Trying the teleport option, you vanish from the house and reappear at a whimsical looking tavern. Packed with other players who are chatting with friends or going about quests. A few even have fancy looking weapons and armour, guess some people are no-lifeing the game. Still you're looking for Sam, he has to be around here somewhere- oh. You've found him. Looking over a bulletin board is the spitting image of your friend, he's just a few years older than the pal you knew. You aged up to 21, and it looks like he aged up to his mid-twenties.
He's a good foot taller now. Having a bushy beard and longer hair. Axe slung over his shoulder, shirtless with a hair covered chest. He's definitely fitting that image of a brawny barbarian... like he always does. But it's still kinda hard to take in because he still looks like Sam. It just looks like an older, buffer version of the friend you've always had. He seems just as surprised when he spots you.
"Nice beard."
"Think yours is a bit longer."
"Well yeah, wanted to show that I'm a warrior!"
"Yeaaaah, of course you did. Be honest, you just wanted to know how it feels to be strong?"
"Like you're any different! Look at that chest, think you could be like this outside the game?"
"Hmmmmmmmm. Maybe? Easier to do than whatever you have."
You both laugh. Sure, you both look a bit older, but the two of you are still the two of you. Sam starts to scratch his beard, and you follow it up, pressing thumb against your own stubble. Your chin in real life itching, that same irritation seeming to also hit your friend. Though he shakes it off and looks back to the board.
"I was just thinking about going on a quest. Lots of options on here."
"PVE or PVP?"
"Both. People can play monsters. You got a preference?"
"Hmmm. Maybe something that can let me wonder far off? I want to see all the environments."
"That makes it easier, we'll do both."
An interface appears for you once more, 'Turbidluck invites you to a party' displaying which you accept. Seeing an interface displaying your friends' stats. High strength, medium charisma, high health. Yep, he has gone full barbarian. His stats disappearing with the interface to give you a full immersive experience once more. A lot of the other players heading out of the tavern on their own quests, with Sam picking two pieces of paper off the board and heading out.
"Kill ten players of different species. Raid a monster fortress."
"Sounds like exploring. I'm guessing monsters will have similar quests?"
"Probably, I haven't played this before."
"But you have played for a lot longer than me."
You give your friend a cheeky grin. Ready to stir him up a bit more, and stopped as the sound of yells reach your ears. This small town having a horde of monsters descend upon it. There's a lot of different races amongst them, Orc's, Werewolf's, Goblin's and plenty others. They seem like players, and the humans of the village draw their weapons and prepare to fight back. Sam just as ready as he holds his axe forward. Though monsters give you the opportunity to make more allies and maybe learn a bit more about the game. Get a headstart on all that exploring you want to do.