Dungeon Master (Karma System)

After the training session, Lana was happy to find that both Rod and Dirk were in the in the dungeon. She had wanted to challenge the dungeon with her mother but it looked like that wouldn’t be happening anytime soon.

After the training hall, the 3 visited the mage tower where the advanced Mage trainers resided. Both Oswald and her mother were awed by the functions of the tower. She soon lost them to their own training schedules.

Lord Titters was more than accommodating to her though. She joined Rod, Dirk, Cindy and Lord Titters in the evening runs of the dungeon and she was able to party with the Lords new recruits in the morning.

Lana wanted to join her mother in advanced training, but like Rod, she was more concerned with mastering the basics of the mage class before moving to that.

It had already been 5 days since she arrived at the dungeon. Her mother had checked them out of the inn and rented them rooms in the mage tower. It was more expensive, but mana recovered faster in the tower and the rooms she rented the pair came with access to some of the training facilities.

Much like Lord Titters, her mother was also willing to let her buy a single fast pass every day since her level was still low.

It seemed that her mother was coming around to the idea of her learning here instead of the Academy of Magic in the capital. Even if she bought several fast passes every day the cost would still be less than the Academy.

”It’s a shame that Silvia didn’t come.” Dirk said while the 3 teens were eating lunch.

”When my mother decided to send me to the Academy Silvia’s father took her to train in the wilds. The Academy doesn’t let retainers follow the students so it was a good idea at the time.”

”Maybe when she hears that you aren’t going she will come and join us.” Rod said.

”Maybe.” Lana said while finishing her food. ”Silvia’s father is usually pretty busy, she was thrilled to be able to travel with him. She may not want to give that up.”

Rod nodded in understanding. His dad was pretty busy most days. It was a lot of fun to be able to dungeon together with him every evening.

Dirk steered the conversation back to the dungeon. ”We have seen all 3 bosses the first level has to offer now and we also have some ideas how to combat each of them.”

Lana nodded. ”The Hag is a bit of a pain, her spells are quick and her ability to manipulate the terrain makes it hard to get in close.”

”It’s still better than that treant.” Rod added. ”That thing has so much health and the area attacks are tough to avoid.”

”I think our best chance at passing will be the elder dryad.” Dirk said. ”Your lightning spells seem to have a potent effect on her.” He said to Lana.

”I wonder who we will face tonight?” Rod said.

After the meal, the three dispersed to continue their training. Dirk was learning a few rouge skills and would be wandering the village to advance his progress with them. Rod was training with the new recruits while working on his warrior skills. Lana was making progress with the combo casting ability while also working towards being able to quick cast her 2 new defensive spells.

After dinner, Cindy and Lord Titters joined the 3 to tackle the dungeon.

There attempt to clear the dungeon had been going smoothly so far. Their first encounter was with a small band of redcaps.

With 3 warrior-based classes taking the lead while backed up by 2 ranged attackers they were able to work through the bloodthirsty little menaces without taking too much damage.

There next encounter was the fairies. Lana and Dirk made quick work of them. The fairies were not particularly strong or hearty. The danger they posed came from their unexpected actions. The group kept them contained and finished them off so they wouldn’t become a problem later.

The third encounter was a bit of a challenge. They had to fight 3 Hybsils. These creatures are similar to centaurs except instead of being half horse, they are half deer. They mostly rely on archery and spears but they do have a few magical abilities.

The first time they encountered Hybsils, Rod was a bit frightened. Now they had learned that these creatures are proficient in illusions. The 3 hybsils had each created 3 illusions of themselves. When they charged out of the forest the first time, they had thought they were being attacked by 12 and not 3.

This time the fight was a challenge but each of the weapon masters were quick on their feet while the 2 ranged attackers punished them from afar.

It was a cautious battle that lasted almost 10 minutes before the group overcame the third encounter.

Lord Titters passed out a few health potions he had purchased since they didn’t have a healer in the group. It was a good idea to go into the boss fight at full strength. Lana sat and meditated to increase her mana regeneration. She had mana stones and potions, but she preferred to keep the stones for training and the potions would be better used during a fight when she didn’t have time.

20 minutes later, everyone was well rested and ready to give the boss a try.

Lord Titters wanted to complete the first level of the dungeon just as badly as everyone else but he was determined to take a backseat in this endeavor. He was proud of both his children and was pleased to see Rod taking up the mantle of party leader.

His daughter was having a bit more trouble taking commands from Rod but she was adapting and learning.

Rod dusted himself off after having stood up. He gave a nod to Dirk.

The young archer took a step off the path and faded from sight while the others began to move forward.

They were taking it slow and waiting for the archer to return. They had been walking for 10 minutes and knew they would be approaching the boss soon when Dirk returned.

”What did you find?” Rod asked.

”A Hag.” Dirk answered. ”200 meters ahead. Like the last time we faced a hag, there is no clearing. Just a small hut in between trees woven together from fallen branches.”

”Does everyone remember the plan to deal with a spell casting boss?” Rod asked.

The group nodded but Cindy spoke up. ”I was talking to a few adventurers in the tavern last night. I don’t know if it is true or not, but they said when the hag’s health fall to only a third left, she escaped. They didn’t know what to do and continued forward but the hag returned and caught them off guard after preparing and healing.”

Rod rubbed his chin while he thought. ”Then we must ensure that she doesn’t escape. That will make everything much harder.”

”That won’t be easy.” Said Lord Titters. ”Hags have excellent mobility and are fond of using tools. We should expect her to already have escape plans ready to use.”

The young Axe Master nodded. ”Lana and Dirk, both of you will need to pay close attention to her movements. And if possible we all need to keep her from retreating to her hut. Lana, try to keep the full stacks of slow on her if you can.”

After making a few last-minute arrangements, they slowly crept forward after Dirk disappeared into the shadow.

The other 4 spread out while slowly circling the Hag and her home.

Peering through the trees they could see a woman in front of the hut. She had green skin covered in moles and warts. Her tangled and wild hair was reminiscent of a nest. Her robes were torn and covered in mud. She held a gnarled staff in her hand while arranging small animal bones in some sort of ritual.

The weapon masters and Lana waited for the right time to act. Everyone knew the role they would have to play in this fight. But the first strike would belong to Dirk. They knew the Archer was around and waiting for the perfect first strike.