It's embarrassing to say, but the creature builder was way more than I could comprehend right now, and it took what felt like hours before I could simplify it to something that was both productive and familiar. Still, it was mostly a mental concept process. There wasn’t a convenient list of options I could choose from, but apparently, that's what I get for choosing a Mythic Theme. Until I have her Myth written, the system can’t generate ideas. I was, however, able to look through the conceptual beastiary of sorts to understand what I had in theory. Basically, most creatures need a concept, an aspect, and a core. It gets worse as things get more powerful, but I don’t have to care about that yet. A concept much like my dungeon was very vague, but creatures were restricted in the rank of concept they could accept. Which also let me know what the ranks were, not that I expected anything else. Common, Uncommon, Rare, Epic, Mythic, Legendary, and a few above that, but since the highest rank I have seen is Legendary, that's the max I can browse. An Aspect, though, had to come from something core to the dungeon right now, that was my Concept, Theme, and Mana types. A creature would be altered by the aspect in certain ways. A Core is a trait that everything else builds around, and I’m not entirely sure why Core feels like it is listed last, but I didn’t write this code, so don’t blame me.
For a bit of practice and since I needed to design shit anyway I went ahead and built some creatures to get a feel for things. Only said I needed to design three, and I don’t see any restriction on more if I need them. Though considering it's a safe floor, I had to get a bit creative.
Dragon Hatchling
Concept: Baby Dragon
A Young Dragonling that can be fed and needs naps
Aspect: Origin
Enhanced Mental Stats, Reduced Physical Stats
Core: Friendly
This creature is curious and nonaggressive. Will run away if threatened.
Stats:
Strength: 4
Dexterity: 4
Constitution: 4
Intelligence: 5
Wisdom: 5
Charisma: 8
Honestly, I didn’t want murder-lizards greeting my first guests. This little guy was designed for vibes, not violence. But if some lunatic tries to punch it? I might program in an overprotective big sister drake that shows up next run when I can set something like that up. Dragons are expensive, and even with this trash stat line, I can’t fast hatch them onto the floor. I think it's something about environmental mana and growth cycles. I have to put them in eggs and let those eggs hatch over time. I'm totally going to try to let people bond with these little guys.
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Rebirth Fairy
Concept: Dragon Touched Fairy
A Fairy with subtle draconic features
Aspect: Roguelike
Tends to the Life Tree and will revive if killed.
Core: Nurturing
This creature is a caregiver and would always protect their charges
Stats:
Strength: 3
Dexterity: 7
Constitution: 3
Intelligence: 5
Wisdom: 7
Charisma: 5
Ok, so I may have gone a little overboard, but her kind are literally the caretakers of the Life Tree. Sure, their stats are still far below the average adventurer, considering a commoner has 10s in every stat, but a Safe Zone creature only has so much budget. I hope someone is a dipshit and is the example everyone else needs when the fairies literally refuse to help him attune to the life tree. Unfortunately, I don’t have access to actual combat creature design yet. So not much point in building more right now.
Let's see, a Myth for a Dragon Queen? I don’t want to make her evil, really, and it looks like the requirements are kinda vague. Technically, she doesn’t have to exist? Wait, that gives me an idea. It took a few minutes, I hope it wasn’t longer. This isn’t the greatest of works after all.
“Every hatchling has heard the tale.
She ruled from the Fanged Coast to the Thornwood.
Every cave, every throne, every coin—hers.
Her fire lit the skies. Her shadow silenced storms.
But her reign ended. Or it never began.
Now the Courts rise and fall.
Dragons battle over treasure, titles, memory, and myth.
Some fight to prove themselves.
Others because they remember the throne.
Every Life Tree is full of hatchlings.
So the question isn’t: Who was the Dragon Queen?
The question is: Why aren’t you?”
Dominion of the Dragon Queen Myth Processing
Valid Myth Confirmed
Myth Mechanics
- For every floor, there must be a Throne. Floors may lack a Throne if the number of Thrones is met.
- Landmarks can be claimed by a Court to expand their territory.
- Dragons that achieve sufficient fame, hoard size, or territorial control may found a Court. Courts apply special rulesets within their territory.
- Dragons and Adventurers can develop Titles due to actions taken.
- Dragons with Titles will retain memory fragments, and their past Title will trigger a boon for the new hatchling.
- Sapient Dragons will react differently based on their Title and that of others.
“Well fuck, thats going to make things complicated. It’s like monarchist reincarnation royale. I’m either going to make the coolest political fantasy roguelike ever... or accidentally create the world's worst flame-based LinkedIn. We are closer to the former; just remember to never introduce the dragons to social media, and we should be fine. Also, if Origin hadn’t already done it, this makes my dream of talking dragons seem like it will be a sooner rather than later situation, though they will mostly be female and constantly fighting with each other….Nope, that’s future Alistair’s problem. Present plans lead me to think I should probably figure out how to make a Life Tree, and I can probably handle another task simultaneously.“