The Fall of Fenninkainen

Most of the people that read this blog already know this. However, I felt that I needed to write about it anyway. Recently, I lost a very dear friend. I have been friends with Shawn for just around 20 years of my life. He was a member of 'the gang'. Probably considered one of the founding 'members'. Much like most of the rest of 'the gang', I really consider Shawn more family than friend. To say that his death hit us all pretty hard would be an understatement.

He could tell me a truly unbelievable tale and I, somehow, would fall for it...every time. Some of these stories I may never live down :). I think it was just his delivery. He had a natural gift for storytelling. From searching a haunted house in Call of Cthulhu by candlelight to trying to speak with his character who only spoke Japanese (even though Shawn didn't), you couldn't help but get so into the scene that you forgot that you were not actually there.

He also had a gift for planning and strategy. Many a DM's plan was foiled by the twinkle in Shawn's eye. It didn't matter what the genre. Magic problems? Give him an ice bucket...he'll have a solution. Futuristic tech getting you down? No problem! Where's that old fashioned projector? Evil wizard in the party too powerful for you to take out? A little Trap the Soul will have the good guys back on track in no time.

His plans were never expected. As long as they didn't rely on the luck of a die roll, they seemed custom made for the situation at hand. But, dice hated his plans. If Shawn had a gaming tag line it would be "Great Strategist, Lousy Die Roller". He even had the shirt to match.

His games (Deadlands, Call of Cthulhu, Vampire, Boot Hill) were universally enjoyed and well attended. His characters (Fenninkainen the True, Simon Q Hawke, Akira, Pavilon Hexagonal, Flash) became iconic characters to us.

Obviously, the majority of the time I spent with Shawn was around a game table. The majority of the time I spent with most people for those 20ish years was around a game table. Board games, role playing games, even card games. That is what we did. But, I also spent hours with him on the paintball field. Sang along to The Bobs while driving around. Saw countless movies (even one that we all agreed no longer exists in our reality). I even hiked up to Tahquitz Peak in the San Jacinto mountains with him once.

He always had a witty comeback or a sarcastic remark to make you smile. So many stories and memories. I am glad to have been able to call him a friend. Shawn will be missed, but, never forgotten.