I’ve been spying on the ‘seedfolk’ for twenty-four hours now, and I’ve learned quite a lot from listening in on their conversations.

The key takeaway, though, is that they are fervently compelled to, for lack of a better word, enslave me. In fact, from the sound of things, the process may even be lethal.

Beyond that, I’ve observed some interesting group dynamics. For starters, they sleep in shifts such that their tunneling continues to progress at an alarming rate.

Under the assumption that I won’t be sabotaging their progress, I expect them to breach one of the chambers I’d dug near the center of my dungeon in just four days. Of course, that would be a foolish assumption, hehehe!

Though seriously, these ‘pestle worms’ are unreasonably efficient excavators. Especially when paired with a dedicated crew of slurry rakers, hydraulic engineers, and a more than adequate supply of reserve worms ready to replace the lead one whenever it tires.

Since I’d first observed them, I’ve concluded that they are ‘natural’ organisms. They simply exhibit too many survival-oriented behaviors to be classified in any other way.

Furthermore, the seedfolk keep them fed on the corpses of similarly mineral-esque creatures which they’d brought along. What need would they have of a complete food chain unless they were adapted to survive in the wild? None.

So, pestle worms eat other organisms, therefore, they are carnivores. It’s too soon to say whether or not they’re scavengers or predators, but it still has me wondering over what niche they fill, and what their habitat could look like.

Are the ‘plants’ similarly crystalline/fiberglass-like? Would plants even form the base of that food chain at all?

Despite all of their similarities with more familiar animals, they still appear entirely alien. Assuming they share a common ancestor with life as I know it, their lineage must have diverged ages ago. Indeed, I highly doubt they share any genetic relation with worms at all.

I’m once again making the bold assumption that they even use DNA to encode heritable information in the first place…

No, this divergence would’ve had to occur right after, or long, long before, the evolution of the first multicellular organism. Again, if at all.

Although, who’s to say they even evolved here? The fact that wildlife native to modern Earth is present on this planet absolutely implies that it didn’t originate here, but instead on Earth. After all, Earth has it’s fossil record, I can’t yet say the same here. Even so, I can safely infer that the two worlds wouldn’t exhibit parallel fossil records. Convergent evolution isn’t that exaggerated. I know a rabbit when I see one, to give an example.

All of this does give me hope that there is a way home. Now, in addition to confirming the possibility of inter-worldly information exchange, I’ve verified that matter can be transferred in at least one direction. Said matter being breeding populations of Earth life.

I guess it’s possible that organisms native to Earth could’ve been reformed from raw information, but come on, which is more likely?

Oh, speaking of fossils, I can’t wait to start excavating through the limestone layer that the canyon cuts through!

I digress, the primary source of the iridescent blue mineral-esque worm’s speed is clearly some application of magic which I don’t yet understand.

Therefore, my list of goals and priorities for the coming fight has been expanded.

It’s a humble list, yes, but I’d say it’s pretty good. Heh.

I’m sure you’re curious, so here it is:

1) Approach a peaceful resolution.

1-a) If successful, learn more about their culture and the subterranean geopolitical climate.

1-b) Establish trade relations.

1-c) Learn about magic.

1-d) Make friends.

2) If priority one fails, achieve victory with minimal sapient casualties. But do not allow informed individuals to escape immediately.

2-a) Take hostages to learn more about their civilization. Treat them well and release them if they’re deemed safe.

2-b) Steal their stuff, especially arcane equipment and documents. Return items if a peaceful understanding is met but memorize each document and runic structure beforehand.

2-c) Obtain live pestle worms and learn how to properly care for/breed them.

3) If priority two is unattainable, reveal my true nature to the Lyrians for protection. Note that it’s probably too late for this option to remain valid…

4) Destroy my dungeon to kill off the invaders.

4-a) Start with flooding, and then proceed to destabilization if necessary.

5) Flee via my escape mechanism.

5-a) Bring a seed population of tiny leafcutter ants with me, along with their symbiotic fungus.

And that’s that. Unfortunately, (Or fortunately, depending on your outlook.) priority two will be the most likely outcome. These people have lives, interests, and relationships. I must remember to never trivialize that.

But I also won’t roll over and die. Threats will be reciprocated; my life and freedom will be preserved at all costs.

Believe it or not, I actually feel quite confident. I’ve made a lot of preparations, and I’m even accounting for the mages who are present. Furthermore, I’ve noticed they’re making some incorrect assumptions about me. Namely, they don’t expect me to use traps or coordinate my minions. I can use this.

Onwards, I have at least four days to get ready. If I wish to find a peaceful resolution to this conflict, I’ll need to make contact as soon as possible.

But first, I should do what I should’ve done ages ago; consult Weston on the matter.

Before speaking with him, I take the time to sketch out an illustration of a member of the seedfolk for him to reference. It’s truly amazing that the Lyrians have graphite pencils!

I had to say, they most clearly resemble a hybrid of humans and bats, but their shark-like teeth are very asynchronous. Of course, I doubt they actually are hybrids, it’s just that they share many characteristics with the two.

Despite what some fantasy stories will have you think, these seedfolk are far from ‘cute.’ Now, in line with my very human sense of aesthetics, both bats and humans have their visual appeals. But these fuzzy white abominations are horrific. Oh, their physiology is pleasantly symmetrical and unmarred, but that doesn’t detract from their hideousness.

Is that racist?

Speciest?

Eh, it’s irrelevant. As long as I treat them as the sapients they are and steer clear of the tendency to dehumanize them, it shouldn’t matter how I perceive their physical features. I think they’re ugly and it shouldn’t matter.

Indeed, their minds appear to be as sharp as any other; I’m even tempted to say they’re more advanced than the humans in Sevit.

Ok, maybe not, but they’re certainly highly coordinated.

Shifting my full attention to his office, with my drawing in reserve, I said, “Hello Wes, are you free to talk?”

Putting down a sheet of paper he’d been staring at with blank eyes, he replied, “I could use the break, so yes. Actually, I’ve been meaning to talk to you, I even sent a letter. I take it you haven’t read it yet?”

“Oh? No, I haven’t. What was it about?”

“The citizens of Sevit have been evicted from the first subterrane by seedfolk!”

“Ah, that’s exactly what I’ve come to ask about. We even illustrated their visage, but it looks like you’re already familiar with the group I’m talking about. We keep seeing them running around the place and were wondering why they are here. What can you tell me?”

“A good bit, actually. They were pretty vocal about their intentions. Apparently, they’ve discovered a dungeon core nearby and are moving to subjugate it. This is a well-known behavior amongst other seedfolk communities. They’ve made it very clear that we are not to enter the first subterrane until they are through. They’re behaving uncharacteristically hostilely.”

I suspect the seedfolk believe I’m colluding with the humans. How shall I probe for information?

I said, “They’ve issued a mandate to a city of the Lyrian Empire? Can they really defend that claim?”

“Can they defend that claim? Yes and no. Yes, in the sense that Sevit doesn’t yet have the military force required to stand up to their small army and the closest Lyrian army is weeks away. No, in the sense that if the Lyrian Empire actually wished to retaliate, they could easily quash whatever pathetic defense the seedfolk’s large town could muster. Though I can tell you this; the Lyrian armies have much bigger issues to deal with right now, and thus won’t push the issue.”

“I see, so this must be a temporary thing then. How long are the seedfolk intending to restrict your access to the first subterrane?”

“According to their messenger, two weeks at the most. What have they told your people, Ike?”

“Nothing! I doubt they’re even aware we exist. We just wanted to know what’s up without revealing our presence in the area.”

“Oh, I see. Perhaps y’all would be interested in establishing trade relations with them in the future? I couldn’t get away with it myself as it’d be seen as roundabout collusion with the Varnassi Hegemony, even though the seedfolk are only friendly with them and aren’t actually allies. With you as a middleman, though…much coin could be acquired.”

“I’m impressed that you trust me so much, Wes! Or perhaps you just know how much I love to profit! Yeah, I’ll see what I can do, but don’t get your hopes up. Anyway, I’m curious; how would the Lyrian Empire have dealt with the dungeon core if they’d found it first? We haven’t even realized there was one nearby until now.”

“We certainly would’ve done the same as the cave dwellers. Dungeon cores are valuable tools when handled properly. From my understanding, the seedfolk have their own traditional brand of control apparatus. If I remember correctly, it forms the very basis of their societal structure. Sadly, there’s not much more I can tell you there.”

“I see, thanks for the information! I guess I’ll be leaving now-”

Comically waving his hands in the empty room, Wes said, “Wait, hold up; I had something else to tell you! Remember the metalworking and runesmithing supplies you’d ordered?”

“Yes?”

“They’ll be a bit delayed. My Watergarde colleagues have had a bit of difficulty scrounging up a good variety of equipment to meet your agreed upon spending minimum. Therefore, we’ve contacted the Commission mages. They’ve already been called to Sevit to construct an array of structural and defensive runes on the nearly complete city wall. I’ve been told they’ll bring the wares you seek with them.”

“That’s nice, Wes, but I can’t help but wonder how the Watergarde Merchant’s Company benefits from putting me in contact with an alternate supplier. Could you illuminate that for me?”

Chuckling, Wes said, “In truth, the company’s owner has taken an interest in you. He must’ve corresponded with one or more of the governors in Sevit. Perhaps in the future, you’ll be a valuable customer worth pleasing? I certainly think so.”

“Uh-huh, but there’s another motive too, isn’t there?”

“Well, we may have also charged the Commission a heavy finder’s fee…”

Laughing, I said, “I thought so! Anyway, when can I expect them to arrive?”

“Oh, that I cannot say. The Commission’s expertise is highly sought after, who knows how much they’ll get sidetracked on their journey from the capital? All I can say is that it shouldn’t be any longer than two months. I hope this is fine with you.”

“Perfectly fine! Is there anything else I should be aware of before I leave you?”

“Not particularly, but if you’d like to learn more about the Commission, I have a friend named Clifford Graham who you could speak with.”

“I’ve heard of him; would it be fine if I contacted him the same way I do with you?”

“Yes, but don’t mention that you know of him already, that’s admittedly creepy. Would you prefer it if I introduced you first?”

“That’d be great actually, but it might be a while before I can commit to that; I have a lot on my plate dealing with the seedfolk right now.”

Ending the conversation, Wes said, “Understandable, I look forward to speaking with you again later, and good luck with the troglodytes.”