The Lair rested in their perch. It had taken a little bit to the hang of timing things properly, but after a bit of practice they were reeling in the take. The Lair would summon a dungeon monster for 15 mana and then again every 45 minutes or so once their mana pool filled up enough to re-cast the spell. After a little over 3 hours, the Lair had a small horde of 6 ocean dwelling level 0 monsters.

A single gigantic lobster postured in the lapping surf, its two pincers raised high in a challenge to all comers. It was a beautiful animal, covered in blues and oranges, nothing like the Maine lobsters the Lair had eaten in their previous incarnation. Two of the sea beasts were large coconut crabs that prowled around the base of Grumblebark. They appeared to be considering climbing up his trunk, but the thorns were giving them second thoughts. The last three summons were common seagulls. All three of them were roosting in Grumblebark’s hair, chatting up a storm. It sounded like a runaway cocktail party. I am glad that I can turn the volume down, or this may end up unbearable.

For their part, the meliae simple did their best impression of a tree, appearing to not care about the presence of the new monsters. The flickering ball of teal was orbiting faster, belying the truth of the matter. The Lair made a mental note to avoid avian summons when they had the option, unless Grumblebark stated a preference. Perhaps there is a songbird that he prefers? He does have the Aesthetic philosophy sub-skill, he may appreciate that sort of thing. Okay, enough wondering, get to the fishing.

Shifting their attention they pulled up the status sheets for their new minions and gave them a quick review.

Biographical Information:

Name: Stonefruit Crab

Level: 0

Experience: 0

Race: Crustacean (dungeon summon)

Class: Unavailable – Requirements not met

Alignment: Neutral

Languages: None

Stats:

Health: 11

Mana: 1

Armor: 16

Strength: 8

Dexterity: 8

Constitution: 16

Intelligence: 4

Spirit: 14

Charisma: 7

Luck: 10

Resistances:

50% Water Resistance

-50% Fire Resistance

Ability:

Cleave: Once per day can use extreme crushing force in the crabs primary claw to sever a limb or cut through a similar object, 1d8 (Slashing, Crushing) damage.

Traits:

Beach Fauna: Climb speed 2x greater than calculated movement speed. Suffers no penalties for fighting while in water.

Natural Offenses: Claws – 2d3 (Slashing, Crushing) damage

Small Creature: -25% Strength, +25% to Constitution, Strength score capped at 10.

Biographical Information:

Name: Bellerian Seagull

Level: 0

Experience: 0

Race: Avian (dungeon summon)

Class: Unavailable – Requirements not met

Alignment: Neutral

Languages: None

Stats:

Health: 5

Mana: 1

Armor: 0

Strength: 3

Dexterity: 18

Constitution: 8

Intelligence: 6

Spirit: 14

Charisma: 12

Luck: 12

Resistances:

50% Wind Resistance

-50% Earth Resistance

Skills:

None

Traits:

Birds of a Feather: Flight speed 2x greater than calculated movement speed. Suffers no penalties for fighting while aloft.

Natural Offenses: Beak – 1d3 (Piercing) damage, Talons – 2d1 (Slashing) damage

Small Creature: -25% Strength, +25% to Dexterity, Strength score capped at 10.

Biographical Information:

Name: Dire Rainbow Spiny Lobster

Level: 0

Experience: 0

Race: Crustacean (dungeon summon)

Class: Unavailable – Requirements not met

Alignment: Neutral

Languages: None

Stats:

Health: 10

Mana: 1

Armor: 14

Strength: 8

Dexterity: 12

Constitution: 14

Intelligence: 4

Spirit: 14

Charisma: 16

Luck: 10

Resistances:

50% Water Resistance

-50% Fire Resistance

Aspects:

Territorial

Ability:

Cleave: Twice per day can use extreme crushing force to sever a limb or cut through a similar object, 1d8 (Slashing, Crushing) damage.

Traits:

Oceanic Fauna: Swim speed 2x greater than calculated movement speed, can breathe underwater, suffers no penalties for fighting in water. Suffers -1 to all actions while not in water, must return to water once each hour.

Natural Offenses: Claws – 1d6+1 (Slashing, Crushing) damage, Spiny Antenna Whips – 2d3 (Piercing) damage

Small Creature: -25% Strength, +25% to Constitution, Strength score capped at 10.

No predators, all basic animals. Well, I shouldn’t have gotten my hopes up. I am still level 0. The Lair focused on the crabs and sent instructions for them to position themselves near the edge of the water. Then they shifted focus to the three seagulls and had them prepare to make hit and run attacks. Finally it was time to direct the lobster. The Lair gave explicit directions telling the lobster to wade into the water, make as much motion as possible and then run to the waiting crabs. Then it could turn and fight with the rest of the summons.

Before putting the plan into action the Lair thought of something rather important. “Hey Grumblebark, mind keeping an eye out for danger? I will be focused on fighting and I still can’t see very far.”

The Lair received no words, simply a sharp pulse of affirmation from their link. With a lookout set, it was time to play reverse lifeguard. The only question before starting this slog was whether to Assimilate or Consume the majority of the bodies. I think the best strategy is simply to consume the common monsters and if anything unusual pops up, Assimilate it and add its lore to my repertoire. Time to bait the hook.

The Lair instructed the summons to begin following their instructions and waited, patience was a requirement for a dungeon. The Lair had sped up the process of growth for a dungeon, they hoped, not eliminated it. The Lair focused on scanning the area of their influence, taking in the feel that the nuances of sand and water could provide. As Charlie they had never liked fishing, it felt a little purposeless since all they had ever done was catch and release. Charlie had not been particular to the taste of fish. Waiting now though, felt like sitting on a pair of pocket queens or kings in a no-limit hold ’em game. Not quite a guaranteed winner, but their anticipation was palpable.

Dashing out of the water on bug-like legs, the lobster made a beeline for the other crustaceans. Each of the coconut crabs flanked the lobster like bodyguards as it scuttled between them. Then the Lair could feel the predator, at least part of it. This wasn’t a scavenger or easy morsel.

Tentacles lashed from the water like self-propelled whips. Long sweeping arcs of the appendages grasped for the animal that had garnered its attention. The majority of the beast’s body was still beyond the Lair’s influence, but this seemed bad. One of the tentacles encircled a crab and dragged it under the surface of the water. It may have gotten off a single attack, but the Lair couldn’t be sure. Suddenly, all awareness of the crab disappeared as its hit points dropped to zero.

Sending quick instructions, the Lair tried to salvage the situation. This thing was probably way too high level to defeat with level 0 monsters. Time to run away! The dungeon halted the seagulls mid-dive and redirected them with a burst of emotion signaling ‘retreat!’ The same message was sent to the lobster and the remaining crab, but only the coconut-loving crustacean followed the directions. It scuttled back to the base of Grumblebark as the lobster fearlessly charged the tentacle monster. It’s claws clicked and clacked in defiance before diving into the water. It died futilely, entering the surf.

Okay, as far as first tests go, that was pretty bad. Note to self, the ocean is a high level area. At least I have a general idea of what the territorial aspect does though. That lobster wouldn’t back down. I still have some critters too, so not an overall loss. Time to summon and cycle for a bit. Then in the morning I can go find some tide pools or something. There have to be some low level mobs to farm around here.

The Lairs musing was abruptly interrupted as a tentacle snapped around Grumblebark’s trunk. It seemed to ignore the spikes as it tightened and then shook the tree violently. “Ahhhh! Why is it attacking us, Grumblebark?!?”

A rough creaking sound followed the slow movement of the meliae’s limb. Grumblebark plucked the remaining coconut crab from the ground. Then it tossed the crab into the ocean where the roiling water held their attacker. The tentacle released and slithered back into the surf. Grumblebark answered in a decidedly annoyed tone, for a tree.

“It was not… attacking us… it was looking for more… crab. I do not know… what that was… but you should give… more consideration to your… actions baby dungeon.”

Surly indeed! I had not expected to get lip from my familiar on the first day. I suppose Grumbles is right though. I charged in here thinking having a group of mobs would let me take down whatever I could find and banked on the spiky tree as an insurance policy. I should grind out more monsters and find something they can handle. The Lair sent a pulse of apology to the orbiting teal globe and followed it up with a verbal affirmation.

“You’re right Grumblebark, I shouldn’t have just blindly run in here. If that tentacled thing had dragged us into the water it could have gone very badly. Did you happen to think of any areas that would be more suitable?”

The meliae’s canopy rustled a bit with the breeze and the seagulls hunkered down, keeping silent after their recent brush with death. “Small stream west of… here empties into the… sea rich soil along the… banks.”

Grumblebark went silent after speaking, apparently thinking he had imparted all of the information necessary for the Lair to make a decision. The Lair tried not to let any sense of frustration emanate from their mind, but Grumblebark still answered with a creaking Santa Claus-like chuckle.

“Grumblebark, I am not a tree. Can you please tell me what that means? How does rich soil help?”

“Rich soil and water… are good for plants… plants with fruit and… things come to eat… fruit.”

Bubbles of humor popped around the teal orb, but Grumblebark did not audibly chuckle, simply adding, “Baby Dungeon.”

The Lair ached for a body in this instant, not so that they could revel in pleasure, but so that they could properly scowl at Grumblebark. Then the Lair mentally grinned, payback would be good: he didn’t like moving after all.

“That all makes sense. That is the sort of information that I meant when I asked you about things outside of your grove. Well, no time like the present. Uproot yourself and let’s get going.”

With clear displeasure demonstrated in the meliae’s movements and tone, it started to follow the instructions. Roots tore up through the soil and the trunk shook violently as it took its first slow step.

“I have not used… my rooting ability twice… in a day before… I will have to… wait until tomorrow now.”

The Lair continued to be amused at Grumblebark’s annoyance and decided to play the meliae’s game by not responding. Instead, the Lair focused on summoning minions to replace the ones they had lost. They summoned them in the branches of the tree, not wanting to lose any if they got left behind and outside of their influence. The Lair lost themselves in the process of summoning, waiting for mana to regenerate, and then summoning again. It was easy to get lost gazing at all of the new flowers, trees, and insects.

By the time the Lair exited the fugue of summoning, inspecting, and cataloging all of the new things they were encountering darkness had fallen. Ominous growls and shrill insect trills carried out of the deeper parts of the forest. They were stopped at the edge of a small brook terminated in the waves along the coast. Lush growth choked the banks of the water and grew over the stream, creating a shrouded tunnel inland.

“Hey Grumblebark, how long have we been here? I kind of just ‘woke’ up.” Focusing on a singular task and limiting their attention to only curious inspections had instilled a sleep-like fogginess. The Lair poked around their influence counting and inspecting the various summons that perched, sat, or crawled on Grumblebark.

“I was wondering how… long it would take… you to notice we had… stopped it has been… a while the tide… came in.” Intermediate pulses of irritation radiated off Grumblebark.

Better get the horde off of him before he starts throwing them into the water. The Lair sent directions for everything but the birds to get down onto the bank of the stream. Overall, twelve new summons started moving with the three remaining seagulls. Two new birds, both parrots with similar stats to the seagulls, spread out in the boughs once the other animals cleared out. Four new stonefruit crabs clambered down Grumblebark’s thorns. Two large monitor lizards followed the crabs with far more grace and after them came four pythons. The pythons more or less dropped from their hiding places in the meliae’s branches, startling a pair of the crabs and received snaps of warning in reaction. Hmmmm, potential trap idea there. I bet just about anything would be freaked out by a bunch of snakes falling on them. The Lair looked over the stat pages of the new arrivals to get a good idea of what they were working with.

Biographical Information:

Name: Bellerian Monitor

Level: 0

Experience: 0

Race: Lizard (dungeon summon)

Class: Unavailable – Requirements not met

Alignment: Neutral

Languages: None

Stats:

Health: 7

Mana: 1

Armor: 10

Strength: 7

Dexterity: 16

Constitution: 10

Intelligence: 5

Spirit: 14

Charisma: 10

Luck: 12

Resistances:

50% Earth Resistance

-50% Fire Resistance

Ability:

None

Traits:

Jungle Fauna: Climb speed 2x greater than calculated movement speed, suffers no penalties for fighting in dense vegetation.

Bacterial Bloom: Monitors host naturally poisonous bacteria in their mouths and their bite adds the Poisoned effect.

Natural Offenses: Claws – 2d4 (Slashing) damage, Bite – 1d6 (Piercing) damage + 10 poison damage over 1 minute.

Small Creature: -25% Strength, +25% to Dexterity Strength score capped at 10.

Biographical Information:

Name: Bellerian Python

Level: 0

Experience: 0

Race: Snake (dungeon summon)

Class: Unavailable – Requirements not met

Alignment: Neutral

Languages: None

Stats:

Health: 6

Mana: 1

Armor: 6

Strength: 6

Dexterity: 19

Constitution: 10

Intelligence: 5

Spirit: 14

Charisma: 10

Luck: 14

Resistances:

50% Earth Resistance

-50% Fire Resistance

Ability:

Constrict: Instead of an attack can coil around their prey and cause 1d4 crushing damage per minute while hindering the mobility of the target. Upon a failed Dexterity save target creature will become immobilized if small sized or less. If target is larger they will recieve -1 to all actions while the python remains constricted or until a successful Dexterity save.

Traits:

Jungle Fauna: Climb speed 2x greater than calculated movement speed, suffers no penalties for fighting in dense vegetation.

Natural Offenses: Bite – 1d4 (Piercing) damage

Small Creature: -25% Strength, +25% to Dexterity Strength score capped at 10.

“Okay Grumblebark, looks like we actually have some decent summons to work with and a good amount of them. Can you tell me what the fruit trees look like? Are we near any?”

The Lair had decided that making decisions with the meliae was probably the best route to actually getting the tree as an advocate, versus a begrudging participant. To that end, they sent a wave of curiosity outwards.

“On the far bank… large spiky ball fruit… often dumb animals look… for the fruit on me… it looks similar.” Rustling leaves brushed over the top of the crystal's nest as Grumblebark used a branch to point at a clump of the fruit bearing treasures.

Moving their focus to the stand of trees, the Lair inspected and looked over the fruit. Just as Grumblebark had described it was covered in thorns and a little larger than a coconut. Whatever it is, I am glad that I don’t have to eat anymore. Can’t be easy to get into.

“Found em. Thank you for suggesting this Grumblebark. If anything gets too close to use feel free to smash it to pulp, but for the most part let the summons fight. I don’t know if your level will reduce the amount of experience we get.”

As was becoming usual, Grumblebark simply stood ridged offering neither approval or further input. The Lair turned it’s attention to the summons and started organizing them to ambush whatever unsuspecting hungry prey would walk into their midst. The Lair fell back into their previous habit of summoning, studying, and waiting.

By the time the first creature seeking out fruit arrived the Lair had managed to summon another two mobs to add to the battle, one more monitor and parrot. All of the Lair’s minions waited for a signal to engage, keeping as quiet and still as possible. Biting into one of the fruits the large animal looked akin to a rhino. This beast had extra horns, spikes, and defenses when compared to a rhino on Earth, but all of the other pieces were still there.

Hrmmmm. Not the best, but I should be able to overwhelm it with numbers and down it by attrition. If it gets across the stream Grumbles can always lend a branch. The Lair sent a signal of attack and prepared to direct the melee.

Dangling like vines, the pythons dropped onto the rhino and coiled around its limbs. The flock of parrots and seagulls dive bombed the now panicking animal. Their beaks and small talons did little damage, but they distracted. Crabs and monitor lizards dashed for legs and latched on. The crabs wickedly tearing out chunks of flesh and cutting tendons.

The lizards carefully darted in to bite the bucking, roaring monster. Leaving their poison to do it’s work, they repeatedly left small wounds where they could bite without being trampled. Thrashing from side to side the Rhino knocked several birds out of the sky. Their bones popping and snapping as they were thrown to the ground or into the fruit trees. A stonefruit crab was trampled and burst apart, one of it’s claws flying over the stream and landing at Grumblebark’s base.

Don’t let up! Go for the kill! The Lair sent out more commands directing the next strike. The dungeon summons all tore into the rhino in a coordinated strike aimed at it’s legs. The rhino teetered for a moment, before falling over on it’s side. It squashed fruit and attackers alike with a loud thud.

The Lair sent an abrupt command to have all of the summons cease their attack, most were wounded or dead at this point anyways. The lavender glow of the Lair’s core pulsed with anticipation. Focusing on their Consume ability they began to absorb the dying, immobilized rhino. Stomach turning bleats choked from the beasts mouth as it was devoured alive, one piece at a time.

The Lair’s pulsing winced and fluttered for a moment, but then continued in a steady strobe. I am of this world. I am a dungeon. I will grow.