Codus was a world renown nobody but was a decent enough swordsman and dabbler in the magic arts. But as he went about his day he realized his life could use a change. He heard tale of battle miners digging up the living earth and returning it to dust for profit. This sounded like a much better endevour for his weak constitution then slaying the more human denizens of Sosaria. But first he had to learn how to work the sedentary dirt before he tackled the living ore. Always scheming, Codus realized he could make a few coin while learning the way of the pickax. Off to Buccaneer's Den to meet with a contact from the life he was leaving and procure an offer to mine out some smugglers tunnels. In the seedy city, Codus purchased some pack animals and set out to create the perfect hidden labyrinth for the Pirates who call Buc's Den their home to store their liquor, gold, peg legs, and whatever else pirate horde. This looks like the perfect spot for the entrance! After digging a small cavern and hiding the entrance, it was time to branch out. It was hard work and he had a sinking pit in his stomach that maybe the work that was being done wasn't for the best causes. Codus had a lot of time down in the earth to think. He got into sword-play to help slay the vile scum murders who roam the lands. Having failed that he switched not only trade craft but morality? Digging a hidden cavern system for them to stockpile their misbegotten goods?! Well there was nothing to it, he told himself as he swung the heavy pick, coin was coin and this is good honest work. The blacksmith who forged the pirates cutlass used to slay a hapless fisherwoman on the shores of Bald Island can't be upset with the work he was doing when molding the steal and working the bellows, so why should he. He swung his tool again. Whistle while you work... After a time of clearing the main pathways it was time to install various quick exits into the town proper. Various spots in the woods, a ladder down by the stables, stairs by the blacksmith hut, an escape hatch by the mining guild and the tavern, and finally various egress' on the outskirts of the town. Every good tunnel system has an exit to the pirates bath house and spa. As he slogged along and the day grew late, some pebbles started plunking him on the head from above. He listened carefully and he could hear horse-hooves growing closer. More sediment fell as the hoovefall thundered in the caverns. By the sound of them he could tell it was some citizens of ill repute living in the Den. They could tell Codus was under them but could not figure out how to get to him. Off they ran. Codus wiped his brow and took a swig from his canteen. He continued to contemplate the merits of assisting those who wish to harm him as the cacophony began again. This time, unfortunately they were in his tunnels... they found the entrance! Unprepared to fight and loaded with just his shovels and picks, Codus was quickly dispatched by those claiming to be a team from some far off land called Trammel? Codus had never heard of it, nor did he want to visit after his encounter with four citizens of that far off land. Regrouped, Codus delved back into his growing labyrinth and continued his work. Much more carefully this time. Any time he heard a noise from the world above, Codus hid. He carefully ventured out only when completely necessary. Each trip out, he found corpses of the misfortune scattered on the floor. He stopped venturing out when he saw the dismembered limbs of a fallen warrior. The Den was no place for miner. Back in his tunnels the living were not the only thing he could sense above his head. Sometimes the undead stirred above him. Thankfully Codus was smart enough to dig his caverns below the shallow graves of the fallen buccaneers and didn't encounter any IN his pits. The undead walk the earth while the living are buried in it? As the day drew to an end and he felt like his tunnels were almost complete, he heard the dreaded sound of horse clomps above ground. They fell lightly and he could tell this person was a much kinder soul. Why would they be running around the Den, he didn't know. Maybe they had business here like him, Codus thought, after all he was a good person just doing a job in the Den. Closer he crawled, to investigate. Footsteps above the tireless miner. A TREASURE HUNTER! What luck. He heard there was gold in the ground all over the island of Buccaneer's Den and this proves it. Maybe if he dug up from below, Codus could steal some of that gold. Off to work he went. A little extra on top of his contractors fee would be a nice bonus since the job had a bit more adventure then a normal excavation. As he worked, he was hoping he could reach the bottom of the chest, make a hole large enough to get out some gold, and escape faster then the famed treasure hunter Avery could return the risen dead to rest and pick the locks on the chest set by some long forgotten pirate. And with one last swing of his ax he not only reached the chest, but split the base. He pulled out his gold leaving the magic items for the hunter and ran away to count his treasure. It was time to get out off Buccaneer's Den island once and for all with his fee and his "tip". Codus had enough of the pirates life. Gold recovered from the pirates chest!
Thank you! The TT bit is real btw, but I didn't have time to snag pictures while I was running for my life. And aye, good nonstop mining with well placed static forges down there.. Codus still needs lumberjack... maybe I should go to Winds indoor, underground park
Seems that Codus has found the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Great joy can be found even in the depths of this realm. Enjoyed reading of your adventures.
