Poll of the Day > PotD Fantasy Dungeon Death Battle -- Official Post

(+) Yeah! (+)

SunWuKung420 posted...

TheCyborgNinja posted...

SunWuKung420 posted...

One wall was a light jab! He's lucky.

I'm just glad MG Rex didn't step on me. That was close.

I'm not trying to kill anyone. Clearly, we have a serious undead problem happening, that no one person can defeat. Except for me.

I dunno. My fancy sword is pretty useful for that.
---

TheCyborgNinja posted...

SunWuKung420 posted...

TheCyborgNinja posted...

SunWuKung420 posted...

One wall was a light jab! He's lucky.

I'm just glad MG Rex didn't step on me. That was close.

I'm not trying to kill anyone. Clearly, we have a serious undead problem happening, that no one person can defeat. Except for me.

I dunno. My fancy sword is pretty useful for that.

I'll team up with anyone. I don't need treasure.
---

Archmage007 posted...

Just wondering- do you plan on having one person survive who is the winner, or is there a chance everyone might die eventually?

The plan is that only one person can reach the bottom of the pit, though there is certainly a (very small) chance that the RNG will kill everybody before that happens. The current rate of death and injury suggests that the number of adventurers will be whittled down to one without any issues.

While I am here: Since no one died, the next Night Before post will be a random conversation between two of the characters.

EDIT -- Also noticed that I spelled it 'Wukong' the whole time. Whoops. Blame Warriors Orochi for that.
---

Thanks for the answer, and bump.

I only ever have luck with real-life RNG (which is why I love Risk), but man, these PotD death battles are pretty hard on me. I hope I get some serious help in the next level... I'm concerned.
---

Going to give myself a bump here. Still working on the next Night Before post.
---

Decided to discard the random conversation in favor of a little ... exposition. *audience boos* Only a little. I promise.

The Night Before (3)

Fiske had purchased the tome from a fence in the capital -- one of his contacts for books, a good source for spellbooks acquired from dead adventurers. The fence had said that it had belonged to one of the mages the realm had hired to exterminate the Undead of the Tomb of Ixpelmus. He had also suggested that the mage might have retrieved the tome from the Tomb itself. Perhaps that explained the unusual price?

The tome had been sealed up in a black iron box. There had been locks to break, wards to dispel, all of that. Standard practice. And then Fiske had opened the box.

At the academy in the capital, he had been taught about books that must never be opened -- stories told to students in their first year to scare them. Like most of his peers, he paid them no mind, and he let them drift into the nothingness of memory as he completed his studies and started his career as a young alchemist. But the tome the unlucky mage had unearthed in the Tomb of Ixpelmus made all of those stories come back, made Fiske see the grain of truth at the heart of the pearl of hearsay and rumor.

Cover made up of carved bones. Pages of desiccated skin. Ink derived from blood. A smell of death about it. A book of necromancy, no doubt about it, and extremely old, possibly dating back to the darkest period of history, the years after the fall of the ancient Elves, before humans arose from their primitive origins and took their place in the world. The script suggested a language similar to that of the Elves, but ... alien, hard to describe, almost invulnerable to translation, and Fiske had to pick at it for several months in order to unravel enough of its secrets to get it to start making sense.

And then he discovered the untold story of the Pit of Periphetes.

The author described the scope of the disaster to a degree that none of the fragments left behind by the Elves had captured, and it added elements to the story that did not appear in any of the fragments: Stories of madness among the Elves, of the emergence of the first cult dedicated to the black stone in the Pit, of mass sacrifice and the rise of the Undead. The tome agreed that the Elves made a point of avoiding the Pit, but it added that they did so because it had corrupted a great number of them, including the necromancer Ixpelmus, the one imprisoned in the depths of the half-forgotten Tomb.

The tome also mentioned a key point that departed from all common knowledge of the Pit: The black stone might not have been a stone at all. Instead, it might have been ... a being? A consciousness? A purpose? The term did not quite translate, but the author seemed to suggest that the black stone had come down from the sky for a reason, and that it might be amassing the souls of its victims in the Pit for -- the text stopped there.

Fiske reread the tome again and again, hoping to understand more of it. He had stumbled upon a warning, and it quickly became his obsession. He closed up his shop and sold off most of his possessions, using the proceeds to fund his journey to Rostik and maintain his supplies. He doubted that a mere alchemist had the ghost of a chance in the Contest, but ... he had to try. He had to verify the text. He had to see the black stone for himself and try to determine its intentions. As a practicing mage, he had a responsibility to do so. After all, no one else had any knowledge of the writings from the Tomb of Ixpelmus. Regardless of his qualifications, he had a duty to fulfill.

And he continued rereading the tome up through the night before the Contest, keeping himself locked up in his room above the bar in the hopes of finding one more truth.
---

Bump.
Sounds like a creepy book. Interesting background info.

Tuesday bump
---

Taking advantage of stupid insomnia to give myself a bump. Next update should be soon, and apologies for the wait.
---

Badump.
---

KogaSteelfang posted...

Badump.

Bad bump?

Archmage007 posted...

KogaSteelfang posted...

Badump.

Bad bump?

---

All right, folks, tomorrow (i.e. Thursday) is going to be the day. Sorry for this most recent delay. Had several schedule change-ups that have limited my free time.
---

Bumpday!
---

(Thank you, Link.)

More like Saturday (i.e. tomorrow). Apologies. Combination of being tired and good old Writer's Block. *grumbles*
---

I_Abibde posted...

(Thank you, Link.)

More like Saturday (i.e. tomorrow). Apologies. Combination of being tired and good old Writer's Block. *grumbles*

No worries. Take your time.
---

Bump

Bump

And:
POST ERROR
There was an error posting your message:
You have just posted this exact same message - you may not post identical messages in a row

Actually, I have not. Anyone else have such problems?

There's an actual person named Sho-Ya Wang.
---

Archmage007 posted...

Bump

And:
POST ERROR
There was an error posting your message:
You have just posted this exact same message - you may not post identical messages in a row

Actually, I have not. Anyone else have such problems?

I think it happens when you press post twice very fast. For some reason, it actually does try to post it twice...
---

I am going to stop predicting specific days for getting the next part done, as that seems to jinx me. My thanks for the continuing bumps, and I hope to get past this block and get Level 3 done as soon as possible. (The Pastebin has been updated for a good while, BTW.)
---

Magical bump!

Love This. Love you guys
---

Love and magic make for a good bump, I agree. ... Almost there!
---

Apologies for a second bump. Odds look good for Friday, in terms of budgeting free time for the next post.
---

I'm walking on sunshine, whoa-oa-oa!
---

Let's just bump this up a little...
---

*insert a bunch of profanity*

Bump. Trying for Tuesday now!
---

All right. Managed to push through the block, and it took most of a month to do it. *shakes head* Got to do better than that in days to come. Enjoy!

Level 3
Dwarf Excavation

The emptying of the village of Vikenti by the Undead of the rediscovered Pit of Periphetes brought a variety of adventurers to the dungeon, including a full-sized company of gold-seeking Dwarves, the first major expedition into the depths that involved a degree of preparation and organization. The Dwarves had suffered the same fate as all of the other adventurers, but, before all of them perished at the hands of the Undead, they successfully tunneled down into the depths of the Pit, penetrating all the layers of earth that the Elves had used to cover it up in the first place. Their efforts got them all the way down to the first real ruins inside the Pit, though none of them survived to tell their financiers that they had uncovered at least one truth about the place.

Fiske had no strength left in his body, and he had no choice but to take a seat at the foot of the first wall he encountered, gasping for breath, digging in his packs for the Book of Ixpelmus as he thought, If I can't ... be the one to make it to the bottom, then I've got to make sure this knowledge isn't lost. One of the others has to take it. One of the -- And he looked up to see Whiskey standing above him, grinning down at him.

"Why don't I hang on to that for you, friend?" Whiskey extended one hand. No need to tell Fiske that he had reached the end of the map he had acquired from the dead Melon. As far as it concerned him, the book that Fiske had in his shaking hands represented the next advantage, the next step in his conquest of the dungeon.

"P-Please, this is the most important --" But Fiske had nothing more to say. Whiskey had pulled a knife and cut his throat in one smooth gesture before taking the book and departing. But this isn't so bad, is it? Of all the ways to die in this place, this isn't -- Darkness, then, and death. Fiske had tried to fulfill his duty as a mage, but it had only carried him so far in the Pit. At least he had been able to hand off his knowledge.

Larry and Jen had also made it into the excavation, and Jen had the good sense to steer her supposed paramour into a tunnel to prevent him from encountering Tomo. She also glimpsed Grillga pressing her back flat against a wall as Archmage passed her position, smoke still rising from his hands after all the spells he had expended against the zombies back in the tunnels, though he seemed uninterested in the female Orc.

In another section of the excavation, Rhona came to a stop, her breath failing her. Yeah, it's a lung. He's gotten better. More accurate. She leaned against the wall. Potion's starting to wear off. It's not healing me the way it should. Did he hurt me that bad, or is it this place? She closed her eyes, bowing her head and trying to control her breathing, slow down her heart. This ... isn't it, is it? I'm going to die here? She slid down the wall. Isn't very fair, is it? Should've kissed ... that nice High Elf boy.

Belicia stood close by, maintaining her silence. Too late to save Rhona. She watched as the half-Elf bowed her head, and then walked forward and touched her lightly on the forehead, saying, "Die in peace." A simple prayer to ease her passing. One touch, and she was gone, leaving only one long breath before she shuddered and lay still.

(Cont.)
---

As Jen shepherded Larry away from Tomo, she noticed a threat before her that made the samurai look like the smallest goblin: Wukong. But the bleary-eyed Larry did not seem the least bit concerned at the appearance of the staff-wielding demigod.

"Well, now, it's the Monkey King," Larry said, wavering on his feet. "Now there's a guy I can respect. He's got the biggest dick in the world." He paused to wipe his nose on his sleeve. "Can have any woman he wants, and he doesn't have to pay for it. Hey, maybe he's bad for business in some places, but, as far as I'm concerned, he's all right. He's legit. More power to you, man." He almost stumbled and fell, but Jen caught him.

Wukong smirked, shook his head, and continued on his way, leaving them alive.

In a different passage, Key and Fox happened upon Adamec, and he nodded once to them, lowering his weapons to show that he did not mean them any harm. They grouped together, though Fox looked back over his shoulder and noticed Hanagamas a safe distance behind them, tailing them. Guess he was thankful for the help, huh? Ah, well. The more, the merrier, at least until we start the whole killing-each-other thing.

Winter and Game Lord had been the first to enter the excavation, and they both found the lack of Undead disquieting after all the zombies they had dispatched in the tunnels leading down from the ruins of Vikenti. The Dark Elf made certain not to get too close to the barbarian, lest he develop unfortunate intentions, but Game Lord chose to ignore him for the time being. He had seen Winter easily destroy enough zombies that he had respect for his strength, and Winter, in turn, had seen the barbarian do the same.

Link had lost track of Rhona, and he feared the worst, but he had encountered Guy, and the sickly Druid had made a sign with his hands to indicate truce, so they had become companions for the time being. Guy did not tell Link of the fever burning up his brain, and Link seemed content to catch his breath and let the Druid keep to himself.

Similarly, Mead knew better than to accost Parrot. The pyromancer had his wits about him, and had spotted the Dwarf easily enough to keep his presence at the back of his mind. In the same passage, they both noted the presence of Cyborg and Matthea. The former seemed too damaged to attack anyone immediately, and the latter, like Parrot, was conserving her mana for the next raft of trouble that awaited them all below.

And Darico had been the one to find it. He had reached the bottom of the excavation first, trusting in his sense of the stonework there to lead him to a shaft that appeared to go straight down into the darkness -- a shaft defended by half a dozen axe-wielding Dwarves, all of them mummified to the point of unrecognizability. They did not move, swinging at him only if he got too close to them. Impassable, at least at first glance, but he dove between them, one of their axes nicking him and making him bleed, but he still managed to drop down the shaft, using a length of rope he had saved to slow his movement and keep himself anchored as he made his way down into the depths.

(Cont.)
---

1. Archmage007 -- Human Wizard [Archmage] [- 1]
2. Ha21nagamas -- Half-Dragon Ranger [Hanagamas]
3. LinkPizza -- Elf Bard [Link]
4. Stupid Pirate Guy -- Human Druid [Guy] [- 1]
5. Melon_Master -- Half-Dragon Bard [Melon] ... Killed By # 7 [Level 0]
6. Greenfox111 -- Orc Ranger [Fox]
7. WhiskeyDisk -- Dark Elf Rogue [Whiskey]
8. KogaSteelfang -- Human Thief [Koga] ... Killed By # 25 [Level 1]
9. Mead -- Dwarf Barbarian [Mead]
10. SunWuKung420 -- Demigod Monk [Wukong]
11. Jen0125 -- Elf Assassin [Jen]
12. LaggnFragnLarry -- Human Gigolo [Larry]
13. keyblader1985 -- Human Swashbuckler [Key]
14. ss4parrothair -- Human Pyromancer [Parrot]
15. trodi_911 -- Orc Fighter [Grillga] [- 3]
16. wwinterj25 -- Dark Elf Sorcerer [Winter] [- 1]
17. GameLord113 -- Human Barbarian [Game Lord] [- 1]
18. TheCyborgNinja -- (Former) Human Assassin [Cyborg] [- 3]
19. [NPC] Adamec -- Human Fighter
20. [NPC] Darico -- Dwarf Rogue [- 2]
21. [NPC] Fiske -- Human Alchemist ... Killed By # 7 [Level 2]
22. [NPC] Belicia -- Elf Cleric [- 1]
23. [NPC] Matthea -- Human Sorceress
24. [NPC] Rhona -- Half-Elf Rogue ... Killed By # 22 [Level 2]
25. [NPC] Tomo -- Human Samurai

21 Adventurers Remain

*deep breath* All right. Another Night Before to come, and then ... Level 4.
---

Great, a new update! Thanks I_Abibde.

I'm still alive! But poor Rhona...
---

You are welcome, and here is a bump.
---

*sweats*

Apologies, but here is a second bump.
---

I really hope I get some help... I don't like being so close to death.
---

If this was a hunger games topic, you could hope for a sponsor to send you medical help.

There is no medicine in a dungeon unless you bring it, alas. Or if you get a '++++' roll from the dice.

And you might be surprised at the generosity of the dice on the next post, Cyborg.
---

I_Abibde posted...

There is no medicine in a dungeon unless you bring it, alas. Or if you get a '++++' roll from the dice.

And you might be surprised at the generosity of the dice on the next post, Cyborg.

Yeah!!
---

Bump

Bump again

Good job, @Archmage007 !
---

Weeeeeee
---

Rrrrrrobot House!
---

Bump with a bonus!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noq6FXkyVy8" data-time="
---

Magical bump

(Good bonus, IMO.)

And a follow-up magic bump. Should be able to get back to this during the weekend, folks.
---

....

But, just in case, one more bump to play it safe.
---

Follow-up safety bump with hope for more great updates soon.