The Bee Dungeon
Chapter 289: Bee-ware the Storm

Perpetual Mana Storm

- Type: Arcane, Variable, Trap, Spawner, Resource

- Mana Upkeep: 100

- Description: Wild mana rarely gathers together given its volatile nature. In the incredibly unlikely instances when it does, the mana storm is the result. A mana storm is a critical mass of wild, reactive, and uncontained mana that not only creates spontaneous magic, but that also affects the mana in its environment, creating more wild mana that fuels and spreads the storm in turn. The storm thus continues on until all the available mana in the area has been spent.

Mana storms are, like any other kind of wild magic, unpredictable and each mana storm differs from the others based on the exact composition of mana that it was formed from and that it consumes. However, certain effects have been noted across mana storms. All mana in the area grows agitated and has a tendency to gather together. This makes it easier to channel mana near or in a mana storm, but with the risk that any use of mana may attract wild magic phenomena, or else see the mana expended drained into the storm. Arcane bolts of pure mana are common as well, striking at random but with a higher frequency near sources of mana. Beyond that, no predictions can be made. Anything from random spells to sudden enchantments to spontaneous monster spawning have been observed.

In the even rarer instances when an area generates more mana than a mana storm can consume, the storm may reach equilibrium and become a perpetual mana storm. One of the rarest wild magic phenomena known, a perpetual mana storm will eventually distort its environment itself as matter, mana, and even lifeforms adapt to the persistent conditions. As a perpetual mana storm is no more predictable or consistent than a temporary one, these adaptations must constantly change as well, but the one consistent factor is that materials and lifeforms that are constantly exposed to a mana storm will either be imbued with greater amounts of mana, or else become increasingly resistant to it. These materials can have any number of novel applications…for those who can endure the danger inherent in gathering them.

Belissar fell into silent thought after he finished reading the long description. The perpetual mana storm, this was the kind of the mystical phenomenon that was far over his head…or had been, before he became the keeper of a Tower with all of its own mystical phenomena. Still, he didn’t have enough knowledge to wrap his head around what he was dealing with, besides that it sounded dangerous.

Fortunately, though, he now had people who did. So, rather than struggle to comprehend this magical disaster himself, he turned to Chief Rohsuak…who promptly shook her head.

“I have not encountered a mana storm before, Tower Keeper. I am sorry, but I cannot help here.”

Luckily for Belissar, Chief Rohsuak was not the only advisor he had…nor the oldest. Wardmaster Varilold interjected before he even asked.

“That is no surprise. Mana storms were already rare in the first place even before the Hunger. Afterwards, the Hunger was drawn specifically to them…as the fair folk discovered the hard way.”

She glanced over at Captain Karpakynne, who let out a subdued sigh.

“…there used to be storm pixies.”

And then she bust out into a massive grin and lifted her sword into the air.

“And they went down in a blaze of glory! They harnessed the full, unrestrained might of the most powerful wild magic the world has ever known to strike a blow that resounded across the world!”

Wardmaster Varilold let out a quiet sigh.

“Until they died.”

Captain Karpakynne nodded.

“Until they died, but what a glorious last stand it was! Used their own flesh and mana to halt the enemy long enough for us to seal off the Land of the Fair. They were nothing like these coddled, so-called royal guards of mine!”

She then turned to Belissar and smiled.

“And…perhaps one day there will be storm pixies again.”

The two fair folk then began a more detailed explanation of what a mana storm actually was…as far as they could. Mana storms, apparently, were too unpredictable to even have a common description besides “lots and lots of uncontrolled magic” and “very dangerous.” So…not something Belissar should add to any room he wanted to keep as is, but a potent deterrent to anything he wanted to keep out.

Belissar’s first instinct was to just create a new defense room and keep it far away from the bees or the other Tower residents. But when he considered it in his role as Tower Keeper…there was a possibility he had to explore.

“So, you said there were storm pixies…and could be again? Something like pixies could adapt to living in a mana storm?”

Captain Karpakynne nodded.

“It’s really-really dangerous! I recommend we start immediately, no matter the cost!”

Belissar frowned at that but persisted in asking his question.

“So…do you think the bees could adapt to it as well?”

Wardmaster Varilold glanced to the side.

“What do you think, Dungeon Master Tarwantrad? You are the most familiar with Tower Keeper Belissar’s defenders.”

Stolen novel; please report.

Tarwantrad slowly nodded.

“I think it could work. Your bees are incredibly receptive to mana, especially from mana flowers, and you already have bees that adapted to living by nexuses. I think it’s entirely possible…it’s just, it might be very dangerous. You might want to start with mana flowers? I don’t know too much about mana storms specifically”

She turned back to Wardmaster Varilold, who shrugged.

“Can’t be helped, the Circle was banned from making mana storms in the Land of the Fair.”

She gave Belissar a smirk.

“Fortunately, your dungeon is not in the Land of the Fair, is it? In any case, from what Dungeon Master Tarwantrad says of your bees, it should be possible to adapt them to a mana storm, or to adapt a flower they can drink from. However, do be advised that it is a process that will require sacrifices. The storm pixies suffered much when first settling their homes.”

Belissar nodded and then looked over to see his bees’ reactions. The bees were currently in a dance off as they discussed the new feature themselves. The First of the Fifth was interested in the promise of powerful mana and new flowers, but also hesitated to risk bees given the supposed danger. The battle meadow bees seemed prepared to face danger, but deferred to the Fourth of the Seventh since they didn’t know what a mana storm was. The Fourth of the Seventh, meanwhile, was zipping around, dancing “Want to see!”

Ultimately, they didn’t come to a consensus opinion…but neither they nor Belissar had ever seen a mana storm before, so he’d have to discuss it again with them after setting one up. Maybe the pixie armor could help them forage safely? For now, though, they still had more choices to discuss.

“Ok, let’s see what the rare room options are, then make the final decision on that and the perk.”

Once everyone agreed, Belissar went ahead with the next choice.

Please select a room:

- Mirage Desert (Rarity: Rare, Type: Illusion, Field)

- Enchanter’s Laboratory (Rarity: Uncommon, Type: Arcane, Resource, Crafting)

- Floating Isles (Rarity: Rare, Type: Gravity, Field)

Belissar smiled. Two rares this time, not bad. Now to see what they actually were…

Mirage Desert

- Type: Illusion, Field

- Innate Features: Desire Haze, Shifting Sands, Mirage Sand

- Mana Upkeep: 50

- Description: A desert formed from the erosion of mana-rich minerals. Sandy dunes blow away and reform, reconfiguring the room to move trails and landmarks at random. The desires of travelers leak into the ambient mana, forming into distant illusions that further pull invaders off course. If the desire and mana density is high enough, these illusions may even have partial physical form.

A particularly good environment for monsters that rely on illusions and for traps. Additionally, the mirage desert has all the characteristics of a normal desert: zero humidity, dramatic shifts between extreme temperatures, abrasive and powerful winds, and shifting sands, so makes a suitable home for desert monsters as well.

Belissar rubbed his chin.

“Deserts, huh? I think I’ve heard a story or two about them…they’re really dry and hot, right?”

Sehfitis and the fair folk confirmed as much. Belissar crossed his arms.

“…doesn’t sound like a good place for flowers? Or bees?”

Tarwantrad made an amused smile.

“You’d be surprised. Lack of water is a challenge, but there’s also plenty of sunlight, so there are plants that will grow there, plants that have flowers to boot. And where there’s flowers…”

Belissar smiled back.

“…there’s bees. I see.”

Next up came the Enchanter’s Laboratory. Belissar vaguely remembered seeing that early on in his life as a Tower Keeper…but he couldn’t remember any details. It was possibly he hadn’t known he could check room descriptions at the time. There was a lot he hadn’t know back then…

Enchanter’s Laboratory

- Type: Arcane, Resource, Crafting

Innate Features: Enchanting Tables, Core Condenser

Mana Upkeep: 30

Description: A large indoor workshop that comes with all the equipment necessary to enchant artifacts, weapons, and constructs. The room can focus the dungeon’s mana during the process to improve results, or to allow for new products. The room also comes with a condenser that helps crystalize a user’s mana into solid form for enchantments that require mana cores.

The room may be used to build and adapt construct-type monsters, if available.

Belissar grunted.

“Huh, that would’ve been useful for making golems. It took a long time to make the core…”

The First of the Fifth’s Fourth and Seventh daughters both perked up at the mention of golems. Meanwhile, Tarwantrad shrugged.

“That’s true, but Tamosmed or the pixies could provide most of those kinds of tools. And it sounds like you already made a core without help?”

Belissar smiled and shook his head, pointing at the two queens.

“I had lots of help, just not from a room.”

Still, Tarwantrad had a point, and Belissar had one more room description to read.

Floating Isles

- Type: Gravity, Field

- Innate Features: Gravitational Anomalies

- Mana Upkeep: 50

- Description: A room imbued with enough Gravity mana to create spontaneous gravity fields. Entire islands rise and fall seemingly at random as a result, creating a challenging environment for all land-bound creatures. Gravitational anomalies can also create powerful gusts of winds, sudden vortexes, or randomly pull and push on objects and creatures in the room, threatening fliers as well.

A difficult place to operate for anything without access to Gravity mana. Monsters that do possess that rare attribute will thrive here.

Belissar thought for a moment before giving a shrug.

“Gravity again, huh? Well, I guess the gravilions and gravity bees would like it. Do any of you know what gravity is?”

Belissar was surprised, however, by Tarwantrad, Wardmaster Varilold, and Captain Karpakynne all blinking at him in their own surprise. Even Finnakynne popped back out of the bumblebee fuzz to rejoin the conversation.

“Huh? Beely, you don’t know what gravity is? Even though you have gravity bees and stuff?”

When Belissar shook his head she turned to Sehfitis.

“Hey, old human guy, what gives? What are the humans teaching these days?”

Sehfitis…averted his gaze.

“Ahem. I…am also not familiar with the concept. If the Tower Lords possess any lore on this attribute then I was not privy to it.”

Finnakynne turned her gaze to Chief Rohsuak next. The karnuq just smiled and shrugged.

“My education consisted of hitting things and setting them on fire.”

Her face then fell.

“And my clan lost our teachers and elders during our sojourns. I am all that we had left, limited as I am.”

The fair folk all fell silent at that for a good minute. Finnakynne eventually broke the silence with a sigh.

“You know, I wondered why you weren’t doing more with those bees and flowers. This explains so much…”

Belissar wasn’t sure how to respond. It seemed this Gravity attribute was a bigger topic than he realized. If so, then he was glad he finally knew somehow who could explain such things. And so, the council took a break from the choices as the fair folk began to teach the humans, beastkin, and bees what said attribute actually was…