"I'll assist with the goblin. I'd like to know where to find him."

The party take a table near the fire and soon Kara returns to join them. 

Eventually the barmaid Elsa wanders over and takes their orders.

"Are you fine travellers in town for long?"

"No, we intend to head back out north as soon as we are able. We're seeking a place named Cragmaw Castle in the Neverwinter Wood. Have you heard of it?"

Elsa laughs, "No I have not. That wood is a dangerous place and the little I do know is more than I care to. You might try Daran Edermath, the orchard keeper, he was an adventurer like yourselves a way back. He knows all sorts that others don't. Tolben might know more of course." 

"I am seeking a friend of mine Iarno Albrek, a learned fellow. Do you know of him?"

"Can't say as I do. but we have so many pass through here of late that it's no surprise. I'll fetch Toblen, see if he can be of more help."

With that Elsa moves of to fetch their ale and food. The vittles' arrive in short order and are delicious.

"Elsa tells me you fine folks are looking for information? Gragmaw Castle I have heard of but know little of it beyond it's name a terrible reputation. Why do you seek such a foul place?"

"Our employer Gundren Rockseer has been taken there against his will. We intend to retrieve him if he still lives."

"Now that is foul news. Gundren is a fine Dwarf, even if he is a little obsessed with that fabled mine of his. I wish you luck in his rescue though I can offer little else."

He looks to Sildar then, "As to your friend good sir I do indeed remember him. He came through town a few months back, but did not spend much time under this roof. He stayed for a time at the Hall with good Master Wester. He is the man you want to speak to no doubt."

"My thanks good sir. The Lords Alliance will be covering our stay with you and I will arrange a small reward for this information when I secure the funds on the morrow."

"My thanks my lord." Toblen offers a deep bow.

"Though its a wonder I remembered him at all with all the trouble we have seen of late." he looks around as if scared of being overheard.

"We have trouble with mercenaries, calling themselves the Redbrands. They terrorize the town, and that Harbin Wester, the town master, has done nothing to curtail them. If you do speak with him on the morrow perhaps you could encourage him to action. I fear to stir up trouble myself for fear that the Redbrands might retaliate against my wife and children."

As Toblen is speaking his wife walks over, he young son holding her hand as he follows. He is staring at the party with wide wondering eyes.

"And so you should fear my good husband. Thel Dendrar, the local woodcarver, stood up to the Redbrands a tenday ago when they came by his shop and leered at his wife. The ruffians murdered him. Several townsfolk saw it happen. The Redbrands grabbed his body, and now his wife, daughter, and son have gone missing too.” 

The young lad pipes up then, eager to be included.

"Carp said he found a secret tunnel in the woods to the Redbrand place, but Redbrands almost caught him.”

Toblen laughs,

"Did he now. Well thats enough excitement for you lad. Off to bed now before the Grumpkins come and take you off into the night."

Tolben wife gives him a hard stare and swats him on the arm,

"Dont you tease the lad afore bed. He'll be having nightmares and it'll be me up in the small hours soothing him while you snore the night away like an old fool."

She looks at the party then,

"Have a care around those Redbrands they hassle every business in town, except for the Phandalin Miner’s Exchange. They don’t want trouble with Halia Thornton, but who would. She's a devil of a woman.” 

Following that strange remark she leads her son of to bed and Toblen soon follows. The party take their rest and eventually retire to their rooms when they sleep in comfort for the first time in days.

The party awake the next morning and head down for breakfast. It appears that Sildar has already left with the goblin prisoner to go see the Townsmaster. 

"I suppose we had best get the wagon delivered to Barthen and get paid."

Barthen’s Provisions

Barthen’s is the biggest trading post in Phandalin. Its shelves stock most ordinary goods and supplies, including backpacks, bedrolls, rope, and rations. The place is open from sunup to sundown.

"Ah excellent, we were worried you had met some trouble on the road. Is Gundren with you? The old rascal owes me money."

The party explain Gundrens fate and Barthen look genuinely upset by the news. 

"Well, here is your pay. Gods know you have earned it. I just wish I could be of more help."

"How is business. We have been hearing a great deal about mercenary trouble in town?"

"The Redbrands are making it hard on everyone, shaking down local businesses and flouting the townmaster’s authority. Someone needs to clear them out of here."

He looks at the party hopefully but says nothing more on the matter. The party leave the store and decide what to do next.

"We should head over and see this fellow Edermath at his orchard. Sounds like he might know a thing or two that could help us."

The rest agree and they back to the edge of town and find the trail to the orchard.