Trillia stood in the shop. There was a large wooden sign out front that just had a big red X painted on it. It got the message across. Layla was first up for her completed armor set. The past week or so had been an incredible amount of measuring and testing of armor in various steps of its creation process.

Trillia stared at the table that held a dozen items of polished metal. Marg stood in front of Layla with a smile on her face. "Are you ready, dear?" Layla looked at the items and nodded. Marg pulled out what looked to Trillia like a padded jacket. Marg held it up in front of the group and motioned to a few different points on the arms and chest. "This is called a gambeson. You will wear it under your plate. It has mail sewn into the elbows and armpits. In addition, it allows us to hook certain parts of your plate armor onto it. To ensure that your armor is secure. Now, all of your armor has been custom fitted to make sure it works for you. As you grow, we will make the adjustments needed. There are also plenty of skills that will allow you to make your own adjustments."

Marg and Alfred instructed each of them how to properly wear the gambeson and fasten it. Frederick listened intently despite knowing every single piece of armor as well as he knew his parent's shop. "Orcs are quite strong creatures, so we've also decided to give Layla bottoms that have mail sewn in. The others won't have this since the weight may slow some of you down. I'll also show you the arm and leg harnesses. These attach to the innermost layer and help keep your plate armor straight." Another twenty or so minutes of showing everyone this next piece.

This went on for some time. Sabatons were boots, and greaves were for your legs. Well, your lower legs. Cuirass and cuisses confused every non-human in the group. Marg told them all to just use the human words for the armor since the orcs didn't often or ever seem to use plate armor. Gauntlets were gloves, that much Trillia knew, at least. Pauldrons were for the shoulders. Trillia wrote down everything so she could remember it more easily later. Fred promised everyone that he would help them get better at donning their armor quickly and efficiently.

It ended with a helmet that the humans called a barbute. Alfred had taken the time to engrave each person's barbute with something that fit the individual. For Layla, it was the symbol of her goddess. The young orc ran her fingers over the design with tears in her eyes, looking down at the gleaming metal armor she now wore. "I'll find a way to repay you. I promise I will."

Marg pinched one of her cheeks, shaking her head as she did. "Just keep yourself and the others alive, honey. That's all that Alfred and I want. Now, all of your armor has been enchanted with mobility enchantments, knockback resistance, durability, and a sort of light resistance to mana in general. After some extensive talks with Malor as well as Lady Ba'Shoon, we decided those were the best permanent enchantments to utilize. The rest will be temporary based on what you're fighting."

Trillia perked up at that. "Ba'Shoon helped? "

Malor nodded. "I didn't realize until after the fact. She came in after everyone had left to speak with Marg and Alfred. Originally, she was going to offer to enchant all of our armor for us. When she was told that I was helping with that, she instead instructed me. It was...enlightening."

Trillia smiled a little more as she looked at Layla, who was now pulling the helmet on. Alfred stepped in front of her next and put a big wooden box down in front of the cleric-to-be. Trillia knew what was in it instantly. Alfred smiled. "Whipped this up myself. Not our specialty...but after my smart-ass remarks, it was the least I could do. Besides, as I see it, I owe you for saving our lives during that ambush."

Layla blinked a few times as she stared at him. Slowly opening the box, to see a morning star resting in the box. A smooth, polished red wooden handle with leather grips ending in a ball of metal with small protrusions. The leather had been engraved with the same symbol of Ora'sys. Layla reached out and grabbed the handle. It was difficult to see her smile under the helmet, but Trillia knew it was there. Marg piped up as Layla admired the weapon. "Should count as a weapon of your divine deity. If not, I believe there are a few rituals you can partake in to ensure that it does. It will let you channel certain skills and abilities through it. At least, that's what a lot of the clerics Al and I have teamed up with over the years told me. The enchantments are pretty simple on it. Just a lot of stacked durability enchantments and weight enchantments in the head of the weapon."

Layla gave it a few test swings. "This armor is easy to move in. I thought it would feel clunky. to be so covered with so much metal."

Alfred chuckled as he closed the box and set it on the table. "Lots of folks get the idea that plate armor is clunky and you can't move in it. I suppose if you're wearing someone else's armor, that might be true. But something custom fit, by Master Armorsmiths, that has mobility enchantments on it? You're basically just wearing extra durable clothes. We didn't make weapons for the rest of you. Most of you have better weapons. In Trillia's case, she has two artifacts for her weapons. Marg and I aren't that talented, I'm afraid. But I promise, the armor is just as good and will hold up."

A few more hours went by as everyone slowly adorned their armor. Trillia, much like Layla, was shocked at just how easy it was to move in the armor. It felt a bit stuffy, being so covered, but she didn't feel that much slower. "Is there an enchantment I can get that lets me have better vision? I can see the metal if I shift my eyes." Alfred motioned for her to hand over the helmet.

As she did, he took it and peered closer. "Hmmm. I will tweak it some. Should only take me a couple of hours. Small modifications like that don't require us to rework the entire piece. We just let the skills and system do the heavy lifting. You should be ok to delve without it for now. Especially if you plan to return the same day. Sorry about that."

Trillia began shaking her head immediately. "It's ok even if you can't. It's an incredible gift, and it fits well. I'll get used to the obstruction. I wouldn't want to cause any issues."

Alfred waved a hand her way somewhat dismissively. "Nonsense. Can't have your peripheral vision being chopped up in a fight. I can make something work that should solve the issue and offer you mostly the same protection." Alfred set the helmet on the table next to the box and glanced at the group. His smile grew wide. "Couldn't be happier. Now. Remember what we told you about removing it. Only when you are in a safe camp. Remember that when you aren't wearing armor, you're a much easier ambush target. Red River is smart enough to punish that sort of complacency as well."

No one else had complaints about the armor. Each of them was covered head to toe in gleaming metal - except Trillia, who was without a helmet, for now - and ready to fight. Marg clapped her hands together. "Well, good luck! We've done all we can to help you. Kick some ass."

The group waved their goodbyes before leaving the forge area. Needless to say, they got a lot of stares and a lot of chatter as they made their way toward the dungeon. Trillia was happy to call out to anyone who was close enough that it was the human armorsmiths who made such wonderful work. If Alfred and Marg wouldn't accept payment for such fine work, Trillia would damn sure drum them up a bunch of extra business.

As they stepped into the dungeon, Trillia took a deep breath. She pulled various herbs and plants from around Rift City out of a pouch for the tribute bowl. She saw the others all putting various items in as well. Layla put a flask of radiant water in, and Frederick placed various bits and bobs of metal. Amelia had some sort of bone. Malor was perhaps the most extravagant. Placing a heavily enchanted stone that was perfectly spherical in one of the bowls. Trillia glanced at it, then at him. The minotaur shrugged. "From what all of you have told me. Red River is going out of its way to teach and be peaceful. Going so far as to offer shelter should a [Primordial] attack. Over the past week, I've been working on that item as a tribute. It holds just about every strengthening enchantment I know for fortifications. I hope it's a worthy tribute."

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A very familiar voice speaking the human tongue rang out. "I assure you, Lord Malor. Father is most intrigued. Not only by many of the enchantments present but also in the glorious knights standing before us."

Trillia turned to see Sir Gobbinz in his well-dressed wolf pelts. Every time she saw the goblin, he looked a little more refined and more and more like the nobles and royalty she had seen in D'Jamu. Trillia walked up to the goblin and gave him a hug. "It's good to see you, Sir Gobbinz."

Sir Gobbinz chuckled and returned the hug. "You act like we haven't seen each other in years! It's only been a few weeks, give or take. I should warn you. You're all very well-armored and well-armed, and now there are five of you. Father isn't going to go easy on you."

Amelia stepped forward with a grin. "Tell him to put us through Infernus. We need to know what the realm will do at its worst. We need to learn and adapt as a group. Don't go easy on us, Sir Gobbinz. Ask your Father to do everything in his power to stop us at every turn."

The goblin got a devious little grin on his face and bowed deeply. "He assures me that he will. The path is open. The inhabitants of the dungeon have been informed of the caliber of adventurers coming against them. Good luck."

They glanced at each other before nodding and stepping forward. A path that Trillia hadn't seen before opened up. Layla took the lead, with Frederick taking up the rearguard. Trillia was in the dead center of the group. The hallways were wide enough that they could march two by two. Despite that, they kept their formation.

The first surprise came as Frederick stepped through a stone doorway. A massive granite slab slammed down behind them, and the sound of rushing water filled their ears. A second later, water began filling the room. Layla began to charge ahead, not wanting to test their ability to hold their breath. A very familiar figure dropped from a hole in the ceiling. Wearing well-fitted wolf leather armor and wielding a rapier, the goblin lunged at Layla.

"[Piercing Strike]!"

"Mini!" Trillia grinned as Layla swung an arm out to parry his blade. The morning star followed through, and the goblin threw himself back to avoid the strike.

"[Lightning Bolt]!"

Malor held up a hand as a streak of lightning crossed the room and slammed into the goblin's chest. Then down into the water. Trillia grunted as the shock hit all of them. They staggered before Layla used an area healing spell. The goblin fell over quite dead. Frederick scooped up the items as they ran by and began to climb up the ledge out the exiting door.

Once the last of them was up and they turned to step through the door, they were met by a squad of seven goblins up in perches. Each of them extended a very familiar-looking wand. Seven chain lightning spells hit the group. Layla immediately began to heal, as did Amelia. Trillia raised her left arm and loosed mana bolts at them while discharging spells from her right hand.

Malor loosed a volley of small round beads of fire that exploded on impact, and Frederick whipped out a crossbow that put a bolt clean through a goblin and several inches into the stone behind it. Once the room was secure, Trillia looked over at Layla. "Mana levels?"

Layla was looking down at the armor with some surprise on her face. "Uhhh.. I've only used three percent or so. I barely even feel the damage in this stuff. Why don't all orcs use it?"

Frederick chuckled at the statement. "My father's hope is that one day all of you will. Forging armor requires being stationary for long periods of time. From what I'm told, your people haven't had that chance in quite some time."

Trillia nodded in response to his statement. "Mana levels, everyone else?"

Everyone was fine. Malor had used the most at twelve percent, but apparently, the minotaur had a passive that improved his mana regeneration, so he'd be fine. The group wasted no time in pushing forward.

Resistance was significantly heavier than it had ever been when Trillia and Amelia had tried to clear it before, but it still wasn't enough to even slow the group down. Trillia knew that was going to be the case. Stibs and Paws had told her as much. The dungeon had rules for how strong any individual floor could be, and it scaled as the dungeon grew larger.

Soon they were at the boss's door. The group double-checked resources and stepped through. This time, Trillia was surprised. Not only had the arena been revamped again. But it had been done with some interesting materials. The most notable was glass. The cover was heavy panes of glass, and the walkways were glass suspended with translucent crystals. A dozen goblins stood on perches far, far higher than before. Armed with wands and bows. Four other wolf and goblin riding combos were spread throughout the room, with Stibs and Paws standing in the center on a raised dais.

Trillia grinned at them. "I see you've made some improvements."

Stibs smiled wide and chuckled. "Father says he learns. My level is capped. But tactics are not levels. I look forward to fight." Stibs grinned wider. As the two nodded at each other, Paws vanished beneath him. As the wolf appeared next to Trillia, it was startled to see a different orc standing there.

"[Intercept]! [Sunder]!"

Layla appeared in front of the wolf's attack with her Morningstar already swinging down. The wolf barely managed to dodge out of the way as the acolyte took the brunt of the nova attack, leaving Trillia mostly unharmed. Trillia produced two flasks from her belt and threw them at the spot the wolf was dodging toward. As the glass shattered, a white mist enveloped the wolf, causing its eyes and nose to bleed.

The sound of Malor's explosive spells tagging the perched goblins rang out. Frederick had produced a lance from seemingly thin air and was toppling the wolf-riding goblins. Amelia stayed in the back, producing a song that was raising everyone's agility and strength.

Stibs vanished next, appearing in the air above Amelia.

"[Intercept]!"

Layla appeared in the air as Stibs swung the dagger. Being in the air and unable to maneuver, she took the dagger strike to the neck. The steel gorget caused the strike to be a glancing blow. Stibs vanished again, appearing next to Malor. Layla intercepted him again.

The fight didn't take long. Trillia quickly wore down Paws with ranged attacks and various flasks. Malor proved he was more than a match for the ranged goblins, and Amelia and Frederick made quick work of the other mounted combatants. Paws and Stibs were the last ones standing. Both were heavily wounded and breathing heavily. Trillia's group barely seemed to have taken a hit. Stibs just threw his head back and laughed. "We no match, still. We surrender if you accept."

As Malor stepped forward with a raised hand and a charged spell, Trillia stepped in front of him and spoke up. "We accept. Thank you for the fight." Malor gave her an odd look. "This dungeon isn't an enemy. There's no reason to kill them and force them to respawn if they surrender. We can collect the drops we're owed in the healing hall after the fact. Save the mana."

Malor seemed to ponder that for a moment before accepting her explanation. Layla walked over and had begun healing the injured goblins she could, as well as Stibs and Paws. Stibs looked at her with a wide grin. "You annoying. No wait for skill?"

Layla removed her helmet with a smile, sweat beading on her forehead. "It just takes extra stamina the more rapidly I use the skill. It's my job to keep people alive. Amelia and Trillia might not be able to tank those dagger hits so easily, even in our new armor. Seemed worth the extra stamina."

Stibs nodded at that and looked at Paws. "We must strike faster and in unison next time. Wear mighty healer out so that we can harm the others." The wolf gave a little affirmative yelp. Malor and Frederick both seemed rather stunned. Amelia put a hand on Fred's arm.

"Remember, we are allies with this dungeon. We help it learn and grow, just as it helps us learn and grow. If next time we come through and this is a harder fight, it just means more experience if we can overcome it. If we can't overcome the first floor as five unified adventurers, what will happen to us in a hostile dungeon?"

Fred chuckled and nodded. Walking up to Stibs and kneeling next to Paws looking the wolf over. "Does your dungeon have metal nodes? Like, ore and stuff?"

Stibs looked at him oddly. The goblin looked up as the dungeon spoke to him. "Father says he not sure if orcs need it. So not put them in yet."

Fred nodded at that. "Ask your Father to put in some nodes. I'll convince my parents to delve you a few times. Both of them are excellent armorsmiths and good at all other forging classes. If they can delve into the dungeon as a way to relieve stress and also get ore out of it. I'm sure they'd be willing to teach the dungeon how to forge armor for all of you. Including the wolves."

Trillia blinked as if remembering something and pulled out the whistle. Ialu had run off after growing bored at the forge with the mental note of calling for her when they were ready. She was sure the wolf would be furious for missing the first fight in the dungeon. Trillia wondered if Ialu wanted some nice wolf armor, something to ask Alfred about. The group chatted a bit longer before preparing to go to the second floor.