*Maybe I should bold text when character speaking.*

“Adventure awaits. Hopefully not in the form of more goblins the nasty buggers.” He snorts.

Finishing your breakfast you depart the Stonehill Inn and see Phandalin in daylight for the first time. Retracing your steps to Barthen's Stores is a simple affair. As you turn right out of the front door of the inn, you see the village square, complete with the shrine that you had seen in the darkness last night. You can now see that it is adorned with a circular symbol bearing a woman's face surrounded by shamrocks. A successful Religion check will tell you which god/goddess it is revering (feel free to do so if you want).

Passing the shrine on your left hand side you head back North in the direction of the Triboar Trail and after a short walk arrive at Elmira's store. The door is open and as you walk in you see that it is a simple wooden building containing a counter and several shelves stacked with adventuring and survival gear that miners and adventurous types going forth into the mountains might need. There are packs, rope, spikes, tools, bedrolls, mess kits, tinderboxes, torches, lanterns, oil, fishing gear and much more. It appears she keeps the people of Phandalin well supplied. 

'Oh, thank goodness you're here,' she says as soon as she sees you, her voice laced with anxiety, 'I couldn't sleep. I've just been in here pacing about since the early hours. I'm worried sick about poor Gundrun and what those nasty goblins might be doing to him. You will get him back, won't you?' Her eyes are pleading.

This is Phandalin. The places you are familiar with are marked.

Calm down elmira and take a deep breath. Panic has never solved problems and for every problem there is a solution
the ranger tried to reassure elmira
It's best to start by telling us everything you know about gundren's business around here. Has he had any trouble with anyone here or did you noticed anything lately?

Alden searched for aeran's gaze. He had noticed the elf's calm and cautious manner during their journey together and instinctively hoped that Aaran would stand by him during the conversation and talk to elmira in a calming manner

Aeran's golden eyes take in everything there is to see during the short walk from the inn to Barthen's Stores, from the shrine at the village square where he attempts to recognise the deity (3 for religion), to the road where they came from last night. Having only been in one other human settlement so far, Neverwinter, the high elf curiously observes every building and villager he passes, noting how things differ from his home. The walk that seemed so much longer in the darkness, is over shortly, and he finds himself in what appears to be the village supplies shop for adventuring. 

"Lady Elmira, forgive our delay, " an apologetic, but reassuring smile appears on the paladin's face as soon as his gaze falls on the woman. "Our journey proved more fatiguing than anticipated. I regret any added concern we've caused you."

The elf expression shows empathy as Elmira voices her worries about Gundrun, and he moves closer to her. However, remembering her reaction from the night before, he maintains a polite distance so he doesn't get too much in the woman's personal space.

"We are all eager to resume the search," he continues, nodding to Alden. "Tracking the road may provide leads. However, Alden makes a valid point. We should approach this situation with clear minds and devise a plan."

Quote from Uhtred_the_Unprepared >>

 

'Oh, thank goodness you're here,' she says as soon as she sees you, her voice laced with anxiety, 'I couldn't sleep. I've just been in here pacing about since the early hours. I'm worried sick about poor Gundrun and what those nasty goblins might be doing to him. You will get him back, won't you?' Her eyes are pleading.

 “Don’t worry lady, we will find Gundrun but as Alden has said we should think this through before charging in.” The last part about thinking and not charging is said with a sigh as if he would much rather confront them with his axe.

Elmina takes a deep breath and closes her eyes. When she opens them she seems a little calmer. She eyes each of you in turn, her eyes searching your faces for... something. After a moment she says,

'Have you heard of the lost mine of the Phandelver Pact? More than five hundred years ago, clans of dwarves and gnomes made an agreement known as the Phandelver Pact, by which they would share a rich mine in a cavern not far from here called Wave Echo Cave. As well its mineral wealth, this mine contained great magical power. Human spellcasters allied themselves with dwarves and gnomes to channel and bind that energy into a great forge called the Forge of Spells, where magic items could be crafted. Times were good and Phandalin prospered. But disaster struck when a powerful bandit force reinforced by evil mercenary wizards attacked Wave Echo Cave to seize its riches and magic treasures. Human wizards fought alongside their dwarf and gnome allies to defend the Forge of Spells, and the spell battle destroyed much of the cavern. I don't think anyone was known to have survived the cave-ins and tremors, and since then knowledge of the location of Wave Echo Cave has been lost.'

She pauses, again looking from face to face. Her hands are resting on the counter in front of her. 'Well, until now. Gundrun thinks he's found Wave Echo Cave and he wants to open it back up. He was so excited about his discovery. He should have kept a lid on it but he's probably gone shooting his mouth off about it. He can't help himself when he gets excited. Gets all animated.' She gives a wan smile at her memory of Gundrun. 'I can only imagine that the wrong person has found out what he was up to and wants it for themselves.' She shrugs to indicate her uncertainty. 'Why the goblins would be involved though is a mystery to me. They wouldn't be interested in a rich mine. Not unless someone, or something, is controlling them, or using them.'

She stops again for a moment, her eyes once again pleading. 'Please get him back. I'm worried about Tharden and Nundro as well. They haven't been back for a while and I'd have thought they'd need to resupply by now. They were camping somewhere outside town I think, but I don't know where exactly.'

As the woman tells the tale of the Phandelver Pact and the Wave Echo Cave, Aeran leans in, his brows knitted together in deep concentration. Even though the story sounds almost fantastical, there is a lingering sincerity in Elmira's voice that captivates the elf, prompting a slow, thoughtful nod when she stops talking. 

"And who might these Tharden and Nundro be?" He asks after some thinking, absent-mindedly rubbing his bare chin. His golden eyes focus on Elmira, seeking more pieces to the puzzle surrounding the village. "Do you know if they have a favoured spot for camping or any locations they might have frequented outside the village?"

With each revelation, Aeran's conviction strengthens that his arrival here was not mere coincidence. For less than a full day, he's already heard stories of so many people being affected by unpleasant forces, that clearly, this poor village and its habitants must be in need of some saving, in one way or another. 

"Have you heard of goblins filing their teeth completely?" His thoughts drift back to the grisly scene of the fallen adversaries. "I wonder if it signifies a particular tribe or if it's an oddity among them."

Thinking about the road and the ambush, he also remembers the empty map case and he retrieves it to show Elmira. "I don't know if Gundrun had found the cave's location or not... but there is a map missing from this case, and I doubt it was one depicting how to reach the village from Neverwinter. Have you seen this before?"

Lukuth shakes his head sadly at the memory of Gundrun. “Well if we can find the mine that’s probably where he’s being kept if it even exists. The first problem is finding the mine. We can follow the tracks on the road from before if they haven’t been washed away or trampled over.”

I once heard about the story but thought it was just gossip, the ranger thought.

Interesting does the tale reveals where the mine once was supposed to be? he asked Elmira.
And a good point by aeran regarding Tharden and Nundro. If you know roughly where they camped, we could certainly look for clues and tracks

Also as Luk says the trial on the road could be a good hint ans starting point

'Oh, sorry,' says Elmira. 'I assumed you'd know Gundren's brothers. They've been working with him. I honestly couldn't say where they're likely to be, but if I had to guess it'd most likely be out East, in the mountains.' She gestures in a roughly Easterly direction.

'I don't really know much about the goblins either, I'm afraid. I haven't actually seen one myself, but I have heard the same thing about the teeth from those who have been unfortunate enough to get up close with them. It's normally to the North of here that they seem to cause most of their trouble. Preying on people on the road I suppose.'

She peers at the map case, then takes it from Aeran's hand and turns it over, studying it. 'I couldn't say for sure,' she says, 'but he definitely had one very like this. If he had a map in here with the location of Wave Echo Cave on it, then it looks like someone else has it now. Someone who uses goblins to do their dirty work. Goblins aren't clever enough to steal a map on their own.'

Looking at Luk and then at Alden, she says, 'I don't know where they'll have taken him but the sooner you get on his trail the better, I would say. The tracks won't stay fresh for long, and they could be doing unspeakable things to him as we stand here gabbing about him.' Her voice starts to crack with emotion at the end of her sentence. She takes a deep breath to calm herself. 'Please, get him back. Be careful though. If you need anything before you go, let me know. If it's weapons you're after, go see Linene at the Lionshield Coster in town, I don't sell them here.' She indicates her shelves, stocked with all manner of useful items. 'Oh, that reminds me,' she continues, 'I owe you all some money.' She pulls out four small leather purses from under the counter and places them on top. They contain 10GP each. 'And don't worry about board and lodging for last night, I'll cover that with Tobler.'

As she finishes speaking, two human boys, maybe 14 or so years old, appear in the doorway behind you. Elmira lifts her chin to speak past you and to the newcomers. 'Ander, Thistle, see the wagon in the yard? You know what to do.' The boys turn without saying anything and head to start unloading the wagon.

As they depart she says to you, 'They're alright, those two. They do a day's work, but they don't say much!'

Aeran nods gratefully at Elmira's gesture, the faintest hint of a smile playing on his lips. "Thank you kindly for the coin, Lady Elmira. We are eager to set off as soon as possible," he acknowledges before turning back to face his companions. "Any of you need anything specific before we head out?"

Glancing back at Elmira, he adds, "Might you have any flint available? And perhaps some provisions suitable for travel? We intend to keep our packs light, but it's wise to be prepared." His golden eyes then shift to the supplies displayed in the shop. "Should we consider any other essentials for the journey?" Aeran queries the rest of the group, seeking to ensure they're adequately equipped for the rescue expedition.

Alden nodded in agreement
Provisions for the journey, definitely.

I'd like to pop into the lionshield coster and stock up on arrows. Better to have and not need than to need and not have

'Of course,' says Elmira. 'Flint and steel over there,' she points to a shelf behind you, 'and what, two days' rations each? That would be forty five silver normally but call it twenty, seeing as you're off to save Gundren.'

'The Lionshield Coster is just opposite the Townmaster's Hall. Go past the inn and keep going straight on. You can't miss it. Come back here and tell me as soon as you know anything, won't you?'

“Thank you my kind lady. Is the rations measured in a bigger size?” Luks stomach rumbles. He turns to the rest of the party, “I think we’d better go find this lion shield place.”

*Sorry for not replying a lot. Cant post on school wifi.*

Aeran pays for a tinderbox and the food rations, thanking Elmira for the discounted offer in the process. Since Alden would probably spend some time in the Lionshield Coster, the paladin considers his next move. He doesn't feel the need to stock on ammunition or to pick up a new weapon... Perhaps he can go and check out the shrine? 

Ok Luk lets check the lionsshield says the ranger and clappes bis hands

Aeran feel free to join otherwise we can meet us at the towns square. Maybe at the shrine?

“We go to shield lion now and meet up at shrine later?” Luk asks Alden and Aeran

The paladin nods in response. "Sounds good, maybe lets aim to meet in half an hour?"

Then he would head out of Elmira's shop to explore the village a bit more, curious to see how the rest of the villagers live. 

All right, then we'll meet later at the shrine.

Come on Luk, let's go, the ranger taps Luk on the shoulder and disappears through the front door