Getting Started in The Bustling World

1. Wandering Outcast (流浪弃儿)

Difficulty: Hard

Starting Gear: Tattered robes, wooden staff, 50 copper coins, a worn travel bag

Starting Skill: Survival +1, Stealth +1

Starting Location: Random roadside outside a small village

Faction Relations: Neutral to all (no bonuses or penalties)

The Wandering Outcast starts with nothing: no home, no connections, and barely any coin. This is the true rags-to-riches experience. You'll need to forage, take odd jobs, and sleep in barns or under trees. The upside? Absolute freedom. No faction starts with negative opinion of you, and every relationship you build is earned from scratch.

2. Fallen Noble (落魄贵族)

Difficulty: Medium

Starting Gear: Fine but worn robes, family sword (good quality), 500 copper coins, signet ring (can be pawned for 200 extra)

Starting Skill: Calligraphy +2, Diplomacy +1, Etiquette +1

Starting Location: A small estate in the Central Plains region

Faction Relations: +20 with The Emperor's Court, -10 with Iron Blood Bandits

You were once wealthy and respected, but a political intrigue brought your family low. You retain your education and your name, but the coffers are empty. The Fallen Noble begins with a home base (the dilapidated family estate) and decent social skills, making this the best choice for players who want to pursue political power or restoration narratives.

3. Apprentice Artisan (工匠学徒)

Difficulty: Easy

Starting Gear: Basic tool set (hammer, saw, needle), work apron, 300 copper coins, apprentice certificate

Starting Skill: Blacksmithing +2, Carpentry +2, Any one crafting skill of choice +1

Starting Location: Workshop district in a large town

Faction Relations: +10 with Wayfarer's Union, +10 with Celestial Doctors Association

You've spent years as a craftsman's apprentice and now strike out on your own. With solid crafting foundations and a workshop to use, this is the most stable start in the game. You can immediately start producing goods, selling them, and building wealth. Perfect for learning the game's systems without starvation or destitution.

4. Orphan of Jianghu (江湖孤儿)

Difficulty: Medium

Starting Gear: Traveler's clothes, iron sword, 200 copper coins, mysterious jade pendant (quest item)

Starting Skill: Light Footwork +1, Quick Reflexes +1, Streetwise +1

Starting Location: A bustling market town

Faction Relations: +15 with Shadow Moon Assassins, +10 with Wayfarer's Union

Raised on the streets of Jianghu, you've learned to survive by wit, speed, and charm. Your mysterious jade pendant hints at a hidden past: a longer questline that unfolds as you explore. This background has the richest narrative content of all six starts, with unique quests tied to discovering your origins.

5. Merchant Scion (商贾子弟)

Difficulty: Easy

Starting Gear: Fine merchant robes, a small cart of trade goods, 1,000 copper coins, trade ledger

Starting Skill: Trading +2, Negotiation +2, Accounting +1

Starting Location: Eastern Coast (Jade Harbor): the trading capital

Faction Relations: +25 with Wayfarer's Union, +15 with Jade Dragon Clan

Born into a merchant family, you have capital, connections, and business acumen. You start with the most money of any background and begin in the trading hub of Jade Harbor. The economic game is wide open for you: buy low, sell high, establish trade routes, and build a commercial empire.

6. Reformed Bandit (改邪归正的匪徒)

Difficulty: Hard

Starting Gear: Leather armor, broadsword, 150 copper coins, wanted poster (can trigger unique encounters)

Starting Skill: Intimidation +2, Swordplay +1, Wilderness Survival +1

Starting Location: Remote mountain pass

Faction Relations: +30 with Iron Blood Bandits, -25 with The Emperor's Court, -15 with Tempest Sword Sect

You've left your life of banditry behind... but not everyone has forgiven you. You start with strong combat skills but poor reputation in lawful circles. Your redemption arc: or your return to crime: is yours to write. This is a high-risk, high-reward background for players who enjoy living on the edge.

🏙 1. Orient Yourself

When you first load in, take a moment to observe your surroundings. Check your inventory (press I), open the map (press M), and review your character stats (press C). Note your starting location and nearest settlement.

2. Secure Your Economy

Your first priority is establishing a reliable income stream. Options include:

• Gathering: Collect wood, stone, herbs, and wild plants. Sell them at the general store.
• Questing: Talk to NPCs with speech bubble icons. Simple fetch quests and delivery tasks pay well.
• Crafting: If you have crafting skills, produce basic goods and sell them. Even crude items sell for more than raw materials.
• Fishing: If near water, fishing is a reliable food source and income. Fish can be sold raw or cooked for higher value.

🏠 3. Find Shelter

You need a place to sleep safely. Options (in order of preference):

• Inn: Costs 20-50 copper per night. Provides full rest and saves your game.
• Own bed: If you start with an estate (Fallen Noble) or buy property, sleep for free.
• Barn/Barn loft: Free if you befriend a farmer. Risk of theft.
• Campfire: Craft a bedroll and sleep in the wild. Risk of ambush.

⚔ 4. Learn Basic Combat

Visit a training dummy in any town to practice basic attacks, blocks, and dodges. Don't engage with bandits or wild animals until you've practiced at least 10-15 minutes of combat. Read the Combat Guide for detailed mechanics.

🤝 5. Make Friends

Talk to every NPC you meet. Building relationships early pays dividends: friends can give you discounts, warn you of danger, lend you money, or join your faction later. Gifting NPCs items they like (check their preferences through conversation) is the fastest way to build rapport.