Paula's RAPPAN ATHUK

You're awake.   Wherever you once were, you aren't.   You're strapped to a chair. A man's voice is ringing in your ears. He is overly cheery, but not cheery enough to offset the cold, robotic nature of his tinny voice.   Welcome, Champion! You've been selected for Team D.   Please don't struggle. Just relax. You've been given a marvelous opportunity~! Relax. Listen. Let's play a little game. Here's what you need to know.   Deep within the Forest of Hope is a mausoleum and graveyard... the primary entrance to Rappan Athuk, the Dungeon of Graves. Soon after the mausoleum was discovered the peaceful creatures of the wood began to disappear. Though many rangers and druids investigated these happenings, the cause of the creatures’ disappearance was not immediately determined. Some years later the first powerful group of Champions, led by Bofred, a high priest of the god Thyr, investigated the evil happenings and found the sunken graveyard leading to a labyrinthine complex. Bofred and his companions found great hordes of evil creatures in the complex. Though some of his companions returned from their expedition, telling tales of fantastic treasure and ferocious monsters, Bofred was never seen again—lost in the catacombs beneath the cursed mausoleum. So what does this have to do with you? It is said that at its deepest level is a treasure beyond imagining: a Rod of Wishes. The Champion Team that successfully delves all fifteen levels of Rappan Athuk and recovers the Rod of Wishes, will be transported instantly home, and will be gifted one Wish for their trouble.   For the last one hundred years, sooooo many ranks of Champions have been invited to the newfound dungeon! Many fell prey to bandits and monsters in the surrounding wilderness. Of those who survived to reach the mausoleum and sunken graveyard, most were slain by guardians of green stone or perished on the very first level. Those rare few who return from deeper treks speak of horrible undead and creatures that cannot be slain. All who have delved into Rappan Athuk offer this one universal piece of advice: “Don’t go down the Well.” How funny! Well, good luck!   The voice laughs jovially, and then the world shifts to black. When you open your eyes, you're standing in a bustling metropolitan town. The town is inhabited by a wide variety of people dressed in all sorts of out-landish garb. The rest are wearing boring peasant's clothes. With an unsettling sort of feeling you realize that many of the people in the town are exact carbon copies of one another.   After a few moments a few others appear alongside you. The air shifts and contorts with a loud buzzing sound, and you hear the same perky voice announce, Say Hello to your team members, Team D! We trust that you will be less disappointing than your predecessors. And before you get any naughty ideas, remember - the whole team must reach the Rod of Wishes to win the game! BEST OF LUCK TO YOU!