Peek: Berdol's Notes on the Manor

The Manor is the most obvious structure in Thedeim, at least so far.  While most delvers will first enter The Yard, The Manor is generally the first destination, even for more experienced delvers.  This is thanks in great part to the first feature of The Manor: the porch.  There are two points of interest on the porch, and the first is the noticeboard.  Any delver would be well warned to check the board whenever they enter, as it tends to have information on various special things going on.  Maybe it will have a suggestion to check The Caverns for a new spawn, or suggestions for approaching the latest enclave.  Either way, the noticeboard should be checked every time one delves in Thedeim.

The other feature is the quests.  Aranea infest the rafters of the porch, and offer various quests.  While the aranea will offer quests in other areas, the porch is the most reliable way of getting them, though new delvers should be wary of accepting any random quest.  Some of the more difficult options don't sound too dangerous, so those new to Thedeim may accept something well out of their ability to handle.  Most kill or gather quests are safe, so when in doubt, consider one of those.

In addition to the experience for completing the quest, the aranea also like to give various silken rewards.  The clothing is generally simple yet very durable, though do be prepared to receive only a single sock, instead of a pair.

Inside The Manor, encounters and loot opportunities are about as standard as they come.  There are also the occasional trap, but they are more used to alert denizens or slow delvers, rather than cause any actual harm.  Most denizens in The Manor are going to be various rats and spiders, with occasional spiders or crows and ravens.  There is a basic smeltery/forge on the ground floor, as well as a simple workshop on the second floor.  Ratlings can sometimes be seen either using the rooms, or tending to them.  As with most of Thedeim's denizens: if they aren't actively making threatening displays, it's a good idea to simply ignore them and continue with your delve.  The cabinets, shelves, boxes, and other containers are great sources of simple loot, and the packrats and birds work to keep them filled.  Attempting to fight them is usually not worth it, as not only do they tend to flee rather than fight, but will often attract the attention of stronger denizens.

The attic contains a boss fight and a chest.  Most often, the boss is one or more lightning-enhanced dire rats, or a spider swarm, but occasionally there will be other options, like a lightning cobra.  Return delvers should not assume the boss there will be the same they fought before.  Past the boss is access to the roof, where Poe's nest is situated, as well as the bellfry and garden.

Poe can be approached, though he rarely engages with delvers.  Attempting to provoke him is a very poor idea.  The bellfry is where the bat spawner is, as well as a garden.  planter boxes line the outside and inside as well, with a wide variety of herbs and seeds available.  The fruitbat denizens are harmless and should be left alone, lest one draws the ire of Poe.

Back inside the house and downwards instead of up, there is the basement.  This used to contain a boss and chest, but doesn't anymore.  While occasionally something from The Tunnels will decide to squat in the basement as a challenge, it can be avoided by taking the cave entrance in The Yard to access The Tunnels, if delvers don't want to fight whatever is in the way.

The basement is also a great place to gather various mushrooms.  While they can often be found in other places in the manor, they have made the basement their true home, and the leafcutter ants can often be seen with their trails, tending the nodes.

While most scions can occasionally be seen in and around The Manor, the two who frequent it the most are probably Poe and Teemo, Thedeim's Voice.  Poe is the Marshal and can call on every last raven and crow under Thedeim's power, leading to a very difficult fight.  Attacking him is not advised.  Thankfully, he's very easy to spot from his nest near the chimney, so there is little chance of accidentally getting in over your head.

Teemo can be a different story.  If you spot a single rat just moving around, you may be looking at Thedeim's Voice.  If you spot him, he'll speak up, because if he doesn't want to be noticed, he is very good at avoiding it, thanks to his shortcuts.  If he does try to talk, be polite and honest.  Most often, he'll either make a dry joke, or ask for feedback on some aspect of the delve.  Thedeim is a very proactive cooperative dungeon, and always looking for ways to improve.