Regarding the Redbrands, Linene replies "well they've been around for a while, a bit of a gang just roughing up newcomers and strong arming everyone for coin or goods here and there."  "Things only got bad in the last couple of months, however.  They seemed more organized, I guess, with more people and started demanding payment from everyone in town for 'protection' from outsiders.  They also became more violent and just took whatever they wanted, and then people started to go missing.  Everyone thinks they're up at the old manor, although there's not much left of the place so I'm not sure.  They hang around the Sleeping Giant the rest of the time, when they aren't harassing people."  She hesitates and starts to look a bit nervous.  "Also they were in here cleaning me out a few weeks back and I heard two of 'em mention to each other something about a Glasstaff and a Black Spider."

Zeke's deep bass rolls out from his place against the wall.

'Anything that would help keep my friends on their feet would be appreciated - would you happen to have items that make some harder to hit?  Armor obviously for those that can use it' he pointedly shifts his large, ungainly wings at the mention of armor, 'but cloaks, jewelry or boots perhaps for those of us who are unable to fit into or wear more traditional protection?' 

'On a more personal level, I could use a few more small blades suitable for throwing - hatchets, knives, daggers - anything of the sort.'

"Ten percent sounds more than fair and a round number too. We will definitely look into these 'Redbrands' after we've completed our current obligations."

As usual, Zeke's wings would grab Fae's attention and she'd just watch them. When he mentions armour, she'd almost reflexively, just start poking at her belly. "I am pretty squishy..." her cheeks would redden a little bit. She was only thinking about spell components, she didn't even consider armour for herself. She just realized she didn't have any at all, which made her extremely vulnerable.

Linene puts her hand out to shake with Arvel on behalf of the group.  "Well, at least you lot won't easily be forgotten, with regard to our deal long term.  I'll write up each of your names in the book though in case I ever move on though."  She makes sure to write down each of your names before you leave the Lionshield Coster for this purpose.

In response to Zeke, Linene folds her arms and looks at him curiously for a second, then at the rest of the party.  "Hmm, most people just want the biggest, shiniest, sharpest sword they can get to smite all of their numerous enemies with, other than all the mages that want all kinds of oddities, of course.  Very interesting.  Well if you have at least a few thousand gold pieces....I thought not."  She seems to ponder the subject for a moment longer before saying "would you give me a moment?"  "Please don't go anywhere."

Linene exits through the front door, closing it behind her.  Krikket witnesses her go over to the house behind the small shrine to Tymora and knock on the door.  Soon a young, female elven face appears in an opened doorway and welcomes Linene inside.  A minute or two later Linene emerges with a wooden cup and returns to the Lionshield.  She sets the cup on the counter and pays no further attention to it, a few walnuts bouncing out onto the counter when she does.  "It seems that your story holds true and we have need of you here in Phandalin.  You are of no use to us dead, so against better business practices I think the Lionshield Coster would like to invest in you.  I have a few things for you, but in exchange I do ask one thing beyond your help with the Redbrands.  If I give you some items you are unlikely to be able to afford, you can owe me either the return of said items when your business is done around Phandalin or you can find me another unique item of similar quality to sell.  I think this is more than fair and assume that you accept.  Be back in a moment!"

Linene goes and grabs a small spade from around the corner and goes beneath the floor yet again.  She emerges several minutes later with dirt in her hair and on her face.  "Pardon our poor service here at the Lionshield, but given the circumstance..."  She smiles and lays out three items on the counter.

First she puts a set of finely crafted elven boots on the counter.  "These will help you avoid trouble altogether in a pinch." Boots of Elvenkind

Next she puts an odd set of metal bracers made up of several inch wide gold rings that would go around one's forearms on the counter.  "These will cast an aura that will deflect blows that would otherwise strike you." Bracers of Defense

"Lastly, when you wear this ring and must react to a sudden danger you will find that time itself slows juuust long enough for you to get out of harms way." Ring of Evasion

"What do you think?  Is a cooperative relationship with the Lionshield Coster agreeable to you?"  She smiles at Arvel and Zeke.

With Arvel and Linene's agreement, you guys can make the 10% adjustment to all items purchased and sold here.  Thus...

• Elra can take 10% off of the 25g cost of the tarot cards
  
  
• Tarja can take 10% off the normal cost of her tools and however much rope you want and can afford
  
  
• Ethan's sale of various mundane goods nets the group 220g
  
  
  

"That is...incredibly generous. We would, of course, be foolish not to accept your largess. When we return from our outing, please allow us to take you to dinner as part of our thanks."

'Ahhh, yes these are exactly the kind of items I was thinking of.' the large Tiefling smiles as he looks over the three items. 'I'll leave it to my loquacious colleague here to work out the details, but I believe we can make use of these.'

Ethan helps Linene put the collection of weapons and armour into boxes, so she can hide it away, before taking the money offered.

Ethan divides the money up and hands it out to his friends.

"Here, you each get 36gp." (remember to update your character sheets)

Elra flips through the cards, excited and feeling them in her hand. "These are beautiful. And perfect. I love them!" Elra places the money on the counter and places the tarrot cards in her pocket alongside the pearl.

Fae will accept her list of supplies (for find familiar) and deposit the coin on the counter for Linene. She'd look up to Zeke, then look down to the generous goods laid out before them before looking back up at him, then to Linene. "This is most generous. Thank you." She'd bow her head politely.

"Thank you Ethan." She'd smile and accept her share.

Fae couldn't help but smile, peeking over at Elra's excitement over her cards.

Ethan sees Elra's excitement and joins Fae looking over Elra's shoulder.

"What do they do? Are they infused with magic? The artwork is top notch, I must say."

Ethan takes a look at the 3 items given to the group in good faith.

"Oww more magical items, fun. I will have to study them later, see if I can glean anything from their design."

"Who's going to use them?"

Ethan holds up the pair of boots, looking them over, before putting them back down.

Ethan turns his head at the boots, giving them a quizzical look. Ethan picks them back up and places them down firmly, a couple of times, watching them closely.

"These boots are dampening the noise, when I place them down. That's a fun design."

Ethan looks the other 2 items over, looking for any signs of their design or function, before turning back to his friends.

"So, who needs what?"

With regard to dinner, Linene replies "we best not, at least until the Redbrands are dealt with."  "I fear they've already noticed how much time you all have spent here.  My story is that I sold you all some very mundane goods from the newly arrived shipment, but we are not at all friends, of course.  On that note, is there anything else I can provide?  If not I look forward to seeing you again once you've found your friend."

OOC  Did I mention she certainly has some regular throwing weapons for Zeke?  Your pick, hatchets?

Elra shakes her head, "No, they're just cards. I'm just super excited that I have them. Thank you again,"

'I was hoping you might have one or two hatchets available for me to purchase?'

Linene is happy to provide Zeke with two more hatchets (at normal cost per D&D-B, minus 10%).

**Krikket, take a look around. Are there any of those Redbrands nearby?**

(Krikket reports seeing a half dozen or so townsfolk and/or miners making their way around town, a female elf cleric tending her small garden near the town square, a man and a woman in nicer clothes than most approaching the town center from the south, some activity back near where the group first entered town by Barthen's Provisions, and a man with a red bandana on his head hanging around chewing on an apple the side of the Stonehill Inn near the road to the east.   Feel free to RP Krikket saying that in some other manner if you like, but dems the facts!)

The group gathers up their various goods while Arvel shakes hands with Linene.

"Thank you so much again for your generosity. Please don't hold what I'm about to do against us. It's just a little show for the Redbrands."

The charlatan winks at the shopkeeper and makes for the door.

"Follow my lead, everyone."

He opens the door and VERY loudly announces for the Redbrand to hear:

"FINE! KEEP YOUR RAT INFESTED TRASH, THEN! I WOULDN'T GIVE YOU A COPPER FOR THAT JUNK!"

And he storms off.