"Welcome. Yes, please, please, sit and join me. It's a pleasure to meet each of you! My name is Lanar, though I don't know how great my stories are. What brings you all to Phandalin?"

"We were hired to haul supplies for Gundren Rockseeker.  However, we were sidetracked by some goblins who took our new friend Sildar captive. We here there have been some ruffians causing trouble here also."

"Goblins, you say? Can't say I've had any run ins with them as of late but sounds par for the course. Funny you should say though 'cause I stumbled upon an orc raiding party the other day on the east end of the Triboar Trail. Turned tail and ran as fast as my legs could carry me as soon as I saw them. Last thing I need is a scrabble with a bunch of orcs! Told Townmaster Harbin about it, and he said he'd put the word out to deal with it. But, if his ability to deal with the Redbrands is any indication, I doubt he's done much. You might check with him to see where things stand, though." 

(Galben looking over at Lanar)

"Orcs are no laughing matter. I'm told you mine in the hills. Do you happen to know of any tunnels that are hidden or that people wouldn't want the word getting out about?"

"Tunnels, you say? The hills are littered with them. Don't know of any worthy of investigation though. Most I've come across are uninteresting. What makes you ask?"

"Pip had mentioned that one of his friends had been chased away from a tunnel by the Redbrand Ruffians. Do you know what area in the hills the Ruffians tend to occupy?"

"Being a miner I am sure you are wary of outsiders, or insiders for that matter, coming in and getting something good from your hard work.  I assure you we are not interested in stealing anything you are working on.  We really just want information.  Poor Gundren is being held against his will maybe in a tunnel somewhere so anything you can tell us to help us rescue him would be appreciated.  If you don't know maybe you could give us a name of someone who can.  We'd really appreciate it.  Maybe in the process we could take out the Redbrands or possibly some orcs.  The less evil in the world the better."

"Having less goblins and orcs in the world, especially of the violent sort, is never a bad thing, and I encourage you, if your party be up for it, to pursue them to those ends - you would be doing all travelers a kindness. I'm afraid I have not heard of any news of your friend, Gundren, however I don't know of any caves or tunnels fitting the bill to hold a captive, I'm afraid. As for the other tunnel you alluded to, Galben - you mentioned Pip. I presume you mean Toblen's boy? If so, I sincerely doubt that he and his friends have been venturing into the hills - more likely the woods immediately surrounding the town of Phandalin. I know many of the children like to play nearby the area but they stick close to the village. He's a spirited kid but even he would know better than to venture into the hills without supervision!"

(Galben looking at Lanar)

"Thank you for all the information we appreciate your time. Please enjoy the rest of your evening" (Looking at Regula and Oldman) "Let's go over to that table next and speak with the weaver. Freda is her name if I recall."

(Walking over to Freda Galben waits for her attention)

(I'm really digging on this interaction, keep up the good work gents!)

Freda looks up from her needlepoint and takes a sip of her cider, giving you a nod as you approach.

OldMan motions for Elsa to bring Lanar a drink and put it on the group's tab while he joins the group headed over toward Freda's table.

"Good eve, Freda is it?  We have been chatting with many of the good townfolk and wondered if we could hear you weave a tale?  We've been hearing tales of the Redbrand Ruffians and their treatment of some of the citizens.  Also, there has been mention of Harbin West not doing his duty as townmaster and running the brigands out of the area. Have you had any troubles?

"Troubles? Who hasn't! The Redbrands hassle every business in town, mine included, except for the Phandalin Miner's Exchange, of course. Not even the Redbrands are dumb enough to cross Halia Thornton, who runs the trading post. As guildmaster, she's incredibly ambitious and a calculating woman; in her attempts to establish the Miner's Exchange as the closest thing this town has to a governing authority, she's much more than a simple merchant. You know, I heard once that she was a member of the Zhentarim. Perhaps you've heard of them?"

"I have not heard of the Zhentarim. Could you tell us more about them or tell us about someone who would?"

"Well, I don't know much, but I can tell you this much: they are a powerful organization that seeks to exert secret control over the North through wealth and influence. Halia has made a name for herself at the Miner's Exchange, so I definitely think it'd be worth your time to visit and meet her. That said, she isn't the kind of person you'd want to cross, if you understand my meaning."

"Thank you for all your help, sorry for interrupting your weaving, please enjoy your drink."

(Galben stands up and looks at Regula and Oldman)

"Lets go over and talk to Narth the farmer next"

(Galben walks over to Narth waiting to get his attention)

As you approach Narth, he doesn't appear to take note of your presence.

(Galben Narth on the shoulder and motions to Elsa to bring a drink)

Good evening sir my name is Galben. My friends and I are in town looking for a friend of ours who has gone missing. Would you be willing to answer a few questions that we have about the happenings in town?"

Without looking up from the book he's reading, "What kind of questions? And what business be it of yours, stranger? I'm sorry to hear about your friend, but there are several who have gone missing as of late."

(Galben pulls a chair out from the table next to Narth and sits down)

"A friend of ours Gundren Rockseeker has been taken and from the sounds of it other have to. Who else has gone missing? Do you know who might be behind it?"

(Elsa brings the drink to the table, Galben slides it over to Narth)