The party gathers up the coins and gems and heads back up the rough hewn stairs from the catacombs to the first level. They notice from a distance that the glow of the fire beetles they encountered before is no longer illuminating the hallway.

"Here we go again. Same tactics as last time we passed them?"

Durek grunts in agreement, moving towards the hole with his battle-axe braced to parry any beetles.

"Actually they seem to be gone, seems like as long as we don't make too much a racket we should be able to walk right on by, no?"

"They might just be sleeping or something, so we should be careful anyways."

"That's what I meant by not making a racket, Pock," Alietra said, uncertain why she needed to re-explain herself.

"No, yes, I know--but Durek should be ready to guard us anyways. It doesn't matter if we're quiet if a beetle wakes up for no good reason and kills me."

Dwarghar readies his shield as they pass

Creston keeps his mouth shut, so as not to alert the beetles.

In reply to Creston Fairwood (msg # 515):

Brodd follows the others carefully past the crevasse where the beetles were feeding. He follows Alietra and Pock.

Practised with walking quietly as an outdoorsman Travis crept silently by the cave of the firebeetles.

Out we go...

Paxton follows along dourly.

The beetles seemed to have moved on, not so much as a glimmer in the crevice, only the light of your torches.

Durek lowers his axe, relieved...and heads back the way they came.

Pock kept his guard up, anyways. He was frightfully intimidated by those creatures, truth be told.

"Could it be we can get out without further incidents..." the elf muses as they walk. He stays closer to the main group now that they retrace their path.

Aside from the stench of the carcasses of the goblinkin you slayed before, nothing else disturbs you as you reach the stairway up the leg of the crumbled colossus.

Brodd gives a sigh of relief when they reach the steps. He holds the light for Alietra and his good friend Pock.

Durek plods up the stairs, hauling his load...keen to get to some fresh air to rid his nose of the stench of rotting corpses.

Thanking Brother Brodd for the light with a smile and a nod of her head, Alietra stretches, the claustrophobic nature of the tunnels mentally pressing down on her, even if the corridors were quite large enough.

It felt like they had only been down there a short while, she wondered if once they unleaded the coin if a second descent today was possible.

Burdened Travis followed the others. It was with relief that the giant beetles would not impede them.

Manaku welcomes open air and daylight. A smile rises to his face. He looks upwards to the open sky and then is companions. "We are rich, are we not? What do we do and where do we hide this treasure? Shall we pay Travis's ransom with it? I'm at loss, having not being accustomed to such wealth."

"Aye..." sighs Durek, happily dropping the weighty burden of coins, "Put it aside for our friend here. And let us return...for I reckon there is more down there for the finding!"

[Please continue at the next scene]