Chapter Fifty-Six The Sunblossom Guildmaster
Phillip stepped out of the building. His stay with the Moonlit Departures planar guild had been fun but now that he was in Sunblossom Town it was time to get to the local Adventurers guild. He had a guild master to see and an opportunity of a lifetime ahead of him. He couldn’t help but bounce a bit in his steps. Even as he made his way to the guild, he didn’t stop thinking about the upcoming meeting. He recalled that the local guildmaster was a dark elf. They weren’t particularly common in these parts, but he had visited the deep forests before where Dark Elves are more common. As such he knew a bit about what to expect.
Dark Elves weren’t that well known in human lands, so most humans have never met them. He had made a few common mistakes when he first met them. Dark Elven women had a somewhat different fashion sense from other races and were a bit more sensual than other races. Their belief that women should always display their genitals had led to some rather different beliefs and practices regarding fashion. It was also considered polite to look at a girl’s pussy but it was rude to stare at it during a conversation. Like humans, they thought it was only proper to look at someone’s face when talking.
He wanted to make a good impression especially given everything riding on this meeting. She had given him something beyond his wildest dreams. A chance for his own guild. He could see it now. A lovely little home not far from a large magnificent guild, a lovely office and children running around the streets. With adventurers streaming by to challenge the local dungeon and young mothers watching their kids play or teaching them skills. Across from his guild would be a school for adventurers, and when he wasn’t busy, he would be there helping pass on his knowledge to the young boys and girls seeking to explore the world.
Turning a corner the local guild came into sight. Taking a few steps, he avoided a young woman. In her hands was a book titled, An Adventurer’s Primer on Goblins. He gave her a second look, she was clearly a rookie dressed in light armor with a sword on her belt. He didn’t bother to check her level, but from the way she looked he figured she had only just joined the guild. It was nice to see a diligent Rookie who actually took the time to study. He knew that book well, it covered the topic well and would be useful to her.
Silently he wished the newbie luck, weaved around the small number of people leaving the bookstore. He passed several more adventurers and then made his way into the guild building. From behind the counter a younger elf with Orange-tinted brown hair noticed him. She smiled and waved him over. He noted that she seemed to be the only one currently free. Phillip put his best smile on and headed over to the counter.
She greeted him with a smile, and a few polite words. In turn he introduced himself and mentioned that he was here to see the guildmaster.
She nodded, “Ah, certainly the guildmaster is expecting you.” the woman paused when the door opened and then waved someone over.
He glanced back to see a young woman approaching. She was wearing a simple, yet cute dress that befit her features. He stepped to the side, as the woman approached the counter with a slight frown on her face.
The receptionist spoke up, “Amy, excellent timing. You are here for that meeting we discussed with the guildmaster, I presume?”
The young woman Amy nodded, “I am.”
“Excellent, if you two would follow me, I’ll show you both to her sitting room.”
Stepping on the back area, one of the first things Phillip noticed was that the young receptionist was bottomless. Perhaps she had some dark elf blood? He wasn’t sure and it didn’t feel appropriate to ask. So he mentally noted that fact and followed.
The pair of them were shown to a comfy little sitting room. With several cushioned sofas facing a sturdy wooden table. The receptionist smiled and said, “I’ll inform the guild master that the both of you are here.”
He relaxed into a chair and then looked over at the young lady. “So have any experience with dark elves?”
She shook her head, “I’ve heard that the guildmaster is a dark elf and that they like to go around showing off their pussies. Not much more than that.”
He sighed, “I see. It would have been wise to read up on them”
She nodded, “I would have done more to prepare for this meeting but I’ve been kind of busy.” she sighed but didn’t say more.
Reading between the lines he said, “Something happen?”
The girl glanced at the ceiling, “you could say that.”
A voice interjected, “She was on the team that found the dungeon I wanted to talk to you about. They even found out its failure curse. So she’s been dealing with a bit of the aftermath.”
Phillip looked over to see a lovely Dark Elf walk into the room. She was a bit on the short side and looked to be in her mid teens, but he knew looks could be deceiving. Especially with Elves, they tended to age slower than other races. Her long silver hair was swept back with a ribbon and allowed to flow down her back like a waterfall. Allowing her pointed ears to show without any hair to obscure them. She had sharp elegant facial features with lovely blue eyes with a stern set to them. Her visible skin was a light creamy purple without any blemish.
She was wearing a lovely dark red dress with gold highlights. It hugged her frame in an elegant manner. Doing little to actually hide her bust, and had a little heart-shaped cut out that revealed some of her cleavage and told him she wasn’t wearing a bra. It seemed to be one of those dresses meant to be worn without one and suited her. The dress flowed over her hips and flared out and had a frontal split that left her pussy with its large decorated lips fully exposed to view. He noticed that she had painted hers.
Sparing her sex only a moment’s look, he stood up. Gave her a slight bow and said, “Good day, I believe we haven’t been formally introduced. I am Phillip Greybeard and you are?”
She giggled, “I had heard you had good manners, Sir Greybeard. I am Guild Mistress Sierra Blackflower. It’s a pleasure to meet you in person. We have much to discuss.”
Sierra glanced over at Amy and smiled, “Don’t be nervous. I was hoping he would be here for our meeting. I’m glad I could talk to the both of you at once.”
As she took a seat Phillip spoke, “I see. So the young lady has a part to play in our conversation.”
Sierra nodded, “Her party found the dungeon, and I believe you understand its importance. Unless I was mistaken.”
“A dungeon in the borderlands? I’m well aware of the unfortunate political implications and what mother would say about them. Not to mention why we would need to move fast. You weren’t joking about it being bad if the Theocracy was allowed to move first.”
She smiled, while the young lady glanced between them. Sierra then spoke to the young lady. “The main reason I wanted you here is to discuss a quest I have for your party.”
Amy blinked, “A quest!?”
Sierra nodded, “It’s really not much of a quest but I will compensate you well.” she gestured at Phillip. “I want you and your party to act as guides for a bit of an expedition. Seeing as you and your party are already somewhat familiar with the area and more importantly, have been to the borderland dungeon already.”
Amy blinked, “You want us to guide the eval team? We can do that!”
Sierra nodded, “That and I wanted you to assist Sir Greybeard here. If the eval is good, we will need to set up a dungeon town immediately which is where your party comes in. We will need adventurers to help protect the caravan and clear the area for a town.”
Her eyes widened, “What do you mean?”
Phillip interjected, “We are going to be in a bit of a rush. Everything is going to be done basically at once. Eval, and town set up.”
She was silent a moment before she said, “That sounds like quite the opportunity.”
“Think your party will be up to it? I understand your sibling may need time to adjust. Are they doing alright?”
Amy nodded, “They are fine. I left them with some friends and a healer I know. Miss Aidera has been quite helpful. Apparently, she has some experience helping people with similar transitions.”
Sierra nodded, “Ah her! Given what I have heard, I think she would be a great help. Consider asking her to come along. Her services would be useful and having a source of advice would be useful especially if she already has some experience.”
Phillip interjected, “If I may inquire, what kind of transition are we talking about.”
The young woman, Amy, fidgeted for a bit, while Sierra simply glanced over. Then sighed before saying, “I don’t really want to say. It doesn’t feel like my place.”
After a moment, Amy glanced at the floor and seemed to deflate. “I guess you would learn sooner or later. The dungeon has a curse that turns boys into girls. Don’t know if it does the reverse as well. Thomas fell into a pitfall and died in the dungeon. Was restored at the entrance as my newfound sister.”
Phillip nodded, “I see and this Aidera has experience with transitions like these?”
“Apparently she has helped a few men who wanted to be girls to properly transition.”
He filed that away and then said, “Sounds like someone we should definitely consider recruiting. Given the whole gender curse, we may need her experience to help people that fail the dungeon.”
Sierra smiled, “I agree. Now as for the caravan. I’ve already made some arrangements and found a few adventurers who might work for the eval team. It’s a small team of three. A swordsman, a rogue, and a healer. I have them in a neighboring room if you would like to meet them now, or would you like to look at their files first?”
Phillip leaned forward, “Files first. I’d like to know a bit about them before I actually meet them.”
Sierra produced a few files and handed them over. He gave them a cursory glance. Each one was marked with a name and a few basic details. There was Michael the party swordsman, he was level forty-five. He seemed to have a well rounded resume and some experience with dungeon diving. Next was Richard, a younger man with a level of Forty-Two. He was the party rogue, experienced with traps and scouting. Apparently very talented with knives. Both young men were listed as humans.
The final member of their party was a dwarf girl. Named Delilah, with a listed level of 48. Apparently a very talented healer with some basic skills with wards and lightning spells. Nothing fancy, but good enough to help defend the party and keep it going. Even without a dedicated tank.
For a small party it seemed fairly good, and with their skills they should be able to evaluate the dungeon fairly well. He looked up from the files, “Yes, I think these three might be a good start.”
Seirra sighed, “I would like better yes, but not much to find on short notice you know. I presume you want to meet them?”
He nodded, and the Guild Mistress got up. “I’ll go get them. And Amy dear, please stay, there is more I would like to discuss with you later.”