LupineKing posts
Posts: 330
Files: 13
Arzom Preliminary Map
Here's a copy of the preliminary map of the continent of Arzom, the setting of TDL. There's still some work to do and you can help.Please suggest names! Lots of names! We'll need names for castles, settlements, monuments and organisations (sects & mercenary groups) and wilderness locations!
DC/RH BK II, CH 31: Becoming Indispensable
Chapter Thirty-one: Becoming IndispensableBrandr watched as his 'guests' went about killing the Guardian of the Fifth Floor. Watching them work was pleasing in its own way. They were all skilled individuals, powerful experts in their respective fields, and even though they were not used to working together, their experience made it a cinch. They did not need to. Thorn's friend Sarrod c...
TDL Lore Post I: Achievement Points and Dungeon Expenditure
TDL Lore Post I: Achievement Points and Dungeon ExpenditureMonsters are a one-time cost. Loot is not. Basically, if it gets taken out of the dungeon, it will take AP to replace it. The monsters respawn so they are a one-time cost. Loot is generated and then taken out, so each item costs Dunstan AP.Dunstan gets AP in five ways. Killing creatures in the Overworld (outside the dungeon) Converting ove...
Monthly Poll (April 2023)
Please decide on Dunstan's next dungeon.
DC/RH BK II, CH 30: Hazel Eyes, Dark Truths
Chapter Thirty: Hazel Eyes, Dark TruthsA river in the sky. For the first time since they stepped into the dungeon, Ulak felt like he was truly in a faerie land. He hadn't seen sights like this since that time they were forced to take a shortcut, a path through the faerie realms, just so they could catch up with their quarry. Except, that place had been slightly more unbelievable with its danci...
DC/RH BK II, CH 29: Meeting New Faces
Chapter Twenty-Nine: Meeting New Faces"Welcome to the fifth floor!" said the flaming sprite with a smile. "You've passed the preliminary trials and are now prepared to delve the dungeon in truth. May the core's grace guide you!"Grimsby backed away quickly, nearly tripping over the dwarves behind him. The fourth floor was by far the worst. It was a full hour of near-aimless ...
HoGW BK V, CH 10: A Clash of Flame and Gold
Chapter Ten: A Clash of Flame and GoldValerian did not hesitate. The ground cracked underneath him as he pushed off it, golden wings beating with enough force to release a visible shockwave. No sooner had he done so that fire erupted where he had been standing with tongues of flame that reached up into the air after him like grasping fingers. Hundred of metres above his opponent, Valerian circled ...
TDL BK I, CH 26: Shaky Confidence
Chapter Twenty-six: Shaky ConfidenceThe Dragon-Soaring Compact was an agreement between the Jade Dragon Row and the Vast Heaven Palace. Realising the importance of a vibrant local economy and wary of the outsider influence exerted by the Myriad Treasures Pavilion, Dunstan's predecessors invested in the Jade Dragon Row, a budding alliance of several notable business-aligned families.In addition...
TDL BK I, CH 25: Learning New Things
Chapter Twenty-five: Learning New ThingsGuillaume shivered as they walked into the entry chamber. He gripped his sword tighter, wide eyes scanning the room carefully. Adil's Shields had traipsed through this place twice without so much as a stumble, so this room, in particular, should be safe. However, the goosebumps on his skin told him a different story. The tapping of water on stone was the...
[Monthly Special] DC/RH: Amron Swiftblade II
DC/RH Special: Amron Swiftblade IIThe first adventurer didn't even have time to scream before they were gurgling on their own blood, a dagger through their chest. They did try, though, but even in his rage, Amron was a professional. His dagger had punctured the lung. Any attempts to draw breath only caused more pain from the collapsed organ. Foamy bubbles of blood were beginning to form on his...
[February Special] DC/RH: Amron Swiftblade I
DC/RH Special: Amron Swiftblade IThe plains of the second floor were vast in scope. The chamber he was in was so large that if you stood at one end, you couldn't quite make out the other side of it. To the uninitiated, the place was a wash of green and brown. Tall grass, dead in some places, grew damn near everywhere, and no matter how easy it was to forget, there was always a niggling reminde...
HoGW BK V, CH 9: Confrontations
Chapter Nine: ConfrontationsThe dark blade stepped away from the door and walked back to the centre of the room."As per your wishes, I have turned Misses Langston and Gavriel away!" Pugio said stiffly.Said master was splayed out on the floor, flat on his back. Golden wings stretched out beside him, taking up much of the room. Only the dimness of the room prevented them from filling the roo...
TDL BK I, CH 24: Striking Hot
Chapter Twenty-four: Striking HotA crescent of mana cut through the air of the arena as Nick Adil tested his new magic sword. This one was noticeably larger and brighter than the one before it. If they had precision instruments to measure and compare the two attacks, they would find that the second was boosted by the same values marked in the sword's description. The boisterous mercenary stare...
HoGW BK V, CH 8: Worrying Implications
Chapter Eight: Worrying ImplicationsTheoren sat at the table, letting the tantalising aromas fill his nostrils and kindle his hunger. He could practically taste the spread already. She glanced away from the table, watching as Lilian laid out more food. The old array master smiled, already preparing to eat until his stomach threatened to burst. She was handling everything herself as her butler wasn...
TDL BK I, CH 23: Ancient Artefacts?
Chapter Twenty-three: Ancient Artefacts?Dunstan made sure to purchase the tokens in small batches to help keep up his cover. Elder Dorn and Elder Howatt stood next to him, staring in awe as a 30-piece bundle of the slate-shaped tokens hovered in the air above his hand, deposited there by a small portal. He handed it over to Elder Dorn, who immediately put it in his ring along with the others. Duns...
TDL BK I, CH 22: Skeletal Enemies
Chapter Twenty-two: Skeletal EnemiesIt stirred slowly, almost unwillingly, like a fitful sleeper being roused but wishing to return to its rest. However, it woke all the same. There was a warmth there. A disturbing warmth that made it unable to rest. It was too much, too close to ignore. Familiar but also hateful. The old bones began to shift, clacking and creaking as it forced itself to rise. Its...
TDL BK I, CH 21: The First
Chapter Twenty-one: The FirstNick checked behind him, making sure that the portal was still there. The swirling purple mass of cloud and light hung behind them like a bad decision. He tore his eyes away, focusing on his new surroundings instead. They were standing on a landing of some sort. He could just barely make out the stone steps descending lower to an open archway through the gloom.“Come ...
DC/RH BK II, CH 28: Trial's End
Chapter Twenty-eight: Trial's EndOne thing they never tell you about lightning, Atur realised, was how jarring it was to hear. The first time a bolt came his way would forever be immortalised in his memory.The cavern they were in amplified every sound, making the sounds of the fight seem louder and more intense. The echoes of their battle bounced around, making it difficult at times to pinpoin...
HoGW BK V, CH 7: Spiritual Legacies
Chapter Seven: Spiritual LegaciesLilian gave a pause, catching herself for a moment. “Do you understand the difference between a spiritual legacy and a normal one?”Valerian shook his head no.“Hmmn”, his teacher intoned. “Figured that might be the case.”“According to records older than I care to date, when Verre reabsorbed her firstborn, the smart ones among them did their best to fin...
TDL BK I, CH 20: A Simple Business Offer
I'm back!Chapter Twenty: A Simple Business OfferWhiles Dunstan appraised the old man, said old man did the same to him. For someone as old and experienced as Ranulyn, the state of the Vast Heaven Palace could be seen through with a glance. They were good, steady customers and he would be sorry to see them go especially with the mollifying effect they had on the region's more... rash person...
A Quest for Names
Exactly what it says on the tin. Here's your chance to suggest names for any of the series I am working on. Right now, I am fleshing out more of Arzom, the world of TDL so any names going that way would be greatly appreciated.I have provided several examples below in both detailed and simplified forms. All are names that will feature in the story. Please stick to their format so that your sugg...
Announcement: Sick Break!
If you've been on the discord you'll know I had to go to the hospital because a scratch I got from one of my dogs got infected and my right hand swelled up like a balloon. Suffice it to say, I was pretty sick for a bit. I got all the greatest infection hits streaming through me. On that note, please remember to disinfect any and every cut/scrape/injury no matter how minor it may seem! I go...
TDL BK I, CH 19: Grand Opening
Chapter Nineteen: Grand Opening[The fame of your dungeon grows! +1 AP][Milestone reached!][Achievement unlocked: The first 5000!]Dunstan gave the notification a side glance, his heart skipping a beat. Spending all his points on the dungeon had been the right choice. 5000 AP in a matter of hours. That was the loot pool satisfied and then some. He had to assume that most of this AP came from his sec...
DC/RH BK II, CH 27: Into the Dungeon
Chapter Twenty-seven: Into the DungeonThe entrance to the 'Realm of Valour" was an imposing thing. The giant marble arch stood ten metres tall and its surface gleamed even in the sunlight with the glow of powerful magic. The arch was adorned with intricate carvings and ornate symbols that glimmered softly but drew the eye. Wide enough to allow several people to pass through side by side, a...
HoGW Ebooks
After a lot of faffing about trying to find a covenient way to send the ebooks, I decided to simply use what patreon has on offer.Thank you very much for suporting my writing!Happy reading!
TDL BK I, CH 18: The Marked Day
Chapter Eighteen: The Marked DayAs the small group made their way through the vast grounds, they were struck by the scale and grandeur of the sect. The buildings and structures towered above them, their massive columns and arches stretching towards the sky. The gardens and lawns were meticulously manicured, with fountains and statues dotted throughout.As they walked, their guide pointed out variou...
DC/RH Side Story | March 2023
DC/RH won the side story poll by a landslide. Please choose the subject matter and POV of this month's patron-only side story!
Patron Announcement March 2023
First, let me say thank you to all of you for becoming my patrons! I truly appreciate the support. Please message me with your preferred names and/or titles so you can be inscribed in The Hall of Heroes and receive shout-outs in the public releases. I have seen many names that I have to assume are legal names and I do not want to paste your full identities out there for the world to see. Of course...
HoGW BK V, CH 6: An Incredible Find
Chapter Six: An Incredible FindThe study had once been a magnificent sight to behold. With its rich oak panelling and gleaming brass fixtures, it was a testament to wealth and refinement. Shelves lined with rare leather-bound books, knickknacks gathered over centuries of travel and a desk that was a masterpiece of intricate woodwork; this place once offered its mistress space for moments of quiet ...
TDL BK I, CH 17: Final Dungeon Draft
Chapter Seventeen: Final Dungeon Draft"My plan is to have a jump scare right here", Dunstan said pointing at an intersection on the projection between them. "Nothing too major this time, just a spectre leaping out of a painting to attack anyone passing too close."The Sixth Preceptor followed along with a small nod, his eyes never leaving the dungeon simulation.This was another func...
