Mary 2022/10/21(Fri)13:18 No. 1047118 ID: 08229c
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I'm going to be going over a few things. This is my dungeon, Slimecrown Citadel. It is a two stage dungeon that is filled with puzzles and boss monsters. I run it, for profit. Adventurers go through my dungeon and, if they die, I gain items and runes off of them

I can use these to expand and enhance my dungeon. I also gain gold by having them utilize the dungeons services. Here's the basic layout of the dungeon. We have expanded quite a bit since we first began.

Right now there are a myriad of activities they can do, both inside and outside of the citadel proper. It all culminates into a fight against Curi, Mother of Slimes. If they can reach her. I know it may seem a bit confusing, but it's a rather straightforward dungeon all things considered.

We also offer the following services.

Services Offered:
> Healing: 50 Gold per heal. Rate goes up with each heal.
> Revive: 250 Gold

Shop:
> Repair Powder: 50g ([Max 5]
> Potions: 50g [Max 5]
> Green Blossoms: 75 g [Max 5]
> Tent: 100g [Max 3]
> Escape Crystals: 150 g [Max 3]
> Pheonix Downs: 250g plus 100 per additional

Spa:
> 50 gold per person. Spending 1500 gold will earn you a voucher for a free spa treatment.

We also keep track of quite a few things over here. https://questden.org/wiki/Audit_Quest_Statistics

Mary 2022/10/21(Fri)13:22 No. 1047119 ID: 08229c
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>>1047118
We are doing a proper opening of our dungeon for the first time.
This is a very important moment. We can see if this thing needs more work, if it's all working well, etcetera.

So.. Let's open!

Oh, we already have applications.

Tuba Brothers - Level 20. New runes detected. Purpose: EXP and loot.

Math Wizard & Berserker - Level 25. New runes detected. Purpose: EXP and Fun.

Who do we pick?

>>1047119
I'm for team Math Wizard and Berserker. We need to spend a bit of time really working on our non-boss generated loot, so we should look to test our expansion with just providing a fun experience.

Definitely the math wizard. They might be enough of a nerd to be your friend

>>1047119

Math Wizard and Berserker have my vote. They sound like a fun duo.

Tuba Brothers: The loot might still need a tune up.

>>1047119
We might get some music runes with the tuba brothers, and some background and boss music would be nice.

>>1047125
>some background and boss music would be nice
We already have a 5-rune monster dedicated to just that.

Heck yeah math wizard. Berserker might be a familiar face.

>>1047119

Reminder that we still need to settle up lore on why Monk Slime is in the bar. I'm thinking for my part that he was an old quartermaster who lead the charge to seal Jeffrey away. After losing too many men, he retired from the now meaningless role of commander and sequestered himself someplace he could drown his sorrows.

At minimum, I think there should be a sidequest where you can get him to teach you Drunken Fist.

Bonus Points: Once we have the arena up and running, there is a sidequest where you can restore his spirits and convince him to return to the arena.

>>1047137
Monk Slime is actually weaker than Colt, who's the actual commander of the citadel's forces, so that doesn't fit too well. Rather, it could be that the one who did the sealing was a loved one, and gave their life for it. Maybe even Monk Slime personally trained them and feels responsible for them ending in that position in the first place?

Are math wizards related to auditers?

Anyways, snuggle Alex under your coat.

>>1047119
>Here for XP and fun

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmath wizard!

>>1047137
Monks just love beer and cheese

1/2 Mary 2022/10/21(Fri)17:14 No. 1047151 ID: 08229c
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Math Wizard and Berserker it is.

>Mary selects the pair. They enter the dungeon almost immediately.

>A woman with long black hair and a short demon enter. The woman has thick glasses and looks generally uncomfortable. The shorter demon has a massive block on their back.

"This is Slimecrown?" The black haired woman says. She pings as Berserker. "I thought it was... A citadel..?"

"Oh, you didn't hear? They got renovated. And we're the first ones to try it out!" The short demon speaks, registering as Math Wizard.

"Mm... I am not fond of slimes, you know this..."

"No, trust me! it's really cool! It's gonna be great!"

. . .

Is my DM screen broken?

>>1047151
appearances can be deceiving, Mary

Mary 2022/10/21(Fri)17:22 No. 1047154 ID: 08229c
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>>1047151

>The dark haired woman ties back her hair and pulls down her robe.

Holy ffff-
Wow

I did not expect that.

>The demon takes the slab off of her back and removes the cloth wrapping, revealing a large book.

"Alright!" Math Wizard shouts. "You ready?"

"I suppose..."

>The pair make their way to the fountain.

Ah, what dialogue should we set here? I know we thought of having something in the well, too..

My mind is drawing a blank on dialogue. I'm still too shocked.

>>1047154

Welcome them to Slimecrown Hamlet! It's been some time since they've seen their last visitors, and this is a welcome surprise. If they want to check out the town, point them to the local hotspots: the farm, the bar, the school, the church, but mention the woods are quite dangerous and that something hasn't been quite right with the graveyard lately.

If they ask about Slimecrown Citadel, tell them that the area is protected by powerful guardians who won't let just anyone pass. However, if they feel up to the challenge, Colt will be waiting for them on the bridge.

>>1047154
Error:Dialogue Failed To Load
"Edit to add welcome"
"Edit to add warning"
"Edit to add send off"

>>1047154

Also, the only suggestion I recall for the well was to have it serve as a hidden passage to the fountain where Ashley resides, bypassing Colt.

Hail travelers! Welcome to Slimecrown Slimetown! Feel free to look around and uncover its secrets. You won't get any hints from me, but you will get healing!

>>1047154
Have Aspen introduce themselves as well as their services. And explain a bit about the hamlet, its place in Slimecrown, and some of the events that have been going down. Weird happenings amongst the town, some slimes being made sick by something, and strange things happening in and around the surrounding areas. You may also wish to let them know of a few services areas, but otherwise advise them they can explore the area and figure out the mysteries themselves. Don't forget to also mention little gimmicls like our slime tokens and the like too!

Stall for time. "Can I touch your abs?"

My love for you, is like a truck. Berserker...

"Hey, you. You're finally awake. You were trying to cross the border, right? Walked right into that Imperial ambush, same as us, and that thief over there."

>>1047167
If someone tries to go past Colt and fail, we should give them another chance to experience the hamlet and start it like this.

>>1047154
Put Ms. Bloops in the well. Ms. Bloops should be in both dungeons.

>>1047173
This is a worthwhile ideal. Secret Bloops tunnels!

>>1047154
Oh, I’m hoping Berserker makes it to the spa…

bloops tunnels seem a fun idea, though I suspect she has already made her way into the well while you weren't looking
let's see, EXP and fun... difficult to point them places without having tested them before, let's see if the Woods are a good match for these two

>>1047154
"Welcome travelers to our humble hamlet. Unfortunately, none are allowed entry into the Citadel overshadowing our village. Not even us humble villagers. The lords have stationed may strong defenders ensuring that none may set foot inside the fortress. Neglect from our lords has since caused our village to fall into disarray. Please travelers, if you are truly heroes, enter Slimecrown Citadel and seek audience with the lordship and deliver our pleas."

idk, trying to go off of the dark fantasy thing

>>1047171
Very good idea. We even have a thief (bandit)

>>1047173

Bloop's tunnel leading to her usual fountain area and possibly other secret areas could be a fun idea.

>>1047154
"have fun and good luck"

That's it. That's all. Don't explain anything. Refuse to elaborate. They're the first to come after the remodeling, so let them go on their own and find things naturally.

>>1047192
This is a better idea, actually. Just change it to be more ye olde sounding. Maybe not even say good luck or have fun. Just a greeting and don't elaborate further. Other than that, Aspen should have been briefed on the lore we have (minimal, dark souls style), so if the adventurers start a conversation, just have Aspen improvise. Just make sure they keep it vague and stick to dark fantasy and the established lore.

Also had a cool idea regarding Aspen. So the aspen tree has this neat ability to successfully and reliably regrow from the roots after it is cut down (this is why there are massive aspen farms that grow them for paper). I think it would be neat if this tied into Aspen the character's combat style. Maybe if their head gets lopped off, they can still fight and rapidly recover, so long as they can put down a root with their body or grow a root/vine/branch to connect the head or other severed limb back to the body. This would force adventurers to try and either finish Aspen before they recover, or somehow keep the roots from reaching soil.
It would also fit well with the dark undead theme the village has.

The trick to the fight would be either using some method to completely annihilate Aspen, use fire to cauterize the stump, or maybe destroy their heart (similar to the slime core thing functionally, but it cant move and is located where a heart would be).

Its... kinda complex, but I think it would be neat. Also the fight can be hard cuz Aspen only fights if attacked first.

Wonder if we had randomised quests in the inn. For example, our cook would be in the inn with a fetch quest for ingredients one day, while another day it would be Oilivia looking for Mrs Bloops or Ruth looking for her unbreakable baseball that she whacked through a wall.

Mary 2022/10/22(Sat)14:53 No. 1047217 ID: 08229c
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>>1047206
I like that idea. We'll have to keep in in mind in case someone decides to attack Aspen.

Now, all my minions already know the full lore of Slimecrown. I don't know HOW they know this but I think it has something to do with how dungeons run in general.

So, let's keep it to the minimum.

"Welcome to Slimecrown Hamlet," Aspen says, "I see you're both new. If you need help with anything just ask."

"Where is the Citadel?" Berserker says.

>Without prompting from Mary, Aspen continues.

"The Citadel is right behind me," They say, "However we are... Having some difficulties within. Our guard, Colt, will only let in the most trusted of people."

"Ooooh." Math Wizard grins, "I see what's going on. We gotta do stuff out here to get access to the big area."

"Can't I just kill Colt?" Berserker asks.

"... Hey, can we just murder the Colt guard?"

"Ah... Well..." Aspen tries to smile. "You could. But, he is quite powerful."

>Berserker begins walking towards where Colt is. Math wizard grabs them by the sleeve.

"No, no!" The wizard says, "C'mon, let's do at least one dungeon properly. No skipping stuff."

>Berserker sighs.

"Can I at least kill that slime?" She says, gesturing to a Ms.Bloops that has emerged from the well.

The heck. I didn't authorize that.

"Let's see... SCAN!" Math Wizard casts a spell on Bloops and Aspen. "... Nah. They're both NPCs and not really worth it. Hey, Flower Person, what's a good spot for fights?"

"Ah, well, might I suggest the woods? There are monsters there that have been causing some trouble for the farms... If you could clear them out I'm sure the farmer would be grateful."

"Gotcha, we're on it!" She pats Berserker's back, "Let's go!"

"Hm... Alright."

>The pair enter the wooded area. It isn't long before some of the corrupted monsters emerge and attack them.

"A fight!" Math Wizard shouts.

"Do it."

"You got it."

>Math Wizard opens her book and begins casting a spell.

"I vord o rniss, kayxsi dui rdod! X2!"

>Berserker approaches the enemy and punches one, completely obliterating oh.

Oh.

Well then.

Hmm... Should we uh.. Let them rampage? I think they're able to handle these two rune monsters.

>>1047217
Have the spiders synchronize to restrain then bats drain. Imply there's a higher being guiding them

Well, if it's fun for them? It's not going to slow them down anyway. They're just exploring at this point, they'll probably wipe this entire floor.

>>1047217
>>1047218

As is, it seems like they are having a good time, but the monsters coordinating for a more interesting fight would probably be fun.

Also, the hoodlum can swoop in and steal an item if we want to complicate things, maybe Math Wizard's book or Berserker's glasses

>>1047217
I think berserker is gonna rampage whether you let them or not. Let her have her fun

>>1047217
Let this encounter go about as you'd expect. Ramp up the difficulty on the next one. And so on until they seem to be at their comfort level. Then at the Citadel you can really pressure them.

>>1047217
Yes. In fact, assist them in rampaging and throw enemies they can crush easily and subtly guide them to unlock the requirements to reach the real fights.

These dudes want to fight.

GATTAI!

>>1047217
Handling low-level monsters with ease is the reward for good strategy and experience. Just make sure they end up naturally lead to the ruins or the wyrm. You could have a chaos creature retreat in that direction.

>>1047217
Nah, first three or four fights should be simple. If you want a complication for them to puzzle out, have a hoodlum steal something small off of them and bring it back to the bandit, like she's coercing it to steal from people by holding it's friend hostage. If they figure out who's behind it and defeat them, have the Hoodlum give them a valuable prize as thanks, like a Hoodling pet follower or bottled Dark Slime ooze.

>>1047217
At this point, its still too early to panic or anything. These are your weak groups anyways. Though they could always just be a neverending tide of chaos monsters.

Let them explore a bit more. And take some time to see what their powers are like too. Maybe they run into the wyrm, or start to see things like the ruins. Or if they go back, maybe they see some other sights or get more quest type things.

Get the monsters to swarm a bit: more excitement for the challengers and it means they'll get through the fights quicker.

>>1047217
These chaos tainted lil dudes are legit the kind of enemy we can have all congregate and swamp her without delorification. Give her a gauntlet. Faster she kills, the more spawn in.

>>1047263
I've got an idea for a gauntlet we can place as a reward for dealing with the bandit and her gang.

>Battering Hands (Fist Weapon)
>Lore: A pair of gauntlets made from the leather, wool and horns of an adult Battering Ram, these sturdy gloves can launch foes up to fifty feet away depending on their size and weight. Feels well made, with cozy ram's wool lining the inside of the gloves, and ram horn protecting the knuckles.
>+2 to Attack
>+1 to Constitution
>+1 to Strength
>Catch These Hands: Three times per dungeon instance, can use an attack to knock an enemy away from the wielder, depending on the size and weight of the foe. For every size category larger than the wielder, reduce the distance pushed away by ten, to a minimum of five.
>Placed: Graveyard puzzle reward or Bandit Gang loot.

I've also got a unique pistol for gunslingers that Bandit can drop. I based it on both Fallout: New Vegas's Lucky, and Cyberpunk 2077's Chaos.

>Bandit's Revolver (Pistol)
>Lore: A six shot revolver once owned by a tricky highwaywoman, it's barrel and cylinder engraved with clovers, it's handle carved with card suits. It feels infused with a chaotic energy, helping or hindering it's wielder after every reload. Better luck stats improves your chances of a good result, but increases the setbacks suffered when fortune leaves you.
>+2 to Attack
>+1/-1 to Luck (50/50 on every reload)
>Spin the Wheel!: Changes it's damage type, critical chance and critical damage scores after every reload, regardless of how much ammunition remains.
>Placed: Possible reward for defeating the Bandit Gang.

>>1047267
Crap, that's supposed to be twenty-five feet on the gauntlets, not fifty.

>these sturdy gloves can launch foes up to twenty-five feet away

well, since it's not challenging them, and they are here for fun, we should ramp it up a bit, see how many other enemies we can drag in, maybe that gummy wyrm? might be more interesting, as I don't think the gummy wyrm will quite challenge them on its own, so that or send enemies to back it up when/if they get to it

>>1047267
Pistol seems complex and probably OP. Make it an ultra rare drop.

>>1047297
Hmm, you’re probably right, especially as a drop from a two rune enemy. Perhaps it’ll fit better as a chest or quest reward in the town, with the bandit getting caught trying to steal it by digging up the graveyard.

Highly synergistic duo adventurers make me really want to see someone win Fusion Goo from the loot drops. I don’t see loot pools in the wiki, is that something we need to add?

1/2 Mary 2022/10/24(Mon)13:38 No. 1047381 ID: 08229c
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>Mary gives the critters different commands. Sadly, they are fairly low intelligence and can barely coordinate. At best they are able to simply swarm. Berserker makes sure Math Wizard stays behind her.

"You got this, Berserker? Cause uh... My spells are gonna be on cooldown for a few more minutes."

"Your buff won't fall off until then. Just stay behind me."

>It's as effortless as crushing bugs to her. Each one she strikes explodes in a pile of gore and chaos wisps. She takes a few good hits but they appear to do barely any damage.

Keep swarming. Maybe team up? C'mon guys. We gotta give them a good fight.

>Three of the creatures suddenly pause in their attack. Inspiration strikes them.

>They look towards one another and nod.

>Berserker watches, not leaving any openings as she prepares for whatever they are about to inflict.

>The creatures combine, merging into one unit and increasing their rune count to..!

>Well, 2, still. But three of them.

>Berserker elbow drops them and they explode.

Well, they tried.

2/2 Mary 2022/10/24(Mon)13:39 No. 1047382 ID: 08229c
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>The duo continue deeper into the woods. The ground trembles... From the darkness emerges...

>THE GUMMY WYRM.

"A dragon!?" Math Wizard seems surprised.

"Finally, a worthy opponent." Berserker cracks her knuckles.

Alright, this is our first time using him. What kinda fighting style should we give the thing?

>>1047382
It's still a babbu, so give it full on raw physical attacks, and prismatic breath or whatever it spits for AoE. Focus on whatever deals more pain to it or seems tastier.

>>1047382
He's bigger then I thought he was. Wyrms are fairly int based, maybe he can breath a candy/sticky based breath attack that immobilizes? Or just slam down on people.

>>1047382
Gummy breath. Also, a giant elongated body screams "constrictor" to me.

>>1047382
I think the gummy wyrm should be a beefy tanky monster vs some of the more squishy types. Its a high defense type due to its bulky/rubbery body. Its wings aren't for flying, really. But more for gliding and positional awareness.

As others mentioned. It has a Gummy Breath, that is naturally sticky and may have some acidic properties. Adventurers caught in it might be slowed, or at worst, restrained in place until they free themselves from their taffy like confines.

The gummy wyrm uses this to outmanuever and to come up close, constricting with its body and biting with its maw.

>>1047382

Seconding gummy breath, and the idea that the monster fights mostly by absorbing impact. If you want to do something clever, it could absorb energy from particularly large attacks like one of those weeble dolls and then slam back into the opponent like a whip. Otherwise, constriction makes sense for most of its attacks.

make it spit a powdered candy attack! just hope theres nothing to ignite that...

Highly resistant to bashing and piercing, weak to slashing. Or biting. Assuming you can eat that much.

The gummy wyrm's sugar breath inflicts slowed and negates invisibility. Their stretchy body gives them an extended reach but their attacks have a visible windup. Engulfing opponents is also a favorite strategy. A delicious prison no adventurer could possibly eat their way out of! But they'll certainly try...

>>1047382
Absorbs physical attacks- will literally spring back like gummy rubber. Spews a candy beam of superheated sugar that quikckly burns, cools and crystallizes into gummy rock candy which immobilizes those trapped in it.

In case it needs to be said: yes you should be able to eat your way free after being mired in taffy by its gummy breath.

Gummy should respond to physical attacks by absorbing the force than respecting ut back with an attack. Less effective against swords. Weak to fire and water resistant to earth and wind.

What do you guys think about giving a limited use spell-like ability to anybody who defeats the gummy worm by eating enough of its body to kill it?

I was thinking the powers could be a choice between a sugar high stat buff for an hour, or the ability to use a multicolored breath attack that does acid damage in a cone spread and poisons the targets.

>>1047394
Hmm. Maybe not quite to the extreme that you are talking about re: Gummy Breath. But I do like the idea of a sugar high item.

Might be a fun drop. Essentially Gummy Wyrm meat(?)

>>1047394
>the ability to use a multicolored breath attack that does acid damage in a cone spread and poisons the targets
that just sounds like all that gummy gave you heartburn and you're just barfing it out

>>1047382
Give it a Dragon Breath of Temporary Diabetes.

>>1047396
I'm not sure about the buff being an hour long if it's a portable consumable. How about a fifteen minute sugar rush for raw wyrm, versus thirty if cooked into wyrm steaks? And also, if we do that, how many wyrm hunks should we give out per character?

Or, we could keep the effectiveness at an hour, but only give one steak per team, and have it be an ingredient for a unique craftable weapon, the Grafted Wyrm.

>>1047397
Yep, that was the idea.

To be fair, Mary should be used to seeing vomit spray out from her clients, seeing as she has a gravity slime in her roster.

I imagine that the gummy wyrm should have some small amount of regeneration, simply due to the runes in it, and a weakness to cutting attacks... and due to gummy a Gummy/Dragon, a resistance to blunt and however dragons interact with magic here, maybe a weakness but buffs the dragon?

>>1047402 perhaps a weakness to Elemental and resistance to other magic?

>>1047382
Definitely a constrictor type that crushes and swallows enemies, and it needs a breath weapon. There were some good ideas for sugar breath, but here are my ideas: A sandblast with raw refined sugar or a swarm-breath of little gummy wurms.

It should be weak to slashing and fire but really strong against bludgeoning and cold damage should make it slower but tougher.

It shouldn’t be able to fly, since it’s a wyrm, but it should be able to use its wings to grapple people.

Maybe if we put it into a mini boss room or it gets a hoodlum power up or something later, it can have a second phase where it splits into segments: a breath-weapon head, a flying middle section that can swallow and kidnap people, and a big tail that intercepts attacks for the other segments.

>>1047394
>sugar high stat buff for an hour
You know what comes after a sugar rush, right? The sugar crash!

How about this? When the sugar high wears off, they receive a debuff called a "sugar crash" where their stats are cut in half and they have a hard time not passing out. This is the consequences of consuming something with way too much sugar in it.

Looks like a hugger to me. Go for a grapple build!

>>1047406
Speaking of Sugar Crash, we should have the Gummy Wyrm do a body slam once its immobilized its opponents. Its gummy body probably cushions the blow somewhat, but with how big and presumably heavy it is that should still be some good damage.

Mary 2022/10/24(Mon)18:16 No. 1047409 ID: 08229c
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>Mary sets how the Wyrm will fight. It almost instantly gains a few new attributes and tactics.

>It glides over to the duo, leaving behind a slick and sweet trail. Berserker rush it in the blink of an eye and strikes. Her fist hits hard enough to shake the trees, but... The Wyrm remains unharmed.

"Huh?"

"It's made out of slime! You can't punch it!" Math Wizard shouts.

>The demon girl flips through her book, looking up a spell that can weaken the wyrm.

>It responds by spitting an extremely sticky goop on her.

>The weak Math Wizard can't fight her way out of it. She can barely do anything but flail slightly before she begins to drown.

"Math Wizard!"

>The Berserker shouts out to her before turning her attention to the Wyrm. She knew that if she touched that goop she'd probably just get stuck herself. And she couldn't punch the thing. Mary could practically feel how angry the woman was getting. She wasn't the one who made the plans. That was her friend. Her friend who was currently drowning.

"HYAAAA!"

>She does what she does best and instead punches the ground.

>With a crack, the very earth spits open leaving a yawning ravine. The Gummy Wyrm begins to slip and slide into it.

Oh. Impressive...

I think I could order it to put more of its mass to its wings but...

I'm not sure if I want to go for a party wipe so soon.

>>1047409
Go with a slow, purposeful pursuit. Let them think its gone before it slowly, methodically begins to emergy, following them. Lets turn this into a pursuit boss.

>>1047409
If the Gummy Wyrm can make it, then it should, otherwise you're just throwing the fight like you would for a child. But it is too early for a TPK, especially when this should be the easy part of the dungeon and this is the second fight, so get it to pull up slowly, give them time to regroup.

>>1047409
Flying is energy-intensive, and the wyrm should “think it has the advantage” anyways, so it should feel like it’s fine to just crawl out and snake into the trees to pop out and ambush again.

A difficulty spike too big isn’t satisfying. It’s not like the wurm is too high level or anything: dragon’s just a strong rune and candy/water happens to counter their main damage type.

Also can I just say I really love the Gummy Wyrm? A great combination of cool and cute.

>>1047409
I think they have done a prettt good job here. Make it look close, like the gummy wyrm might just make it out of the revine, but struggle under its weight, decending below.

we DID already make it a bit more difficult just for them, let it be and we'll iron this area out more later

>>1047414
Also, if we do go with the dissapear into the earth, maybe it doesn't count as a kill. But it instead returns to its nest where our secret tunnel is. So the party may run into it again if they find it. But if they don't then there is still the threat of "Its still out there somewhere..."

>>1047409
Well, you could give them a bit of time by making the wings slowly grow out, but I'd like the idea of these guys discovering the secret entrance to the graveyard tunnel, and then being chased by the Wyrm underground before they can pick up some swords from the skeletons there, maybe even a minor magical item.

hmmmm, but if the Gummy Wyrm follows, than the math wizard will have a chance at defeating them, or if they weren't expecting it... well such is how it is

have our gmmy wyrn retreat but rolling away like a wheel!

A good move, but one good move isn't all it takes to vanquish the gummy wyrm. Have it focus on the berserker while the math wizard has a chance to recover. Or drown. Either is good.

gummy wyrm! inflate yourself and fly away!

also i'm gonna call you "Ouroboros" now.

Enhance wings, have it fly away and retreat to here:>>1047416

Have the gummy wyrm spread its mass so it disappears into the crack. Then we can have it come back later to attack them again if they stay in the area.

I just had a thought.

What if the magic emanating from the gummy wyrm turns any soil near it's lair or around a fifty foot radius from it is transformed from regular dirt into the dessert dish dirt? That way any adventurers would get a preemptive warning if it's about to attack, or a hint if they found it's treasure pile.

>>1047409
I think it's fine for the gummy wyrm to be trapped in there for a bit, scrabbling to get out. That should give them time to recover and come up with a plan to fight it.

>>1047409
Make sure that she gets very messy pulling her friends corpse out

Yeah, I'd have it tunnel or climb out slowly rather than fly. Flying is a bit of a 'YOU HAVE NO HOPE' move.

Come to think of it, the assembled stack of chaos creatures resembles the gummy wyrm, in its long body and wings in the middle. That’s good foreshadowing. It’s also very cute that they seem to be emulating our combining demons.

>>1047409

Bear in mind that Berserker has said that she hates slimes, and now we definitely know why. Being stuck in a fight with a creature you can't hurt isn't fun, doubly so when your friend is in danger.

I'd say let her clever trick pan out how she intended. The worm falls down the crevice and then either falls into the tunnel below or is just knocked out of action long enough for them to recover while diverting mass to its wings.

The gummy breath should probably harden as it cools, since its sugar-based. When hardened, Berserker should be able to punch it apart.

yeah if this is the low level area, I think anything you do to this guy that isn't one of the specific things he is resistant to should probably work. He can be a big dumb damage sponge.

>>1047409
Nah, let the gummy fall. This was a clever trick by Berzerker. Make it a show of it falling and attempting to climb out, but ultimately failing.

>>1047469
Berserker might be better served by trying to rip and tear instead of trying to pummel. Or use some sort of improvised weaponry to help pierce gummy structures.

>>1047501
Seconding this. Perhaps even have it comically and frantically try to scrabble upwards, but ultimately fall down in the end.

>>1047502
I do not think Dragon Pride will allow that specifically

Mary 2022/10/26(Wed)13:28 No. 1047538 ID: 08229c
File 166681611287.png - (295.34KB , 800x970 , 9.png )

>The Gummy Wyrm scrambles and tries to escape the fissure in the ground. But, it's stubby limbs and slippery hands can not find good purchase. It sinks and sinks and sinks and is no more...


Well, actually, my monitor shows that he's still alive but... I'll just keep him down there for now.

>Berserker goes over to her friend and begins ripping off pieces of the goop coating her. It smells almost too sweet and makes her a bit ill.

>Eventually, she reaches the Math Wizard, who has already perished.

"Are you kidding me..? This is why I told you to invest in some armor or something... A wand of fireball... Anything..."

>She sighs and rips the girl out of the goo and begins her trek back out of the woods, grumbling in anger all the way.

>She reaches Aspen and holds out the Math Wizard.

"Revive my friend."

"Oh, how unfortunate... Of course I can bring her back for you. That will be 250 gold."

"Are you kidding me? I have 50 gold."

"Then I'm afraid there's little I can do to help you."

"Revive her or I'll kill you."

"If you fight me one of us will be dead and your friend will still be deceased."

"Is that a threat, plant?"

"I'm afraid it is just the most likely outcome."

>She squeezes her friend in anger. The corpse squeaks.

"Is there... A way... I can earn... A revive...?"

Why is she so angry.

What do you think, guys? Should we toss her a bone here?

There's plenty of quests we could send her on.

>>1047538
open a tab?

quest: anger management when not in battle

Give her 20% of a revive. Maths ghost, very scary.

>>1047538
Hmm, we have Bandit in the jail cell right? Since she needs gold, what if we have Aspen tell her to go to the tavern, there should be work there, then have a member of Bandit's "gang" approach Berserker about helping break Bandit out of the Jail, so they can finally get their big haul. The haul can have a 200 gold off a revive coupon and some loot or something.
Not sure what the haul quest should be, maybe treasure hidden by the slimes, or Ms. Bloops' secret motherlode?

Does her friend not have any money on her corpse? Sheesh. Well, as a matter of fact there is a reward of 250 gold for gummy wyrm wings… ahahah, no just kidding. What else did we put out here? Tell her there’s a bounty on the one armed bandit and set her free.

>>1047538

She's currently level 20 without her friend and possibly without the gold for a revive. I'd say let her earn it by participating in hub quests if she's willing.

Some ideas:
> Monk Slime has gotten a little out of hand at the tavern and needs to be calmed down (by force, if necessary)
> There's been some plants dying off on the farm because of the Salamander rooting around under ground.
> Dia's shop will always pay for salvage and she'll even lend you her magnetic friend to act as a treasure finder, but that would require risking a trip back into the woods.
> Holy Slime would like some help settling the graveyard back down after a pesky sorcerer has started building a skeleton army there.

>>1047538
Well, now would be a good time to perhaps suggest that she heard from Sprout or Old Creedy that something is going on in the farms that is scaring/agitating the Battering Rams and Salamanders.

She can try to find out what is causing it, and maybe fight a scarecrow, maybe even have the scarecrow possess a battering ram or salamander.

The reward is enough gold to get that revive.

>>1047538
Actually... Mary, use your Calculate spell to see if anything she has on her has a rune we don't have. We can take that in trade.

>>1047538
Tacking on to this: >>1047545. What other people have said is a good idea too. Mention the inn and see if there are any would be just recently demonified adventurers that could help fufil these quests if they think they need assistance on the quests we suggest.

>>1047545

I thought the salamander was supposed to be more of an antagonist for the farm rather than livestock that might get out of control. We may want to settle on its exact role/lore sooner rather than later.

>>1047542

Ooh, Devil Slime being kind of a troublemaker, she might suggest breaking Bandit out of jail if they need some quick cash. That would be a fun way to trigger the quest for the hidden loot.

Also, I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but maybe having Bandit in your group would allow you to resolve the situation with the graveyard sorcerer peacefully, since we can make it so that the two are kind of pals.

Could also do some stuff with NPCs from the Citadel.
>Adorable Mascot Isabelle has come to the village in search of more foods. Create new dishes that please her pallet for a reward.
>Bandit has escaped Jail and is targetting Princess Lily, protect Princess Lily without her getting upset.
>Ms. Bloops' friend Explodey is in town, but she's gotten lost! Help Ms. Bloops find her before everyone has a bad time.
>A mysterious rash of high speed collisions is plaguing the town. Discover why they're happening and put an end to it.

>>1047538
Hmm, I feel our main dungeon might have conditioned us to expect larger amounts of gold being thrown around casually.

If we want her to be able to directly pay for the revive, we could institute pricing equal to 1.5 * their level. That still costs a decent amount, and doesn't seem like a change that might make previous visitors think that they were ripped off compared to the new prices.

Oh, and Mary: she's a berzerker. Getting mad is kind of their shtick.

They still need to collect their reward from clearing out the woods monsters from the Farmer too. Send them to the tavern quest board, and make sure there's wanted posters up from the Farm waiting there among the other side quests.

1/3 Mary 2022/10/26(Wed)14:59 No. 1047560 ID: 08229c
File 166682155498.png - (106.78KB , 800x600 , 10.png )

Hmm... I'm not sure they can trade gear. And it looks like unless she drops it that the Berserker can't go through her friends goods. Unless she was a thief or something.

But, let's try something...

Calculate!

>Mary casts a spell revealing some facts.

Let's see...

The book is interesting. It has two runes we don't have. Arithmetic and Knowledge. Glasses have Anger and her chest binding has Container and Cloth.

2/3 Mary 2022/10/26(Wed)15:23 No. 1047563 ID: 08229c
File 166682300948.png - (331.58KB , 800x1200 , 11.png )

>Back with Aspen, the healer thinks for a moment.

"Hmm... Well, I couldn't help but notice all the fighting in the woods over there. If you took care of the beast there I'm sure the farmer will reward you. We have a pub where there's lots of people looking for work. I'd check there as soon as you can."

>Through gritted teeth, Berserker says her thanks.

"Would you like to leave your friend here?"

"Drop off her corpse in a dungeon..? No thank you."

>With her ally's body in tow, the woman makes her way to the farm. The land seems peaceful enough, with scarecrows and farm animals about. It isn't long before she spots the farmer.

"Old man." Berserker calls out to him before dumping Math Wizard's body onto the ground.

"Call me Creedy," The plant person replies. Behind him is a young slime.

"Alright. I defeated the Gummy Wyrm within the woods. I heard there was a reward."

"Hrmm... The creature ain't dead yet. I can feel it in these old bones."

"Are you... Fffffff.... ALRIGHT. Do you have... ANY... Other work..?"

"Something's been troubling Sprout here's animals. Think you can take a look at it for me?"

"Sure."

>She turns to the plant slime, barely able to contain the look of dislike.

>Sprout speaks in slimish for a good minute, explaining her problem in detail.

". . ."

>Sprout just gestures to the field.

"Oh. Gee. I wonder what could be causing the problems."

>>1047563
Tax collector slimes

Mary 2022/10/26(Wed)15:32 No. 1047565 ID: 08229c
File 166682353965.png - (121.94KB , 800x546 , 12.png )

>>1047563

I really want those runes. But I also want them to have a good experience... Maybe if we could just.. Kill Math Wizard at the end.

Either way, let's determine how our chaos scarecrow fights.

>>1047565
Confusion and fear effects.

Maybe it creates chaos crows magic that attack at its command. Basically chaos element magic missles... but crows

>>1047565

It has a chaos rune. So, I think most of its attacks are reliant on corruption. It can spit a glob of corruptive energy and corrupt the plants in the farm to entangle and ensnare people trying to reach it. Maybe as a last ditch effort, it might try to release itself from its post in cloth form and attempt to constrict on top of its attacker.

>>1047565
So I think with the eventual idea in the future to use this for story purposes. The idea is that the chaos runes alow this weird corruption to spread. Ergo, let me propose this.

Chaos monsters above one rune always have the ability to infect something around them. Two rune monsters can infect one rune monsters. Three to two, and so forth. So we could have it where it corrupts things like the crops to use as extension of itself. I.E corn/wheat as whips, tomatoes as projectiles, tubers as triping/constricting hazards. It could also infect pests like our one rune rats and spiders to be simple harrying items.

I think for this fight only, since we are playing around with the mechanic, the chaos scarecrow could possibly attempt to corrupt its bretherin, or the other farm animals as additional attackers.

If we don't want to do that, we could have it do what a scarecrow does best, and blend in. Make it try and confuse adventurers into attacking its non infected versions as a means of escape and whittling down its prey.

Finally, I do like the idea of it and other high level chaos monsters potentially having minor debuf auras, fear, confusion, sleep, etc.

>>1047565
>>1047569

She's currently depowered substantially without her partner. A two rune monster fight might be hard enough on its own without it being able to corrupt the other scarecrows. I do think that would be good for a raid mode or hard mode option, though.

Also, Mary, pet your daughter. She is hovering behind your chair.

>>1047565
Yeah Mary, go hug Isabelle.

>>1047565
Do keep in mind that they are the ones who came into the dungeon unprepared. Sure they may be a fairly high level, but they didn't think to bring revives? Nobody else in the past got handouts for free without a very very good reason. I don't need to remind you that we are running a business. If they have a bad time because of this, then that is on them and them alone. At least when it comes to money trouble like this.

Attacking the scarecrow is useless, you have to attack what he actually says. Which is to say, his weakpoint is hidden among the attacks he uses - roots bursting from the ground, flocks of crows that shoot from his hands, corrupted vegetable minions - and he likes to call out his attacks.

Make the fight something she can punch a lot of things during.

there will be opportunities to kill them later, Mary, for now the farm is theoretically a better match for her... and lower level, perhaps we could bait them to Jeffery's Room
hahaha this is morbid

>>1047565
Having a good time doesn't mean winning, this is a dungeon after all. We do want to kill them both, just not yet; we want them to feel they had a chance, we want them to experience fun things.
Speaking of, this gal doesn't seem like she enjoys thinking. She was glad when she found the dragon cause she thought it was an enemy she could use her whole skillset on, but it's clear her whole skillset is just punching, and the extent of the abilities she likes to use is punching harder. So while everyone else's suggestions sound great in general, I don't think they're a good idea if we want to get a positive review from her. Save all these tricksy stuff for someone who wants that, and just give her a slugfest this time.

>>1047582
makes sense for a chaos monster to change how it fights every time

>>1047565
Teleporting around, I would say. Throwing projectiles, either scythe blades or chaos orbs

>>1047565
It should pretend to be a normal scarecrow, then ambush and hop around with a big harvesting scythe, darting in and out of the corn! Slashing damage like that should scare slimes, you know?

At least one of the scarecrows should have a wicked looking zweihander that it can barely heft around. Its movements are heavily choreographed and a bit slow, but when the swing gets going, it is fast, and devastating. The key here is that the lead up to the swing is obvious once you know what to expect, and can easily be avoided. Only strong adventurers can straight up block the swings, and only agile adventurers can parry it.

The sword should be a somewhat rare, unique drop from this one enemy.
This is heavily based on the Hollow Slaves that wield the Flamberge in Dark Souls 3

can it swap around with the regular scarecrows? sort of imply how it has remained hidden and also make the fight a little more flavorful

It is very funny to me that berserker seems to be viewing the world through rose-colored glasses, so she’s always seeing red.

>>1047565
maybe chaos slime there has some suggestions?
I don't think we've seen any chaos stuff other than the woodland animals do combat so knowing what they're able to do would be useful to advise. if order allows imposition of rules, chaos might allow for the breaking/disregarding of them.

maybe the chaos scarecrow's main deal is it's purpose is kinda inverted and then some, it not only scares/debuffs non-chaos critters but actually emboldens/buffs the beasts themselves.

the fight mechanic can be that it's really tough to fight the things in the fields while the chaos scarecrow is up, except when close to one of the friendly scarecrows who project save zones where the buffs and debuffs are removed.

>>1047569
the idea of chaos infecting stuff is cool though, we for sure need some chaos undead further down the line... maybe a GLich?

>>1047582
Maybe have it infect and corrupt things, but instead of using it for attacks and minions it the melds with them to grow bigger and stronger?
This would let it give berserker a fistfight, while still giving an excuse for having a different fighting style later.

Suggestion 2022/10/27(Thu)07:01 No. 1047628 ID: 0303dc
File 166687930311.png - (1.46MB , 821x614 , 46853C7D-7B6E-43B2-876C-7D68BC114DE6.png )

>>1047627
Kind of like this, but with more scarecrow parts and glitchy red Chaos veins instead of green.

>>1047565
Chaos Scarecrow should be the obvious leader, give him either a Chaos Scythe or dual Chaos Sickles to make it obvious who to focus on, and to drop after he goes down. Once she’s done with that, you should probably have Creedy give a hint to Berserker that bladed weapons would work better against the Gummy Wyrm, and if she’s looking to fight him again, there’s a secret tunnel to the graveyard in the woods that it uses as a lair. Once Math Wizard gets revived, don’t forget to apply the “Sugar High” temporary buff, so that they’re raring to go fight the wyrm again.

Also, ask Chaos Slime what she thinks of the plan, and if she has anything to add to it.

Also, headpat Chaos Slime and Isabelle for us.

1/4 Mary 2022/10/27(Thu)19:23 No. 1047649 ID: 08229c
File 166692382142.png - (136.39KB , 800x546 , 13.png )

Okay, I have a good idea. I wanna do a corruption sort of thing. Whatever it touches it can kinda meld into. Maybe even make it so it has to be killed in a unique way...

Oh, how about it can only infect farm stuff? Like it's locked into that.

Yes, I think that works perfectly.

2/4 Mary 2022/10/27(Thu)19:25 No. 1047650 ID: 08229c
File 166692390699.png - (168.53KB , 800x600 , 14.png )

>Back at the fight, Berserker punches the creature. The impact from her single punch completely obliterates the thing.

>Mary frowns and pulls up statistics.

Ah, there we go. So she's a lower level Berserker. However, when angry her strength goes up quite a few points. She's hitting for damage closer to 35 than 20.

Still, this is exactly why we made the thing the way it is.

Mary 2022/10/27(Thu)19:32 No. 1047651 ID: 08229c
File 166692434479.png - (118.35KB , 800x600 , 15.png )

>A tiny fleck of corruption latches onto another of the scarecrows and inflicts it with Chaos. The Berserker frowns.

"Ah, I see. Very well."

>Another punch obliterates the scarecrow with ease. The corruption latches onto a pumpkin. She stomps it into the ground.

>Using the guts from the pumpkin it latches onto another pumpkin.

>Mary frowns as this repeats at least a dozen times.

...

I may have made that too uh...

Yeah.

>It goes to another Scarecrow.

"Are you... Serious..!?"

>The Berserker has reached peak rage. She can now use anything as a weapon and count as proficient with it!

But she doesn't have any-

4/5 Mary 2022/10/27(Thu)19:34 No. 1047652 ID: 08229c
File 166692444245.png - (194.94KB , 800x600 , 16.png )

>She swings her friend's corpse and obliterates the scarecrow in a single hit.

"RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"

Oh damn.

>>1047652
...good thing she was already dead, I guess.

>>1047652
>...Don't worry, that broken neck'll be taken care of when your friend is revived.

Mary 2022/10/27(Thu)19:37 No. 1047655 ID: 08229c
File 166692467280.png - (222.94KB , 800x600 , 17.png )

>Eventually there are no enemies remaining. Or, so it seems.

>The destroyed Scarecrow rises again, taking in all the other corrupted aspects of itself. It doesn't increase its rune count but it does make it a bit harder to fight. It has access to new moves, a higher pool of hp, and is much larger.

>It has run out of bodies to hop into, but it plans on making the most of this final one.

>Sadly, it doesn't last long.

>Berserker is all that remains, panting and tired.

>There are no other enemies around for her to smash.

Impressive.

Even without her friend she basically fought well over a dozen enemies.

It looks like she's making her way back to the old man. What sort of rewards should she get?

>>1047655
200gp and an Arbiter's Ploughshare (blade, law aligned)

give her some gold, perhaps some guideance to help reviver her friend

>>1047655

Infinite body hopping seems a bit much. I'd recommend limiting the corruption spreading to the initial mob in a radius, with other mobs causing blooms only if they aren't killed quick enough.

As for rewards, that was a tough fight. I'm tempted to give her the full 200 she needs. If not that, then 150 and a bowl of hearty vegetable soup from the plant slime. It restores all hp and adds a small buff of some kind.

>>1047655
Definitely enough for a revive, plus an old scythe that got some chaos magic stuck in it (Scythe of Furor) and a hint about using bladed weapons on the Gummy Wyrm.

>>1047656
>>1047655

A basic non-bludgeoning weapon or hints from McCreedy sounds like a good idea. He's familiar with the Gummy Wyrm and should know its weaknesses.

Revive her friend, that takes up all the cash reward. The other is a farm implement which has a damage bonus against slimes.
...The Trowel of Power! Wielded by a legendary warrior, it grants a boost to speed that increases while you're airborne. It's an actual statted weapon, so it avoids the actual glitches while paying them tribute.

>>1047655
200g is definitely a worthwhile reward. And I do agree that maybe an item or weapon can be a fine reward. So how about:

The Harvest Thresh: An old and weathered sickle that has a slight attack buff and gives a small boost to health upon killing an enemy.

From the end of a crops life, life flourishes anew...

This can be an item reward staple for future runs, but is a more random drop/reward in the future when we come up with others.

Other than that, I think a few slimecrown tokens and the soup found here >>1047658 round things out.

>>1047664
That's not bad for a one hander.

How bout this for a two handed weapon.
Reaper's Scythe: Crits do double damage, in addition to the critical hit.
"LORD, WHAT CAN THE HARVEST HOPE FOR, IF NOT FOR THE CARE OF THE REAPER MAN?"

A scythe or sickle seems fitting, plus cash.

Oh and maybe a minor healing item or two? Not as potent as you could buy from the shop and can't be taken out of the dungeon, but handy in a pinch. Maybe flavour it as some family remedy, not just useful for this scenario but for future low level adventurers too.

>>1047655
300gp and a cool scythe, at minimum.

Exactly enough (with or without her 50) for a revive feels cheap, and a weapon that she can actually use to fight slimes will help her keep from being walled by the whole nature of the dungeon even at peak angry.

>”In peaceful times, slimes bent their swords into plowshares. In troubled times…”

>>1047659
Alright, banged this thing's stats out as quick as I could. I'm hoping that this feels low level enough to give a bit of an advantage, but useful enough to interest someone in improving it rather than selling it off at later levels.

Scythe of Furor (ver 1.0)
Lore: Once a simple scythe used by Creedy the plantman farmer, chaos magic has become infused in this old farming tool through a corrupted scarecrow altered by an unknown source. Don't worry about giving it back to Creedy, though. He's got a spare that's much less random.
Two-handed weapon
+1 to Attack
+1 to Constitution
Whenever an enemy is critically hit by this weapon, roll 2d4. First die is the extra elemental damage, second is the additional elemental damage inflicted. Improving the scythe into better versions increases the possible elements and how much elemental damage is inflicted.
Ver 1.0 Elements: Fire, Water, Earth, Wind.
Placed: Creedy's Farm, quest reward or Scarecrow fight drop.

>>1047671
This is a business, and we want those 50gp. And honestly a good weapon is worth more than that.

Creedy complains to the Berserker, arguing that if he wanted to destroy his entire stock of vintage Raftborn Scarecrows, he could have used the magitek self-destruct button!

>Berserker attacks Creedy in a fit of rage
Creedy explodes, leaving behind a strange runic badge with a large scar over it.

Marque of Sin
- When equipping this item in 'public' stance, Intimidation +5, Diplomacy -10, 1/8 chance to trigger diplomacy check for arrest when detected by any guard.
- When equipping this item in 'hidden' stance, Intimidation +1, Diplomacy -1
Berserker can now intimidate the healer to give her a massive discount on a single resurrection - but afterwards, the healer will barricade herself and won't heal anyone unless she's bribed with 1000G.

>Berserker seethes but does not attack
Creedy 'offers' the berserker the job of building a new set of scarecrows. When she's finished, it turns out each scarecrow she has created nets her 50G. She cannot continue to create scarecrows for cash afterwards.

Can the berzerker even use scythes?
Here's an alternative:

Ring of Chaotic Conversion
Once a day, attune this ring to a damage type. Every attack, a random percentage (30-60%) of damage you do is converted to that damage type.
The nature of Chaos is change.

>>1047678
Berserker is proficient in all weapons when at peak angry.

>>1047679
Yes, but before then? It would suck to force her to rely on punches against slimes until she's peak angry. It'd draw out every combat.

>>1047678
To be clear, once attuned it stays attuned to that element until attuned again.

Ring of Slime Punching - reduces damage reduction from slimes by 50% for 1 minute twice per day

Also makes slime cleanup easier!

>>1047680
I think rather than drawing out all combats, it allows for the combats that would end up stalemates to actually end.

>>1047678
I like this one, it would let it be used by all sorts of adventurers.

Anklet of Evil Twin:
The wearer may, at their discretion, dismiss or adjacently summon a duplicate of themselves that is extremely skewed towards a random one of the classical vices/virtues, humours, or similar personality profilings.
The wearer is aware of the number of duplicates currently summoned by this item.
If a duplicate defeats an enemy, the current wearer will lose health* equal to (maximum health divided by one hundred to a minimum of two) taken to the power of (total current duplicates) multiplied by (rank of defeated enemy).
*This assumes lethal combat. The loss is indexed to the type of victory. Academic victories inflict mental exhaustion, financial victories temporarily promote gullibility, social victories...

Berserker needs more math in her items!

>>1047655
A scroll to unlock the next quest line.

1/5 Mary 2022/10/28(Fri)16:13 No. 1047711 ID: 08229c
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>An item drop pings for the Berserker. She examines it up and, after reading its item description, equips it.

"Huh. Nice." She admires her new ring for a moment before dragging her friend's corpse over to the old man.

>He glares at her before handing the woman 200 gold. She pockets the money and is about to leave before she gets stopped by the little plant slime.

>It happily speaks in slimeish and hands her a small buffing item.

"Oh. Thanks."

"She's saying thanks," Creedy explains, "Because you destroyed the fields she doesn't have to do any work for today."

"O-oh. Uhm... Sorry... I just, uh.... I get angry and..."

"..."

"I'll go now..."

>She hefts her friend back over her shoulder and makes her way back to Aspen.

2/5 Mary 2022/10/28(Fri)16:16 No. 1047712 ID: 08229c
File 166699896139.png - (85.56KB , 800x600 , 19.png )

". . ."

3/5 Mary 2022/10/28(Fri)16:20 No. 1047714 ID: 08229c
File 166699920456.png - (30.38KB , 800x600 , 20.png )

"Here's your gold. Revive her, please."

"Did she... Did she get into another fight or..?"

"Revive her."

>>1047714
Trust us, Aspen, you're better off not knowing. Besides, I think whatever happened to the Wizard is part of their strategy.

4/5 Mary 2022/10/28(Fri)17:46 No. 1047722 ID: 08229c
File 166700440259.png - (107.85KB , 800x600 , 21.png )

>Math Wizard is revived.

Woo, 50 gold.

... I only feel a bit bad about giving them money and then taking it.

Only a bit.

>When Math Wizard comes back to life she immediately jumps up and begins yelling at Berserker.

"You used my body as a weapon!"

"I-"

"I saw it! I saw the whole thing in Spectator Mode! You smacked all of them with me!"

"I didn't..."

"My horn broke!"

"I'm... I'm sorry..."

>Math Wizard continues to glare at her, but the apology softens her expression a bit.

"It's fine... I know it must have been difficult to fight without me."

"Yeah. I need you, Math Wizard. I'm not at my best without you."

>The Wizard sighs.

"It's fine," she says, "You wanna continue exploring the woods? I saw some rubble a bit deeper in. Maybe there's some loot in there?"

"You really want to continue?"

"We'd better! All I got to do so far is be a weapon!"

Mary 2022/10/28(Fri)17:51 No. 1047723 ID: 08229c
File 166700469236.png - (102.60KB , 800x600 , 22.png )

>Mary decides to cut them a bit of a break. Their second trek into the woods is met with far less resistance. A few critters give them just a bit of trouble but they're able to make their way in with minimal fuss.

>They approach the entrance to the ruins.

Alright, we have a few monsters stationed here. So, what's the game plan?

Make it eerily quiet... then ambush them as they try to leave.

lets pull a spookys jumpscare mansion:
have a cardboard cutout of the Gummy Wyrm pop up

>>1047723
it's quiet... too quiet.

Did we ever figure out what, exactly, the ruins are? also, what monsters are in that area, can't quite make them out in that overview picture

>>1047723
Well, have a couple of one and two rune enemies fight them while they're in there, perhaps dropping a unique (bladed) weapon or magic (chronomantic) tome, then just when they see the exit, have the Gummy Wyrm emerge behind them and chase them to the exit before they escape it. Then, just before they escape, have the Wyrm burst out of the tomb, but get stuck halfway, having the two fight it while it's disadvantaged. If it's defeated, they gain a bunch of XP, and can go back through the tunnels to discover it's treasure pile. It's mostly candy, but there should be something cool in a chest for beating it.

>>1047723
Definitely go the haunted house method. Lot's of creepy ambiance with the occasional spooky thing like mysterious breezes or things moving on their own punctuated with jump scares - the jump scares are of course monsters

something chronomantic huh... perhaps something to deal with their spellcasting being too slow, like how we dealt with the berserker not being able to harm Blunt resistant by giving a converter

perhaps we can have rooms in the ruins which are untouched by time, and have there be clockroaches in those rooms, have them be like puzzles, and you kill all the roaches to make those rooms "normal" again, don't know what to do with the others though

Throw a Grue in there.

>>1047735
We didn't make a grue. Sadly.

>>1047727
Light and dark slime, lag mites, zombies, orche jelly, and Gazer.

>>1047736
We need to make a grue

Hokay, anyone got any ideas for loot? I've got a couple that might work...

>Bottled Dark Slime (Uncommon found, dropped or bought item)
>A large sealed jar of Dark Slime ooze, when opened or broken the contents flow out to fill a 30 foot by 30 foot square patch of nonsentient Dark Slime that reduces movement speed of anyone in it. However, when the slime is exposed to stimuli that is considered to be EDGY (ie, Crawling by Linkin Park, or whatever songs are similar enough), the pool manifests sharp dark spikes and blades that cause Slashing and Dark Damage to creatures inside the pool. The Damage improves by how EDGY the stimuli is.
>The Dark Slime pool evaporates after 10 rounds have passed.

>The Tome of Ceaseless Sand, author unknown
>A large, heavy book written in strange, scratchy penmanship that becomes more difficult to read the further in. The book seems to be a dissertation on the lifecycles of creatures who can manipulate the flow of time, from Lag Mites and Time Slimes to Sphynxes and Chronowyrms. Studying the tome thourogly over the course of a rest allows the wielder to slow down a group of low to mid tier enemies or speed up an ally twice a dungeon or pause one foe at boss difficulty or below for three seconds, at the risk of aging or youthening the wielder on a bad roll.
>Heavy spellcasting tome
>+2 to Magic
>+2 to Intellegence
>Allows the attuned to learn the spells Haste, Slow, and Pause, as well as reduces the amount of lag generated by Time Mites or other Chronomantic enemies.

>Watcherling (Ultra Rare gifted item)
>An immature Watcher hatched from a psychic thought after an evening spent together with a mature Watcher. While not exactly cruel to their offspring, most Watchers are not great at parenting, prefering to leave them to their paramores to take care of them. Grows into an adult Watcher after 18 years, after which they will leave to do their own thing, but will try to call or visit every once in a while, okay?
>Advantage on Persuasion checks (doubled when using Persuasion for seducing)
>Attacks enemies with a single random Watcher Eyebeam at range on it's parent's initiative count.
>Eyebeams have a 20% chance of immobilizing, stunning, igniting, freezing, or dominating an enemy for 1d3 rounds.
>Placed: Only given out by seducing (and not fighting) the Watcher and not participating in the next room, in order to have a private meeting with her. After the dungeon is completed, the Watcherling is dropped off at the lucky player's local guildhall with a note explaining the situation.

>Axe of Mite (Very Rare chest or hidden corpse item, Handaxe, Battleaxe, or Greataxe)
>Lore: Likely made by an unlucky adventurer who had gotten quite lost in the hidden corridors and passageways of Slimecrown Hamlet's ruins, this kitbashed axe is made out of sharpened pieces of Lag Mite chitin glued together with the remains of a Time Slime, with a wooden handle carved from reclaimed mimic wood. It sometimes twitches slightly while held in the wielder's hand...
>+1 to Attack
>+1 to Agility
>Once per dungeon, when wielding the Axe of Mite, a user can use an attack action on a foe to afflict them with the Slow condition. You can afflict Slow on multiple minion foes so long as they are hit with the same attack.
>Placed: Somewhere where lots of Lag Mites have built a nest, or possibly in another hard to reach location with a (fake) adventurer's corpse holding it.

Since it seems like Berserker's going to mainly use her fists, or maybe some gauntlets or claws, we'll place the The Tome of Ceaseless Sand somewhere around the ruins, and leave the Axe for Marauder or another axe user.

>>1047738
You don't make a Grue, you just go too far into the darkness and find one there.

>>1047740
...That Pause ability on the Tome is supposed to be once per dungeon.

Lag Mites lets gooooooooo

also GATTAI

>>1047740
tbh this feels a bit too strong for this part of the dungeon, this is supposed to be the low level section

>>1047743
That's fair, most of the ones I posted were older ideas from before Audit Quest moved. Still, I think the Bottled Dark Slime would be a good consumable here, as well as amusing. Just need to lower it's duration to two or three rounds.

>>1047723
Okay, well I think the ruins shouod resemble a bit of an old temple or something similar. The place shows signs of an old battle against some monsterous thing (Jeffrey) where there are reckages and collapsed ceilings and the like.

But now, its something different. There are writings and weird sigils on the walls and ceilings. Evidence of activity that something lives here now. Maybe even something bigger than just one creature. It is in fact...a cult.

But the place is empty for now, or at the very least its cult like members are not here. What is here, are some of its creations.

Basically, this leads to a collection of assorted primordial Ochre Jellies, the occasional pest lag mites, a dark slime and led by Gazer. There is also a lone light slime, who seemingly is trapped, kept here by the cult for some freakish ritual. Adventurers may run into them, and attempt to free them from the clutches of the assorted denizens within.

Have it be eerie and allow for the curilus to study and be spooked by the various monsters popping out at random times.

This place may become a place for a mini-boss, but it allows us to set up some lore in the future for when we adjust and expand some rooms.

>>1047740
Gotta think about it. But we should keep the items small for now until we expand this place (if we choose to)

For now I think we could do small trinkets like.

>The Eternal Candle
>A small candle that when an activation word is said, the candle lights up, illuminating the darkness. When in the aura of this light, you are immune to the blind condition.

>Ceremonial Stave
An old stave from a bygone era. What does it do? Its truly unknown, even the cult has missed it. The stave can cast one of the following spells per run. "Heal", "Bless" or "Purify".

1/2 Mary 2022/10/28(Fri)21:19 No. 1047756 ID: 08229c
File 166701716733.png - (125.00KB , 800x600 , 23.png )

Creepy and some small loot. Alright, let's do this.

>Mary has decided just in time for the pair to enter.

>Almost immediately they encounter a massive mural on the wall. It's been partially broken and worn down with age.

>It is a masterfully designed image of a bunch of slimes and a monster. The slime is bringing up a barrier of slime. The slime is drawing a blade against the monster. The slime is drawing a blade against the monster. The slime is hiding behind her bodyguards.

>The monster is charging. The monster is crushing slime cores beneath its feet.

>The barrier is faltering.

>The monster is winning.

"Wow." Berserker says, "That's not fucking ominous at all."

"That's so cool! Lore! We hardly ever get places with lore!"

"Hn. It has the same markings as those things we fought... In the woods."

"And the scarecrow you used my DEAD BODY to beat up."

"Y-yeah."

"Do you think we'll fight the big guy?"

>Berserker cracks her knuckles.

"I hope so."

>>1047756
>All craftslimeship is of the highest quality.

Mary 2022/10/28(Fri)21:21 No. 1047758 ID: 08229c
File 166701729564.png - (123.96KB , 800x600 , 24.png )

>They move on and enter the next room. A lag mite drops onto Berserker and makes her scream.

>Slowly.

"AaaaaaaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"

"Bug!? Kill it!"

"Iiiiiii caaaaaaaaaaan'tttttt mmmmmooooooo-"

"I'm gonna hit you with my book! Is that okay!?"

"Doooooooon'ttttt yooooooouuuu ffffuuuuuuuccccckiiiiiinnngggg dddaaaaaa-"

"Well what do you want me to do!?"

Alright, let's ramp it up a bit. I want them to be absolutely terrified by the end of it. I think we really gotta sell how scary this place is.

Lag mites keep falling from the ceiling as they get chased by the slowest zombies ever. Really ham it up.

Hey, if these lagmites are falling from the ceiling, wouldn't that make them lactites?

>>1047758
Just make some noises. Some distant footsteps, a mechanism starting to tick, or some falling rubble. Amp up the psychological horror for now.
It doesn't require a ton of effort and whatever they come up with in their mind will be a hell of a lot worse than whatever we can throw at them.


Also, that mural is totally depicting Jeffrey. And they want to fight Jeffery. We may want to tie the obscene strength of Jeffrey into the lore subtly so they have the chance to figure out what they are getting into.

>>1047760
>We may want to tie the obscene strength of Jeffrey into the lore subtly so they have the chance to figure out what they are getting into.
They have a long, long way before they get to Jeffrey, and there's no way in hell they'll ever get to Curi as they are now, much less get past her.

we need bigger mites

Also prep some chaos slimes, ochre jellies, and some zombies. Don't show them yet, but have a zombie or two sit passively further in covered with an ochre jelly. Have them look like a melting corpse prop for now.

After the adventurers pass a few of these corpses, that is when you activate them, surrounding the adventurers.

Elsewhere, have some chaos slimes sit on the ceiling and then have them slowly drip down when reached.

--

For future use, we really need to upgrade a chaos slime to be a chaos knight or something that wanders the ruins.

>>1047759
Genius!

Oh and at some point we for sure need what appears to be another mural of jeffrey turn out to be a chaos slime lying in ambush, maybe when in a dark and light slime chamber they pass it before it goes dark, then when they get some light again they can glimpse it peeling itself from the wall and looming over them, either for a scary start to a fight or for max horror: to vanish when the light goes out again

Aspen already mentioned the citadel having "difficulties", so perhaps we can lore it out somewhere as it being sealed (which it is) and the seal weakening (god I hope not)

One way to make things scary is with a backdrop of creeping horror, maybe leave "signs" of the catastrophe, and make it seam like the nearby monsters are related to The Abomination's actions somehow, lord knows the Chaos creature probably COULD fuck up things that bad

OOH, HAVE OTHER PIECES OF CHAOS CORRUPTION, HAVETHIS BE WHY THERE ARE CHOAS THINGS IN THAT FIELD

>>1047758
I laugh way too hard at the thought of a lagmite infested slime smeared zombie looking like the smooze covered in bugs voice like its breating argon sounding like autotune.

Idea for the future a lagmite infested superfast creature moving at slow or normal speed possibly without lagmites it starts to rapidly age but unleashing its full power a sort of failed eternal youth experiment, lagmites if not eating could make good corpse preservers or stasis chambers

>>1047769
Maybe leave lore entries like this around.
While Chaos is not evil in and of itself, all Chaotic beings near Slimecrown stem from a single source, and most are still under it’s control. Just what is it that is sealed away in the citadel, and how powerful is it to command so many beings despite being sealed…

>>1047758
They’ll probably follow any light in the distance- you can use the light and darkness slimes to lead them around that way.

The slimes themselves, if caught, are just scared kids who wandered off to play but got separated by the scary zombies and such. Let’s use slow-moving zombies popping out of the cover of the darkness slime as a threat. The Jelly can act as a sort of zombie-slime.

Gazer is an ancient guardian of these ruins who’s charged to protect slimes, but keep out others with extreme prejudice. A relic from old, harsh times when slime crown was founded.

>>1047758

Dread is a powerful tool, as is darkness. I'm not sure how they are still seeing at this point, honestly.

Maybe something like the following would really put the fear into them:
> Let them deal with the bug first, and proceed further in.
> Drop some more lore about how a great flood or similar managed to drown Jeffrey down into the deepest recesses of Slimecrown citadel.
> A small dripping noise starts to be heard far in the distance, but everything else is strangely quiet. (This is a tell that the ochre jelly is getting closer, and plays into the recent lore that ties moving water to danger. If they watch the ceiling carefully, they'll notice him circling behind them.)
> A miasma of darkness seems to blow out from within the citadel at a certain point (ideally when the way out is no longer visible or easily reached). If they turn back, they realize that the light of the entryway has gone dark (courtesy of Darkness Slime).
> Have them find a mercy torch or similar around now, one that casts just enough light to reveal the next mural, one showing eyes glowing red in the dark beneath the citadel.
> Have Light Slime and Darkness Slime begin playing together to whip up illusions, shadows moving just out of sight, red corruption lines on the walls reaching out like spider cracks from further in.
> Suddenly, the light flares up, revealing lag mites feasting on a body, a zombie that then gets up. (The torch, if equipped begins faltering, and the lag mite latches onto the zombie making it move in bursts of terrifying swiftness. The ochre jelly drops from behind and jiggles menacingly.)
> They can fight or flee at this point (probably flee), but before they vacate the scene completely they see eyes glowing in the dark (Gazer's specifically, which are red and hear either the sound of pounding like massive footsteps or a terrifying roar).

I wonder if berserker gets weaker by feeling fear instead of anger.

>>1047758
Now is the time to start bringing in more lkttle elements of lore, maybe a broken glass or mural depiction of the god of slimecrown (Mary?) as well as elements depicting Curi and Oilivia as they used to be. Enough to look familiar but vague enough to still not give away the idea that they were part of the sealing process. Not yet at least, we can add more hints and lore as we go.

This should also be the part where we start seing defacing and weird slimish sigils that seem to be more cult like and sinister. Perhaps an altar where all that remains is an interpretation of the thing downstairs.

At this point, we start seeing primordial Ochre Jellies, made from some weird fell magic that this weird cult has made with its experiments. Maybe there are weird potions filled with chaotic energy that could be used to make new chaos slimes.

Finally, when they reach the end, they find the antechber and unholy sanctum of the Cult of Jeffrey. Its large and mostly empty, save for Gazer and a few zombies watching over a trapped and captured Light and Dark slime, the master/leader of the cult isn't home right now, but they are ready to deal with intruders when they hop in univited.

>>1047798
Yeah, that sounds interesting. I'd also add in Ruth and Ms. Bloops to the group of "original" slimes.
It adds a nice sort of contrast, I feel;
Two slimes evolve over time (Oilivia and Curi), and two stay the same (Bloops and Ruth).
Two slimes grow strong to defend their home (Curi and Ruth), while two remain gentle souls (Oilivia and Bloops).

>>1047804
Keep in mind that Oilivia can absolutely bring the pain if she needs to, since she does have 5 runes.

Music slime as well, come to think of it.

I think since this is sort of an ancient ruin thing, we probably should stay away from existing characters aside from the undead and Jeffrey. We could build some legends and myths.

For the more in-lore contemporary stuff, it probably should be conveyed solely through dialogue, item tooltips, the occasional posted notice, and maybe some paintings or tapestries. But not in the ancient ruins.

>>1047817
hmm, keeping some distance from the current roster of slimecrown might be wise, although I think having depictions of Ms Bloops wouldn't be a bad idea, she's from the dungeon when Jeffrey got made after all.
Gotta give some lore credit to our most venerable slime.

(since she hangs out in the fountain on the regular, I kinda like the idea of giving her a bit of a lady of the lake sorta deal on top of being the hardmode trigger. may she some day bestow upon someone Excalibloop)

>>1047758
>>1047817
>>1047819
You do bring good points about keeping Curi and Oilivia maybe not as overtly revealed if we went with a destroyed church motif from a famous battle. Clearly we'll have to find a way to start teaching lore about that. Maybe the schoolhouse in the future. And maybe we build a library in the castle in the future for chronicling.

Though maybe we could sneak them in as royal family=protectors and have smaller projenitor slimes the size of bloops that just happen to have familiar slime antenna.

Also, speaking of bloops since I also like the idea...what if she was a demi-god or is the god of slimecrown. But taken its dimmuative form?

>>1047820
Diminutive form? No, she is as she seems. See, it's easy to pay attention to the bombastic gods, the ones that stand larger than life and glow with power... but they failed, and fell.
At the end of the day, the one that remained was the one that was there from the beginning: the small, quiet one that roams around the place. Everyone knows her, and everyone's day is a little happier after getting a visit from her. She's not the one who sits in a throne, or the one who protects with powerful magic, but she's the one who gives everyone hope and without her the whole place would be dead by now.

>>1047820
Personally, I don't think any lore should really be overtly revealed ever. It should be something you have to explore and work towards.

I suppose we could have a school, but it should all be in slimish or something so it is not very accessible. Remember, we have received positive reviews from prior adventurers talking about how they liked how the lore was intricate, yet subtle.

>>1047848
Perhaps there could be a well placed in a sideroom with a massive locked gate that will open to the next expansion when it becomes availible?

One that would, perhaps, be very familiar to guests, and could possibly be used as a fast travel point when they've found others?

It would be really great if you could save them from that terror. What is a lag mite's natural predator?

>>1047853
some sort of fast centipede? Honestly I don't see that being a great improvement

>>1047853
Clearly the solution is Metal Slime.

>>1047853
We've got plenty of String Runes from String Slime, could try to make an Arachne.

Seems obvious you should make an insect swarm of those bugs attack them.

But... make it build. Start by letting math wizard kill that one only to find two more are crawling on her back.

Then when he wipes those off they realize every surface they weren't looking at is bugs.

1/6 Mary 2022/11/01(Tue)14:25 No. 1048124 ID: 08229c
File 166733794824.png - (185.01KB , 800x600 , 25.png )

Alright. I've got some spooks and traps set up for a bit deeper in.

Now let's sit back and watch the action.

------------------

>Within the dungeon, the Math Wizard and Berserker continue to freak out. The Wizard asks again and again if she should just hit her with the book, with the Berserker trying to, very slowly, explain that that would be the WORST idea.

>Each time Berserker gets close to removing the lag mite it just skitters at normal speed to the other side of her head. The feeling of it skittering along her body just makes her cry harder.

"Aaaa! I'm sorry!" Math Wizard suddenly cries out.

"Whaaaaaa-"

>She leaps into the air and brings her book down. It connects with a horrible crack and instantly kills the Lag Mite. And the Berserker.

>>1048124
That book is very very heavy.

2/6 Mary 2022/11/01(Tue)14:28 No. 1048128 ID: 08229c
File 166733808633.png - (81.94KB , 800x600 , 26.png )

>Mary sighs, ready to come up with some other means of throwing the pair a bone when the Berserker suddenly comes back to life.

Oh.

>The Berserker looks just as confused.

"W-what? I wasn't even able to move out of the kill-view. How am I back..?"

"I used a Phoenix Down."

"... You had those?"

"I always carry three. I -asked- if you wanted any. You said we'd be fine."

". . ."

Mary 2022/11/01(Tue)14:31 No. 1048132 ID: 08229c
File 166733829972.png - (83.36KB , 800x600 , 27.png )

>Berserker manages to contain her INTENSE RAGE. Mary can see it is literally off of the charts. When it fades she simply stands up.

"I can always count on you to be prepared..."

"You know it." Math Wizard agrees.

>Berserker simply sighs and looks around. The room is dark and there are two paths, left and right. She looks between them for a while before coming to some internal choice. She begins to walk right, with Math Wizard walking behind her.

>They enter a new chamber, this one containing a zombie that is half absorbed by an orange looking slime.

Mary 2022/11/01(Tue)14:33 No. 1048133 ID: 08229c
File 166733843397.png - (153.58KB , 800x600 , 28.png )

>>1048132

"I'm gonna loot the corpse." Berserker says.

"W-what? That's gross."

"We loot monsters all the time."

"Yeah but like... Those weren't already rotting. Or covered in slime."

"That is an odd line to make in the sand. I've been elbow deep in dragons and you never stopped me."

"Wow, first of all, phrasing, second of all, what if it's a trap? What if they want us to loot the corpse?"

"Who booby traps a rotting body?"

"Who loots one?"

"..."

"..."

"I'm going to loot it."

Mary 2022/11/01(Tue)14:34 No. 1048134 ID: 08229c
File 166733845451.png - (155.88KB , 800x600 , 29.png )

>>1048133
>The Zombie groans.

6/6 Mary 2022/11/01(Tue)14:36 No. 1048137 ID: 08229c
File 166733859986.png - (116.98KB , 800x546 , 30.png )

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"

=====================================================

Is it wrong to like the sounds of them screaming?
Maybe.

Maybe I'm getting a bit too into being a dungeon master...

But boy does it feel good to have something I've prepared go off without a hitch.

>Mary pushes the button to have the Ochre Jellies begin to descend upon the pair. Then, she hears her screen ringing.

"Hmm?"

A call... From Lord Savage?

Aaaa, I'm in the middle of a run, though... And Alex is busy so I can't have her take over.

Should I just ignore it or..?

>>1048137

Lord Savage is a friend, and you need those. The monsters and adventurers will take care of each other for the extent of a brief call.

>>1048137
THe run seems to be handled well enough for now. I'm sure he has good reason to be calling and may have something important to say about the Dungeoneer situation, maybe?

Lord Savage definitely merits our attention! Pick up the phone, let the tension build in our adventurers for a bit.

>>1048137
Take the call and say "Sorry, I'm overlooking a run right now. Is this urgent or should I call you back?"

>>1048137
They'll get themselves killed if you don't keep an eye on them, Savage will understand.

Also they are far too entertaining.

>>1048137
Call em up!

>>1048137
I think you have an ability to multitask, Mary. Keep an eye on the duo, but listen to Lord Savage. Maybe a speaker phone sort of deal?

Isabelle take the wheel. Mary take the call.

>>1048137
>>1048149
yeah, do picture-in-picture

>>1048137
Do you mot hace the power of TWO SCREENS like anyone who can multitask?

Greet him, say you're middle of a run and might be distracted unless he'd rather you call him back when it is done.

>>1048137
Make a note about putting in some extra Phoenix Downs in the shop at a small discount to tempt Math Wizard into stocking back up and Berserker into buying one too just in case of another book beating, then take the call.

Also, give the crown to Isabelle, we’ll see to her and Chaos Slime’s DM training.

Multitask.

Otherwise have Curi (who is probably responsible enough) or somebody from the citadel take over for you while you are on the call.

Actually, after looking back thru the threads to find all the traits the ochre jelly had, I stumbled upon our first encounter with lord savage (end of chapter 7) and we totally need to just answer, say we are busy, and ask if he could call back later. For old time's sake.

Mary 2022/11/01(Tue)18:07 No. 1048170 ID: 08229c
File 166735124405.png - (148.61KB , 800x600 , 31.png )

Oh, right. I forgot I could do this.

>Mary puts her screens in such a way that she can see what's happening in the dungeon and talk to Lord Savage.

>Once it is all set up she accepts his call. Lord Savage's massive figure is immediately visible, though he seems to be sitting in a very dark area.

"Ah, Mary. A pleasure to see you once more. I hope I am not catching you at a bad time."

"No, no. I'm doing a dungeon run but I can just keep that on my second screen."

"My apologies, I will try to be brief. First, I wished to call you to express a bit of concern. I saw the latest review of your dungeon and it seems most unlike you to have a run like that. Is aught amiss?"

"Oh, no no. It was... It was just a bad situation. I had to deal with my dungeon being opened before it was quite ready."

"Oh? Someone opened it that wasn't you?"

"Yeah. It's all taken care of now, the current two seem to be having a good time. They're fighting zombies right now."

"Ah. Zombies. So close to a skeleton, yet they cling to that rotting scrap of life..." He shakes his head. "Regardless, if you say you are well that puts this old Dungeon Master's heart at ease. Now, onto my second point of concern... Has your Dungeoneer been well?"

"Mm?"

"Mine recently had a small error. She paused during her work and leaked black ichor I had not seen before. I bottled and tried to rune the substance and found that it was un-runeable. A most curious thing. I contacted my dear friend Glass Spinner just before you and she said she found her Dungeoneer unconscious in the middle of her glass fractal maze."

"Oh... That's horrible.."

"They're both fine now. No memory of the incident at all. But, I was curious if yours had been afflicted by something similar?"

>>1048170
"Yes, she started leaking ichor so we sent her to the baths with our resident healer."

"Yes, our dungeoneer had something similar happen. I assumed it was from some new runes she was working with."

Follow up question

"Are you a fan of Mori Calliope? "

"Yes, something similar happened to mine. Is there any precedent for this?"

>>1048170
Yeah, but our Dungeoneer brushed it off and seemed fine. Any word from Steve or Matron?

>>1048170
Yeah confirm yours was leaking earlier and you sent her to get cleaned up. It's true, and also makes sure yours doesn't stand out as a possible culprit.
(ugh, whatever she did, it affected all of them... this could be bad)

>>1048170
Just tell him what happened. Our dungeoneer exploded. It isn't our fault, so idk why we should hide it.

>>1048170
Ask for the almighty rune to feed to dungeoneer

Yes, she started leaking that stuff too, that definitely happened. Is there anything in the uh, history of the First Dungeoneer that might explain this phenomenon?

SO!
seems our dungeoneer taking in a Soul rune had consequences, I suspect that if it is not already too late to hide this it will be soon, may as well tell them now

especially as it is certain the First has or will notice

>>1048174
>>1048178
>>1048183
I suggest leaving out anything that would make our Dungeoneer's situation unusual. I doubt the Big Guy has noticed, because Dungeoneer still exists (she said if she talked about it she'd stop existing, remember?) and I suspect the First Dungeoneer is very much in on this.
I, for one, have no reason nor desire to thwart her attempt to be free.

Yeah keep it simple, match the story, and ask about the First Dungeoneer.

>>1048170
hmm, with him trying to rune the goo and being surprised it didn't work it sounds like he doesn't have any idea what happened or how (as of yet anyway)

I'd say be as honest as possible without saying it was our Dungeoneer that caused it.

I like Lord Savage, all indicators thus far make him seem like a good dude, plus we can't even tell yet if Dungeoneer is doing something bad/wrong here and lying to us about it. But construct (or as is more explicitly likely now: not) she's a friend and selling her out feels wrong.

"yeah, she looked all gooey and messed up for a bit, but she assured me she was fine, and I couldn't get any more explanation out of her. I am pretty annoyed about how much my constructs can't or won't tell me about things until I find them out on my own, actually. A while back I somehow accidentally went into rune debt, and I didn't even know that was possible."

>>1048185
The Big Guy IS the First Dungeoneer as far as I am aware, and I suspect the Goo is just one symptom, but I suppose we can hide it for now and, if we can't make the dungeoneer talk about her past, force her to talk about what this will do

>>1048250
No, that's wrong. The Big Guy is the guy who made the first dungeon. Dungeon constructs are all based on his companions, one of which is the First Dungeoneer. They're different people, and everything points to the FD trying to break free of the BG without tipping their hand until it's too late. Talking about it would be the aforementioned hand tipping.

1/2 Mary 2022/11/02(Wed)15:32 No. 1048262 ID: 08229c
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"She had started leaking something similar and offered little explanation on what was going on. It's a bit frustrating to have them withholding information from me at times."

"Well, you are always able to command them to do as you bid. Your orders are absolute, you must simply state so. Something like, 'I, the Dungeon Master, command you to -'. And they have to obey. I personally do not do such a thing myself. Despite not being people, they do still have emotions. Forcing them to do something is not worth their hurt feelings and bad relations.

And you say yours was leaking as well? This might be widespread. I hope it does not reach the First. It would be quite the hassle to have our Dungeoneers disabled for any amount of time."

"Is that likely to happen?"

"If it is simply a one-off instance it may be overlooked. In fact, unless it interferes with how dungeons operate, I doubt the First will do anything. Though, it is something we should be prepared for. I will be sure to inform the others of the guild as well, just in case."

"You keep saying the First. I know you're talking about the First Dungeon Master. What was the First Dungeoneer like?"

"Mm? Ah, I forget you were not willingly brought into this little group of ours. Perhaps it is time for a small history lesson?"

2/2 Mary 2022/11/02(Wed)15:39 No. 1048263 ID: 08229c
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"The First Dungeoneer was a remarkable woman. You see, it is because of her that human/demon hybrids like us can even exist. I hope that gives you some idea of how long ago these people existed.

She had taken the demon creating skills of the Demonologist and the vast library of the Archiver and used their abilities to twist runes in ways we could not even begin to understand, even now.

She could alter the runes within demons, add more to their being, and found a way to fuse humans with runes to turn them into demons themselves. Many of her companions were given such a treatment, which has allowed them to exist to current times. We still have the first Dungeon Master, Demonologist, Builder, and Artificer among us to this day.

And yet, when she tried it on herself she found that her own soul was lacking... Something. Some vital piece that allowed runes to attach to it.

And so, despite her best efforts, she passed on due to old age many years ago.

The constructs we summon now, of her and a few others that have passed, are echoes of their soul that carry on even despite the loss of the original.

No one has ever come close to her genius and it is her that we have to thank for making our dungeons what they are now. She is still regarded as the most popular of constructs and the most frequently used.

The lesson was brief, but I hope that answers a few questions. Is there anything else you wished to know, Mary?"

>>1048263
...oh. And here we have a version of her who can, in fact, be runed.

Woah woah, how common is rune incompatibility among humans? Among the small subset that's tried it, at least.

>>1048263

Was she also a legendary pervert or is ours... unique? Speaking of unique, is it special for what are effectively fragments of her unbinding soul to be able to carry runes themselves, or is it not unheard of?

After that, back to dungeon shenanigans.

>>1048263
You know, this may explain why our Dungeoneer seemed so. Panicked about her companions dissapearing/dying. Seeing as she unintensionally abbanddoned them with her death.

Maybe ask the hypothetical if anyone knew of any fragments that had a runic anomoly? Or even just unique personality traits.

Don't want to tip the hand, but it seems like Dungeoneer won't say do to magical fragment shenanigans.

>>1048263
I wonder how dungeons can make constructs based on both living persons and passed souls.

I guess our Dungeoneer reflects the facets of the first dungeoneer that wanted to get to stick around with her friends. It's probably got to be pretty scary being suddenly ripped from the aether wholecloth like that, with memories you know aren't part of a contiguous existence because you know the you who made those memories died even as she helped those around her escape that fate. Probably explains why she stamped herself with what seems to be a personal rune in a previous manifestation, (I mean, it's got her DG initials and everything) so that she could keep track of her existence through demanifesting and remanifesting. Only a genius like her'd be able to pull it off.

And also the facets of the first Dungeoneer that was into women are in there too.

Anyways.

Since we keep finding ourselves coming up short on knowledge of dungeon history and mechanics, maybe we should ask him for a good source for basics? Like, is there a Dungeon Master trade magazine we could get? Or like... a prestige docuseries he'd recommend? We should get back to our currently running adventurers soon, but we should really crashcourse some of this info next time we're between customers.