Hey everyone, as you might have guessed this isn't a new chapter. I'm still taking a break, but I have two possible ideas that I am going to be slowly working on when I need a break from this one. They won't be released until after Summoning Shenanigans is finished, but I want to have a little bit of a backlog that I can immediately post. One will be the main project, and likely get weekly updates. The other will be sporadic, but I will try for at least every other week, or monthly at most. So my question to you, which one should be the main one? The prologues will be posted below.

Thalassophobia will be similar to Oblivion Online, but set in a completely separate game world. All characters will be unique. It will be light LitRPG, probably similar to Oblivion.

Dungeon of Oblivion will be a spinoff from Oblivion Online, but will be more of a dungeon core novel than an adventure like the first one was. I hope to avoid some mistakes that were made earlier, and am already started on working through dungeon monster evolutions and the like. There will be some familiar characters, but the main characters will be completely new.

Thalassophobia

Prologue

Buffering content.

Buffering….

Playing

The commercial opened up with a space view of a strange blue and white planet. As the view zoomed in, tiny bits of green become apparent, and a voice starts speaking. “Welcome to the world of Aquarius 4. A world unlike any you have ever visited before. Over 95% of the surface is covered in one vast ocean, with nearly a third of that space being what would be considered on Earth the coastal shallows depth. It is here that life and civilization thrives. Dreams are born and die as the cycle of life moves ever onward.”

As the voice continues, the camera plunges into the depths. Schools of brightly colored fish swim in and around labyrinthine expanses of coral. A small buffer zone extends around a shark lazily swimming along. Suddenly, a trident thrusts upward from a coral ravine, piercing the vulnerable belly of the shark. As it thrashes violently, more tridents work to herd the shark into the waiting throw of a weighted net, and soon the shark’s fate is sealed. As it gives up its death throes, several humanoid creatures emerge and move to butcher the fish as swiftly as possible.

“In a flash, even creatures assumed to be the top of the food chain can become someone else’s lunch. You have the option to join several clans. The nomadic Saguahin people are humanoids with webbed feet and hands. Crude weapons and minor magics are theirs, while they clad themselves in light armors to keep their mobility.”

“The kingdom of Crustacea will appeal to those of you who prefer heavy armors. Similar in build to the Saguahin’s, the Crustacea people raise gigantic crabs and lobsters, who not only provide food but also armor and weapons. Though focused on the physical, their skill in growing coral palaces is unmatched. Your will must be as impervious as the armor you wear in order to thrive.”

“The Elotrudia have branched out into the realm of mystics. Behind a guard of thunder eels, they wield magics unmatched by others in this world. But beware, for this world doesn’t have magic like your normal fantasy. In Aquarius, the only viable magics are water, lightning, and psionics. Do you have the mental fortitude to withstand the crystal spires of the Elotrudia?”

“While you may find a life thriving within any of these societies, others will never be content. Fear not, for there is an option for those who crave adventure as well. Each player has access to the synergy system. This allows you to modify your own body using parts taken from defeated enemies. Will you add chitin armor, though it slows you down? Or perhaps the ink sac of an octopus for a timely escape? Will you use the jets of a squid to give your spear thrust the added force necessary to pierce the leviathan’s tough hide? Like most things, further improvements will require more and better materials. Beware though, as there are always hidden dangers in the ocean. The further you modify yourself, the less likely you are to find options that are compatible with your build.”

“Arctic Storm Entertainment, the same company that brought you Oblivion Online, now welcomes you to the cutting edge of virtual reality technology. A watery world with over two thirds of the entire planet unmapped. And so we come down to the final question: Do you have what it takes to overcome your Thalassophobia and explore the deepest, darkest depths of an unknown planet?” As the narrator asked the last question, the camera rapidly dove into the depths, the view replaced by inky blackness. Creepy music kept playing, and those who were patient were treated to a massive eye the size of the screen opening and staring at the audience.

Dungeon of Oblivion

Prologue

2 years after the Sundering of the Worlds

In a marble amphitheater, there were three sets of thrones. One set of pure white, once set of pitch black, and one a gray that resembled smoke. The first two sets were empty, but two of the three gray ones were occupied. A woman with a band over her eyes sits next to a youthful man as they wait patiently. As still as statues, one wouldn’t be wrong to assume they could sit still for an eternity. They don’t have to, however, as a robed form appears before them.

“Truth. Justice.” The deep voice resonates through the chamber, as the robed figure bows to the two in the thrones.

“Rise, our Vindex.” Justice said. “We have a task for you.”

“I stand ready.” The robed figure said.

“Excellent. In the Monster Lands, something is preventing our dungeons from growing properly. The Gray Pantheon has decided that this must be investigated. Use your discretion when it comes to resolving the issue.”

“As you wish.” The robed figure bowed again.

“One more thing.” Truth said. “There is a tavern there where the avatars of the dungeon congregate. I suggest starting there. The Grayside Café.” The figure nodded in acknowledgement, and then disappeared.