A Soulsborne's Traveler System

My name is John Moore and I would consider myself a relatively ordinary person. So then why? Why did I instead of dying, woke up in a decrepit prison cell with some guy in knight armor looking down me? And what's with the screen in front of me!? [Welcome to Lordran, Traveler!] (Note: I do not own the cover art nor do I have any claim over it)