The dwarves were known to be hardy species. Centuries spent carving their kingdom from the earth have instilled in them a resilience unmatched by most others. Their lives, linked to the digging of the deep earth, have forged in them a stubbornness that could see them through trials that would break other species.
Resistance to magic was also a facet of their hardiness. Most [Scholars] said that even normal unclassed dwarves had a subtle shielding against the arcane and godly powers. This protection, coupled with their physical endurance and natural toughness, makes dwarves formidable opponents.
Like most dwarves, Pos was proud of his species’ inherent traits, but he had to admit that it came with some drawbacks. One of which was the simple fact that being resistant to magic also meant that dwarves were poor recipients of magical healing. [Healers] could mend grievous wounds in seconds, leaving barely a scar in other species, but such miracles were not for the dwarves. They were tougher and harder to injure, but also slower to recover from injuries.
Due to this magical resistance, doctors and herbalists held positions of great importance within dwarven society. Their knowledge of mundane remedies was a vital counter to the limitations of enchanted mending that [Priests] and [Healers] favored.
Like most dwarves, Pos had great respect for their works.
He only wished their methods of healing were quicker!
Everyone knew that the works of doctors and herbalists took longer to be effective, and throbbing in his shoulder was a constant reminder of that very fact. Three weeks had passed since the fight with the Black Tortoise Boss, which was what the Adventurer Guild was calling that walking piece of destruction, and Pos’ arm was still in a sling. While humans and elves could be up and about by now, he was stuck with poultices and tinctures, smelling like some herb farm, and waiting for the medicine to finish its slow work. Pos mentally grumbled as he dug into his food. He could only console himself by the fact that it could had been worse.
The fight with the Boss had shattered his shoulder, and Pos had to see took a [Bone Priest], a [Wandering Healer] and several doctors and herbalists to fix the damage. Normally, it would cost him some gold to get the treatment, but luckily for him, the Guild was footing the bill. So, that’s something to be grateful for.
As Pos silently consoled himself, he listened to the gossips of the Blooming Jug. As usual, stories about the dungeon dominated the chatter in the inn with only some adventurers whispering about tensions between the Bright Empire and the elves. However, most were talking about adventurers who had attempted the third floor. No one had found the exit yet, but several parties had entered the third-floor maze and lived to tell the tale!
That encouraged others to attempt the floor, and rumours flew about about the monsters one could expect to meet and the treasures within the maze. No one found anything great or strange yet, but several chests of gold were found and that’s was what most were excited about. The Tomb of Ten Thousand Techniques was finally acting like a proper dungeon.
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
No one talked about the adventurers lost to the maze though, and Pos wondered how many adventurers had been lost to the third floor already. Then, a shout caught his attention.
“There he is!”
Pos looked up and saw a party of dwarves. Familiar faces who were, at least for a time, his party.
“Been expecting you lot,” Pos grunted, gesturing to the empty chairs at his table. “Thought you would be here to gloat earlier.”
The party laughed and sat down without ceremony. Pos looked at the party, Vorma the [Sorceress], Vorma’s good friend Nog the [Berserker], Umdar the [Knight], and Jes the [Scholar]. For a period, he and the party were hired to delve the Tomb of Ten Thousand Techniques, but that commission was over. Pos left the party, but it seemed the rest had decided to continue to adventure together.
“Haven’t seen you lot in weeks. So,” Pos began, “what kind of trouble have you bunch of no-good lowlifes been up to these past few weeks?”
Pos smirked as a round of laughter greeted his dwarven welcome. Although he wasn’t with them for long, as follow dwarves in the World Above, Pos did feel a certain kinship with the members of the party.
“Less than the trouble you’re in,” Nog roared, slapping Pos on the back hard enough to make him realized the legends were true; Being injured meant nothing to a [Berserker].
“Heard you were injured, though the stories seem exaggerated if you’re walking around and eating solid food. We heard you almost died.” Vorma chimed in.
“For once, they weren’t wrong.” Pos chuckled. “I almost went to lay with the Stones, but I’m a dwarf. It’ll take more than a new Boss to take me down.”
The party cheered. There was nothing like blowing the horn of your own species to foster a sense of togetherness.
When the cheering ended, Umdar got down to business. “We heard about the new Boss that took you down. Tough luck there.”
“Or good luck,” Vorma quickly added, “seeing the new rewards you got for defeating it. We were wondering if you would help your old party out by giving us some information about it?”
“You want to go after the Tortoise?” Pos asked, surprised. “Well, good luck with that. It is a real monster. A giant. Why didn’t you go to the Guild? I thought they’ve released the information already.”
“Nothing beats the words of someone who was there,” Nog cut in before anyone else could respond, “besides, we’re not just asking about the Tortoise. We’re also interested in that other Boss. The one that gave you that painting, and a peculiar trinket.”
Pos raised an eyebrow. “Word travels fast. I thought the Adventurer Guild banned the release of that?”
“Since when has that ever stop adventurers from talking? There were like twenty adventurers who survived the encounter. Someone always talks.” Nog asked with a chuckle.
Pos sighed in agreement; adventurers do love to gossip. Food forgotten, he leaned back in his chair and eyed the party. “And what makes you lot think I’ll share such valuable knowledge with you freeloaders?” Pos paused, trying to gauge their reaction before continuing. “Unless, of course, you were willing to offer something in return.”
The party exchanged glances, looking like a silent negotiation was passing between them, but Pos was not fooled. He knew it was nothing but a show. The party members were all veteran adventurers, which meant they must have known that Pos would ask for something in return. Information was not free, and the party would need to be fools not to discuss what they could trade before approaching him. Pos, ever the patient dwarf, allowed them their show.
Vorma was the one who responded for the party. “Word is, that trinket you got is a key of some kind. Is that true?” The party waited for Pos to answer, and when it was clear they weren’t going to continue without one, Pos gave them a slight nod. Vorma smiled. “A key means a safe, or a vault. And with it, a treasure. Hopefully a substantial one.”
