Well met, fellow diggers and delvers!

Today was the second day of my latest tunneling adventure, and I have tales to tell! After a solid start yesterday, I set out again with high hopes and a hunger for the earth’s hidden secrets. Little did I know the mountain had a few surprises in store for me.

Morning Discoveries

I rose with the dawn, eager to get back to my work. My muscles ached from yesterday's efforts, but there's nothing like a brisk morning ale to chase the soreness away! I grabbed my gear and headed straight to the tunnel.

Picking up where I left off, I continued to chip away at the rock. I was just getting into the rhythm of it when my pickaxe hit something strange. The sound was different—hollow almost. I cleared away the rubble with my hands, and what did I find? A vein of crystal! Not just any crystal, mind you—this was quartz with a tinge of something I couldn’t quite place.

It was like the stone was holding its breath, waiting to be discovered. I’ve seen plenty of quartz in my day, but there was a shimmer to this one… perhaps an impurity, or something more?

The Afternoon Struggle

By midday, the tunnel was starting to show its teeth. The rock had turned to a thick layer of basalt, hard as an iron-plated anvil. Each swing of the pick felt like it was vibrating through my bones. But I kept at it—no stone can withstand a determined dwarf with a purpose!

I decided to take a short break and examine the crystals. I chipped away a small piece and held it up to the lantern light. It seemed to glow faintly, a soft blue hue. That’s no normal quartz! Could it be infused with mana, or perhaps a trace of mithril? I couldn’t be sure, but whatever it is, it’s worth keeping. I pocketed the shard and made a mental note to consult with Thrain Rockseer, our local gem expert, when I get back to the hall.

A Troubling Sign

Late afternoon brought another surprise. As I dug deeper into the basalt, I noticed a draft. A cold wind, coming from the depths of the tunnel. That’s a bit unusual, especially in solid rock. Wind underground can mean a few things—an air pocket, a cave, or worse, a weak spot that could collapse.

I followed the draft, carefully digging in its direction. The further I went, the stronger the wind became, and the colder. I could hear it now, too—a faint whistling sound, almost like a distant flute. Was it my imagination, or was there something else down there?

Evening Reflections

As the sun dipped below the mountain, I decided to call it a day. It’s one thing to dig in the dark, but when the mountain starts whispering, it’s best to listen. I’ve widened the tunnel a bit more, and I’m starting to see patterns in the stone—perhaps natural, perhaps not. Could be ancient ruins or forgotten paths. Either way, I’ll find out soon enough.

I sealed up the entrance for the night and made my way back to the clan hall, the strange shard of quartz still tucked in my pocket. Tomorrow, I’ll gather some supplies and a few tools for testing. Maybe I’ll even bring a friend or two, just in case the tunnel has any more surprises waiting.

Looking Ahead

Day 2 brought mystery and promise. I’ve got a feeling this isn’t going to be an ordinary tunnel. Could be there’s something buried down there, something worth more than gold or gems. Or it could just be my imagination, running wild from the dark and the solitude. Only one way to find out—dig deeper!

I’ll be back tomorrow with fresh arms and a sharper mind, ready to unravel the secrets of this whispering stone. Until then, keep your pickaxes sharp and your wits sharper!