I don't know the mine's location.  Gundren had a map, but I never asked to see it.  I encouraged him to reveal it to as few people as possible, in order to keep his secret safe.

Sildar looks at you all, judging your character and behaviour, and seems to come to a decision.  I am not a close friend of Gundren, nor exactly a business partner, but I am someone who has an interest in his success.  I am a representative of the Lords' Alliance; I am on my way to Phandalin in their service.  When Gundren revealed his discovery to our agents, we decided this is an opportunity to establish the town of Phandalin as a centre of prosperity and security between Neverwinter and Triboar.

Even Nate would know of the Lords' Alliance, a political faction dedicated to forging strong alliances and trading relations between the cities and towns of the Sword Coast.

Sildar continues, That being said, I have come to consider Gundren a friend in our last weeks working and travelling together.  I would very much like to find him if he is alive, or recover his body for his family if he is not.  However, I'm in no condition to undertake such a quest. 

So I have a request for you.  Escort me to Phandalin, to meet my Lords' Alliance contact there.  I will pay for this service, 50 gold pieces to your party, though it will take a few days to secure the funds I admit.  What little I had on me has been taken by the goblins, no doubt.  He pats his empty pockets.

Brom would listen as he filled his canteen with stream water and drank some before eating one of his own rations. Looking to the party to see if this was a good opportunity, and scratched his cheek in thought "I guess, its for the greater good and the coin is good"

Nate agrees with Brom. 

"Lords alliance huh... wow! Alright - let's go to Phandalin then. Oh - do you have any idea where this goblin king might be keeping Gundren? Perhaps we should try and find him before we head out to Phandalin? Especially if he's the only one who knows the location of the mine."

"Is this Spider that the goblin spoke of, an actual Spider?"

Nate then gestures the party to that empty cave room so we can rest. 

Well, it's common knowledge that there are goblins in this part of the land; they're a hazard to traders, but usually a few armed folk are enough to keep them at bay. 

Sildar's now on his feet, looking around the cave, inspecting the crates and boxes. 

But as to where exactly they make their camp?  No idea.  Someone in Phandalin or Neverwinter might know.  I wish I could send a message back to the city, but we need to keep moving forward.  It would be worth looking around outside the cave, see if you can pick up the trail of those who took Gundren.  Not my area of expertise, I'm afraid. 

He looks increasingly unhappy as he fails to find what he is looking for.

And the Black Spider?  My friend, you know as much as I, and it's nothing beyond the name at this point.  When we reach Phandalin, we'll speak to Iarno, the Lords' Alliance contact there.  If someone's messing around with the local goblin tribes, he ought to know something at least.

He gives up his search.  They've taken my armour and sword.  Damn.  They'll be with Gundren, on the way to Gods know where. 

(Are you resting here?   If so, long or short rest?)

OOC: going to respond better tmrw but yeah for sure long rest let’s sleep it out 

Sildar doesn’t seem in a huge rush

"Alright that sounds good. We can check out around the outside of this cave after we get some rest. I'm hurting here and I think you are too. I know Brom over there is also hurt quite bad.  Then depending on what we find out there, we can follow it or head back to Phandalin."

Then heads into that cave room and long rests assuming that's what we are doing guys?

Yha thats what we're doing, setting up camp for the night in the room where we set the dogs free, Brom found food so if anyone doesnt have a ration he would give them one theres a stream so he'll remind everyone to fill up their canteens.

You set up camp in Klarg's cave; it's easy to do as it's dry and there is already a campfire.  You pass a few hours in idleness (because it is still morning and not long since you last rested), but you take the time to talk, clean your weapons and armour, and tend to your wounds.  As the afternoon draws on, you settle down for a proper rest and sleep.

Sildar offers, and takes first watch, and Idalie the second.  Among you, others agree to watch, but given where you are, deep into the goblins' cave and with the goblins lying dead around you, no person or other creature would think to disturb you and your rest is undisturbed.  You wake, unsure of the exact time but it is likely to be the middle of the night.   You have completed a long rest. 

(You can give yourself a long rest on your character sheet, and recover all lost hit points and spell slots.)

As you are packing up the camp, Idalie gathers you together to speak to you.  She says that she is feeling something pulling her back to Neverwinter, though she is unsure of what it is.  She has been feeling it for a day or more, but with the attack on Gundren, she is more certain than ever that her path does not lie with you, at least not for the moment.  She will return to the city, and offers to pass on a message from Sildar to his allies about what has happened; Sildar gives her a name and a code word, which he does not share with the rest of you.  While you are making your final preparations, Idalie waves a friendly goodbye, and leaves.

What would you like to do?

Ophirinn wakes feeling well rested, but the quickly gets ready to leave. When Idalie waves good Ophirinn stands and says "It has been an honour, may the Gods bring you much luck on your journey friend."

After Idalie is gone Ophirinn turns to the group "I believe it best that we get back to the wagon, it has been left unguarded for long enough."

Omnia gathers her stuff up together and wishes ldalie well and safe journeys.

She looks at Ophirinn and agress as she starts to head towards the cart. 

The four party members, along with the human fighter Sildar Hallwinter they have rescued, make their way to the exit of the goblins' cave.  Outside, the sky is beautiful; the stars bright, the air cool but not cold.  It is a pleasant spring night.

If you wish to look around for possible traces of where Gundren was taken, anyone can make a Survival check.  Otherwise, you will head back to the Triboar Trail where you left your cart.

Omnia will check for signs of traces or tracks

Survival Check: 20

Omnia, you see several trails coming and going from the cave mouth area. However, one large group headed north-east not long ago, about the right time to be taking Gundren. It would be difficult to follow, as the path heads towards country where the trail would not be easily visible.

Nate enjoys the company of the party as they camp in the cave. He recounts the battle they just had and feels even closer now to Brom, Omnia and their new companion Ophirinn. He bids a farewell to Idalie and hopes that their paths may cross again as he catches up with the others back to the cart. 

"Omnia - what did you find over there?" Nate takes an interest in the north east trail that she finds and then turns back to Sildar:

"Do you think we should just get to Phandalin as fast as possible, or do you think it's worth a shot to try and follow this and see if we can find Gundren now?"

"The sooner we find Gundren the better but we still don't know anything about the goblin king or spider we are still a bit too ill informed, my vote is to head to Phandalin maybe resupply and gather information" Brom said as he looked out in the distance around them just a scan of their surroundings

Random perception check just to see if theres anything around us of note: 17

I do not have a vote, my friends, Sildar adds, and would not seek to dissuade you from rescuing my friend.  But I would still suggest travelling to Phandalin, to deliver Gundren's supplies.  You might find further allies there, and news of where the goblins' base may be.

Brom, you see the area outside the cave mouth, dotted with thickets and the odd tree, and further south the trail that leads back to your cart and the Triboar Trail, the road that would take you eventually to Phandalin.  Though the night is bright, it is still night, so there may be things you are missing in the darkness.  Nevertheless, you see nothing that alarms you or threatens the party.

"looks like Gundren has been taken north east from here however the trail may go cold the further we go. Let's get these supplies delivered and try and gather some Intel someone might know what we are up against here" 

With Sildar in tow, you head southwest and south, back along the goblin trail you had followed, making your way carefully past the traps, and just as the day is dawning, you draw close to the road and find your cart.  It is untouched; the supplies you left are still there, and the two oxen seem untroubled at the long wait, having had plenty to eat on the forest floor.  You untie them and gently lead the cart back to the trail.  With the sun rising as you head east, the day is bright and warm.  After a few hours, you reach the place where the Triboar Trail continues east, but a sign indicates that the road to Phandalin forks off to the south.

Sildar has been quiet and thoughtful for most of your trip, but as you reach the junction he frowns.  So strange, to see no-one at all on the roads.  I wonder that no-one in Neverwinter has noticed how drastically the traffic from Triboar has fallen.  But judging from those supplies back at the cave, almost no trade is getting through, at least via this route.  It's always been risky, but the goblins have made it impossible.  I think you folks have done some good for the region by clearing out that cave.  In any case, we should reach Phandalin today if we press on.

As you turn your wagon southwards, could whoever is driving the cart give me an animal handling check, and anyone else, but particularly whoever is in the lead, give me a perception check.  

(OOC:  Don't forget there's a map of the region on the main campaign page.  I'll be adding a map of the town of Phandalin soon too.)

Ophirinn being that he was somewhat used to handling horses, decides to take the reins, and keeps his eyes out for anything that looks suspicious.

Animal Handling: 5

Perception: 15

Nate agrees with the party in heading back to Phandalin first to deliver Gundren's supplies and getting more Intel on the whereabouts of the Goblin King's base and Gundren. He greets the Oxen (but doesn't speak to them this time) and takes back his rope into his inventory.

As they head out he takes in the beauty of the day. He is walking in human form alongside the cart right beside the Oxen, petting them every so often as Ophirinn steers the cart ahead. He listens to Sildar and feels proud of what the group has accomplished with taking out the goblins in the cave to perhaps prevent further ambushes. Although he is most excited to learn more and find this Lost Mine and the magical relic that resides there. He remains pretty quiet just thinking about this actually as they walk.