First day story

[dshakor 0]

Hey guys. Felt like sharing this post I made on my corp's forum for eve online. It is not a bandit story as such, but this forum section seemed like the ideal place for my initial DayZ impressions in some story form. Dunno if there is a character limit on posts here so I will break it down into several posts as it is a fairly long account of a simple two hours game play, armed only with a couple of lets play episodes on Youtube to guide me. Enjoy.

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So, after fiddling and getting stuff to finally work, (Arrowhead would not launch initially and then DayZ would not connect to a server) I loaded into a world, terrified and armed only with a Makarov pistol, 4 spare clips, a bottle of water, 2 cans of beans and a couple of packs of bandages. Looking around I was on a road next o rail tracks running along the coast, to my right a small village and to my left nothing but more road. Ahead were large hills covered in trees and a road leading into them from the town.

I figured I had better stock up with what I could and search for more ammo and medical supplies. My plan had always been to head into the hills and avoid my fellow man as much as I could. They are as likely to kill me as the zombies are. Speaking of, there were a few in the town and I would not risk a gunshot. A Makarov is a piss poor gun with a bad aim and low caliber bullets. I would run out of ammo in less than a minute if I bring a whole town down on me. So I snuck into the first two buildings looking for stuff and found very little of interest or actual use. Mags for guns I did not have etc. A couple of near misses being detected I kind of chickened out and headed into the hills anyway, but not before I scooped up a couple more bandages, some flares and another can of beans. Oh and I lucked out early and found binoculars. Score!

Going along the road into the hills I also found a hut with an M1911 pistol. This is a good gun and uses .45 cal bullets. Only problem was it only had one mag and I would have to drop the Makarov I had 5 whole mags for for this one, and I did not know when I would get another chance to get more .45 ammo. So I ellected to leave it behind.

I followed a dirt road branching off at the edge of town thinking it could take me to a seclued farm house or a small logging plat or something like that. But after maybe a mmimle and a half of hiking through the tree line I realised it took me nowhere. I carreid on anyway and finally realised I was getting thirsty. I had only the one bottle of water and no where to fill it if I drained it. I would hold off for now until dire need.

Another mile down I spotted something like a stone structure through the trees. It was an old ruined fort of some kind. I was cusious so I left the path and headed towards it. Once likely a tourist attraction because there was some kind go plaque on the wall in Rissian, so I could not read it. I waited for the one zombie in the area to move on and made a move for the entrance at the old gate house. The postern door was open so I snuk in to see what I could forrage in the piles of rubble.

Jackpot. A watch. I know.. poultry loot in any other situation. I noticed the sun was low and, not having yet grasped east to west as I had no compas or watch anyway, this solved two problems. Bieng an old orienteer I would have no issue using a watch as a compas. And since the sun was low I was worried it might be getting dark soon. It was just past 10 on the watch so I deduce it is 10am since it is light still. All this lets me know at elast which direction I am going. I still have no idea what is where yet but I can keep track of where I have been, now. This is a big deal. Especially when I was in the woods and not seeing anything for miles around. I could walk all over and not notice a town in any direction, but having a vague idea of where I came from means I can backtrack to sources of potential food and water that I do know of.

Anyway I also found two cans of soda, and an empty water bottle. If I could fill this one up I would always have two bottles of water in the future so I was happy. I found a can of pasta and... I found 4 mags with .45 cal for the M1911... Damn. I had not needed to fire a single shot until now anyway so I could have taken the better pistol and been ok. Live and learn. Never pass up a good thing.

I headed back into the ruins and towards a wooden scafold structure leaning against a crumbling watch tower. I got to the top of the tower, nto very high though, and tried to see what else I could see. Trees. Hills. And the road I was following. I headed back tot he stairs and... oh I did not see this as I walked up. A Lee Enfield rifle and three clips of ammo. Awesome. I slung this to my back and made my way down. Then I hear it... (to be continued)

[Soldier of Failure 14]

*finds fully intact car&

*begins driving into sunset*

*sever crashes*

*cries self to sleep*

[dshakor 0]

A guttural snarling from behind, back int he direction of the fort. A zombie had been lurking around the corner, at the base of the tower I was standing on moments ago. I was being quiet, just in case, but I guess it had seen me before and waited for me to come down. Or heard me on the steps and was searching anyway. Either way I had to deal with this. I was in the middle of nowhere, usually something to worry about when facing a zomibe. But this was better. Less likely to be heard by bandits. I quickly did a backward step as it charged forwards and I fired. Wide! F###...

I was battered across the chest and again on the side of my head. I stepped backwards again, running further as the zombie made another swipe in thin air. It was off ballance and I steadied myself this time and squeezed off two shots. Both hit the head, I have no idea how but I was greatful. It did not go down... then it moanded and dropped to the floor. I wish I had picked up the M1911 now.. but anyway. I was bleeding. I had to be quick but checked around to make sure I had not drawn attention. Any other zombies around this ruin would hear the shots and likely be running now but I had a clear view all round. Nothing. OK, safe to patch up. I applied a bandage and the bleeding stopped. I had not lost too much blood so I was fine. Sort of.

I calmed down and remembered I was still thirsty and hungry too, now. I popped open a can of soda and beans and filled my stomach, greatfully. Then I wasted little time getting out of there and back to the road. Roads all lead somewhere and this one would either take me back to the town I left at the start, or somewhere with better odds of survival and somewhere to fill my flasks if needed. Have to press on.

After a while longer, like maybe 15 mins of trek, I realised I had left the road side and followed the natural ridge line as the road began to go down into the valley ahead. And I also realised I may well be running along side the coast I started on, thinking about my general sense of direction. A little while later I was proven right as I saw a glimpse of water through the tree line, and then a road and rail line too. I was further back along the road from where I started. I had not really gone anywhere at all... No I cannot see it like that. I found more food and drink, some bandages which I needed to use finally, a watch and a better rifle. This is progress.

Then I saw a dock further down as I approached the water line to get a better idea of how far down the road I had gone. It was a large-ish town. A good thing, maybe. But it is along the coast where new survivors tend to wash up. This is a hotbed for bandidts. But I needed to find a pump that worked so I could fill the flasks. I cannot drink sea water. It was worth the risk, maybe. I would have to find out. I came out of the tree line, maybe a quater of a mile from the town, and crouched by a tree to check it out with binoculars. Could I see any other people in there... maybe. They would be keeping low if they are around. Dodging zombies, dodging bandits, being bandits looking to sneak up on those trying to dodge zombies and bandits...

It would have to be worth the risk. I snuck in as my watch hit 11:15.

There was a church in the middle, the kind of place people drop supplies from having tried to live there or something. I would head there, since they also often had pumps in their courtyards. And they could be watched by a bandit... Well if it happens it happens. I had my own rule of survival to obey. I would not kill just because I could loot someone, I am not above looting someone I find dead, and if you shoot first I shoot back. Otherwise, stay out of my way.

I found an open building on the way in and figured it was worth a look. Further down the street was a fire house looking up the road on the T junction, and before that a kind of warehouse with a flat roof. But no sign of life. Only the undead. And inside the house I found a larger backpack. Another stroke of luck. Mine was getting full and this one had more space, even if it made looking over my shoulder harder. But I would need it in a moment so I was happy to have grabbed it. I also found another couple of bandages, a pain killer pack and a couple of Makarov mags. And some mroe stuff, none of it useful. Oh I also scooped up two cans of soda. Maybe I would not need that pump after all. But it would be good to know it is there.

I left the building by the way I came in, and headed towards the fenced in loading yard along side the warehouse-like building and headed towards the fire house. I was looking around carefully... *Bang*

(To be continued)

[dshakor 0]

I took a step back and began to turn around, looking for the origin of the shot but I already had a damn good idea. The fire house ahead of me had a tower which you can climb and open windows. A good sniper spot with a view of the building I was just inside. Either way, was the shot intended for me? I heard no impact from the bullet. Could be someone else round the corner shooting a zombie. Could be a bandit shooting a survivor or visa versa. All of this crossed my mind in the space of a gunshot and the time it takes to reload what I already knew was some kind of high power single shot rifle which fired again. This time I heard the whistle of the bullet, and an impact somewhere behind me. That was close and the shooter was deffinately ahead. I was already moving now and ran back to the loading yard for the warehouse. The building was slightly L shaped so once I was out of sight of the tower, I doubled back along the spine of the L towards the bit sticking out and thoguht maybe I should hide here and see if someone came running past looking for me. They would have seen me running around the back of the building, and not seen me double back because of the corner that stuck out into the yard.

No this was a stupid idea. I am on the ground and ay hunter would likely not come running blindly down here... Maybe... I don't know I cannot think too straight. I did not see who was shooting or where they were, I only had guess work. Then I saw it as I was about to run... a ladder behind the dumpster leading to the roof... awesome. I could go up and have a look around. See if I see anyone else sneaking around and coming this way thinking to hunt me. At least then I could see if he moves on and when it is safe to come down.

I climb up and... then I realise he could be here already. He wasn't and I reach the top to look around. The fire house was right across the street, some distance back, still, and I grab my binoculars to check it out. I see nothing through the windows, the open doors... nothing. So I scout the roof and find more supplies. This may be a blessing in disguise as I pick up more medical supplies and a couple of food and drink items. My new backpack is almost full already.

So I try one more time to see if I can lure anyone in. There are two ladders up, bth of them ahead of me. One in the inside of the corner of the L, one of them on the other side. I crouch down at the far end, back to a vent shaft outlet, knowing nothing can get behind me. But surely by now no one would be stupid enough to come...

Oh... hello. I see a guy in the yard, running from the direction of the shot taken at me, carrying a Winchester rifle. Single shot, mag reload, high power. Could be him. He does not even look up but maybe he will run off. He does carry on after looking around and goes out of view along side the building. I cannot see over that far without falling. But I can still see the ladder. I have my Enfield out already. Seconds later I am thinking to go check out the other side of the building to see if he is moving along. And it is also in the back of my mind it might not be the guy that shot me. He took his time, after all. He could have been thinking not to move now in case I too was waiting to pounce and had finally thought it clear. Or he just got impatient or I was more patient. Or he could be a totaly random person fitting the profile...

And here he comes again. Up the ladder. Why would he want to do this? Certainly he is looking to scout and maybe set up a new sniper location. Maybe check and see if he can spot me from up here still... Or he could be a random person. Friendly. Or just as scared of me as I am of him. But he fired first.. I think. I don't klnow now but I do know I am not taking a risk with a Winchester slug vs my old Enfield.

He stopped at the top a moment, no way he can look back enough to see me still, then he makes his move up. As he stands on the roof I fired a shot. Hit the leg... I fire again and hit the upper back on the left. Likely a fatal shot to the heart. He drops down and bleeds out all over. I had killed him. My 'murder' count was now set to 1. So he was not a bandit because they don't count as murders if you shoot first. But it does not mean he was not a bad man who may have shot first. Had I broken my own survival rules? Does it matter now? Like a vulture I set to the grim business of searching his corpse.

He had no special equipment that I did not have, no map or compass, no better gun appart from the Winchester which, honestly, I am not a fan of anyway. It is a little quieter though... Something I realised as I heard a horde of zombies below. I had woken the undead and about 6 of them now brayed and howled at the base of the warehouse. I took the dead man's food and drink, his last Makarov mag and left him there.

(To be continued)

[dshakor 0]

The phrase 'up a tree' seemed very apt now. I would have to expose myself to any other snipers in the area to pick off the zombies, and doing so would be loud and messy and maybe draw even more in. This is a substantial town in terms of size to it would draw zombies, survivors and bandits regular all looking for their choice of meal. And here I am just looking for a water pump I no longer needed now. There is no reason to stick in town and after making this kind of scene I am best far away from here for the time being.

I switched to the Makarov and started headhsots all round. More zombies came so I shot them too until there were none left. I looked around to make sure no one had heard and was coming to investigate. It all seemed clear so I risked a trip down the ladder and began to sneak out again. I figured I should check the church in any case, just so I know if there is a pump there should I need it in the future. On my way there I was cornered by more zombies and hid in a shack. I was hungry too so I opend a can of pasta and ate it while the zombies passed.

I snuck out again and went round the corner to the church. The yard was empty and there was no pump. No one was inside either but I did not go in all the way. I had no desire to be backed into a corner in case someone was out hunting me still. I made for the road out, though a farm, and crawled around a little looking for a clear exit, always looking behind me. No one was there.

Another snarl and I didn't wait for confirmation that a zombie had spotted me. I stood fast and ran into the field. I would get away from the town and then take out the zombies once I was out of ear shot. I trailed maybe three of them with me and turned with my Makarov and unloaded on them. They all went down quick. Nothing else was following me and I was getting tired. It was near mid day now. (Late at home, more like 11:30pm after a long day out of the house) So I needed a safe place to log out. The thing about this game is you don't have to worry about progress loss. You can log out on any server, anywhere on themap, and your character state is stored off that server. I suspect locally on the PC or on a central server fun by the developers and the server software uses a kind of cloud system to acess it. Either way when you log in you are exactly where you left, no matter what server you log in on. And you have all your equipment too. And stats. Everything. Just a different crowd to play with.

So I found a small barn outside the town along a dirt road, sitting by a farm house that was locked up. The barn had two levels of loft accessed by stairs so this was perfect to hide in and log out. I could log back in not likely to be around a player or any zombies. I moved behind the pile of hay still on the first level loft and logged out.

After this play through I had another go this morning and ran through the woods from the barn, followed some power lines, and on the outskirts of another town I needed the toilet so I hid in the forest and came back to a death screen. I dunno what happened, toilet is right round the corner from the computer and I heard no shots or zombie beatings, but I lost all my progress so far. (edit to original* I since hear the terrain can glitch out and crush you so guess this happened) My second play through was harder. I have lost about 2/5 of my blood early on as nearly every zombie was hypervigilant. I nearly ran out of ammo and found no more, I could not get into the small town I started near to loot aything and was nearly out of water and food. I was not happy. But I was having fun still. I then found a feed house with a water pump outside, two crossbows and ammo inside, two winchersters and ammo and also another Enfield. Then I found a hatchet to gather wood for fires on cold night. I found matches too, so I have nearly everything to live off the land. I found more ammo finally and also some more food and drink. Still got the basic pack and still got a Makarov. I only need a hunting knife to gather meat...

The point is, I am enjoying sticking to the theme of the game which is surviving and finding supplies. The moral dilema I posed earlier when I shot the only human being I have seen so far in the game while on the roof because I thought he might be the guy who tried to shoot me is what makes it a really good game. I just don't know what his story was, only mine. And as such it makes each play through very personal. I like to think my first play through I got a really good overall sense of everything the game has to offer. Dodge zombies, a brush with an unsavoury player, the moral aspect of not taking the chance with the guy on the roof, making judgement calls on what weapon to swap to, being elated at finding something as simple but vital as a watch, having to bandage myself up, and so on.

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OK that's it. Not going to make a habit of posting stories or anything here, though I thought about making a blog diary for this game. Will see... This is essentially about 2-3 hours gameplay in all but I decided to release it here in chunks each day to give people time to read it. Hope anyone that did read it (sorry it is a bit long) enjoyed it.