Chapter 3.46: Time is Short

Grand dreams sometimes died in the face of practicality. A system of pipes and tanks wasnt off the table, but a simple organization of the labs storage crates would go a long way. The supply of unrefined essences was dwindling, giving way to only refined essences in Theos stock. While it wouldnt be safe to dispose of those low-tier essences, it was easy enough to jam them all in a single [Dimensional Storage Crate] and forget about them for now. The process of organization had taken a few hours. The alchemist ran between the crates, his stills, and his fermentation barrels, targeting the most useful essences and modifiers.

From the perspective of an adventurer, [Anti-Mage], [Solidify], [Web], and [Aerosolize] were the most useful modifiers. For essences, restoration, and attribute-enhancements were the most valuable. Patrons might ask for other things, though. Stocking and organizing was about reducing the time it would take from receiving an order and completing it. No order would take more than a day, though.

The [Lesser Plant Golem] sent a signal into the lodestone network, signaling that it was done tending the garden. It went through the list of orders it had, and found one, shambling off into the thin forests within Broken Tusk to find more reagents. Of the 3 [Lesser Copper Golems], Theo selfishly kept one near his lab. When the Elves arrive, hed have 10. It didnt hurt to make a good impression, even if that impression was one of awesome power.

Theo let out a heavy breath. When he felt anxious, he often busied himself with other things. Zarali had gently pushed him to upgrade his herbalism core, and it was time to make that happen. He locked his eyes on the shrine to Drogramath in his lab, letting his gaze linger over the form of his deity. It was too much like a Dronon to deny the reality of gods. They were just people with more power than others. Reading between the lines, the alchemist understood what everything Khahar said meant. The true meaning, not the cryptic junk he left on the surface.

The gods in the Prime Pantheon were all from Earth.

The thought of pledging his loyalty to some person back on that doomed planet was disheartening. But time changed a person. Even months could ease old wounds and dull the edges of a personality. 60,000 years would have altered them completely. So Theo left his lab, heading across the street to Zaralis enchanters workshop. She was often back by the late afternoon, having left Xolsas tower to tend to whatever work she was entertaining.

Theo, Zarali said as he let himself in. How do you feel about Elves? Are we certain they can be trusted?

Theyll sign the magic contract, Theo said. Same as everyone else.

Oh, I would enjoy seeing an Elf ripped apart by a magic beast, Zarali said, sighing. Anyway, how can I help you?

Time to upgrade this core, Theo said sullenly.

Zarali clapped her hands together, letting out a shriek of excitement. With one deft motion she threw the table in the rooms center aside, then snatched a rug from the ground and tossed it. Beneath were Drogramathi enchanting symbols arranged in a series of circles. In Drogramaths style, the symbols were written as stories. Short snippets about a Dronon conquering death, or Drogramath himself ascending to the Demonic heavens. What a hilarious contradiction.

This is a very simple spell, Zarali said. Well, it would be simple But Belgars [Drogramath Herbalism Core] was only at rare. We never had time to upgrade it to legendary. So! We need to jump two rarity levels, which is more expensive.

Do you need money? Theo asked flatly.

Of course not, Zarali said, waving him away. Just stand in the center of the circle and lets go!

Hold on. Im not jumping in some demon circle just because you said so, Theo said, crossing his arms. How long is this going to put me out for? What do I have to give?

When we did the ritual for Belgar, he wasnt out for more than a few minutes, Zarali said. What we have to give, as you say, is quite a lot of materials. Oh, my! Look at all this Drogramath-aligned metal we suddenly have. Convenient, isnt it?

Too convenient, Theo grumbled, moving into the circle.

He could leave his herbalism core at its current rarity, but his abilities would suffer. Since the constructs ability was tied to both alchemy and herbalism, he wasnt getting the most out of it. This was a necessary move, even if he didnt like it.

Take me all the way to mythic, if you wouldnt mind, Theo said.

Zarali cackled, slapping her knee. Oh, good joke. Now, stand still. Let me know if you experience any pain.

The pain was immediate and mind-numbing. In a flash, it was as though Theos chest was filled with angry, flaming bees. But as quickly as it started, it ended. The room faded to black and the pain was gone. The alchemist found himself in a new room, not unlike that which he went to when talking to the Qavelli representative. A single, shadowy figure stood at the opposite end of the room. The swoop of the mans horns and swishing, thin tail gave him away as a Dronon.

I admit to some deception, the figure said with a shrug. He had a calming voice. Not what Theo was expecting. Not from a Demonic Lord. But the faithful are often easy to deceive.

Drogramath, Theo said. He didnt know whether to bow his head or spit in the Demons face. So, am I getting my new core? Or am I screwed?

The new core, I should think, Drogramath said. Time is short. The realm of your Tarahek is growing too strong. An unintended twist that bore more fruit than I could have imagined. Glanthier, Parantheir, Zaul, Ulvoqor, UzXulven, Tworgnoth, Toruaun, and Khahar. Those are the realms you can trust for your next core. Select myself, UzXulven, and Khahar as your towns patrons, in that order, when you upgrade Broken Tusk next. Again. Time is short.

Theos mind swirled. His superior memory would ensure he remembered every single word, but it struggled to understand the meaning. Drogramath was nothing like he expected, and in an instant the meeting was over. The alchemist didnt have time to ask another question. The Demonic God flicked his hand and the room faded into nothingness.

He gasped for air, waking in a cold sweat in his bed.

Theo! Tresk shouted, slapping him across the face. Youve been asleep for ten years!

Shut up, Tresk. You stupid idiot, Luras said.

It was funny!

Aarok grunted his disapproval.

Someone bring me up to speed, Theo said, his mind still reeling from the encounter with Drogramath.

Theo, Im so sorry, Zarali said.

Theo had time to take stock of his surroundings. Tresk, Aarok, Luras, and Zarali were all crowded around his bed. Morning sunlight flooded through his window, casting them all in a halo of yellow light.

Zarali messed up your ritual, Luras said, his eyes burning with the power of his Ogre Patron.

I didnt mess it up, Zarali said. I did exactly as He said.

Theo ignored their bickering and inspected his cores, finding that Drogramath kept up his end of the bargain.

[Drogramath Herbalist Core]

Legendary

Herbalist Core

Bound

3 Slots

Level 16 (25%)

[Herbalist Core] given to the descendants of Drogramath.

Effects:

+5 Vigor

[Rare Material Handling]

While his friends argued about who messed what up, the alchemist inspected the new skill attached to his herbalism core.

[Rare Material Handling]

Herbalism Skill

Rare

Allows the user to handle rare reagents without destroying them.

The conversation devolved from there. Theo got what he wanted to hear. These check-in meetings were too important, and he wanted to do them more often. Another scandal like the farm situation would be horrible. The alchemist sat and listened to their strategies, agreeing where it was appropriate and declining otherwise. It was the perfect salve to an unsavory event, leaving him feeling excited and confident. When they finally broke off, sometime around midday, he went to inspect his town.

[Large Town]

Name: Broken Tusk

Owner: Kingdom of Qavell

Mayor: Theo Spencer

Faction: [Qavell]

Level: 19 (22.12%)

Core Buildings:

Alchemy Lab

Greenhouses (x6)

Blacksmith

Artificers Workshop

Large Farm

Windmill

Quarry

Stonecutter

House (x231)

Tannery

Leatherworker

Tavern

Adventurers Guild

Hotsprings

Sawmill

Mine

Smelter

Enchanter

Ranch

Townhall

Butcher

Defensive Emplacements:

Chain Lightning (x12)

Frost Cone (x7)

Fireball (x10)

Firebolt (x25)

Upgrades:

[Stone Walls and Gates]

[Stone Roads]

[Turret Emplacements]

Effects:

[Troll Slaying]

[Coordinated Fire]

Current Resources:

Timber: 32,501

Stone Blocks: 15,000

Metal: 20,000

Motes: 5,000

While the towns level hadnt made progress, that was part of their plan. They needed more citizens to make that work, and it was only a matter of time before they had another flood of people. Theo consulted his mayoral interface to inspect the map. Alise pointed out a few areas they could expand easily, creating more land for homes. Purchasing land to the west, into the swamp, wasnt ideal. But there was plenty of land to the northeast. After that, they could expand from the harbor to the east, taking over the vast prairies. Xolsa needed to get his [Dungeon Engineer] core so they could do something about the [River Dungeon], which now sat north of the harbor.

Another notable thing to come out of the meeting was that Aarok had purchased more weapons for their walls. Theo still wanted to get Sledge to work with Throk to create an automated mote-feeding system for the artifices, so that might be their next project. The old Marshling would moan about how he didnt want to do it, only to eventually cave. There was also the need to get rid of their resources. They were packed to the gills with all the important ones, more than they could ever spend repairing their walls and buildings. Some of those resources were now being traded for dried food, but that was fine. Production was at an all-time high.

Theo looked forward to the meeting with Rivers and Daub, and Gronro-Dir. Whatever alliance they formed would form the basis of the southlands power, and their ability to fight whatever was coming. Azrug had expressed his plan to create an overland shipping operation, and he had a [General Store Seed Core] in hand. The young Merchant Lord was reluctant to reveal this information, but Theo had expected it.

The truth is, Theo said, patting his egg. Seeing that guy took a weight off my shoulders.

The egg chirped in response.