Staff Biographies (March 20, 1998)

Team Baudet

Sysop jfd-(Jfdunnigan@aol.com) Jim Dunnigan, designer of HYW, and over a hundred other published historical games (that's a record in the games industry). Also designs "games" for the financial community and the Pentagon. Author of over a dozen books on military and political affairs. First got the idea for HYW back in 1977, while running game publisher SPI. Got the project off the ground in 1989 on the GEnie system.. Runs the HYW chat area 7-8 PM Fridays and Sundays.

Allen-HYWFabius (hywfabius@aol.com)

Mike - HYWMinstrel - (HYWMinstrl@aol.com), Mike began playing HYW in the latter part of 1996. He quickly learned that "historical" games were his cup of tea and almost all of his efforts have been in these. He has played nearly every cabinet position on the English side and all on the French. He can currently be found playing some "old favorite" spots as well as learning a few new ones. Mike’s forte is fief management. He once took care of 132 fiefs while being held captive for over 10 years as Roi and still managed to maintain a stature of 9. In Real Life Mike’s experience is as varied as his HYW life. He is a past owner of two businesses, a bartender of 18 years, and currently is coordinating logistics for an air cargo company. He still holds an active private investigator’s license. Not being one content to remain static, he is pursuing another college degree. This one in Applied Computer Science.

Jeremy - HYWArgent - (HYWArgent@aol.com). Jeremy started playing HYW in April 1996. His first position was that of Marguerite Fitzalan (226), a 78-year-old spinster with no children. By July of 1996 he had become King Byron I Fitzalan, King of Ireland, while his wife Mary was heir to the Throne of Scotland. Has also served as Lord Chief Justice de Bohun (101), King of England (47), and Connetable de France de Lyon (25). Though an able general, Jeremy tends to find more success as a diplomat, often playing both sides against the middle. As de Bourgogne (156) in a recent Time of Troubles game, he rose to become arguably the second most powerful landowner in Europe. Jeremy joined the HYW staff in November of 1997 as a member of Team Baudet where his diplomatic and strategic skills have been put to the test as Herald of England, and Holy Roman Emperor.Jeremy works as a Support Analyst/Programmer for a leading Manufacturing Software Company in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Kurt - HYWHun - (atilla79@hotmail.com)

DwayneS-  -(DEagle777@aol.com)   (LordEagle) began playing HYW in November of 1996, right after getting his shiny, new computer and AOL. He checked out the game section, and much to his delight and surprise, found a game based on a subject which he had researched and submitted term papers on in both high school and college. He became so enamoured of the game and it's personnel, that he was soon spending over 4 hours per day playing HYW. This led to his getting very little sleep, which some say contribute to his psychotic condition. Also, this is the only game he plays (on the internet). He is happily married (most of the time she's happy, that is) and the father of three--two boys, 16 and 14, and one girl, 7. He has even involved his youngest son in HYW (screenname Hawkeye509 {WhiteKnight} he's even better in some game aspects than LordEagle is, certainly luckier in finding NPC's and in combat!!) to the point that Eagle's wife now goes around the house muttering under her breath, "I hate the blamed internet." He has played characters from Prince Lionel to Robert Roi de Arles et Naples to Louvain d'Armagnac to Bertrand d'Amboise to The Earl of Stafford to the Prince Hertier. He has played characters that have been excommed and those that haven't. He has survived one of the worst Dirty Deed wars in recent HYW history (no mean feat). Though vastly experienced (mostly at getting his rear end kicked by even MORE experienced players), he is a fast learner and is still learning some game aspects himself.

MikeC - HYWarrior -(MChosay@aol.com)

Games - Baudet 1, Fabius 1, Bedlam1, Staff Games - testing only

Team Bishop

Matt - HYWBishop - (HYWBishop@aol.com) Matt joined the HYW staff in June 1996, but has been playing HYW since 1992. He's had all the major roles, although usually he winds up as either an Other or the King of France. His greatest feat in HYW was the time he took the de Chatillon position (81) from obscurity to become the Crown Prince of both England and France. In another game he played Juanna de Navarre, expanding her kingdom eventually to include sixty-five fiefs and the Crowns of Arles, Navarre, and the player-created Kingdom of the Aquitaine. Matt currently resides in Virginia.

Andy-HYWDracho-(dail@swbell.net) Andy has been playing HYW since discovering it on GEnie in 1993. His first character was Jean Daillion followed shortly by Visconti. The high cost of playing at six dollars an hour caused him to bid HYW a sad farewell in 1994. He rediscovered HYW in 1996 on AOL and dove right into it. HYW's appeal as a wargame is his primary reason for playing. (He's been known to leave fiefs alone just to hunt down armies for the sheer joy of fighting. A long time fan of board style wargames, he probably made several car payments for JF Dunnigan when he was running SPI.) Positions played include Edward of England, Roi Jean de Valois, Chatillion, ap Gruffyd, ap Tudor, Henry Plantagenet, Simon de Covino, Jaimie de Urgel, Visconti, Robert d' Artois, Suliman Khan, and his crowning moment as Guasbert de Valois in the Joan of Arc phase of Camalot 2. His efforts against the English (Though ultimately futile) were dubbed F.R.O.G. by King Edward, or French Resistance Organized by Guasbert. He is currently a resident of Houston Texas, where he is the administrator for a petro-chemical company's Wide Area Computer Network.

Nick - HYWaLion - (Lion@harborcom.net)

David -HYWaPagan -(Pxmentis@chatlink.com) David began playing HYW while it was on AOL in the summer of 1996. His first love (which continues to this day) was Bohorts, and his family soon learned that they should not approach him until after his
morning siege. In October of 1996, David entered his first historical game as Thomas Tuberville and quickly became a central member of the English team. He has since played 38, 47, 89, 101 (do we see a pattern developing?) & 40 before moving across the channel to play His Holiness and (most recently) Prince Hertier. While not exactly a historical scholar, David has become known as a "team player" and the team concept is what makes HYW his main vice. David is also believed to hold the distinction of being HYW's oldest apprentice. He has untroduced his wife and 2 of his kids to HYW, and is waiting patiently until his grandson (currently 11) is able to understand the game. David is a semi-retired prison administrator who currently owns and operates a "country store" in rural southern Oregon.

Games - Bishop 2

Team Lord

John-HYWLord - (HYWLord@aol.com)

Cloud-HYWCloud, (HYWCloud@aol.com) has been a member of the HYW staff since 1996. An experienced and able roleplayer, Cloud is noted for his ability to persevere over insurmountable odds. Skilled at diplomacy and underhanded scheming, Cloud has most of the Sysops worried that he will eventually surpass their skill at permforming nefarious deeds someday. Often seen in the chat room, if you can catch him without a Wench in his lap you may see him sporting the oh so chic "Black Prussian" codpiece. Cloud's codpiece collection is second to none and the secret envy of the majority of the HYW Staff.

Alan-HYWSword- (HYWSword@aol.com)Probably the Herald with the least amount of HYW experience, but a very fast learner and adept at figuring out nearly anything if given time to work on it. Has 13 years of online FRPG gaming experience on three online networks (Compuserve, GEnie, and America Online) and currently involved in two multi-player FRPG's on the Web (HYW and Gemstone Dragonrealms). Very knowledgeable with computer hardware, Windows 95, and various Internet programs- has installed peripheral devices and fixed the mouse port on his own computer and solved several software problems. Formerly known as Sister Jen on AOL, has a preference for role-playing female characters that goes back 16 years. Has played several positions in HYW: 23, 47, 60, 79, 131, 143, and 281. Presently holding the rank of Journeyman Herald, his current ambition is to play the English Constable, French Connetable, or the Pope.

Darry-HYWDuke-(DEKearns1@aol.com). His online experience began in the Summer of 1996 and he was quickly drawn to HYW becoming a player in the Fall of that year. After a short, ill-fated, experience as a mere mortal, Duke discovered the superhuman abilities of Edward, the Black Prince, and has made that position his speciality. His prowess as the Prince attracted the attention of HYW luminaries and he joined the staff in September, 1997. Attempts have been made to wean Duke away from Edward and England, but that has produced an unhappy history of French traitors with a fondness for English cooking, English ale, and English women, degustibus non disputandum es. Currently residing in Wisconsin, Darry's home is well known for its black drapes, black trees, black grass and the large man out front swinging a black sword and cursing anyone passing with a French car, French poodle, or French fries. Players interested in learning the subtleties of playing the most powerful character in HYW would be wise to consult HYWDuke.

Doc - HYWDoc - (exercisemd@catholic-access.net)

Buddy - HYWAxe - (HYWAxe@aol.com)

Rick - HYWViking - (RickRuud@aol.com).

Charlie - HYWJusticar - (ducbedford@i-55.com)

games-Lord 1, Lord 2

Team Monk

Bill-HYWmonk - (HYWMonk@aol.com)

Tim - HYWCount - (HYWCount@aol.com)

BillK -HYWThoth- (HYWThoth@aol.com)   HYWThoth has been a player of HYW since May 1997 and loves it. He is a board wargamer and ADD player and history studier. His forte is roleplaying, even multiple characters as he did in the early days of Lady 1 (formerly Wench 1) by playing Robert d'Anjou (231) and Joan II de Navarre (157) simultaneously. He eventually ended up before becoming a Herald with 231 pro-French and 157 pro-English. His fellow players did not know what to think. He has played various midlevel nobles and was Roi in Baudet 1 for 2 months (but with daily updates it was grueling). He lives in Florida and is married with two step-children, two dogs, seven cats, two mice and a turtle. He earns his living as a screenprinter, a wonderful blend of mechanics and art.

Tom - HYWaExcalibur- (Tombe89@aol.com)

Games - Monk1, Monk2

Team Paggio

Frank-HYWPaggio, (HYWPaggio@aol.com) on HYW staff since November, 1996. Served a two month apprenticeship and was among the earliest Heralds recruited on AOL. A scheming climber of the HYW structure, he advanced from HYW newbie in September, '96 to full sysop in September '97 using a combination of hard work, HYW's desperate shortage of staff, and assassination in his relentless drive up the HYW ladder. Those surviving above him in the HYW hierarchy change their addresses frequently and have evolved a fondness for false noses. Defining moment in HYW: being switched from a French Royal/herald in the process of stripping Aquitaine from England to the English Royal/herald position by a demented sysop (see JFDunnigan above) and then winning the game as King of England. His game characters are noted chiefly for their unwillingness to spend ducats. Playing HYW since September, 1996. Online since his first PC in 1982. Lives in central PA. Positions played in HYW: Major positions: 22, 172, 200, 38, and 47. Many minors. Number of HYW games played through late 1997: 8. Became Chief Sysop in December, 1997.

George-HYWFriar-(Sinbaaaaad@aol.com). Began playing HYW in December, 1995 in a Bedlam which also featured the future HYWMerlyn. Joined HYW staff sometime or other after that (we try not to be too certain of when) and following a vague apprenticeship with HYWBishop was unaccountably promoted to Journeyman Herald (and part-time amphibian) shortly after HYW's move to the web. Frustrated in his lifelong ambition to be a pit boss of the $25 crap table at the Sands by the demolition of that Vegas landmark, he turned to other means of separating his fellow man from his worldly goods. His introduction to "real" HYW came as he married off the sister of a backwoods lout named Hugh Holland to the King of England, earning Holland an earldom in the process. Mainly enjoys catching opponents on line in the midst of a siege so he can chortle at the thought of the "you have died" message flashing up in the middle of their turns. Games played: too many and not enough. Positions: 262, 103, 25, 47, 278, 200, 172, 27, 92, 12, 164 (several times), 101.

Jeff - HYWIrish -  (HYWIrish@aol.com)

ThomasH - HYWaBaneret   - (HYWBanneret@aol.com) has been addicted to HYW since November of 1996. His first PC was Henry Plantagenet, the Earl of Derby (93) in Yeoman2. He acquired Poitiers early on and managed to hold on to it until the English victory decided the game. Having played 47, 172, and a variety of Cabinet positions, he decided that total immersion as a HYW staff was the next logical choice, thus becoming a herald apprentice in March of 1998. His forte has been the surrender of large keeps, having negotiated the surrender of no less than Ghent, Reims, Tours, Toulouse, Poitiers, Orleans, Amiens and Bretueil as the Lord Thomas de Beaufort in a recent Time of Troubles. He is also quite confident that only he knows how to defeat France and would be glad to discuss it (ad nauseam) to anyone he can find to listen. He is an amateur historian, and a practicing physician residing in Lexington, KY; but moving to Kansas City very soon.

Games - Paggio1

Team Lady

Kate-HYWLady, (HYWLadyW@aol.com) has been a member of the HYW staff since June, 1996. HYW first heard the soft rustle of her silken gown in March, 1994. While known for her ribald repartee in the Bull n' Belfry (the help desk), her political wiles are as accomplished as her roleplaying. She has experience in all the major positions (<cough> ... I mean player characters) and particularly enjoys the Pope. (... playing the Pope that is.) Her biggest coup was in a game where she started as King of France and had to leave for awhile due to a move. Coming back, she found France had tumbled from a strong winning position to being a lap dog of the Empire. Refusing to sit up and beg, her PC, the Crown Prince of France secretly assassinated his brother, le Roi, usurped the throne from his nephews and teamed with the English in routing the HRE from the game. The conclusion saw the deposed French King on good terms with the victorious English and still holding the title to Valois, a unique outcome in the annals of HYW. From this epispode, the HYW motto of 'Don't get Kate mad' was born. Often accompanied by her various Dalmatians (Thea, Roses, Sable, Rover, Diva, Henri, Bingo and Guido), players are cautioned to be careful when dealing with HYWLady as numerous sharp objects and a miniature crossbow are often concealed within the folds of her dress. Frisking her is advised only if you no longer require the services of your hands.

MikeB - HYWScribe - (HistorianB@aol.com), began playing HYW in 1992. After a lackluster start he found himself as Jean d'Anjou (231) and was able to take the crowns of both France and England in the ensuing conflict, the only Other to do so in the game to this point. Unable to find a suitable encore, he took to heralding duties, retired for some time, and has recently returned as a herald willing and eager to help other players appreciate the fine (and finer) points of the game. Scribe is a historian, specializing in modern US-Japan relations.

Todd -HYWConsigliere - (TC6952@aol.com)

Steve - HYWRogue - (stevecochran@earthlink.net)

Games - Lady1, Lady3, Lady4

Team REMF

These are the staff who do not run games but provide programming and research services without which we would not have a game to play.

Bugmaster. Dan Masterson is the designer of the HYW software. After Al Nofi had researched the game and Jim Dunnigan had designed it, Dan wrote the initial code and maintained it for several years before training additional programmers to take over maintenance and upgrades.

ANOFI (anofi@aol.com) Albert A. Nofi holds a PhD in military history. A retired NYC secondary school teacher, he is the author of over 20 books, numerous articles, and a number of simulation games. For many years a contributing editor to Strategy & Tactics magazine, edited by James F. Dunnigan, he was involved in the original Hundred Years' War game project, in the mid-1970s. When the project was scrapped, in 1979, he stashed the already vast mass of research notes and the preliminary databases in his Brooklyn basement, from which they emerged when the idea of doing HYW as an online game came up in 1989. In addition to teaching and writing, he's a former sailor, an accomplished cook, and a fair amateur carpenter.

Ian Lewis is the shadowy figure behind all that is HYW. Curse him, praise him, say what you will, he holds the threads of life in his hands.

Ben. One of the HYW programmers.

Bruce  One of the HYW programmers.

Bill One of the HYW programmers.

On Leave

Nathan - -(Umbertoii@aol.com). 

William-HYWBaron-(lilcid@aol.com)

Scott - HYWaDragon - (GTLaw97@aol.com),

MattC -HYWaSaint - (LordTCason@aol.com),

JimM - HYWDamien- (HYWDamein@aol.com)

HYWMerlyn,(HYWMerlyn@aol.com) has been a member of the HYW staff since 1997. Often found in his Sorceror's garb, performing wonderous feats of magic in the Bull n Belfrey, Merlyn and his dragon, Fifi are quite a duo. (Don't tell him Fifi is really a squirrel, it will only be met with a long tale of ensorcelment and the nefarious spells of another wizard.) He is experienced as a royal and is considered quite an up and coming staff member...in fact one to be carefully watched if you don't want to end up as some other sort of creature entirely. Assigned to work with HYW Lady because she herself wields powerful magic, Merlyn is noted for his ability to find anything the Lady requests as if he were pulling it out of his hat. Merlyn recently learned the hard way that referring to a Sysop as a witch can get you into really hot water...which is exactly where fire salamaders live. His chief ambition currently is to be returned to his human form. Merlyn's tireless devotion to his games, his kings and his Sysop is renowned.