These lodges - the likes of the Elks, Moose, Woodmen, Odd Fellows, Red Men, and avowedly unserious outfits like the Hoo Hoo and E Clampus Vitus - outdid each other in prankish initiation rites, aided and abetted by the electric shock gadgetry and "burlesque costumes" of the Demoulin Brothers.
Having already remarked the similarities between the levels and titles of Dungeons and Dragons, and those of a fraternal order, I can't help but wonder if the spirit of the basement initiation rite also lives on in the tricks and traps of the "gotcha!" dungeon. In the DeMoulin catalogue, as with the Dungeon Master's catalogue, nothing is certain, safe things are dangerous and dangerous things safe. Even the famous imperceptibly sloping corridor of Greyhawk Castle has its precedent in the "balloon ride" gag shown below, visibly hoisted and imperceptibly let down.
Mindwarping stuff.
ReplyDeleteThere is something really perverse about all of these grown men figuring out complicated ways to deliver electrical shocks to their fellow lodge members butts and crotches.
ReplyDeleteHilariously weird.
The "dog kennel stunt" is my favorite so far (on the phoenix site I linked to). Reminiscent of the Shining and the Overlook Hotel.
DeleteThis is an invaluable find. To heck with my campaign; I'm using this stuff on my kids.
ReplyDelete