Chapter 13
The Boss Key
About ten minutes later the members had each searched the room and each fiddled with the stones. None had yet tried to enter a solution to the puzzle.
“So has anyone noticed anything odd?” Maggie asked
“The torches.” Tiffany pointed. “They are in clusters. One on the left of the alcoves. Three on the wall just past the second left side alcove. Moving clockwise from that you have four in the far right corner and then two torches exactly across from the single torch. All the light is on the other side of the room from the entrance. But the rest of the room is fairly symmetrical.”
“Odd numbers on the left and even on the right?” Riveriara said thoughtfully “But how does that help.”
“I also noticed an odd thing.” Fairlin chimed in. “The bars on the right have an inlay in the iron. I thought it was just aesthetic at first but it’s different materials. The closest one has copper, and the far one has gold in the dim light; the color difference was hard to notice at first.”
“We should check the other bars then see if any others are different.” Reginald started and walked over to the left side. “This first one is just plain Iron bars.”
Tiffany had gone to the far left alcove. “I think there is something in these but I don’t know what kind of material.”
“That's definitely silver,” Reginald commented as he stepped closer. “Kind of sloppy work though. Just straight bars of Iron sandwiched around a thin line of silver. I thought dungeons were supposed to be ornate.” He commented dismissively.
“Copper, silver, and gold. What do they have in common?” Pondered Maggie
“Well if you include the plain iron bars they are all currency.” Reginald commenced. “Though platinum is missing.”
“Platinum is eight characters long.” Tiffany exclaimed, “That might be the answer to open the rear door.”
Fairlin interrupted, “Let's check the bars to be certain. Don’t just take a guess.”
“They are indeed inlaid with platinum.” Reported Reginald.
Riveriara called to the boys, “Let's group up around the pedestal before we try anything. I don’t want you by yourselves if those Birds come charging in here if we are wrong.”
After the team collected around the pedestal, Maggie began arranging the letters across the indentations. It took a few minutes to find all the letters needed.
P L A T I N U M
“Nothing happened,” Fairling commented
“That was a bit anticlimactic,” Tiffany added. “Maybe it is the torches. The numbers are 1 through 4 so maybe try Five?”
F I V E
“Nothing,” Maggie lamented.
“Maybe we are thinking from the wrong end,” Riveriara said. “Dungeons are about progression, getting stronger, going up the scale. This is a Beginner Dungeon. Maybe Iron is the answer since it is the beginning?”
“I suppose it's worth a try, it's not like wrong answers are being punished.” Reginald agreed.
I R O N
As Maggie placed the last letter the bars to the Iron alcove slid up with a low hiss. And out of the alcove ran a large brown feathered ball standing 4 feet high. It paused as it reached halfway across the room, cocking its head to the side so one eye was fully looking at the group. It gave a deep Crow and charged the group.
Riveriara quickly planted two arrows into the beast as it neared the group. Just as it reached them it crashed to the ground motionless skidding to a stop at Fairlin’s feet.
Riveriara Shoots Dire Pheasant 1, 2 times for 11+9=20 Damage.
Dire Pheasant 1 is Dead
“Well, at least something happened that time.” Reginald frowned. “Not too tough are they?”
“From a distance perhaps. But look.” Fairlin held up one of the beast's feet. Huge and sharp talons adorned the toes. “And the beak seems just as dangerous”
“So if Iron worked, why didn’t platinum?” Reginald asked
“Dungeons are about progression” Tiffany quoted “Maybe we have to open each in order and then we can open the last?”
“So copper next?” Maggie asked
“I think so. Look at the torches again. 1 torch next to the iron bars 2 next to the copper. 3 on silver and 4 near gold.”
“Does this dungeon think we are idiots? Multiple clues to the same riddle? Reginald grumbled. The rest of the team ignored him.
“Everyone ready?” Maggie asked. When they all drew weapons and nodded in her direction she began to open the next alcove.
C O P P E R
This time 2 Pheasants strutted out into the room and ran at the group. Tiffany threw her knives but they were not long enough to penetrate through the thick layers of feathers. Riveriara landed 2 arrows into the other but it was only slowed down.
Riveriara Shoots Dire Pheasant 3, 2 times for 8+10=18 Damage.
The first Pheasant beat its wounded partner to the group. Timing his strike Fairlin meets it with a Haymaker Punch to the head.
Fairlin strikes Dire Pheasant 2 for 30 Damage.
Dire Pheasant 2 is dead.
Not to be left out, Reginald moved forward sidestepping the wounded pheasant’s talons and sunk his rapier deep into the bird's side.
Reginald strikes Dire Pheasant 3 for 10 Damage
Die Pheasant 3 is dead.
“Everyone, take a stamina potion if you need it. The next will be 3 or 4 depending on the pattern.” Maggie suggested
“Pattern?” Fairlin asked
“First 1 then 2. Either it is doubling each time or adding 1. We will know for sure with this next door.”
Once ready Maggie began to spell. “Wait… I can’t find the S. Did anyone see where it went?”
The group looked through the stones and around the floor. A short time later and they still couldn’t find it.
“I don’t see an ‘S’ anywhere. And I’ve sorted the whole pile there isn't a ‘D’ either.” Maggie said, a bit frazzled. “We can’t spell Gold without that.”
“Wait… It can’t be…” Reginald walked up to the pedestal and began searching through the stones. Organized as they were, he quickly picked out 5 letters.
C R O W N
As he placed the last stone the exit door bars slid open.
“It's the names for the coin denominations.” He explained. “Partway through it switches from the metal types to the traditional names. Iron Roll, Copper Wheel, Silver Ox, Gold Eagle, Platinum Crown.” Pausing to look back at Throm he said “Sometimes it is all about money.” And he walked to the rear exit door.
Throm laughed. “Ok, you got me. But for someone so concerned with money you are leaving the mob loot behind.”
“There isn’t anything on these birds,” Fairlin said.
“For beasts, the loot is usually hidden nearby.” Throm stood and pulled out a small metal rod that shed light in a focused beam. Pointing it into each alcove he eventually found what he was looking for. In the gold alcove stood 4 Pheasants but behind them sat a plain wooden chest. Pointing it out to the team he said “If you are up for fighting 4 more pheasants you can get to the chest.”
“Easy.” Reginald bragged.
A short time later the team was set up around the pedestal. Maggie began opening the gold alcove.
E A G L E
As Maggie set the last letter she began to cast entangling roots outside the alcove as the bars slid down. Quick as a flash, the 4 Dire Pheasants dashed out of the alcove. The spell caught one of the creatures but the other three had leaped into the air.
Maggie Immobilizes Dire Pheasant 10 With Spell: Entangling Roots.
“One caught!” Maggie relayed to the rest of the team, though missing the three other birds charging at the group would have been hard to miss.
Riveriara fired twice but the first shot was too high as she expected the birds to remain in the air. The second landed with a muffled thunk as it lodged itself in the breast of the lead Pheasant.
Riveriara Shoots Dire Pheasant 7 for 8 Damage.
Fairlin didn’t do much better. As the lead beast reached him it was slowed slightly by the arrow causing him to miss time his attack. Fairlin’s fist passed inches in front of the bird’s head leaving him exposed. A small hop and the bird was slicing at the large Querreling with its taloned feet. Drawing a gash in his upper arm, Followed by a peck to the face.
Dire Pheasant 7 strikes Fairlin for 12 Damage.
Dire Pheasant 7 Strikes Farlin for 5 Damage.
But the Attacks weren’t without cost. As the leg of the creature came down the arm it was torn up by the quills protruding from the back of Fairlin’s elbow.
Defensive quills strike Dire Pheasant 7 for 5 Damage.
Injured and favoring one leg, Fairlin was able to grab the bird and wring its neck, ending the creature.
Dire pheasant 7 is dead.
As Fairlin took on the lead creature Reginald stepped forward and out to the side, thrusting into the second creature to reach them. The Rapier glanced off a bone as it was pushed sideways cutting a long gash along the pheasant's side as the beast ran by. The bird wobbled as it neared Throm and collapsed to the floor.
Reginald has mortally wounded Dire Pheasant 8 for 17 Damage.
Dire Pheasant Is Incapacitated.
Dire Pheasant Is Bleeding.
The last free Pheasant jumped into the air and came downward attempting to land on top of Tiffany. Quick enough to see it coming She dove forward with a roll. As she came up she slashed across where the beast would land only just missing the long spindly legs of the Pheasant.
The pheasant spun as it landed following Tiffany as she moved. Exposing its back to Maggie who was finishing casting a spell targeting the oblivious avian.
Shocking bolt strikes Dire Pheasant 9 For 12 damage.
Dire Pheasant 9 is stunned for 2 seconds
Tiffany took advantage of the stunned bird and slid her blade across the thin neck lopping off its head.
Dire Pheasant 9 is Dead.
Looking about for the last Pheasant, Fairlin saw it lying prone with a pair of arrows stuck in its body. “What is the human expression? Shooting fish?” He asked Riveriara.
“Well, it looked like you all had the rest handled.” Riveriara smiled. “So I figured a little cleanup was in order. Um, speaking of cleanup, your face needs some healing, here.” She handed him a potion.
“Thanks,” Fairlin said as he drank it down.
“Whoa, this chest is much better than what those goblins had,” Reginald called
Chests Contents:
6 copper 4 Irons
1 Slow Healing Potion
1 Slow Mana Potion
1 Slow Stamina potion
5 Caredenil
1 Dagger
After a quick rest and some liberal potion use, the team was ready to continue through the dungeon. Tiffany, again leading the way, investigated the exit door. It was much more well built than the last door with metal hinges and an actual latching mechanism. Once she determined it was not trapped she opened it wide to look into the hall.
The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.
This hall was long and approximately 6 feet wide with smooth stone walls and floor. It was dimly lit with torches evenly spaced on both sides. At the very end, a door was visible.
“Oh good, another slow walk to the next room…” Reginald said dully as he followed the group.
About halfway down the hall Tiffany stopped and pointed out a tripwire. “Step over this.” Again she poured a line of sand to show where in the hall to step over. As the group stepped over the line Maggie almost fell, catching her balance on the wall a section of the stone sunk in with a loud click echoing down the hall.
“SHIT!” Tiffany shouted. Looking about she saw a boulder half the size of the hall rolling down a shoot in the ceiling depositing it into the hall. It bounced off the wall and came hurtling at them from behind. “Look out!” she screamed and pointed back down the hall. As it rolled it bounced back and forth making the trajectory difficult to guess.
At Tiffany’s shout prompting every member of the group threw themselves to the sides of the hall laying down and covering their heads in the corners where it was less likely the round rock would crush them. The racket of the boulder striking the walls got louder as it approached. No one heard him scream over the calamity. As the boulder passed it hit the tripwire opening a pit trap farther down that swallowed the large rock.
Once the noise ended the group looked up. Assessing the damage.
“Everyone OK?” asked Riveriara, as she dusted herself off.
“Fine over here.” Reginald waved, indicating him and Maggie.
“Tiffany is hurt,” Fairlin reported. “A Broken arm. Healing potion won’t do much good for her without rest. We should probably head back.”
“No!” Reginald exclaimed
“I’ll be ok. I won’t be much use to the boss anyway, they are supposed to be Mountain Goblins. Thick rocky hides prevent most cutting weapons from penetrating. I was going to hang back anyway, maybe be a distraction at best.”
“You’re sure?” Asked Maggie
“Yeah, I think the rest of the hall is clear but let me check to be sure.”
A short time later the team was standing at the door. Tiffany’s forearm was wrapped in a crude splint. The final door was a step up from the last room by leaps and bounds. But that still isn't saying much. The wood planks were smooth and flat. The Iron bands held them together tightly but the handle was a strange small flat rod sticking straight out of the door.
“I can’t get a grip on this handle,” Tiffany complained.
“Oh move! I'll do it.” Reginald shouldered her out of the way. But after looking at the door and attempting to grip the rod he gave up. “I think the handle is actually missing… shoddy craftsmanship” He grumbled to no one in particular.
“I bet we have to head back to the door we passed up in the first room.” Maggie lamented. “Guess we picked the wrong path. “The info sheet didn’t say anything about needing a key or special method to open the door.”
“The map specifically states it doesn't include locations of traps and secret rooms. Because that sort of thing can change.” Tiffany mentioned. “This may have changed too. No helping it. We just have to go back.”
“At least this time we don’t have to move at a snail's pace.”
“Your constant complaints are not helping, Reginald” Riveriara admonished.
“Right…” Reginald replied flatly.
“Let's just go.” Fairlin ended the argument before it began and started walking briskly back the way they had come
On the way through the previous chamber, the dire pheasants still locked in the Silver alcove were sticking their heads through the bars attempting to peck at the group.
“Make sure you avoid the pit trap in the next hall,” Tiffany called ahead as she paused to observe the birds.
It was much quicker walking back than it had been to get into the dungeon. Throm smiled to himself as the group remembered the skirt around the pit trap and made it to the first room and then to the rear right door of the chamber. This cute little dungeon was forcing the group to truly clear the entire thing. That thought nearly made him laugh out loud.
“Ok can you check this hall for traps or do you need a few minutes?” Asked Maggie
“I can do it. But we will need some light. There doesn't seem to be any in this hall.” Tiffany said confidently.
Maggie cast a light spell and a floating orb hovered above them. After that Tiffany once again began the slow process of advancing carefully and checking each area of the floor and now walls of the passage for traps. Fortunately, this hall was much shorter and made from packed earth which made hiding traps much more difficult.
“It appears all clear.” Tiffany proclaimed as she reached the end and stopped in front of a plain wooden door. She gently pushed the door forward to reveal the room.
The room was about 30 feet across and just as wide. At the rear, a pool of water collected as a small waterfall splashed down the rocky wall. A faint glow could be seen from bioluminescent algae growing up the damp walls and across the ceiling in swirling bands of green. In the center of the room stood 4 benches arranged in a circle.
“I don’t see any hostile mobs,” Tiffany said in an involuntary hushed tone. “It’s kind of pretty.”
“Really?” asked Maggie as she pushed forward to see. “Oh! This is interesting...” she trailed off as she went further into the room admiring the ceiling.
“I don’t get it, if the handle or key is here why isn't it guarded?” Reginald asked.
“It’s not guarded by a mob, but through subterfuge,” Riveriara stated. “It must be hidden in here.”
“Take a seat at the bench Tiffany. Rest while your arm heals.” Throm guided her over and sat her down. “You could probably take another slow healing potion to accelerate the healing but only if you are resting. Activity and jostling your arm about will stop the healing.”
“I thought you weren’t supposed to help us.” Frairlin accused.
“I am allowed to help in medical matters. Besides You found these benches on your own.” He looked about. “You know this may be an early form of a break room.”
“What's that?” Tiffany asked while the others began searching the room.
“Some dungeons can create special rooms that change the typical rules of the dungeon. The first that usually show up in a dungeon are vaults or break rooms. Vaults are what you would expect. A large room with piles of gold and resources. But they are usually hidden and locked up nice and tight. After you find them they are very difficult to open, it usually involves a quest. Break rooms are rooms Mobs don’t spawn in and can’t enter. And sitting down in them usually provides some healing and restorative benefits. But I’ve never heard of a new dungeon having one, maybe in a few months.”
“Is that how dungeons get stronger? Just time?”
Throm sat down next to Tiffany. “Yep, after a while, this dungeon will change adding rooms and mobs, eventually making special rooms, and at some point, it ranks up. But we don’t usually know when this happens until someone notices the mobs are level 10 or higher and gets the First Delver Achievement for the new rank. It’s how we list the dungeons in the guild actually. This dungeon isn’t technically a Beginner Rank in the eyes of the Adventurers Guild till someone clears it and gains the achievement.”
Throm gazed around the room watching the group search. Reginald was checking the benches searching under the seats on his hands and knees. Throm was actually impressed with the initiative he was demonstrating even if he was wrong. Riveriara and Fairlin were searching the walls looking for any secret compartments.
Maggie was standing in front of the pond gazing into the depths. As she looked up something glimmered and caught her eye. She girded her robes up around her waist and waded into the pond heading toward the rear wall.
“What are you doing Maggie? You will be soaked for the rest of the delve!” Riveriara called out concerned for her friend.
“I think I found something.” Maggie moved to the small waterfall. Rolling up her sleeve she reached into the waterfall and behind it. “Got it!” She shouted as she pulled a large metal door handle from behind the water holding it high over her head.
"Behind the waterfall? Isn’t that a bit cliché?" Reginald drawled.
"Actually, no." Throm smiled. "I think I've seen more false hiding spots behind waterfalls in my delves than real ones. It always looks like there should be something there but there never is. It is a bit of a joke in the guild that you always check there first so you have time to dry off while you search other areas.”
After the group rested they made their way back to the boss room door, Riveriara stopped Maggie before she slotted the handle into the door. "Before we go in we should discuss the boss room and plan.”
* * *
A short while later Maggie had stepped back after handing the handle to Reginald. As each member of the team signaled they were prepared, Fairlin nodded last as Reginald twisted and pulled the door open. Off like a bolt of lightning Fairlin Charged through the door, Reginald hot on his heels. The girls quickly stepped in following the boy’s cacophony.
Watching from the doorway Throm appraised the room. It was arranged just as the documents said it should be. He blew out a sigh of relief. If the Keepers’ notes had been inaccurate this plan could have easily gone bad.
Mountain Goblin Basher Level 4
Mountain Goblin Hurler Level 4
Fairlin charged, rushing past the large club-wielding mountain goblin, ducking under a swing he tucked into a tight ball reminiscent of his hedgehog heritage. With the momentum built up his spiked form continued rolling slamming into the stone-throwing goblins' makeshift throne-pile of rocks. The stack of rocks collapsed and the Stone Thrower lost his perch, crashing down backward in a miniature rock slide.
Mountain Goblin Hurler falls for 15 Damage.
Reginald stopped about 20 feet away from the Mountain Goblin Basher and cast a swordsman spell. A pulse of mana wafted across the distance. “Have at thee” he shouted the verbal component and gestured with his sword driving the mana at the goblin. Once the mana reached him the goblin who had been turning to follow Fairlin froze. The creature turned back and took a lunging step toward Reginald swinging the massive club in a sideways arc.
Mountain goblin Basher is taunted by Reginald’s Spell: Gentleman's Duel.
As a swordsman who specialized in dueling Reginald was acutely aware of effective melee ranges. He had stopped just inside of the Goblin's range anticipating a swing he stepped back allowing the club to pass by harmlessly. After the club flew by Reginald initiated a lunge. Burying the tip of his rapier in the Goblins gut. But as Reginald tried to drive it in deeper the sword stuck on the tough rocky skin.
Reginald Strikes Mountain Goblin Basher for 10 Damage.
Surprised by the thrust stopping short, Reginald looked up in surprise. He cried out as the backswing of the club caught him in the side knocking him to the ground.
Mountain Goblin Basher strikes Reginald for 20 Damage.
As the Goblin stood over Reginald he began to swing his club up high overhead. But before the crushing blow came down arrows with grey fletching sprouted from the goblin’s armpit like the gnarliest armpit hair. Crying in pain the Goblin lost its grip on the club letting it fall behind his back. Riveriara had used two devastating archery skills, Barrage and Penetrating Strike. Completely draining her Stamina, she fired 3 arrows and each struck a vulnerable location.
Riveriara Shoots Mountain Goblin Basher 3 times for 33 (11x3) Damage.
Roaring with pain and rage the goblin brought its foot down on Reginal’s knee grinding it against the ground.
Mountain Goblin Basher strikes Reginald for 10 Damage. Reginald’s Movement speed is reduced by 15%.
As Fairlin was recovering from his bowling charge he heard Reginald cry out but paid him the barest of sympathies as Fairlin’s job was to keep the Hurler from taking aim at his comrades. Stepping around the scattered stones he approached the prone Stone-thrower. Before he could close the distance completely the goblin was shaking his head and staggered to his feet A small rock in each hand.
Fairlin froze, raising his arms in a defensive posture as the beast cocked its arm back aiming for the muscle-bound Quarreling. They stood there, sizing each other up for several seconds before they moved again. Fairlin stepped forward as the first rock was released. The first stone caught him in the bracer. While the damage was great, to Fairlin the damage was negligible, he could take it. He grunted in pain and kept moving. The second rock was sent wide, clattering off the wall. The goblin stooped to pick up more stones as Fairlin approached frantically trying to stop the advance.
Mountain Goblin Hurler Strikes Fairlin for 20 Damage.
Fairlin took the last step that put him within arms reach of the goblin. Fairling took a pugilist stance and began hammering blows down on his target, Initially, the quills on Fairlin’s hands couldn't penetrate the rocky hide of the creature and the hits did little damage.
Fairlin strikes Mountain Goblin Hurler 8 times for 16 (8x2) Damage
The Goblin tried to retreat but Fairlin advanced as his blows landed. The rapid repeating blows began to hit harder. Cracks on the beast's skin began to form. Without a way to retreat the goblin began to strike back. The Goblin could throw a rock, but apparently had no experience throwing a punch. Farlin ducked weaving between the goblin’s ineffective strikes landing blow after blow onto the goblin's body.
Fairlin strikes Mountain Goblin Hurler 6 times for 30 (6x5) Damage.
As the cracks formed sections of the armored skin cracked off exposing the soft grey underskin. Spying her chance to aid the team, Tiffany launched a few throwing needles tipped with a pale yellow poison. One bounced off the remaining rocky skin, but the other found its mark.
Tiffany Strikes Mountain Goblin Hurler Goblin for 2 Damage.
Mountain Goblin Hurler Is afflicted with nauseating poison.
The goblin froze as nausea hit his gut. Fairlin froze as well confused as to what was going on. By the time he recognized the needle sticking out of the goblin’s skin, it was too late. Vomit began to explode from the goblin’s mouth showering over Fairlin.
“UUUGGG! Tiffany warn me next time!” Fairlin cried as he took advantage of the incapacitated goblin. Grabbing him by the back of the head he turned the goblin vomit fountain away from himself and smashed the head into the rock wall finally ending the goblin’s fight.
Fairlin strikes Mountain Goblin Hurler for 30 damage.
Mountain Goblin Hurler is dead.
While Fairlin and Tiffany were finishing off the Thrower Goblin, Maggie had been channeling her own magic into a spell targeting Reginald’s attacker. With Reginald on the ground, her shot was clear. A word of power whispered across her lips and 3 bolts of arcane missiles rocketed across the space landing unerringly in the goblin’s chest.
To the untrained eye, it would seem as if nothing had happened, but arcane missiles had 2 properties associated with them. The first was common knowledge, they always fired in a straight line without wind or gravity affecting them. The second was not as obvious. They did not damage the body as much as they damaged the magical link between the body and soul. To the average person that just meant armor was useless against them. Thick shields tended to block them as the missiles could only pass through about half an inch of material before they lost potency. The damage they did could be healed just like a regular wound, but the wounds were not visible.
Maggie strikes Mountain Goblin Basher 3 times for 36 (3x12) Damage.
Riveriara Shoots Mountain Goblin Basher for 12 Damage
Shortly after the Missiles landed Riveriara managed another arrow on the softer side of the Goblin, the strikes caused the goblin to back off and hold its arms across its chest and face in a protective posture. Taking this opportunity Reginald, managed an awkward roll into a crouching position, striking from a low angle Reginald managed a second strike at the Goblins gut this time penetrating a bit deeper.
Reginald strikes Mountain Goblin Basher for 13 Damage
With the wounds piling up the Goblin couldn’t stand any longer and fell, its breathing slowed and stopped a few moments later.
Mountain Goblin Basher is dead.
Congratulations! Your party has been granted the achievement “First Delver of Heil Dungeon. (Beginner rank)” You each gain +1 to all Abilities and 2 skill points.
“Well done,” Throm called from the doorway. “You could probably have done this without hurting yourselves so much but the plan worked well.”
Reginald rolled to his back from his crouching position and replied only with “Ouch.” as he reached into his pouch for a healing potion.
“Take it easy on the potions, if you feel taking another sip will make you vomit, then you have probably hit your potion limit for the day.” Throm continued ignoring Reginald's grunts of pain. “Now, can anyone tell me the difference between this dungeon and the ones you may have read or heard about?”
Maggie spoke up “No reliquaries from the mobs. I thought maybe it was because they weren't bosses, but none of the monsters had any.”
“Bingo, the mobs of more advanced dungeons will leave reliquaries in place making it easier and more profitable to loot them. Items that wouldn't logically make sense being here can appear from reliquaries. If this dungeon had reliquaries all the mobs would have released them. The exception being the Dire Peasants in the puzzle room, they had their loot tied to the chest.”
After resting and looting the bosses the team made their way out of the dungeon. It had taken them hours to clear it. As they exited the stone arch the next team was waiting outside with Keeper Marc.
“If you had taken any longer I would have had to start composing your very lengthy obituary.” Felandira teased Throm.
“If you are accusing us of taking too long, we are not late. You're early.” Throm countered with a smile.
“I guess we overestimated your ability to lead a team through a dungeon.” She shot back.
“Bah you know we are only here for emergencies. Besides, we got held up. Turns out there’s a few puzzles in there… and we also took down a Rare Goblin.”
“Oh Really!?” Felandira was obviously intrigued. “Now that is lucky. I'll take a look at it later to determine its properties.” She put a slight emphasis on the word it.
“Keeper Marc.” Throm greeted her, “Do you know how long it will take for the dungeon to reset? I hate to ask the second team to wait here if we should head back to the Inn.”
“Oh, it shouldn't be much longer. You rested several times inside?” Throm nodded. “Then much of the recovery process should be completed, maybe 15-20 more minutes and it should be reset. It was most likely ready to start rebuilding before you defeated the boss but couldn't till you exited. Was the last room you cleared the boss room?”
“Indeed, and the team did admirably I must say.” Throm smiled
“Then I can be in and out in about 5 minutes to verify if the boss room is ready.”
“That quick?” Tiffany piped up and then looked embarrassed as she realized she butted into their conversation. “Sorry, it just took us 10 minutes to navigate our way out. And with mobs and traps resetting…”
Laughing Gen waved away the apology. “It's fine, as a Keeper I can enter the dungeon as a neutral party. I can’t attack, cast spells, search for, or take anything from the dungeon while inside but the mobs will leave me alone. The catch is the dungeon will seal the entrance behind me and I can't enter as a neutral party if someone is already inside. A quick jog to the boss room to see if the door is sealed will tell me if it has fully reset. If they have then the dungeon is ready for another run and we will have a baseline of its reset time. It’s the main reason I am out here actually.”
About 20 minutes later Gen had entered the dungeon and exited again giving the all-clear that the dungeon was ready for Felandira’s group.