Sildar says, "I do have allotted funds to pay mercenaries for work that helps the Lords' Alliance. I will pay you 50 gold for saving me and ending the banditry on the Trail. More funds could come your way should you help find Iarno and Gundren."
"That is most generous of you, Sir Hallwinter." Badger turns to K and Ash. "After a good night's rest, we should shop for improved weaponry and look for a warehouse that is missing supplies with a blue lion emblem."
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.
Sildar seems much more at ease. "My friends, let us secure lodgings. I’m told the local inn is very quaint. Barthen's Provisions appears closed up for the night; you can complete your delivery in the morning."
He leads you to the inn on the north side of the town—a large, newly built roadhouse of fieldstone and rough-hewn timbers—passing and pointing out the supplies store on the way. Even at this time of night, a few locals sit in the common room drinking ale and eyeing you with curiosity. Sildar meets with the innkeeper, a short and friendly human named Toblen, for a while in private. Eventually, Sildar emerges from a private office with Toblen, four secured rooms, and 50 gold for you.
You all exchange pleasantries with Toblen and Sildar, then retire to bed for a long rest.
In the morning, as with most mornings, Kristofferson wakes early to meditate for an hour, then waits for the others in a common space, here in the common room.
Badger wakes and breaks his fast in the common room. Are there any interesting locals that catch his interest? He's looking for some friendly conversation and perhaps hints as to a missing wizard or a blue-lion supplier.
Ash is his normal quiet, antisocial self in the morning, just eating food and keeping to himself, waiting for K or Badger to drive the party in a direction.
The next time Elsa comes by, Badger says, "Hey Elsa, you wouldn't by chance know who stores supplies in crates with a blue lion emblem on it, would you? Or do you know who might know?"
Elsa replies, "Oh, dear, of course that must be Lionshield Coster just down the road. You looking to buy some weapons or the like, that's your shop. Or if it's camping supplies you'd want Barthen's Provisions the other way up the road haha. Sorry, I can just tell by your cuts and armor that you must be one of those adventuring types. Toblen said you're with the Lords' Alliance. Are you here to help with the troublemakers?"
Badger chuckles. "Lionshield, of course. I hope they don't have the exact same emblem hanging outside their shop... but to be fair we did come into town at night. But no, my friends and I are not part of the Lords' Alliance. We just helped Sir Hallwinter escape captivity last night. We are here to help. What of these troublemakers?"
Elsa responds, "Oh, I shouldn't say much. Toblen doesn't want trouble with them. But they are causing such a stir in town, bullying people and such. Go talk to Trilena, she'll be happy to give you details."
Barthen’s is the biggest trading post in Phandalin. Its shelves stock most ordinary goods and supplies, including backpacks, bedrolls, rope, and rations. The proprietor is Elmar Barthen, a lean and balding human male shopkeeper of fifty years with a kindly manner. He employs a couple young dwarf clerks who help load and unload wagons, and who wait on customers when Barthen isn’t around.
While the dwarf boys empty the wagon, Elmar pays you the 100 gold and says, "I thank ye for delivering the goods. Sir Hallwinter informed me of Gundren's capture. A terrible thing, that. The Rockseekers have not plans for this town, or so I hear. And after the terrible behavior of these Redbrand thugs terrorizing the people and businesses of Phandalin, we sure could use some benefactors like the Rockseekers."
Ash's eyes brighten at getting paid. "Thank you, Mr Barthen. It was our pleasure to safely transport your goods. Do you sell or know where we might buy some better gear so we can further serve this fine town?"
The shopkeeper replies, "Please, call me Elmar. No, I don't really sell the battling kind of wares. You'd have to go see Linene at Lionshield Coster just down the road, past the town square. She can help you with the swords and whatnot."
Badgers shares with Ash and K: "That's the second time I've heard about these town ruffians. Elmar, do you know why the town guard has not stopped these hooligans? Where might we find them should we need to confront them?"
Elmar: "Phandy has no town guard to speak of, as we're still fledgling. We rely on the kindness of the Lords' Alliance at the moment. A wizard had come and meant to keep the peace, and was doing a fine job, but two months ago or so, he disappeared and this Redbrand ruffian group moved in. Townmaster Wester has done little to stop them; they flout his rules with no consequence and he seems okay with it. Anyway, don't get me started on Harbin Wester. As for where the Redbrands are, no one knows for sure. They spend their downtime at the Sleeping Giant just west of Stonehill. Grista, that's the owner of the tavern, she's tough enough to handle 'em I guess, but I suppose her business is hurting all the same with most locals abandoning the place to the brutes."
K: "It seems there's no shortage of work on the frontier. I suggest we visit Lionshield Coster to upgrade our equipment, then visit Sir Hallwinter to see if he has any leads on the location of Cragmaw Castle so we can rescue Gundren. Hopefully we can take care of this ruffian mess after that."
K: "We should help Sir Hallwinter find this wizard Albrek. He can then help us find the castle and Gundren."
Sildar says, "I do have allotted funds to pay mercenaries for work that helps the Lords' Alliance. I will pay you 50 gold for saving me and ending the banditry on the Trail. More funds could come your way should you help find Iarno and Gundren."
"That is most generous of you, Sir Hallwinter." Badger turns to K and Ash. "After a good night's rest, we should shop for improved weaponry and look for a warehouse that is missing supplies with a blue lion emblem."
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.
Sildar seems much more at ease. "My friends, let us secure lodgings. I’m told the local inn is very quaint. Barthen's Provisions appears closed up for the night; you can complete your delivery in the morning."
He leads you to the inn on the north side of the town—a large, newly built roadhouse of fieldstone and rough-hewn timbers—passing and pointing out the supplies store on the way. Even at this time of night, a few locals sit in the common room drinking ale and eyeing you with curiosity. Sildar meets with the innkeeper, a short and friendly human named Toblen, for a while in private. Eventually, Sildar emerges from a private office with Toblen, four secured rooms, and 50 gold for you.
You all exchange pleasantries with Toblen and Sildar, then retire to bed for a long rest.
In the morning, as with most mornings, Kristofferson wakes early to meditate for an hour, then waits for the others in a common space, here in the common room.
Badger wakes and breaks his fast in the common room. Are there any interesting locals that catch his interest? He's looking for some friendly conversation and perhaps hints as to a missing wizard or a blue-lion supplier.
Ash is his normal quiet, antisocial self in the morning, just eating food and keeping to himself, waiting for K or Badger to drive the party in a direction.
Badger, you (and the others) see:
Elsa has served you breakfast, and she is friendly and chatty.
The next time Elsa comes by, Badger says, "Hey Elsa, you wouldn't by chance know who stores supplies in crates with a blue lion emblem on it, would you? Or do you know who might know?"
Elsa replies, "Oh, dear, of course that must be Lionshield Coster just down the road. You looking to buy some weapons or the like, that's your shop. Or if it's camping supplies you'd want Barthen's Provisions the other way up the road haha. Sorry, I can just tell by your cuts and armor that you must be one of those adventuring types. Toblen said you're with the Lords' Alliance. Are you here to help with the troublemakers?"
Badger chuckles. "Lionshield, of course. I hope they don't have the exact same emblem hanging outside their shop... but to be fair we did come into town at night. But no, my friends and I are not part of the Lords' Alliance. We just helped Sir Hallwinter escape captivity last night. We are here to help. What of these troublemakers?"
Elsa responds, "Oh, I shouldn't say much. Toblen doesn't want trouble with them. But they are causing such a stir in town, bullying people and such. Go talk to Trilena, she'll be happy to give you details."
Badger: "Well bullying we cannot abide. I and my band will complete our current obligation and come back to discuss with Ms Trilena."
When the others are ready, Badger leads the effort to deliver the goods to Barthen's Provisions.
Barthen’s is the biggest trading post in Phandalin. Its shelves stock most ordinary goods and supplies, including backpacks, bedrolls, rope, and rations. The proprietor is Elmar Barthen, a lean and balding human male shopkeeper of fifty years with a kindly manner. He employs a couple young dwarf clerks who help load and unload wagons, and who wait on customers when Barthen isn’t around.
While the dwarf boys empty the wagon, Elmar pays you the 100 gold and says, "I thank ye for delivering the goods. Sir Hallwinter informed me of Gundren's capture. A terrible thing, that. The Rockseekers have not plans for this town, or so I hear. And after the terrible behavior of these Redbrand thugs terrorizing the people and businesses of Phandalin, we sure could use some benefactors like the Rockseekers."
Ash's eyes brighten at getting paid. "Thank you, Mr Barthen. It was our pleasure to safely transport your goods. Do you sell or know where we might buy some better gear so we can further serve this fine town?"
The shopkeeper replies, "Please, call me Elmar. No, I don't really sell the battling kind of wares. You'd have to go see Linene at Lionshield Coster just down the road, past the town square. She can help you with the swords and whatnot."
Badgers shares with Ash and K: "That's the second time I've heard about these town ruffians. Elmar, do you know why the town guard has not stopped these hooligans? Where might we find them should we need to confront them?"
Elmar: "Phandy has no town guard to speak of, as we're still fledgling. We rely on the kindness of the Lords' Alliance at the moment. A wizard had come and meant to keep the peace, and was doing a fine job, but two months ago or so, he disappeared and this Redbrand ruffian group moved in. Townmaster Wester has done little to stop them; they flout his rules with no consequence and he seems okay with it. Anyway, don't get me started on Harbin Wester. As for where the Redbrands are, no one knows for sure. They spend their downtime at the Sleeping Giant just west of Stonehill. Grista, that's the owner of the tavern, she's tough enough to handle 'em I guess, but I suppose her business is hurting all the same with most locals abandoning the place to the brutes."
K: "It seems there's no shortage of work on the frontier. I suggest we visit Lionshield Coster to upgrade our equipment, then visit Sir Hallwinter to see if he has any leads on the location of Cragmaw Castle so we can rescue Gundren. Hopefully we can take care of this ruffian mess after that."
Badger: "I agree, the ruffians are a nuisance, but a life is in danger at Cragmaw Castle. Let's go."