THE ICE DRAGON

Greg. I haven’t called him “Greg” since the
late 70’s. I was a penniless college student at
Fredonia and he was on staff as a computer programmer.
I took a part time job as the evening
mainframe babysitter and occasional programmer
so Greg and I saw each other almost every
weekday for about a year. He taught me much
about reducing stress by facing work with a
good attitude, though I didn’t realize it at the
time. I remember his evil grin as he ate onion
sandwiches at lunch, that is, two slabs of onion
separated by a thin layer of mustard. Maybe
that’s the real secret to dealing with workplace
idiocy. He was my first professional reference
and helped launch my career.
Greg was smart and funny, with a wicked
streak. It was always good to talk with him. I
remember him telling me about his days in the
military. I remember telling him about this
weird group of people that my girlfriend and I
stumbled across on campus. Before long we
had all joined them in garb and armor. He was
a kind and gentle man who took such a perverse
glee out of hitting people with sticks.
We started playing D&D. He was a fun Dungeon
Master who enjoyed seeing what the
players could come up with when presented
with “creative” situations. He played characters
very well, especially the evil ones. They
were so at odds with his easy going nature that
they always took you by surprise. I remember
DMing. He paid close attention to the game,
even while Ruth and Kat were crafting and
chatting away beside him. Look, it’s Halley’s
Comet! Even after we were both inactive in
the SCA and long removed from Fredonia we
still met regularly to play D&D.
Until I moved to Virginia in January 1996.
Over time I have lost contact with almost
everyone from that time and place in my life,
much to my regret. Dwarf is a bright light in
my memory. He will be missed. I only hope
that Kat, Morgan and all those who were
close to him are able to find comfort in memories
of him. I know that he would want us all
to remember him and smile. Or perhaps, an
evil grin.
Zahava Tchauchik
Scott Spetalnik
sspetalnik@cox.net
Greetings, My name is Filipo DeSancto
Martino and I am the Chronicler of the
Rhydderich Hael. I joined the SCA some
thirteen or fourteen years ago. I had never
met Durlome Rakesh d'Mithnan the one
called Dwarf.
He was one of the pioneers of the Rhydderich
Hael, and of the modern SCA. I thank him
and those like him for keeping this activity going
and growing do that the new people like
me and those who come after can enjoy this
wonderful activity.
If you knew Durlome and wish to share your
words please send them to me, I will keep expanding
this as oftem as I can, until it becomes
its own book if need be. Please send
your word or photos to Philm@buffalo.com
Peace be the journey Durlome.
YIS
THL Filipo DeSancto Martino 13