Chrysalis

Chapter 689

The process of 'peeling', or 'folding' Dungeon veins in order to create low mana density zones within the Dungeon was possibly the most important technique developed in the history of sapient habitation of the world below. Without this method, it would be difficult enough to live at any depth during times of normal mana concentration. During a wave, it’s impossible to exist as any settlement would be forced into a constant state of warfare as monsters leap from the walls, roof and floor.

Though expensive, labour intensive and requiring specific materials to achieve, the technique has been a foundational pillar of every major city and gathering place within the Dungeon, even in the upper strata. The method itself makes use of the Dungeon veins' own behaviour, wherein they invade and extend themselves into every available space.

Evidence exists that societies were performing the 'folding' technique during the latter stage of the Rending, as the various surviving empires and militaries began to extend their reach into the lower levels. It isn't known if the factions spread the knowledge amongst themselves or if the method was derived separately by each, but those who were able to first grasp the process and make use of it enjoyed a significant advantage in the territorial struggle that followed.

  • Excerpt from page 25 of 'Territorial disputes and sovereignty in the Dungeon', by Cicero.

Tungstant's brain was spinning with a heady combination of exhaustion, exhilaration, grief, relief and worry. There was so much work for the carver caste to do and so little time in which to accomplish it that she honestly didn't think there was much chance it would be completed in time. What she needed to know yesterday, was exactly how much they could get done, and exactly what state the nest's defences would be in by the time the wave hit for real.

"How long until the gate is ready to go?" she asked with as much patience as she could muster.

The team in front of her launched into a long and detailed explanation of the structural integrity of the gate, the need to forge new brackets and anchor them to the wall, the re-shaping and compacting that needed to be done to the rock until she cracked.

know it's complicated, and I know you're working as hard as possible, just give me

carver on the job sized up the council member for a moment, her antennae

way," the ant said finally, "there's just

up the tunnel in less than an hour! The carver

fast and nasty. Stand up what's left of the old gates, patch them up as best we can and mould the rock around them to hold

was one thing the entire caste hated, it was sloppy craftsmanship, and that extended to

mage caste, make sure you put in a request

of the carvers flicks an

handle earth magic as well as we can," she said, "I'm sure we'll be

"If the extra mage

end. A renewed frenzy takes over the worksite as the new direction is adopted and the carvers get to work establishing the leverage they'll need to get the gates standing again. With that relatively minor fire put out, she was able to turn around and rush back

Right! The council meeting!

understood the necessity of it. Without proper coordination, the complex machinery of the Colony couldn't function properly, especially in a crisis like this. Most of the time the Colony ran itself just fine, her siblings were perfectly capable of making decisions regarding what needed doing,

the leg department. She rushed to her seat and no sooner had she plopped herself down in it, her thorax resting comfortably in the carved grooves than Cobalt flicked

things looking with the

softly, "but I think we'll be able to hack together a rough solution in a few hours that should

had to stifle

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