E. Patrick Lacerna, aka Random Mudkip, The Woodsman, Velvet Canopy

B3: Chapter 32: End of Enslavement

Chapter 32: End of Enslavement

I helped tend to the wounded, my tendrils surprisingly adept at binding injuries. My constructs had taught me precision if nothing else. After the last bandage was secured, we discussed our next steps.

We need to divide our forces, I announced to the gathered survivors. The Voiceless will escort our prisoners back to the enclave for judgment.

Arctur nodded, leaning on his spear. "Vardiel and I will continue with you t...

B3: Chapter 31: The Elder Minotaur

Chapter 31: The Elder Minotaur

I watched the people around me through Mind Sight, tracking every warrior within my range. The surrendered militia remained on their knees, heads bowed in submission. Morrg towered over them, his bovine face twisted in a triumphant smile that didn't reach his cold eyes. His loyal fighters had spread out strategically, weapons drawn, though I detected uncertainty in their postures; many seemed poised between loyalty and rebellion, waiting to see wh...

Book 3: Chapter 30: Search for Survivors

Chapter 30: Search for Survivors

The black sands of the Central Hellzone stretched before us like an obsidian sea. My six Voiceless escorts moved in perfect formation around me, their chitin feet barely disturbing the volcanic glass beneath them. Even after four days, the caravan's trail remained etched in the landscape, as if it was a wound that refused to heal.

I propelled myself forward using my tendrils, each push sending me gliding across the treacherous terrain. The...

B3: Chapter 29: Sudden Inevitable Betrayal

Chapter 29: Sudden Inevitable Betrayal

The next morning, I hunched over the workbench, hands deep in the intricate wiring of another Tireless worker. The chassis lay open before me, its internal mechanisms exposed like mechanical viscera. My movements were sluggish, lacking their usual precision.

I couldn't focus. My mind kept returning to the caravan, to the sudden, violent severing of the Brace connection with my scout spiders. The phantom pain lingered, three simultane...

B3: Chapter 28: The Slave Caravan

Chapter 28: The Slave Caravan

After a grueling week without rest, my workshop had become a factory floor of constant production. My hands and tendrils had moved with mechanical precision, assembling joints, programming brass plates, and calibrating mana suction enchantments until the final worker unit stood before me, its four arms positioned at perfect right angles.

Now, standing in the sunlit courtyard of the administration building, I watched Elder Fargill inspect the ...

B3: Chapter 27: An Awkward Conversation

Chapter 27: An Awkward Conversation The late morning sun filtered through the volcanic steam vents, casting an ethereal glow across the cou

Chapter 27: An Awkward Conversation The late morning sun filtered through the volcanic steam vents, casting an ethereal glow across the cou

Chapter 27: An Awkward Conversation

The late morning sun filtered through the volcanic steam vents, casting an ethereal glow across the courtyard of Elder Akassi's estate. Around me stood ab...

B3: Chapter 26: Crafting a Replacement

Chapter 26: Crafting a Replacement I spent the next four days holed up in my workshop, hands and tendrils in constant motion. Sleep wasn't n

Chapter 26: Crafting a Replacement

I spent the next four days holed up in my workshop, hands and tendrils in constant motion. Sleep wasn't necessary for my me, which proved advantageous as I worked through the nights designing the workers that would replace the human slaves. The workshop floor gradually filled with discarded prototypes, eac...

B3: Chapter 25: Less Evil Alternative

Chapter 25: Less Evil Alternative The Elder Council chamber fell into a hush as I entered. Five pairs of eyes tracked my movement, the war

Chapter 25: Less Evil Alternative The Elder Council chamber fell into a hush as I entered. Five pairs of eyes tracked my movement, the war

Chapter 25: Less Evil Alternative

The Elder Council chamber fell into a hush as I entered. Five pairs of eyes tracked my movement, the war frame's mechanical slithering echoing against stone w...

B3: Chapter 24: Caravan of Misery

Chapter 24: Caravan of Misery As Barkatus, Arctur, and I approached the caravan, an uneasy silence settled over the area. The armed monster

Chapter 24: Caravan of Misery As Barkatus, Arctur, and I approached the caravan, an uneasy silence settled over the area. The armed monster

Chapter 24: Caravan of Misery

As Barkatus, Arctur, and I approached the caravan, an uneasy silence settled over the area. The armed monsters halted their chatter and shifted their focus towa...

B3: Chapter 23: More the Merrier

Chapter 23: More the Merrier I spent the next week alternating between my projects for the enclave and hunting expeditions with Barkatus. T

Chapter 23: More the Merrier I spent the next week alternating between my projects for the enclave and hunting expeditions with Barkatus. T

Chapter 23: More the Merrier

I spent the next week alternating between my projects for the enclave and hunting expeditions with Barkatus. The activity satisfied something within me, forming ...

B3: Chapter 22: Fun Hunting Trip

Chapter 22: Fun Hunting Trip The morning sun painted the cavern ceiling with a warm glow from the magma channels as I made my way through t

Chapter 22: Fun Hunting Trip The morning sun painted the cavern ceiling with a warm glow from the magma channels as I made my way through t

Chapter 22: Fun Hunting Trip

The morning sun painted the cavern ceiling with a warm glow from the magma channels as I made my way through the enclave streets. Children waved at me as I passe...

B3: Chapter 21: Brand New Friend

Chapter 21: Brand New Friend We left the slave house behind, stepping back into the chaotic streets of the Underside. Yudron led the way th

Chapter 21: Brand New Friend We left the slave house behind, stepping back into the chaotic streets of the Underside. Yudron led the way th

Chapter 21: Brand New Friend

We left the slave house behind, stepping back into the chaotic streets of the Underside. Yudron led the way through the winding alleys, his white robes a stark c...

Chapter 7: Response

Chapter 7: Response

Rosea Channa burst through the command center doors, her typically immaculate appearance in disarray. Her formal attire hung awkwardly, hastily donned over sleep clothes, and her hair remained partially pinned from sleep. Dark circles shadowed her eyes as she scanned the bustling war room.

"Acting Chancellor on deck!" someone called, though few personnel paused their frantic activity.

Screens covered the curved walls of the Dome's command center,...

B3: Chapter 20: Walking the Underside

Chapter 20: Walking the Underside Dawn in the enclave brought a different quality of light than surface daybreak. The magical illumination

Chapter 20: Walking the Underside Dawn in the enclave brought a different quality of light than surface daybreak. The magical illumination

Chapter 20: Walking the Underside

Dawn in the enclave brought a different quality of light than surface daybreak. The magical illumination gradually brightened, mimicking sunlight filtering th...

B3: Chapter 19: Hill of Compromises

Chapter 19: Hill of Compromises The black staircase spiraled beneath me as I descended from the caldera, each tendril finding purchase on t

Chapter 19: Hill of Compromises The black staircase spiraled beneath me as I descended from the caldera, each tendril finding purchase on t

Chapter 19: Hill of Compromises

The black staircase spiraled beneath me as I descended from the caldera, each tendril finding purchase on the volcanic stone. Rain still pelted my war frame, ...

B3: Chapter 18: Reflections Upon Truth

Chapter 18: Reflections Upon Truth The orc woman's home opened before me like a museum of wealth. Polished stone floors gleamed beneath int

Chapter 18: Reflections Upon Truth The orc woman's home opened before me like a museum of wealth. Polished stone floors gleamed beneath int

Chapter 18: Reflections Upon Truth

The orc woman's home opened before me like a museum of wealth. Polished stone floors gleamed beneath intricate tapestries depicting scenes of battle and co...

Chapter 7: Response (choice)

Chapter 7: Response (choice)

Rosea Channa burst through the command center doors, her typically immaculate appearance in disarray. Her formal attire hung awkwardly, hastily donned over sleep clothes, and her hair remained partially pinned from sleep. Dark circles shadowed her eyes as she scanned the bustling war room.

"Acting Chancellor on deck!" someone called, though few personnel paused their frantic activity.

Screens covered the curved walls of the Dome's comman...

B3: Chapter 17: An Inconvenient Truth

Chapter 17: An Inconvenient Truth I completed the water system design in just three days, my constructs assisting with the calculations and

Chapter 17: An Inconvenient Truth

I completed the water system design in just three days, my constructs assisting with the calculations and material specifications. The schematics were elegantly simple yet efficient. Copper piping would run through the natural tunnel network beneath the enclave, connecting to the hot springs deep with...

B3: Chapter 16: A Simple Discussion

Chapter 16: A Simple Discussion "So," Akassi broke the silence, her ancient voice surprisingly strong. "What do you want?" I tilted my head

Chapter 16: A Simple Discussion

"So," Akassi broke the silence, her ancient voice surprisingly strong. "What do you want?"

I tilted my head. Sorry?

The goblin elder's wrinkled face creased further as she leaned forward. "Why have you come to our enclave? Few outsiders seek us out, and those who do invariably desir...

B3: Chapter 15: Enclave's Elder Council

Chapter 15: Enclave's Elder Council After our conversation about trade routes, I pulled a folded parchment from my Depository and handed it

Chapter 15: Enclave's Elder Council

After our conversation about trade routes, I pulled a folded parchment from my Depository and handed it to Sophaia. I had prepared it during the night while my constructs worked. It was a basic list of materials that I desperately needed.

"What's this?" She unfolded it, eyes scanning the neatl...

Chapter 6: Angel Attack

Chapter 6: Angel Attack

Death was a distant memory for humanity, conquered long before their transformation into Angels. Their descendants had only perfected immortality further, turning death into little more than an inconvenience.

Golden particles coalesced in the center of the Revelation 228-9's sanctuary. They spun and wove together, forming sinew, bone, and flesh from pure light. Lucifel's body materialized above the altar, suspended momentarily before settling gentl...

B3: Chapter 14: Merchants from Afar

Chapter 14: Merchants from Afar The night passed in a blur of productivity. I accessed my Depository, withdrawing stacks of preserved timbe

Chapter 14: Merchants from Afar

The night passed in a blur of productivity. I accessed my Depository, withdrawing stacks of preserved timber, sheets of metal, and containers of fasteners I'd collected during our journey. My arms and tendrils moved with practiced efficiency, each motion precise and economical as I began transforming ra...

Chapter 5: Secrets Laid Bare

Chapter 5: Secrets Laid Bare

Sentries patrolled the perimeter with military precision, their weapons ready, eyes scanning the darkness. None detected the Angel moving through their midst. Lucifel glided between security checkpoints, her Halo's invisibility shroud rendering her completely undetectable to human perception. The technology, perfected over millennia of angelic warfare, bent light around her form while simultaneously masking her thermal signature.

She paused be...

Chapter 4: Infiltration

Chapter 4: Infiltration

The bus rattled over cracked pavement, swaying as it pulled to a stop at a checkpoint outside the city. Lucifel sat quietly, absorbing the conversations around her while maintaining her Ghamorran disguise.

"...can't believe we made it to Korchusk," whispered a woman clutching an infant to her chest. "My sister's apartment is in the northern district—if it's still standing."

"Korchusk," Lucifel repeated silently, committing the name to memor...

B3: Chapter 13: Our New Home

Chapter 13: Our New Home Yudron guided me back through the winding tunnels, our descent marked by the gradual shift from volcanic heat to t

Chapter 13: Our New Home

Yudron guided me back through the winding tunnels, our descent marked by the gradual shift from volcanic heat to the cooler air of the enclave proper. As we emerged into the settlement, the full scope of this hidden society revealed itself once more.

"This way," Yudron beckoned, his weathered hand gestur...

B3: Chapter 12: The Whispering Rock

Chapter 12: The Whispering Rock I narrowed my focus, activating Analyze on the massive entity before me. The status screen materialized in

Chapter 12: The Whispering Rock

I narrowed my focus, activating Analyze on the massive entity before me. The status screen materialized in my consciousness, but what appeared defied conventional parameters:

Name: Voiceless Prophet

Level: 1

Spe...

2025-06-23 22:32:25 +0000 UTC View Post