Open - Into the Wild [First Log-in]

Three hours.

Three hours he had spent on creating his character. Every inch, every hair, every scar or tattoo. He wanted it to be perfect and when it wasn't he would scrap the idea and start over again. He knew how he wanted to play, and how in-character he wanted to commit. So he wasn't going to rush it, and he definitely didn't. He couldn't be the only person that took this long, he knew there had to be others that wanted to be as detailed as he was being. Or maybe not? He hoped people took this game seriously. Especially with how immersive VR was. This would be his first experience with a VR game, and he wasn't sure what to expect. However, he did know it would be different than all the other games he had ever played. It was time to see what all the hype was about.

Once he was finally satisfied with how his character looked, he confirmed and closed his eyes tight when a bright light blinded him momentarily. And when he opened them a few seconds later it took him awhile to actually comprehend what he was seeing. He was standing now in a lush and green forest. Trees towered above him and surrounded him in every direction. Warm golden sunlight filtered through the leaves and comfortably heated his skin. A light breeze tickled his toes that were exposed from his wooden sandals. He could smell the earth beneath him, and he could hear birds chirping above. Nothing he read about VR could have prepared him for this. For how...real it was. Just awhile ago he had been stuck in his room studying for next week's exams. Now he was deep in a forest, in a whole new vast world. It felt so real, too real, and he could feel himself forgetting that it actually wasn't. He'd have to try very hard to remember that.

Phoenix, as he would go by from now on, lifted his hand and examined it. Turning it over and squinting his crimson eyes trying to see something that would indicate it wasn't real. He couldn't. He closed his fist tightly and when he opened it a UI popped up before his eyes. Finally something that confirmed this was a game, and it grounded him for the first time since entering. There was so much info, and he scrolled through quickly. Pyromancy, Slash, Beast Taming. The Masteries he had chosen, another thing that had taken forever, and he hoped they were the right choice. Though he supposed there wasn't any wrong choice with something like this. He could tell this was a game that you played your own way, how you wanted it to go, and he was intrigued by that. No matter how much prior experience he had with other games he knew he was in for a whole new ride in Terrasphere. It was both exciting and even a bit intimidating.

After acclimating himself to this new environment he finally took his first steps. The sheathed katana on his side rattled slightly as he noticed it for the first time. It had a bit of weight to it and he knew it would take time to get used to. He didn't walk around with one in Vermont after all. His hand rested on the handle as he continued forward, taking in all the sights and smells surrounding him. It was so beautiful out here, and Phoenix would be spending more of his time in the wilderness than the towns, he had already decided on that. Unless he needed equipment or for some mandatory quest he would be sticking to the outskirts. He had never been fond of crowds anyway. His ultimate goal for this character was to live within the forest, build a home, and become a safe waypoint for anyone, player or NPC it didn't matter. A warm fire and a good meal, or maybe just some advice or shelter. He wanted to be that for this world, and he felt it was an important purpose. That would take time though, and he had much to learn.

This was it. This would be the start to a wonderful adventure. His adventure.

 

Though local villages had their own peaceful tune, the sprite-like singer was more entertained wandering the outskirts of Brisshal, staying on the path into the grassy plains without wandering too far. Her song brought with her some overgrowth- she was enjoying herself a little too much! As she stopped upon noticing a stranger, she looked behind herself and paled.

"Self control...Really isn't my strong suit." She couldn't name half the flowers she'd grown. Some that had grown to her song were ones she always adored, such as lilies and peonies- but other plants that seemed to take over suddenly were shrubs and seedlings that probably didn't belong by a dirt walking path.

Nervously, she took a glance at the man- or she could only assume it was a man- with a katana at his side. "Excuse me! Mister? Can you help me tame these? I grew a bunch while I was singing and didn't notice until it was too late...But my skills are mostly for growing plants, not cutting them."

 

After settling down with his family, the old man decided to lie down on his bed and put on his personal animusphere, the device that allows him to traverse into the virtual world. After spending some time with his wife, perhaps a new world is all that Reynard needs in order to be whole again, perhaps he find something new in this world for him. As he put the headset on, he lay on his soft bed and began to log in. The application he had was already installed, known as Terrasphere which is a game said to be illegal and suspicious. Out of curiosity and having to possess a genuine copy, he decided to see and for himself, ignoring what the critiques and leave it up to his judgment to decide whether or not this game was worth it.

And so he began, surfing through cyber space only to stop and been given the option to shape his avatar. Of course appearances in the virtual world is everything but what kind of appearance did he wish to have he wondered? It took only a few minutes to decide what he wanted to look like.

A cruel decision even for him to take on the appearance of his younger brother, tanned skin, bearded along with that strange hair style he’s found off perhaps a body tattoo around the eye with an athlete’s body would do the trick. Finally it was time for his default attire, basing from his younger brother’s gym attire, he decided to remake it altogether in a medieval style. He wasn’t actually a man of fashion as he knew no fashion than a business suit and formals.

But he didn’t want that and wanted something entirely different altogether, so he decided to dress his avatar in a way that it would almost make him look native American, a traditional native American outfit but much better than that. Before he saved changes, he would walk around his avatar, checking out every section of the body to make sure nothing is out of place, because this will be his permanent appearance in the world of terrasphere. Not like it would have mattered much but also a fact that it would look much like his brother in a way that regardless of the bad circumstances, he will not play this game alone.

And soon when the light hits him, he was automatically transformed both mind and soul together. No longer was he Reynard Leone…. But under the name of his brother himself he will be known as…

“Romulus”

The feeling was amazing, he can feel himself breathe, he can feel himself clench his fists and move around. Was it like this for his brother too back in Sword Art Online? No… perish the thought as this is not the world his brother was nor would he be the same person again. Romulus is the embodiment of Reynard’s wishes, a man granted passage to a world a new, a new adventure and a new life awaits him.

“HERE I DECLARE! ON THIS DAY, I ROMULUS WAS BORN TO THIS WORLD, TO TAME THE LAND AND FULFILL THE DREAM! ADVENTURERS FROM ALL AROUND, ADVENTURERS NEW, WHO AMONG YOU WISH TO JOIN ME ON THE ROAD TO GLORY?” He shouted from the top of his lungs with such confidence and presence, you’d think that he might actually do something amazing.

He would march on to meet the young girl (@Harveste and the man with the sword (@Phoenix ).

“I bring greetings to you fair citizens of this land! As you know I hail from a foreign place and just been born into this world with my intellect intact without the need to go through the process of growth. Shall you be my guide to this wonderful world?”

 

Beast Taming it seemed made the wildlife quite interested by him. He hadn't gone far and he had already befriended a few birds and even a squirrel. Phoenix had always loved animals and he looked forward to taming when he was more skilled at it. His goal would be to tame his favorite animal, a wolf, whether it was just a regular one or something much more fantastical. He also was interested in owning a horse, but he knew that would take gold and at this starting stage he needed to focus on equipment. His mount could wait until later. This world had so much to offer and his mind felt just slightly overwhelmed by all the possibilities. How would he choose to build his life here? Only time would tell.

A soft lyrical sound of singing reached his ears and he paused, ears focused on the singing as he glanced around to find the source. Which appeared to be a girl, at least two feet shorter than him with pretty likac-colored hair. He noticed with curious eyes at the path of wildflowers and other plants that spotted the trail behind her. He assumed it was some form of naturamancy.

"Oh," he replied softly, stepping closer to her to get a better look. Although it was pretty some of it did seem out of place and overgrown. He hated to disturb the wilderness, but since this technically wasn't there originally he felt it was okay. "I'd be happy to help," he said with a nod, sliding his katana out from the side of his hip and turning it slightly to let it catch the sun. This was the first time he was seeing it and he was surprised at how sharp it was. He would have to be careful. "You can conjure flowers with song?" He spoke lightly as he crouched and began to trim at the unruly plants. He discarded them to the side and hoped the wildlife would make use of it, maybe for food or shelter.

Suddenly a loud and powerful voice bellowed nearby and Phoenix stood with a startle. It didn't seem dangerous, but who would be yelling so loud? Soon after his question was answered when a tanned man approached them both. The way he spoke was unlike anything Phoenix had ever heard and it took him back a bit. He wasn't sure how to respond as he looked between the two.

"I don't think I would be much help with your request right now I'm afraid. I'm new to this world as well, and have much to figure out." He glanced at the small girl and then back to the man. "My name is Phoenix."

@Harveste | @Romulus

 

When @Phoenix opted to help her with her unintended phenomenon, she smiled happily when asked about the skill. "I have naturamancy mixed with music. If I'm not careful, sometimes this happens. Normally it only happens when I'm trying to grow something, though. Might have been a subconscious thought this time."

Her lips were letting out a giggle, a mixture of personal entertainment and frustration flying onto the air. A stranger seemed to chant rather loudly in the nearby distance, coming closer and asking for help. Her eyes glanced up to @Romulus, her pallor having gone down from the anxiety of his rather noisy marching tune. At least she knew where the voice came from, now.

But wait...Was that once booming voice now calmly asking for help?

"I'm Harveste," She mused, hoping to introduce herself to both as she'd gotten Phoenix's name. "I'm not the best at finding my way even though I've been on for a month, but I can probably help at least a bit depending on where you're trying to go. What is it you wanted to see particularly, sir? I can tell you the way at least a bit, I think."

 

Romulus stood tall and stood proud as the man with the katana introduced himself as Phoenix. Obviously he was meant to become some martial artist who would specialize in the sword arts that much Romulus can understand. Phoenix explained to him that he was a new arrival just like he was.

“I see, you too are also born into this world then I shall recognize you as my fellow novice from another world! Its nice to meet you Phoenix.”

He offered the man a hand shake that came along with a grin.

“It is fine if you cannot live up to my request but maybe perhaps that you’re willing to work with me, together we shall explore and see the world and tame its land!” His tone sounded awe inspiring, almost as if he was one of those narrators you’d hear in the movies but then it wasn’t a line meant to try to be charismatic but rather an offer and a suggestion. Since both Phoenix and Romulus knew nothing of Terrasphere then it is only natural that newbies alike stick together and strive together.

Romulus would then turn to the little girl who introduced herself as Harveste. She looked about 4 feet tall, much like a child giving Romulus the assumption that she was about 13 to 15 years old at least. Then again people from around the world come in various shapes and sizes regardless of age, the fact that her appearance was just an avatar created by the real Harveste didn’t cross his mind. Perhaps it was because it almost resembled his daughter when she was yeigh tall.

“Fair greetings to you young maiden! You and Phoenix both may heard me shout before but I shall introduce myself properly, I am called Romulus and I’m here to learn more about this virtual reality.” Harveste told him and the katana wielder that she spent at least one month playing into Terrasphere and asked for Romulus what he wanted to see in particular.

Unfortunately giving her the specific answer is not going to be easy, Romulus wanted to see more than just the particular thing he wants as he wanted to familiarize himself with the world, its rules, how culture and tradition works.

“I believe it’s hard for me to specify but if you can accept my answer then I would like to see everything! I want to see more of this world, how one can make a livelihood here, get enough to make the journey across the lands, perhaps like Phoenix we’d take up martial arts and fight!” He clenched his fist out of determination and excitement.

“I once heard stories of my brother becoming a warrior of another world, perhaps I too shall take that path and experience something from his point of view. Will you help me Harveste?”