Meet the Circle, the force behind the Black Spot.

Fellowship of the Black Spot First Circle Members (the founding members):

• Brunette, John (coming soon)
• Cunningham, Daniel (in spirit)
• Flemming, David
• Flemming, Thomas
• Konkol, David
• Penwell, R. Todd
• Woollums, Erica ( 06/26/2004)

Fellowship of the Black Spot Circle Members:

• Albrecht, Rob
• Brunette, Dustin
• Cimesa, Dominic
• Washington, Richard

John Brunette

Daniel Cunningham

David Flemming

Initiative: 11
Base Attack: 7/2
Speed: 30

Saving Throws:
Fortitude: 7
Reflex: 10
Will: 14

Weapons: Dagger (knife), Club (bat)
Armor: None

Feats: Alertness, Empower Software (Macintosh), Empower Hardware (Macintosh), Endurance (from tedious tasks), Skill Focus - Gaming Performance, Skill Focus - Knowledge Video Games, Skill Focus - Knowledge Macintosh Computers.

Languages: Common, Computerese, others (minor word knowledge in various languages)

Equipment: Standard clothing.

Magic Items: Palm Pilot, Magic Wand of Car Opening/Starting, Magic Cards of Money (Visa), plus many devices that enhance memory, play visual games, and much more (these last are computers, video games, and my stereo/video equipment).

(Semi) Brief History:
First off, I tried my best to fill out the information above. As for stats, skill, feats and spells, I tried to apply many of them to the real world. For example, the Sleep spell is my equivalent of being able to put some people to sleep, and I mean some people, not most. Some stuff was also listed for fun, such as the Alter Self Ego spell or the magic item listing. If anyone thinks anything is out of place, well, too damn bad. This is how I picture myself, and I did my best to fill in the stats for this profile. Note that my alter ego will probably do his own profile in another issue! And is case you are wondering about the Petty Rogue part, this isn’t based on theft. It’s based on the fact that almost everyone has some sneakiness in them, which manifests in one thing or another.

As for D&D, I started back when I was 12 years old, so I’ve been playing for 26 years as of this moment. Seems like a very long time, but it’s just been a flash in the dark. I’ve used D&D, AD&D, 2nd edition, 3rd (including playtesting the thing), and now the ultimate 3.5 revision. We’ll have to see how far it goes before I’m dead and buried, which is how long I plan on playing this game. While I really enjoy what the new edition of D&D has done for gaming, my mind still wanders back to 2nd edition. I just played that particular version the longest. Of course, over time, it’ll fade to a fond memory.

The early years of D&D were rather sporadic, with many different players and groups. It really didn’t get off to a good start until the late 80’s, when a DM (who I shall not name) got a group of players together for weekly Sunday night games. During this time, I used the “Black Spot” reference from Treasure Island in the game, and the whole Fellowship of the Black Spot idea was born shortly thereafter. It’s been a fun ride for the most part, with our highest point being the late 90’s. Currently, the club has hit on rough times, even though my own gaming habits pretty much remain the same. As mentioned, I love DMing and playing D&D, and hope to do so for a long time. As for the Black Spot club, that only time can tell.

As for my D&D skills, I do consider myself an excellent player. Most folks don’t realize this, at least not at first. I tend to develop characters over time, as I did with the infamous Ozyr, who is still evolving as I write this profile. I think Ozyr will outlive me! Wizards have always been my specialty, even though I’ve had lots of fun with other classes, in particular basic fighters. Rusty Dagger is one fighter I played years ago that I just loved, until I accidentally killed him off (oops). I just wish someone in my area would start up a 3rd edition game that I could play in. I love DMing, but I like playing just as much. As for my DMing skills, I would consider myself an above average DM overall. My role-playing skills aren’t the best, depending on the circumstances, but I give it my best. As for my campaign, I consider it to be rather original. I’ve designed my own Island/Continent that exists in a “pocket dimension.” This island is attached to whatever I like, from the Forgotten Realms and Greyhawk, to Gamma World and other worlds of my own creation. It makes for a rather fun and interesting game (just ask my players). Of course I’m always trying to improve my skills, which any DM should do. With age come wisdom on what works and what doesn’t. My best quality as a DM would have to be my ability to play on the fly, when the players go in a direction that I never planned for. DM improv can be rather fun, but it is taxing on the brain!

As for other areas of my life, as you can tell from my stats, I am a devote Macintosh user. No PeeCee for me. I got hooked on Macintosh back when Apple killed off the Apple II (which is another story in itself). It’s been a wonderful ride, and I plan on using these niche market machines until Apple is no more. Hopefully that will never happen. If I had a dime for every person who had told me that Apple is dead (or dying), I’d be a millionaire. If they die, then I’ll go back to using pen and paper. No offense to PeeCee users, but I just can’t stand Microsoft, especially Mr. Gates. I’ve made the statement many times and I’ll make it here. When he dies, I’ll find out where he’s buried and dance a jig on his grave! Besides that, if it wasn’t for Mac, there wouldn’t be PCs. For those that don’t believe that statement, just check the true facts on who did what first. Macs were first to use the CD drive, USB, true Plug and Play, Firewire, and many other innovations, including having the guts to drop the stupid floppy discs as a standard built-in option. And the technology behind PC-based fonts is made by Apple too, and that is a fact! If you are really interested in this kind of information, just read a copy of The Naked Truth (a computer book). That’s enough of this topic for now, as I could go on forever. One last thing though, please no emails and such on how the PC is better than Mac. You’ll never convince me, unles they get rid of Microsoft, and it’ll waste your time too.

My other passionate area of interest is Video Games. Not just current ones, but the ones that started it all, from the Odyssey, Atari and Intellivision, to the Genesis, Playstation and Atari Lynx. I am one big fan of anything that’s retro, or simply put, anything that is no longer being produced on a mass market scale or is on its way out. My favorite system is the Odyssey2, mainly because this is the first big system that I had as a kid. I like it so much, that I’ve dedicated a large section of my website to it, along with other systems. Go to “www.ozyr.com” for more information. My specialty is in instructions and tips for the older systems. The website is a constant work-in-progress, which I don’t ever expect to finish in my lifetime. There’s just so much information on videogames that I could never put it all on my site, not that I won’t try. Along with the videogames, I’m also a fan of old computer games, Macintosh of course, but also such systems as the Commodore 64, Timex/Sinclair, and many others. Retro is just too cool. I just love a system that can be up and running games in less than one minute! Try that with a modern system!

As for my work life, I have a job as a Computer Operator. It’s an okay job, but I’ve been looking for something better for some time now. Hopefully I’ll find that true job someday. I’ve been working on getting more into web design, but the market is so saturated. Unless you are really good, it’s nearly impossible to get into this field, even through I am trying. I’ve also done some small scale business work selling old games and systems (and miscellaneous stuff) under the Ozyr’s Emporium label through eBay and other online channels. It brings in money, but not much at this point in time.

My other areas of interest are movies and music. I have a huge collection of retro (and some modern) music on CD. The bulk of it is 80s music, with favorites being Devo, Men Without Hats and Midnight Oil. My current top five songs are: Burning Bridge by the Mike Curb Congregation, I Wanna Be Sedated by the Ramones, I Dream of Wires by Robert Palmer, True Faith by New Order, and Superfly by 4 Non Blondes. Favorite styles of music range from pop and rock to alternative and dance. I like almost all types of music, except for most country, most rap, and all opera, the later being the worst. I also have been gathering a nice DVD collection. As for for movies and such, I’m big on sci-fi, cartoons, good dramas and comedy, with other bits thrown in for fun. Animation would be my pick for best type of thing to watch, escpecially Canadian stuff. My best loved TV series would be Doctor Who. I will have the entire collection from this series by the end of 2003, thanks to BBC video. X-Files is also another series that I just love to watch. Ren and Stimpy would have to be my pick for best TV cartoon series, while it lasted.

Other things I do in what spare time I have vary quite a bit. I do some gardening, upkeep on my house (a constant thing), work out more now that I’m getting older, and travel somewhat (mainly to game conventions -- videogame, not RPG). I also like to help out friends, relatives and other folks with their Macintosh computers. This includes system upgrades, software installs, and troubleshooting when problems arise (yes, even Macs have problem, like all computers do). Last but not least, I run the Fellowship of the Black Spot, from publishing the Ink Blot (and writing most of the articles), to working on the club website. It’s been fun, but has been eating up some of my precious time as of late.

Well, that’s about all I’ve got to say for now. I hope this information has shed a little light on my strange and bizarre life (at least that’s how I see it). There’s much more to it that what I’ve listed here, but then I could write a whole book on it. And I’ve still got at least 30+ years or more left, pending anything unforeseen (fingers crossed here). When I do finally pass away, I plan on doing what a friend brought up. Have myself cremated, put into bullets, and have my friends blow me away!

Thomas Flemming

David Konkol

Todd Penwell

Erica Woollums

+4 Cha mod w/computer and message board enhancement
+2 Int mod with caffeine enhancement

Initiative: +5 in profession environment, -1 anywhere else (working the same place for 15 years should give a person some benefits in reaction time)
Base Attack: 9/4
Speed: 30

Saving Throws:
Fortitude: 6
Reflex: 7
Will: 9

Weapons: Masterwork Gold Vorpal Paper Clip, Pun +1, Beer (+2 berserker enhancement)
Armor: Cursed item: -3 Ring of Will

Skills and modifiers:
Climb 6 Knowledge 7
Craft (draw) 8 (music - 60s)

Feats: Messageboarding, exotic weapon (paper clip), precise shot (paper clip), exotic weapon (beer), caregiver

Special Abilities: Bardic Knowledge (trivia)

Languages: Common, Spanish, Chatroom, some Computerese, Football, others

Equipment: Standard clothing. +2 purse of death, countless other things guarded by a fleet of dust bunny golem guards.

Magic Items: Palm Pilot, Magic Cards of Money (Visa), Vorpal Paperclip of Ultimate Destruction, Beer Stein of Accuracy, Cursed Handheld of Yahtzee (fascination effect)

(Semi) Brief History:
Something tells me that this task was harder for me than it was for Dave. He said he finished his in an hour, while mine has taken months (da bum). Ranking yourself and your strengths and weaknesses is tough, I must say. I think the tendency is to be too hard on oneself. I also tried to be as honest as possible. I don't think I'm terribly weak in any one area, except maybe dexterity. I always say that if an outfit doesn't have a stain on it, it isn't mine.

I decided that the class of Bard fit me the best, because the emphasis on music (which I can play on me guitar) and humor (which I use as a defense).

Mostly I just wanted my stats to reflect humor, my love of many different subjects, including: music, theater, computer message boards, guitar, silent film comedians like Buster Keaton and Harold Lloyd, trivia gaming and roleplaying games, and even some of my shortcomings. The last one is tough to do without sounding like some kind of mazzo. And I must admit, I didn’t appreciate the enthusiasm with which my fellow gamers suggested spells that would reflect my tendency to annoy or be ditzy. Pffft to you all. Or as Todd would say, “Fuck you and the mouse you rode in on!”

The most fun was probably creating the spells. Mostly you will recognize that they are the spells of someone who is a bit of a disorganized packrat who is occasionally good at exasperating my companions. The "Gonads and Strife" spell, on the other hand, was inspired by a flash video from threebrain.com. And I do believe that most women have the capacity to inspire both gonads and strife (Mwahahahaha!)

As for my personal history, I was born in Virginia to a Navy man, who moved us to Wisconsin when I was 10 years old. Then my mother had us move BACK to Virginia when I was 11. Then my father moved us back to Wisconsin when I was 12. Being the perpetual new kid probably had a lot to do with why I ended up so twisted. I was always a few steps out of touch, with clothes that screamed “Torture me! I’m a nerd!”

Another thing that shaped my personality was being the last of 4 kids. I can't quite figure out why the baby of the family ended up with all the responsibilities I did, but there you have it. I ended up being the main caregiver for my dad. But, as hard as it was to take care of my dad for the last four years, it did show me (and others) that I'm more capable than either I or they thought I was. And I also ended up with memories of my father that my siblings don't have. But I also have a hole in my life I'm not quite sure how to fill yet.

But it hasn’t been all work. One of my favorite activities lately is to play trivia. There is one game in particular that I play on as regular basis where the various trivia teams have the chance to win gift certificates for the pub where you're playing. I've been told that I'm good at trivia. That is probably because I tend to collect useless information. But there is something about playing a quiz game where the questions come from so many different subjects that can make a person feel quite smart. The best moments for me are when I know an answer to a question and the rest of my team is clueless. Yesssss, me smaaaart.

Moving on, you might be wondering what's up with my weapon proficiencies. The paperclip accuracy comes from aiming paperclips at a plastic bucket at work. I'm quite good, even from a distance. And a former co-worker and club member used to say that if you found a golden paperclip, that this was the weapon of heros and champions. Hence the masterwork golden paperclip.

The beer proficiency will take a bit of explaining. You see, I casted “Annoy” at someone during trivia (he didn’t take kindly to being told he was wrong, repeatedly, even if he was). He informed me that he didn’t appreciate spellcasting in his direction (“You’re annoying the SHIT out of me tonight) to which, I replied like a good little witch “Good!” Then I took a sip of my beer, which he kindly shoved in my face. It was my turn to tell him to knock off the boomerang effect (“Don’t do that again.”) He decided I needed more yellow in my outfit, and splashed beer in my face. It was then when the berserker rage contingency spell kicked in. Sadly, I don’t remember much else, except that beer works as a weapon. I rolled a 12 on the first attack, bearly hitting him. Picking up a new missile weapon (the second beer), I scored a 20 in the next round, getting him good in the face. I think. Like I said, it’s hard to remember things when the top is coming off of one’s head.

I do carry one extra weapon, but without proficiency. Even so, I think I could weild my 10 lb. purse pretty well if need be. The bludgeoning effect of being hit by such a thing swinging your way could be devastating.

Well, there you have it. I hope you’ve enjoyed my version of the character sheet as club member profile.