Planting 8 (Journey Day 7) – Following the dwarf, he leads them to an ancient temple in the city’s central square. Once safely inside, the dwarf introduces himself as Oradrad, leader of the dwarves. After waiting for Oradrad to report in, the party learns the history of the city.

The dwarves of this city have been at war with the various kobold tribes for time out of mind. However, ten years ago, things changed. The kobolds began to show extraordinary coordination in their attacks and it eventually came to the dwarves’ attention that there was a new leader that had organized them: a necromancer of unknown origin and powers.

What the dwarves didn’t know is that the necromancer’s ultimate goal was a tome they kept called the Book of Ankheph; this strange book was the source of much of the dwarves’ miraculous powers and seemed intelligent and able to respond to requests for those with a strong enough will.

The kobolds waged an all-out assault on the dwarves and were able to steal the book from them. Not long after, the kobolds started to demonstrate changes; the necromancer had begun using the Book of Ankheph to experiment on the kobolds granting them new abilities.

The latest kobolds have leaders that are close to unkillable with strange eyes and who spew a venom from their mouths that petrifies anyone caught by it. Slowly the number of dwarves started to diminish; some fled, but many were turned to stone where they stood, fighting back the kobolds. Now just a handful of dwarves remain.

Oradrad does not ask the party’s help beyond taking a message to the hills just south of Castle Axanar. Oradrad’s cousin, Sabriel, rules the hill dwarves there. If they can get a message to Sabriel, reinforcements can be summoned and a counter attack planned. Until that time, the dwarves are fighting a losing war. The party agrees to deliver the message.

Planting 9 (Journey Day 8) – Despite Oradred’s warnings, the party returns to their camp to retrieve Talia. It is decided that Uvalask will return to Aetos with the horses and pack animals and Talia will travel back with the party, passing through the dwarven city and onto the mountain pass to the east.

It is then that the party is ambushed by a few dozen kobolds, fortunately none of them possessing the abilities spoken of by Oradrad. A full day’s slaughter takes place and the party is able to make it back to the city but not without losses: Uvalask and all of the animals are lost in the battle.

Planting 10 (Journey Day 9) – The party makes it back to the secret door and is able to barricade it and return to the dwarven city after resting for the day.