Cave of the Stone Dragon

The Stone Dragons Mound*

*Any knowledge of this cave is purely anecdotal. While Dauphine does not have a reason to doubt her Great Grandfather, she knows the details of the story change every time he tells it. This story is a few hundred years old.

The location of this cave was marked on a treasure map, bought by Mathrari Mahamgimi.
It lead to the foot of a mountain. From here they could just see the entrance, a crack in the mountain wall, on a ledge.
Following the tunnel they party went deeper and deeper. There were a few side tunnels or small chambers that seemed to be used as a makeshift resting place.
As the party went down they travelled deeper than Dwarves dwell these days and encountered strange beasts they had to fight off.

Eventually the tunnel ended in a huge cathedral sized chamber. Natural columns spread in a semicircle resemble a throne for the huge stone Dragon standing in the middle of it. One of it’s paws seemed to be resting on something, the other holding something. Though both items are missing. Surrounding the Dragon is a huge mound of round rocks, resembling it’s hoard.

The round rocks do not seem to be local, the rounded shape suggest they have been eroded by water, like a river. Some of the rocks show remains of mosses and lichen, so they are probably from the surface.

The origin and the purpose of the cave is unknown, besides the ‘fake’ map there seems to be no reference to it. Over the years Nochume has done some research, but now it’s nothing more than a story.
A best guess It has been some sort of temple, or ceremonial site.
What is odd, is the contents of one of the round rocks the party brought home. It contained a blue shard that emanates a continues mist. Raising the humidity and cooling it’s surroundings.
Nochume has forever wondered if there were more precious stones in the mound. And what was the dragon holding in it's claws?

This cave is one of the leads for Dauphine her quest to restore the Mist Shard, or perhaps find another.