Gwen finds her way to a strong cup of coffee and tags along after the ranger. She's not much interested in binding agreements and formal alliances, but powerful friends are good to have.

Additionally, Gwen has a few bits of business before we leave Phandalin. She'll visit Mirna Dendrar to check on the family, pay the children for their service at Tresendar Manor, and also to see if she has any additional insights to offer about Thundertree and the undead that invaded it. She'll stop by the Lionshield Coster to ensure that the trade goods the Redbrands were stockpiling have been collected and sent to market and that the goods for the restoration have been ordered, with Liane making a profit and hopefully employing some more local labor. At some point she'll make sure to encounter the Townmaster, create a magical icy breeze as their eyes meet, and then turn her back on him. And she'll buy Droopy a smart little tabard and shiny boots to mark his elevated station lest the townsfolk misunderstand him again.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:43, Sun 10 May 2020.

[OOC] Zanben is definitely interested in joining the Lords Alliance.

Zanben meets Imbert at the front of the Inn just before midnight after walking Sister Garaele home.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:51, Mon 11 May 2020.

OoC;  I'll go with you to the Dendrar's.  Also, I want to talk to Sildar and Daran about training the townsfolk with the spears and crossbows we took off the Redbrands.  If you live on the frontier, Orcs are going to pay a visit.  Teach a man to fish and all.

Jaskier shakes his head and slowly his expression transforms from drunken stupor to to a sharp sideways grin.  He says aloud
"Ahhh I was just fooling around, trying to grift some coin from Zanben"

[OOC]  Can I roll to see if I scammed some money of Zanben in a game of dice?

"Well, well, well...the noble Imbert wishes to join the Alliance.  If you don't mind I will tag along after all.  Who knows, when I am composing my next heroic anthem about our adventures, this can act as our call to arms!  Our dramatic entry into a dangerous world!  Besides, if its anything like a wedding, you'll need witnesses to verify the legitimacy of the oath.  Come Zanben, lets observe as Imbert pledge his life to honor, the pursuit of truth, and whatever else the Alliance claims to uphold."

In reply to Jaskier (msg # 543):

"Aye Jaskier, lets!!  First I'm gonna make sure Sister Garaele makes it back safe.  I'll meet you guys in front of the inn just before midnight."

You all find Sildar at the Shrine of Lady Luck shortly after midnight. He wears a cowl and on his breast is pinned a symbol. The symbol is a circle  with a crown running across the top portion in a golden filigree. As you approach he signals for those who are to take the oath to line themselves in front of him. He then lifts the hilt of his sword to his head and says, " Say I do if you pledge to unite against the darkness that would destroy civilization. If you would  protect your home and honor your leaders. If you think the fight should be brought to the enemy to keep at bay certain destruction. Say I do if you pledge yourself here and now to the Lords Alliance. Those who would see man and civilization stand against the dark to protect his fellows." He then comes to each of you that says I do and places the pommel of his sword against your forehead. He then goes on to state as he places an icon in each your hands, "I declare as an Emissary of the Lords Alliance that you are now Cloaks in it's service and to go forth and remember this oath."

Sildar then falls silent and steps back from the last of you lowers his cowl from his head and greets you with a smile.

"I do.

"I'll pass," says Gwen. "No offense, Sildar, but I've met a grand total of two agents of the Lords' Alliance, and half of them were running a gang of murderous thieves out of the basement. For a third agent, a tiebreaker if you will, you found yourself this headhunting barbarian," she says, jerking a thumb at Imbert. "You say we'll protect our homes and honor our leaders, but if I make my home in Phandalin, I'm pretty much going to have to replace a leader who's not worthy of honor... so that's not a great fit."

"Put me down as a friend to the Alliance, someone who wants simple folk to enjoy peace and prosperity and for evil to be confronted at every turn. We'll help Gundren and help you get these mines reopened, and I suspect we'll have more common interests than those. Imbert will be your man in Phandalin, and through him, and maybe some of these others, you'll have my services when you need them. But as for membership... no thanks."

"I do"

Shaking himself loose from daydrinking red wine, Bandalor emerges from the darkness.  "Apologies for my tardiness;  sometimes the Father of Morning misses the dawn.  I would also like to join the order, if so allowed."

Three of you pledge to the Lords Alliance. Sildar smiles and says,"Well met. I think the Lords Alliance and your goals align. Finding Gundren and getting the mine running are in the best interest for this region. This might propel you forward within the organization. Good luck to you and goodnight." With that Sildar leaves the Shrine and heads back to the Inn for some rest.

"Some rest is a welcome idea.  We should take tomorrow to finish up business in town and then head to Neverwinter for mounts.  It's time we found Bandalor's cousin."  Imbert says as he turns to leave.  Then shouts something back over his shoulder.

Imbert had spoken to her in Gnomish, but Gwen replies in Common with a grin. "True enough, O Lord Protector of the Triboar Trail, but are those days over, or are they just begining?"

"Likely a little of both.  The days of being a barbarian, sleeping in a tent, not taking a hot bath, eating squirrels, those are just beginning.  Tomorrow.  The days of using severed body parts to intimidate our enemies and prove  the identity of traitors, those are ending.  I think.  But you never know for sure."

"I for one, welcome the idea of regular rest in a regular bed.  Helps ease the knots out of arms and backs worn out from the smiting of fell beasts.  Anon!  Gundren awaits our rescue!"

You all take in a bit more merriment at the Stonehill Inn. Then call it a night. The next morning is a cool fall day and you see some of the trees begin to change their colors. The town is busy again more so then when you first arrived now the threat of the Redbrands has been eliminated. Toblen Stonehill greats you with a smile, fresh bread, butter and meats. "Big plans today?" he says quizzically.

Imbert joins the group for breakfast and waits for Gwen to join her visiting the Dendrar family.

Gwen scoops up a half a loaf of bread, two sausages, a fresh pear, and a crock of buttermilk and says, "Why wait? We can help with the morning chores, check with Mother Dendrar about Thundertree, and go walk the grounds of our new home by the light of day. I want to see if these green Sergeants of the Watch we've employed are worth as much as Droopy." She heads for the door and shouts, "Droopy! Sausage!"

Imbert follows Gwen out, idly wandering if she wanted the goblin to bring the sausage or eat the sausage.

OoC;  How old is the daughter again?

Mirna greets you outside of her home which is on the same road that ends at the Manor. She says, "Greetings to you all. How are things?" Her children are there as well. 13 year old Nars and 8 year old Nilsa. They both wave to you.

OOC:Who are these Sergeants of the Watch?

"Sergeant Nars! Sergeant Nilsa! Give us your report on the Fortress of Tresendar... all quiet, I hope. And how are things on the Dendrar Farm?" Gwen pays each child a few coins for their service-- not enough to lead a youth down the road to decadence, but enough to help out the bereaved family.

Turning to Mirna, she continues. "We're bound for Thundertree soon, and we thought we'd see what else you remember of it? You said zombies drove your family out? We've also heard of a druid in those parts, but not when or where."

[OoC]: She's sharing her sausage, of course. Droopy has lived as a servant for so long, he needs to be told what he's allowed to have and do. Gwen brought him in off the porch and let him sleep on the hearth, she caught him squabbling with a dog over a bone and threw him the one she was finished with, now he needs to be taught he doesn't have to steal his breakfast from the Dendrars' henhouse. If he's to play host to high-ranking members of the Lord's Alliance, we can't have him shitting in the corner...
This message was last edited by the player at 01:44, Wed 13 May 2020.

Imbert musses the hair on the ragamuffins while the adults talk.

Mirna says, "Don't know anything about a druid. As far as the undead goes they didn't show up until later. After the Volcano had done it's damage. Not sure what else to tell you I was but I little one when we lived there."

The kids seem very excited to have a job and tell you they will make sure nothing funny happens at the place and also say they can look after the goblin for you while you are gone.

OOC: Anything else needs to be doing while in Phandalin or ready to move on?

[OOC] I got nothing

Roll out!