Peek: The Southwood

Life this year has been much more active than in a long time.  The large dungeon reflects on his life as he watches the foreign scions dissect the disturbing invader.  When he was first formed, life was quiet and tranquil.  He had a full year or more of growth before any delvers discovered him, and the orcs simply hunted a few of the smaller game nodes before leaving.

He had been confused at the time, trying to figure out what delvers were.  After they left, he categorized them as predators, which fit nicely into the entire web of life.  As proper predators, they helped the balance, giving the Southwood mana in exchange for what they killed, unlike the invaders he had learned to deal with.  He thinks of them as parasites, and though even parasites contribute to the balance, these ones are true drains on him.

He was content with his predator delvers, until they surprised him.  He had recently created an herbalism patch in the hopes of drawing some herbivore delvers.  He was confused to see the predators gather from the patch as well, and so had to re-categorize them as omnivores.

That was an interesting development.  Not quite as interesting as the disturbing invaders, but a much more pleasant surprise.  He happily upgraded his various nodes and expanded, drawing in ever more of the delvers he came to learn call themselves orcs.  He would send expeditions to learn where they come from, but they never stay in their camps long.  Migratory omnivores, very interesting.

Eventually, new delvers did come, many having forms reminiscent of the beasts of his spawners, and one claiming to be an inspector.  That was a new experience, to have someone spend so long and do so much.  It made quite a lot of mana for the Southwood, so he was content to let it do what it wished.

As he continued to grow, he continued to attract new invaders, and so he upgraded his spawners to be able to keep up.  Until one day, something strange attacked.  Tall and bipedal, covered in thick white fur.  Examining it revealed it was a Greater Yeti, which didn't give him much information for how to actually stop the invader.  His foxes and bobcats were no match for it.  He even upgraded his bear spawner, but the brown bears only slowed it down.

In desperation, he sent all of his denizens to fight the monster, spending much of his mana to do so.  Oddly, his elk seemed to be the most effective against the yeti, and sharp antlers and sharp hooves eventually felled the beast.  He didn't make back a fraction of what he spent to defeat it, but at least now he had a plan for if another came.

Thankfully, it didn't.  The delvers continued to delve, and the Southwood saved his mana.  He wanted to speak properly to the delvers, as many had noticed something was strange in the yeti attack, but he couldn't do anything to try to get them to help.  He needed a Voice.

Since his elk had been the most effective, he chose an elk to become his first scion and Voice.  He was slightly aggressive for an herbivore, but nothing too out of the ordinary.  A good threat display will send a predator off to find an easier meal, so large prey animals are often much more defensive than large predators.  He sometimes wonders if he should have gone with a bear instead.  The large omnivores seem much more relaxed.  While that suits the Southwood's personality better, he has to admit that having a more forceful voice seems to do well in keeping the peace.

He also has to admit the Stag cuts an impressive and imposing figure, and only a handful of delvers ever had to learn that attempting to hunt him would be a poor choice.  When he challenged the Voice of Thedeim, the Southwood tried to get him to stand down, but the Stag was so insistent!  He relented, trusting the Stag to know when a fight is called for better than he.

He's not certain how he expected the fight to pan out, but he did not expect the rat to set off a series of events that lead to his Voice being humiliated and defeated, without even any lasting physical harm, like a bear disciplining an unruly cub.

When the Voice talked about needing a higher price to help, The Southwood even considered swearing fealty.  His Voice, of course, opposed it.  He would relay his decision if the Southwood actually tried, but the rat, Teemo, waved the concept off entirely.

What manner of creature is Thedeim, then?  If delvers are mostly-harmless omnivores and invaders are the worst variety of parasite, what is the other dungeon?  The Southwood sees himself as almost a decomposer, one that takes the mess of others and repurposes them to better let life grow.  What examples does Thedeim give for his purpose?

A rat is his Voice.  Omnivore, clever, adaptable, sociable.  A wolf as a Warden.  Predator, pack dynamics, tactical and patient.  A bee Librarian.  Eusocial insect, pollinator, generally peaceful, capable of organized attack and defense.

The Thedeim would be something also social to some degree, especially since he's agreed to help.  He requires something in return... a symbiosis?  Both parties give, both parties gain.  A symbiote would be very nice.  He will need to make sure he offers appropriate payment, then.  A symbiotic relationship requires a proper exchange, or else one of the parties will seek a better partner.  He is uncertain he'll be able to find a better partner to keep him safe, so he had better ensure this one sticks around.