1/2 Deem 2019/05/19(Sun)03:15 No. 933338 ID: e8f59c
File 155826091471.png - (31.07KB , 720x720 , ear_tweaks_very_important.png )

The imp invasion has been thwarted and it's quiet now so I might take a moment to think about my situation.

While it seemed like a good idea at the time, experimenting with raw mana showed that the mysterious orange goo found in my dungeon following the nightmare incident was actually a mass of curses somehow robbed of power and collapsed into a harmless edible jelly.

Reawakening that was not a good idea.

Naturally I threw myself on the reacting mess to protect my nearby denizens but as a result I've gotten cursed, hit with a melange of curses.

I will be able to purge them in a week or so but until then it is causing a number of headaches. My judgement may be suspect so I have given Moriko a token to restrain most of my dungeon's magic without its authentication and will be trying to stick to fairly light duties. Thus far the effects I have identified are carelessness with my speech, intermittent loss of my internal monologue and an impulse to sculpt my golem body to resemble various creatures.

2/2 Deem 2019/05/19(Sun)03:16 No. 933339 ID: e8f59c
File 155826098018.png - (26.61KB , 800x500 , group_noun_is_a_mess_of_dead_imps.png )

There's a number of small things to get sorted out before I can embark on long term planning anyway.

First of all, these dead imps. They're low grade material for most purposes but I'm terribly lacking in resources and would hate to waste them.

I've already determined they were carrying the princely sum of 51G which puts me slightly closer to the critical amount of gold that'll allow me to restore a layer of my Heart.

For the bodies themselves, it's more about dealing with the quantity. My denizens can eat some as long as they're properly prepared and I can make potions out of a few as well, but what to do with the rest?

Spike a few with poison or curses, then leave them out in the hopes that the devil bear eats them and gets sick instead of absorbing the curse/poison and becoming ever stronger.

It's a needless risk I'm willing to take.

>>933339
We got mushrooms right? Fertilizer!

toss some in the forge and see if we can't get some items we could place in the dungeon for adventure loot?

>>933338
>sculpt body
Lizardfolk

>>933339
Alkaline eats curses, right? Let her eat some of those corpses.

First things first. Ensure that ALL of them are in fact, actually dead. The lime imp in the center-right of the pile is still alive and there's absolutely no reason to not double check the corpses because if we miss we imp and it nicks something, we'll never live it down.

As for what to do with the bodies...

Honestly? I think a little of everything. Shove corpses into Doyle until he's full and be stern with him for his cowardice. Make fertilizer with several more and prepare any that are left for meals.

....Actually before we do that last one, ask Moriko when she gets back if she's okay with the prospect of having imp on the menu

I think the term is a massacre of (dead) imps.
Processing these things takes time that could be better spent on other tasks, right? Prioritize speed over efficiency of extraction - return (most of) them to the earth pulse as fertilizer.

Pike the skulls. Maybe it will discourage future imp attacks.

>>933343
This.

>>933343
This The Second

>>933349
Also This.
A quick and easy solution. There is much more to do, after all.

>>933341
Mushroom farm!

Any maybe keep a pile for Alkaline to start growing our slime population.

>>933339
Turn them into fertilizer.

Hooray, gold! Petty it may be, but it's something to make up for the trouble!

Although, hm... where'd the imps get it from? Is there a trove out there? Are they robbing travellers?

>>933338
>Thus far I've identified...
Could be worse, seems like. That said, a curse of 'honesty' can be a pretty big liability against the right person. If it can be replicated, it might make for a very sneaky curse trap. Just imagine the cryptic puzzle explanation.

"To open this chest, answer your best.
[a riddle]
Fail times three, beware what flaps free."

Guess it'd be of more potential danger to a politician than an adventurer though.

>>933339
>>933340
Now there's an idea. Use bodies to bait a trap for the devil bear. Unless it's too intelligent to fall for a free windfall of impflesh. Hm. Maybe there are other monsters you could bait traps for? You did mention your lack of materials - any monsters we could trap or hunt ourselves using imp bait that contain substances sorely needed?

>Aftermath issues
Have a few words with Belphe about his conduct. You've been using the stick a lot with him and while he probably needs a little more of it, consider mixing in a little care and carrot. Emphasize the seriousness of abandoning his allies - even golem ones - and express your disappointment. There's a time and a place to give into the better part of valor and if he is to be a good support he needs to consider when. His problem was that he gave in too early and did not renew his courage even when you and the rest of the dungeon's forces had the upper hand.

But perhaps that's on you, a little. He hasn't trained to work with others and he used to be his own master not too long ago, and he changed himself into a support creature mostly out of terror of you. Maybe you can assign some teamwork training to increase his esprit de corps, and then reward him in some way the next time he performs well. Show him that there's more to this being a minion thing than just doing as he's told.

I don't suppose you could sell them to someone?

Mushroom fertiliser sounds risky. Mushrooms are already associated with death and imps have a dash of "makes everything terrible" that could mess up the rebirth aspect of mushrooms. Given that most of our mushroom plans are for positives, like food and potions, we probably want to focus on rebirth rather than death.
Give them to Hin. Maybe she can whip up an imp-hide helm with evil-eyes, or some cursed caltrops or something... Or if any are just faking death, seal them into a bellows and use them as a curse-blower!
Or... could you make an imp-nest in the valley near your dungeon and surround it with imp-repellant? Then you trade in a whole lot of corpses now for a steady supply perpetually. It would hopefully consume some of your miasma and provide a source of training and resources to your denizens.

Do some research on the corpses, see if you can find evidence of where they're getting the resources for their spawn points. Mulch the leftovers.

>>933434
We already know the answers to that. if they make a nest, it'll most likely have a demon gate in it at some point and then they'll have gradual reinforcements.

Deem try to get Moriko to eat some imp meat.

>>933339
there is little chance your minions would be ok with eating imps. well, at least your human ones. especially moriko, even suggesting that would be an insult.

can they be turned into imp-repellant?

>>933351
Don't just put the imp heads on pikes, have Merud enchant them as remote sensors so you'll have more advance warning about intruders. Serves him right for triggering half the current troubles by making such a fuss over an old haunted skull in the first place.

As for the rest, try to render them down into some sort of shelf-stable potion that would be directly useful in a siege or other emergency, or failing that, some embarrassing effect Kallia might be willing to buy for use in pranks.

>>933489
I like this.

--

I think we need more traps, like lets have some room crushing traps that can only be deactivated by the outside for some coop action and/or some blade traps. Although, we may need to recruit a tinkerer to set up the machinery for that sort of thing. A gobbo or dorf would work.


Also, lets have neumono on the mind (idek if this will work or if it is still going, but i am going to suggest it anyway :P).

>>933351
>>933489
>Imp heads on pikes
Wouldn’t that scare off any adventurers we want to come into our dungeon? That seems like the opposite of what we’d want.

Or even worse, it gets the attention of adventurers that are way too powerful for us to handle and they come permanently shut down our dungeon!

Plus, creepy things like that might lower our teammates morale and they might not want to stay with Deem if she starts doing things like that.

>>933493
It's also gross and macabre and several of our friends are going to hate the idea. Assuming Deem isn't one of the ones who'd hate it.

Clearly, we need to use the bodies to get gold. Turning them into potions or something you can sell might be a basic but useful idea.

>>933500
You can't sell potions to people without a license, personal dealings with Kallia aside.

>>933493
>>933500
I kinda feel like Deem would strongly disagree with the idea that skulls would make the dungeon too scary or macabre (or more accurately, that there is no such thing as too scary or macabre), based on her past opinions on things.

Additionally, they are imps, not people. It would be like using any other monster or animal skull as a decoration.

Back in chapter 2 she said that corpses are messy. Properly furnished and mounted corpses might be better, but then her denizens got all weird about remains... so best not to risk it. Even if it would be funny to have imp-heads glaring at and mocking intruders.

1/3 Deem 2019/05/21(Tue)08:03 No. 933601 ID: e8f59c
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>Pike the skulls. Maybe it will discourage future imp attacks.
That seems tacky. It's hardly something to boast about.

>Wouldn’t that scare off any adventurers we want to come into our dungeon?
I think you're underestimating how lowly imps are.

>Don't just put the imp heads on pikes, have Merud enchant them as remote sensors so you'll have more advance warning about intruders.
He's not a necromancer.

>I don't suppose you could sell them to someone?
Transporting them and keeping them fresh isn't really practical, especially for how little they'd bring. I could harvest some non-perishable parts.

>Can they be turned into imp-repellent?
Maybe if I'd caught the bully.

>Alkaline eats curses, right? Let her eat some of those corpses.
>Keep a pile for Alkaline to start growing our slime population.
She didn't want to get straight back to bed after waking up so she's still up. I call her over to me. "Now Alkaline, I want you and your slimes to grow up big and strong, so over the next few days I want you to eat plenty of imps, alright?"

Alkaline looks at the piled up imps and then starts trying to count on her fingers. Has Merud been teaching her that too? "How many?" she says.

"As many as you like."

My slime princess moves towards the pile with that determined look on her face that I've learned to worry about. She still doesn't have a good grasp of her limits.

"Just take one for now and go back to bed." I say. "You need your sleep as well."

She fishes one of the larger imps out of the mess, says her good-night and heads off to bed, slimes in tow. Ah well, she's not a fussy eater at least. I expect we'll be seeing another slime soon, she seems ready to bud.

2/3 Deem 2019/05/21(Tue)08:05 No. 933602 ID: e8f59c
File 155845110008.png - (30.99KB , 800x500 , imagine.png )

>Spike a few with poison or curses, then leave them out in the hopes that the devil bear eats them and gets sick instead of absorbing the curse/poison and becoming ever stronger.
What a good idea. Removing that bear would definitely help me dominate the area. And if not the baits might turn up something else interesting.

>Honestly? I think a little of everything. Shove corpses into Doyle until he's full and be stern with him for his cowardice. Make fertiliser with several more and prepare any that are left for meals.
>We got mushrooms right? Fertiliser!
Yes I'll render a few down for stronger poison for the bait and see what else Doyle can make of them. Mulch some more - I'll work with Merud on a temporary golem for that - and I'll have a good basis for finally planting those mushrooms in too.

>Mushroom fertiliser sounds risky. Mushrooms are already associated with death and imps have a dash of "makes everything terrible" that could mess up the rebirth aspect of mushrooms.
Those mushroom have been specifically cultured to break down things and produce beneficial properties. It'll be fine.

>As for the rest, try to render them down into some sort of shelf-stable potion that would be directly useful in a siege or other emergency, or failing that, some embarrassing effect Kallia might be willing to buy for use in pranks.
True, I can't sell them except in private sales but building up a potion catalogue would be useful to help my denizens and as treasure to place in my dungeon. If all else fails, I don't know how much money Kallia has to spend on frivolous things but perhaps I can use it as an alternative payment for favours.

>Although, hm... where'd the imps get gold from? Is there a trove out there? Are they robbing travellers?
The earth-pulse stirring makes stray gold more accessible and imps like shiny things.

Or... could you make an imp-nest in the valley near your dungeon and surround it with imp-repellent?
If I'm to play around with geomancy near my dungeon, I'd prefer to do it with more useful creatures.

3/3 Deem 2019/05/21(Tue)08:07 No. 933603 ID: e8f59c
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>Have a few words with Belphe about his conduct. You've been using the stick a lot with him and while he probably needs a little more of it, consider mixing in a little care and carrot.
>But perhaps that's on you, a little. He hasn't trained to work with others and he used to be his own master not too long ago, and he changed himself into a support creature mostly out of terror of you. Maybe you can assign some teamwork training to increase his esprit de corps, and then reward him in some way the next time he performs well.
That's true. I can be intimidating. He's hiding again but I'll have to give some thought to encouraging him.

>Deem try to get Moriko to eat some imp meat.
She didn't like the idea much last time I suggested it.

>There is little chance your minions would be ok with eating imps.
Moriko's abstainance aside, we've had little fresh meat outside of imps and the occasional frog. We've even brewed a drink out of imps, cacoffee!

Ah Moriko and Chakarchelou have made it back. She's got a trophy, The Imp Bully's head! That is a surprise, I didn't expect they'd be able to track anything down. The head seems to have been crudely hacked off. I know Moriko survival skills aren't great but that is odd. She's holding on to it distastefully as if she can barely stand to be near it.

"You finished off the ringleader." I say. "Well done Moriko." Chakarchelou makes a grumbling sound. "You too Chakarchelou."

"I suppose." Moriko says, not making eye contact.

She seems unhappy. I'd have thought she'd be proud. There's definitely something she is not saying. I should confront her about this, right?

>>933603
I'd guess she's annoyed at her own performance in the fight, particularly by allowing an enemy to sneak past her to attack you; since nobody got hurt from it she should take it as an opportunity to learn, rather than beat herself up about it.
She probably also still has a lot on her mind from earlier.

I would reassure her and let her rest for a night to clear up some stress before addressing it again.

Alternatively you could shower her in praise until she walks off from embarrassment.

>>933603
Tell her you want to know what happened but she can take her time if it's not urgent.

Honestly, just thank her and bid her good night. We can mount a counterattack/spend some time exploring the wilderness and planting bait tomorrow.

Ask whether she has anything significant to report or if she'd rather just get back to meditating. Melodramatic confrontations can wait until you've got that curse medley out of your system. Might want to retrieve the rest of the imp leader's corpse, if it's going to be notably more useful for reagents, but Chakarchelou can provide directions to the battlefield.

>>933601
>Alkaline looks at the piled up imps and then starts trying to count on her fingers. Has Merud been teaching her that too?
At the rate she’s learning, she’s gonna become smarter than you! Or, at the very least, you’ll be the only one here that doesn’t know how to read and write.

>>933603
Would Chakarchelou like to eat some of the imp corpses?

Considering she uses a blunt weapon, I'm impressed she managed to sever it at all. She can tell you about it after a good night's sleep.
So, can you make that imp-repellent with a hacked-off head?
I think you should keep a watch this night too for any delayed-reaction curse effects.

>>933603
I think something else killed it, and they just tracked it to the kill site. Moriko doesn't want to admit it, out of shame... either because her shadow did it, or because the devil bear did it and she wasn't fast enough to do it herself or fight the bear.

Push a little, comment on the method of decapitation. How did that happen?

>>933606
This is a good way to phrase it. Any additional info would be better for a proactive defense.

She was tasked with breaking the enemy leadership and it is gone. Less-than-ideal circumstances don't mean a victory isn't a victory. And if she can pull this off weakened, imagine what she would be like in full-and-whole demon-mode!
If The Bear stole her kill, then that just means that her quest has been upgraded!

Guys I think Moriko might be being awkward because Chakarchelou either found it or killed it.
Oh well, we can figure it out later.

>>933603
about moriko; normally i'd say of course, but lately you've been a little.. overzealous with your talks. tell her in private you can see there's something bothering her. if she wants to talk great but knowing her that's obviously unlikely.
if she doesn't want to talk, tell her you won't push her to share and that she's welcome to come to you when she's ready. maybe after the curse is gone.

also, can we get some imp-repellent now?

>>933603
She uses a hammer...
how tf did she hack it off...?

Could she have used some as-of-yet unknown (to us) demon power thing and thus is ashamed?

>>933632
..did she just rip its head off with her bare hands? that's fucking brutal!

>>933630
>>933632
>>933636
>>933616
I submit to all of you that she awkwardly convinced chak to saw the head off, given that we've never seen Moriko possess much more than the clothes on her back and her hammer.

Moriko, are you ok? I may not be in the best condition to talk but I can try and listen if you want to get something off your chest.

Don't forget to give Chakarchelou so chin scratches as well so he doesn't get jealous.

Hug and congratulate her on a job well done. Also consider patting her head.

>>933622
This all feels like it's right.

Of course you should be direct, your bluntness is your best trait. You also seem to have shrugged off your curses.

"Hmm? What's the matter?"

Leave it alone if she demurs again.

I advise against more praise without knowing what's wrong, because it could just make her feel worse, if (say) they just found the head lying out in the open or something.

Nono. Don't pester her about it just yet. Whatever it is, let her get some sleep and then meditate on it. Ask her about it once she has a chance to cool down.

I think Morkio needs a push. Deem told us she'd need to be pushed to get over her problem. Waiting forever for the right moment and not pushing it hasn't worked.

Delve to the heart of the problem, unrepentantly.

>>933603
A simple query of "Did something happen?" and/or "Is anything wrong?" should suffice.
If its not about her escaped shadow self, she'll probably fess up. Moriko till this point has only been Self-sabotaging, she wouldnt do anything that would be bad for Deem and the other minions.
And if its more of her issues,we'll get it out of her eventually.

1/3 Deem 2019/06/09(Sun)17:38 No. 935261 ID: e8f59c
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>At the rate Alkaline’s learning, she’s gonna become smarter than you! Or, at the very least, you’ll be the only one here that doesn’t know how to read and write.
Nonsense, Belphe is illiterate. And I would be proud if Alkaline did. A smart slime queen is a good slime for my dungeon.

>So, can you make that imp-repellent with a hacked-off head?
Using the Imp Bully's remains for that can be Belphe's first project.

>Hug and congratulate her on a job well done. Also consider patting her head.
She's not a small child or animal.

>Of course you should be direct, your bluntness is your best trait. You also seem to have shrugged off your curses.
Not at all. If I'm careful I can avoid accidentally spilling my interior monologue but otherwise I'm still rooting it out.

>I'd guess she's annoyed at her own performance in the fight, particularly by allowing an enemy to sneak past her to attack you; since nobody got hurt from it she should take it as an opportunity to learn, rather than beat herself up about it.
>I think something else killed it, and they just tracked it to the kill site. Moriko doesn't want to admit it, out of shame... either because her shadow did it, or because the devil bear did it and she wasn't fast enough to do it herself or fight the bear.
>Guys I think Moriko might be being awkward because Chakarchelou either found it or killed it.
>I submit to all of you that she awkwardly convinced chak to saw the head off, given that we've never seen Moriko possess much more than the clothes on her back and her hammer.
Those all seem plausible seeing her lack of pride at getting rid of the bully.

>Delve to the heart of the problem, unrepentantly.
I'll try to keep it simple but yes, I'll loose those words that burn to be said instead of keeping them trapped in my chest! So instead of all hypotheses and possibilities I might say, I rein in my enthusiasm and settle for four words.

"Is something the matter?"

2/3 Deem 2019/06/09(Sun)17:39 No. 935262 ID: e8f59c
File 156012717989.png - (27.32KB , 720x720 , headsup.png )

"I didn't finish off anything." Moriko says, sweeping the imp head around in an angry arc. "I didn't find anything, I didn't catch anything, I just blundered around in the dark. This was left for me. Something out there is taunting me."

>Don't forget to give Chakarchelou so chin scratches as well so he doesn't get jealous.
Chakarchelou bumps into my leg for attention. He would like me to know he did lots of things.

I crouch to scratch his chin and look up at Moriko. "Catching imps in the dark is never easy. What do you mean by 'left for you'?"

My hammerai's face turns solemn. "There is a place I go to practice in the mornings. The head was left there. It can't be a coincidence."

>Would Chakarchelou like to eat some of the imp corpses?
I shoo him out so he can chew on one.

3/3 Deem 2019/06/09(Sun)17:42 No. 935264 ID: e8f59c
File 156012733325.png - (38.99KB , 800x550 , the_imps_are_invisible_to_you.png )

"I think that's good." I say mildly.

"What." Moriko says, packing a remarkable amount of incredulity in that single flat syllable.

"The imps clearly knew enough about my dungeon to gather up and invade." I explain. "Since my entrance was sealed when they were created, they most likely are the ones from that displaced area that you, Reisarf and Stargazer found and didn't actually know where the dungeon was. They probably followed you back and have been sneaking around since then."

"Most of my denizens haven't gone out from the main entrance much since opening up the valley entrance." I continue. "Because of your daily practice you've have been the most visible denizen of my dungeon. So the most likely explanation is one imp or a committee of them left that present for you in the hopes it'd appease you."

Moriko frowns, trying to pick a hole in my explanation. "Surely I'd have seen something." she grumbles, mainly talking to herself. Both of us know perfectly well her wilderness skills are basically non-existent so I leave it unsaid.

Perhaps a little distraction from dwelling on her shortcomings is in order.

"So are you appeased?" I say.

She snorts. "Not especially. And no number of gifts from imps is going to change that." She looks at me more seriously. "Are you?"

I shrug. "You've already seen the messes imps make. I'd prefer more useful creatures. We need to do something about them but with the loss of their ringleader they should be less troublesome for the moment."

Moriko seems happier but I wonder if there's anything I should do for her to help set her mind at ease. Just one or two things though, I don't want to be overbearing.

It seems like an enchanted item to detect or pinpoint imps would help her. Perhaps something that channels her innate earthpulse sense?

>>935265
Huh... something to... defocus?... reduce her "resolution" by expanding her area could work. It might also be a great training tool. These can go either way, but it might be easier to train to her current ability while impeded than to improve her ability normally, and if she can keep her "gains" while not impeded... And then if she can invert the process to train to her augmented spread while not wearing the widget...
You could probably get inspiration for a design from the apprentice amulet.

Ask her to plan an expedition to permanently deal with The Devil Bear.

Offhandedly offer to help with any spiritual problems or adjustments she might be experiencing.

Could you use the earth pulse to scan the area around your dungeon or give her a enchantment that would make her better at tracking so if she tells that their is still more to do she can give the area on last final sweep to put her mind at ease?

Will either that or ask if she’d like you to join some of her sparring sessions to help keep an eye on you till the curses run their course and to maybe practice some boss enchantments on her to get her use to fighting with them and to give you some more experience fighting in all your new forms.

>>935264
Could you make some extremely simple, tiny golems to watch her training area? Simple enough that you can disguise them amongst the rocks or trees. The golem's structure should just be enough to support a single eye.

You could put these in a variety of places near the dungeon, to give an early warning for adventurers and to keep an eye out for things sneaking around.

>>935264
i really want to recruit the imps we should see waht we can make to bait/locate/detect/capture the imps

>>935275
I think recent events showed us how we don't want any goblins anywhere in the dungeon. At the very most we may allow them to set up camp outside, but only if we can make sure they can't get in again. Still, I see no reason to do that now that the possessing imp's gone, unless "dispersing" wasn't fatal.

that went.. uncharacteristically well! good, learn from this.

do we even know what she wants anymore?

>>935264
Some martial artists talk about training their spiritual sense by doing things blindfolded- has Moriko ever attempted that?

Don't bring this up to her, but there's a good chance it's her shadow self that left the imp bully head there. I'd go there and see if you can find any indications or traces of such yourself.

Honestly? With the imp hordes in disarray and lacking leadership, it's probably a good time to go and settle a score with a very specific member of the ursidae family that has slighted you.

I think that you should try and look for whatever gave her the head. I have a sneaking suspicion that the imps did not give her the head. And even if they were the ones, you could easily recruit them by using Moriko (No offense to Moriko).

>>935366
If you need to delete a post, you just tick its check box and use the delete button at the bottom right of the page.

The (well hidden) FAQ has some more post formatting info:
https://tgchan.org/kusaba/news.php?p=faq

If she's unsatisfied then it is time to get some satisfaction. Let's hunt the bear. Letting Moriko take the lead on this, and hopefully delivering the coup de grace, would be a good start to improving her mood.

Making a trinket to help her wilderness skills would be nice if possible, though if it stays in the backlog for awhile that's fine.

>>935266
Yes, I want those bear bones to build the Bear Bone golem. But as soon as this curse business has run its course.
Until then, maybe she'd like it if you did some group meditation?

1/3 Deem 2019/06/15(Sat)04:54 No. 935872 ID: 3d1dd5
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>Do we even know what Moriko wants anymore?
She wants to develop her fighting skills and distance herself from her past! This is complicated by her demonic ancestry likely being a key factor to the development of her family's style.

>That went.. uncharacteristically well! Good, learn from this.
"Excuse me?"

Moriko turns to look at me. "Did you say something?"

I clear my throat. "Actually, I did have a thought."

>Honestly? With the imp hordes in disarray and lacking leadership, it's probably a good time to go and settle a score with a very specific member of the ursidae family that has slighted you.
"With the imps in disarray, now is a perfect chance to firm up our holding over the area. I think it's time to try and track down the devil bear. We have to head back to town a few weeks from now so we have until then." To do otherwise will spread my denizens far too thin. Even if we don't find it, I need people to put out the poison bait anyway.

I see eagerness flicker on her face, but she nods solemnly instead. I think I have to tease her a little for that.

>Some martial artists talk about training their spiritual sense by doing things blindfolded- has Moriko ever attempted that?
"Also you're going to do it blindfolded."

Moriko blinks first. "What?"

"I think you could stand to hone your spiritual sense for non-combat uses. I will need a little time to think about the best method, although perhaps just throwing you out of the nest to see if you learn to fly would work best."

"I," she stammers, "I suppose that -" She starts again. "I suppose there is potential merit in that."

I eventually let her excuse herself so she can get back to bed.

2/3 Deem 2019/06/15(Sat)04:55 No. 935873 ID: 3d1dd5
File 156059974529.png - (27.54KB , 800x500 , monster_hangouts.png )

I don't have an interrupted sleep to get back to so I handle my more wakeful denizens. Chakarchelou has been fed and provided with an abundance of chin scratches, Doyle has been given the main ingredient to brew up some imp repellent and the orange slime is safely contained so it can't hurt itself.

>I really want to recruit the imps we should see what we can make to bait/locate/detect/capture the imps
I've said previously they're quite a headache to keep in a dungeon.

>Could you use the earth pulse to scan the area around your dungeon or give her a enchantment that would make her better at tracking so if she tells that their is still more to do she can give the area on last final sweep to put her mind at ease?
I don't currently have any structures in my dungeon to do that and the fastest way for her to learn is by doing.

>Could you make some extremely simple, tiny golems to watch her training area? Simple enough that you can disguise them amongst the rocks or trees. The golem's structure should just be enough to support a single eye.
Simple golems like that are extremely short ranged.

>It seems like an enchanted item to detect or pinpoint imps would help her. Perhaps something that channels her innate earthpulse sense?
Bait, the repellent and laying a few simple traps should help deal with the imps.

>Don't bring this up to her, but there's a good chance it's her shadow self that left the imp bully head there. I'd go there and see if you can find any indications or traces of such yourself.
>I think that you should try and look for whatever gave her the head. I have a sneaking suspicion that the imps did not give her the head.
Moriko and Chakarchelou didn't see anything. I don't think I'd turn up any extra clues. I'm still not entirely convinced about the shadow either. We should have seen a more obvious manifestation of it by now.

I start reactivating my destroyed golems and sending them to assist in the clean-up. There's thankfully little damage. Aside from the loose rocks they prised out of the walls, they've smashed some pots I made, and one of Hin's shirts and a towel that were left out in the thaumatorium have been shredded. I suspect but cannot prove they've eaten some of the soap too.

3/3 Deem 2019/06/15(Sat)04:57 No. 935874 ID: 3d1dd5
File 156059983886.png - (41.43KB , 800x500 , choose_your_party.png )

For the bear hunt, I should consider who else to bring. Moriko is going. I am going as well, because it's that or get her to hand over the token locking my magic to someone else. "I am a little selfish in wanting a rematch with that bear as well." I am not the strongest fighter though.

However there is a lot of bait to put out over the next few days and that would be an enormous bear carcass to haul back if successful. Perhaps I should bring others. Considering my past few interactions with Moriko, a chaperone might be needed if nothing else.

Chakarchelou has been dependable and I hope to see some developments from him soon. The Covetous Ring I gave him has yet to show any real effects but I have only given him a little gold to hoard thus far. Making a quasidragon more dragonish will be a long term project.

Merud's been invaluable for sustaining the golem labour force but we've been so busy covering the essentials that there's been little in the way of golem research done. Perhaps some more practical research would be good for him. He's also possibly cursed and both of us going would mean ordering the golems around would be a little difficult for my denizens still at the dungeon.

Hin's healthy now. I still don't know where that gristleworm came from. The cure was almost as much of a headache as the sickness but she's settled into her forge now. I didn't get enough mana from the imps to commission any more magical items though, perhaps this would be a good change of pace for her and a chance to try out her new hammer.

Alkaline is steadily growing into her role as a slime queen. The only sour note is that strange orange slime and letting her get so attached to it. That little accidentally spawned slime is not a healthy creature, it isn't long for this world. She's barely left the dungeon since she was decanted, perhaps it would be a good experience.

Reisarf and Stargazer are as inscrutable as ever. Reisarf learnt how to become a magical (storage container) girl and indulging some of his ideas seems to make him happy. I think. They're the strongest fighters I have after Moriko.

Doyle could be put to work in a support role providing potions for myself and Moriko. The low quality potions he's made thus far have been effective and had manageable side effects but he seems to be afraid of everything.

I can, of course, bring golems along as well.

I don't want to strip my dungeon's defences too much, but it would make sense to commit enough force that I can take down the bear without too many injuries or risk of it escaping.

I'm going to say bring, Chakarchelou, Alkaline, and Doyle.

Chakarchelou for tracking and to help him get a little stronger

Alkaline for her to get some more exprince

and Doyle to try and beat some backbone into the little coward. Plus his odd side effect potions tend to help Alkaline out a bit when it comes to developing random powers and to help heal everyone else should they need it.

>>935874
Hin doesn't want to be a fighter- we've had to make do due to limited resources, but when we have options we shouldn't use her. Reisarf would be very useful what with the teleports and hexes, but I'm not feeling it for some reason. Alkaline would be fantastic because she's a curse-eater. Did her kids inherit that property?

Idea: Organize golem vs slime skirmishes when we get some more. Let both Merud and Alkaline get used to commanding, eh?

Bring chak, alkaline and merud's brute golem. Put a request for making an actual mace to Hin before we depart. Also let Reisarif know that until we get back, he gets to be the designated dungeon minder while Merud does research.

Bring Hin, the brute+ golem, and Alkaline. Alkaline will provide ranged support and sticky traps, as well as eating curses. The brute+ is our strongest single golem, besides you of course. Hin makes a good chaperone and reinforced bear wrestler.

>blindfolded
In what way is this a good idea? aren't you underestimating the bear? Its attacks can cause lasting harm, remember?

The more people we bring, the less the victory will mean to moriko.

I say bring Alkaline and a bunch of golems. And get some potions from Doyle, it's not like it needs to be there to give support.

>>935901
I think Moriko is meant to track the bear blindfolded, not fight it that way.

>>935877
Go with this configuration.

Taking Reisarf and Stargazer is super overkill, and leaves the dungeon too open, Merude and Hin could both use a bit LESS excitement right now, and the Golems have Digging to do. There's always digging to do. What are they digging now anyway? A treasury?

>>935874
Let's not bring Hin, since she said that she doesn't want to be a fighter.

Let's bring Chakarchelou and Alkaline.

>>935874
It's been a while since it was suggested, but don't forget to have Merud make another door golem for the dungeon's entrance.

>>935877
This works. I'd explain why, but this >>935913 covers everything I would've anyway.

>>935874
Reisarf & Stargazer, but ask Hin if she wants to come along too (she didn't join up to fight, but might want to give the hammer a try regardless).

>For the bear hunt, I should consider who else to bring. Moriko is going. I am going as well, because it's that or get her to hand over the token locking my magic to someone else. "I am a little selfish in wanting a rematch with that bear as well." I am not the strongest fighter though.

Inner monologue slipping out out loud? Maybe forcing Deem to voice her desires is part of the curse...

I would like to let Moriko do some planning for this expedition. I feel that she would benefit from having some more-interactive responsibilities. Her current duties mostly consist of standing around looking pretty... dangerous.

I really want worst-slime to live! Who knows, it might even be an ugly-duckling scenario. If its weakness is due less to general inadequacy and more to being overloaded by conflicting or overwhelming elements, then if it could be stabilised it might become something quite potent, versatile, or elaborate.
With no current theories on saving Worst Slime, seek a different perspective. Get your alienist to research it!
Also ask Merud if any newfangled Golemetry techniques might be used to support its mana channels or some similar nonsense. If nothing else, turning a slime into a half-golem would be an amazing research project, and who better to do it than a golemetry academic and an actual Dungeon?

>>935939
>Research
Seconding

>>935939
Reisarf messing around with condensed curses unsupervised?
What's the worst that can happen?

I like the idea.

>>935874
Chakarchelou, Reisarf and Stargazer should go with you. The elite partners and the two denizens with the most potential seems like a good fit for a bear hunt.

>>935938
Agreed. Also, Hin might have changed her mind since then. Bring Char, too.

Letting Merud get some actual research done would be smart.

Guys keep in mind there's been a lot of downtime lately. Merud has been getting research done, Hin has been doing work (though I don't know exactly what), etc.

I vote we bring Merud. Also yes bring the cowardly cauldron and chakarchelou.
Do we have to worry about death here, or does the respawn mechanic reach outside of the dungeon?

>>935986
We were informed explicitly that not a lot of research has been done. A few weeks off attack duty would be great for Merud.

I'd say bring Alkaline, Chakarchelou, Doyle, half the homunculi, and as many combat-effective slimes as possible. Good spread of support options that way, including curse-absorbing slime for first aid, but nobody who'll be likely to steal the kill and thus leave Moriko even more frustrated. Bit of an adventure should give the weaker denizens opportunity to level up.

Also important, that leaves the brute golems for construction work and Merud's research, Hin secure in the forge doing what she loves instead of tromping around like a murderhobo, Reisarf and Stargazer free to start setting up living quarters, gardening, and an observatory in the valley... and all those combatants well-rested and present at the base, just in case adventurers show up while you're out hunting.

1/3 Deem 2019/06/30(Sun)02:32 No. 937710 ID: 3d1dd5
File 156188713624.png - (32.77KB , 800x550 , the_chosen_ones.png )

>Taking Reisarf and Stargazer is super overkill, and leaves the dungeon too open, Merud and Hin could both use a bit LESS excitement right now, and the golems have digging to do.
Good points, I just need a little help to be sure we can catch the devil bear. That narrows it down.

>Alkaline would be fantastic because she's a curse-eater. Did her kids inherit that property?
Only up to a very limited extent if they haven't been specialised in that area.

>Chakarchelou for tracking and to help him get a little stronger
>Alkaline for her to get some more experience
>Doyle to try and beat some backbone into the little coward. Plus his odd side effect potions tend to help Alkaline out a bit when it comes to developing random powers and to help heal everyone else should they need it.
I don't want to take too many, I think I'll go with Alkaline and Doyle as they should work together better and they both need the experience more. Alkaline won't have too many opportunities to leave the dungeon when she's older.

I approach Moriko shortly after she wakes up to leave for her dawn practice.

>I'd say bring Alkaline, Chakarchelou, Doyle, half the homunculi, and as many combat-effective slimes as possible.
"I want some extra support, not to strip the dungeon."

She slows down to let me catch up. "I'm sorry, did you just say you needed more clothes? Is your body changing again?"

"No, I didn't mean to say that." I say. "I just needed to let you know I've decided to bring Alkaline and Doyle along. They could both do with more experience in these sorts of situation. We might take some golems as well to help bring anything useful back."

>I would like to let Moriko do some planning for this expedition. I feel that she would benefit from having some more-interactive responsibilities. Her current duties mostly consist of standing around looking pretty... dangerous.
"I want you to finalise the preparations." I tell the hammerai. "We'll be out about a week, so plan accordingly."

Moriko is looking extremely serious so I think that means she's happy. I'm starting to have a good feeling about this little expedition.

2/3 Deem 2019/06/30(Sun)02:34 No. 937711 ID: 3d1dd5
File 156188724533.png - (49.14KB , 750x600 , research_this_terrible_creature.png )

>I really want worst-slime to live! Who knows, it might even be an ugly-duckling scenario. If its weakness is due less to general inadequacy and more to being overloaded by conflicting or overwhelming elements, then if it could be stabilised it might become something quite potent, versatile, or elaborate.
It isn't. Tenuous, ephemeral, indistinct; these are all words that could be used to describe that slime. It barely knows it is alive.

>With no current theories on saving Worst Slime, seek a different perspective. Get your alienist to research it!
Still I suppose research for research's sake may still be worthwhile. And should he hit on a solution, Alkaline will be happier.

>Reisarf messing around with condensed curses unsupervised?
>What's the worst that can happen?
Well it's very difficult for him to accidentally die and my own exposure was bizarrely lacking in any obviously harmful curses.

>Also ask Merud if any newfangled Golemetry techniques might be used to support its mana channels or some similar nonsense. If nothing else, turning a slime into a half-golem would be an amazing research project, and who better to do it than a golemetry academic and an actual Dungeon?
I approach my two wizards (and Stargazer) after breakfast.

"Are we doing the rest of the raw mana experiments before you go?" Reisarf says.

"Ah, no." I pat myself. "And we'd best wait until we're sure everything from the first set of them is resolved."

He actually looks a little disappointed.

"I do have a new project for you though." I hold out the potted orange slime. Reisarf looks at it. The slime burbles. Merud eventually takes it off my hands. "I need you to look after this slime while I'm away and hopefully have some ideas to make it a healthier slime by the time I come back. Merud, I'd like you to help if you can too."

>Idea: Organize golem vs slime skirmishes when we get some more. Let both Merud and Alkaline get used to commanding, eh?
"Also I need you to work on making some of the golems suitable as training dummies for the slimes." I add.

"I think I can do that." He pulls a scrap of paper out of his robe and jots down some reminders to himself.

>It's been a while since it was suggested, but don't forget to have Merud make another door golem for the dungeon's entrance.
"We still don't have an especially good front door so perhaps keep that blocking golem ready too."

"Pancake?" Reisarf asks.

"If you're still hungry I think there's some left over." I say. "Merud, could you stay a little longer? I need to talk about the excavations as well."

3/3 Deem 2019/06/30(Sun)02:36 No. 937712 ID: 3d1dd5
File 156188738307.png - (24.85KB , 800x550 , excavate_planning_date.png )

>Put a request for making an actual mace to Hin before we depart.
I have a perfectly good spear already.

>There's always digging to do. What are they digging now anyway? A treasury?
My golems spent the past week simply widening the tunnel up to the valley. The old tunnel was functional but narrow. It's now much easier to move goods up there and the brute golems no longer need to walk sideways down it. It'll make it much easier to move rubble from my diggings up there for more permanent housing.

Digging out the rooms for the Treasury and the Brewery is next. It will be good to move towards a more balanced configuration, this long ungainly tunnel is causing me some awkwardness regulating the earth-pulse.

I call Hin in to discuss the preparations for the next two rooms with Merud and her. I could dig rooms for the Treasury and Brewery, or instead re-purpose the Resurrection Matrix into a treasury. I'd just need to dedicate one of the new rooms to be a new matrix.

For some reason they're curious if I'm intending to replace the sarcophagus. I suppose it was rushed. Perhaps a more artistic medium for resurrection is in order.

Where to put the rooms though? They both can be fairly small, about the size of the Golem Totem.

The Brewery needs a measure of isolation and it might be good to locate it near the Thaumatorium for the ready access to its water reservoir.

The Treasury should be somewhere deep in the dungeon.

I will have to make sure not to cap off any natural lines of future expansion. Other than that, I have a lot of freedom in locating the rooms and what they should look like.

If the treasury won't be accessed frequently, and will help balance out the earth pulse when it's near the geometric center of the dungeon, you should connect it to a concealed door in the meditation room. Add another twenty or thirty feet of narrow, twisting hallway, though, both to muffle sound and to reserve space for future installation of traps. Put the actual vault right where Merud's hat-poof is on that map.

As for the brewery, how about next to the golem totem, replacing the shortest of the imp tunnels with a door suitable for sealing? No real risk of cutting off further expansion that way since there's nothing beyond it but the cliff face.

Treasury goes near the middle, yes, preferable somewhere behind a potntially trappable corridor.

I wouldn't put the brewery close to the Golem Totem OR the Thaumatorium - both of those are environments that require concentration, no? Can't have potion processing (or accidents) disturbing people meditating, relaxing or working! Too close to the entrance may not help balance out the current flow of mana through the dungeon either.

Put the Brewery in the middle as well, towards the Hidden Valley. If water transportation is an issue, long-term perhaps create some sort of mechanism or aqueduct to bring in water from the Thaumatorium - or from the outside if we can ensure regular flow by damming up a bit of a reservoir in the future.

... question for Merud. He'll be busy with stuff while you're gone, but has he gotten any further along in his idea for developing Golem armor for non-Golemeters? That still seems worth pursuing, but it's been a while since it was discussed.

And are there any other frie- minions that could use instructions on top of their own initiative while you're out, or should we just leave them to handle things? I do wonder whether you shouldn't lay down some strategy. Reisarf's been our star boy/girl of late, but odds are any new party will have numbers or a better counter for him, based on the previous visitors' observations (although odds are they'll think of him as a brother/sister duo).

... then again, you can probably just inhabit one of the regular golems here if there's trouble, can't you.

Build the Brewery in the imp excavation near the thaumatorium door. Either one will work but preferably the one to the left on this map. The brewery shouldn't get a lot of through traffic.
The resurrection matrix is deep enough and hidden enough for a treasury, and close to your heart. Place the new one closer to the valley - between the forge and meditation room for now. What are some good forms for the new matrix? Perhaps a spawning pool styled after your slime queen? How about a mushroom garden?

>Treasury behind traps.
The treasury is the reserve that isn't "gambled" in The Dungeon Game. It should be behind one of those doors that is just a wall-texture and not a discreet game-object that players can interact with.

Suggestion 2019/06/30(Sun)17:48 No. 937819 ID: 8d4593
File 156194210621.png - (7.90KB , 511x358 , Brewry prop.png )

Build the Brewery in the excavation beyond the far end of the thaumatorium, and have a small staff only access tunnel lead to it from the main hall.

I suggest we spend some extra time on it and add some verticality. I think we can make better use of Belphy if we could use the dungeon itself to funnel adventurers into his concoctions. Idea in image.

>>937819
Ooooh, I like that, especially the spiral staircase with venomous vomit from the top. I fear though that it might be a bit large. Can we get a rough estimate of a practical volume for the room? The impression I am getting is about five by five metres at a single storey tall and it'd need space for barrels/vats and tables at the least. Would a 2x2 metre staircase leading to a 4x4 brewery work?

>>937819
Maybe if you sorta built this room in reverse? so the ramp is going up from the entrance, towards where Doyle would be, sou he could dump chemicals down on anyone trying to force their way in? You could arrange the storage area around the top of that area, and have the work area at the bottom , so you could easily get water from the Thaumatorium into there in an emergency, maybe have a mechanism to flood the bottom if need be. It'd probably be easier then making mechanical stairs right now, I think.

>>937712
I think it's important to ask THEIR input on what they want the resurrection matrix to look like.

Honestly, the thaumatorium's water reserve is going to deplete itself eventually. And putting the brewery next to the what the others consider to be the swimming/bathing area is going to raise every non-monster's eyebrows at best.

And because of that, we should put it somewhere near the mediation chamber. Either before or after it depending on how the wind usually flows through that room.

>>937946
>>And putting the brewery next to the what the others consider to be the swimming/bathing area is going to raise every non-monster's eyebrows at best.

Unless theyre into drinking in the tub.

>>937773
Yeah, but we've had problems in the past with how long it takes to set up sealing designations in the face of unexpected adventurer arrival. If this is going to be our maximum-security last-ditch fallback vault, there's no such thing as too many layers of protection.

Also, it might someday be repurposed as another type of treasure vault, or a checkpoint on the way to the final boss. Meditation room was mentioned as being compatible with puzzles.

>>937982
I meant that fetching water from the nearest source, which would be the thaumatorium's pool, would cause a few issues.

But if we put the brewery near the valley exit, collecting rainwater would be just as easy as moving it to the it's intended destination since the room would be so close.

Don't think of using bathwater as making the brews disgusting, think of it as keeping the pool clean! Who is going to pee into the pool when they know they will be drinking it later?
How much imp-bits and curse-slime ended up in the water when you weren't looking?

>>938028
I dont think anyone was going to be using the water as is, if we useit to brew anything it'd have to be purified first anyway. Otherwise whatever we were trying to make probably wouldnt come out right in the first place.
I was thinking we would put it close to the Thaumatorium more as a a safety precaution in case of accidental spillage, or chemical accident so itd be easy to get water to flush it, or wash any harmful chemicals off someone.

>>937996
>>938028
>>938254
Let me stop you all right there.

>>/questdis/129807
>There's actually a cistern on the thaumatorium's east side they've been using for drinking water (the circular thing on the map).
>It's just easier to locate the brewery near an existing cistern instead of having to carry water there every time a cauldron refill's needed.
So yeah, nobody's drinking bathwater or using it to make potions.

>>938260
>nobody's drinking bathwater
Except Alkaline, occasionally.

>>938254
It should be possible to have some slopes and such to keep spills from migrating, but more to the point, there are going to be potions and bombs and bodyparts and noodles and chaos magic and slimes and ancient skeletons and such flying around, so the pool is going to need a cleansing method someday regardless. So I don't see it as a problem that can be avoided.

>>938286
Should we be that worried about the pool needing a cleansing method when we have slimes in the dungeon? I mean... aren’t they like living filters? And pumping and carrying water will train them and make them stronger, just as it did Alkaline.

>>938286
>>938260
Im having a hard time determining if these are disagreements or not...

>>938371
>pumping and carrying water will train them and make them stronger, just as it did Alkaline.
Luckily, those slimes have got Stargazer, the best teacher to help them learn how to do that, seeing as she’s also good at pumping and carrying water: >>/questarch/688888 !

>>938381
I mean, she's not exactly suitable for teaching them how to best filter the water, is sh-

>A bunch of uniformed slimes in a classroom fansliming over Stargazer's ability to shapeshift
>[Stargaze-sensei~~~!!!]

Nevermind, you have a point.

Anyway, at some point we obviously also need to seriously consider improving the educational facilities in this Dungeon. Our non-literates still need to learn to read, for one.

1/3 Deem 2019/07/07(Sun)03:02 No. 938440 ID: 3d1dd5
File 156249376385.png - (26.89KB , 800x600 , things_go_here.png )

>If the treasury won't be accessed frequently, and will help balance out the earth pulse when it's near the geometric centre of the dungeon, you should connect it to a concealed door in the meditation room.
It doesn't have to be the geometric centre but that is sensible. That door absolutely needs to be locked down when the dungeon's invaded and it'll be a little unsteady for now but conditions will improve as I dig more rooms in that direction. Having something to accumulate the earth pulse near the Meditation Room might provide interesting dividends for Moriko too.

>I was thinking we would put it close to the Thaumatorium more as a a safety precaution in case of accidental spillage, or chemical accident so it'd be easy to get water to flush it, or wash any harmful chemicals off someone.
Good thinking. If I put it on the the side closer to the cliff face I can bore a drainage tunnel as well. I don't think I want to mix potion run-off with the bath gutter. The brewery would be a useful safe room if anyone gets stranded on that side of the dungeon too.

>I suggest we spend some extra time on it and add some verticality. I think we can make better use of Belphy if we could use the dungeon itself to funnel adventurers into his concoctions.
It's an interesting idea but this unfortunately isn't the best place for it - the imp excavations are roughly on the same level and it's a fairly open room so Doyle would still be potentially exposed if he was on top of a short platform.

That sort of dangerous spiral stairway would work better at a larger scale, I'll have to remember it.

I think a small scale similar idea would be possible by digging out a small niche and building a dispensing mechanism into the wall fed from the brewery side. Put a simple puzzle there with a potion reward and something nasty can come out instead if they fail.

It'd also be a useful way to slip a potion or two to anyone in the thaumatorium before a fight.

>Who is going to pee into the pool when they know they will be drinking it later?
>How much imp-bits and curse-slime ended up in the water when you weren't looking?
Not enough to significantly contaminate it.

>Nobody's drinking bathwater
>Except Alkaline, occasionally.
She's a slime, it's fine.

>Should we be that worried about the pool needing a cleansing method when we have slimes in the dungeon? I mean... aren’t they like living filters? And pumping and carrying water will train them and make them stronger, just as it did Alkaline.
>Luckily, those slimes have got Stargazer, the best teacher to help them learn how to do that, seeing as she’s also good at pumping and carrying water
>A bunch of uniformed slimes in a classroom fansliming over Stargazer's ability to shapeshift
>[Stargaze-sensei~~~!!!]
Yes it would be sensible to regularly put slimes in there. Hopefully Stargazer wouldn't be too resentful of them, she still seems a little on edge around Alkaline. Perhaps she'd enjoy the opportunity to show off.

2/3 Deem 2019/07/07(Sun)03:03 No. 938441 ID: 3d1dd5
File 156249383936.png - (27.40KB , 800x600 , deem_duo_v2.png )

>Anyway, at some point we obviously also need to seriously consider improving the educational facilities in this Dungeon. Our non-literates still need to learn to read, for one.
"A space for training is always useful." I suppose the Meditation Room would be useful for some kinds of lesson. As for reading, well, there was a chance but it wasn't as important as some of the other things to get on top of.

>You can probably just inhabit one of the regular golems here if there's trouble, can't you.
In an emergency, yes, but they're not really designed to accommodate me. Thanks to the Golem Totem, I can maintain some additional links to golems, I might take some precautions...

I spend a good chunk of the morning throwing together a glorified puppet modelled after my upgraded homunculus body. It won't be able to talk or use magic but it can at least listen, nod, shake its head and frown while I'm using it. While not under my direct control it won't be good for much but since it's a reproduction of my current body, it shouldn't need much mana while idle either.

>I think it's important to ask THEIR input on what they want the resurrection matrix to look like.
>What are some good forms for the new matrix? Perhaps a spawning pool styled after your slime queen? How about a mushroom garden?
Well, pools are excellent liminal zones. Some kind of garden might be a more soothing place to recuperate but they still need a place to emerge from. You know a pool or a hole or a tunnel or a geode or an egg or a mud-pit or a coffin or something.

I leave it as a task for my denizens to come up with ideas.

>... question for Merud. He'll be busy with stuff while you're gone, but has he gotten any further along in his idea for developing Golem armor for non-Golemeters? That still seems worth pursuing, but it's been a while since it was discussed.
No he hasn't had much chance. I'd need to give him an arcane workshop to let him do more focused work.

3/3 Deem 2019/07/07(Sun)03:08 No. 938442 ID: 3d1dd5
File 156249410082.png - (34.32KB , 800x550 , golems_are_a_gear_item.png )

By mid-morning, Moriko comes to get me.

The equipment she's organised for a week of exploration and bear fighting looks comprehensive. We have cooking and camping supplies, some basic tools, a tent, water, food for Moriko, Alkaline and Doyle. We're taking Alkaline's first slime too and two homunculi to help carry things and pin down the devil bear in a fight. The scanning lens is in there too.

"What's this for?" I say to Moriko, nudging the clay blocks at the centre. "Do you want me to make another golem?"

"No, that is for you." Moriko says. "The slimes and that cauldron won't be able to carry much. Additional bulk and strength might be useful if you're going to try to hold the line against that beast. And the additional material might be useful should you be taking on other forms again."

I nod those are all sensible arguments. "So I'll be an ersatz Hin for the next few days." I say. "It'll raise my mana consumption a little, but that should be manageable." Annoying but tolerable. I wonder if perhaps I should have stayed with a more compact body when I upgraded it. I have noticed this taller body already isn't as mana-efficient to operate as my old one and this will be bigger again.

To distract myself I pick up the Fixity Bangle. "And this?"

"Merud suggested -" Ahah, looks like she got some advice on what to pack - "that since you aren't a proficient combat caster, it could be used to sustain strengthening magic on a single person."

"It'll only lock in physical changes but that's clever." I say. "We might as well get some use out of it before I have to return it to Liana."

"And the potions?" Moriko's set aside two of the healing potions bought off Liana and one of the healing potions with the slimey side effects.

"Emergency healing." Moriko says bluntly.

I nod again. It might be difficult for Doyle to conjure up something that's precisely what we want on the fly and Alkaline's slime milk only has a very weak healing effect.

This seems fairly complete but is there anything else I should get ready or bring?

>>938442
Only a positive can-do attitude!

Given you're planning to kill the devilbear, be sure to bring whatever tools or supplies you'd need to field-dress the meat, extract and preserve magical giblets, that sort of thing. A boning knife and some salt at the very least. Might already be included with the cooking stuff but it's worth double checking.

Make sure that your basic tools and supplies includes a few needles and some extra spools of threads. Won't weight hardly anything and being able to patch up the more important gear (or earth forbid, Moriko herself if all the healing got used up) would be highly critical.

As for what else to do....

Before you leave, make sure that Doyle's been properly filled to slow brew something useful besides imp coffee throughout the day.

In fact, it doesn't have to be alchemy related. Having dinner slow cooked in doyle while we travel would save SOO much time and effort on the first day.

>>938442
If you have any long-ish spears they could be handy for bracing against a charge in case the bear gets desperate enough.

Though I imagine they'd have to be pretty darn sturdy to not snap on its mass.

In terms of strategies for fighting the bear, would it be viable to wound it and wait for it to bleed out?

>>938442
>This seems fairly complete but is there anything else I should get ready or bring?

Deem, are you familiar with the popular hunting cant "We're Going on a Bear Hunt?

>>938447
There's three main ways I can think of for subjecting the devil bear to death by exsanguination and none of them are currently feasible. (specialty arrows, cutting it's throat somehow or just stabbing it a whole bunch after making sure to hamstring it beforehand.)

We're not hunting a prey animal. We're not even hunting a normal bear. This excursion is all about finding and killing the devil bear so that it stops being a threat and we can get our stuff back. Assuming it's still alive, wounding it so it bleeds and then just running away isn't a good plan. It's going to catch up at some point and resume fighting, presumably.

>>938445
Yeah, ways to help carry back the corpse would be good.

Will Alkaline be budding new slimes on the road? Something to keep them tucked and safe while they... 'grow', maybe?

>>938442
>mana efficiency issues
Okay how about when you bulk up, you use a shorter form again? You might not need as much clay, even. Heck since we're going into combat you should optimize your new form for it.

Hmm, any ideas for something to bring to keep the group entertained while camping? Some books or a deck of cards? What about something to train Alkaline's abilities with?

>>938442
Bring a big rock in case you need to crush something and don't want to get it on Moriko's hammer. Otherwise, can't think of anything absolutely necessary.

Are you bringing any gold? You may come across a traveling merchant, or just need its comforting sheen to carry you through.

>>938442
>is there anything else I should get ready or bring?
You left the planning to Moriko, don't upstage her by taking over it.

>>938477
This, however, is solid advice. You don't have to get taller to gain bulk.

>>938527
Very much agreed, although a book to go through with Alkaline would be a "raising Alkaline" issue rather than a "Bear Ravaging" issue, so shouldn't be stepping on her toes.

>a pool or a hole or a tunnel or a geode or an egg or a mud-pit or a coffin or something
These are all sort-of passive, nothing that Cries Out to the world "A Warrior here rises!" or similar. Something... a representation? A statue! A Gplem!! A stone replica of your fallen denizen rises from the earth to do battle, then crumbles to reveal the true denizen beneath. Like a matryoshka doll, you could go further and revive all your denizens at once, just pop the top half off of a larger revived denizen and reveal a smaller one underneath, and just have them jump out so you can assemble the next larger and- I may have gone too far...

>>938447
>>938442
I like this spear idea, spend some time making some basic short spears. As light and sturdy as you can get, and make sure to barb the heads.
We can set them in the ground in front of the bear when it inevitably charges us, so it can impale itself on them. It can probably do a lot of damage to itself that way. It probably wont be enough to stop it, but it should slow it down.

How about instead of a coffin shape, just make it a box? Or encase it in the wall so it just looks like a door from the outside?

>>938532
>>938441
>Well, pools are excellent liminal zones. Some kind of garden might be a more soothing place to recuperate but they still need a place to emerge from. You know a pool or a hole or a tunnel or a geode or an egg or a mud-pit or a coffin or something.

How about a throne maybe? If it werent for some unfortunate implications, maybe a stone alter with some furnishings would do.
In the coffin line, a Sleeping Beauty style enclosed bed, or maybe a canopy bed with heavy curtains or blinds or doors. Give that 'Waking up" feel. If we had more mushrooms we could even fairy circle it up.
If Deem had shown any propensity for plants, I'd say making a big tree or plant that they could emerge from the hollow of would be cool.

>>938544
You're thinking of boar hunting, that's how you hunt boars. Not so useful against bears, let alone an intelligent, demonic bear that can actually assess the situation rationally rather than charging in blindly.

>>938573
I'm sold on the enclosed beds. Also, it can double as sleeping quarters when you're not expecting anyone to die. Unless there is some technical reason why it shouldn't?

1/3 Deem 2019/07/15(Mon)08:10 No. 939187 ID: 3d1dd5
File 156320340145.png - (150.68KB , 800x600 , setting_out.png )

>Make sure that your basic tools and supplies includes a few needles and some extra spools of threads.
>Be sure to bring whatever tools or supplies you'd need to field-dress the meat, extract and preserve magical giblets, that sort of thing.
Already packed!

>You left the planning to Moriko, don't upstage her by taking over it.
So I should overlook potentially missing something important out of a misplaced fear of giving offence?

>Bring a big rock in case you need to crush something and don't want to get it on Moriko's hammer.
Rocks are heavy.

>Are you bringing any gold? You may come across a travelling merchant, or just need its comforting sheen to carry you through.
It'll do much more good comforting my Heart.

>If you have any long-ish spears they could be handy for bracing against a charge in case the bear gets desperate enough.
>Though I imagine they'd have to be pretty darn sturdy to not snap on its mass.
I've made up an extra spear for one of my golems to help fend the devil bear off. It was an enormous creature though, I wouldn't want to put too much stock in them.

>Okay how about when you bulk up, you use a shorter form again? You might not need as much clay, even. Heck since we're going into combat you should optimise your new form for it.
Then I wouldn't be as strong. When I'm using my Gigant Mode a larger, heavier golem body will require more mana. I was wondering if I should have put more of an emphasis on efficiency when designing my new base form.

2/3 Deem 2019/07/15(Mon)08:11 No. 939188 ID: 3d1dd5
File 156320347624.png - (20.25KB , 800x500 , yes_deem_stopped_anyone_eating_the_tasty_poison.png )

>Before you leave, make sure that Doyle's been properly filled to slow brew something useful besides imp coffee throughout the day.
Doyle was making imp repellent overnight and I need him to make up some poison for the imp bits we're leaving scattered around the place to hopefully soften up some of the larger monsters.

We leave behind half of the repellent and spread the rest around my dungeon's entrance, the main paths leading to it and in some likely nesting spots as we go. We don't make great time. Alkaline did end up trying to eat an entire imp over night so she's a bit sluggish today. And Moriko took my joke seriously and has insisted on intermittently navigating while blindfolded.

I take some pains to point out the sorts of dark and hidden places imps congregate to Moriko and Alkaline whenever I'm able to spot them. We find a tiny amount of gold in the little nooks and crannies we're investigating. Alkaline and her slimes are quite useful for squirming in there. I point out a few edible or otherwise useful plants that we stumble on as well.

>Will Alkaline be budding new slimes on the road? Something to keep them tucked and safe while they... 'grow', maybe?
They usually cling to their parent slime quite well when small. Alkaline buds again as we take a break for lunch. It's much less stressful this time. A fine looking little slime.

Once we're a little further out we start placing the poison baits. I didn't want to potentially be luring monsters closer to the dungeon. It's a fairly quiet day. The occasional patrols by my denizens since setting up here seem to have pacified the area a little. We're attacked by a giant frog in the late afternoon. It's easily dispatched. I'm not sure why these angry amphibians are so common. Perhaps there's a spawning ground somewhere on the mountain.

3/3 Deem 2019/07/15(Mon)08:14 No. 939189 ID: 3d1dd5
File 156320366953.png - (97.99KB , 800x600 , camping_out.png )

When we set up for the night, I empty Doyle of poison by feeding the last of it to Alkaline. It's weak and she should be able to accumulate it in her toxic shroud.

Between the four of us we manage to cook some frog meat over the fire to go with some foraged greens and the packed rations.

It's not very good.

>Hmm, any ideas for something to bring to keep the group entertained while camping? Some books or a deck of cards? What about something to train Alkaline's abilities with?
I had planned to simply tell stories or perhaps have Alkaline try to mimic me should that curse vex me again. It's flaring up less frequently, perhaps I'm encysting it.
It turned out Merud had snuck in something for entertainment oo. While there's still light, Moriko haltingly reads to Alkaline and myself. There's a story about seven young goats and a wolf that tries to sneak into their home to eat them. I like the mother goat.

I keep watch while the others sleep. I set Doyle to boil - a few potions will come in handy - and think about some other things.

>>Resurrection Matrix variants
>A stone replica of your fallen denizen rises from the earth to do battle, then crumbles to reveal the true denizen beneath.
>How about a throne maybe? If it weren't for some unfortunate implications, maybe a stone altar with some furnishings would do.
>In the coffin line, a Sleeping Beauty style enclosed bed, or maybe a canopy bed with heavy curtains or blinds or doors.
>If Deem had shown any propensity for plants, I'd say making a big tree or plant that they could emerge from the hollow of would be cool.
I could do any of those, yes. It'll be interesting to see what idea my denizens might have come up with when I get back.

>In terms of strategies for fighting the bear, would it be viable to wound it and wait for it to bleed out?
Probably not. It was quite territorial so it's not likely to retreat. And it's mid autumn so it'll be hard to get through its thick fat to cause a serious bleeding would.

I do need to give a little consideration on how best to hunt the beast. We don't have much in the way of tracking, but if we can keep an eye out for signs of the devil bear marking its territory, we could hopefully provoke it. The other option is placing out a number of carcasses as bait and trying to lie in wait for it.

I decided to use the questdis to get some ideas for what potions Deem might brew up while out in the wilderness rather than devote an update to it:
>>/questdis/129982

>>939187
>wouldn't be as strong
Your limbs have to be long to be strong? I meant a short but stocky form. Bulky limbs, wide torso, etc.

>bear
I wouldn't wander into its territory. It's snuck up on you before. Bait and wait.

>Loincloth golem staring longingly at axe, spear golem staring longingly at Moriko's hindquarters.
Did you have to bring the pervert homunculi? Why do you even have pervert homunculi? I thought they were based upon yourself!

Take the time to prepare some traps around an area, then bait it with corpses. If you have to retreat, the traps will slow it down.
Does a devilbear have any weaknesses or resistance to certain elements, magical or mundane? It sounds like piercing attacks will work best against his fatty hide.

Moriko is most useful attacking the bear's head, while everyone else tries to limit its movement, and draw its attention when Moriko needs an opening to attack or retreat for a bit. Alkaline's eggbombs should keep it from backing up and you and your golem ought to go for it's limbs when you can.

>>939189
Keep that frog skin, you can probably make a waterproof bag from it.

>>I do need to give a little consideration on how best to hunt the beast. We don't have much in the way of tracking, but if we can keep an eye out for signs of the devil bear marking its territory, we could hopefully provoke it.
It seemed very aggressive last time we encountered it, and even regular bears tend to be fairly territorial. Luring it into attacking you at a place of your preference would probably be much more effective then trying to track it or drive it towards something. If the was a a good mud pit, we could try to bog it down so you can get some good hits in. It can probably swim, but heavy stuff like the bears would probably have a hard time not sinking into the mud with every step. Deem is good at digging holes, maybe she can make some pit traps and mud pits?
Other then that, if its fats as big of a penetration problem as you think, maybe beating it up will be more effective then piercing or cutting it initially. If you could hit it with some big rocks or a log trap, that might work. Dont suppose you're any good with a sling Deem? could work when you go Gigante.

I think the most important thing is to confirm that we're actually in or close to the devil bear's territory before we start putting down more poisoned bait. How far away is it to where the devil bear batted you after you covered for Merud?

1/3 Deem 2019/07/18(Thu)07:28 No. 939510 ID: 3d1dd5
File 156346010729.png - (33.26KB , 650x750 , talking_about_stuff.png )

>>Loincloth golem staring longingly at axe, spear golem staring longingly at Moriko's hindquarters.
>Did you have to bring the pervert homunculi? Why do you even have pervert homunculi? I thought they were based upon yourself!
Excuse me?

>I wouldn't wander into the devil bear's territory. It's snuck up on you before. Bait and wait.
Right, one mauling was enough.

>I think the most important thing is to confirm that we're actually in or close to the devil bear's territory before we start putting down more poisoned bait. How far away is it to where the devil bear batted you after you covered for Merud?
We're several hours deeper into the forest. I've found some claw marks on trees but they didn't seem too recent.

>Does a devilbear have any weaknesses or resistance to certain elements, magical or mundane? It sounds like piercing attacks will work best against his fatty hide.
They don't like purifying magic but that's not really an option. The spears will probably be the most effective weapons for wounding the beast but I wanted to have the option to knock it around and keep it off balance so I've brought a homunculus with a heavy weapon to help Moriko with that.

>Keep that frog skin, you can probably make a waterproof bag from it.
It'll be useful for a little while but it'll get brittle once the skin dries fully.

>Alkaline's curse resistance is luck-based. It'll help plenty, but relying upon it could go poorly. How much can her surface be rendered cut-proof?
Overnight I brewed up a small batch of lotions focused on making skin harder to cut with Doyle. Mainly out of frog skin and dandelion latex. It won't prevent injuries but the bear can't curse a wound if it doesn't break the skin.

2/3 Deem 2019/07/18(Thu)07:31 No. 939511 ID: 3d1dd5
File 156346028615.png - (29.92KB , 800x600 , well_watered_alkaline.png )

>Can Alkaline use the Fixity Bangle? If we enlarge her again she can grapple the devil bear and poison it at the same time.
Not a bad plan. If she's enlarged and toughened up she should make a very effective distraction and hopefully soften the bear up.

I get the authorising token off Moriko so I can use magic and I give Alkaline one of the new lotions, which she drinks. She wasn't supposed to do that but it seems to have worked.

I still have concerns about the stability of my magic when relying just on my Heart fragment so I'm quite conservative, focusing on toughness and making Alkaline about my size. She goes on to suck up an alarming amount of water, leaving her the approximate size of the bear. Oh Alkaline, must you always rush straight at your limits? I think the potion's effect on her membrane has upped her tolerance.

"You alright there, Alkaline?" I say.

"Gluh, glubber!"

I have my sword-armed golem give her a few test hits and the effects seem satisfactory. Alkaline's slow and clumsy but she has plenty of reach and attacks bounce off her. I'll have to make sure to feed her extra to compensate for the Bangle's drain. I just hope she hasn't diluted herself too much.

I leave the golem with her in case of more frogs or other monsters attacking.

3/3 Deem 2019/07/18(Thu)07:33 No. 939512 ID: 3d1dd5
File 156346038012.png - (40.35KB , 800x600 , going_on_a_bear_hunt.png )

>Moriko is most useful attacking the bear's head, while everyone else tries to limit its movement, and draw its attention when Moriko needs an opening to attack or retreat for a bit.
That seems like an effective strategy, Moriko's going to be the primary damage dealer while everyone else focuses on keeping it penned in.

I've placed most of the spare carcasses in a clearing since I do not want to be fighting that creature in close confines. The plan's fairly simple - we'll hide on the outskirts and once the bear's busy stuffing itself we'll come out and kill it.

>If the was a a good mud pit, we could try to bog it down so you can get some good hits in. It can probably swim, but heavy stuff like the bears would probably have a hard time not sinking into the mud with every step. Deem is good at digging holes, maybe she can make some pit traps and mud pits?
>If you could hit it with some big rocks or a log trap, that might work. Don't suppose you're any good with a sling Deem? Could work when you go Gigante.
I should be adequate with a sling. I'm good with rocks. Should I consider placing traps? I'd originally intended to simply let the bear distract itself with the bait and then have everyone close in.

We'll be sticking to this area for the next few days, are there any improvements I should make to the site or anything else I should get done?

Another little chance for some input on what monsters might be in the area:
>>/questdis/130103

Distance is a little vague, but I think you guys are WAY too close to the bait. Keep in mind that you want to be downwind and off to the side of the bait so that the bear won't smell any of the others.

As for other stuff to try... Could have the camp even further away, then have Deem/a golem keep watching over the bait and if the bear/something else shows up a simple and quiet signal could be raised by the scout to tip off the hunters to quietly approach. (A rock thrown from the scout's position to the camp is what I'm thinking off)

We could also put up some small scale traps to deter predators that are smaller than the bear from having an easy meal.

>>939512
Let's hope the bear goes for carrion.
From what I've heard bears are pretty opportunistic, so it should.

Would you be able to somewhat cover Moriko's scent with a layer of clay?

>>939512
Traps can become a liability during a heated battle if the bear doesn't trigger them all. I think we're set.

As a fallback position, tie some young saplings back with rope that can be cut to send the tree snapping back into position. There aren't many traps that could affect the bear, but if you had to run this might at least stun it for the few seconds you need to get away.
A shallow pit lined with spikes somewhere within the clearing could provide a space to drive the bear into. In fact, forget the pit, you could just scatter caltrops in the arena when you spring the ambush.
Other than traps, you could build a duck blind for yourself and Moriko. Gives you someplace to sit protected from rain and annoying little gnats.

You should use you golems to do anything around the bait, to avoid spreading smells. Unless... your golem has probably absorbed the scents of your denizens... and Devilbear might sense your mana?

>>939512
>>939520
The traps should be a fallback, in case we need a line to retreat to, so they wont be in the direct area of combat. And non-lethal ones, like the mudpits, wont be as effective on any of the minions as they would be on the bear, and probably not at all on Deem. One or two probably wouldnt hurt as a temp roadblock ,enough to get a hit or two in.

More importantly, what kind of poison are we working with here? Paralytic? Numbing? Anti-coagulant? Necrotic? Corrosive? Confusing? Mana-disruptive?

>>939520
Only if we're being stupid about it. Aside from Moriko, the entire party is comprised of golems, slimes and one monster cauldron. Pit traps with spikes and makeshift wooden caltrops wouldn't drastically affect our fighting force and even then it'd be easy to establish and enforce a "do not enter" zone around the actual bait where all the traps are.

Only slight downside is if we catch something that opts to run away from the party after getting to the center somehow and we'd have to go around our traps but then they'd be go through the traps twice instead of once.

>>939686
Additionally, traps are important to maintain the maximum amount of control over this battle while exposing the Minions to the minimum risk or harm. The Devil bear, while intelligent somewhat, is still also a wild animal, and dividing its attention more can only help.

Traps can be hard to rely on. I'd settle for something quick and easy that triggers when the bear gets to the bait for a free hit but after that I wouldn't bother. If you feel like expending the time and effort, sure, place back-up traps, but for the plan to work you can't really allow for the bear to leave the ambush zone anyway.

1/3 Deem 2019/07/21(Sun)01:01 No. 939808 ID: 3d1dd5
File 156369606758.png - (28.04KB , 800x550 , the_tadpole_was_a_trap.png )

>Other than traps, you could build a duck blind for yourself and Moriko. Gives you someplace to sit protected from rain and annoying little gnats.
Very sensible, I'll have my golems start on it right away.

>The traps should be a fallback, in case we need a line to retreat to, so they wont be in the direct area of combat. And non-lethal ones, like the mudpits, wont be as effective on any of the minions as they would be on the bear, and probably not at all on Deem. One or two probably wouldn't hurt as a temp roadblock ,enough to get a hit or two in.
>We could also put up some small scale traps to deter predators that are smaller than the bear from having an easy meal.
I'll dig a few shallow pits and cover them as places to drive the bear into if necessary. To reduce risk of them backfiring, I'll just give them a muddy bottom and mix some of Alkaline's sticky slime in too.

Aside from that I'll just scatter around some little traps to discourage any smaller creatures poaching the lure.

>More importantly, what kind of poison are we working with here?
It's derived off the imp poison so a weak paralytic.

>You should use you golems to do anything around the bait, to avoid spreading smells. Unless... your golem has probably absorbed the scents of your denizens... and Devilbear might sense your mana?
It's a devil bear not a wizard bear.

However yes I should take some steps to deal with scents. My homunculi don't have much of a scent to them and slimes are reasonably common but the scents of a human and wood smoke could use some masking. Time for a bath!

Finding a larger still body of water has revealed something else about the area. There's giant tadpoles and they explode if provoked so now I need a bath as well. It does go some way to explaining why these frogs are so prolific.

2/3 Deem 2019/07/21(Sun)01:03 No. 939809 ID: 3d1dd5
File 156369619023.png - (21.68KB , 600x750 , woo_take_it_off.png )

I expediently fill a convenient hollow with water and have Doyle hit boiling point and then paddle around in it along with tossing in some hot rocks to warm it.

>Could have the camp even further away, then have Deem/a golem keep watching over the bait and if the bear/something else shows up a simple and quiet signal could be raised by the scout to tip off the hunters to quietly approach.
Yes that'll avoid having to be too careful about leaving traces as well. I think I would prefer to keep Moriko nearby though as she represents the bulk of our fighting strength. Doyle's odd chemical smell is another issue I'll resolve by having him stay near the camp instead.

Anyway time for a wash. I explained the importance of masking our scent to Moriko and here we are. I've shed my clothes and, since I could feel prickling thoughts about some new exotic shape from my curse like an oncoming headache, my extra clay as well.

3/3 Deem 2019/07/21(Sun)01:04 No. 939810 ID: 3d1dd5
File 156369627382.png - (24.69KB , 800x600 , lets_talk_about_our_feelings.png )

"Have you been enjoying our little wilderness adventure so far?" I ask Moriko. My conversations with my hammerai have been fraught with peril of late but this should be safe.

She sighs. "How do you do it Deem? Knowing all these plants, all these monsters, all these little habits and tricks. Making camp, making golems, making potions, making traps and baits... I feel as if I'm not contributing anything, all I can do is fight..."

Oh no. I try to be a little flippant. "Well you have to remember Moriko that I'm about a thousand times your age. Anyone who watches and listens long enough is bound to learn a few things."

She frowns slightly, as if she's trying to determine whether this is a joke. "Are you serious?"

I shrug, a little swish of water. "I might be, I haven't kept that close a track. In any case, your contribution is going to be the most important part! We need someone who can actually kill that wretched bear!"

She looks happier but maybe I should try to drive this point in, or talk about what else she can do or maybe change the topic to something lighter instead?

>>939810
Grope her boobs and remark on their size. It's traditional in eastern culture when two women bath together.

>>939810
Also she helped pack supplies.
Tell her if she wants she can pick up a side skill. You might be able to teach her the basics on something and then she'll learn more on her own via practice and experimentation, things you aren't as suited to.
Or is there something else she already knows the basics on? Something she once picked up as a hobby?

>>939812
Deem's not going to fall for that even with curses equipped.

Discuss abilities and how to hone them into advanced techniques. See if there's something you missed.

That giant eyeball behind the rock is Belph, yes? Just checking...

Fighting is, in some ways, the most important role in a dungeon. For that sophistication and subtlety make you superior to such things, there are simple brute dungeons that get by just fine with nothing but various bears and giants. It is far less viable to rely purely upon traps or puzzles or long mazes and inclement weather or the like. A masterful combatant like her is invaluable, even if that were all that she was.
That said, If she seeks such then you could seek research and training for her to expand her skills. In time you will be an expansive domain, with many denizens, a skilled and trusted Modern Major General to keep them in-line might be needed. If she were to apply herself to such ends...
Or she might have a hobby? An amateur cobbler or tailor can be kin to miracle-workers if one is away from the cities...
As your first, and foreseeably finest soldier, she will never be unworthy of you, but if she seeks to broaden her skills, you would do well to support her.

Or change of topic! How is that Demonic heritage working out for her? It was obviously something much better than an imp!

Or distract her some other way... You are all wet(from the water). It is making you lose control of your body(because mud golems don't work). You need her to press herself against you(to evenly support your weight while lifting you out to dry, you wouldn't want anything falling off!).

Are there younger giant tadpoles that are less inclined to explode? Bringing some back might let you easily recruit some frogs. They aren't glamorous, but are good at pulling invaders out of formation and have some interesting alchemical properties...
Exploding tadpoles also sound like something Alkaline could learn something from. See if she can swallow one before it explodes!

>>939810
While I don't recommend groping her chest outright, you could ask if she's been eating properly, both under your employ and prior, as she seems to lack notable musculature.

Or maybe she's just training to the point of it being detrimental to her.

Also meat's gonna be a part of the menu for a while, what does she think about that?

>>939810
You could take off your external rock plating. Maybe she's feeling embarrassed as she feels overdressed?

>>939818
Yeaaaaa giant eyeball concerning now that you mention it.

>>939810
tell her she shouldn't worry about her contribution. if anything, you're worried you're not paying her back enough. that you haven't been keeping your promise.

try to find out what she wants. this is important, we've been out of touch with her for a while now.

>>939810
Apparently Doyle is a huge pervert and enjoys looking at naked ladies taking a bath.

Lighter topics don't really include dwelling on her history with demons.
You should sell her on that point some more. She's already bested her fellow adventurers, and is the scourge of frogs everywhere!
Hold onto her so you don't slip all the way underwater and switch focus to your homunculus proxy. How are things going at home?

>>939812
>>939844
>>939870

IT'S JUST LIKE MY JAPANESE ANIMES

Ask Moriko what her hobbies are. Let's see if we can connect.

>>939810
sit back and complain about all the things you can't do that annoy you

1/2 Deem 2019/07/23(Tue)07:27 No. 940121 ID: 3d1dd5
File 156389203880.png - (29.98KB , 800x600 , very_deembarassing.png )

>You could take off your external rock plating. Maybe she's feeling embarrassed as she feels overdressed?
Moriko is wearing less than me.

>You are all wet (from the water). It is making you lose control of your body(because mud golems don't work). You need her to press herself against you(to evenly support your weight while lifting you out to dry!).
I'm a terrible liar. And you know that I'm cursed, you shouldn't be putting these ideas in my head.

>Grope her boobs and remark on their size. It's traditional in eastern culture when two women bath together.
You're a terrible liar.

>Apparently Doyle is a huge pervert and enjoys looking at naked ladies taking a bath.
Doyle is a pot with ideas above his station.

>Sit back and complain about all the things you can't do that annoy you
Yes, there's so much! I have a measure of freedom, I'm not lying still beneath the earth. But all these things I haven't done, can't do... I feel the fire rising within me. I glance at Moriko, pale and beautiful and uncertain. Wasn't this supposed to be about her? I duck under the water. I need to cool down.

>Or change of topic! How is that Demonic heritage working out for her? It was obviously something much better than an imp!
Well she obviously n-ghrk, NO!

I should know better than to blurt out such things. I choke back all these foolish words and smother them down in my chest.

>Are there younger giant tadpoles that are less inclined to explode? Bringing some back might let you easily recruit some frogs. They aren't glamorous, but are good at pulling invaders out of formation and have some interesting alchemical properties...
>Exploding tadpoles also sound like something Alkaline could learn something from. See if she can swallow one before it explodes!
Yes! Sure! Maybe!

2/2 Deem 2019/07/23(Tue)07:28 No. 940122 ID: 3d1dd5
File 156389212280.png - (20.36KB , 600x750 , new_enemy_unlocked_deems_head.png )

>As your first, and foreseeably finest soldier, she will never be unworthy of you, but if she seeks to broaden her skills, you would do well to support her.
"Your skills have been indispensable thus far." I tell Moriko. "We wouldn't have come so far without you. But if you want to broaden your skills, all you need is time and practice. I'm more than happy to support you."

>While I don't recommend groping her chest outright, you could ask if she's been eating properly, both under your employ and prior, as she seems to lack notable musculature.
>Or maybe she's just training to the point of it being detrimental to her.
I know she was very seasick for most of her voyage, to the point that she'd needed to stay at the inn I met her for several days just to recuperate. She'd have lot a lot of weight then but she's still so thin.

"Have you been eating alright?" I ask Moriko. "I know our travelling provisions are somewhat basic. I'm not an expert cook. It's hardly glamorous, but it's a useful skill to have. Is that something you might want to try your hand at?"

Moriko shakes her head. "No, I know my limits." Not too surprising, her attempts were worse...

>Or is there something else she already knows the basics on? Something she once picked up as a hobby?
"Maybe there's a hobby you have you might like to develop further?"

"I don't have any hobbies." she says.

"None?" I say. "Come on Moriko. Merud like his books, Reisarf swims and looks at the stars, Hin sings when no-one's looking and even Doyle apparently has a hobby!"

The nearby bushes rustle nervously as Doyle retreats.

Moriko stands up. "What are your hobbies?"

"Well..." I begin and immediately run out of sentence. "I don't usually have hands." I finish lamely.

"You could have watched birds." Moriko suggests innocently.

"I don't particularly birds." I grumble. "Well that's it then! We both need a new hobby. We should start one together."

I need ideas! It should preferably be something of practical benefit to my dungeon.

>>940122
Deem you have a hobby, you spend almost every moment not working taking care of your minions, teasing them for their silly antics, making sure they feel good, getting them food that they like, building up their potential, making them stronger, and making promises to get them neat "toys" EX: the meditation room. Your hobby is being a good mom.
though if you need a hobby to do with moriko... clothes making/modeling? its something the dungeon will probably need and could be fun to have everyone show off what she makes for them.

>>940126
doubling down on dungeon management and staff manager/therapist/life coach isn't a hobby, no matter how practical and efficient it is.

We need something that isn't, on the surface anyway, practical or sufficient. So, Deem. How do you feel about non-magic enabled pottery?

Yall could take up wrestling!
It's fun, train's a new combat skill neither of you have...
And you both could get oh so close...

How about gem collecting

>>940122
what are you saying? you have plenty of hobbies.
Interior design
Alchemy
Jewelry-making
Animal and monster husbandry
Golemetry, though i'm not sure that counts as a hobby.


As for Moriko.. Let's see, what are the standard trope hobbies for wandering ronin..
A musical instrument is a classic, but would be annoying in a closed space for the first year or so.
poetry? Poet warriors are definitely classic. It might help her with processing her own issues as well.
I don't know, embroidery?

Maybe something you can teach her. I'm sure there's plenty of things you have experience with that she can derive enjoyment from. Knowing her she'd probably want it to be practical so she can give herself excuses for why it's ok she's doing it. Perhaps a craft of some sort? Something she can make with her own hands?

You could team up to teach Chak new tricks.
Or you could take up clay modelling with Deem and Merud. Sculpting new homunculus bodies, molding new clay to patch them up when they are broken... Patching up Deem after fights...

The both of you should learn an instrument and learn how to play together. The only question is what instruments would work well together that the both of you might be disposed towards learning.

As far as a practical effect goes, setting the scene is really important for the Earth Pulse, yes? Then, playing a song as or before the final encounter begins should heap on some drama. Whether it be the crescending beat of a drum or the solemn whistle of a flute or the sad plucking of strings, it all should add up.

Also, team morale could go up from having a bit of evening entertainment.

Boss/band name suggestion: The Deemori Duo.

>>940122
Well, we need to take into consideration what's available, and most sorts of crafting will be right out as you probably have a few years of experience with it.

How about some casual fishing with bait or tackles?
It'll be less about actual fishing, and more just passing time while relaxing.

There's brewing alcohol, lots of downtime between having to do stuff, and lots of mistakes to learn from. And it'd also give you something to taste, albeit most of it would be rather nasty unless you get someone with a bit of know-how.

>>940122

DEEM! MOOVE YER HEED!

Seriously, Moriko has no hobbies? What does she do for fun? How does she relax? How does she not go stark raving insane from duty?

Here are some suggestions:
-Flower arranging
-Calligraphy
-Taiko drums
-The board game 'Go'
-Archery
-Poetry
-Karaoke
-Tea Ceremonies
-Bonsai
-Learning a new language

Flower arrangement could be good. It gets you time on the garden growing more directly useful herbs and vegetables while giving you an outlet to take out your frustration on the artist. Just think of all the petals!
>>940148
Ooooh, warrior poet IS a classic. And really might help with working through problems, both mental and material. You could mix it up with a touch of debating to aid critical thinking! And then I go one step further and it is rap battles and everything is terrible. Haiku Wars? Limerick Duels?

You sew, you cut hair and you model statues (golens). Doesn't those activities count as hobbies?

If you want something useful knitting and weaving are ideal. Spend some time in a repetitive task while accumulating useful resources for latter.

If you want something more fun play some games. You and Moriko can improve your abilities to command battles by playing strategy games like chess or xiangqi.

Instrument-wise, drums can be made from stretching leather over frames, flutes can be made from carving bone or wood, or forging metals if you'd care to have our smith try for it. Stringed instruments would probably require some finessing, but shouldn't be beyond your eclectic group's means.

Or you can go to town and shop for something.

>>940169
Verse wars. Rhyme rumbles.

Moriko and Deem could start a Rock band.

>>940150
Very good idea. Definitely do this! Drums and flutes are easy enough to make, though maybe you should choose something to improve an attribute. Like, harpsichord or another stringed instrument for dexterity, though you'd have to purchase those.

>>940191
oh god it hurts but it's perfect I second this

>I need ideas! It should preferably be something of practical benefit to my dungeon.
Carving? I mean it might be a bit redundant since you can shape your dungeon any which way you want but maybe if you could learn how to carve stone you could crave some things into your dungeon's walls to give it a bit more flare or just to make it seem more homely to your minions. Or other art related projects. Might help improve you dexterity a little since while you do seem pretty apt at using your body you still only just got the thing... and maybe it might help you get use to also puppeting that avatar golem you made for when your main avatar is busy.

Guess you could also try your hand at music. Having music could help set a mood or theme for your dungeon or even just use it to try and lure adventurers into traps. I mean if you had one of your golems playing something off the beaten path that would probably be enough to lure some adventures down the side path to see what it is. Might be able to enhance the music as well to either give your allies buffs or debuff your opponents.

Now that I think about it that could make for an interesting dungeon run. Especially since your dungeon is still on the small side. Have the adventures hear music as soon as they enter the dungeon that slowly saps their strength the longer the tune plays so they have to rush through the dungeon to get to the boss before the song drains them completely.

Wood carving?

>>940122
>>940150
Music seems like a good place to start! Instruments are good, but you know whats would also work? DANCING!
It can improve your rhythm and you two can do it together! And it doesnt require instruments.

Fishing is also something I can see Moriko getting into. It has a certain meditative quality, And it could get us some more food sources if she gets real good at it. Maybe something for after we fix the bear problem.

Archery would also be cool. I think in the eastern regions theres some sort of tradition of meditative archery, and really, having someone on the team who could use a projectile weapon that doesnt require magic might be useful. You could make bowstrings ut of tendons from those frog legs!

I like the idea of instruments. You could make amazing stone instruments thanks to your ability to shape stone, even more intricate things you could mimic finer function of things that would normally require brass or other metals to make, like horns or complex wind instruments.

It's good for morale, but further you could probably wrangle some wonder and maybe power out of building a system of natural "instruments" built into the tunnels of your dungeon, which would make music play every time the wind is blowing (you'd need a spot for the wind to feed into though).

You do have lots of hobbies, alchemy, magic, engineering, but maybe you could also add mechanics to that. Again, parts that would be a chore for humanoid hands to build could easily shaped and encased in ways that normal craftsmen couldn't, letting you make better and more effective mechanism for any number of things. You could have a section of traps, or go big and make a section of labyrinth where entire sections of the dungeon turn.

But honestly, you messed up, because you let us know you think Moriko is beautiful. We know you have a crush on her, and now you wanna go on some journey of self discovery and learn the things you enjoy doing together?

Just get over the "great and terrible earth mother" schtick and kiss the woman.

>>940122
How about masonry? Or pottery? Or Drawing? Actually, could you combine all three? Form stone like clay, then color the surface by manipulating the traces of metal in the material?

>>940122
Scrimshaw or wittling. Involves learning to carve and engrave, both of which could be useful to your dungeon and in ritual magic.

Or fireworks. Potential side-trade in explosives and rocketry for traps. More importantly, it lets you shoot bombs at The Sky and gain adulation for doing so!

>>940150
>>940188
>>940193
>>940218
>>940237
I take it none of you have lived next to someone learning an instrument? Let me just say this: morale will go down fast.

>>940376
>shoot bombs at The Sky and gain adulation for doing so!
Oh, she'll love that.

>>940122
Music is a bad idea for a variety of reasons, and making stuff (pottery or whatever) is sure to lead to frustration as Moriko compares her efforts to Deem's and Merud's golemetry horseshit.

Fishing does seem like a good fit for Moriko, though. It's a quiet and meditative kinda low-intensity thing, but it's more traditionally productive than flower arranging or poetry ('cause you generally can't eat flower arrangements or poems), and Moriko seems like the practical type.

Poetry could be good for Deem, though. 'd help her with reading and writing, and would maybe even help her convey her feelings to her fellow deemgeoneers.

>>940481
Which is why I suggested no magic when doing pottery.

>>940481
>>940408
Yes, which is why Dancing still works! Dance to the Earth Pulse!

>>940408
You raise a point, but privacy to train can probably be found. Particularly the small valley is secluded and far enough away from the main areas to be a nice place to hang out practicing for when the weather is nice. For when it isn't... well, Deem will have to put in doors in the dungeon eventually.

1/3 Deem 2019/07/28(Sun)00:38 No. 940696 ID: 3d1dd5
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>You do have lots of hobbies, alchemy, magic, engineering, but maybe you could also add mechanics to that.
>You sew, you cut hair and you model statues (golems). Doesn't those activities count as hobbies?
Of course they're not hobbies, they're all vital to running a dungeon.

>Deem you have a hobby, you spend almost every moment not working taking care of your minions, teasing them for their silly antics, making sure they feel good, getting them food that they like, building up their potential, making them stronger, and making promises to get them neat "toys" EX: the meditation room. Your hobby is being a good mum.
I told you not to say that. And I would be very concerned by someone who did call that a hobby!

>Y'all could take up wrestling! It's fun, trains a new combat skill neither of you have... And you both could get oh so close...
>I think in the eastern regions there's some sort of tradition of meditative archery, and really, having someone on the team who could use a projectile weapon that doesn't require magic might be useful. You could make bowstrings out of tendons from those frog legs!
I need something not related to fighting.

>Knowing her she'd probably want it to be practical so she can give herself excuses for why it's OK she's doing it. Perhaps a craft of some sort? Something she can make with her own hands?
Yes, something she can take enjoyment in that will still let her be productive.

>How about masonry? Or pottery? Or Drawing?
>Or you could take up clay modelling with Deem and Merud. Sculpting new homunculus bodies, moulding new clay to patch them up when they are broken... Patching up Deem after fights...
>Carving? I mean it might be a bit redundant since you can shape your dungeon any which way you want but maybe if you could learn how to carve stone you could crave some things into your dungeon's walls to give it a bit more flare or just to make it seem more homely to your minions.
Considering that she has felt some insecurity about her place here, I don't think trying something I'm already skilled at is a good idea.

>But honestly, you messed up, because you let us know you think Moriko is beautiful. We know you have a crush on her, and now you wanna go on some journey of self discovery and learn the things you enjoy doing together?
>Just get over the "great and terrible earth mother" schtick and kiss the woman.
So is a sword. So is a thunderstorm. I would not try to kiss any of those. It would hardly be an equal partnership anyway.

>Fishing does seem like a good fit for Moriko, though. It's a quiet and meditative kinda low-intensity thing, but it's more traditionally productive than flower arranging or poetry
The water sloshes as I burst to my feet and drop a fist into my cupped hand. "Fishing! Let's try fishing!"

"Fishing?" Moriko says.

"Yes, fishing. It's something we can do today, it's a nice low intensity activity I am told and a little more variety in everyone's diets can only be a good thing."

She makes a fist. "Fishing then."

We dry off and head back to the camp. Some quick improvisation gives us some simple fishing rods and we set off to find likely spot. A large stream seems like a good candidate due to its lower risk of tadpoles and we cast our lines and settle down to wait.

2/3 Deem 2019/07/28(Sun)00:40 No. 940697 ID: 3d1dd5
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The stream-side is quiet and cool. The little breeze is refreshing and the stream's quiet gurgling soothing.

>How about gem collecting
"Have you ever considered gem collecting?" I ask Moriko after a while.

"What for?" she asks.

"To... have more gems?" I venture.

We lapse back into silence.

>Or fireworks. Potential side-trade in explosives and rocketry for traps. More importantly, it lets you shoot bombs at The Sky and gain adulation for doing so!
Tempting as it is, I currently have a single bomb flower. That isn't going to produce material in the quantity required.

>Flower arrangement could be good. It gets you time on the garden growing more directly useful herbs and vegetables.
A few casts later, I ask something else. "How about gardening?"

"I grew a little food to help support myself at my old home. I suppose I was adequate at it."

"We definitely do need to set up a plot here. Some plants and flowers would be nice for the dungeon too, it's so barren right now..."

"I could try my hand at it." Moriko says.

>Scrimshaw or wittling. Involves learning to carve and engrave, both of which could be useful to your dungeon and in ritual magic.
"Speaking of decorations, have you ever tried scrimshaw or engraving?"

"I don't know what I'd make."

Moriko pulls in the biggest catch yet, a fish the size of her hand.

>Though if you need a hobby to do with Moriko... clothes making/modelling? its something the dungeon will probably need and could be fun to have everyone show off what she makes for them.
"What about clothing?" I ask. "It's something I've entirely neglected so far, but it's important to get right in a dungeon."

Moriko looks uncertain. "Isn't that a little frivolous?"

"A dungeon should stir the heart. How it's guardians present themselves is a part of that. And designing something striking but sturdy is trickier than you might think. When we get back to the dungeon, why don't you try making something for me and I'll make something for you?"

"You'd wear it?"

"Of course I would."

She bites her lip. "I'll try it then."

>DANCING! It can improve your rhythm and you two can do it together! And it doesn't require instruments.
It does require music however.

>The both of you should learn an instrument and learn how to play together. The only question is what instruments would work well together that the both of you might be disposed towards learning.
>A musical instrument is a classic, but would be annoying in a closed space for the first year or so.
It's starting to turn to dusk. We should head back soon. "Not many hobbies we can make a start on out here unfortunately. Music perhaps, I could whittle something simple. But we do have our voices. While we're waiting out here, let's try a duet. Can you sing Moriko?"

"..."

This might need some effort on my part. "Do re mi fa so la ti do."

3/3 Deem 2019/07/28(Sun)00:41 No. 940698 ID: 3d1dd5
File 156429968066.png - (21.33KB , 800x500 , frogs_hate_you.png )

I try a song or two and Moriko refuses to tell me whether it's good or bad. I'm not sure which would be worse. Some prodding gets her to make a few attempts on her own.

>As far as a practical effect goes, setting the scene is really important for the Earth Pulse, yes? Then, playing a song as or before the final encounter begins should heap on some drama. Whether it be the crescendoing beat of a drum or the solemn whistle of a flute or the sad plucking of strings, it all should add up.
>Now that I think about it that could make for an interesting dungeon run. Especially since your dungeon is still on the small side. Have the adventures hear music as soon as they enter the dungeon that slowly saps their strength the longer the tune plays so they have to rush through the dungeon to get to the boss before the song drains them completely.
An interesting idea, one I explain to Moriko as something that might be worth pursuing. But our attempts at song seem to have drawn the attention of something.

Oh no the frogs really didn't like that.

Perhaps it's the coming dusk and us interfering with their own frog songs. There seems to be a lot of them. No signs of the tadpoles so far at least. We should probably avoid getting bogged down and retreat.

They're frogs, Deem. Frogs. Just go home.

Everyone's a critic.
You know what I see? I see more corpses for the bear bait. Let's switch to spear fishing.

huh... we might need to actually have some of our future patrols around the dungeon focus on thinning monster numbers since this looks like our second infestation (first being the imps) and we still have yet to find that devil bear.

Also what kinda of enchantments do you have on yourself right now and are either of you armed? I'm not seeing weapons and I can't exactly recall what you can do outside your dungeon.

>>940698
Yeah I don't think we want to fight this many frogs at once. Still gotta kill the damn bear.

>>940698
Oh tell the frogs to ribbit before you hop away.

Break their will to resist and press them into your service.
Deploy The Diplarmaments!
"Why do girl frogs think that boy frogs come from Mars?" "Because they are little green men!"
"What did the [insert wit] say about [winsert it]?" "There's a thicc frog rolling in!"
"Why does frog beer taste weird?" "Too much hops!"
"How heavy is a frog's mouth?" "A long ton!"
"Why do flowers make raising tadpoles expensive?" "Because of the lily pad-tolls."
If they still have the will to resist after an ongoing barrage of such then escape was probably impossible.

Did, uhh... is it just me or did some of your clay expand from water-absorption?

>>940698
What if you diplomatically tried to teach them to fish to calm them down and potentially get them friendly enough to provide information on the surroundings and potential devil bear activity?

>>940708
It's either water or when she choked "back all these foolish words and smother them down in my chest." Or both.

Tell them you hope they all croak.

>So is a sword. So is a thunderstorm. I would not try to kiss any of those. It would hardly be an equal partnership anyway.
you wouldn't take those on a journey and get naked with them in a bath either. it's ok though, i personally didn't get the crush impression. if anything it's the other way around. and you're completely right about it not being a relationship on equal ground.

fishing is quite meditative, it was a good choice.

Throw the least-appetizing-looking fish over the heads of the frog mob, to distract them. Then, send Moriko in to take advantage of the target-rich environment. Maybe she'll level up before the bear arrives.

>>940730

It's cause they are the only two characters in this story that can feel the earth pulse. The fight between Deem and Moriko was probably a powerful experience for Moriko.

Of course, they can't exactly be partners, but there's something to be said for adrenaline pumping lust too.

Catch some frogs. They'll make good mascots for your training area.

>>940698
Inform the frogs that they're rude for complaining about other species courtship songs.

Make a note to get some giant cicadas to annoy the hell out of the frogs later.

Retreat, but while singing just to spite them.

More like frogged down.

How'd she like the fishing? She seemed content, but did she like it? Either way it's nice to see you both so relaxed.

1/3 Deem 2019/08/06(Tue)04:35 No. 941561 ID: 3d1dd5
File 156509131135.png - (32.28KB , 800x550 , lets_fight_frogs.png )

>What if you diplomatically tried to teach them to fish to calm them down and potentially get them friendly enough to provide information on the surroundings and potential devil bear activity?
That's stupid.

>They're frogs, Deem. Frogs.
>You know what I see? I see more corpses for the bear bait. Let's switch to spear fishing.
Perhaps you're right. I am weak right now but perhaps this is just being paranoid.

"Let's squash some frogs!" I say to Moriko, raising my voice over the angry ribbits.

"Let's!" She grabs her hammer, eager for a fight.

The frogs are angry but cagey. They surround us, croaking furiously as more crash through the undergrowth and hop in, lured by the commotion. Between their mobility, tongues and the sticky mucus they can spit, they're making it hard to focus on an individual frog. We've only killed one, Moriko hammered it as it tried to barge into me with a hop.

>Did, uhh... is it just me or did some of your clay expand from water-absorption?
No, it doesn't do that. I turn to my hammerai during a lull. "Moriko, has my chest been getting bigger? I think it's curse related."

Moriko glances at my face with a serious expression, and then a little lower with the same expression. "Once or twice, yes."

I jab at a particularly puffed up frog. "And you didn't say anything?"

"You've been changing a lot of things lately, I assumed you wanted to look more imposing."

"Really?"

"When you first altered your golem, you made yourself a foot taller than your original body and then started wearing heels too."

I don't why those shoes seem to be such a sore point with her.

2/3 Deem 2019/08/06(Tue)04:36 No. 941562 ID: 3d1dd5
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>It's either water or when she choked "back all these foolish words and smothered them down in my chest." Or both.
Things I wanted to say that I kept hidden instead? Hmmm. "Oh ho, so they're full of secrets? Maybe I should keep them then?"

>Oh tell the frogs to ribbit before you hop away.
>Tell them you hope they all croak.
That's just making them angrier!

>The fight between Deem and Moriko was probably a powerful experience for Moriko.
She seemed disappointed the second time when I fought her without any magical assistance. Perhaps I should let her test my next guardian form.

3/3 Deem 2019/08/06(Tue)04:37 No. 941563 ID: 3d1dd5
File 156509144539.png - (28.07KB , 800x500 , frog_battle.png )

>Huh... we might need to actually have some of our future patrols around the dungeon focus on thinning monster numbers since this looks like our second infestation (first being the imps) and we still have yet to find that devil bear.
Bringing the surrounding area under control is always a little touch and go at first. Clearing existing monster nests and tweaking the geomancy to encourage more useful varieties to spawn is an important part of establishing a dungeon.

>Also what kinda of enchantments do you have on yourself right now and are either of you armed? I'm not seeing weapons and I can't exactly recall what you can do outside your dungeon.
I have no enchantments except for being afflicted with a melange of curses that is unlikely to be helpful! Of course we brought weapons and I can't do anything reliably outside of my dungeon except rely on my golem body!

>Fishing is quite meditative, it was a good choice.
It started well but I'm starting to get concerned. These frogs are proving harder to kill than expected and more keep showing up! The ground's getting a liberal spray of frog mucus, making it harder to move and Moriko and I have both taken a few glancing hits. The frogs can cling to the trees surprisingly well too, giving them an extra angle of attack.

We're penned in and we either need to get them to stop harassing us and leave or we need to break out.

>>941563
You're letting yourself get cornered by frogs. Frogs. Just powerwalk in a straight line out of their territory.

You should keep the secrets stored in those until you're willing to share them, I bet you have some big secrets you're keeping hidden; perhaps even some you're keeping from yourself?

probably time to leave. I say who ever is quicker at clearing frogs pick a direction and just start taking down any frog dumb enough to stay in their path while the other one of you focuses on keeping the frogs from attacking the first person's back and overwhelming the two of you.

If you can't get out then try to find somewhere you can funnel them or at least find somewhere the two of you can put your backs too so you can't be surrounded.

Have Moriko just go all out on whichever frog is closest while you watch her back, you might be able to kill a couple of them before they run off in the face of a trained warrior

Convert some of your internal stones and your stone weapon into a bunch of balanced stone Kunai. Hand half of them to Moriko and start wrecking these little assholes.

Head for higher, drier ground. See if you can duplicate the enchantment you used in the Deem Duo fight to create throwing knives from your own bones, but direct excess curses into the knives so they'll be some frog's problem instead of yours. The earth-pulse-smell of cursed wounds might help attract the devil-bear's attention.

Of course, Deem. You are a Keeper of Secrets after all.
You should turn the frogs mobility against them. Use the rock you're backing up against as a springboard to take a flying leap into their numbers!
If you keep them off Moriko for a bit, can she sense any larger creatures nearby? Perhaps this swarm came from one of the spawner beasts.

>>941563
I think they are attacking you due to your location. Get away from the pond.

>>941563
Leave the pond.

If you want(?) to fight frogs you should do it with one of your AoE specialists at a later date. You and Moriko are direct damage dealers right now, which is a bad fit for mob enemies. Time to retreat!

There isn't much the frogs can do to you that can't be fixed with some clay and tailoring. Go full "irresistible" force and march onto more open, drier ground. I might suggest the rocks behind you, although they could be come slippery when wet, depending upon their texture.

Also don't forget Deem you can POWER UP

I think standing your ground is the mistake, you need to push to the edge of the group and not let yourself get surrounded again.

>>941563
Perhaps the pond is where their spawn live? Abort combat, withdraw.

>>941926
>Perhaps the pond is where their spawn live?

>>940698
>No signs of the tadpoles so far at least.

1/5 Deem 2019/08/12(Mon)02:10 No. 942306 ID: 3d1dd5
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>I think they are attacking you due to your location. Get away from the pond.
Yes well the problem is the numerous angry frogs in the way.

>See if you can duplicate the enchantment you used in the Deem Duo fight to create throwing knives from your own bones
That's slow, I don't have my Heart to do the heavy lifting for a stable casting and I'd need to get that token off Moriko to cast anything that's not golemetry.

>There isn't much the frogs can do to you that can't be fixed with some clay and tailoring. Go full "irresistible" force and march onto more open, drier ground.
Right, hardly the most elegant solution but repairs to my golem body are easily made. With Moriko covering my back, I switch to an all out attack. I'll make these frogs regret harassing us.

2/5 Deem 2019/08/12(Mon)02:11 No. 942308 ID: 3d1dd5
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We've waded through the wall of amphibians. Moriko and I croaked a few frogs and made our getaway but unfortunately we didn't get to take much with us. The fish we caught are safe and we also have a frog to eat, but one of the fishing rods was sadly a casualty of the battle.

We're also a mess again so I'm a little unsatisfied. I quickly patch up my wounds by absorbing some clay with my Gigant Mode but decide to play it safe and give Moriko one of the healing potions so she's in top form in case the devil bear decides to burst roaring out of the bushes.

She still seems fairly happy though.

>I bet you have some big secrets you're keeping hidden; perhaps even some you're keeping from yourself?
I wouldn't know.

I take some time over the next few days to brew some test batches of potion with Doyle's help. Seeing we ended up using one of the healing potions already, I make another attempt at them. No slimy skin side effects this time, but the effectiveness is limited since the drinker needs to absorb sunlight. In addition to the skin toughening potion (increased thirst), I now have a small batch of potions of jumping (webbed toes) and enlargement (consistency problems).

3/5 Deem 2019/08/12(Mon)02:13 No. 942309 ID: 3d1dd5
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I've settled into a pattern of doing some rounds of the dungeon with my golem puppet twice a day. The new excavation is going well, I expect we'll have the new rooms done by the time we return. Despite the golem being completely unable to talk, Merud has started talking to me about his research so I've started setting aside some time for it in the early evening.

Maybe he just needs a listener to help him work through his ideas. Hin doesn't seem to have much patience for it and Reisarf is maybe too involved or too vacuous? I suppose that explains why he seemed to be talking to Moriko so much in the past.

"-The problem's going to be the core though." Merud continues. "This little slime isn't very strong so the reinforcing suit and the golem core regulating it both need to be very light. I don't think we can make anything out of stone or metal that'll be small enough."

I settle for tying a strip of fabric to a clay doll (slime stand-in) and a rock (golem core stand-in) to make my point.

"Right, we can make it as bulky and complex as it needs to be then! Deem, you're a genius!"

4/5 Deem 2019/08/12(Mon)02:19 No. 942310 ID: 3d1dd5
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We've started to run into more of the local wildlife too. The frogs are by far the most belligerent, and I have taken a certain petty satisfaction in exterminating any isolated ones I've encountered.

The insect life is both large and prolific too, which helps explain why the frogs are thriving here. They're mostly large by insect standards, but branch bugs have shown up.

They're a kind of giant stick insect. The grubs get laid in trees and migrate into the branch tips while they grow. They can be quite hazardous because they look like fallen branches and can whiplash their bodies for a forceful surprise attack. Firewood collection has mostly fallen on Moriko, as sense training.

There must be stagnant water nearby since I've seen mosquito fairies. Mainly a pest, since Moriko's the only one they'd be a danger to and they're cowardly. They can deepen sleep and make themselves hard to see, but the sound of their wings gives them away. The amount of blood they can drink does make repeated visits from one or a hungry swarm potentially dangerous. I caught one trying to drink Alkaline's 'blood' but it couldn't get through her membrane. I didn't have the heart to kill it.

We've seen some gorebulb spiders too. They're a little messy - if threatened they reanimate carcasses they have digesting in their abdomen.

We've seen some spinning strangleroots. They look innocuous until disturbed, at which point they burst out of the ground and attack with the root mass. Their spinning leaves keep them airborne until it finishes unwinding. The skull-like shape on the root bulb is just cosmetic.

Lately there's slime spitters too. These lizards store slime in their guts to help digest food and to spit out as a defence mechanism. First spotted them sneaking up to Alkaline's slimes to lick them. I've been keeping a closer watch since. Belphe is acting like a few were stalking him too.

5/5 Deem 2019/08/12(Mon)02:21 No. 942311 ID: 3d1dd5
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Speaking of Alkaline, she's been producing at least one slime a day since getting here. All together the slimes been eating more than expected, but we've had plenty of frogs to feed them.

The most developed of her slimes have started terrorising the local wildlife and the rest have been sticking close to the camp where they're protected. All have been terrorising the orderliness of the camp.

Using the bangle on her has been excellent training for her slimy skills. It's supposed to resist physical changes, which is why I've been encouraging her to keep tweaking her clothes and appearance as practice, but between her constant use of Hydro Pump and Gluttonous Goo she's been getting bigger if anything.

Though with Alkaline being so prolific, I think we should do a little work with her and her children to get a head start on developing them into their final forms. She can demonstrate and they can try to copy her. I had three roles in mind, which should we work on encouraging to manifest early?

Hoplites: Alkaline's basic slimes. Creates shields of toughened protective slime similar to Toxic Shroud and able to fuse and change shape to assume more powerful formations.
Assassins: An advanced ambush slime. Uses its mobility and Shadow Slick to hide and attack unexpectedly.
Craftslimes: An advanced producer slime focused on reproducing some of Alkaline's useful secretions like her Nourishing Goo, Sticky Slime or Bad Eggs.

Hoplites could be good but suffer from the risk of slimes generally being outmatched enough to lack persistence regardless of augments.
Assassins Get my vote for tactical versatility. Even if only a distraction, a distraction can be momentous if timed perfectly.
Craftslimes are very tempting, diversity in that field could be huge, but Alkaline already seems to provide enough chemicals for your current purposes.

Try to catch a mosquito fairy. They are adorable a good match to a darkness theme. Can the metamorphose into anything interesting?

Hoplites

mostly because we don't really have any real front line minions. I mean we only have 2 brute golems and the rest are more item users and while some of our friends can get up nice and close they're more mini bosses/bosses so having a standard front line force would probably be best since they would complement the brut golems quit well and buy more time for the Homunculi to use more items to boast themselves even more.

Hoplites. The slimes can fuse together to create a combatant that is hopefully more than the sum of its parts.
Can we trap any of those creatures inside our existing killzone to provide some additional nuisance to the bear? Gorebulb necromancy has potential. At the very least, it would be a shocking sight suitable to a Shadow dungeon.

Hoplites. Close-order drill and formation fighting take a lot of training to master, especially for amorphous types, so you might as well start early. Also the most immediately relevant, since a shield wall could help with tanking devil-bear attacks, and the easiest to practice in wide-open spaces. Sneaking and crafting will probably be easier to teach back in the dungeon.

Craftslimes. A lot of variety makes for useful combatants and useful workers.

>>942311
Hoplites
We can specialize them in more quirky roles later, right now we want them to be as survivable as possible.

I feel like those Spiders have some utility potential. Maybe we could use them to get some use out of all the dead blasted frogs.

Craftslimes!

>>942311
Aww, they're adorable. My vote's for Assassins, the enemy can't target what they can't see and with slimes it's better to make sure they always get the first hit.

>>942311
Hoplites. Especially if it makes them conducive to teamwork and following orders.

Assassin. That adventuring duo are sure to return, and probably bring their bomb throwing friend along. So even if we trained our slimes to be hoplites, they'd just get picked apart.

>>942311
Do we get to choose again for the next group? Or is it a one-time thing? Also, we're not in the dungeon right now, does that mean that if any of them die out here they stay dead? I feel like this isn't exactly a safe place for children. For now, I'd say Assassins just to play it safe.

>>942311
Hoplites.
You make the basics before you jump to specialties. Unless these initial slimes are special in some way, there's no reason not to delay the assassins and support for after making the frontlines.

>>942361
We *have* frontline grunts already. They're called golems!

>>942310
I think we should attempt to recruit those lizards. They could pair well with our slimes.

>>942311
Train the slimes to become Hoplites.

Any way we can teach the Hoplites to use Shadow Slick? Ambush in formation!

Should be assassins, we want them to be ambush troops while our golems do the actual fighting or defending.

Not that I expect a lot of adventurers are going to get beaten by a slime surprise attack.

>>942311
Hoplites!

>>942379
>Recruit lizards
Do this!

Let's make them assassins.

Assassins, the whole plan for the Dungeon was to use the slimes for ambushing while the Golems handled the front line.