In reply to Connor (msg # 48):

Sure enough when Connor asks for his HUD and focuses on Malcom, a description pops up in his field of view, along with a familiar voice reading the description aloud.

"Malcom, Strix Champion Bastion Wanderer, Level 2! Do you wish to establish chat protocols with this Wanderer?"

In reply to Connor (msg # 48):

'Indeed, if you form a group, you will all be able to chat with each other via your HUD regardless of distance. However, there maybe events that keep that from happening. The AI will make the highest charisma member the leader by default, but you all can choose to change that. Once you form a group, you need a team name. Otherwise the AI will chose a team name that is...less then ideal.'

This message was last edited by the player at 11:48, Sat 22 Jan 2022.

"Understood. Thanks, Guildmaster." Connor replies aloud.

Connor nods to nobody in particular as the HUD responds to his warning, and decides to try something.

Mentally, rather than verbally (as he remembered the HUD responded to his thoughts when he wanted to check his hammerspace inventory, he made a query.

Please define what is involved with establishing chat protocols with someone.

Also, please define what a Strix is.

And what is a Bastion wanderer? The bastion term in particular?

In reply to Connor (msg # 51):

"To establish chat protocols, please have other Wanderer give permission via HUD, and make physical contact."

OOC-Conner, make society roll twice.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:41, Sat 22 Jan 2022.

In reply to System AI (msg # 52):

19:43, Today: Connor rolled 15 using 1d20+8 ((7)).


20:08, Today: Connor rolled 22 using 1d20+8.  Society.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:09, Sat 22 Jan 2022.

Malcom swallows with the solemnity of the situation and grips the gem protectively.
When the AI starts asking questions he murmurs, "um, accept?"

In reply to Malcom (msg # 54):

Once Connor and Malcom make physical contact, they find they can silently type out messages to one another via thier HUDs. They do not seem able to do so with the others yet, unless they also follow the same procedure.

"Let's see...  Once per adventure, you can ask the voice you believe to be a deity for orders and get some kind of instruction—you never get any kind of explanation, simply a command to go somewhere or do something." She muttered to herself aloud. "That's kinda a cool thing if it works like you want."

Then she looked towards Guildmaster Trevik. "So this forming a party thing, once we make one it automatically makes the person with the highest Charisma the party leader? That'd be funny if it was one of the Companions we all have." She said with a small chuckle.

In reply to Tsuki (msg # 56):

'I cannot tell you how your ability works...only that it will. Even the AI must operate under a set of rules.' The Guildmaster replies.

'As for your companions...well, some of them only have an animal level of intellect, but others have personalities chosen by the AI. Which means most likely designed to get more viewers. Which also means to be annoying as possible...'

At once both Cabochon and Iaena complain loudly and bitterly.

'...but I do not care because they are not MY companions! Thank goodness. However, your animal intellect helpers will be more loyal and smarter than creatures than appear in nature. They will be able to understand your speech. Anything that's not too complicated anyways.'

Clearly you, Tsuki, will be party leader. As you seem to have not only the charisma, but also abilities and the moral qualities, I would advise the others to heed your words.'
This message was last edited by the player at 03:06, Sat 22 Jan 2022.

In reply to Connor (msg # 53):

After a bit, and seeing a rotating hourglass in his HUD, the AI finally speaks to Connor.

"Wanderer-a contestant in the most fabulous game show in the multiverse, LABYRINTH LANDS! Usually Wanderers are from primitive backwater planets which barely have any worthwhile technology, culture, or intellect to speak of. So fighting for their lives on the most popular live show seen by literal trillions of superior beings would be a major step up for them!

Strix-A race of bird like people from the planet Strax. Strax has a lower gravity than this dirtball, and as a result an entire civilization of flying beings achieved space flight while you people where still figuring out toilet paper!

Bastion-a combat specialist which focuses on using shields expertly in combat. A skilled Bastion warrior can develop enough defensive abilities to deflect or even reflect magical attacks at higher levels! Once the shield goes up, chances are you ain't getting past it!"
This message was last edited by the player at 02:57, Sat 22 Jan 2022.

Interesting...it seems that some basic information on topics is effortless, but other types depend a lot on the enhanced capabilities that connor got on his Wizard reformatting. Which means the other wanderers probably would be more or less good at some skills compared to him. But he suspected information would be a strong point of his.

"I don't care a less who the computer assigns as the party leader. Just do well by me and I'll do well by you, and I'll facilitate your success. You've all been warned - you will get out of me what you put into me. If you invest in me, I will invest in you in return. The opposite is true as well" he said aloud to the assembled wanderers, boldly.

"And with that said...is anyone interested in joining a party with me and my pet rocks? I have much to offer the right person, if you can earn my trust."

He looked at Malcom.

"I definitely want you in a party with me. I believe you have skills that will complement mine well, and vice versa. But the offer is open to everyone here."

She walked over to Conner and cocked her head to one side considering for a moment. "We can be in a party together, but you may wish to reconsider how you approach things with regards to asking others to join you." She said calmly. "Because your offer there, sounded clearly like a 'you can join me, but if you do not earn my trust I'll leave you high and dry' which is a very quick way to make others not want to trust you." She said softly, before extending a hand out to him. "That being said, can I trust you or should I take your word at the value it could possibly be implied at?" It was clear that her words were chosen clear and well, with the perfect precision that she wanted them for. She obviously knew the button's she was pushing, and it was clear that she had a reason for pushing those exact buttons too.

"Look, everyone, if we are to get our friends and families back this is not about any one of us. It's about all of us. We have to trust one another. Period." She explained. "None of this right person stuff, if you can earn my trust stuff, etc etc. We have to trust one another and watch one another's back or not a single one of us will make it through this to the end."

She then looked to Conner again and smiled softly to him. "So, what say you, party?" Then she looked to the others in the room. "And the rest of you, shall we form a party?"
This message was last edited by the player at 01:34, Sun 23 Jan 2022.

The large fox tries to jump, attempting to snatch the orbiting stone moving about Conner's head. The animal seemed more playful then aggressive. The large tail moving about with effort when ever it missed the flying stone.

"Hey, hey! Get that thing away from me! It has several million germs in that organic opening, and clearly it has never brushed it's teeth!" The stone whined as the fox tries to reach it.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:41, Sat 22 Jan 2022.

"Fox meat speaks proper." Hershel says with a reptilian hiss. "I'll do what I need to, nothin' more." Leaving it at that, Hershel sits idle waiting to proceed.

"I guess we will figure out the team dynamic as we go along and that starts with communication. Nathan will start with Conner until he get the prompts and seek permission to set up a link. He will next try the same with Tsuki. He will agree to a link with any one in their potential party who asks.

Connor shrugged.

"Look foxy...I'm just putting it all out there so people know where I stand. And yes, you're absolutely right that my implication does sound pretty bad when you put it that way..." he replied.

He did listen to her pitch though, and grinned at her.

"...and this is why you have a higher charisma stat than I do. Well said." he added.

He turned to Nathan and anyone else who wanted to unlock chatting credentials with him, and accepted and reciprocated.

He looked the fox companion then at Cabochon.

"Oh Cabby? I thought you were petrified, remember? I'd think you'd be above such a thing as germs. At least it;s not slobbering all over you or something. Heh."

In reply to Connor (msg # 65):

"I am 'above' such things because I dont need repulsive organic processes to exist, no offense Master Connor. As now you are well on your way to being environmentally independent, you will find much better uses for your time then the...ugh...other things mammals are forced to do." The floating rock replied.

Dee cannot stop smiling and flexing her new muscles. Then a thought crosses her mind, "Guildmaster if we make it all the way through this thing, do we get to keep our new bodies?"

In reply to Dee (msg # 67):

'No one has ever made it through the entire Labyrinth. I know every person who has died within the games died in thier new bodies, not old. The best assurance I can offer you is death in this new form.' The mental voice sounded sad as it transmitted the words.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:25, Sun 23 Jan 2022.

"Please, call me Tsuki, or Tsukiko, not Foxy." She said to everyone gathered, but mostly to the ones that called her some derivative of that. "I would appreciate it." She added politely.

Then she would transform, or change shape rather as the ability was called in her hud, to her tailless form. Which she would make to look like her original form. As she did this she would offer and take chat/friend/party protocols with everyone that wanted them with her.

Then she would look at Conner's familier. "Her name is Keyla. She only wishes to play with you, nothing more. If you are capable of flight in a manner other than orbiting Conner here, you could probably have fun having her chase you. And should she catch you, I promise that I will use my magic to make you clean, and even shinier than you are now."

In reply to Tsuki (msg # 69):

"Please forgive me, Lady Tsuki." The stone says after a brief pause. It's voice sounding more and more British as time goes on.

"I will be more...patient with the...with Keyla." It corrected itself. "I would ask however to take into account that non living things like myself and the construct have trouble with healing. Something organic beings have a step up on us, I must confess."

It does float a bit higher, even as Keyla stands on her hind legs trying to catch the stone in her mouth.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:21, Sun 23 Jan 2022.

"I understand, Cabochon was it?" She said with a gentle smile. "Let me convince her to use no teeth, then the two of you can have fun for a few moments while the rest of us finish the last of our preparations. This might be the last chance you two have this opportunity for some time."

She holds a finger up to Cabochon, to indicate just a moment. Then she kneels next to Keyla. "If the floating stone plays with you for a few minutes, will you promise to play gentle? No teeth, okay?"

In reply to Tsuki (msg # 71):

Keyla, like most foxes, did not make normal barks or howls like her cousin canines. Instead, she made a high pitch chittering sound. Upon Tsuki kneeling down, she at once took the opportunity to lick the woman's face. Then she attempted to nuzzle her. However, very un-fox like, she stopped and stared at Tsuki when she speaks to the animal. Then it proceeds to nod at her, as if understanding.

The rock sighs, and proceeds to float a bit lower than normal. Keyla leaps with joy, trying to catch the flying object. The stone mutters something quietly, but moves about, entertaining the animal with the chase.

As the group formally joins its group chat, everyone sees new words in the HUD.

GROUP NAME PENDING... Along with a rotating hourglass.

'As you are now grouped up, you can silently chat with each other. You will also see a 'status' warning next to each group member's name when someone takes damage or is under the effects of a condition. Those can be stopped by the use of the proper skills. I cannot tell you more than that, but you now have the gear to deal with most status effects. Also, please choose a group name soon. The AI is eager to make that choice for you.

I wish I could give you more time to rest and learn, but the clock is your foe as well. You must find the level Apex. Only by defeating it can you get what you need to live. You have the means to find your way there.' The creature's beak seemed pointed at Tsuki when it states that.

'I am sorry to tell you this, you must kill to survive. I know not all of you are trained fighters. However, many of the creatures you will encounter will offer no quarter. You must be prepared to do whatever you need to do. That being said, don't allow the games to fully take everything from you. I wish I could show you how to do this, but I myself have had to compromise my ethics over the years.'

It waves a tentacle, and the massive doors open. The corridor out is different then when all of you entered. It is a dark passage with dim lighting, and the stone seems more grey and ill formed, although this one seems to be made of slabs of highway. There is even a yellow line in the middle of the floor, like one would see on the road.

'Good Luck to you all. I will see you on the second level.' Came the last mental message before the massive doors close, and the group is out of the Guildhall suddenly. The doors then fade, and vanish. Making a dead end behind the group. Forward is the only way, even as a mist rises that obscures the view of further down the hall. [Private to Tsuki: OOC-You are immune to mist and other certain visual obstructions due to your oracle status.]
This message was last edited by the player at 20:18, Mon 24 Jan 2022.