The Inside Scoop on Gaming

Many people say RPGs began in the early 70s when Chainmail evolved into Dungeons & Dragons. A few revisionists may say otherwise, citing the letters between Anne and Emily Bronte concerning adventures of characters whose adventurous lives took place in the Nations of Angria and Gondal.

The truth, we now learn is that Baron Munchausen devised the first roleplaying game in 1798, but due to the lack of vision of the Baron's publisher, the game was not released until this very year.

Munchausen's game can be described as mechanically light, if not mechanically destitute. It most certainly is a drinking game and one should be ready to toast many things during play.

One tells a tale. Other players may attempt to add elements to the story being told, though this could result in having to fight a duel with the story teller.

The game provides an alternative way to fight the duel without resorting to combat, should there be cowards amongh the players or if other reasons for not duelling exist.

The good Baron could not have forseen one reason. An act by the California legislature bars anyone who participates in a duel, even as a second or as a willing witness anywhere on the Face of the Earth, from ever being allowed to run for or hold the office of Governor. In lieu of this unfortunate law, it is recommended by this reviewer that actual battle be fought using LARP or even (EGAD!) toy weaponry, lest the political fortunes of all the players be unduly injured.

Play scores are measured by money wagered, with no player allowed to place their final vote upon themselves or their significant other, and the storyteller who garners the greates number of coins is the winner and the obligatory purchaser of the next round of drinks.

[Sigh] The lawful realities of today's world require me to state that real money is not required to change hands to play the game, and such transfers of real funds in play could induce a state of incarceration upon the participants. I fear the Good Baron would not be pleased at all with such a state of affairs.

The game is fun, at least for those with wit enough to improvise enjoyable stories of a fantastic nature (Example: "How and why it was that you had to fight a duel with yourself - to the Death!"). I rather fear those who cannot think on their feet will find this game daunting, if not humiliating.

Fortunately any player can pass the burden of the tale to the next in line, at the trifle cost of buying a round for all at the table.

All in all, a fine game, one that might bring the card collecting addicts to a roleplaying game table.

Style: 5 (Excellent!)
Substance: 3 (Average)

The Extraordinary Adventures of Baron Munchausen
Author: James Wallis Category: game Company/Publisher: Hogshead Publishing Cost: $5.95 Page count: 24 ISBN: I 899749 18 7 Capsule Review by SD Anderson on 08/17/98. Genre tags: none	Many people say RPGs began in the early 70s when Chainmail evolved into Dungeons & Dragons. A few revisionists may say otherwise, citing the letters between Anne and Emily Bronte concerning adventures of characters whose adventurous lives took place in the Nations of Angria and Gondal. The truth, we now learn is that Baron Munchausen devised the first roleplaying game in 1798, but due to the lack of vision of the Baron's publisher, the game was not released until this very year. Munchausen's game can be described as mechanically light, if not mechanically destitute. It most certainly is a drinking game and one should be ready to toast many things during play. One tells a tale. Other players may attempt to add elements to the story being told, though this could result in having to fight a duel with the story teller. The game provides an alternative way to fight the duel without resorting to combat, should there be cowards amongh the players or if other reasons for not duelling exist. The good Baron could not have forseen one reason. An act by the California legislature bars anyone who participates in a duel, even as a second or as a willing witness anywhere on the Face of the Earth, from ever being allowed to run for or hold the office of Governor. In lieu of this unfortunate law, it is recommended by this reviewer that actual battle be fought using LARP or even (EGAD!) toy weaponry, lest the political fortunes of all the players be unduly injured. Play scores are measured by money wagered, with no player allowed to place their final vote upon themselves or their significant other, and the storyteller who garners the greates number of coins is the winner and the obligatory purchaser of the next round of drinks. [Sigh] The lawful realities of today's world require me to state that real money is not required to change hands to play the game, and such transfers of real funds in play could induce a state of incarceration upon the participants. I fear the Good Baron would not be pleased at all with such a state of affairs. The game is fun, at least for those with wit enough to improvise enjoyable stories of a fantastic nature (Example: "How and why it was that you had to fight a duel with yourself - to the Death!"). I rather fear those who cannot think on their feet will find this game daunting, if not humiliating. Fortunately any player can pass the burden of the tale to the next in line, at the trifle cost of buying a round for all at the table. All in all, a fine game, one that might bring the card collecting addicts to a roleplaying game table. Style: 5 (Excellent!) Substance: 3 (Average)

The Extraordinary Adventures of Baron Munchausen