Greetings once more, my fellow earth-burrowers!

Day 3 has come and gone, and let me tell you, this has been quite the day! If you thought yesterday’s draft and strange crystals were something to talk about, wait till you hear what the mountain had in store for me today. The deeper I go, the more this place seems alive with secrets, and I'm starting to think I'm not alone down here…

A Restless Start

I couldn’t sleep much last night, thoughts of the whispering wind and glowing crystals dancing in my head. The shard I brought back seemed to pulse in the moonlight, like it was keeping its own rhythm with the heartbeat of the mountain. I decided it was time to consult with Thrain Rockseer.

Thrain’s eyes went wide when he saw the crystal. He muttered something in Old Dwarvish and held it up to the firelight. After a long pause, he said, “Mana-infused quartz, no doubt about it. And look here,” he pointed to the faint blue glow, “this is starweave… the same kind they found in the old mines before the Deep Collapse.”

Starweave! A rare mineral, one that’s been known to enhance magical properties, but its veins were thought to be exhausted ages ago. Now I knew I had to get back to that tunnel. Who knows what else might be waiting?

The Descent Continues

Back at the tunnel, the air was even colder today. I noticed the wind had picked up, and the whistling was louder, almost a low moan now. I brought along a few more tools—a hammer for sounding out hollow spots, a chisel for delicate work, and my trusty lantern to light the way.

The first few hours were uneventful, just steady digging through that stubborn basalt. But then, just as I was getting into the rhythm, the ground shifted beneath my feet. Not much, just a small tremor. Still, it was enough to get my attention. The earth rarely moves without reason.

I decided to check the direction of the draft again. It was stronger than before, and there was a dampness to the air. I followed it, carefully chipping away at the rock, listening for that hollow sound.

The Hidden Chamber

After another hour of digging, I struck something different—a thin layer of stone that sounded almost like… wood? I scraped away the dirt, and there it was—a door! A hidden wooden door, buried deep in the stone, old and rotted but unmistakably crafted. Dwarven, no doubt, but ancient—far older than any of the nearby mines.

I stood there for a moment, pondering my next move. The door was wedged tight, but I could see faint runes etched into the wood, barely legible. I traced them with my fingers, muttering the words aloud, “Khazid-dûm, Azanûl…”—the old tongue, the language of our ancestors.

The door creaked slightly, as if responding to my touch. My heart was racing now, but there’s no stopping a dwarf when he’s on the trail of something ancient!

Entering the Depths

With a few strong swings of my hammer, I managed to break the rusted hinges, and the door swung open with a groan. Beyond it lay a dark corridor, lined with old stonework, cracked and weathered. The air was thick with dust, but also… something else. Magic, perhaps, or an ancient presence. I couldn’t tell.

I stepped inside, lantern held high. The walls were covered in old carvings, dwarven runes mixed with symbols I didn’t recognize. There were faint traces of color in some of them—reds and blues, long faded. I took a few steps further, and that’s when I heard it—the unmistakable sound of footsteps echoing from deep within the corridor. Not my own, but distant, rhythmic, and deliberate.

I froze, listening intently. There it was again, a soft scuffling, like leather against stone. Could it be another dwarf? Or something else entirely?

A Quick Retreat

I decided not to press my luck. I backed out slowly, sealing the door behind me with a few heavy stones. I’ll need more than just my pickaxe if I’m going to explore that corridor. This is no ordinary tunnel—this is a find of old dwarven history, maybe even a lost hall.

I hurried back to the clan hall, my mind racing with questions. Who built that door, and why was it hidden so deep? What lies beyond the corridor? And most importantly, who—or what—is walking those halls?

Tomorrow's Plan

Tonight, I’ll prepare for a proper expedition. I’ll gather a few trusted companions, perhaps Thrain, and bring supplies for a longer delve. I’ve a feeling this tunnel is just the beginning, and if there are secrets to be uncovered, I won’t be doing it alone.

Day 3 has left me with more questions than answers, but that’s the thrill of digging, isn’t it? Tomorrow, we push deeper, and see what the mountain truly holds.

Until then, stay sharp and keep your ears open for the whispers of the deep.