Books

A glimpse of Tower Dungeon 3

David Skelector Books, manga, megadungeon

Not included in my « glimpse »: Book 2 ended with a great cliffhanger, cruel in every possible way, and Book 3 starts with an awesome scene resolving it. Really gruesome stuff, very dark I’ll say without going into spoiler territory. I love it.

Book 1

Book 2

After their ordeal they’re back in the spiral stairway.
There’s people coming the other way. But sometimes people can be worse than monsters, are they dangerous?
Turns out they’re not.
They’re all the way up to Level 59, but now there’s this little problem.
Indeed.
An echo? There’s a vast area ahead.
Looks like a Boss Level…
This winged insect-like monster is this world’s version of a Basilisk. Has the same turn-to-stone gaze as usual and has very good protection with its carapace. Nice monster design.

That’s it for today.

There’s five books published (and translated) to date. It’s an awesome dungeon-exploration manga, I really like it.

A glimpse of Tower Dungeon 2

David Skelector Books, Fantasy, manga, megadungeon

Book 1

Just a glimpse, as advertised and focusing on the dungeon.

The trio of adventurers have to go up all the way to Level 100 of the Dragon Tower, which by the way is still very low on this oversized megadungeon.

They found a way to Level 15 but it’s blocked by two of these dangerous guardians, better seek another way.
Navigating this confusing Level isn’t easy.
But with careful mapping…
That didn’t worked that well.
Fortunately, diplomacy can go a long way with some of the Tower’s denizens.
And with their help they get to a spiral staircase that go all the way to Level 80! That’s a massive find!
But it’s never that easy in dungeon exploration…

Book 3

Delicious in Dungeon: the Golden Kingdom megadungeon, Book 9

David Skelector Books, Delicious in Dungeon, Fantasy, manga, Monsters

Okay we’re at Book 9 now. Took me some time as my son had managed to lose the book inside his own room and couldn’t find it back even after I browbeat him into cleaning his mess. Kids… I mean, my son is awesome but tidiness is NOT is forte. Anyhow, I finally managed to find the book on the bottom of a drawer so here we are.

  • Right at the start we get an encounter with a black-armored, sword and whip wielding Dullahan (headless knight). It seems like it’s part spirit part physical. Its sword attack goes right through armor without damaging it. It’s also impervious to attacks, even magic ones! What’s one suppose to do? Laios, critically wounded, manages to make a deal with the Dullahan and it was pretty much the only reason why he didn’t die.
  • After that we have probably the most extreme example of dungeon ecology/monster biology to date when Laios’ Guild stumbles upon the reproducing ground of a swarm of Succubus [succubi]. True Succubus are demonic in nature but there’s another sort of creature that have been named after them: the Succubus Mosquito! Just like their namesake they can take the appearance of something of irresistible sex-appeal to their would-be victim. When they’re close enough they plunged their piercing, hollow tongue inside their victim to suck them dry. But wait there’s more, they then transform the stolen blood into a milk-like substance to nourish (via their anus, for good measure) their insect larvae that are kept in still water…
  • In the last third of the book we learn a lot about dungeons, why they exist and how they grow over time when it has found a « master ». Dungeons are basically prisons for demons (entities from another world), one demon per dungeon to be more precise. A demon/dungeon needs to interact with people to get stronger and thus does what it can to lure people to itself (riches and desire-fulfilling promises). The more powerful and complex the desires of someone are, the more strength the demon will gain when it will feed (literally) upon them. A person « eaten » in this manner will be either too weak to survive or become a shell of its former self.

So you see, Delicious in Dungeon has many typical fantasy fares, and not typical at all dungeon ecology and monster biology. It’s also sort of about food, nutrition and food taboos… But it could also have been called Dungeons & Demons!

Delicious in Dungeon: the Golden Kingdom megadungeon, Book 8

David Skelector Books, Delicious in Dungeon, Dungeons and Dragons, Fantasy, manga, megadungeon

There’s many unusual themes in Delicious in Dungeon even if we put aside the culinary one. There’s a strong sense of a biophysical verisimilitude applied to this D&D-like world, something that is definitely against the current zeitgeist both in gaming and in the real world. I personally find this refreshing.

  • the book start with Laios’s party members being subjected to the Changeling Mushrooms spores and thus all of them are transformed into another race/species
  • after the initial shock, the character are each able to see the benefits brought by their new body but soon enough what new limitations they now have
  • this come into effect with much clarity when the party gets into a fight against gargoyles, their usual effectiveness is completely gone
  • Laios, who’s a fighter type, enjoys the strength of his new dwarven body but finds that all this muscle density is consuming a lot more energy and it takes a real toll on his endurance (Dwarves need to eat more often)
  • Marcille the Half-Elf magic-user is impressed by her new heightened senses from her halfling body but finds out that she can’t cast strong spells without suffering from magic fatigue, halflings are just not suited for magic
  • Senshi the Dwarf, now a beautiful elf (always depicted with roses around him, it’s hilarious), doesn’t even try to fight as his weapons are now too heavy for him
  • As usual it’s more clever in the book than in my snippets but you get the idea I think. They eventually manage to cancel the effect of the changeling spores and get back to their own racial integrity
  • Laios’ Guild manages to open the magic-locked door and enter into a dwarven-made section full of pipes (steampunk technology). Soon after they get on an elevator and descends (it takes a while) to what should be 7th Level, an ancient, abandonned dwarven city.
  • Meanwhile, on the 1st Level, with the investigation of the Canaries, we see a first sign that a Dungeon, which is pretty much an actor of its own in this universe, thrives on disturbance. The more people try to meddle with the Dungeon the more it gains power until it can’t be managed anymore and it spills out on the countryside and does great damage.
  • Walking Mushrooms are pretty much the basic « starting » monster of the dungeon, numerous but almost inoffensive to anyone but the greenest of adventurers. But now we see that they can attain great size and can release spores with a mind-numbing effect.
  • In the 7th Level, Laios’ guild encounter a Bicorn. Unlike the virtuous-loving Licorn, the Bicorn is attracted to depravity. It also like to eat virtuous husbands.
  • Virtuous husbands taste good, of course!

Book 9 Here

Delicious in Dungeon: the Golden Kingdom megadungeon, Book 7

David Skelector Books, Delicious in Dungeon, Dungeons and Dragons, Fantasy, manga, Monsters

First episode has aired on netflix – a faithful rendition of about half, maybe less, of the first book. I must say though that the voice acting in english was really bad, wooden, I switched to french and it was much better (that’s unusual). Anyway, I’m now at book 7 in this series where I try to highlight the many interesting concepts of Delicious in Dungeon.

  • we’re still on the 6th level and now Laios’ guild is back where it all started – inside the Red Dragon’s Lair in a vast cavern where we can see several tunnels débouching into the place.
  • we learn that this place was thought to be the deepest place of the dungeon but, not too long ago, a magic-locked door was discovered that may lead to deeper levels
  • we see ice golems and like any of their counterpart they have a crudely-carved « core » (very small) buried inside the matter that constitutes them without which they cease to function
  • we see some Barometz, inoffensive magic-loving monsters that are plants with sheep on top:
  • I mean, it’s pretty weird isn’t it? But wait until you learn that the unripe fruits of the Barometz have sheep foetus inside, all perfectly edible of course…
  • The challenge (and interesting idea) with the Barometz is that you may be pretty sure that predators are nearby, attracted by the easy preys
  • we’re introduced to a new faction with the arrival in town of the caravel ship the « Canari » (great fitting name) and its crew of elves that appear when dungeons are close to getting out of control.
  • Elves in this universe are definetely outlandish, non-human, the fact that they have much longer lives changes the way they think, it’s great.
  • In the second half of the book we have a lot of lore exposition, mostly through Yaado (the grandson of the cursed king) and a visit where the human – simple folks but immortals – inhabitants of the Golden Kingdom go about their lives, cohabiting with docile (magically pacified) monsters. There’s milk producing female minotaurs, that’s a thing yes.
  • We learn that the titular god of the kingdom is the Winged Lion, it’s imprisoned by the Lunatic Magician at the deepest level of the dungeon. The Winged Lion sends forth prophecies so he can be freed. We’ve seen statues and fountains of the Winged Lion all along the previous books, nice.
  • The party is now inside a vast dwarven-built cistern with a very high ceiling supported by rows of columns covered by gold sheets. A perfect hunting ground for a griffon nesting high above.
  • We discover that a dwarven expedition found the dungeon from below, a few years before everyone else.

Book 8 Here

Delicious in Dungeon: the Golden Kingdom megadungeon, Book 5

David Skelector Books, D&D 5e, Delicious in Dungeon, Dungeons and Dragons, Fantasy, jeux de rôles, manga, megadungeon, Monsters, Roleplaying Game, RPG

There’s a lot of good stuff in book 5. The story definitely takes a darker turn just when we think that Laios has succeedeed in bringing his sister back from the dead. The comedy is still here but it’s obvious there’s some sort of bleaker plot down the line. Very clever in my opinion. And the dryad scene is awesome!

  • Laios’ guild is still in the 5th Level (the City) and its success in dealing with monsters has incurred the wrath of the master of the Dungeon, the Lunatic Magician. His magic intervention has the effect of shifting the layout of the Level every so often, confusing the adventurers into going in circles.
  • One fortunate thing though is that the Ghosts of the City are often helpful as contrary to those of the higher Levels they’re not insane. They show up when they wish so and the paths they follow are always safe.
  • There’s a great scene with the Corpse Retrievers, the same shady group that we’ve seen in a previous book, they use a powerful illusion so that adventuring guild members fight among themselves (they see each other as monsters). If you don’t find corpses you can help a little is what they say!
  • This other guild leader, Kabru, is like the antithesis of Laios, not that great against monsters but very shrewd and deadly against humanoids. He would probably be an assassin in AD&D.
  • We can add Sea Serpents to the Flooded Level, another Top of food chain monster.
  • We see yet another guild, this one with an oriental background. The leader, Toshiro, is a samurai-looking guy. Another member is a powerfully built female Oni warrior.
  • Meanwhile in 5th Level, with the Red Dragon gone, the local monsters are back. 5th Level is in fact reputed for its abundance of monsters.
  • A fight against Dryads in a kind of cemetary surrounded by trees and bushes. They’re dangerous but very fragile, looks like any hit would kill them, thus releasing their spores…
  • … and provoking an INTENSE allergic reaction. That’s where the fun begin, fighting the other dryads whilst you can’t see or breath properly…
  • Dryads are basically like flowers, ugh well, except that they reproduce by kissing each other… Of course they do.
  • We see Laios training in regenerative magic. That makes me think: I’ve mentionned that Delicious in Dungeon is D&D inspired but there’s some things that diverge obviously. One is that there don’t seem to be firm adventuring classes except maybe for the mages, I think the default system would be closer to something like GURPS where you invest your character points in whatever you want.
  • Speaking of diverging with D&D, the magic system is obviously not Vancian. It’s more like a magic/mana gauge that you can deplete.
  • There’s a fight against a Cocatrix, a bigger, meaner relative of the Basilisk. A bite of the serpent head can turn you into stone. Turning someone back to flesh is possible but not easy. You also have to take care of the body so it doesn’t break (i.e by falling over) before you find a cure.
  • Ghosts are often shown like they try to tell something but can’t. Some people are sensitive (?) enough to understand and talk to them.
  • There’s someting called Cleaners, inoffensive and amorphous organisms that repair damage caused to the dungeon.

Book 6 Here

Delicious in Dungeon: the Golden Kingdom megadungeon, Book 3

David Skelector Books, Delicious in Dungeon, Dungeons and Dragons, Fantasy, jeux de rôles, manga, megadungeon, Roleplaying Game, RPG

We’re now at book 3, Laios’s guild is exploring 4th level, the Flooded Level, and get to an entrance for the 5th near the end of the book. We get another beautiful example of monster ecology on how food chain dynamics can affect a dungeon. Read on and you’ll see what I mean.

  • The book start strong as we see Corpse Retrievers in action. Corpse Retrievers specialize in finding dead adventurers, revive them with magic and charge them accordingly. Their work is obviously useful to adventurers but as their source of income depends on their eventual deaths, they’ll keep surviving tips for themselves…
  • The main monsters of the Flooded Level are the Bladefishes, Krakens, Tritons, Kelpies, Moray Eels, Mermaids, Slimes, Tentacles and Undines
  • One can counter a Mermaid’s song if they sing very loudly (and lousily?) themselves, that’s creepy and that’ll make them flee
  • A lot of Bladefishes means too few middle of food chain monsters, which means too many top of food chain monsters, which means at this Level: Krakens
  • Krakens are colossal and have giant 3′ long Parasites inside their flesh, don’t eat Giant Parasites, they have their own parasites and you’ll get gastro-intestinal troubles
  • We learn that giving back life to a corpse (resurrection if you will) work only inside the dungeon as it’s a feature of the magic curse of the Golden Kingdom: souls are chained to their bodies even in death, so in essence you just have to heal a body so it can function as the soul never departed
  • Undines are water spirits, they’re spheres of water that shoots deadly water jets. They’re made of magic, a magic-user can drink them (once they’re defeated) to get back depleted magic.
  • One way to the Fifth Level (it’s implied that there’s others) is going down through a non-flooded tower that barely jut out of the water
  • It’s infested with tentacles (Japanese love their tentacles, don’t they). Tentacles can strangle somebody and are poisonous. At least one variety hides inside traps mechanisms, good news is that it hinders the trap. Bad news it that an unsuspecting adventurer that tries to disarm a trap can get caught by the tentacle…
  • Giant Frogs are immune to the tentacles and live among them, a good example of monster commensalism

Book 4 Here

Delicious in Dungeon: the Golden Kingdom megadungeon, Book 2

David Skelector Books, Delicious in Dungeon, Dungeons and Dragons, Fantasy, jeux de rôles, manga, megadungeon, Monsters, Roleplaying Game, RPG

In Book 2 we see Laios’ guild going through the Golden Kingdom’s third level (the Crypt being the 1st and the Forest Top the 2nd) and reaching the 4th near the end. The 3rd level is more of a classical dungeon setting as we’re now inside the upper part of the castle and what we see is a lot of bricks: corridors, great halls, and at one point, a vast atrium surrounded by balconies.

  • The main denizens of the level are undead (skeletons, ghouls and ghosts) and golems (only 3 remains but there were more before) and a few more surprises too. We learn that the presence of the golems is the main reason why there’s not much monsters invading from below. I’m guessing that the golems don’t attack the undead.
  • Sounds are amplified a lot, echoing along the stone corridors and one attentive listener can identify what’s nearby.
  • There’s a few fountains with running water but not much food to be collected from monsters on this level for obvious reasons.
  • There’s places that serves as a kind of disreputable taverns where one can meet adventurers and criminals in hiding.
  • In the book we see Orcs raiding the area but they usually stay on the lower levels. They’ve been forced out of their village by a rampaging Red Dragon. Orcs weren’t part of the Golden Kingdom, but they were the first to explore the lower levels as they were fleeing the surface after being attacked by Elves and Humans.
  • Orc toddlers are extra cute, of course they are.
  • There’s a thing that’s called a Treasure Insect that looks like a coin or a gem or even a pearl necklace (the centipede version).
  • There’s Living Paintings, if you get near one you get sucked in into a phantasmal world, sort of an extension of the scene that was depicted on the painting where you can get hurt, and probably die too. You’ll need external help to get out, you can’t bring back anything that you found inside but it can be an invaluable source of information/lore as you can see past events and talk to people long lost.
  • Mimics are very much like giant hermit crabs, they go from small to bigger containers as they grow in size. We learn (here’s a pretty potent example of applied monster ecology) that Treasure Insects are parasites of Mimics: they lay their eggs inside a Mimic so that their larvae feed on it, they can then count on greedy adventurers to open the chest later on and free the new generation!
  • The 3rd level is in fact many floors high, at the bottom you reach the 4th, the flooded level. It seems like the whole base of the castle is underwater.

Book 3 Here

Delicious in Dungeon: the Golden Kingdom Megadungeon

David Skelector Books, Delicious in Dungeon, Fantasy, jeux de rôles, manga, megadungeon, Monsters, Roleplaying Game, RPG, world-building

I’ve been quite fascinated by the concept of megadungeons for the last two years or so. I’m actually running a campaign inside Castle Xyntillan where I can see for myself how it’s done, we’re seven sessions in and it’s been a blast! I’ve listened attentively (twice!) to Mazirian’s Garden podcast episodes of Into the Megadungeon, on how to run a megadungeon for 100 + sessions (!), trying to absorb everything I hear.

Another media that hooked me to megadungeons is the Delicious in Dungeon (Danjon Meshi), a D&D inspired manga by Ryoko Kui. That’s what I want to talk about today.

the french translation I’m reading with my kids

I don’t quite know how popular it is but it must be doing good enough as Netflix is launching a series starting soon, on January. So, you see, I’m actually doing a hype job, would you believe it! But you know what, I think it deserves the attention as I’m sure it offers a thing or two that even the most jaded, old-school gray-bearded dungeon master can borrow from…

In short:

  • a vast, unique megadungeon: a cursed kingdom that as been magically transported underground a 1000+ years ago, castle, village, fields, inhabitants and even sunlight
  • Monster ecology cranked to 11; reproducing habits, anatomy and of course, how to cook them
  • Related: Monsters as Puzzles, even weak monsters seem to be dangerous in this world, to fight them efficiently you must KNOW them, their tactics and weak spots
  • The logistic of food in dungeon-crawling way beyond simply bringing rations; have you eaten a balanced diet the last few days because if not, you won’t be at your best (and will probably die)!
  • a well-thought-out dungeon-centered economy: adventuring guilds, the town’s prosperity linked with the dungeon delves, etc.

Now here’s what I’ll do on my blog, I won’t talk much about the storyline I think, but I will highlight the stuff we learn about the Golden Kingdom, the dungeon lore if you will, from book to book. More specifically what we would need to know to run it as a ttrpg or, as usual, what’s worth stealing from.

Book 1

In order of the book:

  • The dungeon was discovered when a wall inside the village’s crypt (which seems surprisingly extensive) shattered. Beyond the wall, the inspecting villagers found a man that presented himself as the king of the Golden Kingdom that disappeared more than a millenium ago. He mentions a Mad Sorcerer that took control of the Golden Kingdom and he (the king) offers all his wealth to whom could defeat him and then his body turns to dust. (Don’t worry, it’s not simply a « wizard did this » dungeon…).
  • Adventurers work in guilds, with each members having signed contracts. The guild’s leader owns the party’s equipment in its entirety (weapons and armors included). He’s the one who buys provisions and equipment for everybody each delve. The guild members can resign and leave the guild if they wish so.
  • The 1st level of the dungeon is the Crypt. There’s no undead over there as one might have thought, it’s not a dangerous place per se as technically it’s not part of the Golden Kingdom but just happens to be the fortuitous entrance to the dungeon. But weak monsters do seep in, in this book we see: the Ambulatory Mushrooms (that come in many varieties, the Japanese know their mushrooms 😀 ), Scorpions (foot-long) that hides in cracks of the walls and Slimes (watch the ceiling).
behold the fearsome Ambulatory Mushroom!
  • The Crypt isn’t gloomy at all, it’s bursting with activity and noise. Merchants have put their wares among the alcoves of the dead and do their sales over sarcophagi. A bit sacrilegous but hey, there’s money to be made! Many adventuring guilds prepare for their expeditions or rest after they’ve returned from one. There’s a room with a fountain that is called Rookies’ Plaza where beginners gather.
  • We learn indirectly (there’s a hint of something else I’ll talk about when I get there), when the dwarf Senshi joins the party, that the dungeon has been open for a few years, certainly less than ten.
  • From the Crypt one can go down to the 2nd level, the Forest. The underground Castle’s numerous towers stand among incredibly tall trees.
  • A vast network of suspended bridges have been built, criss crossing the entire level, linking trees and towers together. That’s one way to descend to the lower levels, progressively by the bridges, it’s truly a vertical level.
  • The monsters are already a lot more dangerous (we see another adventuring party being tpked), there’s Sylvan Goblins, a variety of Carnivorous Plants, Basilisks and also, Imperial Bats (human-sized). Tree cavities and towers’ interiors provide ample hiding places for both adventurers and monsters.
  • There’s at least one shortcut that is indoor leading to the 3rd level (thus evading the scary Imperial Bats) that can be accessed in one of the larger tower but one need to find several secret doors and evade a series of traps.
  • Inside the towers (and castle) one can also encounter Living Armors. And by the way Living Armors are edible, of course they are! Or at least, the hive-minded molluscs that live inside the plates are…

That’s it for book 1, there’s 12 to date, stay tuned!

Book 2 Here

Clark Ashton Smith – Averoigne: vol 4, excerpts

David Skelector Books, Fantasy ,

The fourth and final volume of the collection have three Averoigne stories within. Among them is The Beast of Averoigne, one of the best, and quite inspirational for my present endeavor. In fact it even directly serves as a backdrop for my Château des Fausseflammes/Castle Xyntillan campaign.

The Mandrakes

Now, in the old legend of Averoigne which I recount herewith, it is told that the impious and audacious wizard, fearing neither God nor devil nor witch-woman, dared to dig again in the earth of Sabine’s grave, removing many more of the white, female-shapen roots, which cried aloud in shrill complaint to the waning moon or turned like living limbs at his violence. And all those which he dug were formed alike, in the miniature image of the dead Sabine, from breasts to toes. And from them, it is said, he compounded other philtres, which he meant to sell in time when such should be requested.

…

As it happenned, however, these latter potions were never dispensed; and only a few of the first were sold, owing to the frightful and calamitous consequences that followed their use. For those to whom the potions had been administered privily, wheter men or women, were not moved by the genial fury of desire, as was the wonted result, but were driven by a darker rage, by a woeful and Satanic madness, irresistibly impelling them to harm or even slay the persons who had sought to attract their love.

The Beast of Averoigne

At first, it did not strike at living men, but assailed the helpless dead like some foul eater of carrion. Two freshly buried corpses were found lying in the cemetary at Ste. Zénobie, where the thing had dug them from their graves and had laid open their vertebrae. In each case, only a little of the marrow had been eaten; but as if in rage or disappointment, the cadavers had been torn into shreds from crown to heel, and the tatters were mixed inxtricably with the rags of their cerements. From this, it would seem that only the spinal marrow of creatures newly killed was pleasing to the monster.

…

Since then, the middle summer has gone by with nightly deeds of terror, beneath the blasting of the comet. Beasts, men, children, women, have been done to death by the monster, which, though seeming to haunt mainly the environs of the abbey, has ranged afiled even to the shores of the river Isoile and the gates of La Frénaie and Ximes. And some have beheld the monster at night, a black and slithering foulness clad in changeable luminescence; but no man has ever beheld it in the day.

…

« You, Messire le Chaudronnier, » said the marshal, « are reputed to know the arcanic arts of sorcery, and the spells that summon or dismiss evil demons and other spirits. Therefore, in dealing with this devil, it may be that you should succed whre all others have failed. Not willingly do we employ you in the matter, since it is not seemly for the church and the law to ally themselves with wizardry. But the need is desperate, lest the demon should take other victims. In return for your aid, we can promise you a goodly reward of gold and a guarantee of lifelong immunity from all inquisition and prosecution which your doings might otherwise invite. The Bishop of Ximes, and the Archbishop of Vyônes, are privy to this offer, which must be kept secret. »

…

Unquestionning, with ready weapons, the two men-atarms companioned me in that vigil. Well they knew the demonian terror which they might face before dawn; but there was no trace of trepidation in their bearing. And knowing much that they could not know, I drew the ring of Eibon from my finger, and made ready for that which the demon had directed me to do.

…

From the pieces of the lighly shattered gem, the disemprisoned demon rose in the form of a smoky fire, small as a candle-flame at first, and greatening like a conflagration of piled faggots. And, hissing softly with the voice of fire, and brightening to a wrathful. terrible gold, the demon leapt forward to do battle with the Beast, even as it had promised me, in return for its freedom after cycles of captivity.

The Disinternment of Venus

Prior to certain highly deplorable and scandalous happenings in the year 1550, the vegetable garden of Périgon was situated on the southeast side of the abbey. After these events, it was removed to the northwest side, where it has remained ever since; and the former garden-site was given to weeds and briars which, by strict order of the successive abbots, no one has ever tried to eradicate or curb.

…

Wild whispers were circulating among the monks; and it was said that several others besides the eight culprits had been drawn to touch the sorcerous marble in secret, and would succumb anon to the overpowering nympholepsy which they had incurred. It was said that the image was no mere lifeless lump of stone, but had sought to entice with wanton smiles and harlot gestures those who had labored in the garden after Paul, Pierre and Hughues.