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.
In the dungeon below Kouchi castle, the Dungeoneers hung from chains against a stone wall, defeated. Their attempt to rescue Emma's uncle had failed, and now, thanks to information brought to them by the very man who single-handedly beat them all, they knew that the Shogun of Apan was going to be kidnapped and assassinated, with the blame to be placed on them. He hadn't been gloating when he told them this. He spoke with a note of regret, and left, telling them it had been an honor to meet and do battle with them.
They were alive for the moment, but if they stayed where they were, they would surely be killed before long. It was just the four of them, however, all alone in nothing but their smallclothes, against an entire castle.
They didn't care.
Raina took several deep breaths and focused. The chains she wore were the strongest she'd ever seen, and she wasn't sure even her considerable power could break them. The others waited silently, not wanting to break her concentration. She flexed her muscles and began to pull, straining against the shackles with all her might. Beads of sweat began to form on her brow and the effort caused her to allow a low, throaty groan, but she refused to quit. The chain refused to budge, too. The metal was too thick and the angle was too poor. The stone the chain was bolted to, however, had neither advantage, and after a minute of constant pressure, began to crack. More cracks appeared and seconds later the bolts flew out of their casings, showering rock powder on the floor.
With her hands free, unchaining her legs became child's play, and soon her companions were standing with her over a pile of broken metal. Moira grabbed a pair of manacles and the four of them stormed up the spiral stairway outside the room, with Raina in the lead. The petite swordswoman mumbled a quick incantation and her form blurred, becoming almost invisible.
A guard walked casually down the stairs to check on the prisoners. There had been no report from the previous guards and he was sent to make sure nothing was amiss. Halfway there he felt something slam into his jaw and stumbled back a step as he was shoved to the side by an unseen force. The next moment a dwarf stepped up and whipped him with a pair of heavy manacles, busting his lip open. She too moved past him without another look. A fair haired woman appeared next, snatching his sword from its sheath and continuing up the stairs as if he wasn't there. He had just about regained his composure when a man appeared, grabbed him by his chestplate and threw him down the stairs. By the time he hit the bottom he was completely unconscious.
The four adventurers reached the guard tower and found five men lounging about. Raina and Tucker teamed up on one of them barehanded while Khana squared off against another with her borrowed weapon. Moira simply charged one of them, hauling him up by the waist and using her momentum to carry him to a window and shove him through it. Seconds later, all the guards were dead, including a second who took the short route to the courtyard, and the Dungeoneers pressed on.
The next tower contained their armor and weapons and they paused to suit up, though Moira kept her manacles. After that they found the Daimyo's personal chambers and broke their way in without a moment's hesitation. Inside they found the Daimyo, who, certain of his victory, was entertaining company at the moment. His embarrassing state of unpreparedness made it simple to capture him without a struggle. The manacles were slapped on his arms and he was pressed for further information about the castle, most importantly the location of William, who had been sent earlier but hadn't returned. Khana and Raina took off with the information while Tucker and Moira hauled the Daimyo out on the ramparts to await their return.
Two beefy sumo warriors were beating William with whips and fists, drawing blood and bruises from the man with every blow. The imperial officer was doing his best to pretend he didn't notice. "You know," he said casually, "This is fun and all, but I really should advise you to stop." He winced as the whip cracked across his chest and the chains on his arms rattled, but he continued to speak in the same cheerful voice. "My wife and her friends have probably escaped by now and if she finds out what you've been doing she'll probably be very angry."
As if on cue Raina and Khana stepped around the corner and, like mirror images of each other, struck the men's necks in the exact same manner, killing them both instantly.
"Sorry I'm late," Raina said gruffly.
"What took you so long,?" William said good naturedly. Glancing down at the remarkable speed in which his torturers were killed, he said, "Wow, I should predict your impending rampages more often."
"Oh, shut up," Raina said as she worked on unchaining him.
Back on the balcony of the castle, Moira and Tucker quietly awaited the return of their companions. The Daimyo's eyes widened in shock when he saw how quickly they had freed William, but he wasn't given time to dwell on it "We've tried it your way," Khana told the man as she leveled one of her slender blades at his throat. "But we've grown tired of your hospitality, and decided to proceed with a more western style of negotiation. Will that be a problem?"
My Dear Linna,
Your father and I are extremely proud of how well you've been doing at the Academy since you enrolled. We enjoyed reading your last letter and hope you write again soon. Your time there will be challenging, but we know you will do well.
In your last letter you mentioned that some of your classmates challenged you on the matter of how our province remained in our control after the Miyoshi invasion. You already know how your father led our army in its defense, but of course, the Westmarch Dungeoneers also played a role in our salvation and there is not as much known about what they did to help us. That is unfortunate, because they helped create the very Academy you are training in and we owe them much for coming to our defense. That is why I have decided to tell you how it came to be.
After my Uncle was kidnapped by the Kouchi, Furuhawa province was left without a noble male to command our army. The Miyoshi and Tsunekata families immediately leveled challenges to my authority and I knew it would only be a matter of time before they moved to seize our lands. Your father had only recently arrived and had taken over as General, but he wasn't a noble. Worse! A gaijin, whom they would never willingly accept, and we had a severely diminished army and wavering support from the populace. That was when I called to the Dungeoneers for their aid, and they set sail immediately.
They nearly didn't make it. Lady Castille, a powerful mage from the guild, sent a demon from beyond the Pale to slay them, but they defeated it and arrived safely in Apan as autumn settled over our lands. This timing was critical, for we felt that once winter arrived we would be safe until the spring. Before we could plan on their help, however, the Dungeoneers would had to win the Empress' favor to gain access to the mainland. Those who behaved unwisely could languish for years or more awaiting such permission. Fortunately, they had the aid of an ambassador who advised them on what to do and what not to do.
Still, things were not easy for the Dungeoneers. An attempt was made to unbalance them by giving them each a servant who would belong to them for life. As you know, slavery is illegal in Balanor, and they were expected to object. Their response was quite novel, actually. They accepted the "gifts" and proceeded to train them as henchmen and squires, all without ever violating the boundaries of the master/ servant relationship. One of these eventually married Sir Tucker and became your Aunt Mariko, but that was long after they had returned to Balanor. That story is hers to tell, should she wish.
That is one of the hallmarks of the Dungeoneers, however. They tend to turn potential disasters to their advantage. Dame Moira's familiar angered a samurai who challenged her to a duel. She not only defeated him, but shamed him and brought honor to herself. Not easy for korobukuru in this empire. The Empress' Wu Jen took a liking to Dame Khana's husband, Almonzo, and forced herself on him, only to be slain by Dame Raina and Sir Tucker. To fill the void this created, they offered Almonzo's own apprentice, Mary, which not only smoothed the situation over, but placed one of their own at the Empress' side. When their apprentices challenged the Daitokuji Dojo, Sir Tucker and Dame Raina arranged for a mock tournament that not only removed the insult that had been made, but created the alliance that led to founding of the Academy. Many in the Empress' court began to respect the Dungeoneers for their good fortune, their honorable behavior, and their uncanny ability to play court politics like retired generals.
Once they had been granted permission to travel to the mainland, they listened to my dilemma and discussed what to do. The Tsunekata were less committed to the invasion than the Miyoshi, and diplomats were sent to negotiate a treaty with them. Also, to legitimize the leadership of our militia I had a discussion with your Uncle and your Father. Soon after I was married and Jedidiah officially took over, but more would be needed to cement his authority. To that end, the Dungeoneers traveled to Bluebolt's mountain and spoke with the great dragon to ask for his aid. He was reluctant at first, but was only asked to make a show of support for my sovereignty, and finally agreed. All that remained was to deal with my Uncle's kidnapping. The Dungeoneers traveled south as winter began and I remained here, to make what preparations I could. With my Uncle returned safely and in charge, the legitimacy of Miyoshi's claims would vanish, and we would be spared.
The Dungeoneers were walking into a trap, but in another display of luck and genius, they allowed themselves to be captured so that they could take down the Kouchi from within their own castle. Their heroism averted a major conspiracy that could have dragged the entire Empire into war, but sadly, my Uncle had been slain before they even arrived.
While they were gone, the Miyoshi launched a surprise invasion, hoping to catch us ill prepared. They rushed past the villages and towns, wanting to lay siege to our castle before the first snows fell, but thanks to the early warning provided by Moira's animals, we knew of their approach long before they reached us. When the army arrived, we were reinforced and able to repel the first two waves of their attack. Almonzo had remained with us as well, and lent his fearsome magic to our defense. It was then that Bluebolt appeared and launched his own attack upon the army, raining death upon their troops and casting them into chaos. When they tried to fall back and regroup, the peasants they had ignored attacked them from the rear and flanks. Their army was decimated and we accepted their surrender the minute it was offered.
Ever since, we have honored the battle with the Bluebolt Festival, in thanks for aiding us in more ways than we asked and at great risk to himself. Once the Dungeoneers returned we held a great victory celebration and made the joyous discovery that Khana was pregnant. She had been trying for years without success, but with the aid of some very special magic, they were at last expecting. I invited Khana and Almonzo to stay until their child was born, but they were eager to be home. They set sail soon after, and while I have heard that there was an incident on the way back to Balanor, they have not spoken much of it. Perhaps someday you will be able to get the story out of your Uncle.
I hope you have profited from this tale. Your Father and I miss you and hope you will come to visit soon. Until then, be well, and the Lord and Kami watch over you.
Love,
Mom
