[: Hey Alex! I'm just wondering if you finished fixing the channel bug.] 10: 45 pm
[Alex. A: fixed it 2 hours ago, you should see it in the dedicated folder.] 10: 46 pm
[: Just checked the code, and everything looks good!] 10: 48 pm
[Alex. A: Who am I speaking to? For some reason, your name isn't showing up] 10: 49 pm
[: Hey Alex do you have a playtester build of the game? ] 10: 49 pm
[Alex. A: Yeah I have the latest version, why? Do you need it? ] 10: 50 pm
[: How much of it did you play?] 10: 51 pm
[Alex. A: When would I have the time to do that?] 10: 51 pm
[: You should try it!]10: 52 pm
[: It would be a shame for the person who put so much life into the game not to have played it at least once!] 10: 52 pm
"Only Arthur is this sentimental. Though I should email the tech guys to fix this weird name glitch, it's quite annoying not knowing who I'm talking to." Alex said out loud as he typed his reply.
[Alex. A: It's my job to ensure the game is faithful to the original, not playtest it.] 10: 53 pm
[: How about this?] 10: 54 pm
[: Everything looks to be in order, and we're ahead of schedule, so why don't you open the game and try it out?] 10: 54 pm
I looked over the message again before leaning back against my chair. "Hmm, I still need to eat dinner, and it's not like I have to wake up early tomorrow."
[Alex. A: I guess I can give it a try. Are there any issues you want me to look for?] 10: 55 pm
[: Not really.] 10: 55 pm
[: I've got to go! Enjoy the Kaleidoscope!] 10: 56 pm
"Kaleidoscope, huh? Not many people on the team would bother using the correct terminology, but that doesn't rule out Arthur. " Closing the chat room, Alex booted up the demo. "Well, it doesn't matter. If the name bug isn't fixed by Monday, I'll just ask him in person." Standing up, Alex stretched out his stiff body before heading to the kitchen. Returning half an hour later with a bowl of pasta, a pencil and a notepad. He placed them on his desk befor sitting down. "No point in watching the placeholder animation for the opening." Alex navigated to the game's settings.
[Graphics]
[Disabled]
[Controls]
[Sound]
[Music Volume: ERROR]
[Voice Volume: ERROR]
[Master Volume: ERROR]
[Difficulty]
[Disabled]
"Tch, what the hell is this?!" He spat out after swallowing a forkful of pasta. Scrolling down the settings only showed more disabled lists, errors, and even missing options. "How the hell did this pass the playtesters?" Alex could only sigh as he continued to scroll through the settings. "Good thing I decided to play a bit, this will take a minimum of weeks to fix." After noting his findings, he exited the settings and started the game. "Sound and graphics seem fine, maybe only the settings GUI is bugged?" He took another bite as the cutscene finished. "Hope it's just the GUI, that's way easier to fix."
[Skip Prologue?]
[Yes] [No]
"If the playtesters missed the settings GUI not working, what else could they have missed? Better play it safe."
[Skip Prologue?]
[Yes] [No]
[Select a Character]
[Custom]
[Jack Verdant]
[Raven Nychta]
[Nick Auranum]
[Crystal Frostwind]
[Aurelia Caida]
<1>
"Hmm." Alex took another bite of pasta as he reviewed his options. Each character had unique missions and storylines that spanned the entire game, making it impossible to go through them all with the amount of time he had. However, of all the options, only one gave him a headache just by looking at it. "Better choose the one with the highest chance of something going wrong."
[Select a Character]
[Custom]
[Jack Verdant]
[Raven Nychta]
[Nick Auranum]
[Crystal Frostwind]
[Aurelia Caida]
[Seraphina Gracefield]
<1>
[Select Race]
[Human Variant]
[Mythblood Variant]
[Beastfolk Variant]
[Hybrid Variant]
"Which race did I use the least?" To better familiarize himself with the game's setting, Alex spent countless hours partaking and hosting several campaigns using the REALMS' base game book and expansions.
[Select Race]
[Human Variant]
[Demon Variant]
[Beastman Variant]
[Hybrid Variant]
[Select Variant]
[Base]
[Etheral]
[Undead]
[Alter]
"Of all my options, Base is the only one I have never used before." After clicking the confirmation button, the character creator opened with over a dozen customization options. Alex let out a deep sigh at all the different sliders and options." Looks like it's going to be another late night." After three hours and two bowls of pasta later, Alex finally tested every customization option.
"Only six minor glitches and one major one, that is way less than I thought there would be. " Writing down his findings, Alex couldn't help but scowl as he looked up at the abomination he created. "Hmm, should I just go with this? This could test if the system can handle a model this bizarre. Though who in their right mind would play a character like this? Hmm, well, I have a few in mind. " Letting out a deep yawn, Alex reset the model before going over his options again. "Knowing the guys, they probably would make theirs ten times worse. Better to try something more subtle to see if the system won't crash with a basic change to the model." Manipulating the colour sliders, Alex changed his character's eye colour to a shade of pink.
[Select Starting Available Realm]
[Stellen]
[Aetheria]
[Nex]
[Modus]
Realms at War is the video game adaptation of a popular TTRPG called REALMS that the company Alex works for is developing. Given that REALMS' story spans dozens of novels and game books, it was decided that Realms at War would begin at the start of the standard timeline. To align with the canon of the TTRPG, it was agreed that the Player's starting Realm would be determined by their chosen race.
"Hmm, of 25 available Realms, only four are available for a base human? I could have sworn every race has at least six options." Minimizing the game, he looked through his docs. "Yeah, there should be six options, not four. Well, this should be a pretty easy bug to fix." Making a quick note, Alex looked over his options.
"I didn't work on Nex or Modus, so I wouldn't know if something is missing. This leaves Aetheria and Stellen. " Aetheria has a more modern fantasy setting with a fusion of technology and magic. A big chunk of the beginning takes place in a school. Stellen's setting is more medieval with guilds, adventuring and fantasy stereotypes. "I have a few character ideas that can fit into both Realms. If I recall, Stellen is more challenging with greater rewards, while Aetheria has a lot of side quests that are great for min-maxing. I don't have much free time after this, so, better to go with the one that will allow me to see the most content as fast as possible."
[Select Starting Available Realm]
[Stellen]
[Aetheria]
[Nex]
Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
[Modus]
[Choose your Background]
[Backgrounds provide Traits, Credits, a Unique Event, and a Unique Quest Line]
Royal:
Description: Born into a family deeply entrenched in the highest echelons of society, your lineage can be traced back to the very first Rifts(Tears in Space that release monsters into this world) sightings. From your earliest memories, you were groomed to embody the ideals of nobility, tasked with upholding the prestige and prosperity of your family's name
Starting Traits: Noble Presence, Extra Wealth, Courtly Training
Negative Trait: Expensive Standards
Staring Credits: 10000
Unique Event: Clearing Chapter 2 rewards a Unique Mythical Item
Unique Quest Line: Rightful Heir
Military:
Description: The call of battle courses through your veins. Your family's history is of military service, with each generation dutifully donning the uniform to protect the homeland. From an early age, you were immersed in a world where discipline, honour, and combat were revered.
Starting Traits: Weapon Mastery, Tactical Awareness, Leadership
Negative Trait: Mana Deficiency
Staring Credits: 2500
Unique Event: A major war will break out after Chapter 3.
Unique Quest Line: Rising the Ranks
Displaced:
Description: You're a wanderer from a realm unknown to the residents of this world. Your arrival here was not by choice but by the mysterious workings of the Rifts(Tears in space that release monsters into the worlds). While most people see the Rifts as the source of monstrous entities, for you, they're the key to returning home.
Starting Traits: Adaptability, Resourcefulness, Resilient Spirit
Negative Trait: Lone Wolf
Staring Credits: 500
Unique Event: Several NPCS from your original Realm will appear after clearing Chapter 3.
Unique Quest Line: Road to Home
<1>
"My last character was a pirate with a phantom arm, so I'll make a spellcaster this time." Scrolling through the various backgrounds, one eventually caught his eye.
Survivor:
Description: You are a survivor of a catastrophic event caused by a Tier 10 Rift, an unprecedented calamity that unleashed hordes of monsters, wreaking havoc on your home continent. Losing everything, you, along with a few survivors, fled what remains of your old home.
Available Starting Traits: Use starting credits to buy your starting Perk
Staring Credits: 20000
Starting Traits: Use starting credits to buy your Traits.
Choose 1 Negative Trait: Traumatic Memories, Scarred body, Altered mind
Unique Event: Monsters will take over a random continent. Create Quests relating to this event.
Unique Quest Line: Use starting credits to buy your Quest Line
"I remember this one," leaning back in his chair, Alex reminisced about the countless sleepless nights spent making this background work. "I know RPGs should have a lot of customization, but it's not like they're the ones who have to try to make something like this work without the game breaking." Sitting back up, Alex stretched his arms. "If something is gonna break, this most likely will be the reason why." Opening the Trait shop, it took an hour of browsing befor he eventually settled on three he liked.
Arcane Sight(2500 Credits): You can see Mana.
With the ability to see Mana, you can cast spells more efficiently.
For the first 3 turns of battle, your spells cost 15% less Mana to cast.
"A pretty decent trait that helps with early game fights that don't last that long, saves time when grinding and helps with spamming big spells during the late game. In addition to opening up a decent amount of dialogue options, which can spice things up."
Inner Library(3000 Credits): Store Memories
Knowledge is Power, and yours is ever-growing.
Removes the limit of how many spells you can memorize.
Like in REALMS, the player can only have a certain number of spells equipped before needing to forget spells to use new ones. In most cases, this mechanic is just an inconvenience as Players can swap their spells anytime when not in battle. Like, for example, having a set of spells like Detect Mana for exploring, then swapping before entering a battle. "Surprise fights can occur, so this is mostly for convenience."
Mana Eater(7500): A different kind of addict.
No repercussions.
You are immune to Mana Sickness.
One mechanic Alex disliked the most in REALMS, which he tried to argue should be removed, was Mana Sickness. Every time a Player uses all their Mana or gains Mana beyond their limit, they are inflicted with Mana Sickness for several turns. Not only does it halve the player's max Mana and Mana regeneration, but it also doubles all Mana costs during that period. Supposedly, it was added to prevent Players from spamming mana consumables.
"These should remove any inconveniences I would have while playing a spellcaster." Upon confirming the choice, a new shop opened up. Alex let out a yawn as he glanced at the time. "3:50, I'll finish my character before heading to bed." Looking over his options for Quests, only one piqued his interest.
Quest Line: The Great Hunt (4500 Credits)
Description: Whether due to your lineage, revenge for a personal tragedy, or the insatiable thirst for fame and riches. You set your sights on a legendary Monster.
Choose your Target:
Stormwing, the Internal Flame
Colossus Peak, the Living Mountain
Veil Stalker, the Watching Eye
Blizzard Fang, the Winter's Avatar
Moon Eater, the Lunar Trickster
Abyssal Maw, the Ocean's Fury
Maelstrom Monarch, the Sovereign of the Deep
Serpent Queen, the Flesh Sculptor
Celestial Guardian, the Star Runner
Paradise song, the Eldritch Melody
Ebon Viper, the Immortal Terror
Arcane Hunter, the Original Weaver
Due to the sheer amount of content in REALMS, Alex couldn't possibly oversee everything being implemented. The character-specific Quest lines are one of them, and of all the available Quests, The Great Hunt was one he always wanted to attempt but never got the chance to. "Which one should I pick?"
Of the twelve options, only four give useful rewards for spellcasters. Veil Stalker rewards focus on stealth and provides a boost when performing a sneak attack. Lowering the cost of attacks while also increasing the damage they deal while the player is hidden. "Along with Arcane Sight, I would be able to eventually cast big spells basically for free. However, once out of stealth, the Traits gained from Veil Stalker become useless, and spellcasters don't have a reliable way to go back into stealth. My next option is Moon Eater, whose rewards lean towards a more defensive play style. With spells that reflect damage, drain Mana from the enemies, and some that heal you. The final reward is also quite good, a Trait that makes the player immune to damage every five turns can be a real lifesaver. However, the curse you get for slaying the Moon Eater really sucks. I wonder who thought it was a good idea to curse the player to deal less damage in proportion to their missing max HP? Yeah, that curse is not worth the rewards. So Moon Eater is out."
"Abyssal Maw offers the greatest utility among all my options, providing players with more tools outside of combat. The best example is the Abyssal Soul Trait, which allows the player to explore areas that normally wouldn't open until much later in the game. Traits that enable better exploration are useful, but if I choose this, I would need more offensive Traits than I currently have. Without them, the first few Story Arcs might become too grindy for my liking. It also doesn't help find any major game-breaking bugs players might encounter early on."
Choose your Target:
Stormwing, the Internal Flame
Colossus Peak, the Living Mountain
Veil Stalker, the Watching Eye
Blizzard Fang, the Winter's Avatar
Moon Eater, the Lunar Trickster
Abyssal Maw, the Ocean's Fury
Maelstrom Monarch, the Sovereign of the Deep
Serpent Queen, the Flesh Sculptor
Abyssal Maw, the Ocean's Fury
Celestial Guardian, the Star Runner
Paradise song, the Eldritch Melody
Ebon Viper, the Immortal Terror
Arcane Hunter, the Original Weaver
"Despite not being as offensively rewarding as Veil Stalker, giving as much survivability as Moon Eater or providing as much utility as Abyssal Maw. So by process of elimination, Arcane Hunter it is. Though the amount of freedom on how you can tackle the Questline is nice." Selecting Arcane Hunter opened up the next set of options in the character creator.
[Select Starting Class]
[Fighter]
[Spy]
[Marksman]
[Devoted]
[Spellcaster]
[Alchemist]
[Select Spellcaster Archetypes]
[Enchanter]
[Mana Weaver]
[Mage]
"Now, which to choose?" Enchanter focused more on Item creation and buffing, Mana Weaver on spell-slinging, and Mage on big spells. "My Traits work best with Mana Weaver."
[Select Spellcaster Archetypes]
[Enchanter]
[Mana Weaver]
[Mage]
Selecting Mana Weaver, Alex tried to finalize his character before noticing that the button was grayed out. "What the, oh, I see." Looking over the character, Alex realized he forgot to select a negative Trait.
Choose 1 Negative Trait: Traumatic Memories, Scarred body, Altered mind
Traumatic Memories: Haunting Visions
Not all scars are physical
All Concentration actions have a 10% chance of failing each turn.
Scarred Body: Something's Just Harder to Do
A Constant Reminder
Reduce Str and Con by 10% or Reduce Dex and Con by 10%
Altered mind: Clouded Mind
Some Sights aren't meant to be seen
Reduce Int by 5% and Wis by 15%, or Int by 15% and Wis by 5%
"The only real choice I have is Scarred Body. What kind of spellcaster can afford a reduction on either intelligence or wisdom? And I'm not dealing with wasting time and Mana on spells because I lost concentration." With a loud pop, Alex cracked his stiff neck. "If I recall correctly, Mana Weavers use dex more than strength anyway, so I'll take the hit there." Upon selecting the choice, a new menu opened up.
[Enter Character Name]
[ ] [ ]
[Confirm][Randomize]
[Enter Character Name]
[Alex ] [Alveron]
[Confirm][Randomize]
"Huh, interesting." Upon seeing his name being randomly chosen, Alex couldn't help but wonder what the odds were.
[Generating Origin Story]
“Huh? When did this get added?" Alex scanned his notes but couldn't find any mention of an origin story. Checking the team's notes and group chat turned up nothing either. "I'll ask the others tomorrow. Hopefully, this wasn't a last-minute decision."
[Synergy: Scarred Body + The Great Hunt]
[Legendary Monster Chosen: Arcane Weaver, the Original Caster]
[Granting Weaver's Bond]
"Weaver's Bond? Isn't that the final reward for the Quest line?"
[Contradiction Detected]
[Updating Weaver's Bond]
[Demoting Weaver's Bond into Parasitic Bond]
[Scanning Class]
[Class Found: Mana Weaver]
[Integrating Class to Origin]
[Synergy: Mana Weaver + Parasitic Bond]
[
[Origin Story Complete]
[Disabling Settings]
[Selecting Difficulty: Realistic]
[Preparations Complete]
"Disabling settings?" The screen then suddenly froze befor blacking out. "Damn! What the hell!"
[Realms at War: Unresponsive]
[Wait][Exit]
"It crashed?" After waiting 15 minutes, Alex rebooted his computer and tried opening up the game again. Skipping through the cutscenes, he could only let out a deep sigh upon seeing the empty save files. "Well, on the bright side, I don't recall anyone complaining about crashes when starting a new character. So hopefully this only occurs when using a custom character." He let out a loud groan as he stretched. "I'll message the others about this later." Turning off the PC, Alex got up, pushed the used bowl to the side, placed his glasses on the nightstand, and promptly went to bed. If Alex hadn't been so eager to get to bed, he might have noticed a message appearing on the desktop before the PC shut off.
[Starting Prologue]
[Welcome to the Kaleidoscope!]