《MOUSE-USER DUNGEON: The Druid of Briarfield [80s Inspired LitRPG]》


 01. Enter the Multi-User Dungeon

    In the spring of 1984, I lost my grandfather to a video game. Of course, I didn¡¯t know that when the Middleton police questioned me about his disappearance. Twenty-one days. That¡¯s how long it had been since anyone had seen him. I was away at college finishing my thesis on agricultural development in the Midwest. My schedule was filled with study sessions, group meetings, and library visits. Lots and lots of library visits. The quiet, book-filled walkways made me feel uncomfortable. The silence had become all I knew for those three weeks. A silence that sunk deeper when I realized my grandfather hadn¡¯t checked in on me in some time.


    I¡¯ve lived with my grandfather, Conrad Forester since I was seven years old. Having lost both of my parents in a car accident. They had been driving to visit Mount Blue Sky when an awful rainstorm cut through Colorado. They skid down sixty feet of asphalt before a low stone railing stopped them dead, but their car didn¡¯t get the memo and rolled down the hill another three hundred feet. Paramedics on sight said the initial crash with the blockade was what killed them. Even if it hadn¡¯t, they wouldn¡¯t have survived the latter half of the trip. In a single weekend, they were gone, and I moved to northern Montana the day after the funeral. My grandfather picked me up in his old 71¡¯ Buick Centurion. I distinctly remember its rusty mustard paint job and the missing headlight pulling up on a rainy day. Why does it always rain at funerals? In movies and books, there is always rain on tough days. My mom used to tell me it was God weeping with us. Well, he must have been sad on the day of their funeral because it was down pouring. Since then, I haven¡¯t enjoyed the sound of rain or long drives up the canyon.


    It was raining the day Officer Reynolds had contacted the school office and called me out of class. ¡°Mr.Forester, thank you for coming. Can we have a minute to talk?¡± I nodded and followed him quietly into an adjacent room to the front office. The rain continued to fall the entire time Officer Reynolds told me that my grandfather hadn¡¯t been seen in almost three weeks. It rained when Officer Reynolds finished his questioning, gave me his contact information then left. It rained when I walked out to my car, struggled with the ignition, and turned down Pike Ave. And it rained the whole drive back home. Three hours through the wide fields of Montana. Three hours of endless rain and deep gray clouds. Three hours of dread-filled thoughts.


    Where was he? When did I see him last?He was as healthy as a steer on breeding day, is what he told me let last time we were together. Was that the last time?No don¡¯t think like that. He¡¯s probably still stuck playing games on that new computer of his. My thoughts cycled through every possible scenario I could think of. The voice in my head was so loud it hadn¡¯t occurred to me to turn on the radio. I spent the entire drive home listening to nothing. My only company was endless rain and endless thoughts.


    I arrived back at my teenage home roughly an hour after sunset. The drive into Middleton had been brushed in a light drizzle. The downpour slowed as soon as the lights of the valley came into view. I drove past the town gas station/liquor store, Benny¡¯s. Its bright red open sign continued to flash as if it was on its last legs. Memories of my grandfather buying me a cream soda and chocolate bar while he hefted a twelve-pack and an old hotdog, brought a smile to my face.


    My grandfather returned to the workforce after he took me in. His retirement benefits from the army didn¡¯t exactly help cover the cost of a teenager. He began working at the local lumberyard as a team supervisor. He said he got lucky he didn¡¯t have to be out in the woods cutting down trees because his back would give out in one swing. Instead, he was in charge of hitting weekly quotas, filing distribution records, and all around drinking a cup of coffee in a long metal trailer stationed squarely in the middle of the yard.


    Those he worked with treated him like a father. He always had everyone¡¯s respect, and he respected everyone. His short-trimmed beard and bright blue eyes always caught everyone¡¯s attention and if they didn¡¯t then it was his wide brimmed fedora. People would refer to him as the retired Indiana Jones, but he would insist ¡°young Indy¡± copied it from him.


    Despite the old-styled clothing, the hunched shoulders, and the senior coffee breath, my grandfather had become fascinated with computers. Something about them stirred his imagination. As soon as he could afford one, he purchased his own home computer. From writing his own fantasy novels inspired by Tolkien to playing his role-playing games, Conrad Forester had become obsessed. ¡°A new world to explore!¡± He had shouted when the screen turned on for the first time.


    I wasn¡¯t much of a computer guy let alone someone who would sit for hours playing video games. I enjoyed being out in the woods something I think grew inside of me when I would visit my grandfather at work. I¡¯d get the chance to go out with the deforesting team and witness them cut down the trees. Something about being out in the woods and hearing songbirds and crackling pine always fascinated me. I decided to put that into a career and study agriculture. Logging was diminishing in northern Montana and farmlands were expanding in the 80s. I figured it would be the best of both worlds.


    The front door to my old home was unlocked when I arrived. Officer Reynolds had been initially contacted by Sheriff Springfield about the disappearance. He also told him they had already searched his house for any clues about where he might have gone. With the house cleared he left it unlocked for me and said he would leave the keys on the kitchen counter. I found the keys right where Sheriff Springfield left them, on the stained plastic countertop between the broken coffee maker and an empty sink. I found that strange. The sink was never empty growing up. Neither of us liked to do dishes so they would pile up until finally we would both step up and work to clean the kitchen together. A task that we did to mainly keep the summer flies out. During the colder months, instead of cleaning up, we¡¯d order pizza and watch whatever the latest sci-fi movie was on the TV. He¡¯d fall asleep in his recliner, and I¡¯d quietly throw away our paper plates and napkins, store the pizza in the fridge, and retire to my room. Those nights were the best. I missed those nights.


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    The entire house was quiet and cold. The heat had been shut off and every light in the house was dark. At first, I thought that maybe the power company had turned off his electricity when the kitchen light didn¡¯t turn on. My worries went away when the family room light flickered to life. It gave off its familiar buzzing sound. It was missing something though. The sounds of my grandfather snoring. I went and sat on the flower-patterned couch and clicked the TV on. I wasn¡¯t planning on watching anything, but I didn¡¯t exactly know what I was doing there. Officer Reynolds said the Middleton Sheriff would explain everything to me in the morning down at the station. When I pressed him for further information all I got was the disappearance could be connected to other missing people in the surrounding regions. More than fifty people had disappeared in the last month alone.


    I couldn¡¯t sleep the night I returned home. I found a microwave meal in the freezer; beef and vegetables with a side of brown gravy. I popped it in, grabbed a beer from the fridge and when it was done, I sat on the couch and ate it while flicking through the channels. It was deep into the night when I heard it. A high-pitched sound coming from the basement. It was a noise I didn¡¯t recognize. I had memorized every creaking, groaning, and humming sound of the old house, and this was not one of them. It dinged again.


    I pushed open the basement door and tried the stairs light. Nothing happened. I searched for a flashlight and found one in a drawer in the kitchen and returned to the stairs. Before I switched on the flashlight, I caught sight of something glowing far below. A slowly pulsating green light. Every time the light faded; I could hear the beeping sound. I switched on the flashlight and made my way down.


    My grandfather¡¯s office was very warm compared to the rest of the house. It was stuffy and smelled of dust. There were cardboard boxes scattered everywhere and rolled up newspaper against the far wall. A deep alcoholic scent permeated the air with an underlying tone of rotten food. A strange thought came to me. What if I found my grandfather passed away at his computer desk? No, it was impossible. The police already searched the place. When I made the last step all I saw was an empty chair before a blank screen. I walked over to his desk and heard the beep sound again. It was coming from the computer tower. It was in sleep mode.


    I wiggled the mouse, and the screen came to life. I had to squint against the sudden brightness. I turned off the flashlight and sat down at his desk. I didn¡¯t know what I would find but something told me I could discover something on his computer about what might have happened to him. I pressed enter on the keyboard and the screen turned to show a place to enter login information. My grandfather¡¯s name was present in the center of the screen, and it was only asking for his password. I didn¡¯t know it. I¡¯d never used his computer before now.


    I started to search his desk drawers to see if I could find something when I noticed a sticky note on the side of the monitor. I pulled it off and saw, password: briarfield. I entered it in and the screen flashed to black then slowly expanded out to show his desktop. There was only one icon in the center of the screen. It was some sort of game. It had an icon of a spell book pierced by a sword with the name Phyrelia: MUD.


    I had never heard of the game before let alone why it was called a MUD though I had heard the term before back at college. Some of the other students in my department said something about a new MUD game that had come out recently and they were hoping to try it out. This may have been what they were talking about. Knowing my grandfather he¡¯d probably be one of the first people to try it. I felt a sudden heaviness in my chest as I thought about the stories my grandfather told me of his adventures in other games. I never really paid attention to what he said as I knew none of it was real. It was all fictional. He wasn¡¯t some grand wizard on an epic adventure or an all-powerful druid conjuring lightning from the skies. I should have listened more or even played them with him. Heaven knows he kept inviting me, but I never cared.


    I clicked on the game and was greeted with another login screen. This one was colorful, vibrant and decorated with swinging vines and animals standing like people all dressed in fantastical clothing. There was a raven firing an arrow from a curvy bow. An otter slinging a ball of fire into the sky and a mouse tending to a flower with hands glowing green. Across the center of the screen the title of the game was displayed in a large yellow font. PHYRELIA: Multi-User Dungeon.


    The account name box was filled in with a name I had never read before, Cornelius. That must have been the name my grandfather picked for his fantasy role-playing. I was never as creative as he was. I couldn¡¯t think of a cool name to save my life. He had always been the one with the childlike imagination. Something I figured I lost after the death of my parents. I entered the briarfieldpassword but was greeted with an error message in red letters. Wrong Password. Crap!


    I had no clue what this password could be. I tried looking around the computer and through the desk for any more sticky notes but besides a few empty beer cans, and a soiled paper plate, I found nothing. This was a waste of time. I don¡¯t know why I was even doing this. I stood to leave but caught sight of another set of words popping up under the login credentials. Create Account.I could have sworn the option to make an account wasn¡¯t there before. I sat back down and was about to click when I felt my eyes get heavy and my mind go foggy. I needed to get some sleep and not play some stupid video game. Before I could leave another set of words appeared. Hello Miles, do you want to play?


    All fatigue disappeared as I stared at the blinking words below the account creation option. How did the game know my name? How did it know I was here?Maybe it was a message my grandfather left for me. Maybe he was counting on me coming back home and sitting at his computer. This could be a clue as to where he had disappeared. I had to get the Sheriff here. He would want to know about this. The screen flashed suddenly and then went dark. A single line of text typed itself out on the center of the monitor. Do you want to find your grandfather? Then play the game.


    Someone was messaging me directly. Someone must have taken my grandfather and was taunting me. They had to have been monitoring the computer somehow. They were expecting me to show up. It could all be some kind of weird trap to kidnap me as well. However, if playing this game could give me any more information as to the whereabouts of my grandfather I had to take the chance. Besides what could someone do to me with a simple video game.


    I clicked on the Create Accounttext below the message and then everything went blank. There was no light. Not a single dim glow from the computer screen or tower. No ambient glow coming from the upstairs family room. There was only darkness. No, it wasn¡¯t darkness it was nothing. I couldn¡¯t feel my body, my breathing, my heartbeat. I was floating in a vast abyss of emptiness until the words emerged before me in bright green text.


    [Welcome to Phyrelia Adventurer!]

 02. The Races of Phyrelia

    Please enter the name you wish to go by.


    The words typed themselves across the black view in bright green text. Below the message was a white text box with a flashing underline waiting to be filled in. I had no idea what was going on. Was I in the game now? Was this some new Virtual Reality system without a headset? I heard something about certain advanced VRs being worked on but always thought it was more of a joke than anything. Maybe I was asleep, and this was all a strange dream. That¡¯s what it had to be. I had fallen asleep on the couch and was playing out a bizarre fiction in my head.


    I stared at the empty text box waiting to see if something else would happen. Nothing changed. I had no sense of time or sensation of reality while I floated in the empty void. My body was missing, there were no smells, and I couldn¡¯t even feel the air on my skin. Had I died at some point, and this was heaven? Ridiculous. There¡¯s no way heaven was some text-based role-playing game.


    I tried to reach out and feel for the keyboard I knew was sitting squarely on my grandfather¡¯s desk. Yet, despite my efforts, I felt nothing. An underlying sense of anxiety started to grow in my chest. I felt trapped in a coffin, paralyzed and unable to move. It was terrifying. This wasn¡¯t heaven, this was hell.


    Please enter the name you wish to go by.


    The words rewrote themselves in the black void and the text box flashed three times. I wanted to scream at the words. Ask it how I would enter a name without a keyboard. How did the game expect me to enter a name if I had no way to type it out? I tried to speak and demand some answers, but there was no sound. I didn¡¯t even know if I had a mouth anymore. Was I trapped forever to stare at these words and this abyss of anxiety?


    I closed my eyes and took a moment to focus on my chest. I tried to calm my racing heart and push away the dread flooding my body. It took a moment, but I was finally able to calm down enough to reopen my eyes and try something else. I put my focus on the empty text box and told it my name.


    Welcome Miles Forester! Please choose your race. If you would like to know more about each race, feel free to ask. Please take your time on this decision as you will not be able to change it once you enter the world of Phyrelia.


    A long list of strange names popped up in the air. A total of ten different races and I didn¡¯t recognize any of them. I had never read a fantasy book in my entire life. Most fictional stories and worlds I knew about were the late-night sci-fi shows I occasionally watched with my grandpa. I never paid attention to the different alien species as it seemed they always introduced a new one each week. It was hard to keep track of them all, so I never bothered to remember them. I decided to focus my mind on asking for help. Immediately each of the races expanded with a single paragraph of information and details on skills and lore.


    Blackwings: The people of Crowsong Isles are a strong-willed race known for their distinguished black feathers and sharp beaks. Not the friendliest of folk but what they lack in social skills they make up for with iron bonds and unbreakable oaths. A friendship with a Blackwing is not filled with laughter but trust. If you find yourself lucky to be one¡¯s friend, you will find that friendship to be true to the end. They are proficient in aerial combat and have a keen understanding of others¡¯ real intentions. They have a 10-point increase to Insight and Ranged Combat.


    Racial Passive Selections: Storm Glide or Carrion Feaster.


    Riverpaws: Within the reed homes, built upon the gentle streams of Riverbend, live the Riverpaws. The most social of all the races of Phyrelia, the Riverpaws are charming, light-hearted individuals. With their sleek fur coats and long slender bodies, they are excellent swimmers and sailors. They never stay in one place long and find adventure to be their lifestyle of choice. They have a 10-point increase in Athletics and Persuasion.


    Racial Passive Selections: Deep Breath or Thick Fur.


    Brighteyes: The fieldfolk whose hearts belong to nature can be found playing their self-crafted instruments and singing delightful songs in the wide farmlands of Briarfield. Don¡¯t let their diminutive size, big round ears, and curly whiskers deceive you. What they lack in strength they make up for with courage and a cheerful outlook. They have a 10-point increase in Performance and Crafting.


    Racial Passive Selections: Whisker Sense or Swift Feet.


    Tenderbeaks: The white-feathered communities found hidden in the thick fogs of The Mistvale are considered by some to be prideful and arrogant. However, those who spend time with these elegant flyers come to find out that family and culture are at the center of their hearts. Their deep fervor for history and desire to uncover the hidden secrets of magic have led them to become renowned scholars and teachers. They have a 10-point increase to Arcana and Investigation.


    Racial Passive Selections: Home Bound or Long Memory.


    Darktails: Untrustworthy, devilish, and smiles full of jagged teeth are all common traits to those who serve the Irontail King of Duskspire Keep. Their loyalty is purchased with gold and friendships are won through battle. These skilled fighters, who know not when to quit, are an invaluable asset in any adventurer group as long as you keep one hand on your coin purse. They have a 10-point increase to Melee Combat and Thievery.


    Racial Passive Selections: Iron Teeth or Tail Grip.


    Shellbacks: The wise and ancient people of Brightwater take life one day at a time. Preferring to listen to the calm ocean breeze while eating richly flavored seafood over travel and adventure. They enjoy long peaceful lives in their sheltered communities. Though they aren¡¯t the most agile of warriors, few have ever cracked their thick shells and cut their scaly skin. They have a 10-point increase in Cooking and Foraging.


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    Racial Passive Selections: Sturdy Shell or Ancient Will.


    Sunscales: The nomadic tribes of the Sunflare Sands are skilled acrobats and potion makers. Famous for using every resource at their disposal to create unique tonics and poisons, as well as being known for their incredible acts of aerial stunts and gymnastics. They have long, scaly bodies and razor-sharp talons. Those who befriend a Suncale find laughter in abundance but may find their unrefined speech irritating over time. They have a 10-point increase to Alchemy and Acrobatics.


    Racial Passive Selections: Capillary Scales or Toxic Aversion.


    Springsteps: Confident to a fault and filled with curious hearts. The soft-furred, long-eared hoppers of The Greentides enjoy wide plains and great stories. The outgoing travelers are known for their extraordinary tales of bravery and cunning. They have a keen sense of direction and find the road to be a more comforting home than a soft bed behind safe doors. They have a 10-point increase in Navigation and History.


    Racial Passive Selections: High Leap or Radar Hearing.


    Bogdwellers: The wise swamp walkers of Elderfen are among the most skilled healers. Their deep understanding of disease, toxins, and medicine is unmatched and so is their strong connection to the wild things of the mires. They believe in being one with nature to the point that they wear vines, mud, and leaves upon their slimy, bumpy skin. Thick strong legs and whiplike tongues help them navigate the bogs with ease. They have a 10-point increase to Medicine and Animal Handling.


    Racial Passive Selections: Living Armor or Poison Glands.


    Nightflyers: Few citizens of the Twilight Hollows ever venture beyond the Greypeak Mountains. These leather-wing mammals prefer isolation and darkness while staying safe within their vast caves. Regardless of their environment, they have become renowned for their hunting and tracking skills. Able to use echolocation to hunt down any prey while also staying hidden in the deepest shadows. They have a 10-point increase in Stealth and Tracking.


    Racial Passive Selections: Blood Consumption or Echolocation.


    I felt a headache begin to rise from all the lore and game terminology suddenly bombarding my vision. I had no idea what half of these things meant or what would be a good choice to select. However, one option did stick out to me. The Brighteyes of Briarfield. Wherever this Briarfield was or is, it had to be important to my grandfather as it was the password he used for his computer. It could be a clue as to why he disappeared. It was the only connection I had between him and this game. Plus, this was just a game. The decision wouldn¡¯t matter much, could it? I wasn¡¯t planning on spending a lot of time delving into something I wasn¡¯t interested in. I only want to know what, if any, connections this Phyrelia: Multi-User Dungeon has with my grandpa going missing. I pushed my consciousness onto the Brighteyes option.


    Are you sure you would like to play as a Brighteyes? There is no going back once selected. This will also determine your starting location of Briarfield and give you increases to your Crafting and Performance skills. You also have the option to choose either Whisker Sense or Swift Feet for your Racial Passive. If you would like more information on any of these topics, please feel free to ask.


    I hesitated a moment. What did it mean there is no going back? That sentence left an ominous feeling in the back of my head. Regardless, I did want to know one thing. What could this system tell me about Briarfield? I pressed my question out to the void and was greeted with a new paragraph of information.


    The peninsula of Briarfield is one of wide farmlands and lush forests. Animalkin from all Phyrelia travel to witness its beautiful wind-swept fields and airy pines. A hub of goodwill, great cooking, and vibrant music. It is known to create a sense of safety and joy to many who call it home and to the various kin who visit. The many towns scattered throughout the area are considered youthful compared to the ancient villas and citadels of other regions. However, rumors of primeval magic and long-lost artifacts continue to invite mystery into the seemingly mundane lives of the Brighteyes of Briarfield.


    The description didn¡¯t give me what I was hoping for. It read like one of those old fantasy books my grandfather would fall asleep to while reading in bed. Despite this, there must be a good reason why my grandfather had it as his password. Maybe this was the region he selected when first playing the game. He could have picked the Brighteyes race and started in Briarfield. It was a good guess and to be honest the description of the area reminded me a bit of Middleton. Long farmlands surrounded with vistas of deep forests. It was the only lead I could follow. I once again pressed my mind on the Brighteyes race and told the system my choice.


    Are you sure you would like to play as a Brighteyes? There is no going back once selected.


    There was that message again. No going back once selected. I sunk the hesitation beginning to itch at the back of my mind and told the system yes.


    You have picked Brighteyes as your chosen race. Please select your Racial Passive from among Whisker Sense or Swift Feet.


    I picked Whisker Sense without asking for more information as I wanted this experience to end and to wake up from this weird dream. If it was a dream.


    You have selected to play as a Brighteyes with the Whisker Sense Racial Passive. You will now be analyzed to calculate your starting statistics and avatar appearance. Please stand by while the system scans your characteristics.


    A bright green line of light appeared in the darkness above me and slowly descended. I felt a strange energy flow over me as the light scanned me. Once it reached where I assumed my feet would be it reversed directions and started to rise. It passed over my invisible body, crossed my eyes, and then disappeared. I heard the same beeping sound my grandfather¡¯s computer was making before and then everything went quiet.


    Characteristics have been analyzed and starting stat totals calculated. Here are your starting stats which will be further refined after Class Selection.


    Strength: 10


    Intelligence: 13


    Agility: 12


    Charisma: 8


    Wisdom: 15


    Constitution: 9


    Based on these statistics you will have a starting life total of 23 and a starting mana total of 33. You will receive stat bonuses based on your Class choice to further customize your avatar¡¯s abilities. Please prepare to select your Class. As with your chosen Race, the choice you make cannot be changed once selected. Are you ready to continue?


    There was no way this could be a dream. My subconscious was not this creative to come up with all these different races and stat breakdowns. I had never played a fantasy game or read a fantasy book so there wasn¡¯t a well of knowledge for me to draw from. The dreadful sense of anxiety started to build inside me again. It crushed my heart and quickened my breathing. I had to end this. I had to escape this nightmare. I pushed my thoughts on asking this system to quit or to shut off, but nothing happened. I tried to run but I couldn¡¯t even feel my legs move, if they were even still attached to me. I had nowhere to go. No way to free myself from the endless darkness stretching before me. What could I do? The green words in the air vanished and then retyped themselves once again.


    Are you ready to continue, Miles?


    I had no choice. I had to keep going. If all of this was real, then I would endure it to find my grandfather.

 03. Choosing My Class

    Excellent! You may now choose what class your avatar will be during your adventure across the lands of Phyrelia: MUD. Similar to the choice you made on which race you will play, the decision you make cannot be undone. So, think carefully adventurer because your class not only determines your playstyle, skills, and abilities but also how the animalkin of Phyrelia will interact with and how they will perceive you. There are a total of six main classes with each one having an additional three subclasses to further customize your experience. That makes for a total of eighteen possible choices with even more options as you progress through your journey.


    You will be given a description of each of the main six classes with a short introduction to the various subclasses. If you would like to know more about a particular class and its various subclasses, please feel free to ask. Are you ready to choose?


    I told the system, yes, and in a flash of green light a massive amount of text wrote itself out in the air. I sighed at all the information the system had thrown at me, but if I could absorb a highly detailed textbook on the Principles and Fundamentals of Agriculture and Natural Resources in a single night and still manage to get a 79% score on my aptitude test, then I could manage this. I let out a deep breath and started to read.


    Ranger


    Those who ascribe to the Farjourney Guild, also known as Rangers, are at the edge of every map and exploring the deepest caverns. These talented cartographers, explorers, and archers are the champions of the wild. They live as one with the beasts of the woods and rarely venture into cities but only to share their discoveries or acquire new bounties. Those who choose to be a Ranger gain a bonus to their Charisma.


    Subclasses


    Beast Master ¨C Considered the most savage members of the Farjourney Guild, these Rangers are never without their animal companion. They utilize a combination of fierce dual-axe attacks and commanding their beast for support. Core Stats: Charisma and Wisdom.


    Wayfinder ¨C Seeing a Wayfinder in town is extremely rare even for a Ranger. They are the most skilled navigators and cartographers of the Guild. They are especially gifted with short bows and have a wide knowledge of survival training. Core Stats: Charisma and Agility.


    Archer ¨C Masters of the longbow and crossbow, the Archers are their deadliest in long-range combat. They attack from elevated positions while scouting out the nearby terrain. The sharpest eyes require the steadiest hands. Core Stats: Charisma and Constitution.


    Druid


    The ancient Order of the Druids dates back farther than anyone can remember. They are nomadic travelers who seek out the wonders of the world, however, their treasures are in the magical aspects of nature rather than its beautiful landscapes. A druid is not only close to the animals and forests they fight to protect but also with the essence of the earth and sky. Those who choose to be a Druid gain a bonus to their Wisdom.


    Subclasses


    Stormcaller ¨C The fierce power of the Stormcallers comes from their passion and rage. They call upon the very energies of the sky and wind to cast incredible spells of destruction. Not only can they summon blinding lightning strikes to destroy their enemies, but they can also instill themselves with the same essence to strengthen their own bodies. Core Stats: Wisdom and Intelligence.


    Grovewarden ¨C The true protectors of the mountains, lakes, and forests. A Grovewarden places the sanctity of nature above all else and in return is granted immeasurable defensive and offensive abilities. They can manipulate the very trees to their whim and transform into a wide array of wonderful creatures. Core Stats: Wisdom and Constitution.


    Spirit Shaman ¨C The old magic of the world flows in the veins of the Spirit Shamans. They devote themselves to studying and listening to the ancient spirits who guard the world from beyond the veil of life. With their connections to these powerful entities, they can summon totems with unique effects and call upon their ancestors to bestow them with amazing feats of strength and agility. Core Stats: Wisdom and Charisma.


    Cleric


    The protectors of divinity and truth, the Clerics of the New Gods are bound by blood to bring light and peace to the world of Phyrelia. They are the servants of life and death. The bearers of the Holy Word. They seek justice either by combat or prayer. Zealous in their devotion to their faith, Clerics will stop at nothing to cleanse the world of evil even if it means succumbing to the darkness themselves. Those who choose to be a Cleric gain a bonus to their Constitution.


    Subclasses


    Gravekeeper ¨C What is considered blasphemous among the Citadels of the New Gods is but a cornerstone of devotion to those who not only protect the dead but control them. Priests of the Tombstone God find joy among the ruins of lost spirits and the quiet peace of the grave. Using the unnatural relics of bone and ash, Gravekeepers can bestow curses on their enemies while commanding a legion of undead servants. Core Stats: Constitution and Intelligence.


    Warpriest ¨C The most aggressive devotees of the New Gods. Warpriests demand repentance and acceptance on behalf of the New Gods by way of battle. With the use of their holy weapons and blessed shields, they bring peace to Phyrelia. Clad in strong armor and stronger faith, the Warpriest will never yield, no matter how many injuries they receive or how many enemies they face. Core stats: Constitution and Strength.


    Lightbearer ¨C The beloved keepers of faith and hope, the Lightbearers will banish all darkness through prayer and patience. The Blessed of the Dawn, prefer to support their allies rather than damage their enemies. They are holy healers, charitable givers, and peaceful friends to all living animalkin. Core Stats: Constitution and Wisdom.


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    Warrior


    The greatest fighters in all the lands come from the Training Halls. These mercenaries and guards can be found in every major city and town. They are craftsmen of war and musicians of battle. Skilled in every weapon and armor, the Warrior has no equal when it comes to hand-to-hand combat. They never back down from a fight and in most cases are the ones instigating the challenge. Those who choose to be a Warrior gain a bonus to their Strength.


    Subclasses


    Berserker ¨C Among all the combatants in the Halls and the Fighting Pits none are as brutal as the Berserker. They wear no armor so their attacks are never restrained. Wielders of great weapons filled with unstoppable rage. If a Berserker ever challenges you to a fight, it is always to the death, and they hardly ever lose. Core Stats: Strength and Charisma.


    Guardian ¨C The Guardians are known as The Walking Castles, as they wear thick armor and carry heavy shields. They are patient in their attacks, cautious of their movements, and prefer to defend against threats than make them. At the forefront of every battle, in the dust of war, the Guardians will always be found. They are beacons of defense and the center of courage for many adventuring parties. Core Stats: Strength and Constitution.


    Champion ¨C Few become experts in every known weapon and armor, however those who do call themselves Champion. These brilliant tacticians and masters of weaponry often find themselves the leaders of their forces. They are unrivaled in their experience with combat and unmatched in their strategies for war. They utilize knowledge and their confidence in their teams to overcome any obstacle, rather than brute force. They can boost their allies to victory through powerful buffs. Core Stats: Strength and Wisdom.


    Rogue


    The Society of Shadows is a myth to the larger population of Phyrelia, but to those who risk it all, it is home. The hidden halls of the Society are filled with cunning thieves, deadly killers, and masters of deception. Rogues find to succeed in life others must fail or die. They are willing to risk everything to achieve their goals. Darkness is their greatest ally and poisons their deadliest weapon. If you know a Rogue is coming for you and you can¡¯t see them, odds are you¡¯re already dead. Those who choose to be a Rogue gain a bonus to their Agility.


    Subclasses


    Assassin ¨C Known as the Blades of the Society, the Assassins are their deadliest weapons. Shadows are their home and the underbelly of civilization is their kinship. When you need someone taken care of look no further than the Assassin. Of course, if the price is right. They are proficient with dual blades and razorwhips as well as escape tactics. Core Stats: Agility and Intelligence.


    Thief ¨C The Masks of the Society and the collectors of their wealth. A thief has no equal when it comes to subterfuge. Whether they are stealing valuable treasures from unsuspecting nobles, or bringing a government down from the inside, the Thief is king. They are savants at pickpocketing, lying, and lock-picking. No valuable is outside their reach and no contract beyond their skills. Core Stats: Agility and Wisdom.


    Swashbuckler ¨C The great leaders of industry and the calvary of the sea are the infamous Swashbucklers. The hidden Hands of the Society, the Swashbucklers search for wealth beyond the safety of the shores. They are often aboard vast ships sailing to distant lands to be the first to claim the wonderous bounties found beyond the map¡¯s edge. They are skilled with rapiers and underhanded tactics when it comes to fighting. Core Stats: Agility and Charisma.


    Wizard


    The knowledge and the power of the Arcana belong to those who pass the treacherous trials of the Obsidian Tower. A wizard studies to master the elements or conjure illusions. There are even those who prefer to inscribe their mystical spells upon the faces of ancient stones. Intelligent spellcasters adept at causing chaos on the battlefield, overcoming challenging situations with unique magic, or uncovering the darkest secrets with the snap of their fingers. Those who choose to be a Wizard gain a bonus to their Intelligence.


    Subclasses


    Elementalist ¨C Summoners of powerful elemental beings, casters of destructive magic, and enchanters of fire and water. Elementalists are experimenters of the bizarre, discoverers of the extraordinary, and seekers of unfathomable power. Able to conjure pillars of lava and torrents of ice. They can enchant weapons with powerful elemental spells or write wards of protection. Core Stats: Intelligence and Wisdom.


    Illusionist ¨C The tricksters of the Obsidian Towers and the magicians of deceit. The Illusionist is a master of disguise with the use of newly discovered magic. They can cast mirages to astound their enemies or perform tricks to delight their audiences. They can shift reality to appear the way they want it to. The only limitation to their power is their imagination. Core Stats: Intelligence and Charisma.


    Runesmith ¨C Several wizards lack the mana to cast powerful spells without permanently damaging their bodies. What is their solution? To inscribe the magic upon runestones. They are the jack-of-all-magic when it comes to their ability to pull out the spells they need at a moment¡¯s notice. But what they lack in mana they can make up for with time and preparations. Core Stats: Intelligence and Constitution.


    I was at a loss. There were more options to choose from than the races. Each one had very distinct abilities even within the same class you could end up with something completely different from someone else. That was a strange thought to consider at the moment. Were there other people going through the same thing I was experiencing? Is this what happened to my grandfather and if so, what did he choose? I shook my head to clear my thoughts. Make a choice Miles. The only way for me to move forward is to make a choice. I read through the options again and decided I would start with the first main class that stood out to me. I chose the Druid.


    Now that I had made the choice of the Druid class the words in the void shifted again to show the three Subclasses of Stormcaller, Grovewarden, and Spirit Shaman. My first thought was on Stormcaller as being able to control lightning sounded cool, but something about it left a bad taste in my mouth. Like a long-lost memory was trying to cut its way up my throat and there was blood on my tongue. I dismissed the idea of the first Subclass and thought about the last option. Spirit Shaman. Again, I had that same strange metallic taste in my mouth. This time it reminded me of my lack of belief in the afterlife. I didn¡¯t believe in the whole heaven or hell concept, and I certainly didn¡¯t believe in ghosts. How would this affect my ability to play a class that was centered around ancient spirits? This left only the Grovewarden.


    Are you sure you would like to play as a Grovewarden Druid? There is no going back once selected.


    There was that sentence again. No going back. No going back¡­ If that¡¯s the case, then I will continue forward.


    You have selected to play as a Grovewarden Druid. This will give you an additional two points to your Wisdom Stat. With your race, class, and subclass now selected here is your avatar¡¯s character sheet.


    Miles Forester


    Level 1 Brighteyes Grovewarden


    HP: 23


    MP: 33


    Strength: 10


    Intelligence: 13


    Agility: 12


    Charisma: 8


    Wisdom: 17


    Constitution: 9


    Congratulations on completing your first steps into the incredible world of Phyrelia: MUD! Soon you will arrive in your starting location of Briarfield near the town of Aurleaf. Are you ready Miles Forester to begin your journey of magic and mystery?


    I told the system yes.


    Are you sure? There is no going back.


    Yes.

 04. The Rabbit Ranger

    In a whirlwind of green lines and rapidly growing red lights, I fell. I don¡¯t know how far I fell or for how long, all I knew was I was falling into a new world. The idea popped into my mind like a sudden faucet leak. A drizzling thought had pooled in the base of my skull and rushed to fill my head. A new world was rising to meet me and I raced down to it. Then as quickly as it happened, the falling stopped. I had landed on a platform of white light. The green and red glow still swirled around me.


    A new sensation came to me. A feeling I had never had before. It was strange yet empowering at the same time. This one didn¡¯t start in my head but at the tip of my toes. My toes! I could feel my body again. I looked down and what I expected to see was far from what was there. No longer did I have human feet, instead they were long, slender, and covered in thin brown fur. They suddenly twitched as an involuntary reflex came over me. I felt my new toes spread and wiggle as I moved them around. The strange feeling left my feet and began to race up my legs. It was as if a hot knife was carving up my body.


    Muscular mouse-like legs sprouted out from under me. They curved in a way that was impossible for human legs to turn. Thick brown fur shimmered in the shifting red and green lights. The soft hair laid flat against my thigh and despite the layers of hair now covering my skin, I could see strong sinew flexing underneath as I moved my legs.


    Something whipped around my waist causing me to flinch. I thought a snake had appeared from nowhere and tried to bite me. It wasn¡¯t a snake, rather it was my tail. I had a tail! It curled around me in rippling motions as if suddenly scared. It flicked against me several times and I attempted to calm it down. I don¡¯t know how I did it but once I focused on the tail, as if it was another leg, it came to rest on the glimmering floor. In a burst of curiosity I could only describe as muscle memory, I made it move.


    I couldn¡¯t help but let out a fit of laughter. Now I knew this was a dream. No way any of this was real. It had to be or else I was having the crazy hallucination from eating some spoiled meat. That must be it! The beef I had for dinner. Who knows how long it was sitting in the freezer. I laughed again and something brushed my cheek. I reached up with my hand expecting a spider-web or loose hair. A paw touched my long nose as my newly gained whiskers twitched in surprise. I screamed. My voice was loud. Too loud. Having experienced eternal nothingness to being bombarded by the harshness of my yell took me out of my stupor. I went silent.


    It was all real. The fur, the legs, the swinging tail. It was all a part of me now. They were me. I had been transformed into some kind of animal. Some kind of mouse. A Brighteyes! It was the race I had chosen. A kind of human-mouse hybrid. I had seen something like it in one of those old sci-fi shows. Only it was a lizard combined with a rat, and by the end of the episode, it had turned into a monstrous creature. Was I being turned into a freak of nature? My large ears twitched and I knew I was no longer human. I thought about screaming again or using my strange new legs to run as fast as I could, but a voice spoke to me. It came in low. Like a distant melody echoing down the school hallway. Soon it took over my entire being and calmed me down. It was like an embrace of love and comfort. A familiar embrace.


    ¡°Miles,¡± The voice called. ¡°Miles is that you?¡±


    ¡°Grandpa?¡± I asked. It sounded as if he were standing next to me but when I turned to look, I found myself alone. ¡°Where are you?¡±


    ¡°Miles¡­ Miles why? How?¡± The voice of my grandfather asked.


    ¡°I came looking for you. I¡­ Well¡­ Where are you? I don¡¯t see you,¡± I said.


    ¡°Miles you shouldn¡¯t be here. This is wrong. You shouldn¡¯t have come,¡± he said.


    ¡°What is this place? Why can¡¯t I see you?¡± I started to walk hoping he would appear from behind some dark shape or hidden wall.


    ¡°Miles, you need to go back. Don¡¯t come looking for me. I am fine. I am home.¡±


    ¡°No, Grandpa. This¡­ this¡­ You need to come back with me. I don¡¯t know what¡¯s going on, but I will find you.¡± I started to run. I ran until my throat hurt and my heart pounded. Sweat dripped down my round ears and slipped off my whiskers. It was impossible to know how far I had traveled as my environment never changed. All I could see was the platform of energy below me and the swirls of Christmas-colored lights.


    ¡°Miles¡­ Miles¡­¡± My grandfather¡¯s voice began to shrink off into the distance. Growing quieter with each step I took.


    ¡°Where are you? Tell me how I can find you,¡± I yelled.


    ¡°If¡­ find¡­ your¡­ Briarfield,¡± His voice echoed.


    ¡°What? I can¡¯t hear you.¡±


    ¡°Quest¡­ get stronger¡­¡± His voice trailed grew softer until it finally went silent. I let out one final scream hoping wherever he was he understood no matter what, I would find him.


    The world shifted out from underneath me like a rug had been pulled out from beneath my feet. Everything turned in a flash and went dark. The green text appeared again but this time inside my mind rather than typed out before me.


    [World avatar creation complete]


    [Characteristics and Stats allocated]


    [Miles Forest Level 1 Brighteyes Grovewarden materialization initiating]


    [Materialization Process Completed]


    [Welcome to Phyrelia: MUD!]


    I will always remember the first sensation I had when I appeared under the rustling leaves of the Druid¡¯s circle outside the town of Aurleaf. It was the light of the sun. Its gentle hand was upon my whiskers and its touch warmed my cold nose. The second thing I felt was the barrage of notifications appearing in my sight.


    [Feat Complete: First Steps]


    [Reward Received: Starter Loot Chest]


    [Feat Complete: The Druid Circle]


    [Reward Received: Common Loot Chest]


    [Feat Complete: Region Unlock - Briarfield]


    [Reward Received: Uncommon Loot Chest]


    ¡°Hey¡­ You awake? Hello, friend you still alive?¡± Another, harder hit, pushed against my side.


    ¡°What?¡± The word stumbled from my lips. ¡°Where¡­ Who¡­¡±


    ¡°Oh, look here. He¡¯s still alive. Hold on. Hold on, friend. Take it slow. No need to be in a hurry and trust me. Hurries in my blood,¡± I felt a hand reach under my shoulder and lift me to my feet. ¡°There you go. Slowly. Sit right here.¡±


    My vision started to come back, and the blackness of the old world started to shift into a blur of greens and blues. The notifications phased away and I found myself sitting on an old stone wall. I reached my hand out and felt its rough, stony surface. My head started to swirl, and I thought I was going to pass out. The stranger next to me was still talking. I didn¡¯t know what he was saying but I knew for sure he was talking way too fast. It felt like I was trying to stave off a hangover. I had a headache; my eyes were unfocused, and I thought I was going to puke. I fell forward. Before I hit the ground, the stranger caught me.


    A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    ¡°Careful friend. Woah easy. That¡¯s it, sit down and take a moment to steady yourself,¡± The stranger said as they patted my back. I squeezed my eyes tight and let out a long breath. The haze of my mind began to fade and was replaced by the gentle singing of songbirds somewhere off in the distance. It was beautiful.


    ¡°Thank you, I don¡¯t know what happened. One minute I¡¯m sitting at a computer, the next minute I¡¯m¡­¡± my voice caught in my throat and I had to grind my teeth to keep from yelling. The largest rabbit I had ever seen was standing next to me only, it wasn¡¯t exactly a rabbit. This thing was standing on its hind legs, its arms were folded over its chest, and it was wearing what I can only describe as the clothes of a traveling musician. He had on a green cloak threaded into the shape of layered leaves. On his back was a thick, wooden longbow that looked as if it had been carved directly from an oak tree. Its white bark was engraved with beautiful patterns which ribboned across its body. On his hip was a long quiver of arrows strapped to his leather tunic by a brown belt. Among all this, the strangest thing about him was how expressive his face was. It was entirely like that of a rabbit but with more freedom and expression. Right now, this long-toothed rabbit was giving me a look of concern.


    ¡°You alright friend? Snapper got your tongue?¡± The rabbit chuckled to himself, his eyes flashed with joy then quickly dropped back to concern. ¡°Okay, okay I can see you¡¯re having a rough time right now. Let¡¯s straighten some things out. First, do you know where you are?¡±


    ¡°Umm,¡± I tried to recall what the green words had said to me. I was pretty sure I was in Briarfield, or at least I hoped so as I picked Brighteyes specifically for that reason. However, the system had told me another name. The name of a town. ¡°I¡¯m near Aur¡­ uh Aurtree?¡±


    ¡°You mean Aurleaf? If that¡¯s what you¡¯re saying then you¡¯re dead on the mark. More so you¡¯re in the Druid¡¯s Circle on the outskirts of the region. Figured you to be a Druid and by the looks of you I¡¯d say I¡¯m right. Well?¡± The rabbit scrunched his small circular eyebrows and waited for me to respond.


    ¡°A druid?¡± I asked as I rubbed my head.


    ¡°Of course!¡± The rabbit exclaimed. ¡°I mean you got the robes and the staff of one.¡± He pointed down on the ground a few feet away from me. Lying on a raised stone platform was a simple wooden stick. It looked to be about five and a half feet tall, and its frame was twisted slightly. ¡°Wow, you really are messed up in the old nogging, huh? Let¡¯s get you into town. They got healers there who can grow back an arm and a leg with the snap of their fingers. Well, not really but they¡¯re pretty darn good. Let¡¯s go, buddy.¡±


    The rabbit walked over picked up the stick and then handed it to me. ¡°By the way, the name is Finn Ashburrow, Wayfinder extraordinaire. What¡¯s your name?¡±


    ¡°My name is¡­ it¡¯s Miles Forester,¡± I answered.


    ¡°Nice to meet you Miles,¡± Finn gave me a wide smile. I returned it with my best effort. I took the staff from his paws and was greeted with a notification in the air.


    [Druid Level 1 Spells Acquired]


    Nature¡¯s Grasp


    Verdant Mantle


    [Items Acquired]


    Twisted Staff


    Traveler¡¯s Bag


    Wool Robe


    I stood and held the staff in my hands turning it back and forth. It was so strange to see my mouse hands so easily grasp the wooden staff. They were almost human. Looking down at the clothes I was wearing, I had on a simple brown robe with a hanging hood on the back. There were deep pockets on either side and a simple cloth strand around my waist. Over my shoulder, I had a leather bag. It was light which told me it was empty. As I inspected my items the green text faded away. I had a moment of anxiety as I wanted to learn more about the Spells the system said I had acquired. I looked up at the air hoping I could make them reappear.


    ¡°You alright friend?¡± Finn asked.


    I realized I must have looked awkward staring up at the sky. ¡°I¡¯m trying to get the¡­ you know the words to come back.¡±


    ¡°You mean your Avatar Sheet?¡± Finn asked.


    ¡°Uh¡­ yes,¡± I said.


    ¡°Wow, you must have hit your head hard or something. I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve ever met someone who doesn¡¯t know how to use the system. What level are you?¡±


    ¡°Level one.¡±


    Finn jumped in surprise. His eyes lit up and I could tell he was trying to stifle a laugh. ¡°You¡¯re joking, right? There¡¯s no way you can be level one. Here let me inspect you,¡± Finn stared at me intently for a second before his eyes went wide. ¡°You really are level one. How¡¯s that possible? What have you been doing the last three years, hiding under a rock?¡±


    ¡°Three¡­ I haven¡¯t been here for three years. I just got here, like two minutes ago,¡± I said. My answer must have been the last thing Finn expected to hear. His hair stood on end, his tall ears pointed straight up, and he chatted his teeth a few times.


    ¡°You¡¯re saying you only just got here?¡± Finn asked.


    ¡°Yeah. Why¡­ is that weird?¡±


    ¡°Do you remember your life before this?¡±


    What a weird question.


    ¡°Yeah, of course. Do you¡­ Do you not remember? I mean you are from the real world, right?¡± Finn didn¡¯t answer me. He started to thump his foot on the ground while sucking his lower lip with his long teeth.


    ¡°Everyone I know has lived in Phyrelia for almost three years now and no one remembers their old life. Can I ask you a question?¡± Finn hopped a step forward. He stood a whole head taller than me and was looking at me with eager eyes. I nodded. ¡°Is Miles Forester your real name?¡±


    ¡°Yes, why?¡± I asked.


    Finn jumped back in excitement and began to bound around the ancient stonework spread out around me. We were standing in a large circular pattern of stone statues. Many of them resembled various animals such as bears, deer, birds, and other beasts I couldn¡¯t put a name to as their surfaces were worn down and crumbling. To my left near the far end of the circle was a tall archway made of rocks. Each rock had an image carved upon its face. Images of different beasts and animals, the same as the statues surrounding us. However, the images looked to have charring around their edges as if some fire had spread through the linework.


    Finn finally came to a halt in front of me almost knocking me back. ¡°I can¡¯t believe this. This is incredible!¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± I asked.


    ¡°Finn isn¡¯t my real name. The thing is I don¡¯t remember my real name. No one does. No one remembers anything about the old world,¡± Finn¡¯s words ran over each other as he couldn¡¯t hold back his excitement.


    ¡°Hold on,¡± I put my hands up. ¡°I have a question now. Are you saying you¡¯ve lived here for three years?¡±


    ¡°Yep,¡± Finn said.


    ¡°Are you sure?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m sure. There is a celebration fair happening in Aurleaf in two days to commemorate the first avatar created in Phyrelia. There will be food, games, and a special quest with a unique item to obtain for those who complete it. That¡¯s why I¡¯m heading there now. You should come with me. There¡¯s someone you should meet. They¡¯ll be very interested in getting to know you.¡±


    Finn pointed off towards a path leading off from my right. The path cut through a small patch of oak trees and to wide fields of flowing golden grass and tall corn stalks. ¡°Let¡¯s hurry friend, it¡¯s still a long way to Aurleaf. If we hurry and leave now, we can get there before the sun reaches its peak tomorrow. Do you like camping? We¡¯ll be doing some deep forest camping tonight. Don¡¯t look worried. You may be level one but I¡¯m nearing level twenty. I¡¯ll keep you safe.¡±


    Without another word, Finn bounced down from the raised stone flooring and onto the dirt path leading away from the rock archway. I took a few steps after the leaping rabbit before I stopped and looked back at the burnt symbols on the rocks. As I stared at the animal carvings a swift wind picked up and shuffled the treetops. Leaves began to fall, and the trees groaned. It was as if the earth itself was calling me to adventure. Not so much in words but in a rush of confidence and encouragement. Even though I was in a foreign place with a talking rabbit bounding around with a bow strapped on their back, I didn¡¯t feel alone.


    I held the staff firm in my right hand and held the bag strap with my left. I rand to catch up to Finn. I called for him to slow down which he apologized stating he always gets ahead of himself. We both fell into a walking rhythm but his steps were too wide and it forced me to skip every other step to keep up. Finn continued to ramble on about things I didn¡¯t understand or even cared to know about. My thoughts were far away thinking about my grandfather and the last words he told me. ¡°Get stronger.¡± Was it a warning or a suggestion? Did I have to gain more strength and power to find and save him? Finn himself was almost level twenty, and he had been living here for three years. How long would it take me to grow stronger? I had so many questions buzzing around my skull. I needed answers now.


    I spoke up, cutting through Finn¡¯s constant rambling. ¡°Let me ask you something.¡±


    ¡°Sure, what do you want to know?¡± Finn asked.


    ¡°How does someone level up? You know, grow stronger?¡± I asked. Finn gave me an amused smile while also shaking his head in disbelief.


    ¡°Well there are a few ways to level up. You can complete quests and feats. You can fight mobs. Even exploring can give you the experience pointsyou need.¡± As Finn talked he pull out an arrow and twisted it in his hands.


    ¡°Experience points?¡± I asked.


    ¡°No way! There¡¯s no way you don¡¯t know about experience points. Okay¡­ pay attention. When you complete quests or defeat an enemy you are granted experience points and sometimes loot chests. Gain enough experience points and you level up. The higher the level the stronger you are.¡± He ended his sentence by reaching back, pulling out the bow, and firing an arrow at a nearby tree. The arrow stuck deep in the center of the trunk.


    ¡°Got it¡­ and what are loot chests? I received a few after I woke up.¡±


    ¡°Oh, they are rad! You can open them for items like gold, potions, and food. However, the higher-tier loot chests can contain some incredible weapons and armor. In fact, they are giving away loot chests at the First Avatar festival in Aurleaf. One of the reasons why I¡¯m going.¡± Finn jumped off the path and ran up to the tree with his arrow. He bounded ten feet into the air and snatched it from the bark. He landed with a soft thump. He twirled the arrow in his hand then slotted it back in his quiver. With a final flair of his hands, he jumped back onto the path.


    ¡°Who is the First Avatar?¡± I asked as we continued.


    ¡°He was the first person to ever wake up in Phyrelia. Ten years before anyone else. He¡¯s a legend and the most powerful player. The Great Cornelius!¡±


    ¡°Did you say, Cornelius?¡±