Grom (a life cleric) leads fellow dwarves Gemwin (paladin), Hokan (rogue), and new adventurers Jendri (warlock) and Vindalf (druid) to explore the regions around Runedarth in the Greypeak Mountains. The dwarves fight off a goblin ambush and learn the location of a crag cat lair, they find the grave cairn of a cloud giant, and they nearly lose some of their mounts to recurring manticore Karg, who is always hungry for a meal or a story. They discover a ruined garrison where they suspect Duergar are hiding, then make their way north to Axeholm to collect supplies before venturing in search of new dwarfhold ruins to liberate and explore.