Advanced Dungeons & Dragons

Welcome to my AD&D page. If you're looking for tons of original stuff, you're in the wrong place. I haven't had time to place my personal writings on this site. If, however, you're looking for a starting off point, you're in the right place. Here you'll find some of my favorite links and sites. I've also gather a small collection of files in my archives. I have a lot more information and as I get the authors' permission, I'll add it to the site.

This just in!

Bill Gates has strengthened his position in AD&D.

Christianity & Role Playing: Can't we all just get along?

Pic of Wizard
© 1996 Bill Chin

I've been playing AD&D for some time now, unfortunately it's not the most popular activity among some groups. A number of conservative, religious groups such as Focus on the Family and The 700 Club/CBN have concluded that playing AD&D leads to devil worshipping and a desire to kill indescriminately. What truely bothers me about their attitude is that I'm a conservative Christian. Arrgh! A fine example of their beliefs can be found at the Game of Satan Page.

Recently, an unlikely ally has shown up. A Canadian Religious organization has created a page that takes an honest and impartial look at the arguments against Role Playing Games. You might also want to read Tracy Hickman's seminar on Ethics in Fantasy.

TSR vs. The Internet

As if that wasn't enough to agrivate a passionate gamer, TSR (producers of AD&D) has begun to enforce it's ownership of various AD&D-related trademarks and copyrights. There's been a lot of debate regarding this move. James Vassilakos has done a fine job of compiling all of the relevant information on the TSR Copyright Debate into one place. The result of all of this is that MPG-Net operates the only TSR-Authorized FTP site. Oh, it's short on information and long on graphics, but TSR's website is finally online.

Pic of Dragon
© 1996 Bill Chin

Don't get me wrong. TSR certainly have the right to do this. A number of us, however, look at the way Paramount handles the creative endevors of it's Star Trek fans and we have to wonder: Why can't TSR be more like Paramount? Damn fine question. If you have the answer, I'd love to hear from you.

December 24th, 1996: Paramount (actually, Viacon, parent company of Paramount) has begun a minor assult on the Internet. Details can be found at C|Net Online's news service, but they've begun to crack down on sites that contain unauthorized images, audio clips, and scripts. They are not saying that Trek terms and ideas can not be used and are encouraging fans to continue authoring Trek-related material. TSR, are you reading this?

May 1st, 1997: It's difficult to say how the announced purchase of TSR by Wizards of the Coast is going to affect AD&D and it's presence on the Internet. WotC has had a long-standing tradition of tolerating, if not supporting, the creative efforts of it's customers. Many have suggested that this attitude may carry over into TSR. Time will tell.

October 1st, 1997 TSR has announced it's new Internet Policy and it's a sight for sore eyes. TSR/WOTC has apparently decided that they don't have any problems with the majority of fan-created material on the net. They're still against sites that post every picture from the Monster Manual, but hell, I have no problem with that position. What surprises me is how the AD&D community has reacted. Quick to complain when the "Evil T$R" was oppressing them, the AD&D community has received the new policy with apparent disinterest, exactly what I've come to expect from those hypocrites.

Surviving AD&D Resources

Despite the best efforts of those previously mentioned, there are still a number of great resources available on the net.

  • The DUNGEON - A resource for DMs and GMs
  • Irony Games Online gaming tools is an incredible site. Create terrain maps, villages, taverns, weather charts, callendars, and much, much more.
  • Lands of Elderus - An imaginative journey through the library of the Druid Greyhon Elderus
  • Olik has esembled one of the largest collections of RPG material I've ever seen. Perhaps more importantly, however, it's well organized
  • The Land of Erda, a flat rock floating in the ether, is Paul Schirf's latest lair. As usual, this new home contains all of the original Characters, House Rules, and Magic Items I've come to expect from Paul, but a few few offerings such as Races and Religions.
  • Steve Bartell has created a couple of very nice suplimental settings.
  • Tracy Hickman's Games & Entertainment - includes Tracy's Web-published Adventures and Gaming Articles Archive.
  • J. Seeley calls his page The Trap Page but it so much more. In addition to traps, you'll find adventure sketches and J's own role playing utilities.
  • WebRPG - The internet source for role playing game information, tools, products, and resources.
  • The World of Tryll contains background on the fantasy world of Tryll. You'll also find DM helper programs written by the site's author, Garry Sled.

The following sites are basically Link Farms. Hey, there's nothing wrong with that! After all, that's all this page is. :)

One of the things I love about AD&D is it's connection with Medievil history. While these links may not have universal appeal, I find them useful as research aids.

Finally, some miscellaneous sites.

Am I missing anything? Drop me a line and I'll be happy to look at it.

The Adventures of Dirk Seldarbirch

Dirk is very special to me for a number of reasons, not the least of which is that he was my first serious character. Dirk was a high-elven Thief Acrobat (remember those?) who had a passion for pranks and a nack for getting himself into a heap of trouble.

In time, I hope to have a full-description of Dirk here along with some of his more interesting tails. In the meantime, however, I hope you'll be satisfied with the following drawings of him. They were scanned years ago using a Logitech hand-scanner. One of these days, I'll have to rescan them.

Dirk Seldarbirch

Dirk Seldarbirch

Victorious Dirk

Virtorious Dirk

Dirk fleeing from an Orc

Dirk fleeing from an Orc