From the Journal of Irwin Ernest Hopperton, Human Elementalist of the Second Circle
The Quest
Locate and clear out some mines to make them safe for mining
The Party
Ceadda, Human Warrior of the Third Circle
Felsic, Scout of the Second Circle
Jexel, Thief of the Second Circle
Myself
Summary
Hopefully I will have the time to provide some reflection after returning like I am this time. I have still attached my daily log for any details that one my find useful.
We started out heading out of Thoral. South, then south east along the foot hills, keeping the mountains to our east. On the third day our scout found a path into the mountains, that he felt would take us to the area we were told we would find the mines.
Now to the fourth day.. our scout/Thief combo felt we could save some time by climbing a hundred yard cliff face. Only Jexel had climbing gear. Neither Ceadda nor myself have had any training in climbing. That should have been my first warning. I cast Crunch climb on everyone. Jexel made it up ok to a ledge about 20 yards up. Ceadda and Felsic followed along successfully. I however, did not. Interesting observation: falling doesn't hurt... it is the sudden stop at the end. Oh did it ever hurt. Then we talked... they wanted to keep trying to go up... another 80 yards... Eventually I talked them out of it... then they needed to get back down... this time with out the benefit of Crunch Climb. Cadda reached the ground much faster then the other. He also fell. Jexel and Felsic managed to climb down successfully.
For the next three days we wandered around the mountains. I suspect our scout got lost.
Four days after the climbing incident, we found the entrance to the mine.
Entering into the mine, Not everyone brought light sources with them... I had a light quartz. Ceadda had some torches. Felsic torches and a lantern. We entered into the mine with Felsic and Jexel leading on the look out for traps. What do you know... BOOM as Felsic's lantern sets off some gas. We proceed down the steps with just my light quartz as light. Sometime after we get down Felsic lights up a torch. Yes, you guessed it. It set off another explosion shortly there after. We continued on with just my light quartz for light.
As we searched around, some shreeker bats came after us, to which we quickly dispatched them.. Ceadda even managed to kill one from his back.
We continued on, more trap. and more traps... Only one didn't get sprung by Jexel.. but he couldn't disarm it, so he set it off, so we could get by.
During all of this we did hear some large crashing sounds in the distance. Right after Jexel set off the last trap, we found out what it was.. Two ogres attacked us. We started out the fight well, a nice line holding back the ogres from getting the 'squishy mage' (yes that seems to be the adventurer's name for us magicians). But Jexel broke the line almost immediately. Ceadda got a got hit in on one of them and I follow up with some Earth Darts to which I used my Desperate Spell Blood charm to amplify them and it went down in a hail of earth darts. Its partner rushed threw the opening in the line left by Jexel and smashed me into the wall. (this is why you keep good formations). For some reason the Ogre turned around and went after Felsic and I was able to get back up. We slowly wore down the second and then verified the mines were clear.
I was able to note that they were likely here mining for true earth and this could be a reasonable source if some is needed.
Things left to be done:
- Determine what the ogers were doing with what they mined
- Determine why the ogers set off their own trap. Where they hiding something?
- Make sure adventures know to carry quality light sources when knownly going to mines/caves
Archiver Dhunack - Here is the attached daily log
Archiver Dhunack - I found this letter with the journal submission, maybe have been an accident, maybe we should deliver a copy