James, walked into the city after talking his way past the city guards. He knew, somehow where he had to go, but its actual location in the city he did not yet know. So, he asked around asking strangers on the streets, vendors in the markets and a few of the guards. No one knew what he was talking about until he found a lone stall slightly hidden by a pile of goods from its neighboring stalls. Inside was a veritable library, manned by a single librarian. The librarian was a short, rather nerdish looking perhaps fourteen year old boy. However he was the only person out of the hundreds James had talked to who knew where and what he was talking about.

“I know where it is sir, but I don’t think that it is what you are looking for”

“What do you mean?”

“The Place is nearly abandoned since the ban on magic. Most of the people who would go to a place like that now serve in the city guard. Any who still go there routinely are still no more than glorified city guards.”

“Well, I will buy a book from you, and then will you perchance lead me to my destination lad? I will make up the cost of losing any sales whilst you are leading me to my destination”

The Boy nodded and looked pleased as James browsed his selection, finally settling on a history of the region and bought it for several silver coins he magiced into existence.

After all, it’s not like anyone can tell the difference, and really I’m just adding more money into circulation.

After the boy had closed up his stall, locking it with a sturdy looking key and bolting it all closed the boy led James deeper into the city. A little while later after weaving their way through city streets and alleyways they arrived at their destination. A Large, but run-down complex encompassing most of a square mile, inside where many building, likely offices and barracks, and training fields with various environments simulated. Above the gate hung a rusty sign proclaiming for all the world to ignore, “The Adventurers guild of Thornhest”.

“Well lad, I thank you for your service, how much do I owe you?”

“Sir, I have not yet completed my service, I merely led you here but you still don’t know where to go, follow me so you can talk to the person in charge.”

The lad led him deeper into the complex, eventually reaching a small building not visible from the entrance. Inside was a rather sparsely decorated office, its only decadence being a wall of bookshelves full of books in many languages. The boy bade James sit in a chair he offered, then he went to the door opposite the one they came in and yelled.

“GRANDPA, THERE’S SOMEONE HERE TO SEE YOU!”

James was surprised at that, both that the lad must live here and that his diminutive frame could produce such volume. He was even more surprised at the figure that came through the door that the boy had called into.

“Cade, my lad, you don’t need to shout so. I may be old but I am not yet deaf. Now who is this, ah I see, an adventurer.”

Talking to James directly and examining him in a manner that made James nervous he said “You are the first adventurer to enter my office in many a year.”

The old mage, for what other sort could he be, wore a simple red robe over simple clothing. His hair was silver but thick and his eyes were a sharp, clear, blue. Overall he seemed a man who the years of time had seen, and failed, to really ruin.

This is a man who has seen a lot, If he discovers what I am, will he attempt to destroy me? And if he does can I defeat him even with the full force of my dungeon? I’m going to have to reinforce my dungeon further once I get back to it.

“I am a traveler, I came from over the mountains and would like to stay here for a time. As an Adventurer I came to the local Adventurers guild, but it seems like I am to late.”

“No no no, the Adventurers guild still exists, it may be weakened but it still stands. Cadens father and mother are part of it, I would introduce you but they are away with the rest of the guild investigating a graveyard we believe has been claimed by a necromancer. I will not turn away a willing applicant, that is if you would apply.

“If the adventurers guild still exists, then I would happily join.”

After all, if I am in the guild I will know when they discover my dungeon, and what they plan to do with it.

“Caden, fetch the skill stone, I need to examine this man with it for his file. Would you like some tea?” The mage said as he busied himself behind his desk. Once James had accepted the Mage’s offer of tea the mage, while having his head stuck in his drawer’s waved his hand and magiced a cup of tea into James hands.

He is definitely a strong mage, I wonder why the magistrate that Farmer Jo spoke of hasnt poached him.

His thoughts were interrupted by Caden’s return and the mages instructions on how to use the stone. Once he was holding the stone correctly the mage said a few words and the stone began to glow and project a screen, like those James had seen before into the air.

"Interesting, very interesting" said the Mage as he stared at what the screen showed.