Misprize Thou Not These Shadows That Belong: Lost Mines of Phandelver

"he spilled everything out that's true..although he talked about an one eye monster that probably is his leader and is a wizard..doesn't make sense.." 

Rabbit nods to Mau, "We're headed to the Miner's Exchange to have a bit of talk."

She follows Hallia and the others.  As they walk she asks the woman, "Take it there must be lots of mining here? If you have a whole exchange set up. You mostly sell supplies? Or buy ore and such? Or both?"

Halia ignores Edryd, haughtily wrinkling her nose and clearly unimpressed by his smell and appearance.

She raises an eyebrow at Wolfe, clearly liking his appearance more than the cleric's.  "Hmm, well aren't you a beefcake.  Yes, yes, we can talk soon, Prince Charming."  She smiles at you.

As you walk, Halia smiles to you Rabbit and doesn't pay the men much mind.  "It's nice to talk to new people, this place isn't exactly a bustling cosmopolitan center."  She nods at your question. "The Exchange is many things.  Local trading post, unofficial records office, claims office  - but mostly yes, it's where the miners come to have their finds weighed, measured, and paid out.  We track the various streams and excavations and permits in the area. We do a bit of selling and buying of all kinds."  She laughs.  "Well yes, mining towns are generally near many deposits." She gestures to the hills and mountains in the distance.  "There is untapped riches in the hills, definitely.  It makes this town...very valuable.  There's no real gold rush but that doesn't stop those brave or adventurous enough from going to the hills to find their fortunes....and many have."  She smiles at this last bit.  "There are people from all over that come here.  It's a good spot to meet people who've been out there."

As you walk more, eventually you come to the building you saw before and across the street is the Exchange.  Lots of people milling about, lots of gear and a few wagons, several prospectors.  "Follow me," Halia says and goes into the building and into a small room.

"As I said, I do have some information that could be useful to you.  I know you are looking for Cragmaw Castle." She pauses and watches you closely.  "I don't know its location but I think I know who does.  But before that, I have a small problem that you have generously aided in, knowingly or not.  See the Redbrands are bad for business, everyone can see this but that fat ass doesn't want to do anything that might jeopardize his or the townsfolk's lives.  Smart, I suppose, but ultimately foolish.  They must be dealt with.  I offer you a deal - deal with these ruffians once and for all.  I will give you 150 gp for eliminating the one they call 'Glasstaff' and bringing me any correspondence or papers on their person or quarters.   They loiter around the Sleeping Giant - but I am guessing you know this.  They have a base underneath the Manor - Transendar Manor - to the East, on a hill.  That is my offer.  What say you?"

"I like the coin..now now should I bring his chopped head as proof?..just say yes or no..like simple words that's it...fancy words aren't my style " Asks Krull as he crosses his arms waiting for her answer 

Rabbit looks over and gives Krull a smile.  "Simple is good sometimes. I'm hoping we don't have to haul decapitated heads around,  though!" She looks to see what Halia's response might be. 

"We already planned on looking into these Rebrand thugs. So I'm sure we could take your offer. Does this Glasstaff frequent the Sleeping Giant?"

Mau looks over at Krull perplexed at the thought of a one eyed monster wizard leading a band of thugs, but shrugs it off after a moment thinking there will surely be stranger creatures out there.

he follows the group towards the miners exchange keeping a close eye on the crowds for any signs of redbrands or further ambush.

”A smart decision for the short term perhaps but clearly the redbrands are taking advantage of Westers lack of ability.  They seem to have set up a good foot hold here, especially if they have recruited some of the towns villagers into their fold.  What can you tell us about glass staff?  Is he a one eyed monster as the captive suggested?”

Wolfe just smiles at being called a beefcake, not being used to that particular compliment. He follows Halia and Rabbit, listening to their conversation but being a bit suspicious over this rather ingratiating representative of the Miners Exchange. As they enter the Miners Exchange he listens to Halias offer. "Um, no, the Redbrand told us of their leader the Glasstaff, some bugbears and an eye-creature, whatever that means." He tells Mau. "We will take your reward for ridding Phandalin of these Redbrands Halia, but what would you want with the Glasstaffs correspondance and papers?"

She listens thoughtfully to your words, jotting some things down on some paper.  "Hmm.  Well, I don't know anything about this Glasstaff and as far as I can tell, he has not made himself - or herself - known.  Otherwise, I would have known."   

To Krull she smiles, eyebrow raised.  "That would be fine, yes."  

"Well, then it's a deal.  In addition to any other reward you may have already accepted to ridding the town of this decay, you will receive the gold from me once Glasstaff is dead and I have any correspondence from his person and office.  If you return at all, that is.  As I can see that you know about some of the rumours of creatures that dwell under the manor, I will give you a piece of information that will come in handy, should you seek Cragmaw Castle.  I know the Redbrands use a goblin minion to do a lot of menial work within the Manor.  It is likely that the creature knows much more than the thugs would like it to.  Find the creature and you'll likely find the way to Cragmaw."

She looks coldly at Wolfe, "You will take the reward if the conditions are met, and you return.  In addition to many other things, I find information to be a useful currency to stockpile."

"Fair enough Halia, now would you let us recuperate here for a while before we head on to the Sleeping Giant and that manor?" Wolfe says, looking for a chair or something to rest in.

She smiles.  "Of course." She leads you to a small taproom full of prospectors drinking ale and eating food.  There are some benches on one of the walls.  "We're not an inn unfortunately but if you want to take a short rest, feel free."  She waves over a serving lad and says a few words to him.  He comes and says, "Hi.  I'm Carp.  Ms. Halia says you can have some drinks and food on the house.  What'll it be?"

"Just water and some meat for me"  Krull replied..he sits on one of the benches hoping it can support his weight

"Ah, excellent, what do you have?" Wolfe says, takes a seat and almost expects to see a menu.

Edryd listens carefully to the words from Halia. He is slightly off put as she dismisses him earlier. When she is out of ear shot he leans over to Wolfe and whispers, ,"I don't think she likes me very much..." He then glances around continuing, "She clearly has some motivation for these papers. We should be careful what we give her she may not have Phandalin's best interests at heart."

Edryd suspicious of her motivations he tries to pick up on how much she is hiding from us and if there are any blatant lies. 

Insight: 18

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"Just water and some meat for me"  Krull replied..he sits on one of the benches hoping it can support his weight

 "Great, hope rabbit is okay."

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"Ah, excellent, what do you have?" Wolfe says, takes a seat and almost expects to see a menu.

 "Stew, ale, bread, cheese, meat."

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Edryd listens carefully to the words from Halia. He is slightly off put as she dismisses him earlier. When she is out of ear shot he leans over to Wolfe and whispers, ,"I don't think she likes me very much..." He then glances around continuing, "She clearly has some motivation for these papers. We should be careful what we give her she may not have Phandalin's best interests at heart."

Edryd suspicious of her motivations he tries to pick up on how much she is hiding from us and if there are any blatant lies. 

Insight: 21

 You surmise that she's probably hiding something but you don't get the feeling she is lying to you.  She definitely is genuine about the information she has given you about the reward.  She is not lying to you about her desire for information.  From what you gather, Halia seems invested in the town and its wellbeing.  From conversations that you can easily overhear, no one is complaining about her, at least.

"Rabbit sounds delicious but we tend to disagree, I'll go with the stew, bread, cheese and ale thank you very much." Wolfe says to Carp, trying to eat, dink and relax for about an hour.

"Yeah why not!" says Krull delighted..he observes wolf's and Edryd's discussion but stays quiet waiting for his food and gather strength 

Rabbit sits down and quickly speaks to Carp. "Bread, cheese, and ale for me."  She then tilts her head towards Krull. "And I'm pretty sure Krull would enjoy some rabbit."  With a grin, she gives the serving boy a wink, fully aware he'll have no idea of the joke. 

She then looks over at Wolfe, her expression more serious. "So, any point going to the Sleeping Giant?  Seems the manor is the place. Though it's probably going to be dangerous."

"Hm, you may be right Rabbit, we should just try to find this Glasstaff and take care of them, and then the Redbands may disband, no reason for us to hunt down all of them." Wolfe says and nods approvingly to Rabbit.

Carp comes back, loaded down with all the things you asked for, and overhears Rabbit say something about the "manor."  "Hey, are you talking about Transendar Manor, big place on the hill?  Spooky!  Butt was just talking about that place!  Better stay away from it though."

"So where can we find this Butt?" Wolfe asks curiously.