“You are requested for dinner,” the specter hissed to Raine.

The goblin sat on a red velvet cushioned chair by a dusty wooden table. Magical lamps provided clear illumination that allowed Raine to read. She had been in the library for hours and had lost track of time. There was a stack of books that Raine was studying. What she discovered was fascinating. She read a little about history and a bunch on anatomy. The necromancer had many books on the physiology of the body. She also read more about engineering. The books expanded her knowledge of traps and anything mechanical. She made the connection between the two. It was not until when the specter invited her to dinner that she realized that her eyes ached. She needed a break. She rose and followed the ghost up the stairs.

She arrived at the chamber with her other companions. Shaymus, Booger, and Gilreg were sweaty from physical training. Raine grabbed her sword and sparred with Shaymus. The petite goblin had improved tremendously with their sword skill!

Coming down the stairs were Chalal and Nulrok. Nulrok appeared paler and tired. Gilreg saw that immediately and rushed over to his friend.

“What did you do to him?” The warrior demanded.

“Nothing that he will not thank me for later,” Chalal answered coolly.

“I’m fine. Just tired,” Nulrok said and smiled weakly.

Clanking behind the necromancer and Nulrok were a dozen zombies. Each carried platters of food, jugs of wine, and utensils. They marched into the chamber and efficiently set the table. Chalal sat at the end. The wizard weaved his hands, and the torches around the room dimmed. With a clap of his hands and another mumbled incantation, a fire roared to life within the stone fireplace. This provided warmth to the chilled chamber.

Gilreg recognized the impressiveness of what Chalal had accomplished. He knew from talks with Nulrok that magical fire requires mana to burn, despite having fuel. The fuel assists the caster with maintaining the spell, but as soon as the mana runs out, the magical fire will dissipate completely. Chalal had just exhibited extreme mana control to charge the fire enough so that it could burn on its own. Gilreg knew Nulrok could do this with tiny balls of flame, but only for about 30 minutes.

The food was delicious, and the wine was sweet and very good with loosening tongues. The conversation opened with Gilreg telling Chalal about the recent increase in adventurer incursions. Prince Booger confirmed the same experience and how his clan was eliminated, and that he was the last.

“I have experienced the same. It is becoming a concern that I might run out of corpses in the cemetery to raise more zombies.” Chalal commented.

“You are human?” Shaymus asked.

“It has been a while since someone thought so. But yes, I am, in fact, a human.”

“So if you die, will your body depart like the other High Races?” Booger asked. The orc was motioning with a large turkey leg. He took a bite out of it with his tusked mouth.

“No, not all ‘High Races’ are favored as such. I am certainly not. The Gods do not shine their love for me.”

“Wait, are you saying that not all high races depart after death?” Gilreg asked.

“Only the Favored. The gods have chosen them to be adventurers. To carry out their quests. At death, they are able to come back. Unless they have failed too often, then the gods keep their souls.”

“Are there no dark gods that you can get favors from?” Raine asked.

Chalal chuckled and responded, “If you study religion long enough, you will find it difficult to discern good from evil. Besides, I am a practitioner of Death Magic. I am not afraid of my mortality.”

“What would bring a human out here?” Raine asked.

“My ambition. My quest for power and I am not trying to sound cliche. Practicing the art of necromancy and raising an army of undead didn’t help. I was less wise back then and might have overreached. The Church of the Blue Flame was able to defeat me. There was no place I could hide other than here in the Wasteland. Many years ago, I found this cemetery and claimed it.”

“The Dungeon Masters allowed it?” Prince Booger asked, with his mouth full of food.

“No, but I had an undead army. The vampires here worked for the Dungeon, and they tried to fight me. I am very good at my craft. I broke their wills, and now they serve me. I have no quarrel with the Masters. I pay my tribute like the rest of you. At least, I used to. The Envoys have stopped coming.”

“Same for us,” the prince added.

“That is the reason for our quest,” Gilreg said.

“We are trying to find our way to Haven,” Raine pointed out.

“Unfortunately, I can not help you there. I have had no reason to go to Haven. I am not the Dungeon’s servant. But I am open to their partnership. If they want my tribute, they have to come here to collect.”

“How do you get supplies and food?” Gilreg asked.

“Oh, I have lots of treasure. The cemetery is ancient and houses many valuables that lure a constant stream of adventurers testing their luck here. As a result, traders and merchants from the Dungeon and Wasteland tribes come all the time,” Chalal said and then snapped his fingers.

“The Dark Elves can help you. Tomorrow I will show you where you can find them.” The necromancer added.

“Dark Elves?” Gilreg asked.

“Elves that have been exiled from their forest kingdoms. They came to the Wasteland. They found a home within the Dark Forest. They, like the goblins and orcs, serve the Dungeon Masters.” Raine answered and received an impressed nod from Chalal.

“What do you know about this,” Gilreg asked and pulled out the Chalice from his pack. He received an angry glare from Raine. She had wanted to keep it secret.

“Nothing, but it reeks of the Church of the Blue Flame. If I were to guess, it is a part of their religion. Maybe used in one of their rituals. Maybe connected to one of their demigods. The Dark Elves love this kind of treasure. Oh, and speaking of treasure. I have a parting gift for each of you.”

With their meals done, the party rose from their seats. Booger was the only one still eating, and he hurriedly finished his plate to follow the others. The necromancer led them downstairs to the second floor. He pulled out his key ring and unlocked a heavy oaken door. Gilreg’s eyes widened as he entered the necromancer’s armory.

Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

“I have no need for weapons and armor. Like I said earlier, we get a lot of heavily armed and armored adventures almost every day. I trade the higher-quality gear, but I always have a lot left over. I was keeping this because I thought it would be a good idea to equip my zombies. But it didn’t really extend their survivability much. It was more trouble than it was worth to put the armor on them. I see that we have better gear here than what you have, so help yourself.” The necromancer said and waved a bony hand over the room.

Gilreg, Shaymus, and Raine were like children in a candy shop. For Booger, not much of the gear could fit him. Besides, he was already equipped with plate armor. The orc prince was attached to “Ole Linda,” his spear with a cutting edge and rings set into the back that rattled. However, he did find a better helmet since his old one was dented and did not provide face protection. His new helmet fitted over his head and protected his nose and cheeks.

Gilreg had a lot of choices. He immediately replaced his blade. His new sword had a basket hilt to protect his hand, and it was made from higher-quality steel. He could always throw his axe, so he kept his old one and picked up two more. Zaploc’s shield was good, and he couldn’t find a replacement. Besides, he was reluctant to depart with the gift from his mentor. He kept his shield. Armor was a trickier choice. Much of the armor fitted humans and dwarves and did not fit his frame. He knew Raine would be able to readjust the armor. That was not the issue. The issue was, did he want protection or speed and stealth? He decided on a long sleeve chainmail shirt and steel greaves for his legs. A heavy leather belt tied the mail in place so it rested evenly along his shoulders.

Raine found a higher-quality longsword. Searching among the piles of weapons, she came across a compound bow suited for her size. Based on the etchings along the wood, Raine guessed it was Elven-made. She immediately restrung the bow and tested it out, and it was perfect! For armor, she followed Gilreg’s approach and went with chainmail.

Shaymus replaced her padded armor with another set that had fewer stitches and offered more protection. She also got a leather and steel helmet that covered her head and cheeks. It was open enough to allow her to keep her vision. Her current sword was good quality, so she instead collected a few more daggers.

There was not much for Nulrok. He pondered if he wanted to wear the chainmail. But to cast magic required high body sensitivity, and wearing armor made that problematic. Armor is heavy, hot, and mildly uncomfortable. In combat, while under stress, that little added amount of discomfort could be enough to impede his ability to cast spells quickly. He followed Shaymus’s route and selected a new set of padded armor. It was better quality than his stitched armor and more comfortable.

“We can trade with you,” Gilreg offered. He did have the pouch of gems from Zaploc.

“No need. Your company and your story were enough for me. It is time for me to depart to my chambers. I will see you in the morning and show you how to find the Dark Elves.”

GILREG (WARRIOR)

Stats:

Toughness

Above average (4)*

Speed

Above average (3)

Mind

Average (1)

Combat Skills:

Defense

Skilled (7)

Resistance

Proficient(4)*

Melee combat

Skilled (7)*

Thrown weapons

Proficient (4)*

Skills:

Singing, Diplomacy, Leadership, Stealth 1

Talents:

Two Weapon Fighting, 1H swords 1, 1H axes 2, Shields 2

Gear:

Low quality Hand axe, good quality hand axe x2, Good quality Scimitar, Chainmail Shirt, (torso, Limbs), Round Shield, Steel Cap (Head)

SHAYMUS (ROGUE)

Stats:

Toughness

Average (2)

Speed

Exceptional (5)*

Mind

Average (1)

Combat Skills:

Defense

Proficient (5)*

Resistance

Proficient(4)*

Melee Combat

Proficient (6)*

Skills:

Stealth level 2, Mechanical, Trapmaking,

Talents:

Discern Vitals 2, 1H Swords 1, Demon Blood Ancestry 1

Gear:

Good quality daggers x3, Good quality Padded armor (torso, Limbs), Good quality Side sword, Leather Cap (head)

NULROK (WIZARD)

Stats:

Toughness

Average (1)

Speed

Average (2)

Mind

Exceptional (5)*

Combat Skills:

Defense

Novice(2)

Resistance

Proficient (5)*

Magic

Skilled (8)*

Skills:

Stealth level 1, History, Botany

Talents:

Ice Magic 2, Fire Magic 2, Necromancy 1

Gear:

Good quality Padded armor (torso, Limbs), fire focus wand

RAINE (EXPLORER)

Stats:

Toughness

Average (2)

Speed

Above Average (3)*

Mind

Above Average (3)

Combat Skills:

Defense

Proficient (4)

Resistance

Proficient(5)*

Melee Combat

Proficient (5)*

Archery

Proficient (6)

Skills:

Mechanical, Trapmaking 2, Awareness, History, Stealth 1, First Aid

Talents:

Bows 2, 2H swords 1

Gear:

Elven Compound Bow ,Good quality longsword, Chainmail Shirt (torso, Limbs), steel helmet (head)

BOOGERASHIKTI (ORC PRINCE, SUB BOSS)

Stats:

Toughness

Exceptional (6)

Speed

Average (2)*

Mind

Average (1)

Combat Skills:

Defense

Proficient (4)

Resistance

Novice (3)*

Melee combat

Skilled (7)

Skills:

Diplomacy, Leadership

Talents:

Medium Armor, Heavy Armor, Poleaxes 2

Gear:

Full plate Spiked armor (Torso, head, limbs), PoleAxe (Ole Linda), Javelins x3