TOPIC: Odyssey of the Dragonlords II

VII

Dogs and Chickens
More subterranean passages. More two-headed dogs, some chicken-things and a troglodyte. An enormous Cerberus carcass, which is disconcerting enough, but more worryingly perhaps is the question—what’s down here with you that’s capable of slaughtering a Cerberus? A huge hole in the ground plunges into the bowels of the earth. An elevator. Queue elevator music.

The elevator to Hell
The elevator, a wooden platform surrounded by an iron cage and worked by a chain and pulley system, descends a shaft for what seems like forever. There are ornate dragon heads sculpted around the top of the cage. Oil pours out of their mouths. There’s a deep rumbling sound. Moments later the oil ignites in a ball of fire.

Hell itself
The elevator reaches its ground level. You draw open the cage and step out. Blackened, charred and smoking. Only some quick-witted blocking of dragon mouths and shields raised overhead to provide modest protection against the rain of fire saved you from being crisped entirely to death. A very long, long rest is needed. So, apart from utter darkness, what’s down here in the depths of the mountain? Let’s hope the elevator ride was worth it.