“That sounds reasonable.”
It was then that I noticed I had reached level 12. I gave myself over to examining the windows. It was a good distraction. I didn’t want to think about what happened last night. Not yet.
Level 8
You have reached Level 8!
Ability Point +1!
Your Creature Indicator range has increased by 2 to 22 meters!
Level 9
You have reached Level 9!
Your Creature Indicator range has increased by 2 to 24 meters!
Level 10
You have reached Level 10!
You are now able to see more information through Creature Indicator.
Ability Points +1!
Advancement Points +1!
Your Creature Indicator range has increased by 2 to 26 meters!
You have unlocked your Pet!
A Pet is ranked in three areas. Sight, hearing, and smell.
Each also has special abilities depending on its nature.
Pets do not participate in combat at any time and are only visible if you command them to be.
Note: All other tools and game abilities are directly and indirectly affected by your pet.
Sight - The further your pet can see the further your Creature Indicator, Local Map and World Map can monitor. Also as you become close to your pet, your own eyesight will improve to match that of your pet. Example: Night vision.
Best used to for scouting long distances. You will be able to see things that are hidden to lesser creatures.
Hearing - The better you can hear the more aware you will be of your surrounding all times of the day. You will notice things on your Creature Indicator and Local Map that aren’t visible to the eye and are coming at you from a direction you aren’t looking. This will also better your own hearing as you grow closer to your pet.
Example: General awareness and to discover stealth attacks.
Smell - The better your smell, the more likely you will be able to track down something that is no longer there. Creatures’ scent trails become visible to the eye through your Creature Indicator and Local Map. All creatures leave scents and the best of trackers can track down their scent hours or even days later. Hiding becomes extremely difficult when you have a highly ranked sniffer on your trail. As you grow close to your pet, your own sense of smell will improve.
Example: Tracking down someone or something after the fact.
Choose Wisely!
1 Advancement Point will be spent in selecting your Pet.
Pets
Wolf
Sight - Rank C
Hearing - Rank B +
Smell - Rank A
Special abilities - Night vision, doubles carry weight, able to mask scent partially.
Mountain Lion
Sight - Rank C
Hearing - Rank A
Smell - Rank B
Special abilities - Night vision, doubles carry weight, decreases the amount of noise made when walking.
Falcon
Sight - Rank S
Hearing - Rank D
Smell - Rank D
Special abilities - Only pet without Night Vision, Day Vision is superior to all other creatures, greatly extends Local and World Maps
Owl
Sight - Rank A
Hearing - Rank B
Smell - Rank C
Special abilities - Superior night vision, greatly extends Local and World Maps.
Which Pet do you choose?
Note: You can reselect your Pet at any time, but you must regain the experience necessary to train the new pet.
I read everything slowly trying to take it all in. There was no reason to spend my first Advancement Point on anything else. It seemed all other systems would benefit from having a pet. The pet’s ability excused the system that gave us abilities possible through mixed reality hardware. Still, why would the government decide on a Pet system of all things?
“Pets?”
He shrugged. “They’re kind of cute though. Be sure to pick quickly or Victoria will try and pick for you.”
There was no way she would have any say in my pet which would directly affect my play style. I looked down at her sleeping and the memories of how she had stood by my side last night came flooding back. Perhaps my resolve wasn’t as sound as I thought. She really had tried to help. I had been wrong about her and owed her more than making silly assumptions that she was trying to ruin my career. I better choose quickly.
After a few words whispered under his breath, a young lion appeared at Peter’s feet. It ignored me.
According to its size, I guessed it was little more than a cub.
“Does it get bigger as you level?”
“It sounds like it. As you level its abilities get stronger.”
The falcon and owl Pets I quickly ruled out. They were far too specialized for my taste even if they would be useful abilities to have. It would be hard to live without the additional 100 lbs. of carry weight the lion and wolf gave. Earning money through hunting, later on, would take twice the time.
What was more important, the ability to hear or smell? Almost immediately I was leaning towards sound. The ability to sense something before it could sneak up behind me was almost priceless, but the special abilities made me pause and not pick the Lion immediately.
Not being heard would be very helpful if I found myself hiding or sneaking. Not having a scent would make it harder for someone to find me as long as I managed to get away. If my scent really stayed there for days, that was frightening. Both seemed overpowered and I wanted them both.
It came down to my fear of not being able to disguise my scent as easily as I could learn to stay quiet. Since the wolf and lion were both above average with sound and smell, I wouldn’t completely lose super hearing either.
With nothing left to consider, especially since they would never join me in combat, I choose the wolf.
A coal faced pup with a white patch over one eye appeared at my feet. Without even looking up at me it started sniffing my boots to get acquainted.
Reaching over to it, I sat forward and scratched behind its ears. At first, it cuddled up to me, but suddenly turned its head and nibbled on my finger. Baring its teeth, it began playfully attacking me.
At the least, I liked dogs, so we’d have some fun together.
The popup that came next explained exactly what Peter had said. As I leveled my Pet would as well. If I neglected or abused it, then its growth and abilities would diminish.
After toggling where other players could see, my pup started terrorizing Peter’s lion cub. It wasn’t long before the cub snapped out of its lazy cat funk and started pawing at my wolf’s nose.
What would you like to name your wolf?
Eh. I hated naming things. Should the name sound interesting, or mean something important? Even harder to pull off would be to try and make the name interesting and important. All the wolf and werewolf names I knew I started sorting in my head. It was futile. The name was staring me in the face.
“Wink.”
Your Pet has been named!
Check the menu for options.
Level 11
You have reached Level 11!
Your Creature Indicator range has increased by 2 to 28 meters!
Level 12