POV Trik’Weri

“Specifically,” Trik’Weri continued, speaking into the silence he had created with his last words. “I am talking about the covenant between the divine and the mortal. Different divine beings call it different things and even between the different members of my own pantheon we call our priests different names.”

“My Brokers,” his presence turned to indicate Cormac, “operate on my behalf as a conduit of my Authority, making bargains and binding promises. It is the way of us High Spirits since there are so many who desire things from us that it would be difficult to split our mental capacities to meet all of them.”

“You, Natalia, would provide a similar service to my nephew. By becoming Valterra’s priest you would become his voice to the outer world. It has been done in the past though not so much in recent history. What you call Dungeon Keepers are but a shadow of what they once were. First, they were servants of powerful Dungeons, then they were equals learning to coexist together. Now, in this age where new Dungeons are snapped up by those in power, Dungeon Keepers enslave the Dungeons by claiming them completely before they really even have a voice.”

Trik’Weri fell silent and let the gathered individuals sift through his words. “This new age calls for a different arrangement, one more similar to the High Spirits and their covenants among mortals. Valterra is young but he is a divinity and one under the protection of the High Spirits. While in time his own creatures could provide a loyal priesthood of a sort there is merit in having a Delver as a voice, especially one with a noble title and a possible claim already in place.”

At Natalia and Valterra’s startled looks, although in his nephew's case, it was read through his direct presence, Trik’Weri chuckled. “I am still a god. It was not difficult to discern Natalia’s relationship with the recently deceased Calamvor. The fact that you ended up here is fortuitous enough that I am wondering if there were certain System shenanigans at play. I will have to ask my brother next time I see him.”

“In any case, Natalia? My rambling and history lesson was designed to give you the chance to mull over my previous question. I hope you have not wasted that time.” Trik’Weri watched carefully as the girl drew in a shuddering breath. He hoped she would choose wisely. It wouldn’t be the end of the world if she decided against being a priest but the alternatives were much less savory.

“What,” Natalia paused her throat bobbing as she swallowed. “What would that entail exactly?” Her fellow Delvers looked at her askance but didn’t interrupt, although the elf certainly looked like he wanted to. Trik’Weri hummed to himself as he observed. It wasn’t a definitive yes but it wasn’t a no either and it was an answer he could work with.

“The specifics of each priesthood are up to the god to whom they are bound. It is a covenant and not entirely one way. The god is expected to provide for their priests whether that be materially or metaphysically. There is a certain amount of protection that is offered to priests as harming them is tantamount to disrespecting the god they serve. Other than those basics it would be up to those involved in the covenant to hash out the details.”

Trik’Weri let her process that while he turned to Valterra. “What statutes would you want in place for any mortal followers? Remember that this has ramifications for your own creatures as well as those from the outside.”

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The god was gratified when the Dungeon Core responded promptly. Perhaps he had already been thinking about it or maybe he just knew what he wanted. Either way, it was good that he could state what he desired. With any luck the situation would stabilize and a solution would be in place. ‘I will need to make this up to him,’ Trik’Weri thought with an inward sigh.

“No harming the Dungeon or seeking to claim my Core,” Valterra began. “Defend me from any attempts to claim my Core and safeguard my domain from monsters who might try to devour it. I suppose I would also like new Schema if they can be found though I am not desperate for them at the moment. As for Natalia specifically, I need a voice that those outside my Dungeon would respect enough to listen and leave me alone.”

His nephew’s presence turned to regard Natalia. “I need someone I can trust to act on my behalf when I am evolving. I will be able to govern my Dungeon unconsciously but I won’t be able to have conversations so if people come and demand entrance I need someone capable of negotiating with them.”

Natalia seemed torn but her expression didn’t take long to firm. “I will need to discuss things with my party. Is that alright?” It was good of her to ask for permission and Trik’Weri graciously gave it. He was feeling magnanimous today if only because he needed to make right his mistake. Natalia and her team moved off a little way and began whispering intently with each other.

POV Natalia Talios

“I think you should accept,” Boris said simply as soon as they were a little ways off. The others immediately turned to him with shocked gazes and he held up a hand to stop their protests even as he locked gazes with Natalia. He began counting off reasons on his fingers and despite herself, Natalia agreed with them. “Access to the Dungeon. While he is still young, he has grown fast and will continue to do so, meaning that it won’t be long before he begins creating creatures that will push you to the next threshold of power.”

He continued to the next reason, “Freedom from the different churches. The churches will be thrilled to have a Dungeon in the hands of a clergywoman regardless of the god she belongs to. The fact that the god is the Dungeon might raise a few eyebrows but with Valterra’s name meaning what it is I doubt the major gods will make things more difficult for you.”

Another finger, “Wealth and status. Being the spokesman for a Dungeon is not that different than being a Keeper politically and the fact that you are adopted nobility confirmed by the System means that the nobility will be satisfied and will pay dividends to be allowed access. Not to mention that it drastically increases your importance in society and therefore eligibility. I wouldn’t be surprised if you received an increase in marriage proposals.”

He smirked at that, seemingly eyeing Korim and her before lifting a final finger, “Distance from the Delver’s Society.” He once more had to raise a hand to stop outbursts. “I know that talking this way is frowned upon but you all know how Delvers can be. When a new Dungeon is discovered they go crazy. With the nobility and clergy on her side, Natalia, and Valterra for that matter, won’t have to worry about Delvers pushing their weight around as much.”

As he fell silent Natalia mulled over his words and could find little fault in them. It was an immense opportunity, one that wouldn’t come again, and one only offered because of her adopted relationship with Valterra’s father and creator. Thoughts whirled in her head even as her party members chimed in with their own thoughts. Aliria seemed hesitant about the situation unsure about what it would mean to the team as a whole.

Grisham seemed unperturbed, content to give his opinion and wait for her decision. He didn’t seem to care which way she went. Boris had already made his thoughts clear and it was to Korim that her eyes flowed. His eyes were on her and the question that flickered within their stormy depths had her heart beating wildly. She gave him a nod, suddenly feeling shy, and his face lit up. He motioned with his head toward the god and Valterra and nodded back and she sighed in relief. Turning back to Valterra and the god, Trik’Weri, she spoke.

“I’m in. So, how does this work?”