"Woe onto those who choose race lightly."
"Your race and traits may make you mighty".
"But beware of traits that seem so meek."
"For no race or trait is so weak."
James Larent creator of Dynasties Online.
…..
When Reginald opened his eyes, he marvelled slightly at the sight in front of him. Fluffy white clouds form the floor beneath as a blazing sun bathed him in a soothing heat. In the centre of the cloudy floor stood a middle-aged man in a tuxedo suit with a calm expression on his face with pitch black eyes, a bridged nose and fair skin. Attached to the right side of his chest was a golden nameplate which shone in the sun and read.
'Administrator Friend System.'
He opened his lips to speak as he smiled faintly.
"Welcome to Dynasties Online Character Creation."
"First, please select a race for your character from the 11 playable races. Each has its benefits and floors. You can also combine races creating half races, allowing you to choose between the traits of the 2 races. However, you may find it hard to be accepted by either race due to not being seen as pure-blooded."
Unless found through other means of the game, a half race or a genetic makeup of multiple races requires one of the human racial traits as conventionally all half races must be somewhat half human."
"Please choose carefully, as once you have chosen your race, it cannot be changed unless you decide to abandon your dynasty and start a new one."
Friend system said as a virtual circular wheel seemed to appear in front of Reginald, which with each turn would allow him to view and select a different race. He spent a good 20 minutes thinking about varying options as he swiped through the various races.
"Can you give me any information about the world before I start character creation and choose a race?"
Reginald asked.
"Apart from the fact that it is a medieval fantasy world, no. Choosing options for your character tests your judgement and the judgement of all users; however, as you have asked, I will give you what I can.
However, this advice is something that a smart person will already have concluded. I can only advise you that more power usually leads to more enemies and powerful starting abilities, or status will need you to trade something else off, so choose wisely. Also, don't take everything at face value; just because a race trait appears worse than others does not mean it should be ignored. Take this as you may."
The Friend system said as he waited for Reginald to pick his race.
"Are you saying that Race Traits may be able to be combined with skills in unique ways or that they can evolve?"
Reginald asked; however, the Friend System just stood there silently, ignoring him.
"Hello, Friend System?"
"Answer me, please aren't you meant to be the guide for this game?"
Reginald said in annoyance, waving one of his hands in front of the Friend System, trying to get its attention. However, he was ignored as the friend system said back to him.
"Player, please continue character creation. If there is something you don't understand about it, you can ask me. However, asking for advice about a potential meta and what the best/recommended start is not within my role as a guide."
Friend System said in annoyance as he went back to standing still.
After 10 more minutes of thinking about the different races, Reginald finally decided on his race.
"I would like to create a Half Dwarf please."
Reginald said as a system notification popped up in front of him, which read.
[Please confirm your race choice as a half-dwarf. This will allow you to mix human and dwarven race traits. Once you have confirmed your race, it cannot be changed unless you abandon your Dynasty or create a half race. Do you wish to proceed]
"Proceed."
Reginald said as he locked in his decision.
[Due to the Player selecting a half race, race trait Interspecies Humanoid Reproduction is chosen automatically from Human race traits.]
[Player, please select 2 more race traits from both Humans and Dwarves. In addition, the Player must choose at least 1 race trait from the Dwarves.]
Then it came up with an introduction to the races he chose to mix and their racial traits.
Race:
Human:
Description: one of the more numerous races that can be found throughout the world due to their adaptability and versatility as a race. Having the ability for easy interracial reproduction leads to many different cultures and countries compared to other races, which have a much more unified culture and set of values.
Race Traits:
Adaptable: One of the most adaptable species in the world. Humans can adapt to various climates and landscapes and adjust their lifestyle and features to the type of terrain they are used to. Making it a race that can be found in most places around the world.
Effect: 25% increase in survivability when settling in places with hostile environments. 20% decrease in the effect of hostile environments on members of this race.
Versatile: Humans have various skills and crafts and are not specialised in any one thing allowing them to pursue what they enjoy and leading to well-rounded cultures and nations. However, they will lose out to more specialised races who are good at specific fields.
Effect: balanced stat distribution at Character Creation, allowing for more customisation. Allowing for extra customisation when deciding nation and faction specialities. However, will find that effects are not as potent compared to other races but have fewer downsides and allows for more choice as well as more stat points to be assigned by the Player.
Interspecies Humanoid Reproduction (already chosen): Humans have high compatibility biologically with other races leading to many diverse offspring and genetics as long as they have similar ways of giving birth to new life.
Effect: Allows for the creation of half races, such as half-elves, half dwarfs and other half races, which the Player could choose to become, allows for you to pick which characteristics of each race that he prefers if there are multiple generations of intermingling races, then a bloodline which inhabits 3 different races attributes can be created as long as there is enough genetic material available however certain effects may be decreased due to not having a pure genetic makeup.
Race:
Dwarf:
Description: Originating from the hills and mountains of the world, they were the first race to come into contact and master the various minerals throughout the world, even finding out the way to imbue mana into weapons to allow them to have extraordinary effects. Quite blunt and stubborn by nature. Other races find them odd and quickly learn not to talk about geology and rocks with Dwarves unless they are interested in the subject. Where the long lectures and abundant knowledge can become torture or a treasure depending on who asks.
Race Traits:
Master Craftsmen: Dwarfs have excellent crafting skills making Dwarven weaponry, armour, and crafts in high demand throughout the world and amongst other races granting them much wealth and giving them an unrivalled knowledge of ores and crafting techniques. These techniques are closely guarded and jealously sort after.
Effect: Grant's skill in Mineral identification at the intermediate level. Grants skill in Blacksmithing at the novice level. 5% chance of increasing the rank of items created. Increased selling price when selling weapons. Depends on the item and the Player's bargaining abilities. 5% chance to add a special aspect to the item.
Runesmiths: A legendary Blacksmithing technique known as dwarven smithing is a special way of crafting items with runes engraved into them, granting them various effects.
Effect: Grants the passive skill Dwarven Smithing (Novice). The chance of increasing the power of engraved runes increased by 10%. The chance of successfully engraving a rune is increased by 10%. The chance of successfully engraving a unique rune increased by 10%.
Stout of Heart: Dwarfs are not easily intimidated. They are known to be very stubborn at times and hard to manipulate for a person unfamiliar with them.
Effect: Morale on the battlefield increased by 20%. 50% resistance to being influenced by outsiders. Unable to be scared or enter a frightened state. 50% resistance to all things related to intimidation.
Reginald looked through the traits before him, deciding he did not want to become a blacksmith. He decided to take the one remaining dwarf race trait that he felt may be helpful in the future, even if it did not seem to be the most powerful one. He was then deciding on one of the remaining human traits. He had his character's race traits decided as he read the new biography and traits of his race.
Race: Half Dwarf (Custom)
Description: A mix between a dwarf and a human combining Dwarven bravery and stubbornness with human versatility while keeping the ability to reproduce with other races if desired to create a new hybrid between 3 races. This race can also provide unique faction benefits which can combine both Human and Dwarven aspects.
Race Traits:
Interspecies Humanoid Reproduction: Humans have high compatibility biologically with other races leading to many diverse offspring and genetics as long as they have similar ways of giving birth to new life.
Effect: Allows for the creation of half races, such as half-elves, half dwarfs and other half races, which the Player could choose to become, allows for you to pick which characteristics of each race that he prefers if there are multiple generations of intermingling races, then a bloodline which inhabits 3 different races attributes can be created as long as there is enough genetic material available however certain effects may be decreased due to not having a pure genetic makeup.
Stout of Heart: Dwarfs are not easily intimidated. They are known to be very stubborn at times and hard to manipulate for a person unfamiliar with them.
Effect: Morale on the battlefield increased by 20%. 50% resistance to being influenced by outsiders. Unable to be scared or enter a frightened state. 50% resistance to all things related to intimidation.
Versatile: Humans have various skills and crafts and are not specialised in any one thing allowing them to pursue what they enjoy and leading to well-rounded cultures and nations; however, they will lose out to more specialised races who are good at specific fields.
Effect: balanced stat distribution at Character Creation, allowing for more customisation. Allows for extra customisation when deciding nation and faction specialities; however, you will find that effects are not as potent compared to other races but have fewer downsides and allows for more choice as well as more stat points to be assigned by the Player.
[Race Selected]
[Please choose the first name for your character]
A notification said that the same virtual keyboard he used in the lobby appeared for him to type the name in with his fingers, with a confirm button in the bottom right-hand corner.
After thinking about names for his character for a minute, Reginald finally decided to type in….
'Railius'
[Are you sure you want Railius to be your character's first name? Once selected, you cannot change your character's name unless you create a new dynasty or your Dynasty goes through succession.]
A notification asked him to again confirm his character's name, which he clicked confirm. Then it came up with new notifications.
[Character's First name confirmed.]
[Please choose your Dynasty name. Think of this as a last name. Please note that this cannot be changed easily unless you play as a cadet branch of your Dynasty or you decide to abandon your Dynasty]
After pondering for another minute, Reginald came up with the name for his Dynasty, and he typed it into the virtual keyboard.
'Aurellion'
As he typed it, another notification appeared
[Please confirm Aurellion as your Dynasty name]
Reginald pressed the confirm button as a final notification appeared.
[Player has chosen the name Railius Aurellion! Please press confirm if you wish to continue if you want to change any part of your name, press cancel to restart the Character naming process. This is your last chance to change your mind!]
'Yes, I want this to be my name. Stop asking me to confirm what I want, you bloody system!'
Reginald thought as he again pressed confirm, slightly annoyed at how many times he must confirm things.
[Aurellion Dynasty successfully created]
[Railius Aurellion has been successfully installed as Dynasty Leader]
As he finished his race and name selection, he heard the once silent Friend System say in a calm voice.
"Excellent, you have chosen your race and name for your character and Dynasty. Now we shall move on to Dynasty and Character customisation."
"Please choose an age for your character."
Friend system asked in a kind tone.
"18."
Reginald said wanting to create a character the same age as he is as a system notification appeared in front of him.
[Age inputted as 18. The user has chosen to be a young adult, restricting skills that can be selected and upgraded to the intermediate rank during character creation unless specified through specific traits.]
[Would the user wish to proceed]
Seeing his age seems to have a more significant than expected effect on his character, he stopped and turned to the middle-aged-looking friend system and asked.
"How does age affect people in this game, Friend System?"
Reginald asked deliberately, not asking for what it does for character creation but in general as he suspected that the friend system would not answer a direct question on character creation but may answer the effect that certain mechanics had on the game as he was there to help and guide players.
A curt smile appeared on the once expressionless face of the friend system as if it noticed what Reginald was trying to do but still gave an answer, much to Reginald's relief.
"Age can affect many things in DO as the elderly, much like in real life, have more experience than youngsters. However, their advanced age can impact their health and physical abilities as they degrade due to the ravages of time and they look back on their younger days and some would say better days. You like them will all eventually pass on as your character's children inherit your legacy for good or ill. In simpler terms, younger people have more potential while older people have more experience."
"Can I get specific help with what it will do with character creation, such as how age may affect level, attributes etc.?"
Reginald asked, the cogs in his brain working in overdrive as he thought about the implications of the information he had just received.
"Please find out the mysteries of Dynasties Online on your own and use your own judgement. Just know that this game mixes real-world concepts with game concepts as we endeavour to provide a realistic experience for all players."
The Friend System said, reminding Reginald as a kind smile returned to his face.
Pressing the 'proceed' button in the bottom right corner of the notification as more appeared before him, he went onto the next stage in character creation.