Tavern in the Void>>>An Intermediate Intergalactic Pit-stop

[Larry_OHF]

As Larry strolls into the strange-looking, neutral-aligned tavern that had been designed by the Modding Mage for reasons yet unknown to all but He who Reigns on the RP Forum, he noticed two things. One, there were the usual patrons hiding below shadowed hoods and sipping liquors in the low lights of single-seat tables in the far corners of the establishment and two, there was a public-access stage, complete with microphone. He decided to drop his bag down by a table and stroll casually up to this stage, wondering if he were actually allowed upon its inviting hardwood floor. No sooner had he decided to do so than a spot light beamed upon him and all turned to look at this man, who obviously had something he'd like to say.

He cleared his throat, wishing now that he'd dealt with the parched tongue before making such an attempt.

"My friends, or at least I hope to consider you so...today I have decided to come forth and apologize for the delay in a speedy return to this forum. There are many trials out there in the world, and many of you need no explanation as to what I refer to, for you suffer them as much as I. Here, at this tavern that suddenly sprung up amongst the decaying fabrics of this forum that has not seen the devotion it once used to, I desired greatly to come to you in such a way as to make my public apology and declare that I feel as one in forced exile, longing to return to the land which I hold dear yet being held back by forces unkind to this notion. But, while I sit in this prison that we know as daily life, I am working on a strategy...a strategy that will help bring me back and one day soon I vow to once again stand on the hollowed ground of the Role-playing Forum, free to post as I wish and with the mental capacity to carry the many games that I am and will be engaged in.

Brethren and sisters! I call upon each of you to not let my forced exile from our home ruin your hopes of a better game! I call upon you to carry on! Make this land a place to be admired once again! I do not call myself your leader, for I am a follower of fun activities like you all, nothing more. Yet I feel that you need a wake up call and my call to you is this...We will once again come to our strength and game again! Stand with me this day and become strong! We will finish our stories!

Who's with me???"

[ 09-12-2006, 11:15 PM: Message edited by: Larry_OHF ]

[Larry_OHF]

Silence.

Silence screamed at the little man as he stood in the light on the stage. He looked out at the audience who had begun to turn their attentions back to their own dark schemes at their respective tables and forget him. He looked at his watch. It had been nearly 48 hours since he had spoken, (which in game time came out to be like two minutes or something.) He realized that those that were looming about in this tavern were not the ones to carry on and revive the forum.

Larry decided then to take a seat, order a mango milkshake and wait. Wait for the right people to come in, see the tavern in the void, and curiously pass through its doors as he had, ready to make a change in the world.

Thus he lurked.

[ 09-14-2006, 09:28 PM: Message edited by: Larry_OHF ]

[Sever]

Sever could feel the intensity of Larry's embarrassment as the man quietly took a seat. He knew it was too late to add his voice to Larry's eloquent plea, but not too late to lift his spirits at its apparent failure. Raising his glass slightly, he offered Larry a nod of acknowledgment and an empathetic smile.

Sever, too, would lurk.

[TAOWolf]

Luminous silver/purple eyes shine from beneath an earthen black cloak edged with silver. A gloved hand slowly emerges from one sleeve to lightly pick up the mug of mead in front of her, and she turns slightly in Larry's direction and raises the mug to him.

The figure does not cast shadows in this dark corner, and the gloved hand raises the mug to the hood then softly sets it back down on the worn scarred tavern table. A soft sigh is heard from within the hood's depths, and the eyes look softly upon Larry, with understanding...

[Morgeruat]

A tall man in freshly polished steel armor walked through the door and noticed the somber tone. He walked over to a table and sat, his armor loudly announcing his presence to everyone there. He removes his helm revealing his freshly shaven face, strong chin and sharp eyes. He flips Larry a thumbs up and winks.

[Larry_OHF]

The milkshake-sipping man known in these parts as Larry looked about, and realized that indeed there were supporters here...that not everyone was a mere observer. He caught the eye of at least three known gamers that he knew well, and trusted. He smiled and looked down at the table as he pondered the interesting images coming to his mind of hidden Matrix-style spies throughout the network of the forum, hiding amongst the lambs like wolves in sheeps' clothing, springing to attack when the order was given. He realized that his "army" was indeed prepared to bring life back to this forum the moment he made a move, but reluctantly that placed him in the position as leader...which he never fashioned himself as being. Still...it was good to know that he had the support he sought, and hoped for yet more.

Soon...soon this place would buzz again.

[Elif Godson]

The doors to the tavern lightly rocked open as the intruding breeze from the void blew against the worn timbers. Nothing was seen to enter the doors, a moment later, a cloaked man appeared next to Larry and patted him on shoulder. " My apologies for being tardy, three lil vagabonds had me tied up and secured to the living room floor. I am here now friend." With that he sat down with a slight smirk on his face.

[dplax]

Five days had passed out of character since Larry had entered the tavern, but in this world, where time has a vastly different flow, this was barely a few hours. Lately this tavern had seen a great decline in the number of visitors, but hopefully, as evidenced by this night, this could soon change. But for now, the hurried figure, just sat down, took out a pen and started writing a few CVs and an internship report...he still had work to do, much work.

[Kazilan]

The door crashed open with an earth shaking battle cry as a pale-skinned elf charged in, a greatsword swinging wildly as he threw himself across the room. He stopped short as he neared the stage, his eyes opening wide at the scene before him.

"Don't tell me I'm in the wrong game," he mumbled as he peered around. "I don't suppose there's a horde of goblins hidden under these tables? No, no, of course not." The elf, his sword now dragging on the ground beside him, plopped into the nearest chair and sighed. Plucking at a leaf that had lodged into his chain shirt he muttered, "I guess I'll just wait until things pick up."

[Larry_OHF]

Pleased Larry was to see that little by little, his hopes were materializing. He had feared this place abandoned and forgotten, for evidence cited that nobody was left to tell the tales of heroism and strife. However, his entrance to this tavern in the void seemed to be creating the snowball effect, picking up more strength and speed as it progressed onward. Power was now evident in this room...amongst a few stray examples of sheer craziness brought on by a lapse in creative escape.

The time was soon at hand, and Larry knew that he now had to act immediately or suffer distrust by his loyal friends who were counting on him to bring about a change. Yes...people like he were busy, tormented, hard-at-work, and weighed down by the activities of normal life that held them bound to the realm of reality...but secretly and with much hope, these same people exercised faith in the ideals of having a role-playing forum bustling with activity once again.

Could he do this?

Yes he could. In fact, having the extreme luck of finishing an exam in "psychology and the law", Larry found himself with a little less than an hour to make the first move towards the new revolution against reality...but could he make it work? Where would he begin? Was his sword too rusty to lead this event? Would he have immediate back-up, or would he stand on the front lines alone, defending the right to escape real life whilst others merely looked on and hoped that he'd prevail...

There was only one way to know...

And he stood, picked up his belongings, and exited the door. Where would he go? Into the gaming world once again.

And thus it has begun.