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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Softwind" data-source="post: 1270174" data-attributes="member: 13893">Retreat into dangerNineteeth Session (Mar 03) The Companions discover that the iron cages that comprise the lift platform of the elevator were never designed for more than a few dwarves at a time, or more than a dwarf and an ore cart.  Several trips would be necessary to drop lower into the mines.  They decide that each cage-load will have some heavier folks riding down with the smaller, lighter party members.  Grimnyr, Skylar, and Genoa on one trip,  Brynn, Tombit and Athena on the next.  Even so, the hand-crank occasionally gets out of control, and the party finds them selves dropping at a faster rate than anticipated.  Mostly unhurt, they survey the remains of the wrecked elevator cage.  “Not going up that way again” Grimnyr states matter-of-factly.  “Even if we wanted to, not enough room ta get past the wreckage”.  True or not, his words are belied by the appearance of another of the creature, as it skitters across the ceiling from the elevator shaft, rapidly advancing on the party.  Skylar manages to unsling her bow, and hits with several arrows, before the whole area is plunged into darkness.“A dwarf could get tired o’ this,” Grimnyr grunts, as he pulls his battleaxe from his shoulder.  “Let’s do it, shall we?”The battle is brief, the party having learned from the previous encounter, and the single opponent soon lies dead at the Companions’ feet.  It had scored a tail-strike on Grimnyr, unnoticed by the party, but the stout dwarf makes no mention of the weakness coursing through his veins, sure that his dwarven heritage will fix it soon enough.  This was information that the party could have used, in a later encounter.Brynn leads the Companions eastward, towards a cavern seen dimly in the lantern-light, held by Genoa.  That same lantern is put out, as wet, tearing sounds are heard ahead.  The party creeps forward, trying to be as quiet as possible.  The scene revealed in the opening ahead confirms their suspicions.  The half-eaten bodies of several dwarven warriors lay scattered before them, their deadly white faces (what is left of them) frozen in masks of pain and horror.  Their armor, mostly chain, is twisted and shattered, deep gouges ripped from the flesh beneath.  Several shields nearby show claw marks; deeply scored and scratched.  Beneath the bodies is a dark brown stain, the remnant of their life’s blood.  It becomes apparent that they died completely surprised, as many weapons were still in their sheaths, or slung across their backs.  There is no sign of whatever caused the sounds previously heard.Still cautious, with weapons drawn, the party moves to examine the remains closer.  They determine that the gear that remains intact would be better put to use by them than by the dead, and collect certain belongings, including potions and a finely crafted battleaxe (soon discovered to be magical).  Recent marks in the sand and gravel of the cavern floor indicates that something was recently there, but has since departed.  Athena and Brynn both let the party know to be on their guard.Thus warned, they are not surprised when darkness once again descends upon them.  The first action of the druid is to cast blindsight upon some of her companions and herself, as the sounds of many chitin-covered footfalls is heard.  The party sustains more damage this time, with uneven footing, and their foes’ preference for moving around more, using their tails’ longer reach to attack the party with venomous stingers.  It seems as though the creatures have learned of the party’s desire to close with the monsters, and they try to avoid the devastating effect this has on their carapace-covered bodies as sword, axe and mace impact.  It avails them little, for in just moments, the Companions stand victorious over the fallen foe.  Some stand less steady than others though, as the venom of the stingers runs in their veins.Athena is hard pressed to minimize the effects of the stings, and is assisted by Brynn and his first aid kit.  They both worry about the dwindling supplies in those kits – the only means they have of diminishing the venom’s effectiveness.  A decision is made to return to the surface, resting and replenishing supplies, before coming back into the mines.</blockquote>

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