Session 46: Moreland Mines Report
General Summary
Sitting in the The Red Dragon Inn Moreland the party contemplates it's next move, stay and enter the mines to "seek its fortunes" or pull stakes and leave. After much discussion it would appear the consensus is to leave, the mines seem like far more trouble than they're worth. Noticing the shadowy figure in the corner Malar Naskin approaches him with an offer, the head or recently deceased Lewie Thwart. Naturally, this bounty hunter, a mister Morgar, takes the head while adding a hefty 5,000gp to the pockets of Mal. He also imparts a small bit of advice, "If you enter the mine you'll never come back!" This settles matters, the party will leave Moreland tomorrow and continue it's trek to return Dahlia Di Mare and Tyrian Di Mare to their transport. As darkness envelopes, the room and the party drift off to sleep and a subtle smell of lilac mixed with acid enters the room, the pervasive smell drains into everyone's nose, mouth, and even their pores, leaving behind an oily residue.
An innumerable amount of time passes and the group starts to wake, they're no longer in the Red Dragon Inn, the mattresses they lay on are rough and cheap, the ceiling is a low stone one and their bellies rumble as if they've not eaten in days. A gruff voice meets them from the door, looking through bleary eyes they notice a large half-orc hefting a Morningstar, "Wakey wakey, you got work to do!" After a quick study of their situation, it would seem that the party has been captured and taken into the mine, all of their equipment gone they only find themselves armed with a single-bladed weapon while Petros appears to have retained a simple cheap version of his instrument.
Working their way through the catacombs they enter a large hall with cathedral ceilings also made of hewn stone, clearly deep underground. Ahead they see a line of minecarts with people of all races disembarking and moving to the other side of the room that looks to be a sort of eating area. Taking advantage of this they head to the food window and acquire a plate of gruel and cheap beer, as they eat and talk it's decided that they'll work the day, half-arsed, then assess the situation. It's not long before the party is ushered into a cart and hurled down the mine tunnel by strange albino humanoids who race through the darkness like madness. eventually, after over a mile of travel the tunnel emerges into the bottom of the open cut mine, the sky can be seen hazely above through the mile deep hole. Below a myriad of creatures hang from harnesses over the open pit and dig at the crystalline type brain matter of the celestial beast below. Taking tools the group begins their first day of work while Petros enlivens the workers with a song. As the day progresses the party manages to look around at the different people present, the workers are a huge variety of races from all over the world, and this seems to be mirrored with the guards but they are primarily Half-orcs, however, it is noted rather alarmingly that one of the guards appears to be a beholder. Mal takes the opportunity the administer a small fraction of the crystal material to a cut on his arm, it heals quickly and his body seems to revive, another worker sees this and warns him to never do that while pointing out a yonder worker whose arm has been taken as a penalty.
After the days work the party return to the eating hall and divide up to talk with other miners, some seem optimistic as if they're going to strike it rich while other know the awful truth, this job is for life!
Rewards Granted
This was a great introduction to the mine storyline and I think it will be super fun to continue this on our all-day game. For great Roleplaying and lots of in house talk, I give you 2850XP Each
Missions/Quests Completed
Although you've not managed to get Dahlia anywhere near her ship you have embarked on yet another side quest that could really develop your characters.
Character(s) interacted with
I think the most interesting and awe-inspiring Interaction during this game was the arrival of the BEHOLDER!
