment, and above all... great fun. I discovered a great deal about the reality of armor, in a range of situations from quick mounting, to speed dismounts; with, and without, a passenger. Let me tell you, one of the hardest things in the world to do is to throw a woman onto the back of a horse, while one is wearing armor!!! Climbing a tree is no picnic either. As a martial artist and game designer, I was intrested in the day to day use of the armor in combat, and through the live Role-Playing group, The Fantasy Alternative, I was able to put many pratical theories to the test. One very unusual feeling is to be struck by tremendous force, and feel nothing but a jolt; another is to fall onto a spiked stump, amidst blackberry thorns, and roll off without a scratch; let alone the fighting... The final pratical point I learned about armor is this: you cannot, ever, reach that place where you itch while wearing armor, and: if the chainmail is cold going on, cramps are sure to follow. All in all it was great fun, and I look back on that time with many excellent memories. Raven c.s. McCracken |