Richard H. McCoy

BIRTHDATE: May 1
BIRTH PLACE: Oneida, NY
HAIR COLOR: Brown
EYE COLOR: Blue
HEIGHT: 5' 11"
WEIGHT: 135 lbs
MARITAL STATUS: Single
SEX: Male

I was born and raised in central New York (Oneida and Syracuse) and attended Hartwick College, where I earned my Bachelor's degree in political science/public policy (with a minor in English of course!). Afterwards I returned to the Syracuse area and began working on my Master's degree at Syracuse University (Maxwell School of Citizenship) in public administration (with emphasis on environmental policy). I'm presently at the university full-time and expect to finish my graduate work next year.

I work during summers as a Conservation Director for a camp in the Adirondack Mountains, teaching ecology and conservation management to high school age kids. I also worked part-time for Mediation Services, Inc., an alternative to the U.S. court system.

I entered gaming about 12 years ago with AD&D, which I continue to play and GM. I also run Marvel Superheroes campaigns (the last one ran for four years!), play several board games, such as Civilization, Diplomacy, Kingmaker, Silent Death, etc. I also enjoy learning new systems and will experiment with most games.

Presently I am working as a play-by-mail moderator for INS 2001 (the company is International Research Associates) and am doing design work on several other PBM games (one of which is nearing marketing, at last). I play a couple of PBM games (Sceptre, Galactic Prisoners) and am looking for an inexpensive, but enjoyable PBM game to join. Also, I'm doing some writing for game-related publications, such as Polyhedron and The Gainer's Connection.

In my "spare time" I work as a DJ at WERW (750 AM) and in the legal department at WJPZ (89.1 FM), read, attend gaming conventions, camp and hike, work on "the great American novel," learn/observe local politics, and sleep when I have time!

I joined DU after reading a trial issue of Chain-Mail and was very impressed. I hope to get to know other members and contribute to the association whenever possible. (Anyone with an open slot in their PBM game?)

Future goals are to complete my Master's degree next year, continue writing, designing and playing games and game-related materials, work for the U.S.E.P.A. or D.E.C. in environmental policy or enforcement matters, and keep searching for what doesn't seem to exist in central New York State... a single female gamer!

Graham A. Jennings

BIRTHDATE: November 5
BIRTH PLACE: Bristol (England)
HAIR COLOR: Blonde
EYE COLOR: Blue
HEIGHT: 5' 8"
WEIGHT: 140 lbs
MARITAL STATUS: Married
SEX: Male

I am 23 years old and live in Weston Super Mare, a seaside town. I have been doing role-playing games for 12 years, mostly as a gamemaster. During this time I have had little or no experience as a player, and feel this may impair my performance. I am married to Pippa (23 years old) who is expecting our first child in April, and we are both overjoyed.

I live in a 2-bedroom flat which I own, I work as a household insurance underwriter for which I have four years experience. I am educated to college level although I don't feel I am as intelligent as that makes me sound(!). I enjoy TV, films, reading (detective and fantasy novels), and all types of role-playing. I am currently running my own tabletop AD&D with a group of six friends. I drive a 1974 Rover 2-2 SC Saloon which one day I hope to fully restore. I have a wide spectrum of music enjoyment and quite a quick humor. I feel I am able to get on with most people.

David J. LaPorta

BIRTHDATE: July 21
BIRTH PLACE: Cooperstown NY
HAIR COLOR: Lt brown
EYE COLOR: Hazel
HEIGHT: 5'9"
WEIGHT: 135 lbs
MARITAL STATUS: Single
SEX: Male

I have grown primarily within the confines of a small, rather insulated rural village, recently graduating third in a class of 49. After eleven years in foster care, I am making my way out to pursue higher education in the "real world." To categorize myself by past mannerisms, I am a dreamer and something of a recluse. The latter, in particular, I hope to shake off when I become accustomed to college life. I am a believer in transience as a given, and in self-determination as human nature. 

I have player and GMd various RPGs for about seven years now. This began with D&D and progressed through older editions of Top Secret, Gamma World, Twilight 2000, and AD&D. I am now focused on 2nd-edition AD&D; particularly, I hold a good foundation of Lankhmar material. Tactics and role-playing are my main emphasis.

Among numerous hobbies and interests, wargames, listening to music, and thoughts on politics rank prominently. I also enjoy running, strategy games in general, native American sign language, nature hikes, and travel. I write letters with dedication when time so allows; anyone seeking a pen pal or making inquiries related to my interests will be answered to the best of my ability. More on the dabbling side, I like journal writing and listening in on my shortwave receiver.

Trey Stone

BIRTHDATE: October 10
BIRTH PLACE: Rockledge FL
HAIR COLOR: Brown
EYE COLOR: Hazel
HEIGHT: 6'
WEIGHT: 205 lbs
MARITAL STATUS: Single
SEX: Male

The first 23 years of my life have been definitely worth living, and I am definitely looking forward to experiencing whatever is to come. Life is a wonderful gift; sieve it, hold it, caress it like the most sensual lover. Never let a moment be waste, for once that moment is gone, it's outta there!

I came up from a shy kid in school, which I began casting off in high school. It was finally shaken off completely when I entered the U.S. Army and served in the Field Artillery for two years. Definitely an unique experience, to be sure. The highlight was my deployment to the Republic of Panama in '89 for "Operation: Just Cause." Strangest Christmas I ever had. I had always been an avid wargamer, and amateur military historian, but to see the war up close and personal was a different animal entirely.

Nowadays, I'm a sophomore in college, currently attending Texarkana Community College. Once I've obtained my Associates degree in criminology there, I'll be headed off to the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, where I plan to study for a Bachelor's degree in psychology as well as obtaining an Air Force ROTC commission in the reserves. Before that, I will be joining the Air Force Reserve as a security policemen.

My interests include science fiction, fantasy, adventure, history, thrillers, horror, military history, and other related subjects. Recently I have started developing an interest in automobile repair/mechanics.

My hobbies are wargaming, role-playing, fencing, martial arts, handguns, weapons collecting, music (a wide variety, but my favorite is rock 'n' roll), reading, writing, and poetry. I want to try paintball combat, bungi jumping, scuba, and skydiving as soon as I have the time and money. I also am very health conscious, and am into running and weight lifting.

I love PBM gaming, and am looking forward to getting my own computer so I don't have to use the typewriter any more.

Jay A. Hafner

BIRTHDATE: February 21
BIRTH PLACE: Slayton MN
HAIR COLOR: Brown
EYE COLOR: Grey
HEIGHT: 6'5"
WEIGHT: 190 lbs
MARITAL STATUS: Single
SEX: Male

I am a physical therapy and philosophy major at South Dakota State University. I am currently earning my way through school as a high jumper for the track and field team.

I enjoy weight lifting, basketball, windsurfing, ice sailing, philosophy, and listening to music. In my free time I enjoy a malady for moderating my PBM game (when my computer is cooperative), writing short stories, and when the moon comes into full phase, my lunacy drives me to dungeonmastering AD&D. My other gaming interests are bound by role-playing, however; amongst the endless collegiate festivities I manage to squeeze in games of Risk, Tailsman, and even an occasional PBM strategy game.

Rick A. Silva

BIRTHDATE: September 22
BIRTH PLACE: Providence RI
HAIR COLOR: Brown
EYE COLOR: Brown
HEIGHT: 5'9"
WEIGHT: 150 lbs
MARITAL STATUS: Single
SEX: Male

Hi everybody! My name is Rick, I'm 24 years old, and I live in Dedham, Massachusetts. I graduated a little over a year ago from Cornell University, and I'm currently living at home, taking some graduate courses in marine biology at UMass, Boston, and looking for full-time work.

Other than gaming, I enjoy sailing, martial arts (although I'm not involved in it right now mainly due to lack of money), watching really bad movies, and reading just about anything. I'm something of a compulsive collector, especially when it comes to comic books and nonsports trading cards (especially the TSR cards and other fantasy art cards). Anyone with cards to trade, buy, or sell is welcome to write to me.

I've been involved in gaming for over 12 years, and I'm currently playing in one AD&D game and DMing another. I'm also in a local club, the Vanguard Hobby Club, which meets monthly and is more wargameoriented than DU. When I was at Cornell I was involved in their gaming club and fanzine (Sorcerer's Almanac) and helped organize their convention called Pentecon. I enjoy writing gaming material and look forward to writing for Chain-Mail. 00

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