"Greetings! What is it you wish to discuss?"

“For now, they seem amiable enough.” Kelsier whispers back before addressing the group. ”Just a word of warning and a question, friend. There have been theives, robbers, and murderers about in these woods. We just cleared out a cave of them, but you may want to be on guard. Now, tell me, where might you be headed?”

Amy whispers back to the group "What do you think should we trust them"

Talon replies to Amy's whisper, "There's no harm in knowing our destination, 'tis there lass?" With that daid Talon turns his attention to the charming rougish looking fellow approaching them. He flashes his most charming smile & greets them in his lilting way of speaking with his broughish accent, "Hail and well met fellow travelers! May Tymora's favor be upon thee. We be traveling a wee bit down the road to Phandelvar. I appreciate the warning about the bandits."

One of the travelers, wearing worn clothing and a rapier at her side, has been watching the group as they approach. She is medium height, and her white hair, pulled back in a pony tail contrasts sharply with her jet black skin, green eyes and pointed ears. The half-elf looks you all over, carefully watching your hands and attempting to take note of weapons as well as the surrounding forest in anticipation of an ambush.

”Appreciate the warnin’ friends, but those bandits obviously recognized what was good for them as we haven’t seen any on the road thus far. What brings you lot to Phandalin if you don’t mind me asking?” Jaelryn looks to Amy and and Talon and whispers back, "Well, you know me well enough by now to know I don't trust most... but Talon's right, we can give a little information and hopefully get some in return..."

"I just hope we don't get more trouble than it's worth"  Amy whispered back to Jaelryn

"I am Hexody Trebale," Hexody says, brushing her light hair from her golden eyes. "We are presently trying to rescue the owner of the caravan we were accompanying. He was kidnapped for a map he possessed that was quite valuable. Goblins, I'm afraid. And it was quite intentional."

"Well what was the map of people usually don't kidnap for simple cartography."

Jaelryn responda to Amy, “Well, they may be trouble, but they would have attacked us by now if they were that kind of trouble... At this juncture there’s strength in numbers...”

Jaelryn turns to Hexody. “I’ve never known goblins to be all that literate, or possessing enough knowledge to navigate a map,” Jaelryn says with some skepticism. “Wonder what they’d want something like that for. At any rate, I’m Jaelryn. Seems we’ve found ourselves heading the same direction, and since standing here talking isn’t getting me any closer to a stiff drink, I’m fine giving you the privilege of traveling with us and we can get acquainted on the way. So long as my companions are agreeable to it.”

"Well met, Hexody.  I be Talon. The lasses be Amy & Jaelryn. 'Tis a shame to hear o' ye friends troubles. Would ye be headin' to Phandelvar then with ye bonny wagon?" Talon says all the while keeping an eye on the surrounding foliage.

Hexody says, "That's our destination at the moment. I've very eager to find the trail of Gundren, who may be headed to Cragmaw Castle. The map, I've never seen. Purportedly, it led to a lost mine of great value. Sildar, whom we did rescue, could fill you in on the details."

Kelsier hangs back during this exchange, seeing that Hexody is clearly in her element. However, as they walk back to the wagon, he drops behind next to Jaelryn, noting her skittish nature. “I can’t help but noting, if you don’t mind me saying, that your instincts are sharp. There was an ambush party here. Do you have previous experience with this sort of work?”

Jaelryn stares at Kelsier for a moment before responding, trying to decide if the elf is making his comment based on her obvious heritage. She decides to give him the benefit of the doubt and responds, “Looks like your intuition is sharp as well friend. I guess you could say I have a little experience in both facilitating...and investigating ambushes... But I’ve left that job behind me at this point. Apparently some people don’t like their employees enjoying a strong beverage or two while working. What brings you out to the middle of these gods-forsaken woods guarding a caravan?”

Folari protectively stands between the approaching group and Sildar. The large intimidating figure eyes the travellers carefully, as if measuring each individually. The wall of muscle stands well over 7 feet tall, his grey skin accentuated with dark symmetrical markings. He carries a small wound on his lower leg, but this doesn't seem to be affecting him.

As the group reaches speaking distance Folari holds up an empty, open hand for a moment then calls out "Greetings travellers, I am Folari and behind me is Sildar." He looks to Hexody... "Are they friendly? My patience for traps and goblins has run out." he chuckles, slightly bemused by how the day has turned out so far.

Talon flashes his mischievous smile at the towering Goliath as he extends his hand in greeting. "Greetings my gargantuan friend! May Tymora's blessings be on ye. Be at ease. We be but sharing the road with ye for a wee bit til Phandelvar town. 'Tis a lovely day for traveling about, minus the nasty lil' buggers ye have dealt with. Talon be my name. The lasses traveling wit' me be Amy & Jaelryn. The wee lass shared wit' us ye friends troubles. So sorry to hear o' his situation." Talon shifts to try to look around the mountain of muscle towards Sildar. "Well met! Lady Luck's besslings be upon ye!" Talon says taking into account Sildars tatters appearance with a glance.

“We were guarding the supplies of our business partner while he rode ahead. We found his horse slayen here on the path, decided to investigate, and found the culprits holding his bodyguard, Sildar. It’s fortunate that we found him, we will need all the fighting men we can muster, it would appear.”

"Well met, newcomers, Let's get settled and I shall tell you the tale of the Lost Mine..." Sildar begins talking about the mine and its history as you get underway to Phandalin.  [[See previous posts]].  He also talks about his plans for visiting the town, and his contact there.  Sildar’s contact in Phandalin is a human wizard named Iarno Albrek. The wizard traveled to the town two months ago to establish order there. After the Lords’ Alliance received no word from Iarno, Sildar decided to investigate.

“So Sildar... I was told to find you once I was in Phandalin, and that you would help me. I hope to civilize the town, as it will soon host my family. Tell me, what exactly... is the atmosphere in Phandalin at the moment? Are nobles in power, or is it lawless?”

"Just because Nobles aren't in power doesn't mean it's lawless."

Talon flashes his mischievous smile at Amy while stating, "Right you are, lass! Goodness and decency require no pedigree. But a bit o' order is nice."