"I never doubted that the Dragon was real, but now we have further proof." says Krom to Kazri "Let's proceed with our current task as fast as we can, I fear that as we travel further North we will see more of such sightings. From now on, we should also check the sky as we travel." Krom will return to the cart after gathering the weapons of the orcs.

A few miles later you arrive at the western entrance to the mine.

Hidden among bushes, a tunnel burrows into the foot of a soaring, snow-capped mountain. Above the mouth of the tunnel is a wooden plank with the words “Mountain’s Toe” carved into it in Common.

Kazri does not see any immediate danger as you arrive at the entrance.

Raskin dismounts and approaches the entrance.  As he does so 2 female rat looking humanoids come out of the entrance.

They are wiry and twitchy with thin hair and darting eyes.

You see shortswords at their sides and hand crossbows.

"Greetings."  One says.  "Welcome to Mountain’s Toe.  How may we assist you?"

Raskin explains that he has been sent by the owners of the mine to make inspection and determine why productivity has declined.

"We would be happy to escort you to the mine’s overseer, Zeleen Varnaster, if you please."

Raskin looks back to you.

"Would you please join me?"

"Stop right there!" shouts Krom while dismounting from the cart. "What is going on here Raskin? Those two fellows over there are not the typical miners if I must say." says Krom while examining the rat looking humanoids Nature  7  plus Guidance 2 

(OCC I'm not sure Krom has seen those kind of humanoids before)

He will study carefully Raskin waiting for his answer while putting his right hand on the warhammer. Insight 9 plus Guidance 2

"Woah Krom, Anyone can dig a hole. What does it matte what they look like" Chip would say jumping out of the wagon and moving towards the rat-folk. "There is no need to shout at these two young ladies." He would say with a smile, nodding to the two female rat people things.

"They startled me Chip, that's all." replies with a smile Krom, "Between, Dragons, Orcs and other monsters it is better to always be in guard." Krom's hand is still on the warhammer.

Chill climbs off of the wagon when the rat people appear.  He looks at them carefully, certain that's he's seen this type of people before.

Nature 18

He also studies their body language

Insight 15

Kazri’s medallion glows faintly. She grips her weapon tighter as the balls from her flail clanks. She tries to determine the nature of these folks in front of her. (Nature: 3). She remains calm and collected, but ready for any sign of hostilities.

Rhogar lofts an eye ridge at Krom, and then pats the dwarf on the shoulder with a chuckle. "And none can fault you for being cautious, Master Krom. It is a good thing with so much going on. But worry not, my friend. If any of these strange folk prove to be trouble, we'll sort them out right and Proper! Hahah!" After having said that, he turns on the rat women smilingly toothily and asks, "We're might I direct or horse and wagon to rest while we join our friend here?"

Seeing the creatures and the reactions of the others, Rekuberk readies his maul once more, carefully resting the large hammer on his shoulder. "Before we do anything let us make sure that we are not going to do something we may regret..._

Raskin looks back at Krom at his initial outburst.

"I've never been here, I don't know what it's going on.  I'm here to set things right though."

Turning back to the one who addressed him.

"Yes please, I need to speak to the overseer.  Lead the way."

Raskin enters the mine behind the two who lead the way.

Chill

Chill suddenly realizes what these creatures are.

As Raskin enters the mine behind the 2 rat people he turns to his companions

"Be wary friends, those are wererats.  There were many werecreatures in Chult. They are very dangerous and can only be harmed by magic and silvered weapons. Let us hope things go well inside."

After listening to Chill’s warnings, Kazri’s medallion glows slightly brighter, for she doesn’t like this situation. Reluctantly she follows Raskin into the mine. However brave, or foolish, this man seems to be, she cannot just let a person walk into harm’s way. The rat folks haven’t shown aggression so far at any rate. “I will be right behind you Mr. Raskin.” She uses her Divine Sense once inside the mine. (OCC: Do I need to declare what is Kazri sensing?)

OOC: No.  Using your divine sense will reveal anything as described in the feature.  You don't have to specify what you are trying to sense

Kazri reaches out and tries to detect good and evil.  She senses nothing which is somewhat assuring that there are no celestial, fiend, or undead within 60 ft.

"Wererats you say Chill? I knew in my bones that something was amiss. My hammer is blessed by Moradin so it will harm such creatures if they decide to attack us. I can call upon Moradin's power and enchant another weapon for about 1 hour." says Krom to the party.

"Kazri, just in case take my warhammer, if they attack us I will call upon Moradin's power to fight. Rekuberk, I will enchant your maul or greatsword if we are attacked. It will be a taxing effort since I will have to keep my concentration in order to mantain it, but I will manage it." Krom pass his warhammer to Kazri.

“It prudent to be prepared for the worst Master Krom.” Kazri puts away her flail and wields Krom’s blessed warhammer. She will be the first of her group to walk in.

Rekuberk grips his maul tightly and nods to Krom as it seems he may be getting a chance to use his newer weapon sooner rather then later.

Despite everyone was clear discomfort, at least one of the dragonborn pair appeared nonplussed by the news. He would stand by his earlier words. Though given no instructions about the cart, he hung back to see to that while others proceeded inside. So more by happenstance than intent, he ends up at the back of the back, masking a chant in singing an absent-minded tune that would leave three pebbles glowing as they're absently rolled between fingers.

"Wererats.. well.. that means that they don't look like that ALL the time then right? So for all we know they could be pretty dragonborn woman like... " Chip would begin looking up and counting his claws... "A lot of the days of the month? " He would finally blurt out before quickly following the others into the mine. 

Krom follows the group inside and he prepares to invoke the Light of Moradin if necessary.

You follow Raskin into the mine. You see that the ceilings throughout are 8 feet high and braced at regular intervals by wooden pilasters and beams. The doors you come to are made of wood with iron hinges and handles.  Oil lanterns hang from ceiling hooks in every room and tunnel.

You come down the entry into a small room. There is a wooden door in the south wall. Another wooden door in the east wall is opened by one of the rat people. You follow along another short passage to the east passing another hallway that runs north. You go around a short curve to the south and through another door.

You notice that the wererats do not use keys to open the doors.

You come into a large room about 30 feet in length west to east and 15 feet north to south. Another hallway runs south in the SW corner , on the east side on the south side of the wall a short passage ends in a closed door. To the NE a short hallway opens into another room.

Scattered about this cave are pickaxes, shovels, and other mining tools. There is also a male wererat and another female wererat.

The new female wererat greets you,

"I am Zeleen Varnaster, mine overseer. A pleasure to meet you. How may we be of assistance? "

Raskin explains who he is and why he is there. He tells of how the owners of the mine have sent him to see why production seems to have stopped.

"Yes, yes." Varnaster responds. "We have recently taken over operation and production will begin again soon."