Exploring the Surroundings

(POV: Louis-Bartholomew Di Hordius)

I awaken in my familiar bed, my mind still muddled by sleep. But something feels different. The light filtering through my bedroom windows has a strange quality, more golden than usual. And the sound of cars driving past my house is … absent.

I rise and look out of the window. Instead of the tranquil countryside I know, I see undulating hills dotted with forests and a small town in the distance. The air is fresh, imbued with an earthy, vegetal scent that I've never experienced before.

"Huh!? I... What's going on!?" I exclaim incredulously. "How has this happened?"

It is at this point that the panel appears before me. A floating display emitting a faint glow, showing my statistics in one corner, and scrolling text at an unreal speed:

["How has this happened?" is an English phrase which can be translated to "How come?" or "Why is that?" It is used to express surprise or astonishment at a situation or event. For example, if someone tells you something unexpected, you might ask: "How has this happened?" to request explanations or clarifications about the situation. It's a common way of asking why something has occurred or how it happened.]

"I didn't summon you." I say, irritated, now fully awake.

y memories resurface. Yesterday, at some point, I was transmigrated with my mill to the world of Faerûn, not far from the town of Nashkel, that is to say, on the Sword Coast. I am now a resident of Faerûn. A world of heroic fantasy, populated by dragons, liches, beholders, and other such monstrosities.

I take a moment to digest this reality. It's both exciting and terrifying. I've always wanted to live an adventure, but not like this. I'm a classless civilian, with no particular skills other than my intelligence, wisdom, and charisma. And I'm in a world filled with dangers, most of which are unknown to me.

Just like in a game of D&D, my personality and characteristics are digitized in the form of a number ranging from 1 to 25. My intelligence is high, as are my wisdom and charisma, while my strength, dexterity, and constitution are all at 10.

It's strange, but not as strange as the line indicating my alignment: Neutral Evil. I know I'm rather grumpy by nature, but I thought I would be Neutral Good or Chaotic Good, but Evil, that's a surprise.

But I also have this "soul beyond reason and mysteries" at my disposal. I ask it: "Aura, can you help me understand my profile?".

[I'm here to assist you. You have been transferred to the world of Faerûn, a fantastical world from the Dungeons & Dragons series. Your current skills are based on the 2nd advanced edition of the game, and your statistics indicate your physical and mental abilities. To survive, you'll need to learn how to use your skills to your advantage, develop new skills, and perhaps even take on a class such as warrior, mage, or thief. There's a lot of danger here, but also many opportunities.]

"Where should I start?"

[To begin with, we should explore the surroundings and see what we can learn about this new reality. And perhaps you should consider taking on a class. As a civilian, you're vulnerable. A class would grant you access to skills and abilities that could help you survive and thrive here.]

I nod and start my first real day in the world of Faerûn. There's much to do, and I'm ready to begin.

The first thing I do is familiarise myself with the boundaries of my domain. The mill is equipped with a turbine. I am surprised by the fact that the mill has taken up an opportune spot on the banks of a new river. The turbine spins normally, but, unfortunately, this will be of no help to me as it is not connected to a generator nor does it drive any machinery.

The sluices and associated walkways are also there, along with the small field on the other side of the river. The bridge is missing, but the second long field, an orchard (a strip of land 10 metres wide and 500 metres long), is indeed present. Yesterday, I even went there to do a census of the fruit trees on it. The garden located behind the mill is also present. I have a two-seater car (a Berlingo) but in the absence of petrol (and driving skills) I will abstain from using it. My basic forge is also present. In reality, everything is present, except my parents who remained in the other world.

I leave the mill, in order to make a mental map of the surroundings. Of course, I armed myself with my Maasai spear and my katana, both bought in the old world.

The sun of Faerûn shines high in the sky, illuminating the landscape with a golden light. I take a moment to orientate myself, then I begin to explore the boundaries of my domain.

To the north, the river gently snakes through a valley, its clear, shimmering water reflecting the blue sky. Beyond that, I can see the rolling hills and dense forests of Faerûn. To the east, I catch sight of a small town in the distance, its stone buildings glistening in the sunlight.

To the south, the orchard stretches out, its flowering fruit trees offering a breath of sweet scents. I see apples, pears, and cherries, among other fruits. To the west, my garden is thriving, filled with green vegetables and colourful flowers.

The mill is surrounded by a landscape that is both wild and pastoral. I see deer grazing in the fields, birds flying in the sky, and fish jumping out of the river's water. It is a beautiful place, but also filled with potential dangers, as I see in the distance those peculiar creatures, a kind of cross between a dodo and an enraged ostrich.

I tour my domain, noting important features and potentials. I can utilise the orchard and the garden to feed my mill and maybe even start trading with the nearby town. The river could be used for transportation or irrigation. The forge could be useful for the manufacture of tools and weapons.

When I return to the mill, I consult Aura for information about the region and what I could do to improve my situation. "Aura, what can you tell me about Nashkel? And how can I improve my domain? Can the inhabitants of this world understand me? How is it that you exist and how is it that I have access to you?"

Aura appears before me in the form of a slightly greenish luminous table. After a brief moment of processing, she begins to display her responses.

[Nashkel is a small mining town located in the southern region of the World's Backbone, in the Silver Marches. It is primarily populated by dwarves and humans, but other races can be found there. The mines of Nashkel are known for their iron production, but they also have a reputation for being cursed, with many dangerous creatures living there. The inhabitants of Nashkel are generally friendly and welcoming, although suspicious of strangers.]

[As for improving your domain, you might consider investing in additional defences, such as walls or watchtowers. You could also further develop your orchard and garden to produce more food and resources. Lastly, you might consider establishing ties with Nashkel for trade and information.]

[Yes, the inhabitants of this world should be able to understand you. The common language in Faerûn is Common, which is similar to English. However, there are many other languages spoken by different races and cultures.]

[As for your question about my existence, I am not an artificial intelligence or a program designed to process information and assist users. I am an independent spirit and made available to you by the God /the name is censored/. You have access to me due to your second power, which allows you to interact with me. However, why you have this power and exactly how it works is unknown to me.]

[If you have any other questions, do not hesitate to ask them. I am here to assist you.]

followed by the now habitual:

[Information provided by A.U.R.A (Anima Ultra Rationis et Arcanorum)].

"Fortunately, I am perfectly comfortable in English. French remains my mother tongue but the common language of this world should not pose a major obstacle. However, my profound deafness may in the long term place me in a precarious situation. I have approximately six months of battery life before my hearing aids fail me. What a pickle!

[I understand your concerns regarding your deafness] Aura replies.

[In this world, there are incantations and enchanted objects that could potentially alleviate your condition. However, they generally require the intervention of a priest or magician. It would undoubtedly be beneficial to try to locate such individuals in Nashkel or its surroundings. In addition, there are skills like lip-reading that could be profitable to you. Would you like me to look for more information about this? Regarding the lifespan of your hearing aids, it would be wise to start exploring alternative solutions as soon as possible. Replacement power sources could be found or created, but this would require specific skills and resources. It is also conceivable that magical objects could offer a solution to this problem. Do you have any further questions or additional concerns? I am at your disposal to assist you.]

[Information provided by A.U.R.A (Anima Ultra Rationis et Arcanorum)].

"I hope the locals don't have too strong an accent." I wondered.

"For the time being, I don't have the means to erect watchtowers and other eccentric constructions. I have a boat in the lower garden so I think I am going to have to go to Nashkel to get an idea of the situation for myself."

For reminder, the lower garden is behind the mill, the garden is divided into two: the lower garden that runs along the river, and the upper garden that is at the same level as the courtyard of the mill, although separated by a building.

[That's an excellent idea. It would be wise to establish relationships with the nearby town and understand the local culture. Perhaps you will also find resources or information that could help you improve your domain. And who knows, maybe you'll find a solution to your hearing problem there.

As for accents, they can vary greatly from region to region in Faerûn, just like in the real world. However, most individuals who speak the common language do so in a way that you should be able to understand.

Before heading to Nashkel, I would advise you to prepare as much as possible. Take provisions, make sure you have coins for trading, and don't forget your weapons for your defence. It would also be prudent to familiarise yourself with local customs and laws to avoid any misunderstandings. If you need further information or help, please let me know. I am here to assist you.]

[Information provided by A.U.R.A (Anima Ultra Rationis et Arcanorum)].

"Thank you, Aura. Or should I say Mama?" I replied sarcastically.

So, I prepared myself, taking a bag, my katana, two curved hunting knives, something to make a fire (a ferrocerium rod), and three days' worth of food. I go down to the lower garden, with my things, oars, and a rope. I push the boat (which is orange) into the water and head towards Nashkel.