[@Scarifar]
Almost right on cue, they came across a wooden loot chest hidden around a corner. Teleus kicked it open to reveal a pile of copper coins and a bronze sword. "I think it's more accurate to say the money follows [i]you[/i], Afki. I never get this lucky until I join your party. You're like a living lucky charm or something." He distributed the loot among himself, Afki, and their other 10 companions before moving on.

"Still," he murmured, "I wish we could be getting loot from the monsters. Spider eyes and Manticore tails fetch high prices among alchemists these days. It's odd that there's not a single monster in sight here. Did they move out or something? There's no blood anywhere either..."

As they walked, the light from the torch began to scatter, indicating they'd reached the Quartz Road. Teleus and the others had to lower their torches so they could better see the path, because it became a precipitous drop on either side. All around them, the torch light scattered into pink and purple rays off the glowing crystal rocks. Spear-like stalactites hung from the ceiling overhead, and stalagmites sprung from the walls in the abyss below. The place rather resembled a deathtrap disguised as a natural wonder.

Supposedly, the Formic Tribe could be found just off the branching path. They sent a scout to run ahead of them to check and see if their disposition was favorable. He returned later than they anticipated.

"Guys, you have to come see this."

When they stepped past the tribal gates into the city, the entire place was empty. From the largest dwelling to the smallest hole, it was totally, thoroughly empty from top to bottom. The millions of Formics that once lived here...weren't.

The party stood in silence as they drank it all in.

"Well, at least there's no one guarding their loot anymore," Teleus remarked at length. "Want to explore and see what we find, Afki?"