"Aye titus, the hideout will make a stirling base for us. We have another debt to settle still, the Alderleaf house has to be put to rights, an' Quelline an' Carp taken care of till the work is done, the scum that burned their house escaped under our very noses. If they have no where else to shelter, they could stay at the hideout."
I will give the best shortbow, quiver and arrows out of the weapons allotted to town to Nilsa. "You have a fire in you Nilsa, use it well and true and your song will be a thing of beauty. Take this bow, care for it and study it well. We will start your training on the morrow."
To daran: "Friend your weapon speaks highly of your prowess. Your actions here today confirm that it speaks the truth. I would wager that your renown is known far from this place! You do me the greatest honour friend in indulging an elf his desire to help a beleaguered people. Under your eyes Phandalin will rise gain to its former glory I am sure. I would love to see your groves and share a tale or two over some fine wine. I would talk with you about the happenings in this place, I am certain your keen eyes have seen somethings of interest"
To Sildar: "My friend can I get a copy of a regional map? I would like to start scouting for Cragmaw."
To the party back at base: "Gents I believe we can find Cragmaw. We know it supposedly lies 20 miles north east of the goblin hideout. with horses and some deduction we'll find it promptly. I have asked for a map from Sildar. If we look to the NE for a dense wood we'll find it there, I'm sure. In the meantime lets tally up"
I then produce what loot I have personally collected and place it on the table
"Definitely. I shall talk with Mrina, Quelline and Carp could work in with Mrina and perhaps Mirna would share her house in the short term, alternatively they could stay at the Sleeping Giant free of charge, Grista has bigger issues to deal with, and she certainly should pay for her part in the damage done."
Titus is pretty sure he's never heard of the Albrek noble family. Although he seems to affect his speech with a more refined inflection, you think by his manner, and movement that he is putting on airs and graces to impress any less worldly around him.
Nice work on the Loot collating! Halia at the miners exchange can identify and value the gems is you need it. She will also pay a fair price from all reports.
During the following day/s whilst we sought out what we're doing I'll visit halia to talk about what she knows and also get the gems and jewellery appraised,
My movements over the next day or days include traing townsfolk. I'll teach archery and ask daran to handle sword and spear work. Also spend time with nilsa teaching her forrest craft and archery.
I will secure the hideout by strengthening the doors and fitting secret locking mechanisms. I'll also talk to the town master about getting Alderleaf rebuilt
"I am happy to teach the townsfolk to throw javelins - they are cheap and thrown as a group in unison very effective, even for non warriors. Plus it will keep them back some distance..." States Breccha.
"Beyond that I am happy to go where I am needed most but my thoughts are with this poor fellow held prisoner".
Ornate silver longsword "TALON" with matching oranate silver scabbard
Glass Staff
Healing Potion (2d4 +2)
Charm Person Scroll
Scroll (unk - divination magic)
2 x potions (unk - evocation magic)
OTHER NOTABLE ITEMS:
Ornate silver curved dagger
Silk pouch
Waxed leather satchel
"THere's a start chaps. You'll all be drinking wine wine tonight! Now, Halia at the miners exchange can appraise the remaining gems and jewelry, I would like to buy the earing, will look fine on my elven head I think! Who amongst us would like to wield this fine longsword? Of course the dagger as well for he who would like it. The scrolls and potions I defer to our good druid, you select what we keep and sell. I know not how to use a scroll, the work magicians yes? and what of the glass staff? are we able to use that? If no-one minds I'll take the satchel to store our maps etc. I have asked Sildar for a regional map. I plan to scout to the NE of the hideout where the goblins ambushed us. The Castle is supposed lay in thick woods, once I have a map i'll be able to start scouting in that direction."
Once I have a map from Sildar I will also see about a map from Halia when she is appraising/buying the gems etc. plus any knowledge she parts with regarding the region.
Responding to Blaze (Ripper) - "All is well, we found danger human town but our pack is strong and the danger is gone.
We are still on the hunt for the missing member of our pack but we have picked up a trail leading to the north east, we are told there is a castle filled with goblins, we plan to search there.
Would you teach me the calls of your pack? So that we might know if either your pack or mine is in danger from a distance. Or if we are looking for each other?
Responding to Titus about the loot - " I will have a closer look at the magical items Titus, i'm not sure if i can use any of them, wizards magic is subtly different to mine.
The weapons are of little use to me, i do not plan to fight with with a sword and my axe suits me fine. If Kargan does not want it then surely you or Breecha could put it devastating use.
"there is no need for you to pay for the earring Titus, keep it. As for the other gems, there are none here that will help with my spell casting so i think we should trade them in.
Until the rest of the party is ready to move out, I will divide my time between Blaze and the magical items. Seeing Blaze and hopefully seeing the size and strength of his pack determining if they would be able to help if we got into trouble or if i would just be bringing them to there doom also hopefully learning the particular howls of the pack. Investigating the magical items to try and determine if i can figure out what they do and if anyone in the party can use them.
At some point I will also say hello to Duran and ask his how his grove is. I will also check in on carp and Quelline to see how they are fairing.
To the group: "I have been thinking about the hideout and if no one else minds, i would like to set up in the room to south west of the complex, where the bugbears and the goblin were found.... after i have given it a very good clean ..... I am more than happy to share the room with any of you , I would use it primarily as a storage room for any equipment i do not carry on me. I would also use it as a place to sleep when the weather is bad outside but most nights i plan to sleep just outside the cave entrance under the stars in the woods, I could act as sentry for that entrance as well.
OOC: treasure found so far that is not already distributed
Valued by Halia at Miners Exchange
GEMS/JELWELRY:
Jewelled eye patch (from Mosk) 50 gp
Gold earing set with expensive looking ruby 20 gp
5 x Malachite gems (unk value) 15 gp ea, 75 gp total
MAGICAL ITEMS: Identified by Kryinor
Ornate silver longsword "TALON" with matching oranate silver scabbard
- +1 Long Sword. Once attuned bearer can use the Eagle's Eye ability 2 times per short rest. Eagle's Eye Give the bearer the visual acuity and strength of an eagle. Can read a page at a mile, and see with approx 20 times mag. About the same as a naval telescope.
Glass Staff- [STAFF OF DEFENSE] This slender, hollow staff is made of glass yet is as strong as oak. It weighs 3 pounds. You must be attuned to the staff to gain its benefits and cast its spells. While holding the staff, you have a +1 bonus to your Armor Class. The staff has 10 charges, which are used to fuel the spells within it. With the staff in hand, you can use your action to cast one of he following spells from the staff if the spell is on your class's spell list: Mage armor (1 charge) or shield (2 charges). No components are required. The staff regains Id6 + 4 expended charges each day at dawn. If you expend the staff's last charge, roll a d20. On a 1, the staff shatters and is destroyed.
Healing Potion (2d4 +2)
Charm Person Scroll
Scroll (unk - divination magic)
2 x potions (unk - evocation magic) Healing potions (2d4+2 hp restored ea.)
OTHER NOTABLE ITEMS:
Ornate silver curved dagger 50 gp value 1d4 damage
Silk pouch 5 gp value
Waxed leather satchel water proof
The next day Titus and Breccha meet Daran in the town square and continue to help the villagers acquaint themselves with the weapons and tactics of a rudimentary town militia. The good people of Phandalin practice with bow, blade, Javelin, and spear. Many have some kind of haphazard success, but a few show real promise.
When archery training is done Titus hands over command to Darn who begins to run the villagers through basic sword and spear fighting drills. He then takes Nilsa aside for and shows her the finer points of elven archery. She takes very well to the weapon and in no time is hitting targets well. The whole time her brow is creased in concentration and she seems to be taking all of this very seriously.
With her first lesson over she bows and says, "Thank you for keeping you promise and taking time to train me Master Titus. I want to be ready...next time...to help my family." Her eyes looked cold and you could sense a deep anger there.
Kargan and Eedim head on up to the new base of operations in the morning and begin the task of fortifying and upgrading the doors, entrances and the bridge over the crevasse. They are happy to find the place empty of all former inhabitants and any shades they may have left behind. Repairs and any further cleaning take the rest of the day. Mriam and Nars help where ever they can, and even bring a hearty lunch to keep the workers happy and well fed. At sunset the new home of the saviors of Phandalin is ready for its first nights lodging.
Kryinor also starts his day early and studies the magical loot from the hide out. The objects give up their secrets and are stored for further contemplation and discussion with his companions later.
Soon the druid finds himself in the woods once again in the company of Ripper and his pack mates. The excitement of the wolf alpha is palpable as Kryinor explains the situation with his friend and the castle of the goblins to the north east, "I/We will go the the trees in the north and look for the little green things nest. Will let friend two/four leg know if when we find."
The rest of the day the wolves, even the sometimes two legged ones, move through the trees learning each others ways and the finer points of the natural way of the fury four legged creatures life and communication. Tired but elated the young druid makes his way back to his new home at the end of the day to catch up with his friends and fill them in on the items he identified earlier that day.
Early that evening you receive and invite to Daran's home for dinner and a good deal of drink. The message is delivered by young Nars who smiled mischievously the whole time and barely made it the whole way through with out laughing.
While there you eat fine food, Daran is quite an amazing cook as it turns out, and drink good quality wine and beer. He thanks Kryinor for his ministration on the orchard and comments on how fine the blooms are looking and that he expects a bumper crop this year. "All no doubt in my mind due to a druids blessing!"
After dinner he tells you all stories of when he was a young soldier on the Dragon coast and rose through the ranks to be become Marshal of one of the armies there. He does not go into great detail of the fighting that occurred, but reflects on some of the more amusing, and more harrowing moments of his time there. He thnks you all for making Phandalin safer again and for prying Inaro's choking grip free of the town. "I also thank you for giving an old soldier purpose again. It's good to feel needed and like I am making a difference." He sighs, "It seems there is still a place for this old body yet, and I may be able to make a difference here in Phandalin. Even as a grey haired oldster."he finishes laughing.
Sildar happily orders the clerk to draw up a fairly good copy of the strategic maps of the area that are stored int he town hall and then has it deliverd to Titus later in the day/
Halia looks askance at the Elven ranger when he asks her for a map, and says, "I have a fairly rough one in the chest marking out claims and the main routes of trade in and out of town, but nothing of real values to the north east. "Do you have any further information in regards to Glasstaff and his papers?"
Qelline and young Carp are enthusiastically installed as the new managers of the Sleeping Giant. Lord Sildar judged Grista and found the seedy former proprietress of the Taphouse wanting in many areas of her character. She is to be shipped off to Neverwinter for trial with her co-conspirator Inaro.
Qelline begins to brighten up the building and the menu with a great many changes planned for the future of the place. She admits that running the farm by herself was getting hrader each year and that a change of vocation is as good as a holiday for some.
Sildar and the Townmaster both plan for the Alderleaf farm to be rebuilt and either let or sold to any person deemed of good character who wishes to live there.
Later after dinner and drinks at the Edermath orchard you all find yourselves back at the new base with bellies full of good food and heads brimming with ideas on what to do next. All you have to do now is set your course and follow it!
OOC: After selling the remaining jewelry bar the earring 25gp ea (incl breccha)
" If no-one is of a mind otherwise I'll take possession of Talon chaps, that eagles sight will come in handy scouting the days ahead."
After I peruse the both maps from Sildar and Halia which I now have in my possession I will endeavor to find woods to the NE of the goblin hideout. Once I have determined a likely wooded location I'll draw a line back to Phandalin.
"Gents I feel we have our likely direction for scouting. I propose to set out in the morning and start scouting along this line (indicating same on map). For the first couple of days I will take Nilsa with me and return at night back here. Thereafter if the forest is looking promising I will head out overnight. Perhaps your wolven friends may assist Kryinor? I will leave a message for Daran to continue in any absence, he is more than I can ever possibly be. Perhaps when we are sure of our direction we can set off as a whole?"
To Halia: "Mistress Halia, patience is required here, you'll know soon enough once any papers are uncovered. Do not push me. There are still goblins about these parts that must be dealt with. "
To Nilsa: " You will make a fine bow maiden Nilsa. Even finer if you can deal with your rage. You must learn to calm your mind. Anger when righteous is a wondrous fire that allows us to achieve the brightest of victories, but will lead us to the darkest despair if used needlessly. You will have vengeance for your father, your family and importantly for yourself child, but you must temper your anger with training, knowledge and skill. I would like you to accompany me into the forest tomorrow, I am going to start scouting for this Goblin King's Castle, I would like to expand your training into the ways of the forest, If you care. But, you must promise to always follow my advice without question and without hesitation, once clear of town you and I will be in Corellan's hands."
If the group allows my possession of Talon I will spend the evening hours practicing with her (I feel she would be female, as the best and biggest, most ferocious eagles are always the female).
To Mirna: "Mistress Mirna, Nilsa has a fire that requires her to have purpose. Your daughter has the makings of a fine bowmaiden if she so chooses. I don't think the quiet life is going to contain her long. I plan to take her into the forest for more training, her path is just beginning and has a ways to go yet before she decides her ultimate path in life. Do not fret I will take good care of her and protect her with my own life, we will be back after dark."
The morning before dawn I will head out with Nilsa heading on the correct bearing and make a slow pace taking the opportunity to teach Nilsa the basics of moving through forest and field as silently as possible whilst being alert. We will practice these and archery skills all morning while moving deeper away from town. After some lessons in foraging for food while traveling during the midday sun we will practice moving quietly and scouting til mid afternoon still keeping our bearing. We will mark our most forward progress with a rangers mark on an oak tree, then make our way back to town moving quietly in the late afternoon and early evening then at a brisker pace once closer to home. I will make sure that we don't travel further than 1/2 a days travel for me at normal pace from town. Once back I will appraise the group of any goblin sign found.
"All sound plans for findin' the castle lads, we'll have the answers soon enough, but time enough for me to sharpen mae axe, ready for many a Grobbi neck!!"
After securing the hideout to my satisfaction, I will work with Sildar and Daran to improve the town's defences, building palisades and choke-points to impede attackers
To Titus: "I am sure she will serve you well my friend" Handing over Talon to him so that he might get to know her. "I also hear you need a replacement? Pulling out one of the healing potions 'something about a kind old lady reviving you on the battlefield? Handing him one of the healing potions with a smile.
To Eedim: "Wolud you like to have a look at this scroll? I cannot determine what spell it contains, i can sense it is divination magic but beyond that i cannot tell. Maybe the spell is familiar to you? " I show him the scroll in question. "the other one is a scroll of 'charm person', that will come in handy, so i will keep that one in my pack." Here this should keep you out of trouble too. Handing him one of the the healing potions.
To Breecha: "we found this in the wizards possessions, it is a healing potion, if you should find yourself close to death this may just save your life. Handing him the third and final Healing potion.
To Blaze: If you could help us find them we would be grateful, but be careful i do not wish for your pack mates to get caught or hurt trying to help us. We were told the castle is about a days travel to the north for two legs. (OOC: going off the 20 miles the goblin back in the cave told us.) If you dont mind me asking, how many members does your pack have?
To Titus: The wolves will help us find the goblin nest, i will scout with them tomorrow and if we find anything we will let you know..... Just let Nilsa know that the wolves are my friends.
showing Kryinor my anticipated direction on the map "If you and your pack travel parallel to us on our left we should be able to cover a wider search pass. If any strike goblinkind try to take one captive. I will use the call of the ghost owl to signal contact, if you make contact with any green scum, have a pack mate make themselves known to us and we shall follow. Good hunting my friend!"
Looking at the map and nodding while titus talks "That sounds like a good plan i will relay your instructions to the pack, i will also let them know you two will be tracking to our right, we will find them and flush them out of hiding, they will regret the day they decided to take Gundren."
Plotting the locations on the map Titus realises that the goblins description would put the Castle in the southern most reaches of Neverwinter wood. Looking at the distances involved it would require a days journey on foot, longer is stealth is needed. Having an apprentice in tow, even an enthusiastic fast learner Like Nilsa, would make things slower again. Though the extra pair of sharp eyes would no doubt help.
Scouting of the area towards the suspected location, even if not all the way, might still be valuable. Movement and number of greenskin threats near Phandalin would certainly help with the towns readies for danger. Eve more important now the presence of the scheming drow was known an evidence of his interfering with the regions politics to further what ever evil plans he had.
Halia is satisfied with Titus' response regarding any information that may, or may not have been found. Though the Elf sense her impatience and the fact that she suspects he is holding out on her. Titus has suspicions of his own regarding the influential woman and what her motives might be. She definitely has an agenda involving the town, but he doe not know what they might be...yet.
Kargan and Eedim finish the upgrades to their new home, at least as far as they can for now, and then head back to town to help with the efforts of the villagers to fortify their home. Under the direction of Dwarven and Gnomish ingenuity and skill things are soon looking very good and their suggestions halve the time that many of the shoddy human practices would have taken.
Kargan sighs at the end of the long day wishing that he had the time and the humans had the working skills that all of this could have been done in stone. Good hard stone.
Kryinor visits his companions and passes on what he has learned from items looted from their enemies. Eedim takes the scroll and stuffs it in his pack, mumbling something about having a look at it later. His words are a bit slurred. The gnome seems to be drinking heavily of late and was rarely sober.
Blaze eagerly takes up the challenge of helping find the goblin castle and happily tells Kryinor that his pack has grown and now numbers nine brothers and sisters [9 total you think]
The Next day Titus and Nilsa set out together to scout the road tot he north and the lightly wooded countryside beyond that. Kryinor joins his four legged brothers and sisters and travels in the same direction, only off the road and at a wolves pace. Both groups find evidence, a worrying amount truth be told, of greenskin movements and activity. The further north they push the more signs they see.
Just after lunch Titus decides that he and his young apprentice have reached the half way mark and he turns the expedition back towards town. Nilsa continues to show promise and a good aptitude for the Ranger craft. She is very keen to learn and eager to know more. Titus feels need driving her on. The young woman is very focused and continues to push herself, even when she begins to tire.
Later when they had returned to Town and Nilsa went off to eat, Mirna asks after her daughter and how she is doing.
The pack scouts a bit further and reaches the southern edge of Neverwinter wood. Greenskin activity is much higher under the eaves of the Great forest trees, and the pack finds a few trails that show promise, but the day wears on and time comes to turn back.
On the morrow the trail can be picked up a new and more progress made. One thing is for certain, if the castle is found and challenged then help from Phandalin will be at least a day away.
Once we are almost back to town but before parting ways with blaze and the rest of the pack. " I think tomorrow, the rest of my pack will join us, we are sure to run into greenskins tomorrow or the day after and i would like them close if we need there help. Be sure that your pack rests well tonight, tomorrow at first light my pack will start the hunt in earnest and i doubt they will return until they have found our missing friend. If you or any of your pack mates do not wish to fight the greenskins i suggest they stay at the den. We will only call upon you to fight if our need is great but still, it is every members choice. I know that i slowed the pack today but i will be faster tomorrow.
After leaving Blaze i take some time to contemplate the fact that I could only hold the Dire wolf form for 4 hours the whole day (OOC:2 times before lunch and 2 after), an hour each time before shifting back to elven form and that while in Dire wolf form it was easy enough to communicate with the pack but in elven form only Blaze seemed to understand what i was saying. I think back on all the spells my former master taught me and prepare a list for me to recite in the morning that might be of greater assistance on the morrow with our scouting attempts.
When the group is all back together "The wolf pack and I scouted up to the edge of the forest and we found a trail into the forest that looks promising, lots of greenskin.... goblin, traffic. I think we should all head out tomorrow morning and make camp at the edge of the forest. If we do run into trouble i think it would be best if all of us were close by. Blaze is talking to the rest of the pack tonight and any that are willing to fight the goblins will be joining us, but if we find the castle, they will wait in reserve and will only assist if we truly need them, if the need arises i will call them in. They do not have tough armour like we do nor do they have magic to save them.
I plan to scout with them tomorrow, using my spells to keep up with and clearly communicate with them. I will relay any information back to you all. Titus maybe you would like to join us? Will Nilsa be joining us tomorrow? I would leave her behind as the forest will be dangerous, but as her teacher i will leave that call up to you. I think some of the younger wolves liked her.
The next morning as the glow of the sun starts to show on the horizon i will start my ritual preparing my spells for the day.
OOC: Spells prepared for the day:
Animal Friendship(1st)
Beast Bond(1st)
Healing Word(1st)
Longstrider(1st)
Speak with Animals(1st)
Animal Messenger(2nd)
Theplan is to cast Speak with animals (R) (R = me casting the spell as a ritual) and then meet up with blaze and the rest of the wolves in my elven form and explain that i can talk to them in my two leg form aswell if needed but it only lasted a short time and it took a little while to get it to work each time.
When we are ready to move out i shift into my dire wolf form for the first hour, then casting longstrider in my elven form so that i can keep up, pausing at the end of the hour to cast speak with animals (R) to debrief on anything the pack has seen in the last hour and relaying this to the rest of the party if they are close, Repeating that process again before stopping for an hour for lunch in the middle of the day to recharge before doing the same thing in the afternoon using Longstrider 4 times in total and my Dire wolf form 4 times making up about a 10 our day.
If the party if too far behind us i will cast animal messenger(R) on a bird or squirrel nearby, relaying our progress to the party.
OOC: treasure found so far that is not already distributed
COINAGE:
EP: 22
GP: 655 (in coins and the sale of the 30 beaver pelts in town)
SP: 428
CP: 75
GEMS/JELWELRY:
3 x Signet Rings (50gp ea.) (coffins)
Jewelled eye patch (from Mosk)
5 x Carnelians (10gp ea.)
2 x Peridots (15gp ea.)
1 x Pearl (100gp)
Gold earing set with expensive looking ruby
5 x Malachite gems (unk value)
MAGICAL ITEMS:
Ornate silver longsword "TALON" with matching oranate silver scabbard
Glass Staff
Healing Potion (2d4 +2)
Charm Person Scroll
Scroll (unk - divination magic)
2 x potions (unk - evocation magic)
OTHER NOTABLE ITEMS:
Ornate silver curved dagger
Silk pouch
Waxed leather satchel
"Aye titus, the hideout will make a stirling base for us. We have another debt to settle still, the Alderleaf house has to be put to rights, an' Quelline an' Carp taken care of till the work is done, the scum that burned their house escaped under our very noses. If they have no where else to shelter, they could stay at the hideout."
I will give the best shortbow, quiver and arrows out of the weapons allotted to town to Nilsa. "You have a fire in you Nilsa, use it well and true and your song will be a thing of beauty. Take this bow, care for it and study it well. We will start your training on the morrow."
To daran: "Friend your weapon speaks highly of your prowess. Your actions here today confirm that it speaks the truth. I would wager that your renown is known far from this place! You do me the greatest honour friend in indulging an elf his desire to help a beleaguered people. Under your eyes Phandalin will rise gain to its former glory I am sure. I would love to see your groves and share a tale or two over some fine wine. I would talk with you about the happenings in this place, I am certain your keen eyes have seen somethings of interest"
To Sildar: "My friend can I get a copy of a regional map? I would like to start scouting for Cragmaw."
To the party back at base: "Gents I believe we can find Cragmaw. We know it supposedly lies 20 miles north east of the goblin hideout. with horses and some deduction we'll find it promptly. I have asked for a map from Sildar. If we look to the NE for a dense wood we'll find it there, I'm sure. In the meantime lets tally up"
I then produce what loot I have personally collected and place it on the table
"Definitely. I shall talk with Mrina, Quelline and Carp could work in with Mrina and perhaps Mirna would share her house in the short term, alternatively they could stay at the Sleeping Giant free of charge, Grista has bigger issues to deal with, and she certainly should pay for her part in the damage done."
OOC: Dave/Titus
Titus is pretty sure he's never heard of the Albrek noble family. Although he seems to affect his speech with a more refined inflection, you think by his manner, and movement that he is putting on airs and graces to impress any less worldly around him.
Nice work on the Loot collating! Halia at the miners exchange can identify and value the gems is you need it. She will also pay a fair price from all reports.
During the following day/s whilst we sought out what we're doing I'll visit halia to talk about what she knows and also get the gems and jewellery appraised,
My movements over the next day or days include traing townsfolk. I'll teach archery and ask daran to handle sword and spear work. Also spend time with nilsa teaching her forrest craft and archery.
I will secure the hideout by strengthening the doors and fitting secret locking mechanisms. I'll also talk to the town master about getting Alderleaf rebuilt
"I am happy to teach the townsfolk to throw javelins - they are cheap and thrown as a group in unison very effective, even for non warriors. Plus it will keep them back some distance..." States Breccha.
"Beyond that I am happy to go where I am needed most but my thoughts are with this poor fellow held prisoner".
OOC:
Following distribution of cash:
Breccha: 96gp + 3 cp
Everyone else: 225gp + 107sp + 18cp
Remaining in pile:
Jewelled eye patch (from Mosk)
Gold earing set with expensive looking ruby
5 x Malachite gems (unk value)
MAGICAL ITEMS:
Ornate silver longsword "TALON" with matching oranate silver scabbard
Glass Staff
Healing Potion (2d4 +2)
Charm Person Scroll
Scroll (unk - divination magic)
2 x potions (unk - evocation magic)
OTHER NOTABLE ITEMS:
Ornate silver curved dagger
Silk pouch
Waxed leather satchel
"THere's a start chaps. You'll all be drinking wine wine tonight! Now, Halia at the miners exchange can appraise the remaining gems and jewelry, I would like to buy the earing, will look fine on my elven head I think! Who amongst us would like to wield this fine longsword? Of course the dagger as well for he who would like it. The scrolls and potions I defer to our good druid, you select what we keep and sell. I know not how to use a scroll, the work magicians yes? and what of the glass staff? are we able to use that? If no-one minds I'll take the satchel to store our maps etc. I have asked Sildar for a regional map. I plan to scout to the NE of the hideout where the goblins ambushed us. The Castle is supposed lay in thick woods, once I have a map i'll be able to start scouting in that direction."
Once I have a map from Sildar I will also see about a map from Halia when she is appraising/buying the gems etc. plus any knowledge she parts with regarding the region.
"Nay, I won't be drinkin' wine t'night, wine is for children an' old maids! None o' these weapons or baubles interest me lads, take what ye will"
Responding to Blaze (Ripper) - "All is well, we found danger human town but our pack is strong and the danger is gone.
We are still on the hunt for the missing member of our pack but we have picked up a trail leading to the north east, we are told there is a castle filled with goblins, we plan to search there.
Would you teach me the calls of your pack? So that we might know if either your pack or mine is in danger from a distance. Or if we are looking for each other?
Responding to Titus about the loot - " I will have a closer look at the magical items Titus, i'm not sure if i can use any of them, wizards magic is subtly different to mine.
The weapons are of little use to me, i do not plan to fight with with a sword and my axe suits me fine. If Kargan does not want it then surely you or Breecha could put it devastating use.
"there is no need for you to pay for the earring Titus, keep it. As for the other gems, there are none here that will help with my spell casting so i think we should trade them in.
Until the rest of the party is ready to move out, I will divide my time between Blaze and the magical items. Seeing Blaze and hopefully seeing the size and strength of his pack determining if they would be able to help if we got into trouble or if i would just be bringing them to there doom also hopefully learning the particular howls of the pack. Investigating the magical items to try and determine if i can figure out what they do and if anyone in the party can use them.
At some point I will also say hello to Duran and ask his how his grove is. I will also check in on carp and Quelline to see how they are fairing.
To the group: "I have been thinking about the hideout and if no one else minds, i would like to set up in the room to south west of the complex, where the bugbears and the goblin were found.... after i have given it a very good clean ..... I am more than happy to share the room with any of you , I would use it primarily as a storage room for any equipment i do not carry on me. I would also use it as a place to sleep when the weather is bad outside but most nights i plan to sleep just outside the cave entrance under the stars in the woods, I could act as sentry for that entrance as well.
The next day Titus and Breccha meet Daran in the town square and continue to help the villagers acquaint themselves with the weapons and tactics of a rudimentary town militia. The good people of Phandalin practice with bow, blade, Javelin, and spear. Many have some kind of haphazard success, but a few show real promise.
When archery training is done Titus hands over command to Darn who begins to run the villagers through basic sword and spear fighting drills. He then takes Nilsa aside for and shows her the finer points of elven archery. She takes very well to the weapon and in no time is hitting targets well. The whole time her brow is creased in concentration and she seems to be taking all of this very seriously.
With her first lesson over she bows and says, "Thank you for keeping you promise and taking time to train me Master Titus. I want to be ready...next time...to help my family." Her eyes looked cold and you could sense a deep anger there.
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Kargan and Eedim head on up to the new base of operations in the morning and begin the task of fortifying and upgrading the doors, entrances and the bridge over the crevasse. They are happy to find the place empty of all former inhabitants and any shades they may have left behind. Repairs and any further cleaning take the rest of the day. Mriam and Nars help where ever they can, and even bring a hearty lunch to keep the workers happy and well fed. At sunset the new home of the saviors of Phandalin is ready for its first nights lodging.
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Kryinor also starts his day early and studies the magical loot from the hide out. The objects give up their secrets and are stored for further contemplation and discussion with his companions later.
Soon the druid finds himself in the woods once again in the company of Ripper and his pack mates. The excitement of the wolf alpha is palpable as Kryinor explains the situation with his friend and the castle of the goblins to the north east, "I/We will go the the trees in the north and look for the little green things nest. Will let friend two/four leg know if when we find."
The rest of the day the wolves, even the sometimes two legged ones, move through the trees learning each others ways and the finer points of the natural way of the fury four legged creatures life and communication. Tired but elated the young druid makes his way back to his new home at the end of the day to catch up with his friends and fill them in on the items he identified earlier that day.
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Early that evening you receive and invite to Daran's home for dinner and a good deal of drink. The message is delivered by young Nars who smiled mischievously the whole time and barely made it the whole way through with out laughing.
While there you eat fine food, Daran is quite an amazing cook as it turns out, and drink good quality wine and beer. He thanks Kryinor for his ministration on the orchard and comments on how fine the blooms are looking and that he expects a bumper crop this year. "All no doubt in my mind due to a druids blessing!"
After dinner he tells you all stories of when he was a young soldier on the Dragon coast and rose through the ranks to be become Marshal of one of the armies there. He does not go into great detail of the fighting that occurred, but reflects on some of the more amusing, and more harrowing moments of his time there. He thnks you all for making Phandalin safer again and for prying Inaro's choking grip free of the town. "I also thank you for giving an old soldier purpose again. It's good to feel needed and like I am making a difference." He sighs, "It seems there is still a place for this old body yet, and I may be able to make a difference here in Phandalin. Even as a grey haired oldster." he finishes laughing.
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Sildar happily orders the clerk to draw up a fairly good copy of the strategic maps of the area that are stored int he town hall and then has it deliverd to Titus later in the day/
Halia looks askance at the Elven ranger when he asks her for a map, and says, "I have a fairly rough one in the chest marking out claims and the main routes of trade in and out of town, but nothing of real values to the north east. "Do you have any further information in regards to Glasstaff and his papers?"
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Qelline and young Carp are enthusiastically installed as the new managers of the Sleeping Giant. Lord Sildar judged Grista and found the seedy former proprietress of the Taphouse wanting in many areas of her character. She is to be shipped off to Neverwinter for trial with her co-conspirator Inaro.
Qelline begins to brighten up the building and the menu with a great many changes planned for the future of the place. She admits that running the farm by herself was getting hrader each year and that a change of vocation is as good as a holiday for some.
Sildar and the Townmaster both plan for the Alderleaf farm to be rebuilt and either let or sold to any person deemed of good character who wishes to live there.
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Later after dinner and drinks at the Edermath orchard you all find yourselves back at the new base with bellies full of good food and heads brimming with ideas on what to do next. All you have to do now is set your course and follow it!
OOC: After selling the remaining jewelry bar the earring 25gp ea (incl breccha)
" If no-one is of a mind otherwise I'll take possession of Talon chaps, that eagles sight will come in handy scouting the days ahead."
After I peruse the both maps from Sildar and Halia which I now have in my possession I will endeavor to find woods to the NE of the goblin hideout. Once I have determined a likely wooded location I'll draw a line back to Phandalin.
"Gents I feel we have our likely direction for scouting. I propose to set out in the morning and start scouting along this line (indicating same on map). For the first couple of days I will take Nilsa with me and return at night back here. Thereafter if the forest is looking promising I will head out overnight. Perhaps your wolven friends may assist Kryinor? I will leave a message for Daran to continue in any absence, he is more than I can ever possibly be. Perhaps when we are sure of our direction we can set off as a whole?"
To Halia: "Mistress Halia, patience is required here, you'll know soon enough once any papers are uncovered. Do not push me. There are still goblins about these parts that must be dealt with. "
To Nilsa: " You will make a fine bow maiden Nilsa. Even finer if you can deal with your rage. You must learn to calm your mind. Anger when righteous is a wondrous fire that allows us to achieve the brightest of victories, but will lead us to the darkest despair if used needlessly. You will have vengeance for your father, your family and importantly for yourself child, but you must temper your anger with training, knowledge and skill. I would like you to accompany me into the forest tomorrow, I am going to start scouting for this Goblin King's Castle, I would like to expand your training into the ways of the forest, If you care. But, you must promise to always follow my advice without question and without hesitation, once clear of town you and I will be in Corellan's hands."
If the group allows my possession of Talon I will spend the evening hours practicing with her (I feel she would be female, as the best and biggest, most ferocious eagles are always the female).
To Mirna: "Mistress Mirna, Nilsa has a fire that requires her to have purpose. Your daughter has the makings of a fine bowmaiden if she so chooses. I don't think the quiet life is going to contain her long. I plan to take her into the forest for more training, her path is just beginning and has a ways to go yet before she decides her ultimate path in life. Do not fret I will take good care of her and protect her with my own life, we will be back after dark."
The morning before dawn I will head out with Nilsa heading on the correct bearing and make a slow pace taking the opportunity to teach Nilsa the basics of moving through forest and field as silently as possible whilst being alert. We will practice these and archery skills all morning while moving deeper away from town. After some lessons in foraging for food while traveling during the midday sun we will practice moving quietly and scouting til mid afternoon still keeping our bearing. We will mark our most forward progress with a rangers mark on an oak tree, then make our way back to town moving quietly in the late afternoon and early evening then at a brisker pace once closer to home. I will make sure that we don't travel further than 1/2 a days travel for me at normal pace from town. Once back I will appraise the group of any goblin sign found.
"All sound plans for findin' the castle lads, we'll have the answers soon enough, but time enough for me to sharpen mae axe, ready for many a Grobbi neck!!"
After securing the hideout to my satisfaction, I will work with Sildar and Daran to improve the town's defences, building palisades and choke-points to impede attackers
Distributing the magical items -
To Titus: "I am sure she will serve you well my friend" Handing over Talon to him so that he might get to know her. "I also hear you need a replacement? Pulling out one of the healing potions 'something about a kind old lady reviving you on the battlefield? Handing him one of the healing potions with a smile.
To Eedim: "Wolud you like to have a look at this scroll? I cannot determine what spell it contains, i can sense it is divination magic but beyond that i cannot tell. Maybe the spell is familiar to you? " I show him the scroll in question. "the other one is a scroll of 'charm person', that will come in handy, so i will keep that one in my pack." Here this should keep you out of trouble too. Handing him one of the the healing potions.
To Breecha: "we found this in the wizards possessions, it is a healing potion, if you should find yourself close to death this may just save your life. Handing him the third and final Healing potion.
To Blaze: If you could help us find them we would be grateful, but be careful i do not wish for your pack mates to get caught or hurt trying to help us. We were told the castle is about a days travel to the north for two legs. (OOC: going off the 20 miles the goblin back in the cave told us.) If you dont mind me asking, how many members does your pack have?
To Titus: The wolves will help us find the goblin nest, i will scout with them tomorrow and if we find anything we will let you know..... Just let Nilsa know that the wolves are my friends.
showing Kryinor my anticipated direction on the map "If you and your pack travel parallel to us on our left we should be able to cover a wider search pass. If any strike goblinkind try to take one captive. I will use the call of the ghost owl to signal contact, if you make contact with any green scum, have a pack mate make themselves known to us and we shall follow. Good hunting my friend!"
Looking at the map and nodding while titus talks "That sounds like a good plan i will relay your instructions to the pack, i will also let them know you two will be tracking to our right, we will find them and flush them out of hiding, they will regret the day they decided to take Gundren."
Plotting the locations on the map Titus realises that the goblins description would put the Castle in the southern most reaches of Neverwinter wood. Looking at the distances involved it would require a days journey on foot, longer is stealth is needed. Having an apprentice in tow, even an enthusiastic fast learner Like Nilsa, would make things slower again. Though the extra pair of sharp eyes would no doubt help.
Scouting of the area towards the suspected location, even if not all the way, might still be valuable. Movement and number of greenskin threats near Phandalin would certainly help with the towns readies for danger. Eve more important now the presence of the scheming drow was known an evidence of his interfering with the regions politics to further what ever evil plans he had.
Halia is satisfied with Titus' response regarding any information that may, or may not have been found. Though the Elf sense her impatience and the fact that she suspects he is holding out on her. Titus has suspicions of his own regarding the influential woman and what her motives might be. She definitely has an agenda involving the town, but he doe not know what they might be...yet.
Kargan and Eedim finish the upgrades to their new home, at least as far as they can for now, and then head back to town to help with the efforts of the villagers to fortify their home. Under the direction of Dwarven and Gnomish ingenuity and skill things are soon looking very good and their suggestions halve the time that many of the shoddy human practices would have taken.
Kargan sighs at the end of the long day wishing that he had the time and the humans had the working skills that all of this could have been done in stone. Good hard stone.
Kryinor visits his companions and passes on what he has learned from items looted from their enemies. Eedim takes the scroll and stuffs it in his pack, mumbling something about having a look at it later. His words are a bit slurred. The gnome seems to be drinking heavily of late and was rarely sober.
Blaze eagerly takes up the challenge of helping find the goblin castle and happily tells Kryinor that his pack has grown and now numbers nine brothers and sisters [9 total you think]
The Next day Titus and Nilsa set out together to scout the road tot he north and the lightly wooded countryside beyond that. Kryinor joins his four legged brothers and sisters and travels in the same direction, only off the road and at a wolves pace. Both groups find evidence, a worrying amount truth be told, of greenskin movements and activity. The further north they push the more signs they see.
Just after lunch Titus decides that he and his young apprentice have reached the half way mark and he turns the expedition back towards town. Nilsa continues to show promise and a good aptitude for the Ranger craft. She is very keen to learn and eager to know more. Titus feels need driving her on. The young woman is very focused and continues to push herself, even when she begins to tire.
Later when they had returned to Town and Nilsa went off to eat, Mirna asks after her daughter and how she is doing.
The pack scouts a bit further and reaches the southern edge of Neverwinter wood. Greenskin activity is much higher under the eaves of the Great forest trees, and the pack finds a few trails that show promise, but the day wears on and time comes to turn back.
On the morrow the trail can be picked up a new and more progress made. One thing is for certain, if the castle is found and challenged then help from Phandalin will be at least a day away.
Once we are almost back to town but before parting ways with blaze and the rest of the pack. " I think tomorrow, the rest of my pack will join us, we are sure to run into greenskins tomorrow or the day after and i would like them close if we need there help. Be sure that your pack rests well tonight, tomorrow at first light my pack will start the hunt in earnest and i doubt they will return until they have found our missing friend. If you or any of your pack mates do not wish to fight the greenskins i suggest they stay at the den. We will only call upon you to fight if our need is great but still, it is every members choice. I know that i slowed the pack today but i will be faster tomorrow.
After leaving Blaze i take some time to contemplate the fact that I could only hold the Dire wolf form for 4 hours the whole day (OOC:2 times before lunch and 2 after), an hour each time before shifting back to elven form and that while in Dire wolf form it was easy enough to communicate with the pack but in elven form only Blaze seemed to understand what i was saying. I think back on all the spells my former master taught me and prepare a list for me to recite in the morning that might be of greater assistance on the morrow with our scouting attempts.
When the group is all back together "The wolf pack and I scouted up to the edge of the forest and we found a trail into the forest that looks promising, lots of greenskin.... goblin, traffic. I think we should all head out tomorrow morning and make camp at the edge of the forest. If we do run into trouble i think it would be best if all of us were close by. Blaze is talking to the rest of the pack tonight and any that are willing to fight the goblins will be joining us, but if we find the castle, they will wait in reserve and will only assist if we truly need them, if the need arises i will call them in. They do not have tough armour like we do nor do they have magic to save them.
I plan to scout with them tomorrow, using my spells to keep up with and clearly communicate with them. I will relay any information back to you all. Titus maybe you would like to join us? Will Nilsa be joining us tomorrow? I would leave her behind as the forest will be dangerous, but as her teacher i will leave that call up to you. I think some of the younger wolves liked her.
The next morning as the glow of the sun starts to show on the horizon i will start my ritual preparing my spells for the day.
OOC: Spells prepared for the day: