A party invitation accompanied by a 4-page explanation? This proves that it was written by me and not by some Bill Seligman impersonator!

Here's the idea: for my 40th birthday party, I'd like to share something I enjoy with all my friends. I enjoy stories, I enjoy role-playing games, I enjoy dressing up in costume - so this party incorporates all three.

I ask you to come to the party as any character you desire. At the party, you won't just look like your character, you will be your character, playing a role in an interactive story. The story will be presented with the help of the talented people of Mystic Realms, a live-action role-playing theatrical group with years of experience in interactive storytelling. Their web site is at <http://www.mysticrealms.com>.

Live-action role-playing games usually offer adventure stories, and are typically played with props. Swords and other weapons are made of foam. Guns are toy cap-guns with bean-bags used instead of bullets. Magic spells are cast by chanting a phrase and tossing a bean-bag. The rules on how to use all these props are fairly simple and will be explained at the party.

What I ask you do before the party is create your character and send a description to me. This allows Mystic Realms to design the right kind of story for the characters at the party, and for each character to be assigned special abilities in the game. That's why I ask you to RSVP by Nov 15th, so we have time to prepare all the props and stories.

The food will be pot-luck. The food coordinator is Nancy Blane. Please let her know what you're bringing by Nov 29, so she can make sure there's something for everyone during the day. The Unitarian Church has a small kitchen, so we can keep a few things hot or cold. However, please don't plan to cook anything fancy at the party - because then you'll be stuck in the kitchen and you'll miss part of the story. By the way, our agreement with the Unitarian Church definitely states "no alcohol."

Part of the story is going to include a one-round Bardic circle; that is, everyone will be asked to contribute some creative piece: a song, a poem, a story, a performance. Bring your drums if you want to join in the fun.

You supply the character, the costume, and the pot-luck; Mystic Realms will supply the props, the rules, and the actors. Put it all together, and we'll have one great party!

You can choose anyone from any time, space, dimension, fantasy, idea, or dream. Let your mind roam and pick something that appeals to you.

At the party, your character will receive some abilities according to the rules of Mystic Realms, and we'll try to select abilities that are appropriate for your particular character. All characters in the game will be about equally powerful. If you choose to play Zeus, King of the Olympian Gods, you'll find you can't throw an unlimited number of thunderbolts during this party; if you choose to play yourself (or some unenhanced mortal like Bill Gates), you'll find that you can go beyond normal human limits during the party.

The story will be told over the course of a few hours, so I offer the following suggestions:

• You may want to think twice before choosing a character that's essentially a joke. If you choose to be the Abstract Personification of the Electoral College, you may find yourself tiring of the role quickly.
• You should consider carefully before picking a character that doesn't play well with others. If you choose to play Jason from the Friday the 13th movies, you may find that the other characters don't arrange themselves conveniently for you to slaughter as they do in the films.
• We're planning a Bardic circle as part of the story. You may want to think about what your character (as opposed to you) would offer as an example of their creativity.

It does not have to be long. We just have to know enough about the character so we can fit them into the story, and to determine what special abilities are appropriate.

Please describe the character; don't assume that we know who it is by name. There are some reasons for this:

• If you say, for example, "My character is Diana Tregarth from Mercedes Lackay's books," we may not know who you mean. I've never read anything by Mercedes Lackay, and maybe no one in Mystic Realms has either.
• Many characters have different aspects; Hermes the god of healing is different from Hermes the father of Pan. We need to know which aspect is most important to you.

Feel free to include a "wish list" of abilities that you think are appropriate for your character. You may not get every ability you ask for, but if you include a list you're more likely to get the abilities you want.

No. If you want to, you can participate in the story as yourself. But even if you're not going to be a special character, I need to receive your RSVP by Nov 15.

You don't even have to be in the story, if you don't want to. Just bring a white headband and wear it at the start of the party. This lets you hang out and enjoy the experience without getting involved.

If the weather permits, there will be some adventures conducted outdoors. You may want to design your costume so you could wear it while walking in the woods in late autumn.

It probably seems obvious, but make sure your costume is something you can wear for several hours. This may affect your choice of a character; if you show up as the monolith from 2001: A Space Odyssey, it may be tough to go to the bathroom.

If your costume requires you to have a special weapon (or other game prop), you may have to make it yourself. For example, if you want to play the Shoveler from the movie Mystery Men, you'll need a foam shovel to use as a weapon during the game. Please discuss any special props with me.

If you wear actual armor, or clothing that could count as armor (such as thick leather), you will receive some extra defensive bonus for your character. Let me know if you're going to wear anything special that might count as armor.

Please bring a white headband; a tennis headband or a wide strip of white cloth will do. You'll wear this to signify that your character has entered the spirit realm (this will be explained at the party).

Sure, bring guests! Spouses and spice of the people I've invited are welcome, of course.

However, guests have the same deadline as invitees: I need them to send me a character description by November 15.

If you don't know whether a guest can make it (or even if you can make it), then please send in the description anyway. It's better for us if we prepare your character for the party even if you don't show up. If someone comes unexpectedly, I'm not sure we'll be able to enable their participation in the story.

It's OK to bring them, but I suggest you consider:

• The story of the party will be oriented towards adults. Children may find it boring.
• Some of the props and costumes may be scary for young children.

If these things don't seem like an issue to you, then by all means bring 'em along!

The story will be structured so that you don't have to use or be hit by the foam weapons if you don't want to be.

However, in my experience, using the foam weapons is like the first time you go skyclad at a festival. When you hold the foam in your hands for the first time, you get a sudden thrill. Then you relax and the whole idea doesn't bother you anymore.

We'll be in a semi-public place and there will be mundanes present. It's not a good idea.

The most important thing to bring is you... on time. We plan to explain the rules of the game at the start of the party. If you miss this, you may be at a disadvantage for the rest of the story.

No gifts! Your presence is presents enough.

I've received my gifts with all the support I received during my recent medical problems. I already have plenty of stuff; my apartment is crowded with chatchkes from the past 40 years. What I value, and what you've already given me, is worth far more than material goods.

If the above plea does not convince you, consider the cost of the costume and the food you're bringing to the party. Let that be the equivalent of a present.

But if all the above does not convince you, and if you absolutely feel you must give something extra, then think about helping out with the cost of renting the Unitarian Church.

Any questions? Please ask! My home phone number is (914) 358-5159, my work phone is (914) 591-2823 (typically I work 11 AM-7 PM Mon-Fri), and my e-mail address is <seligman@nevis1.columbia.edu>.

That's it! See you there!