conversations.from: system
conversations.value: It’s a Friday afternoon in the late fall of 1982. The leaves are mostly off of the trees, now, and there’ve already been one or two light dustings of snow, this year, but the forecast says the next few days are going to be clear skies, so you don’t need to worry about getting called home to shovel.
  
  You’re in sixth grade, about eleven years old. You’ve got your sleeping bag, your changes of clothes, and all your other necessities – and you’re about to spend the entire weekend playing *Melees & Magik* in the spacious basement romper room at Asmir’s house, with him taking on his customary role as the Magik-Master, creating and adjudicating the adventures in which your characters participate. His parents are gone until Monday – Dr. Khan has a business trip in Florida, and Mrs. Khan decided at the last minute to join him and get some sun. The Khans, being pretty cool as parents go, signed off on the sleepover, and even stocked up on some snacks and soda before they left, putting Asmir’s sister, Nadereh, in charge.
  
  Fortunately, Nadereh is cool, too. She’s seventeen, but doesn’t treat her little brother and his friends like crap. *Un*fortunately, the same can’t be said of Asmir’s fourteen-year-old brother, Dariush, who likes to occasionally come downstairs with his own friends during games to knock over bowls of chips and popcorn onto the floor, stick miniatures and dice down the back of his pants, subject Asmir to headlocks and noogies, and – of course – roundly mock everyone for being “weirdos” who play “stupid make-believe.” Supposedly, he’s got stuff of his own going on, this weekend, but no one is foolish enough to think that he won’t make time to drop in for at least one or two of his “visits.”
  
  Will you come prepared with your dwarf Knight, or your elfin Mystik? Or maybe a human Healer, or a littlefolk Burglar? Which hero will stand for you in the otherworldly realm of Lost Aerth? And what will you make as a replacement character when someone inevitably walks smack into an “evade or die” trap in the Catacombs of the Mad Nekromancer?
  
  Will you become distracted talking about the new videogame that the local arcade just got? Will you dare to venture upstairs while Dariush is out, to see if you can find some of the miniatures he’s stolen from all of you? Will you be able to agree with everyone else about what to get on the pizzas Nadereh is ordering with the money the Khans left? Will you finally work up the nerve to tell one of your fellow adventurers  that you “*like*-like” them?
  
  What (mis)adventures will all you get into between now and Sunday evening?
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: It's a nice house in the suburbs, in a family neighborhood where not everyone locks their cars and front doors, quite yet.
conversations.prefix: The Khans' House:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Lots of space, lots of chairs, just enough light to read by, and just dim enough to be "atmospheric."
conversations.prefix: The Basement:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Not much going on, out here. The grill's been put away for the year, and the pool's been covered.
conversations.prefix: The Backyard:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Above and beyond being an RPG geek, you're also a nerd - the kind of kid who loves to fiddle around on computers and might actually own a pocket protector.
conversations.prefix: Nerd:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Maybe you really love to play the recorder, or you're always messing around on your ham radio, or you get super-excited about your stamp collection. Whatever it is, though, it keeps you from fitting in.
conversations.prefix: Weirdo:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You live for this fantasy and sci-fi stuff. It allows you to go to worlds where you're a hero, performing great deeds, as opposed to a misfit, trying not to get beat up.
conversations.prefix: Dreamer:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You might be chunky. Or be from another country. Or the other kids think you're funny-looking. Maybe you're just new in town, and no one else was willing to be your friend.
conversations.prefix: Picked On:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You've got a real sense of wonder, and telling fantastical stories comes naturally to you.
conversations.prefix: Imaginative:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You've got brains and you know how to use them. When it comes to applying academic knowledge, you're a natural problem-solver.
conversations.prefix: Smart:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You know the rules of the game, inside and out, and you don't hesitate to exploit that knowledge.
conversations.prefix: Rules Lore:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You may still be a misfit, but, among your friends, you're *everybody's* friend.
conversations.prefix: Likable:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Humor is your preferred means of self-expression, and you use it to good effect.
conversations.prefix: Jokester:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: That's right! You'll lick that frog/say that swear word/sneak into that scary old attic - and you'll show anyone who thinks you won't!
conversations.prefix: Daring:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You're a team player, and you tend to do whatever will most benefit the entire group.
conversations.prefix: Teamwork:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You notice the little details. Sometimes, it's in your environment; sometimes, it's got to do with others' thoughts and feelings.
conversations.prefix: Perceptive:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Asmir's 14-year-old brother. A jerk who deeply enjoys giving wedgies, swirlies, and probably various other -ies that none of you have ever even heard of.
conversations.prefix: Dariush Khan:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Asmir's 17-year-old sister. She's pretty. And nice. And smart. She looks out for her little brother, and - by extension - his friends.
conversations.prefix: Nadereh Khan:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Your party descends into the Catacombs of the Mad Nekromancer, Gurza-Thûne.
conversations.prefix: Enter the Catacombs:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: A magikal beast with venom so potent that nothing can survive the bite of its beak.
conversations.prefix: Basilisk:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: It's not *really* part-dragon, but that makes no difference when this terrifying magikal monster lunges out of a subterranean pool to attack!
conversations.prefix: Dragon-Fish:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Kind of like a centaur, but (mostly) with the body of a man, and the head of a horse. This magikal creature is not *necessarily* an enemy.
conversations.prefix: Taurcent:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: The discerning nekromancer's cannon-fodder of choice.
conversations.prefix: Skeletons:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: It's easy to become lost in the lightless depths of Gurza-Thûne's dread domain.
conversations.prefix: Dungeons:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: The Mad Nekromancer, himself - the enemy you've all solemnly sworn to defeat.
conversations.prefix: Gurza-Thûne:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: She's an evil sorceress with unnatural powers. Also, for some reason, the illustration has her with her boobs out.
conversations.prefix: Witch:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: It's easier to get through middle school as kind of a weird kid if you keep your head down, stay quiet, and only really open up to your close friends.
conversations.prefix: Shy:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You end up with a lot of scraped knees and elbows, and your friends are always glancing back whenever you walk behind them with food or drink.
conversations.prefix: Clumsy:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Jump your bike off a shoddy ramp? Sure! Jump over the fence to grab the lost frisbee, despite the mean dog that lives there? No problem! Naturally, this recklessness extends to your *Melees & Magik* characters, as well.
conversations.prefix: "Watch This!":
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You're interested in things that are considered "inappropriate" for your sex - a boy who likes Barbie, for example, or a girl who has GI Joes. You probably get called some mean names by kids who aren't your friends.
conversations.prefix: "Those Aren't For You":
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: A generation from now, they'll talk about ADD, ADHD, and other such acronyms. In the 80s, they mostly just call you "hyperactive" or "a handful."
conversations.prefix: Hyper:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Being an RPG geek is hard enough on its own, but you take it the extra mile - you might regularly wear a cloak, use "thee" and "thou" conversationally, and/or talk about your character to anyone who'll listen.
conversations.prefix: Dorky:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: To be perfectly honest, you're bad at sticking up for yourself, regardless of the situation. You tend to let others run roughshod over you.
conversations.prefix: Pushover:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: It's not necessarily that you're timid, so much as that you don't make yourself heard. When you walk, you naturally do so silently, and you tend to keep your thoughts to yourself.
conversations.prefix: Quiet:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Of *course* you know that these stories aren't real - you just *wish* they were, and you put more of yourself into existing in these fantasies than you do into the real world.
conversations.prefix: Escapist:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Your character is destined to be one of the greatest of heroes! You need to make sure that you score the *really good* loot, and earn as many experience points as possible.
conversations.prefix: Become Mighty:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You've been wanting to tell someone that you like them, but you've never been able to work up the nerve. Well, *this* weekend, you're going to let them know!
conversations.prefix: Tell Your Crush:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You really like playing RPGs with your friends, but - just as much, if not more - you like horsing around, talking about TV shows, and otherwise being a distraction at the table.
conversations.prefix: Goof Off:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You love losing yourself in realms of imagination, telling wondrous stories of adventure with stalwart companions.
conversations.prefix: Immerse Yourself:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You see the game as a contest between the players and the Magik-Master. You want to find all the traps before they can go off, sneak around the hard encounters, and otherwise ruin Asmir's planning.
conversations.prefix: Be A Spoiler:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Squealing, craven little brutes, they lurk in dungeons such as these, waiting to ambush the unwary.
conversations.prefix: Goblins:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You might be into punk, or ska, or heavy metal, or goth, and (even at your young age) you look the part - enough so that the "normal" kids don't want anything to do with you.
conversations.prefix: Offbeat:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: The place looks like a hurricane blew through, and it could probably stand to be sterilized.
conversations.prefix: Dariush's Room:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: The nerve center of the Khans' house, so to speak, where meals are prepared and snacks are acquired.
conversations.prefix: The Kitchen:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Every gamer *knows* that some dice are just luckier than others.
conversations.prefix: Lucky Dice:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: In all likelihood, your mom made them before she sent you over. They're high-quality social capital.
conversations.prefix: The Good Snacks:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Good for looking up helpful information on the fly - especially when characters' lives are on the line!
conversations.prefix: Spare Rulebooks:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Asmir does his best to remain impartial as the Magik-Master, but - let's face it - he's eleven years old, and he's going to play favorites, sometimes.
conversations.prefix: Magik-Master's Favor:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Over time, Dariush has stolen quite a few of the group's miniatures and dice, and hidden them in his room. *Someone* needs to risk the consequences of trying to retrieve them.
conversations.prefix: Recover What Was Lost:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: The path to defeating the Mad Nekromancer is fraught with peril. Not everyone's character will survive.
conversations.prefix: Heroic Sacrifice:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: A fall-away floor, perhaps? Or a door that sprays poison gas? Or a pressure plate that sends blades scything down the hallway? Whatever it is, disarm it or get out of the way!
conversations.prefix: Trap!:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: They're big. They're jerks. Their names are Danny and Jason, but you mostly know them as "why don't you just leave us alone?"
conversations.prefix: Dariush's Friends:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: The Khans' reclusive cat. Not a "sit in your lap and purr" cat; more of a "notice you and instantly run away" cat.
conversations.prefix: Snowball:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: When the Khans have a sit-down meal with family (and/or friends), this is where it happens.
conversations.prefix: The Dining Room:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Ruler of the Duchy of Cambria, once an adventurer of some fame and power.
conversations.prefix: Duke Ceolfrith:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Is it a +2 *sword of silence*? *Boots of the woodlands*? Maybe a +1 *jerkin of arrow repulsion*? Whatever it is, it'll surely come in handy!
conversations.prefix: Magik Item:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: That pizza hit the spot! You're ready to kick some butt and take some names!
conversations.prefix: Power Up!:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: One of the most classic, compelling, and potentially hazardous of children's games.
conversations.prefix: Truth or Dare:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: It seems that the adventure can't be completed without access to arcane spells, so Asmir needs to create an NPC to accompany the party.
conversations.prefix: New Mystik:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Over time, Dariush has stolen quite a few of the group’s minis and dice, and hidden them in his room. Someone needs to retrieve them.
conversations.prefix: Recover What Was Lost:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: human
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: human
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: human
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: human
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: human
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: human
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: human
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: human
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: human
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You go out of your way to look for trouble, armed with firecrackers and superglue. There isn't anything you won't do just to prove that you can.
conversations.prefix: Daredevil:
conversations.from: human
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You spend your campaigns trying to do things like leap buildings and seduce ogres. With the right feats and the luck of the dice, anything is possible. Even when you fail, though, it's usually funny as all hell.
conversations.prefix: Bend the Rules:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Mrs. Khan called you Eddie Haskell once, and though you’re not sure exactly who he is you definitely know who Han Solo is.  You picture yourself as a smooth talker and it’s gotten you out of trouble in school and into situations one normally wouldn’t be able to.
conversations.prefix: Charmer:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Wise guy is what his dad calls him, or smart mouth depending on his mood.  You’re quick with a quip, a joke or a plan.  You’re rarely at a loss for words or paralyzed with indecision.
conversations.prefix: Quick Witted:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: human
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: So maybe Vincent does something EPIC or maybe Tommy lays out the one liner that derails the King in the midst of his big speech.  No matter what, they’ll remember this night.  The night Tommy Summers walked down those stairs and did **something awesome**!
conversations.prefix: Become Legend:
conversations.from: human
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You like to make things, model kits, electronic sets, chemistry sets, you paint the figures for some of the others, you like to make maps. 
conversations.prefix: Creative:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: human
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You know the perfect retort - but only hours after you would have needed it... 
conversations.prefix: Not very quick on the trigger:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Well, sometimes it is all about the money!  Killing monsters is fun, but getting paid serious treasure to do so?  Almost priceless...
conversations.prefix: An eye for the payout!:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You really don't care if things get done right, so long as there's a good laugh in it.
conversations.prefix: Lighthearted:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: In the real world? No way, or at least, not likely.  In the fantasy world?  The way to meet danger is head on!
conversations.prefix: Aggression:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value:  There is no cure for stupidity, and if someone gets hurt because they're dumb, I'm not going to ruin the lesson by wasting a spell on them.
conversations.prefix: Not Going To Heal That:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You knew it was going to happen, you warned everyone about it, but noooOOOooo...
  
  Complaining about the result only makes you more annoying.
conversations.prefix: Told You So:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Well, if we keep stepping on each other's toes, this will be a colossal failure.  Still, it is funny to watch people mess up.
conversations.prefix: A Job for Every Joker:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value:  It is commonly known that a character's size is inversely proportional to their awesomeness.
conversations.prefix:  Playing A Dwarf:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Having more of what you need (or less of what you don’t) is always a good thing.
conversations.prefix: Numbers Don't Lie:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Sir Spiff is prissy at best, and doesn't like to get his hands dirty when he can help it.
conversations.prefix: Pretty Boy Character:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You're *bored,* and that can only ever spell trouble.
conversations.prefix: Attention Span:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value:  Prone to missing the point and derailing the subject.
conversations.prefix: Distracted by the Details:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Your character is a true Knight in Shining Armor. Trained in both combat and chivalry, he has the skill points to prove it. Eat my sword, bad guys!
conversations.prefix: White Knight:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Parents just don't understand.  Or, they lack any sense of humor - your parents especially.  Fudge.
conversations.prefix: Strict Parents:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: human
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You work with what you've got, even if you don't got a lot.
conversations.prefix: Resourceful:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: As someone who is often the main cause of whatever trouble arises, you never quite take it seriously. Usually because it's hilarious.
conversations.prefix: Boys Will Be Boys:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: human
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: What an awful dice throwing technique! That's how you get critical failures.
conversations.prefix: It's all in the wrist:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Nadereh's best friend, sleeping over for the weekend, to help keep a handle on all the kids.
conversations.prefix: Ginny Womack:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Perhaps the ultimate weapon to wield against the ultimate nemesis: Dariush Khan.
conversations.prefix: Blackmail:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: The weekend has called for bravery from more than Lyramid.  Be up to the challenge.
conversations.prefix: Eye of the Tiger: