<div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Status</div><div class="spoiler_body">AC 18   HP 83 of 83     Skirt &amp; outfit generally damaged, but armour intact.<br/>Spells remaining: 7 of 7 1st, 4 of 4 2nd, 1 of 1 from bonded object<br/>Ammunition remaining: 22 common arrows (+36 more in pack), 15 silvered, 20 cold iron, 3 Tangleshot<br/></div></div><br/>"I've been wondering about the GMs.  I mean, I can't believe all of them would support this Change, right?  It's got to be one guy..."  Rae-lynne thought of the apparent abundance of PC-rapists, and had second thoughts.  "...anyway, surely there'd be at least one or two that didn't support it.  But I suppose... some of them have ordinary alts too, from what I've heard, if they were caught in that state..."  she shrugged.  "And it could still be just one developer who put through this change, right?  If even GMs can't access system commands, they'd be no better off than anyone else, except maybe unkillable.  Oh... so maybe worse off."  So was that it, one evil developer taking things too far?  Or some disgruntled player/hacker?  Surely this would be too difficult for that.  Or something more?  They just couldn't know.<br/><br/>Grogza provided a bit more information on her own experience... "Moonshadow, you said your own collaring happened after being defeated too many times too, right?  So... maybe three defeats between rests, or days, or... whatever?  And the devil... maybe.   Or if a GM or QA tester or someone can still swap forms, perhaps they're constrained by the 'rules' of whatever form they're in?"  She lifted her hands in a gesture of ignorance.  "I don't know, but clearly there<em>are</em>still rules for the most part.  Though someone or someones has the power to change them."<br/><br/>Rayne felt a bit silly tromping the heavy stone halls of the fort in her cotton sleepers - but, as Sabrith had pointed out, at least these covered her decently.  They just didn't scream "deadly fighter here", or even "strong, independent woman".  But the people she met were good people, funny and understanding.  Judging by how Zombs watched over Lizzy, perhaps he wasn't sure they were all quite so good, but Rayne felt safe.  She was used to sleeping alone, and took a small room for herself - probably that of some functionary rather than a noble, as it was a bit more plain, but it was in a corner, with windows on two walls to look out and see the dark city.<br/><br/><hr/><br/>Cozy they were, but Rayne as glad to receive her armour back.  The somewhat tattered state of the overlying Vest served as a reminder that they needed to get crafting fully operational, though it was a good thing they had the anvil and basic tools now.  "Thanks, Lizzy!  That was quick, and it looks good."  Rayne finished donning the various smaller pieces, and belted her weapons in place.<br/><br/>Breakfast was filling though a bit plain, and just as Rayne was getting antsy to do something, to help, Zombs approached.  "Of course, if it can help, my mount's yours.  But please be careful - well, as careful as is fitting - I'd hate to lose my Dix so soon after gaining it."  Hearing how that sounded, she tinged pink, then almost made a comment to deflect it onto Sabrith... but remembering she'd kept that private, she just cast a meaningful look the cat-girl's way.<br/><br/>With everyone (but the morning's guard detail) gathered - and though it was the most PCs Rayne had seen together, perhaps ever, it still seemed a small, weak army - Zombs outlined his plan.   Of course Rayne was eager to get to the "clearing the streets" part, but for that they'd need to locate where the monsters spawned, which could take some time.  So it made sense to aim for sustainability and crafting stations first.  She nodded along with their leader.  Those scrolls should make it possible, though she'd never heard of someone moving one of the permanent crafting stations.  But there were many new things in the world these days, why not that?<br/><br/>But if they were trapped, on the wrong side of the city... it was a terribly long, dangerous walk back.  Rayne was quite aware that she wasn't much good in close quarters, but she was swift... and if someone was riding Dixon into this, Rayne herself at least had some experience in that.  With some hesitation, Rayne stood, cleared her throat, and put her neck on the chopping block.  "I can do this... and if it comes to running away, I'm quicker than most monsters too.  Besides..." she flared her skirt briefly, sheepishly "...I have a particular need for that tailoring station."<br/><br/>A voice just to her left joined in, as Grogza spoke up.  Rayne was a little surprised - the poor woman had been through more than most already.  But apparently the barbarian felt a debt - and she was even faster.  Still, though the half-orc would be a terrific companion, a mighty warrior as Rayne had observed, the player behind the character was more unsure.  Perhaps, so long as they didn't face Kech, she'd be fine... and she'd had some opportunity to fight and win lately, which surely bolstered her confidence.<br/>