Battle On Sacred Ground

Hasan continued to fall away from the melee, his right lag dragging behind. “Watch their clubs,” the elf sighed to Stephan. “Poised or something. I never felt the like.” The elf pulled further away and turned. Summoning a bit of magical energy, he cast a dart at the wizened shaman. “Fare the well, madame,” the elf spat venomously. He started to draw his bow to follow the magical shot with arrows, but the gnolls were charging toward him so he drew his magical blade instead.

Maruc stood his ground. He realized he had bought himself some time with the silence prayer but he knew that it would not take the shaman long to work out that it had a finite range. He had a few seconds to properly deal with the shaman so he cast off his holding prayer. “Blessed Halav restrain that vile creature!”

The shaman had been caught off guard by Maruc’s spell. By the time she realized that her enemy was the priest across the field of battle, it was too late and it was her turn to fall helplessly to the ground. Her gnoll attendants tried to revive her, but to no avail. Rather than despair, they drew their weapons and charged into the fray.

From within the mist, the sounds of the melee were dull and confused, which suited Ludo. His approach to the battle was silent and swift. Holding his sword low, he came up behind two Gnolls that were searching through the mist looking for targets to throw spears at. Ludo struck quickly, stabbing his sword deep into the lower back of the first Gnoll. It yelped in pain and crumpled to the ground, Ludo then spun to the left and attacked the second Gnoll with a series of savage blows.

This is all depressingly familiar, Miklos thought, as his muscles cramped up and he folded to the floor. To his certain knowledge every time they had encountered something with the ability to paralyse someone, he wouldn’t escape. He vowed that he would ask Maruc to pray to remove the curse from him.

Feldard, ahead of the others, didn’t see Miklos collapse or Hasan fall back. He was surprised however at how resilient the gnolls were. There were few creatures he’d encountered thus far that required more than one blow of his axe to fell them but that only made this battle more exhilarating for the young dwarf.

Feldard swung his axe down upon the injured gnoll with a fierce battle yell, intent on finishing it off before it could recover any. A quick glance at the battlefield around him to find his next target, showed how outnumbered they were. They needed to break the war party’s morale. “Focus on their leaders, first!” he called out. “The rest may scatter..”
And with another bellow Feldard battled his way towards what appeared to be the leader.

Stephan was strangely exhilarated by the dwarven battle yell. The demi-human was no longer overlooked by the gnolls but now was the focus of attention. The gnolls seemed to concentrate on the whirling bundle of muscle and axe. He noted Feldard’s fierce progress toward the gnoll leader and took up a position to assist. It was a great combination. As the gnolls stooped to strike the demi-human, they let their guard down and Stephan seized the opportunity to strike. Feldard clearly didn’t need the help but it did make the progress a little easier.

Stephan soon felt like he and the dwarf were alone in a sea of gnolls. The hide on these beasts was thick! The Traladaran felt battle sweat under his helm. He could no longer assist Feldard as he had only seconds ago but they stood back to back now, stabbing and hacking in a fury.

A deeper, guttural growl cut through the battle din. As if climbing a mountain, Feldard and Stephan suddenly found themselves at the top, facing the massive gnoll leader. The other gnolls seemed to fall back a bit out of blood-respect for their leader. The mountainous leader squared off on Feldard.

The dwarf was not intimidated in the slightest. Indeed, he was fully warmed up and engaged in the tide of battle. They exchanged several blows, steel crashed into steel. Despite the gnoll’s larger size, he was outmatched he dwarf’s armor, axe and battle-hardened determination. Feldard delivered a devastating deathblow to the gnoll, sending guts and bone across the misty forest floor.

With the shaman paralyzed and the gnoll leader slain, the adventurers had expected the remaining gnolls to flee. Instead they fought with renewed vigor. Their sacred ground had been defiled by the presence of invader and so there would be no retreat. They still had numbers on their side, a two-to-one advantage over the interlopers

The Death’s Head Gnolls

The lead gnolls launched spears at the elf and human that had dared to approach their shaman’s hut. Reflexes took over, Ludo sprung up from his prone position and darted off into the mist to give himself concealment from the marauding Gnolls. A spear collided into his side as he made his move. Despite the searing pain, he ran away from the where the rest of the party was gathered.

“Go Ludo, Godspeed,” the elf whispered, as he dodged behind the hut for cover then crouched in a fighter’s stance.

Through the mist, it was difficult to make out details about the approaching humanoids but for their large size. That and the sound of weaponry was all that Feldard needed however. He took aim at the lead figure and released his bolt. Then moving forward several steps, making a buffer of space between him and the mage behind. He reloaded his crossbow and fired again. At the speed the war party was approaching, he wouldn’t get another shot.

As they got closer, it was apparent what they faced. Gnolls. He’d heard of gnolls, but this was his first time in battle against them. He suspected they might provide a good challenge. The dwarf grinned as he switched over to his battle axe and made ready to meet their charge.

Stephan cursed himself for being so daft. “Morndu! Plalusha! My bow should have been ready!” Taking a position on Feldard’s right—but not too close!—he took on the first gnoll that reached him.

“Morndu, what a stench,” the woodsman muttered as the first creature foolishly tried a frontal assault. To add to the beast’s error, it seemed to have over-looked shorter demi-human on his left. Feldard’s axe seemed hungry, but held back–not wanting to sever a limb from its fighting companion on the dwarf’s right.

Stephan side-stepped raising his shield. The gnoll collided in a jarring arrest that staggered the monster unknowingly into Feldard’s melee realm. As if with a life of its own, the axe in Feldard’s sinewy arms heaved mightily onto the startled gnoll. A sticky splattering of dark red life blood painted Stephan’s shield.

He turned to face the next beast…

Maruc watched his friends charge into the fray. He was half tempted to follow them in, but there were quite a few of them and the small party could be easily outflanked. He decided to go the other side of the hut and went looking for the leader. He hadn’t forgotten the conversation earlier and the chances that there were some spellcasters about had not left him. He picked up a stone chip from the ground and made his way around as quietly as he could. The mist swirled and clung damply to his cloak, ahead it parted an gave him a glimpse of the gnollish warband. Their concentration caught by the rush of the warriors. Maruc looked for any that were especially large or had what would pass for priestly vestments in these parts.

He was not familiar with gnollish culture, but it was quickly obvious that they were led by a shaman. Old and bald, her face and arms were deathly white, smeared with ash. Wearing a cloak made of human, orc and goblin skin, she leaped around, shrieking and waving a rattle made from an elf skull.

His silence incantation would easily encompass the warband but not for long if they split into a general melee. He crouched behind a giant mossy slab. A stone bounced behind him and he spun mace in hand. He pulled the blow as he recognized Miklos.

“Easy Maruc.” Miklos flinched away. “I was just thinking of casting off my last web to even the odds. He noticed the stone in Marucs hand. “Start your silence prayer in a second.” Miklos judged the distance. It was pretty much at maximum range of the spell. Worth the risk to balance the fight.

Summoning the power with a few confident gestures he thrust the web into the centre of the warband. Sticky threads sprouted and danced among the gnoll’s causing cries of consternation. Three of the dog-faced warriors were tangled up by the spell.

“Now Mar…” silence engulfed him momentarily.

As Maruc finished his spell, so did the shaman hers, with an ear-splitting howl that the priest could not hear while he held the silence stone. As he threw it at the group, the effects of the gnoll’s spell took hold.

Maruc’s silence-empowered stone chip skipped to the feet of the the shaman and her ghastly screeching was cut off. She would not be casting any more spells for the time being. He picked up his shield, winked at Miklos. Miklos? Where had he gone?

The priest looked down and saw his friend upon the ground. The mage looked up at the cleric. It was not the first time he had been paralyzed by an incantation. This particular gnollish flavor of spell was particularly uncomfortable.

The shrieks and yelps frightened Hasan, but less than the outsized clubs and knives the great creatures swung. Hasan’s own first strike was faster, and he sliced through the arm of the first creature to reach him, but the great mass of the charging attackers was too great for the elf to withstand.

There were well over a dozen of them. A snarling animal pushed him back from the hut, as he joined Maruc in making sure the gnolls would not get near their fallen friend.

Concealed within the mist, Ludo slowed down. The gnolls had charged past the hut to fight the others, so he stealthily started to make his way back toward it.

A Stealthy Approach

Ludo looked at Hasan and whispered, “Maybe a stealthy approach would work best here.” Let’s find out who is in this hut. He crawled out of the tunnel hole and crawled through the brush to the side of the hut.

“Psst, wait! Ah!” Hasan grimaced as he saw Ludo sink into the mists ahead. “I don’t like this,” the elf muttered, shaking his head, as he moved forward himself to join the human. The elf stowed his bow and drew the light scimitar he carried at his side. His mail clinked in the dark, but the elf found the noise more reassuring than troubling.

“If that hut is occupied you can bet they know we are here, ” Maruc said, “what with all that fighting in the tunnels. If I was the occupier I’d have left with all my gear.” He shifted his shield round and released his mace. “If I was was powerful enough I’d still be here.”

Miklos looked at the rude hut. “Who’d live here anyway? Right by a…what did you say? A burial site?”

“Priests,” said Maruc darkly.

“Oh well that’s fine.” said Miklos, “We’ve just about done everything to desecrate it so we’re going to be popular. I’d get that silence incantation ready if I was you.”

Miklos made his way over to Stephan. Somehow the woodsman made him feel less like an unarmoured man.

Maruc nodded, he kept alert for the whisperings of spells and prepared his silence spell for swift casting.

Stephan also readied his shield and made sure he had his favorite grip on his hilt.

“Halav…,” he whispered to whomever could hear, “This hut….it’s a fright. Just like the old hag’s house we were told to avoid growing up in the wood. Mark my words, there might be an old had witch in there!”

Stephan took a side step when Miklos sidled up to him. He’s going to cramp my sword arm, he thought to himself.

Out of the tunnels now, and with Ludo sneaking up to the hut, Feldard remained by the tunnel entrance and covered Ludo’s approach with his crossbow.

Ludo made his way to the hut. When he was nearly there, an ear-splitting shriek came from the misty wood behind the hut. Then, the sound of metal armor and weaponry clanking as the outline of large humanoids emerged into view.

A war party of hyena-faced gnolls charged toward the hut.

We Shall Soon Discover the Truth

Miklos swept his eyes around the cavern. The bones of many victims had been consumed to fed the dark hunger of the ghouls not all of them human. He wondered if this place was some sort of burial site. It would be challenging to bury anyone in stone, perhaps these creatures had a regular supply of bodies? The piked corpses on the road in spoke of a warning, but would the ghouls wish to ward off potential victims? Miklos didn’t think so. Something else was in play here. ‘Lower’ undead were not renowned for hoarding treasure but powerful creatures such as these might inadvertently cast aside a valuable trinket or two.

“Before we leave I shall search with magesight in case there is a clue as to what we might find ahead.”

Miklos cast off his Detect Magic spell and searched the debris in the cavern and its tunnels, but there was no tell-tale magical glow to be seen.

“Good. Let us clear the other tunnel of evil before we depart.” Miklos followed the others.

Maruc hooked his mace onto his belt and nodded with satisfaction. “Do not be surprised if the wailing came from the ghouls. I agree with Miklos let us clear it to cleanse this place of evil.”

Maruc looked about and thought perhaps the two passages were linked. “What are the chances…”

“No need,” said the dwarf gruffly, cutting off the priest. Typical humans, he thought, lost when underground. “The other tunnel is connected to this system.”

Hasan picked at the detritus alongside Ludo and Miklos. Filth, muck and worse were all the elf found. “Come now,” he said, “More awaits us for sure.” The elf followed Feldard reluctantly. “By all that is holy, I hope we can stay above ground,” the elf complained to Ludo.

“Above or below, I feel we shall soon discover the truth,” replied the cleric.

“Da,” Stephan said sheathing his sword. “Now, let’s go a-wailing.”

“Well it least any remaining rats will have a good meal” Ludo said offhandedly. “Yes, I agree Stephen. Let’s investigate this wailing and determine if they are responsible for the slaughter of the three men. Maybe we can use these tunnels to get closer to the wailings source without being detected. Feldard with your natural underground affinity can you guide us in the right direction”?

The dwarf nodded at Ludo’s question, then took a moment to assess the tunnels leading back further to the left than their original tunnel. “This way.”

Feldard set off in the lead. Eyes alert for foe and trap, ears straining to hear the faint echo of footfalls that were not their own. Eventually they came to where the tunnel exited to the surface. In the mist beyond, they saw a wooden hut. More skull-topped stakes surrounded the dwelling.

The Ghoul’s Last Stand

Maruc sprung right and raised his mace and symbol. “Cower before the Hand of Halav!” he cried using the power of is God again.

The ghouls cowered, but did not flee. This was where they would make their last stand.

Miklos wasn’t about to be caught out a second time, he had expect this and had prepared his web incantation. As the burly dwarf and and bulky armoured cleric parted to make room to defend themselves Miklos took advantage of the gap and cast his web between them at the ghouls.

Within the eerily glowing illumination cast by the flickering torchlight, the ghouls looked liked creatures from Ludo’s nightmares, he held his sword in the guard position prepared to defend himself and watched as the magical web encased the unholy shrieking creatures, trapping them.

Feldard was glad for the greater height of the cavern. Here he could swing his axe with much more effectiveness. As the ghouls became entangled in the webbing cast by Miklos, Feldard went to work, cleaving the undead ‘til all that remained were parts. Initially, Stephan had taken up a position to protect Maruc and Miklos so they could ply their trade. In the aftermath, he followed Feldard’s lead and assisted in piece-mealing the ghouls.

Last into the room, Hasan saw little but the efficient dispatch of the horrid ghouls. His elven hands worried over an arrow, half-drawn from the holster that hung by his side. But the elf saw no target. He watched. Though they struggled within the web strands, the ghouls quickly fell under the sword and axe blows from Feldard and Stephan.

Ludo wondered how they came to be here and who was their master. The very presence of these creatures indicated that the ‘Sons of Night’ might be active in these parts. Perhaps the mysterious waling sound from outside the cave would answer that question.

Once the creatures had been dispatched, the group moved around the cavern, studying a moment each tunnel that radiated out from this central area. Trying not to shine his lightstone so as to disrupt the demi-humans’ vision, Stephan focused on inspecting the cavern and exits.

The tunnel system was not large. The various routes led a short way to concealed exits on the surface. Other than small creepy, crawly creatures, the ghouls underground lair now seemed to be empty.

Back Into The Tunnel

“Da,” Stephan confirmed to Hasan, “Let’s go see what that wailing was.” He nodded toward the left, up and behind where the two tunnels opened. After getting his gear in order, he opted to have his bow ready at this time–He paused, waiting for Hasan and Ludo to lead the party toward where the wailing was heard.

Ludo finished wiping the rat blood and fur off his sword, and nodded to Stephen. “We haven’t finished investigating this tunnel which is where the ghouls disappeared into. I suggest we re-enter this tunnel and finish off these unholy creatures first before investigating the wailing sound.” Ludo looked at Maruc for confirmation as to what he thought was the best course of action.

Feldard shook his head at the lack of clear leadership amongst the party. Well it was his fault he supposed, he asked the question of where to go, in the first place rather than simply leading the way. Best he solve it then. With a grunt, he reloaded his crossbow and he nodded to Ludo. “We continue back into the tunnel.” The dwarf didn’t wait to see if others agreed or not. He simply led the way into the tunnel mouth once more.

Ludo nodded to Feldard comments, moved aside to let Feldard into the cave and relit the torch he was holding. He shurgged his shoulders it least if the Ghouls attacked; chances were he would not be within range of their putrid claws and paralysing touch. He murmured to himself, “I hate fighting undead.” Holding the torch aloft, he followed the last party member into the cave.

“Oh wise Feldard we shall follow you, if only to pull your paralyzed corpse back out.” Maruc’s mischievous grin hovered around his lips as he slapped the dwarf on the shoulder. “Fear not the power of Halav goes with us.” He ducking into the cave after the dwarf, holy symbol and lightstone in one hand, mace in the other. There was no guarantee that the two ghouls they had seen were the only ones.

Miklos eye’d Hasan. “In Harlafinn’s Elven Compendium, it states that immortal elves have uncommon resistance to the foul touch of ghouls. This may prove our saviour in the hours to come.”

He felt around in his backpack and felt something sloshing about, he pulled it out. It was the potion of animal control. He glanced down at the corpses of the rats, he wondered how long the rats might have lasted against the ghouls?

Too late now. The silent darkness waited, he followed,

Stephan shrugged and stowed his bow. Figuring they’d be in tight quarters for a spell, he fitted his shield on his back and readied his sword and lightstone. With stalwart determinism, he took his place in the line up and entered the grotto.

They encountered a few straggler rats that hadn’t gotten caught in the mage’s sleep spell, but they were easily disposed. Feldard led them a short way until they reached an area where the tunnel opened up into a larger area.

This larger chamber was more fit for human-sized creatures, with about an eight feet high ceiling. There were openings to other small tunnels. It appeared that this was the center of some sort of underground ghoul tunnel system. The ghouls that had fled at Maruc’s banishment were hiding inside. They shrieked at the approach of the group and once again attacked.

Must Have Been One of the Rats

“My beard!” Feldard exclaimed in shock then took a wild swing at the fleeing human, missing Stephan as another rat jumped for the distracted dwarf.

As the party pulled into the open space, Maruc found it easier to swing his mace. It was marvelously light and seemed to have a life of its own. Again and again he swept the weapon into the mass of swarming rodents and more often than not it found its mark. A good thing too as the supply of rats seemed to be endless.

“Miklos! One of your spells might be useful right now, unless you fancy another couple of days recuperation in this delightful place!” Maruc’s fierce grin bellying his concerns.

Miklos could see Maruc was quite correct as he glance around Stephan’s shoulder, and yet more seemed to be coming out of the darkness. He needed more space lest he enchant his friends. “Back away from the cave mouth everyone, I shall cast a sleep enchantment upon them, it should make our way clear!”

Stephan ducked, trusting Miklos would ply his skill and get them out of this rat nest. But unfortunately, he had two of the vile beasts somehow attached to him at the moment. Yet he ducked. And rolled–trying to squash one of them with his back. It squeaked but seemed undeterred.

Kicking, he was able to send one skidding over the cave floor into the effect of Miklos’ enchantment. He was able to “sheath” his knife in the other.

Ludo too scrambled out of the cave pulling clear his sword, he hacked at any rats that came within reach.

Feldard was less than pleased with the advice of the others to give ground, but did back his way out of the tunnel, bashing rats against the walls as he did so.

As they retreated into a defensive ring about the cave mouth, Miklos was impressed how they corralled the beasts into a neat mass. He waited a few seconds to see if more were about to arrive. “Perfect gentlemen! Stephan duck!” he swiftly gathered his enchantment and almost gently laid it upon the centre of the pack. The effect was almost instantaneous. The ravening pile slowed and stopped.

As soon as sleep blanketed the rats, he started to stick them with his sword clear of any strands. As soon as the last rats were killed, he carefully reentered the cave to retrive his flint.

Hasan watched the companions finish the rats off. “I say,” the elf remarked, “let’s not forget the scream that came from the left. Shall we thither?” The elf tossed his apple nonchalantly…to the right.

Afterwards, he felt for the damage to his beard and glared at Stephan muttering curses in dwarven. By the time the rest of the party was ready to continue, Feldard seemed at least approachable.

“Well, do we continue into the tunnel, or try to the left or right?”

Stephan kept well clear of Feldard; avoiding eye contact. He thought it best to lay low for a bit.

He was guardedly relieved that the dwarf did not seem to be dwelling on the matter and was instead focused on the groups’ next move. Stephan resolved to never mention the beard. As far as he was concerned, it never happened. Or at least if it did, it must have been one of the rats.

Feldard Rat-Beard

In the confined space of the low ceiling’d tunnel, Feldard had opted to have his crossbow loaded and at the ready. Seeing the rats scurrying forward, the dwarf let loose a bolt towards the forward most rodent. There was a squeal of pain that issued then the creature fell. The bloodthirsty rats scurried over the body, paying it no heed. The dwarf quickly reloaded and then fired off a second at nearly point blank before the first rat was upon him.

There was no room to pull out his axe much less use it properly, the best the dwarf could do was poke and strike at the the giant rat with the heavy wooden crossbow he held between him and it. “Someone light a torch! Try burning them!” he called out as he near wrestled with the rat trying to keep those slavering teeth well away from limbs and torso.

There were definite disadvantages to using mage-lit stones as opposed to torches, now was such a time.
“Retreat into the open Feldard, we can all help then!” cried Maruc as he backed away from the tight cave mouth. He readied his mace and shield just in time as swift evil looking rodent squirmed between the dwarfs legs. It was big for a rat, but Maruc wasn’t about to be daunted by its unnatural size. He pulled back quickly to give himself room the swing, thankful that they had not ventured too far in.

His first swing went wide but the backstroke caught it as it tried to gnaw through the plate of his left greave. Stunned it skittered a few feet away but Maruc swiftly stood on it and ended its life with a final blow. He looked around for more, and more there were. The hairy things were everywhere. One of them bit into the cleric’s wrist.

Glad to have the elf beside him, Miklos said, “Area of effect magic I have, but this is poor planning, I cannot use any here lest I confound friend and foe alike! Still there may be others about attracted by this noise. I shall not be caught out a second time.”

Dropping his sword and shield, Stephan leaped to Feldard’s aid, thunking his helmet against a thick root. Drawing his hunting knife, he jabbed it at the stinking rat that clung to the dwarf’s beard.

The hide of the rat was thick and Stephan had to push especially hard to puncture through. Blood spurted from the wound onto Stephan and Feldard. The rat continued to twist and bite while Stephan plied the knife in a gouging motion, trying to finally kill it. In doing so, part of the blade sliced through a small part of the dwarf’s beard and despite the immediacy of the situation, Stephan nearly gasped at what he’d done. He only hoped Feldard would understand.

The rat did not stop twitching but finally loosed its grip and thudded to the dirt. Stephan started to make a retreat; partly because he hated fighting in these confines but mostly to put space between him and Feldard.

Ludo scrambled through his back pack and grabbed his flint and a tourch, in the confused melee happening in front of him he cursed as he accidently dropped his flint. “Miklos he yelled get me a flint”!

Miklos, in utter defiance of his natural bad luck when it comes to things dexterous, kicked a splintered flint from the ground onto his foot. he reached out and flicked the splinter into his hand which negligently flicked in Ludo’s direction. He didn’t break his concentration once. It was a shame no one was watching.

Hasan backed out of the tunnel he had just entered. There was nothing he could do to help the friends who had gone before him. The elf found an apple in his pocket, and crunched into it. Sweet juice dribbled onto his tattered travel clothes. “What would my Rahasia think of me now?” the elf mused.

Inside the tunnel, there were now nearly a dozen of the hungry rats crawling about.

Something Else Is Out There

Ludo made his way over to Miklos, and checked his life signs, “He is ok. I suspect the paralysis will wear off shortly, the creatures bite was not too deep.” He placed Miklos’s backpack under his head and waited for him to regain consciousness. Sipping some water he pointed out to the rest, “I don’t think the ghouls left the heads. In my experience, they would just eat them. Something else is out there.”

Feldard was glad to hear that the mage was just temporarily paralyzed. It bothered him that they had be so easily surprised and wondered what other tricks lay ahead if even a ghoul could sneak upon them. Ludo’s suggestion that there was something else out there, was met with his usual scowl. The dwarf took a protective stance near to the mage and kept watch.

While Hasan and the others considered the source of the wailing, Stephan lit a brand and approached first the right tunnel and then the left…both with great caution. He watched to see if the flame was drawn in or not. Then, after seeing what he could, he threw the flaming brand into the opening of the right tunnel.

The rotating stick gave its own sort of scream through the air before landing with a thud in moist dirt. He thought he could hear something else besides the light crackle of his brand. A scurrying of some kind; not uncommon in a cave like this but he had just seen undead escape to this hole.

The dying fire briefly illuminated thick roots and moss covered rock. He took out his own lightstone and directed the illumination in to the void. Aside from some glistening, greenish gore gooped on a root, he saw no sign of the undead.

“Can’t see much,” Stephan said turning to the others. “It is a short tunnel, only 3-feet high. Looks like it goes way back. I can see some signs of their flight.”

“Now then, I tell you, the wails came from the left,” Hasan insisted. “Look that way, but let us go straight on. Whatever we face, it will come to us, but better we know it is coming than that we meet it in the place of it’s choosing. Go know, Feldard, lead us, these tunnels are your place, not mine. But into the tunnels we must go. Let us take the fight to them. Pick up Miklos, we dare not let them move ahead too far, for they will wait. Come, come!” The elf moved forward, beckoning frantically, his shield bobbing left and right, his sword a toy soldier’s frantic swipe.

Maruc leant over the mage. “Cold, clammy. No he is not dead, I agree he will recover shortly. My advice would be to wait until he recovers before venturing in,” he said disagreeing with the elf. “I personally would prefer having is incantations on hand. Have you forgotten the experience in the tunnels of the Gnomes? I would not want to blunder into another of those spiders whilst cleansing the world of the ghouls.” Maruc wiped his friends forehead with a cloth, a pink hue started to replace the while palour. “Good another minute or two and we’ll be ready to go.”

The group waited for five minutes, but the mage had still not waken. Finally, after a couple minutes more, he started to stir.

“Welcome back Miklos, Lying around whilst we fight for our lives is very poor show. Next time be more vigilant.” Maruc grinned.

The world swam into focus. Miklos blinked and the throbbing in his head subsided. He reached up and touched his shoulder, it was still numb. He felt that was a blessing. He nodded at the priest. “Eh? Well you seem to want all the fun.” he took a deep breath. “What kind of friend would I be if I kept it all to myself?” He smiled weakly.

He pulled himself up on his elbows. He fumbled for his waterskin and took a long draught. “I can see we have restrained Hasan and Stephan too long. I am well enough to continue. But these creatures came from behind. I suggest Feldard remains with us a rearguard. We mustn’t get blocked in. We may wish to retreat in a hurry.”

Feldard smiled briefly at the mage’s comment but shook his head. “Hasan is correct. The elf will guard you well in my stead as I lead us on. There may dangers ahead in the tunnels that he and the others would not recognize. I will guide us forward.” With that said the dwarf moved towards the front of the party and made his way towards the tunnel directly ahead. His pace was cautious, studying the structural soundness of the entrance way and wary of pitfalls.

The tunnel was short, only 3-feet high, even small for a dwarf. Combat would be a challenge, virtually impossible for those wielding long swords.

It wasn’t long before they found out what Stephan thought he had seen scurrying about. Four giant rats scampered out of the dark, their mouths dripping with drool at the prospect of a fresh meal.

---

 

Return From Whence You Came!

Miklos felt the cold touch of death creep down his shoulder and toward his heart. The chill spread and his useless knees buckled, he was grateful that he would not be awake when they feasted on him.

Feldard gave out a bellow of alarm to warn the others ahead “We are attacked!” and charged at the undead creature standing up from the unconscious mage.

The dwarf swung his axe blade up and over his head to come down hard on the ghoulish creature just as its claws landed a glancing scrape on the stout warrior. The magical blade bit deep. The creature’s scream rang in the party’s ears as it fought back fiercely.

Ludo sprang into action holding the lightstone before him as a deterrent. Another of the undead creatures appeared out of nowhere. He thrust his sword into its chest and felt it cut through rotten flesh. Withdrawing his sword he saw a gallop of sickly green liquid erupt from the creature and land on the ground next to Miklos. The creature paused for a moment, then screeched at the young rogue.

Stephan was late getting his hack in but soon joined Feldard and Ludo in the attack. Rolling to his feet, he found himself facing a ghastly visage. The large eyes though vacant burned with pure hate. The gaping maw screeched an ear-splitting wail. A sickly old, dry smell emanated from the mouth in a cold stream.

The scrabbling creature attacked with unnatural vigor. Pushing with his shield, he was able to keep the thing off him for a second. But the grasping dead fingers held tight to the shield weighing it down with a sudden twisting motion. This sent the Traladaran sprawling into the dark mud with the thing still flinging itself about trying to get at his neck. He felt hard dry fingers scraping at his flesh but somehow managed to free enough space to strike with his blade.

Thwack!

The sword cut into the animated flesh sending a strange reverberation up the woodsman’s arm. The blow successfully removed the fell being’s left arm but had no effect on it’s seeming bloodlust. With an erupting wail, it again leaped Stephan.

Maruc grabbed at his holy symbol and was about to call again on Halav Re-Incarnate when still another ghoul rushed out from the mist.

“Return from whence you came!” Cried the priest. The beast recoiled and fled back to its tunnel. Then striding fearlessly toward the twisted animated remains locked in combat with Stephan. He thrust his holy symbol into the face of the first feeling the protective power of Halav encompass him and leap forth. “Allow the spirit of Halav to give rest to your souls. Pass into the ether!”

With this repeated intonation, the remaining three ghouls made haste away from the cleric.

Hasan recoiled at the sound of Miklos’s gasp. The elf’s sword glinted menacingly, but there was no room to swing it in the tight scrum in front of him. “Maruc, go now, and look to these creatures. I will watch for others,” the elf insisted.

There were two tunnels, about 50 feet apart, one straight ahead and another to the right, concealed by overgrown vegetation through which the undead had retreated. With the quick battle ended, the group noticed that the mysterious wailing had stopped. Hasan had the impression that it had originated from a different angle, somewhere ahead and slightly to the left of their position.