Taking the wagon down to the road--the Triboar Trail--is going south, and once you reach the trail, it's a short way west to reach the south road that leads to the village of Phandalin. The last mile to reach the village seems like it takes forever, but you roll the wagon down the main street.

You aren't sure what you expected, but it's a fairly small village, maybe only 50 buildings, but they are rather sprawled out rather than built close together for defense.

The first building you come to is Barthen's Provisions, which is where the other wagons were supposed to be taken. That's the first place for most of you to stop, and Gundren is pleased to find that is wagons arrived safely.

Maldor finds out that Marianna arrived safely and is staying at the Stonehill Inn. Some of the other guardians are still watching her.

Next stop is Sister Garaele's house for Lureene and Rihala. A right hand turn off just past Barthen's will take you there.


A few buildings farther on the rest come to the Stonehill Inn. It's fairly new construction and functions as the village pub.


Amiri, Bleddyn, Mella and Sylvester take the recovered wagon on across the common to the Lionshield Coster where they were hired to retrieve the wagon.

Having to pull their own wagon Cunaar trudges into town with the others more so just following along as this this time. After making a few stops they come across the Stonehill Inn which immediately draws attention.
"Anyone need a drink?"
Agood meal would be even greater after working up an appetite like never before, truly Cunaar had ot worked this hard physically in his career.

"A capital idea!"  Ero says in reply.  "I shall purchase the first round of libations."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:43, Mon 22 June 2015.

Serena smiled.

"I also have some shiney rewards for everyone who participated in the goblin fortress raid. Let's get a table and I'll get everything sorted out. I didn't feel like doing it on that cramped wagon." she said when they started talking about drinks.

"I also am going to try and rub elbows with the inn owner here too like I did in the last town. Getting some extra gold on the side and VIP treatment is just what the doctor ordered." she said with a mischievous grin.

She was damn good, and after the goblin raid they all knew it now.

"I'm especially happy no one lost their lives in that raid and that our employer and his daughter were okay too."

Although Maldor was surrounded by celebration, provided with good food and libation, he did not feel as excited as his compatriots. Although the journey to the village proved successful, Mal felt like there could have been more.

Leaving the Black Scarab meant a change. He was well acquainted with tavern living. He had worked at the Scarab since he was found nearly dead in the Tower District, without his memories. But the adventure did not return any of his past... who he was, why he was left for dead, nothing. His inherent dislike of evil creatures was present. But wasn't that a thought he should have anyway?

The young redheaded girl was safe. That gave the half orc some satisfaction. But what now? Would there be another chance for good? Or was it back to sweeping bar floors?

Mal took a long sip from his mug and continued to think.

"We should deliver this book", Lureene told the others, with a glance at Rihala, "lest the sister worry about us and our task. We shall join you anon."

In reply to Lureene Raventree (msg # 6):

Knowing business should be concluded first and the book is most important Cunaar comments about his own agenda,
"Perhaps we should accompany the delivery of the book before we indulge in other recreations."
As much as he might like to go drinking with everyone this was a matter that should be seen to before pleasure.

"Garaele will be surpised," Rihala answered Lureene, "when we actually give her the book. I'm just wondering if it will be a pleasant surprise."

"All she asked for was information on its location. I wonder if she may have had some other reason for that. I mean, she could have asked us to retrieve the book just as easily."

Artem smiled back at Serena and the mention of coin and was happy to go along with whatever the group decided--be it drinks now or drinks later. Overall, he was enjoying his respite and rewards.

Maldor didn't speak. He was content with just listening to the others. If there was an opportunity for more adventure, he was up for it... Even if it was something as easy as delivering a book.

Mal took another sip of his ale. It didn't have quite the same taste as the drink back home at the Black Scarab. But it still hit the spot.

Lureene chuckled at Rihala's words. "Well I'm fairly sure we can give her good information on the book's current whereabouts then."

She nods to Cunaar and smiles a beautiful, warm smile. "Your company is welcome, of course, but feel free to head to the tavern if you prefer. We're only going across town, which I doubt will be perilous, and I want to shrug off this armor and put on cleaner clothes before any revelry." She ran a hand through her long red hair. "And give my hair a comb! 'Twouldn't do to look bedraggled from travel if I can help it; and what would the Lady Firehair think?"

In reply to Lureene Raventree (msg # 11):

"Well then, I will accompany you to the place of Garaeles'. If for no other reason then see her response to actually getting the book in hand. That should go well."
For those going to the inn immediately he requests a favor,
Do save us a seat, we will be there post haste. Try not to drink the barrel dry.
Laughing he goes with Rihala and Lureene to meet with Garaele and deliver the book.

While Lureene, Rihala and Cunaar visit Garaele's house, everyone else has settled in to the Stonehill Inn.

Amiri, Bleddyn, Mella and Sylvester delivered the wagon of goods to the Lionshield Coster. Although there is only the one wagon, you recovered around 80% of the goods, overstuffing the wagon as much as you could.

Linene is delighted to get so much back, especially in such a short time. She pays each of you 25gp. She lets you know that she'll be shipping most of it on to Waterdeep in a day. She's not sure about sending the lone wagon back over the mountains, though.

"The Redbrands are mercenaries, aren't they? Couldn't you hire some of them to go with the wagon?" one of her servants quips up.

"What? Are you addlepated? The Redbrands are worse than the goblins!" Linene yells at the servant.


Back at the Stonehill Inn, several townsfolk wander in, and as they see the group, they congratulate all of you and buy you all a drink. Naturally, they want to hear all about it!

Serena is more than welcome to perform at the inn.


In the course of the celebration, one or more of you manage to overhear a few significant conversations.

"So they found 'em in da castle, huh?"
"Yeah, that's what they said. More like ruins of a castle."
"Never knew there was a castle up there. Say, did they take the hideout, too? Day was some goblins what had a hideout in the woods by the road. Wunner if'n it was the same group?"


Amid the celebration, Sildar Hallwinter enters the inn. He was the guard accompanying Gundren that you rescued from the castle ruins. He's a member of the Lord's Alliance, a political alliance that unites the free cities and towns of the North. He walks over to your table and discretely sets a small coffer on the table.

"That's the reward for finding the Cragmaw Castle and defeating the goblins and their chief," he says. "500gp. I hope you spend it wisely."

He then heads over to talk to someone named Harben.

"Have you seen Inkarno?" he asks Harben.
"Hmmm. No, now that you mention it. He was going to check out the area around Tresendar Manor. That was about 2 months ago. I don't think I've seen him since." Harben replies.
"That does not bode well."


"Someone should do somethin' about 'em!" grouses one inn patron with a black eye and a few other bruises and cuts as he downs another shot glass of something.
"And just who do you think is going to do that? You don't expect the mayor to do anything about the Redbrands, do you? He's more afraid of them than you are!"
"Old fat Harben? Nah, not a chance. Somebody needs to!" He casts a glance over at your group.

Joking and telling of the goblin fight with some embellishment, Artem drinks with the best of them, though he pauses frequently enough to make sure he is not overly drunk.

When the guard plops down the loot, Artem eyes the coffer with an awe struck look--that much money he had not dreamt of in his days of living. He manages a "thanks" and then notices the stranger looking at their group. He smiles at the man and says

"Friend, would you mind coming here and telling me more about these Redhands which I've heard twice now tonight? Might be we could do somethin' good for folks herebouts..."

Madlor imagined what he could do with the extra gold. Better armor? A sharper weapon? He didn't get much of an opportunity to think fully, for the talk of the Redhands piqued his interest. Would this be the chance for more adventure? Mal slid his seat closer to Artem as he invited the man over.

Ero can barely contain his excitement.  Gold!  Now he can finally get his longbow, and maybe a new change of clothes.  His current robes were getting a bit ragged.  A scholar's robes simply weren't made for the wilderness.  Perhaps he should purchase something more rustic.

This message was deleted by the player at 01:15, Tue 07 July 2015.

Serena finishes counting the coins into 8 piles, with 3 coins more in hers since they don't evenly split and she wants to avoid bickering over a few coins. This is the gold she had found under the throne of the bugbear king.

"Alright guys, on top of our 25 gold/person payment for transporting our employer and most of the goods safely, and this neato 50 gold/person* bounty we got from the guard we saved, I have finished sorting some nice shinies I found under the throne back there. Each of the eight of us at this table are getting a pile of 78 gold coins, with mine having 3 extra that were left over and I don't want to hear a single grumble about it. Artem and Ero were a huge help in facilitating my ruse, so for their risk I'm giving them each a single gem while I'm taking this strange ring that appears to have bardic properties."

"There are 4 remaining gems that I will not hide from you all. you all fought the good fight and fought valiantly so deserve it. Now, you guys need to vote and decide if I should sell the remaining 4 gems and split the gold amongst us, or keep them to use as a sort of emergency 'party fund' for shared expenses we may incure that a patron or employer doesn't or cannot cover, like rations, healing salves, rope, sunrods, and so on. I'll leave that choice up to you guys."

She placed the 4 gems on the table in front of her, after giving the 5th to Ero and 6th to Artem. She had the ring on her right hand.

"After you guys vote - I will abstain - I am going to go see if I can get the inn to patronize me and let me give everyone a great performance!"

A party fund?  He is part of a party?  Of mercenaries?!  Ero leans back in his chair.  This has possibilities, he thinks.  He'd only expected this caravan trip to be a one-off adventure to get him to Phandalin, but he really never made any plans for once he got here.  He had to admit, scary as it was being neck-deep in a horde of goblin bandits, it was exciting.

"I think a party fund is a good idea," he replies.  He wasn't exactly sure what a party fund entailed, but he had a general idea.

As Maldor put his share into his pouch, he grunted in agreement. He studied the elven wizard.

"Thin one no handle ale well" Mal said to himself, somewhat amused and not knowing the reality of Ero's emotion.

Mal returned to his seat and looked at the server. Once he caught the bar worker's attention, he pointed at his drink container. While waiting for more ale, he tore at one of the dried pieces of meat from a nearby plate. He sniffed it, then placed it within his mouth.

"Not as good as Black Scarab" he muttered, missing his former home.

Getting to the inn a little behind the others but no less enthusiastic Cunaar enters as the subject of a party fund is brought up with the four extra gems.
"A party fund would be just fine, most useful Serena."
That finished Cunaar goes up to the bar to get a pint and rejoin the others in conversation and drink. Taking a long pull he sits down to enjoy.
Whenthe first barmaid comes by he will give her a gold to keep them coming and another gold for her alone to keep her smiling.
"So, have I missed anything while I was gone?"
Speaking to no one in particular just addressing the group.

Amiri, Bleddyn, Mella and Sylvester each got 25gp from Linene at the Lionshield Coster when they dropped off the wagon. 80% of the goods was better than she'd expected, though she was a tad annoyed that the goblins had destroyed the second wagon. A wagon, though, is easier to replace than the goods that were recovered.

She's kind of happy that there are so many adventurers in town at the moment so she should be able to hire enough guards to go to Yartar and back to Waterdeep.

Sylvester and Mella both agree to go to Yartar. Bleddyn wants to go to Neverwinter.


So when all is said and done, everyone except Lureene and Rihala got 158gp. Lureene and Rihala each got 133gp.

"Ho! Cunaar!" Mithra replies to the wizard.

"Well, you missed the reward money! Serena's got your share. Seems there was a standing reward to find Cragmaw Castle and deal with the goblin menace!"

"We did that right enough. Did you get your payment from Gundren? I suspect some of the bugbear's treasure might have come from him, but he did say anything about it, so I'm guessing he's letting us keep it anyway."

"Lureene and Rihala okay? How'd Garaele take receiving the book? Would have liked to have seen that, but I needed a drink more! Thirsty work haulin' that wagon around without horses!"

In between drinks Cunaar will answer Mithra,
"Oh, they are fine and Garaele was overjoyed to actually get the book, not just information on its location. It was a delight seeing her surprise. "
Slapping his hand on the table he has to agree with her on the thirsty work.
"Indeed hauling it was. The whole reason I could not stay and catch up with them. A mug was calling my name."
He quickly finishes his drink and looks about for that barmaid that was supposed to keep them coming.

Serena nodded as she doled out the loot honestly, doing as she said she would.

"You all fought great back there and I'd feel comfortable trusting my welfare in your guys' hands as I fought next to you in future battles. I'm going to try and get these 4 gems sold and converted to coins for the party fund. If anyone is particularly good at mercantile trading please let me know. Otherwise I'll take care of it. I can be very persuasive." she said to everyone.

she looked at Cunnar.

"Yes, do make sure you get your payment and a cut of the bounty. you earned it fair and square. But can you tell me what is up with that book? I am kind of in the dark but a few of you guys seemed to be in a tizzy over acquiring it."

"To be honest, I do not know much more than you at this time. While I was there she only looked at it briefly and claimed it would need to be looked at more."
Perhaps Lureene and Rihala would be able to provide more information on the matter when they came back to the group.
"Lureene and Rihala may be able to answer that question."

"Wizard stuff," Mithra comments rather emphatically. "It was a grimoire. Wizards' grimoires have more detail in them than just an ordinary spellbook, but usually less than a workbook. Workbooks, though, are a lot harder to decipher."

"The grimoire has notes and comments by the wizard. Sometimes they are only relevant to him. There was this one comment about pickles and a lightning bolt, which led to fried pickles."

"Sometimes, though, it's about some specific application, like maybe throwing lightning bolts at stone golems or something."

"It sounds like in this case, someone thinks there might be a clue to a location or a spell secret. That usually means they have some other piece of knowledge, so even if we read the book, it'd be all Gnomish to us."

She finished her ale and gestured for another.

"So how long do we party before it's acceptable to go find another adventure?"

Serena nods.

"Well we just got here so I'd certainly like to stay the night at the minimum. I'd like to go hit the owner of the tavern up to see if he'll let me play in exchange for some coin and room and board. Can't ever have enough of either. I also want to see if we can get the 4 gems sold too while we're here, since smaller towns and such on the road may not be able to help us with that and you know that would also be the time we need to re-supply or something. Go figure. Heh."

She considers.

"Ah a grimoire? Interesting. My magic is more sorcerous than magely though, although I do like learning new knowledge and lore for the sheer sake of it. Everything and anything can potentially make a good story, after all. I'm more happy we finally be off that wagon for a bit though. I was about to shove my lute down someone's throat or something if I got elbowed one more time or jostled from a divot in the road one more time during a strumming session."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:02, Wed 08 July 2015.

There's no single source in Phandalin that is able to buy all four gems, but if you spread them around some, you can find a buyer in the Lionshield Coster, one in Barthen's Provisions, and 2 at the Phandalin Miner's Exchange.

You can only get 125gp for each gem. You could probably get twice that in Waterdeep or Neverwinter, which is what the buyers are hoping to do, but no amount of bargaining will raise that amount simply because no one has any more money than that to spare.

That becomes evident also when Serena approaches Toby Stonehill, the owner of the inn. He'd love for Serena to play there, but he can't pay her for it. He doesn't get enough business as it is, but if some of the others are willing to pay for a room, then he'll let Serena stay in one of the rooms for free.

Sildar is in one of the six rooms, so that would leave four rooms for the adventurers. He charges 1gp per day per person per modest room, but that includes good meals.

OOC- Will pay the 4gp for the last 4 rooms for the rest of us and 4 more to see we are well taken care of. Plus 2gp for more drinks for the night.

---

Subtracted 10gp to pay for it
This message was last edited by the player at 05:56, Wed 08 July 2015.

ooc: Cunnar don't. We'll pay for your guys' rooms out of the new party fund. :)

Cunnar please add your 10 gold back!</

Serena decides to sell the gems now, rather than take a risk of running out of funds or at least having some shared issues come up where people may get upset at having to tap into their own gold for it. They're adventurers. They can always get more gems and gold later. Especially at a place like Waterdeep and so on.

ooc: Ok she's gonna sell the gems and we now have 500 gold for the party fund! Woot!

And there's 8 of us in the party at the tavern right now, and Serena is totally getting her room free that night (or else dammit lol), so that is only 7 gold we need to pay for the rest of you guys to have a place to sleep. 2g for drinks and extras on top of the meals that come with our stay is fine. So I'll take 9 gold out of the 500 gold party fund leaving 491 gold left.

After having sold the gems, and then swatting Cunaar on the hands and forcing him to take his 10 coins back, she approaches the tavern owner and agrees to play for him and the others in exchange for free room and board for herself for the night. She decides to go easy on the guy when he says he can't pay.

She takes her flute out and decides to play two songs with it, as well as two with her lute at the end. The flute songs are elven in their origin and the lute ones are actually human folk songs from the general area they were in now.

07:19, Today: Serena Valais rolled 24 using 1d20+6. Performance (Lute).

07:19, Today: Serena Valais rolled 10 using 1d20+6. performance (Lute).

07:18, Today: Serena Valais rolled 16 using 1d20+6. performance (Flute).

07:18, Today: Serena Valais rolled 10 using 1d20+6. performance (Flute).

ok
;)

In reply to Cunaar Clothar (msg # 32):

Amiri joins in singing the choruses of the songs with the crowd.


Performance(singing): 14

Mithra joins in the singing, too, but her deeper voice can't carry a tune in a bucket. Fortunately, her stature kind of puts people off of criticizing her. In any case, she's just having fun at the celebration/party; she's make no pretense of singing anywhere near as good as Serena.

When things took a break, she took a big draft of ale and then spoke.

"I'm with Maldor. Sitting around drinking beer and singing is fine for a night or two, but it's adventure that really gets your blood flowing. I say we spend the night wallowing in our spoils and then on the morrow, we go find a new adventure!"

"To good friends and more treasure!"

In reply to Mithra Stormraven (msg # 34):

Here, Here!!
Cunaar gives a cheer with Mithras words of adventure, grand it was to enjoy the down times with good friends. Yet it was better to make the stories you would talk about in those down times.
Only on his second drink Cunaar puts down his empty mug and motions for another. The trails get to be a thirsty place, where over indulgences are not looked well upon. Not when they could mean the loss of life.

Maldor looked up when he heard his name. His mouth was full, but he managed to grunt approval on the possibility of a new adventure. He rose his mug and washed down his food.

"Warrior woman know good. We do good. We do more good. Good is good."

Failing to understand the redundancy of his words, the half-orc downed the rest of his ale. He firmly set the container upon the table and pointed at it once he gained the server's attention.

"Ale good," Mal mumbled under his breath. "But not as strong as Black Scarab."

In reply to Maldor (msg # 36):

Amiri goes to speak again and her sentence seems broken and halted around the first and last words. Also those words almost seem to be a different voice.
Aye,
To good friends and
Adventure.

Artem raises a mug or two and hums along, eventually singing as well in a non-attractive but earnest voice.

"Adventure is what I left me village for. That, and folks like you to share the ale with!"

Ero raises his goblet.  "To our forthcoming exploits and acts of derring-do."

Aligned with a rascally band of humans and their half-bred consanguineous counterparts.  Was this a truly wise choice in his part?  Ero didn't know.  It wasn't like he had many options, though.  And it wasn't like this was going to become a permanent vocation.  A few commissions and he should have enough to Neverwinter.  A nice shop, perhaps an apprentice or two, and he should have enough to return to his research.

He takes a sip of the wine.  He was drinking a rather passable red -- for a human establishment -- with an overbold start that it can't follow through on.  Still, he was happy they at least had wine.  If he had to drink beer again --

Lureene steps in the taproom, having gone by her house and traded her chain mail for a beautiful red dress, trimmed with golden-colored thread. The golden pendant representing Sune Firehair's face rests in the scoop of her neckline. The priestess smiles and approaches the other, pausing just long enough to take a glass of wine from the bar.

"My, I'm just in time for the toast, am I?" She raises her glass to the others, all smiles. "I was hoping I might get to know you all better."

"Glad you could join us!" Mithra called out to Lureene. "One can never have too many friends, though one enemy is usually enough!"

"Pretty much what you see is what you get! I'm just a fighter, though I prefer 'warrior woman'. I'm good at bashing heads... not much else. These days, in these parts, that's a pretty good calling."

"If I remember correctly, Lureene... did I get your name right? You are a priestess of... Sune? Can't keep all those gods straight."

She empties her tankard as if she's already talked too much, and gestures for another.

99 bottles of ale on the wall, 99 bottles of ale... sang Artem.

Sometimes stereotypes were for a reason. Maldor remained quiet, sitting in his seat, drinking ale and chewing on overcooked meat. And then he did one of those things that are characteristic of half-orcs... Mal belched. It was very audible and deep.

"Maldor sing out of tune, Maldor think" he commented with a snarl.

So the group continues to eat, drink and be merry. Serena entertains the inns patrons.

As it gets just past supper time, a couple of ruffians suddenly stomp into the inn.

"Ya sings real nice, lady!" one of them says to Serena. "Betcha got some other talents, too! Har-har!"

The other ruffians walk by the tables, and one of them grabs the mug out of Maldor's hand and chugs it, then tosses the mug onto the floor.

Another one spots Mithra and moves over to her.

"Ain't you a long drink of water, Honey! Come give Grimble a taste o' your sweetness!"

Maldor had spent much time at the Black Scarab back home. He had seen this kind of tomfoolery more times than he could remember (ignoring his amnesia, of course). Mal knew that caving a man's skull in for just being a fool wasn't practical.

He glanced up at Mithra. Mal knew that the warrior human was more than capable of handling herself. He would leave the next action up to her. The half-orc looked at the others in the group. He studied the thirsty ruffian, too. Was he geared to fight? Or was he some idiot too stupid to pick on someone larger than him?

Maldor belched again. He waved his hand in front of his mouth.

"Sorry. Maldor have upset stomach. Maldor hope he not ill. Maldor hope little human with skin of tavern girl not get sick drinking from mug of Maldor."

He belched again.

Ero's seen before how humans can act when they're drunk, all full of false bravado and poor sense.  He wasn't about to lose all his hard-earned coin to an angry innkeeper.

"Please gentlemen, let's not ruin a fine night," he says as he slips between Maldor and the humans.  "Why don't we all just sit down and enjoy the rest of the lady's delightful performance."

Serena looked at the ruffians with a look that was a mixture of amusement and outright disdain. She may be pretty and able to play the flute but she was almost as good with a blade as a fighter, and even better with using magic to embarrass jackasses like those.

That sounded like a good idea too. Then again, why waste a spell slot on those dolts?

She continued playing for now, not responding to the ruffians. She watched Mirhta intently though, waiting to see what the woman did.

One of the village kids is sweeping the floor when the ruffians come in. He was keeping to the back out of the way of customers, but he started working his way forward.

When the one tries to annoy Serena, he steps forward and kicks the ruffian in the shin as he spits out the word 'Redbrands' like a curse.

"Redbrands! Go back to the Giant where you belong and leave decent folks alone!"

"Why you little brat!" the ruffian snarls and backhand's the kid halfway across the room.

"This ain't yer town!" he seems to be targeting the adventurers. "Time for you to move on, strangers. Ya can leave your stuff. Consider it a safety tax... otherwise, ya won't be safe. Har-har!"

Seeing only the two brutes in the bar Cunaar expects more may be waiting outside, its the way of bullies. So in a bit of a ruse he gathers the lad up and escorts him to the door, having a look outside. He could burn them if they were but not those inside,
"Come lad, best you be off from here. Outside with ya."
He does not make it seem like he will try to make a run for it, simply getting the child out of the place.

Maldor remains sitting, but has both feet firmly planted on the floor. His greatclub leans against the chair next to his right hand. He takes a heavy breath, preparing for what might come. He addresses Ero.

"Wizard move now" he states in a low, firm voice.

Serena could handle them catcalling her and such. she was used to it, and she had to admit...she was pretty hot.

What she didn't and couldn't handle, however, was thugs like that smacking around kids who did nothing wrong. Well ok maybe it was a bit impetuous of them to kick the guy, but he was an asshole!

She stops playing suddenly, puts her instrument away, and draws her rapier.

"And if you touch that kid again, I'm going to show you what a pretty woman can really do to make an ugly bastard like you look even worse." she said as she glared at him threateningly.

"And this isn't your Tavern, either. You had better get out of here before I start playing your face like my lute here. With my sword."

ooc: I would like to petition the DM to consider granting her inspiration (i.e. advantage) for this roll, since she is catering to her flaw of "I am not afraid to use my influence and talents to put a jackass into their place." Especially since they could potentially hurt her or at least become aggressive. In this case, she's not playing nice but is attempting to use her sheer force of personality to make an intimidate check against them. She won't get her +2 proficiency bonus (I need to go through the corebook and make sure this character was made right now that I have it, but for now she doesn't have intimidate as a proficiency).

17:47, Today: Serena Valais rolled 15 using 1d20+4. Intimidate 2.

17:47, Today: Serena Valais rolled 18 using 1d20+4. intimidate 1.

LOL her first roll ended up beign superior so I didn't need advantage after all, but how was I to know? :P  Intimidate roll of 18 is good too I think.

There were four ruffians that came in, not just the two that spoke. Those two are the 'leaders' of this group.

But, as Cunaar gets to the door, he sees that there are two more ruffians outside, sort of acting like guards, back-up and gatekeepers.


02:06, Thu 23 July 2015: StarMaster rolled 13 using 1d20+2 ((11)). Ruffian #1's attempt to intimidate.

The ruffian is trying to intimidate Serena, too, but he's not very good at dealing with other strong people. He's a bit confused by her response, so she'll have Advantage over him for the rest of this scene.

In reply to StarMaster (msg # 52):

Amira sits there near Serena holding her hands apart with flickers of flames passing between them.

Boys, sit down before you get introduced to the Lord of Fire.
Amira then begins to cackle softly.


OOC: okay way to waste a natural 1. So with a total of 5, I guess they ignore me.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:53, Thu 23 July 2015.

"Tsk, tsk", said Lureene. "These men are just itching for a fight, aren't they?" The lovely priestess stepped towards the men, standing a bit behind Maldor, and leaned towards them. "Trying to rob us, rude to ladies, striking innocent children... ugly, ugly. The Lady Firehair is most definitely not pleased." She smirks like a cat at a mouse. "I would not anger my Lady, gentlemen. A lifetime is a long time to be unlucky in love for. Not to mention the bruises and sprains and cuts and" She glanced meaningfully at Amiri, "burns this fine and heavily-armed company is liable to inflict on you should you persist in your robbery. It would be wiser to head outside."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:24, Thu 23 July 2015.

Serena yawns at the man trying to intimidate her, and stands her ground quite fearlessly. She licks her blade once.

"You better go take a hike. I can't spell it to you any clearer than that...you shit for brains." she said to him, following up on her apparently successful attempt to intimidate him.

"Or maybe I ought to slap you around like you did that boy. I wonder what your friends would think of that when they find out you got beat up by a woman?" she continued as she began to walk towards him very slowly, but very purposefully - blade out.

ooc: I'm just having her piggy back off her successful intimidation.

Mithra was a bit drunk, but not that drunk!

"I don't know," Mithra said as she stood up, a head taller than the ruffian, "you kiss your pals with that mouth? In that case, maybe you should kiss this!"

Her hand went up to the back of the ruffian's head and then she slammed him down on the table face-first!

"Anybody else wanna dance?" she asked as the ruffian staggered away, probably with a broken nose.

As soon as Mithra engaged the troublemaker, Maldor stood, greatclub in hand. He pulled Ero out of the way. There's no need for his elven frame to become physical with the drunken fools.

But Mal did not strike an opponent immediately. He waited to see how they would react first. Sure, it was inevitable that conflict would occur. But, who knows? Perhaps the warrior woman scared them off.

Hmm. Was that the ale talking?

THAT was the cue Cunaar was looking for as it all started to unfold. Not only were they rude individuals but wanted them to give up their stuff and 'walk' away. It was only a matter of time until it exploded.
Having spotted two more thugs outside the door he was already casting a spell before they could either be called for or hear the thud of their leaders being bounced about.


I HOPE beyond hope we get a surprise round on them before THAT initiative has to be used.
21:19, Today: Cunaar Clothar rolled 3 using 1d20+2. Initiative.
21:13, Today: Cunaar Clothar rolled 30 using 5d8. Sleep.
Where did I place that Lucky Charm to reroll crap rolls

"Gentlemen, gentleman, please!  WE do not need ot reost to vio-LEEP!"  Maldor's yank on Er's robes sends the elf staggering back but he manages to save himself with a quick spell that pulls a chair over for him to land on.

18:15, Today: Ero Sulaanin rolled 11 using 1d20+3. Initiative.

Artem watches the ruffians for a bit, then scoots his chair back and stands up. Having been in a few bar brawls, he holds his mug of ale casually but in readiness, looking for a target to hurl it at.

Outside, Cunaar does indeed have surprise on the ruffians out there. It's not a total surprise, since they were probably expecting people to be chased out of the inn, or else expecting a rumble inside that they would join. The appearance of Cunaar and the kid, however, makes them think it's the former scenario, and thus they are unprepared for Cunaar's spell.

About the time they realize something is wrong, they are already slumping to the ground, sound asleep.


Inside, the three other ruffians were looking to beat on someone anyway, so Mithra's actions just galvanize them into attacking.

Ruffian #1 is slightly intimidated by Serena, so he turns to look for another target. He spots Maldor and steps over and swings at him.

16:26, Sat 01 Aug 2015: StarMaster rolled 18 using 1d20+2 ((16)). That's a hit.

16:37, Sat 01 Aug 2015: StarMaster rolled 5 using 1d4+2 ((3)). 5 points of damage to Maldor.


Ruffian #2 takes a swing at Mithra.

16:31, Sat 01 Aug 2015: StarMaster rolled 19 using 1d20+2 ((17)). That's a hit.

16:37, Sat 01 Aug 2015: StarMaster rolled 6 using 1d4+2 ((4)). 6 points of damage to Mithra.


Ruffian #3 moves toward Artem and takes a swing at him.

16:31, Sat 01 Aug 2015: StarMaster rolled 8 using 1d20+2 ((6)). That's a miss.


Ruffian #4 is still recovering from kissing the table.

Maldor gives a scream when hit by the ruffian, arriving from deep within his stomach. Anyone standing in front of him was sure to receive a fair share of phlegm.

"Nok! Nok jar nok!"

Mal swung his greatclub around, doing his best to come in on Ruffian #1's ribs and removing the joy of breathing from the man.

16:04, Sat 01 Aug 2015: Maldor rolled 9 using 1d20+3 ((6)).

The fighter's weapon may look intimidating, but its worth was nil with this attack. Maldor braced himself for retaliation from the fool.

Outside Cunaar makes quick work of those he put to sleep, gently removing their belts and rolling each over to wrap their wrists firmly behind them. Once secured thusly he unlaces their boots half way to tie them together, basically hogtying them. For good measure he will gag them to boot, why let those within know their backup will not be coming.
Cunaar finds some humor in knowing that the other thugs will be unpleased when these two do not burst in.

OOC- Knowing I might miss a lot of what goes on within but will take several turns to accomplish what he planned.
First tying both with their own belts - likely 2 turns or more
Second tying shoes - again 2 turns or more
Gagging optional as what he can hear or see within.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:53, Sun 02 Aug 2015.

Ero retreats to a far corner of the dining hall.  He curses his lack of foresight.  How was he to know a brawl would break out?

He isn't about to these miscreants on fire, but he can't let his companions fight alone either.  What to do, what to do?

The wizard hits upon an idea. With a few quick-spoken words, he summons a ghostly hand over a nearby table.  The hand floats down to a bowl of stool STEW (oy!) and with a quick shove sends it flying at the nearest tough.

Throw bowl of stew at Ruffian 1.  I don't expect it to do any real damage, but maybe it'll debuff him a bit?

08:16, Today: Ero Sulaanin rolled 23 using 1d20+3. base range attack vs Ruffian 1.

Figures.  So what is the max damage for a bowl of stew?
This message was last edited by the player at 14:07, Tue 04 Aug 2015.

Amiri eyes seem to go all aflame as she points at Ruffian #1 and casts Eldritch Blast.

May the Lord of Flame burn the evil out of you.

OOC:
Spell attack: 23(1 shy of critical)
Eldritch Blast damage: 7 force(although appears to be a ray of fire)

In reply to Ero Sulaanin (msg # 64):

OOC - How hot is it?  lol

In reply to Cunaar Clothar (msg # 66):

OOC: very

Serena would engage the ruffians directly in a bit. for now, she figured Mhaldor could handle himself a bit better than Mithra, who had two of the ruffians by her and was thus in the most immediate danger from what she could see.

She decided she'd give that ruffian something to think about while hopefully making it easier for Mithra to retaliate herself. She let off a loud soprano laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! sound - of flawless vocal quality mind you - as an invisible sonic shockwave blasted toward the ruffian who hit mithra.

ooc: Casting vicious mockery on ruffian #2 (the one who hit Mithra).
This message was last edited by the player at 03:38, Mon 03 Aug 2015.

Artem is a bit surprised to see ruffians swinging at him so quickly, and in haste he smashes his ale mug on the jaw of the one attacking him (Ruffian #3).




OOC: 22:14, Mon 03 Aug 2015: Artem Jorak rolled 23 using 1d20+5 ((18)). Damage is +3 for STR, but not sure on a mug?

Lureene tsks. "And now it's a brawl." She considers using her magic, but she figures that there will be any number of injuries necessitating her Lady's grace. And though Amiri is flinging fire, doing so herself strikes her as excessive given that it's essentially a fistfight. Or should be.

"Ah, my poor dress", she laments, and she takes a swing at the nearest ruffian. Unfortunately, she misses, and the priestess tsks again.

Essentially starting the brawl, although based on the attitude of the ruffians, Mithra was pretty sure  there was going to be one anyway, she knew she'd left herself open for an attack by her first attack.

She could tell these guys were used to brawling--brute strength but no finesse.

She swung at Ruffian #2... and connected.

02:52, Wed 05 Aug 2015: Mithra Stormraven rolled 20 using 1d20+3 ((17)). That's more like it!

OOC: Oops! Goofed. Maldor and Mithra only took 3 points each.


Cunaar is dealing with the two ruffians outside.


Maldor's swing at Ruffian #1 misses.


Ero picks up a bowl of stew and throws it at Ruffian #1. He hits AND criticals! The stew was still pretty hot, so Ero does 4 points of damage.

This is followed by a flaming eldritch force blast that does 7 points of damage.

And Serena finishes off Ruffian #1 with her spell.


Artem hits Ruffian #3 with his mug, and does 4 points of damage. The ruffian is still standing, though.


Mithra hits Ruffian #2 for 4 points.


Ruffian #2 swings at Mithra... and misses.

Ruffian #3 swings at Artem... and hits for 3 points of damage.

Ruffian #4 has mostly recovered and will be able to attack next round.

In reply to StarMaster (msg # 72):

Amiri  notices #4 is coming around blasts that one.

OOC:
Attack: 12
Damage: 10

With his opponent downed by a series of attacks by others in his team, Maldor looks to the next of the thugs. He spots Ruffian #3, who has missed his assault on Artem. With two against the deceitful foe, victory would most certainly find the newly arrived heroes.

Maldor takes a large step toward #3 and raises his greatclub. He brings it down over the man with uncharacteristic battle silence.

11:17, Wed 05 Aug 2015: Maldor rolled 16 using 1d20+3 ((13)).

The weight of the large weapon is halted by the ruffian's shoulder. Within Mal, pride swells with his success.

11:19, Wed 05 Aug 2015: Maldor rolled 6 using 1d10+3 ((3)).
This message was last edited by the player at 16:20, Wed 05 Aug 2015.

Finishing up his hogties

Again I figure Cunaar is out for a minimum of 4 turns but wanted it known I am still watching
;)

Serena dashes over to the ruffian who is attacking mithra, and suddenly lays into him with a flurry of sweeps from her rapier. However, she is purposefully trying not to be lethal in her attacks, and is as much trying to harm the man's dignity as she is his person as some of her efforts go into things like slicing off a button on his pants to make them fall down, burst a strap on a jacket, and other embarrassing things. Using the pommel of her weapon to smash him in the face, and so on.

17:31, Today: Serena Valais rolled 26 using 1d20+6. attack w/ rapier.

OMG that's a natural 20.

I am going to ask the DM for adjudication on damage and such as I'm not sure what to do, but my intention as a player is for my character to deal as much non-lethal damage to the man as needed to subdue him, and put the "rest" of her energy into totally humiliating him. Like going "all zorro" on his ass. I would like you to use the energy of her natural 20 to please do into that too. She is trying to impress the other PC's a bit too. :)
This message was last edited by the player at 22:36, Wed 05 Aug 2015.

Artem takes his punch and turns a split lipped face back to his assailant. "Not good enough pal," he says as he brings his bare knuckles to greet the other man's face.

22:24, Today: Artem Jorak rolled 13 using 1d20+5. smack ruffian. Str dam +3)
This message was last edited by the player at 02:31, Fri 07 Aug 2015.

Ero continues to wield his Mage Hand to toss whatever he can find from the tabletops.  Plates, mugs, and chunks of bread rain down on the second ruffian.  Unfortunately, the barrage proves to be more of an annoyance than anything else.

07:08, Today: Ero Sulaanin rolled 4 using 1d20+3. base range attack vs Ruffian 2.

And now we're down at the other end.

"Easy, there, let's not turn a brawl into a war! I'd hate to have to heal them", Lureene says. She takes another swing, but at the last moment checks it to avoid a falling mug of ale that threatens to spill over her dress. She chuckles and shakes her head.

Missed again

Cunaar hear the raucous inside and silently cheers on his comrads though he does not want to wake his little piggies. Checking to be sure their wrists were secure and that their laces were wrapped tightly around at the ankle.
Sparing a glance back when he could.

OOC: Sorry for the delay. It's been a busy week.


The ruffians don't have any exceptional abilities, and didn't seem to grasp that the group might have some. They'd expected you all either to surrender or run off. Once they started the brawl, however, they weren't about to back down from it.

Serena has no problem hamstringing her opponent in such a way that his leg gives out under him and his chin slams into a table as he drops, thus knocking him out.

Ero and Lureene provide sufficient distractions that the others have no problem knocking out the rest of the ruffians.

Maldor, Mithra and Artem bang heads enough to take out the ruffians fairly quickly after that, especially with Amiri's eldritch fire.


Outside, Cunaar hears the fighting inside suddenly grow quiet. Since he's not hearing any boasting from the bullies, he figures his comrades have proven victorious.

His prisoners are still asleep; the battle inside didn't last long.

"Say, mister," the lad says to Cunaar, "I know where there's a secret tunnel in the woods. I think the Redbrands have lair under the old manor house. I seen 'em talk to others what come out of the tunnel!"

Cunaar can now see that the lad is a Halfling child.

With his two sleeping prisoners tied up well and the inside getting just as quiet, Cunaar addresses the lad.
"You do not say. Do you see them moving in and out all day or at certain times?"
While he enjoyed getting information simply it may not pan out as true. Though looking at the halfling lad he figured he might go unnoticed to the Redbrands people.
"Let us go inside again and we can talk about it with the others."

Once the fight is over, Lureene starts looking at all the combatants -- first the adventurers, but then the ruffians -- for any serious injuries. "Well, that was rather silly of you boys" she admonishes the thugs, not particularly caring if they are conscious to hear her. "What did you think would happen, hmm?"

Maldor "nudged" the ruffian who had hit him with the tip of his boot. He let out a grunt.

"Bad men think rule town. Bad men think can do what bad men want."

Mal gained a broad smile, accenting his lower jutted teeth.

"What want now?"

The half-orc looked at his comrades.

"Maldor wonder if other bad men come when find out bad men get hurt. Come try hurt Maldor and friends."

Mal rotated his greatclub in his left palm, pondering the answer.

Serena flicks her rapier a bit artfully after having completely overwhelmed her target with sheer skill, finally sending him crashing to the ground due to a combination of a pommel-smash to the face and him tripping over his trousers, which came undone when she severed the clasp keeping them up wither swordwork.

She sheathed her weaepon, and looked at Laureen.

"I'm not sure, really. I find men as a whole tend to be a bit on the dafter side when it comes to their thinking about women. But really...it would be one thing if they only picked on our men. They may even have beaten them. But the thugs lost this fight the moment they started getting us women involved. That was the deciding factor right there." she said with a grin as she casually walked back to her perch, picked up her lute, and started playing it again like she was before.

Ero shakes his head solemnly.  "Absolutely shameful.  When they wake up, we should make sure they clean this poor place up.  It just wouldn't be fair to leave it to teh waitstaff."

In reply to Ero Sulaanin (msg # 86):

Yes, truly, they should clean this place up.

A moment later, Cunaar comes back inside with the Halfling lad, whose name is Carp.

He refuses to say anything while the Redbrands are within hearing distance, though.

Artem rubs his sore jaw and looks with interest at the Halfling. He didn't see too many of the small folk out in the village where he was raised. Every day there were some new people, an exotic experience, or some new fangled idea that he had not encountered before.

"Shall we drag the louts to the street and give a few of their coin to the innkeep as for the damages?" he muses to anyone within earshot.

The rest of the inn's patrons are suitably impressed by the group's handling of the Redbrands, but none are brave enough to loot the unconscious ruffians.

It quickly becomes obvious that the townsfolk think things will now get worse, especially when the group leaves.

"I don't think these louts could've beaten our men OR our women" Lureene opines. She glances around at the reaction of the townsfolk and purses her lips. "I would wager they largely feel like they own the town. Perhaps confident that if we resisted them worse retribution would be to come. That is an ugly, ugly problem, my friends, and one that I think we should solve proactively."

She looks over her companions again. "No one is injured?"

Maldor felt the bruise where the ruffian's fist contacted.

"Just scratch. Puny human hit like child."

The fighter looked down at the defeated scoundrel on the floor.

"Now puny human sleep like child. Maldor think funny."

The half-orc turned his lips up into a smile.

Serena continued playing her lute, although more softly so people could talk too.

"If they couldn't beat our men, then they certainly couldn't beat our women. Just making that clear. And if these Redbrands are a problem...maybe we ought to do something about it. You know...clean up shop if you will. Maybe kick them in the teeth and treat them that when you put too much badness out into the world, it has an odd way of coming back to you after a while." she said in response to Lureen.

She looked about.

"If anyone is injured I can try to help heal you, or if several of you have small injuries try to spread the energy of a single healing spell up between you like I did back with the styrges-wanna be bird things."
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:00, Fri 21 Aug 2015.

Cunaar re-enters the tavern as the group is talking about what to do with the Redbrands with the halfling lad in tow. Getting a chair for himself and the young halfling he joins in the conversation.
"If we plan on doing something about this group of thugs, which I concur, then our new friend here might have some important information. He knows where the Redbrands have secret tunnel in the woods and possibly a lair under the old manor house. He has seen their movements."
An attack from within their lair would be quite a surprise for them he was sure.

Ero rubs his chin.  "Perhaps we could turn this little altercation to our strategic advantage.  If these hooligans have been tyrannizing the good townspeople for a good while, perhaps the latter would be willing to show their gratitude in a pecuniary manner for our permanently dispatching this botheration."

"Clearing out the Redbrands' hideaway would be a good progression toward that objective."

Artem says to Serena, "I have a small ache on my face, so maybe a little something would help. As for the Redbrands, sure I'm game to bring them to justice."

Mal gave Ero an odd look when he spoke. The half-orc scratched his head.

"Maldor think Maldor push elf man out way too hard. Elf man speak funny. Maldor sorry hurt elf man. Hope elf man good soon. We fight puny humans, right?"

Once the Redbrands are moved outside or at least to one end of the great room, the Halfling lad will tell his secret only when he's at the opposite end of the great room.

His name is Carp. He was out in the woods to the east of town hunting squirrels when he spotted a pair of Redbrands. Although he claims he's not afraid of them, he was sensible enough to keep out of sight. Being just a kid and a Halfling, that wasn't hard. That's when he saw a pair of 'big ugly bandits' come out of a clump of bushes. The two groups met, as if they knew each other, talked some, and then went their separate ways again. He waited for awhile to make sure they didn't come back and then snuck over to the bushes. That's when he found the tunnel.

This was three days ago, and he's avoided the area since then.

"Well", said the beautiful Sunite once the lad had told his story, "our path seems clear, does it not? This is a rare opportunity to rid the town of these ruffians with the least amount of trouble." She turned her smile to the other adventurers. "Agreed?"

Maldor didn't bother to smile, but his imagining of trouncing ruffian skull did make him feel warm inside.

"Maldor say go hurt puny humans who hurt town people. Maldor no can carry torch. Maldor need both hand for use weapon."

The fighter raised his greatclub.

"We go, yes."

In reply to Maldor (msg # 100):

These bully's need to understand how much they can bun.

ooc: If there is a way to recover some or all of the hp of people who got hurt this fight besides using magic (like resting or heal checks or something), I'm down for it. But otherwise I'd like to cast a single cure light wounds spell and spread the healing out like Starmaster let us do in the bird fight.

Cunaar could only agree with the taking of these Redbrands and if they were to access them from within...where would they run? Perhaps they could burn the place down and pick them off as they get out.
"Yes, we hit them from within and they will not know what to think. To top it off they seem to be a collection of bullies that may fall to a stronger pressence."

"Shall we be spare or generous with our mercies during our assault?" Ero asks.  "I want to prepare the morrow's spells accordingly."

"We will be waiting 'til morning, correct?"

Maldor let out a small grunt.

"Human bad men not be kind. They will be weak, but will try hurt Maldor and friends. We not kind to bad men."

Mal thinks for a moment.

"Maldor wonder if tavern people know how many bad men in cave. If bad men have special bad men with them. Maldor want be prepared when he bash bad men skulls."

Artem cocks his head at Maldor's sentences, then says what he thinks he understands:

"I think our friend is asking if the barkeep or customers here know how many we might be facing or if there are any really bad-ass tough guys in the group. Maybe one of the knocked out guys will tell us this..." he points to the heap of unconscious bad guys on the floor across the room.

Serena considers.

"I could charm one of the captured thugs if you'd like, and get the info out of them that way." she said to Artem.

"Although I'm all for conserving my mystic energy if the people here already know the information."

None of the locals, not even Carp, know how many Redbrands there are, though the general consensus seems to be around a dozen. They've never seen more than half a dozen at a time, though.

These guys probably came from The Sleeping Giant, the 'other' pub in town. It's more of a run down alehouse just down the street. That's where the Redbrands normally hang out.

There are rumors of something called 'glasstaff' and hints that the Redbrands might have a leader.

The locals can tell you that Tressendar Manor was closer to being a castle in its heyday rather than just a large house, but then manors tended to be built that way. However, the castle is in ruins now. It's not likely that there is any place amid the ruins that could function as base or lair or hideout. However, old man Daran, the orchard keeper who was once an adventurer, has mentioned the Tressendar Crypts on more than one occasion.

If the group waits till morning, then all injuries will be cured. The same result will happen if Serena casts a healing spell and then recovers her spell by morning. The advantage to that everyone will feel better when they rest and not have 'aches and pains'.

"Well, if there are around a dozen then we are ahead of the game. I left two out front and with those here should put us almost half done. Before we rest though, we may wnat to detain these men some place safe until we are finished."
With that Cunaar moves over to peek out at his sleeping fools. If they are still sleeping he will keep an eye on them but if they are awake, he will ask Maldor to help them sleep.
"So, the morning it is. We shall do this fast."

"Get rope, tie them good. Put in corner. They wake, sleep again." Maldor stated, twirling his greatclub in one of his hands.

The half-orc looked around the pub.

"Town people no tell about go get bad men. No want bad man hear and be ready. In morning, go to bad me. Beat bad men. Save town. Name sandwich after Maldor."

The fighter concluded with a half grin.

"And what would be in the Maldor Sandwich, pray tell?" Lureene asks good-naturedly.

Maldor turned his head and looked at the half elf. He blinked, but did not reply. The emptiness in his eyes indicated that he probably didn't understand the joke.

Mal then turned to the group.

"Who got rope?"

A thought occurs to him and he poses a question to the barkeep.
"Would you by chance have a cellar we could make use of? Only for the night and part of the morning. We shall send the rest of their people packing and perhaps release them. Blindfold and gag them, they will not know where they are."
What he was not sure of is who should guard them, at first he thought the lad might be able to club them should they wake but they might need someone older.
Either way they would be restrained well.

Serena had, indeed, used her healing magic to help those who were injured heal up, so they could rest more peacefully and not in pain. Come the next day when everyone woke up, her mystic reserves were at full charge again too.

Serena considers as they discuss what to do with the captives.

"Or we can just leave them in the cellar to rot like the slimeballs they are." she said contemptuously.

She then rolled her eyes and sighed.

"But that would make us slimeballs too, wouldn't it? But tossing them there and locking them up for just a day or two isn't so bad though. Better for them than what will probably happen when we invade their hideout."

The bar's door open and in steps a veritable giant of a man. He was easily seven foot if he wan as inch. His heavy muscles, scarred and tanned skin and long, blonde hair gave away his barbaric heritage, easily from the Neverwinter or Icewind Dale area. It was readily apparent the man was packed for traveling. He had a traveler's backpack, loaded with typical gear, a greatsword sheathed on his back, and a couple of handaxes hanging from his belt.

He quickly surveys the bar and drops his pack by the door, glancing around as if daring anyone to take it. As he goes to the bar, he notices the scene with the bested and beaten men.

"What was all that about," he asks the bartender once he sits down.

Lureene has the wit to think of a crack about how rope wouldn't make for a good sandwich, but is far too kind to say it out loud at the confused Maldor's expense. As the barbarian enters, the beautiful Sunite approaches him, smiling. "It would appear this town is plagued by a band of ruffians who oft come from their hideout to bully their way about town", she explains. She waves at the unconscious thugs. "This lot decided that an armed band of adventurers would make a fine target, to rather predictable results."

"Surely this village has some type of constabulary to which we can entrust these scalawags.  They may disapprove if we incarcerate them ourselves."

"They may just let them go as well, being just as oppressed as the rest of the town."
Which would be a set back for them, as the enemy would be forwarned and have more soldiers.

Serena shrugged.

"I could care a less what the local constable thinks." she said disdainfully.

"They obviously don't do a good job, and aren't worth acknowledging or listening to. Sometimes, Ero, good people need to take the law into their own hands and do what really needs to be done in order to get anything actually accomplished. And we have the power to oppose the predations of these thugs, then why not use it."

A big smile creeps across the face of Cunaar at the almost inspiring words of Serena. Almost because he was feeling the same way, he could really like this woman. Giving her a bow by tipping his head to her,
"Me lady, speaks well."
She was a fiery sort and so were most of the woman in their troop, strong in heart and actions.

"Maldor, would you help me drag in the two I left outside? I would not want them to draw the wrong sort of attention."
Laughing he goes with his friend to get them inside.

Maldor gave a nod to the wizard, accompanied by a deep short grunt. He followed Cunaar outside. While out there, he scanned the area to see if the defeated thugs had any friends that hadn't joined the fight.

"Wild man inside seem want something do" Mal commented to Cunaar. "Maybe someone with good words see if wild man want help us fight bad humans."

"Hmmm," Bear ponders as he strokes his beard. "These bandits. They wouldn't be called the Redbrands, by chance? I've...matters...with them."

"Yes, friend, as it happens that's what they go by. Did they do you a wrong turn?" Artem asks Bear with friendly curiosity.

"Hmmm, no. At least not yet. A friend of mine, a druid named Reidoth, asked me to meet him here. That my services would be needed. As I came to town, I heard of these Redbrands and figured that is why he sent me here. What problems have they been causing the locals?"

"General mayhem, it sounds," Ero replies.  "BY their incrsion into this fine establishment, I surmise they are attempting to expand their sphere of influence in town.  We've decided to counter that.  Another hand would be most helpful."

"Then you have my hand and my blade," the giant of a man says as he extends a meaty hand. "I am called Bear."

Maldor returned from the basement and saw that everything in the main room was going well.

"One man wake. Say we all dead. Don't feel dead. Hit over head. He sleep again."

The half-orc grinned, allowing his bottom jutted teeth to fully show.

"Good work Maldor," Artem says to the half-orc. "I don't feel dead yet either," he chuckles.

And to the large newcomer, "All able hands and honest hearts are welcome. Bear. I'm Artem."

"Greetings and well met Bear. Indeed, any hand in doing good is welcomed. We intend to pay them a visit come morning."
It was fortunate to find another able body to assist in their attack, it seemed many of the towns people were not so inclined. The less innocents harmed the better.
For now he only needed rest to recover his spells to be fully effective.

"Then I look forward to it. For too long my sword has remained sheathed. It will be good to test its metal once again."

In reply to Bear (msg # 130):

Amiri smiles as she looks at the warrior.

Hi, I am Amiri Flamestorm, bound by Pact to Kossuth. May our adventures be bright and colorful.

Someone reports that there are no more Redbrands at the pub, so no one will come looking for these six ruffians, at least not till morning.

They can be locked in the cellar without any problems, though it probably wouldn't hurt to have a guard. They probably won't stay unconscious the whole time.


Anybody who needs rest during the night can get it.


Morning rolls around and Carp is already there, cleaning the floor and tables as you begin showing up.

She'd never caught any wyrms from rising early, but then she'd never gone wyrm hunting... on an empty stomach at any rate.

Without a horse to tend to, she was outside going through her weapon maneuvers. Some monk had once told her it was called 'kata' but she didn't speak whatever language that was. She just knew it was important for a warrior to practice with her weapons, to remain limber and flexible.

She spent about a half hour at practice before heading inside for a hearty breakfast.

"G'mornin', Carp!" she calls out to the Halfling lad. "You're up pretty early!"

Mithra soon finds she's not the only early riser. The burly man soon joins her outside, though politely lets her have her own space. He walks several paces away, then kneels, facing the rising sun. He withdraws his greatsword and holds it aloft with both hands.

"I give you thanks for all you do. For obstacles and smooth roads, too. For challenges that make me grow, and all the pleasant things that show. That you are looking out for me, I thank you Ancients. Blessed be!"

He bows his head then stands. Like Mithra, he spends about the next half hour going through basic attack moves with the large weapon, honing his already impressive skills.

"May I sit with you," he asks Mithra once back inside.

In reply to Bear (msg # 134):

Amiri sits at a table and pulls out a candle lighting it. Then staring at the candle she speaks.

Lord Kossuth, tend the flame of my life. Light my paths and purify any evil in me.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 16:28, Mon 07 Sept 2015.

Maldor had discovered some scraps of meat and picked at them to satisfy his morning hunger. A small moan of satisfaction emerged from him. A normal bystander would figure that approaching him at this moment would not be a good idea.

But soon the half-orc was finished. He scanned the room for his awakening teammates.

"When go get bad humans and teach lesson?" Mal asked with a surprising innocence.

Ero emerges from the cellar where he was guarding the prisoners.  They stayed rather sedate after he conjured up a ball of flame and explained to them what a fireball would do in such a confined space.  He hadn't yet relearned how to cast Fireballs but how would they know?

He spots only Amiri in the tavern.  She seems to be talking to a candle.  He looks around, hoping to spot someone else.  No luck.  He sighs and goes to join the hot-tempered half-human.

"Good morning to you, Maid Flamestorm.  May I join you?"

[Maldor's still in the tavern, now finished with his breakfast. I bet he could eat more, though.]

Serena is sitting nearby, strumming her lute and in general creating a pleasant, breakfast-y ambiance. Beside her is a plate of food and some juice she got for free from the inn's owner. Between songs, she would eat some and drink some before starting another. The lute songs were more slow placed and relaxing, given it being breakfast time and all.

So you're saying Serena hasn't finished her epic song/poem about defeating the bugbear king and the goblins yet?

ooc: Ha ha not yet. She's going to wait till after the redbrands and THEN make an epic poem when we next have downtime here.

Artem comes inside after being outside doing who knows what. He is a little sweaty and breathing hard, but he's in a good mood.

"Mornin' all, what's for grub?" he asks as he leans on Serena's table and absentmindedly begins to reach for one of her breakfast tidbits .

Rested and having prepared his spells for the day Cunaar too joins the other for some breakfast before they set out. He will mention one thing, if he sleeps a few do not hit them until after they are tied.
"Breakfast is delicious, compliments to the cook."
Besides some small talk he is all ready to go.

"Pretty much whatever you want," Mithra answers Artem.

"Ham and eggs, fruit and nuts, porridge, bread and honey... even flapjacks and jam, if you want 'em. I think the cook was expecting us to be hungry when we got up!"

"Everyone sleep okay? Ready to go kick some bad guys?"

Lureene enters the tavern, having slept at home; she has traded her red dress for a fine suit of mail with a crimson surcoat, complete with a shield at the effigy of Sune Firehair. Her elegant mace is looped at her belt.

"I am ready, Mithra! Let's go bring some good into the world."

In reply to Lureene Raventree (msg # 145):

I am ready now. Amiri comes down the stairs her personality warming the room before she arrives.

When Mithra snubs him, Bear just shrugs his shoulders and sits anyway, helping himself to the food present. Over breakfast, he introduces himself to those he hasn't met yet.

"Might we stop by the local mercantile establishment before heading back out into the wilderness?  There are a few items I'd like to purchase."

OOC: Sorry; didn't mean to snub you, Bear. Just didn't read the posts back far enough. :-(


When Bear asked if he could sit with her, Mithra had nodded assent, but the large man seemed to have missed it. He sat anyway, which Mithra thought was a good sign.

Out in the field, so to speak, you had to anticipate what your allies were going to do as much as you needed to predict the enemy's actions.

"Pleased to meet you, Bear. I'm Mithra," the warrioress replies when Bear introduces himself.

"What brings you to Phandalin? Most of us here were hired to bring some wagons to town. I think we were hoping for adventure. We've already found some. We're about to go find some more!"

"Adventure? Pray tell, did I hear you say you say were seeking an adventure?" says a human male, sitting at an adjacent table. He is wearing Scale armor and has a mace at his side. A shield with an emblem of a burning candle over an open eye rests against one of the table legs. "Do you have room for one more? I've been looking for adventurers. I'm handy with this mace and know a spell or two that might be useful."

"Another willing soul? I recognize the sign of Deneir. You'd be one of his priests then? I can't speak for aught but myself but I'll gladly let the cleric of any goodly god join our band", said the priestess.

"Well, as I said last night," he says between bites, "my friend Reidoth asked me to meet him here. He said this place could use my services. As I came in to town, I heard about the troubles these Redbrands were causing and figured that might be the reason."

"Well, both of you are welcome to join us in thrashing these bullies!" Mithra said to both Bear and Kyler.

"I hope you are ready, cause we were just heading out."


She stands up then, grabs her shield and weapon, and walks back out of the inn, following young Carp.

Bear finishes a couple more links of sausage before stuffing a biscuit in his mouth as he gathers his gear and heads out following Mithra.

Kyler leaves a couple of silver on the table and quickly follows after Mithra and Bear.