Episode Details

What if you grew up learning Scripture memory and biblical virtue from a Christian-made tabletop game system? Then you discovered that game had been “cancelled” by an irritated televangelist in the 1980s? That’s a decent setup for a contemporary novel. But in fact, it’s a true story. Now suspense and fantasy novelist James R. Hannibal, owner of the role-playing game known as DragonRaid, joins us to explore this story of dice-rolling, discipleship, death, and rebirth.

Former stealth pilot James R. Hannibal is no stranger to secrets and adventure. He has been shot at, locked up by surface to air missiles, has hunted insurgents with drones, and was once chased by an armed terrorist down a winding German road. James is the Carol Award–winning author of the Clandestine Service series and a three-time winner of the Silver Falchion Award for Juvenile Fiction for his Section 13 series. He also stewards the discipleship learning system game DragonRaid, soon to be relaunched as LightRaiders.

1. James, how did you discover biblical truth, fantastic faith, and DragonRaid?

• How did the game help fans love biblical truth and fantastic imagination.
• What’s the game like? Origin? Uniqueness? How does it help train disciples?
• What other memories do fans have about of the game? What about misconceptions?

2. How was the game “cancelled,” at least for a time, starting in the 1980s?

• In general terms, speaking as kindly as we can, what happened to the game?
• How did this “cancel” campaign fit with the general 1980s “Satanic panic”?
• What did you think about that cancelling then, and how do you think now?

Wolf Soldier, inspired by the world of LightRaiders, arrives this fall

3. Today, how are you blessed to help redeem the game and expand its world?

• What’s happening now with the game.
• Updates about the late game founder, Dick Wolfe.
• What’s next for the redeemed game: renaming, Wolf Soldier, and beyond.

Explore more