In the middle of the party Travis kept a short distance from Durek, letting the dwarf scout ahead but prepared to back them up.

Near the middle of the party, Paxton had his lantern lit and providing illumination.

Pock kept at the edge of the light, using his infravision to peer past what some of the taller folk could see.

Manaku sneaks behind Durek, also ahead of torchlight relying on his infravision. The elf has an arrow readied at the bowstring. As powerful as The Wand of Magic Missiles is, he has stuck the wand under his belt for now. It can be used against the dragon or another powerful foe they may encounter.

The demihuman wing of the party approaches the crevice where they saw the terrifying insectoid shadows against the far wall, but aside from a faint smell of burnt rodents this section of the hallway and the crevice that was their lair is still empty.

Relieved, Durek continues on...re-tracing their steps to the hall of corpses.

In reply to Durek Stoneshield (msg # 11):

Pleased that the burning bugs were not about, and hoping they had moved on for good, Alietra sticks close to Brother Brodd as they advance behind the others.

Pock keeps at Manaku's heels, acting like his tiny shadow.

Glad to see no firebeetles Travis carried on following the others.

Starshell squints at the area beyond the pool of torchlight and continues to follow the others at the rear.

In reply to Starshell (msg # 15):

The party approaches the ares where the goblins and their weasel were slain, along with the undead nobleman.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:31, Fri 11 June 2021.

Durek grits his teeth at the increasing stench of death...and carries on.

Dwarghar carries on moving steadily forward.

In reply to Dwarghar Stoneblood (msg # 18):

Brodd continues to hold the torch high and shield Alietra as best he can.

It seemed they were getting closer to the treasure and the dragon. It made Travis sweat "so far so good" he remarked to his companions.

Biting his lip Manaku scans the darkness within range of his infra-vision looking for movement and signs of ambush.

In reply to Manaku (msg # 21):

"The dead will give off no heat, so if there are undead, we could be in trouble"

The thought of more undead caused Alietra to shiver. The dead were unpleasant companions at the best of times, when they could walk around and try to kill you it was even worse.

Starshell shivers. "This place has been tainted by wickedness."

"The last time we were down here," Alietra whispered back to the Paladin, "some of these dead rose up and attacked us. So yes, wickedness indeed."

"Don't just rely on your eyes," Paxton hissed in a whisper.  "Try to listen, and not make so much noise.  Pay attention if you scent rotting death."

Pock stepped forward uneasily, weapon at the ready.

The party descends down the rough hewn stairs into the catacombs, where they are greeted by the stench of death. The remains of the deceased, from ancient bones to to somewhat recent victims, are scattered about it morbid piles. The mounds where the undead abominations lay dormant previously are of course erupted open from within.

Manaku follows Durek down the stairs. There is an urge to glance backwards but the elf restrains himself. If he looked into the torchlight now, his infra-vision would be ruined for a while. That he can't afford here, in the catacombs where the undead attacked them previously. So Manaku keeps his eyes forward, peering into darkness ahead for any sign of movement.

Durek trudges warily onwards...the stench no more bearable the second time around. This time he avoids the chambers off to the side and makes for the other end of the room.