Chapter 1: The One Who Watches From Below

Baxwen rushes to take cover behind the large skull, moving to around the far-side of its back so that he can attempt to keep an eye on the eyes. He's looking for the opportunity to rush, but his short legs and the distance do not inspire confidence. He also readies his sling, but holds fire for now.

Both Aldar's and Honey's magic falters as they try to call upon it! They move across the room, Pyne staying near them to cover them! Kip rushes ahead, holding her injured side, while Baxwen remains behind, hiding behind the large skull! Hyde's arrow whizzes past the eyestalks.

The eyestalks whip about the room. Kip narrowly manages to avoid being crushed by the one closest to the door where Hyde is standing. The other one wallops Pyne, badly injuring him!

Baxwen grumbles. "Be an adventurer, she said. Gold and glory, she said. Never said a thing about being crushed by giant eyeballs."

Baxwen whirls his swing and lets a stone fly at the closest eye, hoping he's far enough way behind cover to avoid getting crushed.

"This is a stupid way to die," he says, "but it could be worse, I guess."

Honey rushes headlong across the room and into the checkered hall. Aldar and Kip follow in her wake, making it to where Hyde stands. Pyne moves through the room, turning to fire an arrow at the nearest eyestalk. As it writhes in pain, Hyde fires his own arrow, piercing it right in the eye itself! Blood and humors pour from the wound as the eyestalk shudders and slumps over, going still.

Meanwhile, Baxwen is still on the far side of the hall, taking cover behind the giant skull. He hurls a sling bullet at the remaining eyestalk close to him, damaging it. In retaliation, the eyestalk tries to pummel the halfling! The cover doesn't help him as the eyestalk bashes him, though luckily it is only a glancing blow.