Somnium Online

Online

The internet is a wonderful place. You can meet friends, laugh at funny videos, obsess over other people's cats, the list goes on and on. And for Eric Grant, the internet was where he felt most at home.

Eric lived a plain life at 15 years old he was in the middle of his freshman year. Every day he would go to school, turn in his work, get slightly above average grades, ignore social functions, go home, study and then spend a few hours browsing the internet before going to sleep.

Just kidding. Actually, his schedule reads something closer to go to school, ignore everyone, get challenged to another pointless fight, finish school, win, go home. He was getting sick of fights. There was really only one thing that brought him a bit of comfort.

Eric liked fantasy novels. Tolkien, R.A. Salvatore, Dragonlance, you name it he had read it. He loved nothing more than to crack open a good book, and forget about the cuts and bruises. But he hadn't given much thought to fantasy videogames until he saw the ad.

Somnium Online.
"The game you play in your sleep."
Are you tired of having to lose sleep while gaming? Are you looking for a totally realistic fantasy experience? Then hop into bed and turn off the lights as you dive into the world of Somnium.

With our cutting edge technology, your dreams will be a playground of the fantastical. And MMORPG that runs in your dreams. Connect with others, become a new person, and enjoy totally realistic combat. Immerse yourself in a whole new world!
Only $0.50 to create a character.

Eric was speechless. Was this for real? He could visit a full fantasy world in his sleep? After some research, he discovered that the technology indeed did exist and with the purchase of a small earbud device that linked to an app on his phone, Eric could join the beta test of the first-ever dream game.

Eric entered for the chance to join the beta test and get a free earbud console. He was warned that he was liable for any damage that might occur from using the system and that beta testers would be selected by lottery so there was no guarantee he would even get in.

Afterward, Eric read as much as he could about the world of Somnium Online. The lore, the game mechanics, where rare or powerful items would drop, and how to play in general.

A week passed, then another. He waited for an email from the game developers, but none came. Would he be one of the lucky ones who got to play?

Sooner, he had almost totally forgotten about it. Then...

Dear Mr. Grant.

CONGRATULATIONS! you have been selected as a beta tester for the new MMORPG Somnium Online. A package will be mailed to you containing your console and a user's manual. We wish you the best of luck on your adventure.

He leaped out of his desk chair, whooping with joy. He had been chosen! He was going to be at the forefront of technology. This was his chance to have a real adventure.

A few days after the email, a small brown package arrived in the mail. He carefully snuck it into his room without his parents noticing. When he felt sure he wouldn't be disturbed, he carefully opened it.

The package contained two items. A small unlabeled white paperback book, and a small black earpiece that matched the contour of his ear, and had an antenna that wrapped around his earlobe.

He placed the device into his ear cautiously and turned it on. A robotic voice chirped in his ear.

"Welcome to Lucid Gear, to open the installed application please say the words Somnium Ludum, and then close your eyes. It is advised that you lay down prior to this procedure. Without further ado, Welcome to the world of Somnium Online."

He lay down on his bed and breathed deeply. Then, in his best impression of a heroic voice he said the activation phrase, "Somnium... Ludum!" He closed his eyes, and slowly felt himself drifting into a deep sleep