Tunnel Rat Volume 1 will be be STUBBING on NOV. 1st!

Chapter 10: Like Rats Fleeing a Sinking Ship.

Below the city, adventurers, miners, and engineers attacked a creature from the lower depths. The miners fought with desperation to save their homes and clans, while the players fought for loot and experience points. Above, in the city, word was spreading of the battle. Players were logging in and joining the battle at a steady rate.

In the city itself, people were packing and leaving if they could. As news of the monster broke, the odds makers gave the defenders chances of one in seven. Then the news came of what the 'big monster' actually was. That dropped the odds to one in thirty-seven, and most bookies packed up and headed to the docks. They didn't like betting on their own lives.

Some people shrugged and looked for ways to profit while others panicked. The city had faced dangers before from Kobold raiders, invasions of giant crabs, and the constant threat of the Slavers of Fort Hopeless. The quick-witted and unscrupulous had profited in those emergencies and saw this as an opportunity.

There were two ways to leave Shadowport: By boat or by airship, and no one who owned an airship was looking out for anyone but themselves. They didn't get rich in Shadowport because of their love of the common people. The average person might look up and curse as a steam or mana-powered dirigible headed out of the cavern, but no one expected anything else.

Those with minor amounts of wealth were trying to pay for a berth on a ship. Several ship captains had filled their holds to the brim with people leaving and set sail for the open sea before turning and running along the coasts or sailing for nearby islands. They planned to sail just far enough that they could drop their human cargo off and return for more. Others increased their prices far beyond normal, renting their entire vessels to one merchant household and their retainers. They slowly filled up their holds with goods from wealthy merchants and gave their cabins to those who could pay a steep fee to travel in comfort with their treasures.

Besides the merchant and pirate ships currently anchored in Shadowport, there were the fishing boats owned by the families who had lived and worked in the city for generations. The heads of the fishing families conferred quickly. Leaving Shadowport would mean long years of desperation, trying to find another port where they could anchor. Nearby, the coast was rocky with small beaches and poor harbors. Moving away further would bring them to better areas, but they would have to earn the acceptance of the fishermen already there. Their first concern was the safety of their loved ones. But others spoke about the gold that could be had from 'saving' those with more money in their pouches.

A vote was taken, and a plan was devised. Half the fleet would leave and take all of the families down the coast to one of the small villages. There were no harbors for the boats, but at least the people would be safe. They would take all the food they could, what little wealth they had, cooking pots, nets, and tools. The other half of the boats would offer to ferry merchants and anyone with the money to pay to someplace safe, and the gold split between all of the families. With enough gold, they had a chance at buying dockspace and fishing rights somewhere else. If there was time, all the boats would return for another load of people. It was a compromise to salvage as much from the situation as they could.

The fishing community was looking after their own. No family would be left behind, regardless of the ability to pay. For many, their ships were their most valuable item. They set sail and said goodbye to the small houses many lived in. They knew that one way or another anything left would be gone when they returned. A few canny families who practiced the trade of smuggling waited until the rest had gone. They searched through homes and abandoned merchant warehouses, 'salvaging' what they could and hiding everything in hidden areas. If the city survived, they'd be back for their profits. Then they too sailed out of the city.

Some of the nobles who resided in the hanging mansions above the city were quick to load their gold and valuables into their waiting airships and depart, leaving behind their opulent mansions. If the city survived, they would return, hopefully to intact homes without new occupants. Already the gangs in the city below were making plans to raid the unguarded villas and vacation homes. Other nobles waited with loaded ships, especially if they still had space for more cargo. An hour's delay was a risk, but the chance to raid a neighbor and carry off expensive carpets and anything else not nailed down was too much of an opportunity to ignore. No noble of Shadowport was that far removed from their lowly roots, and pillaging was second nature to them.

It would take a long time to empty the city. Only a fraction of the citizens could leave on the boats each time they docked. There simply weren't enough ships in port. Small fishing vessels moved back and forth all day, moving people out of the city and landing them on the coastline a few miles away. The people quickly headed inland from the beach. The chance of a tidal wave following the earth tremor was high.

In what had once been an opulent merchant’s house at Light's End, the head of the Kulag gang, Squint, paced back and forth. Undecided as usual, he pondered on what to do. He knew he had a great destiny; he'd been told so. He just wasn't sure what it was. His cats were being useless, as usual. Some big monster wasn't part of the plan. They had no orders about it other than making sure Squint didn't get smushed by it.

"Useless cats. As usual, I'll be using my clever mind to figure things out. Let's start with the basics. You guys chime in if you have any ideas. Got it?" The cats stared at him, as helpful as any cat, which is to say, not at all.

"My city is going crazy. I've lost a half-dozen men lately and none of the other gangs are responsible. Quite a few citizens missing as well. People have been disappearing, and no one knows where they are going, and now we have this huge critter coming to eat my city."

One of the cats made a purring noise. Squint nodded. "Right, and a lot of the missing citizens were children, good eye for detail." This annoyed the cat, who hadn't meant anything at all.

"My airship thief is downstairs fighting a World Boss and hasn't stolen a ship yet. My airship pilot went out for a glass of wine and didn't come back. Same with my 'security expert' who was going to get us passed the guardians and into the crypts. Our whole plan is going to hell and I'd barely got started."

The other cat gave a bored 'yowl' and trotted over to the banquet table filled with fish, grabbed a large salmon, and started tearing into it.

Squint pondered their advice for a bit. "You're right, that really puts things in perspective. Strange times call for strange plans." The odd little man walked over to a large gong, picked up the striker, and hit it hard enough that the gong dented. Members of the Kulag gang came running and formed a large mob in front of their boss. They never knew what the gong ringing might bring. But you didn't keep Squint waiting. Squint had been odd when he was just a member of the gang. After he came back from somewhere with the cats, he was impossible to predict.

"Wow, that was quick! Thanks for coming guys! KULAG!" Everyone was quick to stick their arm in the air, bump fists, and yell as with him.

"New plans. Take everyone and head to the light side. You see anyone in a gang, you tell them to behave. No looting, and if they don't want a visit later, they should help out. The town is in chaos, it's time to step up and be heroes! Stop looters, permanently if you like. Help people get to the ships. Help the fishing families if you can, and any priest you see."

"Today we are helpful. We are heroes. We are Kulags! People will remember and we'll take our place as rulers of the city. Or maybe we all die. Who knows? But I’m betting on me! Say, what's the current odds on the battle?"

"Forty-six to one against them winning now boss. A lot of people got smushed dead pretty quick and the beast is still unwounded." Many of the gang were thinking about betting the long odds. They had doubts about getting out and might as well take a chance of being well off if they lived.

"Awesome! Here's what you do. Two or three of you go spread the word that the thing looks unstoppable. Get the odds up some more. I like fifty-seven to one. Benny? Take the spare gold, all of it. Use half to bet on us winning. No one is going to turn down bags of gold. Look sad and tell them Squint gave you orders to do it. They'll happily take crazy Squint's money. But, and this is important, when the bookies decide to close up and leave, I want a lot of our people with them. Don't take chances they run off with our money after we win. If they take our bets, they get to stay in the city with us."

"Use the other half to buy off a ship captain. Old Quagstone will wait and not take fares until the very end. Make him an offer he really can't refuse. If he refuses, decide who gets to wear the hat and be captain. Any Kulag with a family, you get them on a boat. We take care of our own."

"Now get the hell out of here and get moving." Squint wandered over to his chair where a bow and quiver hung from the back. There was also a bandolier with throwing knives. He equipped them all, then bent down to pet his cats.

Four kulags, normally his bodyguards, had stuck around. "What do you need us to do boss?"

Squint stood up. "Hey, it's been fun guys. I liked you four best so I made you bodyguards, but truthfully, I don't need you. Head out, get your families loaded up, and beat up some looters. Me and the cats are going downstairs to play for a bit."

The guards didn't have to be told twice. Squint and two very large cats left the building. They passed a very lonely Jethro, still sitting at the family cheese stall by himself. They moved to the guildhall, sliding past adventurers too timid to join the raid, but not wanting to leave the city. No one saw the three shadows that moved past them, unnoticed by all.

High above the city, a large and ornate airship was moored next to the hanging building that belonged to the Garnet Rose Trading Company. The merchants had reached out to the Philistron, The Benevolent Sage. The ability of his sleek, black airship to carry huge amounts of cargo and people was Legendary. Everyone knew of his rescue of the goblin tribes of Bingo-Bongo when they angered the Volcano God. Others told of how he had bought every potion in the Capital and ferried an army of healers to the plague-stricken country of Darnopia. Dozens of stories were told of his good works. And some mentioned how he wasn't averse to gold and treasure. The pious sage knew that doing good deeds often took wealth to convince men of lesser morals to help him with his selfless deeds.

They offered him 50% of their wealth in exchange for transportation of their goods, and a few of their retainers. It hurt to offer so much, but keeping 50% was better than losing everything. The Benevolent Sage replied to their offer, quickly. He had little room left in his ship, having already given space to hundreds of the poor. But he would squeeze them in if they paid his price. They agreed immediately and his ship drifted from the docks to anchor next to their trading company.

Philistron watched as his workers lifted bale after heavy bale of rare silks and spices, moving them to the airship and down into its holds. The workers were small, grey humanoids about two feet tall, capable of lifting nearly anything. Their eyes were blank, and other than a heavy steel collar around their necks, they were naked. Back and forth they went, emptying the building of decades of accumulated wealth.

The merchants were sitting nearby, watching. They were drinking some very good wine, that just wasn't quite valuable enough for the trip. They hated to waste it, and the wine calmed their nerves. Philistron had brought out a lovely charcuterie board with preserved fruit and rare cheeses. A gift, he said, from a local halfling family who held him in high esteem.

Merchant Akim nodded to the others and then spoke. "The ship is almost loaded. I'd like to be on our way soon. No sense taking chances."

Philistron didn't answer at first, taking some time to feed his pet dragonling and tickle its belly. Finally, when Krysofolax was full, he moved the dragonling to his shoulder and answered the impatient merchant. "Yes, I agree, no sense taking chances. Not when things are going so well. Did you all enjoy the cheese?"

Akim checked his anger at being spoken to this way. "Who has time to eat cheese? I asked you a question, as your employer I expect better answers."

Philistron started to scowl, then swallowed his anger and smiled at them. Everyone but Akim smiled back, then shuddered and relaxed in their chairs. "And I'm upset you didn't eat the cheese! The mold on the aged gouda is particularly difficult to work with. But I'm glad to see the others enjoyed a slice."

Akim turned to stare at his partners. Sadly, it seemed he was now the sole owner of the trading house. The others were dead, eyes rolled up in their heads, fingers still clutching bits of the deadly cheese. He fingered the dagger in his sleeve but thought better of it. He shrugged eloquently. "This works out best for both of us. I'd rather have a quarter part of the whole than one part in five of a half. I suggest I keep 25% and you increase your share to 75% and we depart at once." He smiled hopefully.

"I'm almost tempted by the offer, the way you caught up to the reality of the situation was very impressive. But where Krysofolax and I fly, we fly alone." Fire burst from his eyes, killing the merchant as he reached for his knife, and then his gaze set fire to the rest of the building corpses, burning them to ash that blew away on the breeze. "And anyone knows that the whole part of the whole part is the best part."

"Time to go, Krysofolax. We'll hide our ship in the sky above, and then fly back down on our own power and see if we can't catch one last rat by the tail. It would irk me to not find out his secrets."

Brother Ignacious prepared to leave. All the local families were gone on one fishing boat or another. He had stayed to pack up the altar clothes and holy candles of his church into his one small satchel of holding. It could only contain items of the church, but it had a nice capacity that made moving much easier. As he turned to leave, he was met at the door by several local women.

"I'm sorry ladies, but you should be on your way."

"I'd say the same about you," said Alessandra, the washerwoman.

Ignacious drew himself up to his full height and stared up at her. "My calling takes me below. Saint Joan of the Fire did not hesitate to confront evil, and I will not pass up this chance to do the same."

Malta stepped up next to Alessandra, flanked by her daughter Elena. "Yes, we suspected as much. We are going with you. We have a full choir of twelve, all women of strong will and each with some power to lend you."

From the back, someone yelled. "And we have wine!"

Ignacious knew better than to argue. He'd just lose. And who was he to walk into danger, but deny others the same chance to prove their valor? "Then let's be off. A foul beast threatens our homes and we will bring the fires of Saint Joan to bind and slay it."

"Kulags are coming, Captain. Lots of them, with a lot of people following."

Captain Pike stared in the direction his mate pointed. His eyes, like most ogres, weren't good at picking things out in the long distance. Picking up the massive harpoon that had given him his name, he started down the gangplank to the dock. "Let's go see what they have to say."

The Kulags were upset that they'd missed Captain Quagstone. The old captain's nerve had failed and he'd set sail. With Captain Pike having the last large ship available, they came to politely talk to the large Monster Hunter about renting his ship. Pike appreciated both their respect and the gold. That many shiny coins would buy a lot of grub to fill his belly. Negotiations were finished quickly. The deal was simple. Squint offered a sizable amount of gold for the use of his ship to move his men and their families down the coast. The gold was more than enough. Especially since most of his crew were staying to guard the city. A fact that confused the captain, as most of Squint's plans did.

"Sure. Load them up. I take it your boss is playing with his cats while the city goes to hell?"

Several Kulags eyed each other, and then one of the braver spoke up. "Actually, Captain, he took his weapons and cats and said he was off to fight the beast."

Pike rolled this around in his head. Squint must smell something. Loot? Not likely, he was already rich. And feared. Also, crazy enough to not be worrying about a little dying. It bothered Pike to admit someone was crazier than he was. He was getting old, and not taking as many chances. He hadn't been eel hunting in ages. He'd come to Shadowport to rectify that, but the eels had left their normal spawning grounds by the Cursed Tower. That made him wonder if they sensed the monster below. That would mean the rumors were true about it.

He turned to his first mate, Samken. The man had been with him twenty years and had the greying hair and peg leg to show for it. "Listen up you scurvy lot! It's been a lovely time sailing with you all, but I'm calling it quits." He tossed his ornate hat to Samken. "Sammy here is Captain now. Sail with him if you so like." He turned to leave.

Samken put on the hat, and the men cheered. Then he yelled after his former boss. "And what course are you taking, Captain Pike?"

The ogre turned back to answer his former first-mate, (almost accidentally killing a man with the huge weapon slung across his back ). "I'm thinking of going crab hunting. I'll tell you all about it someday."

The crew started loading people onto the ship. They would set sail within the quarter hour. The crew talked things over, and some shook hands with Samken and departed the ship. Captain Samken sketched a small salute to Pike and the sailors who were following him into the city.

Belinda watched as another group charged the monster, the designated tank getting its attention with insults and taunts. As the monster struck, the group's wizard cast a ward between the striking claw and the warrior’s shield. The spell shattered, but the strike lost a good amount of its damage. The warrior angled his shield and dodged. The blow that should have killed instead dropped his health by 50% and sent him tumbling. Belinda tossed an efficient healing spell at him, as did several other healers, giving him a chance to survive another blow. The other group members cast spells or chipped away at the stone of the beast's hide before backing off and letting the next group get the creature's attention

The first few groups to engage hadn't fared so well. Too many people were eager to kill a boss and get the loot. They ignored the plans that had been hurriedly discussed. Tactics that might have worked on Named or Elite bosses were suicide against Uthneragrubban. After a half dozen deaths in the first minute, Belinda had regained control of the raid and they began the long slow process of wearing the boss down, chipping away at the armor and lowering its health.

Which wasn't going well, despite the sheer number of attackers. Miners and Rangers were engaging the beast's flanks and rear, but they could only do a small amount of damage to the huge creature. Uthneragrubban was easy to hit. It was like striking a rock wall, too big to miss. But her armor was hard, and other than the miners armed with Deep Steel picks, the attackers did only a few points of damage.

Uthneragrubban continued to feed, and still created her children, but they died as soon as they formed. The small amount of monsters were little threat if someone paid attention to where her armor was thickening. The army of players and NPCs could deal with them easily.

The greatest danger was her tremors. The closer you were to her when she planted all twelve legs and shook the ground, the more damage you took. Three rogues and assassins that had leaped to her back found out, the same as Milo had, that the ceiling was quite hard. While Milo had bounced, the players became bloody smears. Hardened bones and Pudding Regeneration made a huge difference in survival.

Milo wasn't feeling lucky, he ached everywhere and wasn't happy with his performance. He'd almost killed Shifty and had forced the poor dwarf to join the Engineers to save his life. Better than dead, but it still bothered him. He put such thoughts aside and went to help Throttlecog and Two-Screws. The Engineers had held back, choosing to study the beast and prepare a weapon of their own.

Throttlecog echoed Milo's thoughts. "Chipping away at the critter isn't going to do it. Too much regeneration. We need to break into that crystalline core. I'm just hoping this is enough to do it."

Two-Screws shook his head sadly. "Can you believe these people live their whole lives not knowing the sound of cataclysmic exploding? How the hell did they forget how to make it? I begged or bought all the black powder, blasting sticks, and firecrackers I could find. Altogether it's going to make one hell of a boom, but I have doubts that it's going to be enough. But worth a try, I guess. It will give us an idea of what to do next. The next question is, where do we want to place it?"

Milo looked at Uthneragrubban, surrounded by an army of much smaller creatures. "She was well armored up top. What about her belly? Less armor there in normal creatures."

Two-Screws turned to Throttlecog and grew serious. "Acting Guild Leader Milo thinks the belly is the best place to put it. I say we agree with him and let him place it there."

Throttlecog, equally serious, replied. "And I agree with you agreeing with Acting Guild Leader Milo. He should get to run up to the critter and put his bomb wherever he likes."

Milo scowled at the two dwarves. "When did this become my bomb?"

"It's our present to you. We know how much you like doing crazy-assed stunts, so we thought one up for you." Said Two-Screws, grinning.

"Because we love you so much." Said Throttlecog, also grinning. "You know these old legs don't move so fast. This is a job for young, heroic, and best of all, foolish Engineer.

Before Milo could begin his mission to plant the makeshift explosive, the ground began to rumble around them. Small rocks bounced in the air, and a strong vibration could be felt throughout the entire cavern. This was soon replaced by the grinding of rocks and the roar of powerful engines.

The tip of a massive, metallic drill head broke through the floor of the cavern. It leveled out and from the tunnel crawled a huge machine, moving along mechanical tracks. Fully 100 feet long, it took a full minute to slowly emerge, belching smoke and fire from its exhausts. As it finally came to a halt, a hatch in the top opened and an armored figure climbed out of it.

Unengaged fighters stared in awe at the huge machine, and the strange figure clad in full Magic-Tech Tactical Battle armor. He held a large grenade in each hand and fireworks erupted from his backpack, lighting up the cavern.

"BOOM-BOOM-BOOM!! Time to party!"