Dungeon Name: Smoking Menagerie of Alchemical Wonders
Dungeon Theme: Alchemically enhanced beasts
Dungeon Heart: Trevisanus
Dungeon Fairy: Galadressa
Recommended Delver Level: Levels 8 to 12
Floors: Five standard floors plus the dungeon heart’s final defense floor.
Simultaneous Instances: 5
The bronze-skinned dungeon fairy hovered over a pedestal near the dungeon’s heart, her wand moving like a conductor's baton, orchestrating the ongoing activities within the dungeon. “Instance three cleared. Delvers reached level four but gave up after losing two revenants to the boss. Repairs and respawns commencing. Instance two is done with R & R and ready for the next team of delvers.”
With a flick of her wrist, Galadressa shifted the view in her scrying mirror to a corridor outside the corresponding waiting room.
The dungeon heart dutifully shifted the color of the crystal above the portal from red to green, signaling the opening for the next group. One by one, the new team of delvers marched into her viewing range. The fairy wiped the second column of the blackboard behind her and began noting down the composition of the new team as she analyzed the delvers one by one while they walked down the tunnel from the waiting area toward the first floor.
"Four delvers and… some kind of tiny flying creature hiding in the back. Likely a familiar.” Galadressa squinted at the group. “The first delver is a Duskgnome, Tunnel Scout Ranger, level 8.”
This immediately caught the dungeon heart’s attention.
Galadressa smiled. After so many centuries, they rarely had surprises anymore. She went on to the next delver: “Next, we’ve got a Human, Shadow Assassin, level 6. He’s using some skill to appear as a shepherd, but of course, that won’t fool a dungeon.”
“No idea. Probably one of the new class evolutions tied to the current plague. Let’s hope it’s better at handling poison than the usual assassin class. I get tired of them cursing and complaining about the unfairness of poison being used against them, as if it's unfair.”
She had the full attention of Trevisanus as Galadressa moved on. “Dryad, Healer, level 6.”
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
“I doubt she’s a revenant,” Galadressa replied. “Probably just a local hire. We’d have been informed if there’d be a new race among the revenants. Especially something with such unique abilities. Plant-themed dungeons would need to make special preparations against dryad teams, or they’d walk right through everything.”
“Exactly. And as far as I know, dryads are only resistant to plant-based poisons, which isn’t a problem for us. Now, let’s see what’s next... Human, Steppe Barbarian, level 6. Nothing special here. And… wait… No, it can’t be!”
“Dungeon Fairy, Familiar, Level 6,” Galadressa whispered, staring in shock at the scrying mirror.
Galadressa chuckled. "She’s probably joking. That’s one of the Addled Articles. That’s what we call the articles after Article 48. They are all ridiculous nonsense the fairy representatives drafted in a drunken haze when the celebration of the first successful agreement spiraled out of control. Some say the fairy nectar was spiked, but no one ever proved it. Anyway, it’s all nonsense, like Article 49, which deals with the procedures of dungeon fairies gaining rulership of a kingdom. Or Article 50, which allows dungeon fairies to form secret conspiracies to manipulate dungeon events in order to conquer the world. Then there’s Article 51, the prohibition for dungeon fairies to wield more than two Swords of Destiny at a time. And Article 52? Rules for some drinking games. But Article 53… Hold on… She can’t be serious! I need to speak with her. Open a portal, please.”
"Of course. She’s a dungeon fairy. I even think I recognize her from the last conclave,” Galadressa said confidently.
A shimmering portal opened, and Galadressa zipped through, appearing behind the group.
“Little Selvara? Is that you?” Galadressa exclaimed, surprised.
The younger fairy turned and bowed respectfully. "High Fairy Galadressa, thank you for coming personally."
“Nonsense! What did you expect, showing up like this? I heard you were assigned to a top-secret dungeon you couldn’t even talk about. That was the buzz in the Fairy Realms for weeks! Did something happen to it?”
“No, it's fine. The dungeon’s even finally been named. It’s now the Dungeon of Assassins. But the rest is still classified.”
"Ooh... nice. I hope the Assassin’s Guild won’t take issue.”
"We haven’t had official contact yet,” Selvara admitted, “but Weylan and his master are members. They should be able to smooth things over if there’s any conflict.”
“So, here to spy on my dungeon’s tricks?” Galadressa teased. “You could’ve just waited for the next conclave.”
Selvara shook her head. “Actually, as per Article 53, I’m requesting to forfeit all fairy advantages and immunities. I want a standard delving experience.”
“Including the chance to die?” Galadressa asked, eyes narrowing.
Selvara swallowed but nodded. “Yes. No special treatment, just the normal dungeon rules.”
Galadressa frowned. “Are you sure about this? This dungeon is rated for a five-person team, levels 8 to 12.”
“We’re not planning to go all the way. Just to the end of the second floor.”
Galadressa weighed the situation, then nodded slowly. “That should be manageable. Just remember, according to Golgoroth’s rules, a fair challenge means that, at most, half the delvers perish once. Your revenant companions will come back. You won’t.”
“I’m well aware,” Selvara replied. “My team consists of mostly locals and one perm. We don’t intend to die even once.”
Galadressa nodded gravely. “Then I’ll allow it. Welcome to my dungeon, Selvara.”