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[JoeBlank]

In the discussions of what we should do next we began to investigate the knowledge of Cpl. Chervac, by far the most veteran of us. He explained that there were twenty-six outposts, and that Outpost Yung was only about a half mile to our north. Although there was no road, a short trek to Outpost Y seemed the safer alternative over the half day's journey to the Keep, to our west.

Although some of the men suggested abandoning Outpost Xavier and moving our entire operation to Yung, Chervac said this would leave a weak link, an opening for orcs, the giant, and other foes to have an easy route to the Keep.

Somehow, while we were discussing nearby outposts, Darius came up with and idea to take a closer look at our well. He asked for two volunteers who were able to climb. Igor seemed to be our best climber, but he had been injured by the orc arrow. As he did with Ben before, Darius said some words in dwarven and touched Igor. A glowing light consumed them both, and Igor was healed.

Dram, Igor and Darius made their way down into the well. They found plenty of hand and footholds, and about 120 feet down the dwarf's eyes spotted an opening. While they were doing this, Ben tied together rope and plumbed the well to determine its depth. He noted that there was a current at the bottom, apparently an underground stream, which was good news. This meant our water supply should stay fresh.

I only heard second-hand later, but the tunnel was worked stone, about then feet wide in arch. They came upon a door with a carving of two figures, one a tall, slender man in robes and the other a man in plate mail with a sword. An inscription described the men depicted as Elegar and Rogan, first explorers of the world. They found a push plate beside the door which issued a warning in loud, booming voice, against entering. We could hear it up above the well, echoing.

Dram remembered a rumor that and old lady selling apples had told him back at the keep, something about the word “Quesqueton”. When he said this out loud, the door opened of its own accord. They started down the hallway and found bodies, apparently the victims of a long-forgotten battle.

Up above, Guido began begging us to let him go down into the well. “This is why I came! Let me go!” Ben tried to reason with him, and keep him from leaping into the well, but the poor man collapsed and died before we could determine of what he spoke.

Sgt. Darius decided he needed a larger force to explore the dungeon below. He asked Kayla, Mirel, Ben and I to join the others, leaving Cpl. Chervac in charge of the Outpost. He also instructed one man to bang on the cooking pot with a club or hammer if there was any trouble that warranted our return.

When Kayla saw the figures and the talking door she took out a book and began taking notes. We went on to explore the winding passages. Mirel proved to be an excellent mapper, and also had quite an ear for listening at doors. I was uncomfortable underground, and found it difficult to maintain my sense of direction. We found more bodies, which Ben estimated had been dead for at least 60 years.

Behind one door, Mirel heard scratching noises. We opened it to find three of the largest rats, far larger than those in the fields at home. We attacked them, finding them fairly easy foes. I was surprised to see Igor attack with a large, two-handed sword which I recognized as Guido's. There was a carved stone idol on one wall, holding a bowl which contained dried, crusted blood. While Mirel was skinning the rats, Darius and Ben smashed the idol. We found the body of a small dog-like reptile, which had only recently been killed. Mirel searched it and found a sling which she kept.