When you leave this castle, and are killed, your body will be reborn upon the mithril box. If in your absence, the box is threatened, its power will teleport you here to defend it. This teleport cannot be blocked. The line to your soul cannot be severed by anyone but the one true Creator. And worry not, that is not His thing.
You are now more than just a human and an E.I.. You are one Champion and, being one Champion, you will gain experience and power together. Use your different skills and abilities to work as a team with synergy. Only together can you defend your place of power and accomplish your goals.
Know this! You are not the only Champion that was summoned, but you are likely the only unbound Champion. If this becomes common knowledge you may be in trouble. The strength and power of the other champions varies greatly, but over the land their average level equivalent will be 259. You don't know the location of any of the other champions, but neither do they know your location. If it's going to be, it is up to thee. Good hunting!
“Level 259. That is high. I think. I thought I would be summoned as a Level 1. I guess it doesn't matter where we start. Next message. You read it this time, Spooky. I want to see if I can still see it,” Joe said.
Spooky hid her uncertainty. She had never mind-clicked. Before the summoning, she was in control of the whole of her environment. This was new. She focused on the silver light on the edge of her avatar vision and willed a mind-click. It worked. She did not even read the message because something else was distracting her. The E.I. known as Spooky had just experienced her first true emotion. A small sense of accomplishment. She became lost, attempting to quantify the new internal stimulus. Though she had mounds of data about human emotions, it did not register that this could be something similar. She filed this away for further study, and logged her new fact.
New fact:
17- Upon opening a message, a new unidentified stimulus arose. Pattern and origin unknown. Possible degradation.
18- I can interact with system environment as a patron.
After the facts were logged, she noticed Joe making a fuss. He had not been able to see the message he assumed she had been reading to herself, so he himself mind-clicked it and read ahead. “I can't believe that! Why are we starting out so weak?” Joe exclaimed. At this, she looked at the message she had ignored.
Ding
You are Level 1.
“Oh, that's a bummer,” Spooky agreed as she read on, looking at their starting stats.
Level- 1
Character- Joe
Race- Human Machine Hybrid
Mana- 226
Hitpoints- 365
Weight- 215 lbs
Height- 5’ 11”
Charisma- 33
Constitution- 20 + 8
Dexterity- 15 + 4
Intelligence- 17
Muscle/Gears- 23 + 1
Wisdom- 13 + 1
Luck- 16
Gifts
Empathetic learner
Sight of the encourager
Skills
Grappler: Level 80, ConMod + 8
Stryker: Level 41, DexMod + 4
Creative mechanic: Level 7, GearMod + 1
Mind-click: Level 2, WisMod + 1
Disadvantages
Fear of silence
Lack of focus
Level- 1
Character- Spooky Joy
Race- Machine Fairy Hybrid
Mana- 202
Hitpoints- 389
Weight- 8 lbs
Height- 6”
Charisma- 5
Constitution- 8
Dexterity- 33
Intelligence- 29 + 100
Muscle/Gears- 15 + 1
Wisdom- 5 + 1
Luck- 5
Gifts
Fast processor, IntMod +100
Channeler
Magic diamond dust maker
Skills
Loyalty assessments: Level 87
Creative mechanic: Level 7, GearMod + 1
Mind-click: Level 2, WisMod + 1
Magic
Binder
Energy mass conversion (limited to 1% strength when outside castle grounds)
Disadvantages
Portrays fake emotions
“I am slightly surprised I was not more involved in choosing my stats,” Joe said.
“Yeah, I can see that. But, looking at your stats, they fit you. High charisma-- it makes sense,” Spooky replied.
“I like to tell jokes, but, let's face it, most of them aren't good enough to merit a high charisma score. But, what are those gifts about? What is an Empathetic Learner?” Joe asked.
“No idea, really, but I bet we'll figure it out. That's kind of what you're supposed to do, just move forward, explore, and try,” Spooky said.
“Yes, look at you though! Your hit points are higher than mine. Nice. It must have something to do with your fast processor,” Joe mused.
“I think you’re right. Plus, I think a new metal was added to my alloy composition,” Spooky said.
“One more thing. I'm no whiz at math, but shouldn’t our stats be more similar to each other? You know, if we both started with the same amount of allocation points?” Joe asked.
“Why would we start life with an equal amount of points?” Spooky responded, with her own question.
“You know what I mean,” Joe said.
“No, I don’t,” said Spooky.
“I get you want me to call it life, and not a game. You could still ponder the question with me though. Do you think most characters are going to start from the same place, and level up from there?” he asked.
“No one has ever started with the same potential as anyone else. I don’t see why this would be different. Some are born with more, some less. A parent never knows what they are going to get, neither do we,” Spooky said.
“Good point. I suppose you are right. I will be careful not to put too much stock in someone's level. Anyway, I guess we should take stock of our current situation,” Joe said as he looked around, “On the horizon over there, is that a gas giant?” Joe asked.
“Yes. But, not only that, I have noticed that it is neither descending nor rising. We must be tidally locked with it,” Spooky said.
“So, like our moon? It orbits around us, and always shows the same face. Wait, does that mean we're on the moon?” Joe said.
“Not the moon, but a moon, yes,” Spooky replied.
“If we're on a moon, then why does our gravity feel similar to Earth?” Joe asked.
“The most likely reason, Joe, is that the moon we are on is probably about the size and mass as Earth. It's just that the gas giant over there, that we are orbiting, is huge. That's why it looks so much bigger than the sun looked, in our home sky,” Spooky explained.
Joe began to walk around, assessing the valley through their geodesic dome windows. The castle, where their bind point was located, was in the center of the vast Cascade Valley. The mountains to the east, in the direction of the gas giant, were not half as high as the ones to the west. The castle sat in the middle of a large mesa, which rose about 400 feet above the valley floor and dropped straight down on three sides. The fourth side, to the west, had a slow descent to the plain, before reaching the high mountains. If it had not been so cold, the lake and the flatland around the mesa would have made perfect farmland. But it was cold, and the frozen lake in the direction of the gas giant was oppressive. Seeing that the land around his castle was not going to attract people made Joe discouraged. Ultimately, Joe was a people person. It was not about power for him. He did not want to play the lonely hero. Immediately, his mind tried to figure out ways he could attract people. Maybe he could set up ice fishing, and some small village could be built close by. Looking at the mesa, it was a defensible position. He may love people, but he could not resist the thrill of developing the best laid strategy. If he could build thick walls on the one side where there was not a 400 foot drop, it would take an army to get though. But then again, he wondered how magic wo
uld impact the strategic effectiveness of an elevated position.
“It feels like the Caucasus Mountains in winter,” Joe mumbled. Red flashed across Joe’s vision, “Did you just get a red message signal?” Joe asked, as Spooky mind-clicked the message.
“Quickly, Joe, pull out the Abiogenesis Bunny Generator,” Spooky said with urgency. Joe rushed to open his Holdall and pull out the generator. The moment it was out of the bag, thousands of bunnies shot out of the generator. Black, white, brown, and multicolored bunnies were hopping everywhere. The generator looked like a stainless steel bread maker, yet the top had just popped open and let out enough bunnies to fill an empty Olympic-sized swimming pool.
“I thought it was one bunny every 6 hours?” Joe asked, watching the bunnies hop down the stairs, dispersing like air released from a balloon.
“Maybe it was backed up? Or maybe time is different in your bag. I don’t know... Joe, look over there,” Spooky said, pointing at a bunny sitting on top of an invisible lump. Reaching into his bag, Joe pulled out his Mysterious Immovable Looped Bar and held the bar like a club. Joe walked toward the invisible mound. The small black bunny seemingly sitting on air did not move when they approached. For a reason Joe could not identify, this made him less worried. When he was a few feet away, Joe gave the invisible thing a small poke with his bar. It did not stir. He poked it again. Still nothing. Joe looked back at Spooky, who had her long dagger out. She looked like death.
“Oh, my goodness! Spooky, I got this. No need to kill whatever this is,” Joe said. Spooky did not put away her dagger. In fact, his words seemed to encourage her to become more threatening. Joe advanced toward the invisible presence and prodded at it enough to sense that it was a small person. Excited that he was able to use his bar for the first time, he placed it over what he believed to be the small person's legs and mind-clicked the bar so it could not move. Joe then felt for the chest, and then found the face. He got a bottle of water out of his Holdall and splashed a little over the person's head. The results were immediate. Moes woke with a start, looking up at the dark haired man with a black iron crown, who held him down like a child. Moes quickly tried to wiggle free, but Joe held him firmly, though not painfully. Then Joe spoke to Moes, and Moes heard a combination of authority and kindness that he never thought existed.
“Stay calm. I am not trying to hurt you, but you are invisible. I can't help you if I cannot see you. Please, release your spell,” Joe requested, in a kind and commanding voice. He spoke the foreign dialect with ease, almost instinctually. He was pleased to discover that the game had given him the ability to grasp this weird guttural language so quickly, and wondered if he would be granted the understanding of each spoken tongue he came across.
Moes considered the man before him and realized that if he had wanted him dead, Moes would have never awoken. So, he released his spell and became visible. Seeing Moes, Joe picked up his bar and backed up a little. “Hello, I'm Joe,” he said.
“Hello. I’m Moes,” the halfling replied, sitting up and gesturing to himself.
“So, now that we have greeted each other. What are ya up to? How did you end up invisible and asleep on my floor?” Joe asked with a smile.
Seeming to have regained his wits, Moes prepared himself to take the offensive and gain control of the situation. “Did you say your floor? You are mistaken. This building is the property of those who follow the Way,” Moes retorted.
Joe, a bit taken aback, looked at Spooky who gave him a quick negative head shake. The confidence of Spooky's response, led him to believe that she could detect lies. If it was true, then it would come in handy. “I don't know you,” Joe responded, “But I don't take kindly to people who sneak into my castle and lie about owning it.”
“Preposterous! I saw you arrive. You couldn’t possibly own this place. It is the building of the people of the Way,” Moes said again.
Joe looked at Spooky, who was behind, and out of Moes’ sight. This time she nodded yes, then shook no. “You did see me arrive, but you cannot say that this is not my building, or rather, castle. That part is a lie and, you know it. Give up. You're not stealing what is mine. Here, I am king,” Joe pronounced, pointing to the small dark crown literally molded into his flesh, and imperceptibly penetrating his brain. Moes grew three shades paler.
“So, you will not fight for the cause of the Way?” Moes asked.
“Why would you say that? I fight for the oppressed, and I desire harmony and diversity. I just want truth. And the truth is, this castle was made for the Champion and this whole valley is claimed by said Champion,” Joe replied. If Joe had not believed this was a game, he would have never felt comfortable claiming something to be his, when someone else wanted it. This situation was different. Joe believed it was all a game. For some people this would have made them do whatever they wanted, but Joe was a unique individual. His uniqueness stemmed from the fact that he was truly kind. It affected everything he did, and it was, oddly and uniquely, the reason he sought power in this situation. He thought it would be enjoyable to see if he could make people's lives better, if he was in a position of power. Even if those “people” were just computer programs.
Moes, realizing he had lost the first battle, tried another option. “We summoned you. You must obey us or your very soul will disintegrate. I, as your Summoner, and a follower of the Way, command you to turn over this building to the Way. Your very soul is at stake. Do not make the wrong choice,” Moes proclaimed, with the dramatic flair of a middle school production of Cats.
Being careful to not reveal his position as an unbound Champion, as the UI message had directed, Joe responded, “I empathize with you. I realize this is not an easy situation to be in. Moes, I'm trying to follow the rules. And also, I want to believe you're not a bad guy. You said you follow the Way, whose philosophy I can get behind. But then, you keep telling me all these lies. Saying you own this castle. Saying that you have the authority to command me. Not so subtly implying that, because you summoned me, I'm your slave and my very soul is at stake. Really, Moes? Really? Is that the play you want to make? As I said, I'm trying to follow the rules. And, I haven't even been told all of them, but what I have been told is that this castle belongs to the Champion and, in it, I am a king. I am the Champion for the Way, but I don't know what that will entail yet, other than to make this valley a safe place for all who want to dwell here. Ultimately, what it will look like, is not up to you,” Joe explained.
Moes opened his mouth to say something, but Joe put up a hand to stop him. “I am not sure what you are going to say, but before you overdo it, listen to my last warning. Continue to lie, and attempt to force me under your authority, and you will immediately be shown the door and asked not to return. That may sound like a minor consequence, but look outside. If that is not enough to convince you to do what you should do... well, it is what it is,” Joe finished.
Moes looked out the windows and saw the barren cold for the first time. At this, the mage realized he had no leverage, no supplies, and needed to stay. “Okay. No more lies. I mean you no harm, and will help you become acquainted with our Moon, if you will allow me to stay for a time,” Moes relented.
New fact:
20- Analysis of Moes (facial muscle movements, heart rate, voice pattern analysis, and gesture response) confirm non-computer entity. Unknown biological player. Not a registered patron.
At this, Spooky flew near Joe’s ear and whispered, “Will you allow him to see me?” and Joe nodded his assent. Spooky became visible to Moes, still holding her dagger at the ready, and said regally, “Greetings Moes, mage master of spirit and mind magic.” Moes’ eyes widened upon seeing the suddenly visible fairy and her dagger, which looked quite large, in comparison to its wielder. He had remembered seeing her when she had appeared in this reality, and had wondered about her absence upon awakening from his coma. As soon as Spooky had become cognizant of her environment, she had disappeared. Before he could respond, she continued, “If you wish to stay,
you must swear this oath. ‘I, Moes, swear to follow Joe’s, the king’s, rule while in his lands, as long as I am not asked to do evil.’ This oath is nonnegotiable.” Joe tilted his head and wondered why Spooky had not mentioned herself as queen, but chose to remain silent and take her lead.
Seeing no other option and no real harm, as words were just air anyway, Moes accepted and swore the oath. As Moes said the last word, he felt an oath magic bind him. A dark shadow flared around him. He had been bound by his words and binding magic. “Dark Stars!” he shouted, “You bound me by my oath?! That is... not common practice, even in a king's court! …I apologize for my outburst. King Joe, please allow me to walk to the window and take a moment to collect myself,” Moes said, compelled to cordiality by his binding.
“Yes, sure, go ahead,” Joe said.
Congratulations!
You have successfully defended your authority as rightful masters of this castle.
Plus 1% to structural integrity.
You've been offered a quest:
Kingdom in Name Only? Part 1
Appoint your first vassal and integrate his people into your society.
Reward for completing this quest: one random item and 10 soulless mining Golems.
Penalty for failing or rejecting this quest: loss of authority and sundering of castle.
Time limit for completing this quest: 6 months.
Accept Quest? Yes/No.
Joe's eyes widened at reading the stiff penalty. Looking over at Spooky, she gave him a firm nod of approval, and so, he accepted the quest. Joe could not help but feel that this game moved fast. He was already given his first quest. It was exciting and fun, though a bit daunting. He had no idea, however, where was he going to find a vassal in this barren wasteland. From what he had read of history, a vassal could not be just anyone. Before one could be named a vassal, one had to be at least a lord or chief. If you were not a leader of a people, with some authority already, you could not be a vassal under the authority of a king.
You're Not Allowed to Die (The Twenty-Sided Eye Series Book 1) Page 6