that love up. Maybe if she got a mate she could find rest from the dungeon spirit’s orders, but for noA glance at its menu saw the counter of delvers rise one, a deeper look into its menus let the dungeon spirit see the stats of the girl, a fourteen years old human, which appeared to be an uncommon race, and lacking any class or levels.
A small and helpless girl, she could be a free source of DP for the dungeon, if not a very great source. For the dungeon spirit it got DP for pretty much any action delvers, and intruders alike, made in itself, as well as for killing any creature that made its way inside. But, the same as exp, killing such a weak creature would amount to very little for the dungeon. Plus, she is so weak, she wouldn't fight if she wanted to- hell, even if she could, what kind of fight would that be? She was nary half of her true size, the dungeon spirit had its own pride and philosophy. It would be worthless to stage this fight, nothing would be gained, and a potential would be snuffed before it had the chance to strive. As it was, she just crawled some small distance before balling up.
Good she didn’t follow the call of the dungeon core in its entirety, or the dungeon spirit could not have allowed itself to be so magnanimous. The call of the dungeon was hard to place sensation, it was like a guiding hand in one's head instead of a voice calling out. It shaped one's thoughts, feelings, and perceptions to guide them to the dungeon. It didn’t make you think anything, but instead made you understand. Everything that sought out the dungeon understood the nature of what they might enter, the danger or lack of danger their objectives might put them in. for a delver it might be the cold calling of opportunity, a dreadful stilling of the heart and thought of what they could find in the unknown. And perhaps for a small creature just running from danger, it could be safety. It could vary, but truth would be told.
Now, in its impotence of a delver's presence, the dungeon spirit could do little but imagine its future and prod the similarly bored muppet who could find no sleep despite the nighttime. They were just born, and did just only some hours ago fight a life and death battle. The dungeon spirit had gotten over that pretty quick… though it had swiftly smote any worms to enter its demesne. It seems they would have to pay for the sins of their kin, for they had no other qualities of note besides being of the species that dared try to kill the dungeon spirit. In addition, given the size of the worms it had noticed, the invader was much larger even before it had stolen some of the power of the dungeon, after that it was quite huge. Given the size of the muppets, it must have weighed at least three hundred pounds, much of that muscle.
The worm’s death had netted the dungeon spirit a huge amount of DP, much greater than if it had been killed before siphoning some of the dungeon spirit's power, said power which was quickly regenerated by the dungeon spirit. It almost seemed like a loophole, allowing the invader to touch the core and absorb some power before killing them for great rewards. Though, it would mean exposing its greatest weakness, and it could be easily killed by anything touching its core. Not such a good plan, really.
Still, the dungeon spirit imagined a level where an invader could easily siphon off some power before the boss showed up, only to be killed by the boss and give great rewards to the dungeon. It added details, and imagined times when the plan failed, all until the sun showed through the hole in its dungeon and its resident was stirring.
It's time. The dungeon spirit hovered its imaginary hands over the girl, impressing upon her the rewards the dungeon held, the strength it could give her, coaxing her into seeing all the people she could tell. Muhahaha, go off, my herald, and tell them about your time here. Tell them all the gold to gather, monsters to kill, and exp to obtain. I’ll be waiting, child. Soon she awoke, and she was gone, none the wiser of the dungeon spirit's influence, but still in her heart feeling the importance of her once upon a time haven.
Finally, took the half grown bastard long enough. Now I can finally work, finally fix this barren hole in the wall. Hole in the ground, actually, but I digress. Though, before work can be several boxes need to be checked off, experiments to be done, menus to check. Getting to work, the dungeon spirit started easy, pulling their menu into focus.
Dungeon level:1
Dungeon points: 9,917
Current delvers:0
Muppets: 3
Granger Spawn:0
Worms:0
Dungeon management :
* Shape Environment(lvl.2)
* Territory management (lvl.2)
* Create Object(lvl.1)
Denizens:
Dungeon Muppets
Granger Spawn
Jumping Worm
-(-)-
Flora:
-()-
-()-
-()-
-()-
0 worms, and it will stay that way, menu. Though, considering I didn’t purchase worms as one of my options from that previous menu I had, it's only logical that any creature that I kill becomes an option to summon… Or not, actually, looking at these worms I can spawn, they are a bit different. The worms it could spawn were large, yes, but not as big as when the invader came into the dungeon, and not as big as when it was engorged. Nor did it have any magical affinity like that worm had. Lacking any data besides the unelectable option beneath the entry of the dungeon could only hypothesis:perhaps the energy of the dungeon in the worm could not be replicated, or the general unique nature of the worm was not replicable as a direct summon, it was just too high level, or it needed more specimen to unlock such an option. Really, had It been able to summon such a great monster, it would have. That worm was a bit of a problem to deal with, Rangtwor only killed it at the end in a stroke of luck, in reality it had much greater probability of winning that fight than the muppets. I guess I'll just keep killing worms to see if I can upgrade the option, just in case that is right.
Besides the new denizen, there was an entirely new tab: Flora, with four positions selectable. Weird that I'm only getting the option right now… you’d think the system would have paired the option with the denizens. Almost like the system forgot to add it before… whatever. With an absent-minded imaginary popping of their lips, the dungeon spirit turned their focus to the black slates and opened a selection menu. A very long menu. Well, a bit spoiled for choice here. Let me take uhhhhhhhhhhhh…
Ansel Berry vine:
* DP:300
* Unit cost: 80 DP
This crawling vine enjoys rocky faces to burrow into, making them impossible to grow in regular medium. The berries they produce are mildly poisonous but useful in stabilizing earth, and earth adjacent, materials in an elemently juxtaposed potion.
Fishing flower:
* DP:400
* Unit cost: 125 DP
This flowering tall plant is known for its long drooping stem that holds its massive and deadly flower head. Deadly for fish, that is. These plants droop their flower head over the water and attract jumping fish with its wiggling style in the center of the flower head. The flower will close around any fish and cut them in half with its petals, disgusting the head and body over the next weeks. Can be used in potion making as a good catalyst for uncommon ranked healing potions using the Catyward method if harvested without activating the head.
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Lambent Jelly King:
* DP: 350
* Unit cost: 150 DP
This small tree is covered in cyan colored leaves and known for its lightly glowing berries that attract animals to eat and spread its seeds. Has a very weak magic affinity for light and water. Can grow up to eight feet high with a similar breadth of branches.
Chicken Bush:
* DP:100
* Unit cost: 25
Common brush in the temperate parts of Lotquale, used to low light levels in dense forest and in glowing caves. Produces a profuse amount of seeds every year all at once that wild chickens use to fuel their next generation.
The dungeon spirit had made its choices based on what was interesting, and useful, then what was cheap at the end. It really had no idea how it was going to use the plants, but that was half of the fun. The purchases took up about a third of the DP from the worm, but It would not have to worry about basic things, as it could just get some from the surrounding forest. Or could it… Rangtwor, get up, we’ve got work to do. I can’t trust the youngsters with this mission. Only you can, I trust, the dungeon spirit hyped up its best soldier. Plus, the other two muppets looked like they might be a little insubordinate with their snores. Plus, plus, they look cute all snuggled together, I can't breakw Rangtwor was first in line.
Rangtwor rose with barely a noise, she had prepared a grumble but sealed it when she accepted anything would be better than sitting in the dark waiting for the work that needed to be done to finish itself around her. The dungeon spirit sent her the orders and she accepted them with meditative action, just letting her body do the job while resting her mind. It was simple anyways, no reason to keep the lights on, per se. As she made way to the hole, the dungeon spirit appreciated the way she weaved her way through the space, contrasting her body and energy as she passed her brethren. Already? It seems Rangtwor as already taken to a name, she almost makes the other two look goofy, calm steel eyes and pushing how large and lean a muppet could be while the others took their beer bellies with pride and enjoyed their first peace by slumbering and cuddling.
Rangtwor looked up into the light, waiting for her eyes to accept that it wasn’t night out, instead that it was just dark down here. You can just leave that shitty spear here, here have this one the dungeon spirit said over their mental link, summoning a clean dark wood spear with a black metal head. With a swirl to point it down, she thrusted her old spear into the ground and grabbed her new one before reaching out to a few hand holds that caught her eyes. The first few gave in, but it was just a matter of a few moments till Rangtwor’s head peeped out of the dungeon spirit's purview, leaving a headless monkey to its senses. Can you go anymore? The dungeon spirit asked impatiently as Rangtwor lingered, the monkey herself just sighed in response to the interruption. [you’d think such a great being would be able to appreciate the world] she sent to the dungeon spirit, nothing more than a forest, Rangtwor, you know as such. It’s nothing new, or special. Rangtwor would beg to differ, but cared little to argue her view.
With a few powerful pulls and pushes, Ragntwor was gone from the dungeon spirit’s initiate sense of self, though a quick poke determined its ability to communicate to be solid. Hmm, can you wander a bit, put some distance between yourself and the dungeon. While you're there, grab some plants and bugs. The dungeon didn’t get a response. Hmmm. either she is ignoring me, or something is up
The dungeon spirit pushed a bit of territory onto the surface and found it had reconnected with Rangtwor, who was standing and taking in the scenery. Did you not hear me just then? the dungeon spirit asked, causing Rangtwor to perk up, [No], she told it. It seems, that when you leave the dungeon, we are no longer able to communicate, A shame, the dungeon spirit explained.
[yes, a shame] Rangtwor deadpanned. [What was it that you wanted from up here?even without our link, I should have no problem getting them] Rangtwor asked, full of hope. Well aren’t you excited; if I was just a tiny bit more petty, I’d have another do it, but what I need is for you to grab some samples while you are up here, to help fill out of the dungeon. Flora and fauna. The small kinds would do for your first excursion, just don’t kill the creatures you find, they need to die within the dungeon, the dungeon spirit explained.
[Then it will be done] Rangtwor said before starting to leave the dungeon's influence. The shot out another piece of territory to reconnect to the fleeing Rangtwor, wait!, the dungeon spirit called out. The muppet paused. Well, aren’t you ready to leave. But, I have a couple more things to say, and since you are so ready I’ll say them quickly, 1. do not get seen by any humans, that might tip them off early to the dungeon’s existence, 2. Don’t go too far from this entrance, because if something happens to wander in, I may need to call you back to help and 3. If something is attacking me, then I’ll send out another muppet to call you back, so if you hear one barking and yelling, then rush back as fast as possible.
Also, here, the dungeon spirit added on before summon a multitude of bags to house her catches.
You got all that? the dungeon spirit asked. [yes], Rangtwor said before promptly leaving.
Ah, they grow up so fast.
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“ WHY!?”
He loomed over Lavender, his torso arching over her, forcing her to fully crane her neck to see the man’s face. Quickly, she looked away, backpedaling from the man. Her mouth opened, lips and tongue moving to try and speak, but the girl could not even breathe the air to fuel them. “ Why are you here alone, WHY!” the man screamed, his rage echoing over the river’s embankment and tossing birds into flight. A response grazed Lavender’s mind, words and ideas floating about, but her fear and her guilt were too strong for them to grab hold. Because you said run- they were scary- she refused to move- she was making too much noise!- “ Are you daft! Look at me when I speak. I gave you one thing! One fucking thing to do! While I fought for our lives, I asked to get my sister out of there. So where is she!” he bellowed.
He’d gone too far.
“ I’m sorry” Lavender cowered, falling onto her ass as her legs failed her. The pitiful sight meant nothing to the man, only powering his rage. Though, in all truth, any action the girl made would enrage the man. There existed no words nor action she could take, for he was already too far gone down the well to care. She was but a doll to throw vitriol at, to express his maddening anger. “ I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m-” Lavender’s apologies ended as a hand grip the bottom of her skull, covering her mouth. “ It doesn't matter. Do you know what they’ll do?! Do you think it matters what you say when she is in the village with some of those savages fucking … RAH'' he yelled, throwing Lavender’s skull towards the river rocks, her hair tracing behind her as her body crashed into the stones. On the ground, Lavender gasped, her head vibrating with pain and her vision striking from the black and red closing. She jerked violently into a ball when she heard stones scatter, thinking another hit was coming, but it never came.
Like a kid too scared to peep their head from out under the blankets, Lavender stayed like that. Heavy headed, she pretended that she was back home, passed out from an evening flocking and gossiping with the other village girls. But then why was she on the hard ground? Because of course she was so pooped out that even finding something soft to sleep on was too hard, the day was just that intense! By Frothler, my head hurts, what happened , stupid Chauncey must have stuck her over the head with a big ol’ stick like that one time. I’ll make sure to complain to his mom, three clovers sure she’ll smack him right up and let me hit him once as well.
But right now, she just needed to sle-“ stop acting, Lavender, I’m not Hieter , I’ll not play games with you. We’re getting out of here, I’ve got too much ground to make for you to be wallowing, so get. The. Fuck. Up” he hissed, pacing about next to Lavender. And indeed, if he was to make it to Fort Clauter and inform lord Garius of the attack, there would need to make haste due North through Wetler forest. No doubt, the raiders would pitter about and enjoy the fruits of their petty conquest before leaving, hopefully turning their attention to other nearby settlements beforehand. Xavier’s eye twitched as he watched the small form of Lavender uncurl and prop herself onto her arms, staring up at him. It was his responsibility to protect her, he knew that, but unlike some folk hero his patience wore thin as the distressed child looked up at him. Every fucking second she wasted was one less second from his revenge taking place.
Scowling, Xavier prowled over, childishly letting his feet dig into the river stone just to hear them scatter, just to let it known he was angry. It was a ridiculous thing born from a child begging for attention, now just a leftover habit to really let the inanimate stone know who’s boss. Lavender flinched away as the man stuck out again, his arm snaking forwards. She only opened her eyes when she felt nothing, slowly the world came into view. He’d pulled her to her feet, staring straight through her; to Lavender, he looked like he was in anguish, the sun beating the features of his face into sharp contrast with the shadows. He lost so much, his home, his mom, and left so much behind to be defiled. Not like me. Father Holsh would be disappointed in me, after leaving Jacklin, apologizing so insincerely while thinking about myself. My pain is nothing to his.
Shame filled Lavender, her thoughts clicking into that apologetic and beaten down mindset, bored into her head.
“ I’m sorry for leaving Joseline behind.” she struggled to say, causing Xavier to stop pulling at her arm and to actually look at her. He saw his little sister there, though in his eyes it was a weak connection. His sister was bold and filled with energy, laughing and scheming, while Lavender was just some trampled flower someone found on the ground and brought back to Windweild. “ why?” he asked, this time looking for an answer instead of an outlet. “ Because I’m a coward, because I’ve got no one to miss me so I should have traded places with her, because I was too stupid to do what you said, because I’m slowing you down, because if I wasn’t there they would have never attacked, because-” she listed one after another, eyes grew wetter, voice growing hoarser the longer she spoke till her throat locked up, looking into the cold eye’s of Xavier.
He didn’t care. She could see it, he didn’t care what she said, only that she prostrate herself like a dog before him. “ you fucked up, Lavender. So what are you going to do” Xavier asked, this time looking for a more specific string of words. Lavender knew, the unsaid threat behind the words was easy to see. “ I’ll do everything I can to help. I ‘ll never cry again. I’ll do anything you say”, just don’t leave me, Xavier.