Before entrance to the Temple of The God of The Sun stand two paladins in full plate armor.


    -I am the commander of a caravan that just arrived. My name is Lucius. I brought important news for the grand priest.


    -what kind of news? - asked one of the paladins.


    -there is a new dungeon.


    -your weapon - paladin reaches out for adventurer''s sword.


    Lucius immediately took of belt with sword ad give it.


    -follow me - said paladin and started walking in directions to the grand priest''s office. Right as he leaves another paladin appears and takes his place.


    When they arrive before the office knight knocks on the door.


    -yes? - asked a female voice.


    -I bring commander Lucius from the caravan. He has news about a new dungeon.


    -come in! - voice demanded.


    First entered the paladin and next was commander. The knight stands next to the door and the adventurer approaches the desk Grand Priestess.


    -I am Eleana grand priestess of The God of The Sun - an elven woman stood and greeted him.


    -I am commander Lucius - he bows.


    -so new dungeon? Let me guess. On Taram?


    -yes it is. It''s now dungeon oasis. Dungeon mistress have two patrons, The Lady and The Smith. Also the Goddess of arts and God of knowledge is watching her.


    -tell me you are joking sir - priestess said after a moment.


    -with all respect, even followers of Goddess of fun don’t dare to lie to the priest of Sun God.


    -well it’s true. But they still try to tell us jokes - priestess smiled - so from the beginning I need to know everything.


    -afcoure. But before i start there is one urgent message from the Dungeon Mistress. We believe its prophecy - he shows scroll.


    His claim made the Grand Priestess stunned for real for a moment and even the paladin lost his composure for a moment.


    -well, let''s see it - Grand Priestess immediately regains her composure, and unfolds scroll - well it''s prophecy indeed - she nods after reading it and simple check - at least it is not about war. There are a lot of people trying to entice holy war commander. And none of them care for all those who will die. Sorry commander for my outburst.


    -I understood, and agreed. We adventurers also sometimes meet with people who don’t understand that we are risking our life for them. Yes, there are things that are worth fighting regardless of risks, but usually it’s just for someone''s pride.


    -exactly - priests smiled - but let''s go back to the dungeon. From the beginning and every detail please. No matter how trivial.


    -I understood - commander nod and started retelling everything that happened.


    Two hours laters, when commander''s debriefing ended, the city was buzzing with rumors about a new dungeon. People mostly argue about which god chose the new dungeon master. Most people were telling that it should be The Lady, because caravan bring news. Rest people were saying that as nice it will be dungeon in the middle of desert is useless, and it’s on north and it''s dedicated to The Smith.


    The commander took the shortest route to the adventurers guild, and after a few minutes he entered a familiar building.


    -oh commander. I was wondering why you were late - the receptionist waved at him.


    -good afternoon - he said - there are papers from merchants about successful mission.


    -yes. Everything looks alright. Money will be transferred immediately - receptionist checks everything thoroughly - so about delay? - she smiled.


    -I was in the Temple of the Sun and now I need to give the same rapport to the guild master.


    -can you tell me what happened? Like you know he is rather busy - she smiled.


    -we found a new dungeon - he shortly stated. All people stood in silence. Rumors were one thing. Every week someone finds some treasure, a map of a forgotten city, or something like that. But a high leveled adventurer, commander of a small company was another thing altogether.


    -Gina take my place - receptionist said after a moment - come with me commander - she said to Lucius, and took him upstairs to the office of guild master.


    -Jalena what is it?- Guild Master asks when receptionist just entered her boss room.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    -Commander Lucius found a new dungeon. I brought him in - she simply said, and went to a small writing desk to get ready.


    -Lucius, so it was indeed you who set our town on fire - Bernul laugh - sit and tell me everything. For example who won the bets, about god patron?


    -none. The dungeon mistress has them both as patrons.


    The guild master stops grinning and starts to look serious.


    -shit. So in On Taram now is dungeon and I will need to find a way to entice temples and merchants in helping me with sending expeditions, and building outpost.


    -it’s already done. They are preparing right now.


    -I don''t like where this is going. Speak what happened.


    -mostly three things. The Dungeon Mistress claimed land around an old shrine a mile wide and built eight very big towers with supplies for caravans. Inside are stables, a place for tents and orchards with every possible fruit. Everything is a safe zone. The rest of her floors are underground.


    -nice. A little risky for her, but merchants will love it here.


    -I think its calculated risk, and rather low. She is in the middle of dessert. The nearest oasis is one week away. I doubt that typical bandits will have enough supplies. And they don’t get them from her.


    -bandits like you said are low risk. I''m concerned about cultists.


    -I believe that until they don’t send some serious force, she is safe. Her next floor is entirely made from metal. It''s hard to find a mage with that affinity. Rest of affinities won’t work properly, and something like lightning will be deadly for caster too. Traps need to be carefully triggered because release mechanisms of them are hidden under floor tiles. Traps also are entirely mundane, they don’t use magic to work. The floor are probably a set of rooms connected to each other, but I don''t know how to open doors. When we clear one room only one door gets opened. Her final floor is obviously a mystery. she slips that she has giant spiders there, but that could mean anything.


    -ok. I admit that all of that looks promising. However, tell me how you manage to get help from temples.


    -not me. It was a Dungeon Mistress. You see, she has two more gods watching over her, Goddess of beauty, and God of knowledge. and she gives a prophecy.


    From corner where jelena where she was taking notes they heard crash of glass and distressed cry


    -whaa! My monthly extra pay!


    -tell me this isn''t about the war.


    -it’s not. It''s a warning for crafters and merchants about being greedy.


    -uff - guild master relaxed a little - thanks gods.


    Early in the morning in the Palace of the Lord of the city, gathered all leaders of all temples and various guilds.


    -sorry for such a mediocre feast but on such short notice, my servants can’t prepare proper breakfast for so many people - lord Grivius welcomed them.


    -it’s enough - smiled the Grand Priestess of The Sun - no one was expecting anything like that, so no one should expect from your cooks that they can in a few hours make food for us all.


    -and there is a lot of food anyway - said the old halfling head of the local church of The Lady.


    -besides we came to talk not to eat - said old warrior Grand Priest of god of war Trinus.


    Some of those gathered agree with him. It took some time before everyone got seated.


    -As the Grand Priestess of the Church of The Sun I will begin. The first question is if everyone was able to read the report my clerk''s send to you. I know it was a very short time, so some of you might be unable to read it.


    However, everyone confirmed that they had read the report by nodding and waving their hands.


    -most important question is how reliable the news are - said Malena. She was a foxkin and she represented all tavern owners in town, also she followed Goddess of Mischief and Fun.


    -it was commander Lucius who discovered the dungeon. He is a Grand Master Sand Warrior, and one of the best caravan guide. His company is small but all his men are disciplined and reliable. He was also accompanied by priestess Shewa following The Lady. She only got her master level a few months ago, but she is hardworking and reliable too.


    -yes she is - said the old halfling - she comes to my temple right after arrival. We had a long conversation and I can vouch for her. She is obviously young and inexperienced but you can trust her.


    -good. But what about war? I read a report but even blind people can see how this new dungeon can change things - asked Bumus old warrior.


    -I''m afraid that change will be very small. It could ease the burden on central kingdoms, but to amass enough supplies for war I doubt it - said an old woman with an expensive but elegant dress - the reason for that is simple. we don’t have anything ready for that. We lack camels, adventurers, food, weapons and anything else. and by we I mean also all nearest towns. at best you get one or two extra caravans. My clerks are going through warehouse manifestos to see what exactly can be done but they need a few days before they get anything.


    -understood. it should give me some excuse for punching stupid ones who are thinking about war. They think that it will be easy like getting rid of some bandits. It’s fucking north. half of the men died there from cold, not killed by cultists. You need proper warm armour, and warm food - grumped old warrior.


    -and that is the reason why we are in a stalemate. We can’t press further north because of the cold, and cultists can’t win with our armies, and conquer our fortresses - added Grand Priestess of the Sun - but I think we should get back to the main topic, which is new dungeon. If i correctly remember adventurer guild should organize expedition to establish official contact with Dungeon Mistress. Right?


    -yes priestess - answered Bernul - my people are going through the records to find a proper team. Bringing them could take some time, a week or two. The bigger problem is that I need to find someone who could be at least a temporary guild master for the outpost there.


    -what about commander Lucius - asked dwarf - he is grand master, and in the report it is written that he has specialized class for fighting in desert.


    -that is an interesting idea. I will talk with him, but I don''t know if he agrees. Lucius has his own small company and becoming guild master he will need to resign from commanding them. And he has a wife. She is from one of the desert tribes so maybe I can convince him to settle down?


    -I agree that it''s a good idea. He already talked with the Dungeon Mistress - said grand priestess Eleana - but don''t force him. Just ask, decisions must be made by them not anyone else - she warned.


    -yes priestess.


    -good. The next important topic is who from priests will go as representatives? Obviously I need to send a few paladins and priest because of the prophecy. And the Temple of The Lady and The Smith will send their priests. But who else?


    -from me there will be few merchants. I think I will do the same as guild master Bernul and send grand merchant Venancijs. He met the Dungeon Mistress and he is an experienced negotiator too. At least he is single but I bet he will try to rip me off for some extra concessions - an older woman sigh theatrically, and some of the gathered smiled amused.


    -anyone else? - asked the Grand Priestess, but no one answered - well, I think that we need at least two or three weeks to gather people and supplies so if anyone will be interested in joining the expedition inform me or guild master Bernul. For now thank you for your attendance.