The Dungeon Without a System

Chapter 49

-0-0-0-0-0-

The Dungeon, Medea Island, Kalenic Sea

-0-0-0-0-0-

The surface of my island is practically crawling with humans these days. After directing my attention upward, I 'hijacked' a seagull and ordered it aloft to get a birds-eye view.

The port town is bustling, and the berths at the docks are always full, causing ships to need to anchor offshore. There seems to be some construction to expand them massively, so the dockmasters are thinking ahead here. Where they had once made basic wood piers, these new ones were wider, used thicker planks, and looked designed for heavier loads. They're running out of deep water to take advantage of, though.

The humans had replaced the buildings lining the 'main drag' and the most important places in town, with ones taking advantage of the black granite quarry not far out of town. The Lower levels are made of evenly-cut bricks, with upper levels taking advantage of the local sawmill to get a clean and reasonably attractive appearance. The streets are more cobbled than the buildings, using bad cuts and rough stone. It provides a nice contrast to the buildings. A wall is going up around the town, likely in response to the Titanoboa I used a while ago.

Outside the walls, a decent number of farms have spread out in the deforested areas, with a few new basic watchtowers with guards, an obvious response to my cattle theft. The farms were diverse, cultivating a wide variety of crops. I can still see the chickens there, well-guarded, and lament being unable to get the tiny dinosaurs into my Dungeon.

The quarry I'd previously mentioned is quite advanced. The pullies and rope system developed from the ones used for sails on ships to carry greater loads. The cranes take bricks carved and shaped in the center of the quarry out to the edge, where they are placed directly onto ox-driven carts and delivered to any construction project. Right now, the major project is the Lord's mansion, which is getting a wall and 'Keep' added to the main building.

The sawmill is just as busy, constantly taking in logs and outputting cut planks for the new docks. The off-cuts are cut into smaller planks or made into firewood, then sold in town.

The lighthouse constructed over my entrance is finished, and a bonfire is lit every night to guide ships into port. A decent amount of the firewood from the sawmill is diverted here to keep it running. That's about it for the human-made structures in town.

My seagull nest in the cliffs remains infested with the things. Gull now has a couple of lieutenants to keep order among the rest of the flock. While he remains the largest and most apparent monster of my 'Floor Zero,' having a few other monster seagulls isn't bad. The rats have made quite a few nests under the town, taking advantage of their small size to make the tunnels inaccessible to humans. I take half an hour to connect the tunnels to my Dungeon and alter them a bit, making twists and turns and providing wards to prevent mages from flooding the tunnels with water, fire, or lightning.

The reef off the island is plentiful. I had spread plenty of 'sand' from my construction through here, and while not 'claimed' in the same way as the walls of my Dungeon are, it's still enough to let my 'presence' linger here. The fish are larger than they once were, but only some are monsterized. Since I didn't do it myself, as with the 'lesser gulls,' it was likely due to the higher mana content in the water. Beyond holding bigger fish, the reef is also more diverse, containing more than a dozen species that I'm pretty sure had migrated here. Perhaps they were called in some way by the mana content. I don't know enough about the wildlife here to confirm if they're attracted to mana, but it's a decent enough theory.

The open water beyond the reef was less saturated with mana but well populated. Large shoals and schools of fish swam through the ocean around the island, the amorphous mass of thousands of fish moving in synchronicity spectacular to observe. Something to remember is that this planet is not earth. Though the animals have familiar looks and evolved along similar lines on the surface, the ocean is much more competitive. Where I would expect the schooling fish to be species of herring, anchovy, or tuna, there were enough visual differences that I hesitated to give them those labels.

Likewise, the predators which fed on those schooling fish were familiar but not the same. I saw swordfish that utilized water mana to create cutting pressure waves with a swipe of their noses. I saw sailfish unfurl great, billowing sails that enticed fish closer, away from the safety of their schools. I saw circling sharks propel themselves through bait balls at great speed, propelled by powerful, mana-enhanced swipes of their tails. A pod of dolphins 'played' with a smaller shoal, using their echolocation to stun the fish and make them easy prey.

I saw pods of two different species of whales lurking in the deeper waters; one was filter feeders and the other decidedly not.

Inevitably, my 'eyes' drifted down to the ocean floor. The construction of my Dungeon displaced an enormous amount of rock, and it all had to go somewhere. In this case, it had evenly spread around the island. It was easy enough initially, but as the size of the caverns ramped up, the amount of displaced rock became more unmanageable.

My Island was now surrounded by enormous plains of sand rather than a rocky sea floor. That sand was still infused with the mana I'd used to move it, only having dissipated slightly into the ocean. Given the top layer of sand was mainly from the Ninth Floor, that made sense. It was still 'fresh,' and the constant influx of new mana-infused sand from my ongoing construction had kept the lower layers from dissipating too much.

I had a stray thought, and with a bit of mental gymnastics... Well, doesn't all this sand count as claimed land?

The moment I had that thought, it was made a reality. Suddenly I wasn't just the Dungeon underneath the island but the reef and the ocean floor around it.

Following the mana in the atmosphere above, free-floating mana in the ocean began to drift in my direction. It gathered into streams and funneled into the tunnels that led into my Dungeon. I hadn't even 'breathed' down here like it had taken for the atmospheric mana to do that!

After closely investigating how mana behaved in the ocean, I determined that it followed ocean currents and likely affected them in turn. By diverting mana in the sea towards me, would I be drastically altering ocean currents?

I hope that doesn't cause too much damage.

-0-0-0-0-0-

Alczar Lushka, Bahrain Empire, Hillia

-0-0-0-0-0-

Emperor Maalik Aobas smiled gently as his radiant wife Alya gathered the children and, along with his consorts, directed his little progeny out of court. He was sure they'd be kept busy for the next few hours. With the children out of the way, the fortnightly court session could begin.

He sat on his modest throne on a raised dais and let his gaze wander across his courtiers. His personal guards were standing beneath the arches along the walls; the most experienced warriors in his employ, personally trained by a retired Platinum he had taken on as Master-at-Arms. He could see his Court Magi deep in discussion with said warrior. Maalik couldn't determine what they were discussing over the din that filled the room, but both men's furrowed brows showed it was a serious topic.

Across the room, his Steward and Chancellor were most likely discussing the realm, its nobles, and its functions. The rest of the room was filled with his direct vassals; the closest Dukes within his realm who made the regular journey to his palace, the Counts that ruled lands within his demesne, along with a few mayors and priests. Maalik raised his hands, and with a single clap gained the attention of all in the room.

"Let us begin," he began. In response, all his courtiers moved to the sides of the chamber, leaving the center clear for supplicants to plead their cases. Their position and closeness to the throne was telling of both their opinion and loyalty to him. "On this the hundred and sixth day, the twelve-hundredth year since the dawning of history, court is in session."

He sat back in his chair, and raised his chin, looking down at his court imperiously. There was no delay; all petitioners who would come before him today had been informed of the order they were to approach him in. A Count he recognized as Jahiir Letoor stood from the group of fellow nobles and approached the throne, where he lowered himself to his knees and bowed with spread arms.

"Oh Holy Emperor of our Empire, I come before you today with a grievance. The Count of the lands to my north, Shet Phanta has been taking advantage of his superior martial strength to encroach upon the lands of my ancestors. His men ride into towns along our border and declare them his, and just before I left for this very court, I received word he had begun to lay siege to my undermanned border forts. Sire, he has made no formal declaration of war, nor has he sent any demands.

While the ownership of the lands on our borders has always been contested, his father and grandfather were honorable, and made their intentions clear. This cur has none, and has taken advantage of the war in the south to pursue his own agenda. My liege, as my forts and borders are undermanned due to that same war, and the levy I was called to provide, I must beg for your magnificence to punish Count Phanta's impudence"

Almost the instant he finished speaking, the din of the pre-court gathering resumed. Nowhere near as loud, of course, but he knew these noble men were gossips comparable to their wives. Something like this was almost unheard of. A count attempting to invade his neighbor, with no declaration, and during a time of war? Scandalous!

He let them whisper amongst themselves for a time as he rolled the request over in his head.

With a wave, Maalik summoned Marshal Goren close and spoke to him in a whisper. "How many levies were taken from his lands?" The man frowned, his prodigious memory no doubt recalling the correct figures. After barely a minute, he replied as quietly as he was asked.

"The Letoor contract states he was to provide half of his total levy. I remember making note upon receiving the figures that his contribution of men was unusually low, barely half that of other lands with comparable populations." Steward Yesha, one of the few close enough to his throne to hear, leant forward and whispered in Maalik's other ear.

"My Lord, you would remember that not five years ago the Letoor lands and many others in our eastern lands were beset by a terrible drought. The Letoor lands in particular had been badly afflicted, and many of their of-age men and women died of thirst and starvation. They prioritized the health of their younger population over the older. The good Marshal should be able to affirm the youth and inexperience of the levy drawn from those lands." Goren nodded, his frown growing. His Chancellor, Katal, was quick to lend his own knowledge of the situation.

"The Count does not exaggerate the length of his line's feud with Clan Phanta. Since before they swore fealty to your great-grandfather in his eastward expansion to the sea. The two clans have warred since time immemorial, neither able to overcome the other entirely. If one did make significant gains, they would soon lose them and their over-extension would be punished. If your highness would forgive me, the counts Phanta and Letoor both have children of comparable age, of both genders, and none have yet been betrothed or promised to other clans.

Maalik raised his hand and all conversation halted. His Steward, Chancellor and Marshal retreated and stood straight-backed at his left and right hand.

"Your plea has moved me, and the circumstances behind your lack of defenses tragic. Though your levy are still vital to the war effort, I will send a demand to Count Phanta to halt his siege and remove his armies from your lands. If he fails to comply, I will provide some of my men-at-arms to enforce it. Though that will treat the symptoms, it will not fix the cause, as my court physician so likes to say." Maalik spoke with a wry grin to the wizened man shaking his head by the wall. He turned back to the confused, but happy count and continued.

"My Great-grandfather was willing to let your feud grow and fester after your integration into the empire, but I will not let it cause more harm and destruction to it's inhabitants. When this little scuffle is over, both of you will send two of your children to my court, a boy and a girl. They will be fostered and educated here, and are to be betrothed. This feud will end with the sealing of blood ties between your clans."

The court clapped at his ruling. Many seemed a little uneasy at the casual imposition of betrothal upon the children of two lines, but as they were only counts none were particularly angry. The count however was flushed, obviously enraged, but maintained enough mastery of himself to thank the emperor and take his leave.

The next petitioner approached with a quartet of slaves hauling a platform of items and parchment. "Oh Holy Emperor, I bring news and a gift to your august person. The Phenoc have found and claimed an island, off their eastern coast. This island is host to a wild dungeon, and several guilders sent to investigate returned with wild tales. My gift to you is a selection of items retrieved from the monsters within, along with documents detailing the Dungeon and it's layout."

Oh? He had heard of this rumor before, but to have it confirmed with proof... This promises to be interesting...

-0-0-0-0-0-

The Eighth Floor, The Dungeon, Medea Island

-0-0-0-0-0-

Huea Rockscale, named so for the striking similarities in color between her scales and the walls of the Dungeon, let out a content sigh as she observed Kata train with the younglings.

The human, though still eyed with some distrust by the older drake-kin, had been accepted by the majority of their village. Her first duel against Mushu, and the couple since, had done wonders to show off her talent. She staunchly insisted that the sword wasn't her strong point, but the fluid movements and graceful strikes had captivated many of the younglings who wished to learn the sword. During a report to the Creator about Kata and her integration into the village, Huea had learned that Kata's abilities were common among the Guilders of her rank. If the warriors of the village wished to be more than fodder before the invaders, they would need to be stronger than the human captive at a minimum.

Not that she was much treated like a captive anymore.

Beyond the collar that kept her manaless and allowed the Creator to render her unconscious at will, Kataren was allowed much freedom within the village. Heua was more of a friend than warden, at this point, and let the human do as she wished as long as Kata informed her of what she was doing. Not that she did much besides explore the village and train.

She looked around at the training ground, eyes lingering over the 'weights' and 'equipment' the creator had helped the Smith Tear create for them. The new training area was within the expansion, and the old had been turned into a sort-of market place. Kobolds, Snowbolds and the newly elevated Scorpans had visited to trade their goods here, and the village was thriving

Speaking of the expansion, when the Creator provided the new, larger 'district' to ease the overpopulation of their village, many of the younger drake-kin were eager to find a space of their own to inhabit and decorate. Where before they were forced to share rooms, every drake-kin now had their own space to decorate. Huea was particularly happy with the sun-yellow tiger-skin she had laid out on her bed.

The only ones who still shared 'dormitory' space were 'squads' of drake-kin training to be defenders. The Creator had said it was to help with group cohesion, which made sense. Living together, they would learn intimately the habits, preferences and personalities of their 'squadmates'. It was just as important as learning to fight together as a seamless whole, a beast with many limbs and minds, thinking as one.

Kata waved at Huea, and started making her way over to the sitting drake-kin. A glance behind her showed the exhausted, but exhilarated younglings eagerly discussing something. Likely the faults in their form Kata would have pointed out. "Enjoy beating up your admirers?" Huea teased as Kata reached a comfortable talking distance.

"I'm not beating them up!" The human insisted with an affronted look, "I'm giving them pointers. How are they supposed to improve if no one tells them where they're going wrong?" Huea shook her head.

"They would have learnt the hard way." Huea shrugged, "Just like all the drake-kin before them." She looked up at the mana-sun above, taking note of it's position on the cavern's roof. "It's getting late, want to go to the market for some grub? I hear a Scorpan merchant has brought up some meat from the Ninth, and I'm quite interested in what it tastes like." Huea licked her lips, salivating slightly at the imagined taste of the exotic meats no doubt before them.

Kataren snorted, but looked distinctly uncomfortable. "The Scorpans disturb me, honestly. The Kobolds and Drake-kin were easy enough to get used to; you're friendly and empathetic, hardly the mindless monsters I thought you were. The Scorpans... I don't understand their language, and I doubt any of them want to learn mine. All those clicks and hisses, the waving pincers... and their faces. Their mandibles never stop moving, have you noticed that? Like they're always chewing..." Kata shivered dramatically. Huea waved her off.

"Ah, they're not that bad. I'll admit they're odd, but they're the Creators children, just as all other dungeon monsters are. He made them that way for a reason." Huea stated confidently, while Kataren nodded unsurely.

They continued their walk to the market in silence.

-0-0-0-0-0-

Max Porteous, 2022