Location: The main island in the Archipelago Kingdom of Waponikash

A cool salt breeze came over the balcony of the palace. King Japash stood at the stone railing looking out to the ocean. He wore a spider silk wrap dyed in royal colors, his wife stirred on the bed and woke up finding her husband not by her side. Wrapping herself in the bedsheets she walked over her husband and hugged him from behind. “Tell me, Japa, what keeps you awake tonight?” She finished her question with a small kiss on his shoulder blade.

The king closed his eyes for a moment and spoke, “My Darling Nael, I have received reports and warnings from all over the kingdom. The mages have said there is a Wild Mana Monster loose. I have called the marines to start combing the islands to west and south for the creature. Our boy, Japonilkash is with them leading the search. What if it is another great beast from the depths? I worry that our boy will perish before he can take the throne.”

Queen Nael covered her husband with the sheets, pressing herself to him for reassurance. “Then we shall pray to the Gods and Goddesses that our boy returns. We both agreed that our son needed to level and fight with the navy. If he is not at least level 30 then no one will take him seriously, and the only way to get fast experience is through combat. We could have sent him to one of the dungeons outside the kingdom, but the expense was too great and he wouldn’t gain the respect of our navy. Besides, he is with a great number of mages and they will keep him safe. Now come back to bed, in the morning we will offer prayers to the Gods and Goddesses of Light.”

The King took a moment to look out at the ocean as small dark sails of ships danced on the waves. He whispered his own prayer to the Gods and Goddesses, asking for the three things he prayed for everyday; safety of his family, additional wealth for his people and kingdom, and to make good decisions. His prayers were heard by many, but only Salurin had ever truly listen to the old soul that had been the first dungeon demon. He was supposed to never favor one soul over another, but then again Salurin believed in stacking the deck.

Location: Alistair’s Magma Pools

Alistair had worked hard for five days straight and had gained 2 levels. Once he had stepped back into his dungeon he had accepted the Rune of Ho from Herma. The statuette was around a foot tall made out of wood. Its base was in the form of a hexagon with the symbol of the rune carved in the bottom. Each one of the six sides contained different complex patterns, and from the based was carved the exact stance that one should have when speaking the word. When Alistair asked Herma about the complex patterns, Herma replied that you could only align other runes with matching complex patterns. The great enchanters of the world knew how to form the grand runes and their meanings, but it was the dungeon demons that formed new arcane weavings of runes, which allowed the enchanters to keep advancing in their craft. Handing the rune over to Callum to help see if he couldn’t impart regeneration to the creatures, Alistair started building Herma a new home. Stone flowed out of the ground and slowly a rough paver stone house with a thatched roof came into being. He transformed his own home as well, and then went back to hacking at the wood on the outside of his territory.

By the end of the five days Alistair had cleared four acres of land around his small hamlet. He wasn’t sure how it could have been done so quickly. Perhaps like his creation of houses, the mana in this place responded to intent of its lord. When he was done he found that at the edge of his land to the east existed a small beach. The water tasted of salt and the sand was almost white with a just hint of yellow. Seeing the sand Alistair sat down to run his feet through it and decided to check his soul page one more time.

Soul PageTrue Name:ShedzuoxohrAlias Name:AlistairRace:Dungeon DemonLevel:4Exp till Next Level:8953/9000HP*:170Mana:170BodySoulSTR*:12INT:17DEX*:13WIS:16CON*:17CHA:11END:22LUCK:7*If creatures are smaller or larger then you stats may change depending on size.SkillsSkill Points Unspent:1Skill Name:Dungeon ConstructionSkill Level:3, 85%Skill Description:Dungeon Construction allows the user to manipulate the surround mana to shape, alter, create or destroy matter in their summoning circles area of control. The summoning circle will capture or release all mana needed for changes to take effect. Your current mastery of the skill allows for: Advance construction techniques for your pocket dimension and dungeon, and traps (See Blacksmith in Pocket Dimension)Skill Name:Mana Monster SummoningSkill Level:2Skill Description:When a Dungeon Demon has created their first summoning circle they have the ability to Summon Mana Monsters using the stored mana of the summoning circle. If the demon has not previous fought and killed the mana monster inside of the summoning circle then they must defeat the monster before control is granted. Your current mastery of the skill allows for: Greater Sensitivity when trying to find Wild Mana Monsters and can evolve current monsters one time. (See Farm in Pocket Dimension)Mana Monster Current Available for Summoning:Fire Wisp

Fire Beetle

Tiny Fire Salamander

Boss Fire SalamanderSkill Name:Dungeon VisionSkill Level:2Skill Description:A Dungeon Demon has the need to see what is going on in his dungeon at all times, even when he is in his own pocket dimension. As such the Summoning Circle has the ability to create a small scrying window into the Dungeon. Dungeon Vision allows for the Demon to create more than one window, set alerts and allow for greater information to be gathered from the window. Your current mastery of the skill allows for: Greater amount of information displayed and a mana view.Skill Name:Mana Monster PossessionSkill Level:3Skill Description:Allows the Dungeon Demon to take over Mana Monsters body and control it however he wants. The Mana monster must have been summoned by the Summoning Circle and under the Dungeon Demon’s control. During possession the Dungeon Demon imparts some of its powers onto the monster. Your current mastery of the skill allows for: Control over seven or fewer monsters at a time, allows you to designate roles in the possession group, and has a 2% chance of giving you experience during a fight when you possess the creature.SpellsSpell Name:Summoning Circle CreationSpell Mastery:0, 50%Spell Cost:50 manaSpell Description:Using the casters mana, the energy burns into the ground creating a Dungeon Summoning Circle. The Circle construct is used to store mana and focus the control over the surrounding area for the demon. Should the circle be destroyed all mana will back lash through the demon and expel them from the area.Spell Name:Summon Spell CompanionSpell Mastery:0, 25%Spell Cost:25 manaSpell Description:Spell will create a mana construct that will help the demon in numerous ways as spell mastery grows. At current spell mastery level, the demon may choose the construct to help with rune research, spell construction, mana monster control, or general help. Only one spell construct is able to operate per demon at a time. If construct is destroyed or dismissed all knowledge within the construct will be lost.Spell Name:+1 DamageSpell Mastery:0, 45%Spell Cost:10 manaSpell Description:As a Dungeon Demon the only spells you can learn are those on enchanted items. +1 Damage is a common enchantment that is given to weapons. The enchantment strengthens the weapon using ambient mana. First, it increases Damage output by 1.5X, the same as if the weapon had been forged using better materials for damaging edge/part. Due to the damage enhancement being magical, the spell gives the weapon a 50% change of damaging purely mana creatures. Lastly the weapon has an increase durability as the enchantments mana is used to take damage prior to the physical material being damaged. As a demon your claws will receive the bonus of casting the spell. If you wish to make this spell permanent, place it on a weapon and give it to mana monsters loot table in which it has a 33% or greater drop rate. Otherwise the spell will last ten minutes.Spell Name: HealingSpell Mastery:0, 15%Spell Cost:15 manaSpell Description:As a Dungeon Demon the only spells you can learn are those on enchanted items, through your new insight you realize this spell can only be placed on Potions. This enchantment offers a onetime heal of a creature for 30 hit points. Once casted on a creature it will give the creature a passive regeneration of 2 hit points per minute. If you wish to make this passive ability permanent, place it on a potion and give it to mana monsters loot table in which it has a 33% or greater drop rate. This passive regeneration can only be gained once and will not work if a stronger bonus is active. Otherwise the spell will last one hour. If you require the heal, the spell will end automatically.Spell Name:+1 DefenseSpell Mastery:0, 10%Spell Cost:10 manaSpell Description:+1 Defense is a common enchantment that is given to armor of all kinds. The enchantment strengthens the armor using ambient mana and will slowly repair it over time. Due to this magical aura, damage will decrease by 10% the first time you are hit. Should a creature be lucky enough to hit you in the same place again, damage will decrease only by 5%. The magical aura will take a full day to reset itself if enchanted on armor. Because of the strange effects of the aura there is a 1% of an attack missing you, this bonus will add to your chances of dodging other attacks. As a demon your skin/hide will receive the bonus of casting the spell. If you wish to make this spell permanent, place it on a piece of armor and give it to mana monsters loot table in which it has a 33% or greater drop rate. Otherwise the spell will last for half an hour.

Dismissing the page, Alistair felt warmth at the care that everyone had put in making this place. Small waves of water ran over his feet and he stood up to walk back to the village without any shoes. Unlike Herma, his village was located in a hill land, much like his childhood home. Occasionally, a large rock would peak its head out of the meadow grasses. Giving countryside a little bit of character, blue and red wild flowers swayed in the wind as Alistair made the climb up the hill to the village. Small dirt clouds could be seen in the now budding streets. With the expansion of the dungeon, Callum had been able to create close to fourteen groupings of salamanders in the dungeon before he could no longer place Fire Mana Stones close enough to the Magma Pools. He could have helped the salamanders do their job, but Herma told him that he needed to wait and allow the Mana to grow in his fountain to create a new level.

As Alistair was coming back, he saw Herma and Callum talking at the farm. Not feeling like he needed to be anywhere Alistair headed over to farm, leaving a bent trail of grass and flowers in his wake. As he got closer the wind carried Callum’s and Herma’s words to him, “… he’s ready to make an attack on some of the Wild Mana Monsters already in the dungeon. Besides you saw it yourself, he is almost to level five and we both agreed that when he chooses his ability, he has a chance to take on the Elemental, if he can pass on the ability to his monsters.”

Herma shook her head, “Callum, it’s just too soon. I think he should try and get another few levels in Monster Possession and attack in force. With his increase in Intelligence and Wisdom, he is getting more skill points, and he may unlock more skills in the next couple of levels. Besides he is not ready to find out what happens when you control a wild mana monster.”

Callum threw up his hands, “And how is he supposed to get those extra levels? He needs practice and I think that no matter what he is going to find out about wild Mana Monsters, might as well be now.”

Alistair heard what they were discussing and had a choice. He could either act on it, or leave it alone and let them talk to him in their good time. Alistair started to wave and then shouted, “Hello!” Herma and Callum both looked down the hill towards Alistair and waved back. Herma shot Callum a look that said to keep his mouth shut, and then they turned back to him and waved. Smiling Alistair came up to the farm, since the expansion of dungeon Callum had access to different plants in the dungeon and began to cultivate them for Alchemy ingredients. It seemed that in order to evolve a creature they had to consume enough mana for their mana matrix to find new pathways and expand. By having them eat herbs and magical fungi they had a chance of developing additional abilities with the evolution. Currently, Callum was working on the Fire Wisp, hoping that with more mana channels the dungeon could grow more creatures. “Well Callum, how is the Fire Wisp doing today?”

Callum went over to a pen and looked at the small light. “She is ok, I have been feeding her Blood Tongue, to increase her fire aura, but it seems like the energy is already saturated. So I was going to start her on a diet of Blue Dream Mushrooms. They are used in Intelligence Potions, and I am hoping that it triggers her evolution. So what about you, enjoy the beach again?”

Alistair laughed and nodded, “Aye. I would never have thought such a thing as the feel of sand on your feet and water running over them would be so fun. Then again, it’s only the three of us so we have to make do.” As Alistair made his last comment a look between Herma and Callum passed.

Finally, Herma spoke, “Well with the dungeon expanding its territory throughout the cave systems and lava tubes, what are your plans for today?”

“Well I know that I am supposed to wait for the Mana to build up and create a new level, but I was thinking about possessing the Boss Salamander and a group of five tiny salamanders and see if I couldn’t kill the Rat Swarm and Red Creeper Vine in the south tunnels.” Alistair said, after all it truly had been his plan to do that today, and it had nothing to do with the conversation that Callum and Herma were talking about.

Callum spoke before Herma had a chance to, “Sound like a great idea! Why choose those two though?”

Alistair smiled, “Well, I have been using the Dungeon Vision and it has been giving me information on the Mana Monsters. The Red Creeper Vine is a Mana Monster Plant that grows on corpses of animals and Adventures. Its main attack is a poison pollen that shoots out of its flowers, however, I can fortify the Salamanders using the healing spell. So I will have to watch the vine tendrils it uses to try and bind its opponents. It’s my hope that the Salamanders will have a strong enough fire aura to burn the tendrils away.”

“As for the rat swarm, I was going to have the boss salamander as the main line and the others protect its flank. Even though the fire aura won’t be enhanced by the crystal it will do enough damage by itself that that swarm will start to die in quick numbers. As far as summoning something new or try a different monster, I figure the two I picked are the best chances for success.” Alistair shrugged as he completed his speech.

Herma was biting her lip trying to think of a reason why it wouldn’t work as Alistair said. He had countered the idea of mana lost by choosing the two creatures to fight that even without spells, had a great chance to defeat them. The only reason why he shouldn’t do this, was the one reason she couldn’t tell him about, and yet it was going to happen. “Alistair, do you remember my story about Hardune?” Alistair nodded. “Well if you remember the part I told you that he took control over my monster form when I was young. Every Wild Mana Monster in your dungeon that has accumulated enough mana to appear without a summoning circle has a soul attached to it. If you win over these monsters, children may appear here.”

“Children?! What are you talking about Herma? The Gods and Goddesses are said to take the children that have died and reincarnate them immediately to a new family. Why would the souls of children be in monsters?” Alistair was offended at the thought. Surely even the Gods and Goddesses weren’t that cruel.

Herma stay quiet for a moment and then spoke, “When souls are sent to become monsters by Salurin, they can end up here in a pocket dimension to help Dungeon Demons with their dungeon. However, just like real people they fall in love and start a family. New souls are created and when they become ready to be born they are placed in Mana Monsters. I do not know why they are placed into Mana Monsters, but they say there purpose is to gain enough mana to be reborn as a sentient individual. If they don’t the souls are reborn into a natural creature like a fish or goat. By defeating their bodies, the souls will be anchor here and will be at your mercy. However, if Adventurers kill them over and over again at least then they have a hope of moving on.”

Alistair stopped and thought about it for a moment. Something was nagging him at the back of his mind, “You said that they had to gain mana in hopes of reincarnating into a sentient individual. Could we do that here? Give them enough mana to move on?” Herma was quiet for a moment, as it was the last question she expected from a dungeon demon.

Herma had a worried look on her face. “You can. You can give them just enough mana to reincarnate, but Hardune believed that keeping the souls under control was the best way to grow. I was stopped from reincarnating by him and forced to use my free mana to evolve my body. I want you to understand that you will be the first Dungeon Demon I have met that has willing chosen this. That dungeon that attacked Hardune’s used an army of children and teenager souls.”

Alistair seemed disgusted by the comment, these children deserved to move on just as much as a he did. Using them to gather more levels, loot, and mana seemed a greater wrong then anything he had ever done in his previous life. Then again if it wasn’t for his increase in wisdom, he probably wouldn’t have thought of just giving the children mana. “Then I suppose my town will never get very big, but it seems like the right thing to do. Everyone has the right to move on, even you Herma. It’s just this hasn’t come up yet, at least not with you. How do I go about do this, setting it up so that I only give them just enough mana for them reincarnate?”

Herma smiled, “Why don’t you try and battle them first.”