Elf Guy has mentioned a Voice a couple times, but hasn’t elaborated on what it is. I check my core, wondering if it might be an option there, but it’s not. That’s just where my various expansion options are, and a few more detailed numbers on things.

I grumble to myself and make a mental note to try to figure it out later. For now, I really should keep paying attention to the inspection. I almost want to pull a few undead to toss at Elf Guy and the kids, but I don’t want to go opening that can of worms, or that crypt of corpses, as the case may be.

“Encounters significantly diminished in the catacombs, no sign of undead. Neverrest would have certainly assaulted us by now, and Fourdock should have access to undead if it’s Subsumed the boneyard.”

Yvonne speaks up. “The dungeon does have the undead spawners. They’re located in a crypt on the surface, which it’s sealed. There are the two undead Scions, though. Thing, the crawling hand, and Grim, the Grounds-Reaper.”

The whole party all look a bit surprised by that, and the elf speaks up first. “Can you take me to see them, then? Undead scions tend to make the guild anxious.” Freddie nods at that, looking unhappy at that development. I have Teemo nod, and so Yvonne nods as well.

“Thing should be in the enchanting lab not far from here. I believe the dungeon intends to use it to enchant things, just as it uses the ant scion for alchemy. Come.” She has to lead them around even more traps, as the enchanting lab was one of Neverrest’s most important rooms. I’m just looking forward to the traps wearing off so I can look over the shoulders of whatever enchanters come delving.

Elf Guy and the kids definitely seem a bit more tense now, which I can’t really blame them for. Undead scions kinda imply an intent to use more undead, which not many would like to see happen. I do actually have a plan to use more undead, but that will come later.

I give Thing a head’s up to expect visitors, so don’t get into anything that would require too much focus. I don’t want him to blow himself and/or the lab up because the inspection interrupts him. Looks like he’s doing a few minor testing enchants along some lines I asked him to pursue, which is good. That project has been on the backburner for long enough.

Yvonne opens the door and steps inside, and Thing gives her a wave before scribbling a few notes and turning to a different page in his studies. Elf Guy and the kids cautiously peer inside, and Thing waves for them to either come in or go away. He’s got his hand full, and can only juggle so much.

They come in, and cautiously look around the room as Elf Guy takes notes. “Confirm crawling hand Scion. No Enchanter title yet, but looks to be well on its way. Enchanting lab is well furnished, but seems low on books.”

Yvonne nods at that. “Neverrest had extensive tomes on enchanting, which Fluffles took to the secret library. I assume on orders of the dungeon itself.” Elf Guy sighs at that and resumes talking.

“Fourdock has sequestered Neverrest’s notes on enchanting in its secret library. Fourdock has shown a pointed interest in information and controlling what information is made available. Can’t confirm definitively, but seems most likely Fourdock doesn’t wish knowledge of Neverrest’s more odious enchantments to be made public.” He glances towards Yvonne and lowers the rock as he addresses her.

“Though if it does find something to more easily counter Lifedrinking, I hope you’ll be able to convince it to share?” She stiffens a bit at the mention of that enchantment, and simply gives a tight-beaked nod. Elf Guy may be a professional, but he’s not the most diplomatic, I guess.

While that’s been going on, Rhonda has been watching Thing’s experimenting and taking notes, and Freddie seems to be watching Thing itself. Both seem fascinated in their own way. Rhonda is definitely watching Thing’s technique, and I think is trying to copy his motions to remember with her own magic weaving.

Freddie is watching Thing’s movement, and seems to just be growing more confused. “It’s not acting anything like a crawling hand should,” he finally says to himself, though Rhonda can obviously hear.

“What do you mean?”

He gestures at Thing as he hops off the table to grab a few reagents, tossing them from their various jars and bottles and onto the work surface. “Crawling hands are supposed to be grasping, crushing undead. They instinctively seek to restrain victims so stronger undead can get them. This one has no interest in us at all.” Thing swats at Freddie’s ankle to get him out of the way, before hopping back up onto the table.

“Well… no interest except when we’re in the way, I guess,” he says, having moved his foot. Rhonda thinks on that for a few moments.

“Well, the other scions don’t act like normal denizens, so why should a crawling hand be different?”

“The other scions are fully and naturally alive,” points out Freddie as he watches Thing measure out the various reagents on the scales. Rhonda watches as well, even pulling out her own little book and a charcoal stick to note the measurements, before she speaks up to Elf Guy.

“Mr Tarl? Do other undead Scions act like normal undead?” Tarl, huh? He nods.

“Every other undead Scion that I’ve personally seen has been part of a Beligerrant dungeon, at best, and so combat oriented. With this hand, though… it would seem their behavior has more to do with what the dungeon wants of them, like with other Scions.” Yvonne can only chuckle as she gestures towards the door.

“If you think this one is odd, you should see Grim; the skeleton Scion and Grounds-Reaper.”