Hello, Internet, and welcome to Magic EXE!
I wrote this because I had a head-full-to-bursting list of ideas from reading fanfics like Verdant Gamer and Gaming for Glory.
To be honest, I only read those two to get the inspiration here.
And because I think two meta-Gamers running around Remnant is enough, I decided to plop my OC right-smack-dab in the middle of Wizarding Britain.
Enjoy!
Darkness.
That's all I saw at first.
But then some light grew.
It was faint at first, brightening just enough to keep the room dark but let me see my surroundings vaguely.
I looked around. It was a small, stone-floored room, circular in shape, the walls done with black tiling.
As I circumspected, a small brazier sat where I was looking as I turned back.
I was fairly sure it hadn't been there before.
A fire crackled in its coals, lending warmth and comfort to the underground chamber.
At least, I thought it was underground. It definitely smelled something like an underground parking garage.
I blinked a few times, rubbing away sleep as I stretched.
A small hologram-style computer dialog box appeared in front of me.
Welcome to
- Terraverse -
The ultimate fusion of real and fictional (R).
You have elected to beta-test this brand new technology, and have been transported into the Terran Crux Realm.
Due to the expansive and hyperreactive nature of the Realms, you shall make a blind choice of which Base Realm you will enter first.
You have been given (I turned around to look in the direction the nav arrow it provided) a Hammerspace Satchel (Name is crowdsourced and randomly chosen on creation of data save). (There was a small beige satchel on the ground, around the size of a small laptop. Having left my own satchel back home, I picked the new one up and tried it on. It fit very well.) This serves as your inventory access point, inside which you will store all the odds and ends you will find on your adventures.
I thought I heard a small voice (Not unlike that of Oliver Twist and Matt Smith combined) narrating the box to me. Turning around, I saw that the holobox was being projected from a small, bronzen sphere, with a lens at the front projecting the hologram. Think of it like a bronze-coloured Golden Snitch with the detailing of YYZ Imports' Electric Avenue watch and the lens of The Room's Null Element Eyepiece.
This message, if all is well on our end, will show upon discovering your Companion Server Link. This little sprite (Term may not be accurate, texture is chosen from presets based on user's pre-game likes/dislikes) will accompany you on your adventure, and take care of system functions, such as Quest Log, Inventory Contents, and Equip.
Well, that was sincerely nice: My own little Navi. The little Companion Link looked like something out of a steampunk movie or video game, although…
… Did I like them…?
On that note…
… Who the hell was I…?
The first truly scary idea I confronted…
… was that I couldn't remember.
I racked my brain for any clue as to my identity, but found nothing. Facts, trivia, sure, I had those in generous supply, but there was nothing to distinguish me from the planet itself. I closed my eyes, rubbed my temples, searched again and again, but found nothing. I started to panic. If a man was the sum of his memories, as the Fifth Doctor once said, then I wasn't a man, or human, to use the gender-neutral terminology. But I was clearly here, and clearly sentient, so if I wasn't human, what was I?
I shook my head, forcing the thoughts from my mind (Or at least, I tried. They stuck at the edges, threatening to invade). I was definitely human. I was just suffering from a bout of forced amnesia (Or maybe even regular amnesia).
But the fact that I was more or less inside a video game remained.
It seems that you can't remember who you are. Don't panic. You can think up a new name here.
- Type (or say) your name. - (A string-input box and keyboard floated under this.)
I stalled for a bit before my brain kicked into gear. Was this intentional? In any case, I thought, driving out the paranoia, and thought hard. Simon seemed a good name to have. But why have a given name with no family name? I could literally pop up anywhere, so a family name would be a good thing to have. It should be something simple, obvious, archaic-sounding, and easy to remember.
A second holobox appeared to the left of the main one. A progress bar appeared at the top, filled, and loaded in-
Google Translate.
I couldn't help but laugh at the computer's sense of timing and choice of translator. I flipped through Google Translate a while, before finally giving up and choosing a name that had little to no relevance to the guidelines I'd set for myself earlier, but still sounded cool.
Alabaster Dresden.
It didn't really go well with the blue hoodie, green Legend of Zelda T-shirt and brown Abercrombie chinos I was wearing, but it was a name unlike any other, one that was truly mine.
I entered in the name into the dialog box.
Hello, Alabaster! Today, you start your adventure in Terraverse. You are probably confused with what's going on. Just keep calm, carry on, and listen to this tutorial.
Ah, joy, a tutorial. Although it may seem like a noob's decision, going through the tutorial could open the jar on mechanics and features that I'd otherwise miss.
First off are the controls. As you may have guessed, there's no joysticks or WASD here: Just move and look around as you would in the real world.
Questline Added: Tutorial
Quest complete: Tutorial I: +100 XP
Level Up!
I hummphed at the insta-completed quest. Was this due to my previous circumspecting? I shook my head, looking to a new dialog box.
Now you know how to navigate Terraverse! As you could see, there's quests here. Before we elaborate, do you want to use speech, gestures, or your Server Link (both) to open the various menus and use skills? (Choose one.)
( ) Speech
( ) Gesturing
( ) Server Link
I checked the Server Link box, before turning to said Link. "Will..." I paused, getting used to talking after the good 12 hours it felt like my voice was out-of-use for. "Will I be able to change this later if I want to?"
"Yes," was the Server Link's reply.
I continued with my choice, and read the next dialog box.
Now that you've established a menu-opening system, let's see what quests you have active.
Say "Quest Log" or "Journal" on their own, in a sentence, or as a mimed action to see what you have in your Quest Log.
"Alright, then... Let's see my quest log."
Quest Log
- Completed -
Tutorial I
- In Progress -
Tutorial II: 100 XP
- On Deck -
Tutorial III
- Tracked Quest -
Tutorial II
[X] Open the Quest Log
[ ] Open the Inventory/Character Menu
[ ] Open the Server Link Menu
I looked over the format of the Quest Log, and slashed my hand through the window, closing it.
Having quests and objectives is all well and good, but you'll need to know the ins and outs of being in an RPG to progress.
Say "Inventory" or "Character" on their own, in a sentence, or as a mimed action to see what you have in your Inventory.
"Open my Inventory," I told the Server Link sprite. A non-list-esque window opened in front of me, displaying an equip menu similar to most RPGs, alongside a graphical menu for my Hammerspace Satchel and its... well... hammerspace, and my different unlocked skills.
Inventory
- Stats -
ATK: 20
M-ATK: 10
DEF: 10
M-DEF: 10
HP: 500
MS: 250
SPD: 8.5
- Character -
Class: None (Heh...)
Level: 2 (0/200 XP)
Inventory: Hammerspace Satchel L1 (5 m3, 3 kg)
Title: -
Available Titles:
Titular Character: Gain 10 Titles.
Intelligence Officer: Observe 500 different things.
Monster Slayer: Kill a monster.
Paladin: Equip a Melée Weapon.
Wahzerd: Equip a Magic Weapon.
Ranger: Equip a Ranged Weapon.
World Walker: Choose a Realm.
Is This a Horror Movie?: [Conditions Hidden]
Noob: [Conditions hidden]
- Equipment -
Head: -
L Arm: - | Torso: Hoodie | R Arm: -
L Hand M: - | Belt: - | R Hand M: -
L Hand R: - | Legs: Pants | R Hand R: -
Feet: Boots
Rings: - / - / -
Amulets: Watch / -
Accessories: - / - / - / - / -
- Skills - 1 Unspent Point -
Punch - L2 - Basic unarmed Melée attack. Also raises ATK (+5 per level in Punch). Will adjust starting level based on user's pre-save proficiency.
Observe - L1 - Basic intelligence skill. Shows names, levels, HP, alignment, and Titles of observed entity, or stats/tooltips on observed items.
Sapient - LXX - Levelless growth skill. Creates new skills from new techniques.
- Inventory -
Money: 0?
Initiate's Short Sword - +5 DMG / CQC / TI
Initiate's Crossbow - +5 DMG / Ranged / TI
I goggled at the wealth of stats available to me right away. "... What..."
This is your Inventory. It shows your stats, Titles, current and available items, and skill list. Your Hammerspace Satchel is not directly linked to your Inventory, so small objects can still be put inside it. The capacity is divided into two categories: Volume and Weight. If Volume is maxed out, you cannot put any more items into the Satchel. If Weight is maxed out, you will receive a dexterity- and stamina-based penalty until the carry weight is at or below the max.
Since you've earned a Skill Point already, try levelling up a Skill to use later.
I unceremoniously dumped the point into Observe.
Being well-prepared is key to any hunting expedition or dungeon raid. To equip an item, drag it into your matching Equipment slot.
I plucked the Short Sword and Crossbow item cards from their slots and drag-and-dropped them in the R Hand slots in the M and R weapon sets in my Inventory. Surely enough, I felt a crossbow and a gladius-type short sword appear at my belt (or equivalent area, as I wasn't wearing a belt.)
Title Unlocked: Paladin: x2 DMG using Melee weapons.
Title Unlocked: Ranger: x2 DMG using Ranged weapons.
Good! Using these mechanics, you can build any character type you want in Terraverse.
Terraverse has some unique mechanics, owing to the diverse nature of the world.
Say "Server Link" or "Settings" on their own, in a sentence, or as a mimed action to open the Server Link options menu.
"Settings," I said with as must lustre as I could muster (Which wasn't much).
Server Link Menu
Player: Alabaster Dresden
Realm: Crux
Server Link Name: - = Change
Server Link Texture: Steampunk = Change
World Player Ranking: N/A
(Fast Travel)
Alignment: Undecided
This is your Server Link menu. Through this, you will be able to customize your Server Link, Fast Travel outside of combat, and check your World Player Ranking, Realm, and Alignment.
Wow... This game is... well-thought-out. I'd leave the rest of the judgement for the future.
Players will align with various factions within realms, and they may find themselves battling it out for supremacy. Your job will be to protect your faction, and help it secure the realm.
Quest Complete: Tutorial II: +100 XP
Now, go, young hero, and begin your adventure!
[Play Music: Palace of Earth - Ura Zelda OST]
The roughly ten or twenty doors lining the walls around me opened up, each showing a blinding light. Turning to my Server Link for any kind of guidance (Silence on his end), I turned around, trying to see if there was anything behind the blinding light at the doors.
Nothing.
At least, nothing I could see.
At long last and in near-complete silence, I stepped through one of the doors...
... and began my adventure as Alabaster Dresden.
Title Unlocked: World Walker: +1 bonus to Meta Knowledge rolls.
Quest Complete: Tutorial III: +100 XP
Level Up!
My first sensation was that of wind.
Wind coming from below me.
Which also happened to be forwards.
Which also meant I was falling.
After surprising myself with how level-headed I was at free falling at night, I passed through a storm cloud as I fell, revealing a massive castle in the distance and an expansive forest below.
I fell with the rain, eventually coming to a softer-than-physics-said-it-should-be landing.
Taking absolutely no damage as I hit the ground with no small amount of pain.
I got up, dusted myself off (Or would it be mudded?) and took a look at my new surroundings.
I was in the middle of a forest. It was dark, stormy, and the moon was high in the sky, showing its full face tonight.
I pulled up my inventory.
Inventory
- Stats -
ATK: 25
M-ATK: 10
R-ATK: 15
DEF: 10
M-DEF: 10
HP: 550
MS: 500
SPD: 8.5
- Character -
Class: None (Heh...)
Level: 3 (0/400 XP)
Inventory: Hammerspace Satchel L1 (5 m3, 3 kg)
Title: -
Unlocked Titles:
Paladin: x2 Melée DMG
Ranger: x2 Ranged DMG
World Walker: +1 Bonus to Meta Knowledge Rolls
Available Titles:
Titular Character: Gain 10 Titles.
Intelligence Officer: Observe 500 different things.
Monster Slayer: Kill a monster.
Wahzerd: Equip a Magic Weapon.
Is This a Horror Movie?: [Conditions Hidden]
Noob: [Conditions hidden]
- Equipment -
Head: -
L Arm: - | Torso: Hoodie | R Arm: -
L Hand M: - | Belt: - | R Hand M: Initiate's Short Sword
L Hand R: - | Legs: Pants | R Hand R: Initiate's Crossbow
Feet: Boots
Rings: - / - / -
Amulets: Watch / -
Accessories: - / - / - / - / -
- Skills - 1 Unspent Point -
Punch - L2 - Basic unarmed Melée attack. Will adjust starting level based on user's pre-save proficiency.
Observe - L2 - Basic intelligence skill. Shows names, levels, HP, alignment, and Titles of observed entity, or stats/tooltips on observed items.
Sapient - LXX - Levelless growth skill. Creates new skills from new techniques.
- Inventory -
Initiate's Short Sword - +5 DMG / CQC / TI
Initiate's Crossbow - +5 DMG / Ranged / TI
I saw that I now had Titles to choose. I selected World Walker, and once again put my unspent Skill Point into Observe, closing the window after doing so.
I looked into the distance, where the castle stood, somewhat menacing.
A soft rustle echoed from the bushes behind me, and I drew my sword halfway out, turning, before realizing that it was just the wind.
Of course, then I turned back around and got a faceful of spider.
[Play Music: Time for a 187: Stranger Things OST]
Grappling with it as I felt my HP go down a bit, I threw it off of my face and back onto the ground where it belonged.
New Skill Created: Grapple
"The hell is that?!" I addressed my Server Link.
"It's clearly a giant spider."
"I MEANT USE OBSERVE!"
Forest Spider - LVL 30 - 1500 HP
ATK: 35
DEF: 55
"Level 30s? Now? FREAKING NOW?!"
"Well, you DID choose to land in a dangerous area."
"I DON'T HAVE WINGS!"
I drew my crossbow as the spider flipped over from its back. Taking aim, I tried not to think about the pop-up window that had appeared a few seconds ago. I shot the spider a few times as I speedloaded, probably running the low-capacity magazine dry.
Seeing as that didn't kill the monster, I turned for the castle (It was lit up like a lighthouse in this weather) and bolted.
I heard the spider run behind me, intent on finishing our duel. Keeping an eye on where I was going, I checked the popup that had appeared.
You have alerted the Spider Den. Take caution in what you do next.
"Oh, come on..." I panted-
as I promptly ran into a tree.
Title Unlocked: Is This A Horror Movie? - x2 SPD when fleeing from a higher-level monster.
Title Unlocked: Noob - x2 XP gain from monster slaying.
"Oww..." I cringed as I clutched the centre of my face, my nose feeling especially painful.
The spider raced out of the bushes behind me, jumped-
And was shot out of the air by a crossbow bolt.
I looked around, fearful, as I hadn't reloaded my crossbow yet, so the bolt hadn't been because of me.
I questioned no more as a giant man came crunching out of the underbrush, (significantly larger) crossbow in hand, sending the spider skittering into the underbrush.
"What d'yeh think yer doing?" he said, scowling at me and my Server Link. "Aragog's not the friendliest Acromantula teh mess wit' if yer gettin' into scuffles wit' his family and all tha'."
"Oh… well, I'd best get out of here, then. You wouldn't mind taking me to safety, would you?"
"Not at all. An' how come yer armed teh the teeth? Not tha' it's not a good thing teh be, this forest's a deathtrap fer the unwary, but it's as if yer trying to wage war against a Peruvian Vipertooth or summat."
"It's a long story."
"Sounds alrigh' ter me. Come on, then! I'll take ye to my house."
The giant helped me up, and led me off down a small game-trail type path. We had been walking for about a minute before he spoke again.
"Arh, where're my manners? The name's Hagrid. Rubeus Hagrid."
I blinked. It wasn't every day you had introductions with a Harry Potter character. "Well-met, Hagrid. My name's Alabaster. Alabaster Dresden."
"And what would a lad like you be doin' in a place like this? Ye've clearly got some skill with tha' sword, but the Forest is still no place to be at nigh'."
"Mis-apparition. I'd just like to get to safety, I can sort myself out from there."
"Well, can' really argue wit' tha'. Come on, then! Let's get you outta here."
We walked in silence for a few more minutes, at which point we emerged from the forest and into view of Hogwarts, and entered Hagrid's hut, a welcome proposal compared to the cold, dark and rain.
Hagrid made some tea and rock cakes, which I gratefully accepted, drinking the tea against the cold, and stashing some rock cakes in my inventory (Seriously, a 25-DMG throwable!) We chatted for a while, but eventually I decided to not keep Hagrid up any longer (My watch read as passing midnight), and I left for the castle, time and the tea having mostly healed me. I opened the doors, shaking off the (relatively small amount of) rain that had gathered on my hoodie.
I stepped into the empty Hogwarts Entrance Hall, and looked around. Torches burned softly in their sconces, and stone steps led up to the Great Stairwell and the various living, office, and educational rooms and quarters beyond.
I closed the great oak door, which creaked as the iron latch clanked shut.
An old man carrying a lantern walked down the rear stairs and into the hall, an old calico cat at his heels.
"You're not one o' the staff," the old man said, leering at me as he approached the doors with the cat, "so who are you, and what business do you have here?"
"I'm Alabaster Dresden, nice to meet you," I said, extending a hand to the old man, which he didn't shake, leading to its withdrawal, "I was hoping for a bit of shelter against the elements tonight."
"You'll be getting no shelter tonight, lad," the old man said, smirking evilly, and showing me the exact state of decomposition of some of his teeth. "You'll be coming with me... I've got a pair of ankle chains in my office for moments like these..."
"That will not be necessary, Argus," another old man said, popping up on the staircase back. "After all, we do not yet know if this young man has done any punishment-worthy deeds."
Purple space-themed robe, reading glasses shaped like semicircles, wise words and wording... Yep, definitely Dumbledore.
"I'm sorry for intruding on you at such a late hour, sir," I said, addressing Dumbledore as he walked down the stairs, "but I was hoping for a bit of shelter and a map… and as I somehow get the feeling you'd either figure this out or otherwise find it out on your own: I fell out of the sky a while ago, and made my way here through the forest. I would have died if Hagrid hadn't found me."
"I see you have met our groundskeeper, then."
"Yes, I ha- Hold on. You're not fazed at all by the fact that I openly admitted to falling out of the sky?"
"I am utterly surprised."
I fell silent for a second there. Dumbledore was a freaking Stoic.
"Well, is there somewhere I could stay?"
"I do believe the hospital wing has plenty of empty beds, happily. As for a map, I believe Argus has one you can use."
I nodded and bowed a bit. "Thank you, sir. I promise I won't get in your hair or anything."
As Dumbledore left to get this affair sorted out, I gestured to Filch to lead on. He started off, but as I took a step after him, I was distracted by Mrs. Norris (The cat) dragging a little metal ball by its wing, the life completely gone from its lens.
I approached Mrs. Norris from behind as she glanced sullenly at me, saying nothing yet not dropping the Server Link.
As we walked, I kept an eye on Mrs. Norris, and she kept an eye on me. When we got to Filch's office, the caretaker turned on me.
"What I'm goin' to show you is contraband of the utmost... contrabandiness. Mark my words, boy, if it leaves my office, you'll have hell to pay."
He opened the door and we went inside. Mrs. Norris carried the Server Link up onto Filch's desk, where I promptly picked the broken contraption back up and stowed it in my Satchel.
I looked back up as Filch put a blank piece of parchment paper into my hands.
"Confiscated from a couple of troublemakers years back. It's apparently a map of some sort, but none of us know how to use it."
I examined the multipanelled paper tapestry meticulously, feigning ignorance. Could this be...?
"Alright, that's enough. Don't get any ideas," Filch said, taking the parchment from my hands.
I blinked as I tried to memorize what I saw with the aid of any software that remained open to me.
Filch and I left his office, and I ducked out using directions to the Hospital Wing.
I walked through the hallways, trying to locate some sort of signage that would help me navigate. Eventually, after at least ten minutes of wandering, lost, I found the Hospital Wing. I opened the door, and stepped in, looking around.
It was furnished just like one would expect it to be furnished, with beds and nighttables lining the room. A few privacy screens were lined up on one wall to the left of the door, and a row of cabinets labelled "Medicine" and "Ingredients" hung on the other wall. One of the nighttables had a note on it, addressed in my name. I picked it up and opened it.
Mr. Alabaster Dresden
This bed will be yours until you leave the castle, relocate, or the bed becomes needed by someone who needs it more, whichever comes first.
I sighed and sat down on the indicated bed. The mattress was one of those kinds you have at camp: Small, somewhat squishy, and thin. Two layers of sheets made up for whatever the mattress lacked.
Flopping over, I pulled the Server Link from my Satchel. I looked it over to see exactly what was wrong, but all I could see were a few holes in the wings and a few cracks in the lens. Shaking it gently produced a rattling sound.
I turned over the problem in my head. Rowling's magic could definitely fix this, as Reparo was displayed in the trailers for Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them fixing far larger objects, but the use of magic was some kind of genetic ability, and I wasn't sure if I could use it. I had no other option, though.
Well, here went nothing.
Looking around to make sure that I wasn't being watched by anybody, I looked at the Server Link and wondered how to start it. Placing it on the nighttable, I raised both hands in a sort of Doctor Strange-esque gesture. I moved my left hand over, then drew it back as my right hand waved to my left, and then my right, all in the space of time I said these words in:
"Tempum revoco,
vulnos sano,
res reparo!"
It was somewhat more verbose than what Rowling had, but it would work should her magic system hold up. A second passed. I opened my eyes, and saw an amazing sight.
The Server Link was repairing itself, due to my usage of Rowling's magic.
I looked down at my hands, amazed, as the Server Link started flying again and I synced up with the server.
New Fast Travel Point: Hogwarts - Entrance Hall
New Fast Travel Point: Hogwarts - Hospital Wing
New Region Map: Hogwarts Castle Grounds
New Skill: Words of Power (Latin, Rowling) - L1 - Utility- and combat-focused ways to change the world around the caster, Words of Power has different effects depending on the active word set and the words used. This word set is mostly Latin-based, and some words for specific effects are defined by J.K. Rowling (Your Server Link can provide a dictionary as you discover words and invent your own).
It seems you have discovered your first fast-travel point! Fast-travelling, like in most other RPGs, is used as the name suggests: To get somewhere quickly. The menu for this can be found in your Server Link menu, where you can choose your destination and hit the button when you're ready to go!
Congratulations, you've discovered a map of your surroundings! Depending on which Realm you're in, this message will appear either when you land or when you get your hands on a map. Your Server Link will, at your behest, project a minimap with landmarks 24/7.
Do you wish to always project a minimap?
- Yes
- No
I stared at the sudden overload of information dumped on me, and tried to remember where everything was... would be... whatever. I also started the holographic minimap projection, and took a look at where everything was in the castle. Since the map I'd seen had been the Marauders' Map, I also had the option of upkeeping little arrows showing where everyone in the castle - myself included - were (For the sake of not wanting to know, I chose to leave it off for everyone except me). I also started an HP and MS projection, which was pretty self-explanatory. I also gave my Server Link a name, so I wouldn't have to refer to it as just a "Server Link" all the time: Dominic.
The final development before I turned in at what my watch said was half past 1 AM was a surprise, but not entirely unexpected considering how I fixed up Dominic. Of course, it was still enough to bring some warm fuzzies, slipped underneath the door or not. Dominic tried reading it for me, but I shushed him along with some words to not do it again "or Mrs. Norris finds out how bronze tastes".
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore (Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)
Dear Mr. Dresden,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins on September 1. We await word by no later than July 31.
Yours Sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
My head hit the pillow with a huge grin on my face.
"I'm a Wizard, Dominic," I whispered, feeling sleep finally take over.
Firstly, thank you for reading through all of the 5000 words that this chapter has! It is, by far, the longest chapter I've ever done for Fanfic Net.
Second, please comment on how well you think I dipped into the Wizarding World. It means a lot to me if anyone reading this (or any of my stories, for that matter) would favourite this, follow me, or any combination of the four verbs and pronouns.
I WILL be doing an outside-universe care-package system, so message me if you have any suggestions for anything in the future.
As always, stay tuned, and see you next DLC on:
Magic EXE: The Video Game
Edit, Jul 10 2018: I've redid the dialogue a bit, from a few reviews about improving it.