Investigation: 9
Perception: 24
(Nat 20's on both pairs of rolls... darned disadvantage.)

"Nowt wrong travellin' in the dark..." Lena chimes in, "Though if yer gonna bring a cart up that is best done by day. How far away is it? We gonna lose the day if we gotta load all those supplies, if'n yers got an empty cart to start with? If Gundren's been moved then best not waste time with boxes we could get collected."

Quote from PolarBearSoup >>

Investigation: 9
Perception: 24
(Nat 20's on both pairs of rolls... darned disadvantage.)

---

 

"Nowt wrong travellin' in the dark..." Lena chimes in, "Though if yer gonna bring a cart up that is best done by day. How far away is it? We gonna lose the day if we gotta load all those supplies, if'n yers got an empty cart to start with? If Gundren's been moved then best not waste time with boxes we could get collected."

Torgga chimes in..."We can get er done lassy.  We'll start early but we'll get the wagon loaded with the cart on the wagon.  Little less than 1/2 day to load er up then a little less than 1/2 day to get to Phandelin we'll get there a couple hours before dark is my guess.  We'll all put our backs into it and the goblin is helping for sure. After that we kick his arse to the woods to get going."

Karea

Karea Investigation 9

Karea Perception 12

I wrote the macro's poorly so this is just a correction to make them roll correctly.  Ugh..

While tending to the bodies and you come back to Klarg's cave to prepare for the nights rest.  You sit around the fire that's burned low and is mainly embers at this point as it's not too cold so it wasn't necessary for cooking or warmth.  You all notice and Faith just barely, that there are some odd-looking chunks of coal...You start scrapping them out of the coals to let them cool and to your astonishment you find.

22:  10 gp Obsidian gems mixed in with the campfire coals.  The Bugbear thought they were pieces of coal.

14:  50 gp Pure black onyx mixed in with the campfire coals. The Bugbear thought they were pieces of coal.

A pleasant surprise.  A good chuckle is had by all but the goblin...Later while Sildar and the goblin were dragging a body to the pyre Sildar finished off the goblin for beating him as revenge.  It gave him some peace after the torture he endured and if asked what happened to the goblin he says, "The goblin had it coming."

If I may make a suggestion on loot.  Karea, Faith, Lena, Matheris are involved.  You can all discuss any options you might consider as well.

Karea - 5x 10 gp Obsidian Gems, 3x 50 gp Pure black onyx, 7 PP, 14 gp, 19 sp, 13 cp, 20 x +1 Arrows, Potion of Greater Healing, Potion of Clairvoyance 

Faithe - 5x 10 gp Obsidian Gems, 3x 50 gp Pure black onyx, 7 PP, 14 gp, 19 sp, 13 cp, Bag of holding 

Lena - 5x 10 gp Obsidian Gems, 3x 50 gp Pure black onyx, 7 PP, 14 gp, 19 sp, 13 cp, 20 x +1 Hand Crossbow Bolts, Bag of holding

Matheris - 5x 10 gp Obsidian Gems, 3x 50 gp Pure black onyx, 7 PP, 14 gp, 19 sp, 13 cp

Matheris gives his potions of healing to the group pool all but 4x potions of healing.

Party communal group loot pays for rooms, food and drinks - 2x 10 gp Obsidian Gems, 2x 50 gp Pure black onyx, 2x pp, 1 gp, 1 sp, 6x Potions of healing.

It's up to you if you wish to roll a 1d20 against someone else for something you both want and the highest wins or barter between yourselves.

OOC - Faith was raised as a ‘monk’ so he generally won’t argue against a split, taking things as offered, except where it might be relevant to his mission or capabilities, in which case he will rather bargain and achieve a compromise than roll. A good amount of his money will go on alms to the poor or the righteous he hopes. 

Absolutely he will accept a bag of holding for convenience, but he does have the room inside his genie ring once a day, so if anyone needs it more…?

The night goes uneventful....Everyone mark off a long rest if you wish or 4 short rests.  I'll need to keep track of anyone not doing a long rest though.  Faith I think levels up too. Gratz.

The next day takes up a chunk of the morning and without the goblin it's a bit more cumbersome but still you get it done by 11 AM.  You waste no time getting going grabbing drinks and a ration as you walk.  Everyone takes turns riding with Torgga on the wagon to get a rest for your feet.  At 4 PM 

The rutted track emerges from a wooded hillside, and you catch your first glimpse of Phandalin. The town consists of forty or fifty simple log buildings, some built on old fieldstone foundations. More old ruins—crumbling stone walls covered in ivy and briars—surround the newer houses and shops, showing how this must have been a much larger town in centuries past. Most of the newer buildings are set on the sides of the cart track, which widens into a muddy main street of sorts as it climbs toward a ruined manor house on a hillside at the east side of town.

As you approach, you see children playing on the town green and townsfolk tending to chores or running errands at shops. Many people look up as you approach, but all return to their business as you go by. 

Sildar seems much more at ease.

“My friends,” he says, “Let us secure lodgings. I’m told the local inn is very quaint.  Stone hill Inn is quite good.  I'd recommend off loading at the Lionshield Coster before nightfall and take the wagon to Barthen's Provision and unhitch there where they'll off load it themselves and pay you in the morning.  I'll see you at the INN at about 7 pm."  He goes off on his own errands.

Torgga pulls the wagon up to the Lionshield Coster.  Hanging above the front door of this modest trading post is a sign shaped like a wooden shield with a blue lion painted on it.

Linene comes out and slaps her knee, The master of the Phandalin post is a sharp-tongued human woman of thirty-five named Linene Graywind, "Well I'll be.. We thought that stuff was lost completely.  With your help we'll get you off loaded in 2 hours and it looks like you got some stuff for Barthen's on there to you can get over to them before nightfall.  They'll have to unload it after dusk, but they'll want to get it inside before it gets too late.  Anyway the names Linene Graywind and here is a reward for ya.  OOC - 50 gp.  12 gp per PC and 2 gp for the group fund.  If anyone wants to take the Group funds tracking on, I'm ok with that.

After 2 hours of offloading the wagon you move the team to Barthen's and unhitch them and put them at the stable.  Elmar Barthen comes out and says, "We'll take it from here folks go get cleaned up at the inn and get some food and drink and a good night's sleep.  Come back in the morning and I'll get you all settled up.

You make your way over to the Inn In the center of town stands a large, newly built roadhouse of fieldstone and rough-hewn timbers. The common room is filled with locals nursing mugs of ale or cider, all of them eyeing you with curiosity.

Actions:

Lena nods and approves of Faith's views, "I were born int' the clergy too. A bit o' charity still rankles in me soul, though I've come to appreciate a bit o' coin to be lookin' after meself." As they sit around the fire trading tales and getting to know each other. "Nowt wrong with generosity, makes them goodly deeds we do, like murderin' goblins, more 'heroic'." She chuckles sardonically.

As they split the loot, she nods happily at the divvy. For the better of the healing potions, she clearly states "Get that bad boy to whoever o' yer is gonna be standin' close enough to smell their breath. I don't plan on ever getting so close that they can swing a club my way. Though plans don't always work out, so I got me berries to keep me goin' after a fight." So saying, Lena uses the last of her magic for the day and pulls a few sprigs of mistletoe from her pouch, breaking them up as she chants low, almost whispering to the broken pieces, encouraging them "emtae, emtae ytsat, emtae.". The broken pieces shift into piles of berries, which Lena sifts through with her fingers, checking through and breathing in their fragrance. She hands out 10 to each of her companions that entered the goblin caverns, 5 to each of Sildar and Torgga, keeping 10 for herself and pocketing them away.

OOC - Lena uses 4 x lvl 1 spell slots and 1 x lvl 2 slot to cast Goodberry, creating 50 berries.
Long rest it is. I'll do inventory management later to add items.

Lena walks in and wipes the day's toil away from her brow. "Wine be callin' me name. A day of honest labourin' whets the appetite fer sure." She walks through the room, offering polite nods and extends a hand of greeting to any she passes close by, introducing herself and enquiring after their name, explaining "I'll surely be glad to talk more after my glass is only half full."

She pays attention to how the locals react to their intrusion into their community, and tries to get the feel of the room - positive, curious, or even hostility.
Perception 14
Insight 11

OOC - See the map in the public area of the main link.

See public section for maps

Matheris joins Lena in some food and beverage, "Barmaid perhaps a bottle of wine.  What's the prices if you don't mind my asking?"  Food, Drink and Lodging .

Matheris calls her closer..."Perhaps a couple bottles of fine wine in a pitcher."  With a wink and hands her a 28 gp for the 5 of them.  Bread, cheese and meat for 5 please.  We'll cover Torgga's cost while we're hear.  Looks like a bit going on here."

He lowers his voice, "Perhaps some rumors might come our way as we move about the place a bit then come back to sit for our food and drinks.  With the wine and food delivered you stretch your legs and make acquaintances with the town folk.  They gladly share stories with the group of you in some cases and grunt and grumble in other cases."

• Narth, an old farmer: “Well met Lena..Narth is me name.  Our Sister Garaele, who oversees the Shrine of Luck, recently left town for a few days, then returned wounded and exhausted.  Not sure what happened to here but she might be able to tell ya.”

       Phandalin’s only temple is a small shrine made of stones taken from the nearby ruins. It is dedicated to Tymora, goddess of luck and good fortune.

• Elsa, a gossipy barmaid: “Elsa is me name darlin.  Have you met Daran Edermath, the orchard keeper, is a former adventurer.”  She takes you over and introduces you to him.  "Meet Lena and her friends Daran."   "Well met folks.  I'm a fighter who served as a marshal and herald for many years in the lands of the Dragon Coast, far to the southeast. I retired and returned to the Neverwinter region, my original home. I'm a member of the Order of the Gauntlet, a devout and vigilant group that seeks to protect others from the depredations of evildoers. The order is always vigilant, ready to smite evil, enforce justice, and enact retribution against any who try to subjugate or harm others. Though I'm no longer active in the order, I keep an eye on happenings around Phandalin.  I'm concerned about the Redbrands, and I would like to see a group of adventurers teach the ruffians a lesson. It’s time someone took a stand against the Redbrands’ leader, Glasstaff. The Redbrands hang around the Sleeping Giant tap house, but I can also tell you that the main Redbrand safe house lies under Tresendar Manor, the ruin at the east edge of town.

• Lanar, a miner: “Hail folks names Lanar.  I'm a miner....Orc raiders have been seen on the east end of Triboar Trail. The town master is looking for someone to run them off. If you're looking for work check with the townmaster Harbin Wester...he's a fat, pomous old fool and completely intimidate by the Redbrands.

• Trilena, the innkeeper’s wife: “Welcome folks.  I'm Trilena the inkeeper's wife.  Trouble is brewing for sure.  Thel Dendrar, a local woodcarver, stood up to the Redbrands a tenday ago when they came by his shop and leered at his wife. The ruffians murdered him. Several townsfolk saw it happen. The Redbrands grabbed his body, and now his wife, daughter, and son have gone missing too.  Someone needs to take care of the ruffians.”

• Pip, Toblen’s young son: “Qelline Alderleaf’s son Carp said he found a secret tunnel in the woods, but Redbrands almost caught him. Carp’s Story. Qelline’s son, Carp, is a spirited and precocious halfling lad of ten years. He is enchanted by the idea of being an adventurer and says that he was playing in the woods near Tresendar Manor when he found a secret tunnel in a thicket. A couple of “big ugly bandits” came out of the tunnel when he was there, and met with a pair of Redbrands. They didn’t see him, but it was close. Carp thinks that the bandits have a secret lair under the old manor house."

• Freda, a weaver: “The Redbrands hassle every business in town, except for the Phandalin Miner’s Exchange. They don’t want trouble with Halia Thornton, who runs it.  You might want to go see her."

Everyone has picked up some good information before bedtime I'd say.  The food was delicious and the wine exquisite especially being on the road for the last few days although the berries are good and rations ok for some it's nice to get something fresh.

7:45 pm Actions?

Matheris moves about the room meeting all the folks.

"My name is Matheris.  Well met Daran.  A fighter ey.  You're doing well here helping these folks.  We'll look into these ruffians once we get some things settled in the morning with some of the other folks around town."

"Hail master Narth...we'll go check in on the Sister and see how she's doing tomorrow in the afternoon maybe."

"Well met Lanar. I'm Matheris.  A miner in these parts.  Trouble with orcs let's see what we can do about that."

"Trelina well met.  I'm Matheris those ruffian's need to be taught a lesson and we'll go find the missing folks too."

"Carp well met.  I'm Matheris, you're a brave adventurer, just remember you have to be alive to tell the tales you learn.  Learn to be careful.  Sounds like you found the nest of sorts.  Good on ya.  Here's a gp for you troubles young man."

"Freda well met.  I'm Matheris  I wonder why they don't want any trouble with Halia Thornton.  We'll have to check that out too."

Matheris finishes his meal, a good portion of fine wine and says, "I'm off to bed folks  see you for breakfast."

Lena listens to each of the tales over the course of the evening, she is particularly concerned about the sister's plight, being dearest to her heart. Assuaging the locals and nodding as Matheris commits them to investigate the local issues. Lena pulls the group together before Matheris departs, "I'ma gonna go see the sister now. It dun sit well that someone of the cloth gets harmed out here. Then fer as much as these 'Redbrands' seem like a bad lot, I'm fer getting back on Gundren's trail. We dunno why he was kidnapped, or who be behind it. Longer we dally, more danger he's in."

Barring any further discussion and as the hour is still semi-respectable, Lena heads to the shrine and knocks on the door, calling for Sister Garaele. "Sister Garaele, be yer here?"

If it's ok with Lena, we can play this out as a group I'm not opposed to Just Lene or 2 or three of you.

"Ok, if you think it needs be done this eve", grumbles Matheris.  "We can go check and at least it's not far."

Sister Garaele comes to the door, "Come in child...It's late and this place has troubles for the like of anyone out so late.  Come in.  Who do we have here?"

The sister motions you all in as they move further into the temple she adds, "What's this all about my dear?  For such a late call. A seasoned group of adventurers you look like to me."

Faith is fastidious in his meal and evening repast, while the others make inroads and greetings with the town folk. While he doesn’t bear the flaming eyes or unnatural skin of some of his Aasimar cousins, he has long grown to accept that there is a subtle distance that most feel in the presence of one touched and made from a lineage of planar good — a discrete and absolute quality that unsettles at first. 

While Matheris and Lena weigh up their plan, he leans towards them and speaks. 

“It’s funny, or perhaps providence, but you both strike on the rumours that most trouble me. The shrine and its shrine-keeper, in worship of the goddess Tymora draw me in and I want to know who would trouble her priestess. Still, these redbrands…

”I am torn. Observing the duty of good action is a greater thing than praising the font and vessel of that duty. If we can do both, we should.”

(OOC - levelled up and took telekinetic feat, mage hand cantrip for double distance, and Suggestion as a spell.)

Sister Garaele senses the question you're thinking of asking, "You've heard some gossip i'll bet.  Come about the other day.  Well..I was on delicate mission from my superiors, and it got rough.  I made it back and it was just a wilderness encounter that needed dealt with. 

I need someone who can persuade the Banshee (Agatha) to tell what she knows about the location of a spell book belonging to a legendary mage named Bowgentle.  I believe that a person who flatters Agatha’s vanity might be able to trade this comb for an answer. 

I'll offer you several magical items as payment for your efforts.  It's a trek to get there so you'll have to wait till morning to start your trek.  60 miles (24 miles/10 hr day/8hr rest/6hr setup camp and break camp eat and chat) to Conyberry and 2 miles out of town to the lair. (If you leave at 8 am tomorrow that's Day 1 24 miles by 6pm, Day 2 48 miles by 6 pm, Day 3 1/2 day to get 12 miles so noon time and another hour up the trail to get to the lair.)  It shouldn't take long once there.  Turn around and get back in the same time.  5 days if everything goes ok.  Deal?

I'll send ya with the info.  What do you think.  Trouble in this town is Redbrands and you probably got a ear full about them too.  Just watch your backs.  That's good advice anytime though.  Get some rest you'll need it around here."

"I'm heading to bed.  You folk can let me know in the morning after breakfast."

As they walk back to the inn from the shrine, Faith says a short prayer to his gods. 

After, he says, “Five days is quite some time … but a hag. I have heard they eat children and wield powerful magics. Have you ever heard of Bowgentle? I am not sure a hag can be left with the magic of a legendary mage, whatever their speciality.”

Lena welcomes the sister's expansion on her troubles, listening and weighing up the matter, "Thank yer sister. A banshee be a frightful creature, that yer walked away only a little bruised be a testament to yer faith and Tymora's favour upon yer. It lightens my mind t' know it ain't common bandits - like these Redbrands, that would assail yer on yer travels."

"As fer the journey, we'll consider yer ask. Another goal burdens out time, an makin' sure we can attend t' that in timely fashion may outweight what we can do fer yer immediately. Fer now, please take these and know they come with the blessing of Mielikki and a snippet of her grace. Plus they taste pretty darned good If'n I do say so meself." Lena hands the sister her stash of goodberries, taking the comb in return.

She wishes Garaele a good night before taking a moment to pay penance at the altar, offering a prayer up to both Tymora and Mielikki for their present dilemma.

Talking to Faith on their walk back, Lena explains, "A banshee ain't a hag, hag's be foul wretches that trick yer pants offs yer with their twisted deals. Banshees are somethin' altogether diff'rent. Ghastly things that I wouldn't wanna be messin' with. No, I think as much as the sister's plight needs adressin' I be wantin' to go fetch me a kidnaped dwarf first, once we pat the wee fella's bonce and ruffle his hair from teh safety o' a tavern, then be a time to help these folk and their kin."

Faith frowns. A banshee is not another term for a hag, perhaps he had been confused. On the mountain of the Tor, there had been little education on such topics before his travels to the Forest, then across the sea. 

Regardless. He is of like mind. 

“I am of like mind,” he says. “I know little of what we might encounter, or what support we might muster. If this prize that Gundren was seeking is as valuable as it sounds, perhaps the Order of the Gauntlet or some other righteous organisation should be sought before we do our duty? I believe in a town of good people we cannot be the only ones who would wish to render aid.” 

Over breakfast the urgency of rescuing Gundren is the most paramount concern for the group.

Matheris comments with his mouth full of porridge.    OOC - Middle ages dining.....Food for the middle ages

Elsa says, "Well we don't normally do breakfast just lunch and a small supper.  With the lot of you we figured we'd so a little something though. The bread is still cooking, or I'd give you a couple loaves."

Torgga joins you as does Sildar with Torgga saying whispering, "Good working with you folk..I'm headed back to Neverwinter to let them know what's going on out here.  Be safe and good luck.  I got an escort from Daran and friends, so don't worry about me."

Torgga pats Sildar on the back whispers, "You be safe and go get Gundren out of there."  Sildar hugs her and says, "You get back safe you hear."

Torgga heads out not really a morning person and you hear the cattle fuss a little and you hear the wind blowing inside.

Time : 7 - 8 AM

Weather cloudy with high winds coming off the water probably brewing up a storm tomorrow.

Turbulent gusts sweep across the land from the East. Flying creatures gain +10 movement speed when moving with the wind, and –10 movement speed when moving against it.

All ranged weapon attacks have a –2 to attack rolls, and their range is reduced by half when shooting into the wind.

Sildar adds more whispering, "Ok folks...It about 35 miles to the castle if the directions the orc gave are accurate. that's a day and a half.  Eat up and let's be going.  From the sounds of the wind out there we've got a storm coming tomorrow.  The trees in the forest will give us a bit of cover though.  I'm ready when you are."

Matheris finishes his porridge, "Thank you kindly Elsa.  Folks I'm ready too.  We're wasting daylight looking at Karea thinking something is different possibly, Lena you ready?"

The group gets going headed out of town.

Solace will be ok in the wind, but the bird finds a perch more than usual.  Feel free to discuss things along the way or prior to your departure.

Actions: If any?

Faith is a little later to join the adventurers in the common room, his hair still mussed up and sleep in his eyes.

There is a type of butter available to the inn seasoned with salt and sprigs of rosemary and Faith enjoys it with the loaves when they are done baking. There is little better than warm bread out the oven, and he savours it, if they are soon to be on the road again. 

“Our duty is clear. Rescue, then re-evaluate.” 

Faith reaches for the butter while his hands are full and finds the butter dish pulled towards him, on its own. He has not touched it with his hand but with an expression of magic, a new way. His eyebrows rise. “Strange.”

It is worth a little practice on the road. 

Quote from NycrolB >>

Faith is a little later to join the adventurers in the common room, his hair still mussed up and sleep in his eyes.

There is a type of butter available to the inn seasoned with salt and sprigs of rosemary and Faith enjoys it with the loaves when they are done baking. There is little better than warm bread out the oven, and he savours it, if they are soon to be on the road again. 

“Our duty is clear. Rescue, then re-evaluate.” 

Faith reaches for the butter while his hands are full and finds the butter dish pulled towards him, on its own. He has not touched it with his hand but with an expression of magic, a new way. His eyebrows rise. “Strange.”

It is worth a little practice on the road. 

 Elas sighs but gathers a loaf that's very close to being done an gets it for Faith, "For our new friends.  Return safe."

The others wave Faith out as they already stood to leave as he received the bread.

I'll post in 11 hours or so for the travel.