The avalanche finally stops. The party is not literally trapped, but traversing the jagged hellscape outside would be bad on your boots. Also you still hear the roaring of the beast outside, like a cross between a great cat, a violent drunk at closing time, and a band of buglers who got stiffed on their pay just before the Baron’s wedding.

Further examination reveals some sort of rail system for the cart, along with a tilting system for dumping the contents and a navigation and brake system for controlling descent. Some white rubble of what appear to be statue pieces remain inside. As you debate the six-legged lizard crawls into the bin and licks at one of the hand pieces.

The cart looks like it could hold four human sized passengers if it were cleared out and forgot about personal space.
The air grows cold as the sun abandons the opening of the cave - well now you realize it’s a mine.

You still have no idea how deep the shaft goes, but you do hear occasional echoes from below, like shifting of rocks or shuffling.

Clearly agitated, Einhard grabs Dora's reigns and mutters, "Never thought I'd be leading you through a damn mountain, girl." and begins to carefully lead her along the path of the mining cart tracks. "Can someone with a torch get up here so I can see where the hell I am going?" He paused for a moment and added "And you better not run us over with that damn cart."

"If someone has a torch, I can carry one up front."

Casting a final, suspicious look at the cart, Regdoc took his place behind Amalrik near the front of the caravan through the mountain with Chomper near his side.

Thud volunteers to take Regdoc's torch and stand toward the back.

Yagi will move close to the front but not too close, using her infravision to help out when she can.

Creston lingers near the back, his eyes on the mouth of the cave, just in case that manticore starts sniffing them out. If the manticore tries to reach in, he's getting an arrow in the paw.

And we are off, exploring the lost mine of ... the manticor. Yes, the once lost, now found, famous manticor mine. Amalrik resists bursting into song, "Hi Ho, Hi Ho ..." even though this place does need some cheerfulness.

Thud stops the party. "We really should take the cart. Maybe a couple of us could push it ahead of us? I'm holding a torch, so I can't, but a couple others of us."

"Thud is probably right, I can help push if someone carries the torch. or hook Dora up so it doesn't run over anyone."

Einhard stepped to the side of the tracks. "Fine. Take the cart, but someone should be inside it to apply the brake. Otherwise, the first downhill and the cart is going for a ride." He gently patted Dora' on the chest to keep her as calm as possible. "Let's just get moving. The sooner we get through this damn mountain the better."

"Good idea..."

Regdoc hopped back into the cart, took the torch from Brodd and waited for the forthcoming response from Einhard.

"I surmise there's a sub-mountain temple or underground city perhaps..." In the torchlight Regdoc inspected one of the statue pieces.

OOC: Sorry Brodd, I couldn't help myself ;-) Love ya bro!