TorgFest is our annual Torg vacation. Our group began in graduate school at the University of
Virginia in Charlottesville. Of the five original group members, three were physics grad students
at UVa, one was a physics and math undergrad at Washington & Lee, and the other was a friend from Richmond.
Soon thereafter, the wives of two of the members were added, bringing the total group to seven.
As thing happen, we soon began to graduate and go our separate ways. We spread out to Orlando, Tampa, Baltimore, St. Louis,
Richmond, and Durham, North Carolina. As we spread, we started new Torg groups and expanded our Torg family to eleven or twelve
players. Still, the days of massive adventures with experienced characters was over.
One year, we decided that we missed the old days of getting together for Torg. We organized a summer vacation where we rented a house
big enough for everyone. We spent a whole week on the beach during the day and playing Torg at night. TorgFest was born. It was so much fun that
we have continued the tradition each year since, changing our destination each time.
TorgFest I
Summer, 1996 - Outer Banks, North Carolina
Attendees (11): Terry, Joe, Pam, Chris, Steve, Michelle (just before Jackie), Colin (for a day), Mike, Shaun, Brian and Allison (for three days)
Adventures:
Thy Kingdom Come, GM - Joe
England's Darkest Hour, Part I, GM - Terry
Comments: Nice house... cool loft... right on the Sound, but only a short walk from the Ocean... near a grocery store and NOTHING ELSE!... saw Independence
Day as big night out... Mike and Chris did Beavis and Butthead...
quote: "Break open a six-pack of whoop-ass!"
drink: Hornsby's Cider
TorgFest II
Summer, 1997 - Destin, Florida
Attendees (11): Terry, Joe, Pam, Chris, Steve, Michelle (with Jackie), Colin, Mike, Brian, Allison, and Terry's friend
Adventures:
England's Darkest Hour, Part II, GM - Terry
Comments: Right across the street from beautiful green ocean... big house with huge gaming area... in a touristy area... AC broke for four days... 30 mile drive to grocery store... saw MIB
as big movie event... Alain proposes to Conn...
quote: "I use Space Vehicles to get the hedgehog through the wicket!"
drink:
cider again, MGD, Colin's Belgian lager
TorgFest III
Summer, 1998 - Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri
Attendees (9): Terry, Joe, Pam, Steve, Michelle (with Jackie), Colin, Mike, and Eric (plus Heather, who didn't play)
Adventures:
Pyramid Power, GM - Terry
Phoenix Rising, GM - Colin
Comments: Great house on a lake w/ private dock... nice area w/ lots to do... $600 dinner!!!... Heather drank a lot... Terry became our wine connoisseur...
quote: "Time for Tubby Bye-Bye! Get on over here La-La, I'll
give you a Bye-Bye!"
Honorable Mention: "Any time I can make Terry go, 'Mmm,' I must be doing
something right!
drink: Muscato Allegro
TorgFest IV
Summer, 1999 - Southern Shores (Outer Banks), North Carolina
Attendees (10): Joe, Pam, Chris (for three days), Steve, Michelle (with Jackie), Brian, Colin, Mike, Shane (for three days), and Heather
Adventures:
The Truth Shall Set Ye Free, GM - Joe
Comments: Great house w/ 5 bedrooms, three floors, Jacuzzi which was never used... new twists on dinner -
bouillabaisse, turkey, and chocolate whiskey barbecue... Lost Colony was lost!...
quote: "Is that a euphemism?"
drink: strawberry daiquiri
TorgFest V
Summer, 2000 - Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Attendees (11): Joe & Pam (for a day), Chris, Steve, Michelle (with Jackie), Brian,
Allison, Colin, Mike, Terry, and Heather
Adventure:
A Dish Best Served Cold, GM - Colin
Comments: Nice, rustic house just off the main road... rivers in the Smoky Mountains
are cold!... moral dilemmas SUCK!... who said Cartoon Network was for kids?
quote: "Giant fish balloon! ooooWAAAAHoooooo... ooh ooh ooh
ooh !"
drink: mudslide
TorgFest VI
Summer, 2001 - Little Gasparilla Island, Florida
Attendees (9 adults, 1 child): Joe, Pam, Steve, Michelle (with Jackie), Brian,
Allison, Colin, Mike, and Heather
Adventure:
And The Children Shall Lead, GM - Joe
Comments: boats don't go over sand bars very well... did that dock say "private?"... we really suck at
volleyball... Monologue cards work well from a radio station... dolphins and turtles in the wild... Michelle's a cheap drunk...
quote: "Shrimp skewer! I hardly even know her!"
drink: Smirnoff Ice, raspberry mudslide
TorgFest VII
Summer, 2003 - Rodanthe (Outer Banks) NC
Attendees (9 adults, 3 kids): Joe, Pam, Terry, Colin, Steve, Michelle, Jackie, Josh, Brian,
Allison, Matthew, and Mike
Adventure:
Follow the Bouncing Plotline, GM - Terry
Comments: great house, 50 yards from the beach, with a hot tub... surf was big, bodysurfing was cool... Tavia was 16 years old, guys...
Terminator 3 came out, but most people were having too much fun on the beach to go... how many child gates did we have to climb over?... we know that Terry and Colin won't have malaria...
we must be getting old, gaming ended by 12:30 every night...
quote: "Vinnie, do you get all your stuff used?"
honorable mention: "It must be a neat sensation to be stuffed in a small box."
drink: mudslides (again), Gin & tonic
