The Dungeon Fairy: Two Choices: A Dungeon Core Escapade (The Hapless Dungeon Fairy Book 2) Jonathan Brooks (online e reader TXT) 📖

periods, where a Core is creating more difficult sections for Raiders to delve through.  Too much change is seen as instability and unreliability, which is a sign that a dungeon could start becoming even more unsafe than it already is.  At least, that was what I was taught, and it makes the most sense when thinking about it from the Raider’s perspective.”

Yes, I know that…but what about small changes? 

Now her Dungeon Assistant appeared confused.  “What do you mean by ‘small changes’?  Even changing a single room might be a bit too much.”

I’m thinking smaller than that.  Subtle changes, such as the placement of my creatures, traps, and even environmental objects.  I’ve heard quite a few of the returning groups mention that they already consider my dungeon too easy, now that they know exactly where everything is located.  Tacca had visually seen this as well, and it would take the “veteran” groups half as much time as the first or second time they had gone through – and not just because they were stronger.

“What…exactly do you have in mind?” Shale asked, worried but clearly intrigued.

His worries were founded in the rules and regulations put forth by the DPRC – and for the most part, they were smart and designed to keep the Core safe.  What he had been saying had been entirely accurate; Dungeon Cores in the past had been destroyed because they decided to drastically change a room or two at random intervals.  Unaware of what to expect, Raiders had died in places where they probably shouldn’t have, all because of those changes – which didn’t really go well with the other Raiders.  It seemed a bit unfair to Cores that those that delved through their dungeon knew exactly what to expect (at least after certain sections were mapped out, like hers had been), and that way they knew what they could handle.

On the other hand, she knew that Raiders liked variety, and changes that provided a challenge. After studying at DAPS and evaluating her own experiences, she was fairly certain her previous hypothesis of keeping things fresh and engaging was imperative to a long – and fulfilling – existence; not only for the Raiders, but for herself, as well.  However, it was a fine line to straddle between being “boring, safe, and acceptable” and “exciting, new, and challenging”.

Most Cores did this by adding to their dungeons at periodic intervals, making them longer and more difficult; this was the “tried and true” method that had worked for thousands of years.  It was still something she was going to implement, once she could, but for now she wanted to try something else.

Well, I was thinking that I would – at first – just switch around the placement of the creatures in my dungeon rooms.  Nothing drastic, but some subtle shifts so that the Raiders wouldn’t know exactly where they were located based on past delves.  That way, I wouldn’t be changing it drastically from what it was before, while allowing for some variety.

Shale thought about that for a moment before he nodded.  “I don’t see any reason why that wouldn’t be ok.  You wouldn’t be changing the creature composition of the room or making it more dangerous than it already was, so this should be fine.”  He paused for a moment, tilting his head slightly to the side as if he was thinking of something.  “But you said, ‘at first’; does this mean you want to do more?”

Certainly.  Once I start adjusting the creatures and the Raiders get used to that, I might start shifting the locations of the traps around.  These changes would be on the less-deadly traps at first, to get them used to the idea that they are changing, before moving on to ones like my Soil-covered Pit Traps.  After the traps, I was thinking of changing the placement of trees and other environmental objects around to keep it looking different every time a group comes through to delve.

“I…see.  I think that could work, as long as you gradually introduce these changes and—wait.”  Her Dungeon Assistant looked at her suspiciously.  “Are you trying to train these Raiders like you did with your Root Fox appearing at the entrance.  And your exit staircase?”

…Maybe.

“Good,” he laughed.  “I always thought those rules about changes were a bit limited; I understood the need for them, of course, but also thought they were restrictive to creativity.  I think what you’re proposing will work, as long as you take it slow; training the Raiders to get used to the changes will likely be a slow process, as they are used to the way it has been for thousands of years.”

Huh.  And here I was thinking that you’d completely disagree with me. 

“Why?  Because I’m a bit anal regarding the rules and regulations we were taught that all Dungeon Cores need to abide by?” Shale asked, his hands on his hips as he looked sternly at her Core.  Tacca thought she saw a smile tugging at his lips, though.

Well…yes, precisely.

“You should know – better than any other Core – that those rules and regulations are in place to guide Cores into staying safe and surviving longer.  I don’t want you to be destroyed, so I have to admit that I’m a bit worried by some of the things you do.  Completely breaking the rules could end up with your death, which is something that I would prefer you try to avoid.”  His statement made Tacca feel good; she couldn’t help but think that Shale really cared for her personal well-being, instead of just as a Core-Assistant relationship.

Shale grinned slyly, before saying, “But that doesn’t mean you can’t bend the rules a little bit.  You’re more than aware of what is acceptable or not, because you’ve had the same training I had; you’re in the unique position, though, to stretch those rules and see what is