I found a sap tap in a drop a while back, and after seeing it languishing in a storage box for the hundredth time, I decide I might as well do something about it. So I cobble together a tree platform and three more taps, and then Ewe and I head for my usual tree in the red woods. Approaching slowly, we scan the giant trunks and shadowy boughs, on the lookout for Bang!-Bang! Kitties. But the coast is clear, so we begin setting things up. And Presto! We’re in the sap business.
I then decide that a supply of honey would be nice. . . Ugh!
Early on in my game, I saw a bee just hanging out by a rock, but it disappeared after a while. Thinking there are probably other spots like that, I watch a video that gives various locations to check for free-range bees.
So I check . . . and check . . . and check some more. Then I check in other places, and still others, but there is a dearth of bees. “Maybe I should put out an A.P.Bee,” I think. (Yah, I’ll see myself out.)
Anyway, I resolve myself to having to go into the red woods for a queen bee. Another part of that video shows the person using C4 to destroy the hive, so I get to crafting all the bits and bobs that will be needed and head back to the red woods.
Luckily, I find a hive only a couple of trees over from my sap station, so I set about clearing some of the brush to open up the view. While doing this, a pego (A.K.A. Butthead) decides to tame himself by stealing my mejo berries. Seconds later, a giant snake decides to eat both of us and meets a swift end. And when I turn back toward the tree, another pego jumps out of a nearby bush, scaring both me and Butthead. I think I kill him before he manages to steal anything, though. (Um, Nope!)
Now, I’m finally ready to go after the hive. (Cue the Benny Hill music)
After a fresh spritz of bug spray, I launch my grappling hook and begin rising toward the hive. When it’s within reach, I switch to the remote detonator and place two charges. I then hit the right mouse button to descend, but the problem is that I forget to switch back to my crossbow first. So . . . . BOOM!
My ears are ringing, and I’m beginning to panic. What’s left of my armor has been blackened by the explosion, which also singed most of Butthead’s fur off. (Talk about a horrible sight!) I finally switch back to my crossbow and disconnect, falling to the forest floor. Scrambling, I make my way toward Ewe, chugging a case of medical brew along the way, with the hopes of gathering my wits.
Once said wits have been gathered, I plop Butthead down and take a look at the hive. It’s still there, only a fifth damaged. I guess my broken armor pieces absorbed most of the explosion. (Swear Word!) I begin using my ascendant crossbow to whittle down the hive’s health, stopping from time to time to kill waves of angry bees. It finally falls apart, and I see the queen. I look in my pack for the flowers to move to my hot bar and realize that last (Swear Word!) pego yoinked them!
The queen nonchalantly shrugs and flies off, disappearing into the forest.
(Lots and Lots of Swear Words!)
(So, yah. That could have gone better. . . .)