The Theatre of the Mind | Xander Chen (12)

"At last!" I exclaim, dropping down and letting my battleaxe fall back onto the cold, chiseled ground, a small cloud of dust fleeing, disturbed. Lying flat on my back, I stare up at a vast cave ceiling, no light found amongst the jagged rocks except for the torches that hang from the cavern's walls. Ahead of me lies the freshly decapitated body of an orcish warrior: Malmak the Gutted. Gutted is right! Ha! Beside his body are my comrades: a magnificent sorcerous with a mastery in curses, the Lady Rosaline stands elegant and spotless despite the gruesome battle--though the bead of sweat doesn't escape my eye; a rather haggard dwarf but unmatched in flame and steel, Thorin, who leans against his war hammer--twice his size and self-made (as he never forgets to mention); and lastly, Azamar. Arguably the most heroic of us all, as far as disposition goes. Staring at his dented armor and heaving frame, I am still amazed he lasted.

He was the one who first brought us together, back in that tavern. I remember the day, if not for the great storm outside--how it roared!-- then for the half-off drinks in The Copper Crown. I myself, a battlemaster of great renown, was making myself well-known to those within. Ha! What a party! I saved no coin, determined to spend my winnings from my latest conquests without regret. I had just finished a retelling of my greatest kill, the Wyvern of the East (Yes, that was me!), when the posh boy came up. I knew immediately that his place was not here; He stood decorated, not drunken.​

"A word, Sir Cassius?" He said the words with such respect I nearly laughed. No, I thought, not his place at all! With a hearty laugh, I patted him on the back--though with his frame it may have knocked the wind out of him! "Of course! What words do you have for me, lad? What do you say to Cassius the Crusader?" Ah, I loved that name! I must thank the bard who thought of it.

"I request to form a party with you. And others, of course," he hurriedly added, " but I need first your respectable name to even be heard by the others." Such a timid and meek presence hid behind that delicate face. I laughed once more and nearly turned him away, but I felt a strong urge to join. I'd gain nothing from this, I thought. Joining him would give no honor or praise, I'd probably have to babysit the little noble… but something compelled me. Moreso, it could be fun! It was ages ago that I last had an adventuring party!

So off we set. We knocked on a blacksmith's door and gained the comrade Thorin, who eagerly joined when the prospect of payment was brought up. Apparently, our Little Noble packed quite the pretty penny! And the Lady Rosaline was eager too, once she learned our adventure would lead us to a cave of undiscovered artifacts. She's a scholar, no doubt. Why any individual would hold a book over a sword is beyond me, but her tricks are no less helpful. Thus began our quest!  

A unique origin I'm sure. A great story of how we found each other, one I'll gladly retell at The Copper Crown! All brought together by the Little Noble. He certainly pulled his own, despite his stature. His fancy parents must have paid for quite the teacher. Regardless, the day is done. Our adventure settles now into the stories of taverns and bards. Ah! And as a prize, I shall bring the orc king's head! Yes, wouldn't that be a sight to behold: Cassius the Crusader, Slayer of Orcs! Renewed energy fills me, and I prop myself up. I find no orc head. Instead, I found Malmak the Gutted, ungutted. He stood tall and ferocious, as if the battle had just begun. A bolt--a chill!--strikes through my spine--his first attack! "Ready yourselves!" I cry, swinging my battleaxe from the ground into my hands, sitting between familiar calluses, tightening my grip. What monster is this, to come back from the dead? Not a single head I've earned has ever reattached itself! He looms, battle-ready, fully healed.

"Lady Rosaline, what ancient magic is this!?" I holler, hoping at least she can properly assess this. But I hear no reply. I break my gaze from Malmak for but a second, stealing a glance towards the lady. She stood, elegant and spotless as usual. She is unfazed. She stands as she did, book poised and gaze cast down. "Lady Rosaline?" Beside her, Thorin rests the same: leaning against his hammer and gazing at seemingly a far horizon. "Thorin, Rosaline! Look alive!" What has happened? This is some spell from the orc! I spin back towards him, tensing in anticipation. He hasn't moved. He sits as still as they do. What is going on?

A booming voice suddenly echoes through the cave, a disembodied voice of some great god! "That was good," it thundered, "same time next week?" I look around, hoping the voice has a body--and preferably one I can slash! But as I glance around, I notice that all in the cave has gone static and still. Nothing moves, not Little Noble, nor Malmak. Not even the torch flames on the walls flicker. "Of course! I've already cleared the time-" A second voice! There are two gods gazing upon me! I look above at the jagged ceiling, but it has been replaced by a blinding light! Great silhouettes fill the edges, five in total. Five gods? Impossible!

My feet begin to spark. It is as though the cold ground has seeped through into my bones, climbing up my legs with an electric blitz left in its path. The jolt creeps ever higher on my body, and I lose feeling from the waist below. The gods have done this! They have frozen my allies; it must be their sick game! "I WILL BE NO PAWN!" I roar, "YOU WILL NOT-" The static then reaches my chest, and I feel no beating of my heart nor racing of my breath. I inhale--but I can't! I have no breath, I have no strength! Doom! I am doomed!

"Thanks again, Marco, for the great session!" Tyler spoke as we headed out. "It really was good! I can't wait to play again!" Lily, this time. Everyone was thrilled with the end of today's session. I'm sure Marco must've felt accomplished. But I felt somewhat hollow. I look down at my character sheets and pull out my mini: Cassius the Crusader. Human barbarian, level four. Today, I was so zoned into the game I could really feel the story. I even thought I felt fear at the end there, for some reason… God, I thought, that 'theatre of the mind' stuff is so cool!

Dungeons and Dragons is such a great game!