Barty's "Lost Mine of Phandelver"

Argos waves to the crowed as he drags the Redbrands into the town hall. When Harbin begins his bickering, Argos turns to him and speaks harshly, "We're pretty sure it's all of them. We searched their entire base, either slaughtering them or taking them prisoner. If some of them should emerge in town, and you lack the courage to stand up for this town, you can call on us. We'll do what you can't." Argos finishes with a slew of insults towards the incompetent governor, then shakes Sildar's hand, "You've gained my respect, and I hope I have gained yours. You fight well. We will surely continue the search for Gundren, hopefully it isn't too late. Also, thanks for the gold, I will put it to good use against our mutual dwarf friend's captors."

Preparing for the journey ahead, Argos visits Barthen's Provisions to purchase some supplies. He buys a set of Clothes, Traveler's (2 gp) with a green cape. He wears the clothes beneath his armor, with the cape worn on his back. He donates his common clothes either to Barthen's or to another who might need them (for whatever they're worth now).

Argos then visits the smithy to get his weapons and armor cleaned and maintained. He also sells the smithy his longbow and quiver of arrows (or donating them if they don't want to purchase) and purchases a Crossbow, heavy (50 gp) and a Case, Crossbow Bolt (1 gp).

After seeing Nemean purchasing some brewer's supplies, Argos rushes over to him, "You trying to make some brew? I got my own set of brewery supplies in my backpack here. Perhaps you and I could work together to make some homebrew? All dwarves specialize in brewery after all."

Argos walks over to the Stonehill Inn, paying for another night in the establishment. He also grabs a meal and probably a little bit too much ale. After sufficient celebration among the townsfolk, Argos goes back to the Redbrand base to ask Droop some questions, "Do you know anything about a place called 'Cragmaw Castle'? Also, do you know about an individual who goes by the moniker 'Black Spider'?"

I probably won't get much out of this goblin, but any bit of information helps.

OOC: If my math is correct, my purchases should add up to 53 gp total, bringing me down to 28 gp. I'm not sure how much the room, meal, and ale costs, so I'll leave that up to you.

Cinis tried to keep out of the spotlight and tried his best to make the trademark glass staff a little less conspicuous. 

"Old Owl Well. They said there were undead there. Do you think they could be connected to the undead in the hideout?" Cinis asked his companions.

OOC: All of the items desired are able to be purchased in town and have been added to your inventories. However, Nemean is over carrying capacity and will have to drop some weight before traveling. As for brewer's supplies, according to RAW, a day of downtime crafting and purchasing raw materials worth half the item's market value (up to 5 gp) is all it takes. Assuming I'm doing my math correct...

1 gallon of ale is 2 sp
1 sp worth of raw materials + 8 hours of downtime = 1 gallon of ale which is enough for 5 people
25 sp worth of raw materials + 8 hours of downtime = 25 gallons of ale which is enough for 125 people

Then, logic would dictate that spending more on materials for less ale would equal better ale.

Argos's former items were donated/stashed. I typically don't do any purchasing of used equipment since gold is everywhere in 5E and the PHB says that used weapons on enemies are rarely in condition to sell, though I do allow "stashing" in towns or safe locations if you ever have need of your former equipment.

Cinis, as a reminder, spending a short rest focusing on a magic item will reveal its properties to you (same effect as Identify), and spending a second short rest with it will attune it to you and allow you to use said properties.

Tears well in Droop's eyes when Nemean and Argos arrive with Nemean's gift. "Droop no know kindness before today. Droop help in any way Droop can, but Droop no know how long he can stay in manor. Humans in town not like goblins..." Droop ponders. He thinks for a long time when Argos questions him for information, then responds. "Hmm, bugbears work for Black Spider but Droop never meet. Maybe Black Spider in castle where bugbears from. Droop no remember how to get to Cragmaw Castle, but Droop remember it north, in woods. It been a long time for Droop, but me remember that other goblins patrol near town. Maybe you capture patrol and they can remember."

At the Stonehill Inn, Tarok and Cinis arrive to an uproar. The Inn is full of townsfolk, miners, and farmers who have heard of the heroics of the day, and naturally exaggerated them since. While Cinis remains out of the spotlight, Tarok is surrounded by the inn's patrons when Argos and Nemean arrive, as they pepper him with questions. "Is it true you slew Glasstaff with a single blow?" "Were there really skeletons that raised from the dead under Tresendar Manor?" "I heard that Elsa heard from Sildar that you fought each member of the Redbrands one-on-one until they all fell, then broke their knees for good measure!"

Sildar soon joins in the revelries, and Toblen Stonehill and his wife raise a toast. "To The Righteous Four! You are always welcome in Phandalin. Your stays at the Stonehill Inn are free, my friends!"

"Thanks for the help Droop, you have shown your quality this day. Do not fear the townsfolk, I will tell them of your role in this story. The bravery of Droop as he stood down the skeletons until we could get there to help. I will talk to my comrades about us staying at this base, both so that you are not alone and we can put this base to good use." 

Argos tries to uplift Droop's spirits, then heads towards the Stonehill Inn.

Argos relishes in the rewards of his and his comrades' good deeds, and joins in celebration at the inn. He recounts the story to any who ask for it, sprinkling in some exaggerations for dramatic effect. As the celebration continues, Argos sits with his comrades and talks to them, "Nemean and I met with Droop. The goblin seems well enough in character to somewhat trust. He told us that, although he doesn't remember the exact location to Cragmaw Castle, he knows it's up north in the woods. He also mentioned goblin patrols around the town's area that might be able to tell us of the castle's location. Although this is of secondary importance, I also think we should start using the Redbrand's base as our own. It seems a suitable location to stay, and I also enjoy the irony of us using it for good deeds instead of the savagery that the Redbrands used it for. What say you all?"

"Here you are my little friend, now you can entertain us without debasing yourself!" Nemean smiles as he presents the flute to Droop "Let me show you an old Tabaxi tune from when I was young." He takes out and plays a short verse while singing the tune to himself "I'm so happy, because to-day..." He gives Droop the best instruction he can and then hands the flute to him. "I expect you to learn many more songs!" he patted the goblin on his head.

His eyes pop with excitement when he learns that Argos is also a brewmaster. "Argos! I cannot believe we never talked about brewing on the roads we've traveled!" Back in Maxtica I made some of the best ale in my village, we Tabaxi make a strong Golden Ale that I want to share with our friends!" Nemean will invest 50sp to make 25 gallons of higher quality ale. 

Nemean proudly struts into Stonehill Tavern, his mane resplendent and his fashionable new clothes dazzling, he relishes in the attention of the crowd, retelling the stories of their heroics. "Thank you Toblen, my friend! We Righteous Four will always fight for the common people!" He eats and drinks and enjoys the company of his comrades and the townspeople. After enjoying the spotlight he plops over at a table with the rest of his comrades. 

He hears Cinis suggest investigating Old Owl Well, and chimes in "If we go Northeast, we can explore Old Owl Well, Agatha's Lair, and Wyvern Tor. This may be the most fruitful path for us to taken given that we still don't know the exact location of Cragmaw Castle."

Hearing Argos's suggestion at taking up residence in the Redbrand's base Nemean hoots with excitement. "YES! Let's make their stinking dungeon into a den of righteousness! I can take my supplies there and brew up some ale tomorrow. Maybe we can get Droop to keep the place neat and tidy whilst we're off investigating to the Northeast?"

 OOC Edit: Also I dropped a few of the standard adventuring gear things, like the hammer & pistons, iron pot, and shovel to drop the weight down a bit. If we occupy the Redbrand fort I'll just stash em there. 

"I will see to it that the ruins of Tresendar Manor are granted to The Righteous Four," Sildar says. "Harbin's pride may be wounded by you doing what he could not, but the townsfolk love you. There is no way he can refuse."

Droop is more than willing to work on tidying up the place and scrubbing away the bloodstains.

The night's revelries wind down, and you are able to get a good night's rest, on Toblen Stonehill's dime.

OOC: Characters have received the benefits of a long rest, and Tarok has finally recovered from exhaustion. 

Some additional housekeeping - there was a chest in Glasstaff's room that you opened (where Argos took the pouch of gemstones and Cinis took the spell scrolls). There were 130 gold pieces and 180 silver pieces that you had left for later. Divided evenly, that means each character gets 32 gold pieces and 45 silver pieces; these have been added to your sheets. There are also 2 gold pieces left over, so you can decide who gets them or have a roll-off to decide.

Action is on the party! If we are traveling Northeast, just let me know where you're headed first.

Nemean will spend an additional 45gp to upgrade his leather amor to Studded Leather Armor.

OOC: I’m open minded as to which stop we make first if we are heading northeast. Maybe the banshee since we could get some healing potions out of it?

"Northeast we go. We have much to accomplish, and perhaps we'll encounter goblins who know of Cragmaw Castle. I think we should head to Conyberry first and deal with this banshee." Argos gathers his gear and and waits for everyone else to set off towards Conyberry.

Tarok nods and does a quick check to make sure all of his gear is accounted for. 

"That direction sounds as good as any, let's be on our way. Have any of you dealt with a banshee before?" he asks in an even voice.

"No. And there's a reason for it. In the army, you steer clear of anything like that. I've heard stories of entire squads dropping dead around them. It's a bad idea." Cinis said grimly.

The morning greets you with a calm sunrise. Most of the town has left for work and chores already or stayed at home with a hangover, leaving you with a peaceful quiet to begin the next step in your journey.

OOC: From what Garaele told you, the town of Conyberry is around 60 miles away, which should be a journey of two and a half days. Let's establish a marching order for travel!

Argos will take the lead, foraging for food along the way.

Cinis will reluctantly take the rear. He grumbles the whole time they're traveling, complaining about certain death at the hands of the undead and how the others are all fools.

Nemean marches along next to Cinis in the back. He has packed away his fine new clothes for his more formidable studded leather armor. He did however continued to wear the sash, and he had managed to fashion a piece of the brilliant purple garment into a matching bandanna he now wore. 

"Never heard of a Banshee before, but I don't see why it matters, we don't want to fight her we want to charm her! Garaele said we should appeal to her vanity, and present her with this trinket and tell her she's beautiful." Nemean holds out the silver bejeweled comb that they had received.

OOC: Do we know if any of the other destinations in the northeast are significantly closer than 60 miles? If Old Owl Well or Wyvern Tor is on the way, maybe we do one first?

OOC: Here is what the map of the area looks like, Conyberry is probably the easiest to hit up first. Sorry about the delays from me, I've been extremely busy. I'll advance us shortly, and I should be back to my regular posting schedule very soon.

OOC: Assuming Tarok is occupying a middle rank. He let me know he's a little busy.

DM Screen:

Argos Survival: 8

The day's travel northeast along the Triboar Trail is quite peaceful compared to your hectic journey from Neverwinter to Phandalin. Unfortunately, while the travel is light and easy, Argos is unable to find sufficient food and water for the day, forcing you to dig into your rations. As the sun sets, you pitch camp along the side of the trail. You should be in Conyberry by the end of the day tomorrow.

OOC: 1 day of rations has been removed from each character's inventory. If you are setting a watch for the night, please let me know the order.

"I'll take first watch. We'll do two-hour shifts." Argos begins his watch into the night.

Tarok nods to Argos. He points to himself and and holds up two fingers to indicate that he will take the second shift.

OOC: sorry, I am overseas on my honeymoon. I don’t have the full text editor on my phone.

Nemean offers to take the third shift and then curls himself up and settles in to get some sleep.

OOC: Congratulations and enjoy your honeymoon!

OOC: Yes, happy honeymooning! I'll assume Cinis will take last watch then.

DM Screen:

The night flows peacefully until disrupted in the very early hours of the morning. During Cinis's watch, his only warning is the sudden sound of around a dozen small wings flapping in the air above him.