"Were a humble town," Linene explains. "We do not have mighty warriors to defend our borders from goblins, orcs or otherwise. It's probably why that fool Harbin is happy to put with these Redbrand Ruffians. He probably still thinks they protect us, but if we really under attack, they would be the first ones out of here."

"Yes," Saravena nods. "I can certainly see that happening from what I have heard of them. Sildar seems to be trying to bring in some allies from the Lord's Alliance but Harbin is stopping him out of fear of losing his position. Actually have you by any chance heard anything about a man named Iarno Albrek? He is a member of the Alliance that disappeared about two months ago."   

"Yes," Linene replies. "But it's just as you said, he did spend some time in Phandalin, until he disappeared in the middle of the night about two months ago. Just after that the Redbrand Ruffians started showing up. If you ask me, the two events are connected, I'm not sure how though. If anything, I would think they captured poor Iarno in the middle of the night, afraid of facing in him direct combat, but also knowing he would oppose them being here. He was a skilled mage after all and he certainly would have defeated them easily."

DM Note: Since you are level two, and Tasha's Cauldron of Everything has just released you can change subclasses if you want.

"What was Iarno doing here? Was he on the same business as Sildar?" She pauses and think for a moment. "If he really was captured by those raffians, I think we should we look for him?"

OCC:

DM Note: Since you are level two, and Tasha's Cauldron of Everything has just released you can change subclasses if you want.

Nice! Are we also doing the optional class feature?

Scratching his chin in though Damia mentions moving on "Hmm, it is strange but for now i think we shou,d head out and leave Linene to her business. Perhaps when we return with Gundren we can deal with these RedBrand folk and put an end tk thier shenanigans. Is there anything else you can care to mention Linene?"

"Well, I can say he was here as a representative of the Lord's Alliance. Other than that, I do not know much. We barely spoke. Though I do know he took some interest in Tresendar Manor. You may have spotted it, it's on the eastern skirts of town."

DM Note: You can also do optional class features just let me know about all change that you want to make, and if you want to roleplay those changes or not.

"Right, well we'll be off now stay safe." Damain nods and awaits outside for the other to follow.

[I haven’t actually looked at it so will do so]

As you all step back out into the square you notice that the men that were seen standing around, have now left the area, no where to be seen. The position of the sun shows that it is still fairly early in the morning, plenty of time to head north out of Phandalin in search of Cragmaw Castle. Barthen's Provisions is to the north and possibly has some provisions to buy.

"We should get moving out of town.....and be on guard....I am not sure I trust those mercenaries, particularly given the disappearance of the mage...."

The big barbarian will take up point, javelin in hand as they travel, eyes scanning for danger to the sides of the trail at all times. 

Tagret takes the lead up and out of Phanadlin, after a relatively short walk you pass through the northern gates and out on to Triboar Trail. You pause for a moment to gather your bearing for before continuing on. Triboar Trails runs to the east and to the west from Phandalin, to the west is where you encountered the goblin ambush, before clearing out the caves north of the ambush. It was here that you interrogated a goblin that Cragmaw Castle was to the north east.

However, today you are already starting out east of that point. To the north you can see the woods known as Neverwinter Woods. So far you kept away from those woods since leaving Neverwinter several days ago. Although, it is possible that you will have to enter into those woods today. Triboar Trail and Neverwinter Woods run along side each other to the east towards the direction of Wyvern Tor. 

Knowing all this, you head north from the trail towards Neverwinter Woods. As you continue you, Damain hears voices from somewhere nearby.

“Did you hear that?” Damian will focus on where the voices trying to pin point where they might be.

Perception: 13

Rashana raises her eyebrow and looks at Damian. "Here what?"

She looks around to see what Damian talks about.

Perception 16 (In case it is needed.)

Tagret also reacts to Damian's comment, looking for signs of others as well

Perception 15

"No I did not," Saravena replies, her hand going to her crossbow, ready to draw it at a moments notice as she looks around trying to find what Damian heard.

Perception 17

Now that Damian mentions hearing the voices, you all stop to listen and can now also hear the voices carried on the wind as well. There are number of different voices, suggesting that it is a rather large group. It could be another goblin party lying in wait just behind the border of the Neverwinter Woods, ready to ambush anyone who they felt was a good target. It is not likely to be the orcs that have been sighted by the people of Phandalin, you are no where near Wyvern Tor.

On the other hand, goblins are not the only creatures that have been known to roam these woods.

OOC: Are we in plain sight?  Do we get any indication that the group has seen us?

OOC: What cover is around? Can you describe whether there are trees, rocks etc around between us and the direction of the voices?

Quote from MuggsHill >>

OOC: Are we in plain sight?  Do we get any indication that the group has seen us?

OOC: What cover is around? Can you describe whether there are trees, rocks etc around between us and the direction of the voices?

You're out in the middle of a grassy plain there are some boulders near by. The voices are coming from up ahead from the direction you are walking towards.

Tagret does not want to get caught in the open so immediately moves toward the treeline at M4, seeking to remain stealthy, readying his javelin should things turn nasty

Stealth 6  (I think I need to give up on the big man's ability to roll any decent numbers)

Following Tagret's lead Saravena will move to take cover behind the boulder at S12, drawing her and loading her crossbow as she move, readying herself to provide covering fire.

Stealth 13

As Tagret and Saravena attempt to stealthily get into position, the voices suddenly go quiet. As if in response to being spotted.