Maya thought she’d gotten used to the difference between areas. Each was unique, yes, but they still fit together in some ways. This, though, was like stepping into an enchanted forest. There was no wall, no door, no floor. Grass covered the ground, denser and greener than anything in the archery arena, thick with flowers and weeds. Trees surrounded her; trees whose trunks were as wide as she was tall, trees whose spreading branches blocked out the sky, trees thin and young. Birds sang, squirrels chattered. She saw a moose, snakes, a family of wolves. Nature surrounded her, so heavy and obvious that it felt unreal.

She stood a moment, disconnect threatening her. Memory flickered dimly.

A forest. She’d been in a forest.

She’d . . . died in a forest?

Wind rustled through her memory. A chill of foreboding, like the touch of cold water against her skin.

Then the largest wolf howled, snapping her attention back to the present. The wolf turned and bounded away into the trees, its family vanishing in pursuit.

“Do you understand?”

The voice was high and buzzed faintly. She glanced up and was unsurprised to see a sprite watching her from a high branch.

“Not really." Maya paused and looked around, trying to clear her mind of the negative associations the memory had stirred up. "You’re here to teach me about . . . nature? I guess?”

“Not nature, exactly. Life. Too many visitors rush to destroy, to kill, without thinking of their impact. What happens without the wolves? What happens without the trees? What happens without the rabbits and the elk?”

Maya shrugged. “Isn’t this a game? Can’t they just spawn more in?”

The sprite hissed at her, a feral sound like an angry mongoose. “This may be a game to your kind, but to us it is a home. Tampering from outside is possible, but it’s not done often or without very great cause. And I’d much rather not give that cause reason to exist. There are thousands of worlds. I'd rather their attention never touch mine.”

“So you’re like the environmental protection trainer, then?”

“You may call me that if you wish. I consider myself a warden of life, but I claim no particular title.”

“So you’re basically here to teach me not to disrupt the ecological balance too much by overharvesting in an area or killing every wolf for their experience and pelts. I’ll be careful.”

The sprite jumped off the branch and landed in front of her. It stood about chest-height to her and was easily only half as wide as her, but the fierce look of anger on its face made her take a step back.

“You treat this lightly at your peril, outsider,” the nature guardian snarled. “Do you know how many worlds there are? It is easier to attract the attention of a god than to be noticed by the … developers.” It hissed the word as though it were a curse. “And when they do feel that a world is out of balance enough to intervene, it is rarely in a way which pleases anyone. Even you should be wary. There have been worlds which simply vanished, along with everyone on them. Is that what you want?”

“Of course not! I just got here. I haven’t even got a class yet. I just want to finish this tutorial and get on with things. And, yes, I understand the idea of being careful with nature." Maya snorted irritably. Why were so many of the tutorial trainers so uptight? "Is there anything more specific or helpful you want to share, or just rant on about the balance of trees to elk?”

The sprite’s expression dulled. It looked away, posture slumping. “The world creates tasks for you to undertake. They are shared between everyone, and only the first to accomplish it receives the reward. If the world wants fifteen wolves killed, chances are that the rush to accomplish it will end up with hundreds slaughtered before someone claims the prize. It wasn’t as significant a problem in earlier days, but everyone is so powerful now and so heedless.

"The world tries to correct itself, but it is not truly intelligent. It can’t understand that asking for exactly what it needs will lead to excess. I know it is not your desire, but it could be your calling to correct that imbalance. You are the first newcomer to appear in months. I'd begun to fear none would ever come. And it angers me to see my world’s fate treated so flippantly.”

“I’m sorry, but I’m getting really bored with this tutorial and want to get on to the actual game.”

The sprite hissed angrily.

Maya sighed. “World, then, if it makes you feel better. And it’s not like I want to destroy the ecology or anything, but I’m definitely going to be a magic class, not a nature ranger or anything.”

“There can be great rewards for following the paths of life and nature,” the sprite said quietly. “If greed is all that can motivate you. I can offer you a specialization in the Life path. In return, you must endeavor to maintain the world’s balance.”

“I don’t know anything about paths or specialization, but does it help with magic?”

“Not exactly. The Life specialization converts 1/4 of all stamina and energy to health. In addition, you gain the ability to sense the balance of an area and what needs to be done to correct it.”

Maya perked up at that. Low health was the biggest potential problem with her build right now. A specialization like that could mitigate the problem completely. If she could focus fully on maximizing her energy and casting speed, that could be perfect!

“I don’t suppose you know the other options, before I make the choice?”

“There are countless specializations. Each class has at least one dedicated specialization, as well as those like mine which can be used with any class.”

“Is it a permanent choice?”

“Yes. Specialization is usually chosen at level 10, but I have the authority to grant it to you now if you accept.”

“I’m not going to drop everything and go plant trees for you or anything,” Maya warned.

“I understand. But even a little may be enough to save my world from the abyss.”

“And you can’t tell me what other specializations I may have been able to chose later?”

It shook its head.

Maya wasn't surprised. “Let me think for a minute.”

She knew this could be a huge advantage, or a terrible mistake. If specializations were intended for higher-level characters, she probably should at least try to find out more about specializations in general before jumping on the first option she encountered.

“I want to go ask the priestess some questions. Can I come back later? Will the offer still be open?”

“So long as you do not exit the tutorial area, my offer will remain.”

“Thanks. I’ll be back. Well, maybe.”

The sprite sighed as she left, but she ignored the sound. She had research to do.

You have visited every area of the tutorial. Would you like to exit and choose your character class now?

Maya dismissed the system query and hurried across the plaza to the archway of black rippling light.

The vampire priestess still sat exactly where she had before, staring at the starry ceiling, hands spread to either side. She slowly looked down when Maya entered.

“I’m surprised to see you back, young follower of another God. Why have you returned? Have you reconsidered my words?”

“Do you know anything about specializations?”

The priestess watched her silently, slowly tilting her head. “I know a great deal about many things,” she said finally. “If you were aligned with any of our deities, I could instruct you in their specialization paths. But as you are now, I cannot share that information.”

“Alright, then, I’d like to take that artist lady of creativity and whatever. What’s her path specialization like?”

“Liyaan’s path is one of change. Those who specialize in it can reshape themselves at will, altering their stats as often as every day.”

“So, just unlimited respecs for stat points?”

The priestess blinked, then shrugged. “That sounds correct, yes. I take it you are not inclined to truly follow Liyaan?”

“Not really. What about something else. Is there a god of fire and lightning perhaps?”

“Indeed. Duhohk the Forger is lord of fire and remaking. He strengthens the crippled and tests the strong, often crippling them in the process.”

“What’s his specialization like?”

The priestess hesitated. “I should not be sharing so much to so frivolous a follower as you. I believe that the minute I name a new god you’ll claim allegiance merely so I’ll divulge their secrets.”

“Secrets? I’m sure this is all on the wiki. I’m a permanent player, so I can’t access the outside internet, but I guarantee you that if this game has been open for any longer than a few days, players already know all of this.”

The priestess flinched at her repeated references to the outside world, but slowly nodded. “Very well, but I will tell you only two more. Three is fully sufficient for you to get an idea from.”

“Fair enough. So what’s Duhohk’s deal?”

“Duhohk’s path converts half your stamina to will. He considers it important to be able to continue fighting when surrounded or no matter the odds.”

"Okay one more question. Lightning?"

"Astozka," the priestess replied with a resigned expression. "They are associated with storms, light, and the process of transformation between youth and adult. Their specialization path converts will into energy at a 1 to 4 ratio."

"See? That wasn't so hard. Thank you for the information."

"I suppose it's too much to ask that you actually choose a deity to follow now that you've learned some of their secrets, if little else?"

"Yep! Way too much to ask. That's all I needed, I'll be going now. Have fun with your meditation!"

Maya skipped out of the priestess's hallway.

You have visited every area of the tutorial. Would you like to exit and choose your character class now?

"No thanks, not just yet."

She climbed up onto the marble phoenix's back to think, watching the constant flow of water beneath her, and thought.

From what she could tell, specializations were a way of rebalancing the derivative stats that you earned from primary attributes. She didn't know yet in practice how attunement or sturdiness, intelligence or will, health, energy or stamina would actually play out in the proper game world.

She supposed that for a pure mage class or proper glass cannon, the lightning path specialization would be ideal. Sure, she wouldn't be able to do much front line fighting or enter enemy territory with that will penalty, but in return she'd have an amazingly high amount of energy. More if she specialized toward it with her stat distribution

But that sort of build would rely on a party. Maya had always been more of a solo player. Though she certainly enjoyed playing with friends or family, she didn't want to build her whole character around relying on others. She didn't know anyone in this world. There was no way of guessing if anyone here would be a fraction as loyal as her friends back … back …

She stared blankly into the distance for a long moment, then shook herself free of the not-quite recollection.

So, no. She would not be dedicating to lightning. At least not that particular aspect of it.

She was really really tempted to go with the crazy nature sprite's offer after all. The specialization wouldn't be any stronger at level 2 than at level 10, but that would be one concern the way up front. If it turned out she'd made a mistake, well, she'd live with it and optimize how she could. Worst case scenario, she could always quit this world and start over somewhere else. She really hoped she wouldn't need to do that, especially not this soon, but…

Wait! Of course! She was being absolutely stupid!

"Save game! 2: Deciding my future."

Save 2 deciding my future created.

Maya grinned to herself and hurried back to the nature sprite.

"I've decided to accept your specialization!"

The sprite eyed her warily. "You seem oddly cheerful all of a sudden for such a grouchy person," he said suspiciously.

"You're the grumpiest person I know! You're in no position to be telling me that I'm grumpy. Except maybe that vampire. I guess he might have qualified as grumpier." Maya waved away the topic. "I'm just happy to have finally made my decision."

"So talking to that useless priestess actually helped you make a decision? In my experience she just confuses people with so many options that they never make a choice at all."

"Really? She seemed very reluctant to tell me anything. Of course, I did tell her that all her deities were fake and I wasn't going to follow any of them, so that might have had some impact on our relationship."

The sprite stared at her in disbelief for a moment, then burst out laughing. "You said that to her face? I don't think I've ever met anyone quite as flippant as you. At least it's reassuring to know it's a reliable character trait and not just your attitude toward nature."

"Don't you mean life?" Maya teased. "That distinction seemed important to you."

"They can really be used interchangeably," the sprite admitted. "So, I officially offer you the option to specialize as a follower on the Life path."

Specialization available: Path of Life. Converts 25% of stamina and 25% of energy to health at a one to one ratio. Special ability: Sense Balance.

"Yes please!"

Maya switched focus to her stat sheet which had adjusted itself accordingly. Her health had jumped from 50 to 88, while stamina dropped from 74 to 56 and energy from 79 to 60.

She didn't like the dip in energy, but the survivability felt worth the sacrifice. And the numbers would only grow from here. Now that was a much better change than she could have gotten by putting that one point into sturdiness.

Oh yeah. This was going to be fun.

She had an absurdly high starting health now, a side effect of beginning the game with specialization already in place, and she fully intended to use that to her advantage. Stamina and energy were so much easier to get, and their associated stats had so many potential benefits. Apart from health, sturdiness only increased stamina which as a mage she wouldn't need.

Yes, she highly doubted that she would be ever loading the emergency save.

"All right! I will probably never see you again, so farewell and thanks for this specialization."

"Best wishes, acolyte."

Maya bade the sprite farewell, then returned to the central plaza. This time, when offered the chance to exit the tutorial and choose her class, she said yes.

Warning! As you have not fully completed all skill sections in this tutorial, some classes will remain locked to you.

Warning! As you have not finished some lore sections in the tutorial, certain classes will remain locked to you.

The following classes are available for you to choose from.

Basic classes:

Ranger

Mage

Specialized classes:

[Path of Life] Earth Warden

[Path of Life] Life Mage

Special classes:

[Luck] Trickster

None of them listed benefits, so she wasn't sure what their purpose was in-game. Was it just an identifier? Would being a Mage help her with spells?

The basic classes were in grey, the specialized classes in white, and the Trickster class in gold. If it signified relative rarity, she instinctively wanted the least common.

She'd gotten luck as a bonus for being a permanent player. Just how powerful would it be?

"What does luck actually do?"

The luck stat impacts everything which happens to you during the game. It is a hidden stat which cannot be increased or decreased except through special interactions.

Your high luck has one associated class available to you: Trickster.

Assuming the random bonus included all eight main stats, at best characters had a one in nine chance of being able to unlock this class, possibly lower depending on what other hidden skills or stats might be rolled for behind-the-scenes.

It wasn't a mage, it probably would be some kind of rogue or thief, but even if it wasn't her preferred playstyle it was in gold. Rare special class. What kind of a gamer could turn down a chance like this?

She already had her backup save. If it turned out she hated the class too much, she could always come back to the beginning and try something else. Where's the fun in a game if you're not willing to take a few chances now and then?

She mentally selected it.

Please verify your decision to set primary class: Trickster

"Yes! Verify! I want to be a Trickster."

Class set to Trickster. Soulbound items added: Trickster's Mask. Trickster's Dice. Trickster's Orb. Your luck stat has been set at -100.

"Wait, what?!"

Maya Starborn Average Androgynous Harpy Level: 2 Affinities: Magical Physical Tier: 1 Class: Trickster Specialization: Path of Life Total Base Items Modifiers Sturdiness: 8 8 0 0 Momentum: 12 9 0 3 Agility: 9 8 0 1 Control: 8 8 0 0 Attunement: 10 9 0 1 Focus: 9 8 0 1 Intelligence: 11 9 0 2 Flexibility: 9 8 0 1 Luck: -100 -100 - 0 Unassigned: 0 Health: 88 of 88 Will: 18 of 18 Stamina: 56 of 56 Energy: 56 of 60 Speed: 82% Switch penalty: -52%, 10.2 secs Stealth: 78% Chain bonus: +4% Awareness: 66% Cooldown: 95.5% Max abilities: 3 Abilities Abilities: [3 of 3] Wind Whisper

[5 energy] Blow into cupped hands, then push the air toward the target.

Creates a light breeze, a quick gust, or a damaging slash.

[Overcharge: +5 energy, +0.2 sec cast time, +50% force/duration/dmg] 2.2 sec

5 dmg

(wind) Throw Knife

[5 stamina] Throw a knife at a target with high accuracy. Requires a knife. 1.1 sec

n/a dmg

(physical) Sense Balance Discern if an area is lacking in or has an excess of any materials, creatures, etc. Equipment & Inventory Item Name Slot Stu Mom Agi Con Att Foc Int Flx Newcomer's Tunic Body Newcomer's Leggings Legs Inventory Money: None Quality Item name Details Soulbound Trickster's Mask Soulbound Trickster's Dice Soulbound Trickster's Orb 5/5 uses remaining