An Old Favorite Returns to Southeastern Wisconsin Winter Fantasy 1990

January 5th-7th The Ramada Airport - Milwaukee, WI Winter Fantasy 1990 is sponsored by the RPGA™ Network. ,. Featuring Network-sanctioned events: AD&D ® Game Grand Masters AD&D Game Masters AD&D Game Feature AD&D Game Benefit Tournament I MARVEL SUPER HEROES™ Game Feature Tournament

I TOP SECRET/SI™ Game Tournament Paranoia Andbthers

Gamers don't live by dice alone, so we also are offering Saturday morning breakfast at 7:00 AM for the paltry sum of$7.50 . (Gaming sta rts promptly at 8:30.) And on Sunday we offer brunch and a Network Members meeting. Brunch is served at noon, meeting to follow. Cost for the brunch is $10.00.

A writer's seminar, hosted by the POLYHEDRON™ Newszine's editorial staff will be held late Saturday afternoon. Bring your ideas and manu scripts for Newszine articles and tournaments .

Admission at the door for the weekend is $15.00 (plus meal fees). Discount Pre-registration for Network Members Only is $10.00 before November 1st, 1989. (Pre-registration for non-members is $12.00.)

All gaming is free - except the benefit tournament, which requires a $5.00 donation. Games are available on site on a first come, first served basis. Limited Pre-registration for games is available to Network Members. The fee is $2.00 for the weekend. Your $2.00 guarantees you four games .of your choice, indicate choices on the form below.

Rooms at the Ramada cost $56.00 a night for double occupancy. For reservations call the Ramada at (414) 764-5300. Be sure to mention Winter Fantasy. r------7WINTER FANTASY 1990 PRE-REGISTRATION FORM Membership No. ______

0 Network Member Pre-registration ($10.00) 0 Non Member Pre-registration ($12.00) Q Saturday Breakfast ($7.50) Q Sunday Brunch ($10.00) 0 Network Member Game Pre-registration ($2.00 for four games. indicate choices below)

AD&DGames O Grand Masters O Masters O Feature O Benefit ($5.00 donation) 0 MARVEL SUPER HEROES Game QTOP SECRET/SI Game O PARANOIA Game Name:.______AddressSample ______file_

Send convention registration to: Winter Fantasy 1990, PO Box 515, Lake Geneva, WI 53147 L ------Enclose a check or money order for the appropriate amount. Do not send cash. - _J Sample file 2

THE AME RICAN GAMES FAIR, Se ptember 8-10 Please note new location and date. New York's first consumer and trade show will be held at the Roosevelt Hote l ORIGINS, June 29-July 2 Builder, Car Wars, Call Of Cthu lhu, and Madison Ave. and 45th St, New York, The Los Angeles Airport Hilton is the much more. For more information write NY. The first day of the show is a "trade site of this gamers' paradise. Among the to Quincon IV, Dan Bussen, 1818 Hill­ day only:• however the doors will open RPGA"' Network tournaments planned top Drive East, Quincy, IL 62301, or to the public for the rema ining two are an AD&D® game Feature and Mas­ phone 217-223-8498 before 8 p.m. days. For more information, or to pre­ ters, AD&D game Oriental Adventures , register contact: American Games Fair TOP SECRET /SJ."' game Feature, at CCE LTD., 122 E 42nd St., Suite MARVEL SUPER HEROES"' game Y FEST, August 5-6 1121, New York, NY 10168, Feature, D&D® game event, and a Teen­ Sponsored by Breastp late Hobbies, this 212-867-5159. agers From Outer Space event. Other two-day event features mostly minia­ activities include seminars, workshops, tures events, but two Network AD&D and a large dealers ' room. For more Game tournaments and other role­ DRAGON CON '89, October 6-8 information contact Jeff Albanese, playing games are offered. The festival This event will be held at the OMNI Diverse Thlents Incorporated , P.O. Box will be held at the Wick Park Commu ­ International Hotel and Convention 8399, Long Beach, CA 90808. nity Center in Youngstown, Ohio. Regis­ Center in Atlanta, Georgia. Guests tration fees are $5 a day or $7 for the include: Anne McCaffrey, Wes Craven, weekend. For information contact: Michael Whelan, Andrew Greenberg, DOVERCON V, July 8-9 Breastplate Hobbies, 3002 Center Rd., Margaret Weis, Tracy Hickman, Gary This year Dovercon will be held at the Poland, OH 44514, or call Frank Suchar Gygax , Richard Garriott , Robert Univer sity of New Hampshire 's Memo­ at 216-757-9791. Asprin, Lynn Abbey, and Larry Elmore. rial Union Building in Durham , New Pre-registration (through September Hampshire. Festivities include an 15th) is $30.00. Fantasy role-playing, RPGA Network AD&D game feature GEN CON®Game Fair, August 10-13 strategic, miniatures, and computer tournament, a Network members only More RPGA Network tournament s than gaming is offered in more than 100 tournament, film festival, miniature s you could possibly hope to play in will featured tournaments including RPGA and art competitions, open gaming, flea be featured at thi s four-day gaming Network Open and Masters events. market, vendor area , and many gaming feast at MECCA in Milwaukee , WI. Network tournaments include the events. Registration fees are $15 for More than three dozen Network tourna ­ AD&D game, MARVEL SUPER both days. Vendor and game mast er ments and seminars will be held, HEROES game, TOP SECRET /SJ. inquirie s are welcome. For more infor­ including Masters and Grand Master s game, and GAMMA WORLD®game. mation contact Dovercon V, P.O. Box competitions , and the Game Fair's Four tracks of pan els and workshops 753, Dover, NH 03820. AD&D Game Open tournament. The are planned, along with a masquerade, Network also will sponsor a Fanta sy art show and print shop, video rooms, Art Show and Auction, and a art and consignment auctions, con suite, DALLAS FANTASY FAIR, July 14-16 masqerade. On Wednesday, Augu st 9th, and more! For information on attending More than 200 dealers' tables will be the Network will hold a pre -convention or judging , send a self-addressed, featured at this three-day event . Fea ­ question and answer session for all stamped envelope to: tured activities include an RPGA Net­ members. On Friday , August 11th , the DRAGON CON '89, Box 47696, work AD&D game tournament, 24 hour Network will host its third annual Atlanta, GA 30362. gaming, art show and auction, masquer­ breakfa st and national meeting. The ade , video rooms, and artists and writ­ meeting will feature addresses by con­ er s workshops. For more information vention guests and TSR, Inc. officers, OCTOBERFEST GAMING, contact Bulldog Production s, P.O. Box and pre sentations of the 1988 Gamers' October 21-23 820488, Dallas, TX 75382, or call Choice Awards. Both meeti ngs will be Detroit 's yearly Halloween role playing 214-349-3367. held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel right game convention will be sponsored by next door to MECCA. Pre -registration is the Detroit Gaming Center and the City recommended for the breakfast , see the of Detroit Recreation Department. The QUINCON IV, J uly 21-23 Game Fair pre -registration brochure for location is the Lighthou se Recreation Make plan s to attend this gaming bash details. The Game Fair also offers a Cent er in Detroit. Personalities include at the Quincy Motor Inn, Quincy, IL. huge dea lers' room, open gaming, war Erick Wujcik , designer of the Tuenage RPGA Network events will include an gaming and miniature events, game Mutant Ninja Turtle s, Revised RECON , AD&D game tournament and a auction, seminars, workshops , and and Ninja s & Superspies role playing MARVEL SUPER HEROES game much , much more , more th an 500 differ­ games. Admission is free . For more memorial Sampletournament honoring Brad ent activitie s in all. For more informa­ information file write to Erick Wujcik, P.O. Schuttler. Oth er events include Axis tion , contact GEN CON Game Fair Box 1623, Detroit, MI 48231, or call And Allie s, 3D Fr ee For All , James Headquarter s, P.O. Box 756, Lak e 313-833-3016. Bond, Warhammer, Conquest Of The Geneva, WI 53147. Empire, Talisman, Risk, Empire

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Volume 9, Number 4 Issue #48, July, 1989

SPECIAL MODULE FEATURE

7 Cataclysm - by Michael Sellnker There are cats all over Claxton. No one knows what is drawing them or what to do about them. The city's high priest wants them exterminated. Fortu ­ na tely, your band of adventurers doesn't hav e to worry about the felines. You just have to recover the priest 's possess ions, stolen, perhaps , by a cat -burglar. Illustrated by Angela Bostick .

About the Cover FEATURES This scene illuminates this issue's By The Book - by Doug Behringer Living City feature , The Glow 19 Shop. Art by Larry Elmore. Game masters and players can get more enjoyment out of Netwo rk sanc­ tioned tournaments by following these words of advice. 20 The Mutant 's Armory Part II - by Kim Eastland Grenades an d explosives for the GAMMA WORLD® game are serve d up for player s an d game master s. 23 Spelljammer - by Jeff Grubb The AD&D® game is taking off for the stars. 2 4 Wand of Woundrousness - by Ed Fried lander It truly is a wonder what this variation of an old magic item will do. 28 The Living City - by Fran Hart The Glow Shop carries candles, lamps, and a variety of other ligh t sources to Publisher keep your player characters out of the dark. Mike Cook Inside Back Maller Cover - Jack Mooney & Sons Circus Pre senting a contest for Network members who have a little sawdust in their Editor veins. Jean Rabe

Assistant Editor Skip Williams EDITORIAL 4 Notes From HO - by Jean Rabe Contributing Editor If you want to add to Rav ens Bluff, The Living City, pay attention to these Guy McLimore sugge stions. Production Staff 5 Letters - from the members Angelika Lokotz Paul Hanchett e Sylvia Deering Sharon Simonis DEPARTMENTS Debbi e Pout sch

2 Convention Announcements 6 On Your Feet - by Peter Hague Our veteran DM looks back at how he accidently joined the Network. Sample2 6 The Crltlcal Hit - by Lisa Stevens and James Wadefile The AD&D® Game Second Edition Player 's Handb ook and Dun geon Master 's Guide come under the scrutiny of our reviewers .

.,, 989 TSR. Inc All Rights Reserved.

p 0 L y H E D R 0 N 4- Notes From HO New Features and Old Problems Many of our readers enjoy the Living Blood moose amount if the convention is heavily City articles that have been running in attended and has several Network the POLYHEDRON"' Newszine and This issue premiers Bloodmoose and events. have asked for writing guidelines and Company, a continu in g comic stri p by Because of these services, and the suggestions for topics so they can add to Gary M. Williams. Let us know what additional help HQ and the regional Ravens Bluff. Writing guidelines for the you think of the adventures of Gary's directors provide, the Network does not Newszine and for the Living City are sta lwart heroes . If you like Bloodmoose pay for ad space or dona te additional availa ble from HQ. If you have an idea a lot, you might try to win an original prizes. If conventio n organizers have a for an article, but want our inp ut before Bloodmoose cartoon donated by Gary. blank page in their program books, we spending hours at a typewriter or word This contest is open only to RPGA"' will be more than happy to send them processor, send us a brief outline or Network members who will be atte nd­ an RPGA Network ad to include. But description along with a self-addressed­ ing GEN CON® Game Fair. 'lb partici­ we hope all the materials, support, and stam ped-enve lope, and we'll reply as pate , all you have to do is encourage pri zes we provide will be enough to quickly as possible. oth er gamers at the convention to join "pay " for the ad. However , there are some basic sugges­ the Network. Put your membership While we're on the subject, be aware tions we can offer now: don't submit number and name on the sponsor line that just sen ding TSR, Inc. your promo­ buildings and characters similar to on the membership forms (the person tional materials does not entitle you to those we have already printed . Original joining will have to turn in the form at receive tournaments or get an idea s have a much better chance of HQ or at the Network booth ), and the announcement in the Newszine. We do being accepted. That doesn 't mean that member who encourages the most peo­ not send tournaments unless we receive because an inn or tavern has appeared ple to join will be presented the Blood­ a written request with complete infor­ in the Newszine we won't print other moose cartoon at the Network award mation about the convention . For every­ inns and taverns. A large city has many ceremony on Sunday (the HQ staff is one's convenience, we have developed a of those kinds of establishments. Ju st dismayed because they're not eligible to form for tournament requests . You can make yours different, give the proprie ­ win). Gary will be on hand at the Game get one by writing HQ. Likewi se, to get tors fresh characte ri stics. Also, it is Fair art show, where the cartoon will be your convention announced in the essential that submission s be complete. displayed. Newszine you must send HQ a short, Some of the submissions we receive are complete announcement. We don't have too sketc hy, listing only what kinds of time to condense announcements out of goods a business sells. Describe the Changing the promotional materials . Finally, sending quality of the goods, and give some of Conventional Mind an announcement to DRAGON®Maga ­ the prices. Some submi ssions give only zine does not mean that it will appear game sta ti stics for the propri etors. HQ ha s been receiving requests to in the Newsz in e, an d vice versa. The Characters must have depth, personali­ donate prizes to conventions over and staff at each pub lication carr ies a heavy ty, and history. above the prizes or gift certificates it workload, and exchanging materials The best way to learn how to write a awards for sanctioned tournaments, and between publi cat ions is not possible . Living City submission is to read the to pay for ad space in convention pro­ Living City articles that have been grams. If you're a convention organizer Addressing The Issue appearin g since issue #34. pay attention: we don't do this. The What kind of articles are we generally Netwo rk supplie s tournamen ts to con­ The POLYHEDRON Newszine is mailed looking for? We're always eager to venti ons at a nominal fee. If the conven­ bulk, which means the U.S. Postal Serv ­ receive good Living City submi ssions, t ion provid es at least one acceptable ice will not forwar d it when you move and we are especially interested in New tour nament, the bulk of the fees are unless you fill out the litt le card that Rogues Gallery submi ssions which waived. Fees (as of Septe mber 1st, 1989) says you will pay to have magazines feature characters that can be used in are $5 for each tournament round. In forwar ded to your new addr ess. Fre­ more than one game system. And we other words, a convention can get a quentl y, mem bers who move don't would like to see more articles to help three-round tournament for a whopping notify us until they have been at their player s and ga me mast er s improv e $15. This fee is waived if the convention new address a few months and have their games, such as Playing Illusions, provides at least one approved tourna­ noticed an absence of N ewszine s. Some which appear ed in issue #46. We like to ment. If convention organizers elect not of these members get angry with HQ print mat eri al th at is immediat ely to make their own copies of tourna­ because they have missed issues. It isn't useful to playe rs and DMs. Above all, ment s, we will provide copies for $2 a our faul t that th ey didn 't fill out the we want sSampleubmi ssi ons that are typed, round. HQ isn't making a profit from po sta l carfiled or notify us of a change of follow the Newszine 's formats, and have the se charges, we're just covering our address. corr ect spelling and punc tuation. expenses. If you are plannin g to move, call or On top of this, HQ provide s gift certifi­ write HQ to give us your new address as cates or priz es for a convention's sanc­ ti oned tournament s. Thi s can be a hefty Continued on page 30

p 0 L y H E D R 0 N 5 Letters On Our Feet Bravo to Peter Hague's On Your Feet ments until some time in 1990; in our column. He ma de a very good point. It is experience, it takes that long for Network POLYHEDRONN Newszine (the official newsletter players and DMs to get acquainted with of TSR, lnc:s ROLE PLAYING GAME ASSOCIA­ frustrating when you discover you have TIO NN Network) is published bi-monthly by TSR, received a PC that is quiet or useless in new material. When we do switch over, Inc. The mailing address for all correspondence is: the current playing environment, espe­ all AD&D game events will use the P.O. Box 515, Lake Geneva, WI 53147 . Tele­ cially when it seems that voting some­ revised material. phone : (414) 248-3625. times goes in favor of those who speak POLYHEDRON Newszine is mailed free to all the loude st. I would like to comment on Peter RPGAN membe rs. US membership rates are $15 Hague 's advice to judges about scoring per year (bulk mail delivery only) ; foreign rates are I rather like the idea of advanc ing to $25 per year (surface mail) or $45 per year (air the next round and seeing the problem an event in issue #45. I have been a mail). All prices are subject to change wtthout to its conclusion. It's one thing to be Network member for four years and a notice. Changes of address for the delivery of frequent participant in events at con­ membership materials must be received at least 30 eliminate d from a semi final because days prior to the effective date of the change to someone r ole-played just a wee bit bet­ ventions (playing , judging, and writing ). insure uninterrupted delivery. ter than yourself. I can live with that, I have seen and done a lot of tourna­ POLYHEDRON Newszine welcomes unsolicited ment role playing. I agree with Peter submissions of written material and artwork. No and all power to the one who beat me. responsibiltty for such submissions can be It's a whole other story when you didn't about giving preference to players with assumed by the publisher in any event. No submis• stand a chance to begin with, because passive characters rather than domi­ sions will be returned unless accompanied by a nant ones (assuming both players self-addressed, stamped envelope of sufficient your PC was as exciting as plai n yogurt. size. I think each PC should have one out­ played well ), but I feel he has left out Unless special arrangements to the contrary are standing attribute that everyone else several other impo rt ant points that made prior to publication, materials submitted to the Publisher for publication in POLYHEDRON should expect to see portrayed by the should also be considered when voting. Newszine are accepted solely upon the condition player. There are many outgoing attrib­ A Network tournament is supposed to that the materials may be edtted and published in utes that can be given without causing judge the players on their role-playing POLYHEDRON Newsz,ne or used 1n RPGAN ability and , hopefully , reward them Network sanctioned tournaments, conventions, personality clashes. Imagine the frus­ and events without cost to the Publisher. All other tration of the player who reads: "Your appropriately. Role playing , however, is publication rights may be reserved by the author PC is a selfish, quiet sort who secretly more complicated than play acting. The except that, upon pub lication, the Publisher 1s granted a first right of refusal to purchase any and dislikes his associate s." If you play this voting sheet for a round specifically all such publication rights offered for sale by the PC to the hilt, you' ll wind up alienating points out that players should vote for author. Solely for purposes of submissions for the party. "the best overall performance s­ publication in POLYHEDRON Newszine and upon including teamwork, role playing , good prior written agreement, authors may be granted a On the up side, I have to say that the non-exclusive right to use TSR copyrighted materi• quality ofRPGA"' Network tourna­ strategic sense, and knowledge of the al with proper acknowledgement ; however, any ments has been excellent overall, partic ­ rules:' Using this text as the ba sis for use of such copyrighted material in the submission beyond the newszine without TSR's lurther prior ularly the AD&D® game tournaments. evaluating performance, I have come to written approval is prohibi!ed . The RPGA Network tournaments are realize that the order of these terms is In the event an article submitted for publication 1n practically the only events I sign up for, not random, but reflects the general POLYHEDRON Newszine contains material copy­ righted by TSR, Inc., to such an extent as to make the exception being the games the Net­ importance of each element in assuring it impractical to separate those materials from the work ha s no tournaments for. Keep up an enjoyab le experience for all. 'lb wit: submission, TSR will retain copyr ight ownership of the excellent work . Teamwork: The individual advance ­ the article upon submission for publication. ment tournaments the Network spon­ However, 1fTSR makes use of the materials In closing, some questions. How will con tained in the article for any product or commer­ AD&D ®2nd Edition game rules affect sors are an outgrowth of goal-oriented, cial purpose beyond RPGAN Network use, TSR will this year's RPGA Network AD&D team events. Network events are struc­ pay the author the then current fee for such product or purpose. games? Will Network Oriental Adven­ tured similarly to team events in that All letters addressed to the RPGA Network o r to tures events use 2nd Edition rules also? the pla yers are given a goal to accom­ TSR, Inc., will be considered as submissions and plish as a team. In most cases, the char­ may be printed in whole or in part at the d iscretion acters used in an event know each other of the editor unless the sender specifically requests John J. Terra otherwise in wrtting. Randolph, MA and have worked together previously, Unless otherwise stated, the opinions expressed and are usually provided with impor­ in POLYHEDRON Newsz1ne are those of the tant rea sons for pursuing the goal. individual authors, and do not necessarily reflect Check out Building Characters in issue the opinions of TSR, Inc., the RPGA Network, or its #47 for member Michael Lach's sugges­ When a player uses his character to staff. tions for creating playable tourna ment threaten, steal from, or otherwise vic­ ., designates registered trademarks owned by characters. Although it is HQ's responsi­ timize hi s fellow PCs , usually in an TSR, Inc. bility to make sure every player starts effort to gain attention or power, he or N designates trademarks owned by TSR, Inc. with an even chance of advancing , our she has aban doned the spirit of play. Most other procuct names are trademarks Sampleo wned by filethe companies publishing those job will be easier-and will get done Role playing: This is really a doubl e­ procucts . Use of the name of any procuct without better- if tournament authors give us a edged sword. It genera lly means the mention of trademark status should not be con• little extra help. abi lity to bring to life , through action strued as a challenge to such status. AD&D game 2nd edition material 0 1989 TSR, Inc. All Rights Reserved . won't show up in sanctioned tourna- Continued on page 30

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