The Land: Founding

Chapters 1-3

CHAPTER 1 -– Day 1 – Sanren 21, 15,368 ABG

James covered his eyes against the sunlight that seemed determined to drive ice picks... naw, I'm better than that... fire picks? Yeah, much better, he thought sleepily. Yes! Fire picks through his eyes just because he had slept in! It was Saturday, wasn't it? He was having trouble remembering the night before. Reaching down, he tried to pull the covers over his head, except he couldn't find them. In fact, as his hand fell back to his what he thought was his mattress, everything felt remarkably, well... grassy. Also his pillow wasn't soft. In fact, it felt surprisingly like a large rock jabbing into his back!

Showing bravery on par with assaulting a horde of giants, or talking to a really hot chick sitting at the bar, he opened his eyes and took in his surroundings. He was in a small glen studded with wildflowers and colorful plants. At his back was a large shelf of stone and beyond it were the foothills of mountains rising in the distance. There were also trees in front of him forming the other boundary of the glen, rising tall and majestic. The scent of pines mingled with the fragrance of the flowers. Birds of various types could be heard performing call and refrain. The moss growing on the trees was a brilliant green, and there was a crystal clear pool several feet in diameter between him and the stone outcropping. It was one of the most serene and beautiful settings he had ever seen. It evoked feelings of connection and tranquility and he expressed himself accordingly.

"What the hell!"

He sat upright as quickly as he could, not at all helping the headache that blazed in intensity at his swift movement. Looking down, he imagined it might have something to do with the curved rock that had been under his head, and the tender lump he felt as his fingers searched his scalp. As James took in his surroundings, he was interrupted by a slightly off-key and resigned-sounding voice that spoke from behind him.

"About time you woke up."

Turning his head, slower this time, he saw the small form of an imp lazily flapping its wings as it hovered three feet off the ground! It had gray dusky skin, and pitch black, bat-like wings perched on its back. Its body was humanoid, if only one foot tall. James stared at it in fascination. The VR module had never produced a creature so lifelike and unique before. Standing up, he slowly walked closer, examining it in wide-eyed wonder until he was only an inch away. He was enthralled! That feeling faded rather quickly after it kicked him in the eye.

"Ahhhh, you dirty little," James immediately began swatting at it with his right hand while holding his eye with his left. It lazily floated out of the way of his swing and rolled its eyes while sighing heavily.

"Look," it said. "I'm here to help you and even if I wasn't, it would take a lot more than a friggin noob to take me out. Now if you don't want me here, I can always leave." It turned its back as it spoke, and started to gain altitude with a faster flap of its wings.

"No wait!" James said quickly. "I just don't know what's going on. Last thing I remember, I was in this castle, and then there was just a light, and now I'm here. And who are you calling a noob?" he asked with a bit of indignation.

Ignoring his question, the imp faced him again and regarded him silently for a moment. It was almost like it was daring him to say something else to offend it. With a small nod to itself (himself?), it began to speak again.

"Okay noob, you are in The Land. You are NOT playing a game anymore. I'm going to say it slowly this time. You... Are... NOT... In... A... Game! Your mind and soul have been transported here and placed in this body. Let this sink in. If you look around you, you can see that you are in a small glade. This is a safe haven, but as soon as you leave you can die. If you die, then you will come back to this point, unless you find another safe location or town to bind your spawn point to. The good news is that no one else should be able to find their way here. Even if they did, the enchantments on this glade should keep them out unless you lead them in."