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From the Editor
Adversity is all around us. It questionable if humanity could even exist without the concept of ghting, taking sides, and gainingground over others. Adversity is a driving force within our world, our entertainment, even the games we play. Heroes are born andcrafted from adversity. They are those individuals who have fought and won despite terrible odds, they are those who have triumphedover their enemies, and they are those who have gained the respect and loyalty of their fellows through their efforts. Adversity iswhat drives most games, be it CRPG or PnP. But is this necessarily the best way to play?It is true that adversity, competition, and ghting seems to be innate to human nature. We all strive for something, and thoseambitions have a way of conicting with others. At the same time, we grow tired of the inghting; we grow tired of the wars. Isthe adversity-type game the best one worth running? All too often, it seems it is the
only
type of game running. What aboutexploration, mystery, or uncovering secrets? Even these types of themes can have their own adversity, although the focus is usuallyon other aspects.From another angle though, the adversity-type game does have its advantages. In the end, the heroes do save the day. In the end,the mastermind plots are foiled and the bad guys are punished. We delight in these types of games, because in the real world, suchclean-cut victories are hard to nd.RPGs are unique in the larger genre of ”games” because they don’t normally pit the players up against each other. Players aren’tcompeting for the prize, they are working together for a single goal. It seems likely then, that these games would foster moresolidarity. All too often, however, adversity spills from inside the game to the players themselves. Argumentation over rules,characters actions, and DMs rulings all take place at the gaming table. Is there no fun without adversity? Is their no winning withouta ght?This month, the
Silven Trumpeter
has several interesting takes on the issue. Pike Stevenson’s
The Cost of Virtue
weaves a tale of three superheroes that face a terrible adversary and a more terrible choice. In
Looking for Hell,
Raymond Huling delves into the placeof ultimate adversity—the depths of hell—in the hopes of creating a unique portrayal. Sean Holland details the exploits of the Zuluarmy in
Through the Lens of History,
while Shane Cubis ports his adversaries to a new colony in
Antipodean Adventures.
This monthtake a moment to realize that we are all on the same side.Best Regards,Dana Driscoll
Dn Drsc
Editor In Chief Silven Crossroads E-zine
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