When hydrologists inscribe the consciousness of a human mind onto a single drop of water, a Revelation sweeps the land. The wealthy race to upload their minds into self-contained virtual realities nicknamed Aquariums. In these containers people achieve every hope, dream, and desire. But governments wage war for control of the technology. Terrorist attacks cause massive destruction. The Aquariums fail.  Inscribed human minds leech into the water cycle, wreaking havoc.

Street gangs rule the cities in the three years since the fall of civilization. Sixteen-year-old Cami and her younger sister Alby struggle to survive. Every drop of untreated water puts their lives in peril. Caught and imprisoned by soldiers who plan to sell them into slavery, Cami will do anything to escape and rescue her sister. Even if it means leaving the real word for a life in the realms, a new game-like reality created by the hydrologists for the chosen few.

But life in the realms isn’t as simple as it seems. Magic, combat, gear scores, quests, and dungeons are all puzzles to be solved as the sisters navigate their new surroundings. And they encounter more dangerous enemies than any they faced in the real world.

Time to play the game.

Please enjoy a brief glimpse into the world of Starter Zone: The Revelation Chronicles.

Choose character.

I wonder why the hydrologists decided to use a voice that sounds so artificial. Obviously everything in the realms is artificially generated, but so far seems real. Scratch that—everything in here is better than the real world. So why do they have the interface sound like an old-fashioned computer generated voice?

“Fae.”

As a fae you are attuned to the natural world and will be able to draw on nature’s power to perform a great many feats. Your role in the realm is automatically defined as one of both preservation and protection. Are you certain you want to choose this race? Once the choice is made, it cannot be undone.

“Yes.”

Congratulations player! You will receive a 1% bonus to intellect, strength, spirit, and agility at each level.

The equal spread of points is part of the issue that Darlene had talked about during our realm selection session. As I understand it, after choosing human, dwarf, or shifter, other players would be able to further define their roles. A mage or wizard would receive a 2% bonus to intellect and spirit. Warriors and thieves would receive 2% to strength and agility. So there are benefits to the other races, especially at higher levels. It’s no wonder that most players choose to specialize.

However, I’ve never been one to follow the crowd.

Choose gender.

Female.

Choose appearance.

An image appears in front of me of a mature woman’s body. It moves when I do, exactly like a mirror. It has my face, although it seems slightly larger: The better to fit on the seven-foot tall frame, I guess. It feels weird to be looking up into what should be my own eyes.

Speaking of which, the eyes are huge and dark lavender, framed with thick lashes. The lips are full and a dark blue. The hair is a similarly toned dark blue, parted in the middle, and hangs down to the middle of the figure’s back.

“How do I make changes?” I ask.

Simply state the changes you want.

“I want the character to look more like me.” I pause, considering. “Can you make the skin color more like my own real skin?”

Considering . . . Fae skin tones run the spectrum from a dark blue to a dark green. State preference.

“Can you show me the lightest color of blue?”

The figure shifts. The skin is now almost white, with just a tinge of blue. The hair has changed to silver with subtle blue highlights, and the lips are a paler shade of blue than before. The eyebrows and eyelashes remain the same dark color, though, and the eyes are still dark lavender.

I lean in a bit closer, peering at the face in front of me, and then burst out laughing. The interface has kept the smattering of freckles across my nose, only now they are blue instead of brown. I guess they are my most recognizable feature after all.

Is this change acceptable to you?

“Yes.”

Are you certain you want to choose this appearance?

“Yes.”

Congratulations player! Note: if you wish to change your appearance or gender, you can access the customization menu in the interface. Modifications will require an in-service purchase.

I suppose I will learn more about that in the future. I add in-service purchases to the growing list of items I need to study.

Choose a display name.

“Camille Malifux.”

Error. Display names cannot be the same as registered player names.

Huh. Ok. “Cami.”

Player name is available. Are you certain you want to choose this name? Once the choice is made, it cannot be undone.

“Yes.”

Welcome to your new life, Cami. Gather your courage for this new adventure, because the world needs you more than ever.