Prelude: a bad week

[Bitom]

There is no path that the orc can see, and although he can see the traces of a creature (Presumably the horses owner) passing by, he cannot tell anything about where it went except that it either went up the mountain or came from there. there are no caves to be seen.

[Grimathor]

Since he just came up the mountain side, Broknar concludes that the creature and horse owner went up the side of the mountain. Stopping, he looks up at the shattered mountain peak and mutters, "Why not" under his breath. Hefting his greataxe over his shoulder Broknar makes his way further up the mountain.

[Bitom]

Broknar continues his climb, progressing up to the edge of the new crater. What he sees is impossible. Below him is a castle made of black glass or polished black stone. It stands in the middle of a crater of black stone. Mixed among the blackness, there are some glints of reflected light. Among the fleks are a half-dozen small shapes, moving back and forth.

The Castle

Obviously, you are looking down on it, but it is raised off the floor of the crater like this, so the angle is valid.

[Grimathor]

Mentally chalking another one up in his mind, he thinks to himself Someone is going to get real hurt today. Cautiously, Broknar makes his way down the mountainside toward the castle and the small moving shapes.

His axe remains on his shoulder but his mind is alert and ready.

[Bitom]

Broknar decides to head in the direction of the castle, heading down into the crater. As he approaches, he can see what caused the sparks of light. Hundreds of wads of a shiny metal, half-melted by the impact and then solidified again as it cooled throughout the day. The castle draws closer, but more slowly than Broknar thought. The crater and the castle in it are both larger than he believed.

Finally, the shapes resolve better in his vision. they are giant ants the size of wolves, and they are collecting something along the floor of the crater. It does not appear that they are collecting the silver pools.

[Grimathor]

Cautiously Broknar continues toward the castle avoiding the giants ants if possible. Keeping his eye on the ants to make sure they aren't paying him any attention. He tries to discern what the ants are gathering while passing through without getting too close.

[Bitom]

As Broknar watches, the ants seem to gather up the last of the blue crystals they've been hunting for. As one, they turn and retreat into the castle without seeming to have noticed the orc among them.

[Grimathor]

Broknar makes his way to the castle, wondering what the blue crystals are exactly. Once at the door, Broknar checks to see if it is locked.

[Bitom]

Far from being locked, the orc finds the door wide open. The interior made of the same black glass as the exterior.

[Grimathor]

Cautiously curious, Broknar steps into the open doorway. Listening for voices, Broknar begins to search the castle room by room.