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After defeating the Gargantuan lizard, Valerie led the way onwards, deciding to return back to the putrid chamber to see what lie within its foul smelling walls. A pool of water lie in the entryway, and she noticed a strange, submerged creature with a large flat head staring back at her. After jumping in to confront the "fish", a Troglodyte stood up and backed away, unsure whether to confront the glimmering paladin. With no shared languages, a brief standoff occured before Valerie acted.   Deciding that a "hug" is a universal symbol of affection, she lurched forward to grab the troglodyte, and the subterranean creature defended itself. One was quickly dispatched while another that had remained hidden retreated a ways before Valerie grabbed it. It chittered out in a raspy language into the darkness and its cries were returned. Beyond the range of Valeries shields shimmering light, shapes fluttered against the walls and began to surround the group. Valerie released the creature only for Nyx to execute it, instigating the rest of the tribe to combat over their fallen ally. Dozens of Troglodytes along, a giant lizard and a sorcerous leader launched a devastating assault, their numbers quickly overwhelming the group and the sheer volume of attacks overcoming Valeries might plate armor. After a flurry of claws and gnashing of teeth, Valerie fell, leading Nyx to use spider climb to valiantly leap off the ceiling to deliver a potion, bringing her back into the fray. Shane fell numerous foe, but ran out of bolts. As she began to retreat, she had to fight off a few more Troglodytes that had returned from some other part of the caverns. Unfortunately the subterranean lizards fell both Valerie and Nyx, and drug their unconscious bodies to the rear of the cave.   Alone, Shane fled into the darkness, only for the Duergar to opportunistically confront the ranger. They apprehended her and took her through a series of twists and turns to their hold, far away from the rest of the group, before discussing amongst themselves what to do with their surface-dwelling companion. Thankfully they left her restrained with a pair of guards that did not seem concerned with taking a bribe, and one of them allowed her to exit through the rear of their small hold. Unfortunately this simply led to a pit that descended into darkness, and Shane held out, unsure of what to do, hoping her companions might come to her aid.   Up top, the Troglodyte leader thankfully spoke Orcish, and began to negotiate the release of the prisoners. Demanding food, weapons and aid in fighting against the green-skin and grey-skin enemies, they allowed Nyx to return to the surface under threat of Valeries death. Nyx fearfully made her way to the Orcs cavern, passing by a Carrion crawler on the way, but thankfully made it up without issue. Unfortunately the Orcs, after hearing of their plight and not having a fondness for the gnome, decided this the perfect opportunity for betrayal!   While Nyx fell quickly to the ambush and all looked lost, the ogre Ulfe had apparently taken a liking to the group, and along with the dire wolves began to defend the poor gnome. While the orcs were fierce foes, the ogre managed to defeat enough to route them, and he sulked over Nyx's body, sad that he was unable to help. Thankfully Nyx was not quite dead, and woke up later. Ulfe was overwhelmed with glee and allowed her to take all the weapons and food she could to negotiate for Valeries release, but seemed fearful of the depths and wished to remain here.   Down below, the Troglodytes accepted the rations and battleaxes and released the pair into the darkness, after threatening them to never return.