Pinja recoups her darts from the dead rat bodies. Then as the adrenaline fades from her body, she takes stock of her wounds. She does some light stretches as she focuses on smoothing out her breathing. Then muses, “I’ve been thinking about your question Drako. Where do those stairs lead? We should definitely persue Zeleen and her wererats and bring them to justice but perhaps before we leave the area we should make sure there are no survivors? Given the state of these corpses, I don’t think they would have lasted much longer, even if the wererats hadn’t invaded… Don-Jon, you mentioned you were sent to sort out production problems at the mine? And that workers and security would be sent shortly after. Which makes me wonder if you knew that the current workers were, well -“ Pinja gestures to the emancipated miners corpses. She narrows her cat eyes at him slightly. “Perhaps you could tell us everything you know about this place? And exactly which rich people conscripted you?”
Grikiltha quickly gets into a relaxed pose (uninjured due to her second wind healing but resting since that's her attitude and can get the ability back)
"Ya I'm guess the Warerats woukd have been a quicker cleaner finish compared to these large lumps," kicking one the corpses. "So where would these miners run off too? And curious, what would you wager the company would pay to have this mines re secured and its miners back in place? Just thinking out loud here."
Don-Jon listens carefully to Pinja's words, his brow furrowing in concern. He takes a deep breath before addressing her directly.
"I get where ya comin' from, seein' these poor miners like this," he starts, his tone steady but grave. "But lemme assure ya, neither me nor my employers knew about the state of this mine or its workers. I was sent here to figure out why production had stopped and to fix any problems I found. That's all the information I had."
He gestures back towards the direction of the storeroom they passed earlier. "We saw that storeroom filled with dry food and casks of water. The miners were bein' supplied with food, which tells me the wererats must've taken over and hoarded the supplies, leavin' the miners to starve. It's a damn shame, but I had no clue about it."
Don-Jon then looks Pinja in the eyes, hoping to convey his sincerity. "I was hired by a business consortium based in Neverwinter, specifically in the Merchant's Quarter. They own this mine and sent me here 'cause they hadn't heard a peep from the previous overseer in about a tenday. I arrived in Phandalin just yesterday and was waitin' for an escort to get here safe. That's all I knew comin' into this."
To Grikiltha:
He pauses, considering Grikiltha's question. "About what the consortium would pay... well, these mines are valuable to 'em. Gettin' the mine secured and back in workin' shape would be worth a fair bit. I can't give ya an exact number, but I imagine they'd be willin' to shell out quite a bit to see this place up and runnin' again. 'Specially if it means avoidin' any more loss of life and protectin' their investment."
Area M5- Storeroom
A dozen crates of dry foodstuffs and nine casks of drinking water are stacked in the middle of this cave.
Pinja recoups her darts from the dead rat bodies. Then as the adrenaline fades from her body, she takes stock of her wounds. She does some light stretches as she focuses on smoothing out her breathing. Then muses, “I’ve been thinking about your question Drako. Where do those stairs lead? We should definitely persue Zeleen and her wererats and bring them to justice but perhaps before we leave the area we should make sure there are no survivors? Given the state of these corpses, I don’t think they would have lasted much longer, even if the wererats hadn’t invaded… Don-Jon, you mentioned you were sent to sort out production problems at the mine? And that workers and security would be sent shortly after. Which makes me wonder if you knew that the current workers were, well -“ Pinja gestures to the emancipated miners corpses. She narrows her cat eyes at him slightly. “Perhaps you could tell us everything you know about this place? And exactly which rich people conscripted you?”
"I commend the inquisitive nature my friend but our original agreement was to only escort Don-Jon not retake the property. If we had chosen to move on there is a good chance DJ would have shared the miners fate. Speaking of our original mission, we should rest and be on our way. We still have a ranch with an orc problem to sus out."
Nigel retrieves Archimedes and after a quick bandage on his rat bite, he's back to recording information in his book. He will do this until others decide the next course of action.
Darien watches the exchanges happening around him and considers the group’s options. “I can’t completely disagree with Nigel here. I wouldn’t feel right about leaving without investigating those last couple of tunnels to make sure Don-Jon is safe staying here, but the wererats seem to have fled for now and pursuing them would delay us even further in our mission to investigate Butterskull. Unless we think there’s a high enough risk of them returning before the new guards arrive, I’d be inclined to rest here for the night and then move on in the morning.” He looks to the overseer, trying to read his thoughts on this plan (insight13), and then adds, “Perhaps I could attempt an augury in the morning just before we set out to discern the likelihood of Zeleen and her gang returning, but it may not be entirely accurate so there would still be some element of risk.”
[[ Basically want to make sure the mine is safe for Don-Jon, but also still concerned about the ranch and don’t want to delay unless we have to for the mine’s immediate safety. It’s also somewhere around 8-9pm after our rest I think? ]]
Don-Jon nods in agreement with Nigel’s statement, his voice calm but firm as he addresses the group.
"He's right. Your original job was just to escort me, not to clear out this whole mine from wererats," he says, his accent lending a rugged charm to his words. "I truly appreciate all the help y'all have me given so far. You've gone above and beyond, and I can't thank ya enough."
He pauses, making sure to meet each of their eyes before continuing. "All I'm askin' now is that we finish explorin' whatever's left of this mine. Once that's done, you can all be on your way in the mornin'. I'll make sure to contact my employers soon as we're done here so they can send in the workers and security needed to get things back in shape."
Don-Jon looks towards Darien. "And if your spell reveals that Zeleen’s gonna come back, well, I'll head back to Phandalin myself. No sense in puttin' y'all in more danger if we know what's comin'."
Insight:
Don-Jon genuinely appreciates the group's help and isn't trying to manipulate or deceive them. His gratitude is real, and he's straightforward about the situation and what he needs from the group.
"I can ready spell that will allow me to facilitate any burials that may be needed but I'll have to research a bit first. I should be ready by tomorrow morning."offers Nigel. He also replenishes the light spell on his quill.
Pinja’s eyes relax and she turns thoughtful. “Sounds reasonable. We clear out the mine tonight and help any survivors we find, bury the bodies tomorrow morning with Nigel’s spell help, and head out tomorrow to get to Butterskull and any survivors there. And maybe on our way back from butterskull, we find Zaleen and bring her crew to justice.” She looks again at the miners bodies. “This job seems to be turning out to be a salvage job, just like butterskull. Would hate to rush off to save the butterskull bunch, only to end up damning some lost miner holes up somewhere in there.” She gestures to the as yet undiscovered part of the mine.
Drako listens to the discussion approvingly. "In the mean time, are there any cloths in the supplies box? At least something to save a bit of dignity before we can bury them." He'll take a look and do so if there are. He's ready to continue exploring the mine in search of any miners still present.
[ I'll say that there are some spare cloths in the sleeping quarters that can be used for that purpose. Y'all can continue to roleplay. Just let me know when everyone wants to proceed. ]
Nigel claps the tiefling on the shoulder as he goes to collect Archimedes. Once the owl his perched comfortably on Nigels shoulder he joins the other to continue the search. He spends some time reviewing his spell book as well His study allows him to refresh a couple of spells.
(Ready. Nigel used his arcane recovery. Haha oh and has it been Butterskull the whole time? I'm almost disappointed it's not butternuts.hehe.)
Pinja turns toward Don-Jon. “I appreciate your forthright manner. Apologies for any offense.” She tips her head toward him elegantly. “In my experience, powerful people, especially rich powerful people, tend to have questionable motives. Makes me doubly suspicious when they are involved. You will forgive me?” She looks up at him from under her horns with a hesitant smile and a quizzically arched eyebrow.
"I'm not says the ranch isn't a priority but theirs a chance some other adventurers on out there way there. No body is to the wiser of this situation. What kind of escort service woukd we be to leave the poor client to fend for themselves all on there owe just because it wasn't in yhe original deal. I still say any survivors after all this time isn't going change status is a few days. Just saying." Grikiltha clearly sees this as a simple, safer, good paying gig that she wouldn't mind milking as much out if it that she can.
After the group took a brief respite within the sleeping quarters and gathering their strength, they ascended the natural stairways, the uneven steps leading them deeper into the Mountain's Toe Gold Mine.
Moving northward, they entered a cavern that had once served as the mine overseer's office (M10). The room bore the marks of chaos and neglect. Oil lanterns, dim and sputtering, hung from crude iron hooks, their light barely piercing the shadows that clung to the corners.
The furnishings were in disarray. An overturned desk lay in the center of the room, its drawers pulled out and papers scattered across the dirt floor. A sturdy wooden chair was on its side, one of its legs broken. Against the far wall, an empty wooden chest sat with its lid flung open, its contents long since plundered. Nearby, a simple cot was pushed haphazardly into the corner, its blanket torn and soiled.
Don-Jon Raskin stepped into the disheveled overseer's office, his eyes narrowing as he took in the scene of chaos and destruction. He let out a low whistle and shook his head. "Well, I'll be," he muttered, his voice carrying the rich, melodic drawl of his homeland. "Looks like those vermin did a real number on this place."
Striding forward with the confidence of a man half his age, he surveyed the overturned desk, the scattered papers, and the broken chair. "Ain't no respect for a man's workspace," he said, his tone a mix of irritation and resolve. "But I reckon I've seen worse in my time."
Don-Jon moved to the empty chest, giving it a cursory glance before turning to the adventurers. "I got my work cut out for me, that's for sure.But if there's one thing I've learned, it's that you can't let a little mess like this get you down."
MINE FEATURES
All tunnels and caverns in the mine are hewn from rock that has thin veins of gold ore running through it. Other common features are described below.
Ceilings. Ceilings throughout are 8 feet high and braced at regular intervals by wooden pilasters and beams.
Doors. All doors are made of wood with iron hinges and handles. The doors are fitted with locks, but none of them are locked. The keys needed to unlock and lock them are gone.
Light. Oil lanterns hang from ceiling hooks in every room and tunnel.
To the east lies another door. I need Drako or anyone else near the door to roll a Perception check (no Help action).
Drako, as you approach the eastern door, your hand reaches out to grasp the worn, iron handle. Just as your fingers brush the cold metal, you instinctively pause, your senses sharpening. The dim light from the oil lanterns casts a soft glow around you, and the sounds of your companions' quiet movements fade into the background.
You close your eyes and listen intently, straining to catch any hint of noise from the other side of the door. The silence is profound, almost unnaturally so, as if the very air on the other side is holding its breath. No shuffling footsteps, no whispered voices, no scraping of claws on stone.
Yet, in that silence, something else reaches out to you—a prickling sensation at the nape of your neck, like an electrical charge coursing through your scales. Your heart begins to pound, not from fear, but from a deep, instinctual awareness. A sense of danger, palpable and immediate, surges through you.
Whatever lurks beyond this door is not idle. It is waiting, poised to strike, ready to pounce on the unwary.
MINE FEATURES
All tunnels and caverns in the mine are hewn from rock that has thin veins of gold ore running through it. Other common features are described below.
Ceilings. Ceilings throughout are 8 feet high and braced at regular intervals by wooden pilasters and beams.
Doors. All doors are made of wood with iron hinges and handles. The doors are fitted with locks, but none of them are locked. The keys needed to unlock and lock them are gone.
Light. Oil lanterns hang from ceiling hooks in every room and tunnel.
Tell me, how does everyone prepare to open the door? [ Make your attack rolls and damage rolls if it pertains to the readied action. ]
Noticing Drako’s pause, Darien extends his tattooed arm, ready to summon Zrava once more into the first open space he can see beyond the door that will avoid harming his companions.
Drako, as you approach the eastern door, your hand reaches out to grasp the worn, iron handle. Just as your fingers brush the cold metal, you instinctively pause, your senses sharpening. The dim light from the oil lanterns casts a soft glow around you, and the sounds of your companions' quiet movements fade into the background.
You close your eyes and listen intently, straining to catch any hint of noise from the other side of the door. The silence is profound, almost unnaturally so, as if the very air on the other side is holding its breath. No shuffling footsteps, no whispered voices, no scraping of claws on stone.
Yet, in that silence, something else reaches out to you—a prickling sensation at the nape of your neck, like an electrical charge coursing through your scales. Your heart begins to pound, not from fear, but from a deep, instinctual awareness. A sense of danger, palpable and immediate, surges through you.
Whatever lurks beyond this door is not idle. It is waiting, poised to strike, ready to pounce on the unwary.
MINE FEATURES
All tunnels and caverns in the mine are hewn from rock that has thin veins of gold ore running through it. Other common features are described below.
Ceilings. Ceilings throughout are 8 feet high and braced at regular intervals by wooden pilasters and beams.
Doors. All doors are made of wood with iron hinges and handles. The doors are fitted with locks, but none of them are locked. The keys needed to unlock and lock them are gone.
Light. Oil lanterns hang from ceiling hooks in every room and tunnel.
Tell me, how does everyone prepare to open the door? [ Make your attack rolls and damage rolls if it pertains to the readied action. ]
Map:
[ Yes, everyone can make their rolls for the readied action. ]
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Currently DMing:
Dragon of Icespire Peak. (INDEFINITE HIATUS)
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Pinja recoups her darts from the dead rat bodies. Then as the adrenaline fades from her body, she takes stock of her wounds. She does some light stretches as she focuses on smoothing out her breathing. Then muses, “I’ve been thinking about your question Drako. Where do those stairs lead? We should definitely persue Zeleen and her wererats and bring them to justice but perhaps before we leave the area we should make sure there are no survivors? Given the state of these corpses, I don’t think they would have lasted much longer, even if the wererats hadn’t invaded… Don-Jon, you mentioned you were sent to sort out production problems at the mine? And that workers and security would be sent shortly after. Which makes me wonder if you knew that the current workers were, well -“ Pinja gestures to the emancipated miners corpses. She narrows her cat eyes at him slightly. “Perhaps you could tell us everything you know about this place? And exactly which rich people conscripted you?”
[oh, 4pts healed]
Grikiltha quickly gets into a relaxed pose (uninjured due to her second wind healing but resting since that's her attitude and can get the ability back)
"Ya I'm guess the Warerats woukd have been a quicker cleaner finish compared to these large lumps," kicking one the corpses. "So where would these miners run off too? And curious, what would you wager the company would pay to have this mines re secured and its miners back in place? Just thinking out loud here."
To Pinja:
Don-Jon listens carefully to Pinja's words, his brow furrowing in concern. He takes a deep breath before addressing her directly.
"I get where ya comin' from, seein' these poor miners like this," he starts, his tone steady but grave. "But lemme assure ya, neither me nor my employers knew about the state of this mine or its workers. I was sent here to figure out why production had stopped and to fix any problems I found. That's all the information I had."
He gestures back towards the direction of the storeroom they passed earlier. "We saw that storeroom filled with dry food and casks of water. The miners were bein' supplied with food, which tells me the wererats must've taken over and hoarded the supplies, leavin' the miners to starve. It's a damn shame, but I had no clue about it."
Don-Jon then looks Pinja in the eyes, hoping to convey his sincerity. "I was hired by a business consortium based in Neverwinter, specifically in the Merchant's Quarter. They own this mine and sent me here 'cause they hadn't heard a peep from the previous overseer in about a tenday. I arrived in Phandalin just yesterday and was waitin' for an escort to get here safe. That's all I knew comin' into this."
To Grikiltha:
He pauses, considering Grikiltha's question. "About what the consortium would pay... well, these mines are valuable to 'em. Gettin' the mine secured and back in workin' shape would be worth a fair bit. I can't give ya an exact number, but I imagine they'd be willin' to shell out quite a bit to see this place up and runnin' again. 'Specially if it means avoidin' any more loss of life and protectin' their investment."
Area M5- Storeroom
A dozen crates of dry foodstuffs and nine casks of drinking water are stacked in the middle of this cave.
Map: [ Y'all are in M12, the Sleeping Quarters. ]
Currently DMing:
"I commend the inquisitive nature my friend but our original agreement was to only escort Don-Jon not retake the property. If we had chosen to move on there is a good chance DJ would have shared the miners fate. Speaking of our original mission, we should rest and be on our way. We still have a ranch with an orc problem to sus out."
Nigel retrieves Archimedes and after a quick bandage on his rat bite, he's back to recording information in his book. He will do this until others decide the next course of action.
**This Space for Rent**
Darien watches the exchanges happening around him and considers the group’s options. “I can’t completely disagree with Nigel here. I wouldn’t feel right about leaving without investigating those last couple of tunnels to make sure Don-Jon is safe staying here, but the wererats seem to have fled for now and pursuing them would delay us even further in our mission to investigate Butterskull. Unless we think there’s a high enough risk of them returning before the new guards arrive, I’d be inclined to rest here for the night and then move on in the morning.” He looks to the overseer, trying to read his thoughts on this plan (insight 13), and then adds, “Perhaps I could attempt an augury in the morning just before we set out to discern the likelihood of Zeleen and her gang returning, but it may not be entirely accurate so there would still be some element of risk.”
[[ Basically want to make sure the mine is safe for Don-Jon, but also still concerned about the ranch and don’t want to delay unless we have to for the mine’s immediate safety. It’s also somewhere around 8-9pm after our rest I think? ]]
Don-Jon nods in agreement with Nigel’s statement, his voice calm but firm as he addresses the group.
"He's right. Your original job was just to escort me, not to clear out this whole mine from wererats," he says, his accent lending a rugged charm to his words. "I truly appreciate all the help y'all have me given so far. You've gone above and beyond, and I can't thank ya enough."
He pauses, making sure to meet each of their eyes before continuing. "All I'm askin' now is that we finish explorin' whatever's left of this mine. Once that's done, you can all be on your way in the mornin'. I'll make sure to contact my employers soon as we're done here so they can send in the workers and security needed to get things back in shape."
Don-Jon looks towards Darien. "And if your spell reveals that Zeleen’s gonna come back, well, I'll head back to Phandalin myself. No sense in puttin' y'all in more danger if we know what's comin'."
Insight:
Don-Jon genuinely appreciates the group's help and isn't trying to manipulate or deceive them. His gratitude is real, and he's straightforward about the situation and what he needs from the group.
Currently DMing:
"I can ready spell that will allow me to facilitate any burials that may be needed but I'll have to research a bit first. I should be ready by tomorrow morning." offers Nigel. He also replenishes the light spell on his quill.
**This Space for Rent**
Pinja’s eyes relax and she turns thoughtful. “Sounds reasonable. We clear out the mine tonight and help any survivors we find, bury the bodies tomorrow morning with Nigel’s spell help, and head out tomorrow to get to Butterskull and any survivors there. And maybe on our way back from butterskull, we find Zaleen and bring her crew to justice.” She looks again at the miners bodies. “This job seems to be turning out to be a salvage job, just like butterskull. Would hate to rush off to save the butterskull bunch, only to end up damning some lost miner holes up somewhere in there.” She gestures to the as yet undiscovered part of the mine.
Drako listens to the discussion approvingly. "In the mean time, are there any cloths in the supplies box? At least something to save a bit of dignity before we can bury them." He'll take a look and do so if there are. He's ready to continue exploring the mine in search of any miners still present.
This is a signature. It was a simple signature. But it has been upgraded.
Belolonandalogalo, Sunny | Draíocht, Kholias | Eggo Lass, 100 Dungeons
Talorin Tebedi, Vecna: Eve | Cherry, Stormwreck | Chipper, Strahd
We Are Modron
Get rickrolled here. Awesome music here. Track 48, 5/23/25, Immaculate Mary
[ I'll say that there are some spare cloths in the sleeping quarters that can be used for that purpose. Y'all can continue to roleplay. Just let me know when everyone wants to proceed. ]
Currently DMing:
Nigel claps the tiefling on the shoulder as he goes to collect Archimedes. Once the owl his perched comfortably on Nigels shoulder he joins the other to continue the search. He spends some time reviewing his spell book as well His study allows him to refresh a couple of spells.
(Ready. Nigel used his arcane recovery. Haha oh and has it been Butterskull the whole time? I'm almost disappointed it's not butternuts.hehe.)
**This Space for Rent**
Pinja turns toward Don-Jon. “I appreciate your forthright manner. Apologies for any offense.” She tips her head toward him elegantly. “In my experience, powerful people, especially rich powerful people, tend to have questionable motives. Makes me doubly suspicious when they are involved. You will forgive me?” She looks up at him from under her horns with a hesitant smile and a quizzically arched eyebrow.
[ready]
"I'm not says the ranch isn't a priority but theirs a chance some other adventurers on out there way there. No body is to the wiser of this situation. What kind of escort service woukd we be to leave the poor client to fend for themselves all on there owe just because it wasn't in yhe original deal. I still say any survivors after all this time isn't going change status is a few days. Just saying." Grikiltha clearly sees this as a simple, safer, good paying gig that she wouldn't mind milking as much out if it that she can.
After the group took a brief respite within the sleeping quarters and gathering their strength, they ascended the natural stairways, the uneven steps leading them deeper into the Mountain's Toe Gold Mine.
Moving northward, they entered a cavern that had once served as the mine overseer's office (M10). The room bore the marks of chaos and neglect. Oil lanterns, dim and sputtering, hung from crude iron hooks, their light barely piercing the shadows that clung to the corners.
The furnishings were in disarray. An overturned desk lay in the center of the room, its drawers pulled out and papers scattered across the dirt floor. A sturdy wooden chair was on its side, one of its legs broken. Against the far wall, an empty wooden chest sat with its lid flung open, its contents long since plundered. Nearby, a simple cot was pushed haphazardly into the corner, its blanket torn and soiled.
Don-Jon Raskin stepped into the disheveled overseer's office, his eyes narrowing as he took in the scene of chaos and destruction. He let out a low whistle and shook his head. "Well, I'll be," he muttered, his voice carrying the rich, melodic drawl of his homeland. "Looks like those vermin did a real number on this place."
Striding forward with the confidence of a man half his age, he surveyed the overturned desk, the scattered papers, and the broken chair. "Ain't no respect for a man's workspace," he said, his tone a mix of irritation and resolve. "But I reckon I've seen worse in my time."
Don-Jon moved to the empty chest, giving it a cursory glance before turning to the adventurers. "I got my work cut out for me, that's for sure. But if there's one thing I've learned, it's that you can't let a little mess like this get you down."
MINE FEATURES
All tunnels and caverns in the mine are hewn from rock that has thin veins of gold ore running through it. Other common features are described below.
Ceilings. Ceilings throughout are 8 feet high and braced at regular intervals by wooden pilasters and beams.
Doors. All doors are made of wood with iron hinges and handles. The doors are fitted with locks, but none of them are locked. The keys needed to unlock and lock them are gone.
Light. Oil lanterns hang from ceiling hooks in every room and tunnel.
To the east lies another door. I need Drako or anyone else near the door to roll a Perception check (no Help action).
Map:
Currently DMing:
Grikiltha is over there: Perception: 19
[Pinja rolls a 14]
I rolled a 16 Perception for Drako:
Drako, as you approach the eastern door, your hand reaches out to grasp the worn, iron handle. Just as your fingers brush the cold metal, you instinctively pause, your senses sharpening. The dim light from the oil lanterns casts a soft glow around you, and the sounds of your companions' quiet movements fade into the background.
You close your eyes and listen intently, straining to catch any hint of noise from the other side of the door. The silence is profound, almost unnaturally so, as if the very air on the other side is holding its breath. No shuffling footsteps, no whispered voices, no scraping of claws on stone.
Yet, in that silence, something else reaches out to you—a prickling sensation at the nape of your neck, like an electrical charge coursing through your scales. Your heart begins to pound, not from fear, but from a deep, instinctual awareness. A sense of danger, palpable and immediate, surges through you.
Whatever lurks beyond this door is not idle. It is waiting, poised to strike, ready to pounce on the unwary.
MINE FEATURES
All tunnels and caverns in the mine are hewn from rock that has thin veins of gold ore running through it. Other common features are described below.
Ceilings. Ceilings throughout are 8 feet high and braced at regular intervals by wooden pilasters and beams.
Doors. All doors are made of wood with iron hinges and handles. The doors are fitted with locks, but none of them are locked. The keys needed to unlock and lock them are gone.
Light. Oil lanterns hang from ceiling hooks in every room and tunnel.
Tell me, how does everyone prepare to open the door? [ Make your attack rolls and damage rolls if it pertains to the readied action. ]
Map:
Currently DMing:
Noticing Drako’s pause, Darien extends his tattooed arm, ready to summon Zrava once more into the first open space he can see beyond the door that will avoid harming his companions.
[[ 8 fire damage, DEX 13 save for none. ]]
[ Yes, everyone can make their rolls for the readied action. ]
Currently DMing: