Rebirth: Enter Kes-qa

Lvl 1- Vol.1:Iss#003

Welcome, adventurous souls, to another exhilarating installment of the Realm of Solo (RoS)! Your continued support fuels the flames of creativity that burn brightly within the Realm, and I couldn't be more grateful.

If you're already a seasoned RoS traveler, I humbly request you spread the word about our humble corner of the internet. Our community thrives when it is shared, so please don't hesitate to tell your friends, family, and fellow adventurers about our zine. The more, the merrier!

Announcements

I'll be sending out an email in regards to the Zine changes as well as the Bones and Mechanics of the previous sessions up until now. So don't be worried if you miss a week or two.

This week

«First Session <Previous Session | Next Session> Last session»

I Died and found myself in the Tsafar, a border realm between life and death,desperate for answers and justice. I impatiently watch my HUD, as the countdown slowly comes to an end. I can feel the presence of Daffodil fading. I can only wonder what awaits me next.

Story

My HUD finally reached zero.

*CLATTER OF DICE*

New Subrace Unlocked

Farvorn

*CLATTER OF DICE*

Re-Spec in Progress

"Well, you finally leveled up." The detached voice of Wiktor echoed through the emptiness.

"Yeah, thanks for your help." I replied, my tone dripping with sarcasm.

"I'm not the one who skipped the tutorial!" Wiktor shot back, his voice stern. We sat in silence for a moment, both aware that he was right. He didn't rush me off when I first arrived in this strange place.

"Truce?" I asked tentatively, hoping to ease the tension between us.

"Truce." Wiktor agreed, his ghostly face materializing in front of me.

"Why couldn't I remember you before now?" I wondered out loud.

"You're not exactly in the Realm. Here in the Tsafar, you remember all of your lives." Wiktor explained, his tone becoming more serious.

"Nothing is born without passing through here." I murmured, recalling Daffodil's words.

"That's right. It's a miracle you survived." Wiktor said, his concern for me palpable. "Let's take a look at your new stats."

I couldn't help but wonder what he meant by it was a miracle. I Died, I remembered the feeling of going cold, gasping for air. As Wiktor recited my new stats, I felt a sense of unease growing inside of me. "A new name? Kes-qa. Your race..." He trailed off, "oh."

"Oh, what?" I asked, my voice filled with anxiety.

"Take a look at the subrace in your HUD. The tooltip should explain it." Wiktor instructed, his tone quiet.

I followed his advice, my eyes scanning the text on my screen.

Farvorn- a people born from tragic and unfortunate circumstances. The origin of the Farvorn is unknown, but it's known that they are unkillable, growing stronger with each resurrection. The only way to level as a Farvorn is through death or special Farvorn events.

I read the tooltip over and over, trying to grasp the implications of what it meant. "So, I can't die?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

"No, you can die, but you'll be reborn here, in the Realms of Sorg." Wiktor said, his tone heavy with warning.

I sat there, grappling with the reality of my newfound immortality. This was my life now, in a place that was both familiar and unfamiliar to me. The thought of never seeing my wife and son again was a weight I couldn't bear.

*CLATTER OF DICE*

Re-Spec in Progress

"Am I stuck here?" I asked, ignoring the notification.

"In short, yes." Wiktor replied, his voice somber.

A part of me wanted to scream, but another part of me knew that I had to accept my new reality. Immortal or not, I would find a way out of this place. But for now, I had to learn the rules before I could break them.

"If I'm immortal, why aren't I in Baaskqir and why didn't I return right then?" I asked, my mind racing with questions.

"There are two answers to that. You still need to Re-Spec and choose a new Class. Re-Spec is just an increase in your Stamina and/or Mana. At level 1, you have 3 points, one from your new subrace. You can add those points now, and we can take a look at your new class options." Wiktor explained, his tone becoming more business-like.

Three points, I thought to myself. The base Stamina and Mana were five points each, and I always hated odd numbers when it came to stats in any game I played back home. There was something about the lack of balance that disturbed me. "Can I save my Re-Spec points?" I asked, hoping for some flexibility in this new world.

"Skipping things again, are we?" Wiktor asked, his sarcasm returning.

"No, I have a plan for later." I replied, my determination growing.

"Very well, Mr. Mastermind. On to your class options." Wiktor said, his tone a mix of sarcasm and worry.

“You said it had two answers. What was the second answer?” I asked.á

I took a deep breath, ready to face the challenges that lay ahead in this new world

Tsafar Caller

Tsafar Collector

Tsafar Guardian

Tsafar Manipulator

Tsafar Caller

As I gazed upon the Tsafar Caller option on my HUD, a ghostly figure materialized before me, its hand raised in a beckoning gesture, like a conductor leading an orchestra. At its command, a burst of Tsafar energy blazed into existence, coalescing into a creature of pure energy. The creature was a blur of movement, striking at its enemies with ferocity and precision, like a sword in the hand of a master. With each gesture of the Caller's hand, more creatures appeared, each more terrifying than the last. The Caller dismissed its minions with a flick of its wrist, moved on to its next challenge, its power undeniable.

I felt a pang of fascination at the idea of commanding an army, of wielding such power. I couldn't help but imagine the feeling of having an army of creatures at my beck and call, the rush of adrenaline as I led them into battle, leaving destruction in my wake. But with that kind of power came risk, most summoner classes couldn't take a hit.

“A summoner's class.” I mused,” not my usual style, but the idea of commanding an army has a certain appeal.”

Tsafar Collector

As I hovered over the Tsafar Collector option, another ghostly figure materialized before me, its hand reaching out to touch a fallen enemy, like a vulture feasting on carrion. The figure drew in their essence, fueling its abilities. Suddenly, I felt a surge of energy and saw the Collector had gained new power, unlocking a hidden door to a world of darkness. It could now weave shadow energy to trap and weaken foes, like a spider weaving its web, and unleash a burst of darkness that disoriented its foes. The ghostly figure dissipated, leaving me in awe.

I felt a sense of curiosity at the idea of ensnaring my enemies in a web of darkness, of debuffing them and sapping their strength, but also a shiver of unease at the thought of such dark magic. I couldn't help but imagine the feeling of watching my enemies struggle as I drained their life force. “Lifesteal? Always potentially strong, but dangerous. These are getting good.”

Tsafar Guardian

As I hovered over the Tsafar Guardian option, a figure coalesced before me, wreathed in swirling void energy, like a black hole. With a motion of their hand, they conjured a shield of void energy, blocking incoming attacks. Their form shimmered and distorted as they phased through walls, reappearing behind their enemies, striking out with a whip-like void construct, like a snake striking from the shadows. I realized that this class was designed to be a tank, with the ability to absorb damage and control the battlefield.

I felt a sense of pride at the idea of standing firm in the face of danger, of protecting my allies. I couldn't help but imagine the rush of adrenaline as I fought for survival. “After being killed so easily, being a tank might be a better option. I've always been partial to the stalwart defender types.”

Tsafar Manipulator

Finally, I hovered over the Tsafar Manipulator option. The Manipulator summoned a barrage of energy bolts, created a powerful shockwave, and enhanced their physical abilities, like a master painter creating a masterpiece. Their mastery of Tsafar allowed them to disrupt enemy energy, causing them to weaken and falter. The Tsafar Manipulator was a force to be reckoned with, like a raging inferno consuming all in its path.

I felt a thrill of excitement at the idea of wielding such raw power, of being a glass cannon, but also a sense of caution at the thought of such vulnerability. I couldn't help but imagine the feeling of unleashing the full extent of my abilities. But with that power came the risk of being vulnerable, of falling to my enemies in a single blow, like the Caller, glass cannons can't take hits. “This one sounds like raw power.” I thought, “And who doesn't love raw power?”

“These are my options, and I don't go back until I pick right?” I asked.

“That is correct, I wouldn't take you for having become comfortable here.” He said quizzically

“This requires thought. I was killed, and I want answers” I said.

Next week

I figured I would keep it brief this week and give you all an opportunity to provide input into the story and game world. Every Class has it's benefits. Would love to hear some thoughts on what you think would be most interesting to choose and what benefits you think your choice holds. Make sure you vote and drop your comments because next week we embark on a journey. We have a few threads to choose from but I think we will roll for what thread we focus on upon resurrection. There are thins we can pursue with Turkhan and Seldah, Ayetha our assassin and the mysterious Hyrlin Yjo.

Bones and Mechanics

Let's talk about the beauty of these classes. They were heavily generated with the help of Chat GPT. Having fed it a few archetypes and a bit of context.

Archetypes

Glass Cannon

Summoner

Tank

Debuff/status ailments.

These were the center stones for generation. I have to say that I was actually really impressed with how little input I needed to get something fleshed out. Each class already has some ability ideas for me to play around with. Something I love about Solo play is being able to give myself over to the chaos. Generating random things to create cohesive tales is harder than it seems. AI makes the chaos more manageable but it is still beautiful chaos nonetheless.

All that said we will continue to flesh out whatever class we pick. As to make it further something that is uniquely Realm Of Solo. Thanks again for reading!

Thank you

Fellowship

Last week, I unveiled the spellbinding worlds of Noah at Table Ready and DC at GFA!. If you haven't yet dived into their enthralling campaigns, you're truly missing out on a treasure trove of adventure. Noah has just embarked on his second game with Thorgan the Cleric, and it's already brimming with charm and excitement. Meanwhile, "Them Bloody Black Bones" and the gripping tale of Rusher continue to unfurl, leaving us breathless with anticipation, eager to uncover the intricate twists and turns. Don't deny yourself the pleasure of exploring these captivating stories.

This week, I present to you another remarkable YouTube soloist: Science Fantasy Awesome. Royce's exceptional storytelling not only entertains but also inspires. For those who adore DIY, homebrew, and the enchanting fusion of science and fantasy, Royce masterfully strikes the perfect balance. Trust me when I say that his channel is an irresistible, must-see destination.

Lastly, we can't forget the evergreen staple of our zine, P&D - The Peoplz and Dragons YT. The Director's enthralling Master Rogue Campaign transports us to a world of deliciously eerie intrigue. With the MidJourney V5 update now available, we eagerly await the chilling surprises that lie ahead. Don't miss out on this spine-tingling experience that comes highly recommended.

So, what are you waiting for? Immerse yourself in these awe-inspiring journeys and let your imagination soar to new heights