Boona blinked slowly and uncomprehendingly at Fergus, then smiled at the performance.

Fergus performs an – at least to the living non-dwarven folks among you – extremely authentic song and glittery illusion.

Three of the dead miners immediately begin to mindlessly shuffle west to examine the glinting new minerals. The other three, who seem to have notably more wherewithal, nevertheless give the sparkles a strongly-curious examination. DC15 INT Checks: 21, 5, 6

Two of them follow the others to examine the new vein. The third turns and stares unblinkingly at Fergus, who hears a whisper in his head.

"...Your ...music is good. ...Your illusions, however, are ...less than perfect. ...Rather than strive to trick us, perhaps you have less ...ethereal coins or gems to provide. Some of my ...brethren would like nothing less than  ...to destroy all living. They have a ...compulsive desire. You are in danger... Gems, coins... real ones... would buy you safety." 

(If applicable, Fergus would like to use Silvery Barbs on the one who made the save, giving the benefit to Boona.  He will then react accordingly if the situation remains the same or changes.)

Silvery Barbs reroll: DC15 INT Check: 11

"Although..." It turns, uncertain, toward the illusory riches to re-examine them.

The way is clear, but you may have just seconds to get by as the closest ones go to scratch at the wall. Is everyone taking advantage of the temporary distraction to climb down the ladder and make a break for the pyramid?

Fergus:

”Quickly, while they are distracted—to the pyramid!” Says Fergus in an urgent stage whisper.  He suits actions to words and scuttles down the ladder, making his way towards the pyramid.

Quinn urgently waves for the others to follow. He'll follow along and scatter a load of gold coins to hopefully buy the group some protection, or at least delay the undead miners.

OOC: Quinn dumps 100 GP for protection/distraction. Coin deducted from my inventory.

Jorzu 

Fergus' tune nearly captivates Jorzu to the point he heads off to examine the vein. It reminds him of the songs he would hear back in the mines near Fryndul. He shakes off the nostalgia as Boona pushes forward. "Perfectly phrased Fergus. Perfect" he compliments his friend.

When the last of the undead dwarves wanders off and Fergus slips down the ladder, Jorzu follows. He tries to keep pace with the others that head to the pyramid. Laiti, as usual, keeps close to him even if she does offer the occasional tiny complaint.

Unless you have any prior business, the party climbs down the ladder, hustles across the lowest cliff scaffolding, and across the stone bridge.

Quinn pauses to dump a pile of gold coins on the ledge as he passes.

The thick heat of the churning lava (some 20 feet below) washes over the stone bridge. At the far end is the obsidian pyramid. Its faces bear relief carvings of ancient dwarves feasting, celebrating, and tending to their injured. Its vertices are carved with intricate geometric patterns inlaid with silver. A recessed double door stands before the pyramid. The door’s faces are adorned with runes and circular channels glowing faintly with green energy.

The Ashenwight who appeared to "speak" with Fergus a few moments ago turns and stoops to touch the gold coins. 

"Your ...gift is both generous and wise,"  you all hear in your heads. "You will find the green goblin with the crystal brain within that structure. If only he were as generous as you." 

Quinn turns to look at the Ashenwight. He finds it odd that, even in death, it’s still interested in coin, gems and other worldly possessions. 

He wonders if he can speak to it telepathically like he had with the other creature in Phandalin. Quinn stops and attempts a telepathic offer. 

“Thank you for accepting our gift and allowing passage. We do not wish to take gold, gems, or anything of monetary value from this place. We only look to help our friends and family members who were taken.

Your people are proud, honorable and they defend their own. Would you aide us in our quest to help our friends. If not for honor, what if we offered more coin?”

Bryony is impressed by the obsidian pyramid and its dwarven aesthetics, although she regards the glowing green energy with a healthy amount of suspicion. When the Ashenwight mentions a goblin with a crystal brain, she is even more perplexed.

"What is it talking about?" she whispers. "Jorzu, what do those runes mean?"

Jorzu 

Without moving any closer to the pyramid, Jorzu attempts to decipher any of the runes glowing green. "Im afraid the arcane is not really something I'm versed in, but I'll try. Arcane writing" 

Unmodified roll 19

((Let me know what skill would apply. Maybe Arcane or Investigation?))

While you cannot hear Quinn's silent comments and request, everyone can hear their reply. "...All gold, precious ores of all varieties, gems, and crystals found here remain property of the Company in perpetuity. You are wise to respect our claims. ...But donations like this one to my hardworking brethren and I are most deeply appreciated," replies the voice. "While we cannot aid you physically, we are happy to answer your questions for a modest additional donation. ...That said... I fear my memory is not what it could be. Do you know of this 'Company' of which I spoke, for instance?"... 

Jorzu examines the runes. While his knowledge of the arcane is poor, and his ability to read Dwarvish nonexistent, he recognizes these instructions clearly, as he once saw a very similar mechanism on a box belonging to an obnoxious magician he once caroused with. (Jorzu Arcana check: 18.) This door is sealed, and the lock can be opened only with psionic energy (specifically, psychic damage.)

Boona did not really understand what was happening or why they were talking to dead things, but she did understand that she was not to smash them.