Dragon of Icespire Peak ***CLOSED***

Brutus will chime in “I don’t think the dwarves want 15% of the Lady’s share.  They get 15% of all of it, right?  I don’t think they would be happy with that.”  As they are in route to the exchange.  “I think I would like to trade in my sword if we get a chance.  I wonder if they have a shield big enough for me... might have to talk to a tree.  And a smaller sword.... or maybe a hammer.”

Connak shakes his head, "I was trying to provoke Tabesha'l by saying the fifteen percent of the total she promised without consulting with us would come out of her share.  Never mind.  Lets go get our money.  I would very much like to buy myself a real longbow instead of having to use this short bow."

The group arrives at the Miner’s Exchange and as promised, finds Dazlyn and Norbus waiting there for them. A gnomish clerk examines each of the 15 gemstones carefully and after some manual calculations which he scribbles through and starts over three times, he announces that the lot of them is worth 150 gold pieces. The clerk counts out the amount, separating out the dwarves 15% and then makes five small stacks of coins of 25 gold and 5 silver pieces each which he issues to each member of the party.

”You know, we buy jewelry as well,” says the clerk. “Rings, bracelets, brooches, pendants...” He continues to rattle off a list of every type of jewelry he can think of and some that are not types of jewelry, but rather gnomish tinkering monikers.

”Well have fun talking to old Chatterbones,” says Dazlyn. “We’ll be at the bar.” He and Norbus head out the door.

Vaxis takes his share of the gold, as well as 10 gold from the share of the bounty.

"I shall retire to the inn for the night. Everyone make preparations. On the morrow we have a gnomish settlement to visit. If anyone is having need for counseling or wishes to speak to me on matters of the spirit, my door is having openness."

He looks off the left a bit.

"And I will not eat the gnomes, you sick fiend."

He begins walking toward the inn.

Connak lingers in the Miner's Exchange after everyone else leaves.  Fifteen minutes later, he leaves and heads towards the Lionshield's Coster.

Brutus returns some of his equipment and begins to collect some more.  After paying for his new equipment he will try to find a place covered by outside.  Possibly by a stable, or just a grouping of trees.  He will unroll his bed pack and take out the wolf pelt that has been oiled and salted inside and begin to continue working on it.  Hoping to make a poncho like cloak for someone much smaller than he. If there are birds or squirrels in the trees, he will chat with them as he works before retiring for the night.  

Barric heads to the inn, washes up, shaves, and buys a hot meal and several drinks and spends the evening relaxing.

(Spending a gold for a bed at the inn, a modest meal and a few drinks).

Quote from Woogles >>

Brutus returns some of his equipment and begins to collect some more.  After paying for his new equipment he will try to find a place covered by outside.  Possibly by a stable, or just a grouping of trees.  He will unroll his bed pack and take out the wolf pelt that has been oiled and salted inside and begin to continue working on it.  Hoping to make a poncho like cloak for someone much smaller than he. If there are birds or squirrels in the trees, he will chat with them as he works before retiring for the night.  

Brutus us able to find some cozy shelter in the tool shed of Harbin Wester’s house. He creates a space to lie down amid the rakes and shovels, a wheelbarrow and several other items of gardening equipment. He thanks the family of mice in the shed for sharing their home with him. He returns the favor by leaving them with the leftovers of his ration before nodding off to sleep.

(Vaxis is good for the next adventure, he will pay for his room of course, whatever it is. Also leaves a note with the inkeeper that whoever requires counseling or religious/moral instruction can find him in his room)

The following morning, the party gathers downstairs in the tavern area of the Stonehill Inn around 7am. They briefly discuss the task at hand - seeking out a reclusive rock gnome settlement known as Gnomengarde located somewhere 15 miles southeast of Phandalin. Harbin Wester is interested in acquiring magic items crafted by the wizards who live there and is willing to pay up to 50 gold pieces per item, if he feels he can make use of it.

 To reach their destination, the party must travel through the hills east of the central spur of the Sword Mountains and across a grassland valley into the southern section of the mountain chain. No established roads or trails lead to the gnomish commune which is heralded for its magical research and inventions. The party does not have an exact location for Gnomengarde, only a general idea of the area in which it can be found.

• NEED ONE PARTY MEMBER TO MAKE A DC 12 SURVIVAL CHECK TO AVOID GETTING LOST ON THE WAY TO GNOMENGARDE
• TRAVEL TIME TO THE LOCATION IS 5 HOURS, HOWEVER EACH UNSUCCESSFUL SURVIVAL CHECK ADDS 1 HOUR TO THE JOURNEY

(OOC: let me know if you want to use fast or slow pace, otherwise I will assume the party is traveling at normal pace.)

Connak Survival check: 8

(If someone wants to assist, roll 1d20 and add +5 to give me advantage.  Or roll using your Survival)

Brutus takes note of the wildlife and the patterns in their movement.  Often shouting and asking for directions.  It’s not clear if he actually gets any responses, but his chipper attitude doesn’t change throughout the day.  Helping survival roll: 7

Tabesha'l follows the group in silence, her features once again masked by the dark folds of her violet robes. Ever since their arrival at Phandalin and the dividing of the loot, the elf mage has been somewhat aloof, spending most of her time locked into her rooms at the inn. 

** Using her new diviner's Portent ability on day start: ROLL 1 15 ROLL 2 5 **

(UNDISCLOSED ROLLS: 10, 12, 16)

The weather on this day is a moderate 65 degrees. The air is still but the skies are overcast and a light rain has been falling for the past hour of the journey. The party traverses the first 7 miles without no issues other than the slightly foul weather.

As they begin to descend from the hills and into the valley, they come into an area with a large number of rocky outcroppings. The terrain is not especially steep, but there are several hard corners that obstruct a clear view ahead.

As they turn around one such blind corner, they spot two hulking figures about 50 feet ahead that are crouching near a rock formation. Two half-ogres appear to be shouting at some animal they have cornered amid the rocks. They don’t immediately notice any of the party members since they are facing away from you.

What would you like to do next?

Connak will look to the others to make sure they are aware of the situation, equip his longbow and use a rock outcropping to hide from the half ogres.

Stealth: 10

Brutus notices Connak breaking off to stealth around. Once he is separated enough Brutus storms forward with his hands up yelling at the two half ogres.  “WHAT ARE  DOING THAT FOR, LEAVE THE LITTLE FELLA ALONE!”  If possible Brutus will put himself between the half ogres and the animal.  

The pair of half-ogres turn in surprise at the sound of Brutus yelling. Connak had managed to stay out of their line-of-sight, so they are not aware of his presence, but they see everyone else now.

LUMP: “Hey look that! Bigger thing make Lump not hungry!”

GOMP: “You! Blue thing! You lets us eats you!”

Vaxis gives a stern look at the two half-ogres.

"You will not be having meal of any of us. And why are you shouting at the animal if you are having hunting?"

Barric moves in front of Tabesha'l, hand on his sword hilt, not liking the way the conversation is going and trying to make sure neither of the half-ogres have a direct line to the wizard. 

HALF-OGRES TO VAXIS: “Tiny tasty thing run under rock! Not come out for us to eat! You not fit under rock...what you taste like?”