The Tower in the Shadows

Shadow Vale was a growing town.

The population and boundaries of the town were expanding nearly daily, a testament to the allure of Shadow Vale. People were coming from all over the continent, embarking on a journey of adventure and discovery. They started from the nearest parts, mainly the Riverlands. People with dark hair and eyes. Their olive-coloured skin that is not used to the harsher climate of the mountains.

Following suit, the Skaald arrived soon after. Hailing from their lands beyond the mountain range to the north, they brought with them a different complexion and a variety of hair colours. Accustomed to such a climate, they seamlessly integrated into their new home even with their distinct cultures.

From the south came the dark-skinned and brown peoples of the lands there. Hailing from the fantastic jungles and vast grasslands, they found the mountains hardest to get used to. They were bundled up even in summer and cursed the winter the loudest.

Last, the people of the far west came. They were as pale as the Skaald but with black hair and almond-shaped eyes. They dressed in fine silk but quickly changed to the thicker and more rugged clothes the population had adopted for living in the valley. They were few in number but hinting that more were coming from their lands and the other nations not yet represented among the town’s population.

Nowadays, finding such a mix of peoples and cultures is rare outside of major trading cities. The Old Empire saw far more interaction, but those days had passed and the peoples of Kyber became more insular, less trusting of the "other."

The only thing that brought them together now was the promise of wealth and walking the Paths the Dungeon represented. So, they came and were still coming. Every ship arriving brought more with the truly brave or strong coming by land. Many were lost or met misadventure, but they still came.

The town now had developed into the classic district setup found in most human communities. A wooden palisade walled off the north end of the valley. Here, the Dungeon could be found. Behind the palisade was the town's wealthy and administration. To the west was the river. The east saw the temples and churches of the Pantheon.

Going south, you came to the docks and warehouses, facing the river. The crafters dominated the side facing the mountain. Here, the town merchants and those visiting conducted business with the crafters. Always loud and busy, it was here that most found employment.

Further south, at the valley's other end, were the homes of the bulk of the people. Another palisade had been raised to protect them from monsters that roamed the mountain range. Things were starting to get crowded, and sanitation was becoming an issue. The young Lord was working to rectify these problems before they became deadly.

Shadow Vale was a growing town.

Around it, the other nations and powers looked on, making plans and treaties. All looked on with hunger, but the wisest saw it for the trap it was. Shadow Vale was a poisoned cup that would destroy those who sought to claim it. The claiming of the Right of Discovery by an upstart younger scion of a merchant family proved to be a boon in disguise.

He had no allies, enemies, or favours owed. He was the perfect person to run the lands. He treated everyone fairly and with respect, favouring no person or group over another. Of course, the divine laws helped protect him, but the intelligent could work around them. But why rock a steady boat? That was how the wise thought.

Unfortunately, many rulers were anything but wise.

The man's family was no help. They spread rumour and poison against their own, seeking help to usurp him. They were good merchants but walked into an arena they poorly understood. The hungry rulers saw the Dungeon and wanted it. They plotted and planned, seeking advantage so they could strike.

They were opposed by each other and those who were happy with the present setup. So many plots and plans were in motion that most fell apart, not because the Lord countered them but because the plotters got in each other's way.

Around the valley, a hidden war started and quickly escalated. It was not a conflict of armies and magic but one of the blades in alleys and influence peddling. The cost was in a few bodies and many reputations destroyed.

What became apparent to all in this fight was that the Gods favoured the status quo. Offerings and prayers were presented to the divine, but the Gods that would typically be involved were strangely silent. Those who did speak said no to the plotters.

This confused the plotters and some questioned what they were doing. However, this was not true for the majority, who continued with their schemes regardless. The town residents were mostly unaware of the events going on around them. Those who were aware were the sort to protect their interests.

The people and plots were not the only ripples from the Dungeon's discovery. Money and resources were the other big changes that the Dungeon brought. The coins being produced were of good quality, and merchants were happy to accept them in exchange for goods. The coins were being seen further and further away from the town. More merchants were accepting them over local coins every day, and this would start to affect the local economies if it continued.

The rarer goods that the Dungeon town was now producing were starting to influence the Riverlands. It was said that the Riverlands saw as much gold flowing through the rivers as water. Trade was their lifeblood and things were looking better every day. More ships and boats were plying the new route to the Dungeon town and the Skaald lands beyond.

The town demanded every type of good and sold rare alchemy ingredients. This did not count the magical hides and other types of leather armour that appeared. The local adventurers were buying most, but the demand for the magical hide was making a single journey worth it for the bold merchant. Orders were coming in from further afield every day.

That was just on the human continent of Kyber. What of the rest of the world?

The appearance of a new Dungeon was news, but was it world-changing? Often, no, but many were taking notice in the echo of the Folly and its effects on humanity. What changed their opinions were the rumours about this place and its strange behaviour. Adventurers were travelling from these lands to see this new Dungeon and a few were contacted to act as the eyes of these lands and nations.

A breach of the Guild's neutrality?

Not if they were getting paid and the Guild got its due.

They were coming, but the distance was great. A few were closer and they had now reached the town.

## ## ## ## ##

"Why are we still in the lands of these disgusting creatures?"

The sound of the musical language contrasts with the harsher human dialect. The ship was close to the new Dungeon and the captain had told them they would be arriving soon. The ship in which they sailed was covered in the shadow of a nearby mountain, making the air colder than the early summer should have been.

Sliva of Moonborn sighed internally at her charge's words. Not teammate but charge. At least the young elf had the sense to speak about the humans around them in their own language.

She looked at her team and their charge. Rated a Silver-tier group they had been contracted by the Starlight clan to take one of their young scions to the human lands to expand her education by interacting with other races.

Offending this clan was not a good idea for them so they accepted.

After nearly a year of travelling with Asta of Starlight, she wished she refused.

The young elf was arrogant but never openly insulting to her elven companions. To the humans, she was terrible. Sliva could not count the times anymore that she had to cool her tempers due to the girl's words and tone. The elf nations had been at peace with the Cythian Empire when it ruled, not friendly but not seeking conflict either.

The Folly changed that view with many of her race. The backlash affected all races, even her own and many still blamed humans as a whole for the results. Anti-human movements were present in all races and had not helped with the Empire's collapse. She had heard whispers that some had even helped it along.

She and her group did not have great love or interest in humanity outside of the Guild contracts they accepted. However, they had interacted with them enough to build up a tolerance to their smell and ways. They had visited these lands before but never remained for more than a year. Each time they came, they travelled to the area their contract required and then left as soon as it was completed.

"Asta, we have spoken of this before. You cannot insult them whenever you wish. Remember, we are acting on behalf of the clan and family you belong to."

Sliva's words forced the younger elf to focus away from the ship's crew working around them. Three moons ago, they had been contacted to come to this even more uncivilised part of Kyber and investigate the new Dungeon that had appeared.

In truth, she and her team would have come as soon as they found out it was already rated a low copper tier. This was strange as the Dungeon was only a few years old. Either something strange was going on, or the Dungeon was getting fed a regular influx of adventurers. Asta's clan beat them to it with the request, so they set off the next day.

During their stay on Kyber, they gained access to two human-controlled Dungeons, both below the team's level but well within Asta's. She gained two steps along the Paths from this trip; this was her only bright spot. She had been put into danger and had her abilities pushed but the team was always ready to step in if required. Due to their long life spans, it was harder for elves to progress, so two steps were better than they had expected.

"We will return home as soon as we finish the investigation," Sliva reminded Asta and the rest of them, bringing smiles to most of their faces. "I will arrange access to the Dungeon, but be ready. We might be here for a few days."

"Shadow Vale ahead!" A human called out.

The group of elves looked out at the bank of the river being pointed to. As they turned into the valley passing through a ravine, the river that was following through the town came into view. As they did, they left the shadow of the mountain.

Asta groaned as they saw the town. The place was rough and uncivilised. Construction was happening all around. Ships and boats were moving in and out of the piers. They could see more ships moving up and down the river. The river was wide enough to allow this, making it a natural stopping port along the river.

"Asta, you will stay quiet as we get established. I do not want any more trouble. We get in, check the Dungeon and then we are leaving." She told the young charge of the group. She knew she had to reinforce this to the young elf.

The young one pouted at Sliva's words. Sliva wondered if she would listen to her this time, but she was doubtful. Behind Asta, Dayton, the group's fighter, nodded to Sliva, telling her that she was keeping an eye on their charge. She knew she could rely on him.

The ship had to wait nearly an hour before docking. Sliva and her group were the first off. They had hooded travel cloaks on, but their clothing style and speed of movement drew attention. They were used to it by now and quickly moved through the muddy streets.

Sliva had researched the town before coming and learned where the best tavern with rooms was. She led the group to a new building. They moved fast and with purpose, but she knew that the rumour of their arrival would be faster.

"Shadows Rest." This was the one they were looking for.

The tavern's common room was filled with human adventurers. They were loud, smelly, and poorly armed. She made out the tavern keeper running things from next to the bar. They were noticed as they walked through the room and silence ensued. Her group was used to it, but Sliva knew that Asta would still bristle under such attention.

“Good new day to you, tavern keeper. My companions and I seek rooms if you have them.” Sliva said to the human in his own language. She learned long ago that a little politeness went well with strangers.

"G-Good new day to you, strangers." The tavern keeper was taken aback; few deal with nonhumans these days, but he recovered well. "I am Jontar, tavern keeper of the Shadows Rest. I am afraid we have only a single group room available at the moment."

"That is fine. Can we rent it?"

"Of course, let me show you to it."

The group were guided up to the next floor and a large group room. The room had eight rough wooden beds. Renting costs and food were arranged with the tavern keeper, and he withdrew to fulfil a few requests made of him.

Halo, the group's rogue, went through the room checking for listening holes or threats. It did not take long before he nodded to Sliva; it was clear.

"I am going to the Guild. You will remain here and await me. I will arrange entry to the Dungeon. If I must, I will use our boon as I think not one of us wants to be here long."