"Well that makes me next to useless."

 "Me too."

 "This requires some thought."

Thomas paces for a time. "Do you think the creatures will overrun this place?"

 "The lads of head them off this long and I'm here now."

 "We will deal with our business down south as quickly as we are able."

He starts to rummage through his pack, "We will then stop into Phandalin on the way back and take care of the weapons."

He turns to the others, "Leave all of your rations and what supplies you are able."

 "I will cover half the cost of the silvering." Raskin offers them a writ to reduce the price.

 "Only half?"

 Raskin laughs, "You get to keep em afterwards boy."

 "It is greatly appreciated." Thomas takes the writ. 

The party rest before leaving the mines and heading south.

Dragon 1

DAY 20 Mountain’s Toe Gold Mine

DAY 21 AXEHOLM

Dragon 15

They arrive at midday on the second day of travel. The trek passes without incident, though cool winds and rain blowing in from the Sword Coast make the trip far from pleasant.

Thrust out from the base of a dark grey mountain is the entrance to the dwarven fortress — a dark, fifteen-foot-wide passageway flanked by forty-foot-high bulwarks of smooth, seamless stone. An iron portcullis covered with rust blocks the entrance. Arrow slits carved into the bulwarks are dark, revealing no hint of occupation.

 "You bring us to all the nicest places boss."

 "We need to find a way in it would seem."

Axeholm’s primary entrance and exit is a defensible passage, which is blocked by a sturdy portcullis. The party walking the passage and take a look around. Arrow slits are spaced along the walls and murder holes line the ceiling, enabling fortress defenders to shoot ballistas at invaders or pour boiling oil on top of them in years gone by. With the dwarves gone, the only remaining defences are the portcullis and the double doors to the south, which are barred shut.

 "We could try to raise the portcullis?"

Anders, Elandra and Feldoran set about the task, pulling with all their might.

Strength 10

 "Bah it's no good."

They are unable to lift the portcullis.

 "Let's look for another way in."

Perception 21

 "I could perhaps squeeze through an arrow slit up there?"

 "Then you would be in there on your own."

 "Yes but perhaps I could raise the portcullis from the other side."

  "Perhaps we climb through one of those?"

Feldoran points up toward the stone chimneys protruding from the mountainside.

 "Give me a moment and I will take a look."

Toot performs the ritual to summon Simon and the winged monkey pops into existence next to her. She sends Simon up to explore the chimney stacks.