There comes a day in late spring when you notice a great commotion in the Main Hall. Investigating, you are informed that Eamon University's esteemed Department of Archaeology has discovered an ancient mining camp during one of its periodic digs. The site is carved into a basalt overhang on the steppes of Mount Everdes, an extinct volcano located in the southern regions of the Horn Belt. It is heralded as the most significant find since the Department's unfortunate encounter with the infamous "Runcible Cargo" years ago.
Later that week a notice appears, and you soon discover it. You elbow your way through a small but growing crowd outside Sam Slicker's store, coming upon a message nailed to a signpost that gives additional information:
To Whom It May Concern,
The Department of Archaeology at Eamon University has discovered a compelling cultural site that demands further exploration but must turn over this task to a more qualified team. The surface area and nearby quarry have been secured, but there is further evidence of artifacts below ground. It is unclear the depth or expanse of this complex. We seek those experienced in spelunking and strong enough to fend off any dangers encountered. Interested parties may inquire with Professor Berescroft at the dig site for more information.
Department of Archaeology, Eamon University
You wonder what treasures and perils lurk beneath the slope of that mountain — it captures your imagination, and you quickly realize this may be the chance of a lifetime! There isn't a moment to waste!
You gather your belongings, consult a local cartographer to get your bearings, and set off on the journey, hoping you will be the first to respond. Several uneventful days pass as you travel. Then the terrain turns rocky and gives way to a high plain of scrub-brush as you climb in elevation. Eventually, you arrive at the base of a rock-strewn gully — the enigmatic Mount Everdes towering in the background, to the northeast, against an azure sky.
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