Amba Mine

The Amba Mine is a tin mine just off the Fur Road near Loban in the.

The Mine
Just north of Loban, a short trail heads west off the Fur Road for about one league and then stops. This trail leads to the Amba tin mine, the original reason for the founding of Loban some eighty years ago. The mine is owned by the King of Kaldor, but is franchised to the Miner’s Guild for a royalty equal to 20% of the ore value mined. The mine is no longer as valuable as it once was, but is still actively worked by a dozen miners.

At least, it was until quite recently. In a terrifying ten-day period just over two months ago, three mining personnel mysteriously disappeared. The first of these was thought to be simple desertion, but the second seemed to indicate foul play, since bloody and tattered clothing was found where the victim was last seen. After another similar disappearance, the last being the local guildmaster, the remaining and panicky miners fled to Loban seeking the protection of Lord Dezaller who is responsible for protecting the mine. Sir Kethel then undertook an investigation.

The lord and his squire personally searched the Amba Mine and the immediate surrounding area. They could find no trace of anyone except Martin the Hermit. Martin was questioned, but claimed he was not even aware the mine had closed, and that he had seen no one for months except a few Taelda hunters. Although Sir Kathel returned to Loban, and believed the Taelda were responsible, he had an uneasy feeling that the hermit knew more than he told. The good lord was considering less subtle interrogation of Martin when the first murder in his own fief occurred, and ensuing events overwhelmed him. Martin’s cottage and the Amba Mine are the logical first visits for any party seeking to solve the mystery.

Amba mine is located in deep woods, but is surrounded by a large clearing, timber that was ut by the guildsmen for mine supports and fed. A plan of the mine is shown below, near the entrance (not sown) is a large bunkhouse and forge. There is really nothing to be found int he mine, but it’s a fine time-waster.

Martin the Hermit
Martin is a grizzled old trapper who dislikes civilization and prefers to keep to himself. His cottage (shack would be a better description) is located one league west of Amba mine on the shore of a small lake. A Taleda half-breed on his mother’s side, Martin is a rugged individualist with the woodland skills to fend for himself despite his advanced age.

Martin has established good relations with the Taelda, and is well known to the villagers of Loban where he pays the odd visit. He will say little, observe much, and take swift steps to punish any evil committed in the forest, which he regards as his domain.

Martin suspects a lot more about the killings than he has so far revealed. Martin is familiar with a Taelda legend of a “demon” called the Old One, said to inhabit a cavern a few leagues northwest of his cottage. Although he has never seen the entity, Martin knows the Taelda paid regular tribute to something they feared at a location they called Demon Rock. He believes the Old One, angered by Sir Kathel’s massacre of the Taelda this summer, is slaying the local miners and villagers as an act of revenge.

Martin did not reveal any of this to Sir Kathel. No doubt he feared the knight would think him mad, and given the lord’s response to the Talda, Martin fears but little respects for the Lord of Loban in any event. However, because the murders have continued unchecked, Martin is now afraid of the Old One, and wonders if he too will be subject to its revenge. Bribing him to provide information should not be too difficult; he has little need of money, but would probably accept some artifact useful to his trade. Getting Martin to lead the party to the Old One’s lair might be more difficult, but bluffing him that he is the prime suspect for the atrocities, might be persuasive.