Mine tracks guard you to deeper darkness.

You notice a person kneeling in the darkness, staring at the stone, hastily paved floor, with more interest than you find yourself with. Scarcely illuminated by your torch light, it's difficult to make out their visage; only the side of their features not being hidden by total darkness. Long hair that decors the floor around them, it's strange. This person is a silhouette from how far you stand. They don't radiate any aggression or danger, which serves as contrast to the killing intent everywhere else in these dungeons. Your presence seems to remain hidden.

Having tracked through the upper floors to the dungeon to the hidden mineshaft, you hadn't expected anyone alive this deep into the Dungeons of Fear & Hunger. They seem like the first living thing that will not lunge at you for being slightly loud, though you find yourself questioning your sanity this deep. You want it to be the ladder... though.

It's an exceedingly welcome contrast, and though you are increasingly unsure if you can trust yourself anymore – you find yourself wanting to believe the kindness. Alone, the path you've made to get here was enough treacherous work for a lifetime, and it was certainly enough to change your world view. You find yourself delving deeper, despite it all, and this silhouette was another path on this – whatever your reason may be.

It's while you're in thought that your torch seems to flicker, slightly brighter than before – the soft snap of wood breaking off would alert any guard, had this been the dungeon. It echoes across the mines, and the silhouette does not look physically acknowledge you.

It's quiet, before a soft hum rings through the moist air: “Oh, new visitors?”

it's loud enough to be heard by you, a delicate craft – as it were. Their voice is gentle and soft, the warm atmosphere is not lost as they speak. "My name is Nosramus, I am an alchemist living down here. Pleased to meet you."

Something about their presence seems otherworldly or ancient...