The zombies are all dead at your feet, and the way to the mine lays open. An eerie feeling of death and decay fills the heart of Valar, the rest of you pick up on it too.

Will you go in the front or back entrance this time?

I have returned

I think we should go in  the front this time.

As you approach the front of the mine, towards the lift the goblin's called 'Old Creaky', a voice sounds out from behind you. "I wouldn't go in there if you value your lives, for if you go further you may be condemning them to an eternity of suffering." You see a man coming towards you from behind the entrance. Dark skinned and bearded, his face is scarred and aged well beyond his years. The man continues, "You will be entering the domain of The Eaters, who have taken over this place and turned it's hobgoblin denizens into the mindless undead. As they have so many before." He starts at the site of Amiz, but quickly calms himself, "Sorry friend Leonin, I thought you were one of the eaters for a moment, you don't see many of your kind this far north. But you are certainly not the leonin death cleric Jagar." His voice bristles with anger at the name. "My name is Alsen, and I have hunted these beasts for many years, clearly with no luck. Who are you all? And why are you venturing into such a place?"

[[ Sorry for the delay. ]]

Draíocht gives a sigh of relief as Valar fells the last zombie. He nods as the party enters through the front.

When the man approaches he extends and hand and replies, "You may call me Draíocht." He lets the others introduce themselves. "It seems we came for a common cause. Last time we were here was to rescue some dwarves, in the course of which we met your quarry. Now we're here to finish the job."

Alsen is taken aback, "You plan to go up against The Eaters? I've seen your skill, but even a band of adventurers such as yourselves would find them hard work. If one of you falls, they will rise again, and be forced to attack their former comrades." He winces at this ascertain, "Are you willing to fight against the corpses of your friends to overcome The Eaters?"

Valar nods his head, "I have sworn to see these eaters destroyed, and I would hate to fight a comrade who has risen, they would not be the same comrade, and I would dispatch them the same." 

Amiz nods in understanding as leonins are a rare sight. "Indeed, we came here to finish what we started. Alsen, have you seen the leader of the hobgoblin Wrorak?" 

"In all honesty, we've met the eaters, and our actions last time we were here may have strengthened their position. We have an obligation to see this through."

To Amiz, Alsen responds, "No I have not seen the hobgoblin leader, but he must still be in the mine if you did not deal with him before. Perhaps the Eaters have captured him, or worse. They certainly do not take many prisoners." 

He then listens to all you have said, "I see, you mustn't blame yourselves of course. The Eaters would take any opportunity to achieve their goals, though violence and manipulation." He puts his hand to his head and continues on, "I have decided I will have to accompany you. If you stay true to your word, you maya have a chance to defeat the leches. This is my chance for vengeance as well, I could not let the opportunity to dispose of these animals pass me by. I must take stock and come with you, I feel you'll find me a worthy ally." 

Valar nods, "I would welcome a fellow comrade in arms who is after these Eaters."

"Another sword arm is always welcomed. Let's head in and see what we find" says Amiz. 

Draíocht nods in approval with welcoming Alsen. He dons his shield with staff in hand and is ready to keep an eye out for any threats as they enter.

Perception: 2+8+3 = 13

//if with help

You all make your way through the arch that marks the beginning of the mine. This place is quiet as you remember, but for some reason it seems somewhat more sinister than it was before, as though the darkness has eyes. You make it to Old Creaky and find that the rope has been cut. The cart that carried people up and down the shaft has been sabotaged and there's no easy way down the long shaft that leads to the bottom of the mine.

Valar grumbles, "They are going to make it difficult for us. At least this is a sort of good sign, instead of having numbers to meet us at the entrance. I fear they wait for us deeper inside, perhaps to once more attack from ambush."

So what's the plan? Are you going to try and get down the shaft another way or head back to the other entrance. Just a little reminder of the parts of the mine you've explores so far.

You're currently at 4.

OOC Question for DM:

How hard would it be to tie a rope to a secure point up here and climb down that way? Would I have any idea how long a rope we would need?

IC for players:

"The rear entrance, where we met the Eaters, that connected further down the shaft. If there is a place to tie a rope to climb down, that would be even easier."

You would remember from when you searched here before that this vertical shaft is about 100ft down. but there are shafts coming horizontally off the main one. Chop's Shop is about 30ft down. The entrance into the hobgoblin's quarters and the back entrance to the mine is about 30ft below that. There are shafts coming off both sides 40ft below that which you haven't searched. And below that point is only darkness, you get the feeling you don't want to drop down there.