Subterraneum Monasterium
A Close Encounter and Narrow Escape - by Chauncey Pfaffendorf The sight of the creature looking at Chauncey and the group as they finished climbing up from the ladder from the hole was unsettling, but the creature looked frail and weak. If it came to violence, Chauncey was certain he would be able to fend off this creature with his spear and shield and his group had the advantage of numbers. It wasn't until the creature fled and Chauncey heard the feet of others who were unseen, bouncing around the hall and room they were in that his confidence was shaken. "How many more are there out there? Where did they come from? Have they been living here, deeper in the complex? Or are they the ones who passed through after we last left?" are thoughts that ran through Chauncey's head as the group hurried back to the entrance. The group made it back to the entrance with the potential threat seemingly having left the group alone. Still, Chauncey felt that the creature(s) could return and offered to watch the rear as the group formed an assembly line. The group passed Fug's lantern, which was their only source of light, to Chauncey's feet and the lantern light illuminated some of the room, allowing Chauncey to see any potential threats emerging from the dark hallways. The group then began hauling their belongings and new found treasures up through the narrow entrance and crawl through 1 by 1. Fug went through first, followed by Cummy, followed by Tarre, followed by Bruce with Chauncey being the last to leave. With everyone waiting for him, Chauncey who began to cautiously back up to the hole and slide his shield through the opening to Bruce who was waiting for him on the other side. Chauncey then had the realization that he had to pass his spear and lantern through to Bruce and then turn his back to the darkness which was frightening, even if his back would be exposed for just a moment. Chauncey quickly passed the lantern and spear through to Bruce and began to crawl through. As Chauncey began crawling through his fear became reality, as the pitter padder of bare feet came rushing at him from behind. Chauncey began to panic as he felt a hand grab his boot as he was scurrying through, but felt comforted once Bruce's strong grip easily pulled Chauncey up and out of the hole unscathed. Chauncey quickly stepped away from the entrance where he looked back and caught a glimpse of the same pale, gaunt face and beady eyes that the group encountered in the wolf pack room. Chauncey locked eyes with the creature, who was staring right back at him and it felt like they locked eyes for several minutes. The creature then hissed, turned, and disappeared back into the darkness of the complex.
Chauncey was shook. He brushed the dirt off of himself and was restless, unnecessarily pacing around in place, looking back at the entrance and looking away and looking back again. His immediate urge was to stay behind and either cave in or barricade the entrance to prevent anything from coming out, or whether there was some way he could burn this complex down along with every other horror within it.
The group didn't seem as phased by the encounter as Chauncey though. Bruce, who had just pulled him through the entrance and possibly saved Chauncey from the creature, was casually wondering aloud whether it was someone else that Lackwitt told about this place, and the group was uncertain whether they even heard or saw other creatures other than the one they saw in the room who Fug tried to talk to. The sunlight bathing Chauncey and the refreshing outdoor air began to comfort Chauncey and the more he looked back at the dark entrance, the more it felt like his encounter was but a fleeting nightmare. Was Chauncey overreacting? Were his fears of this creature legitimate? Was it just some poor soul they encountered who was experiencing difficult hardships, like many others who are also struggling in these hard times? Still, he felt it was his duty and responsibility to find out more about this complex and to deal with any potential threats within it. It is possible after all, that they could have disturbed these people or creatures and they could pose a threat to Outhgill. Chauncey felt determined to head back to Outhgill and alert Sir Hughe (sp?) and Lord Orm (sp?) about these threats. Not only because there could be enemies inhabiting the complex who could pose an imminent threat to the town, but also because there could be more treasures within the complex which could allow the people of Outhgill to live more comfortably and without hardship.
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