"Returning to the land of dreams feels wonderful. This murky wind reminds me of the desperate days when I was trapped in a maze more than a century ago. I wasn't as brave as I am now. Back then, I had no choice but to beg the nightmares swarming toward me for help.
They answered generously.
They let me hide in a dream and escape the pursuit of the Bone-Biting King's minions. Ah, those were truly desperate times."
The flickering opening of the Astral Gate meant that new guests had arrived at the Maginot Line.
As Little Rich Guy led the way, his ever-present granny, Ms. Kasper, followed along, leaning on the thornwood staff characteristic of druids.
Perhaps she had sensed the dreams permeating Transia's material world. The rather unconventional archdruid spoke poetically of her past, then casually reversed her staff in the grip of a monk preparing to strike. The iron-capped striking ends of the seemingly ordinary thornwood staff glimmered in the setting sun.
Yesterday's battle in Dagon Province had cost the players more than two-thirds of their number. Those who had survived the previous day's fighting were no pushovers, but players like Little Rich Guy—"lucky charms" who'd fought the whole battle, reaped a great haul, and escaped without a scratch—were still few and far between.
The reason he was still full of energy today, ready to accept a mission and return to Transia through the Astral Gate, was partly his own considerable strength. The rest was thanks to his "personal consultant," who had kept him safe.
To be honest, Ms. Kasper had all sorts of flaws and a less-than-glorious past, but she was undeniably a powerful fighter.
Her unique fighting style combined a druid's control techniques with a monk's incredible destructive power, making her unflinching even when facing