Cinis looked at the others with him.

"I think we can manage that. Any chance of convincing others in town to come with us? We're not familiar with the area and I wouldn't ever turn down an extra hand if we're expecting a fight," Cinis said to Sildar.

Argos speaks up. "We need to free this town from Redbrand tyranny. I'm willing to take them on, what about the rest of you?" Argos turns to the rest of the party with a questioning glance. Argos then turns to Sildar and asks, "Where might these Redbrands be hiding? We heard they are regulars are the Sleeping Giant, but they have to be based somewhere else."

Nemean is beaming with excitement at the thought of a grand adventure and an opportunity to be the heroes that save the town. 

“These Redbrands are no match for the likes of us! Maybe one of them can tell us about cragmaw Castle?”

"The problem seems to be this wizard that leads them...Glasstaff," Sildar answers, "I don't suspect we'll find any in town willing or capable of fighting magic. As for their location, I also only know that they frequent this tavern on the east side of town. Perhaps someone in town or at the Inn could tell us more."

Sildar nods in response to Nemean, "I have thought the same, my friend. I've asked around, and their arrival in town coincides with rumors of goblin attacks along the Triboar Trail. That may not be a coincidence."

"Let's check out the tavern, then. No sense waiting around if we aren't going to get any help." Cinis said, pointing a glare at the seemingly inept mayor.

"Very well, let's go pay a visit to the Sleeping Giant and see what we can find out."

Argos seems to actively ignore the incompetent townmaster. He then prepares to head down to the Sleeping Giant when everyone is ready.

“There may be someone in this town who can help, Trilena mentioned an adventurer by the name of Edermath. Maybe he can stand with us against Glassstaff and his thugs?”

"I will leave it to you, then. Do we head to the Sleeping Giant first, or to see this Edermath?" Sildar says. He strides across the room and picks up a heavy crossbow set in the corner, strapping it to his back.

Known Locations:
Stonehill Inn
Barthen's Provisions
"The Coster"
Sleeping Giant
Edermath Orchard
Shrine

OOC: No posts from Tarok in 4 days. I've reached out via PM, in the meantime we'll press on with three, so that we aren't held up on advancing.

"I vote that we speak with Eldermath first. He could be a strong ally if he will join us against the Redbrands, especially since this poor town is lacking in decent and honorable lawmen." 
he says as he looks blankly at Harbin."Besides, he may know something of this Cragmaw Castle if he's an adventuring sort."

OOC: lol, talking shit on Harbin needs to keep being a thing

Cinis nodded his agreement and headed toward the door, expecting the others to follow. 

"Eh, I suppose we can talk with this Edermath fellow, but Trilena also mentioned that he was retired, right? He may not be willing to help us in the fight, although he still may be useful..." Argos then glances over at Harbin. "...unlike the townmaster."

Argos glances over his inventory to make sure everything is where it needs to be, and prepares to head off to the orchard.

OOC: It appears we are down to three players for now, but I'm having fun. We are the remaining righteous three (edit: the Righteous Three should totally be our party's name, that is if Tarok doesn't come back, then we call it the Righteous Four)

(OOC: if we lose him, I've got a buddy new to dnd who might like to take his place. Perhaps)

"To Edermath's, and then the Righteous Three ensure this town is around for Harbin's coming of age ceremony," Sildar says, getting in on the jabs at Harbin. 

The fat townmaster looks as if he is going to speak to defend himself, then bows his head in shame.

You pass by the Stonehill Inn, the shrine, and Barthen's on your way to Edermath's Orchard at the northeast end of town. As the sun crests the top of the sky and begins its slow descent, you approach a tidy little cottage beside an apple orchard. A knock on the door receives no answer, but in the orchard you see a fit silver-haired half elf, well over a hundred years old, picking apples. At the sight of the group, he sets down his basket and approaches.

"I'd heard there were adventurers in town, and you certainly look the sort. Welcome to my orchard, I am Daran Edermath," he says.

"Good to meet you, Daran." Cinis said, introducing himself and his companions as well. "There are a few things around here that need doing. Our first priority is to find a dwarf who was hidden away in a place called Cragmaw Castle, though we don't know where that is. In the meantime, we're going to be ridding the area of the Redbrands. We were wondering if we could count on you to help us, as you were once an adventurer." 

"The Redbrands are a menace. It does my heart good to know that somebody is taking a stand against Glasstaff. It is true, I once served as a marshal and herald for many years as a fighter, in the lands of the Dragon Coast far to the southeast. Unfortunately I traded my bow for a basket many years ago, when I returned here to my home in the Neverwinter region. I'm afraid at my age I would do more harm in combat than good; but I will gladly assist you in some other way. Anything to rid this town of those fiends."

These old eyes have not been passive though - the thugs frequent the Sleeping Giant tap house, but their main base of operations lies under Tresendar Manor, the ruined building at the east end of town. I've seen them coming and going from there many times."

OOC: Didn't see Barty's post until after I replied, so I deleted that one.

Nemean smiled at the old elf "Any help you can provide is appreciated. Do you know how many of these Redbrands there are? Do you think we could we rally the townspeople to stand with us, or are we better off handling them ourselves?"

"Perhaps a dozen, but maybe more. I would advise against using townspeople in the fight. Most of them are miners, not fighters, and while a mob may bring them to justice, I am not comfortable with the casualties that would surely cause...especially with Glasstaff. He's used his magic to threaten many in the town, and there's a real fear about him."

"Perhaps there is a way to get the jump on this Glasstaff?" Mused Nemean, "We Righteous Three cannot take on this Dirty Dozen all at once... but if we could corner Glasstaff without his goons" He smiles and recites an old adage in Sylvan, "It means, 'If you cut off the head, the body will follow.'"

"The common folk should not be forced into a fight, especially against a magic user. I think we should still take a look at the Sleeping Giant and see what we can gather about the Redbrands from their own mouths, but now that we know they're based in the old manor, we now at least have a direction to work towards." Argos then turns to Edermath, "Thank you for your assistance, and may Chauntea bless your orchard."

Argos gives thanks to Edermath for his help and pays for an apple from the orchard. Argos munches on the apple and waits for everyone to get ready to head to the Sleeping Giant.

"Oh please, no payment is necessary for an apple or two. It is good work you four are doing for this town."

Sildar grabs an apple and chews, mulling over the recent discussion. As you are preparing to leave, Edermath snaps his fingers, and says "Oh, that reminds me, if you're going to be in the area and you find yourself in the hills northeast of town...I've heard stories from prospectors that someone is digging around in the ruins of Old Owl Well. More disturbingly, several have reported being chased from the area by undead. I would greatly appreciate if you could find out who they are and what they're up to. The ruins are an old watchtower of an ancient magical empire called Netheril. It's possible dangerous magic lies dormant there that may cause a problem in Phandalin greater than even the Redbrands."

OOC: Are Cinis and Nemean ready to head to the Sleeping Giant?