"OK. Let's get out of here before trouble comes back. Redbrand, you should probably do the same. It doesn't sound like a good idea to run back to Glasstaff as the lone survivor of the group who got their butts kicked on duty. You might want to take Brandor's advice and find a new career in a new town. And fast.

The rest of us should head back, quietly, meet back up with Sildar, and we can figure out our next move later - now we know where their hideout is. Malthaza'ar, I'm sure we have room for one extra if you want to continue with us."

(OOC: Sorry, I couldn't work out how we turn the Redbrand over to the Townmaster whilst sneaking back to the Stonehill Inn. And he may give us less trouble if we convince him to run out of town rather than back to Glasstaff.) 

(Are you guys taking off his restraints or letting him go with the rope still binding him?)

(OOC: <Squelch> already looted his stuff, right? So he has no weapons? I don't really mind what we do with him. Any preferences?) 

Malthaza'ar shifts her pack onto both shoulders and secures it into place for a journey. "Delighted. I have no where else to be." Walking over to the Redbrand, she crouches down to look him in the eye. "Take this opportunity to start fresh. It won't come again. You have so much more potential than this little mage has seen in you."

Persuasion 21

She moves to join the party. "I know the spell your bandit has described. This Glasstaff uses magic much like my own. It can be quite potent at good range."

"Good to know." Callie flashes Malthaza'ar with a quick grin and adds, "It'll be nice having someone who knows magic around." She notices <Squelch> and quickly says, "Arcane magic, that is, not divine. There is a difference between them, right?" She shakes herself. "Ah- not important right now. I've been keeping watch and other than a halfling farmer across the way, there's nobody coming and nobody around to see us slip away, so now is probably a good time for that."

The Redbrand eyes Malthaza'ar suspiciously, but being given a second chance-- something about her words clicks and his eyes flash with hope for a brief moment.

"Th-thank you ma'am. I'll try my best."

With that, he scampers off towards the abandoned manor, but veers off into the woods on the south-east side.

With the Redbrand gone and the new information granted to you all, what would you guys like to do?

With Callie having kept watch for passers by and given the 'all clear', Grum will take the lead out of the back door of the Sleeping Giant, and sneaking back down the lane to the Stonehill Inn, keeping an eye out for anyone else moving around as we go.

Stealth: 20

Perception: 14 

You all make your way back to the Stonehill inn behind the buildings (Roll stealth checks if you would like to try and get there unseen), about 100ft west of the Sleeping Giant. There are a few houses in between, one vacant and one that looks boarded up. As you make your way back to the Inn, you see people going about their daily business, but some look to be wrapping up as the sun descends, maybe two hours from dusk. Some are carrying supplies, others look to be returning from their vocations. A man is walking while intently reading his map as he heads towards the direction you guys came from, then looks up with a hint of fear in his eyes as he stops and turns right down a different path to his destination instead.

The Stonehill Inn sits at the center of town, a newly built roadhouse of fieldstone and rough-hewn timbers. Outside, a single guard yawns as he slumps against the wall next to the door, dressed in old, but well-made leather armour and wielding a generic spear. He gives you all a brief look, nodding at Malthaza'ar whom he knows of, and giving the rest of you a curious stare as you enter the Inn.

Entering through the door to the common room, you see the bar on the left attended by short, young human male with brown hair and blue eyes and the various tables and patrons to your right. Straight ahead you see three currently shut doors, and towards the back left there are stairs leading to a second floor. The room is filled with locals nursing mugs of ale or cider, all of them eyeing you with curiosity. The place is well lit, and breathes an air of freshness and familiarity compared to the Sleeping Giant.

The man attending the bar motions you all over. "Are you all Sildar's party?"

"We are. He said he'd come ahead and arrange rooms for us in advance of our arrival in town. Is he here?" 

"He's resting in the furthest room upstairs but he said to let you guys know that you can wake him up at any time!" He counts you all out, one by one. "Oh. Unfortunately we only have five rooms and one is occupied by Sildar, but the other four you are all welcome to!"

Grum takes a slightly paranoid look around the tavern, looking for anyone who particularly stands out, or anyone who he thinks might be paying them (or him) extra attention.

Perception: 21 

Stealth: 15

Callie follows closely behind Grum as the group makes their way to the Stonehill Inn. She does what she can to keep everyone quiet and out of sight, or failing that, inconspicuous. Though still a bit on edge from the recent skirmish with the Redbrands, seeing the townsfolk go about their lives without any clear concern or worry calms her somewhat, so when they enter the inn the sight of the guard outside does not worry her nearly as much. The news that they have one less room than they need, on the other hand...

"So..." she murmurs to the others, "How are we deciding on the beds? Drawing straws? Is someone sharing?"

They all seem to be giving you the same amount of attention, but to determine their motives I'd say make an Insight check.

Insight: 5 

One of them is eyeing you, Grum, specifically with a little more intent look than the rest of the tavern, a bald man with dirt on his skin and clothes. He only glances at you a bit extra rather than the group, and while definitely skeptical you can tell he's probably just making a connection based on your appearance. He sits with a woman in her twenties, wearing a navy shawl that looks home-made. She looks at you all and raises he mug a little, looking to be calmer and less worried than the rest of the patrons. A boy to your left, behind the Innkeep, is looking at you all with curiosity and wonder, but upon seeing you look back at him slinks back behind the man you were talking to. Everyone else has that same look from when you entered the town, just observing something they hadn't really seen in a long time. Other than that, no one's paying extra attention to the group.

Having been anticipating more suspicious looks, Grum is satisfied that no one is about to start causing trouble with him based on his race, at least. The couple are an odd pairing, the bald man covered in dirt, and the calm looking younger woman. He wouldn't have expected people meeting their descriptions to be sat together, but Grum assumes he's simply a farmer out to spend an evening with his daughter after a hard day in the field, or some other innocent reason.

He turns back to Callie. "Don't worry, I don't mind sharing a room with anyone. I'll even sleep on the floor, no need to draw straws. "

"Oh, apologies! My name is Toblen Stonehill and this little one is my boy pip!" He pats him on the head and encourage him to come out. "I have some business in the back but feel free to let Elsa over there know if you need any drinks or assistance. Thank you all for staying at the Stonehill Inn!" He gives a friendly nod and makes his exit to a back room, Pip following behind.

Grum doesn't enjoy busy public places, but this is quiet enough that he doesn't feel too guarded. "Do we need to wake Sildar for anything, or shall we let him sleep? We can speak to him in the morning, I'm sure. Brandor, do you mind if I sleep on your floor?" 

<Squelch> follows the group to the rooms. <Grum's voice>"We can speak to him in the morning...I don't mind sharing a room with anyone."

<Squelch> takes first watch in whichever room he ends up in, sitting against the wall with his crossbow loaded. He makes sure to examine any windows and door and understand if / how they can secured and if their locks can be picked.

(I guess if we're keeping a rotating watch we only need 4 rooms anyway.)

Grum settles down to sleep on the floor of the room <Squelch> takes, and will take second watch in the night. Grum's not assuming there'll be anything to watch for, but the party did just fight and kill some of the local thugs in charge, so he figured it doesn't hurt to be vigilant!