>>5497307
>High up, within the trunks of ancient trees and along rickety rope bridges between them
Continue the forest motif. With rope bridges spanning massive gaps we can focus on Bird minions, Owls/Hawks/Eagles would be excellent to have. Also more squirrles with nut artillery to back them up.

>>5497307
> High up, within the trunks of ancient trees and along rickety rope bridges between them
We need air protection in case the harpy tries to fly in

>>5497307
>Delve down into the earth with dark tunnels and grand caves

>>5497307
>High up, within the trunks of ancient trees and along rickety rope bridges between them

>>5497307
>High up, within the trunks of ancient trees and along rickety rope bridges between them
This would be really cool, even if a desert would also be nice.

> High up, within the trunks of ancient trees and along rickety rope bridges between them
I want a magical forest garden vibe.
Maybe third floor can be the Lost Garden Hidden Druid Circle?

>>5497307
>Delve down into the earth with dark tunnels and grand caves

>>5497307
> Delve down into the earth with dark tunnels and grand caves
The harpy would have a lesser advantage in the confines of a tunnel network, for what it’s worth. Assuming she can be stopped at level 2.

Besides, our dwarf buddy(?) would appreciate it.

>>5497307
>High up, within the trunks of ancient trees and along rickety rope bridges between them

>>5497333
I wanted to vote for caves, but the idea of nur artillery canged my mind.

File: 87634.jpg (111 KB, 400x494)

111 KB JPG

>>5497307
> A sweeping desert of hot sands, cool oasis, and pyramids
Cactarons :)

Trees sound pretty good to me.
Although we could fit more different biomes in caves. Cave roof could had collapsed in one room and it could be filled with jungle, or sand..

>>5498422
Was worried you'd miss the vote

>>5497307
> High up, within the trunks of ancient trees and along rickety rope bridges between them
This is how we turn this dungeon builder into a civ game and im down since the civ will actually be the mc

>>5497307
> High up, within the trunks of ancient trees and along rickety rope bridges between them
I'm tempted to go with desert but this fits more, I think.

>>5498200
>I wanted to vote for caves, but the idea of nut artillery canged my mind.
I was thinking with rope bridges it would be simple to pre-sight firing lines across them. Make little hollows in trees parallel to the paths with several slingshots grown out of the tree itself, and teach the squirrles how to load and fire nuts at anything crossing. It probably won't kill anyone on it's own, but it would interrupt most ranged attacks which would be exceptionally good if we end up getting birds as minions on this floor.

>>5497307
> High up, within the trunks of ancient trees and along rickety rope bridges between them

DOes anyone have the first thread?
Sounds interesting.

>>5498926
here it is >>5449376

Maybe someone should archive before it falls off?

>>5498950
Thanks man.

> High up, within the trunks of ancient trees and along rickety rope bridges between them

The core held out an ephemeral hand, palm up and let mana flow into it, pulling everything she could. Orange ribbons of light swirled into a vortex in the palm of her hand, contracting into a tiny mirror of the core itself, seemingly drawing all light to itself.

“Where we taking this show ma’am?” Artemis, statue archer and ‘feature’ of your first boss asked.

“Up.”

The condensed orb of mana shot upward, a shower of leaves and twigs dropping in its wake. An orange tether of light connected the smaller orb to the core, and with a flash the core followed the tether upward, ripping free from its root pedestal. The pedestal split as a tree sapling burst out of the ground and grew rapidly, leaves sprouting and branches reaching out at a tremendous speed. The ground started to shake as the trunk widened more and more, roots as thick as a man snaking through the ground. Branches went out of sight as the trunk continued widening until it was as large around as a house.

“Wow...that’s...you can do that ma’am?”

The core stared at the massive tree, a little surprised herself. “I’m a little surprised too. Let’s see what’s up there.”

Artemis shook her head. “Sorry ma’am, I think I’m stuck down here. I’ll hold the line though.”

A looping trail of roots started circling the tree, climbing upward, forming a walking path. The core followed them upward.

And up.

And up.

The path finally terminated in an archway that led directly into the massive tree. A large open space waited within, with the core embedded into the interior wall of the great tree. The core passed through the walls of the great tree and looked past it to find a forest of the giant trees, each one a new potential room if she connected them to this one.

Possibilities everywhere. Just as the first ideas started to spring to mind though the core became aware of a presence.

> An annoyed owl, quite large for its kind
> A woman of bark and leaf, a dryad
> Oh, it’s just Knifey the squirrel
> Write in

>>5499820
> An annoyed owl, quite large for its kind
Owls are cute

>>5499820
> A woman of bark and leaf, a dryad
> Oh, it’s just Knifey the squirrel
knifey on the dryads shoulder

>>5499869
+1 for Knifey's new leafgirl friend

>>5499820
>An annoyed owl, quite large for its kind

>>5499820
>An annoyed owl, quite large for its kind

>>5499869
>>5499957
Joining bandwagon.

Also, what about, in the future,
>Grow a room above the pond
>Put special secret baits there
>Bait expire so challengers have to jump from the tree to the pond so they have a chance to use it

I love backtracks in dungeons.

>>5499820
>>5499869
Support.

>>5499820
>An annoyed owl, quite large for its kind

>>5499820
>>5499869
Supporting this.

>>5499820
>An annoyed owl, quite large for its kind
Owls, everyone is fond of Owls.

>>5500082
>Also, what about, in the future,
>Grow a room above the pond
>Put special secret baits there
>Bait expire so challengers have to jump from the tree to the pond so they have a chance to use it
Eh, a whole room dedicated to bait seems a little excessive. Since we made the Wiggle Shrooms be the bait for the Golden Lunker I want to add more resources in the rooms we already have. Insects that gather around specific areas and loose dirt with some worms crawling in it, that sort of stuff.
What we could do though is add hidden special bait to the Squirrel Shop that only unlock when you complete challenges in the Dungeon. You beat the climbing challenge at the lowest level for example, you unlock some low-tier bait from the shop but if you beat it at maximum interference you get some mid-tier bait that has a higher chance of attracting better fish.

> Somehow we have tied on everything

The core turned.

“Excuse me madam, I don’t-” Female, cultured, measured.

“Hmph! Wooden headed fool, move aside.” Gruff, annoyed, male.

“Excuse me, wooden headed? Are you perhaps a woodpecker pretending to be an owl?”

“W-woodpecker! You leaf covered tramp! I ought to-”

Two limbs extended from this side of the giant tree, about fifteen paces apart. On one was a giant owl, gray feathers looking ruffled, large yellow eyes partially covered by eye ridges permanently bent into a scowl. On the other was a woman with skin rough and pale like a poplar tree and hair like the bluish green fronds of a willow. Brown eyes without pupils narrowed at the owl. The two continued to toss insults at one another as the core watched, not sure if she should be amused or alarmed.

Then Knifey, blade wielding squirrel extraordinaire, scampered out of the giant tree, climbed up the side of the tree, then shot up the dryad’s (surely she was a dryad of some sort) back.

“Ah! What is it? There’s something on my back!”

The owl chortled. “A tree really shouldn’t be surprised to have a squirrel on it.” Knifey perched on the Dryad’s head and held out a paw with an acorn in it. “See, he even brought you a gift.” The great owl shook with laughter barely contained.

The dryad sighed. “Hello little forest creature. You must be one of the lady’s servants-” The dryad stiffed and turned her head toward the core’s presence. “Oh. Hello madam. I...” The dryad’s eyes widened, then she abruptly melted directly into the tree branch vanishing from view, leaving Knifey sitting confused on the branch.

The owl burst into laughter, shaking with mirth, wings flapping to keep him firmly on the branch. “Oh the mortification on her face!” The owl’s head turned as his body continued to shake with laughter. “Hello ma’am. Edgar Overcast, noble great owl of the second floor at your service.”

“Hello. Did you and the dryad just come with the place?”
Edgar shrugged. “I couldn’t say ma’am. Just woke up, knew my purpose. Didn’t go five seconds without getting into a tiff with that leaf for brain bimbo over who would introduce ourselves first, but I think we’ve settled that nicely.” Edgar preened himself. “Well, I’m sure you have some work to do ma’am. I’ll be around.” The great owl leapt into the open air and soon vanished from view.

Great Owls Unlocked.
These large predatory birds are fearsome predators among the high bridges of the second floor.

Dryads Unlocked.
These tree spirits have difficulty leaving their great trees, but wield tremendous power within them.

Squirrels Upgraded
Your squirrels have developed the ability to travel between floors. While on the second floor they are empowered to build and operate devious traps.

The core took a (metaphorical) step back, reeling with the sudden rush of new faces, upgrades and monsters suddenly at her disposal. One thing at a time, and at the moment that thing was the first room of the second floor. Perhaps a place to rest after mastering the first floor? A puzzle with a treasure? Or perhaps something more defensive minded...

> A place to rest
> A puzzle with a treasure
> An obstacle that blocks the way
> Write in

>>5501482
>> A puzzle with a treasure

>>5501482
> A place to rest
Is it time for the tavern?

>>5501480
>> A place to rest
An Inn build around and inside one of the trees, bed and breakfast style.

>>5501482
> A puzzle with a treasure
we should find a way to make the dryad and tree's themselves fire proof or at least fire resistant, something magical or make it so that the second floor has a heavy mist or rains from time to time for the harpies as one of them had magic fire they could cast

>>5501482
>An obstacle that blocks the way

>>5501482
>An obstacle that blocks the way

>>5501482
> A place to rest
Having a tavern and/or inn here seems like a good idea.

>>5501482
>An obstacle that blocks the way
Alright, this won't be no walk in the park anymore.

>>5501482
>An obstacle that blocks the way
We need this dungeon to become a little bit more Dungeon-like before we get another harpy visit. The Tavern for nice people can come later on the floor.

>>5502145
But then our more friendly guests are blocked from exploring the level as well, and we won't get that sweet, sweet mana, if they are turned back right away.

>>5502212
Adventurers that can overcome that obstacle will give us more mana than just letting people waltz through us though? We can keep the first floor kiddie-friendly for those who just want a walk in the park and have the second floor be more tuned to people looking for a challenge.

>>5501482
> An obstacle that blocks the way

> An obstacle that blocks the way

A ribbon of orange mana curled lazily around the core’s presence as she pondered the possibilities of the empty space before her. Perhaps she could fill this space with a tangle of criss crossing vines, placing the exit at the top of the great tree. The vines would make flight nearly impossible, while her squirrels would have the run of the room.

Perhaps a maze of tunnels and passages, some narrow, some tall, with climbing grips in places, and twisting maze like corridors. Her dryad could pass through walls offering advice or ambushes, and best of all flight would be nearly useless in narrow tunnels and passages.

Of course something more aggressive might be good too. Low ceilings, spread apart platforms and a sea of twisting writhing vines came to mind. Too slow or too unsteady and the vines would haul you back to the start, too many failures and you’d be dumped into the pond on the first floor. The core suppressed a chuckle at the thought. The vines could interfere with other fliers while letting her owl harass those leaping from platform to platform.

> A tangle of vines
> A maze of passages
> Jumping platforms and ensnaring vines
> Write in

>>5502798
> A maze of passages
>You are in a maze of twisty little passages, all alike.

>>5502798
> A maze of passages
We are getting that most annoying dungeon to navigate award and no-one can stop us

>>5502823
Actually, changing to
> A tangle of vines
Either it stops the harpy from flying in this challenge, forcing her to take some chip damage, or forces her to waste some spells trying to clear the vines.

>>5502798
>A tangle of vines

>>5502798
>A maze of passages

>>5502798
>> Jumping platforms and ensnaring vines
Owls favored, and pretty sure we can invest in branches for squirrels to walk over and dryad to woodwalk. Other choices will prevent optimal use of our three level minions.

>>5502798
> Jumping platforms and ensnaring vines

File: MarioGalaxyPlatforms.gif (1.9 MB, 389x302)

1.9 MB GIF

>>5502798
>Jumping platforms and ensnaring vines
Add some mechanisms that let the Squirrles move the platforms around or fold over to the side so they can't be jumped on

>>5502798
> Jumping platforms and ensnaring vines

> Jumping platforms and ensnaring vines

Orange light filled the room and suffused the wooden walls and floor. The floor dropped twenty feet quickly. Vines sprouted and flowed, piling up rapidly until they formed a deep thicket, then crawled and twisted up the walls and across the ceiling. More tendrils dropped from the ceiling, filtering the light until it was a mix of bright greens and dark shadows, each breath of wind producing a dazzling display of shadow movements.

Stems burst out of the vine pit, growing up into thin green poles before their tops blossomed into pink petaled flowers, forming a series of platforms that the adventurous could use to step across the gap.

“Seems a bit easy ma’am.”

The core’s awareness jerked, finding the owl had landed silently next to her.

“Edgar. Edgar Overcast ma’am, in case you forgot. Seems a bit too easy. I daresay some of the taller humans might just walk across.”

The core nodded. “Oh, don’t worry. I’m just not done yet.” She held out a hand and three large stems sprouted on the edge of the cliff, with gently glowing bell-like flowers. Inside each of the flowers a golden acorn floated.

“Each flower has a treasure. When you take it out, the room gets harder. Get greedy, or just rush in and push through the flowers and the room gets much, much harder.”

Edgar chortled. “Well ma’am, I do like watching humans fall over their faces because of their own greed.”

Pick three

> Sticky platforms
> Aggressive vines
> Sticky vines
> Moving platforms
> Spinning platforms
> False platforms
> Less platforms
> Hallucinogenic pollen
> Poisonous pollen
> All platforms slowly begin falling
> Write in

>>5504819
>> Hallucinogenic pollen
> All platforms slowly begin falling
> Sticky platforms

Combo of fucking with reflexes (or youngster looking for the thrill), and delayed reaction because of hallucinogenics can prevent them to jump out of the sticky falling platform

>>5504819
> Hallucinogenic pollen
> Moving platforms
> Sticky vines

>>5504819
>False platforms
>Hallucinogenic pollen
>Moving platforms

>>5504819
>Spinning platforms
>Hallucinogenic pollen
>Moving platforms
This will be hell. The good kind!

>>5504860
>>5504842
Actually this is way better, swapping vote. Spinning moving platforms while you're affected by intoxicating pollen, oh brother that's a barf-apocalypse waiting to happen.

>>5504819
>False platforms
>Aggressive vines
>Large swinging apples

>>5504819
>Spinning platforms
>Hallucinogenic pollen
>Moving platforms

>>5504819
I’ll try some write-ins.
>Drowsy pollen
Slow people down, and if they take too long they’re liable to fall into the lake below for a rude awakening.
>Optical illusion platforms
Layer the platforms in flowers and colors, then arrange them so that when standing on one platform you get a false impression of how large or far other nearby platforms are. You need to hop around to a few places to see the individual pieces and keep them in mind as you move.
>Spinning platforms
To tie it off. Allow some of the optical illusions to really mess with people and make it hard for people to sit still and absorb the puzzle, and for the pollen to unbalance people and cause them to tumble.

>>5504819
>>5504860 +1

>>5504819
>>5505317
I'll support this.

> Sticky platforms x
> Aggressive vines x
> Sticky vines x
> Moving platforms xxxxx
> Spinning platforms xxxxxx
> False platforms
> Less platforms
> Hallucinogenic pollen xxxxxx
> Poisonous pollen
> All platforms slowly begin falling x
> God damn apples x
> Optical fucking illusions x

The core hummed as she worked, tiny threads of orange light connecting the small bellflowers together to the larger platforms. She plucked the first acorn out, and the soft glow of the flower flowed to the platform blooms, setting them waving back and forth in an irregular pattern, a gentle breeze filling the room.

The second acorn was removed, and each of the petal platforms started a lazy spin, alternating from clockwise to counterclockwise.

“Oh, that is a bit fiendish ma’am. I might have poisoned them personally, but I suspect they’ll certainly feel poisoned before it's over.”

The core chuckled. “Well, hopefully it doesn’t scare them too much.” She plucked the final acorn and the large flowers started emitting a fine haze into the air, lending a faint bittersweet smell of flours to the air. The core turned toward Edgar to find his gaze distant and pupils small.

“Edgar?”

“Ma’am, is the room supposed to be so many colors?”

The core winced and hurriedly weaved a few more threads of mana through the room, marking exceptions for her guardians. “Better?”

Edgar shivered. “I shall never look upon a jar of jam quite the same way again. Or mice for that matter. Woe befalls the greedy I see.”

The core nodded. “Or the hasty. I’ve placed the first platform directly behind these flowers.” The core replaced the three acorns, her fingers dancing with orange light and they transformed into three golden keys. On the opposite side of the room, plainly visible, three locked vaults formed in the side of the tree. “And this to make sure no one just takes the treasures and runs.”

“Wise ma’am.”

“I hope so. Onto the next chamber though, I’d like at least two between the entrance and the core. I’m just not quite sure what the next should be...”

The next room is...

> A place to rest
> Somewhere to gather some resources
> An optional challenge for treasure
> Write in

>>5505848
> A place to rest

>>5505848
>A place to rest
Better put it down now, so it's not right before the floor's boss!

>>5505848
>Somewhere to gather some resources

>>5505848
>> A place to rest
Good half way place, we can add resource, optional challenge and boss room after it.

>>5505848
>Somewhere to gather some resources
I wanna put the rest area at the end of the floor, we're not even that far in to the Dungeon yet. Only like four rooms in total (Squirrel Glade > Lost Woods > Artemis > Platform), and only two of those could really be called challenges, three at the absolute most if you count navigating the Lost Woods a challenge. We can do an optional treasure challenge and another obstacle before putting the Squirrel inn before the next boss room.

>>5505848
> A place to rest

A smal tavern in a mighty old oak, with small tables and a squirrel bar-maid serving acorn brew. Now I regret not having taken the dwarves keg.

>>5506056
I'm unsure how far Sys want's to take this, since it started out as a oneshot.

>>5505848
>Somewhere to gather some resources

>>5505848
> A place to rest

> A place to rest

The core checked her mana reserves as the rope and plank bridge manifested in front of her. Running fairly low at this point, although contributions did occasionally filter in from the efforts of her guardians on the first floor. Just enough to put together a little place to rest after the vine chamber.

> A fountain of fresh water, a few benches, and a few fruit bearing branches
> Some private rooms, a few beds and a carefully contained hearth fire
> A few tables, a long bar, and a pot of stew that's never quite the same.
> Write in

>>5506865
> Some private rooms, a few beds and a carefully contained hearth fire
Let them think they can use the fire as a means to get past some future challenge. We can punish them for that thinking later. Or turn it into a challenge, we’ll see what the hivemind thinks later.

>>5506865
>A few tables, a long bar, and a pot of stew that's never quite the same.

>>5506865
> A fountain of fresh water, a few benches, and a few fruit bearing branches
As much as I want an inn or tavern, this feels like it fits the forest theme more

>>5506865
>> A fountain of fresh water, a few benches, and a few fruit bearing branches
Perfect for kids

>>5506865
> A fountain of fresh water, a few benches, and a few fruit bearing branches

>>5506865
>A few tables, a long bar, and a pot of stew that's never quite the same.

> A fountain of fresh water, a few benches, and a few fruit bearing branches

The core carved away at the tree in front of her, opening up most of the walls, leaving just four pillars around the edges, letting sunlight and wind blow into the room. A living fountain of wood grew in the middle of the tree, a rough copy of the tree it was growing in, down to a much tinier fountain inside the fountain. Clean water bubbled out with a wave of mana, cascading from the top. A few benches around the edges of the room to sit on, a couple against the fountain. A good place to stop and catch your breath, and possibly let the hallucinations wear off. A few branches grew from each of the four pillars, a handful of small fruits hanging from them.

Just about perfect. The core pondered if maybe there was one more touch she might add-

Dungeon Locked

The clanking of a chain, the rustle of feathers, and a breath just barely holding back a sob. The core abandoned her current effort, presence shifting to the bottom floor, to the fog choked entrance. The harpy sisters had returned, the younger in the lead this time, eyes darting around, chain in one hand, the other end around her sisters neck.

"It's ok Cely, it's ok...we just have to make it through and momma will fix you. Momma wouldn't leave you like this, we're just learning a lesson right? We're just learning."

Celynne, the older of the harpy sisters stumbled forward silently, eyes vacant. Numerous bruises and half healed wounds were present. She didn't speak, just a low growl rumbled in her throat. The core watched with interest, and even a little concern. The younger, Sava, seemed unchanged, if shaken and fearful, but the older, Celynne was very different. The brash protector seemed to be gone entirely. What had happened here?

“Ok. The fog. We’ve got to do this right this time...” Sava fumbled in a pouch at her side, pulling out a crystal vial hung from a string. A few tiny bits of orange sand sat at the bottom for a moment before glowing and rattling against the side of the vial. Not sand, tiny fragments of the core from when ‘momma’ had laid her claws on her.

“Ok, just follow these little bits then...”

What now?

> Let them follow their compass, straight to Artemis and Mossy
> Have the squirrels steal the compass
> Have the wolves drive the harpy’s to a one of the rooms
> Write in

>>5507035
> Let them follow their compass, straight to Artemis and Mossy
>Have Knifey follow at a distance, but close enough that they know we’re holding back on purpose.

One possible way out of their situation is through contracting to us. Power in exchange cor our security. Maybe Sava will realize that after watching Knifey long enough after failing on the second floor.

>>5507035
> Have the squirrels steal the compass

>>5507035
The harpy bitch should lose custody for treating her kids that way. And I do know a shelter that would take them in with open arms. At least metaphorically, since we dont have a body and most of our guarians have paws instead of hands.
But to be successful here we do have to get through to them. But how do we do this?
Maybe we should try to
>Have wolves and squirrels seperate them by combined efforts.

>>5507042
>support

>>5507051
We could have Artemis meet them in the dungeon, couldn’t we? She’s not actually the boss of the room, just a feature. But I think the best way to get through to them is to beat them first. I think they’ll be too afraid to join us since it means they’d have to fight their mom, but if their alternative is going back to them empty-handed then Sava could jump at the opportunity.

Separating them would probably panic them a lot. Sava is leading her abused sister around by chain, but doesn’t seem thrilled by it so I assume it’s because she can’t leave her and can’t get her to move around by asking anymore.

There’s a non-zero chance Celynne is a trap to us too. We’ll want to contract Sava first, ask questions on what happened, then interact with Celynne.

>>5507060
Celynne could be an weapon designed to counter our bosses/tough monsters, would be very odd for her to be here otherwise.

They will be punished, if they return empty handed, but still we need to treat them carefully for them to willingly to join us.

What would happen, if they beat the Dungeon? Momma wants us for herself, so would sisters do anything to us, if they get to the core?
I'd rather just deal with the mom, without getting these two into more trouble, as harpies as they are.

Them meeting Artemis would clear things up.

>>5507035
>>5507042
I’ll update my vote to
>Let them follow their compass, straight to Artemis and Mossy
>Have Knifey follow at a distance, but close enough that they know we’re holding back on purpose.
>Have Artemis meet them shortly outside the boss room to talk. If she can’t leave, then at the entrance to the room.
She can serve as gatekeeper and point out that we saw the trick they used, and we let them get this far without interfering in spite of it. They know we could have, the squirrels attacked them before. But we held back. This isn’t a place where people are supposed to be killed.

>>5507035
>Have the wolves drive the harpy’s to a one of the rooms

>>5507077
Support

>>5507035
>>5507051
Support.

>>5507077
Supporting sounds like a fine plan.

>>5507035
> Have the squirrels steal the compass

>>5507077
Support

File: b06d324627ef5ee424c59c072(...).jpg (9 KB, 180x281)

9 KB JPG

>>5507077
Support

Disregard harpies, aquire cactarons.

> Let them follow their compass, straight to Artemis and Mossy
> Follow at a distance

The lost woods were quiet enough to hear the tiny pings of core sand on glass.

Let them through to Artemis and Mossy, but follow closely. The core issued to Knifey and his crew.

There was a pulse of assent as squirrels shot through the trees, taking up positions all around the two harpies. Trouble coming your way Artemis. Try to be gentle with them, I... There was a long pause, punctuated only by the clink of chains and the crunch of leaves.

Ma’am?

I’m not sure. Do what you need to. The core sighed and turned her attention back to the sisters. What had happened to the older sister? She reached out toward the older harpy, then recoiled as toxic energies flowed off her. What was this? Shackles, shackles in the mind as real as the chain around her neck, and a soul of flame burdened under them, burning with resentment, with shame, with anger and pain.

The core reached toward them without thought, these chains had to go. At the same time a squirrel’s back paw scratched along a branch. The elder sister jerked and twisted, the chain yanking from Sava’s grasp, a guttural screech bubbling out of Celynne.

“Cely! No!”

>>5511477

A spray of dirt and leaves shot into the air as Celynne sprang off the ground, black magic flaring around her form. Squirrels shot out of the way as the maddened harpy ripped through the tree line, branches cracking. Sava rushed after her sister, but Celynne’s berserk rage outpaced her sister easily and within moments the two were completely separated in the fog.

The core watched the raging harpy with concern as it shrieked and roared, the living forest doing little more than slow her down as she ripped through branch and bush with ease. But her squirrels were each a master of this place, darting from branch to branch, using misdirection and agility to run circles around the fiend, even as she occasionally sent entire trees toppling in a flurry of claw strikes that rotted and twisted the tree bark they struck. Nuts, mushrooms and small stones pelted the harpy, with even Knifey darting in close enough to leave a bloody cut across one leg when one of the other squirrels was dangerously close to being caught.

Fast, strong, and empowered by dark magic and blind rage. The core winced as the invader shot through the fog and set foot in the Squirrel Glade, head jerking around in the sudden sunlight. At the same time her sister burst out into the Rose Garden, tears pooling in her eyes, gliding directly past Artemis without notice.

Sava screamed for anyone to hear. “Please help her!”

At the same time her sister, glowing with a corrosive dark purple aura, stomped across the Squirrel Glade leaving a trail of withered grass. Celynne raised a talon and slammed it into the central tree, a jolt of pain shooting through the dungeon itself. Pain...pain was a novel feeling. The central tree of the Squirrel Glade was an important part of herself, and it was being hurt. She was being hurt.

What next?

> Focus on Sava, the Squirrel Glade can be restored. Get that tracking charm and some answers
> Focus on Celynne, that hurts! Send in the wolves and try to distract and wear her down.
> Write in

>>5511478
> Focus on Celynne, that hurts! Send in the wolves and try to distract and wear her down.

>>5511478
>Focus on Celynne, that hurts! Send in the wolves and try to distract and wear her down.

>>5511478
> Focus on Celynne, that hurts! Send in the wolves and try to distract and wear her down.

>>5511478
>Focus on Celynne, that hurts! Send in the wolves and try to distract and wear her down.

>>5511478
>Send in the wolves, but focus on Sava. Offer the contract so she can save her sister.
Celynne is a problem, but it seems she’s got magic going through her that can hurt us and we don’t have any other mages to help. Sava knows some magic, so if we hook her into us then maybe she can help mitigate whatever this is so we can purge it quicker.

If she’s completely clueless on how to help, maybe we can cast something through her that purges poison like we just tried doing and go “that, but you do it now”. Nothing like a crisis to learn new things.

Full answers and the tracking compass are irrelevant unless Sava says they’ll help somehow.

I hope we don’t have a contract limit of 3. We already have a wolf and a squirrel…

>>5511478
> Focus on Celynne, that hurts! Send in the wolves and try to distract and wear her down.

>>5511836
This seems smartest way to go.
Sava knows something of magic and chains, with her help, we can get rid of them

> Focus on Celynne, that hurts! Send in the wolves and try to distract and wear her down.

That was her twig. Her first treasure, Her first mark on the world. It would be trivial to replace, the contents of the room could be replaced in just a few trips from Knifey but...it was the first. Father and the rest of his wolf pack stepped into the Squirrel Glade, mist clinging to their forms, barking and snapping at the intruder.

Celynne bounded off the tree and dashed at the Father, only for his mate to crash against the harpy. The core watched nervously as the skirmish raged on, wolves snapping and clawing and Celynne flailing and swinging back furiously. The pack scored several good hits, but took several festering wounds in return. Wolf and harpy separated for a moment, both panting and bleeding.

That’s enough. Knifey, can you goad her toward Artemis? Father, get your pack out of there.

Irritated flowed back from Father. We can do more. The core frowned at the statement. Just because they could be restored by their link didn’t mean they had to fight to the death.

You have done enough. Let Artemis and Mossy handle the rest.

Knifey shot through the clearing, bounded off of Father’s head, blew a raspberry at Celynne mid air and hit the ground running. The harpy screeched and gave chase.

---

Sava slumped against the fountain. “I don’t know what to do. I don’t know what to do, we’re going to be punished and Celynne is never going to be fixed and Mama is going to be so mad and this is such a nice place anyway and it’s not fair!” Sava jerked a little at the anger in her voice, finding herself shaking. “It’s not fair!”

The core watched the situation unfold. Celynne, beaten, bloodied, but still shattering tree limbs in her pursuit was headed toward the Rose Garden. Sava was being miserable, but otherwise healthy, and therefore possibly dangerous in the Rose Garden. Artemis was standing at the entrance of the Rose Garden, as still as a, well, statue.

What next?

> Double ambush. Have Artemis clothesline the elder sister while Mossy traps the younger in a chokehold. Or possibly a hug at this point.
> Focused Assault. Disregard Sava and focus both Mossy and Artemis onto Celynne, the berserker harpy.
> Keep Mossy in reserve, and let Artemis handle things.
> See if Sava will help you restrain and stop Celynne
> Write in

>>5512336
> Focused Assault. Disregard Sava and focus both Mossy and Artemis onto Celynne, the berserker harpy.
> See if Sava will help you restrain and stop Celynne
You are getting adopted. Do not resist

>>5512336
>Keep Mossy in reserve, and let Artemis handle things.

>>5512336
>See if Sava will help you restrain and stop Celynne

>>5512336
>Keep Mossy in reserve, and let Artemis handle things
He'll be our trump card, in case things go terribly.

>>5512336
> See if Sava will help you restrain and stop Celynne
Artemis can tell her that we instinctively know how to cleanse foreign influences using our own, but we don’t understand how to get through all Celynne’s defenses to do it. Sava understands more than we do, however little she thinks of herself right now. Take our power and save her sister.

> See if Sava will help you restrain and stop Celynne
Here's a deal. You help me stop and fix her. Then you join me.
>Acquire harpy children as second floor boss

>>5512336
> See if Sava will help you restrain and stop Celynne

> See if Sava will help you restrain and stop Celynne

“Can you stop her?”

Sava jerked up and looked around for the voice. The statue, the statue she had barely noticed was looking at her, bow not quite pointing at her, a rose held to the string.

“You can talk?”

The statue scowled. “There’s no time, can you stop her? Calm her down? My lady, the ruler of this place has no desire to end you, but your sister is dangerous, dangerous enough to do harm to her. She will turn back, or I will end her.”

Sava flinched. “She’s supposed to stay calm if I’m holding the chain. I just...dropped it. I’m sorry, I don’t want to be here, and! Celynne!”

Her sister roared out of the fog, wreathed in purple flame.

Artemis span and caught the talon of the harpy on her arm. The outer layer of stone shattered and suddenly trees and roses shot by in a blur as the sheer force hammered into her. Artemis scowled and forced herself free from the splintered remains of the tree that had stopped her movement. Her arm tingled and ached. What would that have done to her lady’s core?

“Celynne! Please stop!”

Sava, stupid idiot girl, stood between her sister and Artemis. She winced as the young harpy was batted out of the way like a ragdoll and set a rose to string. The berserker howled and rushed at Artemis, skimming over the ground, a manic grin spreading across her face. Artemis shrugged and lined up three rose arrows, one after another.

The first rose struck a talon, exploding pointlessly into petals. The second was dodged, Celynne effortlessly rolling past it. The third slammed directly into a wing, embedding into the flesh and sending the harpy stumbling onto the ground, shifting from a low glide to an awkward stumble.

“Ready to stop this?” Artemis called out. The harpy just pounced, slamming her left wing into Artemis and hurling her across the rose garden. She slammed into the ground, then bounced twice, felt her arm crack and shatter. Not good. No one attacked her lady though. She was a guardian, a gatekeeper. The huntress of stone.

She stood, only for the harpy to slam into her again, clawing, pecking, screaming, shards of stone flying. Artemis swung back with her arm, connecting hard, blood and feathers splattering, the harpy tumbling into a rose bush.

Artemis panted and stood unsteadily. “I...I am beginning to dislike you. Stay down."

The rose bush started to wilt as a low growl rolled off the harpy.

"Ma'am, I need to put her down. She gets back up and I won't be able to stop her."

"Sis!" Sava stumbled over, crashing on top of her sister. She scrabbled for the chain, then whimpered, dropping it. “It’s hot! It’s burning, I can’t hold it! Please stop sis, please...”

The core looked closer at the chains, feeling little spiders of pain skittering through her just from proximity. Dark power radiated off the older harpy, enough that small wounds were opening up all through her younger sister as well. Power and malice, strong. Could she unravel this magic? Shatter it? Handling it would hurt. Sava clung to her sister, weeping even as the magic was tearing her to pieces. Magic of pain. Magic with a voice.

She’s mine core.

You can’t break my chains.

I made her.

I made her mother.

I own them.

They’re my tools.

Give up.

> Send in Artemis. End this.
> Shatter the chains, whatever the cost.
> Write in

>>5514301
> Shatter the chains, whatever the cost.
> Tell Sava to plant our core shards into Celynne.
Seems they have the advantage right now if they made the harpies. But our shards should act as a counter for it then. Core vs. Core.

>>5514365
+1
go big or go home

>>5514301
> Shatter the chains, whatever the cost.
Get fucked psycho bitch

No

The core reached out and grabbed the chains, not the metal ones in the dirt, but the magical ones wrapped around Celynne’s soul.

You think yourself my equal?

The chains were hot, burning, searing. The core was distantly aware of smoke rising around it, of wood blackening. Chains...chains were made of links. To break a chain you had to break each link. She levered her power into place, twisting and forcing, transforming the power of this curse into her own orange light.

Equal?

Orange light and purple flame twisted and snarled at each other, like an entangled snake and lion, struggling for supremacy. Somewhere above in the canopy smoke poured from one of the great trees. Leaves were bursting into flame and crumpling to ash, falling from the sky.

You dare to oppose me. You think to take my tools from me.

How long could she keep this up? How much power did this curse have? These chains, they had to be overwhelmed, overtaken, consumed before she could control them, break them, remove them.

I am not your equal.

Then yield before I destroy you.

There was another light. Small, struggling. Barely a player here in this place of magic and minds. But there was an unmistakable quality to it.

I am the beauty of a new place. The joy of a discovered treasure.

Poetry won’t help you core. I am overcoming you. You don’t have the strength for this.

Another light, struggling, rising to a challenge, unwilling to give up.

I am the glory of a challenge overcome.

A little star, shining brighter now. A shift in tides. Somewhere the core was dimly aware of flames and the desperate work of an owl and dryad, bickering forgotten, to beat back unnatural flames that howled and snapped like beasts. Squirrels with pawfuls of wet pond weed. The star shone brighter. The purple flame hesitated, fell back as the orange light grew, filled the universe.

You’ll regret this, core.

The flame staggered, withered and howled as orange light overcame it, consumed it, transformed it.

Get out.

---

Miles to the north, in a hut nestled against the mountains Calis Bitter Wing, queen of the harpies, was hurled back, slamming against the stone cliffside her home was built into. She let out a furious shriek, not for the pain, not for the trail of blood running down the back of her skull, but for the single orange feather on her hand, a blotch of sun on her midnight black plumage.

Water manifested in a wave from the core, crashing across flames with a hiss. Edgar fluttered desperately out of the way, while the dryad simply let the cool water wash over her.

“She is going to be interesting I think.”

Edgar sighed. “Yes, I fear so.”

---

Dungeon Management Unlocked

Room Visits: 16 Mana
- Sava: 4 Mana
- Celynne: 12 Mana

Treasures: 0 Mana

Challenges: 100 Mana
- Confronting a terrible reality: 100 Mana

Total: 112 Mana

---

Soothing rain fell across the dungeon as Sava cradled her sister, chanting a spell. One hand held up the jar of core sand, the little fragments shining like suns. The chain cracked and fell to pieces. Sava’s chant faltered and she stared at her sister’s face.

“Sis?”

Celynne groaned and arched an eyebrow. “You’re orange.”

Sava looked down at her feathers. “Oh. I uh...I guess I am.” Her mottled brown feathers had erupted into orange, like a tree in fall.

“Mom’s going to be pissed about this.”

“Uh...yeah. Yeah, I think so. Are you ok?”

Celynne rolled to the ground and looked up to find the glare of Artemis.

“You’re a fucking cool boss. What’s the dungeon going to do with us?”

Artemis narrowed her eyes. “Hopefully not what I would.” She glanced at the stump where her arm was and sighed. “What do you want to do?”

“We need to go back. There are others, young like us with...” Sava struggled. “With her. I need to talk to them. Take them away. I...” She clutched her head. “I don’t understand. I don’t...I heard her! I heard her talk to the core! I, we, everyone...we’re not her tools!” Sava pounded a fist into the dirt and swallowed. “I...I don’t know if I can even do it, but we have to.”

“Sava...she’ll kill you if she sees you. And you’re easy to see right now.”

“We can’t leave them there...”

Artemis shook her head. “There’s a simple solution. Contract with the lady. Even if you run afoul of your...parent, you’ll be brought back here. If the lady will allow it of course.

Sava nodded and looked at her orange feathers. “Looks like I’m most of the way there.”

“Sis...you’d be tied to the dungeon forever. No going back.”

“It’d be worth it though. If the core will have me.”

> Contract Sava and let her try to save her siblings
> Don’t contract Sava and let the harpy sisters go on their way
> Write in

>>5514589
>Contract Sava and let her try to save her siblings

>>5514589
> Contract Sava and let her try to save her siblings
> Tell her of the other friendly challengers that have passed through that may be willing to assist. Perhaps Knifey knows where they could be found.

>>5514589
> Contract Sava and let her try to save her siblings

>>5514589
>Contract Sava and let her try to save her siblings

> Contract Sava and let her try to save her siblings

>>5514589
> Contract Sava and don't let her try to save her siblings

File: Sava-Dream.jpg (92 KB, 512x512)

92 KB JPG

> Contract Sava and let her try to save her siblings

It only took a moment to connect to Sava’s mind, and the core suddenly found herself...somewhere else. A place of blue skies and vast plateaus covered in green meadows that swayed in a gentle wind. Somewhere just out of sight children were playing. Vast rivers of golden orange light flowed through the air.

And set into each plateau, on top, embedded into the cliffs, and perched on the edges were statues of Calis, the Harpy Queen. Crumbling, cracked, disfigured, sometimes just a pair of talons clinging to the ground as though a great hand had hurled the remainder of the statue into the clouds below the cliffs. The core watched as the nearest statue was lifted out of the ground, revealing a deep stone attached to it, a gaping wound left in its wake as the statue was unceremoniously hurled off the cliffside.

“Is this my soul?”

The core and Sava peered down into the deep hole left behind, an ugly scar on the otherwise idyllic meadow in the sky.

The core, a flowing dress of orange ribbons around a female form nodded. “I think so.”

Sava sighed, sitting at the edge, hugging her knees, her form notably more angelic than harpy at the moment. She looked at her hands. “I can’t hide it here, can I? I was always jealous of humans passing by, going new places. Always wanted to be them, to be free. I’m not stupid you know, I’m just...scared. I’ve always been scared. She’s all I’ve ever known. My whole world. All I could think about was learning magic, being a good daughter, not being useless...but she hurt Cely."

Sava hurled a rock into the open wound. "And it wasn't enough. Too scared, too weak. I just stood there and watched while that happened to Cely. Like it was for our own good. Like if we could just be a bit more useful...”

For a time Sava sobbed into the core’s side as they sat on the edge of the wound. Eventually she noisily blew her nose on an orange ribbon then blushed scarlet.

“Oh! Oh no, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to-”

The core patted her on the head. “It’s not real.”

Sava giggled. “I hope not. Ok. I can’t cry forever. Are we contracted? I don’t really know how this works...”

The core gestured at the ribbons flowing through the sky. “Yes.”

“Am I just a useful tool to you? A weapon to use against my mother. That...that would be ok.”

Ribbons, both those of the dress and those in the sky, twisted and writhed for a moment. “You are not a tool. I don’t want to control you. I...would appreciate any help you might give though.”

Sava stood. “I can do that.”

File: Core.jpg (103 KB, 512x438)

103 KB JPG

Celynne squinted at the glowing light that was her sister.

“Is it normally this bright?”

Artemis shrugged, studying the wireframe of orange light forming where her arm would reform.

“Wouldn’t know. Surprised you didn’t join up too.”

Celynne’s eye twitched. “Maybe later. Wherever Sava goes, I will, but I’m not ready for another leash just yet.”

“I get that. This life isn’t for everyone.”

Celynne nodded. “You uh...you ever want to leave the dungeon?”

Artemis frowned. “A bizarre statement. I am the dungeon, and the dungeon is me.”

“Yeah, but you’re also you.”

“Hmm.”

The light subsided and Sava gently lowered to the ground.

> An orange winged angel like human
> An orange feathered harpy
> As she was when entering the dungeon, a brown feathered harpy
> Write in

>>5515399
> An orange feathered harpy
People would know she’s not a “normal” harpy, but she’s also still herself. When she goes back, harpies will still recognize her as one of them, not someone who left them behind.

>>5515399
> An orange feathered harpy

>>5515399
>As she was when entering the dungeon, a brown feathered harpy

>>5515399
>An orange feathered harpy

>>5515399
>> An orange feathered harpy

>>5515399
> An orange feathered harpy

Also, I suggest that we create a 1000 foot tall cactaron and have it beat the crap out of Calis :)

>>5515654
Nah, I think we should instead make it look as tiny and harmless as possible so we can really hurt her ego

> An orange feathered harpy

“Looking good sis.”

Sava twisted, looking at her brilliant orange feathers. “This...I’m going to stand out a bit.”

Celynne shrugged. “So what?” She kicked a fragment of the chain away from her. “We’ve got a bit of payback to inflict, don’t we?”

Sava grimaced. “We do.” She turned, facing towards the core. “Ma’am, I’m going to do my best to be quick, but this might take some time.”

The wind picked up, rustling the trees, gently lifting Sava up by her wings and she nodded, then shot into the fog, Celynne close behind her. In just a minute her presence faded from the core’s awareness.

Knifey. See if you can track down those adventurers who were here earlier. Maybe they’d be willing to help.

The blade wielding squirrel nodded and shot off into the fog as well. The core felt all of them fade, still dimly aware, but growing more distant and difficult to track by the moment.

----

There was more work to be done, improvements to be made, rooms to be crafted. It was hard to imagine Calis would sit idly and neither would the core.

> Build another room on the second floor
> Do some improvements on the first floor
> Write in

And didn’t the mushrooms need tending? The core shifted over and found the Wriggle shrooms flourishing, time to hybrid something new into existence.

> Smolder Shrooms. Mildly abrasive and quite flammable.
> Spider Shrooms. A hybrid of sticky shrooms and wiggle shrooms, these horror inducing puffballs explode into web like tangles of sticky string on impact, and tend to be filled with spider eggs to boot.
> Rose Caps. These delightful pink mushrooms emit a lovely scent, although their soft caps contain many sharp thorns just beneath the surface. Look, but don’t touch.
> Glow Spores. These fragile fungi tend to break apart into a glowing paste at the slightest touch.
> Actually a Cactus. You...aren’t sure how this ‘mushroom’ came to be, but you’re apparently growing cacti now. Highly mobile cactus?

>>5517876
> Build another room on the second floor
> Glow Spores. These fragile fungi tend to break apart into a glowing paste at the slightest touch.

>>5517876
> Do some improvements on the first floor
> Spider Shrooms. A hybrid of sticky shrooms and wiggle shrooms, these horror inducing puffballs explode into web like tangles of sticky string on impact, and tend to be filled with spider eggs to boot.

>>5517876
> add something that Idrid and/or Fari might like

Do I really need to say it?
> Cactus
>:)

>>5517876
>Do some improvements on the first floor
>Spider Shrooms. A hybrid of sticky shrooms and wiggle shrooms, these horror inducing puffballs explode into web like tangles of sticky string on impact, and tend to be filled with spider eggs to boot.
Rose Caps would be my second choice, but squirrels tossing spider filled goop-shrooms at invaders is terrifyingly stupid, I can't pass that up.

>>5517876
> Do some improvements on the first floor
> Actually a Cactus. You...aren’t sure how this ‘mushroom’ came to be, but you’re apparently growing cacti now. Highly mobile cactus?
I, for one, like cactaron anon.

>>5517876
> Build another room on the second floor

> Actually a Cactus. You...aren’t sure how this ‘mushroom’ came to be, but you’re apparently growing cacti now. Highly mobile cactus?
Cactaron anon would never forgive me if I voted something else.

>>5517876
>Do some improvements on the first floor
> Spider Shrooms.

>>5517876
> Build another room on the second floor

>> Spider Shrooms. A hybrid of sticky shrooms and wiggle shrooms, these horror inducing puffballs explode into web like tangles of sticky string on impact, and tend to be filled with spider eggs to boot.

>>5517876
>> Build another room on the second floor
> Actually a Cactus. You...aren’t sure how this ‘mushroom’ came to be, but you’re apparently growing cacti now. Highly mobile cactus?

Room for rare ingredients, more reasons for adventurers to push all the way to the end.
As horrible as spider shroom would be to invaders, cactus has been long time in waiting

File: download (56).jpg (8 KB, 300x168)

8 KB JPG

>>5518395
Indeed

>>5517876
>Do some improvements on the first floor
>Spider Shrooms. A hybrid of sticky shrooms and wiggle shrooms, these horror inducing puffballs explode into web like tangles of sticky string on impact, and tend to be filled with spider eggs to boot.
Big fright for a little dungeon.

> Spider Shrooms. A hybrid of sticky shrooms and wiggle shrooms, these horror inducing puffballs explode into web like tangles of sticky string on impact, and tend to be filled with spider eggs to boot.
> Do some improvements on the first floor

Tending the mushroom fields was a simple routine at this point. The wriggle shrooms were escorted out and let loose in the world. The core watched one of them collide with a sticky shroom, immediately entangling. A mobile sticky track could be useful...

A few threads of mana later and she had something...concerning in her hands. White, bulging orbs clustered at the top of a spindly jointed black stalk. She gave it a ginger poke, one of the orbs splattering into sticky white ropes, a tiny spider scurrying out. The next person who meant her harm was going to have a terrible, spiders in their hair day. The core suppressed a manic giggle and tucked the little mushrooms away in their den.

Next was dungeon improvements. The second floor was doing well, but until it was complete the first floor was still her best defense. It needed something more...

> Seal the path to the Rose Garden with a series of lock and keys scattered throughout the dungeon
> Add a hidden mushroom grotto under the mushroom glade
> Add a waterfall that falls into the fishing pond from the second floor
> Write in

>>5518731
> Seal the path to the Rose Garden with a series of lock and keys scattered throughout the dungeon
You have to explore the whole thing, no skipping!

>>5518731

> Seal the path to the Rose Garden with a series of lock and keys scattered throughout the dungeon

>>5518731
Add a waterfall that falls into the fishing pond from the second floor

>>5518731
> Seal the path to the Rose Garden with a series of lock and keys scattered throughout the dungeon

>>5518731
>> Seal the path to the Rose Garden with a series of lock and keys scattered throughout the dungeon

>>5518731
>Seal the path to the Rose Garden with a series of lock and keys scattered throughout the dungeon

The gate itself was simple enough, thick vines bristling with inch long thorns, coupled with fast growing enchantments that the most determined attackers would struggle to cut through with raw force.

But where to put the glittering keys that unlocked it...

Golden Key Locations: Pick one from each location

Squirrel Glade:
> At the top of the tree
> Tucked away inside the hollow
> Carried by a squirrel you need to bribe

Mushroom Grove:
> A top a series of giant mushrooms
> Hidden in a log filled with volatile mushrooms
> Held by a myconid guardian

Lost Woods:
> In the wolf den
> In one of many many fake chests. Some are mimics
> Easily found, but is actually made of fog and must be carried very gently

Fishing Pond:
> In a glowing fish
> Bought for points in the shop
> At the bottom of the pond

As always, feel free to write in other ideas.

>>5519159
> Carried by a squirrel you need to bribe
> A top a series of giant mushrooms
> Easily found, but is actually made of fog and must be carried very gently
> In a glowing fish

I like the idea of making all of them harmless challenges that can become hellish for unwanted guest. Handle fog key while wolves are ripping you out? Bribe a squirrel-ghost when you are clearly hostile?

>>5519159
>Carried by a squirrel you need to bribe
Hidden in a log filled with volatile mushrooms
>Easily found, but is actually made of fog and must be carried very gently
Bought for points in the shop

>>5519159
> Carried by a squirrel you need to bribe
> Held by a myconid guardian
Expand our guardian corps.
> Easily found, but is actually made of fog and must be carried very gently
> In a glowing fish
inb4 Calis just breaks down the gate.

>>5519159
> Carried by a squirrel you need to bribe
> Held by a myconid guardian
> In the wolf den
> In a glowing fish
Just want them to interact with everything

>>5519159
I’ll back >>5519278 for the logic.

Making it so the key glows (highlighting the fish) and making the key move between fish would be nice. All so for hostile encounters, we could have the Golden Lunker get the key.

>>5519159
Squirrel Glade:
> Carried by a squirrel you need to bribe
Mushroom Grove:
> Held by a myconid guardian
Lost Woods:
> In one of many many fake chests. Some are mimics
then in time I say the fog one as well once we have more mana
Fishing Pond:
> At the bottom of the pond

>>5519278
supporting

> In a glowing fish
> Easily found, but is actually made of fog and must be carried very gently
> Carried by a squirrel you need to bribe
> Tied between giant mushroom platforms and myconid guardian

The first key was simple. She gave it a toss and before it hit the ground a squirrel had snatched it out the air and vanished back into the fog. Distantly she become aware of a immediate squabble starting as the squirrel clan started fighting over who would get to carry the key. The solution was simple of course, trivial even, any one of her squirrels would drop the key in an instant for a handful of sunflower seeds.

Number two was crafted out of the fog of the lost woods itself. She hung it in plain view at the entrance to the dungeon, a faint golden glow filling the thick fog bound to the shape of a key. An inquisitive wolf pup paced up to it and batted with a paw, scattering it to pieces. Moments later it reformed at its perch. Again trivial enough to handle, as long as you carried it gently and slowly through the fog. But be in a hurry, or harried by the guardians of the dungeon...

The third key was magically placed inside one of the lazy fish of the pond. On queue a ‘locksmith spinner’ bait appeared in the shop, although the core was fairly certain that any determined fisher could lure the key fish to the surface sooner or later. She added a thriving ecosystem of worms and grubs to the underside of the nearby rocks just to be sure. Probably the easiest of the challenges to circumvent with violence, although you’d still need to dive to the bottom of the lake to do it.

Number four...the core was torn. Two competing visions danced in her head, one of a sapient mushroom guardian creature who would administer some sort of test, the other of a series of giant mushrooms that you had to leap across...But which to go with?

> Both. A sleeping fungal giant that has to be carefully scaled without waking him
> Both. Replace the floor with large mushroom cap platforms under the control of a single master fungus. To win you simply have to reach him.
> Both. Transform the room into a bizarre board game hosted by an eccentric game master.
> Write in

>>5520547
>> Both. A sleeping fungal giant that has to be carefully scaled without waking him

>>5520593
For a creature that can fly the sleeping fungal giant seems like it would be trivial so
> Both. Transform the room into a bizarre board game hosted by an eccentric game master.

>>5520547
> Both. A sleeping fungal giant that has to be carefully scaled without waking him

>>5520547
> Both. Transform the room into a bizarre board game hosted by an eccentric game master.

>>5520547
> Both. Transform the room into a bizarre board game hosted by an eccentric game master.

>>5520547
>Both. A sleeping fungal giant that has to be carefully scaled without waking him

>>5520547
> Both. Replace the floor with large mushroom cap platforms under the control of a single master fungus. To win you simply have to reach him.

Rolled 2 (1d2)

Coin flip tiebreaker

1. Giant
2. Gamemaster

Personality?

> Cheeky fourth wall breaker
> Bombastic announcer
> Deadpan Snarker
> Write in

>>5521502
>Bombastic announcer

>>5521502
> Bombastic announcer

>>5521502
>> Bombastic announcer

>>5521502
> Bombastic announcer

>>5521502
> Deadpan Snarker

>>5521502
>Bombastic announcer

>>5521502
> Bombastic announcer
> “Let’s get ready to ruuuumbllllllllle!”
> Game pieces start following a set of rules on the board, tailored to each type of piece, while rave music blares in the background and lights start flashing.
One day this world will invent techno nightclubs and rave music. We can do the lights now. The music will come some day in the future.

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>>5521502
Sys hasn't posted anything in 4 days. Nobody posted anything in 2 days, until now.

>>5526110
I'm sure it's gonna be okay... R-right?

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>>5526974
I hope so

> Both. Transform the room into a bizarre board game hosted by an eccentric game master.

The mushroom glade needed some work. Sure, it had served its purpose well, the mushrooms it produced had served well as both weapons and resources to be gathered, but it was little more than a swampy patch of rotting wood.

Neither platforms or a guardian had really felt right...but maybe something with both. Orange light and thick clouds of spores whirled together compacting into a stooped figure, silhouetted by the light. At the same time fungal caps expanded on the floor, forming a multicolored grid of mushroom caps, each large enough for one person to stand on. The smaller original mushrooms crowded up in the gaps between the new large ones. The spore haze cleared at the core got her first look at her nascent guardian. Stumpy fingers curled, the grid of mushrooms mimicking the gesture. The light faded and the spores settled, allowing the core to get her first good look at her new weeping out a short thick arm. The core stifled a giggle. Shiny root like fungi on top formed something like greased back hair on top of a short pear shaped body with short stubby arms and legs. A pair of glittering eyes, all black looked out at the world.

"Madam! Welcome to the game of spores!" The deep voice boomed across the glade, far larger than the fungal creature. "The name's Johnny Fun Guy, and that's a fact!" He waddled across to the center of the 'gameboard' and raised his hands. The circular mushroom caps shuddered and lifted into the air, their color suddenly changing in waves across the glade.

The field of platforms shifted sharply, moving and rising up into a vertical dome that loomed over the glade, Johnny standing in the center. The shroom platforms danced and shimmied, with every movement of the fungal master's hand.

The core applauded politely and the fungal man took a bow. "Very nice Johnny." The core called up the final golden key and it formed a golden chain, settling around the neck of the gamemaster. "Guard it well."

Johnny's laughter boomed across the glade. "Who could refuse an offer from Johnny Fun Guy!? Who would break the rules of my game!?”

The core nodded somberly. “I have someone in mind.”

Somewhere deep in the shining black eyes of Johnny something shimmered red even as the entire playing field turned a deep black.

“And I’ll be waiting madam.”


Sorry about the delay

The core looked across her first floor with a smile. Four unique trials of patience, intelligence, determination, and agility held the keys forward. Another guardian, who hopefully held the power to enforce the rules of whatever form his game ultimately took. It was time to return to the second floor and continue work there.

She had two rooms so far on the second floor, a challenge of greed and dexterity, and a gentle area to rest that had water and fruit, and benches to enjoy them on. She tapped a finger on the side of her face, pondering what to build next...

> A resource room of some sort
> An optional challenge of some sort
> An outright obstacle to advancing further
> Write in

>>5528050
>> A resource room of some sort
Been a while since we added one of these

>>5528050
>A resource room of some sort

>>5528050
>A resource room of some sort

>>5528050
> An optional challenge of some sort
that gives recourses should it be completed

>>5528050
> A resource room of some sort
Desert room. Cacti. Btw, Idrid said we were in her own backyard, how far away from us is her home? If it's close, maybe we could convince her to contract with us and expand our borders to include her home inside it.

>>5528050
>> A resource room of some sort

> Resource Room

The core lifted her presence up, a flurry of branches and leaves passing by until she was hovering in the open space of the second floor. She stretched out a hand and another rope bridge weaved itself into existence with a clatter of boards. Now what to do with this tree...

> A series of wide terraces along the edge
> An open flat space like the rest room
> Within the tree like the flower trial
> Set into two or three large branches off the side of the tree

And of course what to put in it...

> The Dryad Market, selling fruits and herbs to passing adventures
> A tree top fishing pond
> The Raven's Heap, a collection of old bones and metal objects
> The Honey Bee Home
> A nest of silk producing spiders

>>5529049
> Set into two or three large branches off the side of the tree
> The Raven's Heap, a collection of old bones and metal objects

>>5529049
> Set into two or three large branches off the side of the tree
> A nest of silk producing spiders

>>5529049
> Within the tree like the flower trial
> The Honey Bee Home
Make the bees cute and pettable.

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>>5529067
Only if they are giant

>>5529049
> Within the tree like the flower trial
And of course what to put in it...
> The Dryad Market, selling fruits and herbs to passing adventures

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>>5529071
That was my intention.

>>5529151
Then I'll change my vote to support the cute pet bees

>>5529067
Supporting. Though now you have me missing the fuzzbuzzes from Body Horror Quest.

>>5529049
>An open flat space like the rest room
> The Honey Bee Home

>>5529049
> The Honey Bee Home
Make bee larvas an amazing bait to catch the legendary Beesh in the pond

>>5529049
> A series of wide terraces along the edge
> A nest of silk producing spiders

> Bees
> Inside the tree

The core paused to take stock of her materials. Her wolves and squirrels had been busy, a variety of flowers, insects, and wildlife bones had been added to her materials. Spiders, ants, wasps, none of them seemed particularly useful at the moment, although the image of giant spiders entangling Calis in webs did have a certain charm...

The abandoned fragments of a beehive, complete with a fallen queen and several workers though...that could make something interesting. Orange ribbons of light poured out, swirling around the great tree inside and out. On the outside each pass of a ribbon created alcoves and balconies bristling with flowers, each one a riot of blooms.

The dryad stepped out of a tree branch as smoothly as another might walk up a staircase. “It’s beautiful my lady. What will you be placing on the interior?”

The core smiled. “I hope you like bees.”

There was an odd moment disassociation, and the core developed a peculiar sense of being in two places at once,

---

There was an odd moment disassociation, and the core developed a peculiar sense of being in two places at once. She was on the second floor, talking about bees with her Dryad, a Lady Willow apparently, and laughing about Edgar the owl being entangled in vines.

She was also on the first floor watching Ezel, the blonde elven cleric stroll into the Lost Woods, a fishing pole in one hand, a small metal fishing tackle box in the other.

“Hey Lost Garden!” She called out. “Or should I call you Lost? No, and Garden doesn’t really sound right either...” She pursed her lips as she wandered forward through the fog. “Oh well. I’m just here to hit up your fishing spot, so don’t mind me. Unless I’m wandering in the fog for a while I guess. Sere gave me instructions...” She studied her hand. “I’m pretty sure I can get there!”

The core quietly dispatched a squirrel just to be sure.

The dryad nodded. “Noble servants of nature, we will do well together. And of course the beauty of the flowers that sustains them is a boon as well. Apologies my lady, I am Lady Willow, although you may simply call me Willow. Only you. My ability to maintain my bearing has been...sadly lacking lately. My...fellow guardian has a mastery of destabilizing me I’m afraid.”

The core frowned. “I can speak to him about it if you’d like.”

“Oh, that won’t be needed. I daresay he’ll be tangled in the vines for some time.” The woman of bark and leaf tittered into her hand briefly. A low buzz began to fill the air as the inside of the great tree filled with orange mana. “Shall we take a look at your handiwork ma’am?”

The core nodded and shifted its presence into the interior of the great tree, joined moments later by Willow stepping directly out of the wooden interior. A spiral staircase made entirely of beeswax dominated the center of the room, with most of the interior walls covered by massive honeycombs. Hundreds, likely thousands of small bees filled the air, moving in great currents in and out of dozens of tiny windows carved into the sides of the tree. Joining the small bees were a dozen larger bees, each the size of her wolves, working just as diligently. The interior practically vibrated with the sheer intensity of buzzing.

Lady Willow walked up the staircase slowly, occasionally pausing to let a swarm pass by, or one of the larger bees curiously snuffle at an arm, eventually coming to a large wood landing linked to the exit of the hive. “Quite beautiful ma’am. And I see the devious nature of your design at work as well.” She held out a finger letting one of the many free flowing streams of honey gather on her fingertip.

“Oh?”

“The keepers of this hive will care little if a passerby gathers of the free flowing wax and honey, but I’m sure there will exist those greedy enough to attempt to plunder the honeycombs themselves, quite the prize I’m sure, but also sure to anger the hive.”

The core laughed. “I hadn’t really thought about it, but yes, I’m sure the hive will punish the greedy eventually." The core's awareness drifted out of the exit, looking out at the remaining forest. As always, more work remained to be done.

---

“This is the place right? Unnatural fog in the middle of the forest?”

“Yeah, must be. Our little pain in the ass just went in, as oblivious as ever, didn’t even have a weapon, just a fishing pole.”

“Hah! Good. If it’s a garden dungeon it should just stay out of our way. We take this bitch, use her to get the other one, then it’s easy money from there.”

---

Alright, looks like we’re running out of life on this thread, so I’ll see you on the next one.

>>5532217

New thread