Stepping up to the door Syna clenches his fist and knocks. The door swings open. The interior walls are piled high with a variety of boxes and crates, all marked with the same Blue Lion on a shield sigil. Some crates have heavy black stencilled writing along the sides, some read "PHANDALIN - URGENT", "YARTAR"  "FRAGILE", "DANGEROUS CONTENTS - OPEN AT RISK" and "TRIBOAR". Along the back wall runs a shop counter, piled high with various small crates and sacks. A human woman stands three quarters of the way along, disturbed from her counting and lodging. She is about thirty five years old, but has already experienced much that life has to offer. Her head flashes upwards, glaring at her new guests. She gestures angrily at the sign on the counter - "CLOSED - COME BACK TOMORROW!"

"What do you want we're closed?!" 

Syna:

Syna bows respectfully, slightly surprised, "My deepest apologies, Miss, for our disturbance.  We are seeking the local constable, as we have dread news to impart.  Might you be able to direct us?"

The man turns the key in the front door or the storehouse and while turning to walk away, he notices Zyltris and Serak. He's in a world of his own and the pair startle him slightly. 

"Hello there my fine elven friends. I'm sorry but I have just closed up shop for the day. But you are more than welcome to sample my wares in the morning" He says to them cheerily. 

Zyltris tells him about the cart, their journey and Gundren. The man responds solemnly.

"Oh my! No, no I haven't heard anything from Gundren or his two brothers for a few days. Nundro and Tharden went off prospecting in the hills outside the town somewhere and should be back any day now. Gundren though.... last I heard he was to travel with Sildar down the High Road and be here..... maybe yesterday or the day before? He was sending a party along with his supply cart to me here. Now that you mention it, I'm not sure that a dwarf like Gundren would trust Elves to perform a task like this.... given the history!" He eyes the pair, examining them carefully.

"Nevertheless, I have no reason not to trust you myself. And it would appear that you have stuck to your word and delivered all of the goods with great care..... AND on time! For that you have my thanks. I am Barthen of course, owner of the largest trading post in Phandalin. Please! Come inside..." Barthen unlocks the door and escorts the pair into the store, th walls lined with shelves stocked with goods from backpacks, bedrolls, rope, rations, everything an aspiring adventure could need to survive in the wilderness, with the exceptions of armour and weapons. He bustles around gathering chairs, stokes the fire and brings out three large cups of Pinewood Tea. Sitting down beside the pair he looks troubled.

"This news of Gundren does trouble me greatly. Goblins have always plagued the Triboar trail at this time of year, but they never have reason to venture into town and bother us here. We have our own problems to worry about. Yes, Gundren and his brothers have always always been great family friends of ours. Gundren was always writing to me, excited about his little mining project and organising this trip of his, promising to make us all rich!" Barthen lets out a haughty laugh, which catches in his throat slightly. He coughs and regains himself. "Speaking of which!", Standing up he heads towards the small safe behind the shop counter. He returns with four small pouches "Well now, Gundren told me there would be four of you.... I have to be honest, this is all feeling very peculiar".

Barthen laughs with the elf. "HA! I guess this is true. I suppose even if you are not Gundrens men you have still acted honestly in delivering these goods. Here accept your payment, just be sure to share it evenly with you companions" Barthen hands over the 4 woollen pouches. 10 gold pieces sit within each of them. 

"If what you say about Gundren is true I must implore you to rescue him for me. As I say he is a good friend of mine and I feel some amount of responsibility for his capture. It was I after all who had convinced him to come so early. Unfortunately, I don't know the precise location of Gundrens planned dig, he was talking about rediscovering the Lost Mine of Phandelver, and restoring the wealth and prosperity back to this town. But where this is I'm afraid I don't know. I do know he hasn't yet put shovel to stone and has guarded the  mines location very secretly. I'm sure nobody knows its true whereabouts except for Gundren."

- Zyltris and Serak - roll for a Intelligence (History) check 

Serak: Taking his portion, he allows Zyltris to hold the other's payment.

Shaking the trader's hand, Serak replies, "Thank you, sir. We'll do our best to find them. Might there be someone in town that knows about the goblins in the area?"

History: 3

"Excuse me miss but before entering this shop I noticed 2 hooded men coming from the woodcutters shop....they didn't seem to friendly, is there something going on around here?"

The woman barks back at Syna angrily. "Well this doesn't look much like a constabulary does it now? This is the Phandalin branch of the famous Lion Shield Coster. What you're looking for is across the street in the townmasters hall. Although I don't doubt that useless waste of space town master Wester has long gone for the night. He's a worse town master than he is a banker the old fool. I'm afraid you're bang out of luck!" She smiles sarcastically. 

She turns and addresses Beetle, "As for you strong man, if these characters you were referring to were wearing red cloaks then yes we have a problem.Those so called men are in a gang called the Redbrand Ruffians. They've taken over the town, extort us all for protection money, cause chaos and destruction all over town. If you're going to consort with them I'd advise against it, and against going anywhere near that dump of an inn they hang out in - The Sleeping Gorgon or whatever it's called. They're nothing but trouble."

"Who may I ask are you supposed to be exactly? We only see bandits or beggars visiting this town anymore, and you don't look much like beggars to me"

Barthen turns his attention to Serak. His Pinewood tea steaming as he takes another gulp "Ah thats good tea! But you've barely touched yours, is it not to your liking friend? Sorry I didn't catch your names"

"We don't get many goblins in town, can't remember the last time I saw one even. Only problem we get around he is the Redbrands. Actually come to think of it, Daran might know about Goblins from his adventuring days. He live over in Edermath Orchard on the west side of town but he's likely at the inn at this time of the night. He's always good for a war story or two, I'm sure he'd know something about any goblins."

Barthen then addresses the questions raised by Zyltris. "Sorry master elf, I nearly forgot about your question. I've never met the man. Gundren had said that a man named Sindar or Sildar.... Finbar? Ah I can't remember, but anyway Gundren had said that he was bringing some agent of the lords alliance in Waterdeep with him for protection. Although if they've been captured then maybe he wasn't much protection after all!" He forces a laugh but it becomes very clear that the news of the affair troubles him greatly and he quickly returns to his tea.

"Anyway, I'm getting sidetracked. You asked about the mine as well of course! It's an interesting tale indeed. More than 500 years ago, clans of dwarves and gnomes made an agreement known as the Phandelvers Pact, by which they would share a rich mine in a wondrous cavern known as Wave Echo Cave. In addition to its mineral wealth the mine contained great magical power! Human spellcasters allied themselves with the dwarves and gnomes to channel and bind that energy into a great forge, called the Forge of Spells, where magic items could be crafted. Times were good, and our great town of Phandalin prospered as well. But then disaster struck when orcs swept through the north and laid waist to all in their path."

"A powerful force of orcs, enforced by evil mercenary wizards attacked Wave Echo Cave to seize its riches and magic treasures. Human wizards fought alongside their dwarf and gnome allies to defend the Forge of Spells, and the ensuing spell battle destroyed much of the cavern. Few survived the cave ins and tremors, and the location of Wave Echo Cave was lost. The town hasn't recovered since and that was hundreds of years ago. It was Wave Echo Cave that Gundren was sure he had found and was determined to re-mine. But alas..."

"Sorry madam, I should have introduced myself first, I am known as Beetlejuice, faithful Paladin of Tyr, and my companion here is Syna, we were hired to deliver some goods to this town and we just arrived with the shipment.  I am sorry to hear this red cloak gang causing the town trouble, I will talk with my companions,there are 2 others with us and maybe we can help out."

Beetle flirts a bit with the woman while relating this information to her (can make a charisma check if needed but wasn't sure if I roll or DM does) "Please dear lady, how shall we address you?"

"Adventurers, Miss.  We were paid to bring in a wagon of supplies to man name Barthen by Gundren.  However, we came across the site of a goblin ambush.  Gundren was clearly abducted.  We heard War Horns in the distance, and came here directly to warn, and if needed, aid this town."