Alexandria's Journal - Return to Cathal's Doom

*8 The Fading*

We head out to the Mines again. There have been rumours of issues with the supply and I think we all want to try and lay Murtagh’s body to rest (if we can find it). **Bruisetooth**, **Drago**, and **Teres** join with my ever faithful friend **Uklah**. We’re joined by the thoughtful looking **Reza** and the wildcard **Blaze**. I have heard much about the druid’s “diplomacy” and we should be on our guard!

*9 The Fading*

Ambushed in the night again. Fortunately we worked well as a unit with **Blaze** proving both reckless and brave hitting himself with his fiery magic. However, there was no major harm done.

We have lost our way multiple times but no blame falls on our navigator - it is a tough task and one he should not criticise himself for failure in. It is not the Labyrinth he has spoken of and the fog was thick the last time we came this way. The mines appear ahead but there is an eerie silence…

Alas, Lyla is not what we suspected! The little girl rescued from the webbing when we were last here is no longer “frightened” of **Bruisetooth** and revealed herself to be in league with these spiders! I heard **Reza** shouting about an “Arachne” while **Drago** threw his hammer at the creature. She vanished but we were soon surrounded by her friends… although they proved relatively straightforward for our party to deal with. **Teres** with devastating accuracy and the ferocity of **Uklah** helped keep the smaller ones from flanking us while **Drago** showed off his ever developing skills to slay the larger. We pushed into the cave and were again swarmed by thousands of the smaller breed. **Blaze** and his “baby” proved incredibly useful in teleporting people out of harm’s way… truly blessed magic! We pushed on deeper until we came to the mouth of the pit and were welcomed by three giants beasts. Charging forward, I found myself beset on all sides before **Drago** joined to my right and **Bruisetooth** aided from the left. With **Uklah** and **Reza** supporting from behind, **Teres** and **Blaze** flanked the creatures and we were able to overwhelm them without too much hardship. We pause now for a breath before we plumb the depths.

*12 The Fading*

We are returned “triumphant”… the spider bitch is slain and the nest purged. Descending into the pit, we came across a beast as large as a dragon and many undead minions. Invoking the might of Bahamut into my blade, I dashed to the right flank to hopefully get to her early. I saw **Bruisetooth** and **Drago** charge into the web mummies at the front before all hell broke loose. The spider skittered away to our exposed left flank and nearly killed **Teres** instantly! I was swamped with undead and swarms but I saw **Drago** and **Bruisetooth** head back to the middle and engage more of the minions. The spider decided **Blaze** was it’s next target and it was nearly fatal for the druid too. Sensing the danger, the fighters swung their attention to the main threat and managed to land some good hits and tie the thing down for a moment. It gave me a chance to charge in to join them and I managed to land a divine blow with the power of Bahamut hammering the thing. She replied by swiping at me and skittering away to the other side of the fighters and bearing down on them viciously. **Blaze** and his ‘baby” worked their magic to help move people away from critical danger while **Uklah**, **Reza**, and **Teres** fought a desperate rear guard action. At this fateful moment, **Bruisetooth** suddenly grew to giant size! Surely this would swing the tide in our favour? Alas, the spider bore down and knocked him unconscious before turning her attention to **Drago** poisoning him so **Reza**’s healing had no impact. I managed to rush to his side to purge the poison but it left me open to her attack. Luckily, she snatched at the chance and I was able to smite her again with all my might, the holy power of Bahamut coursing through my arm.

That was the last I remember as the bitch exploded. When I awoke from **Blaze**’s healing, it was to the sad news that **Bruisetooth** and **Drago** had fallen. Poor **Uklah** was devastated by the loss of **Drago** but is arranging a ceremony to honour him. **Bruisetooth** was able to be revived by Ulman Dark - surely the gods watch over him