“Psst, Faysal” All the guards dressed the same, so it was hard to tell who was calling him from the barred door, but Faysal knew it had to be Bryan. While a few guards have tried to help him, and most think his incarceration is unfair, Bryan was the only guard who would visit him every week, to bring him extra food and supplies. Faysal did not spend much time in the dungeon in the Duke of Hazen’s estate, they were more like holding cells. It was not even a week before he was transported north to Ryse, he was transported magically too, probably so no one would notice the beloved town Doctor being imprisoned. Faysal figured that most of his friends and acquaintances were probably told he was needed for an emergency at the capitol or some sculpted story, and not a single soul would think twice. He all but gave up getting any form of assistance, especially when he arrived at Ryse, only to be told the king had no use for him. The King claimed to have heard and saw all he needed to and that Faysal could not be trusted, he was sentenced to the dungeon or reeducation. Reeducation used spells to alter one's brain chemistry to be more compliant, but one did need to undergo the process voluntarily, so most violators of the law in Ryse were given the option. Ryse is one of the only main capitals to still use the reeducation processes, most outsiders judge them harshly for that and for their treatment of mixed races. Most of the world has grown to accept the mix of races, seeing the benefits that can come from it. Ryse and the lands under their control believe it to be an abomination to not be pure. Faysal loves his job but hates that part of the government he works for, especially since his own nephew is Half human, half elf. Luckily his Sister and nephew lived to the south-west, so he did not have to worry about them facing the troubles that Ryse causes. All that aside, when the King heard that Faysal helped a Mixed breed family escape AND the mongrel child had a curse upon him, the King was disgusted and never wanted to see Faysal again, thus, the dungeon it was, or reeducation of course.
The Dungeon in Ryse was a bit different than most as it was more of an underground labyrinth, even after fourteen years Faysal has not mapped it out in its entirety. There were obviously more Cons than pros to being in the dungeon, for one normally rations were dropped in for everyone down there once a week, stale, moldy leftovers that the pets did not even want, that was basically it, once a month they got a tub of dirty water to drink or clean in but nothing else was ever delivered, until Faysal arrived. During his first few weeks he kept his head down, he did not ever really see anyone else except when the deliveries were made, the others got real good at hiding. What Faysal found out on his third night, was the dungeon must have been connected to some sort of monster hives, as every now and then, different species of monsters would roam the halls in the dungeon, even as close to the barred gate where the food is dropped off. The first night Faysal was lucky to only run into a giant rat, he was able to spot it and hide well enough not to be spotted, he was more careful from there on out. Faysal, like everyone else thrown in the dungeon, was left with only the bare minimum clothes, no weapons or food, nothing. Many would perish within their first week, before Faysal came along. People loved Faysal, so much so that a resistance was formed once word got around from some guards that respected Faysal. Not only did Faysal have a spell to know all one's spell potential, but he himself had many of the best healing, and life sustaining abilities there are. Even the king does not know what all Faysal can really do. With all that power, and a kind heart, Faysal has helped many people.
The resistance was led by a woman named Gretta, Faysal healed her daughter from a life threatening birth defect fifteen years before the Selk incident. Gretta and her daughter, Lorana, formed the resistance when Lorana’s father, a guard named Bryan, was given orders to lock Faysal in the Ryse dungeon. Bryan did as he was told, he was not stupid or brave enough to outright defy an order, but he knew there was some injustice done, and hearing the stories of the beasts seen in the dungeon, he had to help. Once a week, every fourth day when the Guards were rotating duties, all guards in the area are distracted or are a part of the resistance, so Bryan had time to drop off a quick message, some edible food and water and occasionally a weapon. It is not much but trying to build a resistance within enemy lines takes caution, time and a lot of luck. Bryan had the strength to help a resistance but not the brains, that’s where his wife and daughter came into play. They have not done much yet however, aside from helping Faysal and freeing some of those unjustly imprisoned in less guarded areas, or at least that was all the information Bryan has been able to rely on their exploits.
“Psst, Faysal” Bryan called again, just before he saw Faysal step out of a shadow, almost appearing out of thin air. “Ha, gets me everytime, I never know where you are hiding.”
“If you could easily spot me, that would defeat the purpose of hiding now, wouldn’t it.” In truth, Faysal had some magical assistance from the stealth ability that Myra, another prisoner surviving in the dungeons, has. Of the five still alive in the dungeon, only Faysal was pure Human. Myra, being a Half Gnome, Half Elf, Making her appearance actually pretty close to a human with exaggerated witch like qualities, that is to say, long pointed nose, long pointed chin, she even had a bit of a heckling laugh. Happy, the Halfling and Orc Hybrid was a unique fellow, as small as a halfling with moss green skin and a small set of tusks, but a nice man, just a bit scary looking. Then there was Paline and Jasper, a couple thrown in here together for attempting to receive help magically conceiving a child with black market magic. Paline was part Dwarf, Part Orc and Jasper Part Dwarf and Human, So magic would need to be involved for the conception to be successful, but not going through the proper channels was not only illegal but also unsafe. Faysal could understand though, it was not cheap to do things legally. Happy was here simply because too many purebreds were scared of him too easily, Myra because she stood up to a government official when he was publicly berating a child for getting in their way. Of course the official had to make a scene because the child was a mix of gnome and human. Myra just snapped, and that specific official was having a bad day, so she ended up here.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.
“I brought you some more supplies that my wife asked me to bring you.” Bryan passed a small satchel through the bars. “Food for you all and…” a door slammed close by as someone entered the stairway to the dungeon. Usually they had more time but today the changeover was happening quickly. Faysal nodded his appreciation and added back into the shadows with the satchel. Bryan took his leave and went back to his duties.
Faysal went further away from the barred entrance to where the five set up a small camp for protection and comfort. It was not anything remarkable by any means, three makeshift tents from extra fabric they found or were given from the resistance, a small fire pit and a few protection wards placed around to alert them or outright stop any intruders to their little home. Myra was waiting for Faysal to return, over their time here they have become quite close and even share one of the tents. “Fay, what did they bring us this time? Anything that can finally help us get out of here?” Faysal responded by opening the bag for the first time as the other three all emerged from their respective tents.
As Bryan mentioned there were some food items, which were always appreciated, a small dagger which Faysal strapped to his side, his last one just broke so this was perfect timing. There were more supplies to help continue mapping out this labyrinth, some rope and, “This can not be...” Faysal said in astonishment removing the final item from the bag.
Some people have the ability to place their magic into items, so that anyone can imbue their power into it and activate the effects. Some are fairly basic everyday items to make life easier that can be used over and over, some can be used a handful of times and some, usually the more rare items can be used only once. One such item is what the Adventurers use to anyone who gains acceptance into their schools and becomes an adventurer. No one except adventurers truly know how it works just that it helps them focus their power, abilities, everything about themselves. This small midnight black sphere was an Adventurer's system.
“What is it? Can I eat it?” Happy asked, smiling. “No you can't eat it Happy, that's an Adventurers system!” Jasper Blurted out excitedly, “I want it! Imagine what I could do, fight better, move faster, maybe even finally conceive a child with my love!” Jasper continued pulling Paline close. Paline had a different opinion on the matter however, “Jasper, you know who needs to use that sweetie, we all do.” She looked over at Faysal as did everyone there.
“What if it is a knock off or a cursed item? What if the adventurer's know when someone uses one? It is too risky.” Faysal was apprehensive about using such an item.
“Faysal we have been stuck here for such a long time, nothing has helped us get free and we have lost everyone that was here or has been put here with us over time. Things can not get worse, I think this is what you are supposed to do.” Myra said, leaning in to give Faysal a kiss. “We will be here to help if anything goes wrong.”
Faysal thought for a long moment, sitting down to try and make sense of how the resistance even got such an item. Was it given to them? Stolen? Faysal supposed it did not matter now, it was in his possession and Myra was right, something had to change. “Ok Myra, I will use it.” With that Faysal grabbed the sphere tightly and forced all his will into his right hand holding the Marble sized item. A bright golden light started erupting from the sphere, illuminating the whole room. All of a sudden the sphere disappeared and Faysal's arms were out stretched. All of his hand lines were glowing the same golden color, a similar light was emitting from his feet and eyes too. Everyone saw Faysal stay like this for at least an hour. From Faysal's perspective however, everything went black and words floated in front of him:
SYSTEM INITIATED, WELCOME FAYSAL. PLEASE STANDBY.
