What It's Really Like

The following story -- from a participant's point of view -- shows a bit of what an Adventure Weekend might be like.

As you read along, you can view the SECRET explanatory text by moving your mouse over the white area between paragraphs.

You are sitting in the tavern with the rest of your party: Rayne, a healer who worships Spring; Fox, a small, roguish man dressed all in black; Kell, the party's ranger, who knows about woodlands and wild beasts; Priscilla, a sorceress who can cast powerful spells, and the irrepressible Martin, a singer and storyteller.

The fire in the fireplace crackles and burns. As servers move about the room lighting the tapers on each table, the candlelight glints off Fox's many rings and pendants.

"I wanted to thank you for the tremendous effort you put into this last weekend. It was wondrous. The whole thing. Bravo!" - 1997 Adventure Weekend participant

It is beginning to grow dark outside, and it's nice to be sitting here, resting and enjoying some bread and cheese in the hour that remains before the tavern starts serving dinner. You all listen as Kell reads aloud from the letter your Duke sent you. In it, he implores you to help him find a powerful amulet that was recently stolen from him.


A woman approaches your table, her eyes wide and frightened. Seeing her gaudy crimson clothing and cheap gold baubles, you guess her to be one of the Gypsy clan that has tents pitched at the edge of the small village. "I have heard of you," she says, turning to face each of your group in turn. "I have heard that you are strong and brave, and would help one in need. Please help me now."


She goes on: "I cannot find my little daughter. I've told her not to stray from the encampment, but she runs off. I fear she has gone to play in the graveyard, up beside the Lake of Songs. It's dangerous out after dark. Please, please, could you find her for me? I will pay you..." Before you realize what is happening, she presses a pouch into your hand.


On the far edge of the tavern, you hear a commotion. Another party is low on funds and has made an arrangement with the barkeep to "sing for their supper."


Their off-key rendition of an "old sea chanty" - it sounds suspiciously like the Gilligan's Island theme song - drifts your way. You watch them for a moment, and when you look back, the Gypsy woman is gone.


A serving-woman approaches your table to see if you want more food. You look down at the pouch in your hand. Fox, sitting next to you, puts his finger to his lips; you nod and wait silently. After the woman leaves, Fox motions to the rest of the party, and you all collect your belongings and step outside the tavern, where it is quieter. You move away from the building and take a seat on the ground beneath a nearby tree. With the gathering dusk, your group is nearly invisible as you sit in the shadows. When everyone is seated and quiet, you reach into the pouch. Even in the dim light, everyone gasps to see the handful of coins and gems you withdraw. This is a small fortune the Gypsy woman has given you. "Well, now what?" you ask them.

Now you've seen a bit of the weekend from a participant's perspective, but maybe you're wondering what kind of people attend an Adventure Weekend. Visit Who Is Otherworld? and find out!

© 2003 Otherworld