Welcome back, brave delvers and curious souls!

Today, on Digging Day 5, our journey into the forgotten Hall of Tharaz-Thul continued, and what a day it was! We returned to the ancient halls with newfound courage, determined to delve deeper, to uncover the secrets hidden in the depths. But as you’ll soon learn, the mountain does not give up its mysteries without a price…

Morning Preparations

We began the day with a hearty breakfast—grilled mushrooms, sausages, and strong black coffee brewed over an open fire. The sort of meal that warms the belly and steels the nerves for whatever may come. Thrain Rockseer was poring over the ancient scrolls we found yesterday, muttering to himself and making notes. Orek Ironfist sharpened his axe, just in case those Stone Guardians decided to wake up and stretch their legs. And Bruni Stonearm, ever the tinkerer, was fiddling with a few small devices—a grappling hook, a smoke bomb, and a strange contraption he claimed could disarm magical traps.

The iron-bound book we found yesterday was still locked tight, and no one dared force it open just yet. I decided we’d save that mystery for another day. For now, our focus was on the hidden chambers mentioned in those old maps.

Back to Tharaz-Thul

The path to the hidden door felt shorter today, perhaps because of our excitement—or maybe because we were a bit more nervous about what we might find. We pried open the old door, which groaned in protest, and entered the corridor once more. The Stone Guardians were still there, unmoving, as if frozen in time. We took extra care not to trigger any traps this time, keeping to the shadows and avoiding those pressure plates.

With the map in hand, we decided to head toward a section labeled “The Lower Vaults.” According to the old records, this was where the Hall’s most valuable treasures were kept.

The Descent

We followed the corridor deeper, winding through passages that seemed to grow colder with each step. The air was thick with dust and the faint scent of something ancient—like old parchment and long-dried herbs. We came to a large, spiral staircase, descending into the darkness below. Each step creaked under our boots, echoing through the empty halls.

“Keep your wits about ye,” I whispered. “These stairs look old enough to crumble under us.”

Down and down we went, the light from our lanterns flickering against the stone walls. The staircase seemed endless, but finally, it opened into a massive underground chamber, much larger than the hall above. The walls were lined with niches, each holding ancient chests, urns, and statues of dwarven lords. The air was cooler here, and a strange mist seemed to hover above the floor, glowing faintly with a blue-green light.

The Vaults and the Strange Door

We spread out, searching the vault. Thrain found a collection of ancient coins, gold and silver, stamped with the seal of Tharaz-Thul. Bruni discovered a small chest filled with strange, translucent gems—like diamonds, but with a faint green glow. “Spellstones,” he murmured. “Used by the old mages to store magic.”

But it was Orek who found the most curious thing—a door at the far end of the chamber, much like the one we had found yesterday but far more ornate, with runes carved deep into the wood and bands of mithril running across it. The door pulsed faintly, a rhythm like a slow heartbeat.

Thrain examined the runes, his brow furrowed in concentration. “This is no ordinary door,” he said finally. “These runes are wards, protection spells. Something powerful lies beyond.”

“What kind of something?” I asked, my hand instinctively gripping my pickaxe a little tighter.

Thrain shrugged. “Could be treasure. Could be a beast. Could be… something worse.”

A Risky Choice

We debated for a moment. Orek was ready to charge in, but I urged caution. “Let’s think this through,” I suggested. “If it’s treasure, it’s ours for the taking. But if it’s danger… we need to be prepared.”

Bruni, ever the clever one, suggested we use his contraption to check for traps. “If there’s magic on the door, this little beauty will sniff it out,” he said with a grin. He set the device on the ground and aimed it at the door. It whirred and clicked, and then—suddenly—let out a loud beep, sparks flying from its sides.

“Well, that’s not a good sign,” Bruni muttered. “The door’s not just protected—it’s enchanted. Likely to keep something in… or us out.”

The Door Opens

Despite the risk, we decided to press forward. With Thrain’s help, we carefully dispelled some of the simpler runes, and the door’s glow dimmed slightly. We pried it open, slowly, cautiously. Beyond was a smaller chamber, dimly lit by a single, flickering blue flame hovering in the air—magic, no doubt.

In the center of the room stood a pedestal, and upon it, a large, ornate chest with runes carved into its lid. But as we stepped forward, the blue flame flared brighter, and a low rumble echoed through the chamber. From the shadows, something stirred—a figure, cloaked and hooded, its eyes glowing a piercing blue.

“A guardian!” Thrain shouted. “Not a stone one—this one’s alive… or was, once.”

The figure moved, slowly at first, then faster, as if drawn to our presence. It held a staff, and with a wave, it sent a blast of cold air toward us, frost forming on the walls. We scattered, diving for cover.

A Fierce Battle

Orek charged forward with a roar, swinging his axe, but the figure was quick, dodging and weaving with unnatural speed. Thrain tried to chant a counter-spell, but the guardian raised its staff again, and a bolt of blue lightning struck the ground near him, sending him sprawling.

Bruni and I moved to flank the figure, me with my pickaxe, him with his smoke bombs. He tossed one at the figure’s feet, and a cloud of thick smoke filled the chamber. I took the chance and swung hard, striking the figure’s staff and knocking it from its grasp. It hissed, retreating into the smoke.

Orek grabbed the staff, and as he did, the figure let out a low, mournful wail. It raised its hands, and for a moment, I thought it might surrender. But then, with a final, desperate motion, it clapped its hands together, and the blue flame burst into a bright, blinding light.

We shielded our eyes, and when the light faded, the figure was gone, vanished like a shadow at dawn.

What We Found

With the guardian gone, we turned our attention to the chest. Thrain inspected it carefully, muttering a few words, and declared it safe. We opened it slowly, half-expecting another trap. But instead, we found… a collection of scrolls, much like the ones we had discovered yesterday, and a large, intricately carved crystal, glowing faintly with that same blue-green light.

“This… this is an archive crystal,” Thrain whispered, awe in his voice. “It holds knowledge—memories, perhaps. Of the old days, before Tharaz-Thul fell.”

Heading Back

With our prize in hand, we decided it was best to retreat for the day. We sealed the chamber behind us, hoping to return another time. There are more mysteries to uncover, and now, with the archive crystal, we might just learn the true history of Tharaz-Thul—and why it was abandoned.

Tonight, we’ll study the scrolls and the crystal, and plan our next steps. The mountain has shown us only a glimpse of its secrets, but I know there is more to come.

Until Tomorrow

Day 5 has been a day of challenges and triumphs. We faced a living guardian, uncovered hidden vaults, and claimed a crystal that may hold the key to ancient knowledge. Tomorrow, we’ll press on, deeper still.

Until then, keep your lanterns bright and your hearts braver still. The depths are calling, and we are far from finished.