"I think that should be all," Doc says, shouldering his bow and offering help for those exiting the crevice. "Let's gather those who are unconscious and those formerly imprisoned to make our way out of here."

Shamash will follow Yed's lead, and carry the unconscious Bugbear to wherever we decide to go next.

Edit: (sorry, I clicked submit early) Before he picks up the Bugbear, Shamash looks at the sword they just discovered longingly. He gets over his shyness and asks the group: "I think I could put that sword to good use. If so, you can all share the gold and other items, the sword alone will be my share of this action."

Shamash does not sense the presence of any nearby creatures that offend the gods.

Between them, the group carries the wizard, the bugbear and the goblin. You return to the prison cells. The Dendrar family is overjoyed to see you come back. "You made it! And you even defeated those big hairy beasts! Thank you so much!" The group goes up the stairs, into the main part of the mansion. It is a large and luxurious house that has obviously not been lived in for a long time. Most of the furniture has collapsed and is completely covered in dust. You find the main door, and walk out down the hill. You pass the Sleeping Giant taphouse and soon come to a small cottage.
Mirna Dendrar says "This is our home. You have no idea how relieved I am to see it again. I would invite you in but it probably needs to be cleaned up a bit first. You're more than welcome to come by anytime you want, in the future."

Our heroes have defeated the Redbrand Ruffians, cleared out their stronghold and taken three prisoners. What will they do next?

(Congratulations! You all gain 438 XP. This should put your total XP at 1078, advancing your character to 3rd level.)

The group carries their tied up prisoners to the Townmaster's hall. Sildar greets them outside with a large smile, but his face falls when he sees Iarno. Seeing that the wizard is bound and gagged, he soon figures out what's going on. "Oh damn... Iarno was involved in this whole Redbrand mess, wasn't he? Damn it, I should have seen this coming. There are some holding cells in the Townmaster's Hall, I'll take you to them." 

Sildar takes you to the cells underneath the Townmaster's hall. On the way, he collects a large leather pouch.
There are a few sets of manacles next to the cells, which you can easily put on your prisoners.
"Well," Sildar says. "Here's your reward for getting rid of the Redbrands, as promised." He hands you the pouch, which contains 200 gold coins. "I didn't expect them to be working with the goblins, but based on the prisoners you brought back it seems like they were. I suppose you better tell me what happened. Did you find any leads?"

Big Bear is weary from the raid, and is barely able to keep his eyes open as the party gets back to the townmaster. "We did, we found a note referencing a 'Black Spider' that Iarno was in contact with. I... uh, I apologize, I'm not feeling my best after we took on those redbrands, I think a restful night is in order, and we can reconvene and plan our next moves in the morning after some food and sleep."  

Sildar says "Of course. You've had a rough day, and here I am asking you questions that can all wait. You deserve a night of rest. The prisoners will still be here in the morning afterall."

     Yed will accept his payment with a slight nod to Sildar, and will then silently move to drag his wounded form over to the Shrine of Luck after telling the party he’ll see them in the morning. He will keep his head down the entire time, his thoughts lost in the memories of how he to had been trapped and terrified in a cage before like that family had been. He will seek a part of the temple where there isn’t any other people who he would bother, and will get onto his knees with his hands clasped in his lap. His large seven foot frame folding to be as small as possible, and with a bow to his head Yed closes his eyes. His hands are constantly moving into tight fists as he can’t stop picturing snapshots of battles, vivid images of blood soaking his form and the repetitive echoes of cracking bones fill his mind. 
     Taking a deep breathe to center himself he prays to Tymora in thanks for the success they’d experienced in their mission, but the prayer quickly turns to a session of questions. Yed asks the Goddess many questions asking if fate is all just luck, that if destiny is just decided by the roll of Tymora’s die, he asks her if everything from his past had happened just because he was unlucky. He remains praying there for awhile also asking for better luck in his and the party’s journeys, after finishing he will seek out any nearby priestess or priest and gently hand them a donation of (30 GP). He hands it to them silently and will then head back to the Stonehill Inn to get his rest before reconvening with his companions in the morning. 

Shamash returns to the Stonehill Inn, and grabs a quick bite to eat before returning to his room. He is overwhelmed by the events of the day: the close calls, for sure; but more than anything, by the certainty that they did a good thing today. That Nothic was a foul abomination, something of true evil, devouring the poor people of this town. They also disrupted (hopefully for good) the actions of the Redbrands, who had clearly been terrorizing this town. By his and his friends' actions, they had made the town a better place. This was the certainty that Shamash has always yearned for. He has needed a pole to orient himself to. And the lessons of Iarno started to dawn on him. This "glasstaff" seemed so evil, and when the wizard froze him, Shamash couldn't believe the sensation of violation. But then, once the wizard was just a weak meatbag, tied up on Yed's back, he seemed fragile, almost someone to be protected. And the fact that he was originally allies of Sildar: maybe there is hope to redeem even him. Obviously, he will need to pay for his heinous crimes....but maybe. The reflection sends him back to his days in Baldur's Gate: the cruelty, the corruption, the casual violence....and yet: the kindness, the cooperation of the poor, the clarity he found there, in service to the Shrine of Suffering. He feels like he is ready. He still doesn't know exactly what the next steps are, but this group is clearly his path to purpose.

Before going to bed, he spends an hour or so communing with his new sword, trying to identify it. He is already attached to it. The acquisition of the sword that much sweeter because of how it was found: plunging into danger to destroy evil.

Shamash will awake early, and before rejoining his companions (he will probably be late) he will travel to the Shrine of Luck. Once there, he will seek out Sister Garaele, and ask for her assistance. Shamash is finally ready to swear his Paladin's Oath, and he asks if she will help him by serving witness for the Gods. He does not care much for Tymora, but respects her place in the multiverse. He also knows that Ilmater is never far away, especially where people are suffering. 

Once the Sister and he are positioned before the altar, Shamash raises his draconic face up to the sky, looking to the breaking sunlight through the clouds, picturing The Crying God in his mind. He says aloud, "Ilmater, this day I pledge my life and adventures to your holy service. I swear to follow the path of Peace: violence has its place to protect others, not to enforce my will. I swear to protect the Innocent: I will protect those who deserve, and will provide a model they can follow to the path of Peace. I pledge myself to Patience: if I have learned anything, the most straightforward path is not always the best one. I pledge myself to the path of Wisdom: sometimes I will fail, but my commitment to redeem all who can be redeemed will never falter." With that, he thanks Sister Garaele for her witness and goes to find his friends.

Big Bear, after grabbing a good bite to eat, goes up to his room, meditating on their journey so far. After about an hour, he turns his attention to the glass staff, focusing on the magical push and pull of the item.
The next morning, Big Bear wakes up early, near the crack of dawn and goes out to commune with nature just outside town, enjoying the morning dew. He chats away at the woodland creatures, asking them to be on the lookout for a dwarf prisoner. PERSUASION: 8

Doc rests well and heads off to the Lionshield Coster with the gemstones and items, intent on exchanging goods and improving their survivability.

SELLING:
Scroll of Fireball x1
Scroll of Augury x1
Carnelian Gem x5
Peridot Gem x2
Pearl x1
Malachite Gem x4
Shortbow x1 (Reference Base Price 25gp)
Leather Armor x1 (Reference Base Price 10gp)

BUYING:
Studded Leather Armor - 45gp
Light Crossbow - 25gp

(Viewing Magic Items as well, though not expecting to find any; let alone afford them)

Yed goes to the temple hoping to find peace and answers. He gives a generous donation to Sister Garaele then retires to the Inn for the night.
Shamash and Big Bear go directly to the Stonehill Inn. In his room, the dragonborn discovers through focus and meditation that he has acquired a longsword, +1. Big Bear similarly examines Iarno's staff, finding that it is a staff of defense.
Doc stops by the Lionshield Coster to sell the treasure they found. Linene is very interested in the items, particularly the scrolls. She goes into the back room and returns with a small metal box. She opens it and takes out 60 gleaming platinum coins, which she hands to Doc along with a fine suit of studded leather armour and a light crossbow.

In the morning, Big Bear rises early to commune with the local beasts. They seem only interested in their own survival, and do not pay much attention to the half-orc. He returns to town and goes to the Townmaster's Hall, where he meets Doc and Yed. Shamash joins them soon afterwards.

"Well gents, here's your share of the haul from what we've acquired and sold."
Doc hands each of them 15 Platinum (150 gold).

"Now, let's head in and see what Sildar's learned from our 'friends'; or if they need a bit more persuasion."

  Yed follows Doc in to find Sildar, hoping that he’d managed to get some information out of prisoners already. He grunts at the thought that the prisoners being difficult instead of giving them what they need to know. 

Sildar greets you inside and takes you down to the cells. Before you enter the jail, he tells you what he's figured out so far. "Luckily Iarno seems pretty willing to talk. Maybe he thinks the trial in Neverwinter will go better for him this way." Sildar takes a deep breath and relays what Iarno told him. "Remember that mine Gundren found? Apparently it's called Wave Echo Cave. As you know, Iarno was working with the Black Spider. Iarno says this Spider guy is a drow, an elf from the Underdark. So the Spider is looking for the mine because he thinks he can make some powerful artefacts with the Forge there. That's why he sent the goblins to capture Gundren and his map. Now, Iarno says he doesn't know where Wave Echo Cave is, but he says the bugbear does. Unfortunately, the bugbear isn't talking. The goblin you captured doesn't mind talking, but I think his brain might be a bit addled. Says he's in the same clan as the goblins that ambushed Gundren, but doesn't remember where their castle is. Best I could get out of him is that it's somewhere up north, in the forest. So, any questions? Do you want to ask the prisoners any questions yourself?"

"Iarno's information is interesting, certainly. It provides some badly needed context in what we are attempting to tackle. I find it odd that he doesn't know the location of his co-conspirators, but in any event, I'm sure our friend Yed here may be able to get some answers from the bugbear. I'll present our case and offer the carrot; Yed can provide the stick, should he prove to remain uncooperative. I assume you are fine with this role, my friend? We need to know where Gundren is being held."

Doc says all of this with a cold and calculated stare proceeding forward, adjusting his glasses.

Big Bear places a calming hand on Yed’s shoulder. “Hey big guy, if you don’t feel comfortable with it, I can play Bad watch and you can sit back. I know you’ve been through a lot lately.” Big Bear looks directly at Yed, trying to make eye contact, he has concern for the Goliath written all over his face.

     Yed will give a slight nod to both Doc and Big Bear, his fists tightening as he prepares to be the terrifying Goliath he was meant to be. He knows that they need information, and that the people they are pursuing are probably hurting people all around, it’s up to them to stop it. Yed looks off towards the direction where the prisoners are being held, a cold look on his face. He replies with a soft voice,

   “I’m ready to help in any way I can, we must save Gundren.” He unconsciously begins to fiddle with his blue feathered earring after saying this, as he closes his eyes for a moment to prepare himself mentally. 

As they are about to head in to interrogate, Shamash tells everyone, "This morning, I was praying to Ilmater, and I believe he may have granted me a power that will help offering the carrot. Doc, you take the lead, but I will encourage encourage him to take it." 

The group moves into the jail. The wizard looks up at you, tired and dirty. The goblin seems asleep in its cell. The bugbear hurls itself at the bars as you come in, bouncing off the metal prison and then growling at you.

     Yed cracks his neck, his whole body tightly coiled as he flexes his hands into large balled up fists that look like the ends of a mace. He steps directly in front of the bug bear’s cell, and doesn’t flinch when he springs at the bars. He stares down the big bear directly in the eyes with a dead set and stone cold look, before nodding to the jailer and saying,

  “This one‘s mine.”

    Yed appears to be balling his fists repetitively as he waits for the jailer and his party, as if he is eager for the bugbear to give him a reason to beat him. He never once lets his gaze leave the bug bear.

Intimidation: 17