Chapter 1: The One Who Watches From Below

Once you have looted all that you desire, you head through the door. A short flight of stairs lead down before they open into a great hall, the high ceiling held in place by two massive opalescent columns. Triangles of green light reflect off three gems set in a large stone skull that watches silently from a dais at the east end of the room. Another flight of stairs leads up to a small door to the north, while a grand set of doors looms over the west end of the hall. Tapestries on the north and south wall depict enormous eyeballs on a background of crawling worms.

Hyde doesn’t discover anything behind the tapestries. There are neither hidden doors nor hidden guards.

"Eye-based cults? How many gods are not known for peeping on mortals?"

Baxwen move over to the large skull.

"Ugly," he comments. Hearing doors open, he sees Hyde shining his torch into a new chamber. The halfling moves a bit, just in case it becomes necessary to take cover behind the large skull.

As soon as Hyde starts to open the double doors, the two "columns" in the center of the room spring to life! It turns out they are actually giant eyestalks! They begin to sway as they prepare to smash and roll over you all!

The heavy double doors squeal open on halting hinges to reveal an arched hallway. Five-foot-square red and black flagstones create a checkerboard pattern on the floor. Another set of stout doors stands closed at the far end of the passage, 25 feet away.

Hyde steps cautiously onto the first square. Nothing happens, but it does put him out of reach of the flailing eyestalks.

Honey's crossbow bolt skips harmlessly off the tough hide of the eyestalk nearest the huge skull. As the cleric takes cover, the eyestalk swings itself at Kip, badly battering the dwarf! The other one flails about, unable to reach anybody this time.