OOG: Sorry about my silence. I don't have my character on here, but will make him and join the link.

OOG: I'm assuming everyone purchases a room for the night? If there's no desire to keep roleplaying in the tavern, we could move on with the adventure.

OOC I am OK with that.

Sounds good to me.

OOG Very well. Be sure you're all 5 silver poorer for buying rooms for the night.

You all spend the night thankful that you survived such a harrowing encounter with the goblins, steeling yourself for what is yet to come. 

The morning comes and you all head downstairs, finding Sildar Hallwinter, now dressed in finer clothing and looking much more put together, seated at a table able to accommodate the lot of you. "Good morning my friends! I had an early start, and I've learned quite a bit. I also have your payment for rescuing me from my predicament yesterday," he says, producing a pouch and setting it in the middle of the table with a clink. "Fifty gold dragons. The Lords' Alliance always pays those who make themselves useful for the good of the realm."

You all take your seats and begin dividing up the gold (12 for each of you with 2 pieces left over, decide how to divvy those up yourselves) as Sildar shares what he has learned.

"Now listen, I don't know if you know this, but Gundren and his brothers have found something big. Have any of you ever heard of the Phandelver's Pact?" Noting the blank looks on your faces, he nods and carries on. "Well, I did not know much about it either until I met Gundren. Hundreds of years ago, clans of dwarves and gnomes made an agreement known as the Phandelver's Pact, a trade agreement that allowed them to share a rich mine known as Wave Echo Cave. It had not only great mineral wealth but magical power as well. Human spellcasters joined the pact and created a forge that could make weapons with powerful enchantments. Trade in the region was so prosperous that this town was built. 

"But such prosperity does not go unnoticed by the greedy for long. An army of orcs and mercenary wizards attacked Wave Echo Cave to take its treasures for themselves, and the fighting between the Pact members and the orcs destroyed the cave. Its location was lost to the ages. Many have tried to find it and failed. But Gundren, Tharden, and Nundro have found its location and intend to reopen the mine. Now Gundren's been captured, along with his map to the cave's entrance. 

"I came to Phandalin with Gundren to make sure he got to the cave safe, but I had other motivations as well. I mentioned my informant in the town has gone missing. Her name is Iarna Albrek, a member of my order who came here to establish order a few months ago. I am still trying to track her down. From what I've gathered from the locals, she went missing investigating the area of Tresendar Manor, the mansion on the hill in the eastern part of town.

"What's worse, a gang of ruffians is in control of Phandalin. They call themselves the Redbrands, wear scarlet cloaks. They've intimidated the townmaster and the rest of the local government and terrorize the townsfolk at their own leisure. I think that these criminals are linked to the disappearance of Iarna. I know you all are worried about Gundren and the goblins, and I understand if you cannot help me find my informant, but I can make it worth your while.

"Whatever you decide to do, I'll keep investigating the town, see if I can't find any leads as to the location of this castle Gundren was taken to or find his brothers."

"Sildar, I am sorry to hear that Iarna, thy informant, is missing. Although I am willing to search for her, I believe that Gundren's disappearance is a more pressing matter."

Folos finds a little weird that Sildar is cheerful in the morning when two of Sildar's acquaintances are missing. This is rather suspicious. (Insight 11 to check for eventual lies)

Sildar does not currently appear to be lying or hiding anything. He seems like he's trying to either suppress his emotions for the people he's lost with false confidence or is actually optimistic that they will be found. 

The knight solemnly nods at Folos, then turns his eyes to the rest of you. "Does he speak for all of you when he says this?"

"Oh we can find your informant, but we are already have to find Gundren." Dontontion looks at Sildar... "We will keep an eye out for your informant though, it is possible everything is connected. Can you tell us more about her, what does she look like?"

Don is suspicious to of Sildar,  it feels as though he isn't telling everything but can't put his finger on it.

Insigh: 21

"Hey!  Why's everyone so suspicious all of a sudden?" 

OOC: What level are we supposed to be?  I lost track somewhere, somehow. 

Alekzander leans back in his chair after Sildar tells his story, naively believing his words, "We do have our duty to our employer, though the idea of these ruffians does disturb me." he looks to the others at the table, "Perhaps there is some way we can do both? Maybe they are all related as Dontontion suggested?"

OOG: 2nd level.

Don, you glean the same information that Folos does. 

"Iarna is short, maybe a little over five feet. Dark hair and a scar running down her left cheek. She's a wizard as well. You'll know her if you see her," Sildar says, leaning back in his chair. "I can understand why you are suspicious. You must trust me when I say I'm on your side. I am not linked to Gundren's disappearance. I consider the man a friend and will do everything in my power to find him, but unfortunately, that power is limited as long as I can't get the local government to assist me because they're too scared of the Redbrands. I suggest you make your delivery to Barthen's and try speaking to some of the locals, see if you can find out more. I need to tend to some more Lords' Alliance business in town. Good luck." 

As he gets up to leave, you look at each other expectantly. You can explore the town as you see fit. What do you do?

" Very well, peers, I would suggest fulfilling our delivery first. Then, we could find a place to buy some equipment, if need be. "

"Sounds good to me. Maybe we can get something sharp... or some potions."

Preparing your oxen for a short trip up the road to Barthen's Provisions, you find all the supplies are exactly where they are supposed to be. You find a young human man, no more than sixteen or seventeen with red hair, looking out at the Triboar Trail expectantly, then turns to see you all coming up from behind. 

"Oh! How long have you... never mind. Thistle! Barthen! They've arrived!" He shouts, then comes around the wagon, eyeing you all with wonder. "Never seen folk quite like you around here. I.. I don't mean in a bad way, just... small town and all. Thistle and me will take care of this, sirs. Don't mind us."

As he says this, another young man comes out and begin unloading the supplies. A lean, balding human man, maybe in his fifties, stands in the doorway gnawing on an apple. "I was worried you all wouldn't show! Elmar Barthen, at your service." He throws the apple core away and begins digging in his pocket, producing a small coin purse. "Ten gold pieces to each man for the delivery of Gundren's goods. You've earned it. Where is ole Gundren, anyway? I haven't seen him." 

"He's gone missing.  We're going to look for him next." 

"Missing? Oh, gods... that's not good. I just saw his brothers a tenday ago. Tharden and Nundro are camped somewhere outside of town and are overdue for a return trip to resupply... I hope a similar fate hasn't befallen them," Barthen says, looking quite crestfallen. "The Rockseekers are my friends. If you really are going to look for Gundren, I can point you to someone who might help. Halia Thornton runs the Phandalin Miner's Exchange on the southern side of town. She pays local prospectors for what they find in the area, so she's dealt with the Rockseekers before. Maybe she knows something."

"It is a good a place to start as any. Before we go the Miner's Exchange is their a store that might sell potions or a good weapons dealer about?"

"If it's weapons you need, head over to the Lionshield Coster just across from the Exchange. They're suffering a bit of a shortage since one of their caravans went missing on the trail, but Linene will sell what she's got. Potions... we don't have any potions around here. Sister Garaele is a healer over at the Shrine of Luck, but that's about the closest you get to potions in Phandalin. You'll find the Shrine in the main square near the Stonehill Inn."

OOC: So, stop by the shrine in case she might have a potion or two for sale... er in exchange for donation I mean. :)  Then stop by the armory? Doubt we will find much at either place, but they might have some useful information.