Before he gets very far into the other room Taten slashes him twice with his Glaive and then knocks him unconscious with the butt of the weapon.

Taten and Yarabon attempt to bandage his wounds but they are unsuccessful until the gnome paladin Og is finally able to mend the man's wounds.

"He should be okay to move but lets check out his room and this one we just came into before we go back to Sildar"

In the room the man was found the party finds various papers and notes are stacked neatly on the desk, mostly consisting of written orders to apothecaries and alchemists in nearby settlements.

They also find a letter signed with the symbol of a black spider.

"Lord Albrek,

My spies in Neverwinter tell me that strangers are due to arrive in Phandalin. They could be working for the dwarves.

Capture them if you can, kill them if you must, but don't allow them to upset our plans. See that any dwarven maps in their possession are delivered to me with haste.

I'm counting on you, Iarno. Don't disappoint me."

Then this must mean that...that man must have been Larno.  What the hell is going on I thought he was a captive, is he running these brigands?

 Taten gleams a smile and theirs a slight twinkle in his eye as he talks. "We might be famous around town when we turn him in.  Everyone we spoke to said these guys were nothing but trouble."

Xelael reverts back to her normal form and sneers at the symbol at the bottom of the page. "Does Sildar know Larno was doing this?  It looks like that black spider Sildar mentioned may be the same one who sent Larno this note.  In nature spiders are sneaky predators always lurking for their opportunity to strike and it appears this one is no different.  Whatever Gundren has gotten himself into, it seems like a pretty serious threat."
This message was last edited by the player at 22:41, Thu 22 Oct 2015.

Everyone stands silently at Xelael's questions when Yarabon grunts loudly and begins grinding her teeth together. "Show me where I put my axe in these fiends.  I'll kill every black spider I find if I have to."

At the foot of Iarno's bed is a sturdy, unlocked wooden chest the party finds. It contains 180 sp, 130 gp, and a silk pouch containing five carnelians (10 gp each), two peridots (15 gp each), and one pearl (100 gp). It also contains two magic items that Iarno brought with him from Neverwinter: a scroll of charm person and a scroll of fireball.  They also find a Staff of Defense on Larno's person that he grabbed as he tried to escape.

The party decides to keep the scrolls and sell staff along with that they divvy up all of the cash among the entire party.

In the next room which Larno ran into the party can hear faint bubbling and sounds of dripping.

This room appears to be a wizard's workshop. A rat scurries across the floor and takes refuge in the clothing of the unconscious Larno.  A large worktable is set up with alembics, retorts, distillation coils, and other alchemical devices, all of it stewing and bubbling away. Bookshelves are crowded with sheaves of parchment and strange-looking tomes.

It's quite clear from it's behavior that this rat is somehow friendly with Larno.

Xelael can tell that the apparatus in the room appears to be setup to brew 'Potions of Invisibility' though so far it looks unsuccessful.  They also find a journal though its in a language nobody in the party understands.  The last thing found is a collection of rare reagents the party collects to return to town and sell.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:42, Thu 22 Oct 2015.

The party leaves the hideout with Larno in tow and turn him into Sildar at the town hall.

Sildar is both disheartened and grateful to learn of what Larno had done.  He gives the party 200 GP as a reward for their heroism in stopping the Redbrand threat.

"Thank you for turning Larno in instead of killing him on the spot.  He was a skilled mage so I know it couldn't have been easy.  He will be transported to Neverwinter where he will face judgement from a higher authority than we have here in Phandalin."

During their time back in town Sildar gets a chance to interrogate Larno before he is shipped out to Neverwinter.  He shares the information he gathered with the rest of the party.

"

• The Black Spider is a drow (dark elf).
• The Black Spider sent four bugbears to help Larno keep the population of Phandalin under control, but the Redbrands have managed without them. The bugbears know the way to Wave Echo Cave, but Iarno does not.
• The Black Spider is searching Wave Echo Cave for the Forge of Spells. Dwarves and gnomes of the Phandelver's Pact used the magical forge to fashion powerful magic items.
• No other members of the Lords' Alliance know of Larno's betrayal.

"

Sildar after a few days passes approaches Og privately and offers him an opportunity to join the Lords Alliance.  "Og you exemplify a desire for the security of civilization through action.  I think that makes you perfect material for the Lords Alliance what do you say?

Og smiles and thanks Sildar for the offer before requesting a night to think on his offer.  After a night of mulling things over he returns to Sildar. "I've mulled it over and ill take you up on your offer of membership.  The alliance seems like a group that matches my ideals."  Og bows graciously.  "It would be an honor sir."

"I am pleased to hear you say that.  I present to you Og the official title of Cloak within the Lord's Alliance. May you bring many a villain to justice in the name of keeping the common folk safe in their homes."

The party reconvenes privately in the Townmaster's hall and review any other rumors or requests they have heard.  They decide to head to the Phandalin Miner's Exchange but they find the patron is out. One of the underlings at the exchange reveals that Halia's concerns were dealing with the Redbrand Bandits and when she heard they had been dealt with she quickly left indicating she had business to attend to.

Assuming they had already done their duty the party cross Halia's request off their list of options for their next mission.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:38, Fri 15 Jan 2016.

The party next decides to visit Daran Edermath at Edermath Orchard. Daran Edermath is a retired adventurer who lives in a tidy little cottage beside an apple orchard. A fit, silver-haired half-elf well over a hundred years old.

Upon their arrival Daran cant hold back his smile.  "Welcome to the saviors of Phandalin.  Word has spread fast of your deeds against the Bandits."

Og greets Daran with a big smile very proud of what he and his companions had accomplished. "Thank you sir Edermath it has been a pleasure helping the townsfolk.  We heard you needed help as well from some of the townspeople is this true and if so how can we help?"

Taten snorts and tips the crown of his head towards the sky recognizing Daran in the nicest way to be expected from a man with half orc blood.

Xelael is in clearly better spirits as the party enters the orchard.  She stops several times to take in the scent and energy of various flowers, trees, and plants.  " Your grove is quite beautiful.  Oh how I hate the city, but this is certainly a nice change.

"Nothing stands after they meet my axes fury.  Have any other heads for Yarabon to cleave?

In response to Og: "Yes, what you did with the Redbrands is fantastic but I have another task.  I have heard stories from prospectors in the hills northeast of Phandalin that someone is digging around in the ruins known as Old Owl Well. More disturbingly, several prospectors have reported being chased from the area by undead.  I want you all to visit the ruins which are a few days to the north east.  I want you to find out who's there and what they're up to.  Daran sighs deeply before continuing

"The ruins are an old watchtower of an ancient magical empire known as Netheril. I worry that dangerous magic might be dormant there.

In response to Taten: Daran gives a very uncomfortable smirk at the Half-orc but says nothing.

In response to Xelael: Daran's smile is glowing as he watches Xelael. "It is nice to see another lover of nature around here.  Make yourself at home here in my orchard, it brings me great joy and I hope it can do the same for you.

In response to Yarabon: "I hope it doesnt come to it Yarabon but this next task I have for you might have need of your mighty axe."

Xelael thanks Daran and immediately goes to pick some fruit off of one of the tree's and has a snack as she enjoys the sunny afternoon.

Taten stands emotionless behind the heavily armored Gnome and beside the battle ready woman Yarabon

Yarabon responds back to Daran "I hope your wrong.  All I have to hope for is something else is dumb enough to want to feel my axe!"

Og takes in all of the information on the new mission Daran explains then reaches out his hand giving the older gentleman a firm handshake.  "We would be more than happy to help.  We will leave in the morning for Old Owl Well."

The party then shortly after some small pleasantries and enjoying Daran's grove return to their inn and settle in the for the evening.

During the evening of the first day the party is ambushed by 9 goblins while Yarabon was on duty.  She immediately awoke everyone in the party as they were peppered by goblin shortbows.  Though it started out rough the party quickly came to their senses, formed up and destroyed the goblin menace.

Their second day's travel goes without any problems as the party successfully arrives at the Old Owl Well.

As you crest a low ridge, you spy the crumbling ruins of an old watchtower standing amid the rugged hills. The place is so old that the walls are only mounds of rubble enclosing a courtyard of sorts, adjacent to the broken stump of an old tower. A colorful tent has been set up in the middle of the courtyard, but no one is in sight.