Christina’s Dungeon Dive

The lead hadn’t cost Christina much, all it took was buying the captain of the guards a few rounds. “They say that she lives in the castle outside of town,” he explained. “About half a day’s ride.” Rumors had been spreading over the countryside for months now, of a powerful succubus that has been terrorizing the land. Women have been disappearing, farmer’s daughters, bar wenches, and even a minor noble lady, all vanished. Along with that, there have been reports of monster migrations. Gossip about bands of goblins forming, or of long forgotten horrors being spotted. “It’s all true,” the man whispered to her. “She has been gathering them. These...creatures...have taken up camp inside her palace.”

Christina listened intently, carefully absorbing every word. She was a mercenary from the capital, but the rumors had caused her to venture out to this small, border town. The idea of a demoness invading the mortal realm, of innocents suffering, did not sit well with the warrior. When she heard that the King was not sending any support she knew she had a duty to investigate. That has been her mission for the last few weeks, traveling from taverns to farms, from churches to convents. It was hard to separate fact from fiction, as commoners and drunks were known to exaggerate. However her investigation did point her towards this town, as it seemed to be the common point in all of the tales she heard.

“We haven’t tried to approach the castle,” he continued to explain. His voice told Christina what his words did not, that he was afraid. “Our scouts have reported that it appears to be empty, which doesn’t align with the goblin troop movements we have seen.” “A glamour spell,” Christina explained. The captain nodded in agreement. “I implore you to leave the matter alone, lass,” the man pleaded as he took the last swig of his ale. “What can a woman do on her own?”

Christina furrowed her brow as she stood. She was a tall woman, with a sturdy, athletic build, a build that was covered in form-fitting leather armor. Christina has short, red hair and a surprisingly gentle smile, a smile that did not match her stern, blue eyes. Her body was toned and tanned, showing obvious signed of regular training, but her skin was fair. An astute observer could tell that, despite her build and her attitude, she was still green; she showed no signed of scars and her cheeks still had some youthful baby fat in them. Even for a warrior she still look attractive, with a ample but reasonably-size chest and, even if it was hidden by her armor, a firm and curve rear. On her back was a steel greatsword, and on her belt, a matching dagger. She rolled her eyes at the man, saying “Apparently more than the men in this village.”

Christina left at sunrise as the rest of the village slept. It did not take her long, about half a day, in till she arrived at the castle. What she saw looked unworldly, the palace obviously transformed by evil forces. The stones were black and ebony, with razor sharpe spikes protruding from them. The windows were all dim with bars across them, reminding Christina of a prison. Despite it being late morning, the skies around the castle were dark and cloudy, like a storm perpetually hung over it. It sent a shiver down the girl’s spin, giving her second thoughts. “No, these women need my help,” she said to herself as she approached the gates.