《Modern day Dungeon》 Death by Trunk. I seethed in quiet frustration as I sucked the cut on my thumb, glaring at the rotted and rusted chest sitting on the desk in front of me. Oh yeah I''ll go and get grandpas old war chest, no problem mom! Oh? What''s that? You just want the jewel inside of it? No problem mom! It''s not a problem at all! I want to spend three days driving your shitty ass car to drive 3 states over to your dads old and abandoned house! I snorted at the thought of actually agreeing to come out here to the middle of no where to grab some old family heirloom. If she wants it so much why can''t she come out here herself? Now... how to open this thing? It''s rotten but rusted, the metal edges jagged and sharp, my bleeding thumb proving that. But maybe... I could just let it fall to ground right? The impact should shatter it like an egg on concrete. I nodded in acceptance at my brilliant logic and slowly began to pull the rotted chest to the edge of the desk when it happened. The earth began to rumble and shake as though a sleeping giant had awoken from a deep slumber, it''s body moving the land as it slowly awakened. I watched in muted terror as I fell to the ground, the rotted and rusted chest transformed into a hideous abomination with teeth longer then my head and a tongue longer then I swept from its maw and engulfed my head and for a instant I knew true pain before all became black. XXXXXXXXXXXLineBreakXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX I looked into the abyss in silent apathy. Time has long since become meaningless. For all I know I could have been here for hours or weeks. As time passed however I did something useful as I floated in the endless expanse of darkness. I rethought my life. While it''s something I''d never do in normal circumstances, it''s all I can do to stay sane right now. My name is Bartholomew Paisley, a 18 year old midget with more then a few anger management problems, though I can probably ve forgiven on that account due to my childhood. My father abandoned my family when I was six, quite literally for me actually as he left me at the park, never returning. I was there for two days before mom found me, cold and hungry under the slide. After that day my mother became much more distant, preferring to work then come home to me and my sister Cassidy. She came home to drop off groceries and money for the two of us, leaving a incompetent baby sitter to watch over us. My sister left me 2 years ago after skipping 2 grades and graduating high school, deciding to go and see the world on her own and breaking our promise to always be there for each other. That''s when my anger began to get the best of me. My doctors said that my blood pressure was so high I was able to have a fucking heart attack if it got any higher! And then mother called and asked me to come and get that damn jewel from granddads chest in the basement. Looking back I amounted to nothing. I could barely pay my rent, my last girlfriend left me and I was killed by a piece of furniture. What a joke.... If only I was alive. I''d try and actually BE someone then just sit around and get angry.
Hello [DUNGEON]! Your body has died near the Jewel of Genesis! As such instead of the afterlife you have been chosen to become the first dungeon of this world.Your mission is to grow and gather mana. The most efficient way to do this, and your only real option at the moment, is by killing those who enter the dungeon and absorbing new items. Please survive for awhile, finding a new dungeon master will be a struggle.
Choose a starting race:
Kobolds: A highly aggressive, semi intelligent species with draconian blood flowing through their veins. Their draconian blood gives them a physical boost but are severely weak to cold and ice. Low evolution potential, medium breeding speed.
Animals: Start with a series of small animals. Though small they are highly receptive to your mana and changes in the environment. Variable breeding speed and unknown evolution potential.
Automations: Rare starting monster. While they have little intelligence, automations are a starting species with the most loyalty to the dungeon master. They are stronger then the other starting species but can only think on a simplistic set of patterns such as ''Attack those who enter'' and ''Defend this spot''. Extremely slow breeding speed. Medium Evolution Potential.
Undead: Scary and despised the undead are a weak starting race that depends on numbers to start while bringing heavy hitters later in their evolution. Breed by gaining corpses. Medium Evolution Potential.
Plants: Start with a small group of commonly found plants. Highly receptive to both your mana and the environment. While they have no intelligence and little instinct their loyalty is iron clad. Unknown evolution potential. Variable breeding speed.
Slimes: Uncommon starting race. Slimes are slow moving blobs of slime, eating everything they touch. Overtime they adapt to best survive their environment. Slow breeding speed. High evolution potential.
Demons: Rare Starting monster: While not actual demons, due to their resemblance to, and their own appearances for some, they have often been seen as demonic creatures. Imps are small creatures with sharp claws and teeth. Medium breeding speed. High evolution potential.
Elementals: Rare Starting Species. Elementals are physical representation of the 5 elements; Fire, Water, Earth, Wind and Lightning. They take time to grow but are powerful magic users at later stages. Slow breeding speed. Medium evolution potential.
Choose a boon.
Dungeon loyalty: Any monster you create shall be completely loyal to you. Contracted monsters shall become loyal to you over a long period of time.
All other options have been sealed from you.
What is your name?
I starred at the screens for what felt like ages. I died near the Jewel of Genesis? But the only jewel I was around was Granddads... jewel... Did mom know about this? Is that why she wanted me to get it? No no, that doesn''t matter right now. My wish was granted! I''ll be someone all right with this! I''ll be a fucking DUNGEON MASTER and make my name known to the world!
A voice in the void. I contemplated each option for my starting race with care, going over the pros and cons of each race with the information provided to me. Oh who was I kidding? I couldn''t figure out which to select, each option looked at the very least somewhat decent to me. I mean even the plant option sounds good if you think about it! I was shocked out of my thoughts when a small grey light appeared in front of me. And inside of of its bright glow was a slim and genderless being, looking over my options for the starting races. "Hmm let''s see what this little guy has to use." It mumbled, it''s voice light and gentle but as genderless as the rest of its mannequin like body. "Demon, elemental and automations? Oh just wait till mom hears this! There''s no way Jessie can find a partner better then mine! It exclaimed as it began to an admittedly cute little celebration dance. I would have smirked if I could when it''s eyes found me, freezing mid celebration in shock. So it finally noticed me huh? Now time for some answers! And I still can''t talk... shit! "Oh no, I can hear you little guy." It spoke as it began floating closer to me as it gave me a once over, confusion clear in its eyes. Spoiler: Spoiler "Not a dungeon master but it doesn''t have the ignorance or mindlessness like a regular new born. So what is my little dungeon?" It began mumbling to itself, to low for me to hear. I however ignored it as I tried to process the fact that it could READ MY MIND! It giggled behind its hand as it shook its head. "Your speaking aloud, you do know that right?" I am? Oh... well then. Well whatever! I still wanna know who this person is and why it''s trying to choose my minions for me! It''s gonna explain itself or I''m gonna.... do.... something!This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. It laughed once more before floating up to me and sat with its legs crossed as it began to speak to me. "Well my little dungeon, I''m a Dungeon Spirit. I''m basically an assistant to dungeons like you, teaching you and helping you make your dungeon as you need it." So I got an assistant now? I always wanted one of those but I never actually had a reason to get one. But more importantly if it''s here to help me then maybe it''ll have more information on the starting races I have to choose from. Even a little more information can help me make my choice. "Ok ok, calm down a little. I''ll tell you what I know about your the minions you can select." It said, a smile gracing its androgynous face. "First you have Kobolds. They have are a decent option and are a common choice for dungeons. They have a decent balance between offence and defense once you get a kobold blacksmith and once they start breeding there''s a 1 in 100 chance of a kobold being born with the ability to use magic. Animals are a good choice for dungeons out in the wild, farther from civilization. While they take a few weeks to ve of any use they have more evolutions then most other selections. The Automations are good if you want your monsters to be more defense based. They tend to be a bit slow but they are rather strong and sturdy. Sadly many of the beginning evolutions of them are either very stupid or can only follow simple commands. The undead are a unpopular choice due to the attention it brings by religious orders. Quite a few dungeons have been destroyed due to them. However if you have a good supply of bodies and a good foundation the undead are a good choice. While the beginning monsters are best kept in groups there is a good balance of magic users and non magic users. Plants, like animals, are best chosen as a starting race when the dungeon is far from civilization to build up your monsters. On the other hand, like animals, they have many choices for evolutions. But they excel at poisoning and other debilitating conditions. Slimes are in my opinion, not that great of a starting race. Maybe as a second or third but not as the dungeons main monster species. While they are great against physical attacks if their core is so much as touched by an outside source or a team with a mage comes it''s going to be a hard fight to win. The demons are... well it''s certain that most religious orders will try and destroy you. They are however very oriented towards magic. And finally the elemantals. These are beings of magic, manipulating the element they are made of. If you want a dungeon focused on elemental magic then this is your choice. They do however take awhile to breed. I would start warning you of the dangers of each option but with the dungeon loyalty boon that won''t be a problem for you." It finished, taking a few deep breathes to catch it''s breath after its massive info dump. I''m actually somewhat surprised at the amount of information I was given. But with it I''ve finally decided on which race of minions I''m going to select. The making of a dungeon. (Part 1)
You have selected Animals as your starting race.
"Oh, your going to start with animals? A fitting choice I guess. The other options can be gotten at a later date anyways so it''s not that big of a deal." My visitor said, slowly bobbing up and down in the lotus position with a grin far to wide to be natural. I ignored it as I them selected my only available boon Dungeon Loyalty. While it''s not a bad boon I am kind of miffed that there''s no other options available to me. There might have been something cool like a free boss! "So what exactly are you going to name yourself? I mean as a newborn there can''t be a lot of options you ca-"
You have named yourself Bartholomew.
It pouted at me, crossing its arms in defiance as though it''s opinion mattered to me. "Bartholomew doesn''t sound like the name of a dungeon, you do know that right?" It asked me, standing in front of me as though I cared. But I was to focused on the abyss of darkness that slowly became the basement I had died in. And that bastard chest that sat next to my body headless and rotting for at least 3 weeks if the cop shows I used to watch have taught me anything. I guess I was in the abyss for far longer then I thought I was. No matter for all that matters right now is that I LIVE ONCE MORE! I would have laughed in relief if I didn''t see myself in a disgustingly dirty mirror. Staring at where I should be was a dark green jewel the size of a fist pulsing with a light blue light. Well there went my hopes of gaining a brand new body. At least I''m alive.... I guess.
You have killed [Unnamed Dungeon Spirit] with your presence alone! You have gained the power: By my presence alone..
By my presence alone: When a single invader enters your core room you may kill them instantly Cool down of 10 years.
What the hell is a dungeon spirit? It took me only a moment to find the slowly evaporating corpse of the mannequin being that found me earlier, it''s eyes having exploded as though it died of.... pressure. Did I kill it? A sharp pang of regret filled me at the thought of killing the only company I had. While it was annoying I didn''t want to kill it! It was nice to finally have company and not only that but it was helping me! The evil dungeon! Calm down Bart, CALM THE FUCK DOWN! You can fix this, you just need to find out how to use mana and resurrect it. Yeah.. that''s what I''ll do! I''ll bring it back from the dead!
The Boon Dungeons Heart has activated.
A intense sensation of calm suddenly filled my being, washing through the whirlwind of panic I felt and with a nudge in my conscious a new blue screen appeared in front of me.
Name: Bartholomew Floors: 0 Essence: 150
Essence Gathering Rate: 2 per day Powers: By my presence alone Boons: Genesis, Dungeon Loyalty, Dungeons Heart, Automatic loot distribution
Rooms: NONE Traps: NONE Environment:You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story. NONE
Minion race: Animals Tier 1: Essence cost of 5 to summon Rat, Rabbit, Bat, Snake, Toad, Frog. Minion Race: NONE Minion Race: NONE
I looked over the screen in slight confusion but I think I figured out what the screen is. It''s my status screen, like in a RPG.... ya know I figured I''d get something a little more..... magical to be honest. But whatever. What''s important right now is that I need figure out what the hell just happened to me and how I''m supposed to do my dungeon stuff.
Upgrades Description Costs
Teleportation Glyphs Inscribe a glyph on every floor that allows adventurers to move from one floor to another easily. Must have cleared the floor to be able to move to it. Groups are restricted to the lowest level conquered by a member 20 Essence
Additional Races Able to create an additional race to the one held. Increases dungeon diversity 500 Essence
Essence fueled Dungeon Spirit Summon a Dungeon Spirit made of pure Essence. Dungeon Spirit shall teach and advise the dungeon that summoned it. Cannot be killed within the dungeon. 100 Essence
Instances Able to create parallel realities within the dungeon, allowing for more adventurers to enter the dungeon at the same time 50 Essence
Environment (1) Able to create new obstacles in the form of environmental hazards. 25 Essence
Traps (1) Able to create basic traps within your dungeon territory. 25 Essence
Rooms (1) Able to create basic rooms within your dungeon. Rooms unlocked depend on materials you have consumed. 25 Essence
Locked
Well that answers that question. And next I''ll gain a humanoid body! ....... No? Eh it was a long shot anyways. But anyways I chose to get the Essence Fueled Dungeon Spirit for a costly 100 Essence, blowing over 2/3rds of my essence in one purchase, but it should be worth it. Even if it turns out to be even more annoying then the first one that appeared it''ll give me something incredible. Company. No matter how much I''d like to say all that ''going over my life'' crap barely helped to keep me sane. If I didn''t get out of the abyss when I did I know I would have cracked. Did you know that one of the biggest reasons criminals in America keep going back to prison is because of solitary confinement? By nature humans are social animals and by that nature we thrive in groups. But the opposite is also true; for in isolation humans wither away mentally. The moment I selected the Essence Fueled Dungeon Spirit I felt a rush of warmth leave my... crystal and into the middle of the dirty basement, a large 6 foot wide circle appeared in the dust as it glowed an ominous dark red. With a bright flash, which thankfully and surprisingly didn''t blind me, a woman appeared. Standing at an incredible 2 feet in height, a simple red and green robe that almost completely covered her dark cholloate colored skin. Her eyes are a surprisingly bright shape of sapphire blue. But what attracted my attention the most were the white butterfly wings on her back. For a moment she stayed where she was, her eyes unfocused on the world around her before with a sudden body wide shiver she seemed to focus on reality once more as she looked at the dirty basement in distaste. "I was summoned.... in someone''s junk cellar?" She said, her voice soft and gentle but the distaste was easily heard as it dripped from her voice. And then her eyes found me. With wide eyes and shaky hands she gently picked me up, holding me as though even the most gentle touch would shatter me. Which as far as I could happen so go new Dungeon Spirit! "Lord dungeon." She muttered, so softly that if I wasn''t held against her sizable bust I probably wouldn''t have heard it. Lord dungeon? A bit stuffy for my taste but I guess I''ll roll with it for now. Besides, I can correct her later. "Hello there." I said, my orb pulsing in synch with my words. She simply starred at me in awe for what felt like an eternity but what was probably only a minute or two. Did I summon a defective spirit? She smiled brightly as she knelt down onto the floor and set me in front of her, bowing to me in reverence. "I am honored to be within your presence Lord Dungeon. I am Ari Lord Dungeon, a Brownie from the Vale." She said, the awe in her voice easily heard. "It''s nice to meet you Ari. I am...," I paused for dramatic effect, Ari slowly shuffling forward on her knees. "Bartholomew." I finished, barely stopping myself from laughing as I saw her shocked face. Even if it''s a long and stuffy name at least I''m finally getting amusement out of it. After all who''s going to expect the evil dungeon to have such a unassuming name? After a moment Ari composed herself, picking up my orb and holding it between her bosom. With a flick of her wings white powder flew and enveloped the dirty and trash filled basement. And then it vanished. Poof! As though none of it was ever there.
Your dungeon has absorbed the materials: Rubber, Iron, Copper, Nickel, Steel, Plastic, Silver, Cloth, Brass, Emerald, Ruby, Wood, Bone, and Twine.
Ari looked at the now empty, and surprisingly clean, room with a sense of content before she moved under the wooden stairs, the only thing still in the basement. And placed my orb onto her lap. "There we go Lord Dungeon. This room shall now make an acceptable start to your dungeon." She said to me, patting the very top of my orb with a smile. Well I guess it''s time to start building my dungeon..... how the hell am I supposed to do that?