Victor couldn’t believe they didn’t give chase. He got away clean. First things first, grab the crew and head towards Iron Mountain. As he reached the edge of the clearing, he noticed Al was cooking something in the fire pit. Unwilling to slow his pace, he grabbed Al by the arm and dragged him back into the house. Startled by the sudden arrival of Victor, the rest of the crew all got to their feet and started asking questions. It looked like time had taken its toll on this place. Even the rudimentary patches the bandits put up to block the howling wind were barely hanging in place. The roof slopped to the right in one of the corners but was still intact. Bedrolls were strewn along the floor near where the recently cleaned out chimney was. Just above the chimney was the spot Vic found knife he now fondled while struggling to form words.

“Vic what the hell is going on? Why are you alone? Where is everyone?” shouted from multiple mouths.

“There was a monster on the road. Well not really a monster, but he fought like one. He had these horrible green pupils that would glow with an eerie green light. That man killed everyone I was with. I was lucky to get out of there alive.” Victor responded

“Everyone?” Al asked.

“Well, I didn’t see what happened to Jim, I assumed he was watching and ran back here like me.” Victor responded.

“You’re the first. What do we do now?” Al asked.

“We need to grab all of our shit and run. I have no idea if he’ll find us but our spot near the roadside is burnt. Can’t go back there.” Victor said.

“Run? But we just got this place all fixed up.” Al said followed by a few chuckles.

“You can stay but I’m leaving, I’m also taking the loot.” Victor said.

“Ever since you found that dagger you’ve been acting strange. The Vic I know wouldn’t run from a fight especially with five of his boys at his back.” Al said.

“You weren’t there.” Victor said flatly while he started rummaging through a chest.

That’s when they all heard a whistle come from the tree line. Weapons were out in a heartbeat. Victor just started to back pedal toward the only solid structure in the building, the fireplace. Staring through the handmade peep hole, Al noticed a man in chain mail step into the clearing. He had a sword glowing with amber light and a shield. He was shortly followed by a thick looking shorter man in traveling clothes wearing a hooded cloak. On his left side came another man in peasant's clothes. Brown skin and green pupils with what looked like bandages around his hands and wrists.

“That’s the guy you’re so worried about? He looks injured.” Al said.

Victor was looking for a way out. These fools can be smeared all over this place if they want but he needed to live. He started to climb the fireplace thinking that maybe he could sneak out through the damaged roof. Once the dagger tapped an off color, brick he heard a popping latch. Dropping back down he saw the bottom of the hearth was elevated a few inches from the floor. It not being flush anymore gave him an idea. He wedged the dagger between the floor and the now displaced fireplace base. Surprisingly it lifted with little effort revealing a ladder down. His crew was ready to open the door and charge the men that had killed their friends.

“Wait! I’ve got a way out here.” Vic spoke in a hushed tone.

“Screw you. Don’t touch that loot. I’ll be back in a second.” Those were Al's last words as he stepped out of the door and took an arrow through his neck from his left.

The rest of the crew jumped back from the doorway. They spun around to see an open hole in the fireplace and no sign of Victor. Their choices laid bare; down the ladder they went. The last one attempted to close the hatch but had nothing to grip onto. He quickly abandoned the idea and continued down into the darkness.

“Just come out and surrender. We’ll bind your hands and see you safely back to Iron Mountain to stand trial.” Armand yelled.

“I don’t think they’ll believe that after Elle just the first one who came out.” Deacon said.

“He charged out of the door club in hand. What else was she supposed to do? Yell freeze?” Armand replied.

“They are sure taking their sweet time. Are we sure they're still in there?” Typhus asked.

“They are.” Elle said after finishing her spell.

“Who’s going first?” Deacon asked.

“Not you. I’ve seen enough entrails for one day.” Armand replied.

“I’ve got it.” Typhus said.

Typhus dropped into stealth and made his way around the building. Peeking inside through one of the holes in the wall he saw that the place was empty. Coming around the opposite corner at a slow walk, he just went right into the building. Shocked the others jogged forward.

“It’s empty.” Said Typhus.

“How can that be? I just felt five living beings.” Elle indignantly replied.

“Well, they aren’t in here now.” Typhus responded.

“Look around, we would have heard them running if they snuck out the back.” Armand said.

“Well, they could have just gone down this hole.” Deacon said leaning against the fireplace.

“Of course, they did. No sight lines, unfamiliar territory, and no torch in sight.” Armand pondered out loud.

“I’ll go get one of those burning logs from the fire pit outside. That should help.” Deacon said.

He ran outside and grabbed the end of one of the logs. Once back inside, instead of handing it over to Armand, he just dropped it down the hole. They all watched as the light traveled down, down, down, and thunk. That’s when they heard an, OW!

“Yup. They went down there.” Deacon said, “Look I’ll go first that way if they get stabby it most likely won’t do anything but ruin another pair of pants.”

“Not your worst idea. But we would be committing to a much larger scope than just stopping some bandits. We don’t even know if we’ll be able to get back out.” Armand said.

“Its under a wooded area ten or so hours out from Iron Mountain. I know this area pretty well and should be able to get us back on task shortly.” Elle said.

“Quit your whining. We were going down the second we found the hole. How do you think we ended up in that damn Catacomb.” Typhus scoffed.

With nods of affirmation all around they all started down the ladder into nowhere. Ten minutes into the climb they heard a rusty door swing open and started to pick up the pace. Once they made it to the bottom, they found the log Deacon dropped and two doors. One was slightly ajar and had some light spilling out of it. Armand then took the lead with his shield out. Once through the door they all received a notification from their slates.

New Location Discovered- You’ve stumbled upon the lost city of Gossamer. Once a bustling trade hub for the Egregian civilization, it fell to ruin after a coven of witches brought a landslide down on top of it. Explore at your own risk.