Dungeon of Dan’s Disdain

Our heroes walked through the Dungeon of Dan’s Disdain, just trying to get through it. The main road was flooded, the roundabout route was covered in dead trees from a storm, and the forest spontaneously ignited when the party tried to go through it, so the dungeon was the shortest path. Deep into the dungeon they come upon two guards standing between two doors. “To pass you must figure out our riddle.” one of the guards tells the party.

“A riddle?” Wymond Adelina, the powerful wizard, asked rhetorically, “Being the smart one I can answer any riddle you have.”

Marcus Miand, the mighty fighter looked at Wymond, Azra Scott the sneaky Rogue rolled her eyes, and Annelie Ian Sean, the caring Cleric suppressed a laugh.

“Tell me your riddle.” Wymond ordered, with a prideful smile.

“One of us only lies,” One guard said,

“The other only tells the truth.” The other guard said.

“You may ask one question.”

“Oh this one, that is easy,” Wymond cleared his throat and with confidence asked: “If I were to ask the other guard which door leads to freedom, what would he say?”

They both said “The one on the left.”

“Then we go to the right.” Wymond said to the group.

Marcus face palmed, “Even I can tell they are both lying.”

“This is a classic logical riddle-”

“I say we let Annelie choose what to do,” Azra said, “She is smarter than all of us.”

“Combined.” Marcus added.

The two guards looked at eachother. “Do they always have to argue?” The one on the left asked in a low voice.

“Maybe not combined.” Annelie said.

“I am a Wizard, my power comes from my intelligence.” 

“Annelie, what do you think we should do?” Marcus asked.

She gestured at the guards, “Wel, obviously, they are both lying, so-” she pointed back and forth between the guards, mumbling, pointing at the guard on the right, “-kill him,” 

The right guard tightly gripped his spear, fear visible on his face.

“and make the remaining one choose a door, then push him through it to see if it’s safe.”

The guards glanced at each other, with fear on their faces.

“Who votes to go with Annelie’s idea?” Marcus asked. Marcus, Azra, and Annelie raised their hands. Marcus, Annelie and Azra took out their weapons.

The guard on the left dropped his weapon, raised his hands, “Woah, woah, woah. We don’t need to fight, both doors lead to the same room.” 

“There’s a big dragon that likes to eat people in there. I swear we’re telling the truth.” The guard on the right said, his trembling hands tightly holding on to his weapon. 

“Please, we are only paid minimum wage.”

“I have kids to feed.” he paused, “Well one,” pause, “a goat, an old goat, but he would starve without me.”

“Where is the real exit?” Annelie asked, holding her mace.

“Two rooms down, you have to pull both sconces on the left wall and a hidden door will open.”

“You two show us.” Annelie told the guards, pointing at them with her mace, “Don’t worry, I can heal you if you get hurt.”

“I hate this job.” the left guard said, picking up his weapon.

The two guards walked between the adventurers, Marcus looked at Wymond. “Oh shut up.” Wymond preemptively said.

“Why does Dan have a man eating dragon?” Azra asked.

“Dan is the dragon.” The left guard said.

Original photo by luxida on Freeimages.com