Paladin

Protecting others, especially those that could not protect themselves, always made you feel good inside. Since you had no way of knowing how much use Miranda and Sarah would be at this game, picking a class that would allow you to tank damage for them also seemed wise. Clicking the option with a thought brought up the same stats list as before, with the numbers now changed to reflect your selection. Strength and constitution were way up. In fact, most of your stats seemed to have gone up with the choice, although there was now a disclaimer below the stats list.

Warning: Many of these stat boosts are contingent on following your sworn oath. If your oath is broken, your stats will fall to the standard values or lower.

Next to the stats list now were three bullet points.

Class traits

• Paladin's oath: You will receive many benefits to your combat stats, so long as you follow your sworn oath.
• Shield of the innocent: Protecting the weak is foremost in your vows. You will block more efficiently in defence of another, and gain a bonus to the use of all shields.
• Exoskeleton: Whilst not literally attached to your armour, you have worn it for so long that it almost feels like a part of you. You receive reduced movement speed de-buffs from all heavy armour.

That all seemed good, and was about in line with what you'd been expecting. Locking in the class selection and accepting the default paladin stats, you were moved to the next step of character creation.

Race

Again, you were presented with a list of options, starting with human and with other possibilities stretching away below it. For a moment, you considered making a change, but ultimately you decided against it. As a human being, you knew what you were, you knew what you could eat, you knew what your tolerances for hot and cold were, what your sleep schedule should be like, how you could bear injury. If you switched to be an orc or an elf or a half-troll, you would have no idea about any of those. You were about to be thrown into a new and confusing world, there was no need to make it more complicated.

Besides, you were hoping to meet Miranda, Sarah and Tom once you were done with this. If you came out with green skin or 7 foot tall they might not have recognised you. There was even the possibility that a different race would speak a different language, one they couldn't understand. No, it was wiser to stay human.

With that, character creation came to an end.

{letter}

Are you happy with this class, stats, and race selection?

You will not be able to alter them again.

No

Confirm and exit

{endletter}

With no thoughts about what else to do but a lot of second guesses, you chose the bottom option. Again, the world was overcame with light, as the swirling clouds your mind had floated through closed in around you.