After what felt like forever, the intro cut scene played. The camera view started with an aerial view, high above the terrain, that descended and translated into a rapid paced fly-through of the lush green, untouched expanse of wilderness. It then dampened and eased out as the title of the game ‘Age of the Behemoths’ appeared in monumental stone lettering. The game’s title resembled aged monoliths and ruins, angled and skewed as if it resided in world space and was part of the scenery. It then crumbled and faded as a man’s voice echoed throughout the environment. The voice was subtle and eloquent, but with a calming warmth that lured Roh to his words. “Welcome to the Age of the Behemoths and to the lands of Aluria!” he began. “To the primal age where colossal, mythical beasts inhabit and roam the vast lands.” His descriptions were visualized with many large beasts wandering the landscape. Some mountainous, in comparison.
The narrator continued, “These lands are divided into floating shards stacked unevenly beneath each other. From the really bright, early levels below the primordial light.” The camera zoomed out as visuals of lucid levels, filled with the bloom shader effect, displayed. Everything appeared to have an overly radiant glow due to the lighting and shader effect. Roh took in all the eye-candy. Ah! Feels so heavenly.
“All the way down past the canopy of clouds. And then further down below the sea of stars to the darkest recesses where only the most hardcore players dare challenge,” he continued. The camera was zoomed so far out that the sky’s hue appeared like a gradient. It started with bright white at the very top, before blending into bright colors just beneath. It then bled into dark colors before ending in pitch black darkness. The footage cut back to one of the earlier biomes as more narration followed, “Teeming with life, every biome with its own unique climate contains a myriad of flora and fauna to explore and discover, ranging from Drakes to Wyverns, Dragons and Leviathans as well as many other strains of new and undiscovered species.
This is a game where your very survival depends on mastering the art of the hunt.
Everything from the food you eat to the armor and weapons that aid you in battle is crafted from the remains of these titanic creatures. Although depending on your race and class, you could use more than might to your advantage. Drow Elf or Dragon-blood? Artificer or Gunslinger? How about both or is an Apothecary more your thing? Perhaps you prefer to wield the runic magic essence absorbed from the mana surrounding you? Either way, be aware of your environment as it could help or hinder you. With so many choices for you and your party, synergy in your strategy is essential.
In this open world, how you choose to roleplay is up to you!”
The cut scene ended, and after a brief pause, Roh spawned in the game. His eyes took time to adjust, as it was unusually bright, almost unbearably so. The light did not originate from a single source like the sun, but instead seemed to emit perpetually up above him. The lower he looked, the more the light dissipated and he could finally make out the sky behind the lower regions of the light source. Pale blue with not a single cloud in sight. As his eyes adjusted, he noticed that he had spawned in an icy biome.
Roh plodded through the blanket of snow, his worn leather sandals sinking into the soft powder with every step. The bitter chill nipped at his skin. As he walked, he gazed in wonder at the stunning scenery around him. Majestic peaks rose up to the sky, their summits dusted with snow. A frozen river twisted its way through the valley below, its surface gleaming in the bright light.
Roh’s sharp eyes searched the area for signs of life and he was rewarded with a sight of a pack of wolves hunting a herd of deer in the distance. He watched as the wolves encircled their prey, their sleek bodies moving with smooth efficiency. Nearby, an eagle swooped through the trees with its wings spread wide, displaying its power and grace. Roh couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe of the majesty of the natural world.
As he continued his journey up the mountain, he encountered other forms of wildlife, from rabbits darting among the trees to a family of foxes huddled together for warmth. Unlike the busy and colorful Central Hub in the beta where he and other players usually spawned, this new starting location was desolate and quiet, save for its animal inhabitants. The entire village appeared to be blanketed in white, nestled high in the snowy mountains.
A location popped up on the HUD.
STARTING LOCATION: NA’ROK VILLAGE
Followed by Roh’s starting stats.
Rohgar The Rage - Level 1
Title: Unproven Hunter
Having the physique of a hunter is not enough to make one a hunter.
Race: Dragon-blood
Class: Barbarian
Subclass: Druidic Barbarian (Gained at level 5)
Background: Orphan
Primary Attributes (Vitals):
HP: 100/100
Defense: 15/15 (Natural Defense)
Mana: 50/50
Stamina: 110/110
Vigor: 3/3
Hunger: 20/100
Cold: -20/100
Boons:
Fervent Fury (Class Trait) - Rage + 20
Anger broils deep within you.
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Bearlike Strength (Gained from Rugged Physique) - Strength + 3
You possess enormous strength.
Runic Markings (Racial Trait) – Unlocks Arcane Runic Powers at various levels
Runic markings on your body ignite and illuminate during your rage, activating the powers.
Hot Blooded (Racial Trait) - Cold Resistance +20
More like Drake blooded, you exude heat like a Drake.
Banes:
Heavy-footed (Class Trait) - Agility -2
Nimble...is what you are not.
Hungersome (Gained from Rugged Physique) - Hunger +20
You have an insatiable appetite. This body needs more calories than the average person. You get hungry 20% more often and consuming food items are affected by a 20% reduction.
Flaws: You harbor a deep resentment towards all Shapeshifters (Gained from Orphan background) – Relationship Rank with Shapeshifters 10/100
Equipment: Meager tattered loincloth and worn leather sandals.
One size fits all. The default starter gear.
Weapon: Two-handed War Axe (Bone) - Common
Your weapon of choice.
Item Level 1
Physical Damage: 9 – 16
Critical Strike Chance: +6.0%
Attacks per second: 0.6
Range: 13 ft
Weight: +25
Durability: 5/5
Currency: 125 gold pieces.
Skinning Tools: Skinning knife with holster and whetstone.
Inventory: 7/10 – Survival Pack (Filled waterskin, 5 x small [low quality – 1 star] rations, Mending Gel, pot, rope, bedroll and pickax).
Reputation: Na’rok Village -50 (Distrusting).
He checked his stats from the top. The title makes sense, considering I’ve only just started the game. As for the equipment?
He then closed the prompts and looked down. Roh noticed that faint sigils covered his arms. Sweet, the runic markings from my Dragon-blood race look awesome. Can’t wait to see them illuminate. He continued inspecting his new form and discovered that he was wearing nothing at all, save for a loincloth a few sizes too small. It was way too tight, barely covering his dignity and with several holes. On his feet, he noticed the worn leather sandals.
Nostrils flared. Is this some kind of joke?!
At least I’ve got my trusty axe, I guess. Although I can’t wait to get a bearded axe in the game, as those are my favorite. The buffs are looking good. No wonder I’m not affected by the cold just yet. Although... I didn’t realize the boons and banes! That’s new. The agility reduction better not bite me in the ass during a fight and ‘Hungersome’? Well, that explains this awful hunger.
He looked further down. The 125 gold pieces and survival pack sure are handy. I’m just glad I don’t have to physically carry the pack and its contents around and can just access my inventory and items with gestures.
Eager to get started, he decided to take in his new surroundings.
Among all the white, rounded peaks of granite protruded from all around the village, surrounding and enclosing the sparsely laid out wooden huts. Although not as comforting as the central hub he was used to, Roh felt a sense of protection among these large protrusions of rock-face. Almost as if the mountains were living guardians protecting all its inhabitants. It felt idyllic up there, looking down at the valleys far below.
This feels like a good place as any for new players to join. Away from all the dangerous creatures out in the wild, particularly the Behemoths. Roh drew in a deep breath of the crisp, fresh mountain air.
Almost as if to challenge his thoughts, he could hear the howling wind as the mysterious light above changed in hue from the bright white to a tint of blue and sleet began to fall. The surrounding area grew a shade darker, which gave off an almost eerie look.
On closer inspection, he noticed a central courtyard surrounded by a dozen or so dwellings. These huts were low and squat, constructed of heavy logs and stone. They appeared to have been constructed haphazardly in haste.
A gust of wind, strong and threatening, blew down the lane, causing the entire ramshackle block to shake. The gust ran straight through Roh’s scantily clad body like a rogue’s dagger.
Smoke billowed from tall central beams atop the center of each building. Mixed with the smoke, Roh could smell freshly cooked meat. With a panging sensation, his stomach rumbled. He could almost taste the flavor of whatever local beast had just been cooked. It was almost too much to bear. His mouth watered at the smell of the meat that was surely roasting over a fire.
Caught up in his culinary reverie, the frozen sleet whipped across his exposed skin and the howling wind grew stronger as it echoed in his ears.
Wow! Talk about a punishing starting area. My stats are taking a beating so quickly. I hope I didn’t mess up when creating my build. Seems like that Hungersome Bane is going to be the bane of my existence. How would I explain it to the others if I die at level one? That would be embarrassing. Good thing I have the Hot Blooded racial trait that provides me with some cold resistance, but I still need to find some shelter in this unforgiving wilderness… and fast.
With each step, he felt the soft crunchy sleet beneath his sandals and every breath he exhaled looked like a plume of white steam.
He hesitated, unsure of how the villagers would react to his presence. They would no doubt be wary of strangers, and he did not want to start a confrontation.
But his need for food and shelter was too great, and he decided to take the risk. He made his way up a slope, approaching the village cautiously.
From door to door, Roh knocked, but no one answered. He could hear shuffling sounds from within each hut and even hushed voices speaking in a language that he could not understand, but for some reason, sounded familiar. He tried calling out. “Hello! Anybody there?”
No response.
The villagers were obviously there. The smoke from their cooking being the biggest giveaway.
Knuckles red and raw, he gave up and walked further on, hoping to find shelter close by. Well, the NPCs sure are different in this game. I know the devs said that the NPCs in the game would be unlike the stupid, repetitive NPCs that used very limited and specific algorithms in other games. They said that they used neural networks and deep learning for the NPC’s AI so that the “NPCs would be realistic by dynamically adapting and evolving to their experiences” but my gosh is this proving annoying. Bring back the basic NPC who doesn’t bat an eyelid at welcoming a complete stranger in their home. Although saying that I’d much prefer this to those emotionless, generic, repetitive and out of context NPCs. I guess this is more immersive and I just need to get good.
He kept going until he reached the very edge of the village. A cliff dropping down below. He could walk no further.
Well, this is a great start! I’m about ready to rage quit. He slumped to the floor in defeat when an abandoned hut overgrown in foliage caught the corner of his eye. It was hard to tell where the tree ended and the hut began.
Separated by a great distance from the surrounding buildings. A flickering glow effused from the cracks in the wooden slats.
The neglected hut was small and unassuming, tucked away in a clearing amidst a dense forest. It was made of rough-hewn logs, with a thatched roof and a smoke hole in the center. A faint wisp of smoke curled upwards from the hole, indicating that the hut’s occupant was home.
Roh picked himself up and, as he reached the forlorn hut, he noticed a wooden sign above the door. He could not read the first section of it as it was all battered, weather-beaten, and flipped over. However, the remaining letters read: “& Tucks Tailoring”.
He knocked at the door half expecting no one to answer again, when to his astonishment, a short and stout dwarven male, with an almost crazed look in his eyes, opened the door and stood before him. “Greetin’s.”