The Crafter's Darkness: A Dungeon Core Novel (Dungeon Crafting Book 4) by Jonathan Brooks (e book reading free txt) 📕

was the discovery of Archaic Beasts, which seemed to have all sorts of different beasts she had never heard of…except for one: Ancient Saurian.  It seemed as though the Archaic Beasts Classification included every single “Ancient” beast, including large “Ancient” behemoths, lizards, cats, wolves, and – she was shocked to find – some flying birds.  Or at least she thought they were birds because their names didn’t really describe them other than “flying”.  Winxa, unfortunately, didn’t have more than a passing knowledge about those creatures, mainly because no one had access to the Air, Fire, Earth, Water, and Natural elements all at once before.

“It seems as though the Archaic Beasts Classification is a catch-all that encompasses everything, well…archaic,” the Dungeon Fairy explained.  “I’ve heard of some of what you described being available in other Classifications, like the ‘Ancient Sabretooth’ being a type of large cat that can be created by Beast-based Cores when they upgrade their Core Size enough.”

Neither of them knew what the Ancient “flying” Monsters were, however, and despite a curiosity that nearly convinced her to go ahead and get one of the funky-named creatures, she’d rather try some that she had at least a small amount of knowledge about.  At least, try to initially eliminate some so that she could narrow her choices down even further.

“From what I know, the Air Elementals are powerful manifestations of Air-based aspects, usually with differing levels of rushing winds in different forms,” Winxa told her, doing her best to present facts about her choices without passing judgement.  “These can be anything from columns of hardened air, to raging whirlwinds that could tear someone apart.  Most Elemental variants, not just Air, are rarely ever chosen by a Dungeon Core because their utility is limited and there isn’t as much variation as you’d find with almost any other Classification.  Not only that, but with the right counter – in this case, something that revolves around Earth – most of the Elemental Monsters are rendered ineffective.”

I don’t care so much about if they can fight; I want to know if they can transport someone or something effectively.  Unfortunately, I don’t think these would work.

“Well, then, the Cockatrice is too much like a Dragon for my own liking; just think of a large lizard with a chicken for a head,” Winxa continued, before she put her hands up in supplication.  “Then again, it’s your choice so you can do whatever you want to.”

I think that’s out, too.

“The Thunderbird is more than large enough for your purposes; however, I believe that lightning will constantly arc through its body.  Keep that in mind for any…passengers.”

Nope.

“Gargoyles are extremely strong and could carry a large load, but the inherent weight of their stone bodies mean that they cannot fly fast or long without setting down.  Their flight is more like a controlled glide than anything.”

Out.

“Dust Golems are similar to Earth Elementals in that they are made of an Earthen material, but that is where the similarities end.  Basically, these Golems are able to condense enough of their ‘dust’ bodies together to attack with, and they are light enough to lift themselves up in the air.  They have slow speed, however, and can be affected negatively by high winds.”

Gone.

“Cranes are large birds that may or may not be able to hold a light person—”

No.

“Now, for some that you might like.  The Giant Eagle is an even larger bird with a 20-foot wingspan that could easily hold at least two people just behind their necks and in front of their wings.  They are mainly known for being able to shred their targets with their impressively sharp talons, and their beaks could tear an arm off of—”

Sandra really didn’t need to hear that.  Um…can it lift a load?

The Dungeon Core’s question cut Winxa off in mid-speech, and it seemed like the Fairy was really getting into her explanation of the different Monsters.  “—Uh…well, it could certainly grasp something in its talons, though I’m not sure exactly how much weight it would be able to handle.”

…okay, we’ll come back to that one.

“Let’s see, then; well, the Griffin is similar to the Giant Eagle in size, though it has the lower body of a lion.  Better suited for carrying passengers, as well—”

Do you think it could carry a load?

Winxa seemed miffed that she kept getting interrupted, but Sandra really wanted to choose one so that she could get started.  The Dungeon Core really needed something that could transport more than just people, as she wanted to use whatever Monster she chose to carry supplies and equipment through the air.  She had transported many goods over land during her years as a merchant, so she knew that – even with a little help from her constructs and crafted conveyances – that it was just too slow for what she envisioned.

“I think they could carry a small load, though again probably not very much.”

We’ll table that one as well.

“Fine.  There’s really only two of them left that you asked me about, and I don’t know anything about them: Animated Slab and Aerie Roc.”

Then I guess it’s time to start unlocking some Dungeon Monsters…

Chapter 5

While the other potential candidates for her transportation Monster were still a possibility, the two that Winxa didn’t know about seemed like a good idea to check out.  Sandra was most interested in the Animated Slab, because if it was anything like her Reinforced Animated Shears, then it was more than likely that it could move very quickly – which was exactly what she needed.  Depending on what it actually was when she created it, the Slab might be able to hold people and cargo along with moving fast.

There was only one way to find out.

Using 5 of her Advancement Points, she selected the Animated Slab from the list and felt the familiar