As they all gather, you wait by the door in case anyone else comes. It was interesting that they all arrived at almost the same time, but here they are. Ian, Aldrik and Kim had joined you. A four way game would be alright, but you had hoped to get Julie as well at least, to have two gals and two guys to play with. It would have to be alright this way. It was beginning to seem like these three would be the only ones coming. Maybe the others could play the next game.
You walk over to the table and look to them with a grin as you grab up the game box. Snacks were already laid out and drinks as well, as they were on any game night, but this would not be any ordinary game night. You hold the box up to them so they can see the characters running away screaming as they are changed, into the foreground in front of what appears to be a house exploding behind them and a white flash from somewhere inside breaking through the split beams. It hinted that it would be quite an evening. You intend to make it one to remember for quite some time.
As you open the box and hand the dice to Aldrik to your left, you instruct him to roll. "But! Wait! Don't we get the rules?" he asks. You wonder what table he thought he was at as you smile and tell him again to roll. With a groan, he tosses the two six sided die onto the table, producing a six and a five. 11.
You have him hand over the die to Ian, but he refuses to roll until you tell them what is going on. You reply with, "When has that ever mattered? Isn't it more interesting to learn as you go? It's a board game!"
But your friend does not relent. "Ohhhh no. Not this time, I know you too well. I want to know what it is I'm rolling for."
"To see who goes first!"
"Very funny. Read the rules," Ian demands.
Knowing that he is going to hold firm, you sigh and pull out the rules. "FINE! Fine. Sour puss. Okay, it says here: 'A Game of Change! Your life will never be the same.' This game is magical. Each player will be transformed to match his or her playing piece, which changes as it moves along the path to the finish. On certain squares you must pick up a card, which can either be beneficial or harmful to your game, but will almost always result in a transformation of some sort. Once a player reaches the finish, all players will be returned to the way they were before, and the winner will be granted one wish." You pause before adding, "Oh and it also has a disclaimer down here at the bottom that says: 'IMPORTANT WARNING! ONCE PIECES HAVE BEEN PLACED, NO PLAYER MAY QUIT THE GAME BEFORE ITS CONCLUSION!' " You pause for a moment and look up from the rule sheet at your gaming group, "I guess that means we can't stop til we're done playing!"
"Oh God." Aldrik says as Ian smiles and rolls. He must think it sounds as much fun as you do. He rolls a 3 (1, 2). He sighs and sits back, KNOWING he will go last. So much for that fun. But he decides that he'll have his fun seeing what happens to everyone else first.
Kim takes the die and rolls next, also getting a 1 and a 2. You order them to re-roll for a tie-breaker. Ian rolls a 6 and 4, while Kim rolls a 6 and 1. You grin and take the die, knowing from those rolls, you'll almost be guaranteed to go second. Everyone is willing to play! Perfect! You toss the die across the table and then begin setting up the playing board. 1 and 4. Good enough. Just enough to assure your starting spot. You take your seat as you hand the die to Aldrik. "Counter-clockwise?" It's instantly agreed that it will not be played that way, forcing you and Ian to switch seats. Now it was time to choose the pieces. And then... The fun... can begin!!