'''''Alarums and Excursions''''' ('''''A&E'''''), is an [[amateur press association]] started in June [[1975 in games|1975]] by [[Lee Gold]] (at the request of [[Bruce Pelz]], who felt that discussion of ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]'' was taking up too much space in Apa-L, the APA of the [[Los Angeles Science Fantasy Society]])<ref>[http://www.arielarchives.com/Brett/magazines/alarumsandexcursions.html Bretts RPG Magazine and Zine Index], entry on Alarums & Excursions, retrieved September 2007</ref>. It was the first publication to focus solely on [[role-playing game]]s.

Each issue is a collection of contributions from different authors, often featuring game design discussions, rules variants, write-ups of game sessions, reviews, and comments on others contributions. It was a four-time winner of the [[Charles Roberts Award|Charles Roberts]]/[[Origins Award]], winning "Best Amateur Adventure Gaming Magazine" in [[1984 in games|1984]]<ref>[http://www.originsgamefair.com/awards/1984 The Charles Roberts Awards 1984], retrieved September 2007</ref>, "Best Amateur Game Magazine" in 1999<ref>[http://www.originsgamefair.com/awards/1999 Origins Awards 1999], retrieved September 2007</ref>, and "Best Amateur Game Periodical" in 2000<ref>[http://www.originsgamefair.com/awards/2000 Origins Awards 2000], retrieved September 2007</ref> and 2001<ref>[http://www.originsgamefair.com/awards/2000 Origins Awards 2000], retrieved September 2007</ref>.

Although game reports and social reactions are common parts of many A&E contributions, it has also, over the years, become a testing ground for new ideas on the development of the RPG as a genre and an art form. The idea that role-playing games ''are'' an art form took strong root in this zine, and left a lasting impression on many of the RPG professionals who contributed.

Over the years, contributors have included [[David A. Hargrave]], [[Robin Laws]], [[Mark Rein•Hagen]], [[Jonathan Tweet]], [[Erick Wujcik]], and [[Rob Heinsoo]]. The role-playing game ''[[Over the Edge (role-playing game)|Over the Edge]]'' was inspired by discussions in A&E.

"Alarums and excursions" is a stage direction for the moving of soldiers across a stage, used in [[Elizabethan drama]]. [http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/alarums+and+excursions]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* http://thestarport.org/xeno/aande.html

[[Category:Role-playing game magazines]]
[[Category:Origins Award winners]]
[[Category:Charles S. Roberts Award winners]]
[[Category:Science fiction fanzines]]

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