As I said, I would be creating a stable thread just for this. I will field all questions and concerns here, updating it regularly. I will also try to use this page to update background information and close holes in the plot. I am writing this at a rather quick pace as you have seen so some stuff gets by me.

If any of you know how to put a 'spoiler' box, please put it in the comments.

Chapter Progress

This is a progress bar for the chapters. When you see the chapters that have been promised to be released either 1/2 the arc which would be the first 4 or 5 chapters, the chapters will be released. If the chapter says Final Draft 100% complete, you know it is done.

2.1.1: Final Draft (COMPLETE)100%2.1.2: Final Draft (COMPLETE)100%2.1.3: Final Draft (COMPLETE)100%2.1.4: Final Draft (COMPLETE)100%2.1.5: First Draft0%2.1.6: First Draft0%2.1.7: First Draft0%2.1.8: First Draft0%2.1.9: First Draft0%

Information on Donations

Most of the Donations will be used in the future for editing purposes. Editing is very expensive and if I want to put the book on Amazon and get it published, I need an editor to look it over first.You do not need to donate for me to release chapters but it may help to increase my pace as it would give me more time to write.

If you donate, I will thank you in the chapter after you donate.

Questions/Answers

1. Why is Rajac an idiot?

The most common complaint so far has been Rajac's stupidity. I have already explained this in the comments but I will do so again for this thread. I wanted to create a character that was 'foolish' and could not get out of all the situations he got himself into. Frankly, I was growing tired of the 'fool hero' stories that populate entertainment today and wanted a different take on a MC who was a fool who could not handle the problems thrown at him. Therefore, I created Rajac. But, as there have been complaints, I altered the story slightly around chapter 13 to allow for Rajac to experience some character growth.

2. Why are the chapters short?

Another common concern about the story so far is that the chapters are short. Now, each chapter will be roughly 2000 words. I think this is a good length for a light novel chapter. If I was writing an epic fantasy or other highly detailed story, the chapters would be around 5000 words. But, light novels move at a rather quick pace and details can be lost in the mix as it is generally accepted that the story triumphs over the details. Also, I just don't have the time to write 5000 words each week. Lol.

3. Why have we not met any other Clients?

There a few items that no one has talked about yet, but I wish to address anyway as I feel it is on some of your minds. We have not met any Clients, as yet, since I wanted Rajac to experience the new world alone. He would need to make his own way to grow strong. I felt that if there were Clients he would naturally have to make friends and enemies. Further, his quest to find his people is a personal quest for his own people which I felt was a strong enough story on its own without having to involve Clients.

4. Will there be other main characters or prevalent characters throughout the story?

Maybe. Frankly, I think that Rajac is more of a solitary figure. I feel that...certain events...at the end of...yeah...I can't really tell you but you get the idea. This is a tragedy folks. But if you guys want more central characters, I'll certainly consider it.

5. What is the average lifespan of a Ventros?

On average, a Ventros will live to 120 at the current technology. Humans 65, Elves 250, Beasts: Range from 50-1000 but most tend to hover around 70.

6. What will the role of technology be in the future of the story?

No one asked this but I want to add this as I think it is important. Technology, as you may have noticed, is a stat in every race. At a certain point, if a race's technology stat rises, they have the ability to advance. I won't go into specifics but it will be interesting writing it into the story later.

7. Is this like Coiling Dragon or other IEATTOMATOES work?

Yes and No. While I am a fan of his work, he was not the largest influence on this story. I set out to create a wuxia story that meshed with virtual reality while adding more down-to-earth elements to it. Wuxia is a great genre but I felt it was too light-hearted to portray the story in the way I wanted it told. Therefore, I dampened down the talk of the more mystical elements of wuxia. Rather, I tried to give logical explanations for things such as mystical beasts are no longer mystical but are races of beasts. The stereotypical leveling that is found in wuxia is now based upon a leveling system and I won't go into that because the MC, at the moment, is nearing or at (not telling) level 100 which could be considered to be Houtain or something like it. Though, I won't. I don't feel there are enough similarities between the two leveling systems.

8. Why add in Identity Merchants? What is their purpose?

I wanted to keep the story as grounded as possible. Their addition allowed me to have the story in a virtual world without having to constantly deal with the virtual elements. Constantly looking at your stats just is not that fun for me. So, I added the Identity Merchants as a way to distance Rajac from his stats. He could grow on his own without relying too much upon the skill tomes. Also, I want to make this very clear.

9. How do you gain levels and what is the purpose?

Let me answer the second part first. Skills and leveling do not have the ability to affect people within Thantos. Both only tell the user what 'level' they are at. Though, traits can put limitations and maximize growth potential. For example, Rajac gained his skills in his sword style himself. The program did not gift him great skills through the tomes. Same with leveling. All leveling does, is give a benchmark to each 100 levels when something 'special' happens. But traits, like Born an Idiot can detrimentally affect a Client by limiting growth potential making it harder for him to overcome limitations.

Levels are gained through many ways. But mostly, it is arbitrarily through the program.

10. How does the program AI work?

This is somewhat complicated but it works through a process called Network Virtualization. It is hierarchical in nature and there are many AI's within the system. Renewal Eternal used discarded tests subjects brains and modified them to work with AI. I know, it sounds mad-sciency. So, each individual in Thantos has an AI system. Further, when a child is born, the AI system is combined with the other AI system of the mother/father...do I really need to tell you how children are born. Yeah, ok, so it's the same. When a Client is born, his data overrides the child AI's data.

Even as each person has an AI system, the Gods whom watch over the people have AI systems as well that directly report to the Renewal Internal staff. Thus, when Ms. Edwards asked how many Ventros were left on Thantos, she asked the 'gods.' They gave her five as they could not see the rest of them that were hidden by the Demi-God, who can be considered to possess enough power to shroud his region from them.

11. What is the level limit in the program?

Sorry, can't tell you that. What I can tell you, is that every 100 levels is a benchmark of sorts and something occurs. But, there are no tribulations as found often in wuxia. As it is already hard to get to level 100 and beyond, just surpassing it requires a large amount of time and effort. Thus, no tribulation.

12. Does the technology stat affect the lifespan and if it does, is it possible to gain immortality?

The technology stat can affect lifespan. It is most prevalent in human and human variant races. As you might remember, Humans technology stat grows 6 times faster than normal. When they reach a benchmark, new technology opens up to them providing better health care, housing, etc., which improves their lifespan. But immortality can not be gained in that particular way. I will say though that the 'Gods', not Godly Races, but Gods are immortal...mostly.

13. Can one of the normal races, after obtaining a certain level, evolve into a demigod or god?

No. And here's why.

Base Race: Any race who cannot speak. They possess no magic abilities whatsoever.

Lesser Race: Have the ability to speak. They possess no magic abilities whatsoever.

Common Race: Have the ability to learn magic.

Greater Race: Have inherent magic that can be accessed through means specific to each race.

Epic Race: Born with Magic

Godly Race: Born into the Pantheons. Have there own set of race hierarchies.

Only those born into the Pantheons can be Godly Races. The hierarchical system of races only classifies the inherent abilities of each race. Godly Races are slightly different as their Base Race is equal to that of a Greater Race within the hierarchical system.

Godly Base Race = Greater Race

Godly Lesser Race = Epic Race

Godly Common Race = ???

Godly Greater Race = ???

Godly Epic Race = ???

Godly ??? Race = ???