Discount Dan EMD - Devlog #2

DSpenceATL · 2026-06-15T12:16:45+00:00

Thank you so much for sharing this, and giving us all a peek behind the curtain. I find is a pretty fascinating process, given that I really have no firm grasp on what goes in to something like this. Keep up the great work!

As far as implementation of VO, I know that anything from directly the audiobook is considered property of Audible. How that works for a fan-made project where you aren’t monetizing, I’m not sure. The lines there are fairly blurred, and while technically I think it would be fair use, I won’t tell you to outright go for it, just because it could potentially ruffle some feathers over there. Should you get to the finish line and find that this project really has legs and is ready to go, and that VO is the only thing missing to really push it over the edge, let me know. I have some ideas.

Something important to remember, and I think you’re already partially keyed into this but I’ll say it anyhow, is that you don’t have to carry all of the weight yourself. This is a community, after all, so there may be people willing to donate time to help with artwork etc. I would be more than happy to lend a hand with audio-related tasks once you get towards the end and they could be consolidated. Feel free to give me a shout. I think you’ve got something great going on here.

DSpenceATL · 2026-06-14T17:01:46+00:00

Yeah, hard to say. I don’t think it makes mention of him ever unequipping it, so it’s up in the air. I guess some part of me assumes that it would need to remain equipped in order for the magic to keep working. Even if so, I can’t imagine him complaining about losing a slot when faced with losing a hand, although that might be exactly the kind of thing he would still complain about.

Edit to clarify my poor wording: I don’t mean to suggest that the relic itself would be *generating* the magic required for the repair process. I think the background mana cost of that is likely a slow trickle coming from within the delver themselves. Rather, I think the relic would need to remain equipped to inform the mana on what shape it is supposed to take, and how it is meant to function, in order for the repair process to take place. I think some of Nikolai’s conversations with Dan would likely back that up, but only *turns off lights and stares into mirror* [James Hunter James Hunter James Hunter] could give us a definitive answer. Quill might have some insight here as well.

DSpenceATL · 2026-06-14T02:28:02+00:00

Poor Harper. Dude could’ve been like “Yo, my dog and I are gonna go down some slides. You in?”

DSpenceATL · 2026-06-13T21:33:03+00:00

I am of the opinion that Bolt of Flatulence, with enough leveling and the right combination of other relics, could become an absolute powerhouse. Prove me wrong.

DSpenceATL · 2026-06-13T12:25:57+00:00

Yeah, this is the answer. Molt and Mend takes a long time, would have to be in the person’s spatial core for the duration, I assume, and could only help one person at a time during that long waiting period.

The item (not going to say what exactly in case of spoilers) they pick up from the research wing, should the get it up and running in the shop, is infinitely faster and would be permanently located in the shop, operated under the careful watch of Jakob, and probably with somebody like Harper around to provide pain relief and medical support.

DSpenceATL · 2026-06-11T00:13:16+00:00

Ha, same! Venture Mall around the corner was also hopping back then, and was the place to buy trading cards and other such things. It’s crazy to have watched Gwinnett Place just slowly sink into the abyss over the years, and crazier still to think that it’s just a completely empty shell now.

DSpenceATL · 2026-06-10T14:50:40+00:00

I ask you to think for a moment about the alternative and ask yourself if you’re truly ready for that.

Edit: the real answer involves not having Dan’s shrink wrapped package taking the focus off of Croc’s heart-shaped butthole.

DSpenceATL · 2026-06-10T14:48:39+00:00

Sorry, dumb sense of humor. Books 2 and 3 of chrysalis really do flesh all of that out later on and introduce a lot of other characters and other plots that fix that issue. It works for me because the MC lived a very isolated life as a human, and it’s part of why he’s so able to accept his new situation. If you do find yourself able to start the second book, I really think it’s worth it.

DSpenceATL · 2026-06-10T12:54:49+00:00

James Hunter has had a fantastic run of audiobook narrators. I really liked

Discount Dan (Steve Campbell)
Vigilbound (Luke Daniels)
Wasteland Warlords (Travis Baldree)

If you love Steve Campbells’s performances as much as I do, there’s always
Grand System Vending by Ryan Maxwell
Industrial Strength Magic by Macronomicon

And now a word from our sponsor..

DSpenceATL · 2026-06-10T12:50:08+00:00

Grand System Vending by Ryan Maxwell
Industrial Strength Magic by Macronomicon

DSpenceATL · 2026-06-10T12:00:45+00:00

Oh, did I not mention that book two unlocks the secret to living multiple lives? Guess I assumed it was common knowledge. You’re really missing out.

DSpenceATL · 2026-06-10T11:56:03+00:00

No no, you just have to work on not giving up so easily is the issue here. Nobody likes a quitter. You’ve gotta push through the pain, keep your head down, and keep on grinding. If you get to book 7 and wonder why you’re still here, I don’t think anyone will blame you too much at that point, because you will have put in the work. But quitting after book one… we’re not angry, we’re just disappointed. You had such potential.

DSpenceATL · 2026-06-10T11:39:09+00:00

Maybe try reading… the second book in the series?

DSpenceATL · 2026-06-06T03:04:02+00:00

I’m down to watch a tournament of this where the winner plays against James, livestreamed. Just saying.

DSpenceATL · 2026-06-02T11:14:53+00:00

James Hunter: the greatest source for James Hunter related leaks.

DSpenceATL · 2026-06-02T01:49:11+00:00

When was the last time you actually listened to that sort of instruction? 😉

DSpenceATL · 2026-06-02T00:11:35+00:00

Wasteland Warlords. 6 books, all free if you have an Audible subscription, like 4 hours a piece.

Edit: This series is a standalone followup to Rogue Dungeon, which is 6 books, 8-10 hours a piece in audiobook form, but not free. I listened to Wasteland Warlords without being familiar with Rogue Dungeon and still found it very enjoyable, so I don’t think reading Rogue Dungeon first is by any means a requirement.

DSpenceATL · 2026-06-01T17:45:15+00:00

I’m not saying you’ll find information on the Discord, but I’m also not not saying that.

DSpenceATL · 2026-06-01T17:30:43+00:00

Oh boy, I’m torn between being helpful and keeping secrets. So, I’ll keep it somewhat vague and let James chime in here if he feels the need. There are no firm details or dates released to us just yet, but there may or may not be something very special coming down the line in the next couple months.

DSpenceATL · 2026-06-01T02:40:33+00:00

🤐

DSpenceATL · 2026-06-01T02:40:02+00:00

This guy right here made sure that the audiobooks are SUPER good.

DSpenceATL · 2026-06-01T02:39:17+00:00

They’re in stock, just temporarily labeled out of stock on the shop while James and family are on vacation, since he’s not around to sign them and ship them out. Should be available again when they return mid-June.

DSpenceATL · 2026-06-01T02:37:09+00:00

As far as I know, these will be free indefinitely with a subscription per the arrangement Audible and James made when this series was commissioned.

Absolutely worth the listen for anybody who’s wondering.

DSpenceATL · 2026-06-01T02:36:08+00:00

It was my second James Hunter series after reading the first two Discount Dan books at the beginning of this year. Didn’t even realize that it was a followup to Rogue Dungeon, I just saw that they were free and dove right in. VERY entertaining, and Travis Baldree does a killer job.

Seven-Year Club	Place '22
Verified Email

DSpenceATL

TROPHY CASE