The Eye Of The Bedlam Bride
Details
Setting and Premise
Carl and Princess Donut have survived multiple dungeon floors and become some of the most famous crawlers in the universe. The story takes place primarily on Floor 7, which is part of the ever-changing, sadistic dungeon system broadcast as entertainment to alien audiences. This floor is themed around a collapsing, war-torn region filled with undead armies, warring factions, and deadly secrets. Meanwhile, behind the scenes, powerful alien factions and game administrators continue manipulating the crawl for profit, politics, and chaos.
A mysterious and terrifying entity known as the Bedlam Bride—an eldritch being of madness and prophecy—begins to play a larger role. Her influence affects the floor’s events, Carl’s visions, and the future fate of the crawl itself.
Main Characters
Carl – Battle-hardened but still grounded, Carl remains intent on survival, protecting his friends, and exposing the truth of the dungeon. He continues to grow in tactical skill, leadership, and moral resolve.
Princess Donut – Now a high-level, famous mage-cat and social icon across the galaxy. Donut balances diva behavior with genuine loyalty and bravery. Her magic is powerful, and her influence on viewers is unmatched.
Mordecai – Carl and Donut’s behind-the-scenes guide. He continues to provide advice while navigating his own political and moral struggles within the system.
The Bedlam Bride – A cosmic, reality-warping figure whose presence looms over Floor 7. Her influence causes nightmares, hallucinations, and prophecies linked to Carl.
Other Allies and Rivals – Includes surviving members of Carl’s party, political leaders within the dungeon factions, alien sponsors, and murderous rival crawlers who want Carl dead.
Plot Summary
As Carl and Donut enter Floor 7, they are immediately thrust into a landscape shaped like a fractured, post-apocalyptic kingdom. Undead armies roam, city-states wage war, and a cult worships the Bedlam Bride. This floor is organized like a grand tournament and political chessboard—each faction seeking dominance while the dungeon’s administrators encourage chaos for ratings.
Carl and Donut are now celebrities, loved by viewers but hated by other crawlers and political groups. Their fame grants resources but also places a constant target on their backs. They must complete quests, gather intelligence, and navigate alliances to survive.
Carl begins experiencing visions and dreams connected to the Bedlam Bride. He learns she is not just a mythic monster but a being woven into the fabric of the dungeon’s creation. Her “eye” represents truth—dangerous knowledge that could unravel the lies behind the crawl.
Meanwhile, Donut contends with sponsorships, rival influencers, and maintaining their public image. Yet beneath her showmanship, she becomes increasingly protective of Carl, sensing the psychological toll the floor is taking on him.
The politics of Floor 7 escalate into open warfare. Carl’s party becomes involved in battles against undead hordes, corrupt nobles, and rival crawl teams. They uncover a conspiracy involving the dungeon’s organizers and alien aristocrats who plan to manipulate the outcome of the crawl using the Bedlam Bride for their own gain.
As the climax unfolds, Carl confronts both physical enemies and existential truths. He discovers unsettling secrets about the origins of the dungeon, the nature of the Bedlam Bride, and what is truly at stake for humanity. His choices begin to influence not just the game but the structure of the entire system.
By the end of the book, Carl and Donut survive the chaos of Floor 7, but the cost is high. They emerge with new knowledge, new power, and a growing understanding that the dungeon isn’t just a game—it is a prison built on ancient horrors. Their journey continues to the next floor, with the Bedlam Bride’s influence far from over.
Favorite Quotes
- [3] Quote One
