The entrance to Thunderscar Gorge lay southeast by north, about 30 miles from the Elderwood Path. Unlike the route taken by the official expedition, the terrain here was far steeper and more dangerous.

There were no stone steps at the entrance. Instead, a deep canyon had been carved open by years of relentless violet lightning.

The rock walls on both sides were charred black and veined with lightning scars. The air carried a faint stench of ozone and sulfur, and violent lightning-aspected spi