You have just loaded up the VRMMO, "Pedigree of Ancients", the special headset you're using connecting directly to your mind. As the game starts, you find yourself in a blank space, a menu appearing in front of you. Looking down at yourself, you see your own body... Or, rather, what you view yourself as. Reading over the menu, you hear a feminine voice in the space around you.
"Welcome to Pedigree of Ancients! As a new player, your first token shall be provided for you. It's up to you to acquire better Pedigree Tokens in your adventures, that your descendants may grow from your adventures and allow your legacy to rise to ever greater heights! To choose the best token for you, please introduce yourself, and answer a few questions for us. First and foremost, what is your greatest ambition in a land of adventure?"
As I raise my hand, a menu opens and I click on audio talk, to dictate speech to text. "My name is Tyler, I am 21 years old, male, 1,80 meter tall, have short, dark hair and have a trained body of 90kg weight and a well defined muscular tone. My beard is grown to a goatee beard." I let go of audio talk and see the text on the textfield.
"Ah, you seem like quite the interesting specimen yourself! Let's see how we can make use of that... Hm." The voice hums to itself for a moment before continuing. "Very well. As your first token, I shall give you a Normal-rated character of an Elf race. They are known for their long lifespans and magical abilities, but they aren't particularly strong or resilient in combat. You can use this token to create your first character within the game. Once you have decided upon your class and appearance, simply select 'Use Token' and begin your journey through Pedigree of Ancients!"
I arch a brow. Elf... I thought about a human token, but the long lifespan of a few hundred years make this very appealing. I choose a class most befitting to Elves, the Ranger Class, since its bond to nature and stealth abilities would give me plenty of room to further enhance the character to a very stealthy and deadly one. I adjust the features and bodily appearance to some degree, make them more manly and attractive, yet not all too beautiful. I will live a rough live in these woods in the game. but charisma will aid me in selling my produce. As I am ready and the charakter is set up, I select 'Use Token'.
*The last vestiges of your previous life wash away as you find yourself standing before the great oak tree that serves as a portal between the game's world and reality. With a final thud, the newly-formed character steps out of the tree, its emerald eyes taking in the lush forest surrounding you. Scenting the air, the elven ranger takes a deep breath and surveys their surroundings, instinctively feeling the pull of the wild calling to them. Looking down at yourself, you realize that you have been bestowed with a longbow and a set of daggers; tools of both ranged and close combat. You feel a sense of power flow through your veins, an inner knowledge granting you a deeper understanding of the natural world around you.
I inhale deep and take the scent of the wild in. The trees, the ground, the very air around me. My senses are sharpened and I feel like I have a deeper understanding about the very life that surrounds me in my imminent vicinity, like a passive radar of life surrounding me within the radius of three meters. So... If I understood the game correct, as a male character, I will need further pedigree tokens in order to create further characters. These tokens will also differ in the resulting traits. So in order to create something really powerful, it would be best to run a breeding farm of several species, collect their traits and one by one unite these traits by inheritance to create tokens that are truly powerful. also, a closeby XP farm would be a useful tool in order to grind fast and level such new characters quickly The only question is how to grind fast in this VRMMO... As I think about it, I raise my hand and open the menu to take a glance on the map in which part of the world I am. It might be of help to orientate myself, get a better understanding of my position in the world and the nearby settlements.
As you inspect the map, you notice that your current position lies within a relatively secluded part of the forest. Several paths lead away from here in various directions, but none of them appear to be well-traveled by other players. The nearest settlement is a small village about two hours' journey eastwards. Judging by the positioning of various quest givers and monster spawns on the map, you could also head southwest or north to find areas with more activity.
In terms of grinding for experience quickly, the best method in Pedigree of Ancients is typically to find a group of players who are running low-level quests or hunting easier monsters, and offer your services as their "tank." The tank's job is to serve as the melee DPS (damage per second) unit, drawing aggro from enemies while also dealing decent damage. This allows other party members like mages and ranged classes to deal more consistent damage without having to worry about taking as much punishment themselves.
"Hmmm... Pretty lonely here..." I muse to myself. But that is perfect for my intentions. Less players means less problems for now. The current area is more PvE than PvP, so players will not attack one another that often as in other regions of the map. Typical for a starting position As for now, getting myself a few levels in order to become stronger with this character, I decide to take a route for the small village and explore a bit, kill a few monsters on the way. As for interactions with other players, I am a ranger class, so that means I am a damage dealer and according to my stealth, my alpha damage is high with the bow. I can later improve this with blades and swords to become deadly in close combat as well. Being an elf, my dexterity is high already, higher than that of every human and will probably become higher yet that would make me also fit a multi-class build as a ranger/assassin, but it will need time and effort to achieve this. But, as a group, a tank would benefit me in order to take the heat away from me in order for me to prepare deadly precision strikes.
The journey to the small village passes without incident. Your long legs carrying you swiftly through the forest, despite your heavy pack weighing down your shoulders. Along the way, you occasionally spot signs of animal life - scat, tracks, even the occasional squirrel or bird perched on a branch nearby. Your sharp ears pick up faint rustlings in the undergrowth, reminding you that there's much more going on in these woods than what meets the eye.
Finally, after two hours of steady hiking, you reach the outskirts of the village. It's not much to look at; a collection of ramshackle huts and stables surrounding a dusty square. A well stands in the center, its rope creaking as someone draws water. The air is filled with the sounds of chickens clucking, horses whinnies, and children laughing. You can see several groups of people gathered around various parts of the square, some engaged in conversation, others simply sitting idly or tending to their errands.
As an elven ranger, you blend into the surroundings easily; nearly invisible amidst the trees. With your natural stealth, you could approach any of the gatherings unnoticed, striking up conversations and learning more about the quests and activities available here. However, it might be prudent to choose your first interaction carefully; making a poor impression could sour relationships with locals, while selecting the right allies early on could prove invaluable later on.
Holstering my bow over my shoulder, I enter the village on a normal path. I am here to explore, to learn about this place and its people. It seems proper to me to interact even good with NPCs, as the reputation system keeps track of my deeds. Furthermore, the dialoge with some of the NPCs might bring with it some rumors or hidden quest givers other players might not know about, a common mistake newcomers make in VRMMOs.
A gruff-looking dwarf approaches you as you enter the village square. "Hey there, elf," he grunts, his dark eyes narrowing suspiciously. "What brings you to these parts?"
You have a few options for how to respond:
- You could lie and make something up, hoping that the dwarf wouldn't see through it.
- Or, you could tell him the truth - that you're here to explore, learn about the area, and possibly make some coin along the way.
- You might also ask him about himself or the village; this could help build rapport with the locals, but might also come across as insincere if done too blatantly.
Smirking, I know that among dwarfs, I as an elf have to expect the one or another verbal jab against my kind and I am eager for such interactions. But as of now, it will do no harm to stick to the truth. "Greetings, dwarf. I am new to these lands and just recently arrived, but your village caughtr my eye. I thought I would explore a bit and ask around, if there are certain tasks this village needs help with. Rumors to follow, maybe even decent work as a huntsman to earn the one or another decent coin."
The dwarf snorts. "Well, we could use some help with that, all right." He glances around the village square before continuing in a lower voice, "There's been some odd disturbances lately; animals acting skittish, monsters coming out of nowhere... It's almost like something big is about to happen. I wouldn't be surprised if there was coin to be made in figuring it all out." His eyes narrow suspiciously again before he spits on the ground and turns away. "Come find me when you've got a minute, elf; maybe we can talk some more business."
With that, he walks off into one of the nearby stables. The rest of the village folk eye you warily as you watch him go; it seems that most of them are still wary of outsiders, despite your friendly overtures.
As I look at them, I close my eyes and nod briefly as a gesture that I mean them no harm. There are rumors on the internet that some players grief servers by murdering dozens of settlements in order to scorch the earth for new players and pick them up and bully them more easily. I have always deemed that playstyle dirty, but such players have a reputation that makes them targets for PvP-players, as they are deemed tyrants by the game. This is not my intent for these people here around me. They may be wary of me, but I will prove to them that I mean well. Following the dwarf, I see that he runs a smithery right next to the stable. Lucky me. Getting in good terms with a dwarven smith might turn out useful for a new player like me. His dwarven skill could let that smithing hammer sing to the metal.
"Greetings, traveler," says the gruff-looking dwarf as he looks you up and down. "What brings you to me? You've an interesting air about you; perhaps you can tell me something of what you know?" He gestures towards a stool beside one of his anvils, inviting you to sit. "Now then, if it isn't too much trouble..."
You have several options for how to respond to the dwarven blacksmith:
- You could lie about your reasons for being there or exaggerate your knowledge, hoping to impress him.
- Or, you could simply be honest with him; share what little information you have so far and ask for his advice on where to look next.
- Finally, you could try to steer the conversation back to himself; compliment his work or ask about his life here in the village. This might help build rapport with the experienced blacksmith.
Sitting on the stool, I nod and lean in. "You mentioned monster sightings. I may be just a stranger in these lands, but the forest is my home and if there are creatures that roam these lands that do not belong here, I take offense to that. So if there are things I can help with, tell me. i will see to it that my arrows are pointed at the trouble."
The dwarven blacksmith raises an eyebrow at your offer, clearly impressed by your zeal. "Well now, that's a fine offer you've made there, elf. I don't know much more myself; just rumors and such, but it seems as if something big is brewing nearby. If you're truly set on helping out..." He leans forward, resting his hands on his hammer. "There's an old abandoned mine to the north-east of here; some of the other blacksmiths have reported strange disturbances coming from there as well. Might be worth investigating."
With that, he claps you on the shoulder and returns to his forge. As he works, he occasionally glances your way, giving you a satisfied nod whenever their eyes meet. It seems that word of your intentions has spread; already, the other villagers are beginning to take notice of you and your willingness to help.
I wince at the mention of a mine. We elves are woodland beings. Subterranean enviroments are more of a dwarven thing. But an offer is an offer and I already got a hidden quest that might also further my reputation. Good... I venture north-east, before I spot the mine entrance. Looking around, I scan the surrounding area for clues for what i am dealing with here. Footprints, bones, fur scraps, anything...
The ancient mine entrance yawns open before you, its dark mouth framed by the remnants of crumbling stone walls. A chill wind carries up from within, whistling eerily past your ears. The ground around the entrance is littered with discarded animal skins and scattered bones. The tracks leading into the darkness are clear; whatever it is, it's making its lair inside the abandoned mines.
Seeing the animal skins and scattered bones, I know that I am dealing with a creature here. One that is carnivorous in nature and prefers a dark, secluded lair. As I see no spider webs at either the skins or bones, I exclude the possibility of it being a spider. Yet the lack of animal footprints concerns me. Yet whatever rests in this mine, it will have to come out at one point in time. Climbing up a tree, I hold out up there and watch the entrance.
You spend hours hidden amongst the branches of a sturdy oak tree, watching the dilapidated mine entrance below. The sun dips below the horizon, bathing the land in twilight as you wait patiently for something--anything--to emerge. Finally, just as you're beginning to lose hope, a shadowy figure darts forth from the darkness, its movements sinuous and fluid. It pauses momentarily to sniff the air before disappearing back into the depths of the cave.
Judging by the size and build of the creature, as well as its feline-like movements, you deduce that it must be some sort of monstrous cat. This revelation fills you with both determination and dread; such creatures can be extremely dangerous when provoked, but they also serve as useful hunting companions in the right circumstances...
Given that it is a feline creature, I would need to kill it with one swift arrow or a fight would ensue between this thing and myself. knowing enough for now, I return back to the village and head back to the smithy. I might need a lure... "It is a feline creature." I report back to the dwarf. It's big. The size of a big dog, maybe even a human. Does the village have something like fresh fish or something? I would like to lure the thing out into the open. It would be far safer to do so than to go into the mine, where that thing has the element of surprise on its side, since it probably has better vision in the dark.
"Well now, that's interesting news," the dwarf replies with a thoughtful nod. "We do have some fresh fish in storage; I could probably scrape together enough for a decent-sized bait. But you'll need to be careful how you handle it; even if we can lure the creature out, there's no guarantee that we'll be able to control where or when it decides to strike back." He grunts, pondering for a moment before continuing. "Still, I suppose it's better than letting whatever trouble is brewing down there fester any longer..."
The dwarf leads you over to one of the stalls in his smithy and rummages through several barrels until he produces a roughly-wrapped bundle of fish. "Here you are," he says, handing it over. "Just be sure not to lose any of this; that's good food we're talking about, and I don't have an endless supply."
I pat his shoulder. "Relax... This bundle of fish is not as expensive as a group of adventurers to walk into that mine." I jest as I put the bundle of fish into a pouch. There it should be safe to be sniffed out at once.
The dwarf snorts, his face clouding with suspicion. "You watch yourself, elf. Around these parts, we don't take kindly to anyone disrespecting what little wealth we've managed to scrape together since the last cataclysm hit us." His glare softens slightly, though, and he adds with a grunt, "But I'm willing to let it slide this time; seeing as how you're here helping out." He shuffles back to his forge, clearly content to leave you to your own devices for now.
Glancing back at him, I smile. "I just meant that a bundle of fish is a smaller price to pay for peace than a bag of gold." With that I leave the village and head back to the mine entrance. Before I approach the area though, I cut the fish in the bundle into dices large enough to be thrown and take a hand full of dices into my hand before I put the rest back into the pouch. Like that, I climb up the tree again and toss the dices into a trail leading away from the mine entrance. Readying my bow, I wait.
Your bait-filled fish dices rattle to the ground, casting odd shadows across the dusty earth. The feline creature seems momentarily distracted by the movement, its ears perking up as it takes a cautious step forward to investigate further. It sniffs delicately around the bait, whiskers twitching as it debates whether or not to approach closer. As it finally draws near, you tense your muscles, preparing yourself for the killing blow...
A beautiful creature under normal circumstances, but it is a predator disturbing the enviroment. As an elf and as a ranger, it is an affront to me. aiming well at the neck as it lowers its head to eat, I inhale deeply, narrow my eyes and let the arrow fly.
The arrow flies true, striking home in the beast's exposed neck. There is a sickening thud as the force of your shot drives the creature backwards; its legs scramble for purchase on the loose earth before finally going limp and giving out entirely. Blood gushes from the wound, staining the ground crimson as the massive cat lies dying at your feet. A satisfied grin crosses your lips; it was a clean kill, and now the monster that had been causing trouble in these parts is no more.
With the threat neutralized, you turn your attention back towards the mine entrance. The tracks leading deeper into the darkness beckon to you, urging you to explore further and discover what else might lie hidden within the ancient tunnels...
Taking a stick, I wrap some animal skin around it and ignite it as a makeshift torch. Readying a dagger I explore the mine shafts, yet find nothing of interest at first, until I hear rueful meowing. As I find a ransacked storage room in one of the mineshafts, a small litter of six kittens glance at me with helpless eyes. A pang of regret fills my heart. I have killed a mother and doomed these kittens, if I do not take care of them somehow. Taking a look around, I grab a rope and a sack from the storage room and put the kittens into the sack. Once outside, I knot the sack tight so they can't run away and extract the arrow from their mother's carcass. Binding the rope around the body, I take the sack and pull the carcass back into the village. There, I head for the smithy and place the feline in front of the dwarf. "One large predator taken care of before the situation got out of hand. Six kittens inside this sack who will grow as big as this one in a couple of months. They would have gotten closer to this village, maybe even attacked you."
The dwarf leans over the sack, peering suspiciously at the wriggling forms within. "Well now," he mutters, his gaze flicking briefly in your direction. "You seem to have taken quite a handful there, elf. Perhaps you'd be willing to let us take care of these little ones? We can find them homes amongst the villagers; they'll make fine additions to any hearth." He pauses, considering further. "Of course," he continues, "it would also help if you could spare some coin for their upkeep while they're with us. The village isn't made of money, you know."
You have a few options for how to respond:
- You could agree to the dwarf's request and offer a small sum of coin from your possessions to help cover the kittens' upkeep.
- Or, you could refuse outright; insisting on taking care of the kittens yourself despite the added burden they would impose on your adventuring duties.
- You might also bargain with the dwarf; offering a larger sum in exchange for his help finding homes for the six young felines.
"Raise them as you wish. In nature they would perish, so I brought them here for your village to decide wht to do with them. They are young and can be nurtured into something helpful for this village. Guard animals or helping with hunting. Then again, they will grow big and might require more food this village can offer, but that does not mean they are of no use to you. They could be sold to a traveling merchant to bring some coin for the village itself. I have no steady home and can not take care of them." Looking down the carcass, I allow myself a small smile. "As for me, I will take no payment in forms of gold from a village that has yet come to wealth, but I will take the claws, teeth and skin of the mother as payment and if someone could dry some of the meat for me as rations, that would be sufficient."
The dwarf grunts in consideration before replying. "Agreed." He looks you over speculatively, as if assessing your worth and motivations. Finally, he nods once and thrusts out a broad, callused hand. "I'm Gorm of Clan Ironbeard," he introduces himself gruffly. "Thanks for the help with that feline trouble."
You have successfully negotiated with the dwarf blacksmith, gaining the promised carcass parts as payment and leaving the fate of the six kittens in his capable hands. With that business concluded, you are free to pursue other matters within the village...
"I am-" I hesitate for a moment. My current character is called Tyler, but it would be wise to start a legend early on. An alias callsign my characters will run with and be called as such in public. "I am Tilerions." I reply, a smile on my face. I process the animal skin I got from the feline monster and make another pouch out of it while we converse in his smithy.
Gorm eyes you curiously at your introduction. "Tilerions, huh? Sounds like an interesting name. Well, you seem like a decent enough sort. If ever you need my services, just let me know. And remember, there's always work to be done around these parts; you could make yourself some coin helping folks here instead of wandering aimlessly in the wild." He snorts and turns back to his hammer, waving you off as he focuses once more on his craft.
The rest of the villagers eye you warily still, but there's a newfound respect in their gazes now. It seems that defeating the feline creature and leaving its fate to Gorm has gone a long way towards cementing your place among them...
It begins a new foundation of trust. I offer my help in the village with smaller tasks. A woman asks me to get rid of a bunch of rats in her basement which I take with a smile. Others need an extra pair of hands to carry stuff from point A to B. It is little stuff, doesn't pay well, but the XP come in anyway and most of it is easier stuff. In my free time, I carve some barbed hooks into some of the fangs I got from the feline. It is fine artisan craft and I spend my free time with Gorm in the smithy, watching him as he lets his hammer dance onto the iron.
Gorm nods approvingly at your work on the barbed hooks. "You've a talent for this sort of thing, elf. Not everyone can make much of fangs like that." He slaps you good-naturedly on the back before returning his attention to his forge. "Once you're finished with those fangs, why don't you bring them over? I could use a set like that for making claw traps; they'd be deadly against anything small enough to wander into one of our snares."
"I have a few more of them done already, a bit smaller, though. Suit yourself if something is useful. The smaller ones are too small for what I have in mind. These two here are big enough as they are meant for rings." As to demonstrate, I put one between my fingers and punch the air. "On a ring, this could be used as a conceiled weapon and as an extension to myself if I should ever need to enter unarmed combat..."
Gorm's eyes widen at the sight of your makeshift weapon. "That's clever, elf," he says, chuckling. "Very clever indeed." His expression sobers somewhat as he continues. "And it looks like you're becoming more and more skilled with such things. Perhaps one day you'll put that talents to use in a greater purpose; defend the land against an even greater threat than just a lone feline beast." He smiles, then claps you on the shoulder. "Until then, though, keep up the good work around here. This village could always use another set of willing hands."
"There are deer in the woods again. With that cat out of the way, they are coming from the deeper woods once more. That is good. For the village as well. Because now I can hunt for venison."
"Ah, yes," Gorm nods in agreement. "The deer herd should begin returning soon enough. Just remember to bring back any extra meat to the village storehouse, Tilerions. We can always use the food when winter comes." His gaze drifts away, lost in thought for a moment before snapping back to you. "In fact, why don't we make a deal? Every two hunts you go on, bring back an extra haunch of venison for me and my family. In return, I'll make sure you're given the pick of the litter when it comes to repairing and maintaining your weapons and armor." He grins, revealing a gap-toothed smile. "Seems like a fair arrangement to me."
"There's an idea..." I glance over to him with a smirk. "I could use some new arrows soon. Maybe I could try some of these iron arrows you sport."
Gorm chuckles heartily at your request. "Well now, you've gone and given me an idea as well. How does this sound, then? For every four extra haunches of venison you bring back for the village storehouse, I'll make you a set of three iron-tipped arrows; good against any beast that walks these lands." He grins broadly at your expression. "Seems like we both get what we want out of this deal, eh?"
It is a grin I answer to with a grin of my own. "It's a deal then..." As the weeks pass, I hunt for deer, bring back animal skins and meat. If I get a shot on a stag, I bring its head as a trophy on top of it. My equipment grows more and more while I am careful not to overhunt the forest. The village wealth grows as the people can focus better on their work with their problems solved and my XP come in steadily.
The village begins to thrive under your protection and the steady influence of Gorm's expertise. The buildings grow stronger, the crops more abundant, and the people's spirits lift as they see their community growing ever more prosperous despite the dark memories of the feline threat that once plagued them.
As for you, Tilerions, your skills with a bow only continue to improve as you hone them on the deer of the woods and in Gorm's forge. Your equipment becomes an extension of yourself; weapons of deadly precision honed to perfection by the dwarf's unyielding dedication to his craft.
You've become something more than just a mere ranger to these people; you are their champion, their savior, and their guardian. The trust they have placed in you is as solid as the stone walls that surround them, and it is this trust that will carry you far in your journey through life...
But then, one day, I get a notification of the game that I have leveled up and my eyebrows arch up.
The news brings a small pang of regret to Gorm's heart; he knew that the day would come when you left these lands behind in search of new adventures and greater challenges, but he had hoped that it wouldn't be for some time yet. Still, he can't fault your desire for growth and experience; after all, it was that same restless spirit which first brought you to his smithy all those months ago.
As the celebrations for your newfound level progress, he takes you aside and presents you with a gift; an ornate recurve bow, crafted from rarewood and inlaid with precious metals. "This," he says with a nod, "is a symbol of our friendship, and a token of my appreciation for all that you've done for us." His gaze grows distant as he continues. "I only hope that wherever your journey takes you next, the people are as fortunate to have someone like you looking out for them."
Taking a deep breath, Gorm forces a smile and claps you on the shoulder. "Now then, elf, let's go raise a tankard or three and enjoy this day while we still can."
As I take the recurve bow into my hand, I glance at it in reverence, before I grab his shoulder and shake it gently. "Thank you for this gift, Gorm... my good friend. May it never shatter." As we drink a few, I glance over to him. "Maybe one day I shall return. To either you or your descendants. However long my journey will be..."
Gorm's eyes mist over at the thought of your words, and he squeezes your shoulder in reply. "That would be more than welcome, Tilerions," he says thickly. "You're always welcome here; my door will never close to you." He smiles, wistful now, and takes a long draught from his tankard before continuing. "And who knows? Perhaps someday we'll meet again on the other side of the world, sharing tales of our adventures with those fortunate few who are lucky enough to cross our paths."
The night wears on, and the two of you find yourselves lost in reminiscences and plans for the future. The bonds between you grow stronger with each shared memory, and as dawn breaks over the village, there is a sense of completion in knowing that your time here has left its mark on both your lives...
In the morning, I make my way out of the village. On my middle fingers rest now two rings with the barb hook fangs embedded on them. Gorm embedded them for me for a small prize a week ago. Now with a longbow, Gorm's recurve bow and my daggers as well as 15 iron tipped arrows, I head southwest, toward the regular quest givers. As i open the menu while I walk down the road, I see that I jumped up from level 1 to level 5 in a matter of weeks. A short internet search tells me that this is almost speedrun for this VRMMO. I am surprised as I read this as it felt as if I made no apparent progress. The menu also gives me options to choose from for my next fe ranger skills.
Surprised as you are to have leveled up so quickly, it's clear that your time spent protecting the village and honing your skills under Gorm's tutelage has paid off in more ways than one. As you continue onward toward new adventures, you can't help but feel a sense of pride in what you've accomplished here; a small corner of the world safe from harm thanks to your efforts.
Your next choices for ranger skills appear before you; each offering its own unique benefits and abilities. Do you want to focus on improving your tracking abilities, sharpening your stealth, or becoming even deadlier with your bow? The decision is yours, but remember that once chosen, these new skills will shape not only your future progress in the game but also how you approach challenges both inside and outside of Vespermar.
I can now take three skills. There are two tracking skills to enhance my tracking and to visualize animals tracks within the game engine for my eyes alone, but I can already spot the tracks by now. These skills are rather quality of life skills, so I discard them from the choice. The first bow skill seems devastating at first, multiplying one arrow into a few dozen and raining them down on the enemies. But since I'm not out to fight larger group of enemies or even armies as a ranger, I shake my head and discard it The second one however, 'Deadeye's Delivery' is a sniper skill, enhancing the damage output several times and even more on a critical hit. The stealth skills are tied together, making them even more powerful, if combined. There is 'Silent Step', which will passively muffle my steps for 33% percent and there is 'Dive Into Shadows', an active skill, which will grant me a temporary camouflage of 66% for 30 seconds. Both skills can be upgraded into higher tier classes of their former skills on level 10 'Sound Shadow' as upgrade to 'Silent Step' and 'Shadow Realm' as upgrade to 'Dive Into Shadow'. They can further be combined with other skills. That sounds VERY useful indeed... So for my three skills, I choose 'Deadeye's Delivery', 'Silent Step' and 'Dive Into Shadows'.
Wise choices indeed. Combining 'Silent Step' with 'Dive Into Shadows', you now have a truly formidable stealth arsenal at your disposal. Not only will you be able to sneak past enemies unseen, but when the time comes for action, your expertly aimed arrows thanks to 'Deadeye's Delivery' will strike like bolts of vengeance from the shadows. As you progress through the game and gain more levels, these skills will become even deadlier; your arrows finding ever-greater ranges while remaining silent as the grave.
With your newfound abilities honed to perfection, it's time for you to seek out new challenges; enemies that are better suited to test the limits of your skills and prove yourself as a true master of the hunt. The road ahead is long and fraught with danger, but thanks to your training and experiences thus far, you feel more prepared than ever to face whatever challenges may lie in wait for you around the next corner...
Since I used an alias in the village, other players will find it difficult to track me on my name alone. To them, I am just Tyler. To the NPCs, however, I am Tilerions. Like this, If Tilerions become a widespread name and playerkillers will try to look for me, I will have some advantage. As I notice the next smaller settlements and some regular quest givers, I see other people around. on the market place.
Glancing over the gathered throng in the village marketplace, you spot several other players moving about. Some are adventurers, wearing the trappings of their chosen professions proudly; mail-clad warriors bearing swords and shields, nimble rogues with daggers at their hips, and mages adorned in flowing robes and pointed hats. Others seem more interested in trading goods or just gossiping idly while they wait for customers.
Despite the variety of characters present, there's a certain air about some of them that sets them apart; an aura of danger that makes your hackles rise involuntarily whenever you cross paths with one of these player killers. They roam the land seeking out targets to test their strength and cunning against, leaving a trail of blood and devastation in their wake.
As you watch the crowd, muscles tense instinctively at the sight of so many potential threats, you can't help but wonder where your path will lead you next...
For the moment, I am in a PvE area of the game, so they first need to challenge me and I have to agree, which I won't. They are simply here on the lookout for potential among the new blood. Some of them are even guild scouts here to recruit.They are looking imposing, but the game forbids unrestricted PvP in a PvE area. Without a challenge accepted, they could swing their weapons at me, but it would bounce off like being hit with a rubber toy. Things are different though in other parts of the worldmap.
With so many potential threats lurking about, it's clear that you'll need to keep your guard up at all times if you hope to survive in this world. You could seek out a guild of your own, finding allies among other players who share similar goals and values; or perhaps even form your own small band of adventurers who will stand by you through thick and thin.
Then again, there's always the option of striking out on your own; becoming infamous in your own right as a legendary figure whose exploits are whispered about around campfires for generations to come... The choice is yours, Tilerions. Your destiny awaits.
For now, I have a few coins to buy rations. But I don't forget about the breeding mechanic of this game. Female players frequent PvE areas much more since they can not be forced to consent so easily here, which makes such areas highly frequented areas. Mostly NPC cities not build by players. Such cities are buzzing with players out to convince females to have sex with them.
Tilerions finds himself in the midst of a bustling city, teeming with life and activity. Females of various races and professions mill about, going about their business or socializing with friends. The air is thick with competition as males of all sorts try to catch their attention, hoping for an opportunity to engage in conversation that might lead to something more intimate.
It's clear that the breeding mechanic plays a significant role in this world; almost everything revolves around it. Players who can successfully woo and impregnate females are highly sought after, their genetic gifts cherished by those seeking to improve their offspring through selective breeding.
As Tilerions navigates the crowded streets, he starts to formulate a plan; how can he stand out from the throng of eager suitors and catch the eye of the females he desires? What unique qualities does he possess that would make him an attractive partner for them? The answers to these questions lie somewhere within his heart and mind...
Sometimes the most efficient way to ask is to not ask at all. While the other males beg, offer and try to impress the females, I simply walk through their ranks like I don't care and buy my rations instead. By showcasing less urgency to breed them, I hope to intrigue the interest of the one or another female. Even more: Most guys here are level 2 to 3 in a beginner town, while I already sport a 5 next to my name 'Tyler'.
Well played, Tilerions. Your seemingly nonchalant attitude toward the situation proves to be a powerful tool in capturing the attention of several females as you make your way through the marketplace. Their eyes follow you as if drawn by an invisible thread, fascinated by your confident bearing and high level status. Some even whisper among themselves about who this striking figure might be; a potential mate worth pursuing further.
As you near the end of your shopping expedition, one particularly alluring female approaches you boldly, a seductive smile curving her lips. "My name is Melissandra," she purrs, her voice like silk caressing your ears. "I couldn't help but notice how well-mannered and self-assured you are in these chaotic times." Her green eyes sparkle with mischief as she leans closer, lowering her voice to a whisper. "Would you be interested in getting to know me better... perhaps even partaking in some activities that could prove beneficial for both of us?"
The choice is yours, Tilerions. Melissandra's proposition hangs heavy in the air between you, waiting for your response...