In the world of Unexpected Circumstances – on Marcenium.

The Deep Delvers moved carefully through the well known opening levels of Bluestone dungeon. They had just defeated the third level boss and were contemplating the stairs to the fourth level. The stairs had changed, the passage was wider the steps occupied half the width of the downward trending passage, the other half was occupied by a ramp. Change in a dungeon was always worthy of caution.

Keeping a wary eye out for traps they headed down. The fourth floor had been changed, several rooms contained deep pools of salt water. They decided to stay far away from those as they had no experience of water features and their monsters. The fights were more difficult simply because they had to watch their footing. The Archer Fish that spat poison water to a surprising distance was a real pain.

Then they found a shrine. It looked like a glorified ever-changing puzzle trap. Over the entrance there was an inscription, Tyche also know as Fortuna or Lady Luck Goddess of Fortune and Misfortune.

That was enough change for them. They headed out and reported the changes to the guild.

So guilmaster Eclavran sent out an evaluation team along with a couple of priest who were also adventurers, the verdict was clear, yes it was a shrine and one of a fairly powerful goddess that seemed to also be the patron of games of chance. She was otherwise unknown which considering her power was extremely surprising. And the changes were limited and didn’t affect the dangers faced by the delvers. Also all the stairways leading up from the fourth level to the first were now of the new pattern.

So Eclavran had the changes recorded and published and things continued as before.

* * *

The Blue Foxes trudged through the still dark day as crimson streaks on the horizon heralded the arrival of dawn. On arriving at the entrance of Bluestone Dungeon they stopped in consternation at the sight of a slab of granite blocking the entrance.

They cursed and set off back to Verilanium to report to their guild.

Guilmaster Eclavran cursed. If it wasn’t one thing it was another, it seemed that his peaceful exile here on Marcenium was over, or at least the peaceful part of it was.

“Frazee take Trabino and get out there to see what’s going on and to see if we need to get Bluestone checked out again.” Ordered the frustrated drow.

Frazee and Trabino made their way out to the entrance of Bluestone dungeon and found The Blue Foxes already there along with several assorted adventurers.

They just stood around waiting and chatting while four of the random adventurers settled down to a game of dice. The one who kept asking for lady luck to smile on him was winning big much to the irritation of his friends. Frazee noted that despite not having priests to represent her the new goddess was already gathering converts.

Less than an hour after he arrived the granite slab seemed to melt into the ground to the sound of horse’s hooves echoing from the dungeon’s caverns. A column of high elves in strange yellowish green clothes rode out on some truly spectacular horses.

Frazee the Reckless stepped forward and gestured politely while asking the high elves to stop, he was extremely gratified when the leader of the cavalry unit stopped his men, he was surprised that the leader was accompanied by a young human – no not with those eyes and that aura, a young semi-divine girl.

Trabino took a step back not wanting to be noticed and attempted to assess the most basic information on the intruders.

The leader was a High Elf – well that was obvious to anyone with eyes, still nice to get a confirmation, Godslayer, soldier sub-class ranger level ?? – well that made him at least sixty-eight. The girl, semi-divine again obvious, high priestess of Loki level forty-nine. The second in command, Godslayer and again at least level sixty-eight.

Trabino was soon extremely nervous; ninety high elves all over level fifty a dozen of whom were healers. And what the hell were the classes soldier sub-class ranger or soldier sub-class healer. And all the soldier’s were godslayers. The remaining twenty several of which were humans were almost universally under level ten.

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Practising his best elvish Frazee asked, “please noble sir, allow me to present myself, I am Frazee an official of the local adventurer’s guild. Would you mind telling us why you are here and what your intentions are?”

The big elf looked down without the habitual arrogance Frazee expected from his kind. “We’re from Midgard on a mission for our country, we have just traversed a portal from Antonio’s dungeon to this dungeon and are on our way to Stratosina. All we wish is to cross peacefully and use the world gate to Stratosina.”

Frazee swallowed nervously. Another dungeon on another world. “You have an agreement with these dungeons?”

“Yes, or rather our country has one with Antonio’s...”

“Luso, his dungeon is called Luso,” interjected Nadia helpfully.

“... dungeon, and as Antonio’s pixie companion is the daughter of Bluestone’s companion we have an agreement with him as well. Now if you don’t mind we’ll be on our way.” Concluded Major Manukov.

“Do you want a guide? We can supply someone,” asserted Frazee.

The leader of the elves glanced at the high priestess who shrugged, “if you want anyone’s opinion you should ask Valentina.”

The other woman with the leader, Valentina obviously added, “they want to keep an eye on us Alexander. One guide won’t hurt so long as he can keep up.”

“Very well you may send someone but we will not be slowing for his benefit,” decided Alexander.

Frazee turned to one of the dice players, “Ruuman do you have your horse, will you accompany them?”

Ruuman leant back with a grin, “not anymore, it belongs to that lucky sod Sabotin now.”

“Sabotin?”

Sabotin recognizing an order when he heard one sighed and gathered his things before heading for his new horse.

Frazee and Trabino watched the tail of the column disappear in the distance accompanied by Sabotin on his new horse with relief, then they returned their attention to the entrance of Bluestone as the Blue Foxes made their delayed way into the depths of the dungeon.

“So that is why the stairs changed, the portal to Midgard must be in the Shrine,” said Trabino.

“Yes, most likely. Guildmaster Eclavran is not going to like our news.”

The two guild officials headed back to Verilanium and their guild house.

* * *

They were right, Eclavran was not happy when he was made aware of the happenings out by Bluestone.

“So you’re telling me that Bluestone is allied with Luso on Midgard due to the fact that their companions are mother and daughter and the la di da high elf stated that his nation was allied with both.”

“Yes guildmaster, buy this one was not typical, none of them were. If I had to I’d say that the High Priestess was closest to our high elves,” said Frazee.

“Huh, only time those arrogant lot are... Oh God! Godslayers... Midgard... The former Pantheon of Light!” uttered Eclavran.

Frazee and Trabino were stunned and they gazed mutely at their equally stunned guildmaster.

“Right Frazee write up a report, mark it urgent and get it sent to the head of the guild. Trabino see what you can get out of the System and our records and get back to me. Frazee once you have dealt with that report join Trabino and recruit our bookworm of a librarian.”

* * *

“The only changes for Bluestone are that he jumped ten levels recently, contains a shrine to the Goddess of Luck and is allied to Luso. As for Luso, an ocean dungeon, domain a flattened circle with a radius of twelve kilometers, specialties politics and commerce.” Reported Trabino.

Eclavran went cross-eyed, “Politics and commerce? How is that even possible?”

“We’ve put in a request for information from the guild in Midgard, it’ll take awhile, it’s three worlds away, unless you think we should ask Bluestone?” added Frazee.

“Don’t joke Frazee, or I might just send you.”

* * *

Two days later a breathless adventurer arrived at the guild with the news that a squad of the Emperor of the elves guard was at the entrance to Bluestone.

Frazee was soon mounted on the horse he had been keeping to hand recently and was shortly thereafter galloping towards the dungeon.

Frazee arrived just in time to witness a beastfolk woman, a catwoman walk calmly out of the dungeon and approach the elven captain of the Emperors Guard.

“I am here by Wolfgar’s grace to escort you to Antonio’s dungeon on Midgard. Antonio is willing to arrange for a portal to Moscow the capital city of Russia.”

“My name is Green’Tor and I thank you.”

“I’m Helena, please follow me.”

“Excuse me but who are Wolfgar and Antonio, and just who are you that can speak for a dungeon. Oh I’m Frazee an official of the Adventurer’s Guild.”

Helena looked sideways at Frazee, “why I’m a priestess of Bast and my lady has a high temple in Antonio’s dungeon on Midgard and a shrine in Wolfgar’s here on Marcenium.”

She looked pityingly at Frazee and shrugged her shoulders expressively. “Surely you must know that Wolfgar is the intelligence behind Bluestone just as Antonio is the intelligence behind our Luso dungeon on Midgard.” Then she turned and led the way into Bluestone.

Once again Frazee felt flabbergasted. He remounted and returned to the guild.

“So now we have two shrines in Bluestone, or should we call him Wolfgar? Right see into building a watch post near the entrance to Bluestone and hire some watchers and couriers to keep us informed if, no when something else happens. Best make sure they have a horse available. Then send another report to HQ.” Ordered an exasperated guildmaster.