Welcome back, as previously stated, the story shall be in 3rd person/past tense now, as I'm much more comfortable writing that, 1st person keeps making me go with present tense and it's super weird.
Start.
Zachary appeared once more in the Astral Sea, though instead of being a formless, shapeless spirit, he was a real boy.
His hair floated like he was submerged, much as he did unable to form any solid footing he aimlessly floated through the sea of stars, enjoying himself.
For Reaching 50 Charisma you gain the following Perk.
[Charming: People find you endearing, and are more likely to strike up a conversation with you. +1 to all Reputation Gains.]
'Well that's good to know.' He thought, even a small bonus like that had long legs, making the minimum positive 2, which was a hell of a lot better than 1.
Welcome back.
How was your Tutorial?
The black haired man smiled, his eyes casting skyward as he thought over his answer, "It was good, I can probably say the best experience I've ever had, but it did feel a little… lifeless?"
That was more or less the point. Contractors typically don't get given a tutorial in a vacuum like that, but it was something we felt worth exploring.
How do you feel about your grasp on the System?
"Given the way the interface is laid out, I feel like it's something very easy to understand, but hard to master. Considering the intricacy of our meeting alone, this feels like something that will definitely have some serious rabbit holes." Zachary answered, looking somewhat amazed at himself as he did so, but also confused.
Skills Acquired!
[Presence of Mind: The Contractor of the Overseer is a being outside of the typical rules of reality, and so it their mind. None shall be able to pierce the bulwark around your thoughts, nor invade your mind. Grants Immunity to Mind based status effects eg. Fear.]
[Malleable Form: The Contractor of the Overseer is a spirit, the vessel however is just as important. Any vessel the Contractor inhabits will take on the form of the Created Character. The Character Creation vessel acts and behaves as an A-RPG Character, it does not need rest, nor require nourishment.]
"So that's why I can think so clearly. Wow, this is amazing." He said, mystified at the relative silence in his mind.
Yes, typically those are given straight away but I wanted to see how you would act without the buffers, I must say I'm impressed.
Most Contractors are reliant on the Gamer's Mind and Gamer's Body, but interestingly enough you adapted with minimal stimuli.
Why is that?
Zachary seemed to consider this for a moment, a look of concentration on his face, a million flashes seemed to pass his eyes before he looked up and answered, "In spite of who I used to be, I'm not a passive person by nature. I am human and express the full range of emotions, but I've never… indulged in violence. Having the certainty that I can flourish in violence is deeply appealing to me."
The man placed a hand on his chin thinking further, "Definitely has roots in how I was raised to dissuade me from aggression at every possible avenue. But now I am not held by the same rules I was before, I make my own rules, I can live in whatever way I choose and I choose this. I choose violence, I choose conflict because never in my life have I been able to express the deep rage that is in me. If killing monsters and not-real people facilitates that, I'm definitely going to indulge. However I don't suddenly want to end the existence of anyone I meet, that's not conducive to a long life."
Zachary noticed the egg was back, floating past lazily.
Interesting thought process. But I have my answer. Are there any other questions you have, in regards to the System itself, before we move on?
"Does the Help Menu function as a useful user's manual?" Zachary asked instead, looking up once more, there was an odd draw for him to stare upwards when addressing Overseer.
It does, yes.
"Then just a question on what exactly my purpose is, in the grand scheme of things." Asked the man, trying to do a zero-gravity flip.
In short? You're an enforcer of your own will, your nature is paracausal. You can cut and pull the threads of destiny. You're station is an experiment from On High, effectively we want to see what happens when someone takes an active roll in 'fucking with stories'.
"So basically I'm a universal plot device that changes things to their whim?" Zachary asked, amused.
This is not inaccurate.
"The first time we met you asked me what kind of places I'd want to visit, so you want me to go to worlds I love and see what happens when I influence it, why?" The man felt compelled to ask.
I would like to remind you I cannot lie to you.
For amusement.
Being an ominous super-consciousness, we need things to keep us occupied, Contractors are our windows into mortal minds, it keeps us grounded and present in the multiverse.
The floating man mulled this over for a few moments, bouncing between existentialism and greek nihilism.
Which is nihilism, but more fun.
"My purpose is to amuse?" He considered aloud, humming in thought, "A literal god, tied to me for the sake of entertainment, who knows me inside and out, and wants me to succeed?"
Zachary continued thinking, as he was want to do, but he did not feel the typical haze of self-doubt and self-destruction rearing its ugly head, no instead he looked at it thusly.
Death was not the final step of his journey. In fact it would seem Life was his ultimate asset, and if the Malleable Body was to be believed, his spirit was quite literally an immortal spirit, who could forcefully-incarnate anywhere.
Moral quandaries about body snatching aside that was an eternal, perfect gig.
He got to live by the rules of a system he understood, no weird pseudo-political bullshit between friend groups, he could be honest with anyone he chose to, he'd get a clean slate every time he visited a new place, he could be a different person every time or the same one, he was given unlimited choice for the foreseeable eternity, true freedom.
His eyes stung and his breath hitched, the sheer joy that bounded through his blood at that thought, the certainty of purpose, of course a god would find the actions of a mortal amusing, human existence was one big game of sims, and this face of whatever god ruled the multiverse was looking directly at him, Zach.
The Goose, the Cryptid, the… man who accomplished nothing in his life, the Overseer gave him the multiverse and said 'Go Explore!'.
You are crying. I understand why, but are you well?
"I don't think I've ever been better, man." Zachary said, laughing as he choked out a sob, "The sheer gratification of vanity in me right now is mind blowing but the… everything, man. Everything is just waiting for me!"
It is, would you like something to aid in your moment? I lack a body to pat your back and say 'There there'.
Zach snorted, sniffling still, a large smile on his face, "Can I send a message to my Dad?" He asked jokingly, brain frying from the uh, everything of the situation.
Recording Message
Zachary blinked, but Presence of Mind quickly allowed him to rally, "Hey Dad, it's me, Zac! I don't know what state this message will find you in, but uh… I love you Dad, and I'm really sorry that I had to leave you alone. I know that this isn't the best thing to say right now but I miss you so goddamn much, Dad. I really do, I'm sorry I was such a fuckup, and I know you're gonna say I wasn't but I'm talking so shut up."
The man laughed haggardly as he allowed himself a moment, "It's gorgeous Dad, where we go? It really is. I dunno how much I'm allowed to tell you but, it's nothing to be afraid of. I can guarantee you that, I haven't seen Mum yet but who knows yeah? Afterlife stuff is weird… tell everyone else that… living a full life is worth more than being afraid of living it. Oh and I watered the plants before I left so, you should be good for a few days."
Recording Ended.
Recording Sent.
That is the only time I'll be able to do that. Those passed are not meant to interact with the living.
"Honestly that was more than I expected, thank you… for everything." The crying man said, grinning like a loon with the radiance of a sun.
You are very welcome to answer a question you have not asked, your Mother along with most other souls, are reincarnated upon entering the Astral Sea, typically human souls are present here for roughly six minutes.
Souls that are here longer, draw our attention.
"Well that's good I suppose." Zachary said, taking a deep breath to calm himself, "Hooo, nothing like a good cry to make you feel better, that's a weight off my chest."
"Off-hand, do you know where she ended up?" The man had to ask, curiosity biting at his heel.
The soul of your mother has had her memories stored in the Great Consciousness, before being sent back into the multiverse. Interestingly enough your mother's soul inhabits the body of a woman in a galaxy far, far away.
"My mum is in Star Wars?" Zachary laughed up a gale, "Ahh, she'd love that. Poor woman had to sit through Revenge of the Sith with me when I was 8, and was not a fan."
I can say no more on this matter unfortunately. There's only so much meddling I can do before I am noticed.
"Well again, I really appreciate it. Sincerely." Zachary placed a hand over his heart and smiled all the way to his eyes, he was acutely aware of their sparkling quality.
We must now decide on your next place of entry, where would you like to go?
"Divinity 2: Dragon Knight Saga, I know it wasn't completely finished before it was released but without a doubt, Larian Studios made the game for me, 3rd person action RPG with intricate storytelling, mind reading, and the straight up ability, to become a fucking dragon."
Dragons are unequivocally, the coolest pieces of fantasy for Zachary, sure he'd loved them since he was small but the reason for it has changed substantially over the years, going from 'man that flying lizard sure is cool' to, 'That force of nature has seen history play out, and remained untouched by time'.
The sense of self they had, damn man.
Aside from Dragons in, ironically, Dragon Age. As those were just giant beasts, fun to fight for sure, but not exactly interesting.
There are many who have forgotten this world, an interesting choice.
Please select a background.
[Slayer Initiate: Commander Rhode has brought you to your first trials as a Dragon Slayer, to the village of Farglow. This places you as the focal point of the story as you know it. +5 Str, +5 Wisdom, +5 Melee Weapon Mastery, +20 Reputation with Dragon Slayers.]
[Son of Orobas: Orobas was a great Dragon Knight, and you hold his legacy. Having been hidden away by loyal followers at a young age, Lord Orobas left many tomes and trinkets for his progeny, to retake their Fjords and enact justice on the slayers who tore your home asunder. +10 Int, +5 Wis, +5 Cha, +20 Reputation with Dragons and Dragon Knights, and the Dragon Shapeshift skill.]
[A Helpful Nobody: The world of Rivelon, does not know you. You are a non-entity until you begin making waves. +10 Str, +10 Stam, +5 Wis, and the Independant Action skill.]
[The Love Child: Damien and Ygerna did love each other deeply, and your existence is an expression of that love, Lord Damien has kept you hidden away from the world for many years whilst he conquers it, and attempts to find a way to return Ygerna to the mortal plane. +20 Int, +10 Stam, +100 Reputation with the Black Ring, +100 Reputation with Damien, +100 Reputation with Ygerna.]
[Champion of the Patriarch: Long has he rested, tucked away from prying eyes in his lair within the Orobas Fjords, the Patriarch is as old as Rivelon itself, the last of the true dragons, the creator race. Under his wing you have learned much of what it means to be a Dragon. +100 Wisdom, +50 Reputation with Patriarch the Black, the Shapeshift (True Dragon) skill and the Draconic Heritage perk.]
"Can I have a look at those skills before I decide?" Zachary asked, his mind whirling with thoughts. "By the rules of the world, Dragon transformation requires a gem, if I remember right. The only one in the game is in Laiken's tower."
[+2 Int for remembering a crucial detail before hastily making a choice.]
[Shapeshift(Dragon): Take on the form and characteristics of a Wyvern Species Dragon. Allowing for flight, equipment of draconic armour and several breath weapons. Requires Dragon Morph Stone.]
[Independent Action: Allows the user to operate without the typical constraints of the material plane. Provides +10% MP5, +10% SP5 and 5% HP5. Unlocks 'Servant' Classes.]
[Shapeshift(True Dragon): Take on the form of the old creator race, a True Dragon is capable of great magicks should their name ever be uttered by them or the mortals they interact with it shall cause new life to bloom. Allows rapid flight, usage of draconian equipment, and the ability to cast True Dragon spells. Boost Dragon Knight EXP gain by 50%.]
[Draconic Heritage(False): Due to prolonged exposure to Divine Creator Dragon magic, your very vessel has been shaped by it, your eyesight is keener, your body is more limber than ever, and your mind is like a pointed dagger. +1 Int, +1 Dex, +1 Wis per level. Allows Selection of Dragon Scale Colour and Breath Weapon Element.]
'Just in terms of perks alone these backgrounds are all amazing choices, didn't expect to see Fate influence but maybe that's something that I can pick a lot later, there's plenty of worlds that I might want anonymity in, but Rivelon…'
[+2 Int for deducing the nature of the 'A Helpful Nobody' background.]
'Well that out and out confirms it. So I'll hold off for now. If I'm gonna do Rivelon, I'm going all in. The only one I can't really consider is the 'Evil' background, not for moral reasons though. Sure, if I wanted I could start and just axe Damien with his back turned, but that would… Well I feel like it wouldn't be in my interest to use Rivelon that way. Seems like a waste.' Zachary considered, his mind whirling a mile a minute with a clarity he'd never felt, but was rapidly being endeared to.
Please Select a Scale Colour, and Element before we proceed further.
Available Scale Colours:
Black
Red
White
Green
Blue
Silver
Brass
Gold (Creator Dragon)
Platinum (Deific Dragon)
"All good choices in their own right." Zachary admitted to himself, though in the simplest of terms, he'd always been quite partial to blue. A nice royal blue, deep enough that it was nice to look, and just showy enough to be noticeable.
Available Elements:
Fire
Frost
Lightning
Poison
Acid
Radiant (Deific Dragon)
'The amount of monsters in the multiverse that are vulnerable or at least don't resist Radiant damage, that I would reasonably come into conflict with, are much higher than anything else on the list, and it did sound pretty dope to fire holy lasers.' Zachary considered, but then an idea came to him.
The Howling Wind.
An image formed of a great blue dragon, sitting atop an icy peak with the wind howling like wolves, the freezing cold so potent it ripped the life out of any who approached the peak, the King of Winter.
And thus he picked Frost, as an afterthought he considered the EXP bonus from his Unseelie Fae trait and was even more firm in his decision to stick to one thing at a time instead of spreading himself out and potentially hamstringing himself later.
"What year will I be entering Rivelon?" Memories he'd lost for years, only being passing impressions now seemed to rise to the forefront with surety, "Divinity 2 takes place in 1300 AD, is that when I'll be there, for certain?"
[+2 Int for dredging an ancient memory.]
It will be yes, functionally as you enter the world, the game starts. Your backgrounds aren't necessarily where you will be though.
With the exception of Slayer Initiate you will be selecting your 'spawn point'.
"Excellent to know, then I'll go with Champion of the Patriarch please and thank y-" His mind seized as it was filled with information on a life he had not lived, being found as a shaking child in the Orobas Fjords, taken by bandits into the Patriarch's cave, and used as a bargaining chip for power.
The dragon slew them all, inconsequential though they may be in the Patriarchs eyes the Creator saw potential for might. And that potential could be useful to the Land of Rivelon, so suddenly besieged by the forces of darkness.
Years spent beneath the wing of the giant dragon, so much more otherworldly than some simple game could represent, never speaking it's true name, and urging it's disciple to do the same, for with the infusion of ancient draconian magicks, his name became Life.
The Dragons, the True Dragons of Rivelon were some of the most powerful creatures in the multiverse, purely because of their connection to the worlds they inhabit, true forces of nature that could upend life as the mortals knew it.
The magic had changed him, changed who he was and who he would become into something so much more, granted true insight into the world and the way it worked seemed to make everything he'd already known so small in comparison.
Arduous trials and great victories, tempered with ancient wisdom and fundamental truths, his mind reflected years in that cave, living with only the Patriarch, learning what it meant to be a dragon, learning what it meant to be one of the supreme entities of Rivelon, but learning that one cannot always solve the world's problems through direct action, sometimes the right push, at the right moment, was all it took.
The sensation of vertigo crashed into his being as the body he inhabited changed to suit this new tale, calluses forming on his hands, wear and tear from years labouring to earn the right to become a dragon, shallow scars and marks wearing onto his body, a few nicks and scratches along his jaw, ears and legs.
Time, his body was forced to experience what he had endured for the background to be coherent with the world, he saw the life he'd led in that cave since he first entered it, but never before, and not after.
Skills Acquired!
[Passive: Shapeshift(True Dragon): Take on the form of the old creator race, a True Dragon is capable of great magicks should their name ever be uttered by them or the mortals they interact with it shall cause new life to bloom. Allows rapid flight, usage of draconian equipment, and the ability to cast True Dragon spells. Boost Dragon Knight EXP gain by 50%.]
[Active: Dragonform (Novice 1/10): Taking on the form of a lesser Creator Dragon alters your stat modifiers to x 50, costs 100% of maximum human form mana.]
[Active: Dragonfire (Novice) 1/100: The breath of a dragon can create the most potent form of elemental magic, your breath is the classical flames of creation. Dragonfire has healing properties but also is capable of great destruction, it is at the behest of the creature itself. Deals Wisdom + Stamina Frost Damage or Healing depending on how you feel at the time.]
[Active: Dragonflesh (Novice) 1/10: Alters your human skin to be that of a young dragon's. +50 Armour, costs 150 MP.]
[Draconic Heritage(False): Due to prolonged exposure to Divine Creator Dragon magic, your very vessel has been shaped by it, your eyesight is keener, your body is more limber than ever, and your mind is like a pointed dagger. +1 Int, +1 Dex, +1 Wis per level. Allows Selection of Dragon Scale Colour and Breath Weapon Element.]
Please select a starting location.
[Farglow Village: The Home of the Dragon Slayer Order, where all initiates are given the beginning trials to become full fledged Slayers.]
[Sentinel Island: The corrupted island has been inhabited by the necromancer Laiken for decades, his presence has tainted the island and the natural inhabitants.]
[Broken Valley Village: The only truly civilised village in the Broken Valley, filled with everyday folk and their various tales.]
[Orobas Fjords(Champions Harbour): Stationed by Paladins of the Divine, Lucien, and next to a Slayer Outpost, Champions Harbour is probably the safest place for the layman in Orobas Fjords.]
[Orobas Fjords(Crypt of Orobas): The crypt of Lord Orobas the Dragon Knight, filled with treasures and ancient knowledge.]
Without a doubt in his mind, he spoke, "Sentinel Island, the perfect place in need of a cleaning, I'll see if I can't kick about a few more things for the Dragon Knight to try out, trials and such. It's only fair."
Like a finely honed knife his personality kicked in, assimlating the memories and retaining itself, "Good fucking god that's a lot!"
The first time is always the worst, especially with one requiring detail and the passage of time.
[Background Stat Bumps/Changes]
+100 Wisodm
For reaching 50 Wisdom you gain the following Perk.
[Perceptive: You find noticing small details a good deal easier. Traps and Hidden doors now glow slightly.]
For reaching 100 Widom you gain the following Perk.
[Intuition: There's a surgical nature to the way that you conduct yourself, precision and a keen hand are sometimes all you need. +10% Crit Chance.]
You have Gained Access to the 'Dragon Knight' Class.
Having gained access to more than one class you can now change your class at any time.
As you have left the tutorial you gain two skills.
[Create ID: Allows the user to drop from whatever world they are currently on into a pocket dimension that acts as a traditional dungeon, completing dungeons will unlock more. Currently Available: Zombie.]
[Escape ID: Allows the user to leave the Instant Dungeon, cannot be used during boss fights, and will place you exactly where you entered the Dungeon.]
World Jump Initiated.
He felt his eyes growing heavy, as he felt himself dropping, and ceasing to exist on the Astral Plane.
Gulls cried out as the salty sea lapped calmly, the sun bright and high in the sky over Sentinel Island, the consciousness of this great place of magic was stirred as it felt a presence unlike any it had in many years.
Though smaller, more fleeting, barely hatched.
The Prophecy, perhaps, would be fulfilled before its time. An oddity for the Island, it had never known such a thing to happen, prophecies were incredibly fickle in their glimpses of the future. Specific enough to only be resolved a certain way, at a certain time, but also murderously vague as to when that was.
Truly infuriating.
As the Avatar of the Island formed, a bald floating feminine figure seemingly carved from wood, it appeared before the intruder in a quick burst of blue light, powered by the mighty Source of Magic infused into the island itself.
The Avatar took a moment to visually take in the interloper, they bore a spark of divine energy, much like any new hatchling, but seemed to possess the body of a half-elf, perhaps a new but powerful Dragon Knight had come to the island to reclaim the Battle Tower from Laiken.
"I bid you greetings, Dragon." The Island spoke quickly, garnering the attention of the being, a man grown, but not aged. "Be welcome to Sentinel Island, the home of Dragon's of old. Now a harbour of horror and insanity."
"And I you, Island. A pleasure to meet you on this fine day." The island could tell there was something more to his words, an unspoken thing that for some reason it could not glean.
He continued, merely casting a glance towards The Island's Avatar before looking to the skies, eyes trailing the wyverns that circled on the rocky spires, before trailing further, towards the Battle Tower itself.
A hunger swelled in His chest, as he fought the urge to introduce himself naturally, as he did think on his own name the sand beneath his feet twisted and warped, becoming verdant soil that rapidly began to sprout blades of grass.
"I am… Zachndr. That will do for now." A new name, a simple portmanteau of his true name, and once more he made the mistake of dwelling on such, the spreading of new life rapidly began to creep from his feet, bright blue flowers with spiraling petals blooming.
"A new Dragon indeed, that you would have such trouble with your magicks." The Island noted almost absently, "This name shall serve well enough. I rejoice at your coming, Dragon. For the prophecy spoke of a coming akin to your own."
The Dragon seemingly froze for a moment before turning fully to address the Consciousness of the Island, "It is not I who your prophecy spoke of, but the tower will be mine regardless. The corpse that sits on my throne just doesn't know it yet."
This confession seemed to confound the Island and yet the Dragon said more, "The one you need shall be arriving, I cannot say when but soon. My presence exists only to infuriate the plans of fate."
That caught the Island off-guard somewhat, no mind probe had attempted to reach it and yet the creature seemingly knew of it's consternation regardless.
"In 24 hours, I will take from Laiken his ill-gotten goods. This Island is mine now. And none shall trespass on my property." The severity of the Dragon's tone sent tremors across the island proper, the very ground seemed to hum for a moment.
Yes, The Island considered, perhaps fate would be torn. And so, preparations would have to be made.
The Dragon spoke one final time, "Bring only 4, I need no selection process and certainly don't need talented people dying pointlessly. Barbatos, Igor, Radcliff and Hermosa. The Master Alchemist, the Helpful Servant, the Master of Weapons, and the Martial Mistress. The others are better off at home."
The Island was quick to acquiesce to the foresight of the Dragon, "Your will be done, Dragon."
"ID Create." Before the 'eyes' of the Island, the Dragon vanished, his presence seemingly removed from the Island entirely.
End
Hope you guys enjoyed, not exactly a super engrossing chapter but I'm trying to avoid rushing, which may seem counter to how quickly some things pass.
Divinity 2: Ego Draconis is one of my favourite games, Larian really did a solid job with the whole series, when the Dragon Knight Saga was released it was a time of great joy.
Any game that lets you be a dragon is a solid 10 in my books.
Dragons are dope.