Lost Mines, Lost Labs, and Lost Hope (RobJFalcon's Campaign)

Drinking the ale heals 1 HP, Absinthe feels better. He hears in his mind:

Dustfinger settles in for a serious length of relaxation and reflection. When he stirs, and just before the group sets out, he handles the statue and asks "When we slay the dragon, will we find, in its treasure or on its body, an item of power useful to my particular way of life?"

Dustfinger hears telepathically:

I hold my question and 

Wizzard roll

13 

5 

You rest early, as it didn't take very long to clear the castle. The castle walls offer a cool, dark sleeping area.

12

The watches go uneventful, with only the occasional sound of settling rubble to be heard. You all get the feeling that nothing in the woods wants to get close to the castle.

You all awaken rested and refreshed, but so early it's still dark.

What are you doing?

I ask the statue. Is venomfang currently stalking us?

Boring!  I grab the statue next.

Where can I reasonably obtain an item, given our combined skills, to enhance my charming nature the most?

Az Emberi hears in his head as Dirk snatches the thing:

 Dirk hears:

They answered weal. I take this to mean venomfang is watching us now. In order for this to work he'll need to follow you guys to thundertree.

Fjolnir helps pack up camp and roll bedrolls up. "Az, I really worry about this plan, but however you think we can aid to get you there and back safest, you let me know."

What a load of shit.  Now I need a celestial suggestion box so I can leave my opinion on this crap relic.

Thank you for the concern. Just try and pull his focus to you. And away from Phandelver. I'll rejoin you in a few days.

if you have to out our plan to save yourself, just do it.  if he's on to you then we're going to have to fight him at that disadvantage anyway. No sense in throwing your life away on it.

Dustfinger casts Find Familiar, and summons up Bat!, which is a bat. Bat! nestles onto Dustfinger's head, where its snow white fur blends in nicely with Dustfinger's drow white hair. 

Let's move this shit show.  I wrangle the relevant parties and lead us to our doom, I mean the dragon.... slowly.  21 stealth

Perception 4 

Stealth 12 

"Alright... lets see how this shakes out..."

Perception 21

Stealth 18

It is still in the early hours of the morning, and the sun has yet to rise over the canopy of the Neverwinter Wood as you exit the castle.

Before you make it to the treeline of the Cragmaw Castle clearing to begin hiding your way to Thundertree, a group of four Hobgoblins emerge from the North. The largest one is holding 2 chains with a wolf on the end of each. "Hey! Who goes there?"

Clearly caught off guard, I snap to attention I am the master of this castle, now.  Who are you, and who do you serve?  I snap my fingers casting prestidigation causing sparks to fall from my right hand while I cast a stern eye at the interlopers.

The lead hobgoblin takes a step forward, the two wolves in front. The other three each have a bloody sack tied to their belts, about head-sized. "What? I asked who you are. Quit playing games and answer the question. I didn't ask for a goddamn magic show. Are you some of those damn Redbrands? I told Grol not to let you ..." He trails off in volume, but continues staring expectantly, the wolves somewhat dragging him toward you but he is keeping them from charging. They are still at the North of the clearing and you are on the West side of the castle, a couple hundred feet away or so. None of them have pulled weapons yet.