'I noticed a number of grodbog-beetles who seem to come and go from specific parts of the hive. Have you noticed that their shells seem to shimmer and shine, like finely polished ingots of Moria copper?

'I wonder if they are attracted to the ore deposits in this tunnel, and if they have been digesting some of it? That might be why their shells are so hard!

'Why don't you find some of those beetles and dispatch them? If we can reclaim some of the metals they have ingested, all the better! In the worst case, you are simply making the hive a slightly safer place.'

Auti is camped on the northern edge of the enormous grodbog hive.

You should return to Auti with news of your success.

Objectives

• Talk to Auti