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BD - Chapter 203 - A New Kind of Bee
🕑 Added 2024-11-22 20:05:01 +0000 UTCTarwantrad bounced in place, staring at him with sparkling eyes as Belissar announced he had taken the monster choice. Belissar smiled and wasted no time checking the options.
Please select a monster:
- Beeswax Golem (Rarity: Uncommon, Type: Bee, Construct)
- Monster Leafcutter Bee (Rarity: Common, Type: Bee, Nature)
- Butcher Bee Queen (Rarity: Rare, Type: Bee)
Belissar couldn’t help but grin. An uncommon and a rare, one of which was a queen! This looked like it’d be a good one already. Tarwantrad seemed to agree, given how her bouncing sped up.
Beeswax Golem
Vitality: Below Average
Strength: Average
Speed: Below Average
Magic: Minimal
Defense: Below Average
Resistance: Below Average
Special: Minor
Notable Skills: Construct, Brood Carrier, Internal Storage
Spawner Upkeep: 20 (10 with Blessing of Bees)
Description: A golem formed from beeswax. While its material makes it weaker and less resilient than more traditional golems, it is also correspondingly lighter and faster. Its honeycomb interior allows it to carry Bee-type monsters and honey protected within itself, which may be deployed for various effects with clever design.
As a construct, its exact attributes and skills may be altered depending on design and materials used. Spawners can be provided with compatible materials to produce different variants. If wax producing Bee-type monsters are available, they will be able to construct Beeswax Golems.
Belissar’s eyes widened as he read over the description. For the first time, he was offered a Bee-type monster that wasn’t a bee. The Tower’s preview in his mind showed him what appeared as a humanoid sculpture made of beeswax that could move on its own or as directed by its creator. It was dotted with holes across its body that bees could fly in and out of, and he caught glimpses of glistening honeycomb within.
“Golems, huh?”
He frowned for a moment. He didn’t have a high opinion of golems, monstrosities built by mad mages that were said to go on rampages at the slightest provocation. But then he remembered that was just what the Tower Lords had told him and probably mostly lies. Neither Chief Rohsuak nor Tarwantrad seemed to be particularly disturbed by the idea so he was thinking golems were probably much safer than he had been led to believe.
“Either of you know anything about golems?”
Chief Rohsuak shrugged.
“Only how to destroy them. They’re tough and strong but inflexible, so once you have a handle on them they aren’t hard to outmaneuver.”
She glanced around and smirked.
“That is, if they aren’t being supported by an army of flying monsters, though.”
Tarwantrad nodded.
“I am told as much regarding facing them as an opponent. As a dungeon defender, construct type monsters are a good way to make use of surplus resources, particularly for dungeons led by or home to expert crafters. Some of the Circle masters make heavy use of them for that reason.”
Then she grinned as she glanced towards the queens.
“It sounds as if you have plenty of both resources and crafters for this particular construct.”
Belissar tried to keep his expression neutral as he looked to see how his bees were responding, though a small smile broke out on his face regardless. He saw the Apiary bees dancing about. The First of the Fifth noticed his attention and directed her dance to him.
“Make wax alive? Make fight for king?”
Belissar slowly nodded.
“I think so.”
The Apiary bees’ dances intensified at that. Belissar found himself nodding along as they discussed what this could possibly mean among themselves. Right now, he only used beeswax in the candles, so they had quite the abundance of the material. A greater surplus than honey, even. Those stockpiles could become a powerful resource for the tower if they could be converted into additional defenders. It would also enable the Apiary hives to directly contribute to the bee army.
And the more he thought about it, the more he liked it. A key feature was that these were constructs, not living creatures. They could be repaired if destroyed or replaced as necessary…and so they could take blows that the bees and the karnuq could not. They would provide Belissar’s Tower with a defender that he wouldn’t mind placing in harm’s way and so would reduce the risk to both the bees and the karnuq.
That made them appealing indeed. But they were but the first option offered, so Belissar moved on.
Monster Leafcutter Bee
Vitality: Minimal
Strength: Minimal+
Speed: Average
Magic: Minimal
Defense: Minimal
Resistance: Minimal
Special: Minimal
Notable Skills: Poison Sting, Bite
Spawner Upkeep: 1
Description: A leafcutter bee that has accumulated enough Nature mana to become something more. Its sharp mandibles can give painful bites along with its stings. Its habit of creating nests with Nature-mana imbued leaves can increase the Nature-mana density of an area.
Belissar rubbed his chin. Another common bee monster that lacked brood mother or brood offspring, so would be separate from the monster bee hives, like the carpenter bees. This one didn’t seem to have an obvious use for battle or crafting like the carpenter bees did, so he wasn’t sure what to make of it. There was that part about increasing Nature mana, though, so perhaps that would be impactful somehow?
He was about to ask about it when he saw Tarwantrad smirking.
“Let’s just say I recommend you hold off on this one for now, Belissar.”
Belissar nodded. He probably wouldn’t have chosen it anyways, unless it had turned out that Nature mana thing was particularly important. None of his bees were particularly interested since it wouldn’t interact with their own hives…save the Fourth of the Seventh who seemed to dance happily whenever he read any option. In any case, he decided to trust Tarwantrad and moved on to the final choice.
Another queen.
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.
Another queen that put the monster in monster bee. Belissar pursed his lips. So…there were apparently bees that ate meat, even before becoming monsters judging by the description. These were what happened when said bees became monster bees.
Well, frightening though they may be, Belissar did not doubt they could strengthen the Tower’s defenses, particularly as they were a type of queen. Even the workers had scary-looking mandibles specifically for cutting into flesh, so Belissar could only imagine what a butcher bee soldier might look like. Since the bumblebees had raised soldiers, he knew at least that option should apply to these as well, though he wasn’t sure about the others as the bumblebees hadn’t raised any other variants just yet.
Of course, like the bloodsucking bees he had once seen, there was the all important question of how he would feed meat-eating bees. The karnuq were hunting in the Underway on occasion to supplement their diet, but otherwise the Tower had no innate supplies of meat. Unless he sent the butcher bees out to hunt? Would that prove sufficient?
“Belissar, are you concerned about the food supply?”
He was brought out of his thoughts by Tarwantrad’s question.
“Forgive me for assuming but I did not recall seeing any animals besides bees during the tour.”
He nodded.
“You’re right, the karnuq hunt the Underway a bit but I don’t know if that would be enough to feed entire carnivorous hives…”
She smiled at him.
“In that case, please be aware that we can assist with that. If you decide to choose these bees and need a food source, let me know and I’ll arrange an appropriate boon for you. Ah, to be clear, that goes for the other choice as well. As I mentioned, there are Circle masters with an interest in constructs who would likely want to take a look at those golems, so if you select those they may have boons and knowledge that would go well with them.”
Belissar smiled.
“Thanks, that helps a lot.”
Indeed, it did. If Tarwantrad and the Circle could provide a food supply, then he could consider the butcher bees as a real option. The only question was, then, which of the options would help his Tower most?
Before deciding, however, there was one final choice to consider. Belissar brought up the perk choice.
Please select a perk:
- Enhanced Toxins (Rarity: Common)
- Hardened Wax (Rarity: Common)
- Alluring Honey (Rarity: Uncommon)
Belissar pursed his lips again. All repeat options, this time, and all fairly straightforward, though he read the descriptions for Tarwantrad and any queens that weren’t there the last time he saw them. In addition…they had new monsters and features to go along with them this time. Hardened Wax, for example, didn’t have much use previously besides strengthening the hives…which no shade would reach unless the Tower’s defenses had already been defeated. Now, though, there was an obvious benefit if he selected the beeswax golem, as he imagined said perk would make them tougher.
Enhanced toxins had even more to recommend it. Not only did all his bees have their stingers, his Tower had recently received several new sources of poison. Juosiutik was now producing deathcap poison for the karnuq hunters, a new type of especially venomous bee had evolved from said deathcaps, and the flowers from Urubran and Nenavann released toxic smoke and mist respectively. Plus, said feat would potentially make his Sticky Honey Traps and the Beeswax Candles more effective as well. Now that he thought about it, almost every defense he had would be improved by this perk.
Belissar turned it over to the others as he thought.
“What do you think?”
The Firstborn replied first.
“Enhanced Toxins…help all bees fight?”
Belissar nodded and she saluted. She danced no more but Belissar could tell she was interested from the way her legs kept twitching.
Belissar glanced to the Apiary queens and found them having another dance off. He was a bit surprised at how many of them liked Enhanced Toxins, given their earlier interest in the wax golems. In the end, the First of the Fifth simply saluted.
“Whatever King decides!”
Well, this time she had danced that after in-depth consideration by the queens, so Belissar could only nod and accept it. He turned to Chief Rohsuak, who had her expected “you pick” smile. She did shrug this time, however.
“You know which one Juosiutik would like. She’d probably be interested in the wax golems too, if just to store more honey.”
Belissar made an amused smile at that. Finally, he turned to Tarwantrad.
“Any advice?”
Tarwantrad furrowed her brow for a bit.
“In the end each dungeon is unique so please consider your own circumstances first and foremost. That said, your and my dungeon both make heavy use of toxins in our defense, so that perk would maximize the benefits you would receive from our exchanges. I would select that one, were I in your position.”
Belissar nodded.
“I was thinking that too. Thanks for the advice.”
Tarwantrad smiled at him. Then, Belissar made his choices.
Beeswax golem spawner is now available. Wax producing Bee-type monsters may now construct beeswax golems.
Enhanced Toxins selected.
A new queen type was tempting now that he knew he could feed them, but that would just add another type of hive to the Tower. Beeswax golems, on the other hand, added an entirely different type of defender, as well as another method by which all of his existing hives could fight. It felt to him like the more impactful option, and the one his bees were more interested in to boot.
He considered Hardened Wax to go with them, but Enhanced Toxins was just too good to pass up this time. Tarwantrad’s recommendation was the final assurance he needed that he was making the right choice. Besides, even if Enhanced Toxins wouldn’t help the golems, he figured they wouldn’t be hurt by poison either, so he could use them to fight around the Vapor Hemlock or beeswax candles.
He smiled as all the bees broke out into happy dances…and then blinked as Tarwantrad did as well.
“Your bees are going to build golems! That’s…that’s…that’s going to be adorable! You must let me know when they start!”
Belissar smiled again. He was looking forward to that one, too.
Author’s Note:
Schedule Reminder: No chapters next week, as planned. Posting shall resume on Dec. 2nd!
A bee monster…that’s not a bee? I’m skeptical but we’ll try to keep an open mind, it wouldn’t have the honor of the Bee type if it were silly, after all. As long as it’s built by bees, surely it will be amazing and incredible.
Anyways!
Will a bee monster that’s not a bee also be amazing and incredible? Will golems and enhanced toxins protect the hive of hives? How adorable will golem-making bees be? Tune in next time, to find out!
Comments
Borindak
I did not, in fact, remember the planned break this week, but this reminded me again, so thank you! Missing the bees, but enjoy the deserved break/holiday!
Blueazer
Thank you for another wonderful chapter. I hope you have a wonderful holiday and break from writing. Cheers
mly85lc
A net made of plant's wipers to binding the golems wax frame, rising it tensile strength and give hardened wax some more room to flexs white out breaking.
mly85lc
Accompanied by garden golems for biger range honey production. Alongside guard golems to keep it safe.
mly85lc
Oh. Walking hive whit mana flowers planted all over it fream, alonside mana mushrooms inside to keep mana levels inside hive closer to kings domain.
mly85lc
Hm.. could bee most obvious starting version, after-all crafter for golem will be bees and this wax golems sets up I'd probably form Bee god... and copy off "best human" to carry his children to battle seems fitting if not best though off.
Brandon Johnson
These would make great personal carriers. Load them with soldier bees and send the golems into pockets of enemy combatants. With protection from ranged support they can get in close and deliver their cargo to disrupt enemy formations.
J S
Tanks to take a hit are a great idea.
Michael Grover
So as with others here I will jump on the golem bandwagon and present my idea for a 2nd or 3rd generation golem once they get a handle on making a basic version. The forward facing/outer wax will need to be from the Lava room queens. Since fire is a common attack they face. Metal armor on parts could work. Stone and wax from the underground queen that uses heat to dig for the feet/boots. To avoid setting the ground on fire. Finally a stone beehive installed into the back to give none fire/lava based bees a place to gather and to hold different needed honeys.
Presten
I'm imagining a golem with battlecasters inside so that they can dance ththeir spells into existence while the golem maneuvers and keeps them at a safe distance and clear shot. Then obviously high durability golems to present a large unignorable threat that will force attackers to focus them while the rest of the defenders deal damage. Next up are single use golems, either filled with sealed chambers of toxic mana honey or the highest concentration of mana to honey ratio they can make, lined with metal scrap from karnuk forging. Prepped with fire radish or whatever priming explosive they figure out, and tada, we have a bomb golem. Or just build a cheap golem and have it tackle enemies into the various trap pits. I'm so excited for the bee dungeon to enter the era of drone warfare.
Tsorov
Nah, in Bellisars pre order vision we could see that they are humanoid with holes for bees inside them
The furry in your walls in your walls
Are the wax golems going to be shaped like bees???
Dalton
I'm imagine giant golems with the bee queens piloting then going so hard.
mly85lc
And if there is say golem that could only say gliding In air and sport out 3 legs once on ground would it still bee a golem? Oh and it's suff fully of poison mist that burst out once in positio.
mly85lc
So... what is dedication of constructive golem on this universe? Sure the there was description off humanoid golem on chapter... but dos it need to be two legs or can it horse or century? Dos it need to be able to move? If so how much? If there's a say two columns shaped golems standing over cave's entrest brimmed whit fire mana able only to bend towards cave a golem?
Durphymcbob
Also have a nice vacation, I'll see you next month. :p
Durphymcbob
Thanks for the chapter! Reasonable decision Bellisar, a "disposable" defender is honesty the best option for Him to pick and the Enhanced toxins gotta double down on our toxins to make sure the shade do get an immunity! And the Beewax Golems oh those have potential! Their are already multiple types of useful waxes that can be used for it, and who says it has to be made out of only one wax ththey could use the denser earth bee wax for the interior "skeleton" the kurnuq could even help here by supplying wooden or metal poles that the golem can be built off inside to make it hardier or even just plate of simple bronze or iron metal that can be built into outside of the golem to be used as armor. And isnt their those new thermal mining bees that make stronger wax. And they could even use the more dangerous waxes like the toxic or burning waxes for the hands to give their attacks a bit of an elemental punch. And that only if the kurnuq can make the golems some weapons that can use even if it is just some metal spiked knuckles or a sword hand. If the bees and kurnuq work together on this, these golems have a very high ceiling of power. And that is just for combat. Who know what other uses they could have.
Fernando Oliveira
Thank you for the chapter. Loved it. So we've got enhanced toxin and wax golems. That's amazing. So while the tower showed a humanoid golem, considering that the bees can build their own are we limited to humanoids or could they construct smaller and bigger varients like squirrels and rhinos for example. Lol. No reason to only use humanoid golems unless the tower prevents the others from working. Now I'm also pretty sure the different types of hives can produce different types of wax, so we could have burning wax golems in the lava room, and toxic wax golems in the tunnels. maybe even aquatic golems in the pond. Lightning golems would be really quick since the wax is light and air golems shaped like bees or birds might even be able to fly! I can't wait to see what you come up with next. Love this story.
Baseplate36
Can they make their hives into golems, that way when the hive is threatened it can just stand up and run away, also I imagine the fourth of the seventh would enjoy a hive that can explore
Tsorov
Thx for the chapter, and have a nice holiday!
