[Hanako] Chapter 14: Southern Mining Site

[Throndir]

Location: Elstergen City to Southern Mining Camp - Slaver Camp
Date: Day 16 - 8 PM

"The mining site is probably a couple of hours away. It's safer to stay in camp until tomorrow... At night is when more monsters are out."

[Asta]

"Let's rest here then, and start fresh in the morning." Hanako replied, she was feeling tired anyway.

[Throndir]

After camping for the night, the group started to make their way back to the road. Zinnia, along with the 6 other slaves decided to stay at the bandit camp. It was already provisioned with some goods and tents, and the other women wanted to sort through them. At the same time, Zinnia had planned to make a ring of trees to cover the camp itself. Farewells were said, with Zinnia reminding you once again to come get her when things were ready.

The two stone golems you created stayed up. Though, upon checking your Status, you did notice some MP wasn't restored.

Soon enough, you, Kari, and Trudy moved away from the woods, and it was also then that Kari used her magic to summon the skeletons of the two dead horses. Kari attached the harness to them (as Trudy was still uncomfortable being around the skeletons), the group continued on their journey.

The mining site wasn't actually too far away. About 2 hours into the journey was when Trudy, looking at a map, told you that you were nearing it. Not long after that, there was a fork in the road. Beyond that would have been the mining site.

[spoiler=OODM]State what time you plan to wake up.

Also Perception requested.

Also state any plans when you're entering the mining site. Kari would have switched into her repaired uniform this morning. Trudy would have loaded her rifle as well. Kari would have ensured to bring along the troll skeleton.[/spoiler]

[Asta]

[info]Will get up around dawn. Hanako would probably have asked Kari to be discreet even though there might be demons about, starting a ruckus would only hurt them in the long term.

Perception:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+8 : 14 + 8, total 22[/blockquote][/info]

[Throndir]

Location: Outskirts of Mining Site #2
Date: Day 16 - 9 AM

You made your way to the camp. Up ahead was clear evidence of the site 300 or 400 ft away. There didn't seem to be very much of a guard, though, you noticed one watch tower setup near the center of the clearing. There was about 50 soldiers that you could see, but from the numbers Minette had given you, you knew there to be more. They were either in the buildings, or perhaps in the mines themselves. You saw plenty of slaves, all of them with collars going back and forth unloading carts and moving the ore into storage.

Also roll stealth.

[info]Mining Site #2 Operations
The mining site was large enough for 3 companies to share mining operations on. Both Blueland Processing and Busch Metall along with the Klein company had workers at the sites. Mining Site #2, the one with the red 'X' that caught your attention had the Busch Metall company handle the oversight of it. That said, all three companies had a stake in its operations.

Klein Company at Mining Site #2
Slave Workers: 300
Slave Soldiers: 50

Blueland Processing
Slave Workers: 50
Slave Soldiers: 8
Hired Soldiers: 2

Busch Metall
Slave Workers: 150
Slave Soldiers: 40
Hired Soldiers: 10

Mining Site #2 Layout
There were multiple levels of the mines, but it looked like Klein Company had sole rights for the deeper levels. There would have been more petition from the rest of the companies for access, but apparently the site itself was rich in various ores, and actually had mithril veins through it, which more than made the deal lucrative. There was around 1400 ft. of tracks just on the first level of the mines, this was where both Blueland Processing and Busch Metall had most of their operations. Klein Company held a small section on the first level, but had a lift that went further down to 4 more levels. There looked to be a mention of a 5th level, however, not much information was provided about the area. There were records of the 5th level being created, and tracks laid out, however, there was not much information. It felt to you as if the information was left out, or was simply never written and included.[/info]

[Asta]

[info]Requested Stealth:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+14 : 15 + 14, total 29[/blockquote][/info]

[Throndir]

Location: Outskirts of Mining Site #2
Date: Day 16 - 9 AM

From 300 ft. away, not even the watchmen were able to spot you and your group.

[Asta]

"Seems we've gone unnoticed." Hanako whispered. "Let's just try to sneak in and act natural. Slap these collars on yourselves so we don't stand out, and if anyone asks, Trudy can just tell them we are here on Klein's behalf to inspect his holdings."

Hanako rummaged through her pack and pulled out some collars and placed one around her neck, and offered the other two to her companions.

"When you're ready, lets go."

[info]When everyone is set, the group will attempt to make their way to the mine as inconspicuously as possible.[/info]

[Throndir]

Location: Outskirts of Mining Site #2
Date: Day 16 - 9 AM

The two others placed the collars around their necks. Kari moved absolutely quietly as well. Though, Trudy was a lot noisier and obvious in her approach. About 160 ft. away, there was a series of whistles from the watch tower above. However, with your plan in motion, your companions acted as composed as they could, even as a few soldiers, on horses started to head your way.

Trudy saluted them as they approached, with the soldiers saluting back.

"We're not aware of any visitors today. You are...?"

"Trudy Werner. We were sent to inspect the site as per Herr Klein's orders." Trudy explained as she handed some sheets of paper towards the nearest soldier. That soldier reached over and quickly began to read through it.

"They're part of the Klein company." The soldier said, not looking up from the sheet of paper he was skimming through.

"Klein's admin with you then?" The first soldier asked.

Trudy shook her head. "No, we were sent apart from the administrator of the site. As the sheet suggests, we are to simply inspect the site, and get another set of eyes on the project here. I have heard Herr Klein has some plans... Who's in charge here with the admin not present?"

"That'll be Johann, one of the hired ones from Busch Metall." The second soldier responded, you can detect a bit of disgust in his voice, though he didn't say anything out of the ordinary.

The rest of the soldiers, realizing there was nothing much to be concerned about started to disperse back into their assigned stations, while the first two began to lead the way into the site.

"You walked here?"

Trudy shook her head. "Our carriage and horses are further behind us."

"Well I can have one of the soldiers bring them to the stables if you prefer."

"I'm not sure how long we plan to be staying, it depends on how quickly we can make our rounds here..."

You can interject if you want in anything above, and we'll go with that..

Location: Mining Site #2
Date: Day 16 - 9 AM

The mining site was about what you expected. There were a couple of cabins created, likely to house some of the soldiers and slaves. But there were also many tents scattered around. As you neared, you realized that the site was surrounded by a barbed fence. There was one building with the watchtower attached to it that was larger than the rest, it likely served as the central command point for the site. As you expected, there was a cavern entrance not too far from the watch tower, with carts and slaves going back and forth through it.

The other two soldiers with you nodded their heads then went back to their own positions.

[Asta]

[info]Hanako will remain quiet for the conversation between Trudy and the guards.[/info]

Once the guards had left them Hanako spoke: "Should we bother checking in with this Johann, or just go right into the mine? If we act like we belong, likely no one will bat an eye."

While she spoke she cast a gaze over the scene, looking for anything that seemed suspicious.

[info]Perception:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+8 : 10 + 8, total 18[/blockquote][/info]

[Throndir]

[info]Perception: 18
There wasn't anything out of the ordinary that you saw. There were slaves going back and forth, each of them with collars. Plenty of the soldiers too has collars as well, though, there were others who walked around who didn't have any. Everyone that you could either wore a soldier's uniform, or rags. The carts that they were shuffling around loads of rocks and ores, though you couldn't quite tell what exactly they were mining.

With the lack of anything demonic, Kari continued to stay close, but kept her eyes alert.[/info]

"We should go right in... Typically we only need to report to the admin, but Johann is probably just the officer for Busch Metall. Besides... Klein company owns this operation and we're from the Klein company."

[Asta]

Let's do it then, I think we are heading down to the fifth level. Stay sharp, don't draw any unwanted attention."

[info]Barring anything catastrophic, Hanako and Co. will head into the mine and try to get down to the 5th level via the lift.[/info]

[Throndir]

Location: Mining Site #2
Date: Day 16 - 9 AM

You headed into the mining complex, with your uniform and steady along with purposeful gait, no one seemed to get in your way or bother you at all. Eventually you made your way into an elevator, with soldiers in front that blocked the path.

"No one from Blueland Processing or Busch Metall may pass through here."

"We're with the Klein company, from Elstergen. We're doing a round of investigation."

The soldier frowned, but then shrugged as he worked the elevator to open the grate. "Just didn't recognize you, is all. Anyways what floor do you want me set this to?"

[Asta]

"Five please." Hanako answered shortly and prayed that wasn't going to be an issue.

[Throndir]

The soldier, who was at first rather carefree, paused and frowned. "Inspectors from our company... I see... Well, I'm sure you know what you're doing. You don't... need me to send some men in with you, do you?" With the grate opened, Trudy followed by Kari walked in.