Beast Hordes

Dungeons are one of the few ways that the System can vent the excess World Energy. Dungeons spawn a Beast Horde periodically, as dungeons funnel their excess energy into a flood of creatures that get sent beyond their borders. Beast Hordes can be delayed or even prevented based on how often the people in that area clear the dungeon. Because of this, Beast Hordes are most often seen coming from large dungeons, strong dungeons, or dungeons in remote areas. In remote areas Beast Hordes are a part of the local ecosystems, and keep new biological diversity entering into the ecosystem. The beasts and monsters that are a part of the beast horde can also be empowered or mutated based on the amount of energy funneled into the Horde. The nature of a large Beast Horde usually calls the attention of the gods, and sparks dozens of quests based on what the gods want that Beast Horde to do. War gods and gods of thought will emphasize planning and defense, leading those that accept to attack the oncoming horde. Nature gods and goddesses may love the influx of biodiversity the Beast Horde brings, and have a quest to herd beasts to a specific area or climate that needs beasts of the dungeons type. Gods of love and healing will most likely send quests to keep people safe or heal the fighters during the aftermath of the Beast Horde.

The Conflict

Prelude

Beast Hordes can most often be predicted based on the spike in beast population of the dungeon. The dungeons ambient World Energy will spike as well.

Deployment

Beast Hordes usually come in several waves of beasts and monsters. The weakest of beast hordes will come in two waves, the prey wave and the predator wave. The rest of the Beast Hordes will come in waves based on their niche in the ecosystem:

1. The small and weak prey (usually the affinity beasts that aren't suited to violence or aren't powerful)
2. The large prey and weak predator (Usually deer or small predators like coyotes)
3. the extra large prey and the middle predators (moose sized prey or larger, or particularly magical prey, and predators the size and strength of wolves)
4. the large prey or powerful small prey (predators the size of bear or big cats, or magical foxes and wolves)
5. Powerful large prey
6. Behemoths (powerful predators out of myth and legend, such as chimera and dragons)

The Beast Horde waves can end at 3, 4, or 5, and it is truly rare for a Beast Horde to ever reach wave 6.

Outcome

Beast Hordes contribute to the loss of life felt post flash. the System will warn sentients in the area in advance to a Beast Horde, but whether they prepare or flea is up to the people in the area. The first year post flash many lose their lives to the first Beast Hordes, especially the people who are still in denial of the System. It can also lead to great rewards to those who fight or help in the defense against the Beast Horde in some way.

Aftermath

The addition of new beasts to the ecosystems helps ecosystems become better and helps some ecosystems grow more balanced in the post flash life.