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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Goonalan" data-source="post: 6694980" data-attributes="member: 16069">Chapter 16: An evening in Phandalin. ONGOINGMiraculously Barthen's Provisions is still open, it seems the old merchant doesn't miss an opportunity for a sale, at least not until the sun goes down. The adventurers quickly deal with the old fellow, not being impolite but keen to make their way to the Inn, it has been a long day after all. Sildar, their patron's rescued bodyguard, goes ahead to secure lodgings and to prepare a table for his saviours arrival.The cart is unloaded, the oxen fed, watered and stabled- Barthen alas doesn't make a sale, although the adventurers promise to return on the morrow to take a nose around at his wares. The provisioner is also a man of his word- he hands over Gundren's payment for the safe arrival of the supplies. The old man is more than a little worried however to learn that the aforementioned Gundren has been kidnapped, or else taken captive, he urges the adventurers to make the dwarf's recovery a priority- it seems the pair are firm friends. The merchant's last comment to the departing adventurers, “Phandalin has it's own problems”, intrigues the quintet, it seems their job prospects have perhaps increased dramatically, the merchant cannot be persuaded to say more alas.The inhabitants of the Stonehill Inn however are much less reserved, a mixture of alcohol, good company and more than a little fear serve to loosen their tongues. The Inn itself is comfortable, the ale good and the food plentiful and well prepared. The Stonehill family, Innkeep Toblen, wife Trilena and young son Pip, are all excellent hosts. However the night will be remembered not for the establishment's excellent fare, or attentive service, but for the stories told by the inhabitants of the bar.The adventurers take a moment, at the end of the evening, to recap for their mutual benefit all that they have discovered about Phandalin, and the present situation in the town.Zalt learns that there is indeed a Lionshield Coster located in the town, the merchant place is managed by a fiery woman by the name of Linene, the adventures agree to visit the establishment in the morning.Each of the adventurers has a story to tell about Harbin Wester, the Townmaster, or as he is most often referred to- 'that fat incompetent fool', it seems that Phandalin's leader is blind to the town's problems. Zalt, again, delves further into this issue- the warlock has learned that Harbin's folly is unlikely born of malice- the man is good at sums but unable to deal with people, consensus is he's not the villain of the piece.Grimm learns from a slightly tipsy farmer called Narth that a temple to Tymora exists only a short walk away from the Inn, the place is station to Sister Garaele, Narth confides that the good sister was seen only two days ago returning to Phandalin looking bruised and battered. The farmer is concerned for her welfare, he makes the paladin promise to visit with the priestess.Zyler explains that Phandalin is home to an ex-adventurer by the name of Daran Edermath, he owns a nearby orchard using the fruit to produce “Edermash”, a much-loved local brew. The priest of Tempus asserts that the adventurers should perhaps look-in on the retiree in the morning, Ken Lee agrees- the wizard remembers that his master mentioned Daran's name during his tirade. Zyler goes on to explain that he learnt this information after questioning the barmaid Elsa, the other adventurers remember a little more about the priest's encounter with the maiden, and giggle or smirk behind their hands.Ken Lee recounts that while losing money hand-over-fist gambling with a gaggle of miners he learned that the diggers were sometimes threatened by orcs in the hills. Also the aforementioned 'fat fool' of a Townmaster is offering a reward for the cessation of this menace.  The key piece of information, the real problem for Phandalin as elucidated by seemingly every member of the crowd at the Inn; the Redbrands- a local mercenary gang, initially hired six months or so past to protect the town. Of late it seems these ruffians have started to extract protection money from the town's businesses, they also seem to have got a lot better organised. Harbin, the Townmaster, has defended their actions, the 'fool' seems to be out of his depth and unable to cope with the situation. Rumours, reported to Zalt, are that one of the citizens of the town, a woodcarver by the name of Thel Dendrar, was murdered by the Redbrands a day or so ago. Trilena the Innkeeper's wife pleads with the warlock to go and see Halia Thornton who runs the Phandalin Miner's Exchange, it seems she knows what's going on, and is prepared to get her hands dirty doing something about it.Lastly Sildar, before retiring to bed informs the adventurers that he is going to visit with the Townmaster tomorrow, he has friends in Phandalin- he assures them. After hearing the complaints of the citizens in the bar this evening he swears he will do what he can to inject a little backbone into proceedings, the Redbrands better watch out.And so after an exciting first adventure Zyler, Zalt, Hellwhip, Grimm, and of course, Ken Lee settle down to a night of much needed rest, to review the events and experiences of their journey, and to resolve to do more things right next time.</blockquote>

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