Malte and the Yet Unnamed Dungeon

Soon after nightfall, near the growing collection of tents, a very tall drow finds a spot with a clear view of the night sky and, quite pleased with himself, takes his bedroll off his large backpack and unfurls it amid the forest floor foliage, seemingly getting ready to sleep without setting anything else up.

A sea elf strolls past him, seemingly unperturbed at the lack of weather protection. He makes several stops as he nears the center of camp, inspecting each open spot in detail. Finally, he finds one he's satisfied with and starts the somewhat elaborate process of setting up his tent.

Supplies come out of a bag of holding one after the other, all arranged neatly until they're ready to be used. Each step of the process is done carefully and methodically, from measuring out the distances between tent hooks before putting them down to finishing the whole things off with a sturdy rain cover which he shakes clean of some remaining traces of dirt from last time it was used before installing it.

Vane watches the newcomer (can he really call them that when he just arrived) for a few minutes before he stands off his bedroll and heads over to them.

“Hello! Do you need any help setting up?”

Malte waves him off from his kneeling position attaching a fastener, "Oh no no no, don't worry about it. I enjoy the process. It's a little something to make the tent feel somewhat more like a home, and since I plan to be here for a while I'll take what little something I can get."

He finishes his task and turns to stand eye to eye (or well, as close as he can get) with the drow. Malte looks him up and down and nods to himself.

"I appreciate the offer regardless." He holds his webbed hand out for a handshake, "I imagine we'll be seeing more of each other around here, the name's Helmond but most folks just call me Malte."

Vane’s hand engulfs Malte’s as he shakes it. “I’m Vane. If you change your mind and want some help, give me a holler.” He takes a second to consider the tent. “You look like you have a system going here. Do you travel a lot? Do you do a lot of dungeons?”

Malte seems pleased to have his set-up commented on. "I do 'do a lot of dungeons' as you put it, though not always as an adventurer. I'm a dungeon researcher you see - I study their construction and the ones that have them, their ecosystems. And the potential this dungeon has! I just know I'm going to make a breakthrough here. But I'm getting ahead of myself, what about you?"

He looks over at Vane's tent, or lack of one, "Are you the hardy sort of adventurer who's happy sleeping with nothing between them and the stars? Or did you forget to pack a tent?"

Vane laughs. “I’ve never used one. Back where I’m from I didn’t need one, and the plants and animals up here live in the rain, so I figure I can, too. But aren’t ecosystem dunegons rare? I’ve been in plenty, and this is the first one like this I’ve been around. What’re these big dungeons like inside? Are there really living things that can’t be found anywhere else? What kind of things do you research?”

Evidently, Vane doesn’t really give a person space to respond when he talks.

Malte isn't convinced the drow really knows what he's getting into if he's not used to the rain but he doesn't comment further. If Vane needs a warm dry place when he realizes waking up soggy and cold isn't appealing maybe Malte can build up some goodwill. After all in a small camp like this goodwill and a network of favors gets you much further along than money.

"I see I see, still I'll return your offer from earlier. Consider yourself welcome to knock on my 'door' if you find the rain isn't worth it after all."

Malte latches on to all these questions with a twinkle in his eye, "Are you interested in dungeons? I could recommend you some books and essays on the subject, even lend you a few I have on hand. To answer your questions quickly - it depends, each one is unique, that's can only have a long answer but in short - yes, my research all surrounds the idea that by studying dungeons we can learn more about our regular surroundings. Ah here we go-" He's been pulling things out of his backpack while speaking and has just started pulling out some books, "I have How Dungeons Age (perhaps that isn't the best starter book), The Economy of Dungeons, Dungeon Flora and its Non-Dungeon Counterparts, AH here's An Introduction of Dungeon Ecosystems. That book is a treasure, no matter how far along in you dungeon research you are there's bound to be something relevant."

The book is well worn with many bookmarks sticking out of it. Malte flips through some of the pages and anyone paying attention can notice the margins covered in scribbles and notes. He offers it to Vane, "I won't ask you to be too careful with it but maybe don't leave it out in the rain as you read it."

At the mention of Dungeon Flora, Vane's eyes sparkle, but as Malte flips through An Introduction of Dungeon Ecosystems, his excitement falters.

"That sounds really interesting, but, uh, I'm not really good at reading Common, haha." He rubs his nose, embarrassed, but still smiling. He looks a little longingly at the books. "You don't happen to have anything written in Undercommon, do you?"

"Ah, of course, forgive me for assuming. I don't speak undercommon myself, however I do have a colleague who does. If you don't mind waiting I can write to her and ask her to send me something for you? If there's any particular subject you're curious about do let me know - or actually take your time to think it over until tomorrow. I don't think I'll be penning any letters until at least then."

He looks back at his tent, "On that note, I should really finish setting up my tent. It was good to meet you, Vane. I hope you enjoy your night under the stars."

“Oh don’t worry about it, no need to go through the trouble. It was good meeting you, too, Malte. Maybe we can explore this place together sometime!”

Vane waves, returns to his bedroll, and plops down on top of it with his arms behind his head, breathing in the night air and stargazing, never actually going to sleep.

He’s already made a friend! This dungeon was definitely going to be a good experience.

Malte was absolutely going to "worry" about it. If the drow wouldn't supply topics on his own Malte would come up with a few, he already noticed the spark of interest in Vane when Malte has mentioned plants.

Malte returns to setting up his camp, already drafting tomorrow's letter in his head.