Sildar speaks, "I suspect from what I could overhear, Cragmaw Castle has a sizable force.  We might want some reinforcements before tackling it."

"Come let us journey to Phandalin, and I shall speak of Gundren's work in the area, which might be why he was taken."

[[OOC:  You all gain a level, BTW. ]]

Hexody nods grimly and follows the men toward Phandalin.

(OOC: Woohoo! Do we roll for HP or take a standard bump?)

[[ OOC: Roll.  If you get less than standard, take the standard. ]]

7 new HP or 7 HP, whichever is higher. 

edit: Whoops, that is 6 and 6. so....6.

9 or 7 new HP plus all the fun rogue stuff

Sildar explains some stuff on the way back to the main road:

The three Rockseeker brothers (Gundren, Tharden, and Nundro) recently located an entrance to the long-lost Wave Echo Cave, site of the mines of the Phandelver’s Pact.

More than five hundred years ago, clans of dwarves and gnomes made an agreement known as the Phandelver’s Pact, by which they would share a rich mine in a wondrous cavern known as Wave Echo Cave. In addition to its mineral wealth, the mine contained great magical power. Human spellcasters allied themselves with the 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 the nearby human town of Phandalin (pronounced fan-duh-lin) prospered as well. But then disaster struck when orcs swept through the North and laid waste to all in their path.

A powerful force of orcs 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 ensuing spell battle destroyed much of the cavern. Few survived the cave-ins and tremors, and the location of Wave Echo Cave was lost.

Gundren had a map showing the secret location of Wave Echo Cave, but the goblins took it when they captured him.

Hexody listens intently as they walk. "These sound like very high stakes. I wonder how the goblins learned of this map?"

Sildar replies, "I do not know how they learned of it, but they searched Gundren until they found it."

You have reached the main road to find the oxen and supply cart unmolested.

I'm assuming you head for Phandalin at this point?

Yep

Yeah

Folari listens carefully to Sildar as we travel. "Phandalin is our next stop, we may need rest, reinforcement and supplies."

HP roll 2 or 7 + CON

OOC: Sorry for slow replying, I have been swamped here.

(Yay! Back to three)

OOC: Well, on that topic, I've invited some more players.  You will meet them in Phandalin.  I capped them at three to leave room for Folari, and not to swamp the existing party.  There might be delays while I try to sync up the party with them.

Original Characters:

You are just getting the wagon back on the road when a group of travelers starts approaching, coming from the direction of Neverwinter.

They appear at this distance to be humans or half-elves, traveling by foot.

New Characters:

You have formed a small band with which to travel to Phandelver for protection.  You've revealed enough of your backstory to know that you have a mutual interest in the Redbrands, a group of thugs that are plaguing the town of Phandalin.

On a secondary path off the Triboar Trail, you come across another party, who look like they are about to set off again on a wagon.

"Talon do you see those people up ahead." Amy whispers to the person next to her

Hexody puts a hand on Kelsier's shoulder. "Look," she says, pointing at the oncoming group.

Talon, the half-elf warlock, replies back to Amy in his broughish accent, "Yes. I do & a bonny wagon too. I could do with not walking a bit. Perhaps we could offer to join them in their travels, if they be going to Phandelver. We should be cautious in case they be bandits, though they will find us to be hard to handle. 'Ey lass?"

Kelsier stirs at Hexody’s warning, coming out of his thoughts. “Well... would you look at that. Folari, wait here with Sildar while the two of us figure out what business they have.” With that he slings his longbow over his shoulder and amicably begins to walk towards the new group. “You there! Travelers! Might we talk for a moment?”

Hexody strums a light-hearted little tune on her lute as she and Kelsier approach the other party warily. "They look to be heavily armed," she whispers to him.