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The Monk's Uncle's Key and not the Monkey's Uncle

5 adventurers -- a half-orc rogue brute, a halfling female rogue, a large human barbarian, an elvan wizard, and a half-elf druid.

"My uncle, a fellow monk, has gone missing.  He was hired to identify an artifact found by a group of local miners.  If you could find out what has happened I can offer a generous reward.  Most imprtantly, my uncle has a key of great importance to our monastery.  If you can find it, it is important.  You will know my uncle Traylon by his short round stature, his balding head, and the bright sun embroidered on his robes."

The group of beginners (level 3) found their way into the mine entrance, an old cave.  Unfortunately it was in use by a group of wolves that attacked the group.  The group overcame them quickly before the wolves injured their party.

A few steps down the corridor found a storage room.  The barbarian, Rondo, rushed in without hesitation and found large stones falling from the ceiling clobbering his noggin.  A couple of potions put him right as the half-orc rogue, lovingly called "The Bat", braced the ceiling.  A locked chest proved too much challenge for The Bat, but Sinda, the wizard recovered a wooden sword from the room.

The group pulled together and started through the next room towards a large metal mine lift, only to be ambushed by a rust monster.  The barbarian, not knowing the creature, struck it with his great sword, which quickly dropped to rust.  All the group fled into the lift, except for the druid.  The attacking rust monster struck the lift, dropping the part some 40 feet to a lower level.  The druid joined them, climbing down the wall.

Below they found a flooded room with several dead bodies.  The half-orc and wizard attempted to cross the river but were swept up by the current.  Two ogres appeared from nowhere ready to fish the party out of the water for supper.  Fighting killed the rust monster, buts ogres fight their way.  The barbarian swims the river, pulling the other two too close to one of the ogres.  The half-orc is attacked, but the wizard finds the body of uncle with key and gear and a golden staff.

Unfortunately, the adventure stops here, as the players disband.

Still the DM dreams the ending.  The party slowly fights off the ogres with the help of the barbarian using a wooden sword provided by the wizard.  Once the smoke clears, the group reassembles and the wizard examines the staff.  "Press 3" the inscription says and she does, plucking at the 3 gems on the staff.  A dragon appears, green and acidic, and in a bad mood.  The party begins fleeing, but 2 drop before they reach the lift tunnel.  2 more drop on the climb to the top.  The remaining barbarian crawls his way out of the dungeon with no loot, no key, no uncle, and barely alive to tell the tale of the wizard who was smart but not wise.

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