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THE DUNGEONS
You asked why I have not mentioned any dungeons in my letters. You are right, I have been in dungeons on numerous occasions. Sometimes, between quests, my camp is near to a dungeon and I can feel the evil lurking beneath the ground. If time and circumstances allow, I like nothing better than to try my hand at eradicating these foul nests of monsters. It is good practice, it hones my soul in righteousness, and it is my only dependable source of income. It would be better, of course, for me to return any gold or treasure to its rightful owners, but I have never been able to find anyone who could honestly claim it, and neither have I heard of anyone else doing so. If my words sound tinged with guilt, my young friend, it is true to some extent. If I could do otherwise, I would. I cannot, and try not to fret over it.
The dungeons of which I am aware are: Covetous, Deceit, Despise, Destard, Hythloth, Shame, and Wrong. Wrong was once a prison, but seems changed by something more sinister than simple time. The evil caves, however, are found wherever monsters live near cavernous ground. I have found them near cities, in wasteland and on islands. Some are more shallow than others, and some seem bottomless.
You may recall, Kerick, that the old songs and tales all speak of "The Eight Dark Dungeons of Britannia," and knowing your facility with numbers, I doubt not that you have already noticed that my catalog above numbers only seven. All I can say on this matter is that if ever there was an eighth great dungeon, it's name and location have been utterly lost to contemporary knowledge. There are no caves near Trinsic - the ground is too sandy until the foothills to the west are reached - so you do not know what a natural cave is like. A cave is always cool, even in the hottest days of summer. It is moist with groundwater, often dotted with crystal clear ponds that are sweet and cold to the tongue. The ceilings and floors are decorated with wondrous stone artwork that seems to flow without moving. It is a place of marvels, peopled principally by pale lizards and small furry bats.
A dungeon, however, is different. There is a malign intelligence to its design. There are fewer caverns - almost none - and the narrow corridors twist and turn to lose you in their depths. Landmarks will repeat themselves, and when you seem to be most safe is the best time to check for traps. Creatures that inhabit dungeons are aggressive and evil. They can see in the dark as well as you can see in daylight, and there are always a few lurking behind you, ready to attack if your torch ever fails. I like light spells; they leave my hands free and don't drip pitch on my armor.
If you would ever like to go into a cave, I will take you. If you are curious about a dungeon, I'll find you a book on the subject. Write and let me know how your studies go.
Your friend,
Garreth
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