Mining Team
Mining teams are the lifeblood of any active mine. Typically these teams retain the same members throughout their history, accepting new members as older miners and support roles retire from the field. As a result they develop into close knit family with their own quirks and mining rhythms.
Composition
Manpower
A typical mining team will consist of two Fire Setters, a master and an apprentice, with 10 to 20 Miners depending upon the mine and the team's experience. If metal ores are a desired output of the mine each team will also contain one Ore Augur as well. The individuals on a mining team remain static, with the exception of the addition of new recruits, due to the benefits of a close knit team.
Equipment
Miners and ore augers typically carry a pickaxe, shovel, chisel, and hammer into the mines. Ore augers will also bring a Metalmancy Shield to protect the team in case of cave in. If the team does not have an ore auger but one of the miners knows metalmancy that individual will carry the shield instead.
Structure
Each mining team is led be a foreman, who is typically the most respected Miner on the team with sufficient experience to direct daily operations.
Tactics
The Miners will perform the majority of the digging, adding to the existing tunnels and digging out the ores or minerals desired from the mine. Throughout their work they also remain in tune with the ground around them through their Geomancy, allowing them to locate the weak points on rocks as well as monitor the current risk of a tunnel collapse. The Ore Augur uses their Metalmancy to sense for metal ores to direct the shaping of tunns withing metal mines, and will otherwise assist the miners in digging the tunnels when their specific skills are not required.
If the mining efforts encounter rocks that require additional strength to break through the Fire Setters will utilize their Pyromancy and Hydromancy to rapidly heat then cool rocks to break through. If safety allows they can also set controlled explosions at points selected by their mining team. In case of a cave in fire setters are invaluable team members to help blast through rocks quickly, first to provide ventilation access points to allow Anemancy and maintain the oxygen supply, then to dig escape holes for the mining team themselves.
Training
Both fire setters will be well trained in Pyromancy and Hydromancy, while at least half of the miners will be experts in Geomancy with the rest learning on the job. It is customary for two miners to also understand at least the basics of Anemancy to ensure the mining tunnels remain well ventilated. If an ore auger is present they are required to maintain an expert proficiency in Metalmancy.
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