4. A Beautiful Mine

Termalaine Mine - 19 Uktar 15:00

Let's look at snowflakes forming. The crystals grow based on the warmth of the environment in which they rise and fall. They're unique because each of their histories differs. Most will perish, but others accrete, and time and pressure will form them into mighty glaciers that will shape the world.

Now we look at our protoheroes making their way to the mine. Their histories differ, and some of them have known little warmth. But are they coming together? Will time and pressure shape them into a mighty force that will forever change Icewind Dale?



Mercifully, the trees shelter you from the vicious clawwind that batters Termalaine from the north. The path through the woods swarms with clouds of biting gnats. It's unusual to see insects in these frozen climes, and you fancy that perhaps you even hear a few bees. The woods smell mulchy and resinous. Insects and smell are two novelties in Icewind Dale's outdoors, providing more evidence that whilst Auril controls the winds here, she has not yet dominated this forest.

After thirty minutes walking, you reach the entrance to the gem mine - an open tunnel in a hillside. Empty carts are parked near the opening, next to which leans crude wooden sign on which the words "Kobolds only!" are emblazoned in charcoal calligraphy using the Common language.

The dark tunnel has low ceilings and is wide enough for only a single file. Rough-hewn steps descend into the mine.

Oarus doesn't go into the mine much, but he believes the only equipment is a bucket lift to move between levels. He thinks it's fairly easy to operate.

Rough-hewn steps descend 60 feet leading to a chamber. Racks holding picks and hammers are nailed to the walls of this small cavern. Rock dust and tracks cover the floor.

The sound of fast, rushing water echoes through the corridors. Despite the rack on the walls here, it appears that the miners have just flung their tools and pegged it.

The east corridor leads to a cave. The east end of that dusty cave is five feet higher than the west end, with a rocky ridge separating the two areas except for slopes on either side.

Zin creeps down the corridor. It ends in a 7' high ledge that overlooks a room strewn with pebbles and gravel. Benches and tables are set up as workspaces. Scattered across the floor are a few hammers, picks, and broken lanterns.

This area looks like workstations where the miners chip the rocks from their gems and roughly dress them. Zin sees that the north tunnel provides gentle access to the cavern. Flowing water can be heard from the north-east. Zin's dark-adapted eyes scan the area, but see no threats.

Like a shadow, if shadows dealt silent death, Zin flits through the tunnels to the sound of echoing tinkled percussion.

To his northeast, the cavern sparkles like pink glitter in Bells reflected torchlight. Every one of those pink pinpricks could hide a fabulous tourmaline in the rock, or it could be a tiny worthless splinter. The miners here are gamblers; they choose a point, pick up their picks, they file with their files, each glittering point another spin of the gaming wheel.

The sound of water comes from a tunnel to Zin's east.

If there was the faintest sound to be heard, Anders would normally detect it in this still air - if it weren't for those carillon bells. Nice tune though.