Daily Dungeon Essence Production: 104
Upkeep Cost: 5
At least the pit trap looks low enough it might be okay to use. The shocker trap pushes the limit with just one.
Zapper Trap-
Cost: 500
Size: 5ft wide
Reset: 1 minute
Maintenance: 90
Dimensional Pit Trap-
Cost: 200
Size: 5ft square (Scalable)
Reset: Manual or 1 minute
Maintenance: 30
Shouldn’t a spatial enchantment that large draw way more power?
He turned to face the gorgon. “Sthuza, why does this Zapper trap have three times the energy cost as the Dimensional Pit? Shouldn’t it be the other way around?”
She blinked at him, then smiled and nodded. “I see what you are confused about, Master.” She moved to kneel in a clean spot on the floor, then motioned for him to join her.
“Please sit, Master. This may take a while to explain properly.”
He took a seat, then laughed when Cindra plopped down next to him and snuggled in close. Sthuza glared at his other bonded but shrugged and turned to face him.
“You are thinking of the costs in terms of mana or Aether, correct?”
Gabriel nodded, then paused to consider where she was going with the topic.
She took advantage of his distraction to slip closer and pressed herself against his free side before continuing.
“The energy or Essence used to power most aspects of a dungeon are derived from the Aether, which is the primary reason for the greater density present in a dungeon. But monsters conjured, rooms and buildings constructed, and traps or powers activated all draw from the Core’s Dungeon Essence supply.”
“So it cost DE to both make the traps and then also to use them? Doesn’t that make them worse than monsters?” he asked.
Sthuza shook her head slightly, then rested it on his shoulder. “No, there are trade-offs in all aspects of dungeon management. Back when I worked for that obnoxious Core, we used a combination of traps and monsters to control the pace of delvers. The more varied the challenges, the more DE earned. Plus, if we only use one type of threat, it will make specialized adventurers too capable against us.
“But all non-bonded dungeon monsters require upkeep even when forced to scavenge for food and shelter.” Sthuza paused, and several head-snakes hissed. “The more monsters a Core has conjured, or acquired, the more DE they have to use to support them.”
“So the current Upkeep Cost is just for supporting Cuix and the others?”
Sthuza nodded. “Yes, Master. The cost is quite low for such weak monsters. Though the price will increase if she conjures too many.” The gorgon paused and looked over at the goblins. They were huddled in a corner, gnawing on some raw meat.
Following her gaze, Gabriel flinched at the green monsters gathered around the baron’s dead guards. “Sthuza,” he whispered, “are they eating what I think they are?”
She raised a hand to calm him. ‘Yes, Master, they are. But I would caution you not to make a scene about it. They look half-starved.’
Do we need to pick up some food for them? I remember Cuix mentioned they ate a lot of rats and other vermin, but I didn’t give it much thought.
His Prime smiled. “We could supply them with food, yes. But if we recover the Domain Crystal and establish Lady Merideva properly, she would be able to produce enough supplies to support many more monsters.”
“Will they be as bad as that robe she made me?” Gabriel asked, and he shivered at the memory.
Sthuza giggled and covered her mouth. “No, the options available to her will increase as her Domain Rating and power level expands, Master.”
“What was wrong with that totally super bespoke, custom outfit I spent hours handcrafting for you!” Merideva wailed.
She rammed into his back, almost knocking him over.
“What are you talking about?” Gabriel gasped.
“You were badmouthing my first gift to you, you big meanie! I bet you threw it away, didn’t you?”
He turned to face her and blinked when he found her crystal body was a swirl of pink and red with numerous little purple spots.
“Are you seriously upset that I said I didn’t like that ass-hair robe you made me?” he asked.
Her wailing rose higher in pitch, and heart-wrenching sobs accompanied it as she floated over to Sthuza.
All of the gorgon’s head-snakes glared at him.
“What?” Gabriel asked defensively as he glanced to each side and found both of his bonded staring back.
Sthuza’s lips twitched. “It was rather rude to speak so harshly after she put in long hours of arduous labor, crafting it especially for you.”
Cindra nodded. “Glowy Lady gave a heartfelt gift, and all Packmaster gave her were hurt feelings.”
Slack-jawed, and with his hands raised uselessly before him, he kept looking from one upset monster girl to the other as Meri chortled quietly.
Finally, he sighed and leapt to his feet, causing both bonded to slump against each other.
“I didn’t mean to hurt her feelings. But she didn’t spend hours making that. I watched her create it in seconds,” Gabriel grumbled.
The disappointed hellhound perked up instantly. “Really? Glowy Lady lied about Packmaster?” she asked and turned to glare at the snickering Core.
What little pink color had started to spread across Meri’s surface vanished into a solid sheet of yellow as she flinched back against the gorgon’s modest chest.
“You don’t look surprised,” Gabriel said, focusing on his Prime.
Sthuza grinned. “I never doubted you, Master. My apologies for playing along with their foolishness.”
Before he could form a reply, her hands shot up and grabbed Meri. Sthuza glanced down at the glowing stone now clasped in her tight grasp. “It is not wise to lie to or about the Dungeon Master you are bonded to, Lady Merideva. The trust between the two of you, and with his bonded, is paramount,” she said, her green eyes hardening.
Shifting to a dark blue, Meri bobbed slightly against the gorgon’s powerful grip.
“I’m sowwy, please don’t crush me to dust,” she whimpered pitifully.
Sthuza didn’t react, continuing to hold tight and glare.
“Gabwiel! You have to save me!” Meri wailed. Sthuza let go, and the orb bolted over to shiver against his chest.
“She’s right, you know. It wasn’t very nice to make that up. Though I do appreciate that you spent almost all of your DE on me and the gear you made.”
“You do?” Meri asked hesitantly.
Smiling, he nodded. “Yes, I do.”
“I didn’t think you cared.”
“Sorry Meri, I didn’t realize it until I looked at our dungeon resources and compared the costs and the totals. You’d spent all but that last hundred DE by the time you made the robe and focus, didn’t you?”
She wobbled against his chest. “Yep, I wanted to make you more stuff, but I got carried away crafting your body and barely had enough to make anything,” she said, sniffling quietly.
He smiled and rubbed her polished surface. “Thank you for risking so much on me. I won’t forget it. And,” he said, pausing to get her attention. “If you want the robe or staff back, I believe Sthuza has them both.”
“You didn’t destroy them?” Meri asked, her voice brightening.
“Of course not, Lady Merideva. Though low quality, they were the first items you ever gave to your DM, I would never dispose of them carelessly.”
Her pink hue returning, the small Core shot away from Gabriel and nestled in between Sthuza’s breasts.
“Thank you! I’m so glad I made you his Prime-bonded,” Meri declared.
Both he and Sthuza laughed, though Cindra only tilted her head and stared curiously.
“Now that we have dealt with that,” Sthuza said. “Perhaps we should return to discussing the traps, Master?”
Gabriel nodded. “Yeah, but let’s grab a few of those cushions you brought. That stone floor is a pain in the ass.”
CHAPTER SIX
Sthuza had a smile on her face when she and Cindra returned from the other room with three large cushions and a small pillow.
Gabriel cocked an eyebrow at her, but she didn’t reply.
Once the two monster girls had arranged the cushions, they all settled down.
Instead of paying attention to his bonded making themselves comfortable, he watched as Sthuza encouraged the Core to settle down on the smaller cushion directly in front of him.
Sthuza smiled at the glowing gem. “Since this is a discussion of dungeon management, you should, of course, be present as we plan our next moves, Lady Merideva. Unfortunately, we do not have a proper office available at this time, so we must make do with cushions.”
“Of course,” Meri replied solemnly.
Gabriel refrained from laughing but shared a mental grin with his Prime.
“As we discussed earlier, most of the dungeon functions are based on DE, which is created by a process the Eternal Dungeon builds into every Core. A fully functioning Core will tap into the leylines of the surrounding space and slowly concentrate them within the dungeon,” Sthuza explained.
“Wait. There are dungeons spread all over the world. Do you mean they could be manipulating the leylines? I thought that was supposed to be impossible,” Gabriel said.
Could Meri create a room with massively boosted Aether density? Some kind of meditation chamber or a bedroom where I could refill my pool faster?
“Yes, Master. It would be impossible, if not for the Eternal Dungeon’s influence. I believe I mentioned before that it is effectively a god. As a being with godlike power, it can create and do many things that are beyond any mortal magic-user.”
Gabriel nodded slowly. “Yeah, you mentioned that before, but it’s kind of hard to comprehend. So if the dungeon runs on DE and Meri can create it from the high-density Aether here, why do we have so little?”
Sthuza frowned. “Because there are rules designed to keep the Dungeon Cores in check. It prevents them from acting outside of the game intended to entertain the divine.”
“Even after Godfall?” Gabriel asked skeptically. He wasn’t an expert on religious history, but he couldn’t imagine any gods were still playing games after thirteen of them died in one day.
“The Eternal Dungeon is supposedly all-powerful within its purview, and completely uninterested in anything outside of its original purpose,” Sthuza said, though she sounded less confident.
“Yeah, that sounds like old ED,” Meri chipped in from her pillow.
“Oh?”
“Yep, he was always doing really outrageous things, creating stuff and conjuring thousands of monsters in seconds. But he wouldn’t ever answer a question about anything not related to dungeons.”
“Thank you for the insight, Lady Merideva. I would love to spend more time discussing your knowledge later.”
The glow brightened as the small Core beamed up at his Prime. “Anytime!”
I think Sthuza really loves learning. Need to find out more about her. Also see about getting some lessons on history. There’s so much I still don’t know, and it sounds like a lot of what I thought I knew is wrong.
“So is there a rule that prevents two Cores from being in the same dungeon? Is that why we have so little Essence?” Gabriel asked. There had to be something he had missed.
“Well… you see…” Merideva began before she sank down and wiggled back and forth.
“Um?” Gabriel glanced over to his Prime. “Would you care to explain?”
Sthuza sighed, her snakes shaking their heads as they turned to look at the hesitant Core. “Of course, Master. Lady Merideva is worried about how little Dungeon Essence she received after the battle against Kelith’s forces.”
“She didn’t get as much as she expected?” he asked. There was so much about the strange rules of the dungeon that he did not understand.
Yet.
“More or less. It is hard to gauge the precise amount of Essence that will be earned from defeating an adventurer. Dungeon monsters tend to have a more consistent value,” Sthuza said.
The glowing Core bobbed in front of her.
“Yep, I know how much a monster is worth, but ED made it so that adventurers have a vestibular output based on the challenge level and a bunch of other things that make it more entertaining to watch. Well, if there is anyone still watching. ED doesn’t know if they do anymore,” Meri said.
Sthuza, does she mean variable?
‘Yes. But I would recommend against pointing it out. Lady Merideva seems to be quite sensitive and easily embarrassed, Master.’
Gabriel agreed and flashed a grateful smile at his Prime before turning back to Merideva. “And we didn’t make it entertaining enough to get a lot of Essence?”
The orb rotated forward a little, and Gabriel was reminded of a small child staring down at their feet when an adult berated them. “Not exactly.”
Gabriel reached out through his connection with Meri. He got a strong sense that she wanted to speak but was afraid. Repressing a sigh, he glanced back to Sthuza.
“What Lady Merideva is concerned about is that the presence of a Dungeon Master in a battle greatly reduces the Essence the Core receives,” Sthuza explained.
Gabriel kept silent and thought the issue over. If I participate in the battle, Meri gets less Essence.
Does it affect how much DE or SE I receive?
‘To an extent, yes. I believe this is to encourage Core and Master to create a variety of traps and fights to challenge adventurers without ensuring that every encounter is a bloodbath. An overwhelming slaughter will choke off DE income. If you personally kill adventurers, you earn some Essence, which you can use to upgrade yourself and your bonded.’
But If I stay out of it, Meri would get more than I do, right?
Sthuza frowned but nodded. “Yes, Master.”
Gabriel sighed, then smiled, and reached out to stroke Merideva’s smooth surface. “There’s so much that I still don’t understand. You and Sthuza are going to have to make sure you let me know as issues crop up. Though I don’t think we could have won if I sat out during the battle last night.”
The powerfully muscled hellhound leaned close and rubbed up against him. “Packmaster fought great. Cindra… I loved fighting at your side.”
“Indeed, without Master’s efforts, we would have all fallen. But to secure Lady Merideva’s growth, we will need to establish defenses that do not rely on the three of us to defeat the attackers. To maximize the DE earned, we have to defeat intruders in balanced fights. For example, if a small party of Copper-ranked adventurers come in and you send a gorgon to slaughter them, it would earn us almost no Essence.”
“Does that mean that anyone you and Cindra fight won’t provide much?”
Sthuza looked thoughtful for a second before shaking her head. “Not exactly, Master. As your bonded, we are not directly connected to the Core. Which is fortunate, as otherwise the passive cost to maintain just Cindra would completely tap out Lady Merideva. Likely destroying her.”
Gabriel sat up straighter. “And you’re even more expensive, right?”
“Yes, Master. I do not know the exact amounts, but either of us alone would be far too much for a new Core with such a small Domain.”
He looked down at the softly glowing Core. “Did you know that?”
“Of course,” she boasted. Gabriel could almost feel her wanting to cross her arms and smirk. As if she had a humanoid body.
Sthuza continued, “But as your bonded, we count against the dungeon’s forces in battle at a much-reduced rate compared to if we directly served the Core. Still, Cindra and I will decrease the Essence earned from any fight we participate in. Ideally you would build traps and conjure monsters of a similar rating to send against adventurers.”
“But we can’t do that until we have th
e crystal back,” he finished for her.
“More or less. Traps, monsters, and even many rooms carry an upkeep cost, which prevents a dungeon from growing too deadly relative to those that dare to delve its depths.”
He sighed. “Ah, I get it. The costs are based on how useful it is to the dungeon. Not how much mana would be needed to create the effect as a spell. Which is why the pit trap is cheaper than the shock trap.”
“Yes, and given the minimal selection of monsters and traps currently available, my suggestion would be to spend most of the Essence to conjure more goblins. They could be assigned to spread out and keep watch on both the upper floors and those below us to defend against roving monsters.”
“Would monsters attack Meri?” Gabriel asked with a glance at the pink orb.
“Normally, I would say no, Master. But she is an intruder in the dungeon. And the Swarm infestation below may drive other monsters to act out of character.”
Sthuza looked over to Cindra with a sad expression.
“The arachne who killed your family were likely driven up from the lower levels by the Swarm’s presence.”
Cindra nodded, and her large eyes grew misty. “That’s right. We had seen them harass others on the floors below. Mother tried to hide us among the old salamander caves, but that spider bitch tracked us down.”
Sthuza sighed and shook her head. “That is another sign that things are not well down below. I fear we may find more trouble from other monsters than adventurers. Unless the baron hires more men.”
“Or he gives up on stealing Meri for his own use. With his son dead, he might want revenge more than wealth and reveal her to the Adventurer’s Guild,” Gabriel said.
His Prime paused. “That… that would be equally bad for all of us.”
“I think you’re probably right about conjuring more goblins, though one pit trap might be a nice addition,” Gabriel said before he stood up and stretched.
“I was wondering, are there any rules that prevent blocking movement rather than sealing an area off? You said Meri needs unrestricted Aether flow, or she would start to wither, but what if we put a pit trap in a narrow pass?”
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