{Journal entry day 1: It has taken us the extra two days and a third on top of that. There had been a few extra plants, mosses and mushrooms that were collected. Some had to be handled with care, otherwise the gatherer would poison themselves. Other than the extra time, there was no other outstanding issues with the trek to the dungeon. We heard things calling out in the forest, now and again. But nothing was brave enough to challenge a group of this size. I have begun to write a person journal to collect my thoughts and as a way to remember everyone that has been influential in my life here, or just people who cross my path that are interesting.

Mel and I have become friends. I would not say we are best friend material yet, but definitely on the way there. Kip, Nick, and Mic are all doing fine. Kip being Mel’s brother. Nick the party’s mage, who a while ago was afflicted with a magical disorder that caused him pain daily. He managed to be cured, though after some research he is not sure how. At first, he thought it was an imbalance in his magic use, but after talking to other’s he knew, that was an option that had been tried and failed in others. Turns out he was subjected to many tests by the college to find out how he managed to be cured. At first, he balked at the idea, but after he found out he was being paid, he was more than for it. This caused the adventuring party to stay in town most of the time, though they did go out on shorten adventures to cover the bills. Mic has been the quiet standoffish type. He used to have to be like a caretaker to Nick. As Nick had a crappy attitude. But I guess being in pain all day every day, you would too. Now Mic only interacts to joke around and if he has something worth saying. Guess he’s the quiet wise one. Nick would be the ass, and Kip while the unofficial leader, he is also a reserved type. But unlike Mic’s wisdom, he’s a smart ass, but still has his shit together, and does not make many bad calls. Mel is kind of a free spirit. She is in everyone’s business at times. Has her favorite sweets shop she drags me to all the time. Which at first, I felt bad for, but now that I earn a bit of a stipend, I treat her sometimes. She loves to tease her brother; they are obviously pretty close. I guess I should mention, while he’s a ass, Nick is still a caring guy, he just hides behind his walls.

Myself, I have come a long way. I still exercise and stretch in the morning to keep in peak shape. It is one of Ms. Fell’s requirements for me. Not that I would let myself go being here in a dangerous, yet awesome world of magic. I am still receiving a bit of tutoring from Nith while we are traveling. His full name is Nithonsandorthrope. I think I got it right? Any way he is the first demi-human that I have interacted with. The town I have been learning in has a few nonhumans, but not many. The Monarchy itself is not close to non-human settlements, and to arrive here, non-humans would have to go through the Empire to the south. That can be tricky as the empire loves to find excuses to enslave non-humans for hard or dangerous work. In a nutshell, they do it by using trumped up charges and making them work in prison work groups. Asses. The few who do try and do make it through seem nice. The known non-human races are Gnome, Elf, Dwarf, Minotaur, that one was a surprise that they are a good race. Though they are called Brasha here. Also, we have wolf-kin, and cat-kin. Wolf-kin being Gnolsh, and cat-kin are Wesha.

There are reginal offshoots of all the major races, some adapting to different living conditions. For instance, Elves can be forest and desert types (and others I’m just minimalizing here) Dwarves Mountain, hill etc. Brasha, I guess since they live near the heat belt they don’t’ have a division. Well, you get the idea.

Should I add orcs here? I guess, they are a high sentient race. Somewhat. Goblins are more animalistic. There are more races of course, but I am not writing a book about biology here. I will add others as I run across them. If they matter.

End of entry one. I’m going into a dungeon today! Wheeeee!}

“I see you have taken up writing your journal after all.” Mel said looking over Shae’s shoulder. “Is it private?”

“Well, not completely private, but I’d want to keep it to close friends maybe. Though I’m not sure why anyone would want to read it. It’s mostly about the people I meet and the world itself. Dry stuff really. I’m not going to put anything juicy in here.” Shae didn’t make to hide her writing.

Mel stood. “Well, I might learn more about you if I read it sometime. And you never know, maybe I will learn something from you.”

“Pffft, yeah right.” Although maybe I could teach you something about tracking, Shae sniped.

“Ohhh, Ouch.” She shoved Shae’s shoulder playfully. “It is one thing we do have in common though hey? And you’re not so bad. In a few years you may even be up to where I was at twelve.” Mel snipped back.

“Alright ladies, who has the bigger, uhh, never mind we need to gear check, then we start this expedition for real.” Kip interjected before the two could get going. His choice of words making their faces pinch. He’d pay for that slip, he was sure. “Take your essentials, a weeks’ worth of food. I’d say water too, but Shae is on water conjuration duty as per Nith. Bed roll, ahh whatever, you know what to bring.” He ended turning away to see to his own things, seeing the two looking at him like he was the silly one. The two leaned in heads together and chuckled. He was learning. Slowly.

“Alright people.” Nith took center stage calling everyone’s attention. “We enter in one hour. Make sure your gear is ready and you are not forgetting anything. If you need water, see Shae. If you need food, well that’s your problem. By now you should be used to being in an expedition. It’s been a week. While the dungeon is more dangerous than the forest itself, as the animals and creatures inside are magic infused, nothing really changes.” Nith then pointed to the adventuring party. Landing lastly on Mel. These four will be our protection, vanguard, and the people who you listen to. If they say to do something, do it as if it were my order. I am still the expedition lead. If you have issues you come to me. Otherwise, you follow their orders. Now, order of travel will be the adventurers, with Shae helping them. Then the butchers and gatherers. I will be back guard.”

Shae still didn’t understand why Nith didn’t bring along more help from the college. More muscle the better, no? Well, it wasn’t her show to run, and Nith was a mage of power. Guess she should trust in his judgment.

The hour passed in the blink of an eye. Most people relaxed and got their minds into the game. There would be a lot to do for everyone very soon. And being in a dangerous place like a dungeon, everyone needed to be sharp.

Shae stayed close to Mel. They chatted about light things and made a date to visit the sweet shop. On Kip’s dime of course. Mel was sure she could get him somehow. The two chuckled sneaking peeks at Kip. He was totally aware and getting very uncomfortable. Poor guy. Nick and Mic just lay back relaxing, shooting Kip knowing glances feeling sorry for him. Those two were going to drive him nutty.

Then came the call from Nith to begin. Everyone who was not standing rose. They moved into traveling formation.

The dungeon entrance was a large stone arch set into a hill. It was wide enough for three people to walk through at once with room to spare. The arch was just over three meters tall. The stones were a dull grey, that looked more like metal alloy than stone. But as Shae felt them on her way through, they were really stone. It was not a portal, or anything cool like that, just a weird arch in the middle of nowhere, set into a hill, ‘that led to a magic underground fun house of mayhem.’ Was Shae’s take on it.

Inside the archway was a stone floored and walled walkway that was damp from the swamp’s moist humidity. It moved forward at about a twenty-degree angle, pretty steep, and a bit treacherous for footing with the moisture. There would be no running out of here easily. Water slowly dripped from the ceiling as it leaked through the stones making that dark atmospheric dripping echo noises you’d see in movies.

Everyone was very quiet. Some even holding their breath like Shae had been before Mel told her to breath. Which caused Shae to blush. It was her first dungeon after all.

After a short distance the stone gave way to a natural cave setting. A spelunkers dream. The first room was a very large open cavern. The light from the groups torches not reaching the ceiling or the side walls. Even the staff Nith had with a magical light spell on the tip wasn’t proof from the dark.

“Yup eerie as hell.” Shae whispered to herself.

Mel elbowed her. “Right.” She said with a smile.

Then there was no more chatting as the adventurer’s spread out. Mel was the tip as she was the best tracker and scout. Shae was behind and to her right a meter or so. So, she was able to help in case of incident. Kip was a bit farther back and left side wide. Mix followed behind and right of Shae by a few meters, with Nick following behind Kip, but not further out. Kip was a bit wide out on the left so Nick stayed inside to his right. Then came the group of six gatherers and four butchers. They followed behind at four meters bunched together three breast. Then Nith just behind them.

Knowing the first room was supposed to be safe did nothing for Shae’s nerves. It was dark and spooky. Yellow torchlight flickering off the floor around them. Nith had it the best, his light was steady and a bit brighter and of course wider ranged. Which of course was no help to Shae. Everyone out front had a torch, as did half of the middle group.

She was starting to wonder if they were bait instead of scouts. ‘Aren’t scouts bait though? If they don’t come back, you know there is danger ahead?’ That thought popped into Shae head. At least she had backup, and a healer behind her.

Then Shae started to ease up on herself a bit. After all she had been working hard and could defend herself against more than one opponent.

A bit taller and with more confidence Shae moved through the large dark cavern with her friend and cohorts. She decided also that Nith would not have brought her along if things would be that bad. After all you don’t let a novice ride a pro bucking bull on their first attempt. Do they?