Episode 3: Mysteries at an Ancient Tropical Ruin

Cesar holds up a scroll with the wax seal of the Dartanian Explorers Guild, a multi-race group of explorers, based in the Human City of Welshland, dedicated to exploring new frontiers, as well as doing archaeological work on finding and archiving ancient ruins and other discoveries. A look of awe washes over the rest of the guildies at first, then it returns to normal, with the knowledge that anything coming from the explorers guild, must be pretty dire.

"One of the leaders of the Dartanian Explorers Guild has reported missing teams near a set of ruins, deep in the Great Nairubian Frontier." Cesar tells the rest of the guild. "As you may have noted from recent research, this is a vast, dense jungle far to the south. Some believe an ancient civilization once rested there, then something or someone wiped them out. Now explorers like the Dartanian Explorers Guild, as well as archaeologists, and treasure hunters, go there in search for valuables or other relics."

"So what's so significant about missing exploration teams that's drawing our attention, m'lord?" Trini looks up to him, her long, thick legs, clad in a pair of leather leggings, crossing at the thighs.

"The nature of the teams going missing, Trini." Cesar looks to the Amazon woman. "One of the explorers managed to escape, bringing along reports of ancient spirits, undead, and strange contraptions, haunting the ruins."

"So some kind of undead lord or necromancer guarding the ruins?" Trini responds cooly. "We remember the last time we encountered a necromancer. Its bony claws nearly ripped Sakura's neck off."

"Ugh! That image still haunts my dreams, Trini, so please don't mention it." Sakura gives Trini a disgusted look.

"It was also the first time we encountered such things, so we were not as prepared as we are now." Janissa looks to the other two ladies.

"That's enough, ladies." Cesar pauses, then speaks some more. "The guild is offering a substantial reward for news regarding the missing teams, plus anything useful or valuable we find in the ruins."

"Of course, those relics and items may have curses on them," Deraxle adds in. "If we're to take up this contract, then we'll need some extra magical help, as I'm not as adept in removing curses as some others are."

"I have some knowledge of removing curses," Sakura speaks next, "but Deraxle is right. We will need some outside assistance with ensuring that anything we take from there are not cursed, preferably a local magician."

"There is one other thing, m'lord." Trini is the next one to speak. "There are native tribes there that are hostile against foreigners like the explorers guild, and they are cannibalistic. For all we know, they could've taken them, not the undead in the ancient ruins itself. Fortunately, there are Nubian Amazon tribes there that can help us, if that is case, and they are willing to help."

"Hhmm, multiple possibilities, indeed." Cesar scratches his chin, then rolls up the scroll, sealing it with the waxy substance. "But we won't know what happened to those missing teams, unless we investigate. After all, the explorers guild has helped us before, and we have helped them in turn. What do you think, guildies?"

"Personally, I say it's worth a try." Trini smiles. "Besides, I haven't seen the Nubian Amazons in a good, long while."