The Ministry of Extraterrestrial Containment, or MEC, was formed in the year
2004 to counter act the sudden appearance of alien beings of unknown origin. It
has since grown from its days of mage squadrons to its hyper elite
'Dungeon Delver' teams. They offer the best pay for those of 'unusual' ability.
Of course, this pay is most often given in the form of life insurance after the
first true test of their agents abilities.

This frustratingly high death toll is resulting in increasingly rigorous and
varied training courses provided for their inducted agents. In addition, many
experts from other fields are given invitation to join the force. Whilst dungeon
delving, marksmen, scientists, trouble shooters, and even psychologists can find
their use in keeping the team alive and functional.

The MEC only hires those with a clean history. Criminals and especially
those suspect of treason or subversion are overlooked as possible candidates for
the program. As a rule, those of weak mind are also given low consideration. The
mental stress involved with the situations and creatures that the agent must
face is simply too much to risk a weak willed individual to.
 

The Dungeon Delvers, or, the teams especially equipped for the dismantling
and infiltration of converted buildings, are the elite force of the MEC. They
receive more training, more funding, better toys and access. The life expectancy
of the average Dungeon Delver is still sadly under an hour after the first
mission.

Fortunately for the MEC, each successful mission brings back more artifacts
for use and study. Strange items that defy known laws of physics, odd scrawlings
that detail in painful detail the workings of various spells. Once deciphered,
such looted spells are often shared with a few trusted and high ranking magi in
the MEC to field test. Should the spell prove useful in the real world, it is
then made available to the rest of the organization.

Items of alien origin are predominantly kept for study and research. Items
of especially useful nature are sometimes permitted to be used in specific
outings, but never is a member of the MEC authorized to take ownership of such
an artifact.