One last trip through the small apartment I had lived in for the last fourteen years confirmed that it was completely empty. There was the occasional scuff mark on the walls or stain on the carpets. Each had their own story and all were far from my mind as I checked over the recently cleaned rooms. Nothing of mine was left.

I’d put what few mementos I cared to keep in long-term storage and sold off or threw away the rest of my possessions. There was still a couple of weeks left on this month’s rent but I’d already given the landlord my keys and I didn’t intend to come back. The last of my worldly possessions were the phone in my pocket and the clothes on my back.

With a deep breath, I turned and left the apartment, pulling out my phone as I descended the stairs and walked towards the street. A few taps on the glossy display was all it took to request a public car. The app showed the car’s license number and tracked its location via GPS as it was redirected to my street. So I stared at my phone as the estimated time of arrival and route line both grew shorter and my excitement started to build.

Finally the empty car arrived and stopped at the curb in front of me, both doors on the side opening outward automatically from the middle. The front and back seats faced each other, though it was kind of misleading to call them that since they could switch depending on traffic conditions. The self-driving car had sensors all around the vehicle and didn’t care which direction was front or back. I flopped down on one of the seats and pulled my seatbelt on. As soon as it clicked the doors closed and the car began moving towards the destination I had put in the app: the Virtual Worlds Entertainment facility I was assigned to.

As the car pulled out onto the major street near my apartment I pulled out my phone and checked my email for the intake information VWE had sent me. By this time there were certainly no surprises in it, but I used it as a convenient way to get to the backer information on their website. It had been over a dozen years since I’d been involved in the crowdfunding campaign VWE had launched for their new and extraordinarily ambitious virtual reality project.

At the time I’d spent more money than I could really afford on the idea. I’d been scoffed at by a chorus of doubters but over time, and with every incredible monthly update, the doubters were not only silenced but converted. What had once been considered a pipe dream at best or a scam at worst was now the most popular and most followed entertainment project in history. And it was officially released to first backers three days ago.

A loud honking startled me and drew my attention to the road. Someone on a motorcycle was weaving in and out of lanes, the self-driving vehicles automatically making space for the person. I shook my head and wondered what they thought to accomplish by honking at automatic cars. The reckless driving sure seemed like a good way to lose a very expensive license.

It was only a minor disturbance in the flow of cars on the busy road, however, as the AI controlling the traffic simply moved them all aside as one. The quantum servers that housed the government AIs were more than capable of processing all the information and reacting in time. I couldn’t help but think of the much larger servers responsible for creating Novarra.

I settled back into the seat and idly browsed through the info on my phone that I had seen countless times before. My mind wandered back to when the first update was released after VWE’s successful crowdfunding campaign. They were a team of computer scientists so I had expected them to hire on some artists, writers, designers, and the like to develop the virtual world of Novarra but instead they hired more scientists. Astrophysicists, Biologists, Geologists, Anthropologists, and Botanists joined the team.

The original group of people at VWE all had one thing in common: they were all experts on machine learning and artificial intelligence. When the extreme processing capability of quantum computing became available these fields took off in a big way. Though often misunderstood, machine learning is really just a program detecting patterns in large sets of data. But paired with quantum computing the “learning” process went from weeks to mere moments and some artificial intelligence designs began to mimic, and even surpass, human intelligence.

What truly shocked the worlds of business and entertainment, though, was when VWE used the considerable amount of money they’d raised to buy a warehouse and stuff it full of quantum servers and storage with one purpose: to house a single AI. Scientists then taught the AI about the laws of nature and the history of how our world was created. Then they told it to create another one.

Many thought that quantum computing was limitless at the time, but they were wrong. It took that enormous server farm more than eight years to create Novarra. In fact, it had just finished last month and the first waves of people were already experiencing it. My excitement grew as I thought of what awaited me. As one of the first backers I was lucky enough to get in on the earliest phase of the project.

I had been so caught up in my woolgathering that I didn’t notice the car arriving at the facility until it stopped and the doors popped open. I startled a bit but then pocketed my phone and hopped out. The building was completely unremarkable and looked like an average office building. I almost thought I was in the wrong place until I spotted the VWE logo on a sign sticking out of the small lawn on the left side of the entrance.

Other cars pulled up to the curbside, I wasn’t the only one to arrive for Orientation and Induction today. Everyone was bright-eyed and eager, much like myself I guess, and we all streamed through the open double doors at the front of the building. There were multiple signs pointing down a hallway indicating where the orientation would be held and some VWE staffers also herded people down the same way.

The hallway opened into a large presentation room with an enormous LED screen behind a simple podium and row after row of conference seating. It was absolutely packed and I was early. Despite how many people were already here I figured it wouldn’t get started until at least the scheduled start time, so I grabbed an end seat on a row near the back and pulled out my phone again.

I just couldn’t help it. It wasn’t that I was anti-social or anything, I was just dying for more information on this incredible world that had taken shape before my eyes over the years. There were quite a lot of impressive streams and a boatload of speculation based off of them but very little in the way of official info. The one exception had been the revelation of how our avatars would work in the world mechanically with some details about attributes, races, magic, skills, and abilities. I browsed to the section on attributes, wondering if anything had changed last minute.

Strength

The measure of your physical might. Used in determining medium and large melee weapon damage. Some larger weapons also have minimum Strength requirements in order to wield them effectively. Additionally, Strength determines your carry weight and exceeding it significantly penalizes all aspects of combat and movement.

Agility

The measure of your overall dexterity. Agility affects the damage dealt with small melee weapons and ranged weapons. Your chance to dodge physical and certain magical projectile attacks is directly tied to your Agility score. Skills that require sleight of hand, careful movement, or general finesse are affected as well.

Endurance

The measure of your fortitude and toughness. Any damage you take, as well as any pain you feel, is reduced proportionately based on your Endurance score. Diseases, poisons, and physical sicknesses can be mitigated or resisted entirely with a high enough Endurance. Hunger, thirst, exhaustion, and other status effects are also reduced in severity by this attribute.

Intelligence

The measure of your mental acuity. Directly responsible for the size of your mana pool. Intelligence determines the effectiveness of magic spells of all types and there is often a certain minimum requirement for higher level spells. This attribute also affects skills which rely on problem solving or understanding complex ideas.

Wisdom

The measure of your cognitive flexibility. This attribute determines your mana regeneration rate. It also affects your ability to learn new and existing skills, essentially improving your learning speed. In addition, any skills or abilities that rely on creation or creativity are heavily influenced by your Wisdom score.

Everything looked familiar to me, which was hardly surprising considering I’d checked it on the ride over. I was still kind of amazed that there was no attribute for health or hit points though. The speculation was divided among two groups: it was either level based where a certain amount was granted every character level or strictly based on resistance and mitigation and we’d only ever have a set amount. I wasn’t really sure which it would be but either way it was a curious model.

Paging over to the next section on the website I looked over the races again. With a dozen to choose from there was sure to be quite a bit of variety in Novarra.

Dwarf

Best known for their subterranean kingdoms, Dwarves tend to be excellent miners and blacksmiths. Their constant delving into the earth in search of new materials tends to disturb things better left buried and as a result they have developed a strong tradition of martial prowess. Shorter of stature than most races, they are nevertheless very strong and ideally suited for the mining tunnels they call home.

Racial Bonuses:

Passive Ability: Nightvision - See clearly even in low lighting conditions. +20% skill gain for Swords, Axes, Shields, Mining, and Blacksmithing +2 Strength +2 Endurance

Human

The most prolific race on Novarra, humanity is also one of the youngest races. Despite their relative youth, humans have risen to power in most areas of society due to their unmatched diversity and drive to appease their insatiable curiosity. Both their greatest strength and their greatest weakness, they are difficult to classify as at times their only commonality is how different they are from one another.

Racial Bonuses:

Passive Ability: Curiosity - Increased chance to learn new skills through repetition and experimentation. +10% skill gain for all skills +2 to an attribute of your choice +2 to an attribute of your choice

Stroi

In ancient times they were an isolated tribe of prehistoric humans who lived in the harsh, frozen wastes of the north. They competed for meager resources with tribes of Giants and their society became fixated on fighting, and being able to overcome, their foes. But beyond the cultural emphasis on strength and weapons training a darker and more ruthless habit formed in the press to survive: they killed any of their young who would not grow large enough to fight the Giants. This practice has long since fallen out of favor but the effects remain as the once plentiful Giant tribes have been pushed back to the deepest reaches of the wastes and the Stroi average around seven feet in height.

Racial Bonuses:

Passive Ability: Strong Back - +50% Encumbrance weight allowance +20% skill gain for Swords, Maces, Axes, Shields, and Heavy Armor +2 to Strength +2 to an attribute of your choice

High Elf

At one time the Elves were a single race but a natural disaster forced them to flee their home or perish. The High Elves were among those that chose to leave the afflicted continent for another altogether. They founded a new home in a land rich in mana and developed a fascination with all things magic as a result. Elves can live a very long time and as such often have a different world view than most of the other races. Their close call with destruction led to a focus on and reverence for their society, history, culture, and beliefs.

Racial Bonuses:

Passive Ability: Cultured - Languages, backgrounds, histories, and traditions are much easier to learn and remember. +20% skill gain for Fire Magic, Air Magic, Earth Magic, Water Magic, and Arcane Magic +2 to Intelligence +2 to Agility

Wood Elf

Like their High Elf cousins, the Wood Elves escaped their home continent to find shelter on a new one. However, where the High Elves built their grand cities atop magical lay lines, the Wood Elves were those who found what shelter they could in the forest. When they first arrived in their new lands they were even more wild and untamed than the wildernesses are today and the trials and tribulations formed the Wood Elves accordingly. They tend to be shorter and more compact than their cousins but have the same grace and agility all elves are known for.

Racial Bonuses:

Passive Ability: Keen Senses - Taste, Sight, Touch, Smell, and Hearing are all enhanced. +20% skill gain for Earth Magic, Life Magic, Tracking, Stealth, and Bows +2 to Wisdom +2 to Agility

Dark Elf

While the High Elves and Wood Elves escaped the continent that was the original home of the Elves, the Dark Elves were those who instead chose to shelter underground. What had once been intended to be a temporary measure instead lasted for millennia and the once fair-skinned people adapted to their new environment. Now with a distinctive dusky skin tone that separates them from their High Elf cousins, they’ve also managed to become more resilient and have spent a great deal of time studying the things that would be useful for their survival underground.

Racial Bonuses:

Passive Ability: Nightvision - See clearly even in low lighting conditions. +20% skill gain for Dark Magic, Fire Magic, Stealth, Daggers, and Bows +2 to Endurance +2 to Agility

Gnome

Historically an insular and private people, they are typically shorter and smaller in stature than the other races. To overcome their size disadvantage they have developed a strong talent with trap-making and magical artifice, utilizing their intelligence to their advantage. Their familiarity with tinkering, magical constructs, and traps has given them a unique understanding and ability in dealing with them.

Racial Bonuses:

Active Ability: Deconstruct - Take apart an item to study its base components and progress in the relevant skill. This ability destroys the item. Passive Ability: Trap Sense - Highlights all traps in the immediate vicinity. +20% skill gain for Arcane Magic, Light Magic, Crossbows, Traps, and Artifice +2 to Intelligence

Fae

First arriving in Novarra from another plane of existence, the Fae are the survivors of a magical plague that nearly wiped out their entire race. They are often considered enigmatic because of both their actions and their solid silver eyes without irises. The original home of the Fae was a place of Primal magic and as such they tend to be skilled in its use. Their affinity for it is so strong that they are able to wield it even while wearing armor.

Racial Bonuses:

Passive Ability: Primal Attunement - Wearing armor does not inhibit the use of Primal Magic skills +20% skill gain for Light Magic, Dark Magic, Life Magic, Death Magic, and Heavy Armor +2 to Wisdom +2 to Strength

Infernal

Originally born from other races and a demon parent, they are often misunderstood and shunned by the rest of society. Despite the preconceptions and prejudice, they are not inherently evil. Their demonic heritage, however, can often manifest in an aggressive nature. Because they are distrusted by most people they tend to form their own cities, societies, and governments. Their appearance is distinctive and generally consists of a dark reddish skin tone along with golden eyes.

Racial Bonuses:

Active Ability: Blood Rage - Temporarily increase all attributes and gain temporary health. When the ability expires the health is lost, possibly resulting in death, and all attributes are penalized for a time. +20% skill gain for Dark Magic, Death Magic, Swords, Axes, and Bows +2 to Strength +2 to Intelligence

Drakken

Dragons are some of the most powerful beings on Novarra but they also walk the world in forms designed to blend in with the other races. The Drakken are the result of pairings between these Dragons and others and they tend to have an affinity for magic similar to their Dragon ancestors. In addition, they have a natural love for fire and their interactions with others are easier thanks to their impressive ancestry.

Racial Bonuses:

Passive Ability: Fire Forged - All fire damage is converted to healing. Passive Ability: Dragon Blood - +10% Mana Regeneration +20% skill gain for Fire Magic, Life Magic, Diplomacy, Intimidation, and Haggling +2 to Wisdom

Merfolk

More at home in the depths of the oceans and lakes of Novarra than on land, they have blue-tinged skin, lightly webbed fingers and toes, and can easily breathe underwater. They tend to keep to themselves, if only because their cities are hard for most of the other races to get to, but are also friendly and welcoming to those that do manage to make the journey.

Racial Bonuses:

Passive Ability: Aquatic Dweller - Able to breathe underwater. +20% skill gain for Water Magic, Light Magic, Polearms, Dodge, and Swimming +2 to Agility +2 to Wisdom

Aviar

A product of experimentation by an ancient Magocracy, the amoral magic users created the Aviar to be their slaves and shock troops. Their appearance is similar to a light-skinned blond human with large white wings resembling those of a bird’s. Though their wingspan is almost twice their height they are perfectly capable of using the appendages as additional limbs and can fly for limited durations. Aviar society is a militant one, a holdover from when they destroyed their former masters and creators and vowed never to become slaves again. Few dare to attack the Aviar in any case, as their cities are often built upwards instead of outwards.

Racial Bonuses:

Active Ability: Fly - Able to take flight. Being Encumbered, wearing heavy armor, or impeding the wings will remove or restrict this ability. Passive Ability: Air Superiority - Able to use most weapons and magic while flying. +20% skill gain for Air Magic, Polearms, Swords, Medium Armor, and Bows +2 to Strength

Custom

Though it is rare, it is possible for a child to be conceived from parents of two different races. These children are treated with a wide range of tolerance depending on the culture and society they find themselves a part of. They often find themselves taking on some mixture of traits from their parent’s races.

Racial Bonuses:

3-5 Randomly assigned bonuses from the two chosen parent races.

They all looked familiar until I got to the last choice. I’d never seen the Custom option and I must have been so distracted on the ride over that I missed it. Even though I’d already spent countless hours deciding on the choice, I now had even more options than the mere dozen I’d started with. When I first made the decision I’d gone with Dark Elf because I wanted to have a stealthy option and to be able to pick my battles. The passive to see in the dark struck me as powerful as well but now I might be able to get another passive in addition to that with the Custom option, provided I had a bit of luck.

Then again, I could get screwed and end up with the worst possible combination and only three bonuses. With the luck I’ve had in my life, it didn’t seem too far fetched. But I set the thought aside. I was about to enter a new world with new opportunities. It seemed like a good time to roll the dice.

My ruminations were interrupted by a flurry of activity in the room as people rushed to take their seats. I put my phone away and saw the cause for the commotion: a woman in a suit was standing at the podium, patiently waiting for the crowd to settle. There was palpable excitement in the air as our investment from over a decade ago was finally bearing fruit.