The Extra Wants Control

Astrid, the dwarven princess, stood at the heart of her faction's territory, a vast expanse of plains stretching out to the horizon. Unlike the traditional, box-like or circle-like fortresses constructed by other factions, she envisioned something different, something that would defy expectations and truly showcase dwarven innovation and natural talent.

Her plan was audacious, but Astrid was never one to shy away from a challenge. She wanted to build a spherical fortress, a structure that would offer protection from all angles. It was a bold idea, one that met with skepticism from some of the other races but the dwarves' eyes lit up in excitement. Astrid was undeterred. Her vision was clear, and she was determined to see it through.

The construction began with the creation of a circular foundation, a perfect circle etched into the earth.

From this foundation, the dwarven engineers, under Astrid's meticulous guidance, began to build upwards. Stone, Metal by stone, the fortress took shape with the help of magic and some rune knowledge, a colossal sphere rising from the plains.

The interior of the fortress was a marvel of engineering. A central chamber, bathed in the soft glow of glowing crystals, served as the command center. From here, Astrid could oversee the entire fortress, monitoring its defenses and coordinating her troops.

Surrounding the central chamber were a series of interconnected tunnels and chambers, each designed for a specific purpose.

The fortress was not just a defensive structure; it was a testament to dwarven ingenuity. It was equipped with a series of hidden tunnels and escape routes, allowing the dwarves to move swiftly and efficiently within the fortress as contingency. The exterior was covered in a layer of reflective metal, making it difficult for enemies to target specific points.

And at the top of the fortress, a series of catapult and ballistas were positioned, ready to unleash a barrage of projectiles upon any invaders. But they were working on better cannons.

As the fortress neared completion, Astrid stood at its apex, surveying her creation with a sense of profound satisfaction. It was more than just a fortress; it was a statement, a declaration of dwarven resilience and innovation. The plains, once a hostile environment, had become their domain, a testament to their ability to adapt and conquer.

With the fortress complete, Astrid and her dwarves settled in, ready to face whatever challenges the sub-dimension would throw their way.

" I'll show the world what dwarves can do." She thought.

*************

Axl stood at the edge of the reclaimed swamp, his gaze scanning the horizon. The once murky waters were now a desolate expanse, the ground cracked and scarred from the intense battle. The lizardmen, their spirit and bodies broken and battered, had been forced into servitude, their reptilian forms now adorned with crudely crafted armor, their hands gripping crude weapons.

They were no longer a secluded clan, but soldiers in Axl's army thanks to him using his bloodline.

With a nod, Axl turned his attention to the task at hand. He needed a fortress, a stronghold to protect his faction and serve as a base for future operations. His eyes fell on a dry plateau, a raised piece of land that offered a strategic advantage.

"We build here," he declared, his voice cutting through the humid air. The survivors, a mix of dragons, dwarves humans, beastmen, and now, reluctantly, lizardmen, nodded in agreement. The location was ideal, offering a clear view of the surrounding terrain and providing natural protection from potential attacks.

The construction began with haste. The lizardmen, under strict supervision, were tasked with doing the minimal and delicate work as most heavy lifting was done by magic. The humans, with their engineering expertise, designed the structure, ensuring it was both functional and defensible.

Though the knights had to rely on their raw strength invaluable and handled the heavy lifting, moving massive stones into place.

Four layers of defense were planned. The first layer would be a tall heavy, imposing wall, made from a combination of earth and stone, reinforced with metal and enchanted with basic protective draconic runes. The second layer would be a series of traps, designed to slow down any potential invaders.

The third layer would be a series of watchtowers, manned by archers and mages, providing overwatch and long-range support. And finally, the fourth and most crucial layer, the core of the fortress, would be a series of interconnected chambers, designed for living, working, and defending.

As the sun began to set, casting long shadows over the nascent fortress, Axl surveyed his work with satisfaction. It was a humble beginning, but it was a start. The swamp fortress was a testament to their resilience, their ability to adapt and overcome. And it was a warning to any who dared to challenge their claim on this harsh land.

The battle for survival had just begun, but Axl and his faction were ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

************

Across the sub-dimension, a flurry of activity unfolded. Each faction, having established a foothold, was now focused on refining their fortress and developing strategies for survival.

The dwarven fortress, a marvel of engineering, was being outfitted with a series of defensive mechanisms and shields, powered by a combination of magic and dwarven ingenuity.

The elven fortress, nestled amidst a Lara made mini-mini forest, was a harmonious blend of nature and architecture. With plants around and some delicate spores that gave Lara absolute view of her sorroundings.

The human fortress, a blend of practicality and innovation, was equipped with a series of defensive walls and towers. The interior was beautiful and structured and was a hive of activity.

The beastmen fortress, a brutalist masterpiece carved into the side of a mountain, was designed for maximum offensive capability.

Zehn's faction, with their mastery of the elements, had created a fortress that was both beautiful and deadly. The fortress was built on a cliff overlooking the ocean, its walls infused with water runes and fire resistant runes making them resistant to fire and physical attacks.

The interior was a series of interconnected chambers that dug into the cliff side giving them various escape routes or attack point.

Draven's faction, with their focus on raw power, had built a fortress that was a testament to his strength. The fortress was surrounded by a huge ditch filled with beasts that they captured and threw inside, a deadly obstacle for any would-be invader. Inside, the fortress was a labyrinth of tunnels and chambers, each designed for close-quarters combat.

As the fortresses neared completion, the factions began to organize their forces.

Scouting parties were formed, tasked with exploring the surrounding territory and gathering information about potential threats and resources.

They were also tasked to make a map of the sub dimension that would be used by the remaining faction members im future if they were ever in the area again because they still had a reputation to uphold considering their faction leaders are the blessed and possible future race leaders.

Defensive strategies were developed, with each faction utilizing their unique strengths to protect their fortress. And most importantly, a chain of command was established, ensuring clear leadership and efficient decision-making.

************

Meanwhile the global audience, a collective consciousness spanning continents and cultures, watched in awe as the fortresses of the different factions took shape. It was a spectacle unlike any other, a testament to race ingenuity and resilience.

The dwarven fortress, with its sturdy stone walls and intricate carvings, was a marvel of engineering. The elves, in contrast, had created an beautiful fortress(they didn't know that she made it a living fortress that answers to her), a harmonious blend of nature and architecture. The humans had constructed a practical and efficient stronghold, a blend of form and function.

The beastmen, with their raw power, had carved a fortress from the rocks, a masterpiece that exuded a sense of primal ferocity. And the factions led by Zehn, Draven and the rest also not falling behind.

The audience was captivated by the diversity of architectural styles. It was a testament to the comprehensive education provided by the academy, that students from different races and backgrounds could collaborate and create something truly extraordinary.

The seamless integration of different architectural styles to utilize their strengths and cover up weaknesses in other forms of architecture was truly amazing.

The audience was also impressed by the leadership displayed by the faction leaders. Astrid, the dwarven princess, had proven herself to be a skilled and strong strategist as well as a scholar and great engineer. Lara, the elven leader, had demonstrated her skill in battles and her way of blending elements.

Axl, the dragon prince, had shown his ability to inspire fear and respect in equal measure as well as his brutality.

Kim, the tigerkin, had proven herself to be a ruthless and decisive leader. Zehn, the enigmatic mage, had displayed a mastery of elements that was both awe-inspiring and terrifying. And Draven, with his blend of raw power and strategic thinking, had emerged as a formidable leader.