Good morning, Monsters,

I’m proud to announce that the Kobold Boy Band sensation Cubic Harmony has won this year’s Dungeon’s Battle of the Boy Bands. We are currently in talks with Avarrix the Vermillion, the band’s manager, to work out the scope of what “signed to be the Dungeon’s official band for the year” means. I have to say that their break out tune “Level 2” is pretty timely as we’re heading into level 2 this month for both Viva La Dungeon and Pickle Me, June!

Ok, so it’s come to my attention that more of us may be chatting psychically with the great light orb that has lit the Dark Sea on Level 6 than I previously thought. Literally thought it was just me. I’m curious to as how many. Dungeon Message me, but don’t bother unless you know the specific topic the orb always starts out its communication with. IYKYK.

The previous version of Viva was created for 2-4 players. The Legendary Monster mechanic comes into play for player count 2. That’s cool and I’m looking forward to talking more about it. But it’s not twoday only tuesday. (sorry not sorry)

My gut tells me that this version of Viva will be fun at 6 players. And we’re going to test that out next week. It may not end up the optimal size (4 being prime right) BUT definitely a viable and fun experience if you have enough people. I’ll leave my soul open for the experience.

I believe that so much that I am already planning on Viva going to market as 2-6 players. It feels so right. But it introduced a problem at first, that I think I have a cool solution for.

I started this plan out with 4 Patrons in mind (2-4 players.) For those new to Viva, the Patrons of Viva are FOD (Friends of the Dungeon), typically powerful entities who offer their support to contestants in Viva La Dungeon. Each character chooses which Patron to champion and get a starting bonus specific to that patron.

Adding new players means 2 new Patrons. Yes I could dupe a couple of the core Patrons, but I like variety. And I think most players do too.

So if the box ends up being just the first level, the Crypts, what 6 Patrons will be included in this (what I’m calling my Core box.)?

The Hobo King, the watcher of the road. He awards his champion +2 Defense for the entirety of the game.

The Mother of Wood, the blood warmer. She awards her champion +3 Health for the entirety of the game.

Pineapple. The safe space. Pineapple awards their champion a Common Magic Item every time they roll a 1, in addition to the reroll token.

The Neckromancer! I’m not going to go into details on this one as that’s spoilers. But here she is, the Official Patron of Level 1: The Crypts. She awards her champion with a Dungeon Dodge Gem to start, an item that allows you to nope out of any one unsanctioned violent situation.

Mao & The Muses. The ApocaBitch Roadshow. Mao rewards her champion with +2 Kaos to start the game.

And finally…#6.

I have options. Could be Psyclops. Could be Banana. But I think I’d rather have 1 very special Pledge Level where someone could be the 6th Patron, supplying an idea or character. Greedmaw’s on deck to do the art for that Patron.

(None of what you see above is final.)
All Patron art still needs to happen. That is one of the last stretch of art on Greed’s plate before we finish the Kickstarter. All of the Patrons will have their own portraits!

Next week I’ll cover some of the core Magic items and characters!

We are not quite done with Level 5. We’re going back and we’re bringing 6-players with us. But not until next Tuesday (June 9th.)

I am however going to go live to just hang out and talk Viva tonight.

Swing by to say “sup, lich”! 9pm EST on twitch.tv/thelichinghour

Cheers, Lich