Conducting a Survey
Mining Products Table
| Roll D100 | Product of Mine |
|---|---|
| 01-30 | Copper |
| 31-40 | Tin |
| 41-66 | Lead |
| 67-84 | Iron |
| 85-92 | Silver |
| 93-97 | Gold |
| 98 | Platinum |
| 99 | Mithril* |
| 00 | Gemstones* |
* Indicates only that mithril or gemstones may be present. Mithril exists deep under the earth, in dense metamorphic formations. The actual presence of mithril must be confirmed by checking the Mithril Formation Table. If gemstones are indicated, check the Gemstones Table.
Mithril Formation Table
| Roll D10 | Metal Discovered |
|---|---|
| 1-5 | Silver (highest quality) |
| 6-8 | Gold (highest quality) |
| 9 | Platinum (highest quality) |
| 10 | Mithril |
Gemstones Table
| D100 | Class of Stone |
|---|---|
| 01-25 | Ornamental |
| 26-50 | Semi-precious |
| 51-70 | Fancy |
| 71-90 | Precious |
| 91-94 | Gems |
| 95-96 | Jewels |
| 97-99 | Roll Twice on this Table |
| 00 | Roll Three Times on this Table |
Not all regions will yield something of value, regardless of the success of the proficiency roll. Examples of places where mining is a waste of time include regions of deep sand or dirt and areas of hardened lava. Streams flowing through these regions may have carried traces of ores or a gemstone, but a character with the mining proficiency knows that mining these areas is guaranteed to yield nothing.
If a miner seeks to excavate an area that might yield valuable material, he can make a Mining proficiency check after surveying the area. He may determine that increasing the area of his survey sweep could yield something of value.
The length of time required for a survey will depend upon the conditions of the search. Under ideal conditions, it would take a week to survey an area of 4 square miles. Ideal conditions mean that the character is not constantly fending off goblins and marauding bandits, nor is he hunting for food. If the search is being conducted above ground, deep snow could make prospecting nearly impossible, while even a thin layer would triple the time needed. Steady rainstorms, rough terrain, and short daylight hours all interfere with a survey of the surface.
Underground searches are limited by the natural formations of caverns and passages. The area that can be examined in one week is reduced underground to 2 square miles, conditions permitting. The natural shape of the passages may be such that the character is restricted to a narrow 100-yard stretch, or that the search must be carried deeper into the earth.
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