More than a Game - The Dragonson Saga - Chapter 1 (standard:fantasy, 2068 words)
Author: Stodgy	Added: Jan 29 2003	Views/Reads: 3387/2438	Story vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
This is the story of a roleplayer who gets the opportunity to live in his fantasy world. Chapter 1 is about surprises and making a vital decision that will alter his life forever.

The Dragonson Saga 

Chapter 1 - Not Just a Game 

He remembered that it was hot when this all started. Allen walked from
the bus stop after coming from the mechanics workshop towards Michael's 
house.  Allen was 19, short, fat (he called himself overweight) with 
olive skin and dark hair.  On his face he sported what his friend Chris 
called a try-hard-beard, which was only there because he couldn't 
afford razors.  Allen was a student at Murdoch University studying 
Information Technology, but most of all Allen was a roleplayer.  The 
real world sucked.  Sure it was nice enough in Perth but corrupt men 
ruled the world, they repressed smaller countries that then responded 
with terrorists' acts that then responded with the repression of 
smaller countries etc.  The world hung on the threat off nuclear war, 
chemical war, strategic war, peacekeeping war, but mainly wars that 
would make money for someone else.  Not that Allen hated war (he didn't 
love it either) it was just; in his opinion war should be nobler.  For 
freedom, protecting those that couldn't, not for the price of an oil 
barrel.  These were Allen's thoughts as he began to walk up Michael's 
driveway. Roleplaying was an out, a way to do the right thing, escapism 
he heard someone call it, but it was such a joy to be able to save the 
girl, destroy the enslaving wizard and slay the rampaging monster that 
he didn't care what others thought.  What it came down to was Allen 
wanted to be a hero. He knew Michael through Chris, and Michael was 
everything Allen wasn't.  Popular, fit, tall, rich, good looking, he 
always had a girl friend but he roleplayed, 'common ground'.  He had 
never gamed with Michael before, and was dubious about starting a new 
game, but Chris had insisted and Allen usually gave in to Chris.  Allen 
Knocked on the door and waited. "Allen come in" said Michael as he 
answered the door, "You're the first one here". "Hey" greeted Allen as 
he walked into the hallway, "who else is coming today". "Chris and 
Katie of course, Simon and Graham.  Oh here's the lads now". Allen 
turned and watched Simon madly pulling into the driveway, with what 
looked like an attempt of a high-speed turn and a slide-n-stop.  
Distorting music played loudly until Simon turned off the car and the 
guys got out. Graham and Simon were best friends and at times almost 
identical in attitudes.  They were what you could call the classical 
computer geeks.  Mind you they new this accepted it as a fact and 
sometimes tried to fit into the mould. "Hey Mike, Allen" yelled out 
Simon, while Graham just waved. "Well come on in guys and we'll start 
to make your characters.".  Michael walked into the lounge and took a 
seat at the head of a Jarrah table, easily large enough to sit eight 
people with room. Allen looked around, a big air conditioner in the 
wall, large cushioned chairs, a few unopened packets of chips and large 
glasses on the table and even a fridge in the corner. 'A gamers room 
couldn't get much more sweet than this' was what Allen was thinking as 
he took a seat.  He picked up a character sheet, removed his dice from 
his pocket and picked up the book for character creation.  Not that he 
needed the book, he could make a character without it but it helped him 
think.  About an hour passed as Allen, Simon, Graham and Michael talked 
about the latest Star Trek episode and what type of character they 
where going to make. 'Knock knock knock'. Michael got up to answer the 
door "What do you mean late, bah at least we beat Al hear, oh     hi 
Al.  Where's your car?" asked Chris as he walked in with Kate.  Chris 
was about 6ft tall and fairly athletic.  He and Allen had been friends 
for about nine years and best 'mates' for about four. "Being serviced, 
caught the bus."  Replied Allen rather smugly.  "Still can't manage to 
get anywhere on time." "I told him we were late but he HAD to finish 
the level" complained Kate.  Kate, Chris's girlfriend was 5'11" slim 
dark haired and usually very shy.  Amongst the 'boys' as she called 
Allen, Simon, Graham and Chris she came out of her shell.  Her Chris 
and Michael where all studying teaching, so she was fairly relaxed. 
"What game were you pla..." started Simon. "Ooohh no, don't you get him 
started.  It's all he's been doing for the last week.  And not a word 
out of you either Al.  Apparently it YOUR game." Interrupted Kate with 
a glare for Allen and Chris.  Chris gave Allen a grin and thumbs up and 
Allen had to try not to laugh. Michael began "Weeell, lets get on with 
it then shall we.  First I want you to make characters that really 
represent you, race profession etc.  I'm not trying to criticize your 
rolepaying ability but with the campaign I've got planed it will run 
smoother if you don't have to think about what would my character do 
now, you won't have time to think, when I ask for a decision or an 
action I'll take a pause as doing nothing.  So do we know what we're 
making then." "After that speech a Human Cleric." Simon said with a 


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