✦ Narrator ✦ — "Our story begins south of the border between Ryke and The Republic..."

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Location: North Ryke - Dungeon Entrance | Time: Early Morning

---

After several days of negotiations, contracts, and carefully reviewed fine print, the state of Ryke has finally granted its approval. The Adventurer’s Guild has been authorized to deploy its members into the newly uncovered dungeon.

Today marks the dungeon’s official opening.

Enthusiasm hangs in the air, fueled by the promise of wealth and adventure. Explorers of all rank and renown have gathered at the site.

The Guild’s strategy is simple. Divide and conquer.

By decree, 15% of all recovered value will be claimed by the state of Ryke. An additional 10% will be collected by the Adventurer’s Guild. The remaining share will be divided among the explorers.

To reduce congestion and casualties, dungeon access is restricted by rank:
• Lower-ranked adventurers are assigned to explore the first four floors in groups of five at minimum.
• Mid-tier adventurers are authorized to operate within floors 4 through 20.
• High-tier adventurers are permitted to descend deeper into uncharted territory, alone or in organized groups.

All participants are required to wear a Guild-issued mana tracking device while inside the dungeon. The device records every confirmed monster kill. Each creature is assigned a point value based on threat. Accumulated points will determine each groups final reward.

This system exists to streamline compensation, to thin the dungeon’s monster population, and prevent anything from escaping.

---

As you stand among the lower-ranked adventurers, a guard steps forward to address your group.

“Alright,” he says, folding his arms. “I’m sure you’ve heard this a thousand times, but you’re going to hear it again.”

He explains the rules plainly. While each floor has been loosely explored, many side passages, sealed rooms, and hidden spaces remain untouched. These are places that often contain their own hazards, puzzles, or traps. That is where you will be sent.

“You’ll want to share your strengths and weaknesses with each other,” he adds. “Figure out how you’re making decisions before something goes wrong. Down there isn’t the place to argue.”

With that, he gestures toward the dungeon entrance.

“You’re cleared for the first four floors. Don’t go past them.”

---

It had been hell. The Worse day of her life... they had risen up to fight for their world.. for Earth for humanity... and they had lost.. Lost Badly! The Viltrimite Conquerer's were just too powerful... even with their Hybrid-Half Human Half-Viltrum heritage.. they just did not have time to build their own might to resist the Viltrum invading forces. It was a slaughter.

The last desperate hope.. was escape.. not to grow in strength to fight another day.. just escape to even survive.
Sylvia's father, Martin Crest, was part of the experimental LevyGate research that theoretically lead to alternate Earths... but the facility was discovered.. and the Viltrumites took no prisoners.

She never saw what happened to her father... probably for the best. The Last she saw of her life was her Viltrumite Mother, Silia... fearless and strong as ever.. 'lightly' push her through the shimmering gate before the planted explosives destroyed the tech. Silia a born and bred Warrior-TRUE of the Viltrum.. so stern, so confident.. so Totally BAD ASS... never told Sylvia as she grew up that she loved her.. too soft for her Viltrum sensibilities... but the look Silia always gave her father told the truth about her heart. A sentiment mirrored in the hearts of so many Viltrium infiltrators on earth intermingling with humans... the one race in the Galaxy that could bred true with the Viltrumites. Silia had come to love the Earth and its people... and as Sylvia vanished through the LevyGate that same warm look of deep love and pride in her beautiful daughter... weak by Viltrun standards ~ at best.. Sylvia knew instantly she was Silia's most Treasured Victory...with her single parting word ~ "Live!"

Then her earth vanish, the LevyGate disappearing in a flash as her mothers 'light' push sent her careening 100'ft across broken wilderness on the boarders of Ryken. Alone and lost in a world... Nothing like her own!

Sylvia had been the heroine Astra on Earth, but here.. Sylvia's home and life were no more. She was homeless with no way to return home.. even if home existed anymore which was highly unlikely. And return for what? Her a weakling by Viltrum standards to fight a war with ALL Viltrum alone?

Astra wandered the strange land and learned quickly ... this was No alternate Earth! There was nothing even remotely similar to her Earth. Strange enough people could understand her and she could understand them.. but this realm seemed to be a crossroads of many different realities where various beings both possible and impossible were being deposited for some unknown reason.

But her mother's practical sensibilities soon took over... and Astra took to the task of learning and making her way in this strange land... and make of it some kind of home until things changed. To this task her natural Viltrumite Might proved useful and eventually she discovered the Adventurer's Guild... though she had only been in this realm for a week she knew she had to make some sort of living and her abilities could be profitably put to use... at least until she came up with something better.

-----

The young pretty somewhat petite woman stepped forward.. her very presence clearly something out of the ordinary. Shoulder-length dark brown hair {now grown a bit longer}, pale green eyes, petite around 5'9" but with a fearless confidence that belied the fact she carried no weapons, and wore no armor! Her clothing was truly odd.. spun with a precision no hand weaver could attain and so brightly colored the material unidentifiable! She smelled clean no dirt seemed to cling to her. The Yellow cloak at her shoulders was purely a thing of decoration perhaps.. the styling was like no Noble's raiment ever seen though all of it was clearly of high precision crafting! She wore a leather'?' belt at her slim waist with pouches and items stored... but she bore no survival gear whatsoever...!

She spoke softly, "Hello. I am Astra. I am strong, I hit hard, and I am hard to hurt."

She said nothing more... assuming apparently that was enough.

Silas made sure to get one last good look at the sun before joining the group. This would be his first time going into a dungeon and, more importantly, his first time being underground for any extended period of time. "We'll be back up before sundown, it'll be fine," he said to himself before joining the group of lower ranked adventurers. Even in his previous life he didn't like being in tunnels, it made him claustrophobic after a while. Hopefully this dungeon had some nice open spaces.

Silas listened to the guard explain the broad strokes of what it would be like down there. Maybe Silas just had to think of the dungeon like he was playing a game in his previous life, that may help keep him calm. Speaking of things from his previous life, the woman who introduced herself first as Astra, looked like a superhero. Silas was so taken aback he almost said something. Almost. He'd sound like a weirdo if he tried questioning her about it. Maybe she was like him, or something similar. Whatever the case he was just gonna let it go.

"Thank you Astra, that was..." Silas paused a moment trying to find the word, "concise," he settled on. "I'm Silas, I can teleport short distances and use radiant magic." He created a small globe of light in his hand to demonstrate, then extinguished it, "I also have pretty good eyes."

The sunlight was always warm upon her skin, even if it hurt her eyes. A woman with grey skin and amethyst colored eyes had joined up with the party a bit later than others, she seemed to already look confused and warry, perhaps a bit concerned but nonetheless curious about what was going on. Was she even part of this guild's endeavors? Not even she was certain. Memory came and went, and it was always just a bit too stressful to think about, so she let be what was. She said little at first, looking with a derp face as she took note of those standing around her. Finally, with the slight twitch of her ear, she managed to listen in...

"Ah..." Said she as pieces came together and cogs began to turn. She smiled faintly, then placed her hands over her waist as she listened in to the guard. Adventure time it was then, a time for excitement while under the protection of a set of rules. They didn't want her to be hurt, that was sweet.

Then came the warning of sharing... strengths and weaknesses. She could not remember if doing such a thing was beneficial or harmful to her in the past, but she felt that these two were people she could trust, with the rules placed by the guard, it was likely they were not necessarily here for the reward, but the journey itself. That was something she could definitely get behind. And she did not hesitate to be the first to answer both sides of the question with her group.
"My name is Elaria..." She started, "I am a mage, though much of my studies seem to have... slipped from me, yes." The drow pointed to her own cranium. "So while I can shoot fire from my hands... Anything more advanced is currently beyond me."

But, she did not leave the pair emptyhanded, to prove her word, the white-haired woman would raised up her palm level to her chest, and a sigil slowly began to form around her fingertips as a small flame ignited upon the center of her palm. Yet, she did not burn.

Percival - [Variant - Intermediate], Educated [Lord], Wanted By [The Emerald Slavers - West Empire] - f7941d
Xian-Fu - [Beast] - ed1c24

It was a wonder if Lord Percival Ashcombe was actually paying any attention to the instructions given by the guard. His expression was one of pure delight every single time he brought the rather expensive-looking chinaware teacup to his lips and slurped on the steaming beverage. “Mmmm, the tea is absolutely delightful today, Xian-Fu.” His monocle zeroed in on the towering tigress, head tilting slightly. “Which blend is this?” He asked, taking another sip from it.

“Dark Phoenix Roots, my lord.” She answered him, one shoulder rolling, cracking audibly while she prepared herself for the dungeon delve. “Its defining characteristic is a warm, lingering spiciness.” Adding with a growl, she shifted her attention to the gathered others, guarded-stance but not unkind. “This is Lord Percival Ashcombe.” The tigress gestured towards the man. “And I’m Xian-Fu, his valet. I’m adept with the sword, getting things out of the way, and can keep track of my prey.” She smiled, showing a sharp row of teeth.

“And I’m quite the hunter.” Percival began, as he finished his tea, handing the teacup to Xian-Fu, who promptly stuck it into her Pocket Dimension. “I can find the trails, fix things of a more mundane nature, and I’m also quite skilled with the rifle.” The words were accentuated by him removing his hunting rifle from his shoulder and holding the gun with both hands. “Ah! Retrieving treasure to whom it actually belongs, it reminds me of home.”

Taking the first steps forward, boots hitting the ground with hefty thuds, he looked over his shoulder at the curious woman with the rather scandalous skin-tight suit and the man with the ponty-ears. “Shall we?”

Astra regards all the assembled 'explorers' with a measuring gaze... focusing briefly upon Xian-Fu... never having met a female member of THE "Battle-Beast's" alien race. But then reason returns her to the nature of her locale... and she dismisses the thought.. likely Xian-Fu is NOT one of the {in}famous mighty Alien Warrior's race. Just another fantastic sentient of the Beastmen races common in this realm... though the resemblance is striking!

At length after carefully regarding all present Astra says, "None of ... you present seem to be warr~ er close combat melee specialists. I will take point then."

To which she does just that... the air of supreme confidence and fearlessness is somewhat ... uncanny from such a petite lovely unarmored young woman! Not quite arrogance but total undaunted certainty she is ready to battle ANY threat that is foolish enough to test her might! More of a readiness to face any challenge ~ eager for a contest of strength and power perhaps?

A new opportunity had presented itself to Talos, this time he would have his first experience in a dungeon... Somedays after taking on Direwolfs the half giant felt rested enough and ready for action, so he packed the few belongings he had and went on to the guild to find work, and sure enough he found the announcement about the dungeon. The sheer number of... Numbers, were not at all enough for Talos to bother trying to understand so he just shrugged and took the job.

"Man... Why do people in the cities always try to use so much numbers to everything! Bah! Well, i just need to check what the others are getting paid and all will be well hehe!"

As he mumbled to himself he quickly made way to the location of the dungeon, getting his first workout and warm up of the day before working. Besides jogging there to make it in time Talos found himself late, he quickly asked for directions to the guard who instructed the group and rushed to catch them. And as sure as it could be he found them.

"There they are!"

He grunted to himself and reduced his pace as to not startle anyone and slowly approached the group. Talos was a half giant and had stood at 12ft while weighing almost a ton, so he was used to hold his pace to not make people nervous.

"Hello there guys! Sorry for barging in! I am Talos and i will come with you!

Astra walked up to Talos and looked him up giving a measuring scrutiny... the 5'9" young woman seemingly unconcerned and unphased or affected by his 12'ft height...

"You may have difficulty inside the catacomb-like dungeons from your height. You are tall enough to reach over me so you should stay behind me so you do not get in the way of my engaging any hostiles in battle. Were you shorter.. a rear guard would be useful... but with your height that seems impractical.. best to employ your might on the front."

She regards his clothing, "...is that armor you are wearing? How resilient to damage are you physically? Do you feel comfortable using your bulk to shield the non-close ranged combatants in our ... expedition from ranged or area attacks? If not I can do so... though Area attacks might be .. less effective with me doing so."

Her tone is without scorn or disdain mere coldly clinical practicality... an a strange candor to efficiently coordinate with the only other party member she deems a worthy melee combatant... and she casts a measuring and assessing gaze over the rest of the Expedition.

She is assessing the worn armor of everyone present despite the fact she herself is not wearing anything anyone would recognize as 'armor' the close fitting body-sheath and brightly colored cloak hiding none of her shapely attractive feminine features...



Then something occurs to her... and she comments, "...nevermind.", as she gestures in the air next to her with a swiping motion and gets a far away look in her eyes briefly as she activates the strange Appraisal skill she discovered some days ago.

Appraisal F {Scan party}

Measuringly, she scans all of the Expedition with a distant but scrutinizing look as if reading something no one else can see ... starting with Talos, then Silas, Elaria, and finally Lord Percival Ashcombe and Xian-Fu...

She pondered what she discerns, "So.. a 'teleporting' Elf ..er Fae See, a 'fire casting' Fae See, Lord Percival and You Talos are both armored. Acceptable."

Turning to speak toward him, "Lord Percival would you mind being our rear guard against ambush? With your Rifle you can engage hostiles even in the front without shifting position. It would be ... imprudent to expose our unarmored Fae to attack... though with a teleporting caster that might be easier to keep them from direct assault in close quarters."

Turning toward the Fae See, "Silas, can you take passengers with you when you teleport? If you can stay near to Elaria.. to move her in emergency out of harms way."

Addressing the entire party, "Does anyone have a better plan of marching order or wish to point out something I may have overlooked?"

The sheer unquestioning confident candor of one use to battle and engaging with various capabilities is.. uncanny coming from such a petite pretty girl.. seemingly without weapons, armor of any apparent concern for her lack thereof! Bold and Fearless being her hallmark personality traits.

✦ Alexander Orion ✦ — "Everything I do, I do for the Gods."

---

Location: North Ryke - Dungeon Entrance | Time: Early Morning

---

Aster stood quietly among the gathered adventurers, his expression calm as he listened to the others speak. The morning air was cool, the dungeon entrance looming ahead like an open mouth in the earth, and already the group was beginning to sort itself out.

He watched the woman called Astra with mild curiosity. She carried herself with a sort of unquestioning certainty that was difficult to miss. Bold. Practical. Fearless. She assessed the others quickly, assigning positions and possibilities with the ease of someone who was used to battle. Aster did not mind it. Someone had to start the conversation, and her reasoning was sound enough.

His gaze shifted from one party member to the next. Silas could teleport. Elaria could conjure fire, though her memory seemed unreliable. Lord Percival carried himself with the strange ease of a man who treated danger like a pastime, while Xian-Fu looked far more grounded and immediately useful. Then there was Talos and Taotie, a friendly giant whose size alone made him difficult to ignore and a magical staff with a quirky personality. An unusual group, but not a hopeless one.

When Astra asked whether anyone had a better plan, Aster was quiet for a moment before finally speaking, his voice even and unhurried.

"No major objections."

He glanced toward Talos, then the dungeon entrance.

"If the halls narrow too much, we may need to adjust as we move. But that can wait until we see the interior for ourselves."

He folded one arm across his chest, the other resting loosely at his side.

"As for me... I'm an archer. So long as I have some room, I can handle my share. And Taotie here can cast magic on her own. If you want to speak to her, you have to hold her."

He lifted the staff, displaying it to those who had yet to see, and then he fell quiet again. As for the plan, there was no point in him saying more than necessary. Plans made in open air often changed the moment stone walls closed around a group and the dark began pressing in.

For now, Aster simply looked toward the dungeon’s entrance and waited for the others to discuss further.

---

Looking around, there was surprisingly a lot of people who seemed to be undertaking this dungeon run that had essentially been strung onto her out of nowhere by Aster and Talos. Of course she would go on it regardless since it beat sitting around in the guild's storage closet but that didn't mean she was feeling excited to be out here like some of the other adventurers were.

At the very least, her status as a staff meant that she wouldn't have to worry about being caught up in any sort of trap or being subjected to an ambush she couldn't prepare for which was a plus. Not to mention the fact that she wouldn't even need to interact with anyone here too unless they really caught her eye, well that was until Aster exposed her identity to rest of the group which ruined all of her chances at remaining anonymous.

'Really? was there a need for that? I'd rather not have anybody get their grubby hands all over me when it's impossible for me to clean myself in the first place!' As always, Taotie wasn't afraid to let her grievances be known even if only one person could actually hear them at the moment. Regardless they deserved to be said in spite of the fact that an inanimate object like her had no agency whatsoever. 'Well what's done is done. At the very least if something happens to you, the people here will have second thoughts on simply burying me alongside you.'

Astra snapped her head around to pay attention to the new arrival... ...!

And immediately wondered how she had missed the presence of such a striking pretty boy?!?

For once she was ... at a loss for words for a few moments... the hints of a smile tugged at the corners of her pert lips, but she recovered quickly as she visibly gathered her serious poise again.

She nodded to the Archer with the dazzlingly pretty eyes, "I am Astra, and your name ~ fair one?"

She waited for an answer then, "Welcome to the Expedition. If you would not mind... I see you are at least lightly armored ~ stay near the two Fae See and cover them ... adding your arrow fire with Lord Ashcombe's gunfire."

Turning to address the rest of the expedition... mostly to keep herself from gawking at those lovely eyes, "..If there are no more suggestions ~ Let us be on task!"

With that she strode forward into the Dungeon entrance leading the way... not once looking behind to see if any followed... clearly it mattered not if they followed or she faced the dungeon alone.. she would prevail.

Her outward appearance was all confidence and Bold Fearlessness... but her inner thoughts were in more turmoil from a ... different source of anxiety...

Her thoughts, {Get a grip girl.. ! Did he see me blush? Grrr.. he was not THAT Cute ~}

Percival - [Variant - Intermediate], Educated [Lord], Wanted By [The Emerald Slavers - West Empire] - f7941d
Xian-Fu - [Beast] - ed1c24

"Mmmm?" Percival hummed, just in time to turn around and see the new joiners, his gaze going over each of them in turn. "Ah, more reinforcements. Capital!" He said, first focused on Talos' gargantuan stature. "You would have made a hell of a grenadier for sure." He nodded to himself, leaning in towards the giant. "The forefront seems to be the ideal place for you, as shock value shouldn't be ignored, yes, yes."

His gaze slowly shifted to Astra, the woman in the skin-tight suit. "You seem to agree about our friend here. Now, about me taking the rear..." Percival allowed his hunting rifle to rest under his arm and atop his forearm. With his free hands, he opened the flap of the leather satchel he carried at his side, producing a smoking pipe and placing the bit between his lips. "... I have no problem with it, if you are sure." A match was struck, the pipe coming alight with plumes of smoke leaving the corner of his lips every once in a while, his tone charged with meaning

"Hah! An archer!" The lord exclaimed in good spirits to Alexander, a smile present on his lips. "Archery does run in the blood of both my countrymen and ancestors. It bring back memories with my grand old time with the Zulus, yes. Arrows didn't fare too well against canister shot, a pity for them." He laughed, positioning himself at the rear of the group. Xian-Fu, who had only observed, did the exact same.

✦ Alexander Orion ✦ — "Everything I do, I do for the Gods."

---

Location: North Ryke - Dungeon Entrance | Time: Early Morning

---

"My apologies," he answered Taotie quietly in thought, his gaze remaining forward as the group finished assembling at dungeon entrance.

"But if something happens to me and Talos down there, it's better that people know you exist."

He stepped forward to follow the others into the darkened entrance.

"Objects of value have a habit of being discarded when their owners fall."

A faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

"I would rather not see any of us buried."

With that, Aster fell into step with the party, quietly observing the group when Astra suddenly turned toward him. For a brief moment, he was unsure what had drawn her attention so abruptly, until she spoke to him directly.

He blinked once, surprised at being addressed so quickly, but offered a polite nod in response.

"My name is Asterim Orion, pleased to meet you." he answered.

His voice was calm and even. His gaze drifted briefly to the others as Astra assigned him a place within the formation. Supporting the casters and adding ranged pressure seemed like the sensible choice for sure.

"You can call me Aster for short."

He smiled softly. His attention shifted for a moment as she abruptly turned away and began marching into the dungeon without waiting for confirmation from anyone else.

"Well, looks like we're on the move."

---

✦ Narrator ✦ — "And so, the brave...and perhaps the foolish...take their first steps into the dark."

---

Location: North Ryke - Dungeon Entrance, Floor 1
Time: Early Morning

---

The highly-graded adventurers parties are allowed in first. Then, as the ranks decrease, your party is finally allowed to step forward.

The moment the party crosses the threshold, the air around them seems to change. Sunlight fades quickly behind you, swallowed by the massive stone corridor that descends gently into the earth. The entrance hall is enormous, large enough for Talos to walk upright without even brushing the ceiling. Whoever built this dungeon clearly expected large creatures.

The walls are ancient, but still stable, worn smooth with age. The stone blocks are enormous, fitted together with almost impossible precision. Faint lines of glowing blue runes pulse softly along the walls every few meters, illuminating the passage with a steady, cool light. Enough to se.

The sounds of the outside world vanish almost immediately. No wind. No birds.

Only the echo of footsteps across stone and the distant, hollow breathing of the dungeon itself.

Ahead stretches the first corridor. The passage slopes downward slightly before opening into a massive junction roughly fifty feet ahead.

Three routes present themselves.

To the left, a tunnel curves away into darkness, its walls narrowing slightly as it winds out of sight.

To the right, the stone floor bears faint signs of disturbance; scratches, drag marks, and scattered debris that suggest something regularly moves through that passage.

Straight ahead, another path spirals deeper into the dungeon along a broad descending ramp.

Other adventuring parties have already spread out, claiming paths and testing their luck. Which path will you choose?

---

The group grew to a larger size than Silas was expecting, which honestly made him a bit relieved. There was strength in numbers, and everyone seemed very capable. Of the group, Silas was rather interested in Taotie the staff. But before he could say anything to her or her current carrier Aster, the group started descending into the dungeon. Silas took one last look at the sun, soaking in its warmth, before heading in with everyone else.

As soon as they entered Silas felt uneasy. He knew not being able to feel the sun would take a toll on him, he just wasn't expecting it to be so immediate. But he couldn't let that deter him, he took a quick breath and soldiered on, at least this area was somewhat lit. At the junction the examined the three paths before them, before saying to the group, "honestly, all three of these paths seem awful in different ways. I guess I'd prefer the right one because I'm curious what's over there. I also bet a lot of people avoid it because of the creature that probably lives over there, so we might find something new."

With his preference known he moved next to Aster. "Hey there, Aster, right? I'm Silas, nice to meet you." He put out his hand to shake, whether Aster accepted or not he continued, "you said Taotie is an intelligent weapon. Would she be okay with my holding her and asking her some questions? I've just never seen an intelligent weapon before, but I think they're super interesting. If she doesn't want to answer my questions that's also totally fine, no pressure." Intelligent weapons are such a fantasy staple, Silas was giddy he could meet one. But he made sure to keep his tone measured, he didn't want to come off as some kind of weirdo.

Astra pauses at the tri-junction of potential paths...

Commenting, "... Well, the left path seems to narrow away and begin to wind. Not ideal for our Tall member, and cutting down on the clear line of fire from our ranged weapons support. The right path seems promising with tracks... but they are frequent potentially a large number of 'somethings' regularly using it. If we were more of a melee oriented party of hand to hand combatants.. that would be fine with mass numbers potentially pressing us... but we are not. The Center path goes down a spiral but is wide and high... perfect for Talos and wide and open excellent for ranged weapons fire to cover our advance."

"I would suggest the center path, but I will comply with the majority opinion of the party."

Then she reaches for her belt and pulls for some black smooth thin rectangle in shape object... she squeezes or manipulates its blank surface somehow and suddenly it chimes three notes as it's surface begins to glow with some kind of images or icons on the surface.

She begins manipulating the glowing lights and frowns, "Darn. I know that APP is in here somewhere...?!?"

Eventually, she sighs frustrated at not apparently finding what she was looking for and again squeezes or manipulates the 'object' and the lights on its surface go out and she returns it to her belt compartments.

She asks, "Anyone got pen and paper to map our progress so we don't get lost in here?"

Percival - [Variant - Intermediate], Educated [Lord], Wanted By [The Emerald Slavers - West Empire] - f7941d
Xian-Fu - [Beast] - ed1c24

As the group reached the forked path, Percival's gaze would slowly shift between each of the three options, smoke steadily leaving his smoking pipe. The man would briefly look at Xian-Fu, tilting his head to the right passage, no words needed. He would then crouch down, fingertips touching the stony floor, getting way more personal than a man of his station would usually do so. With a swipe, he brought his fingers right in front of his face, digits rubbing against each other as he analyzed both dust and soot. [Percival - Action 1]

Xian-Fu, on the other hand, took a few steps towards the maw of the right corridor. Her expression hardened, eyebrows furrowed as her nostrils flared, her aim being to catch any particular odor that might come in their direction. [Xian-Fu - Action 1]

"It is all fine and good to have our grenadier in mind, yes, yes. But assuming the path ahead will take us to a deeper floor, which certainly does, should we discard this floor that quickly?" Percival asked while getting up to his feet and holding out his dirty fingers.

The tigress was quick to produce a handkerchief from one of her pockets, and nonchalantly, she approached Percival, wiping the soot and dust off his fingers. "The right path, we should investigate that one first. Just as the elf says, we might find treasure that lesser groups skipped on out of fear of whatever roams that corridor." Finishing her task, the piece of cloth vanished into her pocket. And, with a toothy grin from ear-to-ear, she drew the blade from the sheath.

"Excellently put, Xian-Fu." There was a subtle nod of thanks from him, along with a small smile from his lips. "I'd rather not leave any relic behind. Proper cataloging, in capable hands, is what preserves history."

Having given their own position, Astra's pen and paper were met with a shake of Percival's head. "A tragedy, truly, but we have neither parchment nor pen with which we can write. A pity we didn't get those white chalks at the market. Xian-Fu, do make a note in that marvelous memory of yours: 'Purchase chalk. Also, more of that spicy root blend'." - "Certainly, my lord."

Actions:
Percival - Action 1: The Hunter's Gaze - Survival F + Perception F - Grade F 0 Post Cooldown
Xian-Fu - Action 1: The Valet's Olfaction - Heightened Sense [Smell] F - Grade F 0 Post Cooldown

It wouldn't take very long fortunately for the group to descend into the dungeon where both peril and treasure likely waited. While there was a good chance that most of said treasures wouldn't be useful for a literal staff like Taotie, she still held out some hope that the things here could end up being useful towards her attaining a proper body. If not then at the very least she hoped that whatever monsters lived here weren't strong enough to completely wipe out her 'bodyguards'.

'Well it would be a little inconvenient if they did...regardless stop talking about that kind of stuff unless you secretly wish to jinx us all to death!' Scattered as her memories be, her knowledge on tropes still remained mostly intact as she ranted over the Archer's choice of words. Her knowledge was mostly lacking on just what exactly the culture in this world was like but even they must know that speaking events into existence was a real thing that brought upon its own set of consequences.

Regardless, the group's path ahead seemed to splinter off into three separate paths which all likely contained their own separate set of challenges that they would have to face along the way. She was tempted to go with the centre path herself before she soon stopped her thoughts. It did look a little too...'clean' after all despite how straight forward it looked which irked her wrong way. Not to mention the fact that one of their allies wanted to get their grubby hands on her already which she likely would have rolled her eyes at if she could. 'Ugh, is he really that desperate to talk to me? Well...as long as I'm not doing so for free then I'm willing to answer a couple of his questions so that he won't constantly bother me about them. As for the paths, the centre looks way too simple so let's go with the right path instead since it obviously looks used by someone who's still living and breathing down there.'

Talos barely had arrived and was already getting bombarded with questions from the girl with the funny suit, the half giant had never seen clothes like that so he was intrigued and not even paid attention to half the stuff Astra asked him. (That girl is kinda strange, what is it she has donned as clothes? Not that i mind seeing a curves like hers hehehe) The thoughts of the young giant snapped him back to the actual conversation when she said the word armor, he then focused on her and caught up what she was asking.

"Oh no i dont like wearing armor at all! I can take a good beating and am quite strong, i also like to think i hit hard too! Hehe... You all can count on me to meet any fight head on!"

He punched his palm while talking and smiled cordially. That was when he noticed a familiar figure among the adventurer's and when taking a closer look he noticed it was actually two familiar figures.

"Aster! It's good to see you again my friend! Is Taotie giving you shit already for telling about her? Hahahaha!"

The half giant walked past Astra and up to Aster and gave him a firm and friendly slap on the shoulder, while also looking to Taotie and smiling, like a kid that is happy to see his friends to play after school. Soon enough the group was ready and they started walking, Talos expression changed as soon as they entered as he was now focused and completely aware of his surroundings. The group made it to the three paths and listened to the groups opinions about the path they should take before speaking up.

"Hum... I think the cat lady is right, we should take the right path, no sense in skipping this floor already and im sure we will get a fi... I mean a fitting reward for exploring it...

As much as he liked treasure, he liked to fight more, the whole reason he left his tribe and became an adventurer was to get experience and training to become stronger. While he was talking he slowly approached the entrance to the right path and crouched smelling the air and touching the ground trying to get any information about who or what was using that path.

Perception F (scout the right path)

✦ Alexander Orion ✦ — "Everything I do, I do for the Gods."

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Location: North Ryke - Dungeon Entrance, Floor 1 | Time: Early Morning

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When the corridor opened into the first great junction, he slowed and studied each of the three paths without speaking. The left narrowed too quickly. The center was broad and convenient, almost inviting. Too inviting. The right bore the clearest signs of use, scratches through dust, disturbed stone, the subtle evidence of traffic repeated often enough to leave a mark. It didn't seem human though, atleast not to him.

That alone made it the most honest path. Surely something was down this path, whether it was treasure or a fight.

As the others gave their thoughts, Aster listened. Silas preferred the right. Percival and Xian-Fu seemed of much the same mind. Talos as well. Astra's reasoning for the center was sensible from a formation standpoint, but the broad descending ramp ahead looked a little too easy for Aster's liking. Dungeons were rarely this kind without a reason.

Silas stepped nearer then, offering his hand. Aster looked at it briefly before taking it in a firm, polite shake.

"Aster is fine. Good to meet you, Silas."

At the mention of Taotie, his gaze shifted to the staff in his hand. He was quiet for a moment, listening.

"She says she'll tolerate a few questions, provided you don't make a habit of treating her like a museum piece."

There was the faintest trace of amusement in his expression.

"So long as she's willing, I have no objection."

He let his attention return to the junction ahead, passing the staff to Silas.

"I'm ok with the right path. Perfect balance of walkability and potential."

His voice remained even and calm.

"If something is regularly using the right passage, then at least we know there's something there to find. Better to clear what's active on this floor before we start descending."

He glanced briefly toward Astra as he spoke, calm and matter-of-fact rather than challenging.

"Your formation still works if we go that way. If the corridor tightens, we'll shorten the line and adjust, worst case we come back. You clearly have the mind of a soldier."

With that said, Aster stepped into place near Silas and Percival, as previously discussed, keeping himself where he could cover him while still maintaining a clear view past the front line. His posture remained relaxed, though the way his eyes tracked the shadows ahead made it clear he was already working.

"Whenever we're ready."

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