"Travelers? Or trouble..." says Gwen, gazing at the plume of smoke. "Either way, I'd rather make camp and have a nap before we check it out."

[OoC]: Gwen takes a Short Rest... should okay for a brief encounter at that point.

[OOC] Bando will offer healing to any and all who need it.

Imbert looks at the plume and shrugs.  Drops his pack, pulls out his weapons and starts cleaning them.  "I'll take watch while you nap.  I was lucky today and didn't end up on the wrong side of too many goblin scimitars."

OoC;  A short rest doesn't do anything for me.  I'm out of spells, but we can do a short encounter.

You finish out your short rest on the northern side of the Triboar Trail. You then make your way across the road and into the woods to sneak upon the smoke column. After a short while you approach an oddly shaped building sits at the juncture of the Triboar Trail and the High Road. Two entrances into the building are apparent: a smaller one at the northern corner, and a larger one, suitable for beasts of burden and wagons, near the first. This would be the Wayside Inn and possible resting point.

Jaskier dusts himself off and straightens his shirt in a vain attempt to remove signs that his only activities in the last few days had been travelling on horseback and slaying goblins.  He says aloud "Right then time to find a proper resting spot.  Zanben, perhaps you can find out if there are any villainous foes or tricky traps about the place while I inquire about some lodgings" and then walks into the strange building.

Investigation Check 1d20 + 2 = 19

Imbert gathers the horses and takes them to whatever looks the most like a stable.

After doing some recon and detective work Jaskier concludes that the Wayside Inn is in fact an inn and tavern on the high road situated nead the junction point of the TriBaor trail. As he is relaying this information to his compatriots he sees Imbert leading the horses to what could only be a stable. Figuring things are safe enough the group emerges from the woods from wence they were survailing. Just as Gwen steps out of the wood a paper bird strikes her in the chest and falls to the ground.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:05, Thu 17 Sept 2020.

Gwen scoops the folded paper from the ground and looks around to see if any other travelers are around before reading it. "I guess a good night's sleep can wait a bit," she says. "Now who's buying the first round?"

Gwen glances about and then looks down at the paper.


You then head into the Wayside Inn. Heads turn to your direction for a moment and then go back to their assorted business. There are a few travelers sitting about drinking, eating and reveling. You see a man behind the bar, you hear pots from the back and see a woman in the corner pouring over receipts and documents.

The man behind the bar lifts a hand and says, "Ho travelers. Please come sit what would you have? What is word on the road I am sure all are interested. Direction you are heading and where you've come."

Imbert remains with the horses, removing and storing the sables, brushing them down, checking their hooves, and making sure they have water and food.

Jaskier maintains a steely gaze as he scans the room and when he doesn't find any fearsome beasts to slay, he relaxes his stance a bit and lets out a deep sigh of relief.
"Oh dear inkeeper, you are indeed a sight to behold.  We require lodgings for the night and a stiff drink if you've got it.  Perhaps some bandages as well, a few of us need to lick our wounds"

The barkeep looks at your group and says, "Lets say 2 gold for the lot of you lodgings for you and your animals and these six ales." He then places six warm Ale mugs up on the bar for you. The ale is delicious after all you have been through in the last few days. Gundren's eyes light up and says, "Well I guess we don't have to get to Phandalin tonight exactly. Tomorrow will do just fine." He grabs the Ale and pours it into his waiting mouth. Ale dribbles out the sides of his mouth and runs into his beard. He does not stop until the mug has been drained. He slams down the mug on the counter and says, "Cousin, friends let us drink and eat tonight. Tomorrow I shall speak to Sildar."


This message was last edited by the GM at 16:37, Thu 17 Sept 2020.

Jaskier replies to Gundren "Gundren, good man, my thoughts exactly.  So how did you end up in such terrible company at Cragmaw Castle?"
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 17:34, Thu 17 Sept 2020.

Gundren accepts another Ale from the barkeep Backes Dunfield, a human with a scarred face and a crooked smile. He then gazes down into his mug and says, "Sildar and I set out from Waterdeep for Phandalin where I was to meet up with my brothers. Shortly after we turned onto the Triboar trail we were set upon by dozens and dozens of goblins. They were too much for Sildar and I to over come. We were knocked unconscious and brought to some cave system. Shortly after some hobgoblins came and they took me to that castle where that fiend abused me and asked about Wave Echo Cave. Apparently some thing called the Black Spider had learned we had found that place and wanted to make sure no one else would happen upon it and I and the map were to be destroyed. That is when you found me. I did not know what had happened to Sildar until I learned from you all he is safe and now marshaling in Phandalin. Tell though what word is there of my brothers?"

Gwen sloppily slams her tankard into Gundren's. "I don't know that we've heard from your brothers... Sildar may know. As for the Spider, we should all keep an eye out for his agents. Once he learns that both you and the map have survived, there'll be a price on all our heads."

She takes a long draw of her ale and wipes the froth on her sleeve. "What preparations need to be made in Phandalin before setting out for your mine? Weve been preparing to winter there, but if you and Sildar intend to go sooner rather than later, we may need to organize supplies."

Gundren says, "Sounds like Sildar is comfortable where he is. I would like to head off for the mine before too long getting into Phandalin. Wave Echo Cave tis not far a journey. My brothers and I were going to use Phandalin as the distribution point for the goods. Mayhaps you would join me in heading to the mine as a precaution. Could cut you in for a percentage."

Imbert returns from the stable and seats himself as Gundren makes his reply. ”I’m of the opinion that those of us that can fight off goblins should go investigate the cave and those that can’t remain in Phandalin so they are not a liability.”  Imbert states matter of factly.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:38, Sun 20 Sept 2020.

Gwen cocks an eyebrow at Imbert's bold proclamation. "I haven't seen any man here step aside from a challenge. As long as there's treasure to plunder, wrongs to be righted, vengeance to be wrought, and ballads to be written, I suspect this party will follow the trail to the end," she says. "So off we go!"

She leans close. "But when you say percentage... you surely mean share? As in an equal share for each of us, earned when we set both dwarf and map back upon the road to everlasting fame and fortune? Because Phandalin will serve as base of operations mostly because we reclaimed it from a gang of brigands and a traitorous wizard. The road to the cave and the mine will be safer because we have cleansed the area of threats... we traveled as far as Wyvern Tor to root out zombies and orcs. Our supply lines to Neverwinter are more secure because we brought down a dragon who stalked these woods, all while Sildar recovered from his captivity. I don't know where your brothers are, Gundren, but your partners are right here." She raises a mug to the group.

Gwen remains at the table until the group retires, fiddling with the paper bird. Then she takes a private room and heads upstairs.

[OoC]: Ready to move on once we've healed (and leveled up!).

The night passes with great cheer especially feom Gundren whom seems glad to be alive but still his eyes relay trouble. Drinks go on it the night. Those of you that mind to do so are treated to wam baths here at the way side and retire with your bellies full and spirits lifted.

Zanben after eating and a quick bath headed to his room with a large pitcher of ale early, eager to figure out what this shiny sun-elf statue can do.

After entering his chambers, Zanben pulls out the statue and unwraps the crimson cloth around it saying, "I knows it's more than just a gold statue, I just knows it.  It is far too shiny to not have some arcane spell upon it."  After a couple hours of looking over every inch of it, studying it as though the answer will jump out at him, he thinks to himself, "Hmm, I bet Gwen could figure it out, she is quite crafty with the arcane arts."

Zanben not too sure the time being so preoccupied in his research as well as a bit drunk at this point, he meanders to Gwen's chambers to see if her expertise can help figure out why this statue seems to gleam so unnaturally.

Based on the silence throughout the Inn, Zanben guesses that it is well into the night and so he subtly knocks on Gwen's door and whispers through the door audible enough for someone who is awake on the other side of the door to hear, but silent enough not to rouse other patrons, "Gwen, Gwen are you there.  I need that beautiful little mind of yours. Gwen, you have to see this."

Imbert sleeps soundly dreaming of crossbows.

Gwen, bare-legged in her nightshirt and groggy with sleep and wine, opens the door and sees Zanben and his figurine. Behind her, the room smells of sulphur and incense. Candles and magical trinkets are strewn about, there's an obvious summoning circle inscribed on the floor, and someone with horns, red skin, and fabulous curves is snoring softly on the rumpled bed. Gwen yawns, scratches her ass, and says, "This better be good, Z..."

"Apologies for disturbing you, but check this out." Zanben pulls out the sun elf statue, "Do you have any idea what this thing can do?  I have been trying to figure out all night why it's so shiny and can not seem to figure it out."

OOC: Gwen give me an Arcana check.

Gwen takes the figure, instantly interested. "Neat," she says. "Lemme have a look..."

OoC: Has Gwen had enough sleep to make the check with her new Int score?