As everything fades to black, it quickly turns back to the light. In front of my vision, I see something I have seen several times in video games throughout my entire life: character creation. I can't contain myself; this is wonderful. I am in the most unbelievable video game. Suddenly, a name bar pulls up, and my name has been entered already: Brock.

Oh! It’s grayed out, so there’s no option to change it or give myself a unique name like Troll-Smash Burger, Goblin Cereal Slayer, or Dragon Fry Fryer. You know, something to troll the system. I have a work colleague who does that kind of thing. He names his characters the most ridiculous things—mostly inappropriate ones.

So, Brock it is. Sticking with my own name. Next, I look over and see a giant NEXT button. once I focus on it, a new screen appears in front of me. I feel like I am down the cereal isle at the grocery store and viewing all of my choices.

There are rows and rows of various fantasy races to choose from aside from humans, elves, orcs, goblins, dwarfs, gnomes, and even hobbits, the list seems almost limitless. NeuroNexus is thought of as everything for character creation. So many times I have built a character and thought to myself about wanting to play more of a villain-type character like a kobold, troll, or even a hobgoblin. I go to focus on Hobgoblin and its grayed out, and then notice that most of the screen is grayed out, just like the name your character screen.

Well, the doc did say they pre-built a starting avatar for me, so maybe they made all of these choices for me. Seems to take out a little bit of the fun away from creating my own out-of-this-world dark elf wizard, troll barbarian, or a hobgoblin druid.

I focus on what has been chosen for me in the race category: Human. No sub-races for me, only a description of what my race is.

Human

Humans are the backbone of Avalon, celebrated for their tenacity, ingenuity, and relentless pursuit of progress. With an unmatched ability to adapt, they flourish in any circumstance, turning obstacles into opportunities. Their limitless potential drives them to conquer challenges that others might deem impossible. Highly versatile, humans excel in both weaponry and knowledge, constantly mastering new skills and techniques to stay ahead of the curve.

Well, that’s a nice description of what a human is, yet I don’t feel like I can take on the world. I have always found a love and purist of knowledge and learning anything I can, but not much as of lately.

I accept and then see my starting skills. Seems like the doctors think I am better than I think I am. I look over and see my abilities and skills. Each is broken down on why it was scored that way.

Ability Scores:

• Strength: 16 (Years of physical labor and Naval service)

• Dexterity: 12 (Competence in precise tasks like that of sports and working out)

• Constitution: 14 (Survived grueling Navy life and hazardous materials handling)

• Intelligence: 14 (Analytical skills in logistics and data analysis)

• Wisdom: 12 (Experience in leadership and operations)

• Charisma: 13 (Leadership roles and effective communication)

Seems like once again, my real life experiences speak very highly of me more than I believe it should.

I got ahead and confirmed and focus on the NEXT button in my vision. The menu in front of me changes, a new area populates, and a new category of choices is in front of me.

Select your Class.

Based on my choices so far, I would think that they picked this, too. I few the choices:

Paladin

The Paladin blends righteous fury with unyielding resolve, creating a force that is both indomitable and compassionate. Drawing from the depths of both combat prowess and divine conviction, you serve as a protector of those who cannot defend themselves, wielding a sword in one hand and divine power in the other. Your leadership isn’t just through strength—it's through the example you set, inspiring others to rise above their limits. Whether standing tall in battle or guiding your comrades with unwavering moral guidance, your resolve pushes everyone forward. You are as steadfast in your convictions as you are in your armor, and your presence on the battlefield emboldens those around you while striking fear into those who oppose you.

And it's grayed out

Ranger

The Ranger is a silent guardian, a master of survival and precision. You’ve spent years learning to thrive in the harshest of environments, whether battling the elements or tracking down an elusive quarry. Your focus is razor-sharp, honed by time spent in the wilds, where every movement counts and the right decision means the difference between life and death. You are both the hunter and the hunted, relying on your instincts and your finely-tuned skills to navigate treacherous terrain. Precision isn’t just about striking with deadly accuracy; it’s about knowing when to act, how to read the world around you, and how to be one with nature itself. Whether stalking foes from the shadows or guiding allies through dangerous landscapes, your expertise in both combat and survival is unmatched.

And it's grayed out

Barbarian

The Barbarian is the living embodiment of primal strength, unbridled fury, and raw endurance. You thrive in battle through sheer force of will, unleashing explosive power when pushed to your limits. Your connection to the earth, the blood of warriors long past, and the primal instincts that stir within you make you an unstoppable force of nature. No weapon is too heavy, no wound too deep, for you are the embodiment of survival itself. The rage that fills your veins grants you a terrifying strength, allowing you to break bones and tear through armor with little effort. But it’s more than just physical might—it’s the fierce, untamed spirit that drives you to never back down, to fight with the fury of a thousand storms. In the heat of battle, there’s no room for doubt, only the certainty of victory or destruction.

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

And it's grayed out

Artificer

The Artificer is a master of both magic and invention, where practicality meets creativity in the forge of battle. Your mind is a wellspring of innovation, turning mundane tools into instruments of incredible power. Whether crafting enchanted weapons, mechanical companions, or complex arcane contraptions, your talent lies in taking the impossible and making it functional. But your brilliance doesn’t just come from understanding the arcane—it’s your ability to take what’s broken or basic and turn it into something extraordinary. On the battlefield, you’re a tactical genius, wielding a combination of carefully crafted weapons, magical enhancements, and ingenious devices to outsmart and overwhelm your enemies. Your creations are as diverse as your intellect, and your ability to adapt to any situation is what makes you a force to be reckoned with.

And it’s grayed out.

Cleric

The Cleric is a warrior of the divine, a champion whose strength comes not from physical power but from unwavering faith and divine resilience. You stand as a pillar of protection, your presence offering hope and strength to your allies while smiting the enemies of your faith with divine wrath. In battle, you wield holy magic as both a shield and a sword, healing those who fight by your side while striking down those who threaten your sacred mission. Your true strength lies in your leadership—guiding your companions not just in strategy but in spirit. Your wisdom is a guiding light in times of darkness, and your resilience in the face of adversity is what allows you to lead with unwavering determination. You are both a protector and a beacon, fighting not just for survival but for the very ideals that guide your path.

And it’s grayed out… go figure. It’s like a broken record at this point. I keep telling myself to trust the process. I checked the last class in front of me.

Fighter

A Fighter is the epitome of relentless precision and adaptability on the battlefield. Drawing upon years of physical labor and naval service, a Fighter channels strength and discipline to dominate in hand-to-hand combat or with a weapon of choice. Your ability to think ahead, combined with tactical knowledge, makes you a master of anticipating and outmaneuvering your foes. Beyond just swinging swords or axes, you are adept at adapting to various combat styles, leading allies in battle with sharp strategic insight. You don’t just overpower your enemies—you break their will to fight with calculated moves that dismantle them one step at a time. You excel not just in brawn but in outwitting your opponents with calculated strikes and counterattacks.

Well, what do you know, they selected this for me. I focus on the Next button, and I get a confirmation notification.

You selected Fighter. Do you accept this?

“Yes,” I say out loud, not realizing how frustrated I am that I didn’t get to be creative with this.

“Accepted,” the system responds, acknowledging my voice command.

I am completely thrown off and caught off guard. Is this voice-activated? Wow, I’m going to have a hard time with this learning curve.

The next screen populates, and a note populates.

Due to your experience so far in life, you have unlocked your Subclass: Battle Scholar.

Battle Scholar

The Battle Scholar is a tactical expert who combines intellectual mastery with combat prowess. Using a unique resource called tactical focus, they employ precise maneuvers to hinder enemies and support allies. With deep knowledge of strategy and battlefield dynamics, they manipulate the flow of combat, using skill and timing rather than brute strength to outmaneuver and disable opponents. Battle scholars not only use their bodies for adventuring and questing, but they also use their minds, reading anything they can get their hands on. To them, knowledge is just as important as wielding a sword in battle.

Oh wow! I have never heard of a battle scholar. I wonder if this is unique due to my military records and educational background. I focus on the acceptance, and my profile locks into place.

Battle Scholar Frank is now entering the Realm of Avalon.

A new update appears.

Alert

Ability Scores Update:

When suffering from the effects of anxiety, depression, and PTSD on a character's ability scores, it's important to consider how these conditions might impact your day-to-day functioning. While they don’t directly diminish someone’s innate capabilities, they can affect how consistently those abilities are expressed. Here's your adjusted set of scores reflecting your current state of mind and conditions:

New Adjusted Ability Scores:

Strength: 14

Dexterity: 10

Constitution: 12

Intelligence: 13

Wisdom: 10

Charisma: 10

These adjustments are meant to reflect situational difficulties, not a permanent loss of ability. With proper support, therapy, or coping mechanisms, these scores could return to their original levels.

Good luck, Adventurer!

Well, there it is. I knew there had to be a catch. I feel a strange feeling in my toes, and when I look down, I realize that my Jordans are slowly fading away as well as I am. What is happening? I am starting to freak out, not knowing what is going on, and panic sets in. The next thing I realize is that I am starting to black out slowly. I feel nervous, anxiety-ridden, ridden, and scared as I cling to stay awake. At the first opportunity that I can, I force my eyes open and find myself waking up in a room, laying in a straw and feathered bed.