Chapter 11
The Adventurers Arrive
Two weeks later Byron was sitting behind a small desk in a corner of the tavern’s main room with a small sign nailed to the wall above his head. The Sign read: “Dungeon Supplies and Information” seemingly bored at his post; the day the town had been waiting for had finally arrived. Byron was reading through a large atlas hoping to gain the cartography skill when the door to the inn opened and a large group of people came in.
“Hail tavern owner! We need rooms and food!” called a strong feminine voice from amidst the crowd.
“Greetings! Form a line and I can get you all situated plenty of room at this inn,” Samson called from behind the bar.
As the group lined up one man spied Byron’s stand from the corner of his eye and moved over to the desk. He stood 6 feet tall with broad shoulders, short brown hair, and a neatly trimmed beard. He wore plain traveling clothes and a deep green cloak. A long sword hung at his side, and a large overstuffed pack sat on his back.
Setting the pack down with obvious ease despite the size he introduced himself. “Hello, My name is Throm Mason. I am the adventurer guild representative. Based on the sign would you be with the Keepers guild?”
Byron had set his book aside as the group entered and gawked at the number of people entering the inn. He relaxed as they dealt with Samson but felt nervous as the man approached.
“Yes sir, I am Apprentice Keeper Avernafey. Keeper Marc is out on business at the moment. Is there some way I can assist you?” Gen had warned him days ago the caravan should be arriving this week and told him to be as helpful and polite as possible to the Adventurer guild representative.
“Hmm… possibly.'' The mountain of a man stood before the desk placed a hand to his chin in thought, and looked Byron up and down. “Very well, what information on the dungeon do you have available to the public?
“Ahh well,” Byron began pulling out stacks of papers. “For a small fee, we have the basic layout of the dungeon as it was 2 weeks ago. Oh, Keeper Marc wanted me to make sure anyone who got the map knows, this does not include traps or any secret doors. We also have a list of the type of mobs and traps found in the dungeon as well as what the boss room set up was the last time it was entered, that was also 2 weeks ago.”
“Two weeks?” Throm wrinkled his nose. “A lot can change in two weeks.”
“I apologize, Keeper Marc was hoping to take me and a local hunter through the dungeon in the next few days as our bi-weekly assessment in preparation for your arrival.”
Throm’s expression softened. “So you have been through this dungeon already? Has anyone else gone in?”
“No,” Byron shook his head. “There are not many of the adventuring sort around here. A few of the shepherd boys talk about going in but i don’t believe they have worked up the nerve yet.”
“Alright, what non-public information do you have?”
Byron looked puzzled for a moment but then realization hit him. “Oh, you mean the privileged information the adventurers guild gets. I’m sorry but Keeper Marc has those documents with her. She wanted to hand them over to you personally.”
Throm smiled “Excellent. Will she be by today?”
“She should be back from some errands soon but with the caravan coming in today she may have gotten caught up with the merchants. She will be here for dinner.”
“Well then it's good I’ll have a room here. What sort of supplies are you offering?”
Byron pulled out a ledger and turned it to face the Adventurer. “As this is a starter dungeon and there isn’t an adventurers guild present. We have the basic delving supply kit that your guild would normally provide. We can also replace pieces of the kits that get damaged. We sell low-level potions, bandages, and rations. We are also prepared to buy all the herbs that drop in the dungeon.”
“Alright let me get settled at the Inn and I’ll be back.” Throm walked off to join the line at the bar that was quickly shortening.
* * *
Later that afternoon Throm came back with two other adventurers. The first was an elven woman with short-cropped white hair, except for the left side of her head which was shaved clean to expose an intricate multicolored tattoo with swirls and runes. She was dressed in loose red robes with green trim. The second was a short man who could have been mistaken for a dwarf with his long red beard and stocky build. He was dressed in a dark green shirt, brown trousers, and a cloak fastened around his shoulders.
Throm introduced them “Apprentice Keeper Avernafey, this is lady Felandira and that's Clint. They are the other team leads of the groups that will be entering the dungeon, we are here about a copy of the map and list of traps and mobs, what are you charging for it.”
“7 irons for the map 3 for the datasheet. Comes to a total of 1 copper.”
Felandria raised an eyebrow. “Not that I am complaining about the fee but that's a pretty tight profit margin. You probably paid 3 irons just for the paper and ink.”
Byron nodded “Well the map is small so we don't need a lot of paper yet. And Keeper Marc is saving paper. Anyone who buys both gets a double-sided map. The map on one side and the mob list on the other.” Presenting the group one map Byron turned it over to reveal the list on the back.
“Useful. Wait,” Throm paused looking closer at the paper. “Does that say Dire Pheasant?”
“Ahh yes, that is correct, a large flightless bird. Is the penmanship not legible?” Byron asked worriedly
“No, it’s fine.” Chuckling to himself as he paid the 1 copper wheel and took the sheet. “I’ve just never seen a Dire Pheasant before. It almost sounds ridiculous.”
“Oh, you won’t think they are for long.” Gen had snuck in through the dinner chaos and was leaning against the wall a few steps behind Throm. “They have large talons and are stronger than the goblins. But they taste very nice. The local butcher wanted me to put up a sign offering 5 wheels for each whole pheasant brought back from the dungeon. He looked a bit crestfallen when I told him no adventurer would be collecting that bounty.”
If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.
“I don’t know about that.” Clint interjected as the group turned “Adventurers do like their bounties.”
“Then you can carry one of those monsters through the dungeon. They are about the size of a large dog. Not heavy but awkward to carry and fight at the same time.”
“You must be keeper Marc. I am Throm Mason.” Throm bowed and produced his adventurer’s badge. It glowed softly blue, ensuring its authenticity.
“I am, and I have some papers for you.” Gen pulled out the papers that included the full map with a list of mobs, and traps, as well as the drop list for the mobs.
“Perfect,” Throm flipped through the few sheets of paper. “I am glad to see everything is smoothly set up. I don’t mean to be rude but word around the guild is you are too young for this. But your thoroughness and preparations indicate otherwise.”
“Thank you, so how many adventurers did you bring along with you? Seems like quite the crowd.” Gen eyed the room trying to count.
“3 groups of 5 mid-beginner rank adventurers with 1 advanced member each to walk them through. As well as 2 members of the guild that may decide to stay and be our representation in town. The local guild office is a little too far from here.”
At that moment a young man only a few scant years older than Byron dressed in a vibrant yellow silk shirt with gilded trim and very fine linen pants stormed up. “What's all this about selling maps! I was assured my group would be the first one through this new dungeon!”
“Hello, Reginald.” Throm sighed. “Your’s will be the first adventuring group to go through. It is standard practice that the Keepers or their representatives go through new dungeons in preparation for our arrival.”
“But the Achievement-” Reginald whined
“Is not available to anyone with a Keeper in their party.” Gen Interrupted.
“Achievement?” Byron asked
“Each dungeon will give out an Achievement to the first group to clear the dungeon. And this can be done again as the dungeon reaches a new rank.” Turning to Throm’s group, Gen continued. “Unless someone snuck in and cleared the dungeon last night while we were sleeping the Achievement is still available. You can double-check in the morning when you get to the entrance.”
“It better be!” grumbled the man child, “My father paid very well for the privilege to be first in line for the next dungeon!” and without another word, Reginald turned on his heel and stomped off to the stairs leading up to the rooms above the tavern.
“What a toad,” Byron mumbled under his breath. Gen flashed him a warning look but quickly followed it with a smirk. Byron got the gist. I agree with you, but not in front of the adventurers.
Felandira smirked at Byron, and then addressed Throm “Thank you for taking him in your group… I don’t think he would last in mine.”
Throm shook his head. “Don’t worry he will be bored of adventuring soon enough once he discovers how much work is actually involved, there are always a few weeds in every garden.”
Clink spoke up in his gravelly bass voice, “You never know how shiny you can polish a rock, may turn out to be a real gem.”
“We shall see.” Felandira frowned as she watched Reginald leave the room.
Changing the subject Gen spoke. “Well, in any case, I am glad you brought more than one team. The recovery time of the dungeon hasn’t been tested yet. I am hopeful we can allow up to 3 delves per day. But mid-beginners will probably have little to no problem with this dungeon.”
“3 per day sounds reasonable.” Throm smiled "Yes they will likely have no problems but they are also just forming their teams and there will be growing pains. Most had been attached to teams that just advanced past beginner rank. But I do have another request, would you be so kind as to guide us out to the dungeon in the morning? There doesn't seem to be any signs or a proper path just yet."
“Sure, I'll meet your group down here in the morning.” Gen turned to Byron, “That means you are on desk duty tomorrow. Make sure you have enough to outfit all three groups.”
“If you don't mind me asking.” Byron spoke up nervously, “What sort of group compositions do you have?”
Throm grinned. “Not at all, My group is 2 Warriors, 1 Spellcaster, 1 Ranger, and 1 Support. I will be there but only as an observer. Or to step in should things go sideways.”
Byron pulled out a parchment and quill to jot down the details. “And is the support also a caster? Would they need mana potions?”
“No.”
Felandira spoke next “My group is 1 Warrior, 2 spellcasters, and 1 Ranger, and a caster support.”
Byron wrote quickly as Clint volunteered. “My group is 3 warriors, 2 non-caster supports. We may need more healing and stamina potions due to this makeup.”
“Yes, I think we have all that, I will be here tomorrow morning.” Byron put the parchment away
“Just have everything ready to sell to the groups.” Throm advised “This is also a sort of test for them. Preparation is part of that test. If they choose not to buy gear they will find out the hard way that in this business-
“Proper Prior Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance.” Felandira cut him off, finishing his quote in a droning monotone. She cracked a smile and clint snickered as they saw the look on Throm’s face.
Throm heaves a big sigh “Yes, I may say that a lot but it's because it is true. Being Forewarned-”
“Is forearmed,” Clint interjected. He was starting to giggle. And Felandira was biting her lips to keep from laughing. “Wish I was four-armed. Could you imagine me shooting 2 bows at once? Eh!?” he elbowed Felandira who rolled her eyes.
“Teasing Throm is fun… your puns however are truly the bottom of the barrel of humor.” Turning to Byron Felandira laid her coin on the table “I'll take a map and datasheet as well. It was a delight meeting you Keeper Marc, and Apprentice Avernafey.” She tugged the sheet from Throm’s hand and walked back to the bar.
A short time later a young woman, practically still a girl walked up to the small shop’s stand. She had short straight red-brown hair and was dressed in loose traveling robes.
“Hello, I was told this is where we can get supplies for the dungeon?” She addressed Byron in a questioning tone.
“Um,” Byron said eloquently as he stared into the young woman’s soft green eyes.
Gen looked at Byron, though he can be a quiet boy she had never seen him at a loss for words before. She looked at him with a raised eyebrow, “Byron are you okay?”
“Yes!” Byron snapped out of his stupor. “Yes, I-I’m fine,” Turning to the young woman Byron continued, “This is just the first day we have been getting any business. We have standard beginner delving kits, health, mana, and stamina potions. We also have a general map of the dungeon and a list of the Monsters seen in the dungeon.”
The older girl giggled and smiled sweetly at Byron “Heh, well I would like a three mana and three health potions, as well as that map and monster list.”
“Yeah… Yeah, that's great,” Byron took a subtle moment to look at the girl one more time before he hastily started pulling out all the items she had asked for. Byron set two vials on the table, next to the combination map and data list. “These two have three doses each, They are slow potions and heal more over a longer period. But we do have some instant potions, though they are more expensive.”
“Three doses? That makes these skilled alchemist’s potions?” the older girl asked.
“Yes,” Gen jumped into the conversation as byron seemed a bit off to her. “We will be setting up a potion and gear shop once the dungeon is fully open. My name is Keeper Genevive but everyone calls me Gen, This is my Apprentice Keeper Byron.” Gen set a hand on Byron, attempting to subtly jostle him just a touch so he would stop staring.
Not missing the interaction the older girl smiled. “My name is Maggie, it's nice to meet the two of you.” She pulled out a small coin pouch. “The slow potions will be just fine, How much do I owe you for the lot?”
“Let's see… 7 coppers total, 1 copper for the map and data sheet, and 3 coppers for each potion.” Byron calculated