Nemean comes down the stairs, yawns, and rubs the crust from his eyes. "Good morning, my friends." He smiles as he greets the day.
His eyes immediately turn towards the meal that has been prepared, and he smiles "Ah, what delicious food you people have here in this country, thank you!" He begins to eat, and after a few bites reflects on how much it differs from the traditional breakfast in his home of Maztica. "So, do you see many of us Tabaxi here in Phandalin?" he inquired.
As the conversation turned to the darker subjects of the Redbrands and the grisly murder, Nemean spoke quietly to his friends "Surely these scoundrels shouldn't be able to have the run of the whole town. These people just need someone to lead them, strong warriors like us! We can rally the people here and restore justice to Phandalin."
Saving these people is a task more befitting a great hero like Nemean Goldenmane, not just guarding a wagon with some supplies.
OOC: I would like to give Bob a little more time.
I also think it would be difficult to recruit a 5th player, but if we have a particular person in mind that somebody thought would be a good fit I'd be open to it. I think we can manage with 4 players, but it will be challenging losing the help of our rogue. We're pretty fighter heavy right now, but I am consider having Nemean take a level of another class after he gets Fighter 3, would be very fun to play and it could give our party more versatility.
"We're farmers and miners, not fighters. We all came here expecting a hard life, but an entire mercenary group wasn't what any of us signed up for. Might be a dozen of them, maybe more. They're led by a wizard named Glasstaff. We might outnumber them, but magic isn't a fair fight." Trilena explains to Cinis, "Daran Edermath used to be one of you adventuring types, but he calls himself retired now. He sticks to his orchard up north."
As Nemean walks down the stairs, the old men and woman sitting at the table stop their conversation and stare at the newcomer for a bit before shaking off the surprise. "Whoa!" The young boy in the kitchen walks out to get a closer look at the tabaxi. "I think that there is your answer", Toblen chuckles. "Don't stare Pip, be polite. There are much stranger things in this world than a tabaxi."
Known Locations: Barthen's Provisions Townmaster's Hall "The Coster" Sleeping Giant Edermath Orchard
Argos leans in to the party and speaks to them, "Welp, we might as well begin our day. Let's get started as soon as possible. We should drop off the wagon first, then let's head over to the Townmaster's Hall and meet up with Sildar. I'd love nothing more than to help these people right now, but I think our main concern should be to find Gundren. Perhaps Sildar knows a bit more about what's going on than we do."
After finishing up breakfast, Argos waits for the others to help him prepare the wagon and take it to Barthen's Provisions. He stands by the door, leaning against the wall until everyone is ready to head out.
Tarok takes in the conversation whilst still looking very tired, even after a long rest. I really should do more exercise... running after a Bugbear nearly killed me! he thinks to himself.
"That sounds like a good idea." he says to Argos in reply. He follows the dwarf out to the wagon to help take it to Barthen's Provisions.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Merek Attiga - Level 4 Human Wizard - Call of the Netherdeep
Nemean smiles and waves at the boy, "Hello Pip! We Tabaxi are nothing to be afraid of." He finishes his food and leaves a 5 SP tip on the table for Toblen and Trilena. "Thank you for your generous hospitality, especially in these troubled times."
He nods after hearing Argos, he had gotten so caught up in their nascent crusade against the Redbrands, that he had nearly forgotten about Sildar, Gundren, and the task at hand. "Yes, let us visit Barthen's Provisions so we can unburden ourselves of these beasts and wagon. Sildar did say that he would see to it we are compensated for successfully escorting the supplies... and while we are there I want to pick up a few supplies of my own."
Nemean loves shopping and acquiring new items. Gold burns a hole in his pocket, and while he doesn't spend unwisely, he rarely has the discipline to save. When he visits vendors or merchants he always makes sure to keep a keen eye out for rare or unique items. Even items that are of no practical use still fascinate him if they have a good story behind them.
While visiting Barthen's he hopes to acquire the following supplies:
Cinis followed his companions to deliver the supplies but made a note of the orchard. It was good to know of anyone they might be able to count on if they needed help rescuing the dwarf.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Pit of Vipers: Watl Wiggins - Halfling Rogue(10) League of Improbable Adventurers: Alan Quatermain - Human Fighter(3)
Barthen's Provisions is a short jaunt north of the Stonehill Inn once you grab the wagon from behind the inn and direct it toward the trading post. The town is more alive at this hour, and as you pass the town green you see children playing and townsfolk passing by to tend to chores or run errands at shops. There is a small amount of staring at the unusual grouping of people, but all return to their business as you go by. You pass by a small shrine on the way, which is being tended to by a scholarly female elf acolyte.
Barthen's is the largest trading post in Phandalin. The shelves are stocked with most ordinary goods and supplies, including bedpacks, bedrolls, rope, and rations. Behind the desk as you enter is a human man, lean and balding, in his fifties. He has a kind look about him. When he sees you enter, he jumps back with a start, but quickly gathers himself as he mutters "No red..."
"Welcome to my trading post, travelers. I am Elmar Barthen. What brings you here today?"
When Nemean asks about his items, he nods and responds, "I'll have Thistle grab those for you."
Argos approaches the desk and addresses the old man, "Greetings, me and my troop here were hired by a dwarf named Gundren Rockseeker to bring a wagonload of supplies to this trading post. We got the wagon out front, but I'm not sure if you've heard yet, Gundren has been captured. We're going to work on finding him, but we'll need our payment to purchase supplies. The best we know of his whereabouts is that some bugbears and goblins got him."
Argos looks around for a bit, but doesn't find anything he needs to purchase right now.
"I...Gundr...goblin..." Barthen's face quickly registers surprise at the situation as it is explained. He frowns, sighs, and rubs his temples as he replies, "This saddens me greatly, but to hear that there is a chance he is not lost gives me hope. Gundren is a good friend of mine...I was excited when he told me he discovered the lost mine of the Phandelver's Pact in the nearby hills." He turns and shouts to the back of the building, "Ander! Thistle! We've a wagon to take care of out front."
While his young clerks move to unload the wagon, he turns back to the group. "Please update me with news of Gundren's whereabouts, if you could. Two of his brothers, Nundro and Tharden, are camped somewhere outside town. Last I saw them was a tenday ago, but I expect them to return any day now to resupply. I will relay this information to them when I see them next."
He hands you each your payment for delivery of the wagon and provisions, 10 gold pieces each.
OOC: Character sheets have been updated.
KnownLocations: Stonehill Inn Townmaster's Hall "The Coster" Sleeping Giant Edermath Orchard
Argos continues the conversation with Barthen, "I too am acquainted with Gundren... well, my father was at least. He met with my father a couple times when I was a child, but I never really got the chance to know him." As Barthen mentions the lost mine, Argos gets a puzzled look on his face, "What is this 'lost mine' you speak of? Gundren never told us anything about that."
So this is what Gundren has been so excited about. I wonder if he planned on telling me about this. This discovery could change Phandalin for the better.
Phandelver's Pact? Finding Gundren's brothers is probably a safe bet. I still want to make it over to the Edermath Orchard, though. Having an experienced adventurer with us would be pretty handy if we get into anymore trouble like we did in those caves.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Pit of Vipers: Watl Wiggins - Halfling Rogue(10) League of Improbable Adventurers: Alan Quatermain - Human Fighter(3)
"Ah, well consider yourself a friend of Barthen's then, good dwarf," Elmar responds, "and I always have time to tell this history of this proud little town. You see, Phandalin as it stands today was built over the ruins of a much older settlement. Hundreds of years ago, the old Phandalin was a thriving human town whose people were firmly allied with the dwarves and gnomes of the Phandelver's Pact. However, an orc horde sacked the nearby mine and laid waste to the town. Phandalin was abandoned for centuries. Everyone you see here that ain't wearin' red is a hardy settler from Neverwinter or Waterdeep, set about reclaiming the town three or four years back. Nobody's found the old mine yet, 'til Gundren claimed he had."
Nemean was happily inspecting and stowing his new gear when his ears perked up at the idea of such a discovery "So Gundren has found an ancient civilization? Right here under our feet? What a wondrous thing! No wonder Klarg and his goons were after him..."
"Hey! Elmar, do you know anything about this King Grol and his Cragmaw Castle? Our friend Sildar was with Gundren when he was taken and he says they're the ones that got him."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Vercinius Thrax: Lizardfolk Cleric - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
L’Ouverture Zinn: Kobold Sorcerer - Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage
Titus Vorenus: Dragonborn Paladin - Waterdeep: Dragon Heist
Nemean Goldenmane: Tabaxi Fighter - Lost Mine of Phandelver (Retired)
Argos chuckles a bit and responds to Nemean, "I doubt there's a whole civilization living in one mine, although if it were dwarves that dug it out, I don't doubt people or some sort of creatures could live in it. Anyways, this changes things quite a bit. If Gundren was captured, it could be that this King Grol wants the mine's location for himself. If an organized group of goblin-folk took control of such a vital source of income, it could spell trouble for the region, not even to mention the potential for a greater foe to take the mine for themselves and put its resources to use."
This issue just keeps on getting bigger. If it gets much more beyond this, I'm not sure we'll be able to handle it alone. We just gotta keep trudging along and do what's right, Chauntea will guide us through the rest.
Once everyone is finished up in the trade post, Argos nudges everyone to head towards the townmaster's hall, seemingly anxious to get started.
Nemean nods in agreement "Yes, let us go to the town master's hall to see Sildar... I wonder if he's knew about the mine this whole time? Anyway, he may also know something abouteither Harbin or Edermath that could help, we'll have to ask him when we see him."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Vercinius Thrax: Lizardfolk Cleric - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
L’Ouverture Zinn: Kobold Sorcerer - Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage
Titus Vorenus: Dragonborn Paladin - Waterdeep: Dragon Heist
Nemean Goldenmane: Tabaxi Fighter - Lost Mine of Phandelver (Retired)
OOC: Sorry for the delay, just need a chance to sit and type this next one out, lot of information incoming. Are Cinis and Tarok also heading to the Townmaster's Hall? Haven't heard from either of you.
Elmar bids you farewell as you leave his shop and head South along the town's main road, passing by the Stonehill Inn and the Town Green. The elf woman tending the nearby shrine is still there, and her robes appear dusty and worn, as if she has been traveling in them recently.
The townmaster's hall has sturdy stone walls, a pitched wooden roof, and a bell tower at the back. Posted on a board next to the front door is a notice written in Common. It reads:
REWARD--Orcs near Wyvern Tor!
Those of a mind to face the orc menace should inquire within.
The notice bears the town's seal and an indecipherable signature. Muffled, angry shouts grow in volume as you approach, and when you open the door you are greeted by a verbal spat between Sildar Hallwinter and a fat, pompous old human man dressed like a banker.
"--are your townspeople, Harbin! Yours! There are more important things to spend the Lord's Alliance's time on than a problem you simply didn't have the manhood to handle!"
There is an abrupt silence once Sildar sees that you have arrived. He is once again clad in fine, polished chain mail, with a longsword sheathed at his hip. He looks every bit the fierce warrior you met in Neverwinter, although his face still shows the results of his time in the goblin cave.
"Ah, here they are. Friends, allow me to introduce Harbin Wester, Phandalin's townmaster. He serves as judge, sheriff, and record keeper in place of a functioning government, although how many of those jobs he is capable of doing seems up for debate," he glowers at the fat man, who looks at the floor shamefully and babbles, "Now Sildar, they're just a mercenary guild, and not all that much trouble--"
"A man lies dead and his family missing, Harbin, I will brook no more of your idiocy!" Sildar furiously cuts him off, then takes a breath to compose himself, and addresses you once more.
"There is a lot to cover here...some things you already know, but you must know the whole situation. First and foremost, Gundren and his brothers recently located an entrance to the long-lost Wave Echo Cave, the site of the mines of the Phandelver's Pact. The Pact was a powerful agreement between gnomes, dwarves, and human spellcasters; they channeled and bound their energy into a great forge, where magic items could be crafted. Phandalin was quite the prosperous town because of that forge, before the orcs laid waste to it.
The important part is, Gundren found a map showing the location of the cave's entrance. Unfortunately for everyone, he's not the only one that wanted it. Klarg waylaid Gundren on someone else's orders. I heard from the goblins that "The Black Spider" wanted the dwarf brought to him...I don't know who or what that is. Klarg sent Gundren and the map to Cragmaw Castle. We don't know where that might be, but someone in Phandalin surely must know.
That brings me to why I'm here. My contact in Phandalin is a human wizard named Iarno Albrek. He is a member of the Lord's Alliance that traveled here some time ago to establish order, but we have received no word from him. I came to investigate his disappearance. Little did I know there is a group of blasted bandits in town now that Harbin is too weak to handle.
So, I ask for your assistance. We don't have the time to wait for more resources from the Lord's Alliance on this, and you're all quite capable. Certainly capable enough to storm an entire goblin hideout and chase its bugbear leader away, all while rescuing yours truly. I've convinced Harbin here to open the town's coffers as a reward."
"Sildar, no, I'd have to dip into my own personal funds, you know that's a stretch, I--" Harbin bumbles until he sees the rage in Sildar's face directed at him, "Yes, I...I suppose if we can offer a bounty for the orcs, we can offer this reward..."
"As I said, I've convinced Harbin here to open the town's coffers as a reward. Help me find Cragmaw Castle, find Gundren, and chase these Redbrands out of town, and the reward is yours. Nemean can vouch for me if need be, but for the time being...", he reaches for a pouch on the townmaster's desk and hands you each 12 gold pieces from it (14 for Nemean), "...consider this my thanks for getting me out of that situation. You all deserve it."
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See my profile for all my PbP threads!
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Cinis wanders over to Trilena.
"The Sleeping Giant? How many of them are there? Is there no one in town who would stand against them? Even if they had help?" Cinis asks the woman.
Nothing worse than a soldier turned bad.
Pit of Vipers: Watl Wiggins - Halfling Rogue(10)
League of Improbable Adventurers: Alan Quatermain - Human Fighter(3)
Nemean comes down the stairs, yawns, and rubs the crust from his eyes. "Good morning, my friends." He smiles as he greets the day.
His eyes immediately turn towards the meal that has been prepared, and he smiles "Ah, what delicious food you people have here in this country, thank you!" He begins to eat, and after a few bites reflects on how much it differs from the traditional breakfast in his home of Maztica. "So, do you see many of us Tabaxi here in Phandalin?" he inquired.
As the conversation turned to the darker subjects of the Redbrands and the grisly murder, Nemean spoke quietly to his friends "Surely these scoundrels shouldn't be able to have the run of the whole town. These people just need someone to lead them, strong warriors like us! We can rally the people here and restore justice to Phandalin."
Saving these people is a task more befitting a great hero like Nemean Goldenmane, not just guarding a wagon with some supplies.
OOC: I would like to give Bob a little more time.
I also think it would be difficult to recruit a 5th player, but if we have a particular person in mind that somebody thought would be a good fit I'd be open to it. I think we can manage with 4 players, but it will be challenging losing the help of our rogue. We're pretty fighter heavy right now, but I am consider having Nemean take a level of another class after he gets Fighter 3, would be very fun to play and it could give our party more versatility.
Vercinius Thrax: Lizardfolk Cleric - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
L’Ouverture Zinn: Kobold Sorcerer - Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage
Titus Vorenus: Dragonborn Paladin - Waterdeep: Dragon Heist
Nemean Goldenmane: Tabaxi Fighter - Lost Mine of Phandelver (Retired)
"We're farmers and miners, not fighters. We all came here expecting a hard life, but an entire mercenary group wasn't what any of us signed up for. Might be a dozen of them, maybe more. They're led by a wizard named Glasstaff. We might outnumber them, but magic isn't a fair fight." Trilena explains to Cinis, "Daran Edermath used to be one of you adventuring types, but he calls himself retired now. He sticks to his orchard up north."
As Nemean walks down the stairs, the old men and woman sitting at the table stop their conversation and stare at the newcomer for a bit before shaking off the surprise. "Whoa!" The young boy in the kitchen walks out to get a closer look at the tabaxi. "I think that there is your answer", Toblen chuckles. "Don't stare Pip, be polite. There are much stranger things in this world than a tabaxi."
Known Locations:
Barthen's Provisions
Townmaster's Hall
"The Coster"
Sleeping Giant
Edermath Orchard
See my profile for all my PbP threads!
Argos leans in to the party and speaks to them, "Welp, we might as well begin our day. Let's get started as soon as possible. We should drop off the wagon first, then let's head over to the Townmaster's Hall and meet up with Sildar. I'd love nothing more than to help these people right now, but I think our main concern should be to find Gundren. Perhaps Sildar knows a bit more about what's going on than we do."
After finishing up breakfast, Argos waits for the others to help him prepare the wagon and take it to Barthen's Provisions. He stands by the door, leaning against the wall until everyone is ready to head out.
A surprise, to be sure, but a welcome one.
Tarok takes in the conversation whilst still looking very tired, even after a long rest. I really should do more exercise... running after a Bugbear nearly killed me! he thinks to himself.
"That sounds like a good idea." he says to Argos in reply. He follows the dwarf out to the wagon to help take it to Barthen's Provisions.
Merek Attiga - Level 4 Human Wizard - Call of the Netherdeep
Nemean smiles and waves at the boy, "Hello Pip! We Tabaxi are nothing to be afraid of." He finishes his food and leaves a 5 SP tip on the table for Toblen and Trilena. "Thank you for your generous hospitality, especially in these troubled times."
He nods after hearing Argos, he had gotten so caught up in their nascent crusade against the Redbrands, that he had nearly forgotten about Sildar, Gundren, and the task at hand. "Yes, let us visit Barthen's Provisions so we can unburden ourselves of these beasts and wagon. Sildar did say that he would see to it we are compensated for successfully escorting the supplies... and while we are there I want to pick up a few supplies of my own."
Nemean loves shopping and acquiring new items. Gold burns a hole in his pocket, and while he doesn't spend unwisely, he rarely has the discipline to save. When he visits vendors or merchants he always makes sure to keep a keen eye out for rare or unique items. Even items that are of no practical use still fascinate him if they have a good story behind them.
While visiting Barthen's he hopes to acquire the following supplies:
4 Rations (1 day) (2gp)
1 Whip (2gp)
1 Dagger (2gp)
1 Pack of Arrows (1gp)
1 Mess Kit (2sp)
Vercinius Thrax: Lizardfolk Cleric - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
L’Ouverture Zinn: Kobold Sorcerer - Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage
Titus Vorenus: Dragonborn Paladin - Waterdeep: Dragon Heist
Nemean Goldenmane: Tabaxi Fighter - Lost Mine of Phandelver (Retired)
Cinis followed his companions to deliver the supplies but made a note of the orchard. It was good to know of anyone they might be able to count on if they needed help rescuing the dwarf.
Pit of Vipers: Watl Wiggins - Halfling Rogue(10)
League of Improbable Adventurers: Alan Quatermain - Human Fighter(3)
Barthen's Provisions is a short jaunt north of the Stonehill Inn once you grab the wagon from behind the inn and direct it toward the trading post. The town is more alive at this hour, and as you pass the town green you see children playing and townsfolk passing by to tend to chores or run errands at shops. There is a small amount of staring at the unusual grouping of people, but all return to their business as you go by. You pass by a small shrine on the way, which is being tended to by a scholarly female elf acolyte.
Barthen's is the largest trading post in Phandalin. The shelves are stocked with most ordinary goods and supplies, including bedpacks, bedrolls, rope, and rations. Behind the desk as you enter is a human man, lean and balding, in his fifties. He has a kind look about him. When he sees you enter, he jumps back with a start, but quickly gathers himself as he mutters "No red..."
"Welcome to my trading post, travelers. I am Elmar Barthen. What brings you here today?"
When Nemean asks about his items, he nods and responds, "I'll have Thistle grab those for you."
OOC: Nemean's character sheet has been updated.
See my profile for all my PbP threads!
Argos approaches the desk and addresses the old man, "Greetings, me and my troop here were hired by a dwarf named Gundren Rockseeker to bring a wagonload of supplies to this trading post. We got the wagon out front, but I'm not sure if you've heard yet, Gundren has been captured. We're going to work on finding him, but we'll need our payment to purchase supplies. The best we know of his whereabouts is that some bugbears and goblins got him."
Argos looks around for a bit, but doesn't find anything he needs to purchase right now.
A surprise, to be sure, but a welcome one.
"I...Gundr...goblin..." Barthen's face quickly registers surprise at the situation as it is explained. He frowns, sighs, and rubs his temples as he replies, "This saddens me greatly, but to hear that there is a chance he is not lost gives me hope. Gundren is a good friend of mine...I was excited when he told me he discovered the lost mine of the Phandelver's Pact in the nearby hills." He turns and shouts to the back of the building, "Ander! Thistle! We've a wagon to take care of out front."
While his young clerks move to unload the wagon, he turns back to the group. "Please update me with news of Gundren's whereabouts, if you could. Two of his brothers, Nundro and Tharden, are camped somewhere outside town. Last I saw them was a tenday ago, but I expect them to return any day now to resupply. I will relay this information to them when I see them next."
He hands you each your payment for delivery of the wagon and provisions, 10 gold pieces each.
OOC: Character sheets have been updated.
Known Locations:
Stonehill Inn
Townmaster's Hall
"The Coster"
Sleeping Giant
Edermath Orchard
See my profile for all my PbP threads!
Argos continues the conversation with Barthen, "I too am acquainted with Gundren... well, my father was at least. He met with my father a couple times when I was a child, but I never really got the chance to know him." As Barthen mentions the lost mine, Argos gets a puzzled look on his face, "What is this 'lost mine' you speak of? Gundren never told us anything about that."
So this is what Gundren has been so excited about. I wonder if he planned on telling me about this. This discovery could change Phandalin for the better.
A surprise, to be sure, but a welcome one.
Phandelver's Pact? Finding Gundren's brothers is probably a safe bet. I still want to make it over to the Edermath Orchard, though. Having an experienced adventurer with us would be pretty handy if we get into anymore trouble like we did in those caves.
Pit of Vipers: Watl Wiggins - Halfling Rogue(10)
League of Improbable Adventurers: Alan Quatermain - Human Fighter(3)
"Ah, well consider yourself a friend of Barthen's then, good dwarf," Elmar responds, "and I always have time to tell this history of this proud little town. You see, Phandalin as it stands today was built over the ruins of a much older settlement. Hundreds of years ago, the old Phandalin was a thriving human town whose people were firmly allied with the dwarves and gnomes of the Phandelver's Pact. However, an orc horde sacked the nearby mine and laid waste to the town. Phandalin was abandoned for centuries. Everyone you see here that ain't wearin' red is a hardy settler from Neverwinter or Waterdeep, set about reclaiming the town three or four years back. Nobody's found the old mine yet, 'til Gundren claimed he had."
See my profile for all my PbP threads!
Nemean was happily inspecting and stowing his new gear when his ears perked up at the idea of such a discovery "So Gundren has found an ancient civilization? Right here under our feet? What a wondrous thing! No wonder Klarg and his goons were after him..."
"Hey! Elmar, do you know anything about this King Grol and his Cragmaw Castle? Our friend Sildar was with Gundren when he was taken and he says they're the ones that got him."
Vercinius Thrax: Lizardfolk Cleric - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
L’Ouverture Zinn: Kobold Sorcerer - Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage
Titus Vorenus: Dragonborn Paladin - Waterdeep: Dragon Heist
Nemean Goldenmane: Tabaxi Fighter - Lost Mine of Phandelver (Retired)
"No, neither of those names ring a bell, I'm afraid," he replies.
See my profile for all my PbP threads!
Argos chuckles a bit and responds to Nemean, "I doubt there's a whole civilization living in one mine, although if it were dwarves that dug it out, I don't doubt people or some sort of creatures could live in it. Anyways, this changes things quite a bit. If Gundren was captured, it could be that this King Grol wants the mine's location for himself. If an organized group of goblin-folk took control of such a vital source of income, it could spell trouble for the region, not even to mention the potential for a greater foe to take the mine for themselves and put its resources to use."
This issue just keeps on getting bigger. If it gets much more beyond this, I'm not sure we'll be able to handle it alone. We just gotta keep trudging along and do what's right, Chauntea will guide us through the rest.
Once everyone is finished up in the trade post, Argos nudges everyone to head towards the townmaster's hall, seemingly anxious to get started.
A surprise, to be sure, but a welcome one.
Nemean nods in agreement "Yes, let us go to the town master's hall to see Sildar... I wonder if he's knew about the mine this whole time? Anyway, he may also know something about either Harbin or Edermath that could help, we'll have to ask him when we see him."
Vercinius Thrax: Lizardfolk Cleric - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
L’Ouverture Zinn: Kobold Sorcerer - Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage
Titus Vorenus: Dragonborn Paladin - Waterdeep: Dragon Heist
Nemean Goldenmane: Tabaxi Fighter - Lost Mine of Phandelver (Retired)
OOC: Sorry for the delay, just need a chance to sit and type this next one out, lot of information incoming. Are Cinis and Tarok also heading to the Townmaster's Hall? Haven't heard from either of you.
See my profile for all my PbP threads!
(OOC: Yep, I am. Cinis is still a bit quiet and contemplative after his recent inner turmoil.)
Pit of Vipers: Watl Wiggins - Halfling Rogue(10)
League of Improbable Adventurers: Alan Quatermain - Human Fighter(3)
Elmar bids you farewell as you leave his shop and head South along the town's main road, passing by the Stonehill Inn and the Town Green. The elf woman tending the nearby shrine is still there, and her robes appear dusty and worn, as if she has been traveling in them recently.
The townmaster's hall has sturdy stone walls, a pitched wooden roof, and a bell tower at the back. Posted on a board next to the front door is a notice written in Common. It reads:
The notice bears the town's seal and an indecipherable signature. Muffled, angry shouts grow in volume as you approach, and when you open the door you are greeted by a verbal spat between Sildar Hallwinter and a fat, pompous old human man dressed like a banker.
"--are your townspeople, Harbin! Yours! There are more important things to spend the Lord's Alliance's time on than a problem you simply didn't have the manhood to handle!"
There is an abrupt silence once Sildar sees that you have arrived. He is once again clad in fine, polished chain mail, with a longsword sheathed at his hip. He looks every bit the fierce warrior you met in Neverwinter, although his face still shows the results of his time in the goblin cave.
"Ah, here they are. Friends, allow me to introduce Harbin Wester, Phandalin's townmaster. He serves as judge, sheriff, and record keeper in place of a functioning government, although how many of those jobs he is capable of doing seems up for debate," he glowers at the fat man, who looks at the floor shamefully and babbles, "Now Sildar, they're just a mercenary guild, and not all that much trouble--"
"A man lies dead and his family missing, Harbin, I will brook no more of your idiocy!" Sildar furiously cuts him off, then takes a breath to compose himself, and addresses you once more.
"There is a lot to cover here...some things you already know, but you must know the whole situation. First and foremost, Gundren and his brothers recently located an entrance to the long-lost Wave Echo Cave, the site of the mines of the Phandelver's Pact. The Pact was a powerful agreement between gnomes, dwarves, and human spellcasters; they channeled and bound their energy into a great forge, where magic items could be crafted. Phandalin was quite the prosperous town because of that forge, before the orcs laid waste to it.
The important part is, Gundren found a map showing the location of the cave's entrance. Unfortunately for everyone, he's not the only one that wanted it. Klarg waylaid Gundren on someone else's orders. I heard from the goblins that "The Black Spider" wanted the dwarf brought to him...I don't know who or what that is. Klarg sent Gundren and the map to Cragmaw Castle. We don't know where that might be, but someone in Phandalin surely must know.
That brings me to why I'm here. My contact in Phandalin is a human wizard named Iarno Albrek. He is a member of the Lord's Alliance that traveled here some time ago to establish order, but we have received no word from him. I came to investigate his disappearance. Little did I know there is a group of blasted bandits in town now that Harbin is too weak to handle.
So, I ask for your assistance. We don't have the time to wait for more resources from the Lord's Alliance on this, and you're all quite capable. Certainly capable enough to storm an entire goblin hideout and chase its bugbear leader away, all while rescuing yours truly. I've convinced Harbin here to open the town's coffers as a reward."
"Sildar, no, I'd have to dip into my own personal funds, you know that's a stretch, I--" Harbin bumbles until he sees the rage in Sildar's face directed at him, "Yes, I...I suppose if we can offer a bounty for the orcs, we can offer this reward..."
"As I said, I've convinced Harbin here to open the town's coffers as a reward. Help me find Cragmaw Castle, find Gundren, and chase these Redbrands out of town, and the reward is yours. Nemean can vouch for me if need be, but for the time being...", he reaches for a pouch on the townmaster's desk and hands you each 12 gold pieces from it (14 for Nemean), "...consider this my thanks for getting me out of that situation. You all deserve it."
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