Moving methodically along the corridor the Mothers went to each door in turn, checking for traps and listening to see if they could discern that the room beyond was occupied. After an empty cell they discovered three unfortunate gnolls one of whom was already dead. They released them. The next cell of interest had a glum troll chained to the wall who did not react to their presence. They left it there and locked the door. Beyond this were another seven gnolls whom they also let go. The two human skeletons in the next room did not rise to attack and so were left in peace.
At the end of the hall a fire giant was chained in a large cell. The Mothers asked him to map out this level for them, but he said that he would be killed if he did that. At this point the Mothers let him know about their slaughter on the level above. The giant, Boldoran, seemed shocked, but was at least more willing to talk. He described how Snurre痴 daughter had returned from visiting some relatives with a new purpose and drive. She had coaxed her father into allowing her more influence in his affairs. She helped plan raids and organise patrols. Her methods were meticulous and gained her praise and stature amongst the other giants. Then she proposed some sort of an alliance with the drow, which Boldoran resisted. Eventually his protests led to his imprisonment in this cell. The alliance went ahead anyway, with the drow bringing with them some mysterious humans that were cloaked in shadow. Boldoran did not know their origins. When asked what he would do if set free, the fire giant replied that he would leave and try to find some others of his folk whom he could join. Reluctantly, they agreed. Boldoran left immediately.
Along the northern wall of the corridor at the eastern end, they found a guardroom, which had furniture sized for giants and humanoids. The ale, mead and wine casks were interesting finds, but did not distract them too much. Moving west down the corridor the next room was another large one. Chained against the wall was an immense creature, fully twenty feet tall if he was erect; he hung limply from dark metal chains much like the links that had transported them from the Hill Giant痴 lair to the glacier. When they approached they could see that the creature痴 eyes were glazed and that he was drooling. Hunnath seemed more perturbed by this pass that anything else. She explained that this creature was a titan, the lords of all giant-kin. Some said that they were the servants of the very gods, or indeed, gods themselves! Kurtalla noted that no ordinary chains would have bound such a creature, but the locks were mortal-made and Gaspode surpassed them.
Levi deduced that the titan had been drugged, but said that he would have to pray to Tyr again, in order to ask for the correct spell to counter the affliction. Not seeing anything better to do, the Mothers made camp where they were. Thankfully, their time passed uneventfully. Levi cast his magic over the huge humanoid and the sharpness returned to its eyes while he shook his mighty head. Slowly he regained his feet and looked down upon the assembled company. When he spoke he had such a voice of authority and calm that all who heard were reassured. He introduced himself as Theon Urlande and thanked them for freeing him from his captivity. If he was surprised at the motley assemblage he did not show it. He let them know that, similarly to Hunnath at the Great Glacier, he had journeyed here to spy upon the unnatural gathering of so many giant kin. He had spent some time surveying the area and noting the tactics of the giant patrols, which he deemed to be unusually vigilant, attentive and well drilled. He saw that booty was being brought back from raids to the west and south, including some prisoners, but he felt that he could not tackle them alone, so, in an effort to learn the full strength of King Snurre, he crept too close to the fortress. Magical darkness fell about him and he felt his limbs lying heavy as the strength was drained from them. He caught sight of a band of dark elves rising out of the ground around him; corralling him. But at the edge of the circle, a human figure stood, using some magic unknown to the titan, but which was potent enough to make him fall. He believed that he had not been cogent since then, except whenever the drugs that they had given him had started to weaken, when they hastily gave him further doses.
Theon agreed to accompany the group once they had told him of their work killing giants on the floor above. He said that he wanted to ensure that no further threat lay in this place and he was disturbed to hear that the Mothers had not encountered any drow. Arming himself with equipment from the guard room next door he took station by Hunnath痴 side, whom he seemed to favour. In the northerly passage beyond Theon痴 prison they found more cells. To the east they found that the two centaurs who were imprisoned there had been slain by having their throats cut. Opposite, one cell was empty while the other contained a human, a bedine merchant by the name of Ithcar. His caravan was taken and he had convinced himself that the giants were holding him for ransom. He took his place in the party, to be guarded by Grimath and Regid. Rather than attempt the double doors to the east or go further north, the Mothers turned left, down a passageway, which led to the west.
The first room on the northerly wall contained eight elven males. They said that they had been accompanying a noble of their kind to Evereska, but had been captured. They did not know what had become of her, though they had lost twelve of their fellows one by one over the course of the last two months. These too, joined up with the group and were much relieved when the Mothers opened the next cell and they saw a proud female elf chained, as they had been. She was awake and aware and welcomed them. When she was free, she related what she knew of her guards. Although she had not seen them, she had heard the language of the dark elves being spoken beyond her door. As for the fire giant who warded her, she had not seen him in two days. She said that her name was Countess Nevarra and she was very grateful for the water and food that the Mothers provided. She asked for leave to remain with the group until such time as they could escort her and her guards to the surface and away from the halls of the giants. She noted baldly that they had no chance of survival on their own without arms and armour. The Mothers did not gainsay her.
Since the milling hoards that now surrounded the Mothers could not all fit comfortably within the Countess� cell, some that were outside had already noticed the strange difference in the stone wall further along to the west on the southerly wall. With careful examination and without daring to touch it, the Mothers saw that a brownish purple rough stone replaced the normal basalt and extended for roughly twenty feet covering from the floor to the ceiling. They called upon Gaspode to examine this with his gem of true seeing. The wall through the lens appeared to contain a number of lengthy tentacles that roiled beneath the surface. While trying this, Gaspode caught a glimpse of the wall opposite. Here he saw that what appeared to be solid rock was actually missing in two large apertures to the north. One directly across from the strange patch of rock and the other in the far north east corner.
The Mothers moved west to the end of the corridor, which turned to the south and joined up with the stairs down which they had already come. To the west an open gash in the side wall emitted garish red light which shifted unpredictably. Entering this opening the group found themselves in a rough natural chamber that was bordered by an open flow of lava. The tongue of rock on which they stood extended out into this stream. The northern lip descended down to the level of the molten rock and there was a space carved there at the edge where a giant could stand. Just next to this stood a huge anvil and a vast cauldron of water. Then they noticed the large metal tools and shapers which lay against the floor east of the depression. Some half-made swords and pieces of armour were also to be seen, strewn about as if abandoned. Since they had come in a circle, the Mothers now had to decide which route to further explore.