Lost Mine of Phandelver

"We're looking for Mr. Sildar," Vanzaren says. "He came out looking for us, and I'm afraid we insulted him horribly and we'd like to make amends."

Toblen gives Vanzaren a confused look. "Mr. Hallwinter...came looking for you? Hmm, well, ok if you say so," the innkeeper says with a puzzled look on his face and a fist to his chin. "Not sure when he snuck off to do that, but just this morning he went over to Daran Edermath's place to talk with him about some zombies that a few folks reported seeing out near Old Owl Well. Edermath owns the orchard at the northeast corner of town, just above the town green," says Toblen. "I'll watch after yer tired friend here."

"Thank you," Vanzaren smiles and nods, before heading towards the orchard.

Over hearing the exchange between the wizard and the inn keeper, Rigel gets up and follows Vanzaren to the orchard.

Ronk follows Vanzaren and Rigel since he should probably apologize to poking Sildar earlier as well.

"I'll be in the bar," says Gundren before the others depart. "an' I'll be headin' out to find me brothers at first light, morning after next, with or without ye, so do yer business quickly, restock and rest up...I 'ave a feelin' yer gonna need it...." he says as he fishes a large, dented tankard out of his pack. "But fer now, guess I'll go see what undrinkable swill Toblen is passing for ale these days," and with that, the stocky dwarf pads off to the tavern section of the Stonehill Inn.

Leaving Marcon to rest, the others find their way across the town green and veer north towards the rows of apple trees. A modest farmhouse sits out front, but when the characters knock no one answers. A silent moment passes as the four adventurers look at one another with "what now" sort of faces, when they hear voices coming from the orchard itself behind the house.

Following the sound of the voices, the group quickly finds Sildar Hallwinter who is talking the Deren Edermath. Hallwinter (a human) and Edermath (a half-elf) are both several years past middle-aged, and the two appear to be sharing adventuring stories with one another from years past. The topic seems to circulate around the undead: Hallwinter was commenting on how easily fooled they can be and Edermath counter-pointed that what zombies lack in tactics they more than make up for in numbers and the fact that they can't be parleyed or bargained with.

As the party approaches the pair, they can hear Edermath say "Well, something's got to be done about this horde forming out at Old Owl's! The prospectors are getting scared, and that's not good for a mining town like ours..." Sildar notices the party approaching andturns to greet them in a cheerful voice: "Ah, look now Deren - the heroes of Phandalin return! Any luck finding Gundren?"

Vanzaren seems confused. "Um... you should know. You met us out there. We came by to apologize..."

Rigel shakes his head and says under his breath, "Heh whaddya know, drama queen might have been right." He continues in a more conversational volume introducing himself, "Rigel Foresyth. Good to meet you Master Edermath." Turning to Sildar he continues,  "So you don't remember meeting us and paying us in the forest two nights ago? Seems we have a bit of a paradox going. If you weren't with us where were you two nights ago?" 

Ronk leans over to whisper to Vanzaren and Rigel. "I was going to apologize for poking him but maybe I need to poke him..." 

Sildar looks quizzically at the group. "I...beg your pardon, sir wizard, but met you...where did you say? I certainly don't recall anything untoward transpiring between us that gentlemanly ettiquette would dictate the issuance of an apology thereof..." He looks around at the others to prompt additional clarification on Vanzaren's comments, (then Rigel asks Sildar about meeting in the forest....)

"The forest? You mean the Neverwinter Wood? My dear boy, are you sure you've not ingested some poisonous mushroom or berry along the trail? I've not left the confines and safety of Phandalin since the day you so kindly deposited me here after rescueing me from the goblin menace. If anything, I should be apologizing to YOU for not coming to find you after my wounds were healed...I owe you no less than my life, much less my sword! And seeing that you are all very clearly alive, I can only strive to pay forward your noble deed by helping you save Gundren Rockseeker."

Sildar suddenly "side-eyes" the 8-foot tall bugbear standing just at the edge of his periphary as Ronk's long, slender, hair-covered finger slowly extends forth in the human's direction. "Stow that finger, dog...unless you don't want it any more..." Sildar's tone with Ronk was suddenly harsher than with the others.

Rigel puts a gentle staying hand on Ronks, "Well it would seem that we have a problem of sorts then. You see during our attempted rescue of Gundren we encountered a doppelganger. Now from what Garret and I can piece together about their habits it is possible there were two instead of one. Your denial and unrecollection of our meeting means that perhaps we encountered the second. Although it seems very odd that he would pay us and then leave. So, and pardon me for saying this, either forest Sildar was not what they seemed or you aren't. But given the situation I'm not sure how to proceed. Regardless, we should all probably get back to the Stonehill and check on Marcon. These things like it when you separate. It allows them more chances to sow chaos. We can also decide how to prove you are you." Rigel waits for a response before offering a good bye to the orchard keeper and leading the group back to the Stonehill.

Ronk shrugs and lowers his hand. "It felt weird when I punched that one doppelganger. Seems like a good way to find out...."

"I'm sure it did Ronk but I'd hate to have to have you punch Sildar that hard only to find out he is who he says he is. But that does give me an idea.  I'll explain once were at the stone hill." says Rigel.

Hearing "not nice words" said to Ronk, Garet casts detect magic 

"It's not that we dont believe you," Vanzaren adds, "its just that we would like to get to the bottom of this."

"Indeed," says Sildar, "I am concerned there is another 'me' out there sowing all sorts of deceit. You said that I, or rather 'he' paid you...do you have that coin still on your person?" Sildar motions towards the coin pouches hanging from some of the adventurers belts.

Garet's detect magic spell reveals no influences coming from the individual claiming to be the real Sildar, however how a ring on the finger of Deren Edermath as well as a necklace around the half-elf's neck emits a soft blue glow that only the firbolg can see. Garet feels innately that the magic he is sensing is from the school of illusion.

Garet looks carefully at Sildar as he pushes gently between party members towards him (hopfulyTheRealSildar). He stops suddenly "M..Master Edermath w..why do you g..glow w..with p..power of i..ilusion magic?"

Deren Edermath seems puzzled at first and then a look of rememberance crosses his face. "Ha! Good catch tall blue!" he says as he looks down at the ring on his finger and the amulet hanging from his neck. "I was an adventurer just like you many moons ago. These items served me quite well over the years...in fact they are the reason I am even standing here to explain them to you!" The half-elf touches the amulet, which flashes a dark red and suddenly a long blade of psionic power shoots out of his hand! He then kisses the ring and the elderly half-elf quickly fades into invisibility!

"About all it is good for nowadays is attacking the weeds in my garden! But you never know. In fact, there is a growing undead presence out at Old Owl Well. That is what Mr. Hallwinter and I were just discussing when you all strolled up. I've been wondering if I might have to put these two fantastic items back into active service!"

Edermath fades back into view and his psionic sword disipates into thin air.

Rigel compliments Deren, "Impressive!" Continuing he says, " Yes we do. I pulled out my share of the coin. It is however mixed in with what I had previously." Pausing as if a thought has just occurred to him he offers,  "I suppose we don't have to exactly go to the Stonehill to solve this, I was just hoping to keep an eye on Marcon as he recovers. Here's what I propose. The doppelganger bled blue when cut. So if each of us prick a finger it should be easy enough and not too painful to verify our identity. Especially since our friend here has ruled out magical alterations." It is at this point Rigel places his thumb on the Hew's blade and draws a small red line of blood. Putting the pad of his thumb in his mouth to ease the sting he offers the axe head to the next volunteer leveling a hopeful gaze at Sildar. "U'm sure we can help with that undead problem" he removes the thumb from his mouth, "once we rectify this situation Master Edermath. Our furry friend here also has a way with the undead."

As Rigel sifts through his coin pouch, he notices that some of the coins are not gold...they appear to be lead.

Sildar and Deren look awkwardly at one another at the suggestion of a doppleganger in their midst. "Well, that truly is concerning," says Sildar as he takes a penknife from his pocket and draws its tip along his forearm, producing a trail of dark red blood. "There now, does that satisy your suspicions?"

"I've been called much worse than a doppleganger," says Edermath as he rolled up his sleeve and held out his arm for Sildar. "But better to prove otherwise with a scratch than having your bugbear open up my throat only to arrive at the same result," he chuckles. Sildar applies the tip of the penknife to the half-elf's arm confirming for the rest that the ex-adventurer had tested negative for dopplegangerism.

"I would suggest that we don't cut our fingers or hands," Sildar offers, "makes swinging one's sword just that much tougher." he comments with a wink at Rigel.