1185 – Journey Into the World of Friends Ep1

Episode 1185 – Journey Into the World of Friends Ep1

 

[START OF RECORDING]

 

SCOOTER: Friends beyond the binary, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, it’s time for an adventure. It’s time…I’m not big into parties, but adventuring parties, I’m big into them going on pointless meanders and super…adventuring…a party of adventurers talking about a party of adventurers while trying to be a party of adventurers. If that’s confusing or that’s your cup of tea…or you’d say, I’d like to see a party…this, actually, we could probably do if I ever remember it; a party of adventurers talking about a party of adventurers as a party of adventurers discussing tea on one of those levels.

 

Holy cow, if that’s…if you’ve never thought about that but you say, well, that sounds incredibly…I don't know. Were you talk…? I just dozed off, I think, while you were talking about it. That’s what Sleep With Me is. Welcome to Sleep With Me, the podcast that puts you to sleep. I’m here to keep you company and take your mind off of stuff while you fall asleep, because you deserve a good night’s sleep. You deserve a place you could get some rest. This podcast does not work for everybody. It works for almost no one on the first try, so give it a few tries. See how it goes, 'cause I’m here to be your friend in the deep, dark night.

 

Myself and a lot of other people listening have been there, and we’re all rooting for you because like I said, you deserve a good night’s sleep. What we got coming up is some support — that’s how the show is free  — then a long, meandering intro meant to ease you into bedtime, and then we’ll be starting our new series where it’s a little bit of a roleplaying game, but it’s layers within layers of layers of pointless meanders and superfluous tangents. Welcome to Sleep With Me, the podcast that puts you to sleep. Thanks for making it possible, my patron peeps.

 

INTRO: [INTRO MUSIC] Hey, are you up all night tossing, turning, mind racing? Trouble getting to sleep? Trouble staying asleep? Well, welcome. This is Sleep With Me, the podcast that puts you to sleep. We do it with a bedtime story. Alls you need to do is get in bed, turn out the lights, and press Play. I’m gonna do the rest. What I’m going to attempt to do is create a safe place where you could set aside whatever’s keeping you awake. It could be thoughts on your mind, thoughts, things you’re thinking about. So, thoughts, thinking thoughts…yeah, thoughts about the past, the present, the future, thoughts about…thoughts; oh boy, we’ve got them, huh? I think, therefore…I sleep or I…I sleep, I think, therefore I toss and I turn. It might not be thoughts, though.

 

It could be feelings, anything emotionally coming up maybe related to those thoughts or feelings that are just there, it could be physical sensations, changes in time or temperature or routine, you could be a guest or have a guest, you could have something coming up, or you could be going through something. The reason I go through all those things is just to let you know you’re not alone in the deep, dark night. There’s a lot of other people listening right now, and I’m pretty sure someone out there has been through what you’re going through, and even if you say, no, I don't think so, I’d say, well, maybe some of us can relate to how it feels and we say, hey man, that sounds really tough; I’ve been through something similar, maybe a little bit different, and, yeah, that’s tough. You deserve a good night’s sleep.

 

That’s why I make the show, because if you get the sleep you need, your life is gonna be more manageable and eventually you could be out there flourishing, living a life where you get a little bit better sleep, your life is more…it’s a little bit better. That means our world is a better place. I also make the show 'cause I know how it feels and I know what it’s like to dread going to bed and how much better it is if at least I feel neutral about it. I say, well, I don't know, but at least I got that boring dude who’s gonna be talking about nothing. So, I got that going for me. So, what I’ll do is I’ll send my voice across the deep, dark night. I’m gonna use lulling, soothing, creaky, dulcet tones, and pointless meanders and superfluous tangents. All that means is that I’m gonna go off-topic, I’m gonna get mixed up.

 

My voice is…creaky, dulcet tones means it’s a voice…a forgettable voice, and, I don't know, have I talked about that before? But a voice you say, well, it’s not traditionally soothing but it’s something I could ignore, which has been one of my strategies, is that both…that I found successful but then frustrating. I say, I’m so good at fading into the background that it’s become a pet…that at some point it also became a pet peeve of mine. I’m guessing some people in the audience relate to how that feels. You say, no one…I really hope nobody notices me at this party that I have to go to. Then I’m there and I’m like, no one noticed me. They didn’t even notice…and I said, well, I’m not…some part of you would say, well, you should go make other people…well, if I make other people feel welcome, they’re gonna notice me, and…I don't know.

 

Then I just say, yeah, I know what that’s like. I don't have any answers. There’s a part of my brain that wants to tell me all the answers. Well, you’re doing it wrong. That’s what most…that’s the answer most of the time. Oh, you know what’s…? Oh, you’re doing it wrong. Oh, okay. So, okay, so…oh, what was I saying, pointless…? Not traditionally soothing…oh, forgettable voice. What else do you need to know? This is a podcast…when you first get here…I mean, you could be skeptical, you could be doubtful, you could be confused, but maybe you’ve been searching for something to help you fall asleep, right? So, if you’re scout…scoutful, doubtful, skeptical, irritated…you say, I don't know if I like you.

 

Those are pretty normal ways to get here because you probably tried a bunch of different other stuff; like, someone either told you about this podcast or you found it, and this podcast doesn’t necessarily fit into…it doesn’t really fit into a nice, neat box. So, of course you’re gonna be scout…scoutful. I don't…that’s just skeptical…doubtful or skeptical, or…say, I don't know if I like this. That’s how the majority of listeners found the show, particularly people that support the podcast now, that pay so the podcast can be out here. A lot of those people said, yeah, when I first found the show, I couldn’t stand it, and then eventually I realized, oh, okay…and a couple things they say…well, one, it takes a couple tries to get used to, but they…a lot of people say, well, I just…first, I was waiting for the podcast to get started or waiting for the bedtime story and the sleepy stuff.

 

Now, there will be a bedtime story; it’ll just be in about fifteen, twenty minutes from now, but yeah, first, there’s a long, meandering intro. But most people, they’re just kinda barely listening. You can listen; that’s what works about the show, I think. You could listen to me, but you’re not gonna miss out on anything and you don’t need to listen to me, and it’s pretty clear. Common sense would say, oh, you could listen to Scoots, for sure. You could listen to him but you don’t really need to, and I wouldn’t be in a hurry to. So, yeah…oh, but you could listen. Yeah, you could listen to that Sleep With Me guy. So, that’s one thing. What else? Oh, this is a podcast you don’t really listen to…also, believe it or not, this podcast doesn’t put you to sleep. There’s no pressure to fall asleep. That’s the reason the shows are over an hour.

 

I’m here to keep you company and then you fall asleep. But there are people who are listening who either need a break during the day or who just can’t sleep. I’m here to keep them company, so I’m here to the very end whether you’re awake or asleep. I’m here to be your bore-friend, your bore-bae, your bore-sib, your bore-cuz, your bore-bestie, your neigh-bore, your bore-bor, your bore-friend. I’m really here to just talk and keep you company whether you’re paying attention or not. Ideally you just say, at some point I fell asleep. I have no idea what was happening other than that he was going on and…he was doing a little bit of prattling. But I could relate to the fact that he try…he was frustrated by his ability to be…he was…that was…has there been…? So, there’s been invisible…there’s been movies about being invisible, right?

 

Has there ever been a movie like The Invisible Child? I’m sure…yeah, it sounds like a after-school special. But you say, you wished…I guess it would be like one of those genie movies where you say, yeah, I grant your…you wish to be invisible. I’d say, well, turns out it’s not that great. I really…I thought people would notice…this is really what I would say; I thought if I turned invisible, people would finally notice me. That sounds…that’s probably the best punchline I’ve unintentionally come up with, but that’s the truth. I always dreamed about being invisible and then I realized no one…and also, then I started listening to their conversations, and even when I wrote the news articles and proved the proof of my existence that I’m invisible, turns out people didn’t care, either.

 

Even when I put it in front…they said, what was the name of that guy I went to school with that turned invisible? Have you seen…did you see those clouds? What were we talking about? I have no idea. You were talking about the person you went to school with that has the ability…well, they don’t have the…I don't have the ability…I’m just permanently invisible. Yeah, I’m invisible and no one…maybe…I don't know if you could put it on a pillow or a t-shirt; I’m invisible and no one noticed me. No one noticed I’m invisible. I mean, that’s really what it’s like when I’m…I would say, please don’t…please, if I could just get in and out of here, say hi to the hosts, they notice me briefly…it’s…that’s…is this what being forlorn is? Because holy cow, do I…I mean, this is part of my…I’m forlorn about that. Please don’t let anybody notice me.

 

Then when I succeed, I don't say, wow, great job again tonight. No one noticed us. Holy cow, does that feel good. I really do feel like, oh my god, no one noticed me. What is wrong? So, that’s the plot of my…Universal, hit me up. You need content, right? The invisible…I don't know what we could call it, but…the…I don't think we should put ‘maladjusted’ in the title, but we could put it in the subtitle or we could put it…it would be inferred. The Incredibly Dull Diary of the Invisible Boy. I mean, I guess we could do that as an episode at some point. Somebody remind me, if you can. What was I talking about, though? Oh, this is a podcast that doesn’t put you to sleep. You just kinda fall asleep. Structurally, that’s the other thing that can throw people off, so let me tell you about the structure of the show. It is very intentional.

 

Show starts out with a greeting; friends beyond the binary, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, so you feel seen and welcomed in and you say, oh, I could check that show out. I’ll see how that goes. Maybe I’ll see what that’s like. So, that’s the intro. Or, no, that’s the…I call it the teaser. Then there’s support for the show so it could be free, paying for it’s optional, then there’s a long, meandering intro, and…that goes on and on and on, or feels like it does. For some reason, if people don’t like the fact that the podcast needs to be supported, they lump the intro in with that, but the intro is separate. It is a show within a show. It is a big part of the podcast for regular listeners and new listeners. New listeners, you kinda get a sense of what to expect; a whole lot…the humor and the points will be invisible. Barely-visible humor.

 

But for some people, very relatable. So, both…you say, well, it’s not funny; it’s like something that’s funny, and he’s like someone you know that reminds you of parts of yourself, but does…you say, yeah, I do feel, in a sense, relatable but superior to Scooter. It helps me feel better. I’d say, you’re right, yeah. No one’s been successful at me…at being invisible at parties and frustrated by the ability to be invisible. I don't have a lock on it; I’m just…if there was…if you could make that a…I guess I did make it a profession. I made it into a sleep podcast. What was I talking about, though? Oh, the intro, but the reason the intro goes on and on and on…like, when people are frustrated and they say, this…what are you going on and on and on about? Well, one, it’s one thing I’m good at.

 

But two, the intro is here not so much to put you to sleep…now, it does put a small percentage of listeners to sleep. There’s a small percentage of listeners that skip the show, there’s a lot of listeners, wonderful pets and partners that are so sound asleep that we’re so happy for. But for most people, the intro is a part of the wind-down routine, the twilight time. It’s a buffer between being awake and asleep, to ease you into bedtime, and that’s been what’s worked for me personally and what has been shown to work, is having a wind-down routine. So, the intro’s part of that whether you’re getting ready for bed, you’re doing a chill activity, or you’re in bed getting comfortable. If you don’t do that, I highly encourage you to try one of those out, because it really does work.

 

It really is one of those things that is just a really important part of my evening, and it really does work, not all of the time. So, that’s why the intro goes on and on and on for about fifteen to twenty minutes. Then after the intro is support again so the show could be free, and then it’ll be our first episode of our episodically modular new series where we’ll get together with some friends and catch up. Holy cow, nothing…just friends catching up and talking about playing a game, kind of. So, that’ll be nice. Then there’s thank-yous at the end. So, that’s the structure of the show. That’s why I make the show. I could tell you, I love making this podcast.

 

I love the fact that I have the opportunity to try to help you, to help somebody that maybe is going through something I can relate to, something that, if this podcast does work for you, maybe it’ll help make your life a little bit fuller, that you have…not that I’m gonna do that, I mean, 'cause I’m invisible. But you know what I mean. That’s an honor for me. If you loathe the show, there’s sleepwithmepodcast.com/nothankyou for people that…other sleep podcasts and sleepy stuff. But I’m really…I just appreciate it so much. I’m sitting here slowly getting back into a recording groove after we had a couple hiccups behind the scenes with the show, and we’re not fully back, but I’m sitting here getting the place where I normally record the podcast put back together. So, it’s really a honor.

 

Every time…when stuff changes with the podcast or there’s little unexpected growth opportunities, it always reminds…that’s always what I’ve been…taken away with it, is like, wow, I love making this show. It really means a lot to me and it means a lot to me, I think, because I’ve been there and I know how it feels and I know you deserve a good night’s sleep. I can’t do that for everybody. This show just isn’t everybody’s style, but give it a few tries, please, 'cause I really hope it can help you. I appreciate you coming by and checking the show out. I work really hard. A team of people work really hard on the show, and I really hope it can help you fall asleep. Thanks again for coming by, and here’s a couple ways I’m able to do it for you for free twice a week.

Hey everybody, it’s Scoots here, and this is our episodically modular series, Episode 1. If I say the name of it, though, will it…? Well, I don't actually know how this season’s gonna play out, but I will say this episode features our friends from Journey Into the Land of Tomorrow, but I’m not sure what episodes…I’m not sure exactly…I have a couple different visions for this season. So, this episode may be called Journey Into the Land of something, but it will contain your favorite friends from the series Journey Into the Land of Tomorrow, another episodically modular series. If you’re wondering what episodically modular means, well, you just happened to tune into Episode 1, but if this is the second or third episode you’re listening to, great.

 

This is Episode 1. It is a introductory episode, but episodically modular also kinda means you can listen to the shows in any order. At the start of the story or…either the characters or myself will catch you up on everything that’s happened. So, episodically modular means you just kinda move them around. This does have a little bit more seriality to it, but each episode will be self-contained. So, again, you could listen to them in any order just 'cause their characters are gonna be involved with a game. But yeah, I’m here; I’m recording in a car and…not this person’s car, but they’re in the car with me.

 

So, if you did hear any sounds that sounded like tinkling…the sound of tinkling joy, it’s because it’s our Hollywood announcer, sitting right next to me in my car, even though he drove all the way from Los Angeles in his car…his car is a little bit too…I said, well, I don't want to get my fingerprints all over this thing. He said, it’s fine. He said, I’d love to record…and I said, well, your car sound…there’s a sound to it. Again, it sounds like spirit…whenever you’re around in the things you spend time in, they sound like spiritual beings humming. The man with the spiritual hum who is not allowed to chew gum; it’s Mr. Antonio Banderas. The friends beyond the binary, the ladies, the gentlemen, the boys, the girls, it’s time to take a journey into somewhere sleepy. It’s time for…oh, yeah. Thanks, Antonio. Yeah, Antonio’s had to adjust.

 

We’re not…neither one of us is used to…not sleeping in a car, but recording in a car. So, that’s Mr. Antonio Banderas, and this is Journey Into dot, dot, dot. I mean, when the episode…it doesn’t even have a working title. It has a title, but the title’s a bit of a spoiler. Also, I don't know how it’s gonna play out. So, eventually you’ll know the title. Or, yeah, you’ll already know it 'cause you already saw it, but…well, what is it called? He’s looking at me. It’s called Journey Into…okay, he said wait. Okay, it’s a journey into something sleepy, as Antonio said. Thanks, everybody.

 

Okay, okay, rehearsal time. Oh, maybe I should…well, okay, let me use Watta’s…Watta…sealed…okay, what do my notes say? Okay. Oh, I forgot how I titled the letters. Dearest friend, thank you for receiving my letter. Oh, I’m…okay, no, no; I’m in possession of a sealed letter, which must be opened with all of our party together by the next full moon. I don't know if I’m…I mean, they already read the…well, no; one of them probably won't have read the letter. You may be wondering how you got a letter from me. Man, I should have taken a picture of the letters. This is all I can remember. All will be explained. All I can tell you is that I know…is that what…? Okay, so I told them about that, then I said, you gotta come here. Dinner will be served. I put that in the PS part.

 

Oh, and then I tried to make it…there’s not much time. We’re all stuck on an orb of aging. I wonder if that’s too…oh, somebody’s at the door. Hey, hey. Oh, hello, hello, hello. I’m glad you got my letter and you’re here. Well, hey, it’s good to see…wait, are we getting into character now? Because it’s so good to see you. Oh my gosh, yeah, come here, come here. Yeah, I got the letter, obvious…oh, wait…wait, I’m sorry. So, should I be in character now? I didn’t dress as my character, but it’s just been a while, you know? I’m sorry that, you know, we…it’s always that thing, keeping in touch, and I know we’ve…I’ve flaked a couple times but other people did, too, or pushed it off, and I’m really excited. I’m excited with this letter thing. It’s so mysterious.

 

I think I’m gonna…I think this is how I’m gonna…this is me as a Florencian nurse. I just got some supplemental training, and Watta, it’s so good to see you. I’m very confused, as I’ve thought about it, but I know you’ve got a sealed letter that you need to…that will explain all. I like how you…I really like that letter. So, is everybody coming? Even…is Zell coming? Okay. Oh, oh, wait a second, who is he with? Who is he with? Oh. Well, please don’t hold your finger up at me. Okay, okay. So…hey, hey. They’re dressed…you should have put in the letter to come dressed. Ahaha, Grenada of Darmok is here. This is the real Grenada of Darmok, and I, Lord von Chill…you could call me My Grace or Your Grace, but it is good to be here. This is the true Grenada of Darmok.

 

I could see by your faces you’re confused and taken aback by Grenada of Darmok’s beauty, and frustrated…but a letter is a one-way…Watta, it’s good to see you. Zell, as always, excellent to see you as well, and I, Lord von Chill, here with my equal, Grenada of Darmok, who is…yes, who is taking…it’s confusing enough, Watta. I thought you had vanished into the ether, into another world. So, the fact that…the way your eyes are, you’re wondering. But this is Grenada of Darmok. It’s just Grenada of Darmok. Again, our memories may be different. Oh, excuse me, Grenada, Watta and Zell want to have…what the heck’s going on here? Well, this is Grenada of Darmok. Please, Your Grace, what is going on here? Your Grace. Okay, Your Grace, who is that? It’s Grenada of Darmok.

 

It’s my…Grenada of…Grenada and I, we’ve entered into…we’re not…I would not refer to us as…I mean, we’re entering…we’re not in a partnership, but we’re close to being in a…but if you could go with the idea that we’re…so, this is a new partnership? Not new, but somewhat new. Yeah, do you think Zell’s gonna be here? Watta’s not saying anything because Watta…Watta, you did know about this. Or someone you’re in contact with would have known about this, so you should have…it was a one-way letter. I would have told you, but I tried…okay, I’m glad we’re all here. Grenada of Darmok, it’s good to finally meet you. I’m Emwatta. I’ve served as a wizard in this party. This is Eleanor. Eleanor, meet Grenada of Darmok. Yeah, it’s good to meet you. People were…Lord von Chill called me Zell, but I think that was just nerves.

 

It’s nice to meet you, Grenada. I’m a Florencian healer and I’m very happy to meet you. Well, thank you. Yeah, it’s good to meet all…both of you. I’ve heard a lot about you. Lord von Chill has spoken very highly of both of you and Zell as well, and I’m glad to be a member of this party and find out what’s in…oh, there’s someone knocking at the door. This is Emwatta speaking; if everyone could have a seat…hello, Zell. Oh, hello, Emwatta. Hello, Lord von Chill, Eleanor, and who are you? Zell, that’s Grenada of Darmok. Oh, okay. It’s good to see everybody. It’s good to see you, Zell. Yeah, it’s good to see you, Zell. Nice to meet you, Zell. Zell, it’s excellent to see you. As your Lordship…okay, enough with the Lordship. Can we get to this letter?

 

I don't understand how Emwatta’s…okay, okay, please don’t…Emwatta, please don’t raise…please, I’m here to speak. Thank you all for responding to my letter. It’s inviting you here this evening. You all made it in time before the next full moon, and I’m going to read this letter I have. It’s from someone mysteriously called DM. Okay, does…is that a mystery? This is Lord von Chill; I’m just wondering, Watta, if DM is something we’re supposed to be figuring out or…oh, can we start eating while we…? Yes, you may. Is DM initials for somebody? I think it’ll be obvious as I read the letter. Adventurers, friends, heroes, I’m sorry I’m unable to join you. I missed the adventure that we had. I missed it greatly, and maybe you were anticipating us having another adventure together, but I’m no longer able to take part in your adventures.

 

I’m sorry, this is…wait; so, you’re…Watta, you’re not gonna DM? I am only reading the letter, Eleanor. This is Zell; I have a question. Is there something wrong that you’re…? Do we have to be in character about this? Is there something going on with you that you want to talk to us about? This is Emwatta; I just prefer to keep…so, friends, adventurers, miss…I wish…I can DM…I can be with the DM no more. I know you might have questions of why Emwatta’s here. Was our adventure with Emwatta real? Was it a memory or a tale we told in a tavern or was it part of some other scripted adventure that exists outside of our world? What time period are we in? Was it a dream or something we spun? I’m sorry, this is Lord von Chill; are you making this letter up as you read it?

 

I could tell you that your memories of our adventure are what are important. Those memories are real, but I also can’t explain the fact of how they affect history or when we are or how Watta’s here. But Watta’s here with a offer, a offer of adventure, of adventure greater than being led on an adventure, of something much more than that because there has been a time without adventure where our party has not come together; our party has been separated by time and space — yeah, this is Zell — and other things, and new friendships and other things. But Watta believes, and Watta and I have spoken, that we’re in a time beyond being a DM, but that the creative act is the greatest adventure any party could possibly take together.

 

We could take it as a party together and it could be equal parts fun and challenging, where someone…everyone has something to offer. I’m sorry…oh, Grenada has a question. Go ahead, Grenada. Yes, this is Grenada of Darmok. Are you saying you don’t want to be DM anymore and you want…? Is everything okay with you? Are you not able to be a DM? I heard you were a great DM. This is Emwatta; that’s…none of those questions are addressed in this letter but I would say that the…this…the letter makes it clear that the DM is no longer with us or no longer will be with us. Okay, this is Eleanor; maybe I could help with this. So, okay, so there’s no more DM; there’s just Watta, and the expectation…I think we’re at an inflection point.

 

As a Florencian healer I’m attuned to these things, so I’m going to stay as my Florencian…as Eleanor…I’m having trouble speaking 'cause everybody’s looking at me, but I think we’re at an inflection point, and then if we stay as our roles at least for right now…whenever this gathering ends, people…I think that would be the most healing decision right now, ‘cause it seems like what the DM is asking is for the DM to be respected and that Watta has a proposal for all of us and that we should hear what the proposal is, though I think most of us…probably not all of us can get an idea of the adventure. So, can we at least agree verbally just to stay in character? Emwatta, does that sound good to you? Yes. Lord von Chill? Yes, Your Grace agrees. New Grenada of Darmok? Yeah, I’m fine with it. Zell? Yeah, that’s fine.

 

Yeah, whatever. Okay, sorry about that, Watta. Go ahead and take it from here. Well, that’s kind of…the letter kind of just peters off. It’s just signed DM. Yeah, I just want to thank everyone and the DM for bringing us all together. I had a feeling the DM wasn’t going to return, and so…I also appreciate that we’ve kind of…that, yeah, we’ve gathered together, and I know everyone probably thought I was gone, and I can’t explain it other than to say that it will all be figured…we’ll figure it out together, but that we’re at a time now that’s stepped to the side of the time…that adventure we went on was more of a fictional adventure, and I guess it got me thinking that it seemed so real. I know some of you are shrugging or confused, and who says that adventurers couldn’t also play an adventuring game in-depth but in the world they existed in?

 

I know it’s confusing, but I think that there…I’ve also noticed some limitations of those adventures. The adventure was based on some historical pasts and a historical place, and I think that we all, as adventurers, lived near that place, and it drew us there. But I think that us, with that knowledge, could do…walk in two worlds at the same time, almost. We could create an adventure in that world and explore the adventure at the same time. Okay, this is Zell; I hear what…so, basically, you just don’t want to do the work as DM, so you want us to just make an adventure all together, and that’s the adventure. This is Grenada of Darmok; I’m sorry, I don't understand what’s…I’m having a little bit of trouble…Lord von Chill kinda talked to me a bit, but…and I know Lord von Chill, but is this all the characters or is there something else?

 

‘Cause as far as I know, the DM’s gone, right? There is no DM, so it doesn’t matter, their motivation? Oh, their motivation doesn’t…yeah, this is Zell. Grenada of Darmok, it’s nice to meet you in physical form. I guess the last time, you were just a piece of fiction. Yeah, I was. Quite…I guess…yeah, nice to meet you, Zell. Okay, so, this is Watta. So, there is no more DM? Why? I guess I would agree; we could always discuss that outside of the adventure. But yeah, what I’m proposing is we make an adventure together, exactly what was said, and we kind of explore this area together where we walk together, I guess…didn’t I say that? In two worlds. If I could talk a little bit more about why is it important…we had an adventure together, a great adventure, and then things in our world changed outside of our control, and our relationships kind of changed and our locations changed.

 

But there was still the draw for us to adventure together, and maybe some of our expectations changed, or how we wanted to participate in the adventure changed, or things about the adventure that we felt like we’d prefer to…that…the fact that the DM said, well, if there’s another DM and no one…most people said, well, I’d just rather not play, then. Then people tried to say, oh, well…I mean, I can’t speak for the DM, but said, oh, well, it’s just so much better when you DM, that we could never do as good a job. That rang hollow. But the reality is I missed all of you and I missed adventuring with you, and I know that…I think I put in that letter that we’re on a orb of aging that’s traveling through space even though we’re not really aware of it, and it’s spinning and stuff, and time’s flying by.

 

It’s really hard keeping in touch and there just happens to be this time we have together now where everything that’s going on…we don’t have a lot going on and we can spend this time together, and I think we could make a really cool adventure, honestly. I miss all of you. I have fun with all of you. I feel like that’s shared, and yeah, there’s…our characters have differences and there’s different…there’s…the things have changed a bit, but the fact that I love all of you hasn’t changed, and the fact that I like all of you hasn’t changed, and that I appreciate all of you sometimes that’s somewhere in-between that love and like. So, we can go on an adventure together and build an adventure and kinda play it as we go, but if we commit to trying and see how it goes, that’s gonna be more than we’ve done, 'cause we haven’t had any adventures.

 

We’ve just had discussions about the logistics around having adventures, and it’s been a while. Okay, this is Eleanor; I’m game to keep listening to you, Watta, and I think everybody else is, too, so keep going. Okay, so the wizzy-wig…we kinda talk…it would be all of us, Emwatta, Zell, Lord von Chill, Grenada of Darmok in this new form committing to being a regular, Eleanor, and as a group of adventurers creating an adventure, I think would work best…but we could…that could be open to discussion. We create and kinda maybe play-test…I’ve never created an adventure. I’ve been trying to learn how to do it, so it’s not like I haven’t been doing any work; it’s just that the DM’s not gonna DM the game anymore. We’ve talked a lot about it.

 

We’ve talked about…especially in one-on-one conversations, talked about it, and I feel like the mythology…I know…I think there was something about this theme park where she went in the before time and the after time and the…before the after time, the history of…then the current circumstances right now where we do have time to play together, and the fact that we adventured there, but a little bit more has been learned. I think that we could add something to this world, that…okay, go ahead, Lord von Chill. Okay, I just have a question. I like this, I like this. I think I like where you’re going with it. So, would this be an adventure pitch? Would other people be able to play this adventure one day? Okay, if you’re asking, I think so, but I don't think it’s going to be some sort of super-successful thing that will enable you to build a castle or something like that.

 

Okay, but it may add to my renown. Yeah, it’s hard to top Lord…being Lord von Chill, but yeah. What if we create something that’s really fun and it’s fun for us and each of us has a piece in it? That’s my basic idea. Who, what, where, when, why…why? Because it could be fun and bring us back together. How? Well, the how is kinda built into the proposal. There’s the layers of the adventure anyway, where each person could add something, but there’s also gonna be different rooms or chambers, however you want to refer to them, or areas, and each person could kinda take the lead on that if they want. As far as me taking the lead right now, I’m open to that and being collaborative, but this is also the kind of work that I, as Emwatta, is interested in, arcane knowledge of the past.

 

Another how or why is like…I think we could do a better job than that other adventure. We’re kinda basing it on some of these ancient rules of these other games and some of the history, but I think there was things…I think we could make…especially this one would be contained in a very particular…a more contained area. I really think we could do a better job than that Scoopy or whoever designed that one we went on, because we all have something to add. Okay, this is Eleanor; I’d say I’m willing, yes. This is Zell; I didn’t remember there being a question asked, but I’m willing…I like the…I do like the idea. Lord von Chill here; I can’t speak for Grenada of Darmok, but I could say that my sword and shield and my mind that is well-honed will be here. Yeah, this is Grenada of Darmok; I think this sounds cool.

 

I would…it makes me want to shout Shaka when the walls fell. Wow. Okay, cool. So, do you want me to just keep going? Okay, Lord von Chill here; so, you’re gonna kinda keep going with the general gist of what you’re proposing? Yeah, I don’t…I kinda have a bunch of notes, so I’m gonna be going off my notes. Some of this is open to change and it’s just kind of a base idea. But so, I guess this would be a pitch to everybody. Would you want to play this adventure? Okay, so kind of like the hook in the beginning. Yeah, it could be repetitive, but yeah. Okay, that sounds good to me. Everybody? Everybody agrees. Go for it, Watta. Okay, so, some of these ideas are less formed, but I’m saying…and we’re…so, this is also a practice, I think, in putting ourselves in another adventuring party’s shoes.

 

But so, right now would be the what-if of…or the call together. Maybe we’re at a…we’ve been all called to a harvest festival by this leader who…I’m calling her the Baron of the Boil right now. The same place…the Baron of the Boil has, over the last few years, become a well-loved leader of this part of this…whatever this…the sun-filled state. In a bit of irony, it was the Baron of the Boil who started to kind of redirect some of the fresh water to the areas that the Baron of the Boil controls. So, it’s ostensibly a good leader. The Baron of the Boil, she’s a good leader, and I don’t have the character backstories, but whatever our backstories are, how the Baron of the Boil has reached out to us and called us as a party to this harvest festival. Again, this is open.

 

This is just tertiary stuff, but where the Baron is proposing the adventure to us, and part of the reason it’s at a harvest festival is because…and this is more of the world hook and not the gaming hook so much, but that there’s been a…now the water flows from the north to the south, that there’s been some sort of blockage in the water, a interruption in the water, and this harvest fest…this is the first harvest in a while that hasn’t gone well because it’s…because of the temperatures here and stuff like that. The Baron needs to get the water back…restored, and the water is somehow related…so, this is a bit of jumping, but I don't know, I did want to do a little bit of world-building. But that it’s taking place at this Land of Leisure, you know, the theme park.

 

Okay, so the Land of Leisure is the gigantic theme park in Florida, whatever the…that’s the historical name, at least. But the Land of Leisure’s in the…this is in the game. The Baron’s called us and she says, hey, we need you…we need…oh, I want you to join this party or I’ve already heard about your party, and I have this adventure to propose to you. So, we’re back…oh, okay, so this is setting up where we’re at now. Right. So, the world…let’s see. Okay, so, I don't know if I should get into the specifics or…can I just go through my notes and jump around? Is that okay with everybody? Okay, or this might be how…I kinda tried to start writing it out, but once upon a time, there was a attraction called The World of Friends. You’re all nodding because it’s a well-known attraction.

 

Maybe it went by another name or something. It was a slow-moving boat ride that was…and there’s some debate over which kind of pop…was it J-pop or K-pop? But it was known for its J or K-pop…and I’m pretty sure from my research that it was J-pop and then they did a refurbishment and then they did a K-pop soundtrack, and then they went back to having both…that song, Welcome to the World of Friends, and it was translated into many, many different languages. This was in the before, before time. There was a variety of cute characters that were anthropomorphized, and humans were kind of painted as a little bit of interlopers, but they were also characterized the same size, and it was part of the Land of Leisure, or Leisure Land, that obviously…after the fall thing, it fell into disrepair.

 

Now, I’m saying that this takes place…and again, this is kind of flexible, but I was trying to figure out the mechanics and everything. 142 years of before time, which would be around seventy…but then I’m like, oh, should it be fifty years after fall? That kinda works out, the calendars, but that’s just for the condition of the ride and the Land of Leisure. It should have been around the same time the adventure we went on took place, even though the calendars don’t totally line up. But I was just trying to figure out when everything structurally would be intact, but also that the changes started to take place and…but the changes would not be just due to the source from our previous adventure. Okay, this is Zell; I’m…okay, keep going. Okay, so…and this, again, was part…kinda part of our adventure.

 

So, the Baron of the Boil has a fairly strong presence, like organized presence, but not in this area. There’s a small outpost on the main street of the fantasy kingdom in the Land of Leisure, which is kinda alluded to where we started our last adventure. It’s a small, fortified outpost just on that main street. So, the train station is the entry point, and a lot of it is all blocked off and impenetrable, and…but it’s a very small outpost with the soldiers of the Baron of the Boil keeping peace and keeping the settlement intact as they’ve started to kind of explore this Land of Leisure, which has mostly been unsuccessful. Again, I say that this could be in the world the other adventure went on.

 

It’d probably be a little bit earlier, 'cause they…this is…again, there’s…so, there’s not much at the outpost; there’s a small armory for the troops, of course there’s a pub and a inn, and just a few other shops to kind of help the outpost and help those coming there. Maybe there’s a small magical presence, like, the magicians have a shop and a laboratory. It’s not super-important, but that’s the basics. I have a basic map I did. Let me check my notes, though. Adventure, small town, edge of this place…now…oh, and people have started advent…using this outpost to start adventuring, but none of the parties have…no one’s successfully…and that’s part of why the Baron of the Boil start…put this outpost there, was no one’s ever adventured in and made it back out.

 

Or most; we could just say most adventurers have not returned. Troops keep law and order, as well as the Baron’s offering some sort of reward. But, you know, the reward comes with the cost of…it’s unlikely to succeed. Initially I had lined it up with ours, that the…that our party had gained worldwide renown from what was known as the Journey Into the Land of Tomorrow, but then I kinda started to try to think about moving away from that. But that’s why it’d be called Journey Into the World of Friends. But this adventure focuses on the world of friends. So, again, I don't have an exact way to tie…I mean, in my mind I do, right, but the Journey Into the Land of Friends…if we’re looking at…and again, I could show everybody this map. So, again, this part of the Land of Leisure is its own kingdom, the kingdom…the Magical Kingdom or whatever they called it.

 

But yeah, so, it was separated by water and a lot of swamp. So, it’s fairly inaccessible. This train station was the main way — when people would visit the Land of Leisure — that they would go in. So, it’s very well-built. So, it’s perfect for using it as…kind of like a fort. So, the train station is the only entry point because in addition to the ruin the swamps have made, really in addition to all the fencing and stuff they had hidden in moats so that people couldn’t just sneak into the park when it was open; it’s really the only accessible point that anyone’s ever…it was the easiest point, anyway, to get in, and now it’s the most defensible point. So, you would come in through the train station.

 

It opens into a large…it’s not a square 'cause it’s circular, and that’s the Parade Grounds, we’re calling it, or the Campgrounds, and that’s where the adventurers would stay. There is a small inn at the pub we could pay to stay at, but it’s actually a lot more space and fairly comfortable at night to sleep outside. There’s even some overhangs in the train station if it was raining or inclement weather. Then, again, we have the main street, which, again, at the end of that is a giant blockade that was put up unrelated to the fall, or whatever. Or, related to the fall; unrelated to this adventure. So, the end of the street’s inaccessible, and some of the buildings have deteriorated, but the buildings closest to this town square area or town circle area have been restored. So, yeah, I kinda have this basically laid out.

 

I know this is taking away from the adventure, but this is kinda the pre-adventure. So, there is the stock…the armory, there’s gonna be a store and a…or a shop. Maybe the pub serves all those things and maybe there’s a thing…and then…I mean, I think there has to be a small, local presence. Again, I guess we could flush out that history if we wanted…'cause I’m thinking this adventure would start at Level 3, so if we ever wanted to put in pre-adventures, then we could populate the shops out a little bit in the rumor mill. But the big thing is that it’s very boring there and the troops…the Baron of the Boil is such a good leader that she switches out the troops pretty regularly because of that, but everybody’s biggest thing is gambling on the adventurers. So, they’re excited when you come, but it’s only because they gamble.

 

But no one’s ever successfully come back. This also offers us a bunch of opportunities for rumors. Then there’s the leader of this fortress or whatever who I’m just calling Leader X, which I was like, oh, that kinda is cool. So, Leader X reports to the Baron of the Boil. Leader X is who receives us and has their own office and house on Main Street. Obviously there’s gonna be rumors, true and untrue rumors, about Leader X, but when we get there…and I don't think we find out…we’d find out right away, or the adventuring party would not find out right away, but that there is this extra level of stress and eventually Leader X will tell us that there’s more to offer. I’m thinking even at the harvest festival when we meet…even if that’s only written out and the DM just explains it, that we may have met one or two of the other adventuring parties.

 

Like, we weren’t the only party invited. ‘Cause ostensibly, the Baron of the Boil’s hired us because they think that this water source and the block is happening, actually, within the back end of this park, outside of the back of this park. They did have a lot of control over the water and it did flow through this area. For some reason, that’s what they suspect, is that…again, this is the hardest part, is the big why, but then there’s the small why, which is that the Baron of the Boil’s son was in the last adventuring party that went in and haven’t returned. So, there’s this extra stake that also offers them extra motivation to pay us to go in, like an extra reward. I guess it could be a reward depending on the level, and maybe even a extra level of intrigue.

 

Like, maybe there’s rumors about this Leader X, and the Leader X and the Baron of the Boil, and whoever’s controlling this water…which is a whole ‘nother layer, which is that the water…if we want to go this way — and again, that’s why I think this is a really open adventure — is maybe part of the ride or behind the ride is what I’m thinking moreso of, or part of the ride is this other group that’s risen to power that’s using the control of the water to kinda try to manipulate the Baron of the Boil. That’s the kinda world stakes or whatever. I don't know, but that there’s this person, one, and then I think, yeah, we do still have to find a extra…but that’ll give us a new hook. When they get there, they say, okay, well, why would we take this risk?

 

They say, well, the Baron of the Boil…and maybe there is something, and then maybe there’s, again, another layer with the magic or some sort of other character, like oracle-style, that says, oh…go ahead, Eleanor. Okay, so this is…does open…I think this is exciting. So, I can picture myself there on that main street, and we’re setting up camp, and then we’re going in the pub and hearing these rumors, and some of them…and then we’re investigating the rumors…or, yeah, maybe somebody’s saying, oh, I also lost my dog. Okay, what else? Okay, I did think…I didn’t really sketch this out too well, but I also think maybe a rumor or something we experience, too, is like, a non-human…a character from the ride.

 

Maybe it’s a rumor, maybe they only appear at dark, misty nights, and maybe they’re also offering some kind of quest, but I don't have that written out. Okay, this is Zell; so, the ride’s…no one knows what’s happening in the ride Journey Into the World of Friends, but we can assume that it’s been impacted by this well of magic under the area and that that’s also calling other parties to adventure, but that’s gonna be the main layers of when we go into the ride, even though we’re trying to accomplish these one or two goals; find the Baron of Boil’s son and find out what’s happening with the water. If that’s what we decide to go with…I mean, I can see the value and I can see that maybe it doesn’t work, too. That’s not…I’m not…I’m just saying it. You’re already aware of it.

 

But so, that’s what we’re going to the ride from, along with each of our character motivations, which kind of…we can work into that…or for the new characters. Yeah, I realize that the water thing…it was the only thing I could think of. But yeah, I think it does show the openness. But yeah, the goal is to get into the ride, and I think that that’s the main hook, is that the Baron of the Boil’s son…and I said, well, does Leader X have a son or a daughter that was in the adventuring party? Does any of us have a connection to anybody…the adventuring party? Did we like one of the adventuring parties from the harvest festival and not like one, but they’re both gone? Did we loan anything to one of the parties? But the other thing is that that kinda gets into…we do have to kind of…I gotta put a bow on this.

 

But basically, the Baron of the Boil has tasked the troops not just with keeping law and order and protecting this outpost, but of finding a way…so, what they found…'cause again, a lot of this park is inaccessible both due to stuff that got built up after the fall, but also due to time and stuff, that they’re…and there was always a lot of water in this park. So, the area of the park that’s…it isn’t really that far off of main street…was separated by this canal and a small lake that was just a retention thing. But over the years, this inaccessible thicket of trees and branches and prickers and all that kind of stuff has grown up in…where the canal and the lake was. What happened was the…every…it was also…like Zell had said, somehow magically related, 'cause if you tried to chop it down, it would grow back.

 

So, the Baron has been caught getting more and more troops and exploring more area, 'cause they were trying to chop it where there was old…they had found the remnants of one bridge and they would work on that, and they were trying different techniques, then eventually they found one of the…what are those called? The Handy Halls, but it was more of a tunnel, and that’s how the last party or two went in through the tunnel. But then, the tunnel has collapsed, and they thought it collapsed after the last party went through, but it’s no longer accessible. So, that kinda adds this extra layer…again, if the characters need to level up…of like, who’s gonna help?

 

So, I do have characters like old Zeke or whatever or…yeah, a magical, all-knowledgeable, spiritual character that we could get more information from to find a way through the thicket to the first area, which would be a outdoor plaza-type area that I had…do have sketched out, and then the first…so, that’d be what we’d talk about next time. Yeah, I mean, I guess the to-do’s would be thinking about…yeah, next week, how does everybody feel if we can consistent…are we gonna consistently meet? Lord von Chill; well, we don’t have to wait ‘til next week because of thing…everything’s on hold, so, we could meet…but we could all meet…I don't think there’s any reason, right? No one…yeah, no one…we can meet, Watta, on a regular basis.

 

Okay, so, I think we just gotta think about this water idea, but I don't think we have to solve that, either, but of…just starting to think about reading up on the original attraction. If you want, I have these notes, and just kinda coming up with ideas of like, what could be going on in there and what shape is each room of the ride in? ‘Cause I have these maps, and that’s gonna be what we’re gonna use for the adventuring maps…and what kind of challenges and hidden things would we want to see? Then we could start building from there. We’ll start with the…I still got some stuff sketched out, but people could sketch stuff out and then maybe between the meetings, we could communicate as a group; do consensus-building and say, yeah, let’s go with that or let’s not go with that, and then from…next week I could still take the lead at the start, but then we could go from there with people taking…a different chance to be the lead.

 

Is that…sound workable to everybody and something everybody’s interested in doing? Yeah, this is Eleanor; so…but we’re gonna be building this based on the principles of that 5E, right, and…do you have access to some of those ancient manuscripts that sketch out the rules? I do. Yeah, I do, and we could go to some of the libraries online and learn more, and maybe I could get your help with that. Some of the math stuff I’m not particularly good at. Yeah, that would be great. Yeah, I think this is fun. I’m looking forward to next week. I do have to run, so I’ll see everybody later, but I’m glad we all got together. Thank you, Watta, and I’d like to…if you ever speak to the DM again, thank them for all their hard work and setting this up for us. Okay, thanks, Eleanor.

 

Zell, Lord von Chill, Grenada…Lord von Chill here; oh no, go ahead, Zell. I interrupted you. Yeah, I’m gonna leave with Eleanor, but I’m glad that we’re get…I’m glad that we’re creating something together. It does seem like a good idea and it could be fun. Yeah. So, I’ll see you. Oh yeah, so, why don’t we all leave together? Thank you for hosting us, Watta, and this is a delicious meal, again. Grenada, glad you finally met everyone again even though that adventure sounds like it more was a dream. But Grenada of Darmok is my…I say Shaka when the walls fell. Thanks, Lord von Chill. Thanks, Watta. Great to meet you again, and Zell and Eleanor; see you. Yeah, thanks, Watta. Alright, thanks, everybody. Let’s get some rest, and I’m looking forward to our next adventure and adventuring together soon. Goodnight.

 

[END OF RECORDING]

(Transcribed by Leah Hervoly)

Journey Into the World of Friends

Invisibility in Fiction

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2009/nov/07/ten-best-rats-john-mullan

https://theconversation.com/a-brief-history-of-invisibility-on-screen-130175

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/as-long-as-books-have-existed-invisibility-has-been-a-dream-17215114/

 

Murder Mystery Parties

http://www.daintydamesevents.com/daily-dames/the-history-of-the-murder-mystery-game-from-poe-to-zoom

https://www.courttheatre.org/about/blog/the-game-is-afoot-a-history-of-murder-mystery-games/

https://www.thedinnerdetective.com/2023/02/02/murder-mystery-dinner/

 

ARGs

https://www.wired.com/story/an-alternate-reality-game-that-takes-freshmen-orientation-to-a-new-level/

https://news.uchicago.edu/big-brains-podcast-how-alternate-reality-games-are-changing-real-world

https://if50.substack.com/p/2001-the-beast

 

It’s a Small World

https://www.undercovertourist.com/blog/secret-history-small-world/

https://wdwnt.com/2023/05/attraction-history-and-global-overview-of-its-a-small-world/

https://dapsmagic.com/2020/05/the-evolution-of-its-a-small-world-from-the-worlds-fair-to-disneyland/

 

DOWN TO BUSINESS

The only parties I’m into are adventuring parties

Parties talking about other parties

 

Deep Dark Night United

Wanda (Polysleep)

 

PLUGS

Stop Hate Fundraiser / Orlando Park Stop; Patreon; SleepPhones; Emily Tat Artwork; NAPAWF; Anti-Racism Resources; Ukraine Relief; Crisis Textline; Calm History Podcast

 

SPONSORS

Odoo; Polysleep; AquaTru; Helix Sleep; Progressive; Zoc Doc

 

INTRO

Thoughts, oh boy, we’ve got ‘em

I think, therefore I toss and turn

I’m pretty sure someone out there can relate to what you’re going through

At least I have that boring dude who’s gonna talk about nothing …

A Forgettable Voice

I’m so good at fading into the background that it’s become a pet peeve of mine

My brain’s answer to most of my problems is, “You’re doing it wrong!”

This podcast doesn’t fit into a nice neat box

There’s no pressure to fall asleep

All I remember is that Scooter was prattling

The Invisible Child, an after-school special

The best unintentional punchline I’ve ever come across

I thought when I turned invisible people would finally notice me

No One Noticed I’m Invisible

Is this what being forlorn is?

The Incredibly Dull Diary of an Invisible Boy

It’s like funny

You’re welcome to feel superior to me if that makes you feel better

A new series with old friends catching up

 

STORY

Episode 1 of … do I dare say the name?

Friends from Journey Into the Land of Tomorrow

But this season may go off in various directions

I’m recording in a friend’s car with a friend in the car

The Sounds of Tinkling Joy

Antonio drove here in his car but then wanted to record in my car

Antonio has also had to adjust to recording in a car

Writing letters

A letter that must be opened by all of our party together

Dinner will be served at this gathering as well

There’s not much time

We’re all stuck in an orb of aging

Are we in character now or later?

This letter thing is so mysterious

The Florencian Nurse is back

Watta, it’s so good to see you

Is Zel coming?

Who’s with Zel?

The letter should’ve said to come dressed

The Real Grenada of Darmak is here

As is Lord von Chill

Grenada of Darmak is LVC’s equal

Why did LVC bring this new Grenada?

Grenada and LVC are about to enter into a partnership, so please be chill

Em Watta is glad they’re assembled

Eleanor, the Florencian Nurse, meets Grenada

Eleanor is not Zel

Someone’s knocking at the door

Zel is at the door

It’s good to see Zel again

Please don’t raise your voice

A mysterious letter from “DM”

Is this a mystery we’re trying to figure out?

DM is unable to join

DM can no longer take part in their adventures

Em Watta would prefer to stay in character and just read the letter

Watta is here with an offer of adventure

Equal Parts Fun and Challenging

Grenada has some questions

Why doesn’t Watta want to be a DM anymore?

Ok, so there’s no more DM, there’s just Watta

We’re at an inflection point

The DM is simply asking to be respected

Watta can only say that we’ll figure this out together

Our last adventure was fictional

But what if we could adventure in the real world

Grenada of Darmak is confused by all this past drama

Zel officially meets Grenada

There is no more DM

Let’s make an adventure together

But maybe some things changed since the last one

But this DM is getting tired of DM’ing, but he misses them

We’re on an orb of aging, floating through space

We’ve just talked about adventuring, what if we actually adventure

Collaboratively creating an adventure

LVC has some questions

If we’re creating an adventure, we might not necessarily make money off it

But it could be fun to have shared ownership of this thing

Each person could add something to the castle 

People could be in charge of mini-areas

Addressing the 5 W’s

This adventure could be better than our other adventure

We did love something about that world, though

Eleanor is willing

Zel is willing

LVC is willing

Grenada is willing

Em Watta has some basic notes to get started

One offer

They’re called to a harvest festival by the Baron of Boil

The Baron of Boil redirected some water to her territories

Now, the water flow is being interrupted

And it’s taking place at the Land of Leisure

The World of Friends

It used to be JPOP and then KPOP

142 years of before time, 50 years after Fall

The calendars don’t quite line up

The Baron of Boil’s presence is not strong here

There’s not much at the outpost

This outpost is a place to start adventuring

No one’s ever adventured in and made it back out

This adventure is very lightly linked to the old aventure

Take a look at this map

A lot of swamp area

This train was the only way to get in

It’s a really fortified area, otherwise

The Most Defensible Point

A Circular Gathering Point – the Parade Grounds

You can camp there

There’s an armory and several shops

There has to be a small local presence

The Baron of Boil switches out the troop presence quite often

People gamble on the fates of the adventurers

Leader X is the leader of the fortress

We’ve probably met a couple of the other adventuring parties

The water block is probably happening at the back of the park

The Baron of Boil’s son was in the last adventuring party to not return

A lot of different points of entry into this proposal

Eleanor is excited about this proposal

Maybe a character from the ride is also offering a quest

The goal is to get into the ride

Watta also leaves a lot open-ended for the others to contribute

The Baron of Boil has tasked the troops with finding information

An inaccessible forest swamp has magically grown around the old water path

The soldiers found an old Handy Hall (aka tunnel)

The tunnel has since collapses

How do people feel about consistently meeting?

If everything is on hold, we can meet regularly

Alright everyone, do some prep and come up with ideas

What shape is each room of the ride in?

What kind of challenges and hidden things would we see?

Let’s communicate our plans in between sessions

Then other people can take the lead

Building this based on 5th Edition DnD

Eleanor is in, but she has to run right now

Zel is gonna leave with Eleanor, but is glad they’re creating this together

Let’s all leave together

Grenada is LVC’s dream

 

SURVEY THANKS

Lori, Lara, Caitlin, Katie, Britt, Vera, Trina, Vin, Roch, Anonymous

 

SUMMARY:

Episode: 1,185

Title: Journey Into the World of Friends Ep 1

Deep Dark Night United: Wanda (Polysleep)

Plugs: Stop Hate Fundraiser / Orlando Park Stop; Patreon; SleepPhones; Emily Tat Artwork; NAPAWF; Anti-Racism Resources; Ukraine Relief; Crisis Textline; Calm History Podcast

Sponsors: Odoo; Polysleep; AquaTru; Helix Sleep; Progressive; Zoc Doc

Survey Thanks: Lori, Lara, Caitlin, Katie, Britt, Vera, Trina, Vin, Roch, Anonymous

Notable Language:

• A Forgettable Voice
• Skoutful (Skeptical / Doubtful)
• No One Noticed I’m Invisible
• The Sounds of Tinkling Joy
• Inflection Point
• Orb of Aging
• The Baron of Boil
• The Land of Leisure
• The Most Defensible Point

 

Notable Culture:

• • The Invisible Child, an after-school special
  • The Incredibly Dull Diary of an Invisible Boy

• Journey Into the Land of Tomorrow
• Antonio Banderas

• Disney World
• Dungeons & Dragons
• JPOP
• KPOP
• It’s a Small World

 

Notable Talking Points:

• Thoughts, oh boy, we’ve got ‘em
• I think, therefore I toss and turn
• I’m pretty sure someone out there can relate to what you’re going through
• At least I have that boring dude who’s gonna talk about nothing …
• A Forgettable Voice
• I’m so good at fading into the background that it’s become a pet peeve of mine
• My brain’s answer to most of my problems is, “You’re doing it wrong!”
• This podcast doesn’t fit into a nice neat box
• There’s no pressure to fall asleep
• All I remember is that Scooter was prattling
• The Invisible Child, an after-school special
• The best unintentional punchline I’ve ever come across
• I thought when I turned invisible people would finally notice me
• No One Noticed I’m Invisible
• Is this what being forlorn is?
• The Incredibly Dull Diary of an Invisible Boy
• It’s like funny
• You’re welcome to feel superior to me if that makes you feel better
• A new series with old friends catching up
• Episode 1 of … do I dare say the name?
• Friends from Journey Into the Land of Tomorrow
• But this season may go off in various directions
• I’m recording in a friend’s car with a friend in the car
• The Sounds of Tinkling Joy
• Antonio drove here in his car but then wanted to record in my car
• Antonio has also had to adjust to recording in a car
• Writing letters
• A letter that must be opened by all of our party together
• Dinner will be served at this gathering as well
• There’s not much time
• We’re all stuck in an orb of aging
• Are we in character now or later?
• This letter thing is so mysterious
• The Florencian Nurse is back
• Watta, it’s so good to see you
• Is Zel coming?
• Who’s with Zel?
• The letter should’ve said to come dressed
• The Real Grenada of Darmak is here
• As is Lord von Chill
• Grenada of Darmak is LVC’s equal
• Why did LVC bring this new Grenada?
• Grenada and LVC are about to enter into a partnership, so please be chill
• Em Watta is glad they’re assembled
• Eleanor, the Florencian Nurse, meets Grenada
• Eleanor is not Zel
• Someone’s knocking at the door
• Zel is at the door
• It’s good to see Zel again
• Please don’t raise your voice
• A mysterious letter from “DM”
• Is this a mystery we’re trying to figure out?
• DM is unable to join
• DM can no longer take part in their adventures
• Em Watta would prefer to stay in character and just read the letter
• Watta is here with an offer of adventure
• Equal Parts Fun and Challenging
• Grenada has some questions
• Why doesn’t Watta want to be a DM anymore?
• Ok, so there’s no more DM, there’s just Watta
• We’re at an inflection point
• The DM is simply asking to be respected
• Watta can only say that we’ll figure this out together
• Our last adventure was fictional
• But what if we could adventure in the real world
• Grenada of Darmak is confused by all this past drama
• Zel officially meets Grenada
• There is no more DM
• Let’s make an adventure together
• But maybe some things changed since the last one
• But this DM is getting tired of DM’ing, but he misses them
• We’re on an orb of aging, floating through space
• We’ve just talked about adventuring, what if we actually adventure
• Collaboratively creating an adventure
• LVC has some questions
• If we’re creating an adventure, we might not necessarily make money off it
• But it could be fun to have shared ownership of this thing
• Each person could add something to the castle 
• People could be in charge of mini-areas
• Addressing the 5 W’s
• This adventure could be better than our other adventure
• We did love something about that world, though
• Eleanor is willing
• Zel is willing
• LVC is willing
• Grenada is willing
• Em Watta has some basic notes to get started
• One offer
• They’re called to a harvest festival by the Baron of Boil
• The Baron of Boil redirected some water to her territories
• Now, the water flow is being interrupted
• And it’s taking place at the Land of Leisure
• The World of Friends
• It used to be JPOP and then KPOP
• 142 years of before time, 50 years after Fall
• The calendars don’t quite line up
• The Baron of Boil’s presence is not strong here
• There’s not much at the outpost
• This outpost is a place to start adventuring
• No one’s ever adventured in and made it back out
• This adventure is very lightly linked to the old aventure
• Take a look at this map
• A lot of swamp area
• This train was the only way to get in
• It’s a really fortified area, otherwise
• The Most Defensible Point
• A Circular Gathering Point – the Parade Grounds
• You can camp there
• There’s an armory and several shops
• There has to be a small local presence
• The Baron of Boil switches out the troop presence quite often
• People gamble on the fates of the adventurers
• Leader X is the leader of the fortress
• We’ve probably met a couple of the other adventuring parties
• The water block is probably happening at the back of the park
• The Baron of Boil’s son was in the last adventuring party to not return
• A lot of different points of entry into this proposal
• Eleanor is excited about this proposal
• Maybe a character from the ride is also offering a quest
• The goal is to get into the ride
• Watta also leaves a lot open-ended for the others to contribute
• The Baron of Boil has tasked the troops with finding information
• An inaccessible forest swamp has magically grown around the old water path
• The soldiers found an old Handy Hall (aka tunnel)
• The tunnel has since collapses
• How do people feel about consistently meeting?
• If everything is on hold, we can meet regularly
• Alright everyone, do some prep and come up with ideas
• What shape is each room of the ride in?
• What kind of challenges and hidden things would we see?
• Let’s communicate our plans in between sessions
• Then other people can take the lead
• Building this based on 5th Edition DnD
• Eleanor is in, but she has to run right now
• Zel is gonna leave with Eleanor, but is glad they’re creating this together
• Let’s all leave together
• Grenada is LVC’s dream