The Lava Tubes
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We had heard about a particular crystal that contained the powers of nature and fire, called a sun shard. It could apparently be created by adding a little bit of artificer magic to a particular type of amethyst, so we set out to find it in the mountains. It wasn't long before I spotted the smooth walls of lava tubes, a tell-tale sign that lava had been here, and may still be. We entered, taking care to watch where we put our feet, for fear they would punch through the floor if the ground was melted from below. Only a few steps in, I smelled sulphur. The volcano was still active.

We proceeded carefully, and were greeted with hot air rising from a chasm. At the bottom was slow-moving magma, an impassable obstacle since Wizard had not prepared a flying spell today. Even so, the passaged curved around to the right, and platforms of solid rock stood amongst the molten rock. Barbarian and I could make the jump, leapfrogging to the next solid ground, but Rogue, Bard, Cleric and Wizard had to break out the climbing kit and climb along the cavern wall. This was something they had done before, but in the intense heat and the promise of certain death below, it seemed much more difficult for them. Even making the jumps between stone platforms was nerve-wracking enough, but I didn't envy them.

Eventually, we managed to make our way further into the volcano, choosing the path that turned right when given the choice. It led to ground that was cooler, better suited for my thin Elven boots. Ahead, there was a ridge path that skirted around another lava lake. Leading the way, I edged along it, but then saw a blue glow ahead. Getting closer, it came from amethyst crystals that glowed with natural magic. These would be valuable in and of themselves, but they were not quite what we needed, as we sought the orange-white crystals that formed near the hottest magma. We took a moment to gather some of these blue and purple crystals and pressed on.

We then entered a cavern of stalagmites and I immediately saw the remains of a bedroll, a pickaxe and the skeleton of the miner who had left them. Its bones were stripped clean. An ominous sign, yet I heard nothing until Bard cried out. I turned to see him being hoisted aloft, towards the toothy maw of a cone-shaped monstrosity that clung to the ceiling. It was a Roper, and there were more of them too. I loosed two arrows in quick succession, but they both were deflected by the creature's thick, stony hide. That's when I saw Barbarian pick up a boulder out of the corner of my eye. I dove right as his throwing arm swung past where I had been. Clumsy Human man, I thought, but not unkindly; he always became savage in dangerous situations, becoming blind to his surroundings, but it came from a strong desire to protect that had saved me more than once. The rock flew and hit the Roper square in the eye, crushing the creature and releasing Bard. Cleric and Rogue caught him while I took aim at more singular eyes, following Barbarian's example. The search for the white amethyst would have to wait.