Kari is leaning against the wall, looking relaxed. We may as well check out the rest of the mine. Just to be sure we got everything. When they are ready to leave she will take the front position again and keep a general eye out for danger.

For whenever it's needed as they travel: Perception 18 )

If there is one thing Badger has a soft spot for, it's gemstones. But mined, cut and polished gems, not raw unmined ones. So all the tourmalines unmined in the rock is enough to raise an eyebrow, but nothing more. However, the mention of a 'special' rock of some kind sounds more promising, so Badger waves for the kobolds to lead the way.

The kobolds chitter and chatter and point the way for Kari to lead. The group follows a ways behind Kari back down a level to the shaft with the bucket bridge.  Kari pulls herself across and then pulls the rope to send the bucket back.  The bucket is large enough and the rope and pulley system sturdy enough that no one feels at risk passing over the shaft to the far side.  From there, the kobolds point into one of two caves, she heads in. In the small mined cave, a fossilized skull partially juts out of the east wall, five feet off the ground. The skull has larger than normal eye sockets, a curious ridge between the eyes, nothing that would pass for a nose, and four small holes where one would expect to see teeth. You see a dull glow coming from within the skull. 

The kobolds point to the skull, "Weird rock." 

Kari stares at the unusual skull, just about eye level to her. It glows?  Anger will want to take a look at this. She decides to try and pull it out of the wall. She uses the eye sockets and tooth holes to try and grip it, with two hands if she can, and gives a few tugs.

If that fails, she will peer through the various holes at whatever is glowing, then try and fish it out of the skull.

((Let me know what roles I need to do and I'll edit them in))

The front of the skull crumbles away. Inside the skull, looking like it grew there is a purple crystal with multi facets. It is easily removed if you wish. It glows dimly. 

Kari picks up the crystal and turns to show it to Badger when he gets to this side.

Badger carefully and curiously inspects the gem, trying to determine what it is...

I'm gonna suggest that a gem growing inside a skull is somewhat magical, and roll for Arcana, but please reassign as appropriate: 26

If Badger can't figure it out, he will stow it for later, and perform Detect Magic and/or Identify rituals when they next rest.

Before the skull crumbles Mal will try and figure out what manner of creature it was.

History: 8

 Obviously that is some type of water buffalo.

Seeing the crystal be put in badgers pocket, "Well hopefully that is not some kind of explosive device that goes off shortly after it is moved."

Before Badger can get his hands on the crystal, Kari who is already there scoops the glowing purple thing out of the half-skull.  It begins to glow more brightly, with a whiteish tint that throbs slowly.  As Kari grabs the thing she suddenly hears several voices. 

"What could it be, magical for sure, she better not drop it or I'll turn her into a toad...."

"SHE TOUCHED IT!  WE'RE ALL DOOMED!!"

"I wonder how a water buffalo skull got stuck into the rock down here...."

"I wonder if Ploof ploof likes me. Maybe i'll slap her butt and see if it makes her smile..."

"My dad would probably be pretty proud of me, adventuring around like this with these famous adventurers..."

"<indistinct murmuring in a malevolent tone, the voice somehow coated in icy cold>"

"My crotch is so itchy lately."

"Did anyone hear me fart?"

"My foot is sorta sore.  Ow..ouch.."

"Oh man, Dormy is lookin at Ploof ploof again. She's gunna ask me to rescue her from him I bet..."

Like a wave of noise the sound rises louder and louder, cresting, and then subsides into numerous indistinct voices, too hushed and blurred to really make out. Though Kari figures if she spent some time with it she might be able to control it. 

 Kari frowns, Stop, please stop. You're being too loud! Just wait a minute, I can't hear all of you!! She quickly shoves the crystal into Badger's hands and looks relieved when the voices stop. I think there are voices trapped in there. But some of them sounded like you, and your here not in there.

Thr voices immediately hush when she shoves the crystal into badgers grasp. The crystal in badgers hand seems to brighten, casting a bright glow around the room. Badger feels the familiar presence of peoples thoughts muttering about on the edge of his periphery….but it has more depth than usual. Still, he figures he’d need to attune to the gem to better use it. 

Badger smirks and stows the gem into one of his pouches, saying dismissively: I'll take a closer look later. Then turning to the nearest kobold, he says: You there! Are there any more dangers in this mine that you know of?

The kobolds look up at Badger, “Uh, we no know. Maybe down big hole!  Go down big hole!  Go down big hole!!” They all begin chanting. A quick inspection of the only cave you haven’t been down reveals a mundane mining cave glittering with gems. 

The big hole can wait for another time, replies Badger. Then to his companions, he says: I think we are done here. Let's see whether the Termalaine townsmen want to make an arrangement with the kobolds, shall we?

The group makes their way upwards out of the mines. The air grows colder and colder as you near the entrance until eventually you're looking out onto the starlit snow. Dark shadows of the surrounding forest loom over the dim white snow of the clearing outside the mine. No tracks can be seen but the ones you left behind.  The kobolds all appear to be with you, and have pulled on thick furs, wrappings, makeshift hats and gloves, a bunch of which appears to be scavenged mining gear.  The kobolds that were told to go to the front are also here and quickly get ready to leave.  "We are now going to become ....TOWN FOLK....and work hard and show them that kobolds are smart and hard working and....stumpy, get your hand out of your pants!"  Stumpy (apparently)...just grins at the talking kobold but continues moving his hand about inside his pants. "GRRR! Stumpy, you so messed up sometimes!"  

They make ready to go.  Soon enough the group is marching back along the snowy trail to Termalaine.  The mob of kobolds follow behind. It seems any attempt to tell them to "wait here" results in vigorous nodding and much agreement. They then follow you from a slightly further distance. 

About a half-hour later you see the first glint of lights from the town. Obviously not within curfew hours.  A few folk are wandering out in the streets, but quickly head away when they see the group followed by a large mob of small creatures. It seems someone runs ahead though, because as you're reaching the Eastside and ready to go in out of the cold, five figures approach. It appears to be the speaker and four folk with longswords trying their best to look tough, and doing a fair job at it.  The speaker the half-orc Oarus pulls up his googles and down his scarf, the icy air biting at his skin.  He points at the group behind you, "What's this then? You were meant to exterminate the pests, not lead them into our town!" 

Mal laughs and then looks at Mist, "Looks like your up."

She then looks around at all the quizzical looks of the group, "What?" Her hand slaps her for-head as she shakes the hand with the ring on it. "Sorry mind was elsewhere, Badger, can you talk to these people."

[OOC: And once again I start to confuse my different games and mash them all into one. Mist is gnome talker in another group I am in. I swear my aged brain refuses to work with me some days.]

Badger looks up but cannot see this mist that Mal is talking about. He glances at the Ring with a concerned expression, wondering how much one human can handle before they go completely mad. Then seeing as the leadership of the group has finally and deservedly settled on his shoulders, Badger walks forward to address Speaker Oarus.

There were several dangers infesting the mine, including a nest of grells and a itinerant ghost. Both have been destroyed, and the mine is safe. These kobolds are the least of your concern. In fact, we brought them here to recommend you utilise them as workhands in the mine. They are competent enough miners, if nothing else, and what you expend in supervision you should more than gain back in productivity.

Persuasion? (and this is where we see if letting Badger talk was a good idea or not...) 7 

Kurik shook his head.  This wasn't the way to win over a man such as this.  He motions for the speaker to lean in a little closer.  "Put it like this.  They are without a leader and are prone following orders from someone larger than they are.  They can mine, bringing in profit and save others from the dangerous work.  Just take the profit, give them a few coin, let them drink some ale in tap house and everyone will come out better than before.  Hell, tell them all it was your idea."

Persuasion 16

The half-orc scratches his chin. He starts shaking his head as Badger starts, then continues to speak. No...there's no way this is going to work. It's written on his face.  His eyes are glancing about trying to figure out if he and his men can kill or drive off the small horde of kobolds.  When Badger his done his unconvincing, but very logical explanation, Kurik steps forward and whispers to him. Maybe it was that they could literally see eye to eye, or maybe he was a racist and preferred the message coming from another half-orc. Whatever it was, the man seemed to consider.  "We have a few spare buildings that are empty, people who've left since the winter. We could...honestly....use the labor. IF they'll listen. If not, we banish them! Fine, yes, I've had a great idea everyone. We'll use these kobolds for cheap labor."  He takes a deep breath, "Thank you for clearing out the mine. I'll of course have to send a couple folk to confirm before I pay you the reward. Hopefully you're ok waiting around a day until some scouts get back. Now..." he takes a deep breath "...to deal with these kobolds."  He raises his voice, "Oy!  You lot. Are you going to work hard!"  

 "Yes!" they shout in unison.  

"Are you going to steal stuff?"  he yells.

"No!" they all yell, except on that yells "Yes!"..then quickly yells, "I mean No!"    

The speaker glances annoyed in your direction, "Are you going to cause trouble?"  

There's a pause while they all consider the right answer.  Then yell, "No!"    

"Fine. And is that one going to keep putting his hand in his pants like that?"  

"Yes!" they all yell in unison. 

He glances at the group, "I've yet to decide if I should be thanking you." 

Shaking his head, the Speaker and his men lead the kobolds off leaving the group outside the Eastside alone. 

Badger sighs, partially in relief, and partially in dismay that he didn't get to keep some to raise as zombies. Oh well, depending on how things go in the next few hours, maybe he will still get the chance. Well, he says to the others. I think we have time... shall we continue up to Lonelywood?

(I don't think that would have taken too much of the day, and Lonelywood is only a short distance. And I don't think there is anything else to do here... except... wasn't there a reward of some kind?)