Raven Mine
"Raven Mine" is a description of a mining settlement setting and of adventure ideas, especially for beginning characters, in a wild mountain landscape.
Basic Information
The mining settlement lies in the mountains south of Fenexos and Marmion, in no man's land. Here you will find a military garrison of Fenexos guarding the galley slaves in the salt mine, a few hunters who come here, gold prospectors, and also Utham, who owns the tavern, the general store and the brothel here (all in one building) and is the richest man in the whole settlement.
Landscape
Raven Mine is a harsh place high in the mountains. It lies in the territory of no state and is a kind of forward colony of Fenexos. The nearest city is about 200 miles away, and only a few know the way. In the surroundings there are coniferous forests, plenty of big game and many rivers, brooks, streams and waterfalls. The landscape is hard to traverse, and apart from hunters, few venture off the beaten paths (especially at night the way is very treacherous).
The settlement itself consists of the log cabins of settlers and prospectors and a small wooden fort surrounded by a palisade, where the soldiers live. About half a mile from the settlement there is a lake, from which a small river flows.
In winter, which lasts about a third of the year, there are hard frosts and blizzards. The rest of the year it is cold here and often rains (unlike subtropical Fenexos).
Several hunters live in the surroundings (often with families) in sturdy log cabins, and there is also a woodcutters' settlement (to the north).
Important Persons and Groups
Soldiers
Military service beyond the borders is no bed of roses, and soldiers are not sent here as a reward: mostly they are brawlers, thugs or soldiers guilty of other offenses who are here as punishment. They are mostly tough men, for weaklings and sensitive individuals do not survive long in this harsh environment (which does not mean they are not sent here).
The soldiers' task is to guard the galley slaves in the salt mine and prepare the ground for a possible colonization of this wilderness.
Commander Gunvar
short, robust, middle-aged, honorable, sometimes confused, longs for glory, capable fighter
A seasoned, swarthy man of short stature but very robust. He has close-cropped black hair (bowl cut), a piercing gaze and a small mustache. He looks about 40, but is younger (about 35). He cannot be ignored: he has a deep, powerful voice, and it may seem he is almost shouting.
In his youth Gunvar was very hot-blooded and easily provoked - he killed and maimed several opponents in duels. Now he is more settled and thinks more before he acts. He is not a very good strategist; he sometimes panics or forgets something. He also likes to be admired by others.
Few people know that he holds the title of baronet (he has blue blood from his father), but he does not boast about it (he wants to become famous on his own, not through his title).
He volunteered for service beyond the border so that he could perform glorious deeds. He leads important actions and expeditions himself.
Kaugos
deputy commander, older, greying, meticulous, organizational skills, intelligent
Kaugos is Gunvar's deputy commander and the administrator of the settlement. He handles common daily concerns and organizes the work of the galley slaves (logging, work in the mines), the soldiers and the caravan expeditions. He conducts most negotiations. If anyone wants to speak with Gunvar, they must first arrange it with Kaugos.
He is clever and well-read, a good organizer, and complements Gunvar excellently - he has no ambitions and no desire for glory, he likes order and discipline, and he serves in the wilderness for money (his family has considerable debts, and he is saving a dowry for his daughter).
Savarus
healer, skilled swordsman, carefree, likes to help others
Savarus is a soldier, but he has learned some of the healing arts and is generally spoken of as “the healer”. Besides that, he is a very good swordsman, but he does not like to fight (and kill), so he mostly stays in the camp and tends the wounded. He is in the camp because of his past affairs with married women. He survived several duels and preferred to sign up for service outside Fenexos until the situation calms down. He has come to like it here and does not want to go back yet. He is a frequent visitor of the brothel (his favorite is Saviona).
Davrus the blacksmith
immensely strong, middle-aged, bald, long moustache
Davrus is taciturn and mysterious. Few can get anywhere with him except the commander and Kaugos. He cannot stand arrogance, loudmouths and dwarves (they criticize his craft). He knows smithing fairly well, fights well and knows the surrounding wilderness.
He belongs to the army (he is the only one in the settlement allowed to forge and sell smithwork), and once he digs in his heels, nobody can change his mind. He never haggles and his prices are fixed (again: if he gets angry, he throws the customer out).
The wilderness suits him; there are few people here and everyone gets out of his way. He has his own table in the tavern, where he sits with Kaugos and one or two other friends.
Other soldiers (about 30 in total)
Astun
veteran, bald, touchy, taciturn, fights with a spear
Balvek
corporal, skilled in combat but a worse commander, smiling, everyone likes him
Marind
about 30 years old, red-haired, quarrelsome, often gambles
Seppa
about 35 years old, good tracker, lazy, makes a lot of excuses, plays the lute well
Bravek
25 years old, ruthless, loves money, steals, good at negotiating
Jamavan
40 years old, veteran, discontented, curses his fate, waits for an opportunity
Galley Slaves
In total there are over 100 galley slaves in the settlement. They work in the salt mine, where they are guarded by soldiers. Many galley slaves die of exhaustion, cold or disease. When their sentence expires, they are released and escorted to Fenexos. Escape succeeds only very rarely, and when they do happen to succeed, they are usually caught by hunters and severely punished.
Kthak - about 30 years old, the “capo”, strong, stocky, with a braid, imprisoned for murdering his wife's lover
Gopek - old man, tall, sinewy, has been here for 30 years already, enjoys considerable privileges, imprisoned for embezzlement
Maůl - young, strong, rather dim, imprisoned for assaulting a nobleman
The Inn
Utham the innkeeper
greedy, enterprising, ruthless, dangerous, excellent in combat with all weapons
The characters will meet Utham very soon - he is a merchant, a huckster, the owner of the brothel and a money changer all in one person. He is of medium build, basically inconspicuous, with a thick full beard and thin, greasy hair. He is not very clean (even by local standards), but most customers are hardened and do not mind. He limps slightly on his left leg and often rubs his hands.
Utham runs a lucrative business - almost all money and goods pass through his shop, tavern or brothel - he has some lure for everyone and can squeeze money out of anyone (he fleeces the gold prospectors and hunters the most).
He also lends money and, like a proper usurer, charges high interest - few manage to pay him off and many people owe him - in return he wants their services. At first only small favors, later debt collection or even murder.
He also trades with robbers, buys and sells stolen goods; in short, he will do anything for profit.
He used to work for the secret service, but he cheated it several times and therefore had to flee. He cannot return to civilization yet, so he sends others on trading journeys (mainly Suli and Saviona).
Utham is the main power in the settlement and is Gunvar's enemy. He pursues activities to undermine Gunvar's authority, but he does nothing directly so as not to endanger his reputation.
The Brothel
The brothel is part of the tavern (as are the only women in the settlement). There are 8 prostitutes in total. Utham would never dream of letting them go home any time soon, because they earn him a tidy fortune.
Alina
blonde, 16 years old, stupid, pretty
Melina
black-haired, 19 years old, tall, quite pretty, talkative
Saviona
brunette, 17 years old, beautiful, clever, hiding from the law in the settlement (for theft and fraud)
Piona
blonde, 26 years old, plump, talkative, has big plans
other persons
Limus
bouncer, excellent fighter, strong, scowling, has short black hair and a low forehead
Ophant
waiter, cross-eyed, rotten teeth, yellow skin, very observant, informs on others to Utham
Others in the Settlement
Suli the merchant
foolish-looking, smiling, very intelligent and dangerous
He buys the mined salt from the soldiers, carts it to Fenexos and brings back the necessary tools, equipment and other goods. He basically works for Utham, without whom he could not sell even a button.
On his journeys he is accompanied by soldiers or hired guards.
hunters and woodsmen
A rough, seasoned bunch, mostly loners who make a living hunting game. They sell the game they hunt to the soldiers and the innkeeper. Only the best survive in the harsh conditions, so most of them are very skilled at hunting, tracking, shooting and traps.
miners and gold prospectors
Gold can be found in the rivers and mountains around the settlement, so many adventurers try their luck. Only a few get rich, because anyone who strikes a larger deposit tends to be removed (by another prospector, by Utham's men). For most, the gold is only enough for a living, prostitutes, equipment and interest payments to Utham.
There are also several prospectors here who search for minerals, especially gold and iron.
lumberjacks
Several people make a living by felling timber for the mines and for building new log cabins. Gold prospectors who had no luck also earn money as lumberjacks.
Outside the Settlement
Zagreba
old, moody, hideous
About 10 miles beyond the settlement lives the herbwoman Zagreba, but nobody speaks of her as anything other than a witch, mostly with ill will. She is very old and ugly, knows the forest and herbs, and can speak with animals. She does not like people much, but she welcomes the occasional visit (she needs things she cannot find in the forest).
She can brew potions (alchemy) and cast spells (elementalism at a fairly decent level), but she does not show her abilities much. She does not care much about people and will easily swap a poison for another drink; on the other hand, she sometimes helps with healing (depending on her mood).
A huge wolf roams around her cabin and guards her.
the barbarian village
About 8 days' journey deeper into the mountains lives a tribe of barbarians (about 50 head). They are not very aggressive, but they do not like strangers on their territory. A good negotiator (who brings gifts) may succeed and trade beads, alcohol and metal weapons for furs and gold.
The barbarians are honorable, but if someone insults them (philandering, disrespect for elders, jokes - they do not have much sense of humor), they become terrible enemies. They know the mountains, fight excellently and have a shaman who can summon demons.
Huta
chieftain, about 50 years old, huge, still full of strength, gloomy
Pedixes
shaman, about 60 years old, tall, walks with a staff topped with a rat skull, easily offended, sometimes downright childish
bandits
The bandit gang consists of about 20 people - refugees from Fenexos, galley slaves (a few) and deserters. They eke out a living in the wilderness and keep moving their hideout for fear of discovery. They ambush lone hunters and soldiers, and occasionally raid a village in Fenexos. There is plenty of game around, so at least they have food. They trade with Utham (through Vatun).
Most live from day to day, some want revenge on the settlement (and Fenexos), and some want to free their friends from the galleys.
Bako
leader, about 30 years old, escaped galley slave, long black hair, skilled warrior with a two-handed axe
Vatun
bandit, younger, clever, small build, good thief, knows Utham
Events
Dead Hunters
Dead hunters will gradually be found around the settlement. They were killed by the bandits, who sold their belongings to Utham. With the sold items, the chance of discovery is small; Utham is experienced in such matters, or he will lie his way out.
Gunvar posts a small reward for catching the culprit.
The Murdered Prostitute
Two soldiers (Bravek and Jamavan) follow a prostitute and kill her by the lake (she has her savings hidden under the bank). They take the money and throw the girl into the water.
Utham posts a reward (about 10 sp) for finding her or solving the case.
The Escaped Galley Slave
The galley slave Fram escapes. Kaugos posts a reward for him, dead or alive.
If nobody finds him, Fram joins the bandits.
The Ambushed Caravan
The first big event. A caravan with goods on its way back to the settlement is ambushed. Only one soldier returns (Bravek), who describes the whole event.
In reality, Bravek is a traitor and has started working for the bandits. He betrayed his comrades and helped kill them.
The bandits will try to sell the goods from the caravan to Utham.
Utham did not know about the raid, and the stolen goods belonged to him!
Suli Rescued
By a lucky chance Suli survives and after a week crawls to the village (hunters rescue him). He is unconscious. He could expose Bravek. Bravek must act, and together with his accomplice Jamavan he tries to kill him.
The characters may happen upon the situation.
The Tables Turn
Bravek and Jamavan are caught. Utham has them poisoned (they ambushed his caravan and, moreover, they know about his connection with the bandits). They can be saved, for example, by an antidote from Zagreba.
If nobody kills them (on Utham's orders), he will do it himself - the place turns into a slaughterhouse - in a moment he kills the guards and both outcasts (he is very skilled).
Risen from the Dead
The prostitute drowned in the lake rises as an undead. At first she frightens girls who are bathing, later she starts drowning people. She is very strong, she strangles with her embrace and her kiss (suffocating the victim), mist appears around her, and light does not harm her (the mist protects her).
Troll
A troll attacks the characters on the road. If they notice it in time, they can hide. Otherwise they must run; they would have no chance in a fight. If word reaches Gunvar, he sets out after the troll alone and kills it (the others may admire him).
Debt Collection
If the characters fall into debt with Utham, one of the following happens:
A. They pay off the debt - not very likely, Utham is a very experienced usurer
B. They work for him: He will use them and make them collect debts, provide protection and the like
C. He sends debt collectors after them: he has them beaten up, and later they may have to flee
The Dead Gold Prospector
The body of a dead gold prospector is found. He was killed by a bear (or a similar monster).
A certain mystery arises: the prospector has neither money nor weapons. His body was found by a soldier, who robbed it but did not report it. He will be suspected; the tracks point to him, and he could have faked the bear tracks. He may be tried and end up in the galleys.
Poisoning
With the help of accomplices, the bandits manage to poison some of the soldiers. The healer, Zagreba, elementalism and the like can help.
Fire
A log cabin catches fire and a soldier burns to death. It is an unfortunate accident that nobody caused (a lamp tipped over). Nevertheless, given the circumstances, the incident will look very suspicious and will be investigated.
The Spy
The commander knows that the bandits have an accomplice in the camp. For some reason he trusts the characters (they were somewhere else entirely at the time, they proved their worth and the like) and invites one of them. He hires them to find the bandits' spy (or spies) and capture him (of course he gives the task to several people, he trusts no one).
Hunting the Bandits
If an informant is captured, even the commander sets out on an expedition and scatters the bandits. Utham uses his men to make sure that nobody who knows him and could betray him survives (and he also takes revenge for the ambush on Suli).
The soldiers will suffer considerable losses and may later be missed when guarding the settlement and the galley slaves.
Bad Dreams
If too many murders occur, some characters and inhabitants start having bad dreams (and penalties). A herb from Zagreba may help; after a while the situation calms down.
Beyond the Grave
The murderers or the murdered may rise in the form of undead, or this fact summons a demon.
Perception
A character close to Utham (working for him, often in the tavern) may notice that a whole fortune passes through his hands - far more than anyone would expect.
They can inform the commander or keep it to themselves.
Slander and Rivalry
(this may be the central plot of the settlement)
When talking to the characters, Gunvar speaks unflatteringly of Utham (he has received certain reports about him) and tries to win them over to his side (if they behave honorably and help him).
Utham does the same - he slanders Gunvar and wants to win the characters over to his side.
A Clash Is Not Likely
Utham does not want to provoke a direct conflict - he is safe, nobody knows about him, and chaos in the camp would not help him.
Gunvar would like to convict Utham, but Utham is too cunning and covers his tracks. Moreover, he has enough men on his side, so a conflict would not end well for either side.
Snow and Snowbound Mountains
After a while winter comes and the settlement is practically inaccessible. Warm clothing is important (otherwise illness threatens). Only woodsmen and very skilled characters can move about outside.
Hard times come for the characters and they must do menial work (unless they have already provided for themselves).
Cave-in in the Mine
A disaster strikes the mine, killing several galley slaves and one soldier; other people are injured.