CHUMROLL's Dooftrapped Act 2: The Long Road

[Phantom Gamer]

The first ever Chumroll SBURB session...


ACTS
Act 1: Setting sail
Act 2: The long road

PLAYERS
Prospitians
John Arrow, aka juvenileNarcissist- Priest of Life, Land of Fruit and Balance
Peter McCormac, aka absoluteTranquility- King of Time, Land of Clockwork and Steam
Lorelei von Hayek, aka philosopherQueen- Scion of Hope, Land of Gold and Snow

Dersites
Zach Lombardi, aka inaneFixation- Knight of Mind, Land of Storm and Solace
Page Cadwell, aka unsettledBookworm- Page of Frost, Land of Cold and Warmth
Gita Naresh, aka jeremiadMalacophony- Duchess of Soul, Land of Ash and Frogs

Shipping grid

All OOC discussion should be done in ((double parentheses)).
Onwards to act 3!

[Phantom Gamer]

--CURRENT juvenileNarcissist[CJN] opened a memo on board SBURB GAMING--
CJN: hey
CJN: i'm interested in playing this game sBurb
CJN: so, is anyone interested
-- CURRENT absoluteTranquility [CAT] began replying to memo right now. --
CAT: Sure, got nothing better to do.
CJN: hooray!
CJN: wait a minute
CJN: do i know you from somewhere?
CJN: your name seems kind of familiar
CAT: :/
CAT: I think your mistaking me for someone else dude.
CJN: hmm...
CJN: well, if you say so
-current unsettledBookworm [UB] responded to the memo--
CUB: Yeah, I would like to play, maybe.
CJN: great
CJN: welcome aboard
CJN: so how does this game work, then
CAT: Like sims
CAT: But...in real life?
CAT: God all of the reviews are made by potheads :/
--CURRENT inaneFixation responded to memo --
CIF: souNds fUn! i'lL go pIck uP a coPy whEn i'm Done GettIng mY ass KickEd at Halo. :,/
CIF: heh, Wait. You mEan gAme bRo?
CIF: i heArd sOmewHere That TheiR revIeweR's liTtle BrotHer wRiteS thaT craPpy cOmic SbahJ
CIF: jusT rumOrs tHougH.
CAT: Heya.
CAT: No, I hate game bro with a passion.
CUB: I don't read gamebro much, really.
CUB: I have read SBaHJ, though.
- - CURRENT hardcoreGamer [HG Responded to memo - -
CHG: IT KEEPS HAPPENING
CJN: hey, thanks guys
CJN: glad to have you along
CJN: i hate gamebro
CJN: it's awful, you know
CJN: but SBaHJ is pretty cool
CJN: 'k, so... you guys want to get started?
CJN: i'll go and find my disks
CJN: i'll leave this memo open for you
- - CURRENT juvenileNarcissist [JN] ceased responding to memo - -
-- CURRENT absoluteTranquility [CAT] ceased replying to memo right now. --
-- FUTURE redRevolvers [FRR] Responded to memo --
FRR: Another game session...
FRR: This should prove to be interesting.
IF: heh. Frr. lIke a Fart NoisE.
CIF: anyWay, gOt my Game, InstAlliNg noW.
CIF: wheRe doIng tHis mAn

[Phantom Gamer]

John: Get ye disks.

You exit your room on a mission to obtain the SBURB BETA. As you pass your MUM's room on the LANDING, you encounter one of her DISQUIETING MANNEQUINS, which she uses for the TAILORING and DISPLAYING of CLOTHES that she makes.
God you hate these things. You feel like destroying it.
With sports.

John: Get ye ball.

You tend to have trouble remembering what's in your sylladex, but you do remember putting your FOOTBALL in there. You think.

==>

You retrieve the FOOTBALL from card 3.

John: KICK IT!



==>

You wish you weren't so bad at sports.
:> _:

[Pokolo]

((Wait, will this be mostly pesterlogs?
And can we have another thread for just IC,this one for OOC?
Also can someone pick a last name for my guy?))

[Phantom Gamer]

((It'll be about half and half. I suppose we could have IC and OOC threads, but then this one would be the IC.))

[Pokolo]

((Damn it, I'll have to quit then, sorry.
Can't modify images to save my life.))

[Phantom Gamer]

((You don't have to provide images. In the few points at which it could be necessary, I'll do it for you.))

[Naevius]

((Right, color me interested. Do I have to download some chat client or something to do this? I'll certainly take the last spot with my newly created character,Lorelei.))

[Pokolo]

((Whoa...Thanks phantom!
Im staying then.
Also may I ask if everyone has pesterchum? Its VERY useful))

[Naevius]

((I do not. Is it necessary or at least helpful? If so, I'll go right ahead and download it. Anyone have the link?))

[Pokolo]

((Usefull as hell, http://www.mspaforums.com/showthread...473-Pesterchum ))

[Ripcord]

((I have it, but it never seems to work right for me. :/))

[Cevaztyen]

((I have it, but I don't often use it))

[Naevius]

((My question is should I download the tinychum thing or the main client?))

[Pokolo]

((Main))

[Naevius]

((Much obliged, my friend. I've got it working for me.))

[Naevius]

((Derp, double post. Sorry. My internet's acting up.))

[Phantom Gamer]

((Ok, Naevius, you're in. Feel free to join in with the memo.
Also, I've got Pesterchum. I go by the name of juvenileNarcissist.))

[Pokolo]

((I go by my chumHandle up there))

[Naevius]

((I must confess I'm rather at a loss here on how exactly to proceed. Do you simply wish me to add my character's remarks to the memo here? Yet it seems, from the chatlog you posted above, that you all created it at the same time via other means than this thread. Is there a special memo in and of itself that I must go to for this, and then add the chatlog from it here? Either way, for the time being, I shall add her text here.

Also, my chumhandle's going to be philosopherKing--close enough to my character's but I hardly want to be mistaken for a lady. And speaking of my character, I changed her text color to magenta to avoid having the same color as John. Lorelei's original typing color was gold, though, and she has golden eyes. She just had to switch for the same reason I did: you just can't see the dang color against a white backdrop. Unless no one here minds likely having to highlight Lorelei's text, in which case let me know and I'll switch back.))

--CURRENT philosopherQueen [CPQ] responded to the memo--

CPQ: Like the Sims, but in real life, hmm?
CPQ: Well, count me in, gentlemen and lady. I greatly loved the Sims games and this sounds quite entertaining and novel.
CPQ: In fact, I do believe that my Sburb beta has arrived with the mail right now.
CPQ: I shall have to go down and get berated by my grandfather a bit for my posture or mannerisms or the fact that my skirt has some dirt on it or something. It shall be worth it, however. I shall return shortly.

--Current philosopherQueen [CPQ] ceased responding to the memo--

You stand up from your computer and leave your various chums to their memo for now. You stand opposite of your room's mirror and quickly look yourself over for anything wrong in your manner of dress or your hair--best to give Grandpa as little to fuss over as possible. Though you were not forced to wear something as stuffy as your Catholic school uniform in the confines of your own home, Grandpa always maintained a certain level of decorum and expected the same from you. After straightening out your skirt a bit and fussing with your shirt, you took on your best posture and poise then quickly exited your room.

Immediately upon exiting, you first notice--as you always do--one of Grandpa's rare art paintings hanging on the wall. The man had a passion for collecting nude art, often of both genders. While you did not begrudge him his hobby, it often became quite embarrassing whenever you invited any of your lady friends from school over and their first time seeing a naked man was in one of your grandfather's paintings. Averting your eyes to protect your modesty, you proceed down the stairs and make your way to the parlor, where the mail would likely be.

((Think I'll stop here for now and let someone else do something.))

[Pokolo]

You are Peter McCormac, and you have just added five strangers onto your chumroll who you are going to play a game with.
...You are sure this isn't going to end well, oh well, you've got music to keep you happy encase if anything bad happens.
You lean back and push on your computer desk, listening to Breaking the habit by linkin park while staring at the ceiling, thinking about how see though colors might have almost no color at all; you spend a while doing this before you get up and run down stairs to get tea, hoping that you won't get caught by aunt and be given another speech about how your drinking to much tea.

You skip two steps each time, wanting to grab the tea and ru-OH FUCK ITS YOUR AUNT, You ignore her and grab tea, pretending you can't hear her rant because of your loud rock music playing from your shitty mp3 player, grab one of your christmas presents while your down there anyway.
((Done))

[Naevius]

Sneaking was not an activity for a lady. A lady would always go wherever she went, proud, with her head held high. If you were doing something that required sneaking you were doing something unladylike. You're sure that's what Grandpa would say if he caught you right now.

Yet it was precisely to avoid such lectures and the fussing over some thing or another that came with it that you were sneaking about your own home now. Listening intently for the sound of a cough or footsteps or anything that would break the still and quiet air in the mansion. You delicately creep your way towards the parlor. It is just a short ways away, now. You are almost home fr-

"Lorelei."
You immediately cover your mouth with both hands to muffle a squeal of sheer terror.

STRIFE!

>Lorelei: Abscond.

You quickly attempt to run ahead, away from the stern and elderly voice behind you. However, Grandpa raises his voice--not quite shouting, but enough to know he means business--to chastise you for running in the house. Knowing that the consequences would be very dire if you did not stay still and submit, you stop, turn, and stand with as perfect posture as you can.

>Grandpa: Aggrieve

"Lorelei, what are you doing? Sneaking is not an activity for a lady. A lady always goes wherever she does, proud, with her head held high. If you're doing something that requires sneaking you are doing something unladylike. And how many times have I told you that it is forbidden to run in the house?"

>Lorelei: Accede

"Yes, Sir. I'm sorry, Sir."
Grandpa smiles warmly--a smile he only shares with you, and a reminder that underneath the sternness he does care. "Now, what on earth were you up to, Lorelei?"

You rub the back of your head and avert your eyes for a second until a retort from Grandpa that you should always look whoever you're conversing with in the eye snaps your gaze back to him.

"I was just going to get the mail. I was wondering if my Sburb beta came yet." Before Grandpa gets a chance to ask what on earth a Sburb is, you helpfully supply, "It's a video game."
"Ah..." Grandpa frowns; he certainly does not care for video games, but he is understanding enough to know you do and not draconian enough to ban them. "And the sneaking?"
Your face flushes a slight red. "Well...I... Well, I thought...you'd lecture me...about it..."
Grandpa simply raises an eyebrow, but says nothing more than "Very well. You have received a package, Lorelei. I left it in the parlor. I hope you enjoy it."
"Thank you, Grandpa." You give a polite bow and make your way towards the parlor.
"Lorelei!" Grandpa calls out after you.

You turn back to him, and are surprised that he seems to be thinking deeply over what he wants to say. A brief pause hangs in the air, and the silence is almost deafening. Just when you're about to turn to continue your quest, he continues.

"You're not a coward. When the time is right, you will not run away. I believe that... I truly do."
"Um...ok. Thank you?"

Any other child might ask what on earth he was talking about, but you have come to expect such strange comments from him every now and then. Always about courage or cowardice or running away. You could never understand why he always talked about that.

You turn and walk--walk this time, straight and proud like Grandpa wanted, not sneak--to the parlor. A yellow box with your name on it beckons you. You seize the box and retire to your room, wherein you quickly begin to install the game.

--CURRENT philosopherQueen [CPQ] responded to the memo--

CPQ: All right, I've got the beta. I'm downloading it as we speak.
CPQ: This should be fun!

((Wow, long post. Sorry guys, I'm something of a writer, so you should probably expect things like this while I'm here. And I hope no one minds I actually gave the guardian the ability to speak--and have him speak to the character.))

[Ripcord]

((If you were still wondering, we started the memo in the main chumroll thread, then moved it here))

[Naevius]

((Well, since no one else has done anything much since I last posted (are we waiting for the Phantom? What? I'm not sure what's going on here), I figured I'd post this little bit in the interim. Just a bit of fluff text really.))

Even with a top-of-the-line internet connection, it takes some time for Sburb to load onto your computer. Not to mention the wait that comes with waiting for your friends (and new acquaintance Peter McCormac, who was invited to join...you actually don't know who invited him, but his presence is certainly welcome). In the interim, you arise from your comfortable chair and walk over to the window. Opening the window, you breath in the fresh mountain air and listen to the calm melody of the wind chimes that your neighbor adorned the front of her mansion with.

Yours is a gated community in the most stereotypical sense. A place where only a few bluebloods live, secluded from the community at large. A place where keeping up with the Joneses meant purchasing a whole new room for your house or buying an obscenely rich sports car. You never truly had many friends on your street itself--only one is notable, and he has increasingly drifted from you as you two have grown older. Most of your friends you have made at school and, of course, over the internet.

The street is nigh desolate, and the familiar silence feels you with a sense of unease. All of your life you have felt as if there has been a piece missing from your soul, as if a thief had absconded with a portion of it on the night of your birth. A life adrift, without purpose or meaning. You have always sought to fill this gap, to find this purpose. It was for this reason that you began the study of economics, political philosophy, and the other sciences at such a young age. And though you found the truth behind the markets, human action, and even the very statist paradigm under which almost all of humanity labors, you have come no closer to finding the truth within yourself. The great absence within you remains.

"Absence diminishes little passions and increases great ones, as wind extinguishes candles and fans a fire." You're not sure who said that, but you think it was Walt Whitman.

With a short sigh, you shut the window then step over to your piano.

>Lorelei: Play a haunting refrain.

After doing the great Frederic Chopin as much justice as you can on the piano, you step back over to your computer and find that there is still a bit of load time left. You decide to pester Page. Though separated to perhaps the greatest possible degree in terms of living conditions--you being the rich heiress of your grandfather's many business ventures and she living with her adopted hobo father--the two of you hit it off thanks to your shared delight in the written word. You also sometimes attempt to send money to your friend.

--philosopherQueen [PQ] began pestering unsettledBookworm [UB] at 17:22--

PQ: Greetings, Page! How is it going?
PQ: Are you excited about Sburb? I do hope your library's internet is up to the task.

((Yeah, this started as nothing more than fluff text, but I figured I'd try to have Lorelei chat with someone to pass the time. I hope Page's creator doesn't mind me taking a smidgen of creative licensing with the character, but I think Page and Lorelei would be fairly fast friends (well, as fast as someone who's kinda scared of others like Page could be) due to their shared love of books. Also, anyone who wants to pass the time until Phantom moves the story along (I think that's what we're waiting for? Let me know if otherwise) can feel free to pester Lorelei.

Edit: Also, it seems that three of the characters are definitely Prospit Dreamers (Lorelei, John, and Peter) while the other three don't specify. I guess they'll have to be Derse dreamers, if that's ok.))

[Ripcord]

((I kind of just assumed everyone was busy with the holidays))
((I was planning to have Zach on Derse, so that works for me. I think we should probably establish a few things before really starting the game, though. Like character relations and titles/planets and stuff. (kind of like this) That way nobody ends up having to completely change theirs at the last second.))

((And on that note, Zach is the Knight of Mind on the Land of Storm and Solace.))