"No point in makin' too many decisions 'til we hear what Harbin's got to say."

Krikas 

Too long it had been since he'd given a performance like that. Many years spent in a fight arena had robbed him of the joy of music. Quietly he thanked Aelinn for the opportunity. With the question of what to do, he simply replied "In the morning, with a clear head. No need to decide tonight our course of action." With that he disappears to the common room and can be found snoring within a matter of minutes.

The smell of freshly baked bread rouses him from his restful slumber. "Now that's how you should wake!" He ventures to the greatroom and takes in the aftermath of the jolliness of the previous night. He hadn't been privy to many of the conversations as he'd been too busy riling up the party goers. He looks to Briar. "So what did the Lady have to say? Or was it the militia that had your prickles up? Rusty said you needed a spy."

Rusty watches the woman drop food in front of him as he stands (hunches?) at the end of the table. "Madam-dam-dam-dam, I do not ..." But she has moved on to take care of other patrons, and the metal man's sentence peters out. He looks down at the bowl silently as Aelinn begins speaking about the day.

Briar says to Aelinn, "I may help Linene with the snow again today. Though for the news, there's a friend of hers that went out to seek an oracle's aid for her sick daughter. Apparently the woman hasn't returned yet so Linene is worried about and wondered if we might be able to see what's happened." He asks the rogue, "This Sildar. Where did he say to meet him? And is he perhaps the Harper contact?"

He says to Krikas, "For the spying, that was prior to the Redbands' arrival at the shrine. Wasn't fully certain what they were saying. But we had well enough of an experience to know what they're about."

Offering his thoughts on what the group should do he concurs with Felmar, "Seeing Harbin is a plan I can agree with. He hired the mercenaries and the townspeople feel he's not doing enough about the dragon. Hopefully he's just a man too far over his head, but I would be wary of what he has to say."

Aelinn

Briar, Sildar said to find him at the Farriers opposite Barthens. He knows someone who has met the Harper, but in general I think he's unhappy with the redbands. We can pop in to see him after we sell the brigands weapons and get you some arrows. 

Rusty if you can't eat that pass it over, I'm famished, too much dancing last night. Harbin first though, we just have to be careful what we say. Our reason for being here is the ore, there's no reason why we can't help out as well, and I'm worried about this oracle and the child.

Quote from JudyMac79120 >>

Aelinn

Briar, Sildar said to find him at the Farriers opposite Barthens. He knows someone who has met the Harper, but in general I think he's unhappy with the redbands. We can pop in to see him after we sell the brigands weapons and get you some arrows. 

Rusty if you can't eat that pass it over, I'm famished, too much dancing last night. Harbin first though, we just have to be careful what we say. Our reason for being here is the ore, there's no reason why we can't help out as well, and I'm worried about this oracle and the child.

 “I’m sharin’ yer concern. This town has lots o’ problems, stemmin’ from these red bands, But te me thinkin’ this missin’ kid’s the only one in imminent danger. Others can wait a day if need be.”

Aelinn

Everyone agree? We go and have a talk to Harbin stressing the problem with ore and missing miners. Keep away from other subjects. Persuasion 17

Toblen we'll be wanting the common room kept for us please. She called to the innkeeper and saw him nod back. Was it her imagination or did he actually smile.. 

Let's go then.

Finishing the stew the young Fallia comes to clear the dishes, her youthful energy barely contained within the grin upon her face. It is obvious she wishes to say something but contains herself until the third trip back for the last couple items. "So are you gonna kill the dragon? Your sent by Neverwinter right, I heard people talking last night. Can you do magic, I've never seen any magic, well any real magic that is. Look I can do this..." a swirl of lights dance like a mini tornado across the table. She begins again just as Toblen steps out, with a cautious smile he ushers the child back towards the kitchen, "Sorry she gets carried away " he mutters turning back to his duties.

As you step from the warmth of the Inn into the blast of cold that has settled about the land, a shiver runs down your spine. You realize that none of you came prepared for the cold and snow that settled in town. Drifts pile several feet against the buildings, collected on thatched roof tops and windowsills. A pair of goats bleet from within a small enclosure, smart enough to get out of the biting wind, unlike yourselves. A few folk bustle from one place to another, bundled in thick furs and clothing, not lingering long out of doors.

Many of the buildings in town are small homes or cottages, they have seen better days. Crumbling stone, rotting timbers or even holes in the thatch of some roofs. In contrast the Manor on the hill has been renovated over the last couple years. New siding, a fresh layer of wooden shingles for the roof. Smoke rises from several chimneys rising above the eaves. A scaffolding has been erected near the back, a trio of dwarves with hammer and chisel are repairing the stonework.

As you approach the long rectangular building the courtyard still reveals the remnants of long abandonment. Stones from fallen outbuildings litter the cracked cobbles. Skeletons of hardy shrubs, leafless, wave in the cold wind, clinging to the cracks they sprouted from. The carcass of a shattered statue lies motionless, forlorn. Only a single guard, high in the lone tower is evident. The front door, a tall, simple but sturdy affair of wood planks secured with wrought iron and bolted into the rock wall, has no guard, only a simple knocker at head height.

The scarred man opens the door abruptly as your hand hangs in mid air, scant inches from the metal ring. With only a single eye he scans your crew, shivering in the cold and ushers you in. "He's been waiting, impatiently, since I told him you were here last night." Without waiting, perhaps expecting you to close the door yourselves he strides into the manor. The ceilings hang well above your heads, wooden chandeliers with candles burning light the comfortable space. Furniture of fine woods and embroidered cloth are scattered about the open rooms, pictures hang from the walls and knick knacks sit prominently upon burnished shelves. It is clear an effort has been made to furnish the home with only the best, but it still has an air of cold bareness, the effort it seems is still in its early stages.

The scarred man guides you into Harbin Westers study, closing the door with a nod from the heavy set man behind a desk. Harbin doesnt bother getting up, he looks you up and down as if inspecting a choice piece of meat. His face neither warm nor inviting. He picks up a small vial, dusting the page of a ledger then blowing it off and closing the book. "Well?" he says impatiently. "Get on with it, I have much to do today."

“Bah, no harm done,” Felmar says to the innkeeper. He thinks back to his youth where his natural skill for fighting was discouraged in favor of learning his father’s business. “Talent must be honed. Keep practicin’ kid.” Flips a silver in direction of the child. “Fer the show,” he says with a wink.

Once the party were in front of Harbin, Felmar quickly decided that he didn’t like this one. The attitude the group received after everything they’d gone through offended Felmar’s straightforward sensibilities. He decided that the best thing for this discussion would be to keep his mouth shut for now, lest he accidentally share his honest opinion with the man.

Aelinn

Thank you for seeing us at short notice. We're here to find out why the iron ore isn't getting through to Neverwinter. We understand that some of the miners have gone missing. Lord Neverember himself requested us to aid you with the mine problems. We are staying at the Stonehill Inn, so you can easily find us.

We are also trying to identify a dead dwarf in a local bandit camp. We killed the goblins and bandits that attacked us there but were too late for the hostages. You might want to retrieve the wagon on the road, it's full of luxury goods. One of the oxen was eaten by a white dragon, so you'll need another or horses instead.

Persuasion 16

"Hrumphh" is all he replies at your entrance. Finally getting up from his seat he wanders to a side table as Aelinn speaks. Retrieving a glass and decanter he pours a healthy dram into the glass and places the stopper back in its place. He turns at your offer of aid. 

"Why the Iron ore isn't getting through?" He repeats with a mocking tone, "Is because of the damnable beast that has settled in the mountains and mucks about with the Winter. It isnt just a few Miners who have gone missing... it is an entire mine!" He gulps the amber liquid in one swallow, the fire immediately rising to his cheeks. "So unless you came prepared to defeat or drive off the Dragon, perhaps Lord Neverember himself can sally forth and save the day." He lowers his hefty girth back into his chair, the wood creaking in protest. Waving you off dismissively "Yes, yes, the Stonehill, got it..." he begins until Aelinn speaks again...

His attention returns to survey the lot of you, perhaps a reassessment of your presence. His tone reveals more interest and less patronizing. "A camp you say, a dead dwarf, and you killed them all, luxury goods?" He mutters more to himself processing what has been said. "So there are luxury goods, on the road, just sitting there. Well that will not do. What of the camp, did you find anything there, any more goods or items of interest?" He steeples his fingers in contemplation.

"Fine, if you wish to aid this town, take my wagons, return to the camp and bring back all that you can find, the hostages must have a proper burial. I will send some of my men with you to aid in the heavy lifting." He smiles with comradery, heaving back out of his chair, he makes his way around the desk and in a friendly gesture places his meaty hand upon Aelinns shoulder. "You must leave immediately, those goods will not stay put forever. If goblins are still about they will steal everything if they can." 

As the group leaves the Inn, Rusty pauses to look at the shrine to Tymora. Whether Linene is there or not, he lingers only a second before following behind the others, his magically animated mechanics registering the cold and not liking it one bit. If he could shiver, he would.

Upon entering the manor, Rusty can't help but look around like a curious child. He notes the many knick-knacks, and as he moves past one of the shelves, reaches out to lift one of the smaller items and place it into one of his swinging buckets in a very casual (and hopefully unnoticed) way.

Coming to a half in front of Wester, but behind the others, the warforged appreciates the speaker's need to get to the point. He tries to stand very still (and quiet) as he waits to hear the man's comments to Aelinn's explanations and observances.

At the inn

Briar backs up Felmar's sentiment and says to Fallia. "That's a nice trick you've got there. Reminds me of a bard that would come to town now and then back home when I was a kid. As for magic, Krikas there has some good stuff. And while not much, Torm's blessings have come through for me time and time again. As for the dragon... we'll have to see what comes up." 

At Harbin's

Briar stays quiet at first, thankful for Aelinn's taking the lead. Like Felmar, he's not got a good feeling about this Harbin. Less the gruff disposition, he'd known many a gruff quartermaster or sergeant he'd trust his life with. But rather the stark contrast between the town and this rich manor and the rundown town. Add in the scarred man's presence plus Harbin's eagerness for riches coupled with the previous night's discontent with the townmaster and it was uneasy. In his heart is a rising desire to breach the matter of the mercenaries being bandits in league with the goblins. Force it out into the open to see what Harbin says. But he keeps the meeting with Sildar in mind. No good risking battle before knowing the lay of the land and tempers his desire.

"Luxury goods and a dead dwarf." he mutters under his breath in Halfling before addressing the townmaster, "The crates were marked with the brand of a spread eagle. Would you know which company that is?"

Krikas 

Krikas had seen this man many times. Not this exact man, but his type. Pompous, self serving and only interested in deepening their own coffers. He stands at the back of the group, happy to let Aelinn do the talking. It gave him time to study this Harbin. Krikas manages to stifle a chuckle when Rusty lifts an innocuous statue and places it in one of his buckets. Good for you tinman.

Insight 7

His attention is momentarily drawn from observing Harbin when he hears muted whispers. When nothing obvious stands out he dismisses the noise as wind through the hallways and continues his reconnaissance of their host.

((The latter is for my own role play and nothing to do with the story line. Just trying to work in his level up.))

Aelinn

That eagle is a coopering mark Briar, it just gives the identity of the maker. We used to run some ale kegs with that mark. Going by the price of it though it was kept for good vintages.

She turned back to Harbin The bandits camp had only the rotting remains of food and once fine cloth. You might be able to salvage it. We piled the wagon with everything that the goblins hadn't spoiled. Someone like your good self would appreciate what we saved. Here try this, she bent over and picked up his glass and poured a few fingers of Waterdhavian brandy from her wineskin. The cask was broken by the goblins and I've been using this for medicinal purposes as when Felmar and Briar were injured. Give us men, two wagons and horses and we'll be back before this afternoon. Have a undertaker waiting, the dead shouldn't wait long before being put to rest. I'd like the local miners to see if they recognised the dwarf.

We have business in town, supplies to replenish and arrows to buy, have your men and wagons meet us at Barthens. A candlemark should do it.

It would delay us half a day on finding the girl. One favour for Harbin and they were free to help the villagers. The thought of facing a white dragon at the mine was not a good one. They needed options. She moved towards the door smiling at Harbin as she went, she'd need a bath to feel clean again.

 Persuasion 16

Harbin takes the bladder, helping himself to a generous pour. A quick swirl he places his nose into thew snifter and pulls deep. "A heady scent, delectable. A shame it was lost." He strolls through the lot of you, a smile upon his face he seems to come to a decision you didn't know needed to be made. "Excellent, I will have my men meet you at Barthens. Be sure to collect everything that was on that wagon."  He spins, "We wouldn't want anything to go to waste now would we?"

Strolling back towards his desk, "Bring it all back, we will make sure it gets in the hands of those that could use it best" He slaps Aelinn uncomfortably, with a patronizing grin "Off ya go lass, the days a wastin."

As your group leaves the office, the group of Redbands, or so you assume, fall silent. The doors of the rooms across the hall are open, a half dozen men turning in unison to watch you leave the Manor.

Heading down the hill and back into the Phandalin square you find Barthens easily, in fact you had passed it on the way into town yesterday. Frederick Barthen stands leaning against a large desk at the back of the large room. Near empty shelves fill most of the room. A teenage Halfling girl, with nothing to stock, slowly moves about the room, cloth in hand, chasing the first spot of dust to fall. 

Frederick looks up as the chimes hanging from the door ring. He recalls your group and with a slightly embarrassed tone asks, "Oh hey, and ah how are you." He looks about the room and shrugs. "Not much in the way of goods right now, how about a bag of rice, or some pickles. Still have pickles from Lielon"

As the group leaves Harbin's manor Briar quietly says to them, "I'm not a fan of leaving with these Redbands so soon. I would much rather we're able to delay this excursion until after meeting with Sildar. For it may well turn out this is primarily an opportunity to split their numbers and I would not want to lose that advantage by not knowing the lay of the land first."

As they enter Barthen's he leaves the haggling of selling goods to others. "Howdy, ma'am." he says to the other halfling in Halfling. Fred's candidness on a lack of goods dampens his hopes but perhaps he'd get lucky. He asks the man, "Aside from the food goods, would you happen to have a quiver and some arrows? I'm not much of an archer, but it's always good to have alternatives."

Aelinn

Briar we were badly outnumbered at the manor, not the time to fight. I may think that Harbin is nothing but a wannabe tin god, but we can use his greed to enable us to help the locals and I'm all for that.

She pushed open the door. Well met Frederick she said grinning, sore head?

Krikas can you negotiate the sale of the weapons, and we need some fur cloaks if we are going out in this weather, keep it simple, rabbit fur will do for me, grey rabbit fur..they have a lot of them from rabbit raising for food.

I'm going to the Farriers to talk to Sildar before we leave. She turned, touched Felmar on the arm and cocked her head and the two of them left the others haggling, slipping out the door and headed straight for the Farriers opposite. Looking around they seemed busy, a large shire horse was having a new shoe fitted. Sildar? she called.

Perception 16

Krikas 

Scanning the interior of the shop as he enters, Krikas' heart drops. There'd be little to trade for here. He does his best to put on an excited front. "Well met Master trader" he says with gusto. "Seems we've come to the right place. We were told by the smithy that this'd be the place to exchange wares. See, we're in need of a few things and you have...a few things. Let's see if our cards don't match, eh?" He paces from one end of the counter to the other and finally manages a "Hmph. Uh, I know what's going on here. You've a stash of your finest out back, keeping it away from theives or thugs" he pulls just a tiny corner of a red bandana from his pouch and winks at Frederick. "Your secrets safe with me" he whispers as he leans over the counter. "Shall we discuss our trade in more comfortable settings? Perhaps out back?" He winks again.

Felmar joins Aelinn without complaint. His father was the merchant, but Felmar never had the skill of negotiation. As he follows, remembers that he’s in a town full of potentially hostile mercenaries. So while Aelinn does the talking, he’s scanning the area looking for possible threats

Perception: Nat 1 for 3 total