Where the Cold Winds Blow... A Lost Mines of Phandelver Story

“Thundertree then should be our next destination.” One can tell that the big Leonin is eager to leave the town.

Garrin takes a moment to get his thoughts straight before nodding

"So... if there not be more questions, or snacks, Droop will excuse herself...".  She gives a stiff curtsy.  "Guest-Master and Murder Mittens have been most kind.  But Droop needs to go see if bugbears are done eating worms before they get mad and come looking for Droop."  She makes to leave, if no one stops her.

***

After some time drafting his letters, Sildar returns.  In addition to inquiring about what you learned from the goblin, he also sets down a sack of coin on the table.  "As promised.  I asked you to deal with the Redbrand problem, and you have done so.  You may have also indirectly uncovered what became of Iarno Albreck, though I must still track down the man himself.  So here are the 200gp - yours for your hard work."

"And..." he adds, reaching into his cloak and producing two small vials, "... for dealing with the unexpected treachery of that monstrous doppelganger and saving my life, I can offer you the following as well.  These are two potions of heroism.  I don't doubt that you will put them to good use."

"Finally, if you are heading north to deal with the goblins, I have another offer for you.  A den of such raiders so close will impair our efforts to rebuild and revitalize this community.  Drive off these vermin and their 'king', and there will be 500gp reward waiting for you here when you return.  And... please try to find out what has become of Gundren Rockseeker and his map.  If he is their prisoner, please escort him home to Phandalin.  If the goblins have killed him... then at the very least we can let his kin know of his fate."

T'laren has wandered back in by the time Sildar is laying our coin and offers.

"Sildar, what do you know of doppelganger's ways? Would we be able to hold a passcode close enough for one not to pry it out, should they have more such creatures at their disposal? It would be preferable not to have to prove the color of our blood each time we meet up."

He turns to the others.

"I joined you in the heat of the moment because you were moving against the Redbrands. I'd join your ventures, if you'd have me."

Garrin scoops up the coin and divides it up into 50gp increments, banding it to the little imp spirit, who hands it to each to the group before Garrin starts eyeballing T'laren. 

"You are such a polite person. Thank you, of course you're welcome. In fact, I insist."

Droknin sees the little Goblin leaving, and since no one has objected, he shrugs and opens the door for the little one. "Take good care of yourself!"

The big Leonin takes the gold coins with suspicious eyes on the little devil spirit. He gives both potions to T'laren. "I do not believe in concoctions, and I am sure you will need them more than I will." Looking at everyone. "Perhaps now we can start hunting Goblins, bad ones I guess, and Bugbears?"

"Ought you warn your little friend not to go back there? If we're looking to remove this king, I'd rather he not have a Droop drop on his doorstep and confess about telling a bunch of folks about their involvement with the Redbrands. Of course, I suppose there's a slim chance Glasstaff fled into the arms of his goblin allies..."

Garrin scratches his chin before holding up a finger. "OR! We can have my spirit here follow Droop back to this castle. I'm ambivalent. Either way works fine." Garrin gestures and his imp shrugs before lazily flapping its wings, turns invisible and goes to follow the Droop.

Keashirryl nods in approval to what Garrin said about T'laren. Maybe she would have used different words, but the meaning is roughly the same, and she is content with that.

She hesitates at first, thinking of refusing the reward Sildar gives the group, being convinced the knight actually saved himself, but forgets about her moral concerns immediately when Garrin uses the imp to hand out the gold. Her fascination, after all, is far greater than her conscientious tendencies.

"Should we let Droop go back, in the first place? I mean, she clearly isn't smart enough to realise, but they will just smash her against a wall again, eventually" she frowns. "As much as I like the idea of the... creature following her and gaining information, if someone there learns that their Droop has told us everything, it won't look good for her."

[As a player, I have no strong opinion on the topic, this is more along the lines of the character's standpoint, so either version works for me.]

T'laren nods at the vote of confidence in his politeness and abilities, and clears his throat. What they don't know won't hurt them...  he'll see to it.

"If you already learned how to get there from her, do we have anything to gain by following? Can we not go their directly?"

"I guess I'm not much of a woodsman, I usually reply on others to get me through. 'Go that way' will get me lost," Garrin chuckles. "But if you're coming with us, maybe you can help an old barefoot like me with that sort of thing." Garrin stamps his staff a few more times and the imp spirit begins to try to harass Droop, and grab him, to bring him back. 

Once Droop is close to Droknin, he raises her chin from one end of his blade. "Listen very carefully Goblin. It looks like my companions have decided to have you tag along with us to lead the way. Listen very carefully. One false move from you, and I will not hesitate to separate this little head of yours from your body. I hope I am making myself very clear."

Droop's prior fear seems to have melted away and she seems more confused and annoyed now.  "Bad mojo, having little monster harass guests, right Guest Master?  What you want with Droop now?"

Upon hearing the leonin's explanation, she drops her shoulders and sighs in exasperation.  "Droop already have bugbear masters.  Now Droop has Guest Master master and Murder Mitten master.  Too many masters to keep track of, Droop says."  Another sigh.  "OK.  Where is Droop supposed to lead way to?"

[Before the group departs, is there anything else in town you wish to accomplish?  It might be some time before you are able to return - the Neverwinter Wood is several days travel away, at least.  Do you wish to try to purchase anything or sell any of the loot you've acquired?]

Garrin's good to roll, although he'll spend most of the trip berrating his servitor spirit.

((T'laren has a set of leather armor to sell, and if there are any miscellaneous supplies he'd need to but to be able to work on crafting/repairing arrows while we travel.))

On their way out of town, the heroes visit the Phandalin Miners Exchange so T'laren can sell some armor and perhaps pick up various sundry items.  This trading post was established in the absence of any local record-keeping authority.  The local miner's keep their claims and dig sites registered with the Exchange to minimize disputes or conflicts over land.  The Exchange also stocks supplies for prospecting and excavation as well as maintaining a modest general store.

A tall, white haired woman with wire rimmed glasses looks down on you from behind the counter.  She softly closes a ledger she had been writing in and greets you matter-of-factly.  "Not miners, clearly.  Halia Thornton, guildmaster.  Do you have business with us today?"

(Droknin will follow the group through the town, he's all set about supplies.)

(Keashirryl takes a bit of time to check on the family they found at the hideout earlier, coming up with a solid fake reason to be there, reluctant to reveal her concern for their safety. Afterwards, she meets up with the party at the Miners' Exchange, where she would look for tokens she could use for augury  .)

"Indeed. I have no need for this armor, and would like to sell it for coin or trade.", T'laren says.

((I don't have any particular needs/wants that he'd be picking up with that, but if there's anything else folks are thinking we need, rations, etc. he'd be willing to put the value of the leather towards stuff we can make use of. Perhaps some feathers, arrowheads, wax, etc. that he can use to craft arrows at night.))

The proprietor starts to answer T'laren's request for trade, when her eye falls on the longsword in the group's possession.  She puts two and two together.

"Ah.  You'd be the ones that cleared out the Redbrand nest under Tressendar Manor last night."  She opens a box and pulls out a stack of coins.  "That sword there... did the Redbrands have it?  It has some historical significance to this town.  It was the family sword of the Tressendar's... the lords here back in the way old days.  If you're willing to part with it, I'd like to buy it.  It would look nice on the wall of my shop and would be one hell of a conversation piece."

"I'd be willing to take that leather armor and the sword off your hands... and I'll give you two quivers full of arrows and 25gp in exchange."  She stacks the gold on the counter.  "What do you say?"