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Welcome to New Game Plus Life, INSERT NAME! We have everything you could want for your new life in this glorious new edition of New Game Plus Life! Like pets, mounts, rides and companions. New storyline mode, translation packets, narrator voice features and much more. Now to experience this press the green YES button on screen to play New Game Plus today!
I rolled my eyes while looking at the game advertisement. A game promising so much but probably not even having any of the content it promised. Heck right below the YES button was a waiver to sign agreeing to play the game. Might as well read to see what it says. After all, this game was recommended by my best friend Heartly.
New Game Plus Life or NGPL is a game designed to help its users to experience a new life in their favorite world(s). The worlds chosen are based on the user's previous preferences. Before starting be warned that the Game will not stop even when paused. It will continue on until the user’s Avatar has passed away, naturally or unnaturally, in the world. In hard mode unnatural deaths cause penalties for the user. It is recommended in the first Game to be in easy mode until the user is used to the controls.
Unnatural causes count as any death other than the body shutting down in its course. That means no suicides, murders or death by another's hands. If the user goes against this the consequences are dire. It includes the Game dealing out three options to the user. Hard Mode where everyone will be against you even your previous allies. Enemy Level Boost where enemies' levels go up and spawn more frequently. Lastly the End where the user will be-
The computer clicked off before I could read what the third consequence would be. But it should be fine. I've played plenty of games before. Huh you know what might as well give this one chance. I won’t play in hard mode like it suggested. I’ll start in easy mode then switch to hard mode in my second playthrough.
Now let’s go back a little bit to let me explain why I’m giving this game a chance. My best friend since college suggested I try this new game called New Game Plus Life or NGPL for short. She said it was amazing allowing her to play in the world of Adventure Time. NGLP helped her experience life with her favorite characters, and she wanted me to give it a try.
Heartily convinced me after a month of bugging me about it. Everyday just bringing up NGLP in every conversation. It was hard to avoid her since we are roommates this year. Our final year of school for our master’s degrees. Mine in Special Education and hers in Language Arts.
In fact, we are due to graduate in spring of next semester. I still can’t believe that I will be teaching in the classroom next year. It still feels like a dream to me that at age 26, I’ll be a teacher like my dad and his father before him. I hope I made him proud by getting my master's after everything that has happened since I started college.
With my older brother going missing six years ago. My younger brother moved states to another college and refused to come home five years ago. My little sister was diagnosed with cancer four years ago. With her going into a coma after being cured from her cancer just three years ago. My mom lost her job two years ago and my dad was forced to retire last year. It just feels like everything that could go wrong did go wrong. I just want to escape reality for a bit. Even if it's through a game.
I just wish my older brother was found. My younger brother would contact the family. My baby sister would wake up and enjoy life. My mom would find a job she really enjoyed. My dad would stop pushing the family away. I just want my family back and I don’t know what to do.
I blink, focusing back on the computer screen. Enough thinking about the past. Time to look towards the future. I click on the green YES button to start the game. It takes me to a preference page filled with books, movies, tv shows, games, webtoons and much more. I click the movie icon taking me to a list of movies and cannon related sub items listed underneath each one. Scrolling through until a name catches my eye. Star Wars is a franchise I love more than any other fandom.
It is a fandom my dad introduced to me when I was six. Decked out in all kinds of Star Wars merchandise. My older brother even bought me a purple plastic lightsaber for my seventh birthday. I was there when my younger brother was introduced to Star Wars. I helped my younger sister with her Star Wars themed birthday party. My mom just like my dad loved Star Wars like the rest of us.
Well, it would be nice to play in a fandom I love right. But I don’t know as much as others about the franchise and its canon right now. There is so much that has been uncanonized along with new content that I haven’t kept up with. Could I play a Star Wars world without knowing what is going to happen? Yeah, I could and at the same time catch up with Wookieepedia on everything. While making sure my Avatar, what they call the character, is accurate to the new lore.
Okay It is decided I will play in the Star Wars universe. Clicking Star Wars takes me to a home page. Where it asked if I was male or female. I clicked female of course. Then it took me to a specific page of races. I look through it scrolling up and down to choose what I want to be for the game.
Human, no to basic. Near human, nah just as basic as a regular human. Dathmerian female, interesting but no. Clone, hm could be fun in another playthrough but not right now. Harch, yes, I could work with that. I do like spiders and Harchs are just large spiders with extra things. Heck I even played a Harch in a role-playing game with friends. It’s the perfect race to play for my first time.
Harch
The descendants of spiders on the world of Secundus Ando in the Mid Rim. They are a species that mostly eats a liquid protein diet. They can eat meat and vegetables but prefer a liquid diet like their ancestors. The females of the species are bigger than the males. They live in Nests or groups of likeminded families. Harchs can have hundreds of offspring in a clutch. Their young are laid as eggs and cared for by the Nest. Each Nest has a Head Nester or leader.
The Harch are smaller than the average human. They have a main pair and two smaller pairs of eyes. Their eyes are a red color. The smaller eyes are great at sensing movement and changes in light. The smaller eyes cannot see detail or color well. They have a hard exoskeleton with white to brown hair over it. The Harch have six arms and two legs. Each arm has three fingers on it. The feet end with two furred toes. There are many subspecies of Harch. All Harch have venom, but not all are able to produce webs.
The Harch are known to be a polythetic species. They have many different cultures that do not mess with one another. When at war the more war-like Nests will take over to defend or attack outsiders. The Harch are ruled by the Royal Nests. Who can trace back their lineage for generations of influencers of Harch culture.
The Royal Nests live in the large trees on the planet of Secundus Ando. The Common Nests and Poor Nests live in the industrial cities on the planet. This decision of separate living came from the Royal Nests of the past wanting to influence their culture. In the cities the Nests have to deal with pollution and other city hazards. Harchs can live hundreds of years. They have proficiency in melee and long ranged weapons. They gain a plus 5 to Brawl. They can speak Aqualish, Galactic Basic Standard and Harchic.
Plus, and Minus points deal with skills and how much you have at the start in each one. In the beginning of the game each background will tell you how much you can put into certain stats. Each minus means that you have a negative number in the stat. Every plus means a positive number in a certain stat.
Oh, that’s nice to know about the plus and minus scores. I didn’t know they had to do with stats. I’ll look at stat’s later to see what I’m working with. I click Harch as my race after I’m finished reading the page. It takes me to a customization page. Huh that’s weird why does it have a list of spiders my character could be descended from. It even says I can choose two options after I select my background. I look at the menu of options in the top left corner to go to the background page. There are three backgrounds I can choose from.
Poor Nest: The Avatar comes from a lower-class Nest. Other Nests see you as a necessary evil on a good day. On a bad day you are the scum of the world that should die to allow progress for other Nests. You will have several disadvantages and advantages with this background. But you are descended from spiders that eat other spiders. Causing fear in the other Nests. No plus added because of subclasses. No disadvantage added because of subclass.
Poor Luck: You never had a Nest to call your own. Your family left you at a young age to defend yourself because of circumstances. You don’t know who you want to be in the world. Plus 10 Brawl. Minus 13 Charisma. Minus 50 Karma Points. Proficiencies in skullduggery, stealth and underworld influence.
Worker Nest: You come from a poor Nest of workers. You are strong and wise for your age. You are the head of the Nest after the unfortunate death of Head Nesters. Plus 15 Brawl. Minus 4 Karma Points. Proficiencies in brawl, Agility and education.
Homeless Nest: You wander the streets with no proper Nest in sight. Your Nesters left you at an older age alone. You have no one left but the Nest you created with other Harch of the world. Common Nests dismiss you on sight. Royal Nests kill your kind when they wander too close to their Nest. Plus 10 Brawl. Plus 10 Agility. Minus 15 Intelligence. Proficiencies in navigation, leadership, underworld and stealth.
Common Nest: The Avatar comes from a common Nest. A common Nest is descended from mixed Harch Nests coming together. The product is a hatchling of two or more lineages of Common Nests. Or the descendant of a Royal Nest that lost its influence. Maybe a Poor Nest that moved up in the world. The Avatar has less influence on the Harch home world because of their mixed heritage. Minus 10 Agility. Plus 6 Brawl.
Common Heritage: You are from a middle Nest family with ties to a Royal Nest. You serve to protect your family from the harsh ruling of the Royal Nests. Plus 13 Brawl. Minus 13 Charisma. Proficiencies in influence, loyalty and melee.
Nest Invader: You as an egg were put into a Common Nest because of who your parents were. You are like a cuckoo bird taking over the Nest by taking out the other nestlings. Your family kicks you out at a young age because of what you did. Plus 5 Karma Points. Minus 12 Brawl. Proficiencies in piloting, leadership and melee.
Royal Nest: The Avatar is the descendant of a Royal nest. Each Nest is a part of the ruling dynasty of the Harch. Each Nest is said to be the descendant of a specific Harch God. Each God is based off of the spiders that each Nest evolved from. This adds 5 Charisma to the character and 10 Brawls. Minus 3 Agility.
Nest Abandoned: you left the nest at an early age. Either banished from birth or because of differences in societal views. Harch from your nest views you as a traitor. Minus 20 charisma when with Royal Nest and its associates. Plus 10 Brawl. Plus 8 Karma points. Minus 2 Agility. Proficiencies in education, melee and negotiations.
Royal Heir: you are the heir to your Royal Nest. You are a natural born leader. Others from your nest love you. Other Royal Nests naturally hate you. Plus 15 loyalties from your birth nest. Minus 15 loyalties from other Royal nests. Proficiencies in politics, leadership and education.
Mixed Royal: You are a child of two Nests tying an alliance. You are seen as a symbol of peace between two Nests. You have an advantage in politics. Plus 14 intelligence. Plus 15 Karma Points. Minus 8 Brawl. Proficiencies in politics, influence and leadership.
I look over the backgrounds and their subgroups. Poor Nest is definitely out because I don’t like the subgroups. Poor Luck is just asking to be killed with the minus 50 Karma points. Wait, what are Karma points? I click on the little info bar and look up Karma points. Also, the Proficiencies thing I need to know what those are two.
Skills and Proficiencies: Skills are things that the Avatar uses in daily life. All Skills start off at level 1 after purchasing them with Skill Bucks' Skill Bucks are rewarded after every mission and at the end of character creation. Proficiencies are how competent you are in a Skill. For each Proficiency you gain one level in Avatar creation.
Karma Points are a luck-based stat. It determines the luck behind the Avatar’s actions, missions and other things. Having a high Karma stat helps with harder tasks. While a low Karma stat will threaten the Avatar’s life in NGPL. The other stats are Brawl, Agility, Intelligence and Charisma.
I look up the other stats to see how they work. I have played role playing games before and I understand how they work but it's always well to see how they work in a new game. Besides I don’t know what Brawl does.
Brawl is the stat that determines how well the Avatar does in a fight. It is the strength stat combined with weapon handling. This stat also helps with weapons, climbing and other strenuous activity.
Agility is the ability to move quickly and easily. It is also the ability to think and understand quickly.
Intelligence is the ability to apply knowledge and skills to a situation. It also deals with being able to acquire knowledge on a subject.
Charisma is being able to charm others into doing what you want to do. It also has to do with how attractive you are. Along with how you use your charm to inspire devotion from others.
Well, that’s nice to know. So definitely not choosing Poor Luck. With Worker Nest I can try that but the negative Karma stat is why I’m not choosing it. Homeless Nest just gives a bad feeling in my mouth. Like I shouldn't even consider it an option. Common Nest sounds cool as a background until I see the disadvantage. Minus 10 Agility. Assuming that every stat is important I skip over its two subgroups.
Royal Nest in my opinion is the best choice. It adds 5 charisma and 10 brawl. Yes, it does have a minus 3 charisma but I can deal with that later. Nest Abandoned I don’t like the pluses and minuses for it. Royal Heir just sounds stupid since it just adds and minus the same loyalty level. So that just leaves Mixed Royal which has the highest Karma stat at 15. Wow that’s way higher than the normal Karma bonus on the other subgroups.
Before I pick Mixed Royal might as well go back over Common Nest and its subgroups. I don’t like the disadvantages Common Nest itself gives but maybe the subgroups make up for it. Common Heritage sounds nice until I see the minus 13 charisma. So not choosing that. Nest Invader I like the plus and minuses for it. Also, the advantages sound great but I’m still hesitant because of the minus that Common Nest already gives.
I chose Mixed Royal after thinking it over a bit more. I would have liked to play the Nest Invader subgroup, but it just isn’t worth it. After clicking I’m given the heritage page to choose from. It gives a list of spiders each Royal Nest is descended from. From there I chose Darwin’s Bark spider because of the strength of its web. For the second I choose the Brazilian Wandering spider, the deadliest tarantula in the world.
After selecting my choices, the Avatar page popped up to customize my character. So far, the Harch looks to be a perfect mix of both spiders. I mess around a bit to make her more yellow with her back resembling the Darwin’s Bark spider. The eyes I select are blackish gray. The markings around the main face are taken from the Brazilian Wandering spider.
Oh, looks like I have a web option unlocked because of the Darwin’s Bark spider. I click on it, adding it to my skill list. With another click I add the venom skill to my list. Afterall all, Harch can produce venom but only a select few can produce webs. I guess my Avatar will be special with that web option. An icon appeared telling me more about my Avatar.
Character Looks: A mostly yellowish-brown fur spider with blackish gray eyes. The markings around the main face are taken from the Brazilian Wandering spider. Wearing tattered clothes that don’t fully cover her small spinneret. The spinneret is a by-product of the Royal Nests and almost extinct Nests on Secundus Ando. The Avatar has six arms and two legs. Each arm has three fingers. The mouth is a chelicera. She has two main eyes and four smaller eyes. The Avatar has a tough exoskeleton that protects their insides.
Racial Skills: Web strength from Darwin’s Bark spider. Venom from Brazilian Wandering spider. Racial Skills come from the species the Avatar is a part of.
Has natural armor due to exoskeleton.
The smaller eyes can sense movement and changes in light but are not able to see detail well or color.
Web is stronger than most Harch subraces.
The venom is the most dangerous on the planet. It can stun or kill a man depending on the dosage.
It’s nice to know about how my Avatar looks compared to other Harch. Just about the same minus the red eyes and white or brown fur. The Racial Skills are a nice bonus to have in case of a fight. Now let’s look at classes. I use the help bar to search for classes. A page pops up listing several different classes. With two major symbols beside it. The Sith and Jedi symbol with a weird era thing listed right beside it.
I notice that the class options are divided into Dark Side and Light Side. The Dark Side primarily being Sith and their associates in different eras. With those associates changing depending on the era chosen to start in. On the Light Side it has the Jedi and their associates. Just like the Dark Side the associates change depending on which era my Avatar takes place in.
I should choose my era before I choose my class. Okay let’s look at the help bar to search for an era and read their descriptions. I click on the help bar and search for the era. I read the description it gives about it.
Era the time that the Avatar will be born and live in. Living and dying in that era depends on the lifespan of the Avatar. For short lived species the era they are born in is the one they will most likely die in. For long lived species they can live more than one era and die in another era. Each era marks an important time in the history of Star Wars. For example, the Clone Wars counts as its own era in history. Another example is the Empire rising after the Clone Wars, counting as an era in history.
Hmmm, that's good to know about the era situation. Let’s look at the different eras listed. I see many things listed there.
Dawn of the Jedi- Before 25,000 BBY
The Old Republic- 25,000 BBY to 1,000 BBY
The High Republic- 500 BBY to100 BBY
Fall of the Jedi- 100 BBY to 19 BBY
Clone Wars- 22 BBY to 19 BBY
Reign of the Empire- 19 BBY to 5BBY
Age of Rebellion- 5 BBY to 4 ABY
Mandalorian- Around 9 ABY
The New Republic- 5 ABY to 34 ABY
Rise of the First Order- 21 ABY to 35 ABY
New Jedi Order- Unknown
Let’s think about this rationally. I don’t know much about the Dawn of the Jedi so that era is out. The Old Republic is the same, but I do know more about it than the first. The High Republic is great and all but not my cup of tea. Definitely don’t want to be around the Fall of the Jedi, Clone Wars or Reign of the Empire.
First it sounds nice to be in the High Republic to help stop Palpatine, but the Sith’s plans have been going on longer in time than he was alive. The plan was created during the High Republic era if I remember right. The Clone Wars are next to impossible to stop because no one would believe me about Palpatine. I know I would make the situation worse than it was in the first place!
The Reign of the Empire is just asking to be killed if I go against the Empire. If I choose the Jedi class, it is an instant death sentence. Even if I choose Sith it would be just as bad for me since I’m awful at playing evil characters. Age of Rebellion would be a great time to start but it still has the same difficulties as the Reign of the Empire.
The New Republic is just as corrupt as the Old Republic from what my brother told me. I could help them but flipping Palpatine is still alive. I could stop the Rise of the First Order but again I don’t know much about this era. And the New Jedi Order era is completely unknown to me.
I feel stuck trying to find which era would be best to play in. All of these eras have their flaws and I don’t know what to choose! A small message pops up in front of me. I read it hoping it tells me anything about which era I should choose!
Dear User,
We noticed you are having trouble picking the era that your Avatar will be in. Each era has its strengths and weaknesses. When you pick your era, it is when your Avatar will be born. Since this is called New Game Plus Life the life point is strongly emphasized when an Avatar is created. The Avatar will start life in the era chosen and can die at any point in time. The Avatar can respawn if played in easy or normal mode. Hard mode death automatically causes a penalty to happen. Good luck with your new life in New Game Plus Life, User!
Thanks for playing,
Technology Department of NGLP
Wow okay um I don’t know how I should feel about that. I read over it again. Okay so when I choose an era that is when my character will be born. That’s good to know for the long run. Well, if I want my Avatar to be born before everything happens to help stop the Sith’s plan I should choose the Old Republic. I would be alive when the Sith’s plan comes to fruition. I could live for centuries to help defeat the Empire if I fail before that.
I click the Old Republic, and it takes me to a page filled with years. Each year has a list of important events attached to it. I scroll through picking the year 4,031 years before the fall of the Empire. From there I go back to choose my class. I decided to play a Jedi since I have always wanted to be a Jedi. I click on it; it takes me to a subclass page filled with multiple options. But before that it gave me an introduction about the Jedi class.
Jedi is a group of devotees of the Jedi Order. Which is an ancient group of protectors that can all have the ability to use the Force. They follow the Jedi Code which states that they only use the Light Side of the Force. The Jedi strive to attain a state of inner peace through meditation and calmness. They do this while avoiding emotions, hatred and anger, affiliated with the Dark Side of the Force. The Jedi philosophy does not forbid them to defend themselves or others. The only possession that a Jedi truly has is their lightsabers. The reason being that they practice a minimalist lifestyle of not owning many belongings. Jedi are proficient in the Light Side of the Force, lightsabers, meditation, education and self-defense.
Well, I guess I won’t be able to own many things as a Jedi. But that’s fine, the only thing I really collect is books. Just like how I make every character I play obsessed with reading. To at least something in common even if their personality is not even close to being the same as mine. Right below that I saw an icon that gives a description of the Light Side of the Force. Might as well read it even though I vaguely know what it is. I click on the icon reading up on the Light Side of the Force.
The Light side of the Force is the opposite of the Dark Side of the Force. The Light Side aligns with peace, passiveness and calmness. It is used for self-defense and knowledge. The Jedi are the most notable group to use the Light Side of the Force. The Jedi were known to be selfless advocates of the will of the Force.
Jedi Creche Masters are the ones in charge of younglings and initiate's care. They care for a wide variety of younglings and learn their languages and cultures to best help each youngling. Proficiency in medicine, xenobiology, deception and influence.
Jedi Consular they are part of three different schools of thought in the Jedi Order. They seek diplomatic measures to help maintain peace in the galaxy. They only draw their lightsabers as a last resort if diplomacy does not work. They often have a green lightsaber, the color of peace. Proficiency in intimidation, diplomacy, politics and deception.
Jedi Guardian they are part of three different schools of thought in the Jedi Order. Their skills lay in combat and are the light side version of the Sith Warriors. They are mainly focused on martial braining and combat. They are the face and defenders of the order. They usually have blue lightsabers that represent their commitment to peace, justice and righteousness. Proficient in melee, long-ranged weapons, vulnerabilities and influence.
Jedi Healers are a group inside the temple dedicated to healing the injured and sick. They perform all medical procedures in the temple. They do not have a preference for Kyber colors. Proficient in medicine, xenobiology, intimidation and diplomacy.
Jedi Librarians are a group dedicated to the keeping of records in the temple. They also handle artifacts from long dead Sith and Jedi cultures. Alongside any other force sensitive artifacts in the temple. They are also the ones to head expeditions to find abandoned temples. They do not have a preference for Kyber colors. Proficient in artifacts, piloting, navigation and intimidation.
Jedi Sage are a group that specializes in force healing, ranged force attacks and telekinesis. They wield a single bladed lightsaber in combat. They are expert trackers and use meditation to track down people across the galaxy. This subclass is only given to the best Jedi Consular’s in the Temple. This subclass is locked until the Jedi Consular is chosen. Proficiencies are locked until the Jedi Consular class is chosen.
Jedi Shadow are part of the Jedi Sentinels that focus on stealth and infiltration. They work directly under the Council of First Knowledge. Under the council they are sent to destroy anyone and everything connected to the Sith and their followers. They are proficient in stealth, espionage, deception and skullduggery.
Jedi Seekers are a group who travel through the galaxy, helping those in need and fighting the Dark Side when they find it. They are also responsible for finding Force-sensitives in the galaxy. Occasionally on their travels they will find Force techniques that have been lost or just made in the galaxy. They have three specializations if this subclass is chosen. They are Jedi Hunter, Ataru Striker and Jedi Pathfinder. Proficient in navigation, artifacts, mechanics and piloting.
Jedi Sentinel they are part of three different schools of thought in the Jedi Order. They sought a balance between the other two schools of thought. They possess extensive combat and force knowledge. They also practice other non-force related skills like security, computers, stealth, demolition, repair and medicine. They usually have yellow lightsabers that represent their balance, practicality and justice. Proficient in melee, long-ranged weapons, short-ranged weapons and stealth.
Jedi Temple Guard are the security force of the temple and the Jedi Order. They are Jedi Knights who dedicate themselves to being anonymous sentinels of the temple as part of a lifelong commitment. They wear formal robes and a mask because their higher calling demands total emotional detachment. They either use lightsaber pikes, a yellow double-bladed lightsaber, or yellow hinged double-bladed lightsabers. Proficient in melee, deception, perception and intimidation.
Hm, I notice that some of the subclasses share proficiencies as each other. Is it a mistake or on purpose? Well, never mind that let’s choose a subclass. I look back over the options reading over the details a few times. The ones that most interest me are Jedi Seeker, Jedi Sage and Jedi Librarian. All three have nice proficiencies and I like their descriptions.
Looking it over for a third time I decided to choose the Jedi Seeker subclass. I didn’t choose Jedi Sage because of needing to go through the Jedi Consular subclass first. The Jedi Librarian sounds interesting before thinking about how my Avatar will be stuck in the library most of the time. Besides I want adventure, and Jedi Seeker gives me that by being able to find lost things. I would help bring in children into the Order or long forgotten force traditions.
With my mind made up I press the Jedi Seeker subclass accepting it. Now the only thing left is to look over my Avatar stats and skills. I use the help bar to take me to the final page. The Avatar skill and stat page.
Oh wait before that let’s pick a name. Let’s see Quaurt no. Lane no. Glaic no. Corerun I like that it sounds like a Star Wars name. I like to have my characters last start with M. Let’s put a theme with it too, like the weather! Monsoon, no I don’t like that. Maelstrom, hm I like it. Corerun Maelstrom has a nice ring to it. With that I look over the details of my Avatar. Then I hit the done button starting the prologue of the game!
Name: Corerun Maelstrom
Gender: Female
Race: Harch
Background: Royal Nest (Mixed Royal)
Descended from Darwin’s Bark spider and Brazilian Wandering spider.
Level: 1
Exp to next level: 10
HP: 10/10
Class: Jedi
Subclass: Seeker
Stats
Brawl: 8/20
Agility: 9/20
Intelligence: 7/20
Charisma: 12/20
Karma (Luck): 15/20
Skills
Meditation (Agility) (P): Level 1
Light Side of the Force (Brawl) (P): Level 1
Lightsaber (Brawl) (P): Level 1
Self-defense (Brawl) (P): Level 1
Influence (Charisma) (P): Level 1
Leadership (Charisma (P): Level 1
Politics (Charisma) (P): Level 1
Education (Intelligence) (P): Level 1
Navigation (Intelligence) (P): Level 1
Artifacts (Intelligence) (P): Level 1
Mechanics (Intelligence) (P): Level 1
Piloting (Intelligence) (P): Level 1
Web (Racial): Level 1
Venom (Racial): Level 1
Exoskeleton (Racial): Level 1