Concealed Cave
Operation Parameters
| Date | 1493 DR, 9 Hammer (03/03/2023) |
| Soldiers | Alexander, Caelindriel, Dickens |
| Status | |
| Casualties | None |
Objective
Investigate suspected gold mineObservations
1. It appears that the Treachery has established a large mining operation in this mountain.2. There were numerous people and dogs present including a mage of some sort
Follow up
1a. Inform command in order for action to be taken by King Kendrick to clear the cave;1b. Inform command in order for Fort Vegapath to setup a mission to clear the cave.
2. What price will the Treachery require? Should we attempt to pay them off again or should we start to actively move against them and end their organization once and for all (or perhaps start a "movement" to ensure they are allied with us and against Elriza and Shar going forward).
Preparation Details
Meet with a scout at the Embassy. Follow scout to cave.Operation Details
We left the camp, after seeing Jacob Zorky roasting some food over a pit of lava in the camp. Teleporting to the Embassy.At the embassy, we were met by Taylor. There were two others in the waiting room: Lily and Gregor. Lily was waiting on Jacob, she is the apprentice for the camp from Embra's Embers (the Alchemist). Gregor was a very aged Ffolk soldier close to retirement that supposedly grew up near the cave area and would be able to lead us to the area.
Gregor led us to the area, but spent half the trip up being carried by Caelindriel. Gregor managed to lead us to the mine where we met Erick, Tommy, and another scout. They report rhythmic tapping, an odd smell, and the fact that nothing appeared to have gone in or out. Tommy led us into the cave.
We investigated the cave and saw that narrowed and got smaller very quickly. We noticed a tiny hole in the ground. Alexander peered through the hole and saw a man that was working on repairing numerous tools in the cavern below. There was also a mining cart and tracks in the cavern, suggesting that there was a good sized operation going on. We attempted to speak to the man, but it seemed that he was not in the mood to talk to strangers, as he ran away seeming down a path
We managed to make a hole in the ground in order to get into the cavern below. With a rope secured in the upper cave, we managed to lower ourselves down the hole. At that we heard some very loud sounds that might have been an avalanche.
We looked around the cavern and investigated the area. After a couple short moments we heard some incoherent yelling and barking that was getting closer. Two dogs attempted to attack us and were dealt with. We continued down the tunnel, following the tracks and eventually met with a man who spoke in a hostile manner. After some back and forth, we approached with out hands open, up, and empty. From there, the guy managed to convince Alexander to separate himself from Dickens and Caelindriel, leading Alexander further down one of the mining tracks to the left. With more tracks straight ahead and to the right, we noticed there were at least six more people and four more dogs. A few moments after Alexander disappeared out of sight, all of the miners attacked.
In the ensuing fight, we managed to kill a couple of people, including the seeming leader whom had separated Alexander from us. It was at this point a mage made himself known. He created some pillar of earth and managed to separate us form the rest of the miners as we had moved to get to Alexander.
This mage spoke to us saying, "This is not the first time our two organizations have come to a misunderstanding. ... I can not let this pass; blood for blood." Due to the appearance of the individuals involved and the way of speech, I strongly believe this is the Treachery that is rumored to be working with Elriza and/or Shar. We should expect potential actions to be taken against us by the Treachery. Caution is greatly advised for any future movement to the Capital.
Exploring the cave we found many tracks and many mining cars at well as numerous tools, but we did not fully investigate the mine as we had been cut off from those areas by the mage and did not want to spill further blood. We managed to find our way out of the mine through an alternate entrance. this entrance was on a cliff on the mountain, on the other side of the mountain from the small cave entrance that we were led to. We were able to see the Capitol form the mountain . Using feather fall to carefully fall to the valley and road below, we managed to make it back to the main road.
On our way back, we did run into a woman whom we managed to catch up to just outside the Embassy. She called herself Ophelia. We all entered the Embassy. After speaking a little with Taylor in order to try to start coordinating Ophelia's entrance into the Fort. We started to talk a little more with Ophelia, where she showed off an item that Alexander called a spell gem. It is a gem that can be imbued with a spell for future use. It appears that this one may have had a spell in it. Ophelia called it a family secret. At that, Alexander starting to ask her about a woman named Mary, and asked if she was her sister. The Lady Ophelia denied knowing such a person
Alexander then left the waiting room and somehow returned with a teleportation bracelet. He gave the bracelet to her. and stated that the Lady Ophelia would be met at the Fort for an interview/screening. Caelindriel, led the Lady to the teleportation circle. Upon arriving at the Fort, a welcoming committee of camp personnel made up of primarily command met with the Lady Ophelia and escorted her for screening. Also of note, Lily did indeed make into camp and appears to have settled in nicely.