Raldaen starts to make a search of the room and goblin corpse, looking for anything of interest. As he looks, he chuckles to himself, appreciating his own handiwork at felling the goblin whilst he held a hostage. It was a damn fine shot he decided, and halted his search to take a swig of rum from his flask. "Aye, twas indeed clean Salty, certainly a better way te go than that walking carpet ended up with. Ha, this will be a good tale fer yer to be tellin when we gets te an inn!"
"The man looks like Sildar, an that's good enuff fer me. If we be facin some duplicitous master wizard who's taken his visage, then call me a fool and take away me rum. Otherwise let's work out what to be doing with 'im an those marked supplies, an' the wagon yer all left behind."Turning to address Sildar, Raldaen explains, "We thought yerself and the Dwarf might be in some small peril, so headed here with some alacrity, and the wagon had ter get hidden by the trail road."
While searching the goblin, Raldaen finds a pouch containing three gold teeth (worth 1gp each) and 15 silver pieces. As the party leaves the caves and walks back to where you left the wagon and oxen, Sildar fills you in on some key information:
The three Rockseeker brothers (Gundren, Tharden, and Nundro) recently located an entrance to the long-lost Wave Echo Cave, site of the mines of the Phandelver’s Pact.
More than five hundred years ago, clans of dwarves and gnomes made an agreement known as the Phandelver’s 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 the nearby human town of Phandalin (pronounced fan-duh-lin) prospered as well. But then disaster struck when orcs swept through the North and laid waste to all in their path. A powerful force of orcs reinforced 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.
Klarg, the bugbear who leads this goblin band, had orders to waylay Gundren. Sildar heard from the goblins that the Black Spider sent word that the dwarf was to be brought to him. Sildar doesn’t know who or what the Black Spider is.
Gundren had a map showing the secret location of Wave Echo Cave, but the goblins took it when they captured him. Sildar believes that Klarg sent the map and the dwarf to the chief of the Cragmaws at a place called Cragmaw Castle. Sildar doesn’t know where that might be, but he suggests someone in Phandalin might know.
Sildar’s contact in Phandalin is a human wizard named Iarno Albrek. The wizard traveled to the town two months ago to establish order there. After the Lords’ Alliance received no word from Iarno, Sildar decided to investigate. Sildar tells you that he intends to continue on to Phandalin, since it’s the nearest settlement.
The rest of the trip to Phandalin is uneventful, although a bit slower due to the injured members of the group. The rutted track emerges from a wooded hillside, and you catch your first glimpse of Phandalin. The town consists of forty or fifty simple log buildings, some built on old fieldstone foundations. More old ruins — crumbling stone walls covered in ivy and briars — surround the newer houses and shops, showing how this must have been a much larger town in centuries past. Most of the newer buildings are set on the sides of the cart track, which widens into a muddy main street of sorts as it climbs toward a ruined manor house on a hillside at the east side of town.
As you approach, you see children playing on the town green and townsfolk tending to chores or running errands at shops. Many people look up as you approach, but all return to their business as you go by.
Sildar seems much more at ease. “My friends,” he says, “let us secure lodgings. I’m told the local inn is very quaint.”
(OOC: Congratulations! You cleared out the Cragmaw Hideout and each receive 275 XP - enough to make you 2nd level! Take a long rest, advance your characters, and we'll continue the adventure in the town of Phandalin tomorrow!)
"A quaint inn sounds nice compared to the lodgings of the road."
Salty Joe remarks on possible busking spots throughout the town. Unless there is a suitable audience in the tavern he will play his music in the open air of the town.
((OoC - Raldaen would want to bring up the following conversation points with Sildar:
We know the rough location of Cragmaw castle. Would he be inclined to push on after Gundren after completing the delivery to Phandalin? Does he know tho the supplies that Klarg had in his cave might belong to? Is there any work that he could offer to take Raldaen onward to the south, mayhap even to Baldur's Gate?
@Rhanloi - are you tracking ammo during the adventure? Would we have found anything on Klarg's corpse?))
"A swig o' some dark nectar be a fine way to end this trip. It be thirsty work pullin me trigger and watchin' them pus-filled pukeballs fall over dead. Our dead goblin friend can buy the first round in."Raising the pouch he found on Yeemik's body, a contented smile crosses his weathered face, at the thought of some ale and topping up his hip flask.
Bankur grins at Raldaen's pronouncement "Count me in for a drink later friend Raldaen! It will be good to see ill-gotten gains being put to good use!"
"First though, I'm going on a little tour of the town to see if I can offer the services of Ilmater to any of the locals, would anyone like to join me?"
Bankur, after first insuring his comrades are healthy and fit, begins walking through the town (with anyone who wants to join) looking the locals over for any signs of injuries or illnesses, offering to provide healing services to those in need. At the same time I will be getting a read for any religions that have already established themselves in the area, making note of any I am able to identify.
I'll also be listening for any rumors or gossip that seems pertinent to our quest.
The party reaches Phandalin rather late in the day.Although it only takes a few minutes to walk through town, the residents have closed up shops and preparing for an evening meal before turning in. Coming down the road from the north, you pass Barthen's Provisions on the left and a smithy on your right. In the center of town stands a large, newly built roadhouse of fieldstone and rough-hewn timbers. The common room is filled with locals nursing mugs of ale or cider, all of them eyeing you with curiosity.
Across the town center is Phandalin’s only temple is a small shrine made of stones taken from the nearby ruins. It is dedicated to Tymora, goddess of luck and good fortune.
At the inn, a short and friendly human male greets you from behind the bar. "Well met, friends! You are in late! And it looks like you've met some trouble on the road... ah, but where are my manners? I am Toblen Stonehill, and this is my inn. Come, come, sit down and rest. What can I bring you? Ale, cider, maybe some of Finnegan's Finest? I have some stew with bread, or roasted deer with root vegies to eat."
"Hey little man. Me and my friends wouldn't mind a round of ale and some tea if it doesn't bother you." Salty Joe points to his harmonica with a huge grin, "Do you and your people mind if I play music and tell some stories?"
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"Aye! An ale for me, please, sir. I feel like I've been to the hells and back." Rand sits at the bar with his companions for the first drink and then he looks over the crowd. Any attractive, single, local women that he might strike up a conversation with? If so, he will order a drink to be sent to her, and go over for a chat.
"Hi, my name is Rand. You look like you might be from around here. I was wondering if you could tell me about the town here."
(Rand will chat it up with the woman and eventually ask her if she has heard of Cragmaw castle. If Rand gets a free room for the night out of it, so be it. He'll take one for the team. Persuasion: 18)
(Edit: Ouch! So much for smooth talking Rand. Epic fail!)
Penumbra orders herself a plate of the venison along with her tea and when it arrives she picks it up with her bare hands and greedily devours it. When she is done she leans back in her chair and lets go a loud burp. "Braaaap! Ahh, delicious." She says, a satisfied smile stretching across her face. Turning to Sildar she inquires, "So, Where is the place we are supposed to deliver that wagon to exactly? I think I'd like to get paid before my new friends and I set off on another adventure, perhaps we will go rescue Gundren, or we could help you find this wizard. Albreck you said his name is? This place is quite small, shouldn't take long to find him if he is still in town."
Tarin nods at Penumbra's thoughtful summation. "Similar queries! And, frankly, I wouldn't mind swapping notes with another arcane practitioner; one can never pass up an opportunity for learning! In fact, if we have some time tomorrow I'd like to peruse the locals a bit and learn a bit more about Phandalin. It seems like such a fascinating, quaint little place compared to the intrigues of Waterdeep."
"Bankur, join us for a drink first, then I'll come a walkin' with yer before we settle in for the night. If'n yer set on takin yer tour first, then try not to get into any trouble while we're at the inn." Raldaen tries to encourage the priest into the inn with a steering arm but lets the priest make up his own mind as the pirate heads into the inn for a long needed sup.
"Arrr, quaint it be... no sign of anything even resembling a boat in the place! Though the ale not be too bad. Fer t'morro' I'd think that gettin' paid fer this delivery job is first on me list. Then, if'n this Sildar has some further coin t' spare, maybe a trip t' this Kragmaw castle would be worth me time. I don't ever mind gettin' paid fer killing the little green pus bags." Raldaen takes a long swig of his ale, downing over half of it in a single smooth motion before setting it down and wiping the froth away from his beard.
"Of course Friend Raldaen! It looks like the villagers have settled in for the night anyway. Better we should wait until the morning light to go exploring I think" Bankur follows Raldaen into the tavern, sitting down next to his comrades and ordering food and wine. Eating his meal in silence, Bankur soaks up the conversations around him while looking thoughtfully at a man sitting across the room who you would assume, based on his clothing, is a miner.
Once done with his meal Bankur heads over to the man and introduces himself. "Greetings friend. My name is Bankur. May I join you for a bit to talk about the mines around this area?"
Sildar joins you after about 30 minutes, a mug of ale in one hand and a plate with bread, cheese, and an apple in the other. “My friends, thank you again for rescuing me from the goblins. Tomorrow I will secure a loan from the Townmaster to reward you – see me tomorrow night here. You should also take Gundren’s supplies to Barthen’s Provisions as originally agreed upon. You passed by his shop when you entered town - across the trail from the blacksmith's. I plan to search Phandalin tomorrow for signs of the missing wizard, Iarno Albrek. I would ask you to find out what you can about Gundren and his map, too.”
Toblen Stonehill’s wife, Trilena, stops by the table. “Master Hallwinter, here is the key to your room. It is the last door to the right at the top of the stairs.” She looks at you and continues, “We have five other rooms to rent - 8 silvers a night or 7 gold pieces for the ten-day. Each room has two bunks, a closet, a dresser, and a locker. We have a common washroom, but breakfast and dinner are included in the price. Drinks, of course, are extra. Will you be staying with us?”
Bankur returns to the group's table after speaking briefly with the man at the next table. "The man is indeed a miner, as I assumed. Alas, friend Lanar didn't have much information to offer that would lead us in the direction of poor Gundren, or even Iarno. He did, however, relay information that a band of orc raiders has been seen near the east end of Triboar trail. Perhaps, if we don't receive any better leads, we can see what those evil little creatures know after returning Gundren's supplies in the morning."
Bankur bows deeply to the group, water dripping from his body and creating a small puddle under him. "And with that I shall bid all of my friends goodnight! May Ilmater grant his blessings on you this night and ease any suffering you may be feeling."
Bankur makes his way over to the front desk and speaks with Trilena to obtain a room for the night. Before heading up the stairs Bankur makes his way back to the group's table once more. "It seems we have more people than rooms. I'm happy to share my room with any of my friends tonight, if needed."
Raldaen wanders back to the group as Sildar turns up. "Well, looks like we be havin' a day about town t'morrer. I'd like t' see some coin in me purse and a day o' collecting dues ain't a bad one."Turning more towards Rand and Bankur, Raldaen adds "I bumped into an old farmer on me way back from the pisser, he grumbled a bit, but mentioned that he'd just seen the local Sister, Garaele I think 'e said 'er name was... Anyway, this farmer said she just got back into town looking the worse for wear. Scuffs, cuts, an bruises, an the like. She be lookin' after the shrine in town, so yer might like to pay her heed. Might be she has had problems with the little green turds too."
Back to Sildar, Raldaen adds "We heard that Gundren was taken t' this Cragmaw Castle, and the gobbo that told us gave a rough course t' be settin to find the place. Be yer wantin' to start lookin into it, or be yer wizard friend more urgent?"
At the offer of a bunk Raldaen chuckles aloud, "I'll be drinkin' meself merry for a time longer Bankur. Whoever keeps up gets the short straw of sharing the room with me an me harmonious snorin'! Might be best if Rand and Salty took to quieter rooms fer the night after the whackin' they took earlier."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Tarin doesn't eat much, instead feeling a little glum about how several of his companions had nearly died in the assault on the goblin caves. "Dangerous, dark times," he mutters under his breath. "I must do better at protecting my companions." He takes his notebook and writes down his thoughts into his journal as he sits next to the equally introspective Bankur, and Tarin is grateful for the quiet. Having unburdened himself from his ruminations, Tarin looks much happier. "Would you all excuse me for a moment? This ale needs freshening."
After a few minutes, he returns, wearing a perplexed expression. "Well, that was intriguing. I just had the most unusual conversation with a local weaver. It seems that a group called the Redbrands are hassling the townsfolk... but they're also giving one in particular a wide berth." (History: 8.) "I should like to meet that one, I think. Someone that no one bothers is certainly worth knowing!"
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Raldaen starts to make a search of the room and goblin corpse, looking for anything of interest. As he looks, he chuckles to himself, appreciating his own handiwork at felling the goblin whilst he held a hostage. It was a damn fine shot he decided, and halted his search to take a swig of rum from his flask. "Aye, twas indeed clean Salty, certainly a better way te go than that walking carpet ended up with. Ha, this will be a good tale fer yer to be tellin when we gets te an inn!"
"The man looks like Sildar, an that's good enuff fer me. If we be facin some duplicitous master wizard who's taken his visage, then call me a fool and take away me rum. Otherwise let's work out what to be doing with 'im an those marked supplies, an' the wagon yer all left behind." Turning to address Sildar, Raldaen explains, "We thought yerself and the Dwarf might be in some small peril, so headed here with some alacrity, and the wagon had ter get hidden by the trail road."
Bring out your inner chatacter class...
While searching the goblin, Raldaen finds a pouch containing three gold teeth (worth 1gp each) and 15 silver pieces. As the party leaves the caves and walks back to where you left the wagon and oxen, Sildar fills you in on some key information:
The rest of the trip to Phandalin is uneventful, although a bit slower due to the injured members of the group. The rutted track emerges from a wooded hillside, and you catch your first glimpse of Phandalin. The town consists of forty or fifty simple log buildings, some built on old fieldstone foundations. More old ruins — crumbling stone walls covered in ivy and briars — surround the newer houses and shops, showing how this must have been a much larger town in centuries past. Most of the newer buildings are set on the sides of the cart track, which widens into a muddy main street of sorts as it climbs toward a ruined manor house on a hillside at the east side of town.
As you approach, you see children playing on the town green and townsfolk tending to chores or running errands at shops. Many people look up as you approach, but all return to their business as you go by.
Sildar seems much more at ease. “My friends,” he says, “let us secure lodgings. I’m told the local inn is very quaint.”
(OOC: Congratulations! You cleared out the Cragmaw Hideout and each receive 275 XP - enough to make you 2nd level! Take a long rest, advance your characters, and we'll continue the adventure in the town of Phandalin tomorrow!)
Love God. Love Others. Any Questions?
"A quaint inn sounds nice compared to the lodgings of the road."
Salty Joe remarks on possible busking spots throughout the town. Unless there is a suitable audience in the tavern he will play his music in the open air of the town.
I got alot a doods
((OoC - Raldaen would want to bring up the following conversation points with Sildar:
We know the rough location of Cragmaw castle. Would he be inclined to push on after Gundren after completing the delivery to Phandalin?
Does he know tho the supplies that Klarg had in his cave might belong to?
Is there any work that he could offer to take Raldaen onward to the south, mayhap even to Baldur's Gate?
@Rhanloi - are you tracking ammo during the adventure? Would we have found anything on Klarg's corpse?))
"A swig o' some dark nectar be a fine way to end this trip. It be thirsty work pullin me trigger and watchin' them pus-filled pukeballs fall over dead. Our dead goblin friend can buy the first round in." Raising the pouch he found on Yeemik's body, a contented smile crosses his weathered face, at the thought of some ale and topping up his hip flask.
Bring out your inner chatacter class...
Bankur grins at Raldaen's pronouncement "Count me in for a drink later friend Raldaen! It will be good to see ill-gotten gains being put to good use!"
"First though, I'm going on a little tour of the town to see if I can offer the services of Ilmater to any of the locals, would anyone like to join me?"
Bankur, after first insuring his comrades are healthy and fit, begins walking through the town (with anyone who wants to join) looking the locals over for any signs of injuries or illnesses, offering to provide healing services to those in need. At the same time I will be getting a read for any religions that have already established themselves in the area, making note of any I am able to identify.
I'll also be listening for any rumors or gossip that seems pertinent to our quest.
"I think I will pass on an ale, but perhaps this Inn has some tea." Penumbra says following Sildar, Salty, and Raldaen to the inn.
The party reaches Phandalin rather late in the day.Although it only takes a few minutes to walk through town, the residents have closed up shops and preparing for an evening meal before turning in. Coming down the road from the north, you pass Barthen's Provisions on the left and a smithy on your right. In the center of town stands a large, newly built roadhouse of fieldstone and rough-hewn timbers. The common room is filled with locals nursing mugs of ale or cider, all of them eyeing you with curiosity.
Across the town center is Phandalin’s only temple is a small shrine made of stones taken from the nearby ruins. It is dedicated to Tymora, goddess of luck and good fortune.
(See the new map!)
At the inn, a short and friendly human male greets you from behind the bar. "Well met, friends! You are in late! And it looks like you've met some trouble on the road... ah, but where are my manners? I am Toblen Stonehill, and this is my inn. Come, come, sit down and rest. What can I bring you? Ale, cider, maybe some of Finnegan's Finest? I have some stew with bread, or roasted deer with root vegies to eat."
Love God. Love Others. Any Questions?
"Hey little man. Me and my friends wouldn't mind a round of ale and some tea if it doesn't bother you." Salty Joe points to his harmonica with a huge grin, "Do you and your people mind if I play music and tell some stories?"
I got alot a doods
"Aye! An ale for me, please, sir. I feel like I've been to the hells and back." Rand sits at the bar with his companions for the first drink and then he looks over the crowd. Any attractive, single, local women that he might strike up a conversation with? If so, he will order a drink to be sent to her, and go over for a chat.
"Hi, my name is Rand. You look like you might be from around here. I was wondering if you could tell me about the town here."
(Rand will chat it up with the woman and eventually ask her if she has heard of Cragmaw castle. If Rand gets a free room for the night out of it, so be it. He'll take one for the team. Persuasion: 18)
(Edit: Ouch! So much for smooth talking Rand. Epic fail!)
Rhanloi's Romp: Party Loot, Guild Vault, Adventure Notes
Salty Joe quickly sees Rand's misstep and plays wingman on that persuasion check.
I got alot a doods
Rand attempts to charm Elsa, the barmaid...
Love God. Love Others. Any Questions?
Penumbra orders herself a plate of the venison along with her tea and when it arrives she picks it up with her bare hands and greedily devours it. When she is done she leans back in her chair and lets go a loud burp. "Braaaap! Ahh, delicious." She says, a satisfied smile stretching across her face. Turning to Sildar she inquires, "So, Where is the place we are supposed to deliver that wagon to exactly? I think I'd like to get paid before my new friends and I set off on another adventure, perhaps we will go rescue Gundren, or we could help you find this wizard. Albreck you said his name is? This place is quite small, shouldn't take long to find him if he is still in town."
Tarin nods at Penumbra's thoughtful summation. "Similar queries! And, frankly, I wouldn't mind swapping notes with another arcane practitioner; one can never pass up an opportunity for learning! In fact, if we have some time tomorrow I'd like to peruse the locals a bit and learn a bit more about Phandalin. It seems like such a fascinating, quaint little place compared to the intrigues of Waterdeep."
"Bankur, join us for a drink first, then I'll come a walkin' with yer before we settle in for the night. If'n yer set on takin yer tour first, then try not to get into any trouble while we're at the inn." Raldaen tries to encourage the priest into the inn with a steering arm but lets the priest make up his own mind as the pirate heads into the inn for a long needed sup.
"Arrr, quaint it be... no sign of anything even resembling a boat in the place! Though the ale not be too bad. Fer t'morro' I'd think that gettin' paid fer this delivery job is first on me list. Then, if'n this Sildar has some further coin t' spare, maybe a trip t' this Kragmaw castle would be worth me time. I don't ever mind gettin' paid fer killing the little green pus bags." Raldaen takes a long swig of his ale, downing over half of it in a single smooth motion before setting it down and wiping the froth away from his beard.
Bring out your inner chatacter class...
"Of course Friend Raldaen! It looks like the villagers have settled in for the night anyway. Better we should wait until the morning light to go exploring I think" Bankur follows Raldaen into the tavern, sitting down next to his comrades and ordering food and wine. Eating his meal in silence, Bankur soaks up the conversations around him while looking thoughtfully at a man sitting across the room who you would assume, based on his clothing, is a miner.
Once done with his meal Bankur heads over to the man and introduces himself. "Greetings friend. My name is Bankur. May I join you for a bit to talk about the mines around this area?"
Sildar joins you after about 30 minutes, a mug of ale in one hand and a plate with bread, cheese, and an apple in the other. “My friends, thank you again for rescuing me from the goblins. Tomorrow I will secure a loan from the Townmaster to reward you – see me tomorrow night here. You should also take Gundren’s supplies to Barthen’s Provisions as originally agreed upon. You passed by his shop when you entered town - across the trail from the blacksmith's. I plan to search Phandalin tomorrow for signs of the missing wizard, Iarno Albrek. I would ask you to find out what you can about Gundren and his map, too.”
Toblen Stonehill’s wife, Trilena, stops by the table. “Master Hallwinter, here is the key to your room. It is the last door to the right at the top of the stairs.” She looks at you and continues, “We have five other rooms to rent - 8 silvers a night or 7 gold pieces for the ten-day. Each room has two bunks, a closet, a dresser, and a locker. We have a common washroom, but breakfast and dinner are included in the price. Drinks, of course, are extra. Will you be staying with us?”
Love God. Love Others. Any Questions?
Penumbra counts out eight silver pieces and hands them to Trilena. "I'd like one of those rooms for the night, one with a window if possible."
Bankur returns to the group's table after speaking briefly with the man at the next table. "The man is indeed a miner, as I assumed. Alas, friend Lanar didn't have much information to offer that would lead us in the direction of poor Gundren, or even Iarno. He did, however, relay information that a band of orc raiders has been seen near the east end of Triboar trail. Perhaps, if we don't receive any better leads, we can see what those evil little creatures know after returning Gundren's supplies in the morning."
Bankur bows deeply to the group, water dripping from his body and creating a small puddle under him. "And with that I shall bid all of my friends goodnight! May Ilmater grant his blessings on you this night and ease any suffering you may be feeling."
Bankur makes his way over to the front desk and speaks with Trilena to obtain a room for the night. Before heading up the stairs Bankur makes his way back to the group's table once more. "It seems we have more people than rooms. I'm happy to share my room with any of my friends tonight, if needed."
Raldaen wanders back to the group as Sildar turns up. "Well, looks like we be havin' a day about town t'morrer. I'd like t' see some coin in me purse and a day o' collecting dues ain't a bad one." Turning more towards Rand and Bankur, Raldaen adds "I bumped into an old farmer on me way back from the pisser, he grumbled a bit, but mentioned that he'd just seen the local Sister, Garaele I think 'e said 'er name was... Anyway, this farmer said she just got back into town looking the worse for wear. Scuffs, cuts, an bruises, an the like. She be lookin' after the shrine in town, so yer might like to pay her heed. Might be she has had problems with the little green turds too."
Back to Sildar, Raldaen adds "We heard that Gundren was taken t' this Cragmaw Castle, and the gobbo that told us gave a rough course t' be settin to find the place. Be yer wantin' to start lookin into it, or be yer wizard friend more urgent?"
At the offer of a bunk Raldaen chuckles aloud, "I'll be drinkin' meself merry for a time longer Bankur. Whoever keeps up gets the short straw of sharing the room with me an me harmonious snorin'! Might be best if Rand and Salty took to quieter rooms fer the night after the whackin' they took earlier."
Bring out your inner chatacter class...
Tarin doesn't eat much, instead feeling a little glum about how several of his companions had nearly died in the assault on the goblin caves. "Dangerous, dark times," he mutters under his breath. "I must do better at protecting my companions." He takes his notebook and writes down his thoughts into his journal as he sits next to the equally introspective Bankur, and Tarin is grateful for the quiet. Having unburdened himself from his ruminations, Tarin looks much happier. "Would you all excuse me for a moment? This ale needs freshening."
After a few minutes, he returns, wearing a perplexed expression. "Well, that was intriguing. I just had the most unusual conversation with a local weaver. It seems that a group called the Redbrands are hassling the townsfolk... but they're also giving one in particular a wide berth." (History: 8.) "I should like to meet that one, I think. Someone that no one bothers is certainly worth knowing!"