It felt like I was travelling in a car super-fast. A combination of g-force and motion sickness. Well that’s what it felt like anyway. This feeling lasted a few seconds and when it was over I was facing a black screen. I had no body to move around in. It was a very disconcerting experience. For the next few seconds I began to get worried. Just when I was about to start panicking.

-Synchronization Complete-

As soon as the message appeared. I realized I now had a body. And it was naked… After that the black disappeared. It was replaced by white marble with some gold decal. There were majestic pillars which held up the massive room. Overshadowing all this were the thrones. Each throne was massive. As in if there were people sitting on the throne he would only be able to touch their ankles. All in all, it was pretty much how I imagined the pantheon of the gods.

The graphics were ridiculous!

“Well aren’t you gorgeous!” called a chirpy voice behind me.

Spinning around I realized that one of the thrones was occupied. As I gazed upon her, her appearance changed. Her face and body flickered. I thought I saw hints of crushes I had 'when I was younger. After a few moments, she molded into what I felt was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. You’ve got to understand, she wasn’t ‘hot’ she was beautiful. I could automatically tell that she didn’t represent lust. Gazing upon her I felt adoration. I needed to protect her. I love her. And suddenly those feelings were gone. My mind was clear.

“Right back at you”, I smirked. Something about her made me cocky.

She giggled cheerfully, “well aren’t you fun! The last guy that came through here was stuttering.” She stage whispered, “He wasn’t as good looking as you”.

“umm thanks… Is this the character creation?” he replied.

She pouted, “Straight to business then?”

He struggled to ignore the beauty in front of him. “Please”

Her cheerful appearance suddenly disappeared to be replaced by a stone-cold Ice queen. It was very dramatic. That was until she broke down giggling.

“Okay, I’m the goddess Aphrodite and you are…” She stared off into the distance. “Michael Estrisden. Pity you don’t have a middle name. I find it far more dramatic when I say someone’s full name”, she smirked. “Moving on”

“First choose a name, I advise a normal sounding name. It would be terrible to be constantly introducing yourself as ‘Noob Slayer’. Also there are no numbers.

Choose a name

I had thought about this for the last few days. “Aloys” (Alloy) Don't ask me where I got it from.

Are you sure you wish to select ‘Aloys’? You must delete your character and start again to change your name.

“Yes”

“Aloys is a cute name.” Aphrodite smiled at me. “I’ll make sure to look out for you in the game. Next up…”

“There are four races to choose from at this stage. I cannot provide you with any information other than what is on the website. Hopefully you have read what is on the website…” She left an opening for me to answer.

“I have”

“Good, okay please select one of the four options in front of you.”

A screen appeared in front of him.

Barbarians

Follow a mix of ‘Norse’ Gods and ‘Greek’ gods.

Imperials

Follows ‘Roman’ gods.

Kingdoms

Follows ‘Greek’ gods.

Nomads

Follows a mix of ‘Roman’ Gods and ‘Egyptian’ gods.

It’s a pity there’s no more information. (Other than that it now says Nomad not Sand People, perhaps a late change.) He assumed that the information would get updated after people start logging in. The company was obviously enjoying the whole secrecy factor. I came to a sudden realization. I looked back at Aphrodite to see her smirking.

“Which should I choose”, I asked. Hoping that I was right.

She smirked. “Why should I help?”

“Umm… My charm?”

Aphrodite raised an eyebrow. (Scarily similar to his mother yesterday) It almost made him gulp but he stayed composed.

After a minute, long staring contest. Just when I was going to choose a random race…

“Fine, you win. Just don’t tell anyone I helped you. Maybe pray at one of my temples sometime…” She winked.

“Definitely,” I said eagerly.

“Okay, what type of character do you want to play?”

“Umm I was thinking archer swordsman with maybe a little magic.”

She raised an eyebrow.

“Well for a little magic it doesn’t matter which race you choose. The archer and swordsman combo is bit more difficult.”

I waited.

“You should choose Kingdoms or Nomad. The nomads have a racial skill which helps archery but long term it doesn’t really matter.”

I was curious about this racial skill. I was generally curious about the Nomads in general. But…

He didn’t want to spawn in a desert. He had always hated sand at the beach and living in sand just seemed like an awful idea. The foods probably horrible.

So, he chose Kingdoms.

“I choose Kingdoms”

Aphrodite nodded. “I hate sand too. Although, I look great in a bikini”. She winked again.

“I bet you do.” I smiled back.

“You got some more options to choose from. Each has advantages and disadvantages.”

Noble

Part of the Aristocracy. You join a pre-existing house. Your reputation is dependent on the success of your house.

Slots Remaining

527/1000

Merchant

Business minded individuals. Your reputation is dependent on your wealth. How you gain this wealth, how you spend your wealth.

Slots Remaining

249,993/250,000

Commoner

The peasantry. Your reputation is dependent on your own achievements.

Slots Remaining

∞/ ∞

I didn’t like the sound of disadvantages. I could guess that although noble sounded good there would be a ton of repercussions. I could get by with just choosing commoner, it would probably be the simplest to play but… It seemed noble is a one-off opportunity. The slots would be definitely be taken after the first wave of players. The fact there were still slots available was lucky. I must have been within the first 600 or so players to start. Looking up he saw 527 slots drop to 526. I looked at Aphrodite.

She smile, “I can’t help you with this. All I can say is that there are clear advantages and disadvantages in the role you take up.”

He chose noble.

Aphrodite nodded. “With your wealthy background you would probably be more comfortable as a noble.”

Did she just call me a snob? I grinned. “Is there anything else to do.”

Choose Name of House

What the hell, “Estrisden”.

Are you sure you wish to select ‘Estrisden’? Upon selection, this house will be permanently part of the game. Even if you delete your character it shall remain.

“Yes”

Aphrodite raised an eyebrow. “Someone’s proud of his money.”

“Well I just figured father would get a kick out of House Estrisden being part of the game… maybe.

She smirked.

“Anything else?”, I asked.

“Nope, that’s us.”

“How about any last-minute advice?”

“Not really, just choose your deity wisely its important.”

She gave me a last wink and the screen flashed black. I felt the whole G force, motion sickness for a moment until I awoke in my capsule.