First and foremost – thunder, darkness, and silence, for these are the ending of my story, and the start.
I was of venerable age, even by the standards of my people; immortal and magical that we are, even the oldest of us have great respect for the crush of centuries, and it was in my five hundred and seventy eighth year of life that the weight of the centuries finally snuffed my spark.
It was at the end of the Brethren War, the desperate invasion of the humans in their last hours, fleeing their dying world across the infinite ocean of the Astral Sea. By then the fighting had long since died down, the war turning into a grand act of charity as our enemies, defeated and humbled, were welcomed into our world and gently given space to thrive. They had come bearing violence, but our violence proved greater, and in victory we chose mercy and forgiveness over bloodshed and hate.
My time was cut short on one such mission of mercy; I know not whether my death was an accident or intentional, for all I remember of it was the snap of electricity in the air and the whine of a strange brethren artifact building power, and then nothing. My body ruined, my spirit severed from the flesh, my memories cracked and scattered like panes of sugar glass.
I drifted, in darkness and quiet, and I knew not the passage of time.
And then, quite unexpectedly, I experienced – for perhaps the first time in centuries – something genuinely new.
* * * * *
I awoke once more, and my awakening was beyond my understanding. Neither the paradise promised or the abyss cautioned against, but a space of quiet emptiness, filled only by my fuzzy and indistinct presence, and a glowing pane of light hovering before, inscribed with baffling phrases.
SYSTEM INSTANTIATION.
NEW USER DETECTED – BEGINNING SCAN FOR DUNGEON CORE COMPATIBILITY.... COMPLETE.
COMPATIBILITY LEVEL: PLATINUM. USER HAS MAXIMUM COMPATIBILITY LEVEL POSSIBLE FOR MORTAL OVERSEER.
USER HAS BEEN GRANTED PLATINUM LEVEL ACCESS; ALL CORE TYPES UNLOCKED.
USER POSSESSES INNATE MAGICAL CAPABILITY AND SIGNIFICANT APPLICABLE SKILLS FROM PREVIOUS INCARNATION; THE FOLLOWING AUTOMATIC BONUSES HAVE BEEN UNLOCKED FOR THIS USER.
– PASSIVE ESSENCE REGENERATION (LESSER)
– ERUDITE PERK
– MAGISTER PERK
– ALLY OF THE GREEN PERK
– BEASTKIN PERK
WOULD YOU LIKE TO EXPERIENCE THE TUTORIAL MODE? YES/NO
I didn't understand – I expected death, and the afterlife of the summer court, and while I understood the individual words on display, the context eluded me. I comprehended the concept of a tutorial, of course – most of my first century of life had been spent in and out universities and academies, and I had spent many years teaching myself, so with some hesitation – and no small amount of confusion – I pressed the glowing YES and waited.
I wouldn't have to wait long though, as the tutorial began immediately, and a loud and excitable voice filled the air around me.
"Welcome welcome welcome! You have been chosen as the newest [USER] for this system, and have been assigned a nascent [DUNGEON CORE] on the world of [VELDHEIM].
Primary scan indicates that you have a core compatibility level of [PLATINUM]! Congratulations! This is the highest compatibility level that can be achieved by mortals, and only custom-designed core souls can rival you! You are [VERY SPECIAL]!"
That… Well, didn't actually explain that much. A reiteration of previous information, just more long-winded, and interspersed with random moments of intense and jarring emphasis on certain phrases.
"Because of your incredible compatibility level, you have access to all types of [DUNGEON CORE]. The [DUNGEON CORE] is the heart of a functional dungeon, and is the physical repository of your essence and consciousness, from which you will project your will into the world! Wow!"
WOULD YOU LIKE A BRIEF EXPLANATION OF THE VARIOUS TYPES OF [DUNGEON CORE]? YES/NO
I didn't particularly see any use in not just making that part of the tutorial, but I barely understood anything of what was happening, and I had no insight into the mind of whatever power had created this place. So, I simply reached out and again tapped the glowing YES.
"Fantastic! There are three primary types of dungeon core; [RED], [BLUE], and [YELLOW]. [RED] cores are combat cores, and dungeons under the control of these cores are filled to the brim with combat challenges! [BLUE] cores are puzzle cores, full of strange traps and arcane enigmas to tease the mind! [YELLOW] cores are resource cores, and exist primarily to test and sharpen noncombat abilities and provide raw materials for dungeon explorers!"
Well, that explained a little about what cores were – or at least their intentions, but it didn't really explain what that had to do with me.
"As a user of at least [SILVER] access or higher, you are also cleared for the secondary cores; [ORANGE], [GREEN], and [PURPLE]. [ORANGE] cores combine the combat challenge of [RED] cores and the resource nodes of [YELLOW] cores to create arena cores, multiplying wealth by shackling it to bloodshed, danger, and certain death! [GREEN] cores are luxury cores, combining resource nodes from [YELLOW] cores and the fiendish traps and magical enchantments from [BLUE] cores to generate the most dangerous, most exotic, and most powerful ores and reagents in the world! [PURPLE] cores are challenge cores, combining combat encounters and devilish puzzles in strange ways, making every battle a fight against chance and wit!"
A lot of information in a short time, but I still didn't entirely understand what this was leading towards, and was about to inquire before the strange voice again sounded out, adding more information.
"As a user of [PLATINUM] level access, you are cleared for the advanced cores!"
Advanced cores? I wondered what more there could be – the handful of types that had already been mentioned seem like they would cover pretty much every scenario.
"[WHITE] cores combine elements of all previous core types, known as gauntlet cores! The biggest, the best, the most grand rewards, alongside the ultimate danger!"
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There was a moment of silence, then another, and then I realized that the voice had no intention of going any further. But that couldn't be right – they had said cores, surely there had to be more than one type, yes?
"And what of the rest?"
I couldn't see anything beyond the glowing text in front of me, but to my senses I felt something akin to a flinch or a double take.
"… Pardon?"
Now that was interesting. The tone of voice had changed. It was quieter, slower, less of an overenthusiastic hawker and more like the shrewd, cool tones of a merchant lord.
"You mentioned advanced cores. That was only one type. What are the others?"
Another silence, but this one seemed contemplative, rather than surprised. Again, I could not truly see nor hear anything around me, but I felt the strange and not altogether pleasant sensation of something examining me.
"You're an intriguing one – most newcomers don't have the wherewithal to notice details like that when they first awake. Do none of them truly interest you?"
I shook my head – or, at least I think I did? It felt the way shaking my head had, when I still had a head to shake.
"Not particularly. I gathered from the previous use of the word overseer that I am, somehow, intended to run one of these so-called dungeon cores, but I have no interest in things like combat arenas or puzzle rooms or micromanaging mines. My greatest passion has always been instruction – to nurture and cultivate the next generation, and pass on knowledge and skill."
"… Very well. If that is your desire, so be it."
[BLACK] CORE TYPE HAS BEEN SELECTED BY USER.
Wait, what?
STARTING LOCATION HAS BEEN SELECTED. DUE TO USER'S [BEASTKIN] PERK, DUNGEON LOCATION HAS BEEN SELECTED AS [DYRFYRI XATRIARCHY].
Those were certainly… words.
PLEASE SELECT INITIAL DUNGEON FRAMEWORK.
As these words appeared before my eyes, or whatever equivalent I had thereof, I saw several options appear before me, each with a small picture and a label.
The first was a tall tower, roughly 80 feet tall by half that in circumference, labeled [ARCANE CLOISTER]. Many of the inscriptions and decorations along the outside of the structure felt religious in some way. Not the most inappropriate choice, considering my former patronage, but it didn't entirely sit correctly.
The next option was a large, castle-like structure, perhaps a quarter of the height of the tower but more than double its width and length, all rough stone and rich black loam, covered in ivy and surrounded by trees. It was simply labeled [GRAND ACADEMY]. This one, this one had potential. I would look at the last option just for completeness, but this one was already calling to something deep in my spirit.
My last choice was nearly as hard to turn away from; a wide and rolling grove, surrounded on all sides by nature and the growing green life of the earth. All sorts of herbs and flowers grew along its fields, surrounded by the crystal clear water of a rolling river. The [TEMPLE OF THE GREEN] very nearly won that day.
But I was beginning to understand my situation, context clues coming together as my mind shrugged off more and more of its endless torpor. The entity – the voice – never out right confirmed my suspicion that I was intended to manage one of these 'dungeon cores', but yet, almost immediately after I had declared my desire to teach, offered me the choice of three different places of learning.
While all of the options were not without their charms, I pressed my hand against the picture of the [GRAND ACADEMY]. Groves could be created anywhere, and while the cloister was nice, I had more to offer than just my connection to the divine and primeval powers. Druids and priests, warriors and wizards alike had taught me and been taught by me in turn, and if I understood my situation correctly, they would be so once again.
USER HAS SELECTED [GRAND ACADEMY]. INITIALIZING DUNGEON FRAMEWORK, CONSTRUCTING PRIMARY LAYOUT.
CHECKING FRAMEWORK AGAINST ACTIVE PERKS.
USER HAS [ERUDITE] PERK; DUNGEON CORE MAY ACCESS ALL PRIMARY SCHOOLS OF ARCANA; ESSENCE DISCOUNT APPLIED TOWARDS ACQUISITION AND ACTIVATION OF MAGICAL EFFECTS.
USER HAS [MAGISTER] PERK; DUNGEON CORE MAY ACCESS ALL BASIC SKILLS; ESSENCE DISCOUNT APPLIED TOWARD ACQUISITION AND ACTIVATION OF SKILL EFFECTS.
USER HAS [ALLY OF THE GREEN] PERK; DUNGEON CORE MINION AND RESOURCE NODES MAY INCLUDE [ANIMAL] AND [FLORAL] IN ADDITION TO THE [MONSTER] AND [TREASURE] DEFAULT CATEGORIES.
USER HAS [BEASTKIN] PERK; DUNGEON CORE RECEIVES ADDITIONAL ESSENCE AND EXPERIENCE FROM BEASTKIN EXPLORERS.
Most of that sounded reasonably useful, at least to my ignorant ears. This talk of essence and the acquisition of magic and skills was strange – it almost sounded like I would be able to purchase such things through expenditure of this so-called essence, but that as of yet did not entirely make sense to me. How could you acquire skills and power through simple barter, and moreover, in what context would such things affect the operation of the 'dungeon'? Somehow, at least, these 'perks' all sound as if they made the process cheaper and easier in some way, so if nothing else there was at least the promise that whatever awaited me, it would be less burdensome than the norm. I wasn't sure how much of a positive that is, but it was something at least.
FRAMEWORK INITIALIZATION COMPLETE. USER MAY ACTIVATE [DUNGEON CORE] WHEN READY.
AWAKEN? YES/NO
I didn't know for sure how long I stared at that simple question. I understood very little of my current circumstances, and only marginally more the circumstances that awaited me. I had expected one afterlife, and received something far different. Was I ready to leave this place? To return to a world of life, of people? A world apparently filled with strange and fantastical places, run by creatures akin to myself?
And if I should hit no, what awaited me then? Sleep? Oblivion? The paradise of the ancestors? I knew not where that choice would leave me, even as I knew the first at least promised me a world – and for better or worse, when that thought crossed my mind, I knew what choice I was going to make.
I reached out, steadied myself, and tapped YES.
"Good luck, little stranger. You will need it".
I blinked in that endless place of darkness and silence; a brief moment of pure and absolute dark, and then I opened my eyes, and I beheld.
* * * * *
As before, awareness was somewhat slow to return, but not nearly so slow as when I had first awoken. The room I found myself in was simple – gray stone walls and floors, unfurnished and undecorated, save for the center. At the heart of the room a short pillar arose from the stone, atop of which lay a large black stone; it's edges were sharp and crisp, it's eight faces polished to a mirror shine, it's shape akin to two pyramids welded base to base. It stood still and steady, never once stepping or wobbling despite its suspension on the pin-thin tip of one end.
"You must be the dungeon core, then. Let's see if we can't get a good look at you…"
I stepped forward, intending to reach out to examine it, but as soon as I approached the core a shape appeared in the air before me. It looked to my eyes like the illusory screens projected by some brethren artifacts, and was packed full of text – much of it was still confusing, but there were several familiar phrases repeated from the 'tutorial', and that at least gave me something for context.
[DUNGEON CORE] USER INTERFACE:
USER: ZAHUR IBN ZAIM
CORE TYPE: [BLACK]
DUNGEON TYPE: ???? [UNIQUE]
CORE STATISTICS:
[PROFICIENCIES]
[PERKS]
[MINIONS]
[RESOURCES]
More nonsense. Nonetheless, nonsense or not, ignorance was a friend to no one – I would have to come to understand what all of this meant. I reached out, and I stopped with sudden surprise as my hand came into view. I realized in my confusion I hadn't taken stock of myself, and my exploration of the strange screen was paused as I very briefly patted myself down.
I will not lie, I shook in those moments, and tears of both wonder and grief ran down my cheeks – I was exactly as I had been before my death, in the same hand-stitched robe my eldest son had made for me, with my trusty spell book (the ancient leather worn smooth and soft from decades of tender handling) and the enchanted blade my daughter had forged for her mastery initiation both at my side. Even my marriage necklace, gold dappled with lapis, hung around my neck, all of the scuffs and scratches of age exactly as I remembered them.
My heart ached, torn. The joy that I would be granted the mercy of these keepsakes in this new life; the grief that I would have only these keepsakes in this new life. A painful mercy, to remember, but never have.
The strangeness of the screen would have to wait, at least for now – neither my heart or my mind were ready to bear such weight, and it was not until hours had passed that I gave the strange artifact my attention once more.
* * * * *
Finn was going to die.
He didn't want to die. He quite liked living, in fact, and intended on doing so for as long as he could get away with. But he was probably going to die.
Four days sleeping outside, in the wet and chilly spring air. Almost three days without food, and only a little less without (safe) water. Most a day with an oozing stab wound in his guts, no longer spilling blood but clenching with agony and burning with the telltale heat of infection – or perhaps poison. He wasn't a healer, it wasn't like he could tell for sure either way.
Gods, he didn't want to die. Not alone. Not lost in the woods. Not like this.
Finn wasn't even certain where he was going – he was a decent woodsman and tracker but exhaustion and hunger and illness made it almost impossible for him to keep his bearings. He was fairly sure he was headed south, but beyond that? Not a clue.
"You're such a fucking idiot Finn. You're going to die in this stupid forest from the stupid stab wound in your stupid fucking guts and the only one that's going to miss you when you're gone is the crows when they run out of meat to pick off…"
Everything that could have gone wrong did, story of his life practically. He didn't even know why he still bothered walking, it wasn't like there was any-
Finn stopped, shock and hope flashing across his muzzle as his round rodent ears perked up. A building – a building in the middle of the woods! He didn't know who lived there or what it was or why it was here, and he didn't care. It was big, it was walled, and most importantly, there were fires in the windows and running along the fence, which meant there was at least someone there.
The boy broke into a run, a choked scream tearing from his throat as the sudden increase in pace pulled at his aching wounds, but he paid it no mind. It was too close to sundown for him to take his time now, not when there was the hope of safety if he could just make it to the structure at the tree line.
"Please, gods, please just let me make it there…"