Light wind and rain harries the group as they make camp. One of the rescued albino dwarves continues to scream, refusing water. Goomy offers up a lesser restoration, and the dwarf regains his senses. Sithi thanks him, and she and her warriors join the group as they descend into Hrakhamar.
In search of the treasury keys, the group decides to explore the cave system from whence the last wave of firenewts came. They cross via chain conveyor, and Goomy nearly slips into the magma below. They explore a twisting cave complex to find a crude, reeking shrine of Imix. A human sized statue of stone, iron, and pounded precious metals depict fire reaching toward the sky.
Simon inspects the statue and discovers that one of the chunks of gleaming metal resemble what was once a key. After some work, he pries off the precious metals that had been so crudely hammered into the statue, along with what was once a pair of keys. The group decides to search for a mold for the keys, and Goomy prepares to cast a ritual of detect magic to ascertain the nature of the smoke-filled caverns.
The group explores the smoke-filled cavern after Goomy detects the presence of evocation magic. Flavius suggests they create some crude filters to help breathe through the smoke, but nevertheless, several of the party end up suffering from smoke inhalation. After canvassing the area, the group decides to ignore the lantern light and return to the forge to search for the molds for the treasury keys. The rooms turn up nothing, so the group heads to the treasury itself, but not before playing with a level. It activates some mechanism, but the effect is not apparent. Simon searches a cave near the treasury as the group discusses their options, and he eventually uncovers a curious box.
Upon further inspection, the box is adorned with the dwarven runes for “beginnings” and “endings” and appears to open from each side. With some trepidation, the group opens the box to reveal impressions of keys within.
The group sets off to the smelter and finally decides to cast new keys before returning to the treasury. Musharib casts one of each key, handing one to Goomy and the other to Therdek. Flavius guards the lever while the group inserts the key and unlocks the treasury, revealing the stockpiled wealth of Hrakhamar and Moradin’s Gauntlet within. Only the giant striders remain. Goomy prepares a silence ritual so the group can divide and conquer the giant striders, finally liberating Hrakhamar. Will their plan survive contact with the enemy?
The group liberates Hrakhamar by eliminating the last of the giant striders. After a meal from the giant strider meat, Sithi asks the group to step outside to discuss what will happen with the forge. Sithi asks everyone to discuss outside and regroup with the other dwarves. Each dwarf speaks in turn: Sithi claims she should hold the gauntlet and act as overseer, Therdek argues that Sithi and Musharib should duel honorably, Laz Drumthunder says the gauntlet is cursed and should be destroyed, Malkar Stonegrist claims he has a legitimate claim to the gauntlet by blood, and then Sithi hears out the remainder of the party. Doz grows impatient, because he sees the Tinder as the primary concern, and disappears into the forge. Sithi ushers everyone back into the forge to discuss what will happen next.
Curiously, Sin and Goomy catch sight of Doz stalking across the bridge to the treasury. Once Sithi realizes what is happening, she and her dwarves rush over to keep an eye on Doz. As Sithi mentions to Doz to count what he takes, Doz brushes past her with Moradin’s Gauntlet in hand and tosses it into the magma.
In shock, Sithi drops to her knees and one of her dwarves begins weeping. Unfazed, Doz brushes past them to grab more of the ingots. Sithi’s other dwarves draw their blades to defend Hrakhamar and attack Doz. The group moves to defend Doz and slays several of the dwarves. Therdek wrestles the remaining dwarf to pull him away from Doz. Therdek subdues the dwarf, and Doz finishes his task after the group claims a few adamantine ingots.
In the meantime, Musharib flees with the injured dwarves, saving a few words for Goomy.
The group butchers some meat from the giant striders for provisions, and then Therdek murders the remaining dwarf to conceal what evidence remains.