Directly east of the Runic city of Newcaster stands an outpost housing a Runic regiment. When he has been freed Palthus will have taken up command at (4,24) of the Runic Light Horse. Until Palthus is freed this area will be a dead end. The Runic guards at the gate  (10,18) will not let anyone through. The Runics, like the Romans, like to build walls and keep things they don't like out.

Palthus' mission is to pacify the local trolls. He will ask the party to capture one of the smaller trolls, Boggarts, who appear to lead their larger cousins and bring him back. The first encounter in troll country (through the gates (10,18) will be with a bunch of trolls and a boggart. The party can capture him and bring him back to Palthus. If the party casts speak language on the Boggart they will learn that some dragons appear to be demanding tribute from the trolls, and the trolls are compensating by stealing the cavalry's horses. A horde of trolls will attack and the cavalry will discover that a prized stallion has been taken.

Palthus will join the party with a troop of light cavalry and venture into troll counry to retrieve the stallion. Heavy cavalry will attack in retaliation for the demise of their leader Slaine. There is a fierce rivalry fostered between different branches of the Runic army and this kind of thing is expected.

The party will venture further into troll country aided by the light cavalry until they reach the tight canyons into which the cavalry dare not venture. The cave at (47,15) is where the boggarts live and the stallion is kept. The cave at (42,9) is where even more trolls live. A hidden cave at (46,3) leads to a family of red Dragons.