Planting 5 (Journey Day 4) – The next day the party decides to explore the tunnel to see if there is safe passage for the horses. However, the tunnel dives deep into the mountain, and perhaps underground, before the tunnel material changes from a smooth rock to a slightly rougher stone speckled with mineral deposits that glitter in the dim light.

The tunnel ends in a dead end, a bioluminescent moon painted on it, and a rough language carved into the wall beneath the moon. Piety knows this to be the language of Kobolds, and it is a warning that the tunnel is the domain of the Full-Moon tribe. After inspecting the wall, it is determined that the ‘stone’ covering is merely a type of mortar over rough brickwork. The party rests and returns to their camp to regroup and plan.

Planting 6-8 (Journey Day 5-7) – The party decides to return to the wall and remove the brickwork. It takes a full day of travel to return to the wall and the begin the deconstruction at first light the next day; Talia is left at the camp with Uvalask the pack handler and the horses, along with Patches.

After removing the bricks, the party discovers many kobold tracks in the dust of the corridor; they surmise that kobolds must have heard the sound of their construction and crept up to the wall to investigate.

On full alert, the party moves forward into the sloping tunnel. Page discovers a secret door which opens to a large chamber, now empty, but the walls are stained black with scorch marks and the stone is gouged up, especially at the door along the left-hand wall. A normal wooden door it is, but it cannot be budged as it is barricaded on the other side. The party continues their descent.

Eventually, the tunnel stops its descent and levels off. In the distance the party can spy light ahead. Eventually the come upon a large archway and gatehouse, masterly crafted from the stone. Painted blue with gold figures lining the sides with what appears to be important figures, the keystone is engraved with writing they cannot discern.

Beyond the archway: a vast underground cavern and a city within; lights spring up from street lamps and are reflected from the glittering, mineral-encrusted dome above. However, the city appears to be dead or abandoned.

Venturing into the city, they party descends a well-made road and enters what appears to be a wealthy neighborhood, once inhabited but now a ghost town. A shop lies in ruins, looking as if it was burned down. The party sees a figure standing motionless on the street ahead and upon approaching them, realize that the person is turned to stone, the expression on their face one of terror. They also notice that this person is the same size as the small skeletons they have seen on the pilgrimage road; a race none of them have seen before: short of stature, yet muscularly built, long beard plaited and capped with metal, chainmail armor of apparently exquisite make.

Before the party can proceed any further, they see a couple dozen kobolds round the next corner. From the opposite end of the block a voice calls out to them, “You there! Come with me if you wish to live!”