The sun was beginning its descent as Captain Helena and her scouting party rode into the modest town that lay on the outskirts of the lich’s rumored location. The streets were more crowded than usual, with clusters of people gathered around notice boards and the entrance of the Adventurers' Guild. The air buzzed with a mixture of excitement and speculation.
Helena, astride her steed, surveyed the scene with a practiced eye. Her armor, though designed for battle, bore the intricate markings of her noble lineage, and her posture exuded a calm authority. Beside her, her squire, a young woman with bright eyes and a head full of dreams, craned her neck to take in the sights and sounds of the bustling town.
"Seems unusually lively for a town this size," remarked the squire, her voice tinged with curiosity.
Helena nodded, her gaze sharp. "Indeed. Something has drawn these people here."
Trailing behind them was their mage, an elderly man with a beard as long as his years of service. His eyes, though aged, sparkled with the wisdom of experience. "Remember, we are here to observe and gather information, not to draw attention to ourselves," he advised, his voice steady and measured.
Bringing up the rear was the ranger, a young man with a roguish charm. He rode casually, his eyes frequently darting towards the squire. "I wonder if the local tavern is as lively as the streets," he quipped, trying to catch the squire's attention.
Helena shot him a stern look. "Focus, we're not here for a leisure visit. And keep your thoughts on the mission, not on our squire."
The squire blushed but couldn't hide a small, amused smile.
As they dismounted and made their way towards the Adventurers' Guild, the conversations and rumors swirling around them grew clearer. Talk of a lucrative quest and an influx of adventurers seeking easy gold filled the air.
Helena's experienced mind began to piece together the situation. "A quest bringing in this many adventurers must be significant." she murmured.
The squire's eyes widened with excitement. "Do you think it's related to our mission?"
"We'll soon find out," Helena replied, her expression resolute as they approached the entrance of the Adventurers' Guild.
Pushing open the heavy doors of the Adventurers' Guild, Captain Helena and her team were immediately engulfed in a wave of noise and activity. The guild was packed to the brim with adventurers of all kinds - mages discussing spells, warriors comparing weapons, and rogues sharing tales of their exploits. The air was thick with the smell of ale and the sound of boisterous laughter.
Helena's eyes narrowed as she scanned the room, assessing the situation. Her team followed closely, the squire looking around with wide-eyed wonder, the mage observing with a quiet, analytical gaze, and the ranger, ever the opportunist, checking for potential acquaintances.
The squire, keen to make use of her youthful curiosity, edged closer to a group of adventurers discussing their recent exploits. "They say it's easy gold, just slaying slimes," one burly adventurer boasted, waving a hefty pouch that clinked with the sound of coins.
"Yeah, but the quest giver is some guy named Eddie. Never heard of him before," another adventurer replied, his tone a mix of excitement and suspicion.
Helena, overhearing the conversation, felt a tinge of skepticism. "Eddie," she murmured to herself noting the name down seriously.
Meanwhile, the ranger, trying to impress the squire, boasted in a low voice, "If it's just slimes, I could take them on with my eyes closed."
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The squire rolled her eyes, but a small smile betrayed her amusement. "Let's focus on why we're really here," she whispered back..
Helena, making her way through the crowd, approached the guild's mission board. The notice for the slime quest was there, boldly written with a reward that seemed too generous for such a simple task. The location was marked as 'Darkwood Forest crossroads' and the time, about a week from now.
"This doesn't add up," Helena thought aloud. "Why would someone offer so much for slimes?"
After mingling with the crowd for a while, Captain Helena and her team reconvened near a quieter corner of the Adventurers' Guild. Each member brought snippets of overheard conversations and rumors they had picked up. The squire, brimming with information, was the first to speak.
"I heard a few adventurers talking about a new dungeon that's appeared recently," she said, her voice tinged with both excitement and concern. "They mentioned skeletons... lots of them."
Helena's expression grew serious. "Skeletons? That aligns uncomfortably well with our mission to investigate potential necromantic activities."
The mage, stroking his long beard thoughtfully, added, "Skeletons in large numbers often indicate the presence of a necromancer or powerful undead. If this dungeon is indeed filled with skeletons, we may be dealing with a significant threat."
The ranger, leaning against a wall with a nonchalant air, interjected, "Skeletons, huh? Reminds me of the time I cleared out the Bone Caverns to the east. A walk in the park."
Helena shot him a glare. "This is no time for your bravado, especially when we face the unknown. The Bone Caverns were a minor nest of undead. This sounds far more serious."
The squire nodded in agreement with Helena, her earlier excitement now replaced by a gravity befitting the situation.
Helena turned her focus back to the task at hand. "We need more specifics. Where is this dungeon located? Who's behind it? And most importantly, does it have any connection to the Lich King?"
The mage chimed in, "We should exercise caution. Dungeons, especially those governed by dark forces, are often riddled with traps and powerful guardians."
The team agreed to split up again, this time with a more targeted approach. They would discreetly probe for information about the dungeon's location, its characteristics, and any individual who might be connected to it.
As they dispersed amongst the crowd once more, Helena couldn't shake off a growing sense of unease. The emergence of a dungeon filled with skeletons was an ominous sign.
The squire, her initial eagerness now tempered with the weight of their mission, approached a group of older, more seasoned adventurers, hoping their experience might shed light on the dungeon's secrets.
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As the evening set in, casting a golden hue over the bustling town, Captain Helena and her scouting team found themselves seated around a sturdy oak table in the corner of a local inn. The inn was less crowded than the Adventurers' Guild, providing a much-needed respite and a space for discussion.
Helena initiated the debriefing, her face illuminated by the flickering candlelight. "We've gathered quite a bit of information. It's clear that this 'Eddie' and his quest are central to the unusual activity in town. And this dungeon with skeletons could be a significant threat."
The mage, his face etched with lines of wisdom and age, spoke up, "The sheer number of skeletons suggests a strong necromantic influence. It's not something to be taken lightly. We must approach this dungeon with caution and strategy."
The squire, still youthful but visibly affected by the day's revelations, added, "There were mentions of the dungeon's location being near the Darkwood Forest crossroads. It's scheduled for a week from now, according to the quest details."
The ranger, who had been quietly nursing a mug of ale, finally chimed in, "A week gives us enough time to prepare. I suggest we scout the area beforehand, get a lay of the land."
Helena nodded in agreement. "Yes, a preliminary reconnaissance is necessary. We need to understand what we're dealing with before we make any moves. But our approach must be discreet. We can't afford to cause panic or alert whoever is behind this."
The team members each shared their thoughts and concerns, discussing potential tactics and strategies. The mage emphasized the need for magical preparations, the squire suggested gathering more intel from the townsfolk, and the ranger offered to map out the best routes to the Darkwood Forest crossroads.
Helena listened intently, weighing each suggestion. Her mind was a whirlwind of plans and possibilities. As a noble and a paladin, she understood the gravity of their mission.
As the meeting drew to a close, Helena's gaze settled on the flickering candle, her thoughts turning to the possible return of the Lich King. "We have a week to prepare," she stated resolutely. "Let's use our time wisely. Gather your gear, sharpen your skills, and be ready for anything."