[Center][img]https://i.imgur.com/8v8xMAV.jpg?1[/img][/center] [Hider=First Days: River] [center][Pre] Day 1 [/Pre][/center] Talrae was truly a work of art from its vast green plains to the crystal clear water of the lakes it was safe to say that the graphics of this game beat all others. The grass felt soft and cool as if to invite him to lay down on it and nap for a while, however the monsters...no, creatures, that roamed the area were potentially aggressive and so River thought it best not to do so. [i][color=82ca9d]Alrighty guess now's better than ever to test out the UI in this game, see how best to work the controls.[/color][/i] Holding his hand up and using his index finger to drag down River was able to open up the menu and quickly found what he needed in many MMO's a tooltip to help him figure out the mechanics of the system a bit easier. It seemed that he could either access his skill through the menu or via physical commands as if he were wielding the power in the real world. [color=82ca9d]”Lets do this!”[/color] River quickly pulled out a wooden item that was carved into the shape similar to the beast he had chosen as his starting companion, there appeared to be a small reed at the back where the tail was, two small openings where its eyes should be and a larger opening that was the wooden creatures mouth gaped open. He took the item and blew into the reed as a long wistful whistle came from the small totem; immediately he noticed his mana drop down 50 points as a small feathery creature covered in tufts of furs, much like a new born chick, flew above him circling River a few times before landing at his feet. That was his first encounter with Pepper and it was the best moment of his life, nothing could ruin such a momentous day for the duo. That is to say nothing until the mass teleport that launched all players into the starting of Genesis. A looming figure appeared and as he spoke the fur on Peppers body began to raise up, much like any animal does when alerted to danger, as River held her close to him and whispered [color=82ca9d]”Don't worry girl, no harm will come to you I promise.”[/color] Panic began to ensue and most would have you believe that one of two things happened at that moment, either they fell into despair and sulked for some time or they banded together to help save the realm but there is a darker side some either didn't see or refuse to remember. River attempted to leave the plaza not bothering with his log out screen but was quickly halted in his endeavor. “Hey you!” a tall muscular man shouted as he spun him around on the spot “You're coming with me mage and you'll start to learn how to heal quick!” at this point the man had him by the shirt, pulling him closer as his eyes bore deep into Rivers. [i][color=82ca9d]What do I do? Should I just give in and let him win? No...no I'm stronger that and he cant PK in this zone- [/color][/i] before he could begin to react Pepper flew up spraying acid on the mans face and just like that River was dropped and saved by his new friend. As he fell he quickly launched his palm straight into the mans stomach [color=82ca9d]”Stunning Fist”[/color] he whispered, stunning the brute and then quickly grabbing Pepper and taking what distance he could from the terror. This happened for most of the day as he saw player after player be forced into parties if they were solo mages and it turned his stomach to knots. [i][color=82ca9d]Sanctuary...that's a joke. There's more animals in here than there are out there...[/color][/i] River looked back at the chaos one last time before leaving the city all together and heading for the plains. [i][color=82ca9d]I'll show them, I'm going to get stronger and when I do...when I do I'll try and help those too weak like I was...[/color][/i]tears streamed down his speckled cheeks at the hardship of his first day. [i][color=82ca9d]I suppose this world has tears too, that's a function I'm all too familiar with.[/color][/i] As the days went by he began to level outside the city, grinding boars, and any other wild animals out there in the plains as well as gathering food from the land to eat and drinking water from the lakes provided. It was in the gathering fields that he'd met Xenos and although he may not act like it, he can tell Xenos enjoys his company. He entered the city on his 3rd day collecting quests and offering aid in NPC shops in return for a nights stay and in the mornings it was back to grinding and bathing in the lakes. [Center][Youtube]https://youtu.be/kVFGC3j85ms[/YouTube][/center] [/hider] [Center][img]https://i.imgur.com/SzUn3y2.png?1[/img][/center] [hider=Day 5 Eveing: Xenos]Xenos trudged through the gate to Genesis City as the sun started setting. The past few days had been nothing but gathering, grabbing up as much iron and wood and sulfur as he could so when he finally made it to the workshop he wouldn't have to wait around to pick up more. Not that he could afford to pick up more. He scoffed at himself. Ingredients were so expensive and Xenos may have overspent on actions. But Greater Bounty was totally worth it since ten percent of his income would be perpetually devoured by his tinkering. Xenos waved to his impromptu friend and promised to meet him later at the inn. Xenos stretched, his arms protesting. Hours of mining had left them rather irritable and a nice bath, a hot meal, and sleep would do him good. He frowned. The last few nights were... brutally quiet. He needed more noise at night, something to drown out the loneliness. Maybe he could find a room with a history of noise complaints... He shook his head and plastered a smile on his face. '[color=f7976a]Bad thoughts Xenos, bad thoughts. No time for that. No sir, not now.[/color]' He thought to himself, the edges of his eyes prickling. '[color=f7976a]Fake it til you make it buddy.[/color]' He walked along with a bounce in his step, greeting nearly every person he passed. A few particular ones caught his eye, a woman humming to her self with a flower crown - “[color=f7976a]Do you have a map? Because I'm lost in your eyes gorgeous.[/color]” He said with a wink and moved on, his grin turning just a bit more genuine when she chuckled and shook her head- and a well dressed gentleman - “[color=f7976a]Are you royalty sir? Because you make me want to kneel.[/color]” He blew a kiss and waved as he walked away, humming contently to himself as the man sputtered. As he wove into the market crowd, the hustle and bustle settled around him like a blanket. A tightness in his shoulders he hadn't realized was there loosened and slowed down, flitting briefly from stall to stall. He chatted with each stall member, talking about their lives and what the place was like. One particular trader, an older gentlemen who sold various foods out of his stall, had brought his granddaughter with him for the day. She sat, working leaning her numbers, and Xenos melted. After talking for a few minutes, he leaned over making small corrections to her work here and there and teaching her a few simple memory tricks. He chuckled as she laughed at how well she did and roared at her jokes – “Hey Mister! Do you know why the cow crossed the road? No? That's cause it didn't silly! It stopped in the middle and took a nap!” - and he left half an hour after stopping, dropping a nickle for dinner there. He left with promises to bring the little girl back something nice if he found anything out in the wilds. He munched contently on the food, wandering around aimlessly. As he finished his food, a mop of black hair caught his attention. His head throbbed. He grimaced and pressed the back of his hand to his forehead. Was it even possible to get sick in this world? Hopefully not. Something tugged in his mind, something familiar and... He wanted to scream it hurt so much. His jaw clenched and his teeth ached from how hard he ground them together. He bolted from the market, dashing to the inn they agreed to meet at and threw himself into a stool at the bar. “[color=f7976a]I don't know what you've got but if it has some alcohol in it, I'll buy it.[/color]” Xenos grumbled as he rested his head on the bartop. [/hider] [Center][pre] Back at the Inn[/pre][/center] River made his way towards the bar of the Inn , his cloak billowing as each step strode him closer to the barstools that lined the counter. A bright Cheshire smile could be seen plastered across his face as the moderately tall ginger approached his friend of a NPC the Innkeeper. [Color=82ca9d]”Hans! You’ll never believe what happened today!”[/color] Rivers eyes sparkled like a child entrapped in wonderment, pure innocence and hope radiating from the pair of jade stone that were his eyes. Xenos picked his head up off the bar as his spontaneous teammate started jabbering. His head still throbbed horrible and laid the Renn on the table as he took a sip of whatever had been slid his way. He frowned a little but continued to nurse it. What today could possible demand such excitement. [Color=82ca9d] “Wait no, can I tell the Inn pleeease? It’ll be great I promise!”[/color] before Hans could protest the young adventurer quickly stood on top of his stool exclaiming [color=82ca9d] “Ladies and Gentlemen may I have your attention pleeeeease! I have the most spectacular story for you today! The tale of The Amazing Pepper against the Ferocious Boar!”[/color] [color=f7976a]“Ferocious boar?”[/color] Xenos muttered to himself and then narrowed his eyes at the other. When in God's name did they encounter... Xenos groaned and let his head fall back onto the table. [color=f7976a]“[i]This is what I get for partying up with randos.[/i]'[/color] He smiled despite himself. He ensured to carry his voice for all to hear, eagerness dripping from each word as he spoke and began to reenact the tale [color=82ca9d]” So there I was out in the fields of Talrae gathering some flowers for our lovely florist when a pair of beady red eyes lurked in the dark of the bushes behind me.”[/color] River pretended to shiver as if in terror [color=82ca9d] “ Unaware of the danger I continued to gather them when all of a sudden the sound of pounding drums could be heard…it was none other than the Boar! His hooves pounding away at the ground beneath him as he charged his way towards me, I barely had time to react as I turned around to see the largest boar I’ve encountered to date!”[/color] [color=f7976a]“On a completely unrelated note, the man's study involves a whole whopping one boar.”[/color] Xenos said, chuckling. [color=f7976a]“Just in case anyone was interested in the numbers.”[/color] [color=82ca9d]“But wait what’s that in the sky? Is it an angel?”[/color] He began to place his hand above his eyes as if scanning the ceiling [color=82ca9d] “No it’s The Amazing Pepper!” [/color] as if on cue Pepper swoops atop the audience and behind River [color=82ca9d] “ She swooped in from the sky sensing I was in danger and sunk her claws deep into the boar causing it to buck onto it’s back two legs and squeal. This gave me enough time to stand on my own two and fight.”[/color] [color=f7976a]“If anyone is curious about the glaring hole in his story, yes he did scream several decibels higher than he speaks – yes, the true marvel of this tale- and yes he did crash to the ground bolting from this runt of a creature, tripping over his own two feet.”[/color] Xenos stuck his tongue out at River. [color=82ca9d]“I pulled out my whip ready to strike the foul beast when all of a sudden-"[/color] The story was cut short as a group of adventurers wandered in looking rougher than usual. River had seen one of them before as he helped the bar from a potential robbery . [Color=82ca9d]”You!”[/color] He pointed straight at Dirk in a complete change of tone giving off a very serious aura, and then it faltered into a joyous smile [color=82ca9d] “You look like you’re the one in need of help today, alrighty Pepper let’s give that group a bit of your blessing!”[/color] River let out a small chuckle as he cracked his whip signaling Pepper to go. She flew straight towards the group and began to encircle them from above as a rain of green particle effects fell from the beating of her wings, Pepper chirping the entire time. River hopped off the stool as he approached the group extending his hand [color=82ca9d] Names River, let me know if you’d like some more healing cuz I can scrounge up a bit more-"[/color] His stomach began to growl fiercely as he let out an embarrassed chuckle cheeks turning red [color=82ca9d] ”Wouldn’t mind a hot meal though if you cared to pay, hehe, only had scavenged food up to this point."[/color] [color=f7976a]“Wouldn't have to beg if you hadn't spent it all in one plaaaace!”[/color] Xenos stated in a smug sing song tone. He examined the group River waylaid. Exhausted but elated they seemed. Motivated to do more. And more importantly... A easy smile slid over his face as he looked each one over languidly. More importantly, easy on the eyes. Perhaps... His head throbbed painfully again. He turned back around in his seat and took a sip of his drink, eyes closed. Once he got this headache to fade, he'd work on approaching them. He needed people after all but he needed this throbbing to go away before he made his move.