New rewards and old enemies

Trumpets wake you to announce the next day of the world bounty, and you only indulge yourself one load before leaping out of bed. You rush down to your throne room to get ready for the day's incursions, then sit and wave open the daily goals. While nowhere near the absurd rewards from Akserrak a month ago, they're significantly more tantalizing than the previous day's offerings.

World Bounty: Avenge Mannfred's Mansion
Mannfred von Brennenburg, noble of Fairweather Bay, has had his house sacked by a dungeon boss and his cohorts. The city guard has issued bounties for the return of a large mana crystal stolen this way and for retributive actions against the daemon. Teach Azazel to keep the peace in the crossroads city!
Notable Living Monsters: 11/11
Day 2 of 3
All item drops are doubled.
Azazel's champions and level bosses will drop epic items suitable for adventurers up to level 45. (First **** per monster only)
Azazel will drop unique items suitable for wizards, invokers, and other arcane casters.
Bonus (no clears on day 1): Day 1 rewards also apply.

"Okay, that's a little weird even by our standards." You pause your work to look down at the beauty that's started to go down on all three of your members. Celestina has decided to practice her love of servicing you and her specialization powers at the same time, and the result is a gorgeous, three-headed elven alu daemon whose heads move in sync as they take your lengths. "I'm not complaining, but the rest of the time I like the one-headed version of you better. Besides, what if your other heads gain sentience? Are we going to need to name them? Tina, Lina, and Mina?" The ex-adventurer's three heads snort in sync at your rambling, sending pleasurable vibrations up your junior triplets as she continues her work. "Wait, does that mean you're now quadruplets when we take Ari into account?"

"Please no." Ari has a bemused grin as she imagines the possibility. "On a more important and less bizarre note, what's our goal for today? Are you going to be off training with Ath again?"

"I was actually hoping to bit of a dungeon retrofit while we wait for anyone interesting to show up. Having adventurers see Aethane gave us a bunch of fame, and we might as well use it before invasion season is over for the month." With that, you flick open the fame display and nearly everyone crowds around: only the half-succubus remains at your feet to continue her happy work.

Fame: 53,902
Recent Activity

• Returned an long-lost soul to life: +50,000
• Promoted a champion: -32,000
• People are talking about you: +12,412
• Provided by adventurers in your dungeon: +2,415
• Defeated a much more powerful adventurer (based on level): +4,800
• Sought by a much more powerful adventurer (based on level): +480
• Wanted in Fairweather Bay: +5,000

"I wonder what that 'sought by a much more powerful adventurer' thing means? If I recall correctly Alastra was level 48, so that fits, but why would one of the contenders seek me out? Maybe she's just here for the loot?" Everybody shrugs. "I suppose we'll know soon enough. This should be just enough to get another dungeon level online." You wave away the menu and move to open the purchasing menu.

"Doesn't that cost way less than 50,000?" Mariel sounds slightly confused at your assessment. Justifiably so, given the next dungeon level is already built: it only costs just a few thousand fame to theme, stock, and designate a boss for.

"Well, I was hoping to work in some fae, meaning I need a few levels of the appropriate skill. Speaking of which, let's see what our options are."

Fame: 53,902
Promotion: Elite Boss -> Raid Boss (1,000,000 fame, missing requirements: 0/1 consorts, 3/7 lieutenants, 25/50 liegelord levels, 75/150 minions, 1/25 greater minions, 0/2 vassals)
Daemonic Liegelord: 15/50 (6,760 fame)
Angelic Liegelord: 10/50 (6,760 fame)
Fae Liegelord: 0/50 (6,760 fame)
Expand Dungeon Claim Radius: 1km -> 2km (10,000 fame)
Summon Minion: 75/150 (50 fame)
Summon Greater Minion: 1/25 (250 fame)
Additional Attendant Slot: (3 spent/0 available/7 max) (50 fame)
Additional Champion Slot: (7 spent/0 available/7 max) (64,000 fame)
Additional Consort Slot: (0 spent/0 available/7 max) (100,000 fame)
Additional Lieutenant Slot: (3 spent/2 available/7 max) (300 fame)
Additional Dungeon Level: (6/7) (7,000 fame)

"Well, five levels of Fae Liegelord it is, and then that should leave me with enough to finish off a level." The five ranks cost a total of 39,300 fame, and before you can even check how much that leaves you with a popup appears in front of you.

Seasonal Attention
The greatest fae take interest in your dungeon from their faraway courts, sending boons and blessings to win your favour or to aid some inscrutable scheme.
Choose Underlings: Pixies, Satyrs, Gremlins, Barghests
Choose Offering: Information, Enchanted Whip (Erinyes), Enchanted Bow (Fighter - Warlock or Arcane Archer)

"Pixies sound perfect to go along with the imps and lantern archons. Sera, Mary, Ari, any thoughts on the gear? We're pretty covered for information at the moment."

"I could really use a bow. I'm still using one of our minion's manufactured ones and—"

"I'll take the whip, please and thank you!" Mariel leaps up with a smug expression and cuts off Ari's reasoning.

"Hold on, Mary, didn't you just get a spear?" Her sister joins in, but Mary wags her finger back and forth with a grin.

"Say, remember when we first met the two junior maids a month or two back? I seem to recall a certain bet..." the other two groan.

"Fine, take your stupid whip." Sera rolls her eyes, and Ari just nods in agreement. Seeing the—somewhat ****—consensus, you select the whip and a chain-like length of linked snowflakes materializes in front of you.

Coldsnap
This whip was woven by Borea from the magic snow that falls in her realm as a gift to a long-forgotten fae courtier of the winter court. It has not been seen since, although some maguses have developed a spell which imitates its distinct form and wintry bite for a short time.
Effects
Cold Resistance – The bearer does not feel mundane cold above -50 degrees Celsius, and gains 50% resistance to magical cold damage.
Frigid – Coldsnap deals additional cold damage and amplifies the power of any cold spells channelled through it.

The whip is suddenly lifted off of your lap by a giggling swarm of tiny men and women with insect-like wings. Mariel lets out an annoyed growl, then launches herself after them on her wintry wings. Not wanting to cause chaos in the throne room, you designate the pixies to the 'annoying flying things' level along with the archons. The pixies vanish into a puff of smoke, eliciting a yelp of surprise from their pursuer as the whip suddenly falls. She lands after catching it, then cracks it a few times before giving a satisfied nod and hooking it by her waist.

"We've got company!" Ari brings you back to the fact that there's a world bounty on. In the middle of the room, the scrying pool shows Amara's group fighting their way through the first level of your dungeon. Most of your underlings are already dead, only a few left by a previous group of less-experienced adventurers.

"Okay, I'm going to meet up with them once they make it to Lilia's level. I'll see if I can't make a deal with Selena then head back here." Despite the excitement, Celestina has kept to her task, and you stroke two heads of hair as she works. "I just need Selena to agree to stick around if she wins or come back if she's killed."

"Ssshould we help?" Tlax looks up from her position on a large cushion, her sleepy expression betraying her lack of enthusiasm.

"No: I'm worried that if we all show up together it'll start a fight, and we're better off if they wear themselves down on the level bosses first. I'll go alone: knowing them, they'll probably be willing to talk."

"And if they don't?" Aethane doesn't look as confident in your plan as you are: the cautious priestess hasn't met the group yet.

"Well then let's just hope that I can get a message out before they turn me into a pincushion." You give a carefree smile. "Worst case, you can try it when they get to the end."

Tina gives a whimper as your three lengths retract into their shell. "Sorry Tina, but we can mess around with your abilities more later. It's time to focus up for a bit."

"I'll hold you to that." The three simultaneous voices add an unusual richness to her speech. Thankfully the extra two heads sink into her shoulders shortly thereafter as the gorgeous daemon elf returns to her normal form. "Ooh, that's..." she stumbles a bit and has to grab on to you for support. "Wow, apparently I got used to having more eyes. Ow, that hurts. Remind me to skip the extras next time."

"Because that won't be creepier at all..." you shudder as you imagine the sight. "Anyways, I'm going to head over to the Halls to catch them there. See you all in a bit." With that, you walk down the hall and a few minutes later stand in the entrance room of the Halls of Desire. Two horned daemons paw the ground and a host of seductrixes drop into battle formation, but when they recognize you they ease up. "Sorry, could you all clear the room? I need to speak to the adventurers who will be here soon. You can join up with the group in the next area."

"Of course, my lord." One of the seductrixes gives a deep bow, then the daemons and cultists file out one by one down the hallway, leaving you alone in the eerie room. The statues around the room seem to stare at you. Geometric grooves on the floor lead further into the level and remind you that the level itself seems to demand your minions be slain. The portal in front of you suddenly lights up, swirling with a bright red glow, and then a familiar party of six adventurers steps out to greet you.

"Fancy meeting you here. Decided to spare the troops and surrender?" Amara grins and rests her huge mace on her shoulder.

"Mayhaps tha laddie thinks he ken take us all on now," Grungil laughs and leans against his crossbow as if it's a walking stick, stroking his shaggy beard with his other hand. "So what'll it be, imp? Some sort o' ambush?"

"Actually, I was hoping to talk to you before you trash the rest of my dungeon. More specifically, I was hoping to talk to Selena." You look over at the brunette invoker. A surprised expression crosses her plump lips as she's singled out.

"Oh?" She gives an amused smile. "If you think I'm about to convince this lot to leave you alone, good luck. I'm just as interested in the loot from this bounty as the rest of them."

"Nothing like that. Remember my magic that you were so interested in? I was hoping to make a deal with you."

"I'm not about to become a minion in your dungeon, if that's what you're asking." Her amused smile turns into an annoyed frown at the thought. "Just so you know, I rather like being a hero."

"Nothing like that either. I can't go into the specifics right now, but if you die then come back and if you beat me then stick around until I respawn, okay?"

"Oh?" The mystery piques her interest, and her voice retains no trace of her brief annoyance. "Fine, I suppose I can spare you a bit of my time. Once we collect the bounty here, that is."

"Excellent. Now, if you don't mind, I'll be going. See you in the boss room." You stroll towards the group and the portal behind them, but Grungil cocks his crossbow with surprising speed and points it at you.

"Hol' up, laddie. Why shouldn't we collect tha bounty here and now? There be nae way ye'd win, and tha loot is good."

"Because Amara would never let you hear the end of cheating her out of a perfectly good bossfight later?" You turn to the barbarian who's taken to idly twirling her massive maul as if it weighs as much as a dagger.

"Hah! Right you are, imp!" The barbarian nods her approval, her many braids cascading around her face. "Don't get too comfortable in that cushy throne room of yours: you have a date with the respawn timer once we deal with the chaff here." With that, the adventurers step out of the way and you make your way back through the swirling portal.

The air fades to black, and when your vision returns it's still dark enough that your eyes squint as they adjust. The cave before you is dark and damp, strands of silk hanging from the walls and ceiling. Skittering fills your ears as the scorpion daemons swarming in the room part to make way, and you step through to see large, eight-legged shapes crawling in the distance.

"Greetings, my lord. How can we serve you?" The same spider daemon you met when you first summoned them bows before you, her pale hair dragging on the ground as she does.

"What is your name, daemon?"

"I am called Elanie, my lord." The daemon stays in her bow as if speaking to the ground.

"Elanie, how would you like to be the boss of this level?"

"I would be honoured, my lord." She bows even lower until her forehead touches the ground, then lets out a squeal as her legs tangle and she falls into a heap. "Um, oops."

"Excellent. We're currently being invaded, so I need to head out in a moment, but I want you to come up with a plan for the level. After the bounty is over we'll discuss it and see to your promotion." You put a hand on her shoulder and she blushes, then slowly rights herself and nods. With that, you turn and leave, then make a similar arrangement with a slightly more disciplined pixie named Caspian. Tasks complete, you return to the heart of your lair to await the adventurers carving a path through your dungeon.