The screen once again changed to provide an explanation and list, though the list was vastly smaller this time, not even requiring a scroll bar.
[You now have the opportunity to spend character points to modify your embodiment. You currently have 108 points. The categories you can choose to modify include the attributes listed in the race description as well as Appearance, Abilities, and Equipment. Your physical age will be set to your chosen race's peak physical maturity. The standard attributes will be assigned randomly based on racial criteria. This means that if the racial attribute is Medium then the extreme random limits are Low and High value attributes. Points are spent not on changing exact values for attributes, but on limiting variation. For example, you can choose to limit the randomness to at least be at racial average, which for all attributes costs exactly 2 points. You can even choose to limit the randomness to only higher values, but that will cost more points. You cannot gain points by choosing to limit an attribute to a lower value, as that will also cost points.
Appearance is a special attribute that is subjective by race, and thus can fluctuate wildly and is completely random within racial considerations if you choose not to limit variability. This attribute can be limited either racially or generally. For example, Slt'rkvyns are considered the ugliest race in Freedom Universe by a majority. To make a Slt'rkvyn at least average in general attractiveness would likely cost more points than you possess. You can also use points to alter specific aspects of appearance other than height, such as eye color, skin tone, hair color, and even sexual endowment.
Abilities represent all known skills at all known levels. Abilities all have a designated point cost based on type, level, and racial capability. You may choose from the list of abilities as you did the list of races, and you can again limit results by performing a 'Search'. The only abilities you will possess without spending points are those you have already learned on Earth and your new racial language.
Equipment includes all known physical and intangible items in Freedom Universe. Point cost is determined by material rarity and difficulty of production. This category also includes money. Please note that if you choose not to spend any points on equipment you will arrive in Freedom Universe with basic civilian clothing and no money.]
Beyond that was just the list of categories. James went over the explanation a second time and sighed. He'd chosen his race explicitly for the racial attributes and would not allow himself to be short-changed, though if he got higher values he wouldn't mind. Thus he immediately spent 14 points to limit the randomness of the standard attributes to at least racial average. It should have been 16 points, but Growth Potential was grayed out due to the Thelossian racial attribute being Variant.
Looking at the 3 special categories, James tried to decide on his next priority. He looked down at his fat, disgusting self and immediately chose Appearance. Yes it was vain, but so the f*ck what. Taking a moment to consider just what he wanted, he then stated his requirements.
"Please limit racial attractiveness to at least above average. I would also like defined musculature and a well above average but not extreme phallus."
Okay, that was embarrassing as f*ck to say, but I'm definitely not getting short-changed there. James knew his face was flushed, but he wasn't going to take any chances with this. He didn't think any intelligent man would.
[Your specifications will cost 21 points. Do you confirm?]
"Yes, confirmed."
[Specifications set. You have 73 points remaining.]
Now that that was out of the way, James was left with two categories: Abilities and Equipment. After a moments consideration James chose Abilities. Equipment could be lost but abilities were always yours.
The list of abilities came up, and much like the race list it was ludicrously long. There was absolutely no way to just browse it. James would have to think up what was important and search for it. The first thing he thought of was communication. He would automatically receive his racial language, but that meant jack shit in an open universe.
"Search: 5 most common languages in Freedom Universe, listed in descending use."
The results returned, and at the top was Universal Trade Language.
[Universal Trade Language. Basic: 1 | Semi-fluent: 2 | Fluent: 3 | Master: 5]
He was about ready to select that when he had another consideration.
"Search: Most common language where I will appear in Freedom Universe."
Suddenly there was a loud "Ding" that caused James to jump as the text on the screen changed.
[Congratulations! Your insight into the necessities of inter-universal travel has earned you a reward. Hidden prize - Federal Trade Language: Master]
F*ck yeah! James nearly jumped for joy at the announcement. He'd nearly purchased an unnecessary language, but now he'd gotten the one he needed for free. He brought up the language on the screen.
[Federal Trade Language. Basic: X(1) | Semi-Fluent: X(2) | Fluent: X(3) | Master: X(5)]
It looks like he'd just saved 5 points. He wondered if all languages cost the same. He brought up the language of the first race he'd read about.
[A'aalp'tk Racial Language. Basic: 3 | Semi-Fluent: 8 | Fluent: 15 | Master: 25]
Damn. Either A'aalp'tx was vastly more complex than either Universal or Federal Trade, or more likely Thelossians didn't have the vocal chords for it. Deciding to forget about it, he moved on. James had been rewarded for realizing something important about migrating between universes. He wondered if he could do it again. After a significant time of consideration he had a new request.
"Search: Abilities an adult male Thelossian would be expected to have."
The sound of the 'ding' made him smile.
[Congratulations! Your insight into the necessities of inter-universal travel has earned you a reward. Hidden prize - Universal Trade Language: Fluent, Unarmed Combat: Journeyman, Laser Weapons Proficiency: Apprentice, Sword Proficiency: Apprentice, Spear Proficiency: Apprentice, Armor Proficiency: Apprentice, Weapons Engineering: Novice, Acrobatics: Journeyman, Throwing Proficiency: Apprentice, Thelossian History: Journeyman, Federation History: Apprentice, Universal History: Novice, Mathematics: Journeyman, General Biology: Apprentice, General Physics: Apprentice, General Chemistry: Apprentice, General Telekinesis: Apprentice, General Telepathy: Apprentice, Meditation: Apprentice, Lovemaking: Journeyman]
Hoooly shiiit! The F*ck, seriously, the f*ck! One search had netted him a ridiculous number of abilities, worth a ridiculous number of points. Also, that last ability, seriously, the f*ck. To try and get an idea he pulled up Unarmed Combat and Lovemaking.
[Unarmed Combat. Novice: X(2) | Apprentice: X(6) | Journeyman: X(12) | Expert: 8(20) | Master: 23(35)
Lovemaking. Novice: X(2) | Apprentice: X(7) | Journeyman: X(14) | Expert: 11(25) | Master: 31(45)]
Hot damn, based on the number of abilities and ranks he'd just earned well over a 100 points worth of abilities. Also, Lovemaking was more expensive than Unarmed Combat after Novice rank. And why on Earth was the standard for an adult male Thelossian at Journeyman. Some of the ideas that went through his head about the Thelossian race caused him to smirk uncontrollably.
However, the smile that threatened to break his face in half suddenly died as he made a realization. The reward notice itself referred to these things as 'necessities', and yet they weren't provided by default. You only got them if you realized you needed them. This meant anyone who hadn't performed a search similar to his would be royally F'ed in the A.
James felt himself break out in a cold sweat. Thank god I figured it out. He started racking his brain for any other abilities he should be expected to have. After a seriously prolonged cogitation James decided he'd probably got everything he should have as a male Thelossian from that single search. He considered checking for additional abilities to actually spend points on, but then realized there were likely 'things' an adult male Thelossian was expected to have as well.
He switched categories to Equipment and thought about how to phrase his search. He knew a search for equipment a male Thelossian should have was necessary, but he felt like he was missing something. Come on James, think. It's a far more technologically advanced world. What would such a world require that wasn't technically on 'item'?... Oh. Well shit.
"Search: Government identification."
This time the 'ding' did not make him smile.
[Congratulations! Your insight into the necessities of inter-universal travel has earned you a reward. Hidden prize - Federation Citizenship: First Class. Please choose a racially appropriate male Thelossian name from the following list.]
The list that showed up was long, but not as ridiculous as any previous major lists. As James read the names he felt his eyelids start to twitch. While he was probably making erroneous assumptions, he felt like he knew what Thelossians looked like now.
[You have chosen: Be'larien Sil'nathiel. Your identity will be entered into Federation records upon your transfer to Freedom Universe.]
Yep, he'd never seen a more complete list of Elvish sounding names in his life. Doing his best to tell himself he was likely wrong, James looked at what Federation Citizenship cost.
[Federation Citizenship. 3rd Class: X(5) | 2nd Class: X(19) | 1st Class: X(48)]
Wow. That was a big jump between each class. It didn't tell him what the difference was, but he figured it was important. Now it was time for the obvious search.
"Search: Equipment, devices, and items an adult male Thelossian would be expected to possess where I will arrive in Freedom Universe."
And again with the 'ding'.
[Congratulations! Your insight into the necessities of inter-universal travel has earned you a reward. Hidden prize - High-Grade Nano-Fiber Thelossian Male Undergarments (Set), High-Grade Nano-Fiber Thelossian Socks (Set), High-Grade Nano-Fiber Thelossian Male Upper Garments (Set), High-Grade Nano-Fiber Thelossian Male Lower Garments (Set), High-Grade Nano-Fiber Thelossian Male Shoes (Set), Traditional Thelossian Male Accessories (Set), Class III Tactical Under Armor, Class IV Tactical Combat Armor, Class IV Tactical Combat Boots, Class IV Tactical Combat Helmet, Olphidean Class Laser Rifle with Omni-Optics Scope, Selnek Class Laser Pistol, Mithrinite Long Sword, 5th Generation Holographic Omni-Net Bracelet with Built-In Sub-Dimensional Storage]
James knew his jaw was hanging open, but he couldn't find the wherewithal to close it. He understood the clothes, accessories, and bracelet, but the combat equipment sent his brain into shock. When he finally regained use of his senses he immediately started pulling up information.
[Class III Tactical Under Armor. One Set: 10
Class IV Tactical Combat Armor. One Set: 30
Class IV Tactical Combat Boots. One Set: 15
Class IV Tactical Combat Helmet. One Item: 15
Olphidean Class Laser Rifle. One Item: 30
Omni-Optics Scope. One Item: 20
Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.
Selnek Class Laser Pistol. One Item: 20
Mithrinite Long Sword. One Item: 25]
He'd just been given 165 points worth of weaponry and armor. If this was considered standard for a male Thelossian then they must almost all be in some form of military or peacekeeping organization. That was somewhat disconcerting.
Calming himself down, James checked the other items of interest. Namely the bracelet and what the heck a 'Set' was.
[5th Generation Holographic Omni-Net Bracelet with Built-In Sub-Dimensional Storage. One Item: 30
High-Grade Nano-Fiber Socks. One Pair: 2 | Set: 8]
Okay, so the bracelet was just as valuable as a laser rifle or combat armor. And assuming it wasn't a rip-off, a set of the clothing items must contain at least 4 items. Ok, he wasn't about to get any more information from this... system, so he would put gathering information about his race and equipment on hold. Now there was only one more question he could think of that might earn him something free.
"Search: Money a male Thelossian would be expected to possess where I will arrive in Freedom Universe."
There was no 'ding' this time. In fact, there were no results.
[Please revise your search. Wealth is too great a variable to yield a specific result, even by race and sex.]
Ok. He may have went overboard fishing on that question. Time to try again.
"Search: Most used currency where I will arrive in Freedom Universe."
This time he heard the wonderful 'ding'.
[Congratulations! Your insight into the necessities of inter-universal travel has earned you a reward. Hidden prize - Federation Credits: 10,000]
James checked how much Federation Credits were worth.
[Federation Credits. 1,000: 1]
So he got 10 points worth of credits for free. Pretty good. Now he was officially out of questions he could think to ask to get free stuff. Since he just got pretty much every physical item he could think of needing immediately for free, it was time to go back to the abilities.
After some thought, James decided he should probably know what abilities he was bringing with him from Earth.
"Please list abilities and ranks I possessed before character creation began."
[Request acknowledged. Pre-existing abilities - English Language: Master, French Language: Basic, German Language: Basic, Japanese Language: Basic, Mathematics: Apprentice, General Biology: Novice, General Physics: Novice, General Chemistry: Novice, Computer Programming: Apprentice, Earth History: Apprentice, Unarmed Combat: Novice]
Well... that made him feel awful Lilliputian. Especially for Computer Programming, he was pretty much one of the best experts in that on Earth.
"Would you please explain why the ranking for Computer Programming is so low?"
[Request acknowledged. Earth's technology as a whole is so primitive by Freedom Universe's standards that is doesn't even qualify at the level of children's toys. Novice ranking is already considered generous. Computer Programming has been assessed at Apprentice level for your ability to program a sapient AI.]
So that was terribly insulting. And he supposed he should be surprised that it knew he could program a sapient AI. Even attempting to do so was massively illegal on Earth. Though James suspected that Olympus Technologies had been using sapient AIs in their attempt to create a 100% realistic game.
Deciding to accept that the only useful skill from his past 42 years was only an Apprentice rank in programming, James moved on. He had 73 points to spend, and he figured he'd be using essentially all of them on abilities. Now he had to figure out what abilities he most needed. He already figured it would be better to have a couple of high level abilities than to have several low level ones. After almost half an hour of racking his brains he felt he had the answer.
"Search: Highest ranked abilities for increasing physical, mental, and psionic strength."
A new list was generated. It was big, but not ridiculous. He figured there might be about a thousand entries. He selected one at random.
[Spiritual Vortex Cultivation. Novice: 10 | Apprentice: 27 | Journeyman: 53 | Expert: 94 | Master: 172]
Sweet sh*t. Either the ability was great or was completely incompatible with his chosen race. He decided he should weed out the latter.
"Refine search: Only those abilities most compatible with male Thelossians."
The list immediately shrank to 8 entries.
[Void Meditation. Novice: 3 | Apprentice: 7 | Journeyman: 14 | Expert: 26 | Master: 46
Tantric Meditation. Novice: 3 | Apprentice: 7 | Journeyman: 13 | Expert: 25| Master: 45
Sexual Mind Tempering. Novice: 3 | Apprentice: 7 | Journeyman: 13 | Expert: 25 | Master: 45
Cellular Refinement. Novice: 4 | Apprentice: 9 | Journeyman: 17 | Expert: 30 | Master: 54
Sexual Body Tempering. Novice: 2 | Apprentice: 5 | Journeyman: 10 | Expert: 19 | Master: 34
Psionic Refinement Cyclone. Novice: 3 | Apprentice: 7 | Journeyman: 14 | Expert: 26 | Master: 46
Sexual Psionic Focusing. Novice: 1 | Apprentice: 3 | Journeyman: 8 | Expert: 15 | Master: 28
Sexual Psionic Refinement. Novice: 2 | Apprentice: 5 | Journeyman: 11 | Expert: 20 | Master: 36]
WHAT. THE. F*CK! Seriously, what the hell is up with this. First there was the 'Lovemaking: Journeyman' ability that is 'standard' for an adult male Thelossian, but now all of the best, most compatible, and cheapest abilities for strengthening myself are all based on sex. Sex, sex, sex! Just how oversexed are Thelossians. He couldn't change his race choice, and lord knows he wouldn't say no to a nice piece of ass, but despite the high basic attributes that made the race so appealing James was starting to think he'd made a mistake.
Oh well, no use crying over spilt milk. Despite his worries he figured he'd best get on with it. There were 3 abilities that didn't seem to have anything to do with sex, but they were at least 30% more expensive than the 'sex' options. If he wanted to have Master rank in one he could only do Journeyman and Apprentice in the others, and that only if he mastered one of the cheaper two. But if he mastered one of the cheaper 'sex' options he could then take at least Journeyman in all the rest. Of course he'd have to come to terms with being a male nympho in order to get stronger. *Sigh*
Nope. Not happening. He'd take Expert rank in Cellular Refinement and Psionic Refinement Cyclone, and Journeyman in Void Meditation. But just as he was about to confirm his selections he stopped. James felt like he was missing something. But what?
James started pacing as he thought. Something felt off, but just what it was eluded him. He'd already gotten all the abilities and equipment that would be expected of him, and he even got an identity... Wait, identity? He had 'identification', but no real existence. And he had everything 'expected' of him, but nothing that made him an individual. He was a cookie cutter model.
He switched back to the Equipment category and performed a search that he hoped wasn't stupid.
"Search: Life story for a male Thelossian?"
His voice rose on the end making it more of a question. Suddenly there was a bright 'ring' instead of a 'ding'.
[Amazing! You've shown extraordinary insight into the necessities of inter-universal travel. Special reward - Life Story: Good, Personal Mementos (Life Story Required)]
Wow. Holy cr*p, this category literally has everything but abilities. He quickly looked for what the Life Story should've cost him.
[Life Story. Tragic: X(4) | Bad: X(10) | Average: X(20) | Good: X(38) | Great: 24(62) | Extraordinary: 60(98)]
Daaaamn! That Life Story cost a pretty f*cking penny. Geez! Well, at least now he wasn't someone who somehow had 1st Class citizenship yet just popped out of nowhere. That would probably have raised some red flags after a while.
Now James was more confident in his next search.
"Search: Non-standard equipment, devices, and items an adult male Thelossian may have."
This time it was once again the 'ring'.
[Amazing! You've shown extraordinary insight into the necessities of inter-universal travel. Special reward - High-Grade *Special* Nano-Fiber Undergarments (Set), High-Grade *Special* Nano-Fiber Clothing (Set), High-Grade *Special* Toys (Set), Spatial Implosion Grenade (2), Theltan Class Pulsar Pistol, Personal Anti-Gravity Atmospheric Speeder, Personal Vehicle License, Personal Living Quarters: Good, Information Clearance: 2nd Grade]
F*******ck! Ok, calm down, just ignore the first 3 items. They don't exist. Doing his best to pretend the '*Special*' items didn't exist, James checked everything else.
[Spatial Implosion Grenade. One Item: 40
Theltan Class Pulsar Pistol. One Item: 50
Personal Anti-Gravity Atmospheric Speeder. One Item: 50
Personal Vehicle License. One Item: 5
Personal Living Quarters. Terrible: X(2) | Bad: X(9) | Average: X(20) | Good: X(36) | Great: 22(58) | Extraordinary: 54(90)
Information Clearance. 5th Grade: X(5) | 4th Grade: X(18) | 3rd Grade: X(42) | 2nd Grade: X(80) | 1st Grade: 70(150)]
Wow, 301 points worth of items from one search (ignoring the items which don't exist). And that 2nd Grade clearance must be super important to be worth 80 points by itself. James was quite pleased with the results of his search. But he was also starting to feel a dangerous foreboding. Probably one of the most altruistic thoughts James had ever had was his desperate hope that he wasn't the only one figuring out these things. Anyone who didn't was just so, so screwed.
Now it was time to go back to Abilities and do the last search he could truly think of.
"Search: Non-standard abilities an adult male Thelossian may have."
And there came the 'ring' again.
[Amazing! You've shown extraordinary insight into the necessities of inter-universal travel. Special reward - Piloting (Atmospheric): Journeyman, Piloting (Non-Atmospheric): Apprentice, Piloting (Interstellar): Novice, Sexual Mind Tempering: Apprentice, Sexual Body Tempering: Journeyman, Sexual Psionic Focusing: Expert, Sexual Psionic Refinement: Journeyman]
Ooooh no! No, no, no! No f*cking way! This thing has got to be screwing with me! James was just about boiling red from embarrassment and rage. He barely retained enough self-awareness to refrain from cursing and attacking the screen, something he was sure would, at best, yield no results.
Calm down, just calm down. It's still a lot of free points. Just relax. In order to give himself some more time to calm down he checked the first 3 items.
[Piloting (Atmospheric). Novice: X(3) | Apprentice: X(7) | Journeyman: X(13) | Expert: 9(22) | Master: 26(39)
Piloting (Non-Atmospheric). Novice: X(4) | Apprentice: X(8) | Journeyman: 7(15) | Expert: 18(26) | Master: 39(47)
Piloting (Interstellar). Novice: X(8) | Apprentice: 9(17) | Journeyman: 21(29) | Expert: 37(45) | Master: 63(71)]
James was certain those were some nice abilities to have, but it hadn't done much to calm him down. Finally, he just decided to bite the bullet.
[Sexual Mind Tempering. Novice: X(3) | Apprentice: X(7) | Journeyman: 6(13) | Expert: 18(25) | Master: 38(45)
Sexual Body Tempering. Novice: X(2) | Apprentice: X(5) | Journeyman: X(10) | Expert: 9(19) | Master: 24(34)
Sexual Psionic Focusing. Novice: X(1) | Apprentice: X(3) | Journeyman: X(8) | Expert: X(15) | Master: 13(28)
Sexual Psionic Refinement. Novice: X(2) | Apprentice: X(5) | Journeyman: X(11) | Expert: 9(20) | Master: 25(36)]
Well... shit. Now that he had these, not using them was a horrible waste. He could master at least two of them and still raise the rank of another. F*ck it! I guess I'll need to invest in Thelossian viagra.
[Sexual Mind Tempering: Master, Sexual Body Tempering: Master, Sexual Psionic Refinement: Expert. Total Cost: 71 points. Confirm purchase?]
James sighed. "Confirm."
[Purchase confirmed. 2 points remaining.]
Well, it was done. He didn't exactly feel happy though. In fact, he was pretty sure he was f*cked. Literally. But he was committed, and the show must go on. He switched over to Equipment.
"Search: Most appropriate item for me to purchase with 2 points."
The result came back immediately.
[Libido Dampener. Bottle of 10: 2]
James felt like steam was coming out of his ears. He turned away from the screen while grinding his teeth and clinching his fists. I f*cking knew it! This piece of sh*t is f*cking with me! GOD, F*CKING, DAMMIT!
He was breathing heavily and doing his best to get himself back under control. James had never been much for emotional outbursts, and he had an inkling suspicion that if he opened his mouth things would not end well. Finally, after several minutes, he'd calmed down enough to turn back to the screen. F*ck it. He bought the damned thing.
[All points spent. Are you ready to proceed with soul transference?]
James took a deep breath. This was it. "Yes."
[Confirmed. Finalizing attributes after restriction........ Complete. Final attributes - Height: High. Physical Integrity: Medium. Physical Development: Medium. Neuro-Muscular Response: High. Neural Processing: High. Memory Capacity: Highest. Psionic Potential: High. Growth Potential: Variant.]
Well at least something worked out for him. Physical Development and Psionic Potential had both gone up a level. He was shaping up to be quite the tough bastard.
[Finalizing Appearance after restrictions....... Complete. Appearance(Racial): Extraordinary. Additional specifications implemented.]
Nice. I wonder if I'll be able to star in movies. And I guess it won't be that difficult to find a 'training' partner. James finally had a smile back on his face, though it was closer to a smirk.
Suddenly there was a sound of a bell ringing.
[Congratulations! You've found 50% of the real necessities for inter-universal travel. 3 random abilities will be upgraded. Unarmed Combat: Expert, Lovemaking: Expert, Sexual Psionic Refinement: Master]
Oh, you motherfu... The bell rang again.
[Amazing! You've found 80% of the real necessities for inter-universal travel. Special Reward - Life Story: Extraordinary, Personal Living Quarters: Great]
James was practically having an epileptic fit. He was now 110% sure that somebody was f*cking with him. And then there were the sounds of trumpets.
[Perfection! You've found 100% of the real necessities for inter-universal travel. Unique Reward - Interstellar Class Familiar (Soul Bound)]
He knew what a Familiar was, but James had no idea what that reward actually meant. Regardless, it didn't make him happy. If anything it increased his ever growing sense of doom.
[Initializing imprint of Abilities and Life Story. Please brace yourself.]
Wait, what?! "AAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!" Pain, unbelievable pain. James was rolling on the empty ground, screaming, slamming his head against the floor, anything to try and make it stop. It was as if his very soul was being slowly diced into pieces. And the information, so much information. Lifetimes worth, all crammed into his consciousness at once. If he'd currently had a physical existence it would have exploded in a cloud of gore from the pressure.
Finally, at long last, it stopped. James lay panting on the floor, contemplating the sweet, sweet release that death might really be. He felt like his brain should currently be leaking out of his ears. It wasn't just knowledge that was crammed into his consciousness, but experience. Years and years of experience. And slowly, some of that knowledge finally started to register consciously, including that about the Thelossians. James nearly had an aneurysm.
"F*ck! No no no! Not a chance! I refuse! I don't want to transfer anymore! I don't..."
[Beginning transfer...]
James couldn't say anything else as the world shattered around him. As he felt his soul being ripped away to a new universe, and just before he lost consciousness, he could swear he heard someone laughing their ass off.