Welcome Back, Valterra Unok’Davaas!
The following has happened since you started evolution…
Valterra looked on as notifications began streaming into his consciousness from the system. Much of it was information on his Dungeon, things that had happened while he was asleep. He would return to those later when he had time as he knew from his hazy memories that much of it most likely had something to do with his creatures and their evolutions. While he was excited to see what they were he had bigger things to worry about.
He did find the Schemas that he had claimed while evolving.
New Schemas Acquired!
Northern Bumblebee (No Rarity)
A native of the far north, this humble insect gathers its food by sipping the nectar from flowering plants in order to create honey which it uses to feed itself and its hive mates. A typical hive can contain anywhere from 50 to 600 adults centered around a queen who continues the species. Far from being aggressive, this insect would rather live in peace but is capable of a nasty sting it threatened.
Note: This is a multilayered Schema consisting of separate, internal, Evolutionary Paths. Those Paths are Queen, Worker, and Drone (Male). These Paths may be summoned as separate Dungeon Monsters but be warned. Bee monsters made in such a way will see themselves as belonging to another colony and will fight to the death.
As the first Dungeon to use such a creature as a Dungeon Monster, you will be able to create and modify its Evolutionary Paths freely.
Warning! May have unforeseen consequences.
Kindling Brushtail (Common)
A type of squirrel found in the north, this creature has evolved to frigid temperatures by utilizing its Aether reserves to more perfectly regulate the temperature of itself and its surroundings. Often characterized by its habit of lighting small fires to keep itself warm the Kindling Brushtail is active all winter round. Its powers grant it a decent defense against most predators as a nasty burn accompanies most attempts to make it a meal.
Coppertip Mole (Uncommon)
Found around copper mineral deposits, this mole has evolved to dig through such material. Consummate burrowers these moles live by feeding on the magical grubs and other creatures drawn to magical ore. Like their more humble counterpart they are unable to see but unlike them can manipulate Aether to give themselves a form of tremor sense.
‘Excellent,’ Valterra muttered happily to himself mentally. ‘Another, multilayered Schema. Shame that I can’t manipulate the other two. Perhaps I can shift things around with Potential.’ Finishing up that line of thought he continued to read his notifications.
As he scrolled down the list he found multiple warnings of Delvers in the immediate vicinity which would have been nice to know before they started slaughtering his creatures. He shrugged mentally, his core flickering in response. There was nothing he could do about it. After the Delvers arrived there were a couple of notifications that caught his attention.
You have attempted to absorb multiple sapient creatures!
Searching for Access…Access Denied!
Reasons Given… 1) Under the Protection of a Guardian Deity or 2) Error...
No Schema will be created at this time…
Searching for Aether reserves and Divine Potential…Found!
Absorbing…Absorbed!
Total Calculated Units of Absorbed Potential…237
Total Potential: 237
Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.
‘That can’t be right.’ Valterra thought. ‘I had over 250 units remaining after I created my Wyvres.’ He went back to his logs and found nothing, just a whole host of errors. ‘Where did these come from? Did the High Council mess something up again?’
********
“Now that’s just unfair,” Krat’Imos said watching through the pool. He had just arrived from guiding his priests when he heard Valterra’s comment.
“Actually, I think it is fair. We were the source of a lot of his system-related problems.” Trik’Weri offered up from where he was cleaning one of his knives.
********
Valterra sighed and let it go. He had no idea where his potential had gone and there was no use wondering. He did wonder, however at the second reason given for not being able to absorb Delvers. He looked back through his logs and discovered that the error was associated with the second group of invaders. He made a mental note to check on them and was surprised when the system responded with an answering note. He smiled through his Core and thanked Krat’Imos for his genius.
As for the missing Potential, he would just have to get more from the invaders currently in his Dungeon. To that end, he turned back to his notifications and brought up his most recent ones.
Congratulations! You have evolved! The gods look favorably upon this and have offered the following Schemas as a reward.
Please choose one of the following:
Juvenile Mastodon (Rare)
A large herbivore that roams the northern plains of Algerthrond, this creature is still in its youth. Unlike other species of elephantids, this specimen has woolly fur which allows it to keep warm even in the frigid environment of the north. Having just begun to grow tusks it is nonetheless a large and powerful animal with the potential to become even more deadly with time.
Fomorian Stalker (Divine - Rare)
Recreated in the image of a Fallen Race by the High Spirit of Chaos and Revolution, Ata’Laya, this creature is but a monstrous shadow of its former nature. Used by Ata’Laya to sow chaos and often able to be summoned by her High Priests, these creatures are adept at finding and disrupting Aetheric Workings and beings.
Sorial Skyhawk (Rare)
Found high in the sky, these birds of prey are the only migrating species of raptor in the world. With their affinity for wind, they are able to traverse vast swaths of land by gliding on air currents. Fierce predators these large birds are capable of diving great distances quickly striking quickly and decisively.
Arctic Bull Shark (Rare)
Roaming the frigid coastlines of the north, Arctic Bull Sharks have evolved to withstand their extremely cold environment. Along with this trait, they can also survive in freshwater with special glands that allow them to keep a store of salt within their bodies. This has been made more efficient with their slight affinity over water which allows them to “carry” saltwater with them as they swim. Fierce and deadly these underwater hunters devour anything they can successfully hunt.
Valterra hummed thoughtfully as he considered the options before him. Each of them was interesting but his eyes kept being drawn to the Fomorian Stalker. Ata’Laya was one of the High Spirits but he hadn’t really interacted with her much. The fact that the offer had the label of Divine was intriguing. Based on the description it was a creature created to support her priests, specifically her High Priests. He didn’t know if that meant that the creatures were more powerful but the fact that it was chosen to represent an aspect of a High Spirit was something he couldn’t ignore.
That didn’t mean he chose it right away. He analyzed the other options for a time but continued to come back to the Fomorian. All of the creatures would be reduced in size since they were larger than the parameters of what his title governed. With that in mind, many of them would be around 2 to 5 inches either long or high which wasn't much variation.
The mammoth would be nice because as a juvenile he knew it had the potential to grow and what glimpses he got of it revealed an already massive creature with low-hanging tusks and a long nose called a trunk. The shark was also large, being around 7 to 12 feet long. It had a face full of teeth and a body covered in muscles. However, it wouldn’t do for his Dungeon, at least not yet. His sunken basement was freshwater, not saltwater and the sharks wouldn’t do well there. He didn’t know if it was possible for him to manipulate the Schema once he had it so picking it would be a mistake.
The hawk was also intriguing but also humorous. It was a massive migratory bird that used air currents to travel long distances. While that might be useful eventually, Valterra had no use for the bird, especially once it was shrunk. It was large with around an 8-foot wingspan but that would be 4 inches wide once his title got done remaking it. While it would be hilarious to watch Delvers be struck by tiny divebombing hawks, he would have to wait for such a sight. He needed something that had a little something extra.
You have chosen the Schema “Fomorian Stalker”
New Schema Acquired!
Title “Transcendent Tiny Dungeon - Divine” has gone into effect. When summoned by Valterra Unok’Davaas, the Schema “Fomorian Stalker” will be affected in the following ways.
Effect: Each Fomorian Stalker costs 90% less Aether to summon but is reduced in maximum size by a factor of 1/24th. The maximum size, therefore, is now reduced to 2 inches tall from 4 feet.
Title “Child of the Gods” has gone into effect. The Schema “Fomorian Stalker” may be modified with permission from Ata’Laya.
Valterra looked at the final line and smiled, his Core lighting up. He would summon the first one of course to get a good look at it and its abilities but having the ability to possibly modify it was exciting. With his choice made and new creatures to experiment with, Valterra turned his gaze to his Dungeon. He had new tools now and he was eager to drive these invaders from his halls.