Dungeons are known to hold many secrets, hidden within their walls. More often than not, that's the reason people enter them unclassified.
One of their many secrets is more of a question. How do they decide what loot to reward adventurers with? No one really knows how dungeons gain the ability to choose between the many different treasures they can offer. It is speculated, however, that whenever a dungeon absorbs anything, they gain the knowledge and understanding of it there and then.
For example; The dungeon in Cair Orn produces many types of loot, all in the form of currency. Adventurers seeking to get rich usually find themselves in this dungeon more so than others, but it wasn't always this way. 55 years ago, the dungeon used to produce only weapons and no other loot items could be obtained, no matter how long one stayed inside.
At the time, the crown prince of Elda who was set to take the throne, Eric Tibur was trying to establish a name for himself before his Coronation. Entering the dungeon, which was commonly referred to as the Swordsmith, his money pouch had come loose and fallen to the floor where it disappeared. Upon being absorbed by the dungeon, the crown prince was furious. Not over the loss of money but rather the hand-made coin pouch his friend had given him.
Screaming at the dungeon and threatening to destroy it in his rage, Prince Eric demanded retribution for what had taken place. The dungeon, being no fool, decided to gift Eric with a chest full of the items he was obsessing over so that it wouldn't be destroyed. Multiple coin pouches, all in the same design, full of riches.
This act not only spared the dungeon its life from the wrath of the Elda Kingdom, but it also managed to make a name for itself in the process. The dungeon, which is now known as the Dungeon of Fortune, decided to keep gifting people silver and gold inside hand-made coin pouches and still does to this day.
The Dungeon of Fortune is currently under the protection of the King of Elda.
There are many more examples of dungeons producing specific rewards, or even specific monsters, in the most unusual circumstances. If it seems unlikely to come about, then a dungeon may still do it regardless as they follow their own set of rules. This gives us insight and understanding in the form that dungeons are wise enough to keep themselves alive and because of this, they must be judged differently at certain threat levels.
However, it still leaves the question open on how they choose their loot; do they create loot for our benefit, or is it for the benefit of the dungeon itself should we die whilst in its confines, this will remain unanswered for now.
Dungeon Lore. Chapter 4, The Clever and Unknown. Written by Pontisa Ponti, Scholar of the Eldan Magistrate.
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Some good progress has been made in a relatively short period of time.
And I thought dungeon life was going to be slow. As it turns out, I'm making remarkable speed. Or Barry is, should I say?
He's managed to refill my points four times just by excavating his tunnel, which is now over 40 feet in length. It takes Barry 20 minutes to fill my DP and his tunnel is 8 feet longer by the time he's done.
Even I didn't expect this when I first had the idea. What a guy. Or maybe I should say, What a Golem!
Either way.
That doesn't mean I've been idle while the tunnel-creating machine has been gruelling away.
No, no, no.
I've been racking my brain over what I should purchase next. There's no way in hell I'm summoning any Goblins. They're ugly, evil and notoriously smelly if we're being honest. It's similar circumstances for the wolves. Except they're not ugly, evil or smelly. They're vicious by nature and scary as hell when there's a pack of them.
That only leaves me with two options. A Pitfall Trap or another Rogue. I can no longer use the Gacha to get low-cost sweet deals, which is a shame really. If the random mechanics are meant to leave it up to luck, does that mean that mine's actually good? If so, how did I end up in this situation in the first place?
They were my thoughts as I watched Barry drop plough through me. Dropping his load, he injected 2 DP into my pool every couple of minutes. At the end of his first cycle, my points were full. That didn't stop him from dropping off another load and my total went over the limit by 2. It didn't stay there though unfortunately and slowly dropped back down to 20.
Each time that happened, I was quickly reminded that I should be spending the points instead of letting them go to waste. Doing what other dungeons do and not just attempting to hoard it.
Not that that's what I was doing.
Me's wishes fell on deaf ears because I just couldn't make a decision. In the end, my indecision turned out to be a blessing in disguise as I managed to learn a new skill. Which in turn, helped me make a decision.
Stockpile Level 1:
Let's the Dungeon Core store DP over the total capacity
10% per skill level skill.
I know it doesn't seem so great now, what with my measly 20 DP and all, but just you wait. When this skill is maxed, it should be extremely beneficial.
Anyway, the decision I made was to do nothing. Repeating the current trend to level up Stockpile. Least to say, Me is not impressed. He keeps saying that I'm wasting time and not acting like a proper Dungeon should.
Well, whatever Me. I'm pretty sure that your proper Dungeon would be asleep right now, waiting to build their tunnel or whatever whilst a Goblin scratches their arse in the Core Room. They wouldn't even have the points Barry is supplying, so screw proper dungeons!
This shit's already hard enough without being compared to something I don't want comparing to.
After a few more disagreements over what I should be doing, Stockpile went up two more levels taking it to 3. Now I can hold 30% more than my current capacity says I can. 26/20 and it's all thanks to my Golem and his hard dug efforts.
Now that his shaft is long enough, I call Barry out as it's time to make my first big purchase. Looking through the list of options Me so helpfully provided, I select a new room for 20 DP. Immediately, I feel disorientated as my viewpoint switches from normal to aerial and I see the layout of my dungeon below.
Woah. That was weird.
The small room that houses the five of us is adjoined to an awkwardly-shaped tunnel. The crude hole that Barry has dug looks dull, but I try placing a room on the end anyway.
Error:
Cannot be placed separately to the Dungeon...
Query Pending...
Establishing Parameters...
Connecting to the Dungeon...
Resolution Complete
The existing tunnel has become:
Dungeon Tunnel
A slight pain shoots through my non-existent body and I notice my Core has a hairline fracture running up the tip. I'm starting to wonder whether Barry's tunnel was such a good idea after all? Maybe I shouldn't try and use the areas he digs out. I can still earn DP from them and use them as potential traps.
With that settled, I place a room at the end of my tunnel. Before it finalises, I'm able to alter the width, length and height to a certain extent, just like Me said. I make it twice as large as the first room making it feel like a palace. Even Barry is able to fit inside comfortably and I won't have to worry about Barry getting too close to my Core.
You have created a new room:
2 XP Awarded.
Oh? XP. What's that for, Me?
When your dungeon increases in size, you will level up and unlock new features. You have earned your first piece of XP by creating your first room. You will also earn a one-time bonus when your dungeon absorbs anything that it doesn't currently possess.
What about the clay and soil I keep absorbing, why doesn't that give XP?
Do you really believe your dungeon is made from something other than those materials?
Well... No. Alright, I get it. It was a stupid question. Don't be like that, Me.
My first room. I still can't get over the fact that I'm a Dungeon now. I've got to admit though, I feel very content after placing that room. Still, I don't have time to spare for pleasant feelings. I have 6 DP left to spend.
Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Not wanting to break my own heart any further, I buy a tunnel and place it across from Barry's. Easy to place, just like the room, all it took was a little bit of willpower and it was done. A 50-foot tunnel just like that.
This left me with 1DP, but I'm extremely happy now that everyone can move out of the starting room. It holds memories, but getting stronger and levelling up is always the best course of action.
Even if I do have to do it as a Dungeon Core.
Leaving my Core in the first room, for the time being, I ship everyone off to the spacious room down the corridor.
Why would I do that?
Mainly because it's a good way to keep my Core safe from any accidental damage. I'm not saying that Barry's clumsy, but he did almost squash my Rogue. The last thing I want is him tripping over his dropping something on my heart.
Also, I don't know anyone who likes being confined to small-cramped spaces. Especially when they're not able to move around without the fear of breaking the one object that keeps everyone alive. How nerve-racking would that be?
Once everyone's relocated, I set Barry off to dig out a new cave system and... The Rogues take a seat. I feel bad, but there still isn't anything for them to do. Over than wam the floor of my dungeon. Colin isn't even phased and is just chestin' in the corner.
I get him started on the wall to the left of the entrance we came through. I'm hoping that if he does a good job then that's where he will be able to hide if, or once, we are discovered.
If Barry digs far enough in, maybe people won't associate him with us. His tunnels aren't exactly part of the dungeon, are they? It even hurts me to take control of them. Then again, how would anyone other than us know that?
That may actually be a possible solution. Categorisers have the ability to determine what is and isn't Dungeon. In theory, Barry wouldn't be noticed if he was far enough away. His tunnels would also register as Non-Dungeon.
As long as he's dropping those loads in me and not somewhere else, I won't complain where he's digging. He'll still help me if I'm attacked though, right?
Quite. It doesn't matter where they are, all monsters are loyal to the dungeon.
The idea of losing my Mythril Golem scared me for a second there. Barry will be a great help if I need to defend against any try-hard Core killers. However, the panic is alleviated as I'm reassured by Me.
We should also put the Mimic in there.
Don't be ridiculous. He's staying with us. Colin is super cute. No one in their right mind is going to attack him... OK, that might have been too far. Still, he can stay with my Core because he's small and cute. If anyone reaches it when I open then we're off to the reincarnation cycle again anyway, right?
Fair point.
Ok, it's time to begin the plan. First, I need to work out how far I can get in the time frame I have left.
That's your plan? I thought you said you had an actual plan?
I do, and this is it. I wasn't able to work out how much DP I could earn without having data to do the calculations, could I?
I suppose, but what good will knowing that do?
Oh, I'm so glad you asked, Me.
You said before that a normal Dungeon would do things differently than me, right? They would probably build a tunnel, summon a monster and then meditate until they were able to create a room roughly 16 hours later, correct?
I do not see the relevance but yes, correct.
Ok, so right now I've got my entrance, a room, two tunnels and four monsters, correct?
Again, that is correct. But what point are trying to make?
Really? You really didn't get it from that?
I thought I was supposed to be the less attentive of the two of us? If you want to claim the title, however, it's fine by me.
Now you're not even making sense. What are you trying to say?
Well, how long has it been since I awakened and how long do we have until my door opens?
........
There you go, Me. I take it your silence means that you've figured it out. I'm already doing a lot better than a regular Dungeon would now, aren't I?
It is hard to comprehend the passage of time without actually checking its passing. You have 21 hours and 59 minutes until your door opens. I do not understand how you have made so much progress in 2 hours?
Sure you do. You were here while I did it all, weren't you? Well, you might have been complaining the whole time, but you saw everything. It hasn't even been that long really and I'm already making leaps and bounds.
You are progressing very well. Leaps and bounds, however, is pushing it. You still have two, extremely dangerous monsters to deal with, but I suppose if... Barry? Why did you have to name the Golem, Barry?
I didn't realise it bothered you?
It does not bother me and I do not mind his name... It does not suit him is all.
What? Are you crazy, Me?
Barry the Golem is a stellar name. Masses will adore him for his superior digging skills, his courageous defiance in the face of hard rock and most of all for his shiny body. He's a Rockstar, Me!
Just out of curiosity though, what would you have named him?
I believe him to be more of a Brian.
A Brian? Are you kidding me? Brian makes him sound like somebody's grandad. Barry is a Rockstar!
Why do you keep saying Rockstar? Anyway if... Barry keeps digging, then you will advance by leaps and bounds as you stated. That means you could potentially hide them both further inside you.
Yep, that's the plan.
I thought you said the plan was calculations?
Yep, that's also the plan.
I believe I need my own type of meditation.
Was that another joke? Way to go, Me. They do say, third time's a charm.
As we wait for my DP to be filled by diligent efforts, I wonder what happened to my friends. The ones that went inside the Goblin Dungeon with me. There were only three of us. Kal, Anya and myself.
Kal is a large sword and shield user and his class is Defender. He tanks the front line and is the strongest of our trio. Anya's our Cleric and always stays at the back. Capable of healing grievous wounds with her spells while also being proficient with a staff, she's a valuable asset to any party.
Then there was me. The sneaky Rogue. I attack stealthily from either behind Kal or from the shadows, always making sure to hit vital points. I keep a close eye on Anya too. Not that she needs it, but just in case she ever wants my support.
We have great cohesion and have been together for the past three years so I really hope they didn't die as well. Me doesn't know what happened to them either. According to him, he was created at the same time I reincarnated and only possess knowledge relevant to helping my Dungeon.
Letting out a sigh and dismissing past memories, I bring my focus back to the present. Barry is working hard, but Rogue 1 and 2 seem to be anxious about something.
I see them, as I see everything else in my dungeon, as though I'm watching moving pictures. If I imagine myself in front of them, the pictures get closer and more become available to look at. That awkwardness symbolises me moving and it sucks.
Sensing my will, the anxious Rogues feel my presence and prostrate themselves on the floor. They seem shocked that I would take time from being the busy Dungeon Core I am to give them my attention. Don't worry about it guys, I'm super easygoing. There's no need to act like that.
Things are already awkward enough.
I don't really want this type of reverence, but it feels kinda nice so I'll take it. It makes me feel like a Queen. I get them to stand up and they both place a fist over their chest instead, as though pledging allegiance. Now I definitely feel like a Queen.
Ahem. Rogue man. From now on and so forth etcetera, you will be known as Light.
As I name the Rogue, both of them shiver slightly and the smaller of the two fumbles her dagger.
Ahem. Cough, cough, cough. Female Rogue. From now on and so forth etcetera, you will be known as Ali.
They can't hear your thoughts like I can. It's your feelings and emotions that reach them. Your will carries everything within it, to all beings created by your dungeon.
Aww. It sounded good though, right? I wanted to come across as regal, as I was feeling rather Queenish.
I do not believe 'Queenish' is an actual word.
Well if I just said it, doesn't that make it a word?
The banter between myself and Me goes on like that for quite some time whilst Barry fills me up with muck. Before I know it, it's purchasing time again.
I know I don't get to spend my points on anything dazzling, but Dungeons are always making purchases. In a strange way, it's not too bad of a job for someone like me. I can't wait till I have the dungeon cash to splash. But right now, my new room is calling.
You have created a new room:
2 XP Awarded.
A warm feeling flows through my Core. 1 XP is all I need to level up. I feel giddy, but sad at the same time.
When I was still human, I was level 17 and had been just a fraction away from 18. It proper sucks to be back at level 1. More so now that I'm a Dungeon, but I will try to make the best of a bad situation and persevere.
The new room I create is exactly the same as the last, with no features to mention and nothing notable inside. I wonder if I can unlock some type of glamour, or cosmetics? That would be nice.
Once again, I place another tunnel continuing straight on. It's the same length as the last, adding another 50 feet to my total distance. After my entrance, I have two rooms in a row and a tunnel ready for the next one to be added on.
That's what they call progress. Now I just need to wait another twenty minutes for my DP to accumulate again.
I still haven't created any more monsters yet. I do want to create more, but I also don't. I've got nothing for them to do yet and I could without summoning a bunch of space invaders that are just going to be bored.
I'm going to use the time I have before the door opens to move my Core as far away as possible and maybe level up my Stockpile a little. I know it might be a waste right now, but these are points that no other dungeons would have. What difference does it make if I spend them on what I want?
I'm still undecided either way and only time can tell what choice I'll make.
I only hope they're good ones. Please choose wisely future me.
For now, I better settle in for the long haul. It's definitely going to be a productive day.
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