Chapter Twenty-One: Preparing Defenses
Call me 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 come collect the thing, once Im satisfied Jello is done chewing on it. Aranya and the kids have a bit of story time while that happens, too. Im bad with names and dates, though, so I mostly just pay attention to see if theres anything to give me 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 comes 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 someone whos seen pictures and heard lectures on this kind of thing. The other two immediately 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 some from other sources deeper in the tunnels, but I think that other dungeon sent this.
Well, I was hoping it wouldnt come 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 me. 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 something 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.L1tLagoon witnessed the first publication of this chapter on Ñøv€l--B1n.
Can you take me 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 come 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 same. 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 meeting 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.
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 mess with me. 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 some of the roaches, too, and tried to find a spider for me 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 memory. We didnt know to look up at the time, 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 tamed one without even knowing it was there!
Freddie smiles at the memory, 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 home, 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 somehow 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 some tea.
Well, youre some 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 amusement is gone from her face as she sees the skeletal hand in the rag.
She composes herself quickly, though, and grabs some 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.
