“What other Elf and Dwarf races are there? And why is there only one race of human?” I asked. I sure did seem to be asking a lot of questions.
Maggie smiled, she appeared to be thinking about the answer to my questions. I would have thought the question about the Elf and Dwarf races was easy, so it must have been the question about the Human races taking her a while to answer. Eventually, she did answer, but the answer surprised me. “It is a delicate subject and not something I’ve been asked before, regarding the Humans at least. Originally the game did offer 3 difference races of humans, but it caused a big uproar with the higher powers and was quashed rather brutally.”
I wanted to ask more but figured it was probably something more to do with the race difference outside of the game than inside the game. “So, about the Elf and Dwarf races?”
“Good, so there are Wood or Brown elves which gain boost to nature magic, herbalism, and alchemy. They also receive +2-Intellect per level the same as their High Elf cousins. Dark Elves get a boost to dark magic and enchanting with the same intellect boost. Actually, all the elven races get the intellect boost, just different magical boosts and profession boosts depending on where they are born,” she explained.
“Okay, do any of the elven races get a general magical bonus?” I asked.
“No,” she answered simply. “As for the Dwarves, they all pretty much get the same stamina boosts, but depending on where they are born, they will get different weapon expertise or a +1 bonus to another stat, and all dwarves get some manner of crafting skills efficiencies.”
“Are there any other races you think would be worth looking at? I know from the forums, there are some crazy offshoot races, which can only be halflings,” I said.
“There are, such as the aquatic, reptilian and mammalian halflings. They can look very pretty, but the racial abilities are rather specific to a single style of play and from your previous statements in preferring more versatility I do not believe they would be a good fit,” she explained.
“Could you elaborate anyway? Just for my own edification?” I requested. I couldn’t help but be curious.
“For example, the aquatic races will get natural water breathing and bonus to dexterity, stamina or endurance, as well as one strong gathering bonus. The Mammalians can get bonuses to anything, as there are so many kinds of animals. They get some race specific attacks and skill bonuses and a single stat bonus gain per level, but again, it is a +1-bonus similar to the aquatic halflings, and then they also get one strong bonus to a gathering skill. As such, the people who usually select these do so to either make a specific class of character or just to earn money exclusively gathering and selling their goods though there are those who choose the mammalian halflings strictly for social purposes,” she answered, more thoroughly than I would have expected.
“So cool, but you’re right, I do prefer more versatility,” I replied.
“They do boast some of the most interesting characters and gameplay. For example, a water breathing privateer in one of the oceans and sea provinces can be effective to a devastating degree. Likewise, a cat halfling with a high level ‘Stealth’ skill, can be an outstanding assassin, due to their dexterity bonus and their bite and claw skills. There are several Bear halflings that make excellent tanks, due to their strength, stamina and endurance bonuses. However, based on your play style and preferences in gaming, I did not feel these would fit you. However, I cannot prevent you from choosing any race you wish, as I can only make recommendations.”
“Any others?” I asked, more out of curiosity at this point.
“There are also the Orcs, Goblins, Ogres, and Trolls with all their variants. They are all tribal races so while they seem primitive compared to some races they have some great combat bonuses, especially the Orcs and Ogres if you want to play a melee class. The Trolls get some bonuses to magic and Lore like the Elves. There are the Fae races, which include fairies, sprites, brownies and harpies, all gifted in the magical arts but weak physically. Is there a particular race you would care to know more about?” she answered and asked.
“No, but, thank you for the explanation,” I answered. In truth, I had done some study on the various races before, but it never hurt to gather a little more information and get another opinion. I also realized I was getting distracted yet again.
“It is what I was created for. Please take a moment and consider your options. Let me know if you need more information,” she stated.
“No, I think you explained everything perfectly well. I do believe I will go with the Half-High Elf, Half-Human race,” I stated.
“Okay, so as a Half-High Elf, Half-Human, you will get +1 bonuses to holy magic power, +1 Intellect, and +1 Charisma. This will be added to each additional level automatically. You will start with the profession Lore at level 2 and earn +25% experience in leveling Lore using one of your two profession slots. You will also have the racial ability Lesser Versatility, which will add a third profession slot in addition to increasing weapon skill experience gain by 10%. Please confirm,” she stated, reviewing the specifics of my soon to be new race.
A system message appeared in front of me with the details she’d just explained.
Race:
Half-High Elf, Half-Human
Elven Racial Bonus:
+1 Holy Spell power per Level, +1 Intellect per Level, +1 Level to starting Lore profession and +25% Lore Experience Gain
Human Racial Bonus:
+1 Charisma per Level, Lesser Versatility grants 1 additional profession slot for 3 total and the ability to learn to all weapon skills and +10% Weapon Skill Experience Gain.
Do you accept?
Yes
No
“Confirmed,” I said clearly, the ‘Yes’ flashed and the system message closed. I also took notice, it didn’t require me to say ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ to accept the quest, it would be much more organic once I started accepting and completing quests.
I reviewed the message one more time, it was a solid build. I’d never been much into crafting professions, but from what the forums had said, there were some phenomenal bonuses from certain crafting skills, and increasing the rate I could level my weapons skills would be huge in the long run.
“Great,” she said. She then gestured to her right side causing a mirror to appear. She then motioned for me to approach the mirror. “Now for your appearance.”
I finally stood from the bed, very thankful the room wasn’t cold or drafty. I couldn’t help but subconsciously cover a certain part of my anatomy, regardless of what Maggie said earlier. I took a few stumbling steps at first as I approached the mirror. It took a few steps more before I got used to walking in this world. Looking into the mirror, I was staring into my own image, or rather, mostly my own image. I was just as tall as I was in the real world, just over 6’2”, maybe I was slightly taller now, but I couldn’t really tell. My face was thick, matching the thickness of the rest of me, spare tire and all. The only real difference from my usual appearance was the long, pointy elven ears, they were at least 6 inches longer than my normal ears, and my eyebrows, which extended a good 2-inches out to the sides of my face. I also noticed, as an afterthought, my green eyes now had a faint glow to them.
“Wow,” I said, peering closer at my face, studying the eyebrows and ears. I loved the eyes but wished the ears were smaller and the eyebrows didn’t stick so far out.
“Just touch the mirror to select an aspect of your image to adjust your appearance as you prefer. Let me know if you require any assistance,” Maggie offered, still sitting comfortably in her armchair, paying no attention at all to my state of undress.
I put a finger on the mirror touching the eyebrow, it instantly froze the image and highlighted the eyebrows or rather greyed everything else out. On the right side, there was a color palette, but nothing to change the size.
“Just drag your finger along the mirror, it will change the eyebrow accordingly,” instructed Maggie from behind me. I never saw her move, wh
ich sent a chill down my spine. Creepier still, she had no reflection in the mirror which was both spooky and ghoulish.
Trying to ignore her presence behind me, I put my finger to the end of the eyebrow and dragged my finger across the mirror causing the hair there to become shorter and shorter until it just bare stuck out but wouldn’t let me make it any smaller. It was good enough. I then looked at the color palette. I’m a halfling now, might as well make myself look different. I tried the blue first, but it clashed with my green eyes. My natural brown didn’t look right either. Green was just too much green. I ended up torn between black or white. Black ended up looking too unfriendly for my tastes so white it was.
Next, I touched the ears, once again everything but the ears turned grey. For these, I only wanted to make them smaller so I quick drag from the tip to the smallest possible size and the face looked more familiar. I was mostly myself again.
I selected the hair last and changed it to the same white as my eyebrows. However, the right side of the mirror offered several different hairstyles. I smiled a little, I knew exactly what hair I wanted. I could never pull it off in real life, but in the game, it should be more than doable. Military Undercut, last option available. It looked a little odd in white, but still awesome except for the chubby face.
“Maggie, can we make me thinner?” I asked.
“Of course, just select the body part you which to change,” she answered, though not the answer I wanted.
“Is there a way to do it all at once so it comes out even?” I pressed.
“I can assist you, how do you wish to appear?” she asked, much to my relief.
“Healthy? Can you do that?” I asked.
“It depends on your definition of healthy,” she replied.
“How about how I should look once I exit the dive? I’m supposed to lose a ton of weight and build a bunch of muscle, right?”
It only took a moment for the image to morph and shift to match my request. My face thinned as did the rest of me. I now had a good amount of muscle and definition to my arms and chest, but my stomach still had a little gut to it. “Can you give me a six-pack? Same definition as my arms?” This might have been a bit of wish fulfillment on my part, but I figured I’m allowed. I was pleased as the gut shrunk until it was gone, replaced by the faint outline of a developing six-pack. Overall, I looked good.
“Are you satisfied with your appearance? You will not be able to change it once you finalize your appearance,” she stated clearly, maybe a little louder than I had come to expect from her.
“Can you give me a tan?” I asked.
Maggie answered by darkening my skin-tone a couple shades.
“I’m very satisfied.” If I could look this good in real life I don’t think I’d spend so much time in games . . . oh, who was I kidding? I would still spend the kind of time on games I do now.
“Very well then,” she said, which was followed by the mirror digitizing and vanishing.
“So, is it time to play?” I asked, starting to feel excited.
“Almost, before you enter there are something things we must review, then you can select one of fifty staring areas and set of starter equipment, including a weapon in the style of your choice,” Maggie answered.
I nodded.
“First, all points to stats must be earned. Other than the points your racial bonuses give you with each level you must work to increase your other stats through hard work and dedication. If you want strength, you must work on building strength, so lift heavy things repeatedly or put more effort into swinging your weapon. Nothing in this world will be given to you. Please also note, due to your racial improvements to Intellect and Charisma, your level cap is 50% higher than all other stats,” she began.
“Second, respect the gods. The system governing the gods and goddesses is very fickle, as it should be. A god could bless you one day and curse you the next, so be careful not to offend them. It is also possible, you might never interact with the gods, so do not get upset if you do not,” she continued.
“Third, World Tree citizens are just that, citizens. They each have their own feeling and beliefs as well as backstories. Do not assume, a citizen does not have a name just because he or she is identified as a Peasant of Burke. They each have a story of their own, or a quest to be shared with you after some form of conversation. The World Tree will provide you with unlimited opportunities to find those Easter Eggs, you so love if you are patient,” she continued still, making me curious. I wanted to interrupt and ask her questions, but she wasn’t having it.
“Forth, PvP is allowed everywhere, even in the towns and villages, with the exception of the inside of Root City itself. If you are killed by another player within 10 levels of you, they will steal the experience you’ve earned for your current level and 5% of the money on your person. This incentivizes an active PvP player base without risking your hard-earned gear or loot as they say. This does not prevent them from stealing items and money from your bag, and only your bag, excluding items bound to you, before they kill you. But, once you are dead, they cannot touch you. Please keep in mind, if you do engage in PvP while in a town or village, you will instantly be declared a criminal to be hunted down and killed by the guards,” she added.
“Finally, remember this is a game, you are there to have fun and enjoy yourself. Yes, the World Tree has proven to be lucrative for some and may be so for you but do not count on this to gain instant wealth and fame,” she finished.
“Any final questions?” Maggie asked.
“No ma’am,” I answered, unable to stop the grin splitting my face.
“Then let us select your starter gear and weapon,” she said.
Even as she said it I could not help but feel a sense of awe as the bookshelves the surrounded the room kind of folded into the wall where new shelves and racks fold out of the wall and even the floor revealing weapons in all kinds of styles and classifications.
“All of these weapons and armor are rated for a level 1 character with a base strength, dexterity, stamina, and endurance of 5. Please choose carefully. Whichever weapon you choose will give you a free level 1 skill in the weapon. All other weapon skills will have to either be trained by a professional or developed through practical application,” explained Maggie. “I recommend starting with the style of clothing you would prefer to start with.” She pointed to the only wall with armor, taking up one small section of the room.
The first thing I noticed, it was all light armor, which I suppose makes sense given she said it was based on my level. As a side thought, probably my current state of undress too. Looking at the options, it seemed I could choose a shirt, shoes, and pants in any style I want or a robe, shoes, and pants in any style I want. I’ve never been a big fan of robes, so the shirt won out.
“Do not forget your undergarment,” Maggie warned me with a hint of amusement in her voice. She then gestured to a shelf I had clearly skipped over. Naturally, I blushed a little.
“You have briefs here?” I asked, slightly surprised upon looking at the shelf she had pointed to.
“There were complaints from customers during beta testing about itching and discomfort, too many complaints. Hence, this one, and only one, leeway from the modern world. Please note only you, or someone with your explicit permission can remove those. It is one of our anti-rape protocols. Additionally, do not ever try to rape someone or blackmail, someone, to have sex with you. Not a citizen of the World Tree nor another player. It is an instant character deletion and permanent ban, as well as instant jail time for the attempt. It is one of the few gamer rights laws the supreme court has upheld,” Maggie explained. I was surprised by the edge in her voice, then again, maybe I just perceived an edge because of how serious the topic was.
I could only nod and grabbed a pair of black boxer briefs which instantly resized to fit me perfectly. Then I pulled on a pair of black burlap pants and a white burlap short-sleeve shirt. Followed by a pair of sandals, socks were not available, and I didn�
��t appreciate the feel of the shoes on my feet without them.
“You may also select either a traveler’s cloak or a vest,” she offered, pointing at the next shelf over.
“Is there a difference?” I asked.
“They both provide the same armor but fit a different equipment slot,” she explained.
“Does one give me more benefit for the quests in the starting province?” I asked. I didn’t figure she’d tell me, but it never hurt to ask.
“You’re right, it does not hurt to ask,” she answered.
It took me a minute to puzzle out she had read my mind again. The exasperated sigh escaping my mouth was ignored. I didn’t particularly care for any of the traveling cloaks, so I took a green vest.
“And finally, a weapon. You may choose either a ranged or melee weapon. Ranged weapons will be supplied a small stock of ammunition,” she explained, motioning to the numerous racks of weapons.
Here is where I took my time. I had played so many MMO’s in the past, I could identify almost every weapon. I could also honestly say, I had never used most of them before. In the past I always kept it simple, a sword, a dagger or a mace. Simple weapons of this nature are common enough and can reliably be leveled up without much fuss. But here, I was presented with an opportunity to do something wildly different.
The Curse of Hurlig Ridge_World Tree Online_1st Dive Page 2
