"Thank you Toblen, for holding those rooms.  I would like my key now, as I have some items I am tired of carrying." Jake hands Toblen 1 gp.  "This should cover my room, food, and a drink or two for the night."

Jake turns to Galben. "Thank you Galben, your resourcefulness is appreciated. You seem to have an eye for value and a skill at haggling.  If, during your negotiations, you find a silvered staff or mace, let me know.  That is something I am interested in." 

Jake takes out the battered set of studded leather armor and begins cleaning it.  He spends the next hour cleaning and polishing, identifying worn bits and making a list of repairs. When it is time to leave, Jake stashes the armor in his room.

Toblen takes the gold coin from Jake and hands him the key to to his room, "My pleasure. Please feel free to avail yourself of drink, and I will bring meals for the group."

Regula also hands him 1 gp.

Before starting his short rest Galben cast  Cure Wounds  restoring 5 HP (Total 15/16 hp).

(Galben looks at the group)

"If you are looking not to spend money on lodging Ms. Alderleaf did offer her barn to us to stay free of charge. I may take her up on that offer after this evening, two nights in a the comfort of a bed is all I can take I think, perhaps I've been in the wilderness for to long. (Galben gives Toblen 1 gp)

(Looking at Tolben) "This should cover me for the evening. Can you tell us anything you know about the Sleeping Giant? Is there a back entrance?"

(Bearkiller sits next to Regula and tosses Tolben 1 gp) "For the night and my meals and drink. An ale when you have a chance, thanks"

OldMan pays for a meal and a drink to take to his room.  "Tolben if you wouldn't mind keeping the noise down a bit  I have some studying to do and don't want to be disturbed."

Turning toward the rest of the group.  I will be down in a while to move out on the redbrands.  I will bring the weasel to use for reconnaissance on what entrance to use and if the thugs are ready for us or not.  See you shortly."

OldMan retires upstairs with his food and drink to study.

Tubard sits down silently at his own table. He is unsure of what to think of his new companions. A lot has been going through his mind and he is contemplating what might be waiting in the tunnel. 

He gestures for Tolben to come over "I will take two drinks and a small one for my pet duck. I will take whatever food is hot." Looking at the group "This is Ferdinand. He doesn't do anything. Please don't make him angry or I will kill you. He is here for moral support." 

Toblen replies, "Of course, of course. No trouble at all." He returns a moment later with ales and hot meals and sets them all before you. "I'd suggest steering clear of the Sleeping Giant. It's a rough and rowdy place. I'm sure there's a back entrance, but it's a pretty simple structure - just a single floor. Entering from the front or the back doesn't make no difference to be frank."

Jake puts away the suit of armor he's been working on.  He moves over to the table Tubard is sitting at.  "Hello, my name is Jake. May I sit with you a while?"  Jake takes a seat at Tubard's table and motions to Tolben to bring him a plate of food.

"I thank you for stepping in during the altercation in the street.  We probably had it handled, but you helped reduce wounds that we might have taken. Are you up for more of that tonight?  We plan to take the fight to the Redbrands on their home turf."

Tubard slowly turns his head toward Jake and grunts begrudgingly "Us common barbarians are always taken for meat shields. Throw us in the front and do your damage from a distance." He pauses and chugs the rest of his first ale "I am wiser than others like me and take time to consider my options before jumping into battle. There is a strong chance this one-eyed creature is a Nothic, with which I am not concerned. However, it could also be a Fomorian, of which I would be greatly concerned."

Tubard looks at Galben "What is your real purpose for coming here? What are you really trying to accomplish?"

Jake sits with Tubard, chewing his meal. "Most of us were hired to accompany a shipment to a local mine.  Our employer, however, has been kidnapped.  We are planning and mustering our strength to recover our employer and friend. We have made some friendly acquaintances in this little village, and as a gesture of goodwill we have set about to right some wrongs.  These Redbrands are a problem that we have decided to help solve.  There are a few other tasks on our list as well."

Jake looks at Tubard.  "What are you doing here, friend?  And how do you know of these obscure creatures, the Nothic or the Fomorian?"

"Well, I come from the mountains. Up there food and drink are scarce and it is a challenge to stay alive every day. I had earned my place with the Vei-mei Laga tribe. They did not need to take me in, but they did anyway. Not long after we came under attack by..."

He pauses. Takes a bite of his meal.

"By what doesn't matter right now. Through my travels, I have encountered many creatures. Since then, I have been on my own and have recently found my way to this area. Our encounter with those Ruffians is no isolated incident. I have been dealing with them for some time now."

Looking at the whole group again "I see your intentions to be honest and true. It is indeed time we take it to them directly. I will be ready when the time comes."

Ferdinand waddles onto Tubard's shoulder and he retires to his room for a short rest.

(Galben finishes his ale and stands up) "I will see you all after I rest awhile." (Heads to his room)

(Bearkiller finishes his meal and drink and looks at Regula) "Get some rest. I'm going to relax a while"

As the party reconvenes after an hour's short rest, you emerge on to the twilight streets of Phandalin as darkness begins to envelope the town. There are scant few people out and the roads of the village appear quiet. You make your way toward the Sleeping Giant and as you approach the rundown, dirty taphouse, you discuss your plan of attack.

(Galben looks at the group)

"Perhaps we should have OldMan send his weasel in to see what we are up against. Bearkiller and I can stealth with him to the back and he can work his magic. Then we can make our move from there. What do you all think of that idea?" 

OldMan smiles. "I think that is the best idea.  We go up to the door or window.  I can have my weasel appear up to 30 feet or so.  So we don't even need an opening.  I just need someone to keep me safe while I look through it's eyes.  We should get a good idea of how many we are facing and maybe even what they are planning.  This should allow us to take full advantage of their weaknesses. And if it looks like we are out manned then we can always abort and go check out the manor."

Jake eyes the dingy tavern.  "Do your reconnaissance and report back.  Just stay out of sight.  Regula, Tubard and I will be within earshot, so give a clear indication if we need to rush in.  You take the back, we'll be up front watching."

(Galben and Bearkiller move towards the back of the tavern building stealthily in the dark)

(Stealth Rolls Galben 15+5=20, Bearkiller 13+5=18)

(They wave at OldMan to follow them)

OldMan rolles a Stealth roll of 15+4=19.

The trio creeps quietly to the edge of the building.  OldMan plans on sending his weasel familiar which is curretnly in a pocket dimension into the tavern.  He will use his power to see and hear what the weasel sees and hears.  Trying to figure out numbers and plans.

OldMan brings forth said weasel and it scampers happily toward the back door and into the dimly lit tavern. Through the weasel's eyes you, you see 2-3 rough looking townsfolk drinking at the bar and behind the bar you see a surly-looking female dwarf. Otherwise, the tavern is completely empty and none of those at the bar appear to have the characteristic red cloaks of the Redbrands.

OldMan directs the weasel to check any kind of store room behind the bar.  While also listening to see what the conversation is at the bar.

The stores are all what you would expect in an ale house; barrels, some empty, some full. Produce in various stages of decay. There also isn't really any conversation happening. You overhear a snippet of conversation between one of the patrons and the barmaid. "Grista, it sure seems quiet tonight. Where is everyone?" The female dwarf replies, "Beats me. Normally, we'd have a group of 4 Redbrands in here by now. Must be up to something else tonight."