Portal to Adventure

Imoen

Really Experienced
Joined
Feb 24, 2001
Posts
240
OOC: Okay everyone. It's finally starting! For all reading, we have our players mapped out for the first part of this adventure. But if anyone wants to join that hasn't agreed to already, you're welcome to join as a character from the alternate world that these college students will be traveling to. You might want to read the OOC: thread just to update yourself on the storyline and what's going on, so that what I'm saying makes at least a little bit of sense! *L* Feel free to post there (In the OCC: thread) if you feel like you'd like to take part as a native to the alternate realm. Thanks! Happy roleplaying! :)

IC:
The music is blasting. The the walls of the dorm room are practically throbbing, much like Alyson's head, from the deep bass issuing from the speakers. That's not to say she didn't like the song or the group. Crazy Town's "Butterfly" was a fairly catchy tune. That is until you had to listen to it for 10 times straight! She runs her hands through her short, cropped tresses. Her fingers clench, gripping them tightly as she stares down at the anatomy book open in front of her. The two ventricles of the heart are seperated by the....Come my lady, come, come my lady. You're my butterfly - sugar baby.

"ARGH! Michelle!!!" Alyson stands quickly, whipping around to face her friend who is engrossed in her dancing in the middle of the room. "I can't stand it! Either you're going to have to find another song or turn this damn thing off. I can't think!!"

Michelle pauses for a moment, mid-hip roll, to stare at Alyson, her face a mask of confusion. "What? I can't hear you."

Alyson rolls her eyes and laughs, shaking her head as she walks to the stereo and turns the volumn down to a tolerable level. "The music, too loud, can't think. You know the routine. It's not like you haven't heard it before." She grins at her friend, her spirits lifting as the volume lowers. "Ugh. I don't really know if I can blame it on the music. I just feel scattered today for some reason. I'm just not in the mind set to study." She wanders over and plops down on the bed, curling her feet under her body.

Michelle nods and sits down next to her with a rueful grin. "Ooooh yeah. I know that feeling well. You should know that by now." She laughs and sits down next to her friend, nudging her with her shoulder. "I hate to study, avoid it at all costs if I can. Good think I have the memory of an elephant, eh?" She wiggles her brows comically and Alyson can do nothing else but laugh.

"I honestly don't see how you do it. I have to study for hours and you seem to breeze right through just listening to the lecture. It's just not fair." Aly groans dramatically as she collapses back on the bed throwing her arm over her eyes, wallowing in her mock pity-party.

Michelle just grins and laughs at her friend, lying there in her tragic repose. Her gaze is drawn to the alarm clock on the table beside the bed. She gasps and grabs Alyson's arm. "C'mon you! Neither of us are going to be studying tonight!" She smiles widely, "We have to get going now or we're going to be late. Saturday night dungeon here we come!" She hauls Aly up off the bed, with little trouble as the girl's eyes flared wide at her comment. "Oh gawd!" Alyson yelps, "I can't believe I almost forgot!"

They both scramble around the room in a mad rush, retrieving and stuffing into backpacks their prospective character sheets, dice and supplies. The both pause and take special care in handling and packing the highly detailed character figures Professor John Beren, their former chemistry instructor and current dungeon master, had gifted them with. He had spent a great deal of time on them obviously. His talent was amazing. Each of the figures faces were a distinct likeness to the girls. Alyson's halfling thief was tiny in stature but her face held the same shape. Her mouth and eyes almost identical, but with a ruddy tint to her complection that was common for halfings in the rpg world. Michelle's figure was imposing; an amazon fighter. The figure stood tall with a proud, smoothly muscled body that looked as if it could come to life at any moment. At first glance, it really didn't seem to resemble the petite cheerful ball of energy other wise know as Michelle. But it was upon closer examination of the face the resemblance was easily recognizable - it looked exactly like her! Both Alyson and Michelle realized the amount of work that Professor Beren had put into these mini works of art and each handled them as if they were the most precious of treasure.

They hurry out of the dorm room, ignoring for the most part the carring on around them as they make their way with all due haste to the nearly deserted building known as Avery Hall. Upon renovation and new buildings that had been constructed at the campus after a rather plush donation from some of the well-to-do alumni, the old, crumbly building of Avery Hall had been sentenced to the life of a storage facility with little or no activity otherwise. It's large, rambling basement was the perfect spot for the group of friends and college professor to hold their all-night dungeon and dragons gaming.

The two arrive at the back of the building, near out of breath from their sprint across campus.

"Dammit. We must be late, nobody's waiting. They must all be inside already." Michelle tries the door and finds that it is unlocked and does indeed open with ease. Both girls step inside and close the door behind them before dashing down the hallway, each prospectively running through the gamuts of excuses they could offer for their tardiness.

"Sorry we're la....." The words die on Michelle's tongue upon entering the room. It's empty. "Where is everyone?" She says simply, glancing around the large room. The room is dominated in its center by a large rectangular table surrounded by odd and end chairs, snatched from random unused classrooms upstairs. The tiny horizontal windows positioned high along the walls offered little to no light as the sun was beginning to set. Along the edges of the room, were stacks and stacks of boxes and unused desks and furniture, draped with dusty white clothes. The lighting was dim in regards to the difficulty if one was to try to do anything truly constructive there, but for their purposes of playful escapism - it suited them well.

Alyson followed closely behind Michelle and edges around her, setting her back at her usual spot on the large rectangular table. She sits down and grins up at her. "Obviously we're not as late as we first thought. John must have been here already, what with the door being unlocked." She spots a white plastic bag setting at the end of the table and scoots out of her seat to go investigate. "Let's see what treats the goodly professor has brought for us tonight." Aly peeks inside, and squeals with delight laugh! "Woohoo 'Chelle! He loves us, no doubt! We have chocolate!" She pulls out a folded note from the bag. Opening it and reading it.

Greetings oh nosy one, (Alyson - the thief, to be sure!)

I'm going to be a bit later than usual. I've forgotten something at my apartment. (Yes! Yet again!) I will be definitely be needed for tonight. I have a great adventure planned for all of you but you'll just have to be a bit patient until I can get back. I shouldn't be more than an hour. Enjoy the treats!

John
 
Michelle

My head shot up from where I was busy setting out my sheets and other gaming items. "Chocolate!," I said with a grin as I got up out of my seat so fast that my chair almost tipped over. "My second favorite word. My first being party!"

Making my way over to Aly, I took a peek into the bag and reached in to take the top off of the box and grab a piece. Sliding my petite form onto the table and folding my legs under me, I grinned up at Alyson and bit into the creamy chocolate savoring the sweet taste.

"So, when do you think the others will get here? It will be nice to tease someone else for being late for once!"

[Edited by Isolde on 02-28-2001 at 03:14 PM]
 
Jamie Dawson

"Evening folks" I said, hurrying into the room, blinking when I saw just Michelle and Alyson here so far, glancing down at my watch.

"I thought I was running a little behind, but it looks like I'm not the only one" I said, smiling as I pulled out my usual chair and seated myself down, fumbling through my backpack for my latest character printout and other stuff. I didn't know where John had come across the figure, but it was just as I had imagined Jothal. There was even another little figure on a clear 'flying' stand for Dak, Jothal's familiar. And the painting!... well, if I ever got to John's standard, I'd be more than happy.

Planting a couple of packets of Pringles up on the table alongside a bottle of coke, I smiled at my friends, and reached a hand out to pluck some chocolate from the box that was already open on the table.
 
Ivy

I crept in sheepishly, it was not like me to be this late. I smiled at the other's and took my usual seat, surprised that I wasn't the last one to arrive. I pulled out my gaming gear, being very careful as I unwrapped my figurine. John had just given it to me yesterday and had asked that I bring it to tonight's game. It was an amazing rendition of me in the form of a bipedal feline. The creature was covered in fur with a long, elegant tail, but had my strange eyes and haunted expression. I had stared at it for hours after receiving it, mesmerized by it's detail and beauty.

After setting up my little space with paper, sharpened pencils, and my figuine, I sat back looking towards Aly and Michelle.

"Is that chocolate I smell?" I asked with a smile as I popped open my can of Mountain Dew.
 
Michelle

"Hey, Jamie," I said as he came in. I was about to tell him about the prof being late but then Ivy came in. "Ivy," I smiled. She was pretty shy and so I always tried to keep toned down around her out of respect for a friend and fellow player. Sometimes I didnt succeed but I did try.

Passing over the box of chocolate after I took another piece, I said,"It looks like John is playing the absent minded proffesor again." I laughed and slid off the table, taking my seat again. "Looks like it will be a bit before he gets here."


[Edited by Isolde on 02-28-2001 at 03:15 PM]
 
"I thought something was wrong when I was the only one here on time," Gary said, finally coming back from the bathroom. It seems like just about everyone was here, which was a good sign, considering how late they would be playing tonight. He was hoping to get some valuable game time in... (we call it game time, don't we?)
In an instant he took out his Anthromann book, he was way behind in this class, and maybe this was a blessing in disguise. He could easily finish this one passage in under an hour, and if he got to write the paper tomorrw, then everything would be chocolate.
Chocolate?
Oh, that's right. Chocolate. Gary hated when he began mixing up thoughts together, he quickly took a piece and sat down to begin reading. A bookworm to the end...
 
James

Steve knocked the ball to me and I ran through and lifted the ball over the onrushing David and into the empty net. Finally! Soccer training had been an extra long one today since we had a big game coming up next week and Coach Collins, sadist that he is had decided to over-extend us by more than an hour!

"Great goal James! That's it for today everyone!"

I headed to the showers ribbing David about my goal. Today was Saturday and I was in a rush, since the dungeon was awaiting me tonight. This was going to be only my second session, since I had joined late. Professor Beren had talked me into trying it out and, despite my total lack of experience, everyone had been very friendly and the hours had passed seamlessly. And now I was going to be late because of Mad Coach Collins!

I quickly dressed, grabbed my stuff and headed down to Avery Hall. Not only did I have my soccer kit, I was also carrying my guitar since I'd been teaching a new student this morning. Add my dungeon stuff to that and it was a hefty load to carry!

When I got there I realised I shouldn't have bothered rushing. Only Gary, Jamie, Michelle and Alyson were here and the Prof had failed to show up on time as well. "Whassup all? Any spare chocolate to go round?"

[Edited by Ask For More on 02-28-2001 at 04:38 PM]
 
Raymond

-"Shall we go?"
"Yes, let's go."
(they do not leave)-
'Yes, finally,'Raymond thought to himself, 'I thought I never could learn all of it, and just in time for Roleplaying!' He opened the door, he was late, but not too late, the prof wasn't here yet.
He lays 'Waiting for Godot', from which he has to play the part of Estragon next thursday, on the table and turns towards his friends, first admiring the ladies, "good evening, angelic beings, your beauty makes me feel like I'm in the halls of heaven," after which he gave them all a handkiss, when its Ivy's turn he stares for a moment into her eyes, admiring them. Now the guys, "Hiya guys! How's life? I'm glad to see you all made it through the week," his eyes spotted the chocolate, "ah, candy for the impatient ones," after which he puts one in his mouth, enjoying it melting on his tongue, "it's not like a kiss from one of you, dear ladies, but it will do...for now," he says with a big grin.
He begins to unpack his bag and gives the tiny statue of Lothius a special place among his stuff, 'the prof had created a piece of art.'
 
Michelle

Everybody was arriving quite quickly now. As they came in, I passed around the chocolate and watched them lay out their gaming items. Everyone had a figurine like Aly and myself. The prof had made sure of that and encouraged us to bring them to our meetings. We all did, of course, we liked John and he had put alot of effort into them.

When Raymond came into the room with his suave act I couldnt help but laugh. He was something else and every Saturday I always came to the same conculsion...that he would be totally at home in the game world we played in on these nights.

Aly elbowed me in the side and my laughter died to a low chuckle and a grin.
 
James

Raymond arrived in a blaze of over-dramatics. Not much different from last week then! Unsurprisingly he declined to kiss the guys hands, not that I blame him.

The girls were giggling to themselves quietly. I hadn't really got to know them yet, although I would be open for some future ex-curricular activities if the oppurtunity presented itself. But that's my little secret!
Gary was studying and Raymond was unpacking his stuff.

Momentarily feeling useless, I took my guitar out from the case and strummed a few chords, humming to myself. I'd just finished on a new song, so I went through the chords and sang the lines in my head, not wanting to embarass myself by giving a live performance. Although everyone was friendly I'd only known them for a week so I was still shy.
 
Michael

Knowcks ont he door and pops his head intot he room. "Hey there everyone! How's it going? Sorry im really late but i had to pick up some provisions for our logn trip!" Grinnign slightly, he holds up a a bag filled to the brim with Chocolate Bars, and junk food.
 
Neale

I pause outside the door, to catch my breath. I already felt a little out of place around these kids, and coming in exhausted from a few flights of steps was no way to fit in with these active kids. Ah, who was I kidding? At 32, I really can't blame age on my condition. Just lazy and out of shape, that's all. Gotta cut down on the pizza! Or get a lighter computer. Lugging it on top of all the crap in my backpack was really getting old. Hmm... bet I could get all the books on my hard drive...

"Hi, everyone! The prof. sent me a message that he'd be a little late..." I notice the note he'd left here, too, "...which you've already gotten, too. Did he tell anyone else to bring a different character? I'd been looking forward to playing Thorr, my new happy barbarian, but he asked me to bring back Alia one more time. Thought I'd retired her for good, once she made it to 14th. Oh well, guess he figures we're a little light on healers at the moment. Betcha he's got something nasty planned!"

I sat down in my accustomed place, directly across the table from where the prof. would sit. As one of the resident 'OG's, or original gamers, I'd often take time to advise newer players on how best to use their characters. Technically, it was table-talk to advise like that, since I knew far more than my character did, but the prof. tolerated it, as it helped newer players enjoy the game more.

It had been a long time since I'd played a simple character like Thorr, and I'd been looking forward to it. Still, when the prof. gave 'suggestions', only a complete nutter would ignore him.

"Hey! Anyone order the pizza yet? The beer fairy will make a run shortly."
 
Alyson

I grinned at Michelle, joining her chuckle at Raymond. I glanced at him from beneath my lashes. He's adorable, that was oh so true, but guys that literally oozed charm out of ever pore just didn't inspire much trust with me. Color me silly, I tend to be more drawn to the quiet, less-flamboyant type.

Having exhausted that avenue of thought for the moment, I adjusted my seat a bit, pushing it back until I was reclining quite comfortably. My gaze wandered around the room, pausing briefly on each face smiling warmly to those whose eye I would catch. My attention was drawn to the newest gamer and inductee to 'the dungeon', James, as he began to strum his guitar. My smile widened a bit encouragingly as I hoped he would continue to play on.
 
Gary looked up from his book. He looked over at Raymond... oh man when he wanted to shovel it out he could shovel it out.
A sudden vision came of Raymond shoveling shit into the room, and everyone having to waddle around in it. He smiled silently to himself before going back to his book.
"The quality of mercy is not straineth, it droppeth like a gentle rain."
He paued, now that was nice, wasn't it? Quickly he took out his notebook and wrote it down. He was always one to get new sayings and phrases that inspired people. This notebook was almost full, he would have to get a new one soon.
Gary stretched lazily, they weren't anywhere near starting and he was already tired. They wouldn't put the coffee on until after midnight though, he wondered how long the professor would be. It wasn't like him to be forgetful, was it?
He wasn't completely sure.
Not that it mattered, the report tomorrow wasn't going to write itself. He kept on reading.
 
Ivy

I slipped another piece of chocolate into my mouth as I watched Raymond get settled in. He always knew how to make me blush, and I wondered if behind his incessant fliration, there lay someone deeper. He liked to play to the entire room most nights, and he always had us laughing, maybe I was just looking into it too much.

I smiled softly at each member as they arrived, and felt more at home as each seat was filled. It worried me a bit that John had not joined us yet, but he was a little odd at times, so I pushed the bothersome thoughts from my mind. Waiting quietly, I hoped that we would begin to play soon. My character, Sutashi, had gained a level at our last game and I was eager to try out her newly acquired skills.
 
James

I looked up from my guitar momentarily and saw Alyson smiling at me. Strange how music can have that effect on people sometime. I have used my music ability to charm girls before, but that was when I was young and playing around in high school. College girls had proven a much harder conquest.

Still I was encouraged, and began humming along with my guitar as the music swept through my soul. Before I knew it I was singing along quietly unable to control myself:

"Stars in the moonlit sky,
Walking by the riverside,
Such beautiful sights surround me,
But nothing that I can see,
Compares to you....

Making love by the shore,
Dancing on a ballroom floor,
Things to do, people to see,
Will you come along with me?"
 
Lailani

Suddenly there was a whispering swoosh and there in the middle of the table landed Lailani.

"What the hell!" exclaimed Gary

"Geez! Lailani, give us all a heart attack why dont you." Neale commented.

"Where did you come from is more like it." another asked

Lailani just smirked and pointed upwards toward the exposed wooden beams above the table.

As she secured her back pack she strolled down to the end of the table taking in everyone and them watching her. She was small, petite, with thick dark glossy black hair parted on the right side and pulled back into a ponytail. She had a form fitting black t-shirt and black leggings on underneath her heavy windbreaker. She lightly jumped from the table to the floor and sat down with a sigh.

"Who are you?" she was asked.

"You'll know when you need to know." she replied matter of factly.

One of the girls whispered to another. "What the heck is up with her attitude."

Lailani called her on it. "Ahh, you think i have an attitude. Normal. But not true. It's your perception of things. Was i rude to you? No. Was i nasty? No. You think i have an attitude because i didnt answer you the way you wanted me to. It's all in how you perceive it."
 
Neale

As one of the very few people who could happily take Lailani for the fiery soul she was, Neale simply sat back and laughed heartily. "Hey, 'Lani! Thanks for missing the pizza! Not that I think you'd be a lousy topping, mind you."

He pulled out his laptop, and began to work on it. "Don't mind me, I really need to get this assembler routine hashed out before Monday. I promise to put it away when the prof. gets here."

Neale cleared a space on the table beside him, and reached back for a chair. "'Lani, here's a spot, if you like. 'Kinda figure dangling from the ceiling would make playing a bit tough." In a softer voice, so that only she would hear, "Good job. These kids could use a little shaking up of their concrete perceptions. Just have a little pity on us poor old folks, with our weak hearts... and bladders." He smiled at her, ensuring she knew he was teasing. Few of those assembled here knew of the pranks he used to pull... and never would!
 
I'll take one plz

Mind if i have sum beer? All this chocolate is making me hyper. I need sumthin to knock sum sense back into me *wink*

Takes a mug of beer, and takes a sip.."Mmmm good! now thats a good drink"

Michael takes a seat near Raymond on his guitar, tapping his foot to the music. He pulls out a very old looking coin from his pocket. The coin seems almost anchient, and very valuble. Michael starts twirling it around his fingers...

"I wonder when the Prof is gonna be getting here?"
 
Michelle

I returned the elbow to Aly's side when she smiled at James. She turned to glare at me and I laughed again. Justin brought in the beer but I shook my head at the offer. I didnt want to get to the point where I couldnt play right away. I went to enough parties to know my limit and it was not very high so I tried to limit it in social situations.

Sighing, I looked at the clock and shook myself. I was wondering what was keeping John. He was never this late. It must have been something important that he had to get from his apartment.
 
Jamie

"John's never been this late before" I commented, glancing up at the clock on the wall, then returning to flick through the new edition D&D Players Handbook.

Ever since I had converted my old wizard character into the new sorcerer class, I had enjoyed a new leash of 'life' with him. I had always found John's game commetary, his portrayal of the NPC's and his uncanny knack for scene-setting, not far short of miraculous.

Hmm, 13th level Sorcerer... I had gained a level only last game session. Making magical items cost experience points, and I had fallen a little behind the others.

"Hey cool, I can scry through Dak once per day now!" I said, half to myself.
 
Raymond

"Bravo! Bravo!" Raymond cheers while he claps his hands, smiling at James, "If you were a woman, you were a muse, now you have to settle with 'Apollo', my friend, allthough I don't think he owned a guitar."

Than Raymond sees Ivy touching her cheek and takes his chance, "so, performing we are, let's see," after which he jumps on the table, almost falling of again but he gets his balance and performes a piece from Romeo and Juliet, directing it towards Ivy, "The brightness of her cheek would shame those stars. As daylight does to a lamp; her eyes in heaven. Would through the airy region stream so bright. That birds would sing and think it were not night. See, how she leans her cheek upon her hand! Ah, that I were a glove upon that hand. That I might touch your cheek!" on purpose overdoing his act.
 
Ivy

My eyes were wide as Raymond began his impromptu performance, and grew even wider as he directed it towards me. He knew I was easily embarrassed and I wondered if he'd directed the monologue my way because it was so easy to get a rise out of me. I blushed furiously, a small smile on my lips, and averted my eyes so that they would be unreadable.
Everyone was laughing and chiding him, but all I could do was sit there, suddenly feeling quite warm.
 
Back
Top