It was the summer of 1982 and I was 13 years old. The year before, I had moved with my family to another town half a state away from my first best friend. A few months later, he moved away, too, and the kids in his new neighborhood showed him how to play DUNGEONS & DRAGONS.

I went to visit him after school let out for the year. I remember that I had just arrived when he held up a thin, pale blue book and said to me, "Man, you've got to play this game!"

You only ever have one first best friend. Mine introduced me to DUNGEONS & DRAGONS.

Thanks Greg! You set me on a strange and winding path through worlds and lives mysterious and fantastic. Let me tell you about some of the games I've been playing lately.

The way to vict'ry
Flows like the river down hill –
In life as in war

Arise from your graves my old comrades!
The hordes gather at the gates and the guardians are all sleeping!