ISSN: 1089-3636
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LightRaider NET No. 5 August 3, 1996
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
~ News from afar ~ Dick Wulf's looking for editing help!
~ DragonRaid Corner
~ WordRune scrolls ~
~ Forming Raid Teams ~
~ the bard's music ~ Kemper Crabb web page!
~ the librarian's desk ~ the five-faceted book!
~ the artist's gallery ~ Caedmon's Portfolio...
~ Addresses ~ FTP and Web sites about DragonRaid
~ Background ~ What is the LightRaider NET
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~ News from afar ~
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Dick Wulf asked us to put this in the newsletter.
Would anyone like to work on editing DragonRaid Sunday school material? If
you would like to help in this way, Dick Wulf will email you the text portions
with a deadline for feedback, suggestions, enhanced descriptions, etc.
Anyone who would like to be involved this way can email Dick at:
dickwulf@earth.usa.net
We have also heard the FTP site has had its order forms updated and there's
rumors of more material being uploaded in the near future!
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~ DragonRaid Corner ~
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~ WordRune scrolls ~
copyright Jill Oviatt oviattws@alaska.net
Beginning with this issue of the LightRaider Net, we will be discussing
one wordrune--what it does for the LightRaider, and, most importantly,
what it means for us as Christians.
We have chosen to start with #55, the Purge Evil wordrune, found on page
115 of the LightRaider Handbook. It is Proverbs 20:30 -- 'Blows and
wounds cleanse away evil, and beatings purge the inmost being.' When
said from memory, it will add 2 points to the amount of damage that one
does when he hits a dark creature. To us, it is a classic; the first
wordrune that a LightRaider says when he knows there is battle afoot. A
bit of a tongue-tangled--"Let's see, which part says 'cleanse' and which
part says 'purge'?" Yet it remains a favorite to those of us in the
Alaska group.
To get a further grip on what exactly this wordrune, or scripture, is
saying, we present to you the scripture in 3 translations in addition to
the NIV which DragonRaid uses.
NIV Blows and wounds cleanse away evil,
and beatings purge the inmost being.
KJV The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil:
so do stripes the inward parts of the body.
NAS Stripes that wound scour away evil,
and strokes reach the innermost parts.
TLB Punishment that hurts chases evil from the heart.
An obscure little verse? We thought so, until we read it in the New
American Standard (NAS) and The Living Bible (TLB). Then it really
comes to life, doesn't it? It gets right down to the heart of the
matter.
We know what the wordrune does for the LightRaider (and to the dark
creatures) while playing the game of DragonRaid, but how can we apply it
in our own lives? Look again at the Living Bible translation--
"Punishment that hurts chases evil from the heart." To punish means to
correct, discipline or chastise. Who punishes us as human children?
Our parents. As Christians? Our heavenly father does. Hebrews 12:6-11
(NAS) speaks of the Lord's chastisement, or punishment, of those he
loves. Note especially verse 11..'all discipline for the moment seems
not joyful...yet to them who are trained by it..it yields the peaceful
fruit of righteousness.' In other words, the Lord disciplines us for
our own spiritual good. It may not be a very pleasant thing to feel
that root of bitterness being torn out, or to hear a loving rebuke from
a friend, but in the end, be honest--don't you really feel better,
knowing that the 'evil' within you has been purged (removed)? That's
the love of God.
We would like to invite you, our readers, to give us your favorite
wordrune to be discussed in future issues. Send submissions to
oviattws@alaska.net or charlie@mat.net by August 25th.
DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed are those of the editors. Jill/AE
~Forming Raid Teams~
copyright Steven Carrington stevenc@u.arizona.edu
How do you start a group playing DragonRaid?
Much of what we have done has included youth and Matt and Jill on the
DragonRaid email list agreed. So in writing this article I have made some
assumptions. I am assuming there will probably be youth as players and the
person reading this will probably somehow be helping to lead the Raid Team.
So here's a few ideas how to do it:
#1 Get Help! Get an assistant!
Really! One thing I have done in the last few years is hand picked
an assistant Adventure Master to help with the game sessions. This person
can be quite useful as a researcher to look up something you don't recall
or are not sure you remember the statistics correctly for.
If you are using Advanced Combat with Critical Hits et al. this
person becomes essential. On some occasions I have even had two assistants.
One was nicknamed "the Battle Ref" because he rolled the dice for the Dark
Creatures with fervor. I allowed this because this person has had characters
who have reached the highest levels for WordRune usage. This helped prompt
the players to search for those WordRunes and memorize them quickly so their
characters could survive.
Also, if the Raid Team that is formed is small (3 or 4 players), an
assistant can go along with a "semi-NPC" or a LightRaider Guide to help lead
new players while they learn how to play.
When the session gets a bit creative, the Adventure Master and
assistant can confer (much as two referees will occasionally confer in a
sports game) to discuss how to handle 'interesting' situations.
This helps to show how the DragonRaid game as impartial and not
biased or fickle. When you are dealing with youth, it is always a good
idea to have more than one adult present with your activities.
An assistant Adventure Master can also give valuable input for
finding strategies to find those players necessary to play DragonRaid.
#2 Get Help! Get Allies -- Win the parents to your side!
This is something Matt Crandall stressed heavily in his comments
about getting a DragonRaid team started. You must have the parents on
your side. Some suggest writing letters to parents. I live in a small
town and prefer to have either the Adventure Master or assistant talk to
the parents of kids. If kids are already watching science fiction and
fantasy shows on TV or playing Collectible Card Games (CCG), DragonRaid
sounds rather healthy. One-liners like "we use dragons to get kids to
memorize scripture in this game" tends to peak interest.
Be quite ready to loan a copy of the New Player Briefing, Rules
Book or LightRaider Handbook to parents that are interested. I also offer
to talk with parents after they have read some of the materials. One
concerned mother invited us to play the game at her house. She would
putter in her kitchen and living room and listen in while I lead the
kids through adventure after adventure. She heartily defended DragonRaid
to any parents that would quiz her about it. I had an ally.
Keep the parents on your side. Make sure the parents know where
the kids are, the phone number there and when you expect to be done. The
Adventure Master Manual talks about keeping sessions limited in time.
Set a time and stick to it. If the game just HAS to go on, it should only
GO ON after all the parents have been contacted... We have found it helpful
to try and meet regularly for limited times -- either every week or two weeks.
Note: it frustrates kids to great lengths, but stopping an
adventure at a very exciting point helps them remember where they left off.
It should be just prior to major actions. RaidLeader: "O.k. We're going
to attack the giant." AM: "Great, next week we'll start with fighting
the giant!" (Many objections are usually heard at this point. It's much
like the old 'cliff-hanger' movies of old that required you to come
back next week to see what happens. TV series do this a lot when they
take a break during the summer (like the summer everyone was asking about
Data's head?!).
#3 Practice!
Not only do I mean you should practice how battle goes, multiple
combat, and that sort of thing -- but take a sample of an adventure and
work your way through it. This is fairly easy to do with an assistant.
But invite some kids to watch too! The best way we have found to 'hook'
kids on DragonRaid is to let them watch a session and talk to kids that
have played it. But if this is the first group in your area you can't
do that -- but you can come close if you have a practice session.
Have a practice session where you have potential players role up
characters -- this can take an hour or so. Also have some practice
fighting to show how things go in the game. One on one a LightRaider has
much difficulty holding his or her own against a troll -- but if that
LightRaider says a few WordRunes ... the character might even survive!
#4 Study!
This means not only to study the Adventure Master Manual --
although that is critical as well -- but also be ready in the Word and
in leading creatively. Use the scriptures referenced in the adventures as
devotional readings to give you time to ponder them. Read and memorize
WordRunes. Try to think how you can tie in WordRunes players use with
lessons being taught.
Think how you can help the adventure progress with allies of
the OverLord -- talking animals (which ones are appropriate for which
message), messages in scrolls or writing on the wall, or meeting up
with a SaltWarrior or fellow LightRaider. Read, watch or listen to good
books, videos, or albums that inspire you. If you need ideas, we try to
include some sources in every one of these newsletters.
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~ the bard's music ~
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http://www.greensw.com/caedmon/kemper/kemper.html
The unOfficial Kemper Crabb Web Page is sponsored by Caedmon who describes:
"A most fascinating person, Kemper Crabb is a Reformed Episcopal Priest,
from Houston, Texas. Probably best know for his music, he is also a
contributing editor for Heaven's Metal Magazine, and was the first
person to be arrested in Texas for protesting abortion. Possibly
connected with the organization called "The Center for Bio-Ethical
Reform". He is married to Beka Crabb (who has done some of the most
beautiful vocals on his albums) And has a daughter named Charity."
The site describes albums Kemper Crabb has done as well as has some
interesting graphics besides... but more on that later!
David Staley wrote and recommended:
"One of the most creative band around. This site has lyrics and wav's to a
lot of the band's music. Perhaps this could be used in the The Bard's
Music section."
http://www.wp.cc.nc.us/~rbuff/smach.html
Thanks and God bless you David!
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~ the librarian's desk ~
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A head shrouded with hair the color of cirrus clouds nods to the
desk in the center of the room. One end of the desk has been cleared of
all but a few books. In this sea of literature, there is a path to the
place of those few writings. Those writings the librarian has set aside.
On the librarian's table of discovery is a rather intriguing
study book. Instead of a traditional book with a outside (cover) and
inside (pages) -- this one had five facets to it! It brings to mind the
four-faced creatures Ezekiel talked about in his book of Revelation ...
or was it Revelation talked about the four-faced creatures in Ezekiel ...
in any case, it is odd.
Each face is a book in its own right! This five-faced book is
hard to come by -- you must have the means necessary to climb the WEB,
but if you do you will be able to search for items in the Sacred Scrolls
with the click of a rodent err... mouse. With a mouse crawling on the Web
you can gain the assistance of Easton, Torrey, Hitchcock, and even a Vine
and a Nave! An added benefit is the connection to retrieving quotes from
the NIV -- make sure the read the copyright statement of the International
Bible Society for usage (in essence no more than 500). This wonder is call
The GOSHEN Online Study Library
http://www.goshen.net/osl/
Here's their introduction about it:
ABOUT THE OSL
The GOSHEN Online Study Library is designed to be a resource that facilitates in-depth study and exploration of God's Word and that fosters
a desire to learn more about the Bible and how it applies to all of our lives.
At the core of the OSL is a set of five cross-indexed topical and dictionary
resources: Nave's Topical Bible, Easton's Bible Dictionary, Vine's Expository
Dictionary, Torrey's New Topical Textbook*, and Hitchcock's Bible Names
Dictionary. The combined knowledge presented through these linked resources
is just a mouse-click away.
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~ the artist's gallery ~
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We seem to like to pick on people when we feature locations.
Last issue we did essays and music from the Ark Production site (who sent
us a nice newsletter!). So we were inspired to include a portfolio page
from the host of the Kemper Crabb web page.
http://www.greensw.com/caedmon/portfolio/portfolio.html
is the address and you will find an interesting collection of artwork from
Caedmon ranging from celtic crosses to warrior lions?!
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~ Addresses ~
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~Official FTP Site:
New Player Briefing -- ftp://earth.usa.net/users/dragonraid/game/NPB/npb.1
Intro to DragonRaid -- ftp://earth.usa.net/users/dragonraid/Readme
A Brochure about the game -- ftp://earth.usa.net/users/dragonraid/intro/brochure
~Mailing List:
-- Send email message with "SUBSCRIBE dragonraid" to listserv@associate.com.
~Web Sites:
The Lamb's Bride Project's web -- http://www.groups.org
DragonRaid Web Sampler --
http://www.associate.com/Innovative/DragonRaid/index.html
Unofficial DragonRaid Web Page --
http://www.alaska.net/~cass/draid/index.html
LightRaider NET Web Page --
http://www.alaska.net/~cass/draid/lr-net.html
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~ Background ~
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LightRaider Net is an electronic newsletter for adventurers!
We discuss the DragonRaid (tm) game designed by Dick Wulf
(ftp://earth.usa.net/users/dragonraid), tell stories and experiences we have
had and talk about new adventure ideas. We also share what books and music and
graphics have inspired us and maybe what we have used to enhance learning.
We would like to hear from people who have played DragonRaid (tm). Reply to
this message or send email to cass@alaska.net to let us know that you want to
continue to receive the LightRaider NET. Feel free to forward it to anyone
you think would enjoy it!
A LightRaider is a strong and adventurous TwiceBorn who is sent out on
missions in the service of the OverLord of Many Names. If you have never
heard of LightRaiders, here is a good source to learn about them:
New Player Briefing -- ftp://earth.usa.net/users/dragonraid/game/NPB/npb.1
Intro to DragonRaid -- ftp://earth.usa.net/users/dragonraid/Readme
A Brochure about the game -- ftp://earth.usa.net/users/dragonraid/intro/brochure
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LIGHTRAIDER NET (ISSN 1089-3636) is a 'fan-zine' and is not sponsored by the
makers and distributors of DragonRaid (tm) and is published electronically and
irregularly (as in when we have enough material and time to do it). All
articles are copyrighted property of their respective authors. Reproducing
or republishing an article, in whole or in part, in any other
forum requires permission of the author or the moderator.
LR-NET is an electronic journal discussing Christian games and other media
related to or potentially inspiring Christian games. Unless otherwise noted,
copyright 1996 Jill Oviatt (oviattws@alaska.net) and Charlie Banders
(charlie@mat.net).
Reproduction for personal and non-profit use is permitted only if this
copyright notice is retained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without
permission. Mail charlie@mat.net or oviattws@alaska.net with comments,
questions or submissions.
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