Gamer Profile: Fireball

Fireball (actual nickname, even ran for elections with it) is the kind of crazy-ass player that I would wish on all of you, and yet would also warn you against. He's as dangerous as his namesake.

Archetype: The player who lives outside the box and will think nothing of derailing your campaign.

Explain: Fireball is that player who's never content with being ordinary. He's the one who asks you if he can play a race that isn't normally for Player Characters. He's the one who comes to the session in costume or with props, when no one else is. And ultimately, he's the one who'll be doing all the crazy stunts and contributing to your most memorable games. If the purpose of gaming is to be entertained, then you could do worse than have a Fireball on board.

In fact, he was part of my gaming group for a long time until we started playing other games. We've tries to lure him back many times, but job and marriage have been keeping him away. He may never be back, but everyone's got a Fireball moment. Here's mine: I was holding my second annual RPG Awards Show (the Nivens), and he arrived at the intimate gala with a trophy under his arm. He's "borrowed" it from some guy and replaced the plates with a giant one that apparently put him on top for the last 7 years, with a tiny plate for the previous year's winner. If someone wants the Moosehead Cup (whatever that is), I still have it.

Psych Profile: As can be gleaned from my story, Fireball's a crazy loon in real life too, so of course it bleeds into his gaming. He can't help it! I've been to parties at his house where the main attraction was jumping down the stairs to awaiting mattresses. He's glued a roommate's furniture to her ceiling. He's covered himself in foil to dance the robot. So keep an open mind and be ready for a derailed adventure, yes, but an entertaining one.

Best Game: All I played with Fireball is Dream Park, but I most remember his first death scene, crashing to the ground on a homemade jetpack shouting to the last remaining party member, "Good luck, Ga-Kaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrr!"

So I raise my glass to that Dream Park character, Patrick O'Neil AKA Sir Psycho, he will be long remembered.