(Oh yeah for sure, no worries)

<Squelch> looks around at the arguing factions and considers Grum's words more carefully than the others. He finally shrugs and backs away, crossing his arms. <Young woman's voice> "Look Squelch, there will away be those in power and those who get taken advantage of. In time, they will change places. You have to stand on the line between, and become neither. This is the first step among many of learning to stand on the line between life and death."

(Squelch abstains from voting).

"Well, this is all very sudden. We don't want this turning into bloodshed, that would truly be horrible. I must say I'm more inclined to vote for Halia if it came down to it, she's the one who approached me off the road and asked if I was the type who was able to deal with trouble. I'm lenient to what this group decides, though. I've known you all more than both Halia and Harbin, admittedly, even though we've only been on one escapade. I do agree with Squelch though, maybe it's best if we abstain."

"Harbin is spineless. He says he wanted to handle this whole situation with 'finesse,' but clearly he was just going to sit on his ass and wait for someone else to deal with his problem. He may not be malicious, but his cowardice is clearly a danger to the town while he's in charge and the enemy is at the gates. Then there's Halia...  Her decisiveness would definitely benefit Phandalin in the short term, but once the crisis was over I'm not so sure. This vote is both a sham and a shameless power grab, especially since she called on a bunch of strangers to the town, us, to hopefully swing the ensuing vote in her favor! The town already isn't unanimous, and a lot of townsfolk aren't even here to at least witness a potential change in leadership. It doesn't speak well of Halia as a leader if these are the kinds of things she's willing to do."

"I don't know if your suggestion will help, Grum, but if you want to make your proposal, I'll help however I can. I am abstaining from the vote regardless, it's not right for us to weigh in on this."

"I dun like the cut of that Halia. She reminds me too much of my bandit days. Who knows what she might do with more power. Cunning is good in business but when does Phandelver suffer from that same cutthroat business savvy? And something doesn't sit right about Harbin either. We all thought the town was on the buy with those thugs, Harbin was probably keeping the peace through toleration." Brandor leans on his staff and runs his hand through his beard in thought, "No, none of this sits right. What about this Sildar fellow? He's been upstanding and had the towns interest in mind. Maybe we see if he wants to toss a hat in the race? It'll give'm reason to delay and wait for a full town vote."

With a yawn, Malthaza'ar says "I shall also abstain. I don't care to meddle in the politics of strangers. With that said, Grum's suggestion sounds very reasonable. I will aid you in persuading them, if you want to share your plan."

Grum will ask Sildar his thoughts on being part of a council here in town, or whether he's also just passing through.  If Sildar intends to stay in town, Grum will also suggest Sildar's name, but if not, he'll make the suggestion without dropping in Sildar's name.

Grum will present his suggestion to the town.  Persuasion (with advantage due to being helped): 16

If they don't take up the suggestion, then Grum will also abstain from voting.  (He has no intention of getting embroiled in the matter personally, leaving the town members to sort it out between themselves, but he's simply intending on throwing some wisdom and a different option their way.)

"I... honestly think it's best if I stay here. I did not realize that Iarno would be found so quickly, and a criminal leader on top of that. If this place is able to corrupt a Lord's Alliance member then it definitely needs all the help it can get. I do not know how the town will react to my presence, and I'm not sure how many of them know of the Lord's Alliance. We shall see how they take to your idea, Grum."

As you present your idea to the town they all look at you strangely, but it appears some of them have taken to your idea and begin nodding and murmuring among themselves. Harbin and Halia both ponder for an extra while before eventually each responding.

"That sounds like a wonderful idea. I've always had respect for the Lord's Alliance and would welcome additional council."

"I agree that it is a definitely intriguing idea, however I do not recognize the validity of this Lords Alliance. Was it not a Lord's Alliance member that was the leader of these Redbrands? How can we trust another of his kind!"

Muttering under his breath Sildar utters a few words. "How did she-"

"I would prefer to remove Harbin from his seat but it seems that the town supports this new idea. I would like to extend it by suggesting that the council be made of only those who have been a part of our community for at least one year and are publicly voted in. Are we satisfied with this?"

Halia makes a persuasion attempt: 12

The crowd's murmurs turn negative, the whispers more sharp.

"Enough of this charade Halia, we have come to a consensus. Sildar, yourself and I shall preside on this council with one or two additional members pursuant on another town election to be held next week. I trust this suits everyone's needs?"

The people of Phandalin all nod, some say 'Aye' in agreeance. Halia looks flustered for a moment but eventually collects herself. "Very well. Let us discuss what is to come, then."

"Town hall is now closed for the evening. Please return another time."

Garr leaves to return to the Stonehill Inn, thinking it best not to stay at Halia's tonight.

(Sorry, I thought I'd posted something about going back to the Stonehill Inn.)

The various villagers leave and return to their respective houses or lodgings. The rest of you head back to the Stonehill Inn.

Toblen meets Garr at the desk as he tries to book a room. "Oh, I'm sorry, we're full up at the moment. A sizeable group came by recently and secured the rest of the available rooms. You could... ask them perhaps if they'd be willing to share? Else I'll give you a discount next time the rooms are available."

"He's with us anyway," Grum says to Toblen, as he follows in behind Garr. "I'm sure we'll work something out."

"Um... Forgive me, Toblen, but is your dear wife around? I believe I owe her an apology for a misunderstanding this morning. I've had time to think about it, and realise I somewhat overreacted."

If Trilena is around, Grum will apologise for the earlier incident, sincerely but succinctly, before joining the rest of the group (either in rooms or at a table, whatever they choose to do). 

<Squelch> immediately eats a lot of food, drink a lot ale, and passes out. The only sound he makes during the process is an occasional belch.

Brandor makes a challenge to out drink Squelch, though he never has the sense to openly state that is what he is doing. When the Kenku passes out Brandor starts laughing heavily and slams a tankard down in victory. Out of good spirit he hoists the birdman up on his shoulders and begins to stumble drag him back to his room. As they get to the threshold of Squelch's room, the dwarf falls face first through the door and into a peaceful slumber.

If you would like to truly challenge each other, make constitution saving throws ;)

Else we can skip to next morning assuming Garr doesnt mind sharing a room with one of you

(If Brandor and <Squelch> shared a room previously, then Malthaza'ar can take Bartholomew's room, and Garr can share with Grum?)

Grum silently keeps pace with Brandor without anyone realising it, but gives up a couple of drinks short, impressed by both Brandor's ability to hold his ale, and his commitment to the competition. It seems no-one is going to outdrink the dwarf, even a half-orc. Grum heads up to the room, lays down on the floor with a grunt that belies a familiarity and odd comfort with making do with sleeping on a hard surface, and goes to sleep. 

Callie watches the drinking game with a smile, nursing her own mug of ale all the while. With the day's trials behind her, she's content to simply relax after a job well done. Eventually, she stretches, finishes off her drink, and goes to her room to sleep.

Garr orders whatever dinner is standard around here and contently watches the drinking game.

"Thanks Grum, for offering your room."

Garr then sleeps on the floor, reflecting on the past day.

Trilena accepts Grum's apology, smiling meekly. "I apologize as well if I was a bit curt with you, but let the past stay in the past, just like those Redbrands eh?"

You all go to bed in your respective rooms and have a nice, long, well-deserved rest after the day you've all had. Far away in the distance so that it is barely heard, a rooster calls to usher in the morning sun as you all wake up and assemble in the common room together.

Grum greets his friends with a tired smile, "Good morning. What are our plans for today? I think it best if we weren't hanging around town to get caught up in the aftermath of last night's meeting. Should we go investigate the Orcs? It might be better to deal with the tasks that benefit the town sooner rather than later if we're going to, before the new town management change their minds about any possible rewards. What else did we have on our agenda?"

(What happened to Droop, by the way?)