DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS

   Parents of a 16-year-old high school student who committed suicide
say that a 'curse' from the Dungeons & Dragons game led to his death.
A law suit filed by the parents has revived the controversy about the
popular fantasy game which is available for home computers.

   The parents of the boy who died June 9, 1982, are seeking $1
million plus legal expenses and interest.  The suit alleges that Dr.
Robert A. Bracey III, principal at Patrick Henry High School in
Virginia, was negligent in allowing the game to be played at the
school and was aware of potential dangers posed by the game.

   The suit filed at the Hanover Courthouse in Virginia's Hanover
Circuit Court states that Irving Lee 'Blink' Pulling II shot himself
after a 'curse' was placed on him by another 'Dungeons and
Dragons'player.  The lawsuit further says that the curse was 'Intended
to inflict emotional distress upon (Pulling) at a time when he... was
already under extreme psychological stress and emotional pressure from
playing the game.'

   'Dungeons and Dragons' is a fantasy-type board and computer game.
Players assume the roll of mythological characters such as sorcerers
and warriors.  A character's qualities,such as strength magic or
wisdom, are determined by chance.  One player,the 'dungeon master'
sets the course of the game by placing characters in confrontations
who sometimes 'win' or 'die.'

Christian Computing
May-June 1984

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