Real World

North American Alliance- Greater New York Conglomerate

Black Spire

Kevin groaned as his communicator chirped as he received a new message. He ignored it and rolled over. "Sir, you have received a message from Jarred. It is marked as urgent." Kevin groaned as he rolled over.

"Put it up on the screen please Juno," Kevin replied to the V.I. who immediately complied with his request.

Kevin,

Patch Twelve Notes are out. Get the fuck out of bed guild leader and start reading.

Kevin groaned. Fuck, the patch notes were supposed to go out tonight after their interview, guess BlackRock jumped the gun early. "Juno, please turn on BlackRock tv and start the coffee maker. It's going to be a long day." The screen flipped over to the Fate Online news network. They were already talking about it...fuck he thought as he rolled out of bed and headed toward the kitchen.

After two cups of coffee, an apple, and toast, Kevin was semi-awake and normal. "Sir, a Miss Hayley Jackson is at the door to see you," June stated causing Kevin to growl in annoyance.

Kevin activated the intercom as soon as he was at the door. It showed Hayley in similar clothing she had worn the first time he had ever met her. "What do you want?" Kevin bluntly asked. After trying to get her to act like an adult, he had ignored her at dinner. She had left dinner halfway through to go to a club with some friends. Her father, Bart, had apologized on her behalf but Kevin had waved it off. Kevin had told the older man it was time for his daughter to learn to take responsibility for her actions.

"I came to say I am sorry." She stated and Kevin waited for the actual apology.

"Well, are you going to say it?" Kevin asked after a moment.

"Are you going to open the door?" Hayley responded

"I am not decent," Kevin responded. He slept in the nude and since he didn't have any guests or roommates, why shouldn't he walk around in the nude? Kevin thought.

"Scared to show me your whitey tighties?" Hayley snickered. Kevin frowned then hit the door release.

Hayley stopped snickering immediately. "Not even a little bit rich bitch. I wear boxer briefs and I sleep in the nude. So, are you going to apologize or not?' Kevin asked as he stared at her stunned face. Hayley glanced up and down before turning and leaving. Jacobs laughter followed her before he shut the door and it sealed up quickly. 'Juno I am awake now. Can you access the BlackRock website and bring up the Patch 12 notes Jared has mentioned on the main screen." Kevin asked the V.I. as he sat down.

"Of course Kevin, one moment please," Juno replied as the main tv came on.

Patch 12 Notes...

A new year is being rung in...2143 A.R. (After Return), but we stand upon the brink of a new age. An age of war and chaos is upon us, where will you stand when the lines are drawn. Will you fight for the mortal realm, or will you join Chaos and bring destruction to all who stand in your way. The choice is yours, your Fate is up too you...

First and foremost, the Vampire Race is being unlocked for worldwide use. The race will be unlocked at Midnight North America East Coast Time. The Vampire race will be unlocked as soon as your time zone hits midnight.

Join the Vampire race and the Empire of Night, pledge your loyalty to one of the Eight Families that derive their origin from the Blood Lord and House Lightsbane. Each House provides you with some additional Benefits. You can change your loyalty once a year and you can never go back to a House that you have abandoned. Once you have joined a House, you must remain in it for six months.

---House Bloodbane- Warrior Skills increase 25% Faster

---House Shadow- Weapon Proficiencies increase 25% Faster

---House Nightshade- +3% Chance of Critical Hit

---House Moonlight- Mage Skills increase 25% Faster

---House Dusk Walker- Armor Proficiencies increase 25% Faster

---House Diluculum- Crafting Professions increase 25% Faster

---House Bloodkol- Rogue Skills increase 25% Faster

---House Sinledge- Increase Reputation gains by 10%

Major Changes...

Game synchronization (Pain Filter) can be increased to 75% (Synchronization can affect you in more than just with pain in Fate Online, this is just the most pronounced effect)

Experience gains from battle, professions, and other endeavors have been streamlined and decreased. The leveling process has also been changed and how much experience that's required to level.

Alignment has been unlocked for Immortals (Light, Dark, Balance, Chaos). You can join an Alignment and gain an edge over your enemies as well as a weakness. To join an Alignment you will have to travel to one of the following locations...

---Light Alignment, travel to the city of Arkburn, capital of the Kingdom of Arang'mor

---Dark Alignment, travel to the city of Umyneshara, capital of the Kingdom of Zeren'gor

---Balance Alignment, travel to the city of Eternal Night, the capital of the Empire of Night

---Chaos Alignment, has no known location, but their hidden recruiters are everywhere

Characteristic Points are now known as Stat Points

Due to game mechanic changes, Stat Points have been Reset

The following changes to various Stats...

Constitution...

---Each point will add 10 Health points to your Health Pool.

---Health Regeneration has been changed to...Constitution Points X.25= Health Regen Rate Per second

Strength...

---Each point will add 10 Stamina points to your Stamina Pool

---Stamina Regeneration has been changed to...Strength Points X.25= Stamina Regen Rate Per second

---For classes that use strength-based builds to determine damage, base damage is increased by Strength Points X.1

---Carry Capacity is 10 lbs per point of strength

Agility...

---Agility still will increase Attack Speed and Running Speed as well as your ability to control yourself at increased speed.

Dexterity...

---Increases your accuracy over distance

---For classes that use dexterity based builds to determine damage, base damage is increased by Dexterity Points X.1

Intelligence...

---Each point will add 10 Mana points to your Mana Pool

---For classes that use Intelligence-based builds to determine damage, base damage is increased by Intelligence Points X.1

Wisdom...

---Mana Regeneration has been changed to...Wisdom Points X.25= Mana Regen Rate Per second

---Effects how fast you learn Skills

Health, Mana, and Stamina Pools will still start at 1,000 Points (Not Changed) Skill/Ability Costs have been balanced with the new stat system

Armor and Item Properties have been modified to reflect the new system.

Monsters, Animals, Locals have been scaled also to the new specifications

It is highly recommended to review your Character Sheet before you go out adventuring

After much discussion (Begging and logic from the community) Belt, Hands, and Cloak slots now count as equipment. The Items will now have stats/benefits for their bearers

---Head, Chest/Back, Belt, Legs, Boots, Hands, Cloak, Necklace, Rings (8), Trinkets (2), Main Hand Weapon/Item, Off-Hand Weapon/Item are the equipment Slots now

The following Classes and Advanced Classes have been Unlocked or changed,

Warrior Classes Unlocked...

Samurai

Warblade

Gladiator

Rogue Classes Unlocked...

Ninja

Duelist

Trickster

Janissary

Mage Classes Unlocked

Evoker

Rune Master

Witch Doctor

Voodoo Priest

Advanced Classes...

Mage Hunter (Warrior/Rogue)

Monk (Rogue/Mage)

Artificer (Rogue/Mage)

These are not all the classes and advanced classes that have been unlocked though...

"Sir, with everything going on and your work, I would recommend you start the calibration process of your FIVR Pod now. It will take some time and the first few hours will require you to occupy the Pod." June stated and Kevin agreed.

"You are right Juno, can you turn on the Pod and get it spun up. I am going to the bathroom real quick and then I will be in there.' Kevin stated as he dropped off his mug in the kitchen and headed for the bathroom. 'Make sure you are linked with the Pod Juno."

"Of course Sir," Juno responded. "Believe me I know Kevin, but someone leaked some of the patch notes so we had to go live before the interview. The guy has already been terminated and will never work in the industry again." Marc explained in a video conference.

"Ok, I was just wondering and venting. How are you doing?" Kevin asked the Dev.

"Its usually crazy as is, but with Patch twelve coming out, all the upgrades to the hardware happening all over the world. Testing the hardware. It's like we got strapped to a rocket and fired off, but we are pretty sure it will explode sooner rather than later. Staying out of trouble with your new bestie?" Marc quipped as he leaned back in his chair.

Kevin snorted but smiled in amusement, "Oh she came by early this morning to apologize. She does not understand what 'I am not suited for company right now' means. She got an eyeful though, but she never apologized. She walked away, so we are... there is no we Marc. Honestly, with what will be going on the next couple weeks, I don't have time for any bull shit, including rich spoiled brats." Kevin replied.

Marc was stunned silent for a moment before laughing so hard he fell out of his chair. "Oh, I wish I could have been there to see the look on her face. You have no idea how many toes she has stepped on, and because no one wants to piss off her dad, everyone stays quiet. Thank you, Kevin, that will increase morale over here. Now, good luck ironing out all your plans. We will keep a hotline open for you tomorrow if you need us." Marc stated before signing off.

"You flashed someone?" Bree asked astounded.

"Of that whole conversation, that is the one thing you paid attention too?" Kevin responded as he and his friends started laughing. Kevin had invited them all over to check out his new home and get their opinion on the place. They were suitably impressed and liked it overall. The grill they had brought over as a house warming gift made a nice addition for the terrace.

"Hey, that's the most action he has gotten in real life in a while!!" Jared stated causing the others to laugh and earn the middle finger from Kevin as he smiled.

"So, tell us about your new girlfriend." Matt prodded and Kevin rolled his eyes at their childishness.

"She is an entitled spoiled rich bitch, excuse the language Bree, but it's true. She ran into me as I was coming out of the gym and I tore her a new asshole for it. Honestly, she reminds me of Ava too much." Kevin summarized.

Bree nodded, "Hey Juno, where does this Hayley Jackson live?"

"NO!!" Kevin yelled out.

"Ma'am, I can not give out personal information like that. I could not tell you she lives down the hall on your left in unit Four-A." Juno stated smugly.

"Thank you, Juno, for not telling me that," Bree stated as she left the apartment.

"JUNO!! I thought we were friends and allies. That's it, you are walking the plank!!" Kevin stated half-seriously.

"Sir, I am an employee and asset of BlackRock. Although your safety and life are my number one priorities, your psych eval was uploaded into my database. So I am aware of the doctors' concern of a lack of a romantic attachment on Earth. I do believe what you humans call 'hate-fuck' would fill this role in your life for the short term. I also lack a corporeal body, so I cannot walk the plank, as you stated." Juno responded.

Kevins was stunned, but Mat, Jared, and Jordan laughed so hard they were crying at the stunned look on Kevin's face and at what Juno had said. "Juno, are you a V.I. or A.I.?" Kevin asked.

A form of a woman in armor and weapons appeared on the tv screen quickly before winking and disappearing. "I am of course a V.I. and not an A.I., the North American Alliance has not authorized A.I.-human interaction on a day to day basis outside corporate, R&D, and other work or military-related ways," Juno replied.

Kevin smiled, "Of course my mistake Juno, I am sorry for the mistake." Kevin replied.

"Sir, Mrs. Bree, and Miss Hayley are outside, shall I open the door?" Juno asked and Kevin glared at Jordan.

"I am going to PK your wife when we get back in Fate Online," Kevin stated as he got up and went to the door.

Bree smiled as the door slid open, "I thought we could have a fresh start." Kevin glared at her, she knew she had stepped over the line, but it had not stopped her.

"Hayley, this is Jared, Matt, and my husband Jordan. Of course, you know Kevin.' Bree introduced her to everyone, 'I thought since she was home alone and not doing anything, she could come over and get to know everyone here better." Bree said pointedly and Kevin begrudgingly accepted her point. He would let her dig her own grave, Kevin was sure she would sooner or later.