We were leaving the Inn, guided by Gathrax. He showed us the entrance to the cave and everyone was ready to go in. We agreed about sharing any valuable stuff we find and told each other what our skills are.

And this is the beginning of

CARYNTH

I place a hand on my scimitar and say, "I agree with Kaddar's assessment. I am agreeable to sharing all prizes of adventure, and I have some healing ability with, Arnithia be blessed, I will gladly share with the party. While you are all describing your attributes, I shall take a small moment here and pray for luck her blessing. Don't worry, though. I'm listening."

GATHRAX

"I have some small knowledge of the arts of magic, and an even smaller knowledge of the art of stabbing folk to death. Kaddar, your suggestion sounds good to me. I'll happily chip in my meager skills for a share of what booty and glory await."

Turning to the assembled band of ragged adventurers...

"Has anyone given any thought to my suggestion of sending forth a scout to estimate the strength of the enemy...all our efforts are in vain if we blithely wander through the front gate into the arms of a bloodthirsty death cult."

BILADOC

I turn to Gathrax and say:

'I don't think it's a good idea to split our forces. I believe it's better to go in together, ready for any unexpected situation. Still, if the rest of you think it's better to send in a scout, I'll go. After all, it's my cousin we're trying to save.'

Turning to the party I say:

'As I said before, I'm not much of a fighter. However, I have a few skills which may help us inside, should we come across any locked doors or traps. I can also see reasonably well in the dark. My suggestion is this: I go ahead with Fraxen, followed by Carynth and Alof.

Kaddar, Gathrax and John follow, ready to help anyone in the front who

needs it. Those who can use a bow, get ready to use it, shooting above our heads. I can lend mine, if anyone knows how to use it. Does anyone else have infravision?'

CARYNTH

I ready my sling, place a bullet in the loop, taking my place in line, my prayers finished. I do not, however, have any rope to tie to Biladoc, so perhaps he can't go too far ahead of us. "Is the hawk going to be okay under ground?" I ask. I am ready to proceed!

BILADOC

I smile and say to Carynth: 'Don't worry, Shadow will be fine. Besides, he's a good fighter. Aren't you?'

Shadow opens his wings and gives a soft screech.

GATHRAX

"Biladoc's suggestion as to how to organize the party sounds good to me. In lieu of tying a rope to him, perhaps the hawk can be sent back if he gets into serious trouble." I take position in the second rank (as per Biladoc's plan). I have an embroidered pouch at the ready, and two daggers in my belt. Once again I let fly with at mighty speech: "My understanding of the party order is: Biladoc and Fraxen scouting ahead, Carynth and Alof leading the party proper, myself, John and Kaddar as rearguard and missile weapon/spell support." I take a breath and continue: "It would be wise if Carynth were placed behind Alof, so that she can fire upon the enemy while he engages in melee, and also to give the rest of the party better access to her healing. Also, the toughest of the 'support section', presumably Kaddar, should be last in battle order to protect the inexperienced types, namely John and myself."

BILADOC

I turn to Gathrax and say: 'It's a good idea to rearrange the party as you say. Now, lets get this grate open.' I cross my arms again, but this time I bring out two daggers. I kneel down near the grate and look for any traps/locks.

I say to Alof: 'Would you like to help me with this?' If we don't find any traps, I'll try to open the grate, making as little noise as possible.

DM

You see no traps or locks. It seems it just cover the hole. It looks like it might have been in place for some time and possibly hard to pry out. But otherwise not secured. You think you hear breathing from below however. geez, its dark down there.

BILADOC

I stuck the daggers in my belt, remove my backpack and take out my hook and rope, and attach it to the grate saying: 'There are no locks, but it looks stuck. Lets try puling together.' Approaching the rest of the party I grab the daggers again and say in a lower voice, so only they can hear, keeping an eye on the grate: 'I think I hear breathing below the grate, but I can see nothing. John, Kaddar and Gathrax, you pull on the rope and open the grate. Fraxen, Carynth, Alof and me will stand nearer the grate, ready to attack whatever is down there. Do you agree?'

DM

The grate is lifted off, below breathing can still be heard from at least two locations near each other. The room below is very dark. The little bit of light that does enter reveals what looks like a natural cavern below. Some twenty to thirty feet below is the floor.

BILADOC

I turn to the party and say: 'Maybe those are just bats...maybe not. I got some candles with me. We can tie one to the end of the rope and lower it down to try and see what's down there. What do you think?'

CARYNTH

I don't think we should lower a candle, as that will just announce our presence. I think we should proceed on, and I shall have my scimitar at the ready! Every moment we waste in caution is another Moment to whatever will happen to Felix!

BILADOC

I say to Carynth: 'You're right. Shall we keep the same order going down or should we leave some 'muscle' to cover our descent?' To everyone I say: 'Perhaps you can lower me down first. Not to the ground, just about half way, so I can get a look at whatever is down there. If the way is clear, you can let me all the way down. If not, I'll send Shadow up and you pull me up again. What do you think?' I secure the daggers in my belt and take out my short sword.

CARYNTH

I look around the street and say, "Well, the sooner down, the sooner we'll not need muscle for up here. I'll help lower you." I help tie the rope around Biladoc's waste. "Perhaps I can get another hand here?"

DM

Biladoc is lowered by Carynth and Alof. He goes down half way at first looking around. His eyes adjust to the darkness below. Suddenly there is a mighty roar from below. As you are lowered halfway down you can make out the small natural cavern. To your right is a closed door and to your left is another closed door. At first you see a chain on the ground and follow it until your eyes come upon a pair of glowing eyes that are attached to what looks like a furry four legged owl of huge size. The thing roars and charges in your general direction. You are about 15-12 feet off the ground. Note the thing seems about four foot at the shoulder.

BILADOC

I climb up the rope and say to Carynth and Alof at the same time:

'Pull me up! Quick!' Shadow screeches and rushes from my shoulder through the opening above. Still going up, I'll try to see if "Albert" is alone (there were breathing coming from at least two locations, right?).

DM

Round one. :-)

As Biladoc attempts to climb up screaming to you something cuts the rope and he screams as he falls to the dark depths below. As you scurry up the beasts claws slice the rope in half and you tumble to the ground. Yes, you see another pair of eyes as well. They are off to your right.

BILADOC

I run to the door on my left (I got Tumbling, if it helps getting me away from those Alberts). I take one dagger from my belt (I'm still holding the short sword, right?) and get ready to throw it to the beast who approaches me first. I don't try to open the door, just try to get near. Is the second one also tied with a chain? Are the chains long enough for them to reach me? What else can I see? Is there a knob on the door (any of the two)?

DM

Yes he is.
Yes they are.
Just the two doors.
Yes both have knobs on them.

BILADOC

I scream to catch the attention of the beasts and to warn the party: 'Owl bears! Two of them!' At the same time I throw a dagger to the one standing closer to the place where Carynth and Fraxen (and the rest, hopefully) will land. Where are the chains fixed (in the center of the room, walls)? Are the beasts chained together or do they have separate chains? Can they reach every part of the cavern (doors included)?

DM

There are chained to the wall near the door you are heading. The chains seem to go into the wall there. They are on separate chains. Yes, they can reach every nook of the cave.

CARYNTH

Half-sheathing my scimitar, I jump down the hole, hoping others will follow! I will attack with my scimitar as soon as I identify an enemy!

FRAXEN

I draw my axe and jump into the hole.

ALOF

I'll climb down the wall without making any noise and hide in the shadows of the cave. Will they escape the terrible Alberts, huh, Owlbears? Will the mages do something? Will they just sit and watch? Will Shadow return? Will the DM allow me to continue to write the story? Don't miss (or is it

Mrs. ?!) the next thrilling chapter...