Now that his rage has subsided, Don is beginning to think clearly again. "We need to go, not sure how many of them I can take... kinda feeling all stabby right now" he gestures toward the blood all over him.

" That seemth fine. We go back to the caravan. "

You all head out of the cave before Yeemik can find you again, headed back to the goblin trail you took to get here in the first place. It takes you a few hours to get back to where you left your wagon and oxen, both unharmed and untampered with. 

"If we head out now, we should arrive in Phandalin by nightfall," Sildar says, climbing into the wagon and resting against one of the crates you are hauling. 

OOG: For the sake of moving the story forward, we won't waste time dealing with who is driving the cart and whatnot and head straight into town

After following the sun west for a few hours, you come across another path headed south with a battered wooden sign pointing toward it bearing the words "Phandalin." Turning the oxen down the path, you travel for another hour or two without incident. 

The rutted track emerges from a wooded hillside, and you catch your first glimpse of Phandalin. The town consists of forty or fifty simple log buildings, some built on old fieldstone foundations. More old ruins - crumbling stone walls covered in ivy and briars - surround the newer houses and shops, showing how this must have been a much larger town in the past. Most of the newer buildings are set on the sides of the cart track, which widens into a muddy main street of sorts as it climbs toward a ruined manor house on a hillside at the east side of town.

As you approach, you see children playing on the town green and townsfolk tending to chores before dinner. Many people look up as you approach, some returning immediately to their business as you go by and others staring at you all, particularly the goliath and the triton. 

"My friends, let us secure lodgings. I'm told the local inn is very quaint," Sildar says, looking much more at ease now than he was before. 

In the center of town stands a large, newly built roadhouse of fieldstone and rough-hewn timbers. A sign hangs near the entrance that with "Stonehill Inn" carved very neatly on it.

At this point, you remember that you were going to be paid by the owner of Barthen's Provisions to deliver Gundren Rockseeker's supplies to the store, and it is still open. You could go there now or go to the inn.

Before going anywhere, Folos would like very much to hear some answer: " Sildar, do thou have any idea about what happened to Gundren Rockseeker? Did thou hear anything while thou were in captivity? "

Don scratches his head absently, "Yeah, what happened to ole' Gundren? He ok?" 

OOC: I am ok with going either direction. Though I assume by the way it was worded that the store won't be open forever while Inns tend toward being open later. Also, does the travel here give us the benefits of a long rest or are most of us still near death? I'd rather not wander into anything dangerous with only 1 hp. Especially with Don't penchant for fighting. :)

Sildar's face grows concerned. "Gundren is still in the clutches of those goblins, I'm afraid. There are more of them than just the ones in the cavern you saved me from, and what's worse, they're under the command of someone that calls themselves 'The Black Spider.' He or she or whatever it is was the one who ordered those goblins to waylay us. Gundren was taken away to a place called Cragmaw Castle, and they intended to keep me for eating." The old knight shudders noticeably.

"Gundren is in the clutches of the goblins now. I have no idea where this Cragmaw Castle is. I would ask my informant in the town, but she appears to have gone missing. Her disappearance is why I came here in the first place. If we can find her, then maybe she can tell us where this castle is. The information about the excavation cannot fall into the wrong hands."

"How do thou propose to track thy informant?"

"I'll need to freshen up first, then do some poking around town, specifically in the townmaster's office, to see if I can't catch wind of her. For now, you attend to your original business. I will let you all know if I hear anything important."

(You're not rested, but you are not going to run into any threats in town. Also, you all have reached a story milestone, meaning you level up.)

"Maybe we should go get rooms at the inn. Get settled in before dropping everything off and give Sildar a chance to see what's what around here."

"I concur."

After parking the wagon and leaving the oxen in the stables, you head into the Stonehill Inn with Sildar in tow. The common room is filled with locals nursing mugs of ale or cider, all of them eyeing you with curiosity. A short young human man is cleaning out a tankard behind the bar and smiles as you approach.

"Welcome travelers! Toblen Stonehill, at your service. Weary from the road? Ale costs four coppers a mug, or I can get you a pitcher of wine for two silver. A room for the night costs five silver." He says, almost as if it's a memorized line. He seems friendly, but a bit shocked to see such a motley crew of uncommon races coming through his door.

Sildar sets a gold piece on the bar. "A room for the night and some wine, please. Send it up to my room if you don't mind," the old knight says to the innkeeper, afterward turning his focus to you. "Thank you once again for saving me. I'll have payment ready for you tomorrow as a reward for your heroism. We'll find Gundren, don't you worry."

A maid helps Sildar and his wine to his room and Toblen turns his eyes to you. "So, what will it be?"

"Water for me, please." Being far away from the ocean for so long makes Folos really dehydrated.

When everyone has ordered something, Folos speaks to his fellows: "So, what is our next move? We need to search for this castle, yes? "

"Something strong..." Don sits down with is drink and looks around. "When I left home I wanted to see the world. I wanted to be a part of something bigger. I'd like to go see that castle. The bug bear was fun... think we will get to play with more of them?" He smiles as he downs his drink in one long swallow. 

" No, my friend. It was not fun. We have nearly been killed. We need to manage this situation with great care. " Folos says after drinking half a litre of water.

OOC: I know things got slowed down due to a delay, during that time it seems like we might have lost a few players. 

Dragon last posted on 9/1 & Mathias on 8/29 so they are within a couple of weeks.

Ross and Icey haven't posted since mid July. 

OOC I've effectively counted ross and icey out. I know Matthias and Dragon are still pretty regular on the forums but I don't know why they aren't posting.

Toblen moves to a keg behind the bar and fills a mug with amber-colored ale. He returns to Dontontion and sets it down in front of him. "Four coppers."

OOC MightyOwl, what do you think about creating a campaign page here in DDB? I have Folos here, it may be easier for you to check it now that we levelled up.

OOC Don is here too. :) Even leveled up. 

Quote from MightyOwl >>

OOC I've effectively counted ross and icey out. I know Matthias and Dragon are still pretty regular on the forums but I don't know why they aren't posting.

I'll make a campaign here shortly.