Nestled in the rocky foothills of the snow-capped Sword Mountains is the mining town of Phandalin, which consists of forty or fifty simple log buildings. Crumbling stone ruins surround the newer houses and shops, showing how this must have been a much larger town in centuries past.
Phandalin’s residents are quiet, hard-working folk who came from distant cities to eke out a life amid the harsh wilderness. They are farmers, stonecutters, blacksmiths, traders, prospectors, and children. The town has no walls and no garrison, but most of the adults keep weapons within easy reach in case the need for arms should arise.
Visitors are welcome here, particularly if they have coin to spend or news to share. The Stonehill Inn at the center of town offers modest lodging and meals. A couple of doors down from the inn, posted outside the townmaster’s hall, is a job board for adventurers. You all sit on your own tables in the Stonehill Inn. Apart from yourselves there is no one on any of the other tables.
At a table fairly close to the bar sits a half-elf with finely chiseled features, red shoulder length hair, blue piercing eyes, wearing a purple cloak over a green vest and a plain white shirt, green pants and soft leather boots. The half-elf occasionally glances over at the other guests of the Inn while seemingly trying to impress the lovely barmaid with a card trick.
After finishing his converstion with the barmaid he seems to come to a decision, empties his goblet of wine and stands before the others. "Good evening folks, the name is Aelyn, Aelyn Moonsong. I´m just a humble traveller looking to earn an honest coin and I heard there is a board nearby announcing work for people such as ourselves." He says looking over the red bearded heavily armoured dwarf, the brown scaled kobold, the brown and grey robed half-elf and the young woman with the jam-packed bag. "Let me buy you all a drink so we can get to know eachother before maybe visit that board." He adds and waves for the barmaid while taking a seat with the young woman. "I take it you are not from around." He says to those who join him. "Please, tell me, would you all be interested in accompany me on adventure?"
The dwarf looks up from his pint of beer which he has been nursing for over an hour. The oversized white priest's robe he wears doesn't quite seem to fit, and the hem touches the floor even though from his perch on the bench, his feet do not.
In accented Common, he answers, "Greetin's, good elf...er... Aelyn. I's just arrived in town after a journey, and ain't found what I were seeking. I just spent me last coin on this beer, and was ponderin' what to do next. I s'ppose a job makes sense, as I needs to eat, " he smiles and pats his abdomen. "Do you thinks there is anything on that board for a simple itinerant preacher such as meself? Oh, and er... me name's Skorli."
Brikabrak listens with interest from his table. After stuffing a last greasy morsel in his mouth, he plods over to the table where the others are gathered."Hi I'm Brikabrak. What kind of adventure?" he chirps in a high-pitched but not grating voice. He wipes his hands a few times down the front of his ragged goatskin poncho to knock the crumbs off it, readjusts his crown of alpine flowers, and looks up to the half-elf, awaiting an answer.
"Well I don´t really know yet what fate has in store for us, but I´m sure it will be both exciting and rewarding." Aelyn says with a confident wide smile looking at Skorli and Brikabrak. "We´ll just have to go and find out once we´re finished here what kind of adventure awaits us on that board. How about you two?" Aelyn looks to the young woman and the brown haired half-elf as the barmaid serves up another round of drinks.
Joslyn looks from from digging through her bag, "Oh? Well I'm hoping to head out to the ruins of Thundertree at somepoint. I'm sure there are some interesting finds there that haven't been gone over there as of yet."
"Thundertree you say, please tell us more milady. What could one expect to find in those ruins?" Aelyn asks the young woman immediately seeing an opportunity.
"Probably some frakkin' loud trees," Skorli mutters to himself in Dwarvish. The dwarf tosses back his mug and drains the last drops of his drink, a few of which find their way into his beard. He slams the vessel down onto the table, wipes his mouth roughly with the back of his hand, and clambers to his feet. He stoops and gathers his pack from under the table, and slings it over one shoulder. There is a crossbow strapped to the back. Skorli reaches into a nearby corner of the room, and retrieves his warhammer. He looks around at the others and says in Common, "Well, what is we waiting for? Me purse is empty, and me belly soon will be. I says we check that board and see what it offers, and then decide 'bout this 'Thundertree' place."
"Well, ruins is probably the wrong word," Joslyn continues. "Comparitively it's still rather young, but the sudden leaving of the people that lived in that village means that there might be some interesting insights to make there."
"Yes, insights can be useful milady, but won´t feed Skorli here I´m afraid." Aelyn says a tad bit disappointed. "Would you join us still milady, if we pay a visit to that board? And I didn´t quite catch your name there milady."
The brown and gray cloaked half-elf silent nods his thanks to Aelyn, and continues to eat the braised venison on the plate in front of him, part of the deer he brought into the town the previous day as barter for his room at the inn. Though he appears to be focused on the food in front of him, Zal listens to the small talk of the others.
"Yes, well, think it over then I guess." Aelyn says to the young woman and the brown haired half-elf eating away at his braised venison. He then stands up and empties his goblet. "I will join Skorli and visit that board, don´t hesitate to join us when you are ready." He says with a slight bow. "Milady" He adds facing the young woman. Aelyn then leaves the Inn together with anyone that would join him and walks over to the townmasters hall to see what adventures fate has in store for them.
"Enchanted." Aelyn says, takes Joslyns hand, leans forward, kisses it and looks her briefly in the eyes, all in one fluid motion. "So would you consider leaving the insightful ruins for later then milady?" He adds while leaving the table. "Now I didn´t catch your name there either." He says to the half-elf as they leave the Inn.
With a satisfied grunt, Skorli tromps along beside Aelyn, looking around at the couple of buildings and any townspeople they pass on the way to the townmaster's hall. In particular, he keeps an eye out for any churches, temples, or shrines. Or dwarves. Especially dwarves. Upon arriving at the jobs board, he squints at the notices to see what might be available.
You all head out of the Inn and through town. You notice a few people walking around town running errands. Skorli you notice a few dwarves walking around town and what appears to be a shrine made of stone bricks. You can see a few people walking in and out but are unable to see what God this shrine is dedicated to. As you all arrive at the job board there are two pieces of paper nailed to the board. The first reads
"Dwarf prospectors found ancient dwarven ruins in the mountains southwest of here, and have been working an archaeological dig seeking treasure and relics. They need to be warned that a white dragon has moved into the area. Take the warning to them, then return to Townmaster Harbin Wester to collect a reward of 50 gp."
The second reads
"The local midwife—an acolyte of Chauntea named Adabra Gwynn—lives by herself in a stone windmill on the side of a hill a few miles south of Phandalin. With dragon sightings becoming more common, it's not safe for her to be alone. Urge Adabra to return to Phandalin. Once she's safe, visit Townmaster Harbin Wester to claim a reward of 25 gp."
After studying the the papers briefly Aelyn turns to the others. "Might I suggest we take on both these assignments by first warning the dwarves at that archeological dig and then bring the midwife with us on the way home as they seem to be in the same area." He says looking to the others for opinions while checking on the light crossbow he´s carrying with him.
(OOC: Would we find our way to these places or would we need some further directions before leaving Phandalin? Also what time is it? Is it reasonable to leave now? Time for Aelyns player to have a long rest. Aelyn will go with what the party decides and is prepared to leave.)
Brikabrak scratches his chin as he reads the board. As he reads, he unconsciously points a finger at his crown of flowers, mutters a phrase under his breath, and the flowers suddenly return to full bloom and complete vivacity, as though they had just been plucked a moment ago.
When he finishes reading, he says, "I'm glad they're taking the dragon threat seriously. I wish I could have warned them earlier... or maybe if they could have warned us earlier..." he trails off for a moment, then picks up a new train of thought,"I think warning the most people first makes the most sense, so the archaeologists. But I don't like the idea of an old lady out there on her own. The archaeologists will probably stay out there, but we can protect the midwife. What do you all think?"
"Enchanted." Aelyn says, takes Joslyns hand, leans forward, kisses it and looks her briefly in the eyes, all in one fluid motion. "So would you consider leaving the insightful ruins for later then milady?" He adds while leaving the table. "Now I didn´t catch your name there either." He says to the half-elf as they leave the Inn.
"That's because I didn't offer it."
Zal listens to what is read aloud, plotting, in his head, the safest and most efficient route to take based on the knowledge he gained of the area over the past few days, while waiting to hear what the other say.
Nestled in the rocky foothills of the snow-capped Sword Mountains is the mining town of Phandalin, which consists of forty or fifty simple log buildings. Crumbling stone ruins surround the newer houses and shops, showing how this must have been a much larger town in centuries past.
Phandalin’s residents are quiet, hard-working folk who came from distant cities to eke out a life amid the harsh wilderness. They are farmers, stonecutters, blacksmiths, traders, prospectors, and children. The town has no walls and no garrison, but most of the adults keep weapons within easy reach in case the need for arms should arise.
Visitors are welcome here, particularly if they have coin to spend or news to share. The Stonehill Inn at the center of town offers modest lodging and meals. A couple of doors down from the inn, posted outside the townmaster’s hall, is a job board for adventurers. You all sit on your own tables in the Stonehill Inn. Apart from yourselves there is no one on any of the other tables.
What would you like to do?
At a table fairly close to the bar sits a half-elf with finely chiseled features, red shoulder length hair, blue piercing eyes, wearing a purple cloak over a green vest and a plain white shirt, green pants and soft leather boots. The half-elf occasionally glances over at the other guests of the Inn while seemingly trying to impress the lovely barmaid with a card trick.
After finishing his converstion with the barmaid he seems to come to a decision, empties his goblet of wine and stands before the others. "Good evening folks, the name is Aelyn, Aelyn Moonsong. I´m just a humble traveller looking to earn an honest coin and I heard there is a board nearby announcing work for people such as ourselves." He says looking over the red bearded heavily armoured dwarf, the brown scaled kobold, the brown and grey robed half-elf and the young woman with the jam-packed bag. "Let me buy you all a drink so we can get to know eachother before maybe visit that board." He adds and waves for the barmaid while taking a seat with the young woman. "I take it you are not from around." He says to those who join him. "Please, tell me, would you all be interested in accompany me on adventure?"
The dwarf looks up from his pint of beer which he has been nursing for over an hour. The oversized white priest's robe he wears doesn't quite seem to fit, and the hem touches the floor even though from his perch on the bench, his feet do not.
In accented Common, he answers, "Greetin's, good elf...er... Aelyn. I's just arrived in town after a journey, and ain't found what I were seeking. I just spent me last coin on this beer, and was ponderin' what to do next. I s'ppose a job makes sense, as I needs to eat, " he smiles and pats his abdomen. "Do you thinks there is anything on that board for a simple itinerant preacher such as meself? Oh, and er... me name's Skorli."
Brikabrak listens with interest from his table. After stuffing a last greasy morsel in his mouth, he plods over to the table where the others are gathered. "Hi I'm Brikabrak. What kind of adventure?" he chirps in a high-pitched but not grating voice. He wipes his hands a few times down the front of his ragged goatskin poncho to knock the crumbs off it, readjusts his crown of alpine flowers, and looks up to the half-elf, awaiting an answer.
"Well I don´t really know yet what fate has in store for us, but I´m sure it will be both exciting and rewarding." Aelyn says with a confident wide smile looking at Skorli and Brikabrak. "We´ll just have to go and find out once we´re finished here what kind of adventure awaits us on that board. How about you two?" Aelyn looks to the young woman and the brown haired half-elf as the barmaid serves up another round of drinks.
Joslyn looks from from digging through her bag, "Oh? Well I'm hoping to head out to the ruins of Thundertree at somepoint. I'm sure there are some interesting finds there that haven't been gone over there as of yet."
Elra Skylash - Human Cleric | Vanzaren Tanidoni - Half Elf Wizard
Mindartis Liadon - Eladrin Barbarian | Naivara Siannodel - Half Elf Ranger
Arrila Evenwood - Half Elf Paladin | Callaphe of Setessa - Human Rogue
Katernin Nemetsk - Aasimar Cleric | Melody - Tiefling Bard
"Thundertree you say, please tell us more milady. What could one expect to find in those ruins?" Aelyn asks the young woman immediately seeing an opportunity.
"Probably some frakkin' loud trees," Skorli mutters to himself in Dwarvish. The dwarf tosses back his mug and drains the last drops of his drink, a few of which find their way into his beard. He slams the vessel down onto the table, wipes his mouth roughly with the back of his hand, and clambers to his feet. He stoops and gathers his pack from under the table, and slings it over one shoulder. There is a crossbow strapped to the back. Skorli reaches into a nearby corner of the room, and retrieves his warhammer. He looks around at the others and says in Common, "Well, what is we waiting for? Me purse is empty, and me belly soon will be. I says we check that board and see what it offers, and then decide 'bout this 'Thundertree' place."
"Well, ruins is probably the wrong word," Joslyn continues. "Comparitively it's still rather young, but the sudden leaving of the people that lived in that village means that there might be some interesting insights to make there."
Elra Skylash - Human Cleric | Vanzaren Tanidoni - Half Elf Wizard
Mindartis Liadon - Eladrin Barbarian | Naivara Siannodel - Half Elf Ranger
Arrila Evenwood - Half Elf Paladin | Callaphe of Setessa - Human Rogue
Katernin Nemetsk - Aasimar Cleric | Melody - Tiefling Bard
"Yes, insights can be useful milady, but won´t feed Skorli here I´m afraid." Aelyn says a tad bit disappointed. "Would you join us still milady, if we pay a visit to that board? And I didn´t quite catch your name there milady."
The brown and gray cloaked half-elf silent nods his thanks to Aelyn, and continues to eat the braised venison on the plate in front of him, part of the deer he brought into the town the previous day as barter for his room at the inn. Though he appears to be focused on the food in front of him, Zal listens to the small talk of the others.
Oriovar - Wood Elf Cleric (1) - Sword Coast Campaign
Roy Quigley - Human Artificer (1) - Karrion's Spelljammer Academy Starboard
"Yes, well, think it over then I guess." Aelyn says to the young woman and the brown haired half-elf eating away at his braised venison. He then stands up and empties his goblet. "I will join Skorli and visit that board, don´t hesitate to join us when you are ready." He says with a slight bow. "Milady" He adds facing the young woman. Aelyn then leaves the Inn together with anyone that would join him and walks over to the townmasters hall to see what adventures fate has in store for them.
Zal sops up the last of the juices on the plate from his meal with a piece of bread, pops it into his mouth, and then follows the group out.
Oriovar - Wood Elf Cleric (1) - Sword Coast Campaign
Roy Quigley - Human Artificer (1) - Karrion's Spelljammer Academy Starboard
"Oh, sorry, Joslyn," Joslyn holds out a hand for a shake. "Good to meet you!"
Elra Skylash - Human Cleric | Vanzaren Tanidoni - Half Elf Wizard
Mindartis Liadon - Eladrin Barbarian | Naivara Siannodel - Half Elf Ranger
Arrila Evenwood - Half Elf Paladin | Callaphe of Setessa - Human Rogue
Katernin Nemetsk - Aasimar Cleric | Melody - Tiefling Bard
"Enchanted." Aelyn says, takes Joslyns hand, leans forward, kisses it and looks her briefly in the eyes, all in one fluid motion. "So would you consider leaving the insightful ruins for later then milady?" He adds while leaving the table.
"Now I didn´t catch your name there either." He says to the half-elf as they leave the Inn.
With a satisfied grunt, Skorli tromps along beside Aelyn, looking around at the couple of buildings and any townspeople they pass on the way to the townmaster's hall. In particular, he keeps an eye out for any churches, temples, or shrines. Or dwarves. Especially dwarves. Upon arriving at the jobs board, he squints at the notices to see what might be available.
You all head out of the Inn and through town. You notice a few people walking around town running errands. Skorli you notice a few dwarves walking around town and what appears to be a shrine made of stone bricks. You can see a few people walking in and out but are unable to see what God this shrine is dedicated to. As you all arrive at the job board there are two pieces of paper nailed to the board. The first reads
"Dwarf prospectors found ancient dwarven ruins in the mountains southwest of here, and have been working an archaeological dig seeking treasure and relics. They need to be warned that a white dragon has moved into the area. Take the warning to them, then return to Townmaster Harbin Wester to collect a reward of 50 gp."
The second reads
"The local midwife—an acolyte of Chauntea named Adabra Gwynn—lives by herself in a stone windmill on the side of a hill a few miles south of Phandalin. With dragon sightings becoming more common, it's not safe for her to be alone. Urge Adabra to return to Phandalin. Once she's safe, visit Townmaster Harbin Wester to claim a reward of 25 gp."
After studying the the papers briefly Aelyn turns to the others. "Might I suggest we take on both these assignments by first warning the dwarves at that archeological dig and then bring the midwife with us on the way home as they seem to be in the same area." He says looking to the others for opinions while checking on the light crossbow he´s carrying with him.
(OOC: Would we find our way to these places or would we need some further directions before leaving Phandalin? Also what time is it? Is it reasonable to leave now? Time for Aelyns player to have a long rest. Aelyn will go with what the party decides and is prepared to leave.)
Brikabrak scratches his chin as he reads the board. As he reads, he unconsciously points a finger at his crown of flowers, mutters a phrase under his breath, and the flowers suddenly return to full bloom and complete vivacity, as though they had just been plucked a moment ago.
When he finishes reading, he says, "I'm glad they're taking the dragon threat seriously. I wish I could have warned them earlier... or maybe if they could have warned us earlier..." he trails off for a moment, then picks up a new train of thought, "I think warning the most people first makes the most sense, so the archaeologists. But I don't like the idea of an old lady out there on her own. The archaeologists will probably stay out there, but we can protect the midwife. What do you all think?"
"That's because I didn't offer it."
Zal listens to what is read aloud, plotting, in his head, the safest and most efficient route to take based on the knowledge he gained of the area over the past few days, while waiting to hear what the other say.
Oriovar - Wood Elf Cleric (1) - Sword Coast Campaign
Roy Quigley - Human Artificer (1) - Karrion's Spelljammer Academy Starboard