Jake introduces himself.  "I am an acolyte of Ilmater, traveling with a small band of adventurers.  I wanted to make your acquaintance and view the shrine here.  I like this place, it puts me at ease."

Jake examines the shrine itself.  "How long has the shrine been in town?   Do you get many visitors from outside?"  

"Well, the shrine to Tymora is only a few generations old but since the stones were taken from older ruins, one could argue that its genesis was much older. Occasionally we get a wayward traveler stopping by the shrine but it is not the most popular of spots."

"At the risk of sounding impolite, how did you get your wounds? We've heard of local troubles and certainly hope you weren't collateral damage."

"Oh, I see you've come to hear of the Rebrands. They are an absolute plight on this village, and while I would never wish ill intent without just reasons, I hope they all earn their comeuppance twice over. But, in answer to your question, no - I wasn't injured by the Redbrands." She pauses a moment, sizing up Regula and Jake before proceeding. "The two of you strike me as honorable men who can hold confidences, and I trust that you will hold mine. I am a member of the Harpers, a scattered network of adventurers, and in some cases spies, who advocate equality and covertly oppose the abuse of power. My superiors had asked me to undertake a delicate mission recently. I was to attempt to persuade a banshee named Agatha to answer a question about a spellbook. I sought out Agatha in her lair, but the creature did not appear for me. Perhaps the results would be different for you?

If ye be willing, I am looking for an intermediary to bring Agatha a suitable gift, a jeweled silver comb (which Sister Garaele produces from beneath her robes), and persuade the creature to tell what she knows about the location of a spellbook belonging to a legendary mage named Bowgentle. I believe that a character who flatters Agatha’s vanity might be able to trade the comb for an answer. Undertake the quest at your own leisure - here are three potions of healing as payment for your efforts."

Quest Unlocked: The Banshee’s Bargain. Recently, Garaele’s superiors asked her to undertake a delicate mission. They wanted her to persuade a banshee named Agatha to answer a question about a spellbook. Garaele sought out Agatha in her lair, but the creature did not appear for her. Garaele desires an intermediary to bring Agatha a suitable gift, a jeweled silver comb, and persuade the creature to tell what she knows about the location of a spellbook belonging to a legendary mage named Bowgentle. Sister Garaele believes that a character who flatters Agatha’s vanity might be able to trade the comb for an answer.

"I think we could look into that on your behalf.  Thank you for the potions. I hope we won't need them in order to fulfill your mission."

Jake turns to leave, and stops. "Would you happen to have a small vial of holy water you could spare? I am not near a shrine of my own to collect some."

FYI I have been holding back while the rest of you investigate the town.

During the layover OldMan casts find familiar and so when you see him he will have a weasel friend.  

OldMan meets up with Sildar to begin the search for clues to Iarno Albrek's disappearance.  "Where would you like to start the day?" OldMan asks.   I am at your command.  

To Jake, "Of course. Here are two vials of holy water. Let's hope you don't need these in the course of your adventures!"

Sildar to OldMan, "When you finish casting your familiar, let us ask around town after Iarno. It's bound that someone has seen him. I don't know that we need a set plan for this, but let us poke around and see what we can ascertain. If all else, we will go to the Townmaster and press him for an answer, to see what may be afoot."

(Galben approaches the orchard and sees a man organizing some tools)

"Excuse me, I am looking for Daran Edermath do you know where I might find him?"

The familiar spell takes an hour so OldMan cast it first thing in the morning.  By the time Sildar is ready to go looking for Iarno OldMan is ready. 

OldMan to Sildar. "Let's start with the townmaster.  Even if he can't give us answers to Iarno's whereabouts, we should see where his allegiances are in regards to the Redbrands.  Lead the way."

Startled, the man sets down his basket of freshly picked apples and turns to Galben. "Yes, I am who you seek. Who is asking?"

"I am Galben my friends and I have just arrived in town. We are looking for our friend Gundred Rockseeker who has been taken. Have you seen him or know of any people or groups that could be behind such foul activities as this?

"Thank you, Lady, for the Holy Water.  I also hope it doesn't need to be used, but I would rather have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.  Regula, where would you like to go now?  I have done what I set out to do this morning."

Daren, a fit and silvered-haired half-elf well over a hundred years old, responds to Galben, "No, I'm afraid I don't know of your friend. I have heard stories, however, from prospectors in the hills northeast of Phandalin that someone is digging around in the ruins known as Old Owl Well. More disturbingly, several prospectors have reported being chased from the area by undead. Back in my day as a fighter for the Order of the Gauntlet, I might have taken care of this little situation myself, but those days a long gone now. Your group seems able-bodied enough to visit the ruins, a two-day march northeast of Phandalin, and find out who’s there and what they’re up to. I know that the ruins are an old watchtower of an ancient magical empire known as Netheril, so be careful - I fear that dangerous magic might be dormant there."

Quest Unlocked: Old Owl Trouble.

"Let us go meet up with the others, Jake. I believe Galben said they were headed to the orchard."

(Looking at Daren) "From one ranger to another thank you for all of the information you have provided. I will let you get back to your business."

(Galben leaves the orchard and on his way back into town finds Regula and Jake heading his way)

"Hello, I hope everything at the Shrine went well. What news do you have from there? Daren at the Orchard told me of a place northeast of here that prospectors have been digging at and they are being driven away by undead. Apparrently it has some magic around it, its called Old Owl Well. This might be a place we want to check out."

"Oh, the undead, I despise them.  I think this would be a worthy pursuit once we have located and freed Gundren.  

It would appear that the lady of the shrine wants information on a missing spellbook.  She gave use the location of the lair of a banshee, who may know the whereabouts of the spellbook.  We have this jeweled comb as barter for the information. I think I wrote down the location of the lair, I will have to see if I can find it..." (GM, I forgot to ask directio a to the banshee's lair.)

"It would seem everyone in this village despises the Redbrand.  I think we should investigate them and determine for ourselves whether they are good or bad.  If they are truly ruffians it would be best to eliminate them and bring peace to this little village."

"Sister Garaele shared the directions with me on this scrap of parchment. It says to follow the Triboar Trail to the abandoned town of Conyberry - the town was sacked by barbarians years ago and now lies in ruins. From the ruins of Conyberry, an old trail leads northwest into Neverwinter Wood. Agatha’s lair is a few miles outside town."

Turning to Galben, "That does sound like a worthwhile pursuit - the undead need stay undead, in any event. Should we pursue the lead regarding the tunnel near town that Carp said he saw? Perhaps we can ask around Alderleaf farm where they live and see what they might be willing to share."

"Yes, let us find Bearkiller and Thallan.  We can seek the farm and then the tunnel together.

(Jake, Regula and Galben walk back towards the Stonehill Inn and see OldMan, Sildar and Bearkiller outside)

(Bearkiller) "Barthen wasn't at his store. I'll try back later. What are you three up to?"

(Galben) "We're heading to the Alderleaf farm to get some info about the tunnel from Carp hopefully. We thought we could all go. Thallan is still at the Lion shield getting equipment so we can meet up with him after. What say you OldMan?"