Magical Engineering

In the end, they had been more than happy to let us keep the mana orbs and were excited about their new mana beast. Apparently, it hadn’t been the only mushroom mana beast on the planet, and while they were shocked that it had somehow formed something like a dungeon, they were happy to have it nonetheless.

The revelation did leave everyone with one big question still. If the dungeon hadn’t been a dungeon, where were the core beats coming from? Pryte made a deal that if they found the actual dungeon, we’d be willing to handle that delve for the same fee.

The news on the mushroom at least had made leaving the planet on good terms much easier, as what I had learned from the paladin of conservation had stuck strongly with me. The fact that so many planets just killed their primal mana beasts seemed like such a waste.

Despite the fact that Red and Rabyn had gotten off to such a bad start, she was growing into a great member of the city. The fact that she was so willing to take care of Glorp’s family was just another plus.

Then there was the moose. He had snuck off after Alex, determined to help rescue William. At least that was what I assumed he was doing. The way he had stuck to Alex through her pregnancy had started to make more sense since we learned about William being a core baby, and the moose’s continued determination to stick by them. There was something there that had bonded the two, not that I understood what, but I guessed it was similar to what Maud had with her cats now.

I couldn’t say much for the orca or the hoary marmot. Neither of them had tried to really contact the city, despite the marmot living behind my house. At least Maud had made positive contact with the orca. Had Alpha interacted with the hoary marmot much? I’d have to ask the core about that.

Pryte was just happy it had all ended well for once. We had decided to call this a successful dungeon delve, even if it was stretching the truth somewhat. Once we returned, Elody had gone straight to work researching whatever it had actually been, while I relaxed and took a look over my new mana orb.

I figured Pryte could handle getting the others settled. They all needed meals and a checkover for lasting spoor issues, but beyond that, they did well. So I assumed they just wanted some relaxation time as much as I did.

It was time to learn just what a soul-siphon mana orb could do. Sure, it wasn’t a mana-draining orb or another elemental orb like I had originally envisioned for the empty slot. But with how often I used soul mana these days, it seemed like it might be the perfect choice.

With that goal in mind, I pulled up a chat window and sent a message to Beta.