Gameplay - The Dragon That Opposed an Empress

Where to? Did out through the main entrance, or find some other way out?

Putting the miners to work, despite their hunger and exhaustion they expertly demolish the giant's blockade, which, while is heavy stuff that's really jammed in there, isn't an engineering marvel by any stretch.

You soon find your way out into the clear air.

A small group including the gnoll are waiting. They seem... pleased may be over doing it. Relieved, maybe?

Mavis watches the miners work in quiet contemplation. She was never really a miner herself, but so much mountain dwarf culture is modelled on mining processes that the activity can't help but remind her of home. As they set up, she quietly murmurs the sacred Song of Preparation and Motivation without moving her lips, Hi ho, hi ho to provide blessing and safety to their endeavours.

As they emerge over through the tunnel Mavis greets the waiting group with terse, Ey up, and awaits Garth's leadership.

The gnoll examines the miners and deems none of them fit to work again. You haggle, probably burst heal them, and you settle on 5 alive and hale. He pays you 300gp begrudgingly but he is excited to get the mine back open so doesn't give it a further thought.

Where to? Toward the capital?

Mavis considers the lessons to be learnt from this short adventure. The main one is dwarves shouldn't drop kick giants. Drawing a mental underline under her conclusion, she looks sidelong at Garth, awaiting the foreman's decision.

I am sure there will be good work for good money at the capital.

"And with a trophy too, we'll be mercenaries of renown in no time!" Ruby says excitedly. "Hopefully the next few jobs will be as straightforward, which means the next step is to find a tavern."

The next step is always find a tavern.

The orcs from the bar want to come. They're probably interested because you are stronger than they are, and want to be on the winning side. Do you allow them?

Garth tells the orcs to wait for a minute while they talked.

What do you think? Might not hurt to look like a bigger group. Plus...meat shields.

Ruby ponders this proposal, her foot lightly tapping the hard ground. "Well, we already proved we can beat them. I guess they wanna be...followers? They seem knowledgeable of the area, definitely useful. Hope they aren't expecting me to teach them some of my moves though."

After the fight, the orcs drank the night away with you, and then told you about the job at the mine. You've earned their respect.

You decide to head for the capital. Two orcs are coming with you, Jutok, and Sweets. Jutok is the chatty one, while Sweets is just mean. They both seem to hope you do well and that they can ride on your coattails. They'll fight and they'll back you up, just expecting that doing so will warm them more than they'd earn staying back in the hills.

Halfway there, you see a loan traveler. He's wearing desert gear, but the way he stands looks familiar. As you approach, he moves toward you. Sweets cracks his knuckles, expecting since action.

Hold up there Sweets. I think this is a merc we worked with before. If he is who I think he is...I just saved your life.

Garth looks close to figure out who it is.

How to let Hassan know who we are? Mavis wonders to herself, she greets him anyway

Eh up, lad! 'ows tha bin? When were last time we see'd thee? At wicked dust storm, ah'll wager? Aye, as tha can see, we needed to change outfits after clarty storm. Littl'un sill has robe though.

Damn! If only there were something distinctive about myself, that Hassan could pick up on.