The first thing I tried to do was make sense of my [Title]. Unfortunately, I had no idea what to do other than try to think on what a normal title is and what this one might do. Given that regular titles are essentially a way of identifying who someone is, how important they are and that kind of thing, I assume these are similar. Annoyingly, this rumination provides no real answer to my question, so I decide on heading to the town again.
Reaching the town, I find that it’s empty except for a few people starting their morning chores. Seeing nothing to do, I settle in for a wait by climbing to the same vantage point I had yesterday. Time passes by, and about three hours after dawn the town centre is filled again. This time, only the first elder is on the balcony, where he begins to address the town.
“Good Morning everyone, I hope you are well. I do not know much about what has changed, other than the fact we have been given [Title]s. In my dream I heard a whisper telling me to say ‘status’ with the intent of knowing myself, and I would learn more about myself and the [Title]. I have done this, and my [Title] as [First Elder] allows me to make decisions on behalf of the town. Although my power is restricted to being a vote due to the other four elders, I can see this will be beneficial. There are also numbers, but I do not understand what they mean. I urge you all to discover the details of your [Title]s and then come tell us about them.” With that the other four elders came out the door of the town hall with chairs, books and quills.
Doing as I was told, I speak “Status,” and am amazed at the box that shows up:
There are two things that really stand out for me, the postponed evolution and my race. I think they are connected, as I’d always thought I was just a human. I’m also slightly surprised I’m unnamed, as I expected whatever this thing is to have picked or found something for me. As there’s nothing I can do about it now, I decide to ignore it and move one. I don’t understand how I’m supposed to find out what my title does, so I stop trying and climb back down. Strangely, upon reaching the ground another box appears:
I have no idea what to make of this. I am fairly confident I already had some skill with climbing, so this just doesn’t make sense to me. I suppose it’s got something to do with the sudden appearance of these boxes, but I hope this isn’t going to change our lives too much.
Seeing as I wasn’t figuring it out on my own, I head over to the four elders. Hopefully they have some idea of what’s going on. Unfortunately, there is a large crowd, probably three quarters of everyone at the announcement are still milling about in front of the elders. I guess those not here have had their [Title]s recorded.
As the crowd shrinks, I overhear some people discussing their [Title]s. The ones I can most remember are [Farmer] due to frequency, [Blacksmith] from a loud voice and I think [Town Guard] from a few people. Eventually it’s my turn to talk to the Elder regarding my title.
“Greetings citizen. Please state your name, [Title] and what it does.”
“Well I don’t have a name currently, and my [Title] is [Untitled]. I don’t know what it does.”
“Let’s deal with your name in a minute, first to find your [Title]’s effects, open your status and focus on the [Title]. Some people have found it easier to say ‘details’ or ‘[Title]’ while focussing. Go ahead and do that now.”
Following instructions, I open my status and try to focus on the [Title]. It feels weird at first, like I’m looking into something I can’t understand but it is being forced into my head, before another box appears.
Following a strangely pink box, two regular boxes flash by without me being able to read them, before the details of my title are once again shown. My initial thoughts are that it is completely useless. No Benefits, and I can see boxes. Although I suppose I should call them screens now. I relay this information to the elder, who looks surprised, before writing it down then moving on.
“Now, we need to do something about your name. I assume you’re an orphan or something, seeing as you have no name nor parents I know of. Any nicknames, or ways of identifying yourself?”
“No, never really gotten to know anyone for a name to be necessary. Moved around a lot.”
“That is unfortunate. Well based on your race, you might have an idea for a name.”
“Maybe, let’s just leave it for now. Get everyone else sorted first.”
“Of course.” With those parting words from the elder, I wandered away. The crowd is much smaller now. There is probably a quarter of the town. Having completed what I went to the town centre for, I move on to my next job.
As I have no role, I tend to help with those who are struggling in exchange for food or other necessities. Today I am looking to help on a farm to the west of our town. It’s only a short walk, and I barely have time to think about the changes before I arrive. I can see the farmer standing at his fields, looking out upon them as though he sees them for the first time. As I approach, he turns around and flashes me a grin.
“Mornin lad, are you ready for some hard work today?”
“Of course John, I’m always ready to earn my bread.” I reply enthusiastically, even if I’m apprehensive about hard labour.
“That’s the spirit!” He says before turning back to his fields. “With this [Title] of mine, things may be a bit different. I’ve got a bonus to farming, and it allows me to know what will be good for the farm.” He pauses while looking at the field, seemingly in contemplation. “I think it’s best to plant Millet for now. Although it’s a bit late, the foxtail millet should be fine. Reckon you can help out with this one?”
Before I can respond, a strange box or screen appears.
“John,” I say, slightly unnerved, “what is this?”
“Lad, I’ll be honest with you, I haven’t got a clue. I’m not sure that it changes anything, but are you still willing?” He asks, also surprised.
“Sure. What’s the worst that could happen?”
Upon the conclusion of our conversation, we collect our tools and seeds then head to the fields. First tilling the soil slightly, then sowing the seeds. Although not exactly back breaking, the work is intense. We didn’t stop for a break at any stage, so a good eight hours or so was spent in the sun farming. While working, we were discussing things like the [Title]s, the town and even local gossip. Apparently, the blacksmith is trying to court the barmaid, but she’s too shy.
Once the task was finished, we walked back to the farmhouse, where John thanked me for the day’s work. To our surprise from forgetfulness, a screen appeared in front of both John and I. Strangely I can see John’s this time.
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Strangely, John had a very similar screen to mine, except his told him I finished the quest. He invites me inside to claim my rewards, and I gladly accept. Food is always an issue, and with no role in this community I have no easy way of acquiring any. Entering the building, John heads to what appears to be a rudimentary storage facility and pulls out a sack. Reaching into the sack, he pulls out a small cloth packet.
“I don’t have any bread for you, but I do have these. A bit of an experiment you see, dried grains. Just pour into a bowl, add water and you’re good. I’ve tried to fill these up so only one is needed per meal. It’s bland, so fruits are good to have with it, but you won’t go hungry.” He explains with an apologetic look.
“Yeah, that’s fine. Probably better than bread anyway. Thank you.” My voice has false enthusiasm, but I understand how difficult farming is. Especially seeing as I’d just done eight ours. I turn to leave, but a screen shows up that takes my attention.
Although odd, I am not too surprised about these as I had already gained a skill from climbing. What does surprise me is the level of the skill, and the fact there are [Sub-Skill]s. I guess the level is from previous experience, as I have helped out on farms before, so it is probably just acknowledging that I know what I’m doing except within this new… system? Is that a good description of this phenomena that seems to have changed and ordered our world?
Questioning the changes aside, it is oddly satisfying to see a quantifiable measurement of our abilities. I am sure that there will be some kind of further rewards based on the skills we obtain, but this eludes me at the moment due to a lack of information.
I bid farewell to John, and walk the relatively short distance to my hideout. Passing through the town centre I hear quiet conversations. These appear to be focussed on a rumour that powerful or rare titles have distinct colours, going from blue to purple. Apparently, there’s also a white and black, white being essentially powerless and black being an affront to the deities due to its power. Where people found this out I’ll never know, but I hear something about a [Child] title. Which extreme it’s at I’ll never know, as children are a rarity around here, and those that are found tend to be shut-ins.
Upon reaching my hideout, I drop off the sack with my grains, pick up a bucket and head out again to collect water. I have a choice of east to a creek or north-west to the village well. As the creek is within the outskirts of the forest I am slightly apprehensive, but I’d rather not visit the town for the third time today. To the forest it is.
While there normally isn’t an issue, hence why I’m comfortable having my hideout on the outskirts, there is always a possibility that a wolf or other predator gets hungry and decides to visit in in case of a meal. According to local legends, there was once a mutated wolf that had its pack stalk the forest at the creek, treating it as a border. This was far before my time, but it won’t hurt to be cautious. Reaching the creek, I look around to the best of my ability. As I expected, there’s nothing I can see, but there might be something nearby, so I finish up quickly and walk back with a fast pace.
Dusk is fast approaching when I get to my hideout. I pour some water into a bowl and add grains for a quick meal. It doesn’t taste great, but it seems to be at least somewhat nutritious, and I manage to get it all down with generous gulps of water. I protect the food and water with a waterproof hide I had traded a fair amount of my collected wealth for, then settle down on the leaves I use as a bed to sleep. Before I can drift off, another window appears in my vision.
Although making a choice while delirious on excitement is never a good idea, I couldn’t help myself.
With another choice, I couldn’t help but be interested in the final option more than the others.
This is perhaps the hardest choice I have faced so far. I’m sure that all four have their uses, where a worker may be good for building, warrior for fighting as you would expect, it is the final two that really catch my eye. Both are interesting possibilities, and I am hesitant to devote myself to one. It comes down to a theoretical coin toss. As I have no coins, nor does anyone in the town, I take a piece of bark and carve a ‘1’ and ‘2’ on opposing sides and throw it. With ‘1’ designated as a beast, and ‘2’ for ruler, time seems to slow down while it falls.
2
Well that’s disappointing. Although I have clarification that there is indeed a ‘System,’ I am mildly upset at the loss of choice. I’m not sure how I abused my title, but it was probably either through my choices always having further options available or by relying on chance for the last one.
I’m not sure whether this is a good thing or not, but I can’t change it so I might as well use it. This then leaves me with the next choice I need to make.
Tempted as I am by most of these, especially Spriggan of Nature, I believe that preventing death may be the best option for me. I know that from my [Title] no paths are blocked to me, so I don’t think the ones that allow me to do something will be impossible for me to earn. Although I am gambling on my [Title], [Projection of Nature] is probably what I would have chosen even without the possibility of my [Title].
