The Reality
Note: To those who are concerned, the beginnings of this story (this chapter) is merely a synopsis of the world I have created. It has no plot, nothing of the sort, it is simply an explanation of the world. Starting in the second chapter I will dive right in, with a lot less explanation of the world within. If you wish to be informed, consider reading a bit about the world before entering the story. Also there are character bios, brief but informative, as well as geographical information, culture etc. Please shoot me emails of you like the story!
History and Gameplay
The Reality was created thirty years ago as a revolutionary virtual reality computer game. Players go on quests and gain levels and equipment while joining guilds, creating alliances and friends in the magical land of Axaellel (Ax-uh-lell) all the while experiencing this in the first person, their senses and movement read by their computers. Players will often form teams in order to delve into more dangerous areas. Any player can fulfill any class role, however certain races and players are better for certain roles then others, e.g. a Northman is better for tanks then a Southman, however these predispositions can be overcome with a lot of work (see Kormak GreenSteel). A player cannot kill another player, only “kill” them and force them to be put on a respawn timer. The only time players can kill one another is in a duel where both players must consent to the duel. Death of a player’s character means an instant restart of the game. The player starts back at level 1 not being allowed to keep any items, money, or connections. Thus, with the established system, a death of any player is rare and most duels or PvP battles are fought to a quarter health. The most common death is that of players taking on challenges too difficult for their skill level and/or being killed off by various assassin guilds. Assassins prey on sleeping players who grab the characters hand, open up command windows and force a duel where they slay the player in their sleep.
There are 4 basic roles on a team:
- The Support-Runs overarching strategy can enter battle if so chooses, often casts support spells such as buffs or healing and uses a bow. Low health. Pure healers are extremely powerful but rare and incredibly valuable. Most players have limited capacities to heal themselves through potions or magic.
- The Tank-Warriors that absorb massive damage and deal out a moderate to weak amount, usually use large shields or two handed swords.
- The Damager- can wield anything from bows to swords, but always dish out the most damage on the battlefield, relatively moderate to low health.
- The Thief-Deals a moderate amount of damage, but has a variety of debilitating spells to cast on opponents, can steal equipment, be stealthy, etc. relatively low health.
However it is also possible to specialize into classes which are hybrids of the common roles. Players are allowed to choose their class at level 15. A sample of classes is as follows:
- Assassin-deals massive amounts of damage, but has basically no health, also has debilitating spells and attacks can fulfill thief role or damage role extremely well.
- Paladin-sacrifices health to do more damage, moderate health, moderate damage, can also cast supporting buffs to aid the party. Also gains advantages against unholy or undead creatures. Can play support or damage, can also limitedly tank.
- Sorcerer-dishes out massive damage with magical attacks, can also heal and cast support buffs but has basically no health. Can support, or damage. If a strong healer can also limitedly tank.
Demographics and Geography:
The elves reside in the western part of the land Axaellel, a large portion of land that is largely forested except for in the northern most mountainous tundras. Humans reside all throughout the land, specifically in the northern most mountainous tundra regions, the southern most desert regions and the eastern most temperate regions. In the center resides several magical races such as pixies, dwarves, and goblins which has a large mountain known as The Point, as well as a large forest. On the south eastern island reside the were cats which is a mix of tropical jungle with a snow topped mountain at the center and grassy plains on the opposite side. Werewolves are all but extinct and vampire enclaves survive underground. At the worlds southern most part resides the Ivory Tower on a small secluded island. The tower is guarded by powerful enemies where at the top, the gods are supposed to reside.
Races:
- Elves-
- Wood Elves-fair skinned elves given their name for living in the forest in sanctuaries of peace and prosperity. These homes and lands have long since been stripped of them, but their names still remains. Bonuses for alchemic and enchantment skills, as well as weapon smithing, and light magic. Weak against weapons of darkness Great for Support, and Damagers. average Tanks and Thieves.
- Night Elves-purple skinned elves known for their cunning and wit. Bonuses for dark magic, weapon smithing, alchemic and enchantment skills. Weak against weapons of light. Great for Support, Damagers and Thieves.Terrible tanks. Few players play as this race.
- Snow Elves-Light blue skinned elves, hardy bulwarks. Bonuses for swordsmanship and health, Great for tanks especially, average Damager, weak thieves and support. Even fewer players uses this race.
- Humans:
- Northmen: Humans of the north as pale as the snow around them, resistant to cold, hardy. Bonus to health and magic resist especially ice, but not fire. Weak against fire. Good for tanks and Damagers, weaker thieves and support. Most common choice
- Eastmen: Tannish skinned humans of the West, known for their quick feet and stealthy ways. Weaker against physical attacks but not by much. Bonus to stealth, and luck. Some of the best thieves, average support and damager, weak tanks. One of the rarest player races in the game.
- Southmen: Humans of the South with skin like those akin to the residents of Brazil or Ecuador, known for their magical aptitude. Bonus to magic and mana. Weak against physical attacks. Great support and damagers, weak tanks and thieves. Also rare within the game.
- Other Races:
- Seripin (Sare-ih-pin): Werecat race. Half human, half feline race. Normal human appearance with cat tails and cat ears on tops of head. Bonus to stealth and cunning. Weak against fire. Some of the best for thieves, average damage and support, weak tanks. Somewhat common.
- Dwarves: The dwarves were once a mighty race, now dominated by the elven and human presence in Axaellel. Weak against magic, bonus to physical resist. Some of the best Strong tanks and Damagers, weak support and thieves. Rare player race.
- Pixies: Fairy race. Winged race of people, smaller in stature. Bonuses to magic and magic resist. Weak against physical attacks. Some of the best Support and Damagers, terrible if not worst tanks and thieves. Rare player race.
- Additionally there are also several other “races” in which characters can become, several were beast amalgamations such as were cats or werewolves, as well as vampires. Goblins and Orcs are unplayable races.
Racial demographics:
- 10 billion people on Planet Earth, only 10,000 play competitively and are considered “invested”. Statistics are taken from invested players (above level 15). (In order to achieve level fifteen you must either defeat an incredibly difficult quest called “the Proving Ground” or pay a heft sum of real world money. All players unable to do so are permanently locked at level fourteen until payment is made or the quest is completed.)
- Wood Elves: 34%
- Northmen 32%
- Seripin: 17%
- Night Elves 6%
- Snow Elves 4%
- Pixies: 2%
- Dwarves 2%
- Southmen 2%
- Westmen: 1%
- Other races:
- Vampires: 9%
- Werewolves: about 20 players. (Lycanthropy is difficult to find and contract as most werewolves are extinct due to Kormak Greensteel’s personal vendetta against them for unknown reasons. He claims that the werewolf virus infects a persons mind and drives them insane.)
Guilds:
- About 99% of players over level 15 (considered invested players) are in a guild of some sort. The strongest guild by far is the Paladins of the Red Sage (Colors: Red and Gold), whose supremely powerful leader, Kormak GreenSteel, a powerful Juggernaut (Ridiculous health with little damage output), rules. Other important guilds are the Disciples of Eratus Anderfell The Horrible, or DEATH (Colors: Black and Red). a guild of players who are hired to do the dirty works of the game led by East Graywind, a powerful Assassin, the Viridian Sun (Colors Green and Grey) an aggressive group led by a man known as Marion a powerful Bastard Knight (High health and moderate damage slowest in the game), the Lynx (colors: White and Red), an all werecat guild led by Honor Crayfellow a masterful Burglar (excellent at stealing things moderate everything else), the Guardians (Colors: Light Blue and Grey), a powerful group of randomly assorted members led by Stein a powerful Paladin, and the Sylvan Order (Colors: Black and Gold) an all elven guild led by Anadriel Shalandearl, (uh-nay-dree-el shall-and-earl) a powerful Sorcerer.
Upgradable Stats:
- Strength: Strength stats benefit swords, maces, axes, and melee attacks. Also required for larger bows, picking up objects, etc. Influences attack, stamina, health, defense. Anything that requires physical strength requires this stat.
- Dexterity: Benefits spears, daggers and ranged weaponry. Gives bonuses to defense and speed. Influences attack, defense and speed. Anything that requires nimble movements or accuracy needs dexterity.
- Speed: How fast you can move, whether running or fighting. Influenced by dexterity. Influences attack speed and defense.
- Stamina: How long you can run, fight, etc. Influenced by health and speed.
- Cunning: How quick witted someone is. Influenced by Intelligence. Influences Dexterity, defense, and charisma.
- Intelligence: How smart you are. Influenced by Cunning. Influences charisma and mana. The equivalent for dexterity for magical attacks.
- Willpower: How powerful your magical abilities can be. The equivalent of strength for magical attacks. Influences mana.
- Mana: How much magic you can cast. The equivalent of stamina for magic. Influenced by intelligence and power.
- Charisma: How charming and persuasive you can be. Influenced by cunning and intelligence. Allows for bribery and persuasion options. Also players of more physical attractiveness (all players look the way they do in real life in game) have higher charisma naturally. Results in lower prices and less fights. Also essential for guild leaders and leaders in general.
- Luck: Randomly determined stat that can be influenced through purchasing items or completing quests. Influences Critical.
Combat Stats:
- Attack: How good you are at attacking. Influenced by strength and dexterity if physical, influenced by power and intelligence if magical.
- Attack speed: How fast you can attack. Influenced by dexterity and speed.
- Critical: How good you are at finding a weak spot. Influenced by cunning and luck. A critical hit doubles attack damage.
- Defense: How good you are at defending yourself. Strength and speed and cunning influences blocking, dexterity and cunning influence dodging. If you run out of stamina you cannot defend. Applicable to magic attacks as well, but must have the appropriate weapon when blocking.
- Health: How much damage you can take. Influenced by strength.
- Resists: Resistances are given by racial benefits, stats, skills, and/or items worn.
- Magic Resist: Broken down into seven subcategories
- Fire Resist: Resistance against heat and fire
- Water Resist: Resistance against cold and ice as well as water
- Energy Resist: Resistance against electricity and other bursts of energy
- Light Resist: Resistance against light and the holy
- Dark Resist: Resistance against darkness and the evil
- Nature Resist: Resistance against wind and plant life
- Earth Resist: Resistance against the rock and ground
- Physical resist: Broken down into four subcategories
- Poison resist: Resistance against poisons; influenced by health and strength
- Disease Resist: Resistance against diseases; ; influenced by health and strength
- Physical Resist: Resistance against physical attacks; ; influenced by health and strength
- Mental Resist: Resists psychological attacks; influenced by cunning and intelligence.
Skills:
- All players can train and upgrade skills. All skills have a level cap (listening skill is maxed at eight for a level eight player) until level fifteen. The maximum skill level for a skill is one hundred. Skills can be trained through practice or through trainers throughout the game. Additionally, players are given skills based on their real world bodies and physiques (e.g. players who can cook are better at cooking). Some skill examples are:
- Cooking-used to make food to sustain oneself, gives bonuses as well for a few hours.
- Archery-how skilled one is with a bow
- Perception-how good a player is at observing their environment, including other players.
Character Bios:
- Kyle Shadowchaser:
- Class-Spellsword-high attack and magic output, low health. Can heal themselves so they are tanky, however this class is extremely hard to achieve.
- Race-Eastman: Weaker against physical attacks but not by much. Bonus to stealth, and luck. Werewolf: weak to silver, bonuses to perception, stealth, health, and hunting. Immune to poisons
- Armor: Maverick’s Cuirass- Worn by a radical insurgent who destroyed the kingdom he loved, he renounced his ways and sough redemption for the rest of his life. His name has long been forgotten, but his nickname and legacy have lasted. A black long trench coat with four tails at the end, black, baggier pants, a black shirt underneath, with a high collar that has ribbed straight edges coming off of them. Augments attack speed, defense, and speed. Made of Ebon Gold, the rarest material in the game which augments all stats.
- Weapon of choice: single sword combat with magic from other hand. Knows variety of spells including fire. Wields Restorer’s Oath, a magical sword wielded by Maverick the Restorer an ancient warrior seeking to restore his honor rumored to wear the Maverick’s Cuirass that greatly augments the attack speed, speed, and defense of the user to almost unheard of levels, if the user takes two hits he is dead. The blade is akin to a Chinese Jiang or double edged straight sword. The hilt is a simple black hilt. Made of Ebon Gold, the rarest material in the game which augments all stats.
- Physical Description: 6′1 180 lb.. Jet black hair spiked backwards slightly with white highlights in the bangs. Taller, attractive, with strong features, storm gray eyes, and high cheekbones.
- Kyle is a lone wolf man with a strong savior’s complex. He is smart and cunning, grown from his experiences playing solo and surviving the game completely alone, an almost unheard of practice. Not much is known about him, but his mysterious past hides something surely.
- Anadriel Shalandearl:
- Class-Sorcerer-high magic attack and vast sources of mana, low health.
- Race-Wood Elf: Bonuses for alchemic and enchantment skills, as well as weapon smithing, and light magic. Weak against weapons of darkness
- Weapon of choice: Staff or Dagger. Specializes in Fire magic. Wields the Rod of Perfect Soul, a powerful weapon that augments her physical resists. Also wields the Dagger of Perfect Soul. The Rod has a massive torch like end that glows a perfect cyan blue inside. Made of Golden Steel which augments magic resist. There are four banners that drape down, red trim with a light purple center, with red writing of the elven tongue. The Dagger has a golden hilt with a cyan blue gem encrusted within, with a straight triangular blade with two cuts made into each side halfway up the blade. Made of Golden Steel which augments magic resist.
- Armor: Armor of the Restored Darkblood Mage: An armor formerly of a powerful pyromancer mage known to dabble in the dark arts of magic who became restored and turned to the light. The armor retains it’s dark golden appearance, but has golden trimming versus the original red, and green gems that glow in the shoulder tips, elbow, and wrists. Reveals midriff and cleavage and has pauldrons. Has high greaves that come to mid-thigh with a fauld of a similar design. She wears black leather pants underneath. Bonuses to light and fire magic, resistance against dark magic. Also during times of leisure wears traditional red robes of the Pantheon. Made of Ironbark Steel, a steel that never wears or breaks and augments defense.
- Physical Description: 5′11 135 lb.. 38D-28-36. Long golden blonde hair the color of sunflowers, bright green eyes that glow when she is channelling with magical energy. Pale skin but tan for a Wood Elf. Beautiful in every respect.
- Anadriel is a serious woman, stalwart in her leadership of the Sylvan order. She is attracted to power and wealth. She is part of a select group of people known to be on The Pantheon, the international celebrity team of the strongest players in the world.
- Honor Crayfellow:
- Class-Burglar-Ridiculously good at stealing things, moderate everything else
- Race-Seripin: bonus to stealth and cunning. Weak against fire.
- Weapon of choice: Orbs and daggers. Specializes in daggers, stealth, and lightning based combat. Wields the Sphere of Itastazak (eye-taz-tah-zak) a lightning based orb weapon, and a Dagger of Farender a dagger that augments speed. Dagger of Farender is a simple curved silver colored blade with a emerald green hilt. Made of Emerald Ore which augments speed. The Sphere of Itastazak is constantly pulsing with energy and looks like a whirlpool of light blue electric energy swirling about. Made of pure energy and Dragonscale Glass which is unbreakable.
- Armor: Kanalia’s Robes; robes worn by an exotic Eastwoman dancer. Bonuses to charisma and luck. Kimono like robe that leaves the collarbone and chest bare, besides the covering of the nipples down. Has two epaulets that jut out from sleeves that are short and have large armholes that drape. The robe ends in a skirt that covers the buttocks just enough. Red, white, and gold color scheme. Made of Opaline Silk which augments the users magic abilities.
- Physical description. 34B-28-34 Long raven black hair with bright yellow, cat like, eyes. Black fur on ears but pure white tail. Honor is special as she is a Nine-Tailed Werecat, which means she is the most powerful breed of them. Only a single one may exist at a time. She has pale skin and is beautiful in a feline like way.
- Honor is a carefree woman, who loves to lead by example. The Lynx are known for throwing the best parties and Honor is a major reason why. Honor is attracted to a carefree adventurous spirit, and especially a powerful one.
- East Graywind:
- Class-Assassin-deals massive amounts of damage, but has basically no health, also has debilitating spells and attacks
- Race-Wood Elf: Bonuses for alchemic and enchantment skills, as well as weapon smithing, and light magic. Weak against weapons of darkness
- Weapon of choice: One handed sword and dagger combat. Specializes in critical hits and stealth. Wields the Traitor’s Thorn and the Turncoats Blade which augment critical hits respectively, were both wielded by the most infamous traitor of all of history, Greunwald Icebane. Traitor’s Thorn is a short straight blade akin to a thorn with a silver handle with three black diamonds encrusted in a diamond shape on the hilt. The Turncoats Blade is a curved sword with a handle that protects the users fist with a curved hand guard. The hilt is just the same as the Thorn. Made of Silverwood which is lethal to werewolves and vampires, as well as poisons anyone who is stabbed by it.
- Armor: Betrayer’s Creed. A leather outfit worn by Greunwald Icebane, includes a black scarf for the neck, a red scarf and belt to be worn around the waist, various leather straps for storing daggers and potions, black leather pants, arm sleeves with rings in a striped black and red pattern around the forearm and a sleeveless leather armor with interlocking diamonds of leather for protection. Made of Diamond Leather, which augments defense and speed.
- 5′ 7″ 140 lb.. Small but quick, pale skin with pupil less black eyes. Black hair done into a mohawk at the top with long hair extending out the back of the head that reaches his stomach. Has a black spiky tribal tattoo pattern on the right side of his face.
- Shifty conniving with an insatiable bloodlust, East is an appropriate if not perfect guild master for the DEATH guild. East is not truly “evil” in the sense that he wants to destroy the world, he more accurately loves the rush of battle and the rush of outwitting opponents. He’s incredibly intelligent, capable of devising complex strategies for killing and maiming, and is discerning enough to pass up kills in order to achieve more bloodlust in the future. East is famous for not killing a player in the market place, but instead, waiting for him to travel home so he could slaughter him and his wife and children to death. East and DEATH will work for the highest bidder in their eternal quest for more and more blood. He is part of a select group of people known to be on The Pantheon, the international celebrity team of the strongest players in the world.
- Falithe Westerend (Fuh-Al-Eth-uh):
- Class-Assassin-deals massive amounts of damage, but has basically no health, also has debilitating spells and attacks
- Race-Northman: Bonus to health and magic resist especially ice, but not fire. Weak against fire.
- Weapon of choice: Daggers. Specializes in poisons and attack speed. Wields Pain’s End and Fury’s Wrath, twin blades wielded by assassins who worshiped the gods of pain and fury. They greatly augment attack speed respectively. Both are identical, with slightly curved tips and carvings at the center, telling the story of the assassins of old, save for their hilts where Fury has a black handle, and Pain brown. Also wields generic (though the best of the generic) throwing daggers. All made of Silverwood which is lethal to werewolves and vampires, as well as poisons anyone who is stabbed by it.
- Armor: Killer’s Seductress. A leather outfit worn by an infamous black widow turned assassin, it comprised of leather pants, belts, leather greaves with silver tipped boots, a tube top, and leather jacket, all black. Made of Diamond Leather, which augments defense and speed.
- 5′ 4″ 120 lb.. 36DD-30-38 Dark red hair the color of blood, with pale skin and green eyes, Falithe is both beautiful and deadly.
- Almost as equally deadly and bloodlustful as her Guildmaster, Falithe is the epitome of death and DEATH. Calculated but well humored as well as a slight nympho, Falithe is the essence of a walking seductress who could kill you or bang you at any second.
- Kormak GreenSteel:
- Class-Juggernaut-Ridiculous health with little damage output
- Race-Wood Elf: Bonuses for alchemic and enchantment skills, as well as weapon smithing, and light magic. Weak against weapons of darkness
- Weapon of choice: Two-handed sword. Wields Zweihänder Apartanoxis the most powerful weapon in the game on base stats alone. A massive two handed sword that glows a light green at the prospect of any battle. It was wielded by none other then the greatest hero of all time, Apartanoxis. A hilt that can have five hands placed upon it at one time, it’s a massive zweihänder with a wide blade that engulfs the hilt. Inscribed at the center are the elvish ancient language on one side, and the ancient language of the Northmen on the other. It is also encrusted with a large spherical ruby known as the Sun’s Eye which augments attack. This aura burns the target with fire and light damage. Bonuses to health, magic resist, defense, and attack. Made of Ebon Gold, the rarest material in the game which augments all stats.
- Armor: Panzer Apartanoxis. The massive crimson and gold armor of Apartanoxis. Completely covers the body in a Gothic style armor. No helmet. Bonuses to health, magic resist, and defense. Made of Ebon Gold, the rarest material in the game which augments all stats.
- 6′ 7″ 300 lb.. Massive in size, especially rare for the lithe race of wood elves, Kormak is a rarity among his people. Despite this, he has their iconic glowing green eyes, long ears,and blonde hair. His hair specifically is almost white, and he has two scars on his face, a diagonal slash across his left cheek that stops at his nose, and the other, crossing over his first scar in a slightly curved diagonal slash in the opposite direction that starts at his lower right cheek and ends above and just inside the left of his eyebrow.
- The Epitome of the epic hero, Kormak is loud, charismatic, powerful, and noble. The protector of the people and running the most powerful guild in the world, the Paladin’s of the White Sage, he has used his influence to benefit all and is the equivalent of a modern day benevolent billionaire. He is part of a select group of people known to be on The Pantheon, the international celebrity team of the strongest players in the world.
- Jonias Tahlinder (Joe-Nye-ess Tuh-Al-in-dur):
- Class-Ranger-Master of the bow. Weak with all other weapons. Massive bonuses to Bow Skill as well as cunning, dexterity, attack speed, attack, and critical if wielding a bow.
- Race-Wood Elf: Bonuses for alchemic and enchantment skills, as well as weapon smithing, and light magic. Weak against weapons of darkness
- Weapon of choice: Bow. Wields Bow of the Spirit of the Forest a bow made from the spirit of the Great Forest itself. A simple bow with a flattened curved limb that is inscribed with runes of an ancient elven language long forgotten that glows a magical blue. Augments critical and support spells. Specializes in support spells. Expert marksman only second to Isiltari. Made of Ironbark Steel, a steel that never wears or breaks and augments defense.
- Armor: Hunter’s Wish. A leather armor worn by the master of hunters who has earned the title by competing in a blood tournament of hunters. A leather tunic made from unicorn hide with tan patterns inscribed, a snow bear pelt for fur lining, and a cape made from werewolf fur. Light brown leather, forest green cape, white fur. Encrusted with various gems. Augments stealth and dexterity. Made of Diamond Leather, which augments defense and speed.
- 5′ 10″ 180 lb.. Athletic and nimble, Jonias has strong features, a well shaven appearance, with long flowing chestnut hair, light hazel eyes, and tan skinned for a Wood elf, with light blue faded tribal tattoos.
- If Kormak is the superhero, then Jonias is his sidekick. Loyal, strong, and tough, Jonias could be a leader in his own right, if he so chose, but instead chooses to aid Kormak in his battles. He is Kormak’s right hand man, very serious and noble, just as Kormak is.
- Stein:
- Class-Paladin-sacrifices health to do more damage, moderate health, moderate damage, can also cast supporting buffs to aid the party. Also gains advantages against unholy or undead creatures
- Race-Northman: Bonus to health and magic resist especially ice, but not fire. Weak against fire.
- Weapon of choice: Bow and One and a half handed sword. Specializes in Long Range damage and support, considered to be the most brilliant mind of gaming. Wields the Hiakane’s (High-uh-cane) Bow a simple in appearance bow with light blue carvings wielded by Hiakane the Brilliant, a brilliant strategist who opposed Apartanotix on the battlefield on many occasion and only lost once. It augments the user’s poisons, attack speed, and damage over time (DOT) attacks. Also wields Hiakane’s Stratagem a one and a half handed sword that can be wielded both with two hands and one for different strategies is of a similar simple design as Hiakane’s Bow. Bonuses to attack speed and defense when one handed, bonuses to strength and stamina when two handed. Both made of Silverwood which is lethal to werewolves and vampires, as well as poisons anyone who is stabbed by it.
- Armor: Hiakane’s Mail. A leather and steel outfit worn by Hiakane. Has leather vest and mail undershirt with steel pauldrons that appear ribbed with a high face guard on the right side and a werewolf fur lined collar Also comes with tan leather pants and leather and steel greaves and arm guards, and a long cape made of black werewolf fur. Augments critical hits and health. Made of Diamond Leather, which augments defense and speed, and Grey Steel, which greatly augments the users cunning.
- 6′ 2″ 225 lb.. A strong athletic man with spiky side-swept dark brown hair who was blinded in one eye from birth. He wears a black leather strap that covers his eye and as a result his hearing is greatly improved. He has a black tribal tattoo on his right armor. He has tan skin for a Northman, and often has a clean shaven look.
- A genius amongst geniuses, Stein is widely considered the smartest man ever to play The Reality. He leads The Guardians, a powerful guild of players who are good at just about everything. Serious, but good humored and witty, Stein is an incredibly likable man. He is married to Isiltari, his right hand woman. He is part of a select group of people known to be on The Pantheon, the international celebrity team of the strongest players in the world.
- Isiltari (Iss-ill-tar-ee)
- Class-Ranger-Master of the bow. Weak with all other weapons. Massive bonuses to Bow Skill as well as cunning, dexterity, attack speed, attack, and critical if wielding a bow.
- Race-Night Elf: Bonuses for dark magic, weapon smithing, alchemic and enchantment skills. Weak against weapons of light.
- Weapon of choice: Bow. Specializes in Long Range damage and support, considered to be the sharpest marksman currently in the game. Wields the Nasuel’s (Nahs-oo-el) bow a simple light wooden bow gifted to the Night Elves and only earn able through a Night Elf exclusive quest that is long and arduous. It augments the massively augments the users dexterity skill. Made of Titanium Oak which is lethal to vampires and gives added nature damage.
- Armor: High Night Elf’s armor. A leather and steel outfit worn by only the most elite Night Elves. A Roman legionnaire style steel and leather top with a plunging neckline that stops at the upper midriff just below the chest. Also comes with a skirt of similar design with a black veil at the front and back to reveal the lower pelvis slightly. All done in a forest green, faded gold, and mud brown color scheme with the brown base, green trim, and golden additions. Augments critical hits and cunning. Made of Diamond Leather, which augments defense and speed, and Grey Steel, which greatly augments the users cunning.
- 6′ 1″ 140 lb.. 34AA-28-32 Light purple skin with pupil-less white eyes that glow. She has long purple hair that stops at mid-thigh. She often can be seen applying various designs of warpaint on her face, most often two vertical slashes of dark purple that cross over her eyes and onto her cheeks.
- The best marksman currently playing, she’s the right hand woman of Stein, leader of The Guardians. While Stein and her share their seriousness and strategic mind, Isiltari is far colder, and more mysterious.
- Marion:
- Class-Bastard Knight-High health and moderate damage slowest in the game
- Race-Northman: Bonus to health and magic resist especially ice, but not fire. Weak against fire.
- Weapon of choice: War hammer. Specializes in two handed combat, specifically with war hammers. Wields the Hammer of the Apocalypse, a powerful hammer that has a high critical hit chance. Massive golden hammer/mace with a giant block at the end carved with the telling of the end times in a long forgotten hieroglyphic language. Two massive spikes jut out of each face of the block. Made of Golden Steel which augments magic resist.
- Armor: Armor of the Judgment. An armor known to be used by the heroes of old who judged the land for their crimes. The original wearer was massive in stature and dragged along with him the fifteen laws of the land passed down by the gods. Bonuses to health, magic resist, and defense, penalty to speed and attack speed. Massive pauldrons with a long robe at the end with massive boots and gauntlets and a thick chest guard. Gray with golden trimming and red jewels everywhere. Also includes a hood and mask, the mask similar to a Greek Hoplite’s helms with a red and gray color scheme, the mask makes the users eyes appear to be white circles. Made of Golden Steel which augments magic resist. (Colors do not match guild colors except for gray.)
- Physical Description: 6′7″ 315 lb.. Dark red hair that is slicked backwards into a ponytail and bright purple eyes.
- Simply known as Marion, Marion leads the Viridian Sun, a powerful guild known for its aggressive nature, which reflects the guilds leader perfectly. Marion is a no nonsense, get to the point man who doesn’t tolerate insubordination or fooling around. The end always justifies the means. He is attracted to power and strength and nothing else. He’s next in line to fulfill the tank position in The Pantheon.
- Vale Stormsinger:
- Class-Arcane Archer-Little to no health but strong support stats and magical stats.
- Race-Snow Elf: Bonuses for swordsmanship and health
- Weapon of choice: Bow. Wields Killjoy, a powerful bow that has augmented critical hit chance as well as powerful debilitating effects. Metallic bow wrapped with Silverwood. Grey and dark pale blue in color. Made of Ironbark Steel a steel that never wears or breaks and augments defense.
- Armor: Joyful Slayer. An armor known to be used by the insane assassin Cicane Fellglow who slaughtered her entire family for fun. Bonuses to critical, attack speed, and attack, penalty to defense. Made of Diamond Leather which augments defense and speed. Has pauldrons with skulls on them, dark purple armor color, with a chest piece that covers only the breasts and upper midriff. She has pants of the same color with greaves and arm guards to match. The armor set is complimented by a spiraling grey pattern reminiscent of skulls and death. Also comes with hood.
- Physical Description: 34B-28-32 5′8″ 125 lb.. Blonde hair which she sometimes dies back that falls at her shoulder. Pupil-less red eyes and light blue skin.
- Vale Stormsinger is insane, only Marion would be crazy enough to take her. Vale loves to cause pain and kill for fun and cause misery for others. Undyingly loyal to Marion as well, she also has romantic feelings for him and worships him like a god.
- Barena:
- Class-Savage-Highest attack output for melee class, moderate health and defense, extremely vulnerable to magic
- Race-Southman: Known for their magical aptitude. Bonus to magic and mana. Weak against physical attacks.
- Weapon of choice: Spear. Wields Wildling’s Stabber, a lethal spear that has the highest critical hit chance ever seen. A simple staff with bear fur at the end before the point of the spear. Made of Ironbark Steel a steel that never wears or breaks and augments defense and Silverwood which is lethal to werewolves and vampires, as well as poisons anyone who is stabbed by it.
- Armor: Savage Wrappings. Skimpy clothes meant for the sweltering heat of the jungle, it is little more then bear fur tops that covers only the chest, and a fur fauld to cover the groin, and vambraces to prevent scuffing. The fauld is adorned with teeth of wildcats and other animals of prey. Includes necklace of teeth as well. Augments speed and critical. Made of Jungle Bear Fur which provides resistance to heat and fire and augments strength.
- Physical Description: 34C-28-32 5′7″ 135 lb.. Blue black hair with dark skin and white colored tiger like war paint that adorns her arms and legs and torso. She usually has her hair pulled back into a high ponytail. Her eyes are a light green color.
- Wild and savage just like her outfit suggests, Berena hunts players like prey and kills them with no emotion whatsoever. Unfeeling and only looking for survival, she has allied with Marion, believing him to be the strongest leader.
- Nora Snowfallen:
- Class-Healer-Specializes in support and healing. Low stats that contribute to physical attributes including health, high magical stats and natural magic resistance.
- Race-Northman: Bonus to health and magic resist especially ice, but not fire. Weak against fire.
- Weapon of choice: Stave. Wields Stave of Restoration, a powerful staff that increases healing abilities three times. A golden staff with a silver diamond point at the end. Made of Gold Steel and which augments magic resists Silverite which augments healing.
- Armor: Cleric’s Vestments. Robes worn by Matriarch Genevera, the first healer ever. Augments mana reserves four times. Purple hooded cloak with a moon pattern on it, with a frilly white corset blouse that covers the nipples and midriff, With concave purple belt with a silver buckle, and long baggy white pants. Also has a multitiered purple and gold pauldron on the left shoulder with flared pointed ends along with frilly white blouse material vambraces. Made of Opaline Silk which augments the users magic abilities and Gold Steel which augments magic resists
- Physical Description: 36D-30-36 5′6″ 125 lb.. Platinum blonde hair and an innocent appearance, with tanned skin and ice blue eyes.
- A healer has not emerged in the game for eons, and thus Nora has become a hot commodity and will no doubt be placed on the Pantheon quite soon. She’s a member of the Sylvan Order and innocent, naive, and cute with a bubbly personality and headstrong which often gets her into trouble despite herself. The Pantheon is considering adding a fifth slot to their ranks in order to accommodate for Nora. She is rescued by Kyle in the woods after being attacked by the Viridian Sun’s while wandering through the forest.
- Igmus Faintheart:
- Class-Guardian-Specializes in support. Low stats that contribute to physical attributes including health, high magical stats and natural magic resistance.
- Race-Westman: Weaker against physical attacks but not by much. Bonus to stealth, and luck.
- Weapon of choice: Staff. Wields Protector’s Staff, a powerful staff that increases support abilities two times and doubles mana reserves. A simple wooden staff with a blue diamond floating above the end. Made of Titanium Oak which is lethal to vampires and gives added nature damage
- Armor: Coward’s Insurance: Prevents dying ⅓ times if dealt lethal blow. If death is prevented stats are lowered, but immune to damage for ten seconds. Bonus to defense. Looks like Hunter’s Wish. Made of Diamond Leather which augments defense and speed.
- Physical Description: 6′1″ 175 lb.. Dyes his hair light brown hair with a white streak within, revealing his age along with a long mustache and bear combo, he has a tattoo Marion made him get on his forehead with ancient symbols, signifying his loyal to Marion. Pale skin for a Westman, almost appears Northman-like.
- A coward in every respect only looking to save his own skin, Igmus teamed up with Marion basically because Marion bullied him into it. He’s a powerful support who could easily take his services elsewhere, but he’s far too cowardly to leave.
The Pantheon
The Pantheon is the international celebrity group of players renowned to be the best and strongest in the world. Although they are of different mindsets, they are masters in their own right. There are only four spots in the group, one for each major role played. These positions are most often taken from guild masters of the most powerful guilds.
Pantheon Team:
- Kormak-Tank
- East-Thief/Damager
- Anadriel-Damager/Support
- Stein-Support/Damager
The Following of The Reality:
Approximately 4.6 billion of the 10 billion people on Earth watch the Reality actively and 5.6 billion in some shape or form on and off. At the grand tournament known as the Obelisk Cup, the ultimate victory for any team, there is a consistent 6-7 billion person viewership of the final match. Merchandise, news coverage, etc. are all centered around this “Virtual Sport” which has largely replaced all other forms of entertainment and media.
The Obelisk Cup:
The Obelisk Cup is the pinnacle of tournaments for a player of The Reality. It is a best of three rounds match consisting of the two best assembled teams in the world. Historically, the first team is always The Pantheon, and only a few challengers have ever dared enter. The glory involved is massive and The Pantheon holds a 29-0 record. (the first Obelisk Cup caused the formation of The Pantheon and thus did not exist.) The rules are simple, the last team standing, no matter how many members of the team are alive, wins, no questions asked.
Other Tournaments:
There are is one other significant tournament, the Golden Rune Cup which is a qualifier for the Obelisk Cup. Whomever emerges from this sixty four team tournament earns the right to challenge the Pantheon. There is a solo tournament known as the Monument Cup for the strongest solo player in the world. Kormak GreenSteel holds the longest record, and most wins of any player with five consecutive wins. The tournament consists of sixty four players, all who can enter by passing a rigorous trial quest. Then it becomes a single elimination tournament, based on rankings determined from the quest until the winner is decided. Everything is allowed besides other players direct interference.