There were many days when Morgon hated his job. Those days could usually be tied to 3 people. Roberts, Killnotik and Ashanna. In that order. Roberts, a disgraced human that was in charge of Tornmer. Sent there by his very rich uncle that wanted the greedy idiot out of the way. Killnotik, the current gnome leader of Hen’zti’s Throne. He thought having 2 dungeons near the city made him above many of the country's laws. Ashanna the hag was the easiest to deal with. She just wanted to make sure that other races stayed out of her swamp so she made any visits to her domain as unpleasant as possible. If he left her alone she paid her taxes on time and dealt with her own problems.

Today his reason for hating his job was standing in his office. Ludvik was a massive deerling with razor sharp antlers. Adding to that, as head of Eslan’s adventures guild, the man had earned numerous scars.

Normally the man dealt with Killnotik and the heads of the adventuring buildings in Hen’zti’s Throne. Today however he came into Morgon’s office with a letter.

“There is a new dungeon in the Lost Forest.” Those words filled him with dread. Due to the country's laws now that he heard them he couldn’t retire for a full year and leave that gods’ forsaken coast to someone else. He’d have to do all the paperwork and evaluations and other bureaucratic nonsense for the next 500 days.

“I’m putting in my resignation.” He replied. But he took the letter anyway. “Orym?” He questioned. The elf was always so pleasant to deal with on the rare occasions it was needed.

“This came by firelight.There’s no doubt he sent the same letters to Judor and Lineon. ”

Morgon rubbed his temples to relieve the headache that was already building. He pulled out a bottle of Harpy Killer and poured them both a glass.

Ludvik chuckled, taking the harsh spirit and sitting across from the paperpusher. They both downed the drink in one shot before getting back to business.

“Hashash will be leading the investigation.” He reassured the human.

“Your second in command?” Morgon replied a bit shocked at the news.

“Yes there has never been a dungeon in the forest and with the state of corruption in the air and the beasts, he wanted to take on the challenge. No doubt the dungeon will grow and rank up quickly.”

“Yes having an SS rank will help us in the area. I’ll find someone that can deal with the mixed and distrustful races that live in the area.”

Ludvik full out laughed this time. “Not likely to happen. There are too many outcasts and mongrels that call that place home. Getting them to trust anyone will be harder than battling a SSS ranked Bone Dragon.”

Morgon lowered his head. “I was thinking an X ranked Hydra with only water magic.”

Laughing at the poor man again Ludvik stood and headed to his own office to deal with the problems this would present. Thinking of the known races that lived in the area he started putting together a team.

______________________

It had been 90 years since anyone in Lineon had heard from Orym. Rumor had it he’d been killed in the human kingdom. But the letter that just arrived said otherwise.

“Sir, Orym has sent a letter by firelight. He is the leader of a village in the Lost Forest of Horamear and says a dungeon has just opened.” Tiana’s aide told her.

She took the letter and looked it over. She remembered Orym, he was a queer one. Rarely serious and wanted nothing to do with politics or his clan’s social status.

Tiana knew little of the area, needing to pull out a map just to find it. Seeing its location she understood why he’d sent the letter here. Not out of love for his species or to help the nation, but duty. No doubt similar letters were sent to Horamear and Nostalli. Why other races didn’t use the elvish tradition of the country and capital sharing a name she would never understand. The border of Lineon was closer to the forest than Horamear’s capital.

If she moved quickly the Lineon adventurer's guild could be the first there. Calling in Iruwhip, the only half-elf that worked in the building. She put him in charge of the mission and recruitment. His mixed heritage would be of aid in this. And being rid of the only halfbreed in her office would put a bounce in her step for days.

________________________

Nostalli was a small nation, mostly made up of vast farms and meadows. Supposedly the name meant flat in old elvish.

There was only one dungeon in the country; it was in the foothills of the Gorger Mountains to the south east of Nostalli. Gabolax seemed more focused on making his levels as complicated as possible, though not very deadly. Most deaths were either from thirst or stupidity.

Kinu shook his head focusing back on the firelight letter he’d just received. Orym was well known and liked in Nostalli. He helped build and maintain the shipments from the port of Adortin to the capital Jodor. The contrast many merchants saw in him and the elves of Lineon further increased his reputation.

Kinu’s feathers shifted as he chuckled. Many of the merchants raised prices on any good that went to the elvish country. Their dislike and often nasty treatment of non-elves was well known. Since most of the races in Nostalli were beast-kind they often suffered more than races that appeared more human or elvish.

He called out to 5 adventurers in the main guildhall and led them to Highrok, the capitol building. Retundi was surprised by their visit but the level headed pantherling patiently waited to hear them out. This was her 9th year as magistrate and she would likly win the vote for several more.

“I have received a letter from Orym.” Retundi nodded, she'd dealt with the man personally and liked him. “A new dungeon has just opened in the Lost Forest. If we send a team of flyers they can beat any other to Riverside and help the people there locate and claim the dungeon.”

There was silence as the pantherling thought over the suggestion. “Send a team of 3 of your fastest flyers and best scouts. Then a ground team will follow. Once they all arrive there will be 8 of our people. We will share the dungeon with the human nation but any elves will have the same taxes as Gabolax.”

Kinu nodded. “These 3 are the best for the job” motioning to the 3 avians with him. The Tabaxi mated pair that was also there understood they would be part of the running group.

“We will leave in less than an hour.” Yenturis told them. He was a proud and powerful Aarakocra even if he was younger than the other 2. His dark shoulder feathers and bright white chest made him a striking figure.

The pair of Kenku sisters nodded. They were more than 10 years his senior but had little issue having him as their tank.

________________

Orym was only slightly surprised when the guards on the south wall reported flyers coming in fast, not even a full day after he sent out the letters. It had been tempting to send the one to Lineon by foot but he didn’t want to increase the chances of fighting with the proud and stubborn elves.

When they landed in the courtyard before his house/ office Orym noticed the larger and heavier Aarakocra was more winded than his Kenku teammates.

“Welcome to Riverside. My name is Orym and I am the head of this town. Members of the other nearby villages will be meeting in Hoggle tomorrow at noon. They will make up scouting teams to find the dungeon entrance. Riverside will claim control to the dungeon.”

While his words were pleasant enough Feta and Mika both understood the threat. “We will ensure our leaders know.” Feta told him.

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He nodded. “Here are tokens for a free night's rest. You can travel with our representatives tomorrow morning. When you arrive in Hoggle, Ashanna, head of the swamp villages, will meet with everyone and give them some idea where to start looking. She has prophetic dreams and will likely know more by the time everyone arrives.”

The sisters nodded in unison. “There will be a group of land bound adventurers joining us from our guild.”

“I’ll send them your way when they arrive. As I will do for any other adventurer that comes to Riverside.” He added the last part reluctantly. Lineon elves wouldn’t need to battle the swamp to get here.

With a final nod the 3 headed to find an inn. None of them had been to this city before. Seeing so many different races all in one town was odd.

“I bet the elves lose their mind when they get here.” Mika giggled.

Feta and Yenturis couldn’t help but chuckle as well.

Once they were gone Orym gave them a smile. Someone in Lineon must have pissed Retundi off lately.

_______________________________

Olive was so excited to be in Riverside. Her and her twin would be headed to Hoggle soon to help find the dungeon. A real dungeon in their home! She was beyond excited.

Myra, Geon’s granddaughter, was also with them. Thankfully her older brother wasn’t. He loved to lord it over the other teens that his grandfather was the town chief. And his mother wondered why he didn’t have a single marriage offer and all offers they had made were refused.

The last member from Adortin was Hamish. His family owned most of the town fishing boats and he’d helped deal with some of the sea monsters that called the bay home. Being half naga, half triton Olive wasn’t sure how good he’d be in a land battle. But as Tuck’s best friend she wasn’t going to say anything.

Tuck was sure by the end of this adventure someone was going to gag his sister. That she was this awake and peppy an hour before daybreak…. He might just help them. Looking over at Myra, who seemed to have fallen asleep in her tea, she’d help too.

Myra jerked awake, spilling said tea, when Olive let out a shout and leaped out of her seat. “Real adventures!” She exclaimed, headed straight for the 3 avians that just came down the steps.

“Hello. I’m Olive Turndi. You’re real adventures here to help find the dungeon right?” She asked them, voice going high in excitement.

Feta and Mika looked at the girl with half glazed eyes, still bearly awake.

“Yes Miss we are. I am Yenturis of Anulli and these are Feta and Mika of Gorger. We are here from Jodor to help find and make a claim on the dungeon.” He replied rather formally.

“My brother Tuck and I were the first in Adortin to feel the rush from the opening. I was scared at the time but now I’m just excited! There are so many creatures and plants in the forest, the rivers and the swamp that no one knows them all. So who knows what we’ll find inside.” She followed them as the sisters headed toward a table.

Yenturis chuckled. “That is the fun part. It is why I became an adventurer. Hearing tales of Gabolax and it’s changing passages and traps. Never knowing what you would find.” The young Aarakocra was nearly as excited as the human girl.

She beamed at him excitement reaching a fever pitch. “Would you like to join our team?!” She asked/ shreiked “We know the forest and you 3 know dungeons. Together we will surely be the first to find it!”

He looked to his teammates. “Sounds good.” Mika replied with a wide yawn. Though she yelped when Olive grabbed her in a big hug.

“YES!!” Olive raced upstairs to finish packing her and Myra’s things.

Tuck came over and took a seat at their table. “Thank you for letting us join you. And I apologize for my sister.” Face a bit red from her actions. “She’s usually a ball of energy but since word came that it was a dungeon she’s been over the top. I don’t think she’s slept since we left home.”

Feta and Mika laughed. “Don’t worry about it youngman. We aren’t so old that we have forgotten how exciting seeing a dungeon for the first time is.” Feta explained.

“Why don’t you introduce the rest of the team?” Mika added

“Well I’m Tuck, Olive is my twin sister. This is Myra, her and Olive are good friends. And my best friend Hamish.”

“Nice to meet all of you.” Yenturis replied. “How many others do you think there will be?”

Myra took a seat and spoke up. “At least 5 more teams. One from each of the other towns in this area. Whether Tornmer will send a team ....” She trailed off, making a balancing motion with her hands.

“I didn’t know there were so many towns in this forest.” Feta said curiously.

“Peo is a goblin city in a cave network under Peleter. Aglooe, Jahesteri and Hoggle are swamp villages. They are much smaller but there isn’t much solid ground in the swamp anyway. There would likely only be one main town if the Bullywugs and Murlocs could get along. They argue over everything.”

“Hoggle has more Murlocs and will likely send a team of them. While Aglooe is mostly Bullywug and they will comprise most of that team.” Hamish added seeing some confusion.

“So not everywhere is as….. open minded as Riverside?” Mika asked.

“Most are. The Murlocs and the Bullywugs have never given anyone else problems. It’s all just infighting.” Myra clarified.

“100 generations ago the leader of the Murloc snubbed the leader of the Bullywug and they have been fighting ever since. I don’t think they even know what the snub was anymore.” Hamish added. “That the Bullywug have more magic and have a harder time the closer to the forest they are doesn’t help settle the matters.”

They nodded in understanding. Most places had tales of 2 families that just couldn’t get along. It didn’t surprise them once they understood more of the history.

“We should get up there and finish packing.” Tuck changed the subject, looking to the steps. “You want to meet back here in 20 minutes?”

“Sounds good.” Feta agreed. All 5 of them headed to finish packing their things for the trip. Feta and Mika wondered if the teens had packed properly.

______________________

The 3 flyers looked at the trees warily. The area around Riverside was clear for a mile or so and then dense trees seemed to spring from nowhere. Looking into the sea of trunks there was no chance of an aerial battle in there. Mika and Feta wondered if Yenturis would be able to maneuver with his large wings.

Following the dirt road that was more of a cart track than anything they were soon swallowed by the trees. Olive took her usual position in the branches. Mika and Feta were impressed with her agility and dexterity.

“Does she usually do that?” Yenturis asked

“As often as she can get away with.” Tuck replied, with a long suffering sigh.

Myra chuckled. “She’s part spider monkey I swear.”

“She would make a good rouge or scout.” Feta remarked.

Hamish nodded in agreement. “None of us have adventuring titles. There isn’t a guild anywhere near here. Well not on land. But the marine guild and surface one don’t share ratings.”

“There is one under the belt.” Myra corrected. “And a pair of dungeons. They keep the dwarf / gnome city there going.”

The beast-kind nodded. They didn’t know of those dungeons but seeing as they would need to cross this forest to get there it wasn’t a surprise. Tales of aquatic dungeons and guilds were even more rare. Why talk about a dungeon you can’t breathe in or get to?

“Do you have any thoughts on what classes you would fit?” Yenturis asked, looking the group of teens over.

Hamish spoke up again. “Tuck would be a fighter or some kind of tank. He’s hardy and good with that spear. Myra is ranged.” He motioned to the bow she was carrying. “Olive fights like a rouge. Gets in close with her daggers and gets back out of the way. She is also our support. She might not look like it but she knows the woods better than almost anyone and learned tons of potions and salves from her mother. I can do some water magic, though the farther we get into the forest the less we should count on it working. I also have a E ranking in the marine guild.”

“Do any of you know what really happened to cause the mana corruption?” Feta asked, changing the subject.

All 4 teens shook their heads.

“Legends say several different things. One says a god grew angry and smote the land. Another tells that Peleter exploded and rained corrupted mana from the center of the earth and a third says that a portal to a hell dimension was opened here.” Myra replied.

“All we know is that there are a few old ruins in the heart of the forest.” Tuck added. “Olive and I saw them once but the closer you get to the ruins the more twisted and dangerous the beasts you’ll find.”

“Hopefully the dungeon isn’t too close to them.” Hamish added.

The others nodded. They fell into silence thinking on what might happen.

_________________________

Olive landed near Tuck and joined the others on the ground. “We’re about half way there and the Riverside team is behind us.”

“Do we want to slow up and let them join us or keep pace?” Myra asked the adventurers.

“Are they going to be our competition?” Mika returned

“Nope.” Olive answered. “Aglooe and Hoggle will compete against each other. But the other teams will just work together.”

“This isn’t our first time doing something like this.” Tuck explained. “If anyone suspects a beast lair or someone is lured off by the lights then teams have formed from the towns to help fight the beasts or find the people.”

They nodded. “What are the lights?” Yenturis asked. He had been leading them down the road and slowed to let the other group catch them.

“Out in the swamp there are ghost lights that lead people off the paths and into deep areas or sinkholes. In the forest there are will-o-wisps that enchant people. That’s why no matter what we will not be traveling after dark.” Myra said the last sentence as a command.

“You will get no argument from us.” Feta assured her. “Being under all these trees is already making my wings itch. I don’t want to think of trying to find our way after dark.”

“I know what you mean.” Hanish sympathised. “I am much better suited to the water.”

________________________________________

It was another hour of their slower pace before a group of 5 joined them. The avians had never seen anything like them. They had a vague human shape but looked like you had taken pieces of other humanoids and mashed them together.

“Oy!” One of the people shouted. They jogged to catch up to the group. “You lot were eager to get going this morning I see.”

“Eager to stop Olive from getting us kicked out.” Tuck replied, shaking the man’s hand. “Good to see you Jub. You haven’t been up for a while.”

“Milly was ill for a while. Couldn’t just leave the runt.” Jub replied.

Olive chuckled. “You sound like such a mean old man but we all know you dote on those kids. And how is the forge Ali?”

The only woman in the group chuckled. “The forge is fine. I trust you haven’t cracked that blade yet?” She looked at olive critically.

The girls pulled out a shinny wickedly curved dagger. “Nope still as good as new.”

“Despite her best efforts.” Tuck added, getting a swipe from his sister. He dodged and stuck his tongue out at her.

The oldest member of their group moved up closer to the avians. “We’re called mongrels by most.” He told them in a quiet voice as the other 4 and the teens continued to chat and joke. “Mixed race is a nice term for us. When 2 species that really shouldn’t breed do. Most of us were dropped at orphanages and haven’t a clue what we’re mixed with. Here most don’t even bat an eye over our odd looks. Whereas in the rest of the world we’re shunned and outcast.”

“I have heard the term.” Mika said with sadness in her eyes. “Often used to discourage dissimilar beast-kind from mixing.”

He nodded. “My name is Dun. The others are Jub, Ali, Hain and Gelt.” He told them, pointing to each.

“Nice to meet you.” Yenturis replied. “I’ll try to keep an open mind and not judge a person by their looks.”

Dun chuckled. “That’s all I ask son.”

The rest of the way was mostly filled with the younger members chattering and catching up on gossip. The avians learned that Riverside was a 2 day walk from Adortin and while they did a fair amount of trade there wasn’t too much travel between the towns.

The sun was almost at its peak when they exited the forest. Just a mile or so ahead they could see a small walled town. The over ripe smell of the swamp was even stronger once they left the trees.