The Deep King's Diary

(The faded pages have held up surprisingly well through the years. You open the diary and begin reading the page you happen upon.)

"The times are good; Deepholm is prospering under my reign, even more than during the rule of my predecessors. Let no Dwarf question the wisdom of King Lujan!"

You flip forward several pages, and begin reading again.

"The mysterious sorcerer who wished to obtain some of our diamonds promised me a guide to the Treasures Below. Could it be that the ancient legend is true? Are there really unimaginable riches gathered beneath Deepholm?"

Turning the page, Lujan's journal continues:

"I have been studying the magic tome, but can only read it a short while before my eyes grow weary and I feel as though I've awoken after a night of over-indulging in grog. Nonetheless, I've instructed my craftsmen to begin preparing the necessary materials. We shall be creating a nexus of ethereal energy such as the world has never before seen! And from this will come the knowledge of where to dig deep..."

You skim the next several dozen entries, all pertaining to normal rule of the kingdom and the occasional progress report of King Lujan's disturbing project. The following entry catches your eye:

"The craftsmen have begun a full strike against my orders, but it matters not; their work is nearly done, and I'm not so old and rusty that I cannot finish a relatively simple bit of polishing and rune-crafting. The obsidian blocks are already in place; the hard part is accomplished."

The very next page contains some disturbing claims. You read on, a sinking feeling in your heart.

"The arcane symbology is perfect. I can hear voices whispering to me, and I've directed the mining teams accordingly. The voices were correct; indeed, everything the sorcerer promised has come to pass. We have struck an unimaginably rich nexus of veins... more diamonds and gold than has ever been found together before! More iron than we could use in a generation!"

You shiver, and continue reading.

"The voices are persuasive, and demanding. I tried to command my soldiers to enforce my royal decrees, but to a man they refused. 'Disgrace themselves,' bah! They pledged to never again arm themselves, as if that would make up for their shameful decision. And my craftsmen... well, with my soldiers in mutiny, they will manage to depart with their lives, as well as their tools. But it matters not. I know yet how to handle a pickaxe. I shall claim the treasures for myself! But first, I must use flint and steel to ignite the energy flowing from this obsidian gateway. The voices promise that this will be the last task I am commanded to perform... after this, I shall be free."

There is a small scorch mark on the edge of this last page, and several blots of what might be blood.

"Royal blood," you think to yourself. The foolishness of kings has brought ruin to many a kingdom, as the philosophers say. And so it was for Deepholm.

You rub your hands together, casting off the pall from this ancient tale of woe, and concentrating on the treasures that will soon be yours...

In the back of your mind, a part of you wonders at never having found the obsidian stones the Crazed King referenced. But surely that is not as important as the magnificent treasure that is yours for the taking...

You shrug off your doubts and go to grab a pickaxe.