You climb up the stairs to the mines level. Curiously, none of the apparitions you had seen before are present. All is quiet. Taking care and proceeding with caution you make your way all the way up to the entrance without difficulty. Night has fallen and you see Selûne rising over the mountain peaks as you emerge from the tunnel created through the rubble by the Stonejaw's. It is a short hike and you find the dwarves at their camp. Happy faces greet you and welcome you back to the relative safety of the dwarven tents and fires. Ale and stew is brought to you. One of the hunters took a large deer today, so a fresh hunter's stew of venison, wild onion and berries and crusty trail bread is served up. It is wonderful.
After giving you a chance to have a hot meal and a few draughts of ale, Cleggor asks, "How does it go within? Will you be able to find success?"
“Cleggor, we have had some success, but we do not know if we are finished. The shadow dragon that was inhabiting the upper levels is dead. Its skull should make a fine trophy. There were specters and an elemental at the body of water below the mine. They are no more. Kragen’s healing powers are fully effective again within the mine. All signs point to success, but we have more to investigate before we can determine whether all of the evil has been eradicated.”
A slight gasp ripples through the collection of dwarves listening to your tale. One looks to be scribing your descriptions of what you found into a large ledger book. "You found the lake?," he asks you and looks to his brothers. "This IS it. It must be," he exclaims. Turning back to Hoid, "Did you find anything in the mountain to confirm this was the home of the Brighthammers?"
"I'm not sure if this confirms the home of the Brighthammers, but we did find the stormforged halberd." Chadwick retrieves it and shows it to them.
"It's been helpful in smiting down the undead that are immune to normal weapons, so I ask to be able to continue to use it until we make our final balancing for the agreement of 50% division of any valuables found in the mine."
Hoid responds after stepping on Chadwick’s foot, “We do not have knowledge sufficient to determine confirmation of the Brighthammers. We saw dwarven apparitions with a sunburst-like symbol. That halberd that Chadwick spoke of could have come from anywhere as far as we know. And there was no definition of valuables in our agreement. It was my understanding that valuables constitute things such gems and ore that were harvested from the mine but not yet exported.”
Kragen nodding emphatically as Hoid provides color on findings within the former Dwarven Stronghold and adds.
"Hoid speaks truth Brothers and i was able to converse with the deceased wearing emblems of a Hammer surrounded by burst of rays or light. Based on what i saw and the name of this clan, i believe the Ghosts of the BrightHammers guided and aided us in our encounters."
"I do need to warn you that a vile Demon by the name of Kyton had gained access from what we suspect were a plane of Hell. As we were dispatching it back to it's plane, it's true master revealed itself, A Warlock Knight of the Vaasa Mountains, my home. A vile Warlock Lord rules there and has enslaved the Dwarven population for decades." Looks around worried and heartbroken.
Starker to Kragen:”Friend Kragen, it may be that what you perceived as a Warlock Knight was a disguise of the Kyton. One of their abilities is the seeming as a object of dread and horror in the mind of a powerful adversary such as yourself.”
Starker to Kragen:”Friend Kragen, it may be that what you perceived as a Warlock Knight was a disguise of the Kyton. One of their abilities is the seeming as a object of dread and horror in the mind of a powerful adversary such as yourself.”
"You may be right Mage Starker, however i still believe that the Warlock Lord Thistlepig has some hand in this. Although my homeland is many leagues from here, his nefarious intentions are quite ambitious."
Cleggor asks for the ledger from the scribing dwarf. He flips through several pages and shows Kragen an image of a war hammer with radiant beams around it, "Is this what you saw in the mountain?" (It is very similar to what you saw)
Magnar responds quietly to Hoid, "Valuables is anything of value found in the mountain."
Kragen peers at the symbol in the note book and then looks to Cleggor. “It looks very similar to what I saw on the apparitions, Brother.”
”Once we were able to send the vile drow Wraith and his spirits back to the grave, a great evil seemed to be lifted. The Dwarven apparitions vanished as if they were able to rest and I was able to call on Tyr’s divine powers fully. Until that point, the evil suffocated my ability to call on Tyr’s support.”
wrings his hands anxiously at the thought of being separated from Tyr.
Starker looks up from his task of transferring alcohol from the jar with the mindflayer’s brain to a smaller jar and topping off the mindflayer brain jar with fresh refined spirits of alcohol and says:”Some would say The Mine is valuable, the body of water is valuable. In any accounting they are far more valuable than anything we’ve found or will find when we go back, some might say. Some might suggest that fairness requires that The Company take what we please or that in alternative you sell the Mine and split the costs with us.
“Starker, your economic theories are nearly as sound as your mastery of fireballs and retreating. What would you opine to be the value of the living flame we discovered?”
Starker:”Some might say it is infinitely valuable to a community of dwaven miners and smiths and thus that The Company would be infinitely the loser were we to take everything finite in the Mine *except* the living fire and the Wave and the Mine. Some might say.
”Also, sometimes I run towards the source of danger’s location in order to avoid danger’s effect. My advances are always strategic, even if often to the rear.”
spreading his arms out in a gesture to all. "Friends, Partners, let us not barter at a time when there is still evil about." looking at the Stonejaw brothers with a smile "I am sure our Brothers will negotiate with us fairly on the recompense for securing the safety of the mine and restoring it's economic potential." smiling wryly. "They recognize that The Company answered their call for assistance, as they were unable to penetrate the evil that permeated it's depths. We all can see the vast potential below, i am sure they understand the value and all will be made whole in this venture." nods to the group in acknowledgement.
"We have more work to do to ensure the safety of the Deep Wave mine and those who intend to work it, i suggest we rest and be upon it at first light."
Kragen then moves off from the group and begins his nightly prayers. After an hour of prayers, unpacks his bedroll and begins to snore heartly.
The Stonejaws all nod in approval of Kragen's words. "Here, here brother," Cleggor replies. "A good night's rest is what you all need at this point. The time for counting coppers is later. We want you to be rewarded appropriately and I am sure you wish success for us in getting the mines operating again." Cleggor and his brothers stand as Kragen moves to get rest.
Everyone benefits from a Long Rest at this point. All who had reductions in STR or Max HP's have full recovery of those as well.
The next morning over coffee, Hoid says to his comrades, “We have not yet explored all of the mines, but I also believe some explored areas are worth revisiting. Something pilfered the coins and key I tried to hide near the forges. Also, I am skeptical that the dragon was a pauper. Close scrutiny of the area it made the mistake of ambushing us is worthwhile.”
Starker:”Yes. I would like to profit from this investment of irrecoverable lifespan. I have prepared my usual array of surprises for those standing between us and our desired ends.”
<checks that the mindflayer’s skull is firmly affixed to the topnofnhis quarterstaff, places Cyrus carefully atop the skull, checks thatvthe fez is firmly affixed on Cyrus’ head>
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You climb up the stairs to the mines level. Curiously, none of the apparitions you had seen before are present. All is quiet. Taking care and proceeding with caution you make your way all the way up to the entrance without difficulty. Night has fallen and you see Selûne rising over the mountain peaks as you emerge from the tunnel created through the rubble by the Stonejaw's. It is a short hike and you find the dwarves at their camp. Happy faces greet you and welcome you back to the relative safety of the dwarven tents and fires. Ale and stew is brought to you. One of the hunters took a large deer today, so a fresh hunter's stew of venison, wild onion and berries and crusty trail bread is served up. It is wonderful.
After giving you a chance to have a hot meal and a few draughts of ale, Cleggor asks, "How does it go within? Will you be able to find success?"
“Cleggor, we have had some success, but we do not know if we are finished. The shadow dragon that was inhabiting the upper levels is dead. Its skull should make a fine trophy. There were specters and an elemental at the body of water below the mine. They are no more. Kragen’s healing powers are fully effective again within the mine. All signs point to success, but we have more to investigate before we can determine whether all of the evil has been eradicated.”
A slight gasp ripples through the collection of dwarves listening to your tale. One looks to be scribing your descriptions of what you found into a large ledger book. "You found the lake?," he asks you and looks to his brothers. "This IS it. It must be," he exclaims. Turning back to Hoid, "Did you find anything in the mountain to confirm this was the home of the Brighthammers?"
"I'm not sure if this confirms the home of the Brighthammers, but we did find the stormforged halberd." Chadwick retrieves it and shows it to them.
"It's been helpful in smiting down the undead that are immune to normal weapons, so I ask to be able to continue to use it until we make our final balancing for the agreement of 50% division of any valuables found in the mine."
(Note: admitting an item to be subject to the 50% split of valuables is not a sound negotiation tactic.)
This.
Hoid responds after stepping on Chadwick’s foot, “We do not have knowledge sufficient to determine confirmation of the Brighthammers. We saw dwarven apparitions with a sunburst-like symbol. That halberd that Chadwick spoke of could have come from anywhere as far as we know. And there was no definition of valuables in our agreement. It was my understanding that valuables constitute things such gems and ore that were harvested from the mine but not yet exported.”
Kragen nodding emphatically as Hoid provides color on findings within the former Dwarven Stronghold and adds.
"Hoid speaks truth Brothers and i was able to converse with the deceased wearing emblems of a Hammer surrounded by burst of rays or light. Based on what i saw and the name of this clan, i believe the Ghosts of the BrightHammers guided and aided us in our encounters."
"I do need to warn you that a vile Demon by the name of Kyton had gained access from what we suspect were a plane of Hell. As we were dispatching it back to it's plane, it's true master revealed itself, A Warlock Knight of the Vaasa Mountains, my home. A vile Warlock Lord rules there and has enslaved the Dwarven population for decades." Looks around worried and heartbroken.
Starker to Kragen:”Friend Kragen, it may be that what you perceived as a Warlock Knight was a disguise of the Kyton. One of their abilities is the seeming as a object of dread and horror in the mind of a powerful adversary such as yourself.”
"You may be right Mage Starker, however i still believe that the Warlock Lord Thistlepig has some hand in this. Although my homeland is many leagues from here, his nefarious intentions are quite ambitious."
Cleggor asks for the ledger from the scribing dwarf. He flips through several pages and shows Kragen an image of a war hammer with radiant beams around it, "Is this what you saw in the mountain?" (It is very similar to what you saw)
Magnar responds quietly to Hoid, "Valuables is anything of value found in the mountain."
Kragen peers at the symbol in the note book and then looks to Cleggor. “It looks very similar to what I saw on the apparitions, Brother.”
”Once we were able to send the vile drow Wraith and his spirits back to the grave, a great evil seemed to be lifted. The Dwarven apparitions vanished as if they were able to rest and I was able to call on Tyr’s divine powers fully. Until that point, the evil suffocated my ability to call on Tyr’s support.”
wrings his hands anxiously at the thought of being separated from Tyr.
Starker looks up from his task of transferring alcohol from the jar with the mindflayer’s brain to a smaller jar and topping off the mindflayer brain jar with fresh refined spirits of alcohol and says:”Some would say The Mine is valuable, the body of water is valuable. In any accounting they are far more valuable than anything we’ve found or will find when we go back, some might say. Some might suggest that fairness requires that The Company take what we please or that in alternative you sell the Mine and split the costs with us.
”That is what some might say.”
“Starker, your economic theories are nearly as sound as your mastery of fireballs and retreating. What would you opine to be the value of the living flame we discovered?”
Starker:”Some might say it is infinitely valuable to a community of dwaven miners and smiths and thus that The Company would be infinitely the loser were we to take everything finite in the Mine *except* the living fire and the Wave and the Mine. Some might say.
”Also, sometimes I run towards the source of danger’s location in order to avoid danger’s effect. My advances are always strategic, even if often to the rear.”
The Stonejaw brothers sit and look on upon the exchange between Starker and Hoid with utter amazement on their faces.....
spreading his arms out in a gesture to all. "Friends, Partners, let us not barter at a time when there is still evil about." looking at the Stonejaw brothers with a smile "I am sure our Brothers will negotiate with us fairly on the recompense for securing the safety of the mine and restoring it's economic potential." smiling wryly. "They recognize that The Company answered their call for assistance, as they were unable to penetrate the evil that permeated it's depths. We all can see the vast potential below, i am sure they understand the value and all will be made whole in this venture." nods to the group in acknowledgement.
"We have more work to do to ensure the safety of the Deep Wave mine and those who intend to work it, i suggest we rest and be upon it at first light."
Kragen then moves off from the group and begins his nightly prayers. After an hour of prayers, unpacks his bedroll and begins to snore heartly.
The Stonejaws all nod in approval of Kragen's words. "Here, here brother," Cleggor replies. "A good night's rest is what you all need at this point. The time for counting coppers is later. We want you to be rewarded appropriately and I am sure you wish success for us in getting the mines operating again." Cleggor and his brothers stand as Kragen moves to get rest.
Everyone benefits from a Long Rest at this point. All who had reductions in STR or Max HP's have full recovery of those as well.
The next morning over coffee, Hoid says to his comrades, “We have not yet explored all of the mines, but I also believe some explored areas are worth revisiting. Something pilfered the coins and key I tried to hide near the forges. Also, I am skeptical that the dragon was a pauper. Close scrutiny of the area it made the mistake of ambushing us is worthwhile.”
Starker:”Yes. I would like to profit from this investment of irrecoverable lifespan. I have prepared my usual array of surprises for those standing between us and our desired ends.”
<checks that the mindflayer’s skull is firmly affixed to the topnofnhis quarterstaff, places Cyrus carefully atop the skull, checks thatvthe fez is firmly affixed on Cyrus’ head>