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Events of the 9th of Slate, 1091.
Stepping into the tower was the final step in the plan.
With her presence, Xotes knew that her master would at last be able to break free. As it always had been, the Hammer Tower was the key. Power flooded down from the tower, striking deep into the far off forgotten parts of the fortress.
Somewhere deep below stirred her master, choosing a corpse to inhabit for himself. The flesh and bone that would allow him to walk the world once more.
When the power had dispersed, she stepped down into the fortress. She was half-aware that some hopeful heroes followed her, too slow to keep up. It didn't matter, they would get their chance eventually. She was heading directly for the barracks.
As she rounded a corner, a bolt zipped past her. She turned and saw BingBing standing there, locking another bolt into place.
"Unforgivable!" she shouted, slipping into a rage, and unleashing all those years of pent up anger on the hapless crossbowdwarf.
Outside the battle still raged. The creatures of flame had managed to push the dwarves back from the pit, allowing more of their number to emerge unopposed.
Darktongue had fallen and was rising again, and more of the dwarven soldiers were rushing towards the pit, unaware of the happenings within the fortress itself.
Xotes crushed BingBing slowly, mercilessly, and savouring every gasp of pain.
She was insane, and totally focused. And so it was that she didn't notice Bricktop until he'd struck her with his axe hard enough to throw her off of BingBing.
Three more soldiers were behind him, originally intending to head to the battle outside. In their number were Id, Killheart, and the Captain.
She spun around, dodging Bricktop and ripping off Id's leg. Id blacked out immediately, blood pouring from his severed arteries.
The pushed on, though, until she erupted with flame, scattering them backwards.
"FALL BACK!" shouted Captain Ironblood as the hallway filled with fire.
He was furious that he hadn't spotted Xotes as the acolyte all along, and that she had now forced him into retreat was unforgivable.
Waving others into the internal defense, he sought a new way to reach the battle raging outside.
As he reached the scene, it was clear that the battle was already nearly over. Assisting in the destruction of the final few creatures, he found some of the survivors to interrogate.
"What the hell happened out here?" he asked, shoving his way to the centre.
"Captain!" saluted Adalore. "I just got the story myself. Seems somebody dug into a pit here, and released a load of monsters."
"I can see that." he replied. "What about Xotes?"
Adalore was confused. "What about her?"
"She's behind this whole thing!"
Adalore shook his head. "I don't know anything about that. All I know is that we've got an open pit of creatures that will turn you into them if they get you."
Ironblood blinked. "What did you say?"
Adalore shrugged sheepishly. "I didn't believe it myself, sir... but if you're killed by them, you're changed by their fire... into one of them. Ghastly."
Ironblood paused. "Stay here and guard the pit, I need to get back to the fortress... Gods help them in there if this has gotten out of control."