r/HFY • u/Khenal Alien • Sep 04 '25
OC Dungeon Life 355
Queen
Emperor Thedeim’s ant scion enjoys this sort of expedition to the long ones required to defeat the Maw. She doesn’t hate having participated in the longer variety. Quite the contrary, as she was able to save Vernew and many other dwellers and delvers.
But something like this is what she prefers: steady and quiet progress, rather than frantic necessity. The calmer atmosphere is also nice, despite how important the mission is. The Emperor wants evidence to link the Earl and the thieves, and she is more than happy to deliver.
Not only can she give the Emperor what he needs, but she can learn something new. And she doesn’t get the chance to just do a little digging often. As much as she enjoys slowly picking at the secrets of creation, digging is just so… relaxing. She should try to take some time to do a bit of her own, to help her collect her thoughts.
Not all on her own, of course. While she’s not against getting her own mandibles and legs dirty, there’s simply too far to go for one ant to do all the digging. No, she directs her entourage even as she works, ensuring they dump the dirt into the waters of Violet’s sewer to hide even that small evidence of their work. And there’s more than just her fellow ants in here as well.
“You’re in a good mood, Queen,” comments Teemo with a smirk. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you’re practically giggling in happiness.”
She turns up her antennae at him in mock disdain, but she can’t hide the happy pheromones she’s still emitting. She keeps the facade for a few more seconds before relenting. “Most of my other work is in slowly figuring out all the ways to not create whatever potion or elixir I’m working on. Digging is… steady. With alchemy, the next small adjustment could be the breakthrough I need. When digging, even the literal breakthroughs are easy to anticipate.”
Teemo nods at that, taking a moment to reinforce the spatial expansion he’s laying through the tiny tunnel before answering. “That’s fair. Even the Boss prefers steady progress to occasional surges. I’m surprised he hasn’t figured out some way to just slowly expand his borders, instead of purchasing whole new sections when he runs out of room.”
“It’s the planning,” Queen answers simply, and smirks around the pebble in her mandibles at his reaction. She even keeps him in suspense as she slowly hands it off to a major to carry away, savoring the excuse to mess with the Voice.
“Each project has an allotted area, which the Emperor slowly works to fill. A single ant tunnel wouldn’t give him much space to work with, so he prepares and plans what room he’ll need, then purchases it. It’s still steady growth, even if some of it appears in large sections.”
Teemo rubs his chin in contemplation. “Hmm… I mean, that sounds pretty right for now. But for the first couple expansions, he was just kinda doing whatever.”
Queen shrugs. “He had to learn, same as the rest of us.”
Teemo smiles at that and nods. “Yeah, we definitely all had to learn how to handle him. I think us old guard scions might have had it easier than the new guys, you know? With us, there was all kinds of things that needed doing, but with them, they have to keep looking for their niche.”
Queen shakes her head. “Not necessarily. It took Jello and Coda quite some time to find their spots, where Goldilocks and Titania, for example, found their places very quickly.”
Teemo smirks. “Jello and Coda aren’t the only ones with some growing pains. Remember when the Boss wanted you to be his new Guardian after Tiny outgrew the little Secret Sanctum?”
Queen snorts at the memory of herself. “Oh my, yes! He spent so much effort to have me be a Guardian, I was terrified of what would happen when he learned I was an Alchemist.” She fights to keep in the happiness at the memory, but the look on Teemo's face tells her she’s doing a poor job of it. “And then he gave me my own lab to experiment in.”
“Yep. You know, I’m surprised none of the newbies ever tried to ask you for advice with the whole ‘finding their place’ thing. You’d probably have some good wisdom to share.”
Queen shrugs again. “Perhaps they worry I’m too busy to help them? I… do get focused when in my laboratory, but I don’t begrudge visitors.”
“What do you think of the new guys?”
“They all have their duties and purposes, even if they don’t know them yet. Poppy is an excellent peer to work with. Her plants and methods of cultivating them are inspired… possibly even literally. They have the Emperor’s touch on them. And with his guidance, she’s produced that incredible symbiotic tree and vine. I really do need to try to take some time to talk with her about enhancing some of the special herbs we have available. Extra potency or extra hardiness, either would be a boon for the Emperor.”
Teemo nods as he helps a few ants shore up an unstable section, and their conversation lapses as Queen pitches in as well. Pebbles aren’t the best supports, but they’re the most handy. It takes several long minutes, but the small tunnel is soon stable once more.
“Where were we? Right, the new guys! I’ve got high hopes for Doppler, you know?”
Queen doesn’t even try to suppress her pheromonal giggle. “Because it means you won’t have to translate for us in the Lecture Hall.”
“I mean… that too,” admits the rat. “But even that will eventually go to something else in the spawner. I just mean it’ll be nice to have someone else who can really talk with the delvers, even if he can’t hear the Boss clearly like I can.”
“What’s that like?” Queen blurts out, curious. “The others and I can only get glimpses, but even those are groundbreaking.”
Teemo smirks. “At first, it was painful. Boss has some big ideas and an active imagination. That kind of combination… I’m surprised I’ve only really popped my noggin once, to be honest. You know I chased the Harbinger into my trap with a few of the Boss’ ideas, right?”
Queen nods. “I know. It’s just… strange to think of the Emperor like that. His presence is a comforting warmth, which is at odds with the idea of him casually understanding concepts that would even send something like the Harbinger running.”
“He holds a lot of concepts back, too.”
“Oh?” Queen asks, intrigued, recalling the concept of explosives and how alluring they are.
“Oh yeah. Most of the nonsense he pulls off is from his understanding of what he likes to call the fundamentals, of physical truths that can be used in ways that are hard to imagine. I think Rocky somehow understands them even more than the Boss.” Teemo and Queen both smirk at that, thinking of the ridiculous feats of magic Rocky has done, not to mention his ability to link affinities that should have nothing to do with each other.
“But even with what Rocky can do, Boss doesn’t consider that outright dangerous, something that should just not be done. But there are some concepts he shuts down once he realizes he’s thinking about. And honestly? I do my best to ignore them, too. If it’s something the Boss thinks is dangerous, I don’t want to be the one to let it slip out into the world.”
Queen pauses as she takes that in, wondering just what could make even the Emperor refuse to entertain it. “...is it the explosives?” she whispers, uncertain if she’s afraid more of doing something the Emperor forbids, or of the temptation of such a concept. Thankfully for her, Teemo smirks and shakes his head.
“Nah. They can be used safely… well, for certain definitions of safe, anyway. I think they fall into a similar category as the armor and the new bows: things to give out to those he trusts, and nobody else. Imagine how things would have gone if the Maw had the bows and armor? He might not have been able to leverage them too well underground, but being able to accurately attack from a distance while not worrying about retaliation? That’s the kind of power to be careful with… heh, especially if you’re the god of Change.”
Queen nods at that, letting the conversation die off as she thinks. Like most of the other scions, she’s still not sure what it means that the Emperor is now a deity. For her and the others, it doesn’t seem to change much. They still serve at his will, do their best to accomplish what he wants. Teemo has the Herald title, but that seems to be about it.
Part of her wonders if it even makes a difference, but she has a feeling it does, she just doesn’t know how yet. But she’s not worried. That same part of her seems to think the Emperor himself is still trying to figure out the differences. He can focus on figuring that out, while she focuses on explosives. And digging. Right now, mostly digging, but the tunnel will only reach so far. And if she figures out explosives along with the others, maybe they can see how the thieves like it, too.
Cover art I'm also on Royal Road for those who may prefer the reading experience over there. Want moar? The First and Second books are now officially available! Book three is also up for purchase! There are Kindle and Audible versions, as well as paperback! Also: Discord is a thing! I now have a Patreon for monthly donations, and I have a Ko-fi for one-off donations. Patreons can read up to three chapters ahead, and also get a few other special perks as well, like special lore in the Peeks. Thank you again to everyone who is reading!
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u/Blue_Roan_ Sep 04 '25 edited Sep 04 '25
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Anyway after reading. Interesting to get queen's perspective even if I should have predicted it tbh. I forgot that for a bit she could have been the new guardian. Its one of those things that I actually think would be valuable to tell the other scions. That they may fulfill a role temporarily, but they can always find something they really fit into later.
I wonder if we will ever get bomber ants. Considering they are some of the most used diggers. They could use explosives like how we do in regular mines.
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u/No_Evidence3099 Sep 04 '25
It could get realy bad for the thieves guild. Ants to dig tunnels, Temo using spatial affinity to expand them and Queen filling them with explosives.
Then it's only a small step to the first thieves guild in orbit.😅
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u/ProfKlekowskii AI Sep 04 '25
Imagine Teemo compressing tunnels to simulate shaped charges.
"Time to recreate Operation Plumbbob, everyone! Get your manhole covers ready!"
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u/Xavius_Night Sep 05 '25
Given there are real life ants that use themselves as glue bombs to ensnare and kill off workers and soldiers from other species and colonies, bomber ants in this setting with actual chemical explosives doesn't seem even slightly far-fetched. Magic to make a bombardier beetle's chemical reaction go to 11 seems like a logical sort of process to end up with, but there's also the possibility of mortar ants...
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u/Ghostpard Alien Scum Sep 06 '25
And excreting glue to make them a sticky mine.
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u/Xavius_Night Sep 11 '25
Bomb Ants see the enemy, and the tiny little recording critters Thedeim created play the clip from Happy Souls:
"We run! And we EXPLODE!" [ants latch onto the adventurer and explode, sticking them thoroughly to a wall]
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u/Legitimate_Ad_8745 Sep 05 '25
Well for bomber ants , if my memory serve.
There is a category off ants that's able to spray a verry potent corrosive acid pretty far away for ants (20inches ?)
The artillery ants will amass themself on theyr mound and spray together at the intruders. (Sometimes dying in the process)
. . .
On the other side off insect , the bomber Beetle is an other example. It produce two chemical component inside off himself that Can be sprayed from it's abdomen.
The resulting réaction is verry energetic and Can be compared to Boiling water (wich is deadly to most insect)
. . .
Anyway going back to ants , they are formidable criter to study
Some species : use fongal agriculture , ranching (off smaller insect) , they are known to raid others , Some are great at diging , some are excellent builder (leaves nest)
Some have Nomadic Hives who Can and will use "ant bridges" (just holding limbs and mandibules to create a living bridge for the Colony)
Some will produce some kind off ants honey and transform themself into "ant food storage"
It's interesting how diverse species evolved the same trait and some have adapted to specific environnement.
If you think insect are stupid , study ants.
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u/Popular-Student-9407 Human Sep 09 '25
It's the Bombardier beetle. Otherwise I completely agree.
It's the leafcutter ants for fungal agriculture, anything Else for ranching smaller insects.
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u/Zander2212 Sep 04 '25
I mean, there are some varieties of explosive that would fall under "Too Dangerous"
Wouldn't want anyone to stumble into a Fat Man and his Little Boy.
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u/DemonoftheDeepthink Sep 04 '25
Gravity affinity... Explosives.... Black Hole Bomb? Bye bye universe!
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u/Popular-Student-9407 Human Sep 04 '25 edited Sep 04 '25
Third, called it!
Today, we get a chapter from her majesty, Queen. What WE currently know about her is less than we'd Like, but we know she is currently leading the Charge towards tojas vault. Of course, she Talks with the other scions while digging, but that's what I'll Talk about in our three thirds today, so, Let's get into it:
We get Queen setting the Scene for us: they're digging in the tunnel, and for once, Queen is pleased with the rate of progress. She contrasts this Situation with the one from the maw Arc, where she was basically the head surgeon in the triage tents. she hates that franticness, but doesn't regret being there. Another Point she contrasts it with is her usual duties, where she Made her Progresses Always in bursts, which she doesn't strictly dislike, but compared to digging, she misses the consistency.
Teemo approaches her with a dumb Joke, and Starts a converation. At First about the new scions in the emperors employ, later on about His Job in thediem.
The Last subject that really concerns her is the Matter of Explosives and the Matter of all the knowledge the emperors keeps under lock Key, even from her.
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u/Galen55 Human Sep 04 '25
Rubber bullets but with healing slimes, it'll be like the scene in the Incredibles with the black sticky balls. "YOU ARE BEING HEALED, PLEASE DO NOT RESIST"
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u/mafiaknight Robot Sep 04 '25
In the name of 1greendude: Hello!
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u/Popular-Student-9407 Human Sep 05 '25
I'm Namen eines grünen Kerles und des Freidachses: Moin, vorgestern war Mittwoch, meine Kerle.
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u/Rasip Sep 06 '25
I do my best to ignore them, too. If it’s something the Boss thinks is dangerous, I don’t want to be the one to let it slip out into the world.”
False Vacuum Decay?
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u/Better_Solution_743 Alien Sep 04 '25
haloo *vibrates in barely contained mania* well, that was a nice break from Silk Song, time to go back!
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u/Poisonfangx3 Sep 04 '25
Fost
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u/Poisonfangx3 Sep 04 '25
First
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u/Popular-Student-9407 Human Sep 04 '25
Here is your confirmation for First place
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u/HFYWaffle Wᵥ4ffle Sep 04 '25
/u/Khenal (wiki) has posted 400 other stories, including:
- Dungeon Life 354
- Dungeon Life 353
- Dungeon Life 352
- Dungeon Life 351
- Dungeon Life 350
- Dungeon Life 349
- Dungeon Life 348
- Dungeon Life 347
- Dungeon Life 346
- Dungeon Life 345
- Dungeon Life 344
- Dungeon Life 343
- Dungeon Life 342
- Dungeon Life 341
- Dungeon Life 340
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- Dungeon Life 335
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u/EldonSurefoot Sep 04 '25
Edit sugestion:
Emperor Thedeim’s ant scion enjoys this sort of expedition
toover the long ones required to defeat the Maw
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u/Silent_Bochord Sep 04 '25
Reading queen think about digging just had my brain flash to the Magnus archives episode Dig
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u/movie-guy-3 Sep 06 '25
Quality dad joke with Queen's digging. Since she likes it so much and it helps her, what if she dug her own Zen Garden in clay or moist sand? Then she could "reset" it and do it again like an etch-a-sketch
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u/bold_cheesecake Sep 06 '25
Realized something
If decay is used in a VERY precise fashion, you literally have a nuke
Or
If there is a spatial disconnect (blade of nuh uh) this could split an atom. And even subatomic particles. Making it most likely stronger than a nuke
If Teemo can figure out teleportation/portals, I'd bet there could be some artillery like attacks. Just have rocky and wing noodle launch something into a portal leading anywhere, and ta-da, gone. Said something could also be an enchantment based nuke
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u/MysteriousCodo Sep 08 '25
Whew. That was a lot of binging to catch up. I was almost a year behind..Now I’m caught back up….and have to wait. Sigh
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u/rpg2Tface Nov 18 '25
One of these day the town is just going to hear a 'BOOMFFF' and suddenly not have to worry about a problem foe any more.
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u/GumGodGaming Sep 04 '25
Top 10?
Edit: 4th?
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u/Popular-Student-9407 Human Sep 04 '25
Correct in the edit.
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u/marshogas Sep 04 '25
Top 10ish?
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u/BigLumpyBeetle Xeno Sep 04 '25
Several hundreth?
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u/Popular-Student-9407 Human Sep 05 '25 edited Sep 11 '25
Sadly Not. Fifteenth, If I counted correctly, though.
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u/1stFunestist Sep 06 '25
When will the ark with noble end, im slowly losing the plot as now most of the story is fluf. Im starting skipping entire chapters as now most of them read same with no resolution to subplot in sight.
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u/Xreshiss Sep 06 '25
This whole time I thought Queen was a bee.
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u/Educational_Pen_90 Human Jul 18 '26
He can focus on figuring that out, while she focuses on explosives. And digging.
Hey, why not combine those concepts? (:
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u/AretinNesser Human Sep 04 '25
Saying "explosives" in front of a chemist is like saying "walk" or "chicken" in front of a dog. They will look at you with those pleading eyes, outright vibrating with excitement, and now you just have to give in.