Khenal
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Chapter Two-Hundred Eight
🕑 Added 2023-11-21 03:11:25 +0000 UTCIt’s a little disorientating to be able to watch the large group near the Southwood’s borders from the outside and from inside. Teemo, Slash, Leo, and Fluffles have more-or-less the same view. Honey is currently up in the air, getting a good vantage, while Nova’s current view is mostly rock. The disorientating part is watching through Rocky and seeing everyone approach. That looks like a lot more than it is.
It’s probably just the quiet of the Southwood making the group seem so much bigger than it is. Rocky glances over at the Stag occasionally, who looks even more serious than usual. My boxer has some complex feelings about the other scion, but the details are hard to pick out. At least it’s easy to see he doesn’t dislike the big elk.
The adventurers with the group are looking in pretty high spirits, and more than a few point at the Stag as they approach. He does cut a pretty regal figure. He looks a bit uncomfortable as he sees how many scions I’ve sent, but he doesn’t get a chance to ask about them before Teemo speaks up.
“Stag! We brought some reinforcements!” declares my Voice with a wide grin, earning some chuckles from the gathered adventurers.
“...Indeed you have. And delvers, too?”
Teemo nods at that and waves at the various people gathered. “The local guild wanted to have a better hand in rooting out that problem dungeon. They want to spend a day or so to resupply by delving, before they head into the hole and get exploring. That’s fine, right?”
The Stag slowly nods. “Yes, that should be fine. My Lord would appreciate the mana they would give for that.”
Teemo nods and looks to Yvonne, Aelara, and Ragnar. “You heard the guy. Go ahead and get ready. The Southwood probably wants some details and to talk to the Boss some about what happened.”
The party nods at that and waves as the other adventurers head into the Southwood, looking around at the forest that looks more like it’s early fall, rather than solidly winter.
My scions gather before the Stag, waiting for him to decide what to do. He looks more and more concerned as he looks over my representatives, before he turns and motions for them to follow. “Come. We should discuss matters with a bit more privacy.”
My scions easily fall in line behind him, and it only takes a few minutes before Teemo speaks up with a concern I’m trying to ignore.
“Is everything alright?”
The stag winces at the sound of Teemo’s voice, but doesn’t look back as he continues to lead everyone deeper. “My Lord might ask the same question. You’ve committed all your scions to this? Are you not worried about reprisals or attacks from other rivals?”
Teemo looks at the gathered scions and slowly shakes his head. I think it’s time to put our cards on the table, Teemo. At least the ones about my scions. “This isn’t even half of the Boss’ scions.”
That statement gets the Stag to stumble and turn around, shock on his face as his disbelief wars with what he sees before him. “You, the Warden, the Librarian…” he pauses to look at the others, and I’m pretty sure he’s peeking at their statuses. His eyes widen when he looks at Fluffles, but he continues. “...the Bard, the Conduit, and the wyrm. These aren’t even half your scions?”
Teemo shakes his head. “There’s also the Guardian, the Marshal, the Purifier, The Alchemist, the Architect, the Groundsreaper, and the Enchanter.” Teemo pauses and counts in his head, and I’m pretty sure we’re missing one. Oh, duh. Teemo smacks his forehead and points at Rocky. “And we can’t forget the Savant! I guess that does technically mean half of the Boss’s scions are here, though.”
The Stag looks a bit overwhelmed, but doesn’t try to argue as he resumes guiding everyone. “How grand is your lord to be able to field so many?”
Teemo chuckles at that. “I’m pretty sure you have him beat in raw acreage, even if we pulled all the underground stuff to spread on the surface. He runs things different than the other dungeons we’ve met. It probably helps that his main entrance is smack dab in the middle of Fourdock, though. Easy access to delvers.”
The stag nods at that and turns his head slightly to eye everyone, though he pauses on Fluffles for a few moments before continuing. “And how does he run things? My Lord has heard of a protege and a vassal?”
“Yeah, Violet and Hullbreak. I dunno how much you know about Hullbreak, but the Boss vassalized him a couple months ago. He was starving and one of his dwellers asked for help. It was a bit of a thing, but now Hullbreak is back to letting people delve and his dwellers are learning to stand on their own feet… or swim with their own fins?” Teemo shrugs before continuing.
“Violet is basically a baby, only having her first real expansion like a month ago or so? The Boss has been helping her out, to learn a few of his methods and such. The ODA classified her a toybox not long ago, actually.”
The Stag gives Teemo another confused look. “ODA?”
Teemo laughs and nods. “The Office of Dungeon Affairs. That’s what he called them before he learned they were called the Dungeoneer’s Guild. He still calls them the ODA most of the time.”
The Stag seems to accept that, or at least doesn’t try to argue as he resumes leading the way. As they all continue walking, Rocky falls back a little to grunt at Teemo, who’s currently riding on Slash’s shoulder.
“Oh? Rocky says you’d like to transfer a couple residents to the Boss as thanks?”
The Stag stiffens for a moment before nodding. He doesn’t look back, nor slow, as he speaks. “Yes, as a small token of my Lord’s appreciation. One of the illusion foxes has expressed interest, and there is a current of curiosity among many of the other denizens.”
A fox spawner would be really cool, but I should probably wait until I expand into the forest beyond the cemetery to make sure I’ll have room.
“The Boss isn’t against it, but he’ll need to expand again to have room.” Teemo eyes Rocky before continuing. “After Rocky and the denizens rotate out and bring that mana back, he might have enough, too.”
“Truly?”
Teemo shrugs, and I would too, if I could. I can tell Rocky has a lot of mana, and I can also tell it’ll be expensive to claim the woods outside. My gut says I’ll need a bit more than just what Rocky and the returning denizens will give, but if the new entrance to the labyrinth pans out like I hope it does, it shouldn’t take too long.
“Maybe? The Boss still doesn’t have a hard understanding of the numbers involved, but it’ll be close.” He snorts at an idea I have. “He might have any new fox scion be his accountant to help plan his budget.”
The Stag shakes his head at that. “I won’t presume to tell him what to do, but I believe he’s been doing well enough without one so far. We’re almost here,” he finishes, nodding at a clearing through the trees, where a yellow light can be seen.
Teemo’s eyes widen, as well as all the eyes of my scions that have them. “Is that where the Southwood’s core is?”
The Stag nods solemnly. “It is. Only a rare few have beheld my Lord’s glory, but this is a matter that demands it.” My scions quietly follow, and I try to look and listen through them as much as I can. I don’t know exactly what’s going on, but at least the Stag doesn’t seem inclined to keep me hanging for long.
In the clearing, it looks more like the middle of spring, with a thick carpet of flowers covering the ground. A small spring rests in the middle of the clearing, a steady trickle of clear water seeping from a small rise to pool in a clear pond. In the center of the pond, just above the surface, floats the core of the Southwood.
It’s a large and thick hexagonal crystal, tapered at both ends and looking like something straight out of a final fantasy game. The yellow crystal is semi-transparent, reflecting and refracting the surroundings in its depths as it slowly rotates. It must be close to eight feet tall and probably three feet across. Teemo gives a low whistle, impressed at the scene, earning a small smile from the stag as he moves to stand in the shallows, not too far from the crystal, then speaks.
“My Lord has had much to consider since you first came to lend your aid, lord Thedeim. Your methods were confusing at first… and are confusing even now, yet my Lord has gained some understanding of your intentions. Bringing the delvers was the last clue for him to come to understand you. You are a natural symbiont, seeking to grow and prosper together, like the leaf-cutter ants and their fungi. Yet your reach is much further, like an entire ecosystem.
“You integrate and adapt, seeking a balance. Some new species must be culled to allow the rest to flourish, but you seem to have successfully integrated more variety than my Lord could have dreamed. He would ask to be part of your pack, of your herd, of your forest. He has prospered in his isolation, but if not for your efforts, the Harbinger and its unnatural plague would have claimed him and feasted on his corpse. My Lord would swear fealty to you, lord Thedeim.”
Accept vassal? Y/N?
I stare at the notification, uncertain what to do. I mean… he’s not wrong about the trouble he’d be in, but I’m not really looking to conquer. Can I make him a protege?
Release Current Protege? Y/N?
Nope, no, nu-uh, no way, negative! Come on, work with me here! There’s gotta be something like a partnership? The notification seems to come slowly, less of reluctance and more from disuse. I can practically see the dust on it and hear the squeaking of pulleys that need oil as it comes up. I get the feeling I should ask Aranya about this when I get the chance. For now, I look at it and consider.
Forge Alliance? Y/N
Comments
Eriach
Thedeim's underground expansion could eventually link the two territories together if not than through underground and above ground caravans between the enclaves.
Raufgar
Indeed.
Raufgar
Undoubtedly, that's what it is. Still, I hope it isn't a Rule Of Two thing...
Blue Trooper
Perhaps this is more akin to a wardship? Teaching. Caring. Preparing.
Andar Drethnok
I was hoping there was an official alliance system in place. Having Southwood become a vassal wouldn't sit right with me, it made sense to do it with Hullbreak as he was very uncooperative and in dire need of a swift kick in the metaphorical pants. Southwood is self-sustaining and fits better with an alliance than becoming a vassal. I wonder what benefits come with an alliance over vassals and proteges.
SpagettiSuppeee
Yes, i love that mental image
Ethan Barrow
Thanks for the chapter!
Altaan
Elf Guy and his apprentice! Wonder if all dungeon will start calling them the ODA?
LinaBoeckwurm
Either way, loved the chapter as always. Freak I love this world, and I love speculating about it, even if I am often wrong XD
LinaBoeckwurm
Hehehe. Friendship is probably a rare offer in this world between dungeons. Southwood is probably going to be so confused: they were ready to submit and surrender to Thedium, but instead they are going to be allowed to be on equal level! I wonder if Hullbreak will also be allowed to "upgrade" to ally eventually, instead of a Vassal. I have a feeling that Thedium would prefer that...
When Tarl hears about this alliance he's going to have a stroke lmao.
Meepers Jeepers
Well illusion affinity can create sound so maybe it could learn to speak
Markell
I kind of like the idea of the dungeons being limited to one protege at a time. It’s shows it’s not just about being an instructor but a somebody that is responsible for the constant care, well-being and nurturing of a being until they’re ready to stand on their own two feet. Like a guardian.
Raufgar
Ooooh, thanks for the chapter~! Wonderful, we have an alliance! Go make more friends! Also, looks like you can only have 1 Protégé at a time. Feels kinda limiting, I mean I'd go nurture as many as possible then make them allies.
Emma Baker
Can’t wait for the future issue of Delver’s Digest once they hear about the alliance and likely hear about the transportation shortcuts between Fourdock and Southwood through the Adventurers. I can see it now. “The Four Dungeons of Fourdock: Fourdungeon. Devlers get to pick between the Two Cooperative and Two Toybox Dungeons, all unique and constantly evolving. Diving has never been better with the easy access to a variety of environments from the city to coastal waters, from the deep caverns to lush forests. Visit the four dungeons of Fourdock using the Fourdock Transportation Network for quick, comfy travel between delves. These dungeons are great for Delvers young and old. Book your next merchant caravan to Fourdock or check them out next time you’re in the area.”
87894354
Perhaps it'll help with logistics? Perhaps denizens / scions that receive mana from an expedition (like Rocky had done) won't have to return to their home dungeon in order to provide the mana, and could instead drop it off at an allied dungeon. Or perhaps denizens / scions could be temporarily reassigned to an allied dungeon, meaning that they would be able to respawn at the allied dungeon (instead of having to respawn at Fourdock and spend days travelling to the Southwood). Alternatively, perhaps it would massively improve communication / coordination so that they can better organise joint operations.
Tsume Eiranis
This is a great chapter. Love how it all falls together.
Herakilla
Thanks for the chapter! Culture shock is one of my favorite things to read! Plus the way you described Thedeim discovering a long forgotten alliance function in the system was brilliant!
Kebbitevoke -
I wonder if the alliance option has been used ever, or if it has been a long time since it was last used
Demonlord
Thanks for the awesome chapter 😊
Nathan Linder
Well it's not a voice, so probably nothing.
Robinn57
Yeah My prediction is coming true. He's getting a fox soon. Now the next question is... What does the fox say?
Munirah Hutchinson
Gang gang! Alliance time! Booyah! This is so great. I'm glad someone in works has a similar observation about our dungeon boy
Speedsaber
I wonder if this would lead to The DM's core being shown to the stag. It would be interesting getting another dungeons outlook on what his core is like. That being said maybe thedm gives southwood the Maws territory if or when it gets crushed.
These Chapters are an amazing part of my day, i Love this story cant wait for more.
Michael Moreno
This chapter was/is very satisfying!
Steven Bartels
Yessss!
P Dp
An Alliance huh? That is interesting. I believe that implies equals that will help when need arise. I wonder how the Dungoen system will facilitate that?
The Fire Piper
Nice!
Fantastic chapter!
