Chapter 1
"Welcome to Gotham," the sign read. An ominous warning to all those who ventured forth.
Unfortunately, that included me. Yes, there was a possibility in which I could turn around and hitch-hike to another city, but I was already here and while a hell hole Gotham was interesting.
I had signed up for something interesting.
It all started with a wish, as normal in this situation. I had lived a relatively normal and boring life. Normal school, average grades, good friends, and a happy family.
However, after graduating, it all seemed to go downhill. College was the same as highschool, with similar grades and classes. I lost some friends and found new ones, but I could tell they wouldn't last. And my family…well, it was still happy I guess, but I wanted more. More excitement, more entertainment, more of a purpose.
So, when some multi-dimensional entity showed up and offered me a deal I signed right up. Not so much as a "how do you do" before I was whisked away. Didn't give me a name, so I called them R.O.B. and moved to sign the soul contract. No, I didn't read it fully. That would require patience, which I have none of. But still, I could tell by the overview they gave there were benefits to go along with any possible downsides.
The Celestial Forge. A power that granted me abilities, skills, or items/people that could help me create things. Spaceships, Artificial Intelligence, and Superpowers were possible for me to craft and make. All it took was some creative thoughts and time.
So, it worked like this: every set amount of time (I personally did not know the number but was assured it would be frequent) I would receive points. 150CP, that I would try to connect to perks in 38 constellations. I would get three chances, if it connected then I would get the perk. If it didn't, the points would be banked for next time. And, after rolling, if there were any leftover points, there would be one additional roll to try and spend them, but again if it failed the points would be banked.
Of course, there were also some free starter perks that I was allowed. A workshop for all my crafting needs. A key to the workshop, which I could use on any door. And an entrance hall, to customize I guess.
A good power to have, especially in a world like DC. Where there were gods, supermen, and aliens.
For now though I was stuck walking down empty streets at night.
===
{A few hours later}
'I must be in the nice part of the city, considering I haven't come across any goons,' I thought to myself.
Hearing a car, and seeing the headlights, before they came up, I turned around and watched as a cop car pulled up next to me.
I bent over while the window rolled down.
"A bit late for you to be out, isn't it, boy?" the police officer asked.
'Boy?' I rubbed my baby-smooth chin. 'Ah, no beard. I've always looked younger than my actual age.'
"I guess so, officer," I replied.
The cop stared at me for a moment.
"You're not some runaway, are you?" the officer asked.
"No, but I am lost," I replied honestly.
"Lost?" the officer questioned.
"Yes, sir."
The cop stared at me for another moment then smiled.
"Well, why don't you hop in back and we'll get you somewhere you can sleep for the night?"
"Much obliged, sir."
As I hopped in back, I thought about how lucky I was to meet a kind police officer so soon. And how odd it was there was smoke trailing along the seats.
===
I was tired.
Not just from walking but also somehow because my body knew it was late and should be sleeping.
So, as I was watching the city pass by, I slowly fell asleep.
Without dreaming, or knowing the passage of time, I suddenly awoke as if no time had passed.
"C'mon, kid, let's get you to bed," the officer said.
I nodded and followed the cop, bleary eyed.
I was a bit slow on his feet so I was a bit behind the officer who was introducing the two of them to a gate guard.
'Gate? Guard? Where are we?' Adam questioned.
Rubbing his eyes to focus them, he noticed there was a mansion further ahead.
'Seriously, where am I?'
"Boy, c'mere!" the officer shouted.
I hurried forward to the two.
The gate guard looked at me , shrugged, then pulled me inside.
I looked back at the officer as he was manhandled.
The cop paid no mind to Adam as he walked back to his vehicle.
'A crooked cop?! No, don't panic yet! I have magic!'
As I thought up a plan to escape, the guard pulled me along towards the mansion.
'A magic key doesn't cut it!'
*Knock* *Knock*
The guard and I had reached the front door. A burly man answered. The two looked at each other, then at me, then back to each other and nodded.
I was being handed off.
Inside, the burly man pulled me along through the mansion.
I saw many portraits of a short, stout man with a long nose, a monocle and a top hat.
'Kinda ugly, but somehow familiar.'
Not long after we reached their destination. Grand double mahogany doors.
The burly man knocked on the door and waited for a signal to be let in.
"In!" a nasally voice yelled.
We entered.
The room was ostentatious. Tiger pelt rug, full size water buffalo mount, and a hunting rifle above the fireplace.
"Well? What d'you want?!" The ugly man said.
His…everything…did not match the room at all.
"Sir, this one," the burly man tugged on me, "was wandering the street nearby and a blue-vest picked him up."
"So?! Put 'im with the others!" the ugly, angry, short man yelled.
"I just was thinking-"
"I don't pay you to think!" the short man cut off. "Do it! Then get back to your post and watch for the Bat!"
The burly man shrugged and said, "Yes, sir, Mr. Penguin, sir."
I was led out and down to the basement. On the way, I thought about my predicament.
'Bat? Penguin? Gotham? DC! I forgot where I was! Stuck in this hellhole! What do I do?!'
With no answers and circular thoughts, I was unwillingly shoved into a basement cell where other unfortunate children lay.
'Oh R.O.B., give me a sign,' I prayed.
[Rolling…
Quality: Design Domain… Failed
Crafting: Magitech Domain… Failed
Quality: Durability Domain… Failed
150CP banked.]
"Fuck!"
===
Celestial Forge perks acquired
Workshop Free: Blacksmithing
Each purchase of this adds to your Personal Reality Workshop needed to perform a specific type of craft, which is to be specified when purchase is made. It comes with a basic set of tools and supplies. Good for fixing or creating all sorts of things, although any complex parts or nonstandard supplies will have to be brought in from outside. Additional purchases can add different types of Workshops to your Personal Reality or expand existing ones. Anything built in one of those workshops is fiat backed to be restored to its original condition within 48 hours if damaged or destroyed.
Access Key Free:
This is a special key which lets you access your Personal Reality and its contents.
When inserted into any lock on any door, the door opens to reveal a gateway into your Reality at a predetermined location within it. You are the only person who can take the key from the lock, the gateway remains open as long as the key is in the lock, and if the key is ever lost or stolen you will find it in your pocket a few minutes later. You cannot close the door as long as you are inside the Personal Reality.
Entrance Hall Free:
This is the room your Access Key opens a door to. It starts off as a 5 meter cube with blank white walls, floor, and ceiling, as some doors, one leading to the current Host Reality, the other into your Cosmic Warehouse, with additional doors leading to other extensions as these get added to your Personal Reality. Feel free to customize this Entrance Hall as you see fit. Additional Halls can, at your discretion, be linked only to certain keys or only to certain extensions. This allows you to have an entry hall just for skiing if you want.
