The ladder ends at a slope behind a large outcropping. Coming around the outcropping leads to an open cavern with many floor to ceiling naturally formed columns. Between the columns are ancient buildings with what looks like a ziggurat in the center. The elevated temple can be seen from across the several miles wide cavern. A dim light coming from the ziggurat illuminates most of the cavern. Deacons group scans the area for the bandits but there is no sign of them.

“Did you all just get slate notification?” Deacon asked.

“Yes, we did. It doesn’t seem wise to chase them into this underground city.” Armand says.

“Are you suggesting we go back and continue on to Iron Mountain?” Elle asked.

“I can feel a lot of movement down here, we may have stepped into a huge pile of shit.” Typhus said nervously.

“What do you mean? Are they nearby? Do you think we can end this without mapping that monstrous ancient city?” Armand asked.

“No, this is more than just a handful of bandits. I recommend we get out of here now.” Typhus said just as the sound of a large horn was blown. To the party’s left they heard someone screaming and saw several people sprinting from a ruined building. The group began to move back but the cavern started rumbling. A loud chanting started coming from the right side of the cavern in rhythm with the reverberations. Soon there after large rocks were tossed through the air into the city smashing into some of the old buildings.

“Is there a damn war going on down here?” Deacon asked.

“I don’t know but I don’t want to be out in the open. Elle search for life signs so we can avoid them, we need to find a place to hunker down.” Armand ordered.

Elle cast her spell and pointing in a direction away from detected life signs. The group ran pointed toward whatever building she pointed too. Once under cover, Armand pointed to watch positions using the team's familiar hand signals. Armand was watching from one of the windows when he noticed one of the bandits hiding in the building across the street. He threw a rock through the open window to get his attention. When the bandit looked out, Armand gestured for him to come over. With great reluctance he sprinted across the road.

“Please take me to jail. I’ll do anything you say just get me out of here.” Said the bandit.

“I think we can talk about that later, are you alone? What the hell happened?” Armand demanded.

The bandit went on tell the party that when they got down here, they all received a “you discovered” notification. Then immediately ran into the city to see what they could loot. While digging through one of the buildings they ran into a humanoid mole man with a spear. The mole man just stood there looking at them like it had never seen people before. It was then tackled from behind by some green moss covered skeleton. It appeared to have been dead for a long time. The mole man fought it off screaming and they ran in the opposite direction right into a patrol of more of those moss-covered skeletons.

“Then Victor's eyes started glowing and pulsating in time with a radiance coming off of that damn dagger he won’t let go of. I said to hell with this and started back toward the ladder but couldn’t find it. So I ducked into that building over there. Get me the hell out of here.” The bandit said finishing his tirade.

“Did you all stumble into some kind of skirmish?” Armand asked.

“This sounds bad Armand. We should cut our losses and retreat back to the ladder.” Elle said.

“I agree.” Armand replied.

“Folks, that’s not going to happen. Look up.” Deacon

Everyone’s eyes drifted to the window ledge and doorway. They were surrounded by mole men all pointing spears at them. One wearing a pauldron and helmet stepped forward gesturing them out of the building. There was a low murmur rolling through the mole troops. Armand stood up and gestured for everyone to get up and walk out. Hands in the air, everyone stepped outside. There had to be twenty to thirty mole men all about four feet tall. The leader pointed down the street to a dead mole man laying next to an impaled mossy skeleton. Then they all marched closer as the head mole man in charge pointed at the dead one and began speaking. No one understood the language and the mole men started to get frustrated gesturing wildly with their stone spears.

Deacon had an idea. He summoned his calm and focused on his breathing. In doing so the soul of that dead mole man was consumed. Using SAYance, he learned the mole man’s language. Now known as Moldvarp. He read his notification.

New language learned- Moldvarp, this is the language of the subterranean mole men. By using SAYance to learn this language, this knowledge is temporary. You will have one week before it is no longer available.

“Explain this right now strangers. These monsters haven’t moved since the founding. Why are they attacking now?” Said the lead mole man.

“I’ve got it. I can speak their language.” Deacon said in Moldvarp.

“What?” Armand said.

“You speak Moldvarp!? Why didn’t you answer me when I first asked who you are?” he said.

“I’m sorry, I used an ability learn it. I didn’t know it until I heard enough of it.” Deacon lied.

“Who are you and why are you here? Men stand in a ready position, the forsaken could come at any moment and I want answers before I bring these trespassers to our home.” He spoke with a general authority.

“We were chasing some criminals and they found their way down here. My name is Deacon, these are my friends Armand, Elle, and Typhus.” Deacon said as he pointed them out.

“Finally, some answers. I’m Ferent General of his majesty’s army, Keeper of the West Gate. We have many things to discuss but first we must get somewhere safe and bury poor Davos. You walk with me and translate. Tell your friends to keep their hands where we can see them.” General Ferent said.

“He is General Ferent. A military leader for the mole men. He says its not safe out here and we need to move.” Deacon told the others switching back to the common tongue.

“How can you speak their language?” Elle asked.

“Its temporary. Part of the power I used on that bandit; it’ll last about a week. So we should wrap up here fast.” Deacon said.

“What are you? Seriously, everywhere we go, we find something bizarre. Then you do something bizarre. This was supposed to be an easy bandit clean up.” Typhus said.

“What’s with all the jabbering?” General Ferent asked.

“My friends are surprised and startled by what’s happening. I recommend giving them a minute.” Deacon responded in Mulvart.

“I’d prefer you keep the talking to a minimum or I’m going to ask you translate every word. The elders have a translation stone that should make the rest of this easier. Believe me you don’t want to be found in the outer city without us. The inner city is worse. Its best you all come back with us and explain things to the elders. The old stories say the monsters haven’t moved since the Gossamer dagger was lost in the underground river.” Ferent proclaimed.

As Deacon translated that last bit all eyes landed on the bandit in their midst. If looks could kill Deacon would be feasting on a fresh soul about now. Deacon shot a glance over at Armand. Armand considered for a moment then nodded yes.

“General, do you want the good news or the bad news?” Deacon asked.