Madras eagerly returned to the cliffside grottos with his colleagues and a newly arrived thief, Umphred. Wending their way back up the cliff and through the burial chamber, the party stopped at the wall that contained the two buttons in the wall. Konrad forged ahead and pushed both. Space opened on the wall, left and right. On the left side was an alcove with a treasure chest leaking verdigris and solidly stuck to the ground. Knuckles, sensed a dart trap and set it off harmlessly. After some inane discussion about how to open the chest, it was recalled that the two thieves present had pick lock abilities… doh. They proceeded to do. The chest contained a scroll case, magical spear, sheaf of darts and a fortune in electrum and gold. Taking a pause, the party sent the contents up to the top of the cliff where the retainers stood guard over the party’s horses.
The party, Mandras and Konrad in the lead entered a room whose walls were heavily carved with kraken circling a turtledragon, combat, reverence? It was anyone’s guess. Taking the only exit to the room led to an alcove and corridors running E and W. Mandras wandered W and found a small chamber full of decaying wooden benches and cupboards.
Knuckles had stayed in the alcove, examining the space, when suddenly the floor gave way and he dropped 30 feet into water. As the party deployed to drop him a rope, there was an almighty snap, followed by a burp and a puff of smoke… The monster had swallowed Knuckles and the leather vest of immolation he wore only gave the beast passing indigestion. Everyone withdrew so hastily there was no time for a requiem!
Pursuing the E corridor, the party crossed another room sporting carved octopi attacking ships – there were also carved crowns very reminiscent of the one recovered here the day before. Heading S, the party passed a staircase going down and ignored it. They then checked an easterly door and while Mandras and Konrad listened eagerly, there was a loud howl and plop as a giant spider dropped from the ceiling onto Umphred. He was accompanied by 7 relatives. Mandras spun around and proceeded to dispatch three of them. Alas, one bit Umphred and paralysis spread from his hand upwards. On Umphred’s urgent request, Konrad amputated his arm, almost killing him but for the succour provided by the healing staff.
The adventurers checked one more room, finding carvings of some form of merbeings hunting humans. With Umphred looking peaky the party returned to the cliff and then on to Vyonnes to secure the loot and see to Umphred (not necessarily in that order…).