It all started with a book. Well, not a particular book but books in general. I am a fantasy nerd and reading fantasy novels and books have been a part of my life since I was able to read. Stories of heroes, adventure, love, etc, helped established my writing genre and my love for fairytales and myths. And so a couple of years ago, I stumbled upon a Twitch show that focused on those fanciful stories, improv, and unique storytelling. Critical Role, for those who don't know, is a show on the video streaming channel called Twitch that has nerdy voice actors plays Dungeons and Dragons. After watching the show for a very long time, I decided I wanted to play myself. I played one session freshman year in college however our party TPK'd (Total Party Kill) and I wanted to experience playing with other people I haven't met and really be a character of my own design.

So I looked on the Dungeons and Dragons of the Coast Website and found a comic book store that had D&D sessions on the weekdays. I called (several times) and met with the DM that held it on Tuesdays nights. His name is Adam and he is one of the most nicest guys that I have met. On the first day that I came he led me outside, away from the other players to discuss where I come from, the story that had been established so far, and anything else I needed to know. I started toward the end of April and I have been loving it so far. The people that I have met are amazing and super nice and its nice to unwind and play after a long day at work. It also helped that the group that I was apart of, encouraged role playing and we had fun playing as our characters.

**One of the last natural 20's before I left for Graduate School...**

During the time that I was a newbie, I wrote a story about my character Alorin, who is a half-elf monk who is naive to the world and equally susceptible to any pranks and other antics. Here is the story below and tell me what you think. Overall D&D is a way to let your id and other emotions run free. And for me, it allows me to live out my fantasy stories. I suggest to give D&D a try or watch Critical Role and other D&D streaming shows. You won't regret it.

D&D Rules!!!!

P.S. Below is my character's origin story. I hope you like it!

Alorin's Story

Born of a human father named Craig and elven mother named Millennia, Alorin lived in a pretty well off family. Her father was a merchant of sorts and would receive a great sum of money for his services. Millenia was used to the type of lifestyle since her family are borderline royalty and have a pretty good fortune of her own. Her family, the Roses, was in the Faewild for awhile and made a huge name for themselves. In a twist of things, her family was okay with her marrying a human even though elves, especially high elves, were not so inclined. Alorin’s family lived up in the mountains by the Xan Yae monastery, the only house that could stand the altitude and cold weather. From the villagers' memory, they seem like a normal couple with a baby. Although, talking to some individuals in the village and they would say that the elven woman seemed a bit off. Millennia was a cut above the rest or so the villagers thought. Whenever she came down from their house, she was more cold and unmotherly than when she was with her family. She was always out and about with three strange men and villagers noticed that she would leave town and come back two or three weeks at a time. Craig would be in the house taking care of himself and the baby. He would even bring Alorin along when he had to work if Millennia wasn’t in town in time. Everything seemed peaceful even if the people say the family dynamic was a bit off.

When Alorin was 8 months old, both Craig and Millennia were in the living room area enjoying each other’s company, with Alorin in her bassinet. Suddenly, their door was barged in by three dark figures. Craig had a knife in his pocket and Millennia knew some magic. They both put up a great fight and for a while had the upper hand when it came down to it. Unfortunately, that was not enough to fend off the intruders. The assalients were much stronger and killed them both. They spared Alorin as she laid in her bassinet cooing happily, unbeknownst to her the danger that had transpired in the room. Her eyes that were a beautiful light blue turned into a rainbow when she saw three strangers tower over her itty bitty living space. The killers were merciful in their mission that was asked of them: to spare the child. When they saw her eyes change color, they did think that they could sell her into the black market. However, they knew that Craig had some dealings in the dark and since he brought the child with him his dealings, they would be found out. Plus the three did have a little heart. So they looked for any nearby soul to care for a baby half-elf and found the monastery. The assailants put the baby on the doorstep of the massive monastery, knocked on the door, and left. A blue dragonborn opened the door, looked down at the cooing child, with eyes like stardust, and took her in.

15 years later, Alorin grew up a pretty good student in the monastery. Kriv, the blue dragonborn that founded her, became her personal mentor and advisor. Coen, a boy that was also at the monastery, became Alorin’s closest friend and also a bit of a romance blossomed between the two. One night, Coen and Alorin went to the top of the monastery to their secret spot and had their first kiss, while the rest of their home was sleeping. Alorin was soaring about that for a couple of weeks. No matter of teaching from Kriv mentioned about basic martial arts and about the disciplines she could go into, she wanted to learn more about this thing called love. Alas, that was not made to last either.

When she turned 17, Coen was gone from the monastery. Every night they would go up to their spot and on a particular night, Coen never showed. She hadn’t even seen him the next day or the day after that. A week past and Alorin became concerned. She muscled up the courage to ask Kriv what happened with Coen. Kriv gave her a sad look and told her that he up and left the monastery without a word. He left a note for him and for Alorin and that was that. Kriv explained that he needed to see the world with a different perspective and that Alorin was the catalyst that started his curiosity. Kriv gave the letter to Alorin and when she opened the letter, a teardrop pendent fell out of it. After reading the letter thoroughly, she looked at her mentor, advisor, father with a fire that Kriv had not seen from his pupil; daughter. He nodded and told her that it was time that she sees the world for herself and to find Coen to see where his path leads. And maybe that is where her path can begin. Alorin packed her things, said farewell to the other monks and gave a hug to Kriv.

Alorin began her journey to find the boy or man that gave her a new meaning in life.

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