Nyli rejoins the group also wearing new armour, having made a visit to Lionshield Coster on her way back.
"Goblins and orcs eh? If anybody is interested, there's another group for your list - the Redbrands. They're the local thugs, led by someone called Glasstaff. There may not be any coin for it from the town, but if we can take them down I'll happily donate whatever gold I have left." She looks at the others "They're the reason I had to leave town, and why a friend of mine is covered in bandages; so I guess you could say it's personal."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Olan Fargrove - Elf Swashbuckler Nyli Bemblade - Gnome Thief
Nyli rejoins the group also wearing new armour, having made a visit to Lionshield Coster on her way back.
"Goblins and orcs eh? If anybody is interested, there's another group for your list - the Redbrands. They're the local thugs, led by someone called Glasstaff. There may not be any coin for it from the town, but if we can take them down I'll happily donate whatever gold I have left." She looks at the others "They're the reason I had to leave town, and why a friend of mine is covered in bandages; so I guess you could say it's personal."
“Guildmaster Thornton told me the Cragmaws and Redbrands are working together too, so I would still be inclined to bring Klarg back here for some interrogation and publicly displayed justice. Maybe get some Redbrands to come forward who knows. It’s probably the case that the Lionshield shipment is in the Cragmaw cave. I’m with you Nyli, I’ll help with the Redbrand thugs, I just need to know if Gundren is alive.” Chase lets out a sigh, waves over Mrs. Stonehill. “Could we get a round of drinks here?” He slips her a gold piece.
Dunkin spends his first night in Phandalin comfortably, tending his wounds and then eating and drinking heartily. He wakes a new halfling, and having made a decision. He’ll join the Circle of the Moon rather than the Circle of the Land. Despite a long family tradition in the Circle of Land, his time on this adventure having instilled a love of wild places in him. “I’ll deal with Mum’s disapproval later,” he thinks.
He takes his coin to Barthen’s and the armory, by way of the Shrine of Luck, to grab some spell components, a dagger, and a sling with ammunition. Along the way he keeps his eyes open for hidden Druidic messages but doesn’t see any (Wisdom/Perception 6).
As he returns to the inn he’s heartened to notice the changes in his companions, as well as their new gear.
OOC
Sorry for no color/bold/italics. I’m working from a phone today.
When we level up can we increase two ability scores by 1 or one score by 2? Wasn’t sure if that was a general rule or only if called out in class description.
Nyli enters the shrine, bows to Sister Garaele and says politely "Greetings Sister, and blessings to you." As she stands again she goes back to her normal speech "Good to see you again, still in the wars I see."
Looking around she lowers her voice and nods at the bandages "More trouble? or are those from your previous dealings with glasstaff's goons?" She pauses and lowers her voice further "No help from err.. your musical associates?"
"Ah, this," Sister Garaele touches the bandage on her head. "It's nothing. I was attempting to lay a vexatious spirit to rest; it became slightly agitated. The Redbrands did break into the alms box while I was gone, however." She gestures to an empty wooden box half in splinters, and sighs. "I'm going to try again with the evil spirit once I recover. My 'musical associates' as you so succinctly call them, insist it be done posthaste, or else I would go to Waterdeep to find a more powerful cleric."
Earlier at the Phandelin Miner’s Exchange, “Aye consider me joined!” Chase sets his two banded agates alongside 30 gold coins on the counter. “You should get them ores requested and on their way. I’ll get the price ye’ve mentioned. One more question have ya got any copies of that claims map?”
Guildmaster Thornton replies, "We have made no copies, but as part of your membership of the Exchange, you will receive a nontransferable license to reproduce the map of mining claims." She places a piece of paper on the counter and hands you a pen. "Fill this out and sign your name. If you have questions, I will answer. If you are illiterate, I will read it aloud and you may mark it with a drop of blood. I look forward to working with you." The header of the piece of paper reads 'Membership Agreement' and contains fields asking your name, hometown, etc.. The bottom half describes the rules and benefits of membership in the Phandalin Miner's Exchange. At the bottom is a line for a signature.
A DC 10 Intelligence (History) check reveals:
The membership agreement is precisely worded and very clear, containing no worrying clauses.
As Chase approaches the counter, he notices a hand crossbow resting (unloaded) on Guildmaster Thornton's lap.
Dunkin spends his first night in Phandalin comfortably, tending his wounds and then eating and drinking heartily. He wakes a new halfling, and having made a decision. He’ll join the Circle of the Moon rather than the Circle of the Land. Despite a long family tradition in the Circle of Land, his time on this adventure having instilled a love of wild places in him. “I’ll deal with Mum’s disapproval later,” he thinks.
He takes his coin to Barthen’s and the armory, by way of the Shrine of Luck, to grab some spell components, a dagger, and a sling with ammunition. Along the way he keeps his eyes open for hidden Druidic messages but see any (Wisdom/Perception 6).
Even though last call had already come and gone, Mr. Stonehill brings Dunkin one ale in the evening. He says he doesn't mind, and his words seem genuine.
[[OOC: @H20_Seeker, Dunkin is your character to control, not mine, so you can do with the following what you like. I just got a little bit carried away with my descriptions. If it's not the vibe you're going for, don't hesitate to direct me to change it or disregard it completely.]]
In the middle of the night, very bright moonlight shines through an upstairs window of the Stonehill Inn. Dunkin, you awake. The gash you received from goblin scimitar has healed unusually quickly. You feel an incredible power flowing through you, one your parents have long told you to expect. Your arms grow thick fur which soon sheds, replaced by fish scales. Your body changes again and again, but you remain Dunkin. This is not the untamed wildness of lycanthropy—nor is it quite like your parents' power to influence the land and sea (though you feel that power as well)—it is your power; you can control it. Your heart has always sought freedom and change, and now your body can reflect that as you choose.
You recall stories of Halflings who dance with the Green Sister under the full moon, who can grow fields of flowers in an instant, who can wield a blade of grass like a blade of steel. Perhaps you could do these things, too. The next full moon is 21 nights from now.
OOC:
These are indeed a lot of sidequests at once. One of the benefits of PbP is that characters can act more independently without taking time away form the other PCs, but that means you've meeting most of the town all at once. You don't have to complete all the sidequests, but I promise they will either be plot-relevant (it's a small town, so a lot of them are connected) or give a nice reward, or both. They also grant Experience, which I've been tracking in an excel document. You're at 354 Exp. right now, but it's more of a guideline for me because we're officially using milestones.
The current date is Ches 9, 1481 DR. You are one tenday from the spring equinox.
Calendar:
Map:
Because I don't have an actual surveyor's map of Phandalin, I'll post the region map that I was supposed to give you at the start. If anyone studies or copies the mining claims map in Phandalin Miner's Exchange, they will gain knowledge of the surrounding landscape and geology which may or may not come in handy.
Nyli moves over to Chase and asks quietly "Do you ever deal with spirits? My friend is trying to deal with 'a vexatious spirit' as she calls it, but seems to have come off second best in the encounter. Sadly she doesn't have the option of getting help from elsewhere; the redbrands have already raided the shrine once, and would probably take any chance to cause her more trouble."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Olan Fargrove - Elf Swashbuckler Nyli Bemblade - Gnome Thief
Nyli moves over to Chase and asks quietly "Do you ever deal with spirits? My friend is trying to deal with 'a vexatious spirit' as she calls it, but seems to have come off second best in the encounter. Sadly she doesn't have the option of getting help from elsewhere; the redbrands have already raided the shrine once, and would probably take any chance to cause her more trouble."
“I would most certainly deal with it, I would need a day to select my spells first as spirits often require a different approach then say goblins.” Chase takes a large gulp of ale looks around the table and smiles it’s an interesting group. “Speaking of favors Nyli how good are you at copying maps?” ..Back at the Miner’s exchange Chase nods as he reads over the contract, “Yes yes all in order here.” He signs with a practiced hand a beautiful dwarven signature. “I’ll be back with a better hand at maps then mine.”
When Doldek returns to the inn he doles out the payment he received from Barthan. Listening to the discussion around the table, he shrugs. "Dealing with Klarg and his goblins, these "Cragmaws," is the natural course of action. As Chase proposed, we should attempt to bring the bugbear back alive to answer questions. Although...if these "Redbrand" troublemakers are truly working with the Cragmaws, I suppose it might make as much sense to explore their hideout or capture one of their ranks."
Dunkin sits and listens to the others, casually nibbling a bit of roasted pork. At Doldek's comment he pipes up, "Didn't Big-Sneeze mention something about Klarg's boss living in a castle in Neverwinter Wood? While leaving that Bugbear is frustrating, I agree the castle may be our route to finding Gundren, and somethin' tells me that bugbear may show up anyhow. Yet, there's somethin' big afoot here. Too much trouble. Too many options."
He gestures to the passing barmaid. "There was a miner in here the other night. Might ya' know where'in he's at, and have you heard talk of a missing dwarf?" Dunkin holds out a gold piece (Persuasion 14). "Also, which way to the stables? I'd like to ensure our ox is well bedded." He gets up and downs his ale, letting out a belch. "I'm gonna nip over there, and ensure Bessy is good before dark. Back in a jiffy!"
OOC:
If the bar maid gives him information, Dunkin will question the miner first (Persuasion 16). Then he'll head to the stables/farm to check on the ox. If the farmer is around, he'll also question him/her (Persuasion/Charisma 16 ), before returning to the inn and his partners.
John wakes after a restful night in the cell, reminding him of his old barracks back in Neverwinter. He does a bit of shopping selling off the loot he found in the cave and buys some studs to add to his guardsman leather armor. His errors complete he heads to the inn to find the others.
"Morning lads. What's the word I got wind of some more goblins in a castle near by. Worth 500 gold if we can clear them out. By the way here is y'all's cut of the loot from yesterday. So what y'all say we stay here a few weeks and help this place out, they don't have a standing guard and what seems to be a lot of need for one."
John passes out the sliver shares to everyone. John then sits down to listen in to what he has missed so far when he sees the castle goblins is not new information.
OOC: adding the studs is just flavor I sold the old leather armor and bought studded leather.
Chase is ready to go get the oxen and cart and return to the Cragmaw cave.
1 Klarg may know the location of the castle. 2 Klarg may now names numbers & whereabouts of Glassstaff and the Redbrands. 3 Lioncoaster goods are probably at the cave. 4 Sildar’s original gear and his bounty/offer for clearing the cave. 5 Demoralize the Redbrands if we dispense justice here in town.
Nyli fishes in her pack and pulls out her journal and shows a couple of pages to Chase "I've drawn a few maps, but they're more as reminders than being accurate. If there's something to copy I could probably get it right."
OOC: I figure Int would be the best choice for map-making. Int 13
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Olan Fargrove - Elf Swashbuckler Nyli Bemblade - Gnome Thief
Nyli fishes in her pack and pulls out her journal and shows a couple of pages to Chase "I've drawn a few maps, but they're more as reminders than being accurate. If there's something to copy I could probably get it right."
OOC: I figure Int would be the best choice for map-making. Int 13
Chase would be with granting guidance and help. guidance 4
Dunkin sits and listens to the others, casually nibbling a bit of roasted pork. At Doldek's comment he pipes up, "Didn't Big-Sneeze mention something about Klarg's boss living in a castle in Neverwinter Wood? While leaving that Bugbear is frustrating, I agree the castle may be our route to finding Gundren, and somethin' tells me that bugbear may show up anyhow. Yet, there's somethin' big afoot here. Too much trouble. Too many options."
He gestures to the passing barmaid. "There was a miner in here the other night. Might ya' know where'in he's at, and have you heard talk of a missing dwarf?" Dunkin holds out a gold piece (Persuasion 14). "Also, which way to the stables? I'd like to ensure our ox is well bedded." He gets up and downs his ale, letting out a belch. "I'm gonna nip over there, and ensure Bessy is good before dark. Back in a jiffy!"
OOC:
If the bar maid gives him information, Dunkin will question the miner first (Persuasion 16). Then he'll head to the stables/farm to check on the ox. If the farmer is around, he'll also question him/her (Persuasion/Charisma 16 ), before returning to the inn and his partners.
Elsa, the barmaid, sets down her tray of drinks on a nearby table and bounces over to you. She takes Dunkin's gold and says, "Thanks! You mean Lanar? I dunno where he is—probably working. I think east maybe? He's always talking about finding 'gold in them thar hills.'" Elsa rolls her eyes. "I haven't heard about any missing dwarf; maybe you could ask Old Man Edermath. He owns the apple orchard by the town green, but he's also, like, wise and stuff." She also gives directions to the Alderleaf Farm, which is where your oxen are stabled.
At the Alderleaf Farm, Dunkin notices a rustling in the bushes on the side of the road. A small figure leaps out and shouts "Raaah!" while brandishing a stick. "Oh, you're not one of those big, ugly bandits." The figure is, in fact, a young halfling boy wearing overalls, named Carp (he/him). He introduces himself and says, "Are you here to visit Ma? Hey, that's a neat sword, can I hold it? Jus' for a little bit, please? Please!?" Carp tosses his stick to the ground and stares at Dunkin while slowly reaching his hand towards Dunkin's scimitar. While Dunkin had not seen any druidic symbols in town earlier, from a cord around Carp's neck hangs a small wooden token carved with a Druidic phrase of protection. The token becomes more and more visible, hanging down, as Carp leans farther forward towards the scimitar.
Whether or not Dunkin lends this child a sharp and dangerous weapon, Carp shows Dunkin to the farmhouse. Just outside the farmhouse is a halfling woman (Qelline "Ma" Alderleaf, she/her) with tanned skin and well-worn clothes, holding an ax. A pile of logs sits to one side of her, a wheelbarrow half full of firewood to the other, and a big hickory stump in the middle. She buries the ax in the stump and greets Dunkin, "Howdy, stranger. Name's Qelline Alderleaf. Welcome to my farm. What can I do for ya?"
Nyli fishes in her pack and pulls out her journal and shows a couple of pages to Chase "I've drawn a few maps, but they're more as reminders than being accurate. If there's something to copy I could probably get it right."
OOC: I figure Int would be the best choice for map-making. Int 13
Chase would be with granting guidance and help. guidance 2
Guildmaster Thornton looks up only briefly from her paperwork when you enter. She absently offers Chase use of the paper and ink that is complimentary for members. The claims map covers the area immediately surrounding Phandalin and extending 20 miles east and south. You see the Rockseeker claim is located about 15 miles east of Phandalin, and Lanar's 5 miles east. Nyli successfully copies down the map. Nyli may have found it easy to focus in the peace and quiet of the Exchange which, to her memory, never suffered the harassment of the Redbrand ruffians.
The only interruption Nyli and Chase experience is an old prospector who comes in about an hour after them. The old prospector dumps a sack full of rocks on the counter and Guildmaster Thornton hefts it into the back room, returning with three silver coins for the old prospector. He grins at Chase and exclaims, "I'm rich!" as he leaves.
OOC:
A 15 is a good result, but without use of Cartographer's Tools, it won't be a "map" map. It's well done, but its quality is similar to how Nyli described her other maps. You can get a sense of where things are, but it won't help you navigate to exact locations. In game terms, you'll find the correct 5 mile hex when searching for something in the area covered by the map, but will still have to investigate within that hex.
“Evening, Ms. Alderleaf,” Dunkin says chuckling at Carp and keeping his hand on his sword pommel. “Your boy is … energetic. Me name’s Dunkin Netminder and I’ve come to check on me ox. I believe it’s 2 SP a day?” He hands her 4 SP to cover two days.
”Not sure how long we’re stayin’, but I’ll be back if it’s longer than this.” He pauses, thinking about the next questions carefully.
Slipping into Druidic, and watching her reaction, he asks, “I too am a keeper of the Old Faith. There’s much trouble here, and my friend Gundren, a dwarf has been taken. What can you tell me of these happenings?”
Nyli dusts some sand over her work, waits a few seconds then shakes it off. "I hope that's good enough, I don't have the tools for anything more detailed" she says handing it to Chase.
"Can we go and see Sister Garaele now?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Olan Fargrove - Elf Swashbuckler Nyli Bemblade - Gnome Thief
Nyli dusts some sand over her work, waits a few seconds then shakes it off. "I hope that's good enough, I don't have the tools for anything more detailed" she says handing it to Chase.
"Can we go and see Sister Garaele now?"
“Absolutely, and thank you for your excellent work.”
"If we are returning to Klarg's hideout, haste will be our ally. We managed to kill or drive off a fair number of his lackeys. Let us strike now before he has a chance to replenish them."
“Evening, Ms. Alderleaf,” Dunkin says chuckling at Carp and keeping his hand on his sword pommel. “Your boy is … energetic. Me name’s Dunkin Netminder and I’ve come to check on me ox. I believe it’s 2 SP a day?” He hands her 4 SP to cover two days.
”Not sure how long we’re stayin’, but I’ll be back if it’s longer than this.” He pauses, thinking about the next questions carefully.
Slipping into Druidic, and watching her reaction, he asks, “I too am a keeper of the Old Faith. There’s much trouble here, and my friend Gundren, a dwarf has been taken. What can you tell me of these happenings?”
"Thank you kindly," says Ms. Alderleaf. "You can come and pick them up any time you want, just let me know in advance if it'll be at night. This town's got some bad apples, and I live alone with my boy."
Carp speaks up, "I can protect us, Ma!" Ms. Alderleaf pays him no mind.
Ms. Alderleaf furrows her brow when Dunkin speaks Druidic to her. "I don't rightly know what you just said, Mr. Netminder—can I call you Dunkin?—though I recognize the tongue. My former tenant talked like that sometimes, said he was blessin' my fields." Ms. Alderleaf goes on to tell Dunkin that until about two months ago, a human named Reidoth had lived in her barn. She's not sure if Reidoth was a real spellcaster or not, but he did seem very knowledgeable. "He left for Thundertree," she says, "don't know why he'd want to go to a place like that."
A DC 10 Intelligence (History) check reveals:
Thirty years ago, the eruption of Mount Hotenow to the north devastated Thundertree, leaving it a ruin. No one lives there anymore, except Reidoth, apparently. It's on the edge of Neverwinter Wood, 25 miles east of Neverwinter.
Nyli dusts some sand over her work, waits a few seconds then shakes it off. "I hope that's good enough, I don't have the tools for anything more detailed" she says handing it to Chase.
"Can we go and see Sister Garaele now?"
“Absolutely, and thank you for your excellent work.”
Nyli and Chase enter the Shrine of Luck. They find Sister Garaele reclined in one of the pews, reading a holy book. The elf quickly stands and says, "Nyli, you're back, and you've brought a friend." She visibly notices Chase's emblem but does comment on it. "Welcome to the Shrine of Luck, new friend. My name is Garaele. How can I be of assistance?"
OOC:
Right now, it looks like you've decided to go back to Klarg's cave today. It's about midday, so you can get there before dark if you leave soon.
You can continue to explore the town but unless I hear otherwise, I'll plan for my next DM post to cover your travel back to Klarg's cave.
Nyli rejoins the group also wearing new armour, having made a visit to Lionshield Coster on her way back.
"Goblins and orcs eh? If anybody is interested, there's another group for your list - the Redbrands. They're the local thugs, led by someone called Glasstaff. There may not be any coin for it from the town, but if we can take them down I'll happily donate whatever gold I have left." She looks at the others "They're the reason I had to leave town, and why a friend of mine is covered in bandages; so I guess you could say it's personal."
Olan Fargrove - Elf Swashbuckler Nyli Bemblade - Gnome Thief
“Guildmaster Thornton told me the Cragmaws and Redbrands are working together too, so I would still be inclined to bring Klarg back here for some interrogation and publicly displayed justice. Maybe get some Redbrands to come forward who knows. It’s probably the case that the Lionshield shipment is in the Cragmaw cave. I’m with you Nyli, I’ll help with the Redbrand thugs, I just need to know if Gundren is alive.” Chase lets out a sigh, waves over Mrs. Stonehill. “Could we get a round of drinks here?” He slips her a gold piece.
Dunkin spends his first night in Phandalin comfortably, tending his wounds and then eating and drinking heartily. He wakes a new halfling, and having made a decision. He’ll join the Circle of the Moon rather than the Circle of the Land. Despite a long family tradition in the Circle of Land, his time on this adventure having instilled a love of wild places in him. “I’ll deal with Mum’s disapproval later,” he thinks.
He takes his coin to Barthen’s and the armory, by way of the Shrine of Luck, to grab some spell components, a dagger, and a sling with ammunition. Along the way he keeps his eyes open for hidden Druidic messages but doesn’t see any (Wisdom/Perception 6).
As he returns to the inn he’s heartened to notice the changes in his companions, as well as their new gear.
OOC
Sorry for no color/bold/italics. I’m working from a phone today.
When we level up can we increase two ability scores by 1 or one score by 2? Wasn’t sure if that was a general rule or only if called out in class description.
"Ah, this," Sister Garaele touches the bandage on her head. "It's nothing. I was attempting to lay a vexatious spirit to rest; it became slightly agitated. The Redbrands did break into the alms box while I was gone, however." She gestures to an empty wooden box half in splinters, and sighs. "I'm going to try again with the evil spirit once I recover. My 'musical associates' as you so succinctly call them, insist it be done posthaste, or else I would go to Waterdeep to find a more powerful cleric."
Guildmaster Thornton replies, "We have made no copies, but as part of your membership of the Exchange, you will receive a nontransferable license to reproduce the map of mining claims." She places a piece of paper on the counter and hands you a pen. "Fill this out and sign your name. If you have questions, I will answer. If you are illiterate, I will read it aloud and you may mark it with a drop of blood. I look forward to working with you." The header of the piece of paper reads 'Membership Agreement' and contains fields asking your name, hometown, etc.. The bottom half describes the rules and benefits of membership in the Phandalin Miner's Exchange. At the bottom is a line for a signature.
A DC 10 Intelligence (History) check reveals:
The membership agreement is precisely worded and very clear, containing no worrying clauses.
As Chase approaches the counter, he notices a hand crossbow resting (unloaded) on Guildmaster Thornton's lap.
"Coming right up," says Mrs. Stonehill. She brings you a pitcher of ale.
Even though last call had already come and gone, Mr. Stonehill brings Dunkin one ale in the evening. He says he doesn't mind, and his words seem genuine.
[[OOC: @H20_Seeker, Dunkin is your character to control, not mine, so you can do with the following what you like. I just got a little bit carried away with my descriptions. If it's not the vibe you're going for, don't hesitate to direct me to change it or disregard it completely.]]
In the middle of the night, very bright moonlight shines through an upstairs window of the Stonehill Inn. Dunkin, you awake. The gash you received from goblin scimitar has healed unusually quickly. You feel an incredible power flowing through you, one your parents have long told you to expect. Your arms grow thick fur which soon sheds, replaced by fish scales. Your body changes again and again, but you remain Dunkin. This is not the untamed wildness of lycanthropy—nor is it quite like your parents' power to influence the land and sea (though you feel that power as well)—it is your power; you can control it. Your heart has always sought freedom and change, and now your body can reflect that as you choose.
You recall stories of Halflings who dance with the Green Sister under the full moon, who can grow fields of flowers in an instant, who can wield a blade of grass like a blade of steel. Perhaps you could do these things, too. The next full moon is 21 nights from now.
OOC:
These are indeed a lot of sidequests at once. One of the benefits of PbP is that characters can act more independently without taking time away form the other PCs, but that means you've meeting most of the town all at once. You don't have to complete all the sidequests, but I promise they will either be plot-relevant (it's a small town, so a lot of them are connected) or give a nice reward, or both. They also grant Experience, which I've been tracking in an excel document. You're at 354 Exp. right now, but it's more of a guideline for me because we're officially using milestones.
The current date is Ches 9, 1481 DR. You are one tenday from the spring equinox.
Calendar:
Map:
Because I don't have an actual surveyor's map of Phandalin, I'll post the region map that I was supposed to give you at the start. If anyone studies or copies the mining claims map in Phandalin Miner's Exchange, they will gain knowledge of the surrounding landscape and geology which may or may not come in handy.
Nyli moves over to Chase and asks quietly "Do you ever deal with spirits? My friend is trying to deal with 'a vexatious spirit' as she calls it, but seems to have come off second best in the encounter. Sadly she doesn't have the option of getting help from elsewhere; the redbrands have already raided the shrine once, and would probably take any chance to cause her more trouble."
Olan Fargrove - Elf Swashbuckler Nyli Bemblade - Gnome Thief
“I would most certainly deal with it, I would need a day to select my spells first as spirits often require a different approach then say goblins.” Chase takes a large gulp of ale looks around the table and smiles it’s an interesting group. “Speaking of favors Nyli how good are you at copying maps?”
..Back at the Miner’s exchange Chase nods as he reads over the contract, “Yes yes all in order here.” He signs with a practiced hand a beautiful dwarven signature.
“I’ll be back with a better hand at maps then mine.”
When Doldek returns to the inn he doles out the payment he received from Barthan. Listening to the discussion around the table, he shrugs. "Dealing with Klarg and his goblins, these "Cragmaws," is the natural course of action. As Chase proposed, we should attempt to bring the bugbear back alive to answer questions. Although...if these "Redbrand" troublemakers are truly working with the Cragmaws, I suppose it might make as much sense to explore their hideout or capture one of their ranks."
Dunkin sits and listens to the others, casually nibbling a bit of roasted pork. At Doldek's comment he pipes up, "Didn't Big-Sneeze mention something about Klarg's boss living in a castle in Neverwinter Wood? While leaving that Bugbear is frustrating, I agree the castle may be our route to finding Gundren, and somethin' tells me that bugbear may show up anyhow. Yet, there's somethin' big afoot here. Too much trouble. Too many options."
He gestures to the passing barmaid. "There was a miner in here the other night. Might ya' know where'in he's at, and have you heard talk of a missing dwarf?" Dunkin holds out a gold piece (Persuasion 14). "Also, which way to the stables? I'd like to ensure our ox is well bedded." He gets up and downs his ale, letting out a belch. "I'm gonna nip over there, and ensure Bessy is good before dark. Back in a jiffy!"
OOC:
If the bar maid gives him information, Dunkin will question the miner first (Persuasion 16). Then he'll head to the stables/farm to check on the ox. If the farmer is around, he'll also question him/her (Persuasion/Charisma 16 ), before returning to the inn and his partners.
Delete
John wakes after a restful night in the cell, reminding him of his old barracks back in Neverwinter. He does a bit of shopping selling off the loot he found in the cave and buys some studs to add to his guardsman leather armor. His errors complete he heads to the inn to find the others.
"Morning lads. What's the word I got wind of some more goblins in a castle near by. Worth 500 gold if we can clear them out. By the way here is y'all's cut of the loot from yesterday. So what y'all say we stay here a few weeks and help this place out, they don't have a standing guard and what seems to be a lot of need for one."
John passes out the sliver shares to everyone. John then sits down to listen in to what he has missed so far when he sees the castle goblins is not new information.
OOC: adding the studs is just flavor I sold the old leather armor and bought studded leather.
Chase is ready to go get the oxen and cart and return to the Cragmaw cave.
1 Klarg may know the location of the castle.
2 Klarg may now names numbers & whereabouts of Glassstaff and the Redbrands.
3 Lioncoaster goods are probably at the cave.
4 Sildar’s original gear and his bounty/offer for clearing the cave.
5 Demoralize the Redbrands if we dispense justice here in town.
Nyli fishes in her pack and pulls out her journal and shows a couple of pages to Chase "I've drawn a few maps, but they're more as reminders than being accurate. If there's something to copy I could probably get it right."
OOC: I figure Int would be the best choice for map-making. Int 13
Olan Fargrove - Elf Swashbuckler Nyli Bemblade - Gnome Thief
Chase would be with granting guidance and help.
guidance 4
Elsa, the barmaid, sets down her tray of drinks on a nearby table and bounces over to you. She takes Dunkin's gold and says, "Thanks! You mean Lanar? I dunno where he is—probably working. I think east maybe? He's always talking about finding 'gold in them thar hills.'" Elsa rolls her eyes. "I haven't heard about any missing dwarf; maybe you could ask Old Man Edermath. He owns the apple orchard by the town green, but he's also, like, wise and stuff." She also gives directions to the Alderleaf Farm, which is where your oxen are stabled.
At the Alderleaf Farm, Dunkin notices a rustling in the bushes on the side of the road. A small figure leaps out and shouts "Raaah!" while brandishing a stick. "Oh, you're not one of those big, ugly bandits." The figure is, in fact, a young halfling boy wearing overalls, named Carp (he/him). He introduces himself and says, "Are you here to visit Ma? Hey, that's a neat sword, can I hold it? Jus' for a little bit, please? Please!?" Carp tosses his stick to the ground and stares at Dunkin while slowly reaching his hand towards Dunkin's scimitar. While Dunkin had not seen any druidic symbols in town earlier, from a cord around Carp's neck hangs a small wooden token carved with a Druidic phrase of protection. The token becomes more and more visible, hanging down, as Carp leans farther forward towards the scimitar.
Whether or not Dunkin lends this child a sharp and dangerous weapon, Carp shows Dunkin to the farmhouse. Just outside the farmhouse is a halfling woman (Qelline "Ma" Alderleaf, she/her) with tanned skin and well-worn clothes, holding an ax. A pile of logs sits to one side of her, a wheelbarrow half full of firewood to the other, and a big hickory stump in the middle. She buries the ax in the stump and greets Dunkin, "Howdy, stranger. Name's Qelline Alderleaf. Welcome to my farm. What can I do for ya?"
Guildmaster Thornton looks up only briefly from her paperwork when you enter. She absently offers Chase use of the paper and ink that is complimentary for members. The claims map covers the area immediately surrounding Phandalin and extending 20 miles east and south. You see the Rockseeker claim is located about 15 miles east of Phandalin, and Lanar's 5 miles east. Nyli successfully copies down the map. Nyli may have found it easy to focus in the peace and quiet of the Exchange which, to her memory, never suffered the harassment of the Redbrand ruffians.
The only interruption Nyli and Chase experience is an old prospector who comes in about an hour after them. The old prospector dumps a sack full of rocks on the counter and Guildmaster Thornton hefts it into the back room, returning with three silver coins for the old prospector. He grins at Chase and exclaims, "I'm rich!" as he leaves.
OOC:
A 15 is a good result, but without use of Cartographer's Tools, it won't be a "map" map. It's well done, but its quality is similar to how Nyli described her other maps. You can get a sense of where things are, but it won't help you navigate to exact locations. In game terms, you'll find the correct 5 mile hex when searching for something in the area covered by the map, but will still have to investigate within that hex.
“Evening, Ms. Alderleaf,” Dunkin says chuckling at Carp and keeping his hand on his sword pommel. “Your boy is … energetic. Me name’s Dunkin Netminder and I’ve come to check on me ox. I believe it’s 2 SP a day?” He hands her 4 SP to cover two days.
”Not sure how long we’re stayin’, but I’ll be back if it’s longer than this.” He pauses, thinking about the next questions carefully.
Slipping into Druidic, and watching her reaction, he asks, “I too am a keeper of the Old Faith. There’s much trouble here, and my friend Gundren, a dwarf has been taken. What can you tell me of these happenings?”
Nyli dusts some sand over her work, waits a few seconds then shakes it off. "I hope that's good enough, I don't have the tools for anything more detailed" she says handing it to Chase.
"Can we go and see Sister Garaele now?"
Olan Fargrove - Elf Swashbuckler Nyli Bemblade - Gnome Thief
“Absolutely, and thank you for your excellent work.”
John a simple ex guard is a bit overwhelmed with all the potential work.
"I'm so the big bear first? Is that the plan"
"If we are returning to Klarg's hideout, haste will be our ally. We managed to kill or drive off a fair number of his lackeys. Let us strike now before he has a chance to replenish them."
"Thank you kindly," says Ms. Alderleaf. "You can come and pick them up any time you want, just let me know in advance if it'll be at night. This town's got some bad apples, and I live alone with my boy."
Carp speaks up, "I can protect us, Ma!" Ms. Alderleaf pays him no mind.
Ms. Alderleaf furrows her brow when Dunkin speaks Druidic to her. "I don't rightly know what you just said, Mr. Netminder—can I call you Dunkin?—though I recognize the tongue. My former tenant talked like that sometimes, said he was blessin' my fields." Ms. Alderleaf goes on to tell Dunkin that until about two months ago, a human named Reidoth had lived in her barn. She's not sure if Reidoth was a real spellcaster or not, but he did seem very knowledgeable. "He left for Thundertree," she says, "don't know why he'd want to go to a place like that."
A DC 10 Intelligence (History) check reveals:
Thirty years ago, the eruption of Mount Hotenow to the north devastated Thundertree, leaving it a ruin. No one lives there anymore, except Reidoth, apparently. It's on the edge of Neverwinter Wood, 25 miles east of Neverwinter.
Nyli and Chase enter the Shrine of Luck. They find Sister Garaele reclined in one of the pews, reading a holy book. The elf quickly stands and says, "Nyli, you're back, and you've brought a friend." She visibly notices Chase's emblem but does comment on it. "Welcome to the Shrine of Luck, new friend. My name is Garaele. How can I be of assistance?"
OOC:
Right now, it looks like you've decided to go back to Klarg's cave today. It's about midday, so you can get there before dark if you leave soon.
You can continue to explore the town but unless I hear otherwise, I'll plan for my next DM post to cover your travel back to Klarg's cave.