A Red Capped Dawn

A pointed red hat. Rosy red cheeks. A bright white bushy beard. Mouth full of razor sharp teeth. Roughly six inches tall.

A gnome.

The tiny thing was screeching and thrashing as it struggled to break free of Suo’s slimy body.

They might look like minuscule chubby humans with their hats, buttoned down clothes, twinkling eyes, and pudgy little fingers; but in reality they were damn hill piranas. The tiny ravenous beasts could swarm you and strip your corpse in a matter of minutes.

First goblins then kobolds and now gnomes. Why was everything full of sharp teeth. Of course even his own larger lower canine teeth protruded slightly from his mouth, but in his not so humble opinion it gave him a rather dignified air. Not like these creatures with their gaping maws of destruction. But he was getting distracted.

The gnome continued its incoherent chittering as it struggled, making its displeasure known. The latest rock it had carried, nearly as big as itself, dropped and forgotten next to the slime.

Baal leaned down to examine the tiny creature with his torch.

It did in fact look like a miniature human. A bit fat and squat, but humanoid none the less. The bushy beards and pointy caps were all he usually caught sight of these little things, so it was actually the first time he had gotten the full picture. It was wearing tailored clothes and shoes, though it was harder to make out the details from the waist down were it was imbedded in the slime.

The gnome folded its arms over its belly and leveled a steely gaze at the orc as the giant lowered itself to his level.

It made another short chittering speech which it finished with a harumph and nod as if in its little mind matters were settled.

Level 8 Redcap Gnome
Strength 12
Dexterity 28
Endurance 8
Charisma 6
Intelligence 28
Wisdom 32

“What?” Baal asked asked the haughty little gnome.

The critter began another skittering speech but stopped short when the massive orc breathed out a heavy combination of a sigh and a growl into its face.

What should he do with this thing? It was bringing him gifts, so it wasn’t necessarily an enemy, though communication seemed unlikely. But he didn’t need tiny mounds of junk piling up on his doorstep. He could just let it go. Or better yet, see how far he could fling it off the cliff! The little thing didn’t look like it would be even much of a snack.

“Maybe let Suo eat it?” He mused our loud.

The tiny gnome began another panicked tirade. Flailing its little arms as it screeched. Finally it started bowing, dipping it’s long beard in and out of the slime as it moved.

Baal had a sudden sinking feeling.

“Oh gods, don’t...”

A wild redcap gnome has asked to join you.
Accept redcap gnome into dungeon?

Baal let out another long disgusted sigh. A dragon, a griffon, a giant; just once couldn’t an impressive minion ask to join him? Was he destined to be the king of castoffs and riffraff? Was he really going to accept? He certainly needed minions, but this?

The gnome chattered on as the orc’s finger hovered over the window.

Fuck it.

He jammed his finger into accept before he talked himself out of it. Even the goblins and bugs had their uses, certainly he could find one for this thing.

The gnome happily grabbed Baal’s finger with both its stubby arms. He eagerly shook his new lord’s digit as if they had reached some difficult agreement.

Baal took another peek at the new information revealed to him.

Level 8 Papa Gnome
Monster, Redcap Gnome, Explicit
Experience to level up 800
Attributes:
Strength 12
Dexterity 28
Endurance 8
Charisma 6
Intelligence 28
Wisdom 32
Skills:
Combat:
Crafting:
Stoneworking - Rank E
Woodworking - Rank F
Sowing - Rank F
Field:
Mining - Rank E
Feats:
Child of the Earth - Can construct natural caves at no cost. Increases construction speed for all allies. Increased chance of discovering rare resources from mine resource nodes. All attacks are Earth attribute and cannot learn other attributes.
Spells:

The feat was familiar to him. It seemed gnomes shared something in common with his earth elementals. But for a creature whose stats leaned towards intelligence and wisdom it was a pity it lacked any spells at all. Although for all its lack of attack, it had more than enough crafting talents. Perhaps it would be more useful than he had thought.

Suo released the new ally who fell to the rough stone floor unceremoniously. The orc expected it to run off into the dungeon the way the bugs had. Instead he was surprised when the gnome sped off in the opposite direction.

“Where the fuck are you go...?” He started to ask, but the tiny gnome was already past the curve of the entrance and down the mountain path.

Was the little fucker really abandoning him so quickly? Had he been made a fool of by the midget? Disobedient or not, it was still his minion. Baal opened his menu and found the minion link map. He watched the gnome’s blinking light retreat on his screen at a pace the enthusiastic air elemental would have been proud of.

No wonder he hadn’t gotten the usual fame pop up from the new member.

Traitor

But it was a traitor he could, and would, track down eventually. For now the orc put away his torch and watched the night skyline above the great forest in silence.

The dungeon was expanding at a slow but steady pace. He was strengthening himself and the minions with ever better skills and equipment. But he was still ****. His followers were barely a small tribe, certainly no army. The dungeon was known to the adventurers. He needed more.

More knowledge. More power.

He could feel time slipping past him. Time he would never get back. Every step he took now was precious. Somehow he knew, the real trials were only getting started.

He wanted a drink but he needed to sleep. The sun would be up soon enough. It was somewhat surprising he was even still awake. Not to long ago and he would’ve already been passed out from exhaustion. Wether it was his newfound power and responsibilities, or more likely his vastly increased endurance. Somehow he was still up and more or less functional.

The orc once again retreated up the spire to his own room. He shed his gear back into his inventory.

“No funny stuff tonight!” He grumbled at the slime that still followed as he climbed into bed.

No phantasms haunted his dreams this night. In fact for once he had no dream at all that he could recall. He shut his eyes as his bed hit his pillow and seemingly moments later he was awakened by the soft ping of a system alert.

Fame increased!
Fame: 142
Survive an Enemy Vendetta for 1 week! +10
A Quest Against You has been Updated! (Expanded)
Quest Failed (x3) +5
Quest Accepted! +1
Quest Accepted! +1
Quest Accepted! (X2) +1
Got a minion! +33 (Expanded)
Domain Sired lesser minion (x24) +1
Domain Sired minor minion (x3) +3

He waved away the morning message and pulled himself out of bed. He was not energized for sure; however, his fatigue was gone. His muscles still ached from his training the day before. But he was now awake and ready for a new day.

He left his equipment in inventory and moved naked out of his quarters. It might not be the noblest action for a lord, but no goblin would dare question him. Not that any of the minions were up yet in any case.

The air elemental butterfly noticed him quickly and joined Baal and the slime as they moved down the spire. The fire elemental still hid in the open flames of one of the wall mounted light fixtures. If not for the awareness awarded by the minion link skill he might have missed the two eyes staring at him eerily from behind the flames. He noted the construction progress. The builder goblins had of course upgraded the metal portcullis to iron per his instructions, but they had also progressed the number of small alcoves that ringed the entrance level. There was still the noise of construction coming from the earth elemental upgrading the workshops but he didn’t bother checking in on that progress just yet. Instead he moved to the lowest level and eased himself into the mana pool.

The floating bonnet of the water elemental gave away its presence as it joined him at the edge, only to quickly moved away as Suo flopped into the warm waters.

Baal trudged to the rocks under the waterfall to rest and refresh himself, swiping his black hair out of his eyes with a pudgy hand, he watched as the splashing slime chased the water elemental around the pool, while shooting water spurts to fend off the air elemental that dive bombed it with trails of dust.

He luxuriated in the warm water until the faint smell of cooking food wafted down to him. At least some of the goblins must be up and preparing breakfast. The orc waded out of the pool and allowed himself to drip dry. It was a slightly odd feeling to already be up and alert and ready for the day, just waiting for the dungeon to catch up to him.

Breakfast was slices of salted pork and spicey scrambled harpy eggs. Washed down with some ale from his dwindling reserve of ****. Ash crawled away from Bunny and busied herself yanking on his beard as he ate. Baal already had his plans set for the day. He needed to gather more resources, as always. He needed to keep improving the equipment. More iron pieces would be nice but even bronze would do. He needed to keep up training in the arena. He needed to expand. Both in territory and power. He needed new rooms, new minions, new weapons. He needed more time.

As he finished the meal a new feeling compelled him to open his menu. A sort of sixth sense perhaps. A side effect of the minion link ability. Whatever it was, he already knew what the small map was telling him. A small dot was climbing the mountain towards him.

He practically tossed Ash back into Bunny’s lap, standing so fast he nearly overturned the table. The goblins cowered as he stormed out of the dining hall. There was only one minion currently missing from the dungeon. And if he thought he was going to sneak back in, the orc was going to squish his pointy red capped head.

He marched up the spire stairs to the entry level. The slime bouncing along behind him as usual. The goblins cautiously following at a distance unsure at the sudden change of events. The portcullis opened painfully slowly for his mood. The lookout goblins made no mention of anything outside, but according to the dot on his mini map the gnome was almost at the dungeon door.

Baal stomped across the entryway and threw open the heavy wooden door. However, his plan to surprise and capture the wayward minion quickly backfired as the orc was the one to stop in his tracks.

The gnome was indeed just outside the door waiting for him. It chattered in its hurried screeching manner, and jumped in excitement. It bowed low as it landed, its bushy white beard and pointed red hat brushing the stone floor.

The gnomes behind him did the same.

And the ones behind them.

And the ones behind those.

A small sea of bushy beards and red hats swept his front pathway.

The orc stared at the writhing mass of gnomes in mute shock. What the hell was this? His twitching eye once again fell on the nameplate of his newest minion

Papa Gnome

The realization hit him. If that one was the papa, then these were....

“No! No! No!”

Fame increased!
Fame: 462
Diplomacy 315 (Expanded)
Absorbed another faction into your own! + 50
Took over another faction without using ****! +10
Adoration recruitment! +5 (x51)
Rumors of your power and protection are spreading +5

“Gods damnit”

Baal expected them to take off into the dark labyrinth just as the bugs had done. Instead the gnomes stood silent and still, staring at him with beady expectant eyes.

“What?!” The orc questioned his new audience, but without a response he finally continued with a dismissive. “Just... do whatever you want.”

The group of gnomes piled around and passed him as they streamed into the dungeon. The papa gnome gave Suo a wide berth as well and the others followed his lead as the slime rolled around the gnomes curiously. When it came to the goblins it was the other way around. The green minions scrambled to retreat from the red capped tide as the gnomes swept into the spire and dispersed to explore their new home.

The ones going down the great spiraling staircases easily tumbled from step to step. The ones heading up towards the altar and throne took each step in a great bounding leap with accompanying squeak.

Baal shook his head as he changed his plans for the day. He had intended to forage for more resources but there was no way he was going to leave this mob access to his dungeon unsupervised. Even if there were too many to watch over personally. At the very least, as long as they were running rampant, he was staying put inside.

He split the rest of the minions into two groups. Feathers, the smith, the large young goblin, and one of the builders would go up the mountain to mine. Meanwhile Suo, Bunny, the senior trickster, the other builder, and the last living scavenger were sent to the forest. The orc took Ash with him to the arena, letting her play in the sand as he trained. The two other tricksters were on look out. And lastly the old goblin was put on guard duty in the kitchen to make sure the ravenous little gnomes didn’t eat everything.

The minion improvements were going slowly. But as much as he might want to have them focus on their own training, the ever present need for more resources was just too great. Too many rooms were still pending construction. Too many resources were lacking to craft new and better equipment.

He gave the minions orders to avoid adventurers at all costs. The last thing he needed was more of those lunatics finding the dungeon. Otherwise they were to hunt and gather and scrounge as much as they could from the surroundings. The gnomes might be numerous but they’d be less than fodder in a fight. And until he found some use for them in the dungeon, they were just a drain on the limited resources he had.

Or maybe they could become a resource themselves? Were gnomes tasty? Bah, probably too crunchy.

Baal practiced his combat techniques silently, lost in his thoughts. Meanwhile Ash alternated between watching him, building small mounds of sand, trying to eat the sand, awkwardly swinging around one of the wooden practice sticks, and trying to eat the stick...

He was oblivious to the gnomes who, once they had scoured and explored the spire levels of the dungeon and an intermediate distance of the labyrinth bellow, regrouped in a large meeting. They crowded around the papa gnome as he lead the squeaky chattering discussion. Their new home was impressive covering all their basic needs and then some: shelter, food, and water. It was made of impressive stone and magic. but perhaps their most exciting discovery; crafting! Unfortunately however, the treasure trove of possibilities were being horrifyingly misused.

Gnomes knew goblins well enough. Foul tasting, all bones and cartilage. Although both species were opportunistic scavengers, goblins simply took what was offered. Scraps of cloth to make dingy soiled loin cloths. Weapons that they’d use until they broke, taking no care for maintenance. Gnomes however were artists. They created. They crafted. At least they wanted to. Until now the clan had lacked the tools and environment to expound upon their talents.

Their new big chief had clearly scavenged much of his gear as well. But above and beyond the simple stealing; he also had created new, though clearly flawed, clothing and armor. But at least he was trying. And clearly he was interested in the art of the craft. Truly a master worthy of their following.

The group reached a consensus. They had found the stockroom as well. There might not have been a lot there, but it was enough. They’d show the master the way.

They piled on top of one another to form small pyramids to reach into the crates and containers. There were several types of animal skins. Many of the master’s followers wore patched together armors that were little better than rags. Their creator clearly hadn’t understood the finer properties of the materials and what set there use apart. And the stitching! Oh gods the horror! The gnomes would have nightmares for months recalling the monstrosity.

Chains of gnomes pulled materials from the storage and across the hall to the crafting station.

They ignored the stone person still pounding away at the upgrade for the last room. They weren’t afraid of it. The noise was a bit unfortunate and they were curious about the room they were unable to enter as it worked at the doorway. But they felt a certain kinship to the earth elemental. The lumbering thing even took care to make sure that none of the construction debris hit them as they had crawled around it. For now though, their focus was on more important matters.

More ladders of gnomes were created as they hopped onto one another’s shoulders to reach the high table. Others sorted and prepped the various animal skins. An assembly line of activity went unnoticed by the rest of the dungeon.

By the time the minions returned from their hard day's work, Baal had managed to level up his staff fighting skill to rank E. Though his other skills still lagged behind. He had also had the opportunity to practice his new chain spell. It was certainly more powerful, even if it remained unpredictable to target.

Bunny and Feathers reported rather unremarkable stories of their day foraging. Still no contact with a new minion candidate that could improve the dungeon’s fighting strength. Though they had at least temporarily restocked some of the always needed supplies. Feathers had even managed to return with another prized Igneleon skin. Once he had the time he would need to see what he could make of it.

More immediately though, as the tired minions went back to their own areas, a sudden cry of alarm broke through the dungeon.

Baal quickly ran out of the arena and around the stationary earth elemental that was waiting for its next orders outside the crafting hallway. He quickly found the source of the gurgling scream as the smith goblin lay still crying, collapsed against the wall outside the crafting room. The orc didn’t need to ask the cause for the alarm. The swarm of gnomes moved like a colony of ants over and around the workshop. Their only sounds were the low chittering and constant light tapping of their work. The terrifying scene was eerily hypnotic.

“What is this?” He demanded.

As soon as they heard and saw the orc, the gnomes broke into a loud excited exclamation. They hopped and chattered. A group piled together to pull something out of one of the previously empty chests in the room. Dozens of gnomes worked together to carry the heavy item over to their lord. It was dark and shaggy but with an unmistakable face. At first Baal thought the little buggers had raided his quarters and were carrying his dire bear trophy rug to him. On closer inspection however, he saw the truth.

Dire Bear’s Cowl
+5 defense
+1 magic defense
+30% piercing resistance

A mantle made from the skin of the apex forest predator.

The dark cloak covered the shoulders and back of its wearer. But it’s spotlight was undoubtedly the jawless head of the gigantic bear that could be worn as a hood.

The salt and pepper colored badger cloak he had worn the last few weeks barely compared to the handiwork and attributes of this new item. He had seen many adventurers proudly displaying gear of lesser impact and quality.

After happily swapping up his equipment, Baal watched as the gnomes produced even more of their work. Leather equipment for the minions; full pants rather than the shaggy cutoff pantaloons, waistcoats instead of the sleeveless jerkins, shoes and gloves that looked as comfortable as they were functional. Best of all, each of the items had slightly boosted stats over the ones he had crafted to match their better quality.

The little buggers had proven useful indeed! The orc praised their work and began distributing the improved leather gear to the minions. Feathers got his old badger cloak as a hand me down. And the gnomes even began the work of breaking down and recycling the minion's newly discarded patchwork leather gear!

Baal moved the waiting earth elemental to begin construction of the newest hallway off the minion spire level as well as the mysterious room beyond, while he and the minions moved to the dining hall to feast on the days hunt.

Things were finally starting to improve in the dungeon. Or so he thought.

No sooner had the feast been served, than the gnomes swarmed into the hall, a chittering frenzied mob of red caps, climbing over one another to reach the tables, and then stripping them clear of the piled food. They had the good sense to avoid the orc’s plate, but the goblins screeched with alarm as they tried to salvage what scraps they could from the ravenous hoard. The wave of gnomes swept through the hall, stripping every morsel and draining every cup and then as quickly as they arrived, they disappeared back into the dungeon, leaving the hungry goblins in stunned silence.

With little other choice, he opened the food reserves to the goblin minions, allowing them to prepare another, albeit smaller meal, as the orc ate alone in awkward silence. He knew he had been spoiling the minions somewhat. Of course even he had gone hungry on numerous occasions before the dungeon's founding. But having a full belly was undoubtedly one of the perks of being his minion.

Even with successful hunts, Baal realized his current food stocks would only last a few more days. He had little choice, he’d have to increase the size of the hunting parties. Maybe even send the gnomes themselves. He realized too late the trap he had fallen into by increasing his minions so quickly but on such unbalanced terms. At this rate he would have to implement some form rationing just to get by.

He left the now quiet canteen with the somber hungry goblins, and walked out into the adjoining hallway. He was ready to make the long climb to his quarters but was quickly stopped by the papa gnome blocking his path. The orc went to walk around it, only for the gnome to jump in his way yet again.

“What?” He asked irately.

There was a long burst of chittering gibberish, followed by the gnome folding its hands together to mimic a sleeping form snoring.

“You want to sleep?” He asked. “Fine sleep!”

He lead the gnome to the unused barracks room.

“See! Sleep! Plenty of room!”

“Beh!” Came the squeaky reply

Baal wasn’t too sure but he had an inkling he’d just been told to fuck off.

“What?! What’s wrong?”

There was more incoherent gibberish Baal simply tuned out as he rubbed his face slowly. He felt a small tug on his pants and a tickling sensation of something running up his body.

“Be-bew!” The gnome exclaimed as it appeared from under the orc’s shirt and perched on his shoulder.

“Do not do that!” Baal hissed at the unwelcome passenger.

The gnome chattered something in a decidedly dismissive tone as it waved its pudgy hands in the air in front of it.

“What? You want to see the menu?” The orc asked as he caught on to the gesture. “Can you even see the menu?!”

“Beh”

Fuck it. At least the day couldn’t get any weirder. Baal pulled open the dungeon construction menu and went to the room tab. If the little fucker wanted to pick out a room, then he’d humor it. At least for now.

He scrolled through the myriad of options. The gnome’s beady little eyes shown with delight at the dungeon constructs available, but he simply hummed dismissively at the sleeping options currently available.

Baal was beginning to tire of the entire exercise, and his finger had almost reached the point of numbness at which he was going to call the whole thing off when the gnome suddenly screeched into his ear. The orc had long since stopped paying any attention to the rooms scrolling past, and had to back up several listings at the gnomes sudden urging.

“You’re fucking kidding, right?!” The orc asked his tiny passenger as he read the entry.

The gnome simply chattered approvingly as it clapped and even did a little summersault on his shoulder.

Fine. Screw it. Whatever. It even made a perverse kind of sense he supposed. And true to its occupants it wouldn’t even take up much space. He could place the room at the end of the hallway between the barracks and the dining hall, but given what he had just seen this evening, he wanted more space between the gnomes and their food supply. Instead he walked back through the spire level into the workshop hallway. The three doors to the left were the magic , item , and trap crafting workshops. All four doors on the right lead to the expanded storage warehouse. He could just place the new room on the final spot to the left and be done with it, but he rather hoped for a future crafting option to take that spot. Instead he walked to the far end of the hallway and the narrowly cut off four way intersection. He had thought to expand the hallway in the three remaining directions eventually, but with nothing better at the moment he was fine with placing this new room at the front of the intersection facing the workshop hallway.

Construction:
Pest Hole
Requires:
1 stone

Baal placed the narrow crack of a hole on the smooth stone wall and back away. He glanced down at his diminutive passenger who was staring up at him curiously.

“What?” The orc asked. “You wanted it, you build it!”

The papa gnome jumped up and let out a loud screeching whistle before hopping down the giant orc. The other gnomes swarmed out of the storeroom and workshops at the noise and joined the leader at the pending construction.

A quick order from the papa gnome and dozens of minuscule hammers appeared, wielded by tiny pudgy hands. The gnomes piled onto one another at the blinking wall. A cacophony of noise not unlike the pounding of the earth golem erupted as dozens of gnomes made short work of the small construction site.

Baal had not seen a bar move that quickly in all his time in the dungeon. Just as he was about to order them to help with the other pending rooms, the bar filled, producing the room, or rather the narrow crack with a small hole at the bottom of the wall, which the swarm of gnomes eagerly disappeared into.

The orc stooped down to pear into the dark pest hole. Nothing could be seen in the inky blackness but he got the distinct impression of dozens of beady eyes watching him from the void.

Nope. Fuck it. Not tonight.

The orc quickly stood upright, brushing himself off. Glad that no one saw his un-liegelord like behavior.

“Suo?” The slime asked as it too peaked into the hole.

“Leave it!” The orc quickly ordered before making his way back out to the main room and up the spire.

His day was as good as over. There was still much too much to do, but it would have to wait. The gnomes definitely improved the quality of armor but now food was a pressing issue. Hunting could only provide so much. He needed other options. Sleep came painfully slow as his mind wandered.

That night he dreamt of minions. Not the slime, goblins, and gnomes; but warriors! Lizard men, trolls, and vampires, dressed in resplendent armor, lined along a lavishly embellished great hall that ended in his high spiked throne decorated with the skulls of many a foolish adventurer. And at the other end a pit. A deep black pit that somehow he knew held the forbidden altar. It was his dungeon yet it was not. Baal stood from his throne trying to grasp at the threads of logic that made no sense. But he wasn’t standing. The throne was rejecting him. The warriors were drawing their weapons and there was now something else behind him. Something powerful. Something dark. The orc tried to turn and look at the throne but found himself hurtling down the impossibly long hall instead, falling into the pit, flailing into the void. The darkness surrounded him. Seeping into him. Biting into his very soul.

Baal awoke in his bed, screaming, greeted by the ever present slime and a new popup.