Into Abyss centuries untouched, they made their way with awe and care, down that dust thick, granite stair, huddling safety in nervous clutch.

The descent into the earth...

Here and there, they heaved with care, down the steps a weighty log stripped bare, Silverblade had warned them of traps in such lairs, and THERE! Arrows sliced in dozens through the air.

Filled with such nervous fears, treading each step as if to life did grip, far, far below the ground on this sombre trip, Death awaited any slip, eyes filled with falling grit through dusty cheeks dripping tears.

Cleric, mage and bard frescoes on the wall often did examine, ancient sign and rune of Suuloise, those be-damned human vermin, but no meaning could they determine, though studied hard.

Fizz and the priestess

And here did Fizz and Silverblade glances exchange, as some thoughts to their mind surface, the elf had felt some unhallowed grace, and the mage a strange expression on her face, and about the priestess their feelings did rearrange.

At last the path upward led, and the stairs angled up through ceiling ahead, so their packs did shed, and wary Rhino to front mighty shield defensive spread, and with caution again did they tread.

A landing, with a door in a wall, and slits in the wall, and bolts in deluge filled the hall, but Rhino and the men at arms did not stall, behind shields they were all standing.

Warriors braced for impact, against the door they stood, while wizard words of opening spoke in words dim understood, and then the door opened in shower of splintering wood, and undead skeletons before them in undeniable fact'

The walking dead...

Toe to toe, face to face, with evil, walking bones! Armed with bows and mace the horrors brought to living frightened moans, but with raging curse Rhino with blows from shield and mace of his own, havoc and destruction did sow!

Soldiers dropped spears at Fizz's urging, for fleshless bones pikes struck but little, and fear blew them in frenzy foes to whittle, down went the skeletons like skittles, but the monsters of their tomb intruders were eager purging.

A strong spoken chanting, as the party's healer her god given powers did invoke, and strange wash of shimmering energies over the skeletons broke. Fizz in horror his battle song did choke, for AWAY from the good folk the undeads' anger was slanting!

Controlled by the healer's strange force, the fleshless beasts on those not so commanded, their infernal hatreds in voiceless fury descended, using this respite the heroes battled without remorse.

Wracking din in stone-walled chamber, soon those skeletons not allied were to their deaths returned, but this was all deadly trap as they soon discerned, for this room was filled with arrow slits from which arrows hummed, and a scream from badly wounded Fizz showed them the danger.

But some inner need the healer consumed, magic elixir in one draught she drunk, and into form of bat she shrunk! And in such form through arrow slits she slunk, again a chanting as more undead she was commanding....

The road ahead was with portcullis checked, a mass of horrors there with bows and spears, and with erupting vial of fire Rhino them did sear, but for safety now they went all to the rear, protected by Rhino in his armoured plate.

For a while they waited in the stairwell, Silverblade pulled arrow from his eleven friend, and into the wound a healing potion did send, the enchanter his weakness in such fight his heart did rend, for with undead his magic fared not well. Rhino for the healer was concerned, but the elven bard as he recovered did propound, that the woman's power from evil was found!! A worshipper she of gods long abandoned, their temples lost underground, thus the huge warrior by deceit was enraged.

In that dark place, chilled by spectres of the netherworld, there was a sound, bones fighting and breaking each other they did pound, then a human scream as the healer fell to the ground, her secret dreams of power now her shroud unfurled.

Wearied and wounded, up the crypts steps ascending, bloodied drops on ground to sunlight they were wending, but they vowed this was not an ending, evil from this hell hole would be hounded!

To the forest giant's home...

At last the giant's cabin, that rough but wholesome fellow had feast in welcome, rarest healing fruits seen but seldom, and once more they felt strong and handsome, and Fizz found and played a tune on ivory mandolin.

Burghle, for their actions was quite grateful, from his treasure gave them a handful: the bard that mandolin so soulful; a magic ring, powers unknown, the wizard made joyful; great sword of enchanted flaming blade which Rhino thought would be right helpful; armour for soldiers and all very gladful.

Rested in the morning, for the orcish fort they were a travelling, the giant over his thorn wall them was lifting, happy did they set out departing, and off on their quest as Sun was rising...