HARP Guild
The Hamilton Association of Role Players
In 1987, during the initial days of freshman year at the University of Vermont, students in the Mason Simpson Hamilton dorms on Redstone campus awoke on September 11th to a curious hand written notice promising adventure. Within 48 hours over 30 names had either signed up or called looking to roll up characters. Originally expected to be the local branch of VARP, The Hamilton Association was voted their own Guild outright in October of that same year. HARP’s record number of players (50 – campaign and tournament) has never been beaten. To this day HARP is our largest and most active Guild with twenty plus members still playing thirty five years later.
Guild Master Dr. Jeff Foy
Jeff Foy got his D&D box set for Christmas in 1980. The game was fun for a while, but other hobbies took hold and time passed until the Fall of 1987. While strolling by the lounge on the 3rd floor of Hamilton Hall at UVM, Jeff came upon a young man sitting on the floor in front of a gigantic map. It was the map of Greyhawk, and the young man was Andrew Scott Perry; The Harper. With others from Hamilton, Mason, and Simpson Hall, the HARP Guild was formed. Jeff and Andrew were roommates for sophomore year and the adventures continued for Dr Foy through 1999 and the founding of CARP. During the pandemic Jeff rejoined the club in 2020. When not gaming, Jeff plies his trade as a toxicologist and lives in Massachusetts with his wife and three kids.
Guild Master Scott Rynkowski
Scott Rynkowski first played D&D with his cousin at the age of 10. Unfortunately his cousin thought TPKs were the purpose of adventuring! Then in 1987, during sophomore year at UVM, Scott noticed a posting forming a new group of adventurers called the HARP Guild. The Harper lived just down the hall from Scott. Almost overnight HARP grew bigger and bigger (attracting a large viewing audience in the Simspon dining hall on Friday and Saturday nights) and Scott thought he’d try playing again. The HARP adventuring parties were huge, with approximately 15-25 folks gathered around giant tables forcing the Guild to move into the largest lounge on Redstone campus. Many Guild members ran multiple PCs during our legendary journey through the Caverns of Thracia. Scott continued to play through and past college during the 90’s running one of the best cavaliers to have ever lived in the sixth age!!!!!
Like many, life took over, exploring the valley’s of silicon for experience, marrying and raising a family, yet still maintaining connections with his former Guildies and schoolmates. With the onset of the pandemic, an intrepid group of returning members rallied to the HARP banner and have been adventuring through the realms of Multei on the sphere of Mearth battling the forces of evil!
