* * * PARTHIA – GREAT CIRCLE OCEAN * * *

The ruling council of the Neap Tide Tribe – all three of them – met shortly after their matriarch, Sarisha, received an official missive from Marigold the head of the Dungeon Companions’ League, informing her of the fact that Trisha had been recognised as the Dungeon Companion to an Elite+ ranked dungeon, and that she was now formally allied to the League.

Sarisha opened proceedings, “I trust the two of you are up to date on what is happening with that Blue Lagoon dungeon?”

Dawnbright nodded his head and Abalone the White said, “Yes, after all I was there recently when we went to support Trisha.”

Then there was a short exchange of ideas, as the three ensued that they all knew the same things.

“Abalone, do you think we could persuade Mary to house some of our more sedentary tribes folk? Would they be safe?” asked Sarisha.

“I believe Trisha would help persuade her partner. As for them being safe, that depends on several possibilities. It depends principally on how Mary intends to defend her domain,” explained Abalone the White.

“She must be – ruthless – in her defence, she’s been classified Elite+ by the Adventurer’s Guild. And, Abalone, didn’t you tell us that Trisha complained at the difficulty of restraining Mary.”

“That could cause them trouble, but with their remote location and that temple...” mused Dawnbright.

After a bit more of a discussion, they unanimously decided to explore the possibility of making the dungeon one of their tribe’s official homes. They agreed that settling some of their more sedentary minded members in the safety of so powerful a dungeon could only strengthen their tribe. And they felt hopeful that Mary and Trisha were already favourable to their tribe.

So as Lacenia was currently off on one of her adventures, the council, rather callously decided to send Varina with their decision and regards to Purple Murex. Thereby placing the matter of obtaining permission in that individual’s capable hands.

Varina felt more than a bit intimidated; she preferred the comforts of home, she was after all a teacher and not a scout. She had to scramble to get a couple of her friends to take over her tasks. Teaching children might not be glamorous, but it was necessary.

She felt grateful that, she had at least been there before, and therefore knew the way. After being briefed by the tribal elders, Varina, rather apprehensively set off on her first solo journey since her coming of age trials.

She arrived at Mary’s dungeon in good time, and marvelled at the growth of its domain. She ventured in warily, ready to bolt at the least sign of danger. Fortunately for her peace of mind, Blacksand met her. He led her to the impressive home Mary had created for her guests. There Varina met Purple Murex and delivered the council’s message.

After making sure Varina was comfortable, Purple Murex sought out Mary’s dolphin avatar, “I know we aren’t giving you much notice, I apologise for that. But could you find it in your heart to allow the Neap Tide Tribe to make your dungeon into one of its homes. We have several members that are finding the nomad lifestyle hard, and need to settle.”

Mary was surprised by the request; as far as she was concerned she had already given permission for the sea sprites to settle, just so long as they left her alone.

« No problem Purple, but only if Trisha has nothing against the individuals in question. Check with Trish ’K? »

“Thank you Mary, I will,” agreed a much-relieved Purple, and after an embarrassed pause Purple withdrew to pass on the good tidings.

On being informed Varina screwed up her courage and prepared for her return journey. Blacksand however decided to accompany her back to their tribe. He was well aware of her shortcomings. And despite admiring the bravery she had shown in delivering the message alone, both he and Purple wished to spare her a repeat performance. At least, until she had received more instruction when it came to solitary voyaging.

After consulting with Trisha and getting the go ahead Mary greatly expanded the sprites’ home.

Blacksand was soon back, and he sought out Trisha in pursuit of an idea he had had while escorting Varina. He had not realised just how desperately some people missed the comforts of a home before, so he had decided to see if Mary would allow a sea-dweller inn in her lagoon.

Trisha consulted her partner. She was surprised at the result, and she was able to inform Blacksand that Mary had actually been enthusiastic at the idea. Mary had suggested a location between the nascent town and the Mangrove forest. But she had insisted that the inn had to cater to air-breathers and water-breathers alike.

Blacksand had not been thinking of an inn that straddled water and air. Blacksand thought about the possibilities and went to talk with his friend Altor. Then he got Altor to help him consult with several of the recent arrivals, and with the temple priests.

His plans snowballed and he found himself putting his very ambitious plans to Mary with Trisha’s help.

Mary had seen the need for something of this nature so after she got Blacksand to agree to pay her a five percent tax she adapted the plans, increasing the size of the building. She then grew the new inn overnight. A large building with wide glass-filled windows built into the island with three underwater levels one intermediate level where the water level would be about waist high to an adult and two levels above the surface of the sea.

In the morning, a stupefied Blacksand stared at his new inn, after some thought he named it ‘Spirit Dolphin Inn’.

* * *

Altor was amused, this party of adventurers was so predictable, examining everything as they approached the temple, and joined the congregation for his service. He wondered what they would think of Mary’s verdict as relayed to him by Trisha.

After the service in the unusual but spectacular temple, Sildanus approached Altor, “Excuse me, could you tell us what we can do during our stay, and what is forbidden?”

“You can do anything you would do in a normal community. You’re welcome to stay in the inn that Blacksand the sprite is setting up or just camp in the safe area Mary has set aside. As Trisha relayed, just don’t be stupid and kick one of the stingrays,” replied Altor with a wide grin.

“Excuse me but what do you find so amusing?” enquired Drixia.

Altor laughed, “Sorry but I just can’t get something Mary said about your party out of my head.”

Feeling a bit affronted Sildanus asked, “The dungeon! What did she have to say?”

“Why she just said ‘they show some promise but they’re too hidebound! If they don’t learn they’ll remain fresh meat’. Then apparently she said something about seeing no need to attack the tin can.”

“Huh!” huffed Froomar, the party’s designated tank.

They found that the Spirit Dolphin Inn was surprisingly comfortable if somewhat understaffed, and thus, for the time being, very cheap.

* * *

Mary decided to check on something Trish had mentioned a few days earlier, soon the two were spying somewhat ineffectively on the pirates of Port Salvage via the local flying fish. The pirate leader did seem to be putting together a fleet, which would mean trouble for someone. Mary wanted to foil his plans because she just plainly despised pirates, so she decided to keep an eye on them.

Now, back to Pete and Shirley, a few more tweaks and maybe she’d have her first mages.

* * * CREEVAR’S KILLERS * * *

Harrassan, an itinerant monk of the order of Creevar Explorer, smiled smugly at the opportunity he had been offered. Sreecator, a priest of Creevar and his brother smiled back. They were blessed, a holy mission from their god, and the rewards for seizing a dungeon core specializing in undead would be theirs too.

Two weeks later neither man was feeling happy, the desert was debilitating and demoralizing, and camels were an invention of the devil himself. The two young drovers they had hired were the only members of the expedition that weren’t depressed. The two dirty, smelly siblings were more than happy working for these silly foreigners who had so overpaid them for this simple task.

Finally, they reached Hell’s Mouth. Avor and Essa watered their charges from the stream coming from the cave, and gathered forage from the cave for the grateful camels.

The adventurers dug a pool for the stream to fill, then they took a bath before the incredulous gaze of their hirelings, who were convinced that water was for drinking and sand was for washing.

Horaxanna relaxed after her bath, she combed her hair and plaited it into a crown on her head, she then carefully plaited her beard with colourful ribbons and carefully applied her makeup, before donning her chainmail hauberk and hood. Then added her heavy plate armour and great helm. Wielding a steel reinforced shield with a one-handed battleaxe, the dwarf strode into the dungeon. Warminor in his star spangled midnight blue mage robes followed with Sreecator. Zashaan went ahead her eyes flashing from side to side as she checked for traps, while Harrassan followed behind shadowboxing with his spiked cestus, getting himself ready for battle.

Avor and Essa made a dry camp at some distance from the stream and settled down to wait.

The adventurers had an easy time clearing the dungeon; they made sure to kill everything they came across. Sandrinna was terrified and used most of her remaining mana to drive a long narrow tunnel out of the cave she found herself in.

The adventurers were frustrated; it would appear their target was hiding in the Kobold tunnels. They decided to withdraw to the entrance cave and seek inspiration. After a fright, when they thought their hirelings had absconded with their transport they settled down for the night.

Sandrinna, at Darkmoon’s urging, after they had eavesdropped on the adventurers, collected her remaining monsters and withdrew down the new tunnel, her Kobolds having to go on all fours. She also formed a new water filled tunnel beneath it for the benefit of her creatures. Making their way slowly downhill, Sandrinna and Darkmoon attempted to flee.

* * * EARTH – MARY * * *

Mary decided that it was time for her to verify her dreams, her new knowledge. And to learn just how her new privileges worked. So, here she was heading to the university. Luckily there weren’t many people around as she made her way to the library, with a bag full of paper.

She sauntered into the university library, feeling decidedly out of place, and regally ignoring the surprised looks she was certain were being directed at her. She sat down and organised the notes she had made about her most recent inspirations regarding stingrays, barracuda, squid, and of course octopi. She glanced at the notebook she had filled with her understanding of the genetic and physical maps of two species of octopi, before dropping it on the terminal’s desk.

Mary booted up the library’s terminal, and she used her new passwords to access the restricted files. She couldn’t prevent herself from smiling broadly as a new world of information opened up to her. As she lost herself in her research, she never even realized, that just six months before all this would have bored her to tears, besides having been incomprehensible.

Daniel Hunter had assumed the young girl was delivering the folio she was carrying to one of the students. But then she settled down at one of the computer terminals. He headed in her direction to verify that she had the right to use his systems. He smiled with relief when he saw the access badge the girl was wearing. He was about to return to his post when he noted the picture of the octopus on the screen. Grinning he decided to use her to tease his friend Cas.

Dr Cassiopeia Merrow smiled ruefully when Daniel Hunter rolled into the miniscule cupboard that served her as an office.

Daniel, somewhat breathlessly, leaned against the doorjamb of her office. “Hey Cas, do you know the kid messing with your Octopus data?”

Cas sat up, “What kid? That data is restricted to researchers and students.”

“Hey, come on, I’ll show you, just follow me,” smirked Daniel.

Cass sighed in resignation, but deciding that it was easier to follow her exasperating misnamed friend. As they walked up behind the young girl, Cas noted with some exasperation that the stranger was scanning a gene map whilst referring to a notebook and adding the occasional note. The girl was obviously deep in her thoughts and hadn’t noticed them.

Cas looked down at the girl’s the open notebook, blinking, she then checked out the other meticulous notes and sketches the girl had spread about.

“That is some very interesting work you have there Ms.”

Mary almost jumped out of her skin when someone spoke from behind her back. She spun her chair around and rose to her feet. “Um... Yeah, I – erm – I’m finding that many creatures that make the seas their home are truly fascinating an’ I want to know all ’bout them.” She blurted.

Cas looked up at the teenager, “I’m Dr Cas Merrow, and you are?”

“Um... My name’s Mary, Mary Silvestre, and I’m on the mentoring program for...” and Mary made a vague gesture towards the screen.

“Ah yes, you’re the girl that produced that paper on stingray poisons. It looks like you know a fair bit more about marine biology. As I’m in a bit of a hurry, do you mind if I ask Daniel to scan your work, so I can study it, and see where you are up to in my speciality.”

Mary really saw no way to say no, despite the fact that she didn’t really want all her ideas to be known. Reluctantly, she consented.

* * *

That evening Cas read through the girl’s notebook and was impressed, whilst crude, her grasp of the facts were solid if unconventional. Cas had had to dig out some obscure online sources to verify some of the things Mary blithely asserted in her notes. Cas assumed Mary had access to some source of data that she and the university hadn’t as yet located.

The loose notes showed a wide-ranging mind, with a few scary ideas regarding genetic manipulation. Unconventional ideas that just might prove to be viable.

Cas also recognised in the girl the potential to become one of those scientists that ignored everything when chasing a personal theory.

So Dr Cassiopeia Merrow added herself to the girl’s mentoring program. And she added the content of the notebook, and the somewhat disjointed notes to the girl’s file.