I was out in the garage, cleaning it up and getting ready to hopefully start working out again (still waiting on a few of the 13 ribs I broke to finish the healing process), and out of the corner of my eye I see a familiar color of red on a box.
"What is that?!?!" old memories having an inkling of remembrance. Did I mention I have PTSD for memory loss? Yeah, clinically diagnosed and compensated for after a rollover in Iraq. Thank you, Veteran's Administration.
I quickly climb up ONE STEP on a STEPSTOOL and not a ladder (holy fuck no, not another ladder, they have been outlawed at my house for all time). Sure enough, my old mind did recognize that color, it is what I thought it was! I do not recall purchasing this, but I am sure I did. a First printing, 1983 version of the game that started it all (for me). I got this set for my birthday from my friend Chet and we played it constantly.
Now, finding this, I suddenly find myself with a massive urge to run some games using the game that brought me into the hobby....
That is awesome. I only ever got to see them when a guy in my homeroom in middle school brought his older brother's friend's copy in and was coping them by hand into one of his notebooks. The 80's DnD satanic suicide panic was in full swing back then and I was the only person who'd talk to that guy for the rest of the school year.
ReplyDeleteIf you run one on-line I'd be interested in playing.
I was always fascinated that they revamped basic so quickly. Seems Moldvay version was just two or so years earlier.
ReplyDeleteIf I remember Moldvay was 1979 and Mentzer was released in 1983. I think the Mentzer version was an attempt at a 'teaching' ruleset, a box set that would teach new player and thus grow the customer base.
DeleteHolmes (my start in '79) was '77, Moldvay '81 and Mentzer was '83. I went to AD&D pretty quickly so I missed the latter two. I wish I hadn't.
DeleteAnd that's really cool!
DeleteYou are correct, I was thinking of my copy of Holmes which was printed in 1979. Maybe the second or third printing?
DeleteI too wish I had not moved on to AD&D, I was caught up in the “new fancy” and we quickly switched to AD&D after we saw the book at the store.
Stay away from ladders, Matt! Also, yes! There's nothing like getting back to your roots...
ReplyDeleteAlso, sorry about the rollover. Humvees caused some real mischief there; but I'm glad your issues were diagnosed and acknowledged by the VA. That can be the hard part...
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful, Matt. Not the ladder part, though, that's just plain bad. All the best, man!
ReplyDeleteI can jump in on a game. I had the same feeling as I was rereading my second edition books. Which is why I'm currently running it.
ReplyDeleteCool!
ReplyDelete