In the interest of bringing some tabletop gaming fun to the Abyss, I have decided bring you a story adaptation of one of the most memorable roleplaying experiences I have ever had the pleasure of participating in. It is a tale too big to tell in one sitting, so therefore I will reveal new chapters each week on Sunday, until the story reaches its climax. I’ll warn you right now that this series might be tl;dr for some of you, but I hope it will provide a few minuets of light and pleasurable reading.

But first, I want to introduce you to the people who played the parts of the characters you’ll soon be meeting. After all, roleplaying games are a group experience and the final outcome is the result of everybody’s participation. Give credit where credit is due, as they say.

Dylan is the DM of this adventure, the man who crafted the setting and all the characters aside from those belonging to the players.  I went to high school with this guy, but never really had much contact with him until after graduation when a mutual friend inviting me to play D&D. Dylan is an interesting character in himself. A charismatic and energetic individual, he always appeared to be part of the “popular crowd” – the type of person a geek like me didn’t associate with. I couldn’t have been more wrong. While yes, Dylan had a bit of celebrity in the small microcosm of high school society, he was one of those people who got along with everybody and was well-liked by all his peers regardless of frivolous social dynamics. Later, I learned Dylan is in fact one of the biggest nerds I have ever met. Also, with this guy, everything is awesome. Everything. Its awesome.

James was the one who inviting me to the game table.  He and I had been steadfast friends throughout high school, and enjoyed a lot of the same hobbies – it just took me longer to get into pen & paper roleplaying games.  He plays the character of Norial.

Jessie is another friend whom I knew from school, but didn’t spend any time with until more recently. He provides much of our comic relief (out of the game), often because his character ends up ruining the plans of others.  Players’ plans, DM’s plans, none are safe.  Jessie’s character in this tale is Kay.

David is a lot like Dylan – except a vulgar asshole. Its all good though, it makes for laughs. He has a penchant for making quirky characters, with quirky accents, and never misses an opportunity to create Hollywood-esque catch phrazes. He roleplays Jamesin. Its impossible to write out easily, but try and read Jamesin’s dialogue in a rediculous Irish accent.

Mike is gay cause he knows how to dress stylishly. That’s what we all say, and he says it too, so it are truth.  Mike is one of those rare neckbeards who, like Dylan, is rather socially affluent – and it always shows in his roleplaying.  He doesn’t care about combat ability, he doesn’t do any metagame thinking or power-gaming, Mike just wants to make an interesting character. This guy’s been DMing 2nd edition games for a decade or so, is/was a drama geek, and is perfectly comfortable stepping completely into the shoes of his character. He plays the role of Don Juan in this story. If you’re familiar with the Don Juan of theatrical history, you already know what to expect. Again, here we have a character with an accent, this time Spanish – so keep that in mind.

Kyle (myself), ain’t nothing to tell here you can’t see on display at the Abyss forums, haha. My character in this is Richard, and as such the story will mainly focuses on Richard. Not the most impartial way to do it, but you gotta write what you know.

That concludes my indroduction of the people behind the story soon to be told. Sorry if it seems like a long-winded tease, but I need time to write it out all nice and such. Check back Sunday, and you shall see the first chapter of The Battle of Oascera ready for consumption.