Mark Barrowcliffe on early D&D

Mark Barrowcliffe, author of The Elfish Gene, talks about early D&D and displays some rare artefacts.
You cannot call yourself a nerd until you have watched, and been interested in, this.

Category:

Gaming

Tags:

• dungeons
• dragons
• RPG
• wargaming
• elfish
• gene
• D&D

[goldentwit]

By the way, all - thought I'd let you know my book Wolfsangel - a Viking fantasy - is now out in the US and the UK under the pen name MD Lachlan. Hope you all enjoy!

[lynxswift]

Just finished your book. I liked it a lot. There's a lot of truth in it, that I can relate to from my own youth. Overly negative though, I think. Surely there were lots of fond memories too?

[goldentwit]

@lynxswift Thanks very much - yes, lots of fond memories and I thought I put them in the book - particularly the stuff about Billy.

I agree I was overly harsh in the first chapter of the book. It was written much after the rest of the book as a sort of 'why should I read this?' for the general reader. In retrospect the tone of that first chapter was much more down on D&D than I'd intended. And I wish I'd not been put off by the people I met when I went to game again. I think I was just unlucky.

[Perenthea]

Hey, I'm reading The Elfish Gene right now. My friends and I have been playing for a few years now on and off, about once a week when we're actually doing it. I'm gonna start my campaign with monthly adventures come summer. :D

I'm reading the book and then going on to Lord of the Rings. It's a pretty cool read so far! Really interesting.

[goldentwit]

Only just got this message. HOpe you enjoyed the rest of the book and your campaign!

[rezpatriot]

Epic so awesome I found a video on youtube from the actual author. Seeing the books really IS interesting. The furthest I go back is the red box. But gosh everytime I sit to listen to your biography I can totally imagine your life, sort of scary really, but awesome none the less. Just actually got to a character called Polystyrene, which is just past a part you introduce "Empire of the pettle throne". Sounds an awesome game, although I found this video before I wiki'd it. :))))))))

[fishface2335]

MARK YOUR A LEGEND!!!!!!!!!!! i love the elfish gene tis amazing, ive played D&D for about 3 or 4 years now and im 12 and i never intend to stop. i only really play original D&D, well i say original i mean basic and AD&D! you are epic! thx

[wefdsau]

Whoa, is this Marks Channel? Cool.

[trooks40]

Hey Mark,

Thanks for the video. Sorry to say that I'm coming to the end of your delightful memoir. It's been a fun ride. It was a bit sad, though, about the way you and Billy went separate ways.

-Todd

[mrgoodtimes123]

This is really interetsing after reading the Elfish Gene.  But I recommend you read it first. Fun book for ex Adventurers or fans of late 70's teen culture.