A few long minutes pass... then, from the passage beyond the bridge, comes a group of six goblins... a group with Sildar Hallwinter at the center! The man shows signs of obvious mistreatment, such as numerous scratches and bruises and seems to stagger a little as he walks, clearly at the end of his strength.
The goblin closest to him shouts to you, across the bridge, in broken Common language: "I am Yeemik! Goblin general! I have received your message. Do you want the prisoner? Good! I will deliver him to you! But first you must do something for me! You must kill Klarg! A bugbear who tyrannizes me and the other goblins!"
"Don't... believe him!" Sildar has the strength to shout at you "Attack! Yeemik is a treacherous scoundrel... he won't keep his word!"
"Haven't you learned yet that you can only speak if we tell you to, prisoner?!" Yeemik exclaims, elbowing Sildar in the ribs, which makes the human groan in pain.
Then, the 'Goblin general' turns to you again, across the bridge:"Did you hear me? Kill Klarg, if you want the prisoner free! What are you waiting for? Go!"
"We already killed the bugbear..." Lola whispers "What do we do, Aeleth? Do we tell him?"
“Or, now that we can see Yeemik, do we try to act quickly and stick two arrows in his body?” Merric murmurs "Both Aeleth and I have a bow... If we act quickly and both hit him we could kill him... And the others, losing their 'general', might surrender".
"Oh, way to go, Merric..." Torrga sighs, skeptical "But what will happen if you aren't fast enough or if you don't hit him, by chance?"
Aeleth considered the two options proposed by his companions. Lola's suggestion to tell Yeemik that they had already killed Klarg seemed like the most straightforward course of action. However, Merric's suggestion to attack Yeemik with arrows held some appeal. If they could kill Yeemik quickly and efficiently, the remaining goblins might be more likely to surrender peacefully.
Aeleth weighed the risks and benefits of each option. On the one hand, telling Yeemik that they had already killed Klarg could lead to a fight. The goblins might not believe him, and they might be more likely to attack if they felt that their leader was threatened.
On the other hand, attacking Yeemik with arrows was a risky proposition. They would have to be very fast and accurate in order to hit him before he could react. If they missed, or if they weren't fast enough, the goblins could easily overwhelm them.
Ultimately, Aeleth decided to follow Lola's suggestion. He approached the bridge and shouted to Yeemik: "We have already killed Klarg! He is dead!"
Upon hearing this, some goblins rejoice (especially two... which you recognize as the ones that Klarg had enjoyed making his wolf chase), others are surprised... Yeemik also seems initially surprised, but he soon recovers and replies : "If you really killed that hateful tyrant, bring me his treasure! The one he always kept with him in his cave, with his wolf! We will exchange his treasure for the prisoner!"
"These were not the agreements!" Lola protests, waving her Greataxe threateningly at the distant goblin general "You asked us to kill Klarg! And Klarg has been killed! Now you must free Sildar, or you will prove dishonorable and unworthy of trust!"
"All right, you foolish woman!" Yeemik laughs “I may be dishonorable and unworthy of trust! But you want this prisoner! So, what do we do? Do you bring me Klarg's treasure?”
"What a hateful fellow..." Torrga mutters "What do we do, Aeleth?"
"We have to trick him..." Merric growls"Let's propose to make the Sildar-treasure exchange in the middle of the bridge, then instead of giving him the treasure, we attack him..."
"It's dishonorable!" the loyal mulatto warrior protests.
Aeleth stepped forward, his voice firm and unwavering. "We shall not be deceived, Yeemik. We have killed Klarg, as you requested, and now we demand the unconditional release of our prisoner. If you refuse, we shall take Sildar by force!"
Aeleth's forceful declaration causes the goblin general to hesitate, his bravado waning... At the elf's side, the human on the right, with the greataxe already menacingly raised and the dwarf on the left, ready to fight with shield and warhammer, instill more more doubts in Yeemik's mind. And there's also the halfling with the bow who already has an arrow nocked, the tip of which seems to be aimed right at him...
Yeemik's grin falters, and he looks at the ground, his shoulders slumped: "Very well" he says in a resigned voice. "I... I'm feeling generous today. Come on, prisoner... you can go".
Sildar looks at the goblin general in disbelief, fearing a trap... but in fact the other goblins have stopped holding him back and then he, first with hesitant steps, then with a smile of relief on his face, crosses the bridge and reaches you, hugging you one by one: "Aeleth! You were great! Gundren was so right about you! And you too! Lola! Torrga! Merric!"
Aeleth is pleased that his words have had the desired effect. He knows that Yeemik is a treacherous creature, but he is also a coward. Aeleth has no doubt that if they had tried to take Sildar by force, Yeemik would have ordered his goblins to attack.
"It was our pleasure," Aeleth replies. "Now, we must leave this place before Yeemik changes his mind".
On their way back through Klarg's cave, the party finds the sacks and crates of (probably looted) provisions marked with the image of a blue lion - the symbol of the Lionshield Coster, a merchant company with a warehouse and trading post in Phandalin.
And, among the supplies, the bugbear's treasure chest!
"The provisions!" exclaims Sildar "We should take them to Phandalin... They are certainly waiting for them and can't explain why they haven't arrived yet!"
"We can lower them down the natural chimney we climbed to get here..." Lola reflects "Then load them onto our wagon. If they need them in Phandalin, we shouldn't leave them here..."
In the meantime, Merric becomes interested in the treasure chest and tries to open it, discovering that it's very easy, it's not locked! He, before your eyes, begins to examine the contents: "Copper coins... there are many! Oh, and also silver coins... Then there are these two potions..." he tries to take a small sip, first from one and then from the other "Potions of Healing!" he announces "They can always be handy, for when Torrga runs out of healing spells... and a jade statuette of a frog with tiny golden orbs for eyes it could be a magic item... or maybe just a valuable object of art".
"Dividing the coins is easy..." Torrga quickly makes two calculations "600cp and 110sp. There are 5 of us in total, now also counting Sildar. That makes 120cp and 22sp each. The statuette and the potions, however, cannot be divided between everyone... You Aeleth, what would you prefer to have? The statuette? Or one of the two Potions of Healing?"
Aeleth contemplates the options presented before him. The jade statuette of a frog with tiny golden orbs for eyes is undoubtedly a valuable object of art, and could potentially have magical properties. However, the two Potions of Healing are far more practical and immediately useful, offering the possibility of restoring the party's health in the event of injury or other setbacks.
After careful consideration, Aeleth decides to accept one of the Potions of Healing. He knows that the party's safety is paramount, and having an extra source of healing could prove invaluable in the challenges that lie ahead.
"I will take one of the Potions of Healing," Aeleth declares. "It is the most practical and useful item for our current situation".
"Well! Take this!" Torrga gives Aeleth the potion. "Then you take the other one, Merric" she says to the halfling. “And you keep the statuette for now, Lola… You are a strong and resilient warrior, the healing potions will actually be more useful to Aeleth and Merric than to you”.
"Agreed!" Lola exclaims, putting the figurine in her pocket.
After that, by working together, you manage to bring the boxes of supplies near the natural fireplace. Lola ties them up one by one and lowers them into the cave with the wolves. Then she helps all of you down. Finally, she puts the rope back in her backpack and climbs down, as agile as she had climbed up at the beginning.
The wolves remember having befriended Torrga and Aeleth and do not disturb you. The dwarf looks at them, doubtful... "Perhaps we would do better to free them, Aeleth? They seem friendly towards us now... they shouldn't attack us... and if we free them, the goblins will no longer be able to use them".
Aeleth considers Torrga's suggestion. Freeing the wolves would indeed be a compassionate act, and it would also diminish the threat posed by the goblins. However, Aeleth also recognizes the risks involved. The wolves are still wild animals, and there is no guarantee that they would remain friendly towards the party if they were freed.
After careful consideration, Aeleth decides to err on the side of caution. "While it would be noble to free the wolves, I believe it is too risky. We have no way of knowing for sure how they would react, and it would be foolish to put ourselves in danger. We should leave them here and continue on our way."
Torrga nods in reluctant agreement. "You might be right, Aeleth. All in all, it's better to be safe than sorry".
You all make your way out of the Cragmaw Hideout and walk back until you find the place where your wagon is waiting for you. You pack up the provisions and load them onto the wagon, then continue on your way, leaving the Cragmaw Hideout behind you.
Sildar never stops thanking you for saving him and assures you that as soon as you arrive in Phandalin he will reward you.
You encounter no further complications and, at the end of the day, 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 now much more at ease. He helps you find accommodation at the Stonehill Inn, delivers both the supplies you already brought and those of the Lionshield Coster, and finally, he also rewards you for freeing him. You then receive another 30gp each. After a good dinner offered, you go to bed early, on the one hand tired from the adversities you had to overcome to free Sildar and make your delivery, but on the other hand proud of yourselves and what you managed to do!
The next day, you wake up much more confident in your abilities!
After spending the night at the 'Stonehill Inn', start your day with breakfast in its common room.
The owner is a human male with short brown hair, named Toblen Stonehill. His short stature and faint beard make him seem young, perhaps more so than he actually is. His cheerful green eyes and ready smile reveal his friendly nature.
As soon as the five of you sit down at a table, the elf Aeleth, the dwarf Torrga, the halfling Merric, the tall mulatto woman Lola and the elderly gray-haired man Sildar, Toblen himself comes to bid you good morning: "How nice to see new faces here in Phandalin!" he places a tray with eggs and bacon in the middle of the table for everyone "Did you sleep well in my Inn? I hope you had a good time and that you will stay here for long! If you need information about the village, just ask me!"
Sildar seems to think for a moment, then replies: "Thank you Toblen, we will keep in mind how helpful you are and yes, we will probably stay here for a while! But for now we will be content to enjoy your hospitality - and the breakfast you brought us!"
"Serving you is a pleasure, gentlemen!" smiles Toblen promptly, bowing "If you need me, just wave to me - or anyone on the staff - and we'll come running to you!" and he leaves you alone, going to take care of other customers.
As he begins to eat some bacon and eggs, Sildar speaks to you: "Well, guys. You did a great job saving me, but we still have Gundren left to save".
"Of course we have to save him!" Torrga blurts out impatiently "He's my cousin!"
“To save him, though,” Sildar speaks again “we must first find out where they took him and his map”.
"What map?" Merric becomes interested.
"The three Rockseeker brothers (Gundren, Tharden, and Nundro)" Sildar explains "recently located an entrance to the long-lost Wave Echo Cave, site of the mines of the Phandelver's Pact and of a place of great power known as The Forge of Spells. Gundren had a map showing the secret location of Wave Echo Cave! But Klarg, the bugbear (now deceased) leader of the Cragmaw Hideout, had orders to waylay Gundren. Someone called 'Black Spider' sent word that the dwarf (and the map) was to be brought to him, at a place called 'Cragmaw Castle'. Sadly, I have no idea where this 'Cragmaw Castle' is, but someone in Phandalin might know. In particular, a contact of mine, a wizard named Iarno Albrek, he might know. He traveled to the town two months ago to establish order there - but unfortunately I have never heard from him again. Perhaps, if we can find Iarno, he will be able to help us find Gundren".
"So... shall we try asking Toblen about Iarno?" Lola speculates "He seems like such a helpful guy..."
"I don't know whether to trust him yet..." Sildar thoughtfully scratches his beard, then turns his eyes to the elf wizard "What do you think, Aeleth?"
Aeleth considers Sildar's words thoughtfully, his keen blue eyes scanning his face. He understands his caution, but he also shares Lola's sense of urgency. Time is of the essence, and they cannot afford to dilly-dally while Gundren remains in danger.
"I agree with Lola," Aeleth says, his voice measured and confident. "Toblen seems like a friendly and approachable fellow. Perhaps he can shed some light on Iarno's whereabouts. We should certainly inquire about him, but we should do so subtly, avoiding any mention of our quest or the Forge of Spells. We need to gauge his reaction and demeanor to determine whether he's trustworthy or not."
Aeleth pauses, his gaze hardening slightly. "If he proves to be genuine, we may be able to secure his cooperation and gather valuable information about Cragmaw Castle. However, if he proves to be untrustworthy, we may need to employ other methods to locate Iarno, such as asking around town or investigating potential leads. One way or another, we must find a way to reach Cragmaw Castle and rescue Gundren."
Aeleth turns to the rest of the party, his expression resolute. "Are you with me?" he asks.
In fact, Lola seems to begin to appreciate Aeleth more and more... The mulatto warrior always smiles at him when she turns to him...
"Alright, Aeleth!" Sildar looks the elf in the eyes, trusting his judgment "I will only ask about Iarno, without mentioning anything else..." and having said this, after putting a last bite of eggs and bacon in his mouth, he turns towards the short owner of the Inn, calling him to your table with a nod.
"Here I am, gentlemen!" Toblen arrives a few moments later "Oh, I see you enjoyed your breakfast!" he smiles, noticing the now almost empty tray "Do you want me to bring you some more?"
“No, thank you,” Sildar replies, gradually lowering his voice. "I would rather like a simple piece of information... I would like to know from a smart and well-informed guy like you if you have ever seen here in Phandalin a short, dark-bearded human wizard in his thirties. It should have arrived two months ago... Iarno is his name, Iarno Albrek".
"Of course, sir, whatever you want, sir, let me think..." the innkeeper thoughtfully runs a hand through his short brown hair "Two months ago... Yes... He must have stayed right here, for the first few days... But almost immediately disappeared" the man's green eyes become sad "while exploring the area around Tresendar Manor. You know, sir, it was the period when all those problems with those Redbrand thugs began, those scoundrels which now practically keep Phandalin under their heels... And in fact they chose Tresendar Manor as their base... Maybe... they... maybe they had something to do with the disappearance of the man you seek".
"If it's the Redbrands, I can very well believe it!" Merric blurts out, his face darkening "They are an association of real criminals! A pest to Phandalin".
Lola unconsciously tightens her hands on the handle of her greataxe: "If they are a threat to Phandalin and moreover they are probably implicated in the disappearance of Iarno, I say we should face them! This village and these people deserve to live in peace and thrive, in an environment where civilization progresses... Let's eradicate this 'pest' - perhaps we will discover that Iarno is their prisoner and we will be able to free him! What do you think, Aeleth?"
In response to Toblen's revelation about Iarno's disappearance, Aeleth nods in understanding. "Thank you for the information, Toblen. We will certainly keep an eye out for any sign of Iarno and investigate the possibility that the Redbrands are involved in his disappearance. In the meantime, we will continue to gather information about Cragmaw Castle and how to reach it."
With a determined look, Aeleth turns to the rest of the party. "We have a lot of work to do, but I am confident that we can succeed. Together, we will rescue Gundren, bring an end to the Redbrands' reign of terror in Phandalin, and perhaps even find Iarno and free him from captivity."
"If you can free Phandalin from the plague of Redbrands bandits," Toblen smiles "you will have everyone's gratitude! The Redbrands hassle every business in town, perhaps with the sole exception of the Phandalin Miner's Exchange - but, hey, nobody wants trouble with Halia Thornton, who runs it. However," his green eyes cloud with a hint of apprehension "be careful! Those criminals are completely merciless".
When Toblen walks away, Merric confirms: "Toblen is right, I know from personal experience; the Redbrands are violent and ruthless. Perhaps, before heading straight for Tresendar Manor, it would be better to ambush a group of them, here in the village ... You know, they usually wander around the village in groups, showing off... We could lurk in an alley, wait for a group of them to pass... I know how to recognize them... and take them by surprise and reduce a little their number, before invading their base. We should meet less resistance, then".
"It's not a very honorable strategy..." Lola is a little doubtful, as she frowns.
“Maybe it's practical though” Torrga concedes. “Any strategy that brings us closer to freeing my cousin Gundren has my blessing”.
Aeleth nods thoughtfully, considering Merric's suggestion. "An ambush could be a viable strategy," he agrees. "It would certainly reduce their numbers, making it easier to infiltrate Tresendar Manor. However, we must proceed with caution. The Redbrands are dangerous and unpredictable, and we don't want to find ourselves outnumbered or outmatched."
He turns to Lola, his blue eyes meeting the mulatto warrior's gaze. "I understand your reservations, Lola. Ambushing them is not the most honorable way to deal with them, but sometimes, pragmatism must prevail. Our priority is to rescue Gundren and bring an end to the Redbrands' reign of terror. If ambushing them helps us achieve those goals, then it is a necessary evil."
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A Friend Of Mine:
Aeleth nods in satisfaction. "Good," he says. "Now, go!"
Gugga scrambles to her feet and runs back towards the goblin common room. Aeleth and his companions watch her go, their weapons at the ready.
A few long minutes pass... then, from the passage beyond the bridge, comes a group of six goblins... a group with Sildar Hallwinter at the center! The man shows signs of obvious mistreatment, such as numerous scratches and bruises and seems to stagger a little as he walks, clearly at the end of his strength.
The goblin closest to him shouts to you, across the bridge, in broken Common language: "I am Yeemik! Goblin general! I have received your message. Do you want the prisoner? Good! I will deliver him to you! But first you must do something for me! You must kill Klarg! A bugbear who tyrannizes me and the other goblins!"
"Don't... believe him!" Sildar has the strength to shout at you "Attack! Yeemik is a treacherous scoundrel... he won't keep his word!"
"Haven't you learned yet that you can only speak if we tell you to, prisoner?!" Yeemik exclaims, elbowing Sildar in the ribs, which makes the human groan in pain.
Then, the 'Goblin general' turns to you again, across the bridge: "Did you hear me? Kill Klarg, if you want the prisoner free! What are you waiting for? Go!"
"We already killed the bugbear..." Lola whispers "What do we do, Aeleth? Do we tell him?"
“Or, now that we can see Yeemik, do we try to act quickly and stick two arrows in his body?” Merric murmurs "Both Aeleth and I have a bow... If we act quickly and both hit him we could kill him... And the others, losing their 'general', might surrender".
"Oh, way to go, Merric..." Torrga sighs, skeptical "But what will happen if you aren't fast enough or if you don't hit him, by chance?"
A Friend Of Mine:
Aeleth considered the two options proposed by his companions. Lola's suggestion to tell Yeemik that they had already killed Klarg seemed like the most straightforward course of action. However, Merric's suggestion to attack Yeemik with arrows held some appeal. If they could kill Yeemik quickly and efficiently, the remaining goblins might be more likely to surrender peacefully.
Aeleth weighed the risks and benefits of each option. On the one hand, telling Yeemik that they had already killed Klarg could lead to a fight. The goblins might not believe him, and they might be more likely to attack if they felt that their leader was threatened.
On the other hand, attacking Yeemik with arrows was a risky proposition. They would have to be very fast and accurate in order to hit him before he could react. If they missed, or if they weren't fast enough, the goblins could easily overwhelm them.
Ultimately, Aeleth decided to follow Lola's suggestion. He approached the bridge and shouted to Yeemik: "We have already killed Klarg! He is dead!"
Upon hearing this, some goblins rejoice (especially two... which you recognize as the ones that Klarg had enjoyed making his wolf chase), others are surprised... Yeemik also seems initially surprised, but he soon recovers and replies : "If you really killed that hateful tyrant, bring me his treasure! The one he always kept with him in his cave, with his wolf! We will exchange his treasure for the prisoner!"
"These were not the agreements!" Lola protests, waving her Greataxe threateningly at the distant goblin general "You asked us to kill Klarg! And Klarg has been killed! Now you must free Sildar, or you will prove dishonorable and unworthy of trust!"
"All right, you foolish woman!" Yeemik laughs “I may be dishonorable and unworthy of trust! But you want this prisoner! So, what do we do? Do you bring me Klarg's treasure?”
"What a hateful fellow..." Torrga mutters "What do we do, Aeleth?"
"We have to trick him..." Merric growls "Let's propose to make the Sildar-treasure exchange in the middle of the bridge, then instead of giving him the treasure, we attack him..."
"It's dishonorable!" the loyal mulatto warrior protests.
“Yes, and Yeemik is too!” the halfling retorts.
A Friend Of Mine:
Aeleth stepped forward, his voice firm and unwavering. "We shall not be deceived, Yeemik. We have killed Klarg, as you requested, and now we demand the unconditional release of our prisoner. If you refuse, we shall take Sildar by force!"
Intimidation: 20
Aeleth's forceful declaration causes the goblin general to hesitate, his bravado waning... At the elf's side, the human on the right, with the greataxe already menacingly raised and the dwarf on the left, ready to fight with shield and warhammer, instill more more doubts in Yeemik's mind. And there's also the halfling with the bow who already has an arrow nocked, the tip of which seems to be aimed right at him...
Yeemik's grin falters, and he looks at the ground, his shoulders slumped: "Very well" he says in a resigned voice. "I... I'm feeling generous today. Come on, prisoner... you can go".
Sildar looks at the goblin general in disbelief, fearing a trap... but in fact the other goblins have stopped holding him back and then he, first with hesitant steps, then with a smile of relief on his face, crosses the bridge and reaches you, hugging you one by one: "Aeleth! You were great! Gundren was so right about you! And you too! Lola! Torrga! Merric!"
A Friend Of Mine:
Aeleth is pleased that his words have had the desired effect. He knows that Yeemik is a treacherous creature, but he is also a coward. Aeleth has no doubt that if they had tried to take Sildar by force, Yeemik would have ordered his goblins to attack.
"It was our pleasure," Aeleth replies. "Now, we must leave this place before Yeemik changes his mind".
On their way back through Klarg's cave, the party finds the sacks and crates of (probably looted) provisions marked with the image of a blue lion - the symbol of the Lionshield Coster, a merchant company with a warehouse and trading post in Phandalin.
And, among the supplies, the bugbear's treasure chest!
"The provisions!" exclaims Sildar "We should take them to Phandalin... They are certainly waiting for them and can't explain why they haven't arrived yet!"
"We can lower them down the natural chimney we climbed to get here..." Lola reflects "Then load them onto our wagon. If they need them in Phandalin, we shouldn't leave them here..."
In the meantime, Merric becomes interested in the treasure chest and tries to open it, discovering that it's very easy, it's not locked! He, before your eyes, begins to examine the contents: "Copper coins... there are many! Oh, and also silver coins... Then there are these two potions..." he tries to take a small sip, first from one and then from the other "Potions of Healing!" he announces "They can always be handy, for when Torrga runs out of healing spells... and a jade statuette of a frog with tiny golden orbs for eyes it could be a magic item... or maybe just a valuable object of art".
"Dividing the coins is easy..." Torrga quickly makes two calculations "600cp and 110sp. There are 5 of us in total, now also counting Sildar. That makes 120cp and 22sp each. The statuette and the potions, however, cannot be divided between everyone... You Aeleth, what would you prefer to have? The statuette? Or one of the two Potions of Healing?"
A Friend Of Mine:
Aeleth contemplates the options presented before him. The jade statuette of a frog with tiny golden orbs for eyes is undoubtedly a valuable object of art, and could potentially have magical properties. However, the two Potions of Healing are far more practical and immediately useful, offering the possibility of restoring the party's health in the event of injury or other setbacks.
After careful consideration, Aeleth decides to accept one of the Potions of Healing. He knows that the party's safety is paramount, and having an extra source of healing could prove invaluable in the challenges that lie ahead.
"I will take one of the Potions of Healing," Aeleth declares. "It is the most practical and useful item for our current situation".
"Well! Take this!" Torrga gives Aeleth the potion. "Then you take the other one, Merric" she says to the halfling. “And you keep the statuette for now, Lola… You are a strong and resilient warrior, the healing potions will actually be more useful to Aeleth and Merric than to you”.
"Agreed!" Lola exclaims, putting the figurine in her pocket.
After that, by working together, you manage to bring the boxes of supplies near the natural fireplace. Lola ties them up one by one and lowers them into the cave with the wolves. Then she helps all of you down. Finally, she puts the rope back in her backpack and climbs down, as agile as she had climbed up at the beginning.
The wolves remember having befriended Torrga and Aeleth and do not disturb you. The dwarf looks at them, doubtful... "Perhaps we would do better to free them, Aeleth? They seem friendly towards us now... they shouldn't attack us... and if we free them, the goblins will no longer be able to use them".
A Friend Of Mine:
Aeleth considers Torrga's suggestion. Freeing the wolves would indeed be a compassionate act, and it would also diminish the threat posed by the goblins. However, Aeleth also recognizes the risks involved. The wolves are still wild animals, and there is no guarantee that they would remain friendly towards the party if they were freed.
After careful consideration, Aeleth decides to err on the side of caution. "While it would be noble to free the wolves, I believe it is too risky. We have no way of knowing for sure how they would react, and it would be foolish to put ourselves in danger. We should leave them here and continue on our way."
Torrga nods in reluctant agreement. "You might be right, Aeleth. All in all, it's better to be safe than sorry".
You all make your way out of the Cragmaw Hideout and walk back until you find the place where your wagon is waiting for you. You pack up the provisions and load them onto the wagon, then continue on your way, leaving the Cragmaw Hideout behind you.
Sildar never stops thanking you for saving him and assures you that as soon as you arrive in Phandalin he will reward you.
You encounter no further complications and, at the end of the day, 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 now much more at ease. He helps you find accommodation at the Stonehill Inn, delivers both the supplies you already brought and those of the Lionshield Coster, and finally, he also rewards you for freeing him. You then receive another 30gp each. After a good dinner offered, you go to bed early, on the one hand tired from the adversities you had to overcome to free Sildar and make your delivery, but on the other hand proud of yourselves and what you managed to do!
The next day, you wake up much more confident in your abilities!
[[ OOC: This means you've leveled up! Gratz! ]]
A Friend Of Mine:
Aeleth wakes up with a sense of renewed vigor and determination. He is ready to face any challenge that lies ahead.
He looks over at the other members of the party and smiles. They are also looking healthy and refreshed.
They have all grown closer during their adventure, and they are now a tight-knit team.
Aeleth knows that they will face many more challenges in the future, but he is confident that they can overcome them together.
He is ready to face the world with his newfound power and his trusty companions.
After spending the night at the 'Stonehill Inn', start your day with breakfast in its common room.
The owner is a human male with short brown hair, named Toblen Stonehill. His short stature and faint beard make him seem young, perhaps more so than he actually is. His cheerful green eyes and ready smile reveal his friendly nature.
As soon as the five of you sit down at a table, the elf Aeleth, the dwarf Torrga, the halfling Merric, the tall mulatto woman Lola and the elderly gray-haired man Sildar, Toblen himself comes to bid you good morning: "How nice to see new faces here in Phandalin!" he places a tray with eggs and bacon in the middle of the table for everyone "Did you sleep well in my Inn? I hope you had a good time and that you will stay here for long! If you need information about the village, just ask me!"
Sildar seems to think for a moment, then replies: "Thank you Toblen, we will keep in mind how helpful you are and yes, we will probably stay here for a while! But for now we will be content to enjoy your hospitality - and the breakfast you brought us!"
"Serving you is a pleasure, gentlemen!" smiles Toblen promptly, bowing "If you need me, just wave to me - or anyone on the staff - and we'll come running to you!" and he leaves you alone, going to take care of other customers.
As he begins to eat some bacon and eggs, Sildar speaks to you: "Well, guys. You did a great job saving me, but we still have Gundren left to save".
"Of course we have to save him!" Torrga blurts out impatiently "He's my cousin!"
“To save him, though,” Sildar speaks again “we must first find out where they took him and his map”.
"What map?" Merric becomes interested.
"The three Rockseeker brothers (Gundren, Tharden, and Nundro)" Sildar explains "recently located an entrance to the long-lost Wave Echo Cave, site of the mines of the Phandelver's Pact and of a place of great power known as The Forge of Spells. Gundren had a map showing the secret location of Wave Echo Cave! But Klarg, the bugbear (now deceased) leader of the Cragmaw Hideout, had orders to waylay Gundren. Someone called 'Black Spider' sent word that the dwarf (and the map) was to be brought to him, at a place called 'Cragmaw Castle'. Sadly, I have no idea where this 'Cragmaw Castle' is, but someone in Phandalin might know. In particular, a contact of mine, a wizard named Iarno Albrek, he might know. He traveled to the town two months ago to establish order there - but unfortunately I have never heard from him again. Perhaps, if we can find Iarno, he will be able to help us find Gundren".
"So... shall we try asking Toblen about Iarno?" Lola speculates "He seems like such a helpful guy..."
"I don't know whether to trust him yet..." Sildar thoughtfully scratches his beard, then turns his eyes to the elf wizard "What do you think, Aeleth?"
A Friend Of Mine:
Aeleth considers Sildar's words thoughtfully, his keen blue eyes scanning his face. He understands his caution, but he also shares Lola's sense of urgency. Time is of the essence, and they cannot afford to dilly-dally while Gundren remains in danger.
"I agree with Lola," Aeleth says, his voice measured and confident. "Toblen seems like a friendly and approachable fellow. Perhaps he can shed some light on Iarno's whereabouts. We should certainly inquire about him, but we should do so subtly, avoiding any mention of our quest or the Forge of Spells. We need to gauge his reaction and demeanor to determine whether he's trustworthy or not."
Aeleth pauses, his gaze hardening slightly. "If he proves to be genuine, we may be able to secure his cooperation and gather valuable information about Cragmaw Castle. However, if he proves to be untrustworthy, we may need to employ other methods to locate Iarno, such as asking around town or investigating potential leads. One way or another, we must find a way to reach Cragmaw Castle and rescue Gundren."
Aeleth turns to the rest of the party, his expression resolute. "Are you with me?" he asks.
"With you?" Lola smiles "Always!"
In fact, Lola seems to begin to appreciate Aeleth more and more... The mulatto warrior always smiles at him when she turns to him...
"Alright, Aeleth!" Sildar looks the elf in the eyes, trusting his judgment "I will only ask about Iarno, without mentioning anything else..." and having said this, after putting a last bite of eggs and bacon in his mouth, he turns towards the short owner of the Inn, calling him to your table with a nod.
"Here I am, gentlemen!" Toblen arrives a few moments later "Oh, I see you enjoyed your breakfast!" he smiles, noticing the now almost empty tray "Do you want me to bring you some more?"
“No, thank you,” Sildar replies, gradually lowering his voice. "I would rather like a simple piece of information... I would like to know from a smart and well-informed guy like you if you have ever seen here in Phandalin a short, dark-bearded human wizard in his thirties. It should have arrived two months ago... Iarno is his name, Iarno Albrek".
"Of course, sir, whatever you want, sir, let me think..." the innkeeper thoughtfully runs a hand through his short brown hair "Two months ago... Yes... He must have stayed right here, for the first few days... But almost immediately disappeared" the man's green eyes become sad "while exploring the area around Tresendar Manor. You know, sir, it was the period when all those problems with those Redbrand thugs began, those scoundrels which now practically keep Phandalin under their heels... And in fact they chose Tresendar Manor as their base... Maybe... they... maybe they had something to do with the disappearance of the man you seek".
"If it's the Redbrands, I can very well believe it!" Merric blurts out, his face darkening "They are an association of real criminals! A pest to Phandalin".
Lola unconsciously tightens her hands on the handle of her greataxe: "If they are a threat to Phandalin and moreover they are probably implicated in the disappearance of Iarno, I say we should face them! This village and these people deserve to live in peace and thrive, in an environment where civilization progresses... Let's eradicate this 'pest' - perhaps we will discover that Iarno is their prisoner and we will be able to free him! What do you think, Aeleth?"
A Friend Of Mine:
In response to Toblen's revelation about Iarno's disappearance, Aeleth nods in understanding. "Thank you for the information, Toblen. We will certainly keep an eye out for any sign of Iarno and investigate the possibility that the Redbrands are involved in his disappearance. In the meantime, we will continue to gather information about Cragmaw Castle and how to reach it."
With a determined look, Aeleth turns to the rest of the party. "We have a lot of work to do, but I am confident that we can succeed. Together, we will rescue Gundren, bring an end to the Redbrands' reign of terror in Phandalin, and perhaps even find Iarno and free him from captivity."
"If you can free Phandalin from the plague of Redbrands bandits," Toblen smiles "you will have everyone's gratitude! The Redbrands hassle every business in town, perhaps with the sole exception of the Phandalin Miner's Exchange - but, hey, nobody wants trouble with Halia Thornton, who runs it. However," his green eyes cloud with a hint of apprehension "be careful! Those criminals are completely merciless".
When Toblen walks away, Merric confirms: "Toblen is right, I know from personal experience; the Redbrands are violent and ruthless. Perhaps, before heading straight for Tresendar Manor, it would be better to ambush a group of them, here in the village ... You know, they usually wander around the village in groups, showing off... We could lurk in an alley, wait for a group of them to pass... I know how to recognize them... and take them by surprise and reduce a little their number, before invading their base. We should meet less resistance, then".
"It's not a very honorable strategy..." Lola is a little doubtful, as she frowns.
“Maybe it's practical though” Torrga concedes. “Any strategy that brings us closer to freeing my cousin Gundren has my blessing”.
A Friend Of Mine:
Aeleth nods thoughtfully, considering Merric's suggestion. "An ambush could be a viable strategy," he agrees. "It would certainly reduce their numbers, making it easier to infiltrate Tresendar Manor. However, we must proceed with caution. The Redbrands are dangerous and unpredictable, and we don't want to find ourselves outnumbered or outmatched."
He turns to Lola, his blue eyes meeting the mulatto warrior's gaze. "I understand your reservations, Lola. Ambushing them is not the most honorable way to deal with them, but sometimes, pragmatism must prevail. Our priority is to rescue Gundren and bring an end to the Redbrands' reign of terror. If ambushing them helps us achieve those goals, then it is a necessary evil."