"Yes, we intend to do your job and rid the town of their presence so you can take political credit for it. I'd hardly call stealin' and harassin' law abidin' citizens as tolerable behavior. As we said, we'll deal with them. Care to come with us? By the way, if you have heard of the Wave Echo Cave or The Black Spider then we need information on them, or Gundren. Perhaps we can deal with your orc problem as well, in return for information?"

Townmaster's Hall

The townmaster shakes his head. "Why would I want to stick my neck out by those folk? They're going to be out for blood now. That's not good business." He coughs to clear his throat. "Perhaps if you are successful in routing these folk, we'll discuss other business. I have a town to run after all."

"One you are running poorly." Sildar interjects. "This is more than just money on the line." He sighs, then looks to the group. "There is something else I wish to discuss with you, if you have a moment." He steps closer to them to have a slightly more private conversation. "I have been asking about a friend of mine I was expecting to be here, a fellow named Iarno Albrek. It seems no one has seen him for six tendays now, and I'm hoping he hasn't ended up investigating the manor and met a bad end. Could you keep a lookout for him?"

Chad 

"How is your position even decided?!?! Doesn't sound to me like you're doing a worthy job. I may run this city over after all is said or done with the Redbrands......." Chad trails off with the thought. "Anyways, what's in this for us? I soon as just leave than deal with this issue. We need something, information and money, before we take on this issue for you, Townmaster." 

I talk with Sildar. "What's this fellow you're looking for look like? We can try, but no guarantees." 

Realgâr sees their chat with Wester is breaking down and says to the group and Sildar quietly, "I'll work on the Townsmaster. Fill me in on your chat in a bit."

He continues talking to Wester while Sildar talks to the group. Realgâr clears his throat and says to Wester, "One would think as the Townsmaster that you would stick your neck out for them because it is your duty to do so as leader of the town. Besides, as I said, wouldn't it be good for you politically to say you personally helped fight off the Redbrands? I bet your popularity would soar and you would never have to campaign again. We already have notoriety here with the public and I doubt you'd get another chance to say you led a group of heros to help the people. What say you — how about coming along now?"

Persuasion, if needed: 20

"My job," The townmaster replies. "Is to ensure this town keeps running through thick and thin. I am not a powerful mage or servant of the gods. If I commission you as effectively pest control, then will you clean up this mess you have apparently smeared even further into our town?"

The townmaster seems to be adamant none of this is his fault, and doesn't seem to have any intention of facing the Redbrands face-to-face.

Randaler stays in the back during the meeting in the Townmasters office. He nods in greeting when introduced, but otherwise remains silent  allowing the other members of the party to take the lead on the discussions and negotiations. Instead, he is looking around the office for any clues or bits of information about their many potential tasks in front of them. 

Investigation check 17

"A town is not runnin' smoothly when a group of bandits is allowed to do what they will with the populace without consequences. They tried to rob Koko here in broad daylight, *in* town, and in the presence of a large group of citizens. From what we learned, this isn't the first time they have done this. It effectively looks like *they* control the town. This problem was already in the works before we arrived and would have happened anyway if things continued as they were, even if we weren't here. Townsmaster, I know you don't feel this is your fault, but you are the leader of the town. The Redbrands bein' tolerated is the choice *you* made and this is the result. If you give criminals any leeway, they will take full advantage of it, and will take more. You could at least send a couple guards with us if you will not come. Just be glad it's us takin' care of it, and not an angry mob with pitchforks and torches outside your door. Good day."

After his long-winded speech, Realgâr knows Wester will not even admit he has some responsibility for the Redbrands, nor will even lift a finger to assist the group, but he just wanted to shake him up a bit. He is convinced Wester is bought by the Redbrands.

He goes to rejoin the group talking to Sildar...

"What did I miss?"

Randaler sees that there is a map of the local region spread on the townmaster's desk at the moment, with some paperweights placed to keep it unfurled. There are also scrawlings on a piece of parchment beside the map, though it is fairly illegible.

"If you want the guards' aid, you're out of luck." The townmaster says begrudgingly to Realgâr. "Most of them ended up banding with the Redbrands, and those we sent to check up on them had pretty bad times before coming back. That and these reports of an orc band further up the Triboar trail means my resources are run thin."

Sildar describes Iarno as a short, dark-bearded human wizard in his thirties.

Realgâr grumbles at the sheer incompetence of this man and says to Wester over his shoulder, "Yes, bandin' with them seems to be a common theme. We'll take care of it, and possibly the orc problem at some point after that, dependin' on how things go."

He turns his attention back to Sildar and the rest of the group, saying (quietly), "I see. We'll look into it when we clear out the Redbrands. I think our chat with Wester has outlived its usefulness—he is probably bought by the Redbrands. We should leave soon and possibly observe him to see if he notifies them if our intentions."

OOC: Would Realgâr have seen the map, specifically the writing on the parchment, when he approached Wester? He would be interested to know if they were more like symbols used for Rogues and their Thieves Cant (but obviously wouldn't be able to read them).

Randaler takes a good long look at the map, trying to decipher the message written on the parchment nearby. Finally speaks up to the group. "Let's get this over with, and head out to the manor to deal with the Redbrands. If we find this Larno fellow along the way, we'll add saving him to the To-Do list." He looks impatiently at the group giving a head-nod toward the door.

Koko sees Randaler motion to leave and starts to follow

Kres will follow the others out, preparing for a fight. 

The group leaves the townmaster's hall and head backs out into town. The party can see that people are watching them with a look of hope as they stride through the main square, headed through town towards the manor house atop the hill eastward of the rest of Phandalin.

Tresendar Manor

Walking up along the path, the group sees that beyond the crumbled walls is a mostly destroyed building, the top floors completely crumbled onto the ground floor. It seems pretty much inhospitable for anyone, never mind a group of ruffians. Searching around the area, there appears to be a couple of rooms that are still standing, though the furniture has since been destroyed due to water damage and other natural phenomena. There does, however, seem to be an entrance that looks towards a wine cellar that is still sturdy.

Realgâr is confused as to why they bothered to go back to the tavern in the first place earlier, but nevertheless he is glad the group is carrying on rather than letting the Redbrands reinforce overnight.

"Alright, nice and easy now. Let's not alert the whole place that we're here just yet — we should proceed with caution. Someone check for traps and unlock it, if need be. I'll rush in if they hear us."

He puts up his index finger to his mouth to indicate whomever takes this duty should be stealthy about it.

Since Realgâr is not built for stealth, nor is he knowledgeable about lock picking — he takes out his warhammer and shield,  standing at the ready to rush if something goes wrong, leaving the dexterous work to someone else.

Randaler sneaks up towards the wine cellar door...

Stealth check: 11

Chad

I stand at the back of the group. "I'm all tapped out of my mana, guys. I don't know how much help I can be....." 

@Chad

 Randaler steps up to the cellar door. It appears to have no lock, and the handles are broken off, leaving just the slight break on the side of the wood to allow as an easy way to open the doors.

Randaler looks to the group to be sure everyone is ready, draws both his daggers, and slowly pushes the door open...

Perception check once the door is open: 11

Koko is alert and ready.

Realgâr, at the point position, stands ready to swing his warhammer.