The Phandalin Chronicles

"I personally do not mind smashing some orcs's skulls. Back in Phandaling we heard a rumor of spellcasters leading or controlling a large number of orcs from a ruined manse near this lodge. It was our intention to take care of such menace before moving delivering the suppliers, do you know where such manse is located?" replies Krom.

Krom will wait for the rest of the party's comments or replies before adding, "Have you noticed anything strange in the orcs behavior? Have you spotted any spellcasters in their ranks?" 

Falcon nods,

“The orcs appear to be in league with the evil half-orcs that dwell southeast of here. These half-orcs are often seen in the company of little stick creatures known to creep about these woods. All in all, a nasty lot. The half-orcs dwell in a ruined stone manse overgrown with vines, roughly ten miles from here. Tales say that the manse was built by a scholar who studied the elven ruins scattered throughout these woods.  I don't know anything else.  I will give you a pair of boots of elvenkind as a reward for taking care of this issue for me."

Chip would try to listen in on the conversation going on between our host and Krom and Chill while playing a soft melody. 

Rekuberk frowns as he hears about the half orcs but keeps himself quiet so thar he can listen to what the man hasnto say.

Kazri is still uncomfortable with the animals and Orc displays. She is half listening and half trying to calm her nerves.

"Thank you for the information Falcon" replies the dwarf, he then taking notice of Kazri and Rekuberk's reactions, Krom adds "we will be on our way toward that manse tomorrow morning at the break of dawn, if my fellow party members agree. After all we came in this forest to quench this menace. We thank you for the hospitality and I hope to not offend you with this, but even if I like to break an orc's skulls as any, I would prefer to take my dinner where dead orcs do not stare back at me." the dwarf will say this giving an awkward wink to Kazri. 

".... As you say, Master Krom. We already had planned to deal with this Orc business before it became a much more region threatening problem. And while I find it detestable to mount an enemy's head on a wall as some grim trophy.... This is your home. What you decide to do with it is your own business." Rhogar said while largely looking to Falcon with eyes narrowed in both wariness and disapproval. "Though you may wish to reconsider some of the decor, least the dead come back to poison the dreams of both yours and that of your guest." Though he lingers long enough to hear a response, Rhogar leaves beforelong for the rooms, deciding to eat rations that evening.

Chill looks over at Falcon. 

"I rather like your decorating Falcon. Don't mind these others.   They've all helped in killing orcs and earning the rewards so far.   We'll get the job done.   I've heard of those boots.   I'm pretty quiet as it is but those would make me near undetectable.  As Krom said.   We'll start in the morning."

Falcon gives out a laugh. 

"Well, the nobles of Neverwinter seem to love them.  And I do not fear them dragonborn or my dreams. "  he says to Rhogar,

"They are dead orc heads not wights or ghosts.  If your dreams are poisoned it will not be my doing.   Do as you please and eat where you will.   But here comes Corwin with dinner."

Corwin comes in from the kitchen and begins to serve a hearty dinner of roast and vegetables. 

Chip would stop playing as the food arrives, taking his seat and preparing to eat his fill. "Thanks for the meal!" Chip would say before taking a large bite of roast. "We'll take care of the orcs." he add as juice drips down his face. 

Krom will eat a couple of large slices of roast while drinking a pint of ale then he will retire for the night. "Thank you for your meal and hospitality. Tomorrow morning we will travel to the manse for taking care of the orcs." says the dwarf to Falcon, he will add for the other party members "Try to not drink too much, we leave at the break of down. If Falcon agrees I would prefer to leave here the provisions and the ox we borrowed for this mission."

"Your animals and carts and the supplies are safe here.  We will care for them as our own while you aid in this matter."  Falcon tells Krom.

"Yes the orcs are of little trouble to us. They will not be the first or the last to meet their ends on my blade. We shall have to look into these half orcs as well." Rekuberk says as he eats.

Kazri gets up abruptly, trying not to look at the animal displays. “Please accept my apologies Mr. Falcon. I will excuse myself.” Kazri leaves the dining hall without eating and retires for the night.

The evening passes quietly and you rest well and are refreshed in the morning.  Corwin brings food to break your fast to the guest house as you had planned to leave early in the day.  If you go to check on your animals you find them safely in stalls in the stables with fresh food and water.  Pell waves as he goes about morning chores.  Your carts are right where they were left the day prior and nothing seems tampered with or missing.

With the information given by Falcon you leave the lodge property and set out.  You exit the lodge through a back gate and make your way east towards where the location of the woodland manse was given.

Following a trail through the woods, you arrive from the west and come to a foggy clearing, in the midst of which stands a crumbling two-story manse all but hidden beneath thorny ivy. The large house is set atop a six-foot-high stone foundation, and the main entrance has a balcony above it. Pumpkins grow wild in patches around the manse, with several wild boars feeding among them. The boars snort with contempt as you draw near.

Kazri wields her shield and Nature’s Grasp, and she uses her Divine Sense on the house.

"A worrisome abode... But look at that, Kazri. Up to asking more boars about the area? To see if perhaps these Orcs and their half blooded stock are even about even." Rhogar asked from her side as an exhausted Ghorar yawns cutely from his shoulder. Whether Kazri agress to the request or not, he looks to Chill next, opened his mouth to speak, but then... nothing comes out. For the first time anyone has known Rhogar, the Bronze seemed to actually consider his next words carefully over the usual brash espousing of them and over-emphasis on others.

Unable to find the words, Ghorar snorts at Rhogar, and then just sends over the image of her and Chill in one, followed by the duo on different sides of the house before being grouped together with everyone again.

Ghorar's Stealth: 22.

Chip would draw his longsword from his sheath and hold his horn in his off hand. "You all want me to knock on the door?" The dragonborn would say with a smile. The brass scaled dragonborn would then move quietly towards the steps of the front door (W2)

At Rhogar’s suggestion, Kazri casts Speak with Animals and asks the wild boars by the pumpkin patch. “Greetings friends. Are your masters home?”

Kazri tells the party that she will see if the boars can give her some information regarding their owners.

(@Orileo. Thanks for the reminder.)

As the group reached the edge of the clearing with the building Chill begins to fall back behind the others.   The house seemed a bit too organized to his thinking,  someone certainly has been living here.  

He's getting an idea the same time Ghorar flashes images into his head.  Chill tries to slip into the woods unnoticed.   He then begins to make his way through the brush and trees to the north to get a good look from that side of the house. 

Stealth 28