《Second Life》15 The Good With The Bad
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We've just come up on a large square, offset so that the road that passes through the gate is on the left side of the courtyard as you face the gate from inside Horn Point. This arrangement is so that the traffic coming into the city can be shunted off for inspection while traffic leaving the city can go without stopping. Interestingly, most outbound traffic has people leaving their wagons in shifts to approach an obsidian arch that looks three stories tall. They pass through it and then return to their wagon. You can't be one hundred percent sure because there is an opaque veil of some kind that doesn't let you look through the arch directly. Careful observers can easily track those who are 'doing business as usual' - especially if they have something about them that stands out. "The obvious question is, 'Why is the obelisk an arch?'"
Gilden says, "The greater your population then, the more convenient the obelisk becomes to prevent people standing around - at least if your government can, and will, pay for the change."
"It's a good habit to update your status every time you leave the city; most, like me, do it when they enter unless they have a status effect they don't want to be saved," said Grumpy. "It's self-explanatory, Jeb, and if you need something while saving, you can call out for a Bob to assist you."
"Ok, let's go. Where do we meet on the other side?"
"I'll go first, I know I'll be quick and easy, and then I'll wait for you on the other side. We're going to go through the foot gate, so we need to take a tunnel under the road," said Mason - and then she started smiling. "I understand you've never followed the yellow brick road to see the wizard!" And before I could say anything, she ran off to pass through the arch. I chased after her, and the others followed close behind.
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--- * ~ * ---
I touched the veil and found myself in a 5x5 grey room with mirrors on three walls and an open doorway behind me. A disembodied voice speaks, "Jebediah Walker would you like to save your avatar's current state or make modifications?"
"What modifications can I make?"
The slightly creepy voice responds, "You may use any scripts in your inventory or upon your person. You may also choose the order in which any tiles you have appear. The first title will show with your name if someone uses the 'Name Tag' cantrip. Face the center mirror; it shows you what the 'Name Tag' cantrip is currently displaying in addition to your reflection. The mirror on the left will allow you to reorder your titles. The mirror on the right will show you any physical changes that will be made to your avatar if you use the scripts you are holding."
There's a little box above my head in the center mirror, and it says:
When I look to the left, I see I have other titles to pick from:
Holy crap, that's..."Are titles active when not displayed?"
"All titles are active all the time unless they have an option to disable effects in their description," she replied in that disinterested voice.
"Who can see descriptions?"
"Advanced inspection cantrips will reveal the description of the first title. A tier one or greater magic is required to reveal additional titles and descriptions. You may show your character sheet to reveal titles and descriptions; the share function will allow you to select what will be shared. Sufficiently strong magic or enchantments may be used to block some or all data from being revealed." I decided she sounded a little like Siri - that's who she is now!
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"Please change the order to 3,1,2."
Siri stated, "If you choose, you may do this yourself in the future by dragging the items on the mirror."
"Thank you; please save avatar state now."
"Please exit to the rear," said Siri.
--- * ~ * ---
"I see I took the longest - did you even look at your titles?"
"No," replied Mason.
"Yes," replied Gilden, "I got a new one: Jinglemaster."
"I got that one too," said Grumpy. I know a lot of cantrips, so I presume it's because of what you told us about how they work and then used that knowledge instead of simply memorizing the new ones.
"I just looked at my character sheet, and I got it too - that's a pretty nice benefit if you are searching for new ones and trying out things," said Mason. "The real question is if others can learn that title from what we teach them. It won't appeal to everyone, just those who spend a lot of time trying things out."
"Seems like I really impressed Nirvana because that's not all I got. I think when I suggested 'Taste the Rainbow,' she granted me another title too; 'The Candyman Can' - cantrips and advanced cantrips cost 50% less, round down."
All three of them exclaimed, "WHAT!?!" Grumpy grabbed my arm and pulled me out of the foot traffic. In a harsh whisper, "Jeb - I've never heard of anybody with a mana-reducing title! Nearly every cantrip is now free to you, and nobody but Nirvana can take that from you! People take years to build mana pools just to be able to use cantrips while crafting! Crap, I can't think of anybody who wouldn't sell their soul to get that title."
"I don't think they can. It has a 'U' next to it, which I presume means 'Unique,' and that's not all. I have an 'L,' which I also presume means 'Legendary.' 'Caught My Eye,' that one enhances appearance somehow."
Gilden laughed, "Even if there isn't a damn thing in the graveyard, there isn't a Sect that won't snap you up. You've been in Nirvana less than two days and have three titles that are rare or better in quality! God, I hope you're right about the graveyard; I want to be rich!" Mason was just standing there nodding her head like she was at a rock concert.
Grumpy shakes his head, "Gilden's right, just having that legendary will get into just about any group - especially if they think they can exploit you in some way. Jeb, you need to stop sharing things with us. When word of some of this gets out, people may target us to see what we know. Your earlier concerns may be making me paranoid, but I am starting to see merit in your point of view. Let's go see what new wonder you have figured out that has eluded the rest of us and then find a safe place."
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Forgotten Dungeon
Death comes quickly and without warning. Even for such little personage as him. It's quite hard to start as a dungeon core. Quite harder when divine bureaucracy simply dumps you in the a** end of nowhere because of their incompetence and because of your agent status as a Fallen Angel. Yet Uno (temporary name) is used to working with subpar materials and making the best of circumstances. It doesn't help that his personality was cut down to size, but he tries to overcome the system with ingenuity and a healthy dose of duct tape. Or the local equivalent of such. *** An audiobook of the Forgotten Dungeon story has been made by Agro Squerrils and is available on YouTube, under this link: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcfzFNUhrNS3Z7DfjN5pMWn-CI1uKg3s2 He has my permission and full support for doing so, so don't be shy and check it out! *** Hello people! It's a story about a dungeon. Or maybe the dungeon? Who knows. Dumped in a hostile world, working hard to overcome circumstances. There is an RPG system in place, but I'll try to make it not number-heavy. I would be more focused on skills - at least from the perspective of the sentient races. Dungeons will have their own little playground. I'll try to make MC not overpowered - it always irks me how the stories tend to go from zero to hero in a few minutes. I hope y'all will enjoy the ride! *** Also, a Discord server has been made recently: https://discord.gg/sK2pam3 Join and share your opinions, if interested! :)
8 240Backyard Hero
On the outside, Max is a normal office worker. He is stressed, overworked, and newly dumped, and now he has to train a classer to take the promotion he deserves. Max has neither the money nor connections to become a classer himself, at least not legally. Only the elite of the elite are permitted to access dungeons or to claim the classes they provide. Max's home holds a secret, however, one that will draw him into a world of intrigue and adventure. Will Max survive the dangers that lie beneath his backyard shed, or will they destroy him?
8 194The Elementalist
The world was thrown into chaos as humans all over the planet were taken to participate in the Trials. A contest to separate the strong from the weak. Each human was given the chance to prove their will and grow in order to survive. Little did everyone know that before this all happened certain individuals were taken to test out the system. Tide was one of those individuals and sadly failed to survive. Instead of dying he was just brought back into the main event when everyone else began. Having a second chance to do better Tide prepares himself for what is to come. Ps. cover image isn't mine. I am just using it as a place holder for now.
8 156Generic Zombie survival Wuxia Cliche story
Same old same old. Zombies attack. Zombies Evolve. Humans evolve. Humans gain superpowers. No deep plot, no plot planned out at all actually. Writing it as I go and because I'm a sad boi trying to use stories as a form of escapism. Not going to proofread, not going to check for grammar or anything. Will definitely read like a machine-translated Chinese amateur web novel. Have a nice day. (The cover is from one punch man, no this is not a fanfic) (I don't actually plan/think anything in this will be too gory or "traumatizing" but since its a zombie survival story I thought I might as well add it, plus the fact that the MC does some pretty messed up stuff. He's the stereotype Wuxia villain so to speak, expect competently and not dumbed down to make the hero look smart.) I will add warnings in author notes before chapter starts if anything particularly "gory" or trigger events happen.
8 200Professor Fang
First in an exciting new series about a time travelling Vampire Professor named Fang and his two human sidekicks.
8 229The New Legion
FoundationEver since childhood, it has been Raidon's dream to join the army. But his family is poor and he is still very young. Nevertheless, he signs up when one day warriors are sought for a special legion. This is his chance to fulfill his greatest wish. The training sessions are difficult and the soldiers wear special armor. Raidon appears to have unique talents. Not only is he one of the few able to read the old manuals, but he also has a sharp insight and a natural leadership. Then one day it turns out that special signs form on the heavy armor, which have to do with the deployment of the soldiers. Raidon develops into a captain and under his leadership an ancient legion with an impressive reputation comes back to life. Empress Alyena, who took over her father's empire after his death, faces piracy and fierce attacks on her empire. She could really use the power and commitment of the New Legion. An exciting and compelling fantasy novel. ------------------------------------------------ Chapters on: Tuesday Thursday Saturday
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