The fight against the foul, gray creatures began. Though they relentlessly clawed at the adventurers with near super-human strength, eventually they wre overpowered. No one was quite sure what these creatures were, but Dare suggested that they might be Ghouls. Lilvari noticed that, multiple times, they stopped short of attacking Mystic. Mystic used this face (and her wolf-spider form) to her advantage — climbing walls and literally getting the drop on the creatures over and over again. 

The adventurers took a short rest in the chamber where they first beset the creatures. Inside were the gnawed bones of ancient dwarves and orcs as well as several stone beds. Dare used a hammer and nails to secure the entrances while everyone rested. He used this time to put on and test the magic boots. They turned out to be Magic Boots of Striding and Jumping. Lilvari found that the armor taken from the gnoll leader was made of Mythril — a very light armor. Grumbling that she couldn’t use it and that it smelled like him anyway, she gave it to Dare.

During their rest, they heard thumping noises coming from behind the Western-most door. So of course that’s the direction they went in after they were done resting. Using his new boots, Dare leaped and bounded down the long tunnel ahead while the others, walking normally, found stairs heading North. Mystic and Livari took the stairs, which opened into a large cavern — immense 30ft ceiling and so deep that they could not see its end. From the blackness beyond, Mystic heard the sounds of more gnawing. She and Lilvari called for Mercarri to come forward with her drift globe, which shined bright light. As Mercarri hurried up the stairs, the gnawing sounds stopped. It seemed that whatever creatures were making the sounds took notice. The gnawing was replaced by hungry growls and fast-approaching footsteps which rushed at Mercarri’s light. In moments the adventurers saw what was coming — seven more of those gray-skinned creatures. Mercarri, Lilvari and Mystic bore the brunt of the attack, though again, the creatures seemed to focus more on the others than Mystic. 

Dare hurried towards them, trying to use his magic boots to catapult over Mercarri’s head and up the stairs. He slipped though and landed prone behind her. From that position he fired his crossbow through her legs multiple times, scoring multiple hits. From behind them all, Droop quickly crafted a cannon that put forth healing magic. Lilvari used her quick reflexes to cut down foe after foe with CurseBringer. In the end, several creatures tried to run away, but they weren’t given the chance. 

The cavern had been cleared. Now the adventurers must continue onward through Wave Echo Cave, searching for Gundren Rockseeker and his brothers.