In which the group decides to play exterminator

The first thing we did before starting the game proper was to level up.

• Raizix took a 6th level of fighter (Leadership, Weapon Specialization)
  
• Darwin took a 6th level of sorcerer (Greater Spell Focus, Fireball) - Familiar Brisby
  
• Jelena took a level of rogue (1d6 sneak attack, Weapon Focus Longbow) - Wolf Amaterasu
  
• Ember took a level of rogue (2d6 sneak attack, two weapon fighting) - Dog Fang
  

After killing the gnolls, the guides lead the four companions towards the mountains, which were easily visible. In the side of the mountain was a large entrance, only about 10 feet up off the ground. In front of the entrance was the armor and remains of a human.

The body appeared badly burned and weathered, and there was a marking on the shield which the group did not recognize. The teeth appeared to have exploded inside the skull. For all appearances, this appeared to be a victim of the dragon.

The group decided to rest the night, but not very easily, realizing that they were quite possibly right outside of a dragon's lair. In the morning, the guides think better of entering the cave mouth, but agree to watch the camels and belongings of the group.

After climbing up and into the cave, they only had to travel a short distance to find a vast cavern, filled with the dragon and his horde. The dragon does not appear pleased, but listens to their impassioned plea for his assistance in fighting against Daresh the wizard. He eventually agrees if they kill interlopers in his cave.

When the dragon leaves, these small creatures make off with his coins and treasure. He kills the ones he can catch, but they are too salty for his taste. He says if the group will kill them and return his stolen treasure, he will give them what they seek. Silver coins, gems, a golden snuff box and a platinum cup are what the dragon wants returned to him.

He instructs a Kobold cleric named Deekin (I'm currently playing Shadows of Undrentide and couldn't pass this up) to show them where the vermin enter. The group convince Deekin to assist them in finding the treasure and vermin, and that he can curry favor with his master by returning it himself. Deekin agrees.

So the group enters the narrow caverns, which are at most 5 feet wide, and 4 foot tall. Nobody can use large weapons, and they can't fight abreast. They first encounter a group of four of the things, called mites, which drop into their midst. Fighting in the corridor makes things difficult, but the group quickly kills them.

They come across another small group and dispatch them as well. Then they decide to let Fang take the lead and begin tracking them by scent. He finds two unarmed females cowering in a small alcove. They don't move, apparently afraid of the larger humanoids. After Raizix bodily grabs one and shoves her down the corridor, they both run to the west and north. The group follows, to see where they go.

They reach an area where they can stand up and move around much better, but is crammed full of mites. More than half are female, and about a dozen are holding young in their arms. One mite is sitting on a makeshift throne of wood, wearing a crown and admiring gems in his hands. He screams out as the group enters, and what males are in the room draw weapons and approach. the floor is covered in thousands of silver coins, apparently belonging to the dragon.



Before anyone can move, however, Raizix runs in the room, drawing his sword, and cutting them all down, not discerning between male or female, mother or maiden. He kills more than half of mites, leaving only the king and one male, and four females alive.

Ember and Fang charge the king, with Ember plunging a dagger into his chest, and Fang going for his neck. Jelena uses her bow and kills the last remaining male. Raizix them intimidates the remaining females, and forces them to leave the room. They take as many of the infants as possible, but quite a few are left in the room.

They search the room, and find some additional treasure: a golden snuff box, plus two gems, in addition to the three sapphires that the Mite King had.

DM Note: Why, oh why did Raizix run into a room and just try to kill everything?