A Demon's Core: Extras

Dungeon Investigation Report 1

Date: 15/03/2058

Report submitted by: William Blake

The first scout’s report was correct. The dungeon has not only laid its territory across some of the steps, but has created a switchback pathway leading up. The path crosses over the stairs at irregular intervals. All further attempts to reach this dungeon will have to be led by a mage. I do not believe such a design could be accomplished by an unclaimed dungeon. I suspect this dungeon already has a controller and they did this as an obstacle to delay intruders.

We failed to reach the fifth floor of the building where the dungeon core was reported to have been seen. After passing the landing between the fourth and fifth floors, we were attacked by a powerful invisible force. I noticed a buildup of mana just a moment before the attack and shielded myself on reflex, but failed to protect the rest of my team. We were not prepared to deal with this unseen enemy, so I called for a retreat.

Some of my men were hurt, but there were no critical injuries. I remained on guard for a followup attack, but there was no further reaction from the dungeon. The source of the attack remains unknown. It could be that there was some kind of automated defense in place, programmed only to attack those who get within a certain range, though that is nothing more than a guess. I have never heard of anything that can perform such a function while remaining invisible, but if the dungeon controller is a demon, as the creatures it has summoned are reported to be, they may have a much better understanding of magic and might be able to create such a thing.

Despite our retreat being impaired, both by injury and the pathway on the stairs, we were not pursued in any way. We did not see any sign of the small demonic creatures reported by the group who discovered the dungeon. I suspect it was because they were showing mercy and allowing us to escape.

This situation does warrant further investigation, but we should proceed with caution. We should assume this is a controlled dungeon and act accordingly. We can’t rule out the possibility that the controller is a demon, but they aren’t like our enemies; they may be hostile, but they’re not merciless.

Personal note: Whoever came up with the idea for that path in the stairwell is a maniacal bastard and I would really like to meet them.

Dungeon Investigation Report 2

Date: 10/04/2058

Report submitted by: William Blake

The package was successfully delivered without complication.

The dungeon’s switchback pathway in the stairs has reached further down since the last time I was there. It is possible that it will continue to do so.

I stood just within the dungeon's territory, on the lowest step, so the dungeon controller would know I was there and to await their response, to be sure the package would be noticed.

It took around five minutes and the response was unusual. The dungeon was somehow able to drain some of my mana, even though I was stationary within its boundary. As far as I am aware, there are no records of any dungeon, controlled or not, being able to do something like that. Yet another enigma from this peculiar dungeon and its mysterious controller.

Still no sighting of any of the dungeon’s creatures.