You slip the ring onto your finger. Nothing noticeable happens until a rat scurries out of the shadows toward the exit. One of the small, ugly man-things turns its head toward the sound. You think, "I wish you wouldn't do that, rat," and it stops, then returns to the shadows. The man-thing shrugs its shoulders and turns back to the table.

You mentally order the rat to come sit at your foot. It sneaks toward you, then jumps onto your boot. The rat stays there as long as you concentrate on it. You order the rats to attack the enemy in the center of the room. Immediately, six rats scurry out of the darkness, rushing toward the man and the creatures. They rush past the brazier, and overturn it, spilling hot coals across the lap of one of the man-things. It jumps to its feet, screaming and howling. The rats continue to attack, nipping ankles and toes. The man slashes at them with his sword, and the little man-things scramble on their hands and knees trying to catch the rats. Salamdros dashes through the shadows, and slips down the ladder. You keep your attention focused on the rats. Next, Roderick lumbers across the room and starts down the ladder. You edge toward the pit, and find that your concentration is slipping as you move. Finally, you scramble down the ladder. Go to page 227.