What does old school mean to you?

[ReaperWolf]

I recall once in my Army days going through the line at a diner on the airfield and the lady at the cash register heard me and my friends discussing a role playing game we were into at the time (StormBringer? I forget exactly).

 

When I got up to the register to pay she asked me "You play those devil games? Haven't you ever thought of going to church?" Well, my first thought was "Nah, I get enough fantasy in the games I play." But instead I discussed this with her, found out she had absolutely no first hand knowledge and left her wanting to know more.

 

Neat experience all in all.

 

Way to represent, bravo!

 

:)

 

So to bring the topic back on track, care to share your perspective on 'old school'?

 

>>ReaperWolf

[kristof65]

Well, now that it's been brought up, Old School does involve being afraid to disclose my hobby to anyone outside of friends.

 

I remember well riding the public bus system, and not pulling my D&D books out to read, for fear of someone seeing them. I remember putting brown paper covers on all my D&D books and writing things like "Math" and "English" on them to fool people. I remember carefully vetting new people about their possible reaction before disclosing I played D&D, and even more vetting to see if they wanted to play. I recall getting negative reactions and the like from people who did happen to find out I play, or see my books.

 

That has surely changed - just a couple of weeks ago, I walked into a Chipotle during lunch time, and there were 3 adults in their 30s sitting at a table with their 3.5e books out, rolling up PCs - at a table right next to the line of customers waiting to order. No one was giving them evil/dirty looks, and quite a few smiles were exchanged, as well as at least one business card.

 

so yeah, that whole negative "D&D is devil worship" vibe is definitely a part of the feel of old school for me.

[ReaperWolf]

I remember well riding the public bus system, and not pulling my D&D books out to read, for fear of someone seeing them. I remember putting brown paper covers on all my D&D books and writing things like "Math" and "English" on them to fool people. I remember carefully vetting new people about their possible reaction before disclosing I played D&D, and even more vetting to see if they wanted to play. I recall getting negative reactions and the like from people who did happen to find out I play, or see my books.

 

Reminds me of my buddy back in Lansing MI. He was an openly gay man, he marched in parades, gave speeches and attended gatherings, and volunteered with crisis phone lines but he was a closet gamer, particularly to his gay friends.

 

I once ran into him in a bookstore with a few of his pals in tow and naturally the conversation drifted towards our DHL Adon d20 campaign. He more or less cut me off and said he had somewhere to be before jetting off with his pals. Miffed and confused by the unexpected snubbing, I demanded an explanation at the next game session. He explained in no uncertain terms that he had a standing in the gay community that would be harmed if it were widely known he was a tabletop adventure gamer. Hrm!?!?

 

So in his mind, it's ok to live openly as a gay man (and I agree you should be free to live your life) but he was (on some level) ashamed of being a gamer. To this day, I still chuckle at the profound hypocrisy.

 

>>ReaperWolf

[joshuaslater]

There's some irony!! Good story.

[kristof65]

Interesting - Ok to be gay, not ok to be a D&D gamer....I feel so ashamed!!!!

 

Not to change the subject, but I think my early experiences with D&D and it being somewhat of a hobby of the "shadows" actually help me accept people for who they are more easily.