February, Year 1
"All right team, we need to finish up those enchantment and creation runes, destruction can wait till our walls and workers can handle a few megatonnes of explosions. We've given you a side supply of rats, try to see what happens if you rune a few of those. Use dye or a knife, I don't care. Den Smithson out."
The research team for the creation runes had an accident this month. While testing out the runes in attempting to speed the growth of plants, the plants grew too fast and somehow became corrupted by the evils lurking in the Floor. The laboratory has been taken over by The Evil Root! 1 scientist and 5 assistants were killed and consumed by the Evil Root.
In the other laboratory, research on the enchantment runes went badly as well. When testing the runes on a magic helmet, some unknown backlash struck the test subject, decapitating him. The test subject was one of the adventurers.
The fourth team, who previously found nothing of interest in their runes, created a stasis rune, where anything caught in its radius is frozen in time. The effect cannot be undone, unfortunately for anyone unlucky enough to be caught inside. Various frozen pens and notes are hovering everywhere in their laboratory.
The fifth team has made more progress in their destruction runes. They have created a chaos rune! Their experiments report that it is extremely dangerous to use. The rune creates pure change and chaos around the area, warping, destroying, or creating at random. Fortunately, no one was hurt in this experiment, but they have decided to put research in the chaos rune at hold until further orders from you.
You request Dr. Nera to meet you in the office, to discuss what would be a good direction to focus your studies. "Well, I think for now we need to step up security and safety measures, as well as replenishing our lost men and women. I have already arranged for the deceased to be returned to Realmland, buried in their hometowns."
Duncan, your chief of security, is also in the office. "Sir, we must do something about that demon in the laboratory! My men and I could handle it possibly, however, I suggest we ask for a Clear Guild to help us in this matter. They are well equipped to fight it, no doubt."
The royal messenger arrived with the 10 replacements you requested not soon after.
It's been a tough struggle on the 23rd Floor, but our brave Clear Guilds have taken an advantageous foothold against the evil forces. On February 5th the Clear Guild, Righteous Flame, has reached the Stronghold of Vileness! They have already defeated the Gate Guards and are moving in to defeat the Boss. Best of luck to you, Righteous Flame!
Menial Staff: 1 engineer, 15 mechanics [fixing Lab 2]
Scientists: 4 scientists [4 researching]
Assistants: 25 assistants
Guardsmen: 3 adventurers, 10 men-at-arms
Creation Runes [1 Month]
Enchantment Runes [Done!]
Destruction Runes [1 Month]
You weren't so lucky this month. The war is going good, however, and news is coming that the Floor Boss will be defeated soon enough! On the note of monsters left on the higher floors, yes, there are. They are more or less harmless, such as slimes, giant rats, and wicked boars. Slimes are actually very useful to the campaign, as they have provided a source of fuel, food, and ammunition. You can easily request for more test slimes if you wanted. Higher level monsters require you to ask a Pathfinder guild or Clear guild to capture one.