Verdant Hive (Organization)

The Verdant Hive was established by a Circle of Swarms Druid before Verdant Caverns were known by that name, instead it was like much of the dungeon, a forgotten hall with sparse bits of life.

The druid, to help keep himself sane, used her powers to help the vegetation grow, and, after a time polymorphed herself into the first Vespid Queen of the dungeon, and from there spawned the hive.

The hive took responsibility for the caverns, taking sunstones and moonstones from adventurers, and using them as a primitive starts to seed the growth of the magnificent crystals that now provide light and nourishment in The Verdant Caverns.

A special guard is appointed to protect and nourish the continued growth of these crystals.

The makeup of the hive is a caste system of the Queen, Princesses, Crystal Tenders, Elites, Warriors, and Drones, made of an insectoid hivemind that can operate as individuals or directed by the current Queen.

New members of the hive may be born from a fertile Queen in a natural birth, or as in the case of many of the current members of the hive, converted from humanoids.

The process involves sealing the convert into a honeycomb like chamber, submerging them in the Queen's Special Honey. Days to weeks later, they are released, having undergone physical and mental conversion into Vespids loyal to the hive.

Some converts will join the hive willingly, while the majority are converted forcibly. The unwilling converts are not randomly chosen, rather they are those who have made enemies of the hive or harmed The Verdant Caverns. The Hive, under currently leadership makes no move against average trespassers, and does not seek to take over the dungeon.

Due to the nature of conversion, Vespids of the hive may take on many varieties among the members.

Members

Melora

Former Queen of the hive, she left during the Second Exodus.

Katiana

Current Queen of the Verdant Hive.

Talie

A Crystal Tender.

Thistle

A Warrior ranked member of the Vespid Hive.