Khenal
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Chapter Three-Hundred Forty-Eight
🕑 Added 2025-04-08 03:02:15 +0000 UTCWith the hold preceding apace, I take the time to work on the details of the Forest of Four Seasons, as well as the Tree of Cycles. I’ve been wanting to make the entire area be a place for high level adventurers to delve, but I think I should change things slightly.
A realization hit me while watching another group of delvers struggle through the encounters on the forest floor. It seemed weird for spirits to still be so high, considering the injuries the group suffered, at least at first. Delvers are used to fighting for their lives, taking risks, riding the razor’s edge of risk and reward. With how I have the forest set up right now, they can basically power level themselves. I’ve put too wide a gap between the combat challenge from the forest and the rest of me.
Right now, the adventurers are happy to take the beating if it means more experience for them, both in the sense of ‘learning how to handle things’ definition, and the ‘get enough and automatically get stronger’ senses of the word. But if I want to help Captain Ross and his people get stronger, they’re going to probably need a smoother leveling curve.
That, and Grim has been more active in the forest than in the cemetery lately. If he’s working that hard to keep my record going, I should definitely try to smooth things out a bit. Thankfully, I don’t think it’ll be too difficult.
I have plenty of spawns that should make a decent curve, I just don’t have them laid out to provide it. I spend a little mana to start shifting assignments on the forest floor, and Titania and Goldilocks pick up quickly and start ordering around my denizens without any further input. I’ll make the floor among the seasons a good area for mid level delvers. I just need to thin out the spawns a little, moving the extras up into the tree itself, or down into the roots.
That should hopefully keep the delvers from getting their butts kicked for easy experience. And, to make sure they don’t just move their current tactic up into the tree, I set a few very strong encounters at the various paths up to the branches, with orders to quickly subdue delvers that are too weak. Giving the delvers extra experience is nice for them in the short run, but that’s the sort of bad habit that will get them quickly killed in a different dungeon. Best to remind them that, though risk comes with reward, there are some battles that should simply be avoided.
I also start guiding my tunnelbore ants to weave around the roots under the tree, though I don’t direct them too deeply without Coda’s OK. The roots might be strong and deep, but that on its own won’t keep me from accidentally destroying the foundation if I’m not careful. I want to give my dragons a good place to hang out and have actual fights with the delvers, and tunnels in the earth should be a good place for it.
And I’m not going to forget my dragon scion, either. Nova’s work is only getting better, and it makes me want to give her a place to show off her work that accentuates her, instead of showing off me in my upcoming Sanctum. Luckily for her, the old Sanctum will still be there, and I think could be a great secret room for the delvers to discover. I have a gallery room I haven’t designated yet, and the old Secret Sanctum could be perfect for it.
A special space for Nova also makes me want to get a special space for Fluffles, though his will be a lot different than hers. He and Rocky have been sparring every chance they get, and though Rocky is a natural in a fight, Fluffles has the raw power to really make a go at being a raid boss. I’ll probably set up an encounter in each season which unlocks something in the branches, which unlocks something in the roots, which gives access to the canopy where Fluffles will accept their challenge. The unlock should be long enough that Fluffles isn’t constantly fighting, but short enough that delvers still feel motivated to try.
There’s a lot of prep still to be done for something like that, though. I still need to figure out what I even want the unlocks to be, let alone place them. And if there’s going to be a lot of fighting in the canopy, I absolutely need to have my proper solution for falling delvers. The improvisation of spider silk and vines is working for now. The dire ravens are keeping an eye on climbing delvers, too, ensuring they can snag any that manage to slip the net. All it takes is the raven bringing along a dreambloom to KO the delver and I get mana, and they get to try again later.
But that still relies on my ravens not slipping, not missing a catch, not getting attacked by a reckless delver who wants to keep their run going. I think it’s time I give my plants the spatial affinity. Not only should that upgrade make it practically impossible for delvers to slip away once they fall, but it’ll also help with other spatial things. Teemo’s been incredibly busy lately, tending to the shortcuts he’s already made as well as making new ones throughout the forest. A single shortcut doesn’t need too much attention to keep working, but with the raw number he’s made, he’s approaching the limit of what he can keep up with.
It’s not a cheap upgrade, but I think the specialization will be worth it. I could theoretically make them focused on resources and also give them spatial affinity, but the two upgrades don’t really synergize well. Or… looking more closely, they synergize too well and make it even more expensive. Spatial fruits sound crazy, and I think if I get a bunch of plants with them, the alchemists will make the smiths' reaction to mythril and orichalcum pale in comparison.
The mana production would probably be worth it, but the price tag makes me hesitate, as does the current situation with the Earl and everything. Having something that valuable could be enough to make him drop the act and make a direct move. Things could get very messy if I tease a payday he can’t ignore like that.
Of course, I’m not going to let his potential reaction keep me from doing what I think would be best. The more pertinent reason for me to not go for resources and spatial affinity, besides the cost, is that I don’t think they’d be up to the task of keeping the shortcuts running with minimal help from Teemo. But if I focus them toward magic and give them the affinity, they will naturally want to keep working on the shortcuts just to practice their affinity. Even better, they’ll still be good in a fight. I don’t think tying reality in knots is a cost-effective way to wage a direct battle, but Teemo has shown how powerful the ability can be as support.
I nod to myself and spend the mana, and eagerly watch the spawner. I technically didn’t upgrade it for any new spawns, so all I’m getting are some of the old ones with the addition of the new affinity. The living vines, dreamblooms, and living brambles with the affinity come out with a slight purple tinge that’s easy to miss if you’re not looking.
That doesn’t keep my denizens from noticing and taking advantage. My mischief foxes immediately compete to be the first to get a dreambloom into a patch of its brethren, where the flower denizen will be able to make it seem like the delvers have a bit more room before they hit the sleep-inducing pollen. The brambles get taken by the armory bees, who are starting to set up their fortresses at the paths up into the branches. With a spatial bramble, they can make their little fortresses bigger inside and give any would-be delvers a harder time if they want to go play above the ground.
The vines themselves, though, are left alone to study Teemo’s shortcuts. Said rat notices what I’m up to and chuckles as he moves to meet the new denizens. “I hope you didn’t do all that for just me, Boss.”
And what if I did?
“You could find a better use for that mana, I bet.”
I don’t think so. Now you can spend your time giving them pointers instead of always patching up the shortcuts. Besides, I think having them in the shortcut to the Southwood would liven the place up a bit. And, with them specialized toward magic, I now have some excellent support denizens to challenge delvers. I remember some of the nonsense you pulled against the Stag, the Redcap, and even the Harbinger, Mr. Mobius Trap.
Teemo looks a bit embarrassed by that. “Well… it’ll be a while before they can do their own Mobius Trap, if they ever manage it. The later spawns might…” he adds, rubbing his chin in thought.
Do you think the vines will be good to maintain the shortcuts?
He nods. “I think they’ll do great, Boss. I’ll get them situated, don’t you worry. I think I’ll start them with the shortcuts still inside you before letting them go afield. We’ll need a lot of them for the shortcut to the Southwood anyway, so that’ll give them time to spawn.”
So what are you going to do with your free time? Bug Poe to track down Yvonne, Ragnar, and Aelara and go visit her?
He chuckles and shakes his head. “Nah, I shouldn't bother her at work. They should be back before too long anyway. Maybe if they’re late, I’ll try that, but she and them can handle themselves. I might spend some time with Rocky or maybe Thing and Queen and Honey. I want gravity affinity.”
Ah, I knew you were close, but I didn’t want to blab it.
“Yeah… when I asked you for a hint the other day, I was hoping you’d have a hint for how to get it, not what I was getting close to. I know gravity and space are related, but I’m having trouble applying it.”
Are you? You were making the shortcut feel downhill both ways, weren’t you?
“I mean… yeah, but…” he looks frustrated, my Voice having trouble finding the words.
My desire to smile doesn’t help his mood, so I quickly elaborate. I think you’re trying too hard.
“What do you mean? I know they’re linked, but I also know I’m missing something…”
They’re not just linked, they’re the same thing. One coin, two sides.
Teemo’s eyes widen and I can actually feel it click for him, even as I see a trickle of blood leak from his nose, followed by him falling over and his respawn timer starts ticking.
What just happened?
New Domain: Gravity
Oh. That answers one question, and begs about a thousand more.
Comments
Ben Bass
TYFTC! And just like that Thediem broke Teemo with another huge thought and concept. Now how can the gravity domain be used? Maybe set up places in the tree that those that fall get safely corralled into?
HereForHFY
Achievement unlocked: Induce nosebleed by words only
TechNinjaSigma
Order: WHAT DID YOU DO NOW?!?!?!
Duncan Fang
HAHAHA
Aaron Mcmaster
I want to see Order's reaction to this. Not just a new affinity, but an entire new domain
Aaron Mcmaster
I think this makes Temo the first entity in the history of the world to step into the domain of gravity, a much bigger deal than just gaining an affinity.
Draken09
A Peek not too long ago was from Order's perspective. Therein Order made it clear that he is more the operator of a system he found, not the original dev.
Delsis
I think Thediem just introduced the concept of gravity. Once he did that, the god Order or Magic or both became aware of the concept and added it to the system.
Delsis
Can he give the tree it self "spatial affinity?"
William Anderson
I was busy for a week and just getting caught up and holy crap this is awesome! TYFTC!
PickledTink
Well, now the the affinity is in the hopper, it is time to buy a gravity spirit spawner. They'd be most excellent in the tree and underground. I imagine they'd look like little planets and/or star systems
The-Guy-Who-Asks
Well, gravity can also be extreme importance (such as the gravity of a situation) so I think it fits in a semi-roundabout pseudo-metaphorical way.
Cha0sniper
"Oh my god, he killed Teemo!" "You bastard!"
Gregs_Crow
teemo found the secret to make chedar chesse
Tim Judge
ummmm Thedium is what I have at work, Thedeim is a dungeon/god
Justin Raine
From what I understand of the system fate and gravity are domains of magic. Change is a divine concept similar to how the raven is a psychopomp or the shield is protection. Scions, denizens, and people can have affinities for each domain of magic, but don't seem to have much control over divine concepts. Also I don't think gods can double up on their concepts since from one of the peeks strife and war are two different gods even though you would think they would be linked, and the mother of magic and the golden plume seem to both be maternal.
Chris Kuhn
Teemo "no comment "
Eofad
Change and Gravity are two domains I generally don’t associate with each other.
SamIam
I forgot about expanding upwards until you said this.
12Baku34 .
Oof. Poor Teemo. Let's hope Thedium have a way to explain why Teemo is currently no avaialble to the others.
Stickboy172
Oh so now Thedium can make sure that whoever falls off has feather fall.
Typhoonator
New domain, not affinity. Either teemo just gained a divine domain, Thediem and Teemo just unlocked the concept of gravity magic for everyone, and/or something I'm missing
87894354
Teemo: "The boss usually doesn't view himself as a real god." Someone else: "What about that time when he revealed truths so profound they shattered your mind, killing you?" Teemo: "..."
Kebbitevoke -
Pretty sure that when Leo was taken out by the Harbringer it was about a day give or take a couple of hours. Same with the fight against Neverrest when Temo tried to save Yvonne.
Staples01
So.. do we get a definite time on how long a respawner timer takes? Or is it scaled with how powerful the thing respawning is? Like is kotas time the same as... let's say novas? Or Tiny's?
Staples01
I'm expecting tarl to come back mid cool down. "What the hell did you do!" And TheDM can't answer.
BrokenLord321
Teemo dying is gonna have to become the new "They killed Kenny" meme
Lord-Siver
poor order. TheDM unleashed another chaos beast on him XD
Lord-Siver
order will be confused and probably a bit miffed about the chaos TheDM is about to unfold on him XD
Alex Turff
Experienced delvers can see/feel Scion respawn timers right? Got to be a few delvers who are a bit nervous right now!
Shawn Rehm
Domains typically belong to gods in the common use. So it could be either dungeon or God wierdness.
The Walrus Transcendent
And how he dissuaded his nerds from figuring out explosives. For the moment, at least.
The Walrus Transcendent
Nah, you read it right. It's a *domain*, not an affinity. That's a Dungeon thing.
Argamenta
that will make falling from the tree safer
B Oakley
And maybe how gravity interacts with time as well…
B Oakley
A black hole with the mass of a penny will create a nuclear blast…
LinaBoeckwurm
So.... I know that Teemo got the new afinity, but the way I am reading this, I almost feel like Thedium also got that afinity? No... Probably not. It's probably just Teemo. Who literally had his head explode for the extra afinity XD
CF Sapper
I've heard of mind blowing realizations before but I feel bad poor Teemo...
Aerowarrier
Jesus Christ TheDiem, you literally blew his brain up with that tidbit xD
deefdragon
> what could "normal" baby dungeon do with Gravity affectinity? Id think quite a lot actually. For example, messsing with your perception by having things fall sideways instead of down, or increasing the weight of weapons. Make it more difficult to move, or less to discombobulate etc. It doesen't need to be mind-bending/localized black hole levels of gravity to be enough of a nusance to really throw someone off.
Magnadra
Gravity - The art of falling upwards That will be so funny when Timo gets to play around with it
Smoky
Imagine the paperwork that has to be done now 😂
chris Bell
I think everyone does like his fate
mly85lc
That's was nice chapter and even better ending. Now for how to lessen Grims work Load. Since mutch off thous who participate in fighting form bit of a pride around it and want be seen as cable actors on they trades. So instead "just" placing hard hitter around paths to teach a leason. Instead Reliving the Worst moster off them all! [the Ever Undying Moster Of Pyrocracy]!!!!!! Or but it ohter way have a monster that follows and estimate delvers performance. Giving them a score and placing skulls mark's around bullets boards. Pretty sure Order can point to right monster..
Mommy Khaos
Magical black holes? Yeah he'd be fine. But Thedeim tends to run with actual physics, which means even a millimeter sized black hole for less than a second will do a fuck ton of damage and kill A LOT of EVERYTHING
SassySerf
More like the magic god chick.
druidofthewolf
I'm surprised teemo has not learned the lesson be careful what you wish for I think he would have with all the pain he has felt in the past of his boss thinking about big things since space, time and gravity are a trio of big ideas considering how they interact
DittoMikko
Either way it's going to be interesting, even more so with Thediem behind the wheel.
mly85lc
Hmm.. dos this mean that MC living Vines will get double affectinity for magial?
mly85lc
Hoh? What if it's truly is both MC dungeons and god side getting gravity affectinity? Will we see god talking soon again? Will Mother of Magi still be able to hold off not interduct her self?
mly85lc
Or it could be a that's MC currently only still exsicting Gravity dungeon on world as large... and thous before him have some delightful history behind them. After-all what could "normal" baby dungeon do with Gravity affectinity?
isaac frandsen
Anyways blackhples don't need to be apocalyptic to be dangerous They can also be temporary
Anthony Felscher
Fate is just an affinity for Thediem. His current Domain is just Change, and now he's added Gravity. Wonder if he's gonna get knowledge as a Domain.
Justin Raine
Na Thediam well keep him away from that like he told Rocky to stay away from turning light affinity to radiation by making it more when he was teaching the Stag.
Anthony Felscher
So now we know Temo is heading towards time next.... wonder if that epiphany will blow his mind too.
Stickboy172
Ummm.... sooo.... Am I the only one who is concerned that Teemo might be able to make black holes now?
Anthony Felscher
I don't think she's gonna send another low level acolyte either.
Cordell Patrick
Simple Thediem unlocked a whole paradigm of magic threw Teemo. That means every concept and use of gravity and it's relationship to space magic went straight into his head.
Cordell Patrick
So all the Scions have Fate from Thediem. Then they have their personal affinities whether that's expanding on fate in Tiny or most separating into different affinities like the rest. What Thediem did was unlock an affinity for the whole system making it not just for his Dungeon but also his Godly domains. Fate plays a part in his Change domain because he can change Fate. He now has Gravity but that also means all his Scions have some Gravity affinity.
Kia Vaderkit
Woot... I have been expecting TheDM to blow Teemos mind sense he was getting head hurts way back in the day. Thanks for the chapter end.
jeffh4
You can rest assured that Teemo appreciates the... gravity of the situation. 😁😂🤣
Justin Raine
Most likely Thediem as both the fate and gravity domain.
DittoMikko
Oh wow could this mean the first gravity dungeons can now appear? That could make for a great peek.
Demonlord
Or gravity to 10 x normal... Get crushed, Earl
Demonlord
And Murphy's law... I don't know any other reason why teemo instantly died instead of a massive headache
Demonlord
Aaah he killed his own voice with a thought alone 😱😱 I hope teemo is now happy that he figured it out. Also great chapter
13L00D13ANE
Oh please tell me Thediem will get floating islands now
Matthew Frasier
TEEMO!!!! NOOOO! TheDM killed him with just a sentence! Bad god!
Kebbitevoke -
Not his first bloody nose tho
Mommy Khaos
The Earl: HaHa! Imma finally beat this dungeon into submission Said dungeon: BTW I'm now the God of Change *and* Gravity, so I'm changing your gravity to 0. Tell me how the clouds look like fuckface!
Daxin
Oh no he broke Teemo
brennon Petersen
Tftc!
Deathburn
Thedeim just accidentally murdering his teemo is interesting
Rick Delallata
He just killed Teemo, oh no
chris Bell
Temo got his upgrade he been trying for that makes me so happy sound a bit more then just an affinity dominion is sick hell have complete control also solves your delivers falling from the tree if applied correctly
Devin Durham
He literally blew Teemo’s mind 🤣🤯
Kebbitevoke -
Lmao I bet Order is gonna have a fit over this new affinity type.
Justin Raine
I have a feeling order and the mother of magic are going to chew Thediems ear off for this, and I don't think the later will take no for an answer.
Nathan Linder
This is the first time Teemo has actually died due to knowledge right?
Durphymcbob
Thanks for the chapter! Teemo, Oh God! Insta-Kill!
Henry Zeringue
So he is now the God of change AND gravity!?!?!
Khenal
Ah, good catch. Fixed :)
deefdragon
Poor Teemo. Least hes about to get a massive power boost tho. Cant wait to see how this is going to go. Related: a scion gets an affinity yes? So a new domain is for the entire dungeon? Am I remembering that right?
Herakilla
Thanks for the chapter! Looks like our fledging god has expanded his divinity? And wound up killing his herald in the process haha. Good thing Teemo respawns!
PickledTink
---- I can actually fell it click ---- Typo: feel. Edit: That reveal was, literally, mind blowing.
Kevin Neely
Weed so good you instantly respawn.
Speedsaber
You can say the answer to gravity domain weighed heavily on temo's mind
King Jerkera
Ruh Roh an entirely new domain. There will be words. Also thanks for the chapter Khenal!
Geoff Urland
Newton and Einstein claim another victim.
Kevin Neely
Space plants make that good weed.
Ethan Barrow
TFTC!! Love the story and how it's going!
