Character Creation
“Please accept my deepest apologies,” said an old man, his voice rich with compassion and echoing with divine resonance. His figure shimmered with a radiant golden aura, casting gentle light into the infinite black void that surrounded us. The light neither warmed nor cooled; it simply existed, eternal and serene.
I blinked, disoriented by the endless nothingness. “What are you apologizing for? And… who are you?” My voice wavered as confusion tightened its grip on me.
The man inclined his head slightly, his expression somber yet kind. “I am God,” he said simply, his words carrying an undeniable weight. “As for what I am apologizing for… I stopped an incursion between universes. Two realms collided at a fragile point in the fabric of existence. You, unfortunately, were caught in the aftermath—wrong place, wrong time. And… you died.”
A cold chill swept over me despite the void’s lack of temperature. “Oh,” I muttered, struggling to process the enormity of his words. My gaze shifted to the endless expanse of nothingness around us. “So… this is Heaven?”
“Not quite,” God replied, a flicker of regret in his eyes. “This is the Dimensional Gap—the interstice between universes. A place unbound by time, space, or any rules mortals understand. And I’m afraid I couldn’t sort you into Heaven—or Hell—even if I wished to.”
I frowned, the weight of his statement sinking in. “What do you mean by that?”
He sighed, his golden aura dimming slightly as if reflecting his sorrow. “There are two kinds of death in existence: fated and spontaneous. Fated deaths are woven into the tapestry of life by the Fates themselves—foreseen, prepared for, and balanced. Spontaneous deaths, however, are… anomalies. They occur when life threads intersect in ways the Fates fail to anticipate, or in your case, when universes collide. Your death was entirely spontaneous. A unique and unfortunate result of circumstances beyond mortal comprehension.”
I crossed my arms, more questions forming in my mind. “Wait… the Fates? As in, actual Fates? They’re real?”
A small, almost wistful smile touched God’s lips. “All gods and their realms exist in some form,” he said. “I am the One Above All, but my role is to maintain the balance of existence, prevent dimensional breaches, and uphold cosmic order. The day-to-day affairs of mortal lives, deaths, and afterlives fall to other deities—the Fates among them. As for you…” He hesitated, then continued. “You are an anomaly with neutral karma.”
“Neutral karma?” I echoed, confused. “What does that mean?”
“It means your actions in life didn’t tip the scales toward good or evil. You are… balanced, neither virtuous nor wicked. A rarity, in truth. Most mortals lean one way or the other. But neutral karma makes you difficult to place within the traditional afterlife.”
The weight of his words hit me like a physical blow. “So… what happens now? Am I stuck here forever?”
God’s expression softened further. “Not necessarily. You have two options. You could remain here, in the Gap, as a timeless observer of existence. Or you could choose reincarnation.”
“Reincarnation?” I repeated, my heart quickening. “How would that work?”
He raised his hand, and with a flick of his wrist, a shimmering object materialized between us—a slot machine. Its ornate, golden frame gleamed as brightly as his aura, and its spinning reels were inscribed with categories like Universe, Age, Sex, Race, and Abilities. The machine hummed softly, an otherworldly sound that seemed to vibrate through my very soul.
I stared at it, incredulous. “A slot machine? You’re joking.”
God chuckled lightly, a warm sound that seemed to dispel some of the tension. “I assure you, I am not. The slot machine is a symbolic tool, designed for efficiency. The randomness of reincarnation ensures fairness. Where you end up, who you become, and the abilities you inherit will be determined by chance, influenced only slightly by your karma. Over time, the universe will self-correct, balancing your journey.”
I hesitated, weighing the enormity of the choice before me. The thought of eternal limbo, adrift in an infinite void, filled me with dread. “I’ll take reincarnation,” I said finally, the words spilling out before doubt could take root. “Anything’s better than being stuck here.”
God nodded, his golden aura brightening once more. “Very well. When you are ready, pull the lever.”
I stepped closer to the machine, my hand trembling as I gripped the cool, metallic lever. The reels began to spin the moment I pulled it, their speed blurring the words and symbols into incomprehensible streaks of light. The machine emitted a melodic chime as it worked, each reel slowing one by one until they stopped with a decisive click.
The first reel clicked into place with a faint ding. Universe: The Elder Scrolls (Alternate Universe).
The second followed shortly after. Age: 22.
The third: Sex: Female.
The fourth: Race: Nord.
The final reel: Unique Ability: The Gamer System.
I stared at the results, a mix of anticipation and curiosity bubbling within me. I glanced back at God, who stood silently, his golden aura radiating an unshakable calm. “I think I get most of this,” I said, gesturing to the slot machine’s display. “But what exactly does ‘alternate universe’ mean in this context? What’s going to change?”
God folded his hands behind his back, his expression thoughtful. “Even I cannot fully predict the intricacies of an alternate universe,” he admitted. “The Elder Scrolls’ universe is a vast, ever-evolving tapestry. The ‘alternate universe’ tag simply means you’re stepping into a version of that world that may differ from the one you know—new alliances, unfamiliar histories, altered fates. And as for the timeline…” He shrugged, an almost human gesture. “I cannot say when or where you’ll be dropped. You could find yourself during the height of the Dragonborn’s legend or long before Talos himself walked the mortal plane.”
He clapped his hands, the sound echoing in the void like a cosmic drumbeat. “But let’s not dwell on uncertainties. With your unique ability—The Gamer System—you’ll have the chance to customize your character. You’ll choose your starting class, initial skills, and perks. Your race will grant you certain natural affinities, but everything else is up to you. Depending on the timeline and the challenges you’ll face, you may also start with additional perk points to aid your journey.”
At his words, a faint shimmer appeared in the air, gradually coalescing into a figure—a default female Nord, standing silently in the void like a blank slate. She had an athletic build, pale skin, and icy blue eyes, her platinum blonde hair tied into a basic braid. The figure turned slowly, giving me a full view of the canvas I was about to reshape.
“Hmm, let’s see,” I muttered, stepping closer to inspect the figure. I pictured how I wanted to look in this new life, excitement coursing through me. “If I’m going to be a Nord, let’s lean into it. Most Nords average around six feet, right? Let’s bump that up—make me 6’2. Height’s always an advantage.”
I focused on the body next. “Athletic isn’t enough,” I decided. “I want strength to match. Let’s give me powerful, well-defined arms and noticeable abs. I’m going to look like I can swing a battleaxe all day.”
For the face, I envisioned something striking. “Let’s go with brilliant green eyes—something vibrant, almost glowing. Hair… deep black, sharp and clean. Shave the sides, but keep the rest long and practical in a utilitarian braid. Now for scars… give me a thin one running from my forehead, across my left eye, and down near my mouth—something that tells a story. And let’s add a set of deep claw marks on my right hip. Make it look like I barely survived a run-in with something terrifying.”
Tattoos came to mind next, and my thoughts immediately turned to Nordic mythology. “Let’s cover my chest and stomach with Yggdrasil, the World Tree, its roots and branches spreading wide. On my back, let’s do a mural of Fenrir, Freki, Geri, Sköll, and Hati—wolves in motion, as if ready to leap from my skin. For my left arm, I want Jörmungandr, the World Serpent, coiled tightly and poised to strike. And for the right arm, Huginn and Muninn, Odin’s ravens, watchfully perching.”
As I finalized the vision in my mind, the default figure shimmered and began to morph, its pale form transforming into the warrior I had imagined. I couldn’t help but grin as I took a step back to admire the results. The figure now exuded strength, with an aura of power and purpose that matched the image I had created.
“This,” I said, nodding in approval, “is someone who belongs in a world like The Elder Scrolls.”
I opened my Status Menu, eager to see what kind of foundation I had to work with in this strange new system.
[Status Menu]
Name:
Race: Nord
Age: 22
Level: 1 (0/100 XP)
Class:
HP: 80 (Base HP + (CON × Level))
HP Regen: 5 HP per min (Base Regen + (CON × Modifier))
MP: 105 (Base MP + (INT × Level))
MP Regen: 23 MP per min (Base Regen + (WIS × Modifier))
Stats:
STR: 0
DEX: 0
CON: 0
INT: 25
WIS: 18
CHA: 0
Stat Points: 50 (+3 stat points per level)
Perk Points: 40 (+1 perk point every 2 levels)
Perks:
• Game Perk: Gamer’s Mind
• Racial Perks: Frost Resistance, Battle Cry
Inventory: Empty
I stared at the sheer number of perk points in disbelief. Forty perk points. That was either a blessing or a curse. Probably both. My brow furrowed as the implications sank in. “What kind of hell world am I walking into?” I muttered, shaking my head. No use worrying until I’m there. Deal with it as it comes.
But a thought struck me. Something didn’t add up. “Why do I already have points in my intelligence and wisdom stats?” I asked, glancing over at God. “And what’s Gamer’s Mind supposed to do?”
God smiled faintly, as if expecting the questions. “Even though you’re stepping into a new world, you’re still carrying the knowledge and cognitive skills you developed in your previous life. Your intellect and wisdom reflect that. As for Gamer’s Mind, it simply ensures any game-related mechanics or insights stay confined to your perspective. You won’t accidentally let slip any knowledge about your system to others, even under duress.”
I nodded slowly, filing the explanation away for later. “Fair enough,” I replied. “Let’s get started, then.”
The first task was clear: a name. I grinned, deciding to indulge my love for a bit of flair. “Let’s go with… Lagertha Gryffindor,” I said. The name rolled off my tongue with satisfying weight. Strong, commanding, and just a little dramatic. Based on one of my favorite historical figures and my Hogwarts house.
Next came the class. As I navigated through the menus, I was struck by how many options there were. Warrior, thief, healer, ranger—each came with its own strengths and limitations. I scrolled for what felt like an eternity until my eyes landed on the perfect choice: Battlemage. Battlemage grants +1 INT and DEX every lvl, +1 CON every 3 lvls, +10 lvls to one handed swords, +10 lvls to destruction magic, lvl 5 flames, lvl 5 frostbite, lvl 5 oakenflesh, lvl 5 healing hands, +5% learning to combat skills, +5% learning to magic skills.
Then came the perks. I groaned aloud as another menu popped up, this one even longer than the class list. Endless possibilities spread out before me, from utility perks to combat-focused options. It was overwhelming at first, but I took my time, reading through the descriptions carefully. One by one, I made my selections:
•Child of Alexander (12 points): +20 lvls to one handed swords, +5 lvls to all other weapon proficiencies, +15 lvls to light armor, +5 lvls to heavy armor, +10 to CHA upon purchase, + 5 to all other stats upon purchase, +1 CHA per lvl, +1 to all other stats every 5 lvls, +30 lvls to leadership, +15 lvls to battle tactics and persuasion, +10% learning speed to all combat skills, +5% learning speed to leadership, battle tactics and persuasion
•Tomb Raider (10 points): +15 lvls to archery, +10 lvls to stealth and lock-picking, +5 DEX upon purchase, +2 INT and WIS upon purchase, +1 DEX every lvl, +1 INT and WIS every 3 lvls, +10% learning speed to archery, +5% learning speed to stealth and lock-picking
•Greater Vitality (8 points): +MAX lvl Common Disease Resistance, +Max lvl Common Poison Resistance, +30 lvls Uncommon Disease Resistance , + 30 lvls Uncommon Poison Resistance
•Healthy Body (5 points): Adds a x1.5 modifier to HP and a x2 modifier to my HP Regen
•Mana Generator (5 points): Adds a x1.5 modifier to MP and a x2 modifier to my MP Regen
When I finished, I sat back and reviewed my choices.
[Status Menu]
Name: Lagertha Gryffindor
Race: Nord
Age: 22
Level: 1 (0/100 XP)
Class: Battlemage
HP: 110
HP Regen: 45 HP per min
MP: 129.5
MP Regen: 55 MP per min
Stats:
STR: 15
DEX: 27
CON: 20
INT: 33
WIS: 25
CHA: 21
Stat points: 0
Perk points: 0
Perks: Child of Alexander, Tomb Raider, Greater Vitality, Healthy body, Mana Generator
Game Perk: Gamer’s Mind
Racial Perks: Frost Resistance, Battle Cry
Skills:
One Handed Sword: lvl 30
Dagger: lvl 5
Mace: lvl 5
War Axe: lvl 5
Greatsword: lvl 5
Battle Axe: lvl 5
Warhammer: lvl 5
Archery: lvl 20
Light Armor: lvl 15
Heavy Armor: lvl 5
Destruction Magic: Lvl 10
-Flames: Lvl 5
-Frostbite: Lvl 5
Alteration Magic: Lvl 0
-Oakenflesh: Lvl 5
Restoration Magic: Lvl 0
-Healing Hands: Lvl 5
Leadership: lvl 30
Battle Tactics: lvl 15
Persuasion: lvl 15
Stealth: lvl 10
Lock-picking: lvl 10
Common Disease Resistance: MAX lvl
Common Poison Resistance: MAX lvl
Uncommon Disease Resistance: lvl 30
Uncommon Poison Resistance: Lvl 30
Inventory: Empty
I finished reviewing my Status Menu, a satisfied grin creeping across my face. It wasn’t perfect—there was plenty of room to grow—but it was solid. A foundation I could build upon. A good starting point.
I turned to God, my confidence bolstered. “I’m ready to go,” I said firmly, my voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions churning beneath the surface.
God gave a slow nod, his golden aura flickering like a candle’s flame in the dark void. “Very well,” he replied, his tone carrying an air of finality. He raised his hand, his fingers snapping together with a sharp, decisive sound.
The snap echoed like a thunderclap, reverberating through the infinite black void. Before I could react, an overwhelming wave of exhaustion swept over me, pulling me under like an unrelenting tide. The golden light of God’s aura blurred and faded as darkness closed in around me.
I drifted, weightless, into an endless abyss. My consciousness flickered like a dying flame, the void swallowing me whole.
The last thing I heard was God’s voice, distant yet powerful, as if it resonated from within my very soul. “Go forth, Lagertha Gryffindor. Your story begins now.”
And then, nothing.