Aveyad glanced at Talia and wondered what she made of their new companions. Her blank face displayed no emotion. Only the tell-tale drumming of her fingers on the hilt of her sheathed sword gave her away. Less than pleased, then.
“Elias,” greeted the marshall.
“Rolan,” responded the ranger.
For a moment, Aveyad was not sure he heard right. Did the ranger just greet the marshall by his first name? The corporal, ears reddening, looked about ready to explode. For a long moment the marshall fixed the older elf with a hard stare, but to Aveyad’s shock, did not reprimand him. Instead, ignoring the ranger’s insolence, the marshall turned to introduce the grizzled dwarf.
“And this,” said Marshall Rolan, his voice even and not betraying any hint of emotion, “is Captain Thadeak Orlaxe. He and his men, the North Core Seventh Infantry Company, will escort you to the dungeon and Wyvern Peak beyond.”
Captain Thadeak gave a single, short grunt by way of response. There could be no doubt of the dwarf’s competence. Heavily scarred, the captain bore the weight of his armour with a grace granted only by years of experience.
Aveyad was unsurprised by the marshall’s choice of escort for the dungeon-party’s journey north. Wyvern Peak, like most other forts in the Skarral mountains, was garrisoned by dwarven companies. The mountain range was the dwarves’ ancestral home, and they fiercely saw to its defence, both above the range, and below—where they founded their homes and cities.
The marshall turned back to the champions. “Stow your trainee gear over there and outfit yourself as best you can. You will find more suitable equipment here. I believe Captain Thadeak has already set aside his recommendations for your dungeoneering gear.” He glanced at the dwarf, who grunted in response again. “Good. Don’t take too long. Time is of the essence. When you are done, join us in the courtyard. The captain and I will be prepping your escort for departure. Any questions?”
Aveyad and Talia shook their heads. The marshall nodded, and strode away with the captain stomping behind.
✽✽✽
Left alone with the rangers, the champions blinked at one another and wondered where to begin. First things first, thought Aveyad and probed the ranger squad with insight.
Aveyad heaved a sigh, reassured by what he saw. Despite appearances to the contrary, the rangers were crack troops. All four were between level thirty and thirty-nine. Their levels were higher than Aveyad’s, but still within the apprentice rank, which was between levels twenty to forty.
Galian, Lera and Alok were vassal-bound to Calistra Silvan, commander of the Skarral Rangers, whereas Elias owed his allegiance directly to the marshall. It was unusual to see a player as low-ranked as Elias, vassal-bound to one so senior as the marshall, but it explained the familiarity between the two, and perhaps why Elias’ squad had been chosen.
Talia still stared expressionlessly at the rangers, so Aveyad addressed the squad. “Rangers, the marshall’s introductions were rather curt. I am champion-trainee Aveyad, and this is champion-trainee Talia. You are rangers from Calistra’s command, I believe?” he asked politely, even though insight had revealed their identities.
“Yes, sir. First Apprentice Squad of the Skarral Rangers. I am Corporal Galian, sir.” The elf snapped to attention and stared straight ahead.
“Ranger Lera, sir,” greeted the young woman cheerfully. “And may I add, sir, I am thrilled to serve with you.” She cast a hasty glance at Talia. “You as well, ma’am.”
“Ranger Alok, sir,” said the youngest, his voice soft.
“Elias,” said the old ranger, with no more than a lazy waft of the arm. Well, if the marshall sees fit to ignore his disrespect, who am I to take him to task?
“I presume that Commander Calistra has released your squad for this mission?” asked Aveyad.
“Yes, sir. The marshall contacted the commander through the communication network, and obtained the champion’s permission for us to be placed under the command of yourself and Champion Talia.” With a sideways glance at the elder ranger he added, “And the marshall of course, has also granted permission for Elias to serve under you.”
“Good,” said Aveyad, thankful that that little detail had been taken care of. It was something of a delicate task to command the vassals of another champion. Vassals pledged fealty to a single champion, and the bond between the two was a sacred one, only rarely entrusted to another. Talia and himself as junior champions would have to take especial care not to give the rangers cause to complain—else they’d face Calistra’s wrath. “Now, as to your mission. I trust you have been given the details?”
The elves nodded. “Is it true, sir? Are we really going on a dungeon dive?” asked Lera, near vibrating with eagerness.
Aveyad smiled as he recalled his own recent excitement. “We are, Lera. Now,” he said, turning to the racks of equipment that filled the armoury, “Marshall Rolan has given us free rein here. I suggest you make use of it and equip yourselves as you see fit.”
Corporal Galian hesitated, then said, “If it is all the same to you, sir, we will keep our existing gear.”
Talia, who had until that point remained silent, frowned at the ranger’s words. “Corporal, I don’t believe that wise. We are heading to a dungeon, and while you have no doubt seen danger patrolling the mountain range, dungeons are a different beast altogether. The foes we will face—”
“Galian is right,” cut in Elias, his voice unnecessarily loud in the confines of the armoury. He staggered up to Talia and shook one finger at her. “Look here… missy. Our gear… is top-notsh! In a fight, bessht to have weapons you can… trussht.”
An appalled hush followed while the other rangers—Lera and Galian with wide-eyed horror and Alok with a smile tugging at his lips—waited to see how Talia reacted to Elias’ outburst. Aveyad shook his head. This will not end well.
Talia blinked a few times, seemingly shocked into silence. Her eyes narrowed as she studied the old ranger, who, words of wisdom delivered, swayed back into line with his fellows. She opened her mouth to reply.
Before she did so, the corporal intervened—just in time as well, thought Aveyad—to head off what was assuredly going to be a scathing retort. “Elias meant no offense, ma’am.” He threw a glare at the drunk ranger, who had begun to wobble forward again. Lera, who stood alongside Elias, unceremoniously pulled him back and, with a disgruntled sigh, the elder elf subsided.
The corporal continued, “You are likely not aware, ma’am, but all of the Skarral Rangers’ equipment is custom-made by champions Bela and Belin, master craftsmen both. We are unlikely to find better here.”
Lips pursed, Talia scrutinised the corporal for a second before she conceded the point. “Very well, Corporal. You know your own needs best.” She swung to the racks of armoured items. “In that case, you can assist us. Gather up any apprentice-ranked gear and bring it—”
Aveyad interrupted, “Corporal, I realise your team was probably pulled as abruptly as we were for this mission. Is there anything you have left undone? We will be gone for at least two weeks, likely longer.”
Talia grimaced, but let the interruption pass unchallenged. The elves darted glances at one another before the corporal answered, “You are correct, sir. We’ve not had a chance to say our farewells. If you’d permit…”
“Of course,” said Aveyad. “Meet us in the courtyard when you’re done.”
The rangers bowed their thanks and dashed off. “Don’t be too long about it,” called Talia after them. “The marshall will not appreciate being kept waiting.”
After the rangers disappeared, she turned to Aveyad. She threw up her hands and said, “Wonderful, you managed to get rid of our only help!”
Aveyad ignored her and walked over to inspect the equipment the dwarven captain had selected. After a pointed pause, Talia stepped up to join him. Two piles of gear had been assembled on the table. The first was a set of orichalcum plate armour and a two-handed blood iron sword. That was presumably for Talia.
Acquired: Knight’s orichalcum plate armour (full set).
Type: Heavy armour. Rank: Rare. Requirements: Level 20. Physical armour: 40.
Special properties:
Orichalcum: Orichalcum is magically inert, and impervious to nearly all forms of magic. Armour created from it, increases the wearer’s magic resistance.
Knight’s set: +8% heavy armour skill.
Description: Forged by the smith Belin, this bronzed-coloured armour has been meticulously crafted, and is a true masterpiece.
Acquired: Judgement.
Type: Enchanted weapon (two-handed sword). Rank: Rare. Requirements: Inquisitor class (apprentice).
Damage: 38-40 slashing damage, divine damage from channelled spells.
Special properties:
Judgement: Improves the inquisitor’s class ability, caster’s bane.
Mageblade: Allows touch-based spells to be channelled through it.
Apprentice swordsman: +8% swords skill.
Description: A heavy two-handed blade, Judgement has been especially crafted for inquisitors. Forged of blood iron, a magically conductive metal, this sword’s melee damage is enhanced by divine damage when its wielder casts touch-based spells.
The second pile was a set of spun shadowsilk robes, twin wands, and an assortment of enchanted trinkets. They had been chosen for him, of course. He fingered each item in turn, inspecting them carefully.
Acquired: Robes of the Magi.
Type: Mystical garments. Rank: Rare. Requirements: Level 20. Spell armour: 40.
Special properties:
Shadowsilk: Increases essence regeneration rate.
Magi: +8% mystical garments skill.
Description: Created by the weaver Bela from spun shadowsilk, these robes are favoured by spellcasters for their improvement to the wearer’s essence regeneration.
Acquired: Planar sceptre.
Type: Enchanted weapon (wands). Rank: Rare. Requirements: Celestial invoker class (apprentice).
Special properties: +8% to the level of planar-summoned creatures.
Description: The Planar sceptre is an enchanted wand that boosts the power of creatures summoned with planar magic by its wielder.
Acquired: Spellcaster’s wand.
Type: Inscribed weapon (wands). Rank: Rare. Requirements: Effective spellcasting skill, and wands & staff skill of 20. Inscription strength: Determined by the caster.
Special properties: Can use the dual casting ability at 2x the normal casting time.
Description: The spellcaster’s wand is a rare magical artefact created by a master scribe. Within it, is inscribed the spell design for dual casting, an ability that allows its bearer to cast two spells simultaneously.
The captain has chosen well, Aveyad thought with a broad grin. The items set aside for him complemented his class perfectly. As he studied them, he flushed with excitement at the adventure that awaited. He glanced at Talia. She looked similarly overcome, her eyes sparkling as she studied the arms and armour laid before her.
It was foolish, he knew, to look forward to the uncertain danger that almost assuredly accompanied the mission. Armsmaster Sirius had made sure to drum into all his trainees his mantra—the Game is no game! Despite that, Aveyad was eager for his first real trial.
“The captain has chosen well,” said Talia, echoing Aveyad’s sentiments with a grin of her own. She tugged Aveyad away from the equipment and said, “But we should still check the shelves in case he missed anything.”
✽✽✽
An hour later both champions were dressed and ready. Barring the odd trinket that they had replaced, the two had not found anything better than the captain’s choices.
They entered the courtyard, the main square of the citadel, and found it filled with flurried activity. Quartermasters and servants hurried about, seeing to the expedition’s final preparations, while dwarven soldiers of the North Core Seventh Infantry Company streamed within, herded by Captain Thadeak and his lieutenants.
In the centre of the chaos was the ranger squad, the marshall, and an ancient zoroloc. The marshall was lecturing a more sober-looking Elias. With bowed head, the old ranger stoically bore the scolding, while the other rangers stood firmly at attention and stared off into space, doing their best to ignore it all.
Talia and Aveyad hurried over. At their approach, Marshall Rolan turned and ran his eyes over the two. He nodded approvingly at their gear. “Champions,” greeted the marshall, bestowing upon them for the first time the title for which they had trained so hard. Aveyad could not hide his grin at that. The marshall turned towards his companion. “Talia, Aveyad, meet Mistress Lyra, the capital’s chief portal master.”
“Greetings, Champions,” whispered Lyra in a raspy breath. Zorolocs were a psionic species, and since most of their communication was done mind-to-mind, their vocal cords were under-developed.
The pair inclined their heads in response. “Mistress Lyra will open a portal to the dungeon and send you on your way,” said the marshall.
“I cannot teleport you across the entire distance,” cautioned Lyra. “My reach does not extend that far. You will have a week’s hike ahead of you before you arrive at the dungeon.”
Damn, thought Aveyad. He had hoped that the portal would get them closer, perhaps even all the way to the dungeon itself but travelling spells were complex, especially those used to transport larger parties. And Ilenmon, the dungeon to which they headed, was more than half-way across the kingdom. To be fair, the portal master was still saving them weeks of hiking through difficult terrain. He should be grateful.
“From the dungeon to Wyvern Peak, it is a three-day journey,” said the marshall. “Don’t forget your timetable. Two weeks. You have to get the crystals to Wyvern Peak by then. One week’s march to the portal and another three days to Wyvern Peak leaves you four days in the dungeon. That should be enough time to collect the essence crystals needed. Do not rush. Tackle the dungeon section by section, and be careful. Use all four days.”
The marshall pointed out the laden pack mules in the centre of the mustering dwarven company. Aveyad saw that each was loaded with bags of essence crystals. “As you can see, Crota’s stores were not quite empty. Every available crystal from the capital is on those mules. Sadly, it won’t be enough. There is still a shortfall of one thousand crystals for the upgrades Wyvern Peak requires. You should be able to collect that easily enough on the dungeon’s first floor. Don’t try for more,” he warned. “As soon as you make your quota, get out and head to Wyvern Peak. Understood?”
Both champions nodded.
Marshall Rolan stared fixedly at each, gaze boring into them to convey the importance of his next words. “Under no circumstances are you to enter the dungeon’s second level. Zarr has forbidden it. You two are not prepared for such a challenge yet. Farm the first level only. If you can, avoid its floor captain entirely. He will be dangerous. Do you understand?”
Aveyad bobbed his head, mouth suddenly dry. The champions had already learned everything there was to know about dungeons from Armsmaster Sirius, but hearing the marshall speak of it brought home the reality of what they were about to attempt. All dungeons contained multiple floors. Each was controlled by a different demon commander—or floor captain. Floor captains were demon lords, akin to the divine aspects that served each God. They were—by far—the leading cause of champion deaths. Under normal conditions, it would be unthinkable for young champions such as Aveyad and Talia to be sent to face such a menace. But these were exceptional circumstances, and they had a few things in their favour.
The first, was that there were two of them whereas—with champions always in short supply—the typical dungeon party only had the one. Secondly, it was likely that they would not even need to face the floor captain; they would hopefully be able to grab the essence crystals they required from its minions instead. But this would depend on the floor’s configuration and number of minions spawned.
Lastly, they would only
attempt the first floor, which was always the easiest. All of this gave them a chance, but it was still a gamble, and one on which their lives depended.
“Good,” said the marshall. “Now, the party can only have one leader. Talia, as the higher-level player, will be that leader.” The marshall held Aveyad’s gaze and asked, “Any problem with that?”
The grin slipped of Aveyad’s face. He swallowed an instinctive protest and groaned inwardly instead. The thought of being under Talia’s command did not appeal to him. Not in the least. She is probably dizzy with happiness right now, he thought sourly. He squared his shoulders and returned the marshall’s gaze. “Not a problem, Marshall.”
The marshall gave a curt nod. He had clearly not expected anything less. “Form up the party,” he ordered Talia, and waved Captain Thadeak over from where he inspected the assembled infantry soldiers.
New dungeon party (specialised battlegroup) formed.
Members:
Player 1 (commander): Talia, level 25 inquisitor, champion.
Player 2: Aveyad, level 23 celestial invoker, champion.
Player 3: Galian, level 36 mountain ranger, vassal.
Player 4: Elias, level 39 mountain ranger, vassal.
Player 5: Lera, level 34 mountain ranger, vassal.
Player 6: Alok, level 31 mountain ranger, vassal.
When the captain joined them, the marshall said, “Now to other matters. The infantry company will camp outside the dungeon until you return.” Only players could enter dungeons. Captain Thadeak and the dwarven company as norms—non-players—would be forced to wait outside for the party’s return.
The marshall went on, “Champion Talia, while you have overall command, you will defer to the captain’s judgement. Is that clear?” he asked, eyes hard again.
Dungeon Dive Page 3
