Tastes Like Chicken

The group had a decision to make. Melegor's vision showed two possible options to handle the Crown. Either the party could follow a secret path into the valley temple to confront the wearer of the crown, and if successful, secure the crown for their own designs. Or take the underground passage to the back door trap devised by the dwarves and use the mechanism to collapse the narrow canyon, sealing the crown off from the world forever.   Before deciding, the companions worked to rid themselves of the Rust Brothers hot on their trail. Thanks to some skillful manipulation by Humperdink, a most magnificent trap was left for the Brothers at the entrance of the valley.   Walker led his friends through the hills to the river. Along the way, the group ran into several raptors feeding on the carcass of a scaly creature. The party tried to sneak up on the birds. Unfortunately Walker slipped on some loose rubble and slid down the hill on his rear, forcing his friends into battle. Winning a tense back and forth fight with the ugly birds, the party feasted on fresh kill and made the final approach to the dwarven passage.   After navigating a sparse ledge along the roaring river, the companions found the hidden entrance to the dwarven trap. Following a narrow tunnel winding deeper into the earth, they found themselves standing before a wide pool of dark water. In the center of the pool rose a stone dais. Upon that dais, the dwarven trap waited to be set off.