Chapter One-Hundred Fifty-Three

Chapter One-Hundred Fifty-Three

Just because theres technically no snow on the ground right this moment, doesnt mean its not cold outside. Early delvers are pretty sparse, mostly just the miners with their escort heading down the access shaft. Theres a few on the ground and in the manor, but not much else. The catacombs are mostly empty right now, too. I think most of the Shield people are turning their focus on more spiritual than physical pursuits with winter here.

There is one big exception to this, as I notice a certain elf step through the gates and get greeted with the traditional clamor of caws. I smile to myself as I spot Tarl, looking like hes here on official business. Hopefully not too official, I dont want to need to recall Teemo already. He seems to be in the middle of making a shortcut, and deep in thought besides.

It doesnt look like Ill need him, though, as the elf simply gives the birds an exaggerated scowl before shaking his head with a smile and taking a look at the noticeboard.

Hey Fluffles, would you go greet him, please?

My wingnoodle nods and makes his way up from the tunnels, moving at a quick but not rushed pace. I think he just likes zipping through them at speed, makes me think of riding a roller coaster. He makes his exit via the cave mouth and lazily glides to Tarl, who watches his descent with vague interest.

No Teemo? he asks, curious, but not concerned.

Fluffles shakes his head and motions for Tarl to follow, and the elf comfortably falls in behind him. I dont bother sending any encounters, though he does notice the hands. He pulls out his little recording stone and talks as he follows.

Appears crawling hand spawner has been upgraded, can see arcane hands in the manor. No change in hostility. Without the Voice present to confirm, would speculate they are to be a new challenge to broaden the experience of new delvers. Lightning resist potions unlikely to be the only way to protect from magic anymore.

He glances to Fluffles for any other input, but my noodle simply nods once more. Tarl accepts that and continues making notes.

Currently following Conduit, Voice is apparently indisposed at the moment. Likely being taken to something that will shed light.

Fluffles leads him down to the public war room, and Tarl looks surprised at how much bigger it is than the last time he looked at it. Public map is greatly expanded and detailed since last inspection.The debut release of this chapter happened at Ñøv€l-B1n.

Fluffles gets his attention before he can go into much detail for the stone, and points at Teemo, out on expedition. Tarls eyes follow the tail tip as Fluffles shows him the route, and he speaks as he watches.

Voice appears to be on expedition towards the Southwood. Thedeim appears to be making good on his word to contact and potentially provide support. He pauses and squints at the map for a moment. Appears Warden and Librarian are checking the route while the Voice solidifies it with shortcuts. Odd Thedeim has marked several small locations as territory, but they cant be actually part of him right? He looks to Fluffles, apparently not willing to bet against me finding some way to claim those little spots. Fluffles shakes his head, and Tarl sighs in relief before continuing.

Conduit confirms locations not officially claimed. Appear to be designated resting and possibly planning locations once Thedeim starts sending actual support to the Southwood. His eyes follow Fluffles tail as he points out my new expansion.

Ah, it appears Thedeim has expanded again. Map dubs the area lava tubes. He lowers the rock for a moment before addressing Fluffles. Will I need specialty gear to delve?

Fluffles shakes his head, but does point at the volcanic area past the tubes. Tarl considers that for a moment before nodding and bringing the stone back up. Territory doesnt require specialty gear, but is in close proximity to more active volcanism. Preliminary estimate that the far reaches of the tubes be avoided, but nearer portions should be fine. Will inspect with caution.

As he makes his notes, I can feel Violet asking if she could test Tarl. Feels like her gremlin might want to follow in Rockys footsteps to be a boss. I do my best to gently dissuade her from that, at least for the moment. Her gremlin being a fighter is fine, but Tarl is strong enough that I dont think shed gain much from fighting him. She could probably test the kids the next time they show up, though.

She seems to accept that, and soon Tarl heads out with Fluffles to see the tubes. He immediately pulls out the stone once they enter them. Fresh expansion, likely in the last day or two. Appear to be volcanic tubes of some variety, hence the designation on the map. Little actual volcanic activity apparent, judging by some very basic herbalism nodes, he notes as they walk. He stops as he spots one of the ant nests.

Interesting. Cinder ants. Speculate Thedeim will lean heavily into them, but too early to tell just yet. Only single small nest observed yet. Will continue inspection. He notes a few more nests before he notices one of my new metal nodes. He brings the stone up slowly, as if sudden movement will somehow scare the node off.

Mythril node, he says solemnly, as if thats all that needs to be said. I have Fluffles take him to an orichalcum node, too, and he just glares at my conduit once he spots the node.

And orichalcum?! He sighs and pulls out the stone. Orichalcum node, too. At least that explains why the cinder ants. Thediem appears to be preparing to lean heavily into more advanced metals production, which means the local mining, smelting, and smithing guilds will be able to, too.

He lowers the stone and gives Fluffles a flat look. Whats the new denizen, then? And I can only assume scion, too. Hes not going to just give this away for free.

Fluffles manages a smirk and motions for Tarl to follow, and leads him to the wyrm den. Tarl furrows his brows as he spots the hole in the wall, but it seems to take him a little longer than usual to figure out what hes looking at. Once he does, he gives a short bark of a laugh, before bringing up the stone.

Wyrm den in lava tubes, magma affinity, looks like. Will need proper protection to challenge for the new nodes. He pauses to think. Will need to confirm new invader. With rare metal nodes, invaders could be danger to delvers.

Fluffles nods to that and leads Tarl deeper into the tubes, where he can see the wyrms, or at least the signs of their passage. He also spots a smear of soot on a wall, a sign of a piece of a fire elemental, and I see him frown at it as he stops. He seems to glare at it for a few moments, until Fluffles hisses to get his attention to keep following.

After a few more smears of soot, Tarl sighs and pull out the stone. Signs of fire elemental invaders. Attempting to confirm, he says, sounding very unhappy about it.

Fluffles tilts his head in curiosity, and conveys a bit of concern, too. Tarl waves him off and motions for him to keep leading. No, theyre nothing actually concerning. I just dont like them. They move all wrong, he says, suppressing a shudder. At least Im not the only one that doesnt like them.

I help steer Fluffles towards one making its way up an adjacent tube, and I even see Nova stalking it. I gently nudge her to not get it just yet, and do my best to get the idea of a guest though the bond to her. The idea seems to be a bit confusing to her, but she accepts the direction.

In the tube, Fluffles grabs the elemental with his telekinesis, not needing to worry about how hot it is since hes not actually touching it. Tarl eyes the floating blob warily as he speaks into the stone once more. Fire elemental invaders confirmed. Shallow depths in the tubes may not need proper fire protection, but deeper will.

His note done, I let Nova know she can eat the invader if she likes, which she does with gusto. Tarl shouts in surprise, losing grip of his recording stone as Nova bursts from the ceiling and eats the elemental in a single bite, before diving through the bottom of the tunnel.

Fluffles hisses in laughter at Tarls undignified response to my newest scion, and levitates the lost stone to the elf. He glares at my noodle, but his voice is the epitome of professionalism as he speaks into the stone.

Wyrm Scion confirmed.