Chapter Sixty-Five: New Ways of Thinking
I only half pay attention to what the lady tells the kids, though I do at least catch that her name is Telar. I kinda already know the basics of dungeons just from experience, and from how Elf Guy behaved in those early inspections: beat up a few things, gather a few things, take a look around thats about it.
Its difficult to pay too much attention over there when the terrible trio are making unexpected progress in the gauntlet. They still havent figured out how to do the salmon ladder properly, but they seem to have an idea that will probably work in theory, at least. Theyre formulating and practicing in their cell area right now.
Do you two have any better ideas? asks Vnarl, though without the usual snarl. Hark shakes his head, and Mlynda just sighs.
I know theres more to it than just a bar. It goes into the wall weirdly. I just cant figure out what it does, she says, and Vnarl just shrugs.
If you figure it out, maybe well try something else, but this is our best bet right now. The halfling wants to argue, but she knows she doesnt have any other ideas at the moment. Hark is looking more relaxed than the first day they were all put in here. Hes probably glad mommy and daddy arent fighting as much anymore.
He carefully positions his feet and almost takes a low horse stance, then nods at Vnarl. Well, lets get to work. Once we can do this on normal ground, we can try doing it on that bar.This chapter's initial release occurred on the n0vell--Bjjn site.
The troll nods and climbs onto the elfs shoulders and takes a similar squatting stance. The two look really unstable, and Hark has to adjust his feet a couple times before he stabilizes. Vnarl is still a bit wobbly, though. They decide thats good enough for the moment, and he motions for Mlynda to climb up. She still doesnt look like she likes this plan, but she climbs her two party-members and squats on Vnarls shoulders.
The trio compares notes, starting with Hark, as they all try to keep their little pyramid/tower going. I think getting Vnarl into position is going to be the big hurdle. The troll glowers a bit, but grudgingly nods.
The next couple hours, I just busy myself with working on the public gauntlet. People could probably run it now, but I want to get a bit of polish first. Its looking pretty rough right now. The aranea have been pretty interested in it lately, too. They havent given any quests for it yet, but they have woven a few large pads and placed them around the platforms. I need to figure out some kind of water-proofing if I dont want them having to constantly replace the things. Maybe Queen can do something? Or Thing? I poke them both with ideas, and suggest they look at the library for more. Honey has finally cataloged everything, and has been wanting to send expeditions to get more books, but I havent let her. I dont need her to go and steal a library. Im hoping I can get Telar to get me a line to a book dealer eventually.
Not right now, though. Looks like shes done teaching the basics, so the kids are ready to go take a look at the little dungeon. A couple of the ratkin are going with them, so at least nothing nasty in the tunnels should be able to surprise them.
Elsewhere
Giants stalk at the bounds of perception. The soft invaders could be crushed underfoot of the titans that lurk outside. The master of the fungus and centipedes is wary. Its vulnerable. But how can it hide better? Its already hidden behind many caps, what else can it do?
The giants are content to lurk no longer. The first enters, and it towers over everything. It is green and has a wide mushroom cap. Could it actually be friendly? Mushrooms are good. What follows the enormous mushroom is definitely not a mushroom. While it is also green, it has no cap, and it towers over the walking mushroom.
It rumbles, and the walking mushroom rumbles back. Uncertain, the master of fungus and centipede sends a wave of defenders to stop the intruders. They dont feel like an existential threat like the invaders, but they should still be driven back.
The centipedes answer the call and move to assault the titans, but they are destroyed by ice. The master gets a lot of energy from that, and so starts to send waves of valiant centipedes to assault the intruders. They only rumble at each other as they walk around inside, and its not long until the titanic walking mushroom finds the shard of purple. It was plucking its smaller kin and happened upon the fragment.
It rumbles and the not-mushroom comes and looks. In desperation, the master sends all its forces, but to no avail. However, the two dont harm the shard. With the energy gained, it regrows the mushrooms hiding itself, and the outsiders leave it alone and leave.
What are those enormous outsiders? The master is stronger after their visit. It must strengthen its denizens. Stronger mushrooms, stronger centipedes. Should it kill the invaders, if they return? The fragment is much stronger after their visit, so should it try to get them to return many times? Mushrooms use outsiders to spread their spores without needing to kill. Can the master gain from the outsiders without destroying them? Are they truly friends? But only fungus and centipede are friends right?
