Road Trip to the Dragon Isles - Deep Shale Hold (Part 1)

 03 Newkolt 349 AC

Granite leads the group through the second half of the Cactus Forest. At times, progress is slow with the group having to dismount and lead Nightrend and the camels through spots where the path narrows dramatically.

But the land changes once the group emerges from the narrow trails that wind through the towering succulents. Ahead, the land becomes less sand dunes and brush to exposed stone and jagged outcroppings as the group leaves Khur behind.

Granite's focus seems to change. His eyes linger on formations of stone, his fingers trace exposed rock as if he is reading by touch. The open desert gives way to fallen rock, wide cracks, sinkholes leading down into the dark earth. The road snakes back and forth around all of these, in places, stone bridges - obviously built by dwarves and worn down over time - span the larger gaps.

Phineas breaks the silence first, peering over the edge of one of the nearer drops. “So this is the Delving,” he says quietly. “Feels like the world forgot to finish building it.”

Granite sighs. "Aye, Professor. We ain't far from where I grew up. Close enough that the stone remembers me. But I've been away long enough that I don’t know who remembers me back.”

Agnes leans in. "We're being watched."

Davaa nods, hand raised to shield his eyes from the sun. "By something that doesn't want to be seen."

Granite's people, if that's who the watchers are, remain hidden but their work is visible all around. The road rarely runs straight, detouring around dangerous areas or crossing open pits by way of the bridges seen earlier.

Granite finally stops at the edge of a worn stone path that descends between two fractured pillars of rock. He looks down into the dark seam of the world, then back toward the others. Below them, somewhere in the depth of the Delving, a faint metallic echo rolls through the stone, like something large shifting its weight far underground.

Granite turns and looks at Arthur. "Down into the earth, or take the road around?"

Arthur looks around them and softly speaks, "That's a hard choice, either we stay up here and are easily seens but have better maneuverability or go down into the dark depths and face what's making that noise." Arthur asks Agnes where are we being watched from?" He looks at Granite, "What creatures reside here and below?"

Agnes slides from her camel's howdah and crouches beside the lip of the tunnel. She makes a show of pressing her hand to the earth, but her eyes subtly scan the ridges above, and the shadows they create.

"To the east, at least two watchers up there, hidden in the rocks," she replies. She inclines her slightly to indicate the direction.

Phineas looks up, "I don't see anything."

She raises one eyebrow, "That's the point, Professor."

Granite squints toward the rocks, "Probably sentries. Could be something trying to decide if we be worth eating."

Altan's hand drifts to his borrowed mace, "Lovely."

The dwarf ignores him and moves on to Arthur’s second question. "Delving's got layers to it. Near the top used to be mostly us dwarves - Shalecutters, Deepmauls, some smaller clans and traders - at least when the roads were still safe. Now?"

He points toward a sinkhole. "Down there, ye got lizards the size of wagons, scavengers, blind things that hunt by sound. Sometimes, there's Draconians moving through hidden routes outta Neraka. Gets worse the deeper ya go. That noise was probably a clan forge..."

Granite pauses, "... unless the dwarves got overrun and whatever killed them set up their own shop."

Arthur looks to the rocks and then back into the hole. "I say we take our chances above ground. Moving underground would take longer and we wouldn't be on a straight path. Easier to get lost. Also, I feel that if need be, we can get into the tunnels in other areas." He stretches and lays his hand on the hilt of Lawbringer, "Let's keep track of those two watching us. If after a mile, they're still following, we will deal with them." he says in a hushed tone.

"Aye, surface road then." Granite gives Arthur a slow nod.

There is no disagreement from any of the others but Phineas stares wistfully down into the hole. The thought of seeing an actual Dwarven stronghold was probably an intriguing proposition.

Agnes climbs back onto her howdah, eyes sweeping the ridge as she moves. "Still there. Still only two" is all that she says.

The group resumes their march. The path through the Delving shifts constantly, up one rise, curving around a outcropping, passing beneath overhanging ledges. At times, the trail narrows to a walkway so thin that riders and mounts must scrape against cliffs to avoid pitching into open chasms.

The clip-clop of the Nightrend's hooves on bare stone, the scrape of the camels' foot pads, the steady chuffing of Phineas' Across-the-Plains-inator, and the low whistle of the wind provide the background music for the trek.

The idea of turning around after a mile is quickly discarded as there is nowhere to turn around. Agnes does announce, "Whoever was behind us isn't there anymore."

Davaa adjusts his sword, "That's fine by me. The last few days have been too eventful for my liking."

Altan nods. "Same."

Granite's eyes keep glancing up at the tops of the cliffs. He doesn't seem nervous. It's more like he's remembering days long past.

The road bends around a massive split in the earth ahead. An ancient, weathered bridge made of fitted stones with no rail, spans a gap so deep that the bottom is concealed in shadows far below.

Phineas calls out, "Hey. What is that?" He points at a rise up ahead, high above the bridge, atop a cliff looking down at the crossing. Silhouetted against the pale sky atop a ridge of black stone, stands a squat armored figure holding a long spear. Even at this distance, the shape is unmistakably dwarven. The figure does not wave. It simply watches. Then a second shape rises beside it.

Arthur slows his pace and looks to where the figures are. "Be ready to fight. In a moments notice, if need be I can get behind them." He approaches the bridge with caution.

Granite looks up and continues on, maintaining his pace. "They ain't looking for a fight. They be too exposed. They showing themselves on purpose. That's clan talk."

"Clan talk?" Altan asks.

"Aye, lad." Granite scratches his beard. "Means just what it looks like."

Phineas's brow furrows. "For the uninitiated in the group, what does it look like?"

Granite glances over at Phineas. "They’re letting us know they see us and wants us to keep behaving."

The gnome adjusts his goggles. "Dwarven diplomacy is unexpectedly subtle and surprisingly efficient."

"They’re disciplined,” she says quietly. “No unnecessary movement. Whoever they are, they’ve done this before.”

Arthur leads Nightrend onto the ancient bridge first. The stone beneath the horse’s hooves is worn smooth by centuries of use, though the structure itself feels solid despite its age. Looking over the edge reveals nothing but darkness.

Halfway across, the metallic groaning echoes again. A deep grinding sound rolls upward through the chasm beneath them.
The camels immediately begin protesting, groaning and pulling at their leads. Nightrend tosses his head uneasily.

Davaa frowns, "Whatever that was, it was close by."

Granite nods, "Yup."

Arthur looks over the side. For a fleeting second, he thinks he sees something... big moving down below before it disappears beneath the bridge supports.

Above, one of the dwarven watchers finally moves. The figure raises a closed fist to chest level—a deliberate gesture.

Granite immediately answers by pounding his own fist once against his breastplate.

The watcher lowers its arm.

A few seconds later, all three dwarves step back from the ridge and disappear from sight entirely.

Granite exhales through his nose. “Good. Means we’re tolerated.” He resumes walking. “For now.”

Arthur whispers to Agnes, "I'm not sure but I could have sworn I saw something....big moving under the bridge." He focuses even harder on looking, listening, and smelling for anything that may be a threat to the group.

Agnes looks over the side. "I don't see anything but I believe you."

Arthur concentrates, trying to block out everything else. Far below, he hears something big and heavy scraping against the bedrock.

Grotto walks over to the edge and peers into the darkness. "Probably a delver."

Davaa asks, "What’s a delver?"

Grotto shrugs, “Big thing. Lives deep. Dwarves say it tunnels through rock like fish through water.” He makes a vague swimming motion with one hand. “Never attacks stronghold people. Mostly ignores everyone. Stories say the Delvers were here before the clans carved the first halls.” His eyes remain fixed on the darkness beneath the bridge. “Old miners used to leave ore near deep fissures. Said it kept the creatures peaceful.”

Altan stares downward. “You fed the enormous underground monsters?”

Granite shrugs. “Better than fighting ‘em.”

Davaa folds his arms inside his sleeves. “Wise.”

Arthur nudges Nightrend. "We should get going, I dont want to come face to face with one of them if I can avoid it."

The stallion surges forward. The camels follow close behind. It does not take long for the bridge, and the Delver, to be left behind. The group rounds a bend in the path and runs into a pair of dwarves clad in scale armor. Both carry a pair of throwing axes tucked into their belts, heavy warhammers rest lightly on their shoulders while stout steel shields ride on their left arms. They bow deeply to Granite.

"Stone guide your steps, Granite Shalecutter,” the first says.

“And keep them true,” the second finishes.

Granite stops a few paces away, shoulders squared but not tense. “You’re far from the Delving posts.”

The first dwarf straightens. “So are you.”

Then the second dwarf’s gaze flicks to the rest of the party—Arthur, Agnes, Phineas, Davaa, Altan—measuring, cataloging, but not hostile. “We were instructed to confirm your passage.”

Granite exhales through his nose, “Fargain’s hand again.”

The first dwarf nods. “Baron Fargain sends respect. And patience.”

Granite shrugs, his expression betraying frustration. “He always did overuse both.”

Agnes keeps her attention on the two dwarves, not relaxing her grip. “You’re here to escort us?”

“Not escort,” the second dwarf replies. “To ensure you are not lost. Or… misled.”

Granite gives a short, humorless chuckle. “That’s what he calls it now?”

The first dwarf finally looks directly at Granite. “Your cousin offers you your seat again.”

Granite shakes his head. "It fits his backside better than mine. He's welcome to keep it."

Arthur looks up at the ridgeline. Here and there, hints of movement indicate that there are more eyes watching the party.

He turns his attention back to the dwarves. "Not lost nor misled. So, Granite, who might these two be? Also, your cousin is a  baron?"

The two dwarves exchange the briefest glance before the first steps forward and removes his helm. His beard is iron-gray and bound with several brass rings.

"Durnic Feldspar,” he says, striking one fist lightly to his chest. “Roadwarden of the Southern Delves.”

The other dwarf speaks, "Harvek Stonevein."

Durnic’s eyes return to Arthur. “And aye. Baron Fargain Shalecutter is acting lord of the clanhold.” A faint smirk tugs at one corner of his mouth. “Acting being the important word.”

Granite immediately groans. “Don’t start.”

“Oh, I’ve already started,” Durnic replies pleasantly.

Harvek folds his arms. “The line of inheritance is clear enough. Granite’s the rightful heir. Always was.”

Arthur can practically feel the rest of the party turning toward Granite now.

Agnes raises one eyebrow but says nothing.

Phineas looks delighted. “You omitted several fascinating details about yourself.”

Granite scowls. “Because they ain’t important.”

“To you,” Altan says dryly.

Durnic continues explaining, “The Shalecutter throne passes by blood and oath. When Granite left for the surface roads, Fargain assumed stewardship instead of claiming the title outright.” Durnic shrugs. “Says the seat isn’t truly his to take while Granite still breathes.”

Harvek snorts. “The Baron claims Granite’s just wandering until the stone gets tired of waiting.”

Granite shakes his head, "Fargain is being dramatic."

Durnic glances northward toward the winding roads ahead. “Either way, the Delving still considers Granite Shalecutter blood-sworn clanlord.” He looks back at Arthur. “Which means, for now at least, so long as you travel beside him… you’re under our protection too.”

Arthur chuckles while patting Granite on the back, "Baron or not, you're still my friend and brother. No title will ever get in the way of that, nor will I treat you any differently." He looks at Durnic and Harvek, "Either way, we need to get going."

For a moment, Granite says nothing. Then he grunts softly, “Good. Because if you start bowing, I’m throwing you into the nearest sinkhole.”

That makes Phineas laugh. Davaa and Altan both chuckle softly. Agnes hides a smile behind one hand. The two dwarves nod in agreement.

The road gradually narrows again into layered ridges overlooking deep cracks in the earth and for a time, only the sounds of travel accompany them.

Durnic finally speaks again. “The trouble with Neraka’s been worsening these past few seasons.”

Granite’s expression hardens immediately. “How bad?”

Durnic glances toward the northern horizon before answering. “Not war bad. Not yet.” He gestures toward the roads ahead. “But organized.”

Harvek spits over the side of the trail. “Too organized.”

Durnic continues. “Used to be patrol harassment. A caravan gone missing here. A border skirmish there. Dragonarmy scouts testing defenses.” He shakes his head. “Now they’re mapping routes. Timing patrol rotations. Watching bridge traffic.”

Agnes frowns. “Military preparation.”

Phineas adjusts his spectacles. “For invasion?”

Durnic nods. “Not yet. Neraka doesn’t want the Delving burned.” He gestures toward the chasms and stone roads around them. “Too valuable. Too difficult to occupy cleanly.”

Harvek’s face darkens. “But they do want control over who moves through it.”

Davaa’s eyes narrow thoughtfully. “Trade routes.”

“And tunnels,” Granite adds.

The dwarf roadwarden nods once. “There are rumors Dragonarmy officers are searching for ways under the border instead of across it.”

Granite folds his arms as they walk. “Fargain’s preparing, then.”

“Aye,” Durnic admits. “Quietly. Reinforcing bridges. Reopening old watchposts. Sending scouts deeper.” He glances sidelong at Granite. “And hoping the rightful Baron eventually stops wandering long enough to notice.”

Granite groans loudly. “You promised you were done with that.”

“I lied.” Durnic says with a shrug.

Phineas chuckles openly.

"Fargain is the only person patient enough to preserve the hold," Granite says flatly.

Durnic’s expression grows serious, “The truth is this,” he says. “The peace with Neraka survives because both sides still believe war would cost too much.” His eyes drift northward again. “Lately… some of their commanders seem less certain of that.”

Arthur thinks to himself.."tunnels...." His eyes open a bit more. "The delver, if they have a strong enough spellcaster, they could either control the delver or they could turn into one, creating their own tunnels wherever they wanted to go. If the officers wanted to, I'm sure they could find a way to do it. By any chance has the delver been more active of late? Or been acting in a strange way?"

Arthur’s words draw immediate attention from nearly everyone in the group.
Granite turns sharply toward him.
Durnic’s expression darkens.
And Harvek stops walking altogether.

Arthur feels the dwarves' attitude change instantly.

Granite frowns. "What’s changed?"

The delver used to stay deep," Harvek begins. "We rarely heard it, never saw it." He points to a massive chasm, "Now, it moves closer to the surface, causing surface collapses like that."

"Like it's being disturbed?" Phineas asks.

Durnic nods, "Or driven upwards."

Altan shakes his head, "If the Dragonarmies have learned how to control it, they wouldn't need siege engines. They could bypass roads entirely."

"Or just burrow under a city wall to collapse it," Davaa adds.

Durnic pulls at his beard. "Three lower tunnels caved in over this last season, dug out from below."

"One patrol went missing, and another reported the sounds of something moving below them just a week ago, " Harvek adds.

From somewhere beneath the earth, a deep groan echoes up through the stone and a not-quite-gentle tremor shakes the path. Gravel rains down in a brief shower from the cliff above.

"I believe that's exactly what they are doing, the tunnel collapses, missing patrol...they have control over one or maybe they somehow got a dragon underground to scare it up to do what they want as another possibility." Arthur thinks for a moment, "How far from your land are we?"

The moment the word "dragon" enters the conversation, Agnes turns her head slightly toward Arthur and raises one of her eyebrows. “Well, that escalated quickly.”

Durnic replies, "Aye, but given the state of things, it isn't implausible."

Another minor tremor shakes the ground.

Harvek glances down. "The outer tunnels are directly below us. This road is layered over old access ways."

Granite gestures around, "The Delving isn't a single hold, that lies at the center. Upper halls, mid routes the deep shafts, all lie beneath our feet. Some we still control. Others, we haven't used in years."

Davaa asks, "So we’re essentially walking above an entire subterranean city?”

Granite replies, "Aye, lad. Three-and-a-half thousand years' worth of mines, homes, and shops. All of it, right beneath our feet."

Arthur hops off of Nightrend and places a hand on the ground, feeling for movement. "This is your home, Granite. I can't make the choice for you. I want to help them but I fear that our group alone would not be enough." He looks at Granite. "This choice is yours to make, friend."

"Aye, lad. It is my home." Granite looks around at everyone. "And maybe we aren't enough." He takes a deep breath, "But we're the only miners in the shaft."

Arthur nods and hops back onto Nightrend, "We make for the Delves then, with haste."

Granite claps his hands together. "Aye! No wandering the side tunnels when the main shaft is on fire!"

Durnic thinks for a moment, "We're going to want the upper road to the North Gate. Faster than the deep ramps, safer than the exposed ridgeways.”

"How long will it take to get there?" Davaa asks.

"Couple hours. We'll cross two watch bridges and an old quarry shelf. After that, we just take the downhill paths," Harvek replies.

Arthur clicks his heels into Nightrend's flanks. "Not a moment to spare I'd say, lead the way, Durnic."

The dwarf looks at Granite, waiting for the command from his rightful lord. Granite nods and the two Roadwardens turn and immediately start marching, taking point.

They move with the practiced ease of long familiarity on the trail, choosing routes instinctively as they plunge deeper into Shalecutter territory.

The Delving begins to show signs of habitation - tool shacks, iron rails for mine carts, bunkers with arrow slits overlooking the trail, signal beacons waiting to be lit.

Above, Arthur notices movement more often - dwarven watchers.

Word of their coming, or more accurately, word of Granite's coming, is spreading before them.

The first bridge appears about an hour into the march. Unlike the first span, this one appears to be brand new with obvious metal braces and thick walls on either side of path.

As the party crosses, Agnes glances downward into the abyss below and quietly remarks, “There are barricades under the bridge.”

Durnic nods without slowing. “Fallback positions.”

Phineas frowns, "You built defenses under the bridges?"

Harvek nods. "Yep. They've been used a couple of times over the years, too."

The second bridge comes after another winding ascent along cliffside roads. Here the air grows cooler, touched by faint drafts rising from hidden tunnels below. Arthur notices distant hammering—subtle at first, then unmistakable.

Then they reach the quarry shelf. The vast excavation cuts into the mountainside like a giant bite taken from the earth itself. Terraced stone ramps descend layer after layer into darkness, connected by lifts, scaffolds, and narrow stairways. Old mining cranes stand silhouetted against the skyline while dwarven workers labor down below.

And somewhere deep beneath the shelf, another groan echoes up through the stone. Louder than before.
Dust trickles from cracks in the rock walls. Dwarves freeze, hands clutching pickaxes and hammers, eyes turning toward the mouth of the mineshaft.

Arthur rests his hand on Lawbringer's hilt, following the gaze of the dwarves. "We just have to get past this quarry shelf then down this hill, right. Let's go." He keeps a sharp eye on the mineshaft while they move, "How often does it sound this close?"

Durnic looks down into the pit, his face pale behind his beard. "It has never sounded this close."

Granite wraps his fingers around the haft of his warhammer. "No time to waste then." He urges his camel forward, taking the lead as the group descends into the quarry, guiding the animal down the switchbacks to the quarry floor. The rest of the group falls in line behind him.

The fear in the eyes of the workers hits like a hammer blow. Guards hold crossbows in white-knuckled grips, eyes staring at opening to the mineshaft. Small groups of smiths and masons cluster together, ready to flee at a moment's notice.

Then someone recognizes Granite.

Dozens of dwarves, clad in sturdy workman's leathers and heavy aprons converge on their rightful Baron, relief plain on their faces. Hands reach out to brush his legs as he passes. Murmurs follow in his wake.

"The Baron returns."
"The true Shalecutter will save us."
"Granite has brought heroes to slay the beast."

They step aside, some bowing, others watching silence, tears welling in their eyes.

Phineas leans toward Arthur quietly as they descend further. “My boy, they are looking at him as though a king returned from exile.”

Agnes, overhearing, nods. "And he hates it. No wonder he left. The pressure to perform... it must be unbearable."

Durnic and Harvek spread out, running interference, keeping Granite's people back, trying to spare him at least some of the unwanted adulation.

Another tremor strikes. A crane on the lip of the quarry sways violently. Scaffolding shifts, threatening to spill miners from its heights.

Altan whispers, "By the gods...."

Davaa says nothing but swings down from his camel, drawing his greatsword.

Granite's eyes remain fixed on the tunnel entrance.

Arthur says softly to Phineas and Agnes, "Most great leaders are the one who dont want power." He swings down from Nightrend, "Find a safe place to hide, my friend." He draws his shield and Lawbringer, walking beside Granite and pats him on the shoulder. "Together, then."

Granite looks sideways at him for a moment. "Aye, lad," he takes a deep breath and heads toward the opening.

The crowd parts, giving the group room, watching Granite expectantly.

Behind them, Phineas is already rummaging through one of the many pouches attached to his armor and travel gear.

“Aha!” he declares suddenly.

He produces a narrow metal tube roughly ten inches long with a thick crystal mounted at one end. Brass fittings run along the side, along with several tiny rotating rings etched in delicate symbols.

Altan eyes it suspiciously. “What now?”
Phineas twists a small knob at the base and gives the device several vigorous shakes.

The crystal sputters once, then flares brilliantly to life.

Warm white light floods outward across the quarry floor like a torchbeam, reflecting sharply off armor, stone, and startled dwarven faces nearby.

Several workers blink in surprise. One mutters, “What in Reorx’s beard…”

Phineas beams proudly. “Davaa, Altan, stay close to me, my boys.” He raises the glowing device high. “My Don’t-Stub-My-Toe-in-the-Dark-astor will light your way.”

"That is the worst name I have ever heard," Altan says flatly.

Phineas looks genuinely offended. “It is highly functional nomenclature.”

Davaa, to Arthur’s mild surprise, inclines his head thoughtfully toward the glowing crystal. “Its purpose is immediately understandable.”

“Thank you,” Phineas says triumphantly.

Arthur matches Granite's steps as they begin the walk into the quarry. He can't help but give a small chuckle "I feel like I've done more good in this world than any other including fighting in the war of wererats." He readies himself for the battle ahead.

Granite glances at Arthur while still walking. “That’s because this world keeps givin’ you bigger messes to hammer flat.”

Then the tunnel groans again. Dust pours from the widening cracks in the ceiling.

Granite rolls one shoulder beneath the weight of his warhammer.

“Y’know,” he mutters as they walk, “most folk visit their homeland for drink, food, and awkward family arguments.”

The roar that follows shakes the quarry floor hard enough to send loose tools rattling across the ground.

About 100' in, the tunnel comes to a "T" intersection. Granite places one hand on a wall and closes his eyes. He nods once, "We go left here."

Durnic frowns slightly. “You sure?”

Granite opens his eyes again slowly.

“Aye.” His voice is calm, certain. “Right tunnel’s wounded stone. Unstable. Feels hollow underneath.”

Harvek studies him carefully. “And the left?”
Granite’s gaze drifts into the darkness ahead.

“Pressure.” He tightens his grip on the hammer. “Movement too.”

Phineas notices it too. “Remarkable…”

Granite snorts softly. “Not remarkable. Just born here.”

Another low metallic rumble rolls faintly through the left passage.

The group presses on, heading deeper into the mine. Granite takes the lead. Phineas brings up the rear, shining his light ahead for Altan and Davaa.

The tunnel descends steadily. At every junction, Granite reaches out to touch the wall and listen to the stone. An hour passes. Deeper and deeper into the earth they go. The walls become smooth and carry a faint chemical odor.

"Safe to assume this is from the delver." Arthur inspects the wall as they walk. "How you guys doing back there?"

“Aye," Harvek replies.

Agnes keeps her voice low. “It passed this way.”

Behind her, Phineas keeps his glowing crystal held steady, its light washing over the tunnel walls. “I am doing splendidly,” Phineas answers immediately, “These walls have been dissolved by a powerful acid. I wonder if the Delver spits on the rock and slurps up the melted rock."

"No, Professor. They sweat it out through their skin. The rock melts and runs down the walls and they drink it through a mouth on their underside," Granite replies.

"Oh! How fascinating!" Phineas's smile stretches across his entire face.

Altan grunts. “So.... it turns out that I hate caves."

Davaa taps Phineas on the shoulder and has him shine his light down the tunnel. "Is it just me, or does it look like this thing has a destination in mind? This shaft looks incredibly straight."

Durnic follows the beam of light with his eyes. "I think ye might be right. Delvers eat rock but they love the taste of metal. It's like spice for them. My father's father said he got chased by a Delver once. Dropped a bag of coins as he was running away. The beast rolled across it, swallowed them up and started acting like a drunken kender."

Altan laughs.

The tunnel shakes violently again but this time the roar comes from the wall instead from further down into the darkness.

Stone bursts outward to Arthur’s right in an explosion of shattered rock. A massive clawed arm erupts through the tunnel wall followed by a chitin-covered bulk the size of a wagon.

“CONTACT!” Agnes shouts instantly.

An enormous insectoid horror tears free from the stone with a scream of grinding mandibles and clicking plates—its many eyes gleaming wildly in Phineas’ crystal light.

Before anyone can fully react, a second shape smashes through the opposite wall behind them.

Durnic yells, "UMBER HULKS!" He attempts to avert his eyes but he is not fast enough to turn away from the monsters' compound eyes. Magic flows.

Durnic stiffens mid-step. Then his eyes unfocus completely. “Tha… the tunnel’s upside down…” he mumbles vaguely to nobody.

Harvek lowers his axe and starts staring intently at the cave wall as though trying to remember how stone works.

Davaa blinks once, twice, then calmly informs the darkness, “I appear to have misplaced gravity.”

Altan points accusingly at Phineas. “You’re three professors.”

Phineas slips the Don't-Stub-My-Toe-in-the-Dark-astor into his belt and raises the Shock N' Awe-atron. He spins the dial and pulls back on the lever, sending the weapon into its charging cycle. Steam hisses from vents on the side of his invention. He takes aim at the nearest insectoid monster and slams the lever forward and shouts, "I AM THE ONLY PROFESSOR!"

A white-hot blast of lightning leaps from the end of the tube and slams into the Umber Hulk's chest. The bolt hits dead center, burning through the beast's carapace and knocking it back several steps.

To the left, as the echo from the blast continues to reverberate through the shaft, the wall collapses and an Umber Hulk twice the size of the others comes roaring out. It barrels into Arthur, swinging a massive claw. The blow strikes the paladin atop his head, causing him to see stars.

Despite the blow, Arthur strikes back. Lawbringer flares brightly, radiating holy fire in the presence of evil. Two powerful slashes carve through the thick plates of chitin as if they were parchment.

Agnes pushes past Phineas and Granite, dropping her Elven guise and assuming her true draconic form. As she changes, she strikes at the lightning-charred Umber Hulk. Her jaws crash shut on one of its arms and she pulls, dragging it off balance and yanking it sideways into the wall.

Granite steps forward, raising his hammer high. His voice cuts through the chaos of battle. "DEFENDERS OF THE DEEP SHALE HOLD! HEAR ME! STONE CRACKS! BEAMS SPLINTER! BUT THE MOUNTAIN STANDS BECAUSE WE STAND BENEATH IT!" He points his hammer at the Umber Hulks. "IF THESE BEASTS WANT IT...THEY CAN CHIKE ON SHALECUTTER STEEL!"

Arthur feels the words settle into him—not merely sound, but certainty. Even confused minds begin snapping back toward focus under the sheer force of Granite’s presence.

The remaining insectoid monsters lumber forward. The one Agnes slammed into the wall yanks its arm free and slashes at her flank. The first blow glances off of her silver scales but the second blow rips several scales off, exposing the flesh beneath.

The second hulk closes in on Altan, who still points accusingly at Phineas. Massive claws crash down, tearing into the Khur's body. He is hoisted toward the brute's powerful mandibles. Those crash shut, piercing his body. The archer screams. Blood gushes from his wounds as he flails helplessly in the monster's grasp.

Harvek is the victim of the third umber hulk. It grabs him from behind. Its powerful pinchers crush both of his arms while the mandibles tear through his chest cavity, piercing his heart and lungs.

The last umber hulk closes in on Davaa. Pinchers snap shut on one leg and an arm but the angle is a little off, making it impossible for the bug monster to land a solid bite.

Phineas moves forward, ducking underneath Agnes while yanking back on the Shock N' Awe-atron's control lever. He takes aim and slams the lever forward again. Lightning erupts at point-blank range, catching the wounded umber hulk in its chest. The blast knocks the monster back, staggering it.

The massive umber hulk focuses its gaze on Arthur. Strange colors ripple and twist across the monster’s many-faceted gaze, warping depth and direction in ways mortal minds were never meant to process. The paladin grits his teeth and powers through the brain-warping stare.

Arthur roars, "COME AT ME YOU WORTHLESS BETTLES!" The paladin begins to glow, light radiates from his body, bathing everyone in holy light. Lawbringer ignites like a piece of the sun has been harnessed within the silvered blade.

The giant Umber Hulk recoils instinctively.
For the first time since bursting into the tunnel it looks afraid.

Arthur’s first strike lands with punishing force. He pivots beneath the creature’s sweeping claw and drives the radiant blade upward through the joint beneath its armored chest plate. Holy fire detonates inside the wound, erupting from cracks in the Umber Hulk’s carapace in brilliant streams of golden light.

The monster shrieks but Arthur does not stop. He rips the sword free and spins with the motion, bringing Lawbringer down again in a two-handed arc that cleaves directly into one of the creature’s massive forelimbs. Black ichor spills onto the stone. His third blow hits directly between the hulk's four eyes, cracking its exoskeleton.

Agnes’s jaws clamp down on the shoulder of the umber hulk Phineas has now blasted twice with lightning and twists her head. The monster's outer shell shatters under the weight of the blow. She wrenches back with all of her might, tearing the entire arm free. Blood erupts in a geyser and the hulk falls, its lifeblood pooling on the ground.

Durnic shakes his head, his mind briefly cleared of the umber hulks' mental assaults. A well-worn battleaxe appears in his hands, striking the monster that slew Harvek in the back of the leg.

Granite is by his clansman's side a moment later. He speaks a single word and a shield appears, summoned from somewhere within the glove worn on that hand. His warhammer connects with the front of the umber hulk's wounded leg, staggering it.

That brute fires back with a pair of powerful blows, swiping at each of its dwarven attackers with its massive claws. Granite raises his shield to block the blow but the impact wrenches his arm backwards and leaves him exposed to the chomping mandibles. His chain armor dulls the impact but he cries out in pain.

The two unwounded hulks see their first comrade fall, they see their leader being manhandled by the knight wielding a sword so bright it hurts to even look upon it. The first turns and flees, crashing into a wall and tearing stone free with their powerful claws. As soon as the opening is deep enough, the second piles in, pulling the ceiling down behind it.

Phineas lets go of his Shock N' Awe-atron, letting it hang from its harness and pulls out a much smaller device. This one, is a short tube covered with brass gears. He pulls a cord and a wheel at the back begins to spin. Glowing lights appear, blending into a circle of illumination. The circle breaks apart, splitting into four glowing darts that streak down across the passage, striking the hulk fighting the two dwarves. Each bolt causes the creature to jerk and spasm and it gives ground, raising one arm to shield itself from the assault.

Arthur keeps up his relentless assault upon the giant umber hulk not letting him escape. "You die here and now."

Lawbringer flashes once. The first strike takes the creature across the throat. Radiant steel carves through layered chitin and muscle in a blazing arc, nearly severing the monster’s head completely. Golden fire erupts from the wound as the Umber Hulk reels backward
.
Arthur does not relent. With a roar, he drives forward and delivers the final blow.
Lawbringer crashes down through the center of the creature’s skull like divine judgment made steel.

The impact detonates in a burst of holy radiance so bright the tunnel walls flash white. The Umber Hulk collapses instantly, sending a shudder through the stone floor as it strikes the ground.

Agnes leaps onto the last monster. She bites, she rakes with her claws, she punches with her wings, battering the brute. Durnic rushes in, chopping with his axe but the monster's thick carapace turns the attack aside. Granite strikes with his hammer, slamming the monster's knee with a pair of blows, buckling the joint and dropping it to the ground.

"Awww, I didn't know you cared," Altan starts to reply but his attempt at a joke sends him into a coughing fit.

Arthur turns, "Granite, we need to fall back for now, he is in no shape to continue."

The dwarf's gave tenses.

Before he can answer, Agnes resumes her elven form. “Arthur.”

He turns.

The silver dragon’s expression is grim.
Harvek lies motionless near the shattered wall where the smaller Umber Hulk struck him during the fighting. The dwarf’s armor is crushed inward across one side of his chest.

Agnes’ voice becomes softer, “If we stop now… his sacrifice may become meaningless.”

Davaa steps forward, "I can escort Altan back to the surface. We will take Harvek with us."

Granite lowers his head briefly. He says nothing for several seconds and when he finally speaks, his voice is rougher than before, “Harvek Ironthane held the line like proper stone.”

Durnic quietly kneels beside the fallen dwarf. “Aye, he did.” he whispers.

Granite grips his warhammer tighter. Then he looks at Arthur. “If we turn back now…” His jaw tightens painfully. “…whatever’s drivin’ these things keeps diggin’.”

"Davaa, make sure he doesnt die." Arthur hands Altan over to Davaa. "Let's get going, time to find whatever is causing this."