Quinn grunts in disappointment. "Perhaps you're right, Bryony." Quinn holsters his axe in exchange for his bow and he follows Kimberly to observe the area.

The party climbs to the top of the stairs and finds themselves on the deserted Tresendar Manor grounds. There's little left of the ruined manor house besides a couple of crumbling walls, a delicate strip of unfallen roof, and piles of overgrown stones. You have surfaced just off the empty ruin of a large kitchen, although there is little here other than a large cracked basin, a single rusted pot, and some barely-recognizable furniture. You are on the scrub-covered hillside, surrounded by woods and thickets. From this vantage point, you cannot see the town of Phandalin, but you expect you could find the road to town on the far side of the manor house. A handful of boot tracks lead out of the stone staircase and along both sides of the house, although you don't know which, if any, could be your quarry.

"Damn!", says Kimberley viciously kicking a stone.......

" Well, I guess we prepare the village for a siege?  Or was that all the Redbrands?  I'm positive I've seen more than that and they were getting recruits from somewhere...."

Her teeth ground in frustration and she bit her own lip in annoyance, enjoying the taste of blood over her tongue despite the pain.

" By the Blood Moon I swear I will find that coward and tear his throat out.....", she whispered, though possibly not quietly enough.

"How's about we finish clearing out the manor? We can wipe out any remaining Redbrands and perhaps find any clues that Glasstaff bastard might've left behind" Quinn turns to gauge everyone's interest. "I did spot some nice equipment in the room next to the crypt. Perhaps we can fetch some coin for them. Or donate them for the town's defense? Who knows, maybe we can find that other fella that Sildar mentioned. What was his name? Albrek?"

Kimberley turns to Quinn and nods emphatically.

Syzygy takes a moment to breathe in the open air. Sweeter than the shadowfell’s, it’s a pleasure he’s yet to take for granted. 

“Ahh, yes the other wizard. Albrek. I’m fine to continue securing the manor but How’s everyone holding up? ” 

Frustrated, abandoning the chase, the party descends back into the cellar.

Where to?

" There was a door next to the cistern down there...might be worth a look?", Kimberley mused aloud.

"Aye, that's a good start. And I'd like to take a better look at the weapons in that armory by the crypt. Perhaps we can check on Ssarnak and let the fella know we cleared out the place."  With that, Quinn turns and heads back down into the cellar.

Descending the two short flights of stairs and stepping over the body laying by the cistern, Kimberley peeks into the room the three now-deceased Redbrands had apparently emerged from. 

It's a small storeroom converted into living quarters. Two double bunks stand against the wall near the door, while more barrels and crates fill the southern half of the chamber. The room is unoccupied.

Aros takes the Redbrand cape off and holds it in his hand. ”I suppose we don’t need these any more?” He gives the cape a sniff, recoiling at the smell coming off.

" Um.....thats it I guess.   Maybe they moved the other prisoner elsewhere?"

(via Discord:)

(Jurgen would like to go into R11 the wizards workshop and do a little more snooping.)

Bryony follows the others into the small storeroom. She starts poking into the crates and barrels to see what the Redbrands have been storing. Probably just food, but if it's any good they can donate it to the villagers.

The barrels are filled with fresh provisions– they contain salted pork and beef, flour, sugar, apples, and ale.

"Got some food supplies here," Bryony informs the others. "If you found some weapons, Quinn, this would make for a nice donation to the town, if you guys are willing to do that I mean."

Working the dimensions out in her head Kimberley wonders if there is a door to the right of the way they came in originally...then heads off to check avoiding the horror in the crevice...

Pit Avoidance Kata- Acrobatics- 3

If she falls she'll shrug and climb out best she can...

"That would be good, Bryony. Looks like these Redbrands have been stocking up supplies for something big. Jurgen and I would like to keep exploring a bit, if that's okay with everyone. I know he's keen on the wizards shop and I'd like to inventory the armory..." Quinn pauses mid thought. "...forgot about that pit in the hallway. Would you all be up for jumping across the pit? Otherwise we can loop around through the entrance to the cavern below the manor."

( Well there we go- Dex Save to grab edge - 18

( Phew!)