Posted to the EM news site;
The Mage Tower believes to have all the ingredients necessary to create a powerful enough charge. With it they will be able to aid Serpent Isle in punching through the dense island rock.
Some time ago Serpent Isle began work on its sewer systems, hoping to upgrade the town's public works after their recent recognition from the Crown. Their diggers didn't make it very far, however, before hitting a stone unlike any they've ever seen before. Unable to pick, shovel, or blast their way through it they have requested the aid of the Mage Tower.
Confident that their new explosive will work, the Tower hopes to present their plan to Serpent Isle in the coming days.
All are thanked for their contributions to the effort. The Tower will be recognizing those contributors.
You can read the player-written back-story here.
The EM site itself is here.
More...