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Peek: A New Shore
🕑 Added 2024-09-16 00:36:41 +0000 UTCWarnd heard good things about Fourdock. While his parents were born and raised as shipwrights in Gofnardale, the elf had been feeling stifled. While he enjoys designing and building ships, it's mostly repair work nowadays.
But Fourdock is supposed to be different. Though they haven't really had any shipping in his lifetime, shortly before he was born, it was supposed to be a major trade hub across the sea. Then the local oceanic dungeon went nuts and basically cut the town off from the deep blue.
But, just before the snows hit, merchants came through talking about how the ocean was open once more, and that shipwrights who want to seek their fortunes could do a lot worse than setting up shop in Fourdock.
When he first heard the rumors, he dismissed them as just idle talk. But the rumors persisted, capturing the attention of not only him, but a lot of the local shipwrights. Warnd needed to get in on this opportunity if he doesn't want to spend the rest of his life patching up leaky bilges and sewing sails!
So he worked hard and finished his apprenticeship, accepting his new title as a journeyman from his father and mentor with mixed feelings of accomplishment and trepidation. He'll be out of the shallows now, but if he helms his course properly, he'll see new, wealthy horizons!
The caravan to Foudock was uneventful, which suited Warnd just fine. He has no illusions about his skills in a fight. Getting set up in Fourdock was surprisingly simple, too, with the shipwright's guild eager to catch the new breeze and recruit every wright they can. The actual induction is all a blur to him now, seeming like a dream for him to catch a strong current so quickly.
He won't get to design any ships yet, of course, but a long-haul ocean ship is a fresh and interesting challenge compared to the lake and river boats he's used to. He makes acquaintances with his fellow journeymen and apprentices, and even makes a fast friend in a changeling named Lem.
Lem is more of a carpenter than a shipwright, but with the scale of ocean ships, it makes little difference. The two chat as they work on the skeleton of the new vessel, and though Warnd worries about the slow pace, Lem is much more lackadaisical about it.
"The shipmaster wants to make sure it's done right, instead of done quick. Can you imagine if the first ship out of Fourdock in decades sinks in the harbor?"
"Sure, but what if we end up producing only the tenth ship instead?"
Lem shrugs as he inspects his latest beam. "That's the risk of hiring so many new hands. They only let me in because I can follow directions, not for my experience on boats."
"Still..."
"Stop worrying about it. As long as he's not glaring at us, we're doing well enough. Trust me."
Warnd is pretty sure he's heard stories about how well trusting changelings works out, but he still has a point. The shipmaster's patrols have the air of someone secure and confident, rather than someone suffering under the weight of a deadline. Let him worry about the pace, Warnd should worry about making sure the hull is properly built.
The shadows lengthen as the day continues, and the wrights are sent home a few hours before sunset. Warnd and Lem head out together, with the elf's eyes wandering the town that's still new to him.
"Want to go drinking or something?"
He expected Lem to leap at the chance, but the changeling looks thoughtful at the suggestion. "Maybe get something to eat, but I probably shouldn't get hammered. I want to go delve tomorrow, and a hangover is a terrible companion on one."
That earns a surprised look from Warnd. "You delve?"
Lem's look mirrors his. "You don't? Ah, right, you're a new arrival. Oh, we gotta get you some delving gear!"
"Are you nuts? Why would I want to risk my life delving?!"
"Because it's fun? And with Thedeim, there's no risk to your life at all!"
"Who's Thedeim?"
"Who? Oh man. Alright, let's swing by my place first so I can get my dungeoneer pamphlet, and you can get caught up while we eat."
Warnd is more than a little worried about his new friend's choice in hobby, but any attempts to point out the danger involved in delving get waved away. In Lem's apartment, Warnd eyes the small armor stand near the door holding a leather chest piece and a simple iron helm. Beside it is a round shield and a single-handed hammer. They actually look like they've seen use! Lem actually delves? He doesn't seem the type from how he works.
He doesn't get a chance to try to puzzle through the mystery as Lem shouts in triumph from his bedroom, soon returning to Warnd with a pamphlet. A single look answers one of his questions, at least.
"Thedeim is a dungeon?"
Lem nods and ushers him out of his home, and soon leads the way to the nearest tavern for them to have an early dinner. "Yep, about a year old now. He's got a lot of territory to explore, but I stick to the manor and sometimes the maze."
"Even if those are the least dangerous parts, it's still a dungeon, Lem. People, even professional adventurers die in them all the time!"
"Not in Thedeim. Not a single death yet. And believe me that he definitely has denizens capable of it."
"That's not exactly reassuring."
Lem barks a laugh. "You'll see, once you read through that pamphlet. Practically everyone delves him at least a little. It's good experience, and it's fun! You'll see," he reassures, though Warnd is still incredulous.
They get to the tavern and get some simple stew and bread, and Lem gives Warnd a chance to look through the information on Thedeim. This particular packet is focused on the manor and maze, and seems to back up a lot of what Lem was talking about. That section is for beginners and holds the dungeon's weakest denizens. What's more: they don't simply swarm adventurers, but engage in small groups. While people are sometimes defeated, they are never slain, with the dungeon even sometimes deploying a type of slime Warnd never heard of before: a healing slime.
Could he handle a snake or a rat? Lem smirks as he sees his friend thinking it over. "So, you wanna go delve tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow? Even if that dungeon is safe, I don't have any gear," Warnd points out.
"That's no problem. The outfitter I use has a good second-hand section."
Warnd gives him a flat look. "I'd rather not use gear that some other adventurer died in."
Lem laughs at his pessimism. "No deaths, remember? People upgraded out of them is all."
Warnd is actually tempted, but there's one final hurdle for him. "I don't have much coin right now. I don't think I could afford much."
"Eh, I'll front you some coin if you need it. A delve or two and you should be able to pay me back. Or I can just sell it back if you don't like delving."
Warnd resists for a few more seconds before his resolve crumbles. Sure, he knows he's hopeless in a real fight, but he can probably handle a snake or a rat, and who doesn't dream of being a cool adventurer? He sighs and gives in.
"Alright, I'll give it a try."
"Great! Then let's pay our tab and get moving! I don't want the outfitter to close before we get there!"
Comments
Stickboy172
Or maybe since she a druid if I remember correctly... she gets one of the new denizens. Like the plants. Or pixie
13L00D13ANE
Im just waiting for Mlynda(sp?) to get a tundra wolf from thediem the right way this time. I mean, she gave us Leo, i feel like her redemtion arc wont be complete till then
Ch W
💔 my heart...my imaginary socks. I suppose getting a silk shirt is okay if I get to have the fun of dyeing it
Ethan Barrow
It's always good to have that friend that can help you break into a fun new activity. TFTP!
Aerowarrier
Now they give out really nice silk shirts, which I would definitely delve enough to have one of those for every day of the week. Maybe two!
MattUDFells
I think the one you are thinking of is more of a scholar then a priestess. Either way, she definitely has some magic, considering who she worships
MattUDFells
I believe Thediem told the little quest spiders to stop giving out socks as they didn't get that they come in pairs
Ch W
Does Warnd need socks? I don't think anyone has too many socks plus spider silk socks are prolly luxury anywhere else in the country. I would seriously delve for a sock quest award. I also have two feet and I would delve more than twice to make sure I get a spare in case laundry wash eats one.
Ben Bass
TYFTP! I love seeing how the dungeons can have such an impact on every day life, not just commerce, but in the day to day life of people. The huge change when Hullbreak lost it, and now Thediem changing things at the huge economic level, while also turning many residents of Fourdocks into part-time delvers, which is really cool!
Black Esper
There needs to be a kraken for this scenario 😁
Purpleninja
Berdol got the first sock actually, iirc! I believe when he came in to talk to telar about his time being escorted to violet, she recognized him
mly85lc
Hmm... add giant's turtle and I mean Tiny sizes giant's turtle whit mean beaks cable to piercing ships hulls. And you got full boarding crew there. They're could also act as landing and resting stations for pelicans.
mly85lc
A ghost ship crewed by ghosts and sprits. Flanked by Skeletons armed whit harpoons and neets. Riding and dolphins to battle.... or sharks since he already have thous.
FluffyPrincess
Only if you were able to redirect it...
FluffyPrincess
The first completed quest sock. The time when Honey felt like she would lose her marbles due to bad grammar.
Altaan
also the sock is now in the museum. just the single sock.
Altaan
That would be cool!
Anthony Felscher
Well, obviously they have to find their third..... *hint hint* ..... I'm thinking it might be some kind of priestess of Magic maybe.
Anthony Felscher
They might after Thediem finally gets around to the upward expansion.
Barzdonas
For quit some time I have idea about hulbreak dungeon getting skeletons and getting a ship for them to protect the harbor and be delving thing at the same time. Like a ghost ship that sails around harbor. If some pirates coms and do stupid stuff, the ghost ship attacks them. With Thedeim it could be even submarine, there most of it is flooded, because crew are skeletons, except for holding cells in the sub, and people stay in them until authorities are ready to take them
MattUDFells
They did mention the swamp boats a while back, during the scythemaw migration
mly85lc
Since spiders are inclined to reading "wave" them super seeing this happenings. And if eny shields fielders somehow "forgetting to return shields" after use. Poe raven can start harnessing him.
mly85lc
Hmm. And as catch have set off most precious mining noods is readily available only thous miners that protect outer perimeters of group using Hugh Roman style shields that are provided by Thedeim aboveground at mouth of cave network. But they're are only available for thous that have managed to clear Violas shield using class. Supersede by his voices and judge by local church of shields.
mly85lc
Could time it so that miners act as part of first leg of escorts mission to get word out. ...and getting eye balls to thous deep cavern mining noods.
mly85lc
Maybe Thedeim could ask he's people to haw a escorted mission to and form under caves twice a a day form Viola. Say coming and departing 4 hour difference? That way people get know her before classes starts.
Orion Belt
I don’t think so if I remember correctly he said he was a tanner and was going to use the rat pelts for slippers or something like that but I could be wrong.
Herakilla
Thanks for the peek! Love these sort of peeks and chapters with newcomers learning about our favorite dungeon
Ch W
Thanks for the peek. Definitely interesting to see the town boom, I'm ready for part 2 or more. I have a craving for delvers escaping out of windows, I dunno why but I know it's not happening at Thedeim Manor.
FluffyPrincess
Is this the guy who got one sock from the aranea?
Tim Judge
I've been in the Paraparaumu tower when the wind hit 90 knots from a waterspout..... does that count
Pete Magnuson
Is Lem the changeling who helped infiltrate the maw's village? Glad to see he's doing well and showing other the joys of delving (rats and snakes are totally the gateway gateway drugs of delving btw)
jeffh4
Only if you have experience directing waterspouts and hurricanes.
Istyatur Elestel
Olander just finishes his report, the ink hasn't even dried yet, when Temo shows up to tell them the expansion is done.
Tim Judge
I wanna shift to fourdock. Do they have any aitraffic control jobs?
Stickboy172
Magic water wheel boat go brrrr
Stickboy172
Would love a peek or chapter about some herbalists, enchanters, smiths, or merchants, Those considered side professions, seeking knowledge and fortune from the master of change Thedium. Heck, even a peek at a tamer looking to get some cool pets from our Friendly neighborhood dungeon.
Raufgar
Thanks for the chapter~! Yessss, more mana for Thediemsssss..... Also, can't wait to hear about the Summer and Autumn sections. But not before Olander's bluescreen is done ;-D
chris Bell
I love how the peeks are just as world building if not more these guys need another peek or to pop up in a main chapter lol
AbyssalIceLord
I wonder how many would turn out to be great delvers after getting over their fear of dungeons and the fighting lol. I always love to see stories like this.
Demonlord
Thanks for the nice peek 😊 I wonder if he can collaborate with coda on some cool ship projects and including Thing and Queen for the magic and material parts for the ship would be fun 😊
blaze87b
Definitely gonna need a follow-up peek at this duo
