The Gauntlet

*During the follow-up investigation to the Central Thanalan incident, research into other strange animal encounters has led the the company to Coblyn in Western Thanalan. The Copperbell Mines are believed to be connected to the same shafts that Black Brush Station utilizes for their Zinc and Tin ore mining. Left abandoned since the Thorne Dynasty for the last three centuries, these shafts were reclaimed in the last decade by the Amajina & Sons Mineral Concern. While investigating the mines, a strange Allagan site was discovered. Not deemed important enough to warrant Garlond Ironworks or Skysteel Manufactory, the Aeonian Expedition has been asked to look into the location. There is no discernible power here or active technology, save for the puzzle-like defensive system that is in place preventing approach. There is little risk associated with this venture, as Marilley has determined this system is not lethal or harmful. The Project will need to disarm this in order to get inside.*

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## Recap

As the Expeditionary Project continued their search into the source of the strange animal occurrences in Central Thanalan, It led them to a report about creatures near the Copperbell Mine entrance experiencing similar behavioral changes. Additional investigation into the mine yielded an amazing fine deep underground. There was a forgotten Allagan facility found in one of the abandoned mine shafts. An Allagan Puzzle lock prevented entry into what they believed was a lab or facility. The Project's team went into the mine and located the puzzle. With R'ion's assistance they activated the Node that was stationed outside the door. It began giving instructions for the series of challenges they would face. The first challenge was Physical Prowess as the team had to run across a series of scaffolding that was constantly moving, changing, and altering itself to prevent their success. Though most of the project tried, it was Geb'wo and Mona who made the final leap to succeed in the first challenge while everyone else fell or were knocked away during their attempts. The second challenge was magical aptitude. Two casting ports opened up in front of the Allagan Door and began firing at the project members. Though non-lethal, anyone getting hit would be disabled by electrical shocks. Ferusmon was quick to identify a way to disable the casting ports, but he needed them to buy him time. Everyone rallied behind Ferusmon, with Goldith and Geb'wo actually stepping in front of him to take the strikes so that he could finish the spell.

Shielding done by R'ion and Mona gave him additional time until he was able to use his magic to shut down the spells and end the challenge. The third obstacle in their way started immediately as the scaffolding all throughout the cavern tore itself apart and turned into a large metal giant that attacks the group. Here Maldoroi shined, showing that with her quick strikes she could knock pieces away from the Golem that would cause it to reduce in size. Everyone rallied together, making one final assault as a barrage of strikes and spells brought the Golem down once and for all and ended the challenges. Once complete, the node opened the door for them to enter. Once inside, the team found the remains of a facility. Unfortunately, it appeared to have been destroyed years ago by a cave in. At least that's how it appeared. Goldith found signs that the room had been accessed another way recently. The team set about searching the ruins and recovered various items and technologies. With the location secure a larger team would be sent back later to investigate what was left. Sadly they did not find the source of what was causing the animals behavioral changes, but yet this facility activating now after millennia dormant was too much of a coincidence to be ignored.