Steam tunnel incident
Encyclopedia
James Dallas Egbert III (October 29, 1962 – August 16, 1980) was a student at Michigan State University
who was incorrectly alleged to have disappeared into the school's steam tunnels
for reasons related to the role-playing game
Dungeons & Dragons
(D&D).
Egbert was indeed a player of D&D, but it was later revealed that his entry into the steam tunnels was unrelated to the game. At the time, the 16-year-old child prodigy
was struggling with depression
, was under intense academic pressure from his parents, and was battling drug addiction. In addition, his young age, advanced intelligence, and other issues had made it difficult for Egbert to make friends on campus. Egbert entered the steam tunnels on August 15, 1979 with a bottle of methaqualone
intending to end his life. The suicide
attempt was unsuccessful and when he awoke the next day he went into hiding at a friend's house.
(MSU's daily student newspaper) broke the story of his disappearance from his room in Case Hall (a student dormitory) in an article written by Michael Stuart. Egbert's parents subsequently hired private investigator
William Dear
to find their son. Dear knew nothing about Dungeons & Dragons at that time. He questioned some of Egbert's friends who were nearly as ignorant, since Egbert had never played the game at Michigan State. Dear concocted a theory that Egbert had become lost in the steam tunnels during a live-action
version of D&D, and the press repeated Dear's hypothesis as fact. The search for Egbert continued unsuccessfully for several weeks.
In fact, Egbert had fled campus. As the furor over his disappearance spread, several of Egbert's hosts asked him to leave their homes, fearing repercussions with law enforcement. Egbert eventually traveled to New Orleans, where he again attempted suicide, this time with cyanide
. After this attempt also failed, he moved to Morgan City, Louisiana
and took a job as a laborer in an oil field
.
Four days into this new job, Egbert called Dear and revealed that he was hiding in Morgan City. Dear traveled to Louisiana (other reports say Texas) and recovered Egbert. When the two finally met, Egbert asked the investigator to conceal the truth of his story. Dear agreed and released the 16-year-old to the custody of his uncle, Dr. Marvin Gross, on September 13, 1979.
Because of his promise to the boy, Dear left the false news reports unchallenged for the rest of the boy's short life. Egbert's third suicide attempt on August 16, 1980, by gunshot, succeeded. Four years after Egbert's death, Dear revealed his story in his 1984 book The Dungeon Master
.
Prior to Dear's revelations, Rona Jaffe
had already published a thinly disguised fictionalization of the press exaggerations of the Egbert case, the 1981 novel Mazes and Monsters
. The book was adapted into a made-for-television movie (see Mazes and Monsters
) in 1982.
, inspiring several fictional premises and at least one real-life event.
told police he and his friends mapped the steam tunnels of North Carolina State University for the purposes of incorporating them into their D&D game.
Michigan State University
Michigan State University is a public research university in East Lansing, Michigan, USA. Founded in 1855, it was the pioneer land-grant institution and served as a model for future land-grant colleges in the United States under the 1862 Morrill Act.MSU pioneered the studies of packaging,...
who was incorrectly alleged to have disappeared into the school's steam tunnels
Utility tunnel
A utility tunnel is a space for wires, conduits, pipes, and other conveyances used in the delivery of utilities with enough room for a human to enter. Modern pipes and cables need less attention and space than older varieties, so the construction of utility tunnels declined in the late 20th century...
for reasons related to the role-playing game
Role-playing game
A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...
Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
(D&D).
Egbert was indeed a player of D&D, but it was later revealed that his entry into the steam tunnels was unrelated to the game. At the time, the 16-year-old child prodigy
Child prodigy
A child prodigy is someone who, at an early age, masters one or more skills far beyond his or her level of maturity. One criterion for classifying prodigies is: a prodigy is a child, typically younger than 18 years old, who is performing at the level of a highly trained adult in a very demanding...
was struggling with depression
Clinical depression
Major depressive disorder is a mental disorder characterized by an all-encompassing low mood accompanied by low self-esteem, and by loss of interest or pleasure in normally enjoyable activities...
, was under intense academic pressure from his parents, and was battling drug addiction. In addition, his young age, advanced intelligence, and other issues had made it difficult for Egbert to make friends on campus. Egbert entered the steam tunnels on August 15, 1979 with a bottle of methaqualone
Methaqualone
Methaqualone is a sedative-hypnotic drug that is similar in effect to barbiturates, a general central nervous system depressant. The sedative-hypnotic activity was first noted by Indian researchers in the 1950s and in 1962 methaqualone itself was patented in the US by Wallace and Tiernan...
intending to end his life. The suicide
Suicide
Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Suicide is often committed out of despair or attributed to some underlying mental disorder, such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, alcoholism, or drug abuse...
attempt was unsuccessful and when he awoke the next day he went into hiding at a friend's house.
Disappearance
A well-publicized search for Egbert began after The State NewsThe State News
The State News is the student newspaper of Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan. It is supported by a combination of advertising revenue and a $5 refundable tax that students pay at each semester's matriculation. Though The State News is supported by a student tax, the faculty and...
(MSU's daily student newspaper) broke the story of his disappearance from his room in Case Hall (a student dormitory) in an article written by Michael Stuart. Egbert's parents subsequently hired private investigator
Private investigator
A private investigator , private detective or inquiry agent, is a person who can be hired by individuals or groups to undertake investigatory law services. Private detectives/investigators often work for attorneys in civil cases. Many work for insurance companies to investigate suspicious claims...
William Dear
William Dear (detective)
William C. Dear is a well-known Dallas-based private investigator. He owns the firm William C. Dear & Associates. His notable cases include the original steam tunnel incident involving James Dallas Egbert III...
to find their son. Dear knew nothing about Dungeons & Dragons at that time. He questioned some of Egbert's friends who were nearly as ignorant, since Egbert had never played the game at Michigan State. Dear concocted a theory that Egbert had become lost in the steam tunnels during a live-action
Live action role-playing game
A live action role-playing game is a form of role-playing game where the participants physically act out their characters' actions. The players pursue goals within a fictional setting represented by the real world, while interacting with each other in character. The outcome of player actions may...
version of D&D, and the press repeated Dear's hypothesis as fact. The search for Egbert continued unsuccessfully for several weeks.
In fact, Egbert had fled campus. As the furor over his disappearance spread, several of Egbert's hosts asked him to leave their homes, fearing repercussions with law enforcement. Egbert eventually traveled to New Orleans, where he again attempted suicide, this time with cyanide
Cyanide
A cyanide is a chemical compound that contains the cyano group, -C≡N, which consists of a carbon atom triple-bonded to a nitrogen atom. Cyanides most commonly refer to salts of the anion CN−. Most cyanides are highly toxic....
. After this attempt also failed, he moved to Morgan City, Louisiana
Morgan City, Louisiana
Morgan City is a city in St. Martin and St. Mary parishes in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The population was 12,404 at the 2010 census....
and took a job as a laborer in an oil field
Oil field
An oil field is a region with an abundance of oil wells extracting petroleum from below ground. Because the oil reservoirs typically extend over a large area, possibly several hundred kilometres across, full exploitation entails multiple wells scattered across the area...
.
Four days into this new job, Egbert called Dear and revealed that he was hiding in Morgan City. Dear traveled to Louisiana (other reports say Texas) and recovered Egbert. When the two finally met, Egbert asked the investigator to conceal the truth of his story. Dear agreed and released the 16-year-old to the custody of his uncle, Dr. Marvin Gross, on September 13, 1979.
Because of his promise to the boy, Dear left the false news reports unchallenged for the rest of the boy's short life. Egbert's third suicide attempt on August 16, 1980, by gunshot, succeeded. Four years after Egbert's death, Dear revealed his story in his 1984 book The Dungeon Master
The Dungeon Master
The Dungeon Master: The Disappearance of James Dallas Egbert III is a 1984 nonfiction book written by private investigator William Dear, giving his explanation of the 1979 "steam tunnel incident", which he feels was misrepresented by the news media...
.
Prior to Dear's revelations, Rona Jaffe
Rona Jaffe
Rona Jaffe was a popular American novelist, publishing numerous works from 1958-2003. She may have been best known for her controversial novel, Mazes and Monsters...
had already published a thinly disguised fictionalization of the press exaggerations of the Egbert case, the 1981 novel Mazes and Monsters
Mazes and Monsters (novel)
Mazes and Monsters is a 1981 novel by Rona Jaffe. The novel is a cautionary tale regarding the then-new hobby of fantasy role-playing games. The book was adapted into a made-for-television movie by the same name in 1982 starring young Tom Hanks....
. The book was adapted into a made-for-television movie (see Mazes and Monsters
Mazes and Monsters
Mazes and Monsters is a 1982 made-for-TV movie directed by Steven Hilliard Stern about a group of college students and their interest in a fictitious role-playing game of the same name. The movie starred a 26-year-old Tom Hanks in his first major leading film role.- Background :The film was...
) in 1982.
Other incidents
Misunderstandings about Egbert's disappearance made the incident something of an urban legendUrban legend
An urban legend, urban myth, urban tale, or contemporary legend, is a form of modern folklore consisting of stories that may or may not have been believed by their tellers to be true...
, inspiring several fictional premises and at least one real-life event.
Pritchard incident
In 1988, during an investigation into his stepfather's murder, Christopher Wayne PritchardChris Pritchard
Christopher "Chris" W. Pritchard is an American man convicted for masterminding the attempted murder of his mother Bonnie Von Stein and the murder of his stepfather Lieth Von Stein in 1988 in Washington, North Carolina...
told police he and his friends mapped the steam tunnels of North Carolina State University for the purposes of incorporating them into their D&D game.
In fiction
- In the book The Rule of Four, several sections involve use of the campus steam tunnels, sometimes for games, but not for D&D.
- A similar incident is often referenced in the Knights of the Dinner TableKnights of the Dinner TableKnights of the Dinner Table is a comic book/strip created by Jolly R. Blackburn and published by Kenzer & Company. It primarily focuses on a group of role playing gamers and their actions at the gaming table, which often result in unfortunate, but humorous consequences in the game...
comic. One of the characters, 'Nitro', earned the nickname "the Lord of Steam" after a live-action game in the steam tunnels under Muncie, Indiana's Ball State University went disastrously awry. Nitro's group continues to embark on yearly steam tunnel forays in the comics, which are simultaneously promoted and disavowed by Weird Pete's Games Pit. - A similar idea was used in Neal StephensonNeal StephensonNeal Town Stephenson is an American writer known for his works of speculative fiction.Difficult to categorize, his novels have been variously referred to as science fiction, historical fiction, cyberpunk, and postcyberpunk...
's 1984 university satire The Big UThe Big UThe Big U is Neal Stephenson's first published novel, a satire of campus life.- Plot :The story chronicles the disillusionment of a number of young intellectuals as they encounter the realities of the higher education establishment parodied in the story...
. In the novel several live action role playing gamers head into their University's sewers to play a game called "Sewers and Serpents". - David Foster WallaceDavid Foster WallaceDavid Foster Wallace was an American author of novels, essays, and short stories, and a professor at Pomona College in Claremont, California...
's 1996 novel Infinite JestInfinite JestInfinite Jest is a 1996 novel by David Foster Wallace. The lengthy and complex work takes place in a semi-parodic future version of North America, and touches on tennis, substance addiction and recovery programs, depression, child abuse, family relationships, advertising and popular entertainment,...
features characters on the verge of schizophrenia clambering through steam tunnels and being hypnotically lost in media. - In the novel Mazes and MonstersMazes and Monsters (novel)Mazes and Monsters is a 1981 novel by Rona Jaffe. The novel is a cautionary tale regarding the then-new hobby of fantasy role-playing games. The book was adapted into a made-for-television movie by the same name in 1982 starring young Tom Hanks....
by Rona JaffeRona JaffeRona Jaffe was a popular American novelist, publishing numerous works from 1958-2003. She may have been best known for her controversial novel, Mazes and Monsters...
, a group of college friends play the role-playing game Mazes and Monsters, using an abandoned mine near their college campus for a live-action version of the game. One of the students (played by Tom HanksTom HanksThomas Jeffrey "Tom" Hanks is an American actor, producer, writer, and director. Hanks worked in television and family-friendly comedies, gaining wide notice in 1988's Big, before achieving success as a dramatic actor in several notable roles, including Andrew Beckett in Philadelphia, the title...
in the movieMazes and MonstersMazes and Monsters is a 1982 made-for-TV movie directed by Steven Hilliard Stern about a group of college students and their interest in a fictitious role-playing game of the same name. The movie starred a 26-year-old Tom Hanks in his first major leading film role.- Background :The film was...
) suffers a psychotic breakdown while playing the game. - The 1985 comedy movie Real GeniusReal GeniusReal Genius is a 1985 satirical comedy film directed by Martha Coolidge. The film's screenplay was written by Neal Israel, Pat Proft and Peter Torokvei. It stars Val Kilmer and Gabriel Jarret....
portrays a genius former student, Lazlo Hollyfeld (played by Jon GriesJon GriesJonathan Francis "Jon" Gries is an American actor, writer and director. He is also credited under the names Jon Francis and Jonathan Gries. He is known for his role in Napoleon Dynamite as Uncle Rico, and more recently as recurring character Roger Linus on Lost...
), who has been lurking in the tunnel system for years since he cracked under pressure in the early 1970s. - A circular reference appears in the 2006 video game, Dungeons & Dragons Online. One of the dungeons in the game is called "The Steam Tunnels". The questgiver for the dungeon is an NPC named "Wayfinder Dael", bearing similarities to "William Dear".
External links
- "The Disappearance of James Dallas Egbert III" by Shaun Hately
- "The Attacks on Role-Playing Games" by Paul Cardwell, Jr.
- "The Truth Behind The Disappearance of James Dalas Egbert III" at Geek6.com