"As sad as I'm to say it, but I think I need to let go of you now.", Arikon said to Elsa with a smile on his face. "Do you need anything?"

The sorcerer really hoped that the ex-mayor finally got the hint and would step away from this. He was in no position to lead the settlement in coming week with all the challenges that lay ahead.

Elsa lets go of Arikon and smiles back. "No, I'm fine. I hope to see you tonight at the Sleeping Giant Taphouse!" She leaves the young sorcerer and goes into the Stonehill Inn. 

The former mayor is smacked by Jeb while Maglath looms over him. Harbin Wester is thoroughly intimidated. Two villagers appear next to him, saying, "Time to go now Mr. Wester. We'll take you to your cell in the Town Hall." 

Wester, realizing his fate is inevitable, begins sputtering threats at the party, especially directed towards Maglath and Lyre. "How dare you do this! You are traitors to the Crown. When Darvian finds out about this, you're going to hang!" 

With the elf mayor out of the picture, Daran Edermath sighs and stands on the platform. He addresses the crowd. "It seems I am to be appointed mayor in his place. Very well. We must get to work if we are to protect our town from the Redbrands and the goblins. Our first order of business is building up our defenses."

Daran's adventurer background can be clearly seen as he is a natural leader. He begins organizing a makeshift "militia" of villagers to patrol the streets, while also planning the construction of earthwork walls along Phandalin's perimeter. He calls out to the party, "If you are planning to chase those Redbrands, you may need some heavier weaponry. Linane at the Lionshield Coster can provide those for you."

By now, the town square has nearly emptied as the villagers return to their livelihoods and their assigned jobs. The streets are bustling now; Phandalin has a jovial energy now the Redbrands grasp has been temporarily loosened. As the noon sun looms over you, what do you do? 

Lyre turns to Maglath, and says; "Heavier weaponry. Lionshield Coster?"

Maglath waves a dismissive hand at Wester and then nods to Lyre. 

"Yes. It's worth a look," he says.

He pats the nearly empty coin pouch at his waist, "Not much here though."

Turning to include Jeb, Murmen, and Arikon he asks, "the Lionshield Coster and then we hunt?"

Jeb looking very self-satisfied at the change in the little community that he and his companions have been thrust upon by Fate, nods absently. He turns his companions and says, "Aye! Let us see about getting better outfitted. Besides I believe the proprietor there may have a bit of work for us that we may be able to barter in exchange for new goods. I believe we discovered some of her wares in the cave we fought the goblin raiders."

(Assuming everyone is heading to the Lionshield Coster)

The party sees that hanging above the front door of this modest trading post is a sign shaped like a wooden shield with a blue lion painted on it. Inside, the shelves are stocked similarly to Barthen's Provisions, though you can spot a sturdy backroom door with a heavy padlock. At the counter, a human woman with graying hair watches the party with a satisfied look on her face. 

"You men did a good thing out in the town square today. But, I assume your're here cause you want to finish what you started?" 

She unlocks the backroom door, revealing racks of well-maintained weapons and armor. 

"Take your pick. But bear in mind, I'm no charity; it'll cost you."

(Purchases made will be deducted from total party treasure, located in the OOC Thread) 

Maglath lets the others look over the armor and weapons. There is nothing here that he wants that he can purchase now. His armor and weapons are in decent condition. An upgrade to his chainmail would cost too much, even if they had anything in his size.

He does turn to Lyre when they have a moment.

”What did you see out there?”

Jeb flashes a friendly smile at the proprietor as he says, "You must be Linane then? We discovered some of your stolen goods in the Goblin camp we raided to free Sildar. Once we've finished with the Redbrands, we can discuss getting the supplies here to you." 

<Jeb would be interested in Studded Leather Armor if she has a set that would fit his lanky frame.>

Murmen checks his armor briefly, then shakes his head.

"I dinnae need anythin'."

Linane breathes a sigh of relief. 

"That shipment was worth of hundreds gold. Losing it nearly drove me out of business. You don't need to deliver it to me; the Lionshield Coster is a widespread company- I can easily make arrangements to have it recovered. Just tell me where the cargo can be found."

She unravels a map of nearby area before the party.

"Would you like your payment in goods or gold?"

(The party gains 30 gold, which can be used to purchase weapons and armor, or you can receive it in gold coins). 

Jeb finds a set of Studded Leather that fits his frame. Meanwhile, Linene ponders what Jeb has said and replies,

"You mean Sildar Hallwinter? Do you happen to know where he is? He came in yesterday to order a custom set of weaponry. I finished his order, but he hasn't came to pick it up." 

Lyre will ask - with some difficulty - if a Light Crossbow is available, often requiring him to pantomime shooting one and bringing the bolts he had collected as an example. If not (or if the budget permits), he will ask for a set of Studded Leather Armor, similar to what Jeb is wearing.

Responding to Maglath, it takes a much longer time, as the words Lyre has heard didn’t quite suit the expressions he was attempting to convey. He places his palm and makes a running motion with the scuted fingers of his other hand, and does his best to scrounge up the words ‘invisible’ and ‘grass’.

Linane laughs, her normally sharp expression fading for a moment. She scrummages around the racks and hands Lyre a light crossbow, a case of twenty crossbow bolts, as well as a suit of studded leather that suits his shorter frame. 

"You look like the type of person that can make good use of this."

 (Total Cost Now: two suits of Studded Leather, light crossbow and bolts= 116 gp. You'll be able to purchase everything with four gp remaining.) 

Maglath concentrates on Lyre's gestures and words and then slowly nods.

"Someone invisible walked with the Redbrands," he says to the others. "Likely Glasstaff."

Maglath does take a closer look around the armory, not quite sure what he is looking for until he remembers a small village he and Lyre stopped at when crossing a river long before the hobgoblin encounter. There they saw a woman cast a net into the river to catch fish.

Turning to Linane he asks, "Do you have a weighted net?"

Linane nods. "I have a few, for when the fish come up the brook to lay their eggs."

Outside the backroom, a few fishing nets lay on the shelves. Maglath knows he could use them in a more offensive manner though...

(Purchasing a Net will add another gold to a total of 117gp. Does anyone have any other purchases to make?)

Arikon would wait outside the shop keeping an eye on the streets, while the others went to buy the gear they needed. Not being dependent on equipment was only one of magic's benefits. As he stood there he thought about Elsa and her invitation. 'Should I follow through on this?', he asked himself. He hated the fact that he considered it just because she had a pretty face. The doubts still lingered though and it would probably be prudent to have his companions in the vicinity in case it was truly some kind of set-up. If it was, it would maybe give them a chance to learn more about what was going on in this town.

Maglath stows the net in his belt. It may not be much, but it might at least let them see where an invisible person was if they run into Glasstaff when they explore the tunnel.

He nods to Linane in thanks, and then walks outside to join Arikon.

"Much preys on this town, the Redbrands, Orcs, Goblins," he says. "And there are missing crown agents and now this Hallwinter person."

He looks down the roads crossing in front of Lionshield Coster.

"The sooner we get to work the better. And the sooner you will rejoin your mate."

Murmen joins them outside, having no purchases to add.  He chortles at Maglath's comment.

"Aye, lad, what's up with 'er?  Dinnae take this tha wrong way, but you dinnae seem the . . .ah, well, that kind o' type.  Ye know?"

Lyre thanks Linane, takes his purchases, and follows the group outside.

Jeb thanks Linane for her assistance and replies to her inquiry on Sildar. "Yes. We were the group that brought him safely through the wilderness. l noticed his absence this morning." As he speaks, Jeb notes the location on the map for Linane's goods, before setting out to rejoin the others.

Noon stretches into afternoon as the party purchases weapons and armor at the Lionshield Coster. As Arikon stands outside, he is passed by many townsfolk, who personally adress him with a smile, thanking him for his contribution in the town square that morning. He notices that some villagers have been outfitted with crude weapons and armor- this must be Phandalin's new militia. 

Linane says to the party, "If you see Sildar, be sure to tell him to pick up his order. I wish you luck in your pursuit of the Redbrands. But be careful- they may be thugs, but their leader Glasstaff seems to be cunning and devious. Don't let yourself get caught off guard. Good hunting." 

The party regroups outside of the Lionshield Coster. Though they carry new equipment, their coin purses are currently much lighter. John comments excitedly, "Our actions today were certainty heroic! I'll be sure to write that down in my notebook. If we keep going at this rate, there will be a day where mothers read their children tales of our exploits." 

It is now early to mid afternoon. Where does the party go next?