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BD - Chapter 214 - Bee Committed!
🕑 Added 2024-12-25 20:05:01 +0000 UTCBelissar, Tarwantrad, and Chief Rohsuak were all sitting around as the celebration wore on. Belissar nervously picked at his food, eating just enough that the bees wouldn’t stop to check on him. He was trying to enjoy the taste of the honey, but he could not help his worry. The God of Bees said it was handled and he trusted her but he still really wished he knew what was going on. He’d probably remain anxious until Tarwantrad could speak with the Oracle of Flowers and hear from one of the directly involved parties…
Suddenly, a wave of hot mana surged through his Tower, and a wave of messages surged across his vision.
New mission received: Help one bee queen receive a full blessing from the God of Fire
New mission received: Share a monster bee queen with a dungeon patronized by the God of Flowers
The God of Flowers wishes to offer you a quest. Accept?
Belissar blinked repeatedly. He glanced over at Tarwantrad and found she had stiffened and was gaping at the air.
“Um…”
Chief Rohsuak looked at him with concern.
“Tower Keeper? If I’m not mistaken, that was the power of the God of Fire, was it not? Has something occurred?”
Belissar slowly nodded. He glanced throughout his Tower and found the God of Fire’s braziers now present in both Lava Fields.
“The gods have done…something. I just got new missions from the God of Bees relating to the God of Fire and God of Flowers. The God of Flowers also wants to offer me a quest…but…”
Belissar hesitated, given that it was a reward from the God of Flowers that had triggered this whole affair. What if she wanted him to do something that would antagonize the God of Fire? Fortunately, Velebee was riding on Niobee’s back as she always did at the queen meetings, and immediately began to glow.
“Hive-Builder! Queen of All Bees says accept mission from Queen of All Flowers!”
Belissar furrowed his brow. If the God of Bees was asking he was going to accept…but that didn’t mean he wasn’t worried.
“Sorry, I’ll do as the God of Bees ask, but…if she’ll have mercy on me…could I ask a question first?”
“Queen of All Bees says can!”
Belissar bowed his head.
“Thank you. Will this mission…upset the God of Fire?”
Velebee immediately danced the negative.
“Queen of All Bees says won’t!”
Belissar let out a sigh and then smiled.
“Thank you. And thank you Velebee.”
He reached out and gently brushed Velebee’s back with a finger, then accepted the mission.
New mission received: Complete the God of Fire’s mead mission as soon as possible.
Belissar slowly let out another sigh, letting all the tension drain from his body. He took another deep breath before he looked up at Chief Rohsuak.
“Ok, I think it’s settled. The God of Flowers just tasked me with completing the God of Fire’s mission, so I think they made up?”
Chief Rohsuak didn’t hide her own smile as she let out a deep sigh of her own.
“That is a sincere relief.”
Belissar could only nod at that before turning to Tarwantrad.
“Did you hear from the gods too?”
Tarwantrad snapped out of her stare to look at Belissar. She slowly began to smile.
“Yes, yes I did. The God of Flowers wishes for me to support you…as does the God of Bees.”
Belissar beamed as warmth filled his chest. The God of Bees really did take good care of him, he’d have to thank her again. He resolved to ensure she had a steady supply of mead offerings from now on.
***
Since the situation with the gods was seemingly resolved, Belissar was able to walk into the post-celebration meeting with confidence. He had a big smile on his face as the bee queens assembled and saluted. While the possibility of a god fight had been incredibly stressful…there was no doubt that Belissar had profited greatly today.
“So, we have a lot to discuss tonight. First of all, the God of Flowers upgraded her blessing. Here are the new effects.”
Small Blessing of Flowers
Effects:
- Flower-related options appear with a small increase in frequency.
- Additional special flower-related options are unlocked and may now appear
- Flower monster upgrades and evolutions have a small deduction in resource cost and unlock difficulty
- Small boost to the growth of flowers and Flower-type monsters
- Slight boost to the stats of Flower-type features and monsters
The bees immediately began swarming in “Amazing, incredible!” dances. Belissar chuckled and waited for them to calm down, but he certainly agreed. Every effect of the God of Flower’s blessing had upgraded from slight to small, while a new effect had appeared that made flowers stronger. A timely blessing given his Tower had just started raising monster flowers…and that was before they began cross-pollinating with Tarwantrad’s Flower dungeon.
But that was only the beginning of their decisions for tonight. Belissar continued once the bees had finished their dance.
“Next, we have another rare Bee choice from the God of Bees herself.”
Belissar nearly trembled in anticipation as he opened the reward. He had high hopes for this one…
Please select a monster:
- Monster Reed Bee (Rarity: Rare, Type: Bee)
- Monster Bee Knight (Rarity: Rare, Type: Bee)
- Butcher Bee Queen (Rarity: Rare, Type: Bee)
Belissar made a wide grin, and even laughed as soon as he saw the glowing option. The God of Bees had delivered and provided exactly the bee type he was hoping for. He knew immediately what to pick.
But then…he looked at the other options. He knew he shouldn’t look, given what he had to do this time, but he couldn’t help it. He was curious. He assumed Tarwantrad was as well given the way she was leaning towards him. So…he went ahead and read out the descriptions.
Monster Reed Bee
Vitality: Minimal+
Strength: Minimal+
Speed: Average+
Magic: Minimal+
Defense: Minimal+
Resistance: Minimal+
Special: Above Average
Notable Skills: Poison Sting, Adaptive Nesting, Brood Coordination
Spawner Upkeep: 15 (8 with Blessing of Bees)
Description: A reed bee that has accumulated enough mana to become something more. More individually capable than monster bees, they can act independently, form small communal nests, or gather into eusocial hives as environmental resources permit. Forming burrows in plants, preferably fern trees, they raise their young in one communal chamber where the larvae compete for food. The strongest of the young are therefore more capable and likely to evolve than their siblings as they grow, though at the expense of the weaker.
Individual monster reed bees are generally more capable than their monster bee counterparts, though they do not produce honey or wax. While as a casteless species they cannot raised evolved monster bee types, adult reed bees may evolve into available bee types as suits the individual.
This one had Belissar tilting his head. They weren’t a brood species like the monster bees or monster bumblebees, but also weren’t a completely separate species like the carpenters. They didn’t produce wax or honey, but were apparently stronger…and apparently competed as larvae? Belissar wasn’t sure what to make it all. Maybe they were better for battle or something?
The bees were more subdued about a new species as usual, though he could see the battle meadow queens discussing the same ideas he had been thinking of. He turned to Tarwantrad to see if she knew of this bee type. He found her staring with sparkling eyes.
“Amazing, I’ve never heard of this species before! I’ll have to check if there’s any mention of it in the house of lore…”
Well, apparently Tarwantrad didn’t have an answer for him this time, and definitely didn’t have access to the species herself if she hadn’t even heard of it. But Belissar wasn’t really evaluating the choice, so he didn’t find it a priority to fully understand what it did this time. He’d definitely be interested if Tarwantrad did learn anything more about it, though. In any case, he moved on to the next option.
Monster Bee Knight
Vitality: Below Average
Strength: Small+
Speed: Average
Magic: Minimal+
Defense: Small+
Resistance: Minor+
Special: Minimal+
Notable Skills: Poison Thrust, Death Blow, Harden Chitin, Brood Offspring
Evolves From: Monster Bee Soldier, Monster Bee Lancer
Spawner Upkeep: 40 (20 with Blessing of Bees)
Description: A monster bee lancer evolution. This lancer is no longer content with purely hit and run attacks, and so has evolved to stay in the fight. Tougher chitin, larger size, and greater vitality allow it to take blows other bees cannot, while strengthened muscles allow for powerful thrusts even from up close. These characteristics also make it no less capable at the powerful dives its ancestors utilize, though its heavier body does take more time to move.
Belissar furrowed his brow. He regretted reading this one, because now he wanted it. He really wanted it. An even bigger lancer with tough, heavy chitin plates? One specifically built for durability while still retaining the powerful stingers of the lancers…that they could even use up close? These bees would be perfect to both shore up the bee army’s defenses while also improving its ability to fight back…
That the battle meadow queens immediately ceased all discussion on the reed bees and were now buzzing their wings and spinning about in circles did not help.
But, with a great effort of will, Belissar tore his eyes away from the description and the beautiful preview the Tower tempted him with. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, slowly unleashing it in a dramatic sigh.
“I’m sorry everyone but…we need the butcher bees for the Death room.”
In an effort to distract himself from what he was giving up, he read out the butcher bee description.
Butcher Bee Queen
Vitality: Minimal
Strength: Minor
Speed: Average
Magic: Minor
Defense: Minimal
Resistance: Minimal
Special: Minor
Notable Skills: Bite, Brood Mother, Command Offspring
Spawner Upkeep: 20 (10 with Blessing of Bees)
Description: A vulture bee that has accumulated enough mana to become something more. No longer content with scavenging the dead, this bee’s sharp mandibles shred through living flesh to gather sustenance for the hive. A swarm can pick a body clean in minutes…whether dead or alive. This one is a queen, and capable of building a hive of butcher bees.
The effort worked…partially. Belissar groaned. He shouldn’t have read the monster bee knight description. He really wanted them, and had it not been for recent circumstances probably would have chosen them.
But…he needed butcher bees to deal with the rabbits and get a Death room going, lest he let Hesfalle’s advice and boons all go to waste. The alternative was to let his regular monster bees face the dangers of Death mana and suffer the casualties that would result, rather than the bees built for killing and scavenging. Not only that, the God of Bees had gone out of her way to give him this option specifically. If he did not choose it now, who knew how long it would take before it showed up again? He hadn’t seen bloodsucking bee queens or stingless bee queens ever since passing them up.
He reminded himself of all the God of Bees had done for him, and quickly made his choice before he could change his mind.
Butcher Bee Queens are now available!
He turned to the battle meadow queens and was about to apologize, only to find the Firstborn dancing.
“Amazing, incredible! Will make hive of hives stronger!”
He could only make a helpless smile and gave her a nod. That was Tarwantrad had told him, right? The point wasn’t how great an option was, but how it fit into the Tower and what they did with it. He had made his choice, now they just had to make the best of it.
Author’s Note:
Merry Christmas! I got you a present! It’s bees! Good thing y’all were good this year!
Yes, finally! Now that the gods have stopped being silly, we can get more bees! We finally got Belissar to pick one of the cool queen options!
…but at what cost? Tis the problem with these choices. To select bees, we have to give up bees. We gain everything…at the cost of everything. So, of course I’d learn about Allodapini bees now with their “the strong survive” approach to feeding larva that’s kind of perfect for a monster species at a moment when Belissar can’t possibly pick them. Not to mention that we won’t get the bees of the hexagonal table either…
But hey, now we have butcher bees! Who’s ready for meat honey?
Anyways!
Will Tarwantrad learn more about reed bees? How will butcher bees strengthen the hive of hives and the Tower? Will Belissar regret passing up knights and reed bees? Tune in next time, to find out!
Comments
Durphymcbob
I mean in the description it says that they can be altered and crafted to gain different stats and effects who says the golems can't have some armored plates built into them. Even if it's just leather, bone or even wood not just metal. They could be crafted to be decent fighters are customizable.
phantom
Fair enough though that was already their plan.
phantom
You think a knight bee is going to withstand a slash from a tower guard? Also since you mentioned armor they could just put that on them. True wax is not the most durable though even made out of magical honey probably. Still saying they are just for carrying things is selling them short.
Darius Sanguna
Have to wonder when Champions and Mage-Knights are gonna crop up hehe
Darius Sanguna
The golems are more like Carriers, not Battleships. Remember, they're made from WAX. They probably also aren't very fast, so against real tower guards they're prolly going to get shredded. At best they're on par with unarmored Karnuq.
Durphymcbob
By the extras of the rabbits I meant like the bones and guts they can't eat after they hunt and gut them, not the living rabbits, to basically add more to the compost pile to help the death mana form.
phantom
A big reason offense is favored in nature. While having strength that destroys our bodies seems counter productive to survival. A predator won't be willing to oppose us unless they can survive the damage we do. which means that strength is not needed to be used unless a predator is overwhelmingly powerful. There is weaknesses in that adaptions will overlap. But since the berserkers are so strong; and likely overwhelmingly so with death attuned butcher bees; this means they can force the hunger to give up a whole venue of attack.
phantom
So when thinking about the effectiveness of berserker bees that are death attuned butchers I realized something. The thing about one thing not being able to counter the hunger actually works in favor for Bellisar not wanting bees to die. because the hunger has to make trade offs for these adaptions. The thing is the hunger spawns with these adaptions before combat begins. So you can use their sheer power to intimidate the hunger into making suboptimal shades. So basically. Use the bees once. The hunger will be forced to take suboptimal adaptions to avoid the berserkers killing it in future fights. and then you don't need to use the bees against the new shades.
phantom
"have the kurnuq just put the extras of the rabbits" Not happening. If they can't successfully hunt the excess rabbits they are certainly not going to manage to force the still living rabbits into a room full of predators. You either hunt the rabbits enough or you have an infestation eating your stuff. Why do you think a certain tower master was so afraid of giving them?
phantom
"I don't like him because he uses his clearly superior power (probably because he is more worshipped) to surpress and intimidate weaker gods and forcing them to do what he wants." This is nonsense. He gave into Bee's demands when she was clearly exploiting the deal. He has been nothing but fair and kind until this point. Of course he is going to be furious when after showing kindness to those in weaker positions he ends up getting mocked and belittled do to reasons that weren't his fault.
Durphymcbob
Yeah that makes since, Belissar is laering from the circle how to "Properly" build the tower, not just building, alot of strong monsters and a strong foundation, but now thinking about thaey interact and power eachother up, like the death room giving the life ycle to his tower, making the life stronger, or a water room to cover his weakness to fire,and etcetera
phantom
Resource expense is not why I said it was a luxury. It is because the golems already fulfill the role of front lines that the knights would have been valued for. likely better than the knights since they don't have to worry about being harmed. Having a strong bee would help. But helping is not the same as fulfilling a missing role. Hence why I said they are a luxury.
Beeees!
Really love the knight evolution. Truly feels thematically like the next step for lancers. Tho tabky fir a bee might still not be very tanky
Tsorov
While that is true now, the honey production is growing steadily with new queens being born. Not to mention all the new perks Bellissar is getting. So, while in the short term they don't have that much potential, a second evolution with far greater strength would definetly be useful to the hive of hives. I'm not saying he chose wrong, because the death room will have a gigantic impact on his tower if we understood it right, but knights are definetly a viable choice
Durphymcbob
I think the reason Fire was so angry and upset about was mostly becasue one, he is basically the concept fire personified, so him having a fiery temper makes since, and that the gods kinda act like royality and have a hiearchy. Fire is more than friendly and kind when you you are on his good side we have seen that, but we fire will burn you if you mistreat it, like what flower did. I mean how else would the concept of fire as a person react to someone treating him like dirt. Im sure if Flower came in and apolgized for giving belissar a bonus for comleteing the quest before his, and maybe shared half a jar of mead with him while they talked, everything would have been fine.
Durphymcbob
yeah we can't really afford the honey it will probably take to evolve lancers into knights of all things while we still are evolving assassins and captians, while directing beepower to also crafting the beeswax golems.
Tsorov
The exploding part isn't the one I have a problem with, I don't like him because he uses his clearly superior power (probably because he is more worshipped) to surpress and intimidate weaker gods and forcing them to do what he wants. Had he demanded an apology and compensation for the mocking in a more respectful way I would have been on his side. But the way he conducts himself doesn't speak of a likable character. He reminds me a blt of Frieza from DB
phantom
The knights are a luxury once the golems are operational. Stop fretting over it Belissar.
Black Esper
Thanks for the chapter and Merry Christmas 🐝
Black Esper
Well, I like Fire. He is true to his feelings and wouldn't have exploded without Flower gloating to him that she got the mead first. 😉
Durphymcbob
To the Death Room: Yeah, i can see that, the magic of the tower basically equalizing the mana/ soil nnutiance thruout the tower,having both sizes of the coin in the tower proply make each effect stronger. Onto the mead: Yeah he might not have the exact traditions or mead knowledge of our world but i can definitly see him in the furtute basically finding out all of the secrets to making the perfect mead.
mly85lc
And if manipulation of bee larvae stages brings change how whille that able to bees already on tower? Will some bee queen... or better yet bee worker/tender pick up a new piece of information and blazes a new paht forward?
mly85lc
So-o.... since hives of hives don't have reasons deficit.. how and for what would those reed bee larvae compete?.. how could MC change/direct theyry behaviour to bring out best of them to hive of hives?
Thomas V.
That, and the description called it “a Lancer bee that’s no longer content with X”, which means that Lancers can evolve into these without having to pick this as an option. And now that everyone knows that Knights are possible and what their requirements are, I know for a fact that the queens will be working *very hard* to get these guys. I can’t wait lol
TheLostGolem
Correction. We don't get the Bees of the hexagonal table yet. I have high hopes for the future.
Tsorov
I understand it like this: Because he will have a death room, his Tower will have some kind of circle of life, with things rotting and composting so that other regions of his Tower are able to thrive off this death attributed room. To the mead: I don't think Bellissar has these traditions, since he made the mead like he made it with his master. What he could do is experiment what works while he tries to fullfill the mission of the god of fire (who we don't like because he threatened the queen of queens).
Durphymcbob
He might have set up 2 rooms one for the kurnuq to hunt in on their floor and 1one for the burtcher bees to live in. Have rabbits spawn in both rooms for each to hunt and have the kurnuq just but the extras of the rabbits that they can't eat in the burtcher bee room, to help with the process of making changing it over to death attribute.
Durphymcbob
Thanks for the Chapter! Its nice to see That belissar now has some more quests to start now that he has basically gone thru most of them. And he wants to start ramping up his mead production hey, he probably should ask the kurnuq for some larger glasswear or cermics as that is what mead was tradiitonally fermanted in, Im sure their might be some glassblowers as they are from a Fire Dungeon. Has he only has the couple dozen or so glass jars that came with the apairy right? I'm sure. Plus Bee gave him a quest to have some a queen move into The flower ones home! I'm sure that will make Tarwantard very happy, lets just make sure the hives she builds are up to snuff, and she has some mana flowers, all of Bellisars bees love those. And Tarwantard also got some quests? i wonder what those quests are? And finally the burtcher bees, he it seems that the gods have a bit more control of what options they give when its a reward from a quest, so of course Bee, would give the best dungeon master what he needs to build a great hive of hives! and if i read this right having some death rooms will basically make all of the rooms will alot of of live in them more vibrant and effective right?
Fernando Oliveira
Thanks for the chapter. Loved it. So I understand belissar wanting to unlock the bee knights but that can wait. With the karnuq helping the front lines are momentarily secured. The butcher bees sound awesome. Can't wait to see the death room set up. Does belissar plan to set one up in a new meadow room or an orchard? I'm guessing the meadow but the orchard would be a cool alternative, could lead to some poisonous apples of death. Lol.
