"Computer, freeze program," Kayuli stated aloud, "Reset program, and adjust player character parameters; I will be a DPS Mage, Tey'un will be a DPS Archer, and set character creation for Neil as the Tank, and Anzyl as the Healer."
"Beginning character creation for Neil. Role: Tank," the monotone voice of the computer announced. "Please choose weapon type," it continued as several melee weapons materialized before them, floating in the air.
"What's closest to a baseball bat?" Neil blurted out.
"The barbarian spiked mace is pretty close," Kayuli suggested, and a wooden bat covered in metal with several centimeter spikes appeared before Neil.
His eyes lit up. "Oh, I like that one!" he exclaimed, grabbing hold of it.
"He has his weapon, now he needs armor," Tey'un remarked, as several armor sets appeared in front of him.
"Can it be armor that my ancestors wore? Back in ancient Ireland?" Neil inquired, examining himself and his medieval mace.
"Computer," Kayuli nodded to Neil, "search Commander O'Reilly's family and historical records, and create a suit of armor with ties to his lineage."
Then, a set of Celtic Irish armor materialized on Neil. A tartan kilt in his family's plaid colors of green with black, white, and yellow stripes covered his body and legs. Black and green leather armor leggings, gauntlets, and shoulder pads adorned him.
"Now this is more like it!" Neil exclaimed, admiring himself, pleased with his set of family armor and colors.
Tey'un and Kayuli both nodded in agreement, then turned to Anzyl.
"Okay, Captain, you're next," Kayuli stated. "Computer, begin Anzyl's character creation."
"Beginning character creation for Anzyl. Role, Healer," the monotone voice of the computer stated. "Please choose weapon type," it added, as several magical weapons, tools, and trinkets appeared before them, floating in the air.
Anzyl grimaced, not liking any of his options. "I was kind of hoping to practice with my Nouliths some more..."
Kayuli spoke up, "Computer, load the designs of the captain's Nouliths, and search all records of the Fantasy genre. See if there are any fantasy-type classes that can be used with them."
"Searching…" the computer stated as it bleeped and blipped.
Not liking the odds, Tey'un sighed. "If not, open a profile for a custom class, and we will make one from scratch."
"Match found," the computer interjected. "Ancient Earth, released in 2021, Final Fantasy 14 Endwalker, Class: the Somanoutic Sage." It elucidated, "The class focuses on healing and using barriers to enhance their allies' defenses while using nouliths to channel aether to attack their foes."
The four were completely surprised. "That sounds perfect!" Anzyl exclaimed. "Let's do that computer!"
Then, a set of crisp white Sage jacket and garb materialized on Anzyl. It was a long, crisp, and straight white laboratory jacket with navy blue underlay and highlights. Silver metallic chains and belts wrapped and decorated the set. A circlet of silver metal wings and a navy gem appeared on his forehead. A set of silver, white, and navy nouliths materialized on his back.
Anzyl admired himself in the slick and crisp white garb, a departure from the typical attire worn by fantasy healer types. It had a futuristic, clean aesthetic that suited him well.
The other three nodded in approval at the captain's new look.
"Alright!" Kayuli clapped his hands. "Looks like we have a party formed!" He proceeded to explain the various roles each member had to fulfill. "Myself and Tey'un are the damage dealers. Our job is to take out opponents and foes as fast as possible. I'll be using my spells, and Tey'un will be utilizing his bow and arrow."
Turning to Neil, Kayuli continued, "Commander, you are the 'Tank' of the party. Alongside attacking foes, your job is to draw their attention to yourself and keep opponent attacks away from us more fragile members of the party. You need to generate as much 'Threat' and 'Aggression' as possible so that monsters stick to you and not us."
Not fond of the description of being a human meat shield, Neil grimaced. "That sounds like it's going to hurt... A lot."
Nodding sympathetically, Kayuli turned to Anzyl. "And that's where you come in, Captain," he explained. "As the 'Healer' of the party, your job is to keep us all fighting fit and healthy." He then gestured, and a list of actions and moves appeared. "Now, each of us has a 'Spellbook' of actions you may or may not take. I highly suggest you read up on them. As we grow and 'Level up' in the quest, we will be learning new spells and abilities."
Anzyl scanned his abilities in his spell book, "Dosis… Single direct damage… Kardia… direct heal to a linked party upon using a damaging spell…" Then, looking at Neil, he spoke, "Kardia," and neon aqua green geometrical shapes shimmered around him before disappearing as quickly as they appeared. "Cool, so every Dosis or phaser fire I do, heals Neil… right?"
Tey'un and Kayuli both nodded in agreement. "Looks like we have the hang of it!" Kayuli exclaimed, stabbing his staff into the ground. "Shall we begin our quest?"
Neil and Anzyl shrugged. "Yeah, sure, why not?"
Nodding, Tey'un and Kayuli led the Captain and Commander deeper into the woods.
Kayuli spoke up, "Computer, you will be playing our 'Dungeon Master' this evening. Please begin the opening remarks of our quest."
The computer blipped, and the charming voice of an older woman began to speak. It was the voice of a Bard and storyteller, who would guide the party through their quest.
"Long, long ago, in ages and ages gone by, deep in the heart of the forest, resided the great Phantasma Keep. A bastion castle of mysticism, it was home to the old and wise wizard Phantasma the Great along with his loyal dragon, Draygo. Together, they safeguarded the forest land from invaders and mischief-makers.
However, many moons have passed without a word or whisper from the keep, only moans and cries of horror," the computer bard continued, its voice echoing through the holodeck. "Your mission is to find out what befell the great wizard Phantasma..." Suddenly, the voice glitched and shorted out. "Once upon a time in the magical Forests of Forever, Flotter, and Trevis…" Another glitch interrupted the narrative.
Confusion spread among the party members as they exchanged puzzled glances. "Did the computer just say Flotter and the Forests of Forever?" Neil asked.
Anzyl nodded, a reminiscent smile playing on his lips. "I used to play those 'Adventures of Flotter' holograms when I was a kid." With a sense of curiosity, the party forged ahead, the thick morning fog enveloping them as they approached the massive castle bridge deep in the heart of the forest.