POV: Heath Dollen.
Date: Þórri 13th, 598 AD. (Alt: 25th January, 599 AD.) Location: Götaland (Ancient Sweden.)
'Well, Brijga's description of 'causing changes' really underselled it, from what I notice, there is a >= 21% increase in magic regeneration.' Heath nods, both to himself and to their actions.
The technologies and changes in the livelihood of every person in the Cavern demonstrate the dramatic growth Heath is experiencing. He sees their adventurous struggle within the digital realm of not-Minecraft and how well they are doing with contacting these 'people.'
The piglins may be code, but he has added enough algorithmic complexity and randomness to create very unpredictable beings with their own unique thought processes, all the while keeping the code efficient. Just that in itself would be unrealistic within the 21st century from how he felt the industry was going. Currently, they have followed his advice of getting enough ender pearls and obsidian in case of multiple portals needing to be made so they can leave back to the Overworld when necessary.
"Hey kid, I'll be leaving for a bit as to check on Sterling and his current progress with learning, I'll be back in a jiffy." Heath talks to Valyria in English, with her nodding and keeping constant attention towards the players' progress.
He goes down through the portal again through to the Halcrodóttir triplets' dwelling. Quite busy with helping their new concrete brother the ways of the world. "-this is a thatch pattern, with this one being a grid, see its stability and texture when under the sun?" Alfárn puts it under the false window's light, showing the way it crosses over and under itself with reactive shades of white to cream from the fabric. "Oh, great scientist God! How have you been?" He pats Sterling's shoulder to see his father by the stairway.
"Father!" He gets up and runs to a sudden stop, now lifting Heath up like a cherished doll and hugging him in his incredibly thick arms. "It's good to see you too, Dov Chzek. How has it been over the past few days?" He pats his shoulder, which signalled to Sterling to let him down.
"Everything is good, there is so much to learn!" He walks through the teachings of blacksmithing, sewing and threading that have been quickly memorised and covered for Heath to hear, with him nodding and congratulating his son to making it this far. Beaming, yet subconsciously guilty that he had never given Valyria that same chance, once she saw him get injured like that. . . He forces himself out of that headspace. 'Maybe a family outing would be best.' He stares through the false window, seeing the bright desert sun in full splendour.
"-and they are now showing me how to make my own tunic!" Sterling shows the part of his creation, where they started with the cuffs and collar that are then connected through to the pleat. He was even making a little pattern on it that was quite swirly.
"What did you base it on, son?" Heath feels the way it flowed, with the best way of describing it being thickened waves. "I saw the dunes shifting, so I have been watching their patterns!" He gave a childish grin through the artistic beard, still showing himself as a newborn, even with all of his 'adult' features. "Do you want more dyes to make it colourful?" Heath asks, which then got responded with a quickened wobbly chicken nod. "*Hah*Alright, I'll go get a full palette. That will be nice." He quickly warps to the large field swathes.
Their runic-enhanced growth showed itself, the flowers taller and more vibrant than their natural counterparts, the scent of their unnatural height being exceptionally strong. He collects multiple of each type, crushing and purifying it into a paste for staining.
He goes by the (concrete brick / glass farm) that is turned to the (concrete / concrete brick / glass farm) where it is then expanded upon to make it the same size as the (elemental farm) on its left side as a square. The 9 / 128th of the space covering the Cavern's area now 27 / 128th in a rectangular design, the right side contained the (sugar / salt farm) formed within. By the title of each of these farms, there was a leftover 13 / 18th of the internal area remaining, meaning there is enough space for normal dyes and food dyes.[1]
The shape of it also looked inappropriate, so he expanded it all to the same height. It was now a giant cuboid, about the same height as Den höga ormtungan, purely designed for one side being food or flavouring and the other for compound or material acquisition.[2]
Lastly, he alters the outside of it to appear with alternative patterns made of precious high-entropy metals that are also kept up with magical maintenance, but to not make it an eyesore, he addes two giant screens on the north and south which are the widest faces, the north side, which is where Den höga ormtungan is situated is where the 'news' systems would play at all hours of the day, which any one can connected to bluetooth to hear the screen through their devices or armour.
The south side has something more interesting, once Heath finishes creating his 'robotic insects,' he will provide a direct outside perspective view for all to see from within the Cavern.
How he is able to do this is that while he may not contact Freyja, her dominion over insects, IE. butterflies and moths will mean that his direct alliance will make it easy to act as if they are hers rather than a newcomer. All he has to do now is ask if this is allowed or if there will be needed trades for him to continue with this research. 'What would this be called, insect-sight, nano-sight?' Heath tried to joke to himself, but he had no idea how to talk to her after feeling betrayed by her first paranoid actions.[3]
"Adal, I know you are watching me." He calls to the space around him with no direct response at first. A Model minute passes before he hears the bipedal canine footsteps again. "You have caught me quickly." Adal comments offhandedly, an obvious bait to de-escalate.
"No need for that, I wished to ask that with your direct contact with our allies about a potential trade." Heath explains the concept of the robotic fairyfly spies that would be used for flight and espionage development. Adal strokes his beard with enlarged eyes, not expecting for the young God to show enough trust to tell them of his plans. He would have been fully capable of making it behind their backs, but he gave enough credence to tell them. 'How thoughtful.' Adal internally nods in agreement.
"King Tiwaz hopes for you to discuss it with Annarr." Adal's fur and bristled beard rises by the corners before walking away and teleporting towards the top left tower again. He rather enjoys seeing the progress of the Völsung Clan's heir.
Heath warps again to the northern hidden embassy room, seeing that the father of Mother Jǫrð has already sat upon the rooted chair, glass of an unknown liquid in hand. Heath gives a small bow before sitting in his original seating spot. A few small pleasantries passed across before the talks began yet again. It was a rather simple negotiation, as long as Heath's insects would not go through their kingdom without their passing, and that they may have their own individual network ready for their own needs against Óðinn, they will agree.
In turn, Heath gave knowledge on how to produce these insects and that they shall not scan anything within the territories protected by Heath, with a contract signed in divine ichor, their fates are intertwined and sealed upon their true names once called.
King Tiwaz and other associated Gods who are in the know-how showed their presences in hand, the full brunt of it nearly knocking Heath to his side if not already being upon a seat already. With all finalising the meeting, all leave the room except for Annarr, who chose to stay for a private meeting with the young Mennskrðrútan. "I apologise for my brusque attitude to you, Heath Dollen, it was a matter of grave importance that had been forced my way." His pitch was a note lighter, from falling gravel to flowing waves.
"I understand, all of us have our own battles." Heath gave equal respect to the old dvergr, which then raised his hand in a toast to then swig down in a single swing. "And Freyja has brought a gift, in a form of apology." Annarr's imploring led to an expected reaction. . .
Of Heath showing an expression of distrust, eyes turning to slits before returning faux-normal again. "I have said to her clearly that gifts would not sway me, what will are ways to help our people." Heath felt the need to get up and leave this conversation, but was quickly stopped by a thickened hand upon his shoulder. It did not feel threatening, more as a stern uncle hoping to teach his nephew some sense. "It will help the Völsung, only if you are not so impulsive." He spat out in his face before sitting down, his skin bristling slightly in annoyance.
Heath felt that being held against his will was not what would constitute a healthy partnership, but he held his tongue. "I am sorry, you already know why I feel this way about her. I am grateful she told the truth, but it is a sharp crumb to swallow." He slowly blinked.
"Aye, I would have done worse in your stead." Annarr gives some agreement, but keeps his stance. "But I am not you, and can only forward their plant." The maned veteran's pouring of information made Heath feel a shock, leaving his thoughts open for a moment. "Is it what I think it is?" He asks, which garners a nod. "Iðunn, under order of King Tiwaz, produced an incomplete sapling. For you to grow." With their knowledge of Heath's understanding of life, they felt that he could nudge it to truly produce Apples of Immortality.
"But to produce such greenery would take centuries, as is the reason why the Vanir unendingly age. Would this gift not be too much?" Heath frowned now. Trying to understand their reasoning for how Iðunn could grow the seedling from her flesh in such a short span.
He tried to picture it in her boots: Of how her powers were canonised, venerated, protected and worshipped, yet even after half a millennium of research into her aspects, she could never truly figure out any picture, which was how it maintained its extreme importance yet enigmatism for any Godly being of both Pantheons. They also did not know Heath's way of making people young, so by combining both parts of his knowledge, his best guess is that they will keep Adal's eye upon him to study his way of changing the sapling's nature.
Into a perfected form, to finally return them young. "It seems you finally understand." Annarr's aged face showed that he expected him to reach such a conclusion. "With the original tree now being guarded by Fáfnir, they have no strength to contend against him."
He pauses, raising the cup again, where liquid now drips from the ceiling as a refill. He tips it back and puts it down against the table to lean forward, both shoulders no longer tensed. "You are great enough to contend with dragons. But none of ours individually can, we are too divided to focus on a singular goal. Which is why we task you with the creation of a new tree, for you to no longer need to spend your magic on any of your own." He brings it up, the growth of its thickened branches wilting from its premature creation.
"Treat it as you would any of your children." He puts it down upon the table, its roots slightly swaying in the fresh air, kept alive through magic. "Which, knowing you, would be an obvious conclusion." Even with his gruff demeanour, Annarr chose to show his trust in him.
He forms a fist to his chest and *BANGS* loudly, the sound of a drum that holds his heart forward in honesty. "Once grown strong, I will personally gift a basket." Heath solemnly vows, for such a plant would be impossible to be found otherwise. "We will hold you to that." Annarr sees the spirit of this young man, and feels that he reminds him of his granddaughter Gríðr before having an encounter with the All-Father. His eyes cowed with hidden remorse, shutting them out quickly with built anger to be spent in his next battle.
"I must leave." He stands up slowly, his muscly forearms bulging to pick up his warhammer at home. "May King Tiwaz' wisdom wipe foemen asunder." He bows to Annarr, with his response being an incline of acknowledgement before disappearing as a fog yet again.
Heath held the spectacle in front of him, feeding it his own magic in a gentle care while wrapping it with himself to be warped back into the Cavern. Placing it in the center of the (forest farm,) it is ready to be nourished with magic and life-giving fuels. As soon as it was planted, it caused a strange chain reaction where it spread incredibly thin roots throughout the soil, as if creating a mycelium-based structure that connected to all the trees in its vicinity. It spread in less than a few seconds, causing Heath to jump up in fright.
"DAYUM, YOU WERE HUNGRY!" He felt the soil upon his now bared feet, sensing how it has hardened closer to a compaction. The sound of his voice stirring something in the young tree to reacting with a sway of its leaves. Heath's expression turned dour.
'I do not remember in any myth these trees having intelligence, what the actual fu-' "Heath saw a growing bulb by the base of the tree, slowly sprouting outwards into a flower and forming a staff-like formation, pointed straight towards Heath. "Rod?" Heath asks, feeling this may be his new 'spring' he wishes to tie their alliance together. "You are a child of Iðunn?" Heath never knew that this deity first created in the 10th Century was actually the hidden child of a Norse deity!
It nodded for both, the leaves slowly coalescing together into a concave board, then further altering itself into that of a long-haired, bearded man made of green, twig and twine. "I have the father of Adal here, holy crap." Heath muttered in English.
"And you can sprout these Golden Apples?" Heath's question earned a smile from the God that is even younger than himself, soon from a second flower next to the staff, creating the fruit that is quickly scanned by Heath. 'That is the genuine deal, but without the aspect of Life.' He could feel its strong divine properties, picking it up once allowed. "What is with the staff?" He points towards it, which led to the leaves forming unheard words. It took a moment, but Heath understood it was a way to hear!
He grabs it and holds it within his hand, wrapping itself around his arm softly, almost a caress, into a thickened wrist guard that soon allows for the soft, prince-like voice to be heard. "So now we are capable of communicating." He spoke with candour, happy to finally speak.
"Yes, it is good! Though what of your son Adal? He speaks as if he has centuries to his name." Heath felt there was an inconsistency with the timeline, which is met with a spit-take. "He is less than a year old." Rod's wink caused Heath's mind to collapse inward. 'He acts older than me, and now I feel ancient!' Well, now he takes it as inadequacy. "Yes, that is true. Though it is common for those once mortal who gain power to extremise, a quirk of their mentality. You will calm over time." The tree's offhand comment now made Heath curious.
"Why yes, mother has given me much knowledge of the past time. And with your provision of sharing with me that you come from another realm, I may give light to what may be true here compared to your own." He continues, smugness in his tone.
"Who may be the recent others?" He saw a wave of a branch beside, like the shaking of a hand up and down. "關羽 (Emperor Guan (Yu)) from the faraway Eastern Lands a few hundred winters ago, his ascent was one of the minor ones. A major one from the past thousand winters would be ROMVLVS (Romulus) down south." Rod closes his eyes, thinking of other examples. "Ἡρακλῆς (Heracles) or ψυχή (Psyche) exist here?" Heath questions, which Rod dipped in consensus. "Huh, I wonder how different they would be now."
"Not by much, they are in a frozen stasis from not being contacted for so long. The Pentarchy (Christian Church) suppressed many of their rituals, leading to all faith in them stagnating over a century ago." Rod chattered out, showing care about their knowledge.
"Sad, but inevitable, the same occurred in my world." Heath now thinks about the new roots below him. "Do you need more trees to further your growth?" His question was met with a breathy, yet muted laugh. "This should be fine for now, I have done this to accelerate the growth of more vǫrðr to protect this cavern." Rod explained his future plan, seeing him as kindred from how Mother Jǫrð talked about him in their spare time. "But with your main body being here, do you wish for more protection?" Heath felt this trade may have been unsafe.
"Also no, stop overly worrying. You are a God, act like one." Rod rolled his eyes now. "I am thinking of naming my next child Aussa, your thoughts?" Okay, now he was being stared down. ". . . You named both of your children from a future Sultanate and an Imatate."
Heath crouched low enough to be eye-to-eye, not overbearing, just hoping to understanding the younger Deity. "Do you have foresight?" He questions him, staring deep into the slowly growing plant's eyes. ". . . No, just a coincidence." The same words were pushed back at him from when he was first talking about the hover boards with Hervor. Heath huffed before getting up again. "Well, I agree it is a good name." Heath now reels himself back as to do a few other tasks as needed.
"I feel no issue with you staying, as long as you follow our laws. You will be in contact with the mennskr and deer as to introduce you to our community." Heath leans in, almost whispering. "And you better put in a father bonding time with your child." He saw Rod pause.
"*PFT*" The tree breathlessly laughs, causing great exhales of oxygen. "Alright, I will." Both became quite friendly with each other, a nice day now quietly passing by.
[1] From Chapter 22: 2,250,000-km^(2) (868,729.86-mi^(2.)) * 2 =13,922,836.5459 Model km^(2) (4,500,000 km^(2) (1,737,459.72-mi^(2)))Which would make it the second-largest modern country, behind Russia in square kilometres and miles. (Additionally using this runic combination for the usual material regeneration: ᛟ (Heritage / Estate Rune,) ᚾ (Need / Hardship Rune,) ᛃ (Year / Harvest / Earth Rune) and ᚷ (Generosity / Gift / Spear Rune.))
[2] 25-Model km (≈ 8.0803-km (5.0209-mi.))
[3] The insect he is basing it on is the fairyfly, the smallest insect in the world. Smaller than the width of a hair, it would be the perfect robotic spy insect.