A tiny ball of green-hued fire flies from Olias' fingertips and down into the chasm. You see the small ball flickering around the dim light of the torches like a firefly. After sixty feet of the spell's small fire licking the blackness around it, you see the green speck extinguish.
The deep rumbling from within the chasm grows a little louder. It begins to echo within the room, like the persistent grumblings of a large stomach with an even larger appetite.
Thravum and Jorlitharr, you can make out very faint screeches of what sounds like metal against stone within the rumble.
Nothing changes visually.
Jorlitharr waits.
Thravum stands, peering over the edge one hand on his axe- head resting on the ground.
He may be humming a tune.
Olek looks to Jorlitharr and ponders his patience for a moment.
He shrugs and stands waiting beside him. Staff at the ready.
Olias takes one last look down the chasm, then back to his friends, and shrugs. Sensing that standing on the edge is probably a precarious position to be in when the earth is shaking, he takes a step away. "You know, those levitation boots would be handy right now..."
The earth trembles and the grunting groan of metal against stone grows louder.
In the center of the chasm rises a mountain of stones, with rocks spitting from the apex. A large figure pushes straight up, through the top of the churning rocks - it is a dwarf......
But what a dwarf! A towering ten feet tall, his beard and skin and armor seemingly made completely of shining mithril, grasping a mithril hammer and shield in his mithril hands. His eyes burn like coals deep within their hammered sockets.
The rocks beneath his feet stop moving and form a solid pedestal for him to stand upon. A voice booms from the dwarf, and you do not see his mouth moving. You hear him speaking in Common, Dwarven, and Elvish at the same time, and you understand his words in whichever of these is your native language.
“State your names, the place you call home, and your intent within this mountain.” His eyes flash with a fiery light.
Jorlitharr's face shows excitement and fear.
"I am Jorlitharr Deepflagon great great great grand nephew of Grumbarr Deepflagon. I call the earth my home. I intend to rid this mountain of evil so its beauty and riches can be appreciated by those who can, as Durrindal would have hoped. We have slain the orcs that stole this mountain and the evil serpent and its brood which claimed these vaults."
The towering dwarf slowly turns his head to look at Jorlitharr, his metal beard screeching on his chest as it rubbed.
His fiery red eyes change to a brilliant blue, and he says, "Does Jorlitharr Deepflagon, descendant of Grumbarr Deepflagon, speak the truth?" A quick gust of wind blows over Jorlitharr, and you feel the familiar prickle of magic.
The dwarf stares intently at Jorlitharr for a moment, then his eyes change back to fiery red. "You believe the words you have said. You have honored Durgeddin."
The dwarf is still, waiting for others to speak.
"I am Olekdandr Blackwind from Solnevo; across the great sea. I came to rid this mountain of an orc nuisance threatening the town of Blasingdell. I returned when I learned of the dragon making a lair here. By my account these evils have been vanquished. We entered this room to ensure no other malevolent forces are to follow us as ultimately we are seeking safe quarter on our return to our people."
"The name is Olias of Sunhillow. I entered here with my companions to slay the dragon haunting these halls and for the treasures within, to appreciate them, as Jorlitharr stated. Like this great drumset!"
Olias winks and plays the drums to show his appreciation.
The dwarf turns to Oleksandr as he speaks. His fiery red eyes change to a brilliant blue, and he says, "Does Oleksandr Blackwind of Solnevo speak the truth?" Olek, you feel a brush of wind and a tingle of magic. His eyes turn back to fiery red.
"You believe what you have spoken. You have honored Durgeddin."
The dwarf turns to Olias and listens. His red eyes change to blue, and he says, "Does Olias of Sunhillow speak the truth?"
"You believe what you have spoken." The dwarf pauses for several seconds, his eyes fixed upon Olias and his drum. "You honor Durgeddin with your words and your drumming. Tell me the answer to this riddle, Olias of Sunhillow: The thick repository of all that is - volcanoes spew me, earthquakes chew me. Always beneath I exist. What am I?"
Olias turns to his companions. "Let's see. Volcanoes spew magma and lava. Hot stuff. Earthquakes don't chew those... they chew homes, farms, well, anything on the ground. Always beneath? Well, the ground is beneath me. Rocks are beneath me. Wait, magma is just hot rocks, right? I'm thinking the answer has to be rocks, ground, or earth or something, and you Dwarves are obsessed with that stuff... no offense. What do you think? I'm thinking of saying 'earth.'"
The dwarf says, "Olias of Sunhillow, your reasoning is sound. You are a dwarf friend."
The dwarf adjusts his posture to look at Oleksandr. "Oleksandr Blackwind of----" The dwarf halts in mid-sentence. An echoing grind jars your ears as the dwarf turns its head towards Thravum.
"You have been silent. Speak."
"....er...Elf talks enough fer me..."
After several moments Thravum gives an irritated "hmmph"
"Thravum. Thravum Grimrock. Home is wherever I am when I am. Born in Grimhold. Left. Not goin back. Saw a dragon, hadn't killed one yet. Did. Now I have."
"...heh..."
The dwarf's eyes glow brilliantly as he stares down Thravum. "Does Thravum Grimrock born of Grim hold speak the truth?" The ends of Thravum's beard flutter as the magic passes over him. The dwarf's eyes return to their piercing blue color and he says, "Thravum Grimrock, you believe what you have spoken. You have honored Durgeddin."
The dwarf surveys each of you with his brilliant blue eyes.
"I am the guardian of the treasure of the great smith Durgeddin, created from mithril by his most trusted clerics over many years of dedicated toil. I have waited for many years for worthy souls to find me." He pauses. "Several unworthy persons lay at the bottom of this cavern."
He stops speaking, and the rocks under his feet begun to tremble. Without a word, the dwarf turns to face the opposite wall, and he lifts a foot to walk towards it. The rocks bubble up to form a solid walkway, like a sidewalk, under his feet. He walks slowly and steadily (and with much creaking) to the opposite wall, where he picks up the vial and turns back towards you. The rocks remain as a sidewalk from the tower of rocks to the wall. He makes his way back to his original spot, and the rocks that created the walkway fall down into the cavern so that he is standing on a tall pedestal of rock again.
"Your truthfulness has earned this." He reaches out and places the vial on the edge of the cavern wall near Jorlitharr's feet. He straightens up, and steps one foot out so his mithril-booted feet are wide apart in a solid stance. His back straightens. He flips his hammer over so the hammerhead is resting on the rocks between his feet. Somehow, he's made himself even more big and imposing than before.
"You must pass three trials in order for the beauteous splendor of Durgeddin's vast legacy to be revealed. You have solved the mystery of the door. You have slayed the red dragon... Your final challenge lays before you."
He pauses, obviously for dramatic effect. "You may take this vial and leave, never to return. Or........" He lifts his hammer high above his head with a massive squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeal. "You must defeat me in combat. One of you make the first move."
The dwarf freezes in place on his stone pedestal, his hammer still raised.
The dwarf closes his eyes and falls to his knees, almost in slow motion. The resulting *crunch* of fallen metal onto the stone ground is nearly deafening. His eyes slowly shut and his head bows down, his metal beard scraping on his armored chest. The hand holding the large hammer releases it, and the hammer falls to the earth with a resounding *thudddd*.
You all hear a subtle *click* and the entire breastplate on the dwarf swings open. Inside this gigantic cavity you see vast workings of gears and levers, connecting out to his arms and legs and neck. Every surface you see, inside and out, is charred and dull.
Amidst the crowded interior, you also see a small mithril chest, several mithril scroll cases, and a myriad of worn-looking books (all crammed in, laying about where his stomach would be).
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
THRAVUM
Thravum shrugs... "Yer were warned..."
He kicks the hammer away from the automaton's grasp lifeless grasp. He then reaches into the cavity and grabs a book and tosses it carelessly to the side, trying to extricate the good stuff.
OLEKSANDR
Olek lunges for the book immediately after Thravum tosses it trying to catch it before it hits the ground. (Dex 8) Your fingertips touch the pages but the book crashes to the ground.
He then elbows himself in next to Thravum and searches for anymore books.
"Careful with these. The knowledge they contain may well be more valuable than your shiny trinkets."
You find 8 worn books.
Four books are bound in dark brown leather with the title “Forging in Mithril” by G. Durgeddin, a detailed compendium about his specially developed techniques, You have never heard of any such book before, and you know that Durgeddin's method was thought to be lost forever, never before spread beyond this mountain.
One book bound in blue cloth; flipping through, you see a collection of poetry and tales about the legacy of forging mithril in the Mountain, collected by Master Bard Kagravva.
Three books in black leather, written in different hands; further inspection shows that these are Journals of Kings of the Mountain, telling detailed history of the construction and leadership and ledgers of crops and animals, plus much more information about how the mountain community survived and worked.
JORLITHARR
Jorlitharr will try and coax the fiery elemental to return to the ruby, after scratching the rune of "Returning" onto its face.
(Arcana 24)
(Arcana with advantage because it's a gem and and elemental his two favorite things? 22)
The rune glows a brilliant blue for a second, then the elemental is "sucked" back into the ruby (think of a genie going back into a bottle).
Afterwards he'll approach the automaton. He'll begin what will likely be weeks of labor and begins to cast mending. "You guys head on back. I think I'm going to be staying in town close by. I'll be able to keep an eye on what we can't carry.”
OLIAS
"Holy gods above!" Olias shouts as the dwarf comes crashing down. "Glad I wasn't under that!" He looks into the cavity and notices the chest. "Hmm, is it locked?" If so, he will attempt to open it.
(Lockpick 8)
You do not open the chest.
"Damn!" Olias strokes his beard, lost in thought. Then, he shrugs and turns to Thravum. "Hey, friend! Think you can get this open?" he says, gesturing towards Thravum's axe.
You had found 8 books within the belly of the construct. If you spend an hour inspecting these tomes,
[Four books are bound in dark brown leather with the title “Forging in Mithril” by G. Durgeddin, a detailed compendium about his specially developed techniques, You have never heard of any such book before, and you know that Durgeddin's method was thought to be lost forever, never before spread beyond this mountain. Priceless to any blacksmith or museum.
One book bound in blue cloth; flipping through, you see a collection of poetry and tales about the legacy of forging mithril in the Mountain, collected by Master Bard Kagravva. If studied for ten hours, you receive advantage when dealing verbally with dwarves.
Three books in black leather, written in different hands; further inspection shows that these are Journals of Kings of the Mountain, telling detailed history of the construction and leadership and ledgers of crops and animals, plus much more information about how the mountain community survived and worked. Invaluable information. How shall you use it?
You have three mithril scroll cases, and upon closer look they are longer than usual. The cases themselves are very detailed and beautifully made.
One detailed blueprint map of the mountain, with a secret entrance marked.
One beautiful original painting of Durgeddin looking regal and crotchety and and his closest clan members with him.
One striking original painting of an ancient red dragon with the name Tchazzar at the bottom.
Now for the chest. If you spend time actually examining the bottom of the chest, you see a key inlaid within the mithril, with tiny latches holding it in. You can easily remove the key and unlock the chest. Inside the chest you find the following:
An envelope with a Durgeddin’s wax seal across the flap. The words “To be opened by the ones who defeat this construct” are written with square, stodgy letters in black ink.
If you are reading this, I know you and your companions are brave, strong, and cunning. My demise is imminent as we have been fighting orcs for many long years, and my age climbing in years. I have hidden the best of my creations in a secret room so they will not fall prey to the abusive hands of the orcs.
Congratulations on your loyalty and success on defeating this construct, built by my top mages and sorcerers. Be warned - you have another trial awaiting you in the treasure room. I have retrieved an egg from the famed dragon Tchazzar. This egg will hatch by the time I am gone, and it will be able to defend my gathered mithril horde and protect my horde from anyone who is not true of heart or spirit.
Since you are reading this, I know you and your companions are brave, strong, and cunning, and you deserve to gather and use my priceless horde. I trust you to make the best decisions on how to use and preserve these artifacts forever more.
In the box you also find Durgeddin’s personal journal. This holds a wealth of information about life under the mountain; when flipping through you see sketches of not only his weaponry but the plans for a nest and a dragon egg.
All of the loot from the previous room:
6 stone chests with golden locks with 10 bars of gold in each chest, each bar stamped with Durgeddin’s mark
6 stone chests with mithril locks with 5 bars of mithril in each chest, each bar stamped with Durgeddin’s mark (Note due to past inquiry: Full plate armor would take 15 bars of mithril, not including the cost of the smith’s labor. It would half the weight, half the time it takes for you to don the full suit, you don’t have strength requirements to wear, you don’t get any stealth penalties, and it would give 19AC (1 higher than steel)
1 stone chest submerged in water with has a mithril lock holding 8 bars of platinum, each stamped with the Durgeddin mark
On the 15 stone dwarven statues in the dragon’s lair:
Axe : +1 mithril
Lion Invocation:1/day use bonus action to cast 'Fear' on adjacent target at Spell DC 14
OR
Ram Invocation: 1/day action to make attack roll vs adjacent target (str+prof+1), on hit target takes 2d10 force damage and must make a str saving throw DC 14 or be knocked prone
OR
Serpent Invocation: 1/day reaction to cast 'shield', choose 1 day (lightning, fire, acid, thunder, poison, cold) gain resistance to chosen element for day.
Helmet : +2 to Armor Class
Boots : Boots of Endure Elements
Urgrosh : +2 mithril
Ring : Ring of Protection +2
Hammer : +1 mithril
Cape : Cloak of resistance +2
Necklace : mithril with blue agate, very expensive
Bracelet : mithril, very expensive
Mace : +1 mithril
You all have a choice on how to move this loot. Jorlitharr wants to remain behind. Do you go back to town with some loot and bury the rest? Do you come back with a cart, possibly attracting attention? Do you recruit friends to help move things? Do you take it to Blasingdell or just return to Haven's Cross? So many options....
"I think those books on mithril mining and smiting may be Blasingdell's saviors. Their economy is struggling. Perhaps we could copy the book and provide them with copies."
"The paintings and statue are fine artwork that maybe best suited for display in your new estate."
"Once we've counted and distributed loot, I'll take my share. I'd like to stay in the mountain and Blasingdell area for the winter."
Jorlitharr will open the sealed note and read it to the group.
"I think those books on mithril mining and smiting may be Blasingdell's saviors. Their economy is struggling. Perhaps we could copy the book and provide them with copies."
"The paintings and statue are fine artwork that maybe best suited for display in your new estate."
"Once we've counted and distributed loot, I'll take my share. I'd like to stay in the mountain and Blasingdell area for the winter."
Jorlitharr will open the sealed note and read it to the group.
"I agree with you. The knowledge in these books will surely improve these peoples lives. This mayor won't be able to make heads or tails of it though. It will take quite some study to parse and find the most important information. Let me takes these works to Haven's Cross where I have an a proper library. I will be able to consume them faster than the 10 wisest men in Blasingdell working together. I will have Myra deliver scrolls with where to begin and eventually have the entire work copied properly."
"I agree with you. The knowledge in these books will surely improve these peoples lives. This mayor won't be able to make heads or tails of it though. It will take quite some study to parse and find the most important information. Let me takes these works to Haven's Cross where I have an a proper library. I will be able to consume them faster than the 10 wisest men in Blasingdell working together. I will have Myra deliver scrolls with where to begin and eventually have the entire work copied properly.""I think those books on mithril mining and smiting may be Blasingdell's saviors. Their economy is struggling. Perhaps we could copy the book and provide them with copies."
"The paintings and statue are fine artwork that maybe best suited for display in your new estate."
"Once we've counted and distributed loot, I'll take my share. I'd like to stay in the mountain and Blasingdell area for the winter."
Jorlitharr will open the sealed note and read it to the group.
Jorlitharr frowns a bit. "I know you're a very smart chi...er man, but things such as this shouldn't be 'parsed'...but yes eventually copies."
"I'll stay here for the winter. I'd like to spend some time in the Temple in town, speaking with the mayor and.."
He pauses and looks at each of his companions.
"Do we want to claim this hall? Or are we prepared to give rights to the town?"
An owl flies into the cavern and lands on a long burned out torch held in the wall.
It hoots and looks intently and Oleksandr. A voice, clearly not of the owl but familiar to Oleksandr says.
"I'm IN the library...astral..safe for now..deep speech.."
There seems to be some distortion as if the voice is coming from far away or through a windstorm.
Olek opens his mouth to argue about the semantics of the word 'parse' but is interrupted before he can speak.
"I'm IN the library...astral..safe for now..deep speech.."
He is clearly taken aback. A look of surprised puzzlement crosses his face.
"Mordecai?"
He looks to his companions.
"I think I know this owl. I need to return to Haven's Cross immediately."
Olek opens his mouth to argue about the semantics of the word 'parse' but is interrupted before he can speak.
"I'm IN the library...astral..safe for now..deep speech.."He is clearly taken aback. A look of surprised puzzlement crosses his face.
"Mordecai?"
He looks to his companions.
"I think I know this owl. I need to return to Haven's Cross immediately."
The owl follows.
"I agree with you. The knowledge in these books will surely improve these peoples lives. This mayor won't be able to make heads or tails of it though. It will take quite some study to parse and find the most important information. Let me takes these works to Haven's Cross where I have an a proper library. I will be able to consume them faster than the 10 wisest men in Blasingdell working together. I will have Myra deliver scrolls with where to begin and eventually have the entire work copied properly.""I think those books on mithril mining and smiting may be Blasingdell's saviors. Their economy is struggling. Perhaps we could copy the book and provide them with copies."
"The paintings and statue are fine artwork that maybe best suited for display in your new estate."
"Once we've counted and distributed loot, I'll take my share. I'd like to stay in the mountain and Blasingdell area for the winter."
Jorlitharr will open the sealed note and read it to the group.
Jorlitharr frowns a bit. "I know you're a very smart chi...er man, but things such as this shouldn't be 'parsed'...but yes eventually copies."
"I'll stay here for the winter. I'd like to spend some time in the Temple in town, speaking with the mayor and.."
He pauses and looks at each of his companions.
"Do we want to claim this hall? Or are we prepared to give rights to the town?"
I'm never one to pass up some choice real estate. I say we keep it!
I'm never one to pass up some choice real estate. I say we keep it!"I agree with you. The knowledge in these books will surely improve these peoples lives....""I think those books on mithril mining and smiting may be Blasingdell's saviors. Their economy is struggling. Perhaps we could copy the book and provide them with copies."
"The paintings and statue are fine artwork that maybe best suited for display in your new estate."
"Once we've counted and distributed loot, I'll take my share. I'd like to stay in the mountain and Blasingdell area for the winter."
Jorlitharr will open the sealed note and read it to the group.
Jorlitharr frowns a bit. "I know you're a very smart chi...er man, but things such as this shouldn't be 'parsed'...but yes eventually copies."
"I'll stay here for the winter. I'd like to spend some time in the Temple in town, speaking with the mayor and.."
He pauses and looks at each of his companions.
"Do we want to claim this hall? Or are we prepared to give rights to the town?"
"Perhaps we should work out some sort of agreement with the town, their economy is struggling and this real estate would be far more valuable with a thriving town close by. Perhaps we could form a rental agreement with the town? Give them rights for mining these Mithril veins under the condition they maintain the property or something to that effect? We could even negotiate a cut I suppose."
Olias looks over the treasures and notices that our adventurers aren't showing interest in some of the treasures. He swallows his pride, sighs, and admits, "Thravum, we need you to be as strong as possible. You should really take that shield. I owe my life to you. Let's keep you alive, eh?"
Olias looks over the treasures and notices that our adventurers aren't showing interest in some of the treasures. He swallows his pride, sighs, and admits, "Thravum, we need you to be as strong as possible. You should really take that shield. I owe my life to you. Let's keep you alive, eh?"
"It would be difficult to manage ourselves... but a cut, you say?" Olias grins mischievously. "Allow me to handle the negotiations." He slaps Jorlitharr on the back amicably and chuckles to himself.
"I think those books on mithril mining and smiting may be Blasingdell's saviors. Their economy is struggling. Perhaps we could copy the book and provide them with copies."
"The paintings and statue are fine artwork that maybe best suited for display in your new estate."
"Once we've counted and distributed loot, I'll take my share. I'd like to stay in the mountain and Blasingdell area for the winter."
Jorlitharr will open the sealed note and read it to the group.
"Yes, I would like our home to look its best. Let's keep the art."
"Let some'un else work it n' pay us a cut. Easier. Diggin n fixin all day'd be boring."
"I think I know this owl. I need to return to Haven's Cross immediately."
"I'm ready. Let's go."
"I'll stay here for the winter. I'd like to spend some time in the Temple in town, speaking with the mayor and.."
"See ya at the Cross in the Spring? You bringin our cut?"
He mumbles something unintelligible, then-
"Take care fer critters...mrmph...safe n all."
Mayor Sir Miles Berrick greets you at the gates of Blasingdell. "Welcome and good greetings to you all! I have had scouts posted around the walls of this city for any hint of your return!" he yells excitedly at you, shaking each of your hands vigorously. "As we have had no other dragon sightings, I have been optimistic of your imminent return! Have you indeed slain the dragon? Did the dragon have a hoard? Tell me of your findings!"
Constable Dara is nearby. She eyes the growing crowd around you. "Welcome back," she says, walking up to your group. "Let's all go to Town Hall and get inside to talk."
Dara leads you to a small room inside Town Hall, then sits down with a paper and quill at the ready. The Mayor brings you all drinks of deep red wine (like you had before during your meeting with him). "If the dragon is dead and you have found a hoard, I will honor my word. I promised that you are welcome to any loot as long as our city gets at least 10 percent of what you've found. What can you tell me about your quest?" He stops for a moment. "Wasn't there another of you?"
A knock on the door is followed by Baron Altheon coming through. "1500gp each, as promised!" he says, clutching 4 bags of jingling coins. He places them on the table. "I am glad to see you have returned."
Mayor Sir Miles Berrick greets you at the gates of Blasingdell. "Welcome and good greetings to you all! I have had scouts posted around the walls of this city for any hint of your return!" he yells excitedly at you, shaking each of your hands vigorously. "As we have had no other dragon sightings, I have been optimistic of your imminent return! Have you indeed slain the dragon? Did the dragon have a hoard? Tell me of your findings!"
Constable Dara is nearby. She eyes the growing crowd around you. "Welcome back," she says, walking up to your group. "Let's all go to Town Hall and get inside to talk."
Dara leads you to a small room inside Town Hall, then sits down with a paper and quill at the ready. The Mayor brings you all drinks of deep red wine (like you had before during your meeting with him). "If the dragon is dead and you have found a hoard, I will honor my word. I promised that you are welcome to any loot as long as our city gets at least 10 percent of what you've found. What can you tell me about your quest?" He stops for a moment. "Wasn't there another of you?"
A knock on the door is followed by Baron Altheon coming through. "1500gp each, as promised!" he says, clutching 4 bags of jingling coins. He places them on the table. "I am glad to see you have returned."
Olias smiles in return towards Mayor Berrick and Constable Dara. "It's so good to see you both again. You are correct in your assumption. The dragon is indeed slain and the hall is no longer haunted by its foul presence, due of course to the bravery and might of my fellow companions," Olias says, winking and gesturing towards his friends. "We'd very much like to help get the mining business back up and running, as well as figure out what to do with the Great Hall inside the mountain." He pauses for effect. "Perhaps later, after we settle in, we can discuss an arrangement we can all be comfortable with?"
Olias smiles in return towards Mayor Berrick and Constable Dara. "It's so good to see you both again. You are correct in your assumption. The dragon is indeed slain and the hall is no longer haunted by its foul presence, due of course to the bravery and might of my fellow companions," Olias says, winking and gesturing towards his friends. "We'd very much like to help get the mining business back up and running, as well as figure out what to do with the Great Hall inside the mountain." He pauses for effect. "Perhaps later, after we settle in, we can discuss an arrangement we can all be comfortable with?"
Jorlitharr nods to Olias. "The dragon and it's.. spawn have been eradicated. I know our previous arrangement was to provide 10% of our loot to the town, but as my friend Olias explained, we have another potential offer for you that I think you'll find will be far more lucrative in the long run...one of the things we found when exploring these long abandoned ruins was a vein of a very precious metal. Mithril. It would appear the vein is extensive based on our initial observations.
Mister Mayor, We're prepared to offer you partial rights to the proceeds of this Mithril (after expenses of course). In exchange I will personally aid in the training by providing long forgotten knowledge not only in the mining of Mithril but also in it's smithing into finished goods. I think this is an unbelievable opportunity for your town. While we'll retain property rights on the Dwarven Hold, your town will have an opportunity for a booming economy. You're a very wise man I know, I'm quite sure your citizens will be ecstatic that their mayor led their town successfully to such a windfall. It could lead to generations of good fortune. I don't want to speak for everyone, but personally I'm very excited to invest in city with such potential.
As to the particulars, I believe Olias would like to handle those as he's quite skilled in negotiations, but I'll be staying near Blasingdell through at least the spring to assist in anyway I can.
He turned to Dara, I have some thoughts on how to properly defend such a valuable resource you may be interested in. I believe we may be able to repair and repurpose some of the systems the original owners were using to defend their holdings.
I'm willing to aid in cleaning and repairing damage done over the years. I could use a few dozen laborers to assist with hauling out what's left of the nefarious occupants and I'm willing to pay them for their time as a sign of good will and future relationships."
He looks to Olias, "What are you thoughts?"
"Your offer to give us partial rights to this incredible mithril find is very generous. I can have my assistant draw up a formal contract and we can work out the particulars together. PATRICK!" A skinny man with spectacles bounds into the room and stands next to the Mayor. Patrick hands him a quill and parchment, and Mayor Berrick becomes uncharacteristically silent as he quickly writes notes down on the parchment.
"I believe I can get together a labor force that can specialize in excavation and mining. They need good working wages and the promise of constant work." He thinks again and writes. "We don't have a blacksmith; Bron at the stables makes his own horseshoes with a small forge. He's pretty adaptable and could possibly be interested in learning more...." He trails off. "Of course you'll have all expenses covered in this. That'll be in the contract..." He writes furiously again.
Dara takes this opportunity to chime in. "I like the way you think Jorlitharr. I've wanted to buff up our squad for a while now, and this gives us the means to do it. I'll make sure we have provisions in the contract on security details, plus training. Your offer to stick around is generous, and I'd love to employ you on the squad to help us get things squared up this winter. You said you'd be sticking around, but would you accept a position to oversee this project?"
She turns to Olias. "If you are skilled in negotiations, I'm sure we could employ you as well. We'll need a recruiter and help getting the word out. Interested in a job for the winter?"
She turns to Thravum. "You've been awfully silent. Care to join in the project to excavate the mountain?"
"m'eadin back to the cross with the mage. Diggin days'r over...err...mmm...thanks"
Thravum will head back to Haven's Cross with Oleksandr.
Olek hands the books on working with mitrhil to Jorlitharr
"I selfishly wanted to be first to read this information, but you'll need it sooner than I can make copies. I know you will keep it safe. Perhaps you can get a copy to the Haven's Cross library in due time?"
"m'eadin back to the cross with the mage. Diggin days'r over...err...mmm...thanks"
Thravum will head back to Haven's Cross with Oleksandr.
"I do wish to be departing soon. Immediately if possible. I've been searching for answers to Karl's disappearance for a long time and this owl's sudden arrival...the astral plane...I need to know what happened and I think the answer is back in Haven's Cross."
She turns to Olias. "If you are skilled in negotiations, I'm sure we could employ you as well. We'll need a recruiter and help getting the word out. Interested in a job for the winter?"
Never one to turn down some extra coin, Olias grins widely. "Gladly. I will have a sizable workforce for you by the time spring rears its head. Just let me know what you are willing to pay for each worker.
"As for the contract - please allow me to discuss tonight with my friends. I'll have an answer for you in a few days."
Olias turns towards his companions. "Gentlemen. Drinks tonight? We have much to discuss."
Jorlitharr looks to the Mayor.
"You're a wise leader sir. The town is lucky to have you. I think spring will bring a rebirth to this town in more ways than one. Having you to lead them will carry them far. I'd love to help. I've taken quite a liking to your town. We have the luxury of the winter to make preparations I'd imagine not much beyond that will happen until after mud season."
Jorlitharr gets a slight smirk at the mention of 'mud season'.
_____________________________________________________________________
Jorlitharr looks to constable Whitestone.
"I'd be more than happy to help you with fortifications or planning financials or logistics but I'm not one who has much tactic skill in combat in the traditional sense. In fact, I avoided basic military training most Dorian dwarves get at a young age. I think Olias acting as a recruiter to fire up a young passionate workforce is a great idea."
_____________________________________________________________________
Olias, I'll meet you in the Griffon's Nest. I think Oleksander and Thravum heading to Haven's Cross post haste is a wise decision. Oleksander seems to feel there are pressing issues that cannot wait. I'm confident we can handle things from here. If you're planning on making the trip back to Haven's Cross however it might be prudent to go with them so you're not making the trip alone."
____________________________________________________________________
"Oleksandr, thank you. You have many books to read, I'm happy taking this off your plate. I wont spoil it for you." Jorlitharr grins widely and takes the book from Oleksandr's grips with grubby grimy hands.
The Mayor swells at Jorlitharr's praise. "I'm ready to do what I can to make sure this all works out for this town. I thank you profusely for everything you have done."
He motions to Jorlitharr and Olias. "Dara, get these two apartment keys. They will not pay for lodging in this town."
He tips his head to Thravum and Olek. "Best wishes for a safe journey to Haven's Cross. Many thanks again for all you have done for us."
Thravum and Olek: Dara thanks you two for your help in this, and wishes him well on your journey.
Olias: Dara promises to be in touch with you once the contracts are drawn up for the workforce, and also promises to negotiate a fair price for his recruiting work. She asks you to check in with her in three days. She says she will deliver your apartment key by messenger to the Griffins Nest later tonight.
Jorlitharr: Dara accepts your offer to help with the logistics and financial parts of the venture. She asks that you return the following day at noon to start the planning process, figure out who could captain the squad, and figure out what to pay you.
Olias spends that night figuring out a way to help with the recruitment campaign, as well as a way to maximize on making a profit from the mithril find. Naturally, he turns to his lute and starts strumming some chords.
"Mmm, hmmm!" He hums to himself while playing, as lyrics begin to form. He writes down some ideas.
From Haven they came
our kinsfolk to save
from the Orcs upon the mountain.
They broke open cages
and bards will fill pages
on how they gave Uffe a pounding.
Haven's Guard! Haven's Might!
Hail to the Heroes of Light!
Haven's Guard! Haven's Might!
Hail to the Heroes of Light!
Once more they'd climb
up the mountain so high
to fell a most dastardly foe.
With their veins of steel
they brought a dragon to heel,
the source of Blasingdell's woe.
Haven's Guard! Haven's Might!
Hail to the Heroes of Light!
Haven's Guard! Haven's Might!
Hail to the Heroes of Light!
They cleansed that foul lair
and discovered its wares,
a bounty that fills all their wishes.
Now furnaces whistle
The smith forges mithril
and Blasingdell bathes in its riches.
Haven's Guard! Haven's Might!
Hail to the Heroes of Light!
Haven's Guard! Haven's Might!
Hail to the Heroes of Light!
Olias smiles as his pen drips its last drop of ink on the pages before him. "Tomorrow, I shall propose to the mayor that a celebration is in order and that I'd most happily perform for the town," Olias thinks to himself. "Of course, with the notoriety the town receives as my song spreads, there will not doubt be plenty of folk wishing to pay the town a visit and share in its newfound prosperity. There will be plenty of able workers, indeed."
With that, Olias blows out the candle, its wax nearly spent, and heads to sleep.
The next day, Olias wakes, taking a deep, nasally breath. He feels good about his song. He decides to call it "Blasingdell's Riches," even though Haven's Guard sounds better; he knows how to pander to the mayor of Blasingdell. He seeks him out.
"Mr. Mayor. I think a celebration is in order after our exploits, don't you think? I'd love to perform a new song I wrote tonight. I'd love for you to attend, as well. What say you?" Olias beams as he extends this invitation.
Olias spends the rest of the day waiting for the performance to begin. To kill time, he reads the collection of poetry and tales about the legacy of forging mithril in the Mountain, collected by Master Bard Kagravva.