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File 151280459570.png - (24.36KB , 600x400 , dungeoneer_ch4.png )
850511 No. 850511 ID: dab122

http://www.tgchan.org/wiki/Dungeoneer

How long have I slept?

I feel listless and tormented by dreams.
Expand all images
>>
No. 850512 ID: dab122
File 151280463168.png - (37.06KB , 800x600 , the_sun_represents_deems_repressed_libido.png )
850512

I hate dreams.
>>
No. 850513 ID: dab122
File 151280473326.png - (29.46KB , 800x500 , deem_scratches.png )
850513

I remember now.

The visiting priest. Putting Merud's conscience to rest. The seance. That spirit trapped in those old bones.

A demon of dreams.

There are ways - quite forbidden these days I'm sure - to distill a demon down into a curse, a living spell that will do nothing but seek the destruction of its target until it starves. Here a night hag boiled down into a nightmare curse. Esra, if this person really was Esra, must have drowned before it could finish eating his mind. And so it was stuck here.

What a pathetic fate.

How many years did that night hag spend winding up its last nightmare in the dim hopes of getting free? It would have devoured the shopkeeper's daughter, the acolyte Ophelia, had I not stepped in. I wounded it, but then I succumbed to the curse while it fled for its life.

How far fallen am I to have been swallowed up by a trick like that?
>>
No. 850514 ID: dab122
File 151280476024.png - (13.87KB , 800x500 , not_a_morning_person.png )
850514

I can barely see, I can barely move. My mana is disastrously depleted. Where is my treasure? Where is my dungeon? My Heart is not where it belongs! Where are my dungeon's denizens? Who should I see to first?

There's so much to put right I hardly know where to begin.
>>
No. 850515 ID: 91ee5f

>>850514
>There's so much to put right I hardly know where to begin.
You could start with Stargazer, since she's right there in your face.
>>
No. 850516 ID: b53bd0

first find your heart, with your heart will be your mana and from there you can feel your dungeon.
>>
No. 850517 ID: c2051e

>>850514
Well, there's Stargazer, so it probably hasn't been too long, at least. Ask the closest person what clusterfuck is the most urgent the moment, because I'm sure there's something going on.

If by some sweet providence nothing's horribly wrong beyond what you listed, go find your Heart.
>>
No. 850518 ID: 3ce125

Reisarf must be nearby, so ask him for answers to those questions you just asked yourself.

You chopped off a piece of it... after you get your bearings, you may be able to use that piece to track it. Once you find it again, could you recruit it like a monster? Or is it too mindless/single-minded?
>>
No. 850519 ID: 3abd97

>>850513
If it's any consolation, you selfless intervention probably played very well. If Merud was bothered by your inhumanity, or the seeming callousness you treated Esra's remains, it probably helped seeing you step in to protect a child like that.

>Where is my treasure? Where is my dungeon? My Heart is not where it belongs!
Have some faith in your followers. Surely they would have been able to keep things in order during your relatively short incapacitate? They would not abandon you, nor allow what you had build to fall to ruin.

>Who should I see to first?
>There's so much to put right I hardly know where to begin.
Boop stargazer on the snoot.
>>
No. 850520 ID: c2051e

Also, demand a kiss from the first eligible candidate to come by as recompensation for something to be determined later.
>>
No. 850521 ID: 91ee5f

>>850518
>Once you find it again, could you recruit it like a monster?
No way in hell we're letting that thing hang around in our dungeon! Next time we see it, we fucking murder it!
>>
No. 850525 ID: 2120ee

>>850514
Moriko can be trusted the most. She cares for your wellbeing, and won't meddle like others.

Call out for her, so that you can begin to right the frailties that plague your circumstances.
>>
No. 850526 ID: 1e7aa8

You've unknowingly entered a staring contest with a certain chimeric staff. Don't lose.
>>
No. 850529 ID: 094652

Well, you've got Stargazer about five inches away from you. So there's that.

Figure out where you landed and how much infestation you've got. You need to deal with the curse before she burns through your subsystems and takes over. Then it's just a matter of walking back to civilization.

I mean, it's not like you're on another planet or something...
>>
No. 850544 ID: a98542

>Who should I see to first?
Not Stargazer. Push her out of the way and see who else is around.
>>
No. 850556 ID: b7627b

>>850514

Stargazer is now Deemgazer.

Also holy shit you have a visible nose now, look down to see what else is visible, the hag might've tried to consume your mind, but just ended up making you alter your body.
>>
No. 850560 ID: da1652

>>850514
Seek out your heart. The others will flock to you once they see you are mobile again.
>>
No. 850564 ID: 7152b7

First things first. Tell everyone why you were right and they were retarded.
>>
No. 850565 ID: 33cbe7

First, swear vengeance against many-eyed cats. Second, seek Moriko.
>>
No. 850604 ID: 3ae3fd

Flail around with your, umm, dungeonness... The Earth Pulse must be in reach, even if only a little, and even if your hoard has been lost, there must be something! Some rich ore, a loose crystal... something... enough to get a trickle of mana, enough to be aware again. Sense your true self's surroundings, restore the flow of mana, even if only a little, all else can wait!

>>850564
Yes. But first curse The Sky Power, you have the strangest feeling that it is all responsible for this...

And consider what Esra's name would be backwards, and how unpleasant it was of them to die with an active curse right where it would get all over your new site.

And you should probably study that revival fountain again while you are here. And nickname the guard who let you in as "Turing".
>>
No. 850649 ID: dab122
File 151287030637.png - (23.79KB , 800x550 , tent_buddies.png )
850649

>Not Stargazer. Push her out of the way and see who else is around.
You're too close, Stargazer.

>You've unknowingly entered a staring contest with a certain chimeric staff. Don't lose.
I win. I know her weakness.

I'm in a tent. It's daytime. There's a slight breeze wafting through the opening and now I've had the chance to re-orientate myself, I can feel we're still in the mountains just outside my dungeon.

>Also, demand a kiss from the first eligible candidate to come by as recompensation for something to be determined later.
I'm not kissing Stargazer.

>Well, there's Stargazer, so it probably hasn't been too long, at least. Ask the closest person what clusterfuck is the most urgent the moment, because I'm sure there's something going on.
I let go of Stargazer's side noodle. "Is there anything going on I should be worried about?" Even my voice is weak.

Stargazer wiggles at me. I think she's offended. Also, is it just me or does she look fatter?

>Also holy shit you have a visible nose now, look down to see what else is visible, the hag might've tried to consume your mind, but just ended up making you alter your body.
I've always had a nose. I'm still wearing the clothes I was wearing on the night of the seance. Nothing's changed physically.

>Have some faith in your followers. Surely they would have been able to keep things in order during your relatively short incapacitate? They would not abandon you, nor allow what you had build to fall to ruin.
Faith simply isn't something that comes easily to me.
>>
No. 850650 ID: dab122
File 151287040048.png - (20.61KB , 800x550 , wheres_your_costume_moriko.png )
850650

>Moriko can be trusted the most. She cares for your well being, and won't meddle like others.
>Call out for her, so that you can begin to right the frailties that plague your circumstances.
"Moriko?" I croak. I clear my throat and try again.

The tent flap parts and then she is. I must have looked happy to see her because she smiles back at me.

"We didn't know when you were going to wake up again." That smile vanishes. "I've failed you. I am supposed to be your protector but instead I needed to be rescued."

"The last thing I'm sure happened was breaking the circle." I say. "What have I missed?"

"That demon's curse spilled out of the circle. Everyone started hallucinating. You were delirious so we were forced to remove your Heart and seal off the dungeon until the earth pulse calmed down again. It's been three days."

Three days?! I suppose I should not complain as I have recently slept for two thousand years. However much I personally might complain about mana starvation now, that sounds like it was the right move. I nod. "What about our visitors?"

Liana playing traveling merchant, her daughter Ophelia and Merud's fellow golemeter, Kallia, and the mycologist Izakikk acting as caravan guards.

"They got out safely. They left yesterday." Moriko nods at a bag at the base of the bed. "There is a letter from Liana for you." I'll need someone to read it to me latter. I need to see everyone.

I try to get up from the bed. Moriko has to come over and support me.

Stargazer hops along behind us.

>Swear vengeance against many-eyed cats
What's this about cats?
>>
No. 850652 ID: dab122
File 151287055584.png - (41.43KB , 800x600 , deems_friends_and_belphejar.png )
850652

It looks like everyone scavenged what they could and rebuilt our initial camp outside while the dungeon remained sealed. It is a profound failure on my part. As a dungeon I should be giving shelter to my denizens.

"Deem!" Alkaline rushes over. I think that might be the first time she's pronounced my name correctly. I feel oddly sentimental about that. Moriko has to stop her bowling into me. I might fall. Instead I put a hand out to her, pull her in and lean on her for support.

Now I have two crutches.

"Oh so you're up, Sleeping Beauty?" Hin says. "We were about to start looking for a prince." She chuckles weakly and then starts coughing. The gristleworm flaring up again? Under the circumstances I suppose she hasn't gotten any of the rest and relaxation I'd prescribed. She looks worn out.

Doyle seems less frightened of Hin so that's a plus.

"Hello everyone. I'm glad you're all still in one piece." A weak start.

"You should thank Moriko and Stargazer." Merud says. "They weren't as badly affected by the hallucinations. They got everyone out." He looks tired and stressed. A guilty conscience perhaps.

>If it's any consolation, you selfless intervention probably played very well. If Merud was bothered by your inhumanity, or the seeming callousness you treated Esra's remains, it probably helped seeing you step in to protect a child like that.
It was hardly selfless.

>You chopped off a piece of it... after you get your bearings, you may be able to use that piece to track it. Once you find it again, could you recruit it like a monster? Or is it too mindless/single-minded?
If I find it again, I'm going to recruit it into the grave.

Reiarf's a girl. Why is Reisarf a girl?

Chakarchelou seems completely unaffected by any of this.

>First things first. Tell everyone why you were right and they were retarded.
I don't think this is the right time for that.

I look at Moriko and Stargazer. "Well then thanks. I wish I could say we can relax now, but we have a lot of things to set to right first."

First I need to:
>Check on the state of my dungeon and reinstall my Heart.
>See what can be done about anyone's problems immediately.
>>
No. 850655 ID: 33cbe7

Reisarf:
-is taller. Not seventy feet taller, but still.
-has enhanced knockers
-is looking more spry than before
So it doesn't seem he has any problems.
The only question is whether it's temporary or not. There were some pretty powerful cakes magics being thrown around, so there's a chance it might be permanent.

Let's reinstall your heart and smash any squatters so your team can have your roof over their heads again.
>>
No. 850656 ID: b7627b

>>850652
What do you mean? Reisarf has always been a girl. Are you sure you've recovered properly?

More pressingly, Hin *still* doesn't look like she's been resting properly(even if she does look slightly better), it's been 3 days! Be sure do berate her slightly.

Would it be possible for you to consume a satiation potion to alleviate the weakness? ie by absorbing some of the magical energies present in it.
>>
No. 850657 ID: 33cbe7

>>850656
Hin's been through a lot in the past few days! If anything we should thank her for putting our wellbeing so far ahead of hers, then ask her to never do something that crazy again.
As for the potions, maybe if you poured it in the hole the mana leaks from?
>>
No. 850659 ID: 3ce125

>>850652
Hin, go to bed. Reisarf, what.

Try using the crystal lens to inspect Reisarf. Is this some kind of enhancement magic? Temporary transmutation hopefully? Or a curse?
>>
No. 850660 ID: b53bd0

well, first you need to make sure no lingering curse is gummed up in your halls. then you can put your heart back.
>>
No. 850661 ID: 91ee5f

>>850649
>Also, is it just me or does she look fatter?
You can ask about that, but I think she might've been absorbing any corrupted mana that might've been in your golem body.

>>850652
>Reiarf's a girl. Why is Reisarf a girl?
.....yeeeaaah, you should definitely ask about that.

>I don't think this is the right time for that.
To be honest, it's never going to be the right time for that. So don't mention it.

I think you should ask how everyone is doing before you ask about the condition of your heart. That way you'll be seen as a leader that cares about her followers wellbeing, instead of an asshole that only cares about herself.
>>
No. 850663 ID: 33d4be

Hey, Deem, I know we're not always on the best of terms, but could you relay a message for us? Tell Stargazer that someone sends her an apology. That they aren't totally in control of themselves, as she knows, but they still need to admit it, so they're saying sorry.

Then you should also add your own apologies, to everyone. None of it was your fault in the sense that you should feel guilty about it, in fact you should feel proud for doing as much as you did in your condition, but that condition of weakness is itself presumably a result of some ancient unremembered event that you either caused or could have prevented. In any case you're their boss so bad stuff happening is your responsibility as a matter of principle.

Then see what can be done about everyone's problems!
>>
No. 850664 ID: 2120ee

>>850652
You don't remember Reisarf and her masculine parasite staff? Right, you were calling Stargazer "her" too. Take it easy, Deem.

>Check on the state of my dungeon and reinstall my Heart.
Yep, this is the #1 priority. You need mana for things and junk. Not much work probably got done, since Hin was supposed to be resting and they would have been on high defense.

>See what can be done about anyone's problems immediately.
I'm tired of that gristleworm. As soon as you have some mana to work with, curse it. Reach into Belphejar and repurpose his brew if you need to, just get that thing dead. You won't stand for some petty worm infringing on your servant any longer, it's shameful it's lasted this long. Hin has proven to be tolerant of side effects.
>>
No. 850666 ID: 3abd97

>I've failed you
I chose to put myself at risk to save the child priestess. The failure wasn't yours.

>Reiarf's a girl. Why is Reisarf a girl?
Like the minor details of these flesh creature's life cycles should concern you. Everyone knows there are animals that can change their gender as they age, or in different environmental factors.

Look, (s)he's taller now, too. Perfectly normal.

>Check on the state of my dungeon and reinstall my Heart.
>See what can be done about anyone's problems immediately.
I think tending to your minions comes first, they've been on their own and unsupervised for days.

Then when you're sure they can tend to themselves, they can guard things while you get the dungeon working again.
>>
No. 850668 ID: d36af7

Heart reinstall takes priority. I mean, what if some adventurers showed up right now? Or that devil-bear? Would the resurrection chamber even work?

After that, debriefing. Talk to everybody separately, one at a time, get their accounts of what happened while you were out. Discourage them from discussing events with each other (at least, any more than they already have) until all the interviews are finished. Moriko first, since she's the most trustworthy, Merud last so he can stew in guilt over causing this whole mess, and also because, between wizard eyes and general loquaciousness, he's probably got the most to say, so you want to absorb the simpler stories first. Check for any inconsistencies between accounts, figure out what's an honest misunderstanding or forgivable exaggeration and what might be genuinely dangerous attempts at subterfuge.

After indulging that twinge of paranoia, get on with repairs, morale management, and whatever other problems the debriefing brought to light.
>>
No. 850688 ID: c88e6d

>>850652
You genderbent them all in your nightmare and also made Stargazer fat. Feel bad.
>>
No. 850690 ID: 0d1514

>>850652
Reisarf you look different did you do something with your hair
>>
No. 850691 ID: 0d1514

>>850652
Sorry hin we gotta restart treatment
>>
No. 850696 ID: c2051e

"Reisarf, how did you get Stargazer pregnant?"
>>
No. 850705 ID: 1e7aa8

Oh goodness. Reisarf must have had one of the satiation potions. And alkaline has started trying to copy Merud's look.

Anyways, ask what time of day it is and how everyone is holding up. If it's early enough and moriko, reisarf and stargazer are up for it, it's time to call fourth the murderhobo from the depths of your heart and shank a bitch!
>>
No. 850706 ID: 0d1514

Hey Deem do you remember kissing Moriko
>>
No. 850711 ID: 91ee5f

Ask how well behaved Alkaline has been while you were out. And ask if she's learned anything new.
>>
No. 850716 ID: 094652

>Reisarf is a teenage girl
Yeah we should figure out how that happened and what we can do about it, including reversal / replication of the effects. Stargazer would likely have to do with it.

Income is going to be tight while your heart and dungeon are out of commission. How about an expedition to replenish your supplies?
>>
No. 850727 ID: 7152b7

Reisarf. Explain... *Make hand motions and Reisarf* This.
>>
No. 850746 ID: dab122
File 151290808969.png - (39.27KB , 800x600 , getting_to_the_bottom_of_this_nonsense.png )
850746

>You genderbent them all in your nightmare and also made Stargazer fat. Feel bad.
That's not my fault!

>Hey Deem do you remember kissing Moriko
...

I have no idea what you're t-talking about!

>What do you mean? Reisarf has always been a girl. Are you sure you've recovered properly?
>You don't remember Reisarf and her masculine parasite staff? Right, you were calling Stargazer "her" too. Take it easy, Deem.
I am not at all amused by your japes.

>Would it be possible for you to consume a satiation potion to alleviate the weakness? ie by absorbing some of the magical energies present in it.
>As for the potions, maybe if you poured it in the hole the mana leaks from?
Not only can I not drink potions, I sold all of the satiation potions to Kallia. I cannot digest them.

>I'm tired of that gristleworm. As soon as you have some mana to work with, curse it.
That depends on my having mana which requires me to put my Heart back in its rightful spot. I'll tackle that later.

>And Alkaline has started trying to copy Merud's look.
He must have been looking after her while I was asleep. I'll need to thank him for that.

>"Reisarf, how did you get Stargazer pregnant?"
No.

>Hin, go to bed. Reisarf, what.
"Everyone try to get some rest. I need to speak with Reisarf about his situation for a moment."

Everyone looks at me, a look of mutual understanding, and nods.

Alkaline assists me as I take him aside. I realise he is a lot taller than he should be now we're up close. "So you're a girl now?"

"Yes."

"Completely a girl?"

"Yes?"

"Do you know why?"

"Not really, no."

I rub my forehead. It's hard to think. Mana, I need mana. Maybe I need a different approach.

"Are you alright Deem?" Reisarf says. "Maybe you should lie down."

>>Also, is it just me or does Stargazer look fatter?
>You can ask about that, but I think she might've been absorbing any corrupted mana that might've been in your golem body.
"I've done enough of that already." Maybe I'll start with something simpler. "Stargazer looks a little different too I noticed."

"Oh, she ate too much. She said there was a lot of raw mana spilled near the Heart that they had to clear up."

That's a surprisingly mundane explanation.

"Is there any chance the two things are connected?"

"I could have been contaminated by the overflow, but I don't think that alone wouldn't explain it."

My magic could be tied up in this. It's the only obvious thing that's strong enough to wreak these sorts of changes. We might have to take things slowly in reopening the dungeon, see if there's any more bad magic still bouncing around inside.

"Well we could kill and revive you but that seems a little extreme and I don't think it'll work."

Reisarf hastily holds up a hand. "Don't worry about me right now. It doesn't hurt or anything. You don't have to fix everything right away."

>Try using the crystal lens to inspect Reisarf. Is this some kind of enhancement magic? Temporary transmutation hopefully? Or a curse?
I hold up the lens. "I'll at least try this."
>>
No. 850747 ID: dab122
File 151290823464.png - (29.77KB , 500x800 , scan_for_boy.png )
850747

The lens isn't really intended for this sort of diagnostic. I can't see it as any sort of affliction or curse. Wait... what's this?

----------------------------------------
Reisarf Silen
Lvl 1 Human Alienist

----------------------------------------
Power: E
Vitality: D (E=>D)
Accuracy: E
Speed: C
Wits: A
Skill: C
Spirit: A
Luck: D

----------------------------------------
Detected Abilities
----------------------------------------
Passivity: Is it from staring unblinking into the eye of eternity or just her nature? Reisarf is extraordinarily laid back. She is immune to fear and resists all mind influencing effects.

Spawnpact: Reisarf is bonded to Stargazer and she has tutored her in the destructive and alien principles known to the Far Ones. It draws upon their understanding of distance, space and the illusion of form as well as bizarre spells drawing on the elements they have contaminated: shadow and water. Since these principles are difficult for a human mind to understand, Reisarf relies heavily on rote spells in battle, and has increased difficulty casting without Stargazer's aid.

Rote Spells:
Stray Illume: A scattershot-style blast of magic missiles.
Gazerbeam: A magical laser. Power is enhanced when channeled through Stargazer.
Starlight Destroyer: A level 1 wizard should not have this spell. Full power destruction. Somewhat difficult to cast.
Spatial Warp: Teleports Reisarf several feet from her current position in a direction in line of sight. Can be automatically activated with a high probability of success when attacked. The exit point is difficult to predict and its disorientating to use.
Evil Eye: A paralysing curse that breaks the enemy's concentration and interferes with their movement.
Curse of Formlessness: A curse that attacks a creature's definition of its own shape, causing weakness and loss of coordination. On a spectacular success, they are transformed into a slime-like creature.

----------------------------------------
New Ability
----------------------------------------
Secondary Reinforcement: Expended mana is circulated through secondary channels, giving Reisarf a physical boost for the next several minutes whenever she casts a spell. Casting more spells increases the boost and extends the duration.

OR

Secondary Storage: Reisarf can create a secondary reserve of mana inside her body by moving part of her normal pool of mana into it. Once created it is isolated and her mana will refill naturally. The secondary reserve can then be unsealed at any time to refill her mana pool.
----------------------------------------

----------------------------------------
Stargazer
Lvl 1 Chimerical Staff

----------------------------------------
Power: C
Vitality: C
Accuracy: B
Speed: D
Wits: D
Skill: D
Spirit: C (D=>C)
Luck: D

----------------------------------------
Detected Abilities
----------------------------------------
Alien Form: Stargazer is resilient to most forms of attack and can alter her shape.

Independent Action With an infusion of mana from Reisarf, Stargazer can metamorphose into a more physically capable form to defend her. Her abilities rise by two ranks split between her choice of Pow, Vit, Acc and Spd. Physically simple forms are larger.

----------------------------------------
New Ability
----------------------------------------
Mana Battery: The fluidity of Stargazer's internal mana supply is improved, allowing her to receive and transfer mana with ease. The amount of mana stored can exceed her normal maximum. She can quickly refill the mana of anyone touching her and burn mana to overcharge Reisarf's spells.

OR

Mana Sponge: Stargazer can exceed the normal limits of her Independent Action by absorbing additional mana or shortening its duration, increasing the mass, complexity and/or physical capability of her transformed form.
----------------------------------------

As a dungeon I am, of course, able to assist in shaping my denizen's growth. There's definitely some contamination going on. Reisarf's showing development that looks a lot like some of the mana-body interactions Stargazer is capable of. It can be matured into Secondary Reinforcement or Secondary Storage. One lets him shed his noodly wizard body as he depletes his mana and the other makes it harder to deplete his mana.

I hope this can be preserved when I change him back.

Reisarf's also showed some improvements in his stamina but I'd say that's mainly the effect of the exercises I've been putting him through and reducing the drain from Stargazer. Speaking of Stargazer the raw mana diet seems to have paid dividends. Soaking in mana has let her develop Mana Battery or Mana Sponge. The first will help her support Reisarf magically and the second will improve her ability to act physically.

I have no answers on Reisarf's misplaced gender for the moment but I can at least help them settle this. They do not seem to have strong opinions either way.
>>
No. 850748 ID: eeb27f

It feels redundant to double up on mana storage, so I think we should use mana storage on one and bodily enhancement on the other. Given how they are when using independent action, I think Stargazer would benefit more from the body boost.
>>
No. 850749 ID: 0d1514

>>850747
>change him back
why
>>
No. 850750 ID: 0d1514

Sponge and storage- wait, ask Reisarf what she wants to do. it's her noodly body that she could be buffing.
>>
No. 850751 ID: 33cbe7

Mana Sponge and Secondary Storage.
Stargazer's Independent Action is powerful - if she could pull off a form like the one from her reinforced battle under her own power, well first off imagine what THAT would be like when reinforced, and second she could use that power more often without the strain of reinforcement.
Reisarf's mana tanks would swell with this new ability. The other ability would drain their magic potential for a temporary physical boost - not useful for a wizard in the long or short run. Stick to non-magical methods of putting meat on those bones.
You need to make more satiation potions. If the knocker enhancement works on Reisarf now, you'll know it's not a status effect but a true status change!
You could also restart Hin's regimen of rest, but honestly I think she isn't ever going to stick to it. You should try plan turn-Hin-into-a-slime again.
>>
No. 850755 ID: 094652

Reisarf is a caster and Stargazer is an empathetic weapon, so give them Storage and Sponge.
>>
No. 850757 ID: 1e7aa8

List the options available to them, but do suggest storage and battery.

Especially mana battery if it means having a slight work around for your own mana issues, deem. (with permission, of course)
>>
No. 850766 ID: b7627b

>>850747

Reisarf should get secondary storage to further solidify his role as a primary caster, it might also manifest as "mana tanks".

And Mana Sponge seems like it might get us MahouGazer if we continue down that line.

For Rei's other issue, you could go back to the town and ask if anyone has a spare penis, or just let dead dongs lie.
>>
No. 850771 ID: 7579d8

Oh man, Secondary Reinforcement plus Mana Battery. Keep casting spells and gaining buffs until mana is depleted. Then cast FIST.
>>
No. 850772 ID: 3abd97

>"Don't worry about me right now. It doesn't hurt or anything. You don't have to fix everything right away."
You skipped the most important question, Deem. You gotta ask Reisarf if she wants you to fix this. If Reisarf wants to keep that body in the short or long term, that's her call.

(Or if she's too passive to make the call I guess it's Stargazer's call).

>new abilities
Secondary Reinforcement seems a lot more useful to me. Mages need to move and do things in the middle of combat, and a passive buff along with every spell cast makes her more able to avoid attacks and keep up. I know the other option adds more mana, but this one makes every bit of mana spent return more for the expenditure.

Mana Battery seems a no-brainer for Stargazer though. It gives her better synergy with Reisarf, and also the excess raw mana from your heart.
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No. 850787 ID: 3ce125

>>850747
Storage and Sponge. We don't need to cover Reisarf's physical weakness THAT much, and Sponge is just way stronger than Battery if you ask me, especially if Reisarf picks Storage.

I think we should start training Reisarf's accuracy now, rather than endurance. Though of course he can't neglect his body either.
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No. 850789 ID: 33d4be

I say Secondary Storage and Mana Battery, for double mana pool bonuses. Both of the others seem somewhat tuned towards hybridizing Reisarf as a fighter, which I really don't think he's suited for.

Importantly, Stargazer's Mana Battery says it can be used to restore the mana of anyone touching her, and you have mana problems, don't you Deem? If Stargazer can give you even a little more effective reserve, that might be critical some day.
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No. 850797 ID: 71d608

I´d say Secondary Storage and Mana Sponge, just to reinforce the idea of having them both fight seperatly.

That aside, you should really consult Reisaf if she´s OK with those changes to see how important the issue is, so that we can better gauge the priority of this
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No. 850829 ID: 7152b7

I Vote
Reinforcement
Sponge

Reisarf and Stargazer are a magical glass cannon, but if you have an answer for their initial onslaught or force them to hold back, and they are quickly defeated.

By doubling down on powerful physical alternatives, not only do we give our cannon a second shot, but that shot requires a sudden change in strategy to defeat. Riff-raff like that Cat would no longer be a threat at all with Reisarf alone. Even experienced parties wouldn't have an immediate solid answer, creating openings that could be exploited.
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No. 850836 ID: 3ae3fd

Reinforced Sponge to maximise the multiple-stage boss-battle potential! Get a damage sponge out the front to maximise Reisarf's gains-time then unleash the tiny titan!

You could really use a second opinion on what to do about this gender issue. As mineral-life you may have seen a lot of gender-stuff but it was never really directly relevant to you. Much like reading... Who seems to have a pretty good handle on genders?
Investigate what Kallia had to say about the situation. Also see how Char feels about being the only man in the group...
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No. 850838 ID: 0d45a9

Ask Reisarf and Stargazer, it's their bodies you'll be effecting, so they should have a say in the matter.
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No. 850839 ID: c88e6d

Secondary Reinforcement and Mana Sponge.

We need to get Reisarf to be less of a limp noodle. Stargazer is more durable!
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No. 850875 ID: 3ae3fd

It seems that we have been specifically told that Reisarf and Stargazer are not going to express an opinion on the matter, so asking what they want won't do anything. That said, maybe they are just shy? If it came with specific advice as to how to coax an answer out of them... Like, if you said "Stargazer. this is a sponge. This is a battery. Eat them both at the same time and tell me which you would rather be made out of!" then you might acquire actionable data! Otherwise, I fear that "They do not seem to have strong opinions either way." is quite clear.

Does Deem have a sponge and a battery?
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No. 850898 ID: c2051e

Reinforcement

and

Battery
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No. 850899 ID: 91ee5f

Reinforcement and Battery
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No. 850932 ID: dab122
File 151300141204.png - (28.91KB , 600x800 , new_packaging.png )
850932

"I have bad news and good news." I say to Reisarf and Stargazer. "The bad news is I'm not getting much in the ways of clues with just the lens. The good news is this has been a growth experience for the two of you."

"I noticed." Reisarf says.

Sometimes I think I need to watch my phrasing closer.

>Reisarf's mana tanks would swell with this new ability. The other ability would drain their magic potential for a temporary physical boost - not useful for a wizard in the long or short run. Stick to non-magical methods of putting meat on those bones.
The physical enhancement is interesting but he's probably better sticking to things that will help him stand out as an exceptional wizard. I explain to Reisarf that the contamination has had some other effects and suggest he tries use it to bolster his magical talents.

Maybe I should get him to learn more mana transfer and recovery skills eventually. He could help me with my own mana supply issues...

>Importantly, Stargazer's Mana Battery says it can be used to restore the mana of anyone touching her, and you have mana problems, don't you Deem? If Stargazer can give you even a little more effective reserve, that might be critical some day.
Right with both her and Reisarf able to do that, I'd have two excellent supplements to my mana supply! No, my lack of mana is getting to me. I need to consider their best interests, not my own greed.

>Stargazer's Independent Action is powerful - if she could pull off a form like the one from her reinforced battle under her own power, well first off imagine what THAT would be like when reinforced, and second she could use that power more often without the strain of reinforcement.
I've been trying to get Reisarf and Stargazer used to working separately when needed and Mana Sponge offers a lot of versatility. I'd be able to save a lot in terms of mana cost by making the raw mana oversupply contribute to most of her combat strength too. I suggest that it'll help her protect Reisarf better.

Maybe she'd eventually be able to gain both abilities?

>You skipped the most important question, Deem. You gotta ask Reisarf if she wants you to fix this. If Reisarf wants to keep that body in the short or long term, that's her call.
"If these changes give you any trouble, tell me." I say to Reisarf before I leave. "If you decide you need to change back, I can make it my top priority."

He agrees in that vague way of his.

>I think we should start training Reisarf's accuracy now, rather than endurance. Though of course he can't neglect his body either.
The benefits of that aren't as great as they might seem at first glance. His style of fighting already compensates for it. Every single one of his offensive spells is designed to hinder the enemy's movement or hit any area, Stargazer helps him aim and I know I will someday rue saying this when he misses an incredibly easy shot.

>Investigate what Kallia had to say about the situation.
I don't need to investigate to know it was a lot of double-entendres.

>Also see how Char feels about being the only man in the group...
You forgot about Merud. And possibly Doyle.
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No. 850934 ID: dab122
File 151300152358.png - (25.31KB , 800x601 , wormhin_plan.png )
850934

>You could also restart Hin's regimen of rest, but honestly I think she isn't ever going to stick to it. You should try plan turn-Hin-into-a-slime again.
As the other urgent minion matter, I should do something about Hin. I need to restore my Heart but before we get stuck into dungeon clean-up I want to at least present some treatment options to her. Bed rest clearly isn't working out for her.

The original plan involved using Reisarf's Curse of Formlessness as many times as necessary to turn Hin into a slime-like creature and then see if Alkaline could fuse with her. The idea was Alkaline's curse-deteriorating ability would help cure Hin.

Obviously a parasitic worm is a little different but it shouldn't be able to survive inside Alkaline's acidic protoplasm either so the plan's still applicable. This plan has the benefit that no special materials are required; we can do it immediately if we want to. There may be side effects though.

There's also the healing potions I made before the seance. They had a purging effect with slime sweat but I think the gristleworm's won't be dislodged by that. It's too big and its flesh-phasing ability will help it resist the effect too. The potion would make Hin hungry too and given the worm's made it painful for her to eat that'll probably weaken her further. I could try one but I do not think it will work.

Reinforcement or curse magic is an option but I'd need to give some thought to what might help separate Hin from her unwanted passenger, my magic is still cumbersome to use for such purposes, and I need my Heart back in it's rightful place.

Lastly I could start brewing a new batch of potions to help to accelerate her recovery. Something simple like how the satiation potions helped Hin sleep and stay nourished. I'm still the only person who has much knowledge of alchemy but after starting it I could leave someone else to watch Doyle while I work in the dungeon. This is the slowest option though, it'll take at least a day.

>You need to make more satiation potions. If the knocker enhancement works on Reisarf now, you'll know it's not a status effect but a true status change!
I can't reliably create the exact same potions when using raw mana to fuel the reaction. That instability is why it's not usually used for this!
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No. 850937 ID: b9b4da

Side effects are the order of the day here. What's the worst that could happen?
...don't tell Stargazer I said that.

If you were to consider reinforcement magic instead, I would try giving her phasing abilities too, and hope you can somehow chase the parasite out before the effect ends. That would count as reinforcing her... permeability?
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No. 850941 ID: 9917c4

The first option sounds good, but needs some tweaking. (assuming that reisarf has enough mana to keep casting his curse until Hin is formless enough for this to work)

first, turn Hin into a slime. Next, just grab the damn parasite, pull it out of Hin and crush it. THEN get alkaline involved for turning Hin back to normal.
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No. 850942 ID: b9b4da

>>850941
Don't crush it! You can only hold so many death grudges at a time Deem, it's not healthy. Once it's out, keep it in a slime-lined jar for future experimentation.
We should take this minor thorn in our sides and turn it from a pest to a menace. For other people. Think about it Deem, you could be the inventor of a new species of monster! Deem's Invisible Fleshstalkers, a terror from the deep.
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No. 850943 ID: 0d1514

>>850934
Mixing Hin and Alkaline still makes me very nervous- Alkaline's luck should protect them, but it's a very reckless thing to do. What if you used the curse of formlessness and the purgation potion together? The worm can swim through flesh and resist the potion, but if she had a more soupy consistency it would have less to grab on to, so to speak.

Anyways, he doesn't need to be a crack shot, but D rank is necessary at least. Enough that he won't be blowing up allies.
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No. 850948 ID: b7627b

>>850934
Thinking about it, any sort of side effect from going formless and and fusing with Alkaline might make it hard for her to work the forge, right? ie if she ends up with increased perspiration or more gelatinous skin.

Could you potentially make a slightly dangerous potion that inflicts some internal fire damage, or just increases her body temperature? The body's natural healing processes are accelerated by slightly increasing the temperature of it.

Alternatively, what about cooling the area?
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No. 850958 ID: 91ee5f

>>850934
Does Hin even know that there's a Gristleworm inside of her? Maybe if you told her, she'd know how important you telling her to rest would be and she'd actually stick with the treatment?

Or maybe if you tell everyone, then everyone would be able to pitch in some ideas on what to do?

Or maybe they'll have some ideas to make some adjustments to the 3 options you've got, in order to improve odds of success and decrease any risks involved in any of them?
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No. 851000 ID: d36af7

The formlessness-and-fuse-with-Alkaline plan only really made sense when we were thinking the problem was an undiagnosed curse. Can you target the grisleworm separately from Hin? Maybe set up another nightmare diagram, but around the forge, if she's going to be working all the time. Worm falls asleep inside the diagram, gets cursed, maybe that gives you a hook to make it extra vulnerable to heat and fire and unable to benefit from potions. Brew some potions of fire resistance while you're setting that up, feed 'em to Hin, induce a fever, gristleworm gets cooked alive.
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No. 851004 ID: c88e6d

>>850934
Let's induce a fever and see if that kills the Gristleworm.
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No. 851007 ID: 33cbe7

Turn Hin into a slime, but don't fuse her with Alkaline. Hin's own protoplasmic slime should be enough to force the worm out. A little help from Alkaline wouldn't hurt, though. Have Hin drink some of her acrid slime while she is also a slime. After the curse wears off a purgative potion will remove any toxic leftovers from the treatment. Slime fixes everything!
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No. 851059 ID: 12b116

We should really check on the dungeon heart before doing any of these experiments.
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No. 851083 ID: a98542

>>850934
Hrmn, the problem with potions and curses is that we can't be sure that they won't also affect the parasite, which'd lead to some bad times. You know, infernoworms or slimeworms or some other kinda nonsense.

Well, if things do affect the both of them, do we know of anything that'd poison the worm but not Hin? Like how chocolate can poison dogs but not people. Or, if there's nothing like that, could we just have Hin drink a shitload of alcohol and hope the worm dies of alcohol poisoning before she does? Hin kinda has the mass advantage, so it'd maybe work?

>>850942
No. No fleshstalkers. Nobody wants to go to fleshstalker dungeon. Dungeons are for Adventure and Glory, not for catching weird parasites. We are a reputable dungeon that does not give adventurers weird parasitic infections.
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No. 851087 ID: a98542

>>851083
I mean, I still think we should just knock Hin out, slash her throat, and rip the worm out. Fleshphasing doesn't work on clay hands, after all. And then either Hin dies and respawns parasite-less (because Deem is holding the parasite) or we shove a healing potion down her throat.

It's a little brutal, but it'd obviously work, and it doesn't have the possibility of dumb magical shenanigans.
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No. 851092 ID: 3ae3fd

You are an ancient and wise being. You have personally overseen the flow of ancestry through generations, seen the landscape itself fold to the will of time, forged horrors and miracles that the world has forgotten, bobbed for knowledge form unfathomable depths of the world and diverse cultures that have been eroded to beyond living memory...
If someone asks "Is melting someone with curses and fusing them with a slime a good way to cure them of a large phasic parasite?" then you should know the answer! What is the point of being eternal if not to always win trivia night?
Speaking of, you should organise some regular recreational repasts. They would help with collaboration between denizens. And being able to regularly trounce everyone with your superior mastery of trivia would help to remind them who the landlord is! And demonstrate the value of reading... Wait? Didn't Deem read a spoiler once? umm...
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No. 851211 ID: dab122
File 151308044236.png - (30.50KB , 800x500 , they_are_both_very_tired.png )
851211

>If you were to consider reinforcement magic instead, I would try giving her phasing abilities too, and hope you can somehow chase the parasite out before the effect ends. That would count as reinforcing her... permeability?
My magic is that of the earth, the element of structure and solidity. I can't turn things intangible.

>You are an ancient and wise being. You have personally overseen the flow of ancestry through generations, seen the landscape itself fold to the will of time, forged horrors and miracles that the world has forgotten, bobbed for knowledge from unfathomable depths of the world and diverse cultures that have been eroded to beyond living memory...
Yes I have done all of those things, get to the point.

>If someone asks "Is melting someone with curses and fusing them with a slime a good way to cure them of a large phasic parasite?" then you should know the answer! What is the point of being eternal if not to always win trivia night?
Oh it should definitely work, I'm more concerned about mitigating any side effects.

>Don't crush it! You can only hold so many death grudges at a time Deem, it's not healthy. Once it's out, keep it in a slime-lined jar for future experimentation.
The only death-grudges I can reasonably act on in the next few months are the ones I have with the devil-bear, the night hag and this parasite. That's an entirely reasonable number of vendettas.

>We should take this minor thorn in our sides and turn it from a pest to a menace. For other people. Think about it Deem, you could be the inventor of a new species of monster! Deem's Invisible Fleshstalkers, a terror from the deep.
You say that like it's a feat I haven't managed countless times before. It's too much work for too small a thorn.

>I mean, I still think we should just knock Hin out, slash her throat, and rip the worm out. Fleshphasing doesn't work on clay hands, after all. And then either Hin dies and respawns parasite-less (because Deem is holding the parasite) or we shove a healing potion down her throat.
Deliberate mutilation like that holds a risk of permanent damage, I have no way to stop the worm moving into other parts of her body and there's a possibility I'd end up cutting it in half and making it grow back into two worms.

>Thinking about it, any sort of side effect from going formless and fusing with Alkaline might make it hard for her to work the forge, right? i.e. if she ends up with increased perspiration or more gelatinous skin.
Something like that could just as easily help protect her skin from incidental burns. If it does end up with something I have to fix she's still doing to be better off than she is now. I go to see Hin.

"You should really get some rest Deem, you look terrible." Hin's being a little hypocritical today.

"Rest won't help until I get my Heart back where it belongs." My hoard is still in there. Mana. I need mana. "Before we open up the dungeon, I wanted to talk with you about treatment options."

>Well, if things do affect the both of them, do we know of anything that'd poison the worm but not Hin? Like how chocolate can poison dogs but not people. Or, if there's nothing like that, could we just have Hin drink a shitload of alcohol and hope the worm dies of alcohol poisoning before she does? Hin kinda has the mass advantage, so it'd maybe work?
I explain to Hin the possibility of risking alcohol poisoning.

"I don't think we have enough alcohol." Hin says.

Scratch that then.

>Let's induce a fever and see if that kills the Gristleworm.
"Well the next option is making it hard for the gristleworm to survive in your body by rigging up a sort of sauna."

"That doesn't sound too bad."

>Turn Hin into a slime, but don't fuse her with Alkaline. Hin's own protoplasmic slime should be enough to force the worm out. A little help from Alkaline wouldn't hurt, though. Have Hin drink some of her acrid slime while she is also a slime. After the curse wears off a purgative potion will remove any toxic leftovers from the treatment. Slime fixes everything!
As an option if the sauna doesn't work, I explain the fusion option along with this option. Hin seems to be thinking.

"Well?"

She shrugs. "I'll try anything once."

A sauna will need access to our cistern. I'd best prepare our raiding party.
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No. 851213 ID: dab122
File 151308177987.png - (12.72KB , 800x500 , she_can_spin_the_map.png )
851213

A raid on my own dungeon! This does feel a little ridiculous.

We enter via the golem totem room at the bottom. To the left is Hin's forge, my Heart Chamber and the bedroom-Resurrection Chamber combination. To the right is the thaumatorium.

>You should organise some regular recreational repasts. They would help with collaboration between denizens
This really isn't the time.

>Side effects are the order of the day here. What's the worst that could happen?
>...don't tell Stargazer I said that.
That reminds me.

>Hey, Deem, I know we're not always on the best of terms, but could you relay a message for us? Tell Stargazer that someone sends her an apology. That they aren't totally in control of themselves, as she knows, but they still need to admit it, so they're saying sorry.
How would you have anything to apologise to Stargazer for?

>Anyways, Reisarf doesn't need to be a crack shot, but D rank is necessary at least. Enough that he won't be blowing up allies.
i would argue that focusing on improving his defence or staying power are more likely to pay off, especially if I continue using him as a solo battle.

Anyway, I would like to replace my Heart as a matter of urgency, but the séance was held in the thaumatorium so perhaps we should check there first.

For the raiding group, I think it might be best to take Merud and Reisarf with me. Golems should be resistant to any leftover curses, they're both wizards and should be good at spotting magical effects. We might even have a chance to try out Stargazer's mana sponge.

Moriko's my strongest fighter and I do need to leave a guard against external threats such as night hags and rampaging devil bears. I suspect she may not wish to return to a site she thinks of as a personal failure so soon either.
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No. 851217 ID: 1e7aa8

Send Moriko and merud into the dungeon to secure the left half. You, reisarf and stargazer need to keep the camp secure against anything else.

What happened to your golem workforce, btw? Are they disabled because you have no mana right now?
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No. 851219 ID: 830fb7

Can’t we use alkaline like a curse sponge/filter, she could roam around the dungeon just absorbing all the curses left behind. We could also take her with us to the source of the curses and see if she can have an effect there.
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No. 851220 ID: 33cbe7

Take Merud and Alkaline, your squishiest party members, for what should be an easy cleanup.
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No. 851222 ID: 2120ee

>>851212
Maybe we're overthinking things with the worm? What if Hin just made out with Reisarf until the worm moved over, and then Stargazer took advantage of their bond to suck it out of her?
>>
No. 851226 ID: 33d4be

>How would you have anything to apologise to Stargazer for?

Weeeeell, it's kind of embarrassing. For us and for Stargazer and uh, probably for you and everyone else, too. The whole thing was weird and hallucinatory, so if we told you what we did remember it probably wouldn't be accurate, but I'd say the general gist of what we recall is probably reliable enough, though the details are distorted? So, on that basis, there were a few mishaps while your core was retrieved. Pretty sure we did something that upset Stargazer a bit. So we want to apologize.

Anyway go on with team wizard.
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No. 851230 ID: 2fe26a

What good is your strongest fighter if she's kept on reserve? You ought to go this journey of healing together. With Alkaline coming along to eat the leftover curses.
Secure the Heart chamber, then the resurrection matrix. The bare necessities always come first.
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No. 851232 ID: b7627b

>>851213
Would that "cutting in half and creating two worms" work on something larger, like say, a Moriko?
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No. 851234 ID: 91ee5f

>>851213
Good idea. You, Merud, Reisarf, and Stargazer go to the thaumatorium and check for any damages from the séance. The quicker you clean up whatever's there, the quicker you can shift focus over to cleaning up the more important left side of the dungeon, with Hin's forge, your Heart Chamber, and the bedroom-Resurrection Chamber combination.

Leave Moriko outside with everyone else to protect from anything that might attack the dungeon while you're in your weakened state.
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No. 851239 ID: 3abd97

>the devil-bear, the night hag and this parasite. That's an entirely reasonable number of vendettas.
Sure, rule of three. Magically significant.

>gristleworm cures
What if you build some really teeny tiny golems and sent them inside Hin's body to do battle with the worm where it lives? Hin gets to be a dungeon, your golems adventurers, and the worm the dragon boss.

>Rest won't help until I get my Heart back where it belongs
It is uncomfortable to rest with major organs misplaced!

>How would you have anything to apologise to Stargazer for?
Look those hallucinations were weird for everyone, us included.

>For the raiding group, I think it might be best to take Merud and Reisarf with me
>Moriko's my strongest fighter and I do need to leave a guard against external threats such as night hags and rampaging devil bears.
Sound good. Just make sure you phrase it the right way, when you make the request. You're not leaving Moriko behind, you're asking her to guard your back, and keep your other minions safe, so you can't be interrupted by any more external threats.
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No. 851257 ID: 6780f5

>>851211
>I can't turn things intangible.
Not with that attitude!
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No. 851261 ID: a97b52

>How would you have anything to apologise to Stargazer for?
long story. just..just say that to her, she'll know what we're talking about.
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No. 851293 ID: 3ae3fd

I sense that Moriko is more of a redeemer than a container. If she thinks that she failed, then she would want to be in the thick of fixing things. Still, if one ignores the psychology of it, the bear does have to be considered the greatest threat, and she is your greatest defence... Maybe you could pose the situation to her and encourage her to make the decision. If she decides for herself to remain outside then it might set her sense of duty at ease? The bear did maul you, so there is no shortage of honour found in ending it. That said, if you tamed it, would it revert into a tiny little fluffy bear cub? If you just keep booping the snoot it should submit eventually... You could even morph up an extended snoot-booping arm for your golem.
Tell her that you would like to have her assistance, but worry that your reawakening with a hoard might attract the bear, and you fear the consequences of confronting it without her?

Alkaline has shown great resistance to chaotic magic, and there could be some very exotic expressions of such magic to expose her to. But she is still just a princess, so keep her in the back line.
You should try to have Hin read you that letter from the sky-priest while she is not at her best. You can ask her for her opinion, feign frustration at a lack of clear context to her comments, and work into just having her read the whole thing. that way you can avoid the annoyance of people commenting on your entirely-adequate reading skills. And if it fails? What of it! It is probably just some sky-prist apology for sky-magic failing at an unnecessary sky-worshipper ritual. You already know that sky-power is terrible, you don't need to read about it!
Leaving Hin and Moriko on guard duty might be goo. If they build up a rapport then it would help Hin provide equipment for Moriko and Moriko to serve as a model for Hin to develop new equipment. Also, they are both intimidating ladies who have troubles in their pasts and want to keep everyone here safe... Or they can just discuss hammers...
It would be nice to have Stargazer's mana-eating ability, but Reisarf has already gotten a rather obvious dose of chaotic magic and it might best to avoid further exposure for now. Stargazer is fat, and there might be limits to her capacity? Also they have had no training with their new abilities. Some time spent familiarising themselves might be better than immediately testing them in battle. But taking stargazer without Reisarf, just for the initial investigation of the ritual site, might not strain their bond too much?

Check the ritual site first, you don't want to reanchor yourself without knowing the situation.
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No. 851333 ID: d9375b

>My magic is that of the earth, the element of structure and solidity. I can't turn things intangible.
oh, in that case. the worm can only swim through flesh, right? can you harden her to the point that it'll need to leave or get stuck and die?
i mean, don't actually get it stuck, i have no idea what that would do to her, but it might force it out.
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No. 851363 ID: 3ae3fd

Forcing it to become tangible would likely be fatal to both of them, but Hin might last long enough for the worm to revive separately first and then Hin would die and revive with no worm?
But it is better to just mix Hin with Alkaline. Alkaline might get a cool new ability from it, Hin might gain an intuitive sense of malleable structures, such as soft metals, and also a greater understanding of the needs of slime-apparel, and the old-hands gain a terrifying true story to haze the newbies with.
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No. 851442 ID: d36af7

Heart first. That'll give you more of a sense of what's going on, and resources to deal with it, right? Maybe have Reisarf and Stargazer guard the hallway leading to the thaumatorium in case something unpleasant emerges from there while the connection is still in progress.

>How would you have anything to apologise to Stargazer for?
Did you just assume the earth-pulse goes away whenever you aren't listening to it? You may have been out of the game for three days, but WE weren't. Stuff happened. Do you really think Stargazer would've cared about anyone other than Reisarf enough to risk her own noodly orange neck on a rescue mission without... guidance?

We're particularly sorry about her ultimate eye-beam attack being wasted on pastry. Long story.

>>851230
>What good is your strongest fighter if she's kept on reserve?
Bashing a devil-bear's skull in, if it dares to show itself? Or dealing with other problems as they arise. Restful boredom would be good news by the very nature and definition of reserve forces and contingency plans. Also, allowing weaker folks the chance to level up.
>journey of healing
Last time Moriko felt she'd made too many mistakes all in the same building, her 'journey of healing' seems to have involved arson and fleeing to a different continent. Let's give her a chance to try the more traditional tsundere 'meditation and repression' strategy, first.

She's got a very strong sense of responsibility already. If anything, seeing other people cleaning up her messes (to the extent this even IS 'her mess,' since by all accounts she did as well as could be hoped under the circumstances) would be more useful, as part of building up her trust in the rest of the team. Unit cohesion can be at least as important as individual skill.
>>
No. 851443 ID: d36af7

Thought of another strategy for the gristleworm treatment, assuming you can target it with reinforcement magic at least: make the worm physically larger, so much so that it can't fit completely inside Hin's body. Then simply grab protruding bits and yank it out per Limebreaker's suggestion. Ludicrously overdoing reinforcement magic is pretty much your number one personal specialty, right?

If immediate extraction fails, you could use the form-fixing talisman to force the gristleworm to maintain a costly reinforcement for hours at a time on it's own puny mana supply, then reapply the spell repeatedly to maximize those nebulous ill effects from excessive reinforcement. Even if a spell can't be made selective enough to target them separately, that sort of abuse would probably hit the worm worse than Hin since half-giants are more compatible with size buffs.

Should probably still try the sauna thing first, since warm moist air would probably be good for her cough even if it doesn't do anything to the worm, and of course get your heart re-seated and any imps cleared out before attempting either.
>>
No. 851502 ID: 7152b7

>>851220
I'm gonna get behind bringing Alkaline.

She just absorbs everything like a champ, and then makes it terrifying and awesome.
>>
No. 851556 ID: 3ae3fd

Is Hin resistant to shrinking? A smallness spell might effect the worm more than her, allowing her to recover faster, but the magic usage for long-0term treatment would be prohibitive, unless alchemy?
>>
No. 851693 ID: a97b52

>A raid on my own dungeon!
hey, you can pretend you're an adventurer! that sounds fun!
>>
No. 851699 ID: 3ae3fd

And informative! No matter how thorough the analysis, there always seems to be something new to be learned by experiencing your counterpart's perspective. Remember to spare a thought for how you would best challenge your incursion into, umm, yourself? I have no idea how the innuendo is supposed to work here...
>>
No. 851714 ID: dab122
File 151325553446.png - (41.47KB , 800x550 , question_time_parasitic_worms_edition.png )
851714

>The worm can only swim through flesh, right? Can you harden her to the point that it'll need to leave or get stuck and die?
It didn't seem to have any trouble while Hin was under the effect of Doyle's stoneskin potion so no. Flesh is flesh. It might reduce the irritation that the worm swimming through her flesh causes.

>Assuming you can target it with reinforcement magic at least: make the worm physically larger, so much so that it can't fit completely inside Hin's body.
If I could target the worm with magic I would simply kill it.

>Is Hin resistant to shrinking? A smallness spell might effect the worm more than her, allowing her to recover faster, but the magic usage for long-term treatment would be prohibitive, unless alchemy?
She is but the difference wouldn't be that great. I do have the Fixity Bangle if I wish to extend the duration of a physical transformation on someone.

>What if you build some really teeny tiny golems and sent them inside Hin's body to do battle with the worm where it lives? Hin gets to be a dungeon, your golems adventurers, and the worm the dragon boss.
I can't make golems that small.

>>How would you have anything to apologise to Stargazer for?
>Look those hallucinations were weird for everyone, us included.
>Weeeeell, it's kind of embarrassing. For us and for Stargazer and uh, probably for you and everyone else, too. The whole thing was weird and hallucinatory, so if we told you what we did remember it probably wouldn't be accurate, but I'd say the general gist of what we recall is probably reliable enough, though the details are distorted? So, on that basis, there were a few mishaps while your core was retrieved. Pretty sure we did something that upset Stargazer a bit. So we want to apologise.
>We're particularly sorry about her ultimate eye-beam attack being wasted on pastry.
I'm sure you imagined it but fine. Next time I am alone with Stargazer, if you remind me, I will mention it.

Until then stop worrying about things that did not happen.

>Would that "cutting in half and creating two worms" work on something larger, like say, a Moriko?
If I cut Moriko in half then no, she would not turn into two worms. Perhaps, under the right conditions, if she was some form of troll... then no, those aren't worms either.

>Maybe we're overthinking things with the worm? What if Hin just made out with Reisarf until the worm moved over, and then Stargazer took advantage of their bond to suck it out of her?
No.

That's stupid.
>>
No. 851715 ID: dab122
File 151325561352.png - (17.65KB , 800x550 , the_strongest_guardian.png )
851715

>I sense that Moriko is more of a redeemer than a container. If she thinks that she failed, then she would want to be in the thick of fixing things. Still, if one ignores the psychology of it, the bear does have to be considered the greatest threat, and she is your greatest defence... Maybe you could pose the situation to her and encourage her to make the decision. If she decides for herself to remain outside then it might set her sense of duty at ease?
I am her master and she is my servant. It is incumbent on me to listen to my servants' advice, but passing the decision to Moriko would be a failure on my part. She knows that there are many dangers out there.

>She's got a very strong sense of responsibility already. If anything, seeing other people cleaning up her messes would be more useful, as part of building up her trust in the rest of the team.
Right then. I find Moriko and explain I need her watching over everyone as we make sure my dungeon is suitable for habitation again. She seems to accept that.

>Last time Moriko felt she'd made too many mistakes all in the same building, her 'journey of healing' seems to have involved arson and fleeing to a different continent.
Well my dungeon can't burn down.

>That said, if you tamed the bear, would it revert into a tiny little fluffy bear cub?
That can't happen because I'm going to kill it.

Moriko shows me to my Heart. It's no wonder I feel bad. The only thing with my Heart was a handful of coins and Alkaline's pretty rock. The rest of my gold is still in the dungeon.

>Can’t we use Alkaline like a curse sponge/filter, she could roam around the dungeon just absorbing all the curses left behind. We could also take her with us to the source of the curses and see if she can have an effect there.
Good thinking. I'll take her along.

>Anyway go on with team wizard.
>Take Merud and Alkaline, your squishiest party members, for what should be an easy cleanup.
I would have to argue that Reisarf is squishier than Merud so I will take all three. I carry my Heart, a golem and Stargazer guard the wizards, Alkaline watches and learns, my wizards wizard. Simple.

Merud unseals the entrance for us. A stench of spent magic wafts out.
>>
No. 851716 ID: dab122
File 151325571871.png - (27.82KB , 950x450 , golems_get_out.png )
851716

>Secure the Heart chamber, then the resurrection matrix. The bare necessities always come first.
Restoring my Heart is definitely the top priority. We head into the passage towards the Golem Totem.

>Hey, you can pretend you're an adventurer! That sounds fun!
I would be having more fun if numb, gnawing emptiness wasn't occupying the place mana is meant to be in my Heart.

>And informative! No matter how thorough the analysis, there always seems to be something new to be learned by experiencing your counterpart's perspective. Remember to spare a thought for how you would best challenge your incursion into, umm, yourself? I have no idea how the innuendo is supposed to work here...
As nothing that makes this tiny and simple dungeon of mine a challenge is actually present, the strategy remains just clear it room by room, but easier since I don't need a key before I can get to my Heart Chamber.

>What happened to your golem workforce, btw? Are they disabled because you have no mana right now?
Yes. Two of my worker golems are laying around the golem totem. I must have continued working on it in my sleep. It looks like it's essentially complete. Alcoves in the walls for storing materials and the golems are assembled in the centre.

Something yowls at us like a cat from the central structure. This is its cave, get out. How dare it.

That's an imp! The lowest form of demon. The earth pulse must have been severely distorted if they were being spontaneously summoned in here. They'd better not have caused too much of a mess.

While they're easily created, I don't like using them unless the section of the dungeon left to them is well contained. They get everywhere, they steal things, they hide things and they break things. It's not so much they're disobedient as they are dumb, impulsive and forgetful.

"Wait!" I say to Merud and Reisarf.

I think I should get Alkaline to fight it.
>>
No. 851717 ID: 33cbe7

What's the symbolism of that sigil over there?
I agree, let's get Alkaline to hug it to death.
>>
No. 851719 ID: b53bd0

impress upon her that it is bad and that it wants to hurt you so she needs to hurt it first. and then maybe eat it, is eating demon flesh safe for slimes?
>>
No. 851721 ID: 9917c4

Make sure that there's no sudden surprises about before you get Alkaline to kill the imp.
>>
No. 851722 ID: 0d1514

>>851716
Does Alkaline have her wupping stick? Maybe she could borrow hins mace- we did teach her basic fighting through mimicry.
>>
No. 851725 ID: 3d2d5f

>>Hey, you can pretend you're an adventurer! That sounds fun!
>I would be having more fun if numb, gnawing emptiness wasn't occupying the place mana is meant to be in my Heart.
You can pretend to be a depressed adventurer!

>I think I should get Alkaline to fight it.
...is there anyway you can check that isn't an imp we may have hit with powerful buff magic while we were hallucinating?
>>
No. 851730 ID: 2fe26a

>Bashing a devil-bear's skull in, if it dares to show itself?
What I mean is, what good is she to us? Offscreen guard duty doesn't stir the earth pulse to great heights.
Whatever happened to Moriko's shadow, I wonder?

Reisarf, use Kuu Technique: Wizard Burial! ...What am I saying? I mean, use Stray Illumes.
>>
No. 851733 ID: b7627b

>>851716
...Can we feed it to Doyle?
>>
No. 851734 ID: 33d4be

>Next time I am alone with Stargazer, if you remind me, I will mention it.

Deem that is an obvious dodge, you know Stargazer is almost always with Reisarf. There is no reason for you to be embarrassed, Deem, just lean over and quietly tell Stargazer you were asked to carry a message saying sorry, she will know what's what if what we're remembering was real and if it wasn't she's not going to care, seemingly senseless mutterings are part of her life as an eldritch star-thing. Reisarf isn't going to blink at anything like that either. Maybe it's fair for you not to do it in front of anyone else but with those two it'd be fine.

>Until then stop worrying about things that did not happen.

Well guess what, our hallucinations included imps being a thing, so it looks like what we're remembering was at least partially real! So pay attention because there may or may not be more imps and there may or may not be one in particular who absorbed a bunch of magic.
>>
No. 851736 ID: 7152b7

DEATH HUG FOR THE WIN
>>
No. 851747 ID: 91ee5f

>>851716
>I think I should get Alkaline to fight it.
Aw, shit. If we knew you were going to do that, then we would've told you to use the Crystal Lens on her to see if she's improved anything and/or learned anything new while you were asleep!

Hopefully she knows that this isn't the same as those "play fights" you had her watch with everyone else, otherwise she might hold back because she thinks this is more training!

Also, I hope your Resurrection Matrix doesn't revive this thing by accident!
>>
No. 851771 ID: 3ae3fd

The door seems to be propped open by a rock, mind that nothing sneaks out of your former depths.
>>
No. 851802 ID: 3ce125

>>851716
Sure let's see how Alkaline does in a real fight. Just make sure she understands what she needs to do-- this is an enemy, it must be defeated. She knows it will fight back, and she could get hurt?
Wait what's with that door in the back? A rock is propping it up? I hope fighting this single imp won't attract more imps. Even if Alkaline is going to solo this imp, Merud and Reisarf should watch out for reinforcements.

...how are you controlling your golem body without mana? Respiration?
>>
No. 851810 ID: c88e6d

>>851716
Feed it to Alkaline.
>>
No. 851921 ID: d8ce3a

>>851714
>>Deem:I can't make golems that small.
A Project for later then?
>>An Imp
Wait, what kind of imp? They come in different flavors right?
>>
No. 852137 ID: dab122
File 151342727951.png - (26.11KB , 750x650 , slime_wants_to_fight.png )
852137

>...how are you controlling your golem body without mana? Respiration?
Fumes and spite.

>What's the symbolism of that sigil over there?
It's just a labyrinth marking on the door. It helps me anchor the magic of my dungeon.

>Does Alkaline have her wupping stick?
Yes, she is very excited to use her wupping stick.

>Just make sure she understands what she needs to do-- this is an enemy, it must be defeated. She knows it will fight back, and she could get hurt?
She seems to get the idea. Alkaline's Toxic Shroud is doing a good job of protecting her but the heavier golemeter-style robes she's affecting are slowing her down.

>I agree, let's get Alkaline to hug it to death.
This fight does show one weakness of her Toxic Shroud - it doesn't have the permeability of her normal flesh. It would have been over almost immediately if she had been able to just grab and engulf the imp. Right now she's only trying to use her stick. Ah there we go. The imp falls down and there's a puff of smoke. It's dead.

>Is eating demon flesh safe for slimes?
Imps are fine. They don't have terribly much substance to them though. Oh there we go, she's shed part of her shroud to eat it.

"Good job Alkaline!" I say.

"Bleeeee!"

>Also, I hope your Resurrection Matrix doesn't revive this thing by accident!
Not without mana being supplied to it from my Heart, it won't. I wouldn't usually do it anyway. Monsters like this have a very weak sense of self. It's only once they start showing some individuality and growth that they're worth holding onto.
>>
No. 852138 ID: dab122
File 151342741375.png - (33.18KB , 1000x450 , why_u_kill_me_so_easy.png )
852138

>Well guess what, our hallucinations included imps being a thing, so it looks like what we're remembering was at least partially real! So pay attention because there may or may not be more imps and there may or may not be one in particular who absorbed a bunch of magic.
I think Stargazer already killed that one.

...

That is to say that I'm sure that if such a creature existed, Stargazer and Moriko surely would have killed it while rescuing me.

Hmm, wait imps do eat each other though.

>Wait, what kind of imp? They come in different flavors right?
Many are mildly venomous. Sometimes they have a self concealment or a weak magical attack ability.

>The door seems to be propped open by a rock, mind that nothing sneaks out of your former depths.
More yowling. More imps, attracted by the fuss. They start squirming under the door. Some seem to have been hiding in the storage alcoves too and are just waking up.

Tendrils of dark magic sway through the air and bombard the propped open door with a series of pinpoint bursts of light and darkness.
>>
No. 852139 ID: dab122
File 151342750252.png - (34.67KB , 800x600 , wizard_shoots_she_scores.png )
852139

It's Reisarf's Stray Illume.

"Oh, sorry, did you want Alkaline to fight them as well?" Reisarf says.

"... No, keep going."

>...Can we feed it to Doyle?
It looks like we'll have have plenty of imp corpses to do with as we wish. Potions made out of demons tend to be double edged though - they've got a strong curse element to their nature.

Between Reisarf's attack magic in such close confines and Alkaline, Stargazer and Merud's golem standing guard, all I have to do is watch. I'm starting to think I may have brought too many people. It's positively crowded in this little room. The rest of my dungeon is more spacious at least.

The imps quickly realise they're getting slaughtered and retreat. There's none in sight when we enter the hallway so we quickly move left into the forge.
>>
No. 852140 ID: dab122
File 151342757163.png - (16.82KB , 800x500 , tidy_forge.png )
852140

It's a mess. Hin's not going to be happy. How did the imps move some of this stuff? Most of Hin's tools seem to be missing.

There's an orange, semi-dried gelatinous substance on the counter too. It looks like slime. A failed attempt to create slime monsters maybe? I look closer. I think the imps have been eating it. That helps explain why there's so many.

At least the imps didn't get into the jewel cutting kit. I hadn't realised it had been left out. They probably couldn't figure out the clasp.

We clear out the imps hiding in the furnace and move on. Finally, my Heart Chamber!
>>
No. 852141 ID: dab122
File 151342770352.png - (18.79KB , 650x750 , space_weird_thing.png )
852141

"Deem, what is that?!" Merud says.

I squint at the crack-edged darkness hanging in the air. Light glimmers uncertainly from its interior, funnelled by its faceted edges. "It looks like a hole in the world to me."

"Definitely a spatial anomaly." Reisarf agrees.

"Spayball anohbally." Alkaline repeats authoritatively.

Merud seems concerned by our lack of concern. "Is it dangerous? Why is it here?"

"Only if you touch it and I would have to guess spatial magic was used in here - Reisarf's teleport for example - but my uncontrolled magic hooked into the scar left behind and tore it open."

"That sounds plausible." Reisarf agrees.

"Well I'm glad you know what we're dealing with." I start walking towards the socket for my Heart. "I'll need your help to move it after I'm recovered. It might be useful."

Reisarf blinks. "Wait, what?"
>>
No. 852142 ID: dab122
File 151342795838.png - (21.59KB , 800x550 , the_majestic_dungeon_in_its_natural_habitat.png )
852142

Yes, I will lie here with corpse-like immobility for a time.

My Heart is its rightful place. I do not need to lie on top of it like this but having my fragment and my Heart so close together is giving me comfort. The imps seem to have touched very little of my treasure because it is, of course, already in the best place for treasure to be.

>>Next time I am alone with Stargazer, if you remind me, I will mention it.
>Deem that is an obvious dodge, you know Stargazer is almost always with Reisarf. There is no reason for you to be embarrassed, Deem, just lean over and quietly tell Stargazer you were asked to carry a message saying sorry, she will know what's what if what we're remembering was real and if it wasn't she's not going to care, seemingly senseless mutterings are part of her life as an eldritch star-thing. Reisarf isn't going to blink at anything like that either. Maybe it's fair for you not to do it in front of anyone else but with those two it'd be fine.
I am feeling much better so I will indulge you this once. I'll speak to them before we leave the room.

"Deem, is everything alright?" Merud says. "You've been lying there a while."

I'm better than alright, I am reconnecting to the earth-pulse, I am no longer on a starvation diet of whatever pitiful amount of mana I can squeeze out of the air. "I'm fine. Is something the mana?"

"Matter?"

"Yes that."

"Oh, it's just I guess I never properly realised how strong you actually are." Merud gestures around him. "All this was just you thrashing around in your sleep with a fever?"

"Well, I am amazing." I think it was the right thing to say, he laughs. I sit up. "But just like someone thrashing in a fever, not knowing my own strength, I've hurt myself." I stroke my Heart. "I've repeatedly cast beyond my limits and I'm feeling decidedly fragile now. I'll have to take things easy from now."

"Well only the thaumatorium left, right?" Merud says.

I nod. We can't sit around forever. My connection to the earth pulse is back. I pull mana from my Heart into my Heart fragment to help move this golem body of mine properly.
>>
No. 852143 ID: dab122
File 151342800808.png - (51.86KB , 800x550 , ease_it_in_deem.png )
852143

Perhaps I should have eased into it.

A flare of new activations, unused channels roar to life!

----------------------------------------
New Ability
----------------------------------------
Gigant Mode: Deem can heal and enlarge herself by absorbing additional earth, clay and loose rock into her body. The degree of physical improvement depends on size and the quality of materials used. A larger body is more mana intensive to move.
----------------------------------------

What is going on?
>>
No. 852144 ID: dab122
File 151342815742.png - (33.76KB , 800x600 , it_was_caused_by_ghosts.png )
852144

"We're idiots Deem." Merud says, scanning lens in hand.

"I don't know if I like this theory of yours so far."

"Deem, your Heart is constantly leaking some of its stockpiled mana as raw mana right?"

"Right."

"So wouldn't a much smaller amount also leak from your Heart fragment into your golem body?"

"Oh. OHHHHH."

"Exactly! It's amazing, Deem! The raw mana's reacting with your golem. That means new connections are trying to be established between your Heart piece and golem body. Some may be useful, like this one, but there's the chance some would be harmful. If we monitor and prune the bad connections, there's a lot we can learn from the good ones."

He rubs his chin. "If not we'll have to build a socket for your Heart fragment to capture and store raw mana leakage. The other big drawback to leaving things as they are is you'd not easily be able to switch bodies."

Hmm. I need to think about this. I had intended to upgrade my golem body once the Golem Totem was finished. Spontaneous development of new abilities is tempting but I'd steadily accrue defects as well.

The alternative would leave me with less abilities but I'd be able to develop different bodies for different purposes and switch between them as needed.

>Raw mana saturation
>Socketed design
>>
No. 852145 ID: 33cbe7

That orange stuff is magical gelatin! Gather it up for use in potions and dessert.
Stick with raw mana saturation, a new and exciting field of study. This first ability isn't exactly new but at least it's codified your tendency to spontaneously expand - and does so without reinforcement strain, too!
Would you lose this ability if you went with the socket design?
>>
No. 852148 ID: c2051e

It's fine if the imp potions have curse elements, we can sic them on Hin or Alkaline. They're both good at dealing with curses. Maybe one of them will have a side-effect lethal to the gristleworm.
>>
No. 852149 ID: e13b0f

I´d say to go with saturation. If the defects become to harmful, we can simply completly destroy your old body and use completly diffrent materials to rebuild a new one. Least I think that that should work.
>>
No. 852151 ID: b7627b

>>852144
Mana Saturation would make your primary mode of transport much more unique! And I'm sure there's no chance you'll randomly grow a pair of knockers or other form of charisma boost, right?
Be sure to hang around Alkaline for a while, hope her luck will help a bit, and re-imprint yourself as her mother figure since she's been looking merud-ey lately.

Now, you might want to be ready to activate that Gigant Mode in the event that a massive imp shows up.

And get Rei some longer pants, she's showing entirely too much leg for a girl her age. Perhaps a new top as well, I have no idea how that thing still fits.

On the subject of recent feminization and in the hopes that your body is still malleable and open to new suggestions from it's recent developments, any chance that you could È̶̶̶̸̶̡n̶h̶̶̨á̶̶̶͘n̶̶͢c̶̶̷̶͟e̶̶͘ ̶̶̕K̶͏̶̶̵̶͝n̶̶̶̕͘o̶̶̶͘͢c̶̶̷̶̢k̶e̶̶̶̶̢̡̛r̶̶̛s̶ develop your body a tad? To ensure that you're not the smallest person in the group (not counting Doyle yet).
>>
No. 852153 ID: a98542

>>852144
Saturate.

A socketed design leaves us functionally no different from any other dungeon micromanaging a golem, but mana saturation could open new and exciting possibilities.

Like, as far as we know, this cracked heart nonsense has never happened before, and this is weird nonsense that can only happen with these exact curcumstances! Only a fool would throw away an opportunity like this!

Outside of that, I guess we should scoop the orange stuff into Belph before it dries up too much?

And maybe we could move the reality-hole to the Thaumatorium and rip it open wider so it covers the entire ceiling in a horrific eldritch false sky? Foreign stars reflecting on the still waters below, and in the perfect place for Reisarf to abuse it when we're doin' the dungeon run.

Speaking of, onwards to the Thaumatorium!
>>
No. 852157 ID: a98542

>>852141
oh and hey we got another bottle of raw mana filled, yay!
>>
No. 852159 ID: 375812

Welp. This looks like where the finale of the fever dream-stuff went down. There's a definite correlation between some of the hallucinations and things that happened in the dungeon, Deem. Now I'm rather concerned about what the Questing Beast represented. Hmh.

Anyway, the orange jelly stuff should be gathered up and studied. You should also put in a new bottle to gather raw mana.

>Choices

Raw mana saturation might give you an unexpected edge, and Meruud's positively chomping at the bit to explore the study possibilities of it. I'd say go for that.

I'm sure there's a cost to utility in only being able to inhabit the one body, but I'm as excited as Meruud to see what might come of this, and you already have a bunch of different bodies for different purposes: your frie- employees and minions. You are currently beholden to relying on others anyway, so might as well lean a little into it. Unless there are purpose-made golems that can fill some niche we're currently lacking and need?

There's also the opportunity cost of spending time and effort on developing new golem bodies fit to purpose versus just getting stuff for 'free' over time. Time not spent working on customizing new bodies can be used to develop the dungeon and its inhabitants, which is our main goal right now.

Is there any reason why the shard can't be socketed later, if it leads to a particularly unpleasant development? Is it now or never?

Also, ask Meruud how he's doing, now that your own needs have been tended. This mess is his 'fault', and he might be feeling it, but he had no way of knowing there would be a night hag curse inside the corpse of Esra. All he wanted, all he usually wants, is to discover the reasons for things. In doing so he did endanger you and the people from his home town, so you're due some vindication for being against this errand, but it's gotta be modified by the fact that it's not due to anything you expected might go bad. You both had bad luck and we'll just have to see what we can salvage from it, everyone's alive and okay-ish, at least. And as has been said, this has been something of a growth opportunity.

Speaking of, you should definitely get Meruud to read that letter to you. Maybe later, though, if now's not a good time.
>>
No. 852160 ID: 3abd97

>Most of Hin's tools seem to be missing.
No not the tools!

>>852144
>Raw mana saturation
We can learn from the good mutations, by studying the mana channels, allowing them to be installed in other golems when understood. The bad mutations can be forcibly excised by messing with the mana channels they use. All of which means Merud gets to stick his hands in your chest on a regular basis. And you get to be steadily more awesome. Win-win!
>>
No. 852166 ID: 33d4be

>I'll speak to them before we leave the room.

Thank you, Deem.

Go for the mana saturation, push back the boundaries of science. Er, magic. Knowledge. Also, if you make any enemies, you might eventually run into people who take countermeasures against traditional golems, but your fancy special weird golem body might throw them off and resist their assaults by being so different from a normal golem. The socketed design might make it easier to remove and swap around, but the downside of that is making it easier to detach and steal for other people, too.
>>
No. 852176 ID: d36af7

Saturate, use the golem totem to mitigate defects as they arise. Sweep imps out of the sleeping quarters and restore the resurrection matrix before proceeding to the thaumatorium.
>>
No. 852179 ID: 12b116

Saturation seems like the more powerful option in the long term
>>
No. 852180 ID: 0d1514

>>852144
Raw mana saturation! NOTHING CAN GO WRONG! also it'd be uncomfy to be completely helpless again as you're transferred between bodies
>>
No. 852181 ID: 7152b7

Between you and Merude the Flaws can be culled. Full Saturation.
>>
No. 852187 ID: 3ce125

>>852144
>saturation is more abilities, but some negatives
>socket is some abilities, no negatives, and specialized bodies
It sounds like you'll have a similar amount of positives from using the socket.

Also what happens if this body is destroyed? Will you lose the saturation bonuses completely? I would rather have expendable specialized bodies! Choose the socket.
>>
No. 852188 ID: c88e6d

>>852144
Socket! Think of what we already did with our other Raw Mana Socket, it'll be GREAT!

Also, you can get Mana Tanks installed and spray raw mana at people, it'll be hilarious. That, and since you explode randomly when you try and repair the gaping wound in your heart, you can do the next best thing and retrieve all the residual mana to be used later.
>>
No. 852212 ID: 3ae3fd

>>852180
Helpless? HELPLESS! "Helpless" when the very earth around her is chanting her name and the air is thick with her will? Deem needs no paltry golem to be mighty!

That said, the ability to so directly command her denizens is terribly convenient. She should study her personal golem extensively to see if she can replicate the whole "talking from a mobile platform" thing without relying on a shard of her own heart. She will surely be whole again in due course, and when that happens she would be well served by having prepared to restore this "personal golem" functionality while she still had a working example to study.

I recommend socketed as designing the socket would teach deem more about interactions with her heart fragment. If she better understands its connections, then it might be possible to repair herself, or at least discern what is preventing such repairs(You really should let your denizens examine that explosion phenomena at some point).

More to the point, as Deem's shard becomes more intimately connected to this golem, it might adapt to better accommodate the golem. Which might, eventually, make the fragment incompatible with her heart. No doubt Deem has the skills to restore such compatibility, but any plan that involves taking a grindstone to a detached fragment of your own heart is a suboptimal plan...

You already accrue power. Every room, every denizen, every precious coin in your hoard, they are all a path to power. And your denizens too! Constant accumulation of abilities and strength is the nature of those under your care. To be able to completely change your personal form on a whim, to be able to add your amazing strength to whatever golem the situation might call for, is a far more rare thing. As a dungeon you change greatly, rooms and inhabitants and elements and such, but you are also an edifice, and significant change to what is already in place is expensive. You can completely rebuild from scratch, with a new body with which to surround your heart, but doing so is rare and traumatic. A dungeon should be permanent... A host of bodies to insert yourself into would be like a little brand-new dungeon every time, but with none of the costs and all of the benefits...

Addendum: one of your dream fragments is saying things about your libido. You should give the fourth wall a disturbing glare over it. You get enough of that already from Kallia, and us, and Hin, and Moriko's facial expressions(albeit involuntarily), and...
>>
No. 852254 ID: 91ee5f

>>852187
I agree with all of this. Choose the socket.
>>
No. 852265 ID: 7579d8

Siding with Socketed as well. Maybe set your shard in something crafted, or at least plated, in gold.

>https://imgur.com/a/LHB3R
>>
No. 852266 ID: 17c2ee

>Raw mana saturation
>>
No. 852267 ID: c9f5a7

>>852160
This is sound, gonna agree with this.
>>
No. 852289 ID: 90124d

If we go for socketed does that mean you can't replace your golem if it goes down?
>>
No. 852290 ID: 90124d

Sorry, correction, It is raw mana saturation right? Whatever makes you not switch bodies well.
>>
No. 852292 ID: 3ce125

>>852289
>>852290
Saturation means it's harder to replace the golem body, yes. Using a socket means she can swap between bodies.
>>
No. 852293 ID: 3ce125

...huh, wait a minute. Does this mean you could artificially induce these random abilities by letting your golem body soak up some of the collected raw mana on purpose?
>>
No. 852300 ID: 0d1514

>>852140
So uhhhh I think we stored the raw mana-imbued alkaline flesh in the smithy, didn't we? Deem you should... Watch out for that...
>>
No. 852318 ID: 2120ee

>>852144
Socketed design purely because it lets me suggest stupider things for bodies while still having a chance for them to pass.

Either way works for me though.
>>
No. 852322 ID: 094652

Sockets are worth the investment if they do more than just boost stats; the ones which give new abilities mean a deep level of customization for specializing bodies to extremely specific tasks - and since you can swap them on the fly, why worry about a few weaknesses in overspecialization?
>>
No. 852323 ID: 3ce125

Ah, wait... I think we're focusing too much on the positives and negatives as per the golem body's capabilities.

Merud came to learn! The socket thing won't teach him as much. So regardless of whether you take the socket or not, you're going to want to treat your golem bodies with raw mana to induce these random abilities for Merud to study. Plus he said he can prune the bad effects.

If I'm right, picking the socket will allow you to control when these new abilities pop up. You won't be treating your body with raw mana while an adventurer is invading, which means you won't have to worry about getting something unexpected in the middle of a fight.
>>
No. 852371 ID: 0d1514

>>852323
see, the thing about saturation is it needs to be saturated. you can't just add a dab per body and get the benefits that way. We have a limited amount of raw mana, you know.
>>
No. 852375 ID: d8ce3a

>>852323
ah, thats true. Couldnt we get the same effect as the saturation if we just got the socket and incrementally allowed a controlled drip of raw mana?
>>
No. 852377 ID: a97b52

>>852144
Raw mana saturation
>>
No. 852399 ID: b7a158

Well, the benefits of raw mana saturation are probably going to be entertaining in a number of ways, and the drawbacks (I'm assuming) will be equally interesting.

And, I mean... what's life without a little risk?
>>
No. 852415 ID: 2120ee

I believe the saturated raw mana requires a catalyzing event or stimulus, in addition to the presence of her heart fragment's circuits, to coalesce into a trait proper.

Dripping raw mana on bodies in storage is likely to get us nothing. Or demon-possessed golem bodies which, while hilarious, isn't the goal.
>>
No. 852422 ID: 3ae3fd

>>852323
While I generally agree, both options do have merits, mid-combat mutations are actually quite likely. Recall that a part of Deem's heart is within her golem, which is its source of raw mana, and that Deem gains mana from stirrings of The Earth Pulse, such as glorious combat. Before the catattack Deem was hesitant to do more than temporarily soften the ground a little to help with the digging, immediately after the cat attack she had a fountain of the stuff from her heart and could warp whole rooms into being, fully furnished and magically attuned. Deem would probably have to completely submerge her golem in pure mana to get the same effect as a mighty hero bound to a physical struggle with the very incarnation of the dungeon itself, each striving for the glory of victory and facing the shame of failure!
Or, with brevity in mind. Deem is almost certain to gain abilities based more upon the intensity of the situation than during forced mana exposure experiments. There just isn't enough mana around at the moment, and deem has better things to do with her golem.
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No. 852452 ID: dab122
File 151356150281.png - (26.58KB , 500x800 , extremely_accurate_deem_drawing.png )
852452

>Raw mana saturation might give you an unexpected edge, and Merud's positively chomping at the bit to explore the study possibilities of it. I'd say go for that.
I do feel I've been neglecting my golemeter.

>I´d say to go with saturation. If the defects become too harmful, we can simply completely destroy your old body and use completely different materials to rebuild a new one. Least I think that that should work.
Yes, that would work. I could try to preserve samples of my body over time to assist a return to a earlier version, even if in a decayed form.

>It'd be uncomfy to be completely helpless again as you're transferred between bodies.
It is not a feeling I would relish.

>Also what happens if this body is destroyed? Will you lose the saturation bonuses completely? I would rather have expendable specialised bodies!
My Resurrection Matrix is modified to return my Heart piece and golem body to it.

>You won't be treating your body with raw mana while an adventurer is invading, which means you won't have to worry about getting something unexpected in the middle of a fight.
It looks like it was actually a three step process. My golem body became saturated with raw mana, a triggering event gave it the last nudge to form new connections and then replenishing my Heart piece's mana store activated them. There may actually be two elements to the mana buildup: enough raw mana diffused through my golem body plus a critical mass of raw mana at the interface between it and my Heart.

>I'm sure there's a cost to utility in only being able to inhabit the one body, but I'm as excited as Merud to see what might come of this, and you already have a bunch of different bodies for different purposes: your frie- employees and minions. You are currently beholden to relying on others anyway, so might as well lean a little into it. Unless there are purpose-made golems that can fill some niche we're currently lacking and need?
Never having to worry about not bringing the right body for the job is also something to consider. I intend to create some new golem varieties once I have an opportunity to imprint their templates into the Golem Totem.

>There's also the opportunity cost of spending time and effort on developing new golem bodies fit to purpose versus just getting stuff for 'free' over time. Time not spent working on customising new bodies can be used to develop the dungeon and its inhabitants, which is our main goal right now.
I will leave my body as-is then.

>Is there any reason why the shard can't be socketed later, if it leads to a particularly unpleasant development? Is it now or never?
I could change course later if I wished to.

>...huh, wait a minute. Does this mean you could artificially induce these random abilities by letting your golem body soak up some of the collected raw mana on purpose?
I could try to keep more mana in my Heart piece to increase the raw mana leakage. If I really wanted to try to force things, I could try stockpiling raw mana and injecting near my shard or diluting it with something non-reactive to create a sort of bath treatment. That's likely to have a higher defect rate however.

>Couldn't we get the same effect as the saturation if we just got the socket and incrementally allowed a controlled drip of raw mana?
Yes and no. It's taken time for this to happen. Disconnecting and reconnecting my Heart piece would ruin any progress that's been made.

I send Merud and Alkaline ahead to speak with Stargazer and Reisarf alone.

"Stargazer," I say. "I have an apology for you from someone. They wanted you to know they didn't know what was and wasn't real and are afraid they did something that upset you."

Stargazer pokes me in the cheek. I don't know what that means!

"Thank you Stargazer."

Reisarf doesn't question any of this, which annoys me for some reason.
>>
No. 852453 ID: dab122
File 151356162672.png - (36.48KB , 800x550 , deemonstrations.png )
852453

>Now, you might want to be ready to activate that Gigant Mode in the event that a massive imp shows up.
I might as well test it out. I have limited material for making golems at present so I absorb the clay from one of my deactivated workers. I'm not sure where my warrior golem is. Maybe in the thaumatorium? I form a knife for myself from a shard of stone too.

I probably should have taken these clothes off first.

>This first ability isn't exactly new but at least it's codified your tendency to spontaneously expand - and does so without reinforcement strain, too!
It's a very mana efficient substitution for size reinforcement but the material requirements are going to be onerous for using it at a high level. I can also use it at a low level as I'm currently doing.

>Be sure to hang around Alkaline for a while, hope her luck will help a bit, and re-imprint yourself as her mother figure since she's been looking Merud-ey lately.
We are hanging out together. We're raiding a dungeon together. And I'm not a mother.

>And get Rei some longer pants, she's showing entirely too much leg for a girl her age. Perhaps a new top as well, I have no idea how that thing still fits.
That's actually one of Merud's shirts if I'm not mistaken. Which would make sense: Hin's clothes would be too baggy and Moriko doesn't have much in the way of spare clothes. I might need to think about how to appropriately attire one of my major fighters however.

>Also, ask Merud how he's doing, now that your own needs have been tended. This mess is his 'fault', and he might be feeling it, but he had no way of knowing there would be a night hag curse inside the corpse of Esra. All he wanted, all he usually wants, is to discover the reasons for things. In doing so he did endanger you and the people from his home town, so you're due some vindication for being against this errand, but it's gotta be modified by the fact that it's not due to anything you expected might go bad. You both had bad luck and we'll just have to see what we can salvage from it, everyone's alive and okay-ish, at least. And as has been said, this has been something of a growth opportunity.
"Merud, how are you holding up?" I say. "I know it's been a rough few days for you."

He shrugs helplessly. "It's a little overwhelming to be honest. I didn't think just inviting a medium up here would do all of -" Merud pivots, gesturing around him - "this."

"Something like this is never caused by just one thing, Merud." I say. "It's the culmination of numerous factors all coming together and aligning just so to create a disaster."

"A disaster, right." Merud nods glumly. Agh. He hesitates. "Deem, there's just one thing. If you could just give me a blunt answer about it. What would have happened to Ophelia if you hadn't stepped in?"

"Her mind would have been destroyed."

"Ah." Argh, no! That was too blunt!

>Speaking of, you should definitely get Merud to read that letter to you. Maybe later, though, if now's not a good time.
I think I've depressed him enough for now.

I'll make this up to you later Merud! For now I need to, I need to get in a fight or something.
>>
No. 852454 ID: dab122
File 151356178731.png - (19.12KB , 800x550 , map_updated.png )
852454

I haven't reasserted my influence over the thaumatorium yet. Something's blocking me. I need to clear out those imps.

>Sweep imps out of the sleeping quarters and restore the resurrection matrix before proceeding to the thaumatorium.
It looks like the door to the Resurrection Matrix stayed sealed. Nothing seems to have been touched in the bedroom.

>Welp. This looks like where the finale of the fever dream-stuff went down. There's a definite correlation between some of the hallucinations and things that happened in the dungeon, Deem. Now I'm rather concerned about what the Questing Beast represented. Hmh.
When did you see a questing beast? A spotted feline creature with hooves and strange noises coming from its stomach? Seeing one of those is a very bad omen!

>That orange stuff is magical gelatin! Gather it up for use in potions and dessert.
>Outside of that, I guess we should scoop the orange stuff into Belph before it dries up too much?
I don't know anything about it other than the imps have been eating it so it should be relatively safe. Sniff. Oh and it smells a little like cake.

I could give some to Belphe to experiment with but first I need to finish retaking my dungeon. It's been lying around in the open for at least a day. It'll keep.

>Oh and hey we got another bottle of raw mana filled, yay!
It looks like I'd had it spill over too. Some of the ground is probably contaminated. I replaced the bottle with a pottery shard for the moment.

Some raw mana would have gotten into the pool of orange goo closest to my Heart too. I may need to be careful with that one.

>So uhhhh I think we stored the raw mana-imbued alkaline flesh in the smithy, didn't we? Deem you should... Watch out for that...
I haven't spotted it. There's a good chance the imps broke it.

>No not the tools!
Chances are we'll find them scattered all over the place as we clean up.

Now I have my Heart back in place, I have a better sense for the interior.
There's new diggings. They seem a little random. Was that done by my golems while I was delirious?

Now, back to the thaumatorium. It looks like all the surviving imps are holed up in there. They're not especially dangerous monsters but I think I should come up with a plan of attack to reduce risk of injury. We need to force entry into there and then clear the place out. It should be open terrain aside from the pool but there's the new diggings and probably the rubble from those diggings cluttering up the place too.

I hope it wasn't just all dumped in the pool. That will be painful to get out.

I don't want to leave the dungeon until we're done so what we have to work with is me, Merud, Reisarf, Stargazer, Alkaline and Merud's rubble golem.
>>
No. 852455 ID: 12b116

Stick together and put Reisarf and Alkaline in the front. Investigate the new diggings as we come across them to make sure there's nothing inside them. Stargazer can clear out the pool if there's any imps in it. Go straight to the thaumatorium and clean it out first, then we can investigate anything interesting further.
>>
No. 852456 ID: 3ce125

>>852454
>When did you see a questing beast?
Right after Stargazer transformed into whatever independent action she was using for her delve. She had to leave Reisarf behind because he was too tired from fighting imps, then the questing beast showed up and was with us intermittently until everyone present had evacuated.
Tell us more about it, please. I think we hallucinated the spots as eyes...

>plan
Rubble golem and you in front to try to force your way through, Alkaline can do attacks of opportunity with Bad Egg. She should be able to climb up a wall and continue to bombard the hoard with Bad Egg. Merud can replace the golem easily so it can take the lion's share of damage. You can repair your body pretty easily, right? Maybe take off some of your outer layers of clothing so they don't get torn during the fight. If you have spare mana(which I doubt right now) you could try reinforcing Merud's golem so it can tank better.
Once there's a good line of sight, Reisarf and Stargazer can open fire. Or heck, before any melee combat starts, Reisarf can attack alongside Alkaline to soften up the front lines a bit.

OH, maybe you should analyze Alkaline to see if she's got any new abilities that will help, or if she's refined any old ones.
>>
No. 852461 ID: 094652

>Seeing one of those is a very bad omen!
Well, there are some Questing Beasts who are nasty little child-focused serial killers, but based on the actual ratio of decent-but-diabetic Questing Beasts to... well, "That Guy", the odds of running into a backstabbing little rodent vermin in our local multiverse are about 20:1, so while there is some concern, just add some decent security to prevent the @#$%ers from worming their way in.

>New Holes
Capitalize. Those areas are structurally compromised by the imps, so clear the areas and begin expansion there. As for the holes in the Golem area, you can expand it downwards to create a new floor and add tactical advantages to make the boss room a trap-mid-boss room, and generally increase the distance from the entrance to your heart, because seriously it is not that great.

I suggest you utilize a spiral pattern for lower floors and a beehive pattern for higher floors. Focus your digging on higher levels. You don't want to compromise the stability of lower areas or the whole thing will come crashing down.
>>
No. 852462 ID: 33cbe7

First things first, disrobe to avoid stretching out your clothes or tearing them in battle. Bring along some surplus raw mana (the stuff what's spilled across the ground) to fuel Gigant Mode - that's what you'll use to pick up any debris left in an inconvenient spot. Clay can be deposited in the two southward-facing tunnels - those are dead ends, extending them would only break out of the mountain. The other tunnels should be preserved for future expansion - waste not, want not. Sealing designations can be applied later to patch over the holes.

Lead with Reisarf out front to start, then you and the rubble golem acting as a defensive wall for the party to take cover behind - once Reisarf begins taking fire, she'll pull back too. Once the situation is under control, bring Alkaline out to fight imps, practicing opening up that Toxic Shroud just enough to slime the imps. Keep her out of the pool - Hydro Pump can only handle so much water intake. Draining from one of the cisterns for that ability would be safer.
Since you've brought it up, there's a slight chance the warrior golem is active and no longer under your control: Be ready for its appearance! You should wear a scarf not to disguise yourself, but to differentiate yourself this time. Ask to borrow one from Merud.
>>
No. 852464 ID: 1e7aa8

Before you secure the thaumatorium, use the scrying lens to figure out what the deal is with that gap in space and time, maybe?

If it was made by the night hag, then it's likely an escape route. Which now leads to a room containing your heart.
>>
No. 852466 ID: d36af7

Attack plan, alright. First, stash your fancy clothes in the sleeping quarters so they don't get ruined, shape yourself some plate armor and a shield. Maybe encourage Alkaline to imitate that, get some toxic shroud/clumsy mime synergy for max protective value.

Second, make another "door golem," but squarish instead of round, and handles on the back. Basically a portable wall/battering ram. Use it to control which directions the imps can come at you from.

For the actual assault, have Merud create some cheap combative golems suited for underwater use, send them in to draw aggro, and have Rei and Alkaline blow up whatever imps emerge. Firing into melee while trying to avoid hitting friendlies should be good marksmanship practice, and if they mess up, it's nothing Merud can't easily replace. You and the heavy play defense, to stop any hostiles from getting close to the casters.

Is Stargazer fully charged? Might as well feed her as much of that flask of raw mana as she can choke down, if it might help in the fight and excess is going to waste right now anyway.
>>
No. 852467 ID: 2120ee

Take point with Merud's golem, since you two are the sturdiest at the moment. After clearing out this side of the thaumatorium, you may have to go with Stargazer to clear out the far side or any imps that may be lurking under water.

Alkaline should probably stay clear of fighting over the water; she still has issues dealing with swimming, right?
>>
No. 852469 ID: 3ae3fd

Being methodical would probably be best. This isn't The Labyrinth Game, you are here to conquer and rule. Ensure that no opponents are allowed to hide. All must be brought before you and made to align themselves to your will or be banished.
Be certain to cross-reference your dungeon senses and golem vision. You were building towards a darkness dungeon so illusions can't be ruled-out, and it is easy enough to conceal a passage through mundane means...

>>852454
No mention of the door? You never know when a large friendly disc might be just the thing!

>>852453
It was indeed very blunt, but sometimes bluntness can be an asset. It is good if people can rely upon your statements. It would be nice if he didn't suffer, but the facts are what they are, and there is nothing polite or gentle about the destruction of a mind. And while this might be a blow to his confidence, building confidence without a foundation of humility will lead to arrogance.
>>
No. 852476 ID: 375812

>>852454

>Questing Beast, feline, hooved, spots.

Sounds almost like ours, except its spots were like eyes, three of 'em on its back. As for being a bad omen, you'll have to explain that. Is the QB something that causes bad things to happen, or does it just show up when bad things are about to happen? Given the way it seemed to act and talk, and how it got sidetracked - at one point - talking about the definition and importance of 'miracles' - and given how Stargazer seemed to know exactly what it was - I'll hazard a guess and say it's tied to the Great Far Ones, somehow. It's possible that was just the narrative the hallucinations were taking, though, but I can't really dismiss the questing beast's presence, behaviour and advice as not being formative for what went down while the hallucinations were going on.

The hallucinations were rather lucid too, to be frank, and possibly shared. You might chat with Moriko about it - once she had some sense knocked into her by Stargazer, she started hearing our voices too, and might be able to corroborate on some of the things 'we' saw or said that she saw or heard as well. Potentially, there's useful observations to be made from it all. At least in figuring out what actually went down in the real world.
>>
No. 852479 ID: 3abd97

>I probably should have taken these clothes off first.
You didn't quite burst out of them, so it should be okay. And as impressive as exploding out of your clothes might be, it's inconvenient to replace them.

>I'll make this up to you later Merud! For now I need to, I need to get in a fight or something.
For when we talk to him about this:

"Merud, I want to make this clear. You saw something wrong with the world, and you tried to make it right. That's not something to be ashamed of. I wouldn't have allowed you to move forward with the seance if I thought it had no chance of working.

"You put a lot of trust in me, when I showed up at your house out of nowhere. I trust you. One unfortunate turn of events doesn't change that."

>When did you see a questing beast? A spotted feline creature with hooves and strange noises coming from its stomach? Seeing one of those is a very bad omen!
For most of the hallucination, from our perspective, at least. It positioned itself as our 'guide', offering advice and information. Feline, cloven feet, green spots that were also eyes on its back, and little nubby horns between the ears.

How bad an omen on the scale are we talking here? A bad day, a lost job, a ruined career, love for the ages torn asunder, the fall of an ancient kingdom, the violent end of an age, Ragnarok or Armageddon?

>It looks like all the surviving imps are holed up in there. They're not especially dangerous monsters but I think I should come up with a plan of attack to reduce risk of injury.
Merud's Golems to force the door and act as the front line, Riesarf as ranged support shooting past the front line. You run interference with Alkaline if anything makes it past the golems. Delay them long enough with goo and sword that they don't get to your mages. The two of your are the least vulnerable to any curses or venom the imps might be carrying.
>>
No. 852489 ID: 0d1514

>>852454
If you're focused on safety, obviously the safest course is to stay outside the room and have you and Merud send in golems to bash things. Golems are replaceable, after all. Rei shoots things that try to break out and Alkaline bashes anything that gets close with her stick.
>>
No. 852492 ID: 3ae3fd

You an Tell Merud the a being of the earth doesn't like the powers of the sky. You can also tell him that one who has live for millennia will have seen many unresolved tragedies, and if it is to maintain those under its care, it must be able to set them aside and focus upon more manifest issues, lest it be drowned under the weight of time. That is enough to explain your reluctance towards the ritual. You didn't want it, but you allowed it because it was important to your denizens and you saw no harm that you couldn't contain. He had faith in you to be a safe place for his ritual and, for all the troubles, you were, and are. Your denizens are save and, notable exception aside, sound. Your rooms remain mostly intact and functional. The ritual was just to awaken memories, instead it awoke a powerful demon, distilled into a single act of malice, and further refined by the years, a horror beyond any sane reckoning. That was a trap that would have destroyed most anyone who would have cared to open it. It could have been uncovered anywhere by anyone, and it would have destroyed them. There are any number of ways that the little sky-priest could have been destroyed by those bones. Roaming explorers delving in caves, tired trappers seeking shelter, lost pilgrims hoping for signs of civilisation... any number of people could have stumbled upon those bones and sought to bring forth a eulogy to send them away with, and met with disaster. Instead, by his actions, the curse was unleashed within you, who was strong enough to turn it away, and your denizens held the strength to overcome the troubles that the curse left in its wake. This was a hidden murder that was here whether he acted or not, and because he acted it didn't destroy anyone, it just really inconvenienced a dungeon's ongoing efforts to reestablish itself, and also really inconvenienced a wizard, but it is unclear whether he valued his gender anyway, and is she taller now? Kids like being taller don't they?
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No. 852497 ID: de6d84

>>852479
Good plan!
>>
No. 852503 ID: c9f5a7

>>852479
Gonna have to agree with this formation.
>>
No. 852516 ID: d8ce3a

>>852454
Hey, If youre having Mana spillage problems, now that we know that raw mana has a spontaneous spell mutation effect on golems, why dont we Double blind this study, and have Merud make a golem just to carry some of that leaking raw mana around so he can see what happens to one without the benefit of your mind and heart fragment?
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No. 852521 ID: b9b4da

By rubble golem, you mean the impromptu door?
Roll golem ahead of you. Push golem over. Repeat until all imps are flattened. Spread layer of Alkaline over golem to increase retention rate of improvised waffle iron.
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No. 852530 ID: a97b52

>A spotted feline creature with hooves and strange noises coming from its stomach?
yep, that's the one.
how bad of an omen are we talking here? because this omen has come to pass. seeing one is already a thing that happened. if you were planning on not seeing a Questing Beast, i am sorry to tell you but your plan has failed.
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No. 854662 ID: dab122
File 151462535469.png - (38.91KB , 800x550 , too_many_people_too_happy_about_fighting.png )
854662

>Merud's Golems to force the door and act as the front line, Reisarf as ranged support shooting past the front line. You run interference with Alkaline if anything makes it past the golems. Delay them long enough with goo and sword that they don't get to your mages. The two of your are the least vulnerable to any curses or venom the imps might be carrying.
A solid defensive formation. With our limited healing capacity, it seems eminently practical. I arrange everyone like that.

>Before you secure the thaumatorium, use the scrying lens to figure out what the deal is with that gap in space and time, maybe?
It's a scar - the entry point of a space warping spell that hasn't closed. It doesn't go anywhere really. It should be fine to leave it as it is for the moment.

>You can repair your body pretty easily, right? Maybe take off some of your outer layers of clothing so they don't get torn during the fight.
That sounds sensible. I just had them fixed.

>Is the QB something that causes bad things to happen, or does it just show up when bad things are about to happen?
I don't think you know what an omen is.

>Right after Stargazer transformed into whatever independent action she was using for her delve. She had to leave Reisarf behind because he was too tired from fighting imps, then the questing beast showed up and was with us intermittently until everyone present had evacuated.
>Tell us more about it, please. I think we hallucinated the spots as eyes...
It's a small, rare and elusive creature that's thought to be a bad omen. That's it.

>It's possible that was just the narrative the hallucinations were taking, though, but I can't really dismiss the questing beast's presence, behaviour and advice as not being formative for what went down while the hallucinations were going on.
>The hallucinations were rather lucid too, to be frank, and possibly shared. You might chat with Moriko about it - once she had some sense knocked into her by Stargazer, she started hearing our voices too, and might be able to corroborate on some of the things 'we' saw or said that she saw or heard as well. Potentially, there's useful observations to be made from it all. At least in figuring out what actually went down in the real world.
You're over-analysing the febrile ravings of a curse intended to destroy the ego beneath a cavalcade of irrational impulses and nightmarish nonsense! Enough of this.

>No mention of the door? You never know when a large friendly disc might be just the thing!
It can't fit through the door and it can't fight.

>Investigate the new diggings as we come across them to make sure there's nothing inside them.
We have a quick look in each crevice as we go. No imps unless they can cram themselves right into the crevices. More orange goo though. I suspect some tried to hide a private supply.

We form up before the door and prepare to make our entry.
>>
No. 854663 ID: dab122
File 151462553466.png - (29.30KB , 800x550 , oh_no_a_bomb.png )
854663

A dozen or so imps yowl in alarm. One suddenly runs at us screaming, holding something over its head.

I should have checked whether or not the bomb flower was accounted for!

"Merud!"

"Got it!"

It's only a bomb plant seedling so the power is low. Merud's golem pushes forward through the rubble cluttering the entry and takes the hit. The imp blows itself up in the process.

Imps are dumb, as I've said.

>Once the situation is under control, bring Alkaline out to fight imps, practising opening up that Toxic Shroud just enough to slime the imps. Keep her out of the pool - Hydro Pump can only handle so much water intake. Draining from one of the cisterns for that ability would be safer.
She can just stick part of her body in and absorb water that way. At this point I think she's developed enough control over absorbing and excreting things to be fine even if she falls in.

>Alkaline can do attacks of opportunity with Bad Egg.
"Alkaline, go to the poolside to absorb some water and start throwing your Bad Eggs back!"

"Gob ib!" Her voice is still mushy when she's excited.

Imps burst out of some of the rubble as she steps away. That's almost clever. Alkaline goes to club one with no thought for her safety.

"Reisarf!"

"I see them!" And so my alienist zaps the one coming up behind my little slime princess.

>Stargazer can clear out the pool if there's any imps in it.
"Once we've cleared out these ones, can you send Stargazer in to check the pool?"

>It was indeed very blunt, but sometimes bluntness can be an asset. It is good if people can rely upon your statements. It would be nice if he didn't suffer, but the facts are what they are, and there is nothing polite or gentle about the destruction of a mind. And while this might be a blow to his confidence, building confidence without a foundation of humility will lead to arrogance.
That's true. And maybe fighting will cheer Merud up!

>"Merud, I want to make this clear. You saw something wrong with the world, and you tried to make it right. That's not something to be ashamed of. I wouldn't have allowed you to move forward with the seance if I thought it had no chance of working."
I say it.

"This isn't the time, Deem!"
>>
No. 854664 ID: dab122
File 151462561903.png - (46.43KB , 1000x500 , to_the_victors_the_spoils.png )
854664

That went fairly well overall I think. No serious injuries.

Merud's golem unfortunately didn't make it, but that's what it was there for. After taking out the handful of imps that knew how to use bombs (and worse, the one that knew how to throw them safely), the clean-up went quite smoothly.

Merud doesn't have much, if any, combat experience but keeping him in this defensive role worked out well. Reisarf's Spatial Warp did cause a headache - it teleported him out of his safe position when an imp spat acid at him. If I intend to have him fight in groups often, I might need to think about having him learn an alternative defensive technique. Finally Alkaline had a good time, though she was a little foolhardy. She's never been badly hurt and these were just imps so it's not surprising. She's not using her different techniques together well though - her Toxic Shroud gave her less projection when she grew with Hydro Pump and she was having trouble maintaining her form when trying to form Bad Eggs.

We did encounter an oddity with the thaumatorium - it's modifying spells. I must have completed it while hallucinating. A small number of Reisarf's attack spells were converted into healing magic affecting him instead.

I'm not sure why I'd have thought that was a good idea.

I do have a great number of imp corpses to dispose of now, however.

I've found the reason for this plague of imps too. Right where the séance was conducted is a spawning pit for imps. I would guess it's from the wounds I inflicted on the night hag - its spilled essence was trapped enough by the salt circle that this formed. I must have hurt it more than I thought.

This is one reason why purifying techniques are extremely helpful when dealing with demons. They're like a bad stain, they aren't rubbed out easily.

In any case the pit's full of rubble so it's not working. Despite this, it is leaching some of my mana. I can destroy it but I'd need to dig it up first and wade through its contents to remove the demon pieces. Alternatively I can just put a seal over the top of it and deal with it later.
>>
No. 854665 ID: 1e7aa8

Put a seal on it, have someone guard the room. Sweep the dungeon again before you announce an all-clear.

As for the corpses.. Well, is there anything useful you can make out of them using alchemy?
>>
No. 854666 ID: b53bd0

let's cover it for now, being able to tap into it for a swarm of imps later could be useful.
>>
No. 854667 ID: 0d1514

>>854664
Dig up the pit. Imps are useless and like you said, it's a drain. You're already bleeding enough...
>>
No. 854668 ID: 33cbe7

You're at peak performance now, clear/eat that rubble and uncover what's inside! Then store those demon parts away for use in a future spawning pit. As for the imp corpses, Alkaline shall feast!
Turning offensive spells into healing spells is a useful spell for shifting the environment on adventurers - suddenly their DPS is a healer, and this could work in or against their favor. Attacks that could wipe them fizzle, but the boss is at full health again and their progress is erased. Given that Resiarf's accuracy is already low, I think you should leave it in place and chalk it up as a useful tradeoff.
>>
No. 854670 ID: d8ce3a

>>854664
>>After taking out the handful of imps that knew how to use bombs (and worse, the one that knew how to throw them safely), the clean-up went quite smoothly.

Aww, that smarter one might have made a good expendable minion. its the ones from humble beginnings that grow up the best!

>>I do have a great number of imp corpses to dispose of now, however.
Maybe we could feed them to Doyle?
Or, well, if this pit is spawning lesser demons like this, and imps are too dumb to be of use, maybe instead of going through the arduous process of cleaning it up, you could alter it a bit so it slows down or at least spawns something useful, or controllable?
>>
No. 854671 ID: 094652

Dig out the spawn point, you don't want it to mutate and spit out a wave of imps. The components and hardware will be good materials for further research.
>>
No. 854691 ID: e4abe1

>>854667
this
>>
No. 854693 ID: ba506f

might as well deal with it now. Maybe take a quick breather and let everyone catch their breaths and Merud build up another golem then destroy the pit since everyone is hear anyways.

Also quick question, can we do anything with the imp bodies or are they just taking up space? I mean could they make useful poisons and stuff that we could use for our dungeon or maybe even sell for some extra gold?
>>
No. 854703 ID: b7627b

>>854664
You should uncover it but not necessarily destroy it right away, just seal the bottom and perhaps keep the demon pieces for further study.

Heck you can probably fill it with water and see if any residual negative energies/hag essence might leech into it and form an alchemical compound. Exploit everything.

Might as well also get everyone cleaned up after the fight since you're already in here.
>>
No. 854767 ID: 3ae3fd

Is there any way to gain anything from the pit?
Perhaps you could leave it functional-but-quarantined and use it to enhance your darkness affinity?
Imps may be terrible denizens, but a steady supply of them might be useful as alchemy or magic reagents, or for mutating new slimes. Unless slaughtering your own spawns is bad for morale?
A Prison filled with imps may attract challengers who want to train against the monsters without risk?
Or you could dabble in mad science. Who knows what would happen if you force a mess of random potions, Stargazer cuttings, and liquid mana into its foundations? Some golem tentacles could be placed and fed directly by its mana! Rewire it so that it can only spawn imps in batches, with the imps' locations overlapping. Sure, they usually explode and make a mess, but what if some survive? They came from a mental curse so maybe putting a large version of the nightmare curse you made for alkaline around it would do something? Or just replace the rubble with Merud's Golem and see if absorbing imp mana does anything to a defunct golem. What could possibly go wrong!
Still, you are the best to gauge whether the mana expenditure is worth it. The imp spawner is basically a free room, which is nice, in theory... Discarding it is sad but likely necessary.

Has clearing The Great Impish Menacing Plague stirred The Earth Pulse any? Maybe there is enough to build some private storage or room dividers in the bedroom, or some sort of analysis platform to try to discern hazardous items to prevent a repeat of this? Then again, you do deserve a nice meal after all this, just enjoying any extra mana would not be uncalled for. It might be worth taking out your shard and resting it against your core for a nice relax. I am sure that the denizens can look after things for a while. You can leave Alkaline in charge, she is royalty afterall!

Merud seems a bit displease about the state of his golem. Can you use your golem or earth magic to help restore it? Or get a golem to drag the remains back to the golem totem for room-assisted reenchantment?
>>
No. 854768 ID: 375812

>>854664

>I don't think you know what an omen is.
>Just a small, rare creature.

Gotcha. Line of inquiry sunk.

>of a curse intended to destroy the ego beneath a cavalcade of irrational impulses and nightmarish nonsense!

Oh Deem...

You're welcome. We love you too.

>Enough of this.

Sorry! I'll keep speculation down.

The pit was in the hallucination - Stargazer closed it up while saving Moriko. Good thing too, or you'd have a lot more imps to deal with. Really, Stargazer did a ton of work during this crisis. You should get her something nice as a reward. Maybe a pointy witch hat for... reasons. Oooh! Maybe whenever Reisarf does the boss battle you can get her to use Independent Action to dress up as a bundled-up witch if you get her a full costume? Imagine the look on the adventurers' faces when she transforms back to herself! Heck, imagine if they spent a lot of their tricks and mana potential attacking the 'Witch of the Dungeon' on the assumption she was the real threat - with her alien body resisting a lot of that damage and drawing fire away from Reisarf. A thought for later, no?

As for the pit, I don't think we'll want to incorporate the pit into the room, imps being imps. Get rid of it one way or the other. Could Alkaline squeeze into it to absorb the 'curse' of it or just fetch the demon parts to disarm it? Just spitballing here, I wouldn't want her doing something risky, but if it can save on danger and effort, and perhaps give her a shot at a spawning bonus for her own slimes from curse-absorbing a demon-spawning pit, that'd be neat.

>attack spells converted into healing magic affecting him instead

Attack spells turning into healing was part of the hallucinations. Is the healing potential good? Does the healing increase the stronger the spell is? Self-healing seems like something Reisarf could make use of during his and Stargazer's battles here! It would be even greater if you had some way of ensuring the effect only counted for your own minions - or some way to trigger it consciously. Then again, if someone is relying on ranged casting to attack Reisarf - which would be one of the more efficient ways to fight him here - having their spells 'ground' themselves uselessly into self-heals might be an interesting way of drawing out the fight.

Clever adventuring parties could also use the Thaumatorium to spam attack spells to heal up any of their offensive casters if they lack healing capacity. It might be a relatively costly way to go about it, but it would allow them to convert excess mana into healing potential. That said, I think it's an interesting feature for a room to have, potentially positive both for your minions and clever adventurers. Hah, too-clever adventurers might waste mana trying to BE clever if the chance for healing is too low and they waste time and mana experimenting.

Are there any other modifications to the Thaumatorium that you notice? There were other miscasts. Might want to check up on the Totem room, too, just to be safe.

And can the bomb flower be moved or has it taken permanent root? If it can be moved, bring it back with you - I don't think we'll want it stationed here. Not yet, at least.

>combat aftermath

More orange gel. Or is this spilled liquid? You should look into it. What was its origins? The imp pit?

Merud's looking out of sorts. Guess he's lamenting the damage to his combat golem. One too many bombs, I guess? Well, it was there to soak damage instead of any of you, so it served its purpose admirably, though, of course, it's annoying that it appears to have been taken out entirely. Maybe you can help him fix it? Alternatively, perhaps he's down just being here where it all happened. Hm... I wonder what we can do to get him out of his funk? Maybe he just needs the time.

Alkaline's turning into a trooper, which will be good if she needs to defend herself, but she needs more training. She's gotten by being lucky, and while her luck IS great, you've commented time and again that it's not exactly reliable. Training her to maintain her form better, and to expand her Shroud might help. I'd say she also needs extra protection, so that she'll last long enough for that luck to kick in. Hmh. Maybe you could set Hin on creating some gear for her that you can enchant? Do slime queens even wear gear?

A crown for her crown, perhaps~

Reisarf and Stargazer did alright. They appear to be rapidly cementing their place as the second-best fighters in our little troop, at least in terms of damage potential. As for alternative defenses, definitely bring that up with Reisarf, see if Stargazer can't teach him a new rote along those lines eventually - or you could offer to go along the same enchanted item route as Alkaline.

>imp corpses

Don't feed Alkaline imps, just use them for potion parts. Double-edged potions can be adventurer traps/loot, depending on what the side-effects are. If you get something really interesting, you can even give it to Alkaline in the hopes of triggering her curse-absorption ability!

>wat next

See if you can aid Merud in cobbling his combat golem back together, have a chat with Alkaline about maybe getting her some extra defense gear and encourage her training, and let Reisarf and Stargazer chill while searching the pool and keeping watch for stray imps. A second sweep of the area won't be remiss either, just in case.
>>
No. 854793 ID: 87a85e

>>854768
>I'll keep speculation down.
Fun fact: your essay consists of 3 pages, 954 words, and 4,404 (without spaces) or 5,406 (with spaces) characters. Try harder.
>>
No. 854805 ID: dab122
File 151467982246.png - (25.47KB , 600x450 , hey_listen.png )
854805

OK two things.

>>854768
I would not make an update ending with a lot of loose elements if I didn't intend for them to be commented on. That being said, brevity is appreciated since it makes it easier for me to organise suggestions and write an update.

That post isn't really a case of it but longer format discussion and talking about less immediate things should go in the discussion thread:

https://tgchan.org/kusaba/questdis/res/94347+50.html

>>854793
You, shut your mouth. Wow, rude huh? If there's something I object to, I'll say so. If there's something you object to, be polite.
>>
No. 854822 ID: a98542

>>854664
Dig up the imp pit. We don't want it getting exposed by an errant bomb or whatever later, and the demon bits might be good for potions or whatever.

I can't imagine that the imp corpses would make very useful potion ingredients given how trash-mob imps are, but they're still like, meat and bone, right? If nothing else, we could feed some to Chuckles (I'm sure he'd appreciate fresh meat), cure some of the meat for emergency imp jerky rations (or monster treats), and compost the rest to grow shrooms on.

And yeah, I'd still think the best use of the orange goo is probably potions, especially the pool that caught some raw mana. If we feed it to alkaline or whatever, there's a nonzero chance that we get some effects that we aren't too keen on. If we give it to belph, the worst case scenario is that it ends up not being good for potions and we have to dump it.
>>
No. 854831 ID: a98542

>>854822
Or, actually, do any of our dungeoneers know how to brew booze? 'cause large quantities of potentially sugary orange liquid seems like it might make a good alcohol base. It's not super relevant to dungeon operation, but booze is good for morale, so why not.
>>
No. 854847 ID: 3ae3fd

I would council against creating something that is both unique and addictive/habitual. I also do not recall any good fermenting agents. Not to mention that challengers can arrive without warning, and alcohol tends to be bad for readiness, especially in the absence of purification magic. But a supply of medicinal alcohol would be useful. Deem doesn't want to rely upon resurrection for everything...

Deem you are really rocking that armour! You should show it off when you go tell the others that you are safe to enter. Which... you now are? May as well get the supplies back inside and start cleaning the sludge off of all your surfaces.
Bombs are valuable, aren't they? Can you put one in the chest to get it working again?
What ever became of Char's hoard?
>>
No. 854856 ID: 12b116

I'd say seal the pit for now and put a rug or something over it. Seems like everything is clear, let's get everybody in here to clean up the mess and gather the orange stuff. Could we move that spatial anomaly into a crack or something where nobody will accidentally go near it? Maybe one of the new holes they dug, and use it to throw trash in. I think you should let everyone rest and regroup before attempting to deal with the demon pit.
>>
No. 854862 ID: 3abd97

Hey you grew armor Deem.

>It can't fit through the door and it can't fight.
It could belly flop on a careless adventurer who got too close.

>"This isn't the time, Deem!"
Deem for future reference, heart to hearts should probably not be held in the middle of combat.

>Reisarf's Spatial Warp did cause a headache - it teleported him out of his safe position when an imp spat acid at him. If I intend to have him fight in groups often, I might need to think about having him learn an alternative defensive technique
Yeah, that technique is well suited to someone working alone against the group of monsters, not someone working working in a formation.

>We did encounter an oddity with the thaumatorium - it's modifying spells. I must have completed it while hallucinating. A small number of Reisarf's attack spells were converted into healing magic affecting him instead.
>I'm not sure why I'd have thought that was a good idea.
So long as your casters experiment with this effect and get a feel for the kinds of modifications to expect, this kind of environmental effect disadvantages adventurers more than your defenders.

>Merud moping
Sorry your golem didn't make it.

>I do have a great number of imp corpses to dispose of now, however.
Slime and/or evil pot food?

>I can destroy it but I'd need to dig it up first and wade through its contents to remove the demon pieces. Alternatively I can just put a seal over the top of it and deal with it later.
Do the job thoroughly. Don't seal over a sore to fester and get worse and probably cause trouble at the worst moment the next time something else goes wrong.
>>
No. 854865 ID: 33cbe7

>>854862
Well, it wouldn't be a very good door if it didn't obstruct the whole doorway... we could make smaller copies of it to enact aerial doom on those underfoot. Maybe chuck a whole bunch of them into the spatial rift and summon them back later.
>>
No. 854907 ID: 3ae3fd

>"Deem for future reference, heart to hearts should probably not be held in the middle of combat."
That one was our fault really. Besides, if heroic tales have taught me anything, it is that the middle of combat is the only time for matters of the heart. Deem. Which better stirs the earth-pulse? A pair of challengers declaring their love for one another and then fighting for their lives, or a pair of challengers declaring such in the midst of such? Style is always important!

>more corpses, imps this time
Well let's perform a ritual to awaken their lingering memories to discern who they were in life so as to properly lay them to rest! Surely a humane dungeon would care for the sanctity of these tragic remains! Call in the Sky-Priests!

At present, I would advise a methodical fixing of everything.
Your self-conquest has provided various loots. Clean them off of the floors and analyse them for useful properties and proper uses.
Your insides and accessories are scattered. Perform an inventory of your possessions, pre and post, and discern what has been lost, gained, or altered. That bomb plant was an unpleasant surprise...(we should probably do this for you, but we can be a lazy cacophony)
Resettle your denizens. Get the quarters cleaned, the beds made, the workstations prepared, your blacksmith and slime melded, your rooms tested for proper function, your treasure redistributed...
Get back to building. Farms don't dig themselves out! Unless they do... Is there some sort of mining root? Can you use plant-bombs safe- meh, that is for later...
>>
No. 854921 ID: d36af7

Merud looks like he's feeling down. Check whether he's got an opinion on how the imp giblets should be disposed of, or if that's not the problem, try to get him interested in the possibilities opened by the golem totem room. Patching up that frontline tank, for one thing.
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No. 854942 ID: dab122
File 151472846444.png - (22.57KB , 800x500 , tasty_imps.png )
854942

>The pit was in the hallucination - Stargazer closed it up while saving Moriko. Good thing too, or you'd -
I said enough!

>Aww, that smarter one might have made a good expendable minion. its the ones from humble beginnings that grow up the best!
Fine, if I stumble across another unusually bright imp I'll consider keeping it. But not until I have somewhere to keep it isolated from anything breakable!

>Deem you are really rocking that armour! You should show it off when you go tell the others that you are safe to enter.
I don't particularly enjoy being blown up so I grabbed some of the rubble lying around for added protection. I need to settle a few things first but you're right I should definitely do that.

>Dig up the pit. Imps are useless and like you said, it's a drain. You're already bleeding enough...
It's true, I don't need any more drains on my precious mana stores.

>Do the job thoroughly. Don't seal over a sore to fester and get worse and probably cause trouble at the worst moment the next time something else goes wrong.
Nor do I want another possible disaster waiting to go wrong.

>As for the corpses.. Well, is there anything useful you can make out of them using alchemy?
A weak poison. A weak antivenom. Trade-off potions - strength at the cost of reasoning, for example. Those usually cause some level of emotional unbalance too unfortunately. Anything else will need some experimentation.

>You should uncover it but not necessarily destroy it right away, just seal the bottom and perhaps keep the demon pieces for further study.
The demon pieces are the spawning pit. They'd essentially have fused into a demon core - curses pool around it and spawn new demons.

>Don't feed Alkaline imps, just use them for potion parts. Double-edged potions can be adventurer traps/loot, depending on what the side-effects are. If you get something really interesting, you can even give it to Alkaline in the hopes of triggering her curse-absorption ability!
I'll need to start brewing potions very soon then. I must have two dozens imp corpses lying around.

>They're still like, meat and bone, right? If nothing else, we could feed some to Chuckles (I'm sure he'd appreciate fresh meat), cure some of the meat for emergency imp jerky rations (or monster treats), and compost the rest to grow shrooms on.
It'll still be rough getting through them all if I don't feed Alkaline any but that's a good start.

>I'd still think the best use of the orange goo is probably potions, especially the pool that caught some raw mana. If we feed it to Alkaline or whatever, there's a nonzero chance that we get some effects that we aren't too keen on. If we give it to Belph, the worst case scenario is that it ends up not being good for potions and we have to dump it.
It's strange. I know the imps have been eating it, it feels like it should have been more magical but that's been discharged somehow and... it's weakly fire aspected? I need to get to the bottom of it, so I feed a tiny bit to Alkaline. Once she confirms it's edible I have Reisarf and Merud try a spoonful. It has a sweet taste. It seems it's palatable and reasonably filling but I don't think it's particularly healthy and I have bathtubs full of the stuff to deal with.

I don't think it'll be particularly useful for potions but it'll be food for Belphe at least? Once we run out of imps.

>Or, actually, do any of our dungeoneers know how to brew booze? 'cause large quantities of potentially sugary orange liquid seems like it might make a good alcohol base. It's not super relevant to dungeon operation, but booze is good for morale, so why not.
Hmm, it's worth trying. I have no shortage of the stuff. I suspect Merud might. He strikes me as the type to have a lot of random hobbies.
>>
No. 854943 ID: dab122
File 151472865331.png - (32.19KB , 800x600 , hydro_hug.png )
854943

>Alkaline's turning into a trooper, which will be good if she needs to defend herself, but she needs more training.
Alkaline's performed well and she has clearly been missing me so I will reward her with a hug. Yes, this is definitely what she wanted.

"Alkaline, you don't need to carry around all that water all the time." I tell her. Her water absorption has definitely improved.

She tilts her head looks down at me. "Why?"

"You'll tire yourself out."

"Deem, are you feeling a little sensitive about her being taller than you?" Merud says.

Why are you looking so happy all of a sudden Merud? No-one asked your opinion.

>Merud seems a bit displeased about the state of his golem. Can you use your golem or earth magic to help restore it? Or get a golem to drag the remains back to the golem totem for room-assisted re-enchantment?
"How's your golem?" I say to him instead.

"I'm a little disappointed it wasn't as sturdy as I'd hoped."

"It did the job still. I suppose you're still not too used to combat golemetry. I'll have a look at it with you later. Can you pull it back together and have it start clearing the rubble in that pit? The sooner we get rid of that demonic mess the better."

Could Alkaline squeeze into the pit to absorb the 'curse' of it or just fetch the demon parts to disarm it? Just spitballing here, I wouldn't want her doing something risky, but if it can save on danger and effort, and perhaps give her a shot at a spawning bonus for her own slimes from curse-absorbing a demon-spawning pit, that'd be neat.
That's a good idea.

"Alkaline, once the top's clear I want you to seep in and see if you can clear out the pit bottom. Take it slow! Curses gather in there. Maybe pour in some water, dilute it a little."

"Now, now?"

I sigh "If you think you can squeeze through, then get in."

Alkaline starts oozing her way in as the excavation starts.

I gather up some of the scattered items. I find Hin's tongs. The poor bomb flower needs a new pot. That excavation at the side of the pool turns out to be underwater.

>Turning offensive spells into healing spells is a useful spell for shifting the environment on adventurers - suddenly their DPS is a healer, and this could work in or against their favour. Attacks that could wipe them fizzle, but the boss is at full health again and their progress is erased. Given that Reisarf's accuracy is already low, I think you should leave it in place and chalk it up as a useful tradeoff.
Good reasoning. I'll leave it alone then.

>Deem for future reference, heart to hearts should probably not be held in the middle of combat.
When one's heart is pounding, that's surely the best time for a heart to heart talk?

>What ever became of Char's hoard?
I made sure to put it all back in the forge. I'd better let him in the dungeon before he gets too anxious about it though. He was quite grumpy about that cat stealing his treasure.

>The door golem could belly flop on a careless adventurer who got too close.
I need to put more doors in before that'll be a convincing trap.
>>
No. 854944 ID: dab122
File 151472887456.png - (24.64KB , 800x600 , wardrobe_and_skill_list_continues_to_expand.png )
854944

Something in the bottom of the pit explodes. Rocks and slime spray out.

"My golem!" Merud.

Alkaline!

No, she's in the bottom of the pit. She looks fine. "Alkaline, I told you to be careful!"

She blinks at me, then snaps out of her daze. "Sowwy!"

Wait she looks a little different. Where's my lens?

----------------------------------------
New Ability
----------------------------------------
Unstable Core: A biological reactor. It should be able to circulate mana through Alkaline's body to enhance her abilities. The core will explode if damaged. Cores regenerate.
----------------------------------------

Oh Alkaline. You ate the demon core, didn't you?

Some slimes develop hardened cores. They're more energetic in exchange for an obvious weak point. Technically all slimes have cores but it's dispersed and harder to spot in a regular slime. Alkaline's is her head, for example.

This is a little curious since it's actually a false core. Assuming she survives the explosion, she'd still be able to fight. It seems like it might be a little trickier to learn to use though. A slime queen with a core usually is more prolific too.

I do need to sit down and properly sort out my slime princess's development eventually but first I need to get my dungeon in order.

>Are there any other modifications to the Thaumatorium that you notice? There were other miscasts. Might want to check up on the Totem room, too, just to be safe.
There's no more active spell modifiers in the thaumatorium. Everything feels roughly functional in my dungeon but I will need to go over everything over the next few days to be sure there's no devils lurking in the details.

On top of moving everyone back inside and tidying, two things stand out to me as both urgent and potentially doable today. I should do one of them.

Firstly, my Golem Totem is more or less complete. With Merud's help I can put on the finishing touches. Most pertinently, it will let me have more active golems with less supervision. That will make it easier to move everything inside and clean up. I'll also be able to embed the templates for more advanced golems and improve the quality of my current golem body. I do not currently have much raw material though. Common rocks abound but I'm low on clay.

Secondly, I can try to treat Hin's gristleworm. That will involve trying a sauna first. I should be able to improvise one easily with one of the cisterns by draping spare tent fabric over it and dropping in heated rocks to warm the water. If Hin doesn't show much improvement, we'll move on to Reisarf cursing her into a slime-like form and having Alkaline play doctor via feeding her slime to make her body more acidic or simply fusing the two of them together.

>Finish Golem Totem
>Treat Hin
>>
No. 854945 ID: ba506f

>Treat Hin
I'm not going to let that little bug beat me, it's time to finally take it down. Plus I kinda want Hin at 100% so we can see if she can't help us make more advance golems when we do complete the totem. I mean if we can get enough metal could we make an iron golem or something... or at the very least give our more advanced golems decent weapons.
>>
No. 854946 ID: b7627b

>>854944
We should get Hin treated yeah, that way she can go back to neglecting her health.
>>
No. 854950 ID: 7152b7

Golem Totem, as the Dungeon is still woefully underdeveloped. This escapade has cost everyone too much valuable time. Moral will also improve some since progress will once again be made.

Also the more automation you have available, the more time you'll have to deal with things personally. Hin Needs your attention but you cant just drop everything. This fixes that.
>>
No. 854966 ID: d36af7

Treat Hin first. Narrow repairs take precedence over broad upgrades, and people take precedence over things.

>imps can be processed into tradeoff potions
>orange goo is weakly fire aspected
Have Belphejar get started on a new batch to take advantage of both of these. Something that provides resistance to flesh-phasing parasites, spiritual possession, etc. and maybe a strength boost or reflexive "boiling blood" counterattack when wounded, at the cost of delirium and fever.
>>
No. 854976 ID: 12b116

Treating Hin should be our next priority, The golem totem isn't going to get less finished in the meantime, but she could get worse.
>>
No. 854979 ID: b1b4f3

Treat Hin first.

As for the imps, maybe you should feed some to Alkaline to speed up the process of getting rid of them.
>>
No. 854980 ID: 33cbe7

Treat Hin first. The golems you have will suffice for upkeep until Hin is back in the forge crafting new legendary items. While you wait for the sauna treatment to fail, give Alkaline a checkup and see if her ability pool is close to solidifying yet.
>>
No. 855005 ID: 1e7aa8

Treat Hin first. That parasite has more than outlived it's welcome. It has to die ASAP.
>>
No. 855011 ID: 91ee5f

Treat Hin
>>
No. 855045 ID: 3ae3fd

Hin! I want to see slime Hin as soon as possible! If it works then they could do this recreationally! Maybe even work it into an augmentation! Just imagine if any of your denizens could merge with a slime at any time to benefit from slime's malleability while retaining some of the other party's abilities an being able to wield them due to a slime's ability to control sliminess.
At the very least a Merud-Alkaline(Meraline?) with a golem-armour should be plausible. Add a hatch for bad- ahem, sorry.
Slimed-meld may have additional uses...

The golem totem sounds like it will be of limited use without clay. There is plenty of clay along the river, back in your old mauling spot. It makes sense to work it into a whole expedition which will take a while. Fix Hin quickly to get more manpower.
>>
No. 855126 ID: dab122
File 151477478688.png - (38.23KB , 800x500 , ah_yes_the_triumphant_heroes.png )
855126

>We should get Hin treated yeah, that way she can go back to neglecting her health.
Well I'll have to look after it for her then!

>Treating Hin should be our next priority, The golem totem isn't going to get less finished in the meantime, but she could get worse.
Her condition has been a constant case of one step forward, two steps back. It would be wise to resolve it.

>The golem totem sounds like it will be of limited use without clay. There is plenty of clay along the river, back in your old mauling spot. It makes sense to work it into a whole expedition which will take a while. Fix Hin quickly to get more manpower.
True. Now I think about it, I could use Gigant Form to absorb some of the clay on-site and carry a big load back. That should let us do just one or two big trips for clay instead of several trips back and forth in constant danger of bear attack.

>Hin! I want to see slime Hin as soon as possible! If it works then they could do this recreationally! Maybe even work it into an augmentation! Just imagine if any of your denizens could merge with a slime at any time to benefit from slime's malleability while retaining some of the other party's abilities an being able to wield them due to a slime's ability to control sliminess.
Curse of Formlessness is a curse intended to weaken the target. So it's more a case of the slime getting a boost from fusing with its weakened formless partner. Reisarf might be able to research something with less downsides. My own magic is only earth aspected at present - it isn't well suited to producing something like that.

Merud rolls the door-golem aside and we all step outside again.

Chakarchelou jumps to his feet and scampers past us to reunite with his lost hoard. Poor thing, I know how that feels.

Moriko's the next one we see. "You and your slime look different. What happened?"

I take a deep breath for my speech.

"Dungeon stuff." Reisarf says.

Moriko nods.

How dare you Reisarf. How dare you. Is this some sort of revenge for your condition? You should have just spoken up in the first place. I won't let you ruin this for me.

I twirl on the spot. "There were bomb throwing imps and I've been fortunate enough to refine this body a little. I made myself some armour from the rubble. Quite nice, don't you think?"

Moriko nods appreciatively. Thank you Moriko.

Everyone else can see to packing up the camp. I'm going to find Hin now.
>>
No. 855127 ID: dab122
File 151477487657.png - (15.70KB , 800x500 , bathe_hin.png )
855127

>While you wait for the sauna treatment to fail, give Alkaline a checkup and see if her ability pool is close to solidifying yet.
I don't want to get sidetracked. She has so many abilities, you all will definitely begin talking about the possibilities if I do that.

The sauna set-up is quite simple - we set a fire in the forge, put rocks in it then have golems shuttle hot rocks into one of the thaumatorium cisterns. Some fabric from an imp-ravaged tent is pinned over the alcove to keep the steam in. I should probably leave it there for extra privacy after this.

Hin removes her hairpin, ties her bandanna back on and strips. She really is sensitive about those horns. I designed her new haircut to keep them covered for her but Hin we all know they're there. You don't need to cover them up in the bath.

"Oooooh" she says as she steps over and slides into the warm water. "I've missed hot baths." She swishes the water. "Ahhh, it's better than I remember. When can we get a hot spring, Deem?"

"I'll think about it."

Now we wait. I tidy some rubble and begin filling in the former spawning pit as the golems continue to exchange rocks. We chat a little but Hin's getting drowsy so I concentrate on my work while making sure she doesn't actually fall asleep.

An hour or two later Hin speaks up. "Deem, this was great at first but I'm turning into a prune and getting light headed. Can we try the other thing?"

"Alright." I let Hin get dressed and then I call Reisarf and Stargazer in, with Alkaline on standby.

Step One: Reisarf casts Curse of Formlessness as many times as it takes.
>>
No. 855128 ID: dab122
File 151477493237.png - (17.73KB , 800x600 , slhin.png )
855128

That's fairly formless but not quite as formless as I thought it might be. That's good, it'll be less disorientating for Hin. She must be in worse condition that I thought. Even if she's not trying to resist, it should have taken more than two castings on Reisarf's part, given her resistance to it from her giant blood.

"EEEEEEEEE!"

That wasn't Hin. That's Alkaline. She's excited about having more slimes around. I hold on to her arm to stop her rushing in before I make sure she knows what the plan is.

"This feellubs, feels weird." Hin says. She works her jaw, trying to get a feel for talking around a mouthful of slime.

"Do you feel the gristleworm?"

"Nup." Hin shrugs. She jumps a little at the splat sound her hands make when they flop into the puddle again.

On to Step Two then. We can try to have Hin eat some of Alkaline's slime in the hopes of making her internal environment too acidic for the gristleworm. Naturally that may complicate things a little when she has to turn back. Secondly we can try and get Alkaline to learn a common slime trick: fusion. That should quickly deal with the gristleworm but there is a risk of cross-contamination if the splitting is not done smoothly. Alkaline's curse eating is the main headache there.

I will just try the other one if the first one doesn't work but which one should I try first?
>>
No. 855131 ID: 094652

Reach around for the Gristleworm. If it's also in slime-form, try acid first. You don't want Alkaline to get slime-worm eggs, that's one hell of a headache.
>>
No. 855133 ID: b1b4f3

>>855128
Wait, won't the curse-eating nullify the curse of formlessness and revert Hin, causing the fusion to fail?
Other possible treatments: stab Hin with needles or something to try to hit the worm. Slimes are basically immune to piercing attacks right? Or, have Alkaline reach into Hin to grab the worm. Or, try to teach Hin to manipulate her slime form to sortof puke the worm up.

Regardless try the acidification plan first, then try to dilute or neutralize the acid so that Hin doesn't get heartburn (or full body burn).
>>
No. 855134 ID: 33cbe7

Hin got into this mess by eating questionable ingredients, and she'll get out of this mess by eating questionable ingredients. Eat the acidic slime!
>>
No. 855135 ID: 33cbe7

Oh yeah, try rooting around in Hin for the gristleslime first. You know, they say many hands makes light work...
And then have her eat the not-safe-for-solids slime.
>>
No. 855136 ID: 7fad5d

Fusion-Ha!
>>
No. 855137 ID: a98542

>>855128
The obvious solution is to just try to grab the worm, but uh, what are the odds that the gristleworm also took the formlessness hit? 'cause if it's also goo, we're gonna have problems still.

Also, won't alkaline slime just start eating the curse of formlessness and mess up everything?

...why are we doing this, again?
>>
No. 855149 ID: d36af7

Check her current pH with the alchemy kit before you attempt either strategy, so you'll know the safe set-point to aim for later on, when you're trying to clean up the inevitable side effects.
>>
No. 855150 ID: 3ae3fd

Being stuck with a Hin that has to remain slimed until her Ph-levels neutralise would be annoying. Cross-contamination is a big worry, but with proper precautions...
Take a piece of Hin's "clothes" and introduce it to Alkaline. Actually, take two samples, one should just be monitored while the other is introduced into Alkaline.
If it reverts upon separation then, well, that will stuff up the test, can formlessness be applied to clothing? If so continue with that sample.
Reversion upon contact with alkaline suggests that she will nullify the curse.
Reversion of both samples and Hin upon contact suggests that Alkaline eats the whole curse upon any contact, which is interesting...
Reversion of both samples at once suggests that it is time-based rather than due to Alkaline. Repeat the test faster.
If the sample fails to revert, then it suggests that Alkaline will not dissolve the curse unless it is applied to her directly.

The above is all just a primer on mad science as Fusion is very different from just interacting with slime samples and thus the test results are likely irrelevant. Just make sure to stick The Fixity Amulet on Hin before the fusion and it should hold the curse of fromlessness in place nicely! Or perhaps you could derive a boss-enchantment from the Fixity Effect? It sounds like it ought to be Earth-based... It could lead to a boss that can be hidden using curse of formlessness and then remove the curse-fixing enchantment to restore them as an ambush?

And you seriously need to address Hin's hiding of horniness. It probably indicates a personal issue with her ogre heritage. As a mountainous maze you might meet ogres at some point. If she is going to have problems working with or for(in the sense of equipping them, rather than being subservient) ogres then you ought agree in advance of any altercations.
>>
No. 855151 ID: 91ee5f

>>855128
Eat Alkaline's slime!
>>
No. 855163 ID: b848cd

First things first, ask Hin if it feels like the gristleworm is solid or if it's trying to swim through her.

If it's solid you can get away with casting formlessness a bit more then just reaching in and grabbing the damn thing out of her.

if not... We should try fusion first. If we make Hin too acidic then turn her back, she may lose her clothes. OR WORSE.
>>
No. 855181 ID: 7ab1fe

>>855151
lewd
>>
No. 855212 ID: 7152b7

Fusion
>>
No. 855225 ID: b7627b

>>855128
FU-SION HA!
Time to Gattai and become the dreaded halfhalf giant halfhalf human half slime behemoth!

Be sure to keep a cloth nearby for wiping excess slime away.
>>
No. 855254 ID: a363ac

>>855128
try using your golem body to enter Hin's slime to find the worm. just dig your arms around a little bit and see if you feel anything.
>>
No. 855275 ID: 3ae3fd

While the worm likely can't phase through clay and stone, it is a slippery thing. Possibly Hin could be poured through a fine sieve, but, well, such actions tend to not coincide with good employers...

Or... Normally one would need a dedicated room or similar structure to perform highly focused operations like solidifying the worm for easy extraction, but... What if Deem inserted her shard into Hin's malleable body and did battle with the slime directly through Hin's mana channels? Or...
Deem could stick her shard into Hin in order to personally oversee the fusion and separation processes! She is and amazing overseer after all!
>>
No. 855290 ID: 0d1514

>>855128
Ask Hin which one she wants to risk and explain the risks!
>>
No. 855464 ID: c5003c

Let's go with acidification.
>>
No. 855467 ID: dab122
File 151490411527.png - (28.40KB , 800x550 , have_some_slime.png )
855467

>And you seriously need to address Hin's hiding of horniness. It probably indicates a personal issue with her ogre heritage.
Given she was raised by her grandmother, her mother was an adventurer and her father was an ogre it seems quite possible she never really knew him. That's quite a tame example but adventurers get involved in the most ridiculous dalliances. She doesn't seem to have any concerns about her blue skin or height, perhaps something happened to her to fixate on the horns in particular.

I could talk about how her giant half is a thing to take pride in. Giants aren't enormous thugs, they are builders and craftsmen. Their physical size was merely an echo and a symptom of the bargain they made: the first giants wished for great power over the world around them. There is the risk Hin would take it the wrong way though. I don't think she'd appreciate the implication her skill in smithing is just due to her bloodline.

>Wait, won't the curse-eating nullify the curse of formlessness and revert Hin, causing the fusion to fail?
Not until they actually fuse. Alkaline doesn't break down curses unless they're affecting her. The main exceptions are a contagious curse or trying to eat something that's cursed.

>Perhaps you could derive a boss-enchantment from the Fixity Bangle's effect? It sounds like it ought to be Earth-based... It could lead to a boss that can be hidden using curse of formlessness and then remove the curse-fixing enchantment to restore them as an ambush?
Yes that is something I could do.

>Try using your golem body to enter Hin's slime to find the worm. just dig your arms around a little bit and see if you feel anything.
"Actually let me see if I can just pull it out first." Her slime's fairly opaque. Oddly warm for a slime too - still her normal body temperature. I try to force my fingers in. Hmm, let's try-

Hin jerks back as I finally push my fingers into her neck. "Ow!"

Looks like she's not a very good slime in this respect either. Foreign bodies hurt her.

>Ask Hin which one she wants to risk and explain the risks!
"So in summary, fusing the two of you will definitely work but Alkaline's curse eating complicates splitting you back up. I'm not as certain if just feeding you some of her slime will work but it'll be easier to manage. I'd recommend we try the second one first."

"Mmm, yeah. Better not corrupt the mind of the youth." Hin says. "So how come I'm not already acidic?"

"You're not a very good slime, unfortunately. But that's why we have Alkaline to help out."

"I'm a helper!" Alkaline says, fists clenched in excitement.

"Good girl, now give Hin some of your slime."

>Hin got into this mess by eating questionable ingredients, and she'll get out of this mess by eating questionable ingredients. Eat the acidic slime!
Alkaline kneels next to Hin, shuffles over and starts to hand-feed her. Having another slime to look after really has brightened her mood.

"Do you feel any worms in distress?" I say to Hin.

"Nothing yet." Hin says. She turns to Alkaline. "You're doing well Alky, but can you go faster?"

Alkaline quivers in excitement then drops two tendrils of her hair into the pool. "Ok, faster, faster!"

Wait!
>>
No. 855468 ID: dab122
File 151490417774.png - (20.75KB , 800x600 , you_have_to_eat_all_the_slime.png )
855468

Alkaline sucks up water to increase her own slime mass and then latches on to Hin and force-feeds it into her. Big pulses of slime up her tendrils and then corresponding ones into Hin. Alkaline can use her Hydro-Pump on other slimes, which is good to know but I wish I'd found out under other circumstances.

Hin squirms in surprise and then manages to push Alkaline away.

Alkaline looks between me and Hin uncertainly, not sure if she's done something wrong.

"Alkaline, go wait outside for a moment. Go find Merud."

She sniffles then springs to her feet and dashes out of the thaumatorium. Ah, another thing I'll have to sort out later.

"Hin are you alright?"

Hin sways drunkenly. "I thing so" She says mushily.

I crouch to look her in the eye. "Well we'd better get some of this slime out of you. Can you make yourself vomit?"

"Oh." She blinks repeatedly, getting some clarity back in her eyes. "How?"

"Stick your fingers in your throat?"

Hin tries it. "Hmm, ah. No? I don't think that works."

"Wait, I feel something." She swallows repeatedly and then she spits something out.
>>
No. 855470 ID: dab122
File 151490437185.png - (8.57KB , 800x500 , i_will_have_my_revenge.png )
855470

There it is. I see you worm, all two inches of you squirming helplessly. You've caused a great deal of trouble for something so small.

I stomp on it and grind my heel into the ground until I feel something pop underfoot.

"Good riddance, gristleworm." I look up Hin. "Well that's your worm problem gone, now we just have a slime problem to sort out."

Hin smiles weakly "Hooray."

To get started I'll use the lens. Wait a minute.

----------------------------------------
New Ability
----------------------------------------
Gluttonous Ogre: Consuming food recovers Hin's stamina and gives her a temporary boost of health. Overeating lets her overcome injuries and illness faster. Hin can eat a wider range of food without ill effect and resists ingested poisons and curses. Potions have an increased effect, as do other food related special effects.

OR

Glutinous Ogre: Hin's body produces slime. She can reflexively sweat tiny amounts of it out of her skin to give herself some protection against fire, cold, acid and cutting attacks. She can also spit slime. Secreted slime can be made sticky, slippery or acidic. Hin can allow abilities that only affect slimes to affect her, at reduced effectiveness.
----------------------------------------

I suppose I should have expected this sooner or later. People with monster blood in a dungeon often see it start to develop though normally I'd expect more of a triggering crisis than just eating too much. Perhaps Alkaline's rate of ability gain is contagious. I should put more slime milk in everyone's diets.

Hin is intended to be my blacksmith but both abilities do give some benefits for that. Obviously Gluttonous Ogre is valuable for long smithing sessions and the fact she'll be sick less. Glutinous Ogre is a little less obvious but it'll protect against incidental burns while blacksmithing and might be useful for any acid etching she's doing.

"Well the good news is you're going to get to learn more about your body, Hin. Do you think you'd prefer a more efficient metabolism or resistance to the elements at the cost of a little sliminess?"

"Can you just pick one, Deem?"

Well you heard her.

Next, Alkaline has fed Hin far too much slime. To avoid complications when she changes back, I should do something about that. I could just have her put on the Fixity Bangle and try to spit out excess slime for several hours but I doubt she'd enjoy that.

>Try the acidification plan, then try to dilute or neutralise the acid so that Hin doesn't get heartburn (or full body burn).
As an alternative I could consider options for reducing acidity to avoid having to completely remove the slime.

>If we make Hin too acidic then turn her back, she may lose her clothes. OR WORSE.
How do you come up with some of these theories?

I should also talk with Alkaline about her overeagerness of late. What do you think is the best approach?
>>
No. 855477 ID: b7627b

>>855470
First of all, unregister that worm thing from the matrix if required, and stomp it into oblivion.

I'd prefer Gluttonous Ogre, as it may help prevent future health issues from pushing herself too far, as she has a tendency to do, she might also not entirely dislike the enhanced potion effects herself, but that's a lesser boon.


On the acidity, do you perhaps have any regular milk you can feed her? I'm assuming she's acidic rather than alkaline based on the information you've given us. Though she might just end up inebriated based on her current symptoms, you can probably go ahead and turn her back if you trust in your matrix in case anything gets too messed up.


With regards to Alkaline, she's probably just glad to see your golem up and about again? You were unconscious for a few days after all. And she probably still wants to impress you as always. Be sure to give her a hug instead of her just hugging you.
>>
No. 855478 ID: d8ce3a

>>855470
Well, at least thats one problem taken care of.
>>Gluttonous Ogre: Consuming food recovers Hin's stamina and gives her a temporary boost of health. Overeating lets her overcome injuries and illness faster. Hin can eat a wider range of food without ill effect and resists ingested poisons and curses. Potions have an increased effect, as do other food related special effects.
Id go with Gluttonous Ogre. Mostly because it seems like it can help mitigate all kinds of harm instead of specific elemental ones, like Hin's tendency to overwork herself, which has become apparent.

As much as I usually prefer methods of avoiding injury altogether, we are talking about a dungeon, and I think this recent incident has shown that unexpected problems are just going to come up sometimes.being able to reliably bounce back at the cost of a little food will help.

Plus it makes potions work better on her, Hin loves potions!
>>
No. 855479 ID: 33cbe7

Glutinous Ogre. Gluttonous Ogre seems like it would have a negative effect on her waistline self image. Well, more of a negative impact than suddenly developing extra-sticky sweat.
Does 'abilities that only affect slimes' include Hydro Pump?
To restore Hin's pH balance we'll have to get back to basics. You know what that means? Get lots of alkalines in Hin to neutralize the Alkaline. Got any lye for doing laundry? ...Maybe she should just drink a lot of water instead. This may take a while, I recommend using the bangle of fixity. Not too much time left in the day, right?
Alkaline's overeagerness seems to be motivated by desire to do you proud. Let her know that she already has, and to put the safety of her 'family' ahead of shows of strength. (have to specify family so she doesn't interpret this as going soft-shoed on adventurers.)
>>
No. 855488 ID: 7152b7

I think Glutinous Ogre is the best plan. While it's obvious practical applications are lesser, we have a Slime Queen to synergize with her.
Glutinous Ogre opens up all sorts of unique solutions and potential for Hin.

Not only that, but it makes her just a tiny bit more monstrous. Whatever happened that made her hate her horns probably effects her in other ways too. She clearly isn't completely right in the head, and consistently tries to hide it. I doubt talking will help, even if she opens up.

Glutinous Ogre might help her come to terms with her more monstrous side by providing concealable, controllable, and useful inhuman abilities that she can grow with, in her own time.

There is also the short term benefit of making the transition back to her normal form easier, as excess slime will be less of an issue if her body is adapted to it.
>>
No. 855493 ID: 7fad5d

Glutinous Ogre. I agree about it opening up more unique abilities, and slime-based skills should give interesting synergies.

Plus if Hin can just heal herself then we have less reason to make satiation potions.
>>
No. 855498 ID: 0d1514

>>855470
Ogre-slime! Alkaline will be happy! As for Alkaline's over eagerness, instead of telling her to care less maybe something about thinking before you act?
>>
No. 855501 ID: 33d4be

Well, what do you have on hand that's alkaline? Not Alkaline, like... actually alkaline.

Anyway I say Gluttonous.
>>
No. 855506 ID: 375812

>>855470

Go with Gluttonous ogre. A tireless smith is a productive smith.

Talk to Alkaline about the difficulties of leadership. She seems to be taking initiative a lot, without asking for input or considering consequences.
>>
No. 855508 ID: 176036

Glutinous certainly sounds quite useful for her smithing, but the most important question is if the slime production is going to make it harder for Hin to hold her tools. Doesn’t smithing typically require a steady hand? If she can’t hold things properly for her work, what’s the point of giving her those resistances in the hopes they’ll assist her work?

It seems like it’d be a step forward at the cost of two backward.
>>
No. 855533 ID: 1e7aa8

Gluttonous ogre. Sure, glutinous ogre has a lot of uses, but I don't think Hin would appreciate such a large impact to her physiology.

And as for Alkaline... this >>855479 sounds like a good idea.
>>
No. 855535 ID: 0a71c4

>>855470
A skilled blacksmith doesn't get burned, and the acid etching doesn't sound great.
Hin has displayed an affection for potions and a tendency to work too hard.

Gluttonous.
>>
No. 855537 ID: 91ee5f

>>855470
>Which ability?
Gluttonous Ogre

>I should also talk with Alkaline about her overeagerness of late. What do you think is the best approach?
You've gotta remember that you're Alkaline's mother and she wanted make you proud of her by doing what she did. Right now, she's probably afraid that you're mad at her and she did something wrong. You've gotta make sure that she understands that you're not mad at her for trying to help, it was an accident and you know that she didn't mean to hurt Hin.
>>
No. 855565 ID: 3ae3fd

Glutinous offers heat-resistance, which should make possible things that wouldn't otherwise be. Getting closer to the work, or working around heats that wouldn't be safe otherwise. But potions of heat-resistance are a thing, right? And you have a bomb plant for fire-attuned potions?

So the main advantage to Glutinous is the slime-affinity. If Alkaline can... "do things" to Hin then they could become great playmates. It is likely that we won't be seeing any slimes with mental faculties anywhere near Alkaline's any time soon, so Hin being able to accompany Alkaline on activities that are normally slime-only would be an asset, but the applications are still quite small. Potions are quite versatile...

Gluttonous is reliable. Better potions can cover heat resistance for an extreme smithing environment and being able to work for longer is a great asset, not to mention allowing her to overwork herself with reduces consequences.

I would say that Gluttonous Ogre is the obvious choice, with two big considerations that might change that:
Can Hin be trusted with an enhanced ability to overwork? She might suffer serious health issues, both mental and physical (and social...), if she starts taking three-day shifts with constant eating.
Does Hin want to go on Slimy Adventures with Alkaline? Or you, for that matter, might like to have a Slime-team for exploring difficult terrains. Even just Fusion could get your Blacksmith out to inspect the latest ore veins. It seems likely that Alkaline would love to have someone she can use her abilities on...

Not to mention, Glutinous seems just wonderful for innuendo and sets Hin on the path to collecting every monster affinity.

Alkaline is a good kid, but she will be a queen someday soon, and needs to be mindful of what her subjects are capable of. Hin wasn't a proper slime. Morphics can't just expand by filing themselves with stuff, they have very small limits on their intake and Hin wasn't amorph enough to cope with that much safely. The Gristleworm is gone and it is because of Alkaline's abilities, you are proud of her, but if Hin had been hurt then you wouldn't be, so she needs to work on better understanding those around her...

Double-check that there is no more Gristleworm in Hin, there might be more of them somehow.

Put Hin back in the sauna to get rid of the excess moisture and feed her something to neutralise the acid.
>>
No. 855593 ID: a98542

>>855470
Gluttonous Ogre. Because nothing is more hilarious than watching an enemy full-heal by shoving three potatos, a head of lettuce, and a wheel of cheese into their mouth in the middle of a fight.

And, you know, general utility and all that. And if we ever want her to drink "satiation" potions and play shopkeep, being slimy is probably not ideal. If we need fire or acid resistance for special crafting later, we can just shove potions in Hin's face. And hey, Gluttonous boosts potions, too.

>I should also talk with Alkaline about her overeagerness of late. What do you think is the best approach?
She's just tryin' to impress you, Deem. You should just make it clear that she should run her clever ideas by you first. Unless, you know, it's in the middle of a fight or whatever.

It's also probably important to make it clear that her recklessness could have hurt Hin, and that she should probably apologize. To Hin.
>>
No. 855611 ID: cc5ab4

That reply was a little dismissive for my liking. These changes are permanent, even if Hin later leaves our employ right?

Take gluttonous, for less serious physical effects.
>>
No. 855619 ID: 0d1514

>>855593
I mean, we DID tell her to go faster.
>>
No. 855634 ID: 12b116

Gluttonous ogre seems to be a lot more universally useful, we should go with that.

Can't Alkaline take the extra slime off by sucking it up?
>>
No. 855648 ID: a98542

>>855619
And she screwed it up. She tried to get clever, she did something Deem didn't expect her to be able to do, and she didn't stop to think "how fast", "how much, total", or "am I sure that this is what Deem wants".

If we're trying to raise Alkaline to be a person instead of a dumb monster, she needs to learn to think about what she's doing and why she's doing it, and more importantly, to take responsibility for her actions (and failures).
>>
No. 855671 ID: a98542

>>855470
>Next, Alkaline has fed Hin far too much slime.
The whole point of getting rid of the extra slime is to minimize side effects when she solidifies; feeding her more stuff to try to fix the problem will just make more problems.

Rig up some kinda golem turntable/lazy susan and spin Hin around until she gets dizzy enough to puke.

Just, you know, don't spin her fast enough to centrifuge her out of shape.


And man, we're gonna have to get Hin a present or something, 'cause this is like the worst possible day a person could have.
>>
No. 855674 ID: f55c5e

Gluttonous Ogre probably has the advantage of helping resolve the current situation a little better, if she can safely ingest a wider range of usually harmful substances any time.
>>
No. 855675 ID: 33cbe7

>>855674
Glutinous Ogre would also let her spit lots of it away right now.
>>
No. 855678 ID: 3abd97

>>And you seriously need to address Hin's hiding of horniness. It probably indicates a personal issue with her ogre heritage.
>There is the risk Hin would take it the wrong way though. I don't think she'd appreciate the implication her skill in smithing is just due to her bloodline.
I said it before- people's appearances and their bodies are personal. We don't have to help her through some kind of awakening of horn awareness and pride.

And honestly if it becomes a real problem (and so far it hasn't been. It's not our place to meddle with everyone's self image), with the degree of body altering magic we've seen thrown around body-modding her horns away might be easier than the psychology.

>New Ability
Gluttonous Ogre seems like it lets Hin do what she already does better, and as a nice trade off for her prolonged illness, protects her in the future. And so long as she doesn't need to eat more, it doesn't negatively impact her.

...plus it's an excuse to indulge herself sometimes which is a pretty nice thing to do for someone. Guilt free binging!
>>
No. 855694 ID: 50d32d

Sandvich ogre
>>
No. 855711 ID: c88e6d

>>855470
Glutinous! :D
>>
No. 855737 ID: da1652

>>855470
Gluttonous Ogre is best: an advantage that she doesn't need to spend time practicing. She's going to have her hands full smithing for you, after all.

Also, scan Merud for adventure-triggered abilities.
>>
No. 855751 ID: e19348

I say go with Gluttonous, that way when Hin inevitably starts neglecting her health again we can just 'accidentally' give her larger portions at meals until she's better.
>>
No. 855792 ID: 7ab1fe

definitely Gluttonous Ogre!
>lets her overcome injuries and illness
literally every issue we had with her!
>Potions have an increased effect
incredibly useful!
>>
No. 855919 ID: dab122
File 151503075801.png - (31.36KB , 800x600 , bangle_on.png )
855919

>And man, we're gonna have to get Hin a present or something, 'cause this is like the worst possible day a person could have.
It's not. It's really not.

But I should think of something nice to do for her still.

>I say go with Gluttonous, that way when Hin inevitably starts neglecting her health again we can just 'accidentally' give her larger portions at meals until she's better.
True, Hin doesn't look after herself.

>Gluttonous Ogre is best: an advantage that she doesn't need to spend time practising. She's going to have her hands full smithing for you, after all.
The simplicity is an asset too.

>Plus it makes potions work better on her, Hin loves potions!
Pairing her up with Doyle did work out fairly well.

>Plus it's an excuse to indulge herself sometimes which is a pretty nice thing to do for someone. Guilt free binging!
As long as she doesn't get fat. I suppose I can adjust for that by keeping her exercising with Reisarf, Stargazer and Alkaline. Time and time again this is feeling like some sort of fitness dungeon.

I explain Hin's new ability to her. She seems satisfied with it.

"And sorry about Alkaline." I say to Hin. "I know you've had a rough day. Alkaline's eager to help but..." I shrug helplessly.

Hin shrugs back. "She's still jubb a kid. I did plenty of dumb things as one too."

>Can't Alkaline take the extra slime off by sucking it up?
"We could try to get Alkaline to suck the excess slime back out?"

Hin shakes her head. "I'm goob."

>Rig up some kinda golem turntable/lazy susan and spin Hin around until she gets dizzy enough to puke.
"Or the other fast option is making a turntable and getting you dizzy to try to make you throw up."

She grimaces. "Wha's the slow ones?"

>Maybe she should just drink a lot of water instead. This may take a while, I recommend using the bangle of fixity. Not too much time left in the day, right?
"Well to be honest we should wait a while in case there was more than one worm anyway." I clasp the Fixity Bangle onto her wrist. It's still damaged so it can only be taken off at dawn or dusk. "Dusk isn't far off so that'll do for worm checking.

"Then there's two things - we need to get the slime out, or we can just try to eliminate its acidity. For the second one, we just need to keep your transformed for a day or two and let the food you eat and water you drink dilute and neutralise it so it can pass out of your system that way."

Hin chuckles. Glubbles. "I'll habe to be my own water bed for a night then."

>On the acidity, do you perhaps have any regular milk you can feed her?
Only a little. I'd prefer not to use it up if we don't have to.

>Well, what do you have on hand that's alkaline? Not Alkaline, like... actually alkaline.
I probably shouldn't feed Hin lye, so vegetables? I'll ask Reisarf to make soup tonight. It might pay to organise an expedition into the woods to stock up.

>Put Hin back in the sauna to get rid of the excess moisture.
That might help speed things up once the acid's neutralised. I'd have to build a new one outside so she's not sitting in a hot bath.

"Thanks for putting up with this Hin. I'd better go find Alkaline." I head for the door.

"Deem."

I poke my head back inside. "Yes Hin?"

"How do I use the bathroom?"
>>
No. 855920 ID: dab122
File 151503100165.png - (36.22KB , 600x750 , brooding_rocks_return.png )
855920

After sorting that, I go find Merud. Alkaline's not with him.

>Also, scan Merud for adventure-triggered abilities.
Nothing. He's the scholarly type so I'll get best results once I let him settle down, study and process his experiences.

>You've gotta remember that you're Alkaline's mother and she wanted make you proud of her by doing what she did.
I'm not her mother!!!

Alkaline's off on her own somewhere moping. I immediately head to the lookout.

There she is.

>With regards to Alkaline, she's probably just glad to see your golem up and about again? You were unconscious for a few days after all. And she probably still wants to impress you as always. Be sure to give her a hug instead of her just hugging you.
I did hug her before. Do you think I'm incapable of showing affection?

I sit next to her. She flops over into may lap and sniffles. She's upset so I don't push her off. Instead, I pat her back. "There, there, let it out. It'll be alright."

"I messeb ub." she glubs into my lap.

>She's just tryin' to impress you, Deem. You should just make it clear that she should run her clever ideas by you first. Unless, you know, it's in the middle of a fight or whatever.
"You wanted to impress me, didn't you?"

She stays silent.

>It's also probably important to make it clear that her recklessness could have hurt Hin, and that she should probably apologise. To Hin.
I rub her back some more. "Well we did learn something new but you could have hurt Hin. That was reckless!"

"Sowwy!"

"It's not me you should be saying sorry to."

She tenses up again.

"Hin isn't angry at you, but you have to say sorry Alkaline. And in the future, if you've come up with a clever idea you should think about what might happen and try to ask someone before you do it. Everyone makes mistakes. We're just a little older than you so we've had more chances to make mistakes and learn from them."

I shift, getting ready to stand up but Alkaline clings to me tighter.

"Don't go."

I stop. "I'm not going anywhere Alkaline."

She looks up at me tearfully, voice steadily rising into a wail. "On the night there were the other people you wen away and the air was bad and no-one coulb see right and you weren't there and we couldn't go bluh, back in and you wouldn't wake up and I couldn't do anything!"

Ah, the séance. She was asleep so they'd have had to find her and drag her outside while she didn't know what was going on.

>Alkaline's overeagerness seems to be motivated by desire to do you proud. Let her know that she already has, and to put the safety of her 'family' ahead of shows of strength.
I sigh. "You're growing up so fast Alkaline. Sometimes bad things happen and sometimes there's not a lot you can do about them. You don't need to rush to grow up or do everything yourself. What's important is you do what you can and you look out for the safety of your f-fa... of the people around you."

I think Alkaline might need an outlet to help keep her mind off things so let's take a look at how she's developing.
>>
No. 855922 ID: dab122
File 151503124016.png - (33.86KB , 600x750 , the_vitruvian_slime.png )
855922

----------------------------------------
Alkaline
Lvl 1 Royal Jelly

----------------------------------------
Power: D (E=>D)
Vitality: D (E=>D)
Accuracy: E
Speed: D (E=>D)
Wits: E
Skill: C (E=>C)
Spirit: D (E=>D)
Luck: A

A slime princess experiencing rapid growth. She's yet to decide what she wants to be.

----------------------------------------
Detected Abilities
----------------------------------------
Gelatinous Body: An amorphous form that's soft but can easily heal injuries and reabsorb lost pieces. The weak point is the head.

Inimical Inversion: Degrades and consumes curses affecting Alkaline with a high probability of converting them into a positive effect.

Toxic Shroud: Alkaline can form clothes of toughened slime to help protect herself. Her defence grows stronger the more poison and curses she's absorbed. She's learnt to form complex and layered clothes for extra protection.

----------------------------------------
Temporary Abilities
----------------------------------------
Hydro-Pump: Alkaline can give a moderate boost to her size and strength by absorbing water. She can also use this to enlarge other slimes.

Slimy Secretions: Alkaline can create small quantities of the following substances.
- Nourishing Goo: Edible slime. Depending on its composition and concentration, it's known as slime-milk, slime-syrup or slime slushies. Superb fertiliser for plants and, in concentrated form, has minor healing properties. Plants can survive and grow embedded in Alkaline.
- Oozy Oil (Degraded): Slick and slippery slime. It's flammable. Can be processed into a low quality oil.
- Goo Glue (Degraded): A sticky substance with a moderate adhesive strength.

Bad Egg: An expansion of Spit Shot. Alkaline ejects a dense blob of volatile slime. The unstable concoction explodes shortly afterwards. She can increase its power by expending stored curses and poison.

Unstable Core: A biological reactor. It should be able to circulate mana through Alkaline's body to enhance her abilities. The core will explode if damaged. Cores regenerate.

----------------------------------------
Degraded Abilities
----------------------------------------
Puddle (Degraded): Alkaline can collapse into a puddle of goo. She can move swiftly like this but can't attack. She can take damage but the core of her body is difficult to locate. It takes a while for her to reform.

Shadow Slick (Degraded): An expansion of Puddle. Alkaline's puddle form becomes flatter, like a shadow. She can climb walls in this form but will slip off ceilings. The puddle has a false depth to it, causing objects and people to sink into it and become mired. Intense light can remove the effect.

Spit Shot (Degraded): Alkaline can propel small objects or small globs of her own mass out of her body at high speed.

Muddy Mien (Degraded): Alkaline takes on a mud-like consistency. She's physically stronger but becomes clumsy.

Gluttonous Goo (Degraded): Alkaline can quickly recover health by eating things. If she overeats, she'll start gaining additional mass in a clump at her base. As she gets bigger she gains a bonus to her slime and slimy secretion production but she suffers penalties to her agility. She can burn off the additional mass to heal herself or instantly create slimes.

Stretchy Slime (Degraded): Alkaline's improved the versatility of her slime. She can stretch out parts of her body and create tentacular appendages.

Clumsy Mime (Degraded): Alkaline has a chance of successfully repeating a technique she's seen used, at a degraded quality. If successful she can use it once shortly after witnessing it.

----------------------------------------
Spawning Quirks
----------------------------------------
Eggs: Alkaline can choose to create eggs. They keep indefinitely and can be rapidly hatched and grown into full slimes when needed. Small bonus to population total and Alkaline can create eggs in excess of her population limit. They can also be filled with any of her Slimy Secretion options instead.
----------------------------------------

So many abilities and so many of them in danger of being lost through under-use. Alkaline's high Skill is indicative of her being able to learn more abilities or more complex abilities than usual. Her increase in Power is quite unusual - slimes are usually very physically weak. I suppose her unusually energetic nature and exercise has paid off. Lastly, Toxic Shroud has become a permanent ability due to her heavy use of it.

I previously decided I wanted to push Alkaline into more of a supporting role so I think I need to sit down first and decide what role her slimes are going to be playing in my dungeon.

My dungeon is going to be an Earth and Shadow aspected dungeon. I don't need all my monsters to match that but it may help to develop Alkaline on that front. Alkaline's only strongly Earth related skills at present are Muddy Mien and Nourishing Goo. Shadow Slick, Bag Egg and Unstable Core are all Shadow aspected, though the last two can also be used as Fire.

I mention these because Alkaline's slimes inherit her abilities in some form. For example, Unstable Core would let her make slimes with cores which are difficult to kill unless their cores are damaged. She'll start with a basic slime species and one or two advanced varieties. She's yet to develop anything with splitting or fusing with slimes but that's unsurprising since she's young.

What I need first of all is an overarching idea of what Alkaline's slimes will be in my dungeon for. Will I focus on a lot of weak slimes or a few high quality ones and use golems for fodder instead? What sort of tricks may I want to pull with them? Straight-forward fighting? Ambush? I could even have a lot of slimes which I farm for their useful properties in private sections of the dungeon.

Once I have that I can pin down a few approaches for training Alkaline.
>>
No. 855924 ID: 33cbe7

>how do I use the bathroom?
Go ask your mother. I mean Alkaline.

Focus on a few high quality ones. This lets you develop uncommon slimes for profit and powerful support options for your more straightforward golem fighters.
Keep training: Hydro Pump, Slimy Secretions (resume oozy oil practice), everything there's good really.
Resume training: Shadow Slick, Stretchy Slime, Clumsy Mime, Gluttonous Goo. (really need to ramp up food supplies to keep both Hin and her supplied.)
Seven techniques is a lucky number for the various classes of slimes she'll then breed to perfection.
In battle, these techniques can be combined to create a powerful artillery fighter who locks enemies in place to hit them with powerful, slow-moving projectile attacks. Shadow Slick is both a trap and a dodge option, and Stretchy tentacles can be projected to drag things in with her.
Clumsy Mime is just too good a generalist option to pass up.
Nourishing Goo and the rear-line focus hopefully helps her come up with a healer class of slime, for organic allies if not golems. Even if it doesn't, its utility properties are just as valuable outside of fights.
>>
No. 855925 ID: 094652

>"I'll habe to be my own water bed for a night then."
I want to see that

>"How do I use the bathroom?"
Enhance knockers.

>I'm not her mother!!!
For the teenth time, you're her something, whatever it is. Act like it!

>Degrading abiities
A good number of these aren't that important. Train her to retain Puddle, Stretchy Slime, and Gluttonous Goo, and focus on evolving the Clumsy Mime to Technique Student so she can learn new stuff from combat experience. Discard the rest.

As for the slimes, everyone underestimates them. So don't; breed and train the slimes for guerrilla tactics, varied combat, and other stuff that can be learned for cheap in a few weeks (so you don't have to care when they die in droves). They don't have to be strong, just organized. Nothing says 'cunning' like shoving a Level 20 Knight into a spiked pit by using a combination of suicide stab-happies followed by a sparse smatterling of turrets and airborne melee units and finally a trap trigger in the dark right next to a checkpoint.
>>
No. 855928 ID: 91ee5f

>>855920
>I'm not her mother!!!
You can deny it all you want, but that doesn't change the fact that she will see you as her mother, so you better get used to it!

>>855922
>Abilities?
the only thing I can think of is Gluttonous Goo. That would help Alkaline heal herself and, if you do train her to make high quality slimes, then her being able to burn extra mass to instantly summon slimes would be very helpful!
>>
No. 855930 ID: b53bd0

need some accuracy and wits training so she can think things through at least a little and any ranged attacks have some kind of chance to hit.
>>
No. 855931 ID: 3abd97

Oh I just noticed, she's wearing her false core in the same place you wear your heart fragment.

>I'm not her mother!!!
You raised her (are raising her). That's more important than a bloodline (slimeline).

>I think Alkaline might need an outlet to help keep her mind off things
She is a growing kid. Needs a game, or a sport, or hobby or something to do.
>>
No. 855940 ID: d8ce3a

>>855922
>>What I need first of all is an overarching idea of what Alkaline's slimes will be in my dungeon for. Will I focus on a lot of weak slimes or a few high quality ones and use golems for fodder instead? What sort of tricks may I want to pull with them? Straight-forward fighting? Ambush? I could even have a lot of slimes which I farm for their useful properties in private sections of the dungeon.
I think the most solid plan going off what Alkaline has displayed so far would be to focus on a solid number of Middle-strength slimes, that can be either support or attack troops. Im thinking between 8 and 15 would be fine. I think this will work because if they take after Alkaline, theyre going to be both tougher AND more skillful then normal slimes, so it'd be a waste to downgrade them for numbers. Plus, if Alkaline keeps that spawn quirk, she can always keep a fair number of backup soldiers in the wings in case we lose some, and they wouldnt be as useful if you went with the high number, low strength version. We can support the assault slime troops with Golem defenders, they'd be much more disposable since we could reuse materials, and we can more easily make specialized Golems then we could slimes and know exactly what we're going to get.
Keep training all her current temporary abilities, theyre all good and can work into both keeping her safe and providing support for us and her slimes(Hydro Pump, Slimy Secretions).
Start training up Muddy Mien, Stretchy Slime and Clumsy Mime again, they seem like the best of the bunch, and I think there might be some unepected synergy between Unstable Core and Clumsy Mime, because if Unstable Core lets her move mana through her body, maybe training it and Clumsy Mim will let Alkaline learn how to use some simple magic as well.
>>
No. 855941 ID: b4f880

>>855922
I think making elite ambush slimes related to the shadow slick ability would be pretty ideal
>>
No. 855945 ID: d8ce3a

>>855940
A Slime that could use even simple body reinforcement or Alteration magic, or even worse Self Healing magic, could be a nightmare for adventurers.
You might be able to train both Mien and Mime by having her mimic you using your new golem body ability to reinforce yourself with mass.
Training for stretchy Slime could be done with Moriko, shes a warrior, so she probably does some stretches before she exercises or practices. We could have Alkaline join her for those.
>>
No. 855973 ID: 0d1514

>>855922
Resume training Oozy Oil and Glue Goo and then Spit shot, and try to maintain the current abilities. They make her an excellent ranged attacker!
>>
No. 855977 ID: 3ae3fd

Slimes are often seen as weak, I fear that this is not without reason. Expecting them to best any but the weakest of foes in a direct attack, regardless of the ratio of quality to quantity, seems ill-advised. Slimes are highly versatile, and thus it seems best to used them in a sort of support capacity, they should always be exploiting something beyond themselves, even if that is just your terrain.
I recommend focusing on alchemy and curses. Shadow slick sounds good for hiding small objects, like potions, in its false depth, in addition to ensnaring an opponent for others to attack or to keep them in a bad or toxic position and can also be used to infiltrate into an organised formation or ambush a separated target. Alkaline has many such abilities that would greatly influence a battle but have limited ability to end one. Corrosive slimes can steadily accrue minor damage against an extremely resilient foe who can largely ignore more lethal attacks that rely upon magic or sudden violence. Their amorphous form can move around spikes or snares that a morphic being would be unwise to tread upon. An attack that could smash through an armoured knight might fail against a slime that vanishes into the shadows or oozes into a crevice, causing exhaustion against what would otherwise be a reliable weapon.
The skills that seem suited to this would be... For one chemicals, to address a wide variety of defences, so that they can assist to some extent against most anything, not to mention the value to potions. Evasion! Toxic Shroud is the most important thing, no arguments or excuses, but otherwise they should try to have techniques to Frustrate attacks rather than absorb them. This fdeeds into stealth and speed to act as couriers, ferrying potions to denizens as needed. Another thing is cunning. Ideally they should be able to follow simple instructions and understand potions well enough to throw the black bomb near an enemy, the white sticky potion at their feet, and digest the pink enlargement potion after sneaking above the enemy...
So stick to attrition attacks/curses and deception/terrain-exploitation. Give Alkaline more alchemy training and abilities, because potions and chemicals can be a great levelling agent. Also large numbers, because a small, subtle slime can contain a powerful potion.
>>
No. 855990 ID: 3ce125

>>855922
>many slimes or strong slimes
Why is there a population limit, anyway? I think we should have relatively strong slimes, but we need enough of them to actually synergize their abilities together. For example, one slime to use Shadow Slick to trap an adventurer while others attack it. I feel like golems should be the "main theme" for the dungeon which means we should use them as fodder (though not ONLY fodder).
That said, I am still interested in having a wide variety of slimes closely adapted to the environment of the dungeon. Shadow Slick and Puddle seem like very important adaptations for ambush slimes, and ambush slimes are awesome. Stretchy Slime and Spit Shot would also be useful in that respect, though for different purposes. Wait, can we just replace Spit Shot with Bad Egg entirely in her movepool (and smaller slimes')? Spit Shot would be cool for spitting specialized offensive items but Bag Egg doesn't require ammo so I feel like it's better overall. On the other hand, Spit Shot could be used by smaller core slimes to use their own explosive cores as impact explosives instead of Bag Egg's timed explosive. Though I suppose spitting the core is a last ditch effort rather than something to be done casually.

Gluttonous Goo is for when Alkaline fights in person and I'm not confident we're going to need that, so it could be dropped I guess. I can't think of a helpful inherited version since we're not going to leave food around for slimes to eat mid-combat! Likewise, Muddy Mien seems like an ability we could just use golems for?
Slimy Secretions needs to be kept for our planned alchemy boosting. Speaking of which she needs to brush up on her production types. Has she tried combining the flammable oil with Bad Egg to get a bigger explosion or light the area on fire? Bad Egg and Unstable Core are other obvious things she needs to keep, though I'm not sure how she'd "practice" Unstable Core to make it permanent?

Hmm, since she has Eggs... could she leave eggs in later sections of the dungeon ready to hatch, so that as adventurers clear out earlier rooms of slimes it frees up space for the later slimes to pop up? Then we could easily set up multiple slime encounters using Alkaline's full population limit for each one.
>>
No. 856028 ID: d36af7

>>855941
Seconding the elite ambush slime concept. Reverse the attacker's expectations, focusing attention on a flashy-looking golem decoy while semiliquid ninjas outflank them.

Maybe train up Goo Glue, to complement that. Ambush slimes grab an adventurer from behind, pull 'em into a shadow-pocket in the wall and immobilize with the glue, unstable cores threatening to explode if attacked. Spit Shot, too, for bombs from the bomb flower.

Optimize the slimes for harassing fire and skirmish tactics. Debuff, disarm, and demobilize, incrementally stripping attackers of the advantages they've become accustomed to, then let Merud test out dubious experimental golem designs against relatively soft targets.

Pickpocketing would also let you accumulate wealth faster.
>>
No. 856043 ID: 3ae3fd

>Pickpocketing would also let you accumulate wealth faster.
I could be wrong, but I think that Deem would rather not get such a reputation?
The classical rules for both dungeons and murderhobos seems to consist of "their stuff is only yours AFTER you have killed them" so Deem would likely prefer to stick to wholesome activities like dropping people into pits of jagged spikes, rather than unsavoury pickpocketing. But I might just be projecting my own preconceptions... You would have to ask Deem.
>>
No. 856045 ID: a98542

>>855922
We should build a royal slime army of slime soldiers to serve our slime queen. The work we've put into Alkaline's smarts should carry over into her little slimes, and we can use that to make up for their physical weakness. And with the effort she's put into keeping a human shape with human clothes, they might even be able to pull off some semblance of a uniformed soldier look. We could have:

Slime Hoplites. Slimes with shields and spears (or slimes with shields and slimes with spears, if individual slimes can't handle two things at once) in shield formations. Defensive formations should let the slimes hold their ground a bit better than the would be able to individually, and they can be adapted to whatever nonsense the adventurers have.

Slime Cannoneers. Regular cannons with regular cannonballs (or grapeshot) crewed by adorable slimus, but loaded with bad eggs instead of powder. The pre-measured explosives should make it a lot harder for the slimes to screw up loading, and should hopefully be a bit more resistant to cookoff than regular powder.

Slime Archers. Actually just slimes throwing bad eggs. We're in a cave, combat isn't exactly long-range.

Slime Cavalry. We'll probably never have enough open enough space for them, but just imagine slimes armed with sabers racing into battle on slimehorseback. It'd be beautiful.

A Slime Commander. An elite slime to order the others around to keep formation and make sure gaps get filled and whatever.

A Slime Standard-Bearer. How can you not have a standard-bearer. They fight for their queen and dungeon, and they must carry that into battle with them.

Slime war-drummers. To, uh. Annoy the enemy to death. Look, it'd be super cute and mildly confusing. You gotta stick to the theme.

And if we ever want to pull Alkaline out for a boss fight, she could pull out a demon's souls phalanx-esque form with the hoplites forming an armoured skirt/platform for her to fight from on top of, with the whole thing kinda looking like she's wearing an oversized queenly battle-dress.

As for specific abilities: All of the abilities that we've let degrade have kinda degraded for a reason; they aren't as useful as the others. Granted, some would work better with more disposable slimes, but eh. It'd probably be best to just let them degrade and experiment for new temporary abilities.

Spawning eggs would work rather nicely for a slime army, though; it'd make reinforcing a formation as simple as throwing spawn eggs into the gaps.
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No. 856096 ID: 7152b7

I can see Alkaline and her slimes as control specialists, able to act as heavy fire support and hazards at a moments notice, and able to make any of your other minions more effective.

I would Train up:
All the Slimey Secretions, maybe add more.
Spit Shot
Stretchy Slime
and Clumsy mime

Spit shot an Secretions work together to make long range area of effects.
Stretchy Slime combined with Glue goo makes basically inescapable glue tentacles. It could make Clumsy Mime more effective by allowing alkaline to mimic her opponents bodies as she attempts to perform their moves. It could allow small slimes to latch together on allies like armor and heal them continuously, or enemies and poison them.
Clumsy mime is a must. It's just something people don't expect.
Imagine if Alkalines slimes got that ability.
You could scatter them throughout the dungeon and have them be totally passive non-combatants, just watching the enemy fighters.
Then in a boss room have them all show up behind the enemy and use all their moves against them.
That would be nuts.
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No. 856205 ID: 12b116

I think we should flip things around a bit, it will throw off adventurers to have a bunch of fairly weak golems and some powerful slimes. They'll probably underestimate them and make mistakes.
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No. 856208 ID: 3ae3fd

I am not convinced that being surprising in the "nature" of the slimes will work. Deem will, no doubt, become amazingly famous in fairly short order. Information will spread, and, well, if the Golems are made of marshmallow and the slimes are made of rock-candies then it will be very surprising! The first time...
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No. 856267 ID: e17726

I don’t slimes will ever be true powerhouses, but we have the abilities here to make them really, REALLY annoying to deal with. Abilities that promote stealth and ambush, make them difficult to land a hit on, and incapacitate their enemies should be the highest priority here. Here are my top picks, from most to (relatively) least important:

Shadow Slick:
- Increases stealth by looking like just another shadow in a dark-themed dungeon
- Boosts mobility with wall climbing and increased speed
- Can be used to trap and slow enemies in the false depth

Bad Egg:
- Grants a ranged combat option well as a powerful attack. Good for firing from out of reach and generally avoiding close combat. Spit shot could act as a replacement, but that requires ammo and is less powerful. Having both would be best, but this should be higher priority.

Stretchy Slime:
- Do non-queen slimes even have limbs, or are they just blobs without this ability?
- Even if they do, sprouting a new limb out of nowhere is a great way to catch enemies off guard, and it allows for greater flexibility in combat.
- May unlock greater shapeshifting abilities if practiced.

Unstable Core:
- All-round buff
- allows for kamikaze slimes
- May grant access to more mana-based abilities
- It’s been hinted that later core-based abilities make slimes harder to kill, since you need to hit the core to do any damage.

Spit Shot:
- Combos with Goo Glue for ranged incapacitation.
- Allows us to arm slimes

Slimy Secretions:
Goo Glue
- Great for incapacitating or delaying adventurers, providing challenge in the absence of direct power.
- Combos with Spit Shot
Nourishing Goo
- Allows us to grow bomb flowers and alchemy ingerdints much faster
- Allows us to plant plants INSIDE slimes, possibly granting them new abilities (Mana absorbing slimes with symbiotic mushrooms? Bomb flower bearing slime artillery?)
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No. 856269 ID: 0d1514

>>855973
Oh ye make her hunt spiders to train goo.
>>
No. 856280 ID: dab122
File 151513716827.png - (25.51KB , 600x750 , purely_business_relationship.png )
856280

>For the teenth time, you're her something, whatever it is. Act like it!
I'm Alkaline's master, her dungeon master. It's my responsibility to look after her. Right now I have a slime in my lap and decisions about her future to make. Stop hassling me.

Alright, before I talk in specifics, let me sort through all this and break it down.

Basic golems are straight-forward fighters so push the slimes into specialist roles and emphasise quality over quantity.

Next, have one of Alkaline's advanced slime varieties be an ambusher. That fits well with the Shadow side of the dungeon I'm planning. Easy enough to accommodate: pass on Alkaline's Shadow Slick for concealment and ensure they have something else to improve their deadliness.

For the moment, let's assume she'll be a little above average and be able to have a second advanced species. Her basic slimes will be simpler, weaker and far more numerous than the advanced ones but will still have quirks inherited from her.

The main other ideas raised for her slimes are ranged fighters, bombardment or even kamikaze slimes, entangling attacks, hazard creation, weakening attacks, enhancement abilities, healing slimes, and making them excellent at fighting in groups.

Some of these abilities could be pushed into the stealthy slimes, but I need to sort out what role the basic slimes and other advanced species will be performing.
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No. 856282 ID: 3ce125

>>856280
Basic slimes... combination glue+acid? Melee adventurers would hate them so much.

Second advanced slime should probably be a dedicated ranged attacker. Reisarf is the only other ranged attacker we have, so it's nice to have a second option.
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No. 856287 ID: 33cbe7

Perhaps a healer role is a bit too much to add to Alkaline's plate right now.
Basic slimes will be lobbing explosives and/or exploding on death. Her advanced slimes will be ambushing people and trapping them in place to make the bomb throwers' jobs easier.
Her second advanced species, theoretically, could be a slow-moving, big and (theoretically) dangerous gelatinous cube to soak up curses and other attacks while the ambusher slimes work unnoticed and the artillery slimes unharassed. It could leave a toxic trail of ooze in its wake as an additonal floor hazard it creates.
In short: Basic slimes: kamikaze/bombardment, ninja slimes: entanglement, second advanced species: gelatinous cube of attack mitigation/hazard creation/distraction carnifex.
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No. 856289 ID: 91ee5f

Could a slime drop on an adventurer's head and suffocate them to death? If the adventurer can survive that, then congratulations, they're not an idiot!

But if they're weak enough to die in such a pathetic way like that, then it'll teach them a lesson to not try and solo dungeons again and they obviously don't know how to use their equipment properly, so we're doing them a favor by taking their equipment off their corpse and making better use of it!
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No. 856292 ID: 094652

Basic Slimes should be swarm-based. Since they're smarter than regular slimes, train them to aim for the limbs and increase viscosity on command. Your Advanced Slimes take the assassin-class and focus on stealth and critical hits, along with slime-based agility to hide behind (or hide INSIDE) the Golems, which will act as Defensive Tanks.
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No. 856294 ID: 3ae3fd

For basic slimes? They lack high-impact damage, so I feel attrition is the goal. Give them an acid, or maybe an erosion curse, to inflict minor damage that accumulates. Or maybe just give them chemical resilience and have them gain a potent acid or similar from external sources...

Either that or give them long-ranged abilities so that they can act as harassment and distraction to support other threats, or sneak in a few powerful potions amongst their ammunition...

I would like to see a dedicated potion-slime. With various chemical excretions to aid with potion production and to modify a battlefield mid-combat with various hazardous agents suitable for various threats. Add in chemical tolerance so that they can somewhat safely carry potions into battle to digest to enhance themselves or to throw at challengers. They would also likely be immune to many side-effects that apply to morphic beings, so looting an enlargement potions that worked just fine for a slime might lead to a challenger's tongue going numb or some such...
Alchemy would also give Alkaline something to spend her time on. Sitting in the lap of their provider, teacher, home, and guardian is an important activity for a young slime, but you have other things that require your time and teaching her a trade would give her a sense of pride and awareness that could be very helpful.
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No. 856297 ID: d8ce3a

>>856280
For the basic Slimes, focus on enhancement abilities and coordination, weakening as well if we can swing it. That will make them good foot soldiers to work with either any of our champions, or any golem or specialist slimes. Above all, I'd want the basic slimes to be tenacious. The worst thing they could be is able to be ignored, or all taken out in one large attack in a group.

Make the other advanced slimes the ranged attackers. A combination of Bad egg/spit shot and secretion, along with either the ability to stretch and climb, or adhere to surfaces would make them good snipers.
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No. 856302 ID: a98542

>>856280
I'm still anglin' for Slime Soldiers.
>>856045
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No. 856308 ID: 3ae3fd

>>856302
But they would still need to be split up into the basic+advanced+advanced pattern. You seem pretty sold on the hoplites. Throw in the drummers- no, sorry, they need to be bagpipes- with hearing and confusion curses? Maybe you could get your cavalry by having a slick-slime carry a hoplite? It is just that the seven you are currently proposing seems like too much...
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No. 856333 ID: 375812

>>856308

What about a slime bomber support role? Alkaline can make slime eggs and put stuff in them. We have a bomb flower. Couldn't she combine the two and create extra-strong ammunition for her slime minions, stronger than they'd produce themselves?

Slime Eggs + Bad Egg + Bombs probably equals a fairly powerful effect. She could also try making Oozy Oil and Goo Glue bombs that way as well, that can be used for area denial or AoE attacks.

This gives us a bomb-throwing slime that can attack at range and suicide if someone attempts to gets up too close. Mind you, one would have to be really careful with the friendly fire!

As for the run-of-the-mill slimes, I think giving them Clumsy Mime as their baseline thing might be a neat idea - then they could support someone better by acting like them, or surprise adventurers by using their own abilities back on them.
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No. 856335 ID: 375812

>>856333

Oh right, and Spit Shot for the bombardiers, obviously.
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No. 856361 ID: 21f899

I agree that the second advanced species should be range based, possibly filling a sniper/artillery role. Especially if they can use or internally generate a variety of ‘special’ ammunition. It keeps them out of direct conflict, and also fills a hole in our defenses.

As for the simple slimes, though, I actually think kamikaze may be the way to go. Self-destructing would be a good way for them to deal damage above their weight class, and they’re likely to die in battle anyway. The whole point of the simple slimes is to be numerous and expendable anyway. This goes double since the ability that would best allow them to explode, Unstable Core, is also an all around buff to combat effectiveness. Additionally, exploding slimes + glue = very unhappy adventurers
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No. 856443 ID: 0d1514

>>856280
Ranged entanglers!
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No. 856493 ID: d36af7

Ambushers get shadow slick plus sticky goo and maybe shroud. Play around with that spatial anomaly, see if you can set them up with personal pocket dimensions to transport denizens within the dungeon, or drag prisoners off to be dramatically rescued during a boss fight.

Other advanced species gets the egg and core upgrades. Healing and support at first, maybe even set them up inside those new user-friendly golem armor suits Merud was so excited about, then once the non-slime friendly units get taken out, they go berserk and start throwing bombs.
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No. 856649 ID: b7627b

>>856280
What about some large tallboy slimes? On first inspection their legs might just look like some strange slime pillars, but then they drop their main body on the target and have fun.
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No. 856760 ID: dab122
File 151532503666.png - (21.00KB , 800x500 , final_product_may_vary.png )
856760

>Shadow Slick and Puddle seem like very important adaptations for ambush slimes, and ambush slimes are awesome.
It's a matter of only needing one or the other and Shadow Slick fits my dungeon better.

>As for the simple slimes, though, I actually think kamikaze may be the way to go. Self-destructing would be a good way for them to deal damage above their weight class, and they’re likely to die in battle anyway.
No, I don't think it's a good idea. Such attacks quickly becomes predictable and a swarming enemy that explodes has a high risk of setting off a chain reaction. It's better if the adventurers don't have many opportunities to get used to such an enemy.

>For the basic Slimes, focus on enhancement abilities and coordination, weakening as well if we can swing it. That will make them good foot soldiers to work with either any of our champions, or any golem or specialist slimes. Above all, I'd want the basic slimes to be tenacious. The worst thing they could be is able to be ignored, or all taken out in one large attack in a group.
Tenacity and toughness in groups is something that would work well with another type ambushing. A tight group formation that must be broken up would help set them apart from simple golems.

>We should build a royal slime army of slime soldiers to serve our slime queen. The work we've put into Alkaline's smarts should carry over into her little slimes, and we can use that to make up for their physical weakness.

>Slimes with shields and spears (or slimes with shields and slimes with spears, if individual slimes can't handle two things at once) in shield formations. Defensive formations should let the slimes hold their ground a bit better than the would be able to individually, and they can be adapted to whatever nonsense the adventurers have.
Their shape changing would allow some very interesting formations.

>And if we ever want to pull Alkaline out for a boss fight, she could pull out a demon's souls phalanx-esque form with the hoplites forming an armoured skirt/platform for her to fight from on top of, with the whole thing kinda looking like she's wearing an oversized queenly battle-dress.
A striking image, certainly. Slimes are excellent at combining their strength in such ways.

>The second advanced species should be range based, possibly filling a sniper/artillery role. Especially if they can use or internally generate a variety of ‘special’ ammunition. It keeps them out of direct conflict, and also fills a hole in our defences.
Yes I do currently have a lack of ranged attackers.

>Nourishing Goo and the rear-line focus hopefully helps her come up with a healer class of slime, for organic allies if not golems. Even if it doesn't, its utility properties are just as valuable outside of fights.
>Slime Eggs + Bad Egg + Bombs probably equals a fairly powerful effect. She could also try making Oozy Oil and Goo Glue bombs that way as well, that can be used for area denial or AoE attacks.
I think I will see if a range of Alkaline's secretions along with Bad Egg can be invested into a single species. That would give a number of options for their ranged support.

>Slime Cannoneers. Regular cannons with regular cannonballs (or grapeshot) crewed by adorable slimus, but loaded with bad eggs instead of powder. The pre-measured explosives should make it a lot harder for the slimes to screw up loading, and should hopefully be a bit more resistant to cookoff than regular powder.
I haven't really had Alkaline look at it so far but weaponising her eggs has potential too.

>I am not convinced that being surprising in the "nature" of the slimes will work. Deem will, no doubt, become amazingly famous in fairly short order. Information will spread, and, well, if the Golems are made of marshmallow and the slimes are made of rock-candies then it will be very surprising! The first time...
While adventurers were reluctant to share too many details back in my day, such basic facts did quickly become known.

>Pickpocketing would also let you accumulate wealth faster.
It's usually just a headache in my experience. If the adventurers aren't slain in that battle, the pickpocket has to get away.
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No. 856761 ID: dab122
File 151532520184.png - (28.72KB , 800x550 , making_of_a_queen.png )
856761

>Hmm, since she has Eggs... could she leave eggs in later sections of the dungeon ready to hatch, so that as adventurers clear out earlier rooms of slimes it frees up space for the later slimes to pop up?
Yes, definitely.

>A Slime that could use even simple body reinforcement or Alteration magic, or even worse Self Healing magic, could be a nightmare for adventurers.
Alkaline's Hydro Pump is a useful reinforcement technique in that it's a long duration effect that's low in cost to use but I wonder if other abilities might squeeze it out since the effect is currently fairly small. Alkaline gets about a foot to a foot and a half taller when she uses it?

It's currently her only ability that can be used on other slimes too. Perhaps I should explore that area more.

>Oh ye make her hunt spiders to train goo glue.
Goo webs? Hmmmmm.

>Unstable Core: It’s been hinted that later core-based abilities make slimes harder to kill, since you need to hit the core to do any damage.
No I think she should be able to create slimes with normal cores while having Unstable Core, it's simply that she's not such a slime.

>Stretchy Slime: May unlock greater shapeshifting abilities if practised.
Yes, it's the main shapechanging ability Alkaline has discovered outside of Toxic Shroud so practising it should help on that front.

>Nourishing Goo: Allows us to grow bomb flowers and alchemy ingredients much faster. Allows us to plant plants INSIDE slimes, possibly granting them new abilities (Mana absorbing slimes with symbiotic mushrooms? Bomb flower bearing slime artillery?)
I haven't done anything with that but yes it certainly has potential.

>Gluttonous Goo. That would help Alkaline heal herself and, if you do train her to make high quality slimes, then her being able to burn extra mass to instantly summon slimes would be very helpful!
Yes, there's previously been reluctance to use it much however.

>Clumsy mime is a must. It's just something people don't expect.
In all honesty, Clumsy Mime is not a very useful ability. It has a lot of potential but it triggers rarely, can't pick which ability to try and copy and can only be used for a short time after being triggered. Alkaline would be better off refining it into a more specialised but reliable ability or simply using it as scaffolding to learn other, more useful, abilities and discarding it when she matures.

>You might be able to train both Mien and Mime by having her mimic you using your new golem body ability to reinforce yourself with mass.
For example, I could try something like that or have her try to repeatedly mimic a specific ability of someone else.

>There might be some unexpected synergy between Unstable Core and Clumsy Mime, because if Unstable Core lets her move mana through her body, maybe training it and Clumsy Mime will let Alkaline learn how to use some simple magic as well.
That might actually work too.

>Oh I just noticed, she's wearing her false core in the same place you wear your heart fragment.
Well yes I am an excellent example to follow.

>She is a growing kid. Needs a game, or a sport, or hobby or something to do.
I'm getting to that. I can think of three directions for Alkaline's training from now on to help develop suitable skill and slimes and settle her into her role in the dungeon. Here they are:

Royal Court: A brave slime making a kingdom. This would focus on improving her slimes' abilities to work together: cooperation, coordination, and focusing on shape-changing so they can quickly learn to split, combine and loan power between each other.

Queen Mother: A caring slime nurturing everything around her. This would focus on Alkaline's raw generative capacity. Producing lots of strong slimes and useful slimy substances, raising rare plants and giving special focus to teaching her alchemy.

Witch Queen: A studious slime exploring her limits. Alkaline's very intelligent and already has a number of complex abilities. This would be encouraging her to focus on deepening and widening her skills so that stronger skills can be passed on to her slimes.

Which do you think is best?
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No. 856762 ID: 094652

Expect most of us to vote for Caring Mother. Personally, I think she should focus on the Witch Queen class - if you can get your "weakest" minions to learn advanced spells and skills, they can deal serious damage during combat as support units while the adventurers ignore them in favor of attacking your champions. The best way to fell a hero is to strike in ways they refuse to see.
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No. 856764 ID: 0d1514

>>856761
I'm on the side of Queen mother. Prosperity and wild growth for all!
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No. 856765 ID: a98542

>>856761
Royal Court!

Cooperation, coordination, and general versatility will allow them to adapt to a variety of battle conditions, and leaning towards intelligence and planning should help them see through any tricks that adventurers try to pull, and help them pull tricks of their own.

That same cooperation and coordination will also go a long way with the ambush slimes we've locked in - sneak attacks will be a lot more effective if our ambushers work together and strike when their targets are distracted (by formations of pikeslimes).

And look at that adorable pikeslime, how can you say no to that?
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No. 856768 ID: 33cbe7

Go with Witch Queen - she's a child prodigy and she could pass down the most (and most powerful) techniques this way. This also prepares her best for using these techniques herself as a boss fight.

To train Hydro Pump to be more effective should we just practice her reverse-breath-holding and take in more water? Maybe she could practice using it on other targets with Stargazer.
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No. 856772 ID: 8009be

All of these are good and could benefit the dungeon. I’ll pick Witch Queen to go with the theme of the dungeon, but would be equally happy to see the other options win.
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No. 856775 ID: d8ce3a

>>856761
Argh, This is a tough choice. Im stuck between Royal Court and Witch Queen, But If we could get at least one more good pure offensive ability for alkaline that she could possibly pass on, i'd definitely go for Royal Court.
Well, Whatever, I'll go with Royal Court, and i'll just suggest we do some minor enchanments on Alkaline's wood club, and we'll teach the slimes to use Golem Weapons and equipment for offense.They can probably use them better then people who have to worry about bones anyway.
Riot gear slimes! If we can train up unstable Core and get them to produce some kind of pepper spray like substance or irritant, that'd be great. wonder if any wild peppers grow around here.
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No. 856779 ID: 12b116

We've been using her in a support role so far, so Queen Mother would be the best choice for that.
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No. 856786 ID: ad51b8

Royal Court

Also I know this probably isn't the best time but could we still try to make Alkaline a golem suit of armor at some point down the line? Could make her a multi phase boss? Plus based of which of these three options are chosen we could try and base the armor's look off that. Like Royal court we can make her armor look like knight armor, Which queen we could make it look like she summons the armor onto herself (which when I think about could make another interesting phase where she separates from the armor but then the adventures have to fight her and her armor at the same time since it's still a golem), and I'm not actually sure how the last one would look like but I'm sure we'd figure something out if we actually tried.
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No. 856788 ID: 3abd97

>>856760
So ambushers, phalanx soldiers, shooters, and maybe healers? If Alkaline can maintain the skills needed to create that many distinct species, that sounds like a good combination of options.

>>856761
Of those three, Royal Court and Witch Queen are the best options. Slimes working together in interesting ways, and coming up with and combining skills are both more interesting options that raw capacity to generate numbers.

Thematically, I think I like Royal Court better, it suits our slime princess. And well coordinated enemies are an adventurer's worst nightmare. She'll have to work a harder to min-max skills than if we focused on Witch Queen, but we really want coordination to be the focus.
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No. 856789 ID: 09e13b

I don’t think Royal court is the way to go here.

Royal court certainly sounds impressive, especially with the ability for slimes to combine and spit rapidly. Aside from that, though, it really adds very little that couldn’t be achieve by any other group of well-train minions. We already have Large number of minions who can coordinate and work together as if controlled my a single mind. They’re called golems, and they ARE controlled by a single mind. Merud can make them in all kinds of shapes and forms if we want, too.

Using slimes as humanoids fighting with shields and spears really feels like a waste of what makes them unique as a potential enemy, especially when we have another option that fits the role much better. I’m not saying that those types of tactics don’t have a place in our dungeon, but the slimes probably shouldn’t be the ones using them.
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No. 856810 ID: b53bd0

>>856789
except they don't, deem's golems are semi-autonomous because they are very well made, her connection to them is mostly just as a power source.
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No. 856811 ID: 3740b1

Witch Queen. More advanced skills for our queen which makes her more formidable as well as allowing for more specialized slimes.
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No. 856814 ID: b4f880

>>856761
Royal Court or witch queen is probably the way to go.
I'm leaning towards Witch Queen, her biggest strength seems to be the speed and ease with which she can gain and develop new and interesting abilities, passing the best of those on to make unique slimes synergises well with the shadow dungeon.
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No. 856823 ID: 3ce125

>>856761
So, Teamwork vs Power/Alchemy vs Versatility/Magic?.

Teamwork is probably the best long term choice if we're looking at slime encounters on their own. A highly coordinated group of slimes can adapt to fight any sort of adventurer.

Going the alchemy route would strongly synergize with the rest of our dungeon since potions can be used by everyone, but we'd be giving up much of the interesting things we can do with the slimes. On the other hand there's strength in normality. Pure overwhelming numbers and/or power can be hard to overcome even with prior knowledge of an encounter. Plus if she focuses on secretions, her slimes will have those abilities too.

The last option is... like a mystery option, basically. We have no idea how strong it'll wind up since we'd be banking on picking up really cool shit like slimes that can use magic. Would they be any good at magic though? It will involve Alkaline testing her limits... the limits of slimes? Isn't that asking a bit much? This isn't one punch man, she can't bypass the limits of her species. We should go with what we know will work.

I'm voting Queen Mother since it benefits the dungeon most overall, and is guaranteed to be useful in the long run. It may not be clever or cool, but it will work.
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No. 856829 ID: 09e13b

I’m really, really torn between Witch Queen and Queen Mother.

One the one hand, I really like the emphasis Queen Mother has on alchemy and rare plants. We don’t have an alchemist yet, and her taking on a gardener role would work really well with the bomb plants and mushrooms, not to mention Doyle. It would also mean that our advanced slime species would be relatively common, or maybe even that she’s be able to manage a third one.

One the other hand, Witch Queen gets us the strongest individual slimes, as far as I can tell as well as a potential new boss. Even if we have no idea how many of those slimes we’ll actually be able to use at a time.

…Queen mother maybe be my overall favorite, but it also looks like it’s loosing hard. So I’ll vote for Witch Queen
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No. 856831 ID: 1e7aa8

Hmm. This is quite the choice. power and alchemy shenanigans vs magic and skill...

As much as I like the idea of teaching her alchemy and making a whole bunch of really burly slimes and further buffing them with alchemy, they might end up being too straight forward with a set of skills that don't mesh too well.

And there's also the fact that it seem like too much of a resource drain on our alchemy supplies.

I'm voting for witch queen. they might not be as numerous, burly or work together as well as the other options but having a bunch of ninja/mage slimes supporting any future monsters we tame and being an awfully dangerous nuisance sounds hilarious.
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No. 856849 ID: b7627b

>>856761
I'm inclined to say Mother, even if just to see what kind of figure she'll attain with that.
More alchemical ingredients would also allow us to eventually branch out and become a mountainhome that produces magic items for later sale.
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No. 856869 ID: 88ebcc

I'm torn between Queen Mother and Witch Queen. There's not much I can say about my thoughts on each that hasn't already been said. Gotta have to go with Queen Mother, since how can one be called a witch without brewing potions?
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No. 856870 ID: eef407

Witch Queen
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No. 856888 ID: 3ae3fd

Queen Mother.
Mostly because I am biased and desperately want to see Alkaline become an alchemist, and no, the puns/alliteration honestly have nothing to do with it, I just love the idea.
That said, It matches very well with her natural properties, both being a source of numerous alchemical agents herself and being highly resistant to their effects. It is much easier to remove a glob of jelly than a foot if it gets contaminated and she is highly curse-resistant.
It meshes well with her mentality too. She likes learning and discovering and alchemy offers a wealth of room to play with all manner of random materials. She also likes doing things for/with other people and, well, so long as the revival system works and everyone checks for parasites, there should be relatively little harm in her having others test her potions.

With all the new alchemy supplies, you really do need an alchemist to use them. Thus far potions have largely been produced only as needed and have taken your attention from other matters. Theo only risk would be that she would become too engrossed in potions and lose track of her queenly duties and stay up all night trying to make something to turn Hin into a slime. Not to mention that the recent addition of Hin's gluttony will need potions to feed it.

Royalty... I fear that alkaline might not be stimulated by what would often involve repetitive drills. A slime kingdom might also be somewhat segregating...

Witch queen is extremely tempting. She has so many wonderful abilities, but, well, abilities are slow to grow and somewhat static. While it could result in extremely potent slimes, it would have little relevance elsewhere. Not to mention that potions could also provide, well, likely less potent abilities, but perhaps a broader range that can be adjusted as needed?

A Mother would give you a bountiful slime grotto, and alchemist, a reason for us to address her as a mother instead of you, a slimy horde, and hopefully the absence of a bored Alkaline in need of distractions. What is not to love?
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No. 856889 ID: 09e13b

Oh, great. I dismiss Queen Mother as ever being a possibility, and suddenly it gets a resurgence. That said, I’m still pulling for Witch Queen after some thought.

Of the two, Queen Mother is the only option that doesn’t say anything about the nature of the of the slimes produced. Aside from potions and plants, what it gets us is more of whatever our strongest slime types are, possibly enough to primarily use our advanced species rather than the ‘regular’ slimes. Beyond possible alchemical modification, though, it gets them nothing Alkaline can’t do already as far as we know.

Witch Queen, meanwhile, gets us “tricksy” abilities (see the discussion thread), and involves going beyond what most slimes are capable of. These are probably the slimes most likely to take adventurers by surprise, accessing abilities usually reserver for more exotic creatures or magic-users. If we’re very, very lucky we might even even end up creating a new type of monster (personal speculation only).

The downside is that the most powerful slimes will be individually less numerous than with Queen Mother, and possibly less consistant in their abilities. We also know from the discussion thread that this option doesn’t have Alkaline raisin her slimes personally, although it’s not really clear what benefit this would give.
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No. 856892 ID: a363ac

>>856761
Witch Queen, likely leaves Alkaline with the most time to be independent and do interesting things so I vote for that
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No. 856911 ID: 9c2d0c

Royal Court
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No. 856912 ID: 33cbe7

>>856869
I mean, we have a cauldron! We've used her slime as a potion base! She could totally do that.
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No. 856915 ID: 01e51d

>>856761
Witch Queen
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No. 856954 ID: b7627b

>>856761
>>856849

Given some recent insight from our invisible vector wizard overlord, I will have to change my vote off of Mother and onto Royal Court.
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No. 856957 ID: b53bd0

queen mother
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No. 856966 ID: df23bb

I'm casting my vote for Royal Court. Imagine entering a room to a spear squad with shields up in formation. As you step into the room a group of shadow slimes drop from above the doorway boxing you in as the spears advance, after a few minutes of frantic fighting the spears draw back leaving you out in the open as you notice a bomb lobber that had been charging its payload safely out of site behind the spears.
I also believe you shouldn't so easily dismiss Clumsy Mime, sure it's current form may not be ideal but that is why we must practice it. Who knows later versions of the skill may allow her to accurately mimic skills or entire skill sets.
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No. 856969 ID: 7fad5d

Royal Court because slime hoplites for days
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No. 856980 ID: 3ce125

>>856954
What changed your mind, exactly?
I saw Arhra mention that Witch Queen involves Alkaline not paying much attention to her slimes and just relying on ability inheritance, while the other two involve her spending time training her offspring.

Do you consider the group combat training of Royal Court to be more important than the more generic training of Queen Mother? Come to think of it maybe she would spend more time training her slimes as Royal Court than Queen Mother, since Queen Mother has a side focus of alchemy and herbalism.

...well, considering Alkaline will be contributing to alchemy no matter what, and I really don't want Witch to win, I'm changing my vote from Queen Mother to Royal Court. This will mean her slimes will stand on their own, so we can mold the dungeon around their encounters rather than the other way around. Like I said before this is probably going to keep the slimes relevant in the long term, so it's fine.
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No. 856983 ID: 76a7eb

I say, let´s get the Royal Court going
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No. 856986 ID: 21c688

I'm voting Royal Court they will come to fear the slime Commandos!
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No. 856989 ID: e4abe1

royal court
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No. 857015 ID: 09e13b

>>856966
>>856969
…I’m not exactly a big history buff, but I’m pretty sure those shield and spear wall formations you’re so exited about were meant to be used in open fields, not, you know, small cramped under ground tunnels. Where in our dungeon do you expect to be able to find room to even form a formation, much less maneuver it? Our biggest room is partially filled with water, and our second biggest is reserved for the final boss, long after the slimes should have come into play.

More generally, though, this ties into my big problem with Royal Court. You’re taking slimes, amorphous shapeshifting beings with all kinds of bizarre biological abilities, and you want them to fight… exactly like humans. Absolutely nothing that takes advantage of them being slimes at all.

Instead, they fight with formations and weapons designed for a radically different species, formations and weapons, I might add, that can be used by absolutely anything in our dungeon that happens to have HANDS. Including the golems we already have, not to mention whatever denizens we might acquire. Why would a slime even need a spear? If it can form one from its body, why bother making it shaped like something it’s holding instead of just a spike?

I’d more comfortable if people were talking about the splitting/merging and shapeshifting aspects, but nobody even seems to be mentioning them. It’s all about mimicking humans and weapons, when our golems already DO that. Remember how we decided our slimes are supposed to be the weird and exotic enemies to pair with the more straightforward golems? Because I really don’t see how this archives that. If you want hoplite-lite warriors, why not give the role to somebody else, instead of removing what makes slimes unique as enemies?
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No. 857057 ID: c3709c

>>857015
A very well made point. If we need a shield wall that locks together, golems can be custom made for that.
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No. 857065 ID: 91ee5f

>>856761
I say Queen Mother because then Alkaline can help as a sort of caretaker for if Deem ever needs to leave the dungeon or something.

Plus, giving Alkaline a nurturing nature will also allow her to help Deem take care of the other residents in the dungeon!

.....I mean let's be honest, Deem needs all the help she can get!
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No. 857086 ID: a98542

>>857015
>If you want hoplite-lite warriors, why not give the role to somebody else?
Because they're slimes. They can shield-stack vertically to block hallways or doorways. They can phalanx on the ceiling to stab people from above. They can phalanx in the pool because they're slimes and aren't limited by legs. They can form an armoured shield-ball and roll around trying to crush people. They can form a radical armoured dress/skirt for Alkaline to fight from ontop of.

And they're slimes. With a shield and a core they're super durable - the core's the only part they really have to protect with the shield, and anything else hanging out just kinda doesn't matter. Anything that gets hit isn't going to take too much damage, and anything that does can be quickly reformed without golemeter or healer intervention.

Also, they're super cute.
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No. 857087 ID: d8ce3a

>>857015
I maybe wrong, But I think people are less keen on exactly mimicking hoplites and more on the idea of slimes that are at least capable of complex tactic and formations at all, which none of the others variants seem to be.
They dont HAVE to do shield wall schtick, but being capable of it does open up that and some other options, and it doesn't actually stop them from using more exotic forms of attack when and if they become available. Plus theres nothing wrong with using both their natural weapons as well anything whe find or forge for them, But I think with the other choices they may not even have the limbs with which to wield a weapon.
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No. 857088 ID: 3ce125

>>857087
Yeah.
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No. 857090 ID: 3ae3fd

The phalanx could be sort-of slimy if they abandoned the shields and found a way to stick their spears through one another harmlessly.
Could they extend their slime along the haft and sort-of fuse that portion of slime to move through other slimes while holding it to the spear?
I still much prefer the mother with her garden and increased numbers though.
And spears are a thrusting weapon. I don't think that slimes are naturally talented at that sort of motion, and a spear that doesn't thrust can be easily grabbed and is basically harmless against an opponent that doesn't run into it. Slimes being as versatile as they are could likely develop a thrusting ability, but they would be ill-suited to it and, well, I don't think that Deem wants to hear what Kallia would say about her slime thrusting at people. Just think of the battle reports! "The slime thrusts: It scratches your torso. The slime thrusts: It scratches your leg. The slime thrusts: It penetrates your torso, you are bleeding. The slime oozes along its shaft: You feel a burning sensation, you should take an antidote potion.". As a fair maiden with friends and strangers entering her at all hours Deem has quite enough innuendo to deal with. If Kallia is talking within earshot of Deem's front door, innuendo is literally coming out of Deem's every orifice(Hopefully she will avoid this soon by Opening that crevice and getting a back door- no, nevermind...). She really doesn't need thrusting slime...
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No. 857119 ID: 09e13b

>>857086
Okay, let’s break this down a little. Forming a vertical shield wall: how would they go about doing this? Serious question here, would they just be standing on top of each other? Or are they fusing into one larger slime? If the latter then fine, but I can’t help be feel like the role would be better served by an actual door being guarded by the slimes (or giant fused slime).

Forming a phalanx on the celling: none of Alkaline’s current abilities allow that. Shadow Slick can let you climb walls, but it also requires you to be, you know, a puddle while using it. Which would make it hard to wield spears.

Phalanx in the pool: Am I forgetting something? I don’t remember it ever being stated that slimes are particularly good at swimming. In fact, it was established back in Chapter 2 that before she developed Hydro Pump, Alkaline had trouble holding herself together if she absorbed too much water.

Armored shield-ball: This seems to be another version of fusing into a giant slime, which is admittedly cool. Doesn’t really seem to have much to de with the spear and shield theme, though. Any giant slime could do it.

Spear/shield skirt: This is, again, a very cool image. I’m not totally sure how practical it would be, though.

>>857087
Fair enough, this is a decent point of view. I do think that there is a lost opportunity in going this way, since it seems easier to me to get complex formations and tactics with golems or some other future minion that it would be to recreate some of the slimes other potential abilities, but if you think coordination is more valuable, then I can only agree to disagree.
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No. 857142 ID: 33cbe7

>>857087
I have no doubt we could pull off formations with our slimes without royal court. We're only delegating some of the coordination work onto the slimes, at the cost of numbers from Queen Mother or raw power from Witch Queen. It's a waste, really, and redundant to our two golemeters. The least interesting of our options.
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No. 857233 ID: dc91a0

Witch queen, as the others require much of alkalines time being taken up by caring for slimes. I like her as a character and like seeing her take an active roll.
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No. 857261 ID: dab122
File 151549432069.png - (14.09KB , 800x500 , brooding_rock_malfunction.png )
857261

>Go with Witch Queen - she's a child prodigy and she could pass down the most (and most powerful) techniques this way. This also prepares her best for using these techniques herself as a boss fight.
I want her supporting my dungeon, not constantly being used for boss fights. I have Moriko, Reisarf, Stargazer and myself for the boss fights. I'm sure she'll grow into the role splendidly once she's mature and my dungeon's large enough to accommodate more highlights such as that but for the moment I need monsters to fill my dungeon.

>The last option is... like a mystery option, basically. We have no idea how strong it'll wind up since we'd be banking on picking up really cool shit like slimes that can use magic. Would they be any good at magic though? It will involve Alkaline testing her limits... the limits of slimes? Isn't that asking a bit much? This isn't one punch man, she can't bypass the limits of her species. We should go with what we know will work.
That's true. She has been feeling pressured lately too.

>I'm casting my vote for Royal Court. Imagine entering a room to a spear squad with shields up in formation. As you step into the room a group of shadow slimes drop from above the doorway boxing you in as the spears advance, after a few minutes of frantic fighting the spears draw back leaving you out in the open as you notice a bomb lobber that had been charging its payload safely out of sight behind the spears.
Teamwork is very strong, yes. The slime types that will be created benefit very strongly from it. Royal Court it is.

>We already have large number of minions who can coordinate and work together as if controlled my a single mind. They’re called golems, and they ARE controlled by a single mind. Merud can make them in all kinds of shapes and forms if we want, too.
The advantage of many minds is they can spot things and improvise better than just one. I can coordinate my golems excellently, yes, but the more I have actively fighting the less individually competent they have to be.

The slimes will be the opposite - the more there are, the more chance they have to snowball. Since the hoplites will have a focus on mutual protection and resilience the counter for a swarm - area attacks - will be reduced in effectiveness.

>The phalanx could be sort-of slimy if they abandoned the shields and found a way to stick their spears through one another harmlessly.
>Could they extend their slime along the haft and sort-of fuse that portion of slime to move through other slimes while holding it to the spear?
Shields are the strongest part of that formation - slimes can cover each other in way physically impossible for other creatures and have small vulnerable spots. The rest would depend on their level of control over their bodies.

I think I've had enough sunlight. Time to head back inside.
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No. 857262 ID: dab122
File 151549447440.png - (20.17KB , 800x500 , back_indoors.png )
857262

>As a fair maiden with friends and strangers entering her at all hours Deem has quite enough innuendo to deal with. If Kallia is talking within earshot of Deem's front door, innuendo is literally coming out of Deem's every orifice
Please stop.

>Giving Alkaline a nurturing nature will also allow her to help Deem take care of the other residents in the dungeon!
>.....I mean let's be honest, Deem needs all the help she can get!
...

Maybe I should have gone with Queen Mother. Oh well, this is almost as good. Encouraging teamwork will help her have consideration for others and not recklessly rush in on her own.

>I'll just suggest we do some minor enchantments on Alkaline's wood club, and we'll teach the slimes to use Golem Weapons and equipment for offence.
She does seem attached to it. It might be nice to make her something. I'm not quite sure what you mean by a golem weapon?

>Also I know this probably isn't the best time but could we still try to make Alkaline a golem suit of armour at some point down the line? Could make her a multi phase boss?
It would take almost no adaptation to fit one. I'll have to consider the options when she's ready for the responsibility.

>To train Hydro Pump to be more effective should we just practice her reverse-breath-holding and take in more water? Maybe she could practice using it on other targets with Stargazer.
That may work and if it's going to be possible to use it on a non-slime, Stargazer is the next closest thing to a slime in my dungeon.

Speaking of the inside of my dungeon, I will start Alkaline's training by focusing on one of her more physically orientated abilities for the next few days as she helps clean up the mess in there. Unstable Core seems a little complex to start with so the options are:

Gluttonous Goo: It's the only current boost to her production capabilities so, if I still want her using it, I should get her used to moving with the additional slime mass. And think about ways to work around it. I also have a lot of orange goo to dispose of. Eating a lot may help her acid production.

Hydro Pump: It's a very efficient and long lasting physical reinforcement for slimes but the effect is fairly subdued. I could look at improving its quality, experiment with substances other than water or see about getting similar effects with non-slimes. After thinking about Alkaline transferring slime to Hin, it made me realise it is a possibility for donating power to lesser slimes as well.

Stretchy Slime: The gateway to more advanced shape changing. I should hope the applications of that are obvious. Forming more limbs, engulfing things, rapidly altering her body to evade attacks, compressing or distending parts of her body; slimes are versatile creatures.
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No. 857267 ID: 33cbe7

Hydro Pump. If we're working from a lesser base we'll have to improve our buffs to compensate. All of those options sound useful (using it on other types of fluids could lead to sucking the blood out of enemies for instance, and we have a lot of orange goo to dispose of), but first we must increase its base effect before developing side effects. Luckily we have a large pool full of water for doing just that, and some debris that needs clearing from it.
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No. 857268 ID: d8ce3a

>>857262
Lets start with Stretchy Slime. form control is one of the things we want to focus on after all.

>I'll just suggest we do some minor enchantments on Alkaline's wood club, and we'll teach the slimes to use Golem Weapons and equipment for offence.
>>She does seem attached to it. It might be nice to make her something. I'm not quite sure what you mean by a golem weapon?

Yeah, we should have Hin turn the club into like, a weighted scepter. A fitting weapon for a queen!

And by Golem Weapon I mean a Golem, but in the shape of a weapon.
Like a spear with ahead that rotates at high speed, or a bow with aim assistance that can hold its own draw, Throwing weapons that stand up and run back to their throwers, Shields tht eat the opponents weapons, stuff like that. And thats just the simple applications.
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No. 857270 ID: 7ab1fe

hydro pump.
we'll want shapeshifting eventually, but hydro pump is more useful right now.
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No. 857273 ID: a98542

>>857262
Let's start with stretchy slime. There's so many absurd possibilities!

And hey, it might even help her with her cleaning efforts. Stretching to reach walls or ceilings or whatever.
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No. 857275 ID: ad51b8

Stretchy Slime

mostly because I'm imagining her holding a spear, and enemy thinks they're out of her range, then her arm shoots forwards, stretching the hole length of the room and catching her opponent off guard. Plus it would always be nice to have her lesser slimes simply glomp people and slow them down so other minions can get a few free shots in.
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No. 857285 ID: 1e7aa8

Hydropump. there's a lot to be said for slimes that can just hose down enemies in substances that aren't water. Or even just water if we procure/tame a source of electrical discharge.
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No. 857290 ID: 0d1514

>>857262
Stretchy slime! It'll make her even more adorable!
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No. 857300 ID: e17697

>>857262
Stretchy Slime is probably the best, it's useful for Alkaline herself and would be one of the better things to pass on to lesser slimes.
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No. 857307 ID: 91ee5f

>>857262
I kinda want to do both Gluttonous Goo and Stretchy Slime, since having the extra mass can be a benefit to the shape changing.

But if I had to choose just 1 of these skills, I'd choose Stretchy Slime.

That way we can eventually get Alkaline to do this: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zJtEtMfVxbY ! (from 1:25 to 1:43 in the video)
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No. 857308 ID: 3fd5f2

Hydropump, methinks.
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No. 857317 ID: 09e13b

Stretchy Slime. All these abilities seem potentially valuable, but I think this the best/highest priority.
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No. 857319 ID: 17c2ee

Stretchy Slime seems the best long-term, with the shapeshifting options it unlocks.
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No. 857322 ID: dc91a0

Stretchy Slime is an absolute must if we're going to have slimes that fight with weapons made of themselves.
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No. 857339 ID: b53bd0

stretch > hydro > glutton
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No. 857359 ID: 3ae3fd

Gluttonous Goo
Stretchy slime seems the best fit for Royal Court by giving them limbs to coordinate, rather than a coordinating blobs that aren't likely to trouble each other or having flailing limbs that could cause chaos, but hopefully it can be worked on later?

Hydro Pump just seems too redundant with Fusion, which they should be training in due to Royal Court. You have other ways of supporting weakness or focusing strength. It also has the downside that it requires water. You don't want to be known as "That Leaky Dungeon with all those Puddles Everywhere" and water is not the most pleasant element. A few pools here and there is fine, but supplying water to every single slime encounter? Maybe you could do something with water barrels I suppose...

Gluttonous Goo is, well, problematic, but if you are banking on coordination than you need something to coordinate, and that means numbers. So you really need production increases to capitalise on Royal Court. Hopefully the excess mass can be solved by training Stretchy Slime later. If Alkaline could "suck it in" and turn herself into a body-builder for a... "Stretch"... then she could be mobile for bursts when she needs it and then have a nice big seat to rest on for the majority of her sedentary life.

You said it yourself, the value of Royal Court is that the slimes could "snowball". To "snowball" you need enough "snow" for an "avalanche". She will need all of the production abilities...
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No. 857376 ID: 09e13b

>>857359

I think you’re underselling Stretchy Slime here. It’s not just limbs, it engulfing enemies, suddenly sprouting new appendages mid-battle, stretching across the room for a long-distance hit, outright shapeshifting, an probably some other stuff we haven’t thought of yet.

I’d also like to point out that there’s a maximum number of slimes we can have in the dungeon in the first place. Once we reach that limit, productions speed doesn’t really matter except for recovering quickly and maybe replacing slimes mid-battle if we get it really high.
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No. 857488 ID: 3ce125

Mannnn, all three of these abilities seem incredibly useful for our plans. Stretchy Slime seems like the most important one though.

We're going to keep all three right?
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No. 857566 ID: b7627b

>>857262
Mmmh, Inclined to say stretch, mostly for longer and more versatile pseudopods though.
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No. 857568 ID: dab122
File 151558782291.png - (22.80KB , 800x550 , how_to_swim good.png )
857568

>Stretchy Slime is probably the best, it's useful for Alkaline herself and would be one of the better things to pass on to lesser slimes.
That's true. It will be important for her slimes' teamwork so we might as well start immediately.

>Stretchy Slime
>mostly because I'm imagining her holding a spear, and enemy thinks they're out of her range, then her arm shoots forwards, stretching the whole length of the room and catching her opponent off guard. Plus it would always be nice to have her lesser slimes simply glomp people and slow them down so other minions can get a few free shots in.
All useful tricks.

I might as well dive in the deep end for Stretchy Slime and chase its advanced applications. Something that would work to get a feel for variable density and providing a different environment to adapt to is clearing up the rubble that's been dropped into the pool in the thaumatorium.

I'm not so foolhardy as to literally drop Alkaline in the deep-end. I'm fairly sure she should now have enough control over her body to avoid soaking up too much water but I need to make sure she's confident. I need someone who floats, knows how to swim and who isn't too busy tackling anything else.

Reisarf seems perfect.

Stargazer might be able to give Alkaline some pointers on swimming and shapechanging too.

I have the two of them jump in Hin's former sauna and Reisarf shows Alkaline how to float and kick.
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No. 857569 ID: dab122
File 151558788361.png - (18.52KB , 800x600 , swim_buddies.png )
857569

After that I have Alkaline jump in the big pool. I'll just let her float and getting used to swimming in deeper water before having her start diving for rocks. I send Stargazer in to do a little rubble diving and hopefully give Alkaline some inspiration. I think Stargazer's showing off a little.

>Mannnn, all three of these abilities seem incredibly useful for our plans. Stretchy Slime seems like the most important one though.
>We're going to keep all three right?
Possibly. The point of choosing one now was to make it a definite inclusion and try to develop it more.

>Once we reach that limit, productions speed doesn’t really matter except for recovering quickly and maybe replacing slimes mid-battle if we get it really high.
Gluttonous Goo also affects a slime colony's population. The higher Alkaline's slime mass grows from it, the more slimes she can support.

>Hopefully the excess mass can be solved by training Stretchy Slime later. If Alkaline could "suck it in" and turn herself into a body-builder for a... "Stretch"... then she could be mobile for bursts when she needs it and then have a nice big seat to rest on for the majority of her sedentary life.
The extra slime isn't as malleable as her normal body but it's possible she might be able to learn to manipulate it in such a way.

>And by Golem Weapon I mean a Golem, but in the shape of a weapon.
>Like a spear with a head that rotates at high speed, or a bow with aim assistance that can hold its own draw, Throwing weapons that stand up and run back to their throwers, Shields that eat the opponents weapons, stuff like that. And that's just the simple applications.
A golemeter can animate their weapons in such a way but, as with golem armour, the problem a non-golemeter has is communicating their intent to such a weapon. Any real level of will or intention is difficult in such an incomplete golem which means such an item developed for use by another would usually be an enchanted item instead.
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No. 857570 ID: dab122
File 151558802260.png - (27.50KB , 550x800 , poolside_chat.png )
857570

I watch with Reisarf from the pool's edge. If I need it, Reisarf's the translator for explaining anything to Stargazer, or from Stargazer to Alkaline. I do need to think about some more complex things for Alkaline to try, particularly with Stargazer's guidance. I think I'll let her paddle around a little longer.

Actually, while Reisarf's here.

"We've got some time to spare, we should try out your new ability too." I say.

Reisarf has Secondary Storage now, letting her isolate mana within her body to create a backup store that can be tapped into in an emergency. It effectively increases the maximum size of her mana pool.

"Oh that's a good idea." Reisarf nods. "How should we start?"

Let's see...

Light: Get Reisarf to practice by repeatedly sealing and unsealing small amounts of mana. Smooth operation of the ability is important.

Heavy: See the limits of how much can be stored at once. Mana recovery methods are something that needs to be studied too!
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No. 857571 ID: b7627b

>>857570
Heavy, might as well test the starting limit to see what we have to work with.
Might also let us identify any potential side effects the ability could have, such as enhanced knockers.
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No. 857572 ID: 33cbe7

Heavy. Mana recovery techniques would be an especially useful study for someone who, theoretically, was bleeding lots of mana constantly.
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No. 857574 ID: b598f2

>>857570
start light to get a feel for it, then move to heavy
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No. 857578 ID: 830fb7

Light than slowly move to heavy.
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No. 857579 ID: 1e7aa8

Light. start it off slow.
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No. 857582 ID: e17697

>>857570
heavy, seeing the limits gets it out of the way and means you can eliminate it as a cause of any trouble found training it's usage up
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No. 857583 ID: 91ee5f

>>857570
Light

Take it nice and easy, so that Reisarf doesn't hurt himself! .....I mean, herself. This is going to take a while to get used to.
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No. 857584 ID: 0d1514

>>857570
Light to heavy. Starting out heavy sounds like a recipe for injury! Slowly explore limits!
>>
No. 857600 ID: 9c2d0c

Hey, can we plant a mushroom in Alkaline before that ability disappears entirely?
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No. 857602 ID: b53bd0

go big or go home, heavy.
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No. 857613 ID: 09e13b

>>857600
It's actually part of her healing Nourishing Goo ability, so she's not about to loose it any minute yet. That said, I do think this is a useful avenue to explore. It might let us grant new abilities to Alkaline and her slimes even after she's reached maturity but finding new species of exotic plants to plant in them, which would be good long term.
>>
No. 857621 ID: da1652

>>857570
start Light
>>
No. 857623 ID: 09e13b

I'll vote for heavy. Given Reisarf's approach to things like damage and accuracy, subtlety doesn't seem to be her(?) thing.
>>
No. 857638 ID: 3ce125

>>857570
Experiment in the full range first. See if there are any drawbacks to rapid use or massive use.
>>
No. 857915 ID: 3ae3fd

Between the flooded thaumatorium, Stargazer's aquatic nature, Merud's properness and status as the resident(other than Deem) magical consultant, Moriko's properness(although cultural variance may make this a non-issue, although she may have been reserved in her home and thus be an exception even if her culture would normally ignore such issues.) and Reisarf's recent changes...
It may well be necessary to procure some sort of swimwear for Reisarf.
>>
No. 857944 ID: 3abd97

>She does seem attached to [her wooden club]. It might be nice to make her something.
If we're going Royal Court, the logical eventual upgrade from club is some kind of enchanted scepter.

>>857570
Light. This is just common sense, you master basic operation before you push your limits.
>>
No. 857955 ID: f66698

Go heavy, have fun with it.
>>
No. 857967 ID: e95cec

>>857574
>>857578
Light for a bit, then heavy.
>>
No. 858021 ID: 2120ee

Heavy. Mana is the most important thing! If you can squeeze more out of Reisarf, then you'll be better equipped to handle all of the problems that crop up.
>>
No. 858022 ID: 094652

Let's face it, we're all choosing heavy training because we highly suspect it will have noticeable side effects on his upper torso.

Start from Light training and increase until it hurts.
>>
No. 858027 ID: 69d4b9

>>857570
Heavy. There might be differences between how to best optimize use when storage is at maximum as compared to when it is at minima, and the only way to know that is to try and see.
>>
No. 858033 ID: deec6e

>>857570

Light. Doesn't help to have a ton of mana if you can't properly transfer it.
>>
No. 858064 ID: d8ce3a

>>857570
Liiiiiiight
>>
No. 858141 ID: 203cc3

Let's start with light.
>>
No. 858176 ID: 09e13b

I think some people might be misinterpreting the question, personally. Read in context, I think it’s about what we consider more valuable: being able to use this ability seamlessly in combat at a moment’s notice, or being able to use this ability to it’s fullest extent for lots of mana.

However, a lot of people seem to be reading it as a risk versus reward decision about more power at the cost of potential injury.

Going with the first interpretation, I think amount of mana is more important, since Reisarf will have Stargazer to cover for him/her in combat, and has that teleport-out-of-danger trick as well. Additionally, practicing mana recovery under the heavy option will let Reisarf use this ability more often.
>>
No. 858202 ID: 17c2ee

Heavy!!! Remember, Deem, what's light mana? The sun- AND THAT'S THE SKY POWER! Friends don't let friends start addictions to the sky power. Say no to light mana today.
>>
No. 858218 ID: 9c2d0c

>>858202
That's not what that means and you know it
>>
No. 858274 ID: 45aab1
File 151589890146.png - (22.46KB , 800x550 , ideal_wizard_rule.png )
858274

>I think some people might be misinterpreting the question, personally. Read in context, I think it’s about what we consider more valuable: being able to use this ability seamlessly in combat at a moment’s notice, or being able to use this ability to it’s fullest extent for lots of mana.
I should have explained myself better. Of course we're going to do some dry runs but this will set the tone for how Reisarf uses it. Abilities are still malleable right after just being learned, so it's a question of how to develop it.

>Heavy. Mana is the most important thing! If you can squeeze more out of Reisarf, then you'll be better equipped to handle all of the problems that crop up.
>Given Reisarf's approach to things like damage and accuracy, subtlety doesn't seem to be her(?) thing.
Excellent points. Reisarf relies on high cost magic. Improving Reisarf's magical endurance is the best option.

>Go heavy, have fun with it.
Time to have some fun then!

"Reisarf, this is actually a little like magic item creation. You have a container that you have to move your mana into, only in your case it's still inside your body. In your case, given your high mana expenditure from your magic and supporting Stargazer as your familiar, I think we want to work on maximising the size of the container."

I put a hand on Reisarf's sternum. Stargazer's head pops out of the water in the distance like a diving bird and swivels towards us. I think she's glaring at me. I wave her and Alkaline over. Alkaline might benefit from learning a little about mana and Stargazer can chaperone Reisarf.

"This new ability has a lot of potential. The problem a lot of mages have is pushing themselves too far in dangerous circumstances. The more mana you use, the longer it takes to come back."

Reisarf nods. Alkaline looks at me blankly. Stargazer watches my hand intently.

I search for a metaphor. "Picture you have a jar. If you could scoop the mist out, it would flows back in easily right? But it's just mist, there's still not much water in that jar. What would you do if you wanted to put more into the jar?"

Alkaline looks blank, then glances at Reisarf and Stargazer hoping for help.

Reisarf speaks up. "You'd have to find some water from outside, or you'd have to condense the mist into droplets." Stargazer wiggles at Alkaline smugly.

"Exactly, the deeper a mage has to dig into their reserves of mana, the harder it is to restore. But you should be able to circumvent that danger since you can create your a backup supply in times of safety and use it as a second wind."
>>
No. 858276 ID: 45aab1
File 151589923829.png - (19.97KB , 800x550 , put_some_ice_on_it.png )
858276

I have Reisarf create and release the Secondary Storage a few times with minute amounts of mana to get a feel for it. Then we try a larger amount.

"Hmmm, can you move the mana you've gathered down to your hand?"

"What's the problem?" Reisarf says. It takes a few tries but he does it.

It's there but it's not obvious. "Now just a finger."

Reisarf's finger swells up like it was stung by a wasp.

"There, see." I say. "Like Stargazer, you've got a physical component to storing mana this way. You'll need to work on compressing the mana better or you'll end up all lumpy."

She drums the fingers of that hand on her chest. "Oh don't worry, I can put up with a few lumps."

Reisarf, I think you are developing an underhanded sense of humour and I don't like it.

I think Alkaline's losing interest since there's not much visibly going on so I point out Reisarf's finger and tell her to try and replicate that. Maybe she'll get the hand of compressing and expanding slime instead of mana.

"Being able to compress mana is very useful thought Reisarf." I say. "It's a fundamental to item creation - an enchanter not blessed with a Dungeon Heart spends a lot of time before embarking on the creation of a magical item trying to build up their own mana as much as possible. They can store away a more mana and the denser flows of it allow them to overcome the object's resistance better. It's similar for curse and reinforcement magic actually - such spells have better penetration."
>>
No. 858277 ID: 45aab1
File 151589933455.png - (28.38KB , 640x720 , mana_tanks_mod.png )
858277

We keep going.

>Heavy. Mana recovery techniques would be an especially useful study for someone who, theoretically, was bleeding lots of mana constantly.
Most of the techniques that work well for a human don't scale well for me. I have considered relying on extra mana support from my minions before but I'd need more investment in recuperation and transfer techniques to make much use of it. The loophole where I can use my golem to transfer mana back into my main Heart easily is tempting.

Reisarf might be very good at it.

"Good, gather it into your centre, squeeze it down then add another layer and compress it again." I poke Reisarf's stomach critically. "Mmm, your compression could be better. You're looking a little pot bellied. We can take a break if you want?"

Reisarf shakes her head. "I want to see what happens."

Well as long as this doesn't start any rumours about Stargazer being the father.

"Well it's going to get harder so don't lose focus."

"What happens if I do?"

"You'll explode."

"You don't say?" Not a twitch.

"Oh no, I just wanted to make sure you can keep your concentration." I say. "I guess it's not too surprising - you're used to having to use up a lot of your mana, so you can bounce back fairly easily but you don't have the opportunity to condense it much."

For Alkaline's benefit I add. "It's like someone constantly digging and refilling a hole - it's gotten to be an impressive hole and they can fill it in quickly but the soil's loosely packed."

I let Reisarf go on until I see she's starting to struggle. "Alright, that's it. Try to press it down one last time, then spread the mana out. Don't let it lose density!"
>>
No. 858278 ID: 45aab1
File 151589946871.png - (27.68KB , 500x800 , nothing_good_will_come_of_this.png )
858278

>Let's face it, we're all choosing heavy training because we highly suspect it will have noticeable side effects on his upper torso.
I hope you're happy then. Reisarf's suddenly lost weight then gained some of it back in other places.

"Reisarf," I say. "You didn't do that deliberately, did you?"

My alienist shrugs shamelessly. "I had to try it at least once."

Reisarf's definitely still a boy at heart. I suppose I should be happy he held back. It's harmless enough at least.

The hair is interesting though. It's gotten a little longer and is coloured differently at the tips. "And you tried to force it into your hair?"

"It seemed like it was worth trying."

I hadn't thought about it as a possibility. "Do you mind if I take a sample?"

Gained Hank of Alienist Hair

I'll have to wait until I can really experiment with this.

After putting it away, it's time to wrap things up. "You've used up a lot of mana, so why don't you and Stargazer practice mana transfer again?" Stargazer's still being fed off my raw mana so helping out her alienist should make her happy. I'm also getting a little sick of her staring. "We'll see how stable your Secondary Storage is overnight and then we'll look at some other recovery and compression techniques."

I stand up, dust myself off and shepherd Alkaline outside to give them some privacy.

"Try not to blow up."

"I'll try!"

>Between the flooded thaumatorium, Stargazer's aquatic nature, Merud's properness and status as the resident(other than Deem) magical consultant, Moriko's properness and Reisarf's recent changes...
>It may well be necessary to procure some sort of swimwear for Reisarf.
There's ways to treat fabric with slime to make it water resistant. Perhaps I should think about making something for everyone to encourage them to use the pool? I did ensure we bought a stock of fabric to replace damaged clothes and make speciality clothing.
>>
No. 858279 ID: 45aab1
File 151589952647.png - (18.92KB , 800x550 , sleep_is_for_the_weak.png )
858279

The rest of the evening went uneventfully. It's very late at night. Everyone went to bed hours ago and my slow attempts to clean up the mess of my dungeon with a handful of golems is growing more and more tiresome.

>If we're going Royal Court, the logical eventual upgrade from club is some kind of enchanted scepter.
I'm not sure how much experience Hin has with woodwork. I might have to take the lead and let her learn from it.

>Hey, can we plant a mushroom in Alkaline before that ability disappears entirely?
I haven't replanted the mushrooms yet, I'll think about that when I do.

Anyway, I've had an excellent idea!

Tomorrow I will be working on the Golem Totem with Merud. Once it's complete I'll have the ability to create a larger workforce except we are still very short on clay.

To rectify that, I can sneak down to place where I found a deposit of clay after being being mauled by the devil bear. I have excellent night vision, little scent and am completely inedible. In the worst case, should I run into some night roaming monster on the way, it will only cost me some of my (admittedly precious) mana to use my Resurrection Matrix on myself.

Once I get there, I can activate Gigant Mode to absorb some of the clay and use the larger golem body to carry more back. I'll have a chance to become more familiar with the ability and the raw materials for new golem workers will be back at my dungeon ready for animation the moment the Totem is completed. It's perfect.

The only real question is how much clay should I attempt to bring back with me?
>>
No. 858280 ID: 0d1514

>>858279
ALL THE CLAY. Can't let the other girls keep showing you up!
>>
No. 858281 ID: b53bd0

ah, but since you are taking it with your gigant power that means taking more will also make you more powerful. get huge enough and you can simply intimidate anything with your huge. so i say all of it.
>>
No. 858283 ID: 7579d8

Two or three times the volume used in your current state should be good enough for starting off with.
>>
No. 858284 ID: 3ae3fd

Follow Reisarf's example. Carry as much as possible and store it as inappropriately as possible. To be fair, this would make it more likely for the bear to notice you, but you would have more material with which to ward it off. Even a devilbear can't ignore a giant golem falling on it, and the mountainous terrain should bear the weight easily enough. Unless you want to try The Deem Duo again? a dozen-odd Deems walking through the forest would likely result in boredom before any-
...
Various mad science ideas occur. What happens to additional absorbed materials when your golem "dies"? What happens to non-reviving golem corpses when they "die"? I think that you may have already said that your own corpse vanishes for revival?

But so long as you have broad and soft feet, and keep the rest at a high altitude, ready to drop upon any foolish enough to oppose you, there should be little risk of overburdening yourself.
>>
No. 858285 ID: b7627b

>>858279
With Reisarf doing some heavy training, you could also see how far you can stretch your own resources. You might also be able to get a nice reaction out of your crew.

I suggest you go for approximately 195000 lbs of wet clay to give yourself a frame approximately 50' tall.
>>
No. 858287 ID: 91ee5f

>>858279
The problem with doing this in the middle of the night is the fact that if your in Gigant Mode, you'll be stomping around a lot, which might end up waking everyone up and sleep deprived helpers will hinder whatever work you have for them.

So when you go out for the clay, try your best to be quiet!
>>
No. 858288 ID: 3ce125

>>858279
So if you use your resurrection matrix on yourself, your heart shard teleports into the matrix? Seems a bit interesting that it can do that, if you think about it.

Anyway, collect as much clay as you can handle while still making it back before sunrise and before you run out of mana due to gigant mode. Also you need to be at a size where you can still fight effectively because once you've collected the clay you won't be sneaky anymore. You should see if you can find the site of the battle again and recover the sword while you're out there!
>>
No. 858290 ID: dc91a0

Bring back a somewhat reckless amount of clay.
>>
No. 858294 ID: a98542

>>858279
100% gigant plus whatever 100% gigant can carry, obviously. Go big or go home.
>>
No. 858295 ID: 3abd97

>Reisarf's definitely still a boy at heart.
I don't know if that's indicative of boydom, it seems like most the inhabitants of the dungeon have fooled around with chest expansion by this point!

>There's ways to treat fabric with slime to make it water resistant. Perhaps I should think about making something for everyone to encourage them to use the pool?
Swimsuit episode!

>>858279
You're going to embarrassed if you get ganked overnight by the wildlife! And be careful not to wake the others stomping around in giant form.

>The only real question is how much clay should I attempt to bring back with me?
Depends on how much space you have to store it! You don't want to fill in your whole dungeon with clay, after all.
>>
No. 858296 ID: 09e13b

>Reisarf's definitely still a boy at heart.
There ARE some girls that enjoy those too, Deem.

As for the clay… I really can’t see the downside to bringing back as much as possible? Am I missing something?
>>
No. 858298 ID: f66698

Heck, even if the bear hassled you, you could take it out in gigant mode. Free bear steaks and potion ingredients.
>>
No. 858299 ID: ad51b8

>The only real question is how much clay should I attempt to bring back with me?
I say as much as you can without spending all your mana absorbing it. Even if you become to big to fit back into the cave you can always just dump it next to the front door to carry in later when you're actually making your golems.
>>
No. 858301 ID: 33cbe7

Bring back as much as physically possible. You'll be a larger target and therefore a harder target for predators, and you can shed your mass outside the cave so you don't have to worry about fitting it through the door. Besides, some giant footprints leading to your dungeon appearing out of the blue is good for building up intrigue, and for helping less navigation-oriented adventurers find the way.
Show Reisarf you're still the champ of heavy mana!
>>
No. 858305 ID: 3ae3fd

You should stop looking at your golem's reflection. If anyone gained the ability to see via your vision, they might think that you were moving your heart shard from one side to the other, which might be a bad thing.
>>
No. 858307 ID: 094652

I don't see a major non-risk downside to hogging as much clay as you can. It's a cheap substance, your magic makes it easy to collect and move, and if you grow big few enemies will think about attacking. Just try to keep it somewhat subtle, you'll be advertising your location to almost everyone.
>>
No. 858308 ID: 91ee5f

>>858277
>Well as long as this doesn't start any rumours about Stargazer being the father.
No, you fool! Now look at what you've done! Saying you don't want something to happen just increases the chances of that something happening anyways!
>>
No. 858314 ID: d36af7

Bring as much of the clay as you possibly can, redlining the limits of gigant mode, such that come dawn you'll only be halfway back and down to the last dregs of your mana, a vast soggy titan crawling on hands and knees, casually uprooting trees and carving an indelible path across the mountainside in your wake.

>In the worst case, should I run into some night roaming monster on the way, it will only
...be the devil-bear, and stick you with so many cursed wounds that the curse metastasizes onto your heart-fragment's edges? It's dangerous to go alone. Take a weapon, and spend some of the clay you've already got on a bodyguard.
>>
No. 858321 ID: 2120ee

>>858279
You are the sovereign of all clay, Deem. It has no right to deny you. All clay is your clay, that is its definitional nature.
>>
No. 858325 ID: 1e7aa8

When you acquire the clay using gigant mode, leave one of your arms free to punch anything dumb enough to attack you and fill the rest up with clay.
>>
No. 858356 ID: aae99a

I want to ask how much do you know about sneaking because while the gigantic mode trick seems like it should be very effective I suspect it will also be LOUD, and maybe draw attention from Adventurers if we do that.
I’d argue it’d be best to go as big as you need to do it in...maybe 3 or so trips, instead of all at once? Then again I think I might be underestimating just how big this totem will be...
>>
No. 858402 ID: 3ce125

Oh and Deem, I think Stargazer was glaring because she wants you to keep your hands off her man. Or woman, right now. I'm sure you didn't mean it that way but that's how it looked.
>>
No. 858403 ID: 7ab1fe

>>858279
>The only real question is how much clay should I attempt to bring back with me?
literally all of it
>>
No. 858424 ID: d8ce3a

>>858279
Well, take as much as you can without slowing you down I guess, maybe take a golem with you for extra load.
Also make sure to leave a note or let someone know what you're doing for when things inevitably go wrong.
Just face the fact youre destined for an interesting life Deem.
>>
No. 858464 ID: c88e6d

>>858279
Enough clay to sustain golem construction for a fair while, as well as to sustain magical experimentation with golemetry and replace your body if you explode for some reason.
>>
No. 858525 ID: 45aab1
File 151602196165.png - (26.90KB , 800x550 , clay_puddle_confirmed.png )
858525

>Also make sure to leave a note or let someone know what you're doing for when things inevitably go wrong.
Chakarchelou is playing watchdog tonight, resting in the Golem Totem and I scratch his chin and tell him I'll be back after I get some clay as I step over him.

>Take a weapon, and spend some of the clay you've already got on a bodyguard.
I have a weapon: a stone knife. A group is less stealthy.

>When you go out for the clay, try your best to be quiet!
I will move with cat-like tread.

It's a short walk down to the pool and it is an undisturbed one. I hear rustling in the trees and bushes and the occasional calls of night birds but see nothing. Perhaps that business with the night hag has made some of the things that go bump in the night decide to hide for now.

Things go smoothly until I reach my destination and encounter a giant frog which is quite irate with me. I've seen them fight several times now, I've started to figure out their habits.

Also they have thin skulls.

It had no gold. I am getting sick of these frogs. I settle down in the shallow water and search. Here it is. A good sized deposit of smooth clay.

>>Reisarf's definitely still a boy at heart.
>There ARE some girls that enjoy those too, Deem.
Yes but there are very few of them who were a boy a few days ago.

>Oh and Deem, I think Stargazer was glaring because she wants you to keep your hands off her man. Or woman, right now. I'm sure you didn't mean it that way but that's how it looked.
Well she'll have to learn to share. Reisarf is my minion.

>Enough clay to sustain golem construction for a fair while, as well as to sustain magical experimentation with golemetry and replace your body if you explode for some reason.
I have never exploded!

>You should see if you can find the site of the battle again and recover the sword while you're out there!
No sign of my sword. It probably wouldn't be still be out in the open. Most monsters like shiny things.
>>
No. 858526 ID: 45aab1
File 151602208322.png - (52.56KB , 800x500 , just_one_easy_step.png )
858526

>ALL THE CLAY. Can't let the other girls keep showing you up!
>With Reisarf doing some heavy training, you could also see how far you can stretch your own resources. You might also be able to get a nice reaction out of your crew.
It has been some time since I've really exerted myself.

>You are the sovereign of all clay, Deem. It has no right to deny you. All clay is your clay, that is its definitional nature.
I touch some clay, pull it into myself and use my extended reach to pull further. The water ripples and eddies around me. It's easy to exert my authority over, just like extending my influence into the stone around me as a dungeon. I have absorbed a great deal before the lack of structure feels troublesome so I scour the riverbed for stone to internalise and reinforce my skeleton, adding the clay I sift through as I go.

>100% gigant plus whatever 100% gigant can carry, obviously. Go big or go home.
I look for some clay to carry with me. I've absorbed all the clay from this spot.

Perhaps I got a little carried away.

I feel unsteady on my feet, even just kneeling. Gigant Mode doesn't have the various aids and tweaks a size reinforcement would provide and this distended body was hastily formed. I'm quite waterlogged too, which doesn't help. I will have to practice this more.

I try to shed some clay but I discover removal of material is much slower than addition. Never mind, I'll put up with this sluggish body and crawl home. It should be large enough to discourage attack from most creatures. Walking and falling would be extremely loud and embarrassing.

>Various mad science ideas occur. What happens to additional absorbed materials when your golem "dies"? What happens to non-reviving golem corpses when they "die"? I think that you may have already said that your own corpse vanishes for revival?
Other golems fall apart. I should probably confirm I don't retain any absorbed material if I 'die' while using Gigant Mode. I might need to put in a second sarcophagus sooner than originally planned.

>Bring as much of the clay as you possibly can, redlining the limits of gigant mode, such that come dawn you'll only be halfway back and down to the last dregs of your mana, a vast soggy titan crawling on hands and knees, casually uprooting trees and carving an indelible path across the mountainside in your wake.
I haven't actually reached a limit but I've absorbed all the good quality clay, this body is already clumsy, it's a waste of mana and I've no need for a spectacle that no-one's going to see.
>>
No. 858527 ID: 45aab1
File 151602227015.png - (21.83KB , 800x550 , i_just_went_for_a_walk.png )
858527

>The problem with doing this in the middle of the night is the fact that if you're in Gigant Mode, you'll be stomping around a lot, which might end up waking everyone up and sleep deprived helpers will hinder whatever work you have for them.
Nonsense. The mountain side is quite sparsely forested so once I gain some height I can climb upwards somewhat quietly. I may have broadened the trail in one or two spots but it was going to be necessary to eventually do that anyway. I take my time, stopping periodically to recoup my mana - the drain is noticeable. I am feeling a little more nimble but whether it's due to getting more accustomed to this form or simply drying out I'm not sure. In the future, a smaller gigant will definitely be preferable.

I reach the lookout point and get ready to pull myself over.

"Hah! I see you- Deem?!"

Oh it's Moriko. What is she doing up an hour before dawn? Look at her. She's so tiny.

"Oh, and I see you too Moriko." I say blandly. "I went on an errand to get some clay." I nudge the clay substituting for hair. "What do you think?"

"Am I dreaming?"

I rest my arms on the lookout rock and lean in. "You know Moriko, if you'd not settled for Reisarf's painfully inadequate explanation of 'dungeon stuff' yesterday, this wouldn't be a surprise to you."

"I, I'm sorry. It's very impressive, I'm sure."

What's that supposed to mean? Hmph.

>Even if you become to big to fit back into the cave you can always just dump it next to the front door to carry in later when you're actually making your golems.
Yes I'll have to shed most of it outside before I can crawl inside and deposit the rest on the shelves. My entrance is still quite narrow and unaesthetic.

I clamber over the edge. Moriko scurries back. "Now then, it'll take me a while to shed all this clay so you can keep me company."

I haven't had a good talk with just Moriko since well before she left for the shopping trip. What should we talk about?
>>
No. 858528 ID: 33cbe7

First, ask if she'd like a higher perch to stand watch from.
Ask how she feels about reinforcement, the kind of structures/arena she'd like to have in the dungeon, and that fight with the previous adventurer. When you've had enough of work talk, maybe talk about things that surprised you when you came to this continent. After all, the present is a foreign country for you.
>>
No. 858530 ID: deec6e

>>858527

The Dungeon will eventually grow again. In expanding it you’ve fulfilled other frie- minions’ needs. What about Moriko’s? Would she like a training area dedicated at least in part to her? Perhaps in combination with a trap/obstacle course that she could hjelp design?
>>
No. 858531 ID: deec6e

>>858530

Or does she perhaps have other desires?

(You should probably check to see if she’s gotten a growtj opportunity too.)
>>
No. 858535 ID: d36af7

>>858525
>I have never exploded!
You, Deem, the ancient and indestructible Dungeon Heart, were at some point literally split into two pieces. Are you claiming that happened quietly? What's the last thing you remember from right before first building this body?

>>858527
>I, I'm sorry. It's very impressive, I'm sure.
>>/questarch/712958
>It's very impressive, I am sure. Very... imposing.

She was more lucid than anyone but Stargazer, who isn't likely to explain, so ask her what she can remember from the hallucinations. In particular, anything about how that orange goop got all over the floor in the boss fight room.
>>
No. 858536 ID: 36c731

>>858527
"so. girl reisarf is kinda hot, right?"
>>
No. 858539 ID: 91ee5f

>>858527
>I haven't had a good talk with just Moriko since well before she left for the shopping trip. What should we talk about?
You should ask her if you woke her up and then apologize if you are the one that woke her up.
>>
No. 858542 ID: b7627b

>>858527
You should ask Moriko if breast-related incidents are common around the world, or if it's just the local area that seems to constantly try to enforce them.

You could try complementing your clay cushions as a Deemonstration of the complication.


Oh, and Moriko probably also got something new from the incident, do you have the lens in your clay somewhere? Although I get the feeling you might want to ask before analyzing in this case.
With regard to a less important subject, how long does she think it'll be before the lack of beds and personal dwellings might hurt morale? Humans and such require a lot of amenities nowadays after all.
>>
No. 858551 ID: 09e13b

>I'll have to shed most of it outside before I can crawl inside and deposit the rest on the shelves.
You might want to throw a tarp over the outdoor clay, to stop it getting washed away by rain. I imagine it’ll take you a while to work through it all, and the weather might not cooperate.
>>
No. 858592 ID: 3ce125

>>858527
Ask her if she feels any different after the fallout from the curse. More comfortable with her heritage, perhaps? This is a good time to talk about that, actually. She should know that you know, and that you'll keep it a secret. Is she vehemently opposed to utilizing it? Dark power for a dark dungeon.
>>
No. 858594 ID: 3abd97

>I have never exploded!
Plan for the worst, hope for the best.

>>858526
A pity the frog was too dead to admire the majesty of your increase in size.

>I try to shed some clay but I discover removal of material is much slower than addition.
Hopefully you don't have to spend all day shrinking back down that might get in the way of other plans!

>>858527
>"Am I dreaming?"
Not this time.

>What should we talk about?
Her massive crush on you?

I'm sorry if I woke you.

Maybe ask her about how she feels about what she's seen? Since you've last talked, she's seen the dungeon running right (from the perspective of a boss monster) and things going very wrong (when you all got magic whammied).

In general, talking about wants and desires? Master and servant should understand each other and their goals.
>>
No. 858609 ID: 3ce125

Oh and is the frog edible?
>>
No. 858622 ID: 0d1514

>>858527
Yes, everyone has gotten something except Moriko. Chak has his horde, Hin has her forge- which is necessary for her tho, Reisarf has his thaumatorium, and Merud has the golem totem to study. Moriko is next in line for something neat!
>>
No. 858641 ID: 3ae3fd

>>858609
They might have parasites. Otherwise, between Alkaline, Belph, Char, and Deem(wait, abcd?), pretty much all matter is edible... Really, this whole update can be abbreviated to "Deem eats a riverbed". That is creeping towards Tiddalik-level eating-nonsense right there. Belphejar has eaten a live gristleworm, taken a bite out of an eldritch horror, and guzzled down pure mana, and done it all with gusto! Alkaline downs curses like candy, and she does have a sweet tooth. As for Chakarchelou? Well there are many rumours about draconic diets, and likely has the lead in terms of quantity...

Discussing her ancestry would probably be helpful. You may not be familiar with recent developments in the part of the world where she came from, but you are amazing enough to make up for that.
If she wants to avoid being identified, you could likely collaborate with Hin to carft some minor cosmetic enchantments for everyone, allowing her to change her eye-colour and such without raising suspicion.
If she wants to pursue her heritage, you could likely produce rituals and methods that would make the process less violent and more controlled...
But most importantly of all, you could probably help her to understand it. No doubt there are many misleading rumours, and people would often identify demons when they are at their worst, and not see the better qualities. And as with all communities, the most visible often tend to be the most problematic. She might blame her ancestry for something that was caused by a disagreeable personality rather than a demonic nature.
She really ought to know exactly what she is avoiding...

You could also mention that most of that clay you are holding is going to end up in the golem totem, which itself is one of your smaller rooms. You are actually much larger than even your current golem, and any dreams about giant Deems are likely just her mind coming to terms with that.

Conversations are typically supposed to be two-sided. Try to encourage her to ask questions and consider mentioning something of your own background or concerns. It would probably feel liberating to tell someone about the anguish of your core being broken... And if mana responds to emotions as much as I suspect, it might actually be beneficial in a more substantial way...

Does she have any preferences or concerns about what denizens you might acquire? Both professionally and personally...

Moriko does seem to have some sort of personal feelings about you, they appear somewhat romantic. It might be wise to address this. Whether to warn her that Dungeons don't possess intimacy impulses, or that she just isn't your type, or that you will continue to be too busy to consider such things until you have at least a miniboss, a maze, and a mine, or you could even invite her to "explore the effects of damp clay upon your golem's texture"... Whatever the case, some clarity might help.
Vague romance can make people unstable...

A quest! Moriko is similar to one of those heroic knights, and those things love their quests! Who better to hand out quests than the resident spirit of the land? There are ancient jungle ruins to explore! Dangerous Devilbears to defeat! Ruined roads to renew! Veiled Valleys to visit! Demure dungeons to debauch! Merciless mountains to map! Curious Creatures to capture!
Well, you could issue quests to Moriko. I hear that they are good for levelling quickly and spreading your fame...
>>
No. 858648 ID: f66698

Have you ever had a dream, maybe a mildly naught one, and then woken up and seen something from that dream?

I think Moriko's having that feeling right now.
>>
No. 858683 ID: 09e13b

I really don’t think we should be bringing up Moriko’s heritage or her (potential) crush at this point. They’re both immensely sensitive topic that need to be handled with the utmost care, not something to chat about just because we need to talk about something.

Keep in mind, we’ve know Moriko for… what, a week or two? It may seem like longer to us, but we don’t really know each other that well yet, and some of these topics are VERY personal. It’s too much, too fast.

I’m not saying we should chat about the weather or anything, but there are important, relative topics that don’t involve feelings Moriko may not be consciously aware of yet (or have at all) or what she clearly feels is a shameful secret about her heritage, assuming she knows she has demon ancestors at all. Talking about her experience as a boss would be good. So would discussing her needs and the future of the dungeon.
>>
No. 858684 ID: 3ce125

>>858683
Well I guess Deem could ask if she trusts her enough to talk about her past...
>>
No. 858686 ID: f66698

Handing Deem a sensitive topic to be handled with care and finesse is kind of like handing gigant Deem a delicate normal sized tea set and ask her to pour you a cup.

And really, Moriko needs a slightly different approach than most people here. She probably expected a more... aheum, personal relationship with Deem when she joined. And let's be honest, Deem has given her almost no attention, while everyone else has had ample attention of their problems and development.
>>
No. 858688 ID: 3abd97

>>858684
Worded that way's kind of putting her on the spot, though.
>>
No. 858697 ID: c88e6d

Talk about the TERRIBLE SECRETS OF MORIKO'S PAST.

Alternately, talk about the Cool Public-Information of your own past.
>>
No. 858715 ID: 3ae3fd

>need to be handled with the utmost care, not something to chat about just because we need to talk about something.
I think that this is a special occasion. A rare opportunity in which these matters may be handled with the utmost care.
Moriko is very stoic. It is rare for her to make time for her concerns. This is a peaceful setting, one with few responsibilities and a calm atmosphere. It is an ideal opportunity for her to be open and introspective without fearing for her and Deem's duties.
Deem, meanwhile, is trapped outside and unable to attend to other tasks while still being able to monitor her interior should emergencies or intrusive companions approach. She has so very few opportunities to just stop and observe the sky...
Deem could try some elaborate circumstance. Surprising Moriko with an encyclopaedia of demonic ancestry, a grand speech about her faith in Moriko and her skills, a holy charm to quell demonic influence, and a truly open question as to how she chooses to proceed, and that might be ideal, but I, for one, feel that this simple moment, primed for openness, is as good as any plan I can come up with. Although admittedly I am not the finest at planning such things...
>>
No. 858766 ID: 2fe26a

...Deem.
You must give the tiny Moriko headpats. Now.
>>
No. 858778 ID: ee5e1d

>>858715
It’s not the time and place that I have a problem with, it’s the fact that we haven’t laid any of the necessary groundwork to have this sort of talk. Since we hired her, practically every interaction we’ve had with Moriko has been either giving her instructions, appraising her performance, or discussing her future duties. Because of that, right now Deem is an authority figure to Moriko, not a friend or confidant. We need to build a more intimate relationship before we can tackle these issues. If we try to talk about her crush and her ancestry before we’ve gotten to know Moriko as a person and not as a servant, it’s going to come off as horribly awkward and inappropriate.

We can lay the groundwork for later conversations by first having some that are about stuff that’s personal rather than formal, but not super private like the stuff we ultimately want to discuss. Now would be a great time to start, in fact. Yeah it’ll take some effort because Moriko is a very private person, but so was Hin at first. We’ll get there eventually if we try. We just need to actually bother building rapport instead of skipping straight to the endgame.
>>
No. 858864 ID: d36af7

>>858778
>lay the groundwork
"This is probably just a weird dream you're having. Now, climb on top of me and tell me all your secrets, in such a way that you'll realize weeks later was actually a metaphor for sex."
>>
No. 858870 ID: 91ee5f

>>858527
>"Am I dreaming?"
“Do you always dream of me?”

OR

“I’m flattered that you find me dreamy.”
>>
No. 860403 ID: 45aab1
File 151661683310.png - (18.78KB , 600x750 , too_close_deem.png )
860403

>A pity the frog was too dead to admire the majesty of your increase in size.
I'm sure Moriko will be much more appreciative.

>“Do you always dream of me?”
I lean forward. "Do you often dream about me?" I say to Moriko.

She shifts her weight form one foot to the other, unsure how to respond.

>Have you ever had a dream, maybe a mildly naughty one, and then woken up and seen something from that dream?
>I think Moriko's having that feeling right now.
Well I won't tease her any more then.

>Moriko needs a slightly different approach than most people here. She probably expected a more... aheum, personal relationship with Deem when she joined. And let's be honest, Deem has given her almost no attention, while everyone else has had ample attention of their problems and development.
"Dohoho. I'm sorry Moriko, There's a few things I should apologise to you for. I hope I didn't wake you and I fear that I have neglected you. While establishing ourselves here we've hit more than our fair share of pitfalls and setbacks. You've been here for me - a pillar of strength - and, because of that, handling everyone else's problems has taken up time I should have spent with you."

"It couldn't be helped." Moriko says, still not making eye contact.

>Everyone has gotten something except Moriko. Chak has his horde, Hin has her forge- which is necessary for her tho, Reisarf has his thaumatorium, and Merud has the golem totem to study. Moriko is next in line for something neat!
>The Dungeon will eventually grow again. In expanding it you’ve fulfilled other frie- minions’ needs. What about Moriko’s? Would she like a training area dedicated at least in part to her? Perhaps in combination with a trap/obstacle course that she could help design?
I shake my head. "Devotion should be rewarded. My dungeon will be growing again soon. What is something you need?"

My hammerai cranes her head upwards. "More space." she says.

"Ah, I apologise again." I say, shuffling back to create some more distance between us.

Moriko hastily steps forward. "I meant living space! A place for privacy. Somewhere to reflect. To meditate. Regain balance."

"I'll make it happen." I say. "It's hardly ideal that you've all had to live in each other's pockets." She has a disciplined style where many of her abilities are related to her senses and her receptivity to the earth-pulse. It makes sense she'd ask for that.

>With regard to a less important subject, how long does she think it'll be before the lack of beds and personal dwellings might hurt morale? Humans and such require a lot of amenities nowadays after all.
"On that subject, how long do you think we have until the lack of personal space is really going to create problems?"

Moriko thinks for a moment. "The baths are an improvement but there's not much bathing privacy. For the beds, I fear I am not accustomed to sleeping in company."

"The baths were an improvisation." I say. "I do need to create a room just for them. I think you're right - more bed rooms are urgently needed. People should have the option of sleeping alone or in company if they want to!"

Moriko's oddly straight faced. "Thank you Deem."

>Hopefully you don't have to spend all day shrinking back down that might get in the way of other plans!
No it'll only take an hour or so.

>You, Deem, the ancient and indestructible Dungeon Heart, were at some point literally split into two pieces. Are you claiming that happened quietly? What's the last thing you remember from right before first building this body?
I don't remember how my shard was split from my Heart. When supplied with mana, my Heart should be effectively invulnerable. I can shed accreted surface layers of my Heart if absolutely necessary but that requires special circumstances. A deep wound like my current circumstances is unprecedented.

When I tried to reinsert my shard into my Heart right after waking up, it didn't work. I think I would remember an explosion!
>>
No. 860404 ID: 45aab1
File 151661710149.png - (29.83KB , 800x600 , i_think_rocks_are_neat_how_about_you.png )
860404

I sit next to the entrance and begin slough off the excess clay. It's somewhat troublesome - my body wants to stay intact so I have to keep reallocating material to maintain correct proportions. Moriko sits near me.

>"So. Girl Reisarf is kinda hot, right?"
I don't see how her opinion on that is relevant to anything.

>She was more lucid than anyone but Stargazer, who isn't likely to explain, so ask her what she can remember from the hallucinations. In particular, anything about how that orange goop got all over the floor in the boss fight room.
Considering that I have not been able to lay my hands on the slime milk I had stockpiled nor the glob of Alkaline that was tainted by raw mana, I would assume it was originally that.

>Ask her if she feels any different after the fallout from the curse. More comfortable with her heritage, perhaps? This is a good time to talk about that, actually. She should know that you know, and that you'll keep it a secret. Is she vehemently opposed to utilising it? Dark power for a dark dungeon.
>I really don’t think we should be bringing up Moriko’s heritage or her (potential) crush at this point. They’re both immensely sensitive topic that need to be handled with the utmost care, not something to chat about just because we need to talk about something.
>I think that this is a special occasion. A rare opportunity in which these matters may be handled with the utmost care.
>Moriko is very stoic. It is rare for her to make time for her concerns. This is a peaceful setting, one with few responsibilities and a calm atmosphere. It is an ideal opportunity for her to be open and introspective without fearing for her and Deem's duties.
HMMMMM. This clearly calls for a light touch.

"While we're alone, I should ask. When everything was under that night hag's curse, it's only thanks to you and Stargazer that we got off so lightly-"

"Lightly?" Moriko interrupts. "Your dungeon is a shambles, a plague of imps has been released on the countryside and Reisarf is a woman!"

I frown. "Yes, lightly. No-one died, a powerful demon was repelled and I'm confused about Reisarf as well. But what we need to talk about is while you were in there was there anything you saw - or thought you saw - that you want to talk about?"

Moriko's silent a long time. "These things did not happen because of the night hag's curse." she says hesitantly. "They happened because of you."

It's my turn to be silent. "How do you feel about that?"

"You couldn't have left that girl to that demon." Moriko says slowly. "But... you swept people up in your bad dreams, you summoned demons, monsters devote themselves to you, and you fold and warp and distort people's bodies with such terrifying ease..."

I think I can see the crux of the issue. "Moriko Aritawa." I say. "I am a dungeon. I tame monsters and deal with what many people consider to be dark forces. But what I cherish most is sponsoring the growth and maturation of my denizens and even those brave souls who challenge me. Through them, I give purpose to my existence. I regret what has happened. In a dream there is no separation between thought, desire and action. Even waking, there are times when I cannot abide my lack of control. But this does not invalidate your own agency or your humanity. People change throughout their lives; stagnation is death. No matter what happens, you're still you."

"What are you saying?"

"Traveller from a distant land, brave warrior, last inheritor of an ancient martial style, my cherished companion, only you can decide who you are and who you want to be. Think about that, and when you're ready I will help you achieve it."

>You must give the tiny Moriko headpats. Now.
That seems inappropriate.

I think she needs some time to think and I need some time to check if I can squeeze inside my own dungeon entrance.

>Handing Deem a sensitive topic to be handled with care and finesse is kind of like handing gigant Deem a delicate normal sized tea set and ask her to pour you a cup.
Yes, I am better at it than anyone could believe is possible, that's correct.
>>
No. 860405 ID: 45aab1
File 151661720485.png - (27.03KB , 800x550 , down_to_four_deems_per_deem.png )
860405

>Oh, and Moriko probably also got something new from the incident, do you have the lens in your clay somewhere? Although I get the feeling you might want to ask before analysing in this case.
I left it in one of the spare alcoves in the Golem Totem. I busy myself with removing more clay and storing it, avoiding my snoring quasi-dragon as I do.

After a decent interval has passed I broach the subject to Moriko, as a purely precautionary measure.

"If anything I feel weaker." she admits.

---------------------------------------
Moriko Aritawa
Lvl 4 Definitely Human Hammerai

----------------------------------------
Power: B
Vitality: D (C=>D)
Accuracy: B
Speed: B
Wits: C
Skill: B
Spirit: E
Luck: D

Deem's strongest warrior. Serious, honourable and possessing a unique hammer based fighting style from a faraway land. A superb all-rounder with highly technical skills and a special sensitivity to the earth pulse. Her only weakness is her low spirit, meaning she has difficulty recovering from setbacks. Completely and totally human, no demon blood here. Her health seems to have declined...

----------------------------------------
Detected Abilities
----------------------------------------
Void Mind: By centering herself, Moriko can greatly increase either Pow, Acc or Spd for a time.

Break the Flow: By pressing with an aggressive attack, Moriko is able to disrupt spellcasting and special techniques.

Hollow the Mountain: Even a mountain can be worn down by the hammer. Moriko can deliver a punishing set of blows that saps the enemy's strength and weakens their defence.

Measuring the World's Pulse: If you would move the world must move with you, if only slightly. By opening herself to her surroundings, Moriko can read the motions and intentions of those around her, letting her assess their techniques and traits.



---------------------------------------
Special Equipment
----------------------------------------
Aritawa Hammer: A finely crafted hammer.
----------------------------------------

TThat is a little alarming. Though the subject of her demon blood has not been broached, she seems to have hardened her denial about her demonic blood. I've mentioned before that scans can be incomplete or even deceived although since I already know about her demonic blood, the distortion is very obvious.

And she has weakened. I first scanned her shortly after she'd been suffering from several weeks of sea sickness. I'd have expected her status to have improved, if anything. Something's taken a chunk out of her life force. I sincerely hope that night hag wasn't some kind of succubus as well as an eater of minds.

Perhaps I should take action, or maybe I should leave things well alone for the moment?
>>
No. 860407 ID: 2120ee

>>860405
It's not too uncommon for a person to instinctually harden themselves against the influences of a curse, is it? Maybe her life force tightly invested itself in resisting the dream, and she hasn't had the space to unwind again? I think getting her that space to balance herself in is the top priority.

Just tell her that there's a chance she sealed away a portion of her own strength during the mishap and that self-reflection and practice should bring it back under her command. Basically, this should be temporary.
>>
No. 860408 ID: d36af7

>>860405
>no demon blood here
>taken a chunk out of her life force
Is it possible she's not faking, that something in the whole ridiculous catastrophe actually did remove demonic taint from her blood? And that's not good for her 'cause it means she hasn't got quite as much blood now?
>>
No. 860409 ID: b53bd0

suppression, her hate of demons is strangling herself.
>>
No. 860419 ID: aae99a

Really is important we establish that meditation space then.
...We can look at deeper methods should this issue prove to be as stubborn as Hin’s worm.
>>
No. 860422 ID: 3d2d5f

>I think I would remember an explosion!
Even if it involved your core, the seat of your very being? Humans, for instance, sometimes cannot remember the circumstances of head injuries, as the organ used for thought and memory itself was what was attacked.

>only you can decide who you are and who you want to be. Think about that, and when you're ready I will help you achieve it.
Well said, Deem. You are able to use a light touch when it's important.

>>860405
>no demon blood here
>portion of her life force missing
Humor a silly question Deem: does Moriko have a shadow? Perhaps its gone walkabout.

She was able to manifest her shadow as a kind of independent action in the dream. If she's crammed all the parts of herself she is ashamed of in her shadow and sent it away... that seems unhealthy. And will probably go bad if the shadow grows from the earth pulse on its own, or leeches from her as long as she keeps it active.

>Perhaps I should take action, or maybe I should leave things well alone for the moment?
If her shadow is gone we probably need to do something rather than waiting for it to get worse ("There's a part of yourself you have pushed away. I can understand why, but I do not think we want it wandering loose, without your will or discipline."). Otherwise, I say stick to the light touch, she needs more time to think before she's ready to talk. (And when she is, that probably includes a frank discussion on what demons are, and what it means to be demon blooded. She probably has incomplete information that puts herself in a worse light). In the lighter touch scenario:

"Your vitality has decreased slightly. And... there's a lie you're holding onto. I won't pressure you to speak on it now, but please think on it. To lie to oneself is to weaken oneself. A warrior must understand herself to achieve balance."
>>
No. 860426 ID: dc91a0

I think we're missing something obvious here.
Moriko is Scared.

She saw demons up close, and witnessed the terrifying untamed power of the earthpulse first hand. The past few days have been Traumatic and Moriko just bottles it up.

She will never grow if she fears her own power. She'll just continue to shrink until nothing is left.

This needs to be addressed, preferably by action.
She needs to be shown that the Earth Pulse is something to be respected, not feared.
>>
No. 860432 ID: e17697

>>860405
This might be something ongoing from when you first met her. Perhaps she's had some wasting affliction that was disguised by the seasickness and further obfuscated by recent events.
If that's true, the problem is that the scan isn't picking up an ongoing ailment, so either it's strange and subtle by nature or being hidden.

Maybe it has a simpler explanation, but what if this is something related to Moriko's demonic heritage that's being hidden from the scans by her refusal to accept it?
>>
No. 860448 ID: 7ab1fe

>>860405
well, obviously she needs to know a chunk of her life force is missing. she probably knows what happened to it better than you.
>>
No. 860449 ID: b15da4

Looks like Moriko is going to have to join Reisarf's vitality training regimen! How about Reisarf and Stargazer switch out with Chakarchelou for her patrol partner(s)? With the thaumatorium shaped, you don't need them on water moving duty anymore. Chak can help hollow out the imp digs further or guard his hoard the entrance.
Hmm, would stomping out the imp menace be therapeutic for Moriko? Probably not, but she's going to encounter them one way or the other on patrol. Focusing on her connection to the earth pulse to track these demons at range might clear her mind of misgivings about her power.
That excavation at the end of the thaumatorium is the most isolated place you could put a meditation chamber right now. The southern end, meanwhile, could become a second bathing space..? I'm not sure how much privacy is missing. Would adding a permanent façade to the current baths be sufficient, maybe something you can lock from the inside?

And with that out of the way, it's time to build some stronger golems for the day ahead!
>>
No. 860488 ID: 0d1514

>>860405
Oh fuck. The poison kiss. Deem, during the dream you attacked Moriko by channeling Alkaline and putting poisonous slime into Moriko's mouth- It caused heavy damage, though she resisted a charm and paralysis effect. Moriko may be dealing with the aftereffects of that.
>>
No. 860489 ID: 0d1514

>>860488
It's either that or her shadow.
>>
No. 860490 ID: b15da4

>>860488
The solution must be to kiss it better.
>>
No. 860495 ID: b7627b

>>860405
So this might be a bit far-fetched, but I suspect Moriko's lost vigor might be what has helped Reisarf(and potentially stargazer) become stronger and turned him into a girl.
The genderbending portion of it could be on account of Rei's vigor being sufficiently abysmal to be completely overwritten by just a portion of Moriko's.

If confirmed, you could offer to let Moriko and Reisarf decide what should happen, personally I'd rather Reisarf retains the additional vitality, so as to keep common illnesses and ailments from potentially killing him repeatedly.


So, for now you could prescribe her extra exercise, and potentially produce more satiation potions to aid the regimen.
>>
No. 860510 ID: 3ae3fd

Welp, you have clay for new golems, and this whole giant body deal should help you with digging, and you DID just offer to expand the bedrooms...
Barge into the bedrooms with Giant Deem and the Deemlings and get to renovating!
Your denizens need to get accustomed to getting waking up suddenly. You never know when a hero might appear...
>>
No. 860513 ID: 3ce125

I think Moriko would have recovered from the injuries she sustained during the nightmare. No, this is something else. Perhaps it saps her health when she splits from her shadow, and she is denying its return, so she can't recover that lost power?

Anyway she seems angry at you right now, so maybe you should leave the topic alone.

Tell her that her health is indeed suffering. There may have been some further long term consequences... You will work on getting her her own room as soon as possible. After she has gotten herself more centered, perhaps at least the cause will be more clear?
What would be the fastest way of doing that, anyway? Should we carve out a room, or focus on clearing the shaft to the valley like we originally planned?
>>
No. 860516 ID: c31aac

>>860405
"I notice your shadow's not around. Is that possibly a part of the problem here?"
>>
No. 860522 ID: 10c408

Okay. The lost point of vitality, the "totally normal human" denial? It would appear that moriko has developed a psychological issue that isn't just about heritage, it's about you now as well. More specifically, your actions during the period of time you were affected by the night hag. Perhaps it hits way too close to home for her given what we know of her homeland?

Tread carefully, and respectfully. Tell her about the stat degradation and ask if there's anything she wants to get off her chest.
>>
No. 860544 ID: b15da4

>>860513
>she seems angry at you right now
Scowling is just her default expression.
>>
No. 860563 ID: c88e6d

>>860405
Did the curse strip out part of her spirit? Has her biology been permanently damaged? Politely request permission to do a more thorough magical examination, and state that her health is important to you.
>>
No. 860633 ID: 3ce125

>>860544
Ehh... she also outright stated she blames Deem for what happened. She is having serious trust issues right now, I think.
>>
No. 860655 ID: 33cbe7

Before you shed any more clay, it might be prudent to use your current power of tallness to stock the top shelves of the totem chamber.
You can't sit idly by while Moriko's vitality suffers. I think it's time to brew some potions to enhance kno- constitution! That's what I was trying to say.
We still have no idea where that parasite came from, though - make sure these potions (and their cauldron) are thoroughly sterilized before consuming.
Moriko's request for privacy has priority for construction orders today. You can hide some trivial rewards and throw up some breakable walls in the remaining imp caves until there's time to audit them. As for the boss chamber, all you can do for now is hoover up the slime and hang a 'Pardon our appearance' sign from the spatial anomaly.
It's nearly dawn. Make sure you don't miss the window to remove Hin's fixity bangle!
>>860516
It's before dawn, there hasn't been a shadow to cast yet.
>>
No. 860691 ID: 3ae3fd

Still, Moriko's shadow taking on all the demon traits and then jumping ship to someone more accepting of the alien would explain a "couple" of "things"...

Just come out and be honest. Report the lens' whole report to Moriko word for word!

Moriko is pretty pressured over the demon issue here. Her home was attacked by a demonic being, her lord accidentally produced hostile demons, Deem's golem may have assumed a demonic form and it may be the first time that she has seen Deem's boss-form. If Moriko actually "liked" any demon-resembling components of Deem's boss-form then that could be severely troubling for her and she does respect power, and "spider dress" is both powerful and resembles animate hair... The nightmare made it look as though Deem was acting in a rather domineering fashion, and Moriko may have found her professionalism slipping in front of it, if she associated that with the demonic nature of events, then she could associate her own demonic elements with weakness of will... And then there is the matter of modifying Reisarf, and having previously modified Moriko's hair, she may fear that she will be next...

Honestly, sometimes some time alone can help a person sort through things, but sometimes letting things lie allows them to harden... Secrets have been trouble before, it might be best to let her know that you know, and remind her that the Earth-Pulse loves the struggles of humans more than the nesting of demons, and that you have far more respect for her skill than any physical or magical trait that she might possess.
But... probably best to wait until she is calm...

Perhaps it would be best to schedule a regular mediation session with her. It would give her a chance to speak on her own terms and you a chance to study your golem.
>>
No. 860694 ID: f66698

As the only other creature here in tune with the Earth Pulse, Moriko is a lynchpin to your whole operation. You need to find out what's wrong and help her with it.

It seems like maybe she's doubting herself, or maybe you.
>>
No. 860750 ID: 0d1514

>>860405
also, did she say the imps escaped?
>>
No. 860756 ID: 10c408

>>860633
Yes, she is. It's also only 75% of deems fault.
>>
No. 860777 ID: a98542

>>860405
>And she has weakened.
>"For the beds, I fear I am not accustomed to sleeping in company."
What are the odds this is all just 'cause she hasn't been sleeping well?

Either way, we should probably call her out on the demon blood thing; both that we've known about it since before the first scan, and that it is conspicuously and aggressively absent from this scan. She's free to choose her own path, it's maybe not wise to deny her own blood so vehemently.

Moriko came out here for a reason, after all. Normal people don't run around bludgeoning monsters to death for satisfaction and profit. Normal people don't flee their homelands to escape their past. Normal people don't run off to build a dungeon in the mountains with a nerd, a half-ogre, a red orb, a child, a noodle, a scaly dog, and a sassy pile of clay.

But hey. Being a monster isn't so bad. It's rather comfortable once you get settled in, isn't it, Deem?
>>
No. 860790 ID: 3ce125

>>860777
Perhaps phrase this sort of approach as "You don't have to use it, but you should accept that which you cannot change"
>>
No. 860874 ID: 45aab1
File 151670290294.png - (23.33KB , 600x750 , solemn_samurai.png )
860874

>Oh fuck. The poison kiss. Deem, during the dream you attacked Moriko by channelling Alkaline and putting poisonous slime into Moriko's mouth- It caused heavy damage, though she resisted a charm and paralysis effect. Moriko may be dealing with the after-effects of that.
... I very much doubt that happened.

>So this might be a bit far-fetched, but I suspect Moriko's lost vigor might be what has helped Reisarf(and potentially stargazer) become stronger and turned him into a girl.
Too far fetched.

>Is it possible she's not faking, that something in the whole ridiculous catastrophe actually did remove demonic taint from her blood? And that's not good for her 'cause it means she hasn't got quite as much blood now?
I don't think these circumstances could have caused it. That was a night of curses, it should have made things worse if anything. With a little more development of my dungeon I could do something like that - I could turn Hin human or Chakarchelou into a full dragon given time and resources - but it's not something lightly done. As you'd expect, removing a part of someone weakens them.

>She was able to manifest her shadow as a kind of independent action in the dream. If she's crammed all the parts of herself she is ashamed of in her shadow and sent it away... that seems unhealthy. And will probably go bad if the shadow grows from the earth pulse on its own, or leeches from her as long as she keeps it active.
That sounds disturbingly plausible.

>I think we're missing something obvious here.
>Moriko is scared.
>She saw demons up close, and witnessed the terrifying untamed power of the earth pulse first hand. The past few days have been traumatic and Moriko just bottles it up.
>She will never grow if she fears her own power. She'll just continue to shrink until nothing is left.
As I just said to her, stagnation is death.

>Suppression, her hate of demons is strangling herself.
It's definitely some sort of blockage in her.

>You can't sit idly by while Moriko's vitality suffers. I think it's time to brew some potions to enhance kno- constitution! That's what I was trying to say.
Perhaps that would be a good short term solution.

"I'm afraid you're right. Something's damaged your life force. It's tangled up."

"I apologise. I mustn't have been careful enough." That's all she says.

>She also outright stated she blames Deem for what happened. She is having serious trust issues right now, I think.
>Yes, she is. It's also only 75% of deems fault.
As much as I hate to say it, Moriko is in a raw state right now. I will have to wait for a better time. In an ideal world she'll work through her feelings about our talk tonight and approach me. If not-

There's a distant clatter form my Heart Chamber. Chakarchelou leaps up and charges that way, claws clattering on the stone and hissing like a boiling kettle.

I exchange a glance with Moriko and we rush after him.
>>
No. 860875 ID: 45aab1
File 151670305886.png - (18.90KB , 800x550 , detective_chakarchelou_is_on_the_case.png )
860875

Hin's in my Heart Chamber next to one of the larger puddles of goo. There's a bowl next to her and I can clearly see she's been eating the goo.

"Hin, what are you doing?"

"Uh hi Deem." Hin says. "Nice hair. I, uh, I woke up and was really thirsty."

"I see..."

To be fair, that could be the truth. There's more interactions between various magics and abilities than was originally intended. Reisarf's Curse of Formlessness, Alkaline's Hydro Pump, the form fixing effect of the Fixity Bangle and Hin's new Gluttonous Ogre trait. The bangle sustaining the size increase of the pump might be causing that thirst, or she's not used to being a slime or maybe she's just being a glutton.

The original plan was keep her as a slime for a day or two so the food and water she consumes will neutralise the acidic slime Alkaline put in her and then naturally start to pass out of her system. I'm starting to feel that if I leave her to her own devices there's a good chance she'll get bigger instead of shedding the excess mass. Who knows, maybe she'll safely shed it when she turns back, maybe she'll get taller or fatter, maybe she'll get hurt... this sort of experimentation wasn't what I had in mind! Maybe I should have had Doyle whip up an emetic instead.

>Also, did Moriko say the imps escaped?
It would surprise me if none escaped! We could be cleaning up imps for weeks!
>>
No. 860876 ID: 45aab1
File 151670321480.png - (28.35KB , 800x550 , wake_up_jeff.png )
860876

The door to the bedroom swings open. It looks like the disturbance has woken up the rest of my denizens. Chakarchelou's still hissing and growling. At the puddle instead of Hin now I think about it.

>Your denizens need to get accustomed to getting waking up suddenly. You never know when a hero might appear...
I'll give them two and a third out of five. Where are you hiding, Doyle?

"Wha's going on out here?" Merud mumbles. "Could you not make a racket at some ungodly hour in the night?"

"It's almost dawn, Merud." I say.

He blinks, thinks, wets his lips and says. "Yeah, tha's what I said." He squints at me. "You're tall."

The efficacy of his wizard eyes seems to be degraded when he's still half asleep.

"Is it dungeon stuff?" Reisarf asks. I think Stargazer's still asleep.

>What are the odds this is all just 'cause Moriko hasn't been sleeping well?
I can tell sleep deprivation apart from something more serious.

Chakarchelou's still growling at the puddle.

"Loogk Charcoal, calm down, back off, there's a good boy." Hin says. He quietens down despite her mangling of his name. "Deem, I found something jusg before you came in. You'd better see this." She starts talking to the puddle of goo. "Come on, it's alrigh. Don't be afraid."

It may be a little peevish of me but I'm starting to wonder if Reisarf's curse turned her brain to mush too.
>>
No. 860877 ID: 45aab1
File 151670330207.png - (13.22KB , 800x550 , slime_time.png )
860877

A part of the puddle bulges upwards, brightens and turns into a small slime.

How did it get here? Has it been hiding in the orange goo the whole time? More leftovers from that curse? Alkaline is making excited slime noises somewhere behind me. I don't think it budded off her.

I'll be brutally honest; it isn't a good slime.

Its eyes are unfocused, its head is nodding like a watermelon precariously balanced on a post, its body has a persistent tremble and just from looking at it I feel a deep concern for what might happen to it if left unattended.

I don't think it'd survive outside. I don't think it'll live for more than a few weeks under the best of conditions. I don't know how it's survived for this long. I don't need to turn around to conclude that Alkaline has clearly fallen for it at first sight.

>And with that out of the way, it's time to build some stronger golems for the day ahead!
If I could just stop my minions from self destructing for five minutes!

This is all too much. I just want to set up my Golem Totem and make a decent workforce. Moriko's clearly going to be a case where patience is needed. But I still need to settle what to do with this slime, maybe rethink Hin's treatment plan, come up with a temporary treatment for Moriko's health decline while I investigate the real cause and consider if I want Alkaline and Doyle to try providing some amateur potion assistance with any of that.

Any thoughts?
>>
No. 860880 ID: 0d1514

>>860877
First, let's see if we can give the shitty baby a core transplant. Just making a blind guess but having a stable mana flow should help? Before we do that have Alkaline merge with it so that she can keep it alive. Maybe it can learn to be a better slime by osmosis?

As for Hin, uh, idk. Maybe those potions that make you sweat goo might be a safe way to lose mass?

If Moriko is used to meditating a lot than she probably is lacking emotional equilibrium without it. Either way, assure her that you're going to hunt down the escaped imps- you're trying not to let your dungeon ruin the countryside after all. Would her demon blood help her track down imps? Might be able to set her sense of responsibility against her self-denial.
>>
No. 860882 ID: 0d1514

>>860877
Also, while you said it didn't bud off alkaline, does that mean it's not the glob we cut off alkaline?
>>
No. 860883 ID: 3ce125

>>860877
Oh god. Well, try giving it some water, maybe it's dehydrated. Or Alkaline could fuse with it then unfuse, see if it inherits some of her stability. She could inherit some of... whatever it does, too. I mean it's quite possible this thing is missing something quite simple and won't be the drain on resources that some other type of malformed baby monster would be. Actually before you do that you should probably use the lens on it. And Chakarchelou.
...or maybe that's only the tip of the iceberg and the entire mass of goo it's sticking out of is the slime. The thing you're looking at could be like a false head. That would explain why it looks shoddy.

>>860875
>Hin could get too big
That's a serious problem, she's already tall enough. If she gets substantially bigger she could have issues smithing. Yeah I think you should force her to lose weight somehow, so that she goes back to her previous size and won't grow substantially bigger before she's neutralized. Tell her to hang in there and stay strong. ...or is there some way she can use up the extra mass by being constructive? Can slimes exercise to burn fat? Or perhaps... you can see if there are any parts of her that she does not get a pain response if you try to cut into her. Like her "hair"? Remove that mass to counteract her weight gain and not only will she stay the right size, she'll neutralize herself faster. Get her opinion on our options.

>>860874
At least Moriko's expression softened a bit. Once you get her some privacy and she has some time to meditate you can approach her again and offer to help her regain her vitality, but only if she's willing to openly discuss her problems with you.

In the short term... you could see if Reisarf and Stargazer could potentially act as a final boss instead of Moriko, since they're stronger than before and she's weaker? There doesn't have to be a short term solution, not really. She's just a bit weaker, not suffering or anything. If you need her to come out on top in a fight, give her a healing potion or two. I'm not sure we have any ingredients to make potions anyway. ...on the other hand I guess this is a good excuse to see if Alkaline can learn how alchemy works?
>>
No. 860885 ID: ad51b8

you should scan the new slim just because why the hell not. At this point I wouldn't be surprised if the scan came back telling us this is some kind of newborn world destroyer god/demon thing that attaches to the first person it sees that spawned in our dungeon. It be right on track with all the other crap that popped up since the hag thing happened.
>>
No. 860901 ID: aae99a

...Did Hin just bud off a slime somehow? Or can slimes form from raw mana seeping into liquid?
I’m thinking trying to care for the little one is a step too far myself, since it seems like it’d need help with everything basically, and we’ve already got quite a few things on our plate as is.
Plus, as I understand it, Akaline’s lesser slime children will also die off in time-now might be a good opportunity to explain death to her juuust in case trying to save it fails.
>>
No. 860932 ID: 2120ee

>>860877
If Moriko, Hin, and this slime are going to be pains in your butt, they could least least have the decency of being one pain in your butt. Throw them all in Doyle and sit on the lids until they fuse into one dysfunctional minion.
>>
No. 860935 ID: 2fe26a

What would these goofballs ever do without you? Much more mundane stuff, that's for sure!
First things first, many hands make light work, so get started on new golems. Are your old golems salvageable? We don't have time to make proper new designs with our good stock, too many fires to put out.
Then, find Doyle (remind him not to eat this slime) and get him started with a vitality brew.
The experiment to remove the parasite from Hin has concluded, if Hin wants to try a second one then there's room on the docket and plenty of gel on the floor.
Have Alkaline start on some slime milk right away, this will be a good practice run for raising her slimes. All those symptoms sound like normal circumstances for an infant of more advanced races - vulnerable at the start, but they mature into something far stronger. But whatever you do, don't name it! ...Yourself. It's an inevitability Alkaline will name it and I wonder what she will come up with.
>>
No. 860942 ID: 09e13b

I think the chunk of raw mana contaminated slime from Alkaline is probably the mostly likely culprit here. As for what to do with it… well, we can’t get rid of it or Alkaline will be pissed.

More seriously, we have someone Alkaline can practice fusing with now. She’s the best choice to look after it anyway: she’s already infatuated, and she needed to practice looking after others of her kind anyway. We should probably explain its limited lifespan to her first though, so it doesn’t come as a shock. Definitely use the lens on it, though, just in case its got something we can fix. (Or some rare ability that Alkaline can try to copy, but that seems unlikely.) Is there any significance to it being red? Is if fire aspected?

As for Hin… if the problem is that her insides are too acidic, couldn’t we have her eat a base of some sort to neutralize it? If that’s not an option, though, yeah go for the emetic. It won’t be fun for her, but it’s probably the safest option.
>>
No. 860954 ID: 10c408

>>860932
No. Just. no.

Use the scanning lens on it and maybe give it some water. Make sure that no one touches it in-case it's capable of emitting a spell or curse from contact.

As for Hin... Exercise while we wait for her to turn back. A lot of it. Unless she WANTS to get taller and more clumsy.

Tell merud that he can't go back to bed. People are awake and we need someone to cook while matters are being handled.

Reisarf can't go back to sleep either, she needs to go tap doyle awake because you may need him.

Keep moriko on stand-by and get ready to intercept Alkaline if she bull rushes the new slime.
>>
No. 860963 ID: 3ae3fd

First thing first! Quell the invasion! Given your lack of awareness of it and Chakarchelou's attitude I have to assume that it is not one of yours.
Pat it on the head, give it some food, and then throw in a hug for good measure so as to claim it as your own. It would be foolhardy to treat it as a tame project without first establishing yourself as its adoptive... guardian... and subjecting it to a lensing...

You don't want to spoil Alkaline too much, but if this turns into a major issue(and there is research potential here too...) then could you resurrection matrix recover it from its lack of stability? You have expanded somewhat and might be able to host another denizen by now...

Could you try concentrating it into a smaller but more stable slime?

I feel as though the consensus here is to save the little thing, if possible, and you are amazing. If anyone could do it... It may be a unique variant too, its formation process certainly seems unique.

What are the prospects of it permanently fusing with Alkaline? I imagine that such a thing would have a profound effect upon your princess and should not be taken lightly. It is probably best not to mention the possibility to her without thinking it through, she might be inclined to save it even at her own detriment...

Mostly though... Need more data!
>>
No. 860964 ID: deec6e

>>860877

>The Ugliest Slime-Daughter

I suppose there's worse things that could have come from your raw mana, Alkaline's goo and a wild night of curses than a chi- strange little slime. Analyze it, take care of it for now and see if you can't make it a pet project for you and Alkaline to nurture into survivable shape with careful feeding and training. Even if it won't become a terribly good slime, it could become a learning experience for Alkaline in how to guide her fellow slimes' development - and also become the dungeon's little miracle mascot if it actually survives. If it doesn't... well, Alkaline probably ought to learn that lesson too, at some point.

Hm. Its hair makes it head looks like a little like a pink cherry. Maybe call it Saku? Or Smoothie, since it's clearly a weird blend of things type of slime.

>Hin

Hin's treatment plan is fine - just remind / warn her of the potential dangers of overeating - whatever the reason - in a different form right now and explain your reasoning. If she has a problem or odd urges, she can consult with you anytime. It should suffice, since she's dependable enough to take sound advice seriously and she trusts you.

>Moriko

See about cooperating with Merud on making more golems with the new clay as aids for excavating new private quarters. One of which can double as a training/meditation chamber for Moriko. Tell her you want her training her physical fitness to see if she can't recover some of that vitality or see if her situation worsens - and when she is tired, suggest she meditate by sensing and connecting with the Earth-Pulse to hone her edge there. If anything comes up, or if she worsens, she's to come to you. No idea if that will help, but it gives her something to do rather than stew when you don't have better missions for her.

>Alkaline and Doyle

Quality time with Doyle seems like a must at some point soon - you've got a bunch of alchemical ingredients, could use a constitution booster for Moriko, and that new hank of alienist hair. Alkaline needs some of her traits reinforced for becoming a Royal Court Queen - will helping brew potions aid in that? Also, can you combo trying to create potions with finding substances that will help the little slime survive?

(and caution Doyle that the slime is not a treat for him)
>>
No. 860983 ID: 91ee5f

>>860876
That’s another thing that you should consider. Making separate bedrooms that are soundproof, so that if one of your denizens accidentally makes a noise, they won’t wake everyone else up. Especially, if one of them snores very loudly!

>>860877
Use the scanning lens and tell everyone what it tells you.
>>
No. 861026 ID: 094652

You need to keep Hin away from stuff to eat, she's suffering from addiction. Maybe the gristleworm had something to do with that.

If part of Moriko broke off and manifested, you should lead that part toward the entrance to act as your meat grinder for the adventurers, then deal with them while they're all injured. Haters gonna hate, after all.

We don't know enough about the cellular data on slimes, but we do know they're capable of cytokinesis. Why not split the lil' girl into multiple slimes and experiment violently until one of the preservation methods sticks?
>>
No. 861038 ID: 33cbe7

Waking up groggy isn't good for anyone. How can we help them focus? Oh, I know. "Merud! Grab my boob!" It's a very scientific way of measuring the cost of Gigant Form- oh no, your talisman's missing!

Forget vitality potions, your crew needs Spirit potions for now, aka coffee. Can Doyle concoct a monster brew?
I don't think permanent injury is a risk for Hin, the curse of formlessness is still a curse and catastrophic damage will result in a trip to the rez chamber. Just tell her to watch what she eats and go take care of more important matters.
>>
No. 861050 ID: 3abd97

>In an ideal world she'll work through her feelings about our talk tonight and approach me. If not-
I think you have to trust her. People take time to change, or reach revelations. Also, unfortunately, you need to rebuild her trust in you after introducing doubts so she's willing to come to you with the problem.

More more drastic intervention for her own good is possible, but very much not the outcome we want.

>I'm starting to feel that if I leave her to her own devices there's a good chance she'll get bigger instead of shedding the excess mass. Who knows, maybe she'll safely shed it when she turns back, maybe she'll get taller or fatter, maybe she'll get hurt... this sort of experimentation wasn't what I had in mind! Maybe I should have had Doyle whip up an emetic instead.
I think we probably want her as close to her original mass as possible before we change her back. Let's avoid any more unintended monstrous transformations. You need some responsible successes if we're going to win back Moriko's trust.

>He squints at me. "You're tall."
So are you.

>Any thoughts?
If at all possible, give Moriko something productive to do that also leaves her time for self reflection. She needs to see you being a positive influence, she needs a success where she doesn't feel she messed up, and she needs time to think through her issues. Probably not minion-managing if she's been hurting for time by herself.

If Moriko's shadow is loose, you probably want to pen it in somewhere until she's prepared to deal with her issues. Letting it run loose unsupervised seems a bad idea.

As much as possible, get Alkaline babysitting the new slime. Training wheels for when she has her own. Obviously, you need to determine how to treat it and keep it healthy, but as much as possible, assign those tasks to her, possibly under supervision of a more responsible minion.

Rethinking treatment plans can happen at the same time as making the golem totem. Best you can do there is focus on a working relationship with Merud. Rebuild some of his confidence, if possible.
>>
No. 861069 ID: d36af7

Take charge of the situation! Issue some orders:

Alkaline should capture the new slime, recruit it as your latest minion, and provide it with food, water, medical care, etc. as appropriate. Hugs are permissible, in moderation.

Merud should be notified that you've collected a great bounty of clay, so it's time to get the golem totem up and working. If he needs more sleep right now, he should build a specialty golem to go get it for him.

Rei and Belphejar should start making breakfast, and Hin should help them get a cooking fire lit, or at least stop eating off the floor.

Chakarchelou should take over for Moriko guarding the front entrance, with help from Stargazer once she's adequately alert.

Moriko wants some alone-time, and cathartic violence that's plausibly for a good cause, so she should go off and patrol the surrounding landscape with emphasis on hunting down escaped imps. Tell her that if she manages to take out that devil-bear too, the very next room you dig out will be a private meditation chamber built to her exact specifications (within reasonable constraints of compatibility with the rest of the dungeon).

If she doesn't, expanding/upgrading bathing, bedrooms, and adding some provisions for laundry can be a slightly higher priority, along with maybe some traps or other passive defenses.
>>
No. 861075 ID: d36af7

>>861069
>If he needs more sleep right now, he should build a specialty golem to go get it for him.
As a further note, if he's awake enough to identify the flaw in that logic, ipso facto he's awake enough to recall and apply the basics of golemetry, such as lab setup procedures.
>>
No. 861119 ID: d8ce3a

>>860877
Yeah, I think having Alkaline take care of it is probably going to be the best option, as long as you make her understand the risks. it'll be a good lesson for her either way it goes, and will also probably have the best chance of success. Scan it with the Lens, maybe have Alkaline feed it some slime milk. I hope it pulls through personally, if at the least Alkaline can get used to taking care of another slime.

While thats going on we should probably find out where Doyle is. Just in case something else goes wrong, and we'll probably need some more potions by the end of the day besides.

Tell Moriko she should go rest for a bit, and that youre ready to help her with her problem whenever shes ready to deal with it. For now its probably best for her to just get her head on straight and de-stress a little.
>>
No. 861160 ID: b7627b

>>860877
You ought to just let Alkaline deal with that small orange slime on her own, you have enough on your proverbial plate right now, though perhaps you could take a small pea-sized chunk of the orange goo and have Hin describe its taste? Entirely for science of course, if anything goes wrong you can probably have Belphejar whip up one of those emetics you mentioned.
A sweating agent as someone mentioned could also be handy, though we need to take care that she doesn't wind up smaller than before.

I mostly just want that bracelet off soonish so we can have Hin back, I think her ability to gel with monsters could be useful in convincing Moriko to accept her inner demons.
>>
No. 861180 ID: 2efe4b

All your minions are watching, Deem. You did just tell Moriko all about how you want to make everything that visits your dungeon get better and stronger. You need to be sure you demonstrate the level of concern and compassion for your inhabitants that they need and want to expect from you. And just to be clear, that's as THEY would perceive it, not just something that will be clear to you but obtuse to them.
>>
No. 861293 ID: b15da4

Has anyone actually shined a light on Moriko to confirm this shadow theory?
Everyone's mood should improve once they've had some breakfast. Is that goo any good? Normally I wouldn't recommend eating floor gel, but there's just so much of it.
Speaking of which, make sure Hin gets what she needs to sustain the drain of Fixity. You could also use today to examine the bracelet in action and figure out why it's stuck.
Tell Merud you've got ample mounds of clay now to toy with as he pleases, we can go do it in the totem room if he's feeling frisky.
Scan that slime. Maybe it's suffering a sugar rush from living in that puddle for three days?
Tell Reisarf he's on patrol duty today, and with that I think everyone has something to do.
>>
No. 861305 ID: a513c4

Getting alkaline prepared for the concept of child death seems... Pertinent. Let her raise mutant slime baby.
>>
No. 861485 ID: 09e13b

>>861305
On the other hand, the first thing she tried to care for DIED and she couldn't stop it... that could be traumatizing. If we entrust the same to her, we need to be VERY clear upfront about its chances, and make sure she know whatever happens, isn't her fault.
>>
No. 861868 ID: 12b116

We might want to consider making a potion for Hin, It's kind of hard to tell if it's just her being tired or if being a slime is having too much of an effect on her. We don't want her to stay a slime
>>
No. 862105 ID: 45aab1
File 151701542607.png - (21.26KB , 600x750 , this_ended_up_being_the_safest_way_to_hold_it.png )
862105

"That's a slime." I say stupidly.

"I think it's cute." Hin says.

Alkaline nods emphatically.

"It's a nice orange." Reisarf says.

"Slime." Merud points out.

Moriko glances at me, looking for a cue. I shrug fractionally in return.

"Alkaline," I say, "why don't you see if you can get it out of that puddle? Carefully!"

"OK!" My slime princess dashes in. The strange slime doesn't duck for cover at this approaching menace. Alkaline skids to a halt at the edge of the puddle and drops to the ground, scooping the slime out of the puddle and into her lap. It burbles and slides a bit.

"Don't hug it so hard Alkaline. You don't know where it's been."

>Use the scanning lens on it and maybe give it some water.
"First off let's see if we can find out where it came from."

----------------------------------------
Lvl 1 Orange Slime
----------------------------------------
Strengths: High nutritional value
Weaknesses: All

A garishly coloured slime that's barely holding together. There are traces of raw mana in its body. Its lack of fear towards Alkaline suggests a common origin.

----------------------------------------
Detected Abilities
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Jelly Body: A soft and unsteady body that's easily damaged. Target the large and squishy head for extra damage.

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That's... more or less what I was expecting.

>Also, while you said it didn't bud off Alkaline, does that mean it's not the glob we cut off alkaline?
That seems likely at this point.

"I think it used to be that glob of slime we had to cut out of Alkaline."

"Oh so now Alkaline's got a little sister?" Hin says.

I wave my hands frantically at Hin, making cross gestures, no!

"Sister!" Alkaline says.

Too late. I pinch the bridge of my nose. "Offshoot might be a better word. Maybe even furball, if she was a cat."

"Offsis?" Alkaline says.

"Alkaline, you should look after that slime for now while we decide to do with it. Why don't you take it to the thaumatorium and get it some water. Be sure to keep it away from the edge! and don't let it get too close to Chakarchelou or Doyle either!"

"OK!" she skips out with it.

I sigh. After double checking Alkaline's out of earshot, I go on. "That isn't a healthy slime. I don't think it's going to live very long."

"Oh." Hin says. Then she winces as it sinks in. "Ohhhhh."

>I suppose there's worse things that could have come from your raw mana, Alkaline's goo and a wild night of curses than a chi- strange little slime. Analyse it, take care of it for now and see if you can't make it a pet project for you and Alkaline to nurture into survivable shape with careful feeding and training. Even if it won't become a terribly good slime, it could become a learning experience for Alkaline in how to guide her fellow slimes' development - and also become the dungeon's little miracle mascot if it actually survives. If it doesn't... well, Alkaline probably ought to learn that lesson too, at some point.
I fear my options are rather limited now. I have no choice but to go to extra lengths to keep it alive.

"There's a few things I can try, but I don't want Alkaline to get too attached to it if it's only going to live for a week or two. And if we're going to call it anything, it's a pet, nothing more than that, alright?"

Everyone nods solemnly. A secret pact for adults.

>Plus, as I understand it, Akaline’s lesser slime children will also die off in time-now might be a good opportunity to explain death to her juuust in case trying to save it fails.
She knows what death is. She's bashed imps to death with a stick.

>You don't want to spoil Alkaline too much, but if this turns into a major issue (and there is research potential here too...) then could you resurrection matrix recover it from its lack of stability? You have expanded somewhat and might be able to host another denizen by now...
No, it doesn't have enough of a sense of self to be revived. It's barely holding together as it is.

>First, let's see if we can give the shitty baby a core transplant. Just making a blind guess but having a stable mana flow should help? Before we do that have Alkaline merge with it so that she can keep it alive. Maybe it can learn to be a better slime by osmosis?
>What are the prospects of it permanently fusing with Alkaline? I imagine that such a thing would have a profound effect upon your princess and should not be taken lightly. It is probably best not to mention the possibility to her without thinking it through, she might be inclined to save it even at her own detriment...
Actually now I think about it if she tries to fuse with it, she might end up reabsorbing it. It's a very fragile existence it has. If it's dying anyway that might be a good way to present things - she might be able to recreate a similar slime. And I would not recommend attempting to transplant an unstable core into an unstable slime.

>Could you try concentrating it into a smaller but more stable slime?
Maybe, it's already quite small!
>>
No. 862107 ID: 45aab1
File 151701563549.png - (31.08KB , 800x600 , treathin_sliminess.png )
862107

>Everyone's mood should improve once they've had some breakfast. Is that goo any good? Normally I wouldn't recommend eating floor gel, but there's just so much of it.
I clap my hands together. "Anyway, seeing everyone's up, we might as well have an early breakfast."

As Reisarf and Merud duck back inside to get changed, I have a quiet word with Hin who's looking gloomy.

"Don't worry too much Hin." I say. "It was clearly infatuation at first sight for Alkaline."

"Yeah you're right." she sighs. "Jusb a case of open mouth, insert feet."

"Speaking of feet, we need to talk about getting yours back. Getting rid of the gristleworm was a success, now we've got to get rid of the slime. Using the bangle wasn't my original plan and it resists any physical changes affecting you. We need it to keep you as a slime but it's also sustaining the Hydro-Pump Alkaline used on you."

"So what'd happen if I took it off?"

>Hin's treatment plan is fine - just remind / warn her of the potential dangers of overeating - whatever the reason - in a different form right now and explain your reasoning. If she has a problem or odd urges, she can consult with you anytime. It should suffice, since she's dependable enough to take sound advice seriously and she trusts you.
"It depends how neutralised the acid is. Once that's taken care of, it probably wouldn't cause any physical harm. The risk of side effects is because of how easily slimes gain mass from eating. You'd probably safely shed it, but there's a chance you'll absorb some. That might make you taller or gain weight. So you need to eat and drink enough to remove the acidic component but then shed the extra mass."

"Mmm, makes sense."

>The experiment to remove the parasite from Hin has concluded, if Hin wants to try a second one then there's room on the docket and plenty of gel on the floor.
>Yeah I think you should force her to lose weight somehow, so that she goes back to her previous size and won't grow substantially bigger before she's neutralized. Tell her to hang in there and stay strong. ...or is there some way she can use up the extra mass by being constructive? Can slimes exercise to burn fat? Or perhaps... you can see if there are any parts of her that she does not get a pain response if you try to cut into her. Like her "hair"? Remove that mass to counteract her weight gain and not only will she stay the right size, she'll neutralize herself faster. Get her opinion on our options.
"Unless you've got a burning curiosity about that, you should try to exercise a lot today. Conveniently we have a large amount of clay outside that needs to be put away. If you're thirsty, try to drink water, not the orange goo. If you're feeling any odd urges, come and find me. Failing that we can try emetics and cutting off things like your hair to shed mass. Any preferences?"

"Ah, do need to get back to work. I'd prefer not to be like this too long. Uh, maybe the potion if needed? Doyle's been pretty reliable."

"Alright we'll take the bangle off this evening and see. Now... if it's not too much trouble could you watch over Alkaline this morning? She should hopefully be able to answer any little problems that come up with you and I need someone sensible to watch over the two of them and make sure they don't get into trouble."

"Sure then."

>You need to keep Hin away from stuff to eat, she's suffering from addiction. Maybe the gristleworm had something to do with that.
She was having trouble eating because of the sore throat from the worm. It could just be she's overindulging. A slime wouldn't feel full when a human would either.
>>
No. 862108 ID: 45aab1
File 151701582531.png - (32.31KB , 800x600 , miracle_drug.png )
862108

>Forget vitality potions, your crew needs Spirit potions for now, aka coffee. Can Doyle concoct a monster brew?
Doyle got evicted from its favourite hiding spot in the bedroom so I corner it and give it orders to brew up a stimulant. It's been well fed on imps so let's use up some of that broth for an instant potion. Low strength is fine as long as there's not too many side effects.

This diluted potion is made out of imps so I'll call it cacoffee. An immediate boost to energy levels, but a crash later that can be delayed by drinking more.

I give the first mug to Merud. His energy level roughly quadruples. "This is amazingly like coffee, Deem!"

"Oh coffee? That's expensive." Reisarf tries a small cup after further diluting it with some of our tiny surviving stockpile of slime milk. "Oh that's bad." Reisarf adds some honey. "I think I like it."

Moriko doesn't try any.

"Glad to hear that." We do have a lot of imp corpses to process.

After getting breakfast out of the way and offering weird orange goo as a dessert (Reisarf tries some), it's time to get down to business.

>If Moriko, Hin, and this slime are going to be pains in your butt, they could least least have the decency of being one pain in your butt. Throw them all in Doyle and sit on the lids until they fuse into one dysfunctional minion.
That seems unlikely.

>Quality time with Doyle seems like a must at some point soon - you've got a bunch of alchemical ingredients, could use a constitution booster for Moriko, and that new hank of alienist hair. Alkaline needs some of her traits reinforced for becoming a Royal Court Queen - will helping brew potions aid in that? Also, can you combo trying to create potions with finding substances that will help the little slime survive?
It'll have to wait since she's looking after the little slime. I direct Doyle to forage around outside to find anything that might help with making an emetic or a vitality raising potion.

>Moriko wants some alone-time, and cathartic violence that's plausibly for a good cause, so she should go off and patrol the surrounding landscape with emphasis on hunting down escaped imps.
>Tell Reisarf he's on patrol duty today, and with that I think everyone has something to do.
Now the dungeon's up and running, we need to find out if there's any changes to the local area after the earth-pulse was so disordered. I ask Moriko, Reisarf and Stargazer to go on a long patrol together. They should look for anything unusual and try to wipe out any imps they find - I don't want them sneaking back to the dungeon to steal things. They'll also have a chance to privately bring up anything about the night of the curse they might want to.

>At least Moriko's expression softened a bit. Once you get her some privacy and she has some time to meditate you can approach her again and offer to help her regain her vitality, but only if she's willing to openly discuss her problems with you.
Once she gets back I'll give her some time to herself.

>If Moriko's shadow is loose, you probably want to pen it in somewhere until she's prepared to deal with her issues. Letting it run loose unsupervised seems a bad idea.
If I knew where it was, what it looked like and whether or not it actually existed, sure that would be a good plan.

>Tell her that if she manages to take out that devil-bear too, the very next room you dig out will be a private meditation chamber built to her exact specifications (within reasonable constraints of compatibility with the rest of the dungeon).
I already said I was going to make it. I'm not going to suddenly attach conditions to that.

>In the short term... you could see if Reisarf and Stargazer could potentially act as a final boss instead of Moriko, since they're stronger than before and she's weaker? There doesn't have to be a short term solution, not really. She's just a bit weaker, not suffering or anything.
She's still stronger than Reisarf.

>Tell Merud you've got ample mounds of clay now to toy with as he pleases, we can go do it in the totem room if he's feeling frisky.
"Now then Merud, I've got some great mounds of clay we need to play around with."

"I've been waiting for this!" Merud agrees.

"Then we should get a room!" I say. "To the Golem Totem!"
>>
No. 862109 ID: 45aab1
File 151701601178.png - (52.79KB , 1000x500 , golem_designs_for_demonstration_purposes_only.png )
862109

Once the Golem Totem's complete I'll be able to simultaneously animate about two dozen golems with Merud's help. My low amount of gold will probably prevent me from having that many actually active at once most of the time. As I've said before I have worker golems which are designed for long periods of sustained activity at low mana cost and fighting golems which are more of a sprinter - high energy, high output. To balance that I usually keep them in a dormant state, which still consumes one of my animation links. They're a low maintenance and efficient minion, their main limitations are they need oversight and can't really leave the dungeon unless they travel with a golemeter.

The totem will also have a fixture such as a bell that allows anyone recognised by me to give simple verbal instructions to a golem without needing intervention from myself or Merud. With a little help from Hin we will be able to make portable versions once we have time.

Because I'm an Earth dungeon and I have a golemeter working for me, we should be able to have a fairly advanced totem right away. I can embed the template for more sophisticated golems into it so they can easily be created from fairly basic materials. I'll also use it to upgrade my golem body.

Considering Merud's research, our resources and the needs of my dungeon, there are seven starter options for improvements to the types of golem. These are essentially embedding an extra ability into them - I still have a great deal of leeway in customising their appearance and physical attributes. I can embed unpicked functions into a unique golem later without too much trouble if I feel the need to as well, this is simply to ease mass production:

Modular: A golem designed to link together with and control multiple simple golems to improve its fighting capabilities. It might use a scarf like my duelist, have an animated weapon, or change form by attaching golems to itself. Usually the commander golem's defeat will deactivate the sub-golems. Somewhat expensive in terms of control linkages but typically its panoply can be squeezed down into one or two links.

Magic Core: A golem that sacrifices everything else in exchange for the ability to cast spells. The core is oversized due to the basic materials used and to improve its durability. The actual golem is a spiritual body surrounding the core, allowing it to levitate. This leaves it vulnerable to magical attacks. It possesses two Rote Spells carved into it multiple times for redundancy, which are selected at the time of the golem's creation. To start out the options are earth magic and golemetry spells.

Protean Clay: A golem with a malleable body. Similar to a slime with a core, it is hard to destroy unless the golem core can be targeted. They can move their core around (although it has to periodically surface), reattach severed parts and and change their shape to anything of the same mass but their bodies are soft compared to a normal golem. They can harden parts of their body to the toughness of fired clay, letting them form weapons.

Swarming: More of a modification to the activation links than a golem type. This gives the option of replacing a golem with three smaller, weaker and cruder ones. Useful for simple activities that need a lot of bodies.

Vital Point: A high performance but fragile energy source for a golem. The golem's animating force is condensed into one spot, making it difficult to injure and giving it forceful motions. However this gives it an obvious weak point. The back is a popular location but it can be weak against groups.

Homonculus: A golem created from alchemically treated clay to give it more life-like properties. They can scale their level of mana consumption to function as both workers and warriors. Though they lack a cruder golem's raw strength and toughness they are agile, well coordinated and good at performing more complex tasks. Homonculi can benefit from potions and healing magic.

Brute: A large and sturdy worker that can double as a warrior. Brute golems lack fine coordination but they can amplify their strength to tremendous levels. This makes them excellent for simple tasks such as mining, moving loads and pulverising slow moving adventurers.

I can pick two of these. Which ones?
>>
No. 862110 ID: 2efe4b

Hmm. If you combine Vital Point and Magic Core, does that reduce the Magic Core's vulnerability to magic as well? Magic users seem to tend towards less precision. Similarly, would a combination of Brute and Homonculus offset the relative lack of strength and durability the Homonculi have, and the lack of agility of the Brutes? That seems like a good option.

I'm assuming these can be combined into single golems, of course. I'd assume Vital Point can be combined into any of the others, but perhaps that's an exception. If so, then still, options that balance each other remain a good idea. I'd still vote for Homunculus and Brute.
>>
No. 862111 ID: 10c408

homonculous and brute. They cover each others major weaknesses and in a pinch, they will also provide a robust and potentially draining group of defenders that any hero invasions would have to blow precious time, resources and health to overcome.
>>
No. 862113 ID: 0d1514

>>862109
Brutes for brute force and Homonculi for agility! Together they're good at everything but magic. Not optimized for combat, but as a work force they'd be great! Important to remember that we can still MINE gold. Also, Merud would probably go gaga over some homunculi!
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No. 862115 ID: d8ce3a

>>862109
>>I can pick two of these. Which ones?

I know Brute is going to be one of my choices, because we desperately need tome heavy lifting power. its the one thing we dont really have in the dungeon right now, and their slight clumsiness will be a small price to pay.

For the other, im wavering between Homonculus as my primary choice, and Modular or Vital Point. I can go either way, so I want to see what everyone else thinks. I feel like Vital point's weakness wont be as big a detriment as it seems as long as were careful how we use it, like against dumber monsters and such, and it might be worth it for a golem thats just better all around at everything.
>>
No. 862116 ID: 25ef6b

I vote brute and vital point, Also I vote we put the vital point on top of the head, Maybe put some stuff around it to make it look like a hat rather than a weak point...or just give them hats to cover it up.
>>
No. 862117 ID: a98542

>>862109
Homunculus and Brute.

Brutes because our capacity to haul things is rather low, despite all of the available hands. They'll also fill a combat role that should play nicely with the soldier slimes we've got going.

Homunculi ... mostly to throw Merud a bone. He's all about golems that more closely resemble life, and while they aren't the absolute best pick for dungeon effectiveness, they'll still be generally useful. And they'll provide a good counterpoint to the cruder Brutes.
>>
No. 862118 ID: 3ce125

>>862108
>that's expensive
Hey, you could sell it!

>>862109
Make a Homunculus, partially just so Merud can study it.
Second golem... Brute. We could really use the boost to mining speed.

We can change these later, right? Once our mining operation doesn't need to go so fast we can swap Brute out for something else.
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No. 862120 ID: deec6e

>>862109

Homunculus and Magic Core.
>>
No. 862122 ID: 33cbe7

Another Graphene! You must protect her smile, and Alkaline's. We could also offload profit production or slime milk duties onto her slime type if it proves viable.
There's no telling what will happen if Hin sheds too *much* mass, either. Err on the side of biggity when molting mass.
Does that cap include Merud's golem total too, then?
So brute and homunculus look like easy choices for their combination of utility and power. But you know what else is a good combo? Vital Point and Protean. Working together sort of like the Modular type, the Protean golem rides around on the VP golem like a backpack and they both protect each others' cores while giving the VP an adaptable arsenal and the Protean a bulwark. Strength through friendship!
To further diversify our minion design, move the vital point down to the golem's side and give it a shield arm to protect the spot even when separated from a protean slime.
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No. 862123 ID: f66698

Can we mix some of these concepts?

Could we make swarming magic core golems? Could we make swarming magic core golems with vital points on their backs? That could be a vicious combination, powered up small hard to hit spellcasters sound vicious. Even with just one spell each, as long as it didn't have to be the same spell every time that'd be crazy awesome. Even if it was only one spell, I could see it be very powerful.

Do homonculi develop personalities? Their parameters suggest they would need to learn complex martial arts, possibly several different ones to be truly effective as a fighting force. If they could learn, they might be worth considering (and who doesn't want to create life).

Modular core might be nice, but it specifies it works with other golems and we are going to have two kinds here. It might be worth it if it could work with super swarming magic vital spot on the back core golems, but that's assuming that's a viable strategy in the first place.
>>
No. 862124 ID: 10c408

>>862118
If I understand this right, we're picking two specific golem bases for a very useful discount in terms of resources spent making them. This won't prevent us from making any of the other types later down the line, but they'll lack the discount in time and resources spent making them.
>>
No. 862129 ID: cca8bf

>>862109
I'd say homonculi and brutes for now.
Homonculi being able to benefit from potions when we have alkaline and Doyle on the team is a big selling point. Also I'm sure Merud will enjoy working with/on them.

I was going to foolishly dismiss brutes as a bit plain in comparison to the others, but if we're really honest we could use a heavy hitting troop, since the slimes and homonculi will have most bases covered but don't really have much by way of smash. That they double as strong workers is pure bonus.

Vital point and modular are very cool, animated weapon wielding golems sound rad and vital point probably gets synergy points for being like Deem and alkaline with their visible cores.
That said, they are probably better as minibosses or elite units.
>>
No. 862131 ID: ad51b8

Swarming and Brute

Swarms could be used to slow down adventurers to give brutes a good shot or if you can get them to focus on the brutes these guys could make for a nasty surprise when they just suddenly show up and... well swarm the adventures.
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No. 862155 ID: 3ae3fd

modular and vital poit
It is the only practical and sane option. Make a horse-shaped golem with a vital point hidden under its saddle, mane, or tail, a number of fierce aardvark golems with vital points on their bellies, and a bipedal rider golem with a vital point at its saddle, hidden by the horse golem, and arm it with a polo mallet... The commander should probably be the horse or the rider, horse is more exposed to damage but the rider is going to be focusing on hitting the fierce aardvarks at the enemy rather than watching the battlefield.
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No. 862195 ID: 12b116

Vital Point seems like the best combat focused option.
Magic Core golems also sound like they will be difficult for invaders to deal with, especially teamed up with someone
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No. 862202 ID: 09e13b

Okay, let’s have a look at these:

Modular -
These really seem more like something you’d want as a boss than as a foot solider. Each one costs of 2-3 slots, which is a problem since our mana is preventing us from using the totem to its full potential already. Additionally, the abilities listed don’t really seem that impressive. Our slimes will be able to shape shift and merge already, the scarf could be replaced just by giving the golem really long whip-y tentacle limbs, and… I’m not really sure what an animated weapon actually would be able to do? If it can fight on its own, why bother building the other golem in the first place?

Magic Core -
…I’d be lying if I said that my reaction to these wasn’t at least a little colored by thinking that the giant floating stone eyeball concept was really cool. That said, I think they make sense strategically as well. They give us a common type of minion who can use magic for one. Two, they can be diversified into several types based on what spells they are given. Their golemetry spells could let them heal/repair other, tankier golems in battle, for example. Or continuously spawn smaller simple golems, allowing them to act as a discount version of the swarm option, while also attacking from range or using support spells.

Overall these can support our other pick, and will make for the most interesting fights.

Protean Clay -
Powerful abilities, but our slimes should be able to do nearly all of it just as well. The only unique thing they have going for themselves is the ability to harden. It might be with it to make one to see if Alkaline could copy it somehow, but they seem like a bad pick for mass production from a diversity perspective.

Swarming -
Not too much to say about these, they’re basically quantity over quality with all that entails. They’d probably work better along with something more threatening to hold agro, depending on how fragile they turn out to be. I wouldn’t pair them with Magic Core golems, since both are vulnerable to big explode-y spells. Also, these are going to be the least intelligent golems, since they’re the most crude.

Vital Point -
This is an all-around buff that will also make our golems weaker against fast, agile heres, or teams that can flank them. If we make these, it would probably be a good idea to make them fast and agile as well to counter.

[b Homonculus -][/b]
These guys (or more likely gals, going from the art) have co-ordination and smart tactics as their main shtick in combat. We’ve already gone that direction with our slimes though, so doing it again here might make them a little same-y. I guess it could help the two working together, maybe? They do synergize well with Doyle though, since they can be affected by potions.

Outside of combat they’re the best utility after Brutes, since they can function constantly instead of shutting down to conserve mana. That could be a big help in expanding. They also can perform more complex tasks, but I don’t know how many we’d have to assign them at present.

Also, To all the people who want to build them for Merud to examine: that’s a good idea, but we don’t need to put them into mass production just for that. We can just build one for him to play with.

Brute -
As much as I’m not a huge fan of the art, I think these would be really useful. We really need to expand, and having a fast way to do that other than Delve would be a big help. Also, something big, tough, and scary would be a nice foil to our trickier slimes, especially if they can immobilize the targets. Not every minion needs to have gimmick beyond smashing your face in with a giant fist.

(Also, we can make them a slightly more interesting fight when we pick their shape and stats, with extra limbs and such.)

Overall, my vote:

Magic Core, to support/heal our other golems and to make our list of monsters more diverse.

Brute, to help us expand and build, and to be huge in-your-face tanks to complement our magic cores and sneaky/ranged slimes.
>>
No. 862240 ID: b5fb67

Swarming and Brute. We use the Brute to tank and the swarmers to DPS intruders.

Plus it's helpful to have Large Boys around to move stuff.
>>
No. 862254 ID: b53bd0

yeah i agree with
>>862240
get some biggie smalls.
>>
No. 862258 ID: 13fded

The Magic Core seem promising.
Due to it's shape we could hide it in a room adorned with rocks with the same shape. The first hit would be a surprise attack and if the enemy doesn't have a way to detect the source it could take a few spells to discern witch core is the real one.
Even better, the levitate ability would allow it to seek cover and maybe even switch places with the fake cores it there is a way to move them and a distraction is provided. That wouldn't be particularly useful alone, but as support for someone else it should work well.
The best location would be a ample room, preferable tall, so either the Thaumatorium or the Heart Chamber. The second option would make it an support for the boss fight. Whichever room it stay, in future expansions, we should place columns near the walls to serve as cover.
I suppose it's mana will come from Deem, so it's fortuitous that we only need to use it's magic when the dungeon is gaining mana.
The thing I'm concern is the spell selection. Earth magic would mess with the structure of the room. What would golemetry spells do? My guess it would activate it's own golem. What kind of golems?

For the second link I would prefer either a Brute or a Swarming.
>>
No. 862259 ID: 3ce125

>>862124
Oh, in that case... I'm changing my vote.
For mass produced golems Brute and Magic Core seem like good choices.
>>
No. 862264 ID: b53bd0

>>862105
ah, also, deem, you can very easily bash a thing to death without knowing what death is, alkaline just hit the bad things till they stopped moving, that doesn't mean she realized she killed them. the concept of death she will need to have is the idea that sometimes, something you care about will never move again. you need to soften that blow so she doesn't become terrified of the idea of everything she loves will die.
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No. 862270 ID: b7627b

>>862109
A few Homunculi seem like they might be good at performing relatively menial tasks thar require a finer hand than the other worker golems can provide, such as farmhands further down the line.

I'll admit I'm also a fan of the swarmer golems for no particular reason other than them looking hella adorable. We could throw 1 or two into every fight as well.
>>
No. 862271 ID: d36af7

Since this seems like something we'll be able to reconfigure later on, I'd prefer Magic Core and Protean as a "preview" of the tactics you'll be able to use with slimes and traps. Floating eyeballs reshape the terrain, while T-1000s flow smoothly past obstacles the adventurers would need to climb around or smash through.

If you've got earth-spec'd magic cores as laborers, would they be able to take over for you on the rock-softening aspect of mining? Perhaps even more significantly, would they be able to transfer their own stored mana to you, using that core/shard relative-pressure exploit?

Popular as it is, Homunculus doesn't seem like such a great idea, at least not while you've still got so little gold. The main advantage seems to be using the same animation slots for both workers and warriors, but if you haven't got enough mana income to support a full load of either, that capacity is being wasted.
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No. 862276 ID: 094652

Magic Core and Brute. Your golems aren't meant for diplomacy, or experimentation, or sexual affairs. They are meant for sheer raw force. Not to mention, you can make up for their weaknesses by applying the [Sleepless] and [Still] traits to camouflage - just integrate them into the architecture and have them pop out or attack when needed!

Though, you might want to change the aesthetic of the latter.
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No. 862350 ID: dc91a0

Swarming and Brute!
You could get SO MUCH WORK DONE!
so so SO much work!
Like holy SHIT SO MUCH COULD GET DONE!
Like. Srsly.
You would expand SO HARD!
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No. 862351 ID: 09e13b

>>862350
You do realize that means Brute golems AND Swarm golems, not swarms OF brute golems, right? We’re picking two kinds of golems to make, not two traits to combine into one model.
>>
No. 862373 ID: dc91a0

>>862351
Yes! Brutes to dig and swarm teams to rapidly remove debris!
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No. 862449 ID: d8ce3a

>>862115
All right, Im locking in Homunculus and Brute as my picks, after looking over things again.
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No. 862530 ID: 09e13b

>>862373
I agree that we need Brutes (or maybe homunculi) to help us expand, but I think its overkill to devote both golem types to that. I really don’t think we can pass up the chance to have minions who can use magic to do things like heal other golems, buff other golems (and each other), create traps, and spawn hordes of lesser minions. That’s why I think we should build magic cores along with our brutes.
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No. 862609 ID: 3ae3fd

Can magic cores use magic to excavate, transmute, or compromise stone in order to assist excavation?
Can such magic be used in combat? Perhaps by causing rocks to fall from the ceiling, cause obstacles to become sturdier or projectiles to become heavier, or cast stone-to-mud on the floor to cause someone to slip, or on the ceiling to drop mud on their head in hopes of blinding them...

Given your own mastery of such skills and limited ability to retain mana it might be superfluous to have golems employing such magic for digging. Expending one of their only two spells to such a task would have to compromise the golem's combat potential, not to mention the high energy requirements of fielding such golems for extended periods. Still, it seems worth assessing the viability of such an effort...
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No. 862618 ID: dc91a0

>>862530
hmm.
Well at the very least Magic cores will certainly fascinate Merude.
I'll switch my vote for swarms to cores.

That said, can each core have two different spells, or will they each have the same two?
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No. 862626 ID: 09e13b

>>862618
It says that the spells are selected at the golem's creation, which suggests they don't all have to be identical.
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No. 862649 ID: 45aab1
File 151714036524.png - (25.40KB , 800x600 , high_shelves_finally_in_reach.png )
862649

I'll tidy some more clay away while I talk to Merud about golemetry.

"Before we get too into things, I had the chance to look over your rubble golem overnight and I realised why it was less sturdy than you hoped."

Merud's eyes light up. "If you can point out any improvements in my technique, that would be great."

"It lacked determination."

"I'm not sure if I understand."

"Well, where to begin? You still use the Six Magics as the principles of golemetry, right?" When he nods, I continue. "Why don't you summarise them for me, so I can be sure we're talking about the same thing."

"Alright, ahem." Merud closes his eyes, mentally preparing for a lecture. "The First Magic is the prerequisite to all golemetry: giving motion to the inanimate. The Second Magic is about how outside forces act on the golem. Allowing a golem to touch, hear and see. Even once these two magics are realised the golem is still merely a puppet - it's necessary to transmit those sensations back to the golemeter so they can pull its strings."

I nod, nothing too surprising.

"The Third Magic gives a golem its first spark of volition: the ability to interpret its surroundings and direct its motion in service to a task the golemeter has set. Understanding of the Third Magic allows a golemeter to be more than a mere doll mage, someone who - you're looking awfully smug, Deem?"

My smile widens. "That's a little arrogant, isn't it Merud? A golem is an artificial being but at that stage would you say that it is in any way a complete one? Isn't a well made body an essential prerequisite to an effective golem? And isn't your friend Kallia a 'mere' doll mage?"

He flushes slightly. How delightful. He coughs. "I suppose so. Now the Fourth Magic, golemetry's Fourth Magic is the capacity to connect to the world. Respiration of mana. Even an incomplete realisation of it opens the possibility of golems that possess magic, or that are able to sustain their mana, and thus motive power, from a source other than a golemeter."

"You might also choose to call it connection between the self and the other." I say. "Though that does require a self, doesn't it? You could also talk about separation form the world. The ability to resist harm is your ability to shut out a hostile world. It is called the Fourth Magic but in reality it's little more than a refinement of the first three.

I raise a finger. "In fact the act of separation is essential to creating a golem. You've taken raw material and told it that it is something else. To remain a golem, it must maintain that separation. Now, on to the Fifth."

Merud looks like he's going to protest for a moment then continues. "The Fifth Magic is barely known. It's something I hope to understand better. It may be an extension of the Fourth Magic. It's the hope of instilling a golem with full awareness - a mind of its own, something beyond simply fulfilling its tasks."

I raise an eyebrow. "The Fourth? Not the Third?"

"If we didn't learn through our experiences and through interacting with others, how we shape the world and it shapes us, then we wouldn't be people.

"An interesting argument. I know I called it a hierarchy, but did you know some disciplines start with the Fifth Magic when creating a golem? They wish first to imagine another being, to determine and delineate every element of it that they can before they finally create it. It is summoned, re-created on the spot from the vivid internal life they have tried to grant to it. That is not something I have tried, but perhaps for your own research you should try to learn more about it. Now, one magic to go."

"The Sixth Magic is unknown." Merud simply says. I wonder if he's testing me in exchange.

"It is granting life to the lifeless." I say. "To my knowledge, it has never been achieved."

"That seems... ambitious."

"Did you know there have been times where golemetry was considered a heretical practice, for such ambition? You are attempting to recreate aspects of life, remember that. Now then, how do you think any of this factors into your golem's fragility?"

"I think I see. It didn't have enough, ah, internality?"

I clap him on the shoulder. "Very good. Now then we'd best get to work."
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No. 862650 ID: 45aab1
File 151714051291.png - (31.59KB , 800x600 , useful_multipurpose_brute_golem.png )
862650

>Brutes for brute force and Homunculi for agility! Together they're good at everything but magic. Not optimised for combat, but as a work force they'd be great! Important to remember that we can still MINE gold. Also, Merud would probably go gaga over some homunculi!
The efficiency of a large working force that doubles as my protectors is extremely tempting. And homunculi would be a good base for Merud's golem research.

>Homunculi being able to benefit from potions when we have Alkaline and Doyle on the team is a big selling point. Also I'm sure Merud will enjoy working with/on them.
That synergy is something to consider too.

>I was going to foolishly dismiss brutes as a bit plain in comparison to the others, but if we're really honest we could use a heavy hitting troop, since the slimes and homunculi will have most bases covered but don't really have much by way of smash.
A strong melee is definitely a roll that's missing.

>Do homunculi develop personalities?
To a limited extent. It depend on their complexity. These ones will be basic but I think I will give at least one to Merud to experiment with.

We set to work inscribing the patterns and I make the first brute golem with Merud carefully watching what I do.

"That's an, uh, interesting design." Merud says.

"Form follows function, Merud." I tell him. "Now I'm going to have to pop out to get the alchemy kit to treat the clay for the homunculi. We'll get started on that when I get back."

While I duck out to grab that, I should think about how to change my own golem body. I can directly improve the golem's composition or I can work on improving it's ability to interface to my shard. I've had a few ideas for implementations of both:

Primal Clay: Deem can force her body to take on an amorphous form, even transmuting her stone portions. While in effect, her strength and defence are lowered but she gains a fast regeneration and she can change shape. She can harden parts of her body but only to the toughness of fired clay until she stops using Primal Clay.

Primal Stone: Deem can harden her body to a stone like consistency increasing her durability and magic resistance increase but slowing her. Also while under the effect of Primal Stone as long as she's in contact with the ground she's difficult to budge and her strength is increased.

Homunculus Adaptation: A high quality body refined to be more life-like. Deem can benefit from potions and healing magic. She can also eat and drink, gaining a small amount of mana from doing so.

Absolute Order: Gives an allied golem an enormous surge of power to accomplish a single short task even if it'd strain the limits of their normal capabilities. Deem can use it on herself. It can only be used once per day.

Animating Zone: Deem can animate objects that she touches, allowing them to move and hurl themselves. The object must be light enough for her to lift. They lose animation a few seconds after moving more than a few paces from her location. The accuracy of her weapons improves as they help guide themselves to the target.

Mana Churn: Deem dumps a large amount of destabilised mana into her surroundings. All spells and magical effects used within this area have a large chance of miscasting. It disperses after a few minutes. Expensive to use.

I can do one for now.

Also, I should think about whether I want to update my golem's appearance. If I have a good reason to I could tweak various elements such as my hair or the location of my Heart shard.
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No. 862651 ID: 45aab1
File 151714078531.png - (33.25KB , 450x750 , deem_doll.png )
862651

A Deem doll, in case anyone needs it.
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No. 862652 ID: 33cbe7

Primal Clay, gotta go with that. Regen is the key to staying power in a fight, and if you combined your Protean design with Gigant Form, you could blur the boundary between boss and arena. It is a terrific vision to behold!

I don't think Mana Churn synergises well with your mages. Don't you have enough misfires already? What happens if Mana Churn misfires?

I think you got your design spot on the first time, but if you were to add anything... remember the spider leg skirt? Quite handy/leggy while it lasted.
enhance
knockers

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No. 862653 ID: dc91a0

Homunculus Adaptation.

Any mana is good mana.
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No. 862657 ID: 094652

Primal Clay - Physical inflexibility is your biggest weakness, fix that.
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No. 862660 ID: 0d1514

Given that you may be stuck with piloting a golem for a very long time, I think homonculus adaptation is the way to go. Everything is built on the foundation- the higher quality foundation the more you can develop. The others are mere tricks- highly useful tricks, to be sure, but ultimately lacking in potential. Another card in your hand vs becoming BETTER.
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No. 862665 ID: 0d1514

>>862660
Most importantly- should the avatar of a proud dungeon have a LOW QUALITY body?
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No. 862670 ID: d8ce3a

>>862650
Im changing my vote to Primal Stone. A Gigant Stone Deem sounds too good to pass up. The decrease in speed shouldnt be a problem with proper planning.
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No. 862673 ID: a98542
File 151715317840.png - (253.03KB , 1000x1450 , NuDeem.png )
862673

>>862650
>I should think about whether I want to update my golem's appearance.
Okay, so, hear me out, Deem.

Your golem looks like a child. You look like a child.

People have a hard time taking children seriously. Even your own dungeoneers forget themselves and treat you like an ignorant, foolish, and petulant child because of your stature - they have a hard time looking up to you as a leader, role model, and elder when they have to look down to actually see you.

You already have gigant mode that you can sustain at a low level to solve the height problem, but a more womanly figure would help you get the respect you deserve even when you don't have gigant working, and it allows you to be short when the situation calls for it.

And hey, being physically attractive never hurts, either.

Also, like, get some more clothes. Clothes will help a lot with not looking like a weird child.

And move the shard up to your forehead to get a third-eye thing going on. It'll be less awkward to work outfits around, and it'll make you look more like the ancient powerhouse you really are.

...and get some chains going on. Chains are rad.


Outside of that, uh. I guess go for Homonculus Adaption. The others all seem very useful, but once we get the food situation under control, homonculus will be a steady bonus to our mana supply, and we can never have too much mana.
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No. 862680 ID: 176036

Homunculus Adaptation. Now Deem can be one step closer to being a real girl!
But seriously, as long as eating isn’t strictly required to keep functioning, I believe the benefits outweigh any applicable costs. If eating isn’t a requirement, Deem can simply put it off until the food situation is a bit more stable without any ill effects.
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No. 862682 ID: b7627b

>>862650
Definitely Homunculus Adaptation, now you too can try those potions that got your blacksmith begging for more, or just eat meals with the rest of your crew, humanize yourself for morale I guess?

In terms of design, please see >>862673

And yes, I did need that Deem doll. I'll be sure to take good care of it.
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No. 862686 ID: 91ee5f

>>862650
>While I duck out to grab that, I should think about how to change my own golem body.
Well, obviously you need to make yourself taller, so that you’re not the shortest humanoid in the dungeon anymore!

Your employees may not be looking down on you figuratively, but they are still literally looking down on you!
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No. 862689 ID: deec6e

Homunculus. The ability to take advantage of your own potions and restore mana by eating and drinking, even if only a tiny bit, seems useful. Couldn't you even try to reabsorb raw mana that way?

... and you do have rather a lot of imp corpses to get through, and I'm guessing you won't have the same dietary qualms as some of your fri-minions.

>appearance

I think you look fine as you are, Deem. Form follows function, right? If your heart shard is where a normal body's heart should be, I feel like that's something that rings true. Maybe it helps with mana circulation.
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No. 862690 ID: 7ab1fe

Homunculus Adaptation for future evolutions and mana generation or Animating Zone for combat potential, I'd say.

Absolutely no changes to your body type! It is perfect just the way it is! Stylizing it should be fine, but definitely no enhanced knockers or hips!

That said, some additional height could be nice though.
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No. 862696 ID: a3f11f

You look fine Deem, don't listen to these knuckle draggers and inflate your tits to a massive degree. If anything, just make permanent the form you had while you were shrinking down from gigant mode.
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No. 862709 ID: 3abd97

The homunculi seems like a good option, since we already seem to have a focus on making potions and buffs. They synergize well.

>what improvement pick
Homunculus Adaptation! Humanize yourself, better relate to your minions. There's benefits there even before considering potions.

Animating Zone sounds cool as an eventual later upgrade. It would be cool to just have tools working around you, or to fight with a cloud of bullshit dancing weapons around you.

>Also, I should think about whether I want to update my golem's appearance. If I have a good reason to I could tweak various elements such as my hair or the location of my Heart shard.
I think having your heart shard placed where your avatar's mortal heart would be has strong symbolic significance. It should stay where it is.

Similarly, I'm not really interested in significantly changing the rest of your appearance. You've established yourself in this identity, changing yourself significantly seems like it would exacerbate existing problems or doubts some of your minions have (reaffirming that you are other, that people and form themselves are malleable). For lack of a better term, you already have a brand. Capitalize on that, don't try to rebrand.

More outfits might be a positive improvement for diplomacy and minion interaction. More human-like might be as well. Radical changes to your height or shape less so. A change in hairstyle is probably fine, if you really want one.

Woe betide any fool who underestimates you for your avatar's height, anyways.
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No. 862711 ID: 10c408

Homunculus Adaptation. Sure, you could go for primal stone/clay but I think the trade offs to each are too much of a detriment to your personal golem body.

And as for changing the way you look... Taller, seriously. In fact, you should also adjust/change the stone undergarments look you've got going on so that it looks more like you aren't running the dungeon while barely dressed.

(which should hopefully prevent or at least cut down on any rumours that might occur because of this specific choice. Don't enhance your knockers!)
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No. 862715 ID: 3ce125

>>862650
Homonculous Adaptation seems... less useful for your main body. Food/drink is a small amount of mana when you really need a lot of it, don't you? The potions/healing magic is not particularly relevant either since you're not fighting adventurers, seldom go hunting, we don't have a huge surplus of potions yet, AND you can just heal your golem body yourself.
No, what we could use now is a panic button. One that's useful for adventurer invasions, non-combat panic situations, AND when you have to go out on your own for some reason. Absolute Order.

Though... Animating Zone sounds especially powerful for a close combat situation. Just carry around a bunch of knives, animate them all at once for a vortex of death. You could even throw them at people.
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No. 862725 ID: c31aac
File 151716856197.jpg - (45.90KB , 338x507 , a904b-posyfemaleathlete.jpg )
862725

Why are we trying to add weights to the front of our utility body? It's just going to throw the whole thing out of balance. No, leave the design more lithe, but perhaps try to focus on some lean muscle for more agile movements.

Similar to what you already have, but perhaps a sportier appearance overall.

Like this person, perhaps? Who I totally didn't just grab from google?
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No. 862759 ID: 0d1514

>>862673
I do like the third eye...
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No. 862764 ID: c31aac

>>862725
Oh, in addition to my form suggestion, I do like the idea of Homunculi. It'll make for interesting diplomatic options to be more notably human in appearance, and I imagine seeing the boss breath and eat will at least subconsciously dispel a bit of stress in the team.
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No. 862767 ID: 45aab1
File 151717392705.png - (15.81KB , 500x500 , deem_makeover_advice.png )
862767

Perhaps I was unclear. This golem body of mine was originally designed to be compact and efficient while I was travelling with only some scanty dregs of mana. I also need to consider how I present myself as the master of this dungeon. So if I hear a good reason to I should think about making some adjustments.
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No. 862770 ID: 3ae3fd

Increased size is a massive no. Your denizens are already somewhat scared of you. They are finally realising just how amazing you are and it will take time for them to familiarise themselves with that. A more dominant personage would only cause trouble. And more importantly, you are a cave, your golem needs to operate in a cave. Your living spaces are fine, but the frontier digging and any natural caverns you encounter will need caving skills, and unless you want to get stuck in narrow passages of wear yourself bald against low ceilings you should avoid becoming taller or wider.

Homonculus is a dead-end. It is just an attempt to be human. If you were a dungeon that specialised in social challenges then a social skill would help, but as it stands, refining the quality of your golem's detailing is of very little value. Unless it strengthens your internal structure? but I didn't get that impression...
The best potions are defensive or vital and would do nothing for one already made of stone who has no metabolism, and the remaining potions would be pitiful compared to other traits.
The amount of mana contained in food is irrelevant to you. It hurts to say, but you constantly leak mana too pure for human magicians to wield, far less actually produce, and they eat all the time, while your internal mana is on another level entirely. Given how much of an extremity your golem is, it might be able to detect the extra mana, but actually getting noticeable results out of it seems ridiculous, and you can channel mana from your core...

You currently have issues dealing with magic. Mana churn would be good for shutting down something like the recent curse, but it is expensive and still probably only lasts for a single fight and might interfere with your golems and slimes which are both inherently magical to some degree. If churn was reliably safe for magical entities and had some utility, then I might change my opinion, but as it stands it is too situational and risky.

Primal Stone however is amazing. At a basic level, it is magic resistance and a powerful resilience to contrast with Moriko's powerful attack. If you can master it though? Being able to transition quickly could achieve some truly incredible things. Imagine grappling when you can slip up to them in your natural state then transition into stone once you have a hold on them. Stone form to bat a fireball out of the air then normalise to rush the arcanist. Stand before a hulking barbarian on a rampage in defence of a slime formation and see their confidence shatter as their armoured fist plows into you, and then just stops. Boss-mode a tail, swing a malleable clay tail towards your adversaries, and have it hit them as a solid lump of granite...
As for social aspects? It grants you the ability to become a very nearly absolute fact. sooner or later your denizens will be desperate. Perhaps Alkaline is being tormented, maybe your farms are being ruined, maybe Hin's artful furnishings are being defiled or someone is picking apart the secrets of Merud's golems to claim as their own... There are times when reason will fail. They may respect you, but on their worste day respect counts for little. The physical presence of something that just won't move is difficult to describe, but it is a social impact that, while rare to employ, dwarfs any impact a "pretty human face" might bestow.
Finally, this "bond with the ground" business is fascinating. What if it could be later refined into a direct connection between your golem-self and dungeon-self?
Goes without saying that stone-form would be good for digging...

As for appearance? You don't look like a child, you just look petite, which in a cave is terrifying. Of all your recent golem speculation, the most imposing one was also the weakest. The swarm golem, with its blade-hands and simple legs was all menace, and at that size? Nothing that small should be that dangerous, it is extremely unnerving, and in a cave? Imagine a swarm of those things scampering about a field of stalagmites and stalactites... a team of large challengers would be stumbling around like oafs as those terrifying little things dart about without care. In cramped quarters, respect comes from small, not tall.
More importantly, you need the utility. There will be slime nests in the grotto to deal with, unpredictable natural caverns to navigate, obstacle courses to work on, small trap mechanisms to maintain... Petite is practical, and I don't see you willingly embarrassing yourself by bulking your golem up into something impractical.
But most importantly of all, being big would be completely redundant. One of the easiest boss-mode effects is size increase, you have gigante, you can sit on a brute... If you ever need size you have an abundance of options, not to mention that you are actually the entire dungeon and thus massive beyond all comparison... and can probably earth-quake something off of the top shelf if you are desperate...

I would suggest some mobile hair to temporarily hold things conveniently. some sort of clamp on the end would help with this, and going the classical head-snakes route might differentiate your golem from whatever was bothering Moriko. But having some extra limbs to hold the lens to your eye or carry a pencil while your hands are full or something...
That spider-skirt of your boss-mode does look amazing, but perhaps is a bit much for every-day use? just a pair of spider-legs with crab-claws on the ends would grant you a lot of stability on uneven surfaces and some extra combat and manipulation options though...
Have you considered replacing your legs with a tail? It could probably get into smaller spaces, and as a golem that is not optimised for strength, it probably isn't good at climbing to begin with, while adding some sort of extendible/retractable scales or something could give it a lot of grip.
Of course, all of this would give you a massive serpentine theme, but snakes-from-a-vein is a rather intimidating prospect...
Your shard is good where it is. On your back you coulnd't access it yourself, and couldn't stop others from meddling with it. That your head can take a hammer-blow and continue to function is one of your strengths, keep it away from there. under a shoulder would be difficult to access and awkward to defend other than just covering it. Between your legs would be quite defensible, and possibly easy to access depending upon your flexibility, but if someone does get through your defences, then your legs would channel the blow right into it, not a nice prospect for a part of your primary self. On a hand would leave it too exposed and feet experience too much. Where it is has a good balance.

In brief:
You may have to squeeze, don't have any large protrusions that can't be flattened down.
It is in your own interest to have some rooms that are awkward for tall people, don't be your own victim.
Earn respect with your deeds, not your face. Winning allies doesn't help if you can't maintain them.
Everyone needs a Deem Doll.
Fez-and-bow-tie-wearing snakes with monocles are cool.
Primal Stone is ludicrously versatile and powerful, especially if you can be agile in its use.
Homunculus is just too redundant to be practical. Get Hin to do some fine sculpting on your golem if appearances are an issue, potions don't work well with a golem's natural properties, and if food had enough mana for you to notice then people would glow after every meal.
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No. 862773 ID: c2051e

>>862767
Well, >>862673 gave a decent argument. But beyond that, thematic unity is always a plus in dungeons, and a lot of the dungeon's ladies are busty, especially the stronger ones. It's a noted scientific phenomenon, sometimes called boobs of steel.
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No. 862774 ID: dc91a0

>>862673
Deem is petit. Not childlike.
If you honestly think otherwise however and aren't just hail-marrying for "Thicc Deem" then really perceived head size is the only thing I think that's keeping her in "Childlike" territory. Her body proportions are otherwise firmly adult. It's just that stony "Hair" makes her head look oversized, lending to an immature look.

Homunculus mod can mimic more human hair, right?
Anyone got any ideas for a new hairstyle?
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No. 862775 ID: 91ee5f

>>862650
Primal Stone is a better choice, so let’s get that.

Homunculus seems like it’s more of a downgrade and not very useful.

As for changing Deem’s appearance, I’m agreeing that she needs to be taller by a few inches, nothing drastic. Also, change her face so that she doesn’t have a child’s face anymore. And she should give herself more stone “clothes” so that she doesn’t look like she’s walking around in underwear anymore.

And as funny as this: >>862673 , would be, it’s not practical. So I’m going to say no to it.
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No. 862779 ID: ad51b8

hmmm, I'm honestly stuck between Homunculus Adaptation and Animating Zone. Mostly because I feel that if you go the homunculus route you'd be able to test out your alchemy more without having to ask your minions to be genie pigs for you. While they don't seem to mind now I'm not sure how they'll react later.

As for the Animating zone, you still got that knife growing enhancement on you right? I'm just imagining homing throwing knives or if you want to be tricky, throw the knives normally then have them fly back into the back of your opponent. Plus, you could tear a page out of your golemmancer friends and start wearying long flowing clothes like a scarf or something to animate to help you fight, or just help you out in more mundane activities as well.

I feel that Animating Zone has the most utility so I'm going to cast my vote for that.
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No. 862782 ID: 5b93d3

>>862650
>Homunculus Adaptation: A high quality body refined to be more life-like. Deem can benefit from potions and healing magic. She can also eat and drink, gaining a small amount of mana from doing so.

It may sound odd, but being able to eat and drink with your friendsminions can be an extremely effective morale booster, and that's something you vitally need at the moment.
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No. 862789 ID: c2051e

>>862775
What do you find impractical about LimeBreaker's design?
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No. 862791 ID: 6d1052

Just so we're clear, more of these upgrades can be added later down the line right?
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No. 862804 ID: 91ee5f

>>862789
The fact that Deem isn’t going to realistically use it.
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No. 862807 ID: c2051e

>>862804
That seems circular, but okay.

>>862782
Excellent point, plus getting more mana's great.

Homunculus Adaptation all the way.
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No. 862812 ID: 3ae3fd

>>862779
I worry that Deem is a poor test subject for potions. She lacks a metabolism, so metabolic effects can't be measured for safety or toxicity. Her body is mineral, so any bad reactions with flesh such as stiffening, scarring, weight-changes and such would be unlikely to be detected. And she is the dungeon. If anything goes badly wrong with the potion testing then it may mean another dream-sequence... On that note, benefiting from favourable potions might mean being open to hostile potions. The last thing we need is Deem getting into a fight with an alchemist who figures out why she is carrying potions and decides to inject her with a magical hallucinogen...

>>862789
That body has too many lumps, it would get stuck in things, and the chains would get stuck on things, and she wouldn't be able to get through slime tunnels, and that would probably be too much rock for Moriko to lift, and her centre of gravity would be high enough to make her unstable. Then there is the "third eye" thing with the gem. It would look good if it hadn't already been done too much and now just comes off as boring. It exposes the shard more, which shouldn't be an issue due to Deem's amazing nigh-invulnerability, but is very very crazily much not something to risk(We certainly don't want to test what happens if cursed bear-wounds infect her crack!). Even if we assume that her shard is invulnerable, she won't be able to get her head close enough to headbutt anything with that bodyplan, or at least not with enough speed to do any damage. Deem has managed to get asymmetry to work for her, I think that is rare and special and should be preserved barring reasons to the contrary.

The only reasons to "be more mature" presented that I can see are to look like an adult, which she already does, to gain respect, which she already does(aside from that one guard and that was all Merud's fault...), and to win affection, which, well, I believe that she doesn't want to be that sort of dungeon. Most of her diplomatic contacts will be with monsters anyway, and they will be far more interested in her bulging mana than some token clay deposits.
It is impractical because Deem's golem will spend most of its time fighting, coordinating, digging, and spelunking, while the proposed body is optimised for... other things...
And now I have exceeded my non-discussion discussion quota, best of luck to you all!
>>
No. 862823 ID: 0d1514

>>862767
I think you should basically just make your gigant appearance permanent, spruced up a lil. No cracked stone. Right now, though you have valid reasons, you're CUTE. Difficult to take seriously. The longer hair and taller height gives the impression of a powerful matriarch. I also support moving the shard to be a 'third eye'- that has powerful connotations of wisdom and deification.
>>
No. 862827 ID: 91ee5f

>>862812
>The last thing we need is Deem getting into a fight with an alchemist who figures out why she is carrying potions and decides to inject her with a magical hallucinogen...
That’s another reason the Homunculus is a bad idea. We don’t need another repeat of Deem’s power going out of control!

She might end up permanently killing someone and the Resurrection Matrix won’t bring them back! Or Deem summons more demons or some other crazy irreversible thing ends up happening!
>>
No. 862830 ID: 0d1514

>>862827
People actually aren't exposed to hallucinogens very often.
>>
No. 862833 ID: 33cbe7

>>862673
This is a good start for your new look, but stretch it upwards so you still have room for the heart shard near the, well, heart. A third eye is more alienating than it is convenient.
Also, while I'm not supporting the homunculus adaptation foremost, try to avoid the same discoloration your basic homunculi exhibit from the alchemical treatment if you go that way.
>>
No. 862836 ID: 91ee5f

>>862830
You say that, but with Deem’s terrible luck, that’s exactly what’s going to happen next time someone invades the dungeon.

In fact, you probably jinxed it.
>>
No. 862838 ID: f66698

Really people, the big titted fan art looks dumb. We don't need Deem trying to look like a bimbo.
>>
No. 862858 ID: 3ce125

Can we stop talking about huge boobs? It obviously wasn't a serious suggestion.
>>
No. 862861 ID: f66698

There was way more than one person suggesting it, so yes I think it was.
>>
No. 862863 ID: 3ce125

>>862861
Did you know it's possible for people to jokingly support a joke suggestion?
>>
No. 862868 ID: b7627b

>>862767
Barring the quips with regards to growing a massive pair of pillows, your childish appearance may have negative consequences when interacting with others, such as that skypriest hugging you on account of them finding you cute.

Not to mention your short stature also makes you look rather adorable even when upset.

You could perform the change to a more adult appearance over a length of time to not throw yourself or those around you off.
Though you should be aware that a modicum of sex appeal also has certain applications in negotiations and trading, try consulting Kallia on the matter next time she visits, or you visit her.
>>
No. 862869 ID: 3ce125

>>862868
Hmm yes. Perhaps an inch or two would be worth considering.
>>
No. 862879 ID: 12b116
File 151719692439.jpg - (104.08KB , 368x691 , thatsmyfetish.jpg )
862879

OK now hear me out here: Step one, grow some tits, tits are intimidating. Step two, grow some sweet heavy stone armor, that's intimidating too. Step three, make it sexy, which is the most intimidating. You can use the chains on this one too. I call it the "sexy Havel" look.
>>
No. 862891 ID: 9876c4

>>862879
This plan has armor, so I support it.
>>
No. 863011 ID: 094652

Ever think about making microgolems that interconnect to form flexible clothing?
>>
No. 863016 ID: b15da4

Good. Not only can the Homunculi benefit from potions, they can be the first to do so, in order to test the side effects.

Meanwhile, you should pick Primal Clay. Shapeshifting at a whim, the most flexible foundation you could possibly pick for your primary personage. The body you picked for transporting clay might have been a rush job, but with some polishing I think it'd actually make a nice base to reflect the added flexibility of your new body. Bigger is better. Your minions were comfortable with your height right off the bat, even in their sleepy state. Even Moriko, once you brought it down to a size that fit indoors. (She may have even stronger feelings for it than the others.)
The heart shard should stay at the heart - that's a more human location for it, without being offputting like a forehead eye. Perhaps move it up just a bit to accommodate an expanded chest - which is very important for showing you are the matriarch of the dungeon. Really though, your power and knockers have always shared a tight bond, that grows even tighter during surges of power! It is a good omen.

Bits like horns and tails should wait for a potential future upgrade, Moriko's already having doubts and Hin doesn't like being reminded about her horns.
>>862879
Sadly, we wouldn't get to wear our custom tailored clothing if we built it into the golem. And then where would we put our Steve shirts?
>>
No. 863029 ID: 7ab1fe

large breasts are a tactical disadvantage.
there is a minute advantage when dealing with people who are attracted to females in that it enables you to seduce them and cloud their judgment, however it is countered by you not being taken as seriously and is completely negated by the aforementioned tactical disadvantage. not worth it.
for optimal people-relations, a straight-laced business like appearance would serve you best. tall and lithe. not lanky or skinny, you want the appearance of a tall, toned, muscled body. it is intimidating and authoritative. business clothes would help, but we'll worry about that later.
>>
No. 863059 ID: 2caa80

I’m voting for Primal Clay, primary because it combos INSANELY well with Giant Mode. I mean, forget being a boss, Deem, you can be an entire arena. Need to slow down some adventurers? Head outside, absorb all the loose stone leftover from mining, and shapeshift into a maze they have to complete before entering the dungeon proper. Or, think that any part of the dungeon suddenly needs a temporary wall, or door, or raised shooting gallery? You can do that. Use reinforcement magic if you need to be harder than fired clay (AKA brick. As in a brick wall.)

Basically, this turns Deem’s golem avatar from a communication tool and spare pair of opposable thumbs into a geological Swiss Army knife. Need to remove rubble while digging? Shape your body into a long thin snake, absorb rocks at one end, and excrete them outside at the other. And if Deem ever does get her own boss fight, it can just be a giant room filled with whatever she wants because these abilities let her form her body into architecture on a whim.

And for those worried about durability, Primal Clay should let us reform anything except our core as long as we have mass. And we can gain mass just by touching earth, clay, or rock. In an underground dungeon. Meaningfully hurting Deem in a way she can’t just regenerate is going to be nearly impossible.
>>
No. 863065 ID: 33cbe7

>>863029
On the contrary, they provide an ample reserve of clay, a storage compartment, and a bludgeoning weapon. You can't get any more tactical than that.
>>
No. 863090 ID: 3ae3fd
File 151727178124.png - (28.61KB , 229x658 , ssseem.png )
863090

Hair snakes would be convenient for carrying nick-nacks and looking at references while working. It would also be a humorous twist to put the Medusan hair on a stone statue... Although it might be painful for anyone who had to draw your portrait on a regular basis...

A snake-tail could bulge less around the hips while still having lots of leverage and strength due to being a single large limb rather than two smaller ones, thus allowing you to get through smaller spaces. If it had protruding scales to prevent slipping backwards then it ought to be quite effective at moving forwards and climbing, and if they could be retracted then slipping backwards would still be possible if the need arose. If you had Primal Stone then you could rear up onto the tip of your tail for a massive height increase without adding much volume. You also have many bipedal denizens, so recruiting more should be quite feasible, while you lack a "friendly face" to negotiate with the more exotically-morphic peoples.
It would cost you combat agility, but the added lunging power, massive tail-slaps, and constricting force ought to make up for that.

If anything you should make yourself smaller. Gigant form allows you to enlarge yourself at any time, and you don't need to be intimidating with any frequency, while being small has a continuous benefit of reduced mana usage and less hitting you head on things. Few things ruin an imposing introduction as quickly as physical comedy, and repeatedly hitting your head against your own door-frames, well...
As a dungeon you know better than anyone that space is expensive. Bigger creatures need more space. Size increases always need a very good justification. Considering that you have magical means of enlarging yourself and your mana channels are locked to this body, thus reducing its size is a long and involved process... Gigant just make size increases foolish. It is just so easy to go back-and-forth in one range and so difficult to access the other at all.
>>
No. 863093 ID: 0d1514

>>863059
I think you are massively overestimating primal clay
>>
No. 863096 ID: 0d1514

Basically it seems to come down to whether Deem wants to be a good boss, as in a dungeon overlord, or a powerful bossmonster. I think picking homonculus and forming stronger bonds with her minions is more important than having a powerup to beat people up- we have plenty of fighters, but only one dungeonmaster.
>>
No. 863107 ID: 09e13b

>>863096
I understand your point, but I don't think I get how looking slightly more lifelike and being able to eat food is supposed to meaningfully improve Deem's relationships with her inhabitants. That doesn't really seem like the kind of thing that can be done just by voting for a new ability.

(Meanwhile, vote for primal clay is less about fighting and more about allowing Deem to modify her dungeon on the fly)

>>863093
Nowhere does it say that the shapes she assumes need to be humanoid, and we know she can already grow to huge sizes if she wants. Fine details and complex shapes will probably take practice, but that's only a matter of time. Remember, Deem's very good at shaping earth. Doesn't her current body have eyelashes made out of rock dust or something? (Or was that non-cannon?)
>>
No. 863112 ID: 09e13b

>>862767

I think that any non ability-retaliated changes will probably end up being largely aesthetics based. That said, I think it would be nice to do something to show that your real dungeon body is growing bigger and stronger. Getting taller and gaining a slightly more mature-looking body shape would work, but as has been pointed out, that might not be super practical in the cramped spaces of a developing dungeon.

You could also add a little bit of decorative stonework to you body now that you have the time and resources for it. I think the rock-skirt things around the hips of your combat golems are really pretty, and you could maybe add some sort of stone epaulets to your shoulders to convey authority.

(Or bring back the spider-legs skirt or a permanent basis)
>>
No. 863114 ID: 3ce125

Personally it seems to me that all these options are meant to involve combat scenarios. None of them even imply that they'd be useful outside of combat. Those that are voting with the assumption that Homunculus will help Deem's leadership should re-evaluate their position.
>>
No. 863117 ID: 3abd97

>>863114
One could make the counter argument that if most of these are limited to combat applications, the one(s) with broader applications outside of combat give the most return on investment.
>>
No. 863121 ID: 91ee5f

>>863117
One could also make an argument that people are only choosing Homunculus because “more life-like properties” means “having an excuse to put boobs on Deem”.

Which is not a valid reason for choosing Homunculus.
>>
No. 863126 ID: 3ce125

>>863117
That's only if you assume they all have equal strength in combat!

I did forget about the mana-from-food thing via Homunculus though.
>>
No. 863127 ID: 3abd97

>>863121
You can't actually make the case that people are voting homoculus only for boobs, because disproving it is as simple as providing a single example of a suggestor arguing pro homoculus and anti physical readjustments. Here you go! >>862709
>>
No. 863129 ID: c2051e

>>863121
To add to the above: Even if I'm voting just for tits, so what? Bite me.
>>
No. 863138 ID: 0d1514

>>863112
>Homunculus Adaptation: A high quality body refined to be more life-like

Don't focus on the life-like, focus on the high quality. The other abilities are temporary buffs, Homonculus will be a permanent boost. Also Deem has noted on many occasions that the body shapes the mind- the more life-like the body the better she can understand the human mind.
>>
No. 863142 ID: 33cbe7

>>863138
Please point to where she has said this.
Primal clay is also a permanent ability, one that can be turned on and off at will. Deem is not just the golem - she is the dungeon. A body that is malleable at will is closer to her true potential than a hollow echo of humanity.
>>
No. 863207 ID: 91ee5f

>>863129
If that really is your only reason, then Deem will just ignore your vote.
>>
No. 863218 ID: 45aab1
File 151729383081.png - (8.77KB , 600x400 , imp_advice.png )
863218

>>862770
>>862812
>>863090
>>863191

I should not have to say this but do not post suggestions totalling to almost two and a half times the length of the previous (verbose) update.

I'm not going to read all of that.

Brevity is a virtue. Exercise it.
>>
No. 863220 ID: c2051e

>>863207
Don't you worry, I have other reasons I described earlier too.
>>
No. 863275 ID: 2fe26a

>>862657
Kome's wisdom speaks for itself. As Deem has just said, "People change throughout their lives; stagnation is death." Primal clay is the living embodiment of this philosophy.

So, complex homunculi develop personalities? Haven't you already been worried by the amount of independence your main body shows? Treating it alchemically would just aggravate the divide.
>>
No. 863280 ID: 91ee5f

>>863218
Oh shit, we missed an imp! And it’s trying to steal Deem’s job of giving us advice!

Someone kill it before it runs away!
>>
No. 863373 ID: 34c3e2

>>863090
The tail seems awfuly short. Deem would be forced to expand and contract like a maggot to move.
>>
No. 863501 ID: 45aab1
File 151739943792.png - (27.38KB , 600x750 , concern.png )
863501

...
>>
No. 863502 ID: 45aab1
File 151739953875.png - (26.32KB , 800x550 , golemetry_secrets.png )
863502

>Homunculus. The ability to take advantage of your own potions and restore mana by eating and drinking, even if only a tiny bit, seems useful. Couldn't you even try to reabsorb raw mana that way?
>Any mana is good mana.
While the income from it won't be great, any mana would be helpful in my current straits. Potions would be another way to help me limit my mana expenditure, especially considering Doyle and my surplus raw mana. Unfortunately no, I don't think it would let me process raw mana.

>It may sound odd, but being able to eat and drink with your friendsminions can be an extremely effective morale booster, and that's something you vitally need at the moment.
Morale has been low. It's something I should work on.

>Most importantly- should the avatar of a proud dungeon have a LOW QUALITY body?
Also very true! I am decided then.

>On that note, benefiting from favourable potions might mean being open to hostile potions. The last thing we need is Deem getting into a fight with an alchemist who figures out why she is carrying potions and decides to inject her with a magical hallucinogen...
You do know that if anyone else had been directly hit with that nightmare curse they'd have died, right? I am not easily affected by such things!

>... and you do have rather a lot of imp corpses to get through, and I'm guessing you won't have the same dietary qualms as some of your fri-minions.
Food is food.

"I'm amazed you could make the treatment for the clay so easily." Merud comments, watching as I work.

"It's easy enough to improvise once you've made a homunculus a few times Merud. Rainwater, a little blood from the imps, sap, pressed tubers, a little leaf mould, some cut long grass to bulk it out." I'm glad I bought that alchemy kit. "I'm saving time by using some of Alkaline's slime too. You haven't used them? I'm a little surprised with all your talk about life-like golems."

"Lifelike behaviour, not a lifelike appearance." Merud says. "There's even an argument it's better to keep a simple look instead of human but a little off. Plus my old teacher didn't like them. He said if he let his younger students make them, they'd never get anything done." He squints at the bleached strands I'm pulling out of the broth and setting aside. "How are you making the hair for them?"

"They're the separated plant fibers from the long grass. It's a little coarse for hair still, but it's lighter than clay or stone and that's something that works well with them. I need a fair bit - I think I'll make eight homunculi for now."

"what about the," he pauses, "the other ones?"

"I think four brutes. I'll pad out the rest of the numbers with basic workers if I need them." I scoop up a jar of the mixture. "Now let's see if I've made this right." I drink some.

"Deem?"

"I need to process my own clay too, Merud. Anyway, it's good. Help me soak some of these clay blocks."

>Also, while I'm not supporting the homunculus adaptation foremost, try to avoid the same discolouration your basic homunculi exhibit from the alchemical treatment if you go that way.
While I don't mind it for my homunculi I think you're right, I prefer my original colour for myself.

>Animating Zone sounds cool as an eventual later upgrade. It would be cool to just have tools working around you, or to fight with a cloud of bullshit dancing weapons around you.
>Animating Zone sounds especially powerful for a close combat situation. Just carry around a bunch of knives, animate them all at once for a vortex of death. You could even throw them at people.
>You could tear a page out of your golemmancer friends and start wearying long flowing clothes like a scarf or something to animate to help you fight, or just help you out in more mundane activities as well.
Yes it's definitely versatile. I might have to add it further down the track when I have the chance.

>Primal Clay, gotta go with that. Regen is the key to staying power in a fight, and if you combined your Protean design with Gigant Form, you could blur the boundary between boss and arena. It is a terrific vision to behold!
A tempting vision but one that will have to wait.

>I don't think Mana Churn synergises well with your mages. Don't you have enough misfires already? What happens if Mana Churn misfires?
It wouldn't misfire!
>>
No. 863503 ID: 45aab1
File 151739965154.png - (30.85KB , 800x500 , golem_stuff.png )
863503

So as I process my clay I need to make the other adjustments.

>Okay, so, hear me out, Deem.
>Your golem looks like a child. You look like a child.
>People have a hard time taking children seriously. Even your own dungeoneers forget themselves and treat you like an ignorant, foolish, and petulant child because of your stature - they have a hard time looking up to you as a leader, role model, and elder when they have to look down to actually see you.
>You already have gigant mode that you can sustain at a low level to solve the height problem, but a more womanly figure would help you get the respect you deserve even when you don't have gigant working, and it allows you to be short when the situation calls for it.
Well I'm not a child! Fine! If I have to present them with more evidence of that then I'll do it!

>Well, obviously you need to make yourself taller, so that you’re not the shortest humanoid in the dungeon anymore!
>Your employees may not be looking down on you figuratively, but they are still literally looking down on you!
Ugh.

>I think you look fine as you are, Deem. Form follows function, right? If your heart shard is where a normal body's heart should be, I feel like that's something that rings true. Maybe it helps with mana circulation.
That's true but virtually any place on my body that I would choose to put my Heart piece would have appropriate significance.

>I think you got your design spot on the first time, but if you were to add anything... remember the spider leg skirt? Quite handy/leggy while it lasted.
That feels like it'd get in the way if I had it all the time.

>But beyond that, thematic unity is always a plus in dungeons, and a lot of the dungeon's ladies are busty, especially the stronger ones. It's a noted scientific phenomenon, sometimes called boobs of steel.
I am already the second bustiest person in this dungeon. Wait, no, third.

>Really though, your power and knockers have always shared a tight bond, that grows even tighter during surges of power! It is a good omen.
I have no idea what you're going on about.

>You look fine Deem, don't listen to these knuckle draggers and inflate your tits to a massive degree. If anything, just make permanent the form you had while you were shrinking down from gigant mode.
Yes, a respectable form, that's important.

Now then time to make these changes. It's somewhat unsightly so I lie down in the totem's low walled centre for some privacy as I replace my bones and re-sculpt my body.
>>
No. 863504 ID: 45aab1
File 151739971568.png - (24.86KB , 800x600 , high_definition_deem.png )
863504

>Barring the quips with regards to growing a massive pair of pillows, your childish appearance may have negative consequences when interacting with others, such as that skypriest hugging you on account of them finding you cute.
Right, I will establish my maturity. Something to establish an appropriate distance with clingy outsiders. Tall, elegant, imposing, and regal.

>And move the shard up to your forehead to get a third-eye thing going on. It'll be less awkward to work outfits around, and it'll make you look more like the ancient powerhouse you really are.
>I also support moving the shard to be a 'third eye'- that has powerful connotations of wisdom and deification.
And wise. I am very wise too.

>Deem is petite. Not childlike.
>I think you should basically just make your gigant appearance permanent, spruced up a lil. No cracked stone. Right now, though you have valid reasons, you're CUTE. Difficult to take seriously. The longer hair and taller height gives the impression of a powerful matriarch.
Long hair, refined features.

>Though you should be aware that a modicum of sex appeal also has certain applications in negotiations and trading, try consulting Kallia on the matter next time she visits, or you visit her.
I'm not that ignorant.

I'm ready.
>>
No. 863505 ID: 45aab1
File 151739976924.png - (23.95KB , 800x500 , concern2.png )
863505

>Also, like, get some more clothes. Clothes will help a lot with not looking like a weird child.
Oh right. I should be more careful with how I present myself.

I call out to my golemeter. "Merud, I just realised my old clothes won't fit! I might have gotten a little carried away with the adjustments. Do you think I should do something about clothes?"

"I think that's definitely a good idea, Deem!" Merud says. He's looking away. He's being funny again.

I could see what I can borrow out of everyone's wardrobes, or improvise something with what other fabric we have- we did buy some in town. I've already reused some of the flimsier fabric from the damaged tent for my homunculi.

>You should also adjust/change the stone undergarments look you've got going on so that it looks more like you aren't running the dungeon while barely dressed.
I suppose I could instead cobble together a short dress or similar out of stone.

>OK now hear me out here: Step one, grow some tits, tits are intimidating. Step two, grow some sweet heavy stone armor, that's intimidating too. Step three, make it sexy, which is the most intimidating. You can use the chains on this one too. I call it the "sexy Havel" look.
Most of that aside, I could consider armour instead.
>>
No. 863509 ID: 13fded

You could wear a small leather armor that don't offer that much protection but also let you move unrestricted and can be easily disassemble and reassemble when you change your size.
The chest piece can be hold in place by a shoelace style cord to allow expansion, something similar can be donne for the arms and legs. You will want underwear, of course, but on top of that a roman style skirt, if possible with elastic joins.

With the new golems complete I think there isn't much doubt about what the brutes will be doing, but what are the homunculus going to work on? I like the idea of making a farm outside, but maybe that is a waste of their talents or I misunderstood their purpose.
>>
No. 863510 ID: ad51b8

I say have some armor for when you have to be the dungeon boss but make maybe ask if your minions won't mind letting borrow some of their spare clothing for now. If no one wants to share then I guess make some since moral is low so if they don't want to share or help you play dress up probably better to not push it. But if they don't care then that saves some time.
>>
No. 863512 ID: 7ab1fe

>>863505
aaaa so what did you go with don't leave me hanging like this!
>>
No. 863524 ID: 3d2d5f

Not really feeling the third eye placement tbh. If part of the goal of going homunculus was humanizing yourself for better minion diplomacy, the third eye works against that, making you appear more other.

I mean it does have kind of an intimidation angle going for it, but relating to close followers day to day seems a higher priority than looking impressive to people you're not talking to because your dungeon is killing them for earth pulse.

>I could consider armour instead.
I don't think armor is the way to go, clothes wise. You present yourself as a manager, an executor, wise woman, etc. Your power is in organization and strategy and preparation and leadership. You are not the dungeon's warrior-champion, you are the dungeon, the will behind the warriors.

That you can and may contribute in combat is besides the point. Brand is important here.

So I'd shoot for well dressed and impressive or professional more than armored. At least for day to day attire. Breaking out the armor if you ever go to war is fine.
>>
No. 863526 ID: 2efe4b

Be careful you aren't too intimidating, Deem. While you should have an impression of power, especially when you're making a first impression, your minions and any business partners you develop also need to consider you approachable, and people to whom you've extended your protection should feel safe. In short, you should be trying to look secure rather than threatening. A person who looks dangerous and a person who looks unassailable are both intimidating in a sense, but in very different ways.

Also, don't make yourself look too... "serious"? That's not the right word. Obviously you should be capable of looking very serious. But when you're going to have adventurers running around inside you, silly and embarrassing things are going to happen eventually. If you invest too much into making your appearance seem dignified, then that dignity will more easily and irreparably shatter the next time you all end up covered in slime or subject to some miscast funhouse mirror illusion effect or get invaded by snails or whatever other shenanigans are going to happen. Adventurers, Deem. You know what they're like. Be ready for it.

Do remember, too, that while your childlike appearance of before may have led people to subconsciously assume you were weaker or less wise, it may also have made them subconsciously more willing to forgive perceived mistakes or weaknesses. I wouldn't be surprised if you triggered protective instincts for one or two of your underlings when you were recruiting them. You have gotten stronger, Deem, and your look should reflect that, but you're not at your full power yet. You'll need to be able to show some vulnerability to your minions, to make that clear to them, or they might judge you more harshly than you'd like.
>>
No. 863533 ID: c2051e

Be sure to hug Merud. He's been helpful and more important obedient- he accepted your teachings very well. It's nice to be on good terms with him, plus I'm curious how much more like a living body the Homunculus Adapation feels.

>>863512
Homunculus Adaptation, given the mention of processing her own clay the same way she's processing the homunculus minions.
>>
No. 863535 ID: 988556

>>863505
>I suppose I could instead cobble together a short dress or similar out of stone.
Now, would this actually be part of your body, or a literal separate garment made of stone? If it’s the former, I’d suggest the stone patterns on the original combat golem you made to fight Moriko as a starting point. They’re fairly attractive and clothing like, but also slim enough that you could wear something loose over it if you do chose, just for variety. Expand the stone skirt bits to cover the front and back, add a few more pieces of stone to the chest and stomach and take a few away from the lower arms, and it should look fairly dress-like. Or possibly like a skirt and separate top, but that works too.

On the other hand, if you are making an article of clothing separate from yourself... I have no idea what it should look like, but you should totally do it. Making a functional piece of clothing out of ROCKS of all things would be a seriously impressive display of your mastery over the element of earth, and one you could carry around with you.

I don’t think armor is good general ware, and you can form it when you need it using Giant Mode.

As for borrowing or making clothes, keep in mind that tailoring skills will be needed to make it look nice. Do any of your minions have that skillset? And if so, are they better at working cloth than you are at working stone?
>>
No. 863536 ID: 33cbe7

Your eyes are up here, Deem, not your heart! It's really not hard to fit an ensemble around it - many womens' outfits already include such a window. How thoughtful of them.
If you are going to have Gigant Growth at your command then you'll either have to wear something that's designed to break away or stone garments. Come to think of it, Hin's clothes do seem especially stretchy.
>>
No. 863541 ID: 33cbe7

Try to remember, Deem. Your first Boss Mode. The fever dream. Even Gigant Form. Much like Reisarf, your power rests in the upper torso region - so you should give it plenty of space to do so!
>>
No. 863544 ID: d36af7

As a short-term solution, can't your existing clothes be adjusted with reinforcement magic? It worked on that orichalcum sword.
>>
No. 863545 ID: 0d1514

>>863505
Deem, in a month or two you're going to realize why he's being silly and laugh.
>>
No. 863578 ID: deec6e

>>863505

Make clothes. It's part of the whole 'appear more personable' morale thing you've currently got going. Make armor too, sure, but fashion it like underwear to protect, er, sensitive areas - and that way you can also hide the fact that you're lightly armored, catching opponents off-guard. It should also make wardrobe malfunctions - which invoking Gigant Mode is liable to cause if you need to do it in a hurry - less embarassing for certain people's sensibilities.
>>
No. 863583 ID: 094652

Deem, you are a giant waking rock. Your defensive wear should be focused on slowing lethal blows with padding. So fluffy-thick clothing should help defend against force attacks, at which point slashing and chopping attacks will only make it past the skin barrier before being heavily opposed by sheer stone.
>>
No. 863603 ID: dc91a0

Merud looks uncomfortable.
Actually, Lol Deem I just realized why.

With the new you and these golem designs, you have a BDSM dungeon in the making. XD

Massive, perfectly subservient and scantily clad hyper-masculine brutes.

Cute, barely dressed (in rags) slave girl homunculi.

And a sexy, fiercly confident, totally in control, larger than life mistress (See: Dominatrix) running the show.

You... Should probably let Merud design the image of at least like, half the golems.
>>
No. 863604 ID: d8ce3a

>>863504
>High Def Deem
Oh no, shes hot!
>>
No. 863608 ID: deec6e

>>863601

>concern intensifies

Now, obviously that's not the case. Deem is a proper dungeon, not some borehole sleazepit. Anyone who can't see that and take the threats seriously deserves the smackdown an ill-adviced booty-call is gonna earn them.

Although, maybe we can put Hin-armor on the brutes and commission some clothes for the homonculi...? I doubt it's an issue that needs priority.

Oh, and ask Merud what he thinks of the lessons and the results of your work so far. Is it replicable for him? Does it give him new thoughts about his field? It's interesting that his Master thinks that golems shouldn't be too lifelike and that it makes them distracting - as there is definitely a point where a golem could end up looking and acting uncanny and strange, rather than merely exotic and strange.

What would be his ideal shape be for a sapient, thinking, living golem, if such a thing was ever to be made? Simple, or familiar?
>>
No. 863617 ID: 12b116

At least make some sweet pauldrons and a bevor!
>>
No. 863652 ID: b7627b

>>863505
I'm inclined to say clothes, outside of gigant or boss mode you're not much of a frontline fighter, to account for these happening, an outfit that's relatively easy to remove might be preferred, for whichever top you choose could have the back be laced up, perhaps with some flat and wide cloth similar to Moriko's sarashi rather than downright shoelaces to prevent it digging into your clay. You can throw a cape over the back to conceal the lace if you find that necessary.

Speaking of Moriko's sarashis, you might be able to borrow one for now to cover your top until you manage to cobble a proper outfit together. Not sure what we'll do to cover the bottom for the moment.

Although I'll admit I'm rather fond of your old outfit, it already has buttons and the skirt seems like it might be tied in the side, just remember to undo the buttons and such before using those modes. Would it be possible to recycle your old outfit or incorporate new cloth into it to refit it to your new size?
>>
No. 863666 ID: a98542

>>863505
Just go with clothes.

If you go around wearing armour all the time, people'll think you're paranoid about being attacked - like you're not comfortable with the security of your own defenses and the competency of your defenders.
>>
No. 863698 ID: d8ce3a

>>863666
>>863505

As far as clothes go, I vote for one of thos little half-shirt jackets, and knee length tights, or equivalent fashion in stone form
>>
No. 863713 ID: b1b4f3

>>863505
Some kind of simple dress will do. Armor might be a little too intimidating.
>>
No. 863798 ID: 2fe26a

>>863544
If by short term you mean a couple of minutes, then yes. Seems like a pretty frivolous waste of mana though.

Just do what you're doing now Deem, and have your modesty protected by brute golems wherever you go!
>>
No. 863915 ID: 01e51d

>>863505
>>862649
Really not feeling the hair. The purple-ness of the hair and its almost slimy-quality makes Deem look more like a slime-girl. The third eye I can take or leave, but the geometric black hair deem had was a lot more striking than slimy slightly darker purple. It have her more contract in color and especially if she's wearing clothes its just gonna be a huge mess of uninteresting purple to her appearance rather than the elegant contrast of purple and black with a highlight of red from her eyes. If there's not a way to keep the old hair style but slightly longer, I feel that deem should roll back to her old hair style- this one feels less distinctly 'Deem'
>>
No. 863926 ID: 10c408

>>863915
mmm, I have to agree with this suggestion about the hair. Is it too late to make it a bit more black to contrast with the 'skin' color you've got?

And as far as clothes go, you can always mimic the same style of the clothes you purchased.
>>
No. 863939 ID: 2120ee

>>863505
Clothes, but we should preserve fabric. It's been worrisomely useful so far. You could make do with a couple of vertical strips of cloth, wrapping down from either shoulder to the groin. Covers everything you need to and requires minimum alteration to fabric stores, so it can more easily be repurposed later.
>>
No. 864119 ID: f66698

You of course need a stunning and regal dress, that shows off your fantastic new body while at the same time preserving your dignity. Not that you should hide your new form, but your minions may find it distracting now that your anatomy has changed.
>>
No. 864372 ID: 09e13b

I honestly think rock clothes are the way to go here.
-They’re vastly more durable, have no risk of accidentally being torn or ruined, and cannot be damaged by using our Giant Mode ability.
-They don’t require dipping into our limited cloth resources to make.
-We can wear regular clothes over them if we really want to.
>>
No. 864402 ID: c88e6d

>>863505
Eh, just wear a simple belly shirt and a skirt. You don't have anything to really conceal, but you can stoke their imaginations, granting sex appeal to sexless clay.
>>
No. 864408 ID: b1b4f3

>>864402
You are wrong about that. Deem is anatomically correct under those rocks.

Deem, you can get your rocks off, right?
>>
No. 864414 ID: f66698

I just assumed from Merud's bashfulness and the fact the homonculi are always wearing clothes that Deem's now "anatomically correct".
>>
No. 864468 ID: 581d35

Being fair what is intimidating or powerful wear can vary from person to person, but I think the person going on about looking in charge has the right of it - you're the brains of this operation, you need to show that. Not with a big brain or huge breasts, but by looking serious, important, and intelligent.

Consider a crown? Maybe? with bits of quartz? Otherwise, consider something like a power suit - wide shoulders, lots of straight lines, business and seriousness.

Maybe glasses. I dunno.
>>
No. 864627 ID: 09e13b

>>864468
I still think that the stone epaulettes I suggested higher up could be a fun idea. They're a nice symbol of authority without being as blatant or egotistical as a crown, and they'd make her shoulders look wider for a more imposing appearance. Making them work with a dress might be slightly tricky, though, I guess.
>>
No. 864656 ID: 6d1052

I have to say as an aside that the faces on Merud's hat is absolutely hilarious.
>>
No. 864657 ID: 3ae3fd

Deem probably doesn't need to be perfectly formed to get Merud to blush, and by all accounts she already had "the conventional number of openings" so she probably hasn't changed that much. It is still likely enough to get her disrespected for immodesty on occasion.

Does clothing get repaired by the resurrection matrix?

Either way, she should probably stick with what she had. Clothing is very versatile, and too much stone armour would prevent the use of worn armour which could be better against some threats. No stone armour would leave her getting mocked for nudity by certain types of people every time she wants to do actual work without ruining her nice clothes. Some stone around her thinner sections(waist, neck, shins...) and covering anything that would offend the more prudish would be prudent. Some short shoulder pads and skirt tiles would help protect the joints. Maybe even a few fringe-spines to protect the eyes from handsy thieves?
>>
No. 864681 ID: 9c2d0c

Deem has dismissively informed us in the past that she applied all relevant details to her previous body. I don't see why that would have changed. Now shut up about it, she's gonna get annoyed again.
>>
No. 864770 ID: 528064

Maybe just a simple pair of pants and a vest with little rock shoes? Deem can show how incredibly prideful of her pragmatism she is, it looks good, and it's light on fabric. I don't doubt some of our companions would enjoy the constant gunshow either.
>>
No. 865120 ID: 45aab1
File 151791796224.png - (25.22KB , 800x550 , shes_coveting_your_space_toilet_merud.png )
865120

>If you go around wearing armour all the time, people'll think you're paranoid about being attacked - like you're not comfortable with the security of your own defences and the competency of your defenders.
I did pick the Homunculus Adaptation to try to be more personable too. Yes, clothes will show more confidence.

>As for borrowing or making clothes, keep in mind that tailoring skills will be needed to make it look nice. Do any of your minions have that skillset? And if so, are they better at working cloth than you are at working stone?
I'll improvise something for the moment. I order one of my new homunculus to gather up some of the fabric Merud and Moriko bought during their shopping trip.

>I just assumed from Merud's bashfulness and the fact the homunculi are always wearing clothes that Deem's now "anatomically correct".
What do you mean 'now'?

>Deem has dismissively informed us in the past that she applied all relevant details to her previous body. I don't see why that would have changed. Now shut up about it, she's gonna get annoyed again.
Dohoho, you're lucky I'm in a good mood.

I step out of the golem making alcove and catch my foot on the high lip. I stagger a few steps and grab on to Merud to steady myself.

>Be sure to hug Merud. He's been helpful and more important obedient- he accepted your teachings very well. It's nice to be on good terms with him, plus I'm curious how much more like a living body the Homunculus Adaptation feels.
"Deem?" he says.

"You don't need to be so bashful." I say to Merud. "I've put my rocks back on already. In fact you should take the chance to appreciate my handiwork!"

I wrap my arm around his shoulders, stroke his collar and pat his shoulder. "Anyway, my sense of touch should be a little better." I give it a squeeze. "How does it feel? It is excellent, isn't it? And thanks for all your hard work."

He sighs. "With all these golems you're churning out by yourself, I'm feeling a little superfluous."

>Merud looks uncomfortable.
>Actually, Lol Deem I just realized why.
>With the new you and these golem designs, you have a BDSM dungeon in the making. XD
>Massive, perfectly subservient and scantily clad hyper-masculine brutes.
>Cute, barely dressed (in rags) slave girl homunculi.
>And a sexy, fiercely confident, totally in control, larger than life mistress (see: dominatrix) running the show.
>You... should probably let Merud design the image of at least like, half the golems.
I'll avoid getting a whip then. And perhaps consider better uniforms. Letting him design some was always my intention.

"Nonsense!" I say to Merud. "I need you for expertise and innovation, not mass production. And we wouldn't be making so many new types at once if I hadn't had your assistance setting up the totem."

"Although," I lean in closer. "I will have you make some of the new golems to your own specifications. Hands-on experience for my famulus!"

>It's interesting that his Master thinks that golems shouldn't be too lifelike and that it makes them distracting - as there is definitely a point where a golem could end up looking and acting uncanny and strange, rather than merely exotic and strange.
Arguments about uncanniness aside, his master's point was definitely about younger students and libidos. Foolishness. I would think you could trust them to restrain themselves or get it out of their system.
>>
No. 865121 ID: 45aab1
File 151791818589.png - (41.28KB , 800x600 , but_you_are_basically_all_redundant_now.png )
865121

>What would be his ideal shape be for a sapient, thinking, living golem, if such a thing was ever to be made? Simple, or familiar?
"So then Merud, what would your ideal golem be? If you were to succeed in making a sapient golem, what shape would it take?"

"'It depends' is not a very good answer, so I would have to think about that." Merud says slowly. Hedging his bets I think.

I chuckle. "Take your time. You have ten minutes. I want an answer today."

>If you are going to have Gigant Growth at your command then you'll either have to wear something that's designed to break away or stone garments. Come to think of it, Hin's clothes do seem especially stretchy.
With both Reisarf and myself raiding her wardrobe, Hin wouldn't have much left for herself. I do need something easily shed though.

>Really not feeling the hair. The purple-ness of the hair and its almost slimy-quality makes Deem look more like a slime-girl. The third eye I can take or leave, but the geometric black hair deem had was a lot more striking than slimy slightly darker purple.
>Is it too late to make it a bit more black to contrast with the 'skin' colour you've got?
I think I agree. I'll use some soot to dye it.

>You of course need a stunning and regal dress, that shows off your fantastic new body while at the same time preserving your dignity. Not that you should hide your new form, but your minions may find it distracting now that your anatomy has changed.
I think I know something I can do with the resources I have at hand. I have my homunculi knot two squares of fabric together and start dressing me.

>little rock shoes?
What a good idea. I'll add those.

>Although I'll admit I'm rather fond of your old outfit, it already has buttons and the skirt seems like it might be tied in the side, just remember to undo the buttons and such before using those modes. Would it be possible to recycle your old outfit or incorporate new cloth into it to refit it to your new size?
The shirt wouldn't fit very well but I may be able to do something with the skirt later. If not, I could donate my old outfit to one of the homunculi.

>Be careful you aren't too intimidating, Deem. While you should have an impression of power, especially when you're making a first impression, your minions and any business partners you develop also need to consider you approachable, and people to whom you've extended your protection should feel safe. In short, you should be trying to look secure rather than threatening.
I'm feeling very secure right now and I'm sure it shows.

>If you invest too much into making your appearance seem dignified, then that dignity will more easily and irreparably shatter the next time you all end up covered in slime or subject to some miscast funhouse mirror illusion effect or get invaded by snails or whatever other shenanigans are going to happen. Adventurers, Deem. You know what they're like. Be ready for it.
My natural dignity isn't as brittle as that.
>>
No. 865123 ID: 45aab1
File 151791835669.png - (28.53KB , 800x550 , celebratory_cake.png )
865123

My wardrobe update is interrupted; I hear a noise behind me and turn. My dress-to-be slips off my shoulder. I grab the loose fabric before it can slide to the ground.

It's Moriko, Reisarf and Stargazer. They're back early. Stargazer's using her Independent Action to carry a block of ice with an orange substance inside and Reisarf's carrying something too.

My alienist nods at me amiably. "You look different."

I sigh. "Reisarf, you shouldn't hold a mimic so close to your face."

"Come again?"

"That cake is a mimic."

Everyone's silent. Reisarf's apparently got the nerve to not make any sudden moves. My collection of golems shift uncertainly.

"It's not a very dangerous mimic unless you're a small animal, but you should put it down."

Reisarf does so.

"It's a random cake you found out in the wilderness. Weren't you suspicious?"

My alienist just shrugs helplessly.

>Does clothing get repaired by the Resurrection Matrix?
No.

>Try to remember, Deem. Your first Boss Mode. The fever dream. Even Gigant Form. Much like Reisarf, your power rests in the upper torso region - so you should give it plenty of space to do so!
If that's the case then I should make them smaller. I'm still very weak.

>With the new golems complete I think there isn't much doubt about what the brutes will be doing, but what are the homunculus going to work on? I like the idea of making a farm outside, but maybe that is a waste of their talents or I misunderstood their purpose.
Literally anything that the brutes can't do.

"What is going on here?" Moriko finally asks.
>>
No. 865124 ID: 45aab1
File 151791848719.png - (37.40KB , 800x600 , cant_you_see_were_busy.png )
865124

"It's exactly what it looks like." I say. "Golemetry, of course."

>Do remember, too, that while your childlike appearance of before may have led people to subconsciously assume you were weaker or less wise, it may also have made them subconsciously more willing to forgive perceived mistakes or weaknesses. I wouldn't be surprised if you triggered protective instincts for one or two of your underlings when you were recruiting them.
>You'll need to be able to show some vulnerability to your minions, to make that clear to them, or they might judge you more harshly than you'd like.
I can show vulnerability, see.

>Just do what you're doing now Deem, and have your modesty protected by brute golems wherever you go!
That would be incredibly impractical.

"Now I was in the middle of getting dressed, so if you could all give me some privacy I'll see to that."

They all shuffle out. It's just me, the golems and the mimic.

Clearly that patrol found a few things and I need to do some more golemetry work with Merud but first I should decide what to do with the mimic. It's a parasite. Arguably symbiotic. The cake is conjured material that constantly regenerates. If you eat a slice, it consumes some of your mana to fuel something similar to a weak satiation potion. The mimic also gets a small portion of the victim's mana. Any small animals foolish enough to lured in get eaten instead.

It's rare but not hugely useful to me. I'm very close to the limit for how many unique creatures I can protect with my Resurrection Matrix. I can exceed that limit but it makes the resurrection process much arduous for the resurrectee.

I don't have to recruit it like that but it would be far less loyal. I could hold on to the cake mimic to sell it or try to eventually evolve it into something more useful. Finally I could just kill it and get a catalyst for a magic item - something to do with resource conversion, food or mimicry.
>>
No. 865125 ID: b7627b

>>865124
I say we stick the cake mimic down Doyle and see what happens.
>>
No. 865126 ID: 4cc864

I'd keep the Topkek mimic just for the rarity and the for killing rats
>>
No. 865127 ID: 10c408

Keep the cake mimic near the food supply but make sure that *everyone* in your dungeon is aware of it, particularly doyle and charka.

With any lucky it'll be content to eat vermin for awhile and you can see about it's future prospects when it's bigger.

Oh, and next time Kallia visits you should feed her a slice for kicks.
>>
No. 865128 ID: 0d45a9

Maybe keep it in the employee area of the dungeon? Safe from adventures but it can still serve as pest control and the occasional treat? Having something like this could be good for morale, just have to make sure everyone's aware of it.
>>
No. 865131 ID: 7ab1fe

first thing's first.
finish getting dressed and show us your new figure! i'm dying of curiosity here!

>mimic
i say recruit it but don't register it with the Resurrection Matrix, at least until you make it more useful.
>>
No. 865132 ID: d36af7

Recruit the cake. Simple method for converting internal mana reserves to food could be helpful for supporting Hin's gluttony, various slimes, maybe even the homunculi, and it could be bait for a trap without risking your precious gold.
> limit for how many unique creatures I can protect with my Resurrection Matrix
Would the mimic be less of a burden on dungeon infrastructure if you cut it in half and somehow made it grow back like a starfish, thus becoming non-unique?
>>
No. 865133 ID: d8ce3a

>>865127
>>865128
I agree with these, lets keep it as pest control for now. and if it becomes more useful, then we can register it. If you need it to be loyal, just train it like you would an animal, feed it occasionally, and discipline it if it gets out of hand. at the very least it doesn't appear very mobile, so how much trouble could it get into?
>>
No. 865136 ID: 33cbe7

>If that's the case then I should make them smaller.
Now that logic simply doesn't follow at all. You want room to improve, to fake it until you make it, to plan ahead for the breast-case scenario.
Keep the cake. It worked on Reisarf, it'll work on at least some adventurers. Give it the standard talking to while you carve it a face to look more personable. Let's call it... Antoinette!
>>
No. 865146 ID: 4cc864

An option for the mimic to to get someone to go to town and sell it. A nice looking cake mimic that eats rats and pests would be useful to people there
>>
No. 865148 ID: 2fe26a

>>865133
That's just asking to find out. Remember we have a small and particularly delicious slime to look out for, too. Put this thing in a cage and see about selling it to our favorite mimic dealer next time she comes by.
>>
No. 865162 ID: deec6e

>>865123

Oh my. Is that the merest hint of a smile from Moriko?

As for the mimic, sell it for more gold for the hoard, we've got enough people and minions to oversee the development of for the time being. The trader had one to sell already, but that doesn't mean she might not be happy to offload another. Heck, she might have found more than one potential buyer for the first.
>>
No. 865164 ID: e209c4

>>865124
Hmm. On the one hand, an inexhaustible source of food is definitely not to be sneezed at. I can’t imagine that keeping everyone fed isn’t a huge part of the logistics of running a dungeon. Additionally, free cake would potentially be useful for recruiting.

On the other hand, your dungeon is going to be staffed largely by slimes, which eat almost anything, and golems, which don’t eat anything at all. Food is a less pressing issue than it might otherwise be, especially given the ease with which you can make satiation potions. If we ever get to the point where a few slices of cake are all that stand between us and starvation, we’ve probably already screwed up beyond all hope of recovery anyway.

Ultimately, I suggest going the magic item route. A food based magic item would probably be just as good as the cake from a feeding people perspective, maybe better. A resource converting item could potentially be invaluable as well, depending on the resources in question.
>>
No. 865169 ID: 91ee5f

>>865123
>Stargazer's using her Independent Action to carry a block of ice with an orange substance inside
So what did Stargazer bring back?

>"That cake is a mimic."
THE CAKE IS A LIE!!!!!

>>865124
>Finally I could just kill it and get a catalyst for a magic item - something to do with resource conversion, food or mimicry.
Let Doyle eat it and see what he spits out from it!
>>
No. 865177 ID: 0d1514

>>865124
We can't go adopting every weird thing we see! No resurrection matrix. Ask if anyone wants to keep it, if not then turn it into a magic item.

Before that, try a slice. Test your tastebuds!
>>
No. 865179 ID: 2edf5e
File 151794220735.png - (113.61KB , 642x453 , a better mousetrap.png )
865179

>[...] but first I should decide what to do with the mimic.

Build a better mouse trap. Keep it in the larder.
>>
No. 865180 ID: b1b4f3

>>865124
How does this cake compare to the mimic egg that was for sale? If the egg is better, keep the cake and sell it to fund the egg purchase.
Otherwise... hell, still sell it. It's worth more to the town than it is to you, isn't it?
Or you could just leave it in your secure storage to eat the occasional rat. Side bonus, (mostly)free cake for your minions! No need to resurrect the cake.
>>
No. 865187 ID: 2120ee

>>865124
Just throw the mimic on one of the far platforms of the thaumatorium. I doubt it can swim. Doesn't take any resources to trap it on an island. Having a source of cake probably will be a morale booster, since luxury food is likely to be a, well, luxury moving forwards. You can always kill it to make an item when you're actually likely to make items any time soon.

Oh, and be sure to tease Stargazer for not spotting the mimic. I'm a little disappointed in her, to be honest. I guess three eyes are better than one! Or wait, with Reisarf they have three eyes too. I guess you're just better.
>>
No. 865191 ID: e974eb

Do imps like cake?
>>
No. 865195 ID: dc91a0

Hmm. A cake that never ends that's perfectly safe so long as you don't have any pets?

Taste it. If it tastes good, that Deem is MONEY.
In that case hold onto it, any merchant could find a buyer easy.

If it tastes bad or even meh? Kill it. Unless you can somehow improve upon it and then sell it.
>>
No. 865197 ID: 074011

Ugh, I do not want to know what sort of trap a memeic would evolve into. What ever it is it will probably be bad for your dignified reputation. Still, if you can breed mimics then they would suit the illusion/deception style of a shadow dungeon, and I recall you planning in that direction.
>>865179
And the mouse-trap idea sounds like a good method of storage for the moment. And even if it is parasitic murder-cake that, in the long-term,
drains more food than it provides, it still tastes nice, doesn't it? It could be nice to keep around for treats.

Just, umm, make certain that baby slimes can't get to it...
>>
No. 865246 ID: 09e13b

>>865125
>>865128
>>865169
Feeding a slice or two to Doyle might be a good idea, but I don’t think throwing the whole thing in is a good idea. Whether we sell it, turn it into a magic item, or decide to keep it, either way we gain some sort of permanent asset, be it mana, equipment, or a minion. If we turn it into potions, then we only get a few single-use expendables. If you really want to feed it to someone, give it to Alkaline for a new ability.

>Pest control
Just keep in mind, the basic slimes will probably be able to do the same thing once we have them.

Hey Deem, could we use the mimic to make an item to turn turn loose rocks/rubble into cake? Because that sounds like it would massively speed up digging and boost morale at the same time. (Also it’d let Hin and Alkaline practice their gluttony abilities)
>>
No. 865255 ID: 2120ee

>>865124
>>865187
Adding onto this post that while we're in the thaumatorium with the mimic, we should give the mimic a bath. It has been out in the dirt for who knows how long. It's not sanitary.
>>
No. 865257 ID: f66698

If you can make it behave for you, you could keep it in a secure place and use it in alchemy. If it can mimic a variety of materials with the cost of some mana to take some, you could use it to get weak potion ingredients of any type in order to produce any potion, even if at a weaker strength than one made from real ingredients would.
>>
No. 865259 ID: f66698

I also like the vermin control idea, but still, don't bind it to your ressurection matrix, no need to make life worse than everyone else for what amounts to a pet.
>>
No. 865455 ID: 45aab1
File 151800973339.png - (20.34KB , 800x500 , snippity_snab_its_a_cake_crab.png )
865455

>Maybe keep it in the employee area of the dungeon? Safe from adventures but it can still serve as pest control and the occasional treat? Having something like this could be good for morale, just have to make sure everyone's aware of it.
That's true, morale has been a problem and it would snip any pest problems in the bud.

>Remember we have a small and particularly delicious slime to look out for, too. Put this thing in a cage and see about selling it to our favourite mimic dealer next time she comes by.
And if I hold on to it, I'll have the option of selling it. But I do need to make sure it's safely stored.

>>865179
>Build a better mouse trap. Keep it in the larder.
Something to secure it is a good plan. That's an excellent prototype, I'll throw together something like that.

>How does this cake compare to the mimic egg that was for sale? If the egg is better, keep the cake and sell it to fund the egg purchase.
The mimic egg has already been sold. This mimic would have some value due to its rarity but it's not useful as a guardian at all.

>We can't go adopting every weird thing we see! No resurrection matrix.
True. If I were to bind it and the slime (assuming it survives) to the matrix, I wouldn't be able to add anything else without degraded performance. I'd prefer to keep my options open in case another good monster comes along.

>Recruit the cake. Simple method for converting internal mana reserves to food could be helpful for supporting Hin's gluttony, various slimes, maybe even the homunculi, and it could be bait for a trap without risking your precious gold.
I won't be able to bait a trap without risking it, but those other uses should be fine.

>At the very least it doesn't appear very mobile, so how much trouble could it get into?
The mimic's trying to creep towards the dungeon's entrance from where Reisarf set it down.

"Don't think I can't see you." I tell it.

The cake pivots, looking for other exits, then retracts its legs and settles down. I finish getting dressed.
>>
No. 865456 ID: 45aab1
File 151800981669.png - (23.93KB , 800x600 , convenient_stone_fork.png )
865456

>Try a slice. Test your tastebuds!
I have a golem grab it and then cut myself a slice.

!

Sweet, fluffy, moist. It's alright, I suppose.

The net effect for me of eating a slice is having a nice experience, losing a small amount of mana and feeding the mimic. Unless I need to feed it mana, I would be better off eating real food.

>If it tastes bad or even meh? Kill it. Unless you can somehow improve upon it and then sell it.
"You pass." I tell it. "I'm going to keep you."

>Oh, and next time Kallia visits you should feed her a slice for kicks.
It doesn't have any of the side effects those potions did. If you were hoping for some sort of placebo effect, I'll have to disappoint you.

>I say we stick the cake mimic down Doyle and see what happens.
If I had a spare I'd consider it, but that would be wasteful.

>Keep the cake. It worked on Reisarf, it'll work on at least some adventurers.
Reisarf doesn't have much adventuring experience.

>Just throw the mimic on one of the far platforms of the thaumatorium. I doubt it can swim. Doesn't take any resources to trap it on an island.
It might get killed by marauding adventurers if I do that.

>We should give the mimic a bath. It has been out in the dirt for who knows how long. It's not sanitary.
Bathing cake sounds like a recipe for disaster. I could just eat enough slices of cake to replace it all?

>Hey Deem, could we use the mimic to make an item to turn turn loose rocks/rubble into cake? Because that sounds like it would massively speed up digging and boost morale at the same time.
Probably, but it could only convert a limited amount.

>If you can make it behave for you, you could keep it in a secure place and use it in alchemy. If it can mimic a variety of materials with the cost of some mana to take some, you could use it to get weak potion ingredients of any type in order to produce any potion, even if at a weaker strength than one made from real ingredients would.
Conjured materials are impermanent. They can't be used as potion ingredients.
>>
No. 865457 ID: 45aab1
File 151800994895.png - (34.11KB , 600x750 , fashion_level_expert.png )
865457

>Finish getting dressed and show us your new figure! I'm dying of curiosity here!
I suppose that's enough messing around with mimics. I strut out of the totem to find some of my minions.

>Oh my. Is that the merest hint of a smile from Moriko?
I guess she approves of my new look?

>So what did Stargazer bring back?
I have a quick chat with Reisarf and Moriko. They found an area with a number of imps and a lot of orange goo that had apparently been just dropped on the hillside and pooled further down. A lot of the vegetation is distressed by this. It's the same place they found the cake mimic.

It's possible that the spatial anomaly dropped a few things outside of my dungeon before it closed?

The imps were timid, something is probably preying on them. Moriko felt as if they were being watched so Reisarf froze a sample of the goo for Stargazer to carry back and confirm if it's the same goo. I ask them to tell everyone about the mimic, send it off to get penned properly and drag Merud back into the Golem Totem.
>>
No. 865458 ID: 45aab1
File 151801009635.png - (29.51KB , 800x550 , what_is_this_amateur_hour_bullshit.png )
865458

I decide to start Merud off by making a homunculus of his own.

What is this... thing?

"Merud." I begin. "It's a little basic."

"I've always been better at starting with something basic and then refining the design." My golemeter says.

"Refinement is important, but you need an overall vision for what you want first! Think about the whole thing, don't risk getting bogged down into tweaking small elements." Something occurs to me. "Merud, how many golems would you say you make in a week? From scratch?"

"One?"

"One." I say.

"Maybe less?" he admits. "We had a number of workhorse golems we activated as needed."

I sigh. "I remember times when use of any sort of pre-made golem was looked down on. The basics are important. Practising your visualisation is important. Let's take a step back. You haven't really decided what you want this golem to look like, have you? We'll start there."

I think I'll suggest he uses someone he knows as a model. Who might be best?
>>
No. 865460 ID: b7627b

>>865458
I can hardly think of a better model than you, Deem.
>>
No. 865462 ID: a98542

>>865458
Kallia, obviously. They've hung out enough that he should have a good idea of what she looks like.
>>
No. 865463 ID: e4abe1

>>865462
this
>>
No. 865464 ID: ad51b8

well as for a model we should probably keep it local just to keep it simple so ask him out of all the people here who would he like to base the golem off of... tell him he can use more then one person if you think it would help, he seems to have a bit of trouble when he has to make his own decisions. Guess he could also use his friend back in town as a model as well seeing how they seemed to have known each other for a long enough time that he can probably use her as a model from memory alone.
>>
No. 865465 ID: 0d45a9

It sounds like Merud has a difference in design philosophy? It's easier to construct something to fit a role, so maybe rather than asking him what he thinks the golem should look like, maybe prompt him by asking what he thinks the golem should do?

Form follows function after all, so the reverse should also work. Plus it's more educational to prompt instead of dictate. e.g. If he thinks the golem should "distract" adventurers, then he should design it according to either a stereotypical or personal version of beauty.
>>
No. 865466 ID: 13fded

Make a boy Reisarf doll! We need to mess with Stargazer.
>>
No. 865467 ID: 91ee5f

>>865458
>I think I'll suggest he uses someone he knows as a model. Who might be best?
Let’s try his friend, Kallia.

It’s too easy for him to look at someone here in the dungeon to mimic their appearance, there’s no challenge! So let’s have him model his golem after someone that isn’t here, so that he has to use his memory of them and can’t just easily look at them to make sure he’s getting it right.
>>
No. 865470 ID: 10c408

Okay, as good as a suggestion as this is for Merud to get in some practice, we should cut off any potential weird rumor mills at the knees and suggest he pick someone he knows that isn't a girl.

Which is your entire staff + Kallia.
>>
No. 865471 ID: 4fa22b

>>865458
hmmmm who has he been staring at more than anyone else?
probably your old golem or Kallia, i'd say.
>>
No. 865475 ID: b15da4

Use the face of that professor that told him he couldn't make homunculi. That'll show them!
>>
No. 865493 ID: d8ce3a

>>865458
I have an idea. Have him make the golem in the idealized image of himself.
>>
No. 865508 ID: c31aac

>>865493
this one, or
>>865475
this one.
>>
No. 865511 ID: 528064

I think it's pretty clear at this point Moriko has a crush on you Deem and your cool new body is only making it more intense for her.
Homunculi are sort of like a character from a story maybe Merud should focus on a personality to construct his golem around?
>>
No. 865512 ID: b1b4f3

>>865458
Kallia.

For a challenge he could try Stargazer.
>>
No. 865517 ID: deec6e

>One or less a week.

Is this on par for journeyman golemeters of the time, or is it more a matter of him taking his time making golems? Anyway, it doesn't really matter, given how helpful he's been just with getting your golem operation up and running. Speed tends to come with rote practice, after all, and I suspect he's likely been experimenting with different kinds of golem designs rather than perfecting one.

>>865458

Kallia truly is the obvious choice (although there will no doubt be teasing to come from it), but do mention he has other options. His master, for one. The Shopkeeper, or her daughter. Friends, family, interesting personalities from town. Heck, maybe even one of the other people here in the Dungeon. At least those he could ask permission from - AND it could lead towards playing tricksy twin shenanigans on adventurers, making them think they defeated someone, only to have downed their homonculus clone instead (or vice verse).

Ultimately, Merud should choose the visage of someone that will inspire him to do his best, making the creation process enjoyable. If he has someone he respects, who he has confidence wouldn't mind their visage being used for such a creation, that would likely be the ideal template person.
>>
No. 865558 ID: 074011

He has spent a lot of time with Alkaline. It is too bad that slimes are a terrible form for golems?

If things don't work out with the memeic, then just remember the golden rule of mad science: "You can always dunk it into [pure mana] just to see what happens!"
>>
No. 865598 ID: 3abd97

>darker blocky hair back
That is an improvement, I think.

>>865123
Well. Moriko seems to like what she sees!

>I guess she approves of my new look?
Certainly looks that way to me!

>>865455
That thing is adorable.

Trapping it in the employee area sounds like the right idea. It's cute, it eats vermin, and you can pet it eat tasty slices when you need a pick me up. It serves the same emotional and practical role as a cat.

>I think I'll suggest he uses someone he knows as a model. Who might be best?
Kallia's good for teasing potential. (Golem-Kallia, Gallia?)

Actually, are there potions that allow spoofing appearance, or can make a golem temporarily look human? One thing homunculus golems could be used for is doppelgangers or body doubles of your more powerful minions. Bluffing, deceiving, or misdirecting adventurers with a fake could be a useful trick if used at the right time.
>>
No. 865650 ID: 33cbe7

Using his absent coworker is going to earn some serious raised eyebrows next time she comes to visit.
What if he uses your original appearance? After all, you were originally mistaken for a Turing test golem. You've already got a full set of clothes lying around that'd fit too.
>>
No. 865783 ID: df23bb

He should use your old template. He's already seen what it looks like made out of clay, it's small so it doesn't need much material, we get cute deem back.
>>
No. 865793 ID: 094652

>>865456
Man, I want one of those.

Be sure to experiment and set some dietary limits. But generally? You get to feed your entire team a slice of cake for dinner dessert and all it costs is any remaining end-of-day mana. Score.

>>865458
Oh dear @#$%balls that is ugly-boring.

Have him make a copy of Reisarf (F). Because seriously, this gender-bending thing is the ONLY thing special about him; he's basically the background character to make Stargazer look hawt. Even his girl form looks normal, so copy that.
>>
No. 865845 ID: be0b68

>>865458
Ah the hazards of routine practice in convenience. Happens to the best of us.

Still, suggesting he use Kallia as a basis for form and to construct the golem for purpose from scratch should be good for him.

Maybe remind him to consider the other interpretation of the 5th Magic before he does so.
>>
No. 865848 ID: c88e6d

>>865458
Let's try Child-like Deem. See if he can make a more humaniform imitation of his master's original avatar. It will encourage him and provide an emotional connection to his new golem.
>>
No. 865861 ID: 9c2d0c

>>865783
>>865848
That is not bad, really. Might help him with that thing where his golems pretend to be conscious too. As long as he isn't going to be put off by the notion of being in your shadow again.
>>
No. 865914 ID: d0d281

While I don't have useful advice on who it should be, Being Kallia seems incredibly creepy and stalker like and is sure to warrant a conversation and later embarrassment for Merud.

Unless he suggests it, don't do it.
>>
No. 865965 ID: b1b4f3

Oh, and the presence they felt is most likely Moriko's Shadow. You should have Moriko escort you back there.
>>
No. 865979 ID: e95cec

>>865783
Shh! Can...can she read the spoiler text?
>>
No. 866033 ID: 074011

>>865979
https://tgchan.org/kusaba/questarch/res/565839.html#687324
I think that a Kallia golem under Merud's control would be better able to mock Kallia than be mocked by her. There is all the time in the world to prepare it and the perfect verbal quips before Kallia appears! she is standing right behind me, isn't she? Unless Kallia's superior skills can overcome resources and preparation?
>>
No. 868560 ID: f22969
File 151903766419.png - (34.30KB , 800x600 , this_new_deem_is_a_menace.png )
868560

>One or less a week.
>Is this on par for journeyman golemeters of the time, or is it more a matter of him taking his time making golems? Anyway, it doesn't really matter, given how helpful he's been just with getting your golem operation up and running. Speed tends to come with rote practice, after all, and I suspect he's likely been experimenting with different kinds of golem designs rather than perfecting one.
It's low for a journeyman - they're usually given a lot of creation work just to ensure they have the basics down. Given Merud's experiments and, well, everything about Kallia I think his master has a laissez faire approach to his apprentices.

>It’s too easy for him to look at someone here in the dungeon to mimic their appearance, there’s no challenge! So let’s have him model his golem after someone that isn’t here, so that he has to use his memory of them and can’t just easily look at them to make sure he’s getting it right.
An excellent idea.

>Use the face of that professor that told him he couldn't make homunculi. That'll show them!
I don't know what he looks like so no.

>Okay, as good as a suggestion as this is for Merud to get in some practice, we should cut off any potential weird rumour mills at the knees and suggest he pick someone he knows that isn't a girl.
>Which is your entire staff + Kallia.
Who's going to be starting rumours? Belphejar?

>While I don't have useful advice on who it should be, Being Kallia seems incredibly creepy and stalker like and is sure to warrant a conversation and later embarrassment for Merud.
>Unless he suggests it, don't do it.
>Kallia's good for teasing potential.
"I think you should model one after Kallia." I say.

"I don't think she'd approve of-" Merud trails off.

"Hmmm?" I saw knowingly.

"She would, wouldn't she?"

"Mmmm." I agree. I pat him on the shoulder. "This is just to test your memory and visualisation. I'll modify it afterwards."

>Using his absent coworker is going to earn some serious raised eyebrows next time she comes to visit.
Those eyebrows of hers will always be raised for one reason or another.

"I feel she needs more of a smirk." I comment as Merud works.

Merud tries to ignore me.

"Do you think the chest is the right size?"

"Deem..."

"You know she'll complain if you get it wrong. At least the hair colour is very close."

"Deem, please!"

"You will often be creating golems under very stressful circumstances." I explain to Merud. "That's why it's very important for me, as your teacher, to heckle you as you work."

"And I'm sure that's the only reason." he grumbles.

"It is a very important, very solemn duty." I assure him.

This was an excellent idea.

>Ultimately, Merud should choose the visage of someone that will inspire him to do his best, making the creation process enjoyable. If he has someone he respects, who he has confidence wouldn't mind their visage being used for such a creation, that would likely be the ideal template person.
>Maybe remind him to consider the other interpretation of the 5th Magic before he does so.
"Inspiration is important, Merud. After all, if you are hoping to make a golem that is convincingly human, isn't it better if the artistry of its creation has a little spark of its creator's soul? You yourself need to be thinking of it as something in of itself, not just a collection of parts. If you have a clear image of how it should act, what its personality should be, you've smoothed the way for yourself to progress."

"Uhmm." Merud nods, now focusing on the face. He's much less talkative when he's concentrating.

>It sounds like Merud has a difference in design philosophy? It's easier to construct something to fit a role, so maybe rather than asking him what he thinks the golem should look like, maybe prompt him by asking what he thinks the golem should do?
I would argue he suffers from an uncertainty in what he's creating. He's not sure what its final form should be. He's hoping to discover something of the essence in experimentation and gradual refinement but I wonder if he needs to be bolder in his approach. To take more risks.

Merud's done. It really is a good likeness. I'll have to think about what exactly to change about this Kallia-golem's appearance to turn it into more of a Kallia's-cousin-golem but I'll start with one simple tweak.

"Why do your golems have pointed ears, Deem?" Merud asks me.

"Because I like them."
>>
No. 868561 ID: f22969
File 151903785528.png - (31.98KB , 800x600 , i_want_to_bully_it.png )
868561

>I think it's pretty clear at this point Moriko has a crush on you Deem and your cool new body is only making it more intense for her.
Well I suppose I shouldn't be too surprised. My golems are excellently made. I have had to purposefully make them plainer in the past.

Since he needs more practice I'll have him make a quarter of the new golems. That means a second homunculus.

>He has spent a lot of time with Alkaline. It is too bad that slimes are a terrible form for golems?
Yes, probably not the best fit.

>Make a boy Reisarf doll! We need to mess with Stargazer.
I've probably messed with Stargazer too much as it is.

>For a challenge he could try Stargazer.
A golem shaped like Stargazer's staff form wouldn't be particularly useful.

>Have him make the golem in the idealised image of himself.
My golemeter has proven to be somewhat shy, so having his idealised version running around in the quite basic clothes I can currently provide does not seem ideal for a harmonious dungeon.

>Actually, are there potions that allow spoofing appearance, or can make a golem temporarily look human? One thing homunculus golems could be used for is doppelgangers or body doubles of your more powerful minions. Bluffing, deceiving, or misdirecting adventurers with a fake could be a useful trick if used at the right time.
More advanced homunculi can be customised to do that. The easiest one is modelling them after my denizens as it requires an amount of blood that would be difficult to get off marauding adventurers.

>Let's try Child-like Deem. See if he can make a more humaniform imitation of his master's original avatar. It will encourage him and provide an emotional connection to his new golem.
I wasn't a child! Just petite!

>He should use your old template. He's already seen what it looks like made out of clay, it's small so it doesn't need much material, we get cute deem back.
I'm still very cute! It's just a mature sort of cute. Still it'll be a good basis of comparison for how he interprets another's golems. We need to ensure a good level of compatibility so I'll be able to order his golems and he mine.

I critically examine Merud's second homunculus, one made in my image. Maybe I did make my original body too cute. "Are you sure I was that short?"

"When not in sandals, yes Deem." he replies. "You did make yourself much taller. And you're wearing heels. Actually, are you sure you didn't overdo it? You seem a little clumsier."

Damn his wizard eyes.

"I'm just adjusting." I say. I need to change the subject.

>You've already got a full set of clothes lying around that'd fit too.
The clothes fit so he must have made it right.

"Oh! While I think of it, I have a letter from Lianna I need you to read me." I have a golem hand it to him.

Merud scans it. "It just says thanks for looking after her daughter, she's sorry she couldn't stay - she had to get back to her shop - and she's glad you've found such a good group to look after you."

Look after me? "Are those her exact words?"

My golemeter folds the letter and looks up at me. "You know Deem, we've talked about teaching Alkaline about reading and writing before. If you really want to know, I could teach both of you."

I don't want to commit to a decision right now. "I'm not sure if it'd be a good use of your time with just two people..."

Merud taps the folded letter on his other hand. "Actually Moriko mentioned that she could stand to brush up on her written Vayan." Wait, I recognise this. Merud continues to display an infuriating tendency of laying the groundwork for things without my knowledge!

I look around and notice Chakarkelou entered the room at some point. "W-well look at Chakarchelou, he's getting along perfectly fine without having to read or write. Aren't you, Chakarchelou?"

My quasidragon scratches a sideways crescent into a clay block and looks up at me hopefully.

"Who taught you that!?"

Merud coughs. "I may have done."

You have it all planned out, don't you?

I suppose I do need to commit to a decision about Merud's literacy plot then!
>>
No. 868567 ID: 760851

>>868561
i have said this before and i will say this again. reading is tremendously useful and you should never allow pride to get between you and power. and it's not even much loss of pride! everyone already knows you're illiterate, at this point the only truly shameful course of action is refusal to improve yourself.
>>
No. 868568 ID: deec6e

He wouldn't be offering to do this if he didn't think it was important, Deem.
>>
No. 868571 ID: b7627b

>>868561
Dear Deem, do you want to remain less literate than a quasidragon? Do you want to have other people read potentially private letters that might be addressed to you?

What would the other dungeon hearts think of you if they found out you couldn't read?
While we're at it, some maths might also be handy, especially for managing a group like this.

On other subjects, have you associated with elves in the past? Since you seem to be fond of pointed ears.
And how is that red slime doing? Has alkaline eaten it? She could bring it along to the class.
>>
No. 868574 ID: be0b68

>>868561
Might as well join in on the lessons, it'll be a nice regular interaction with the other learners and Merud if nothing else.
>>
No. 868577 ID: 10c408

Honestly, Deem. Are you telling me that when you receive your next missive, you are entirely willing to forgo your pride and bother your minions with something they consider trivial?
>>
No. 868589 ID: 91ee5f

>>868561
>My quasidragon scratches a sideways crescent into a clay block and looks up at me hopefully.
Chakarchelou is waiting to see if he impressed you by doing that. Go ahead and tell him that he did a good job and give him head pats!
>>
No. 868592 ID: 2efe4b

Yes, give Chakarchelou head pats, he is a good boy. Then go learn to read. Think of it like studying mana channels, only instead of mana moving through them, it's meaning!

... Say, is there such a thing as rune magic? That'd be related to reading and writing, right?
>>
No. 868595 ID: 555f33

There's nothing particularly shameful about being illiterate. If you don't want to learn, there's no reason you should have to do so, even if others want to. Besides, trying to trap you into it with peer pressure? That kinda sucks.
>>
No. 868603 ID: 3abd97

>A golem shaped like Stargazer's staff form wouldn't be particularly useful.
Blatant discrimination against snake golems.

>Actually, are you sure you didn't overdo it? You seem a little clumsier.
I did it exactly enough!

>Merud continues to display an infuriating tendency of laying the groundwork for things without my knowledge!
That's called initiative, and it's something to foster in minions.

>I suppose I do need to commit to a decision about Merud's literacy plot then!
You can't let yourself be shown up by a quasi-dragon!

Realistically, you can get by without reading, Deem, but the ability to read closes off one avenue of deceiving you, and opens up useful options. Like being able to do bookkeeping for your dungeon. Keeping notes. Passing written messages between followers. Reading and receiving letters. Being able to read for pleasure and for knowledge.

It's not a big investment, there are a lot of upsides, and you're intelligent enough that it shouldn't be an ordeal.
>>
No. 868614 ID: dc91a0

Literacy is an essential skill. Though you are amazingly talented as you are now, there is always room to learn.

At the very least, you'll be able to communicate via letters without needing to use minions, and you'll be more easily able to learn new magic via tomes and scrolls.
>>
No. 868618 ID: 2efe4b

>>868595
>There's nothing particularly shameful about being illiterate.

There kind of is? I mean, the potential consequences of being illiterate can be shameful. Imagine if someone cast a silence effect on one of our minions, or they lost their voice, and they could only communicate by writing. Or if one of them suddenly had to go out and they could only leave a note about where they've been. Or a few thousand other potential scenarios.

You shouldn't feel ashamed about lacking an ability if you had no choice, but if you had the opportunity and means to do so then you really should. Like, if you're blind because of an accident, you shouldn't be ashamed of being blind, but if you're blind because you stared at the sun like an idiot after everyone told you not to and why, then yes you should be ashamed because now you're less capable of being helpful to your community and loved ones and maybe some day someone you could have otherwise helped will suffer and it's your fault you moron.

If she spends the time she'd spend learning to read and write on something else that's equally or more important then that would be fine, too, but literacy is pretty high up on the priority scale when you live in a literate world.
>>
No. 868636 ID: 33cbe7

Thicken the plot! Like you said, it'll be a better use of his time with more people, so bring them all in - you, Alkaline, Moriko, even Chakarchelou. If you teach him a few basic signs he can better report on the kinds of threats he detects.
However, you don't need to devote your primary golem to that all the time, do you? How about you attend in Kallia form?
>>
No. 868655 ID: c88e6d

>>868561
Learn to read and write, Deem. It's humiliating THAT YOU ARE THE ONLY LIFEFORM IN THE ENTIRE DUNGEON WHO CAN DO NEITHER. I bet Merud's HOMONCULI can read and write better at this point, and they're quasi-sapient at best!
>>
No. 868670 ID: 074011

You would benefit from getting into the habit of observing and learning, rather than trusting what was true millennia ago to be true now.
Think of this like learning about a new monster that had never been seen in these parts, or deigning a room to suit a new profession that didn't exist then. Surely a Hammerai could be better served by a customised and unfamiliar training room than whatever you have built in the past.
You are in an unfamiliar time and will need to break some of your habits if you are to match it.

You will always have denizens to read and write for you, but can they be trusted? They are surely all loyal, but... If they think something insulting or improper, or if they fear the words might cause you sorrow, then they might not recount all of the details. It is also amazing how much a message can lose its... intensity, when passed through an intermediary. People can easily invent or misplace words without even realising it. Trusting a message to another's hands is always a risk...

You do not need this, but it would be beneficial.
On the other hand, being illiterate is mostly harmless for a dungeon, and foibles are cute!
>>
No. 868681 ID: 555f33

>>868618
Sure it'd be useful but shameful is hardly the word for not doing it. And shaming her seems to be the primary method of trying to convince her. The reasons you listed are plenty good enough, no need to be rude.
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No. 868710 ID: b7a158

You should probably take him up on his offer.
I mean, a good dungeon needs at least one puzzle based on a flowery, barely helpful, slightly condescending riddle.
It seems like you're the only one who truly gets the whole "Hohoho Adventurer, You've done well to come this far"-shtick,
so it would be a shame if any of that adorable dramatic flair was lost in translation.
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No. 868724 ID: 730337

Learn to read or we'll never stop bullying you, Deem.
>>
No. 868750 ID: 074011

>>868724
Is not a credible threat. We have the attention span of a newborn slime in a butterfly-plagued patisserie.
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No. 869186 ID: d36af7

You don't like it when your denizens conspire against you, correct? Writing is an information channel by which they can do so, right under your nose. Sure enough, here they are, doing it again. That will keep happening until you learn how to intercept these messages, or make them truly respect you. Inability to independently verify the contents of any given document constitutes an egregious security flaw, and persistent incompetence at what's regarded as a basic life skill is not conducive to respect.
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No. 869591 ID: d0d281

Deem, don't be ridiculous, of course you need to know the language of the region in which you reside. Why would you turn down such a useful tool? And this is exactly the kind of thing the will encourage Merud. No, you can't always give him his way, but this is something very beneficial and should be encouraged.
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No. 869679 ID: 287756

You and your minions have a very personal relationship and learning to read and write would not only be incredibly useful in uncountable situations it would also make for an excelent opportunity to deepen the relationships and trust you have with them by learning from and with them.
>>
No. 869710 ID: 69d4b9

>>868750
Huh? What were we talking about?
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No. 871514 ID: 2120ee

>>868561
Deem, you know the secret shapes that dictate the very form of reality around them. Learning some chicken-scratch that merely conveys the spoken word will be trivial for you.

Uh. Make sure Merud doesn't try teaching the chicken though.
>>
No. 871533 ID: da1652

>>868561
Education is empowering. His scheme is entirely in your favor.
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No. 872315 ID: 31b497
File 152050564417.png - (28.50KB , 800x600 , words_words_words.png )
872315

>I have said this before and I will say this again. Reading is tremendously useful and you should never allow pride to get between you and power. And it's not even much loss of pride! everyone already knows you're illiterate, at this point the only truly shameful course of action is refusal to improve yourself.
>He wouldn't be offering to do this if he didn't think it was important, Deem.
>Dear Deem, do you want to remain less literate than a quasidragon? Do you want to have other people read potentially private letters that might be addressed to you?
>What would the other dungeon hearts think of you if they found out you couldn't read?
>Realistically, you can get by without reading, Deem, but the ability to read closes off one avenue of deceiving you, and opens up useful options. Like being able to do bookkeeping for your dungeon. Keeping notes. Passing written messages between followers. Reading and receiving letters. Being able to read for pleasure and for knowledge.
>It's not a big investment, there are a lot of upsides, and you're intelligent enough that it shouldn't be an ordeal.
>Literacy is an essential skill. Though you are amazingly talented as you are now, there is always room to learn.
>You shouldn't feel ashamed about lacking an ability if you had no choice, but if you had the opportunity and means to do so then you really should.
>Learn to read and write, Deem. It's humiliating THAT YOU ARE THE ONLY LIFEFORM IN THE ENTIRE DUNGEON WHO CAN DO NEITHER. I bet Merud's HOMONCULI can read and write better at this point, and they're quasi-sapient at best!
>You would benefit from getting into the habit of observing and learning, rather than trusting what was true millennia ago to be true now.
>You are in an unfamiliar time and will need to break some of your habits if you are to match it.
>You will always have denizens to read and write for you, but can they be trusted? They are surely all loyal, but... If they think something insulting or improper, or if they fear the words might cause you sorrow, then they might not recount all of the details.
>On the other hand, being illiterate is mostly harmless for a dungeon, and foibles are cute!
>A good dungeon needs at least one puzzle based on a flowery, barely helpful, slightly condescending riddle.
>It seems like you're the only one who truly gets the whole "Hohoho Adventurer, You've done well to come this far"-shtick, so it would be a shame if any of that adorable dramatic flair was lost in translation.
>Learn to read or we'll never stop bullying you, Deem.
>Deem, don't be ridiculous, of course you need to know the language of the region in which you reside. Why would you turn down such a useful tool? And this is exactly the kind of thing the will encourage Merud. No, you can't always give him his way, but this is something very beneficial and should be encouraged.
>Deem, you know the secret shapes that dictate the very form of reality around them. Learning some chicken-scratch that merely conveys the spoken word will be trivial for you.
>Uh. Make sure Merud doesn't try teaching the chicken though.
>Education is empowering. His scheme is entirely in your favour.
Fiiiiiine.

>Chakarchelou is waiting to see if he impressed you by doing that. Go ahead and tell him that he did a good job and give him head pats!
I kneel next to Chakarchelou and give him the reward he craves. Then I look up at Merud, who may have done this.

"I might as well do too then."

>... Say, is there such a thing as rune magic? That'd be related to reading and writing, right?
Symbols can have power, yes.

>How about you attend in Kallia form?
I don't have one of those.

>On other subjects, have you associated with elves in the past? Since you seem to be fond of pointed ears.
I've associated with many creatures. I think elves are extinct.

>>A golem shaped like Stargazer's staff form wouldn't be particularly useful.
>Blatant discrimination against snake golems.
Stargazer herself has to transform if she wants to do much more than getting carried around by her wizard. Why would I want a golem like that?
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No. 872316 ID: 31b497
File 152050571722.png - (40.62KB , 800x600 , oh_look_hes_trying_a_thing.png )
872316

Now then, back to work!

"So that's a homunculus made, now I want you to make a brute golem."

Merud taps his chin. "Do you mind if I try something with the fighter golem you made?"

"Be my guest." I take it that since I went to the trouble of making a core to activate it, he's hoping to modify the existing form to add the qualities of a brute golem to it.

I usher it in and he sets to work. He's dived into fiddly territory right away.

Merud possesses several spells intended to enhance golems and he's using all of them. First is a command spell - in its simplest format it's a way for golemeters to give orders to a golem, cast with more power it acts as a short lived reinforcement spell, assisting it on that one task.

He possesses a more complex version of that called Soul Semblance which he developed with his research into talking golems. It is intended to help bestow on knowledge to a golem temporarily.

Finally there's Supercharge which enhances a golem at the cost of quickly making it burn out.

With these three spells working in conjunction, Merud has given the golem a limited ability to modify itself. With his oversight, the two of them are inscribing the brute golem template stored in my Golem Totem. He's directing the activation of the modifications, the supercharge is damaging those parts of the golem and it is attempting to repair and reinforce the worst affected areas. An unusual division of labour but it seems to be working for him.

Merud steadily adds clay and stone and it takes shape.
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No. 872317 ID: 31b497
File 152050582083.png - (57.35KB , 800x600 , big_hands_for_holding.png )
872317

"Ta-dah." Merud says.

Merud's new golem essays a wave.

I think I like this golem design. It has presence. It won't be as efficient a worker as the purpose built brutes, but it's retained a lot of the original design's agility and I think it should be able to surge its strength up even higher.

"I don't think it'll be quite as sturdy as your design," Merud says, "but I think I can call it a success."

I circle around it and give it a nudge to test its balance. He really does do better with this sort of iterative development. It's not something I really do - I usually have mana coming in in large chunks at once so it's best for me to hoard it and then expend it all at once. There's a lot of pressure to have a clear design in mind and the work is simply reifying it.

"I think I'd call it that as well." I agree. I touch the core. It's hot to the touch. "You put a lot of stress on the core but there's no defects I can see."

"A craftsman should trust his tools."

I nod. "I think I've got a better idea of your methods now. So your ideal shape of a sentient golem, you didn't want to say when I asked you before because you think you're still finding out what that is?"

He nods back.

I flick my clay hair. A little golemetry assistance and it responds appropriately. "It must be a frustrating search then, chasing an ideal that you've never seen." I step in closer to him. "But I am going to need a lot of golems, so I can definitely accommodate you."
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No. 872318 ID: 31b497
File 152050595450.png - (52.46KB , 800x600 , lunch_break.png )
872318

There's a repeated wet smacking sound and when the door deeper into my dungeon slides open I realise it was Hin attempting to knock with slime hands.

"Merud, food is rea- what is goinb on in here?!"

She did try to knock so I should try to not be annoyed. "Exactly what it looks like." I say for the second time today.

"It looks likge some sort of golem harem to me." Hin says.

I step away from Merud and pat him on the back. "Oh, it's not what it looks like then."

Merud's brute golem waves. The rest of the crowd of golems shuffles around a little.

"I've been learning a lot." Merud says. I essay a side glance but I'm not sure if that was a joke or not. He looks back. "Deem, do you want to try something to eat too?"

"Wha?" Hin says.

"She's made some changes." Merud explains.

"I noticed. Lookingh kinda stylish there Deem."

"Thank you Hin, lead the way."

We sit down to eat. It feels as if we might never be rid of the consequences of that late night haunting, but with all these developments this dungeon's in a much better position for the next group of wandering adventurers that stumble across us. We'll be able to face it together.

END CHAPTER FOUR
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No. 872320 ID: 33cbe7

Huh, I didn't realize there was that much leg in a brute template.
>>
No. 872321 ID: 555f33

>>872320
Or that svelte a torso.
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No. 872341 ID: 10c408

I'm pretty sure that Merud moved a lot of the mass in brute template's torso to the arms legs.

We need to have some of the loose chunks of rubble the other brutes carved out smoothed down into more spherical boulders that merud's new golem design can throw at intruders.
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No. 872348 ID: fabddc

>>872341
I will admit, that is not where I expected that round boulder sentence to go.
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No. 872350 ID: 3abd97

>>872318
Poor Moriko, how's she supposed to meditate with all this ruckus.
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No. 872357 ID: c88e6d

>>872318
This is cute.
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