Lux sets out on her new mission

Atara’s explanation of the “combination lock” makes Lux’s head spin again, but she’s able to grasp the idea and memorise the string of numbers that serves to open it. Easier to understand are some of the other supplies Atara has brought back: a dagger with a good weight and balance, and a pouch of assorted spellcasting components. Lux tucks both away for later use, along with a scroll of strange yellowish parchment covered with Atara’s spider-scrawl directions.

The three of them make their way through the tunnels to the vault’s level, seeing no sign of any outcasts. Lux reasons that they’re probably focused on guarding the crucial areas, biding their time until their takeover is complete. All the more reason to get this over and done with quickly.

“Once you have the key,” Atara says, “follow those directions to meet up with us. My allies will be waiting there to finish this.”

Olan looks uncomfortable, but he nods. “Be safe, Lux,” he says.

Dungeon Crawler | Location: [2] Transitional area | Encounter: [4] Hostile enemies | Objects: [2] Nothing, or mundane objects | Exits: [3] 1 additional exit

Lux takes a few breaths to steady herself before calling on her magic. This time, she feels more measured, more in control, as she casts the last spell she tried to cast before the collar was put on her: invisibility. She feels the illusion settle around her, and waits to ensure she’s not about to faint again before she begins to cautiously make her way forward.

After following a few twists in the passageways, she comes to a slightly wider hallway guarded by a handful of outcasts. The three men sit munching on rations, talking quietly. Lux sizes up her approach. They won’t see her slipping by, but her spell doesn’t muffle any noise she makes. She’ll have to be careful to go unnoticed.

Yes/No (Likely): Can Lux sneak past these guards? | [6,3] Yes

Every inch of movement is painstaking as Lux advances towards the checkpoint. The guards’ torches let off wisps of smoke that might give her away if she disturbs them too much – any little thing could alert the outcasts to an intruder in their midst.

Fortunately, none of them seem to be paying a lot of attention, and Lux manages to avoid stepping on anything underfoot. She circles carefully around the edge of the room, as far from the guards as possible, as she makes her way to the exit on the far side.

“Can’t believe we got saddled with guarding this place,” she hears one guard say. “High-ups must be paranoid.”

“I heard that lumbering idiot Olan went crazy and wrecked Rina’s plans,” says another. “Made them change everything up.”

“Really? I heard it was a demon that got loose in here.”

“A demon?”

“Yeah – some kinda white-skinned succubus with tits as big as her head.”

“Where’d you get that from?”

“Overheard Radan talking about it. Says he nailed her, too, but he always says things like that.”

“Fucking Radan. If half the things he’s said were true, he’d have at least a dozen kids running around on the surface. Anyway, pretty sure screwing a succubus makes you die.”

“Should’ve known he was full of shit.”

Trying to tune them out, Lux grits her teeth and continues on towards her destination. When it comes to heading back this way, she thinks, she might not be too gentle with this lot.