Zanben passes by a door as he heads back into the large cavern. He then uses the ropes you used to go down to the bottom and looks around.

[OOC] Have we already been down here?

Halfway through his search Zanben realizes that they have been through the entire mine except what is behind that door by where they fought the four giant spiders

As Zanben realizes the door he passed hasn't been explored yet, he doubles back to where the door to the unexplored room is and puts his ear up to it to see if he hears anything or anyone behind it.

[OOC] Perception 1D20+6=20

Zanben bends over and puts his ear to the door. He listens intently for several moments but hears nothing.

Gwen takes her customary place covering Zanben as he inspects the door.

Zanben draws his swords and prepares for anything that may be hiding behind the door as he opens the door.

Dusty draperies adorn the walls of this room, which also contains a bed and brazier.

Zanben searches the room for anything that seems like it could be valuable also keeping an eye out for secret passageways or traps.

[OOC] Perception 1D20+6=10

Zanebn searches and finds nothing of value. He also does not find any passages or traps. He thinks that perhaps the Black Spider slept here as it seems to have been used in recent history but most of the planning was done in the main hall.

Zanben walks out of the room, "Well I didn't find anything, but you all are free to check the place out yourselves.  If we have nothing left to do here, I say it's about time we head out of these mines and go check out the Stonehill Inn.  I could definitely use a stiff drink and some well needed R&R."

Jaskier examines the emerald eyes of the statue and asks no one in particular "So we gonna take these with us?  They could be quite valuable."
Investigation Roll 1d20+2 = 14

"I agree that the Spider's trail leads to Stonehill. There's not much we need to do, but if it lies in the direction of Phandalin, I'll conference with Mizer about the Spider and the Spectator. We'll leave Gundren and his brother to put this place in order."

"It is odd that the emeralds are untouched. Obviously the Spider was here for the Forge alone, but I wonder if he also left the emeralds for good reason?"
This message was last edited by the player at 17:19, Thu 08 Apr 2021.

Jaskier looks closer at the Emeralds. Although very beautiful they are fake. Some sort of colored glass.

"Jaskier, that really sucks, if those were emeralds they would have been work a pretty penny based on their sheer size alone.  Oh well, off to Phandalin it is."  Zanben begins making his way towards the exit to the mines.

Imbert nods and follows.

The group extracts themselves from the mine and finds the remaining Rockseeker brothers enjoying a meal and chatting. They make room for you at the fire and Gundren asks, "Any Leads on this Black Spider?"

Zanben, walks up and sits next to the brothers, "Ay, my good friends we have a possible lead for tracking down that swine."  He than pulls out some mead he had in his sack along with the one of the note he found.  He than takes a good long pull from his mead than continues, "Here my friends is a note we found in a chamber that seemed to be where the Black Spider and his men were posted up.  It's addressed to someone by the name of Toblen Stonehill.  It mentions an abandoned Fortress of Sword Mountains and suggests that someone at Stonehill Inn knows about such place.  So I think after a good night rest and some R&R tonight we will be off to the Stonehill Inn to inquire further."

Imbert nods.

Gundren says, "We should head there now as we could all use proper drink and food. Toblen runs the place. Food and drink are 8n me. If you are going to pursue the Spider I fear this is where we will split ways however. I must be back here to start the process of seeing what needs to be done to get this mine running. If you recover the forge of spells I will make it worth your while. I would like to see the Black Spider apprehended and brought to justice but do what must be done."

Imbert nods.  "I'll lead the way."  He says, shoulders his pack and starts off along the trail.

Gundren packs up what he thinks he should and loads up the steeds. He makes a few notes and disappears into the mine. He Comes back after a while looking at some parchment. He jots down a few more notes rolls up the parchment and then stuffs it into his vest.

He looks at everyone and says, "I am all set."

The group then heads off to Phandalin. They arrive in Late Afternoon and are greeted by many of the townsfolk with cheers and adulation. You all dismount in front of the Town Hall and go inside.

Gundren approaches Sildar and informs him of all that has transpired. After the story is relayed Sildar sits back in his chair and puts his hands to his lips as in thought. After a few moments he leans forwards and says to the group, "This Black Spider is the cause for many of goings on in this small region. I would see him apprehended and brought here where he can then be Transported to Neverwinter where he can stand justice for his crimes and hopefully give us other valuable information. However if the Black Spider were to fall during his apprehension so be it there are worse fates for his kind. I will pay you 500 gold for either his capture or death."

With that Sildar sits back and awaits your response.

"That sounds like a reasonable offer."  Imbert replies.

Gwen sits at the table with Gundren and Sildar and pours herself another glass of port. "We'll bring the Spider down one way or another. I'm sure he's vexed Neverwinter at least as badly as Phandalin. I'll reach out to Mistress Mizer and see what she's heard. I suspect she'll be interested to hear of our near miss with the Forge of Spells. Once we recover it we can connect Mizer with Gundren and the Spectator and between the four of us we'll find a way to fire it up and cook up some items." She drains her glass and pounds the table.

"Off to the Stonehill Inn in the morning, then?"

[OoC]: Gwen will summon Mizer later in the evening, introduce her to the Spectator, bring her up to speed on the mine, and ask her to see what she can find on the Black Spider and/or the Forge of Spells.

"Yes, we should get an early start.  I'll prep the horses."  Imbert replies.