The Song of Earth has been awoken.  Magic has returned to Middle Earth.  Now the journey begins to find the dwarves, to free Ceven from his prison, to seek the other fallen stars, and to root out the darkness in the world.

No pressure.

"Welcome back.  That did not take nearly as long as I expected.  Heard some good music inside.  Gave me some ideas for a new ballad I'd like to write."  What Eles does not say, but what is evident in his tone, is that this will likely be his last composing.  "What did you find inside?"

Toben smiles at the sight of Eles. "I'm relieved to see that you're still here. I wasn't sure how much time had passed while we were inside." He glances back to the cave entrance for a moment, and the turns to address Eles again.

"What we found inside was really quite amazing. I've seen my fair share of caves, but this was like nothing I have seen before. The interior was lined with crystals that lit up the whole place. Their very presence seemed to resonate the very melody of the earth's song." Toben takes a quick moment to catch his breath, "Then there was Ceven, whom I can only describe as a living manifestation of the earth. His very form shifted from the elemental earth to something more human-like right before our eyes. He said he was one of the seven Maiar sent here to help restore the world back to its former state of beauty and wonder. He said he needs our help though. He claims to be bound to the cavern by some dark force, and that we need to seek the help of dwarves to free him. There seemed to be a sense of urgency in his request, as if there wasn't much time to break his bonds."

"Eles, do you know under which mountain we would find the dwarves that could help us?"

"Maiar, eh?  That confirms my thoughts on that topic.  I wish I could have seen him."  He sighs wistfully, then shakes off the melancholy.  "Darkness?  Dwarves?  Hmm.  Legends give two locations for certain that we might find dwarves.  The first is not far north of here in a place called the Chasm of Doom.  It's only a month from here.  The second is beyond the great forest, the Lonely Mountain at the edge of the nation of Esgaroth on the Lake.  It's very far north, though.  Months of travel."