Sword Coast Rambling

Giving up his search for weaponry in Barthens, Syna joins Beetle and Serak as they cross the busy town square towards the Lionshield Coster. With the blue lion guiding their way through the crowd, they notice the stores owner on her knees wiping at a stain on the tired wooden floor. Beetle gathers himself, picking the right words. As he draws breath the woman glances upwards. "OH NO! NO NO NO. NOT YOU AGAIN!" She quickly rises to her feet, face blood red in anger, and storms inside. She yells at them as she stomps towards the counter before turning around angrily, "DID YOU NEGLECT TO TELL ME ABOUT THE BODIES IN THE OUTHOUSE AS WELL? OR WAS THAT ANOTHER ONE OF YOUR SURPRISES? I LOST ALOT OF BUSINESS BECAUSE OF YOUR LITTLE INTERROGATION!"

Although sure that the town was more defended when he first arrived, Brots struggles to find the towns wall. Keen to avoid the dodgier east end of town, the gnome heads west from Barthens following a narrow trail which circles Phandalin. He sings a quiet song to himself and begins to relax. The air is much clearer here than it was in Neverwinter, not as clear as it was back home but its a better alternative. Ahead of him the slight hill he has been climbing rolls over and reveals a small orchard. The faint smell of apples drifts from the nearby farm - Edermath Orchard. Guided by the scent of apples Brots suddenly finds himself in the farmyard, surrounded by barrels of ale and crates of apples. A tall silvery haired elf stands before him, arms folded. "And who might you be friend?"

Ordering a cider at the bar, Zyltris eyes the patrons carefully. Nobody here sits out of place. Perhaps Toblen made a mistake? It would be very odd for someone to come looking for him this far away from home. Suddenly the elf feels very exposed. He quietly takes a seat in a dark corner of the inn and watches the comings and goings of the townsfolk.

7

"Hello to you to Miss Linene..." Beetle says very quietly, you can see the look of sorrow on his face, knowing she was a good woman and he really disappointed her. "Again I am very sorry for what happened, you were very kind and good to me and I never intended for any of this to happen as it did." He really has a hard time looking her in the eyes, "If you were worried we are fine, little bruised and banged up, but fine, and I am happy to tell you the Redbrands will be troubling this town no more." He pauses a moment..."Again I really do apologize for the mess and what occurred.  I would love to make amends any way possible, in the meantime my companions here have some business they would like to do."

Brots will eye the guy up and down, returning his head back up slowly. "Excuse me, I didn't mean to intrude, My name is Brots, I was just walking, smelled some delicious apples and ended up here. What's your name?" Brots will ask the elf, a smile on his face, still smelling the delicious apples.

Brandishing a knife threateningly, Linene barks back at the sorry paladin, "As bruised and banged up as you may be, it's nothing more than you all deserve. Charging around like you own the place!" Suddenly aware of what she is doing, Linene withdraws the blade and breathes deeply and steps away. The floor boards, badly scratched from the angry scrubbing, creak loudly as they give slightly under her heavy boots. With a shake of her hair, Linene regain her composure. ".... but I suppose this Redbrand news is welcome. It'll take more than that and an apology to right your wrong doings sirs.... but trading gold is a good place to start over. Come with me.... I'm assuming you're not here for Darans apples."

The sharp tongued woman leads the party down a small flight of stairs and into a familiar room. The walls lined with blades and armour of all sizes and uses. Everything from bows, halberds, swords and shields. In the centre of the room sits a small, patch stained wooden chair. "Excuse the mess. Had a terribly rude visitor yesterday. Didn't even clean up after himself." A wry smile crosses her lips as she attempts to break the tension. "Now, what are you looking for?"

Searching around for a decent small blade Syna runs his hand along a tidy little dagger. An elegant handle of copper, pointed with shining steel.Noticing his interest Linene approaches, "Daggers are 4 gold each. Darts 5 copper. Anything bigger will cost more." 

The elf turns away from the gnome, lifting a crate and stacking it into the pile. "You bet your life they're delicious. Names Daran. Don't get many gnomes in the Sword Mountains so you'll forgive my suspicions. Nobodies mentioned a gnome hanging around the town.... What brings you to Phandalin?" 

Daran continues his work but remains in earshot. Carrying another crate of apples over from the outhouse, he slams them down next to the others. 

Brots will walk with Daran, helping him carry crates from place to place. He'll respond. "I'm here with some folks I just met. We heard there was some trouble going around in the town so we thought we might be able to help. We just helped a man by the name of.... ummm.... Well I can't remember his name right now, but there was a little girl.. I say little, but she's taller then me." He'll stop to laugh before finishing. "Her name is Nilsa."

Daran almost drops the crate he is carrying, "Nilsa you say? So you must know Zyltris and the others then? Well I must say that was a pleasant surprise when I heard the news about those bloody redbrands this morning. News travels fast in this place you see and Morthen is a good friend of mine. Now that thats all cleared up I suppose you'll be on your way.... unless of course you're sticking around?"

The old elf groans as he pulls up a crate and takes a seat. His arms slowly ache now from a good days work. "See.... There's a story going round of someone digging around in the hills north of here. Who knows what to believe, but some prospectors have said they've been chased away from the area by undead and a mad old wizard. It's probably nothing but they've asked me to look into it and my adventuring days are long behind me. You know.... if you're looking for work?"

"It is a nice dagger, and will do in a pinch," he replies, "have you anything more substantial, more for left handed work?  And I shall take twenty of these little ones, have you a belt of pouch for them?"

Brots ears will perk as he hears of this and nods. "We would be glad to help in any way we can. All we want is for your town to feel safe and secure. I'll bring it up to the group when I see them again. In the meantime, do you need any further assistance here?"

Surveying his work, the elf is pleased to have finished for the day. "No no Mr Brots that will be all. I'll just leave it here for the cart from the Lionshield Coster to collect later on. I'm glad we both have the same goals here. I remember when Phandalin was a thriving little town, be a shame if it was to be wiped out entirely by evil. I'll see you later then, my friend." The elf heads back inside leaving Brots to continue his walk around the town. Crossing the field beside the orchard he arrives handily back at the Lionshield Coster. Figuring this would be a good time to stock up on his weapon supplies he heads inside.