Garath and Auto nodded and waited for her to continue.
“I have used my advantages to absorb and retain all available information. I have read every thread and comment in every forum. I have absorbed one-hundred-and-thirteen such writings posted across the world during this very conversation. In essence, I know more than any living person. My knowledge will aid you. I also have many helpful abilities that will only be useful in certain scenarios. You asked for an example. The countdown you are both able to see at the corner of your vision is perfectly synced. Does that not meet your criteria? A group working with a synced clock, visible to each member, could be the difference between a perfectly executed plan and a fatal miscalculation. So, as previously stated, situationally.”
Garath was impressed, the small, computer-like person standing in front of him was like a new world Pokédex. He wondered if her expression always looked vacant because she was constantly accessing new information as it became available. Instead of asking, he decided to learn more about The Tower itself as the timer in his mind’s eye ticked down under five minutes. “Do you know how many groups have tried to claim the Dungeon?”
“To my knowledge, three groups have entered.”
“How many of those groups did you go with?” Auto followed up.
“Two.”
“And everyone died in there?” Garath had to ask the question, even though he knew it was likely that entering a Dungeon would be similar to entering a dungeon. Once you go in, you have to complete it to get back out.
“Nobody has ever left The Tower,” Alice said without any change in expression. Then her head tilted, and she revised her answer. “Except for me, of course. I intend to brief your entire Party at once regarding The Tower. To avoid unnecessary repetition, please save those questions for after the briefing.”
“Alright,” Garath agreed. “My other questions were about the Entity and The Tower.” He looked at Auto. “Do you have any more questions?”
Auto shrugged. “Not really.”
“Wonderful,” Alice said, her deadpan tone in disagreement with her choice of words. She stood up, closed her eyes briefly, and then the timer in Garath’s vision was gone. “Then feel free to explore my library until the remaining members of your Party arrive. I will be in my room.”
Garath and Auto shared an uncomfortable look as the petite Lore Keeper left without further ceremony. For a few seconds, they just sat there silently mulling over the strange conversation. Eventually, they did exactly what Alice suggested and explored the library.
After long hours, the rest of the Dungeon team arrived at last. Garath sent a private message to the Lore Keeper upstairs to let her know, and then lined the team up outside the library to meet her.
When she arrived, the Lore Keeper slowly made her way down the line, stopping to look at each person for a few seconds, until she made it to Daisy and was forced to look down. Alice tilted her head as she stared vacant-eyed at the Archmage for long, awkward seconds. While establishing her acceptable Party parameters, age probably hadn’t occurred to the Lore Keeper. Finally, apparently satisfied with whatever information she’d gathered, Alice continued down the line. When her inspection of the Party was complete, the Lore Keeper turned to Garath and motioned for him to follow her into the glass building.
“Your Party has met my requirements. However, you have brought a child. If you were unable to gather ten able-bodied adults that meet the requirements, you should have told me. I would have put you in touch with a candidate to fill any role you were lacking,” Alice said.
Garath coughed. He wasn’t surprised that Alice felt this way, but Daisy was legitimately the best option for her role on the team and Garath was more than prepared to go to bat for her if he needed to.
“Daisy is incredibly capable, follows directions well, and is a fucking Archmage. She’s adopted her chosen Class and taken to it more naturally than any of the adults in my group have. It’s not that I was unable to gather ten adults, Alice. In fact, so many people wanted to come to this Dungeon when I started assembling my group that I had to hold tryouts. Daisy may be young, but believe me, she earned her spot on my team.”
Alice looked at him for long seconds, the vacant expression briefly missing from her face. Finally, she nodded, then turned and led Garath back into the first-floor cavern. Garath took his place next to Auto at the end of the line. The Chimerist gave him a sideways look, which Garath returned with a casual shrug.
“I believe I understand your group dynamics, but for verification purposes, I will go over your roles verbally. Garath, correct me if I miss anything.” She paused to look at Garath, who nodded. “Atlas, Auto, Daisy, Jebawon, Garath, and Warrion will be your damage dealers. Maimon and Sharon 142 will heal. Athios fills the role of support, and Obawon will tank.”
Alice looked at Garath for confirmation.
“Close,” Garath told her. “Auto is the main tank. Certain hybrid forms he’s come up with have incredible damage reduction and threat generation potential. Obawon will be using a two-handed weapon unless a secondary tank is needed, in which case he’ll switch to sword and board.”
Alice nodded almost mechanically. “Corrections noted, thank you.”
“Hey, I gotta ask, because it’s not clear from looking at you. Whenever I try to Inspect you it just says ‘Alice, Lore Keeper’. How old are you?” Atlas asked from the middle of the lineup.
Alice looked at the ostentatious man with unblinking, stone-grey eyes, then looked at Garath. She raised one eyebrow minutely before moving along as if nothing had happened.
“I will now convey my observations regarding The Tower so far. Please refrain from interrupting. There will be time for questions after the briefing.” The Lore Keeper cleared her throat. “Each of the ten
