Master of None

by Shane Walker

  As the new menu appeared, my eyes were assaulted with an impressive list of Traits and their descriptions. Some of these were insane! Everything from unique abilities gained only through the trait to various changes to your class or race. Even some affecting skill and stat growth.

  Alfred, can you filter these for me? I asked of my new digital friend. Looking at all of them at once was just too much.

  “Yes, sir. However you wish.”

  Great. To start, just show me the traits that affect skill growth.

  Without another word from Alfred, a lot of the traits disappeared. Most of what remained increased learning speed of skills in certain categories, but it was all a bit specific. Things like “Increase learning speed for weapon skills” or “Start the game with X skills at Level 5.” These were some pretty pedestrian options. I wanted something bigger.

  That’s when I saw Master of None.

  Master of None: Double Effective Intellect for Skills (Double Skill Level Limit), but One-Fourth Effective Intellect for Spells (Quarter Spell Level Limit. Includes Schools of Magic)

  Now this was interesting. I could pick up all sorts of skills like this! Nothing like diversifying the old portfolio, eh?

  OK, then I want Master of None as my first Trait.

  “Very good, sir. What shall you take second?”

  Is there a trait that boosts my Intellect?

  “Yes, sir. Superior Intellect grants an additional three points of Intellect per Class level.”

  OK that’s perfect for my second trait. No clue where the third one should go. I admitted. While the first two made perfect sense and worked well together, he didn’t know where to go from there.

  “Sir, if I may suggest something. There is a trait called Smarter Not Harder that will negate MP increases from Intellect beyond the basic 100 base MP, but you will receive 2.5 SP per Intellect. As you have stated you have no interest in magic and are already increasing your Intellect gains, this would be a very good fit for your build.”

  Wow that does sound perfect, Alfred! OK, that’s my last trait, right? What’s next?

  “Next, let us find you a good starting location.” he said as he pulled up a map of the world.

  Well, I want somewhere with a lot of potential trainers for crafting and other skills, but I also don’t want to start with dwarves. They just aren’t my thing. Also, I want to start somewhere with fewer players so I don’t have to compete for quests and resources.

  “Based on what you’ve said, I would recommend the border city Gnometheran. It sits inside Gnomish country near the border with Human lands.”

  Sounds good, Alfred. You’re the guide. I said.

  “Very good, sir. Now, what name shall you take in The Realms?” Alfred asked, his question forcing me to pause for a bit

  I always struggled with this part in the past, always wanting a good “fantasy” name that fit the world and hated the guys that always had “420” or “xtreme” somewhere in their name, especially on RP servers, but this was different.

  This wasn’t just a game or a role-play. This game would become my job. It could become my life. Not to mention, it was a way out of the shithole of a life my family and I had lived. I wanted something I’d be able to live with and go by.

  I looked back over my character sheet and made my decision the instant my eyes landed on the Master of None trait. It was cheesy and I loved it.

  You can call me Jack.

  Jack Alltrades.

  Name: Jack Alltrades

  Race: Human

  Class: Rogue

  Level: 1

  STR: 10

  AGI: 13

  VIT: 10

  INT: 15

  WIL: 10

  END: 11

  2-Stock Options

  In the time it took to blink, the office was gone and I was in The Realms. Taking stock of my newly acquired in-game body I realized I was on one knee, with both hands on the ground on either side of my front foot. It had a very “robot from the future sent back for the ultimate cockblock” vibe to it.

  Wait a fucking minute. I thought to myself when I noticed the leather gear I was wearing. I wasn’t wearing this before. Where did it come from?

  “I can answer that, sir.” came Alfred’s voice as he was suddenly standing beside me.

  Oh yeah, he’s here. I thought to myself. Although, I guess it was thinking to him, too.

  “That I am, sir.” he said, once again responding to my thoughts.

  Having a psychic AI with me would take awhile to get used to.

  So, where did the threads come from, Alfred?

  “System assigned starting gear for a Rogue, sir.” came his very simple explanation. It made sense I guess, but some choice would have been nice. From what I could tell, it looked like basic clothing with a boiled leather chest-piece that just barely protected my vital organs.

  “Now,I suggest we go introduce ourselves to some NPCs to get you started.” he instructed, shifting gears.

  Alfred, how do NPCs interact with you? I asked, not sure how to handle bringing him around with me talking to NPCs and fighting monsters.

  “No one can see or hear me except you, sir.” he said. “Additionally, no one can physically interact with me and vice versa. Also, no one can see your side of our interactions. It is happening, as you might say, in your head.”

  Well, that was good to know. I assumed it was the same for all players so that none of us would look like we were talking to imaginary friends. If that were the case I think I’d have gone with Fred instead of Alfred. I thanked him for the clarification right as we got to the gate.

  “Welcome to Gnometheran, adventurer!” The guard exclaimed with a welcoming smile. “We were told to expect your kind to start appearing but I never expected to see a human in the Gnomish lands! Anything I can help you with?”

  I know Gnomes are friendly, but I really didn’t expect such a warm welcome considering I’m a human AND a rogue. I said, somewhat shocked, in an aside to Alfred.

  “Rogue does not equate to thief or criminal in this world, sir. And as for his question, I’d suggest looking for someone you can begin your training with.” I follow Alfred’s suggestion and was rewarded with my first quest in The Realms.

  Rogue 1

  Objective: Find the Gnometheran Weapon Master and request training.

  Reward: 50 XP, Starter Weapons

  Accept: Yes/No

  That’s a no-brainer I suppose. Yes.

  “Well, looks like for the training you require, you’ll need to talk to El over at the Proving Grounds. I’ll mark where she is on your map. She’s easy to spot in town, but remember if things start exploding around you, you went too far!” I thanked the guard and made my way into town. Not sure if he heard me though. He was still laughing at what I’m hoping was a joke.

  Explosions? What the hell. Alfred?

  “Gnomes are notorious Tinkerers and Artificers, sir. There’s likely a designated area for the Gnomes to test new inventions safely.”

  Tinkerers and Artificers? Interesting.

  As I approached the spot marked on my map, I stopped and leaned against a training dummy and looked around. I quickly realized just how easy El was to spot. “What the fuck’s an elf doing here?” A near-instantaneous 180-degree pivot on her part made me suddenly aware of the fact I’d said that out loud...oops.

  Before I could’ve ever reacted, a throwing dagger flew from El’s hand and embedded itself in the head of the training dummy- about six inches away from my own head. When I looked over it was buried three inches into the solid wood head on the dummy. How did she have that much power AND speed?

  “That is what the fuck I’m doing here, human.” she said with a smirk. I looked from her to the dagger and back to her and she just raised an eyebrow as if waiting on a response. It occurred to me then that I was supposed to be trained by her!

  As my mind filled with countless terrifying hypothetical scenarios involving Elvish torture disguised as “training,�
� El sized me up for a few moments before doing something I never expected her to do. She started laughing.

  I’m not sure if you could call it a belly laugh because she had nothing resembling a belly, but it was certainly heartfelt. Realizing the laugh was at my expense washed away any previous fears and replaced them with embarrassment and a slight hint of anger. I felt my face begin to flush from the emotion and she must have seen it as well.

  “I’m sorry. No need to get too hot over it. I just couldn’t help but mess with you.” she said with her hands up in a placating gesture. “It’s always fun to see how Adventurers react to things like that. Yesterday a Gnome pissed himself!” The memory was clearly a favorite of hers as she started laughing all over again.

  Seeing as it was apparently all in good, harmless fun (and I clearly was going to be relying on her for training for now) I patiently waited on her to get the laugh out of her system and wipe away the few tears starting to form in her eyes. Thankfully, it gave me an opportunity to prod Alfred for info.

  Alfred, why did she say adventurers like that?

  “In-game lore refers to players as Adventurers. Unfortunately, I cannot give much more information than that regarding World Lore as you have not uncovered more of it yourself.” came his explanation.

  So what you can tell me is limited? That’s unfortunate. I was torn between my disappointment I couldn’t find out now and my hatred of spoilers.

  “Yes sir, and I do apologize for the inconvenience. Allowing Guides to tell Players everything about the lore would discourage them from discovering this information for themselves.” he continued. It did make sense from a design perspective.

  Fair enough. Looks like El is almost done with her laughing fit. Thanks, Alfred.

  My guide nodded in response and I returned my attention to El. “So, if you’re still wondering why exactly an Elf is providing training in a Gnomish village. The answer is easy: If you want someone to be good, have them trained by someone who’s great.” she said, answering my unasked question. “And with that philosophy in mind, the local gnomes hired me to train both their guards and any incoming Adventurers in the use of weapons.”

  “Glad to see I’m training under someone with a firm grasp on humility.” I responded with a smirk.

  Not sure if sarcasm exists in medieval fantasy settings. If it doesn’t I honestly don’t know how I’ll survive this adventure.

  “Oh don’t worry I can teach you plenty of humility if you plan on keeping the smart-ass comments up like that.” she fired back with a wink. “Now, if you’re ready to have the sarcasm beaten out of you, we can get started training. First, take a look at the weapons on the table over here and see if something catches your eye.”

  Update!

  Rogue 1

  Choose your Weapon

  Why wasn’t this part of Creation? Why wait till now?

  “To allow players the opportunity to test weapons for themselves in the actual game world.” came his response. “Each weapons feels different, so it was decided that each player should try any weapon or weapons that may interest them before they choose their preferred style.”

  So our beginning selection determines what weapons we can use later?

  “Yes and no.” he explained. “Your initial selection determines what Primary Weapon Skill you first receive training in. You can earn more Primary Weapon Skills later, but you are required to use a trainer to receive them and they may also be restricted by class and other factors.”

  He paused before continuing. “Secondary Weapon skills can be learned as well to augment your combat abilities, but the methods through which you gain those are not the same as other skills. For example, as a Rogue starting in the kingdom of the Gnomes, you receive Trick Weapons and Gadgets as bonus secondary weapon categories.”

  Interesting, but not important right now I assume. Let’s get started.

  After looking through the weapons laid out for selection and testing everything Alfred suggested, I narrowed it down to a few options:

  Longsword x2

  Short Sword x2

  Dagger x2

  Longsword + Dagger

  Rapier + Main Gauche

  I tried going single weapon melee, but dual-wielding just felt way more fun. Unfortunately, two long swords together are just unwieldy, two daggers felt like it just wouldn’t pack enough punch early on, and the thought of fighting a heavily armored opponent with a rapier just felt like it wouldn’t end well.

  The only option that appealed to me in the end was dual short swords. After I officially received my basic swords and placed the sheaths on my back in an X, I was about to head back toward El when she called over more instructions.

  “While you’re over there, take a look at those Secondary Weapons. I hear that you Adventurers can already use the secondary weapons designed by the locals of whatever town you first appear in.” she said and pointed towards another table.

  Wow these are some weird ass weapons. As I approached the table I noticed a nervous looking Gnome watching me from a short ways away. He was shaking whenever we made eye contact and I honestly felt bad for the little guy. He seemed like he wanted to talk, but I was worried he’d have a panic attack if I approached him. Putting it on a back burner for now, I opted to look over the secondary weapons laid out in front of me.

  Most sounded overly complex, entirely situational, or just downright weird. Mancatcher? What the hell is that? Looking down at the weapon the name belonged to brought my attention to what looked to me like pole with a spiky corset on the end that opened and closed somehow. I really thought it would be more self-explanatory.

  “Well, sir, the name does adequately explain the device’s expected function.” Alfred deadpanned.

  Is that British sass, Alfred? It’s so dry it’s hard to tell...

  Alfred continued unfazed “Unfortunately, proficiency with this weapon is not automatic as it does not fall under your bonus for starting in the Gnomish region.”

  And why the hell not? It’s on the table isn’t it? I asked in frustration. I had no intention of using it, but it was the principle of the matter for me.

  “That is correct, sir. However, it is a weapon that relies on the leverage and weight of the wielder, which makes it a very poor choice for Gnomes.” he explained without cracking the slightest smile.

  Oh that is a fantastic mental image. Thank you for that.

  Before he could respond, the shy “Not-a-Nasty-Gnome” approached. What is it about this guy that lends itself to alliteration?

  “E-excuse me, sir. I noticed you don’t use a umm... shield based style. If I m-may, I would suggest the Arm Crossbow.” I gave the Gnome a bit of a blank stare before my Guide pointed his super useful “invisible to all but me” hand to point to what looked kind of like a crossbow, but with no normal trigger and a series of leather straps underneath.

  One dumb question avoided.

  Picking it up and studying it gave me very little in the way of how to use it. On cue, a block of text popped up thanks to Alfred. I probably would have been angry about the pictures he decided to include, but honestly they were so helpful I didn’t even care if he was being condescending.

  “Interesting concept, but why this over anything else? Damage seems low, too.” I could see the Gnome lose what little steam he convinced himself he had. His determination almost wavered, but he took a deep breath and steeled his resolve.

  “From the scabbards on your back, you’re focusing on a two weapon fighting style, yes?” he said, finally finding the gumption to continue his spiel. “The Arm Crossbow provides you ranged capabilities without having to drop or sheath a weapon. As far as stats go, the n-noob m-model is pretty m-mediocre but it will help you start ranking up the skill.”

  He took another deep breath and I had a feeling he was getting to the real reason he wanted to talk. “And if you can help m-me get my Artificer class, I can m-make you a m-much better one.”

  Getting buddy-buddy with a player fo
cused on crafting? This could go places.

  “Alright bud, you got yourself a deal! The name is Jack Alltrades. What’s yours?”

  “N-Nikola N-nelson, but you can call me N-nik.”

  3-New Hire Training

  “I suppose I should have mentioned that I’m in the middle of my beginner quests.” I pointed out as Nik and I walked towards El. The Arm Crossbow felt heavy on my arm and I was worried it might be a hindrance in combat. Alfred had assured me I would adapt in time and even said it would make a fantastic choice to go with my chosen style.

  “Fine with m-me. I m-may have to fight some m-mobs for my quests so I’d feel better if you had some more skills and XP anyway.” he replied. I was wondering if the stutter was nerves or a tic IRL that translated into the game. Either way it seemed rude to ask.