Character Generation
QJ stretched sleepily before removing the ceramic discs and bunching up his pillow. He briefly entertained putting off dinner in favor of more sleep; the raid had worn him down. Then, a slight movement at the edge of his bed caused him to focus.
A tiny girl with big dark eyes and a headful of wild, curly, black hair stared at him. Her little hand latched onto his foot without saying anything.
"Hey... your mom know you are here, little ghost?"
The little girl shook her head and smiled at him. Her dark brown skin was stained blue in several places. She held out her hand to QJ and offered some of her bounty. "Booberries?"
QJ sat up and carefully picked out one that wasn't mashed. "You pick these from Auntie Jinn's garden?"
The little brown ghost nodded.
QJ opened his hud, a moment later, Ro-Ro answered. "You missing a little ghost Ro-Ro?"
Ro-Ro breathed a sigh of relief. "Is that little monster with you?"
"Yep." QJ glanced at little Sammi. "Might have to keep her this time; the cute factor is way too high."
Ro-Ro nodded in agreement. "It's fine. Could you bring her back in four years? Hey! You eat yet, QJ?"
"Nope... what ya got?" QJ loved Ro-Ro's cooking.
"Farofa and Moqueca." Ro-Ro glanced over her shoulder, "be ready in about 10 minutes."
"No Moqu! No Moqu!" The ghost made her disapproval known and then dived onto the floor, quickly burrowing under QJ's bed.
QJ leaned over the bed; only her little ankles were sticking out. "Wow, she's fast."
The sound of Ro-Ro's laughter filled his room. "Do your best, QJ!"
"More Port?" Arturo refilled QJ's glass when he nodded.
"Thanks. How's the fishery doing?" QJ watched Turo pour. He was a slim, dark-haired man in his late 30s; he worked at Portside Fishery in Fora, one of several halfling lifestyle players employed by M & Q Virtual.
Turo grinned widely; he ran one of the fishing boats. "Doing great, we fish all day and then come back the next day, and all the fish are back."
Ro-Ro was bent over Sammi, trying to get her to eat. "Everyone is talking about the Freshmen GnG class from Exodus."
"We got a bit lucky and cleared Doubler Canyon." QJ couldn't stop the smile from coming.
Ro-Ro looked up at him, her full brown lips curved in a smile. "I hear it's a way bigger deal than that, QJ."
"Oh? What did you hear?" QJ scraped his plate, trying to get the last remnants of food.
Sammi finally started to eat, and Ro-Ro sat beside her husband. "That a bunch of noob freshmen beat a mid-level raid on the first attempt. Perfect clear in the fifth fastest time ever; I'm sure your Academy has noticed. Plus, there is a reward for a top-ten performance."
"Maybe some credits?" QJ sighed, "I'm so broke."
An hour later, QJ finally headed back home. Turo and Ro-Ro stood in their doorway waving until he entered his house.
The house was quiet and dark by the time he crawled into bed.
The dinging of his desk hud woke him out of deep sleep. QJ sat up on his bed; usually, it was set to silent mode. He moved to his desk and opened up the hud. Miss Chi's face looked back at him.
"Sorry to call so early, QJ, " Chi could tell she had gotten him out of bed.
"No worries, I should have got up half an hour ago." QJ glanced at the time, 0650.
"There's quite a big reward for a top-five ranking, 3 million credits." Chi watched his reaction, "as Raid leader, you decide how to divide it up."
QJ leaned back in his chair. "Any chance I might get my thousand points refunded?"
Chi nodded. "Yes. You catered to our strength by upgrading the rifles. I'll make sure you are refunded. Additionally, everyone will receive an additional 1500 points as a reward from the Academy."
QJ smiled. Char would be happy; she could get a top mount for 1500 points. "Could we use the raid reward to upgrade the GnG starter package for the new server?"
Chi obviously liked his answer. Standard starter gear was complete crap and only suitable for the first few levels. "The next tier starter package is an additional 5 million credits."
QJ shrugged slightly. "No leeway there?"
Chi laughed at her student's expression. "I'll talk to the Dean and see what the Academy can do." The gear boost would cover their equipment requirement until they left their starter towns.
"Thank you, Miss Chi." QJ was tempted to pump his fist, but he refrained.
Chi leaned forward, "there's one more thing, QJ." She held up a platinum pair of dice. "Do you know what this is?"
"A cool set of dice?"
"Spot on," Chi answered. When you get to the starter town, take this to the casino. Sets of Dice drop from named mobs. The greens are rare, and the blue epic." Chi shook the dice in her hand. "After that is silver and gold."
"And the platinum?" QJ was doing his best not to drool. You rolled the dice at any casino in GnG and were randomly given the corresponding award.
Sometimes they were duds or curses; others were powerful items. The higher the dice, the more spectacularly good or bad it could be.
"This is your reward for your contribution to yesterday's raid. You'll either cause famine or get something nice." Chi shrugged at the face he made, "you don't have to accept it."
"I don't mind rolling the dice." QJ stared at the platinum dice in her hand. So nice.
[Meanwhile, at the Exodus Academy]
The old man flexed his legs under his desk to keep his knees from shaking. "We are good now? I did what you wanted."
The young woman's eyes were pale enough, so you could no longer call them blue. Her thin face and sharp features lent itself to a creepiness that could only be called otherworldly. Her voice was sharp like a razor, amplified slightly by a throaty chuckle that sent shivers down the old man's back. She flipped her waist-length silver hair with chalk-like fingers. "Hmm... you didn't have to do much to get him into the new server, but yes, your debt has been erased."
The old man shuddered when she stared at him; it made him feel like some unseen predator was stalking him. "If we are done, then please see yourself out."
A thin hand caressed the hilt of the sword she carried. "You should curb your gambling habit, Dean Tomas. You may not receive such an easy way out if it happens again."
After speaking with Miss Blanca, QJ decided to skip his usual morning routine in favor of a few more minutes of sleep. But, unfortunately, it was not meant to be.
"QJ..." Angel's expressionless tone pulled the younger man out of his slumber. "Big day today; I can't have my minion sleeping in."
Despite being woken up, QJ offered the intruder a grin. "Since when am I your minion?"
"Since you were five." Angel's spider queen form scampered off his bed until only her upper body remained. She propped her chin up with one hand, watching him expectantly.
QJ took note of her wardrobe, a light red tanktop with the design that read I 'heart' you. "You are wearing your lucky shirt."
Angel nodded. "Serious business, QJ. Time to make a legend."
"No pressure..." QJ rolled out of bed and made his way to the bathroom. After brushing his teeth and washing his face, he felt ready to face the day. "You know... Outside of a few basic choices, character generation is mostly chance."
Angel hadn't moved when he returned a few minutes later. "Today, you become one of the heroes. It's a big deal, like a birthday or anniversary."
"Fine." QJ slipped on his skin-tight virtual suit and stretched his hands high overhead. "I'll stream the generation screen to your personal hud."
Angel stared at him for a long moment, her beautiful face lit by a warm smile. "The son of the Nemesis is uncommonly thoughtful."
The door to his VR chamber closed with a hiss, immediately sending QJ into a world of shimmering colors. After a moment, he found himself in a white room. "That was weird. Did you see that?"
"Yes, it was like flying through a rainbow," Angel's voice sounded in his ears.
QJ stared at the large projection in front of him, a transparent form, free of gender or traits, rotated a meter off the floor. Shortly afterward, words flashed in the air.
[Welcome to the Guns and Gore Character Generation Screen for the Phoenix Server.] Please Choose a Faction.
QJ considered the options, the only class he would want to play on the Aborigine side would be the scout, but their weapons were too limited. "Western."
You have joined the Western Faction.
[Please choose your character type] DPS, Healer, Tank, All Purpose, Puller.
"Puller."
[You have chosen the Wrangler class for this character?]
"Yes," QJ observed the screen. The class he chose would dictate his beginning stats. Wranglers would start with high agility and perception.
[Do you wish to proceed to the Visual and Voice screen?]
"No, use me for all cosmetic character details, including voice." QJ grinned when the rotating avatar slowly took on his appearance. "Taking a screenshot for you, Angel."
[Please name this character.]
"No need to complicate things; name this character QJ."
[A New Guns and Gore Hero has been generated.]
QJ
Wrangler
Agility 30
Perception 28
Stamina 12
Wisdom 9
Strength 10
Command 5
"Sharp!" Angel's voice was echoed by the sound of her clapping in approval.
[Pick Two Close Range Weapons]
Shotgun
Pistol (Single Only)
Dagger
Hatchet
"Pistol and Shotgun." QJ had been planning on a pistol and hatchet but changed his mind when he saw the shotgun option.
[Here are the Options you have chosen.]
QJ
Level 1
Wrangler
Agility 30
Perception 28
Stamina 12
Wisdom 9
Strength 10
Command 5
Weapons
Pistol 5/100 Level 1
Shotgun 5/100 Level 1
[Do you wish to proceed to Guns and Gore?]
"No, save all information and enable Exodus exploration."
[Good Luck, QJ, Shoot first and ask questions later.]
QJ laughed at the motto, "you sound like my dad. Log-On Exodus Academy."
[Spider: Angel] I'm heading to the Phoenix server.
[Spider: QJ] Be careful.
QJ headed to the stables; he had some time before class started, so he grabbed a bucket and climbed over the stall gate.
"You could just open the gate."
QJ was straddling the gate when Char spoke. "Yeah, I know that."
Char was breaking open a bale of hay. The wheelchair was gone, but besides that, she looked the same. The scars on the right side of her body were visible. QJ didn't know her height, but her character stood a few inches shorter than him. Her black hair was worn in a bun, and she was smiling as if she had just won something.
"You look familiar..." QJ scratched his chin before hopping into the stall with Scorch.
"Very funny... bite him, Scorch!" She piled the hay into the horse feeder and moved the wheelbarrow closer to the door so that QJ could get rid of the red horse's gifts.
"This horse would never bite me, although according to Leah, he was a terror before dad trained him up."
Char walked Scorch out of the stall so QJ could muck it out. He put everything in the wheelbarrow and then shoveled some fresh sawdust on the floor.
"Lotte... (lätā)" Char glanced over at him while she cleaned Scorches hooves.
"Lotte? Like the coffee?" QJ made a face, "no thanks, I only drink carbonated beverages."
Char laughed, "no goose, that's this character's name. I want you to call me that from now on."
"Er.. even at home?" QJ raised an eyebrow at her.
"Yep, this is my first step to being the greatest Slinger in GnG." Her light green eyes were unreadable, but her tone was serious.
"Lotte, it is then... This character's name is 'Deathridesaredhorse.' Feel free to call me that."
Lotte tried to keep a straight face, but a smile creeped out. "Is there a shorter version?"
"Too much? Plain old QJ, then." He pushed the wheelbarrow out of the stall and held the gate open while she brought Scorch back in.
After locking up and putting everything away, they returned to the classroom.
"Where is your starting City?" QJ only knew a little about slingers, other than what his dad casually mentioned in their conversations.
"It's Winchester, and I think you are in Laredo, right?" Lotte glanced over at two girls who were obviously on an intercept course with them.
QJ nodded. "Yep, let's look at the map when we get to class."
"Good Morning, guys." Maya gave them a cheerful greeting; a sleepy-looking Nina nodded at them.
QJ glanced at Lotte and made a locking gesture over his lips. "Don't tell them, Lotte."
"Tell them what?" She blushed when she noticed they were both looking at her scars; however, it was brief and didn't make her uncomfortable.
"They are going to ask what kind of characters we made." QJ smiled casually at the two third years students. "We aren't telling!"
Lotte nodded in agreement. "We aren't telling."
"Hey! We're friends; please tell us!" Nina woke up instantly and started shaking her finger at QJ. "Why would you keep secrets?"
QJ stopped at the hallway intersection, "I believe you guys are that way."
QJ winked at Lotte and proceeded toward their class.
The two freshmen laughed as the complaints of the 3rd year students followed them to Miss Chi's class.
QJ held the door and let Lotte in first.
She was still laughing at their antics. "Why won't you tell them?"
QJ followed her in and walked to his desk. "Since they are going to a new server, they won't be allowed to use their thirty-level characters. They'll have to reroll new ones."
"Hmm, that's gotta suck for them. They spent most of the 2nd-year labs leveling up." Lotte watched as QJ grabbed her table and brought it to the back of the room. A minute later, he returned with her original desk. "Thank you, QJ."
"They still hold an advantage since they leveled up once before. Anyways, they want to rope us into groups. First-year students have to stick together; we are competing with them."
Lotte shook her head, unable to tell if he was serious. New characters could only leave the territory of their home city at level 8. That would take at least a few days.
When Miss Chi entered the class a few minutes later, her entire class was present. She closed the door behind her and offered them a warm smile. "Please take your seats."
QJ stared at his teacher. There were small but noticeable differences. Chi's green eyes had turned blue, her black braided hair was tinged with red highlights, and she wore an empty twin holster. It was a Slinger character; besides that, she looked and sounded the same.
"I see everyone managed to make their GnG characters. Again I want to congratulate each of you; what you accomplished yesterday was unprecedented."
Chi stopped for a moment while they clapped and cheered for themselves. Then, without speaking further, she used her hud to activate a large screen on the wall. "This is the ranking board for the Phoenix server. We are in direct competition with all the incoming players. Yes, that includes the third years."
The rankings were listed by Guild, Class, and Server-wide standing. The fields were all empty since the new server hadn't come online yet.
"First, since many of you are now unrecognizable, we will start with introductions. Please state the name you wish to be called and your class."
The introductions proceeded quickly; to QJ's astonishment, he was the only Wrangler in the class. Which meant he'd be by himself for the first eight levels.
Chi leaned back against her desk. "Let's be clear; you will not be given the same freedom that the 3rd years have. The Dean has granted us access to this server with the understanding that I will maintain supervision. Questions?"
QJ raised his hand. "Will we be allowed to join a guild?"
"You are already in one. Let me introduce myself. I'm Ringo, the Guild leader of One Problem."
A female Shaman named Three-Tails raised her hand. "What's One Problem?"
"That's the Guild you are all part of until your third year. After the server goes hot, you will refer to me as Ringo; if that is too familiar, call me Guild Leader."
Lotte raised her hand, "even when in class?"
Miss Chi nodded, "even in class. You will be allowed to play for four hours during the school day. After that, you can play as much as you like on your own time."
QJ's hud blinked, and he opened it up. Miss Chi had sent them detailed maps of their starting cities.
Chi walked toward the window and glanced at the Clock Tower. "No one is saying you have to power level. If you wish to relax and explore, feel free to do so."
Lotte raised her hand again. "Won't we fall behind if we explore too much?"
"Our minimal level requirement is two per week for the first 18 levels and then one every two weeks until level 40."
QJ nodded to himself; everyone should be able to handle that. He opened the map Miss Chi had sent, pausing when he noticed her placing a small box on his desk.
"Study the map well, QJ; you have three hours."
One by one, the GnG first-year students disappeared from their class until only QJ and his teacher remained.
Ringo strummed her nails on her desk. "Do your best, QJ!"
"Try not to choke on my dust, Ringo." The pleasant sound of her laughter echoed in QJ's ears as the room disappeared around him.