Ghislain Lorah - We delved deeper into the black maze. It had only been a few hours since the light of day was something I could touch. The walls pressed in on us, our torches the only thing pushing back. Floki called a halt to our formation. He jumped down into what turned out to be an old fire pit used to burn waste. I heard Tagaern say he had recovered a diamond. It must have been a lure because within moments I head a scream from the pit. Floki called out that he had been bitten. Danan confirmed that he had seen a spider phase in and then disappear. We were on high alert watching for the spider’s return when a moaning sound echoed from an adjoining corridor. Tagaern and Hakaar formed up a defensive line against the incoming abominations. The creatures were born of nightmares. I recognized the unique features of at least four different souls used in the creation of these mockeries of life. Judging by the organized cries of the fighter ranks, these creatures possessed great strength. If that wasn’t bad enough the spider made another surprise attack. This time Bromm was the recipient. In response he drew another pistol and pressed himself against the corner of the intersection.
I had forgotten my own safety as I watch the battle unfold. Never before had I been witness to such violence. From my theoretical bubble of safety I watched with astonishment. The spider returned once more to a hail of bullets. I was not prepared for the percussive explosions. I was shaken by the loud sound in the confined space. Hakaar and his gleaming beauty Silah struck the spider crippling it before the lightning barrels of Bromm’s pistols silenced it permanently.
It wasn’t long before the golems were dispatched. I couldn’t help but study the craftsmanship as we passed over the eerily silent corpses.
We entered into a chamber that was once a processing area for mining material. Bromm identified a broken statue in the room as a statue honoring the God Kols. The group spread out to investigate the room. Calls bounced between the groups as they uncovered the mysteries that revealed themselves. Hakaar and Tagaern were standing before a hall that climbed more than three stories above our heads. The scraping of a stone door revealed more of the golems we had faced in the previous hall. Words were exchanged that we must be close to the maker of these creatures.
Bromm moved to the sealed door opposite the great hall in an attempt to open the door and I presumed, flank the golems. The lock or mechanism was beyond his skill. I was called over to have a look. In the distance I head Floki’s bow string thrumming. The whistle of steel cutting through air was evident as well. Voices climbed in their timbre as events unfolded out of my line of sight. I heard “She’s behind us!” called out. I couldn’t think who they were talking about. I peaked out from the raised hall by the blocked door to see a pale woman in leather armor. She was intent on attacking Master Danan. A swarm of bats and rats filled the hall. Tagaern, Floki, and Danan were covered in bites and cuts from the swarms. This did not prevent them from holding the line against the approaching golems.
My fascination with the fight distracted me from the approach of another creature we would later identify as a vampire. He was dressed in the attire of a magus. Master Sig identified the clothing as that from a bygone era of the well known magic guild.
It was then that my bubble popped. The male vampire climbed the stairs unleashing his wrath as he came. The others made an unsteady stand against the monster. When their line finally broke I stood within arms reach of the nefarious wonder. I do not claim to be a man of great courage and certainly my skill at arms is anemic at best. Even still it pains me to write that standing that close to death my only reaction was to cower and pray. I realized how great the company I shred was. These men faced monstrous abominations and nightmares with a courage beyond that of lay people.
When I finally recovered from my paralyzing fear the male vampire had vanished. It was then that I discovered our veteran fighter Tagaern was dead. If my bubble hadn’t been shattered before, it came home to me that I may end my days here in this damp maze.