Wednesday, December 4, 2024

Word: Prorogue

 

prorogue

[ proh-rohg ]

verb (used with object)

, pro·rogued, pro·ro·guing.
  1. to discontinue a session of (the British Parliament or a similar body).

    Synonyms: suspend

  2. to defer or postpone, or to extend past the end of a term, as a lease or other contract.

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        It was time. Chris had been waiting for this day for weeks. Almost a month at this point. Everything was ready. His computer was set up. His microphone was working perfectly. His character was all made and ready. All that was needed was a few more minutes wait. 

        He logged in and entered the group voice chat. He was the first one there, but was not waiting long. Another of his fellow players logged on soon after. 

        Hey there!” Chris said into his mic enthusiastically. 

        Um...hi?” The person on the other end was using a lower quality mic and he sounded young.   “I, uh, I hope I’m not too late?”?” 

        Not too late. Definitely not.” Chris said. “Heck, we’re the first two on. “ 

        Oh, good. Um, my name’s--”-” 

        Hold it. No real names online.” He watched as another player logged onto the chat. The third of four. We’ll go by our character names. Basic online safety.” 

        Oh, right. Sorry.” The kid said. “Uh, in that case e I’m...Uh Kel’el. Is that a good name?” 

        Depends on what you're playing.” The new person said. His voice was deep and had a slight rasp to it. Elf of some kind?” 

“Uh, y-yeah. Elf rogue.” 

Chris sighed. He hoped the kid wouldn’t fall into the trap of the edgy rogue his probable age group inevitably fell into. 

“No problem with that.” Chris said. “Just remember you don’t need to play him as a brooding loner. Anyway, I’ll be your cleric for the game. Big ol’ orc that goes by Clunk. Trust me, it makes sense once you know why.” 

“Hey, don’t gotta explain it us. Orc cleric. I like it.” The third player says. “I’m Whistle, kenku bard, at your service.”  

Chris mused at the choice. It was going to be interesting, that was for sure. He wondered where the other two were. One of his questions was answered as the fourth player entered the chat. 

“Sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry.” Came the voice of a harried and hectic woman. “I’m not late, am I? You haven’t started, have you?” 

“Nope, just introducing ourselves.” Whistle said. 

“Uh, right. Yes, of course. Just...just give me a sec to get everything set up.” 

“Take your time. The DM hasn’t even shown up yet.” Chris said. 

        He hasn’t? Ah. So, uh, what did I miss?” 

        The three members gave their introductions. It went a bit faster the second time. 

        Oh, good. I’m glad I didn’t double up with anyone. Uh, I’m a warforged fighter. They don’t have a name, but they go by Thirty-Six. So, um, yeah.” 

        What’s a warforged?” The kid asked.  

        Before anyone could answer, there was a message on the server’s text channel. The message was not long. Only two sentences. But upon reading them, every member groaned. It read ‘Can’t make it. Emergency.’ 

        Seriously?” Chris nearly shouted.  

        The bard’s mic went on mute. Chris could imagine what was happening.  

        But...but I just got here.” The party’s new fighter said. Chris could imagine her starting to tear up. 

        So...what happens now?” The rogue asked. He sounded slightly panicked.  

The bard’s mic came back. “Sorry about that. Didn’t want young ears to hear certain things. Anyway, we can either log off and try again next week or just, you know, hang out in voice.” 

“I’m down for the second.” Chris said. The others all agreed. “Great. So, Kel, you asked what a warforged is, right? Well, buckle up. This is gonna be wild.”

******************************

Ah scheduling problems and sudden emergencies. The real downfall of many a D&D party. Also, if you don't know, a kenku is a crow person, and a warforged is basically a fantasy robot. There's more to both of them, but that's the surface level stuff for them.

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