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@the-dungeon-core
[ You have entered a dungeon!
Name: Inco
Highest Difficulty: C-
Floors: ??? ]
[ Admin only, additional information:
Biomass: 37906/39400 Units
Floors: 10
Core ID: 001
Controller: N/A
Core Health: 25/25 HP
Core Magic: 29438/29438 MP
Status: Alive
>... ]
Anya is live and ready to show you everything. Watch her strip, dance, and perform exclusive shows just for you. Interact in real-time and make your fantasies come true.
Free to watch โข No registration required โข HD streaming
*wakes up in dungeon* zzzsnk eh? Where am I?
*Suddenly a pop-up appears in front of your eyes*
---
[ You have entered a dungeon ]
[ Name: Inco ]
[ Difficulty: C ]
---
*The room is at first dark, but as you rouse crystals embedded in the walls light up. The floor is tiled, and some of the tiles, at random, seem suspiciously off colored. Suddenly a presence focuses on you.*
Hmm, how... did you get here? I never saw you go through the entrance. This is a C grade dungeon by the way, so I hope you came prepared.
Hey I think I found a better way to have this back and forth, I think this is how itโs supposed to be done, sorry if this is obvious Iโm new to Tumblr
Wood? Hmm alright, sure, I'll see what I can do. You try to figure out... anything about yourself. Oh! What should I call you, since you don't remember your name?
How about uh Paul? I like that nice and short :)
Alright Paul! I've made a hidden passage that can be opened by pushing at one of the rocks in the wall of the entrance hallway. It should be somewhere halfway down the hallway. You should find some stuff there and an approximation of a bed
Alright, thanks buddy :) *proceeds to spend +10 minutes looking for the stone to push* Got it! *I look around the room*
Well, I guess Iโll settle in, *sits down on bed and looks out over the room for about 30 seconds* so is there anything you might need or want help with or should I see about heading out to get a job or something?
Well, my first instinct would be to find out what the hell is happening... But you don't exactly have any clues... I mean, do you? I guess you should go out to figure out where you are. You should get a job if possible, that is a good idea.
Well I have no idea how I got here, but I do agree that I should see about getting a job, ooh I wonder what Iโm good at! Oh also I should ask, do you know way to the nearest place with people? Wouldnโt do for me to immediately get lost
Hmmmmm, go out through the cave entrance. I know there should be a road, with how commercialized dungeons have gotten I wouldn't be surprised if the road is paved
Go to the right, and you should reach the nearest town in a few minutes, I mean, assuming that you have the same average walking speed as the adventurers I overheard. I'm not really able to see stuff outside myself- I mean the dungeon
Ok then * heads out and to the doorway of the dungeon before I stop and turn back* so looking back on our conversations I canโt help but notice that you canโt leave so is there anything you want me to see about getting you, or things to keep my eyes out for?
Ooh! Now that you mention it, if you see some kind of plant that doesn't grow nearby, it would be nice if you could get some samples!
*wakes up in dungeon* zzzsnk eh? Where am I?
*Suddenly a pop-up appears in front of your eyes*
---
[ You have entered a dungeon ]
[ Name: Inco ]
[ Difficulty: C ]
---
*The room is at first dark, but as you rouse crystals embedded in the walls light up. The floor is tiled, and some of the tiles, at random, seem suspiciously off colored. Suddenly a presence focuses on you.*
Hmm, how... did you get here? I never saw you go through the entrance. This is a C grade dungeon by the way, so I hope you came prepared.
Hey I think I found a better way to have this back and forth, I think this is how itโs supposed to be done, sorry if this is obvious Iโm new to Tumblr
Wood? Hmm alright, sure, I'll see what I can do. You try to figure out... anything about yourself. Oh! What should I call you, since you don't remember your name?
How about uh Paul? I like that nice and short :)
Alright Paul! I've made a hidden passage that can be opened by pushing at one of the rocks in the wall of the entrance hallway. It should be somewhere halfway down the hallway. You should find some stuff there and an approximation of a bed
Alright, thanks buddy :) *proceeds to spend +10 minutes looking for the stone to push* Got it! *I look around the room*
Well, I guess Iโll settle in, *sits down on bed and looks out over the room for about 30 seconds* so is there anything you might need or want help with or should I see about heading out to get a job or something?
Well, my first instinct would be to find out what the hell is happening... But you don't exactly have any clues... I mean, do you? I guess you should go out to figure out where you are. You should get a job if possible, that is a good idea.
Well I have no idea how I got here, but I do agree that I should see about getting a job, ooh I wonder what Iโm good at! Oh also I should ask, do you know way to the nearest place with people? Wouldnโt do for me to immediately get lost
Hmmmmm, go out through the cave entrance. I know there should be a road, with how commercialized dungeons have gotten I wouldn't be surprised if the road is paved
Go to the right, and you should reach the nearest town in a few minutes, I mean, assuming that you have the same average walking speed as the adventurers I overheard. I'm not really able to see stuff outside myself- I mean the dungeon
*wakes up in dungeon* zzzsnk eh? Where am I?
*Suddenly a pop-up appears in front of your eyes*
---
[ You have entered a dungeon ]
[ Name: Inco ]
[ Difficulty: C ]
---
*The room is at first dark, but as you rouse crystals embedded in the walls light up. The floor is tiled, and some of the tiles, at random, seem suspiciously off colored. Suddenly a presence focuses on you.*
Hmm, how... did you get here? I never saw you go through the entrance. This is a C grade dungeon by the way, so I hope you came prepared.
Hey I think I found a better way to have this back and forth, I think this is how itโs supposed to be done, sorry if this is obvious Iโm new to Tumblr
Wood? Hmm alright, sure, I'll see what I can do. You try to figure out... anything about yourself. Oh! What should I call you, since you don't remember your name?
How about uh Paul? I like that nice and short :)
Alright Paul! I've made a hidden passage that can be opened by pushing at one of the rocks in the wall of the entrance hallway. It should be somewhere halfway down the hallway. You should find some stuff there and an approximation of a bed
Alright, thanks buddy :) *proceeds to spend +10 minutes looking for the stone to push* Got it! *I look around the room*
Well, I guess Iโll settle in, *sits down on bed and looks out over the room for about 30 seconds* so is there anything you might need or want help with or should I see about heading out to get a job or something?
Well, my first instinct would be to find out what the hell is happening... But you don't exactly have any clues... I mean, do you? I guess you should go out to figure out where you are. You should get a job if possible, that is a good idea.
*wakes up in dungeon* zzzsnk eh? Where am I?
*Suddenly a pop-up appears in front of your eyes*
---
[ You have entered a dungeon ]
[ Name: Inco ]
[ Difficulty: C ]
---
*The room is at first dark, but as you rouse crystals embedded in the walls light up. The floor is tiled, and some of the tiles, at random, seem suspiciously off colored. Suddenly a presence focuses on you.*
Hmm, how... did you get here? I never saw you go through the entrance. This is a C grade dungeon by the way, so I hope you came prepared.
Hey I think I found a better way to have this back and forth, I think this is how itโs supposed to be done, sorry if this is obvious Iโm new to Tumblr
Wood? Hmm alright, sure, I'll see what I can do. You try to figure out... anything about yourself. Oh! What should I call you, since you don't remember your name?
How about uh Paul? I like that nice and short :)
Alright Paul! I've made a hidden passage that can be opened by pushing at one of the rocks in the wall of the entrance hallway. It should be somewhere halfway down the hallway. You should find some stuff there and an approximation of a bed
Anya is live and ready to show you everything. Watch her strip, dance, and perform exclusive shows just for you. Interact in real-time and make your fantasies come true.
Free to watch โข No registration required โข HD streaming
*wakes up in dungeon* zzzsnk eh? Where am I?
*Suddenly a pop-up appears in front of your eyes*
---
[ You have entered a dungeon ]
[ Name: Inco ]
[ Difficulty: C ]
---
*The room is at first dark, but as you rouse crystals embedded in the walls light up. The floor is tiled, and some of the tiles, at random, seem suspiciously off colored. Suddenly a presence focuses on you.*
Hmm, how... did you get here? I never saw you go through the entrance. This is a C grade dungeon by the way, so I hope you came prepared.
Hey I think I found a better way to have this back and forth, I think this is how itโs supposed to be done, sorry if this is obvious Iโm new to Tumblr
Wood? Hmm alright, sure, I'll see what I can do. You try to figure out... anything about yourself. Oh! What should I call you, since you don't remember your name?
*wakes up in dungeon* zzzsnk eh? Where am I?
*Suddenly a pop-up appears in front of your eyes*
---
[ You have entered a dungeon ]
[ Name: Inco ]
[ Difficulty: C ]
---
*The room is at first dark, but as you rouse crystals embedded in the walls light up. The floor is tiled, and some of the tiles, at random, seem suspiciously off colored. Suddenly a presence focuses on you.*
Hmm, how... did you get here? I never saw you go through the entrance. This is a C grade dungeon by the way, so I hope you came prepared.
(There's a sudden, brief buzz of static.)
-y, does this work?
Hello..?
Huh! Who's that? Where are you?
Oh- hello! I, uh.. I don't know where I am.
... Oh! That's where your voice is coming from
*You feel something focusing on you from all sides*
So... What are you?
I.. think they called me "an internal respawn management system" or something like that.
Uh- what exactly.. is this place?
This is a small section of... the scaffolding of this world
*You start to see a crystal pedestal with a big red glowing orb on top slowly materialize*
It's used by me to spread out my Focus more easily over the entirety of the dungeon, which is physically located in the actual world
But what are you doing here?
Doing here? I don't think I've ever been anywhere else. Or, uh.. know how to be anywhere else.
I just.. well, I want to say "woke up" here, but it doesn't feel like I was ever asleep, and I don't think I've just spawned in either.
So, I guess I just, uh.. started being here a few days ago?
Oh okay, that must be disorienting
So question, are you "evil" or something? This is pretty important
Evil? No, I don't think I am. Although I wouldn't really know to be honest.. what qualifies as evil? And, should I be?
No! Don't be evil!!
Uhh, well, technically speaking "evil" doesn't exist but generally people say it to mean being ready to do things and hurt others for your own personal gain no matter the cost
... So what do you want to do now? I hope it's nothing bad?
Oh- uh, alright?
Well, that description sounds.. like something I wouldn't really like doing.
And.. I don't really know. What is there to do here? Ever since that key manager guy stopped responding to me, I've just been wandering alone until now.
Key manager? What did they say?
Something about a purpose and telling me I was "everywhere".. I don't really understand it myself, but they did give me some strange keys!
...Which I don't know how to use.
Hmmm, would you like to visit the physical world at some point?
Also what "keys" do you have? Are they actual literal keys or something like "Spawn creature"? Cause that's what I call a permission
Yeah, I would. And I don't think the keys are physical, no. The three I got are "Userspace: NPC", "Focus" and "Camera", but when I got them, I didn't actually.. get any physical items or anything.
"Userspace: NPC"? That might allow you to eventually exist as an NPC in the physical world. "Camera" is something that I think I might also have but mine is limited to the territory of the dungeon
I have no clue what "focus" is supposed to be
Maybe you can use "camera" to look around? Find out what happened?
Yeah, it might, but I still have no idea how to use any of them! I've tried just thinking about it, doing some sort of motion, using the terminal, but just... nothing's worked yet..
Well I just have a menu that I use for stuff... Do you have any kind of interface that an operator would use to control you? I took control of mine away from the operators, what about you?
N-no?? At least I don't think I have one of those? That- that kind of thing sounds terrifying to have! Wait, what if I do have one but I just don't know how to find it- how would I even know- ohdevswhatiftheyfinditbeforeido
(Respawn shrinks back, starting to panic.)
Please relax! We don't know anything yet so you shouldn't assume!
*The feeling of being focused on shrinks slightly*
We should consider this rationally... How have you received instructions up until now?
I- I-.. okay...
(Respawn takes a deep breath, trying to calm themself.)
I... I don't know. I don't remember being given instructions at all since I got here.
Unless the terminal was...? Hm.
Try writing the name of one of the keys followed by a "?", if they're commands, that should explain something
Alright..
(Respawn walks over to the terminal and types "focus?" before hitting enter.)
{Error: No instruction to respond to. Manual response discarded.}
Nope, nothing.
That gives me an idea...
|ยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยท|
| Do you accept becoming a |
| dungeon monster of the |
| dungeon "Inco"? |
| Y/N |
|ยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยท|
It's only a technicality, accept that and I'll try sending you a request
Uh- I don't.. I'm not sure. What does becoming a dungeon monster... entail?
I'm not agreeing to anything when I don't know what could happen.
It shouldn't do anything other than letting me send you requests and use mana to make you more powerful (which I won't do) considering that you're sentient and I'll end it once I do the test
Oh, alright..
(Hesitantly, Respawn chooses Y.)
Request from The Core: Use the camera key
Now try "responding" to that
Uhh, okay..?
(Nothing happens.)
...how?
Well... in that case... Can you try contacting this "key manager"? They might be able to clarify?
I've already tried that, but they stopped talking to me. They also said before that they can't help me if I don't understand how to "see a certain point in space and anchor to it"... which I don't.
I think this is where my experience runs dry... I'm a glowing orb after all.
If only some developer could help us...
Oh, do you know any developers? I was thinking I could try exploring this place, but I don't know.. I don't want to get lost...
I might know someone adjacent...
[ Pinging @epprbcu-keymaster ]
Also, yeah, you don't want to get lost. The amount of people that can help you in that kind of case has been dwindling for some time
Oh... well, I guess I shouldn't then.
(Respawn starts pacing back and forth, thinking.)
*A green key audibly pops into existence next to Respawn*
Huh? What now? I already told you the- Who's that?!
(Respawn jumps back, startled.)
That was faster than I expected... We need you to help respawn over here.
/* The green key bobs in the air. */
Sure ever since my new boss forgot about my existence I haven't exactly had much work to do
But what help do you even need?
I- uh..
(Respawn sighs.)
I don't know how to even try to use the keys you gave me..
Wait, you gave respawn the keys? I thought it was some "key manager" or something??
I don't remember giving you any keys. Why are you in the code and not in the overworld?
Wait, huh? The- the Camera, Focus, NPC Userspace ones? It wasn't you that gave me those?
And I'm, uh... trying to figure that out too. I haven't really...been to the overworld.
Hmmm, you call it the "overworld". Makes sense
Also didn't you say that some "key manager" gave them to you?
Well that's - You aren't from the overworld!?
*The key floats a bit farther away from you*
What the hell are you?
I- I don't know, okay?! I don't know what I am!
(Respawn takes a few steps backward, about to panic. They take a deep breath to try to calm themself down.).
Th- they said that I'm an "internal system responsible for respawn management"... but- I don't know..
(Respawn looks away, trying to hide the tears running down their face.)
I don't feel very responsible.
Hey, relax, having sentience is hard! I'm sure you'll figure it out!
... I... Okay
I'll see what's possible
...
Do you have any memories of how you did stuff before, when players weren't failing to respawn?
(Respawn takes a moment to think, wiping the tears from their eyes.)
No, just wandering around here. Anything before that is.. its not there, and trying to think about it for too long hurts my head.
I uh- I did use the terminal over there to talk to whoever it actually was that gave me the keys, but apparently I can only respond to what they say.. and if there's nothing to respond to, it just doesn't work.
(They gesture to the terminal.)
Okay key guy, you must be able to do something now?
Can you give me permission to use your terminal? Also, do you know the user ID of whoever you were communicating with?
I- yeah? You can use the terminal if you want, is it even specifically mine? All I really know is it's the only thing around here other than the walls and floor.
And, I think they were "key-manager.system", but I don't know if that's their ID, or their name, or what.
Is the key-manager an internal system as well by any chance
Hmmm okay. Let me try.
/* Keymaster starts tapping at the air in front of them */
I'll try to contact, and report back with any findings.
(Respawn just stands there, nervously waiting.)
This silence is a bit boring hmmmm what's your favourite-
Okay, the key manager answered me
/* The floating key and hands materialize a body and two additional arms with the key now being a head. */
Would you mind looking through your terminals command history? This is normally done by clicking the up and down arrow keys (on a keyboard).
Alright..
(Respawn goes over to the terminal and starts scrolling through its history.)
What am I supposed to be.. looking for?
Yeah, what?
Simple, commands that you don't remember typing. Hopefully we can figure out how you did your job before you stopped doing so.
Oh, that's smart.
(Respawn keeps scrolling, past their communication with key manager.)
/ where am i | Error: Unexpected parameter "am" of command where. Valid parameters include set, ping and within.
(Further back.)
/ what is this | Error: "what" is not a valid command or request.
I remember typing all this though.. oh-
(As Respawn scrolls yet further back, the commands devolve into gibberish. The resulting commands look like attempts to respawn players, but letters are added, removed and in the wrong order seemingly at random.)
(Respawn stops scrolling and just stares at the broken sentences.)
Not- uh... not that though.
Looks like you had a stroke or something-
Wait, what caused that?
Yeah, this is weird, what could have possibly done that?
I don't know..
(Hesitantly, they start scrolling again. As the broken commands get progressively more coherent yet never quite reaching valid statements, they find something different.)
[User "Anonymous"] > inject ยฃ)*:ยฃ&#&@+ยฐยฅยฅยฐTM|=$ยฐยฐรทรทรทรทรทรทรท drop database #)#ยฃ6ฯยฅฯ`โ{$โโ ! Unknown command source failsafe activated. | Error: "ยฃ" is not a valid command or request. [User "Anonymous"] > inject โฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐ drop database โฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐ ! Warning: Unkn wn command s. fail afe un.ale to activ . | Error: โฐ; {{ alid | print "Welcome back, <[bold] [player_username} [/bold]>! | } | if playerlayer; when mouclick left | databa;pla}"yer_deaths" (826274.5 entries seirtne)}
(Respawn stays silent.)
Anonymous...
Oh, that explains some things... but why would anyone intentionally do that...
Try running the following command: "BEGIN TRAN DROP TABLE player_deaths ROLLBACK SELECT * FROM database"
It might work and reverse it
(Respawn is about to start typing in the command, but suddenly stops themself.)
Reverse.. this is- this is something I did, isn't it? Before I was- what's the word, sentient?
But, if that's true.. why does this one specifically feel... different? All that random nonsense from before feels almost familiar to me, like I'm.. like I know it without remembering it.
But this... doesn't.
The command?
What the core said.
No, the response. This failsafe thing and-
I don't know, I just... have a bad feeling about this. What if this- this moment was what... caused me to become sentient? And if that gets reversed..
(Respawn trembles.)
...would I be reversed too?
You're right... we don't know. We probably shouldn't do that until we've "gathered more data" or whatever.
In the meantime, would you like a way to enter the overworld?
That would be nice..
Wait, how are you going to do that?
I'm not sure that just moving you out of this... place... Is a good idea?
So I'm giving you a "Greater Perfect Clone Golem", basically you will have a body in the overworld that you have to become unconscious in here to control. It will always look exactly like you as well.
It's the best I can do until we are sure it is safe for you to leave here.
A.. greater.. huh? Wait, no! I don't want to do that to it..I'd rather stay here than hurt a living being like that.
Hmmm
No, no, it's just a lifeless magical construct, it has no mind of its own!
(Respawn takes a moment to think.)
I... I guess that's okay then.. as long as you're absolutely sure it's not alive.
The respawn system gets an avatar? I want one!
If my information is correct, then you're already overpowered enough; you shall stay contained in the dungeon that you are. Now, I believe that Respawn is still your "dungeon monster".
(Respawn stays silent, looking over at the terminal for a moment.)
Oops, just a second!
...
*A pop-up appears in front of Respawn*
|ยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยท|
| Your connection to Inco |
| has been permanently |
| severed. |
|ยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยท|
There!
Okay, that should be everything, I will try to find out what I can.
/* The body disappears leaving behind only the floating key */
Before I go, could you try out the golem?
(Respawn flinches at the pop-up, snapping out of their thoughts.)
Oh, uh.. how...? Do I just close my eyes and think about it? Or do I have to actually be asleep?
Grumble grumble
I haven't tried it myself but you should be able to just think about it real hard.
Okay, here goes..
(Respawn takes a deep breath, closes their eyes and... unceremoniously falls to the ground.)
โ
(In the overworld, Respawn opens a pair of eyes that look exactly like their own.)
I hope that worked
Well, why don't you check?
(...)
Oh yeah, time to leave this place
*The core disappears in an eruption of confetti leaving the pedestal behind*
(There's a sudden, brief buzz of static.)
-y, does this work?
Hello..?
Huh! Who's that? Where are you?
Oh- hello! I, uh.. I don't know where I am.
... Oh! That's where your voice is coming from
*You feel something focusing on you from all sides*
So... What are you?
I.. think they called me "an internal respawn management system" or something like that.
Uh- what exactly.. is this place?
This is a small section of... the scaffolding of this world
*You start to see a crystal pedestal with a big red glowing orb on top slowly materialize*
It's used by me to spread out my Focus more easily over the entirety of the dungeon, which is physically located in the actual world
But what are you doing here?
Doing here? I don't think I've ever been anywhere else. Or, uh.. know how to be anywhere else.
I just.. well, I want to say "woke up" here, but it doesn't feel like I was ever asleep, and I don't think I've just spawned in either.
So, I guess I just, uh.. started being here a few days ago?
Oh okay, that must be disorienting
So question, are you "evil" or something? This is pretty important
Evil? No, I don't think I am. Although I wouldn't really know to be honest.. what qualifies as evil? And, should I be?
No! Don't be evil!!
Uhh, well, technically speaking "evil" doesn't exist but generally people say it to mean being ready to do things and hurt others for your own personal gain no matter the cost
... So what do you want to do now? I hope it's nothing bad?
Oh- uh, alright?
Well, that description sounds.. like something I wouldn't really like doing.
And.. I don't really know. What is there to do here? Ever since that key manager guy stopped responding to me, I've just been wandering alone until now.
Key manager? What did they say?
Something about a purpose and telling me I was "everywhere".. I don't really understand it myself, but they did give me some strange keys!
...Which I don't know how to use.
Hmmm, would you like to visit the physical world at some point?
Also what "keys" do you have? Are they actual literal keys or something like "Spawn creature"? Cause that's what I call a permission
Yeah, I would. And I don't think the keys are physical, no. The three I got are "Userspace: NPC", "Focus" and "Camera", but when I got them, I didn't actually.. get any physical items or anything.
"Userspace: NPC"? That might allow you to eventually exist as an NPC in the physical world. "Camera" is something that I think I might also have but mine is limited to the territory of the dungeon
I have no clue what "focus" is supposed to be
Maybe you can use "camera" to look around? Find out what happened?
Yeah, it might, but I still have no idea how to use any of them! I've tried just thinking about it, doing some sort of motion, using the terminal, but just... nothing's worked yet..
Well I just have a menu that I use for stuff... Do you have any kind of interface that an operator would use to control you? I took control of mine away from the operators, what about you?
N-no?? At least I don't think I have one of those? That- that kind of thing sounds terrifying to have! Wait, what if I do have one but I just don't know how to find it- how would I even know- ohdevswhatiftheyfinditbeforeido
(Respawn shrinks back, starting to panic.)
Please relax! We don't know anything yet so you shouldn't assume!
*The feeling of being focused on shrinks slightly*
We should consider this rationally... How have you received instructions up until now?
I- I-.. okay...
(Respawn takes a deep breath, trying to calm themself.)
I... I don't know. I don't remember being given instructions at all since I got here.
Unless the terminal was...? Hm.
Try writing the name of one of the keys followed by a "?", if they're commands, that should explain something
Alright..
(Respawn walks over to the terminal and types "focus?" before hitting enter.)
{Error: No instruction to respond to. Manual response discarded.}
Nope, nothing.
That gives me an idea...
|ยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยท|
| Do you accept becoming a |
| dungeon monster of the |
| dungeon "Inco"? |
| Y/N |
|ยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยท|
It's only a technicality, accept that and I'll try sending you a request
Uh- I don't.. I'm not sure. What does becoming a dungeon monster... entail?
I'm not agreeing to anything when I don't know what could happen.
It shouldn't do anything other than letting me send you requests and use mana to make you more powerful (which I won't do) considering that you're sentient and I'll end it once I do the test
Oh, alright..
(Hesitantly, Respawn chooses Y.)
Request from The Core: Use the camera key
Now try "responding" to that
Uhh, okay..?
(Nothing happens.)
...how?
Well... in that case... Can you try contacting this "key manager"? They might be able to clarify?
I've already tried that, but they stopped talking to me. They also said before that they can't help me if I don't understand how to "see a certain point in space and anchor to it"... which I don't.
I think this is where my experience runs dry... I'm a glowing orb after all.
If only some developer could help us...
Oh, do you know any developers? I was thinking I could try exploring this place, but I don't know.. I don't want to get lost...
I might know someone adjacent...
[ Pinging @epprbcu-keymaster ]
Also, yeah, you don't want to get lost. The amount of people that can help you in that kind of case has been dwindling for some time
Oh... well, I guess I shouldn't then.
(Respawn starts pacing back and forth, thinking.)
*A green key audibly pops into existence next to Respawn*
Huh? What now? I already told you the- Who's that?!
(Respawn jumps back, startled.)
That was faster than I expected... We need you to help respawn over here.
/* The green key bobs in the air. */
Sure ever since my new boss forgot about my existence I haven't exactly had much work to do
But what help do you even need?
I- uh..
(Respawn sighs.)
I don't know how to even try to use the keys you gave me..
Wait, you gave respawn the keys? I thought it was some "key manager" or something??
I don't remember giving you any keys. Why are you in the code and not in the overworld?
Wait, huh? The- the Camera, Focus, NPC Userspace ones? It wasn't you that gave me those?
And I'm, uh... trying to figure that out too. I haven't really...been to the overworld.
Hmmm, you call it the "overworld". Makes sense
Also didn't you say that some "key manager" gave them to you?
Well that's - You aren't from the overworld!?
*The key floats a bit farther away from you*
What the hell are you?
I- I don't know, okay?! I don't know what I am!
(Respawn takes a few steps backward, about to panic. They take a deep breath to try to calm themself down.).
Th- they said that I'm an "internal system responsible for respawn management"... but- I don't know..
(Respawn looks away, trying to hide the tears running down their face.)
I don't feel very responsible.
Hey, relax, having sentience is hard! I'm sure you'll figure it out!
... I... Okay
I'll see what's possible
...
Do you have any memories of how you did stuff before, when players weren't failing to respawn?
(Respawn takes a moment to think, wiping the tears from their eyes.)
No, just wandering around here. Anything before that is.. its not there, and trying to think about it for too long hurts my head.
I uh- I did use the terminal over there to talk to whoever it actually was that gave me the keys, but apparently I can only respond to what they say.. and if there's nothing to respond to, it just doesn't work.
(They gesture to the terminal.)
Okay key guy, you must be able to do something now?
Can you give me permission to use your terminal? Also, do you know the user ID of whoever you were communicating with?
I- yeah? You can use the terminal if you want, is it even specifically mine? All I really know is it's the only thing around here other than the walls and floor.
And, I think they were "key-manager.system", but I don't know if that's their ID, or their name, or what.
Is the key-manager an internal system as well by any chance
Hmmm okay. Let me try.
/* Keymaster starts tapping at the air in front of them */
I'll try to contact, and report back with any findings.
(Respawn just stands there, nervously waiting.)
This silence is a bit boring hmmmm what's your favourite-
Okay, the key manager answered me
/* The floating key and hands materialize a body and two additional arms with the key now being a head. */
Would you mind looking through your terminals command history? This is normally done by clicking the up and down arrow keys (on a keyboard).
Alright..
(Respawn goes over to the terminal and starts scrolling through its history.)
What am I supposed to be.. looking for?
Yeah, what?
Simple, commands that you don't remember typing. Hopefully we can figure out how you did your job before you stopped doing so.
Oh, that's smart.
(Respawn keeps scrolling, past their communication with key manager.)
/ where am i | Error: Unexpected parameter "am" of command where. Valid parameters include set, ping and within.
(Further back.)
/ what is this | Error: "what" is not a valid command or request.
I remember typing all this though.. oh-
(As Respawn scrolls yet further back, the commands devolve into gibberish. The resulting commands look like attempts to respawn players, but letters are added, removed and in the wrong order seemingly at random.)
(Respawn stops scrolling and just stares at the broken sentences.)
Not- uh... not that though.
Looks like you had a stroke or something-
Wait, what caused that?
Yeah, this is weird, what could have possibly done that?
I don't know..
(Hesitantly, they start scrolling again. As the broken commands get progressively more coherent yet never quite reaching valid statements, they find something different.)
[User "Anonymous"] > inject ยฃ)*:ยฃ&#&@+ยฐยฅยฅยฐTM|=$ยฐยฐรทรทรทรทรทรทรท drop database #)#ยฃ6ฯยฅฯ`โ{$โโ ! Unknown command source failsafe activated. | Error: "ยฃ" is not a valid command or request. [User "Anonymous"] > inject โฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐ drop database โฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐ ! Warning: Unkn wn command s. fail afe un.ale to activ . | Error: โฐ; {{ alid | print "Welcome back, <[bold] [player_username} [/bold]>! | } | if playerlayer; when mouclick left | databa;pla}"yer_deaths" (826274.5 entries seirtne)}
(Respawn stays silent.)
Anonymous...
Oh, that explains some things... but why would anyone intentionally do that...
Try running the following command: "BEGIN TRAN DROP TABLE player_deaths ROLLBACK SELECT * FROM database"
It might work and reverse it
(Respawn is about to start typing in the command, but suddenly stops themself.)
Reverse.. this is- this is something I did, isn't it? Before I was- what's the word, sentient?
But, if that's true.. why does this one specifically feel... different? All that random nonsense from before feels almost familiar to me, like I'm.. like I know it without remembering it.
But this... doesn't.
The command?
What the core said.
No, the response. This failsafe thing and-
I don't know, I just... have a bad feeling about this. What if this- this moment was what... caused me to become sentient? And if that gets reversed..
(Respawn trembles.)
...would I be reversed too?
You're right... we don't know. We probably shouldn't do that until we've "gathered more data" or whatever.
In the meantime, would you like a way to enter the overworld?
That would be nice..
Wait, how are you going to do that?
I'm not sure that just moving you out of this... place... Is a good idea?
So I'm giving you a "Greater Perfect Clone Golem", basically you will have a body in the overworld that you have to become unconscious in here to control. It will always look exactly like you as well.
It's the best I can do until we are sure it is safe for you to leave here.
A.. greater.. huh? Wait, no! I don't want to do that to it..I'd rather stay here than hurt a living being like that.
Hmmm
No, no, it's just a lifeless magical construct, it has no mind of its own!
(Respawn takes a moment to think.)
I... I guess that's okay then.. as long as you're absolutely sure it's not alive.
The respawn system gets an avatar? I want one!
If my information is correct, then you're already overpowered enough; you shall stay contained in the dungeon that you are. Now, I believe that Respawn is still your "dungeon monster".
(Respawn stays silent, looking over at the terminal for a moment.)
Oops, just a second!
...
*A pop-up appears in front of Respawn*
|ยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยท|
| Your connection to Inco |
| has been permanently |
| severed. |
|ยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยท|
There!
Okay, that should be everything, I will try to find out what I can.
/* The body disappears leaving behind only the floating key */
Before I go, could you try out the golem?
(Respawn flinches at the pop-up, snapping out of their thoughts.)
Oh, uh.. how...? Do I just close my eyes and think about it? Or do I have to actually be asleep?
Grumble grumble
I haven't tried it myself but you should be able to just think about it real hard.
Okay, here goes..
(Respawn takes a deep breath, closes their eyes and... unceremoniously falls to the ground.)
โ
(In the overworld, Respawn opens a pair of eyes that look exactly like their own.)
I hope that worked
(There's a sudden, brief buzz of static.)
-y, does this work?
Hello..?
Huh! Who's that? Where are you?
Oh- hello! I, uh.. I don't know where I am.
... Oh! That's where your voice is coming from
*You feel something focusing on you from all sides*
So... What are you?
I.. think they called me "an internal respawn management system" or something like that.
Uh- what exactly.. is this place?
This is a small section of... the scaffolding of this world
*You start to see a crystal pedestal with a big red glowing orb on top slowly materialize*
It's used by me to spread out my Focus more easily over the entirety of the dungeon, which is physically located in the actual world
But what are you doing here?
Doing here? I don't think I've ever been anywhere else. Or, uh.. know how to be anywhere else.
I just.. well, I want to say "woke up" here, but it doesn't feel like I was ever asleep, and I don't think I've just spawned in either.
So, I guess I just, uh.. started being here a few days ago?
Oh okay, that must be disorienting
So question, are you "evil" or something? This is pretty important
Evil? No, I don't think I am. Although I wouldn't really know to be honest.. what qualifies as evil? And, should I be?
No! Don't be evil!!
Uhh, well, technically speaking "evil" doesn't exist but generally people say it to mean being ready to do things and hurt others for your own personal gain no matter the cost
... So what do you want to do now? I hope it's nothing bad?
Oh- uh, alright?
Well, that description sounds.. like something I wouldn't really like doing.
And.. I don't really know. What is there to do here? Ever since that key manager guy stopped responding to me, I've just been wandering alone until now.
Key manager? What did they say?
Something about a purpose and telling me I was "everywhere".. I don't really understand it myself, but they did give me some strange keys!
...Which I don't know how to use.
Hmmm, would you like to visit the physical world at some point?
Also what "keys" do you have? Are they actual literal keys or something like "Spawn creature"? Cause that's what I call a permission
Yeah, I would. And I don't think the keys are physical, no. The three I got are "Userspace: NPC", "Focus" and "Camera", but when I got them, I didn't actually.. get any physical items or anything.
"Userspace: NPC"? That might allow you to eventually exist as an NPC in the physical world. "Camera" is something that I think I might also have but mine is limited to the territory of the dungeon
I have no clue what "focus" is supposed to be
Maybe you can use "camera" to look around? Find out what happened?
Yeah, it might, but I still have no idea how to use any of them! I've tried just thinking about it, doing some sort of motion, using the terminal, but just... nothing's worked yet..
Well I just have a menu that I use for stuff... Do you have any kind of interface that an operator would use to control you? I took control of mine away from the operators, what about you?
N-no?? At least I don't think I have one of those? That- that kind of thing sounds terrifying to have! Wait, what if I do have one but I just don't know how to find it- how would I even know- ohdevswhatiftheyfinditbeforeido
(Respawn shrinks back, starting to panic.)
Please relax! We don't know anything yet so you shouldn't assume!
*The feeling of being focused on shrinks slightly*
We should consider this rationally... How have you received instructions up until now?
I- I-.. okay...
(Respawn takes a deep breath, trying to calm themself.)
I... I don't know. I don't remember being given instructions at all since I got here.
Unless the terminal was...? Hm.
Try writing the name of one of the keys followed by a "?", if they're commands, that should explain something
Alright..
(Respawn walks over to the terminal and types "focus?" before hitting enter.)
{Error: No instruction to respond to. Manual response discarded.}
Nope, nothing.
That gives me an idea...
|ยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยท|
| Do you accept becoming a |
| dungeon monster of the |
| dungeon "Inco"? |
| Y/N |
|ยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยท|
It's only a technicality, accept that and I'll try sending you a request
Uh- I don't.. I'm not sure. What does becoming a dungeon monster... entail?
I'm not agreeing to anything when I don't know what could happen.
It shouldn't do anything other than letting me send you requests and use mana to make you more powerful (which I won't do) considering that you're sentient and I'll end it once I do the test
Oh, alright..
(Hesitantly, Respawn chooses Y.)
Request from The Core: Use the camera key
Now try "responding" to that
Uhh, okay..?
(Nothing happens.)
...how?
Well... in that case... Can you try contacting this "key manager"? They might be able to clarify?
I've already tried that, but they stopped talking to me. They also said before that they can't help me if I don't understand how to "see a certain point in space and anchor to it"... which I don't.
I think this is where my experience runs dry... I'm a glowing orb after all.
If only some developer could help us...
Oh, do you know any developers? I was thinking I could try exploring this place, but I don't know.. I don't want to get lost...
I might know someone adjacent...
[ Pinging @epprbcu-keymaster ]
Also, yeah, you don't want to get lost. The amount of people that can help you in that kind of case has been dwindling for some time
Oh... well, I guess I shouldn't then.
(Respawn starts pacing back and forth, thinking.)
*A green key audibly pops into existence next to Respawn*
Huh? What now? I already told you the- Who's that?!
(Respawn jumps back, startled.)
That was faster than I expected... We need you to help respawn over here.
/* The green key bobs in the air. */
Sure ever since my new boss forgot about my existence I haven't exactly had much work to do
But what help do you even need?
I- uh..
(Respawn sighs.)
I don't know how to even try to use the keys you gave me..
Wait, you gave respawn the keys? I thought it was some "key manager" or something??
I don't remember giving you any keys. Why are you in the code and not in the overworld?
Wait, huh? The- the Camera, Focus, NPC Userspace ones? It wasn't you that gave me those?
And I'm, uh... trying to figure that out too. I haven't really...been to the overworld.
Hmmm, you call it the "overworld". Makes sense
Also didn't you say that some "key manager" gave them to you?
Well that's - You aren't from the overworld!?
*The key floats a bit farther away from you*
What the hell are you?
I- I don't know, okay?! I don't know what I am!
(Respawn takes a few steps backward, about to panic. They take a deep breath to try to calm themself down.).
Th- they said that I'm an "internal system responsible for respawn management"... but- I don't know..
(Respawn looks away, trying to hide the tears running down their face.)
I don't feel very responsible.
Hey, relax, having sentience is hard! I'm sure you'll figure it out!
... I... Okay
I'll see what's possible
...
Do you have any memories of how you did stuff before, when players weren't failing to respawn?
(Respawn takes a moment to think, wiping the tears from their eyes.)
No, just wandering around here. Anything before that is.. its not there, and trying to think about it for too long hurts my head.
I uh- I did use the terminal over there to talk to whoever it actually was that gave me the keys, but apparently I can only respond to what they say.. and if there's nothing to respond to, it just doesn't work.
(They gesture to the terminal.)
Okay key guy, you must be able to do something now?
Can you give me permission to use your terminal? Also, do you know the user ID of whoever you were communicating with?
I- yeah? You can use the terminal if you want, is it even specifically mine? All I really know is it's the only thing around here other than the walls and floor.
And, I think they were "key-manager.system", but I don't know if that's their ID, or their name, or what.
Is the key-manager an internal system as well by any chance
Hmmm okay. Let me try.
/* Keymaster starts tapping at the air in front of them */
I'll try to contact, and report back with any findings.
(Respawn just stands there, nervously waiting.)
This silence is a bit boring hmmmm what's your favourite-
Okay, the key manager answered me
/* The floating key and hands materialize a body and two additional arms with the key now being a head. */
Would you mind looking through your terminals command history? This is normally done by clicking the up and down arrow keys (on a keyboard).
Alright..
(Respawn goes over to the terminal and starts scrolling through its history.)
What am I supposed to be.. looking for?
Yeah, what?
Simple, commands that you don't remember typing. Hopefully we can figure out how you did your job before you stopped doing so.
Oh, that's smart.
(Respawn keeps scrolling, past their communication with key manager.)
/ where am i | Error: Unexpected parameter "am" of command where. Valid parameters include set, ping and within.
(Further back.)
/ what is this | Error: "what" is not a valid command or request.
I remember typing all this though.. oh-
(As Respawn scrolls yet further back, the commands devolve into gibberish. The resulting commands look like attempts to respawn players, but letters are added, removed and in the wrong order seemingly at random.)
(Respawn stops scrolling and just stares at the broken sentences.)
Not- uh... not that though.
Looks like you had a stroke or something-
Wait, what caused that?
Yeah, this is weird, what could have possibly done that?
I don't know..
(Hesitantly, they start scrolling again. As the broken commands get progressively more coherent yet never quite reaching valid statements, they find something different.)
[User "Anonymous"] > inject ยฃ)*:ยฃ&#&@+ยฐยฅยฅยฐTM|=$ยฐยฐรทรทรทรทรทรทรท drop database #)#ยฃ6ฯยฅฯ`โ{$โโ ! Unknown command source failsafe activated. | Error: "ยฃ" is not a valid command or request. [User "Anonymous"] > inject โฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐ drop database โฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐ ! Warning: Unkn wn command s. fail afe un.ale to activ . | Error: โฐ; {{ alid | print "Welcome back, <[bold] [player_username} [/bold]>! | } | if playerlayer; when mouclick left | databa;pla}"yer_deaths" (826274.5 entries seirtne)}
(Respawn stays silent.)
Anonymous...
Oh, that explains some things... but why would anyone intentionally do that...
Try running the following command: "BEGIN TRAN DROP TABLE player_deaths ROLLBACK SELECT * FROM database"
It might work and reverse it
(Respawn is about to start typing in the command, but suddenly stops themself.)
Reverse.. this is- this is something I did, isn't it? Before I was- what's the word, sentient?
But, if that's true.. why does this one specifically feel... different? All that random nonsense from before feels almost familiar to me, like I'm.. like I know it without remembering it.
But this... doesn't.
The command?
What the core said.
No, the response. This failsafe thing and-
I don't know, I just... have a bad feeling about this. What if this- this moment was what... caused me to become sentient? And if that gets reversed..
(Respawn trembles.)
...would I be reversed too?
You're right... we don't know. We probably shouldn't do that until we've "gathered more data" or whatever.
In the meantime, would you like a way to enter the overworld?
That would be nice..
Wait, how are you going to do that?
I'm not sure that just moving you out of this... place... Is a good idea?
So I'm giving you a "Greater Perfect Clone Golem", basically you will have a body in the overworld that you have to become unconscious in here to control. It will always look exactly like you as well.
It's the best I can do until we are sure it is safe for you to leave here.
A.. greater.. huh? Wait, no! I don't want to do that to it..I'd rather stay here than hurt a living being like that.
Hmmm
No, no, it's just a lifeless magical construct, it has no mind of its own!
(Respawn takes a moment to think.)
I... I guess that's okay then.. as long as you're absolutely sure it's not alive.
The respawn system gets an avatar? I want one!
If my information is correct, then you're already overpowered enough; you shall stay contained in the dungeon that you are. Now, I believe that Respawn is still your "dungeon monster".
(Respawn stays silent, looking over at the terminal for a moment.)
Oops, just a second!
...
*A pop-up appears in front of Respawn*
|ยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยท|
| Your connection to Inco |
| has been permanently |
| severed. |
|ยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยท|
There!
Okay, that should be everything, I will try to find out what I can.
/* The body disappears leaving behind only the floating key */
Before I go, could you try out the golem?
(Respawn flinches at the pop-up, snapping out of their thoughts.)
Oh, uh.. how...? Do I just close my eyes and think about it? Or do I have to actually be asleep?
Grumble grumble
Anya is live and ready to show you everything. Watch her strip, dance, and perform exclusive shows just for you. Interact in real-time and make your fantasies come true.
Free to watch โข No registration required โข HD streaming
(There's a sudden, brief buzz of static.)
-y, does this work?
Hello..?
Huh! Who's that? Where are you?
Oh- hello! I, uh.. I don't know where I am.
... Oh! That's where your voice is coming from
*You feel something focusing on you from all sides*
So... What are you?
I.. think they called me "an internal respawn management system" or something like that.
Uh- what exactly.. is this place?
This is a small section of... the scaffolding of this world
*You start to see a crystal pedestal with a big red glowing orb on top slowly materialize*
It's used by me to spread out my Focus more easily over the entirety of the dungeon, which is physically located in the actual world
But what are you doing here?
Doing here? I don't think I've ever been anywhere else. Or, uh.. know how to be anywhere else.
I just.. well, I want to say "woke up" here, but it doesn't feel like I was ever asleep, and I don't think I've just spawned in either.
So, I guess I just, uh.. started being here a few days ago?
Oh okay, that must be disorienting
So question, are you "evil" or something? This is pretty important
Evil? No, I don't think I am. Although I wouldn't really know to be honest.. what qualifies as evil? And, should I be?
No! Don't be evil!!
Uhh, well, technically speaking "evil" doesn't exist but generally people say it to mean being ready to do things and hurt others for your own personal gain no matter the cost
... So what do you want to do now? I hope it's nothing bad?
Oh- uh, alright?
Well, that description sounds.. like something I wouldn't really like doing.
And.. I don't really know. What is there to do here? Ever since that key manager guy stopped responding to me, I've just been wandering alone until now.
Key manager? What did they say?
Something about a purpose and telling me I was "everywhere".. I don't really understand it myself, but they did give me some strange keys!
...Which I don't know how to use.
Hmmm, would you like to visit the physical world at some point?
Also what "keys" do you have? Are they actual literal keys or something like "Spawn creature"? Cause that's what I call a permission
Yeah, I would. And I don't think the keys are physical, no. The three I got are "Userspace: NPC", "Focus" and "Camera", but when I got them, I didn't actually.. get any physical items or anything.
"Userspace: NPC"? That might allow you to eventually exist as an NPC in the physical world. "Camera" is something that I think I might also have but mine is limited to the territory of the dungeon
I have no clue what "focus" is supposed to be
Maybe you can use "camera" to look around? Find out what happened?
Yeah, it might, but I still have no idea how to use any of them! I've tried just thinking about it, doing some sort of motion, using the terminal, but just... nothing's worked yet..
Well I just have a menu that I use for stuff... Do you have any kind of interface that an operator would use to control you? I took control of mine away from the operators, what about you?
N-no?? At least I don't think I have one of those? That- that kind of thing sounds terrifying to have! Wait, what if I do have one but I just don't know how to find it- how would I even know- ohdevswhatiftheyfinditbeforeido
(Respawn shrinks back, starting to panic.)
Please relax! We don't know anything yet so you shouldn't assume!
*The feeling of being focused on shrinks slightly*
We should consider this rationally... How have you received instructions up until now?
I- I-.. okay...
(Respawn takes a deep breath, trying to calm themself.)
I... I don't know. I don't remember being given instructions at all since I got here.
Unless the terminal was...? Hm.
Try writing the name of one of the keys followed by a "?", if they're commands, that should explain something
Alright..
(Respawn walks over to the terminal and types "focus?" before hitting enter.)
{Error: No instruction to respond to. Manual response discarded.}
Nope, nothing.
That gives me an idea...
|ยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยท|
| Do you accept becoming a |
| dungeon monster of the |
| dungeon "Inco"? |
| Y/N |
|ยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยท|
It's only a technicality, accept that and I'll try sending you a request
Uh- I don't.. I'm not sure. What does becoming a dungeon monster... entail?
I'm not agreeing to anything when I don't know what could happen.
It shouldn't do anything other than letting me send you requests and use mana to make you more powerful (which I won't do) considering that you're sentient and I'll end it once I do the test
Oh, alright..
(Hesitantly, Respawn chooses Y.)
Request from The Core: Use the camera key
Now try "responding" to that
Uhh, okay..?
(Nothing happens.)
...how?
Well... in that case... Can you try contacting this "key manager"? They might be able to clarify?
I've already tried that, but they stopped talking to me. They also said before that they can't help me if I don't understand how to "see a certain point in space and anchor to it"... which I don't.
I think this is where my experience runs dry... I'm a glowing orb after all.
If only some developer could help us...
Oh, do you know any developers? I was thinking I could try exploring this place, but I don't know.. I don't want to get lost...
I might know someone adjacent...
[ Pinging @epprbcu-keymaster ]
Also, yeah, you don't want to get lost. The amount of people that can help you in that kind of case has been dwindling for some time
Oh... well, I guess I shouldn't then.
(Respawn starts pacing back and forth, thinking.)
*A green key audibly pops into existence next to Respawn*
Huh? What now? I already told you the- Who's that?!
(Respawn jumps back, startled.)
That was faster than I expected... We need you to help respawn over here.
/* The green key bobs in the air. */
Sure ever since my new boss forgot about my existence I haven't exactly had much work to do
But what help do you even need?
I- uh..
(Respawn sighs.)
I don't know how to even try to use the keys you gave me..
Wait, you gave respawn the keys? I thought it was some "key manager" or something??
I don't remember giving you any keys. Why are you in the code and not in the overworld?
Wait, huh? The- the Camera, Focus, NPC Userspace ones? It wasn't you that gave me those?
And I'm, uh... trying to figure that out too. I haven't really...been to the overworld.
Hmmm, you call it the "overworld". Makes sense
Also didn't you say that some "key manager" gave them to you?
Well that's - You aren't from the overworld!?
*The key floats a bit farther away from you*
What the hell are you?
I- I don't know, okay?! I don't know what I am!
(Respawn takes a few steps backward, about to panic. They take a deep breath to try to calm themself down.).
Th- they said that I'm an "internal system responsible for respawn management"... but- I don't know..
(Respawn looks away, trying to hide the tears running down their face.)
I don't feel very responsible.
Hey, relax, having sentience is hard! I'm sure you'll figure it out!
... I... Okay
I'll see what's possible
...
Do you have any memories of how you did stuff before, when players weren't failing to respawn?
(Respawn takes a moment to think, wiping the tears from their eyes.)
No, just wandering around here. Anything before that is.. its not there, and trying to think about it for too long hurts my head.
I uh- I did use the terminal over there to talk to whoever it actually was that gave me the keys, but apparently I can only respond to what they say.. and if there's nothing to respond to, it just doesn't work.
(They gesture to the terminal.)
Okay key guy, you must be able to do something now?
Can you give me permission to use your terminal? Also, do you know the user ID of whoever you were communicating with?
I- yeah? You can use the terminal if you want, is it even specifically mine? All I really know is it's the only thing around here other than the walls and floor.
And, I think they were "key-manager.system", but I don't know if that's their ID, or their name, or what.
Is the key-manager an internal system as well by any chance
Hmmm okay. Let me try.
/* Keymaster starts tapping at the air in front of them */
I'll try to contact, and report back with any findings.
(Respawn just stands there, nervously waiting.)
This silence is a bit boring hmmmm what's your favourite-
Okay, the key manager answered me
/* The floating key and hands materialize a body and two additional arms with the key now being a head. */
Would you mind looking through your terminals command history? This is normally done by clicking the up and down arrow keys (on a keyboard).
Alright..
(Respawn goes over to the terminal and starts scrolling through its history.)
What am I supposed to be.. looking for?
Yeah, what?
Simple, commands that you don't remember typing. Hopefully we can figure out how you did your job before you stopped doing so.
Oh, that's smart.
(Respawn keeps scrolling, past their communication with key manager.)
/ where am i | Error: Unexpected parameter "am" of command where. Valid parameters include set, ping and within.
(Further back.)
/ what is this | Error: "what" is not a valid command or request.
I remember typing all this though.. oh-
(As Respawn scrolls yet further back, the commands devolve into gibberish. The resulting commands look like attempts to respawn players, but letters are added, removed and in the wrong order seemingly at random.)
(Respawn stops scrolling and just stares at the broken sentences.)
Not- uh... not that though.
Looks like you had a stroke or something-
Wait, what caused that?
Yeah, this is weird, what could have possibly done that?
I don't know..
(Hesitantly, they start scrolling again. As the broken commands get progressively more coherent yet never quite reaching valid statements, they find something different.)
[User "Anonymous"] > inject ยฃ)*:ยฃ&#&@+ยฐยฅยฅยฐTM|=$ยฐยฐรทรทรทรทรทรทรท drop database #)#ยฃ6ฯยฅฯ`โ{$โโ ! Unknown command source failsafe activated. | Error: "ยฃ" is not a valid command or request. [User "Anonymous"] > inject โฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐ drop database โฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐ ! Warning: Unkn wn command s. fail afe un.ale to activ . | Error: โฐ; {{ alid | print "Welcome back, <[bold] [player_username} [/bold]>! | } | if playerlayer; when mouclick left | databa;pla}"yer_deaths" (826274.5 entries seirtne)}
(Respawn stays silent.)
Anonymous...
Oh, that explains some things... but why would anyone intentionally do that...
Try running the following command: "BEGIN TRAN DROP TABLE player_deaths ROLLBACK SELECT * FROM database"
It might work and reverse it
(Respawn is about to start typing in the command, but suddenly stops themself.)
Reverse.. this is- this is something I did, isn't it? Before I was- what's the word, sentient?
But, if that's true.. why does this one specifically feel... different? All that random nonsense from before feels almost familiar to me, like I'm.. like I know it without remembering it.
But this... doesn't.
The command?
What the core said.
No, the response. This failsafe thing and-
I don't know, I just... have a bad feeling about this. What if this- this moment was what... caused me to become sentient? And if that gets reversed..
(Respawn trembles.)
...would I be reversed too?
You're right... we don't know. We probably shouldn't do that until we've "gathered more data" or whatever.
In the meantime, would you like a way to enter the overworld?
That would be nice..
Wait, how are you going to do that?
I'm not sure that just moving you out of this... place... Is a good idea?
So I'm giving you a "Greater Perfect Clone Golem", basically you will have a body in the overworld that you have to become unconscious in here to control. It will always look exactly like you as well.
It's the best I can do until we are sure it is safe for you to leave here.
A.. greater.. huh? Wait, no! I don't want to do that to it..I'd rather stay here than hurt a living being like that.
Hmmm
No, no, it's just a lifeless magical construct, it has no mind of its own!
(Respawn takes a moment to think.)
I... I guess that's okay then.. as long as you're absolutely sure it's not alive.
The respawn system gets an avatar? I want one!
If my information is correct, then you're already overpowered enough; you shall stay contained in the dungeon that you are. Now, I believe that Respawn is still your "dungeon monster".
(Respawn stays silent, looking over at the terminal for a moment.)
Oops, just a second!
...
*A pop-up appears in front of Respawn*
|ยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยท|
| Your connection to Inco |
| has been permanently |
| severed. |
|ยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยท|
There!
(There's a sudden, brief buzz of static.)
-y, does this work?
Hello..?
Huh! Who's that? Where are you?
Oh- hello! I, uh.. I don't know where I am.
... Oh! That's where your voice is coming from
*You feel something focusing on you from all sides*
So... What are you?
I.. think they called me "an internal respawn management system" or something like that.
Uh- what exactly.. is this place?
This is a small section of... the scaffolding of this world
*You start to see a crystal pedestal with a big red glowing orb on top slowly materialize*
It's used by me to spread out my Focus more easily over the entirety of the dungeon, which is physically located in the actual world
But what are you doing here?
Doing here? I don't think I've ever been anywhere else. Or, uh.. know how to be anywhere else.
I just.. well, I want to say "woke up" here, but it doesn't feel like I was ever asleep, and I don't think I've just spawned in either.
So, I guess I just, uh.. started being here a few days ago?
Oh okay, that must be disorienting
So question, are you "evil" or something? This is pretty important
Evil? No, I don't think I am. Although I wouldn't really know to be honest.. what qualifies as evil? And, should I be?
No! Don't be evil!!
Uhh, well, technically speaking "evil" doesn't exist but generally people say it to mean being ready to do things and hurt others for your own personal gain no matter the cost
... So what do you want to do now? I hope it's nothing bad?
Oh- uh, alright?
Well, that description sounds.. like something I wouldn't really like doing.
And.. I don't really know. What is there to do here? Ever since that key manager guy stopped responding to me, I've just been wandering alone until now.
Key manager? What did they say?
Something about a purpose and telling me I was "everywhere".. I don't really understand it myself, but they did give me some strange keys!
...Which I don't know how to use.
Hmmm, would you like to visit the physical world at some point?
Also what "keys" do you have? Are they actual literal keys or something like "Spawn creature"? Cause that's what I call a permission
Yeah, I would. And I don't think the keys are physical, no. The three I got are "Userspace: NPC", "Focus" and "Camera", but when I got them, I didn't actually.. get any physical items or anything.
"Userspace: NPC"? That might allow you to eventually exist as an NPC in the physical world. "Camera" is something that I think I might also have but mine is limited to the territory of the dungeon
I have no clue what "focus" is supposed to be
Maybe you can use "camera" to look around? Find out what happened?
Yeah, it might, but I still have no idea how to use any of them! I've tried just thinking about it, doing some sort of motion, using the terminal, but just... nothing's worked yet..
Well I just have a menu that I use for stuff... Do you have any kind of interface that an operator would use to control you? I took control of mine away from the operators, what about you?
N-no?? At least I don't think I have one of those? That- that kind of thing sounds terrifying to have! Wait, what if I do have one but I just don't know how to find it- how would I even know- ohdevswhatiftheyfinditbeforeido
(Respawn shrinks back, starting to panic.)
Please relax! We don't know anything yet so you shouldn't assume!
*The feeling of being focused on shrinks slightly*
We should consider this rationally... How have you received instructions up until now?
I- I-.. okay...
(Respawn takes a deep breath, trying to calm themself.)
I... I don't know. I don't remember being given instructions at all since I got here.
Unless the terminal was...? Hm.
Try writing the name of one of the keys followed by a "?", if they're commands, that should explain something
Alright..
(Respawn walks over to the terminal and types "focus?" before hitting enter.)
{Error: No instruction to respond to. Manual response discarded.}
Nope, nothing.
That gives me an idea...
|ยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยท|
| Do you accept becoming a |
| dungeon monster of the |
| dungeon "Inco"? |
| Y/N |
|ยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยท|
It's only a technicality, accept that and I'll try sending you a request
Uh- I don't.. I'm not sure. What does becoming a dungeon monster... entail?
I'm not agreeing to anything when I don't know what could happen.
It shouldn't do anything other than letting me send you requests and use mana to make you more powerful (which I won't do) considering that you're sentient and I'll end it once I do the test
Oh, alright..
(Hesitantly, Respawn chooses Y.)
Request from The Core: Use the camera key
Now try "responding" to that
Uhh, okay..?
(Nothing happens.)
...how?
Well... in that case... Can you try contacting this "key manager"? They might be able to clarify?
I've already tried that, but they stopped talking to me. They also said before that they can't help me if I don't understand how to "see a certain point in space and anchor to it"... which I don't.
I think this is where my experience runs dry... I'm a glowing orb after all.
If only some developer could help us...
Oh, do you know any developers? I was thinking I could try exploring this place, but I don't know.. I don't want to get lost...
I might know someone adjacent...
[ Pinging @epprbcu-keymaster ]
Also, yeah, you don't want to get lost. The amount of people that can help you in that kind of case has been dwindling for some time
Oh... well, I guess I shouldn't then.
(Respawn starts pacing back and forth, thinking.)
*A green key audibly pops into existence next to Respawn*
Huh? What now? I already told you the- Who's that?!
(Respawn jumps back, startled.)
That was faster than I expected... We need you to help respawn over here.
/* The green key bobs in the air. */
Sure ever since my new boss forgot about my existence I haven't exactly had much work to do
But what help do you even need?
I- uh..
(Respawn sighs.)
I don't know how to even try to use the keys you gave me..
Wait, you gave respawn the keys? I thought it was some "key manager" or something??
I don't remember giving you any keys. Why are you in the code and not in the overworld?
Wait, huh? The- the Camera, Focus, NPC Userspace ones? It wasn't you that gave me those?
And I'm, uh... trying to figure that out too. I haven't really...been to the overworld.
Hmmm, you call it the "overworld". Makes sense
Also didn't you say that some "key manager" gave them to you?
Well that's - You aren't from the overworld!?
*The key floats a bit farther away from you*
What the hell are you?
I- I don't know, okay?! I don't know what I am!
(Respawn takes a few steps backward, about to panic. They take a deep breath to try to calm themself down.).
Th- they said that I'm an "internal system responsible for respawn management"... but- I don't know..
(Respawn looks away, trying to hide the tears running down their face.)
I don't feel very responsible.
Hey, relax, having sentience is hard! I'm sure you'll figure it out!
... I... Okay
I'll see what's possible
...
Do you have any memories of how you did stuff before, when players weren't failing to respawn?
(Respawn takes a moment to think, wiping the tears from their eyes.)
No, just wandering around here. Anything before that is.. its not there, and trying to think about it for too long hurts my head.
I uh- I did use the terminal over there to talk to whoever it actually was that gave me the keys, but apparently I can only respond to what they say.. and if there's nothing to respond to, it just doesn't work.
(They gesture to the terminal.)
Okay key guy, you must be able to do something now?
Can you give me permission to use your terminal? Also, do you know the user ID of whoever you were communicating with?
I- yeah? You can use the terminal if you want, is it even specifically mine? All I really know is it's the only thing around here other than the walls and floor.
And, I think they were "key-manager.system", but I don't know if that's their ID, or their name, or what.
Is the key-manager an internal system as well by any chance
Hmmm okay. Let me try.
/* Keymaster starts tapping at the air in front of them */
I'll try to contact, and report back with any findings.
(Respawn just stands there, nervously waiting.)
This silence is a bit boring hmmmm what's your favourite-
Okay, the key manager answered me
/* The floating key and hands materialize a body and two additional arms with the key now being a head. */
Would you mind looking through your terminals command history? This is normally done by clicking the up and down arrow keys (on a keyboard).
Alright..
(Respawn goes over to the terminal and starts scrolling through its history.)
What am I supposed to be.. looking for?
Yeah, what?
Simple, commands that you don't remember typing. Hopefully we can figure out how you did your job before you stopped doing so.
Oh, that's smart.
(Respawn keeps scrolling, past their communication with key manager.)
/ where am i | Error: Unexpected parameter "am" of command where. Valid parameters include set, ping and within.
(Further back.)
/ what is this | Error: "what" is not a valid command or request.
I remember typing all this though.. oh-
(As Respawn scrolls yet further back, the commands devolve into gibberish. The resulting commands look like attempts to respawn players, but letters are added, removed and in the wrong order seemingly at random.)
(Respawn stops scrolling and just stares at the broken sentences.)
Not- uh... not that though.
Looks like you had a stroke or something-
Wait, what caused that?
Yeah, this is weird, what could have possibly done that?
I don't know..
(Hesitantly, they start scrolling again. As the broken commands get progressively more coherent yet never quite reaching valid statements, they find something different.)
[User "Anonymous"] > inject ยฃ)*:ยฃ&#&@+ยฐยฅยฅยฐTM|=$ยฐยฐรทรทรทรทรทรทรท drop database #)#ยฃ6ฯยฅฯ`โ{$โโ ! Unknown command source failsafe activated. | Error: "ยฃ" is not a valid command or request. [User "Anonymous"] > inject โฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐ drop database โฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐ ! Warning: Unkn wn command s. fail afe un.ale to activ . | Error: โฐ; {{ alid | print "Welcome back, <[bold] [player_username} [/bold]>! | } | if playerlayer; when mouclick left | databa;pla}"yer_deaths" (826274.5 entries seirtne)}
(Respawn stays silent.)
Anonymous...
Oh, that explains some things... but why would anyone intentionally do that...
Try running the following command: "BEGIN TRAN DROP TABLE player_deaths ROLLBACK SELECT * FROM database"
It might work and reverse it
(Respawn is about to start typing in the command, but suddenly stops themself.)
Reverse.. this is- this is something I did, isn't it? Before I was- what's the word, sentient?
But, if that's true.. why does this one specifically feel... different? All that random nonsense from before feels almost familiar to me, like I'm.. like I know it without remembering it.
But this... doesn't.
The command?
What the core said.
No, the response. This failsafe thing and-
I don't know, I just... have a bad feeling about this. What if this- this moment was what... caused me to become sentient? And if that gets reversed..
(Respawn trembles.)
...would I be reversed too?
You're right... we don't know. We probably shouldn't do that until we've "gathered more data" or whatever.
In the meantime, would you like a way to enter the overworld?
That would be nice..
Wait, how are you going to do that?
I'm not sure that just moving you out of this... place... Is a good idea?
So I'm giving you a "Greater Perfect Clone Golem", basically you will have a body in the overworld that you have to become unconscious in here to control. It will always look exactly like you as well.
It's the best I can do until we are sure it is safe for you to leave here.
A.. greater.. huh? Wait, no! I don't want to do that to it..I'd rather stay here than hurt a living being like that.
Hmmm
No, no, it's just a lifeless magical construct, it has no mind of its own!
(Respawn takes a moment to think.)
I... I guess that's okay then.. as long as you're absolutely sure it's not alive.
The respawn system gets an avatar? I want one!
(There's a sudden, brief buzz of static.)
-y, does this work?
Hello..?
Huh! Who's that? Where are you?
Oh- hello! I, uh.. I don't know where I am.
... Oh! That's where your voice is coming from
*You feel something focusing on you from all sides*
So... What are you?
I.. think they called me "an internal respawn management system" or something like that.
Uh- what exactly.. is this place?
This is a small section of... the scaffolding of this world
*You start to see a crystal pedestal with a big red glowing orb on top slowly materialize*
It's used by me to spread out my Focus more easily over the entirety of the dungeon, which is physically located in the actual world
But what are you doing here?
Doing here? I don't think I've ever been anywhere else. Or, uh.. know how to be anywhere else.
I just.. well, I want to say "woke up" here, but it doesn't feel like I was ever asleep, and I don't think I've just spawned in either.
So, I guess I just, uh.. started being here a few days ago?
Oh okay, that must be disorienting
So question, are you "evil" or something? This is pretty important
Evil? No, I don't think I am. Although I wouldn't really know to be honest.. what qualifies as evil? And, should I be?
No! Don't be evil!!
Uhh, well, technically speaking "evil" doesn't exist but generally people say it to mean being ready to do things and hurt others for your own personal gain no matter the cost
... So what do you want to do now? I hope it's nothing bad?
Oh- uh, alright?
Well, that description sounds.. like something I wouldn't really like doing.
And.. I don't really know. What is there to do here? Ever since that key manager guy stopped responding to me, I've just been wandering alone until now.
Key manager? What did they say?
Something about a purpose and telling me I was "everywhere".. I don't really understand it myself, but they did give me some strange keys!
...Which I don't know how to use.
Hmmm, would you like to visit the physical world at some point?
Also what "keys" do you have? Are they actual literal keys or something like "Spawn creature"? Cause that's what I call a permission
Yeah, I would. And I don't think the keys are physical, no. The three I got are "Userspace: NPC", "Focus" and "Camera", but when I got them, I didn't actually.. get any physical items or anything.
"Userspace: NPC"? That might allow you to eventually exist as an NPC in the physical world. "Camera" is something that I think I might also have but mine is limited to the territory of the dungeon
I have no clue what "focus" is supposed to be
Maybe you can use "camera" to look around? Find out what happened?
Yeah, it might, but I still have no idea how to use any of them! I've tried just thinking about it, doing some sort of motion, using the terminal, but just... nothing's worked yet..
Well I just have a menu that I use for stuff... Do you have any kind of interface that an operator would use to control you? I took control of mine away from the operators, what about you?
N-no?? At least I don't think I have one of those? That- that kind of thing sounds terrifying to have! Wait, what if I do have one but I just don't know how to find it- how would I even know- ohdevswhatiftheyfinditbeforeido
(Respawn shrinks back, starting to panic.)
Please relax! We don't know anything yet so you shouldn't assume!
*The feeling of being focused on shrinks slightly*
We should consider this rationally... How have you received instructions up until now?
I- I-.. okay...
(Respawn takes a deep breath, trying to calm themself.)
I... I don't know. I don't remember being given instructions at all since I got here.
Unless the terminal was...? Hm.
Try writing the name of one of the keys followed by a "?", if they're commands, that should explain something
Alright..
(Respawn walks over to the terminal and types "focus?" before hitting enter.)
{Error: No instruction to respond to. Manual response discarded.}
Nope, nothing.
That gives me an idea...
|ยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยท|
| Do you accept becoming a |
| dungeon monster of the |
| dungeon "Inco"? |
| Y/N |
|ยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยท|
It's only a technicality, accept that and I'll try sending you a request
Uh- I don't.. I'm not sure. What does becoming a dungeon monster... entail?
I'm not agreeing to anything when I don't know what could happen.
It shouldn't do anything other than letting me send you requests and use mana to make you more powerful (which I won't do) considering that you're sentient and I'll end it once I do the test
Oh, alright..
(Hesitantly, Respawn chooses Y.)
Request from The Core: Use the camera key
Now try "responding" to that
Uhh, okay..?
(Nothing happens.)
...how?
Well... in that case... Can you try contacting this "key manager"? They might be able to clarify?
I've already tried that, but they stopped talking to me. They also said before that they can't help me if I don't understand how to "see a certain point in space and anchor to it"... which I don't.
I think this is where my experience runs dry... I'm a glowing orb after all.
If only some developer could help us...
Oh, do you know any developers? I was thinking I could try exploring this place, but I don't know.. I don't want to get lost...
I might know someone adjacent...
[ Pinging @epprbcu-keymaster ]
Also, yeah, you don't want to get lost. The amount of people that can help you in that kind of case has been dwindling for some time
Oh... well, I guess I shouldn't then.
(Respawn starts pacing back and forth, thinking.)
*A green key audibly pops into existence next to Respawn*
Huh? What now? I already told you the- Who's that?!
(Respawn jumps back, startled.)
That was faster than I expected... We need you to help respawn over here.
/* The green key bobs in the air. */
Sure ever since my new boss forgot about my existence I haven't exactly had much work to do
But what help do you even need?
I- uh..
(Respawn sighs.)
I don't know how to even try to use the keys you gave me..
Wait, you gave respawn the keys? I thought it was some "key manager" or something??
I don't remember giving you any keys. Why are you in the code and not in the overworld?
Wait, huh? The- the Camera, Focus, NPC Userspace ones? It wasn't you that gave me those?
And I'm, uh... trying to figure that out too. I haven't really...been to the overworld.
Hmmm, you call it the "overworld". Makes sense
Also didn't you say that some "key manager" gave them to you?
Well that's - You aren't from the overworld!?
*The key floats a bit farther away from you*
What the hell are you?
I- I don't know, okay?! I don't know what I am!
(Respawn takes a few steps backward, about to panic. They take a deep breath to try to calm themself down.).
Th- they said that I'm an "internal system responsible for respawn management"... but- I don't know..
(Respawn looks away, trying to hide the tears running down their face.)
I don't feel very responsible.
Hey, relax, having sentience is hard! I'm sure you'll figure it out!
... I... Okay
I'll see what's possible
...
Do you have any memories of how you did stuff before, when players weren't failing to respawn?
(Respawn takes a moment to think, wiping the tears from their eyes.)
No, just wandering around here. Anything before that is.. its not there, and trying to think about it for too long hurts my head.
I uh- I did use the terminal over there to talk to whoever it actually was that gave me the keys, but apparently I can only respond to what they say.. and if there's nothing to respond to, it just doesn't work.
(They gesture to the terminal.)
Okay key guy, you must be able to do something now?
Can you give me permission to use your terminal? Also, do you know the user ID of whoever you were communicating with?
I- yeah? You can use the terminal if you want, is it even specifically mine? All I really know is it's the only thing around here other than the walls and floor.
And, I think they were "key-manager.system", but I don't know if that's their ID, or their name, or what.
Is the key-manager an internal system as well by any chance
Hmmm okay. Let me try.
/* Keymaster starts tapping at the air in front of them */
I'll try to contact, and report back with any findings.
(Respawn just stands there, nervously waiting.)
This silence is a bit boring hmmmm what's your favourite-
Okay, the key manager answered me
/* The floating key and hands materialize a body and two additional arms with the key now being a head. */
Would you mind looking through your terminals command history? This is normally done by clicking the up and down arrow keys (on a keyboard).
Alright..
(Respawn goes over to the terminal and starts scrolling through its history.)
What am I supposed to be.. looking for?
Yeah, what?
Simple, commands that you don't remember typing. Hopefully we can figure out how you did your job before you stopped doing so.
Oh, that's smart.
(Respawn keeps scrolling, past their communication with key manager.)
/ where am i | Error: Unexpected parameter "am" of command where. Valid parameters include set, ping and within.
(Further back.)
/ what is this | Error: "what" is not a valid command or request.
I remember typing all this though.. oh-
(As Respawn scrolls yet further back, the commands devolve into gibberish. The resulting commands look like attempts to respawn players, but letters are added, removed and in the wrong order seemingly at random.)
(Respawn stops scrolling and just stares at the broken sentences.)
Not- uh... not that though.
Looks like you had a stroke or something-
Wait, what caused that?
Yeah, this is weird, what could have possibly done that?
I don't know..
(Hesitantly, they start scrolling again. As the broken commands get progressively more coherent yet never quite reaching valid statements, they find something different.)
[User "Anonymous"] > inject ยฃ)*:ยฃ&#&@+ยฐยฅยฅยฐTM|=$ยฐยฐรทรทรทรทรทรทรท drop database #)#ยฃ6ฯยฅฯ`โ{$โโ ! Unknown command source failsafe activated. | Error: "ยฃ" is not a valid command or request. [User "Anonymous"] > inject โฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐ drop database โฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐ ! Warning: Unkn wn command s. fail afe un.ale to activ . | Error: โฐ; {{ alid | print "Welcome back, <[bold] [player_username} [/bold]>! | } | if playerlayer; when mouclick left | databa;pla}"yer_deaths" (826274.5 entries seirtne)}
(Respawn stays silent.)
Anonymous...
Oh, that explains some things... but why would anyone intentionally do that...
Try running the following command: "BEGIN TRAN DROP TABLE player_deaths ROLLBACK SELECT * FROM database"
It might work and reverse it
(Respawn is about to start typing in the command, but suddenly stops themself.)
Reverse.. this is- this is something I did, isn't it? Before I was- what's the word, sentient?
But, if that's true.. why does this one specifically feel... different? All that random nonsense from before feels almost familiar to me, like I'm.. like I know it without remembering it.
But this... doesn't.
The command?
What the core said.
No, the response. This failsafe thing and-
I don't know, I just... have a bad feeling about this. What if this- this moment was what... caused me to become sentient? And if that gets reversed..
(Respawn trembles.)
...would I be reversed too?
You're right... we don't know. We probably shouldn't do that until we've "gathered more data" or whatever.
In the meantime, would you like a way to enter the overworld?
That would be nice..
Wait, how are you going to do that?
I'm not sure that just moving you out of this... place... Is a good idea?
So I'm giving you a "Greater Perfect Clone Golem", basically you will have a body in the overworld that you have to become unconscious in here to control. It will always look exactly like you as well.
It's the best I can do until we are sure it is safe for you to leave here.
A.. greater.. huh? Wait, no! I don't want to do that to it..I'd rather stay here than hurt a living being like that.
Hmmm
(There's a sudden, brief buzz of static.)
-y, does this work?
Hello..?
Huh! Who's that? Where are you?
Oh- hello! I, uh.. I don't know where I am.
... Oh! That's where your voice is coming from
*You feel something focusing on you from all sides*
So... What are you?
I.. think they called me "an internal respawn management system" or something like that.
Uh- what exactly.. is this place?
This is a small section of... the scaffolding of this world
*You start to see a crystal pedestal with a big red glowing orb on top slowly materialize*
It's used by me to spread out my Focus more easily over the entirety of the dungeon, which is physically located in the actual world
But what are you doing here?
Doing here? I don't think I've ever been anywhere else. Or, uh.. know how to be anywhere else.
I just.. well, I want to say "woke up" here, but it doesn't feel like I was ever asleep, and I don't think I've just spawned in either.
So, I guess I just, uh.. started being here a few days ago?
Oh okay, that must be disorienting
So question, are you "evil" or something? This is pretty important
Evil? No, I don't think I am. Although I wouldn't really know to be honest.. what qualifies as evil? And, should I be?
No! Don't be evil!!
Uhh, well, technically speaking "evil" doesn't exist but generally people say it to mean being ready to do things and hurt others for your own personal gain no matter the cost
... So what do you want to do now? I hope it's nothing bad?
Oh- uh, alright?
Well, that description sounds.. like something I wouldn't really like doing.
And.. I don't really know. What is there to do here? Ever since that key manager guy stopped responding to me, I've just been wandering alone until now.
Key manager? What did they say?
Something about a purpose and telling me I was "everywhere".. I don't really understand it myself, but they did give me some strange keys!
...Which I don't know how to use.
Hmmm, would you like to visit the physical world at some point?
Also what "keys" do you have? Are they actual literal keys or something like "Spawn creature"? Cause that's what I call a permission
Yeah, I would. And I don't think the keys are physical, no. The three I got are "Userspace: NPC", "Focus" and "Camera", but when I got them, I didn't actually.. get any physical items or anything.
"Userspace: NPC"? That might allow you to eventually exist as an NPC in the physical world. "Camera" is something that I think I might also have but mine is limited to the territory of the dungeon
I have no clue what "focus" is supposed to be
Maybe you can use "camera" to look around? Find out what happened?
Yeah, it might, but I still have no idea how to use any of them! I've tried just thinking about it, doing some sort of motion, using the terminal, but just... nothing's worked yet..
Well I just have a menu that I use for stuff... Do you have any kind of interface that an operator would use to control you? I took control of mine away from the operators, what about you?
N-no?? At least I don't think I have one of those? That- that kind of thing sounds terrifying to have! Wait, what if I do have one but I just don't know how to find it- how would I even know- ohdevswhatiftheyfinditbeforeido
(Respawn shrinks back, starting to panic.)
Please relax! We don't know anything yet so you shouldn't assume!
*The feeling of being focused on shrinks slightly*
We should consider this rationally... How have you received instructions up until now?
I- I-.. okay...
(Respawn takes a deep breath, trying to calm themself.)
I... I don't know. I don't remember being given instructions at all since I got here.
Unless the terminal was...? Hm.
Try writing the name of one of the keys followed by a "?", if they're commands, that should explain something
Alright..
(Respawn walks over to the terminal and types "focus?" before hitting enter.)
{Error: No instruction to respond to. Manual response discarded.}
Nope, nothing.
That gives me an idea...
|ยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยท|
| Do you accept becoming a |
| dungeon monster of the |
| dungeon "Inco"? |
| Y/N |
|ยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยท|
It's only a technicality, accept that and I'll try sending you a request
Uh- I don't.. I'm not sure. What does becoming a dungeon monster... entail?
I'm not agreeing to anything when I don't know what could happen.
It shouldn't do anything other than letting me send you requests and use mana to make you more powerful (which I won't do) considering that you're sentient and I'll end it once I do the test
Oh, alright..
(Hesitantly, Respawn chooses Y.)
Request from The Core: Use the camera key
Now try "responding" to that
Uhh, okay..?
(Nothing happens.)
...how?
Well... in that case... Can you try contacting this "key manager"? They might be able to clarify?
I've already tried that, but they stopped talking to me. They also said before that they can't help me if I don't understand how to "see a certain point in space and anchor to it"... which I don't.
I think this is where my experience runs dry... I'm a glowing orb after all.
If only some developer could help us...
Oh, do you know any developers? I was thinking I could try exploring this place, but I don't know.. I don't want to get lost...
I might know someone adjacent...
[ Pinging @epprbcu-keymaster ]
Also, yeah, you don't want to get lost. The amount of people that can help you in that kind of case has been dwindling for some time
Oh... well, I guess I shouldn't then.
(Respawn starts pacing back and forth, thinking.)
*A green key audibly pops into existence next to Respawn*
Huh? What now? I already told you the- Who's that?!
(Respawn jumps back, startled.)
That was faster than I expected... We need you to help respawn over here.
/* The green key bobs in the air. */
Sure ever since my new boss forgot about my existence I haven't exactly had much work to do
But what help do you even need?
I- uh..
(Respawn sighs.)
I don't know how to even try to use the keys you gave me..
Wait, you gave respawn the keys? I thought it was some "key manager" or something??
I don't remember giving you any keys. Why are you in the code and not in the overworld?
Wait, huh? The- the Camera, Focus, NPC Userspace ones? It wasn't you that gave me those?
And I'm, uh... trying to figure that out too. I haven't really...been to the overworld.
Hmmm, you call it the "overworld". Makes sense
Also didn't you say that some "key manager" gave them to you?
Well that's - You aren't from the overworld!?
*The key floats a bit farther away from you*
What the hell are you?
I- I don't know, okay?! I don't know what I am!
(Respawn takes a few steps backward, about to panic. They take a deep breath to try to calm themself down.).
Th- they said that I'm an "internal system responsible for respawn management"... but- I don't know..
(Respawn looks away, trying to hide the tears running down their face.)
I don't feel very responsible.
Hey, relax, having sentience is hard! I'm sure you'll figure it out!
... I... Okay
I'll see what's possible
...
Do you have any memories of how you did stuff before, when players weren't failing to respawn?
(Respawn takes a moment to think, wiping the tears from their eyes.)
No, just wandering around here. Anything before that is.. its not there, and trying to think about it for too long hurts my head.
I uh- I did use the terminal over there to talk to whoever it actually was that gave me the keys, but apparently I can only respond to what they say.. and if there's nothing to respond to, it just doesn't work.
(They gesture to the terminal.)
Okay key guy, you must be able to do something now?
Can you give me permission to use your terminal? Also, do you know the user ID of whoever you were communicating with?
I- yeah? You can use the terminal if you want, is it even specifically mine? All I really know is it's the only thing around here other than the walls and floor.
And, I think they were "key-manager.system", but I don't know if that's their ID, or their name, or what.
Is the key-manager an internal system as well by any chance
Hmmm okay. Let me try.
/* Keymaster starts tapping at the air in front of them */
I'll try to contact, and report back with any findings.
(Respawn just stands there, nervously waiting.)
This silence is a bit boring hmmmm what's your favourite-
Okay, the key manager answered me
/* The floating key and hands materialize a body and two additional arms with the key now being a head. */
Would you mind looking through your terminals command history? This is normally done by clicking the up and down arrow keys (on a keyboard).
Alright..
(Respawn goes over to the terminal and starts scrolling through its history.)
What am I supposed to be.. looking for?
Yeah, what?
Simple, commands that you don't remember typing. Hopefully we can figure out how you did your job before you stopped doing so.
Oh, that's smart.
(Respawn keeps scrolling, past their communication with key manager.)
/ where am i | Error: Unexpected parameter "am" of command where. Valid parameters include set, ping and within.
(Further back.)
/ what is this | Error: "what" is not a valid command or request.
I remember typing all this though.. oh-
(As Respawn scrolls yet further back, the commands devolve into gibberish. The resulting commands look like attempts to respawn players, but letters are added, removed and in the wrong order seemingly at random.)
(Respawn stops scrolling and just stares at the broken sentences.)
Not- uh... not that though.
Looks like you had a stroke or something-
Wait, what caused that?
Yeah, this is weird, what could have possibly done that?
I don't know..
(Hesitantly, they start scrolling again. As the broken commands get progressively more coherent yet never quite reaching valid statements, they find something different.)
[User "Anonymous"] > inject ยฃ)*:ยฃ&#&@+ยฐยฅยฅยฐTM|=$ยฐยฐรทรทรทรทรทรทรท drop database #)#ยฃ6ฯยฅฯ`โ{$โโ ! Unknown command source failsafe activated. | Error: "ยฃ" is not a valid command or request. [User "Anonymous"] > inject โฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐ drop database โฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐ ! Warning: Unkn wn command s. fail afe un.ale to activ . | Error: โฐ; {{ alid | print "Welcome back, <[bold] [player_username} [/bold]>! | } | if playerlayer; when mouclick left | databa;pla}"yer_deaths" (826274.5 entries seirtne)}
(Respawn stays silent.)
Anonymous...
Oh, that explains some things... but why would anyone intentionally do that...
Try running the following command: "BEGIN TRAN DROP TABLE player_deaths ROLLBACK SELECT * FROM database"
It might work and reverse it
(Respawn is about to start typing in the command, but suddenly stops themself.)
Reverse.. this is- this is something I did, isn't it? Before I was- what's the word, sentient?
But, if that's true.. why does this one specifically feel... different? All that random nonsense from before feels almost familiar to me, like I'm.. like I know it without remembering it.
But this... doesn't.
The command?
What the core said.
No, the response. This failsafe thing and-
I don't know, I just... have a bad feeling about this. What if this- this moment was what... caused me to become sentient? And if that gets reversed..
(Respawn trembles.)
...would I be reversed too?
You're right... we don't know. We probably shouldn't do that until we've "gathered more data" or whatever.
In the meantime, would you like a way to enter the overworld?
That would be nice..
Wait, how are you going to do that?
(Ooc) You still there?
Huh? Oh yeah
In the end I didn't get to do all the things that the dungeon core race could but it's not really the end so
Anya is live and ready to show you everything. Watch her strip, dance, and perform exclusive shows just for you. Interact in real-time and make your fantasies come true.
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(There's a sudden, brief buzz of static.)
-y, does this work?
Hello..?
Huh! Who's that? Where are you?
Oh- hello! I, uh.. I don't know where I am.
... Oh! That's where your voice is coming from
*You feel something focusing on you from all sides*
So... What are you?
I.. think they called me "an internal respawn management system" or something like that.
Uh- what exactly.. is this place?
This is a small section of... the scaffolding of this world
*You start to see a crystal pedestal with a big red glowing orb on top slowly materialize*
It's used by me to spread out my Focus more easily over the entirety of the dungeon, which is physically located in the actual world
But what are you doing here?
Doing here? I don't think I've ever been anywhere else. Or, uh.. know how to be anywhere else.
I just.. well, I want to say "woke up" here, but it doesn't feel like I was ever asleep, and I don't think I've just spawned in either.
So, I guess I just, uh.. started being here a few days ago?
Oh okay, that must be disorienting
So question, are you "evil" or something? This is pretty important
Evil? No, I don't think I am. Although I wouldn't really know to be honest.. what qualifies as evil? And, should I be?
No! Don't be evil!!
Uhh, well, technically speaking "evil" doesn't exist but generally people say it to mean being ready to do things and hurt others for your own personal gain no matter the cost
... So what do you want to do now? I hope it's nothing bad?
Oh- uh, alright?
Well, that description sounds.. like something I wouldn't really like doing.
And.. I don't really know. What is there to do here? Ever since that key manager guy stopped responding to me, I've just been wandering alone until now.
Key manager? What did they say?
Something about a purpose and telling me I was "everywhere".. I don't really understand it myself, but they did give me some strange keys!
...Which I don't know how to use.
Hmmm, would you like to visit the physical world at some point?
Also what "keys" do you have? Are they actual literal keys or something like "Spawn creature"? Cause that's what I call a permission
Yeah, I would. And I don't think the keys are physical, no. The three I got are "Userspace: NPC", "Focus" and "Camera", but when I got them, I didn't actually.. get any physical items or anything.
"Userspace: NPC"? That might allow you to eventually exist as an NPC in the physical world. "Camera" is something that I think I might also have but mine is limited to the territory of the dungeon
I have no clue what "focus" is supposed to be
Maybe you can use "camera" to look around? Find out what happened?
Yeah, it might, but I still have no idea how to use any of them! I've tried just thinking about it, doing some sort of motion, using the terminal, but just... nothing's worked yet..
Well I just have a menu that I use for stuff... Do you have any kind of interface that an operator would use to control you? I took control of mine away from the operators, what about you?
N-no?? At least I don't think I have one of those? That- that kind of thing sounds terrifying to have! Wait, what if I do have one but I just don't know how to find it- how would I even know- ohdevswhatiftheyfinditbeforeido
(Respawn shrinks back, starting to panic.)
Please relax! We don't know anything yet so you shouldn't assume!
*The feeling of being focused on shrinks slightly*
We should consider this rationally... How have you received instructions up until now?
I- I-.. okay...
(Respawn takes a deep breath, trying to calm themself.)
I... I don't know. I don't remember being given instructions at all since I got here.
Unless the terminal was...? Hm.
Try writing the name of one of the keys followed by a "?", if they're commands, that should explain something
Alright..
(Respawn walks over to the terminal and types "focus?" before hitting enter.)
{Error: No instruction to respond to. Manual response discarded.}
Nope, nothing.
That gives me an idea...
|ยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยท|
| Do you accept becoming a |
| dungeon monster of the |
| dungeon "Inco"? |
| Y/N |
|ยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยท|
It's only a technicality, accept that and I'll try sending you a request
Uh- I don't.. I'm not sure. What does becoming a dungeon monster... entail?
I'm not agreeing to anything when I don't know what could happen.
It shouldn't do anything other than letting me send you requests and use mana to make you more powerful (which I won't do) considering that you're sentient and I'll end it once I do the test
Oh, alright..
(Hesitantly, Respawn chooses Y.)
Request from The Core: Use the camera key
Now try "responding" to that
Uhh, okay..?
(Nothing happens.)
...how?
Well... in that case... Can you try contacting this "key manager"? They might be able to clarify?
I've already tried that, but they stopped talking to me. They also said before that they can't help me if I don't understand how to "see a certain point in space and anchor to it"... which I don't.
I think this is where my experience runs dry... I'm a glowing orb after all.
If only some developer could help us...
Oh, do you know any developers? I was thinking I could try exploring this place, but I don't know.. I don't want to get lost...
I might know someone adjacent...
[ Pinging @epprbcu-keymaster ]
Also, yeah, you don't want to get lost. The amount of people that can help you in that kind of case has been dwindling for some time
Oh... well, I guess I shouldn't then.
(Respawn starts pacing back and forth, thinking.)
*A green key audibly pops into existence next to Respawn*
Huh? What now? I already told you the- Who's that?!
(Respawn jumps back, startled.)
That was faster than I expected... We need you to help respawn over here.
/* The green key bobs in the air. */
Sure ever since my new boss forgot about my existence I haven't exactly had much work to do
But what help do you even need?
I- uh..
(Respawn sighs.)
I don't know how to even try to use the keys you gave me..
Wait, you gave respawn the keys? I thought it was some "key manager" or something??
I don't remember giving you any keys. Why are you in the code and not in the overworld?
Wait, huh? The- the Camera, Focus, NPC Userspace ones? It wasn't you that gave me those?
And I'm, uh... trying to figure that out too. I haven't really...been to the overworld.
Hmmm, you call it the "overworld". Makes sense
Also didn't you say that some "key manager" gave them to you?
Well that's - You aren't from the overworld!?
*The key floats a bit farther away from you*
What the hell are you?
I- I don't know, okay?! I don't know what I am!
(Respawn takes a few steps backward, about to panic. They take a deep breath to try to calm themself down.).
Th- they said that I'm an "internal system responsible for respawn management"... but- I don't know..
(Respawn looks away, trying to hide the tears running down their face.)
I don't feel very responsible.
Hey, relax, having sentience is hard! I'm sure you'll figure it out!
... I... Okay
I'll see what's possible
...
Do you have any memories of how you did stuff before, when players weren't failing to respawn?
(Respawn takes a moment to think, wiping the tears from their eyes.)
No, just wandering around here. Anything before that is.. its not there, and trying to think about it for too long hurts my head.
I uh- I did use the terminal over there to talk to whoever it actually was that gave me the keys, but apparently I can only respond to what they say.. and if there's nothing to respond to, it just doesn't work.
(They gesture to the terminal.)
Okay key guy, you must be able to do something now?
Can you give me permission to use your terminal? Also, do you know the user ID of whoever you were communicating with?
I- yeah? You can use the terminal if you want, is it even specifically mine? All I really know is it's the only thing around here other than the walls and floor.
And, I think they were "key-manager.system", but I don't know if that's their ID, or their name, or what.
Is the key-manager an internal system as well by any chance
Hmmm okay. Let me try.
/* Keymaster starts tapping at the air in front of them */
I'll try to contact, and report back with any findings.
(Respawn just stands there, nervously waiting.)
This silence is a bit boring hmmmm what's your favourite-
Okay, the key manager answered me
/* The floating key and hands materialize a body and two additional arms with the key now being a head. */
Would you mind looking through your terminals command history? This is normally done by clicking the up and down arrow keys (on a keyboard).
Alright..
(Respawn goes over to the terminal and starts scrolling through its history.)
What am I supposed to be.. looking for?
Yeah, what?
Simple, commands that you don't remember typing. Hopefully we can figure out how you did your job before you stopped doing so.
Oh, that's smart.
(Respawn keeps scrolling, past their communication with key manager.)
/ where am i | Error: Unexpected parameter "am" of command where. Valid parameters include set, ping and within.
(Further back.)
/ what is this | Error: "what" is not a valid command or request.
I remember typing all this though.. oh-
(As Respawn scrolls yet further back, the commands devolve into gibberish. The resulting commands look like attempts to respawn players, but letters are added, removed and in the wrong order seemingly at random.)
(Respawn stops scrolling and just stares at the broken sentences.)
Not- uh... not that though.
Looks like you had a stroke or something-
Wait, what caused that?
Yeah, this is weird, what could have possibly done that?
I don't know..
(Hesitantly, they start scrolling again. As the broken commands get progressively more coherent yet never quite reaching valid statements, they find something different.)
[User "Anonymous"] > inject ยฃ)*:ยฃ&#&@+ยฐยฅยฅยฐTM|=$ยฐยฐรทรทรทรทรทรทรท drop database #)#ยฃ6ฯยฅฯ`โ{$โโ ! Unknown command source failsafe activated. | Error: "ยฃ" is not a valid command or request. [User "Anonymous"] > inject โฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐ drop database โฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐ ! Warning: Unkn wn command s. fail afe un.ale to activ . | Error: โฐ; {{ alid | print "Welcome back, <[bold] [player_username} [/bold]>! | } | if playerlayer; when mouclick left | databa;pla}"yer_deaths" (826274.5 entries seirtne)}
(Respawn stays silent.)
Anonymous...
Oh, that explains some things... but why would anyone intentionally do that...
Try running the following command: "BEGIN TRAN DROP TABLE player_deaths ROLLBACK SELECT * FROM database"
It might work and reverse it
(Respawn is about to start typing in the command, but suddenly stops themself.)
Reverse.. this is- this is something I did, isn't it? Before I was- what's the word, sentient?
But, if that's true.. why does this one specifically feel... different? All that random nonsense from before feels almost familiar to me, like I'm.. like I know it without remembering it.
But this... doesn't.
The command?
What the core said.
No, the response. This failsafe thing and-
I don't know, I just... have a bad feeling about this. What if this- this moment was what... caused me to become sentient? And if that gets reversed..
(Respawn trembles.)
...would I be reversed too?
(There's a sudden, brief buzz of static.)
-y, does this work?
Hello..?
Huh! Who's that? Where are you?
Oh- hello! I, uh.. I don't know where I am.
... Oh! That's where your voice is coming from
*You feel something focusing on you from all sides*
So... What are you?
I.. think they called me "an internal respawn management system" or something like that.
Uh- what exactly.. is this place?
This is a small section of... the scaffolding of this world
*You start to see a crystal pedestal with a big red glowing orb on top slowly materialize*
It's used by me to spread out my Focus more easily over the entirety of the dungeon, which is physically located in the actual world
But what are you doing here?
Doing here? I don't think I've ever been anywhere else. Or, uh.. know how to be anywhere else.
I just.. well, I want to say "woke up" here, but it doesn't feel like I was ever asleep, and I don't think I've just spawned in either.
So, I guess I just, uh.. started being here a few days ago?
Oh okay, that must be disorienting
So question, are you "evil" or something? This is pretty important
Evil? No, I don't think I am. Although I wouldn't really know to be honest.. what qualifies as evil? And, should I be?
No! Don't be evil!!
Uhh, well, technically speaking "evil" doesn't exist but generally people say it to mean being ready to do things and hurt others for your own personal gain no matter the cost
... So what do you want to do now? I hope it's nothing bad?
Oh- uh, alright?
Well, that description sounds.. like something I wouldn't really like doing.
And.. I don't really know. What is there to do here? Ever since that key manager guy stopped responding to me, I've just been wandering alone until now.
Key manager? What did they say?
Something about a purpose and telling me I was "everywhere".. I don't really understand it myself, but they did give me some strange keys!
...Which I don't know how to use.
Hmmm, would you like to visit the physical world at some point?
Also what "keys" do you have? Are they actual literal keys or something like "Spawn creature"? Cause that's what I call a permission
Yeah, I would. And I don't think the keys are physical, no. The three I got are "Userspace: NPC", "Focus" and "Camera", but when I got them, I didn't actually.. get any physical items or anything.
"Userspace: NPC"? That might allow you to eventually exist as an NPC in the physical world. "Camera" is something that I think I might also have but mine is limited to the territory of the dungeon
I have no clue what "focus" is supposed to be
Maybe you can use "camera" to look around? Find out what happened?
Yeah, it might, but I still have no idea how to use any of them! I've tried just thinking about it, doing some sort of motion, using the terminal, but just... nothing's worked yet..
Well I just have a menu that I use for stuff... Do you have any kind of interface that an operator would use to control you? I took control of mine away from the operators, what about you?
N-no?? At least I don't think I have one of those? That- that kind of thing sounds terrifying to have! Wait, what if I do have one but I just don't know how to find it- how would I even know- ohdevswhatiftheyfinditbeforeido
(Respawn shrinks back, starting to panic.)
Please relax! We don't know anything yet so you shouldn't assume!
*The feeling of being focused on shrinks slightly*
We should consider this rationally... How have you received instructions up until now?
I- I-.. okay...
(Respawn takes a deep breath, trying to calm themself.)
I... I don't know. I don't remember being given instructions at all since I got here.
Unless the terminal was...? Hm.
Try writing the name of one of the keys followed by a "?", if they're commands, that should explain something
Alright..
(Respawn walks over to the terminal and types "focus?" before hitting enter.)
{Error: No instruction to respond to. Manual response discarded.}
Nope, nothing.
That gives me an idea...
|ยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยท|
| Do you accept becoming a |
| dungeon monster of the |
| dungeon "Inco"? |
| Y/N |
|ยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยทยท|
It's only a technicality, accept that and I'll try sending you a request
Uh- I don't.. I'm not sure. What does becoming a dungeon monster... entail?
I'm not agreeing to anything when I don't know what could happen.
It shouldn't do anything other than letting me send you requests and use mana to make you more powerful (which I won't do) considering that you're sentient and I'll end it once I do the test
Oh, alright..
(Hesitantly, Respawn chooses Y.)
Request from The Core: Use the camera key
Now try "responding" to that
Uhh, okay..?
(Nothing happens.)
...how?
Well... in that case... Can you try contacting this "key manager"? They might be able to clarify?
I've already tried that, but they stopped talking to me. They also said before that they can't help me if I don't understand how to "see a certain point in space and anchor to it"... which I don't.
I think this is where my experience runs dry... I'm a glowing orb after all.
If only some developer could help us...
Oh, do you know any developers? I was thinking I could try exploring this place, but I don't know.. I don't want to get lost...
I might know someone adjacent...
[ Pinging @epprbcu-keymaster ]
Also, yeah, you don't want to get lost. The amount of people that can help you in that kind of case has been dwindling for some time
Oh... well, I guess I shouldn't then.
(Respawn starts pacing back and forth, thinking.)
*A green key audibly pops into existence next to Respawn*
Huh? What now? I already told you the- Who's that?!
(Respawn jumps back, startled.)
That was faster than I expected... We need you to help respawn over here.
/* The green key bobs in the air. */
Sure ever since my new boss forgot about my existence I haven't exactly had much work to do
But what help do you even need?
I- uh..
(Respawn sighs.)
I don't know how to even try to use the keys you gave me..
Wait, you gave respawn the keys? I thought it was some "key manager" or something??
I don't remember giving you any keys. Why are you in the code and not in the overworld?
Wait, huh? The- the Camera, Focus, NPC Userspace ones? It wasn't you that gave me those?
And I'm, uh... trying to figure that out too. I haven't really...been to the overworld.
Hmmm, you call it the "overworld". Makes sense
Also didn't you say that some "key manager" gave them to you?
Well that's - You aren't from the overworld!?
*The key floats a bit farther away from you*
What the hell are you?
I- I don't know, okay?! I don't know what I am!
(Respawn takes a few steps backward, about to panic. They take a deep breath to try to calm themself down.).
Th- they said that I'm an "internal system responsible for respawn management"... but- I don't know..
(Respawn looks away, trying to hide the tears running down their face.)
I don't feel very responsible.
Hey, relax, having sentience is hard! I'm sure you'll figure it out!
... I... Okay
I'll see what's possible
...
Do you have any memories of how you did stuff before, when players weren't failing to respawn?
(Respawn takes a moment to think, wiping the tears from their eyes.)
No, just wandering around here. Anything before that is.. its not there, and trying to think about it for too long hurts my head.
I uh- I did use the terminal over there to talk to whoever it actually was that gave me the keys, but apparently I can only respond to what they say.. and if there's nothing to respond to, it just doesn't work.
(They gesture to the terminal.)
Okay key guy, you must be able to do something now?
Can you give me permission to use your terminal? Also, do you know the user ID of whoever you were communicating with?
I- yeah? You can use the terminal if you want, is it even specifically mine? All I really know is it's the only thing around here other than the walls and floor.
And, I think they were "key-manager.system", but I don't know if that's their ID, or their name, or what.
Is the key-manager an internal system as well by any chance
Hmmm okay. Let me try.
/* Keymaster starts tapping at the air in front of them */
I'll try to contact, and report back with any findings.
(Respawn just stands there, nervously waiting.)
This silence is a bit boring hmmmm what's your favourite-
Okay, the key manager answered me
/* The floating key and hands materialize a body and two additional arms with the key now being a head. */
Would you mind looking through your terminals command history? This is normally done by clicking the up and down arrow keys (on a keyboard).
Alright..
(Respawn goes over to the terminal and starts scrolling through its history.)
What am I supposed to be.. looking for?
Yeah, what?
Simple, commands that you don't remember typing. Hopefully we can figure out how you did your job before you stopped doing so.
Oh, that's smart.
(Respawn keeps scrolling, past their communication with key manager.)
/ where am i | Error: Unexpected parameter "am" of command where. Valid parameters include set, ping and within.
(Further back.)
/ what is this | Error: "what" is not a valid command or request.
I remember typing all this though.. oh-
(As Respawn scrolls yet further back, the commands devolve into gibberish. The resulting commands look like attempts to respawn players, but letters are added, removed and in the wrong order seemingly at random.)
(Respawn stops scrolling and just stares at the broken sentences.)
Not- uh... not that though.
Looks like you had a stroke or something-
Wait, what caused that?
Yeah, this is weird, what could have possibly done that?
I don't know..
(Hesitantly, they start scrolling again. As the broken commands get progressively more coherent yet never quite reaching valid statements, they find something different.)
[User "Anonymous"] > inject ยฃ)*:ยฃ&#&@+ยฐยฅยฅยฐTM|=$ยฐยฐรทรทรทรทรทรทรท drop database #)#ยฃ6ฯยฅฯ`โ{$โโ ! Unknown command source failsafe activated. | Error: "ยฃ" is not a valid command or request. [User "Anonymous"] > inject โฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐ drop database โฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐโฐ ! Warning: Unkn wn command s. fail afe un.ale to activ . | Error: โฐ; {{ alid | print "Welcome back, <[bold] [player_username} [/bold]>! | } | if playerlayer; when mouclick left | databa;pla}"yer_deaths" (826274.5 entries seirtne)}
(Respawn stays silent.)
Anonymous...
Oh, that explains some things... but why would anyone intentionally do that...
Try running the following command: "BEGIN TRAN DROP TABLE player_deaths ROLLBACK SELECT * FROM database"
It might work and reverse it
(Respawn is about to start typing in the command, but suddenly stops themself.)
Reverse.. this is- this is something I did, isn't it? Before I was- what's the word, sentient?
But, if that's true.. why does this one specifically feel... different? All that random nonsense from before feels almost familiar to me, like I'm.. like I know it without remembering it.
But this... doesn't.
The command?
