"Halia at the Miner's Exchange will help you with that," replies Sildar to Jurgen. "She registers claims to various streams and excavations here. There's enough wealth hidden in the nearby streams and valleys to support a good number of independent prospectors. I think I know what you're looking for. You have the hundred gold?"

He turns to Syzygy. "Well, the Lords’ Alliance, as you may know, is a group of allied political powers along the Sword Coast concerned with mutual security and prosperity," he replies, leaning back in his chair like a learned sage beginning a lecture. "Our order ensures the safety of the cities and other settlements of Faerûn by proactively handling violent threats, and our members work to bring honor and glory to our leaders and our homeland."

He takes a long swig of ale. "Phandlin used to be a thriving town. There was a rich mine here, in a wondrous cavern – Wave Echo Cave. In addition to its mineral wealth, the mine contained great magical power. Spellcasters allied themselves with dwarves and gnomes of the Phandelver Pact to channel and bind that energy into a great forge called the Forge of Spells, where magic items could be crafted. Times were good for many long years, and Phandalin prospered as well. At least until the bandits came. But now, that was all centuries ago."

"Now, as you know, the three Rockseeker brothers – Gundren, Tharden, and Nundro – recently located an entrance to that long-lost Wave Echo Cave, they claim. And now, the bandits are back. Well different bandits, undoubtedly – opportunists, probably; ruthless treasure-seekers – but bandits nonetheless. They're taking advantage of the fact that this area has no real local authority to chase them off. And that's where you and I come in."

"We need to deal with these new bandits, and this goblin threat – and hopefully locate my old colleague Iarno – and find Gundren and his map before this town attracts even worse folks, if it's not already too late. Reopening Wave Echo could bring renewed prosperity to this whole region, if it's managed by civilized folks. But the Forge of Spells could also potentially be used as a powerful weapon by the less civic-minded."

" The manor is close.....and likely we'll have to deal with that if we want to get anything else done here or abouts."

" If we don't act first they'll be coming for us anyway."

Kimberley was mostly speaking to herself outloud not wanting to presume membership of the group being addressed.

Jurgen, seeing Kimberley looking like she would like to join up says "Kimberley, we don't really have a leader of our party, but I for one would be happy if you joined our group, especially in taking on these cut-throats. "

He turns to Sildar, "Unfortunately I do not have 100gp. Is there something I can do to earn or borrow that much before we take this on. I feel my creation would aid us."

Bryony slips into the inn and joins the others at the table with Sildar. She catches most of what he has said.

"It sounds like the Redbrands may be using the old Tresendar Manor as a base of sorts," she says. "My cousin Carp told me about a secret tunnel the Redbrands use. Whatever they are up to in the manor cannot be good, and it sounds like your friend Iarno may have run afoul of these goons."

Bryony glances to each of her companions. "Like Jurgen said we have no leader, but I agree with Kimberly that dealing with the Redbrands is the most pressing threat at the moment. We've already taken some of them down, and they will probably seek vengeance against us."

"Well, I don't have 100 gold at the moment, either," replies Sildar to Jurgen. "So I tell you what. How about you do an initial foray into the old manor. Lay eyes on the interior, see what we have to deal with – who's there, what the entrances look like, what's inside. Come back in one piece, make me a good-faith report, and I'll get you a nice stone as a down payment of your pay for the rest of that job. What do you think?"

Toblen Stonehill, the inn’s proprietor and your waiter tonight, comes back with a pot of stew and an armful of bowls and begins ladling it out. "You folks want your rooms again tonight?" he asks.

"Secret tunnel? That's new. Maybe a good place to start," replies Sildar to Bryony. "I'll be at the Townmaster’s Hall when you need to find me, drumming up some pay for you. Best not to speak of any Redbrand business to Harbin 'till it's done, though. And if you're in a pinch and need an extra sword in this local business, let me know."

“Thank you Sildar. I’ll take you up on that. “

Kimberley ate, listening intently.

Quinn sits in silence trying to keep track of all the important bits. He thinks back to what Carp mentioned about the Redbrands meeting goblins with glowing hands and long heads. He doesn't know how, but he knows these goblins and Redbrands are connected some how. 

As Toblen serves the stew, Quinn leans in towards Kimberly. "I'm gonna have an ale. Would you like anything to drink? It's on me."

Quinn will order an ale and whatever Kimberly would like to drink.

Over dinner and drinks, Quinn finally chimes in with his take on the situation.

"I think Kimberly is right. Whether we want to or not, we gotta deal with these Redbrand bastards. Heck, we already killed a few of them, we might as well take care of the lot of 'em. Sounds like the manor is a good place to start."

“An ale for me too”, Syzygy says as he takes a bowl of stew from Toblen. 

“So, we infiltrate the manor. Find the wizard Albrek, or news of. Then get our friend a nice little gem-come-ungodly-contraption to support us in storming Cragmaw Castle and dealing with the goblin leader. Sounds like we’ll need all the support we can get.”

Syzygy spoons down a mouthful of stew. 

“The only question now is hayloft, inn, or rotten cottage?” 

In between ravenously slurping up the stew and washing it down with ale, Quinn mutters his opinion.

”I say we stay here another night. No need to put Bryony’s auntie unnecessary danger. I know inn isn’t no fortress, but it’s safer than the cottage. We can still take shifts standing watch.”

Quinn turns to Sildar. He looks about the room making sure no one is listening in.

Perception check: 15

Quinn leans in close and whispers to Sildar “My friend here, Bryony, has family in town. Can you help watch the Alderleaf farm and make sure no one bothers them?”

As far as Quinn can tell, there's nobody listening in, nor paying them much attention. The closest customer to their table is an older human farmer who appears to be drinking pretty heavily with his buddies as they argue about plowing techniques.

Sildar squints and nods. "I can see what I can do. I have some friends but I don't have a lot of muscle at the moment. That's why I'm working with you folks. But I'll make sure I have eyes on the farm at least."

(Anyone who wants to take Quinn's suggestion to stay in the inn should deduct 1gp from their inventory. Anyone who intends on staying the hayloft or the cottage should just deduct 2sp for their meal and drinks.)

"Hey!" interrupts the nearby farmer, looking at Kimberly. "Ain't you th' new priestess or whatever at the Shrine of Luck? What happened to Sister Garaele? I see them burns or whatever they are on her face ever since she came back from her trip." (Kimberly recalls that she had recently left town for a few days, and indeed returned wounded from her encounter.)

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"Hey!" interrupts the nearby farmer, looking at Kimberly. "Ain't you th' new priestess or whatever at the Shrine of Luck? What happened to Sister Garaele? I see them burns or whatever they are on her face ever since she came back from her trip." (Kimberly recalls that she had recently left town for a few days, and indeed returned wounded from her encounter.)

" I am, yes."

Kimberely caught herself as she realised she had not even asked Garaele what had happened so caught up as she had been on her own drama.....she was a terrible.....friend? Associate? Housemate?

" I am unsure. I will enquire further next time I see her.......in the meantime please take these words of the Moon Maiden to quide your steps.", she said as she placed a scroll down beside his drink.

"Uh, thanks," replies the old farmer, looking over Kimberley's scroll politely before rolling it up again. "I'll be sure t' read this later. I'm Narth. This is my idiot brother, Voor, and our friend Sal. Do you know th' difference between triangle plowing an' reverse-threaded plowing in second harvest?" The three watch Kimberley eagerly for her answer. (Kimberley, meanwhile, remembers a bit of trouble Garaele said she got into recently.)

"I should get some sleep," adds Sildar, standing. "You folks be careful out there and see me at the townmaster's hall when you need me. I'll be in and out all day tomorrow. I'll follow up on that bit of protection you need."  He puts on his jacket and prepares to leave.

" I am afraid you good men are much more studied than myself in the art of field preparation. Sadly I do not."

Storing away her recollection for later she said goodbye to Sildar........they had a little too much on their plate already to go treating with ghosts....

Jurgen thanks them again and heads back to the Qelline home for the night

"Hang on a sec, Jurgen. I think we should stick together. If you'd rather stay at the farm, we can stay at the farm."

Quinn turns to Bryony. "Can you get us back to the farm without using the main roads? Maybe something off the beaten path so no one knows we're staying with your auntie?"

Bryony turns to Quinn and nods. "Of course, we can approach the farm from the back," she says. "You all can slip into the hayloft practically unseen under the cover of darkness, and I'll stay in my old room. Do you want to try that?"

“Right. Good point. Thanks for looking out for me. “

The group bids their goodbyes to Sildar (and the farmers) and exits the tavern into the cool night air. (Everyone should deduct 2sp for their meal and drinks. And as Quinn paying for Kimberley?)

Everyone: Make a group stealth check...

A little buzzed from the drink Syzygy hands over the coin and follows Byrony back to the farm. 

stealth: 8