Tunnel Rat-Chapter 400: Gifts Galore

Slowly, the line of Engineers advanced, each one receiving a technological marvel, a book of obscure plans, or a large supply of rare resources that enabled a huge project they'd wanted to do for years. A gaggle of curious dwarves looking with awe at what their fellow Engineers received slowed the line considerably. Whale looked on with annoyance and amusement.

"And that's why the Spanner Boys will never conquer the world. They get too excited about sharing ideas and going off on interesting tangents. Keeping them focused on this big project is going to take a lot of work."

Annie had to agree. "And thank the old gods for that. Can you imagine what this group would get up to if they were as ambitious as we are? There'd be fleets of steel gunboats, and we'd rule the seas. Not sure how that would end up, though."

"Oh, I do. We'd conquer the world, then fight each other. I even wonder if that happened before. There are a lot of wrecked ships in the Rust Sea. I say if it ever comes to that, you and I flip a coin and then get back to drinking and conquering."

"And chasing cute beards. Speaking of which...I notice you've been spending some time with Sledgemonkey."

Whale blushed and coughed. "Just making sure I can manipulate him into doing what's best for the clans. I'm not some twitterpated young beauty like I was a hundred years ago when I married that damned scoundrel of a first husband."

"All of your husbands have been scoundrels. But, I'm sure that's it. Just looking out for the clans. Has nothing to do with the cute way he curls the ends of his beard or the lilac oil he uses on his mustache."

Whale turned to her friend, eyes narrowing. "Nothing at all, and I'll thank you to keep away from that mustache."

Annie winked. "Oh, don't worry. I won't interfere with a hard-working Captain as she's going about 'clan business,' besides, there are a lot of cute beards down there, and I won't say that I'm not tempted. My first mate is coming home far too often with a smile on her face and French toast on her breath. We Captains have to keep level heads."

"Exactly."

"So, how's his French toast?"

Whatever Whale's response would have been, it was lost as a huge cheer went up. Sledgemonkey was holding up a heavy pipe wrench taller than himself. The adjustable 'mouth' end of the wrench was shaped like the head of a dragon. As he turned it back and forth, the shining scales shimmered in the dim light of the cavern. The eyes of the dragon were clear crystal that twinkled like stars in the sky.

In the beginning, there was only the void. A formless idea. The old gods came together and formed a channel from another Universe, stealing what they needed to build their new home using a special conduit, a glowing pipe the size of a mountain that would release the energy and matter that would form a universe. As they watched, Zeus struggled to turn the valve that would start the flow. Hades and Typhon joined him, but even the strongest of the gods working together could not budge the stubborn valve.

Hephaestus had forseen the problem, and motioned for the others to step aside as he limped forward and brought forth a tool made for this one job. The first pipe wrench turned the valve that began the world. Hephaestus used it for long eons, where it's been since then is anyone's guess, but it's here now.

The First Pipe Wrench

-Indestructible and gets the job done.

-Also useful for getting rid of things that annoy you. Wielded as a normal Sledgehammer, but all damage is multiplied by 10.

+10 STR

Whale looked at the Chief Engineer as he swung the primordial tool with ease, then cautiously tapped a part of the ruined stone floor, cracking the stone and sending chips flying.

"Oh my, I have always loved men with large hammers."

Annie grinned. "Who doesn't? But that's not something to build a long-term relationship on."

"How about a short one with some benefits?" They both smiled and downed their mugs of rum.

The last Engineer, besides the injured Milo, went forward. Shiftstick had cheered when everyone else was getting their rewards, but was nervous about his own. He mumbled a silent prayer, "Please don't be a poisoned knife. Please! Done with that. Maybe some nice coveralls or a screwdriver?" He pulled out a large book, a metal staff, and a rolled-up map. The book had the symbols of all the major clans who had resided in the city. The copper staff had a coil of silver wire on the top. With the help of Varihold, he unrolled the large map, revealing an expanded view of the city, with large hidden areas revealed as well as tunnels and passageways sealed off by the Chimera, or from cave-ins.

The Great Book of Finditurpetram

This tome details the founding of the city, its history, and the clans who built it.

The Great Map of Finditurpetram

A living map of the City, showing all entrances, nearby caverns, and trade routes.

The Smiting Rod of the Lord of Finditurpetram

A symbol of his rulership of the city, it also came in handy for smiting enemies, or reminding his people who was in charge. Nothing says, "Shut the hell up, we've been over this!" like a near-miss from a bolt of lightning.

Vary grinned and bowed. "Well, I guess it's official now. Cool staff."

A nervous Shiftstick was taken aside to celebrate his taking on a second job and drink with the excited Engineers. As they made room, the ratkin miners and metal workers lined up, led by Master Clawhammer. Reaching into the chest, he pulled forth a very large, worn leather backpack.

Master Craftsman's Backpack

Created for the busy craftsman who needs to keep his tools handy. The Pack can hold any number of crafting tools, and asking for one brings it to the top. Up to one ton of raw materials or finished goods may also be stored. The pack always weighs twenty pounds.

Current Contents:

-Adamant Pickaxe

-Adamant Forging Hammers and tongs, portable anvil, quenching trough, and Self-Heating Forge.

-Six magical lanterns

-Ore sorting table and scales

-Tempered Dark Steel Chisels and Sculpting Tools

-Apprentice-powered ore crusher

Clawhammer looked at the backpack and smiled slowly. "Well, maybe an adventure now and then isn't a bad thing. I can see the appeal of it, now."

One by one, the rest of the ratkin workers gained their rewards, often tools they were hoping to get. The four who had opted for the Mage path were delighted to get heavy wooden dueling staves. Each one had seen heavy use. The runes carved into each held the glow of stored mana.

Apprentice Staves from Lorewind Academy

Dwarves trade for many things of value, but sometimes get stuck with things they don't value. Such is the case of these four antique dueling staves from the Lorewind Academy, an Elvish Collegium lost to memory and time, along with the entire city it was the center of. How these staves survived the city's destruction is unknown, along with how they came to be abandoned in a storeroom in Finditurpetram. Each has the following properties:

If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

+3 INT, +3 WIS, +3 CHA

-30% savings on the cost of spells cast through the stave.

-1000 stored mana that will slowly recharge over the next few days, at 200 mana per day, or faster if the wielder has extra mana for recharging.

The last to come up to the chest were Brutus, Gendifur, and their girls. The girls were hopping from foot to foot, unable to contain themselves as their parents went first.

Adamantine Platemail of the War of Arachnid Aggression

Last worn by Warmaster Longwhiskers of Muenster Hollow in the last great battle to free the original seven hollows from the tyranny of Lich Queen Srerukket. Both perished when her Unbreachable Fortress was destroyed when it was secretly invaded by Squeal Team Six, who planted the explosives that sent the Fortress plunging into the magma pool below. None of the elite shadow skulkers survived. The team fought a desperate action to prevent the spiders from defusing their bombs while the Warmaster kept the Liche Queen in her throne room, locked in a one-on-one duel that he was going to lose no matter what happened. But it seems the set of plate and chainmail armor survived, and someone brave needs to wear it.

-Complete set of Armor made of an unknown alloy. Adds 200 Physical, Heat, Fire, and Poison mitigation.

+5 STR, +5 CHA

Tattered Doctor's Valise

+5 WIS, +7 PER

This tattered doctor's bag was carried by an unknown sage who traveled the world in the early days of the Young Kingdoms. It enhances the owner's aura, relaxing patients and giving their words weight. It is divided on the inside into three sections: Medical Journals, Tools of the Trade, and Medicines. The contents of the old medicine jars have gone bad, but most of the sage's tools are still usable, as are his seventeen handwritten books on every type of ailment he encountered, the cures he discovered, and practical wisdom on curing the sick.

The whole family helped Brutus into his new armor, and the girls clapped with glee.

"Daddy looks so handsome!"

"You should be a hero too!"

He shook his head and hugged them. "Someone has to keep the homefires burning for when you two and Larry come home after a hard day of saving the world. Not that we won't travel a bit. But we'll leave the Heroing to you three. Speaking of which..." He'd barely stopped talking before they were at the chest, pulling out fiend-sized wooden mallets, and flower corsages to go on their dresses.

Pickle Hammers

When the Pickle Gang or Sneaky Bad Guys threaten Flowertown, these oversized bashing hammers will come in handy! Like all magical bashing hammers, they only show up when you want them to, and hide themselves the rest of the time!

Heroic Forever Blooms

These magical blossoms only bloom once every seven years, and it's quite rare to get two at once. The Fairies of Flowertown have turned these two sweet-smelling blossoms into corsages for two lovely heroes. If Flowertown is threatened, the flowers will glow and create a special Muggletunnel to bring the brave heroes to where they are needed.

Their delicate fragrance calms angry minds, helping the heroes defuse fights and keep focused on doing the right thing.

+5 WIS, +5 CHA, +2 INT, +2 AGI

Buttercup and Rosie could barely stay still as Gendifur tied the ribbons of the corsage tightly. The girls inhaled the sweet scent of the blooms and smiled at each other. Six seconds later, the flowers started glowing.

A Larry-sized tunnel in reality appeared, and a grinning Larry peeked out. "Quick. The Pickle Gang has brought an army of Gophers and their trying to ruin the Potatofest Celebration! I need help stopping them!"

Both girls hugged their parents, took a deep breath, and jumped through the portal. Larry waved to Tallsqueak. "Want to come? Larry's squire is always welcome to come to Pickle Bashings."

Milo waved back, "Another time, I'd have trouble lending a helping hand today. Have fun and come tell me the story." Larry disappeared, as Brutus wiped a tear from his eye. "They grow up so fast."

Gendifur smiled, knowingly. "Don't worry, they'll be back soon and need all of your fatherly advice. Their still little girls, even if they are beginning to be Heroes."

There was only one person left to grab his loot from the chest, but he'd had a rough day looking at his options and couldn't keep his eyes open. Milo yawned and went back to sleep.

Welcome to Tier Four

Now that you rejected the very lavish offer of working for the Engine, I have other choices for you!

Mad Scientist

+5 INT, +5 TOU, Increased minion Loyalty, Increased chance of Techno-magical-reality-bending breakthroughs, Special Quests for World Domination!

You qualified for the big leagues!

-Secret Underground Lair!

-Loyal Minions who construct your crazy ideas!

-Doing dangerous things in the name of Science!

-Secret Identity!

Continue your quest for mad science as you expand your growing underground empire. Send out your minions to procure the resources you need to create mechanical and magical terrors. Threaten the surface world. Compete with other insane geniuses for the title of Mad Scientist Supreme. (But watch out for the pesky hero. There may be one roaming around, and I hear he's constantly checking up on you.)

Professional Child Care Specialist for Exceptional Children

+5 PER, +10 TOU,

-Free Healthcare!

-Continuous Challenges

-Special Quests like 'Time for Bed', 'Nice girls share the Boss with the rest of the group', and 'Who wants to smoosh spiders?'

-New Skills: Patience, Extreme Hide and Seek, and 'Hero Training.'

Wandering Sage

+3 PER, +3 WIS, +3 CHA, +5 Free points.

You have skills and knowledge to share with other creatures as you explore the world. It also gives you a chance to learn what they know and figure out their secrets. Knowledge isn't always easy to get. Share what you know, and learn what they know.

-New Perk: Probably Harmless.

-New Perk: Probably tastes terrible.

Gain Skill: Alchemy

Gain Skill: Minor Medicine

Gain Skill: Rustic Cooking

Master Engineer

You've found the guys you like to hang around with. It's time to buckle down and get to work. Hone your skills, repair the mess you made, and become a legend.

-Gain two resistances of your choice.

-Gain +5 Tough and +5 INT.

Warrior Rat

The Hollow needs you. There are threats everywhere. Hone your fighting skills and gain new ones. Train the young whelps and apprentices, turning them into an army that can defend your home from any invaders.

+5 STR, +5 DEX, +5 CON, +5 WIS, +5 PER

-Learn Gilad's secrets of fighting so he can retire.

-Gain the Skill: History of the Ratkin (WIS), giving you new perspectives on their struggle and insights that will let you deal favorably with the other Hollows.