The party was positively ecstatic at seeing the treasure haul lying at their feet.

There were literally tens of thousands of coins and miscellaneous treasure weighing thousands of pounds. At last, they had a use for the djinni they had rescued from the evil dao. The airy genie had promised the party one final service as a reward for its liberation. Rey Gorra knew the party could not easily haul such a huge amount of treasure to the surface but the genie with its magic could accomplish the task without much difficulty. Genie, as your final obligation to us before setting you free, we command that you carry all this treasure back to the surface. Hresstan and Erwan will guide you. The rangers tracking ability would allow them to easily retrace their steps through the dungeon and back to the surface. Gorra also sent the cleric along with them in the off chance the ranger decided to abscond with all the treasure once he reached the surface. The djinni lifted several bags of coins and then transformed itself into a billowing cloud of vapor. The cleric and the ranger were likewise altered. The vapor streaked out of the room at a very high velocity. Those remaining in the room calmly awaited the djinnis return. In mere minutes, the white cloud returned. Were back for more, announced the ranger. The genie picked up another hefty load of treasure and zoomed out of the cavern. It took a total of three trips and a mere twenty minutes for the cloud-like djinni to haul roughly 25,000 coins (along with several other miscellaneous valuables) to the surface of the mine where members of Rey Gorras mercenary party kept watch over the newfound booty. I have completed the task you requested. My debt is paid, proclaimed the djinni. Gorra waved his hand, You are free to go. The djinni nodded and disappeared from sight. The partys treasure was now safe and secure on the surface. They could now turn their attention back to exploring the caverns. The party gazed at the stairway that descended down into the depths of the lower level. They had removed some boulders and discovered this staircase only minutes earlier. The Maztican native got up to leave. Rey Gorra was incensed, Where are you going! There is still another level of the cavern to explore! Crazy Horse stopped in his tracks but did not turn around, We slew the dragon. We surveyed this level and have slain most of its occupants. My job here is done. Hresstan regarded the stocky warrior. He admired the Mazticans free will and independence but this time he felt the native was wrong. Crazy Horse, no one will stop you if you go but you know in your heart what youre doing is wrong. There is still much evil beneath the surface. Many evil spirits are preparing to rise out of the underworld to bring harm to your people. Think of the Azuposi. Think of Yenisha. That name struck a cord in Crazy Horses heart. The native was genuinely concerned about Yenishas safety. Yazi turned back and stared at the blonde ranger. Just then, Hresstan knew he had convinced the Iriqazi warrior. He placed a hand on Yazis shoulder, Come, we will fight side by side as brothers. Of all the Realmsians Crazy Horse had met, he liked the longhaired ranger the best. He nodded quietly. He listened to the rangers words and had been persuaded. Acting as head scout, Yazi took the lead and Hresstan followed close behind. The rest of the party fell into line with Leftie Smeeall and Sergeant Bain Treece taking up the rear. The staircase was long about 900 steps to the bottom. The priest, Erwan Darho, held a torch and so did Sergeant Treece. The torches gave off ample illumination but they also

made the party easily detectable from a great distance. Any denizens of the underground would surely become aware of the partys presence long before the party arrived. Yazi tried to stay out in front of the partys torches so as not to spoil his infravision. Trying to minimize his profile, the native crept quietly along the sides of the passages. His enchanted moccasins never made so much as a whisper down the dank stairs. At the bottom of the stairs, the Iriqazi native was presented with four passages leading away from the stairs. Peering down the one furthest to the right, Yazi waited for the rest of the party to catch up. He spotted some movement in the shadows beyond and heard some faint whispers. Crazy Horse pointed into the passageway and motioned for the party to follow close behind. The party entered the chamber and noticed there were several nooks and crannies spiraling out from the center of the chamber. Erwan Darho and Sergeant Treece maneuvered their torches so they could peer into the shadows. Some of the party members spotted reptilian humanoids moving about the chamber. Deciding it was wiser to rest and replenish their supplies before continuing, the party backtracked out of the cavern and headed for the surface. An hour later, they reached the open air and broke for camp. As they rested at their campsite, the chieftain came to Crazy Horse, We have another problem of grave importance. Last night I dreamt that an evil spirit came from the west. This morning, two of my scouts reported finding a ravine at the top of a mountain just northwest of here that contains strange demons. The spirits have told me that these demon-men come from the underworld and are (whispering) being led by a white man! They plan to destroy our tribe and enslave your people as well. Crazy Horse, Father Spirit has told me that you must go and defeat this enemy of our peoples. Against the protests of the party, Crazy Horse followed the two scouts up along a mountain trail. Upon approaching the peak (several thousand feet up), the scouts pointed to a large boulder blocking the mouth of a cavern entrance. Around the Great Rock is the land of the Demon-men. The great lone mountain is their home. We will go no further, said one of the scouts ominously. The scouts turned and left. Crazy Horse wasted no time and proceeded stealthily up the tunnel. Hiding in the shadows, the natives enchanted moccasins made not a single sound. After 200 feet, the Iriqazi spotted an alcove with several carvings of snake-like creatures. Those must be drawings of the demon-men, thought Crazy Horse. Within the alcove stood a statue of a snake-bodied, six-armed woman, which only served to confirm the Iriqazis suspicions. Turning right, Crazy Horse saw that the tunnel opened up into a very large chamber filled with water. Just to his left was a small shoreline with three canoes parked on the gravel. From his experiences in the other cavern, the native did not trust the all-too calm waters. He would not venture out by canoe. That would surely lead him into a trap. No, instead the native reached into his pouch and produced a small figurine of onyx. Speaking the sacred words, the figurine grew enormously and morphed into a powerful winged avian creature the legendary griffon.

The regal beast flapped its wings mightily and gave out a squawk. Crazy Horse put his finger to his lips and tried to calm the animal. He whispered into the griffons ear, Tanka, you must get me across this lake. The native climbed onto the back of the griffon and held fast. The avian flapped its powerful wings and generated enough lift to raise the two of them into the air. The flapping propelled the creature forward and it soared over the still dark waters below. It was fortunate that the native had chosen to fly across the lake. As Crazy Horse peered down below, he could see the unmistakable outlines of three large crocodiles waiting just beneath the surface of the water, eager to pounce on any intruders to their territory that entered the lake. The griffon glided through the winding cavern then came to a stop and landed on the beach just on the other side of the underground pool alongside a few rocks. Crazy Horse dropped to the sandy ground and petted the mighty avian, Thank you, Tanka. You may now return to your sacred realm. The griffon squawked again and shrank down to the size of a candle. Crazy Horse picked up the tiny figurine and placed it back in his pouch. Examining the beach, the native spotted several humanoid tracks crisscrossing the sand. The tracks had been trampled so much that it was impossible for the Iriqazi to identify their origins. Along one wall were several more canoes. Because of the tracks, Crazy Horse invoked a spell that sensed all breathing creatures within a certain distance. He could sense the crocodiles holding their breath underwater in the lake behind him, and somewhere up ahead; the native could sense the breathing of eight large creatures. They were larger than humans and their breathing was more animal-like, yet they were not wild animals. Crazy Horse peered around the corner and saw a blazing fire at the very limit of his infravision (some fifty or sixty feet). The breathing creatures had to be beyond that fire but the intense heat spoiled his infravision. The native decided to sneak down the tunnel to get a closer look. As he approached, his infravision was gradually replaced by normal sight and he could clearly see four bigheaded, hairy creatures sitting by the fire. They had not noticed him yet. The native, as quietly as possible, cast an enchantment on his spearhead. Fortunately, the hairy creatures did not notice the incantation. Crazy Horse gave out a loud war cry and charged into battle. He burst into the room and plunged the spear into the nearest bugbear. Before it could react, the seven-foot tall creature was impaled against the wall. The Iriqazi thrust his enchanted spear a second time into the hairy humanoids body, which was by now bloody and lifeless. The sudden attack startled the other bugbears. Crazy Horse turned to face his next opponent and drove the spear into its belly. He then struck it across the face with a shield-punch. The huge bugbear reeled backwards and then quickly regained its balance. It launched a stone axe at the native, which Crazy Horse easily blocked with his shield. The other two bugbears threw axes at the native as well, but he managed to dodge their attacks. The bugbears then tried to run away. Before the nearest bugbear could get very far, Crazy Horse slammed its head with his shield. The bloodied giant grabbed its fractured skull as it crashed to the floor. In one quick move, the native spun around and hurtled his spear at another bugbear that was trying to exit through the doorway. The spear pierced the bugbears back as it gave out a loud groan and fled into the other room. The spear fell to the floor.

The native knew more bugbears awaited him in the next room. He could hear their breathing. Crazy Horse estimated there were six of them two escapees and four new ones. Walking swiftly, he lifted his bow and knocked an arrow back. Standing near the doorway, the native turned so he could fire arrows into the room full of bugbears. The native saw that the hairy creatures had formed a defensive wall by turning over tables and chairs. One of the creatures was struggling to get behind the defensive wall when Crazy Horse put an arrow through its neck. The creature tumbled to the floor. Another arrow struck a bugbear on the cheek. It growled and ripped the arrow out. In retaliation, the group of bugbears tossed a volley of murderous axes at the native. One of the axes managed to clip the Iriqazi on the shoulder while the rest flew harmlessly by. Bleeding, Crazy Horse picked up his own axe and heaved it at the bugbears. He caught a bugbear on its right arm. It howled and dropped its spear. In anger, it picked up the axe and stupidly threw it back at the native with its offhand. The axe struck the wall near the Iriqazi, but ricocheted away harmlessly. Crazy Horse drew his bow again and fired two more arrows. One arrow struck the back wall and broke in two. The second arrow struck a bugbear squarely in the leg and the creature fell on its back. This time, no return volley came from the bugbears. They merely remained in place. Crazy Horse picked up his spear and brought the fight to them by charging into the room. One of the bugbears raised his spear and caught the native in the leg as he charged in. Simultaneously, the native warrior plunged his own spear into the bugbear and killed it. He slammed another encroaching bugbear with his shield. The remaining bugbears tried to escape once again. Before they could move, Crazy Horse took the opportunity to impale one at the end of his spear before turning to attack the rest. He tugged the spear from the dead bugbears body and thrust it twice into another hairy creature, killing it instantly. At the same time, he smashed his shield down onto the foot of a third bugbear that was trying to escape. The creature wailed as it felt its metatarsal bones being crushed inside its foot. It limped feebly and dragged its foot as it tried to flee. The native calmly walked up beside the crippled bugbear. It raised its hands in a plea for mercy. Crazy Horse leapt over the bugbear and followed the tracks of the last remaining humanoid. The corridor forked into two different directions. The warrior turned right and found it curved into a dead end. He retraced his steps and followed the other hallway. When Crazy Horse entered the room, he spotted the bugbear upside on the ceiling opening a chest. Upon opening the chest, a greenish gas escaped from the box. The bugbear screamed and fell towards the floor. It landed hard and then tried to get up. Before it could get to its feet, the native drove his spear into the giants chest. Its body lay lifeless on the floor. Crazy Horse looked up into the ceiling and saw the open chest. In it were several silver coins. Strangely, the coins did not fall to the ground when the chest was opened. Fearing it was a trap; the native left the chest alone and headed for the door sitting across the chamber. No amount of pounding or brute force would open the door. The native wondered what possessed the bugbear to go for the upside down chest when earlier it had been fleeing for its life. To find out, the Iriqazi headed back to the bugbear post to find the injured bugbear. Sure enough, the native found the bugbear crawling down the

hallway toward the canoes. The warrior blocked the bugbears path. Using his magical pendant, he spoke in the guttural language of the bugbears. Whats in the chest on the ceiling? he demanded. A key, said the bugbear in obvious pain. A key that will allow bugbears back into city. Crazy Horse leveled his spear at the bugbear, Why is it on the ceiling? The bugbear strained to speak, Makes ithardforbugbears to escape. Who left you this key? inquired the native. Mastersofthe city, responded bugbear. Is it trapped? asked Crazy Horse. Dont know, said the bugbear. Crazy Horse allowed the bugbear passage and returned to the chest on the ceiling. He easily scaled up the ceiling using the rungs provided. He reached for the chest and was surprised to find that gravity near the chest was reversed. He dropped to the ceiling and inspected the chest. Inside, there were several silver coins, a few gold coins, and a jade key. Cautiously, he reached in and pulled out the jade key. He carefully climbed back towards the ground. Taking a breath, he put the key in the door and it opened normally. The opening led to another rough hallway. He snuck down the corridor with bow drawn. After several minutes, the passage came to a chamber with an open roof. Vines and foliage blocked much of the sunlight into the room. The native spied two exhausted-looking young men chained to a contraption. There were several weapons about the room but no guards. He silently went over to one of the young men and tried speaking to him but the young man looked dazed and incoherent. Suddenly, a bunch of nets and javelins came raining down from the canopy above. There were several small creatures swinging through the branches and launching weapons at the native warrior. Crazy Horse made a dash for the hallway. He got behind a corner of the entrance way and fired back. The Iriqazi struck two creatures that were swinging through the trees. The monkey-like creatures again bombarded the native with javelins. One of the missiles struck Crazy Horse. The warrior retreated down the hallway and disappeared into the shadows. The small creatures, called tasloi, followed the native into the tunnel. They crept along the sides of the passage as they tracked down the warrior. Suddenly, they heard a buzzing noise and a bright flash of magic. The native was hiding just around the corner. They suddenly found themselves sinking into deep mud. They fired their javelins at the warrior but could not connect. Crazy Horse fired back, striking two of the creatures. The tasloi decided to retreat en masse. They turned their backs, which made them easy pickings for the Iriqazi. The mud forced them to move very slowly. They took many casualties as they withdrew from the tunnel. The warrior chased them down the passageway. While the creatures struggled through the mud, Crazy Horse walked over it as if it was smooth, dry ground. He charged the tasloi from behind and managed to kill three of them before they reentered the chamber. He continued his killing spree as they headed for the canopy. Five more tasloi (up above) rained javelins down at the warrior. Crazy Horse avoided all but one. Now, only four of the twelve tasloi remained on the ground floor. These last four tried to climb up the vine to the upper reaches of the chamber but the Iriqazi brought down two more until only two were left. Meanwhile, the five tasloi swinging in the branches continued attacking the

warrior relentlessly but could not bypass his keen defense. Crazy Horse killed the last two tasloi trying to escape and killed one that had swung too close to him. He climbed up the vine and killed two more swinging opponents. As soon as the native reached the alcove, a snake-headed human immediately descended upon him. He blocked its vicious fangs with his shield. The snakehead swung its club at the warrior while the tasloi attacked from all sides. Crazy Horse punched the snakehead in the face with his shield. It hissed angrily at the warrior. He stabbed it repeatedly with his spear and slammed it with his shield until the snake creature died. Upon seeing their overseer killed, the three remaining tasloi ran away. The warrior eyed the dead snake demon. He wondered how many more lay before him. Crazy Horse released the two young men from their bondage. Unfortunately, their minds appeared to have been destroyed by prolonged enslavement and questioning them only resulted in gibberish and meaningless phrases. With much sympathy, the native set them free. The warrior shaman continued on his journey. Beyond the canopy room was another long tunnel, some 400 feet or so. It opened up into a gigantic ravine. Suspended over the chasm was a long, swaying rope bridge. As the warrior crossed the bridge, thrown boulders from above fell on him. The boulders struck the native hard, injuring Crazy Horse. Simultaneously, the falling rocks destroyed the rope bridge, severing it completely. Crazy Horse darted into the opening at the other end of the rope bridge just in time as the bridge collapsed and fell into the ravine below. As the native entered the mouth of the cave, he saw that he was blocked by a giant lizard chained to a nearby wall. The lizard snapped and hissed wildly, trying to bite the warrior. Yazi attempted to cast an animal friendship spell on the beast, but the animal would not even allow him to finish. Since the warrior was too hurt to continue fighting, he backed up to the lip of the entrance and then plummeted into the ravine. The tasloi watched in triumph as the Anchorome native fell to the bottom. Their faces turned to astonishment when they noticed the warriors fall had slowed significantly and he was now floating safely to the bottom. Outraged, they heaved more rocks at the native, but he was too far out of range for their missiles to be effective. Crazy Horse hid among the rocky outcroppings and caught his breath, safe for the time being from the taslois rocks.