The monk has been silent for the trip, enjoying the walk with that slight smile of his. He murmurs a "thank you" when given his portion of the sale of the frog. Other than that, having no familiarity with the town, he is content to follow quietly.
In a tidy little cottage on the edge of an apple orchard lives Daran Edermath. The retired adventurer himself is inspecting the roots of a tree not far from the cottage, frowning and rubbing soil between his hands. Fit with white hair cut short, he carries himself with a demeanor wrought from years of military experience. He sees you approach and rises. He takes up a hoe leaning against the tree and uses its edge to turn up some soil by the tree's roots. He keeps it in hand as you approach.
“Hello, we’ve come looking for Daran. I’m Serwa, a paladin a Kelemvor. I’ll let my friends introduce themselves,” Serwa says, her voice still flat but coming across as more formal and polite than deadpan, as when she jokes with her comrades. “I could be wrong, but, you’re not ex-military by any chance? Both my friend and I-“ she gestures to Aster “-spent some time in military service.”
"Paladin of Kelemvor, you are welcome here," Daran says. "Yes, I spent much time on the Dragon Coast, as a herald and eventually a marshal. More years, likely, than you have spent breathing." The thought amuses him slightly. "And yes, I do remember Aster, though he doesn't seem to remember me much. I suppose your mind was elsewhere," he says to Aster, "like on that young lady you trained. You did right by her; she's quite adept." He gives Tomora a nod in greeting then turns to Xianon and addresses him in Elvish.
"Welcome to my humble orchard, elf-kin."
"So tell me," he says, returning his attention to Serwa, "What brings you to my cottage? You certainly haven't come to sit under my apple trees and enjoy the sunshine."
"Not originally, no, but plans change," Serwa says, accepting an apple if one is offered. "But there were a couple of issues we should probably ask about, first."
Daran leans the hoe back against the tree and wipes his hands on his trousers. He bends a branch down to examine its springtime blossoms for a moment before gently releasing it. "Issues? Sounds serious. Is this about the Redbrands, or the trouble up at Old Owl Well? Or neither?"
“The Redbrands, for sure. We clashed with them about five minutes after we got to town,” Serwa says. “There’s also the matter of one of our associates who’s been evidently abducted by something called the ‘Black Spider,’ I think, maybe to Cragmaw Castle. I’d like to deal with the Redbrands first, personally. Guys like that really piss me off.”
The old soldier nods grimly. "You look like you got the better of them. Knowing them, they had you outnumbered, too. Good. I'd like you see you teach them a lesson. I don't know anyone called the 'Black Spider', but the Redbrands call their leader 'Glasstaff'. I'm not sure where you ran into them the first time, but there's usually a group of them at the Sleeping Giant. They like to keep a group there because it's practically their doorstep. Their main safehouse is just up the road from there - Tresendar Manor, up on the hill on the east of town." He frowns as he admits, "I don't know of any way in but the front door. You might find something else if you ask around. Harbin Wester and Elmar Barthen have houses in that direction, but..." He considers for a moment. "The Alderleafs have a farm out that way, with a clear view of the hill. They may have noticed something."
“So their real center of operations is this Tresendor Manor,” Serwa says. “I don’t see any reason to mess around with the underlings at the Sleeping Giant, been there, thrashed that. Maybe if we take down this Glasstaff the rest will fold. It worked with the goblin boss. Glasstaff sounds like an odd nickname for a gangster. Is this guy a magic user?”
"Glasstaff does sound like some sort of mage," Daran agrees. "Best to be prepared. Now the only road to the old manor goes right up past the Giant," he says, bending down and drawing a knife. With it he draws a map in the dirt. He puts in a few landmarks to make the road more clear. "...so you may have to go out of the way, if you want to get around any forces garrisoned at the taproom." He taps a point along the road with the tip of his dagger. "If we're playing this long-term, we may want to strike there, at the tavern, and bleed all the forces we can from their more entrenched position at the manor. If you're hoping to get rid of Glasstaff straight off, it might be best to scout around for a back door."
“Sounds like you’re talking about attacking these gangsters like it was a full on military campaign,” Serwa says. “Which probably isn’t a bad idea, given how dangerous and ruthless these guys are. Maybe a second strike at the tavern to bleed of their numbers might be a good idea. Assuming this time we’re willing to let them, y’know, bleed out.”
Serwa gives a sidelong glance to the others, but quickly moves on, not wanting to revisit their conversation from the prior day. “Daran, you wouldn’t want to join us in this little campaign against the Redbrands by any chance, would you?”
Daran considers. He looks at the apple blossoms and shakes his head. "No, not here. I don't want to taint my new home with my old life. And I think you will be more than sufficient for the task ahead."
"I respect that. Time to eat apples and sit out in the sun," Serwa says. "Those punks probably aren't worth coming out of retirement for. Does anyone else have any questions?"
Tomora has been listening intently to the conversation, grateful that Serwa has taken the lead. She is impressed (and a little envious) with the paladin's charm and charisma with people, and the way she manages to inspire confidence.
Tomora pipes up with a question "Daran, Sir...would you happen to know a Larno Albrek? We've been told he may have some knowledge about where our friend Gundren is being kept...however it sounds like he has gone missing himself..."
Xianon Lathalas
The monk has been silent for the trip, enjoying the walk with that slight smile of his. He murmurs a "thank you" when given his portion of the sale of the frog. Other than that, having no familiarity with the town, he is content to follow quietly.
(Haha, thanks Aster)
"Sildar's note made it sound like he had some information for us, we should probably stop by the townmaster's house as well."
"That works. Lots of doors to knock on today. Daran first?" Serwa says.
"Yep" Tomora says following the group as Aster leads the way.
Aster will lead the way then
Olloray Dim - Limbo's Pit
Gunther Korroden - Nightmares in the Mist
In a tidy little cottage on the edge of an apple orchard lives Daran Edermath. The retired adventurer himself is inspecting the roots of a tree not far from the cottage, frowning and rubbing soil between his hands. Fit with white hair cut short, he carries himself with a demeanor wrought from years of military experience. He sees you approach and rises. He takes up a hoe leaning against the tree and uses its edge to turn up some soil by the tree's roots. He keeps it in hand as you approach.
“Hello, we’ve come looking for Daran. I’m Serwa, a paladin a Kelemvor. I’ll let my friends introduce themselves,” Serwa says, her voice still flat but coming across as more formal and polite than deadpan, as when she jokes with her comrades. “I could be wrong, but, you’re not ex-military by any chance? Both my friend and I-“ she gestures to Aster “-spent some time in military service.”
As the group is approaching, Tomora whispers to Aster "Is this the Daran you spoke of? He doesn't look like the head of the militia..."
He has seen his best days whispers aster back to Tomora
Good to see you again Daran. As i see you have picked up a new hobby, or have you always been gardening and i was just to ignorant to realize?
Olloray Dim - Limbo's Pit
Gunther Korroden - Nightmares in the Mist
"Paladin of Kelemvor, you are welcome here," Daran says. "Yes, I spent much time on the Dragon Coast, as a herald and eventually a marshal. More years, likely, than you have spent breathing." The thought amuses him slightly. "And yes, I do remember Aster, though he doesn't seem to remember me much. I suppose your mind was elsewhere," he says to Aster, "like on that young lady you trained. You did right by her; she's quite adept." He gives Tomora a nod in greeting then turns to Xianon and addresses him in Elvish.
"Welcome to my humble orchard, elf-kin."
"So tell me," he says, returning his attention to Serwa, "What brings you to my cottage? You certainly haven't come to sit under my apple trees and enjoy the sunshine."
"Not originally, no, but plans change," Serwa says, accepting an apple if one is offered. "But there were a couple of issues we should probably ask about, first."
Daran leans the hoe back against the tree and wipes his hands on his trousers. He bends a branch down to examine its springtime blossoms for a moment before gently releasing it. "Issues? Sounds serious. Is this about the Redbrands, or the trouble up at Old Owl Well? Or neither?"
“The Redbrands, for sure. We clashed with them about five minutes after we got to town,” Serwa says. “There’s also the matter of one of our associates who’s been evidently abducted by something called the ‘Black Spider,’ I think, maybe to Cragmaw Castle. I’d like to deal with the Redbrands first, personally. Guys like that really piss me off.”
The old soldier nods grimly. "You look like you got the better of them. Knowing them, they had you outnumbered, too. Good. I'd like you see you teach them a lesson. I don't know anyone called the 'Black Spider', but the Redbrands call their leader 'Glasstaff'. I'm not sure where you ran into them the first time, but there's usually a group of them at the Sleeping Giant. They like to keep a group there because it's practically their doorstep. Their main safehouse is just up the road from there - Tresendar Manor, up on the hill on the east of town." He frowns as he admits, "I don't know of any way in but the front door. You might find something else if you ask around. Harbin Wester and Elmar Barthen have houses in that direction, but..." He considers for a moment. "The Alderleafs have a farm out that way, with a clear view of the hill. They may have noticed something."
“So their real center of operations is this Tresendor Manor,” Serwa says. “I don’t see any reason to mess around with the underlings at the Sleeping Giant, been there, thrashed that. Maybe if we take down this Glasstaff the rest will fold. It worked with the goblin boss. Glasstaff sounds like an odd nickname for a gangster. Is this guy a magic user?”
"Glasstaff does sound like some sort of mage," Daran agrees. "Best to be prepared. Now the only road to the old manor goes right up past the Giant," he says, bending down and drawing a knife. With it he draws a map in the dirt. He puts in a few landmarks to make the road more clear. "...so you may have to go out of the way, if you want to get around any forces garrisoned at the taproom." He taps a point along the road with the tip of his dagger. "If we're playing this long-term, we may want to strike there, at the tavern, and bleed all the forces we can from their more entrenched position at the manor. If you're hoping to get rid of Glasstaff straight off, it might be best to scout around for a back door."
“Sounds like you’re talking about attacking these gangsters like it was a full on military campaign,” Serwa says. “Which probably isn’t a bad idea, given how dangerous and ruthless these guys are. Maybe a second strike at the tavern to bleed of their numbers might be a good idea. Assuming this time we’re willing to let them, y’know, bleed out.”
Serwa gives a sidelong glance to the others, but quickly moves on, not wanting to revisit their conversation from the prior day. “Daran, you wouldn’t want to join us in this little campaign against the Redbrands by any chance, would you?”
Daran considers. He looks at the apple blossoms and shakes his head. "No, not here. I don't want to taint my new home with my old life. And I think you will be more than sufficient for the task ahead."
"I respect that. Time to eat apples and sit out in the sun," Serwa says. "Those punks probably aren't worth coming out of retirement for. Does anyone else have any questions?"
Tomora has been listening intently to the conversation, grateful that Serwa has taken the lead. She is impressed (and a little envious) with the paladin's charm and charisma with people, and the way she manages to inspire confidence.
Tomora pipes up with a question "Daran, Sir...would you happen to know a Larno Albrek? We've been told he may have some knowledge about where our friend Gundren is being kept...however it sounds like he has gone missing himself..."