TARP Guild
The Texas Association of Role Players
Before the pandemic, the Harper spent many weeks of the year in Texas. It made sense to establish a Guild presence there. Our two founders of the Texas Association of Role players have been hardcore old–school gamers who were swept up into the spheres of Multei during virtual GaryCon in 2020. Approved by unanimous Guild Master vote, TARP is only the second Guild originating at a location at which the Harper has not resided.
Guild Master Michael Sanders
When Mike Sanders learned to play D&D in 1977 at the age of 10, he began a lifelong journey and love affair with gaming. Mike started playing the first Basic (aka Holmes) edition of D&D. His gaming group switched to AD&D but ended up playing a hybrid of Basic and Advanced, as the new AD&D material trickled out of the verdant minds at TSR. In 1980 he played D&D at The Mountain Retreat & Learning Center in Highlands, NC, as a member of a youth group headed by a Unitarian Universalist minister (she was also the Dungeon Master).
Over the course of his 40+ years of gaming, Mike has played and refereed a variety of role playing games, including Rolemaster, Tunnels & Trolls, Traveller, Villains & Vigilantes, D&D / AD&D (all versions except 4E). In the early 1980’s, Mike taught a Dungeons & Dragons class at UUCA in Atlanta. The class served as a primer for D&D, and covered important topics, such as role playing and team problem-solving, among others. In 1987, Mike wrote what he believes is the first comprehensive campaign, character and combat application suite for Rolemaster.
Years ago, Mike made the acquaintance of Gary Gygax three times, at gaming conventions held in his hometown of Atlanta. His copy of the AD&D 1e Monster Manual and Dangerous Journeys Mythus rule book, signed by Gary, remains one of Mike’s most treasured memorabilia pieces. [The actual signing of the Monster Manual in 1988-1989 is pictured here]
Mike was introduced to WARP at Gary Con 2019, where he met and adventured with Sir Andrew, as well as the legendary Jennell Jaquays. Mike is currently playing in two WARP campaigns as a 2e Wizard named “Egg,” and a 5e ForBog Cleric named “Kreesy” (who is currently trapped within the “friendly” confines of the Barrier Peaks).
Lately, Mike acts as the GM of the TARP Guild, and is working with Sir Andrew Scott and fellow guild Sphere Seers on a variety of efforts, including Gary Con and the Multei website.
North Texas RPG Con IX 2017
Here we find TARP guildies “Mike3” Sanders and “Mike5” Clark playing in Erol Otus’ soon to be famous Island Town campaign at the 2017 North Texas RPG Con in Irving, Texas. [Also pictured in memoriam Anthony “Tony” Moffitt]
Gary Con X 2018
Here we find TARP guildy “Mike3” Sanders and other far more famous individuals playing Original D&D at the house where Gary Gygax invented Dungeons & Dragons in Lake Geneva. The door pictured is the actual door to the basement where Gary created and played D&D with his many friends and beloved family.
