Hell, if someone did that, I'd probably laugh at them. So why do I put up with it from myself. But all of that got me thinking, in my little quest to find myself again. In those rare moments where I'm not overthinking some issue or another, who am I? What am I feeling?

I've always been the sort whose D&D characters have been proxies, for the most part. Versions of myself to live and thrive in the game worlds I love. For me, that character is Kaelen. Kaelen is the "me" that I always wish I was, everything I see in myself, every good thing and potential, personified. And when I look at him, I see those things...and life doesn't seem so terribly horrid anymore. I know it might sound a bit odd, but there it is.

So I'm making this resolution. If life gets me down, if I find myself having a hard time dealing, I'm just going to stop...think...and remind myself to be just a little bit more like Kaelen. That's the sort of strenght I know I need.

Take care,

Daemon

I actually stumbled onto this thing on accident, back in the day. I was a lot younger, and a friend had introduced me to a game called HeroQuest, but no matter how hard I tried I couldn't find it. Then, when looking in a local game shop (I'm trying to remember the name, now. They're not there anymore, back in Norfolk, Virginia, but there's a game shop there still), my dad and I found this. So, as compensation for not being able to find HeroQuest, my dad picked this up for me.

Now, my father's been a gamer since the 70s. He even owns a copy of the original D&D, back when it was three pamphlet-sized booklets in a single box. With First Quest, he helped me learn the game, and I adored it. The characters seemed so cool, and the rules weren't hard to pick up. But the thing I loved the most about this set was the audio CD that came with it. It really brought the game to life for me, as a kid, and even now, listening to the tracks (yes, I still have it!), I can almost repeat the lines word for word.

And so I put this out to anyone that reads this...a challenge, if you will. How did you start playing D&D? I'd love to know, to hear your story, your memories. In the meantime, I think I'll satisfy this little itch I'm feeling to convert these classic adventures to 4th edition and run my own group through them. Till next time!

-Daemon

It's titled Darksong, involving the character Kaelen Mae'val from my old 3.5 campaign and set after the Spellplague, in the year 1462. I hope those of you that read it enjoy!

-Stay Shiny,

Daemon