Chapter Thirty-Nine: The Graveyard

Chapter Thirty-Nine: The Graveyard

Tarl, Freddie, and Rhonda all seem a bit uncertain about going to meet the skeleton Scion, probably all of them remembering the old skeleton scion that Neverrest had. The inspector stifles a sigh and nods to Yvonne.

I take it its up in the graveyard somewhere, then? I need to inspect there, as well. Freddie nods and speaks up, too.

I need to look around some, too. The church has long wanted to consecrate the cemetery so it can be used for proper burials again. There are catacombs under the church, but they were never intended to house the remains of all of Fourdock.

Yvonne glances to Teemo, and I have him nod at that, too. I like the idea of the graveyard being used for proper graves again. It also reminds me of something I noticed about the undead I have, but that can be dealt with later. For now, Yvonne leads them up to the surface, exiting the mausoleum in the east.

To the west is the sealed crypt with the undead spawners, and the former home of Neverrests core is to the north. Grim is she looks around, but cant spot him, so she looks to Teemo. He nods towards the west and squeaks.

Grim appears to be doing some work beyond the sealed crypt.

To the west, then. Ill take a look at the sealed mausoleum before examining the skeletal Scion, then the former home of Neverrests core, and that should more or less finish the inspection.

I can get a good look around the graveyard while we do that, too, says Freddie, already looking around. I cant tell if hes relieved or disappointed at the lack of wandering undead.Ñøv€lRapture marked the initial hosting of this chapter on Ñôv€lß¡n.

Encountered skeleton scion. Its its a groundskeeper. Currently, it is performing maintenance on the west mausoleum. Its an imposing figure in a black robe and a scythe, but has shown zero interest in me and my guides. Recommend delvers ignore it as it goes about its business. Notes made, all of them quickly move on. Grim watches them go. Yeah, I dont know either. Maybe theyre just anxious to be done. The inspections been going on for a while, theyre probably hungry.

It doesnt take them long to get to the northern mausoleum, and it takes even less time for them to notice the damage from the tripped explosion trap. The inspector looks at the shards of the false core, before looking at the former resting place of Neverrests true core.

Confirm Fourdock has Subsumed Neverrest. There appears to have been a false core that was made of glass, with the true core hidden in a crypt in the same mausoleum. Fourdock appears to have spent much of the mana gained from it on changing the wasps to bees, and plague rats to pack rats, as well as various scions. Guards at the cemetery gate are no longer needed.

Manor appears optimized for new delvers. Bramble Labyrinth suitable for all levels, prior notes on dangers seem to still apply. Tunnels are for low to mid level delvers, appears to be mostly strong spiders and various slimes, with occasional bats. Catacombs appear underutilized at this time, will likely change as delver activity returns. Church of the Crystal Shield appears free to consecrate the graveyard and resume normal operations in that respect.

Scions should generally be left alone. Most are prioritized towards support and upkeep rather than combat. Those that are combat focused are more interested in invaders and monstrous delvers from the deeps. Doubtful the scions would slay groups that attack them, but it seems likely they would be dumped outside of the dungeon, bereft of all their gear.

Still no designated Voice. Still no indication of location of core, nor of various secret rooms. Interestingly, it has several public rooms that likely have secret counterparts. Suggest attempting negotiations with the upcoming Ratkin Enclave of Dwellers to establish friendly relations. Delvers should stay well away from the Enclave for now, until relations are made.

He considers for a few more seconds before seeming to be satisfied, and putting the stone away.

Do you really think itll let the church consecrate the grounds? asks Freddie, and Tarl nods.

Id be surprised if it doesnt. Dungeons do see benefit to having a proper burial ground in their borders. The Royal Cemetery is actually a dungeon, in fact. Its only known denizens are small fey, as is its scion and Voice. It has no known income aside from the prayers and respects offered to those interred there. So I wouldnt be surprised at all if Fourdock decides to dip its toes in those waters. It seems to have a lot of plans, and it needs mana for them.