Sword Coast Rambling

Pulling alongside, Serak quickly grabs the wizard and forces him to his feet. Rebinding his arms behind his back, he shoves Glasstaff back into the cistern chamber, much to the wizards distress. Glasstaffs screams of pain echo along the chamber. "You Flumph Humpers! Go easy or at least heal my shoulder! The Spider will not go easy on yo...OW!" The wizard does nothing but complain and cry out as he is man handled to the tunneled entrance, his arm hanging awkwardly behind him. 

Waiting beside the entrance, Serak, Syna and Brots stand guard over the wizard.The cool night air slowing filling the chamber, a pleasant change to the suddenly stuffy and claustrophobic cave system. The freed prisoners gape in awe at the parties captive, impressed that they have subdued the powerful wizard so easily.

Beetle and Zyltris meanwhile head to the south west barracks to retrieve the drunken redbrands. Listening carefully at the door, weapons drawn, Beetle slides the key slowly back into the lock. With a clunk the door opens. The redbrands remain as they were, piled up in a corner asleep. A small puddle of vomit soaks into the cloak of the lowest mans cloak. Both are dead to the world. Taking a man each, the pair struggle to drag the unconscious pair back to the cave entrance.

Before long the now engorged party has regrouped. While Beetle, Serak, Syna and Zyltris, with the help of Nars, take care of the prisoners and Thel, Brots escorts the freed prisoners as the group make their way back towards the town.

The night is well upon them, with the threat of morning not far away. It has been many hours since they met Morthen and Halia earlier this very morning. Brots lets out a long yawn. It has been a long day for them all. The moonlight shines brightly, lighting their way through the dense woodland to the east of the town. Above them, an owl calls out before swooping downwards. A quiet squeak of a mouse is suddenly silenced, replaced by the beating of wings. The wind picks up slightly, rustling the leaves around them but otherwise the valley is silent. To the east the dark sky slowly begins to turn a lighter shade of blue. A new dawn for Phandalin.

OOC: If anybody needs to do anything before leaving the hideout now is the time to do it. Although from the sound of it you're planning to come back at some point. I've skipped through the rest of the prisoner gathering, with Glasstaff disabled and the redbrands still passed out there wasn't much to be doing aside from going to A collecting person move to B. Hopefully thats ok and you don't feel like I'm cheating you out of anything by skipping ahead a bit?

The dawn of day 6 is soon to be upon you. You have an hour or so left before the townsfolk of Phandalin start their daily routines.

I am all for getting rid of this extra baggage and getting these Redbrands and Iarno to Selder.  If we want to come back after that and get what we can from the store rooms to sell that is fine also but we need to unload these guys first and maybe get a cart for all the other stuff.

I also think we are long over due for a long rest.

I agree on the long rest. We don’t know what’s ahead of us and there is potential for additional action even just going back to town. 

<<  Long meditation...

OOC: Sorry, hope you weren't waiting for me. Dropping off the family and our prisoners and then a long rest sounds good. 

OOC: So where are you guys heading first? 

OOC: Probably to Sildsr first. He might have questions for the witnesses and I don't want Iarno near Morthen. He might go nuts and try to kill him. lol

Yes I would say to Seldor first

The bell tower of the townmasters hall casts along shadow westwards across the square as Sildar Hallwinter arrives for another day of work. The town is still quiet, not even the store traders have awoken yet. Early again, the veteran fighter slowly climbs the sturdy stone steps. As he reaches the front door he pauses for a moment and places a calloused hand onto his sword. He is sure that he had locked the door when leaving last night, and it is unlikely that Harbin would have arrived earlier than he. He proceeds cautiously, pushing the door open slowly with his free hand.

The inside of the hall is dark and quiet. Eerily so. As Sildar steps inside, the floor boards creak as they always have. In the dim light the room looks empty, save for a dark corner behind Harbins desk. He makes his way over to the window shutters, experience tells him to keep his sword hand ready. As light pours into the room, Sildar catches sight of movement in the corner of his eye. The familiar shapes of Beetle, Serak, Syna, Zyltris and Brots emerge from the darkness. They look exhausted. With them three unfamiliar figures whom the old man fails to recognise, and an old friend.

"Iarno! They have found you at last my friend! I trust these fellows have filled you in on the goings on in the town? Where have you been all this time?" Sildar beams a smile that is not reciprocated by the party, for the first time since he has known them. The unease is palatable and he shifts uncomfortably at the prospect of what he is about to hear. Closing the door tightly and locking it behind him, he stands ready in the centre of the room. 

Serak: Feeling sympathy for his friend, Serak begins, "Sildar, welcome... As you can see, we've recovered Iarno and resolved the Redbrand problem. These are Morthen's family and they're eager to get home, but we thought it best to speak to you first."

Placing a supportive hand upon Sildar's shoulder, he continues, "Also, what I'm about to tell you, you might not believe, and these three are witnesses. Upon arriving in Phandalin, Iarno took leadership of the Redbrands, after a Drow named The Black Spider promised him vast magical power that supposedly rests within the cave Gundren found."

Showing Sildar the letter, he says, "They conspired to have Gundren kidnapped to discover it's location. The Redbrands were simply meant to pacify the town as part of some larger plan involving the mine. Gundren has been taken somewhere called Cragmaw Castle."

Sildars face drops as Serak relays to him the dire news. Half reading the letter aloud he assesses his old friend in a different light. The wizard just stares at the floor. "My spies in Neverwinter...... working for the dwarves....  kill them if you must....  counting on you, larno.... Black Spider. My old friend, what have you become? Thankyou Serak. Thankyou all. Had I not seen this for myself I would have never believed it." He takes a set of long strides towards the dejected wizard, "You know the Lords Alliance will have you tried for this Iarno. And I'm sure you know the punishment for such crimes. I had thought better of you....." He looks deep into Iarnos bearded face and without looking away beckons to the party behind him. "Come, let us get this wretch into the cells. I must inform the Alliance immediately of this treachery."

With Beetle and Zyltris helpd, Sildar locks the wizard and the two redbrands away safely in the townmasters jail. As the party reassembles in the main hall Sildar fumbles in Harbins desk drawer. He returns to them with a small cloth pouch and a long roll of parchment. "For your troubles Sirs. I'm afraid the coffers of this town only go so far, but I shall press the Alliance to send a heftier reward if you are able to locate this Castle of the Black Spiders. My guess is it would be along the Triboar Trail somewhere, but where exactly I can't say. Perhaps this will help you in your search?" The soldier hands them the pouch filled with 200 Gold Pieces (40gp each) and the parchment - a hand drawn map of the area. 

Sildar raises his hands and smiles broadly at the party. "You have done a great service to Phandalin today my friends, the town owes you a great debt. What of the rest of this sorry little band? I'm sure the others will have disbanded once they heard of their leaders capture. Can I assure the Townmaster that the town is safe once more?"

"Almost," Beetle says, "It is safe from the Redbrands now but I think we have to deal with the ogres also if we really want the town to be safe. I think that should take priority 1st and then the Black Spider, not to mention it seems this Black Spider's reach goes far he may be the influence behind the ogres also threatening the town and going through them may lead us to him."  Beetle pauses, "This is my opinion though, I cannot speak for my companions on the direction they wish to take but I feel this may be the most prudent and secure the town since we have already started to liberate it."

After a brief pause, "Of course 1st though I think this group is in dire need of a nights rest before moving on."

Beetle also reminds the group that there was a task that Sister Garalee needed us to look into and it could be on our way to where ever we are headed.

"You must do what you feel is the right course of action Sir Beetle." Sildar nods in agreement, "I know the Harbin has been pandering on about the orcs near Wyvern Tor and there are always bands of Goblins marauding the trail as we all know. With Iarno held here, the towns safety is of the utmost importance right now and with this BlackSpider figure at large, I feel I will be requesting further armed support from the Alliance until this threat is dealt with."

Brots will speak up to give his opinion. "If I can speak for a moment. I do agree the Black Spider should be dealt with, I also agree that the ogres are a problem as well. If the Black Spider is the cause, I say we eliminate as many creatures that he has control over as possible before going for him. Eliminate his numbers before eliminating him."

Syna looks at Sildar, "You may do with this wizard as you must, but be careful for wizards are ever sly and scheming.  Likely as not, he has considered at some point the possibility of someone being captured and would have laid plans for their demise or rescue.  Though I doubt he would think it would be himself at risk, I warn you to be on guard and trust none.  Better, I think, to remove the wizard's head immediately."

Sildar takes a seat behind the Townmasters desk, draws out a piece of parchment and begins to write. He pauses for a moment as he responds to the druid, "Thankyou for your concern Syna. However, as a traitor against the Alliance, the wizards punishment is not mine to decide. He must be judged by a court of his superiors back in Waterdeep, and as Marshal I am duty bound to facilitate that by all means." He pauses again and taps his pen in thought along the wooden desk, "For the time being I rate our chances. Iarno has not had chance to communicate his capture and I would assume the Spiders forces are a few days away at best. The cells here are old but sturdy and dwarven built, I'm sure they will hold our wizard til reinforcements arrive."

"I would prefer that we eliminate the minions of The Black Spider as I believe that is the best way to both weaken him and strengthen us."

Serak: Stroking is goatee while smoking his pipe, Serak says, "It is clear that Phandalin is of great importance to this BlackSpider's plan. Therefore, protecting Phandalin from his influence should be our top priority."

Pacing across the room as he speaks, he continues "We must assume all those of evil intent in this area are in league with this Drow. None would be foolish enough to operate in his "territory" without his permission. I believe the sudden appearance of Orcs near Wyvern Tor is no coincidence. Likely minions sent to waylay travelers, much like the goblins here."

Blowing a smoke ring directly in Iarno's face, he concludes, "By strengthening Phandalin, we weaken The BlackSpider. Taking down the Redbrands is a good start, but we still don't know where this Cragmaw Castle is located. Perhaps looking into local concerns will lead us in the right direction? Beetle, what can you tell us of this Sister at the temple that requires our assistance?"

"She didn't say yet what she needed us to do, she just gave me the healing potion and asked if we had time to stop back after dealing with the Redbrands."  Beetle tells everyone, "So I think we should at least stop there and hear her out before leaving on our next journey."

Serak: Nodding quickly in agreement, Serak gestures subtly toward the three ex-prisoners and nods toward the door, saying, "We can seek out this priestess after we've rested and assist if possible. We've one more responsibility to attend to first." Serak bows toward Sildar as he leaves.

Escorting Morthen's family home, the bard plays a cheerful tune on his flute to greet the morning. Upon arriving at Morthen's home, he calls out, "Morthen! Awaken my friend! Your family is safe as promised!"

Handing the woman a pouch with 10gp inside, he says,  "Please, take this gold and rebuild your lives in freedom and peace."