Barty's "Lost Mine of Phandelver"

The man shows little emotion as he responds to Tarok, "I am a Red Wizard, yes; and this region is rife with death, I care not for their race or history. While I am capable of defending myself, I would never get any work done if I had to constantly watch my own back...or explain my presence to random adventurers. If your fear is that I will harm travelers along the road, you may go. My zombies do not stray from the ruins, and they will return to dust when I am done here."

"Your "guards" attacked us on sight. You say that you're no threat to travellers, but anyone wandering along this road would have had a horde of dead men to contend with the same as we did. You can see how that might be a problem for the nearby townsfolk." Tarok retorts.

"My good man, we have an acquaintance named Daran Edermath who particularly wants to know what is happening here and why undead have been seen in the area.  I believe he has business in this area.  I see from the information you have given us and the demonstration, calling off your guards, that you mean us no harm.  May I inquire as to you doings and whether there is something we can do for you?  We have concerned citizens in the area and wish to understand better what brings you to the Owl Mill.  You also may be able to teach us.  Clearly you know powerful magic."

“Sir, we have no quarrel with you or your stinking corpse friends...” Nemean says sharply, but then as he relaxes his posture, and continues more calmly, “but one of our own has gone missing, kidnapped! You seem like a capable adventurer of a sorts yourself. Can you tell us anything of the Black Spider or the whereabouts of Cragmaw Castle?”

"Did they now? Or did you attack first and they defended me, as they were instructed to?" The wizard thinks for a moment. "I understand your concern, elf. You need not concern yourself with why I am here, but there may be something you can do for me. I want the orcs at Wyvern Tor removed. I have found them scouting out my camp, and they seem inclined to cause trouble for me," he says.

Cinis barked out a laugh involuntarily. 

"Oh, sorry. You were serious? You want us to help you? Why, exactly, would we do that when you just tried to kill us?"

"Please don't take me as a mercenary, indeed I wish to align myself with the good of society.  I am doing my best to fit in with this group here that wishes to chase away the bandits and trolls of this territory in order to make for a better place.  But I must ask.  If we help you with these orcs, what good will that bring?  Both for ourselves and for the good citizens of the territory?  I am always up for a good cause and would gladly push bandit orcs away if you can help me understand you purpose to motivate us or if you could help further our purposes, assuming we are successful, once we are done.  I see that you are a great man but, as my good friend Cinis here has put it, why should we help you?"

"They rushed toward us as we approached, don't get confused" Tarok injects.

He says in a quieter voice to the other party members "Surely we can find Cragmaw Castle without becoming the lapdogs of an evil wizard? Someone who reanimates the dead is obviously a threat to people in the region. He seems to care nothing for the people whose corpses he's using and he thinks it's our fault we were accosted by a horde of his zombies? I think we should take him back to town in chains, so he can answer for defiling the graveyards. Maybe that will loosen his tongue on what he knows about Cragmaw as well."

"Don't try me, tiefling," the wizard says, "if I had tried to kill you, you wouldn't be alive to talk to me." He turns to Fayten. "The orcs concern me because they interfere with my work. You asked if there was something you can do for me, and that is it. If you choose not to, then go tell this Edermath that he need not concern himself with my research. Either way, you are keeping me from it, so please leave."

"Perhaps you could tell us what your interest in the region is, or what your important work you keep mentioning entails?"

"My business is none of yours," comes the simple response.

"Well, that sounds reassuring from the guy surrounded by corpses." Tarok says, rolling his eyes.

“When we clear out the Orcs, you will let us inspect the tower and you will tell us the nature of your research here.” Claims Nemean suddenly, he steps forward, trying to descalate the situation. “I think this seems fair, no? You will be rid of your orcs and we will able to reassure the people of Phandalin that you are no threat to them. What say you sir?”

“When we clear out the Orcs, you will let us inspect the tower and you will tell us the nature of your research here.” Claims Nemean suddenly, he steps forward, trying to descalate the situation. “I think this seems fair, no? You will be rid of your orcs and we will able to reassure the people of Phandalin that you are no threat to them. What say you sir?”

Fayten sees quickly that things are getting tense. "I believe our new friend here has not made and does not wish to make any guarantees to us about what he will do if we clear out the orcs.  It would also seem that if we want to engender ourselves to him we need to act on his wishes first.  Always a difficult prospect to act without guarantees.  However seeing as we are on a mission to clear out the trouble in the area anyway it would seem there is potential overlap in our interests."  Fayten addresses the magician.  "My good man, if we to look into the orc problem in the area I expect to be able to communicate with you about it in the future.  And hopefully we will trust each other more then.  I would also expect, if we are looking to find common ground, that you would make an effort to better control your body guards going forward.  I ask for no promise but it would show good faith as we make attempts at trusting each other.  Do you have anything more to communicate?"

"Trust is earned, elf. As I said, the only people in danger of my guards are those that stare down a dozen - no, ten now - zombies and stick their noses further. No need to communicate any further," the man says, walking back toward his tent. "If you want me gone, clear out those orcs and I will be done here quicker," he finishes. With that, he walks through the flap of his tent, out of sight. In the shadows of the watchtower, the zombies stand lifelessly.

OOC: Anything else here? Where to?

Fayten turns to the group.  "Well I'm not sure making points with this wizard is worth the trouble but we can still earn the 100 gold pieces from townmaster Harbin Wester by chasing the orcs away from Wyvern Tor.  I might suggest that as our next destination.  It is not far from here.  Should we make camp soon or continue on towards Wyvern Tor?"

(OOC: Do we know where Wyvern Tor is?  Also a long rest would help but is not necessary.  I have only used one 1st level slot and one 2nd level slot.  I still have 3 and 1 left.  Up to the group if it seems appropriate.)

“I don’t trust him, but I don’t think righteous folk like us should provoke a fight without a damn good reason. Maybe once we take care of these orcs we’ll be able to learn more of this strange man and his research...”

OOC: pretty sure we know where wyvren Tor is, and I believe it’s due south if I remember the map correctly. 

"How about we leave him be. I don't like our odds." Cinis says to the others quietly.

==Fayten=elf=cleric==

"Sounds like we are in agreement and can move to Wyvern Tor.  Should we find a place to camp first or continue our journey?"