((Going to assume you guys heal, as this trek takes ~an hour))
The party follows the hound. You come across a large expanse that you assume to be the main section of the caverns, as it is the biggest section you have seen, and Nimue can fly high enough to the point that she can no longer see the light of the torch and still be able to fly up for a good distance. You then notice a breach in what appears to be a natural column in the far distance with very light emanating from it. The hound barks at it. You take nine steps closer to it and you hear the sounds of cackling as a wall of dark shadows ensnares the opening, preventing your escape. You are then greeted with a voice that Alexander alone recognizes:"Did you really think you could enter the place where I harvest the dead and expect to walk away without meeting some of my greatest works? Come, my pet! Feast upon the flesh of the new bloods!"
The earth quakes! (16+4) (20+2) (3+3) (11-3) (13+4) (?) (4+3) Nadarr, Cromwell, Isbat and Thoradin manage to keep their balance as Weston, Karl and Alexander fall over from lack of balance as the great burrowing creature breaks through from the earth before you! It bellows as it remains buried halfway underground still, but flailing enough to launch rocks and soil everywhere! Luckily, none of them are large enough to do real damage, but the soil dirties everyone's clothing/armor/cloaks. You get a good look at the creature now, and you regret ever laying your eyes upon it. You can tell its some hybrid again of necromancy and shadow magic, but here, its perfected. You can see the missing gapes of flesh and bone that are usually the weak points of undead, filled in with a dark aura that seems to suck out all light around you. If it wasn't for Nadarr's staff, there wouldn't be a good glimpse at the creature's head. Its maw is split into three parts, decayed feathers running down its back and the top of its head, and each section of its maw riddled with teeth that are no bigger then shortswords. Sitting on top of it is a faint red light glowing and standing on it is a familiar figure in a red cloak.
"Miss me already? Give me one good reason to not sic this beast on you and I'll make sure you die first!"
He stands with a sick, madness filled grin as he stands, his cloak flapping from the force and gusts made from the debris flying about. His fangs are barred and he holds now a rapier on one hand and a dagger with a holy symbol of a diety no one can recognize from your distance away. Karl feels a great horror befall his heart at the very sight of the symbol, but cannot see what it is. You can tell it isn't Orcus but its outline, but its something equal, or maybe even more fell then the power of the Demon Prince of Undeath. Alexander hears whispers that sound like a thousand screaming voices pierce his ears. You can't tell from the sound drowning out your ears, but you make a scream of pain as you cover your ears. Alexander is deafened until farther notice. Aurel grins deeper as he notices one fewer in the main group.
"So the child of Bahamut has fallen... Excellent... Cotl, deal with them while I work my magic..."
He fades into a hundred bats and then disappears into the darkness as the crimson light fades. The beast roars, barring its mighty maw and the party prepares for a great battle! Thoradin can't help but laugh as his axe is drawn as the rest of you unsheath your weapons and implements.
"I don't know about the rest of ye, but I don' feel like meetin' the gods today. Songs will be sung of the seven who slayed the great feathered serpent."
((I want a response for Karl's feat choice in case it increases initiative, etc. Don't worry, this is winnable, but you're going to have to think outside of conventional D&D... And also, ENTER THE TESTING FORM OF THE "NEW" INITIATIVE SYSTEM! That way it isn't Wurm->party->wurm->party all the time))