Legend of Roshnak - Chapter 5

 DORULL STORIES - LEGEND OF ROSHNAK

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CHAPTER 5

 

 Far away to the north of Chaygor, in the foothills of the mountain Nyass, stood the orcish village of Vur-Paan. Situated in a small valley, where river Gaa forked in two, it was the home for over ten thousand orcs. It was completely surrounded with thick, coniferous forest, which protected them from the cold, northern winds of Tyrsh, the land of the eternal ice, on the other side of Nyaas. Forest gave them everything. The building material, the firewood and the food. Rich vegetation and diverse wildlife flourished throughout the entire Chaygor region.

Vur-Paan was surrounded with tall, wooden palisades, and it was divided into four districts. In the largest, residential one, between the hundreds of similar huts, was the one, of the young shaman’s apprentice, Roshnak Baanar. Orc was only twenty one years old, but as he spent almost half of his life as Gogron Vagan’s student, he was considerably familiar with the secrets of the mystical powers. He was strong looking. With rather large, defined muscles, and thick, long, black hair. He resembled a warrior more than a sorcerer.

But the magic had chosen him, and not the other way around. Rare were the ones with this kind of gift, and Roshnak cherished his, more than anything else. And for that precise reason, he was now sitting motionless, on the small, woolen rug. It looked as if he was asleep, but the orc was actually meditating. He trained his spirit and body, in an attempt to make it more resilient to the stress that the flow of energy produced. He wished to become much better, more powerful, even than his master. Not because of his vanity, but because of the sense of duty he received alongside this might.

Roshnak was finishing with the sixth cycle, which was twice as much as Gogron asked from him this month. One cycle represented a period in between magical energy that had to be completely drained, and then replenished, without any rest and sleep. With every succeeding one, the time for meditation would become shorter, ultimately raising sorcerer’s stamina and efficiency. In the possibility of any sort of conflict, or a battle situation, such exercise was of utmost importance.

The meditation left a significant mark on Roshnak. Understandable, seeing the orc wasn’t eating, nor sleeping, for more than four days. But it was all worth it, because with this last cycle, he lessened the time spent in the realm of shadows to just four hours. In this never-ending vastness, which existed on the other side of reality, sorcerers restored their energies. Roshnak felt his spirit was returning, more stronger than ever before. But all of the sudden, the interspace drastically changed. Darkness surrounded him. A strange stir disrupted the peace and tranquility.

It took but a couple of seconds for Roshnak to understand the reason for it. Unbelievably large number of souls rushed to the other side. Several thousand of them. The young shaman’s apprentice has never witnessed anything like this. In confusion, spirits looked as if they were fleeing from something. Several of them grazed against Roshnak’s spirit form. He could sense their fear, their suffering and pain. But before he could find out a reason for it, his spirit was back inside of his body.

Still feeling the effects of the contact with those spirits, Roshnak loudly sighed, before taking several large gulps of water, from the clay jug, sitting on the floor beside him. This somewhat refreshed him. He wanted to grab a bite, but was too eager to meet with Gogron. Despite being hungry, Roshnak couldn’t wait to ask the shaman his opinion about what he saw. A few moments later, he was running towards his master’s house, on the opposite end of the district.

His master’s hut was a somewhat bigger building than his. Some two stories high and surrounded with the hedge. But still similar to the shape and looks of the other ones. Comfortably reclined in a large wattle chair, Gogron was lazing about the yard, in front of his home. Warm spring day drew him outside, and with his pipe just lit, it seemed that the shaman decided to enjoy it to the fullest. But seeing his pupil hastily approaching, Gogron jumped surprisingly quickly.

“You finished with your exercise?”

“Yes.” Roshnak nodded.

“All three cycles?” Gogron asked.

“All six.” Young orc smiled.

“What?!” The shaman couldn’t believe what he heard. “That’s impossible.”

“It is the truth.”

“That would be incredibly dangerous and even more so stupid.” Gogron said, as he grabbed Roshnak by his neck “I’ll know if you’re lying.”

Shaman mumbled a couple of words, staring directly at Roshnak’s eyes. Moments later, their minds connected. Gogron was pleasantly surprised with the progress his student had shown. Roshnak’s mental capacity and strength was significantly higher than before. Shaman could sense it almost immediately. He also knew that a young orc could have resisted his intrusive magic, if he wanted to. Roshnak was telling the truth, he reached the sixth cycle. Just a couple fewer than Gogron had ever managed to do. Shaman was proud of his pupil. But at the same time, he was in awe of his large potential. And then, all of the sudden, he felt the same exact pain and suffering, of those souls that rushed past Roshnak, as he was traveling through the interspace.

“Damnation!” Gogron screamed, pushing away his young student.

“Strange, right?” Roshnak asked.

“What exactly did you see?”

“Thousands of souls fleeing from something.”

“Impossible!” Gogron exclaimed “You saw thousands of spirits searching for a way into a shadow realm at the same time?”

“Yes.” Roshnak retorted “Why is that strange?”

“That would mean, they all died at the same time.”

“Well that is impossible.” Roshnak understood the severity of the situation “What could do such a thing?”

“I don’t know my boy.” the shaman admitted “A terrible accident, perhaps a quake.”

“Perhaps it was…” Roshnak suddenly became silent.

His entire body begins to shake uncontrollably. Convulsions overcome him in an instant. Something powerful, something unnatural, possessed Roshnak’s mind. Young orc couldn’t resist, even if he wanted to. But the being meant no harm. On the contrary, it had friendly intentions. And Roshnak found that quite soon.

“Don’t be afraid, orc.” a soft voice, which seemed as if it was carried by the wind, sounded soothing.

“Who is this?” Roshnak asked, without even opening his mouth.

It was enough just to think of it, and the words would appear.

“My name is Ch’ybal of Tyrsh. It is of the utmost importance that you visit me as soon as possible. We are in grave danger.”

“I don’t understand.” Roshnak answered quite confused “To visit you where? What kind of danger?”

“Hurry.” a voice came in, with another whistle of the wind.

Moments later, Roshnak could move once again.

“Hey, are you all right? What’s wrong with you?” Gogron shook his pupil, grabbing him by the shoulders.

“Yes, I am. I think I am.” Roshnak turned around a couple of times. “That was weird.”

“What happened?”

“Have you ever heard of Ch’ybal?” shaman’s student asked.

“Ice maiden? But, of course!” Gogron smiled “That was her?”

“Yes.”

“Such a great honor my boy.” the shaman said “What did you learn?”

“She warned me of a grave danger that is upon us.” Roshnak retorted “She invited me.”

“Curious, but also concerning.” Gogron scratched his chin.

“What does she want from me?”

“I believe she'll give you the answer to that question.”

“But…but I don’t even know where to go.”

“Come.” Gogron turns towards his hut “Although, this comes much earlier than I planned, it is time for your final lesson.”

Legend of Roshnak - Chapter 4

 DORULL STORIES - LEGEND OF ROSHNAK

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CHAPTER 4

 

Chork Wlig, Nual-Sur’s shaman, paced nervously back and forth over the small, natty square, in front of the chieftain’s residence, the two story hut, made out of stone blocks and wood. Shaman was covered in fur coat, stitched out of several mountain goat hides. His aged, freckled face was riddled with worry. A week ago, master Gvin rushed into the mines, without any explanation. The alleged, newly found deposit, was the probable reason for his departure, but the shaman didn’t know that for sure. Seven days had passed since Gvin left, but no one, not even miners, received any news from the mine. And that was probable cause for concern.

Chork’s wait came to an end, as the chieftain appeared from his home. Once he escorted his wife and daughter, he waved for the shaman to approach. Strong and muscly, Helk Blul was one of the strongest warriors of the tribe, and its leader for almost a decade. Twice younger than Chork, he often relied on shaman’s wisdom and advice.

“Chold turned seven today.” chieftain said looking after his daughter and wife, as they were heading towards the tunnel “She’s going to the lake, to try the new rod. Thank you for it.”

“Don’t even mention it.” the shaman waved his hand “I hope it’ll serve her good.”

“Something on your mind?”

“Master Gvin.”

“Still no word from him?” Helk asked.

“No.” Chork shook his head “Nothing.”

“That’s unlike him.”

“I sense something terrible has happened.'' Shaman frowned.

“What do you mean? Some accident?” chieftain asked “There were no recent shakes, at least not that I know of. You?”

 “Perhaps it’s just my imagination.”

“Whatever it is, it's better to be safe.” Helk said “Come.”

They went through the tunnel, into a narrow, long cave, in which goblins had built the marketplace and a couple of taverns. Along the tall, rugged walls, there were numerous guard posts. Most of them were quite near the exit, at the other side of the cave, leading out towards the surface. They proceed to the right, through another, very similar tunnel, and into a spacious, wide cavern. Six identical, two hundred feet tall, wooden buildings were erected alongside the walls, leaving the empty space in the middle of this complex. These were the quarters made for the accommodation and training of soldiers. And they were, at this moment, almost three thousand strong.

“Good day, your highness.” a strong looking goblin wearing chain mail, bowed in front of the chieftain. And he did it, without even taking his eyes from the soldiers, who were doing some routine exercises, on the small range in the middle of the cave.

“Captain Kloin,” Helk retorted. “Would you please do me a favor, and send one squadron down the mines.”

“For?”

“The search for master Gvin.” the shaman whispered “He was last seen seven days ago.”

“No contact I presume?”

“Nothing.” Helk said.

“I see.” Kloin frowned, “I’ll personally lead the party.”

“He is probably just…” the chieftain suddenly stopped.

A loud crashing sound made them all turn around. It sounded as if the entire ceiling, from one of the nearing caves, came toppling down. For a moment, there was absolute silence. But in the next, the horrific shrieks and screams, spread throughout the entire goblin city. The horns sounded two times, sharp and short. A call for help, on which soldiers readily answered. In a matter of seconds, they rushed from their barracks, in the defence of their homes. Their city. But before they even reached the tunnel, several goblin miners got in their way. Distraught out of fear, they were highly adamant to run far away from here.

“Run! Save yourselves!” one of them screamed.

The torrent of scalding hot lava, gushed from the tunnel behind his back, spreading through the cave at an enormous rate. Those several unfortunate soldiers, who were closest to the passageway, didn’t have enough time to move. Magma swallowed them in an instant.

“Help the weak ones. Go for the surface!” Helk yelled at the captain, as he went running through the other tunnel.

“And you?” Kloin was wandering for a moment.

“His little one went to the lake.” Chork said instead of the chieftain “Come! Chief gave us an order. A lot of our folks are still unaware of the danger.”

 “Could this lava be the reason for master Gvin’s disappearance?” Kloin asked.

“Quite possible.” the shaman nodded, “Digging could have triggered the eruption.”

They rushed through the maze of corridors, towards the living quarters. The huge cave, in which goblins had built an enormous complex of huts. They were erected on numerous platforms around the massive stone pillars, connected with hanging bridges and ladders. The complex stretched all the way up to the ceiling. It was almost three dozen stories high. Cave was home for most of the population of Nual-Sur.

“Walk your way up.” Captain Kloin hastily gave an order to his soldiers “Make sure no one is wasting time collecting their belongings and valuables. Time is of the essence.”

“First evacuate women and children.” Chork added.

“Old and sickly at the end.” Kloin said, with a lump in his throat.

“Yes…” the shaman agreed reluctantly.

He immediately proceeded to follow captain Gnil, as they both joined in, to help round the townsfolk. But, before they even managed to climb onto the first level, lava breached the cave. And with the way and speed it moved, Chork couldn’t help himself but to think, it was following them. In mere seconds, it completely overflowed the one and only way out, making their escape practically impossible. They found themselves cut off from the rest of the city, forced to climb up the stairs. But, that was just prolonging the inevitable, as the heat from the lava began engulfing all the wooden objects. The fire spread at an enormous rate, releasing thick, black smoke, all the way up, towards the ceiling of the cave. Those goblins on the highest story, now tried to find salvation on the lower ones. But they had nowhere to go, except towards the certain death.

“Don’t know ‘bout you children, but I refuse to spend my last moments in pain and suffering.” Chork said, stepping over the edge of the platform.

At the same time, he plunged the dagger into his chest. He was dead, long before his body fell into the lava, now completely covering the ground. Kloin understood why shaman decided to go this way. But he wasn’t ready to do the same. At least not yet. But soon, he knew, he’d have to make the decision. The fire will spread to the floor he was on. The scalding magma all around and underneath them, already created so much heat, the captain felt as if he was a roast. Many other goblins begin following shaman’s example, throwing themselves over the rails.

Helk Blul was within the reach of the lake, when he heard the horrifying screams of several thousands desperate goblins, coming from the adjacent cavern. And he knew almost immediately, there’s nothing he could do for them at this point. Besides, he had to think about his daughter. Curled up in her mother’s arms, there on the lakeshore, little Chold was aghast by these frightful sounds of death that were surrounding them.

“What is going on?” Efaiz asked, trembling.

“An eruption.” Helk answered “Lava overflowed every cave.”

“There’s no escape?”

“Perhaps we could…” the chieftain turned around. “Come, it’s worth a try.”

As he grabbed his daughter, Helk rushed following the shore, towards the other side of the cave. There, through the small gap in the rocks, an underground river flew into the lake.

“Hang on tight.” chieftain said, after Chold climbed onto his back.

Helk waited until she wrapped her arms around his neck, before he begin swimming towards the hole. Efaiz followed him immediately. The gap in the stone was standing several feet above the surface of the water. Nimble goblin reached it in just a couple of jumps. Hole was a bit smaller than he previously thought, but Helk was assured they could manage to squeeze through it, all the way to the surface.

“Daddy, what is that?” Chold asked all of a sudden, pointing at something behind Helk’s back.

Chieftain turned around, just in time, to see a monstrous creature made out of stone and magma, walking inside the cave. In an instant, Helk knew the eruption was not accidental.

“Quickly now! Run!” Helk screamed “Run, and don’t look back!”

“But what about you?” Efaiz asked.

“I’ll be right behind you.” the chieftain retorted.

He had to be sure the creature wouldn't follow them. He thought of closing the passageway. To cave in the ceiling or walls. But without any tools, he knew he had no chance of doing so. Those rocks, he could manage to move by hand, were just too small to block the path. Helk stood in front of the exit for several seconds, deciding what to do, careful not to make any noise. But it was a few seconds far too long. Because, when he lifted his head up, he realized that the monster was staring straight at him. A second later, the fiery boulder was flying towards him. Chieftain had just enough time to jump into the lake. Not a moment late, because the stone fell at the exact spot, he was standing.

The passageway was completely buried. Just one glance was enough for Helk to know, he had nowhere to go. But at least he was consoled in fact, that Chold was on the other side of it, safe from this creature. Another boulder splashed right beside the goblin. With the strong, unvaried strokes, the chieftain swam towards the bank. He was only ten or twenty yards away, when water around him became all bubbly. At first, he did not know why, but as soon as the horrifying pain spread through his entire body, he understood the lake was boiling. Mere seconds later, almost all of the water disappeared, evaporating in the cloud of hot steam.

Helk thought to scream. To try and ease the pain, by doing so. He opened his mouth, but nothing came out of it. Scalding hot air, he inhaled, burned his cords and respiratory system. Chieftain stumbled forward, he had just enough strength to make a few steps, before he fell to his knees. In disbelief, he stared dully at his arms and legs. Sizeable chunks of meat were falling off them, revealing the naked bones. Helk was cooked, alive. He blinked once more, for the last time, before he fell onto the ground, dead.

A few moments later, the chieftain was completely covered with lava. Badzanogh needed only a couple of minutes to fill this entire cave. He was satisfied with what he had done. He cleansed this cave from these vermin, from these parasites. After that he proceeded on closing it, so no one could ever return in here. One minute later, he was done, encasing this entire complex in lava. Elemental wasn’t wasting any more time. He knew there were still many more similar beings at the surface. And they all had a habit of destroying this beautiful planet. His planet. And he couldn’t allow that to continue. He had to remove them all.

Legend of Roshnak - Chapter 3

 DORULL STORIES - LEGEND OF ROSHNAK

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CHAPTER 3

 

The underground city of Nual-Sur, on the exact border between Chaygor and Kabb’nal-An, stretched in the area not larger than five square miles. Seven caves, connected with carefully planned corridors, were home for about ten thousand goblins, mostly miners. In their search for ore and mineral riches, goblins combed through almost every cavern beneath the black mountains. Grandiose network of tunnels and corridors, stretching from north towards the south, connected the two regions through the underground pathway. Pathway known only to goblins. Their only mine, had to stay secret from the other races of Dorull.

But now, after many centuries of digging, it seems that the mine has become barren. Goblins were forced to search for ores deeper and deeper, no matter the risk. Entire mountain could topple down on their heads, because of their search. But they did not care. The vein they recently discovered was promising, and worth the risk. Every kind of ores and precious rocks intertwined into one thick lode. If their master miner was right, it could lead them to the wealthiest find in the entire Dorull.

“There’s no end to this.” a scrawny looking goblin spat on the ground, wiping the sweat from his forehead.

“Perhaps master was wrong. What if this vein is all that is left?” another, bit fatter goblin mumbled, plunging his pick-axe into a hard, tunnel wall.

“We would be forced to find a new mine. To build a new city.”

“Surely not. That’s not funny, Uld.”

“Only reason we are here is this fuckin’ ore.”

“But this is our home. Wouldn’t you feel bad, leaving this place?”

“Oh sure, these caves are the best looking place in the entire Kabb’nal-An valley.” Uld said, sneering.

“Well, I wouldn’t go that far, but you have to admit they have some sort of a charm.”

“Sometimes Froht, I really think to myself, I’d have a more engaging conversation with my pick.”

“Feel free to do so, I won’t say a thing while you are this way.”

“I think you already talked again.” Uld smiled.

“After this.”

“There you go again.”

“I did not!” angry mostly at himself, Froht swung with the full force of his pick-axe, towards the tunnel wall.

Sharp end of the tool went straight through the hard rock. Out of the hole, not larger than the goblins fist, came out a ray of flickering light. Uld hastily peaked through it, but took a step back, just a second later, completely amazed.

“What is it? What do you see?” Froht carefully approached the opening.

“D…diamonds. Entire cave full of diamonds.” Uld stammered “Dig us a way in. And I’ll go get master Gvin.”

“Why not the other way around?”

“I wouldn’t want to take the credits for the find, my friend. Apologies for my words before.”

Froht contentedly turned facing the wall. He appreciated Uld’s gesture, but didn’t want him to see that. Besides, he would rather dig, than walk there and back again. And he had to dig the wall almost as wide as the tunnel itself, around ten feet in diameter. More than enough room for miners to pass by each other, while extracting ores from this cave. For Froht, one of the best miners in Nual-Sur, the task was as easy as any other. About half an hour of work, the goblin was sure of it. And he was done not a second late, because Uld had returned back. With him arrived a group of ten miners, led by master Gvin. This greyish, somewhat hunched goblin, well into his seventh decade of life, was the conductor of all the mining operations, for more than thirty years. Despite his age, he walked unusually sprightly. A promise of a possibly largest find ever, certainly contributed to that.

“Well done, Froht.” master Gvin laughed loudly “Please, show us your find.”

Fatty goblin bowed, before leading them into the cave. Small lake of lava illuminated the space, completely covered in large bouquets of diverse minerals and precious stones. The abundance of riches which no one, not even their master saw. Much more than any race of Dorull ever saw. This deposit will make them the most powerful tribe, they all immediately knew.

“Amazing!” Uld exclaimed.

“How is this even possible, master?” Froht asked.

“I always had my suspicions about something like this.” Gvin said scratching his chin “Exactly as the trees. I always said ore veins reminded me of roots. And this cave…this cave is the treetop.”

“Would that mean, there are hidden caves like this one, underneath every mine?” Uld asked.

“Probably.” Gvin nodded, “Some perhaps even bigger.”

“Imagine all of those riches lying intact.”

“And we are the only ones, knowing about their existence.” Gvin smiled “Fill your bags, lads. Chieftain Helk will need the proof, before granting the build of a transporting system.”

Goblins did not need any additional motivation, this find will make them all quite wealthy. With loud cheers, they rushed towards the closest bouquet of minerals. But before any of them even managed to lift their pick-axes, the wave of lava came crashing down on top of their heads. Hot, melted, bright red matter, cover them in an instant. Nothing could save those unfortunate goblins. Surprised and aghast, master Gvin turned around, right on time to see a horrifying looking, stone creature, emerging out of the lava lake. It was completely engulfed in flames and magma, which seemingly dripped out of small, narrow cracks, stretching across the entire body and hands of this creature.

Gvin could not comprehend, how is this monstrosity even being able to exist, to live. He was positive this creature is alive. But how? Goblin had no chance to find the answer to that question. Just a few seconds later, a heavy, boulder-like fist squashed him down. His death was instantaneous. Gvin looked as if the entire cave ceiling came crashing down on him. Broken and smashed, he expired not even knowing what had happened.

“Run!” Uld screamed, as he turned towards the tunnel.

Goblin managed to make just a couple of steps, before the creature grabbed him. In an instant he found himself in the air, as his every bone began to crack. Uld’s squashed, deformed body hit against the coarse cave wall, killing him in the moment of impact. Hidden behind a rather large cluster of diamonds, Froht watched, with terror in his eyes, how all of his friends and brothers died in the matter of seconds. And now, once he was left all alone, he hoped that this monstrosity wouldn't notice him.

But the miner was out of luck, as he found out mere seconds later. In one jump, elemental was right behind the goblin. These insolent intruders, these beings, these weakly bags of flesh and bones, had shown him their true intentions, breaking into his final resting place. Plunderage and destruction, without an ounce of respect, was their whole motivation. Badzanogh had to stop them, before they destroyed and ruined everything. With one sharp, short swing of his hand, elemental tossed the goblin all the way to the cave ceiling. Vehement blow crushed the goblin's skull and all of his neck vertebrae, killing him in an instant.

Moments later, Badzanogh turned towards the tunnel that goblins just dug. Their settlement must have been at the other end of it. Elemental had no doubts in his mind, humanoid creatures had to disappear. Otherwise, their imprudent, aggressive behavior will surely imperil the very existence of Dorull.

Legend of Roshnak - Chapter 2

 DORULL STORIES - LEGEND OF ROSHNAK

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CHAPTER 2

 

Thousands above thousands of strange, at times rhythmic strikes, broke the quiet and peace inside the cave, on a daily basis. The cave was Badzanogh’s home for the past several millennia. At first, he thought this was only his imagination, but the noise was becoming closer and louder by every passing day. Was someone trying to carve the way towards him? Or was this just a coincidence? One thing was for sure, he wasn’t alone anymore. But who could manage to dig this deep underground?

Badzanogh had to find out. And the large stalactite in the far corner of the cave could help him do just that. The bond with the planet, he severed a long time ago, might yet be rekindled, if he could manage to use the stalactite, as some sort of conductor. With a lot of caution, elemental placed the palm of his hand, on the smooth surface of this stone formation. It wasn’t too long, before his body began to feel everything that was happening around the entire Dorull.

In mere minutes, Badzanogh learned what he had missed, since he decided to live in complete solitude. The scenery became ever so richer. And with water, many different life forms appeared. Elemental was thrilled with this opportunity, to find out about all of those animal species. There were so many of them, and they were all beautiful, in their own way. Especially those winged creatures, who could fly. He fancied them the most. They were called the birds, Badzanogh learned.

Not long after them, various humanoid creatures appeared. Much more intelligent and organized, then those of the animal kind. Elemental was surprised seeing them build things. At first, they build small huts and shacks, then houses and buildings. Those buildings soon grew into the villages and cities. Humanoids were similar, but at the same time very different from one another. Badzanogh could differentiate between them, soon enough. There were goblins, and halflings, and dwarfs, elves, orcs, and humans. And vards. But vards were very different. They seemed as if they weren’t supposed to be here.

Dorull looked beautiful, exactly as he dreamt it would turn out to be. But then, the first conflicts emerged. And with it, the first glimpses of the destructive behavior. And that confused Badzanogh a lot. Why would some destroy what others would build? Malevolent circle seemingly had no end. Elemental learned what is the meaning of a single murder, and then a thousands of others. So much killing, so much spilled blood. And for what? Where was this hatred coming from? Why couldn't they coexist with each other in peace? Was this planet too small for them? Surely not. Badzanogh could feel those vast, still uninhabited regions, still existing on this planet. Then why did they wage so many wars?

Elemental noticed their unusually high interest for various materials, which they procured with very calculated, and deep digging. Iron, bronze, copper, gold, and especially those shiny, precious stones, rubies, emeralds and diamonds. They were taking all of this beauty from the earth, to adorn themselves. And with that, for some strange reason, in the eyes of others, they looked more powerful. Badzanogh did not understand the meaning of wealth. At least not the same way, those humanoids perceived it.

And now, he figured, it seemed they were coming here, for the same reasons. They wanted to steal all of these shiny stones growing inside his cave. And with the amount of crystals and minerals that laid around here, they were probably trying to kill him too. But nobody knew he was down here, Badzanogh suddenly realized. This was surely nothing but a coincidence. Humanoids dug for the ore everywhere. That would explain all of the noises. His home was safe from their tools. Badzanogh budged a bit to the side of the small pool of lava, he was laying in. Heat relaxed him quite a bit. It was soothing. Barely a minute had passed, before the elemental was fast asleep.