Barty's "Lost Mine of Phandelver"

“And a good day to you sir!” Bellows Nemean when he sees Droop hard at work cleaning the manor. He greets their friend and asks if there has been any news since last week.

Droop leaps out of his proverbial boots at the unexpected noise, nearly fainting in his panic. 

"Sirs!" The goblin shouts when he sees the familiar faces. "Droop thought you were bugbears come to revenge upon Droop! Droop has not seen anybody since last week because they probably not be friendly to goblin living beneath manor. But I have been cleaning! And practicing my new not licking the floor routine! Wait here, Droop will be back."

With a skip in his step, the goblin runs across the hall to Glasstaff's former workshop and quickly returns with his gifted flute. He begins to play a tune. With every couple of blows comes a note of sorts, and if you try hard enough, it sounds vaguely like the tabaxi tune that Nemean had played for him.

Nemean smiled as he clapped his hands and sang along to the tune. When Droop had finished he applauded and congratulated the goblin. "Well done Droop! Keep practicing and soon you'll be an expert!"

"Well, it looks like you have a good handle on the place, keep up the good work, there's still a lot more to clean. Anyway, we just wanted to check in and see if there was any news before heading over to the tavern for a bite to eat, we'll bring you something back."

OOC: Unless anyone wants to do anything else back at our manor/fort I say we should go to the tavern. I imagine that's where we're most likely to run into Laserwhit!

"You saved Droop's life, so Droop will clean until you are happy!" You leave Droop to his devices, and head back west into town.

"The Righteous Four!" Toblen Stonehill mans the bar at the Stonehill Inn's common room when you enter, shouting a friendly greeting. The tavern is crowded with locals who cheer your arrival, and some even clear out of a table in the back corner to give you some privacy.

Argos, who has grown quiet in your recent travels, speaks up for the first time in days. "Companions, something has been troubling me. When we spoke with Elmar Barthen he mentioned that Gundren's brothers, my cousins, were camped outside of town and expected back soon. It has been nearly a week since then, but they have not been seen in town since. It pains me to say this, but I believe that I need to leave for the time being. I must find them...if our enemy had the ability to waylay Gundren, then he may have done the same to Tharden and Nundro. I beg of you, find Cragmaw Castle, and rescue Gundren. Hopefully I will be able to meet you here with all of my cousins afterward. 

Have you noticed the wood elf over there? I saw him clutching a holy symbol when we walked in. He's got the look of a cleric to me. Perhaps he could take my place in The Righteous Four -- sorry, Cinis, I know you don't like the name -- until I return with my cousins."

OOC: Fayten is in!

"I understand Argos, family must come first. And worry not, we will find the Castle and free your kinsman. I'm sure we will meet again soon." he says to the Dwarf. He glances over at the elf and tries to spot the holy symbol that Argos was referring to, hoping to meet someone with a similar faith to his own.

He excuses himself and walks over to the elf and takes in their bearing before introducing himself. "Well met traveler. I am Tarok, an adventurer from Neverwinter. I don't suppose I could buy you a drink? or else interest you in joining us on a quest to rid the land of evil?" Tarok blurts out abruptly, apparently very nervous around either elves, women, or both.

Investigation: 10

Fayten is contemplating the meaning of life and what the gods need him to do.  He notices the Half-Orc approaching and is startled by the quick and blunt invitation to join in their quest against evil.  "I will kindly accept a drink from you."  He motions to a chair at the table for the half-orc.  "What kind of evil are we fighting.  I don't mind helping where help is needed but I am in need of a little money.  Don't get me wrong, money is not my only nor my highest motivation but it can be important from time to time if you catch my drift.  Tell me more about what you are hoping to get from me and what I can do for you, assuming I choose to join you?  And you did say 'us', who else are you speaking for?"  Fayten accepts the drink graciously and considers that this might be the direction fate is choosing as he hopes to understand where the gods are taking him and why.

Tarok motions the Innkeeper over and orders himself and the elf a tankard of ale each, before taking the seat that was offered.

"Well, so far we have been fighting goblins and bandits, yet there is also a small undead problem near here. There should be reasonable treasure, as gold has been coming our way at a steady rate. We were hoping you might fight alongside us against tyrants, thugs, and outright monsters." he says, in a deep, booming voice.

Tarok turns around in his chair and points over at Nemean and Cinis. "Of course, by "us", I mean myself, the Tabaxi over there named Nemean, and the Tiefling called Cinis. The three of us were hired by a dwarf named Gundren to deliver some goods to this town. When we got here we found it overrun with bandits, and Gundren was kidnapped along the way. We've been charged by a member of the Lord's Alliance, Sildar, with the task of rescuing him and bringing the culprits to justice. We'd be happy to have a godly man like yourself along." he says.

"Does that sound like something that might interest you?" he asks, taking a draught from his own tankard, and wiping his mouth with the back of his thick, grayish hand.

Fayten stares forward for a long while before answering.  He takes a sip of the ale and continues to consider. 

After a while he says,  "So the man how hired you was kidnapped?  That is a terrible misfortune and should be dealt with.  But you also seem bent on righteous indignation against the goblins, bandits, tyrants and thugs in general ... I like that.  I could get behind a good cause and from what I have seen of the world so far ..."  Fayten remembers how his father was killed in a border dispute that has changed his life forever and sent him on this wandering quest to discover meaning in life " ... well it hasn't satisfied me at all.  There is a lot of pain and trouble in the world and you offer an opportunity to help in some small way ... I'm in!" 

His eyes light up and he raises his glass towards Tarok and then drinks deep.  With a sigh he continues to think but with a smile on his face this time.  "So tell me, where do we begin?  What do we know of your employer?  Gundren you say?"

"Great to have you aboard!" Tarok says with a cheery grin, taking another gulp of ale before turning to the more sombre matter of his employer. "Aye, Gundren. A good Dwarf we met in Neverwinter. He and his brothers have some business in this town, which seems to be interrupted by their being kidnapped by bandits. It seems someone is behind it all, but we're still trying to unravel the plot to find out why, and to find our friend." he continues.

"We assaulted the local bandits' base already, and brought their leader, Glasstaff, to justice. But it seems he was acting on the orders of someone or something called 'The Black Spider'. We aren't sure who or what that is, but we're going to find out. We think their base of operations is Cragmaw Castle, which we've heard mention of a few times, but we don't know where it is. We believe if we can find it, we can find Gundren and make sense of this whole thing."

"The people in the town are very grateful for what we've done so far, even started calling us 'The Righteous Four' and giving us ownership of the Tresendar Manor we 'liberated' from the bandits. But I have a feeling they won't be safe unless we see this through till the end, and put 'The Black Spider' in the stockades, or a grave if it comes to it." he finishes, draining the last of his ale and ordering another.

"You have been blessed to this point.  I am honored to be a part of such a successful cadre of liberators.  I look forward to meeting the full group and of working with you."  Fayten finishes his ale and leans his chin forward in his hand contemplating this new adventure in his life.  Could he really be lucky enough to dedicate this part of his life to a worthy cause.  Time will tell.

OOC: I have a busy day tomorrow and will get in a post or two as time permits :-)

Nemean looks somberly at Argos. “Farewell my friend, be safe on your journey.” He clasps his hand and says a few words in his native Tabaxi tounge “May we meet again one day.”He sulks for a few moments after Argos has left, before joining the others.

Nemean will grab four drinks from the bartender and sits down at the table sliding one over to each of them. “Well met!” He says as he raises his glass. My name is Nemean Goldenmane. I was born across the sea, but my sleepy little village was not enough for a mighty hero like me! When I came of age I boarded a ship to see the great cities of the sword coast. I’ve been here ever since.” He takes a deep drink from his mug, “How did you come to find yourself in Phandalin?”

OOC: Welcome!

OOC: Waiting for Fayten's response and then I can advance us.

OOC: Sorry, didn't realize, I'll be more responsive in the future :-)

Fayten answers Nemean. "It is very nice to meet you Nemean.  I am on a personal journey to understand what the God's have in store for me.  Life has not been kind to me lately.  Our elf clan has been involved in a border dispute with dwarves and my father was killed.  He was my mentor and my hero and I am now working my way out into the world to understand better what I can accomplish.  I am not happy with fate and need to find a path that satisfies me.  Your mission here gives me hope that there is a reason for my journeys and a cause I can stand behind.  I will do all I can to help to find those who have been wronged and eliminate the scourge that is upon the country at this time." 

"Excellent! I've been trying to find my way in the world myself. So far it seems to involve a lot of rather mean people, and me swinging a sword at them! Shall we pay a visit to the The Old Owl Well? If memory serves, we've been tasked with investigating disturbances there, and the Wyvern Tor. Perhaps we can find clues to the location of Cragmaw Castle at one of those places." Tarok says to the group at large.

==FAYTEN==ELF CLERIC==

"I can't wait to get started.  Let's make tracks. " Fayten raises his drink and downs the last of is ale. "So The Old Owl Well first?" he says as he sets his glass down.

Cinis just nods at the group, remaining silent throughout the exchange with the newcomer and Argos leaving. 

He was a bit preoccupied with his own internal conflicts to care too much about the external ones. Not to mention the staff he held. 

'A man of faith... I've never been one to pray. Trust in luck, skill, training, and the men around you to get through the thick of battles. I wonder what such a man will say about me... making promises and sacrifices any sane man would have run from in a heartbeat. I don't think I'm going crazy. I'm going sane in a crazy world. Oh well. I hope this newcomer will at least keep us alive.' Cinis thought as he remained silent at the rear of the group. 

(Mobile. Can't format how I would like. Sorry.)

DM Screen:

OOC: To Old Owl Well we go! As a reminder, and to fully bring Fayten up to speed, here is a summary of where we are at.

Old Owl Well - Daran Edermath, the retired adventurer in town, asked you to find out who is lurking near the ruins of Old Owl Well to the northeast. Prospectors in the foothills have reported sightings of undead in the area.

Wyvern Tor - Townmaster Harbin Wester has offered a bounty of 100 gold pieces for chasing orcs away from an encampment near Wyvern Tor to the northeast.

Thundertree - Mirna Dendrar told you that you were welcome to a valuable family heirloom in her family's shop in the ruins of Thundertree to the northwest as thanks for rescuing her and her family from being sold into slavery by the Redbrands.

Cragmaw Castle - Sildar has offered you 500 gold pieces to find Cragmaw Castle, search for Gundren Rockseeker (your original employer), rescue him, and retrieve his map to Wave Echo Cave, the lost mine of the Phandelver's Pact that once contained a magical forge. You do not yet know where Cragmaw Castle is, but learned that someone or something called "The Black Spider" had been corresponding with Glasstaff, the leader of the Redbrands. Sildar has also suggested that Qelline Alderleaf may be of some help.

Your popularity in town has not waned, and your appearance at the Stonehill Inn brings locals to pack the tavern who are quite interested in hearing the updates of your travels. Toblen Stonehill is more than willing to reward the increase in business with free room and board for the night.

After a day of overcast travel along the Triboar Trail, the sky clears for the second day, which brings you off of the trail and into the foothills specified by Daran Edermath. As you crest a low ridge, you spy the crumbling ruins of an old watchtower standing amid the rugged hills. The place is so old that the walls are only mounds of rubble enclosing a courtyard of sorts, adjacent to the broken stump of an old tower. A colorful tent has been set up in the middle of the courtyard, but no one is in sight. A deathly odor wafts from the direction of the tower.

As they made their way to Old Owl Well, Nemean was uncharacteristically silent, poorly trying to conceal his excitement about... something.

After a bit of travel he suddenly began teasing his companions, "So, do you want to know a secret!?" He bursts out, and then continues before giving anyone the chance the respond. "That elven priestess we met, sister Garaele... she has asked the distinguished NEMEAN GOLDENMANE to join the prestigious company of the HARPERS!" He grinned as he looked at his companions, excitedly awaiting their reactions.

He proceeded to bore his companions the rest of the trip babbling on and on and on about the Harpers and how excited he was to join a group he obviously knew nothing about... Until they came across the Tower. As they approached, he became uneasy at the rancid smell and his fur began to stand up on end. He unsheathes his scimitars and takes a position at the front of the party. He silently signals with his hand for the party to stop so he can scout the eerily out of place tent.

Stealth 13

OOC: I feel like as an adventuring party, we likely would have been able to work out some basic stealthy hand signals by now, yes? At least for stop, and be quiet?

==FAYTEN=ELF=LIFE CLERIC==

The Cat's infectious chatter became a bit of a distraction.  Especially when he continued to speak of the Harper's a group that he hoped someday to get to know but of whom he was sure the tabaxi knew very little.  His elven heritage made it bad taste to speak openly of such things but Fayten felt forgiving and understood the excitement such a distinction offered.

He almost lost himself in this energetic company until they saw the ruins.  Everyone became quiet, surprisely Nemean especially.  When Nemean signals that he wants to use his stealth to investigate, Fayten offers his blessing of guidance in preparation.  (OOC: if it isn't to late: guidance: 4)