The Dramatic Dungeon - A Dungeon Core Story

Well… it’s better than necromancers at my doorstep but not by much. That joke was almost as lethal in its delivery as that greatsword. He casually meanders over towards me now. The adventurers have gathered at the entrance and emerge as Juliette relays the situation outside, still weary and weapons raised. That lasts all of two moments before they lower their arms and Astrid speaks up, an incredulous look on her face.

“Dad? What are you doing here?”

Well, now that she mentions it, there is a significant resemblance. Huh.

“Oh, nothing much, dear. Just here to drop off a delivery for the survey team… which is you, I guess.” he says, speaking to Larissa at the end there, his face turning into a frown. “Where is the rest? Cultists?”

“Well… It’s a long story. Better told somewhere we can sit. Uhmm… I guess we should talk outside.” She awkwardly looks between the giant and Juliette, who is standing in the entrance and gives her a warm smile and a wave.

“The dungeon’s been sheltering the dungeon inspectors? Oooh I would love to see this. But I don’t think I can enter…” the giant exclaims. “You are just gonna have to give me a visual recounting.”

The adventurers all turn towards Juliette and wave goodbyes while thanking her. It feels weird, having them leave like that, but I imagine they have other things to worry about, and I am thankful for their assistance. Them leaving does also give me a chance to catch up with my screens that are just about assaulting my consciousness.

I watch them go, though, until they exit through the crevice out of the underground chamber.

Then, I relent, and let the screens that have been waiting for me for a while now through.

Dungeon Delve successful.

No Tribute detected.

Experience awarded.

Level Up!

Level Up!

Level Up!

Level Up!

Bosses Unlocked!

New Basic Template Selection Available.

Tier Threshold met. Awaiting finalization.

Dungeon Core Fragment absorbed.

Affinities detected.

Low Compatibility detected.

Lesser Affinity (Necromancy) acquired.

This one showed up a whole of six times.

Your monster has unlocked a Class!

Class selection available!

Your monster has unlocked a new Class Skill!

Your monster has unlocked a new Class Skill!

Your monster has unlocked a Specialist Skill!

Specialist Skill selection available!

Your monster has unlocked a Specialist Skill!

Specialist Skill selection available!

What is the status looking like now?

Status

Name: The Playwright

Level: 20

Creature Type: Dungeon Core

Affinities:

Inherent: Dual(Transmutation/Illusion)

Acquired: Evocation (Lesser), Necromancy (Lesser)

Rooms: 5/5

Monster Capacity: 84/215

Unlocked Templates:

Animated Mannequin

Animated Clothing

Sprite

Mimic

Doppelganger, Juvenile

Selection Pending

Monster Roster (Expand)

Room List:

Stage Hall (Grand)

Foyer (Crowded)

Costume Shop (Shifting)

Dressing Rooms (Swapping)

Unnamed (Awaiting Selection)

Welp, thats.. Something. I have no idea how I came across that necromancy affinity… Maybe the gem that got slashed up inside the golem? Who knows.

I guess let’s get some of these choices out of the way before trying to figure out what that one does. The evocation one proved… most helpful.

Let’s start with the monster template. It’s traditionally what I do first, after all, and I have not gone wrong with starting there, yet. I hope.

Please choose a monster type to receive an initial monster template in from the following lists:

Transmutation:

Slime (Lesser)

Chimera (Lesser)

Animated Object (Lesser)

Shapeshifter (Lesser)

Plant (Lesser)

Animal (Lesser)

Elemental (Lesser)

Illusion:

Fae (Lesser)

Demon (Lesser)

Naga (Lesser)

Spirit (Lesser)

Abomination (Lesser)

Plant (Lesser)

Animal (Lesser)

Elemental (Lesser)

Evocation:

Arcane Entity (Lesser)

Slime (Lesser)

Plant (Lesser)

Animal (Lesser)

Elemental (Lesser)

Necromancy:

Spirit(Lesser)

Corporeal Undead(Lesser)

Plant (Lesser)

Animal (Lesser)

Elemental (Lesser)

Well. The additional options pretty much line up with my expectations, at least. Necromancy gets you undead, as it turns out, and some aspected creatures from among the common options.

I wonder what I should do here. Last time I figured that it was too late to branch out much, and I still think that is largely the case, but a lack of monsters that both can simply fight and move through hallways fast seems to be my current biggest weakness. That and the fact that people can simply waltz through my dungeon quickly if they so choose.

That being the case, I would very much like something that still makes sense in my current layout, and also I really don’t particularly like undead for recent reasons.

I will just pick something that seems like it could have what I’m looking for and hedge my bets.

Lesser Chimera please!