Second Generation [Currently: 2nd Floor]

[Phrygian Q'yth-az]

Phrygian Q'yth-az

At the Ranker's command, a flurry of regulars dashed into the maze. A certain four armed giant tossed many of them aside to get though, and he was carrying two other regulars over his shoulders - one of which a hefty lizardman. Ian was suddenly very glad his team had not fought Gunthar in the previous test. Speaking of his team, he still had them both by the tentacle - there was planning to do, and he and Rein didn't even know the last member's name!

"Preparation before suicide," Ian's electronic voice chimed, "I am called Phrygian Q'yth-az. Do either of you have any ideas besides blindly dashing into the dark?"

[29]

Mars Phi, Team MarZepCyan

She didn't listen until the end, because the idea of entering an unknown territory made the blood in her pump.

"Let's go, this will be the first chapter the moving maze that can kill you like every thing in the tower. Let's go, what are you waiting for?" said Mars to her companions.

If they didn't come faster she was going to carry them just by herself only to enter the maze. But she stopped suddenly.

"I forgot the most important thing an expedition team must have and this is a cool name. How about Cymiz? Sounds cool enough."

[Arianna]

Arianna Nil'Torch Ikard

Arianna froze in place, feeling like shrinking where she stood. She had listened to Lumieré's explanation of the test, but she couldn't move. Frustrated because of her own incompetence, she tried to jerk her arm out of the grip of the tentacle. Her effort ended in her not giving any effort in getting away. She looked at the ground and blushed. 

Hearing him speak, she tried to respond, but just shook her head instead. She found her pocket and started fiddling with it, then a mechanical voice spoke from it. "We cant just stand here, time is not in our favor. We could enter, systematically scout through the labyrinth and get to the other side." It went quiet while she wrote something else, not looking up out of embarrassment. "What if we use the other regulars? They are bound to be faster, because they rush it."

[elveraeris]

Zephire Aleera, Team MarZepCyan

She listened carefully at the admin. "Damn... That's just about luck and speed...". Thought Zephire.
Then Más started to run and the turned around and said something about the name of a team.
Zephire started thinking, she was sure that if Mars get to reach the end before her she would help her, but not sure about Cyan, he didn't seemed to like being with them. "I must fool him a little..."
"De don't need a name right now, we will discuss it later. Now we must focus con fue test. I don't know if you have any other idea better than this but I think that each of us must take a different path. And if any of us reach TVE end before the others, he must help them. At least, is better to be three in the next test than one". Zephire said that last sentence staring at Cyan.
"At least he seems to have some common sense..." thought then.

[Rein]

Rein, Team ReinAriIan


After putting a hand up to shield themselves somewhat from the light of the light house, the other hand gripping the reacquired duffel bag, Rein begins a long-winded speech...

"Test objective: Entire team must reach other side of maze within one hour. Details of maze change every 10 minutes. One observer is provided once first team member reaches other side that can assist rest of team. Greatest benefit from observer would likely be if there is time remaining before next maze change."

"My recommendation is that we take the first 10 minutes to discuss our team capabilities and strategy, select the initial runner or runners, and then enter the moment the maze changes the first time." Rein turns to focus on the as-yet-unnamed red-haired female human, "As I'm unsure how much feedback the test organizer will give when the maze is changed, please use the timer function of your pocket to keep track of time elapsed."

After getting slightly more used to the light, Rein brushes some hair from their eyes and puts their raised hand down.

"I'm Rein. I can see in dim light and in complete darkness, though am unsure how high concentrations of shinsoo would affect that ability. I've high sustained top speed and good ability at turning corners. I've good spatial awareness, but lack perfect memory. I'm unsure how we can take advantage of the other regulars here, but I'm open to ideas." The white-haired humanoid then takes a step back as to indicate that they are done speaking.

[upm]

Cyan Chlor, Team MarZepCyan

He looked at Mars who was hyper active and just ignored her. In their short interaction he learned that ignoring her was the best choice. Mars was calmed by the other one. She was more sane then Mars and he listened to her words.
The other teams were making plans as well but he couldn't understand why they would do that. The rules are simple you get in and out in ten minutes. So he went towards the entrance without waiting for his team mates.

[Phrygian Q'yth-az]

Phrygian Q'yth-az, Team ReinAriIan

Good. So far, his team seemed to have a good grasp on the situation. They put an emphasis on being systematic, and not getting lost, which was the key to passing the test. They had also brought up two things Ian had missed: using the pocket as a timer, and using information from the other Regulars also exploring the maze. Ian released his team mates, satisfied they wouldn't run off and ruin his chances at passing the test.

"We will not find the exit within ten minutes. If I am wrong, we will see observers from those who found the exit quickly. With that in mind, I feel we should enter the maze now and head toward its center. As long as we do not forget the direction of the entrance, we can scout the farthest parts of the maze even if the walls change. As a team of three of course. Splitting up will increase the difficulty of the test greatly."

Ian flourished his tentacles in a mesmerizing little dance, flashing different colors before settling on a deep red. The pocket-voice resonated with passion, like a robot preacher.

"I have explored the caves beneath Kynath Temple for seven years, and found many secrets, yet never once have I been lost! I shall guide us to the exit. Come!"

[Arianna]

Arianna Nil'Torch Ikard, Team ReinAriIan

Arianna did not look up once during the whole conversation, just giving agreeing nods or hesitant shakes with her head. She continued to type on the pocket while listening, and eventually activated the automated speaker.
“There are many uncertainties we cannot figure out unless we enter. First off, the visibility. Secondly, the issue of approach.”

She shifted her feet a little, uncomfortable with the situation, then played another message, “We can’t know which the better approach is: splitting up to get one quickly through to send an observer back, or staying in a group and systematically get through. Both of the options have several issues. By waiting on a change, we may eliminate valuable time, but we don’t know, and cannot predict the changes made. Right? Furthermore, we do not know the complexity of the maze.”

She was unnerved by the idea of stumbling around in pitch black with a whole bunch of others and didn’t want to enter at all. Finally, she added a last sentence to her little speech, “Pardon me for addressing only the problems, and not finding a solution.”

[Rein]

Rein, Team ReinAriIan

Rein moves to follow the leading octopus. "She is correct. Your assessment may be flawed, Phrygian Q'yth-az. We have no information about the complexity of the maze or its depth or other debilitating factors. But now is not the time to rattle on about the dangers of unfounded confidence. I currently hold that the tactic of entering as one unit is roughly equal in expected efficacy to that of me running ahead, alone, and utilizing the promised observer at the end to guide you two through. But as I do not know you well enough to come to a reliable predication for how you would react if I did not accept your lead, arguing at this time poses unacceptable levels of risk."

After catching up, Rein walks side-by-side and looks over, "I expect you to be reasonable and to not make this a habit."

Looking back over one shoulder, the white-haired humanoid beckons behind them. "Come, nameless one. If you are able to sustain a bang, perhaps it can provide some light? Otherwise, hold a hand or tentacle."

After walking a bit more... "I just had a thought. An enemy could use an observer to lead us astray. It would be wise to not attempt to take advantage of other regulars in this situation as their motives are questionable..."

[29]

Mars Phi Team MarZepCyan

She looked as Cyan as he was going to the entrance.

"As expected as my rival. He has such wild spirit and a thirst for adventure. He can't stay away from a challenge. Let's go my friend we can't let him take the lead. We will find the exit in no time."

She ran to follow Cyan in to maze not bothering to think of a plan.

[Phrygian Q'yth-az]

Phrygian Q'th-az, "The white, the red, and the octopus"

Ian smiled, in the way an octopus smiles - by turning a jubilant shade of yellow. He produced an ordinary pocket from his cloak, and led his hesitant team into the darkness. 

"Li'hee n'gha, I will find the path! Light!" 

The pocket lit up, only a tiny sphere of safety, but enough to navigate the darkness. Ian led the way at a brisk pace without looking back, weaving left and right and every now and then back, but always forwards, as if guided by some unnameable celestial being. Soft footsteps and softer voices were heard behind the walls - or did they emanate from the ghastly tentacled shadows cast by the fickle light? Still, Ian led them on, gliding always forwards...

...until suddenly, he stopped. For a moment, the silence was thicker than the darkness. Then-

"Cthulhu!" 

An alien voice, sharp, guttural and unreproducible; it came from Ian, but not from his pocket. "He's dead," he continued, this time in his more human pocket-voice, "we should stick together."

The corpse of an unfortunate stranger lay on the floor in front of Ian.

[Arianna]

Arianna Nil'Torch Ikard, Team ReinAriIan

She nodded to them and put away her pocket, then hurried after them into the darkness. "My name is Arianna Nil'Torch Ikard" she said in a hesitant, yet somewhat strong tone, this time, not using the pocket. It was easier for her to speak there in the dark, not having to be in the center of attention when saying anything. 

Arianna concentrated, and made a baang out of the shinsoo she could gather. The little orb wasn't very bright, but it seemed like it didn't matter anyways. The area it illuminated was small, but crampt. However, much less than she thought it would be. Judging by the width, she estimated that two, maybe three people, of her size, could stand shoulder to shoulder. It also cast light over her teammates, which she tried to remember their names, easier said than done. The white one, Rein, had a simple name, the other, not so much. She didn't even want to pronounce it, so decided to just use the first part Phry.

"We should be more systematic in our exploration." she said, and realized they would be able to see her, so she lowered her head and looked at the ground. "If it is possible, you may be able to use me and my baang as a 'base' area, going out to look for other paths in short intervals at a time, a couple of seconds, tops."She paused to take a deep breath, before continuing. "Rein, you said you would be able to do an efficient job with that."

She didnt like this test, it was death sentence to just stay there. They had to get out, fast. "Use your pockets, as timers, I will use mine for the time until the maze changes and overall time. You can use them and run off, searching for paths and when it runs out, head back here. Memorize what you can, if there are only dead ends, then we have to choose another way." She looked at her pocket, they still had lots of time left, and had just spent a coupe of minutes inside. "What do you say?" After saying that, she went completely silent. If they could see her face, they would have seen it change from pale to bright red. She felt useless, and embarrassed, but she knew she had to rely on them to survive, as well as they had to rely on her.

[Lumière]

Almost 10 minutes had passed since the beginning of the race. Regulars where spread all over the maze. One had already found an exit. "You are very impressive miss Nas. It only took you 8 minutes to find an exit. Your spacial memory must be of a savant... Impressive indeed and...". Said Lumiere not even looking at her, not expecting an answer. "Your Observer is so close... I know you know it but...". Nas was sweating. "It's almost time" Said Lumiere. 10:00. Somehow her sweet voice wasn't sweet anymore. "You know, some times when the walls of the maze move...". A loud noise, that of rocks being dragged on steel, began and the sound continued for 30 seconds. She continued. "... Some areas become isolated from the rest... Even the exit itself... Until the next time the walls move." 50 minutes to go.

[upm]

Cyan Chlor Team MarZepCyan

He entered the maze, his mind registering Mars and Zephire following him. Led by his instincts he took the first left, then right, right, left, up, down and he met the wall. Frustrated he tried again only to met the same fate. He was annoyed, but he wasn't going to recognize he was lost. Suddenly the walls moved. He concluded that the first ten minutes have passed and now he had only 50 minutes to find the exit.

[Rein]

Rein, Team ReinAriIan

"Perhaps Arianna Nil'Torch Ikard, but my concern with that plan is that I can't really trust...", Rein stopped when the octupus stopped.

Dec 7, 2014 3:42:32 GMT Phrygian Q'yth-az said:

"Cthulhu!" 

An alien voice, sharp, guttural and unreproducible; it came from Ian, but not from his pocket. "He's dead," he continued, this time in his more human pocket-voice, "we should stick together."

"Err, yes. Are we prepared to revisit our earlier discussion regarding the lethality of our group? We've already come across a corpse in our second test and it hasn't even been 10 min..."

A loud noise, that of rocks being dragged on steel, began and the sound continued for 30 seconds.


"Ah, good. There is clear indication of change after all. Well, first we must confirm...", Rein moves to touch the body on the floor. First on the wrist, then the neck, and then the forehead. "Yes, deceased. Barring some unique species or illusion anyway. Let us just keep moving. We need to pick up the pace. After you, Phrygian Q'th-az. Now as I was saying, my concern is that I can't really trust either of you two to not wander off. Sticking as one unit the entire way is still a very good plan and utilizing my scouting skills here may only be a moderate improvement. Yours is still a very good suggestion which we should keep in mind for similar situations later."