The Strongest Guild Members

As Amukelo and his companions followed Airnel through the opulent corridors of the mansion, their eyes were drawn to the lavish details that adorned every inch of the space. The walls were lined with golden panels, each embossed with scenes of heroic deeds and mythical battles that seemed to dance under the flickering light of crystal chandeliers. Elegant tapestries depicting the guild's storied history hung between the panels, their vibrant threads shimmering with the movements of legendary creatures and valiant guild members.

The floor was a mosaic of fine marble, polished to a reflective sheen that mirrored the grandeur above. Every few feet, intricately carved statues of various mythical beings stood guard, casting long shadows across the hall. The air was filled with a subtle fragrance of exotic flowers, which were arranged in opulent vases that punctuated the length of the hallway.

As they approached a set of large double doors at the end of the corridor, Airnel paused to adjust his white cloak before pushing the doors open with a practiced ease. The room beyond was even more impressive than the corridor. It was a large circular chamber, the ceiling arched high above, adorned with a fresco that depicted the sky and celestial bodies in motion. The center of the room featured a large round table made of dark wood, around which sat several individuals who exuded an unmistakable aura of power and authority.

Airnel stepped into the room with a confident stride, gesturing for Amukelo and his friends to follow. He began the introductions with a proud tone, indicating each member of his team who played a vital role in the guild's operations.

"First, he pointed to Zilthiss Shadeclaw, a mysterious lizardman mage. Zilthiss was draped in a flowing light cloak, under which her scales shimmered with an ethereal glow." She leaned casually against her staff, which pulsed with deep, ancient magic, its top adorned with a crystal that seemed to hold swirling mists within.

"Next to Zilthiss sat Brorin Axebreaker, a stout dwarf known for his formidable strength and craftsmanship." His long beard was intricately braided with golden threads, matching the runes that adorned his massive hammer resting beside him.

"Beside Brorin was Krazthir Steelwing, an imposing draconian warrior." His scales had the sheen of polished steel, and he carried a dual-bladed sword that was known to cut through air and armor with equal ease. His eyes held a sharpness that matched the lethal precision of his weapon. "He is also our leader," Airnel added. 

"On Krazthir's other side is Elandir Swiftarrow, an agile elven archer." His presence was almost ethereal, with piercing eyes that scanned the room calmly. He cradled a slender bow, beautifully crafted from the wood of the ancient Whisperwood. His quiver was filled with arrows, each fletched with feathers from the rare silverwing falcon, known for their durability and mystical properties.

"Finally, there was Serah Brightwater, a compassionate human healer." Her gentle demeanor was a stark contrast to her formidable companions. Her robes, adorned with symbols of healing and restoration, flowed around her as she moved. She carried with her an array of herbs and potions, each capable of curing ailments and mending wounds that were beyond the skill of ordinary healers.

As the introductions concluded, Krazthir, the draconian warrior, leaned forward with a look of curiosity mixed with caution. "Who are they?" he asked, his voice deep and resonant.

Airnel, standing confidently beside Amukelo and his group, responded, "These are the individuals who may have information about the recent incident involving the dungeon breach." His voice carried a mixture of assurance and hope, signaling the importance of their unexpected guests to the ongoing investigations and the safety of the city.

Krazthir noticing their necklaces said, "From your necklaces, I can guess the reason why you are here," Then he added, "But tell me, who is the person responsible for this, and how many artifacts he already has." 

Amukelo began recounting the grim details of their journey and the encounters with Valarian, starting with the theft of the first artifact which occurred before they were directly involved. "Valarian, the necromancer, has been pursuing these artifacts for reasons unknown at first, but it's clear now he intends to use them for catastrophic purposes. The first artifact he stole was an unexpected attack, that way he got this without much effort," he explained, his voice steady but laden with concern. 

"The second artifact was taken from the lands where Ida and Yosue lived. We were on a mission to protect that artifact, but circumstances, gave enemies the agvantage, and we failed," Amukelo's tone darkened as he relayed the horrors witnessed. "They massacred those who were disconnected from the group and hit at our weak points."

He paused for a moment, letting the gravity of the situation sink in before continuing. "The third artifact was even more dire. Valarian targeted a village inhabited by catfolks, using brutal tactics to coerce the location of the artifact from them. They resisted valiantly but were no match for Valarian's forces. Many were slaughtered, and he manipulated their desperation to finally seize the artifact. We arrived shortly after, only to find a village in ruins and a people broken by sorrow."

As he described these events, the room filled with a heavy silence, each member of Airnel's guild absorbing the weight of Valarian's cruelty and the stakes of their impending task. Zilthiss, the lizardman mage, broke the silence with a grave nod, "This doesn't look good at all. Now that he's three artifacts deep, the world's peril grows with each passing moment. We must act swiftly."

Airnel then took charge, his voice authoritative yet infused with a hint of urgency, "We need to organize a journey immediately. The more people we have, the better. I will contact other guilds for reinforcements." He directed his gaze to his team, signaling them to prepare.

After addressing the logistical needs, Airnel turned back to Amukelo's group, curious about the individuals before him. "We haven't had the pleasure of formal introductions yet. Would you mind sharing your names with us?"

Amukelo responded with a respectful nod, "Certainly. I am Amukelo, and I am a dual swordsman," he began, his introduction drawing a raised eyebrow from Krazthir, who seemed impressed or perhaps intrigued by Amukelo's chosen discipline.

"This is Eliss, our group's most powerful mage," Amukelo continued, prompting a slight grunt from Zilthiss, perhaps challenging the claim or simply acknowledging the competitive spirit among mages.

"Erohan here is a dragon, currently in human form to blend in more easily with us," he added, which seemed to spark a flicker of interest in the eyes of the guild members.

"Yosue is not only strong but also one of the kindest among us," Amukelo's voice softened as he introduced the younger member, who gave a shy wave.

"And lastly, Ida, our leader who has kept us focused and calm through the most challenging situations," Amukelo concluded, showing a deep respect for Ida's leadership.