Chapter One: A LMoP Adventure

Gruxx frowns and doesn't like to leave one of the group alone with the possible Redbrand's on the hunt so he will go with Ian to ensure they are safe while looking for the Doctor.

Ian (and Gruxx) make their way toward the big building they saw the Dwarf woman exiting out of ( I assume that is the Town Master's Hall) looking for HDP

Sildar listens to Glynquinal and Rock, then turns toward Grista. "Redbrands?"

The dwarf puts her hands on his hips. "Townmaster, I didn't invite them in. They started coming, and when they did, everyone else in town stayed away. I didn't want any trouble. i served them drinks and food and that's it. I kept my nose out of their business, and they left me alone."

Sildar rubs his chin with one hand while he appears to be thinking. "Grista, if we don't stand up to these ruffians, how will Phandalin ever be rid of them?"

"Stand up to them like Thel did?" she asks in a huff.

Sildar looks confused. "Thel?"

"He was the carpenter," a woman's voice interjects. Looking past Sildar and Grista, Glynquinal and Rock notice for the first time a human woman stepping out of the shadows. She is wearing a plain, but still flattering leather outfit. Her hair, dark brown laced with gray, is braided up into a strange knot on the back of her head. "He was murdered less than a tenday ago," the woman continues. "The story goes he stood up to a Redbrand who was being inappropriate to his wife and was murdered for it. Later that night, his wife and children went missing."

Sildar looks back at Grista and then at Glynquinal and Rock and back to Grista. "I had not —"

"Murdered!" Grista says, interrupting him. "I didn't want my throat slit, so I did what I had to."

OOC: Glynquinal and Rock may interject here about who they rescued.

Back in the center of town, Ian and Gruxx climb the few stairs to the front door of the Townmaster's Hall to look for Herr Doktor. The building has sturdy stone walls, a pitched wooden roof, and a bell tower at the back. Posted on a board next to the front door is a notice written in Common. It reads: “REWARD — Orcs near Wyvern Tor! Those of a mind to face the orc menace should inquire within.” The notice bears the town’s seal and an indecipherable signature. Entering, they find themselves in a small waiting room with a few chairs and double door straight ahead leading further into the building. To their right is a small desk, behind which a beautiful elf maiden is standing. "Hello," she says in her small voice. "May I help you?"

Glynquinal's face takes on a very dark look. "Thel stood up to them alone. That was brave, but not a sound idea. There is strength in numbers."

Looking directly at Grista, "By keeping them in drink, and filling their bellies, this one lent aid to people most foul. They remained longer than they should have, got bolder I'm sure, and wound up murdering one of your citizens in a manner I won't recount.:

Glynquinal turning to Sildar"What things that have been done can't be undone, but more harm should not come to this place at the hands of the Redbrands. Stand up, and my friends and I will lend you aid in ridding the place of them.:

Ian to the maiden We are looking for a friend of ours. A half elf...he is a bard, so he may have been singing....

Sildar looks at Grista, but she is giving Glynquinal a look of incredulity. "The Redbrands have been a plague upon Phandalin for better than four months, though they didn't start wearing those idiotic red cloaks until two months ago, when I started hearing the name Glasstaff whispered. That's when they became an organized threat. The band wasn't passing through. If I didn't allow them to buy my food and drink, they would have stolen it, and then where would I be?"

Sildar begins making a gesture with his hands, asking the two to stop bickering. When Grista finally stops, he sighs. "You both have your reasons for what you did. The problem isn't either of you; it's the Redbrands. We need to unify our efforts to take them down." He looks at Glynquinal and Rock. "After questioning several people, I've learned that Iarno Albrek, a fellow member of the Lords' Alliance, disappeared while exploring the area around Tresendar Manor about two months ago, shortly after arriving in Phandalin. I'd like you to investigate the manor and the surrounding area to find and bring back Iarno — or what's left of him, if something killed him. He's a short, dark-bearded human wizard in his 30s."

At the Townmaster's Hall, the elf smiles at Ian, though her eyes look sad. "I believe he was here," she says. "A half-elf came in with Grista. When she left, so did he. I don't know where either of them were going. Grista was looking for the new Townmaster, Sildar Hallwinter."

Gruxx motions toward the wanted poster to the townmaster.

"You gotta Orc problem that needs solvin'?" says Graxx to the elf.

Glynquinal responds, "As long as we are working on ending the threat by the Redbrands, I'm interested. Honorable folks have to take direct action sometimes."

"Sildar is Hilda here I hear that she knows gems"

"The name Albrek sounds familiar I think I saw it in a note or letter in the wizards work shop."

Glynquinal, Rock's comment makes a few connections in your brain. You think you've already done what Sildar is asking you to do. What can the two of you tell the old soldier?

Rock, we'll pause on your question about gems and come back to it.

Gruxx, the elf changes gears just as quickly as you. "The posted notice outside? Townmaster Wester ... well, former Townmaster Wester posted that. I'm not sure if the new Townmaster will still honor the reward or not. I didn't think to ask. But, yes, we have been looking for someone to head east on the Triboar Trail, where travelers have reported trouble with a band of orcs near Wyvern Tor. He was offering 100 gold to whomever could take care of the problem."

Glynquinal does remember getting turned into a pin cushion, along the Triboar Trail. "Sildar, a while ago we did run into an ambush, by orcs along the Triboar Trail. We dealt with every one of them. They had a bugbear in charge of them called Klarg. He didn't survive the encounter. Only one managed to escape. My short sword gave him a mark he'll remember, but I would like to finish that job."

This is what you're hearing, Glyn:

"The name Albrek sounds familiar I think I saw it in a note or letter in the wizards work shop."

The comments about the orc raids were made to Gruxx at the Townmaster's Hall.

Glynquinal remembers a note found in the bedchambers of someone in the caverns adjacent to the Nothic.

 Glynquinal, replies, "I think Larno was not one of the good guys. We did find a note during our journey, that instructed him to kill us if he was able."

Sildar looks confused and doubtful. "Iarno was a trusted friend. What do you mean? Where is this note?" The old soldier looks at Rock to help make sense of this.

"I think you have it Glyn, I know we took everything thing that was not bolted down, and some that was."

Glynquinal retorts, "Ian showed it to us, but he still has it as far as I know. "

Gruxx will go over and take the Wanted poster.

"Gold for killing orcs.  I think I will."

Gruxx rolls up the poster to share with the others and waits for Ian to finish.

Ian says to the maiden Thank you for your time, and the poster. If you do see our friend again, please let him know we were looking for him, and to meet us at the tavern.

Ian, and I assum Gruxx, will make their way to the Miner's exchange to catch up with the others.

Gruxx does indeed follow to the Miner's exchange.