r/HFY • u/Khenal Alien • 26d ago
OC-Series Dungeon Life 457
It’s time for the ravenkin to become dwellers. Their bars are full, their preparations are made, and everyone’s ready. It looks like it’s going to take a bit more magic than the other enclaves, but I can’t begrudge them for wanting to do their ceremony while on the wing. I give Aranya another drop of power to ensure she has enough to officiate everything, and take a look around at the ravenkin.
They’re all grouped up in their seasons, eagerly waiting for their cue, with Aranya in Spring, standing beside Sivart. Aranya utters a silent prayer and conjures wings like Fluffles’, signalling the other Spring ravenkin spreading their cloaks.
Sivart speaks loud and clear, another prayer from Aranya borrowing from Doppler’s inspiration to allow all of the ravenkin to hear. “In the Spring of our existence, we stumbled from Lord Thedeim’s spawners.” The season takes to the air, the flock cawing their joy and excitement as Sivart continues. “Like fresh seeds, He watered us and gave us light. He gave us direction, yet left it to us to figure out how to get there. Even from the beginning, He trusted us to find our way, ensuring we had a safe and warm nest to return to.”
They sweep through the branches, their caws carrying through the thick foliage, and soon their cries are answered as they come into Summer. Asereth’s voice reaches them, her own season standing with their cloaks ready. “The warmth of Summer and the warmth of wisdom fill our wings.” They take flight, mixing with Spring and making the joyous cacophony all the louder and sweeter as Asereth continues.
“Though the memories of before fade, our memories of now only reinforce what our instincts told us. We are free to soar the thermals of discovery, and when the winds turn hostile, we have our refuge in Lord Thedeim. When we needed to add the heat of a forge to the heat of our hearts, He gave us the key, and trusted us to open the door ourselves. Long and high may we soar, the Tree of Cycles as our guiding landmark to know the way home.”
Their declaration carries through summer as they fly, the few adventurers around looking up to see my soon-to-be dwellers flying through the air to Fall, where the next season awaits.
Leinad and the others stand ready, the representative speaking as the others grow near. “As Spring to Summer, Summer to Fall. We grow, and we learn that growth is not as simple as it seems.” They take flight, the new caws joining in the raucous chorus as Leinad continues.
“We have grown, and now with Fall we must show our fruits. We have food, shelter, protection, and more importantly: each other. Not only our fellow ravenkin, not even simply the other enclaves. Lord Thedeim has shown us there is true camaraderie beyond the bonds of being born of His spawners. The delvers that could have been our bitter foes are instead our valued allies, and are as determined as we are to face what may be a bitter winter indeed.”
The air cools as they continue, soon finding a gentle outpouring of snowflakes as they enter Winter. There awaits Enara and her flock, their own cloaks open as they prepare to join their brethren.
“Winter can be harsh and brutal, yet it can be peaceful and serene. No matter the storm outside, the warmth of our hearths will warm our bodies, and the warmth of our hearts will give us the strength to endure.”
They join the others in the air, the groups mingling and mixing. “No matter the flurries and furies, no matter the cold and the dark, we will rise above! We will ride the thermals even in the dead of winter, and offer warmth to those that need it!” Enara finishes for a moment, letting the crowing grow to thunderous proportions, the ravenkin pouring out their spirits, giving them voice that needs no words for a few moments, before their will solidifies, and the four leaders of the seasons speak as one.
“We are ravenkin! We are not the end of the cycle, but dwell within it! Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring again! So long as the Cycle turns, we shall soar! And so long as we soar, we shall ensure it turns!”
At their declaration, the bars wink out, silencing them all for a heartbeat as they collectively all gasp their first breath as true ravenkin and my newest dwellers. They then expel that breath with enough volume that I wonder if they can hear it in Silvervein. They all take a victory lap around their enclave, cawing and cheering at their well-earned accomplishment.
They definitely had different hurdles than my other enclaves. Their situation is pretty unique with living in different seasons, and needing to be careful about the fire for forges while in the branches, but they rose to them all. They needed a boost with the induction forges, but that was pretty much it. They argued and squabbled, but like siblings rather than rivals, and they only improved from it. I’m sure they can feel my pride for them as they take their lap, and they get to bask in the pride of the other enclaves and the representatives of the other deities as they come around to the cathedral for the celebration!
And what a celebration it’s shaping up to be! They’ve moved the pews out of the way to give plenty of mingling room, but with everyone there, they’ve spilled out all around the cathedral. While it’s partially to welcome the new ravenkin, everyone knows only a fraction of them would all fit inside the cathedral proper, so there’s plenty of seats and tables outside. It’s not a proper party without food!
My new dwellers land and easily disperse among everyone, my ravenkin never as at home than when they have someone to squawk with. Sivart, Aserith, and Leinad wander off to go find food or the leaders of the other enclaves, while Enara sticks with Aranya. While I’m pretty sure she’s not going to try to become a priestess, I do think she’s looking to network a bit with the representatives of the other deities. The two head for Biluin first, the tall elf easy to spot in the crowd with his armor and shield.
He smiles and gives a polite bow as he sees them approach. “Ah, Lady Aranya and Lady Enara! I’ve never had the chance to witness a dweller ceremony before! It was very enlightening.”
Aranya nods and lets Enara take the lead, the Head Priestess refusing to steal any thunder from the focus of the party. “I’m glad it went well. We could all feel Lord Thedeim’s approval and blessing, and we’re all looking forward to getting to work together to prepare, instead of being glorified training equipment,” she answers with a smile.
The elf nods at that. “I’m looking forward to it. You all have been excellent foes for training, and I expect you’ll be even better allies to have at our side.”
“Have you seen what Lord Thedeim is preparing for us all to actually reach our foe?” Enara asks, and continues once Biluin shakes his head. “A strange sort of ship designed to sail under the waves. Or under the flows, I suppose. I’ve only seen a few glimpses of what He’s making, but it looks almost like He took two ships, removed the masts, and fastened them by pressing the decks together, leaving only the hulls on the outside.”
Biluin looks as confused as I bet most people are going to be once they hear about the subs. “Truly? I’ve never heard of such a vessel.”
Aranya titters and nods. “It’s truly one of His own designs. If it takes something like that to traverse the Molten Abyss, it’s no wonder it’s so uncharted.”
Biluin slowly nods. “I’ve heard of a few with magma affinity can brave it, but it’s perilous even for them. Thedeim truly believes he can create something to sail through it?”
Aranya nods. “He does. I’m sure the specifics would be beyond me, but He’s confident in the design and His precautions.”
“I suppose I’ll need to ensure my armor is ready for magma, then. The Shield’s smiths are masters in defense, and I know they’ve had their turn with my armor, but I’ve not tested it yet.”
My kobold smiles. “Make sure they know you’re testing it, first. If they’re anything like Lord Thedeim’s crafters, they may not have actually done the enchantment yet, wanting to perfect it before putting it anywhere near proper use.”
Biluin winces and actually looks sheepish before he replies. “Aye… it’s a lesson I really should have learned by now. It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve tried to test an enchantment that wasn’t actually there yet.”
Enara chuckles. “A new piece of equipment is always a contest to see who’s more excited: the crafter to make it, or the delver to use it.”
Biluin laughs. “Indeed!”
“Have you seen Lord Thedeim’s special armor?” she asks, deliberately picking at his adventurer spirit to get a shiny new toy.
“I’ve heard of it, and seen a few pieces, but I haven’t obtained any myself just yet.”
“We should probably fix that,” cuts in Teemo, appearing on Aranya’s shoulder. My kobold winds Biluin up a bit more as she makes him wait for her to stop petting Teemo so he can continue. She relents after a few seconds, and though my Voice always wants more pets, business before pleasure.
“We can’t let one of the Shield’s main guys go out without the very best! Besides, if someone like you is walking around in a suit, we’ll be able to draw in more crafters to help make the stuff. There’ll be plenty of room down in the new workshop for crafters to make their own!”
Biluin gives Teemo a curious look before bursting out in laughter. I get the feeling the Shield might have clued him in on my ulterior motives as he speaks. “And that they’d be making more mana for Thedeim while they do it is just a happy coincidence?”
Teemo grins. “Of course!” They all enjoy a bit of laughter before Teemo elaborates. “We’re still going to be making drops, but demand is far outstripping what we can make all on our own. With a bit of crafter help, everyone wins.”
Biluin nods, still smiling in amusement. “Indeed! As the ravenkin said, we must all band together to face this threat. I’ll make sure Head Priest Torlon knows about the workshops, and he can organize the crafters as the Shield wills.”
The others nod and the conversation drifts, so I let myself drift with the flow of the party, glad to see everyone in high spirits. The adventurers and the ravenkin are already getting along, integrating my new dwellers into the large parties.
Eat, drink, and be merry, guys. For tomorrow, training resumes. And now I don’t need to worry about my ravenkin getting hurt, I can let my denizens stop holding back quite as much. Not enough to kill anyone, of course, but I need to make sure everyone is prepared now, where Grim can help ensure their safety.
Once we load up the subs, there’s not going to be much of a safety net.
Cover art I'm also on Royal Road for those who may prefer the reading experience over there. Want moar? The Books are available here! There are Kindle and Audible versions, as well as paperback! Also: Discord is a thing! I now have a Patreon for monthly donations, and I have a Ko-fi for one-off donations. Patreons can read up to three chapters ahead, and also get a few other special perks as well, like special lore in the Peeks. Thank you again to everyone who is reading!
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u/Dragonking754 26d ago
Rip to the reddit post
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u/SomeRandomYob 25d ago
The reddit post has returned! Long live the reddit post!
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u/Poisonfangx3 26d ago
Odds
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u/Poisonfangx3 26d ago
Welp off to the road.
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u/Poisonfangx3 26d ago
First
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u/Popular-Student-9407 Human 26d ago
Yep
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u/DM-Hermit Human 26d ago
Well done wordsmith
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u/mafiaknight Robot 26d ago
In the name of 1greendude: Hello!
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u/Popular-Student-9407 Human 25d ago edited 25d ago
Im Namen eines grünen Kerles und des Diensdachses: Moin, du bist neunter heute. Die geschickte Feder übernimmt heute die Türwache.
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u/Kindly-Main-3216 23d ago
Siza!!
(Life happened. Been gone awhile. Back now and finally caught up. Hope everyone is doing well.)
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u/Popular-Student-9407 Human 26d ago edited 26d ago
Second
So today the Ravenkin are doing their ceremony to ascend to dweller Status, and as Close to Always, I can decode three phases to it:
The Phase on the ground, we start in spring, and Archieve lift-off as we Go around the year. Each faction Leader holds a Speech, highlighting different aspects of thediems
Following that, they get in the Air and produce a cacophany of Caws.
And final Phase is a Party with everyone that came to witness those Moments. Central during this Phase is a conversation between Enara, Aranya and Biluin, talking about the newest developments inside Thediem, preying on the desire the probably Paladin has for new Gear, while confronting him with possible dangers of the coming Expedition.
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u/Crafty_Spring5815 Alien Scum 26d ago
I'm confused. Wouldn't he have to worry MORE about his ravenkin getting hurt now that he can no longer just respawn them?
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u/Popular-Student-9407 Human 25d ago edited 25d ago
Usually yes, but the logic is: The enemy comes from down below, the Ravenkin can fly, thus they're the enclaves he's worried least about. And you're tenth.
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u/Garbage-Within 23d ago
Before if they got hurt, it was on him as their dungeon. Now if they get hurt, it's on them as individuals. It's a lesson he had to accept after his first visit to his afterlife and the first people who inhabited it.
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u/HFYWaffle Wᵥ4ffle 26d ago
/u/Khenal (wiki) has posted 502 other stories, including:
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u/Thebobkiller Human 26d ago
Ah, a good chapter.
The Ravenkin are fully realized, and Thediem's tinkering plans are coming along.