When we entered the room Fin was gone. Whether he was in another copy of this room and had left I was unsure.

We all sat down and started to relax and stretch a little, particularly Root and Turnip with their ears always scraping the ceiling.

"That was… strange… I mean that Gnome that gave me the hammer was not 'alive' correct?" I asked.

"No one is really sure… but the consensus is no." Iser said.

"I don't know, I heard about several dungeons that have entities that are aware of there nature." Orlo said.

"Alright… I'm going to pretend we are on the holi deck and the safeties are turned off. They can feel real and remember but are they alive? Actually there are a few cases…. You know what ignore me…" I said.

"Ok" said Iser.

"By the way is that hammer any good?" Orlo asked.

I ran my identity ability on it.

Aluminum Rock Hammer, excellent quality, new

"Just an aluminum hammer, I don't think it's enchanted or anything." I said.

Half the group had wide eyes at my statement.

"What?"

"You said Aluminum?" Orlo asked.

"Yeah? Why" I asked.

"It's worth like 3 to 1 in gold by weight." They said.

"Oh… that's actually quite a bit then. Why is it so expensive?" I asked… Then I remembered my metallurgy.

"Oh… I forgot about that." I said.

"Ok what now?" Root asked.

"Yeah umm Aluminum is cheaper than Tin where I come from." I said.

"Cheaper than Tin? Really?" Orlo asked us shock.

"Umm yeah… turns out aluminum is super common. Refining it takes a bit of work but yeah foundries process that by the tonne everyday. Actually on a global scale it might be tens of thousands of tones a day." I said.

"Wait, do you know how?" Orlo asked.

"Umm yes… well sort of… bauxite deposits. I think that's where most natural metallic aluminum is found." I said.

"That's a fucking rock." Orlo squawked.

"Yeah, you need to head the rock until it melts then perform what's called electrolysis on it." I said.

"If no one else is aware of this we could be the richest people on dirt!" Orlo said.

"It's always something new with her isn't it." Root said.

"Yes…" Turnip agreed.

We rested for almost an hour. More than enough time for my mana to fully come back and for me to prep more bombs. I had no doubt the group could move faster but they didn't want to leave me behind.

"Hey Iser is there magic or skills that can compress objects. Apply pressure to an object in a sphere for instance." I asked.

"I believe so, yes but outside of a few minor areas no one has found a use for it." He said.

"Hmm I'll need to look into that but it should be interesting if I can get it to the temperatures and pressures needed." I said.

"What would you need to make?" Iser asked.

"Graphite rods for one, to melt bauxite I think we need to get about the same temperature as the melting point for steel? I'm going off memory, sorry it's not going to be super accurate right now." I said.

"Ok so you melt bauxite? Then what." Iser asked.

"O right, well then we need to introduce an electric current into the melted mixture. From there ionized aluminum will collect on the cathode… or was it the anode. We should be able to do this at small scale and magic should help a lot." I said.

"I have no idea about half of what she just said." Turnip said.

"I'm not even sure I'm remembering a 10th of what is actually needed. But there's tons of people out there that are way smarter than I am. We just need to invent a few things and I can provide shortcuts." I said.

"Do you mind if we just spend some time enjoying each others company?" Iser asked me quietly.

"Wow you could just tell me to shut up." I said with a smile.

That confused him very much.

"Here's a hint, I'm teasing you." I whispered to him.

I then shifted my hand into a Kobolt-like claw with 5 fingers instead of four. I then began to gently scratch the back of his head which he immediately enjoyed. He then started that very low base that I felt more than heard.

In his own tongue. "That feels very nice."

"Well I'm glad you enjoy it." I said in his language.

"Does it hurt or feel odd with your hand is different?" He asked.

"When it changes it is uncomfortable but not painful, just very disconcerting. Once it's in place it mostly feels like my own although sensations are a bit different." I said.

"I'm also starting to wonder how far I can take these changes. I mean I changed my hands my feet my skin… my ears… I mean if I get good enough at this I could change my entire race effectively." I added.

Iser sort of choked or let out a cough at the last comment.

"That would be very interesting to witness." He said with clear eagerness in his voice.

"Yes it would." I said with a smile, then much more quietly. "This is me asking you if you would be willing to help in this experiment."

"I would like that very much." He said just as quietly. Then he turned to face me and his tongue zipped out and licked the tip of my nose.

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I replied in kind by giving him a quick kiss on his snoot.

"Alright! I think we have all had enough of a break, let's get ready to move out." Turnip said, only seconds later with Root emphatically nodding in agreement.

As we were collecting our stuff I sidled up to Turnip.

"Sorry about that. I thought we were more quiet than that." I whispered.

She let out a soft sign.

"Your ok… we learn to live with noises through walls. You two hadn't done anything yet but…" she sort of tailed off at the end.

"Fair… and sorry again." I said, a bit embarrassed.

"You make him happy you know that right? He really enjoys talking to you and spending time with you and such." She said after a moment.

"... I know, I wish I noticed it earlier but I'm sort of dense like that…" I said.

"So you really are serious about this then?" She asked.

"I… I think so, yes. I'm learning a lot about myself over the past weeks…" I said.

"I can only imagine." She said.

"You ready for two more floors and the boss?" She asked.

"Yup" I said in response and we started to move out.

The next floor we were greeted to was the City. I had at least expected it to be dark and full of spiders if this still matched a small bit of the 'lore' I was used to.

Things did feel a bit off when we started exploring, the buildings more organic than I expected. I figured more stonework and spider motifs. But it was more roppy or…

I froze in absolute terror… no ropes… tentacles.

"Nicole what is it?" Orlo asked.

"Back, get back to the entrance now!" I said in a near shout and sprinted.

We had not traveled far but we already encountered our first problem… I forgot Illithid could fly and hover.

"Group up and prepare for a mental assault. And for fuck sake don't let them grab your head." I said in fear.

"Nicole what the fuck are those?" I heard Orlo asked.

"I'll explain later… if we live." I said.

They had us at the center of a triangle with each point being an Illithid.

I held out my hands palms toward the Illithid closest to me and then I took a half step towards it.

"Hold, let Nicole talk first… its worked before." Root said in a reassuring tone.

"Greetings Delvers, it has been over 100 years since the dungeon has called us forth." It said directly in my mind.

"Umm I hear it in my head… is that normal?" Lluvia asked.

"Yes it is how Illithid kind communicate." The creatures said.

"Are we talking to one or many?" I asked.

"Many" the tentacled faced monster said.

"We are looking for passage through. We expected a different city…" I said.

"Yes a city of Drow." The hive mind said.

"Ok, so umm why have you not attacked us yet?" I asked.

"We wish to learn all that has changed in the world of Dirt. Interrogation of Delvers is the only way as we can not leave the dungeon." It said.

"Ok… this is really weird… I knew it could happen but having constructs know they are part of a dungeon is weird…" Lluvia added.

"We feel the dungeon's impulse for us to attack but we choose to ignore it as the dungeon has given us that ability. Our thirst for knowledge from the outside is what drives us now." They said.

"So no urge to eat our brains or infect us with tadpoles?" I asked hesitantly.

"The urge to yes, the original drive for sustenance or procreation no. But make no mistakes, we will defend ourselves if attacked." They said.

"Ok then… would you be willing to show us the path off of this floor?" I asked, relaxing just a little.

"In time yes, but we would need to trade for that information. We are based on a very cerebral concept, that nature is still very much a part of us." It said.

"How much would the information for the path cost?" Orlo asked.

"4 hours of interviews from your group. We have a place your kind would find comfortable and could enjoy a meal. We have some influence over our floors' construction after all." They said.

"Could we have a few minutes to deliberate as a group?" I asked.

"You may." They said.

"Have any of you heard of a dungeon ever reacting like this before?" I asked.

"No… this is absolutely insane… umm they actually seem honest from what I can tell… but I have to ask what would be fighting them like?" Orlo asked.

"If we assume what I am traditionally aware of… disorientating psychic blasts… then grab your head with their tentacles and consume your brain." I said.

"Wow… what the fuck…" Orlo said, with the rest of the group reflecting the sentiment with muttered comments or changes in stance.

"Oh… its way more confusing right now… there is indication they are based off the lore I am familiar with but they indicated it has been over hundred years since they last 'awoke'."I said.

"While interesting I do not believe that is nearly as important a subject." Iser said which took me aback. Then again after a few seconds though he was correct.

"So do we spend 4 hours interviewing with them?" Root asked.

"I vote we do it… if it was too much then we would fight them and end them early… this must have been very much calculated on their part… assuming they are honest." I said, Iser nodded in agreement.

Lluvia looked quite skeptical with Root and Turnip more wary. Orlo however agreed with my statement as well after some thought.

"If I understood them better like the dwarfs or even those gnome guys I might say fight… but these are so alien I have concerns about that. Then again I also have concerns about the interview being a trap." Root said.

The majority of the party eventually agreed and we were led to a chamber not far away.

"If food is provided well I'm not going to say no to a free meal… Orlo, are you comfortable testing for the group?" Root asked.

"Sure but don't leave me behind if I fall unconscious or die." They said only half joking.

What followed was the most surreal interview I have ever been party to. We were asked about current events, changes in technology, changes in dungeons, and so on. The rest of the party was more the focus of the Mind Flayers interrogation or ‘interview’. My own role was more of an observer after the initial introduction.

The rest of the party was just as thoroughly taken aback by the oddness. We did get to eventually sample an absolutely wide selection of different foods and drinks. We did avoid anything with alcohol in it however.

"We thank you for your time and patience with the process. It is our way of imparting a modicum of control over our universe." They said.

That made me realize something.

"You are the intellect behind the dungeon aren't you?" I asked.

"In a sense yes, within the confines of this character." It said.

"Well… this has been an absolutely insane meeting and I feel honored to be a part of it." I said.

"We are likewise glad for the experience. We also offer a small parting gift for each of you. It is our small way of existing outside this dungeon." They said.

They then presented us with smooth metal ring-like bands. I cast identify on it.

Communication Band Spoke, Excellent Quality, New

I attempted to fit it over my hand to my wrist. The band immediately resized to fit snuggly but not uncomfortably. Everyone else did something likewise with Orlo attaching it on their leg instead.

We were then led to the floor exit where we eventually found our way back to the entry room.

"Does anyone else want to talk about what just happened?" Orlo asked.

"Not while I'm sober." Said Lluvia and everyone else agreed.

"Alright we will take a few minutes break to sort of regroup our thoughts… that does not mean we need to talk about what just happened right now." Root looked directly at Iser and I.

The 5 minutes turned into 15 minutes of pacing and odd facial expressions.

"Alright! Well I need to distract myself…" Root said.

"I fucking hope we don't get another floor like the last one." He said much more quietly.

"The good news is Illithid are some of the oddest and most dangerous groups in the Underdark." I said.

"There were only 3." Turnip said.

"There were only 3 that we could see." I said in reply.

"Enough, let's just move forward." Root said.

So we pushed onto the 6th floor.