Sleep in Dungeon Quest is just that - real sleep. During the time spent asleep, control of the imaging and other systems of the brain are handed back with a dual overlay. Essentially, during the time that you are asleep, stimulus that would normally wake you in either world - the real world or the game - will wake you up to that world, with priority to the real world if something were to literally occur at the same time.
I've read that some hospitals and care centers have been able to modify the code such that players won't be awoken by conditions in their real life - because they suffer from extreme pain, for example, or would otherwise be unable to sleep at all. Those players essentially exist in Dungeon Quest 24/7 unless they die... and then I don't know what happens. Since the hardware has open source functionality, it would make sense that there would be options within the game gear itself. Perhaps during the forced logout time they go into the fainted state? I guess I'm just glad I'm not in that condition.
I wake to a {pounding} in my chest.
I freak out for a moment, wondering where I am.
Bright light is streaming from the ceiling above me, and there are a handful of old women silently kneeling in prayer not far away.
I don't recognize this place. I'm sitting on a bench and...
{Pound}
My chest pounds again.
I'm in Dungeon Quest.
This is the first time I've fallen asleep inside the game. I must have overslept.
A woman wearing all white is standing in front of me, looking at me with questioning eyes. Her face is slightly red. She looks familiar.
Woman whispers: "G-Gabe was it? How may I help you?"
Oh yeah! I'm in the church. I came here with the slime...
!?!?!!?
I jump to my feet and look all around me.
G: "Where is it??"
Maribel motions for me to be quiet around the praying women, who are all staring at me. I run to the side of the room to follow her.
Maribel: "Pardon? Are you looking for someone?"
G: "My slime! Where did it... um... I mean... I... where..."
The absurdity hits me hard.
I said "my slime."
But how can I own a creature that is that conscious and kind? It saved my life in the caves, directed me to a secret job crystal, and even jumped in the way of a thrown drunk punch!
It's not "my slime."
It's "my friend."
Gabe: "My friend! My friend is missing... I need to find it... and then I wanted to talk to you... but I need to find it!"
Maribel's thoughts: *Why does he call his friend an "it?" Does he not know the gender? Or it is an imaginary friend of some sort? I must be cautious... is this insanity brought upon by so many karmic curses?*
Maribel: "What does your friend look like? You've been sleeping alone since I awoke at the first bell. I have not seen anyone else except the women who usually come to pray."
Gabe: "Um, it's small, and shiny, and really smart, and really round, and he doesn't talk."
Maribel: "Are you sure he stayed here? Is it possible that he went home during the night?"
Gabe: "Oh it wouldn't do that... it can't go home. It isn't safe... that's why we came here..."
{Pound}
I check my status screen. 47/50 HP. That means that I'm taking damage!?!
Gabe: "I think it might be in trouble!"
Maribel: "I can help you look for your friend. I hope we can help him find refuge."
I look around each of the alcove rooms, under the chairs, behind the flowerpots. No slime. Sister Maribel looks at me funnily when I look under and behind small objects. I don't think she understands how small he is.
Gabe: "It's really small."
Maribel: "Well... it seems he is no longer in the church. Perhaps he has gone to the orphanage?"
Maribel walks out the back opening of the church. There is another small fountain, a small metal fence, and then a grassy area with a building behind it.
On the side of the grassy area is a group of kids. It looks like they're playing with a ball. I keep looking for the slime but can't see it anywhere.
It's not in the fountain. Not in the vases. The door to the orphanage is closed, and I'm guessing it wouldn't be able to go inside without detection.
The ball rolls out next to me, and a big kid runs past the others to grab it. As he gets back to the circle he lifts it overhead and throws it with all his might.
{Pound}
Huh?!?
Gabe: "It's in trouble, Sister Maribel! Someone is attacking it! We have to find it quick!"
Maribel: "Perhaps the children can help us search? I will ask them."
Maribel approaches the children as Gabe runs around the corner of the orphanage. The children bunch together in a group in the field as she approaches. "Children, have you seen a small, very round person who has no hair?"
Child 1: "Is it Father Kyrael?"
Child 2: "Is it the baker man?"
Child 3: "Is it Grandma Tot-tot?"
Maribel: "No, it is none of those. It is a new person, one that you have never seen before. And it has been here since this morning before first bell. Has anyone seen such a person?"
Children: "No Sister Maribel."
Maribel: "Then you may resume playing. Remember that lessons begin at second bell."
Maribel walks back into the church.
I round the corner of the orphanage. No sign. I sit, dejectedly, on a bench watching the children play. They are standing in a circle and bouncing the ball to each other. The biggest kid gets the ball again and throws it hard.
{Pound}
I have to find the slime. He's still in trouble. I made a promise. And if he keeps taking damage, eventually I'll die... and then so will he! Maybe Maribel can heal me in the meantime while we continue to look. But how far does the protection reach?
Weirdly, as I look up, the biggest kid has the ball again. I don't feel like it's been long enough for him to have a turn again. He lifts up the ball overhead and throws it hard.
{Pound}
This time I'm watching carefully. I see a glint of light as the ball reaches the center of the circle.
No.
It couldn't be.
I run over to the children, who immediately crowd into a cluster on the grass.
Biggest kid: "Who are you, mister? And what are you doing here?"
Gabe: "I'm looking for my friend. I think he might be here."
Biggest kid: "Yeah we told the old sister we didn't see anyone. Go away."
Little girl: "Igor, Sister Maribel told you not to call her old! She'll get angry!"
Igor: "Yeah so what? What's she gonna do? Beat me up? I'm not afraid of her. She could have been a great magician but instead she works in a dump like this cuz she's afraid. She's weak, and a loser, and a *girl*."
My blood begins to boil.
I engage "Peace of the Pacifist" and begin to glow.
Gabe: "Look here, Igor."
Igor and the other kids look at me. They're startled by the light coming off my body. Normal light spells are small floating balls of light, which can be manipulated by the spell caster. Making an object itself light up isn't possible with that kind of spell.
Gabe: "Sister Maribel is *not* weak. Yes, it would be easy for her to be a magician. Maybe even a strong one. But she chose to dedicate her life to serving others. Helping them instead of hurting them. Bringing peace instead of war. She gave up her family so that you can have a place to sleep at night, and food to eat. She works harder than any court magician, and she is stronger than most warriors. And when she isn't next to you, you should be admiring her... not calling her names."
The children are silent. I've been looking directly at Igor, but all the rest of the children have their heads bowed. Igor suddenly glances around and bows his head as well.
Little girl: "It's true! It's true! Igor said mean things!"
Igor: "I didn't mean it! You know that right Sister Maribel?"
Sister Maribel is standing right next to me.
...
Wait what?!?
My face blushes. "How much of that did you hear?"
Maribel: "I've been standing here for a while now. I went inside the church to check for your friend again, but came back when I heard the children speaking again."
I turn bright red. Igor does the same.
She turns to me. "I appreciate your help with the children Gabe. Also..."
She blushes slightly and stops speaking.
Maribel: "Thank you. There are days I miss what I gave up in the past, and moments when I remember how much it means to me."
She turns to Igor. "Igor, I will speak with you later."
Igor kicks the ground.
{Pound}
There's a flash of light, and suddenly Igor is howling on the ground, holding his right foot.
I part the children in front of me, reach down into the grass, and pick up a prismatic slime. It begins glowing in my arms.
Maribel is healing Igor. Only moments later, she turns back to me. "Gabe, I was meaning to ask... why are you glowing?"
I turn to face her.
She screams. "What... what is that? Have you brought a monster inside the church? No... monsters and demons shouldn't be able to enter... then how? What is that?!?"
Gabe: "Sister Maribel, meet my friend. It's a prismatic slime."
-----
It takes a couple tries to explain the story. I explain about the rainbow, the mass murder of the prismatic slimes, protecting the slime, how he saved me in the cave and helped me escape, and how he was attacked by adventurer parties on the way back to town.
Gabe: "Oh! And he helped me get a new proficiency!" I open up my status screen and flip it toward Sister Maribel to share it with her. "You saw my status a week or two ago - there's a huge difference now, right?"
Sister Maribel looks at the status screen. Her jaw goes slack.
>>
Greater Status+ (cannot be shared or referenced to others) (faith skill)
Name: Gabe
Type: Otherworld Adventurer
Proficiency: Pacifist (I)
Level: 1
HP: 43/50
MP: 20
STR: 2 (karmic curse)
AGI: 2
DEX: 2
END: 4
INT: 2
WIS: 2
CHA: 4
PER: 4
LUC: 195 (karmic blessing)
Inventory: Karmic Ring of Strength (bound)
Status: Prismatic Protection
Prismatic Protection:
This creature is under the protection of a prismatic slime, which will block the next attack of any source, element, or damage type.
>>
Maribel: *How is this possible? What is this pacifist proficiency? Where did the karmic curses go? And what does prismatic protection mean?* "Yes, a lot *has* changed! Explain to me how this happened again?"
I explain the secret underground cave, the glowing job crystal, and the "Oath of Pacifism" that I took. I also show off the "Peace of the Pacifist" skill that allows me to make myself or anything I touch - including people or slimes - glow. The kids hang on to me and then let go over and over again, watching their hands light up. Eventually I turn it off - I only have so many points to work with.
Gabe: "Actually, the reason we came here was because of the slime. I... can't take care of him all the time... and if I'm not around he might be in danger. There are people who might want to kill him. Right now I take all damage in his place, but if I'm gone he could die. He only has one hit point... so I'm wondering if I can leave him here with you during the time I'm away."
I look at Igor when I say "all damage in his place." His face turns to a scowl. But then he and the other kids gasp when I explain that the slime only has one HP.
Children: "Is it true?!? Sister Maribel, does the slime really only have one HP? Will he die from playing ball? How is it alive? Can we keep it?"
Sister Maribel: "Calm down, calm down children..."
She turns to me. "It is quite odd that a monster was able to enter the church grounds. We have an enchantment that protects the area from monsters and demons. It also prevents any type of action made with the intent to harm another."
Gabe: "Does it cover the entire area?"
Sister Maribel: "Only the church itself. Since the enchantment alters the ability to use free will, it is forbidden to extend it over the orphanage even if it would increase safety. To compensate, the only entrance to the orphanage is through the church. The children can take refuge there at any time."
I look at the slime in my arms, the church, the kids, and Sister Maribel.
Gabe: "So can the slime stay here in the church with all of you while I'm gone?"
Children: "Please Sister Maribel! I'll take care of it / it will be my friend / Please oh please..."
Sister Maribel: "Hahahahahaha. If the children wish to care for it, and the Father does not object, I see no reason to decline. With your permission, I will check its status to ensure it is not dangerous. Our mission is to provide refuge to any who seek it. If it can abide by the regulations, it will be safe in the church. The Father will have to recast the enchantment anyway since it apparently is not functioning, and I think it is possible that he can exempt the slime from the monster prohibition and allow it entry and exit without great difficulty."
I nod, and after a slight hesitation, she places her hand on the slime. Her eyes open in surprise, but then she opens a window, says the words, "Greater Status," and another window pops up next to the slime.
Gabe: "Can I see it?"
Sister Maribel: "Unfortunately, 'Greater Status' is a faith skill that cannot be shared like other status windows."
Gabe: "Well.... what does it say?"
Maribel: "Unfortunately, 'Greater Status' also comes with a restriction on sharing any previously hidden information with others. It allows me to see hidden information about a status, which can help me to treat it, but I cannot even tell the person himself about any hidden information I see."
She looked at me directly during that last part. It makes me feel like she is trying to reference something.
Gabe: "Oh well. I was just wondering if it has a name."
Sister Maribel: "Well, in that case I can definitely respond. And share some of its basic unhidden information."
>>
Greater Status+ (cannot be shared or referenced to others) (faith skill)
Name: Lucia
Type: Prismatic Slime
Level: 4
HP: 1/1
MP: 35
STR: 4
AGI: 45
DEX: 6
END: 0
INT: 112
WIS: 35
CHA: 6
PER: 32
LUC: 2
Status: Pacifist Protection, Prismatic Resistance, Prismatic Reflection, Prismatic Immunity, Guaranteed Drop
Pacifist Protection (job skill, Gabe the Pacifist):
Choose one other being. You will take all damage in their stead. This ability extends beyond dimensions. Damage forms protected depend on range. Becomes invalid if the Pacifist dies.
Prismatic Resistance (creature passive):
All forms of damage changed to 1 HP. Immune to paralysis, poison, charm, or any other harmful status effects. Immune to terrain, weather, and other indirect sources of damage. Direct damage is any type of physical action taken with the intent to hurt the creature.
Prismatic Reflection (creature passive):
Hits that do not inflict damage (misses, parries, etc) are reflected in a random direction over the course of 100-800 milliseconds at the same inertia as the hit, depending on impact strength. This may cause extreme pain or damage to any physical objects that are redirected.
Prismatic Immunity (creature passive):
This creature is immune to any damage caused by an individual who has owned a prismatic tear.
Guaranteed Drop (creature passive):
This creature is guaranteed to drop an item upon death.
>>
---
Sister Maribel: "Well, let's see what I can tell you. The slime's name is Lucia. Oh! I can say that! That is great news since you wanted to know it. Its level is $&?#% and it does have 1 HP. It also has $&@%#€ and &$#%€¥&!+."
Gabe: "So Lucia is it? Good to meet you formally Lucia. My name is Gabe... and I'm grateful for everything you've done for me so far. Is it ok if I leave you here with Sister Maribel and the kids during the times while I'm away?"
Lucia jumps in my arms, the jumps out of them and slides next to Sister Maribel.
Gabe: "I guess that's settled then. Just need to get permission from the Father then?"
Sister Maribel: "Yes! And we must also ask Father Kyrael to recast the enchantment."
---
Father Kyrael's study is one of the small side rooms off the central part of the church. The children follow us silently to the door of the room. Sister Maribel knocks, and Father Kyrael smiles as he sees her. He turns and looks at me, then his face turns to complete shock and horror. I'm assuming that Lucia in my arms has something to do with it.
Sister Maribel: "Can we come in, Father Kyrael?"
He lets us inside. The children push until they are all inside the small room too, and the door closes behind them.
Father Kyrael is a short, bald man with a very round belly. In fact, I'm not fully sure that he is a man. He might be a different race altogether. Either way he's the first to speak.
Kyrael: "Sister Maribel, please explain to me what is happening, and especially the monster."
Sister Maribel first asserts that Lucia is not harmful. She then explains the entire story of Gabe, the rainbow, the event, the cave, and the pacifist role, with a lot of interjections and help from the children around her. She finishes explaining that Gabe needs help caring for the slime during the times he cannot, and that the children wish to help.
"Also, Father Kyrael, it seems that the warding enchantment has broken somehow. When you recast it, it should be possible to include Lucia as an allowed guest. That way she will be safe here."
Father Kyrael looks astonished. "That enchantment has never broken before... I wonder how it could have happened?... Well, if you are in agreement Sister Maribel then so am I. You would never do something that would put us in danger. I trust you. I will begin the re-enchantment right away."
The children cheer, Sister Maribel smiles. Lucia jumps over and over again. And Father Kyrael just sits watching her. Then he pulls out a large wooden box from a cabinet behind his desk, unfolds and reads a paper inside, and begins to re-weave the enchantment to protect the church and its people from harm.
---
Remember. *All* enchantments have a chance to break when they are activated.