New in town, Tags Gamers

[Dylan Katz]

Dylan was still trying to sort out his things in his room from the move. He had thought he had done a good job organizing for the move, but it seemed like things were missing from where they should be. At least he had his own room here and it was a good sized one too. He set up one corner with a table and shelves for all his gaming supplies, even a little desk where he could paint his lead figures.

He only hoped he could find a group to game with. He was going to miss his friends in New York though. They had gamed together almost nine years. It would be odd to try to fit into a new group. It was causing him considerable anxiety, though as usual his feelings were tightly capped. Showing emotions in their house was only asking for trouble.

Deciding he needed to take a break from unpacking, he slipped on his sneakers and ran downstairs. “Mamah, I am going to go look around, okay?” he said ducking into the kitchen and kissing his mother’s cheek. “That smells wonderful.” She was experimenting with appetizers for the catering business she hoped to start despite her husband’s very vocal disapproval. He grabbed one of the knish-like dumplings and dunked it in the sauce. “Mmmm, I would want more,” he told her with a grin.

She chuckled and hit him lightly on the head with her dishtowel. “You’re such a schmoozer, go on and have a good time, but be back for dinner. We’re eating at eight. Don’t fill yourself with junk and keep Kosher!” she reminded him .

Dylan groaned for it was always the same when he or his siblings left the house. It wasn’t like he went out and had pork barbecue everytime, but she felt the need to keep them on the straight and narrow, the very straight and narrow. “I promise Mamah, nothing not blessed by the Rabbi.” He left before she worried if it might rain later and made him wear a jacket.

Pulling a printed list of gaming stores from his pocket, he headed for the nearest. He had two missions. One: he couldn’t find his bag of dice and he hated random generators, so he wanted to purchase a set of gaming dice and Two: he wanted to check and see if anyone posted for players or put up a flyer looking for a game. Plus it never hurt to see if they had any new figures or books. The new Dragon and Dungeon should be out too.

[Wynn Sumner]

Wynn went into work that day, with a new found determination to just give up on girls all together. He lost Haley to Cam, Julia to someone who was wanting to be a Jack Sparrow wannabe or something. The only girls he was going to really care about were the ones he worked with and even then it was going to be on a professional level.

Working took his mind off things. He was in his own world, fighting dragons, or saving the universe or best of the best, defeating the bad guy and winning the girl in the end.

This is why he loved role playing. Anything could happen, but in that world he wasn't a loser. Everyone had to work together. This made him the main man for setting up the gaming displays.

He was setting up a display in the window which featured an elf, a wizard, an orc and a couple hobbits all marveling over the new D&D book that had just come out. When your face to face with everything its hard to see what it looks like.

He hopped out of the window and exited the door to look. He seemed quite happy but how does the average joe feel about it? He waved down a kid coming near by.

"I need an honest opinion, what do you think of the window display?"

[Dylan Katz]

Dylan was surprised when his opinion was suddenly solicited by a boy that was probably a little older than he was.. He cocked his head as he gazed at the window in question. "It looks really good, but it would be cool if you could prop the book open and have gold coins spilling out of it... a metaphor for the treasure of knowledge you'll find inside," Dylan said, his mind zoning out as he contemplated the scene.

"Umm sorry about that, sometimes my mouth gets ahead of my brains," Dylan mumbled, turning red. "Do you have a bulletin border for games looking for players and vice-versa? I just moved here from New York and need a group badly." Dylan tugged at the sleeves of his long sleeved shirt, feeling the heat as he was used to a frigid clime this time of year.

"I also need a set of dice, preferably gem ones, no glitter in purple blue or teal. And I would like a copy of that new book. Have you gotten Dragon and Dungeon yet?" It was obvious that Dylan at least knew the basics of D&D at least from a retail point of view.

[Wynn Sumner]

Wynn listened to the teen's suggestion. "Ohhh I didn't think of that! That is a marvelous idea!" He went to write the idea down but realized he lacked paper and pen, but this wouldn't be too hard to remember. "I think I have a spare arm that I could have trying to snatch the treasure."

"Don't worry about it, I take the criticizim very well and know when to change things." When someone said something to critique, Wynn knew not to take it to heart but to learn from it and not make the same mistake. "We sure do have the book in stock! Come on in!"

"You are in luck, we have a group that meets here on Saturdays. We do welcome newbies as well as experienced players." He took the other teen to the book. "There's also a monster companion coming soon, we just haven't got a street date yet for it."

"If you want to bring the book along, I'll let you look over the dice. Personally I get antsy if someone wants to use mine, I feel like the luck disappears that way and my character winds up under the ocean fighting a giant squid woman or something odd like that."

[Dylan Katz]

Heading inside, Dylan scooped up the new book and followed Wynn to a counter. He was glad he had come out that afternoon, now he wouldn't be worrying about being able to play and he could meet some new people that he would have something in common with.

"Do you hold copies of new books for regular customers?" Dylan asked for he never skipped on new D&D materials. "I will buy anything official when it comes out. His mother gave them all a nice allowance. Dylan believed it was to make up for their dad being such an ass. He watched as Wynn took out the dice display and then looked through them, searching ones till he found ones that had a good 'vibe'. "I'll take these. Does your group allow the second player handbook additions for character making? I have a Eldarin Aerialist Rogue I have been working on. I made him using a basic array with racial and class adjustments... I need a lead figure for him too. When we moved I lost my dice and my painting supplies."

[Wynn Sumner]

"We can do even better," Wynn replied pulling up a customer order form on the store's computer. "Reserve a copy. No money down on it, and when the book comes in we'll give you a call or at least I'll give a call when its here." He tapped the mouse which was slow in moving. "All I need is your name, phone number and how many copies you want."

"Excellent choice." Wynn said putting the dice away and getting a small velvet pouch for the dice. "I don't see why he wouldn't be accepted, granted I don't run the group myself but I've heard the rules and its the same, no god types or god moding, no mary sue's, you know the basic stuff."

Going back to the computer and clicking on another icon, Wynn opened a new window. "That group meets Saturday at 3pm and they usually stay till like 6 or so, it all depends on who shows up."

"I think we have the lead figures for your character." Wynn showed him the next case. "Your always welcome to come and work on your figure. Here's one of my cards, just call here and let who ever answers what your coming in for."

[Dylan Katz]

Dylan gave Wynn a smile, eager to meet the new group, especially the dungeon master. He had played with Gary and the guys for so long it was almost like starting all over again. He was glad they had switched to 4.0 or he would have been completely in the dark. "Do you guys ever go in groups to RPGA events? We used to whenever we could. I really liked them, they are so focused on the actual roleplaying."

He picked up a set of paints, some brushes, cleaners and special files. By the time he added those to the books, magazines, dice and other paraphernalia he unearthed, he had over $70.00 in toys for his favorite hobby. "Here's my card, could you call if it gets moved or canceled on Saturday. I am really looking forward to playing with all of you," Dylan said with a sincere smile. He was very shy and it had been rather hard for him to even open up as little as he had. He knew Saturday would be even harder but sometimes groups were easier than one on one. "Thanks Wynn." He pocketed the card he had been given and waved.

*Tag to wrap or wrapped*

[Wynn Sumner]

*Wrapped here*