Roland STR (Advantage-Help): 18

With Finna's help, Roland bursts through the door to the cottage with his gauntlet-lent strength. A layer of dust kicked up by the entry slowly falls, itching the eyes and nose as the view of the small building settles. The cottage contains dusty furniture draped in layers of webbing, and a wooden floor that has remained surprisingly intact throughout the years.

There are two doors within the cottage, one opposite the entrance and another to the side, which the party soon hears Nemean struggling to open from the other side. It seems this door too has swollen into its frame.

OOC: Ready to advance once the next action has been taken.

Nemean will press upon the door once he hears the party on the other side, trying his best to force his way through. 

Str: 10

Does Nemean see anything interesting in the area he dropped down into?

OOC: He sure does!

* BANG *

The door cracks open under Nemean's weight, revealing the remains of the crumbling tower. A single room with a 40-foot-high ceiling, the now opened rooftop was once supported by heavy wooden beams and stair supports that now mostly cover the ground as debris. A 5-foot-wide staircase circles the interior, rising to the open roof.

Amid the rubble is an old wooden chest, broken open to display its contents. Bits of occasional trinkets peek through the assorted coinage that fills the chest.

Finna looked at the pathetic "treasure" with mix of sadness and disgust: "No wonder he left it behind - it is nothing to care about. So young and so stupid! Killing people and getting itself into trouble for such pitiful reward..." She shook her head. "We better collect that trash and give it to dwarves - they my need every copper to restore the mines."

She would help to pack the coins and then lead all back to Reidoth, so they could go back to druids together. 

Nemean was far more excited by the treasure and gleefully examined them coins age and other valuables in the chest, doing his best to keep a mental tally of its value.

any weapons or gear strewn about the room?

"Surely that's not it?" the exasperated Nix says.
He then starts walking around the area looking for any other treasure stashes or hidden things.

Nemean counts 800 silver pieces and 150 gold pieces that fill the chest amidst four silver goblets set with moonstones and two spell scrolls, neither of which can be read by any among you.

Beneath the coins is a rusty old battleaxe of dwarven manufacture, which Nix recognizes, being able to read the Dwarvish runes on the head of the axe that read "Hew". The rust is misleading, because the craftsmanship of the axe is readily apparent. It still holds a nasty edge, and is clearly magical.

The chest appears to contain the entirety of the young dragon's hoard. You find nothing else among the rubble.

OOC: Ready to advance once the next action is taken. Sounds like Finna is ready to return to Reidoth, once Nemean and Nix are ready.

Nix reaches down and picks up the ax. Holding it in one hand he uses the front of his tunic to clean the axe for a moment, then realizes what's doing. Nix then casts Prestidigitation on the ax to clean it. After reading the inscription he looks to the others, "Looks like a magic ax named Hew. I'm too weak to use an ax myself, could any of you put it to good use?"

Finna shook her head: "No, but dwarves will be happy to get it back, I think."

Nemean left after they had searched the small building and reclaimed the dragon's treasure. As he walked outside he was struck again by the grisly sight of his companion Argos and solemnly went about the work of preparing his remains with a heavy heart. 

He sat quietly, for a moment and then proceeds to return down the path in the direction from whence they came, looking to consult with Reidoth about what, if anything, could be done about the terrible beast Venomfang now. 

You find the door to Reidoth's temporary home open when you return. The druid is resting next to a large root that has grown through the floor of the abandoned home. His eyes open and gaze knowingly at you as you enter.

"You return in one piece. I feared...but did not need to," he offers. "What happened?"

"We failed," Finna was always honest with herself and others. "The beast is gone, but not dead. He is his treasure - I doubt he will return here anytime soon. But if not stopped, one day he might want to settle the score. He has to found again and dealt with."

"Would you go with me now to the circle?"

"If the dragon is gone, then you did not fail," Reidoth states. "Let us remain for a time. I would like to be certain that the men I have seen to the east mean no harm. Then we shall return with the knowledge we have gained."

Reidoth looks to the others, offering a grateful nod. "Thank you," the man of few words says.

OOC: We're getting close to wrapping up. Are we all done in Thundertree?

OOC: I guess so, and "let us remain" was an order to Finna to stay here, right?

OOC: "Here" generally, as in around Phandalin, as Reidoth wants to be around long enough to keep an eye on the men he's seen "skulking" around town.

Basically at this point just seeing if there's anything else the party would like to do in Thundertree before concluding the campaign.

Nemean greets Reidoth and gives him the news, though he is encouraged a little by the druids words, he remains on edge while the rest, anxious that he will see the beast over the horizon once again. He sits quietly and contemplates his journey, and after some time determines to make his way back to Phandalin. 

Gundren Rockseeker and Sildar Hallwinter have been rescued, the Cragmaw tribe has been decimated, Wave Echo Cave has been cleared of the influence of evil, the Black Spider has been captured and handed over to the Lords' Alliance, and the menace that could have been Venomfang has been turned away from the region.

Phandalin, for the moment, is safe from those that would see it harmed. The citizens of this growing frontier will forever remember its heroes:

Bob, the quiet and mysterious human rogue that took his leave once Gundren's supplies had been delivered safely to Phandalin.

Cinis Girasol, the old and contemplative tiefling sorcerer, whose experience on the battlefield helped solidify the group's presence in the region.

Tarok Hightower, the skilled half-orc fighter, whose bravery and tactical prowess could not withstand the brute strength of King Grol.

Argos Stonebough, the hill dwarf ranger, cousin to the Rockseekers and watcher of the Triboar Trail, and the unfortunate victim of Venomfang's rage.

Fayten Eversoul, the first addition to the Phandalin Four. The elf cleric also met his end under captivity of King Grol.

Tovar, the wandering tiefling warlock who arrived to assist the Phandalin Four in eliminating the orcs at Wyvern Tor before also succumbing to King Grol's morningstar.

Nimble, a feisty half-elf paladin with additional powers of a warlock, who arrived with Argos and Sildar to defeat King Grol, and met his end during the first foray into Wave Echo Cave when he was overtaken by the ochre jelly that threatened the dwarven tunnels.

Tochi, the thoughtful and meditative aarakocra monk, who also arrived with Argos and Sildar at Cragmaw Castle, who helped secure Wave Echo Cave before parting ways.

Thulgrim Ironhand, the dwarf barbarian of the Rockseeker clan, who helped clear the evil inhabiting the mine of his heritage, before leaving to report the good news.

Roland Drask, the human rogue who joined after defeating King Grol, a silent, talented, and deadly assassin.

Nix, the changeling bard and lone survivor of the Lords' Alliance members sent to Phandalin to retrieve the Black Spider. He sought his revenge upon Venomfang, and found it in Thundertree, turning the dragon away with his magic.

Finna, the human druid, whose mentor sent her to seek the help of the Phandalin Four in ridding Thundertree of the dragon within. After clearing Wave Echo Cave with the group, Reidoth's faith was well-founded.

Nemean Goldenmane, the tabaxi fighter and friend to Sildar Hallwinter, survivor of it all, whose stalwart journey began with a simple escort mission, and ended as an icon of Phandalin.

The Phandalin Four, through all of its permutations, has been etched into legend.

OOC: Let's end this with an epilogue! What are your characters planning to do, now that the events of the Lost Mine of Phandelver have come to their conclusion?

Finna returns to the circle to report and to get the new assignment. Druid's life can be quite busy. ((OOC: should you decide to use her as an NPC somewhere, she is all yours))

Many thanks for the game to you, dear DM, and to everyone who made this journey possible - I love you all, guys! May the gaming stars smile upon you wherever you are going!