_______________________

Project: TheirWorld - Chapter 005 - Part 1

_____________

Guin Grey Through The Looking Glass

_____________

TheirWorld

Still shivering, Dassah looked up at him. “It’s… Over?” she asked hesitantly, fearing that his words were a trick - but he nodded, and pulled her to stand up. Her eyes widened a little as she recognized the fox man from the wedding scene.

“I am Gomi,” he told her. “I am but a servant of the First Fate; one of many who is tasked with presenting the fortune of the fates to those who come to this place, wishing to be born. Two options are now before you: Have your fate read now, or be tested again.”

“A-Again?” she stammered, the shook her head quickly. “No. No. I will have my fate read now - please!” Grasping him by the hand, she pleaded with him. There are people who would go through that more than once? She wondered, but then her logic backtracked. The people who took the test more than once would obviously be more prepared for it the second time, and would therefore likely get more desireable results in the long run.

Still, she thought to herself. Whoever goes through that more than once must be a masochist.

The fox man laughed and nodded. “Very well. Then, behold child, as I draw out your choices. First, you must choose your clan,” The fox man waved his hand, and three person-sized cards appeared before her with licks of blue fire.

“All choices are given to you based upon the results of the tests that you have just undergone,” he told her. “It is based not only on your answers, but your feelings; what was in your heart when the test was taken. Think not that you can fool the fate with honorable answers, if your heart itself held no such intent. Now you must choose a clan to be born among. This choice will affect all sections of your life in Uldarin. Presented to you shall be three of eight total choices.

“The first of your choices is the Treasure Clan.” The fox man walked over to the first card on her right, which depicted what was a very simple image of a hammer and a blade on a gold coin. “The Treasure clan is a clan that specializes in the craft of treasure making and treasure seeking. Their naturally high dexterity makes them great artists, and their moderate talent with magic allows them to make unparalleled works. It has also been suggested that this clan has a connection with the Veil, allowing them to get special materials and enchantments for their use. Those of the Treasure Clan are rich and skillful, with a high dexterity and creativity. They care little for politics and warfare, instead, seeking only to perfect their craft. Classes of the Treasure clan are almost always related to their people’s chosen trades.

“The next of your choices is the Mist Clan,” he moved over to a card that was less a sigil and more a optical illusion of mists and what was hidden within them. “The Mist Clan has strong connections to the spirit world. They are often associated with the veil, and are one of the few clans that hold power over it. Those from the Mist Clan tend to be physically weaker than the other clans, but spiritually stronger. Mist Clan classes are fairly balanced, their spiritual abilities making up for their physical weaknesses. Classes of the Mist are highly intertwined with the Veil and their spirituality.

“The last of your choices is the Noble Clan,” he went and pointed to the last card, which depicted the image of a noblewoman, all in purple, silver, and mink. She clutched a glowing scepter of gold and lapis lazuli. “Those of the Noble Clan are people of brilliance and political mastery. They are the clan that rules the other clans and have the power of the church, and as such, they tend to be arrogant, and disliked by the common people. They are, however, geniuses when it comes to magic; be it holy, dark, or natural magic, these are a people who excel at whatever they try their hands at. The people of the Noble Clan make for fine magic users, but are generally quite weak physically. They are a clan rich in gold, finery, and education, however, and can often make up for their weaknesses. Classes of the Noble clan are lofty, and connected with jobs and careers in the Imperial Court.

“Take a moment now to consider my words and choose which clan’s fate shall be interwoven with yours.”

Dassah’s heart lept up to her throat. She had gotten the one option that she had really wanted. Not having to think it over long, she told him: “The Mist Clan. I want to be of the Mist Clan!”

He gave her a bit of a crooked grin and said, “This decision of yours is very quick. You do not wish to think it over?”

“No,” she answered. “I have decided. I will be of the Mist Clan, and foster a connection to the spirits!” The spirits in the Veil had intrigued her to no end. She had always believed in ghosts and fates and monsters in the night, and she longed to be able to see them. She knew that in this game there would be a half decent chance that she would be able to, and if she had any say in how her character would be, this was the one thing that she wanted - though she had dared not to hope for it.

The man nodded and sent the two unpicked cards up in flames. Two other cards appeared in their place, in addition to another. “Very well. Now you must choose where you are to be born. You are presented three of seven options. First,” he went over to a card which depicted a bustling market with a simple skyline. People at the market were dressed simply, and seemed to be buying basic goods. “Each country has a number of towns within their borders. These small towns exist mostly for defence and trade and supporting the rural outreaches of the kingdoms. These towns attract travelers and mercenaries, traders and tradesmen.

“Or Second,” He pointed to a card that showed a grand city leaning against a mountain. “There are eight major cities in the world of Uldarin, one for each of the main kingdoms. Home of the Kings. These are the homes of the nobility, the scholars, and are the centers of military forces. Thy center of trade, religion, and foreign attention. The cities have both the richest, and the poorest, of the country.

“Or, Third,” He walked over to another card which showed a solitary cottage sitting quietly against a vast forest, behind a field of wheat. “There are several rural communities that produce the food and trade goods for the kingdom. These are farmers, and simple trades people. They are poor, skilled but uneducated, and struggle in their daily lives. However, these people have strong hearts and wills.

“Choose,” he said, standing between the two cards.

Dassah did actually think about this one for a moment longer, but her gut instinct told her: “Rural. I wish for a simple life.”

The man nodded and set the cards away. Then, a series of smaller, hand sized cards appeared in the air before her in flickers of fire. Each one depicting various people; more than a few looking to be more than human.

“The next step is to choose your parentage. A father to provide the seed, and a mother to bear you.” The fox eared man crossed his arms. Dassah looked over her choices. Seeing the one card that she wanted the most, she picked [Parent is a Spirit], then settled on [Parent is a Knight] on her second one. She plucked the cards from the air and handed them over to him. With a woosh, the other cards disappeared as he gave the two a once over.

Gomi looked thoughtfully at the two cards for a moment, the wind came and circled around them. Hearing only the semblance of whispers, Dassah strained to her why his black eyes looked so amused.

“You are aware that not all is in your control, before your birth, and even after,” he asked her. “Are you not?”

“Well - yes,” she answered, tilting her head. It was not discussed at length, but it was true that many people had posted that the Fates seemed to have some sort of algorithm based on the answers and the fear test which read your thoughts and emotions in order to receive data. That said, tricking the system was rather difficult, but not impossible. However, the game would decide - seemingly randomly - to force things onto players, rather than letting them choose. A lot, seemed, had to do with the parental choices more than anything else.

“Then I shall dictate the following..."