As I step into this forsaken hall, a pungent aroma of decaying wood and spoiled alcohol fills my nostrils. The sight before me is nothing short of disheartening: broken casks, discarded pumps, and rusted valves litter the room, silent relics of what was once a lively tavern or brewery. I can't help but scoff at the thought of all the merriment that took place here, now replaced by an eerie silence.
However, my self-absorbed reflection is cut short by some nearby movement. Two filthy, overgrown rats emerge, their beady red eyes glowing with malice in the darkness. I can't help but roll my eyes at these pitiful creatures before readying my battleaxe.
The first rat, emboldened by its numbers, charges towards me with surprising speed. Its razor-sharp teeth snap wildly just inches away from my chainmail armor. I let out a sarcastic chuckle, barely breaking a sweat as I strike it down with one clean blow. It's already expiring before it even has the chance to drag its loot back to their nest – how utterly disappointing for them.
My victory is short-lived though, as another contender enters the fray. This second rat seems just as eager to meet its end. With a resigned sigh, I dispatch this one too, wondering why these vermin even bother. After all, they're merely rats, albeit much larger than most.
A quick search around reveals nothing of value on their pathetic bodies, but among the dust and echoes of laughter long gone, I stumble upon a small fortune: 15 electrum coins! Quite a pleasant surprise indeed, even if it doesn't compare to the riches I imagine this place held centuries ago.
With a smirk, I look at the lifeless bodies of my adversaries one last time before deciding to ascend the nearby stairs. Who knows what other abandoned treasures await me up there? Probably more decaying wood and rat carcasses, but one can always hope for something better. Or at least, that's what I tell myself.