by Tony Corden
“Wonderful! Now there are two final things. Firstly, are you certain you wish to take out the ‘Wood’ option? This option has fewer choices for travellers and is the most difficult. I must remind you that this option has a minimum pain threshold of 50%. Some people have found this to be quite distressing. So, are you sure of this choice?”
“I don’t have any other options; this is all I can afford. Yes, I am certain.”
“Noted. Be aware that for a fee, you can upgrade at a later date should you so desire. Finally, I need your verbal agreement to deduct forty Virtual Credits from your account.”
“I agree.”
“Our business then is done. I wish you the very best and remind you that further payment is due on the eighteenth of December, in your worlds calendar.”
“Thank you, Julian. I do have two questions though.” Julian nodded and indicated that Leah should continue. “Do I return to see you, to pay, or can I arrange that elsewhere?”
Julian smiled, “I would love to see you again, but you can pay through your world’s systems or at any branch of the Dunyanin Bank. And your other question?”
“Is this what you do all day or do you have other jobs? And how long have you been working here?”
“Ah, two questions for the price of one. I see you’ll make a fine trader. I only spend a part of my day with young travellers. I used to own an advocacy practice in the major town of Harika in the Kingdom of Ovalar. I’ve retired, and my son is advocate now. Meeting new travellers is something that some retired advocates do to make a little extra, and to stop them going slightly mad with all the extra time they have on their hands. If you are ever in Harika, please look me up, it would be gratifying to hear how you are progressing in our land. Anyone you ask will know of the Advocate Julian, or his son Vincent.”
“Thank you, if I’m ever there I will look you up.”
“Alright then, well off you go. To finish your setup you need to head through that door and have a talk with Yvette.”
Leah made her way through the door and found herself in what looked like a salon. There was a salon-style chair in the middle of a room and a middle-aged, well-dressed, immaculately coiffed lady standing next to it. There was a privacy screen in the corner.
“Come in dear; please come in. My name is Yvette, and I’m here to help you prepare yourself, to be who you want to be in Dunyanin. If you’d prefer you can do this by yourself.”
“No, please, I’d appreciate your help. Julian was wonderful, and he helped a lot. So please what do I need to do?”
“Lovely, to start with come and stand over here. I’m afraid you aren’t able to have the full range of choices today as you’ve taken the ‘Wood’ package. But no worries, you do have some options. The first thing to choose is what race you want to be. Have a look in the mirror; your first choice is to stay fully human.”
Leah looked in the mirror and saw herself as she always was but this time dressed in the tunic and breeches. A small window opened beside the mirror with a description of humans, their abilities and limitations.
Yvette said, “You can read all that or I can simplify it if you like.”
“Yes, please.”
“Well, basically humans have all the same qualities and characteristics you now have, similar agility and strength. If you're a human many of the races will either hate you or fear you. Most importantly, the elves will treat you with disdain; the dwarves won’t trust you and everyone not hiding from you will try and kill you. The major benefit is that you can learn almost anything, including magic. There are different kinds of humans, so if you choose this, you’ll need to pick again, although, that is true for all races. Any questions?”
“Probably, but I would like to look at what else is available first.”
“Very wise! Next, you could be an elf.”
The picture slowly morphed into a taller version of herself with pointier ears and an even more pronounced slant to her eyes and eyebrows. Her chin and nose became slightly narrower, and hair grew until it fell in a braid down her back. While this was happening Leah could sense the changes occurring in her own body, and she reached up to feel her hair, and she touched the points of her ears. The elf looking out of the mirror was still recognisable as Leah.
“Elven ladies are never seen without hair, dear, I hope you don’t mind.”
“No, not at all, I usually have long hair, it's just that I had to shave it recently.”
“Well all right then, I wasn’t going to say anything, but it's really only the goblin females who have no hair, and I haven’t had any customers without, previously.”
“Now, elves are about as strong as humans though they are more agile than humans. In fact, if you decide to be an elf you’ll get four additional character points to start with, in ‘Agility’. Elves are also more attuned to magic and have some resistance to it. The damage done by magic will be reduced by ten percent, you’ll learn magic faster, and you’ll also begin with four additional ‘Wisdom’ points. Elves see better in the dark. Now, the downside. Elves live longer and so take longer to reach their potential. Any skills you want to learn will take longer, and you only have five skill points at the start to distribute, instead of the usual ten. The number of skill points you get at each level is also reduced. Like humans, elves don’t get on with the other races, but instead of killing each other they ignore them. Except for goblins, orcs and the like, those will pass up a human to kill an elf: except the dark elves, of course.” Yvette paused in case Leah had any questions.
Leah just shook her head, and Yvette continued, “Ok, next, you could be a dwarf.”
Again Leah could feel the transformation as she lost height and broadened out. She ended up about four feet tall and almost twice as broad as usual. Her ears and eyes were back to normal, but her nose and eyebrows had thickened, and her hair became coarse and heavy. The most obvious thing to Leah was her breasts, which grew and grew and grew. She could feel them in a way she never had before.
“Oh my,” she said, looking down.
“Oh my, indeed.” Echoed Yvette, “Dwarven lasses are well built. Now where elves live mainly in the forests and on the plains, dwarves love high mountains and canyons, places close to the earth. Dwarves are stronger than humans, though less agile. If you decide to be a dwarf, you’ll get five additional character points to start with in ‘Strength’. Dwarves are also somewhat resistant to learning magic, except that is, for ‘earth’ and ‘fire’ magic. What that means is: those are the only types of magic you’d be able to learn, and you’d progress in them at a slower rate. Dwarves see well in the dark. They are mistrustful of everyone, but as they don’t try and kill everyone on sight, they are usually ignored by most of the races unless they pick a fight. Now, as with every rule, there is an exception. Dwarves are hated by dragons and the dragon-kin.”
“Unfortunately, these are the only options you have dear, those and the mixtures: human-elf, human-dwarf, and elven-dwarf. If you were prepared to spend a little more, I could add other races for you to consider.”
“No, thank you. I’m afraid this is my limit. I’m not interested in the dwarf. What is the human-elf mix?”
“The half-breed human elf.” As Yvette spoke, Leah’s image returned to its human form and then grew slightly. Her face remained mostly unchanged except for the ears which became slightly pointed. “As a half-elf, you would have slightly increased agility, so two additional ‘Agility’ points. You have a greater affinity for magic and so two additional ‘Wisdom’ points. You get no damage reduction to magical attack but an increased night vision. As a half human, you can learn all skills. The downside, you also start with both elves and humans against you. They won’t kill you, but everything will usually cost more, and it’ll be harder to find quests etc.”
Leah had Yvette show her all three options again and then asked a few questions about skills and enemies to help clarify it all in her mind. After about ten minutes of going back and forth, Leah finally came to a t
entative decision.
“Ok. I’m going to go with a half-human half-elf. Are there different types?”
The discussion took another twenty minutes as there were humans from agrarian kingdoms and warrior states, there were Barbarians, Highlanders, Islanders and Savages. The elves were High-elves, Forest-elves, Plains-elves, Sea-elves, Desert-elves and Dark-elves.
Leah decided on playing the mix of a Highland human and a Forest-Elf. If she was honest, it was less a rational decision than an aesthetic and emotional one. Sure, Leah appreciated the extra points, although, she didn't yet understand what that was going to mean. No, she saw herself as a mix, half white and half Asian, someone not truly accepted by anyone. She also liked the slightly broader shoulders the Highland genes gave her. She identified her mother with the nature-loving Forest-elves more so than any of the others. So really it was a heart decision and not a head one, and she was happy with the choice.
Yvette looked pleased with the choice and commented on how lovely Leah looked. She then motioned Leah over to the chair to have a seat.
“So, you look amazing but let’s put on the finishing touches. Is there anything about your appearance you want to change. Not your body but your face and hair.”
A mirror appeared in front of the chair, and Yvette began subtly to modify Leah’s eyes and nose to show Leah what was possible.
“No, actually I’m happy with how I look. I’ve always mocked those who spend a lot changing their nose, teeth, eyes and boobs. I’ve got broader shoulders and pointier ears. That’ll do I think.”
“Ok then, now to clothing. You don’t have much to choose from, I’m afraid.”
Three ‘Leahs’ walked out from behind the privacy screen all dressed in different outfits. One was wearing a dark green dress with three-quarter sleeves and a dark hooded cape over her shoulders, the hood hanging behind. The second wore dark brown slacks and a dark green tunic. Over her shoulders sat a thick cowl that was drawn over her head and hiding her features. The last wore a thigh length skirt, a form-hugging pale linen shirt and dark red vest. All three slowly turned and walked back and forth.
“Can I mix and match?” Leah asked.
“Certainly, what would you like to see?”
“No dresses or skirts so the dark slacks. Try those with the white shirt and vest and the cape.”
All three walked behind the privacy screen, and a single Leah walked out dressed as asked. Yvette spoke up, “It not really done dear, to have the vest and the cape together, but I think I can make an exception if you are sure you like it.”
“Can I change any of the colours?”
“Only slightly dear, I have Highlander and Forest Elves to choose from and only the basic palettes.”
Yvette indicated with her hands, and two swatches of colour appeared on cards in front her. One was from the forest and had the dark brown and various greens, including one that was almost black. The other had a light red, a light grey, a deep maroon, and both a dark purple as well as several blue colours and a mustard yellow.
“Ok … how about … the pants in the very dark green, also the cape. The shirt in the pale grey and the vest in the dark maroon.”
Again the model moved behind the screen to return moments later dressed as indicated.
“That looks lovely. A bit dark and intimidating though, don’t you think?”
“Yes, it is.” Leah said smiling, “I like it.”
“Alright, no refunds dear, are you sure?”
“Yes.”
“Ok. Well, you duck behind the screen and get dressed.”
Leah walked behind and swapped the clothes she was wearing for her new gear. She knew that it was possible for it to all to just appear but it felt real pulling the clothes on and off. As she walked out from behind the screen, a mirror appeared so she could look at herself.
“Yvette, is it possible to change the colour of the boots to the dark green?”
Yvette just looked at her. She sighed deeply and whispered. “Not really dear, I’m not supposed to change those.” She smiled and said, “But I like you, most of the young things that come through and demand, not ask. I’ll change them, how about the tunic, belt and stockings while I’m at it?
“I can keep them?”
“Of course dear, most people arrive in their clothes, but I heard you came through naked. They were a rush job, but the best I could do on the spur of the moment. I’m not sure if Julian would have survived otherwise.” Yvette said laughing.
Leah gave Yvette a quick hug and said, “Thank you, thank you so much. I would have been so embarrassed otherwise.”
Yvette softly patted Leah on the shoulder and said, “Your very welcome my dear. I know what it’s like to grow up without much. I’m from Ticareti the capital city of the Merchant Kings of Tuccarlonca. I own a boutique there. It’s run now by my children, but I still have a finger in the business. If you’re ever in Ticareti, please come and see me, I’ll offer you a wider range, with special prices. Now, what colours for the tunic, belt and leggings?”
“I’ll definitely come if I’m there. I’d like the stockings in the light grey and the tunic the dark blue. The belt in the grey as well. Thank you so much for everything.”
Yvette retrieved the discarded clothes from behind the screen and wrapped them in some brown paper and tied it with a string. “There you go, dear. Now you head through that door and grab some gear, and a weapon, from Durustfuar, our quartermaster for today.”
Clutching the package, Leah waved goodbye and headed for the door Yvette indicated. After a long corridor, she entered large storeroom with weapons racked down one-half and all types of shoes, boots, bags, tents, foodstuffs and a myriad of other supplies in shelves on the other side. Standing in the centre, looking rather fierce, was a dwarf. He was about four and a half feet tall, and he had a long braided beard and long hair, fastened behind his head with a leather tie. He was broad and barrel-chested. His arms were bare except for wide leather wristbands.
He said, “This’ll be quick. You’ve got the ‘Wood’ package, so you don’t get much and anyhow, you look like you’d break in a stiff wind.” He stood and stared at Leah, waiting for a reaction.
Leah calmly stared back; she’d dealt with Jimmy Loo and knew how to wait through silence, it was all about the timing.
They continued to stare at each other for several minutes until Durustfuar’s moustache began to twitch just a little and his eyes started to crinkle. Leah timed it just right and the moment before Durustfuar opened his mouth she said, “Well all right then, let’s get on with it. What do you have for me, kind sir?”
Durustfuar broke out in a deep chuckle, “Well I’ll be, a Traveller with patience, wit and backbone. You’ll do lass; you’ll do. You’ll have a hard time being what you are, but you’re all right. Don’t worry. I’ll set ya right, bless me, I will. Over here then.”
He started down the side with all the supplies. “Now ya can’t have much as yer doing it hard with the wooden package. You can have a bag to keep your gear. It holds more than ya can believe and is magic’d to reduce the weight. You can choose one with up to fifty slots, but it’ll keep things that are the same in the same slot. Do you want a backpack or a shoulder bag?”
“Well, Durustfuar, to be honest, it’ll depend on my weapon choices. I’m used to knives, but I also keep some fighting sticks in my backpack, so I can just reach behind to grab them. Are any of your packs made for that?”
“Patience, wit, backbone and a smart fighter. You make a good point that ya do. Most Travellers just have their special magic change the weapon for them, but it can take time, it can. It’ll be easier to have the weapons within reach. I get that, I do. Ok, let’s do weapons first.”
They made their way over to the weapon racks, and Durustfuar looked very apologetic “Yer only allowed to choose one, ye can have a sword, staff or a bow. And yer allowed to have a knife.”
Leah thought for a bit and said, “Look, I know it sounds crazy, but I’d
rather have a couple of knives. I don’t know how to use a bow or a sword yet. I can use a staff but will probably be able to find a good sized branch to do the job. I feel good about a knife in either hand and would prefer that if possible.”
Durustfuar just stared at Leah. Finally, he said, “Lass, ya keep surprising me, that you do. I can make it work; I can. Let’s have a look at the knives and see what we have. I think you might need more than just the simple knife as it doesn’t hold an edge.” He went to a shelf covered in knives of every sort. “I can’t let ya choose from all these as some are fer the big spenders. But I can change it up a bit, yes I can. Now, which of these can you use?”
Leah had a good look and sorted them into four piles. Into the first was knives she knew would be above her level or looked way too expensive. Next were some knives she wanted but hadn’t used before. Then a pile of knives similar to her boot knives and the ones she often carried. In the last pile, she placed the knives she thought were too poor to be much use unless she had nothing else. She pointed to each pile and explained her choices.
Durustfuar pursed his lips and scratched his head. He looked back and forth between Leah and the knives. He took out a pencil and made some marks on a piece of paper from his pocket. And then he did it all again. Finally, he said, “I’m sure there’ll be hell to pay, but I’ve a proposition for ya. I’m from Daglar Duman a settlement in the Demir Dovuyor Mountains. If yer promise to make a trip to my settlement and give a letter to my brother Durustguclu, sometime in the next couple of months, then I’ll let you choose two of the boot knives, a neck knife and one fer yer belt. I can nay give ya the best quality, but will let you have the common iron ones, which are a lot better than the blunt, rusted and bronze ones you put aside that you’d normally get.”
“How far is the settlement and wouldn’t it be easier for you to go? I want to help, but I don’t have any money, no transport and will just be Level 1.”