A couple of people have asked me why I would want to create a website that caters to such a small, close-knit niche group of people when there are already huge sites like Fanfiction.net that provide the same kind of publishing platform.

And I said,

Because I do what I want.

No, I didn’t say that.  I actually said, “Because Fanfiction.net doesn’t go far enough.”

Role-Playing is all about immersion, getting lost in a place that doesn’t exist in reality, stretching the limits of the imagination.  You get to be another person.  Anything is possible.  It’s one of those rare activities that spans the entire range of emotions, forces you to develop new neurons and creates that ridiculously addictive sense of wonder.  That sense of not knowing what is coming next, and then adapting to what ever appears.  As a reader of these stories, the idea of chance playing such a large part in a story heightens the emotions.  You truly never know what is coming around the bend – it’s a story of reaction followed by action.

Continuity.  That’s a large part of this project as well.  Having a dedicated Series that continues each week with the same character creates a bond with readers.  They become invested.  Hence the one rule of Permadeath.  It makes the story that much more real, that much more taunt and tense knowing your favorite character could be dead by chapter’s end.  It makes you want to cheer every time they strike down an enemy.

And Passion.  One of the things I love about the “nerd” and “gaming” communities in general is the incredible passion everyone has for the subject.  The energy is alive and palpable.

Last but hardly at all least – community.  Role players, perhaps by the nature of the activity, are the most friendly, genuine, considerate, welcoming bunch of people I’ve ever met.  Not to mention smart and funny.  Anyone who can write an entire chapter in Khajit-speak deserves a trophy.  And they have wide view of the world.  Probably from inhabiting the minds of dozens of different races, professions and moralities.

Oh, and here’s another reason – I love reading other RPGer’s stories.  I mean, have you ever actually sat down and read some of these posts on forums and such?  They’re insanely talented and engaging!  They demand a platform.

(I probably should’ve just answered my friends’ questions with, “Because Role-Players are AWESOME!” in really high voice with my hands clasped under my chin and one foot off the ground.)

So if it’s such a special thing, this role-playing, shouldn’t the showcase of stories also be special?  Doesn’t it deserve a hallowed hall, a libaray, a Repository?  I know there is certainly enough talent to fill an actual library, possibly two, within Elder Scrolls RPGer’s alone.

Which brings me to a point – I’ll be the first to admit that I am an novice at RPGs.  The only one I have ever properly played is Elder Scrolls Online (and so most of my inside jokes/references are from this franchise, as you’ll quickly discover).  But that single experience has been so exciting and fun that I wanted to expand upon it.  Level up the immersion.  Add a new layer.  Turn that all-night binge of gaming into a creative writing exercise (sweet, 7 chapters done in one hour!).

Well, that’s probably not half of what I meant to say and more than half of what I didn’t, but it’ll do.

Oh, one more thing – while Scrolls Abound! is obviously geared towards medieval/fantasy genres, I haven’t forgotten about you futuristic RPGers!  Forgive the exclusion, it’s a matter of creating an atmosphere to the website.  But if there is enough interest in Scrolls Abound!, then trust me there will be a sci-fi themed sister site.

Now scamper off, me pretties, and go play some games!