Trash And Treasure

Arran looked at Karanos in astonishment. "Worthless rocks?"

He almost felt offended at the words. His most prized possession was his starmetal sword, and that was nothing compared to even a single one of the hills that surrounded them.

To hear such treasure dismissed so casually caused him no small amount of shock. If starmetal was mere trash, then his own possessions were little more than the trinkets of a child.

But he knew that Karanos was neither bragging nor mocking him. From the matter-of-factly way in which the man had spoken, it was clear he considered it a simple truth. And if that was the case, then the mines contained something far more valuable.

"The people who built the city," Arran began, "what were they looking for, if not starmetal?"

"You will find out soon enough," the gaunt mage replied, gesturing for Arran to follow him as he began to walk toward the far end of the cavern. "But first, where do you think starmetal comes from?"