Gamer in Need - Owen KC Stephens Has Cancer

Folks, as many of you know, I'm a cancer survivor. Rach was diagnosed with breast cancer this past fall and recently completed her radiation treatment. Cancer doesn't discriminate, it comes for those of all ages, all races, and all economic backgrounds.

If there's anything that you can use in the linked bundle below, I ask you to consider purchasing it to support Owen in this time of need - Tenkar

Owen KC Stephens is currently undergoing radiotherapy for cancer that went undetected for a decade. In the USA, this is really expensive. We want to help him.

If you’ve played an RPG in the last little while (as in ‘in the last twenty years or so’), odds are quite good you’ve seen, read, and enjoyed something Owen has worked on. As this bundle is up at DriveThruRPG, the odds are even higher. A brief bit taken from his resume:

"Hi, I’m Owen K.C. Stephens. I’m a tabletop RPG writer, developer, consultant, and publisher. I’ve worked on official products for four editions of Dungeons & Dragons, two editions of Pathfinder, and also the tabletop RPGs: The Black Company, Call of Cthulhu, d20Modern, Dragon Age, EverQuest, Fantasy AGE, Gamma World, Everyday Heroes, The Song of Ice and Fire, Thieves World, and Wheel of Time. I’m also the co-creator of the Starfinder and Star Wars Saga Edition RPGs, and founder of Rogue Genius Games."

Owen is a good friend to many creators and publishers across the industry (look at the list below!). We want to help him, but there’s a limit to what we can do medically (nobody’s the right class and level to cast remove disease). Surgery is inadvisable, chemotherapy didn’t do the job, and now we’re down to radioactive lasers shooting him in places no one wishes to be shot.

Instead, this bundle aims to help relieve his financial burden. Not only have the publishers below contributed to this bundle, DriveThruRPG is taking only a 10% cut: 90% of all proceeds — $27 per bundle sold — goes to Owen.

• 2 Kings Games, LLC
• AAW Games
• Ad Infinitum Adventures
• Applied Vectors
• Catacombs & Comedians
• Darrin Drader Designs
• Echelon Game Design
• Evil Robot Games
• Fainting Goat Games
• Fat Goblin Games
• Legendary Games
• McNabb Games
• Monster Mage Games
• Nerdburger Games
• Production Platform 3
• Random Wyvern Publishing
• Rogue Genius Games
• Rusted Iron Games
• Schwalb Entertainment
• Tabletop Adventures, LLC
• Wandering Star LLC

The Tavern is supported by readers like you. The easiest way to support The Tavern is to shop via our affiliate links. The Tavern DOES NOT do "Paid For" Articles and discloses personal connections to products and creators written about when applicable.

DTRPG, Amazon, and Humble Bundle are affiliate programs that support The Tavern.  You can catch the daily Tavern Chat cast on Anchor, YouTube,  or wherever you listen to your podcast collection. - Tenkar  

We Will Be Losing Doug Rhea - NTRPG Con

Mike (Bad Mike) Badolato posted the following on the NTRPG Con Facebook page.

I have been talking to Doug this week, he had to go back into the hospital briefly due to some issues with his liver. Unfortunately, the issues are ones that cannot be fixed. He's going back home today for hospice care, and now that we have a final timeline Doug was pretty upbeat and talked to Gary and I a lot about what is coming next.  The cancer spread to his liver, and at this point there is nothing that can be done to prolong his life. His attitude was upbeat and we had a lot of laughs on the phone. Doug is the toughest guy I've ever known and he beat this for four years.  I'm going to try to spend as much time as he has left with him the next few weeks at his house. At his home he'll get end of life care from a nurse and be surrounded by family and friends, much better than being in the hospital. 

The con is going to continue and it's going to be a living memorial to Doug and all he's done for others and all he's stood for in the years I've known him. The con was and is very important to him so that's why I mention it here and rest assured we are going to do his memory right in the future, with the help of all of you guys. I told him everything is in good hands. 

If you wanted to talk to Doug, I'm going to see if Gary and he can set up the Zoom on his computer so you can pop in during certain times. I talked to him a few times over the past few weeks using Zoom and it worked really well. I know he'd like to hear from many of you in the next few weeks, so we'll let you know when this is set up.

 

GoFundMe - Rick Loomis - Lymphatic Cancer (Flying Buffalo) - Gamer in Need

I know I've said this before, but cancer is the great equalizer. It doesn't play favorites, rich or poor, young or old, it doesn't care and you can't predict the outcome. The treatment is almost universally to poison your body and possibly irradiate it. Treatment sucks. Seriously. I know, cause I'm a survivor of Hodgkin's Lymphoma, a form of Lymphatic cancer.

To see someone else in our gaming community come down with cancer strikes home for me every time. Recently, it was Tim Kask (in remission). Currently, it is Doug Reah (NTRPG Con) and Ernie Gygax (also Hodgkin's Lymphoma).

Now, Rick Loomis of Flying Buffalo is suffering from Lymphatic Cancer. Truly, it seems like cancer is striking many of those we hold dear in the gaming community.

Rick and his family need our help. If you can donate to the fund, that is awesome. If you can't, simply share this post and hopefully, others will be able to.

The Tavern will match the first $200 raised by The Tavern's Community. Simply note your donation here as a comment or send me an email to tenkarsDOTtavern AT that gmail thing and let me know the amount you donated. When we hit $200 The Tavern will add its donation to the mix. Please DON'T stop donating when we hit $200 - Rick and his family are in great need.

From the GoFundMe page:

Rick Loomis has been an important part of the game industry for almost 50 years, and now he is in the fight of his life with cancer. Even though he is a US army veteran and qualifies for medicare, Rick's share of the medical bills are now in the tens of thousands of dollars. Please help his family through this terrible time and help keep the  legacy of Flying Buffalo going strong. 

Rick was one of the founding members of the Game Manufacturing Association and served as its President several times when they needed him. He started Flying Buffalo Games back in 1970 and was one of the first people to ever run a Play-by Mail game on a dedicated computer. He has traveled the world to promote role-playing and card games and over the years Rick has befriended hundreds (thousands!) of people at conventions from his Flying Buffalo Games booth and company.  He published Tunnels & Trolls, the Nuclear War Card Game, Grimtooth's Traps and so much more. Rick truly is a legend.  But being a legend doesn't mean you are wealthy, it just means that some people have respect for your accomplishments. 

Now Rick is 72, and in February he found out he has lymphatic cancer. Rick's biggest worry is not himself, but for his two sisters that live with him and the legacy of his company, Flying Buffalo. 

Both his sisters (Nancy and Laura) have been trying to help Rick as best they can, but he has needed specialized medical care in a rehabilitation facility.  Rick was recently sent back to the hospital and the bills have been overwhelming. They need some help taking care of the medical bills and catching up with other expenses that Rick usually took care, of but has been unable to, due to his illness.  

Rick has helped his church and the gaming industry for many years, now we are asking you to give a little help to Rick and his family during this very difficult time. Anything you can pledge will be greatly appreciated.
 
Maybe Rick was your camp councilor, or he  got you started in the gaming industry. Maybe he  helped you get a booth for Origins after the deadline or you played in one of his PBM games. Maybe he was just nice to you. If you feel a debt of gratitude for Rick and how he helped you or the game industry - now is the time to show your gratitude.  Help spread the word that a gaming legend and his family need some help.. 

If you can't afford anything - thank you for your time, your prayers and well wishes.  If you can help, we are eternally grateful for your contribution!

Gamer in Need - Scot Hoover / Kellri - Medical Bills Incurred Due to Stroke

As many of you know, The Tavern shares the news when Gamers are in Need. Its our community, and if we don't take care of our own, who will?

The following is from Scot Hoover's / Kellri's GoFundMe page:

Scot's Stroke Xray Bill 

I'm 49  years old, I will be 50 in two weeks. I have been an American blogger writer and a English teacher living and writing in Vietnam for the past 19 years.I  have been a single father supporting my  two teenage children Sam,  and Siobhan for the past 6 years in Vietnam  Last week I suffered  life threatening and debilitating stroke which has left me unable to write. According to my doctor I need to get an MRI as soon as possible.  I have no health or medical insurance this campaign will mean I will be able to pay my rent and medical expenses and continue supporting my children until I am on the road to recovery.  

Those of you who know me know that I have always refused to crowdfund my writing projects all of which have always been provided as free downloads for the past 10 years. I currently have two completed books which I also intend to provide a to the old school RPG community as free downloads.  I will be extremely grateful for any help my friends and family are willing to contribute.

Edit - The Tavern will match the first $100 in donations made by Tavern Readers. Let me know in the comments below.

Gamer in Need - Stacy Dellorfano Cancer Fight Fund

Let me start this by saying my opinion of Stacy hasn't changed. I still hold a huge grudge against Stacy for her dismissive and belittling comments she made against my wife, Rachel. So, consider this a big step for me.

You see, I'm a cancer survivor. Cancer is the great equalizer. Rich, poor, black, white, whatever your gender, simply "whatever" - it doesn't care. Its probably the scariest thing that can happen to someone, as its a possible death sentence that you have a damn long time to think about every day.

I wouldn't wish it on anyone.

Stacy is being hit with all the expenses that go along with a long term illness that health insurance does not cover. Thats a heavy burden when you are fighting for your life.

Link to Stacy's Cancer Fund - link removed at Stacey's request

I'm pledging two days of Swords & Wizardry Continual Light royalties to Stacy's Cancer Fund, today's and tomorrow's sales both on RPGNow and Amazon. If it comes to less than 50 bucks, I'll send her 50 on Wednesday.

You don't need to like everyone in your community to care about everyone in your community.

edit - 10.24.17  1150 AM

The response has been excellent. When I posted this last night, $420 had been raised since Monday morning. It's now over $2,500 and halfway to goal.

14 shares on G plus alone. This community certainly rocks!

Just some further background on me. In my career in law enforcement, fundraisers for cops or their immediately family members for medical expenses beyond health insurance coverage was part of the culture. You gave what you could. Didn't matter if they were your best friend or the asshat you refused to work a single tour in a radio car with. In the end, it was a cop or a cop's family in need and that's all that mattered. Because one day, you too might be in need.

Its probably why I make announcements such as this at The Tavern when I find out about them. Most are folks I don't know personally. Some I didn't know of at all prior to their need.

We are all gamers. This is OUR community. We take care of our own.

Thank you.

edit 10.24.17 306 PM 

Apparently my assistance is not wanted. I will not be donating 50 or more dollars to Stacy's cancer fund AT HER REQUEST. The link to the fund has been removed AT HER REQUEST.

I'm sure it can be found with a simple Google search and I still encourage you to give. Cancer is a horror I wish on no one.

God bless.

Gamer in Need - Zach Best Family Benefit Bundle - 10 Bucks for a Bundle worth over 100 Bucks

One of the roles that The Tavern fills for the OSR Community (and the RPG Community at large) is to raise the bandwidth when there is a gamer or gamer's family in need. I spent 20 years in law enforcement, and law enforcement is a very tight community. Gamers are just as tight if not tighter and extremely generous at times like these.

The Zach Best Family Benefit Bundle is offered in support of Zach Best and his family. Zach is an RPG writer whose credits include BOLD, CRGE, UNO and TOSS. He is currently in hospice suffering from esophageal cancer. All proceeds from this book go directly to Zach to help deal with care and any other expenses.

Your 10 bucks will help a man and his family in serious need.

The Tavern thanks you.

Chris Yoder (Clangador on the Dragonsfoot Forums) has Passed - Family needs Money for Burial

Stuart Marshall asked for my help and that of The Tavern's Community - and the OSR at large:

Hi all 

It'll be no surprise to most regulars when I say that Chris Yoder, known on these forums as Clangador, has passed away. No surprise, but perhaps, still a bit of a shock. His widow and teenage sons are trying to raise money to pay for his funeral. 

I'll say that again. Those boys and their mum are trying to figure out how they can afford to bury their dad. 

Now, I realise that there's a recession on. For a lot of us, money is tight. Some Dragonsfooters aren't working. Others might have jobs, but still be struggling to make the rent each week. If you're in that position, then your well-wishes will of course be quite sufficient. 

But I know that some of us are fortunate enough to be able to donate a couple of quid, a few dollars, maybe a shekel or two. For those people, I'd like to respectfully draw your attention to this link:- 

Chris Yoder burial costs 

Thanks for reading, and all the best, Stuart

Its been a rough couple of weeks here in the OSR. If you can give, literally even if its just a buck, please do. If you can't, and that I'm sure is many in this community, please share either this post or the GoFundMe link. Just by adding to the bandwidth, you are doing a great service for the Yoder family. No one should have to worry about burial expenses in the midst of such a tragedy.

Thank you,
Tenkar

The Tavern has Matched the First $500 Raised by Taverners for Mona Dowie's Cancer Related Expenses

Ignore the naysayers. The OSR is one of the most caring and giving communities to be found. Anywhere.

By my calculations, readers of The Tavern raised at least $625 for Mona Dowie's cancer related expenses. I'm sure I missed some donations and more will be coming in the future.

I had initially offered to match the first $250 raised by Tavern Readers. Tom Tullis / Fat Dragon Games and Tim Riley together matched my match - we now had $500 in matching funds and the community just blew us away by donating over $600.

I can't tell you how proud I am to be a member of the OSR and the community that has grown around The Tavern. You folks literally are the best.

Thank you.

Thank you all.

Mona's GoFundMe can be found here. Just because we met out matching goal doesn't mean Mona and her family no longer need support. They do.

Update - Mona Dowie Cancer Fund Match Now at $500

I'd like to take a moment to thank Tom Tullus / Fat Dragon Games and Time Riley for literally doubling the matching fund for the Mona Dowie Cancer Donations.

Thanks to the two above, The Tavern will be matching the first $500 raised by this community and the OSR for expenses related to Mona's treatment of stage 4 cancer. I think we've raised over $400 thus far (i'll get the exact figures later today.)

I am proud and honored to be a part of this community.

Prior posts here and here.

Mona's GoFundMe is here.

Follow Up - OSR Artist Mona Dowie has Stage 4 Cancer - The Tavern will Match the First $250 Donated by Tavern Readers

Following up on this morning's post about Mona Dowie and her battle against Stage 4 Cancer. I just discussed the situation with Rach and we agreed that The Tavern needs to take a leading roll in this.

So, this is what we are going.

The Tavern will match the first $250 raised by readers of The Tavern that donate to Mona's GoFundMe. Comment below and let me know who you are on the donation page or email me at tenkarsDOTtavern at that Gmail thing with the info.

The matching offer is good through July 7th, at which point I'll total up the donations from Taverners and match up to the first $250. Knowing our readers, I fully expect them to raise more that $250 in said time. Remember, each dollar you give gets matched dollar for dollar (up to $250 from the community)

Money does not cure cancer but it does help the family with associated costs to treatment.

Cancer has hit the OSR hard recently. Lets do our best to keep it at bay.

Here's the link to Mona's GoFundMe.

edit: Tom Tullis / Fat Dragon Games is adding to the matching fund. The Tavern / Fat Dragon Games will match the first $350 raised by members of this community!

OSR Artist Mona Dowie in Need! Funds Needed for Stage 4 Cancer Related Bills

Originally appeared in Petty Gods - Artist Mona Dowie

Let me start this by saying cancer is a topic very near and dear to my heart. I lost two aunts and uncle to cancer and I myself am a survivor of Stage 2 Hodgkin's Lymphoma. I was and am blessed to have very good health care due to my service to the City of New York. I realize many do not have such benefits.

One such person is Mona Dowie. She was brought to my attention by +R.J. Thompson last night in Tavern Chat. I've said many times that the OSR Community is much like the Law Enforcement Community - when a member is truly in need we simply give, no questions asked. Well, Mona is in need:

"My wife Mona has had cancer for years. Her cancer made her too sick to work by the Spring of 2014. Her cancer was first diagnosed in the fall of 2014 as uterine cancer. In early 2015 she finally got surgery to remove the cancer, which consisted of a full hysterectomy. She was in the hospital for weeks following some complications from surgery, which required her to be on dialysis for a few weeks. Radiation followed for the next few months. We went about a year after that thinking she was cancer free, recovering from her treatment. We moved to her hometown of Waverly, NY, since we had lost our house in Mexico, NY anyway, and it was about time we lived near her family and friends. She was not cancer free though. The cancer metastasized first to her lungs, which gave her a diagnosis of stage 4 lung cancer, a few months later it metastasized to her brain, which we discovered because of the seizures it caused when it bled into her brain."  +William Dowie 

William has set up a GoFundMe to assist with the medical bills. They need to raise $3,000. You can find Mona's GoFundMe at this link.

R.J. is also going to auction off a signed copy of Petty Gods (Mona's work appeared therein) Go to the Gamer's & Grognards blog if you wish read more on the auction.

If you can give, please do. Times are tough and wallets are light these days, believe me, I do understand. If you can't afford to give at this moment please share this post to others who may.

I thank you all in advance. I consider myself a proud member of the OSR, one of the tightest gaming communities to be found.

Gamer in Need - Doug Rhea (NTRPG Con Founder and Main Man) has Medical Expenses From Stage 4 Colon Cancer

Doug's Chemo Relief - SoTA CTA

Doug Rhea has Stage 4 Colon Cancer and is currently receiving chemo. The medical expenses his family is incurring are very large. In addition to being the main man behind the yearly NTRPG Con (which loses money every year because of Doug's desire to throw the "Best Gaming Convention Ever!") Doug is very active with Shroud of the Avatar (an on-line game and community) since Kickstarter. Although the GoFundMe has benefits for those that donate and are in the Shroud of the Avatar Community, Doug needs all of the support the various gaming communities can give him and his family.

If you've ever attended NTRPG Con, you should know that the awesomeness of the Con itself is directly related to Doug's generosity. Lets see if we can return the favor in this time of need.

Those pledging $50 or more will receive a free pass to NTRPG Con courtesy of Doug.

From the GoFundMe page:

SoTA Community Call to Action - Help IronMaiden 

The campaign is on behalf of Doug (IronMaiden) Rhea. Doug recently (and unexpectedly) discovered he has stage 4 colon cancer. Doug needs $25,000 to cover overwhelming medical bills.  

Doug is an avid gamer and a major supporter of Shroud of the Avatar (an on-line game and community) since Kickstarter.  Doug has 7 accounts + add-ons (and no time/energy to play) and would like to sell them to help pay for his unexpected medical bills.  

As a community of SoTA players, we can help Doug (our fellow Avatar) relieve the pressure of finances and focus on what is important: healing and getting well.  

Our Mission 

We will buy Doug's accounts (via this GoFundMe drive) and hold a charity auction for all whom contribute in this campaign (donating $100 or more). All proceeds will go to Doug (up to 25K) and the remainder will be put into a charity for other Avatars who are in desperate need (per Doug's request). He only seeks to recoup his investment and then wants us to help others. 

About IronMaiden 

Doug is 53 years old, married with 1 son, and 3 beautiful grandkids: Daegan 6, Cora 2, and newborn Griffin.    

Dougs still runs a BBS (gamemastersrealm.com/client), collects old BBS game doors (BBSFiles.com), hosts game servers for Never Winter Nights (nordock.net), and game servers for Quake, Tribes 1, Tribes 2, Wolfenstein, Freelancer and even an old Shard for playing the Ultima Online Renaissance. Doug is an early backer of Shroud of the Avatar and has 9 accounts ranging from Lord of the Manor to Edelmann. 

Doug also hosts and runs the North Texas RPG Con (ntrpgcon.com) every year. 

Pledge Reward Levels: 

Avatars who pledge $25 or more will receive an exclusive, rare cloak in game. This cloak will be custom-colored (TBD), and carry the unique name: IronMaiden's Chemo Relief Fund. The style will be based-off of the ever-popular community events cloak:

Avatars who pledge $50 or more will receive a free pass to the North Texas RPG Con courtesy of Doug (travel and lodging not included). 

Avatars who pledge $100 or more will be invited to participate in an exclusive charity auction for Doug's accounts/deeds/add-ons. This auction will be commission free and provided by Shroud Marketplace.  

Gamer in Need (GoFundMe)

Everyone hits a low point at some point in their life. Everyone needs a helping hand.

Pat needs a helping hand. (a friend and fellow gamer brought this to my attention)

If you can't give (and I can't until the first of October) share this out.

Sometimes life places road blocks in Our way. We can choose to go around them or climb them but no one knows whats on the other side. I have watched Dana and Pat navigate these challenges time and time again. For every rise to the top there comes a soft fall. But this time they have reached a hard spot. Dana is a stay at home mom who has struggled with lupus for many years and even when she is sick and tired she makes you feel like she would do anything for you. Pat recently lost his job and they have not given him an extension on his unemployment . He also is suffering from myasthenia gravis flare up. If I could give them every dime I have I would because they would do the same. Not just because we are friends but because they lead a life of kindness and compassion that you rarely see today.