Mining Camp "Pelenoth"
Location: L7
Inhabitants: 5 to 50 (depending on the season)
The miner's camp in the Pelenoth Valley is a central supply station between six different iron mines, operated by the miners guild. The camp is manned all year round, even though the mines have to be closed during the winter and reopened in the spring.
The mines are all within one to three hours' walk of the camp. The miners usually sleep in tents or crude huts close to the mines and return to the main camp every three to six days, bringing the ore to the smelters, replacing damaged tools and enjoying what little comforts the camp may offer returning to their work on the next day.
There is no work on Peonian holy days and most miners come back to the camp to celebrate.
Once or twice every month the raw iron is brought to Shenadun with a mule train. Depending on the number of animals needed, four to six miners accompany the train. These places are always in high demand, because the miners can spend a night at the inn. Sleeping in a good bed with good food and drink is a nice change and the local guildmaster, Horeld of Bansen, frequently rewards good work with a place in the train.
Mercenaries
The camp employs a number of mercenaries as guards. Depending on the season and the imminence of danger, their number varies between half a dozen up to twenty (one company). It is their responsibility to protect the camp and to patrol the area around the mines. Some of them also accompany the monthly mule train to Shenadun, as the path is particularly dangerous. The men are well paid and enjoy the benefits of guild members as long as they are in the guild's employ. Any harm coming to one of the miners under their protection can lead to their replacement, so they take their job very seriously.
Most of the mercenaries have been in the guild's employ for several years and they consider themselves to be far superior to any "seasonal rabble" that is hired to bolster their ranks on occasion.
The commander of the mercenaries is Valdek of Halder, a 36 year old veteran warrior. The current strength of his company is eleven men.
Master Miner Horeld of Bansen
Horeld is 53 and has spent most of his life in the mining business in dangerous frontier regions. He is on very good terms with the lord of Shenadun. The recent sightings of Gargun tracks in the area have worried the guildmaster, because the mines are vulnerable to Gargun raiders, even though the main camp seems secure. He has petitioned the to finance some more guards and a scout or two, but request has not been fulfilled yet. Sir Lardis has promised to start his own investigation on Gargun activities in the region and to wipe out any permanent Gargun settlements that might exist.
The Miners
Working in the Pelenoth mines is backbreaking and dangerous work. To add to the dangers, the area is far from safe with rampaging Gargun and the unpredictable Pagaelin tribes nearby. The miners in Pelenoth are a tough lot. Several of them have fled into the guilds' protection for different reasons. Among them are escaped serfs, indebted gamblers and a few criminals. The guild does not normally and over those individuals to the authorities unless they are accused of felonies. However, the guildmasters take care not to accept members wanted by one of the local lords to avoid complications.ents that might exist.
Local Map Notes
1. Main building This is the main office of Horeld of Bansen and also the storage building and tool shed.
2. Storeroom: This is the main storage building for raw materials for the smelters like clay, charcoal and raw iron.
3. Smelters The smelters used in Pelenoth are primitive clay constructions that have to be demolished and rebuilt after each use. There are two potters in the employ of the guild who work under the supervision of the smelter master, Badrel of Rur. The clay is taken from claypits along the banks of the Pelenoth creek.
4. Palisade and Gate The camp is surrounded with a stoutly built, ten foot palisade with ramparts and twelve foot wooden towers on all four corners. The gate is made from ironbound oak and secured with heavy bars. There are always two guards on duty.
5. Animal pen and stable The miners keep about three dozen mules, cared for by four teamsters, to transport the ore from the mines to the main camp and to carry the raw iron to Shenadun and supplies back to the camp.
6. and 7. Miners quarters The sleeping places, kitchen and mess hall for the miners. They are reasonably well built, but offer only the small comforts commonly associated with guild hostels. There are usually between 20 and 40 miners at work in the Pelenoth mines, but only a quarter or less will be present in the main camp at any given time except holidays.
8. Barracks The barracks are spacious and can easily house a full strength company if the situation should demand more men.
9. Woodcrafter This is the workshop and sleeping quarter for the bonded woodcrafter, Perdel of Grenien. Perdel has two apprentices to help him and would like to employ a journeyman as he has plenty of work. He has not found a suitable candidate yet and plans to spread the word in Burzyn next time he visits the town.
10. Metalsmith Notgar of Threben is the bonded metalsmith of the camp. He is constantly making and repairing tools, but can hardly meet the demand.