Tiny Dungeon

Valterra watched as the last of his Mouse Berserkers fell unconscious. He was a little upset that his entire castle had failed to do more than bruise the Delvers but he was pleased at the efforts of some of his more evolved creatures. The berserkers and the mages in particular were a bright spot.

The mages had done their jobs well but it was clear that they had just started to learn the ins and outs of their evolution. His berserkers likewise had just woken up and even then they were able to match the Delvers in endurance at least.

He let his Awareness move in on the Delvers and saw them stiffen as they felt him draw near. He was interested in how that worked exactly but now wasn’t the time. He was extremely close to evolving and needed to know what the Delvers were intending to do. Would they climb higher to experience everything he had to offer? Or would they quit now having seen over half of his Floors?

“I see you all have been experiencing the hospitality of my mice,” he said with a chuckle. Natalia gave a strained chuckle herself before looking around at the devastated fortress. Blows from the Delvers had shattered some of the defenses and unconscious mice were strewn all over the place.

“Yeah, they gave us a warm welcome.”

Valterra hummed at that before speaking on the reason he had come. “While I am pleased you have been enjoying my Dungeon I believe it's time for a conversation. I am interested in knowing how it differs from others you might have faced in the past. I have a few memories from my father but not many of them include other Dungeons.”

Natalia’s mouth opened and closed a few times before she spoke again. “You have the memories of my grandfather?”

It was interesting that that was what her mind went to. “Many from when he was younger but very few from when he was older. They are more like moving pictures seen from his eyes. There is sound and I can hear what people say but what he was thinking at the time is muted.” Valterra made a noncommittal noise to indicate he didn’t know what else to say.

“So about my Dungeon?”

Natalia shook herself and he thought she would speak before it seemed she caught herself and motioned to the mage beside her. “This is Boris, our Battle Mage and my cousin. I’m sure he has been taking some notes. I’ve been a bit distracted.”

As Valterra turned his attention to the mage he noticed the looks the others were giving Natalia. Apparently, something was going on since they seemed rather concerned. Once his attention was fully on the mage the man began to speak.

“For starters, your situation is rather unique. I don’t think any other Dungeon has started inside a house before. Some have taken over abandoned ruins or fortifications but that isn’t really the same thing. Then there is the size of your creature base. I doubt any other Dungeon in the surrounding area comes close to having such a wide variety of high-ranking small creatures.”

“Usually they start with one or two different types and use them to bring down larger prey before devouring them and shifting to larger and larger creatures.” The mage took a deep breath and then continued. “As far as the actual setup of your Dungeon, the first three Floors were decent. The first two are a bloodbath but that’s actually not super unique to you. Most Dungeons set up a large arena Floor of sorts where their creatures can fight amongst themselves for the right to descend to lower Floors.”

“The difference here is actually the size difference. While rather large for your creatures, the first two Floors are rather small for a normal Dungeon and your lower Floors are certainly a lot smaller, perhaps with the exception of the Fourth.”

Boris then winced looking around at the fortress and then past it to what he could see beyond. “The main issue I can see is with your Aether distribution. I can’t claim to know much about how Dungeons work but normally the Aether streams are much more uniform in nature. Yours are convoluted and a lot is lost on the way creating pockets of Aether density that are stronger than they should be.”

Valterra cut in as the mage paused to breathe. “I appreciate your words Boris and the Aether situation is one that I am aiming to fix. Much of the issue has to do with how I first started building my Dungeon when I was not yet Sapient. I am glad my Dungeon does not fall too far behind the other Dungeons in your eyes.”

He sighed before focusing on them again. “Now we come to the bigger question. What do you plan on doing now that you have discovered me? I know through the memories I have received that there is a Delver’s Society somewhere south and that you all are probably involved. “Will you reveal me to your authorities?”

Natalia sighed and his gaze fell on her. “I already suspected Dungeon activity so the Delver’s Society already knows something is here. We could return without saying anything but it wouldn’t take long before enterprising parties made their way north. The Sylcyne forest is dangerous but not so much that people wouldn’t risk it.”

She shrugged. “There is a reward for anyone who finds a new Dungeon without claiming it. Once it is reported the Society either sends someone to judge the nature of the Dungeon or the nobles catch wind of it and hire a Delving party to get them to the Core so they can claim it for themselves. Whichever one happens first usually decides the issue.”

“Most of the time if the Dungeon can be proven to be a Divine Dungeon it becomes the dual property of the Churches and the Society. If a noble claims it then it becomes the property of the noble who claimed it, though they are still required to allow the Churches and Society preferential access.”

Valterra let that knowledge wash over him before speaking up. “While that is all helpful information it doesn't answer my question. What will you do now?” He categorically refused to be claimed but that was something he believed could go unspoken. If they thought he wouldn’t fight for his freedom then he had severely overestimated them.

Natalia pursed her lips and sighed, bringing her hand up to her face to brush aside her hair. “To be honest Valterra, I don’t know. I don’t know what I will do. I won’t claim you but I don’t have the authority to prevent another team from coming and claiming you instead. I really don’t know what to do.”

“I might have a solution.”

The sudden interjection into the conversation as well as the divine presence that descended upon the scene had the Delvers gasping and Valterra swearing. With a chuckle, Trik’Weri spoke once more and Valterra could feel his gaze on him.

“While I am a little disappointed that you didn’t say anything about your guests this is fortuitous timing. I couldn’t help but overhear some interesting tidbits. For one thing, it is good to see you treating challengers in such a positive way my dear nephew. I know it couldn’t have been easy for you.”

More than a little irritated at the teasing tone of voice Valterra responded shortly. “Why are you here uncle? I assume it's another bargain or did you just come to make my guests lose their ability to breathe.”

As if noticing for the first time his effect on the Delvers, Trik’Weri let out a fake gasp. “Oh I’m so sorry, do forgive me. It’s just that I’m so used to visiting my nephew like this that I had quite forgotten the effect it had on you mortals.”

Valterra gave the Core approximation of a frown even as Natalia and her party caught their breaths. Trik’Weri was being weird. Not only was his speech off but he was grandstanding a little bit too much. His uncle had never put on airs before this but then again he had never spoken to any of his other creatures either and all of the gods had been conspicuously absent for the last several hours.

“We humbly beg your pardon, Lord Trickster!” Natalia said even as she knelt followed by the others. “We didn’t expect…”

“Yes, yes, I’m sure you didn’t. After all, how could you know how special Valterra was to us.” Seemingly dismissing the Delvers the weight of his presence turned to Valterra. “Now nephew as I was saying I may have a solution to your dilemma.”

It took everything within Valterra not to snap at his uncle. “Is this going to be like the last time uncle? You, swooping in with a solution to a problem that I have but in a way that obviously benefits you. What is it? Did your pet fae get into trouble and need sanctuary? Want me to set up a little temple dedicated to you for him to stay at while I’m at it?”

Valterra didn’t know what to expect from his little tirade but he certainly didn’t expect his uncle, the god of Trickery, to fidget uncomfortably. All the pieces clicked even as a couple of familiar presences broke through the wards surrounding his Dungeon.

“You bastard!” He snarled. “How dare you bring them back here!” He darted away, not bothering to hear Trik’Weri’s startled exclamation. His Awareness reached the outside where he found the familiar face of the bearded one and his crew as they stood nervously just inside his domain. He bore down on them with all of his presence.

“Leave. NOW!”

POV Trik’Weri

“Well damn, they got here faster than I expected.” Turning to the young mortals who seemed bewildered by the current events he spoke a little softer. “You should probably head back outside. I suspect that Valterra will want you nearby for the following discussion." With that said he took off to follow his nephew. It was time for some damage control.