Sister Garaele raises an eyebrow at mention of a dwarven statue, and looks even more intrigued, or perhaps troubled, by the thought that the Spider may have already found his prize.  Reidoth however replies "ah yes, strangely places to leave statues out there."

-------------------

Meanwhile Gundren looks slightly concerned about mention of this 'Spider' and 'Glasstaff' but, as usual, quickly glosses over such concerns.  "Ah, all the more reason we have you fine folk!".  "Yes, yes, the map, or MAPS should I say!"  He pats himself down and appears to be thinking.  "Well, Tharden had a copy of course, that's how they've already found the place, I'm sure.  I had THE map, but, ah....  perhaps those blasted goblins took it, eh?"

Gundren thinks for a second and then says "ah, no matter".  He looks around his room and finds one of his boots.  He picks it up and hammers the heal against a dresser three times before it pops off, revealing a folded piece of paper hidden there.  "You can never be too careful, I always say!"  The party is well aware that this is generally NOT the case with Gundren, of course!

Gundren unfolds a half sheet of paper and hands it to Tarja.  It is an extremely basic and crude pencil drawing that seems to depict the valley where the party just found the dwarf statue, the river there, and the Sword Mountains to the north, east and south.  There are fives X's on the map, the first at a river fork which would seem to be the discovered statue.  From there a route seems to be sketched, passing over three more X's to a large X at the end, deep in the mountains to the north east of the statue.  Tarja immediately notes an issue with this route, as the statue they had found seemed to point south, south-east rather than to the northern river.

At the bottom of the page in Gundren's scribble are four lines of text.

The sentinel hides the truth that even the map denies.
While the trickster besets us with his lies.
The smith is true to his blade and steel.
While the mason lets his work speak, and reveal.

Gundren stands by with a wide smile, nodding as Tarja studies his notes.  He is beaming with pride with regard to the information he and his brothers had apparently gathered.  "Bought the map from a man who said it was useless.  An old dwarf had once told me those lines down there at the bottom, and the first line always struck me as a bit...funny.  Went back to him for the rest before he passed, and here we are!  Hehe!!!  Or there we'll be, very soon, I should say!"

Zeke maintains his post outside the good sister's door.  Still as a statue and alert to any danger on the outside, internally the barbarian was churning, eager to get moving again to free their friend from danger.

Ethan studies the map over Tarja's shoulder, as Gundren speaks. Ethan's eyes go wide as he understands.

"Oh, we would have gone the wrong way? We would have been completely lost. We are very lucky that you got all better when you did and that Edgar came and found us before we travelled further."

Ethan pulls out his designs book and flips to a blank page in the back. Taking out his stylus, he traces out a few sigils in the air above the page. With one final flourish, the glowing sigils grow brighter for a moment and then fade away, leaving a copy of the map and riddle upon the page. Ethan puts the design book away, planning to trace the map out more permanently later.

"I might go and find Zeke and Fae and let them know. Then I think I might settle in for some tinkering before bed."

Ethan looks to his friends before leaving, in case then have anything to add before he goes.

Fae would finish her tea. "Thank you for your time Reidoth." She'd give a polite smile and nod of her head before looking to Garaele. "As always, it's been a pleasure. But if there is nothing else, I believe I should connect with my other party members." The wizard would lift from her seat, giving a respectful bow of her head. "May I send Tarja in if she still wishes to visit?"

Padding over to Garaele's door, she'd peek out to check on Zeke. Fae would reach a hand out to accept his teacup to take in. "I'll be out in a moment." She'd offer a timid smile before slipping back into the house to clean and set aside her and Zeke's cups.

Fae would say her farewells should there be no other business before stepping back outside.

“Of course!” replies Sister Garaele regarding Tarja also stopping by if she wishes. 

Tarja studies the map, trying to make sense of the drawing and the hints at the bottom.

I thought the statue was pointing at where to go next, but that doesn't match the map! That stone dwarf was pointing in the wrong direction! Or maybe the map is.

I wonder if that poem is some sort of hint. After all, the first line is all about hidden information, and says the map is denying things. The map, together with the statues, and the poem, might all need to be put together.

"The sentinel hides the truth that even the map denies."  - the pointing finger was pretty hidden. So maybe that means we have to trust the statue more than the map, first.

And we'll figure out what to do with the other statues based on the other lines. Maybe the second statue will be a trickster and we have to disbelieve it, the third one will be a smith and his blade will have the key, the fourth one will be a mason and that'll somehow guide us to the location?

An excited Gundren looks curiously at Ethan but then hears Tarja's words.  "Yes, yes, precisely!  I think you have it!  When do we leave?"

"Ooohhh, so we would have been going the right way then, but if we had followed the map, we would have been going the wrong way and wouldn't have found the second statue...hah, tricky."

At Gundren's question, Ethan remarks.

"We should get a good nights sleep I think, Then we can head off early tomorrow and head straight for the statue, now that we know where it is. If you like, I can have Quinn wake me earlier than sunrise, so we can head out extra early and get a little further before nightfall again."

Quinn bobs up and down in the air as Ethan mentions him, nodding his agreement.

"But I already told Arvel that we were on our way..." Elra says

"We are on our way. But we cant just keep moving until we find Arvel, we might die from exhaustion if we didn't stop to sleep when we need to. We will find Arvel and free him and then we will teach a lesson to the bad ones, for doing what they have."

Ethan turns back to Gundren.

"And then we will find your friends as well and the special mine. We have a lot to do, we should get a good nights sleep. I'm going to find Fae and Zeke and let them know."

Ethan walks out of Gundren's room and heads down stairs to find Fae and Zeke. Quinn follows Ethan out, and reattaches himself to Ethan's back as they descend the stairs.

Agreed, we have to find Arvel as soon as we can, though I don't think we can find him tonight... we'll get ready to go as soon as we can!

assuming now that Fae's pointed me to where to find Reidoth and Sister Garaele?

Tarja thanks Fae for the introduction. It will be good to hear Reidoth's wisdom. He's been around these forests longer than I have.

She would find Reidoth, though not expecting him to say very much.

Didn't think I would run into you in Phandalin! Neither of us used to spend much time in here. Though, now with this dragon, and with all the threats, I guess times are changing... how have you been faring? Have the spiders been giving you trouble?

"Ah, Tarja!" remarks a happy Reidoth as the younger druid enters Sister Garaele's small home.  "Yes, yes, I promised to come and tell....so....here I am!"  He sips his tea and listens to Tarja, nodding his head about dragons and other threats.  "Good, good, as always.  No, no trouble for me.  Not the same for others.  Some of the elves fell, and more.  Very unnatural, those spiders, most unnatural."

Sister Garaele starts out "Reidoth had been telling me..." and proceeds to once again recount the intelligence regarding the green dragon's apparent lair in the abandoned town of Thundertree and the other figures there, perhaps cultists, interacting with Venomfang.

Ethan and Tarja find Fae and Zeke heading to the inn and Tarja continues on to find Reidoth, while Ethan stays to explain the situation with Gundren.

"Gundren is back to his old self and he has a map that is supposed to lead to the mine and it starts with the statue we found. So Gundren is coming with us and we are going to head out early in the morning so we can try and find Arvel, and Gundren's friends and the mine, which might all be in the same place. And then we can stop the bad ones so they cant hurt anyone else."

Ethan pulls out his designs book and flips to his copy of the map.

"Here's a copy of the map,. It has a riddle that goes with it that may have clues about how to follow the way. See how the path from the first statue heads along the one river, but the statue we found was pointing at the other river? And the first clue in the riddle mentions how the map denies the truth, so we think maybe the way the statue was pointing is the real way and the other clues might help with the other statues we find along the way."

Ethan's words come out all together like a waterfall and looking at his two friends Ethan goes a little red in the cheeks.

"Sorry...do you want me to create a copy of the map, so you can trace it out for yourself later?"

Ethan is indicating this last question to Fae, as he pulls out his stylus.

Zeke nods his head decisively as Ethan outlines the plan.  'Very good Master Artificer, this plan is solid.  A good night's rest to recharge everyone and then set off at first light.  We can travel with haste back to the first marker and then move on from there.'  Indicating the small homunculus on Ethans' back the barbarian continues 'Perhaps your vigilant servant can help me and some of the town folk keep watch?  I'd prefer if the rest of you got a full night's rest while we are in the relative safety of the town.'

Assuming no objections from the artificer, the hulking tiefling will begin making arrangements to ensure the town watch is set and bolstered for the evening against any assault or infiltration.  Zeke would plan on taking first watch and a shift again around the witching hour - knowing that not only was that the hour when the veil between the worlds was thinnest, it was also the hour when the body's rhythms were at a natural ebb - making it the perfect time for raiders or skulkers to strike.

Ethan turns, as Quinn detaches from his back.

"Well, would you like to keep watch out here with Zeke?"

Quinn looks back and forth between Ethan and Zeke, uncertainly.

"Αλλά ... θα είσαι εντάξει αφέντης?"

"I'll be fine, I'll be in my room at the inn. And if you're out here keeping watch I'll be even safer."

Quinn's expression changes to one of excitement.

"Ναι! Θα υπερασπιστώ τον αφέντη, κανένα κέλυφος δεν με πέρασε!"

Quinn's arm transform into its force blaster configuration, as he speaks.

Ethan smiles, waving his homunculus down,

"Ok, ok, calm down. Now, you will have to work with Zeke and listen to what he says. Zeke is in charge, he is very experienced with guarding and watching over others."

Quinn's head darts back to Zeke with suspicion, at Ethan's words

"Μα αφέντη, τι γίνεται αν πρέπει να σε προστατέψω από αυτόν?"

"No Quinn, I've talked about this, Zeke is a friend, he will protect us, not harm us. Hhmmm...."

Ethan thinks for a moment before taking out a sheet of paper and his stylus.

"Here, I will put some words on this, so you can communicate with Zeke."

Ethan scribes some sigils into the air above the paper and with one final sigil, infuses the set onto the paper. As the sigils disappear into the paper, a set of words appear on the page, separated onto different lines, with numbers at the beginning giving a numbered list.

"This should allow you to communicate, a little at least."

Turning to Zeke, Ethan continues.

"Quinn knows and understands all the languages I do, so he can understand when you speak to him, but he can only speak in Lantanna. So using this, he can indicate to you some basic things, by pointing at the parts in order."

Ethan turns back to Quinn, handing him the paper.

"Now be good and don't make any trouble, ok?"

Fae would smile as a winged Ethan would approach with news, and she would happily direct Tarja to Reidoth inside Garaele's.

Fae listened attentively to Ethan sharing that Gundren was back to his old self and he has a map. Of course when Ethan would pull out his design book and flip to his copy, she'd tiptoe over to hover over his presented work. Her head would tilt in curiosity, appreciating the chance to review Ethan's notes. Violet eyes would scan over his familiar penmanship as her ears took in his words, not wanting to interrupt him as he'd continue on about the clues. Fae would look up to Ethan when he'd pause to apologize and offer to create a copy for her. Her smile would soften. "I'd like that." The scholar would nod, agreeing to a copy of the map. "Thank you Ethan."

Should it not be too late before watches begin, Fae would check in on the Dendrar family. The wizard would also offer to take a shift between Zeke's. If he still welcomed the gift of her magic, she'd be happy to provide him with flight for parts of his either of watches.

(Tarja can continue her conversation with Reidoth and Sister Garaele as you see fit, no rush.)

Zeke has little trouble finding a few others for a watch if he desires, starting with Sildar and Daren.

Fae finds the Dendrar family doing relatively well, all things considered.  Any trauma the children have suffered from the loss of their father and being taken prisoner by the Redbrands and Glasstaff seems to be at least somewhat compensated for by the recent heroics of the party, making them feel safe.  They eagerly ask about their hero, Zeke (unless he too goes with Fae, in which case they are even more excited).  Mrs. Dendrar seems a bit more shaken when her children aren't looking, understandably, after the fairly recent murder of her husband and the threat to her children.  She is toughing it out though, and has some confidence that the children will be safe thanks to the presence of the party in Phandalin.

Once Gundren is packed up he heads to the common room and receives an enthusiastic welcome from all of the townsfolk.  He is quite loose lipped, as always, about their morning departure, the great treasures they are going to find, etc.

Through all of the chatter, various members of the party hear the latest gossip, including the fact that Reidoth paid Gundren a visit not long before his sudden recovery.  Many assume he used some sort of magic, while others insist it was probably some secret natural remedy only a druid of the forest would know.

Sildar privately seeks out members of your party to discuss your departure the next morning.  He is hesitant to offer to join you at this point, partly because of his age but much more so due to the recent and severe damage to his sword hand.  It would seem that he considers his adventuring and military service to be over, but also fears that Gudren will be a major liability to you in your quest and that he may not survive an encounter with something such as the Black Spider.  He is also quite sure that it would be impossible to convince Gundren not to come along, especially with his two brothers out there somewhere.  Sildar thus looks to you all for your thoughts on the matter.

Zeke smiles at Fae's offer to take a watch and turns her down, preferring she gets to sleep and is well rested for whatever comes next, but he gladly accepts the gift of flight.  Feeling the familiar lightness creep across his form, the tiefling soars into the air, savoring the feeling of the wind beneath his wings lifting him up and driving him forward.  He stays close to the village, looking for signs of anything unusual or untoward approaching the town. (perception 17)

As Sildar pulls him aside to ask about Gundren and the adventure ahead, the guardian would listen carefully and nod.  'I would prefer you stay here in town good sir and look to their safety, ensuring that we have a safe respite to fall back on if need be.  I too wish Master Gudren would stay behind and allow us to tackle this challenge, I fear he might not survive the trials to come.  I will endeavor to impress on him the same in the morning before we set out.'

Ethan smiles when Fae accepts an offer for a copy of the map and once she has opened her notebook to a blank page or provided some other paper, Ethan scribes the sigil pattern into the air and then infuses it down into the paper. As before, another exact copy of the map appears.

"So this is an exact copy of what was on the original map, but it is only semi-permanent. You will need to trace over the lines with ink to make it permanent. I'm going to do the same later."

At this, Fae would realise that the map isn't Ethan's penmanship, but a direct visual copy of the original, including the appearance of some faint fold lines that were in the paper of the original map.

When Zeke would head to the air for his round of aerial surveillance, Quinn would follow him. Quinn would be watching the large imposing Tiefling, trying to match his mannerisms and expressions. Quinn does his best to scan the area alongside Zeke, but finds it hard to not be distracted by Zeke's majestic wings and imposing presence. As the night goes on, Quinn continues to follows Zeke around, always just out of arms reach but close by. By the end of Zeke's watch, Quinn is starting to mimic his stoic and imposing manner, but the tiny homunculus' size and frame just make it look comical.

When Zeke heads to bed for some rest, Quinn goes back to the air and keeps watch from the rooftops of the town.

Once Ethan had finished copying the map for Fae, he would head to the inn, get some simple food and head to his room to work on the device he was making for Zeke.

Tarja spends some more time of the evening catching up with Reidoth, though in truth she and sister Garaele are pprobably doing most of the talking, as Reidoth is taciturn as usual. Still, it's good to catch up with a fellow druid. She thanks him for helping out Gundren once she realizes his involvement. Later in the evening, she returns to the common room and spends time with Gundren, trying to keep an eye on whether he's actually fit for a wilderness trek again (insight: 16) but realizing it might be hard to convince him to stay safe even if he's not in any shape to come with them.

It would be best if Sildar stayed back for sure, to keep an eye on the town, and if Gundren could be convinced to stay with Sildar that would be even better, but Gundren didn't seem to let prudence triumph over enthusiasm.