13 Zanigur Wisdom

When Nene spots the small statue with the golden eyes, she gets excited: "Ooooh look at that, I bet that's worth a pretty sum!" She grins, holding up her prize. As Puck identifies the crest, she stands back in awe, staring at the book full of wisdom. Half to herself, half to Puck, she whispers: "So you write everything down, that is how you became so smart? You have to tell me about your book once we're out of here, back home they were saying you were writing something really big and important."

Nene grabs a few supplies that she can easily carry and is ready to get out of the cave. "I agree, I would rather get out of here and not hang around near these wolves... We can return if you want to, maybe the goblins will have cleared out by then?" After Kara has spoken, she asks her: "Who's Gundren? And do I need to call you Lady? You look like a Lady." Her smile is friendly, she doesn't seem to mind one way or another.

Puck Wisdom Check: 12

Quote from Lyrel >>

All of you, make a general Wisdom check for me.

 Grimm's Wisdom check 4 

Each party member begins to gather up some of the supplies raided by the Cragmaw goblins before making their exit from the rushing sounds of the cavern. Sildar constantly keeps glancing over his shoulder, expecting the remaining few goblins to rush around the corner at any moment; however, it would seem these creatures either are keeping true to their word or are terrified of facing you all once more. Whatever the case, Sildar doesn't say much during the trip back to the cart as he eats and drinks all that he can get and promising to tell you more once you are all safely back at the cart and on the road to Phandalin. A short hour later and you all arrive back at the cart, finding it unmolested and the oxen still grazing on some nearby scrub grass. Sildar looks at each of you as he climbs into the rear of the cart and eases himself down, wincing at the soreness still lingering in his bones. "Well, now that was much more exciting than I had ever seemed to hope. Perhaps you would be interested in a tale for the last leg our of journey?"

Sorry all, will post more tomorrow. I fell asleep snuggling with the boy after story time, but I did promise you a post! Feel free to react to anything else in the meantime. Also... you all have reached your Milestone for Level 2! You can assume a Short Rest during the travel to Phandalin from here, so start that leveling process!

Short Rest HP recovery... 9

/ Level up completed. Thanks! (forgot to roll for leveling hp increase 2)

/ for song of rest 1 

Puck plays a gentle tune on his lute while the party recovers over the next hour. The soothing sounds seem to help his friends regain their strength.

[Song of Rest - anyone rolling hit dice to heal can add an additional 1d6]

Kara smiles at Nene. She knew she was going to like this person! So bright and talkative. "You may call me lady, if you wish, but I am simply known as Kara to my friends. Care to be one?" 

During their short break, Kara removes her armor and begins to clean it of sweat and blood. She also removes her chainmail in hopes she will get to cleaning it next. For now, she seems to be wearing a white tunic that shows off her impressive back and arm muscles. As Slidar talks, Kara insists, "Yes, please do tell us what led to these recent events. I would like to know more of what happened."

Zanigur doesn’t join in with Puck’s gentle tune this time, rather choosing to work on equipment maintenance and catch a quick breather. “I think we should invest in better armor if we’re going after more of these goblins,” he says to no one in particular.

Zanigur nods at Sildar when he mentions the story. He even smiles slightly at the idea. 

He also takes the time to clean the two goblin shortswords he obtained from the the goblin tunnels, making sure they are as sharpened and polished as they can be with his limited supplies. He lashes them to his belt with a bit of leather. “I am rethinking the idea of my long blade. Two weapons are better than one, no?”

Nene beams: "Yes, let's be friends! And I love hearing stories!" She says the second part to Sildar, but not without observing Puck from the corner of her eye. Her tail curled up around her, she settles in and pulls her knees up to her chest, resting her chin on them.

Hey all, I'm taking my son over to my best-friends house to let our kids play together for a bit. I will get another post up later this evening and move us along!

Zanigur looks to the crest of the next hill, exuberant anticipation written plainly on his face.

Grimm sits quietly in the cart, occasionally removing some of the larger chunks of Klarq that were jammed in her armor. She sighs each time she does. 

“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 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.

Now this is where we start coming into the story. 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. The brothers have plans to reopen the mines, but it would seem another person caught wind of this plan and either wants the mines die themselves or want to stop it completely, I don’t know. I heard one of the goblins talking about the someone they called ‘The Black Spider’ and how Klarq has orders from them to waylay us. This Spider only wanted Gundren and his secret map that he carried for the entrance to this cave. They had no use for me, which is why I was left with the gobs as part of their payment; to torment or kill as they saw fit. I do not know how or why you found me, but I thank the Gods you did. I think they’d tired of their game and were prepared to slit my throat. I may not have survived another round of their ‘games’ as it was. Alas, I would have preferred you ended the threats of those goblins instead of allowing them to live, but that is your choice and I hope no innocents suffer for it.

I have a contact in Phandalin, a Wizard by the name of Iarno Albrek, that I would like to seek out upon our arrival. He may have some idea as to the location of this ‘Cragmaw Castle’. If you see me safely there I will gladly pay you a sum of 50gp. I do not have the money on me, but I can secure a loan to you within the day.  What say you? Can I count on your aid in getting to Phandalin and finishing your escort of Gundren’s supplies?”

“I’m not one to let a job go unfinished. We risked a lot to get you out of the goblin cave, Hallwinter, and so I for one wouldn’t want to see all that effort go to waste. Besides, I confess I’m curious as to the workings of the goblins and this “Black Spider.” Sounds ominous. I’d think it likely that Gundren is dead by now, if they got what they wanted from him, but we can at least find out where they took him. Goblins in charge of a this...forge of spells? Sounds like a bad day for everyone.”

Zanigur, having finished polishing his rapier and two short swords, now takes up his lyre. “There has to be a song there somewhere...goblins, magical forges, orcs fighting humans and elves, a shadowy spider villain...why, it practically writes itself!”

"Like Zanigur said," Grimm says, "hate to see a job only half done. Besides, I've free time."

"I'm more than happy to help rescue Gundren, no matter what state he might be in, though I pray he is alive," Kara touches her wrists together as a gesture for Ilmater's mercy. "A reward would be much appreciated, though I will admit, I would be happy to find help in locating and dealing with the Tresendar manor. I've heard it is in dire straits as of late. I don't suppose you have any information on it, would you, Mr. Hallwinter?"

"It sounds like an adventure, I'm in! I'm not sure I understood everything, but you said you need help and I will help you. We need to put a stop to those bad goblins! Not that I have ever met any good goblins, I think..." Nene furrows her brows, the thought seems to occupy her a lot. "No, I don't think I have." Her face returns to her usual smile, pleased that she worked out the nature of goblins. As they travel, Nene's ears twitch with the sounds of birds and she occasionally dangles her hand down to touch tall plants in passing.

Sildar nods his head in appreciation as he settles back into a comfortable spot. "I thank you all, though I do hope they haven't killed Gundren, whoever 'that' are. Only thing I can tell you about Tresendar Manor, Lady Kara, is that its part of the old Phandalin. It's a ruined place set upon a hill overlooking the city properly. Not sure what exactly would be going on there which might cause a paladin to seek it out, but I do not delve too much into such things. My friend may have more information on that."

Several hours later the rutted track emerges from a wooded hillside, and you catch your first glimpse of Phandalin just as the sun is beginning to create tall shadows as it settles down for the eve. The sky blues of the sky begin to fade into twilight as the setting sun sinks lower and lower and the beautiful pinks or oranges that one can only see at sundown emerge. The day has been long and fret with violence. You are tired and dusty from the trail, most of you splattered with dried blood and wounds marring nearly every one of you. Sore muscles from the exertion of combat seem to cry out for a hot bath and a soft bed.

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. 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 as the cart slowly makes its way towards the gates of Phandalin. “My friends,” he says, “let us secure lodgings. I’m told the local inn is very quaint. After that I think I shall enjoy some food and retire for the night while you deliver these goods to Barthen's.”

A new map has been added to the Campaign Notes section! You are all entering in from the North along the Triboar Trail. You will see the first fork in the road and then two building side-by-side with red roofs; that is Barthen's Provisions where you are supposed to deliver the goods your protected along your journey. You are each due 10gp for your escort of the goods, just as a reminder.

(Adding 10gp to my character sheet now)

Zanigur happily assists the others in delivering the load to Barthen's Provisions. "It'll be good to have an ale and a bath." 

While they are at the provisions store, Zanigur inquires as to sheathes or scabbards for his newly obtained shortswords.