Khenal
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Chapter Two-Hundred Eighty-Six
🕑 Added 2024-08-30 02:58:27 +0000 UTCThe rest of the inspection of Hullbreak goes pretty well. I might have missed a couple details while listening in on Onyx trying to explain why sewage is not tasty. As amusing as it is to listen to, it’s also very heartening for Hullbreak to invite the inspectors to his Sanctum.
He’s told the merfolk about it, as they are working on a temple for it, hidden in the kelp cave. They’re still working on carving the walls, but the pedestal for his core is pretty nice. It’s a triangular column fit for his size, though they’ll need to expand it soon, or find some other way to display it. It’s come a long way from being able to fit in the First Mate’s mouth. It’s… about a yard on each edge, now? It’ll be difficult for them to make a pedestal for something like that.
Oh, they could make a recess in the pedestal and display it point down. I dunno if his core has a designated up or not. My sphere doesn’t, because that’s kinda the point (or lack thereof) in a sphere. I’d have Teemo ask, but I don’t want to interrupt the little ceremony. Showing your core is a big deal, and Berdol and Olander understand that. Hullbreak is pretty nervous about it, but I also can feel resolve and relief in putting that kind of trust out there. He’s not going to be holding guided tours of his Sancum to the ordinary delvers, but this should go a long way towards repairing relations with the guild proper.
I also consider Teemo’s suspicion of Olander. He’s easily the strongest person I’ve seen. Miller, Rezlar’s butler, gives me strong vibes, too, but nothing as clear as with Olander. Even if Miller is stronger, he’s not going to delve me, so I’m more than happy to chew on the problem that could actually be a problem.
While I don’t exactly expect he’ll be like the trio when they first showed up, trying to attack residents and scions without a care, I don’t know if I’ll be able to give him a delve he wants. At least not yet.
I want to make the forest hard enough for him to need to pay attention, though I don’t want to be strong enough to be a challenge for him yet. That kind of level of encounters would be way more than the other delvers can handle. He might have some fun with the gauntlet, or playing with the traps in the lava labyrinth, but as far as combat encounters go, I think I only have one that could interest him: Rocky.
If any of my scions are going to give him a proper encounter, it’ll be Rocky. Just thinking about it has my zombie boxer looking excited, his fists a blur as he shadowboxes. He taps into his affinities as he has a proper workout, blending and transforming his known affinities in all sorts of interesting ways. Losing to the empowered Harbinger did nothing to dampen his spirit, and I’d wager he’s already working on techniques to counter the combo breaker moves it liked to do.
Hmm… I should make a thing of this. Like a whole thing. Rocky’s bouts with the delvers have been pretty impromptu, spur of the moment affairs. What if we publicize it a bit? I can already feel Teemo’s approval, even as he keeps quiet in the tail end of Hullbreak’s inspection.
What will we need? What does any good prize fight need? We need the fighters, sure, but we also need spectators. There’s plenty of seats, but I think they can be improved on. It’s been a while since it was put in properly. The stone benches aren’t terrible, but I think we can do more. In addition to seating, we also need concession stands! The smiths and smelters have been making me some good mana working in the mall area outside the labyrinth. If it works for that, it should work for people making food, right?
I even could put in that kitchen I picked up. I poke around the arena, looking for places to put in a few amenities until Teemo, Berdol, and Olander get back to Fourdock proper.
Teemo easily rides Berdol’s shoulder as they walk back to their guild, and speaks up as they get close.
“So, you guys are going to delve Violet next?”
Berdol nods. “Yep, probably in a day or two. Telar will want to update Hullbreak’s packet, and that usually takes a couple days.”
“Cool. You know Violet claimed the sewers, yeah? And she got her Voice, too?”
Berdol looks happy, while Olander looks alarmed at the news. The elf can’t get his thoughts in order before the catkin replies. “That’s great to hear! Well, not about her taking the sewers, but about the Voice. Who did she pick?”
“Onyx. Legs isn’t very sociable, Nose is usually off on expedition, and Cappy isn’t exactly mobile. Her other two scions are still getting settled, so she didn’t want to overburden them.”
“How many scions does she have?” asks Olander, looking concerned. Teemo smirks at him, having fun teasing the high-level elf.
“Six. They grow up so fast.”
“But how? The upkeep…” He trails off as he runs the numbers, which only increases Teemo’s smile.
“She’s learning from the Boss. And she hasn’t upgraded them too much yet, so there’s not too much in the way of upkeep anyway. But I wanted to ask about after Violet’s inspection. The Boss will be after, yeah?”
Berdol nods while Olander still looks distracted, but Teemo gets his attention quickly.
“Then the Boss would like to invite Olander there to a prize fight. I can tell you’re strong, and Rocky’s just itching to fight someone as strong as you.”
Olander looks very guarded at that invitation. “I don’t know…”
“Why not? You’d probably give Rocky the best challenge he’s ever had from a delver!” exclaims Berdol, to the frown of Olander.
“That’s the zombie, right? I’ve faced a few zombie scions before. They can be pretty good at taking a hit, but they’re always so slow.”
Teemo snorts as Berdol smiles. “Trust me, he’s not slow. He’s a strange sort of fist fighter with a mastery of a wide range of affinities. What ones does he have now, Teemo? I think the official pamphlet is a bit out of date.”
Teemo takes a moment to gather his thoughts, and totally not to increase the dramatic reveal. “Let me see… well, fate, but that hardly counts. Kinetic, fire, ice, sonic or thunder, if you prefer, and mental.”
Olander stares in disbelief as Berdol simply makes a note. “Mental?”
“Yeah, he picked it up from defending against the Harbinger. So far, it’s all defense, so no worry about him messing with anyone’s mind.”
“That’s… how… picked up?!” sputters Olander. “That’s not how that works!”
Teemo shrugs. “Rocky has the title Affinity Savant. Argue with the title, if you want. Anyway, are you in?”
“In?”
“For the prize fight. I’m sure Grim himself will be there to make sure nothing too bad happens. He takes the Boss’ reputation for safety seriously. So, are you in?”
Olander looks like he wants to argue a couple points with Order, but he takes a minute or two to pace a bit and calm himself down before answering. “So… a challenge from the dungeon itself?” He looks to Berdol. “Would the Dungeoneer’s have any problem with this?”
The catkin shrugs. “I doubt it. Most of Thedeim’s scions aren’t really meant to fight, but Rocky is a major exception. There’s even an arena in the tunnels specifically for fighting Rocky. The closest ones to winning so far were Freddie, Rhonda, and Larrez. Rocky still knocked all three of them out, but they dug the deepest and were rewarded. Most of the other challengers either thought they could get an easy win, or have been using the bouts as a test for new skills.”
“Are there any rules?”
“Mostly, just stay in the ring, stop if the bell rings. There’s specifics for groups, but if you’re solo, that’s it.”
“So I can use a weapon and my affinity? Armor?”
Teemo nods. “That’s all fine. Rocky is training to be able to handle things like that. The Boss made him to be a proper boss fight, and Rocky has been having fun with it the entire time.”
Olander folds his arms, considering. It’s not difficult to tell he’s very cautious about accepting a fight with my scion. I think he’s been in more than a couple dungeons before, so I wouldn’t be surprised if other ones might use something like this as a trap. On the other hand, you don’t get as many levels as he has by avoiding challenges. I dunno if even Rocky can give him a good fight, but even the prospect has the elf sorely tempted.
Eventually he sighs and straightens up. “I accept.”
Teemo and Berdol both smile wide, though I imagine for different reasons. Berdol will get to see one heck of an exhibition batch, where Teemo may have just secured me a big pile of mana. “Great! Swing by the manor when you get the chance then. One of Boss’ aranea should have a quest plaque for you. You can even do a bit of normal delving, if you want. The Boss has a lot of stuff to interest a delver.”
Olander looks uncomfortable once more when Teemo mentions a quest, but he’s not backing down. “I just might. I hear a lot about him, but I haven’t had a chance to delve yet. That won’t be a problem, right?”
Berdol shakes his head. “That’ll be fine. The Dungeoneers are pretty friendly with the local dungeons, so I can’t imagine you doing anything to change that. Heh, just take the time to read that booklet you got from Telar. Thedeim does a lot of things differently. If you’re used to belligerents, it’ll be a pretty significant shift.”
“I’ll do that, and probably stick around the guild to ask questions, too. There’s a lot of things I haven’t seen before.” He looks thoughtful as he and Berdol head inside the guild, and Teemo hops into a shortcut back home.
None too soon, honestly. Onyx has gotten through to Violet about how sewage isn’t delicious, but now she seems to be comparing the delvers to sewage. It’s in the nicest way possible, she likes them both, but Onyx could probably use a hand straightening that out.
Comments
AssumedPseudonym
We seriously need to have Slash playing something like that during the fight.
Vapa Man
With a whistle.
Vapa Man
All of the Scions, Adventures Guild, ODA, Mayor, Miller, Rhonda and Freddie and their spiders....lol
Raufgar
Well, better be careful with that, since the Delvers themselves have bacteria, inside and out. ...although it might be interesting to have a Bacterium Scion...
druidofthewolf
Our DM stopping it did count if you read what the Raven said he said that our DM had done a few miracles the stopping of the storm and Murphy law being the ones we know of
87894354
Thanks for the chapter. Minor typo: "Onyx has gotten through to Voilet about how sewage isn’t delicious" Voilet -> Violet
Ben Bass
TYFTC! Rocky Vs Olander I! This is going to be real great show, especially with Olander doing his homework and delving Thediem first to get a good feel of just how different a dungeon he is. Now how long before the concession stands start drawing people and we start getting regular events and maybe new residents. Imagine a 3 star restaurant in Thediem one day…
Cha0sniper
*Balrog's SF4 theme plays*
Cha0sniper
Wonder if they'll have Grim there in an actual referee's uniform xD
MattUDFells
Yeah, eye of the tiger is more of a training montage theme
MattUDFells
To be fair, once he's inspected Thediem, he probably won't need to stay under cover
MattUDFells
Yes, it's likely Orlander has to do this via the dungeoneers guild as they use a similar system to send reports to the main branch in the capital.
Timo Immig
There are ways to send Letters by magic as the peak trade routes has described.
Kia Vaderkit
Hummmm, tickets in the form of mini quests. Come see the fight of the century! Take up the quest at the manor. Only while supplies last!
Ch W
*Thedeim making restaurant kitchen blueprints. Subconsciously makes noises for pans crashing and handsaws cutting wood* Teemo tries to catch Boss's attention to stop the racket.
C
I'm hyped. So ready for the duel.
13L00D13ANE
Honestly id be hoping for Queen - rock you, but ill take whatever intro.
Ch W
I promise wordsmith, you can write the story how you want it, but... Anyone else imagine Grim "invited" to sit with the older townfolk during the match? They love him for being a great listener and secret-keeper so just gossip away about town events with him? Just me? 😂😂
Tiger88
I think Olander is going to be upset when he finds out that Thediem is going to invite everyone to the fight because then all the hard work he put into going under the radar will probably go up in smoke.
David Rusk
ROUND ONE! FIGHT!!!
David Rusk
All I have to say is…
Aerowarrier
Well this is gonna be a lot more coverage than Olander ever wanted. I kinda hope that with travel clearing up as winter ends, word of this bout is actually gonna spread across the country, drawing in other particularly strong delvers or parties to test their mettle against Rocky. A weird Fate dungeon is one thing, but a zombie scion that breaks all the rules and can put up a fight against arguably the most competent solo delver alive? That’ll draw in some people
Logos
Really looking forward to a fresh set of eyes delving Thedeim. And of course I can't wait for the boss fight, you just know that's going to be epic. In my mind's eye, Rocky looks like an undead version of Hitmonchan whereas Olander's more of an old, non-descript, greying Elf.
Timo Immig
I think Teemo should introduce Violet to the existance of Bacteria and how they are bad for Delvers. This might make Violet want to have the cleanest sewers. Maybe coda will have to renovate the sewer.
MattUDFells
Who's willing to bet that the next peek is the king getting an initial report from Orlander via the dungeoneers guild
Alex Turff
If TheDM stopping it didn't count, would creating it in the first place count?
NDF 07
I think you misunderstood the situation she is cleaning up the sewage and that gives her mana but this made her think of sewage as tasty so Onyx explained to her that thinking of it has just a source of income is better but violet is now comparing sewage and delvers because their both sources of mana what Thediem and Onyx are now trying to explain is that that comparison is wrong
Magnadra
"Quest plaque" yeah sure it will totaly not be a Poster advertising the fight. XD
MattUDFells
Maybe get his perspective while they are heading to the arena, that way we start with his thoughts on the inspection and end on his reaction to the arena itself.
LinaBoeckwurm
Oh I am loving Orlando! I am curious why he is that careful... I have some good guesses, but stupidly feel like there's more than that to it? Either way, would love his actual perspective, even just this surface level perspective from other people seeing him had been great!
LinaBoeckwurm
Ohhhh that is an amazing price idea!
Markell
Man I hope Tarl gets back in time only for him to be reel from the fact that his local dungeon has gone and made an exhibition out of one of the highest officials in the land.
Gregs_Crow
No it's tasty food
Austin Miller
A small rodent crawls onto a wooden platform at the side of the ring, tapping on a small metallic object at the center. An elemental drags itself to life beside the Rat Scion, attaching a strange string into the base of the device and into another, much larger, metallic box. Suddenly a voice rings out across the venue. "LET'S GET REAAAADY TO HUUUUMBLEE Some upstart elven inspector! In this corner, standing five foot four and carrying a polearm that is *clearly* overcompensating for something, the elder elver delver, the forceful pole and the crown's favorite lapdog, Olaaaaander!" "And in this corner, standing six foot seven and weighing in at 165 pounds - he is literally wasting away, folks - It's Roooockyyyyy! You know him, you love him and, if you're one of the sixty eight prior opponents he's ever had, you've seen him from the floor of the ring. The afterlife-avoidant affinity adept, the temperate terror, the igniting icer, the -" Teemo is immediately cut off by the opening of Eye of the Tiger as The Stag sets off a light show in the background and Rocky is seen shadowboxing as he enters the ring.
Orion Belt
Not the divine intervention it happened before he became a god
Durphymcbob
Risin' up, back on the street!
Durphymcbob
Does it count as the great act of magic in his name or the divine intervention (as Thedium who is now a god stopped it)
Anthony Felscher
I wanna see his mind get blown when slash starts playing entrance music
Steven Bartels
My attempt to try explaining to Violet. Okay Violet, it's like this. Sewage is a bunch dead stuff full of tiny invisible living creatures that eat it and break it up and help it decay. When living things like delvers encounter it the dead stuff can poison them and the creatures that help it decay can try to eat them from the inside out. Because of this danger the smell, which is like tasting the bits of something that gets in the air, warns their instincts to stay away from the sewage or other decaying things by making them think it's gross and not tasty. If you can decay the sewage correctly you can make it stop being dangerous and gross to the delvers as well as making it into potentially useful materials. Until you do that or get rid or it they won't want to be near it.
chris Bell
Slash will take care of that I'm sure and buff them both for a more epic fight
druidofthewolf
The quartermaster making the Storm counts. In fact Hall break is not missing much to become one from the requirements we know of
David Gilbert
Ahhhhhhhhhh so good can't wait! Also violet wow.
Ch W
Exhibition match!!! Yes rip off the secrecy shroud. I wanna see some gray -hair and -fur townfolk in the stands, hear them tsk'ing at the moves and armor, and FEEL them judging the match 😆😆😆
Durphymcbob
Still needs a great work of magic in his name ans Divine interfernce, (Does flufffles stioping the storm count for that?)
Elain C. Moria
I see a kings auditor about to get his legs handed to him with a zombie smile.
Ethan Barrow
TFTC!! I am really looking forward to these next few chapters!
Brandon C
Delvers are sewage! XD No, sewage is useful.
Jacob
Gotta have proper boss music. But I also wanna see him encounter Fluffles and see what some scary power is like.
blaze87b
Next week cannot come soon enough
Henry Zeringue
I just realized that we might have a dungeon pantheon on our hands! With Hullbreak having a temple being constructed
Durphymcbob
Enchanted champions belt anyone?
chris Bell
Prize fight prize fight prize fight
Typhoonator
Oh dear, Teemo won't be happy about having to go near the sewers
Herakilla
Thanks for the chapter! I feel like onyx is going to turn into a much of a mentor to Violet as Thedeim is!
Durphymcbob
Thanks for the Chapter! Proper prize fight! The town coming together with the dungeon to watch a fight between the local dungeons "strongest Boss" Scion and a challange feels like a very fitting way to explain what thedium is, Yes you will fight in hima nd yes their will be challange but its not suppose to be live threating its suppose to be fun a nice spar and some training. Or as its been said It's the eye of the tiger, it's the thrill of the fight Risin' up to the challenge of our rival!
