World Keeper

Chapter 46: Meeting of the Gods

“Well, once Terra wakes up, can you gather everyone together? Feel like it’s about time for us to have a proper meeting.” Ryone nodded absently after I said that, so I walked out of the room. Looking down the hall, I thought about what I wanted to do until the meeting. Ultimately, there was one question that still needed answered, but I wasn’t sure how to go about finding out.

In the end, the only real choice was the direct approach. Walking over to Bihena’s door, I knocked on it and called inside. “Can I come in? Would like to talk.”

“Alright, whatever.” Came the somewhat hurried voice from within the room. When I opened the door, I found that the decorations for this room had been slightly changed. The bed had turned a deep blue, and there were mounted weapons such as spears and axes along the walls. Bihena was sitting at a desk in the far corner of her room, the chair turned to face the door. “So, what is it?”

I shook my head as I walked in, closing the door behind me. “Just wanted to know something. Why are you so hostile to me? I mean, I don’t want this to be a problem or anything, and I don’t understand why you were so angry at me as soon as you saw me.”

Bihena raised her eyebrows as she watched me, chuckling slightly. “Was wondering when you were going to ask, or if you’d already figured it out. Guess not.” I only continued looking at her, waiting for her explanation. “Keep your pants on, I’m getting to it.”

She took a deep breath, before looking me square in the eyes. “Do you know what the single most infuriating trait about someone is?” I shook my head. “It’s when you aren’t able to control your feelings towards them. Yes, I admit it, I like you just like the other girls do. But, unlike them, I don’t appreciate my feelings being forced into me. So yes, I like you, but at the same time, seeing you reminds me that I have no real control over my own emotions.”

I nodded my head slightly. “Sorry about that. I didn’t really think that would turn into a problem.”

She scoffed lightly, smirking at me. “That’s another thing, you don’t really think too hard about these things. Yeah, sure, you do your best. And not all of your mistakes can really be blamed on you, but maybe think about things a bit more from now on.”

I could only nod again, before doing my best to show my good intentions. “If you’d rather, I can change that setting--”

I didn’t even get to finish my offer before Bihena sent a vicious glare at me. “Touch those settings once, and I swear I will rip apart your world. I’m not joking here, Dale.” I felt a cold sweat flowing down my back as she spoke. “I can get over the initial problem of being made to like you, but if you mess with my mind anymore than that…”

“I get it, I get it. Forget I said anything.” Her eyes calmed down as I said that, and she nodded her head. “Still, it’d be best if we were able to get along? This hostility won’t be good for anyone.”

Bihena nodded again at that. “We can get along. But, don’t expect me to go crawling around for your affection. If you want me to ever act on these feelings you put in me, then you’re going to have to show that you are worth it.”

I smiled bitterly, but agreed. “That’s fine. Anyways, we’re going to have a meeting in a little bit. It’d be best if everyone shows up.”

At that, Bihena seemed to smile slightly. “It seems he can be taught, after all. Now, go ahead and get out of here. I still have some stuff to take care of.”

After that, I left the room, moving to the living room to wait for everyone. To my surprise, it only took about a half hour before Terra woke up and everyone was called together. Looking around and seeing everyone, I couldn’t help but acknowledge that this was the first time that they were all in the same room.

Terra lazily stretched out, waving a hand to dismiss the current living room furniture, instead summoning a long table. Around it were six chairs, as well as what looked like a small cloud of fluff. The girls and I all sat in the chairs, while Tryval navigated his way onto the fluff cloud. Terra sat on my right, between myself and Ryone. Across from her was Aurivy, flanked by Irena and Bihena. Finally, Tryval sat at the end of the table, as he needed more room.

“So.” Tryval spoke first, looking towards me. “What is it that you called us all here for?”

At his words, everyone else also nodded, looking for me to answer. “Well, we’ve never really had a meeting like this, and I thought that it would be good to start doing them on a semi-regular basis. As you all have probably noticed… I’m not too good at the whole planning aspect.” There were a few discreet snickers from around the table at that, mostly from my side of the table…

“Anyways, I wanted to get together with everyone and decide on a general plan. To help develop the world eventually, I went ahead and bought a new race for us to use.” Focusing my mind, I created a set of papers in front of me with the information about the dungeon core race. I even checked one of the papers to make sure that it didn’t come out blurry or anything.

Everyone grabbed one of the papers when they were slid to them, and looked it over. Ryone was the first one to speak up, a small smile on her face. “I want one.”

I tried not to imagine this as a request for a sex dungeon, and looked at her. “For?”

Her smile spread a bit wider as she saw the questioning look on my face. “Where am I going to find a better field to practice new magic? It’s hard to properly gauge power in the admin room, so a dungeon down in the world would be the perfect solution. Maybe I could even take it as a student eventually.”

I had to nod at her reasoning. It made sense. And, it got me to stop imagining her with a sex dungeon. “Alright. You can place one down in the world, as long as it’s not somewhere that it will be easily found in the future.” She nodded her head quickly at that, and I looked to the rest of them. “For the dungeons, I want all of us to share this job, rather than creating a single ‘dungeon god’. It’s too easy for dungeons to be seen as evil creations, so making them into a domain for any of you would only make it easier for people to see you like that as well.”

Terra nodded her head slightly, a small smile on her face as she heard that. “That sounds cool. We should place a few down as experiments first, see how they work.” I was a bit surprised by her sudden suggestion, but the confident look in her eyes made me think that there might be some defect with the dungeon that I don’t know about.

“Alright. We’ll do it that way. Next, I wanted to make an announcement.” Everyone looked at me seriously, even Aurivy. It’s weird to see her looking serious. “With one of Ryone’s domains being Wealth, I wanted to put her in charge of managing the points, so that we don’t run into any bad situations.”

Irena glanced at Ryone, nodding her head slightly. “It does make sense. Can she even buy things from the market with your permission, though?

Terra shook her head in response. “Only the Keeper can make purchases. But, any companion can browse the market. So, she can find systems that we need, and list them out for Dale to review.”

Ryone’s smile grew even wider when she heard about her new job. “Very nice. I take it that means you won’t be aimlessly spending points anymore?” She pointedly looked at me with that last comment.

“Well… I might make small purchases. But, I’ll try to keep any spending in the triple digits on hold until I verify it with you first.” I didn’t really trust myself enough to say that I would entirely let her handle the budget, because sometimes there were things I wanted to get without really thinking too much into it. “Anyways, on this subject, there is a system that I wanted to introduce. I’ve been working on it in my spare time for a while, so it is a bit more detailed than what I usually come up with.”

Once again, they looked at me seriously. This time, I manifested seven folders, each one holding a few papers. Then, I slid the folders over to them, keeping one for myself. Opening up the folder, I spread out the papers in front of me to make sure that I had accurately copied down the system I had saved on the notepad in my computer.

Spoiler

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Inventory System

How is the inventory accomplished?

- Through the game system menu(Game setting required)

- A spatial magic spell

- A special ore that can be shaped into an inventory artifact like a ring

- A special thread from certain monsters or plants that can be reshaped into an inventory artifact or bag. Note: keeper must either choose already created monster or plant in system that has trait to make this kind of thread, or create a new one from scratch.

- A special wood from certain monsters and trees that once successfully prepared and formed into an inventory artifact or container Note: keeper must either choose already created monster or tree in system that has trait to make this kind of wood, or create a new one from scratch.

- Stomachs of certain monsters have special property/trait of slightly bending space, once prepared correctly, their stomachs can be transformed into an inventory artifact/bag. Note: keeper must either choose already created monster in system that has trait to have this kind of stomach, or create a new one from scratch.

- A machine that creates a pocket dimension

- A machine and/or ray that digitizes items into code

- Enchantment, can be placed on a wide range of items to make it act as an inventory item/artifact

- Custom/other

What is maximum storage capacity?

- Unlimited

- X inventory slots

- X cubic feet

- X pounds

- Dependent on class

- Dependent on level

- Dependent on magic power, ki, spiritual energy, or other energy source

- Dependent on quality and quantity of inventory artifact material

- Combination of above options

- Other/Custom

What happens to item weight in inventory?

- Completely negated

- Partially negates x% of item weight

- Partially negates up to x pounds

- Does not negate weight (note: Unavailable for digitization)

- Amplifies weight of item by x%

- Amplifies weight of item by x pounds

- Custom/Other

To what degree are items preserved?

- Once placed in inventory, items are frozen in time, completely preserved

- Items are partially preserved as time moves x times slower in inventory

- Items are not preserved as time in inventory matches outside world

- Items actually degrade faster as inventory is x times faster than outside world

- Custom/other

What happens to the items after the inventory owner dies?

- The deceased continues to have access to their inventory items in their respective afterlife(note: Unavailable for object-based inventories)

- The items automatically go to a storage area in the admin room

- Items are destroyed

- The appear right next to the corpse of the deceased

- They stay in the inventory where others can access them if they retrieve the inventory artifact

- Items in inventory are dispersed to random locations. Dispersal range decided by keeper before implementation. Can be potentially as small as a five foot radius or as large as to encompass the entire world.

- Inventory is transferred into the killer’s inventory. Keeper must choose another option in cases where where killer’s inventory is full or becomes full in midst of transfer. Keepers must also decide the factor in determining the priority of items transferred to killer if all of deceased inventory can not be transferred over. Examples include most valuable, least valuable, oldest items, newest items, and random.

- Deceased inventory is transferred to killer’s saved home point. Home point must be a location the killer has personally visited. Home point can be changed and deleted. Keeper must determine method of setting home point. Examples include setting it through game world menu, praying to personal deity, and saying “save as home point”. If no home point is specifically set, last place the killer slept will act as the default.

- Items in inventory spout from the deceased body like a fountain until all items are removed from the inventory. Keeper must set the height of these “item fountains” though random height is also an option.

- A portal appears by deceased body from which people can pull out the inventory items of the deceased. Portal remains until all items are removed.

- Temporary Portal, basically the same as option 10, however the portal is not permanent. Instead, the keeper sets a time the portal remains by corpse. If the time eclipses and not all the items are pulled out, portal disappears and items go through choosen secondary inventory dispersal option from this list.

- If person is killed in a dungeon, items are transferred to the dungeon master where the items can be either converted into magical power or preserved for personal use. Note: While this option takes priority in dungeons, it is only applicable if a person is killed in a dungeon. Keepers must choose another option for cases if a person is killed outside of dungeons.

- Custom/Other

Inventory Activation Options

- Open through personal menu

- Voice Activation. Note: Keeper must set activation code with an example being “Open Inventory”

- Hand Gesture. Note: Keeper must set specific hand gesture that activates inventory

- Recast inventory spell. Note: Only applicable for spatial magic spell inventory option

- Infusing inventory artifact with energy (mana, ki, spiritual energy, ect.)

- Open inventory container lid

- Determined by inventory owner. Inventory owner can set whatever gesture or code word to activate their personal inventory. They are also free to change inventory activation process anytime they wish. Note: Keeper must determine how a person sets inventory activation process. Examples include praying to personal deity to describe process or saying “Set Inventory Activation as followed…”. In addition, if this option is chosen, person will not have access to their inventory until they set activation process.

- Pressing on button for inventory machines.

- Custom/other

How to place items in inventory

- Push item through inventory menu slot(note: requires Game System inventory)

- Physically place in special inventory container (bag, chest, ect.)

- Push or carry item through a portal summoned by inventory. This portal opens up to a separate dimensional space where item will be stored. Note: Portal will remain open while there are living beings in inventory space.

- After activating inventory lift item off of ground for set amount of time determined(x seconds) by keeper.

- After activating inventory touch object for x amount of seconds determined by keeper.

- After activating inventory, state name of object or description of object that want to place in inventory. Note: Keeper must set maximum distance(x meters) that person can be from object in order to place in inventory.

- After activating inventory, envelop item that want to place in inventory with a thin coating of person’s energy (mana, ki, spiritual energy, ect.)

- Place on a special platform connected to inventory system

- Shoot a ray at item that want to place in inventory. Note: keeper must set maximum length(x meters) of ray to place item in inventory and how long ray must be in contact with item(y seconds).

- A special hand gesture that indicates the item that person wants to place in inventory. An example is pointing at item with a finger. Note: Keeper must set a hand gesture that clearly indicates what item person wants to place in inventory and Keeper must set maximum distance(x meters) that person can be from object in order to place in inventory.

- Place item in an incorporeal chest composed of a special energy summoned by inventory system

- Think of/Imagine item that want to place in inventory. Note: Keeper must set maximum distance(x meters) that person can be from object in order to place in inventory.

- Custom/Other

How to remove items from inventory

- Pull item from inventory menu slot(note: requires Game System inventory)

- Tap inventory slot of item that wish to remove from inventory

- Push, pull, carry item of inventory space through summoned portal

- After activating inventory, state name or description of item that wish to remove from inventory

- Click image of item displayed on computer screen that wish to remove from computer screen(note: requires Game System or tech-based inventory)

- Pull item out of inventory container (bag, chest, ect.)

- After summoning incorporeal inventory chest, remove/pull item out of chest

- Think of/Imagine item that wish to remove from inventory

- Custom/Other

Restrictions on Inventory (Note: More than one restriction can be chosen)

- None

- Will not have access to inventory till x age

- Will not have access to inventory till earn a class

- Will not not have access to inventory till x level

- Only certain classes(x number) designated by the keeper will have access to an inventory

- Cannot place an item into you inventory unless you are considered to be the item’s “owner”. Whether or not you are the item’s owner will be judged by the inventory system itself. Note: While having a firm grasp on item and carrying it might raise possibility of being considered the new or temporary owner, it is not definitive that it will work immediately or at all for some items.

- For digitalization inventory system, x number of times an item’s code can be copied will be determined by Keeper. If exceed this number in order to make multiple copies of item, will cause code to degrade and make it impossible for item to materialize.

- Can not open inventory in midst of battle

- Custom/Other

Inventory Slot Options (inventory slot option required)

- Objects larger than x cubic feet will occupy multiple inventory slots

- Objects heavier than x pounds will occupy multiple inventory spots

- Regardless of item’s weight or size will occupy only one inventory spot

- Container with multiple items inside will be treated as a single object and can potentially occupy only a single inventory spot

- Container with multiple items inside will not be treated as a single object and can not be placed into inventory

- Container will multiple items inside will not be treated as a single object. Container will be emptied and items inside will occupy other inventory slots. If not enough room, will not be able to place entire container inside inventory.

- If have identical items of equitable size, quality, and appearance, can have them occupy the same inventory slot(s) regardless of the weight and size limits of the inventory slot. Maximum amount of times this can be done on an inventory slot determined by Keeper(X).

- Stacked inventory slots will have the weight of only one object. (Stackable inventory slot option required).

- Stacked inventory slots will have total weight of all items in stacked slot

- Stacked inventory slots will weigh x% of total weight all objects in stacked inventory slot

- Items that take up multiple inventory slots can not be stacked

- Items that take up multiple inventory slots can be stacked

- Custom/Other

What happens to items if inventory device/artifact is destroyed?

- Stored items are permanently destroyed

- Items stored inside are transported to a storage room in the admin room

- Items are scattered around remains of inventory device

- Items are transported to random locations. Keeper must determine dispersal range. Could be extremely short or big enough to cover entire world

- Items in inventory spout from inventory device remains like a fountain until all items are removed from the inventory. Keeper must set the height of these “item fountains” though random height is also an option.

- One of the above options(Y), but there is an x% chance for each item being damaged in some way, shape, or form.

- Custom/Other

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It took a few minutes for everyone to finish looking over the papers. Terra let out a low whistle when she finished. “Really wanted to make a flexible system, didn’t you?” I nodded my head. “Well, it’s good. There are some storage devices already, like bags of holding, but nothing this complex. It should be able to earn a fair amount of points.”

After Aurivy was done, she decided to speak up. “Oooh, can we get this? It’d really help everyone down below!” As she spoke, she highlighted a few lines with her fingers, causing those lines to light up. Words floated up off the page, showing everyone what she chose. In essence, she chose a basic game inventory system, with one hundred slots.

However, Terra only let out a knowing smile. “Well, how about we find out?” She looked towards me. “Go ahead and submit it. Then, we can see what kind of price tag the market would put on what she wants.”

I nodded my head, mentally submitting this system to the market. As soon as I did, Ryone began working as well, waving her fingers around. Like with Aurivy, words floated in front of her, the same ones that Aurivy herself had chosen. However, once the options were all set, she made a small gasp of astonishment. Finally, a number rose up below the words. 2205.

“That’s how much it would cost, Aurivy.” She said with a regretful tone. “We won’t be able to afford that for a long time, unless this sells particularly well. However, if I may make a suggestion…”

Once again, Ryone fiddled with the system, causing words to fly up. Unlike Aurivy’s game system menu, what Ryone was going for was the enchantment option. Along with it, she chose the cheapest choices for slowing time, size, and weight. At the end, the number 320 appeared below the list of options.

“With this, it is an enchantment that we can apply to items, rather than a new system. Am I understanding that right?” She looked to Terra, who nodded her head. “Then, am I correct in assuming that the system would make it so that this is possible?”

Terra smiled slightly, nodding again. “As long as it does not completely contradict the world. For instance, we couldn’t get the digitization options, because computer code would be a completely foreign concept to the current Earth. As long as it is even remotely possible, the system will adjust the natural laws to make any purchase applicable.”

Ryone’s smile grew again. “Then, am I correct in assuming that, once those changes are made, it will be possible to improve upon them?”

Terra couldn’t help but laugh at that, reaching over and putting a hand on Ryone’s shoulder gently. “Within reason. But, for what I think you’re wanting, yes. It should be possible.”

“Alright!” She made a victorious fist bump into the air, then turned to look at the rest of us. “So, I want to get this. With the options I chose, we can use it as a starting point to develop better ones. Using the time aspects, we can evolve it to frozen time, with the weight aspects, we can evolve it to weightless. And naturally, we can expand the capacity as well. We can’t afford it quite yet, but that should be taken care of once word of this system spreads.”

The others all nodded, though Aurivy still looked upset that her suggestion wasn’t chosen. Bihena smiled down to the little goddess, patting her back. Aurivy quickly looked up in surprise to Bihena, and leaned over to give her a hug, surprising her.

Tryval watched the scene, and then turned over to look at me. “My liege, since we are in this meeting…” A grin slowly spread over his face. “I would officially like to ask for permission to mingle with my people again.”

“Uhm… why?” I asked, confused. It hadn’t been very long since I placed those restrictions on him, and he was already asking for them to be removed?

“You see, you gave me the Fellowship domain. However, I am still forbidden from being with my own race. Is that not contrary to the power I was given?” He explained confidently, crossing his arms in front of his chest.

“I… guess so? But, there will still have to be rules.” He clicked his tongue when he heard that. “We can’t have you going around spreading half-gods everywhere. It’d be best if they didn’t know it was you. At times, you can reveal your identity in order to act. However…” I gave him a stern look as I spoke, wanting to make this clear. “Each time you do so, you will have to remove yourself from the public for fifty years, to allow the news to die down. When you come back in, it will be with a new face and a new identity. And you are not allowed to leave behind heirs.”

I got an approving nod from Terra, but only a grumble from Tryval. “Fine. I will accept these terms. It is still better from being forced to remain in the shadows.”

I nodded at that, then turned to look at the others. “Does anyone have anything that they want to bring up?” The girls all shook their heads, so I let out a sigh. “Then, the first meeting is adjourned. Let’s go see how these dungeons work.”