Lassim and Sanvra stood on a newly formed lookout, built just above the entrance they had last used. They were surrounded by a tapestry of snow that seemed less hostile than it had months before.
It had been roughly 5 months since they initiated the barriers and started their first sanctuary on the surface. Lassim had unknowingly passed his 9th birthday inside the drow’s realm.
Sanvra, standing next to him, pointed towards a cluster of trees nearby. Their branches dusted with snow but beneath the frost, hints of green were emerging more robustly than they had seen in ages. "[Look at that]," she said, her breath misting in the cold air. "[It’s as if the trees are waking up from a long slumber.]"
Lassim nodded, his eyes scanning the horizon. He could see small animals, perhaps snow rabbits or slickfurs, darting through the now growing underbrush and lighter snow cover.
Their coats thicker and healthier than any he had seen on his arrival. Some bird species of beasts, too, seemed to have been attracted to the sanctuary and cleansed. The sounds of life were starting to return with their chirps a lively melody against the quiet of the forever moonlit night.
"[Everything seems more alive, doesn’t it?]" Lassim mused aloud, turning to Sanvra. "[It’s remarkable to see how much the cleansing affects the entire plane’s life once it’s had time to be free of the corruption. The mana barrier system has worked so well. I wonder what the entire plane will look like once we finish if this is just what’s happening at the start.]"
Sanvra smiled, her gaze reflective. "[It is indeed remarkable, my star. And it’s all because you dared to imagine it could happen.]" She paused, her eyes thoughtful. "[This will change everything for our people. Perhaps, it’s time we consider expanding our living areas to the surface so that we can expand the sanctuaries further with more defenders and more area covered.
The ground is becoming more fertile, and the air is fresh. We could develop some of the underground living spaces into larger garden spaces if we can move their inhabitants towards a home on the surface.]"
Lassim looked out across the transformed landscape, feeling a mix of pride and uncertainty. "[I agree. I think it’s time we discuss this with the others and see who would be willing. I think some of the hunting teams would prefer to stay on the surface since they don’t have to constantly travel up and down the tunnels after a long hunt.]"
"[True,]" Sanvra conceded, "[but we should start small. Monitor closely, expand slowly. Our goal not be just to survive, but to thrive.]"
The two of them continued their observations, jotting down notes and discussing which potential sides of the barriers should be adjusted for future expansion.
The idea of moving back to the surface was enticing, but Lassim couldn’t shake off a lingering concern about the unknown variables of their actions.
Regardless, the entire plane needed to possibly be cleansed before they could leave, and Lassim was determined to succeed and get back to Nexaria.
Later that night, Lassim and Sanvra convened a gathering in the central cavern, now illuminated by both the natural glow of the stable cleansing refresher pole system that combated against any encroaching corruption, and the flickering torches that lined the walls.
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The community members assembled, their faces etched with curiosity and anticipation, a stark contrast to the wary expressions of over half a year ago when Lassim first arrived. Their eyes all looked upon him fondly, no longer an outsider but a member of their community.
Several eyes were certainly filled with more affection and reverence than others, almost scarily so, but Lassim hadn’t recognized their fervor.
When all the community gathered in the large central cavern, Master Tolen was the first to speak, his voice echoing off the stone walls. "[We stand at a threshold, my friends. The barriers on the surface have begun to show promising effects—not just cleansing, but rejuvenating the land around us.]"
Sanvra stepped forward, unrolling a large map across a makeshift table. It detailed the surface area directly above the underground network.
"[Here,]" she pointed, "[and here are the areas we’ve observed significant improvements. The flora is richer, the fauna healthier. We believe these spots could serve as potential new living areas for our community.]"
Murmurs of agreement and excitement bubbled through the crowd.
A younger Drow, named Elira, raised her hand, her voice tinged with enthusiasm. "[What would moving to the surface entail? Could we really live there again?]"
Lassim responded, "[It’s a possibility we’re exploring. The barriers create a safe zone, free from the corruption that plagued the land before. But,"] he paused, ensuring he had everyone’s attention, "[this is new territory for us. We need to proceed with caution, conduct further tests, and ensure it’s sustainable.
We also need to make sure the folks willing to live on the surface are the more combat ready members of the community in case of emergencies. I see a few of you have new children on the way, which is wonderful, but we’d like for you to remain underground for the time being. Perhaps some of the single hunting team warriors would be willing?]"
Another Drow elder, known as Janvir, leaned on his staff, his deep voice thoughtful. "[And what of the rest of us?]"
"[We’re considering controlled environmental expansion at first. Small, manageable and closely monitored,]" Sanvra explained. "[We can expand and include those of you that are tired of the underground and wish to live on the surface as we learn more about the effects of the barriers and how the wildlife adapts.
However, if you really wish to be among the first group, you can speak with me after the forum.]"
Lassim added, "[If it helps, I plan to also live on the surface as we expand as well. My natural meditation can be more effective in the open space and under the cloud cover. There’s something I’d like to try to see if it can speed things up, but I want to wait until we get the first village established before doing anything reckless.]"
The discussion continued, with various members of the community voicing their hopes, concerns, and suggestions.
It was a vibrant exchange, full of the kind of hope and collaborative planning that had been absent in the dark days of survival and isolation that led up until Lassim’s arrival.
As the meeting drew to a close, Lassim felt a surge of responsibility. These were his people now, in more ways than one. They looked to him not just for survival, but for a future.
"[We’ll start small, as Sanvra suggested,]" Lassim concluded. "[A trial area, closely monitored. We’ll learn from that and plan our next steps based on real data and experience. Let’s take this one step at a time, together.]"
The community nodded in agreement, their faces smiling with the possibility of being one step closer to leaving their prison, but with the main focus on the fact that their days could get hopeful on the surface in the short term.
With the community’s consent and burgeoning hope, the plans for establishing a surface village moved swiftly from theory to action.
Lassim, Sanvra, and a dedicated team of volunteers, primarily from the hunting teams eager for easier access to the surface, began the meticulous process of setting up the initial settlement.
The chosen site was strategically selected; a flat expanse near the most robust part of the barrier, where the rejuvenation effects were most apparent. This area, marked by Sanvra on the large community map, was where the greenest shoots of grass were pushing through the thawing ground and where the trees showed the most vigorous signs of life.
The foundation of the new surface village was efficiently laid out by Master Tolen and his team of skilled apprentices.
With years of experience in construction and craftsmanship within the Drow community, Tolen directed the building efforts with precision and authority. Each structure was meticulously designed to be both sturdy and sustainable, tailored to withstand the harsh conditions of the surface while providing comfort and warmth.
Master Tolen’s blueprints for the village included simple yet effective cabins, positioned strategically to maximize protection from the prevalent winds and to capture as much sunlight as possible during the short days.
The cabins were constructed using durable, locally sourced materials that were treated and transported from the underground with Sanvra’s logistical support.
Lassim, while not a builder by trade, was keen to contribute wherever he could. Under the guidance of Tolen’s apprentices, he learned the basics of carpentry and helped in the assembly of the cabins. His strength and determination made him a quick study, and he took to the simpler tasks with enthusiasm, appreciating the tangible results of his labor.
Sanvra managed the logistical challenges associated with transporting materials from the underground storages to the surface. Her expertise ensured that the flow of necessary resources—like wood, stone, and thermal insulation materials—was steady and efficient, preventing any delays in the construction schedule.
Master Tolen also implemented defensive measures, integrating a series of smaller, emergency barriers into the village’s design. These could be activated independently of the main barrier to provide additional protection if needed, ensuring that the village was safeguarded against unexpected threats.