Week three -- Vaugn

When we returned to the surface, it was brought to my attention that I n o longer coast a shadow.  Unfortunately, neither did my other non-dwarf companions, all of whom picked up those alluring gold coins underground.  I didn't feel any less opaque (I was quite relieved, as it would be a real detriment to my career), and certainly no worse for the wear, but the scout was _insistent_ that the coins were to blame.  He made me a little nervous with all this talk about "horror-tainted," so I went ahead and chucked the coins.  Although I was disappointed that my shadow was still missing, I convinced myself not to go and retrieve the money -- seeing as though I had no way to use them in my present company.  They seem rather prudish, especially that taller dwarf. 

The group was advised to stay underground -- due to the shadow business --- so we set up a watch rotation in the big room under the entrance hole.  During the first watch, I was filled in as to why the group was down here in the first place.  Something about innocent little kids being stolen from the village through mind manipulation.  Now that just isn't fair -- kids are dumb.  It's not even a challenge.  At least have enough self respect to pick a mar that's on even footing with you.  The only thing to do is get the kids back -- they aren't down here through any bad luck of their own.  

When the tall dwarf woke me for my turn to watch and told me two kids had fallen down the hold and disappeared (and didn't lift a finger to tell anyone at the time), I was pissed.  This is what we're down here for, right?  But a search of the spot where they disappeared revealed nothing.  How frustrating.  

After we'd all had enough rest, we re-searched the underground area.  I even went down into the wind pit with the scout, with no luck on new clues.  However, we did find a new door in one of the first rooms, which led to a room filled with writhing chains covered with hooks.  _That_ scared the hell out of me.  But the tall dwarf plowed though.  Well, I wasn't going to be shown up by some lazy dwarf who won't throw in a silver to bet on a pillow fight.  It wasn't easy, but I eventually found myself safely on the other side, examining what I hoped to be a bag full of non-corrupted gold.  Unfortunately, after I lost interest when I realized that bag didn't make that sweet, sweet money noise, the scout had already opened it.  It contained a kitten horror -- not sure if it's _the_ horror -- which we defeated with minimal injuries and only one death.  I'm crossing my fingers that our luck improves.