Call paranoid, but I dont like the fact that theres a graveyard dungeon on the other side of town, and Ive just gotten my first undead invader. This math is adding up in ways I dont appreciate, but I guess its better than it not adding up at all.
Just in case, though, I should probably check my math. I tell Teemo to co collect the thing, once Im satisfied Jello is done chewing on it. Aranya and the kids have a bit of story ti while that happens, too. Im bad with nas and dates, though, so I mostly just pay attention to see if theres anything to give more detail.
Theres not. Its an interesting look into kobold society, though, and the kids are enjoying it. Before they can ask much about kobold history after the collapse, though, Teemo cos back in and plops the skeletal hand down near the map.
Aranya just looks disgusted, which is fair. A skeletal hand covered in Jellos jello isnt the kind of thing to parade around. Rhonda looks confused as to why the dungeon would bring a hand to them. Freddie, though, stares at the recently deanimated appendage.
That was undead, he says with the certainty of soone whos seen pictures and heard lectures on this kind of thing. The other two imdiately look more concerned, and Freddie leans down to get a closer look. Ive never been to Neverrest, but its supposed to be crawling with undead. There might be so from other sources deeper in the tunnels, but I think that other dungeon sent this.
Well, I was hoping it wouldnt co to that, but sounds like it has. Im gonna need to increase the defense budget, looks like. The other dungeon probably felt the quake, and has been sending expeditions into the tunnels to try to find . I dunno if it has airborn stuff like I do to make expeditions, but I doubt the townsfolk would ignore zombies and skeletons like they do bats and birds.
Rhonda looks to Freddie. Should we go tell the guild, then? I know theyve been watching this dungeon closely, and have warned people to stay away from Neverrest. This seems like sothing they should know about.
Freddie nods. Yeah, I dont think their inspector has been back in after he tried the maze.
It seems its Aranyas turn to be confused. Guild? There are surface people who monitor Sanctuaries? The two kids nod.
Yeah, the Dungeoneers Guild, replies Rhonda. They keep track of dungeons and whats going on with them. They were worried this one had gone murderous, and nobody wanted that. Neverrest is enough of that for one town.
Can you take to them? All I know of Sanctuaries is from legends. If Im going to help this one, Ill need the knowledge to do it properly. Aw, I didnt know you cared, Aranya.
Can you leave? asks Freddie. Im glad he asked, because I dont know that, either. Im also glad that it implies that the biggest hurdle isnt how the people will react. Makes sense, I guess. Ive seen all sorts of fantasy races co through here. Probably also explains why the delvers didnt think she was another encounter.
I can sojourn, yes. The denizens do, so I can do the sa. Neat. Well, I consider this quest complete, and spend a bit of mana to finish it. I dont gain any for it, but with all the new info and connections, I think its well worth it.
With the eting pretty much over, I have Teemo and Fluffles gather the map and vanish down a trail to get back to the secret base. I trust the kids, but its a need to know kind of thing, and they just dont need to know. Freddie pulls out a rag that I think he uses to polish his shield, and picks up the hand to give as proof to the guild, and they all head for the surface and the gate.
Interestingly, when Aranya leaves, it doesnt list her as on an expedition, but on a sojourn, just like she said. Well, while they do that, I should focus on the ho front. Delvers are here, and they dont know about the plot thickening down in the tunnels. Speaking of the tunnels, that should probably be my next order of business.
Ive been mostly sending expeditions on the surface, but I should probably do similar underground, too. I get various groups of bats, rats, and spiders to head out on expeditions down there, along with so healing ants to hitch a ride and provide support as needed. I pay special attention to the tunnel the hand ca from, and make sure Jello stays blocking it up. Shes happy with that. Theres been all sorts of things to eat coming from there anyway.
Without knowing what else to do, I basically just start upgrading my various spawners. The spider spawner quickly takes over the little cavern it was moved to, so the little camouflage flap blends in even better. Its started spawning widows, too, which look plain an. I order them around to the various tunnels to make sure nothing can sneak in, and to be able to provide support if sothing tries.
The rat spawner is starting to take over the basent, too, and has spawned a ratling, apparently. It looks like a rat developed a hunch and started walking around on two legs. I can still give it orders, but I can definitely feel its smarter than anything else Ive spawned. Well, except the Scions, but theyre special.
Oh, Ive also designated a Warehouse. If Im going to potentially be at war with another dungeon, Im going to need a place to store stuff. And an Armory. I think only the ratling and Aranya could actually use it right now, but better to be prepared. The ratling put Aranyas copper bar in the Warehouse, and then started making trips up to the maze to gather so wood, too.
It feels kinda weird to gather my own resources, but I make sure the ratling takes it slow with that. I still want most of it to be gathered by the Delvers so I can get mana.
I upgrade the snek spawner a few tis, but nothing new has popped out yet. The vipers are looking bigger and badder, but I dont know how theyll fare against undead. I was hoping for constrictors or maybe even quatals, but no big nor winged noodles for yet.
After an upgrade, the ant hill started occasionally spitting out fire ants, and Queen was all over snagging those to help with her alchemy. They really are fire elental, which is good. Undead dont tend to like fire, if videogas are anything to go by.
I dont upgrade my birds nor bats yet, mostly because I dont have the mana for it, but also I dont know what Id do with them. The surface and tunnels are pretty full with denizens, too. I think Ill have to actually take that upward expansion before I do much more with the avians. Maybe Ill be able to build a tower or sothing once I get so more ratlings. I note in the alchemy stuff for Queen to analyze the mortar between the bricks to see if we can make so of our own. No rush on it, though.
anwhile
Aranya walks with the two defilers, no delvers, she has to remind herself. Theyre not defiling the Sanctuary, especially if it specifically asks them for help. She supposes the other defilers should count as delvers, too. It seems strange to her that it allows them to simply pillage like they do, but the Sanctuary must have so kind of plan.
Thats just one of the many mysteries that guided her to sojourn to this guild. The legends certainly have information, but certain details have faded over ti. If this guild has more current answers, she needs them.
She looks at the two children, thinking her Sanctuary has odd choice in help. Why these two? Why spiders she asks herself, though the two hear her and exchange a look. She probably didnt an to actually ask, but telling the story would at least kill the awkward silence. Its not worth any xp, but itd still be nice to be rid of it. Rhonda speaks up first, as it was technically her idea to go get a spider.
Well I had just gotten apprenticed to Old Staiven, one of the local mages, and he told to go get a familiar. But I didnt know what kind of familiar to get. Freddie chuckles and inserts his two copper.
Sothing normal like a cat or sothing was too boring, I guess. Rhonda sticks her tongue out at him.
Im allergic to cats, she says matter-of-factly, before continuing the tale. Anyway, after thinking on it, I thought of our first adventure into the dungeon and all the spiders around. I just like spiders, I guess, so I decided to try to get one.
Freddie laughs. I think you wanted a spider just to ss with . I used to be afraid of them, he explains to the red kobold. Too many legs, too many eyes, venom. But he trails off, letting Rhonda continue the story.
Anyway, we went and captured a few mice in a bucket, and so of the roaches, too, and tried to find a spider for to make my familiar. Only we didnt think about all the different spiders the dungeon would have.
Rhonda wanted a jumping spider like Lucas there, and I just wanted to be done, heh. So we followed a couple into the kitchen, and she started enticing one with a mouse. Only while we were both looking at the jumping spiders, there were net spiders on the ceiling.
Rhonda giggles at the mory. We didnt know to look up at the ti, so they just kept slowly plucking mice out of the bucket while we were distracted. And I guess that counted as feeding them, because Freddie tad one without even knowing it was there!
Freddie smiles at the mory, too. Yeah, I about jumped out of my skin when I saw Fiona here on the bucket, happily munching away. In the end, though, we still had enough for Rhonda to take Lucas ho, and I got over my fears and gained a great friend, he says, smiling at the spider with the huge eyes beside him.
She clearly wants to ask more, but they round a corner and the kids point at a building that looks very similar to the other various ones around, though it has a different sign on it. Aranya squints at the sign, resolving to sohow learn to read. With her Sanctuary apparently able to communicate in writing, shes going to need to learn to continue to contribute.
Thats the Dungeoneers Guild building, Aranya, says Rhonda, and soon she opens the door for them all to enter. Sitting at a desk in front of a shelf of scrolls, an elven woman eyes them as she sips so tea.
Well, youre so interesting visitors. To what do I owe the pleasure? she asks, looking amused at the odd little procession.
Freddie steps forward and sets the wrapped hand on the desk and explains as he slowly uncovers it. Well the dungeon wanted to talk to us, and it showed us this. The elf coughs into her tea when Freddie says the Sanctuary talked to them, and all amusent is gone from her face as she sees the skeletal hand in the rag.
She composes herself quickly, though, and grabs so paper and a quill and ink, before looking at them all seriously. If you all could, explain what happened, please.
Aranya straightens herself and clears her throat before the kids can respond. I am here on behalf of my Sanctuary. I need information to help it, and I will tell what I can to trade for it. The elf gives her a considering look before replying in turn.
You represent the dungeons interests, then? Aranya nods, and the elf continues. Very well. It is a dungeon in good standing, and that hand is from one that is not. I take it your dungeon wishes to know how to protect itself?
Another nod. I dont know why, but it allows your def-, uh delvers to enter and gather and fight, but I do not think it likes the idea of another dungeon bothering it.
Very well. I am willing to trade information for information. I believe we both have a vested interest in the wellbeing of your dungeon.
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