>>1046759
While Alex does indeed look good, I just have to ask Dungeoneer something real quick, over here in a corner.

Dungeoneer, please tell me that armor isn’t soluble when covered in slime.

1/3 Mary 2022/10/17(Mon)16:28 No. 1046799 ID: 08229c
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"Alex, I think... I think you look strong. And beautiful. And your horns are very cute and look fairly practical."

"R-really?"

"Really. I would love to place you in the dungeon. Maybe you can accompany the adventurers if they need some help?"

"I'd... I'd really like that, Mary."

>Alex gives the brightest smile Mary has ever seen her give. There are tears forming in the corners of her eyes.

Oh.
My heart.

She is really cute.

"Now, let's see if we can get our smiths to make you some better armor."

"Aw, what!?" Dungeoneer cries out.

2/3 Mary 2022/10/17(Mon)16:34 No. 1046808 ID: 08229c
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>>1046799

"It's a great outfit!" Dungeoneer complains.

"Is it? She's half exposed."

"Yeah! She's letting them see! One final beautiful vision before they die!"

"Ah, I understand. A kindness to others."

"Yeah!"

"Maybe I should rune your outfit and have my smiths make something similar for you."

"W-what..?"

"You know. To make you more efficient."

"W-www-w-wah.. I.. I mean... It's uh... You know, I never liked armor like that, really. It just is so... You know. Not cool."

"Really?"

"Y-yeah... I'll uh.... Go help the smiths make something more practical. And still stylish."

"I expect to see you displaying the results."

"Fff..... Y-yeah, of course boss. You got it."

Okay, Dungeoneer has been bullied. All is well.

Now, let's see her stats...

>>1046808
speaking of: Dungeoneer's now a 3 rune demon, just like Alex. She should be pulling double duty as a fighter, too.

Ask about the difference between Demons and Monsters while Dungeoneers here, what Runes do to them and why Demons seem to have a cab and monsters don't

3/3 Mary 2022/10/17(Mon)16:52 No. 1046814 ID: 08229c
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>>1046808

Wow. That's an impressive jump...

Alexandrai du'Bryna

Level 16 Auditor
Level 1 Law Demon (Demonic Paladin)

Skills (Auditor):
Analytical abilities
Math
Existential dread stare
Enhanced Alcohol Capacity
Weapon Proficiency: Letter Opener/Stapler
Lower Spell Cost (Auditing Magic)

Spells (Auditing):
Audit: Takes 1 item from target. 10 Mana
Calculate: Tells the worth of target. 5 Mana
Multiply: Temporarily creates a copy of an object. 10 Mana
Summon Lawyers: Summons a lawyer to distract target. 10 Mana.

Skills (Demonic Paladin):
Know Law
Judgement (Banishment)
Judgement (Penance)
Judgement (Law)
Judge Good
Judge Evil
Silently Judge Neutral

Weapon Proficiency: Adamantine Sword
Armor Proficiency: Heavy

Spells (Demonic Paladin):
Smite Good: Deals damage to Good aligned enemies (Free)
Smite Evil: Deals damage to Evil aligned enemies (Free)
Not-Smite Neutral: Doesn't smite them but honestly doesn't care for their fence sitting way of life.
Unholy Blade: Forces the Unholy alignment onto sword for extra damage. Heals demonic allies if the blade is pointed at them. (Free)

Interesting. And this is just her starting out too...

I'm almost tempted to rune myself but... Eh... There's no going back if I do so.

Well, unless you find someone else who would run this dungeon well, and you were willing to leave all you have created behind, you're here to stay, so unless you DO have a reason there really is no reason NOT to rune yourself aside from permanence and not knowing which Runes to use

>>1046814
>I'm almost tempted to rune myself but... Eh... There's no going back if I do so.
hold off until you get Almighty at least, then decide

>>1046814
Look, I know you have been hesitant about making a big change like this. But there are a few reasons to consider it now.

First of all, there is the aspect that whether you like it or not, you may have to fight adventurers. The problem is, you said yourself you don't have insurance. If things go wrong, they will go really wrong. Demons at least seem to have a natural healing ability after they get conked.

Second. You have a family of sorts now. Your various monsters love you, and you have a new group of friends in the guild. Its a nice life. And its also a job that you have become very good at it.

You don't have to do it now since you have to gain runes. But it might become more important much sooner than later.

>>1046814
Also, speaking of runes, may I direct your attention to this chart? https://questden.org/w/images/7/79/Audit_Quest_rune_opposite_chart.png
There are 28 unknown opposites right now. Most of those are probably bidirectional, but still, we better try and get all the runes we're missing.

I think that your subordinate has proven a successful testbed for runing. That was the point, after all. If it's good for her, it's good for you!
Sleep on it, there are many many runes for you to choose from and you want to get it just right. But you are definitely getting something, now.

>>1046814
It's a great powerup. Doesn't this also come with immortality for dungeon masters? The only reason to not rune yourself is if you're missing a rune you really want.
Glass Spinner had everything she wanted in three runes, and she's the happiest she could be.

>>1046814
>I'm almost tempted to rune myself but... Eh... There's no going back if I do so.
I still firmly believe that you'd look great with a Dragon rune in you!

Note for the future. We could make a trap room where the adventurers need to climb to the top of Slime Peak, upon which Slimecrown is settled, to get a special item to progress in the dungeon. Little did they know if they don't replace the legendary Golden Ruth with a similar sized slime (available wherever slimes are bribed) then they will trigger an avalanche of slimes from the top of slime peak. This slimepede may be individually weak but with the power of gravity and numbers on their side many adventurers will meet their doom!

can you infuse runes without becoming a monster/demon?

i got an idea for a new friend:
Bone+Soul+Study

>>1046808
While I, and I'm sure almost every other voice in this fashionable headwear, do approve of bullying Dungeoneer, you should compliment her new hairstyle. A bit of sweet helps balance out sour, and it'd be good to remind her that we only bully when she goes too far...or lewds people that wish to remain unlewded.

>>1046814
Try to get all the Fundamental Runes and make yourself a god-emperor!

The real question over becoming a demon is what runes you need and what runes you have, because while you can only have five runes, one rune seems near needed to go into Soul to keep a mental stability and ignore and bleed over from the runes you are putting in yourself.... so you have 4 runes of power to place within, which isn't a lot of choices or options.

>>1046827
We have Dungeoneer II, we can do 6 runes. And for 5k we can go up to 7.

>>1046814
Soul, water, dragon and law
Turn yourself into slime law dragon >_<
The gummydragon judge of SlimeCrown

I think we wait until we have foundation, it seems like it could also help stabilize being a Demon greatly, and really what are you, but the foundation of your dungeon

>>1046814
Personally, I'd keep myself runeless too. All of the other Dungeon Masters are demons, so it's good to see you keep this job field open to non-runed humans.

That being said, we should talk about the elephant in the room... You've been neglecting your own training to become a boss. If you're trying to remain runeless, it's time to start learning the physical requirements. Perhaps you should call some previous adventurers for some assistance in choosing a secondary class?

>>1046831
A secondary class is a good thing to think about, while we have gotten a surprising amount of utility in the civilian class you hold at the moment, a more combat oriented class would help. Not to mention that you should probably get the peasant/villager class off of the tiny girl you adopted/kidnapped, and get her some sort of profession that isn't "lives as a peasant".

So, uh, forgot a detail. Was rune #1 perma or were all?

Either way - no rune self. Why limit your options? Probably saw how low flexibility messed up dungeons you've audited. Plus, life outside of this may still be good to have.
Even if you did rune, would probably be worthwhile to build creatures out of those runes before you did. Have to be sure you'd favor the form or else you'll have to live with one you have disdain of.

How about you get rune infused equipment instead?

>>1046837
They're all permanent, at least for now. Dungeoneer III would be able to alter all the runes in a demon, but only once.

>>1046814
Translations, from top to bottom:
Cute
Still Flat
Law
If you want to translate, use a pigpen cipher.

Now whisper in Alex's ear "You can still wear that in the bedroom if you like"

Well first of all it's neat to see she has the same Judgement Law skill Rosalyn has, we've seen how potent that skill is when our own Slime Paladin has had to fight. I'm curious about Penance and Banishment though, I wonder how those will work.

Secondly, I would like to remind you that you had a rather close call when Aberration and Keeper challenged Slimecrown, and the only reason you got out of it alive was because the former was at the verge of death.

...Speaking of which, you do have that Purchase Order spell to get items with gold at any time. Maybe consider taking a look at that to see if it's worth using.

>>1046814
If I were you, I wouldn’t rune myself until:

1: You’re confident you know what all the runes are. With a max level Demonologist I bet you’ll be able to see all your options.

2: You have a clear picture of what you want out of demonizing and some concept art drawn up that you’re happy with for a while. You could try it on with an illusion or costume for a while, like how some people get temporary versions of tattoos before getting them inked.

3: You’ve seen how all the runes you’re interested in manifest in practice, so you know for sure what they’ll do.

4: Personally, I don’t think my pride as a human would let me do it until after I’ve escaped the clause that trapped you here. I think it’s better to choose to become a demon over going back to your old life when you’ve actually got the option to go back to your old life.

5. You should be confident that the things you want out of becoming a demon aren’t things you can get from, say, rune-infused items or leveling up normally.

I won’t pretend that immortality isn’t a sweet gig. But as far as I’ve seen, you’re the only dungeon master representing humans. And you’re successful to boot. There’s pride to be taken in that. If I could, say, make a fountain of youth out of water and eternal runes, I would probably stay human indefinitely. If not, I’d probably try to turn myself into an angel. An angel demon?

You’re an adult, and just like Dungeoneer and Alex, you get to decide what to do with your own body. But ontologically editing yourself is a big choice, and I’d sit on it for a good while before making any final decisions.

Also, I consider you to be my friend, Mary.

1/2 Mary 2022/10/18(Tue)21:11 No. 1046913 ID: 08229c
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...

Aftering hearing everyone's opinions... I firmly believe that this is something I just... Don't have to do.

I like being a human and the freedom it offers me. As good as a power boost would be, I don't want to become a demon. At least not yet. I have all the time in the world to decide and far more runes to uncover.

And if I stay human? That could be my draw, you know? Mary, the Human. I kinda like that sound to that.

Although, I will have to find some means of making myself stronger. I think once we get the artificer we can get that ball rolling. Immortally IS a pretty nice trade off... Or, at least, effective immortality.

Honestly, if I could find a way to achieve that then I would hardly consider being a demon. Come to think of it, most of the people who enter my dungeon are just humans who have gained power... So it can't be that hard.

I just haven't really put my mind to it.

"Hey, Dungeoneer."

"Yes?"

"Is it possible to have aspects of being runed but not ACTUALLY have runes in you?"

"Oh, uh... An artificer could."

She seems sad. Probably because I denied her.

"Understood. Also, Dungeoneer... I like your new look. Your hair is really cute."

Critical Hit! Dungeoneer's heart has taken 999 damage

... I think that worked. She looks less sad.

>As she contemplates her frozen Dungeoneer, Alex returns. She is wearing a new set of armor and has a cape.

"Mary! What do you think?" She strikes a pose.

>Mary gives a thumbs up.

"Much better. I like it."

2/2 Mary 2022/10/18(Tue)21:11 No. 1046914 ID: 08229c
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So if we put Alex over here...

Excellent.

Alright, is there anything else we should do or are we good to open?

>>1046914
Make dungeoneer wear the outfit too.

>>1046913
>"Much better. I like it."
Yup, looks great. Hey Dungeoneer, did you make sure that if she takes over half damage, that'll be transferred to the new armor, effectively turning it into the old armor, right? I mean, it's only natural to prefer armor to be damaged rather than the person it protects, right?

>>1046914
The only thing I could suggest is maybe some room classification. Do we want to make Colt's area a mini-boss room? And do we need to code in checkpoints or anything if we wanted to make this a skippable section in the future?

Other than that, I feel comfortable giving this area a test ride and then expanding from there.

should be good to open...
also: add a "bad ideas" tip jar that adventurers can put random bad ideas into XD

>>1046914
Not much that I can think of. Maybe a few musical slimes to provide background ambiance, or another metal slime for the new section, assuming that it's only limited to one dungeon at a time?
Also, did we ever hear back about whether Yum will allow BRAWNDO, THE THIRST MUTILATOR™?

>>1046919
I think the benefit of having a 5-rune musical slime is that it can add music anywhere

>>1046914
The only thing I would change is to make the empty room a place for Slimon and his guard so they have their own spot.

Does that well do something special yet? we could sneak a bonus in there that could help with one of the areas which branch off of it

>>1046922 in fact, and this is still assuming the well doesn't already do something, we could have the gummy wyrm guard a special coin or treasure that does something when thrown into the well, maybe give one face a picture of the well and the other a picture of some cool item

>>1046914
Is there something we can do to make an image of the citadel proper visible from every room outside it? I’m a little confused as to how we make a “room” feel like it’s the countryside underneath the big blue open sky.

>>1046914

I think we're good unless we want to reach out to apologize to the Dragon Tamer. A half star review will seriously knock our ratings, but it might be best to wait until they visit again so they can revise their score in an organic fashion.

End of Chapter 10.5 Mary 2022/10/19(Wed)16:09 No. 1046974 ID: 08229c
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>>1046917
I think we'll avoid making any mini-boss rooms for now. This should be a low level experience for the first run at least.

>>1046921
We just happen to have some empty space.

>>1046936
Actually, when you enter it DOES look like you... Are outside. It's weird. You can see the citadel proper no matter where you are outside just due to how big Slimecrown is.

>>1046959
Hmm... I'll write a letter explaining that he caught the dungeon at a bad time. I'd love to have him again.

We'll figure out what to do with the well later.. I suppose dropping some simple loot in it for now will be enough.

...

I think that's it. We're ready.

"Alright, everyone! The Dungeon is open!"

=To Be Continued=

>>1046974
Was good to get everything in order and finish the expansions.

Do I recall rightly that this is running on commission now? Any way I can chip in to that pot?

Calalen 2022/10/21(Fri)11:01 No. 1047108 ID: 08229c
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>>1047096
It's not even close to set up but I have a kofi thingy over here - https://ko-fi.com/calalen

You can also follow me on twitter at - https://twitter.com/CalalenArt for updates on that, my own art, and just life in general. It is filled with NSFW art so beware.

>>1047108
Okay, just to be clear here, this quest will only continue if we pay for it, correct?

I am not judging, I am just asking so we know what we are paying for.

Like, the ko-fi page says it is a tip jar, which is also fine, but giving money as a tip and giving money as a commission have different connotations and obligations.

I also apologize if this is not the place for this. I am just confused.

>>1047110
>>1047111

Sorry if it's confusing, as I said it's not ready yet. Essentially, I make a living off of art and am dealing with a hand injury. So I can really only dedicate my time to one or the other. If the tips help cover my expenses I can dedicate more time to running my quest. Otherwise, I have to focus on doing commissions and the like.
Audit is able to run so much this month due to a donation that allowed me to focus almost purely on my personal works. I hope that clears things up!

Please feel free to reach out to me on twitter if you have anymore questions or use the discussion thread over on /questdis/.