Mallion and Rolan follow the trail of something that has been taking children from Dale. They lose the trail when a heavy rain starts and look for shelter from the storm. Inside the cave, the northmen Balgrim and Strom have taken shelter after a long journey north, but are interupted as an Owlbear attacks them. Vori was already resting at the back of the cave, and comes forward hearing the noise. Mallion and Rolan arrive in time to see the monstrosity fall though the floor into another cavern below. Balgrim and Vori wound it with their crossbows as it tries to climb back up and send the behemoth tumbling down. Strom jumps in after it, followed immediately by Balgrim. The battle is furious in the confined space but short as the two northmen put the Owlbear out of their misery.

Once quiet descends Mallion heads into the hole, hands Balgrim his discarded crossbow and one of the Owlbear's long claws as a trophy. Meanwhile, Strom encounters an unseen creature and is momentarily blinded by a bright light. When his vision returns the creature and the light are both gone with only a thin trail of golden dust to mark its trail. Strom and Balgrim are quickly off in pursuit while Rolan, Mallion, and Vori discuss their options. Vori stays behind while Mallion and Rolan follow the northmen into the darkness. At an intersection just beyond the corpse of the Owlbear Rolan finds markings on the wall and calls Vori to read them. The markings are that of a famed dwarven explorer/adventurer who came this way in search of a famed item: "The Necklace of Girion", given by the Dwarves to a dwarf-friend long ago but lost. Thus Vori joins the hunt.

Ahead, the northmen come to a rope bridge spanning a fissure in which a river flows. They had encountered signs of large spiders on their way here and are wary. Vori, Mallion, and Rolan also see the spiders and Vori proclaims them poisonous. Soon both parties meet at the bridge. As Balgrim and Vori discuss terms of partnership (it turns out that Balgrim and Strom also seek a necklace) Strom is distracted by a something in the water below the bridge. Strom sees his own reflection in the water change and then a form rise up before him. The form is that of a giant and it seeks to have someone drive out the monsters that have taken this cave as home. In exchange, it grants Strom "The strength of the mountain" for his upcoming fight.

Vori and Balgrim are at an impasse, as both seem to be seeking the same necklace. The northmen speak apart and soon Balgrim proclaims that the necklace is to belong to who finds it. Vori is appalled at the notion of an object of his people falling into the hands of the northmen. Balgrim then turns to Mallion and Rolan with an offer of companionship in seeking what lays beyond the bridge but they delay, and the northmen are away before a decision is reached.

While Vori, Rolan and Mallion go back to the surface, the two northmen go deeper into the caverns and soon encounter a creature that is first thought to be an goblin but is in fact an extremely dirty hobbit. After some bribes involving food and threats involving knives the hobbit, who keeps saying something about "the bad darkness", agrees to take Strom and Balgrim to "the shiny". The sly hobbit soon has the northmen crawling through narrow passages that lead to an abrupt drop with something large and angry waiting below, something that when seen appears to be a cross between a troll and an ogre. The two humans escape calamity and soon recapture the hobbit. This time, after some more food and threats are exchanged, the northmen vow to slay "the darkness" in exchange for the hobbit's help.

Soon, a plan is made where the hobbit will distract the ogre-troll he refers to as "the darkness" while Strom and Balgrim attack it from two sides. As the creature approaches the hobbit, the northmen strike, immediately killing one of the creature's heads. A brutal battle follows, culminating in a mighty blow by Balgrim that shears through one of the behemoth's legs bring it crashing down followed by an even more mighty blow from Strom, as he calls upon the "strength of the mountain", which lops off the creature's second head.

Meanwhile, outside, Vori makes it plain that he will lie in ambush and wait for the northmen to emerge. Rolan and Mallion, still hoping to find some trace of the missing children, look for another way into the caverns but are forced into hiding as a half dozen ogres come into the area. The ogres are attacked by a lone elf that slays three of the creatures and is gone again before Mallion and Rolan can give aid. Sounds of combat are heard nearby and two more ogres are found slain as another flees…but doesn't get far. There is no sign of the elf but Rolan finds a "gift" in the form of a bit of lembas.

The hobbit, who was gravely injured in the battle with the ogre-troll, is given a hero's burial by the northmen. They soon emerge from the caverns laden with treasure and escorting three of the children that Mallion and Rolan were seeking. Balgrim also shows Vori the necklace but it turns out to be a fine piece of jewelry but not the object Vori sought.

The group comes back to Dale and is hailed as heroes, especially Strom and Balgrim, and a great celebration ensues. Rewards are bestowed upon the adventurers and merriment reigns in the shadow of the Lonely Mountain. Such is the thankfulness of the townsfolk that their heroes are given choice of the following (Balgrim and Strom first):

A "Tynbox" - One of the last remaining, this special tinderbox lights torches with only a touch, even in a storm. Also, the Tynbox bearer can command his torch to extinguish, the barest flicker (1/4 illumination), or lantern brightness (x2 illumination) with a word. Its other powers are still a mystery, and its life is limited.

The "Vulkentoten" - This 'wolf totem' woodcarving is worn around the neck and when blown utters a howl like a wolf. When blown at full strength, it can summon 1 - 10 wolves (if they are in the area) who will be inclined to help defend the bearer. If blown lightly it acts as a 'Calming' on wolves within hearing.

A "Oakenhama" - This course tunic was fashioned years ago by some forgotten wilderness priest, with pieces of Oak woven into it. When worn it gives the protection of leather armor (Absorbs 6; 3 vs missile) while encumbering only as wool. It loses it's effect in contact with metal, so but will give it's benefit even if worn over leather armor.

The "Ailgras" boots - These 'Stag foot' boots are said to make one as swift as the deer. Maybe not, but they do add +1 to Agility and give the ability Running at 8th level.

"Yorkin's Cram" - Traveller's waybread is common in these lands, but Yorkin's is not. Using an old, secret family recipe, when eaten his Cram will restore 4D10 Stamina almost instantly, and half that if the eater is at full strength (can go over max stamina) for 1 - 4 hours. Yorkin's pouch holds 4 helpings and will keep it potent for 8 weeks.