Puberty

Having just deposited Dreld in the stream beneath the ice near the battlefield so he could cool off after attacking some of his companions, the Fateful 8 took a moment to discuss what to do with the Goblin should this happen again in the future. The discussion was short as Dreld promptly broke free of the ice. Rigline interrogated Dreld and asked him if he could resist the urge to attack his allies. Dreld responded that he can try, but sometimes he fails, and sometimes he doesn't want to. Buck suggested using his manacles on Dreld if he continues to be a threat to the rest of the group. Mr. Fahrenheit asked Beldor if he thought that they could exorcise the demons haunting Dreld. Beldor thought it was possible but wasn't completely sure. In the end, Buck decided that Dreld would be manacled if he attacked the party again and in the meantime they would search for a way to fix the problem. Once that matter was settled, Buck noted that Airgid also turned on the party when he thought Donut had died. Donut agreed that if it happened again, Airgid would have to be cut loose.

After these decisions were made, the Fateful 8 spent some time to take a closer look at the creatures that had attacked. The shambling creatures appeared very gaunt, like they hadn't eaten in ages. Mr. Fahrenheit recalled stories of an ancient evil called Hadar that had been defeated around the Time of Hope that had the power to corrupt other beings in this manner. But they were only stories he had picked up in taverns and inns around the world. The group decided it was best to burn the bodies to prevent any chance of them reanimating and then they returned to their slumber. In the morning, everyone awoke feeling a bit healthier. Strangely, Donut and Airgid both seemed to have grown quite a bit overnight. Bodo wasn't too impressed and Donut's voice cracked a bit when he spoke. It was decided he was old enough to visit Bendy Wendy should they come across her in Kalimheim.

The weather in the region cold and, as winter was approaching, the days grew shorter, which slowed the group's travel. It took another 5 days or so for them to reach the Silver Hammer Mine. The road to Silver Hammer was well trafficked, but the Fateful 8 grew curious and wondered if more silver and ores were being shipped east to Silverglen or north to Dundorth. Mr. Fahrenheit flagged down a wagon that was passing them and Dreld, using his Jerry alter-ego interrogated the man driving the cart. Everything seemed to be in order with Clint's shipment, but the Fateful 8 remained unconvinced that nothing was amiss. Upon arrival at Silver Hammer, they noted that the mining town was hastily erecting palisades around the town, which was odd for a mining operation. After parking their cart, they approached the Foreman's Office and overheard two men quarreling about the work conditions in the mine. Shortly after, a Dwarven Dragonborn, that looked much like a pug, exited. Bodo attempted to charm the half-dwarf but was only half successful. Eventually he introduced himself as Drake Thinbeard, but declined to give up any more information about the mining operation.

The Fateful 8 entered the office and met the Foreman, a centaur named Gray Varmund Graymane. The half horse/half man amused the group and proceeded to make a number of jokes about horses. Once they stopped horsing around, they got down to business and inquired about inspecting the mine. Dreld brought up the barricade construction and Gray explained that the town had come under attack by Rocs so these were to help defend the area. He informed the party that the mine is still full of silver, but the miners are coming down with a strange sickness, and some are even dying, which is what led to the argument he had with Drake. Beldor and Donut asked to investigate the ill miners while Dreld, Bodo, Mr. Fahrenheit, and Buck inspected the mine.

Beldor entered the infirmary where he was met by a Tabaxi medic. Beldor mentioned he was a follower of Mongoon, and the Tabaxi replied that she was a member of the Church of Three Legged Elk, a religion that was based around the practical application of science. She went on to explain that miners were exhibiting signs of dizziness that eventually spiraled into a delirious fever. Once the fever set in, the afflicted would almost assuredly die. There was only one case of a miner recovering from the illness. Magical healing wasn't even curing the sick. Beldor attempted to cure one of the seriously ill miners, but after a few moments of respite, the sickness returned. Beldor then moved onto someone who's illness was less advanced and cast Dispel Evil and Good. Twenty minutes later the illness still hadn't returned. The Tabaxi was shocked and thanked Beldor for his help. She informed him that each of these miners had taken ill after working deep in the mine. Donut attempted to contact the group headed to inspect the mine in order to warn them of the danger.

While Beldor and Donut were trying to help the infirm, the rest of the Fateful 8 entered the mine to inspect it. They moved down the central shaft and saw evidence of a well run mine, eventually stopping in an large antechamber at the end of the shaft. There were 15 miners in the area, but none of them looked sick. Grey mentioned that they found ores other than silver from time to time, and they shipped to both Silverglen and Dundorth as per their contracts, and that is when the group received word from Donut about where the sick people were coming from.