The Hanscoff Mines

## Pest Control

13th Dualahei

The party wake up in Hupperdook and quickly realise Marvir has died in the stables of The Drinking Pin over the last week.

On closer inspection it is unclear if he died from the progression of the curse, or because no one fed him meat, or because he was not able to feed his hunger for violence. There is a black, tar like substance seeping from his gums. The transformation has progressed through the week - he is more gnoll than ever before.

The party debate what to do with him - report him to the police, or bury him, or burn him, or try to find loved ones. Hartmut is concerned that his family won't ever know what happened to him. Moss says that's not so bad. "Oh really. Is it not that bad, Moss" Hartmut is not accepting that trash. The only friend or family the group know of is the bouncer at The Merry Wrench on the Idlework Shelf. Korvok is very quiet throughout this. One by one the party realise what this could mean for his father. Othe is about one month's travel from Hupperdook, and his father has been cursed for far longer than Marvir.

While they stand around questioning, Moss hears someone knocking at the front door and goes to check on it. There is a fairly short human man with dark hair, noble clothing and a cane. He introduces himself as Denard Hanscoff and asks if the tavern is open, and if the Sons of Sigma are there. The party stay out of sight and indicate to say no. Moss says no, and that they died. Denard says he was in need of capable fighters to clear out a mine, and had heard the Sons were capable fighters. He asks if Moss and the others are a similar party of fighters and Moss says yes. She introduces the group as the Iron Lot .... long pause ... which he accepts as The Iron Lot. The Party reveal themselves and ask for details.

Denard tells them about his mines, which have completely stopped production (echoing what Belrond Seaclay had previously told the party). He saw giant insects inside, attacking people. The party are eager to help but some don't want to miss renewal fest, and others have outside concerns. The Hanscoff Mines are about 2 hours out of town, so it's very possible to travel there and back before the end of the festival. The party agree to help - after seriously spooking Denard with odd questions about traditional burial rites around Hupperdook. He mentions that the Prayer Foundry would normally take care of such things. He leaves quickly afterwards.

Hartmut is in favour of taking the body to the Prayer Foundry, but everyone else is worried about how to explain the Weregnoll, the bindings, the curse and the dead body in their possession. They hide the body in the Worn Carriage and leave town towards the Hanscoff Mines. Morrigan drives the carriage, while the others investigate the hidden compartments within. On their journey, they take Marvir's body to a quiet hidden spot and burn it. The body leaves a black ichor behind it, which Llunet is able to prestidigitate away. Moss says a quiet prayer, which Llunet identifies as being to Sehanine. Hartmut does not leave the carriage for this.

After this, they continue onwards. Korvok approaches Morrigan, quietly, to ask her about how she travelled to her monastery and back. He offers coin in exchange for magical transport - which Morrigan declines, saying she cannot control it like that.

Hartmut and Korvok talk about Renewal Festivals in their hometowns and ask the rest of the party about their own experiences. Hartmut was usually working at the tavern for the festival. Llunet says it wasn't celebrated the same way in Bysaes Tyl. Moss says she didn't really observe it, her family tend to observe the longest night of the year instead, The Winter Solstice, like lots of people do. Komani agreed with this. Morrigan deftly avoided the question.

They come upon the mine and Morrigan quickly locates one of the insects, defiling a dwarven corpse near the entrance. It has a golden sheen which Hartmut noticed as unusual. It disappears into the mines after seeing the group, chittering and clicking. We can hear responding clicks from deeper within the mines. The party delve further into the Hanscoff Mine, facing several of these rust monsters, only some of whom are an unnatural gold colour. Making any contact with them with metal weapons eats away at the metal. Hartmut's sword is badly damaged. Llunet has been using a quarterstaff provided by Moss, which has taken minor damage. Komani has been attacking from range exclusively.

We find a note in a poison trapped drawer, it reads:

> Shopping List #1: 2 Shallots, 2 Pineapple, 4 Pumpkin, 3 Apples, 1 Orange, 1 Grape, 4 Carrots, 3 Onion, 4 Truffles, 3g Saffron.
>
>

> Shopping List #2: 1 Grape, 1 Orange, 1 Apple, 1 Tomato
>
>

> Shopping List #9: 1 Kale, 5 Carrots, 4 Red Bell Peppers, 1 Orange, 4 Apples, 3 Radish
>
>

> Shopping List #6: 1 Kale, 5 Carrots, 4 Red Bell Peppers, 1 Orange, 4 Apples, 3 Radish
>
>

> Shopping List #9: 1 Rhubarb, 1 Urchin, 5 Radish, 2 Strawberries, 3 Pumpkin, 5 Carrots, 10 Watermelon, 1 Star fruit, 3 Potatoes, 5 Apples, 1 Red Bell Pepper
>
>

This code can also be read as

> #1 Hippogriff
>
>

> #2 Goat
>
>

> #9 Kobold
>
>

> #6 Kobold
>
>

> #9 Rust Monster
>
>