Exodius: A collection of Lore

Arc 1: The choosing (An Introduction)

You awake to a white room, empty and dull. It is quiet, too quiet. You cannot speak and your throat feels dry. You do not remember your past, or anything else, really. Just muscle memory; subconscious acts. You barely remember your name.
What is your name?
You look around and then you see them. There are various doors in front of you, 10 to be precise. Each are different, and each, unique.

The first door, is grey, solid iron. It has a lacklustre appearance, and yet, is not rusted. It looks sturdy, tall and with it, carries a tense air. The door reminds you of a city, or a factory, but not one you've known before. Above it, a golden plaque read, "1. For those who feel no fear, looking to protect what they hold dear, or simply survive. (Even if it means blurring the lines in order to thrive.)"

The second door, alternates between black and white, a monochromatic pattern.  It's hard to tell what it's made of, but the appearance gives you a sense of balance, and yet chaotic disorder. The plaque reads, "2. For those who think outside of the box, this is where you'll find your lot. If quirky is your style, than this might be a trip worth your while."

The third door is a simple door of timber. It gives off a calm and peaceful aura, yet below that, there's something else. Inner turbulence, perhaps? The plaque above the door reads, "3. For those interested in the Arkane, seeking something from a higher plane. May She always guide you in whatever you choose to do."

The fourth door is made of bone white ivory, pale and smooth.  It has an ethereal feel to it, as if from some otherworldly plane. From it, wafts a distinct coppery-iron smell. "4. For those seeking a thrill, a different kind of chill, and connecting with those otherwise unseen, and all the things in between."

The fifth door was made of stone, with pictures (or were they runes?) deeply carved onto it, most likely by a sharp knife judging from the jagged edges of the shapes. It seemed familiar, though, you were unsure as to why. "5. For those wishing to be free, to be able to roam from land to sea. No matter what gives chase, or the consequences they may face."

The sixth door gave off a similar aura to the third door, but the inner turbulence wasn't there. It seemed to be replaced with something else, something more sinister. The door itself was pure white, unlike the bone white of the fourth door. It seemed high-tech, like one of those slider doors you see. "6. For those who want to make a change, no matter how small it may be. For those who want to contribute to something, and help their kind change destiny."

The seventh door was of iron, a type of gate similar to grates, just like the ones you'd see in those movies what with the medieval castles and all. Even if the gate had gaps, whatever lay beyond it was hard to tell as all one could see between the gaps was a pitch black darkness. "7. For those looking for a new quest, who are willing to fight, even against the best. For those who will continue to do what they believe is right."

The eighth door was ebony black, some kind of stone, with a bright neon red border. It gave you a sense of danger, but it also sent a shot of adrenaline through your veins. "8. For those wanting a challenge, who are willing to risk it all. For those even willing to risk their lives, who'll either grow wings before they hit the bottom or die from the fall."

The ninth door was a bold golden door, grand and majestic, with silver embellishments. Everything about it said "rich" or "fancy", and yet, it gave you a sense of foreboding. "9. For those seeking a life of luxury where everything is a breeze. For those looking for a happy and delightful life, who can rest at ease."

The tenth door was frosted glass, translucent, and you couldn't see what was on the other side. Frankly, you couldn't even see your own reflection. It wasn't because of the fact that it was hard to see due to the frost, but rather, that as clear as the unfrosted part was, you had no reflection. It was as if you ceased to exist. "10. For those seeking a mystery, even if curiosity killed the cat. Then again, they always say that satisfaction brought it back."

[The Choosing Arc, End]