Chapter One: A LMoP Adventure

The Herr Doktor Professor investigates the ground around the cart; whoever stole the supplies (which were heavy) might have left tracks.

Investigation check: 15.

Rock looks at the others "What is was was sitting here so I got some stuff and followed the tracks to you, I still have most of the goodies."

Glynquinal laughs out loud at the revelation, "Good work Rock, perhaps Ian and I can corrupt you to the way of the Rogue in the future." We'd besst get reloaded and gone before we run into any more complications."

The gang moves the horses so they no longer block the road, loads up, and continues along the Triboar Trail. Not long, they come to another path heading south. Approaching it, Sildar says, "This is the road to Phandalin." The cart turns and rumbles south another few hours.

About an hour and a half before sundown, the rutted track emerges from a wooded hillside, and you catch your first glimpse of Phandalin. The town consists of 40 or 50 simple log buildings, some built on old fieldstone foundations. More old ruins — crumbling stone walls covered in ivy and briers — 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 much more at ease. "My friends," he says, "let us secure lodgings. I'm told the local inn is very quaint." He looks at Rock and says, "I'll wait until tomorrow to start asking around about Iarno. No need to potentially stir up trouble so late." Then, looking at the other four, he says, "Where are you to deliver the goods?"

Glynquinal has to think for a moment back to the conversation with Gundren, "Gundren said Barthen's Provisions would pay him for the delivery of the goods. We should start there, and see about getting the oxen set up for the night so we don't have to tend to them."

As the cart trundles down the road, Sildar calls to a man walking along, "Excuse me, sir, can you direct us to Barthen's Provisions?"

The man stops and looks at Sildar for a second, then turns and points behind the cart at the first building they passed on the left. "Back there," the man says succinctly.

Sildar, as well as the others, turn and look where the man is pointing. "Thank you," Sildar responds, giving the man a polite smile.

The ox cart is turned around and stopped outside the building. Whoever enters the small building immediately realizes that the small building is connected to the bigger building next door. Combined, they've entered a large trading post. Its shelves stock most ordinary goods and supplies, including backpacks, bedrolls, rope, and rations. Moving about the building are two youngish human males who appear to be stocking shelves and cleaning up. Along the front wall near the entrance to the bigger building is a counter. Behind the counter is a lean and balding human male of about 50 years who smiles at you in a kindly manner.

Glynquinal approaches the man, and greets him, "Greetings to you. We have just come from the Triboar road with a load of supplies Gundren hired us to deliver here. We had some issues along the road, but we finally made it. Is there a place where we can stow the wagon, and turn over the oxen so we can find rooms for the night?"

The man brightens at Glynquinal's words. "Ah, wonderful!" he says. "We've been expecting the shipment. Go ahead and bring the wagon around the back and we'll get it unloaded."

Glynquinal calls out to Gruxx, "Gruxx, can you drive the wagon around the back?"

Gruxx calls out to Glynquinal, "I'm on it!"

Gruxx will then lead the oxen around back.  Make sure they are secure and have food and water.  Then return to the others.

After Gruxx's called response, the man calls out, "Ander, Thistle, please meet the cart out back. Get the supplies unloaded and into the store room. Then, Ander, see to the cart." The two youngish males appear from different isles and march toward a back door Glynquinal can see from the counter. The man says to the elf as he begins rooting around for something underneath the counter, "Is Gundren with you? I'd like to mention something to him."

Gruxx follows the road and path around the back of Barthen's and sees the two youngish males waiting to receive him. The barbarian jumps down as the young men begin unloading the supplies and bring them into the building. "Make sure they get food and water," he comments. "Yes, sir," one of the clerks responds.

Ian says to the old man Sir, Gundren is not with us, but as his representatives we can answer your questions, and we can also receive payment for the shipment.

The man makes a slight face at Ian at first, but when the elf mentions payment, he lifts to display a purse he had retrieved from under the counter. He opens the purse and takes out 60 gold pieces and offers them to Ian. "60 gold as promised. As for the other matter, it's of a somewhat private matter, so I'll hold it for Gundren himself. Is he somewhere in town or still on his way?"

Glynquinal, remembering what Sildar said in the caverns, "I recall there being a 50 gold reward for escorting you to safety Sildar. Does that offer still stand?"

Sildar nods. "Aye. I'll get your money to you tomorrow."

As the rest of the party take care of delivering the supplies, the Herr Doktor Professor disembarks from the cart. Stretching his legs, he walks down the main street from the Triboar Trail. He pauses before the two buildings on opposite sides of the street (the buildings marked 5 and 6 if my reading of the map is correct), checking if there is anyone around he can talk to.

Gruxx says to the men at the cart, "We had kinda a rough time on the Triboar gettin' here.  Some nasty goblin critters.  Have ya'll had a lot of trouble with them?"

OOC: The building marked 6 is Barthen's.

Herr Doktor takes the opportunity to walk south to the next buildings heading into town. As he gets closer, he hears the unmistakable sound of a hammer on an anvil coming from the squat building on the right (west) side of the road with its door and windows wide open. The buildings across appear to be residential. Two human boys play swords in the road with sticks. As Herr Doktor is looking at them, a matronly woman sticks her head out of the door and calls benignly, and the two boys run inside.

At Gruxx's question, one of the youngish males pauses and shrugs. "We've heard some others are having trouble. The Coster hasn't received a couple of their last shipments. Could be goblins. Could be something else. Linene is worried she might get shut down." He hefts the sack he is holding. "The Redbrands are more trouble to us."

The Herr Doktor Professor heads towards the building where he hears the sounds of a hammer pounding on an anvil.

Glynquinal asks. "Who are the Redbrands? Local brigands? Sildar, if you are still interested in enlisting aid to go find, and rescue your traveling companion, you can count me in."