Deacon was deep in thought. He knew what he was seeing couldn’t be real. Lizard men, flying weapons, elves and…deep dwellers. Deacon couldn’t help feeling like he forgot something important. Like drinking from a fire hose, he hasn’t had a chance to really think. Elle was peering into the darkness when Armand spoke up.

“Typhus scout ahead, we may have found an alternate route out of here.” Without a word Typhus started off down the dark corridor until he faded from sight.

“Deacon, we are leaving. I trust you have no problem with that. If you are going to travel with us you’ll need to follow my lead for now. In return I’ll see what I can do about setting you up with a trainer when we get out of here. Sound fair?”

“More than.” Deacon said.

“Now I’m going to be truthful with you, you are strange and unprepared for the dangers inherent down here. This no weapons thing really bugs me but I’m guessing you put a substantial number of points into strength. Those weapon racks looked heavy.” Armand said.

“Oh yea like half.” replied Deacon.

“Half!? No wonder you busted right through the wall. Someone at your level with over 25 points in strength is all but unheard of. But this could work. If it comes down to a fight you should stick to my left side where my shield is. At the very least you should be able to push an attacker over.”

“Left side. Got it.” Deacon said.

“Imagine if he was properly trained. He’d almost rival you in brute strength.” Elle said. The trio began stepping into the newly found passage when Elle took point.

“Elle can see better in the dark than we can.” Armand explained.

“Do we have a torch or lantern or something?” asked Deacon.

“No we don’t advertise our location in darkness. Typhus scouts ahead for traps and enemies. His people have developed a racial ability that lets them sense the world around them. Its all very clear to him.” Armand said.

“Oh like some kind of underground sonar?” Deacon asked.

“No idea what that is, for future reference when you level, try to distribute your points more evenly. Not only will it make you more well-rounded, but you won’t flop around like a fish in the first few minutes. Once out of here you’ll have to tell us where in the ten hells you are from.” They came to a T intersection.

“Typhus marked the left path.” Elle said. So, they went left. Everything seemed to be going well until they came across several not so fresh corpses.

“Gross.” Deacon said. Just then green lights started emanating from the bodies.

“My head hurts” Deacon said, “anyone else seeing this?”

“Seeing what?” Elle asked. She became very rigid and wild eyed as Armand drew his sword.

New Ability Discovered: Soul sight-this ability allows the Nether Monk to see spirits, specters, ghosts, and other incorporeal beings. This is a passive ability that also grants limited sight in dark places, up to 15 feet. Would you like to learn Soul Sight: Yes/No. Deacon chose yes.

“Seems like the souls of these dead bodies are still lingering here.” He spoke.

“You can see them?!” Elle nervously replied.

“Yea I just got a notification that I could learn Soul Sight.” Deacon said.

“Wait you spontaneously learned an ability? I’ve only heard of that happening in wars or large conflicts.” Armand said, “Well what does it do?”

“I have limited dark vision about 15 feet and I can see souls.” Deacon said, “Not much of a power.” I thought about that for a minute. This makes 3 members of this team that can navigate in darkness.

“So I guess we should tie a rope to Armand?” I snickered.

“Very funny, let’s go soul seer.” Armand said.

After about an hour of walking and following Typhus’s marks, the team started to notice the well carved catacombs giving way to more rough stone walls. It seemed there was an end to it after all. A few minutes later Typhus showed back up.

“We should rest here. I didn’t come across any monsters but as the walls transitioned, I found rudimentary traps and some blind corners. I think we all know what that means.” He said.

“Kobolds” said Armand.

“Ok let me guess more lizard men. In my world they were just stories from books. Only about three to four feet tall. The one I reverse wood chippered was easily five feet.” Deacon said.

“They shouldn’t be that tall, you’re right. Something strange is happening down here. One of the reasons we came down here to begin with.” Elle said.

“Some villagers have gone missing, and we were sent to investigate. All very standard postings in most village Inns. Unfortunately, the village was empty when we got there. We saw the posting in the now vacant Inn.” Armand relayed.

“Now that is strange. Sort of a yellow brick road situation.” said Deacon. All three shot him strange looks.

“Never mind it’s a movie you haven’t seen.” Deacon said. We all sat down, and Armand asked Elle for a mage light. It looked like a stone that just emanated a soft glow. About enough for a ten-by-ten-foot area. Typhus and Elle settled in while Armand agreed to stay up with me while they rested.