Fantasy Enthusiasts Enjoy Games, Form Friendships in Sci-Fi Club
by Angelique Bartlett
(ed note: I'm not sure on the year of this one, estimate 1993-94 school year)
About 25 people were in Phillips Hall when the building was blown up by terrorists. Fortunately, the explosion was just part of Chimera's role-playing game Saturday night.
Chimera, the UNC science-fiction/fantasy club, presented the game as part of their activities to begin the year. The club is for anyone interested in science fiction, strategy games and horror as well as role-playing games.
"It's a really good place to meet people," said Rob Martinek, the club's president.
Chimera, named for a monster in Greek mythology, sponsors presentations by authors such as Paul Thompson - who writes for the Dragonlance Chronicles - film viewing and discussion on games, books and movies.
"(Chimera) is an organization that caters to my fantastic interests," said Isaac Rockoff, a junior from Highland Park, N.J.
Although approximately two-thirds of the club is male, female members said they did not feel uncomfortable.
"We try very hard to make everyone welcome," said Tara Forcier, a sophomore from Satellite Beach, Fla.
Graduate student Shannon Wikle said she had met many wonderful people in the club. "They're a lot of fun to be around". Wikle also said she learned about different aspects of science fiction and fantasy after joining Chimera. The club introduced her to role-playing games.
"Gaming", as members call it, is a form of interactive story-telling, said Martinke, a senior from Dallas.
It can be thought of as a cross between reading a "Pick-a-Path" book, in which readers' choices can direct the story's outcome, and playing a murder-mystery game, in which participants play charactes who are somehow involved with the murder.
In a role-playing game, someone creates a situation and setting as the story's foundation. Game participants play characters who are somehow involved with the murder.
The players must react, or improvise, according to their characters' capabilities in each situation while trying to achieve the set goal. The game ends either when the players accomplish the game's goal or the given time for playing has elapsed.
Members enjoy gaming for several reasons. "It's like an alternate reality," said freshman Jeremy Greene from Statesville. "(It's a) chance to take another personality and try to do something with it."
Scott Synowiez, Chimera's vice president from Easton, Md., said gaming was a medium in which introverts could express themselves without feeling vulnerable.
Sophomore Chris Kirkman from Randleman said, "It allows you to explore aspets of your like that you normally wouldn't be able to do."
Melinda Simmons, a sophomore from Durham, added, "It's a way to get real life experience without having to go through the experience yourself. It also helps you to see things from other prespectives."
Kirkman said a lot of people had misconceptions about gaming. Most people play in a constructive and positive manner, he said. "It actually helps you take care of agressions", he said.
Martinek said gaming taught social skills. "It helps you to deal with people", he said. "Some of my strongest friendships have been through the game."
Synowiez said there was more to Chimera than role-playing games. The club tries to address the whole science fiction/fantasy genre, he said.
Martinek said he would like to focus more on the "Star Trek phenomenon" because many students had expressed interest in it. Wikle said members also enjoy Japanimation, an adult form of animated feature films.
The club will sponsor a one-day convention October 16th, which will involve many forms of strategy and board games. The day will end with a role-playing game.
Chimera wil show the movie "Metropolis" at 8:30 pm today in 303 Dey Hall.
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