In this game, a campaign is called a Mystery. It deals with a group of friends who try and solve Mysteries together. The friends are Kids, aged 10-15 years old, living in the late 1980s Boulder City, Nevada. Everyday Life is full of nagging parents, never-ending homework, and classmates bullying and being bullied. The Mysteries allow the Kids to encounter strange machines and creatures that exist as a result of the nearby Loop, a huge underground particle accelerator built in the late 1960s. The kids get to escape their everyday lives and problems and be part of something meaningful and magical, yet also dangerous. They risk getting injured and also changed by the Troubles they have to overcome to solve the Mysteries.
"The landscape was full of machines and scrap metal connected to the facility in one way or another. Always present on the horizon were the colossal cooling towers of the Bona Reactor, with their green obstruction lights. If you put your ear to the ground, you could hear the heartbeat of the Loop - the purring of the Gravitron, the central piece of engineering magic that was the focus of the Loop's experiments."
PRINCIPLES OF THIS GAME:
1. Your home town is full of strange and fantastic things. 2. Everyday life is dull and unforgiving. 3. Adults are out of reach and out of touch. 4. The land of the Loop is dangerous but Kids will not die. 5. The game is played scene by scene 6. The world is described collaboratively.
When fusion, particle accelerators and the magnetrine effect were discovered in the 1950s, it broke the boundaries between the possible and the impossible. Huge transport vessels fly, cyborgs and robots can think, scientists create time portals and objects that replace people's identities. Strange beasts roam the landscape, and humanity can contact people and creatures from other times and places.
BOULDER CITY, NEVADA
WHAT HAPPENS DURING A CAMPAIGN?
A campaign in Tales From The Loop is called a Mystery. A typical Mystery begins by introducing the Kids and role-playing scenes from Everyday Life. Then, the GM eventually Introduces the Mystery into the game by having the Kids discover something unusual. Then, you get leads to Locations that have Clues that lead you to other Locations to explore that put pieces of the Mystery together. After about three Locations, you have enough Clues that lead to the Showdown, the finale of the Mystery. At any time during the game, Kids will be put in situations of Trouble that you'll have to manage, all the while dealing with Everyday Life as you try and find the truth of the Mystery. In this game, you cannot die, but you can fail and perhaps some Mysteries will never be solved. At the end of a Mystery, the Aftermath is the end where the Kids role-play Everyday Life that tells of their success or failure. Life moves on, and experience is awarded, which can Change the Kids.
SUMMER IN BOULDER CITY Summer break. Most smart people in Boulder City, Nevada didn't go out into the heat in the dead of summer. Today was a typical 100F and it was said in the news it would spike higher. That's how it worked in the desert, which saw less than six inches of rain all year long. It's a dry heat, and you could fry an egg on the sidewalk outside your home. Of course, many people didn't have air conditioning in their homes, and you were no exception. Only in the evening could some sort of relief be found once the temperature began to drop.
EVERYDAY LIFE Today was Saturday, July 15th, 1988. Having survived either your first year of High School as a 9th grader, or wrapping up another year of Junior High as an 8th grader, it was a blistering hot day - and what better way to escape the heat today than hanging out with your school buddies - including that new girl, the Russian foreign exchange student. You all made plans last week to check out the new video game arcade place called "Time Out" in the Galleria At Sunset mall off the 95 freeway towards Vegas. It would be fun and air conditioned and a perfect place to maybe watch a movie, and grab something to eat. Anything to escape the boredom of everyday life like chores, homework, and parents that didn't seem to understand you. At around 11 am, you were dropped off at the entrance where you decided to meet at the entrance. Pick up was 6 pm. Don't be late, your parents said. You couldn't wait to spent the $20 in your pocket. Let's zoom in on the scene.
INTRODUCTIONS: All of you meet up outside the mall. ONE: Take a moment to describe what you're like, what you're wearing, how you're acting. Interact with the other Kids, show us a little of what you're all about. Use the data on your character sheet to role-play a believable teenager. TWO:Now here's the neat part where we collaborate. Everyday Life is not only described by me, but by you all also. You guys have the chance to add little minor role-playing opportunities for each other during Everyday life. You can either collaborate on these ideas, or simply make it random for a more challenging role-playing experience. Here's what I mean. Answer these questions in your Introduction/Everyday Life post:
Sassy: What movies are playing today at the theater? Are any of them rated R? Someone here wants to see one. Who does, and what movie? Cher: What stores do you guys want to check out? Someone here wants to buy something really bad. Maybe by a new shirt? A new hat? Perhaps a new toy? Who? And, what? Kiraas: Someone's been dying to try that new food place they just built here! Who is it? What's it called? What do they serve? What do they want to try? Crispy: One of the Kids is having an issue at home and they want to talk about it, it's bothering them. Who is having a problem, and what is it?
Go ahead and role-play the introductions, and bold the part where you answer the questions and let us know who you chose. Have fun!
MISHA, AGE 14 Misha Praskovia was what you'd call one of those pretty foreign exchange students from Moscow. Or at least, that's where she claimed she was from. It checked out though - she was proud and brave, spoke of her home often, sounded Russian, maybe..even looked Russian? So, her small group of friends believed her. She had red hair with piercing green eyes, and was about 5'6". Her English was passable and she would never get American expressions or humor quite right, which made her, perhaps, more likable to her clique. She lived with her foster family off of 6th Street, just down the street from Boulder City High School, so she always walked during the school year. Two things were very odd about her: one, no matter how hot it was, it didn't seem to bother her in the slightest. Sure, she sweat, but she never complained or got tired. Two, at barely over a hundred and five pounds, she was able to bench and dead lift way too much for someone of her size. She had the body of a very active high school athlete, that's for sure, and was a member of the school's soccer and tennis teams. The fact that she played sports showed. She was slender, tan, and in amazing shape. It was easy for her to make friends for she was always pleasant and happy, but her main clique was going to the mall today - and she liked those friends the best. They seemed to understand her.
She got out of the car and waved goodbye, and walked up to the main group waiting outside the mall entrance in the ungodly heat. Today, she was wearing her tennis shoes with no socks, torn jean shorts that came up way too high, and her Maui and Sons black short sleeve T-shirt. She had no idea what Maui and Sons was, but she liked the logo and the colors. She had her hair in a ponytail at an odd angle and was chewing a huge piece of bubblegum. She smiled and waved to the group.
MISHA, AGE14 BODY 5, TECH 2, HEART 5, MIND 2 LUCK POINTS: 1 <--- Spend luck to reroll dice once per day SKILLS: Force 2, Move 2, Contact 2, Charm 1, Lead 1, Investigate 1, Empathize 1 ICONIC ITEM: Tennis Ball +2 <--- This is an item that gives you an appropriate bonus during certain rolls when you're in Trouble. PROBLEM: I'm failing my English class <--- This will cause you Trouble during the game. DRIVE: I love the thrill of danger and the unknown! <--- Why do you explore Mysteries? PRIDE: I am scared of nothing! <--- Gives you an automatic success on a roll once per day RELATIONSHIPS: To Be Determined ANCHOR: My Grandfather back home. <--- Your anchor will allow you to heal Conditions. FAVORITE SONG: "Something About You" by Level 42 HIDEOUT: To Be Determined <--- This is a place where we all can go to heal Conditions.
QUESTIONS FOR EACH KID: 1. In what way has your Problem gone from bad to worse lately? 2. What is your favorite food? 3. What does your room look like? 4. What makes you angry? 5. How are you affected by your Pride?
QUESTIONS FOR THE GROUP: 1. When did you get to know each other? 2. Who among you is the most mocked? 3. Who in the group has the most to say?
Sassy: What movies are playing today at the theater? Are any of them rated R? Someone here wants to see one. Who does, and what movie? MISHA WANTS TO SEE DIE HARD. Cher: What stores do you guys want to check out? Someone here wants to buy something really bad. Maybe by a new shirt? A new hat? Perhaps a new toy? Who? And, what? JASON WANTS TO GET THAT NEW CASSETTE FROM HIS FAVORITE BAND. Kiraas: Someone's been dying to try that new food place they just built here! Who is it? What's it called? What do they serve? What do they want to try? THE HOLE IS ALL THE RAVE, BELL WANTS TO CHECK IT OUT. Crispy: One of the Kids is having an issue at home and they want to talk about it, it's bothering them. Who is having a problem, and what is it? JASON'S DAD IS GETTING MORE ABUSIVE BY THE WEEKS. IT'S LIKE WALKING ON THIN ICE. HE'S SCARED HE MIGHT BE NEXT.
My name is Joan. I'm 14 years old and I just finished my Freshman year at Boulder City High School. I'm the smartest kid in school there, but I don't lord it over the other kids. In fact, I usually try to help them, like I do with my friend Misha. She's a foreign exchange student from Russia and I help her with English so that she can stay on the soccer and tennis teams. We'd do homework together and sometimes I'd take her to my room to read books. The first time I saw it, she was surprised, because I had so many books in there. Her English isn't perfect, she still struggles with using malapropisms and has a difficult time with words like 'frog' and 'ridiculous' but it's a lot better than when we first started. She's nice to me and she keeps the bullies away. My dad doesn't like her though, he thinks that she'll make me into a Communist or something. He doesn't like my friend Bell either. Bell is also nice, but she's a bit weird. She's got all of these bandages that are different colors, but I don't think that she needs them. I think she just wears them because she likes the way they look. She also has a cute pet rat. My dad thinks that I'll catch her weird if I keep hanging out with her. Maybe I should start reading Das Kapital or kiss Bell to piss him off.
He'd probably ground me for the rest of the summer if I did that. He's been moody ever since Mom died. He doesn't even tell me what happened to her, but he's hasn't been the same ever since it happened. I asked him to make barbecue ribs for me the other day, because those are my favorite, and he did, but he was really grumpy when he made them. It just makes me mad how he thinks that my friends are some bad influences just because they're different. Today I'm meeting the gang at the mall. We're going to see Die Hard. Misha's been obsessed with that film ever since she saw trailer.
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Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
Name's Jason Drake. You heard of me? Well if you haven't yet, just you wait, cause my name's gonna be up there with the greats one day! While I'm only be 14 years old right now, I can already make music with my guitar like you wouldn't believe, and before you ask, yes. I do write my own songs. I learn while attending Boulder City High, it's okay, nothing to brag about but there's a few people there I like going to classes for. First and foremost is Bell, my drummer and closest friend I have in this town. She's a crazy one, but that's what I like about her since it keeps things interesting, and great song material. Though her, I also got to meet Joan, who's a total nerd, and Misha, a badass Russian girl. They're fun to be with, and if anyone tried to mess with them, they better expect a beating....though chances are that Misha would be the one to give it to them (she's honestly a badass, trust me). Point is, I'll gladly have my friends back.
On a more me front, and this is personal so don't go spreading it around, I'm a trailer kid. Wasn't how I was born, but dad let himself go after my mom died when I was younger. After that, he got to drinking and even joined up with a biker gang on the nastier side of town, if it wasn't implied, we don't talk much. When we do, it gets awkward as hell, so yah. No to that. My spot in the trailer is decent enough. I have a room, my dad has the couch. I made sure to leave my mark in it, mostly with music sheets and cool pics of places I'm gonna go visit, people I'm gonna meet and things I'm gonna do.
Any way, got to wrap this up, the gang's getting together and Bell has been going off the walls about this new food place called "The Hole". Don't know where the name came from, but Bell and her rat have been screeching about it. So long as they have burgers and fries, I'm good. Anyway, see you later superfans~
Bell isn't my real name. I don't like my real name because it reminds me too much of my parents and I don't like my parents so that's why I'm here with my grandparents. I like my grandparents and I like it here in Boulder City. It's a weird place filled with weird things that are just begging to be explored, even if my grandma and pa don't like me poking around the nearby park late at night or the caves where Joe the hobo lives. I'm 13 years old and am more than able to handle myself, and if I can't handle myself I always have my friends to back me up no matter what.
Jason is nice. He is the first person I met when I moved here and I ended up accidentally becoming the drummer of his band, I just really liked hitting the drums. Then I met Joan at school. I ended up becoming friends with her because she caught me staring at her a lot in class. I was looking at her glasses. I like glasses. I don't wear them, but I like them. Through Joan, I met Misha, the Russian exchange student. She's pretty, athletic, and has a funny accent. I like it when she says words like 'ridiculous' and 'frog' because she can't pronounce them correctly, it makes me laugh.
Normally, I would be out exploring some random sewer drain or cave I found with my pet rat William, but I heard about this new food place and told Jason about it after band practice. It's called 'The Hole' and I really wanted to go because on the TV it showed their nachos and nachos are my favorite food. We invited Misha and Joan too and it worked out perfectly because Misha wants to see a movie called Die Hard at the theater in the mall, and in the mall there's a store that Jason wanted to check out because they sell tons of records, CD's, and cassette tapes and I think one of his favorite bands came out with some new music that he wanted to get. He tried to play it chill, but I know he was super excited about it. I hope he's able to get his hands on it before they sell out.
In the end, today is gonna probably be a busy day.... As long as I get my nachos, that's all I care about!
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Aeydof the Dragons || Wood Elf / Way of the Ascendant Dragon Monk Demetrios Zalaoras || Protector Aasimar / Paladin of Torm Hawke || Kalashtar / Circle of the Moon Druid Morticia || Half-Aasimar Rogue Yvan || Goliath / Path of the Wild Soul Barbarian | Paladin of Helm /ᐠ。ꞈ。ᐟ\
EVERYDAY LIFE / INTRODUCING THE MYSTERY / THREE LOCATIONS / SHOWDOWN / AFTERMATH
SUMMER IN BOULDER CITY Summer break. Most smart people in Boulder City, Nevada didn't go out into the heat in the dead of summer. Today was a typical 100F and it was said in the news it would spike higher. That's how it worked in the desert, which saw less than six inches of rain all year long. It's a dry heat, and you could fry an egg on the sidewalk outside your home. Of course, many people didn't have air conditioning in their homes, and you were no exception. Only in the evening could some sort of relief be found once the temperature began to drop.
EVERYDAY LIFE Today was Saturday, July 15th, 1988. Having survived either your first year of High School as a 9th grader, or wrapping up another year of Junior High as an 8th grader, it was a blistering hot day - and what better way to escape the heat today than hanging out with your school buddies - including that new girl, the Russian foreign exchange student. You all made plans last week to check out the new video game arcade place called "Time Out" in the Galleria At Sunset mall off the 95 freeway towards Vegas. It would be fun and air conditioned and a perfect place to maybe watch a movie, and grab something to eat. Anything to escape the boredom of everyday life like chores, homework, and parents that didn't seem to understand you. At around 11 am, you were dropped off at the entrance where you decided to meet at the entrance. Pick up was 6 pm. Don't be late, your parents said. You couldn't wait to spent the $20 in your pocket. Let's zoom in on the scene.
Misha got out of the car and waved goodbye, and walked up to the main group waiting outside the mall entrance in the ungodly heat. Today, she was wearing her tennis shoes with no socks, torn jean shorts that came up way too high, and her Maui and Sons black short sleeve T-shirt. She had no idea what Maui and Sons was, but she liked the logo and the colors. She had her hair in a ponytail at an odd angle and was chewing a huge piece of bubblegum. She smiled and waved to the group as she approached.
"Ha!"she said, joining her friends. "Eet ees like steeking head in oven, ya? Eh, how you say, could bake an egg on curb! No..wait..uh. Like egg on side..no. Fry! Fry an egg on sidewalk. Yes! Thees ees expression, no?" She greeted the group and chewed her gum loudly for a few moments longer. "Cannot wait to see movie, yes? Heard Dying Hard was good! Lots of action and kaboom! Misha like."she made an attempt to blow a big bubble but instead blew the gum out of her mouth instead. She laughed at herself loudly, "Misha no mean to do thees. Need ah, more practice weeth making bubbles, yes."
"Yes. You got the expression right, Misha. But you're still referring to yourself in the third person, we need to get you out of that habit."She looks down at the piece of gum that Misha blew onto the floor. "You should probably get to that before someone steps on it."
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Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
"Good idea. Eet ees already melting ees so hot."Misha took a tissue from Joan, who had plenty, bent over, picked up the gum, and threw it away. Seeing a movie. Playing arcade games. Eating at that new place The Hole, and checking out the record store? Today was going to be a great day. When she looked at Jason, though, she could tell something was bothering him, something was on his mind. Bell was here, too, with her cute little rat, with her typical multicolored band-aid apparel.
Jason stifled a laugh watching Misha pick up the gum, "Smooth Mish, real smooth." He smiled and patted Joan on the back, "And relax Joe, we're here to have fun~ She can practice her words another time. Besides, we all understand her fine enough~ Right Bel!" He tosses his head to the side to look over at Bel, which, upon seeing her adds as a after thought, "What about you William? She sounds fine, right?"
Jason is dressed in his usual worn grey and black hoodie, with his white tribal shirt underneath. A small collection of metal shards form a necklace that bounce off his chest, but the most eye-catching thing about him is the guitar case strapped around his shoulder and positioned on his back. He carries that thing just about everywhere, his official reason being that you never knew when the chance would come to tear some notes, but in reality, he didn't trust his dad to NOT sell it the moment he left it alone in the house.
"Sometimes Misha ees smooth, sometimes not, ah? Am excited to see movie today!"she admitted, and walked with the group towards the entrance. "How are things at home, Jason?"
While they talked, the gust of cool crisp air washed over the Kids as they opened the door to the mall. It was a huge three story mall. Almost immediately, the smell of the food court and popcorn from the movie theater assaulted their senses. The B. Dalton bookstore was having a summer sale, and Radio Shack actually had a few customers in it today. Time Out, the arcade on the top floor was full of kids, and there was already a line at the Pacific Theater for the next movie showings. Robinsons and the May Company had plenty of adults walking in and out, and Egghead Software was selling the latest computer games. KB Toys, Camelot Music, McDonalds, Gadzooks, Baskin Robbins. It was all here. Your money was burning a hole in your pocket. You knew that when it was time for lunch, you'd give The Hole a try.
"Hm? Ah, same as always, more importantly, damn, look at that line, looks like you're not the only one who's dying hard for Die Hard Mish." He laughs at his own terrible pun, and looks around before addressing the group, "Should we just head to the line or do you guys want to get something to eat first?~"
Bell had been preoccupied applying another pink bandaid on her ring finger when Misha had shown up to the scene, her attention only being drawn away when Joan says something about gum. She gives a wave to the red-head after she finishes applying a second bandaid (neon blue) on her pinky. When Jason calls her name, she only nods in response and her gray rat, William, pokes his head out of her back pack and wiggles his nose at him as if to agree with what the rocker said.
She picks herself up off the ground when they prepare to enter inside and dusts off her black biker shorts with the sleeves of her shirt. God only knows why she wears long sleeves in the heat they deal with, but Bell admitted to them before that she doesn't really sweat and the heat doesn't particularly bother her. When they start discussing on what to do when they entered the mall, Bell quietly pipes in, "We could wait in the line first and get later showing tickets, eat, then shop a bit til the movie starts...?"
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Aeydof the Dragons || Wood Elf / Way of the Ascendant Dragon Monk Demetrios Zalaoras || Protector Aasimar / Paladin of Torm Hawke || Kalashtar / Circle of the Moon Druid Morticia || Half-Aasimar Rogue Yvan || Goliath / Path of the Wild Soul Barbarian | Paladin of Helm /ᐠ。ꞈ。ᐟ\
"That sounds like a good idea. Where do you guys want to go eat? Also Bell, if you're not sweating, you might want to go see a doctor about a possible case of Hypohidrosis."
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Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
"Don't be dilictuois"Misha psshheed as if she knew exactly what you were talking about, "Bell ees no hypocondriac."Pacific Theater was on the third floor. It had 4 ticket windows. Movie posters adorned the walls, teasing you with what was playing, and what was to come, from the outside. You talk among yourselves for about fifteen minutes while waiting in line until it's finally your turn to buy a ticket. From across the way, noises from Time Out begged for your attention, luring you in to give quarters into the latest and greatest arcade games.
"Four for Die Hard, at 1:30pm, please."Misha requests. The employee looks down at you guys with an amused but stern gaze. "Wait a minute." he says through the speaker. "Are you guys 17 or older?" Misha quickly looks at you guys, concerned, as if she didn't expect someone to ask that.
Jason moves over to the machine and smiles in his usual confident way, he says in a cool yet quiet voice, "Look," He glances at the dudes nametag, "Tom, are you getting paid enough to turn down some kids who just want to have a good time? Come on~ be a bro."
Jason rolled Charm + Heart at 8 dice and scored one success.
He considers the notion for a moment, then makes a face of reluctant compliance. "Yeah." he admits. "I guess you're right." he punches some buttons and the tickets pop out of a large metal panel at his desk. He gives you a soft smile. "Enjoy the show." he drawls for the millionth time. Misha is on the verge of exploding from glee, but instead gives you a hug from the back. You have the tickets, the movie starts in about three hours. You'll have to wait in line for about 45 mins so you have about two hours of free time to explore and have fun.
TALES FROM THE LOOP
ROLEPLAYING IN THE '80s THAT NEVER WAS
WHAT IS TALES FROM THE LOOP?
In this game, a campaign is called a Mystery. It deals with a group of friends who try and solve Mysteries together. The friends are Kids, aged 10-15 years old, living in the late 1980s Boulder City, Nevada. Everyday Life is full of nagging parents, never-ending homework, and classmates bullying and being bullied. The Mysteries allow the Kids to encounter strange machines and creatures that exist as a result of the nearby Loop, a huge underground particle accelerator built in the late 1960s. The kids get to escape their everyday lives and problems and be part of something meaningful and magical, yet also dangerous. They risk getting injured and also changed by the Troubles they have to overcome to solve the Mysteries.
"The landscape was full of machines and scrap metal connected to the facility in one way or another. Always present on the horizon were the colossal cooling towers of the Bona Reactor, with their green obstruction lights. If you put your ear to the ground, you could hear the heartbeat of the Loop - the purring of the Gravitron, the central piece of engineering magic that was the focus of the Loop's experiments."
PRINCIPLES OF THIS GAME:
1. Your home town is full of strange and fantastic things.
2. Everyday life is dull and unforgiving.
3. Adults are out of reach and out of touch.
4. The land of the Loop is dangerous but Kids will not die.
5. The game is played scene by scene
6. The world is described collaboratively.
When fusion, particle accelerators and the magnetrine effect were discovered in the 1950s, it broke the boundaries between the possible and the impossible. Huge transport vessels fly, cyborgs and robots can think, scientists create time portals and objects that replace people's identities. Strange beasts roam the landscape, and humanity can contact people and creatures from other times and places.
BOULDER CITY, NEVADA
WHAT HAPPENS DURING A CAMPAIGN?
A campaign in Tales From The Loop is called a Mystery. A typical Mystery begins by introducing the Kids and role-playing scenes from Everyday Life. Then, the GM eventually Introduces the Mystery into the game by having the Kids discover something unusual. Then, you get leads to Locations that have Clues that lead you to other Locations to explore that put pieces of the Mystery together. After about three Locations, you have enough Clues that lead to the Showdown, the finale of the Mystery. At any time during the game, Kids will be put in situations of Trouble that you'll have to manage, all the while dealing with Everyday Life as you try and find the truth of the Mystery. In this game, you cannot die, but you can fail and perhaps some Mysteries will never be solved. At the end of a Mystery, the Aftermath is the end where the Kids role-play Everyday Life that tells of their success or failure. Life moves on, and experience is awarded, which can Change the Kids.
MYSTERY: SUMMER BREAK AND KILLER BIRDS
PART ONE: EVERYDAY LIFE
SUMMER IN BOULDER CITY
Summer break. Most smart people in Boulder City, Nevada didn't go out into the heat in the dead of summer. Today was a typical 100F and it was said in the news it would spike higher. That's how it worked in the desert, which saw less than six inches of rain all year long. It's a dry heat, and you could fry an egg on the sidewalk outside your home. Of course, many people didn't have air conditioning in their homes, and you were no exception. Only in the evening could some sort of relief be found once the temperature began to drop.
EVERYDAY LIFE
Today was Saturday, July 15th, 1988. Having survived either your first year of High School as a 9th grader, or wrapping up another year of Junior High as an 8th grader, it was a blistering hot day - and what better way to escape the heat today than hanging out with your school buddies - including that new girl, the Russian foreign exchange student. You all made plans last week to check out the new video game arcade place called "Time Out" in the Galleria At Sunset mall off the 95 freeway towards Vegas. It would be fun and air conditioned and a perfect place to maybe watch a movie, and grab something to eat. Anything to escape the boredom of everyday life like chores, homework, and parents that didn't seem to understand you. At around 11 am, you were dropped off at the entrance where you decided to meet at the entrance. Pick up was 6 pm. Don't be late, your parents said. You couldn't wait to spent the $20 in your pocket. Let's zoom in on the scene.
INTRODUCTIONS:
All of you meet up outside the mall. ONE: Take a moment to describe what you're like, what you're wearing, how you're acting. Interact with the other Kids, show us a little of what you're all about. Use the data on your character sheet to role-play a believable teenager. TWO: Now here's the neat part where we collaborate. Everyday Life is not only described by me, but by you all also. You guys have the chance to add little minor role-playing opportunities for each other during Everyday life. You can either collaborate on these ideas, or simply make it random for a more challenging role-playing experience. Here's what I mean. Answer these questions in your Introduction/Everyday Life post:
Sassy: What movies are playing today at the theater? Are any of them rated R? Someone here wants to see one. Who does, and what movie?
Cher: What stores do you guys want to check out? Someone here wants to buy something really bad. Maybe by a new shirt? A new hat? Perhaps a new toy? Who? And, what?
Kiraas: Someone's been dying to try that new food place they just built here! Who is it? What's it called? What do they serve? What do they want to try?
Crispy: One of the Kids is having an issue at home and they want to talk about it, it's bothering them. Who is having a problem, and what is it?
Go ahead and role-play the introductions, and bold the part where you answer the questions and let us know who you chose. Have fun!
MISHA, AGE 14
Misha Praskovia was what you'd call one of those pretty foreign exchange students from Moscow. Or at least, that's where she claimed she was from. It checked out though - she was proud and brave, spoke of her home often, sounded Russian, maybe..even looked Russian? So, her small group of friends believed her. She had red hair with piercing green eyes, and was about 5'6". Her English was passable and she would never get American expressions or humor quite right, which made her, perhaps, more likable to her clique. She lived with her foster family off of 6th Street, just down the street from Boulder City High School, so she always walked during the school year. Two things were very odd about her: one, no matter how hot it was, it didn't seem to bother her in the slightest. Sure, she sweat, but she never complained or got tired. Two, at barely over a hundred and five pounds, she was able to bench and dead lift way too much for someone of her size. She had the body of a very active high school athlete, that's for sure, and was a member of the school's soccer and tennis teams. The fact that she played sports showed. She was slender, tan, and in amazing shape. It was easy for her to make friends for she was always pleasant and happy, but her main clique was going to the mall today - and she liked those friends the best. They seemed to understand her.
She got out of the car and waved goodbye, and walked up to the main group waiting outside the mall entrance in the ungodly heat. Today, she was wearing her tennis shoes with no socks, torn jean shorts that came up way too high, and her Maui and Sons black short sleeve T-shirt. She had no idea what Maui and Sons was, but she liked the logo and the colors. She had her hair in a ponytail at an odd angle and was chewing a huge piece of bubblegum. She smiled and waved to the group.
MISHA, AGE14
BODY 5, TECH 2, HEART 5, MIND 2
LUCK POINTS: 1 <--- Spend luck to reroll dice once per day
SKILLS: Force 2, Move 2, Contact 2, Charm 1, Lead 1, Investigate 1, Empathize 1
ICONIC ITEM: Tennis Ball +2 <--- This is an item that gives you an appropriate bonus during certain rolls when you're in Trouble.
PROBLEM: I'm failing my English class <--- This will cause you Trouble during the game.
DRIVE: I love the thrill of danger and the unknown! <--- Why do you explore Mysteries?
PRIDE: I am scared of nothing! <--- Gives you an automatic success on a roll once per day
RELATIONSHIPS: To Be Determined
ANCHOR: My Grandfather back home. <--- Your anchor will allow you to heal Conditions.
FAVORITE SONG: "Something About You" by Level 42
HIDEOUT: To Be Determined <--- This is a place where we all can go to heal Conditions.
QUESTIONS FOR EACH KID:
1. In what way has your Problem gone from bad to worse lately?
2. What is your favorite food?
3. What does your room look like?
4. What makes you angry?
5. How are you affected by your Pride?
QUESTIONS FOR THE GROUP:
1. When did you get to know each other?
2. Who among you is the most mocked?
3. Who in the group has the most to say?
Sassy: What movies are playing today at the theater? Are any of them rated R? Someone here wants to see one. Who does, and what movie? MISHA WANTS TO SEE DIE HARD.
Cher: What stores do you guys want to check out? Someone here wants to buy something really bad. Maybe by a new shirt? A new hat? Perhaps a new toy? Who? And, what? JASON WANTS TO GET THAT NEW CASSETTE FROM HIS FAVORITE BAND.
Kiraas: Someone's been dying to try that new food place they just built here! Who is it? What's it called? What do they serve? What do they want to try? THE HOLE IS ALL THE RAVE, BELL WANTS TO CHECK IT OUT.
Crispy: One of the Kids is having an issue at home and they want to talk about it, it's bothering them. Who is having a problem, and what is it? JASON'S DAD IS GETTING MORE ABUSIVE BY THE WEEKS. IT'S LIKE WALKING ON THIN ICE. HE'S SCARED HE MIGHT BE NEXT.
My name is Joan. I'm 14 years old and I just finished my Freshman year at Boulder City High School. I'm the smartest kid in school there, but I don't lord it over the other kids. In fact, I usually try to help them, like I do with my friend Misha. She's a foreign exchange student from Russia and I help her with English so that she can stay on the soccer and tennis teams. We'd do homework together and sometimes I'd take her to my room to read books. The first time I saw it, she was surprised, because I had so many books in there. Her English isn't perfect, she still struggles with using malapropisms and has a difficult time with words like 'frog' and 'ridiculous' but it's a lot better than when we first started. She's nice to me and she keeps the bullies away. My dad doesn't like her though, he thinks that she'll make me into a Communist or something. He doesn't like my friend Bell either. Bell is also nice, but she's a bit weird. She's got all of these bandages that are different colors, but I don't think that she needs them. I think she just wears them because she likes the way they look. She also has a cute pet rat. My dad thinks that I'll catch her weird if I keep hanging out with her. Maybe I should start reading Das Kapital or kiss Bell to piss him off.
He'd probably ground me for the rest of the summer if I did that. He's been moody ever since Mom died. He doesn't even tell me what happened to her, but he's hasn't been the same ever since it happened. I asked him to make barbecue ribs for me the other day, because those are my favorite, and he did, but he was really grumpy when he made them. It just makes me mad how he thinks that my friends are some bad influences just because they're different. Today I'm meeting the gang at the mall. We're going to see Die Hard. Misha's been obsessed with that film ever since she saw trailer.
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
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Name's Jason Drake. You heard of me? Well if you haven't yet, just you wait, cause my name's gonna be up there with the greats one day! While I'm only be 14 years old right now, I can already make music with my guitar like you wouldn't believe, and before you ask, yes. I do write my own songs. I learn while attending Boulder City High, it's okay, nothing to brag about but there's a few people there I like going to classes for. First and foremost is Bell, my drummer and closest friend I have in this town. She's a crazy one, but that's what I like about her since it keeps things interesting, and great song material. Though her, I also got to meet Joan, who's a total nerd, and Misha, a badass Russian girl. They're fun to be with, and if anyone tried to mess with them, they better expect a beating....though chances are that Misha would be the one to give it to them
(she's honestly a badass, trust me).Point is, I'll gladly have my friends back.On a more me front, and this is personal so don't go spreading it around, I'm a trailer kid. Wasn't how I was born, but dad let himself go after my mom died when I was younger. After that, he got to drinking and even joined up with a biker gang on the nastier side of town, if it wasn't implied, we don't talk much. When we do, it gets awkward as hell, so yah. No to that. My spot in the trailer is decent enough. I have a room, my dad has the couch. I made sure to leave my mark in it, mostly with music sheets and cool pics of places I'm gonna go visit, people I'm gonna meet and things I'm gonna do.
Any way, got to wrap this up, the gang's getting together and Bell has been going off the walls about this new food place called "The Hole". Don't know where the name came from, but Bell and her rat have been screeching about it. So long as they have burgers and fries, I'm good. Anyway, see you later superfans~
Bell isn't my real name. I don't like my real name because it reminds me too much of my parents and I don't like my parents so that's why I'm here with my grandparents. I like my grandparents and I like it here in Boulder City. It's a weird place filled with weird things that are just begging to be explored, even if my grandma and pa don't like me poking around the nearby park late at night or the caves where Joe the hobo lives. I'm 13 years old and am more than able to handle myself, and if I can't handle myself I always have my friends to back me up no matter what.
Jason is nice. He is the first person I met when I moved here and I ended up accidentally becoming the drummer of his band, I just really liked hitting the drums. Then I met Joan at school. I ended up becoming friends with her because she caught me staring at her a lot in class. I was looking at her glasses. I like glasses. I don't wear them, but I like them. Through Joan, I met Misha, the Russian exchange student. She's pretty, athletic, and has a funny accent. I like it when she says words like 'ridiculous' and 'frog' because she can't pronounce them correctly, it makes me laugh.
Normally, I would be out exploring some random sewer drain or cave I found with my pet rat William, but I heard about this new food place and told Jason about it after band practice. It's called 'The Hole' and I really wanted to go because on the TV it showed their nachos and nachos are my favorite food. We invited Misha and Joan too and it worked out perfectly because Misha wants to see a movie called Die Hard at the theater in the mall, and in the mall there's a store that Jason wanted to check out because they sell tons of records, CD's, and cassette tapes and I think one of his favorite bands came out with some new music that he wanted to get. He tried to play it chill, but I know he was super excited about it. I hope he's able to get his hands on it before they sell out.
In the end, today is gonna probably be a busy day.... As long as I get my nachos, that's all I care about!
Aeyd of the Dragons || Wood Elf / Way of the Ascendant Dragon Monk
Demetrios Zalaoras || Protector Aasimar / Paladin of Torm
Hawke || Kalashtar / Circle of the Moon Druid
Morticia || Half-Aasimar Rogue
Yvan || Goliath / Path of the Wild Soul Barbarian | Paladin of Helm
/ᐠ。ꞈ。ᐟ\
MYSTERY: SUMMER BREAK AND KILLER BIRDS
EVERYDAY LIFE / INTRODUCING THE MYSTERY / THREE LOCATIONS / SHOWDOWN / AFTERMATH
SUMMER IN BOULDER CITY
Summer break. Most smart people in Boulder City, Nevada didn't go out into the heat in the dead of summer. Today was a typical 100F and it was said in the news it would spike higher. That's how it worked in the desert, which saw less than six inches of rain all year long. It's a dry heat, and you could fry an egg on the sidewalk outside your home. Of course, many people didn't have air conditioning in their homes, and you were no exception. Only in the evening could some sort of relief be found once the temperature began to drop.
EVERYDAY LIFE
Today was Saturday, July 15th, 1988. Having survived either your first year of High School as a 9th grader, or wrapping up another year of Junior High as an 8th grader, it was a blistering hot day - and what better way to escape the heat today than hanging out with your school buddies - including that new girl, the Russian foreign exchange student. You all made plans last week to check out the new video game arcade place called "Time Out" in the Galleria At Sunset mall off the 95 freeway towards Vegas. It would be fun and air conditioned and a perfect place to maybe watch a movie, and grab something to eat. Anything to escape the boredom of everyday life like chores, homework, and parents that didn't seem to understand you. At around 11 am, you were dropped off at the entrance where you decided to meet at the entrance. Pick up was 6 pm. Don't be late, your parents said. You couldn't wait to spent the $20 in your pocket. Let's zoom in on the scene.
Misha got out of the car and waved goodbye, and walked up to the main group waiting outside the mall entrance in the ungodly heat. Today, she was wearing her tennis shoes with no socks, torn jean shorts that came up way too high, and her Maui and Sons black short sleeve T-shirt. She had no idea what Maui and Sons was, but she liked the logo and the colors. She had her hair in a ponytail at an odd angle and was chewing a huge piece of bubblegum. She smiled and waved to the group as she approached.
"Ha!" she said, joining her friends. "Eet ees like steeking head in oven, ya? Eh, how you say, could bake an egg on curb! No..wait..uh. Like egg on side..no. Fry! Fry an egg on sidewalk. Yes! Thees ees expression, no?" She greeted the group and chewed her gum loudly for a few moments longer. "Cannot wait to see movie, yes? Heard Dying Hard was good! Lots of action and kaboom! Misha like." she made an attempt to blow a big bubble but instead blew the gum out of her mouth instead. She laughed at herself loudly, "Misha no mean to do thees. Need ah, more practice weeth making bubbles, yes."
"Yes. You got the expression right, Misha. But you're still referring to yourself in the third person, we need to get you out of that habit." She looks down at the piece of gum that Misha blew onto the floor. "You should probably get to that before someone steps on it."
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
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"Good idea. Eet ees already melting ees so hot." Misha took a tissue from Joan, who had plenty, bent over, picked up the gum, and threw it away. Seeing a movie. Playing arcade games. Eating at that new place The Hole, and checking out the record store? Today was going to be a great day. When she looked at Jason, though, she could tell something was bothering him, something was on his mind. Bell was here, too, with her cute little rat, with her typical multicolored band-aid apparel.
Jason stifled a laugh watching Misha pick up the gum, "Smooth Mish, real smooth." He smiled and patted Joan on the back, "And relax Joe, we're here to have fun~ She can practice her words another time. Besides, we all understand her fine enough~ Right Bel!" He tosses his head to the side to look over at Bel, which, upon seeing her adds as a after thought, "What about you William? She sounds fine, right?"
Jason is dressed in his usual worn grey and black hoodie, with his white tribal shirt underneath. A small collection of metal shards form a necklace that bounce off his chest, but the most eye-catching thing about him is the guitar case strapped around his shoulder and positioned on his back. He carries that thing just about everywhere, his official reason being that you never knew when the chance would come to tear some notes, but in reality, he didn't trust his dad to NOT sell it the moment he left it alone in the house.
"Sometimes Misha ees smooth, sometimes not, ah? Am excited to see movie today!" she admitted, and walked with the group towards the entrance. "How are things at home, Jason?"
While they talked, the gust of cool crisp air washed over the Kids as they opened the door to the mall. It was a huge three story mall. Almost immediately, the smell of the food court and popcorn from the movie theater assaulted their senses. The B. Dalton bookstore was having a summer sale, and Radio Shack actually had a few customers in it today. Time Out, the arcade on the top floor was full of kids, and there was already a line at the Pacific Theater for the next movie showings. Robinsons and the May Company had plenty of adults walking in and out, and Egghead Software was selling the latest computer games. KB Toys, Camelot Music, McDonalds, Gadzooks, Baskin Robbins. It was all here. Your money was burning a hole in your pocket. You knew that when it was time for lunch, you'd give The Hole a try.
"Hm? Ah, same as always, more importantly, damn, look at that line, looks like you're not the only one who's dying hard for Die Hard Mish." He laughs at his own terrible pun, and looks around before addressing the group, "Should we just head to the line or do you guys want to get something to eat first?~"
"I'm fine with waiting for Die Hard. It's not like less people are going to go see the film as the day goes on."
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
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Bell had been preoccupied applying another pink bandaid on her ring finger when Misha had shown up to the scene, her attention only being drawn away when Joan says something about gum. She gives a wave to the red-head after she finishes applying a second bandaid (neon blue) on her pinky. When Jason calls her name, she only nods in response and her gray rat, William, pokes his head out of her back pack and wiggles his nose at him as if to agree with what the rocker said.
She picks herself up off the ground when they prepare to enter inside and dusts off her black biker shorts with the sleeves of her shirt. God only knows why she wears long sleeves in the heat they deal with, but Bell admitted to them before that she doesn't really sweat and the heat doesn't particularly bother her. When they start discussing on what to do when they entered the mall, Bell quietly pipes in, "We could wait in the line first and get later showing tickets, eat, then shop a bit til the movie starts...?"
Aeyd of the Dragons || Wood Elf / Way of the Ascendant Dragon Monk
Demetrios Zalaoras || Protector Aasimar / Paladin of Torm
Hawke || Kalashtar / Circle of the Moon Druid
Morticia || Half-Aasimar Rogue
Yvan || Goliath / Path of the Wild Soul Barbarian | Paladin of Helm
/ᐠ。ꞈ。ᐟ\
"That sounds like a good idea. Where do you guys want to go eat? Also Bell, if you're not sweating, you might want to go see a doctor about a possible case of Hypohidrosis."
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
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"Don't be dilictuois" Misha psshheed as if she knew exactly what you were talking about, "Bell ees no hypocondriac." Pacific Theater was on the third floor. It had 4 ticket windows. Movie posters adorned the walls, teasing you with what was playing, and what was to come, from the outside. You talk among yourselves for about fifteen minutes while waiting in line until it's finally your turn to buy a ticket. From across the way, noises from Time Out begged for your attention, luring you in to give quarters into the latest and greatest arcade games.
"Four for Die Hard, at 1:30pm, please." Misha requests. The employee looks down at you guys with an amused but stern gaze. "Wait a minute." he says through the speaker. "Are you guys 17 or older?" Misha quickly looks at you guys, concerned, as if she didn't expect someone to ask that.
What do you say?
Jason moves over to the machine and smiles in his usual confident way, he says in a cool yet quiet voice, "Look," He glances at the dudes nametag, "Tom, are you getting paid enough to turn down some kids who just want to have a good time? Come on~ be a bro."
Jason rolled Charm + Heart at 8 dice and scored one success.
He considers the notion for a moment, then makes a face of reluctant compliance. "Yeah." he admits. "I guess you're right." he punches some buttons and the tickets pop out of a large metal panel at his desk. He gives you a soft smile. "Enjoy the show." he drawls for the millionth time. Misha is on the verge of exploding from glee, but instead gives you a hug from the back. You have the tickets, the movie starts in about three hours. You'll have to wait in line for about 45 mins so you have about two hours of free time to explore and have fun.