Last Game Standing
Chapter Four: Character Development
************************************************************************
Ryan slowly plugged the pod console into the wall. As soon as he did, lights on the console began to appear, and then brighten. He sighed in relief. It was ready.
He slid the pod door open. The sap inside the console was there, a mysterious slime, thinner than water, and as breathable as air. He was ready.
He climbed into the pod, and shut the door. Drowsy thoughts enshrouded his mind as he drifted off into unconsciousness…
************************************************************************
"Please state the name of your character."
Ryan looked around. He was in a complete and total darkness. He looked down, and noted that he was standing on a small, white disc. He attempted to run off the platform, and was knocked back for his troubles.
"Please do not attempt to leave the platform. Please state the name of your character."
There was the voice again. After several minutes, Ryan gave up thinking up a new name and simply called out: "Ryan!"
"Confirm character name: Ryan?" The voice asked. Ryan nodded. The voice took this as a response and continued with: "Character name confirmed as: Ryan." With these words, the letters in Ryan's name appeared, one by one. Several copies of Ryan's name floated around the platform, some showing different writing styles, and even in different languages. (Digimon, anyone?)
Next the voice asked what could be translated as a more embarrassing question. "Please state your gender." Ryan was taken aback somewhat, before replying with: "Why, can't you tell?"
The game did not take this as a valid answer. "Please state your character's gender." Ryan got over his slight embarrassment and stated: "Male." Wanting to be sure, the game followed up with: "Confirm character gender: Male?" Ryan, still somewhat embarrassed, quickly said: "Yes! Yes!"
Happy with the answer, the game's voice then said: "Character gender confirmed as: Male." A blue male sign appeared, floating near the first copy of Ryan's name to appear. The other versions of Ryan's name soon faded away, leaving the area almost completely empty once more.
Following that question, the game then asked: "Please state your species. Several models of different species have been provided for your convenience."
Several figures appeared next the platform. The game's voice then continued with: "Most species are currently unavailable, and will become unlockable once you complete certain features of the game."
Ryan reached out, and touched the first figure, one of a human. The voice began to speak again.
"Humans are a common sight in the Lands of the Gates, and are seen in most worlds. They can learn almost every skill, and wield almost any weapon. Sadly, they are not capable of becoming masters of any particular art, and instead find relief in their diverse skills, and use several different techniques to win their battles. They can choose any world to begin in, giving them an advantage in that respect. Do you wish to select this species?"
Ryan shook his head. "Yes, but I want to see the other races first."
The game's voice responded. "Understood. Would you like to see the next species?"
Ryan nodded, and the figures dulled. Then, another figure, this time of a small man with a mushroom sitting rather squarely on his head, brightened as the game once again decided to speak.
"Toads are easily the most common species in the Land known as the Mushroom Kingdom," it droned. "They are small, and, despite their mushroom caps on their heads, are somewhat fast. Their mushrooms are the key to their power, as they hold spores to which is dangerous to most other organisms. However, Toads are immune to the poisons that they contain in their toadstools, meaning they can use it where they want, whenever they want. Sadly, Toads make poor hand-to-hand fighters, using mainly their spores, indirect weaponry, or magic to assist them in combat. Selecting the Toad species will immediately unlock the world: Mushroom Kingdom, but you will not be able to select any other world to start off in. Do you wish to select this species?"
Ryan shook his head once more, and the Toad figure began to dull. Another figure, this one seemingly similar to that of a human, began to brighten.
"Hylians are, at first glance, a lot like humans. However, it soon becomes apparent that they are more than they appear. Hylians have pointed ears, stand slightly taller than most humans at maturity, and have a different muscle build to humans as well, allowing them impressive maneuverability and agility. While they may seem superior to humans, they are technically weaker in classes that require brute force, and cannot use many weapons that also require massive muscle strength. Their saving grace, however, comes from their use of light to medium weaponry, and their mastery of enchantments and healing magic. They can also use magic for offensive purposes; however, they do not often take this path. Selecting the Hylian species will immediately unlock the world: Hyrule, however you will not be able to select any other world to start off in. Do you wish to select this species?"
Although it was tempting, Ryan decided against choosing to play as a Hylian. Brute force was a massive help in RPGs, and he didn't want to play as someone who couldn't use that to a high level of prowess.
The figure of the Hylian dulled, and the one next to it, a small yellow mouse, lit up. The voice began to describe it.
"Pokemon are, or at least in most varieties, are one of the least human-like races out of all the major species in the Lands of the Gates. They are also one of the most varied, if not the most so. There are well over four hundred currently known kinds of Pokemon, and new breeds are being found all the time. Many species are interlinked, and it is not unheard of for Pokemon to change rapidly into another form, a process known as evolution. Selecting to play as a Pokemon will allow you to select a starting form, although other forms are unlockable. Also, keep in mind that each breed of Pokemon is limited in the number of skills they can learn. To solve this problem, groups of Pokemon will often band together to cover each other's weaknesses. Several humans have picked up on this, and have taken up the title "Pokemon Trainer", training Pokemon that they have recited over time to assist them in combat. Selecting the Pokemon species will immediately unlock the world: Kanto, however you will not be able to select any other world to start off in. Do you wish to select this species?"
Ryan quickly stated that he would not choose it, and was rewarded with the Pokemon figure dulling in colour, and the Human figure brightening again. He let the game drone on about its explanation of the human species, and, when asked about if he would like to play as a human, accepted.
"Confirm character species: Human?" The game voice requested. Ryan nodded.
"Character species confirmed as: Human." The game said. "Now creating avatar. Please wait while avatar is created."
There was a flash of light, and Ryan was… not changed in the slightest. He shrugged, and was asked: "Confirm character avatar?"
"Meh, okay." Ryan simply stated, and listened as the voice said: "Character avatar confirmed."
Ryan continued to listen as the game said: "Please choose a class. There are currently seven classes to choose from that are available to your chosen species."
This time, Ryan noticed that seven figures, all of them human, had appeared. The first one was a man dressed in armour. He touched the figure, which then brightened.
"Warriors," the game stated, "are common in the Lands of the Gates. They can wield most melee weapons, and can rapidly attack while the Advance ability is activated. However, while they do this, they can fall prey to surprise attacks. They can dispatch Thieves, White Mages and Freelancers with ease, but have trouble dealing with Monks and Red Mages, and are nigh on helpless against the power of a Black Mage's magic. Humans make great Warriors, although Hylians and most types of Pokemon are also capable to following this path. Toads can also become Warriors, but they do not become as powerful. Do you wish to become a Warrior?"
Ryan decided against it. "I'll see the other classes first." He said.
The Warrior figure dulled, and the one next to it, a figure of a man in tattered clothes, brightened. The game began its explanation.
"Thieves are quick of both wit and intelligence. Their equipment is limited to light weaponry, but they make what little they have deadly with their fast-paced attacks. Their Steal ability proves useful, but there are many items that are impossible for a Thief to steal. They often take their enemy by surprise, using ambush tactics to take them by surprise. They can cull both White and Black Mages in a matter of moments, and can deal with inexperienced Freelancers quickly. Sadly, they cannot deal with Warriors, Monks or Red Mages very well, and so it is advised for Thieves to stay away from them. To Thieves, the element of surprise means anything. They can tell if someone is attempting to sneak up on them, and are required to ambush opponents to have the upper hand, something that comes naturally to the greatest of Thieves. Hylians and Toads make great Thieves, although Human Thieves are not unheard of, and the same for Pokemon Thieves. Do you wish to become a Thief?"
The idea of being weaker than most direct-damage jobs didn't impress Ryan. "No thanks." He said.
The figure of a Thief faded in colour, only for another to replace it. A figure of a man in white robes brightened, as the game began to talk once more.
"White Mages are impressive healers. Although they lack strength in muscle, they make it up in willpower. They are good assistants in battle. They can withstand magic attacks from Red Mages and Freelancers, and can survive most magical spells a Black Mage can send at them. They equal attack power with Black Mages, and can learn to match up to a standard Freelancer. However, they can only do so much against a Red Mage's blade, and also fall prey to Warriors, Thieves, and Monks. Hylians make great White Mages, although Toads, some Pokemon and Humans also do well in this area. Do you wish to become a White Mage?"
Ryan wanted to fight fiercely, not stand somewhere behind a barricade, healing. He quickly denied using the class.
Once again, the figure dulled as another brightened. This time, a man wearing a pitch-black robe and a large yellow hat with a high point appeared.
"Black Mages are masters of battle magic. They have many different types of elemental magic at their disposal. Their magic can dispatch Warriors quickly, and can also deal with Thieves. Their magic can also defeat Freelancers, and overwhelm inexperienced Red Mages. However, they have trouble dealing with White Mages, who have a built-in resistance to most basic magic attacks, and fall prey to Monks, whose training in body and mind teaches them how to deal with enemy magic. They also cannot fight well trained Red Mages, and do not stand much of a chance in close combat. Pokemon and Toads make the best Black Mages, although this path is also open to Humans and Hylians. Do you wish to become a Black Mage?"
While more tempting than the Thief and White Mage jobs, Ryan decided against taking the Black Mage class. The Black Mage was replaced with a well-muscled man, who did not wear a shirt, wearing only the lower part of a robe.
"The Monk class is the greatest beginner's class for unarmed combat. They use their entire bodies to beat their enemies into submission. They have honed their body and their mind as one, giving them an edge against magical opponents. For that matter, they can finish quickly both White and Black Mages, and can deal with Warriors, Thieves, Red Mages and Freelancers as well. The one great weakness of the Monk is that they have little chance against armored enemies. This can be remedied later on, but leaves a massive problem for aspiring Monks until then. Hylians and Pokemon make great Monks, as well as Humans. The Monk class is too hard for Toads to handle, meaning they cannot use this class. Do you wish to become a Monk?"
After seeing the Monk class, Ryan was all for forgetting about the Warrior class. After all, who wants to run around with a sword and armor when you can send people flying using only your fists? Ryan didn't, that was for sure.
But there were still two more classes left, so he let the figure fade, and watched as another appeared in its place. This one sported a red hat, a red coat, and brown pants and shoes. The hat was adorned with a large white feather, and the coat with white frills and ruffles.
"The Red Mage is considered the strongest all-rounder of the beginner classes. They can use both Black and White magic, although not to the caliber of a specialized Black or White Mage. They have the most limited equipment out of all the beginner classes, being only able to wield swords, and basic armor. They are superior to Black and White Mages in hand to hand combat, as well as trumping Thieves and Freelancers. They can also hold their own against Warriors, using magic to gain the advantage. Their one weakness is that they can only do so much against Monks, as they do not gain enough specialized ability in any one field. They also have trouble dispatching Black and White Mages using magic alone. Hylians and Humans make good Red Mages, as well as Toads. Few Pokemon breeds can become Red Mages, as they need to cover a variety of different abilities instead of specializing in one particular field. Do you wish to become a Red Mage?"
Now it was a tie between the Monk and the Red Mage classes. Ryan considered the two of them. The strong, powerful Monk, or the swift, well-balanced Red Mage. There was only one class left to look at, as the final figure slowly appeared.
"The Freelancer class is considered inferior to most. They grow the fastest out of all the classes, and can learn the most skills. However, they can not specialize in any one field, and can learn only the most basic of magic. Despite this, they can wield the most weapons for any one class in the game. These simple abilities, although slight, get this often misplaced class a well-needed edge. They can surprise the melee classes with a surprise magic attack, and, once trained, are deadly to magic users. Their only true weakness lies with Red Mages, who can fend off anything that a Freelancer can throw at them with a superior attack. Anyone can become a Freelancer, although no one species has an advantage or disadvantage while using this class. Do you wish to become a Freelancer?"
Ryan stopped. A Freelancer. Using such a class would be a challenge, but wasn't that what playing games was about? Challenging oneself? And he would quickly gain in power, something that could be useful.
He then uttered eight words that would affect his game for a long time to come. He would groan, celebrate, cheer, and even scream because of his choice.
"Yes, I do wish to become a Freelancer."
The game then responded: "Confirm character class: Freelancer?"
"Yes."
"Character class confirmed as: Freelancer."
There was another flash, and Ryan, once again, appeared to not have changed at all. He sighed, and waited for the game's next action.
Three pictures appeared, hanging in the air. The game's voice rang out.
"Please choose a world to unlock. This will be your starting world."
The first world was described as the Mushroom Kingdom.
"The homeland of the Toads, the Mushroom Kingdom contains mostly mountains and plains. There are a few citadels and towns, each one of them some distance from each other. Despite this, many of the lands within the Mushroom Kingdom are somewhat safe for beginners. Beyond it lie other lands, which may also be explored. Players who chose to start off as Toads must choose this world."
The second world was described as Hyrule.
"A land of lush forests and beautiful lakes, Hyrule is home to the Hylians, amongst other species. There are only a few towns of any real population, the greatest city being Hyrule Castle Town. There are few other lands nearby, but the land of Hyrule is very vast in itself. Player who chose to start off as Hylians must choose this world."
The third and final world was described as Kanto.
"A region varying in locations as much as the different types of Pokemon lying within it, Kanto is home to both Humans and Pokemon. Humans who come from Kanto often select a profession that includes the use of Pokemon. Pokemon, however, are more varied, and are known as the most diverse species of them all. Players who chose to start off as Pokemon must choose this world."
Ryan sat there, on the platform, in quiet thought. He had made his character. Now he just had to pick the world to start off in. Would he choose the bright land of the Mushroom Kingdom, the medieval land of Hyrule, or the region known as Kanto? He slowly sat there, considering his options…
TO BE CONTINUED…
Took me a while to write this. Anyway, when you review, please leave a note stating which world you think that Ryan should start off in. I'll be leaving a few choices like this in your hands, so this will not be the last time I'm going to leave a decision up to the vote. Anyway…
Until next time,
Ultra Blader