“I am your guide.” a rough voice intoned from above me.

“I’m… You’re my… What…? What’s going on?” I sputtered as I pushed myself up off of the dusty road, shaking my head to try and clear it. I felt the heat from the sun on my back as I rose. The road appeared to cut through a mature forest of some sort. I looked up to see that the trees towered above me, but were cut back enough to allow the sun to shine on the dirt packed road.

“I am your guide.” Said the tall, cloaked figure standing beside me. I couldn’t tell if they were male or female, but they had the flat, monotone voice of a professor who was resigned to repeating themselves for inattentive first-year students.

“My guide for what? Where am I? How did I get here?” I was beyond confused.

“I do not have that information. I am your guide.”

“What are you supposed to guide me to?” I tried, looking at my ‘guide’ closer. Inside the hood seemed to be a fathomless pit of black.

“I am your guide. I will assist you in navigating the tutorial and establishing you within the system.”

“What is the system? How did I get here?” I threw my hands up.

“I do not have that information. I am your guide.”

“Yes, yes. I understand that.” I sighed, “You are my guide. I need more information than that.”

“I am your guide. Are you ready to begin the tutorial?”

Letters appeared in the air between me and the cloaked figure like a pop-up menu from an augmented reality display.

[Begin tutorial. Y/N?]

I stepped back, startled. Wherever I seemed to be, it couldn't be real. A dream? A VR game? Holographic displays didn’t just appear out of thin air. Even AR needed some sort of device. I touched my face and head, looking for some sort of glasses or a headset.

Nothing.

“What if I don’t choose?” I asked the cloaked figure.

“All progression requires choice. In order to progress you must decide.”

“What if I don’t have enough information to decide?” not going to lie, I was getting a bit panicky, “What if I make a bad choice?”

“All progression requires choice. In order to progress you must decide.”

I scrubbed my hands through my hair, “And if I just keep walking down this road? What then?” I gestured down the dirt road I was standing in.

“All progression requires choice. In order to progress you must decide.”

“All right then. Here’s my decision.” I started walking down the road away from the tall cloaked figure.

Without any distinguishing features to the left or the right, I simply chose the right and started walking. The sun was nearly directly overhead, but it seemed like it was a little more on my face when I looked to the right. Good enough for me. Otherwise, there were no defining features, such as mountains, in the distance to orient myself, so this way seemed as good as the other.

After what felt like an hour I stopped and looked around. The scenery had been unchanging, and I had not encountered anyone or anything. The day remained warm and bright. A typical summer afternoon in the countryside. Except I wasn’t in any countryside I knew.

After waiting for a moment, staring blankly, not sure what to think, I turned to head back the way I had come. The tall figure was standing to the side of the road as if they had followed me...or I hadn’t actually gone anywhere.

I wiped sweat from my face, “Okay. Fine. I’ll play your stupid game.” I said, my voice tinged with frustration.

The letters appeared in the air again. As I thought “Yes.”, and started raising my hand to tap the Y, it started flashing and the display disappeared. The letters appeared to be prompts more than a touchscreen.

More words and screens appeared in the air between me and the cloaked figure.

[Characteristics]

[Abilities]

[Class]

[Race]

[Skills]

[Spellcasting]

[Profession]

[Craft]

“Is there a manual for this?”, I asked the cloaked figure. “Is there anyone else I can talk to? Is there a town nearby with other people?”

It felt like it had been a while since I’d played games that even resembled this, so I hoped it wouldn’t take long to knock the rust off my memories. But then, now that I stopped to think about it, everything seemed like it had been a while since I had done it. I couldn’t recall what I had for breakfast, or how I got...where was, here? Everything seemed on the tip of my tongue, or just out of reach of memory. How did I know what Augmented Reality was, but not know what I did for work?

I had to start somewhere, trying to jog my memories, and figured the top of the list was the best place. I tapped the “Characteristics” tab and started scrolling through my options. Some were lit up, and some were grayed out. I tapped on the Abilities tab and found the same thing.

“How do I look through all my options without saving? How do I save when I decide what I want?” I asked the figure.

“All options remain selectable, until you tell me you are satisfied. When you are satisfied I will ask you to confirm your selection and I will save your decisions.”

“Finally some useful information.”

I started opening up the different selections in as many combinations as I could think of. I remembered some of the characters I had played previously and tried to duplicate them here. Some of them were possible, while others were not, or at least not yet.

“Do I have to select all options now or can I wait to decide on others?”

The figure hesitated before responding. I wondered if anyone had asked that particular question before.

“Any selection initiates system tutorial. There is no timeframe for completion of system tutorial. Once a system tutorial is active you may move about within the Apprentice area until all tutorial objectives are complete. Completion of System Tutorial will result in new options beyond the Apprentice area. Perhaps your other concerns will be addressed then.”

“Could you say ‘system tutorial’ any more?” I asked, annoyed, “Describe the Apprentice area.”

“The Apprentice area consists of the town of Springbrook. The surrounding community. The Apprentice Dungeon. The wilderness surrounding them.”

“Which direction is the town of Springbrook? Are there people there I can talk to? Are there things I can learn?”

The cloaked figure raised its arm and indicated to the left. I slumped. Figures. I had a 50 – 50 chance of picking the way to the town and I chose wrong. Oh well, it likely wouldn’t be the last time in…whatever it is I was in, that I was going to choose wrong. Hopefully I survived my choices.

Now that I knew I could progress with any selection, I decided on the least restricting I could think of. I selected the Profession tab, and scrolled through until I found Wilderness Guide. If I was going to live in an outdoors environment, I wanted the skills that would keep me alive until I figured out more about what was going on. I also didn’t want to choose something that looked powerful and capable to begin with, but topped out more quickly than something more open-ended.

“Profession: Wilderness Guide”

“Profession: Wilderness Guide selected. Please confirm your selection.”

“Will confirming profession restrict other selections? Will I still be able to select the other options such as class and race?” I wasn’t sure how soon I should start being paranoid, but I figured sooner was likely better than later.

“All selections will impact other options. Some selections will eliminate other options. Each category of options will remain open until selections are saved.”

“Confirm Profession: Wilderness Guide.” I said with a sigh. It was obvious I had to do something, anything to move on. However I still didn’t like making decisions without all the information…or even some information.

Looking down I saw that my attire had changed, from non-descript trousers and a shirt to a heavy green shirt with a leather vest, and brown leather trousers. I hadn’t paid attention to my shoes before, but now I was wearing sturdy boots that felt like they would be much more comfortable for long walks. Beside me rested a small pack, and opening it I found a wide hat, a cloak, several pairs of gloves, a bedroll, some assorted personal items including extra shirts, and some coins. Everything seemed to have pockets. Certainly something designed for someone who worked out of doors.

[Wilderness Guide Starting Equipment]

[3 Silver Pieces]

[27 Copper Pieces]

On a hunch, I asked my ever helpful guide, “Is it possible to change or add to my selections? Can I choose a different profession later?”

“Advancement brings new opportunities and options. Time and resources invested in various activities bring new opportunities and options.”

Well then, it seemed it wasn’t a total loss. And I could potentially undo some poor choices.

“How do I get additional or improved clothing, equipment, and money?”

“Many options come with inherent bonuses. Selecting a Class provides the most advantages for starting players.”

“So you mean if I decide to be an Archer I get a bow or if I decide to be a Mage I get a spell book?”

“That is correct.”

“Is there anyone else around that I can get more information from?

“There are many people in the town of Springbrook. Some of them may have the answers you seek.”

Well then, I thought, it’s off to Springbrook and hopefully some answers.

***

“I suggest you arm yourself.” My guide said suddenly from over my shoulder.

“B’aahhh!” I responded in the most dignified manner I could muster. “Don’t DO that! Warn a guy next time.”

“That is exactly what I was attempting to do. I suggest you arm yourself.”

“Arm myself? With what? It’s not exactly like there’s a GunsRUs around the corner.” I said, dripping in sarcasm, “Wait, what am I arming myself against?”

“Goblins.” it said plainly, “There are goblins in these woods. They don’t generally venture out this way, but it is not unheard of. I suggest you arm yourself with whatever is available and prepare to defend yourself.”

I glared at it, “If I’m going to have to fight goblins, don’t you think I should have come with a sword or a stick or… Something?” I threw up my hands.

“As I said, it is unusual for them to be here, however you seem to be unfortunate.”

“Unfortunate?!? Is that what you call it?” I snapped in disbelief. I started looking around for a large stick, something I could use as a club, while simultaneously frantically searching for goblins. ”Make yourself useful and come up with some suggestions.”

“Goblins tend to be cowardly and abhor a fair fight. They will likely attempt to attack you en masse and overwhelm you with their numbers. I suggest a longer weapon to keep them away from you as long as possible. It would be excellent if you had a quarterstaff.”

“Yes, yes I expect it would. Since I don’t have a quarterstaff, what’s the next best thing?”

“Along the tree line, perhaps you could break off a limb or sapling.” the cloaked figure gestured towards the trees.

“Fine then. I guess it would be too much to ask to be equipped with a dagger or knife when we’re dumped in this place?” I growled, starting for the trees.

My guide remained silent.

After a quick search I found a decent sized branch lying on the ground. About 6 feet long and an inch or so thick. I knocked off the smaller branches and tried to clean it up a bit. I spun it around, experimenting with the weight. It had some heft to it, and it didn’t seem like it would fall apart the first time it hit something.

I found my makeshift weapon none too soon, as the bushes across the road started rustling and several small figures emerged. They were green and about 3 to 4 feet tall. They looked ghastly with their fanged mouths hanging open and bits of leather and bone in what I assumed was makeshift armour. In their hands most of them carried some form of weapon, whether something edged or a short club, but all of them were armed. Before I could move to hide or run, one of them spotted me and pointed, hissing loudly.

“Meat. Fresh meat!” The rest of them took up the chant. “Meat! Meat!”

Nearly petrified with fear, I stood there, rooted to the spot, as they advanced towards me, spreading out in front of me. My brain insisted on providing me with continual updates as they crossed the road. Five of them. Armed. Hungry.

“Perhaps a more…aggressive...response is in order?” my insufferable guide prompted.

“Oh, is it?” I snapped, startled out of my panic.

I swung the branch a few times in their direction to keep them honest, if that was even a concept they understood. They spread apart a little more. Obviously this wasn’t the first time they had waylaid someone wandering down a road.

One of them moved to lunge forward waving its club, but I didn’t fall for it, figuring at least some of their initial attacks would be feints to get me to turn my back to the others. Attacking in a pack like this made me think they weren’t likely to be known for individual bravery.

Suddenly one of the ones on the other edge of my vision leapt forward, swinging its dagger. I back-pedalled madly and swung the butt end of my branch in its direction. It was a blind swing, intended more to fend it off than to do any real damage, but I lucked out and smashed the end into its face. Stunned, it dropped like a sack of potatoes. It wasn’t dead, but it lay there twitching.

Another goblin joined the one on the other side who had feinted and they launched themselves at me, hissing as they swung their clubs. I swung the branch at them, smacking one in the side of the head, spinning it around, stumbling. The other hit me in the side with its club, knocking the air out of my lungs. I staggered back gasping, struggling to hold onto my branch as the rest of them advanced on me. So this is how it ends, I thought. Dragged down by Goblins on a dirt road in the middle of nowhere.

“I am your guide”

The goblins looked sharply to the left as a cloaked figure suddenly appeared in our midst and raised its hands toward the Goblins. Desperately I thrust my branch forward smashing one of the Goblins in the chest, forcing it back, its sword falling to the ground.

Five on one seemed to be a reasonable fight for the Goblins, but with three of their number down or disarmed, and the odds apparently even now, things were much less to their liking. My guide started waving its arms in their direction like a mad wizard, and their nerve broke. The three of them who could, ran back across the road, tossing down their weapons as they fled. The stumbling one made it a few steps before tripping over a rock and falling to the ground. It lay there, twitching. The others left it to its fate.

[Skill: Lv 1 - Quarterstaff]

“Some guide you turned out to be.” I gasped. “But thanks for the save there. Wait, I think I just learned something.” The quarterstaff felt somehow better in my hands, like it belonged there. Was this what it felt like to gain new skills? Instead of gradually building up, there was a sudden ‘pop’ of ‘Whoa, I know kung-fu.’? Because if there was, that might take some getting used to, especially if it happened in the middle of a fight.

“You are welcome. I will suggest that you take what you can find, and leave this place immediately. They will likely be back in larger numbers before long.” My guide responded. “You have started training in a new Skill. Further advancement will come from a combination of additional combat and martial training.”

Once I got my breathing under control, I could see the wisdom in leaving as soon as possible.

I quickly gathered up the dropped weapons and searched the fallen Goblins. The smell was almost overpowering, but I managed to wrestle a few belts and pouches off of them while I gagged through the stench. Their armour was foul smelling and I doubted it would be worth the risk of catching some sort of disease from it. Could I catch a disease here? They both had pouches of something that resembled food, but I left the nauseating contents and moved on.

Between the two Goblins, they had several coins and odds and ends, including a sharpening stone and . After a brief inspection I tossed the clubs into the woods, but kept the dagger from the Goblin I dropped and a knife another had discarded. The sword wasn’t going to win any prizes, but it was likely better than the branch I started with. I used the knife to tidy up the branch and decided it would make a decent walking stick, if nothing else.

[Item: Quarterstaff - rough]

[Item: Short Sword - poor repair]

[Item: Knife - poor repair]

[Item: Dagger - poor repair]

[Item: Sharpening stone - rough]

[Item: 2 Silver Coin]

[Item: 7 Copper Coin]

[Skill: Lv 1 - Appraisal]

[Skill: Lv 1 - Woodworking]

“What did I do?”

“You have gained additional Skills.” my companion stated, “One allows you to determine relative values of items and can provide information on things you observe. The more time and attention you spend, the more information you will garner. Increasing your experience will also increase the amount of information. The other allows you to turn various amounts of wood into tools, weapons, and other items.”

“Handy…but I’m guessing it would be better if we moved off to ‘anywhere but here’ to further this conversation?”

“Correct. When the Goblins return, they will do so in numbers that will easily overpower you.”

“Onward then. Onward to Springbrook.”