dragonheartednovels

[D'sP] Three Bears - Chapter 473

Doyle took his time mulling over the bear pattern. Well, that and watched as various critters entered the dungeon and got smooshed. The bear had very much been the local apex predator, keeping everything else in check.

After a week though, he broke through his instincts to not change lower floors, because he figured out the perfect place for them. Floor 3.

It was a small cave maze and a few bears would fit in. Exactly a few, or rather, they would after Doyle removed one of the ass...

[NR] System Won't Say - Chapter 739

Rosha sighs, “I know I’m not exactly in the best place to say this, but it’s the richER people who make things so bad. Just having money doesn’t make you evil.”

Courtney, “I don’t think any of us can really say much. Even I would be considered rich. My position is well paid, to say the least.”

Jason, “Yep, though I also agree. What is important isn’t how much, but how much more. Which was honestly one of the things the world is still fighting with. That and act...

[NR] Bruise Those Bones - Chapter 738

A few days later finds Jason smacking a wooden pole around. In particular, he is making use of his forearms and shins. Each strike is hard enough to bruise, yet he keeps going at it like a machine.

Admittedly, it helps that as long as Jason isn’t taking damage, bruising fades within moments. Still, that’s not quick enough to be fixed up before the next strike.

Off to the side, Courtney coaches him. “Harder now! We want bone-deep bruising. Put enough force so that your bones ...

[SD:SC] That's Not A Sheep - Chapter 3

Gem looked around at the others. “I’m seriously the only one to get a cowboy hat?”

Samuel sighs, “You seriously got a cowboy hat? Isn’t that a little cliché? Besides, it won’t fit in elsewhere.”

Gem shrugs, “It’s tradition for players to end up looking like we got dressed by being thrown through a thrift store. Best In Slot all the way.”

June, “Keep an eye on the sheep.”

The two turn back to their current job. The party ended up not being able ...

[SD:SC] Blame The Alpha Testers - Chapter 2

Gem fixed the horizon with a glare. “So, let me get this straight.”

Gem turns to the others and gains a few inches of height to look down at them. “We just spent six months after the desert raid wandering around small farming communities. Which, fair enough. People need to eat. Except, when we exit that area, we don’t end up somewhere exciting. We end up in herding territory.”

Emrys shrugs, “Oh, don’t worry. Things aren’t as peaceful here as you seem to think. It w...

[SD:SC] Snippets Of Chat - Chapter 1

(SoulDive’s official Forum, Regional Chat)

AllSight, BertVurn, Billium, DesDose, Filegreen, FeltFelt, InkyCat, JuneSupport, JustSamuel, KillTheKrill, May/Hem, MoxieBoxie, No2Ways, Roxie1337hxs, Vibez420, WizardsName, Zap2to2Zap, ZZZJohn

May/Hem: And that's what happened in the ruin. Stupid undead, cursing the loot.

InkyCat: Hey now, we didn't betray you. Your group simply failed to work out we were supposed to work in a fight like that. Up until then, we were just fighting...

[SoulDive: Sheepfolk and Cowboys] Sheepfolk and Cowboys Preface

Months have passed since Gem's group delved that ruin and now they find themselves in a prairie town. All while the world bubbles away in the background, unhappy with the SAI and those who take them up on their offer to digitize. Can Gem relax a little and enjoy their stay or will those bubbles pop?

-----

The Sapient AI just put out their second Full Immersion Virtual Reality game called SoulDive. Unlike their first game, this one is all about fantasy. A world of the four classic ...

[D'sP] The Lizards And The Insects - Chapter 472

Doyle, ‘It kind of feels odd that I suspect the best place to put a bear would actually be one of the earliest floors. Without being too tough, a bear is basically a furry tank and would act as a pseudo boss of sorts.’

Ally nods, ‘Yeah, it would have been amazing if we had gotten a brown bear as an option instead of an assassin vine. Nothing against the vines, they’ve killed a few people here and there, but a bear would have pulled its weight and then some.’

Doyle, ‘We...

[D'sP] Overestimated - Chapter 471

Doyle, ‘Wait a second. I just thought of something. We’re talking about the ability to sense the supernatural and how others do so, but what about me?’

Ally, ‘That’s a good question. A regular dungeon just knows. They’re like deities when it comes to their “domain”. I’ve heard it described as selectively all-knowing.

“So, like, a god of strength will always know what is happening in every official place of worship and any events dealing with the kind of strengt...

[NR] Why So Quick? - Chapter 737

The answer to what Stamina was doing for Jason is twofold. Firstly, Stamina slows down resource use. A simple effect that means while Jason has Stamina in the tank, some of it gets used instead of his Energy. And at a decent ratio as well.

The second thing is that odd “quicker travel on System recognized roads” effect. Yeah, Jason wasn’t quite sure what was up with it? Quite possibly the effect was all System nonsense. Whatever the case, out here in the Deep Wilds, it didn’t lik...

[NR] "Granola Bar" - Chapter 736

Rosha laughs, watching as Jason does push-ups with a backpack on. Said backpack has lead in it. “Up Down, up down, keep your back straight! Don’t cheat on the push-up. That’s just cheating yourself! Now snack!”

Jason sighs, but takes a bite out of what could generously be called a granola bar. Except many would compare it more to pemmican. What with the added fat. The food is in bar form because that allows them to spear it on a stick and position the food in front of him for ea...

[SD:RtR] A Bit Of News - Chapter 12

Breaking News!

SAI revealed to have technology meant to forcefully upload unsuspecting victims onto their computers! The Church demands a response from the government, claiming this technology is a risk to their immortal souls. Millions sign online petition against the SAI.

In other news, both of the SAI’s games are doing better than ever. Are the players being brainwashed? Are they cultists looking for ascension into the Web? Who knows?!

-----

In an office building,...

[SD:RtR] What They Actually Get - Chapter 11

Everyone gathered in the Guild training yard goes into a panic as they watch their hard-earned loot slip through their fingers, literally in some instances. Above it all, the Guild leader watches what is happening. They allow the panic to spread for a little, the various guild members need to relieve some of their stress, but soon enough they announce, “Be SILENT!”

Which worked, though unlike most times the Guild leader would give orders, this time people still took a few minutes to...

[SD:RtR] More Sand Than You Can Shake A Stick At - Chapter 10

Just out of sight of the others, Gem can see piles of gold coins. Though that is likely the more worthless of what is to be had. Behind the simple piles of base metal, are small stacks of more valuable coins and display stands containing various treasures. Even better, none of it seems to be aligned with undeath. Or rather, Gem can see a few empty stands and given the stylized engravings, anything useful to the undead has already been removed long ago.

And that’s the last Gem sees of ...

[SD:RtR] Treasure In The Dunes - Chapter 9

Gem and Emrys spent the next few minutes blocking any stray shots coming towards the healers. Gem by swinging their spear around wildly. Emrys, on the other hand, can transition to something he is much more familiar with.

Since they aren’t dealing with saturation tactics, Emrys can set up illusions. And while technically illusions are less useful against the undead as they sense the living directly. The healers are thankfully far enough away that the undead need to rely on more tradit...

[D'sP] Future Fae Fun - Chapter 470

Early the next day, Doyle is ready and sends out the five pseudo-soul goatherds an hour after dawn.

The goatherd who had been going out the previous day guides the other four in a different direction. A choice she made herself, given that today, Doyle had given no direction, having simply told them to go look around. They weren’t even out to gather supplies. This was simply a training mission.

So the five wandered around with the head goatherd pointing out the few things she had...

[Closed] Deciding the Short Story Prompt for September 2025

Below are the full prompts as the poll doesn't allow the full text. In the case of ties the first option that got there wins. The short story will be finished by the end of the month.

• D20 Rolling: A turn-based d20 system fantasy world, where everyone has to take turns rolling physical die for skill checks.

• Dungeon Awakening: The moment a dungeon awakens and how they process and adapt with this new facet to themselves.

• ...
  2025-09-04 08:25:31 +0000 UTC View Post

Author's Note: Health Update

A few months ago I did something which irritated my talebone. At first my primary doctor thought it was just bruised and with some anti-inflammatory medicine it seemed to settle down. However, when I went on the trip to visit my grandmother, it caused things to flare up and my doctor decided to refer to me another more specialized doctor.

That doctor believes that things are not serious and xrays aren't showing anything troubling. So I will be going to Physical Therapy over the next six...

[NR] Two Words - Chapter 735

Bright and early next morning, Jason wakes up to a blue screen.

{

Your request has been elevated to the System.

}

Which is nice to know, but doesn’t really say anything. And also nonsense.

Not that he didn’t believe it, but rather the fact that nothing had happened yet. The System is a computer-like entity running an entire world. Having the request raised to it should result in it being answered. Jason’s guess was some sort of review board got shoehorned i...

[NR] Looser Laws - Chapter 734

The eye runes surge open and a lime green light emanates from them. ~Who dares call upon the Lady, sister of the Moon, Kind deity who watches over all?!~

Jason raises an eyebrow, “Well, that’s a fun way to talk. Anyway, I call upon the Moon’s sister by way of prior connections. Twice she has appeared before me because of my potential and now I request her aid once more to unlock even more of my potential.”

The wings of the being shudder along their length, making the sound...

[SD:RtR] Let's Back Up A Lot - Chapter 8

Inky, “Well, I can’t prove any of that, but we can work our way closer to the center, I guess.”

Gem smiles, “Sounds like a plan!”

And before anyone else can react, Gem swings their spear out and smashes the head off of a zombie. “COMING THROUGH!” And begins to slow walk along the front of the line.

This causes a few disruptions, but Gem’s Wind Blades are able to save the few serious problems. All while those on the front line that they pass in front of use th...

[SD:RtR] I Want To Almost Kill Stuff - Chapter 7

Gem follows the crowd heading after the Guild leader. “If we’re dealing with the undead, wouldn’t it be unholy magic?”

Joy laughs, “Some would call it such. In fact, by some definitions, it certainly is. Though with you being a little Chaos gremlin and the GL up there being a Lawful stick in the mud, neither of you are going to care much. Though I guess, more properly, it should just be referred to as divine magic? I’m guessing since this seems all culty, there’s meaning b...

[Closed] Collecting Short Story Prompts for September 2025

Once again I'm here to ask all of you for short story prompts! I'll take the more popular ones as decided by the number of hearts (or that I particularly like) in the comments and make a poll at the start of the month. The winner will be made into a short story of a thousand or so words.

Not many rules on what you can suggest at the moment. That will mostly be figured out as we go. Besides that, the short story will come out before the end of the next month.

Rules for prompts:

[Short Story] Breakthrough Cleanup

“Hmm, looks like we’re dealing with a Martial-focused breakthrough. Just look at the remains of those mountains! Reduced to rubble and fist imprints.”

“No, you’re just seeing the forest and not paying attention to the trees. While this might look martial in nature, that is clearly only a part of it. I mean, those burn marks, that region of magma, and of course the scorching all over the place! This was clearly an incident based around a fire concept.”

The faceless man ...

[D'sP] It Works, Technically - Chapter 469

Ally, ‘The problem will be the older beasts, monsters, and some predators. Oh, and some space for anything else that is around to become a problem. Even a rock on the side of the road can become an active threat. It is just unlikely to the extreme.

‘But yeah, older creatures? More chances that the points going into their mental stats end up adding some actual thinking and reasoning to their mind. Predators in general also have that chance as well as any animal that has a habit of to...

[D'sP] Tree (Earth) - Chapter 468

Back in the Dungeon, Doyle is satisfied with how the town is reacting. 

On the other hand, Ally mostly ignored that part of things, instead doubled over in laughter. ‘Hah! Love that lady. Paid twice and even after they found out, she still got away with it!’

Doyle shakes his core, ‘I guess, but she’s not particularly strong. Getting paid is important, but can she do more?’

Ally shrugs, ‘Oh sure, she isn’t even equal to one of the non-combatants from the in...

[NR] Calling For Help - Chapter 733

Jason is settled in his cabin, preparing to call out for assistance. 

This is not the first time. He had been attempting this for about three hours a day over the last week. And sadly this time wasn’t any different.

He mediated and called out to Starlight for their assistance. No answer, though Jason still felt this had a better chance to succeed than trying to talk directly to the System would.

Oh, and he did try the in-game help first. That went through the System, ...

[NR] Theorizing The Source - Chapter 732

Jason taps a clay stylus on his temple as he looks down at a clay tablet. “Okay, first up, Sustained Effort to mirror any stat gains to my lowest stat. If I can’t get anything else, that is the key passive talent to ask for.

“After that, I want basically body cultivation talents. Though we slightly disagree on this. Bones first was obvious enough. However, you suggest skin next to test how it stacks with my cultivation and I’m partial to something for my muscles.”

Rosha,...

[D'sP] You Can Close One - Chapter 467

Doyle sighs, ‘There is more to the whole “gain things” part than you're letting on? Although nice, the extra world energy doesn’t feel like a qualitative change. Yes, it is multiplicative in nature, but it should only grow linearly and likely not all that fast.

‘As maybe I’m wrong, but I don’t think this second entrance is suddenly going to unlock my ability to place more. So, while doubling isn’t anything to sneeze at, any new entrances are only going to increase the mu...

[NR] Bonus Talent - Chapter 731

Jason leaned forward, “These talents do sound interesting and completely unrelated to actual talent. Where do they show up on the status sheet? Because that doesn’t sound like a skill.”

Courtney nods, “And it isn’t with them either. Talent gets thrown on the catch-all pile that is ‘bonuses’. And while rare, some players do have them. Even right from the start. Though you also aren’t wrong in that they seem unrelated to what people think of as talent.

“The best gu...