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

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

How long have I slept?

I feel listless and tormented by dreams.
655 posts omitted. Last 100 shown. Expand all images
>>
No. 864627 ID: 09e13b

>>864468
I still think that the stone epaulettes I suggested higher up could be a fun idea. They're a nice symbol of authority without being as blatant or egotistical as a crown, and they'd make her shoulders look wider for a more imposing appearance. Making them work with a dress might be slightly tricky, though, I guess.
>>
No. 864656 ID: 6d1052

I have to say as an aside that the faces on Merud's hat is absolutely hilarious.
>>
No. 864657 ID: 3ae3fd

Deem probably doesn't need to be perfectly formed to get Merud to blush, and by all accounts she already had "the conventional number of openings" so she probably hasn't changed that much. It is still likely enough to get her disrespected for immodesty on occasion.

Does clothing get repaired by the resurrection matrix?

Either way, she should probably stick with what she had. Clothing is very versatile, and too much stone armour would prevent the use of worn armour which could be better against some threats. No stone armour would leave her getting mocked for nudity by certain types of people every time she wants to do actual work without ruining her nice clothes. Some stone around her thinner sections(waist, neck, shins...) and covering anything that would offend the more prudish would be prudent. Some short shoulder pads and skirt tiles would help protect the joints. Maybe even a few fringe-spines to protect the eyes from handsy thieves?
>>
No. 864681 ID: 9c2d0c

Deem has dismissively informed us in the past that she applied all relevant details to her previous body. I don't see why that would have changed. Now shut up about it, she's gonna get annoyed again.
>>
No. 864770 ID: 528064

Maybe just a simple pair of pants and a vest with little rock shoes? Deem can show how incredibly prideful of her pragmatism she is, it looks good, and it's light on fabric. I don't doubt some of our companions would enjoy the constant gunshow either.
>>
No. 865120 ID: 45aab1
File 151791796224.png - (25.22KB , 800x550 , shes_coveting_your_space_toilet_merud.png )
865120

>If you go around wearing armour all the time, people'll think you're paranoid about being attacked - like you're not comfortable with the security of your own defences and the competency of your defenders.
I did pick the Homunculus Adaptation to try to be more personable too. Yes, clothes will show more confidence.

>As for borrowing or making clothes, keep in mind that tailoring skills will be needed to make it look nice. Do any of your minions have that skillset? And if so, are they better at working cloth than you are at working stone?
I'll improvise something for the moment. I order one of my new homunculus to gather up some of the fabric Merud and Moriko bought during their shopping trip.

>I just assumed from Merud's bashfulness and the fact the homunculi are always wearing clothes that Deem's now "anatomically correct".
What do you mean 'now'?

>Deem has dismissively informed us in the past that she applied all relevant details to her previous body. I don't see why that would have changed. Now shut up about it, she's gonna get annoyed again.
Dohoho, you're lucky I'm in a good mood.

I step out of the golem making alcove and catch my foot on the high lip. I stagger a few steps and grab on to Merud to steady myself.

>Be sure to hug Merud. He's been helpful and more important obedient- he accepted your teachings very well. It's nice to be on good terms with him, plus I'm curious how much more like a living body the Homunculus Adaptation feels.
"Deem?" he says.

"You don't need to be so bashful." I say to Merud. "I've put my rocks back on already. In fact you should take the chance to appreciate my handiwork!"

I wrap my arm around his shoulders, stroke his collar and pat his shoulder. "Anyway, my sense of touch should be a little better." I give it a squeeze. "How does it feel? It is excellent, isn't it? And thanks for all your hard work."

He sighs. "With all these golems you're churning out by yourself, I'm feeling a little superfluous."

>Merud looks uncomfortable.
>Actually, Lol Deem I just realized why.
>With the new you and these golem designs, you have a BDSM dungeon in the making. XD
>Massive, perfectly subservient and scantily clad hyper-masculine brutes.
>Cute, barely dressed (in rags) slave girl homunculi.
>And a sexy, fiercely confident, totally in control, larger than life mistress (see: dominatrix) running the show.
>You... should probably let Merud design the image of at least like, half the golems.
I'll avoid getting a whip then. And perhaps consider better uniforms. Letting him design some was always my intention.

"Nonsense!" I say to Merud. "I need you for expertise and innovation, not mass production. And we wouldn't be making so many new types at once if I hadn't had your assistance setting up the totem."

"Although," I lean in closer. "I will have you make some of the new golems to your own specifications. Hands-on experience for my famulus!"

>It's interesting that his Master thinks that golems shouldn't be too lifelike and that it makes them distracting - as there is definitely a point where a golem could end up looking and acting uncanny and strange, rather than merely exotic and strange.
Arguments about uncanniness aside, his master's point was definitely about younger students and libidos. Foolishness. I would think you could trust them to restrain themselves or get it out of their system.
>>
No. 865121 ID: 45aab1
File 151791818589.png - (41.28KB , 800x600 , but_you_are_basically_all_redundant_now.png )
865121

>What would be his ideal shape be for a sapient, thinking, living golem, if such a thing was ever to be made? Simple, or familiar?
"So then Merud, what would your ideal golem be? If you were to succeed in making a sapient golem, what shape would it take?"

"'It depends' is not a very good answer, so I would have to think about that." Merud says slowly. Hedging his bets I think.

I chuckle. "Take your time. You have ten minutes. I want an answer today."

>If you are going to have Gigant Growth at your command then you'll either have to wear something that's designed to break away or stone garments. Come to think of it, Hin's clothes do seem especially stretchy.
With both Reisarf and myself raiding her wardrobe, Hin wouldn't have much left for herself. I do need something easily shed though.

>Really not feeling the hair. The purple-ness of the hair and its almost slimy-quality makes Deem look more like a slime-girl. The third eye I can take or leave, but the geometric black hair deem had was a lot more striking than slimy slightly darker purple.
>Is it too late to make it a bit more black to contrast with the 'skin' colour you've got?
I think I agree. I'll use some soot to dye it.

>You of course need a stunning and regal dress, that shows off your fantastic new body while at the same time preserving your dignity. Not that you should hide your new form, but your minions may find it distracting now that your anatomy has changed.
I think I know something I can do with the resources I have at hand. I have my homunculi knot two squares of fabric together and start dressing me.

>little rock shoes?
What a good idea. I'll add those.

>Although I'll admit I'm rather fond of your old outfit, it already has buttons and the skirt seems like it might be tied in the side, just remember to undo the buttons and such before using those modes. Would it be possible to recycle your old outfit or incorporate new cloth into it to refit it to your new size?
The shirt wouldn't fit very well but I may be able to do something with the skirt later. If not, I could donate my old outfit to one of the homunculi.

>Be careful you aren't too intimidating, Deem. While you should have an impression of power, especially when you're making a first impression, your minions and any business partners you develop also need to consider you approachable, and people to whom you've extended your protection should feel safe. In short, you should be trying to look secure rather than threatening.
I'm feeling very secure right now and I'm sure it shows.

>If you invest too much into making your appearance seem dignified, then that dignity will more easily and irreparably shatter the next time you all end up covered in slime or subject to some miscast funhouse mirror illusion effect or get invaded by snails or whatever other shenanigans are going to happen. Adventurers, Deem. You know what they're like. Be ready for it.
My natural dignity isn't as brittle as that.
>>
No. 865123 ID: 45aab1
File 151791835669.png - (28.53KB , 800x550 , celebratory_cake.png )
865123

My wardrobe update is interrupted; I hear a noise behind me and turn. My dress-to-be slips off my shoulder. I grab the loose fabric before it can slide to the ground.

It's Moriko, Reisarf and Stargazer. They're back early. Stargazer's using her Independent Action to carry a block of ice with an orange substance inside and Reisarf's carrying something too.

My alienist nods at me amiably. "You look different."

I sigh. "Reisarf, you shouldn't hold a mimic so close to your face."

"Come again?"

"That cake is a mimic."

Everyone's silent. Reisarf's apparently got the nerve to not make any sudden moves. My collection of golems shift uncertainly.

"It's not a very dangerous mimic unless you're a small animal, but you should put it down."

Reisarf does so.

"It's a random cake you found out in the wilderness. Weren't you suspicious?"

My alienist just shrugs helplessly.

>Does clothing get repaired by the Resurrection Matrix?
No.

>Try to remember, Deem. Your first Boss Mode. The fever dream. Even Gigant Form. Much like Reisarf, your power rests in the upper torso region - so you should give it plenty of space to do so!
If that's the case then I should make them smaller. I'm still very weak.

>With the new golems complete I think there isn't much doubt about what the brutes will be doing, but what are the homunculus going to work on? I like the idea of making a farm outside, but maybe that is a waste of their talents or I misunderstood their purpose.
Literally anything that the brutes can't do.

"What is going on here?" Moriko finally asks.
>>
No. 865124 ID: 45aab1
File 151791848719.png - (37.40KB , 800x600 , cant_you_see_were_busy.png )
865124

"It's exactly what it looks like." I say. "Golemetry, of course."

>Do remember, too, that while your childlike appearance of before may have led people to subconsciously assume you were weaker or less wise, it may also have made them subconsciously more willing to forgive perceived mistakes or weaknesses. I wouldn't be surprised if you triggered protective instincts for one or two of your underlings when you were recruiting them.
>You'll need to be able to show some vulnerability to your minions, to make that clear to them, or they might judge you more harshly than you'd like.
I can show vulnerability, see.

>Just do what you're doing now Deem, and have your modesty protected by brute golems wherever you go!
That would be incredibly impractical.

"Now I was in the middle of getting dressed, so if you could all give me some privacy I'll see to that."

They all shuffle out. It's just me, the golems and the mimic.

Clearly that patrol found a few things and I need to do some more golemetry work with Merud but first I should decide what to do with the mimic. It's a parasite. Arguably symbiotic. The cake is conjured material that constantly regenerates. If you eat a slice, it consumes some of your mana to fuel something similar to a weak satiation potion. The mimic also gets a small portion of the victim's mana. Any small animals foolish enough to lured in get eaten instead.

It's rare but not hugely useful to me. I'm very close to the limit for how many unique creatures I can protect with my Resurrection Matrix. I can exceed that limit but it makes the resurrection process much arduous for the resurrectee.

I don't have to recruit it like that but it would be far less loyal. I could hold on to the cake mimic to sell it or try to eventually evolve it into something more useful. Finally I could just kill it and get a catalyst for a magic item - something to do with resource conversion, food or mimicry.
>>
No. 865125 ID: b7627b

>>865124
I say we stick the cake mimic down Doyle and see what happens.
>>
No. 865126 ID: 4cc864

I'd keep the Topkek mimic just for the rarity and the for killing rats
>>
No. 865127 ID: 10c408

Keep the cake mimic near the food supply but make sure that *everyone* in your dungeon is aware of it, particularly doyle and charka.

With any lucky it'll be content to eat vermin for awhile and you can see about it's future prospects when it's bigger.

Oh, and next time Kallia visits you should feed her a slice for kicks.
>>
No. 865128 ID: 0d45a9

Maybe keep it in the employee area of the dungeon? Safe from adventures but it can still serve as pest control and the occasional treat? Having something like this could be good for morale, just have to make sure everyone's aware of it.
>>
No. 865131 ID: 7ab1fe

first thing's first.
finish getting dressed and show us your new figure! i'm dying of curiosity here!

>mimic
i say recruit it but don't register it with the Resurrection Matrix, at least until you make it more useful.
>>
No. 865132 ID: d36af7

Recruit the cake. Simple method for converting internal mana reserves to food could be helpful for supporting Hin's gluttony, various slimes, maybe even the homunculi, and it could be bait for a trap without risking your precious gold.
> limit for how many unique creatures I can protect with my Resurrection Matrix
Would the mimic be less of a burden on dungeon infrastructure if you cut it in half and somehow made it grow back like a starfish, thus becoming non-unique?
>>
No. 865133 ID: d8ce3a

>>865127
>>865128
I agree with these, lets keep it as pest control for now. and if it becomes more useful, then we can register it. If you need it to be loyal, just train it like you would an animal, feed it occasionally, and discipline it if it gets out of hand. at the very least it doesn't appear very mobile, so how much trouble could it get into?
>>
No. 865136 ID: 33cbe7

>If that's the case then I should make them smaller.
Now that logic simply doesn't follow at all. You want room to improve, to fake it until you make it, to plan ahead for the breast-case scenario.
Keep the cake. It worked on Reisarf, it'll work on at least some adventurers. Give it the standard talking to while you carve it a face to look more personable. Let's call it... Antoinette!
>>
No. 865146 ID: 4cc864

An option for the mimic to to get someone to go to town and sell it. A nice looking cake mimic that eats rats and pests would be useful to people there
>>
No. 865148 ID: 2fe26a

>>865133
That's just asking to find out. Remember we have a small and particularly delicious slime to look out for, too. Put this thing in a cage and see about selling it to our favorite mimic dealer next time she comes by.
>>
No. 865162 ID: deec6e

>>865123

Oh my. Is that the merest hint of a smile from Moriko?

As for the mimic, sell it for more gold for the hoard, we've got enough people and minions to oversee the development of for the time being. The trader had one to sell already, but that doesn't mean she might not be happy to offload another. Heck, she might have found more than one potential buyer for the first.
>>
No. 865164 ID: e209c4

>>865124
Hmm. On the one hand, an inexhaustible source of food is definitely not to be sneezed at. I can’t imagine that keeping everyone fed isn’t a huge part of the logistics of running a dungeon. Additionally, free cake would potentially be useful for recruiting.

On the other hand, your dungeon is going to be staffed largely by slimes, which eat almost anything, and golems, which don’t eat anything at all. Food is a less pressing issue than it might otherwise be, especially given the ease with which you can make satiation potions. If we ever get to the point where a few slices of cake are all that stand between us and starvation, we’ve probably already screwed up beyond all hope of recovery anyway.

Ultimately, I suggest going the magic item route. A food based magic item would probably be just as good as the cake from a feeding people perspective, maybe better. A resource converting item could potentially be invaluable as well, depending on the resources in question.
>>
No. 865169 ID: 91ee5f

>>865123
>Stargazer's using her Independent Action to carry a block of ice with an orange substance inside
So what did Stargazer bring back?

>"That cake is a mimic."
THE CAKE IS A LIE!!!!!

>>865124
>Finally I could just kill it and get a catalyst for a magic item - something to do with resource conversion, food or mimicry.
Let Doyle eat it and see what he spits out from it!
>>
No. 865177 ID: 0d1514

>>865124
We can't go adopting every weird thing we see! No resurrection matrix. Ask if anyone wants to keep it, if not then turn it into a magic item.

Before that, try a slice. Test your tastebuds!
>>
No. 865179 ID: 2edf5e
File 151794220735.png - (113.61KB , 642x453 , a better mousetrap.png )
865179

>[...] but first I should decide what to do with the mimic.

Build a better mouse trap. Keep it in the larder.
>>
No. 865180 ID: b1b4f3

>>865124
How does this cake compare to the mimic egg that was for sale? If the egg is better, keep the cake and sell it to fund the egg purchase.
Otherwise... hell, still sell it. It's worth more to the town than it is to you, isn't it?
Or you could just leave it in your secure storage to eat the occasional rat. Side bonus, (mostly)free cake for your minions! No need to resurrect the cake.
>>
No. 865187 ID: 2120ee

>>865124
Just throw the mimic on one of the far platforms of the thaumatorium. I doubt it can swim. Doesn't take any resources to trap it on an island. Having a source of cake probably will be a morale booster, since luxury food is likely to be a, well, luxury moving forwards. You can always kill it to make an item when you're actually likely to make items any time soon.

Oh, and be sure to tease Stargazer for not spotting the mimic. I'm a little disappointed in her, to be honest. I guess three eyes are better than one! Or wait, with Reisarf they have three eyes too. I guess you're just better.
>>
No. 865191 ID: e974eb

Do imps like cake?
>>
No. 865195 ID: dc91a0

Hmm. A cake that never ends that's perfectly safe so long as you don't have any pets?

Taste it. If it tastes good, that Deem is MONEY.
In that case hold onto it, any merchant could find a buyer easy.

If it tastes bad or even meh? Kill it. Unless you can somehow improve upon it and then sell it.
>>
No. 865197 ID: 074011

Ugh, I do not want to know what sort of trap a memeic would evolve into. What ever it is it will probably be bad for your dignified reputation. Still, if you can breed mimics then they would suit the illusion/deception style of a shadow dungeon, and I recall you planning in that direction.
>>865179
And the mouse-trap idea sounds like a good method of storage for the moment. And even if it is parasitic murder-cake that, in the long-term,
drains more food than it provides, it still tastes nice, doesn't it? It could be nice to keep around for treats.

Just, umm, make certain that baby slimes can't get to it...
>>
No. 865246 ID: 09e13b

>>865125
>>865128
>>865169
Feeding a slice or two to Doyle might be a good idea, but I don’t think throwing the whole thing in is a good idea. Whether we sell it, turn it into a magic item, or decide to keep it, either way we gain some sort of permanent asset, be it mana, equipment, or a minion. If we turn it into potions, then we only get a few single-use expendables. If you really want to feed it to someone, give it to Alkaline for a new ability.

>Pest control
Just keep in mind, the basic slimes will probably be able to do the same thing once we have them.

Hey Deem, could we use the mimic to make an item to turn turn loose rocks/rubble into cake? Because that sounds like it would massively speed up digging and boost morale at the same time. (Also it’d let Hin and Alkaline practice their gluttony abilities)
>>
No. 865255 ID: 2120ee

>>865124
>>865187
Adding onto this post that while we're in the thaumatorium with the mimic, we should give the mimic a bath. It has been out in the dirt for who knows how long. It's not sanitary.
>>
No. 865257 ID: f66698

If you can make it behave for you, you could keep it in a secure place and use it in alchemy. If it can mimic a variety of materials with the cost of some mana to take some, you could use it to get weak potion ingredients of any type in order to produce any potion, even if at a weaker strength than one made from real ingredients would.
>>
No. 865259 ID: f66698

I also like the vermin control idea, but still, don't bind it to your ressurection matrix, no need to make life worse than everyone else for what amounts to a pet.
>>
No. 865455 ID: 45aab1
File 151800973339.png - (20.34KB , 800x500 , snippity_snab_its_a_cake_crab.png )
865455

>Maybe keep it in the employee area of the dungeon? Safe from adventures but it can still serve as pest control and the occasional treat? Having something like this could be good for morale, just have to make sure everyone's aware of it.
That's true, morale has been a problem and it would snip any pest problems in the bud.

>Remember we have a small and particularly delicious slime to look out for, too. Put this thing in a cage and see about selling it to our favourite mimic dealer next time she comes by.
And if I hold on to it, I'll have the option of selling it. But I do need to make sure it's safely stored.

>>865179
>Build a better mouse trap. Keep it in the larder.
Something to secure it is a good plan. That's an excellent prototype, I'll throw together something like that.

>How does this cake compare to the mimic egg that was for sale? If the egg is better, keep the cake and sell it to fund the egg purchase.
The mimic egg has already been sold. This mimic would have some value due to its rarity but it's not useful as a guardian at all.

>We can't go adopting every weird thing we see! No resurrection matrix.
True. If I were to bind it and the slime (assuming it survives) to the matrix, I wouldn't be able to add anything else without degraded performance. I'd prefer to keep my options open in case another good monster comes along.

>Recruit the cake. Simple method for converting internal mana reserves to food could be helpful for supporting Hin's gluttony, various slimes, maybe even the homunculi, and it could be bait for a trap without risking your precious gold.
I won't be able to bait a trap without risking it, but those other uses should be fine.

>At the very least it doesn't appear very mobile, so how much trouble could it get into?
The mimic's trying to creep towards the dungeon's entrance from where Reisarf set it down.

"Don't think I can't see you." I tell it.

The cake pivots, looking for other exits, then retracts its legs and settles down. I finish getting dressed.
>>
No. 865456 ID: 45aab1
File 151800981669.png - (23.93KB , 800x600 , convenient_stone_fork.png )
865456

>Try a slice. Test your tastebuds!
I have a golem grab it and then cut myself a slice.

!

Sweet, fluffy, moist. It's alright, I suppose.

The net effect for me of eating a slice is having a nice experience, losing a small amount of mana and feeding the mimic. Unless I need to feed it mana, I would be better off eating real food.

>If it tastes bad or even meh? Kill it. Unless you can somehow improve upon it and then sell it.
"You pass." I tell it. "I'm going to keep you."

>Oh, and next time Kallia visits you should feed her a slice for kicks.
It doesn't have any of the side effects those potions did. If you were hoping for some sort of placebo effect, I'll have to disappoint you.

>I say we stick the cake mimic down Doyle and see what happens.
If I had a spare I'd consider it, but that would be wasteful.

>Keep the cake. It worked on Reisarf, it'll work on at least some adventurers.
Reisarf doesn't have much adventuring experience.

>Just throw the mimic on one of the far platforms of the thaumatorium. I doubt it can swim. Doesn't take any resources to trap it on an island.
It might get killed by marauding adventurers if I do that.

>We should give the mimic a bath. It has been out in the dirt for who knows how long. It's not sanitary.
Bathing cake sounds like a recipe for disaster. I could just eat enough slices of cake to replace it all?

>Hey Deem, could we use the mimic to make an item to turn turn loose rocks/rubble into cake? Because that sounds like it would massively speed up digging and boost morale at the same time.
Probably, but it could only convert a limited amount.

>If you can make it behave for you, you could keep it in a secure place and use it in alchemy. If it can mimic a variety of materials with the cost of some mana to take some, you could use it to get weak potion ingredients of any type in order to produce any potion, even if at a weaker strength than one made from real ingredients would.
Conjured materials are impermanent. They can't be used as potion ingredients.
>>
No. 865457 ID: 45aab1
File 151800994895.png - (34.11KB , 600x750 , fashion_level_expert.png )
865457

>Finish getting dressed and show us your new figure! I'm dying of curiosity here!
I suppose that's enough messing around with mimics. I strut out of the totem to find some of my minions.

>Oh my. Is that the merest hint of a smile from Moriko?
I guess she approves of my new look?

>So what did Stargazer bring back?
I have a quick chat with Reisarf and Moriko. They found an area with a number of imps and a lot of orange goo that had apparently been just dropped on the hillside and pooled further down. A lot of the vegetation is distressed by this. It's the same place they found the cake mimic.

It's possible that the spatial anomaly dropped a few things outside of my dungeon before it closed?

The imps were timid, something is probably preying on them. Moriko felt as if they were being watched so Reisarf froze a sample of the goo for Stargazer to carry back and confirm if it's the same goo. I ask them to tell everyone about the mimic, send it off to get penned properly and drag Merud back into the Golem Totem.
>>
No. 865458 ID: 45aab1
File 151801009635.png - (29.51KB , 800x550 , what_is_this_amateur_hour_bullshit.png )
865458

I decide to start Merud off by making a homunculus of his own.

What is this... thing?

"Merud." I begin. "It's a little basic."

"I've always been better at starting with something basic and then refining the design." My golemeter says.

"Refinement is important, but you need an overall vision for what you want first! Think about the whole thing, don't risk getting bogged down into tweaking small elements." Something occurs to me. "Merud, how many golems would you say you make in a week? From scratch?"

"One?"

"One." I say.

"Maybe less?" he admits. "We had a number of workhorse golems we activated as needed."

I sigh. "I remember times when use of any sort of pre-made golem was looked down on. The basics are important. Practising your visualisation is important. Let's take a step back. You haven't really decided what you want this golem to look like, have you? We'll start there."

I think I'll suggest he uses someone he knows as a model. Who might be best?
>>
No. 865460 ID: b7627b

>>865458
I can hardly think of a better model than you, Deem.
>>
No. 865462 ID: a98542

>>865458
Kallia, obviously. They've hung out enough that he should have a good idea of what she looks like.
>>
No. 865463 ID: e4abe1

>>865462
this
>>
No. 865464 ID: ad51b8

well as for a model we should probably keep it local just to keep it simple so ask him out of all the people here who would he like to base the golem off of... tell him he can use more then one person if you think it would help, he seems to have a bit of trouble when he has to make his own decisions. Guess he could also use his friend back in town as a model as well seeing how they seemed to have known each other for a long enough time that he can probably use her as a model from memory alone.
>>
No. 865465 ID: 0d45a9

It sounds like Merud has a difference in design philosophy? It's easier to construct something to fit a role, so maybe rather than asking him what he thinks the golem should look like, maybe prompt him by asking what he thinks the golem should do?

Form follows function after all, so the reverse should also work. Plus it's more educational to prompt instead of dictate. e.g. If he thinks the golem should "distract" adventurers, then he should design it according to either a stereotypical or personal version of beauty.
>>
No. 865466 ID: 13fded

Make a boy Reisarf doll! We need to mess with Stargazer.
>>
No. 865467 ID: 91ee5f

>>865458
>I think I'll suggest he uses someone he knows as a model. Who might be best?
Let’s try his friend, Kallia.

It’s too easy for him to look at someone here in the dungeon to mimic their appearance, there’s no challenge! So let’s have him model his golem after someone that isn’t here, so that he has to use his memory of them and can’t just easily look at them to make sure he’s getting it right.
>>
No. 865470 ID: 10c408

Okay, as good as a suggestion as this is for Merud to get in some practice, we should cut off any potential weird rumor mills at the knees and suggest he pick someone he knows that isn't a girl.

Which is your entire staff + Kallia.
>>
No. 865471 ID: 4fa22b

>>865458
hmmmm who has he been staring at more than anyone else?
probably your old golem or Kallia, i'd say.
>>
No. 865475 ID: b15da4

Use the face of that professor that told him he couldn't make homunculi. That'll show them!
>>
No. 865493 ID: d8ce3a

>>865458
I have an idea. Have him make the golem in the idealized image of himself.
>>
No. 865508 ID: c31aac

>>865493
this one, or
>>865475
this one.
>>
No. 865511 ID: 528064

I think it's pretty clear at this point Moriko has a crush on you Deem and your cool new body is only making it more intense for her.
Homunculi are sort of like a character from a story maybe Merud should focus on a personality to construct his golem around?
>>
No. 865512 ID: b1b4f3

>>865458
Kallia.

For a challenge he could try Stargazer.
>>
No. 865517 ID: deec6e

>One or less a week.

Is this on par for journeyman golemeters of the time, or is it more a matter of him taking his time making golems? Anyway, it doesn't really matter, given how helpful he's been just with getting your golem operation up and running. Speed tends to come with rote practice, after all, and I suspect he's likely been experimenting with different kinds of golem designs rather than perfecting one.

>>865458

Kallia truly is the obvious choice (although there will no doubt be teasing to come from it), but do mention he has other options. His master, for one. The Shopkeeper, or her daughter. Friends, family, interesting personalities from town. Heck, maybe even one of the other people here in the Dungeon. At least those he could ask permission from - AND it could lead towards playing tricksy twin shenanigans on adventurers, making them think they defeated someone, only to have downed their homonculus clone instead (or vice verse).

Ultimately, Merud should choose the visage of someone that will inspire him to do his best, making the creation process enjoyable. If he has someone he respects, who he has confidence wouldn't mind their visage being used for such a creation, that would likely be the ideal template person.
>>
No. 865558 ID: 074011

He has spent a lot of time with Alkaline. It is too bad that slimes are a terrible form for golems?

If things don't work out with the memeic, then just remember the golden rule of mad science: "You can always dunk it into [pure mana] just to see what happens!"
>>
No. 865598 ID: 3abd97

>darker blocky hair back
That is an improvement, I think.

>>865123
Well. Moriko seems to like what she sees!

>I guess she approves of my new look?
Certainly looks that way to me!

>>865455
That thing is adorable.

Trapping it in the employee area sounds like the right idea. It's cute, it eats vermin, and you can pet it eat tasty slices when you need a pick me up. It serves the same emotional and practical role as a cat.

>I think I'll suggest he uses someone he knows as a model. Who might be best?
Kallia's good for teasing potential. (Golem-Kallia, Gallia?)

Actually, are there potions that allow spoofing appearance, or can make a golem temporarily look human? One thing homunculus golems could be used for is doppelgangers or body doubles of your more powerful minions. Bluffing, deceiving, or misdirecting adventurers with a fake could be a useful trick if used at the right time.
>>
No. 865650 ID: 33cbe7

Using his absent coworker is going to earn some serious raised eyebrows next time she comes to visit.
What if he uses your original appearance? After all, you were originally mistaken for a Turing test golem. You've already got a full set of clothes lying around that'd fit too.
>>
No. 865783 ID: df23bb

He should use your old template. He's already seen what it looks like made out of clay, it's small so it doesn't need much material, we get cute deem back.
>>
No. 865793 ID: 094652

>>865456
Man, I want one of those.

Be sure to experiment and set some dietary limits. But generally? You get to feed your entire team a slice of cake for dinner dessert and all it costs is any remaining end-of-day mana. Score.

>>865458
Oh dear @#$%balls that is ugly-boring.

Have him make a copy of Reisarf (F). Because seriously, this gender-bending thing is the ONLY thing special about him; he's basically the background character to make Stargazer look hawt. Even his girl form looks normal, so copy that.
>>
No. 865845 ID: be0b68

>>865458
Ah the hazards of routine practice in convenience. Happens to the best of us.

Still, suggesting he use Kallia as a basis for form and to construct the golem for purpose from scratch should be good for him.

Maybe remind him to consider the other interpretation of the 5th Magic before he does so.
>>
No. 865848 ID: c88e6d

>>865458
Let's try Child-like Deem. See if he can make a more humaniform imitation of his master's original avatar. It will encourage him and provide an emotional connection to his new golem.
>>
No. 865861 ID: 9c2d0c

>>865783
>>865848
That is not bad, really. Might help him with that thing where his golems pretend to be conscious too. As long as he isn't going to be put off by the notion of being in your shadow again.
>>
No. 865914 ID: d0d281

While I don't have useful advice on who it should be, Being Kallia seems incredibly creepy and stalker like and is sure to warrant a conversation and later embarrassment for Merud.

Unless he suggests it, don't do it.
>>
No. 865965 ID: b1b4f3

Oh, and the presence they felt is most likely Moriko's Shadow. You should have Moriko escort you back there.
>>
No. 865979 ID: e95cec

>>865783
Shh! Can...can she read the spoiler text?
>>
No. 866033 ID: 074011

>>865979
https://tgchan.org/kusaba/questarch/res/565839.html#687324
I think that a Kallia golem under Merud's control would be better able to mock Kallia than be mocked by her. There is all the time in the world to prepare it and the perfect verbal quips before Kallia appears! she is standing right behind me, isn't she? Unless Kallia's superior skills can overcome resources and preparation?
>>
No. 868560 ID: f22969
File 151903766419.png - (34.30KB , 800x600 , this_new_deem_is_a_menace.png )
868560

>One or less a week.
>Is this on par for journeyman golemeters of the time, or is it more a matter of him taking his time making golems? Anyway, it doesn't really matter, given how helpful he's been just with getting your golem operation up and running. Speed tends to come with rote practice, after all, and I suspect he's likely been experimenting with different kinds of golem designs rather than perfecting one.
It's low for a journeyman - they're usually given a lot of creation work just to ensure they have the basics down. Given Merud's experiments and, well, everything about Kallia I think his master has a laissez faire approach to his apprentices.

>It’s too easy for him to look at someone here in the dungeon to mimic their appearance, there’s no challenge! So let’s have him model his golem after someone that isn’t here, so that he has to use his memory of them and can’t just easily look at them to make sure he’s getting it right.
An excellent idea.

>Use the face of that professor that told him he couldn't make homunculi. That'll show them!
I don't know what he looks like so no.

>Okay, as good as a suggestion as this is for Merud to get in some practice, we should cut off any potential weird rumour mills at the knees and suggest he pick someone he knows that isn't a girl.
>Which is your entire staff + Kallia.
Who's going to be starting rumours? Belphejar?

>While I don't have useful advice on who it should be, Being Kallia seems incredibly creepy and stalker like and is sure to warrant a conversation and later embarrassment for Merud.
>Unless he suggests it, don't do it.
>Kallia's good for teasing potential.
"I think you should model one after Kallia." I say.

"I don't think she'd approve of-" Merud trails off.

"Hmmm?" I saw knowingly.

"She would, wouldn't she?"

"Mmmm." I agree. I pat him on the shoulder. "This is just to test your memory and visualisation. I'll modify it afterwards."

>Using his absent coworker is going to earn some serious raised eyebrows next time she comes to visit.
Those eyebrows of hers will always be raised for one reason or another.

"I feel she needs more of a smirk." I comment as Merud works.

Merud tries to ignore me.

"Do you think the chest is the right size?"

"Deem..."

"You know she'll complain if you get it wrong. At least the hair colour is very close."

"Deem, please!"

"You will often be creating golems under very stressful circumstances." I explain to Merud. "That's why it's very important for me, as your teacher, to heckle you as you work."

"And I'm sure that's the only reason." he grumbles.

"It is a very important, very solemn duty." I assure him.

This was an excellent idea.

>Ultimately, Merud should choose the visage of someone that will inspire him to do his best, making the creation process enjoyable. If he has someone he respects, who he has confidence wouldn't mind their visage being used for such a creation, that would likely be the ideal template person.
>Maybe remind him to consider the other interpretation of the 5th Magic before he does so.
"Inspiration is important, Merud. After all, if you are hoping to make a golem that is convincingly human, isn't it better if the artistry of its creation has a little spark of its creator's soul? You yourself need to be thinking of it as something in of itself, not just a collection of parts. If you have a clear image of how it should act, what its personality should be, you've smoothed the way for yourself to progress."

"Uhmm." Merud nods, now focusing on the face. He's much less talkative when he's concentrating.

>It sounds like Merud has a difference in design philosophy? It's easier to construct something to fit a role, so maybe rather than asking him what he thinks the golem should look like, maybe prompt him by asking what he thinks the golem should do?
I would argue he suffers from an uncertainty in what he's creating. He's not sure what its final form should be. He's hoping to discover something of the essence in experimentation and gradual refinement but I wonder if he needs to be bolder in his approach. To take more risks.

Merud's done. It really is a good likeness. I'll have to think about what exactly to change about this Kallia-golem's appearance to turn it into more of a Kallia's-cousin-golem but I'll start with one simple tweak.

"Why do your golems have pointed ears, Deem?" Merud asks me.

"Because I like them."
>>
No. 868561 ID: f22969
File 151903785528.png - (31.98KB , 800x600 , i_want_to_bully_it.png )
868561

>I think it's pretty clear at this point Moriko has a crush on you Deem and your cool new body is only making it more intense for her.
Well I suppose I shouldn't be too surprised. My golems are excellently made. I have had to purposefully make them plainer in the past.

Since he needs more practice I'll have him make a quarter of the new golems. That means a second homunculus.

>He has spent a lot of time with Alkaline. It is too bad that slimes are a terrible form for golems?
Yes, probably not the best fit.

>Make a boy Reisarf doll! We need to mess with Stargazer.
I've probably messed with Stargazer too much as it is.

>For a challenge he could try Stargazer.
A golem shaped like Stargazer's staff form wouldn't be particularly useful.

>Have him make the golem in the idealised image of himself.
My golemeter has proven to be somewhat shy, so having his idealised version running around in the quite basic clothes I can currently provide does not seem ideal for a harmonious dungeon.

>Actually, are there potions that allow spoofing appearance, or can make a golem temporarily look human? One thing homunculus golems could be used for is doppelgangers or body doubles of your more powerful minions. Bluffing, deceiving, or misdirecting adventurers with a fake could be a useful trick if used at the right time.
More advanced homunculi can be customised to do that. The easiest one is modelling them after my denizens as it requires an amount of blood that would be difficult to get off marauding adventurers.

>Let's try Child-like Deem. See if he can make a more humaniform imitation of his master's original avatar. It will encourage him and provide an emotional connection to his new golem.
I wasn't a child! Just petite!

>He should use your old template. He's already seen what it looks like made out of clay, it's small so it doesn't need much material, we get cute deem back.
I'm still very cute! It's just a mature sort of cute. Still it'll be a good basis of comparison for how he interprets another's golems. We need to ensure a good level of compatibility so I'll be able to order his golems and he mine.

I critically examine Merud's second homunculus, one made in my image. Maybe I did make my original body too cute. "Are you sure I was that short?"

"When not in sandals, yes Deem." he replies. "You did make yourself much taller. And you're wearing heels. Actually, are you sure you didn't overdo it? You seem a little clumsier."

Damn his wizard eyes.

"I'm just adjusting." I say. I need to change the subject.

>You've already got a full set of clothes lying around that'd fit too.
The clothes fit so he must have made it right.

"Oh! While I think of it, I have a letter from Lianna I need you to read me." I have a golem hand it to him.

Merud scans it. "It just says thanks for looking after her daughter, she's sorry she couldn't stay - she had to get back to her shop - and she's glad you've found such a good group to look after you."

Look after me? "Are those her exact words?"

My golemeter folds the letter and looks up at me. "You know Deem, we've talked about teaching Alkaline about reading and writing before. If you really want to know, I could teach both of you."

I don't want to commit to a decision right now. "I'm not sure if it'd be a good use of your time with just two people..."

Merud taps the folded letter on his other hand. "Actually Moriko mentioned that she could stand to brush up on her written Vayan." Wait, I recognise this. Merud continues to display an infuriating tendency of laying the groundwork for things without my knowledge!

I look around and notice Chakarkelou entered the room at some point. "W-well look at Chakarchelou, he's getting along perfectly fine without having to read or write. Aren't you, Chakarchelou?"

My quasidragon scratches a sideways crescent into a clay block and looks up at me hopefully.

"Who taught you that!?"

Merud coughs. "I may have done."

You have it all planned out, don't you?

I suppose I do need to commit to a decision about Merud's literacy plot then!
>>
No. 868567 ID: 760851

>>868561
i have said this before and i will say this again. reading is tremendously useful and you should never allow pride to get between you and power. and it's not even much loss of pride! everyone already knows you're illiterate, at this point the only truly shameful course of action is refusal to improve yourself.
>>
No. 868568 ID: deec6e

He wouldn't be offering to do this if he didn't think it was important, Deem.
>>
No. 868571 ID: b7627b

>>868561
Dear Deem, do you want to remain less literate than a quasidragon? Do you want to have other people read potentially private letters that might be addressed to you?

What would the other dungeon hearts think of you if they found out you couldn't read?
While we're at it, some maths might also be handy, especially for managing a group like this.

On other subjects, have you associated with elves in the past? Since you seem to be fond of pointed ears.
And how is that red slime doing? Has alkaline eaten it? She could bring it along to the class.
>>
No. 868574 ID: be0b68

>>868561
Might as well join in on the lessons, it'll be a nice regular interaction with the other learners and Merud if nothing else.
>>
No. 868577 ID: 10c408

Honestly, Deem. Are you telling me that when you receive your next missive, you are entirely willing to forgo your pride and bother your minions with something they consider trivial?
>>
No. 868589 ID: 91ee5f

>>868561
>My quasidragon scratches a sideways crescent into a clay block and looks up at me hopefully.
Chakarchelou is waiting to see if he impressed you by doing that. Go ahead and tell him that he did a good job and give him head pats!
>>
No. 868592 ID: 2efe4b

Yes, give Chakarchelou head pats, he is a good boy. Then go learn to read. Think of it like studying mana channels, only instead of mana moving through them, it's meaning!

... Say, is there such a thing as rune magic? That'd be related to reading and writing, right?
>>
No. 868595 ID: 555f33

There's nothing particularly shameful about being illiterate. If you don't want to learn, there's no reason you should have to do so, even if others want to. Besides, trying to trap you into it with peer pressure? That kinda sucks.
>>
No. 868603 ID: 3abd97

>A golem shaped like Stargazer's staff form wouldn't be particularly useful.
Blatant discrimination against snake golems.

>Actually, are you sure you didn't overdo it? You seem a little clumsier.
I did it exactly enough!

>Merud continues to display an infuriating tendency of laying the groundwork for things without my knowledge!
That's called initiative, and it's something to foster in minions.

>I suppose I do need to commit to a decision about Merud's literacy plot then!
You can't let yourself be shown up by a quasi-dragon!

Realistically, you can get by without reading, Deem, but the ability to read closes off one avenue of deceiving you, and opens up useful options. Like being able to do bookkeeping for your dungeon. Keeping notes. Passing written messages between followers. Reading and receiving letters. Being able to read for pleasure and for knowledge.

It's not a big investment, there are a lot of upsides, and you're intelligent enough that it shouldn't be an ordeal.
>>
No. 868614 ID: dc91a0

Literacy is an essential skill. Though you are amazingly talented as you are now, there is always room to learn.

At the very least, you'll be able to communicate via letters without needing to use minions, and you'll be more easily able to learn new magic via tomes and scrolls.
>>
No. 868618 ID: 2efe4b

>>868595
>There's nothing particularly shameful about being illiterate.

There kind of is? I mean, the potential consequences of being illiterate can be shameful. Imagine if someone cast a silence effect on one of our minions, or they lost their voice, and they could only communicate by writing. Or if one of them suddenly had to go out and they could only leave a note about where they've been. Or a few thousand other potential scenarios.

You shouldn't feel ashamed about lacking an ability if you had no choice, but if you had the opportunity and means to do so then you really should. Like, if you're blind because of an accident, you shouldn't be ashamed of being blind, but if you're blind because you stared at the sun like an idiot after everyone told you not to and why, then yes you should be ashamed because now you're less capable of being helpful to your community and loved ones and maybe some day someone you could have otherwise helped will suffer and it's your fault you moron.

If she spends the time she'd spend learning to read and write on something else that's equally or more important then that would be fine, too, but literacy is pretty high up on the priority scale when you live in a literate world.
>>
No. 868636 ID: 33cbe7

Thicken the plot! Like you said, it'll be a better use of his time with more people, so bring them all in - you, Alkaline, Moriko, even Chakarchelou. If you teach him a few basic signs he can better report on the kinds of threats he detects.
However, you don't need to devote your primary golem to that all the time, do you? How about you attend in Kallia form?
>>
No. 868655 ID: c88e6d

>>868561
Learn to read and write, Deem. It's humiliating THAT YOU ARE THE ONLY LIFEFORM IN THE ENTIRE DUNGEON WHO CAN DO NEITHER. I bet Merud's HOMONCULI can read and write better at this point, and they're quasi-sapient at best!
>>
No. 868670 ID: 074011

You would benefit from getting into the habit of observing and learning, rather than trusting what was true millennia ago to be true now.
Think of this like learning about a new monster that had never been seen in these parts, or deigning a room to suit a new profession that didn't exist then. Surely a Hammerai could be better served by a customised and unfamiliar training room than whatever you have built in the past.
You are in an unfamiliar time and will need to break some of your habits if you are to match it.

You will always have denizens to read and write for you, but can they be trusted? They are surely all loyal, but... If they think something insulting or improper, or if they fear the words might cause you sorrow, then they might not recount all of the details. It is also amazing how much a message can lose its... intensity, when passed through an intermediary. People can easily invent or misplace words without even realising it. Trusting a message to another's hands is always a risk...

You do not need this, but it would be beneficial.
On the other hand, being illiterate is mostly harmless for a dungeon, and foibles are cute!
>>
No. 868681 ID: 555f33

>>868618
Sure it'd be useful but shameful is hardly the word for not doing it. And shaming her seems to be the primary method of trying to convince her. The reasons you listed are plenty good enough, no need to be rude.
>>
No. 868710 ID: b7a158

You should probably take him up on his offer.
I mean, a good dungeon needs at least one puzzle based on a flowery, barely helpful, slightly condescending riddle.
It seems like you're the only one who truly gets the whole "Hohoho Adventurer, You've done well to come this far"-shtick,
so it would be a shame if any of that adorable dramatic flair was lost in translation.
>>
No. 868724 ID: 730337

Learn to read or we'll never stop bullying you, Deem.
>>
No. 868750 ID: 074011

>>868724
Is not a credible threat. We have the attention span of a newborn slime in a butterfly-plagued patisserie.
>>
No. 869186 ID: d36af7

You don't like it when your denizens conspire against you, correct? Writing is an information channel by which they can do so, right under your nose. Sure enough, here they are, doing it again. That will keep happening until you learn how to intercept these messages, or make them truly respect you. Inability to independently verify the contents of any given document constitutes an egregious security flaw, and persistent incompetence at what's regarded as a basic life skill is not conducive to respect.
>>
No. 869591 ID: d0d281

Deem, don't be ridiculous, of course you need to know the language of the region in which you reside. Why would you turn down such a useful tool? And this is exactly the kind of thing the will encourage Merud. No, you can't always give him his way, but this is something very beneficial and should be encouraged.
>>
No. 869679 ID: 287756

You and your minions have a very personal relationship and learning to read and write would not only be incredibly useful in uncountable situations it would also make for an excelent opportunity to deepen the relationships and trust you have with them by learning from and with them.
>>
No. 869710 ID: 69d4b9

>>868750
Huh? What were we talking about?
>>
No. 871514 ID: 2120ee

>>868561
Deem, you know the secret shapes that dictate the very form of reality around them. Learning some chicken-scratch that merely conveys the spoken word will be trivial for you.

Uh. Make sure Merud doesn't try teaching the chicken though.
>>
No. 871533 ID: da1652

>>868561
Education is empowering. His scheme is entirely in your favor.
>>
No. 872315 ID: 31b497
File 152050564417.png - (28.50KB , 800x600 , words_words_words.png )
872315

>I have said this before and I will say this again. Reading is tremendously useful and you should never allow pride to get between you and power. And it's not even much loss of pride! everyone already knows you're illiterate, at this point the only truly shameful course of action is refusal to improve yourself.
>He wouldn't be offering to do this if he didn't think it was important, Deem.
>Dear Deem, do you want to remain less literate than a quasidragon? Do you want to have other people read potentially private letters that might be addressed to you?
>What would the other dungeon hearts think of you if they found out you couldn't read?
>Realistically, you can get by without reading, Deem, but the ability to read closes off one avenue of deceiving you, and opens up useful options. Like being able to do bookkeeping for your dungeon. Keeping notes. Passing written messages between followers. Reading and receiving letters. Being able to read for pleasure and for knowledge.
>It's not a big investment, there are a lot of upsides, and you're intelligent enough that it shouldn't be an ordeal.
>Literacy is an essential skill. Though you are amazingly talented as you are now, there is always room to learn.
>You shouldn't feel ashamed about lacking an ability if you had no choice, but if you had the opportunity and means to do so then you really should.
>Learn to read and write, Deem. It's humiliating THAT YOU ARE THE ONLY LIFEFORM IN THE ENTIRE DUNGEON WHO CAN DO NEITHER. I bet Merud's HOMONCULI can read and write better at this point, and they're quasi-sapient at best!
>You would benefit from getting into the habit of observing and learning, rather than trusting what was true millennia ago to be true now.
>You are in an unfamiliar time and will need to break some of your habits if you are to match it.
>You will always have denizens to read and write for you, but can they be trusted? They are surely all loyal, but... If they think something insulting or improper, or if they fear the words might cause you sorrow, then they might not recount all of the details.
>On the other hand, being illiterate is mostly harmless for a dungeon, and foibles are cute!
>A good dungeon needs at least one puzzle based on a flowery, barely helpful, slightly condescending riddle.
>It seems like you're the only one who truly gets the whole "Hohoho Adventurer, You've done well to come this far"-shtick, so it would be a shame if any of that adorable dramatic flair was lost in translation.
>Learn to read or we'll never stop bullying you, Deem.
>Deem, don't be ridiculous, of course you need to know the language of the region in which you reside. Why would you turn down such a useful tool? And this is exactly the kind of thing the will encourage Merud. No, you can't always give him his way, but this is something very beneficial and should be encouraged.
>Deem, you know the secret shapes that dictate the very form of reality around them. Learning some chicken-scratch that merely conveys the spoken word will be trivial for you.
>Uh. Make sure Merud doesn't try teaching the chicken though.
>Education is empowering. His scheme is entirely in your favour.
Fiiiiiine.

>Chakarchelou is waiting to see if he impressed you by doing that. Go ahead and tell him that he did a good job and give him head pats!
I kneel next to Chakarchelou and give him the reward he craves. Then I look up at Merud, who may have done this.

"I might as well do too then."

>... Say, is there such a thing as rune magic? That'd be related to reading and writing, right?
Symbols can have power, yes.

>How about you attend in Kallia form?
I don't have one of those.

>On other subjects, have you associated with elves in the past? Since you seem to be fond of pointed ears.
I've associated with many creatures. I think elves are extinct.

>>A golem shaped like Stargazer's staff form wouldn't be particularly useful.
>Blatant discrimination against snake golems.
Stargazer herself has to transform if she wants to do much more than getting carried around by her wizard. Why would I want a golem like that?
>>
No. 872316 ID: 31b497
File 152050571722.png - (40.62KB , 800x600 , oh_look_hes_trying_a_thing.png )
872316

Now then, back to work!

"So that's a homunculus made, now I want you to make a brute golem."

Merud taps his chin. "Do you mind if I try something with the fighter golem you made?"

"Be my guest." I take it that since I went to the trouble of making a core to activate it, he's hoping to modify the existing form to add the qualities of a brute golem to it.

I usher it in and he sets to work. He's dived into fiddly territory right away.

Merud possesses several spells intended to enhance golems and he's using all of them. First is a command spell - in its simplest format it's a way for golemeters to give orders to a golem, cast with more power it acts as a short lived reinforcement spell, assisting it on that one task.

He possesses a more complex version of that called Soul Semblance which he developed with his research into talking golems. It is intended to help bestow on knowledge to a golem temporarily.

Finally there's Supercharge which enhances a golem at the cost of quickly making it burn out.

With these three spells working in conjunction, Merud has given the golem a limited ability to modify itself. With his oversight, the two of them are inscribing the brute golem template stored in my Golem Totem. He's directing the activation of the modifications, the supercharge is damaging those parts of the golem and it is attempting to repair and reinforce the worst affected areas. An unusual division of labour but it seems to be working for him.

Merud steadily adds clay and stone and it takes shape.
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No. 872317 ID: 31b497
File 152050582083.png - (57.35KB , 800x600 , big_hands_for_holding.png )
872317

"Ta-dah." Merud says.

Merud's new golem essays a wave.

I think I like this golem design. It has presence. It won't be as efficient a worker as the purpose built brutes, but it's retained a lot of the original design's agility and I think it should be able to surge its strength up even higher.

"I don't think it'll be quite as sturdy as your design," Merud says, "but I think I can call it a success."

I circle around it and give it a nudge to test its balance. He really does do better with this sort of iterative development. It's not something I really do - I usually have mana coming in in large chunks at once so it's best for me to hoard it and then expend it all at once. There's a lot of pressure to have a clear design in mind and the work is simply reifying it.

"I think I'd call it that as well." I agree. I touch the core. It's hot to the touch. "You put a lot of stress on the core but there's no defects I can see."

"A craftsman should trust his tools."

I nod. "I think I've got a better idea of your methods now. So your ideal shape of a sentient golem, you didn't want to say when I asked you before because you think you're still finding out what that is?"

He nods back.

I flick my clay hair. A little golemetry assistance and it responds appropriately. "It must be a frustrating search then, chasing an ideal that you've never seen." I step in closer to him. "But I am going to need a lot of golems, so I can definitely accommodate you."
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No. 872318 ID: 31b497
File 152050595450.png - (52.46KB , 800x600 , lunch_break.png )
872318

There's a repeated wet smacking sound and when the door deeper into my dungeon slides open I realise it was Hin attempting to knock with slime hands.

"Merud, food is rea- what is goinb on in here?!"

She did try to knock so I should try to not be annoyed. "Exactly what it looks like." I say for the second time today.

"It looks likge some sort of golem harem to me." Hin says.

I step away from Merud and pat him on the back. "Oh, it's not what it looks like then."

Merud's brute golem waves. The rest of the crowd of golems shuffles around a little.

"I've been learning a lot." Merud says. I essay a side glance but I'm not sure if that was a joke or not. He looks back. "Deem, do you want to try something to eat too?"

"Wha?" Hin says.

"She's made some changes." Merud explains.

"I noticed. Lookingh kinda stylish there Deem."

"Thank you Hin, lead the way."

We sit down to eat. It feels as if we might never be rid of the consequences of that late night haunting, but with all these developments this dungeon's in a much better position for the next group of wandering adventurers that stumble across us. We'll be able to face it together.

END CHAPTER FOUR
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No. 872320 ID: 33cbe7

Huh, I didn't realize there was that much leg in a brute template.
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No. 872321 ID: 555f33

>>872320
Or that svelte a torso.
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No. 872341 ID: 10c408

I'm pretty sure that Merud moved a lot of the mass in brute template's torso to the arms legs.

We need to have some of the loose chunks of rubble the other brutes carved out smoothed down into more spherical boulders that merud's new golem design can throw at intruders.
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No. 872348 ID: fabddc

>>872341
I will admit, that is not where I expected that round boulder sentence to go.
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No. 872350 ID: 3abd97

>>872318
Poor Moriko, how's she supposed to meditate with all this ruckus.
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No. 872357 ID: c88e6d

>>872318
This is cute.
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