Session 9 - A Beautiful Mine

General Summary

With Zarra's blood still boiling, the Party set out on the task of clearing the gem mine so important to Termalaine's economic well-being. An oddly sophisticated warning sign outside the mine was the first indication that all was not as it appeared.  The Party cautiously explored the mine, well aware of the trapmaking penchant of kobolds.  However, the Party found nothing of note on the first level of the mine, except a rat charmed by Zanborin and two others of the giant-variety which Zarra quickly dispatched.
Zanborin was first to take the one-person bucket to the next level of the mine and, despite his extreme stealth, was quickly attacked by a blindsighted Grell, which was alerted by the vibrations of the transport bucket.  Despite being taken by surprise, Zanborin dexterously evaded the Grell's poisonous tentacles until joined by Skolas, who immediately came to his compatriot's aid.  Zarra soon joined the fray and the Grell eventually fell under the weight of the Party's combined attacks, along with surprising supplemental sling attacks from a couple of kobolds who fled as soon as the battle ended.
The Party followed them down a tunnel to the third and final level of the mine, eventually finding a group of kobolds led by the preturnaturally well-spoken kobold leader Trex...or so it first appeared.  The kobold Trex was actually inhabited by the spirit of Janth, a sage of the Arcane Brotherhood who had been killed weeks before by the frost druid, Ravisin.  Janth/Trex appealed to the Party for help in easing the kobolds acceptance into the town of Termalaine-proper, explaining that the miners had fled in fear before an explanation could be made that they sought only honest work and a warm place to call home.  The Party searched the mine, revealing nothing to contradict Janth/Trex's story, and also finding a strange crystal in the half-buried skull of a mind flayer.  When Skolas indicated his hesitancy to vouch for the kobolds beyond an introduction to the citizens of Termalaine, Janth offered his knowledge as a medicinal botanist of the Arcane Brotherhood as payment for Skolas pleading their case.  Seemingly unimpressed, Skolas instead demanded Janth's accompaniment until their visit to Lonelywood was complete.  Janth reluctantly agreed, and the group gathered at the mine entrance for the return to Termalaine.

Report Date

23 Aug 2023