The first day of collaborative work flows smoothly within the unique ecosystem of the Tako Tree Tower. In the blacksmith forge, Thorne demonstrates various techniques to Dee, showing how to manipulate metal using traditional methods instead of metalbending. The dragonkin clone proves to be a quick learner, catching on to shaping ingots with her newfound control over earth and metal. "I think you've got the hang of it," Thorne comments as he observes Dee successfully forming an ingot from molten iron. "Your dragon blood gives you a natural affinity for manipulating substances. Keep practicing while I prepare the steel mixture. by adding the charcoal."
Meanwhile, in the library, Finn grows increasingly excited as Hiper shows genuine aptitude for paper-making. The tiefling clone follows instructions perfectly, grinding wood fibers into a fine consistency before adding them to water. "You're a natural at this," Finn praises enthusiastically. "Most apprentices take weeks just to master the grinding process alone. Your hands seem to understand exactly how much pressure is needed."
The library fills with the soft rustle of paper being formed as Hiper continues their task. Finn's praise makes the tiefling clones' sharp purple ears twitch with pleasure, a rare expression of genuine satisfaction from one of Tako's personas. "Thanks, Finn," Hiper says, his voice carrying a hint of shyness despite his multiple personalities. "It feels nice to be good at something right away."
Across the tower, Krystal works on the kitchen preparations for a proper lunch. The human vampire clone moves with practiced efficiency, directing the other Seylus to chop vegetables and prepare marinades while Zarion set up tables in the mini tavern in lower area. "Remember we need to use only ingredients that will be edible to our new friends. We can't go poisoning the first people to accept us in this world." The other vampire clones nod obediently, their fangs glinting in fire light as they cook away gladly making something to make their friends feel welcome in their new home.
As lunch approaches The Tako Tree Tower stays filled with the sounds of activity. Justine and Greyus are sweating as they do practice swings with wooden swords and spears, iron weighted bracelets on their wrists. "That's it, swing your swords and thrust your spears until your arms feel like they are going to fall off" Lyra instructs as she herself swings her swords relentlessly training with Kael.
Down in the sub basement the sounds of two pickaxes swinging in the dull light of a spell. "You may be able to bend the earth to your will but I'm telling you, doesn't it feel better with a pick in your hand." Gimli laughs as he scoops up a bunch of coal and puts it in his storage bag and looks over at Hamish. "However I won't deny how easy it is to find veins when using earthbending, nor how nice it is to be able to strengthen the tunnels with ease."
In the brewery the sounds of mashing and grinding and the occasional laughter of Borin come through the tunnels. "Even if you grew most of these with magic these will turn into fine alcohol. Maybe we'll even make some kiel whiskey." Borin says with laughter slapping Patches on the back proudly. "Also if it's true you are all of one mind then I only need to teach you this once and that is nice."
For lunch the group and the clones have a wild vegetable stew. For dinner is two roasted deer that Talon caught while out hunting. after their first day in the Tako Tree Tower the new group of friends sleep with their bedrolls on stone bunks in the second floor inside the tree. Lyra sleep's on the 3rd floor with the clones.
During the night while the vampire clones are keeping watch the shadows silently start to move. The pack of blue wolves which had previously ignored the Tako Tree Tower have come to avenge Their pack member who died on the spikes two days ago. Their low growling breathing carrying the grief of losing both their prey and their loved one as they approach the wall too quietly to be noticed at first.
By the time Zarion the vampire clone watching that part of the wall noticed the wolves moving in the shadows, one of the wolves had already leapt onto the wall with a magically enhanced jump and was clamping their teeth onto the clones throat.
The death of Zarion telepathically alerted the other 3 vampire clones and Dalman immediately woke up Talon. Seylus also used the opportunity to wake up the others before all of the wolves can make it over the wall.
The moment the clone wakes up Kael and Lyra the two experienced soldiers have their weapons in their hands. "What's going on? Who's attacking?" "Blue wolves they jumped the moat and walls somehow. They already killed Zarion, and they are almost here-."
As if to cement Seylus's words a large blue wolf tears through the tarp door to the tree and 3 wolves enter the small space on the ground floor growling. Kael doesn't hesitate and leaps from the stairs thrusting his spear through the skull of the first wolf. Lyra follows behind swinging her swords in an X and decapitating the second wolf as two more enter one by one. Finn casts lightning killing the 3 wolves in close proximity and making the clones realized how lucky they were to not have to fight the former slaves.
The 3 surviving wolves try to flee but their path over the wall is blocked by Talon and Dalman descending from above, the 2 dragon clones dwarfing the 3 wolves. the wolves are then quickly dispatched by Thorne, Kael and Lyra who came up on the wolves from behind. and as suddenly as it had started the attack by the wolves was over.
"Talk about a rude awakening" Borin says kicking one of the wolves corpses with the tip of his boot and spitting out some phlegm. "why did they even attack us normally they avoid areas they can tell are someone else's territory."
"Probably because one of them died in my trap 2 days ago and we cooked and ate them." Tako replies as they load the corpses one by one into a spatial storage bag.
"Aye that will do it," The dwarf says nodding" the blue wolves are highly protective of one another and often retrieve their fallen within 3 days. They probably came in search of the body of their fallen, and wolves aren't known for asking questions. Ye said they got one of your clones, what are ye gonna do about that?"
"Good question" The dragonkin clone nods along and ponders the dwarf's statement. "As far as I am aware I can just grow a clone to replace it, none of my abilities say anything about that being impossible. Plus It was one of the vampire clones, I am supposed to be able to have one of those for each form I have. Which also means I have yet to reach my limit on those so here's hoping I can get Zarion back pretty easily."
"So first thing's first I need to gather all my clones and eat plenty of nutrients, the best thing so far has been rocks and logs then I need to focus of growing a clone. You are all welcome to watch if you want I bet it's pretty interesting to watch a new body grow out of the hand of another clone." Tako speaks taking charge like normal and looking at their new friends to see what they want to do. "Or you can just go back to sleep of course or go on guard duty yourself if you want it's up to you you're free to do what you want to now remember? You're no longer slaves to those elves so do what you want to like you did all day."
Lyra speaks up first having been the fastest to adapt as always. "If it's alright with you I would like to watch you grow new clones." "Yes you're free to join" Tako Replies then Finn also speaks up. "If that's the case then I would like to watch to, I'm curious and want to study your cloning process more closely." Tako smiles at the young scholar and nods "Study is always welcome maybe you'll be able to help me clone faster in the future based on what you learn." "Of course if I learn anything you'll be the first to know Tako, well you and all your clones." "Thanks I'm looking forward to anything you learn."
Kael steps forward next, "I would like to keep watch just in case any other wolves or other enemies show up." He says as he holds his spear at attention with a smile and Tako replies knowingly. "Feel free to do as you want however I think that was the full pack so you might not see another fight tonight." Kael replies with a smile after it falters for a second. "That's ok the fight has me on edge so I don't think I'll be able to sleep for a while."
Borin Joins Kael holding a battle hammer and a tower shield that he pulled from his storage bag. "What Kael says goes for me too I don't think I can rest and I don't feel like watching you grow a body or two." Thorne also joins them with his spear. "Same Here" and Tako nods at the three and looks to Gimli.
"I don't care what the rest of you young'uns say I am going back to sleep." He says with a grumble and turns away moving back towards the tree with a slow tired walk. The gathering clones part ways to allow the old dwarf past.
"Well it sounds like we all have made our decisions so lets get going, no sense in wasting moonlight standing around waiting for nothing to happen." Tako says and some of the clones take bags to the storage room to gather supplies for eating and the rest of the clones go up the tree with Lyra and Finn. Thorne, Borin and Kael go towards the drawbridge tower and mount the wall to keep watch.
Once the clones have the supplies they turn into dragonkin and fly up fast so they can meet the others at the top without them waiting long. Then the clones gather in a circle and eat their fill, touching hands and focusing on cloning another vampire dragonkin. And it works, slowly but surely over a period of 45 minutes Zarion is restored.
Finn excitedly tells the clones what they observed. "Your cloning process is similar to when slimes divide I think it will go faster if your naked or at least the 2 who touch the newly formed clone." The clones smile and reply with "You sure you're not just trying to see more of us naked?" And Finn honestly replies sheepishly: "Well that is one factor but only because I also want to see exactly how similar each of the clones are, besides it's not like it matters as you are naked when the clone first forms." "Aye fair enough we were just giving you a hard time."
And with that the clones at the end undress and another round starts this time for a Vampire dwarf and it does seem to go faster as it only takes 30 minutes. Although Lyra points out that could be because its a dwarf, either way they go again and 30 minutes later a vampire orc has been formed.
"Well it looks like the young scholar was right, Now would you two like to keep watching or go to bed? Because we still have 4 animal forms to clone vampire versions of." "I want to keep watching!" the two reply almost in sync and perhaps a little too eagerly. "Well ok let's go again"
30 minutes later and a vampire wolf clone has been formed. "this feels a little weird" It says in a gravelly voice." It's going to take some getting used to" It talks as it walks around for a few minutes until it's movements are fluid. "Perhaps les getting used to than I expected Time for the next clone" It says and joins in the circle.
Another 30 minutes and a vampire boar who also walks around for a few minutes. Then another 30 and a horned rabbit then lastly a Flyk all with telltale vampire features except for the flyk which only has red eyes and otherwise looks normal.
Okay Now for Names, The dwarf is Erin the Orc will be Trey, the wolf will be Ley and the boar Al. Lastly the rabbit will be Rey and the fly will be Fey. So what if it's lazy there are a lot of clones so far.