SIX OF THE BEST: Chirine's Workbench

Jeff Berry aka Chirine ba Kal

A friend of gaming legends Dave Arneson and Professor M.A.R. 'Phil' Barker, Jeff Berry was a regular participant in the Tekumel and Blackmoor campaigns and his blog, Chirine's Workbench, chronicles his on-going drive to keep the spirit of these progenitors of the modern game alive.

The blog is a celebration of these original settings, as well as a record of Jeff's more recent gaming exploits.

He is currently working on - along with many other projects, both gaming and non-gaming - a six volume memoir of his adventures in Tekumel, from the perspective of his character Chirine ba Kal.

As Jeff explains that To Serve The Petal Throne recounts "the adventures of the original Thursday night gaming group of Prof. M. A. R. Barker, 1976 - 1988. The text is taken from the logbooks and audio recordings made during those game sessions, with additional enlightenment from the Professor as thought needed for the education of the reader."

(1) How long have been blogging, and how’d you get into it in the first place?

Heck, I don't really know. The original version of this little effort got started some eight years ago, I think. I started this as a way to talk about gaming with Phil in his creation, and it went on from there. There was a lot of blogging going n back then, and I thought it might be fun.

(2) What do you blog about, and how frequently do you post?

My gaming, my miniatures, my adventures, and life in general.

The Lost Ruins adventure site: Jeff's multi-level table (with the 'dungeon' on the lower level)
is one of his many magnificent creations

(3) How does your blog stand out from all the rest?

No idea. Seriously. I think about the only really 'unique' feature of this blog is that it's the on-going story of Phil's original Thursday night gaming group, with ran from 1976 to 1988.

(4) What’s the best (and worst) thing about blogging?

Being able to talk with people about our adventures. Trying to say something intellegnt on a regular basis.

(5) Do you have any self-imposed rules (or guidelines) for your blog?

Yes, very much so. See the 'Pages' section for this, where I have 'The Rules Of Engagement'.

(6) Name one blog everyone should be reading (other than your own).

Tenkar's Tavern, for gamers; yours, for fans in general.

The Battle For Hekellu