Chapter 112: Burning Bee-cisions

    After thanking the gods, Belissar asked Chief Rohsuak to accompany him and for Niobee to gather the queens. He didn’t like to interrupt them during the day, but he felt it was worth doing so in the present moment. Afterall, they had rewards from not one but two gods to decide on.

    Soon, all the relevant parties were gathered at the second floor’s Shrine. Belissar felt that location appropriate this time since the God of Fire’s brazier was there, and they were deciding on his rewards. He stepped forward as the bees arrived and gathered around him, smiling at the Third of the Sixth.

    “Hi everyone, thanks for coming and sorry to interrupt your work. But, thanks to the Third of the Sixth evolving today, we fulfilled missions from two gods, and now have two choices to make.”

    The Third of the Sixth fidgeted about, trying not to break out into a happy dance while Belissar was still talking. The other bees turned to face her but likewise waited for Belissar to continue.

    “Ok, so, we have a room feature choice from the God of Fire, and then a cross-perk by both the God of Bees and God of Fire.”

    Chief Rohsuak’s eyes lit up at the mention of the God of Fire, while the bees began buzzing and pacing about at the news. Belissar brought up the choices and began to read them out.

    Select Room Feature:

    - Fire Spout (Rarity: Common, Type: Fire, Trap)

    - Metallurgical Furnace (Rarity: Common, Type: Fire, Crafting)

    - Mini-Volcano (Rarity: Rare, Type: Fire, Ground, Trap)

    Fire Spout

    Type: Fire, Trap

    Mana Upkeep: 5

    Description: A nozzle that will spray fire in a straight line when triggered. Providing flammable materials may change effects and behaviour.

    Metallurgical Furnace

    Type: Fire, Crafting

    Mana Upkeep: 5

    Description: A furnace intended for processing metal. May require additional fuel or mana to process certain materials.

    Mini-Volcano

    Type: Fire, Ground, Trap

    Select a cross-perk (Bee/Fire):

    - Honeyed Fuel

    - Fire Resistant Bees

    - Buzzing Embers

    There were no rarities this time, and each perk was colored half in golden yellow and half in bright red. Belissar began reading out their descriptions.

    Honeyed Fuel

    - Flammable honeys and beeswaxes have increased potency as fuel sources

    - Fires started with honey or beeswax deal more damage

    - Fires started with honey or beeswax with special effects inherit those effects with greater efficiency

    That perk would obviously play into one Belissar’s main tactics with the Pit Traps and Sticky Honey Traps, making them more powerful. If he was reading both the descriptions right, it might also work with Fire Spouts, should he choose them. And the part about the fires inheriting special effects from the honey...well, maddening fire certainly sounded harmful.

    Fire Resistant Bees

    - All bees gain increased resistance to fire and heat

    - All bees gain increased resistance to smoke and ash

    This one was simpler and more straightforward in its effects, but by no means less desirable. Making his bees more resilient in general was always a priority for Belissar since he didn’t want to see a single one hurt if he could help it. Making them more resilient to fire and smoke in general would help if he was going to use more fire in his defenses. Sure, the burning bees seemed like they were already fire-resistant, but it could mean the difference between one hive fighting the enemy and all of them when there was fire around.

    For example, if he chose the mini-volcano and set up a room specifically for it, this perk might enable his bees to enter and fight in that room as well.

    Buzzing Embers

    - Embers and sparks from flames move and swarm around nearby enemies

    - All fire attacks may spawn additional embers and sparks if they do not inherently do so

    That was a curious one that had Belissar tilted his head. It sounded like it would...make embers come to life and attack? It said swarm around so maybe it would make embers act like bees? That was a curious idea, though Belissar had trouble visualizing what it actually would look like. He ultimately decided to just consider it something that would make any fires stronger.

    So, honey and beeswax that made fires stronger, bees that were more resilient to fire, or stronger fires in general? Along with a choice between flame spouts that might be able to be fueled by honey and wax, or a dangerous and expensive mini-volcano? What, exactly, should he choose?