Tiny Dungeon

Valaterra Unok’Davaas, The Playground of the Gods, looked upon his shattered realm with mixed feelings. The Delvers were gone with most having been slain by his creatures, creatures that even now were glowing with the light of evolution. He had had little time to process what had happened during the tiny war that had been conducted within his halls.

Now that he was no longer in reaction mode all of the notifications began rolling in and he was quickly overwhelmed. He banished them all for the time being and simply breathed. He felt the Aether twist and roil as it moved through the gaping hole in his walls and he figured that would be a good place to start. Looking at the devastation he figured now would be a good time to make some improvements.

But that would have to happen later. He used his Aether to plug the holes with stone and then removed the leftover debris. Then he gingerly opened his notifications back up but restricted it to his creatures. He knew how hard holding off Evolution was and he wanted to make sure they were taken care of. They certainly deserved it.

Your “House Mouse” is ready to evolve!

Please choose from among the following evolutions:

Mouse Guard (Unique - Uncommon)

A house mouse following in the pawsteps of its kin. Where one treads another may follow. This mouse has embraced the calling of Ile’fen as guardian and warrior. Crafted by the Spirit of Conflict, this evolutionary path paves a way forward to even higher heights.

Hoarder Mouse (Common)

Laying aside its mundane nature this mouse has evolved to better notice valuable objects. When gathered and placed into its nest these objects provide the mouse a small amount of excess Aether. These beasts need not ever fight again, content to steal and pilfer to fuel further evolutions.

Other-Touched Mouse (Uncommon)

A rare sight outside the Other, this mouse is rather common in the realm of the Fae. While it might be considered prey in that Otherworld these large mice can be a plague once in the mortal world. Having been Touched these mice carry a piece of the Other with them and it manifests as a variety of different effects too numerous to count but always in their favor.

Seven mice had not only survived the attack on their strongholds by the invaders but had actually killed some of them. A single kill was apparently all it took. And the fruits of it were clear to see. The invaders they had killed were something called Fae or perhaps kin to them. Regardless, Valterra chose that option and moved on. He would not let their devotion go to waste.

Your “Iridescent Ground Beetle” is ready to evolve!

Please choose from among the following evolutions:

Radiant Ground Beetle (Common)

Aether has transformed this humble beetle. Its carapace now shines brilliantly upon command giving this beetle the ability to blind predators and prey in equal measure.

Aetherflight Beetle (Common)

With wings now empowered by Aether, this beetle is now capable of true flight rather than short hops. Laying aside its terrestrial life this beetle now lives more in the air than it does upon the ground.

Armored Ground Beetle (Common)

Giving up its beautiful outer shell for one that is uglier but sturdier this beetle is prepared to survive. Remaining upon the ground this beetle is now too large and heavy to fly, its wings are now only useful for a controlled fall if it falls at all.

There were quite a few beetles that had been in and around the fighting that had survived after getting a few nips in. As a creature without a rarity, it was ludicrously easy for them to reach their Evolution threshold. He chose a few from each option and moved on. He would see what they became down the road now that they had a little Aether in them.

Your “Guard Mouse” is ready to evolve!

Please choose from among the following evolutions:

Mouse Soldier (Unique - Uncommon)

A path for the mouse that has dismissed the path of leadership. This mouse lays aside those trappings to dedicate themself to the way of war and discipline. These mice are loyal and steadfast, elevated from simple guard mice to fearsome combatants. Wielding all manner of weaponry these mice are heads and tails above their former occupation.

Mouse Other-Mage (Unique - Rare)

A mouse touched by foreign fae magic, this creature has now absorbed and can use the magic of its enemies. Eschewing the physical weapons of its kinbeasts, this mouse has new weapons it must learn how to wield. Dedicated to serving the Dungeon, this mouse now wields the invaders’ magic to do it.

Mouse Berserker (Unique - Exotic)

Giving up all future potential this mouse has chosen the path of everlasting war, wrath, and ruin. Able to enter a battle rage at any moment this mouse is a powerhouse fighter, willing and able to shrug off the worst of hits and deal them back two-fold. Wielding fearsome claws and growing armor-like fur this mouse is a walking-squeaking terror on the battlefield.

Valterra looked over the options excitedly. Quite a few of the mouse guards stationed in the large fortress he had made for them had accumulated enough Aether to evolve. Two of the options were the same but he was excited to see a magical option present. It was in place of another leader but Valterra didn’t mind.

He had the Schema for the Mouse Captain already. If he felt his creatures needed more on-the-ground leadership then he would give it to them. The majority of the mice in the fortress he chose to make Mouse Soldiers. He needed true fighters and not just guards. To that end, he also chose five mice to become Berserkers. They wouldn’t be able to advance further but they would be powerful combatants for him to unleash on invaders. He was looking forward to it.

As much as he loved the idea of magic mice he only chose to make three of the mice into Mouse Other-Mages. He wasn’t comfortable having new magic around and figured that he could add more once these mice had fully matured and he was sure of what he was dealing with. With the mice out of the way, he moved on.

Your “Hunting Pack-Mantis” is ready to evolve!

Please choose from among the following evolutions:

Pack-Leader Mantis (Uncommon)

Evolved from the Hunting Pack-Mantis, this insect has evolved to lead the pack. Its instincts are primitive but effective in guiding its lesser brethren to better hunting grounds. Larger and fiercer than its prior form, this bug is a natural killer and lethal to those who run afoul of it and its pack.

Cinder-Spark Mantis (Uncommon)

Evolved from the Hunting Pack-Mantis, this insect has been subject to intense heat or flame and has survived to tell the tale. It has now incorporated the Elemental Affinity of Fire into its body. Now consumed by flame this insect cannot live without it, needing constant access to its affinity often causing it to start small fires in order to survive.

Mantis Recluse (Uncommon)

Evolved from the Hunting Pack-Mantis, this insect has evolved to be self-sufficient. Rather than grow larger or develop powers the Recluse becomes stronger, faster, and more deadly for its size. To all appearances, it is just a Hunting Pack-Mantis that has lost its pack leading possible predators to become prey. It is also capable of imitating its lesser kin and will even hunt with them, only to turn around and take the kill for itself and refuse to share.

Valterra found the options fascinating. Only three had survived the combat with the fae and he was tempted to just make them all Cinder-Spark Mantis’s and move on but he forced himself to choose the least aggressive of the survivors to be a Recluse. He had learned the error of not having answers to threats. Each additional choice allowed him more options in the future. Once the Recluse had evolved he would have access to the Schema and he could sow them across his Dungeon like hidden vipers for invaders to stumble across.

Finished he turned and looked at the remaining glowing lights and sighed. He still had much to do.