True to Argent’s prediction, a light rain settled over the area dampening the ground a bit before slacking off.  It wasn’t long before the heat of the earth reacted to the cool touch of liquid nourishment and gave off a soft mist in response.

Keth had just finished some pull-ups and dropped off the edge of the farmhouse roof, when she noticed the fog.   It was eerie and seemed to writhe with an animation unlike anything she had ever seen.  It moved in swiftly, laying itself thickly over the ground.  Then she heard them; first a chittering of Draconic and then a screech that cracked the night.

“Kobolds!” Keth yelled as she slammed open the door, startling everyone awake who wasn’t already.  Pinch and Argent skidded to the doorway to see.  From the fog emerged a swarm of squealing lizard-like creatures, all armed and all heading their way.

“My gods,” Argent gasped, “there’s hundred of them.  We can’t fight all of them.” He moved back inside, searching.  “We have to find another way out,” he said, scrambling to the back door.  He opened it, but only found that the fog had continued its way all around the house, filled with telling howls and Draconic chatter.

“Shit!” he exclaimed as he slammed the door. 

Miiril joined Keth at the front entrance while Pinch and Argent began looking for alternate exits.  The clang of metal and sound of praying upped their sense of urgency.  Pinch worked one side while Argent tore up the large living space. 

Pinch started stomping around the kitchen pulling on knobs and candleholders, banging on every surface he could reach.  Finally, he yelled, “Argent!” after hearing a hollow sound under his feet.  “I’ll need help… with… this,” his voice sounding strained. 

Argent skidded into the kitchen to see Pinch hauling on a rope attached to a metal door in the floor.  Grabbing the extra slack, the two pulled until the door finally cracked open, releasing air from below in a gust of dust.  The door released so suddenly, both men could have been dropped to the floor and crushed by the door, but their quick reflexes kept them on their feet and out of the way.  As the dust settled, the two stepped over to the opening and peered down into the hole.  With only a brief thought, Pinch dropped into the darkness.

“You guys okay?!” came a frantic yell from the front doorway.