The Defiant Gamer
Character Creation Screen
0.1
Ugh...What the fuck?
You shakily stand...
Character Creation Screen
0.1
Ugh...What the fuck?
You shakily stand...
The Gamer of Defiance Quest (Gamer/Defiance/SI)
- Thread starter jcw3
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0.1 (Character Creation Screen)
The Defiant Gamer
Character Creation Screen
0.1
Ugh...What the fuck?
You shakily stand, clutching the nearest solid surface, which just so happens to be a moss-covered rock of some indiscernible nature, meaning that you almost slip again trying to regain your balance. You rub your hands over your eyes, grunting as you do so. "Where the hell am I?"
Your mutters go unanswered, so you give up on divine intervention and take a look around you. The immediate surroundings look unremarkable at first, but that's your weird eyesight speaking. After you get a minute or two to focus, you're taken aback by your surroundings.
The boulders surrounding you look like a confusing mixture of those huge rocks in the Australian outback (you can't remember the name, Myer's Rock, maybe?) and a stereotypical, vine covered post-apocalypse object. Now that you take a third look around you, you realize that these aren't just ordinary isolated plant-littered rocks.
These...massive rock structures are towering over you, like flat mountains, covered with the same odd flora that seems to be everywhere. Oh, there's the usual stuff. Grass, vines, and flowers. You spot the odd piece of lavender here and there.
But then it gets...weird. You spot a lizard on the ground, or at least you think it's a lizard at first. It has orange skin, with black stripes in a circular formation over the top of its skin. It lashes towards what's actually an ordinary cockroach, before it opens its mouth. Five flaps, shaped in almost a star formation, open wide around the thing's stomach, before its tongue engulfs the insect, subsuming it into its stomach.
You back away slowly from the creature, not wanting to get into a mix-up with it or anything like it. From your relatively high position on the ground, you notice a town in the distance. No tall buildings or anything like that, but there are a few wind turbines and-Wow, that looks like the St. Louis arch. It looks...bad, almost as if it's had forty years to fall into ruin.
Still, it's civilization. Can't be St. Louis (buildings are too small), but it's probably just some weird place in Australia or China or somewhere equally weird. You might not speak their language, but you think your skill with charades is phenomenal enough to try. Whatever that place is, it can't get any weirder than that lizard thing, or hell, just waking up here.
"Welcome to Terra Ferox, Gamer ______!"
Or not.
Voting Options.
[ ] Choose your appearance and name, as well as other details and backstory, if you'd like. Give a link to a picture of a person, from 15 to 35. Please no anime/manga/manhwa characters. Must be from a modern day Earth, with ordinary civilian clothes.
[ ] You have four options to choose from, all of which are listed below. Which one do you think will have the best supporting role in your future on this world? Choose one. You do not know that you had this choice IC. You don't know that you're in the world of Defiance, and won't until you walk into town.
---[ ] True Self Insert. You have seen the first six episodes of Defiance. No more, no less. You have a basic idea of the background of the show, but it's been a while.
---[ ] Gifted. Once you are strong enough, you shall start gaining choices between varying psionic powers. Telepathy, telekinesis, pyrokinesis, local psychometry, thought-based healing, the whole gamut. And the best part? They act as skills of the Gamer, getting stronger with every level up. Unlock the first power at Level Ten, the second at Level Twenty, and so on. You will be given a choice, and that will be the only power you get until the next level opportunity.
---[ ] Fully Equipped. You're pretty weak at the moment. You need some firepower and armor. In your inventory, you'll find that you have a full set of N-7 Armor, in your size, of course, an M-8 Avenger, with the same heat sinks used in Mass Effect I, and two Mark 14 grenades. All ammunition and both grenades regenerate given six hours. Once you equip the armor your first time, you can equip it at any time by mental thought. Cannot be given to anyone besides yourself.
---[ ] Forgotten Power. This world has many secrets, but there are some unknown to the humans or the races of the Votans, that may not have even technically existed before your arrival. When you are deep within the wilds, you may find a pentagram, an ancient grimoire, or even an unblemished leyline. Of course, this will require high luck, and you may not even have the wits about you to use it properly. Requires stupid high Luck and Intelligence to go this route, and any arcane objects are ridiculously improbable to find. High risk, high reward.
[ ] How do you arrange your stats? Your current layout is listed below. If you do not like it, you can change it. Just remember that you have 40 points, and you should arrange them carefully.
---[ ] Current Option.
Strength: 6
Vitality: 7
Dexterity: 5
Intellect: 9
Wisdom: 6
Luck: 7
---[ ] Change it. Write in necessary.
Author's Notes. So. This is an interesting idea I had. It will certainly be less popular than my other quests, but I think the Gamer title might draw some fans. Defiance is a pretty great show. It's no Stargate, but it's one of the better sci fi shows on the television right now.
I thought I would do a Gamer self-insert in the show's universe. You play as a person shunted into the world near the start of the series, and unless you pick a certain option (and even then), you have little idea of what's going on. That's mostly because you all probably haven't seen the show, and this way, you're closer to the position of the character.
I also skipped the 'character learns about the Gamer power' scene. If you want that, read the original, or almost any other Gamer fanfic. You guys didn't come here for this fandom's equivalent of the summoning scene or the locker. After it says "Welcome to Terra Ferox!" it just tells the SI about their powers.
It's not really a self insert if you guys get to vote on it, is it? Oh well.
Feel free to ask questions. I know I've probably been sparse on the details, and you're probably pretty confused. Just wait a minute or two for me to post the second post for the character details. Also, please, tell me if you've seen the show or not. It will be helpful. Include that, and any questions you may have, into your vote.
EDIT: Basic info on the show's plot and world follows below.
The premise is that, in the 2010s, an alien alliance known as the Votans arrives to Earth in sleeper ships, needing land since their own star just went supernova, and their planets have been destroyed. Shortly after negotiations with humanity go south, a war starts between the two. The series takes place in 2046, in a town called Defiance built on the ruins of St. Louis, Missouri, and focuses on the disparity between humanity and the seven races of the Votans, while also highlighting the similarities. Filled with political intrigue, dark yet not grimderp, and a fascinating background even if the lead is a bit boring.
Character Creation Screen
0.1
Ugh...What the fuck?
You shakily stand, clutching the nearest solid surface, which just so happens to be a moss-covered rock of some indiscernible nature, meaning that you almost slip again trying to regain your balance. You rub your hands over your eyes, grunting as you do so. "Where the hell am I?"
Your mutters go unanswered, so you give up on divine intervention and take a look around you. The immediate surroundings look unremarkable at first, but that's your weird eyesight speaking. After you get a minute or two to focus, you're taken aback by your surroundings.
The boulders surrounding you look like a confusing mixture of those huge rocks in the Australian outback (you can't remember the name, Myer's Rock, maybe?) and a stereotypical, vine covered post-apocalypse object. Now that you take a third look around you, you realize that these aren't just ordinary isolated plant-littered rocks.
These...massive rock structures are towering over you, like flat mountains, covered with the same odd flora that seems to be everywhere. Oh, there's the usual stuff. Grass, vines, and flowers. You spot the odd piece of lavender here and there.
But then it gets...weird. You spot a lizard on the ground, or at least you think it's a lizard at first. It has orange skin, with black stripes in a circular formation over the top of its skin. It lashes towards what's actually an ordinary cockroach, before it opens its mouth. Five flaps, shaped in almost a star formation, open wide around the thing's stomach, before its tongue engulfs the insect, subsuming it into its stomach.
You back away slowly from the creature, not wanting to get into a mix-up with it or anything like it. From your relatively high position on the ground, you notice a town in the distance. No tall buildings or anything like that, but there are a few wind turbines and-Wow, that looks like the St. Louis arch. It looks...bad, almost as if it's had forty years to fall into ruin.
Still, it's civilization. Can't be St. Louis (buildings are too small), but it's probably just some weird place in Australia or China or somewhere equally weird. You might not speak their language, but you think your skill with charades is phenomenal enough to try. Whatever that place is, it can't get any weirder than that lizard thing, or hell, just waking up here.
"Welcome to Terra Ferox, Gamer ______!"
Or not.
Voting Options.
[ ] Choose your appearance and name, as well as other details and backstory, if you'd like. Give a link to a picture of a person, from 15 to 35. Please no anime/manga/manhwa characters. Must be from a modern day Earth, with ordinary civilian clothes.
[ ] You have four options to choose from, all of which are listed below. Which one do you think will have the best supporting role in your future on this world? Choose one. You do not know that you had this choice IC. You don't know that you're in the world of Defiance, and won't until you walk into town.
---[ ] True Self Insert. You have seen the first six episodes of Defiance. No more, no less. You have a basic idea of the background of the show, but it's been a while.
---[ ] Gifted. Once you are strong enough, you shall start gaining choices between varying psionic powers. Telepathy, telekinesis, pyrokinesis, local psychometry, thought-based healing, the whole gamut. And the best part? They act as skills of the Gamer, getting stronger with every level up. Unlock the first power at Level Ten, the second at Level Twenty, and so on. You will be given a choice, and that will be the only power you get until the next level opportunity.
---[ ] Fully Equipped. You're pretty weak at the moment. You need some firepower and armor. In your inventory, you'll find that you have a full set of N-7 Armor, in your size, of course, an M-8 Avenger, with the same heat sinks used in Mass Effect I, and two Mark 14 grenades. All ammunition and both grenades regenerate given six hours. Once you equip the armor your first time, you can equip it at any time by mental thought. Cannot be given to anyone besides yourself.
---[ ] Forgotten Power. This world has many secrets, but there are some unknown to the humans or the races of the Votans, that may not have even technically existed before your arrival. When you are deep within the wilds, you may find a pentagram, an ancient grimoire, or even an unblemished leyline. Of course, this will require high luck, and you may not even have the wits about you to use it properly. Requires stupid high Luck and Intelligence to go this route, and any arcane objects are ridiculously improbable to find. High risk, high reward.
[ ] How do you arrange your stats? Your current layout is listed below. If you do not like it, you can change it. Just remember that you have 40 points, and you should arrange them carefully.
---[ ] Current Option.
Strength: 6
Vitality: 7
Dexterity: 5
Intellect: 9
Wisdom: 6
Luck: 7
---[ ] Change it. Write in necessary.
Author's Notes. So. This is an interesting idea I had. It will certainly be less popular than my other quests, but I think the Gamer title might draw some fans. Defiance is a pretty great show. It's no Stargate, but it's one of the better sci fi shows on the television right now.
I thought I would do a Gamer self-insert in the show's universe. You play as a person shunted into the world near the start of the series, and unless you pick a certain option (and even then), you have little idea of what's going on. That's mostly because you all probably haven't seen the show, and this way, you're closer to the position of the character.
I also skipped the 'character learns about the Gamer power' scene. If you want that, read the original, or almost any other Gamer fanfic. You guys didn't come here for this fandom's equivalent of the summoning scene or the locker. After it says "Welcome to Terra Ferox!" it just tells the SI about their powers.
It's not really a self insert if you guys get to vote on it, is it? Oh well.
Feel free to ask questions. I know I've probably been sparse on the details, and you're probably pretty confused. Just wait a minute or two for me to post the second post for the character details. Also, please, tell me if you've seen the show or not. It will be helpful. Include that, and any questions you may have, into your vote.
EDIT: Basic info on the show's plot and world follows below.
The premise is that, in the 2010s, an alien alliance known as the Votans arrives to Earth in sleeper ships, needing land since their own star just went supernova, and their planets have been destroyed. Shortly after negotiations with humanity go south, a war starts between the two. The series takes place in 2046, in a town called Defiance built on the ruins of St. Louis, Missouri, and focuses on the disparity between humanity and the seven races of the Votans, while also highlighting the similarities. Filled with political intrigue, dark yet not grimderp, and a fascinating background even if the lead is a bit boring.
Last edited:
Character Stats Page.
Char sheet V3
Quest Info Table
Last update: 1.07
2046 April 8, Sunday
Quest Info Table
Last update: 1.07
2046 April 8, Sunday
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(Source: http://powerlisting.wikia.com/wiki/File:Tony_Stark_Business.jpg)
Character
Name: Samuel Anthony House
Appearance: (see photo)
Class: The Defiant Gamer
Titles: none yet
Level: 4
EXP: 124/630
Health: 235
Health Regeneration: 20 per hour
Mana: 115
Mana Regeneration: 10 per minute
Stat Points: 5
Money: 40 Scrips (roughly equivalent to 1.5 US Dollars)
Stats (upgradeable with stat points, omakes, and in story events)
Strength: 12
Vitality: 12
Dexterity: 13
Intellect: 10
Wisdom: 7
Luck: 7
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Passive
--Gamer's Body--
MAX/MAX
Your body receives only momentary discomfort from injuries, and your body is reconstructed to no longer act or exist like an ordinary human body. If you sleep in a comfortable bed, all minor status effects, as well as low health and mana stats, are removed or restored respectively.
--Gamer's Mind--
MAX/MAX
You will always calmly and logically think things through. You are immune to mind manipulation abilities of any kind.
Information
--Observe--
11/100
A skill that gives information on topics and subjects familiar and unfamiliar. Best used on things that are confusing or difficult to understand. When used on living objects, gives you their MAX HP, MP, and basic information. On objects, grants you basic information.
Technology
--Basic Vehicle Repair--
11/50
You have experience in vehicle repair, but only in a stable environment, with plenty of tools. You've got a ways to go in order to make it in the postwar world. You can handle rollers and other basic vehicles just fine, but you'll definitely need some help with Votan tech.
Nature
--Gardening--
3/100
You have a basic idea of how to arrange a garden. You have a vague idea of which plants grow where, and when they bloom, as well as other random factoids, but don't ask much beyond that. You're an amateur gardener at best.
Language
--L'Irathi--
7/25
The dominant native tongue of the Irathient people, but not the only one. Accepted as a lingua franca among Terran-based Irathients and most raiders, when English is not in use.
--Spanish--
2/100
The human language born of Iberia and now dominant in South America. Spoken prominently in the Iberian Cooperative, most nations in South America, and parts of North America.
Combat
--Blunt Weapons Mastery--
1/100
Sometimes mankind's (and Votan-kind's) worst problems are solved by hitting with a big stick. Or axe. Or baseball bat. This skill covers blunt weapons, and your skill, speed, and number of critical hits when using them.
--Unarmed Mastery--
15/100
Ah, man's most trustworthy friend. His own fists! You know the basics of unarmed combat, particularly brawling and punching. 15% additional damage to unarmed attacks, 15% additional speed to unarmed combats, and no damage taken from punching or kicking other enemies. +1% each level of Unarmed Mastery.
--Power Strike--
7/100 (Cost per use 20 MP)
Sometimes you just need to hit something really hard. 21% extra chance of critical chance. 175% extra damage on said attack. Increases by 1% and 25% each level of this skill.
--Nefkivaniro--
1/100
The most famous martial art native to Daribo. Nefkee, as most practitioners refer to it in short, relies on dexterity and finesse, as well as being the one to strike first and quickly take your foe. Nefkee focuses on destroying the balance and swiftness of your enemy. +1% damage to Unarmed Mastery per level.
--Huntsman--
1/100
A passive skill relying on hunter's instincts. That twig snapping, that wing flapping in the backyard, you're subconsciously aware of it in the backyard. +0.5% to damage with hunting/survival weapons. Increases by 0.5% each level.
Cooking
--Cooking--
3/100
The most basic art for survival of any sapient and sentient species. You understand the basics of boiling, brisking, baking, and all that nonsense in regards to Terran foods familiar to the average North American. You're even beginning to grasp how those odd Castithans make their consumables. Food tastes 3% better, requires 3% less ingredients, and gradual development of subskills. Percentages increase by 1 with each level up of this skill.
Transhumanism/Psionics
--Kundalini Meditation--
2/100
One of the most powerful and comprehensive methods of yoga for achieving mental clarity and transcendence. Simply visualize the stars, the earth, and the body, and perform the proper mantras to receive your physical and mental rewards. Practice for one hour per day in order to gain +1 Vitality, +2 Intellect, +5 Wisdom, and +50% mana regeneration for the remainder of the day. Practice one full session for 40 days and double those bonuses. Further skills for this meditative ability will unlock as you progress on your path to enlightenment.
Housework
--Housework--
1/100
You know how to paint walls, sweep the floor, vacuum the rugs, and the various menial tasks that go into keeping a house nice and fresh. +1% speed to all housework tasks like dish washing or vacuuming.
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Equipped
-(clothes)
Stored
Defiance Library Card
Check out any number of books (under ten) for up to three weeks. Fee of one scrip per day overdue.
The War of the Three Hells
by Rayet Tasko
Personal chronicle of the life of a soldier of the Votanis Collective on the Central American front. Anecdotal statements, accuracy questionable.
Defiance Library book, read
Hello, New York! Recollections of a Life in the Big Apple
by Stephanie Yardash
A young girl adopted by interspecies parents, Stephanie describes her childhood living in a Votan neighborhood in the capital of Columbia. It tells of heartbreak, systematic discrimination, triumphs, and focuses on the belief that maybe the two systems can come together to make a greater world.
Defiance Library book, read
The World Hatched Anew: Our Love for Our Gods
by Kaarti Sishemo
A Liberata cleric wrote this thesis to explain to humans (and even other Votans) about the polytheistic religion that his species holds so dearly. Relates how the belief system evolved over time, and how certain sects vary in their opinions.
Defiance Library book, unread
Waiting for a Land to Call My Own
by Halan Koylu
Halan was a Yuke Liro when the Votans left for Earth, and has a story to tell about conditions on the ark, as well as how he was treated on the homeworld. It's...not a pretty story.
Defiance Library book, unread
(2x) Ticket to Bojar Zhivala's Performance (Any)
What it says on the tin. Next shows: April 17-24, 2046: Minneapolis. May 24-31, 2046: Portland. June 6-13, 2046: My-Vrtya. July 1-8, 2046: San Francisco. Will update as the dates go on.
Personal Coupon for Free Drinks and 50% Night Porters until May 4, 2046
Personal Coupon for 10% Discount at Need/Want for Life
(5x) Hellbug Chitin - (added the minerals upon consideration of crafting. The crafting system will be severely abstracted for my own sanity.)
First Aid Kit
Backpack
Solar Flashlight
Other
Rental House
two buildings to the right of the Lawkeeper's office spartan, two main rooms: living room w/kitchenette and bedroom used to belong to drug dealer until he got sent to Camp Reverie
500 scrip per month, starting May 1, pay to Clancy
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Defiance
Rick Smith
Human male, white, mid twenties, Defiance guard
Jeff McMiller
Human male, white, mid twenties, Defiance guard
Garret Clancy
Human male, old, Defiance Lawkeeper
Relation Status: Friendly
Trudy Smith
Level Two
HP: 125/150
MP: 0/25 MP
Mother of three and excellent cook.
Human female, American Southerner, elderly
See: Mama Trudy's Burgers and Fries
Meh Yewll
Level Four
HP: 180/180
MP: 600/600
Town doctor of Defiance. Has a checkered past.
Indogene female
Denise Gonzalez
Level Two
HP: 115/125
MP: 50/50
Town librarian in Defiance. Recovering from diabetes thanks to Indogene medicine.
Human female, Hispanic, elderly
Fozzi
Level Five
Sensoth male, Defiance mechanic
Alex Vavilov
Level Three
HP: 250/250
MP: 50/50
Worker at the Chatelaine Guesthouse.
Human male, white, gruff looking, bearded
Belutok Kurr
Castithan (male?), ranting preacher; not friendly, repeat, not friendly
Relation Status: Hated
Davan Nyoraj
Irathient male, Votan smith
Relation Status: Friendly
Warren Rossiter
Human male, white, Fredericton Lumber Corporation
Sandra Hawkins
Human female, African-American, old
Jered Kikema
Liberata male, Need/Want bartender
Alzat Hinlo
Level Three
HP: 250/250 HP
MP: 50/50 MP
Formerly the favored son of the Hinlo clan, Alzat ran away from home after being forced into an arranged marriage. He is currently lying low in Defiance doing odd jobs.
Castithan male, burly
Recife
Human male, handyman
Avizu Hyaro
Castithan male, martial arts instructor
See: Castithan haryiv
Chavis
Liberata male, Defiance Bookshop staff
Kathy Xing
Human female, Defiance Electronics and Repair
Swoga Tilemso
Castithan female, human friendly, Delights of Daribo
Relation Status: Friendly
Wade LePage
Human male, student at Castithan haryiv
Varuk
Castithan male, rookie student at Castithan haryiv
Kyrij
Castithan male, student at Castithan haryiv
Chano
Castithan male, student at Castithan haryiv
Eric Lambert
Human male, miner
Other Places
Uthik Sahtar
Level Four
HP: 210/210
MP: 100/100
A bachelor attempting to break free of a restrictive Shanje Liro family. Regularly moves in between towns.
Castithan male, moved to New Las Cruces
Relation Status: Honored
Bojar Zhivala
Castithan male, Usealano performer, travelling
See: Usealano Stall
See: Ticket to Bojar Zhivala's Performance
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Defiance
(Source: http://en.defiance-wiki.com/wiki/File:Defiance_terrain_map.jpg)
Locations
Wanderer's Rest
A small inn with a bar attached.
Scents of Trulog
A Sensoth-owned perfume shop.
Sugar and Spice
A confectionery stall
Mama Trudy's Burgers and Fries
Old Earth fast food made with love.
See: Trudy Smith
Usealano Stall
Watch the masterful performer Bojar Zhivala reenact his parents' art! Usealano is a native Castithan art, an improvised poetry of sorts, and requires fluidity and quick thinking.
See: Bojar Zhivala
Chatelaine Guesthouse
See: Alex Vavilov
Need/Want Bar
See: Jered Kikema
Relation Status: Friendly
Castithan haryiv
martial arts dojo
Classes are Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at seven. 10 scrips a month.
See: Avizu Hyaro
Defiance Bookshop
See: Chavis
Defiance Electronics and Repair
marketplace stall
See: Kathy Xing
Delights of Daribo
"sort of a Castithan cafe"
Relation Status: Friendly
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Finished Quests
Help Uthik Move Out! (Succeeded)
A young Castithan man needs help moving the furniture out of his apartment. He has sent out a help wanted ad for any in Defiance willing to help for a small amount of money. You, of course, have accepted. Clear the furniture from his house to the landcoach he has hired.
Completion Reward: 108 EXP. 35-40 Scrips. Increased relations with Uthik Sahtar.
Completion Failure: None.
Clean Miss Hawkins' Greenhouse! (Succeeded)
An elderly woman needs a pair of hands to help rid her greenhouse of weeds. Win her friendship and a small amount of scrips for assisting her. Small penalties are given for damaging flowers.
Completion Rewards: 25 Scrips. 89 EXP. Increased relations with Sandra Hawkins. The Gardening skill.
Completion Failure: None.
Down that Yuma Slammer! (Succeeded)
Finish the Yuma Slammer without falling flat on your ass. If you're still conscious five minutes after you're done, you get free drinks at the Need/Want until May 4th and 50% off on...other pleasures. Fail if you pass out.
Completion Reward: Free drinks at the Need/Want until May 4, 2046. 50% off on all night porter meetings until May 4, 2046. 10% discount on food/drink at the Need/Want for life. +50 EXP. Increased relations with Need/Want.
Completion Failure: Decreased relations with Jered Kikema.
Clean Up Those Roads! (Succeeded)
Details not given in thread.
Completion Reward: +80 Scrips. +107 EXP. Increased relations with Defiance Border Patrol (Neutral to Friendly). Increased relations with Alzat Hinlo (Neutral to Friendly).
Paint The Delights of Daribo! (Succeeded)
Miss Tilemso wants your help painting the exterior of her restaurant, the Delights of Daribo.
Completion Reward: 26 EXP. +2 to Cooking skill. Increased relations with Delights of Daribo. Increased relations with Swoga Tilemso. 40% chance of Housework skill.
Completion Failure: Decreased relations with Swoga Tilemso. Decreased relations with Delights of Daribo.
Clean Up the Lamberts' Backyard! (Succeeded)
The Lambert backyard needs someone to weed and clean it. Do it within two hours to earn the rewards!
Completion Reward: +20 Scrips. +39 EXP. Increased relations with Lambert family. +2 Gardening.
Completion Failure: Decreased relations with Lambert family.
Other Messages
Edonla Bloom
A flower native to Daribo. Symbolizes individual growth and bachelorhood.
Decreased relations with all surviving upper liros of the Castithan society.
(after reading 'The Castes of the Castithans')
Yuma Slammer
The most alcoholic beverage in Defiance. +1 to Vitality, -5 to Intelligence for thirty minutes. 75% chance of passing out.
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Hellbug Skitterling
Level Three
HP: 150/150 HP
MP: 0/0
Annoying little buggers. They have a habit of dodging attack at the last minute, and being generally annoying overall. Kill them quickly, before they create an entire hive, or worse, bring an existing one down on your heads.
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Weapons
Weapons Bases:
Pistols - (M9s, Glocks Revolvers and so on)
Damage: 50 - 150
Range: Close - short
Fire Rate: Semi-auto and burst
Clip: 5 - 15
Maintenance: Simple - Normal
Cost: ???
Craft Cost: ???
SMG - (Tommy Gun, FG-42, MP40 and so on)
Damage: 100 - 500
Range: Med
Fire Rate: Semi-auto, burst and Full auto
Clip: 25 - 50
Maintenance: Normal
Cost: ???
Craft Cost: ???
Shotgun - (Remington 1100, Benelli M4, Winchester M97 and so on )
Damage: 300 - 1000
Range: Close - med
Fire Rate: Single, double and semi-auto
Clip: 2 - 8
Maintenance: Simple
Cost: ???
Craft Cost: ???
Rifle - (M1903, Grizzly, Mauser and so on)
Damage: 200 - 500
Range: Med - long
Fire Rate: Single and semi-auto
Clip: 1 - 6
Maintenance: Simple
Cost: ???
Craft Cost: ???
Sniper Rifle - (M40, XM21, Zastava M76 and so on)
Damage: 800 - 1,200
Range: Very long - Extreme
Fire Rate: Single and semi-auto
Clip: 1 - 6
Maintenance: Normal
Cost: ???
Craft Cost: ???
Assault Rifle - (M16, AK, Bullpop and so on)
Damage: 200 - 800
Range: Long
Fire Rate: semi-auto, burst and Full Auto
Clip: 30 - 60
Maintenance: Normal
Cost: ???
Craft Cost: ???
Machine Gun - (SAW, Mini-gun, M2)
Damage: 200 - 2000
Range: Med - Long
Fire Rate: Burst and Full Auto
Clip: 60 - 120
Maintenance: Normal
Cost: ???
Craft Cost: ???
Launchers - (RPG, M79. Type 91 Kai and so on)
Damage: 400 - 4000
Range: Short - Extreme
Fire Rate: Single and semi-auto
Clip: 1 - 6
Maintenance: Simple
Cost: ???
Craft Cost: ???
Hand held Melee -(Knife, axe, spear and so on)
Damage: 50 - 100
Range: Close
Fire Rate: N/A
Clip: N/A
Maintenance: Simple
Cost: ???
Craft Cost: ???
Hand held Range - (Bow, crossbow, spear gun and so on)
Damage: 100 - 200
Range: Short - Med
Fire Rate: Single
Clip: 1
Maintenance: Simple
Cost: ???
Craft Cost: ???
Explosives - (C4, M67, TNT and so on)
Damage: 400 - Silly
Range: Close
Fire Rate: N/A
Clip: N/A
Maintenance: Simple
Cost: ???
Craft Cost: ???
Tiers:
T1 - Civilian Tier - Personal defense weaponry and home made arms
Average Damage: Base
Average Range: Base
Average Maintenance: Base
Average Cost: ???
Average Craft Cost: ???
T2 - Military Tier - High powered firearms and weaponry
Average Damage: Base x2
Average Range: Base
Average Maintenance: Base
Average Cost: ???
Average Craft Cost: ???
T3 - Xeon Tier - High tech ark weapons and those built from their foundations.
Average Damage: Base x3
Average Range: Base x2
Average Maintenance: Base +1
Average Cost: ???
Average Craft Cost: ???
Effective Range:
Close - 20 meters or less
Short - 50 meters or less
Med - 200 meters or less
Long - 600 Meters or less
Very long - 1,500 meters or less
Extreme - 2,000 meters or less
Maintenance:
Simple - More solid block then moving parts, these types or weapons are easy to care when needed and need little tools to keep in repair. Also, most can quickly learn how to care for such in only a hours time if taught or a little longer if they need to figure it out themselves.
Normal - Has the expected amount of moving parts you would think a firearm would have and requires the same in time to care for it. Need both a standard cleaning kit to keep in good order and a afternoon or two to learn how to do, though in a pitch one could figure it given enough time.
Hard - Prototypes and cutting edge weapons, these types of weapons while usually packing a kick like Godzilla. Are usually never worth the effort it takes to keep them in working order, since these things need tailor made tools take care and week long classes just to learn how to use the bloody thing without blowing you foot off.
??? - Thing might have been made by evil gnomes and powered by space magic for all anyone will most likely figure out about it. These types of weapons will require prayers and good thoughts to last you though a fight and if you are lucky might not even blow up on you when it starts to beep.
Damage Types:
Solid - Bullets, arrows, bolts and so on. The most common type of the four to run into.
Plasma - ColdFire and Charge weapons are the weapon of choice for this type. And while not as common to see as Solid slug throwers are, its still easy enough gain if one knows where to look.
Elemental - Weapons that use elemental forces like fire, water, electric, acid and so on. The weapons are usually rather rare to see in use because of their costly nature to build and/or maintain. And usually very dangerous to use, though exceptions like tasers and the like are known.
Exotic - The most rare type and often most powerful, simply because no one really understand how they work or what they do besides making other things very dead. This weapons cover all other things the other types do not.
Armor
Civilian Tier
- Armor rank: Poor
- Shield rank: N/A
- NBC Protection: N/A
- Mobility: Great
- Misc: Straps
- Cost: 200 Scrip
- Craft Cost: ???
Raider Tier
- Armor rank: Decent
- Shield rank: N/A
- NBC Protection: N/A
- Mobility: Poor
- Misc: Straps
- Cost: ???
- Craft Cost: ???
Lawkeeper Tier
- Armor rank: Basic
- Shield rank: Poor/Poor/Basic
- NBC Protection: Yes, though only when shields are active
- Mobility: Good
- Misc: Straps
- Cost: ???
- Craft Cost: ???
Merc Tier (PA)
- Armor rank: Good
- Shield rank: Decent/Basic/Decent
- NBC Protection: Yes
- Mobility: Poor
- Run time: 4 hours combat and 20 hours basic
- Misc: Internal Coms and GPS
- Cost: ???
- Craft Cost: ???
Military Tier (PA)
- Armor rank: Good
- Shield rank: Decent/Decent/Good
- NBC Protection: Yes
- Mobility: Good
- Run time: 8 hours combat and 40 hours basic
- Misc: Internal Coms, GPS and scanners
- Cost: ???
- Craft Cost: ???
Bleeding Edge Tier (PA)
- Armor rank: Great
- Shield rank: Great/Great/Great
- NBC Protection: Full Countermeasures
- Mobility: Great
- Run time: 16 hours combat and 80 hours basic
- Misc: internal coms, scanners, GPS, and targeting computer
- Cost: ???
- Craft Cost: ???
Shield rank break down
Poor - 0 - 20% Recharge limit / 27 - 52 sec recharge delay / 100 - 200 Capacity
Basic - 21- 40% Recharge limit / 13 - 26 sec recharge delay / 400 - 800 Capacity
Decent - 41 - 60% Recharge limit / 7 - 12 sec recharge delay / 1,600 - 3,200 Capacity
Good - 61 - 80% Recharge limit / 3 - 6 sec recharge delay / 6,400 - 12,800 Capacity
Great - 81 - 100% Recharge limit / 1 - 2 sec recharge delay / 25,600 - 51,200 Capacity
Armor Ranks
Poor - Gives limited resistance civilian grade fire arms and simple melee devices
Basic - Gives resistance to civilian grade fire arms and simple melee devices
Decent - Gives good resistance to civilian grade fire arms and simple melee devices and limited resistance to military grade arms and powered weapons
Good - Give great resistance to civilian grade fire arms and simple melee devices and resistance to military grade arms and powered weapons
Great - Immune to civilian grade firearms and simple melee devices and gives good resistance to military grade arms and powered weapons
Mobility Ranks
Poor - Move at 2/3 speed
Good - Move at normal speed
Great - More at 2 times speed
Vehicles
Runner
These come in a variety of configurations and are made to utilize post-Arkfall energy sources like petrohol, or even raw gulanite.
HP: 200
Tank: 4 Gallon
Fuel Efficiency: 40 MPG
Top SPD: 80 MPH
Armor: Low
Cost: ???
Craft Cost:
Roller
The Roller is the car of the post-Arkfall world. If you're not driving one, then you're not rugged enough for the frontier.
HP: 2,000
Tank: 12 Gallon
Fuel Efficiency: 32/MPG
Top SPD: 100 MPH
Armor: Heavy
Cerberus
These vehicles were mass produced during the Pale Wars for use by the EMC. Today many of them are used by roving gangs and militias. Jon Cooper drives a Cerberus, with the turret gun removed. Echelon sometimes provides these vehicles during their competitive trials such as Shadow War. Varus Soleptor also had some of these stored on 101 Keys Island. Rosa Rodriguez had a carburetor prototype sent to her, which ended up in a Hellbug nest. (Defiance Wiki production Images, Main Mission:An Unexpected Delay, Freight Yard, Explosions 101, Side Mission:Lost in Transit)
HP: 6,000
Tank: 25 Gallons
Fuel Efficiency: 10 MPG
Top SPD: 50 MPH
Armor: Super Heavy
Armor:
Low: Nothing between you and the bullets
Normal: Factory Default
Heavy: Armored to take small arms fire like a champ
Super Heavy: Armored to tank a RPG or two and keep on ticking.
Last edited:
1.0 (in which Sam arrives in Defiance, meets Clancy and Yewll)
1.0
You shake your head as you consider your new Gamer power. It's...fucking weird. There's not really a nicer way to state that, or at least you don't feel like putting forth the mental effort to try and consider one. You hop down from the rocks, climbing down the stony path to the town. You try to avoid the grassier areas, because who knows what could be down there.
After a minute or so of walking, you find yourself on the dirt road headed into the town. You take a good look at it on your way there, and you notice that a lot of the buildings look...strange. For instance, while most of them look ordinary, some are square and white buildings of varying levels of composure. Others look like they're coated in some kind of brownish paint that seems to glow in the sunlight-
Skill Unlocked! Observe 1/100. A skill that gives information on topics and subjects familiar and unfamiliar. Best used on things that are confusing or difficult to understand. When used on living objects, gives you their MAX HP, MP, and basic information. On objects, grants you basic information.
Okay. Cool, you guess. You have bigger problems, though. You walk up to the two guards in front of the town. They don't look terribly professional, but they do seem pretty suspicious. Both white males, mid twenties. They look American, too! "You know, you look exactly like the guy that played Iron Man from those Old Earth movies."
Observe tells you his name. Rick Smith. Also, Old Earth? Huh? "Um...yeah, I get that a lot. It gets old fast, no offense," you respond, in your best mildly annoyed tone. In your defense, you've had a pretty weird half hour. "Where the hell am I?"
Rick gives a confused look to his partner, before giving a blank look to you. "Er...Defiance. Couple hundred klicks to the edge of the Storm Divide?"
What the hell is that?. "Okay...is Defiance in America?"
The other man laughs. Jeff McMiller. "Yeah, if you come from 2020 maybe."
Rick rolls his eyes. "Ignore him. Yes, Defiance is in North America. Used to be the USA, or at least that's what they teach you at school, anyway."
You blink. "Used to be?"
"Christ, he doesn't know anything, does he?" Jeff laughs.
"Shut up, Jeff. Yeah. Used to be. Do you know what the Pale Wars were?"
"...No?"
Smith scratches the back of his hair, running his hands through his hair. It's a common nervous tic. "Okay, buddy. Do you know your name?"
You take several seconds to contemplate whether to tell him, staring down at the sandy road for several minutes before deciding to tell him. "Yeah. Samuel Anthony House. You can call me Sam."
"Jeff. Keep watch out here. I'm going to go find the Lawkeeper."
The apparent junior partner grumbles a bit, while the guard takes you to whoever this guy. Probably the equivalent of a police chief or something. You take a look around the various places in town, observing the stark differences in shops and such.
Wanderer's Rest. A small inn with a bar attached.
Scents of Trulog. A Sensoth-owned perfume shop.
Sugar and Spice. A confectionery stall.
After two more stalls, you get a starting message. +1 Observe! Observe 2/100. Creepy and cool. You guess it must level up like in a RPG, just like the message explained. Hopefully it will be more helpful at higher levels.
"Hey, what's your name again?" you ask the border guard. You know his name, obviously, but it's polite to ask. Also a good idea to not reveal your power without having points in your favor.
He turns around, and stretches out his hand sheepishly. "Sorry. My ma raised me better than that. My name is Rick Smith. Born and raised in Defiance. Pleasure to meet you."
It's odd to hear him speaking in such a country bumpkin manner when he's obviously in his upper thirties, but there you go. "Sam House. I'm very lost."
Rick laughs. "I can tell, buddy."
The two of you resume your walk towards the Lawkeeper's office, or at least you think that's what it must be called. "The Lawkeeper is like a police chief, right?"
"I think so. I was born after the Pale Wars, so I don't know much about that Old Earth stuff. The big cities have constables, but out in the frontier, we have Lawkeepers. Garret Clancy. He's a great guy. Knows his shtak."
You can guess what that last word means. "So when do you plan on explaining what the Pale Wars were? And why you keep talking me about 'Old Earth'?"
The guard lets out a low sigh. "Hoo boy. I think...it's better for you to talk to Clancy about that. Or a librarian or historian. Something like that. I'm not very good with the details, but I can give you the basics."
You nod. "Okay. Do that."
Rick beckons you to a table by a particular vendor stall. Mama Trudy's Burgers and Fries. Old Earth fast food made with love. Of course. Something familiar. Fucking finally. Even Rick's gun and outfit look weird. Sort of like a leather security outfit, you guess. Observe isn't telling you much more.
An elderly woman, who you can tell is Southern just by looking at her, smiles at the two of you, handing out a plate with two burgers as she does so. Trudy Smith. Level Two. 125/150 HP. 0/25 MP. Mother of three and excellent cook.
"Here's the basics," Rick starts with a whisper, which sort of confuses you. The fact that the both of you are sitting on the back increases that state of being, as does the fact that you're alone. "First of all, what year do you think it is?"
"2015. Why? Did I just time travel?"
Rick gives you an empty stare for a few seconds, before bursting out in laughter. "Damn, kid. I think you just did. It's April 2, 2046. Welcome to the future."
"Holy shit."
There's not much else to say in response to that. You take a sip of the complementary jug of water, and stare out into space for a few minutes. "Well, I always wanted to see the future."
"You're probably going to be disappointed. The future sucks, buddy."
"How? It doesn't look that bad, aside from those weird things in the woods."
Rick's expression turns harder, more solid. "You haven't heard the term Votan, have you?"
Questions like that seems to be growing increasingly common. "No, I haven't."
The guard massages his face, before taking a bite of his burger. You guess he's taking a while to think. "In the 2010s sometime, these aliens showed up-"
"Aliens!" you blurt out. You draw a few glares, including some from a group of albino people a few tables in front of you.
"Would you keep it down, kid?"
You blush. "Sorry."
"Anyway. In the 2010s sometime, this fleet of alien refugees showed up. Their star system went kablooey. Supernova, I think. So, they were talking with the Old Earth governments. Would have got some more land in exchange for sharing tech. Then some dumbass shoots their ambassador."
Rick takes another bite of his burger. "The Votans and humans were already having a lot of disagreements. That guy kicked it into high gear. War started. The Pale Wars lasted for ten or twenty years. Ended in the 2030s."
"In the modern day, as you could probably tell, Earth's been fucked up. During the war, the Votan terraformers got all messed up. Almost all of the native Earth wildlife is dead, and replaced with the freakshows they brought with them. The atmosphere's filled with enough radiation, old automated weapons systems, and random bullshtak that all the birds are dead, and planes don't really work."
Rick laughs. "Any questions?"
"What are Votans?"
"They're an alliance of five main alien races from the same star system. I'm no xenobiologist, but here's the basics. Castithans. They're those albino people over there, although that's kind of a racist word. They make up a fifth of Defiance, and are sort of at the top of Votan society. Irathients, none of those in town anymore. Buncha diseased hippies. Sensoths. Nice guys, bit sensitive for their size. Gentle giants, look kinda like Chewbacca. Liberata. Dwarves. Got a rep for being greedy. Indogenes. White, bald bodies. Usually scientists or some shtak like that."
Rick finishes his burger. "You should eat your burger, you know. Anyhow, that's my crash course."
You eat the rest of your meal, since he did pay for it, and it's polite to do so. Rick beckons you to come with him. You don't have any more questions at the moment. This...it's a bit much. You arrive at the Lawkeeper's building, which is really just a jail cell and a couple of desks and tables. It reminds you of the Wild West.
"Hey, Lawkeeper Clancy! We got an amnesiac here!"
An old man turns his gaze to you, turning away from a small stack of paperwork. "Oh really? Iron Man lost his suit, huh?"
Only the fact that he says it in a kind, grandfatherly tone prevents you from punching him in the face. Clancy grunts slightly as he stands up. "Lawkeeper Garret Clancy."
"Sam House."
"Rick, you can go back to your post. I know you think McMiller's a piece of shit, but that's no excuse to leave your job without calling ahead."
The border guard nods in mild embarrassment, before pushing open the doors and exiting. Clancy shakes your hand, before giving you a once over. "You hear that you look like Tony Stark a lot, dontcha."
It's a statement, not a question. "Yes, sir."
"Thought so. I'll try to resist the joke in the future. So. You're one of the arktaken, then."
"What?"
"Arktaken. Votans used to grab humans, even before the Pale Wars, and do experiments and stuff on them."
"I don't remember that."
"If the Indogenes did their jobs right, you probably wouldn't."
"That's...a good point."
You and the Lawkeeper chat for a while. You tell him that you're from Miami. Turns out calling 2046 era Florida a bad place would be an understatement. During the Pale Wars, both sides set off a myriad of nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons, and you'd be lucky to find anything living inside of the quarantine zone.
That sucks. Clancy takes you to a doctor's office, where you see the weirdest thing you've seen all day, and that's saying something. A feminine figure, or at least the face looks like a woman, stands near an operating table. She's of average size, and has the same general shape of a human, but she's so obviously...not. She looks like she has golf ball textures for skin.
"See something you like, human?" the doctor gives you a mildly annoyed look. Meh Yewll. Level Four. 180/180 HP. 600/600 MP. Town doctor of Defiance. Has a checkered past. +1 Observe! Observe 3/100.
Your cheeks redden. "No, ma'am. Not in that way."
Dr. Yewll rolls her eyes, and looks to Clancy. "Lawkeeper, what is this man doing here."
Another question as a statement. Clancy gives a friendly grin. "Well, he showed up, with no knowledge of the Pale Wars, of the Votans, or of modern day Earth. I figured he was one of the arktaken, and thought you should check him out."
"Fine. Get on the table."
You follow her instructions, and lie down. She pulls out an instrument of some sort, with frightening looking points-and it's an X-Ray machine. Must be Votan tech. You know, for all that Gamer's Mind does, it doesn't help much with ordinary worrying. The Indogene slows down partway through your examination, her expression changing to one of confusion.
"What...the...hell?" she murmurs. Clancy has a similar look on his face.
"What's wrong?" you ask.
"You don't have vital organs. You don't have blood. Fuck, you don't even have a brain or a heart! You just have...things...made out of something I don't know what, and it's vaguely shaped like a brain or heart! They're just floating there!"
Clancy looks away from you, towards some medical equipment lying on the counter. "Is he safe?" he demands quietly, reaching for his sidearm.
"I...well, he's obviously sapient and sentient. And breathing without lungs somehow. I...can't help you here. This is beyond me."
The Lawkeeper grimaces. "Yewll, House, both of you. Keep this quiet."
The Indogene doesn't need to hear anything else. She scurries off to a drawer, and returns the X-Ray machine to its normal place. "Don't have to tell me twice."
"Um...should I concerned?" you hazard to ask.
Yewll gives you a look filled to the brim with annoyance. "Only if you're worried about needing a doctor sometime in your life. Other than that, you're just dandy."
"It's that bad? I don't feel any difference."
"Look, human, all I can tell you is that I can't treat anything but surface wounds. Maybe. Your body...it's something else. You're no Volge or cyborg, but you're definitely not human."
Clancy gestures for you to come with him. You do so, albeit reluctantly. This news is...disconcerting. You really don't feel any difference, but apparently that might be a bad sign. "Doctor Yewll. Your cooperation is appreciated."
"Mums the word, cowboy," the doctor quips as the two of you prepare to exit her office.
The Lawkeeper puts his hand on your shoulder, and starts whispering in an authoritative tone. "Sam, listen. Whatever you do, don't tell anyone about what you are. I can think of twenty groups off the top of my head that would just love to dissect you, and Yewll might even be one of them, with her history."
"What's her history?" you ask as the door shuts behind you.
Garret rubs a hand over his face. "You...it's complicated. My point stands,"
He takes a few steps forward, looking over the street around him. He turns to you oncemore, folding his arms. "Well? You want to do something, get used to Defiance? It's a boring Monday, everyone's at work. No drunks yet. I can show you the town. What do you want to do?"
You have four actions to choose from for the rest of the day. April 2, 2046.
[ ] Go to (insert place in Defiance). 1 action each. Can choose up to four total, obviously.
---[ ] The library. Could have valuable information on the Votanis races, as well as recent history during and after the Pale Wars.
---[ ] The best mechanic in town. You were studying to be a mechanic, and you kind of want to see what they're doing with your field of expertise in the modern day.
---[ ] The marketplace. You freaked out when you saw Yewll and heard that aliens existed. Getting used to the Votans might be a good idea.
---[ ] The Lawkeeper's office. You're somewhat curious about Clancy's job.
---[ ] The nearest bar. You need a drink, probably alcoholic.
---[ ] Write-in. Remember. In character.
[ ] Talk to Clancy about a specific subject.
---[ ] Write in. Mandatory. You can write multiple questions here, this options only counts as one.
[ ] Experiment with your Gamer power. This world probably doesn't have mana like the canon Gamer, but you should be able to grind your stats. This will have to be done out of town, away from the Lawkeeper.
---[ ] Write in for elaboration. Mandatory.
[ ] Write in. Keep it reasonable and in character.
Questions, criticism, and comments welcome and wanted. Damn, this is going to be on the end of the page. Oh well.
Yeah, I hate writing the initial SI posts. Things are much better when they get going. I really hope I got Yewll's personality right.
Heehee. I like thinking of the odd effects the Gamer power might have.
You shake your head as you consider your new Gamer power. It's...fucking weird. There's not really a nicer way to state that, or at least you don't feel like putting forth the mental effort to try and consider one. You hop down from the rocks, climbing down the stony path to the town. You try to avoid the grassier areas, because who knows what could be down there.
After a minute or so of walking, you find yourself on the dirt road headed into the town. You take a good look at it on your way there, and you notice that a lot of the buildings look...strange. For instance, while most of them look ordinary, some are square and white buildings of varying levels of composure. Others look like they're coated in some kind of brownish paint that seems to glow in the sunlight-
Skill Unlocked! Observe 1/100. A skill that gives information on topics and subjects familiar and unfamiliar. Best used on things that are confusing or difficult to understand. When used on living objects, gives you their MAX HP, MP, and basic information. On objects, grants you basic information.
Okay. Cool, you guess. You have bigger problems, though. You walk up to the two guards in front of the town. They don't look terribly professional, but they do seem pretty suspicious. Both white males, mid twenties. They look American, too! "You know, you look exactly like the guy that played Iron Man from those Old Earth movies."
Observe tells you his name. Rick Smith. Also, Old Earth? Huh? "Um...yeah, I get that a lot. It gets old fast, no offense," you respond, in your best mildly annoyed tone. In your defense, you've had a pretty weird half hour. "Where the hell am I?"
Rick gives a confused look to his partner, before giving a blank look to you. "Er...Defiance. Couple hundred klicks to the edge of the Storm Divide?"
What the hell is that?. "Okay...is Defiance in America?"
The other man laughs. Jeff McMiller. "Yeah, if you come from 2020 maybe."
Rick rolls his eyes. "Ignore him. Yes, Defiance is in North America. Used to be the USA, or at least that's what they teach you at school, anyway."
You blink. "Used to be?"
"Christ, he doesn't know anything, does he?" Jeff laughs.
"Shut up, Jeff. Yeah. Used to be. Do you know what the Pale Wars were?"
"...No?"
Smith scratches the back of his hair, running his hands through his hair. It's a common nervous tic. "Okay, buddy. Do you know your name?"
You take several seconds to contemplate whether to tell him, staring down at the sandy road for several minutes before deciding to tell him. "Yeah. Samuel Anthony House. You can call me Sam."
"Jeff. Keep watch out here. I'm going to go find the Lawkeeper."
The apparent junior partner grumbles a bit, while the guard takes you to whoever this guy. Probably the equivalent of a police chief or something. You take a look around the various places in town, observing the stark differences in shops and such.
Wanderer's Rest. A small inn with a bar attached.
Scents of Trulog. A Sensoth-owned perfume shop.
Sugar and Spice. A confectionery stall.
After two more stalls, you get a starting message. +1 Observe! Observe 2/100. Creepy and cool. You guess it must level up like in a RPG, just like the message explained. Hopefully it will be more helpful at higher levels.
"Hey, what's your name again?" you ask the border guard. You know his name, obviously, but it's polite to ask. Also a good idea to not reveal your power without having points in your favor.
He turns around, and stretches out his hand sheepishly. "Sorry. My ma raised me better than that. My name is Rick Smith. Born and raised in Defiance. Pleasure to meet you."
It's odd to hear him speaking in such a country bumpkin manner when he's obviously in his upper thirties, but there you go. "Sam House. I'm very lost."
Rick laughs. "I can tell, buddy."
The two of you resume your walk towards the Lawkeeper's office, or at least you think that's what it must be called. "The Lawkeeper is like a police chief, right?"
"I think so. I was born after the Pale Wars, so I don't know much about that Old Earth stuff. The big cities have constables, but out in the frontier, we have Lawkeepers. Garret Clancy. He's a great guy. Knows his shtak."
You can guess what that last word means. "So when do you plan on explaining what the Pale Wars were? And why you keep talking me about 'Old Earth'?"
The guard lets out a low sigh. "Hoo boy. I think...it's better for you to talk to Clancy about that. Or a librarian or historian. Something like that. I'm not very good with the details, but I can give you the basics."
You nod. "Okay. Do that."
Rick beckons you to a table by a particular vendor stall. Mama Trudy's Burgers and Fries. Old Earth fast food made with love. Of course. Something familiar. Fucking finally. Even Rick's gun and outfit look weird. Sort of like a leather security outfit, you guess. Observe isn't telling you much more.
An elderly woman, who you can tell is Southern just by looking at her, smiles at the two of you, handing out a plate with two burgers as she does so. Trudy Smith. Level Two. 125/150 HP. 0/25 MP. Mother of three and excellent cook.
"Here's the basics," Rick starts with a whisper, which sort of confuses you. The fact that the both of you are sitting on the back increases that state of being, as does the fact that you're alone. "First of all, what year do you think it is?"
"2015. Why? Did I just time travel?"
Rick gives you an empty stare for a few seconds, before bursting out in laughter. "Damn, kid. I think you just did. It's April 2, 2046. Welcome to the future."
"Holy shit."
There's not much else to say in response to that. You take a sip of the complementary jug of water, and stare out into space for a few minutes. "Well, I always wanted to see the future."
"You're probably going to be disappointed. The future sucks, buddy."
"How? It doesn't look that bad, aside from those weird things in the woods."
Rick's expression turns harder, more solid. "You haven't heard the term Votan, have you?"
Questions like that seems to be growing increasingly common. "No, I haven't."
The guard massages his face, before taking a bite of his burger. You guess he's taking a while to think. "In the 2010s sometime, these aliens showed up-"
"Aliens!" you blurt out. You draw a few glares, including some from a group of albino people a few tables in front of you.
"Would you keep it down, kid?"
You blush. "Sorry."
"Anyway. In the 2010s sometime, this fleet of alien refugees showed up. Their star system went kablooey. Supernova, I think. So, they were talking with the Old Earth governments. Would have got some more land in exchange for sharing tech. Then some dumbass shoots their ambassador."
Rick takes another bite of his burger. "The Votans and humans were already having a lot of disagreements. That guy kicked it into high gear. War started. The Pale Wars lasted for ten or twenty years. Ended in the 2030s."
"In the modern day, as you could probably tell, Earth's been fucked up. During the war, the Votan terraformers got all messed up. Almost all of the native Earth wildlife is dead, and replaced with the freakshows they brought with them. The atmosphere's filled with enough radiation, old automated weapons systems, and random bullshtak that all the birds are dead, and planes don't really work."
Rick laughs. "Any questions?"
"What are Votans?"
"They're an alliance of five main alien races from the same star system. I'm no xenobiologist, but here's the basics. Castithans. They're those albino people over there, although that's kind of a racist word. They make up a fifth of Defiance, and are sort of at the top of Votan society. Irathients, none of those in town anymore. Buncha diseased hippies. Sensoths. Nice guys, bit sensitive for their size. Gentle giants, look kinda like Chewbacca. Liberata. Dwarves. Got a rep for being greedy. Indogenes. White, bald bodies. Usually scientists or some shtak like that."
Rick finishes his burger. "You should eat your burger, you know. Anyhow, that's my crash course."
You eat the rest of your meal, since he did pay for it, and it's polite to do so. Rick beckons you to come with him. You don't have any more questions at the moment. This...it's a bit much. You arrive at the Lawkeeper's building, which is really just a jail cell and a couple of desks and tables. It reminds you of the Wild West.
"Hey, Lawkeeper Clancy! We got an amnesiac here!"
An old man turns his gaze to you, turning away from a small stack of paperwork. "Oh really? Iron Man lost his suit, huh?"
Only the fact that he says it in a kind, grandfatherly tone prevents you from punching him in the face. Clancy grunts slightly as he stands up. "Lawkeeper Garret Clancy."
"Sam House."
"Rick, you can go back to your post. I know you think McMiller's a piece of shit, but that's no excuse to leave your job without calling ahead."
The border guard nods in mild embarrassment, before pushing open the doors and exiting. Clancy shakes your hand, before giving you a once over. "You hear that you look like Tony Stark a lot, dontcha."
It's a statement, not a question. "Yes, sir."
"Thought so. I'll try to resist the joke in the future. So. You're one of the arktaken, then."
"What?"
"Arktaken. Votans used to grab humans, even before the Pale Wars, and do experiments and stuff on them."
"I don't remember that."
"If the Indogenes did their jobs right, you probably wouldn't."
"That's...a good point."
You and the Lawkeeper chat for a while. You tell him that you're from Miami. Turns out calling 2046 era Florida a bad place would be an understatement. During the Pale Wars, both sides set off a myriad of nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons, and you'd be lucky to find anything living inside of the quarantine zone.
That sucks. Clancy takes you to a doctor's office, where you see the weirdest thing you've seen all day, and that's saying something. A feminine figure, or at least the face looks like a woman, stands near an operating table. She's of average size, and has the same general shape of a human, but she's so obviously...not. She looks like she has golf ball textures for skin.
"See something you like, human?" the doctor gives you a mildly annoyed look. Meh Yewll. Level Four. 180/180 HP. 600/600 MP. Town doctor of Defiance. Has a checkered past. +1 Observe! Observe 3/100.
Your cheeks redden. "No, ma'am. Not in that way."
Dr. Yewll rolls her eyes, and looks to Clancy. "Lawkeeper, what is this man doing here."
Another question as a statement. Clancy gives a friendly grin. "Well, he showed up, with no knowledge of the Pale Wars, of the Votans, or of modern day Earth. I figured he was one of the arktaken, and thought you should check him out."
"Fine. Get on the table."
You follow her instructions, and lie down. She pulls out an instrument of some sort, with frightening looking points-and it's an X-Ray machine. Must be Votan tech. You know, for all that Gamer's Mind does, it doesn't help much with ordinary worrying. The Indogene slows down partway through your examination, her expression changing to one of confusion.
"What...the...hell?" she murmurs. Clancy has a similar look on his face.
"What's wrong?" you ask.
"You don't have vital organs. You don't have blood. Fuck, you don't even have a brain or a heart! You just have...things...made out of something I don't know what, and it's vaguely shaped like a brain or heart! They're just floating there!"
Clancy looks away from you, towards some medical equipment lying on the counter. "Is he safe?" he demands quietly, reaching for his sidearm.
"I...well, he's obviously sapient and sentient. And breathing without lungs somehow. I...can't help you here. This is beyond me."
The Lawkeeper grimaces. "Yewll, House, both of you. Keep this quiet."
The Indogene doesn't need to hear anything else. She scurries off to a drawer, and returns the X-Ray machine to its normal place. "Don't have to tell me twice."
"Um...should I concerned?" you hazard to ask.
Yewll gives you a look filled to the brim with annoyance. "Only if you're worried about needing a doctor sometime in your life. Other than that, you're just dandy."
"It's that bad? I don't feel any difference."
"Look, human, all I can tell you is that I can't treat anything but surface wounds. Maybe. Your body...it's something else. You're no Volge or cyborg, but you're definitely not human."
Clancy gestures for you to come with him. You do so, albeit reluctantly. This news is...disconcerting. You really don't feel any difference, but apparently that might be a bad sign. "Doctor Yewll. Your cooperation is appreciated."
"Mums the word, cowboy," the doctor quips as the two of you prepare to exit her office.
The Lawkeeper puts his hand on your shoulder, and starts whispering in an authoritative tone. "Sam, listen. Whatever you do, don't tell anyone about what you are. I can think of twenty groups off the top of my head that would just love to dissect you, and Yewll might even be one of them, with her history."
"What's her history?" you ask as the door shuts behind you.
Garret rubs a hand over his face. "You...it's complicated. My point stands,"
He takes a few steps forward, looking over the street around him. He turns to you oncemore, folding his arms. "Well? You want to do something, get used to Defiance? It's a boring Monday, everyone's at work. No drunks yet. I can show you the town. What do you want to do?"
You have four actions to choose from for the rest of the day. April 2, 2046.
[ ] Go to (insert place in Defiance). 1 action each. Can choose up to four total, obviously.
---[ ] The library. Could have valuable information on the Votanis races, as well as recent history during and after the Pale Wars.
---[ ] The best mechanic in town. You were studying to be a mechanic, and you kind of want to see what they're doing with your field of expertise in the modern day.
---[ ] The marketplace. You freaked out when you saw Yewll and heard that aliens existed. Getting used to the Votans might be a good idea.
---[ ] The Lawkeeper's office. You're somewhat curious about Clancy's job.
---[ ] The nearest bar. You need a drink, probably alcoholic.
---[ ] Write-in. Remember. In character.
[ ] Talk to Clancy about a specific subject.
---[ ] Write in. Mandatory. You can write multiple questions here, this options only counts as one.
[ ] Experiment with your Gamer power. This world probably doesn't have mana like the canon Gamer, but you should be able to grind your stats. This will have to be done out of town, away from the Lawkeeper.
---[ ] Write in for elaboration. Mandatory.
[ ] Write in. Keep it reasonable and in character.
Questions, criticism, and comments welcome and wanted. Damn, this is going to be on the end of the page. Oh well.
Yeah, I hate writing the initial SI posts. Things are much better when they get going. I really hope I got Yewll's personality right.
Heehee. I like thinking of the odd effects the Gamer power might have.
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1.1. In which Sam/Clancy chat, the world is scary, and Gamer power is explored.
1.1
April 2, 2046
Defiance, Earth, Sol System, Terra Ferox Universe
"Is there a library in Defiance?" you ask Clancy. The Lawkeeper arches an eyebrow, before pointing to the end of the street.
"You're in luck, kid. Lady named Denise Gonzalez runs the town library down the street. I'll introduce you to her."
The library, as Clancy implied, wasn't too far away. It looks and smells like any used bookstore you've been in. It even has the rickety wooden floors, although that might be because of how small Defiance is, and the resulting limited resources. Although there were all those trees outside, so they probably have a ready supply of lumber. Oh, forget it. It's not relevant.
You take a look at the elderly Hispanic woman standing near the counter. She gives the two of you a friendly wave. "Lawkeeper, a pleasure. Don't see you in here often."
Denise Gonzalez. Level Two. 115/125 HP. 50/50 MP. Town librarian in Defiance. Recovering from diabetes thanks to Indogene medicine.
That's neat. Good to know the Votans have done more than destroy Earth. You chide yourself for the racist thought as soon as it crosses your mind, but you can't help your instincts. Denise turns to you. "Haven't seen you around, dear. What did you need?"
You ponder the question for a moment. "Well, I'd like some stuff on Votan history and culture, but mostly the history of North America post war."
The librarian takes you to an apparently often-used section of the small library, thumbing through the titles nonchalantly. She ends her brief check with five books, and hands them to you. "These are the best I've found on those subjects. Not much on the recent history that isn't complete shtako, though."
You Observe each of them.
The Castes of the Castithans: A Guide for the Uninitiated by Tarra Pyenak. A book detailing the basic culture and social order of the Castithan race, as well as their integration into known human societies.
The Second Reconstruction: Rebuilding Our Holy World by Augusto Buccho. A collection of various sources detailing how human and Votan societies have grown used to living on the postwar Earth. Human-centric, particularly for the influence of the Catholic Church.
People of Irath by Gahbo Brishra. A more clinical look at the Irathients, Sensoths, and Liberata, the three native races of the planet Irath. Focuses on native culture and language.
Nations of the Earth Republic: Volume II, Columbia by former President Danielle Bryant. Details the nation of Columbia and her provinces, as well as the city states of North America like Yuma, My-Vrtya, Defiance, or Timmins.
The War of the Three Hells by Rayet Tasko. Personal chronicle of the life of a soldier of the Votanis Collective on the Central American front. Anecdotal statements, accuracy questionable.
You give Miss Gonzalez a grin. "Do I need a library card?"
Item Gained! Defiance Library Card. Check out any number of books (under ten) for up to three weeks. Fee of one scrip per day overdue.
Denise gives you a bag, and you put the books and card inside. They should be useful. When you can get to somewhere private, they'll all go into your inventory. Clancy looks up from a magazine of dubious morality (seriously, is Internet no longer a thing?) and puts it away. "You ready?"
"Yep. Is there a mechanic in town?"
The Lawkeeper lets out a laugh. "Yeah! Fozzi, he's a great guy. You guys should meet. You're a mechanic, right?"
"I guess, yeah. Not so sure about it now. I mean, I've seen all the weird future tech you guys have. I don't think I could keep up so easily."
Clancy nods. "That's a problem for now, sure. But I think we could get you some good mechanic books and get you up to speed. Defiance could use another mechanic. Fozzi's overworked as is."
"I'll...think of it. I don't think being a mechanic in this world is something I would want to do again."
He arches an eyebrow as you start walking. "Oh? Then why are we going to Fozzi's?"
"I'm curious."
Clancy laughs again. "Okay. Let's go."
You wish you could say that the trip to Fozzi's garage had been particularly enlightening, but it really hadn't been. Fozzi had been a Sensoth, a Level Five one, too. First time you'd seen one up close. Nice guy, but he was overworked. You could see a fleet of tarp-covered vehicles, 'rollers', apparently. He shook your hand, you said a few words, and then parted. You know how you felt when someone bothered you while working, so you left politely.
There was a significant benefit gained from visiting the garage, though. Two, in fact. +1 Observe! Observe 4/100.
Skill Unlocked! Basic Vehicle Repair 11/50. You have experience in vehicle repair, but only in a stable environment, with plenty of tools. You've got a ways to go in order to make it in the postwar world. You can handle rollers and other basic vehicles just fine, but you'll definitely need some help with Votan tech.
That was a bit rude for the game to say, but at least you have the levels you already earned from being a mechanic. "So. What now?"
"Actually, I wanted to talk to you," you tell him. Clancy raises his eyebrows, which you've learned means he wants you to continue. "I have a lot of questions about Defiance."
You keep going, since you don't hear anything from the Lawkeeper. "How do things work around here? Like, first of all, what are scrips?"
"Scrips are money. Each scrip is about a buck fifty or so, in 2013 terms."
You blink. "2013? I was in 2015 before I woke up here."
"That's...strange. The Votans were public knowledge by then."
"I didn't know what Votans were until a few hours ago."
Clancy shakes his head. "We'll talk about that fact later. I'm no genius on parallel worlds or whatever. You had more urgent questions, right?"
"Um...yeah," you manage to stretch those two words out, mostly due to your own confusion. "Do I need identification? This library card seems like I sort of do, but Miss Gonzalez didn't ask for my driver's license or anything."
"Fraud isn't something we see very often. When the town gets bigger and Uncle E-Rep starts poking his nose in, we'll probably get 'em soon enough. But you do have a license to do a lot of things. We'll sort that out when we get you a place to crash."
"I was going to ask about that."
"We've got a recently abandoned house near the office. I'll rent it to you for, let's say, five hundred scrip a month, starting in May."
You ponder that idea. "So, I'd pay up May 1st?"
"Yeppers."
You're going to ignore that word. Maybe it's like shtako and it's just some weird slang they have here. Or Clancy is just screwing with you. "Can I see the house?"
"Sure."
On the way to the house, you and Clancy continue your conversation on the things Defiance is all about. The topic transitions to the myriad of dangers around the town, and by extension, the rest of the new Earth. "Well, if you stay in town and don't go in the Hollows at night, you should be safe as long as you listen to the radio."
"Listen to the radio for what?"
"News on razor rain, or an arkfall. Something like that," he explains. Thankfully, he continues. "Razor rain is when debris from the broken Votan fleet in orbit falls to Earth. Scientists say it might stop by 2075, but I won't live that long, so pah. Arkfalls are basically larger, more focused razor rains. That's when a whole ship comes down."
"That's kinda scary."
Clancy nods. "Yes, it can get a bit harrowing. We get razor rain every couple of years, and people always die. Last one was in 2043. Defiance is due for another."
"Now that seems more like superstition."
"It's a mad world, kid. Every bit of paranoia helps," he grins bitterly.
"Okay. I saw this really weird lizard outside. Any wildlife I have to worry about?"
The Lawkeeper pauses for a moment, before nodding. "Hellbugs. Nasty buggers the Votans brought with them. Giant crabs, basically. Used to be a minor pest on Irath, until the damn terraformers screwed up. They travel in packs, so keep an eye out in the woods. Then there are saberwolves. Think furry spiders, and they also travel in packs. Oh, and there are keinti. They ate any birds they survived, and now they're king of the skies from New York to Yuma, probably rest of the word, too. Who knows what else is in those woods, but those are the biggest ones."
"So, mostly terrifying wildlife, then?"
Clancy laughs, this time the bitter chuckle is more of a sneer. "Everyone wishes. There are mutants, raiders, and scrappers. Scrappers are Votan AI's that are using Old Earth ruins to keep themselves alive, and they have a habit of attacking anything with flesh and harvesting the bone."
"Holy shit."
"You said it, kid. Now. We're here."
He gestures to the house. It's two buildings to the right of the Lawkeeper's office, which could be convenient. You walk inside. It's...actually pretty nice. It's Spartan, with two main rooms. The living room, which contains a stove, sink, and small counter top, and a bedroom. "Used to be a drug dealer's until he got sent to Camp Reverie. It's all yours now."
"I don't have to sign any paperwork?"
"What is this, Wall Street? Course not."
"I'll take it."
The constable-equivalent nods his head. "Okay, Sam. You enjoy your place. I'll give you a while to get acquainted to your new...digs. I think that's what the kids are calling it these days, anyway."
After he leaves, you lean back in one of the plastic chairs at the main table. This room seems to combine the kitchen and a living room, which bothers you a bit, but it's perfectly livable. "Inventory."
A light brown and blue window pops up, showing the contents of your inventory. There's...nothing so far. You shrug, that makes sense. You would have been surprised if there had been. You put the five books and the library card into it. No carry weight limit. Good. You hated when Gamer fanfic writers did that.
Stats. All the same as when you last checked, but you want to check to see their function.
Strength. A measure of physical power and strength, how much you can carry or lift, how hard your punches fly, and how easily you can use strongman tactics. Current Strength: 6.
Vitality. Governs your cardiovascular fitness and number of HP you have. Also relates to age and literal health/wellness. Current Vitality: 7.
Dexterity. Swiftness, agility, grace. This is the stat of thieves, of rogues, and of course, of swordspeople. Current Dexterity: 6.
Intellect. Intellect governs 'book smarts' as some would put it. You have a better capacity for understanding, processing, and deducting facts. Also gives a greater propensity for the magical arts. Current Intellect: 9.
Wisdom. Measure of common sense, of how fast you think in regards to unexpected situations. Also has a primary role in strategies and their success. Current Wisdom: 7
Luck. This is the stat for fortune. A hellbug happens to not cross your path in the wilds. A piece of razor rain might not hit you. You might just find a hidden cache of cold-fire weapons in the woods. Current Luck: 6.
Good to know, but it's about what you'd expect. Reminds you of the original Gamer, as well as Jcw3's Nexus Quest. You never read that RWBY thing, but it would probably have the same properties. The next five minutes are...rather embarrassing and unproductive.
First of all, you find out that you no longer need to breathe. That's creepy as all get out, and you decide that you won't do that in public. Next, you attempt to manipulate mana. That accomplishes absolutely nothing.
You try meditating, focusing on your hands and spinning, nothing works. After being frustrated, you realize that this world must not have any mana to draw on in the first place. You don't have any actual mana (not mana points) since you were from a world without magic, and you're also on one right now.
You are getting tired, though, which is weird. You can't breathe, but you need to sleep? What's up with that? You try to slap yourself to wake yourself up, an old habit, before your hand abruptly stops in mid air.
Don't do that.
Well, okay, Gamer power. No need to be such a nanny. You suppose that you can't hit yourself, either. Wow. That's...far out. You spend a short while exercising, to minor avail.Push ups are easy enough to do, but you don't feel like putting in the effort for a full routine at this moment. +1 Strength.
You wake up the next day at 9:30, since the house didn't come with an alarm clock. You wake up without needing to groom yourself, so you're basically ready to start the day. What do you do? You have six actions to take.
[ ] Read the books. Could give valuable information on the cultures of this brave new world. You can choose up to two. 1 action each.
---[ ]The Castes of the Castithans: A Guide for the Uninitiated
---[ ] The Second Reconstruction: Rebuilding Our Holy World
---[ ] People of Irath
---[ ] Nations of the Earth Republic: Volume II, Columbia
---[ ] The War of the Three Hells
[ ] Look into jobs. Someone must need help with menial tasks. Fozzi's not hiring someone with such a low level of expertise, but you think you can handle basic handyman stuff. Rewards 20-60 scrips, potential skills depending on the roll. 75-150 EXP. Counts as 2 actions. 100% chance of success.
[ ] Look into jobs. Defiance is a mining town, and almost all of its mines are controlled by a fellow named Rafe McCawley. Maybe you can get a job as a miner? Rewards 120-160 scrips per day. 80% chance of success. Counts as 3 actions. New skills, potential rewards, EXP. Job has unreliable levels of security (cave-ins, scrappers, hellbugs, etc.). You'll compete with other workers for who gets the more profitable shafts or exploration duties.
[ ] Look into jobs. Maybe Clancy needs a junior Lawkeeper to help out? Rewards 3200 scrip per month, other benefits, new skills, allies, EXP chances. 50% chance of success. Counts as 1 action, unless you get the job, whereupon its 4 per day, and you get a new Title.
[ ] Explore the town on your own. 1 action each. Rewards are a surprise. Will expand Sam's knowledge in varying ways.
---[ ] Go to the bazaar. You don't think you'll get swindled, but you really don't have much money to spend, and you're just looking around, so who really cares? Good chance to get to know Defiance's culture.
---[ ] Check out a few stores. You're kind of curious what the Votans sell.
---[ ] Clancy mentioned a bar called the...Need/Want. It sounded like more than just a bar, though. You're kind of interested, and you could use a drink.
[ ] Grind your skills.
---[ ] Write in with elaboration.
Questions, criticism, and comments welcome and wanted. I love how Defiance is such a blank slate, I can basically do whatever I want with the world. I think I did okay establishing the ground rules for the Gamer power, as well as explaining the world. I'm liking how it's more grounded than Nexus Quest so far.
April 2, 2046
Defiance, Earth, Sol System, Terra Ferox Universe
"Is there a library in Defiance?" you ask Clancy. The Lawkeeper arches an eyebrow, before pointing to the end of the street.
"You're in luck, kid. Lady named Denise Gonzalez runs the town library down the street. I'll introduce you to her."
The library, as Clancy implied, wasn't too far away. It looks and smells like any used bookstore you've been in. It even has the rickety wooden floors, although that might be because of how small Defiance is, and the resulting limited resources. Although there were all those trees outside, so they probably have a ready supply of lumber. Oh, forget it. It's not relevant.
You take a look at the elderly Hispanic woman standing near the counter. She gives the two of you a friendly wave. "Lawkeeper, a pleasure. Don't see you in here often."
Denise Gonzalez. Level Two. 115/125 HP. 50/50 MP. Town librarian in Defiance. Recovering from diabetes thanks to Indogene medicine.
That's neat. Good to know the Votans have done more than destroy Earth. You chide yourself for the racist thought as soon as it crosses your mind, but you can't help your instincts. Denise turns to you. "Haven't seen you around, dear. What did you need?"
You ponder the question for a moment. "Well, I'd like some stuff on Votan history and culture, but mostly the history of North America post war."
The librarian takes you to an apparently often-used section of the small library, thumbing through the titles nonchalantly. She ends her brief check with five books, and hands them to you. "These are the best I've found on those subjects. Not much on the recent history that isn't complete shtako, though."
You Observe each of them.
The Castes of the Castithans: A Guide for the Uninitiated by Tarra Pyenak. A book detailing the basic culture and social order of the Castithan race, as well as their integration into known human societies.
The Second Reconstruction: Rebuilding Our Holy World by Augusto Buccho. A collection of various sources detailing how human and Votan societies have grown used to living on the postwar Earth. Human-centric, particularly for the influence of the Catholic Church.
People of Irath by Gahbo Brishra. A more clinical look at the Irathients, Sensoths, and Liberata, the three native races of the planet Irath. Focuses on native culture and language.
Nations of the Earth Republic: Volume II, Columbia by former President Danielle Bryant. Details the nation of Columbia and her provinces, as well as the city states of North America like Yuma, My-Vrtya, Defiance, or Timmins.
The War of the Three Hells by Rayet Tasko. Personal chronicle of the life of a soldier of the Votanis Collective on the Central American front. Anecdotal statements, accuracy questionable.
You give Miss Gonzalez a grin. "Do I need a library card?"
Item Gained! Defiance Library Card. Check out any number of books (under ten) for up to three weeks. Fee of one scrip per day overdue.
Denise gives you a bag, and you put the books and card inside. They should be useful. When you can get to somewhere private, they'll all go into your inventory. Clancy looks up from a magazine of dubious morality (seriously, is Internet no longer a thing?) and puts it away. "You ready?"
"Yep. Is there a mechanic in town?"
The Lawkeeper lets out a laugh. "Yeah! Fozzi, he's a great guy. You guys should meet. You're a mechanic, right?"
"I guess, yeah. Not so sure about it now. I mean, I've seen all the weird future tech you guys have. I don't think I could keep up so easily."
Clancy nods. "That's a problem for now, sure. But I think we could get you some good mechanic books and get you up to speed. Defiance could use another mechanic. Fozzi's overworked as is."
"I'll...think of it. I don't think being a mechanic in this world is something I would want to do again."
He arches an eyebrow as you start walking. "Oh? Then why are we going to Fozzi's?"
"I'm curious."
Clancy laughs again. "Okay. Let's go."
You wish you could say that the trip to Fozzi's garage had been particularly enlightening, but it really hadn't been. Fozzi had been a Sensoth, a Level Five one, too. First time you'd seen one up close. Nice guy, but he was overworked. You could see a fleet of tarp-covered vehicles, 'rollers', apparently. He shook your hand, you said a few words, and then parted. You know how you felt when someone bothered you while working, so you left politely.
There was a significant benefit gained from visiting the garage, though. Two, in fact. +1 Observe! Observe 4/100.
Skill Unlocked! Basic Vehicle Repair 11/50. You have experience in vehicle repair, but only in a stable environment, with plenty of tools. You've got a ways to go in order to make it in the postwar world. You can handle rollers and other basic vehicles just fine, but you'll definitely need some help with Votan tech.
That was a bit rude for the game to say, but at least you have the levels you already earned from being a mechanic. "So. What now?"
"Actually, I wanted to talk to you," you tell him. Clancy raises his eyebrows, which you've learned means he wants you to continue. "I have a lot of questions about Defiance."
You keep going, since you don't hear anything from the Lawkeeper. "How do things work around here? Like, first of all, what are scrips?"
"Scrips are money. Each scrip is about a buck fifty or so, in 2013 terms."
You blink. "2013? I was in 2015 before I woke up here."
"That's...strange. The Votans were public knowledge by then."
"I didn't know what Votans were until a few hours ago."
Clancy shakes his head. "We'll talk about that fact later. I'm no genius on parallel worlds or whatever. You had more urgent questions, right?"
"Um...yeah," you manage to stretch those two words out, mostly due to your own confusion. "Do I need identification? This library card seems like I sort of do, but Miss Gonzalez didn't ask for my driver's license or anything."
"Fraud isn't something we see very often. When the town gets bigger and Uncle E-Rep starts poking his nose in, we'll probably get 'em soon enough. But you do have a license to do a lot of things. We'll sort that out when we get you a place to crash."
"I was going to ask about that."
"We've got a recently abandoned house near the office. I'll rent it to you for, let's say, five hundred scrip a month, starting in May."
You ponder that idea. "So, I'd pay up May 1st?"
"Yeppers."
You're going to ignore that word. Maybe it's like shtako and it's just some weird slang they have here. Or Clancy is just screwing with you. "Can I see the house?"
"Sure."
On the way to the house, you and Clancy continue your conversation on the things Defiance is all about. The topic transitions to the myriad of dangers around the town, and by extension, the rest of the new Earth. "Well, if you stay in town and don't go in the Hollows at night, you should be safe as long as you listen to the radio."
"Listen to the radio for what?"
"News on razor rain, or an arkfall. Something like that," he explains. Thankfully, he continues. "Razor rain is when debris from the broken Votan fleet in orbit falls to Earth. Scientists say it might stop by 2075, but I won't live that long, so pah. Arkfalls are basically larger, more focused razor rains. That's when a whole ship comes down."
"That's kinda scary."
Clancy nods. "Yes, it can get a bit harrowing. We get razor rain every couple of years, and people always die. Last one was in 2043. Defiance is due for another."
"Now that seems more like superstition."
"It's a mad world, kid. Every bit of paranoia helps," he grins bitterly.
"Okay. I saw this really weird lizard outside. Any wildlife I have to worry about?"
The Lawkeeper pauses for a moment, before nodding. "Hellbugs. Nasty buggers the Votans brought with them. Giant crabs, basically. Used to be a minor pest on Irath, until the damn terraformers screwed up. They travel in packs, so keep an eye out in the woods. Then there are saberwolves. Think furry spiders, and they also travel in packs. Oh, and there are keinti. They ate any birds they survived, and now they're king of the skies from New York to Yuma, probably rest of the word, too. Who knows what else is in those woods, but those are the biggest ones."
"So, mostly terrifying wildlife, then?"
Clancy laughs, this time the bitter chuckle is more of a sneer. "Everyone wishes. There are mutants, raiders, and scrappers. Scrappers are Votan AI's that are using Old Earth ruins to keep themselves alive, and they have a habit of attacking anything with flesh and harvesting the bone."
"Holy shit."
"You said it, kid. Now. We're here."
He gestures to the house. It's two buildings to the right of the Lawkeeper's office, which could be convenient. You walk inside. It's...actually pretty nice. It's Spartan, with two main rooms. The living room, which contains a stove, sink, and small counter top, and a bedroom. "Used to be a drug dealer's until he got sent to Camp Reverie. It's all yours now."
"I don't have to sign any paperwork?"
"What is this, Wall Street? Course not."
"I'll take it."
The constable-equivalent nods his head. "Okay, Sam. You enjoy your place. I'll give you a while to get acquainted to your new...digs. I think that's what the kids are calling it these days, anyway."
After he leaves, you lean back in one of the plastic chairs at the main table. This room seems to combine the kitchen and a living room, which bothers you a bit, but it's perfectly livable. "Inventory."
A light brown and blue window pops up, showing the contents of your inventory. There's...nothing so far. You shrug, that makes sense. You would have been surprised if there had been. You put the five books and the library card into it. No carry weight limit. Good. You hated when Gamer fanfic writers did that.
Stats. All the same as when you last checked, but you want to check to see their function.
Strength. A measure of physical power and strength, how much you can carry or lift, how hard your punches fly, and how easily you can use strongman tactics. Current Strength: 6.
Vitality. Governs your cardiovascular fitness and number of HP you have. Also relates to age and literal health/wellness. Current Vitality: 7.
Dexterity. Swiftness, agility, grace. This is the stat of thieves, of rogues, and of course, of swordspeople. Current Dexterity: 6.
Intellect. Intellect governs 'book smarts' as some would put it. You have a better capacity for understanding, processing, and deducting facts. Also gives a greater propensity for the magical arts. Current Intellect: 9.
Wisdom. Measure of common sense, of how fast you think in regards to unexpected situations. Also has a primary role in strategies and their success. Current Wisdom: 7
Luck. This is the stat for fortune. A hellbug happens to not cross your path in the wilds. A piece of razor rain might not hit you. You might just find a hidden cache of cold-fire weapons in the woods. Current Luck: 6.
Good to know, but it's about what you'd expect. Reminds you of the original Gamer, as well as Jcw3's Nexus Quest. You never read that RWBY thing, but it would probably have the same properties. The next five minutes are...rather embarrassing and unproductive.
First of all, you find out that you no longer need to breathe. That's creepy as all get out, and you decide that you won't do that in public. Next, you attempt to manipulate mana. That accomplishes absolutely nothing.
You try meditating, focusing on your hands and spinning, nothing works. After being frustrated, you realize that this world must not have any mana to draw on in the first place. You don't have any actual mana (not mana points) since you were from a world without magic, and you're also on one right now.
You are getting tired, though, which is weird. You can't breathe, but you need to sleep? What's up with that? You try to slap yourself to wake yourself up, an old habit, before your hand abruptly stops in mid air.
Don't do that.
Well, okay, Gamer power. No need to be such a nanny. You suppose that you can't hit yourself, either. Wow. That's...far out. You spend a short while exercising, to minor avail.Push ups are easy enough to do, but you don't feel like putting in the effort for a full routine at this moment. +1 Strength.
You wake up the next day at 9:30, since the house didn't come with an alarm clock. You wake up without needing to groom yourself, so you're basically ready to start the day. What do you do? You have six actions to take.
[ ] Read the books. Could give valuable information on the cultures of this brave new world. You can choose up to two. 1 action each.
---[ ]The Castes of the Castithans: A Guide for the Uninitiated
---[ ] The Second Reconstruction: Rebuilding Our Holy World
---[ ] People of Irath
---[ ] Nations of the Earth Republic: Volume II, Columbia
---[ ] The War of the Three Hells
[ ] Look into jobs. Someone must need help with menial tasks. Fozzi's not hiring someone with such a low level of expertise, but you think you can handle basic handyman stuff. Rewards 20-60 scrips, potential skills depending on the roll. 75-150 EXP. Counts as 2 actions. 100% chance of success.
[ ] Look into jobs. Defiance is a mining town, and almost all of its mines are controlled by a fellow named Rafe McCawley. Maybe you can get a job as a miner? Rewards 120-160 scrips per day. 80% chance of success. Counts as 3 actions. New skills, potential rewards, EXP. Job has unreliable levels of security (cave-ins, scrappers, hellbugs, etc.). You'll compete with other workers for who gets the more profitable shafts or exploration duties.
[ ] Look into jobs. Maybe Clancy needs a junior Lawkeeper to help out? Rewards 3200 scrip per month, other benefits, new skills, allies, EXP chances. 50% chance of success. Counts as 1 action, unless you get the job, whereupon its 4 per day, and you get a new Title.
[ ] Explore the town on your own. 1 action each. Rewards are a surprise. Will expand Sam's knowledge in varying ways.
---[ ] Go to the bazaar. You don't think you'll get swindled, but you really don't have much money to spend, and you're just looking around, so who really cares? Good chance to get to know Defiance's culture.
---[ ] Check out a few stores. You're kind of curious what the Votans sell.
---[ ] Clancy mentioned a bar called the...Need/Want. It sounded like more than just a bar, though. You're kind of interested, and you could use a drink.
[ ] Grind your skills.
---[ ] Write in with elaboration.
Questions, criticism, and comments welcome and wanted. I love how Defiance is such a blank slate, I can basically do whatever I want with the world. I think I did okay establishing the ground rules for the Gamer power, as well as explaining the world. I'm liking how it's more grounded than Nexus Quest so far.
Last edited:
1.2
PLAN MYSTERIUS
[X] Read the books. Could give valuable information on the cultures of this brave new world. You can choose up to two. 1 action each.
---[X]The Castes of the Castithans: A Guide for the Uninitiated
---[X] People of Irath
[X] Look into jobs. Someone must need help with menial tasks. Fozzi's not hiring someone with such a low level of expertise, but you think you can handle basic handyman stuff. Rewards 20-60 scrips, potential skills depending on the roll. 75-150 EXP. Counts as 2 actions. 100% chance of success.
[x] Explore the town on your own. 1 action each. Rewards are a surprise. Will expand Sam's knowledge in varying ways.
---[x] Go to the bazaar. You don't think you'll get swindled, but you really don't have much money to spend, and you're just looking around, so who really cares? Good chance to get to know Defiance's culture.
---[x] Check out a few stores. You're kind of curious what the Votans sell.
1.2
April 3, 2046
Defiance, Earth, Sol System, Terra Ferox Universe
You exit your house, giving your eyes a few seconds to grow used to the sunlight. You need to remember to open your curtains a little wider. That idle thought leaves your mind, and you step out onto the street.
A job. That's a good priority. First of all, you have to figure out where the help wanted ads are. You don't want commitment yet, but a menial act of labor that lasts a few hours sounds okay. You never minded those too much back on your own Earth.
Newspapers cost 1 scrip, which is too bad, since those probably have classifieds to comb over. You try an inn next, and find more luck there. The inn doesn't look that special, which you suppose is a good thing, with your casual outfit. The innkeeper, a gruff looking white human, greets you cordially. "How can I help you?"
"I was wondering if you had any help wanted ads."
Alex Vavilov. Level Three. 250/250 HP. 50/50 MP. Worker at the Chatelaine Guesthouse.
Vavilov, apparently not the innkeeper, scratches his beard. "We've got a few sheets. Most are mining jobs, so you'll have to jump through some hoops to get to them. You're from out of town, right?"
You nod. Alex parrots your movement. "Like I thought. It will be harder for you to get jobs like that. Our own miners have trouble getting the good stuff. You want some other jobs?"
"Sure."
"Gimme a sec," the worker mumbles, before pulling up a small shoebox. "Defiance inns keep their help wanted stuff under the counter, like in other places."
"The comforts of home," you quip. You aren't actually from this Earth, but it seemed like the right thing to say. Alex laughs lightly in response.
"Well, everyone has their own way, I suppose. Here. I have...two for you that are guaranteed."
"Shoot."
"There's a casti that's moving to New Las Cruces. Needs some help moving furniture out of his house. 40 scrips, guaranteed. He's giving food and drink for 5 scrips off the total. Or you could help Miss Hawkins clean up her garden, for 25 scrips."
You hate gardening. With a passion. Moving doesn't sound that bad, though. You've helped a few friends move, and aliens can't have that much stuff different from humans. "Where's the Castithan guy's house?"
"Block down from the Need/Want. Has a big purple plant in front by the door, white paint."
You thank him as you walk out of the building.
Quest Alert!
Help Uthik Move Out!
A young Castithan man needs help moving the furniture out of his apartment. He has sent out a help wanted ad for any in Defiance willing to help for a small amount of money. You, of course, have accepted. Clear the furniture from his house to the landcoach he has hired.
Completion Reward: 108 EXP. 35-40 Scrips. Increased relations with Uthik Sahtar.
Completion Failure: None.
You find Uthik's house easily enough. The fact that you know his name despite having never seen the classified ad or by talking to him is another odd thing the Gamer power does for you. You walk up the steps, passing by the massive flowering plant.
Edonla Bloom. A flower native to Daribo. Symbolizes individual growth and bachelorhood. So a frat flower, basically. Uthik's house doesn't have a doorbell, so you settle for just knocking. How uncivilized.
The Castithan answers the door. It's the first time you've seen one up close. He...looks like an albino human with mostly white hair. Unlike the stereotypical Castithan, he's dyed his hair with black highlights. You aren't sure what that's about. An attempt to assimilate into human society, probably.
Uthik Sahtar. Level Four. 210/210 HP. 100/100 MP. A bachelor attempting to break free of a restrictive Shanje Liro family. Regularly moves in between towns.
"Hey. Are you here for the job?"
"Yeah."
Uthik grins. "Great! My name is Uthik Sahtar."
"Sam House."
The job lasts for two hours and twenty minutes, and by the end, you gain +2 Strength. Why the fuck did Uthik decide to install such a small door? He had to push a couch out the window and let you catch it. At least the food was good. Some sort of Castithan carbonated drink and meat. Wasn't that bad, even if you didn't need to eat.
The landcoach pulls up, and the driver is kind enough to help you and Uthik load the items into his truck. You wonder why it's even called that. It just seems like a bulkier love child between a RV and a semi-truck, with most of the furniture either right behind the driver's seat or on top of the vehicle. Uthik shakes your hand, before bowing slightly. "Thanks for your help, Sam. If you ever need a place to stay in New Las Cruces, my place is always open."
He hands you the scrip just before he climbs in the passenger side of the car. You notice some passengers getting in the back with the furniture. Huh. So it's not a private thing. Makes some sense. In a post apocalyptic world, moving between towns must be really problematic. Uthik closes the door and you wave goodbye.
+35 Scrips. +108 EXP. Increased relations with Uthik Sahtar (Neutral to Friendly). Increased relations with Uthik Sahtar (Friendly to Honored).
That's one of the more surprising of those notifications you've gotten so far. Clancy took the entire day and buying the house to get a notification like that, and he only went up to Friendly. You barely even remember getting it.
No skill for the job, though. Not much you could really get from that, though. The Pack Mule skill doesn't seem especially useful. Maybe you could help out Miss Henderson or whoever and get the gardening skill? You shudder at the thought, before heading to the marketplace.
It's around two o'clock. You wanted to check out the bazaar and the accompanying stores. You suppose it's a good chance to learn first hand about Votans. Uthik was an okay guy, but he didn't really talk about his culture. The conversation was limited to stuff about moving.
The first place you pass by is a Castithan rally of some sorts, with a preacher named Belutok Kurr ranting something in what you presume is their native language. You start getting angry looks, so you're guessing it isn't a come together with the humans and make peace kind of gathering.
After that, you seek refuge in a tea shop, selling something called tang bark tea. It reminds you of coffee, which you never particularly like. The Castithan woman at the counter talks you into trying a sample, and your opinions on the matter change. You thank her, and buy a to go sample out of politeness. -1 Scrip.
It's actually very good. Gives a 10% boost to movement speed and restores health, too. Too bad you finished it so quickly, now you're having to purposely walk slowly around the area. Human bookstore, multispecies rug store, +1 Observe! Observe 5/100!, whatever the Castithan equivalent of a dojo is (you vow to check it out when you have the money), and a human florist.
Finally, you discover something interesting. Usealano Stall. Watch the masterful performer Bojar Zhivala reenact his parents' art! Usealano is a native Castithan art, an improvised poetry of sorts, and requires fluidity and quick thinking.
You walk in, curious. Around twenty Castithans are standing around, watching the man speak in some rapid, poetic tone, barely noticing your entrance. Of course, given that he's practicing usealano, that makes sense. He's speaking his native tongue, so you can't really comprehend what he's saying. It's rather interesting to watch, though.
After he finishes the story, poem, or epic, or maybe all three, he finishes and bows. The assembled aliens clap politely, and Bojar gives a small bow. He gives you a confused look, and his audience reacts almost as if commanded. The group was mostly women, with two men watching. "I haven't had a human watch me since I went to New York. Did you enjoy it?"
Huh. His tone sounds curious, rather than derisive. "I don't speak Castithan, so I didn't understand it, but you're a marvelous performer. You're very charismatic, and apparently great at improvisation."
Bojar grins widely. "A marvelous compliment! Might I have your name?"
"Sam House."
He takes off his top hat, and salutes you with it. "Well, Sam, I'm leaving Defiance tomorrow, but if you ever want to see my shows, you can have a front-row ticket. We could always use more diverse faces at my presentations. Usealano is an amazing art, and it needs to spread out to the other races."
2 Items Earned! Ticket to Bojar Zhivala's Performance (Any). What it says on the tin. Next shows: April 17-24, 2046: Minneapolis. May 24-31, 2046: Portland. June 6-13, 2046: My-Vrtya. July 1-8, 2046: San Francisco. Will update as the dates go on.
You take them graciously. You sit in for two more sessions, struggling to pick up any lines. You manage to catch New York once, but that's it. You add learning the Votan languages to your to-do list. The little show, if it can be called that, ends. Bojar was just in Defiance so his crew could get a pit stop, and given how small the fan base here is, you can see why. Nice of him to do a free show for the rural people, though.
You leave as Bojar does, moving to and fro between the stalls at the bazaar. Most of it is food or clothes, although you take note of a burly Irathient (turns out not all of them left Defiance) manning a Votan smithy and selling weapons/armors. Davan Nyoraj. You'll keep that name in mind. +1 Observe! Observe 6/100.
His machetes cost 100 scrips each, but they're damn impressive in terms of stats. You'll need to add machetes to your to-do list. And a roller. And a cold-fire weapon. And armor. And...oh, forget it. There's too much that you need.
You head back to your house, feeling somewhat accomplished, with thirty-four scrip in your inventory. It's not much, but you're on your way to a brighter future. You head home for some light reading. Well, two entire books isn't really 'light' by any standards, but you think you can finish it by the time you go to sleep.
The sofa is surprisingly comfortable for how cheap it looks. You curl up in the middle with one of the library's loans. The first book is The Castes of the Castithans. A bit of a punny title, and you're certain it was on purpose.
Pyenak starts by writing a brief forward on the history of the Castithan race in relation to the other races, which you take as an. They evolved on the planet Daribo with the Indogenes, both as separate species on the same world, which strikes you as odd. The castis formed the first nation out of the lush highlands of Zhibyj, and from there the Castithan civilization 'blossomed'.
With the Indogenes as a sort of tech support, they dominated their planet, and eventually, their system, almost casually. The races of Irath were subjugated and forced into slavery. The author speaks of those events in very fond terms, and you're reminded of the white man's burden. The prologue is essentially a basic history of Daribo, and of the colonization of the Votanis system.
The book glosses over something fairly important. Apparently, a species known as the Omec was very prominent until something else called the Volge took over their home planet. They are mentioned a grand total of once. That...that seems pretty damned revisionist. The Volge aren't mentioned very many other times either.
Whatever. There are five (really six) levels to the Castithan social hierarchy, as recognized on Daribo, and growing increasingly unraveled on Earth. The Shanje Liro, the ruling caste. The definition of this word seems rather fluid. Whoever is in charge in a particular area is a shanje liro. The book goes on a long rant where it praises the old Votan rulers and condemns various human nation states and their egalitarian natures. You check the back of the book. Tarra Pyenak seems pretty shanje liro. Asshole.
The next one down is the Valane Liro. They seem like honorary shanje liros. They're people who married into being among the ruling caste. Not much on them. Emine Liro. Merchants, with no rights to rule in government, church, or military, but equal wealth at least. Rizi Liro. Soldiers and their families who enjoy protection and moderate wealth, in exchange for keeping the lower classes down.
Speaking of the lower classes, there are the workers, known as the Yuke Liro. They provide services and labor in Castithan labor, and often go without themselves. The book mentions long periods of revolution in pre-Earth history when the workers would rise up and attempt systems like communism. They were always invaded and destroyed with extreme prejudice.
Then there are the Thawandayo. They don't even get a liro honorific. Rebels, agitators, criminals, extremists, dissidents. The usual people an autocratic, caste society would hate. It might just be Tarra Pyenak's writing, but you're beginning to hate Castithan society. It's just...wrong.
Pyenak whines at the end about how human society is causing many Castithan youth to leave the flock and dye their hair and all sorts of simply awful things, and you can't help but feel glad about that. The book highlights how women and the poor are treated, and you just feel disgusted by everything involved. Decreased relations with all surviving upper liros of the Castithan society.
But at least you know. And knowing is half the battle. The second book is People of Irath by a Sensoth woman named Gahbo Brishra. She was a cultural anthropologist on Casti, a terraformed moon of Daribo, before the Votans fled to Earth. Seems like a nice lady.
There's not much mentioned on history of the races of Irath. Culture and language, sure, but you feel that a lot of terms are flying over your head. Whatever. The Irathients are covered first. They generally operate in 'packs' of fifty to five thousand people, that all operate around a single area and respect other packs' rights to sovereignty. In practice. There have been plenty of wars and tribal massacres, even and especially pre-Earth.
Irathients respect nature, live outside of cities in small, isolated hamlets, and dislike the non-Irath races. There is a cultural dislike Castithans on principle, understandable given their history, and they think humans just hate the environment. They really sound like stereotypical Native Americans. They act as plague carriers that don't like vaccinations, which does not help their case with humans and Castithans, the two dominant races of Earth.
Liberata have an unfortunate history of being the ones that managed the banks of the Votanis Collective, and were quite ruthless at that job, which has resulted in them having the jobs of servants on Earth. The modern Liberata culture is humble and slightly subservient, with their polytheistic clerics viewing their current status as penance for past crimes. Liberata language is quick, taking as many shortcuts as possible, and is written sloppily and varies between culture group. Most Liberata simply speak Castithan or other Votan languages.
Lastly, Brishra speaks on Sensoths. They seem a lot more different than the other races. Sensoths acted as shamans to the other races of Irath when they were not advancing their tribe's ends. Sensoths live for up to two centuries naturally, so they have a culture that prides patience and planning, and they prefer to stay at the back of the room, looking to the future to improve their own odds in life. They live in a slow pace, and speak in one, as their own language shows.
+1 Intellect. The book ends with a confusing anecdote on a prank Brishra played on a group of Castithans. You shake your head, and close it. You wonder what you'll do tomorrow?
You wake up the next day at 8:45.What do you do? You have six actions to take.
[ ] Read the books. Could give valuable information on the cultures of this brave new world. You can choose up to two. 1 action each.
---[ ] The Second Reconstruction: Rebuilding Our Holy World
---[ ] Nations of the Earth Republic: Volume II, Columbia
---[ ] The War of the Three Hells
[ ] Visit the library to return the two books you've finished, and acquire two more. 40% chance of one being a skillbook. You can buy library books for 10 scrips. Counts as 1 action. You can choose 2 books/book subjects below, or write-in.
---[ ] Get the book Our Flag Was Still There, describing the survival of the United States after the Pale Wars. You could use some patriotism right now.
---[ ] Votan assimilation to Earthly culture.
---[ ] More stuff on post-war human culture.
---[ ] Native Votan culture.
---[ ] Write-in. Please don't be a smartass and write 'something that's a skillbook'.
[ ] Look into jobs. As much as you hate gardening, it's good money, and you could use that right now. Plus, who knows, maybe Miss Hawkins is a nice lady. Rewards 25 scrips, 50-100 EXP, and the Gardening skill. Increased relations with Dolores Hawkins. Counts as 1 action. 100% chance of success.
[ ] Look into jobs. You overheard a miner talk about how there's going to be a lumber run made by a company from Columbia going out to chop down some trees. They're looking for local workers, and if you can convince them to take you, there's real cash involved. Rewards 100 scrips, 200-500 EXP, and the Lumberjack skill. Increased relations with Fredericton Lumber Corporation. Counts as 1 action. 70% chance of success. Unlocks the temporary Lumberjack job, which will take up the entirety of April 5, 2046. Option ends on April 5, 2046.
[ ] Look into jobs. Defiance is a mining town, and almost all of its mines are controlled by a fellow named Rafe McCawley. Maybe you can get a job as a miner? Rewards 120-160 scrips per day. 80% chance of success. Counts as 1 action, unless you succeed, in which case, it's 3. New skills, potential rewards, EXP. Job has unreliable levels of security (cave-ins, scrappers, hellbugs, etc.). You'll compete with other workers for who gets the more profitable shafts or exploration duties.
[ ] Look into jobs. Maybe Clancy needs a junior Lawkeeper to help out? Rewards 3200 scrip per month, other benefits, new skills, allies, EXP chances. 50% chance of success. Counts as 1 action, unless you get the job, whereupon its 4 per day, and you get a new Title.
[ ] Look into jobs. There's an Earth Republic recruitment officer giving out pamphlets on joining the Terran Unitary Expeditionary, a place for people to get a new life serving in the military. Life will be hard if you get in, but you think you can handle it. See new places, kill interesting people. It'll be fun. Rewards 2500 Scrip per month, other benefits, new skills, EXP chances. 60% chance of success. Counts as 1 action, changes the quest entirely if you accept. You will get a new title.
[ ] Explore the town on your own. 1 action each. Rewards are a surprise. Will expand Sam's knowledge, allies, and armory in varying ways.
---[ ] Go to the bazaar, looking for something to buy or just walk around. Write in.
---[ ] Clancy mentioned a bar called the...Need/Want. It sounded like more than just a bar, though. You're kind of interested, and you could use a drink.
[ ] Grind your skills.
---[ ] Write in with elaboration.
A few things. First of all, questions, comments, and criticism are all welcome. Speak up if you have problems or queries.
Second of all. I want you all to thank me in your post. Remember in the series, when Stahma and Kenya are talking in the Need/Want, and Stahma says she used to practice usealano on her homeworld? Yeah, well, the name of that type of Castithan oral poetry was just explained to me. On Twitter. By the guy that makes the languages for Defiance. I went through all that trouble. I bothered a celebrity for y'all. David Peterson's a great guy, even if I did frustrate/confuse him a little.
I just came up with the whole join the E-Rep thing yesterday. Might be fun, you know. I tried to give you all a good look at Votan society, and such. I just found out about the Omec today. They're showing up on Defiance this summer. What's that all about? This is the first I've heard of them!
Finally, one stat point to anyone who can create an inventory chart.
[X] Read the books. Could give valuable information on the cultures of this brave new world. You can choose up to two. 1 action each.
---[X]The Castes of the Castithans: A Guide for the Uninitiated
---[X] People of Irath
[X] Look into jobs. Someone must need help with menial tasks. Fozzi's not hiring someone with such a low level of expertise, but you think you can handle basic handyman stuff. Rewards 20-60 scrips, potential skills depending on the roll. 75-150 EXP. Counts as 2 actions. 100% chance of success.
[x] Explore the town on your own. 1 action each. Rewards are a surprise. Will expand Sam's knowledge in varying ways.
---[x] Go to the bazaar. You don't think you'll get swindled, but you really don't have much money to spend, and you're just looking around, so who really cares? Good chance to get to know Defiance's culture.
---[x] Check out a few stores. You're kind of curious what the Votans sell.
1.2
April 3, 2046
Defiance, Earth, Sol System, Terra Ferox Universe
You exit your house, giving your eyes a few seconds to grow used to the sunlight. You need to remember to open your curtains a little wider. That idle thought leaves your mind, and you step out onto the street.
A job. That's a good priority. First of all, you have to figure out where the help wanted ads are. You don't want commitment yet, but a menial act of labor that lasts a few hours sounds okay. You never minded those too much back on your own Earth.
Newspapers cost 1 scrip, which is too bad, since those probably have classifieds to comb over. You try an inn next, and find more luck there. The inn doesn't look that special, which you suppose is a good thing, with your casual outfit. The innkeeper, a gruff looking white human, greets you cordially. "How can I help you?"
"I was wondering if you had any help wanted ads."
Alex Vavilov. Level Three. 250/250 HP. 50/50 MP. Worker at the Chatelaine Guesthouse.
Vavilov, apparently not the innkeeper, scratches his beard. "We've got a few sheets. Most are mining jobs, so you'll have to jump through some hoops to get to them. You're from out of town, right?"
You nod. Alex parrots your movement. "Like I thought. It will be harder for you to get jobs like that. Our own miners have trouble getting the good stuff. You want some other jobs?"
"Sure."
"Gimme a sec," the worker mumbles, before pulling up a small shoebox. "Defiance inns keep their help wanted stuff under the counter, like in other places."
"The comforts of home," you quip. You aren't actually from this Earth, but it seemed like the right thing to say. Alex laughs lightly in response.
"Well, everyone has their own way, I suppose. Here. I have...two for you that are guaranteed."
"Shoot."
"There's a casti that's moving to New Las Cruces. Needs some help moving furniture out of his house. 40 scrips, guaranteed. He's giving food and drink for 5 scrips off the total. Or you could help Miss Hawkins clean up her garden, for 25 scrips."
You hate gardening. With a passion. Moving doesn't sound that bad, though. You've helped a few friends move, and aliens can't have that much stuff different from humans. "Where's the Castithan guy's house?"
"Block down from the Need/Want. Has a big purple plant in front by the door, white paint."
You thank him as you walk out of the building.
Quest Alert!
Help Uthik Move Out!
A young Castithan man needs help moving the furniture out of his apartment. He has sent out a help wanted ad for any in Defiance willing to help for a small amount of money. You, of course, have accepted. Clear the furniture from his house to the landcoach he has hired.
Completion Reward: 108 EXP. 35-40 Scrips. Increased relations with Uthik Sahtar.
Completion Failure: None.
You find Uthik's house easily enough. The fact that you know his name despite having never seen the classified ad or by talking to him is another odd thing the Gamer power does for you. You walk up the steps, passing by the massive flowering plant.
Edonla Bloom. A flower native to Daribo. Symbolizes individual growth and bachelorhood. So a frat flower, basically. Uthik's house doesn't have a doorbell, so you settle for just knocking. How uncivilized.
The Castithan answers the door. It's the first time you've seen one up close. He...looks like an albino human with mostly white hair. Unlike the stereotypical Castithan, he's dyed his hair with black highlights. You aren't sure what that's about. An attempt to assimilate into human society, probably.
Uthik Sahtar. Level Four. 210/210 HP. 100/100 MP. A bachelor attempting to break free of a restrictive Shanje Liro family. Regularly moves in between towns.
"Hey. Are you here for the job?"
"Yeah."
Uthik grins. "Great! My name is Uthik Sahtar."
"Sam House."
The job lasts for two hours and twenty minutes, and by the end, you gain +2 Strength. Why the fuck did Uthik decide to install such a small door? He had to push a couch out the window and let you catch it. At least the food was good. Some sort of Castithan carbonated drink and meat. Wasn't that bad, even if you didn't need to eat.
The landcoach pulls up, and the driver is kind enough to help you and Uthik load the items into his truck. You wonder why it's even called that. It just seems like a bulkier love child between a RV and a semi-truck, with most of the furniture either right behind the driver's seat or on top of the vehicle. Uthik shakes your hand, before bowing slightly. "Thanks for your help, Sam. If you ever need a place to stay in New Las Cruces, my place is always open."
He hands you the scrip just before he climbs in the passenger side of the car. You notice some passengers getting in the back with the furniture. Huh. So it's not a private thing. Makes some sense. In a post apocalyptic world, moving between towns must be really problematic. Uthik closes the door and you wave goodbye.
+35 Scrips. +108 EXP. Increased relations with Uthik Sahtar (Neutral to Friendly). Increased relations with Uthik Sahtar (Friendly to Honored).
That's one of the more surprising of those notifications you've gotten so far. Clancy took the entire day and buying the house to get a notification like that, and he only went up to Friendly. You barely even remember getting it.
No skill for the job, though. Not much you could really get from that, though. The Pack Mule skill doesn't seem especially useful. Maybe you could help out Miss Henderson or whoever and get the gardening skill? You shudder at the thought, before heading to the marketplace.
It's around two o'clock. You wanted to check out the bazaar and the accompanying stores. You suppose it's a good chance to learn first hand about Votans. Uthik was an okay guy, but he didn't really talk about his culture. The conversation was limited to stuff about moving.
The first place you pass by is a Castithan rally of some sorts, with a preacher named Belutok Kurr ranting something in what you presume is their native language. You start getting angry looks, so you're guessing it isn't a come together with the humans and make peace kind of gathering.
After that, you seek refuge in a tea shop, selling something called tang bark tea. It reminds you of coffee, which you never particularly like. The Castithan woman at the counter talks you into trying a sample, and your opinions on the matter change. You thank her, and buy a to go sample out of politeness. -1 Scrip.
It's actually very good. Gives a 10% boost to movement speed and restores health, too. Too bad you finished it so quickly, now you're having to purposely walk slowly around the area. Human bookstore, multispecies rug store, +1 Observe! Observe 5/100!, whatever the Castithan equivalent of a dojo is (you vow to check it out when you have the money), and a human florist.
Finally, you discover something interesting. Usealano Stall. Watch the masterful performer Bojar Zhivala reenact his parents' art! Usealano is a native Castithan art, an improvised poetry of sorts, and requires fluidity and quick thinking.
You walk in, curious. Around twenty Castithans are standing around, watching the man speak in some rapid, poetic tone, barely noticing your entrance. Of course, given that he's practicing usealano, that makes sense. He's speaking his native tongue, so you can't really comprehend what he's saying. It's rather interesting to watch, though.
After he finishes the story, poem, or epic, or maybe all three, he finishes and bows. The assembled aliens clap politely, and Bojar gives a small bow. He gives you a confused look, and his audience reacts almost as if commanded. The group was mostly women, with two men watching. "I haven't had a human watch me since I went to New York. Did you enjoy it?"
Huh. His tone sounds curious, rather than derisive. "I don't speak Castithan, so I didn't understand it, but you're a marvelous performer. You're very charismatic, and apparently great at improvisation."
Bojar grins widely. "A marvelous compliment! Might I have your name?"
"Sam House."
He takes off his top hat, and salutes you with it. "Well, Sam, I'm leaving Defiance tomorrow, but if you ever want to see my shows, you can have a front-row ticket. We could always use more diverse faces at my presentations. Usealano is an amazing art, and it needs to spread out to the other races."
2 Items Earned! Ticket to Bojar Zhivala's Performance (Any). What it says on the tin. Next shows: April 17-24, 2046: Minneapolis. May 24-31, 2046: Portland. June 6-13, 2046: My-Vrtya. July 1-8, 2046: San Francisco. Will update as the dates go on.
You take them graciously. You sit in for two more sessions, struggling to pick up any lines. You manage to catch New York once, but that's it. You add learning the Votan languages to your to-do list. The little show, if it can be called that, ends. Bojar was just in Defiance so his crew could get a pit stop, and given how small the fan base here is, you can see why. Nice of him to do a free show for the rural people, though.
You leave as Bojar does, moving to and fro between the stalls at the bazaar. Most of it is food or clothes, although you take note of a burly Irathient (turns out not all of them left Defiance) manning a Votan smithy and selling weapons/armors. Davan Nyoraj. You'll keep that name in mind. +1 Observe! Observe 6/100.
His machetes cost 100 scrips each, but they're damn impressive in terms of stats. You'll need to add machetes to your to-do list. And a roller. And a cold-fire weapon. And armor. And...oh, forget it. There's too much that you need.
You head back to your house, feeling somewhat accomplished, with thirty-four scrip in your inventory. It's not much, but you're on your way to a brighter future. You head home for some light reading. Well, two entire books isn't really 'light' by any standards, but you think you can finish it by the time you go to sleep.
The sofa is surprisingly comfortable for how cheap it looks. You curl up in the middle with one of the library's loans. The first book is The Castes of the Castithans. A bit of a punny title, and you're certain it was on purpose.
Pyenak starts by writing a brief forward on the history of the Castithan race in relation to the other races, which you take as an. They evolved on the planet Daribo with the Indogenes, both as separate species on the same world, which strikes you as odd. The castis formed the first nation out of the lush highlands of Zhibyj, and from there the Castithan civilization 'blossomed'.
With the Indogenes as a sort of tech support, they dominated their planet, and eventually, their system, almost casually. The races of Irath were subjugated and forced into slavery. The author speaks of those events in very fond terms, and you're reminded of the white man's burden. The prologue is essentially a basic history of Daribo, and of the colonization of the Votanis system.
The book glosses over something fairly important. Apparently, a species known as the Omec was very prominent until something else called the Volge took over their home planet. They are mentioned a grand total of once. That...that seems pretty damned revisionist. The Volge aren't mentioned very many other times either.
Whatever. There are five (really six) levels to the Castithan social hierarchy, as recognized on Daribo, and growing increasingly unraveled on Earth. The Shanje Liro, the ruling caste. The definition of this word seems rather fluid. Whoever is in charge in a particular area is a shanje liro. The book goes on a long rant where it praises the old Votan rulers and condemns various human nation states and their egalitarian natures. You check the back of the book. Tarra Pyenak seems pretty shanje liro. Asshole.
The next one down is the Valane Liro. They seem like honorary shanje liros. They're people who married into being among the ruling caste. Not much on them. Emine Liro. Merchants, with no rights to rule in government, church, or military, but equal wealth at least. Rizi Liro. Soldiers and their families who enjoy protection and moderate wealth, in exchange for keeping the lower classes down.
Speaking of the lower classes, there are the workers, known as the Yuke Liro. They provide services and labor in Castithan labor, and often go without themselves. The book mentions long periods of revolution in pre-Earth history when the workers would rise up and attempt systems like communism. They were always invaded and destroyed with extreme prejudice.
Then there are the Thawandayo. They don't even get a liro honorific. Rebels, agitators, criminals, extremists, dissidents. The usual people an autocratic, caste society would hate. It might just be Tarra Pyenak's writing, but you're beginning to hate Castithan society. It's just...wrong.
Pyenak whines at the end about how human society is causing many Castithan youth to leave the flock and dye their hair and all sorts of simply awful things, and you can't help but feel glad about that. The book highlights how women and the poor are treated, and you just feel disgusted by everything involved. Decreased relations with all surviving upper liros of the Castithan society.
But at least you know. And knowing is half the battle. The second book is People of Irath by a Sensoth woman named Gahbo Brishra. She was a cultural anthropologist on Casti, a terraformed moon of Daribo, before the Votans fled to Earth. Seems like a nice lady.
There's not much mentioned on history of the races of Irath. Culture and language, sure, but you feel that a lot of terms are flying over your head. Whatever. The Irathients are covered first. They generally operate in 'packs' of fifty to five thousand people, that all operate around a single area and respect other packs' rights to sovereignty. In practice. There have been plenty of wars and tribal massacres, even and especially pre-Earth.
Irathients respect nature, live outside of cities in small, isolated hamlets, and dislike the non-Irath races. There is a cultural dislike Castithans on principle, understandable given their history, and they think humans just hate the environment. They really sound like stereotypical Native Americans. They act as plague carriers that don't like vaccinations, which does not help their case with humans and Castithans, the two dominant races of Earth.
Liberata have an unfortunate history of being the ones that managed the banks of the Votanis Collective, and were quite ruthless at that job, which has resulted in them having the jobs of servants on Earth. The modern Liberata culture is humble and slightly subservient, with their polytheistic clerics viewing their current status as penance for past crimes. Liberata language is quick, taking as many shortcuts as possible, and is written sloppily and varies between culture group. Most Liberata simply speak Castithan or other Votan languages.
Lastly, Brishra speaks on Sensoths. They seem a lot more different than the other races. Sensoths acted as shamans to the other races of Irath when they were not advancing their tribe's ends. Sensoths live for up to two centuries naturally, so they have a culture that prides patience and planning, and they prefer to stay at the back of the room, looking to the future to improve their own odds in life. They live in a slow pace, and speak in one, as their own language shows.
+1 Intellect. The book ends with a confusing anecdote on a prank Brishra played on a group of Castithans. You shake your head, and close it. You wonder what you'll do tomorrow?
You wake up the next day at 8:45.What do you do? You have six actions to take.
[ ] Read the books. Could give valuable information on the cultures of this brave new world. You can choose up to two. 1 action each.
---[ ] The Second Reconstruction: Rebuilding Our Holy World
---[ ] Nations of the Earth Republic: Volume II, Columbia
---[ ] The War of the Three Hells
[ ] Visit the library to return the two books you've finished, and acquire two more. 40% chance of one being a skillbook. You can buy library books for 10 scrips. Counts as 1 action. You can choose 2 books/book subjects below, or write-in.
---[ ] Get the book Our Flag Was Still There, describing the survival of the United States after the Pale Wars. You could use some patriotism right now.
---[ ] Votan assimilation to Earthly culture.
---[ ] More stuff on post-war human culture.
---[ ] Native Votan culture.
---[ ] Write-in. Please don't be a smartass and write 'something that's a skillbook'.
[ ] Look into jobs. As much as you hate gardening, it's good money, and you could use that right now. Plus, who knows, maybe Miss Hawkins is a nice lady. Rewards 25 scrips, 50-100 EXP, and the Gardening skill. Increased relations with Dolores Hawkins. Counts as 1 action. 100% chance of success.
[ ] Look into jobs. You overheard a miner talk about how there's going to be a lumber run made by a company from Columbia going out to chop down some trees. They're looking for local workers, and if you can convince them to take you, there's real cash involved. Rewards 100 scrips, 200-500 EXP, and the Lumberjack skill. Increased relations with Fredericton Lumber Corporation. Counts as 1 action. 70% chance of success. Unlocks the temporary Lumberjack job, which will take up the entirety of April 5, 2046. Option ends on April 5, 2046.
[ ] Look into jobs. Defiance is a mining town, and almost all of its mines are controlled by a fellow named Rafe McCawley. Maybe you can get a job as a miner? Rewards 120-160 scrips per day. 80% chance of success. Counts as 1 action, unless you succeed, in which case, it's 3. New skills, potential rewards, EXP. Job has unreliable levels of security (cave-ins, scrappers, hellbugs, etc.). You'll compete with other workers for who gets the more profitable shafts or exploration duties.
[ ] Look into jobs. Maybe Clancy needs a junior Lawkeeper to help out? Rewards 3200 scrip per month, other benefits, new skills, allies, EXP chances. 50% chance of success. Counts as 1 action, unless you get the job, whereupon its 4 per day, and you get a new Title.
[ ] Look into jobs. There's an Earth Republic recruitment officer giving out pamphlets on joining the Terran Unitary Expeditionary, a place for people to get a new life serving in the military. Life will be hard if you get in, but you think you can handle it. See new places, kill interesting people. It'll be fun. Rewards 2500 Scrip per month, other benefits, new skills, EXP chances. 60% chance of success. Counts as 1 action, changes the quest entirely if you accept. You will get a new title.
[ ] Explore the town on your own. 1 action each. Rewards are a surprise. Will expand Sam's knowledge, allies, and armory in varying ways.
---[ ] Go to the bazaar, looking for something to buy or just walk around. Write in.
---[ ] Clancy mentioned a bar called the...Need/Want. It sounded like more than just a bar, though. You're kind of interested, and you could use a drink.
[ ] Grind your skills.
---[ ] Write in with elaboration.
A few things. First of all, questions, comments, and criticism are all welcome. Speak up if you have problems or queries.
Second of all. I want you all to thank me in your post. Remember in the series, when Stahma and Kenya are talking in the Need/Want, and Stahma says she used to practice usealano on her homeworld? Yeah, well, the name of that type of Castithan oral poetry was just explained to me. On Twitter. By the guy that makes the languages for Defiance. I went through all that trouble. I bothered a celebrity for y'all. David Peterson's a great guy, even if I did frustrate/confuse him a little.
I just came up with the whole join the E-Rep thing yesterday. Might be fun, you know. I tried to give you all a good look at Votan society, and such. I just found out about the Omec today. They're showing up on Defiance this summer. What's that all about? This is the first I've heard of them!
Finally, one stat point to anyone who can create an inventory chart.
Last edited:
1.3
*Note. Due to me miscalculating the number of actions in Larekko12's vote, the gardening job has been added to this update. Also, huge amount of fan wank for the world of Defiance outside of well, Defiance. You have been warned.
1.3
Wednesday, April 4, 2046
Defiance, Earth, Sol System, Terra Ferox Universe
You leave your house with a somewhat clear mission in mind for the day. The library's a bit of a walk from your house, but it's not much trouble. You leave the books on the races of Irath and the castes of Daribo in the drop off chute outside, and walk inside to great Miss Gonzalez.
The Hispanic woman smiles at you warmly. "Sam! Back so soon?"
"Yep. I actually came here for some books on language?"
Denise stands up. She's remarkably spry for her age. Votan medicine, you guess. "Which ones? We have some good ones on Irathient, Spanish, and French, and some okay ones on Castithan and Sensoth."
"What do you mean, okay?"
"I mean that they only have a little bit of vocabulary and some stuff on how to write the language. The Castithan book is actually meant to teach little Castis the alphabet. Nothing that's going to help much in an actual conversation."
"Do you guys have an inter-library exchange program?" you ask hopefully.
Miss Gonzalez laughs. "Not since my grandmother ran a library in Old St. Louis, no. It's too much effort to send a letter to New Las Cruces, Cedars, or any other nearby town just to get a few books. Not a good business model, either. Maybe if we got a maglev or better transportation, but this is the frontier, kiddo. We're lucky to have this."
She gestures to the five or six shelves of books, all neatly organized compared to many like it you've been to. "You still want that book on L'Irathi?"
"Is that what the Irathient language is called?"
"Yep. I could never get the hang of it. Kastithanu's fine. It's quick, snappy. A lot like Spanish. Irathient is just so slow and boring."
Kastithanu must be the name for the Castithan language. She hands you the book. "So, library books are ten bucks to buy, right?"
"Bucks? I haven't heard that terminology in a while. Yes, but I don't like to encourage it."
"I'd just like to keep this book on L'Irathi."
She purses her lips, before nodding with a small smirk. "Fork over the cash then, Iron Man."
You resist the urge to sigh. You either look like a pizza delivery guy or Tony Stark. There's never been an in-between with your physical appearance. -10 Scrips.
"I'm guessing you don't want the other books, then?"
You Observe the book on English to Kastithanu. It's not a skillbook. The Spanish one is, but none of the others are. You can actually find those with your power, which is nice. "I'm fine, thank you."
"Suit yourself. Hey, if you want an interesting read, I've got this book on the postwar United States. You seem to be a big guy on current events, so I thought you might like it. I can just go in the back, we got a whole shipment all the way from Honolulu!"
"Maybe later, ma'am. I've got some stuff to do, with getting adjusted to Defiance and all."
You give a friendly wave goodbye and take the book with you to a reasonably private alley. Would you like to use this skillbook? Warning! This will destroy the book. Yes.
Skill Unlocked! L'Irathi 4/25. The dominant native tongue of the Irathient people, but not the only one. Accepted as a lingua franca among Terran-based Irathients and most raiders, when English is not in use.
The book is good enough to start you off with four language points. You're guessing grinding works by reading more books on the Irathient tongue, or by simply practicing with speaking to the aforementioned race. There aren't many Irathients in town, though, and you're a stranger to all of them. Problematic.
Well, you can always try to get a job. You remember that tree-chopping option, and find your way to a small stall on the outskirts of town. A hardy-looking white human that could pass for Paul Bunyan's shorter and more cheerful brother beckons you in with a smile. Warren Rossiter, according to Observe.
"Warren Rossiter, Fredericton Lumber Corporation. How can I help you, sir?"
"My name is Sam House. I came here to apply for tomorrow's job."
Warren nods sagely, his expression turning somber. "I see. Do you have your resume and background check with you?"
You blink. "I...wasn't aware I needed those."
There's a tense moment of awkward silence, before the man bursts out in laughter. "Just kidding! You should have seen the look on your face. This isn't 2010. You don't need that stuff here."
"That's a relief."
"Well, we got a lot of applicants here. Miners who want a break, Castis who can't get a job elsewhere, even a Sensoth and some refugees all the way from Venezuela! Between you and me, though, I think they were fibbing. Didn't even say where in the country they were from. Guess with the VoCol there it doesn't really matter."
The manager continues. "Anyway, sorry, Mr. House. We've got enough workers. I can pencil you in for an appointment on the...10th of April to discuss next week's shipment, though."
You ponder the question for a moment, before nodding. "I can do that."
"Great! We'll test your strength, skill with an axe, and give you a uniform, and from there it's just a matter of getting on the landcoach."
The two of you have a final handshake for a goodbye, and you head out. Well. You have a few things you wanted to do, like reading some books or checking out the Need/Want, but you need money in order to do those things. And loath as you are to admit it, the gardening job will give you a small number of scrips.
Okay. Fine. You head to the guesthouse, and pick up the letter for going to Miss Hawkins' house and helping her with the weeds. It's the same as you remember, with the stipulation that the actual amount can be lowered to 20 scrips if she wills it. Her home is a small little room at the top of an apartment complex, with a massive greenhouse on top. You're amazed her landlord let her build that.
You knock on the door, and Sandra Hawkins, an old African-American woman, greets you cordially with a wide smile. "Good morning! How can I help you, young man?"
"I'm here to help with the gardening job."
"An odds job kind of guy, then? Come on up! I'll show you what you're going to be doing."
The garden is larger than you thought it would be. Nine rows of varying flowers, all of which you Observe to the best of your ability. +1 Observe! Observe 7/100! "Well, I'll show you where the weeds are, and you do your darnedest to not tear up any of my flowers."
"I can do that."
Quest Alert!
Clean Miss Hawkins' Greenhouse!
An elderly woman needs a pair of hands to help rid her greenhouse of weeds. Win her friendship and a small amount of scrips for assisting her. Small penalties are given for damaging flowers.
Completion Rewards: 25 Scrips. 89 EXP. Increased relations with Sandra Hawkins. The Gardening skill.
Completion Failure: None.
Sandra kneels down on the small carpet she has installed around the plant basins, and starts pulling. "You start at the other end. Please do your best to not damage my flowers."
It's another job without much talking. By the end of the hour, you're finished. "Not bad, kid! I'll call you again if I ever need my garden weeded again."
You manage to give a grin in response, as you remember exactly why you hated gardening. Skill Unlocked! Gardening 1/100. You have a basic idea of how to arrange a garden. You have a vague idea of which plants grow where, and when they bloom, as well as other random factoids, but don't ask much beyond that. You're an amateur gardener at best.
A bit rude of your power to say, but ultimately true. +25 Scrips! +89 EXP! Increased relations with Sandra Hawkins (Neutral to Friendly).
You say goodbye to the old woman, and leave with a bit more money in your pocket. It's around two o'clock. Not really a reasonable time to go to a bar. Maybe seven or eight, when it's getting dark. Six hours. That's enough to read through two books.
The Second Reconstruction was written by an Italian-Brazilian named Augusto Buccho, who was representing the Catholic Church as a priest in Rio de Janeiro when the Pale Wars started. He mainly focuses on South America in the book, but he mentions Italy a few times.
The Votanis Collective is the official name for the nation state that controls the remnants of the refugee fleet that arrived in 2023. Their main base is in the city of Sulos, a small chunk of land near the Amazon River in northern Brazil that the UN granted them in 2015. During the Pale Wars, the largest front of the war was in Central and South America, between the native governments and the VoCol.
There isn't much of the original Earth left in the northern tip of South America. Aggressive use of poisonous gas and Terra-spires in the Amazon rainforest led to the eradication of almost all of the native tribes, as well as the cities of Manaus, Porto Velho, Iquitos, Cuiaba, and Boa Vista. As evidenced by these targets, Brazil was the main focus of the Votans during the war. An estimated eighty-seven percent of the population was wiped out in targeted attacks alone. By the end of the war, the only significant remnant was located in the south.
Other South American nations suffered similar fates to lesser extents (but still devastating). At the very least, Colombia managed to force a peace with the Votans, leaving them with only a third of their nation under human control. Peru, Ecuador, Venezuela, and the Guyanese nations weren't so fortunate.
Central America, with the small colony of Omec in southern Mexico, fell within the first months of the war. The treatment of their people was moderate compared to South America, but still brutal. On the bright side, only 30-40% casualties in the war, and minor human autonomy zones exist in the old Earth nations of Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador, and Costa Rica. There are also small border states in the middle of old Mexico.
The book glosses over the collapse of continental Amero-Canadian authority, and you finally realize that this book is actually biased in favor of Latin America. That would have been nice to know. Still, you're a third of the way to finishing. Might as well keep going.
The Votanis Collective has land from Oaxaca to La Paz, and the only thing keeping them from steamrolling Earth and taking land from everyone else is the existence of recovering humanity keeping them in check. Buccho takes pride in mentioning that he lives in the Papal State of Piratini, the last surviving vestige of the original Catholic Church in the world. Piratini is a small state of fifteen thousand surviving Brazilians and a few hundred Votan dissidents that is very fortunate to exist. The VoCol is considering eliminating them, due to their support of human terrorists in Venezuela and Peru.
Then there's the State of Colombia, which is a shaky narco-military dictatorship that survives because they don't have official relations with the Earth Republic. Buccho doesn't talk on them much, only mentioning that the capital is in Barranquilla and that they've quietly incorporated some of the Central American governments in exile and their delicious militaries.
The other great power in Latin America is another nation closely aligned to the Earth Republic. The Union of La Plata is the remnants of the Argentinean and Chilean governments that unified in the late 2020s during the height of the war. Post war, they've been fighting the VoCol's expansion south tooth and nail, to the point where Sulos has essentially thrown its hands up and looked north. The government of La Plata is unfortunately authoritarian, and the same man has been President since 2035.
Buccho regales the reader of his visits to Cordoba, the capital city, Santiago, the crown jewel of the nation, and Caitaco, a small village under direct control of the Catholic Church. You're disappointed to see that most of the descriptions are remarkably similar. Human survival and growth, Catholicism is great. At least the part with the prostitutes in Ibarlucea was funny.
You admittedly don't pay much attention to the book, since Observe was pretty damned misleading with this book. There's one part of the book that focuses on a Votan society, and even then, it's sort of condescending to the Irathients, who Buccho considers savages to be uplifted. The town of Cuenca is one of the more interesting points of the book, with the author doing an okay job of watching the native Ecuadorean population interacting with the Irathient population, and how they react to being treated as a glorified reserve by Sulos.
Well. You could have gone without that. Still, you have a detailed knowledge of South American affairs now. Could be worse. The next book should be more interesting. It's on the subject of the foundation of the Republic of Columbia, better known as the Earth Republic. It's a bit annoying how similar the name is to the military dictatorship to the south, but you can deal with it.
At the end of the Pale Wars in 2031, the Earth Military Coalition disassembled worldwide, forming (for the most part) unified governments dedicated to forming a unified Terran government dominated by humans. La Plata in South America, Tianxia, Nihon, and Sibir in Eastern Asia, Bharat in Southern Asia,the Unified European Intermarum, and so on. Each bears the emblem of the Earth Republic, while being different nations in their own right.
The main focus of this book is on Columbia, a nation born out of the surviving United Nations dignitaries in New York City, and the regional governments of New England, the Maritime Provinces, Quebec, and southern Ontario. Columbia is an authoritarian Presidential democracy that seeks the reunification of North America under its rule.
There's mention of major cities in Columbia, like Boston, Toronto, and the rising star, Fredericton. The sleepy New Brunswick town has morphed into the new Hollywood and Detroit in one, mostly due to the massive amounts of gulinite (some kind of important mineral, Defiance mines it too) found outside the city limits.
Former President Bryant gives accolades to her country, mentioning the recent restoration of Detroit and the annexation of the Saginaw city-state as proof that someday the United States and Canada can be reunited. She also proudly mentions the continued colonization southwards, even including photographs of Earth Republic soldiers standing in the ruins of Cleveland and men in Hazmat suits next to the still in-tact Washington Monument.
Finally, the patriotism ends, and she moves on to the good stuff. Friendly city-states and overseas territories of Columbia. Timmins, a gulinite/gold mining city in Ontario that's due for annexation into the Earth Republic whenever they can get a maglev line up there.
Jackson, Mississippi. Last refuge of American forces in Dixie during the Pale Wars, very proud of its heritage and very armed. Too stubborn to sign up with the E-Rep, but Bryant says that once the maglev to Yuma is finished, their next project is cleaning up the river connecting them to Defiance.
The independent Republic of Texas is skimmed over, but the government in Amarillo seems pretty okay to you. Democratic and equal rights for Votans enforced by Constitutional amendment, as long as they abide by human laws.
My-Vrtya. Previously you read how 'communist' revolts on Daribo failed, due to the highly engrained caste society into Castithan culture. In 2030, towards the end of the war, a group of worker castes hijacked a small group of Votan ships, and crash landed in the wilds of Oregon. After a misunderstanding with local Coalition forces, they made an alliance with the nascent Earth Republic, earning them protection from Sulos.
Defiance barely gets a footnote. It gets a patronizing mentioning as a town of six thousand, as an 'interesting experimentation on humans and Votans living under their own laws together'. Bit cheeky of Madame President to say that.
Then there are the Earth Republic colonies/puppet states, mostly formed from city-states or rich gulinite mining regions. Dallas, Oklahoma City, New Las Cruces, Yuma, Cedars, Minneapolis, Wabakimi, Boise, Vegas, Hermosillo, Lakota, Boulder, and Tyfrun, just to name a few that catch your eye.
That's only half the full number. These areas get brief descriptions of their exports and estimates of their populations, as well as dates of first settling or annexation. The book ends with Danielle Bryant talking about how awesome the Earth Republic is, and how unity of the peoples of Earth is the only way for success and recovery to happen. You agree...but damn, could you put any more propaganda into that idea?
You shut the book, and rub your eyes a bit. You've got enough money for a single beer, maybe chat up the bartender a bit. The Need/Want sounds like a fun joint. You enter the building. It looks like a re-purposed warehouse, like a lot of buildings in town. There's refreshing jazz music playing, which is better than you expected when you first saw it. It seems like a rap source of place. Must be the Castithan influence in town.
The door swings open in front of you, and you resist the urge to blush at what you see. You're from Miami, and you've seen hookers in public before. But in the middle of the most popular club in town, blatantly plying their...trade? You turn away from a human miner being cuddled by a young Castithan girl, and right in your face is an Irathient man in leather clothes sloppily kissing another in a somewhat undone suit. Okay. This is definitely the kind of place your mother told you to avoid.
You have to admit, despite the...vivid imagery around you, it's got a pretty neat atmosphere. Dozens of people from multiple races gathered together to get sloshed and have sex. You take a seat by the bar. A Liberata bartender walks up to you. "Want a drink?"
"What do you have that's cheap and good?"
"If you're looking for cheap, there's the Yuma Slammer. Five scrips, and if you finish the thing without passing out, you get free drinks for a month,"
You give Jered Kikema a curious look. "I'm interested. Can I see it?"
"Our man likes to see the goods first, then? Fine."
Jered does...something with a variety of liquids, ingredients and strange fruits. He gingerly places it down on you, pushing his glasses to the bottom of his nose as a challenge of sorts. Yuma Slammer. The most alcoholic beverage in Defiance. +1 to Vitality, -5 to Intelligence for thirty minutes. 75% chance of passing out.
Quest Alert!
Down that Yuma Slammer!
Finish the Yuma Slammer without falling flat on your ass. If you're still conscious five minutes after you're done, you get free drinks at the Need/Want until May 4th and 50% off on...other pleasures. Fail if you pass out.
Completion Reward: Free drinks at the Need/Want until May 4, 2046. 50% off on all night porter meetings until May 4, 2046. 10% discount on food/drink at the Need/Want for life. +50 EXP. Increased relations with Need/Want.
Completion Failure: Decreased relations with Jered Kikema.
Challenge accepted. -5 Scrips. You look Jered in his bespectacled eyes, and down the entire thing in one, drawn out gulp. "What's in this stuff?" you gasp as you finish. It's not bad...just very strong. +50 EXP. Increased relations with Need/Want (Neutral to Friendly). Item Earned! Personal Coupon for Free Drinks and 50% Night Porters until May 4, 2046. Personal Coupon for 10% Discount at Need/Want for Life.
The Liberata laughs. "Damned if I know. I just know how to make it."
The next five minutes are spent with a pounding headache and Jered claps his hands when you finish. You hear a cacophonous applause from around you. Huh. Looks like you have fans. You raise the empty glass into the air, drawing more accolades from the crowd. "I'm going home, folks! Thanks for the good...whatever this is!"
Ugh. Never doing that again. Unless it's a quest. Then maybe. You pass out on your couch in a rather undignified manner.
You wake up the next day at 9:30. What do you do? You have six actions to take.
[ ] Read the books. Could give valuable information on the cultures of this brave new world. You can choose up to two. 1 action each.
---[ ] The War of the Three Hells
[ ] Visit the library to return the two books you've finished, and acquire two more. 40% chance of one being a skillbook. You can buy library books for 10 scrips. Counts as 1 action. You can choose 2 books/book subjects below, or write-in.
---[ ] Get the book Our Flag Was Still There, describing the survival of the United States after the Pale Wars. You could use some patriotism right now.
---[ ] Votan assimilation to Earthly culture.
---[ ] More stuff on post-war human culture.
---[ ] Native Votan culture.
---[ ] Focus on human geopolitics post-war.
---[ ] Write-in. Please don't be a smartass and write 'something that's a skillbook'.
[ ] Look into jobs. One of the papers you got from Vavilov says that the border guards need some help clearing out some fallen trees from last night's storm. They're looking for five or six volunteers from town to help out. 90% chance of success. Rewards 80 scrips. Increased relations with Defiance Border Patrol. 60-120 EXP. Counts as 1 actions if you don't succeed, 3 if you do.
[ ] Look into jobs. A wealthy merchant wants someone to wash his roller. It's not a very dignified job, but it looks like it pays well, and you only have to do the exterior. Materials for doing the job are provided by Mr. Bedford. 100% chance of success. 30-70 EXP. 50 Scrips. Counts as 1 action.
[ ] Look into jobs. Defiance is a mining town, and almost all of its mines are controlled by a fellow named Rafe McCawley. Maybe you can get a job as a miner? Rewards 120-160 scrips per day. 80% chance of success. Counts as 1 action, unless you succeed, in which case, it's 3. New skills, potential rewards, EXP. Job has unreliable levels of security (cave-ins, scrappers, hellbugs, etc.). You'll compete with other workers for who gets the more profitable shafts or exploration duties.
[ ] Look into jobs. Maybe Clancy needs a junior Lawkeeper to help out? Rewards 3200 scrip per month, other benefits, new skills, allies, EXP chances. 50% chance of success. Counts as 1 action, unless you get the job, whereupon its 4 per day, and you get a new Title.
[ ] Look into jobs. There's an Earth Republic recruitment officer giving out pamphlets on joining the Terran Unitary Expeditionary, a place for people to get a new life serving in the military. Life will be hard if you get in, but you think you can handle it. See new places, kill interesting people. It'll be fun. Rewards 2500 Scrip per month, other benefits, new skills, EXP chances. 60% chance of success. Counts as 1 action, changes the quest entirely if you accept. You will get a new title.
[ ] Explore the town on your own. 1 action each. Rewards are a surprise. Will expand Sam's knowledge, allies, and armory in varying ways.
---[ ] Go to the bazaar, looking for something to buy or just walk around. Write in for things you might want.
---[ ] Go to the Need/Want and just talk to people. Might meet someone interesting.
---[ ] Find some Irathients and strike up a conversation. You want to grind up your L'Irathi. 80% chance of success.
---[ ] Sign up for that Castithan martial arts course, if they let humans in. 70% chance of success.
---[ ] Go to the bookstore to see if they have any particular skillbooks you might want. 60% chance of success.
[ ] Grind your skills.
---[ ] Write in with elaboration.
Questions, comments, and criticism are all welcome. Speak up if you have problems or queries.
Here are the rolls for this chapter. I added in the Yuma Slammer thing out of boredom, and because I didn't really feel like writing any of the night porters from canon.
Rolls Needed for Language Rolls (Castithan/Irathient respectively)=60 to earn basic language. Every ten digits higher than that earns another level.
56, 95 for Language Rolls.
End Result: Learn 0/15 Kastithanu and 4/25 L'Irathi
Roll Needed for Lumberjack Job=30.
15 on Lumberjack Roll.
End Result: No Lumberjack job. Try again on April 10, with guaranteed success.
Roll on Yuma Slammer Needed=75
76 on Yuma Slammer Roll.
End Result: Free beer and whores! Woooo!
Also, I'm going to start doing little worldbuilding posts at the Vote Locked post, just so they aren't 'Plan X wins. See ya.'. You will know this stuff IC, it just wasn't important enough to be in the update.
I don't know why, but formatting this post was hell.
My offer of 1 stat point to anyone who can design an inventory stands. Your help is needed.
1.3
Wednesday, April 4, 2046
Defiance, Earth, Sol System, Terra Ferox Universe
You leave your house with a somewhat clear mission in mind for the day. The library's a bit of a walk from your house, but it's not much trouble. You leave the books on the races of Irath and the castes of Daribo in the drop off chute outside, and walk inside to great Miss Gonzalez.
The Hispanic woman smiles at you warmly. "Sam! Back so soon?"
"Yep. I actually came here for some books on language?"
Denise stands up. She's remarkably spry for her age. Votan medicine, you guess. "Which ones? We have some good ones on Irathient, Spanish, and French, and some okay ones on Castithan and Sensoth."
"What do you mean, okay?"
"I mean that they only have a little bit of vocabulary and some stuff on how to write the language. The Castithan book is actually meant to teach little Castis the alphabet. Nothing that's going to help much in an actual conversation."
"Do you guys have an inter-library exchange program?" you ask hopefully.
Miss Gonzalez laughs. "Not since my grandmother ran a library in Old St. Louis, no. It's too much effort to send a letter to New Las Cruces, Cedars, or any other nearby town just to get a few books. Not a good business model, either. Maybe if we got a maglev or better transportation, but this is the frontier, kiddo. We're lucky to have this."
She gestures to the five or six shelves of books, all neatly organized compared to many like it you've been to. "You still want that book on L'Irathi?"
"Is that what the Irathient language is called?"
"Yep. I could never get the hang of it. Kastithanu's fine. It's quick, snappy. A lot like Spanish. Irathient is just so slow and boring."
Kastithanu must be the name for the Castithan language. She hands you the book. "So, library books are ten bucks to buy, right?"
"Bucks? I haven't heard that terminology in a while. Yes, but I don't like to encourage it."
"I'd just like to keep this book on L'Irathi."
She purses her lips, before nodding with a small smirk. "Fork over the cash then, Iron Man."
You resist the urge to sigh. You either look like a pizza delivery guy or Tony Stark. There's never been an in-between with your physical appearance. -10 Scrips.
"I'm guessing you don't want the other books, then?"
You Observe the book on English to Kastithanu. It's not a skillbook. The Spanish one is, but none of the others are. You can actually find those with your power, which is nice. "I'm fine, thank you."
"Suit yourself. Hey, if you want an interesting read, I've got this book on the postwar United States. You seem to be a big guy on current events, so I thought you might like it. I can just go in the back, we got a whole shipment all the way from Honolulu!"
"Maybe later, ma'am. I've got some stuff to do, with getting adjusted to Defiance and all."
You give a friendly wave goodbye and take the book with you to a reasonably private alley. Would you like to use this skillbook? Warning! This will destroy the book. Yes.
Skill Unlocked! L'Irathi 4/25. The dominant native tongue of the Irathient people, but not the only one. Accepted as a lingua franca among Terran-based Irathients and most raiders, when English is not in use.
The book is good enough to start you off with four language points. You're guessing grinding works by reading more books on the Irathient tongue, or by simply practicing with speaking to the aforementioned race. There aren't many Irathients in town, though, and you're a stranger to all of them. Problematic.
Well, you can always try to get a job. You remember that tree-chopping option, and find your way to a small stall on the outskirts of town. A hardy-looking white human that could pass for Paul Bunyan's shorter and more cheerful brother beckons you in with a smile. Warren Rossiter, according to Observe.
"Warren Rossiter, Fredericton Lumber Corporation. How can I help you, sir?"
"My name is Sam House. I came here to apply for tomorrow's job."
Warren nods sagely, his expression turning somber. "I see. Do you have your resume and background check with you?"
You blink. "I...wasn't aware I needed those."
There's a tense moment of awkward silence, before the man bursts out in laughter. "Just kidding! You should have seen the look on your face. This isn't 2010. You don't need that stuff here."
"That's a relief."
"Well, we got a lot of applicants here. Miners who want a break, Castis who can't get a job elsewhere, even a Sensoth and some refugees all the way from Venezuela! Between you and me, though, I think they were fibbing. Didn't even say where in the country they were from. Guess with the VoCol there it doesn't really matter."
The manager continues. "Anyway, sorry, Mr. House. We've got enough workers. I can pencil you in for an appointment on the...10th of April to discuss next week's shipment, though."
You ponder the question for a moment, before nodding. "I can do that."
"Great! We'll test your strength, skill with an axe, and give you a uniform, and from there it's just a matter of getting on the landcoach."
The two of you have a final handshake for a goodbye, and you head out. Well. You have a few things you wanted to do, like reading some books or checking out the Need/Want, but you need money in order to do those things. And loath as you are to admit it, the gardening job will give you a small number of scrips.
Okay. Fine. You head to the guesthouse, and pick up the letter for going to Miss Hawkins' house and helping her with the weeds. It's the same as you remember, with the stipulation that the actual amount can be lowered to 20 scrips if she wills it. Her home is a small little room at the top of an apartment complex, with a massive greenhouse on top. You're amazed her landlord let her build that.
You knock on the door, and Sandra Hawkins, an old African-American woman, greets you cordially with a wide smile. "Good morning! How can I help you, young man?"
"I'm here to help with the gardening job."
"An odds job kind of guy, then? Come on up! I'll show you what you're going to be doing."
The garden is larger than you thought it would be. Nine rows of varying flowers, all of which you Observe to the best of your ability. +1 Observe! Observe 7/100! "Well, I'll show you where the weeds are, and you do your darnedest to not tear up any of my flowers."
"I can do that."
Quest Alert!
Clean Miss Hawkins' Greenhouse!
An elderly woman needs a pair of hands to help rid her greenhouse of weeds. Win her friendship and a small amount of scrips for assisting her. Small penalties are given for damaging flowers.
Completion Rewards: 25 Scrips. 89 EXP. Increased relations with Sandra Hawkins. The Gardening skill.
Completion Failure: None.
Sandra kneels down on the small carpet she has installed around the plant basins, and starts pulling. "You start at the other end. Please do your best to not damage my flowers."
It's another job without much talking. By the end of the hour, you're finished. "Not bad, kid! I'll call you again if I ever need my garden weeded again."
You manage to give a grin in response, as you remember exactly why you hated gardening. Skill Unlocked! Gardening 1/100. You have a basic idea of how to arrange a garden. You have a vague idea of which plants grow where, and when they bloom, as well as other random factoids, but don't ask much beyond that. You're an amateur gardener at best.
A bit rude of your power to say, but ultimately true. +25 Scrips! +89 EXP! Increased relations with Sandra Hawkins (Neutral to Friendly).
You say goodbye to the old woman, and leave with a bit more money in your pocket. It's around two o'clock. Not really a reasonable time to go to a bar. Maybe seven or eight, when it's getting dark. Six hours. That's enough to read through two books.
The Second Reconstruction was written by an Italian-Brazilian named Augusto Buccho, who was representing the Catholic Church as a priest in Rio de Janeiro when the Pale Wars started. He mainly focuses on South America in the book, but he mentions Italy a few times.
The Votanis Collective is the official name for the nation state that controls the remnants of the refugee fleet that arrived in 2023. Their main base is in the city of Sulos, a small chunk of land near the Amazon River in northern Brazil that the UN granted them in 2015. During the Pale Wars, the largest front of the war was in Central and South America, between the native governments and the VoCol.
There isn't much of the original Earth left in the northern tip of South America. Aggressive use of poisonous gas and Terra-spires in the Amazon rainforest led to the eradication of almost all of the native tribes, as well as the cities of Manaus, Porto Velho, Iquitos, Cuiaba, and Boa Vista. As evidenced by these targets, Brazil was the main focus of the Votans during the war. An estimated eighty-seven percent of the population was wiped out in targeted attacks alone. By the end of the war, the only significant remnant was located in the south.
Other South American nations suffered similar fates to lesser extents (but still devastating). At the very least, Colombia managed to force a peace with the Votans, leaving them with only a third of their nation under human control. Peru, Ecuador, Venezuela, and the Guyanese nations weren't so fortunate.
Central America, with the small colony of Omec in southern Mexico, fell within the first months of the war. The treatment of their people was moderate compared to South America, but still brutal. On the bright side, only 30-40% casualties in the war, and minor human autonomy zones exist in the old Earth nations of Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador, and Costa Rica. There are also small border states in the middle of old Mexico.
The book glosses over the collapse of continental Amero-Canadian authority, and you finally realize that this book is actually biased in favor of Latin America. That would have been nice to know. Still, you're a third of the way to finishing. Might as well keep going.
The Votanis Collective has land from Oaxaca to La Paz, and the only thing keeping them from steamrolling Earth and taking land from everyone else is the existence of recovering humanity keeping them in check. Buccho takes pride in mentioning that he lives in the Papal State of Piratini, the last surviving vestige of the original Catholic Church in the world. Piratini is a small state of fifteen thousand surviving Brazilians and a few hundred Votan dissidents that is very fortunate to exist. The VoCol is considering eliminating them, due to their support of human terrorists in Venezuela and Peru.
Then there's the State of Colombia, which is a shaky narco-military dictatorship that survives because they don't have official relations with the Earth Republic. Buccho doesn't talk on them much, only mentioning that the capital is in Barranquilla and that they've quietly incorporated some of the Central American governments in exile and their delicious militaries.
The other great power in Latin America is another nation closely aligned to the Earth Republic. The Union of La Plata is the remnants of the Argentinean and Chilean governments that unified in the late 2020s during the height of the war. Post war, they've been fighting the VoCol's expansion south tooth and nail, to the point where Sulos has essentially thrown its hands up and looked north. The government of La Plata is unfortunately authoritarian, and the same man has been President since 2035.
Buccho regales the reader of his visits to Cordoba, the capital city, Santiago, the crown jewel of the nation, and Caitaco, a small village under direct control of the Catholic Church. You're disappointed to see that most of the descriptions are remarkably similar. Human survival and growth, Catholicism is great. At least the part with the prostitutes in Ibarlucea was funny.
You admittedly don't pay much attention to the book, since Observe was pretty damned misleading with this book. There's one part of the book that focuses on a Votan society, and even then, it's sort of condescending to the Irathients, who Buccho considers savages to be uplifted. The town of Cuenca is one of the more interesting points of the book, with the author doing an okay job of watching the native Ecuadorean population interacting with the Irathient population, and how they react to being treated as a glorified reserve by Sulos.
Well. You could have gone without that. Still, you have a detailed knowledge of South American affairs now. Could be worse. The next book should be more interesting. It's on the subject of the foundation of the Republic of Columbia, better known as the Earth Republic. It's a bit annoying how similar the name is to the military dictatorship to the south, but you can deal with it.
At the end of the Pale Wars in 2031, the Earth Military Coalition disassembled worldwide, forming (for the most part) unified governments dedicated to forming a unified Terran government dominated by humans. La Plata in South America, Tianxia, Nihon, and Sibir in Eastern Asia, Bharat in Southern Asia,the Unified European Intermarum, and so on. Each bears the emblem of the Earth Republic, while being different nations in their own right.
The main focus of this book is on Columbia, a nation born out of the surviving United Nations dignitaries in New York City, and the regional governments of New England, the Maritime Provinces, Quebec, and southern Ontario. Columbia is an authoritarian Presidential democracy that seeks the reunification of North America under its rule.
There's mention of major cities in Columbia, like Boston, Toronto, and the rising star, Fredericton. The sleepy New Brunswick town has morphed into the new Hollywood and Detroit in one, mostly due to the massive amounts of gulinite (some kind of important mineral, Defiance mines it too) found outside the city limits.
Former President Bryant gives accolades to her country, mentioning the recent restoration of Detroit and the annexation of the Saginaw city-state as proof that someday the United States and Canada can be reunited. She also proudly mentions the continued colonization southwards, even including photographs of Earth Republic soldiers standing in the ruins of Cleveland and men in Hazmat suits next to the still in-tact Washington Monument.
Finally, the patriotism ends, and she moves on to the good stuff. Friendly city-states and overseas territories of Columbia. Timmins, a gulinite/gold mining city in Ontario that's due for annexation into the Earth Republic whenever they can get a maglev line up there.
Jackson, Mississippi. Last refuge of American forces in Dixie during the Pale Wars, very proud of its heritage and very armed. Too stubborn to sign up with the E-Rep, but Bryant says that once the maglev to Yuma is finished, their next project is cleaning up the river connecting them to Defiance.
The independent Republic of Texas is skimmed over, but the government in Amarillo seems pretty okay to you. Democratic and equal rights for Votans enforced by Constitutional amendment, as long as they abide by human laws.
My-Vrtya. Previously you read how 'communist' revolts on Daribo failed, due to the highly engrained caste society into Castithan culture. In 2030, towards the end of the war, a group of worker castes hijacked a small group of Votan ships, and crash landed in the wilds of Oregon. After a misunderstanding with local Coalition forces, they made an alliance with the nascent Earth Republic, earning them protection from Sulos.
Defiance barely gets a footnote. It gets a patronizing mentioning as a town of six thousand, as an 'interesting experimentation on humans and Votans living under their own laws together'. Bit cheeky of Madame President to say that.
Then there are the Earth Republic colonies/puppet states, mostly formed from city-states or rich gulinite mining regions. Dallas, Oklahoma City, New Las Cruces, Yuma, Cedars, Minneapolis, Wabakimi, Boise, Vegas, Hermosillo, Lakota, Boulder, and Tyfrun, just to name a few that catch your eye.
That's only half the full number. These areas get brief descriptions of their exports and estimates of their populations, as well as dates of first settling or annexation. The book ends with Danielle Bryant talking about how awesome the Earth Republic is, and how unity of the peoples of Earth is the only way for success and recovery to happen. You agree...but damn, could you put any more propaganda into that idea?
You shut the book, and rub your eyes a bit. You've got enough money for a single beer, maybe chat up the bartender a bit. The Need/Want sounds like a fun joint. You enter the building. It looks like a re-purposed warehouse, like a lot of buildings in town. There's refreshing jazz music playing, which is better than you expected when you first saw it. It seems like a rap source of place. Must be the Castithan influence in town.
The door swings open in front of you, and you resist the urge to blush at what you see. You're from Miami, and you've seen hookers in public before. But in the middle of the most popular club in town, blatantly plying their...trade? You turn away from a human miner being cuddled by a young Castithan girl, and right in your face is an Irathient man in leather clothes sloppily kissing another in a somewhat undone suit. Okay. This is definitely the kind of place your mother told you to avoid.
You have to admit, despite the...vivid imagery around you, it's got a pretty neat atmosphere. Dozens of people from multiple races gathered together to get sloshed and have sex. You take a seat by the bar. A Liberata bartender walks up to you. "Want a drink?"
"What do you have that's cheap and good?"
"If you're looking for cheap, there's the Yuma Slammer. Five scrips, and if you finish the thing without passing out, you get free drinks for a month,"
You give Jered Kikema a curious look. "I'm interested. Can I see it?"
"Our man likes to see the goods first, then? Fine."
Jered does...something with a variety of liquids, ingredients and strange fruits. He gingerly places it down on you, pushing his glasses to the bottom of his nose as a challenge of sorts. Yuma Slammer. The most alcoholic beverage in Defiance. +1 to Vitality, -5 to Intelligence for thirty minutes. 75% chance of passing out.
Quest Alert!
Down that Yuma Slammer!
Finish the Yuma Slammer without falling flat on your ass. If you're still conscious five minutes after you're done, you get free drinks at the Need/Want until May 4th and 50% off on...other pleasures. Fail if you pass out.
Completion Reward: Free drinks at the Need/Want until May 4, 2046. 50% off on all night porter meetings until May 4, 2046. 10% discount on food/drink at the Need/Want for life. +50 EXP. Increased relations with Need/Want.
Completion Failure: Decreased relations with Jered Kikema.
Challenge accepted. -5 Scrips. You look Jered in his bespectacled eyes, and down the entire thing in one, drawn out gulp. "What's in this stuff?" you gasp as you finish. It's not bad...just very strong. +50 EXP. Increased relations with Need/Want (Neutral to Friendly). Item Earned! Personal Coupon for Free Drinks and 50% Night Porters until May 4, 2046. Personal Coupon for 10% Discount at Need/Want for Life.
The Liberata laughs. "Damned if I know. I just know how to make it."
The next five minutes are spent with a pounding headache and Jered claps his hands when you finish. You hear a cacophonous applause from around you. Huh. Looks like you have fans. You raise the empty glass into the air, drawing more accolades from the crowd. "I'm going home, folks! Thanks for the good...whatever this is!"
Ugh. Never doing that again. Unless it's a quest. Then maybe. You pass out on your couch in a rather undignified manner.
You wake up the next day at 9:30. What do you do? You have six actions to take.
[ ] Read the books. Could give valuable information on the cultures of this brave new world. You can choose up to two. 1 action each.
---[ ] The War of the Three Hells
[ ] Visit the library to return the two books you've finished, and acquire two more. 40% chance of one being a skillbook. You can buy library books for 10 scrips. Counts as 1 action. You can choose 2 books/book subjects below, or write-in.
---[ ] Get the book Our Flag Was Still There, describing the survival of the United States after the Pale Wars. You could use some patriotism right now.
---[ ] Votan assimilation to Earthly culture.
---[ ] More stuff on post-war human culture.
---[ ] Native Votan culture.
---[ ] Focus on human geopolitics post-war.
---[ ] Write-in. Please don't be a smartass and write 'something that's a skillbook'.
[ ] Look into jobs. One of the papers you got from Vavilov says that the border guards need some help clearing out some fallen trees from last night's storm. They're looking for five or six volunteers from town to help out. 90% chance of success. Rewards 80 scrips. Increased relations with Defiance Border Patrol. 60-120 EXP. Counts as 1 actions if you don't succeed, 3 if you do.
[ ] Look into jobs. A wealthy merchant wants someone to wash his roller. It's not a very dignified job, but it looks like it pays well, and you only have to do the exterior. Materials for doing the job are provided by Mr. Bedford. 100% chance of success. 30-70 EXP. 50 Scrips. Counts as 1 action.
[ ] Look into jobs. Defiance is a mining town, and almost all of its mines are controlled by a fellow named Rafe McCawley. Maybe you can get a job as a miner? Rewards 120-160 scrips per day. 80% chance of success. Counts as 1 action, unless you succeed, in which case, it's 3. New skills, potential rewards, EXP. Job has unreliable levels of security (cave-ins, scrappers, hellbugs, etc.). You'll compete with other workers for who gets the more profitable shafts or exploration duties.
[ ] Look into jobs. Maybe Clancy needs a junior Lawkeeper to help out? Rewards 3200 scrip per month, other benefits, new skills, allies, EXP chances. 50% chance of success. Counts as 1 action, unless you get the job, whereupon its 4 per day, and you get a new Title.
[ ] Look into jobs. There's an Earth Republic recruitment officer giving out pamphlets on joining the Terran Unitary Expeditionary, a place for people to get a new life serving in the military. Life will be hard if you get in, but you think you can handle it. See new places, kill interesting people. It'll be fun. Rewards 2500 Scrip per month, other benefits, new skills, EXP chances. 60% chance of success. Counts as 1 action, changes the quest entirely if you accept. You will get a new title.
[ ] Explore the town on your own. 1 action each. Rewards are a surprise. Will expand Sam's knowledge, allies, and armory in varying ways.
---[ ] Go to the bazaar, looking for something to buy or just walk around. Write in for things you might want.
---[ ] Go to the Need/Want and just talk to people. Might meet someone interesting.
---[ ] Find some Irathients and strike up a conversation. You want to grind up your L'Irathi. 80% chance of success.
---[ ] Sign up for that Castithan martial arts course, if they let humans in. 70% chance of success.
---[ ] Go to the bookstore to see if they have any particular skillbooks you might want. 60% chance of success.
[ ] Grind your skills.
---[ ] Write in with elaboration.
Questions, comments, and criticism are all welcome. Speak up if you have problems or queries.
Here are the rolls for this chapter. I added in the Yuma Slammer thing out of boredom, and because I didn't really feel like writing any of the night porters from canon.
Rolls Needed for Language Rolls (Castithan/Irathient respectively)=60 to earn basic language. Every ten digits higher than that earns another level.
56, 95 for Language Rolls.
End Result: Learn 0/15 Kastithanu and 4/25 L'Irathi
Roll Needed for Lumberjack Job=30.
15 on Lumberjack Roll.
End Result: No Lumberjack job. Try again on April 10, with guaranteed success.
Roll on Yuma Slammer Needed=75
76 on Yuma Slammer Roll.
End Result: Free beer and whores! Woooo!
Also, I'm going to start doing little worldbuilding posts at the Vote Locked post, just so they aren't 'Plan X wins. See ya.'. You will know this stuff IC, it just wasn't important enough to be in the update.
I don't know why, but formatting this post was hell.
My offer of 1 stat point to anyone who can design an inventory stands. Your help is needed.
Last edited:
1.4
1.04
Thursday, April 5, 2046
Defiance, Earth, Sol System, Terra Ferox Universe
You leave your house almost immediately after waking up, first making sure that you look normal. You do. Your clothes don't even smell. That's another benefit of the Gamer power, you suppose. You make a beeline for the border guard outpost with the papers in hand.
Rick greets you amicably, with a man in uniform and four others in casual clothes standing around him. Taking a look at the paper in your hands, he grins. "You looking to join the clean up effort?"
"It's good money."
He nods. "You're in. Looks like the next guy is already here. We can get this started."
A burly Castithan nods at you as he walks past. Huh. You haven't seen one that wasn't skinny. You assumed that being lanky was just a think that was cross species for them. The man, Alzat, speaks to Rick for a few minutes before being allowed in the group. He gets a look of disgust from a human, a miner apparently.
"Alright, ladies. Get in the back of the pickup, we're going to kick some tree ass."
A lighthearted whoop comes from a different human. You Observed him, but you don't particularly care about him, so you don't think you'll remember it anyway. The drive is boring and bumpy, with most of the group silent or expectant of the job. You wish Defiance had paved roads.
Rick stops the roller by the first tree, and gets out of the truck with his partner. The job goes exactly as you thought it would be. Eight guys standing around a tree and picking it up. For around five or six times before anything interesting happens.
One of the men, another handyman named Recife points to something in panic. "Hellbugs!"
You curse. Clancy warned you of them, but you've never actually seen them before. They're...disgusting. Fierce looking crab things with a Sarlacc mouth and odd protrusions from the head.
Hellbug Skitterling. Level Three. 150/150 HP. 0/0 MP. Annoying little buggers. They have a habit of dodging attack at the last minute, and being generally annoying overall. Kill them quickly, before they create an entire hive, or worse, bring an existing one down on your heads.
+1 Observe! Observe 8/100.
You're carrying an axe, borrowed from the border guards, and you rush towards one, bringing the wood chopper down on its skull. Saying it bounced off would be inaccurate, but it doesn't do very much. Another hellbug leaps at you, and Alzat gives you a timely rescue, jamming another axe into the monstrosity's skull.
After seeing your previous efforts fail, you change tactics, and swipe the axe from the side. The skitterling's mouth is constantly open, and it seems that there isn't much flesh in between thin air and the inside of its mouth. You take the gamble and swing the axe once more. A critically damaging hit. The first creature is down to 50 Health, and an enormous hole appears in the side of its face.
Rick takes out a shotgun, and fires into the third one right after Alzat narrowly blocks its bite with his axe, unfortunately breaking the weapon. It doesn't kill the creature, but the hellbugs skitter backwards out of uncertainty if anything. You don't look the gift horse in the mouth. A final blow kills the hellbug, and creates a new skill. +15 EXP.
Skill Unlocked! Blunt Weapons Mastery 1/100. Sometimes mankind's (and Votan-kind's) worst problems are solved by hitting with a big stick. Or axe. Or baseball bat. This skill covers blunt weapons, and your skill, speed, and number of critical hits when using them.
You dismiss the messages, and turn to the next enemy. The hellbug that tried to bite Alzat gets an axe tearing into its side, piercing through one 'cheek' right through the next, before you pull your weapon out and draw back. The creature isn't retaliating, so you move in for a final blow. +15 EXP.
The skitterling Rick shot is sprawled on the ground, almost done, and you finish it, mostly for the EXP. +10 EXP. Huh. Wounded creatures give less EXP. 40 Exp isn't exactly peanuts, though, so you'll take it. +1 Dexterity. And a little skill boost. Always convenient.
In total, the three creatures dropped 18 scrips, and four pieces of Hellbug Chitin. That stuff can be used to make armor, so you keep it. "Alzat, Rick, you guys helped me, so you guys can have the scrips. I'll keep the chitin."
A human worker speaks up. "So, are we going to talk about the fact that those corpses disappeared? And left behind money?"
You arch an eyebrow. "No. Why?"
Rick looks like he's about to say something, before he stifles it and looks away. "Okay, let's finish the job, everyone."
Besides Alzat, the others give you a wide berth as you do your job. The eight of you roll the tree into the side of the road, just like the others before. You get back in the truck, and enjoy a bit more space than before, as those assembled give you suspicious or downright fearful looks.
Finally, you arrive back at Defiance. You speak up. "I trust that none of you will talk, since I did just save your lives back there? I enjoy a bit of privacy, and I would like to keep it."
Heads shake all around, and you aren't sure, but you don't think anyone will talk about this. The quest finishes when Rick hands you your well earned scrip. +80 Scrips. +107 EXP. Increased relations with Defiance Border Patrol (Neutral to Friendly). Increased relations with Alzat Hinlo (Neutral to Friendly).
The Castithan shakes your hand as the other humans leave. "Thank you for what you did back there. Feel free to call me if you ever need to kick some more ass."
His voice is brusque and quick, like you expected. You return the shake. "I'll do that."
Alzat leaves, satisfied at that. Level Up! 5 Stat Points Gained! 54/630 EXP!
Huh. He might be a good ally in the future. Alzat Hinlo. Level Three. 250/250 HP. 50/50 MP. Formerly the favored son of the Hinlo clan, Alzat ran away from home after being forced into an arranged marriage. He is currently lying low in Defiance doing odd jobs. Wow. You shake your head, and continue on with the day.
Miss Gonzalez at the library gives you three new books, as well as letting you buy the Spanish textbook. -10 Scrips. You Observe all of the books, naturally. They're on the topic of Votan assimilation into human society and native Votan culture. You get one of the former and two of the latter, while returning the books you previously had.
Hello, New York! Recollections of a Life in the Big Apple by Stephanie Yardash. A young girl adopted by interspecies parents, Stephanie describes her childhood living in a Votan neighborhood in the capital of Columbia. It tells of heartbreak, systematic discrimination, triumphs, and focuses on the belief that maybe the two systems can come together to make a greater world.
The World Hatched Anew: Our Love for Our Gods by Kaarti Sishemo. A Liberata cleric wrote this thesis to explain to humans (and even other Votans) about the polytheistic religion that his species holds so dearly. Relates how the belief system evolved over time, and how certain sects vary in their opinions.
Waiting for a Land to Call My Own by Halan Koylu. Halan was a Yuke Liro when the Votans left for Earth, and has a story to tell about conditions on the ark, as well as how he was treated on the homeworld. It's...not a pretty story.
You excuse yourself, and once in a private space, you use the Spanish skillbook.
Skill Unlocked! Spanish 2/100. The human language born of Iberia and now dominant in South America. Spoken prominently in the Iberian Cooperative, most nations in South America, and parts of North America.
Satisfied, you put the other three books into your inventory, and head to your next stop. The Castithan haryiv, or martial arts dojo stands in front of you. You open the door, and you see only a large, pristine room, with a Castithan man sitting at a desk in the back reading a pamphlet. You check. He's definitely the guy in charge.
"Excuse me, sir?"
Avizu Hyaro looks up at you, almost as if he's confused as to why you are. "Yes?"
"I'd...like to sign up to take courses."
"Really? Hmm. Don't see your kind here often. Well. Classes are Monday, Wednesday, and Sunday at seven. 10 scrips a month."
"I'll be there,"
Lovely to know that casual racism towards people not like yourself isn't just a human thing. You leave the instructor with a mild bit of annoyance and offense taken. -10 Scrips.
You'll admit, the next twenty minutes are mostly just walking around and looking for Irathients. Eventually, you give up and look for the blacksmith. You struggle to remember his name, before you mentally shrug and just go looking for him. Davan Nyoraj.
The smith gives you a look of inspection, before returning to his machinery. You're admittedly a bit confused, but you speak up anyway. You use the traditional L'Irathi greeting to start the conversation. "I greet you with weaponless arms and an open heart."
The Irathient briefly gains a smile. "It has been a long while since I have spoken my own tongue. Even my fellows here in Defiance do not often use it."
"Disappointing, aligned stranger. Would you care to share tales of blood?" you respond politely. Tales of blood is a bit less metal than you would think, it actually means war stories.
"An acceptable request. I shall start small. I slayed a ~~~~ with my bare hands just last lunar cycle."
You hold your arms out wide, and regale him of your battle with the hellbugs, leaving out the part about the Gamer power. The conversation lasts for the better part of an hour, and you develop that particular skill quite well. +3 L'Irathi! L'Irathi 7/25. Increased relations with Davan Nyoraj (Neutral to Friendly).
The day feels shorter than it should, and you have an hour of daylight left. You spend it jogging around town, getting a feel for Defiance and its parts. You steer clear of the Hollows after seeing what you think was a drug deal, but otherwise it was an entirely pleasant occasion. +2 Vitality.
Tomorrow is Friday, April 6, 2046. You have a variety of things you can do. Please select six actions to take to enrich yourself and your strength.
[ ] Choose where to put your five stats! Below, choose where to put your stats. You cannot put more than three into the same choice.
---[ ] Write in.
[ ] Read the books. Could give valuable information on the cultures of this brave new world. You can choose up to two. 1 action each.
---[ ] The War of the Three Hells
---[ ] Hello, New York! Recollections of a Life in the Big Apple
---[ ] The World Hatched Anew: Our Love for Our Gods
---[ ] Waiting for a Land to Call My Own
[ ] Visit the library to return the two books you've finished, and acquire two more. 40% chance of one being a skillbook. You can buy library books for 10 scrips. Counts as 1 action. You can choose 2 books/book subjects below, or write-in.
---[ ] Get the book Our Flag Was Still There, describing the survival of the United States after the Pale Wars. You could use some patriotism right now.
---[ ] More stuff on post-war human culture.
---[ ] Focus on human geopolitics post-war.
---[ ] Write-in. Please don't be a smartass and write 'something that's a skillbook'.
[ ] Look into jobs. A wealthy merchant wants someone to wash his roller. It's not a very dignified job, but it looks like it pays well, and you only have to do the exterior. Materials for doing the job are provided by Mr. Bedford. 100% chance of success. 30-70 EXP. 50 Scrips. Counts as 1 action.
[ ] Look into jobs. The restaurant Delights of Daribo wants someone to help paint the exterior. They're willing to pay a small amount for anyone willing to work. 95% chance of success. 25-60 EXP. 30 Scrips. Increased relations with Delights of Daribo. Increased relations with Swoga Tilemso. 40% chance of Housework skill. Counts as 1 action.
[ ] Look into jobs. Defiance is a mining town, and almost all of its mines are controlled by a fellow named Rafe McCawley. Maybe you can get a job as a miner? Rewards 120-160 scrips per day. 80% chance of success. Counts as 1 action, unless you succeed, in which case, it's 3. New skills, potential rewards, EXP. Job has unreliable levels of security (cave-ins, scrappers, hellbugs, etc.). You'll compete with other workers for who gets the more profitable shafts or exploration duties.
[ ] Look into jobs. Maybe Clancy needs a junior Lawkeeper to help out? Rewards 3200 scrip per month, other benefits, new skills, allies, EXP chances. 60% chance of success. Counts as 1 action, unless you get the job, whereupon its 4 per day, and you get a new Title.
[ ] Look into jobs. There's an Earth Republic recruitment officer giving out pamphlets on joining the Terran Unitary Expeditionary, a place for people to get a new life serving in the military. Life will be hard if you get in, but you think you can handle it. See new places, kill interesting people. It'll be fun. Rewards 2500 Scrip per month, other benefits, new skills, EXP chances. 60% chance of success. Counts as 1 action, changes the quest entirely if you succeed. You will get a new title.
[ ] Explore the town on your own. 1 action each. Rewards are a surprise. Will expand Sam's knowledge, allies, and armory in varying ways.
---[ ] Go to the Need/Want and just talk to people. Might meet someone interesting.
---[ ] Find some Irathients and strike up a conversation. You want to grind up your L'Irathi. 80% chance of success.
---[ ] Go to the bookstore to see if they have any particular skillbooks you might want. 60% chance of success.
[ ] Go to the bazaar/shop section. 1 action each. Write in for details. I will respond with the cost if not stated.
---[ ] Buy weapons.
---[ ] Buy new clothes.
---[ ] Buy an alarm clock. 15 scrips.
[ ] Grind your skills.
---[ ] Write in with elaboration.
Hey, @mysterius, I've got a job opportunity for you. Every three updates, would you mind doing what you just did with the inventory/info page again? I'll give you 1 stat point every three updates you do it. (1.4, 1.5, and 1.6 would give you 1 stat point, and so on.) I'm just no good with it, and inventory management is my least favorite part of Gamer quests. That offer stands for other people if Myst doesn't accept.
Yes, yes. I'm not going to do the inventory page again. I'm just tired of it, honestly. I might reconsider when I wake up in the morning, but the inventory is easily the worst part of Gamer quests.
Aside from that, not much in this update. First combat scene, yeah. Questions, comments, criticism welcome. I might want to redo this one, admittedly.
I think that this is everything gained in this update, condensed into brief mentions.
Level Up! Level 4, 54/630 EXP. 5 Stats.
+60 Scrips.
+4 Pieces of Hellbug Chitin
+1 Dex
+2 Vit
+3 L'Irathi
+1 Observe
New Skill: Blunt Weapons Mastery
New Skill: Spanish
3 Hellbug Skitterlings Killed
Thursday, April 5, 2046
Defiance, Earth, Sol System, Terra Ferox Universe
You leave your house almost immediately after waking up, first making sure that you look normal. You do. Your clothes don't even smell. That's another benefit of the Gamer power, you suppose. You make a beeline for the border guard outpost with the papers in hand.
Rick greets you amicably, with a man in uniform and four others in casual clothes standing around him. Taking a look at the paper in your hands, he grins. "You looking to join the clean up effort?"
"It's good money."
He nods. "You're in. Looks like the next guy is already here. We can get this started."
A burly Castithan nods at you as he walks past. Huh. You haven't seen one that wasn't skinny. You assumed that being lanky was just a think that was cross species for them. The man, Alzat, speaks to Rick for a few minutes before being allowed in the group. He gets a look of disgust from a human, a miner apparently.
"Alright, ladies. Get in the back of the pickup, we're going to kick some tree ass."
A lighthearted whoop comes from a different human. You Observed him, but you don't particularly care about him, so you don't think you'll remember it anyway. The drive is boring and bumpy, with most of the group silent or expectant of the job. You wish Defiance had paved roads.
Rick stops the roller by the first tree, and gets out of the truck with his partner. The job goes exactly as you thought it would be. Eight guys standing around a tree and picking it up. For around five or six times before anything interesting happens.
One of the men, another handyman named Recife points to something in panic. "Hellbugs!"
You curse. Clancy warned you of them, but you've never actually seen them before. They're...disgusting. Fierce looking crab things with a Sarlacc mouth and odd protrusions from the head.
Hellbug Skitterling. Level Three. 150/150 HP. 0/0 MP. Annoying little buggers. They have a habit of dodging attack at the last minute, and being generally annoying overall. Kill them quickly, before they create an entire hive, or worse, bring an existing one down on your heads.
+1 Observe! Observe 8/100.
You're carrying an axe, borrowed from the border guards, and you rush towards one, bringing the wood chopper down on its skull. Saying it bounced off would be inaccurate, but it doesn't do very much. Another hellbug leaps at you, and Alzat gives you a timely rescue, jamming another axe into the monstrosity's skull.
After seeing your previous efforts fail, you change tactics, and swipe the axe from the side. The skitterling's mouth is constantly open, and it seems that there isn't much flesh in between thin air and the inside of its mouth. You take the gamble and swing the axe once more. A critically damaging hit. The first creature is down to 50 Health, and an enormous hole appears in the side of its face.
Rick takes out a shotgun, and fires into the third one right after Alzat narrowly blocks its bite with his axe, unfortunately breaking the weapon. It doesn't kill the creature, but the hellbugs skitter backwards out of uncertainty if anything. You don't look the gift horse in the mouth. A final blow kills the hellbug, and creates a new skill. +15 EXP.
Skill Unlocked! Blunt Weapons Mastery 1/100. Sometimes mankind's (and Votan-kind's) worst problems are solved by hitting with a big stick. Or axe. Or baseball bat. This skill covers blunt weapons, and your skill, speed, and number of critical hits when using them.
You dismiss the messages, and turn to the next enemy. The hellbug that tried to bite Alzat gets an axe tearing into its side, piercing through one 'cheek' right through the next, before you pull your weapon out and draw back. The creature isn't retaliating, so you move in for a final blow. +15 EXP.
The skitterling Rick shot is sprawled on the ground, almost done, and you finish it, mostly for the EXP. +10 EXP. Huh. Wounded creatures give less EXP. 40 Exp isn't exactly peanuts, though, so you'll take it. +1 Dexterity. And a little skill boost. Always convenient.
In total, the three creatures dropped 18 scrips, and four pieces of Hellbug Chitin. That stuff can be used to make armor, so you keep it. "Alzat, Rick, you guys helped me, so you guys can have the scrips. I'll keep the chitin."
A human worker speaks up. "So, are we going to talk about the fact that those corpses disappeared? And left behind money?"
You arch an eyebrow. "No. Why?"
Rick looks like he's about to say something, before he stifles it and looks away. "Okay, let's finish the job, everyone."
Besides Alzat, the others give you a wide berth as you do your job. The eight of you roll the tree into the side of the road, just like the others before. You get back in the truck, and enjoy a bit more space than before, as those assembled give you suspicious or downright fearful looks.
Finally, you arrive back at Defiance. You speak up. "I trust that none of you will talk, since I did just save your lives back there? I enjoy a bit of privacy, and I would like to keep it."
Heads shake all around, and you aren't sure, but you don't think anyone will talk about this. The quest finishes when Rick hands you your well earned scrip. +80 Scrips. +107 EXP. Increased relations with Defiance Border Patrol (Neutral to Friendly). Increased relations with Alzat Hinlo (Neutral to Friendly).
The Castithan shakes your hand as the other humans leave. "Thank you for what you did back there. Feel free to call me if you ever need to kick some more ass."
His voice is brusque and quick, like you expected. You return the shake. "I'll do that."
Alzat leaves, satisfied at that. Level Up! 5 Stat Points Gained! 54/630 EXP!
Huh. He might be a good ally in the future. Alzat Hinlo. Level Three. 250/250 HP. 50/50 MP. Formerly the favored son of the Hinlo clan, Alzat ran away from home after being forced into an arranged marriage. He is currently lying low in Defiance doing odd jobs. Wow. You shake your head, and continue on with the day.
Miss Gonzalez at the library gives you three new books, as well as letting you buy the Spanish textbook. -10 Scrips. You Observe all of the books, naturally. They're on the topic of Votan assimilation into human society and native Votan culture. You get one of the former and two of the latter, while returning the books you previously had.
Hello, New York! Recollections of a Life in the Big Apple by Stephanie Yardash. A young girl adopted by interspecies parents, Stephanie describes her childhood living in a Votan neighborhood in the capital of Columbia. It tells of heartbreak, systematic discrimination, triumphs, and focuses on the belief that maybe the two systems can come together to make a greater world.
The World Hatched Anew: Our Love for Our Gods by Kaarti Sishemo. A Liberata cleric wrote this thesis to explain to humans (and even other Votans) about the polytheistic religion that his species holds so dearly. Relates how the belief system evolved over time, and how certain sects vary in their opinions.
Waiting for a Land to Call My Own by Halan Koylu. Halan was a Yuke Liro when the Votans left for Earth, and has a story to tell about conditions on the ark, as well as how he was treated on the homeworld. It's...not a pretty story.
You excuse yourself, and once in a private space, you use the Spanish skillbook.
Skill Unlocked! Spanish 2/100. The human language born of Iberia and now dominant in South America. Spoken prominently in the Iberian Cooperative, most nations in South America, and parts of North America.
Satisfied, you put the other three books into your inventory, and head to your next stop. The Castithan haryiv, or martial arts dojo stands in front of you. You open the door, and you see only a large, pristine room, with a Castithan man sitting at a desk in the back reading a pamphlet. You check. He's definitely the guy in charge.
"Excuse me, sir?"
Avizu Hyaro looks up at you, almost as if he's confused as to why you are. "Yes?"
"I'd...like to sign up to take courses."
"Really? Hmm. Don't see your kind here often. Well. Classes are Monday, Wednesday, and Sunday at seven. 10 scrips a month."
"I'll be there,"
Lovely to know that casual racism towards people not like yourself isn't just a human thing. You leave the instructor with a mild bit of annoyance and offense taken. -10 Scrips.
You'll admit, the next twenty minutes are mostly just walking around and looking for Irathients. Eventually, you give up and look for the blacksmith. You struggle to remember his name, before you mentally shrug and just go looking for him. Davan Nyoraj.
The smith gives you a look of inspection, before returning to his machinery. You're admittedly a bit confused, but you speak up anyway. You use the traditional L'Irathi greeting to start the conversation. "I greet you with weaponless arms and an open heart."
The Irathient briefly gains a smile. "It has been a long while since I have spoken my own tongue. Even my fellows here in Defiance do not often use it."
"Disappointing, aligned stranger. Would you care to share tales of blood?" you respond politely. Tales of blood is a bit less metal than you would think, it actually means war stories.
"An acceptable request. I shall start small. I slayed a ~~~~ with my bare hands just last lunar cycle."
You hold your arms out wide, and regale him of your battle with the hellbugs, leaving out the part about the Gamer power. The conversation lasts for the better part of an hour, and you develop that particular skill quite well. +3 L'Irathi! L'Irathi 7/25. Increased relations with Davan Nyoraj (Neutral to Friendly).
The day feels shorter than it should, and you have an hour of daylight left. You spend it jogging around town, getting a feel for Defiance and its parts. You steer clear of the Hollows after seeing what you think was a drug deal, but otherwise it was an entirely pleasant occasion. +2 Vitality.
Tomorrow is Friday, April 6, 2046. You have a variety of things you can do. Please select six actions to take to enrich yourself and your strength.
[ ] Choose where to put your five stats! Below, choose where to put your stats. You cannot put more than three into the same choice.
---[ ] Write in.
[ ] Read the books. Could give valuable information on the cultures of this brave new world. You can choose up to two. 1 action each.
---[ ] The War of the Three Hells
---[ ] Hello, New York! Recollections of a Life in the Big Apple
---[ ] The World Hatched Anew: Our Love for Our Gods
---[ ] Waiting for a Land to Call My Own
[ ] Visit the library to return the two books you've finished, and acquire two more. 40% chance of one being a skillbook. You can buy library books for 10 scrips. Counts as 1 action. You can choose 2 books/book subjects below, or write-in.
---[ ] Get the book Our Flag Was Still There, describing the survival of the United States after the Pale Wars. You could use some patriotism right now.
---[ ] More stuff on post-war human culture.
---[ ] Focus on human geopolitics post-war.
---[ ] Write-in. Please don't be a smartass and write 'something that's a skillbook'.
[ ] Look into jobs. A wealthy merchant wants someone to wash his roller. It's not a very dignified job, but it looks like it pays well, and you only have to do the exterior. Materials for doing the job are provided by Mr. Bedford. 100% chance of success. 30-70 EXP. 50 Scrips. Counts as 1 action.
[ ] Look into jobs. The restaurant Delights of Daribo wants someone to help paint the exterior. They're willing to pay a small amount for anyone willing to work. 95% chance of success. 25-60 EXP. 30 Scrips. Increased relations with Delights of Daribo. Increased relations with Swoga Tilemso. 40% chance of Housework skill. Counts as 1 action.
[ ] Look into jobs. Defiance is a mining town, and almost all of its mines are controlled by a fellow named Rafe McCawley. Maybe you can get a job as a miner? Rewards 120-160 scrips per day. 80% chance of success. Counts as 1 action, unless you succeed, in which case, it's 3. New skills, potential rewards, EXP. Job has unreliable levels of security (cave-ins, scrappers, hellbugs, etc.). You'll compete with other workers for who gets the more profitable shafts or exploration duties.
[ ] Look into jobs. Maybe Clancy needs a junior Lawkeeper to help out? Rewards 3200 scrip per month, other benefits, new skills, allies, EXP chances. 60% chance of success. Counts as 1 action, unless you get the job, whereupon its 4 per day, and you get a new Title.
[ ] Look into jobs. There's an Earth Republic recruitment officer giving out pamphlets on joining the Terran Unitary Expeditionary, a place for people to get a new life serving in the military. Life will be hard if you get in, but you think you can handle it. See new places, kill interesting people. It'll be fun. Rewards 2500 Scrip per month, other benefits, new skills, EXP chances. 60% chance of success. Counts as 1 action, changes the quest entirely if you succeed. You will get a new title.
[ ] Explore the town on your own. 1 action each. Rewards are a surprise. Will expand Sam's knowledge, allies, and armory in varying ways.
---[ ] Go to the Need/Want and just talk to people. Might meet someone interesting.
---[ ] Find some Irathients and strike up a conversation. You want to grind up your L'Irathi. 80% chance of success.
---[ ] Go to the bookstore to see if they have any particular skillbooks you might want. 60% chance of success.
[ ] Go to the bazaar/shop section. 1 action each. Write in for details. I will respond with the cost if not stated.
---[ ] Buy weapons.
---[ ] Buy new clothes.
---[ ] Buy an alarm clock. 15 scrips.
[ ] Grind your skills.
---[ ] Write in with elaboration.
Hey, @mysterius, I've got a job opportunity for you. Every three updates, would you mind doing what you just did with the inventory/info page again? I'll give you 1 stat point every three updates you do it. (1.4, 1.5, and 1.6 would give you 1 stat point, and so on.) I'm just no good with it, and inventory management is my least favorite part of Gamer quests. That offer stands for other people if Myst doesn't accept.
Yes, yes. I'm not going to do the inventory page again. I'm just tired of it, honestly. I might reconsider when I wake up in the morning, but the inventory is easily the worst part of Gamer quests.
Aside from that, not much in this update. First combat scene, yeah. Questions, comments, criticism welcome. I might want to redo this one, admittedly.
I think that this is everything gained in this update, condensed into brief mentions.
Level Up! Level 4, 54/630 EXP. 5 Stats.
+60 Scrips.
+4 Pieces of Hellbug Chitin
+1 Dex
+2 Vit
+3 L'Irathi
+1 Observe
New Skill: Blunt Weapons Mastery
New Skill: Spanish
3 Hellbug Skitterlings Killed
Last edited:
1.5
1.05
Friday, April 6, 2046
Defiance, Earth, Sol System, Terra Ferox Universe
After a night's contemplation, you decide to save your stat points for later. They will be useful in the future, but you don't think you need them immediately, not when you can simply grind them up easily in the immediate term.
You've got more specialized plans in mind for today. You're going to go to the bookstore, look for something on meditation and cooking, buy a book or two for each, and then you're going to go find a secluded spot in the wilderness and grind.
The bookstore is owned by a human couple, and is staffed by a Liberata man you don't remember the name of. The Defiance Bookshop doesn't exactly have an inspiring name, but it will serve its purpose. There are more options than at the library, which makes a small degree of sense, you suppose.
You greet Mr. Chavis amicably as you enter, and it doesn't take you terribly long to find two books, one on egg recipes (it was only a scrip and it was a skillbook) and the other on Kundalini yoga. It's the only book on meditation in the store, but it's definitely functional. Eight scrips, but it's definitely worth it.
-8 Scrips.
Skill Unlocked! Cooking 1/100. The most basic art for survival of any sapient and sentient species. You understand the basics of boiling, brisking, baking, and all that nonsense in regards to Terran foods familiar to the average North American. Food tastes 1% better, requires 1% less ingredients, and gradual development of subskills. Percentages increase by 1 with each level up of this skill.
Skill Unlocked! Kundalini Meditation 1/100. One of the most powerful and comprehensive methods of yoga for achieving mental clarity and transcendence. Simply visualize the stars, the earth, and the body, and perform the proper mantras to receive your physical and mental rewards. Practice for one hour per day in order to gain +1 Vitality, +2 Intellect, +5 Wisdom, and +50% mana regeneration for the remainder of the day. Practice one full session for 40 days and double those bonuses. Further skills for this meditative ability will unlock as you progress on your path to enlightenment.
Fuck yes. Oh, this is awesome. That kundalini skill will take a while to be useful when compared to how long it takes to activate, but still. Damn, this is wonderful. You somehow manage to resist the urge to fist-bump yourself, and leave Defiance for the outside world.
Well, you don't actually mean the outside world. The stasis net surrounding the town has an enormous berth, most likely in preparation for future growth of the town, and there's a sizable amount of privacy to be found in the minor forests contained within the city limits. It doesn't take too long to get too, and after half an hour of searching, you find a place that's both easy to get out of, close to town, and difficult to see.
The tree in front of you is very convenient. It's large, aged, and easy to punch without seriously injuring yourself. You wanted to get your skill up with martial arts, so you might as well start now. You throw a right jab at the bark, essentially just to get yourself started. Another. Again. Repeat. After seven punches or so, you unlock a new skill.
Skill Unlocked! Unarmed Mastery 1/100! Ah, man's most trustworthy friend. His own fists! You know the basics of unarmed combat, particularly brawling and punching. 1% additional damage to unarmed attacks, 1% additional speed to unarmed combats, and no damage taken from punching or kicking other enemies. +1% each level of Unarmed Mastery.
Heh. Excellent. Now, in the original Gamer, Han Jee-Han had his own special attack that he used with the baseball bat, before he started getting into all that weird Abyss magic. You don't have that advantage, so Power Strike is very convenient at this early stage.
You take several swings at the tree, all with the best of your strength put into it. At this point, you have roughly above average strength, so it isn't terribly impressive, but your power at least acknowledges what you're trying to do.
Skill Unlocked! Power Strike 1/100! Sometimes you just need to hit something really hard. Costs 20 MP per use. 15% extra chance of critical chance. 25% extra damage on said attack. Increases by 1% and 25% each level of this skill.
Fuck yes. Okay. Time to test your stamina. You want to know how long you can keep up your punches. You try it, and you end up with one hundred and eighty three punches, including a few Power Strikes you throw in there. +2 Unarmed Mastery! Unarmed Mastery 3/100. +1 Power Strike! Power Strike 2/100.
You'll freely admit, the rest of the day was spectacularly boring. Punch. Punch. Wait for mana to restore. It's nothing to write home about, but you manage to bring down four trees over the course of your training. You even find six scrips on the ground as you walk home. +6 Scrips.
+10 Unarmed Mastery! Unarmed Mastery 13/100. +5 Power Strike! Power Strike 7/100. +1 Observe! Observe 9/100. +4 Dexterity. +1 Vitality.
Life is good.
You didn't do much in the way of jobs today, but you gained an impressive amount of power. What are you going to do tomorrow, on April 6, 2046? Remember that you have six actions to take.
[ ] Meditate. Become one with the stars, the Earth, and yourself. Take the path towards ascendancy. Unlock the benefits of Kundalini Meditation for the day.
[ ] Read the books. Could give valuable information on the cultures of this brave new world. You can choose up to two. 1 action each.
---[ ] The War of the Three Hells
---[ ] Hello, New York! Recollections of a Life in the Big Apple
---[ ] The World Hatched Anew: Our Love for Our Gods
---[ ] Waiting for a Land to Call My Own
[ ] Visit the library to acquire some new reading material. 40% chance of one being a skillbook. You can buy library books for 10 scrips, although Miss Gonzalez won't like it. Counts as 1 action. You can choose 1 books/book subjects below, or write-in.
---[ ] Get the book Our Flag Was Still There, describing the survival of the United States after the Pale Wars. You could use some patriotism right now.
---[ ] More stuff on post-war human culture.
---[ ] Focus on human geopolitics post-war.
---[ ] Write-in. Please don't be a smartass and write 'something that's a skillbook'.
[ ] Look into jobs. A wealthy merchant wants someone to wash his roller. It's not a very dignified job, but it looks like it pays well, and you only have to do the exterior. Materials for doing the job are provided by Mr. Bedford. 100% chance of success. 30-70 EXP. 50 Scrips. Counts as 1 action.
[ ] Look into jobs. The restaurant Delights of Daribo wants someone to help paint the exterior. They're willing to pay a small amount for anyone willing to work. 95% chance of success. 25-60 EXP. 30 Scrips. Increased relations with Delights of Daribo. Increased relations with Swoga Tilemso. 40% chance of Housework skill. Counts as 1 action.
---[ ] Instead of scrips, ask for lessons in cooking Castithan food. +2 to Cooking.
[ ] Look into jobs. Defiance is a mining town, and almost all of its mines are controlled by a fellow named Rafe McCawley. Maybe you can get a job as a miner? Rewards 120-160 scrips per day. 80% chance of success. Counts as 1 action, unless you succeed, in which case, it's 3. New skills, potential rewards, EXP. Job has unreliable levels of security (cave-ins, scrappers, hellbugs, etc.). You'll compete with other workers for who gets the more profitable shafts or exploration duties.
[ ] Look into jobs. Maybe Clancy needs a junior Lawkeeper to help out? Rewards 3200 scrip per month, other benefits, new skills, allies, EXP chances. 60% chance of success. Counts as 1 action, unless you get the job, whereupon its 4 per day, and you get a new Title.
[ ] Look into jobs. There's an Earth Republic recruitment officer giving out pamphlets on joining the Terran Unitary Expeditionary, a place for people to get a new life serving in the military. Life will be hard if you get in, but you think you can handle it. See new places, kill interesting people. It'll be fun. Rewards 2500 Scrip per month, other benefits, new skills, EXP chances. 60% chance of success. Counts as 1 action, changes the quest entirely if you succeed. You will get a new title.
[ ] Explore the town on your own. 1 action each. Rewards are a surprise. Will expand Sam's knowledge, allies, and armory in varying ways.
---[ ] Go to the Need/Want and just talk to people. Might meet someone interesting.
---[ ] Find some Irathients and strike up a conversation. You want to grind up your L'Irathi. 80% chance of success.
---[ ] Go to the bookstore to see if they have any particular skillbooks you might want. 60% chance of success.
[ ] Go to the haryiv. You're going to get your money's worth for training in Castithan martial arts. +2 to Unarmed Mastery. 90% chance of Nefkivaniro skill.
[ ] Go to the bazaar/shop section. 1 action each. Write in for details. I will respond with the cost if not stated.
---[ ] Buy weapons.
---[ ] Buy new clothes.
---[ ] Buy an alarm clock. 15 scrips.
[ ] Grind your skills.
---[ ] Write in with elaboration.
Slow update, mostly because there wasn't really much to do in the vote. Next one should be different.
Also, I spent around an hour and a half on yoga websites lokoing for kundalini meditative specifics. The kind of websites that are like "Reach Enlightenment from 5 easy payments!"
Nefkivaniro is supposedly a Casti martial art, but the only source is a Tumblr page, so I'm not sure on the accuracy. Datak apparently uses it, so you all know how I'm going to write it if you've seen the show.
Finally, the boring stuff. Here's what you gained in this update.
-2 Scrips.
New Skill! Cooking (goes under Cooking category)
New Skill! Kundalini Meditation (goes under Transhumanism/Psionics Category)
New Skill! Unarmed Mastery (+12, Level 13) (goes under Combat category)
New Skill! Power Strike (+6, Level 7) (goes under Combat category)
+1 Observe Skill
+4 Dexterity.
+1 Vitality.
+5 HP (because of +1 Vit. I already edited the pastebin to include the VIT you've already gained)
Rolls this update.
96, 92 for Meditation/Cooking Respectively
96 for Random Encounter (WTF?)
Friday, April 6, 2046
Defiance, Earth, Sol System, Terra Ferox Universe
After a night's contemplation, you decide to save your stat points for later. They will be useful in the future, but you don't think you need them immediately, not when you can simply grind them up easily in the immediate term.
You've got more specialized plans in mind for today. You're going to go to the bookstore, look for something on meditation and cooking, buy a book or two for each, and then you're going to go find a secluded spot in the wilderness and grind.
The bookstore is owned by a human couple, and is staffed by a Liberata man you don't remember the name of. The Defiance Bookshop doesn't exactly have an inspiring name, but it will serve its purpose. There are more options than at the library, which makes a small degree of sense, you suppose.
You greet Mr. Chavis amicably as you enter, and it doesn't take you terribly long to find two books, one on egg recipes (it was only a scrip and it was a skillbook) and the other on Kundalini yoga. It's the only book on meditation in the store, but it's definitely functional. Eight scrips, but it's definitely worth it.
-8 Scrips.
Skill Unlocked! Cooking 1/100. The most basic art for survival of any sapient and sentient species. You understand the basics of boiling, brisking, baking, and all that nonsense in regards to Terran foods familiar to the average North American. Food tastes 1% better, requires 1% less ingredients, and gradual development of subskills. Percentages increase by 1 with each level up of this skill.
Skill Unlocked! Kundalini Meditation 1/100. One of the most powerful and comprehensive methods of yoga for achieving mental clarity and transcendence. Simply visualize the stars, the earth, and the body, and perform the proper mantras to receive your physical and mental rewards. Practice for one hour per day in order to gain +1 Vitality, +2 Intellect, +5 Wisdom, and +50% mana regeneration for the remainder of the day. Practice one full session for 40 days and double those bonuses. Further skills for this meditative ability will unlock as you progress on your path to enlightenment.
Fuck yes. Oh, this is awesome. That kundalini skill will take a while to be useful when compared to how long it takes to activate, but still. Damn, this is wonderful. You somehow manage to resist the urge to fist-bump yourself, and leave Defiance for the outside world.
Well, you don't actually mean the outside world. The stasis net surrounding the town has an enormous berth, most likely in preparation for future growth of the town, and there's a sizable amount of privacy to be found in the minor forests contained within the city limits. It doesn't take too long to get too, and after half an hour of searching, you find a place that's both easy to get out of, close to town, and difficult to see.
The tree in front of you is very convenient. It's large, aged, and easy to punch without seriously injuring yourself. You wanted to get your skill up with martial arts, so you might as well start now. You throw a right jab at the bark, essentially just to get yourself started. Another. Again. Repeat. After seven punches or so, you unlock a new skill.
Skill Unlocked! Unarmed Mastery 1/100! Ah, man's most trustworthy friend. His own fists! You know the basics of unarmed combat, particularly brawling and punching. 1% additional damage to unarmed attacks, 1% additional speed to unarmed combats, and no damage taken from punching or kicking other enemies. +1% each level of Unarmed Mastery.
Heh. Excellent. Now, in the original Gamer, Han Jee-Han had his own special attack that he used with the baseball bat, before he started getting into all that weird Abyss magic. You don't have that advantage, so Power Strike is very convenient at this early stage.
You take several swings at the tree, all with the best of your strength put into it. At this point, you have roughly above average strength, so it isn't terribly impressive, but your power at least acknowledges what you're trying to do.
Skill Unlocked! Power Strike 1/100! Sometimes you just need to hit something really hard. Costs 20 MP per use. 15% extra chance of critical chance. 25% extra damage on said attack. Increases by 1% and 25% each level of this skill.
Fuck yes. Okay. Time to test your stamina. You want to know how long you can keep up your punches. You try it, and you end up with one hundred and eighty three punches, including a few Power Strikes you throw in there. +2 Unarmed Mastery! Unarmed Mastery 3/100. +1 Power Strike! Power Strike 2/100.
You'll freely admit, the rest of the day was spectacularly boring. Punch. Punch. Wait for mana to restore. It's nothing to write home about, but you manage to bring down four trees over the course of your training. You even find six scrips on the ground as you walk home. +6 Scrips.
+10 Unarmed Mastery! Unarmed Mastery 13/100. +5 Power Strike! Power Strike 7/100. +1 Observe! Observe 9/100. +4 Dexterity. +1 Vitality.
Life is good.
You didn't do much in the way of jobs today, but you gained an impressive amount of power. What are you going to do tomorrow, on April 6, 2046? Remember that you have six actions to take.
[ ] Meditate. Become one with the stars, the Earth, and yourself. Take the path towards ascendancy. Unlock the benefits of Kundalini Meditation for the day.
[ ] Read the books. Could give valuable information on the cultures of this brave new world. You can choose up to two. 1 action each.
---[ ] The War of the Three Hells
---[ ] Hello, New York! Recollections of a Life in the Big Apple
---[ ] The World Hatched Anew: Our Love for Our Gods
---[ ] Waiting for a Land to Call My Own
[ ] Visit the library to acquire some new reading material. 40% chance of one being a skillbook. You can buy library books for 10 scrips, although Miss Gonzalez won't like it. Counts as 1 action. You can choose 1 books/book subjects below, or write-in.
---[ ] Get the book Our Flag Was Still There, describing the survival of the United States after the Pale Wars. You could use some patriotism right now.
---[ ] More stuff on post-war human culture.
---[ ] Focus on human geopolitics post-war.
---[ ] Write-in. Please don't be a smartass and write 'something that's a skillbook'.
[ ] Look into jobs. A wealthy merchant wants someone to wash his roller. It's not a very dignified job, but it looks like it pays well, and you only have to do the exterior. Materials for doing the job are provided by Mr. Bedford. 100% chance of success. 30-70 EXP. 50 Scrips. Counts as 1 action.
[ ] Look into jobs. The restaurant Delights of Daribo wants someone to help paint the exterior. They're willing to pay a small amount for anyone willing to work. 95% chance of success. 25-60 EXP. 30 Scrips. Increased relations with Delights of Daribo. Increased relations with Swoga Tilemso. 40% chance of Housework skill. Counts as 1 action.
---[ ] Instead of scrips, ask for lessons in cooking Castithan food. +2 to Cooking.
[ ] Look into jobs. Defiance is a mining town, and almost all of its mines are controlled by a fellow named Rafe McCawley. Maybe you can get a job as a miner? Rewards 120-160 scrips per day. 80% chance of success. Counts as 1 action, unless you succeed, in which case, it's 3. New skills, potential rewards, EXP. Job has unreliable levels of security (cave-ins, scrappers, hellbugs, etc.). You'll compete with other workers for who gets the more profitable shafts or exploration duties.
[ ] Look into jobs. Maybe Clancy needs a junior Lawkeeper to help out? Rewards 3200 scrip per month, other benefits, new skills, allies, EXP chances. 60% chance of success. Counts as 1 action, unless you get the job, whereupon its 4 per day, and you get a new Title.
[ ] Look into jobs. There's an Earth Republic recruitment officer giving out pamphlets on joining the Terran Unitary Expeditionary, a place for people to get a new life serving in the military. Life will be hard if you get in, but you think you can handle it. See new places, kill interesting people. It'll be fun. Rewards 2500 Scrip per month, other benefits, new skills, EXP chances. 60% chance of success. Counts as 1 action, changes the quest entirely if you succeed. You will get a new title.
[ ] Explore the town on your own. 1 action each. Rewards are a surprise. Will expand Sam's knowledge, allies, and armory in varying ways.
---[ ] Go to the Need/Want and just talk to people. Might meet someone interesting.
---[ ] Find some Irathients and strike up a conversation. You want to grind up your L'Irathi. 80% chance of success.
---[ ] Go to the bookstore to see if they have any particular skillbooks you might want. 60% chance of success.
[ ] Go to the haryiv. You're going to get your money's worth for training in Castithan martial arts. +2 to Unarmed Mastery. 90% chance of Nefkivaniro skill.
[ ] Go to the bazaar/shop section. 1 action each. Write in for details. I will respond with the cost if not stated.
---[ ] Buy weapons.
---[ ] Buy new clothes.
---[ ] Buy an alarm clock. 15 scrips.
[ ] Grind your skills.
---[ ] Write in with elaboration.
Slow update, mostly because there wasn't really much to do in the vote. Next one should be different.
Also, I spent around an hour and a half on yoga websites lokoing for kundalini meditative specifics. The kind of websites that are like "Reach Enlightenment from 5 easy payments!"
Nefkivaniro is supposedly a Casti martial art, but the only source is a Tumblr page, so I'm not sure on the accuracy. Datak apparently uses it, so you all know how I'm going to write it if you've seen the show.
Finally, the boring stuff. Here's what you gained in this update.
-2 Scrips.
New Skill! Cooking (goes under Cooking category)
New Skill! Kundalini Meditation (goes under Transhumanism/Psionics Category)
New Skill! Unarmed Mastery (+12, Level 13) (goes under Combat category)
New Skill! Power Strike (+6, Level 7) (goes under Combat category)
+1 Observe Skill
+4 Dexterity.
+1 Vitality.
+5 HP (because of +1 Vit. I already edited the pastebin to include the VIT you've already gained)
Rolls this update.
96, 92 for Meditation/Cooking Respectively
96 for Random Encounter (WTF?)
1.6
1.06
Saturday, April 7, 2046
Defiance, Earth, Sol System, Terra Ferox Universe
The star's rays shine down upon you, beckoning in a most warm manner. You reflexively smile as you feel it, barely even noticing the seven continents of your homeworld beneath you, and Luna to your side. In the real world, your feet twitch as you rub them together. Sol's light rapidly grows as you do so, consuming the outer planets entirely, with you along with them.
Ziemia. Diqiu. Prithvi. Dikora. Chikyu. Tierra. Urutho. Zemlya. Dharati. Earth. Holy Terra.
The light cleanses you. Everything that could qualify as obviously negative leaves your body and mind entirely. Desire. Sinfulness. Even the odd feeling you get when you try to feel your internal organs and find them gone.
The cradle of humanity. The refuge for the Votans. A bleeding world.
You allow yourself to bask in the temporary enlightenment, before you reach out for the ball of light. Earth can be better. Earth needs to be better. You will make it better. Images flash into your mind. A spaceship, captained by a dark-skinned Castithan male, with brown streaks in his hair. It's leaving the atmosphere. Humans in some kind of jungle, all holding hands and chanting. A man ablaze. A soldier. The images grow increasingly unclear.
Is that some kind of purpose? Are you supposed to be seeking those goals? The future? No. No thinking. Just focus. An Irathient man lovingly kisses a smaller human. Two humans raise a flag over a ruined building, which looks unfamiliar to you. Snow-capped mountains fade into nothingness as a bright light comes over them.
Finally, you see a man. Human, mixed race, in ornate wrappings. He's stretching a hand out to you and you attempt to touch him...and the trip ends. You awake from the trance violently, panting as you do so. Isn't meditation supposed to feel good? Well, it did, but damn, was that a bad wake up. You take a look at your stats. Yep. 30 MP per minute, extra stats, it's all there. Kundalini Bonuses Unlocked! Active until 10:33 tonight.
While that experience was...odd, to say the least, it was rewarding, especially since it only took an hour. You head for the marketplace almost immediately after finishing the meditation, since you do need an alarm clock.
The woman at the stall hands you one that's perfectly functional, and powered by solar panels, too. Must be Votan tech. -15 Scrips. You take a note of the place's name. Kathy Xing, Defiance Electronics and Repair. You'll keep her in mind.
You put the alarm clock in your inventory, vowing to put it back when you return to your house. The next step is a restaurant called Delights of Daribo. It's sort of a Castithan cafe, and it needs someone to paint the exterior. It's a menial job, but it's good money, and you might get some cooking tips out of it.
Swoga Tilemso gives you a friendly, human handshake, as opposed to one of the many styles of greetings mentioned in the book on her species' castes. Interesting to note. "The handyman, I presume?"
Her English is a bit stilted, but it's a second language, so you really can't blame her. "Yes, ma'am. You needed someone to paint the building?"
The alien woman smiles. You take another look at her. Not high-class, not even wearing her species' usual grey or white clothing. She's wearing a human apron and a T-shirt and khakis. Not very becoming of a Castithan woman.
"Yes! Here, I'll set the paint out for you. Just deal with the walls, I've already dealt with the roof and the windows and such."
"Awesome. Hey, instead of giving me scrips, could you teach me how to cook Castithan food? I've always been sort of curious."
Swoga blinks, before taking a moment to consider the offer. "Of course! Why, I've always wanted to train someone in my craft!"
Quest Alert!
Paint The Delights of Daribo!
Miss Tilemso wants your help painting the exterior of her restaurant, the Delights of Daribo.
Completion Reward: 26 EXP. +2 to Cooking skill. Increased relations with Delights of Daribo. Increased relations with Swoga Tilemso. 40% chance of Housework skill.
Completion Failure: Decreased relations with Swoga Tilemso. Decreased relations with Delights of Daribo.
You get to work. It takes around an hour and a half to paint the restaurant, and another ten minutes to clean up after yourself. You lug the mostly empty paint jugs into a back closet Miss Tilemso pointed out to you earlier, before wiping your hands with a wet rag.
When you walk inside the restaurant, Miss Tilemso is handing some kind of dessert to a young Castithan woman. You stand back, and let the purchase take place, before you turn the quest in. "I'm finished, ma'am."
Swoga smiles. "Excellent! Just give me a moment to check it out."
+26 EXP. Increased relations with Swoga Tilemso (Neutral to Friendly). Increased relations with Delights of Daribo (Neutral to Friendly).
Skill Unlocked! Housework 1/100. You know how to paint walls, sweep the floor, vacuum the rugs, and the various menial tasks that go into keeping a house nice and fresh. +1% speed to all housework tasks like dish washing or vacuuming.
The next hour is spent learning how to cook Castithan dishes. Swoga only really tells you the very basics, but it's an impressive amount on its own. +2 Cooking! Cooking 3/100. Bulgur ashkan, bahimi ( a type of cookie with whipped cream on the inside), and fizhilo (a vegetable/meat stew) are the three dishes you learn how to make.
They are basic dishes, but you gain an addendum to the Cooking skill's description. The most basic art for survival of any sapient and sentient species. You understand the basics of boiling, brisking, baking, and all that nonsense in regards to foods familiar to the average North American. You're even beginning to grasp how those odd Castithans make their consumables. Food tastes 1% better, requires 1% less ingredients, and gradual development of subskills. Percentages increase by 1 with each level up of this skill.
Nice to know. Very nice. It's not late enough to go to either the haryiv or the Need/Want, so you walk home, excited to read another book.
Hello, New York! is the story of a daughter of a human and Irathient couple named Stephanie Yardash, and her life growing up in New York among two worlds. You open the book, noting the prologue recognizing her parents and their accomplishments as responsible for her current prosperity.
Sammy Collier married Grizar Jandir in 2032, a romance born of a combat medic from the Earth Military Command falling in love with an Irathient prisoner of war. The two moved to New York mostly due to their relationship being unique, and Columbia wanting to show its capital as a place where humans and Votans could cooperate after the brutal Pale Wars.
Sammy and Grizar moved there in 2033, given an almost rent-free home near the dams that kept parts of New York above water. Aggressive terraforming during the war had sunk most of the old city, but, as a matter of prestige, the Earth Republic was working hard at restoring it. After all, New York makes a more impressive capital than Concord or Fredericton, two more logical choices.
8th Neighborhood, or Dariborough, as it was called by the residents as a joke of sorts, was where Stephanie Yardash grew up. She was adopted in 2034, as part of a social experiment conducted by Columbian officials. She was ten years old when she moved in with her new parents. The book explicitly does not mention the orphanage very often, only that it was an unpleasant experience.
Stephanie went to school in a mixed species classroom, with mostly humans and Castithans. The classes were generally arranged to cover Terran history first, with Votanis history as an elective at best, many years having no teacher to speak of for it. The food was almost entirely Terran, despite the enormous number of Votan cooks willing to volunteer their time.
In short, the John Bolton Institute for All Races, or JBI, as it was usually called in casual conversation, was human-biased at best, even if it was subtle. Stephanie was part of the student government, and with four other students, went to the City Council to speak up for an expanded curriculum, that incorporated new materials for this new Earth.
Finally, despite the wishes of the Terrestrian Party, bills were passed, expanding the JBI's options. The student government wasn't entirely active afterwards. Stephanie started dating an Indogene named Wer in her junior year of high school, and the two were together until a tragic incident in 2044, when both of them were about to graduate.
Dark Matter is a Votan supremacist organization that seeks the eradication of humanity and Earth being converted into a planet entirely for the five races. At the graduation ceremony, there was a horrific massacre committed by those extremists. Nineteen humans, two Castithans, one Sensoth, and one Indogene died in the attack.
Stephanie doesn't go into detail about the aftermath, only mentioning that a Columbian stratocarrier paid a visit to a Dark Matter base in the ruins of Baltimore, and that was that. She describes life after high school. She was preparing to join the Columbian Special Forces, as sort of a vengeance for Wer, and right before the implants were put in, her father came rushing into the operation room.
"Don't do it, Little Bear!" Grizar shouted at her in L'Irathi, as two Earth Republic soldiers grabbed him. "Wer wouldn't have wanted this! We don't want this! Boulders, you don't want this!"
That was sort of a turning point for her. She spent several months in therapy, and when she felt better, she went to college. The book was primarily written during this time, and there are more details. Stephanie tells of her embarrassing relationships, her trysts with other classmates, and even one time that she met Trent Adkins at a concert.
Stephanie finishes the book with a very inspirational speech, that you take to heart. Humanity isn't based around biology, or culture, or religion, or anything like that. I think we all learned that during the Pale Wars, and before and after.
Humanity is a concept. We are born of a united spirit, a respect for this planet so many have bled for and loved for. We are one, regardless of whatever species you are. This holy world of ours, it belongs to everyone. I call upon you, the reader, to make this Earth a better place by showing tolerance and respect for your fellow person. It's the least you can do.
It was a heartwarming story, and you're very happy that you read it. Unfortunately, it didn't really teach you anything besides the factoids about postwar New York. You stop to consider what you just thought. This Gamer power is messing up your thinking process. You're only focusing on rewards, and ignoring the simple pleasures of life. That's a bit messed up.
It's 6:22, which is a reasonable time to put the book back in your inventory and head to the haryiv. You get there ten minutes later, early for the classes. Avizu shakes your hand human-style as you enter. The older man smirks at you. "Ready to learn?"
"I suppose I am."
"Well, in this haryiv, learning is...overcoming," he pauses slightly on that last phrase, before he slouches closer to the ground, sweeping one of his legs underneath you. You yelp as you fall to the ground, before you narrowly dodge the instructor's bare foot attempting to slam down upon your face.
"The fuck?" you mutter. You take Avizu's leg into your chest, which hurts, but it isn't that bad. A try to grab it fails, since Avizu is quicker and more dextrous than you are. Your arms flail out in front of you at the failed grasp, and the instructor takes full advantage, kneeing you in your chest.
You stumble backwards, and Avizu presses your weakness, going for another sweep of his leg. You jump upwards, letting the attempt to impair your balance go to your right harmlessly. You launch a quick jab into Avizu's face as he slides with his leg.
The punch sends Avizu sliding into the floor, but the man displays a remarkable recovery, and actually back flips backwards to get back onto his feet. The two of you rush each other, and the battle turns into a quick trade of jabs, before the instructor apparently realizes how many punches you can throw, and goes for another leg sweep.
This one causes you to fall, and Avizu has his foot over your neck before you even hit the ground. "Impressive stamina, good speed with the fists. Your natural dexterity and vitality are notable. You need work on everything else, however. Stand."
He releases your neck, and you rise shakily. "That's your way of greeting students, huh?"
Avizu smiles. "Would you have preferred a brochure?"
"Kind of."
That makes the man laugh. "The other students will be here shortly. Wait for them, and I'll start the lessons in...fifteen minutes."
Seven others walk in, as Avizu said. All but one are Castithans, the other being a human male like you. Wade LePage shakes your hand after dropping off his boots and jackets by the door. "Didn't expect to see a fellow pinkskin in here."
Must be a Castithan slur for humans. "Well, only martial arts place in town. Figured I'd try it out."
Wade nods. "Same here."
Avizu speaks up before you can continue your conversation. "Alright, children! You know why you're here. House, Varuk, both of you get up here. You're the newbies, so you get to be my test dummies."
You and a young Castithan, who can't be more than a teenager, step up next to Avizu. "Varuk here is quick, dextrous, but he's a complete banggo at nefkee or any other martial art I try to drill into his head. House here is a bit of a blockhead, but hell, he's got enough stamina in that hard skull of his to keep fighting."
He gestures to two Castithans standing at the front, already in uniforms. You and Varuk are the only ones not wearing them, and you feel a bit awkward about that. "Kyrij, Chano, you two are going to spar with House and Varuk. Show them how it's done."
The Castithan with the short hair, Chano, heads towards Varuk. The poor kid's practically half his size. You're guessing Kyrij is around the same level of prowess as Chano. The Castithan, a man with a swimmer's build, literally looks down on you by a few inches.
"Fight."
You don't see Chano and Varuk's fight, since you're focused on Kyrij. The man starts the fight, aiming his palm at your chest. You take the blow, since it doesn't do that much to you, and then you take advantage of the fact that one of his limbs is distracted by striking him with a single blow to the cheek.
Kyrij stumbles backwards, and you press him, activating a Power Strike using both of your fists and pelting the martial artist in the stomach. He gasps and sputters for a few moments like a fish out of water, before collapsing.
Avizu snorts as he looks over the four of you. Varuk's lying on the ground, moaning, so you're guessing his fight lasted about as long. "Sorry, House. I meant for you to lose that one. Oh well. Chano, House, help Varuk and Kyrij get up. We'll start the lessons now."
Skill Unlocked! Nefkivaniro 1/100. The most famous martial art native to Daribo. Nefkee, as most practitioners refer to it in short, relies on dexterity and finesse, as well as being the one to strike first and quickly take your foe. Nefkee focuses on destroying the balance and swiftness of your enemy. +1% damage to Unarmed Mastery per level.
Awesome. +2 Unarmed Mastery! Unarmed Mastery 15/100. +1 Observe! Observe 10/100. +1 Dexterity.
You're very glad that your stamina recovers quickly and your injuries disappear around the same rate. Still, a break at the Need/Want is exactly what you need. You take a seat by the bar, in the only empty seat, which is nice and convenient. The Sensoth next to you is drinking whiskey cheerfully, while singing some bar song in a native tongue.
You look to your left, and see another human, this one in miner garb. He catches you looking at him, and tells you his name. "Eric Lambert. Miner."
"Sam House. Handyman, I guess."
"Any good at plumbing?" he asks, in a half-joking manner.
"No. Sorry."
"Damn. The toilet's stopped up."
You laugh. "They don't make plungers anymore?"
"I just don't feel like doing it."
"Heh."
"You looking for work?" Eric asks, putting his drink down, signifying that it's empty. Jered walks over to refill it.
"Kinda, yeah. Not urgent, though."
"You want to stop by my house and clean up the backyard? It's all filled with weeds and rats, and I don't feel like cleaning it up. 20 scrips for you if you do it."
"I'll think about it."
"Cool."
You finish your beer, give a goodbye to Eric, and head home. After setting up and activating your alarm clock, you go to sleep.
You did quite a bit today. What are you going to do tomorrow, on April 8, 2046? Remember that you have seven actions to take.
[ ] Meditate. Become one with the stars, the Earth, and yourself. Take the path towards ascendancy. Unlock the benefits of Kundalini Meditation for the day. +1 to Kundalini Meditation skill.
[ ] Read the books. Could give valuable information on the cultures of this brave new world. You can choose up to two. 1 action each.
---[ ] The War of the Three Hells
---[ ] The World Hatched Anew: Our Love for Our Gods
---[ ] Waiting for a Land to Call My Own
[ ] Visit the library to acquire some new reading material. 40% chance of one being a skillbook. You can buy library books for 10 scrips, although Miss Gonzalez won't like it. Counts as 1 action. You can choose 1 books/book subjects below, or write-in.
---[ ] Get the book Our Flag Was Still There, describing the survival of the United States after the Pale Wars. You could use some patriotism right now.
---[ ] More stuff on post-war human culture.
---[ ] Focus on human geopolitics post-war.
---[ ] Write-in. Please don't be a smartass and write 'something that's a skillbook'.
[ ] Look into jobs. Eric Lambert, some guy you met at the bar, wants you to clean up his backyard. 100% chance of success. +20 Scrips. 20-40 EXP. Increased relations with Lambert family. Counts as 1 action. +2 to Gardening skill.
[ ] Look into jobs. Mowing lawns isn't a very impressive career, but Mr. Lawson needs someone to do it. 90% chance of success. +30 Scrips. 15-30 EXP. +1 to Gardening. Counts as 1 action.
[ ] Look into jobs. The local boxing organization is looking for anyone who wants to let off some steam. Prove your worth, and they'll let you in. You'll do miscellaneous actions, like sparring, repair of gloves and punching bags, and such. Very much a day to day job/part-time job, though. 80% chance of success. 75 Scrips. 30-50 EXP. Increased relations with Defiance Boxing Club. Counts as 1 action. Will unlock the Boxing Club Worker job if successful, which will in turn unlock many options for your future.
[ ] Look into jobs. Defiance is a mining town, and almost all of its mines are controlled by a fellow named Rafe McCawley. Maybe you can get a job as a miner? Rewards 120-160 scrips per day. 80% chance of success. Counts as 1 action, unless you succeed, in which case, it's 3. New skills, potential rewards, EXP. Job has unreliable levels of security (cave-ins, scrappers, hellbugs, etc.). You'll compete with other workers for who gets the more profitable shafts or exploration duties.
[ ] Look into jobs. Maybe Clancy needs a junior Lawkeeper to help out? Rewards 3200 scrip per month, other benefits, new skills, allies, EXP chances. 60% chance of success. Counts as 1 action, unless you get the job, whereupon its 4 per day, and you get a new Title.
[ ] Look into jobs. There's an Earth Republic recruitment officer giving out pamphlets on joining the Terran Unitary Expeditionary, a place for people to get a new life serving in the military. Life will be hard if you get in, but you think you can handle it. See new places, kill interesting people. It'll be fun. Rewards 2500 Scrip per month, other benefits, new skills, EXP chances. 60% chance of success. Counts as 1 action, changes the quest entirely if you succeed. You will get a new title.
[ ] Explore the town on your own. 1 action each. Rewards are a surprise. Will expand Sam's knowledge, allies, and armory in varying ways.
---[ ] Go to the Need/Want and just talk to people. Might meet someone interesting.
---[ ] Find some Irathients and strike up a conversation. You want to grind up your L'Irathi. 80% chance of success.
---[ ] Go to the bookstore to see if they have any particular skillbooks you might want. 60% chance of success.
[ ] Go exploring on the outskirts of town, while staying within the stasis net. Who knows, maybe you can find a hellbug to kill or some interesting loot. Write in mandatory. Counts as 1 action.
---[ ] Write in.
[ ] Go to the bazaar/shop section. 1 action each. Write in for details. I will respond with the cost if not stated.
---[ ] Buy weapons.
------[ ] Buy a machete. Costs 20 Scrips.
------[ ] Buy a hatchet. Costs 15 Scrips.
---[ ] Buy new clothes. Costs 15 Scrips for each change of clothes.
[ ] Talk to Fozzi at the garage about getting an apprenticeship in vehicle repair. You're probably one of the more knowledgeable people in town, and you're willing to work for a few hours every few days. Counts as 1 action. 60% chance of success. Unlocks the Garage Apprentice shop if successful. +5 to Basic Vehicle Repair.
[ ] Grind your skills.
---[ ] Write in with elaboration.
[ ] Write in. Within reason, please.
Sorry that this update took so long. I'm getting back into the daily grind of school, but at least there are only two months left. Anyway, usual stuff happened this update, with the new inclusions of the haryiv and...that's basically it. The meditation was fun to write, though.
Finally, the boring stuff. Here's what you gained in this update.
-15 Scrips.
+26 EXP.
Skill Unlocked! Housework (goes under Housework category).
Skill Unlocked! Nefkivaniro (goes under Combat category).
+2 Cooking.
+1 Observe.
+2 Unarmed Mastery.
+1 Dexterity.
Saturday, April 7, 2046
Defiance, Earth, Sol System, Terra Ferox Universe
The star's rays shine down upon you, beckoning in a most warm manner. You reflexively smile as you feel it, barely even noticing the seven continents of your homeworld beneath you, and Luna to your side. In the real world, your feet twitch as you rub them together. Sol's light rapidly grows as you do so, consuming the outer planets entirely, with you along with them.
Ziemia. Diqiu. Prithvi. Dikora. Chikyu. Tierra. Urutho. Zemlya. Dharati. Earth. Holy Terra.
The light cleanses you. Everything that could qualify as obviously negative leaves your body and mind entirely. Desire. Sinfulness. Even the odd feeling you get when you try to feel your internal organs and find them gone.
The cradle of humanity. The refuge for the Votans. A bleeding world.
You allow yourself to bask in the temporary enlightenment, before you reach out for the ball of light. Earth can be better. Earth needs to be better. You will make it better. Images flash into your mind. A spaceship, captained by a dark-skinned Castithan male, with brown streaks in his hair. It's leaving the atmosphere. Humans in some kind of jungle, all holding hands and chanting. A man ablaze. A soldier. The images grow increasingly unclear.
Is that some kind of purpose? Are you supposed to be seeking those goals? The future? No. No thinking. Just focus. An Irathient man lovingly kisses a smaller human. Two humans raise a flag over a ruined building, which looks unfamiliar to you. Snow-capped mountains fade into nothingness as a bright light comes over them.
Finally, you see a man. Human, mixed race, in ornate wrappings. He's stretching a hand out to you and you attempt to touch him...and the trip ends. You awake from the trance violently, panting as you do so. Isn't meditation supposed to feel good? Well, it did, but damn, was that a bad wake up. You take a look at your stats. Yep. 30 MP per minute, extra stats, it's all there. Kundalini Bonuses Unlocked! Active until 10:33 tonight.
While that experience was...odd, to say the least, it was rewarding, especially since it only took an hour. You head for the marketplace almost immediately after finishing the meditation, since you do need an alarm clock.
The woman at the stall hands you one that's perfectly functional, and powered by solar panels, too. Must be Votan tech. -15 Scrips. You take a note of the place's name. Kathy Xing, Defiance Electronics and Repair. You'll keep her in mind.
You put the alarm clock in your inventory, vowing to put it back when you return to your house. The next step is a restaurant called Delights of Daribo. It's sort of a Castithan cafe, and it needs someone to paint the exterior. It's a menial job, but it's good money, and you might get some cooking tips out of it.
Swoga Tilemso gives you a friendly, human handshake, as opposed to one of the many styles of greetings mentioned in the book on her species' castes. Interesting to note. "The handyman, I presume?"
Her English is a bit stilted, but it's a second language, so you really can't blame her. "Yes, ma'am. You needed someone to paint the building?"
The alien woman smiles. You take another look at her. Not high-class, not even wearing her species' usual grey or white clothing. She's wearing a human apron and a T-shirt and khakis. Not very becoming of a Castithan woman.
"Yes! Here, I'll set the paint out for you. Just deal with the walls, I've already dealt with the roof and the windows and such."
"Awesome. Hey, instead of giving me scrips, could you teach me how to cook Castithan food? I've always been sort of curious."
Swoga blinks, before taking a moment to consider the offer. "Of course! Why, I've always wanted to train someone in my craft!"
Quest Alert!
Paint The Delights of Daribo!
Miss Tilemso wants your help painting the exterior of her restaurant, the Delights of Daribo.
Completion Reward: 26 EXP. +2 to Cooking skill. Increased relations with Delights of Daribo. Increased relations with Swoga Tilemso. 40% chance of Housework skill.
Completion Failure: Decreased relations with Swoga Tilemso. Decreased relations with Delights of Daribo.
You get to work. It takes around an hour and a half to paint the restaurant, and another ten minutes to clean up after yourself. You lug the mostly empty paint jugs into a back closet Miss Tilemso pointed out to you earlier, before wiping your hands with a wet rag.
When you walk inside the restaurant, Miss Tilemso is handing some kind of dessert to a young Castithan woman. You stand back, and let the purchase take place, before you turn the quest in. "I'm finished, ma'am."
Swoga smiles. "Excellent! Just give me a moment to check it out."
+26 EXP. Increased relations with Swoga Tilemso (Neutral to Friendly). Increased relations with Delights of Daribo (Neutral to Friendly).
Skill Unlocked! Housework 1/100. You know how to paint walls, sweep the floor, vacuum the rugs, and the various menial tasks that go into keeping a house nice and fresh. +1% speed to all housework tasks like dish washing or vacuuming.
The next hour is spent learning how to cook Castithan dishes. Swoga only really tells you the very basics, but it's an impressive amount on its own. +2 Cooking! Cooking 3/100. Bulgur ashkan, bahimi ( a type of cookie with whipped cream on the inside), and fizhilo (a vegetable/meat stew) are the three dishes you learn how to make.
They are basic dishes, but you gain an addendum to the Cooking skill's description. The most basic art for survival of any sapient and sentient species. You understand the basics of boiling, brisking, baking, and all that nonsense in regards to foods familiar to the average North American. You're even beginning to grasp how those odd Castithans make their consumables. Food tastes 1% better, requires 1% less ingredients, and gradual development of subskills. Percentages increase by 1 with each level up of this skill.
Nice to know. Very nice. It's not late enough to go to either the haryiv or the Need/Want, so you walk home, excited to read another book.
Hello, New York! is the story of a daughter of a human and Irathient couple named Stephanie Yardash, and her life growing up in New York among two worlds. You open the book, noting the prologue recognizing her parents and their accomplishments as responsible for her current prosperity.
Sammy Collier married Grizar Jandir in 2032, a romance born of a combat medic from the Earth Military Command falling in love with an Irathient prisoner of war. The two moved to New York mostly due to their relationship being unique, and Columbia wanting to show its capital as a place where humans and Votans could cooperate after the brutal Pale Wars.
Sammy and Grizar moved there in 2033, given an almost rent-free home near the dams that kept parts of New York above water. Aggressive terraforming during the war had sunk most of the old city, but, as a matter of prestige, the Earth Republic was working hard at restoring it. After all, New York makes a more impressive capital than Concord or Fredericton, two more logical choices.
8th Neighborhood, or Dariborough, as it was called by the residents as a joke of sorts, was where Stephanie Yardash grew up. She was adopted in 2034, as part of a social experiment conducted by Columbian officials. She was ten years old when she moved in with her new parents. The book explicitly does not mention the orphanage very often, only that it was an unpleasant experience.
Stephanie went to school in a mixed species classroom, with mostly humans and Castithans. The classes were generally arranged to cover Terran history first, with Votanis history as an elective at best, many years having no teacher to speak of for it. The food was almost entirely Terran, despite the enormous number of Votan cooks willing to volunteer their time.
In short, the John Bolton Institute for All Races, or JBI, as it was usually called in casual conversation, was human-biased at best, even if it was subtle. Stephanie was part of the student government, and with four other students, went to the City Council to speak up for an expanded curriculum, that incorporated new materials for this new Earth.
Finally, despite the wishes of the Terrestrian Party, bills were passed, expanding the JBI's options. The student government wasn't entirely active afterwards. Stephanie started dating an Indogene named Wer in her junior year of high school, and the two were together until a tragic incident in 2044, when both of them were about to graduate.
Dark Matter is a Votan supremacist organization that seeks the eradication of humanity and Earth being converted into a planet entirely for the five races. At the graduation ceremony, there was a horrific massacre committed by those extremists. Nineteen humans, two Castithans, one Sensoth, and one Indogene died in the attack.
Stephanie doesn't go into detail about the aftermath, only mentioning that a Columbian stratocarrier paid a visit to a Dark Matter base in the ruins of Baltimore, and that was that. She describes life after high school. She was preparing to join the Columbian Special Forces, as sort of a vengeance for Wer, and right before the implants were put in, her father came rushing into the operation room.
"Don't do it, Little Bear!" Grizar shouted at her in L'Irathi, as two Earth Republic soldiers grabbed him. "Wer wouldn't have wanted this! We don't want this! Boulders, you don't want this!"
That was sort of a turning point for her. She spent several months in therapy, and when she felt better, she went to college. The book was primarily written during this time, and there are more details. Stephanie tells of her embarrassing relationships, her trysts with other classmates, and even one time that she met Trent Adkins at a concert.
Stephanie finishes the book with a very inspirational speech, that you take to heart. Humanity isn't based around biology, or culture, or religion, or anything like that. I think we all learned that during the Pale Wars, and before and after.
Humanity is a concept. We are born of a united spirit, a respect for this planet so many have bled for and loved for. We are one, regardless of whatever species you are. This holy world of ours, it belongs to everyone. I call upon you, the reader, to make this Earth a better place by showing tolerance and respect for your fellow person. It's the least you can do.
It was a heartwarming story, and you're very happy that you read it. Unfortunately, it didn't really teach you anything besides the factoids about postwar New York. You stop to consider what you just thought. This Gamer power is messing up your thinking process. You're only focusing on rewards, and ignoring the simple pleasures of life. That's a bit messed up.
It's 6:22, which is a reasonable time to put the book back in your inventory and head to the haryiv. You get there ten minutes later, early for the classes. Avizu shakes your hand human-style as you enter. The older man smirks at you. "Ready to learn?"
"I suppose I am."
"Well, in this haryiv, learning is...overcoming," he pauses slightly on that last phrase, before he slouches closer to the ground, sweeping one of his legs underneath you. You yelp as you fall to the ground, before you narrowly dodge the instructor's bare foot attempting to slam down upon your face.
"The fuck?" you mutter. You take Avizu's leg into your chest, which hurts, but it isn't that bad. A try to grab it fails, since Avizu is quicker and more dextrous than you are. Your arms flail out in front of you at the failed grasp, and the instructor takes full advantage, kneeing you in your chest.
You stumble backwards, and Avizu presses your weakness, going for another sweep of his leg. You jump upwards, letting the attempt to impair your balance go to your right harmlessly. You launch a quick jab into Avizu's face as he slides with his leg.
The punch sends Avizu sliding into the floor, but the man displays a remarkable recovery, and actually back flips backwards to get back onto his feet. The two of you rush each other, and the battle turns into a quick trade of jabs, before the instructor apparently realizes how many punches you can throw, and goes for another leg sweep.
This one causes you to fall, and Avizu has his foot over your neck before you even hit the ground. "Impressive stamina, good speed with the fists. Your natural dexterity and vitality are notable. You need work on everything else, however. Stand."
He releases your neck, and you rise shakily. "That's your way of greeting students, huh?"
Avizu smiles. "Would you have preferred a brochure?"
"Kind of."
That makes the man laugh. "The other students will be here shortly. Wait for them, and I'll start the lessons in...fifteen minutes."
Seven others walk in, as Avizu said. All but one are Castithans, the other being a human male like you. Wade LePage shakes your hand after dropping off his boots and jackets by the door. "Didn't expect to see a fellow pinkskin in here."
Must be a Castithan slur for humans. "Well, only martial arts place in town. Figured I'd try it out."
Wade nods. "Same here."
Avizu speaks up before you can continue your conversation. "Alright, children! You know why you're here. House, Varuk, both of you get up here. You're the newbies, so you get to be my test dummies."
You and a young Castithan, who can't be more than a teenager, step up next to Avizu. "Varuk here is quick, dextrous, but he's a complete banggo at nefkee or any other martial art I try to drill into his head. House here is a bit of a blockhead, but hell, he's got enough stamina in that hard skull of his to keep fighting."
He gestures to two Castithans standing at the front, already in uniforms. You and Varuk are the only ones not wearing them, and you feel a bit awkward about that. "Kyrij, Chano, you two are going to spar with House and Varuk. Show them how it's done."
The Castithan with the short hair, Chano, heads towards Varuk. The poor kid's practically half his size. You're guessing Kyrij is around the same level of prowess as Chano. The Castithan, a man with a swimmer's build, literally looks down on you by a few inches.
"Fight."
You don't see Chano and Varuk's fight, since you're focused on Kyrij. The man starts the fight, aiming his palm at your chest. You take the blow, since it doesn't do that much to you, and then you take advantage of the fact that one of his limbs is distracted by striking him with a single blow to the cheek.
Kyrij stumbles backwards, and you press him, activating a Power Strike using both of your fists and pelting the martial artist in the stomach. He gasps and sputters for a few moments like a fish out of water, before collapsing.
Avizu snorts as he looks over the four of you. Varuk's lying on the ground, moaning, so you're guessing his fight lasted about as long. "Sorry, House. I meant for you to lose that one. Oh well. Chano, House, help Varuk and Kyrij get up. We'll start the lessons now."
Skill Unlocked! Nefkivaniro 1/100. The most famous martial art native to Daribo. Nefkee, as most practitioners refer to it in short, relies on dexterity and finesse, as well as being the one to strike first and quickly take your foe. Nefkee focuses on destroying the balance and swiftness of your enemy. +1% damage to Unarmed Mastery per level.
Awesome. +2 Unarmed Mastery! Unarmed Mastery 15/100. +1 Observe! Observe 10/100. +1 Dexterity.
You're very glad that your stamina recovers quickly and your injuries disappear around the same rate. Still, a break at the Need/Want is exactly what you need. You take a seat by the bar, in the only empty seat, which is nice and convenient. The Sensoth next to you is drinking whiskey cheerfully, while singing some bar song in a native tongue.
You look to your left, and see another human, this one in miner garb. He catches you looking at him, and tells you his name. "Eric Lambert. Miner."
"Sam House. Handyman, I guess."
"Any good at plumbing?" he asks, in a half-joking manner.
"No. Sorry."
"Damn. The toilet's stopped up."
You laugh. "They don't make plungers anymore?"
"I just don't feel like doing it."
"Heh."
"You looking for work?" Eric asks, putting his drink down, signifying that it's empty. Jered walks over to refill it.
"Kinda, yeah. Not urgent, though."
"You want to stop by my house and clean up the backyard? It's all filled with weeds and rats, and I don't feel like cleaning it up. 20 scrips for you if you do it."
"I'll think about it."
"Cool."
You finish your beer, give a goodbye to Eric, and head home. After setting up and activating your alarm clock, you go to sleep.
You did quite a bit today. What are you going to do tomorrow, on April 8, 2046? Remember that you have seven actions to take.
[ ] Meditate. Become one with the stars, the Earth, and yourself. Take the path towards ascendancy. Unlock the benefits of Kundalini Meditation for the day. +1 to Kundalini Meditation skill.
[ ] Read the books. Could give valuable information on the cultures of this brave new world. You can choose up to two. 1 action each.
---[ ] The War of the Three Hells
---[ ] The World Hatched Anew: Our Love for Our Gods
---[ ] Waiting for a Land to Call My Own
[ ] Visit the library to acquire some new reading material. 40% chance of one being a skillbook. You can buy library books for 10 scrips, although Miss Gonzalez won't like it. Counts as 1 action. You can choose 1 books/book subjects below, or write-in.
---[ ] Get the book Our Flag Was Still There, describing the survival of the United States after the Pale Wars. You could use some patriotism right now.
---[ ] More stuff on post-war human culture.
---[ ] Focus on human geopolitics post-war.
---[ ] Write-in. Please don't be a smartass and write 'something that's a skillbook'.
[ ] Look into jobs. Eric Lambert, some guy you met at the bar, wants you to clean up his backyard. 100% chance of success. +20 Scrips. 20-40 EXP. Increased relations with Lambert family. Counts as 1 action. +2 to Gardening skill.
[ ] Look into jobs. Mowing lawns isn't a very impressive career, but Mr. Lawson needs someone to do it. 90% chance of success. +30 Scrips. 15-30 EXP. +1 to Gardening. Counts as 1 action.
[ ] Look into jobs. The local boxing organization is looking for anyone who wants to let off some steam. Prove your worth, and they'll let you in. You'll do miscellaneous actions, like sparring, repair of gloves and punching bags, and such. Very much a day to day job/part-time job, though. 80% chance of success. 75 Scrips. 30-50 EXP. Increased relations with Defiance Boxing Club. Counts as 1 action. Will unlock the Boxing Club Worker job if successful, which will in turn unlock many options for your future.
[ ] Look into jobs. Defiance is a mining town, and almost all of its mines are controlled by a fellow named Rafe McCawley. Maybe you can get a job as a miner? Rewards 120-160 scrips per day. 80% chance of success. Counts as 1 action, unless you succeed, in which case, it's 3. New skills, potential rewards, EXP. Job has unreliable levels of security (cave-ins, scrappers, hellbugs, etc.). You'll compete with other workers for who gets the more profitable shafts or exploration duties.
[ ] Look into jobs. Maybe Clancy needs a junior Lawkeeper to help out? Rewards 3200 scrip per month, other benefits, new skills, allies, EXP chances. 60% chance of success. Counts as 1 action, unless you get the job, whereupon its 4 per day, and you get a new Title.
[ ] Look into jobs. There's an Earth Republic recruitment officer giving out pamphlets on joining the Terran Unitary Expeditionary, a place for people to get a new life serving in the military. Life will be hard if you get in, but you think you can handle it. See new places, kill interesting people. It'll be fun. Rewards 2500 Scrip per month, other benefits, new skills, EXP chances. 60% chance of success. Counts as 1 action, changes the quest entirely if you succeed. You will get a new title.
[ ] Explore the town on your own. 1 action each. Rewards are a surprise. Will expand Sam's knowledge, allies, and armory in varying ways.
---[ ] Go to the Need/Want and just talk to people. Might meet someone interesting.
---[ ] Find some Irathients and strike up a conversation. You want to grind up your L'Irathi. 80% chance of success.
---[ ] Go to the bookstore to see if they have any particular skillbooks you might want. 60% chance of success.
[ ] Go exploring on the outskirts of town, while staying within the stasis net. Who knows, maybe you can find a hellbug to kill or some interesting loot. Write in mandatory. Counts as 1 action.
---[ ] Write in.
[ ] Go to the bazaar/shop section. 1 action each. Write in for details. I will respond with the cost if not stated.
---[ ] Buy weapons.
------[ ] Buy a machete. Costs 20 Scrips.
------[ ] Buy a hatchet. Costs 15 Scrips.
---[ ] Buy new clothes. Costs 15 Scrips for each change of clothes.
[ ] Talk to Fozzi at the garage about getting an apprenticeship in vehicle repair. You're probably one of the more knowledgeable people in town, and you're willing to work for a few hours every few days. Counts as 1 action. 60% chance of success. Unlocks the Garage Apprentice shop if successful. +5 to Basic Vehicle Repair.
[ ] Grind your skills.
---[ ] Write in with elaboration.
[ ] Write in. Within reason, please.
Sorry that this update took so long. I'm getting back into the daily grind of school, but at least there are only two months left. Anyway, usual stuff happened this update, with the new inclusions of the haryiv and...that's basically it. The meditation was fun to write, though.
Finally, the boring stuff. Here's what you gained in this update.
-15 Scrips.
+26 EXP.
Skill Unlocked! Housework (goes under Housework category).
Skill Unlocked! Nefkivaniro (goes under Combat category).
+2 Cooking.
+1 Observe.
+2 Unarmed Mastery.
+1 Dexterity.
Last edited:
1.7
1.07
Sunday, April 8, 2046
Defiance, Earth, Sol System, Terra Ferox Universe
Kundalini Bonuses Unlocked! Active until 9:05 tonight. +1 Kundalini Meditation. Kundalini Meditation 2/100.You start your day off with what will hopefully become habitual, before you leave the house to start a new day.
You head towards Eric Lambert's residence. The man had a fairly simple odd job for you, and it seemed a great way to earn some money, experience, and connections. His house is in one of the human districts of town, and it looks fairly ordinary, especially when compared to the rusted warehouse décor that most buildings in Defiance seem to have.
Eric's wife answers the door after you knock. She looks at you blankly for a few moments, before nodding in recognition. "Eric! Your handyman is here!"
Maggie Lambert smiles at you in a maternal manner, shaking your hand. "It's a good thing the kids are out. Otherwise my son would be all over you."
"Iron Man fan?" you grimace.
"You know it."
Eric walks up to the two of you, giving a grin. "Sam. Good to see you. I'll show you to the backyard."
You follow him through the back door. As you walk through the house, you note how similar it is to houses from your time. Maybe Eric and Maggie are old timers at heart? You note the backyard. It isn't that bad. A bunch of weeds and overgrown grass, yeah, but it isn't urgent. You aren't going to tell them that, though. It's good money to clean it up.
"Anything specific you want?"
The miner shakes his head. "Don't think so. Get rid of the weeds and overgrown grass, put in a pile over there, and we'll take care of the rest."
He gestures idly to an existing pile of dead plants by the wooden fence. You nod in response. "I'll get to work."
Quest Alert!
Clean Up the Lamberts' Backyard!
The Lambert backyard needs someone to weed and clean it. Do it within two hours to earn the rewards!
Completion Reward: +20 Scrips. +39 EXP. Increased relations with Lambert family. +2 Gardening.
Completion Failure: Decreased relations with Lambert family.
It takes around forty-five minutes to finish the very basic work, and another five to even out the rougher edges. It's odd how the Gardening skill changes your perspective on this job. You would have never noticed some of the things you realized while doing this job. There were tons of weeds you would have simply missed, or have pulled out wrong. You might have even forgotten to ask for gardening gloves when removing the poison ivy plant growing in a secluded area.
Would poison ivy even have an effect on your body with the Gamer power? You don't think so, but finding out is not something you're looking forward to. +20 Scrips. +39 EXP. Increased relations with Lambert family. +2 Gardening! Gardening 3/100. Eric shakes your hand as you return the gloves to a small milk crate by the back door.
"Great work. I would have never wanted to do this on my own, and Maggie has her job as a teacher. Tell you what, if you ever want to go for beers, it's on me."
"Thanks, Eric."
"No problem, Sam."
The next stop is Fozzi's Garage. The lanky Sensoth has cleaned up a fair number of his backlog of rollers, which rather impresses you. Even your dad's garage didn't have that kind of productivity. Maybe it's Votan tech that's helping him work so quickly.
You want a part time job as his apprentice, which is why you're here today to talk to Fozzi. The mechanic is working underneath a landcoach, and you wait for two or three minutes before he finishes and comes up. "Sam? That you?"
"Yeah. That's me."
"Sorry. Humans look alike to me. How can I help you?"
"Well, I was wondering if you wanted an apprentice. I used to be a mechanic on Old Earth before I was...arktaken, I guess the word is."
Fozzi nods, leaning forwards. "Word. Okay, come in tomorrow afternoon whenever you want. I'll give you an internship or whatever, and you can learn how modern tech works."
"I'll be there."
The Sensoth nods. "See you then."
You've been planning an expedition to the outskirts of town again later this afternoon, and before you do that, you want to stock up on supplies. You look around the bazaar for an embarrassing ten or fifteen minutes looking for a medical kit, before one merciful woman directs you to Dr. Yewll.
The Indogene doctor gives you a confused look as you enter. "Well. Welcome back. What, do you have a rash?"
"Probably not. I came for a first aid kit. The lady at the marketplace recommended you."
Yewll opens a cabinet, rummaging around for a while, before handing a white box with a red cross on it to you. "Here. Contains a dozen gauze compresses, twenty adhesive bandages, three packets of modern aspirin, a shock blanket, two breathing barrier masks, scissors, tweezers, two sets of plastic gloves, an adrenaline enhancer, and a cauterization beam. Don't use that last one in combat, or I swear to whatever deity you worship I will find you."
"Cool. Anything else?"
"That'll be 25 scrips, and there's a booklet included."
-25 Scrips. Item Added! First Aid Kit. You take a look at the booklet, memorizing what each and every thing inside of it does. You hope you'll never need it, but you aren't holding your breath. The things you didn't know where the adrenaline enhancers (injections that kick the immune system into high gear, misnamed by popular culture) and cauterization beams, which are almost exactly what they sound like. Modern aspirin is a catch all pill for humans that eliminates most aching pains by messing around with the nervous system. Kind of creepy.
You make another stop at the marketplace, picking up a backpack and a flashlight. -62 Scrips. Items Added! They're fairly decent equipment. The backpack was sewn by a Castithan woman, who was just eager to tell you about how long that took her to make. You managed to haggle it down from seventy-five scrips, but fifty is still a punch in the gut to your income. The flashlight was twelve scrips, but it's solar powered, which makes it worth it in your opinion.
The final stop in Defiance is the Boxing Club. You're embarrassed to say that after waiting thirty minutes, with a rather rude receptionist looking down on you all the way...you don't get the job. Someone already took over the club's handyman position, and they have no need of a new worker at the moment.
Whatever. You head to the outskirts of town, while being careful to stay within the stasis net. You do skirt the edges, though, keeping a close eye on the area outside. It's definitely shrubbier and with more active life, although that's to be expected of an ecosystem that doesn't see much human influence. +1 Observe! Observe 11/100. After getting a general idea of the area, you get the bright idea to try and see if your power gives you a Map function. After several moments of looking, you find out the answer. Nope. Damn.
You greet the border guards, who let you out after you tell them you're doing a bit of hunting. When they see that you're unarmed, they're a bit reluctant, but they still let you pass through. You hope they don't think you're suicidal. In a post apocalypse like this world, they might seriously think that. Which does beg the question of why they let you pass.
It doesn't matter all that much. After filling your backpack with rocks for Strength training, you mentally prepare to perform a Power Strike as you leave the safety of the stasis net. You also put your flashlight in the left hand, even though it's the middle of the day.
You start jogging through the forest, which is the best you can do with a backpack loaded down with rocks. You hope to hell and back that it doesn't break. After forty-five minutes of running, something finally attacks you.
The Hellbug Skitterling is on its own, fortunately, and it seems almost hesitant to fight you. That observation changes almost instantly, as it leaps at you with the usual ferocity of the little bastards. You bash your fist into the side of its cheek with a Power Strike, tearing out a chunk of flesh and breaking off some of the chitin. That took down half of its health. You repeat the maneuver, and the abomination dies with a single blow. +15 EXP. +5 Scrips. +1 Piece of Hellbug Chitin. +1 Skillbook for Huntsman.
Hellbug Chitin. Equivalent to 10 crafting minerals for weapons, armor, and such. Requires basic crafting skills to even try. 95% chance of drops from Hellbug Skitterlings, 100% from higher ranked Hellbugs.
Skill Unlocked! Huntsman 1/100. A passive skill relying on hunter's instincts. That twig snapping, that wing flapping in the backyard, you're subconsciously aware of it in the backyard. +0.5% to damage with hunting/survival weapons. Increases by 0.5% each level.
You decide to ignore the fact that the thing dropped a book, and just chalk it up to luck. You check the time using your Gamer power. After a moment's consideration, you decide to return to Defiance. You've earned enough stat points today. +3 Strength. +2 Dexterity. +2 Vitality.
Whew. That was certainly a workout and a half. You're relieved to arrive home and crack open a good book. Well, good is deceptive. It's written by a Castithan glory hog who made up a good bit of the personal stuff, but the military events are apparently well written and accurate.
The War of the Three Hells starts with Rayet explaining how the Pale Wars started. Human kills Votan ambassador, was maybe acting on Votan interest, no one knows, but everyone does know the war was awful. Rayet Tasko was a Thawandayo who was shanghaied into fighting for the Votanis Collective after he was caught attempting to defect to the human side. He was placed in continuous front line positions, and he almost miraculously survived, if even a third of what he says is true, actually is true.
Rayet served primarily from southern Mexico to Panama, subjugating Central America and the varying nations down there, as well as fighting against Mayan rebels in the Yucatan. You can sort of weed out the good from the bad by looking at how he describes himself. Tasko started the war in El Salvador, dealing with a last stand at the city of San Miguel, which was later destroyed in the terraforming process during Arkfall. That's the only part of the book that's true.
Unfortunate. This book...was kinda terrible. The tactics, the general gist of it, it was true, but...you're kind of glad you don't have to read it anymore. +1 Wisdom. That book did not deserve to give you a Wisdom point, but you'll take it.
You did quite a bit today. What are you going to do tomorrow, on Monday, April 9, 2046? Remember that you have seven actions to take.
[ ] Meditate. Become one with the stars, the Earth, and yourself. Take the path towards ascendancy. Unlock the benefits of Kundalini Meditation for the day. 1 action.
[ ] Read the books. Could give valuable information on the cultures of this brave new world. You can choose up to two. 1 action each.
---[ ] The World Hatched Anew: Our Love for Our Gods
---[ ] Waiting for a Land to Call My Own
[ ] Visit the library to acquire some new reading material, and/or to return the books you borrowed. 40% chance of one being a skillbook. You can buy library books for 10 scrips, although Miss Gonzalez won't like it. Counts as 1 action. You can choose 1 books/book subjects below, or write-in.
---[ ] Get the book Our Flag Was Still There, describing the survival of the United States after the Pale Wars. You could use some patriotism right now.
---[ ] More stuff on post-war human culture.
---[ ] Focus on human geopolitics post-war.
---[ ] Write-in. Please don't be a smartass and write 'something that's a skillbook'.
[ ] Look into jobs. There's a delivery company that needs a picker/packer for the day. The pay is good, but the work is difficult and tiring. 95% chance of success. +75 Scrips. 50-125 EXP. +2 Strength. Counts as 1 action, unless you succeed, where it's 2 actions.
[ ] Look into jobs. Mowing lawns isn't a very impressive career, but Mr. Lawson needs someone to do it. 85% chance of success. +30 Scrips. 15-30 EXP. +1 to Gardening. 50% chance of unlocking Mowing subskill. Counts as 1 action.
[ ] Look into jobs. There's mold growing on some of the wind turbines outside of town, and the town hall wants someone without sense to climb up and scrape it off before it starts to damage the equipment. There will be a net, at the very least. 100% chance of success. +30 Scrips. 20-30 EXP. Increased relations with Darlene Coates. Counts as 1 action.
[ ] Look into jobs. The local hellbug population needs culling. There have been attacks on citizens and travelers, and despite the role they play in the creation of petrohol, their population is too high. Lawkeeper Clancy is gathering a force of seven others, not including his own man, to go Hellbug hunting. 80% chance of success. 100 EXP. Various loot from Hellbugs. Counts as 1 action.
[ ] Look into jobs. Defiance is a mining town, and almost all of its mines are controlled by a fellow named Rafe McCawley. Maybe you can get a job as a miner? Rewards 120-160 scrips per day. 80% chance of success. Counts as 1 action, unless you succeed, in which case, it's 3. New skills, potential rewards, EXP. Job has unreliable levels of security (cave-ins, scrappers, hellbugs, etc.). You'll compete with other workers for who gets the more profitable shafts or exploration duties.
[ ] Look into jobs. Maybe Clancy needs a junior Lawkeeper to help out? Rewards 3200 scrip per month, other benefits, new skills, allies, EXP chances. 60% chance of success. Counts as 1 action, unless you get the job, whereupon its 4 per day, and you get a new Title.
[ ] Look into jobs. There's an Earth Republic recruitment officer giving out pamphlets on joining the Terran Unitary Expeditionary, a place for people to get a new life serving in the military. Life will be hard if you get in, but you think you can handle it. See new places, kill interesting people. It'll be fun. Rewards 2500 Scrip per month, other benefits, new skills, EXP chances. 60% chance of success. Counts as 1 action, changes the quest entirely if you succeed. You will get a new title.
[ ] Explore the town on your own. 1 action each. Rewards are a surprise. Will expand Sam's knowledge, allies, and armory in varying ways.
---[ ] Go to the Need/Want and just talk to people. Might meet someone interesting.
---[ ] Find some Irathients and strike up a conversation. You want to grind up your L'Irathi. 80% chance of success.
---[ ] Go to the bookstore to see if they have any particular skill books you might want. 60% chance of success.
[ ] Go to the haryiv. You're going to get your money's worth for training in Castithan martial arts. +1 to Unarmed Mastery. +2 to Nefkivaniro. 50% chance of unlocking subskills for Nefkivaniro.
[ ] Go to the bazaar/shop section. 1 action each. Write in for details. I will respond with the cost if not stated.
---[ ] Buy weapons.
------[ ] Buy a machete. Costs 20 Scrips.
------[ ] Buy a hatchet. Costs 15 Scrips.
---[ ] Buy new clothes. Costs 15 Scrips for each change of clothes.
---[ ] Write in.
[ ] Talk to Fozzi at the garage about modern day Votan tech. You're probably one of the more knowledgeable people in town, and you're willing to work for a few hours every few days. It's good to get knowledge on modern day vehicle repair, and Fozzi's a swell guy. Counts as 1 action. Unlocks the Garage Apprentice job and title. +5 to Basic Vehicle Repair.
[ ] Grind your skills.
---[ ] Write in with elaboration.
[ ] Write in. Within reason, please.
Sorry that this update took so long. Busy with essays, College Algebra, and ugh. I'm getting back into the daily grind of school, but at least there are only two months left. Also sorry for the boxing club thing, but 4/100 never ends well. This update was short, which annoys me too. You did roll a 97 on reading the book, which gave you +1 Wisdom.
Here's what you got.
+1 Kundalini Meditation (2/100)
+1 Observe (11/100)
+2 Gardening (3/100)
-47 Scrips
+64 EXP
New Skill! Huntsman (1/100)
+3 Strength
+2 Dexterity
+2 Vitality (this means +10 Health as well)
+1 Wisdom
+1 Hellbug Chitin (added the minerals upon consideration of crafting. The crafting system will be severely abstracted for my own sanity.)
+1 First Aid Kit
+1 Backpack
+1 Solar Flashlight
Sunday, April 8, 2046
Defiance, Earth, Sol System, Terra Ferox Universe
Kundalini Bonuses Unlocked! Active until 9:05 tonight. +1 Kundalini Meditation. Kundalini Meditation 2/100.You start your day off with what will hopefully become habitual, before you leave the house to start a new day.
You head towards Eric Lambert's residence. The man had a fairly simple odd job for you, and it seemed a great way to earn some money, experience, and connections. His house is in one of the human districts of town, and it looks fairly ordinary, especially when compared to the rusted warehouse décor that most buildings in Defiance seem to have.
Eric's wife answers the door after you knock. She looks at you blankly for a few moments, before nodding in recognition. "Eric! Your handyman is here!"
Maggie Lambert smiles at you in a maternal manner, shaking your hand. "It's a good thing the kids are out. Otherwise my son would be all over you."
"Iron Man fan?" you grimace.
"You know it."
Eric walks up to the two of you, giving a grin. "Sam. Good to see you. I'll show you to the backyard."
You follow him through the back door. As you walk through the house, you note how similar it is to houses from your time. Maybe Eric and Maggie are old timers at heart? You note the backyard. It isn't that bad. A bunch of weeds and overgrown grass, yeah, but it isn't urgent. You aren't going to tell them that, though. It's good money to clean it up.
"Anything specific you want?"
The miner shakes his head. "Don't think so. Get rid of the weeds and overgrown grass, put in a pile over there, and we'll take care of the rest."
He gestures idly to an existing pile of dead plants by the wooden fence. You nod in response. "I'll get to work."
Quest Alert!
Clean Up the Lamberts' Backyard!
The Lambert backyard needs someone to weed and clean it. Do it within two hours to earn the rewards!
Completion Reward: +20 Scrips. +39 EXP. Increased relations with Lambert family. +2 Gardening.
Completion Failure: Decreased relations with Lambert family.
It takes around forty-five minutes to finish the very basic work, and another five to even out the rougher edges. It's odd how the Gardening skill changes your perspective on this job. You would have never noticed some of the things you realized while doing this job. There were tons of weeds you would have simply missed, or have pulled out wrong. You might have even forgotten to ask for gardening gloves when removing the poison ivy plant growing in a secluded area.
Would poison ivy even have an effect on your body with the Gamer power? You don't think so, but finding out is not something you're looking forward to. +20 Scrips. +39 EXP. Increased relations with Lambert family. +2 Gardening! Gardening 3/100. Eric shakes your hand as you return the gloves to a small milk crate by the back door.
"Great work. I would have never wanted to do this on my own, and Maggie has her job as a teacher. Tell you what, if you ever want to go for beers, it's on me."
"Thanks, Eric."
"No problem, Sam."
The next stop is Fozzi's Garage. The lanky Sensoth has cleaned up a fair number of his backlog of rollers, which rather impresses you. Even your dad's garage didn't have that kind of productivity. Maybe it's Votan tech that's helping him work so quickly.
You want a part time job as his apprentice, which is why you're here today to talk to Fozzi. The mechanic is working underneath a landcoach, and you wait for two or three minutes before he finishes and comes up. "Sam? That you?"
"Yeah. That's me."
"Sorry. Humans look alike to me. How can I help you?"
"Well, I was wondering if you wanted an apprentice. I used to be a mechanic on Old Earth before I was...arktaken, I guess the word is."
Fozzi nods, leaning forwards. "Word. Okay, come in tomorrow afternoon whenever you want. I'll give you an internship or whatever, and you can learn how modern tech works."
"I'll be there."
The Sensoth nods. "See you then."
You've been planning an expedition to the outskirts of town again later this afternoon, and before you do that, you want to stock up on supplies. You look around the bazaar for an embarrassing ten or fifteen minutes looking for a medical kit, before one merciful woman directs you to Dr. Yewll.
The Indogene doctor gives you a confused look as you enter. "Well. Welcome back. What, do you have a rash?"
"Probably not. I came for a first aid kit. The lady at the marketplace recommended you."
Yewll opens a cabinet, rummaging around for a while, before handing a white box with a red cross on it to you. "Here. Contains a dozen gauze compresses, twenty adhesive bandages, three packets of modern aspirin, a shock blanket, two breathing barrier masks, scissors, tweezers, two sets of plastic gloves, an adrenaline enhancer, and a cauterization beam. Don't use that last one in combat, or I swear to whatever deity you worship I will find you."
"Cool. Anything else?"
"That'll be 25 scrips, and there's a booklet included."
-25 Scrips. Item Added! First Aid Kit. You take a look at the booklet, memorizing what each and every thing inside of it does. You hope you'll never need it, but you aren't holding your breath. The things you didn't know where the adrenaline enhancers (injections that kick the immune system into high gear, misnamed by popular culture) and cauterization beams, which are almost exactly what they sound like. Modern aspirin is a catch all pill for humans that eliminates most aching pains by messing around with the nervous system. Kind of creepy.
You make another stop at the marketplace, picking up a backpack and a flashlight. -62 Scrips. Items Added! They're fairly decent equipment. The backpack was sewn by a Castithan woman, who was just eager to tell you about how long that took her to make. You managed to haggle it down from seventy-five scrips, but fifty is still a punch in the gut to your income. The flashlight was twelve scrips, but it's solar powered, which makes it worth it in your opinion.
The final stop in Defiance is the Boxing Club. You're embarrassed to say that after waiting thirty minutes, with a rather rude receptionist looking down on you all the way...you don't get the job. Someone already took over the club's handyman position, and they have no need of a new worker at the moment.
Whatever. You head to the outskirts of town, while being careful to stay within the stasis net. You do skirt the edges, though, keeping a close eye on the area outside. It's definitely shrubbier and with more active life, although that's to be expected of an ecosystem that doesn't see much human influence. +1 Observe! Observe 11/100. After getting a general idea of the area, you get the bright idea to try and see if your power gives you a Map function. After several moments of looking, you find out the answer. Nope. Damn.
You greet the border guards, who let you out after you tell them you're doing a bit of hunting. When they see that you're unarmed, they're a bit reluctant, but they still let you pass through. You hope they don't think you're suicidal. In a post apocalypse like this world, they might seriously think that. Which does beg the question of why they let you pass.
It doesn't matter all that much. After filling your backpack with rocks for Strength training, you mentally prepare to perform a Power Strike as you leave the safety of the stasis net. You also put your flashlight in the left hand, even though it's the middle of the day.
You start jogging through the forest, which is the best you can do with a backpack loaded down with rocks. You hope to hell and back that it doesn't break. After forty-five minutes of running, something finally attacks you.
The Hellbug Skitterling is on its own, fortunately, and it seems almost hesitant to fight you. That observation changes almost instantly, as it leaps at you with the usual ferocity of the little bastards. You bash your fist into the side of its cheek with a Power Strike, tearing out a chunk of flesh and breaking off some of the chitin. That took down half of its health. You repeat the maneuver, and the abomination dies with a single blow. +15 EXP. +5 Scrips. +1 Piece of Hellbug Chitin. +1 Skillbook for Huntsman.
Hellbug Chitin. Equivalent to 10 crafting minerals for weapons, armor, and such. Requires basic crafting skills to even try. 95% chance of drops from Hellbug Skitterlings, 100% from higher ranked Hellbugs.
Skill Unlocked! Huntsman 1/100. A passive skill relying on hunter's instincts. That twig snapping, that wing flapping in the backyard, you're subconsciously aware of it in the backyard. +0.5% to damage with hunting/survival weapons. Increases by 0.5% each level.
You decide to ignore the fact that the thing dropped a book, and just chalk it up to luck. You check the time using your Gamer power. After a moment's consideration, you decide to return to Defiance. You've earned enough stat points today. +3 Strength. +2 Dexterity. +2 Vitality.
Whew. That was certainly a workout and a half. You're relieved to arrive home and crack open a good book. Well, good is deceptive. It's written by a Castithan glory hog who made up a good bit of the personal stuff, but the military events are apparently well written and accurate.
The War of the Three Hells starts with Rayet explaining how the Pale Wars started. Human kills Votan ambassador, was maybe acting on Votan interest, no one knows, but everyone does know the war was awful. Rayet Tasko was a Thawandayo who was shanghaied into fighting for the Votanis Collective after he was caught attempting to defect to the human side. He was placed in continuous front line positions, and he almost miraculously survived, if even a third of what he says is true, actually is true.
Rayet served primarily from southern Mexico to Panama, subjugating Central America and the varying nations down there, as well as fighting against Mayan rebels in the Yucatan. You can sort of weed out the good from the bad by looking at how he describes himself. Tasko started the war in El Salvador, dealing with a last stand at the city of San Miguel, which was later destroyed in the terraforming process during Arkfall. That's the only part of the book that's true.
Unfortunate. This book...was kinda terrible. The tactics, the general gist of it, it was true, but...you're kind of glad you don't have to read it anymore. +1 Wisdom. That book did not deserve to give you a Wisdom point, but you'll take it.
You did quite a bit today. What are you going to do tomorrow, on Monday, April 9, 2046? Remember that you have seven actions to take.
[ ] Meditate. Become one with the stars, the Earth, and yourself. Take the path towards ascendancy. Unlock the benefits of Kundalini Meditation for the day. 1 action.
[ ] Read the books. Could give valuable information on the cultures of this brave new world. You can choose up to two. 1 action each.
---[ ] The World Hatched Anew: Our Love for Our Gods
---[ ] Waiting for a Land to Call My Own
[ ] Visit the library to acquire some new reading material, and/or to return the books you borrowed. 40% chance of one being a skillbook. You can buy library books for 10 scrips, although Miss Gonzalez won't like it. Counts as 1 action. You can choose 1 books/book subjects below, or write-in.
---[ ] Get the book Our Flag Was Still There, describing the survival of the United States after the Pale Wars. You could use some patriotism right now.
---[ ] More stuff on post-war human culture.
---[ ] Focus on human geopolitics post-war.
---[ ] Write-in. Please don't be a smartass and write 'something that's a skillbook'.
[ ] Look into jobs. There's a delivery company that needs a picker/packer for the day. The pay is good, but the work is difficult and tiring. 95% chance of success. +75 Scrips. 50-125 EXP. +2 Strength. Counts as 1 action, unless you succeed, where it's 2 actions.
[ ] Look into jobs. Mowing lawns isn't a very impressive career, but Mr. Lawson needs someone to do it. 85% chance of success. +30 Scrips. 15-30 EXP. +1 to Gardening. 50% chance of unlocking Mowing subskill. Counts as 1 action.
[ ] Look into jobs. There's mold growing on some of the wind turbines outside of town, and the town hall wants someone without sense to climb up and scrape it off before it starts to damage the equipment. There will be a net, at the very least. 100% chance of success. +30 Scrips. 20-30 EXP. Increased relations with Darlene Coates. Counts as 1 action.
[ ] Look into jobs. The local hellbug population needs culling. There have been attacks on citizens and travelers, and despite the role they play in the creation of petrohol, their population is too high. Lawkeeper Clancy is gathering a force of seven others, not including his own man, to go Hellbug hunting. 80% chance of success. 100 EXP. Various loot from Hellbugs. Counts as 1 action.
[ ] Look into jobs. Defiance is a mining town, and almost all of its mines are controlled by a fellow named Rafe McCawley. Maybe you can get a job as a miner? Rewards 120-160 scrips per day. 80% chance of success. Counts as 1 action, unless you succeed, in which case, it's 3. New skills, potential rewards, EXP. Job has unreliable levels of security (cave-ins, scrappers, hellbugs, etc.). You'll compete with other workers for who gets the more profitable shafts or exploration duties.
[ ] Look into jobs. Maybe Clancy needs a junior Lawkeeper to help out? Rewards 3200 scrip per month, other benefits, new skills, allies, EXP chances. 60% chance of success. Counts as 1 action, unless you get the job, whereupon its 4 per day, and you get a new Title.
[ ] Look into jobs. There's an Earth Republic recruitment officer giving out pamphlets on joining the Terran Unitary Expeditionary, a place for people to get a new life serving in the military. Life will be hard if you get in, but you think you can handle it. See new places, kill interesting people. It'll be fun. Rewards 2500 Scrip per month, other benefits, new skills, EXP chances. 60% chance of success. Counts as 1 action, changes the quest entirely if you succeed. You will get a new title.
[ ] Explore the town on your own. 1 action each. Rewards are a surprise. Will expand Sam's knowledge, allies, and armory in varying ways.
---[ ] Go to the Need/Want and just talk to people. Might meet someone interesting.
---[ ] Find some Irathients and strike up a conversation. You want to grind up your L'Irathi. 80% chance of success.
---[ ] Go to the bookstore to see if they have any particular skill books you might want. 60% chance of success.
[ ] Go to the haryiv. You're going to get your money's worth for training in Castithan martial arts. +1 to Unarmed Mastery. +2 to Nefkivaniro. 50% chance of unlocking subskills for Nefkivaniro.
[ ] Go to the bazaar/shop section. 1 action each. Write in for details. I will respond with the cost if not stated.
---[ ] Buy weapons.
------[ ] Buy a machete. Costs 20 Scrips.
------[ ] Buy a hatchet. Costs 15 Scrips.
---[ ] Buy new clothes. Costs 15 Scrips for each change of clothes.
---[ ] Write in.
[ ] Talk to Fozzi at the garage about modern day Votan tech. You're probably one of the more knowledgeable people in town, and you're willing to work for a few hours every few days. It's good to get knowledge on modern day vehicle repair, and Fozzi's a swell guy. Counts as 1 action. Unlocks the Garage Apprentice job and title. +5 to Basic Vehicle Repair.
[ ] Grind your skills.
---[ ] Write in with elaboration.
[ ] Write in. Within reason, please.
Sorry that this update took so long. Busy with essays, College Algebra, and ugh. I'm getting back into the daily grind of school, but at least there are only two months left. Also sorry for the boxing club thing, but 4/100 never ends well. This update was short, which annoys me too. You did roll a 97 on reading the book, which gave you +1 Wisdom.
Here's what you got.
+1 Kundalini Meditation (2/100)
+1 Observe (11/100)
+2 Gardening (3/100)
-47 Scrips
+64 EXP
New Skill! Huntsman (1/100)
+3 Strength
+2 Dexterity
+2 Vitality (this means +10 Health as well)
+1 Wisdom
+1 Hellbug Chitin (added the minerals upon consideration of crafting. The crafting system will be severely abstracted for my own sanity.)
+1 First Aid Kit
+1 Backpack
+1 Solar Flashlight
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