Adventurers
- Alfredward (Dwarf 4)
- Dulo Chaec (Magic User 2)
- Koko (Cleric 5)
- Konrad Claver (Cleric 1) - just in before the close of play
- Mandras (Dwarf 3)
With a roar, the party's wild-haired allies disappeared down one of the corridors, King Derywinki II shouting out that whoever claimed the most rattails would have first dibs on the dragon's horde. The party started some cursory scouting but soon elected to follow their new friends.
They entered the chasm-divided cavern, which greeted them with a strong smell of fermented liquids, in time to see the wildies make their way across the three precarious bridges. Just as they reached the other side, a spark emerged from the darkness and landed on the ground. A wall of fire erupted before the wildies but, compelled by the prospect of a scrap, leapt through the flames with a battlecry.
The party edged over the bridges, seeing some wildies fall beyond the fire, and ranked up ready for when it died down. As soon as it did so, they surged forward and joined the scrap against a number of ratfolk. They cut their way through several ranks but a cry of alarm came from behind as Dulo, hiding in theoretical safety at the rear, spotted another group of the humanoid rodents emerged from a secret door and enclosed the adventurers.
While Dulo tried to keep his distance from either frontline, his comrades quickly rearranged themselves to protect the squishy middle rank. Despite the surprise attack, the adventurers and their allies vanquished their foes, though the wildies had lost nearly two thirds of their number, and one of Koko's retainers had been knocked from one of the bridges by a flung spear and plunged into the lava river below. They hunted down the last few ratfolk back through the secret passage and while the wildies, six tail draped about Derywinki's shoulders, toasted their victory with a discovered pot of fermented fish beer, the adventurers pressed on in search of a way out. Following the various piles of rat droppings, their hearts surged as they ascended a flight of steps - not high enough to emerge into sunlight, but the right direction to be heading.
They came across a passage leading into pitch black - no light from their lantern passing through - so Koko started chanting a lighting spell, and it dispelled the darkness just in time to see Konrad, who'd charged in from a fit of boisterous enthusiasm, run headfirst into a wall. It also revealed an old skeleton with a bag containing several scrolls and vials of liquid.
Delighted with their finds, the adventurers regrouped back in the corridor to chart their next steps.