A gaunt, white-bearded human in worn leather armor comes out of the eastern side of the western-most building (4), a shield in one hand and some kind of branch with green leaves in the other. He looks around quickly, then spots you in the underbrush. "Din't ya see ma sign?!! Begone, ye daft buggers, afore ye get kilt!" he says, just loud enough for you to hear. He shakes the branch in your general direction, spits on the ground, and turns to go back to his building.

Seeing the new face, Salty calls out, "Hiya there! I apologize for all the noise. We are a group of local hero types and we heard that this area has a serious Zombie and Plant Monster problem. Would you be willing to help us help you?" He whispers to the party, "I might need a little help here." 

Flat Roll

Persuasion 12

With Help 

Persuasion 25

Rand shuffles over to the bearded man and makes a guess. "You wouldn't happen to be Reidoth would you? Quilline told us you might be able to help us."

 Penumbra squints suspiciously at the strange old man, but decides to keep her mouth shut and let her friends do the talking.

Valefor follow the group still a bit wear of any incoming attacks from anyone who heard the thundering sound. 

Perception: 9

Hearing his name, the old druid stops, looks you all up and down, and then jerks his head towards the ramshackle, but sturdy, building. He turns and walks into the door, but leaves it open in a gesture clearly meant as his version of an invitation...

Though a bit abrasive, he is reasonably hospitable. "So, ye fancy yerselves heroes, do ya? Some local lads and lass who canna stan' the yoke o city life, so ye tink to take to da wilds and carve out a glorious story...dat it? Pish. Ye listen to ol' Reidoth, saplins - I's adept at staying clear of da ash zombies, an I knows better 'n ta mess wit the mutated plants. Ye ain't got the sense of a sceered little fawn, much less heroes! How 'r ya gonna handle dose dangerous spiders lurkin' in da ruins at da base of dat hill? What abou' dem folk in black masks and cloaks skulking around da runes? An doen evn tink abou' goin 'ginst dat der green dragon what has moved into the tower since da last time I wuz here! I's tellin' ya, ye should leave Thundertree afore ye get yerselves kilt..."

"Aah, my friend, we are here for much more than personal glory. We have managed to rid the town of Phandalin of a particular red-cloaked menace, and will strive to do everything we can to liberate Thundertree from the troubles it now faces as well. Surely, as a man of nature, you can understand our motivations for ridding this land of the evils that assail it? And be assured that we are well prepared to face the peril around us you have described."

"With that said, would you like to join us as we investigate the surroundings? If not, can you provide any specific information or assistance that may help keep us alive in our endeavors? 

"Will you please help us Uncle Sage? We are just starting out, true, but with the proper guidance we might be able to even handle that green dragon one day. If we believe we can do anything we can move mountains. Surely in your journey you have also found this truth? Help us become badasses Uncle." 

persuasion 24

if helped

persuasion 22

 "Ummm... I mean, yeah, destroying evil is great but I don't know that we really need to go picking fights with dragons." Penumbra says still squinting and scowling. "This place is long abandoned and there isn't really anyone to help here. Though I would like to look around for Qelline's amulet. What we are really looking for is the location of a place called Cragmaw Castle, and a cup of tea." When she mentions tea her squinty scowl turns to a mischievous smile.

"pfftt! And pass up a chance to rid the world of evil! Do reconsider, my friends! We can have that cup of tea anytime!"

Valefor look to the others "Now hold on a second we can't pass up tea....though to see a green dragon would be cool....mmmm why not all of the above?" 

"Ach, but where are me manners? Yes - tea for all. Make yerselves right comfy whilst I brew us sumptin hot an' refreshing!" The old druid putters around the 20' x 30' room, gathering a handful of drying herbs and leaves, crushing them in a stone pestle, and dumping them into a pot hanging near the small fire. He then whispers a divine phrase and shakes the sprig of leaves over his empty hand. Reidoth then goes around to each of you, offering each of you two golden berries the size of a walnut. 

"Surprisingly filling, dis berries. A little sweet - a little tart. And dey go really well wit' de tea!" he says as he pours the hot tea into several wooden mugs. "Now, if'n yer as handy as ye claim, ye'd be heppin to keep de balance if ye can drive ol' Venomfang off from dese parts. And de little greenies out to Cragmaw Castle, well, they needs a scrubbing, too. Come on back here when ya's done chasin' off da dragon, and I's be given ya directions to da castle."

Penumbra gratefully accepts the tea and berries then proceeds to messily devour the berries and burn her mouth trying to drink the tea to soon. Despite the berry stains on her new armor and her mildly burnt palate she seems very pleased. Once she is finished she looks at her companions and says in an uncertain tone, "Well I suppose it couldn't hurt to just go talk to this dragon, maybe we can reason with it or strike a deal."

(Whatever you guys want to do, please give me some details, including the route that you take, marching order, spacing, weapons in hand if any, etc.)

"These berries are most excellent friend Reidoth, and your tea is second to none."

Waiting until Reidoth turns around, Bankur leans over and spits the mouthful of berries he had been munching into his traveler's handkerchief with a sour look on his face, and in a barely audible whisper says to his friends "I much prefer the taste of food from the ocean though.."

Composing himself and hiding the kerchief in the pocket of his tunic, Bankur says "Friend Reidoth, might there be a place in this town that we can stay the night in safety to re-gather our strength before starting off again?"

(I would like to get a full rest in before we start out on any further adventures. We should be at full strength if at all possible imo... )  

(I agree)

When it comes to the talking to the dragon plan Salty would like to check his gut to figure out if its going to work. Insight 15

Valefor looks to Reidoth "Thank you for you hospitality and I think we are all in agreement that after a rest we should tackle the dark denizens of Thundertree...this cult sounds just as troublesome as this dragon i think if we take them out it should draw Venomfang out."  

"I like the idea where we fight things other than a dragon. At least for now." 

"I still have no intention of starting a fight with any dragon. Cultists I'll fight, but I am all about trying to talk to the dragon, preferably from behind a huge magical fireproof shield. I don't suppose any of you have a huge magical fireproof shield?" Penumbra looks at her friends with a wry smile. "No huge magic shield, well then I will rethink my plan of just insulting it a lot until it gets upset and flies away." She says jokingly but clearly unnerved by the idea of coming face to face with a dragon.

"Lets take out the cult first. When it comes to our formation, I will gladly lead from the rear ready to shine at any moment with song, blade, or bow.  Gods I'm amazing."