This place was far beyond ideal. Just outside the door was a veritable sea of goblinoid corpses, a mess hall still burning, and now they were in the ‘king’s chambers’. Even just in the corner there was an enormous gray carcass of a dire wolf, an ever-widening pool of dark blood beneath it. In all her dreams, she had never considered a simple expedition to study the Spellplague would have her in this situation.
Raithe kicking his feet up like he owned the place drew a glance from her as she pondered how he could keep so cool after his own ordeal. Wolfe had nearly been killed but was now...well, doing what was expected. Westra and Yvaine had probably unwavering faith in their god, if not military experience. Her own service was not as extensive as anyone’s here and Lantan’s foes were nowhere near as diverse as what she had encountered in the last couple of days.
(http://78.media.tumblr.com/0bc8949d4c20e958a1f2b027072e3f5e/tumblr_inline_ou7amjk6471tqkjdk_250.gif)
Still, she was trained at least enough not to lose her shit in the midst of massive amounts of violence and death. Doctor Wicker had secured King Grol with manacles and pushed the large bugbear to be seated against the wall (she could be decently stronger than her frame would allow when able to concentrate on the task).
Wolfe’s mention of the drow makes her wish she actually was able to lay eyes on the dark elf, as she had never seen one before. “I have never encountered such diverse races working in concert. Goblins, hobgoblins, bugbear, now drow elves?” she remarked as she looked upon the table. “All for some strange cave?”
She shuffled about the documents that seemed unimportant, looking perhaps for a {Layout of Cragmaw Castle}, {Cragmaw Castle Inventory} or even {Cragmaw Patrol Schedules}, as this place may have more than they’ve seen. “Should be worry about reinforcements?”
(https://idrawgirls.com/tutorials/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/dwarf-hunter-world-of-warcraft.jpg)
The Dwarf found his footing shortly after the bugbear was dispatched. He held an unsteady hand against the wall as energy began to move back through his bones from the healing he received. He offered a spit in the direction of the fallen King. “Sorry Lass, I don’t recall much. I was quickly knocked unconscious whenever I managed to rouse. Let me see.”
He rubbed his head for a few moments. “We were nearing Phandalin when goblins came out of nowhere, there were at least ten of em, the poor green lads with Sildhar and I were cut down in moments.” He frowned. “Twas their first outing, and was supposed to be a safe one.” After a pause he continued. “The goblins drug me to some cave with a different bugbear, I don’t recall his name. I was quickly knocked unconscious. The next day, I woke up here, and have been held in this room ever since, chained up to that wall.” He points to the north wall where a single maniacal was chained into the stonework, likely for a different type of prisoner in days past.
“Might I have a drink of that Laddie?” The dwarf says looking to Wolfe who is drinking from a flash. “Fer me nerves?” Whether Wolfe provided him a drink or not, he continued to answer Westra’s question after a brief pause. “The legend of the Lost Mine of Phandelver is as follows."
“More than five hundred years ago, clans of dwarves and gnomes made an agreement known as the Phandelver's Pact, by which they would share a rich mine in a wondrous cavern known as Wave Echo Cave. In addition to its mineral wealth, the mine contained great magical power. Human spellcasters allied themselves with the dwarves and gnomes to channel and bind that energy into a great forge called the Forge of Spells, where magic items could be crafted. Times were good, and the nearby human town of Phandelver prospered as well.” Dramatic Pause. “ But then disaster struck when orcs swept through the North and laid waste to all in their path. A powerful force of orcs reinforced by evil mercenary wizards attacked Wave Echo Cave to seize its riches and magic treasures. Human wizards fought alongside their dwarf and gnome allies to defend the Forge of Spells, and the ensuing spell battle destroyed much of the cavern. Few survived the cave-ins and tremors, and the location of Wave Echo Cave was lost.”
“My Brothers and I recently discovered what appears to be the lost mine, but it is overrun with undead, and so we have been unable to venture far into the depths. I left them to venture to Neverwinter to request aid from your Captain." He looked most pointedly at Westra as he continued. "Of course Lord Neverember was intrigued after I told him the same Legend, and thus he sent Sildhar and the two men to investigate with us." He seemed to be done, but caught himself and added. "I must admit I know little of the Spider character, only that he somehow learned of our discovery and ordered our capture. He must be formidable, however, to have developed such organization between goblins and bugbears.”
As the Doctor reads over papers as the Dwarf talks, she is unable to find much of import. The document reporting that things are going as planned and the Spider's emissary would be arriving soon seems to be the only paper of any real substance. Most of the rest look like a toddler with a crayon spent several days entertaining himself.
Finding nothing of note that isn’t random goblinoid nonsense and feeling somewhat outside of the realm of proper usefulness, Doctor Wicker settled some to listen to the dwarf’s tale of Wave Echo and more interestingly, this Forge of Spells. Generally, as a rule, she did not care much for spellcasting (all the silly words and unusual hand gestures, like..why) The Lantanese were notorious in how they tended to look down upon traditional spellcasting and wizardry.
Still, an ancient cavern with supernatural properties? Even the name “Forge of Spells" spoke to some kind of large ancient apparatus which was likely incredibly intriguing. Who knows what manner of discoveries can be made from studying it?
(http://78.media.tumblr.com/31515717ed39630266abb3f486dad775/tumblr_o3un88Mam61ra7f0mo2_250.gif)
The doctor’s arms crossed below her bosom and puffed her cheeks with a bit of an exasperated breath. “Uh... Neverember person has nothing to do with me. If this Wave Echo Cave is a source of paranormal activity, I would like to ..uh... see if this Forge of Spells is somehow still active, if not affected by the Spellplague. It might explain the uh.. Undead.”
Even with Raithe’s rationalization, she still looked to have an interest that was purely academic.