The Creeps

   The first warmwatch svirfguard he had found had been testing simple charms on the weasels infesting the walls of the guardhouse. He was a young svirf and had taken few of the training sessions in weapons, but knew magic, not just the illusions common to all gnomes, but even the enchantments and charms uncommon to his folk. He was often caught leaving his duties to test his spells and study his books. He had snapped to attention at the sight of Master Zigny dashing into the cavern. Out of breath, Zigny had sent the young mage to alert the remainder of the warmwatch and rouse the coldcrew. Sergeant Reke, his second in command, had been sleeping in the Master Quarters, while Master Zigny had been on watch. He awoke to the alarm raised by the lounging warmwatch, who had been engaged in napping, reading or playing GemTest. GemTest, a dice game played with semi-precious gems was popular among the young warriors. Zigny only gave those who showed an active interest in the Svirfguard a position in the listening posts spread throughout the warren.
   In moments, the warmwatch, minus the few in the three listening posts, were armed and assembled before Master Zigny in the open cavern. Inside the guardhouse, the coldcrew were loudly finding weapons and armor to join their compatriots. Sergeant Reke stepped calmly from the doorway to the Master Quarters. He stood fully armed, armored and at the ready. His twin picks dangled loosely from his many pouched belt. The pouches contained several types of gnomish tricks; stun powder, glass caltrops full of sleep gas, light-gems and a smoke bottle. Stun darts were strung across the leather belt thrown over his shoulder and his ringmail armor was blackened with grease. His thin calm face was a clever mask given away by the sparkling glint of exitement in his eyes. He walked slowly over to Master Zigny, looking over the assembled gnomes as he went. They were a irregular and diseparate group, but when called together they pulled as one.
   Zingy stood at the ready as he always did, dressed as usual in his blue-black studded leather, which covered an exquisite mithral scale shirt held together with chainmail made from dwarven steel. His shortsword and pick stuck firmly in their sheath and beltloop, crossbow slung across his back, and wearing a full cloak emblazoned with the emblem of Sparkside on the back and the symbol of the Seventh Pick over his heart, Zigny looked quite impressive. Under the cloak hid his quiver of bolts and his pouches. His own belt held some nasty tricks, but what had gained Zigny his fame and nickname in his youth had been his specially made crossbow bolts. Some were made like the svirf stun darts, some held sleep gas or simple spells, and a few contained acids.

   The pair stood side by side and awaited the other two dozen gnomes gathering their supplies. To Reke's questioning glance, Zigny replied only a single word.
   "Goblins," said Master Zigny with a look of exitement of his own.
   "Any of the posts report in?" asked Reke, his tactical training already attempting to collect all information on the enemy's progress.
   "Only Spike Seat," answered Zigny, motioning to a heavy breathing young gnome leaned against the guardhouse wall.
   "And?"
   "I saw a hobgoblin and some goblin mutts in the Door, they were also pointing to the wall in the Cavern of Spikes. They're planning more than just to settle in," replied the Doorway Master. "Mid-Tunnel and Drippool haven't reported yet, but they may have to wait for an opportunity. Goblins are stupid but they can hear and those boys know to stay put until they get their chance to send a runner. These idiots seem to be working together very well and systematically searching the warren."
   "They know something," said Reke, matter of factly.
   Realizing he couldn't get around Reke's need to know, Zigny had laid his knowledge bare and they had come to the same conclusion. Fifth Sergeant Rekenee Firenioglow was the son of the Captain of the Seventh Pick, but hadn't used his postion or his father to gain any priveledge. He had earned his rank as Master Zigny's second after only half his first year. Though he had requested to join the svirfguard of the Doorway, it had been Zigny who chose him to lead the coldcrew and guard the Doorway during the most often travelled watch. Reke had a love of the surface that was very uncommon among the svirfs and asked every traveler about the news of the daylit world.
   He had grown up the middle child of a very busy military C'Mander and had learned soldiery at his father's insistance, but found the tactics and planning of a campaign as fascinating and second nature as his easy skill with the twin war-picks he always carried. His sense of honor, duty, and ability to command had singled him out immediately.
   Zigny watched Reke's mind tear and shred the information it had, examining it from every angle, seeking the next course of action and neccesary supplemental data. Zigny knew the creatures of the depths. He had little interest in the surface world, but knew of most creatures, monsters and goblinoids that found shelter or preyed in the underground. He had some education into the tactics and practices of these creatures and knew how to formulate a plan. He much appreciated the education of the younger soldier, their combined knowledge would allow them to handle this threat with speed. They wouldn't have to wait for the arrival of reinforcements and miss an opportunity should one present itself.