From the Diary of Johnny B. Goodlight, Age 12
The monks want me to study more. But I hate the library. They are so scared of a fire they keep no light in there. How are you supposed to read without light! Elder Reziekiel sneaks some books out for me. He gets how hard it is to grow up in this crappy place. He was abandoned here too. I just wish I knew what I was supposed to find in these books.

Darkness. That's all I see. I'm surrounded by darkness. It's been three days walking to the monastery, and every night has been a new moon. I'm cold. Tired, hungry. I just need to keep going and then I'll be safe.

Age 27

While the monks sleep during the day I've been doing more reading. It's been hard going with only a couple hours of sleep but I'm making more progress. There has to be more to my salvation than the trinity. And I keep finding references to a duality. Not a trinity. I have to keep searching. There's something I'm missing.

Darkness. That's all I see. I'm surrounded by darkness. I collapse. I feel the cold ground but I don't even think I'm on the path anymore. I'm afraid. I wish I could just see where it is im going to die. As I close my eyes I think I see a spark of light...

Age 38

I argued with elder Rezekiel today. He knows I've spent the past 10 years researching into a duality. He warns me that my blasphemous work will get me expelled from here. I told him that the trinity could exist within the duality. And he struck me. A trained monk like him, I knew he could have killed me with that blow. Instead I crumpled on the floor. I felt the cold monastery floor. As he walked away I tried to focus on what happened that night. What happened to me.

Darkness. That's all they all see. They are surrounded by darkness. But not me. I am in a place of infinite light. Infinite positivity. Infinite potential. I dare not open my eyes, but I feel it. The Light. The Undying Light surrounding me. Is this real? In my hand I'm clutching a stone. I open my eyes and I'm in a bed. There is no stone. There is no light. What happened.

Age 41

It happened. I remembered a stone, I remembered the light. I searched for the stone. The monks must have hidden it. I tore through the library. And in the furthest point from the door, where they assumed id never go. I found it in a box. It glowed with the light of the place. I knew it was real. When I touched it I felt the light once more. I felt the undying light flow through me once again. I started to glow and in front of me a book materialized out of light. Through it, through the stone, and through me I felt the Light. And I knew. I knew the duality was real. There is one ultimate truth. The truth of Light. And the truth of darkness.

As I walked out of the library the monks had gathered. They witnessed what had happened. They saw the truth. But they rejected it. They rejected me. So today is my first day free from the darkness of that monastery. Today I search to bring the light to darkness. Today I search to learn more of the duality of all. Today I seek the undying light.

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The party continues on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Tumblr! On our Patreon page, you can unlock exclusive bonus content like cut scenes, bloopers, character backstories, player blog posts, Dungeons & Dragons game tips, and so much more. Have stories or questions for the next Afterparty? Email hello@jointhepartypod.com or contact us on our website!

Join the Party is produced by Eric Silver, Brandon Grugle, Amanda McLoughlin, and Michael Fische. Special thanks to our creative consultants Connor McLoughlin, Julia Schifini and Heddy Hunt.

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Join the Party is a collaborative storytelling and roleplaying podcast. That means four friends create a story together, chapter by chapter, that everyone from seasoned players to true beginners can enjoy. Where else can you get adventure, intrigue, magic, drama, and lots of high fives all in one place? Right here.

After each episode we sit down for the Afterparty, where we break down our game and answer your questions about how to play Dungeons & Dragons and other roleplaying games at home. It’s a party, and you’re invited!