The Dungeoneers and the associated setting is the product of a tabletop roleplaying campaign created and managed by Tim Richey. These stories are based on that campaign and were written at the behest of both Tim and the players involved.

Ghorn thought it was a good day.

The orc chucked a book into the bonfire and watched the flames eat away at it. The meat roasting on the spit above was dripping its juices into the pile and the entire cave filled with the aroma. They would eat well tonight, and it was a good day.

The discovery of the library in the next cave had been an omen of their prosperity. He never realized books burned so well, and was glad to know they were not as useless as he originally thought. Ghorn looked at the pile that had been gathered to the side and chose a thick tome from within it. He chuckled as he leafed through the yellowed pages which cracked with each turn. Silly humans, why make such wonderful fuel for fires and then leave them to age for so long?

Ghorn's mate met his eyes as he walked back toward the fire. She smiled and licked her tusks. He returned the smile and scratched vigorously at his armpit. There was no time for fun before dinner, but there would be much time after, so there would be much fun. They would need more books for the fire, for this was a good day.

He reached out, ready to drop the book, when seven humans stepped into his cave. They had their weapons drawn and the other orcs ran to attack them. This was not right. How did they find the cave? What did they want to steal? They were ruining the peace of his cave. He grew angry and yelled orders to his tribe, hoping they would slay the intruders quickly.

The humans did not fall down and die, however. Swords flashed in every direction, cutting the orcs to pieces. The intruders didn't even seem to be putting much effort into it. Ghorn stared with disbelief, frozen in place by the fire, the ancient book still held above. That's when the humans noticed him.

Most of them turned back to the other orcs, but two of them stared at him and the color drained from his face. They looked to the side and saw the pile of books, and their faces contorted with rage and dismay. Ghorn's knees began to shake. It seemed to him whole cave faded from view and all he could see were these two men staring at him.

One of them yelled something, alarming him. Ghorn dropped the book and as it sank into the fire, the other man let out an anguished cry. Was this their weakness? Did hurting the books harm them? Perhaps he had power over them after all. He tried to think of what to do next, but one of the men pointed a glowing wand at him and the other had just thrown two very large knives his way. Somehow it occurred to him that he hadn't hurt them. He had made them very, very angry and now he was about to die.

Ghorn thought it was not such a good day after all.

Your Imperial Majesty,

I hope I have not kept you waiting too long for this report. The investigation of King James' new Dungeoneers is closed. My conclusions are that they were not involved in the conspiracy to start a war with the giants, and that they are an asset to the Empire. I shall present evidence that I believe supports these findings, and should you find fault with it I will reinstate my investigation or step aside so that another may take over.

Posing as a common bounty hunter, I joined the group as they investigated reports of human corpses and body parts found in the river near the village of Bergan. The Dungeoneers interviewed the local authorities and then checked the surrounding countryside. On a high hill, they discovered a hidden entrance to some kind of dwelling, and near that, a pipe poking from the ground.

A plume of smoke was venting from the pipe and one of their number suggested that plugging it up might drive the occupants out. This was done and before long a disheveled cook came stumbling out and was quickly seized. Upon questioning he explained that a secret school of necromancy was in operation within. Suitably repulsed, the Dungeoneers stormed the place, moving from room to room and confronting the headmaster just as he was about to complete his unholy ritual.

Among the treasures they laid claim to after all the necessary protocols were worked out was a rather large library of rare books found within the school. These books were later given to the medical school in Pomajar in order to persuade them to help one of their number work toward his degree there. Their Lay Healer is so well thought of amongst them that not only did they aid him in his studies, but so did a young lady who was studying at the school, as well as the scribe who had just been assigned to the group to chronicle their exploits. This young man proved to be more than capable, and despite the school's reluctance to reward such unconventional methods, they were forced to concede that he deserved to graduate.

By then local Barons and Dukes had taken to requesting the Dungeoneers by name, and not always for matters that required the entire group to resolve. In one such case, only two were needed to find a kidnapped war dog and break up the illegal dogfighting ring that it had been pressed into.

Most recently, however, was an assignment that did call for all of them, and by coming along I received all the insights I need to establish the conclusions to my report. It involved a request from Baron Blain to deal with the haunting of his personal home. As it turned out, it was only thieves who wanted to search for a hidden treasure unmolested, and they were easily dealt with.

Almonzo, the newest member of the group, is a mage who has grown fairly comfortable in New Cestin, offering his services as a cook at the local Hearthstone Inn when they are not off on a mission. While rooting out the thieves I was surprised to see how protective he was of their leader. He and Tucker also displayed an inordinate amount of concern over some books that were found in a secret passageway.

Tucker, an entrepreneur and philanthropist, has shown great enthusiasm in conducting the business that usually follows the completion of their missions. While he has the guile to have been involved in the conspiracy to start a war with the giants, he has too much invested in his quest for justice and profit to make him a likely suspect. As previously mentioned, he and Almonzo are quite fond of books. During this mission, a passage leading to a secret library was found. From there we took another passage leading to an orc warren, where the residents were using the books to feed a bonfire they had built to provide heat and light. While the rest of us fought in self defense, these two took it far more personally.

Zachariah Beard, the Lay Healer I mentioned, offered his services and his often surprising insights during the investigation. He is far too gentle, honest and easily distracted to be involved in any conspiracies. It is thanks to him their scribe survived this mission. The scribe has since decided he does not like the taste of danger and has moved on.

Raina, a remarkable young lady who has created the impression of being the wild one of the bunch, has proven to actually be very level headed and possess almost as much of a talent for business as Tucker. She harbors a deep hatred of hill giants and would probably like nothing better than a war with them, but her feelings are rooted so deeply she would be a detriment to any clandestine attempt to manufacture such a conflict.

Your Highness, I would be remiss in my duties were I not to give mention that this young woman has also stolen my heart, and I have told her as much. I confess that I fell the very moment I laid eyes on her, but kept these feelings deep within my breast where none could see, for her own heart belongs to Sir Alexander Stone, her fiancée, who died tragically not long ago. I intend to give her the space and time she needs before I pursue a relationship. I do not believe I have allowed these feelings to compromise my judgment, but it is something you should be aware of.

Finally, their leader, Khana Storm, the object of focused interest in this investigation. I could speak at length of the noble bearing and adherence to law she has displayed, but I have witnessed evidence I find far more convincing in her defense. To be brief, she has performed the miracle of healing with but a touch and a prayer. I believe she has the soul of a paladin and could not possibly be anything but a champion of good.

I think you may wish to continue tracking this group's exploits. They have only just begun, but they are well on their way to continuing the tradition you yourself helped resurrect four score years ago. King James, who himself had a short career as a Dungeoneer three decades ago, has thrown his full confidence and interest in them, and should his faith bear fruit, you may at the very least find their exploits to be... nostalgic.

In the interest of maintaining my good standing with them, I have confessed that I have been observing them, though I have not told them who for or who I actually am. I wish to stay in their company for the time being because I believe they are my best aides in the other assignments I am engaged in. I will send further reports as I gain information, and, as always, look forward to my return.

In Loyal Service,

William Hunt,

Captain, Imperial Nightblades