Dungeon Master (Karma System)

”Uncle!” Lana shouted as she sprang from her chair when she saw Gilmore enter the tavern behind Max.

She quickly dove into his arms and gave him a big hug.

”Are you okay?” He softly asked her.

He was relieved when she nodded.

”We were a bit shook up since we didn’t know we had a revival buff.”

Gilmore patted her head and then looked around. Max had informed him that this was a sanctuary floor so the presence of other creatures wouldn’t startle him. He still kept his guard up even though the atmosphere was quite harmonious.

Max moved and took a seat next to his wife while Lana led Gilmore over.

”How is everyone?” He asked the adventurers.

”The food is great.” Rod said before happily gnawing on a turkey leg, while the others agreed.

Gilmore slowly warmed up during lunch. He realized that this dungeon master was showing no signs of deceit. And even if he was... Gilmore didn’t think he could stop the man if he decided to move against them.

”But they were too fast and we weren’t ready.” Lana explained. ”We didn’t know where they were coming from and our attention was focused on the satyr. Then the fairies came back, and it was over.”

”We plan to train while we wait for the buff to reactivate. Mr. Clarkson said that we need to improve our foundations quite a bit if we want to pass the first level.”

Max nodded. ”You are lucky that your levels aren’t too advanced. You can still put in a lot of work to improve yourselves before you advance. If I were you, I would get a few skills, improve their proficiencies and wait to advance your class, even if you hit level 10 during training.”

Anna agreed. ”This will let you build a stronger foundation. Wait until you can pass the first level before you advance.”

”Uncle Gilmore. I know we were supposed to go to the goblin mines, but can we stay and train here? Please?”

The man thought about it. If what he had been told was true, the teenagers would receive more benefit training here compared to the goblin mines.

Before he could answer, Max spoke up. ”Don’t look at my dungeon as just training for low leveled adventures. You yourself could benefit from a few things while you are here.”

”We can stay.” The man said. While the 4some cheered, he turned to Max and Anna.

He made sure to put all his attention on Max. He had been introduced to Annastasia. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. She had also been introduced as Max’s wife. He liked his eyes in his head, so he focused them on the dungeon master.

”Do you have a stable? Or boarding for mounts and carriages?” He asked.

Max tilted his head in confusion. He ran a dungeon, why would he have those things?

Rod spoke before he could answer. ”Popular dungeons usually have a small village or outpost at the entrance. There you can trade, get supplies, have equipment fixed among other things. You can also board your mounts while you are busy inside.”

Max’s eyes widened. With his set up, an outpost outside would mean people spent less time in his village. He needed to do everything they could and do it better.

”Ah, I see. I don’t, but I can build one.”

Anna saw here husband shift into work mode. She could already imagine him going overboard. The DP would soon be flying away.

”There is no need for anything large or extravagant right now. Just build something that will work, if you need to expand you can do that later. Don’t go all out with crazy features. Let our customers give us feedback and we will alter it from there.”

At the words of his wife, Max reigned in his ideas. She was right. He didn’t need a 5-star resort for horses. He just needs to keep them safe, happy, and healthy.

”Okay, okay, give me 10 minutes and I will have something.”

”Try to keep it under 10,000DP.” She requested.

”Sure.” Max responded. That should be enough for a simple stable and pasture. If he worked it right he should have enough left for a stable master to oversee the operation. ”DC let’s get to work, I want to use the alternate entrance option. Our operation so far should be large enough that I can get one for free.”

[That is correct.]

Max walked out of the tavern and disappeared. Gilmore turned to the teens and told them he would be back shortly. He needed to inform Old Crow of the situation. After asking for the exit, Anna led everyone to the village square.

The group entered a large open area that was coved in laid stonework in the center of the village. 5 tall metal arches stood near the center.

Two of the arches had swirling curtains of magic flowing through them.

”You could call this a transportation hub.” Anna explained. She then pointed to one of the arches. ”This will take you to the entrance of Fey Nights.”

The group looked into the arch, the image on the other side looked distorted but they could vaguely make out a moonlit forest.

”This arch leads to the outside world.”

Sure enough, they could see sunlight through the other arch.

”Once you complete the first level, you will find that you will be able to enter the arch next to Fey Nights.”

”What’s inside of it?” Lana asked.

Anna smirked. ”You will have to complete the first level to find out.”

”Don’t leave the town square, I will be back shortly.” Gilmore said. When he received nods of agreement, he walked out of the exit.

He couldn’t feel the magic of the portal, it was very smooth. He walked through the arch, and the next thing he knew, he was standing before Mt. Crag.

Old Crow looked up from his seat on the carriage. ”Any luck?”

Gilmore nodded. ”I found them. This dungeon may turn out to be a blessing, but I will need to investigate more.”

”So your staying?” Old Crow asked and then looked around. It wasn’t the worst spot to camp, but neither was it good.

”Yes, the dungeon master was kind enough to provide a stable as well. You won’t need to stay unless you want to.”

”Are you alright on your own?” Old Crow didn’t wait for a reply. ”Then I might as well head back and inform the Lord in the change of plans.”

The old man stepped down from the carriage. His body began to morph and change as he fell to his hands and knees. A moment later, a tall, majestic stag stood where Old Crow had been.

”Swift travels.” Gilmore said to the man.

The stag looked at him for a moment before turning and jumping into the woods and dashing back towards the Lord’s city.

Gilmore took stock of the situation. 2 horses pulled the carriage while another 2 were saddled for the retainers.

Once he gathered them together a barn door appeared on the mountain next to the dungeon entrance.

He tied the reigns of the free horses to the back of the carriage and then jumped into the driver’s seat. He got the animals moving and directed them to the barn door that had the word ’Stable’ on a sign over head. As they approached, the door opened on its own.

Gilmore was a bit surprised by how quickly everything was completed. He entered the door to find a stable set before a large grassy field. The sun was high overhead and a gently breeze ruffled his hair. A babbling broke ran along the edge of the grassy plain.

As the carriage approached the stable a large tauren walked out. He knew that they were a peaceful race. Well, they were peaceful until you pushed them too far, then their animal instincts came to life.

A tauren was a humanoid figure that stood on two legs, was covered in short fur, and usually had bull-like horns to accompany their cow-like face. This female tauren came over wearing overalls and work clothes. She was dressed for the part of stable master.

She looked over the procession. ”4 horses and a carriage.”

”Yes.” Gilmore said.

”I can store the carriage for free. Each horse will cost 2 silver a day. This will cover their feed and grooming. How long are they staying?”

”That is pretty cheap.” He asked a bit concerned.

The tauren shrugged. ”We don’t need to ship in food. Everything is grown locally. Fresh oats and grass. If they behave then they will also get extra carrots and apples.”

Gilmore thought about it but came to the realization that he didn’t know as much about dungeons as he would like.

”Okay. I will put them up for a week.” He then handed over 56 silver pieces.

Max watched from the shadows. He may raise the price in the future. The stable was a great idea. It was free money. The horses, like adventures counted as intruders. There levels were all bellow 5, but still. Every hour that stayed he was earning DP. And he was also getting paid to do so. The food costs were minimal and easily covered. It was a great deal.

Max appeared next to Gilmore. The man did his best not to flinch. At least this time, the dungeon master chose to pop into existence in his range of vision instead of behind him.

”Come on, I just built another arch.” Max said as he led him around the stable.

The pair walked through a smaller arch and ended up in the village square. Turning back, Gilmore saw the arch was smaller than the exit one and stood beside it with its proper label.

”Uncle Gilmore. We want to head to the training grounds. Do you want to join us?” Asked Lana.

He shook his head. ”I will join you in a bit, I want to check out this town and get my bearings first.”

”Okay. Anna told us that if we are lost or looking for someone to ask the automatons or gnomes. They are here to work in the village. Everyone else may work here or are just visiting when they aren’t working on their level.”

Gilmore nodded as his niece grabbed her friend Silvia and then went running after the two boys who couldn’t wait.