After a long rest, we continue deeper into the mountain, where we will attempt to stop the enemies plans, and to save any dwarves we can find from Jekk Ironfist’s party. He asks about his brother, if his remains can be carried out. His brother’s hammer, “Moonbain,” can be kept by Thork if found.
Once into the physical mines, we find a tunnel hewn more recently than the others. We dismiss it for now opting to go towards the tunnel with more traffic. Roland’s rat familiar has found one Duergar standing guard on what looks to be another mining tunnel.
No sounds of hammers or picks have been heard.
In the attempt to ambush the lone guard, the armored warriors gave out their position, bravely, and when they knew the gig was up, Thork used his performance skill to lure the villain into the closeness of the cavern they were in, in from the open space where he was standing guard.
But that all changed.
At the edge of their vision, the Elves of our party saw an evil beast. It had the body of a large spider, the upper body of a dark elf.
It was going to be a bad night for the arachnids.
The enemy advances, poison bites and javelins inbound. From the darkness emerge two spider riding Duergar. The fight continues. Two invisible Duergar attack Thork with advantage, blocking the tunnel into the open area. The enemies go down, we have triumphed.
Thork takes a single Vambrace from the Duergar that was standing guard, it has a hammer emblazoned upon it (one time use of Spiritual Weapon). Jo-Bu finds a golden lantern upon the ground across from our entry tunnel into the open cavern. (Lantern of Revealing.) 17gp
We spend a few minutes regathering our strength, and continue on.
Randle’s familiar examines two of the mine tunnels here, looks to be spider pits for nesting.
We continue into a room that has had an industrious woodworking endeavor. Sawdust fills the room, two 50" siege ladders part of the fruit of their labor. Axes and other wooden handled tool and weapons are strewn around. Sawhorses and other woodworking tools are a-strewn. There is a moving water in one side of the room, a door, and two other tunnels exit. From one of those tunnels, a Duergar boss, and a minion. They come out swinging and deal damage using their invisibility as an ambush.
A quick stun and a prone Boss maneuver, the party takes the tide. The enemies go down, we have triumphed.
Hark! The cry of villagers! A quick inspection of Randle’s familiar shows it’s not a trap. We unlock the chains keeping them pinned. They are from all over, and are the forced minors to the dark dwarves. Two of them are dwarves from the hold itself.
Potion of Healing. Potion of Climbing. Oil of Resistance.