Miranda's dark eyes reflect the gold and argent treasures of the Hall with a sinister gleam that belies her small stature. The others were quiet, so surely they wouldn't mind dealing with that giant critter while she inspects the valuables?

She signals to Ptolmek Skarab to distract the beast while she has a look around. Fascinated by this hall of antiquities her attention is drawn by the ceiling mural and she will take a moment to peer at it. Ptolmek wields his weapon and fixes his feet firmly, ready to charge in and attack the monstrosity.

Miranda curiously inspects the ornately carved door to the East. Searching for traps, she finds none - and the door opens with a little prying of the ancient lock. A tile labyrinth covers the floor within the small closet. The tiles are made of four blocks, loosely assembled, which sit recessed into the floor. Each block is easily removable. Miranda notes that on each face a portion of a rune is engraved into the block.

'Ahh this is it! Giant slimy leggy creatures and danger... hoo boy the little ones will love this story,' thought Gurin as he readied his axe. The dwarf decided to see how many legs he could separate in one pass. Gathering steam and charging the pile he artfully twisted, like a whirling dervish, past the centipede with axe extended. Could he dislodge ten, twenty, or even fifty legs? He would certainly try!

Morcant is not one for hand to hand combat. He always prefers to sit back and use his trusty throwing daggers. He quickly fired off four shots, all aiming for the centipede's eyes.

As three daggers fall short, and richochet to the round with a loud clanging sound, the other adventurers take up arms and join the fray! A single dagger finds it's mark and sinks deep into the creatures eye. The hilt of the dagger rises sharply with the motion of the gigantic beast's head, followed by it's rising trunk and hundreds of lashing arms. The screeching cry bellowing from deep within the oversized insect shakes the cavernous Main Hall.

Giving up on examination of the rune at the end of the blackened hallway,  Morcant turned to check with the others. It appears the rune is simply that - a deeply cut stone at the end of an odd, or perhaps secret, passageway. Beyond that, Morcant can find no other explanation.

Ptolmek snapped to attention. It was as if a large felt blanket had been over his head and now removed. For some reason the sensation reminded him of the ritual masking ceremonies often performed by natives of the Andorian Plains, a bloodthirsty bunch of barbaric elves north of Ptolmelk's bleak homelands. Ptolmek consulted the map briefly and suggests they next explore the Main Hall and Kitchen.

In agreement with his suggestion, the party moved as one, swiftly to the large chamber. The room resembles the storage chambers of an ancient museum. A varied and vast collection of items displayed throughout the Main Hall bounce light off solid gold, and refract rainbows through hanging gems and crystalline artifacts.

A massive archway invites visitors into the next chamber to the west. A mural of geometric patterns covers the ceiling. Where the mural fails to cover the ceiling it is adorned with naturally growing crystalline stalactites.

A closed narrow door made of ornately carved wood sits between two other doors on the east wall. Also on the east wall a large leather strap hangs from half a brass orb which sits flush with the door jam, halfway down a closed wooden door.

Unfortunately, the room is dominated by a Large Monstrous Centipede curled up atop a pile of ornate furniture, tapestries, and crushed works of fine art. As the party enters the room, the foul monstrosity stirs, and descends his mounded hoard in favor of feasting on the unexpected meal.

What do you do?