Darkmaw - The Darkness

 

The familiar low growl of Ripley roused the Orlock leader from his unconscious state. Slowly Red reached for his power knife as his Cyber-Mastiff snapped at something close by. The pitch black made it impossible for Red to see what danger lurked in the darkness but he trusted in Ripley's senses. His thumb stroked the activation switch of his knife as the Cyber-Mastiff's growls intensified.

Red felt a faint breeze move across his prone body and quickly activated his power knife, lashing out at the encroaching threat. His target swiftly moved out of range but not before the Orlock leader had seen his 'adversary' from his knife's glow. 

A deep raucous laugh echoed throughout the chamber as light flooded the room. Red leapt to his feet drawing his stubgun at the same time. Before him knelt a Cawdor with a wide grin upon his face illuminated by a candle . Two Cherub Servitors hovered close by each taking it in turn to swoop down and taunt his Cyber-Mastiff.

"You're alive then? Said the Cawdor with a smirk. "I wasn't sure because your damned hound wouldn't let me near." Continued the Priest. 

"He's like that." replied Red looking up at the hole that had consumed them.

"We aren't getting out that way without a power source to activate the elevator" said the priest climbing to his feet.

Red moved towards an old door that dominated the chamber keeping a wary eye on the Cawdor Priest.

"Perhaps a truce until we get out of here? inquired the Cawdor.

Red nodded his agreement before turning his full attention to the door.

"Excellent! Replied the Priest "Allow me to introduce myself" he continued "Abel Cankerson at your service."

"Coyote Red" replied the Orlock as the door opened.

A dimly lit intersection awaited them. Red searched the area and the Orlock discovered a Medi-Kit.

The party moved on discovering an ancient Stronghold.

Out of the dark crawled a Hive Mite. Screaming his devotion to the Emperor the Cawdor Priest hacked it apart.

His devotional hymns however attracted something much larger...

A Giant Millisaur struck from the shadows, stripping a wound from Abel. The Emperor's wrath flowed through the Cawdor Priest though and the he felled the beast.

Red took out the last of the Hive Mites.

Impressed by Abel Cankerson's warrior prowess a Ratskin made his presence known. The Cawdor Priest used his oratory skill to recruit the young brave to their cause.

The party moved forward, searching as they went. Red found another Medi-Kit and an old torch.

However, the Orlock's searching had disturbed yet another nest....

Red hightailed it towards the rest of the party, a Giant Tunnel-Web Spider hot on his heels.

Red activated the torch, illuminating the corridor and blasted the Giant Tunnel-Web. The Ratskin finished it off with his shotgun.

The power cell for the torch immediately ran dry, plunging the party back into darkness.

The gun-fire attracted more critters and the party was swamped by Skeetas and Rat Swarms

Red, Ripley and the Ratskin took out the Skeetas...

....Abel Cankerson lost a Cherub Servitor and a couple of flesh wounds to a swarm of Rats before Red and the Ratskin came to his aid. A Tunnel-Web joined the fray and Red took it down with the aid of his Cyber Mastiff, Ripley.

The Party discovered a Power-cell for a generator and moved on. 

More creatures could be heard scuttling towards them and Red and his hound moved forward to protect the badly injured Cawdor Priest.

Red charged the Giant Tunnel-Web losing a wound for his trouble. Ripley yelped as the Spider's fangs sunk into the Cyber-Mastiff's flesh and the toxins quickly incapacitated her. The Ratskin charged in and the young brave received a couple of flesh wounds for his trouble. With a surprising turn of speed, a Giant Millisaur rushed towards Abel Cankerson. 

Red finally finished off the Giant Tunnel-Web as the Abel charged the Giant Millisaur. The Cawdor Priest inflicted a couple of flesh Wounds which only seemed to anger the beast. The Millisaur smashed him to the ground causing serious injury. His last Cherub Servitor charged in to distract the beast and was torn apart for its troubles. Red charged in to save his dubious comrade and finished the Millisaur off. As he did so a regular Tunnel-Web closed in. The Ratskin charged it but his wounds had weakened him and the young brave was taken out of action.

Red finished it off and used up both Medi-Kits on the Cawdor Priest to bring him back to two flesh wounds.

The much reduced party of Abel and Red continued forward.

They discovered a Generator requiring two Power cells to activate it. They already had one and required one more to operate it.

Abel and Red pressed on to continue their search.

Finally! The party found the second Power-Cell. Unfortunately their search had disturbed yet another nest. More scuttling could be heard down the tunnels. The party rushed towards the generator and powered it up.

As the lights flickered on Red moved towards two swarms to stop them charging the Cawdor Priest.

Being in relatively good health, Red had little concern that he could deal with them...

The rats however overwhelmed him and took the Orlock Road Captain out of action!

"Fear not my friend, as the Emperor is my witness I will return for yo...his shout was cut short as the Rat Swarms overwhelmed Abel too. 

Despite the tunnels being bathed in light, more predators moved in for an easy meal...

What a game! We thought we were down and out at several points only to come back. Then when we thought we had it in the bag we were brought low by Rat Swarms. I mean Rat Swarms of all things!

I think a rescue mission might be on the cards.

Until next time....May the Hive Spirits watch over you! 😉