Eternyte

Part 10: NPCs

copyright comidacomida 2021

William Becker had been introduced to Eternyte because of how introverted he'd become.  His parents constantly moving and constantly uprooting him to shut down emotionally an his inability to interact with others was stunting his social growth.  Eternyte was a 'safe' way to socialize because there was a computer between Will and others.  Not only that, but it was a structured interaction and, when ever that was too much human contact, he could always rely on the Non Player Characters-- the NPCs.

As years passed and more players began to quit, Will ultimately spent even more time interacting with NPCs, all but giving up on other players entirely.  NCPs were simple, easy, basic and predictable.  He had his followers and he had his journal in which he wrote his own head canon.  His NPCs followed pre selected routes which allowed Will to always get it right with no chance for social failure or rejection.  It wasn't comfortable and it was safe.

Will liked NPCs because they were what he made them to be.  They interacted in simple ways, responding to his orders with preset commands directed by macros-- their actions were the result of carefully prepared macros which got the desired result almost each and every time.  NPCs interacted with him on his terms in ways he directed; they didn't interact with PCs on their own terms... at least, not until Will found himself inexplicably INSIDE Mytholm.  NPC dialogue was carefully written by the game designers and Will knew all of that dialogue; they didn't ever present strange surprises or sudden twists-- at least, not until Proudmane spoke his name... his actual, true, real-world name.

In that moment, Will was not only dumbfounded, he was shocked, and his brain tried and failed several times to process what he was hearing.  How did Proudmane know who he was?  He was SUPPOSED to be Will Etherborn, not William Becker.  William Becker didn't exist in Mytholm... did he?  Eventually he was pulled out of the his stunned state when Proudmane took a step back, regal expression showing shock and alarm as his ears drew back and his whiskers drooped.  "Gods... please don't leave us now, my Lord... please don't be an NPC again..."

Something about the statement felt entirely backwards which was probably the reason it managed to kick Will back into motion.  "NPC?  I'm not an NPC... I'm a player."

Unshakable, insurmountable, stalwart Proudmane very nearly collapsed into the water as his shoulders drooped and he let out a shaky breath.  A moment later he had his arms wrapped around Will, squeezing him tightly; the young man could feel the Savenite's body shaking faintly as he murmured "Oh, thank the gods... I thought we'd lost you again."

More uncomfortable than he could recall having been in recent memory, Will's entire body went stiff by the sudden display of emotion and he coughed, clearing his throat as he rotated his head away from being buried in luxurious golden-red mane that smelled inexplicably like wild musk and rosewater.  He finally managed to push the words out despite his ribs being constricted by strong, leonine arms.  "Lose... me?"

Proudmane must have suddenly realized what he was doing since he immediately release Will, taking a step back as he shifted his gaze down to the water, clearing his throat while adjusting the towel around his waist. "Ah... please... please forgive me, Lord Becker.  I simply-- I had thought you had become an NPC again."

It was the second time his follower had used the term, and Will had ALWAYS been a Player Character.  He wondered if he was missing something, and, deciding that there was a lack of understanding, he resolved to remedy that.  "What do you mean 'NPC', Proudmane?  The only 'NPC' I know of means Non-Player Character."

The Savenite flicked an ear, finally settling down on the submerged ledge within the bath, letting out a deep, steadying breath before speaking. "I do not know THAT term, my Lord... 'Player' of what?"

Fighting hard to avoid an existential crisis, Will evaded the question and reasserted his own inquiry as a request. "Never mind... tell me what YOU mean by NPC."

Proudmane was direct with his answer. "A Non Persona Communicatus... an Eternal."

Will realized right away that the term was pulled from the ancient dialect of Mytholm, a butchering and re-utilization of Latin.  The young man didn't KNOW Latin, but the term wasn't difficult to figure out. "A person... who doesn't communicate?"

The Warden nodded. "Precisely."

From Will's perspective the description sounded like it should have been applied to non-player characters, not Eternals, which were the player characters.  "What do you mean?  Eternals talk all the time..." he paused when he realized he never really thought about it from the perspective of what he knew to be NPCs. "...don't we?"

Proudmane blinked his lustrous golden eyes, cocking his head just a little as he regarded Will.  "The Eternals all have their own way to communicate, my Lord, but it is not our way.  We have only ever known you through your divine writings, or else when you have appeared to us as a god-gifted icon... a divine doll... a mannequin who commands with pure intent and gestures... a far cry from how you are now."

Setting his lack of understanding and disbelief at what he was hearing aside for a moment, Will pushed forward, trying to make sure he comprehended Proudmane's point of view. "You mean you could tell that something was different because I'm... acting... different?"

A warm, wide smile split the Lion's muzzle. "You have substance to you, my Lord.  You are the self-same Eternal that we have read about in your divine writings.  Until now we have only been able to know you through your texts?"

Even as Will was about to ask what Proudmane meant the Warden raised his paw and, in a flash of blue-hued light a tome appeared in his grasp, eerily similar in appearance to-- Will was surprised. "...my journal?"

Proudmane continued as if Will hadn't spoken. "We know the difference between mortals and Eternals, my Lord; it is innate to all denizens of Mytholm.  Even more obvious to us is that you are no longer an NPC.  You have always had my devotion and loyalty but in your divine text you have proven that we mean as much to you as you mean to us, and for that you have my everlasting adoration.  I have waited what felt like eons to be able to tell you this personally."

Thousands of thoughts bounced around in Will's head and, as he slowly lowered himself fully into the water to sit down like Proudmane he spoke the first one that found its way to his lips. "But... if you know about my writing then haven't we spoken before?  I mean... we've had dozens of conversations in my journal, so why is this one any different?"

The Lion looked both confused and bemused at the same time, but, despite his personal feelings, the Warden answered without any hesitation "Those talks were with Will Etherborn... I'm speaking now with William Becker."

Will still didn't get it but he knew they'd end up talking in circles if he didn't move things along; he'd always be able to circle back to it. "Okay... so you and everyone else can tell the difference between mortals and Eternals, but also between Eternals and their play-- and their... true... selves?"

Pure adoration joy spread a wide smile on Proudmane's muzzle. "Yes... and we know you are William Becker and not Will Etherborn... and that is a GOOD thing, my Lord.  You are an Eternal, and I am glad for it."

They were still not quite speaking on the same level with the same knowledge so Will made the decision to correct that.  "Tell me about Eternals, Proudmane."

The Savenite's ears raised at that. "I would dare say you could tell me more than I could tell you, my Lord."

Will couldn't possibly explain how wrong Proudmane was but he resolved instead to try and guide the discussion. "I know what I know about Eternals, which is likely very different from your knowledge, Proudmane.  I want to know how you perceive them-- I mean... us."

The Warden leveled his gaze at Will, voice even and expression neutral as he spoke almost as if in recitation. "Eternals are divine blessings, holy gifts from the gods and the greatest among them are sent by the high god Vynek Tzram himself."

Will certainly knew that name; Vynek Tzram was one of the few gods who had survived the great cataclysm which almost destroyed Mytholm over 1000 years before the timeline of Eternyte began.  Other gods had survived, of course, but most of them had lost almost all of their power or else were slumbering due to the enormous amount of energy saving the world had taken from them.  The fact that the pantheon was the same, which, for some inexplicable reason, left him a little more at ease.

More than feeling the affirmation of being able to connect details from the strange world in which he found himself to Eternyte was the fact that he'd finally heard the god's name spoken.  "So... it's Vynek Tzram... I'd only ever seen his name written and I wondered if it was 'Zram' or 'Ceram'... I guess it's the second one... like 'ceramic'."

Proudmane recoiled at the statement. "You... you've never heard his name?  You've not spoken with him, my Lord?  We-- I had thought...."

Will snapped out of his own headpiece when he realized that something he'd said had caused a very strong reaction in his companion.  "Is everything alright, Proudmane?"

The Savenite closed his eyes, taking a steadying breath before continuing.  "Yes, my Lord... it's just... we, your followers, had thought that you were sent by Vynek Tzram himself...  for, if not him, then whom, for surely you MUST be one of the good Eternals?"

Something about the Lion's questions sent a shiver up Will's back. "What do you mean 'one of the good Eternals'?"

Proudmane rubbed his paws together in front of himself, an expression of concern on his muzzle. "Vynek Tzram is not the only deity who has brought forth Eternals, my Lord.  Are you testing my knowledge, or is this not known to you?"

Every fiber of Will's being spoke to him, telling him to lie, or at least misdirect the qustion.  He wouldn't be able to instill any degree of confidence in his companions if they knew he was clueless.  One look into the sympathetic, empathetic eyes of his Warden, however, and Will knew he couldn't.  "I know there are other Eternals, but I don't know anything about the gods using them as champions.  I'm sorry, Proudmane, but I've never met Vynek Tzram, and can't honestly say I know much more than you do about them."

Proudmane took in another deep breath, closing his eyes as he did so.  The Lion held it for several seconds then slowly exhaled it, eyes opening up.  The slit pupils dilated and contracted, focusing on him again, and the WArden smiled softly. "You have nothing to apolgize for, my Lord... none of us knows the way of the gods and perhaps I was too prideful to presume that the Eternal who had chosen me has the Ear of the divine... despite this, however, I wish to BELIEVE that you are one of Vynek Tzrams champions."

Will could tell that Proudmane meant what he said, and it was easy for the young man to respond with just as much honesty. "In that case, I would also be honored if that were the case... we can hope together."

The two sat quietly for many long moments.  Proudmane began to brush his fur using his sandpapery paw pads, occasionally utilizing his retractable claws when he encountered a difficult snag in his fur.  Will spent the time watching him, admiring the unearthly reality of the situation, watching his companion's damp, tawny fur sheen in the light, or the faint, heavy chuff when he exhaled.  It felt so real and yet seemed so impossible.  He didn't realize he was staring until the Savenite addressed it. "I apologize if I am not presentable to your liking, my Lord."

The young man tripped over himself verbally several times as he strove to reassure his companion.  Ultimately he settled on changing the subject. "So... if not all Eternals are good ones then where are the rest from?"

Proudmane practically growled the name. "Servants of Magus Illis Morro."

That, unfortunately, was also a name Will knew.  Illis Morro was a powerful human mage of incredible power, and was, in fact, the main bad guy in the vanilla version of Eternyte.  His brain clung to that piece of trivia and he followed the answer up with another question. "Isn't the Magus mortal?  If Eternals are from the divine, then how is it that could he have some of them-- some of US on his side?"

The Warden's ears dipped and he lowered his head.  "Alas, if only that were true, my Lord... Magus Illis Morro ascended and has taken a place as the Dark Divine."

The statement sent a shiver up Will's spine-- and for multiple reasons.  The final confrontation with the 'main bad guy' before the first expansion of Eternyte was 'The Dark Ritual', one of the most intense Assault contents within the game-- and it was right around the time that Will had first started playing.  He himself hadn't been at a level sufficient to tackle it but he still got to see the world change because of it.  Illis Morro had completed a ritual to become a god and take over the divinity of the other gods.  While the players weren't able to prevent the Magus from gaining godhood, the success of the groups in 'The Dark Ritual' Assault meant that they were able to save the divinity of the gods Illis Morro attempted to usurp.

The first expansion was entitled 'Ascension' for a number of reasons, and the addition of the man-made-god into the world was just one of those.  Much of the initial quests in the expansion actually focused on the conflicts that arose between Vynek Tzram and Illis Morro.  Will whispered is thoughts "I've been fighting him since the beginning..."

Proudmane slowly meandered closer, moving to take a seat next to Will in the hot spring. "You sound surprised, my Lord... was that not your intention from the beginning?"

Will realized there'd be no easy way to explain things to Proudmane in any reasonable way so he chose instead to clarify his viewpoint by acknowledging his ignorance. "I suppose it was, but I never really thought of it in that way, Proudmane... I just know I wanted to do good for Mytholm and Illis Morrow had only been an afterthought."

The admission probably should have earned him some admonishment from Proudmane, but it had the exact opposite effect.  The Savenite slid even closer, turning so he could rest his leonine muzzle atop Will's head and slid an arm around him for a gentle hug. "It is exactly as it should be, my Lord... the good of all is far more important than focusing on opposing one errant soul... regardless of godhood."

The approval of what was a relatively thoughtless decision was almost enough to make Will laugh but he managed to keep it together as he sheepisly admitted "I guess that's not something we think about where I come from..."

Proudmane pulled back quickly, ears up and eyes astutely focused. "You mean from the Ether?  Oh, my Lord... could you... perhaps... speak about that?  Could you tell me of the Ether?"

Of course, Will reasoned; the denizens of Mytholm referred to players in game terms as Etherborn, just like he took as his character's surname.  Eternals weren't born into the world of Mytholm, they were placed there-- apparently as champions of the gods, if he understood what Proudmane had said.  Suddenly the young man found himself at a loss-- he wasn't FROM the Ether... he was from Earth.  Hesitantly, Will chose to evade the question in favor of another opportunity to learn more himself. "Why don't you tell me what you know of the Ether first so I... don't overwhelm you?"

It was a ploy on the young man's part of course; he desperately wanted to know just how much his followers knew about him and his world... if such a thing were to be the case.  Proudmane simply nodded his head and obediently complied, sinking down lower into the hot spring as he did so. "I know that you are from there, my Lord.  I know that the Ether was created by Vynek Tzram himself and was crafted with his very essence.  All Eternals are from the Ether, hence them being known as Etherborn, just as you yourself, my Lord."

Based on his explanation, it was apparent that Proudmane's knowledge was limited to dogma and legend, which meant that Will had a lot of leeway in his own explanation.  Rather than expanding on whatever the Ether was supposed to be to the denizens of Mytholm, the young man instead chose to follow up his Warden's explanation with another question. "So... the Ether was made by Vynek Tzram and everything in it was is an extension of him... but you said that there are bad Eternals too... how would that work if we're all supposed to be from a world that's all derived from his essence?"

If Will had expected his question to trip up the Savenite he was more than surprised when Proudmane responded without even the slightest delay.  "Purity is easy to corrupt, my Lord... one imperfection and it loses that quality.  When Magus Illis Morro ascended he was also able to access the Ether and, ever since then, he has sought to corrupt what Vynek Tzram has created, quite likely starting with the Eternals.  Truly, you must have had some inkling... some impression that the Ether is less than perfect.  I have not seen it for myself so I could not imagine what it would be like, but if it is not paradise, could it not be fair to say that it is the fault of the dark mage?"

Not particularly religious, Will had often avoided talks of morality and the fight between the anthropomorphic embodiment of good and evil but, from his limited perspective, it was an age-old argument between religious and philosophical philosophers.  The few times he'd encountered such discussions he managed to sidestep them and he happily used that prior experience in that moment. "I don't think good and evil have to have someone 'at fault', Proudmane... they exist plain and simple; it's up to us to determine how to find balance for ourselves."

The words that came out of Will's mouth were NOT his usual argument-- quite honestly, they were far more structured and eloquent.  In most circumstances he usually just sidestepped the argument by saying that he always strove to be a good person and that was the important thing, but he apparently channeled his inner Will Etherborn in responding and, as anticipated, his Savenite companion ate it up, and fired back with a declaration that put the human off-balance. "I use you as a guide, my Lord... you are my guiding star, and I know so long as I follow you that my path will be a righteous one."

Not certain whether it was the warth of the water or the sudden responsibility put on him by Proudmane's statement but Will suddenly found the bath almost stifling.  Letting out a deep breath, the young man stood, and began wading toward the handholds set into the stone floor, using them to hoist himself out of the water.  He wanted to say something profound and encouraging but, at the same time, he didn't have it in him to lie to such a devoted follower. "I'm afraid I don't have all the answers either, Proudmane... I'm trying to find my own way, just like you."

Gripping the handhold, Will had pulled himself out of the water, but a warm, sandpapery paw palm came to rest on the back of his hand.  Turning back to look at Proudmane, the human saw that his leonine companion was right next to him, strong grip pinning his hand to the metal bar.  The Savenite had several inches on him but Will had the higher ground, meaning that the lion's muzzle only came up to his sternum and yet the Human couldn't help but feel just a little intimidated by the closeness.  Proudmane held his gaze nevertheless, intensity of the gaze making the room warmer yet.  

The Savenite's face was covered in tawny and tan fur but there was an unmistakable flush to his features-- a hue that seemed even more pronounced than what the water should have brought forth.  Before Will could reply, Proudmane went up to the tips of his toes and touched the end of his muzzle to one of Will's cheeks.  As he pulled away slowly, Proudmane spoke, his strong, firm voice nevertheless softened in deference. "Forgive my presumption, my Lord but, if that is the case, perhaps... we could find our way together."

There was something intimate about the exchange-- the kiss to be certain, but also the tonal quality of his follower's voice an the supplication in the offer.  The offer felt familiar in a way that Will had thought impossible from anyone, let alone a character from a video game he'd only ever known as lines of code and pixels on a screen. It was impossible for Will to be able to explain what was going on, or why, but, in that moment there was no doubt that he was fortunate to have the loyalty of followers like Proudmane.  Smiling, Will provided the only answer he possibly could.  "I'd like that."

Proudmane, surprisingly, didn't release his grip away and they actually walked back to the changing room hand-in-paw.  Only once they went to their respective equipment did the Savenite give him space.  Will took his belongings and moved one row over so he could get changed in relative private, mind moving a mile a minute as he tried to digest the information he'd learned as well as what had occurred between them in the bath.  It wasn't usually difficult for him to buckle down and focus on one problem at a time but the obvious familiarity from Proudmane and the Savenite's obvious joy in attending him kept interrupting his thoughts.

He was just starting to figure out how to get some physical space alone so he could organize his mind when he heard Proudmane call out to him. "I thank you for this time together, my Lord, but, unless you have further need of me I should consider returning to my post... at least until you have the opportunity to summon the rest of our number back from Vartyn."

Will latched onto the lion's comment as if it were an intellectual lifeline; that was exactly the next solvable problem he could focus on rather than have his brain run wild.  Confirming to himself that he would address that exact issue, he acknowledged Proudmane's comment with thanks. "Of course.  Thank you, Proudmane... that will be my next project."

The Savenite lingered at the doorway, glancing back toward him with a warm smile.  "Then I shall be off, my Lord, but I remain in your service and at your disposal."

Proudmane straightened up and struck his gauntleted paw against his metal chest plate in much the same type of salute as Will had seen performed by Minotaurus on multiple occasions.  For some reason he couldn't explain, the Human didn't bother resisting the inclination to salute back, imitating the animation used by his own character-- pressing the first two fingers of his right hand to his forehead.  "I am in good paws while you're on watch, Proudmane."

The Savenite strode off with a spring in his step; despite having been dead less than twenty four hours prior it was readily apparent that the Warden was more than ready to attend to his duties and, considering the bath house worked wonders for NPC recuperation, his mana pool was likewise just as prepared.  Will froze after the thought went through his head; he mumbled to himself as he stepped out of the changing room. "NPC, huh?  Non-Player Character... Non Persona Communicatus... I guess we're all NPCs  to someone else depending on how you look at it."

Those thoughts and more were on Will's mind as he made his way out of the bath house and walked down the hall toward the center of his Holding.  It was surreal to think that his followers had an impression of him as some otherworldly totem, or some kind of holy statue of some kind.  He'd had the feeling several times that his followers had been overjoyed to see him and the majority of him was just pleased to be so in demand but, as he considered their exuberance of having him in their presence, the information provided by Proudmane made even more sense.

Will's followers had been doing his bidding for a long time, and were only now just getting the chance to truly interact with him.  He came to a stop upon that realization; he'd spent so much time with the without actually spending time with them, and they had experienced the exact same thing!  The empathy he felt when comprehending that was otherworldly.  He descended the stairs toward his private chamber in a daze as he fought to connect everything he'd heard.

His room was just as he'd left it, save that his bed was somehow freshly made (and he distinctly recalled not making it himself).  His writing desk drawers were still open from where he'd searched it to make notes that morning before calling his followers together to set out their travel plans.  It seemed odd to him how long ago that felt despite it only being a handful of hours; by his estimate it was barely noon and yet it felt almost a lifetime past.  Letting out a deep sigh, Will made his way toward his bed until he caught something out of the corner of his eyes and he froze; sitting atop his writing desk was a carefully folded piece of parchment with a red wax seal pressed onto it.

Redirecting his movement, the young man went over to the desk and tentatively reached out, running a finger across the document; it was folded in such a way to resemble an envelope in its construction and he admired just how much it looked like the envelope icon from the in-game mail system.  That impression only grew stronger when he picked it up and felt some weight to it; the letter was actually folded around something!  Slowly turning it around so he could look at the seal, Will was startled when he recognized the imprint: it was the symbol of Vynek Tzram!  He stared at it for several seconds before coming to the conclusion that he wouldn't find out anything more without opening it, and so he grabbed the small, knife-like letter opener off his desk and did just that.

The letter in and of itself was a surprise but the seal was even more so... yet beating both of them out was a simple message written by what appeared to be a skilled hand in near-perfect calligraphy, and it looked eerily similar to an in-game message he'd received to send him the link to the beta.  The contents were brief.

'William "Will Etherborn" Becker:

Thank you for accepting the invitation for this important test.  Please keep the enclosed relic on you at all times and await further word.  I look forward to visiting you soon.

--Vynek Tzram'

The young man almost missed his arm chair as he leaned back to sit down, completely dumbfounded by what was, by all appearances, a letter from a GOD.  His brain sputtered along for several seconds as he read and re-read the document, but something about the signature at the bottom caught his attention more than anything else.  He spoke the name aloud. "Vynek Tzram..."

On a lark, Will grabbed a spare piece of paper from his writing desk and took hold of a quill; he received an invitation to join the beta by the owner of KM Games, the company that created Eternyte.  The young man wrote the man's name down as he spoke it aloud. "Kevyn Theodore Marz".

Feeling the hair on the back of his neck stand up he wrote it again. "Kevyn T Marz."

Scribbling further down on the paper, he began to rearrange the letters until he came to only one possible conclusion.  "They're the same letters... is Kevyn T Marz Vynek Tzram?"

He probably would have continued contemplating that question until the end of time if not for the fact that he still hadn't taken a look at item from within the letter, which he'd placed off off to the side as he read.  Reaching out, Will picked up a small black tile; it looked like it was made of plastic, which wasn't supposed to exist in Mytholm.  Turning it around in his hand, the young man marveled at just how much it looked like a thumb drive.  

He removed the cap from one end and saw saw the USB connector.  "What the heck?"