Barty's "Lost Mine of Phandelver"

"Same here - more used to blades but can use that too. Anyway, we are taking it with us, just in case." Finna gently stroke the weapon, weighted it in one hand and imitated 4 point strike. "It's really good. And who knows - might be the key for something in there. Never know with magic."

It only takes a short period of study for Roland to discover the power that his gauntlets hold. When attuned and worn, they grant their wearer a strength identical to that of an ogre.

OOC: Moved the spider staff from Finna's inventory to Tochi's. Both the gauntlets and spider staff require attunement to use. There will be enough time to do so before leaving town, so let me know if Roland wants the gauntlets for himself.

Added 2 flasks of holy water and removed 50 gp from Nemean's inventory.

It is morning, and it sounds like we're ready to go. Please determine a marching order, for those who are not riding in the wagon.

Morning Text from #2194:

The next morning, Gundren is eating in the common room, sketching something in a notebook. "Ah! Are ye off, then? I feel better knowin' one o' me own clan is with ye now. Thulgrim, ye're to be part o' the reclaimin' our new home, and ain't none to forget that. Ye best be livin' to see the statue that gets built, ye hear?" he says.

"These gauntlets I've found seem to improve the wearers strength to be like that of a Ogre. I'll use them if no one wants them, but I doubt they'll serve me past the point of novelty. It might take someone by surprise if I could move a boulder, but I do tend toward speed in battle. Anyone interested?" he saves, waving the gauntlets.

Thulgrim gives Gundren the traditional clan farewell (butting their foreheads together), then crosses his arms in front of his chest and says:

Fare ye well Gundren. I'll be back afore ye know, and with yer brothers too, Haela be willin', and ye best be savin' some o' this tavern's ale fer when I do!

Thulgrim also notes Rolands offer, but states that he's already as strong as any ogre, and needs them not.

Like Roland, Nemean has only a passing interest in the gauntlets, he was not particularly strong himself, but had never needed to be. Still, it would be exhilarating and fun to have an ogre’s strength.

Before they depart Nemean also proposes they bring their goblin friend Droop to watch after the horses while they finish exploring the cave. If the group agrees they can simply stop by the old fort on their way out of town and pick up Droop. Nemean is confident Droop will not mind the sudden change of pace, and would gladly accompany them at a moments notice if asked.

OOC: Not sure if watching over the horses and wagon is an actual concern or not? Presumably the horses would be fine for at least awhile by themselves, right?  Would having Droop with us actually be useful or is he just another mouth to feed?

"Guess I'll wear them." Roland puts them on, trying to get a feeling for how they work.

“I suppose we can leave Droop back at the fort” says Nemean after sensing the groups lack of enthusiasm for a needy goblin companion. “Lets get on the road so we can get back to the cave.”

(OOC: LOL, sorry I just didn't think it was Thulgrim's place to decide what to do with your retainers)

Nemean could not be more wrong in his assumption. The thing is, one does not become a druid if one can not make peace with any type of creatures (let me correct it - natural creatures). But one does not order the leader of the group around either, especially if this "one" is a newcomer. "If your goblin-friend is trustworthy - sure we can use someone to watch over wagon. I guess, I can calm horses down and convince them to stay on one place but animals are animals: they sense danger - they run. If we have to leave the wagon, it's better to have someone to watch over it".

Finna was up and ready to travel (in the wagon).

"While I never met Droop, I believe, that the more trusty friends we have along with us, the better it would be, so I am all for your Goblin companion joining us" Tochi says, attempting a smile (which is not easy, considering he has a beak instead of a mouth).

OOC: Let me know the decision, Droop or No Droop, and I think we're ready to depart.

So far, we only have the marching order for Finna (in the wagon). What is the rest of the marching order?

(OOC: I think we are all good with Droop. Thulgrim actually thinks it's a good idea to have someone minding the horses, although useless for security, more for animal upkeep. Thulgrim is also in the wagon, probably snoozing

OOC: Looks like Droop is coming on tour with us!

Nemean will be riding his horse along the front/right side of the wagon.

The cellar beneath Tresendar Manor, the former underground lair of the Redbrands, looks quite different than Nemean has ever seen it before. The corridors, storage rooms, barracks, and even the crypt, once dusty and thick with the smell of dirty ruffians and bugberas, is now tidy and clean.

At first, Droop is nowhere to be found, but as you round the bend where bugbears once resided, you hear a distinct goblin grunting in the cavern beyond. You find Droop hard at work in the large crevasse that spans the cavern. Once upon a time, the tiefling Cinis fell through a rotted bridge into this rift. Now, Droop looks to be clearing rubble from the center of the crevasse, lining them to one side or the other.

"Oh! Masters! It has been long time!" Droop clambers up to join you topside, covered in soot and dirt. "I hope you not mad, but Droop ran out of rooms to clean, so Droop cleaning the skinny hole. Oh! Droop found someth-- Wait, where are other masters?" he asks, wiping his eyes on a sleeve and peering at the new arrivals.

After any introductions are made, Droop descends the crevasse again and points excitedly to the northern end, where a battered wooden chest sits in plain view. "Chest hidden with rocks, Droop found, and found skeleton too," Droop shudders. "Masters are nice to Droop, Droop not dare to open if treasure inside."

Roland hangs toward the rear on his horse, weary of trouble and unsure how to take the excitable goblin the others have befriended.

Treasure is Thulgrims passion, and at the mention of a chest he eagerly pushes forward and instructs the goblin to show them the chest at once. 

He's particularly interested in identifying any treasure of Dwarven manufacture. History:6

Finna jumped off the wagon when they stopped, curious about another exotic future companion. Droop did not disappoint and his enthusiasm was contagious. She joined the crowd around the wooden chest, not expecting much but out of pure curiosity.

“Droop! So good to see you! I love what you’ve done with the place, it looks pristine. And thank you for uncovering this lost treasure, the Redbands must have had it hidden away...

Upon hearing Droop inquire about his old companions, Nemean hangs his head and recounts the sad tale to Droop. He then introduces the new team and asks if he will join them on the road to help look after the wagon and the animals.

"Nice to make acquaintance, Droop, My name is Tochi Maru, though just Tochi is sufficient". Tochi greets the new member of the party.

OOC: Wanting to get to know the newer arrivals, Tochi will likely be right behind the vagon, while on his horse, so that he has a better chance of conversing with them.

Droop makes his way around, graciously bowing to the floor for each member of the party. Afterward, he points down into the rift, where the wooden chest is sitting. "Droop would not open first, Droop leave that for Masters!"

OOC: Marching order is set, will resolve travel once the business under Tresendar Manor is complete.