With a discerning eye, I approach this solitary alcove, distinct amongst the remains of long-deceased monks. The worn stonework beneath my fingers seems to hum with secrets of yore. As if guided by an unseen force, I gently press against the ancient wall and lo and behold, a hidden door slides open, revealing an intricate pattern of carvings that blend seamlessly with the surrounding alcove. I step through the doorway into darkness, my trusty darkvision illuminating the pitch-black room like a lighthouse in a storm.

The chamber before me is a vast forty feet in depth and thirty feet in width - quite the spacious abode for a long-dead monk. The gruesome illustrations upon its walls depict scenes of violence and depravity, making me feel as though I've stumbled into a macabre theater. I can't help but shudder as I take in the vivid images that assault my senses. In the far corner, a small, open chest sits neglected and forgotten - perhaps even in death, some monks can't resist hoarding their meager possessions.

And there it is - the star attraction of this dreadful scene: the mummified corpse of a monk, secured to a large wooden X on the distant wall with coils of razor-sharp barbed wire. I must admit, it's not every day that one encounters such a sight. I can't help but feel a morbid sense of curiosity as I approach the lifeless body, contemplating the wretched soul who met such an unfortunate end.

So, what shall be my next move in this peculiar play? Shall I:

  • Rummage through the contents of this pitifully small chest, hoping to find some treasures or perhaps a clue about the monk's untimely demise?
  • Approach the monk's lifeless body with the grace of an actor taking center stage, to pay my respects to the poor soul who met such a grisly end?
  • Return to the crypt full of dead monks, where the air is slightly less heavy with the stench of decay and despair?