“That was too close," Kerich muttered, wiping sweat off his brow. "Never seen a dungeon of that size bloom so damn fast!”

I stared at the dungeon. "Look at its form, even incomplete - skeletal warriors are already manifesting! Surely someone nearby noticed those sigils in the ground long before they opened? There should have been time to evacuate this region?"

"Maybe." Kerich shrugged with a resigned grimace. "But you and I both know those Warden crews are stretched thin. Probably a low-ranked Warden stationed out in the middle of nowhere. They see those sigils appear, and don't have the manpower to deal with it properly...next thing you know, an emergency inspection report arrives for your desk right before the whole area turns into a warzone."

Wordlessly I approached the looming dungeon, its dark silhouette against the night sky sent shivers down my spine. I could feel the oppressive aura emanating from its walls, malevolence seemed to fill the air around us.

Kerich’s hand tightened on my shoulder, and he urgently whispered, “You can’t go in there Wicket. It’s too dangerous.”

I knew he was right, but I also knew my duties as an inspector. “I need to gather as much information as possible about this dungeon.” I insisted. “It’s my duty to report it to the empire.”

Kerich shook his head. “Look, I’ll help you perform an external inspection, but there’s no way the two of us can do an internal one. Especially with the dungeon in such a state.”

I nodded, “External inspection it is then.” I said before retrieving my suitcase and popping the lock open. Inside were my tools, some of my most prized possessions, my inspector’s journal, and my pens. I picked up the journal and looked over the thick leather cover before pulling it open with a small metallic snap. Inside the pristine vellum looked back at me.

I flipped to an empty page labeled ‘External Inspection Form’ and examined the first empty field; ‘External Description’. I looked up from the paper, peaked over the rocky outcropping we were hidden behind, and peered through my spyglass.

The structure had three towers, illuminated from behind by the moonlight. Surrounding the castle were large external walls, adorned with crenellations at regular intervals, suggesting a design aimed at defending against siege warfare. I filled out the ‘Type’ section ‘Dark Castle, Undead’.

At the entrance, I could see a set of heavy portcullises. Large iron grilles, reinforced bars held fast in deep grooves. I ducked back behind the rocks and wrote in my journal. ‘Large castle with three towers, tall external walls made of stone, main entrance protected by double-portcullises’.

I looked at the next field on the page ‘Size’, I thought for a moment before looking over at Kerich, who nervously sat next to me. The castle itself would probably count as Large, but with the walls surrounding it… Better safe than sorry. ‘Large/Extra-Large’

As I peaked over the rocks at the castle yet again. The portcullises raised and a group of skeletal warriors shambled out onto the road. I looked back down at the form and checked a box labeled ‘Roaming’ and filled out the description ‘Bands of about five to seven skeletal warriors, archers observed.’

The next to last section was ‘Environmental Changes’, usually a difficult field to fill out but since we had been traveling the area for a few days now I knew what the area looked like previously. Looking around us I saw that the marshes we were traveling had been replaced with what looked like fields of barley and quickly jotted down. ‘Surrounding marshland became poorly tended farmlands.’

Finally, it was the most difficult section… ‘Name’, as long as I could remember I’d struggled with coming up with names for things. Usually a dungeon already had a name so I’d just jot that down. But a newly bloomed dungeon is always named by the first investigator at the scene. “Kerich,” I whispered. “I need some help here.”

“Shit,” He swore, before popping up next to me. “What happened?”

“I need to put down a name for it.”

He looked at me incredulously. “You need help, coming up with a name?” Naming a newly bloomed dungeon was always a challenge, and my mind drew a frustrating blank.

"It's not as easy as it sounds," I muttered, rubbing my temples in frustration. "The name carries weight, you know? It's not just a word, it's a descriptor, a label that will stick with this dungeon for as long as it stands."

“You’re kidding, it’s just a name.” Kerich said flatly.

I shot Kerich the meanest look I could muster. "It may just be a name to you, but it's a crucial part of the inspection process.”

Kerich sighed, running a hand through his hair in exasperation. "Fine, fine. Let's think of something then." He glanced around us, as if searching for inspiration in the darkness of the night. “How about Shadowkeep?” He suggested.

“There’s already two Shadowkeeps, and they’re not even undead type dungeons.”

“Damnit, uh,” He paused, “Undead come from crypts yeah?”

“Yeah.” I responded, not sure if I was following his logic.

"What about... Cryptshroud Castle?"

I pondered the suggestion for a moment before nodding in agreement. “Cryptshroud Castle,” I repeated. “Ominous and evocative, perfect!”

With a sense of relief, I wrote down the name in the final section of the inspection form. ‘Cryptshroud Castle’

“You know, we’re still not but a stone’s throw from a dungeon overflowing with undead,” Kerich said. “You sure you can’t finish your paperwork after we put some distance between it and us?”

After completing my inspection, Kerich and I stealthily continued our journey southward. With a freshly bloomed dungeon behind us there was a lot more to worry about beyond wild animals. The now paved road stretched out before us, the moon casting its silvery glow upon the path. Illuminating our way as we ventured on.

But the peaceful silence couldn’t last forever, as a sudden rustling came from some nearby bushes. Instinctively Kerich tensed, his hand reaching for his blade as he scanned the darkness for any sign of movement.

Then, emerging from the shadows with a strange clatter, a group of skeletal warriors lumbered into view, their bones gleaming dully in the moonlight. Without hesitation, Kerich leapt into action, drawing his sword with a fluid motion as he dashed towards them.

My heart leapt into my throat, but my training held firm. Journal out I flipped pages while scrambling for a vantage point as Kerich clashed with the monsters.

“One, two…” I whispered, my pen flowing across the paper. Every slash, every feint and dodge earned a place on the page. It shouldn’t have been beautiful, but there was grace to Kerich’s movements.

A skeleton swung wildly. Slow, sloppy, the kind of swing a child would throw. Kerich sidestepped with ease, slicing through brittle bone with a counterattack.

“Formation… Standard line.” The undead attacked with single-minded determination, but lacked any thought.

Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

The castle probably contains a leader, Skeleton King?

“Need to note potential for…”

An arrow whizzed by, almost taking my ear with it. I ducked behind a rock scribbling madly. “Archers confirmed!” I risked a glance back at the fight before another arrow struck my cover.

One archer was perched on what looked like a crumbling tower. Two more kept behind the line of swordsmen. “The archer is about… a hundred units away?” I made a note about possible firing ranges, crucial information for any response team.

The fight was a flurry of steel and crunching bone. A skeleton grappled with Kerich, only to have its skull shattered by a savage blow. Another archer stumbled into view, its aim steady.

“Look out!” I shouted

Kerich whirled around, but the arrow had already taken flight, and lodged itself into his shoulder with a sickening thud. He let out a grunt of pain, but didn’t falter. With a roar he lunged forward and brought his blade down through the undead’s rib cage slinging shards of bone. The clash was over. The ground littered with broken bones, Kerich stood among the wreckage, breathing heavily, before grasping the arrow with his good hand and pulling it from his shoulder.

"Done with your scribbles?" Kerich didn't even turn to look at me. I nodded silently. Then he started walking, leaving the shattered skeletons behind without a backward glance. I hurried to catch up, a lump forming in my throat. There was still work to do, a report to deliver, but my journal suddenly felt heavy in my hands.

As we pressed southwards, Kerich stayed silent, only breaking the silence to offer directions. I welcomed the quiet, my mind buzzed, an unpleasant mix of fear and unease swimming around. Behind us the imposing silhouette of Cryptshroud Castle slowly shrank in the distance, eventually becoming just another dark smudge against the horizon.

By dawn, we reached the paved road to Sirocco, and relief overcame me. At least the city was safe. Though, even the comfort of a dusty trail paled against the rising anxiety of delivering bad news, very, very late.

Sirocco’s walls appeared with surprising speed, casting a long shadow under the noon sun. Unlike our journey here, we weren't greeted by birdsong and swaying leaves; now, there was only the rhythmic crunch of our boots against gravel and the pounding of my increasingly nervous heart.

The South Dungeon Center was a utilitarian block of a building, the Auster Empire insignia plastered above a heavy wooden door. As I reached for the handle, an involuntary shudder coursed through me. We entered into a cramped foyer, sunlight struggling to pierce the gloom.

A thin clerk sat perched behind a high desk, pen scratching across a ledger. He eyed us with a frown before clearing his throat loudly. “Ahem, name and business?”

“Junior Inspector Arin Wicket, joined by Guardsman Kerich. I have an urgent report for delivery.”

His expression instantly soured. “Urgent? Report? You were supposed to report for duty two days ago, Inspector. The Captain was very… displeased.”

Sweat beaded on my forehead. With a quick hand gesture, Kerich silently ushered me ahead of him. I approached the desk, shakily presenting my inspection form. The clerk barely glanced at it.

“Captain Thorne awaits explanation, Inspector Wicket. Follow me.” His curt tone left no room for argument. The clerk disappeared through a doorway with alarming speed, forcing me to scramble and catch up.

Down a dimly lit corridor we marched, the sound of our heels echoing off stone walls. We reached a solid wooden door. Before I could knock, the clerk swung it open with a theatrical flourish. Inside, a figure stood facing a large window, overlooking an enclosed practice yard. Broad-shouldered, dressed in gleaming armor, Captain Thorne was the prime example of Auster discipline. He turned slowly to face me.

Nervously I stepped forward. “Sir, I have an urgent report-”

“Indeed,” He interrupted, his voice coarse. “I would hope so, given your absence. We had to assign extra duties to our inspectors because of your delay. Explain yourself.”

I choked back my instinct to make excuses. With a deep breath, I began detailing Kerich and my trip from Notus to here. Words spilled out in a panicked jumble: the dungeon's rapid bloom, the skeleton patrol, my hurried inspection... It wasn't elegant, but I got the message across.

"Cryptshroud Castle…" he repeated the name thoughtfully. "Undead, you say? Newly bloomed...large..." He strode to a shelf cluttered with maps and unrolled a vast parchment. "Show me. Mark its location." I traced a point along the marsh with a finger.

“You’ve done well, then, your report is alarming to say the least.” He rolled the map shut. “Rest assured, your delay is excused given the circumstances. Your report will be dispatched swiftly.” He glanced sharply at the clerk, who held fast in the doorway. “...Won’t they?”

The clerk went pale, nodding vigorously, before grabbing the completed report from my hand and shuffling from the room with a surprising speed.

The Captain turned back to the window, the sunlight catching on the intricate golden sigil embedded in his breastplate. “We shall assemble a scouting party. But with a bloom of this size… We’ll expect some escalation.”

He looked down at the training yard below, as if visualizing a legion waiting on his command. I watched, bewildered by the swift shift. Then, he turned back to me and fixed me with a stern gaze. "Dismissed, Inspector."

I left in a state of numb uncertainty, shuffling after Kerich. In the corridor an oddly friendly face awaited me, another one of the clerks. “The SDC contains suitable lodgings for its staff-” They started. “Follow me if you will.”

Rather suddenly they started off and a brief tour followed. Common room. Supply office (locked except during designated hours). Training barracks currently occupied by men and women clashing in mock combat under the stern watch of a grizzled Warden. Until we finally stopped outside a plain wooden door at the end of a side-corridor.

“Inspector Dorm #7,” The man announced. Kerich cleared his throat.

“And for our good Guardsman friend?” He pointedly asked.

There was a long pause. The clerk fidgeted. With an odd mix of resignation and veiled disdain, he finally responded, “There are rooms outside…”

Kerich grumbled to himself, but didn’t seem to have the energy to complain. This wasn’t the time nor the place. “That will be fine. Thank you.” I said, as firmly as I could. Without bothering to look at the clerk again

Inside it was… exactly as I’d imagined an Inspector’s room would be. Sparse. Functional. Barely enough space for a narrow bed, a table with a plain chair, and a small wardrobe in the corner. A window overlooked the practice yard, the sounds of sparring now muted by the thick stone walls.

And there it was, my bed. Suddenly it seemed like my body remembered that I’d been shaken awake earlier. My feet moved of their own will and pulled me over towards it. With a grunt of effort, I kicked off my boots and fell back onto the lumpy mattress.

Auster Empire Gilt Services Division

Initial Dungeon Inspection Report

Date: 42nd of Cuprifleur, 450 D.E (Demesne Emperius)

Inspector: Arin Wicket

Location: Cryptshroud Castle

External Description:

* Type: Dark Castle, Undead

* Structure: Three imposing towers adorned with defensive crenellations. Tall external walls surround the castle. Main entrance protected by double portcullises.

* Size: Large/Extra-Large

* Visibility: Significant portions of the castle were visible. It presents a substantial forceful profile likely visible from a considerable distance.

Roaming Monsters:

* Description: Skeletal figures observed exiting the castle. Patrols consist of approximately five to seven skeletal warriors carrying rusted weapons. Skeletal archers observed, likely positioned along crenellations and higher tower vantage points. Skeletons appear humanoid in nature.

* Threat Assessment: These forces indicate a semi-functioning hierarchy within the dungeon. Though less likely during nocturnal hours, larger scale patrols or raids remain possible and may present dangers to surrounding settlements.

Environmental Changes:

* Previous State: Fertile marshland. Based on observed flora and recent travel history, this shift appears sudden and unnatural.

* Current State: Transformation underway - marshland transitioning into decaying farmlands with stunted, lifeless crops. This change aligns with an undead-themed dungeon presence. Further ecological corruption should be anticipated.

Observations and Assessments:

* Strategic Design: Fortified with crenellations along its walls and portcullis-barred entries, strongly suggesting defenses intended to repel conventional enemy assault. This implies internal forces have strategic objectives beyond initial dungeon expansion.

* Active Bloom: Skeletons were already manifesting during inspection, an unusually rapid transition for a newly blooming dungeon. Without immediate intervention, I anticipate a full formation of hostile forces and significant territorial expansion within days.

* Threat Scale: Medium (Immediate)/ High (Ongoing): An organized defensive structure and semi-coordinated patrols point to a higher than average threat. Left unchecked, potential exists for escalation into a large, highly dangerous undead fortress with devastating effects on surrounding regions.

Conclusion:

Cryptshroud Castle represents a critical threat to the Empire and requires immediate action. Its imposing profile, fortifications, and the presence of organized undead forces warrant prioritization for a substantial subjugation mission. Failure to contain this Dungeon risks the surrounding area becoming a stronghold that will necessitate costly full-scale military maneuvers to counter.

Inspector’s Signature:

Arin Wicket