Log:V4 Session 42 (Meta, no ontology)

Aug 19 16:16:13 <Hebizuka> [Session start!] Aug 19 16:16:30 <HashiBot> <Tempest> _After what seems like an eternity, you wake up. You have a bit of trouble understanding what happened... The last thing you remember, you're pretty sure you died, but here you are, slowly waking up from what seemed like a very long nap. The first thing you notice is that you're waking up in a hospital bedroom. It doesn't look like home or anywhere familiar._ Aug 19 16:16:37 <HashiBot> <Tempest> _The next thing you notice is that there appears to be someone waiting for you at your bedside ; a fifty-something man, dressed in a lab coat, with a look of concern - or is it relief? - on his face. He observes you waking up, but doesn't say a thing, figuring you want the first word._ Aug 19 16:17:43 <HashiBot> <Zero> Alastor's eyes come open, blinking slowly, squinting in the light at the man beside him. "W...what? Where am I...why am I not dead...?" Aug 19 16:19:26 <HashiBot> <Tempest> **[Medic]** Good morning, mister... Fulminate, was it? It's a pleasure to see you are among the living again. I've been monitoring your vital signs for a while now, and they've all been stable. You probably feel confused, right now, and I understand, but first, I must ask you something; what is the last thing you remember? Aug 19 16:20:25 <HashiBot> <Zero> Alastor would look away for a moment, breathing deeply...remembering...Hunters...a fight...a pain in his chest. "I think...I remember being killed." Aug 19 16:21:12 <HashiBot> <Tempest> **[Medic]** Interesting. You still have memories from before your... transition. I'd say that means you're okay. Let me explain myself ; you have, effectively, indeed died. However, my superior, the Administrator, saw fit to select you for what I can best describe as bringing you back from the dead. Aug 19 16:21:24 <HashiBot> <Tempest> **[Medic]** You are no longer at home; rather you are somewhere else entirely - this realm is called the Mazes. Aug 19 16:22:44 <HashiBot> <Zero> Alastor would listen to this explanation, stone faced, nodding occasionally, suspicion clouding his red gaze. "Well then...why *did* he so see fit? And how would one bring the dead back?" Aug 19 16:23:41 <HashiBot> <Tempest> **[Medic]** She, and, well... Speaking of. I apologize! I forgot to introduce myself. I am Dr. Philip Gage, head of the Medical Science Team, chief of the Proving Grounds medical staff, and... how to put this. I'm the primary caretaker and creator of your body, so to speak. Along with my superior, the Administrator, we have... the best word to use here is "recreated" the body you're currently in. Aug 19 16:23:53 <HashiBot> <Tempest> **[Dr. Gage]** The Administrator and I worked to ensure that your... transition, would be as soft as possible, and feel like waking up. A rough night, so to speak. Aug 19 16:24:31 <HashiBot> <Zero> "So...this is not my body, but a recreation for my soul to rest in whilst here?" Aug 19 16:25:03 <HashiBot> <Tempest> **[Dr. Gage]** That is pretty much the explanation, yes. As for the why, she has her reasons; I don't know everything. She does want you to do something in exchange for that, second chance, so to speak. Aug 19 16:25:29 <HashiBot> <Zero> "Oh? And what exactly is this deed she wants me to do for her?" Aug 19 16:33:26 <HashiBot> <Tempest> **[Dr. Gage]** The Admin is mostly responsible for bringing you here and that I'm just following her orders, she has told me to tell you what your role here is. You may be referred to hereon as the **Contestant**, a title that bears a certain amount of importance here. Your objective is to find four ancient artifacts, said to have been forged by deities - the Cardinal Amulets. Aug 19 16:33:33 <HashiBot> <Tempest> **[Dr. Gage]** These four objects will, if you find all four of them, allow you the possibility to return home, safe and sound. And I do not know much more, unfortunately, besides the fact that it's up to you to figure out where they are and how to acquire them. Why and how, I do not know either. She simply told me to say this is your primary objective. Aug 19 16:35:27 <HashiBot> <Zero> "So, to put it simply." He begins, sitting up and crossing his arms. "I am to go on a grand quest, retrieve these amulets, and in doing so, I'll be granted passage back to my life, unscathed?" Aug 19 16:36:16 <HashiBot> <Zero> "And I am to have no help whatsoever, due to you not knowing things I may need to know." Aug 19 16:37:10 <HashiBot> <Tempest> **[Dr. Gage]** I'm afraid there is little more I can tell you. I can however, let you know that you don't have to leave this room naked. There is gear over on the other side of the room, which the Admin has sent for you. Feel free to dress up and gear up. Aug 19 16:38:04 <HashiBot> <Zero> Alastor would look towards the gear, and nod once, heading over and grabbing it up, putting it on. "Hmmm...not what I'm used to, but close. It will do." Aug 19 16:40:40 <HashiBot> <Tempest> **[Dr. Gage]** The Mazes are a harsh world, and outside of any organized community, you may find this place to be more dangerous than what you're used to - you may need to fight for your own defense on a regular basis. Aug 19 16:42:20 <HashiBot> <Zero> Alastor would simply smirk and nod. "Fear not...fighting for my life is not a new concept to me. Let us just say that in my home world...I was not widely admired." Aug 19 16:45:26 <HashiBot> <Tempest> **[Dr. Gage]** Very well, let's hope your reputation isn't as dim here, then. In any case, are you all set? Aug 19 16:46:02 <HashiBot> <Zero> Alastor would give his new equipment a once-over, taking mental inventory, before nodding. "Yes, I believe so." Aug 19 16:48:26 <HashiBot> <Tempest> **[Dr. Gage]** In that case, follow me outside, so that you can see our town, Arnett, in the Eastern Zone, and so that I can give you a few last pointers before I let you off. Aug 19 16:49:11 <HashiBot> <Zero> "Lead the way." Aug 19 16:51:42 <HashiBot> <Tempest> _The good doctor's pace is brisk and fast, and you don't have the time to see much of the facility you woke up in, besides the room you were in, a few corridors, and a lobby._ Aug 19 16:51:49 <HashiBot> <Tempest> _Once you're outside, Gage's pace doesn't relent any. Soon, you find yourself at the center of the town, a large sort of town plaza called the Social Square Center, with four streets branching out in a plus shaped pattern. There, the inhabitants and visitors come and go, going about on their businesses._ Aug 19 16:52:54 <HashiBot> <Zero> Luckily, Alastor didn't care to see more. The place felt weird to him. He would look about, nodding in appreciation once. "Bustling. I can appreciate." Aug 19 16:55:03 <HashiBot> <Tempest> **[Dr. Gage]** Welcome to Arnett, and more generally welcome to the Mazes. I hope you will be able to succeed in your mission and that you will stay alive. As promised, I can give you a few pieces of advice before I let you go, if you care to hear it. Aug 19 16:56:33 <HashiBot> <Zero> "I hope so as well. So long as it gets me home...Yes. Yes, please tell me. Anything helpful, I would hear from you." Aug 19 16:57:43 <HashiBot> <Tempest> **[Dr. Gage]** One, every town is more or less patterned the same way - they all have a social square, a center plaza like this one, and common features such as a hospital, a bank, some form of special facility, and whatnot. If you're ever lost, find the plaza of this town and look for the map - it will tell you where you are and where to go. Aug 19 16:58:06 <HashiBot> <Tempest> **[Dr. Gage]** Two, you will probably want to find clues about where to go next for your primary objective. I advise you to ask around in town; there are probably more people out there who know more about these Amulets. Aug 19 16:58:25 <HashiBot> <Tempest> **[Dr. Gage]** Three and last, the best place for information and the place you want to go to if you need money, is the Hiring Bureau. Think of it as a sort of combination of post office and job finding agency. If you're ever in need of something to do for cash, my advice is to ask there first. Aug 19 16:59:49 <HashiBot> <Zero> Huh. So this one was useful after all. "Thank you. I will repay you for this when all is said and done." Aug 19 17:04:34 <HashiBot> <Tempest> **[Dr. Gage]** No, don't mention it. Just stay alive and succeed, alright? Good luck. Aug 19 17:04:50 <HashiBot> <Tempest> _He offers a handshake, before trotting back to the laboratory._ Aug 19 17:05:08 <HashiBot> <Tempest> <**M02: First Town** - Quest complete!> <**M03: Take the Long Way Home** - Quest started.> Aug 19 17:06:00 <HashiBot> <Tempest> M03 Objective 1: Head to Arnett’s Hiring Bureau to register yourself as a contractor: the Hiring Bureau is the place to go to find jobs and initiate sidequests, in order to earn money and acquire better gear. Aug 19 17:06:24 <HashiBot> <Tempest> M03 Objective 2: Ask around in Arnett and inquire about the Cardinal Amulets’ supposed whereabouts. Aug 19 17:07:43 <HashiBot> <Zero> Alastor shakes his hand and looks around, taking a moment to think. "The hiring bureau...or perhaps asking townsfolk. Hmmm...Bureau. If I am to go on some grand adventure, then danger is assured. So is a need for good armor, weapons. I require money for that..." Aug 19 17:08:43 <HashiBot> <Tempest> _According to the town map, the hiring bureau is just 3 rooms away. Thus, you travel there..._ Aug 19 17:09:55 <HashiBot> <Tempest> _The hiring bureau is a singular room where the walls are plastered in posters, announcement boards, and other advertisements. In there, a single desk, with a computer, a coffee cup, and a peevish Hirer sitting there. It seems to be the morning - about 8 AM - and the Hirer looks like the night has been rough and he's only just waking up._ Aug 19 17:11:39 <HashiBot> <Zero> Alastor would look around at the boards for a moment, before approaching the Hirer. "I was told I could find jobs here." [Technical difficulties - compromised logging. The following has been salvaged manually.] Aug 19 (salvaged logs) <Tempest> [Hirer] Oh, ... uh, yeah,sorry. Rough night, didn't sleep enough...Full name, please? Aug 19 (salvaged logs) <Zero> "Alastor Fulminate. And believe me, I understand. I haven't slept a full night in years..." Aug 19 (salvaged logs) <Tempest> [Hirer] Mh... You're not in the databases. I can register you if -<yawn!>- you'd like. Sorry bout that. Aug 19 (salvaged logs) <Tempest> [Hirer] Do you know how it works? Aug 19 (salvaged logs) <Zero> "Actually...no. If you would be so kind as to run me through it?" Aug 19 (salvaged logs) <Tempest> [Hirer] Well.. It's simple really. Aug 19 (salvaged logs) <Tempest> _The Hirer proceeds to quickly explain that people in the system are divided between Contractors and Employers and that Employers make jobs available through postings and requests, while Contractors select what jobs are available to them, depending on their veterancy level._ Aug 19 (salvaged logs) <Zero> "I see....simple enough. Sort of like being in a guild. And no, not really...wait. Would you happen to know anything about the Cardinal Amulets?" Aug 19 (salvaged logs) <Tempest> [Hirer] Cardinal Amulets?... Hmm... That rings a bell actually... think I've heard that before when I went to visit Semitas the other day... Aug 19 (salvaged logs) <Tempest> [Hirer] Think that's part of that religious prophecy of theirs, or something. Your best bet would be to go there and do what I did, pay a visit to the local shrine maidens. I'm sure they'd love to talk your ear out about it. Aug 19 (salvaged logs) <Zero> "Shrine maidens you say...I like the way you think." Aug 19 (salvaged logs) <Tempest> [Hirer] That's not me, it's what they're called. Aug 19 (salvaged logs) <Tempest> [Hirer] Anyway... Will that be all?... Aug 19 (salvaged logs) <Zero> "I know it is. And yes, I think it will." Aug 19 (salvaged logs) <Tempest> _Where to next?_ Aug 19 (salvaged logs) <Zero> Hmmm...to Town. Maybe he can get into conversation with the locals. At least he'll get a feel for this place. Aug 19 (salvaged logs) <Tempest> _You can return to the square center if you want the townmap._ Aug 19 (salvaged logs) <Zero> Then return he shall! [Session ended due to technical difficulties]