Chapter 163: Chapter 163
After thanking the gods, Belissar asked Chief Rohsuak to accompany him and for Niobee to gather the queens. He didn’t like to interrupt them during the day, but he felt it was worth doing so in the present moment. Afterall, they had rewards from not one but two gods to decide on.
Soon, all the relevant parties were gathered at the second floor’s Shrine. Belissar felt that location appropriate this time since the God of Fire’s brazier was there, and they were deciding on his rewards. He stepped forward as the bees arrived and gathered around him, smiling at the Third of the Sixth.
“Hi everyone, thanks for coming and sorry to interrupt your work. But, thanks to the Third of the Sixth evolving today, we fulfilled missions from two gods, and now have two choices to make.”
The Third of the Sixth fidgeted about, trying not to break out into a happy dance while Belissar was still talking. The other bees turned to face her but likewise waited for Belissar to continue.
“Ok, so, we have a room feature choice from the God of Fire, and then a cross-perk by both the God of Bees and God of Fire.”
Chief Rohsuak’s eyes lit up at the mention of the God of Fire, while the bees began buzzing and pacing about at the news. Belissar brought up the choices and began to read them out.
- Fire Spout (Rarity: Common, Type: Fire, Trap)
- Metallurgical Furnace (Rarity: Common, Type: Fire, Crafting)
“Um, do you know how to make a furnace?”
Chief Rohsuak thought for a moment before slowly nodding.
“Much of our knowledge has been lost, but we should be able to put together something useable. Likely not as well-made as one created by a Sacred Den but…well enough for basic use. Furnaces would certainly be appreciated but you do not need to consider it necessary.”
Belissar nodded and turned to the bees, but they didn’t have much to add this time. The Third of the Sixth looked excited at all of the options offered, while the other bees seemed a bit uncomfortable given the way they were shifting around. He guessed bees in general didn’t love fire, with one exception among his queens, so it looked like it’d be up to him to decide.
He mostly ruled out furnaces, given the karnuq could handle that themselves. With Muuraqi’s blessing for stone-working, it shouldn’t be all that hard, right? Well, Belissar didn’t know what went into building a furnace but he’d take Chief Rohsuak’s word for it. That left the impressive but expensive choice or the weaker but more immediately useful choice. He turned to Chief Rohsuak once more.
“Um, you know fire and the God of Fire it seems so…any opinion?”
Chief Rohsuak rubbed her chin and hummed a bit before once again slowly nodding.
“A word of caution. Volcanos are powerful but they are uncontrollable. Do not build one half-heartedly, and do not deceive yourself that you can contain it. If you are going to make one, you must commit to it, and understand that its power is beyond your control. It will bring great devastation, certainly to your enemies, but to yourself as well if you are not careful. Treat it with the respect it deserves.”
Well, that nearly settled it for Belissar, as he had no confidence in respecting or controlling a volcano at all, given Chief Rohsuak’s description of it. However, he held off from deciding right away, for he wanted to read the next choices first.
Select a cross-perk (Bee/Fire):
- Fire Resistant Bees
There were no rarities this time, and each perk was colored half in golden yellow and half in bright red. Belissar began reading out their descriptions.
- Flammable honeys and beeswaxes have increased potency as fuel sources
- Fires started with honey or beeswax deal more damage
- Fires started with honey or beeswax with special effects inherit those effects with greater efficiency
That perk would obviously play into one Belissar’s main tactics with the Pit Traps and Sticky Honey Traps, making them more powerful. If he was reading both the descriptions right, it might also work with Fire Spouts, should he choose them. And the part about the fires inheriting special effects from the honey…well, maddening fire certainly sounded harmful.
- All bees gain increased resistance to fire and heat
- All bees gain increased resistance to smoke and ash
This one was simpler and more straightforward in its effects, but by no means less desirable. Making his bees more resilient in general was always a priority for Belissar since he didn’t want to see a single one hurt if he could help it. Making them more resilient to fire and smoke in general would help if he was going to use more fire in his defenses. Sure, the burning bees seemed like they were already fire-resistant, but it could mean the difference between one hive fighting the enemy and all of them when there was fire around.
For example, if he chose the mini-volcano and set up a room specifically for it, this perk might enable his bees to enter and fight in that room as well.