They exit Ashurta’s chamber through the north door. They move though a tunnel wider than most of the rest in the kruthik hive. An odorless slime coats its walls. The passage widens even more ahead, leading to another hollow in an ancient tower foundation.

The widening tunnel yawns into another hollow. Sheets of a slimy, yellow substance divide the cavernous space. A gleaming strand of metal hangs in one of the slimy sheets. A host of shiny, metallic eggs fill gaps in the rubble, coated in similar slime. Dozens of tiny kruthiks swarm over the area. A chittering and hissing rises among the kruthiks as they enter. Within the communal chittering, is the rasp of a larger creature. A winged kruthik hangs on the wall across the chamber, 20 feet above their heads.

Encounter: Hive Foundation
Kruthik Hive Lord
Sharn Kruthik
2 Fresh-hatched Kruthik Swarms
2 Kruthik Hatchlings

Among the refuse is a torn pouch containing a small amount of Darguun coins and 2 potions of healing. Within the slime wall is a silver necklace with a leering goblin face as a pendant. It is an Amulet of Protection +2. Before exiting the hive, the party smashes the eggs, preventing more kruthik from spawning here.

They return to the city and go to the Varden checkpoint to get info on the Ashen Crown and are told to meet with Professor Nephret at Shava House. Then they get a summons to talk with Captain Kalaes at the citadel of the town about their quest for the crown. He wants you to get the pieces and assemble them to give to the Kech Volaar, the Word Bearers, to rule the other goblins, the Blade Bearers.

The purpose being that the Kech Volaar will be easier to have and maintain on the side of the Varden. If the Blade Bearers come to power instead, they could side with the Empire and become a huge problem. The party tells the captain they will help by acquiring the pieces, but they secretly plan to use the crown to defeat Galbatorix before returning it. If they return it.

They return to the Professor and meet with her and Dannae, an Aereni noble with an abiding interest in elven history. Dannae offers them 3000g for Ashurta’s Blade, but the party refuses. They go back to the inn and rest.