Faircoast Cavern

[Skarok]

Ryan & Pel


Ryan finished yet another book. Relieved he threw it over to the other four books he finished. Gotta do something different to keep me awake a bit longer With that in his mind he shuffled out of the library and then through the treasury. In the next hallway he stopped for a moment to look at a casino, a room that must've been built not long ago. A few seconds later the merc veered and made his way down the hallway until he entered the training room. Smothering a yawn he slowly walked over Pel who saw him the moment he entered the room. After it was clear to him that Ryan came his direction he stopped and made a step towards him.

"What's up? You're finished with the library?"

"Not exactly" Ryan replied. "I'll go back there in a few minutes. I'd just like to move a bit to not fall asleep in there. Haven't slept since we left Crystallbarrow."

"Then get some rest. Problem solved."

Ryan grinned. "Later after the damn workshop is researched. So, you'd be in for some training?"

Pel shrugged and looked over to the other creatures. "You want to fight in here? Can't you wait 'till we've got a combat pit?"

"No, no real fight. Just a small exercise. You simply parry my attacks and I try to break through your cover. Enough movement and it's better than hitting these damn dummies."

"Hm. Alright. Though I'm surprised you decided to stop with that hostility." With that the two humans drew their weapons. Pel went into his position and made himself ready to repel his counterpart’s attacks.

"You know" Ryan begun while he started to attack Pel. "I didn't want to ever see you again after what you did. But to hell with that, it's like half a decade ago. I'm over it."

"Nice to hear!"

"Doesn't mean we're friends again. I'm still pissed at your little action in Crystallbarrow."

Pel repelled yet another attack before Ryan stepped back. Before he charged again the rogue replied: "Accidents happen. Get over it."

"Accidents..." Ryan muttered before launching another attack. "I didn't notice you. You could've done anything without a problem like knocking me out and yet you ram your weapon through my shoulder.."

"Ah yes, forget about that."

Ryan grinned. "Of course you did." Without a warning he activated speed and broke through Pel's defenses and pressed the point of his sword against his throat.

"I win."

With that he withdrew his weapon and turned around. "Thanks for the opportunity. Pull of something like last time again and I won't hold myself back if we do this again."


"Good to know. And when you're even more calm then now I might even start to tell you the things you want to know..."

Still surprised Pel turned away. That was damn careless of me... Well at least my target won't be that hostile towards me from now on. Will make things easier when I strike. The rogue stretched himself one more time before he returned to his prior actions.


Not much later Ryan entered the library again and quickly searched for another books about the workshop. After he found eight promising ones he activated Speed again and continued where he stopped, this time even faster than before.

I just hope this doesn't take that long from this point.


Ryan Summary
Health: 100%
Location: Library
Gold: 0.00
Level: 3.62
Keeper Approval: 31
Mood: Moralized
Status: Researching
Quick Summary: Ryan left the library and had a quick training exercise with Pel before he continued with the research of the workshop.

Pel Summary
Health: 99%
Location: Training room
Gold: 0.00
Level: 2.55
Keeper Approval: -12
Mood: Amused
Status: Training
Quick Summary: Pel continued to train, first with Ryan and then alone.

[Mothrayas]

Animus noticed more creatures entering, and making their lairs.

"Welcome, new creatures. Good to see you come in."

He noticed that some more of these were powerful creatures who came in from Larquidos' dungeon... and then there was another, the rogue Matthew. Matthew appeared to had said something about a "dreadful Keeper Tesonu". Animus knew well about Tesonu's activity in the northern edges of Heavenarius. Were it not a fact that he was quite far away from them, he'd have some noteworthy competition to fight against. It's only fortunate that Northland is a faraway place.

Animus pondered what this Rogue stood for in Tesonu's ranks. The rogue didn't look particularly powerful, so it's unlikely for him to be a veteran of any sort. Tesonu must not really like inexperienced creatures. Such a level of expertise meant he's probably quite a threatening Keeper. It's good that it didn't really matter to him, though.

After this train of thoughts, a voice coming from below, in the Dungeon, interjected.

"Hey Animus, what do you think about a free round in the casino to raise moral? I could skip next payday for that! "

"Eh... Go wild. I don't suppose I'll lose that much from it, and if it pleases you, then go ahead for now. Have fu--"

Animus was suddenly interrupted by the Mentor.

A NEW ROOM HAS BEEN RESEARCHED: WORKSHOP

"...Well, that is very good. The research staff is quite well on its way."

This reminded Animus of something, so he turned to the Lair for his new creatures, who were resting and waiting there.

"Creatures, it'd be quite helpful, if you could help out anywhere in the Dungeon. You look sufficiently powerful that you don't need training, but there's always room for additional help in the Library, and I'll get a workshop up very soon. Let's not let your usefulness go to waste."

Animus looked at his carefully mapped out dungeon design. He knew where he would place his Workshop.

"Now, I--eh... I need more Imps."

Animus summoned two Imps out of mana sparked through his mighty hand. They ended up on the corridor, south-east of the training room, where the gateway to a new Workshop was going to be.

"You two. Dig out the room for a workshop here."

Animus stretched out all the way to the other end of his reach, where his Imps had found a small gold vein. It was good enough to last him a bit longer, but it wasn't exactly a whole lot to work with, either. However way it was, he'd let his Imps dig out all of it, as gold was something he quite needed at the time.

To finish, Animus returned to the Library.

"Creatures, well done with the research. For now, let's get to continue researching the Speed Spell. It'll surely help us get some other things done faster."



Keeper Animus

Summary: Told new creatures they can do some things, created two new Imps, starts out digging for a Workshop and is mining gold.

WORKSHOP progress: FINISHED
SPEED UP progress: 20%

Gold: 9762 (+512, -0)

[Mothrayas]

Krua, listening to the commands of the Keeper, put back her book about the Workshop and pulled out a book on the Speed Up spell instead. She quietly continued her researching work.

----

Skios woke up in the lair. He looked around in the lair, where some other creatures were resting, but not much action was happening.

"Well now... let's see what there is to do around here."

Skios wandered about a bit throughout the dungeon aimlessly, finding little he could do around. His stroll eventually led him to the path leading south to where the Imps were mining.

"Bah... there sure is little to do around here."

Skios sat down and watched the Imps run around and do their work. It didn't really interest Skios at all, but something compelled him to keep being there. His spider's sense told him that if anything was going to happen, it would be closest to this location.

Skios felt it would still take quite some time until things happen, though.

Skios the Brutal Arachnid Warrior
Health: 100%
Location: southern corridor
Status: watching imps mine
Mood: bored
Level: 5
Gold: 0

Krua the Icy Arachnid Witch
Health: 100%
Location: library
Status: researching
Mood: neutral
Level: 6
Gold: 0

[Skarok]

Ryan & Pel

"Eh... Go wild. I don't suppose I'll lose that much from it, and if it pleases you, then go ahead for now. Have fu--"

Pel looked up and nodded before responding “I’ll come back to it later” After that he continued with his training. Noticing that soon he'd finally be able to come back at one of his favorit tricks. We really need a combat pit soon. He thought. Maybe I can convince the Keeper that he should hurry in that matter.


A NEW ROOM HAS BEEN RESEARCHED: WORKSHOP

Relieved Ryan threw the book he was currently reading away. Finally some rest.

He didn’t really listen to the rest the Keeper had to say and just picked up a few lines. Anyways, I’ll sleep and then train a long while before getting back in there, really have no intention to do it the next time. Great that a simple training room sucks too…

With that he entered his lair and lay down on his simple bed. With his hands on his weapons he finally passed away.



Ryan Summary
Health: 100%
Location: Lair
Gold: 0.00
Level: 3.62
Keeper Approval: 30
Mood: Tired
Status: Sleeping
Quick Summary: Ryan left the library and headed to the lair for a quick nap.

Pel Summary
Health: 99%
Location: Training room
Gold: 0.00
Level: 2.68
Keeper Approval: -12
Mood: Motivated
Status: Training
Quick Summary: Pel continued to train.

(OCC: This is merely a filler until I get to finish the longer double post)

[MeinCookie]

Spindle
the Spider

Spindle had been researching the Workshop.

A NEW ROOM HAS BEEN RESEARCHED: WORKSHOP

'"'Oh how nice, my work done that is. Very nice, indeed.'"'

Spindle scuttled out of the Library and entered the Hatchery. She cast Hailstorm - filling the room with half-a-dozen chicken corpses before selecting one she liked and heading back to the Library, devouring it on the way.

"Creatures, well done with the research. For now, let's get to continue researching the Speed Spell. It'll surely help us get some other things done faster."

'"'Thankyou, Keeper-dear, I'm right on it - on it like a hellhound. Dedicated is what I am, dear.'"'

The elderly spider entered the room and again picked up a book on Speed.

--Lord knows if I see anyone using this to zip through the corridors when their elders are on the beat, they'll get a stern talking to.--



SUMMARY IN BRIEF__________
Gold: 0
Health: 100%
Level: 1
Keeper Approval: 10 (Neutral)
Mood: Intense Concentration.
Status: Researching.
Quick Summary: Ate a chicken, left a pile o'dead ones, researching Speed.

[Metal Gear Rex]

Bug, the...
Super Fly!

Suddenly out of nowhere, a Fly shot out from the Entrance Portal and rammed itself straight into the ceiling.

A FLY HAS ENTERED YOUR DUNGEON!

The Fly, dazed from going splat on the ceiling, fell straight down and back into the Portal.

A FLY HAS LEFT YOUR DUNGEON!

...Not too long after, the same Fly could be seen flying back out of the Portal, moving a bit slower and more cautiously this time.

A FLY HAS ENTERED YOUR DUNGEON!

Bug hurt...

"Bug", the Fly began to fly around the dungeon rapidly. He zipped through the Treasury, passed by the Casino, then did a full lap around the dungeon and stopped right at the four-way interception by the Portal, where he began. He appeared to be searching for something...

Where's the Heart? Bug feels lost.

Bug decided to stop this time around and listened, then heard the common Dungeon Heart beating that he had grown so used to. Bug turned, and sure enough, the Dungeon Heart was right there. Right near where he began.

...Bug feel dumb.

You're telling me...

Bug flew over to the Dungeon Heart and stopped right in front of it.

"Greetings Heart! Bug's name is Bug! Bug is a Super Fly. Bug can do many things. Bug reads and works. Bug go do stuff while he waits for directions," Bug introduced himself, "Bug go scout and do other Flying business."

Bug did a full lap around the Dungeon Heart, then began to leave the Heart Chamber. Little did Bug realize that he was being followed... footsteps could be heard behind him... doggy footsteps...

Bug flew over to the interception between the Treasury and the Library. There was an unclaimed path, and Bug decided to follow it. At the end of that path, he found several Imps mining Gold.

Ohh... Shiny.

He watched the Imps mine, paying close attention to one of them. After the Imp he focused on finished mining, Bug flew over to it and abducted it, grabbing it with its little fly legs and lifting it off of the ground. The Imp protested, not understanding what was going on. Bug then quickly flew away from the scene, heading for the Treasury. Imps were fast, but Bug was faster. He was a Super Fly.

Bug reached his destination, and dropped the Imp in the Treasury. The Imp dumped his Gold down, then Bug grabbed him again and transported him back to the mining area. Suddenly, Bug was attacked and tackled into the ground by a Hell Hound! But this... was no real Hell Hound. Merely, a figure of Bug's own imagination.

"Nachos!" Bug called out, looking crazy as he spoke to no one, "There you are! Good doggy!

Why do we have to follow this idiot even after he dies?

This is what you get for being imaginary! Imaginary things are bound to their creator's mind.

Hey you shut up!

Bug
Health: 100%
Level: 1
Experience: 0/15
Gold in Hand: 0
Gold in Lair: 0
Current Weapons/Items Carried: Nachos
Location: South Mining Area with Gold
Status: Chilling in the Dungeon

Summery: Bug entered the dungeon, did a full lap around the dungeon, then entered the Heart Chamber and introduced himself. He transported a mining Imp to the Treasury and back, then was tackled by Nachos.

[Skarok]

Ryan & Pel

A bit more relaxed than last time Ryan woke up and turned out. He checked his weapons for a brief moment before he left the lair with confident steps and headed into the direction of the training room. Hopefully something happens here soon. Or we get a combat bit. I'll take anything.


Exactly at the moment where Ryan came out of the hatchery Pel himself stepped out of the training room. He nodded into his direction before asking: "Hey, you’re in for a round in the casino?”

“If you pay for it. No cash here.”

Pel smirked before turning around and moving down the hallway. Ryan considered this an answer and followed him. While they walked down the hallway Pel begun to explain: “Don’t have to. Keeper granted me a free round. Don’t want that much alcohol myself but it’s been a while since I was gambling. A round roulette would be nice. You wanted me to answer some of your questions anyways, so we can do it down there.”

While they entered the room Ryan remained silent until they were in front of the roulette table. “Alright. But I don’t want this to take too long. Still have to train a bit before something major happens here.”

Pel walked over to the other side of the room and grabbed two bottles of beer. As he walked back to the table he threw one to Ryan. “So do I. Like I said, just one game. Ask me whatever you want but after this is over you’ve got to wait until we go down here again. Only difference is that you will pay then.”

That figures…

“Then let’s get started.” While Pel started to make his first bet Ryan begun with his first question. “So how did you find me? Why are you even working for Keepers now anyways?”

Pel set the wheel in motion before looking up to the merc again. He took a quick swig before responding. “Things went to hell since you left. At the end I lost everything and staying down there would’ve been too dangerous. So I’m working for Keepers now, though I never expected myself that something like this would happen.”

“Competition?”

“Yeah. Maybe things would’ve been different if you would’ve stayed. It was a complete mess down there, no wonder I didn’t stand a chance.”

“And what are your plans now?” Ryan asked looking as the pellet begun to slow down. “Revenge? Or are you over it?” Pel took another swig while focusing at the pellet. A few seconds later he smiled.

“Still not rusty. Well, about that… I think I’m done with it completely. I mean I can still continue as a merc like you did. Anyways, your turn.”

Ryan made a step forward and took a quick look at the wheel. “Twenty-seven.” He said and set the wheel in motion, a bit stronger than Pel did. “Oh, we’re willing to take risks? I think we both know how this will turn out.” Ryan shrugged and also took a swig of his bottle. Seeing that Pel already emptied his he offered his own to him.

“Don’t want that much anyways.” Pel nodded and took it. “So, you really think being a merc would fit you?”

“Maybe” Pel replied hesitant. The pellet slowed down again, two more cycle and it would find its spot. “At least for now I see no problem with it.”

“You still haven’t told me how you found me.” “Still had a few sources left when things went to hell.”

Only roughly half a cycle was left when Ryan quickly asked: “Why did you want to find me?” Unfortunately the pellet found its spot exactly the moment he ended his line.

“Twenty-nine. I win.” Pel smirked and deposited the two empty bottles. “Like I said, that’s for the next game.” “That was one round, not a full match.” “It was a full round. I was allowed for one free round and we have to train anyways.”

Ryan shook his head and replied: “Just looks like you don’t want to answer.” “Or that I want to get more money from you... Anyways, see you later!”

“Bastard…” Ryan muttered but slowly made his way up to the training room like Pel. Like before they trained in different spots far apart from each other.


As long as he doesn’t find out my real reason everything is fine. At least I’ll get more opportunities to strike in the future now.



Ryan Summary
Health: 100%
Location: Training room
Gold: 0.00
Level: 3.64
Keeper Approval: 34
Mood: Motivated
Status: Training
Quick Summary: Ryan woke up, played a round roulette with Pel in the casino before heading to the training room and doing all the training stuff again.

Pel Summary
Health: 99%
Location: Training room
Gold: 0.00
Level: 2.82
Keeper Approval: -12
Mood: Thoughtful
Status: Training
Quick Summary: Pel left the training room, played a round roulette with Ryan before heading back to the training room and training yet again.

[Mothrayas]

Animus was set on getting some of his things done quickly now. He slapped his two Imps digging out the workshop room, for they had to do their job faster. As soon as they finished claiming the new terrain, Animus placed down his valuable workshop in it.

"There, now with that done, the construction creatures can get to work."

Animus suddenly had another idea pop in. He picked up his two Imps that had been working on the Workshop, and dropped them south of the Portal.

"It seems I have been doing quite well attracting creatures from other places... even from the faraway dungeons in the northern lands. I shall see if I can stimulate this further."

After his Imps dug out a few tiles, he placed one tile of Scavenger Room in there.

"Let's see if its magic can help seize in more creatures from other places."

Animus took a look at his gold-mining staff, who had been working hard to get some gold in. Then the Mentor's voice came in.

"A FLY HAS ENTERED YOUR DUNGEON!"

Animus took a look at Bug, the Super Fly. The creature remarked something about reading and working, which was quite impressive for such a creature. Although, even with these proclaimed abilities, it still spouted off a decidedly childlike personality, jetting around like crazy around his heart and his dungeon, and playing around with his Imps.

"...Bug. If it is truly a fact that you can read and work, then there will be enough to do for you. My Library very well needs creatures that can read, so it would be preferable if you could help out there. Right now, it's the Speed Up spell that's being researched. And as for--"

"YOU HAVE TUNNELLED INTO A NEW AREA!"

"Ohhhh... bloody hell. That is most definitely not good. This could possibly compromise the covertness of my being."

Animus looked down to where the breach was. Apparently, the gold led him into a river of lava.

"O...kay... I'm going to need someone to look out here."

Animus looked towards the nearest creature around, which was Skios who was sitting around close by. Animus picked him up and dropped him a bit closer to gold, almost right next to the river of flames.

"Skios. Considering that you've been sitting around there anyway, and there doesn't seem to be much else for you to do, I'll leave you to be on the outlook for any presence around, hostile or otherwise. If something notable happens, then report back to me."

"I... now... Right, the workshop."

Animus called out towards his main dungeon, making himself hearable for nearly all creatures in his presence.

"Now, for anybody who wants to do his work in the new workshop, it would be appreciated to get some Sentry Traps out. These would be quite handy."

Animus looked over some things again, and noticed that his research on Speed Up was progressing very well, being nearly finished.

"Well, what could be next..."

He thought for a moment.

"Well, a Guard Room could be next. I need something to look out for enemy presence to the south. If they find me, then this will go much less smoothly than I had initially planned."

"Also, as a final warning to everybody: Do not dare move out to the lava river without permission. I don't want to let my presence be revealed by misaction of my own creatures."

This was primarily directed at Bug the Super Fly. Animus knew very well how reliable flies tended to be, and Bug's personality proved to not be dissimilar in reliability. Of course, who would know whether he was right or wrong, but it was just to be sure.





Keeper Animus

Summary: Workshop built. Scavenger tile built. Bug the Super Fly acknowledged. Dungeon exposed to lava river. Skios set to guard said exposion. Commands to workshop to produce Sentry Traps, and to library to research Guard Room after finishing Speed Up.

SPEED UP progress: 78%

Gold: 3270 (+4608, -11100)

[Skarok]

Ryan & Pel

Both rogues looked up as their Keeper suddenly begun to address the whole dungeon.

"Also, as a final warning to everybody: Do not dare move out to the lava river without permission. I don't want to let my presence be revealed by misaction of my own creatures."

Pel looked over to Ryan who shrugged with his shoulders. Pel walked over to his friend and asked him silently: "You know what's going on there?"

"No. He must've dug into a new area. Either he expects someone or is very careful... neither wouldn’t surprise me with such a strategically dungeon design. It simply looks too pressed."

Pel nodded and looked over his shoulder before focusing o the merc again. "Maybe this time we won't miss the action... either way, I'd like to be ready for that. I may check up the river later, not that I could over out there anyways"

Ryan smirked before focusing on his training again. "You don't seem to be very familiar with such situations, eh?"

"I'm not working for Keepers for that long, remember? Anyways, I'll check things later. This may become much more interesting."

At least I hope so... And my cloak tactic will be really useful then. If I get it right until then...



Ryan Summary
Health: 100%
Location: Training room
Gold: 0.00
Level: 3.80
Keeper Approval: 34
Mood: Motivated
Status: Training
Quick Summary: Ryan talked with Pel about the lava river and that he wants to check it out later before he continued to train.

Pel Summary
Health: 99%
Location: Training room
Gold: 0.00
Level: 2.97
Keeper Approval: -12
Mood: Motivated
Status: Training
Quick Summary: Pel talked with Ryan about the lava river and that he wants to check it out later before he continued to train.

[ARMofORION]

Marteal stopped head-butting the Dummy, and listens to "The Voice" comment upon the things it needs built.
"Now, for anybody who wants to do his work in the new workshop, it would be appreciated to get some Sentry Traps out. These would be quite handy."
"Right. Me gets on that for yous."
For reasons unexplained, he rips the Dummy he was fighting out of its place. He then carries it to the Workshop, listening to the next comment as he speed walks there.
"Well, a Guard Room could be next. I need something to look out for enemy presence to the south. If they find me, then this will go much less smoothly than I had initially planned."
"Me knows someone who could bes good help." He commented before entering the Workshop.
"Also, as a final warning to everybody: Do not dare move out to the lava river without permission. I don't want to let my presence be revealed by misaction of my own creatures."
Although he has no idea what "The Voice" is referring to, he doesn't very much care. He sets the Dummy aside, goes back to his home, grabs his Manual, and returns to the Workshop. With the trap orders placed, he begins his work.


MARTEAL SUMMARY:
Health: 100% (SPEED)
Level: 3.5
Mood: Normal
Gold: 40
Status: Forging
Summary: Listens to the Keeper, goes to forge.
Workshop progress:
Sentry Gun (1/4) 0%Started on first trap