Chapter 65: Dungeons Dark and not-so-Perilous
If audio player doesn't work, press Stop then Play button again
Chapter 65: Dungeons Dark and not-so-Perilous
"This is so cool!" Rolly was extremely excited as they entered the dungeon. "Squirmie and I really crave adventuring. Right Squirmie?"
Ben paused for a moment. "It's not quite that bad. We certainly do all of that. But we are killing evil creatures, the bad guys, and that keeps them from overflowing the dungeons."
Ozzy was starting down the hallway, his polearm in hand. "Philosophy discussions later; kill rats now before they kill us.”
The rest of the group got quiet and followed him; Ben and Rolly a couple steps behind and to either side, and Suzette further back, completing a diamond formation. Squirmie fluttered down the corridor, usually a few feet above Rolly's head.
Suzette had a crude map out and was looking at it. "So where to first? The necromancer with the trap fetish is generally to the left. Skartongue, the Rattipede, and Roquefort are down to the right. The center eventually comes to the stairs to the second level and a big village of lesser rat-kin and some named. The bosses can spawn there as well."
Ben looked at the map. "Does it never change? That's convenient."
Suzette pointed to a couple of places. "Small changes, sometimes the tunnels are reversed, or boss rooms are in different places, I have to pick up on details I overhear from the drunken raid members. Timmy ordered everyone to be mum on details."
"Let's go visit our friendly, neighborhood necro-rat. I've been thinking of that set-up of his. There may be an obvious flaw in his plans." Ozzy moved down the hallway, tapping with his weapon along the floor as they went. Just like his first time in, they began hitting traps. The bear-trap variety was most common, but there was also a pendulum trap and a poisoned dart trap.
Luckily, Rolly noticed the slight groove in the stone from the pendulum trap before Ozzy walked into the hidden wire. The dart trap Ben saw coming because of a difference in the paving stones. The traps were not hurting them, but were slowing them down - especially since Ben insisted on looking at the mechanisms. "I want to take some of these apart after we are done. I want all the parts and mechanisms to experiment with." Rolly said he and Squirmy would be happy to come back and help tear the place apart.
They encountered a few patrols of 2-3 rat-kin or skeletons on the way to the necro-rat. At first Suzette was nervous, remembering her own battle with one. Shooting them from behind Ozzy, however, was much easier.
Your Solar Arrow hit Skeletal Rat-kin Warrior.
Skeletal Rat-kin Warrior takes 1.5x damage because this is a Light-based attack.
You have done 144 points of damage to Skeletal Rat-kin Warrior.
She could almost put down a trash-mob skeleton in one casting; Rat-kin took two to three. And the range was huge. Rolly had been right about how much range would do towards keeping her safe. She could reach any of their foes from a distance and not have to get close to the fight.
When they rounded the last corner before the boss room, Ozzy had them hang back. It looked the same as before. The undead puppet was on the throne, with a rug covering a thin strip down the center of the room. Hangings concealed the alcoves where the undead hid.
"Hand me a half dozen oil flasks. I'm going to soak things down some. What's the range on that ignite cantrip? 100 feet?"
Suzette handed him the flasks of oil from her potions bag. "Yes. 100 feet. I should be able to cast from outside the room."
Ozzy went up alone, paying careful attention to where the portcullis had dropped last time. He could see the thin opening in the ceiling. He took a piece of chalk and marked the floor about a foot further out. After that, he took aim for the floor in front of each alcove, and the throne, tossing two flasks at each. The puppet jerked a bit as the oil dripped down onto it.
Ozzy motioned for Suzette to move up. She quickly cast her Ignite cantrip at the three areas with oil. The cantrip barely did damage, even enhanced by the staff; it's main purpose was in setting something on fire. Oil-soaked rags and old carpet flared up immediately. Suzette move back to the others while Ozzy blocked for her, just in case. He also yelled "ReadySetCHARGE" and stamped his feet a bit."
CLANG! The portcullis dropped into the hallway, missing OZZY by a couple of feet.
"HA! I have fooled you again! My clever plan has trapped you morons and it is time to kill you and...where are you? Stupid, stupid humans! Didn't you hear the order to charge?!!"
The curtains and carpet flared, catching fire immediately. All the undead were taking some moderate fire damage. The warriors charged up to the portcullis, followed by the mummy rat-shamans. Ozzy started killing the warriors with his polearm. Suzette moved up and was blasting the rat-shamans. Rolly wandered up behind Ozzy, just watching. Ben uncoiled his whip, ready for what they thought would happen.
Rolly had begun his strange transformation using his 'shepherd powers'. Shiny, black armored plates covered most of his body, and huge scythes burst from his forearms. They'd all seen it a couple of times now, but it was still strange to watch.
"At them my minions of death!" The portcullis raised up. Unfortunately for
Snik'tik Lifethief, his remaining warrior and shaman died almost immediately after that. Ozzy surged into the room, slashing at the necromancer, who easily dodged and targeted him with a life drain. "You are doomed mortals. I shall drain you to heal myself even as my horde rushes here to kill you!"
Ben's whip flipped out and coiled around Snik'tik's ankle as he leaped away from Ozzy. The strike from the whip did negligible damage, but Ben invoked Flaming Brand, which added an additional 40 points of damage against the necromancer.
Squirmie and Rolly double-teamed the off-balance rat-kin as he landed. Squirmie spat a glob of sticky silken strands that glued one of Snik'tik's feet to the floor. Rolly did a double strike, one blow missing, and one hitting.
You hit Snik'tik Lifethief for 100 points of damage.
The rat reciprocated with his life drain against Rolly.
You have been life drained for 2D100 damage. You have lost 46 Health. Your health is temporarily reduced by 46 points. Health 1214/1214.
"Go Away talking bug!! I have manlings to kill. I kill you later."
It was going to have to be much later. As many bosses have found, when the whole party gets a chance to play wack-a-mole, your health goes down quickly. Snik'tik managed to last just a bit longer by constantly draining one or another of the characters, but it was a foregone conclusion and he finally dropped.
Ozzy walked behind the throne, avoiding the area with the trap, and dropped the portcullis again as the rest of the undead showed up. "Ben, why don't you and Suzette practice some of your attack skills on the sitting ducks while we suck down a few potions, and then we can go visit some of the other bosses.
"That was fun. You did great, Squirmie."
"This guy really doesn't have a good set-up, does he?" Ben was hitting one undead after another with his whip, and triggering Flaming Brand. "It's too easy to use the portcullis against him. It should have been a solid door. Or have the other undead come from a hidden hallway behind the throne. As it is, the trap only works once and then it's our trap, not his."
Suzette was tossing one Solar Arrow after another at the shrinking horde of undead. "Very nice for skill training, but I was thinking that myself. The dungeon gets easier and easier as more information is known about it. It would be better if rooms moved around more, or the floorplan was a maze. Maybe if people entered someplace different each time? I can see why players refer to it as "Farming a Dungeon."
You have slain Snik'tik Lifethief, a Level 5 Elite Rat-kin Necromancer.
Ozzy, Ben, Rolly, and Squirmie receive 250 EP towards leveling their class. They also receive 250 EP to be applied to any stat that was used during this fight.
Ozzy, Ben, Rolly, and Squirmie receive 50 EP in any skill used in the dungeon and 50 in its associated stat for killing trash mobs.
Suzette receives 500 EP towards leveling her class. She also receives 500 EP that may be applied to INT.
Suzette receives 100 EP in INT and 100 EP in Light Affinity for killing trash mobs.
Each party member receives a number of Core Skill Points based on their level.
Suzette: 5 Ozzy: 1 Squirmie:1 Rolly: 1 Ben: 1
===========================================================
Weaseltongue the Clever stayed in his hiding spot until the Dungeon keeper and her minions left the area. He'd been following and listening to them for most of the night. He'd taken their advice, found Skar Tongue, and convinced the idiot to ambush instead of just yelling and charging the first chance he got. And it had almost worked. The advice was very good. He needed to make it down to the Under Rodent and face her wrath.
The path to the Under Rodent was clear. The humans were destroying the snapped traps for some reason. Did they think they wouldn't respawn when Snik'Tik returned? Who knew why humans did human things? Down the long, spiral stair he went - his best trap! The Big Rat had been fed recently and didn't eat him. Still, he breathed a sigh of relief when he got past it and could go even further downward to the throne room. She was reclining on her horde and talking with the mayor of the long ears. He waited his turn, made his report, and expected to feel her fangs sink into his poor little body. When he wasn't dead immediately, he opened an eye.
She was just finishing eating the Mayor, taking out her frustration on the long ear and not on Weaseltongue. Her voice was deep and threatening, her claws sharp and her ears beautiful. "The dungeon keeper’s rebukes sting and make us rage. She sees the flaws in the design, and brings a few minions to brutally point them out. If they had come lower tonight, I would kill them all in my rage."
"But she is being helpful. The upper levels really are poorly designed and full of idiots. My predecessor is to blame, but I should have fixed things during the long sleep. You were wise, my little Weaseltongue, both to test her advice in the last fight, and then to brave my wrath. I name you Weaseltongue the VERY clever. You are now in charge of the first level. Make them fear your name."
"Draw four barrels of the dark mana from our storage and use it to make your new designs."
Weaseltongue the VERY Clever retreated and ran to find his new minions. He had so much work to do! He barely stopped to do the happy weasel dance; he was so busy.
===========================================================
The loot was a bit mediocre. They decided to pool it all, split the money, and take turns picking things. Each party member ended up with 3 gold and 7 silver. A gold went to pay back Suzette for the dungeon fee.
Suzette went first and took a small gold ring that added +1 to mitigation.
Ben took a bag of magical apples that would make a horse run like the wind for an hour.
Rolly took all the cheese. It was in several varieties and came to about 20 pounds.
Squirmy claimed Skar Tongues severed tongue and began eating it noisily.
Ozzy picked up the last item - a bent copper tube with a cap on the end. Inside was a scroll with various sigils and runes. "Looks like a spell. Light based, level 1. Called Dance of the Fireflies. "
Suzette looked up from admiring her new ring. "A spell? I will trade you my finely wrought Ring of minor Protection for that little spell you obviously can't use."
Ozzy grinned evilly, "Can't use? I'll have you know, woman, that I had a point of radiance before you did."
Suzette just flipped him the ring. "And do you want more? That's what will happen if you start casting light spells. And angels! Remember the annoying angels!"
"You win." He handed her the spell.
Everyone else went off to bed or their late-night activities. Rolly and Squirmie were bugging Ozzy to kill them a sedge beast and cut it up for a snack. Suzette went up to the tavern. She lit a candle, poured a glass of wine and pondered the message that had appeared as they left the dungeon.
To Suzette, keeper of my dungeon,
Greetings. Few are brave enough to face my wrath by criticizing my beautiful dungeon. Fewer still offer advice on how to improve it. We may still eat your liver someday, but for now, accept our rewards for your sage advice and proof of your concepts.
We look forward to speaking with you again.
Her most terrible Majesty, Architect of the Dark Dungeon of Bludgeon, Cheese Warden of Gadobhra, and Queen of those who lurk beneath, Wispyburble the Under Rodent.
You have received 8 core skill points.
Congratulations!
You have aided a powerful and terrible creature, shown you can manage at level 1 dungeon, cooked meat muffins and new brews, poisoned friends, mixed your alchemy with your beer, seen the Light of Ra and heard the Laughter of Hermes. You may progress to the second Tier.
Possible Classes include:
Contract Worker - Apprentice Barmaid
More of the same: gain +1 AGI, +1 DEX, +1 CHR and 2 stats of your choice.
Contract Worker - Priestess of Hermes, God of all things Cool
+5 stats, toss them where ever you think is cool. Gain an aspect of magic.
Contract Worker - Sorceress of the Light
Glow with inner light, fight the dark, learn to fly! (wings not included).
+2 RAD, +2 CHR, +2 INT
Charming Assassin Contract Worker - Tavern Keeper
+2 Dex, +2 CHR, +2 AG,
More of the same, only you're the boss.
Contract Worker - Apprentice Alchemist
Potions, poisons, and more potions.
+3 Dex, +3 Con, increased resistances, add knowledge: Chemistry
Succubus of Gadobhra
The position is open, why not apply?
+5 CHR, +5 AGI, +5 COR
Please report us if you find any errors so we can fix it asap!
Chapter 65: Dungeons Dark and not-so-Perilous
"This is so cool!" Rolly was extremely excited as they entered the dungeon. "Squirmie and I really crave adventuring. Right Squirmie?"
Ben paused for a moment. "It's not quite that bad. We certainly do all of that. But we are killing evil creatures, the bad guys, and that keeps them from overflowing the dungeons."
Ozzy was starting down the hallway, his polearm in hand. "Philosophy discussions later; kill rats now before they kill us.”
The rest of the group got quiet and followed him; Ben and Rolly a couple steps behind and to either side, and Suzette further back, completing a diamond formation. Squirmie fluttered down the corridor, usually a few feet above Rolly's head.
Suzette had a crude map out and was looking at it. "So where to first? The necromancer with the trap fetish is generally to the left. Skartongue, the Rattipede, and Roquefort are down to the right. The center eventually comes to the stairs to the second level and a big village of lesser rat-kin and some named. The bosses can spawn there as well."
Ben looked at the map. "Does it never change? That's convenient."
Suzette pointed to a couple of places. "Small changes, sometimes the tunnels are reversed, or boss rooms are in different places, I have to pick up on details I overhear from the drunken raid members. Timmy ordered everyone to be mum on details."
"Let's go visit our friendly, neighborhood necro-rat. I've been thinking of that set-up of his. There may be an obvious flaw in his plans." Ozzy moved down the hallway, tapping with his weapon along the floor as they went. Just like his first time in, they began hitting traps. The bear-trap variety was most common, but there was also a pendulum trap and a poisoned dart trap.
Luckily, Rolly noticed the slight groove in the stone from the pendulum trap before Ozzy walked into the hidden wire. The dart trap Ben saw coming because of a difference in the paving stones. The traps were not hurting them, but were slowing them down - especially since Ben insisted on looking at the mechanisms. "I want to take some of these apart after we are done. I want all the parts and mechanisms to experiment with." Rolly said he and Squirmy would be happy to come back and help tear the place apart.
They encountered a few patrols of 2-3 rat-kin or skeletons on the way to the necro-rat. At first Suzette was nervous, remembering her own battle with one. Shooting them from behind Ozzy, however, was much easier.
Your Solar Arrow hit Skeletal Rat-kin Warrior.
Skeletal Rat-kin Warrior takes 1.5x damage because this is a Light-based attack.
You have done 144 points of damage to Skeletal Rat-kin Warrior.
She could almost put down a trash-mob skeleton in one casting; Rat-kin took two to three. And the range was huge. Rolly had been right about how much range would do towards keeping her safe. She could reach any of their foes from a distance and not have to get close to the fight.
When they rounded the last corner before the boss room, Ozzy had them hang back. It looked the same as before. The undead puppet was on the throne, with a rug covering a thin strip down the center of the room. Hangings concealed the alcoves where the undead hid.
"Hand me a half dozen oil flasks. I'm going to soak things down some. What's the range on that ignite cantrip? 100 feet?"
Suzette handed him the flasks of oil from her potions bag. "Yes. 100 feet. I should be able to cast from outside the room."
Ozzy went up alone, paying careful attention to where the portcullis had dropped last time. He could see the thin opening in the ceiling. He took a piece of chalk and marked the floor about a foot further out. After that, he took aim for the floor in front of each alcove, and the throne, tossing two flasks at each. The puppet jerked a bit as the oil dripped down onto it.
Ozzy motioned for Suzette to move up. She quickly cast her Ignite cantrip at the three areas with oil. The cantrip barely did damage, even enhanced by the staff; it's main purpose was in setting something on fire. Oil-soaked rags and old carpet flared up immediately. Suzette move back to the others while Ozzy blocked for her, just in case. He also yelled "ReadySetCHARGE" and stamped his feet a bit."
CLANG! The portcullis dropped into the hallway, missing OZZY by a couple of feet.
"HA! I have fooled you again! My clever plan has trapped you morons and it is time to kill you and...where are you? Stupid, stupid humans! Didn't you hear the order to charge?!!"
The curtains and carpet flared, catching fire immediately. All the undead were taking some moderate fire damage. The warriors charged up to the portcullis, followed by the mummy rat-shamans. Ozzy started killing the warriors with his polearm. Suzette moved up and was blasting the rat-shamans. Rolly wandered up behind Ozzy, just watching. Ben uncoiled his whip, ready for what they thought would happen.
Rolly had begun his strange transformation using his 'shepherd powers'. Shiny, black armored plates covered most of his body, and huge scythes burst from his forearms. They'd all seen it a couple of times now, but it was still strange to watch.
"At them my minions of death!" The portcullis raised up. Unfortunately for
Snik'tik Lifethief, his remaining warrior and shaman died almost immediately after that. Ozzy surged into the room, slashing at the necromancer, who easily dodged and targeted him with a life drain. "You are doomed mortals. I shall drain you to heal myself even as my horde rushes here to kill you!"
Ben's whip flipped out and coiled around Snik'tik's ankle as he leaped away from Ozzy. The strike from the whip did negligible damage, but Ben invoked Flaming Brand, which added an additional 40 points of damage against the necromancer.
Squirmie and Rolly double-teamed the off-balance rat-kin as he landed. Squirmie spat a glob of sticky silken strands that glued one of Snik'tik's feet to the floor. Rolly did a double strike, one blow missing, and one hitting.
You hit Snik'tik Lifethief for 100 points of damage.
The rat reciprocated with his life drain against Rolly.
You have been life drained for 2D100 damage. You have lost 46 Health. Your health is temporarily reduced by 46 points. Health 1214/1214.
"Go Away talking bug!! I have manlings to kill. I kill you later."
It was going to have to be much later. As many bosses have found, when the whole party gets a chance to play wack-a-mole, your health goes down quickly. Snik'tik managed to last just a bit longer by constantly draining one or another of the characters, but it was a foregone conclusion and he finally dropped.
Ozzy walked behind the throne, avoiding the area with the trap, and dropped the portcullis again as the rest of the undead showed up. "Ben, why don't you and Suzette practice some of your attack skills on the sitting ducks while we suck down a few potions, and then we can go visit some of the other bosses.
"That was fun. You did great, Squirmie."
"This guy really doesn't have a good set-up, does he?" Ben was hitting one undead after another with his whip, and triggering Flaming Brand. "It's too easy to use the portcullis against him. It should have been a solid door. Or have the other undead come from a hidden hallway behind the throne. As it is, the trap only works once and then it's our trap, not his."
Suzette was tossing one Solar Arrow after another at the shrinking horde of undead. "Very nice for skill training, but I was thinking that myself. The dungeon gets easier and easier as more information is known about it. It would be better if rooms moved around more, or the floorplan was a maze. Maybe if people entered someplace different each time? I can see why players refer to it as "Farming a Dungeon."
You have slain Snik'tik Lifethief, a Level 5 Elite Rat-kin Necromancer.
Ozzy, Ben, Rolly, and Squirmie receive 250 EP towards leveling their class. They also receive 250 EP to be applied to any stat that was used during this fight.
Ozzy, Ben, Rolly, and Squirmie receive 50 EP in any skill used in the dungeon and 50 in its associated stat for killing trash mobs.
Suzette receives 500 EP towards leveling her class. She also receives 500 EP that may be applied to INT.
Suzette receives 100 EP in INT and 100 EP in Light Affinity for killing trash mobs.
Each party member receives a number of Core Skill Points based on their level.
Suzette: 5 Ozzy: 1 Squirmie:1 Rolly: 1 Ben: 1
===========================================================
Weaseltongue the Clever stayed in his hiding spot until the Dungeon keeper and her minions left the area. He'd been following and listening to them for most of the night. He'd taken their advice, found Skar Tongue, and convinced the idiot to ambush instead of just yelling and charging the first chance he got. And it had almost worked. The advice was very good. He needed to make it down to the Under Rodent and face her wrath.
The path to the Under Rodent was clear. The humans were destroying the snapped traps for some reason. Did they think they wouldn't respawn when Snik'Tik returned? Who knew why humans did human things? Down the long, spiral stair he went - his best trap! The Big Rat had been fed recently and didn't eat him. Still, he breathed a sigh of relief when he got past it and could go even further downward to the throne room. She was reclining on her horde and talking with the mayor of the long ears. He waited his turn, made his report, and expected to feel her fangs sink into his poor little body. When he wasn't dead immediately, he opened an eye.
She was just finishing eating the Mayor, taking out her frustration on the long ear and not on Weaseltongue. Her voice was deep and threatening, her claws sharp and her ears beautiful. "The dungeon keeper’s rebukes sting and make us rage. She sees the flaws in the design, and brings a few minions to brutally point them out. If they had come lower tonight, I would kill them all in my rage."
"But she is being helpful. The upper levels really are poorly designed and full of idiots. My predecessor is to blame, but I should have fixed things during the long sleep. You were wise, my little Weaseltongue, both to test her advice in the last fight, and then to brave my wrath. I name you Weaseltongue the VERY clever. You are now in charge of the first level. Make them fear your name."
"Draw four barrels of the dark mana from our storage and use it to make your new designs."
Weaseltongue the VERY Clever retreated and ran to find his new minions. He had so much work to do! He barely stopped to do the happy weasel dance; he was so busy.
===========================================================
The loot was a bit mediocre. They decided to pool it all, split the money, and take turns picking things. Each party member ended up with 3 gold and 7 silver. A gold went to pay back Suzette for the dungeon fee.
Suzette went first and took a small gold ring that added +1 to mitigation.
Ben took a bag of magical apples that would make a horse run like the wind for an hour.
Rolly took all the cheese. It was in several varieties and came to about 20 pounds.
Squirmy claimed Skar Tongues severed tongue and began eating it noisily.
Ozzy picked up the last item - a bent copper tube with a cap on the end. Inside was a scroll with various sigils and runes. "Looks like a spell. Light based, level 1. Called Dance of the Fireflies. "
Suzette looked up from admiring her new ring. "A spell? I will trade you my finely wrought Ring of minor Protection for that little spell you obviously can't use."
Ozzy grinned evilly, "Can't use? I'll have you know, woman, that I had a point of radiance before you did."
Suzette just flipped him the ring. "And do you want more? That's what will happen if you start casting light spells. And angels! Remember the annoying angels!"
"You win." He handed her the spell.
Everyone else went off to bed or their late-night activities. Rolly and Squirmie were bugging Ozzy to kill them a sedge beast and cut it up for a snack. Suzette went up to the tavern. She lit a candle, poured a glass of wine and pondered the message that had appeared as they left the dungeon.
To Suzette, keeper of my dungeon,
Greetings. Few are brave enough to face my wrath by criticizing my beautiful dungeon. Fewer still offer advice on how to improve it. We may still eat your liver someday, but for now, accept our rewards for your sage advice and proof of your concepts.
We look forward to speaking with you again.
Her most terrible Majesty, Architect of the Dark Dungeon of Bludgeon, Cheese Warden of Gadobhra, and Queen of those who lurk beneath, Wispyburble the Under Rodent.
You have received 8 core skill points.
Congratulations!
You have aided a powerful and terrible creature, shown you can manage at level 1 dungeon, cooked meat muffins and new brews, poisoned friends, mixed your alchemy with your beer, seen the Light of Ra and heard the Laughter of Hermes. You may progress to the second Tier.
Possible Classes include:
Contract Worker - Apprentice Barmaid
More of the same: gain +1 AGI, +1 DEX, +1 CHR and 2 stats of your choice.
Contract Worker - Priestess of Hermes, God of all things Cool
+5 stats, toss them where ever you think is cool. Gain an aspect of magic.
Contract Worker - Sorceress of the Light
Glow with inner light, fight the dark, learn to fly! (wings not included).
+2 RAD, +2 CHR, +2 INT
Charming Assassin Contract Worker - Tavern Keeper
+2 Dex, +2 CHR, +2 AG,
More of the same, only you're the boss.
Contract Worker - Apprentice Alchemist
Potions, poisons, and more potions.
+3 Dex, +3 Con, increased resistances, add knowledge: Chemistry
Succubus of Gadobhra
The position is open, why not apply?
+5 CHR, +5 AGI, +5 COR
Chapter 65: Dungeons Dark and not-so-Perilous"This is so cool!" Rolly was extremely excited as they entered the dungeon. "Squirmie and I really crave adventuring. Right Squirmie?"Ben paused for a moment. "It's not quite that bad. We certainly do all of that. But we are killing evil creatures, the bad guys, and that keeps them from overflowing the dungeons."Ozzy was starting down the hallway, his polearm in hand. "Philosophy discussions later; kill rats now before they kill us.The rest of the group got quiet and followed him; Ben and Rolly a couple steps behind and to either side, and Suzette further back, completing a diamond formation. Squirmie fluttered down the corridor, usually a few feet above Rolly's head.Suzette had a crude map out and was looking at it. "So where to first? The necromancer with the trap fetish is generally to the left. Skartongue, the Rattipede, and Roquefort are down to the right. The center eventually comes to the stairs to the second level and a big village of lesser rat-kin and some named. The bosses can spawn there as well."Ben looked at the map. "Does it never change? That's convenient."Suzette pointed to a couple of places. "Small changes, sometimes the tunnels are reversed, or boss rooms are in different places, I have to pick up on details I overhear from the drunken raid members. Timmy ordered everyone to be mum on details.""Let's go visit our friendly, neighborhood necro-rat. I've been thinking of that set-up of his. There may be an obvious flaw in his plans." Ozzy moved down the hallway, tapping with his weapon along the floor as they went. Just like his first time in, they began hitting traps. The bear-trap variety was most common, but there was also a pendulum trap and a poisoned dart trap.Luckily, Rolly noticed the slight groove in the stone from the pendulum trap before Ozzy walked into the hidden wire. The dart trap Ben saw coming because of a difference in the paving stones. The traps were not hurting them, but were slowing them down - especially since Ben insisted on looking at the mechanisms. "I want to take some of these apart after we are done. I want all the parts and mechanisms to experiment with." Rolly said he and Squirmy would be happy to come back and help tear the place apart. They encountered a few patrols of 2-3 rat-kin or skeletons on the way to the necro-rat. At first Suzette was nervous, remembering her own battle with one. Shooting them from behind Ozzy, however, was much easier.Your Solar Arrow hit Skeletal Rat-kin Warrior. Skeletal Rat-kin Warrior takes 1.5x damage because this is a Light-based attack.You have done 144 points of damage to Skeletal Rat-kin Warrior.She could almost put down a trash-mob skeleton in one casting; Rat-kin took two to three. And the range was huge. Rolly had been right about how much range would do towards keeping her safe. She could reach any of their foes from a distance and not have to get close to the fight. When they rounded the last corner before the boss room, Ozzy had them hang back. It looked the same as before. The undead puppet was on the throne, with a rug covering a thin strip down the center of the room. Hangings concealed the alcoves where the undead hid. "Hand me a half dozen oil flasks. I'm going to soak things down some. What's the range on that ignite cantrip? 100 feet?"Suzette handed him the flasks of oil from her potions bag. "Yes. 100 feet. I should be able to cast from outside the room."Ozzy went up alone, paying careful attention to where the portcullis had dropped last time. He could see the thin opening in the ceiling. He took a piece of chalk and marked the floor about a foot further out. After that, he took aim for the floor in front of each alcove, and the throne, tossing two flasks at each. The puppet jerked a bit as the oil dripped down onto it. Ozzy motioned for Suzette to move up. She quickly cast her Ignite cantrip at the three areas with oil. The cantrip barely did damage, even enhanced by the staff; it's main purpose was in setting something on fire. Oil-soaked rags and old carpet flared up immediately. Suzette move back to the others while Ozzy blocked for her, just in case. He also yelled "ReadySetCHARGE" and stamped his feet a bit." CLANG! The portcullis dropped into the hallway, missing OZZY by a couple of feet."HA! I have fooled you again! My clever plan has trapped you morons and it is time to kill you and...where are you? Stupid, stupid humans! Didn't you hear the order to charge?!!"The curtains and carpet flared, catching fire immediately. All the undead were taking some moderate fire damage. The warriors charged up to the portcullis, followed by the mummy rat-shamans. Ozzy started killing the warriors with his polearm. Suzette moved up and was blasting the rat-shamans. Rolly wandered up behind Ozzy, just watching. Ben uncoiled his whip, ready for what they thought would happen.Rolly had begun his strange transformation using his 'shepherd powers'. Shiny, black armored plates covered most of his body, and huge scythes burst from his forearms. They'd all seen it a couple of times now, but it was still strange to watch. "At them my minions of death!" The portcullis raised up. Unfortunately for Snik'tik Lifethief, his remaining warrior and shaman died almost immediately after that. Ozzy surged into the room, slashing at the necromancer, who easily dodged and targeted him with a life drain. "You are doomed mortals. I shall drain you to heal myself even as my horde rushes here to kill you!"Ben's whip flipped out and coiled around Snik'tik's ankle as he leaped away from Ozzy. The strike from the whip did negligible damage, but Ben invoked Flaming Brand, which added an additional 40 points of damage against the necromancer. Squirmie and Rolly double-teamed the off-balance rat-kin as he landed. Squirmie spat a glob of sticky silken strands that glued one of Snik'tik's feet to the floor. Rolly did a double strike, one blow missing, and one hitting.You hit Snik'tik Lifethief for 100 points of damage.The rat reciprocated with his life drain against Rolly.You have been life drained for 2D100 damage. You have lost 46 Health. Your health is temporarily reduced by 46 points. Health 1214/1214."Go Away talking bug!! I have manlings to kill. I kill you later."It was going to have to be much later. As many bosses have found, when the whole party gets a chance to play wack-a-mole, your health goes down quickly. Snik'tik managed to last just a bit longer by constantly draining one or another of the characters, but it was a foregone conclusion and he finally dropped. Ozzy walked behind the throne, avoiding the area with the trap, and dropped the portcullis again as the rest of the undead showed up. "Ben, why don't you and Suzette practice some of your attack skills on the sitting ducks while we suck down a few potions, and then we can go visit some of the other bosses. "That was fun. You did great, Squirmie.""This guy really doesn't have a good set-up, does he?" Ben was hitting one undead after another with his whip, and triggering Flaming Brand. "It's too easy to use the portcullis against him. It should have been a solid door. Or have the other undead come from a hidden hallway behind the throne. As it is, the trap only works once and then it's our trap, not his."Suzette was tossing one Solar Arrow after another at the shrinking horde of undead. "Very nice for skill training, but I was thinking that myself. The dungeon gets easier and easier as more information is known about it. It would be better if rooms moved around more, or the floorplan was a maze. Maybe if people entered someplace different each time? I can see why players refer to it as "Farming a Dungeon."You have slain Snik'tik Lifethief, a Level 5 Elite Rat-kin Necromancer.Ozzy, Ben, Rolly, and Squirmie receive 250 EP towards leveling their class. They also receive 250 EP to be applied to any stat that was used during this fight.Ozzy, Ben, Rolly, and Squirmie receive 50 EP in any skill used in the dungeon and 50 in its associated stat for killing trash mobs. Suzette receives 500 EP towards leveling her class. She also receives 500 EP that may be applied to INT.Suzette receives 100 EP in INT and 100 EP in Light Affinity for killing trash mobs.Each party member receives a number of Core Skill Points based on their level.Suzette: 5 Ozzy: 1 Squirmie:1 Rolly: 1 Ben: 1===========================================================Weaseltongue the Clever stayed in his hiding spot until the Dungeon keeper and her minions left the area. He'd been following and listening to them for most of the night. He'd taken their advice, found Skar Tongue, and convinced the idiot to ambush instead of just yelling and charging the first chance he got. And it had almost worked. The advice was very good. He needed to make it down to the Under Rodent and face her wrath. The path to the Under Rodent was clear. The humans were destroying the snapped traps for some reason. Did they think they wouldn't respawn when Snik'Tik returned? Who knew why humans did human things? Down the long, spiral stair he went - his best trap! The Big Rat had been fed recently and didn't eat him. Still, he breathed a sigh of relief when he got past it and could go even further downward to the throne room. She was reclining on her horde and talking with the mayor of the long ears. He waited his turn, made his report, and expected to feel her fangs sink into his poor little body. When he wasn't dead immediately, he opened an eye.She was just finishing eating the Mayor, taking out her frustration on the long ear and not on Weaseltongue. Her voice was deep and threatening, her claws sharp and her ears beautiful. "The dungeon keeper's rebukes sting and make us rage. She sees the flaws in the design, and brings a few minions to brutally point them out. If they had come lower tonight, I would kill them all in my rage.""But she is being helpful. The upper levels really are poorly designed and full of idiots. My predecessor is to blame, but I should have fixed things during the long sleep. You were wise, my little Weaseltongue, both to test her advice in the last fight, and then to brave my wrath. I name you Weaseltongue the VERY clever. You are now in charge of the first level. Make them fear your name.""Draw four barrels of the dark mana from our storage and use it to make your new designs."Weaseltongue the VERY Clever retreated and ran to find his new minions. He had so much work to do! He barely stopped to do the happy weasel dance; he was so busy.===========================================================The loot was a bit mediocre. They decided to pool it all, split the money, and take turns picking things. Each party member ended up with 3 gold and 7 silver. A gold went to pay back Suzette for the dungeon fee.Suzette went first and took a small gold ring that added +1 to mitigation.Ben took a bag of magical apples that would make a horse run like the wind for an hour. Rolly took all the cheese. It was in several varieties and came to about 20 pounds. Squirmy claimed Skar Tongues severed tongue and began eating it noisily. Ozzy picked up the last item - a bent copper tube with a cap on the end. Inside was a scroll with various sigils and runes. "Looks like a spell. Light based, level 1. Called Dance of the Fireflies. "Suzette looked up from admiring her new ring. "A spell? I will trade you my finely wrought Ring of minor Protection for that little spell you obviously can't use."Ozzy grinned evilly, "Can't use? I'll have you know, woman, that I had a point of radiance before you did." Suzette just flipped him the ring. "And do you want more? That's what will happen if you start casting light spells. And angels! Remember the annoying angels!" "You win." He handed her the spell. Everyone else went off to bed or their late-night activities. Rolly and Squirmie were bugging Ozzy to kill them a sedge beast and cut it up for a snack. Suzette went up to the tavern. She lit a candle, poured a glass of wine and pondered the message that had appeared as they left the dungeon.To Suzette, keeper of my dungeon, Greetings. Few are brave enough to face my wrath by criticizing my beautiful dungeon. Fewer still offer advice on how to improve it. We may still eat your liver someday, but for now, accept our rewards for your sage advice and proof of your concepts. We look forward to speaking with you again.Her most terrible Majesty, Architect of the Dark Dungeon of Bludgeon, Cheese Warden of Gadobhra, and Queen of those who lurk beneath, Wispyburble the Under Rodent. You have received 8 core skill points.Congratulations!You have aided a powerful and terrible creature, shown you can manage at level 1 dungeon, cooked meat muffins and new brews, poisoned friends, mixed your alchemy with your beer, seen the Light of Ra and heard the Laughter of Hermes. You may progress to the second Tier. Possible Classes include: Contract Worker - Apprentice Barmaid More of the same: gain +1 AGI, +1 DEX, +1 CHR and 2 stats of your choice. Contract Worker - Priestess of Hermes, God of all things Cool+5 stats, toss them where ever you think is cool. Gain an aspect of magic.Contract Worker - Sorceress of the LightGlow with inner light, fight the dark, learn to fly! wings not included.+2 RAD, +2 CHR, +2 INTCharming Assassin Contract Worker - Tavern Keeper+2 Dex, +2 CHR, +2 AG, More of the same, only you're the boss.Contract Worker - Apprentice AlchemistPotions, poisons, and more potions.+3 Dex, +3 Con, increased resistances, add knowledge: ChemistrySuccubus of GadobhraThe position is open, why not apply?+5 CHR, +5 AGI, +5 COR
