It had been quite the ordeal for the group - the battle within the keep had been short, but brutal...especially when the goblins and hobgoblins had heard them and all descended on them, but the group prevailed - even having a prisoner to show for it.

Gundren was especially happy to not only be alive, but also have the map to the keep he had searched for for so long. The battle had tired and wounded most of the group, including Gundren, so the decision to remain in the keep one night was wise, since by the time they had searched, night had fallen.

Solgran, dspite his wounds, took the drow form into a room and 'not-so-quietly' spoke to her. When he returned, she was unconscious and he had little information, other than the person who the lead Bugbear (known as King Grol) answered to their master, a 'man' known only as 'the spider'.

---

With a nights rest, the group felt somewhat rested, and woke early and after breakfast weft again for Phandelvin. It was near nightfall when the tired group came into town, virtually plodding with the drow woman in tow. Sildar, the human that accompanied came out and instantly embraced his dwarven friend, and was happier to see his armor and sword, lost from the goblins.

That night, there was a party - the drow woman was imprisoned and guarded, and the inn a hive of revelry with ale and food. The group, drowsy and aching had fun, though their weariness led them to be sedate in the party that welcomed back the dwarven merchant, who despite his ordeal, drank into the wee hours of the night with Sildar.

The next few days saw the group resting, with Gundren telling them that if they were interested on going to the mine, they would leave in a week, giving the dwarf time to heal, rest and supply for the trip.

Each group member had their own tasks. Solgran went shopping, selling some of the weapons and buying a shield. Snoric spent his time in the smith, repairing Muffin until he looked as good as new - in fact he looked better than the group. Osmon spent time with the three magical items they found to discern their properties. Amalia spent time resting, praying to selune in the moonlight and helping others heal. And the sisters helped with shopping and resting, as well as gundren.

---

The week past quickly, but everyone was fully healed, with but a few old bruises and healing scrapes to show. Gundren had gathered the group in the inn and he too looked much liek he did, though he had the telltale signs of purple bruises and a slight haunted look in his eyes. "Ye know why we be here. I'm off to th' mine....now known as echo cave. I wish ye ter come and share in th' glory of reclaimin' this place."

He looked around. "Sildar will be comin', as well as some miners and such but they have said they will stay outside. It will fall to ye ter clear th' mine." He clutched his hands in front of him. "I can't promise much coin on this one, but what i can is this - any things found will be yours - unless they have historical meaning to th' dwarves. th' odds of that will be small, but anythin' that does, it will be brought from ye fer a price."

He looked at them. "As incentive, i can offer ye all a item of magical nature when we are done - th' mine has th' ability ter make weapons and armor - and even if that does not suit ye, i have friends in neverwinter that deal in magic and spells who owe me."

he sits back. "What say ye?"

---

<OOC: Congratulations - you should all now be level 4

I need to know in a private post if you done anything of note in the downtime....this can be training, researching, shopping, etc.

Let me know what you want within the next post deadline what you want to do in private and then we can move on

NOTE - solgran has taken 4 spears, a greatsword and handaxe and sold it....but still lots.>

Yana enjoyed the party, and relaxed and enjoyed herself, though in moderation.   She was also sure to send over some food and drink to the guards watching over the drow, as a thank you for their hard work and for missing the party.
(She'd send a local server if the barkeep felt that the guards was be leery of taking food from a stanger)

She'd also watch Snoric and the blacksmith repair Muffin, with Snoric's permission,
clearly fascinated by the process, watching every gear and joint with intense eyes.

Yana would also spend much time with her sister, unless the woman had other commitments of course.  She'd almost lost her sister several times, and it was more stressful than she'd like to admit

Allura faces a crises of faith and while she enjoys the party, those close to her can tell something is off. She is not as hovery around her sister as she usually is.
Having survived the last battle was still worth celebrating as they didn't lose anybody. She even made some toasts to her friends for they had become friends over that time.

She spends time with Amalia and spars with Solgran if he is up for it. She does some training in her own skills to keep up with things. Attacking targets with her eldritch blast. Paying a local to throw small objects into the air for her to strike.

She will leave her armor and shield with Snoric for a while to more personalize and if possible to enchant them to be better able to protect her. She is willing to help out and provide what magic knowledge and power she has to help out.

(Possibly updating)

Snoric spent most of his time working on Muffin and welcomed Yana's involvement.  This was partly selfish as the gnome used the downtime to quiz the woman about tricks on remaining unseen, how to seek out the vulnerable parts of a foe and how to strike it unseen.  While the gnome was still drawn to his craft, he'd found the ability to remain unseen to be a natural accompaniment to his keen eye for detail.


He also kept his promise to the group.  Early each morning, with permission of the baker he made a large basket of muffins for the group to share.  No two days were the same and ingredients were often 'experimental'.  Like all experiments some succeeded, some failed and the odd one needed to be scoured from the earth, preferably by the breath of a great red dragon!

In reply to Snoric (msg # 4):

Yana was more than willing to reciprocate in sharing knowledge with the gnome.  At first, she treated the exchange like any monetary exchange of goods and/or services, but soon relaxed a bit and treated the exchange as a conversation between friends.
She started being somewhat business like as she talked, exchanging information for information, but eventually loosened up and relaxed a bit, even smiling a few times

Amalia did enjoy the party and indulged a little too much in the wine, not realizing it was this potent. The following day was painful for her and she woke up, way past noon, with a hangover that made her want to throw up. Fortunately for the young cleric, her connection with Selune brought a solution and she was able to cure her hangover (lesser restoration) with ease. Despite that mystical help to cure her from her own fault, she learned the valuable lesson to respect all alcohols.

While waiting for the expedition to be ready, she spend a lot of time at the local temple with Sister Garaele, where she discussed in length with the much wiser and experienced cleric of Tymora. After listening to the party's adventure, she started teaching Amalia on "field medecine", how to use the healing kits to not only stabilize a patient, but to help his recovery.  Following her training, she packed up on healing kits (buy 4) for the expedition, expecting that she would need them. The rest of her time, she  enjoyed Snoric’s muffins, not understanding the first thing about Muffin, still amazed at the mechanical fox. She also tried to practice with her mace but was clumsy with it, deciding that her spell was still her best weapon.

<MOVING FORWARD TO CHAT WITH GUNDREN>

Snoric had spent his time productively between his craft and his practice with Yana.  Now as he sat listening to Gundren's tale and considered.

"I started this journey to aid ye, and I would like to see it through to the end."


OOC: Thought I'd better jump to the present.

Yana smiled slightly as she set down her mug, and nodded in agreement with Snoric.
"I concur. You've been a friend of mine in the past, so if you need help, I'll be there. "
Then she smirked
"Besides, I'm not about to go through all that work to save your hairy backside just to let you wander off into a monster's belly so soon.   Count me in"

The group gathered and listened to each other as they explained what they did in their time. Snoric spent most of his time on his inventions, most on the mechanical marvel that was Muffin. Yana, when not with her sister, picked his brain about clockwork items and such, with snoric returning the favor and questioning her on tips for moving unseen, the signs of movement and weak points in a persons body to best injure them.

Amalia (after a raging hangover the first night) spent most of her time at the temple with  sister Garaele, learning the importance of field medicine for when magic was depleted.

Allura (Again when not with her sister) spent time sparing with solgran, the two learning teh importance of various techniques. Allura learnt that while her style was less offensive and strong, her skills (tied with her magical ability) were still able to do some damage. Solgran learnt that strength (though his preference), the value of speed could also help.

Osmon spent most of the time on his own, reading and such.

When the call came from Gundren, it was clear he was eagre to leave, and the offer was not a surprise. When Yana and snoric voiced the affirmative to keep helping, and no one arguing, the dwarf smiled.

"Good, good! Ye will be given two pack oxen with a small cart fer supplies. Th' cave lies about 15 miles from here, and though short in comparison, ye getting in may need some tools." he clasped his hands. "I will leave with th' dwarves once they arrive as well as several masons two days after ye.  That will give ye ample time ter at least start clearing th' cave."

He sat back. "If ye need anythin' specific, let me know and i'll make sure it's on th' cart."

---

<OOC: You have 3 days to post and let me know what you want before we move on>

At Cragmaw Castle

When Solgran returned from questioning the drow, he informed the group of what little he had learned from the drow'pleganger, which wasn't much considering Gundren had already heard much the same while he was captive. "Whoever this 'Spider' is, he seems to be the one in charge of everything." Frustrated, he spent most of the remaining evening hours doing manual work with the gathering of loot and such.

---

Back in Phandalin

Back in town, Solgran tried to make up for one of his apparent shortcomings, but seeking out someone who had any knowledge at all of the language of orcs and goblins. He certainly would not learn the entire language in a week's time, but if he could learn just enough to avoid another situation like before, where an orc had lead them off in the wrong direction on purpose, then it was time and effort well-spent.

The remainder of the time, Solgran took to sparing with Allura. Using the heavy maul, with its weight on the end rather than the balanced form of the greatsword he had been used to for so long, had caused him to grow a bit stronger over the last few days.

---

Gundren's proposal

"You know I signed on to see it through to the end, Gundren. I'll help you reclaim it." The offer of ox and cart for supplies was welcome, though he wondered if traversing mountains and hills with them might prove a burden. Better a burden on an animal bred for such than the party, he supposed.


"From what you do know of the mines, what equipment would you suggest? Light sources, certainly. Tools for digging or prying, perhaps? Should we expect climbing? What do you think?"

Yana nodded
"Good suggestions.  Especially the torches, though Amelia's trick with dark vision was certainly useful, and a bit of fun, i have to admit "

After the return to Phandalin Osmon takes the time to check the gear for any magical properties, finding only a couple of scrolls and the statue.

A scroll of resurrection for someone who has just died (Revivify). That can do to Amalia.

A scroll to deaden sound in a limited area (Silence). Might be useful later.

A statuary that a creature can ask a single question regarding a course of action and learn if it is likely to yield good or bad results. Sadly it only works once per questioner.

That done he spends his time looking for any information on the Spider on Echo Caves but was not able to find anything of value. Frustrated he will attune to the Orb and try and Scry on the Spider.

Recommended equipment for the expedition: climbers kit, extra 100 ft of rope, block and tackle, pulley, picks, shovels, pitons, grappling hooks, lantern hooded, oil, and a canary or similar bird in a cage.

After her lessons with Garaele, Amalia, growing in her power, prayed to Selune and discovered new powers that she felt would be useful for the coming expedition in dark mines. While she was not afraid of the dark herself, her connection with her goddess giving her superior night vision, she knew that she could not share her gift for very long. So she started looking for ruby powder, as much as she could get her hand on, to be able to prepare permanent lights for those that could not see in the dark.

A few days of negotiations with the merchants later, she showed up at the meeting with Gundren bearing gifts, small hooded lanterns that she gave to Osmon, Yana and Solgran. Inside, a small fire was burning without heat, giving as much light as a torch. "Take care of these, they are a gift courtesy of Selune. This flame will never go out even if submerged in water. This should be useful in a mine. Gundren, I am going to help you reclaim your ancestors possession.

Yana smiled at the cleric, nodding with subdued but obvious appreciation
"Thank you, Amelia.  You and your Dark Lady have been a definite boon to this rather strange Adventure, and I'm glad to have you with us for the next part."

Yana had never had much use for priests and holy people, other than the occasional emergency.   Amelia had done much to dispel that attitude.

Solgran took the everburning lantern from Amalia, "A cold fire lantern?"

Allura had spent a lot of time with Amalia when the cleric had been learning to be a field surgeon. Even taking at active interest in the healing arts. Working alongside Amalia she took the chance to get to know one of her travelling companions more.

When they were getting closer to heading out she purchased some healing kits herself.

Of note: She was keen on getting one of Snoric's muffins this time.

With the plans made, teh group retired for teh night, giving gundren a list of common items for teh trip like rope and pitons, some extra arrows or bolts for ranged weapons, tools for the workers when they arrived after you, and tents along with food for the trip consisting of fresh and smoked meat, fruit, cheese and bread....there was even a barrell of ale and one of cider

The lanterns were handed out by Amalia before leaving, four in all. It was true that the lanterns themselves were normal and the same as what Gundren had, it was clear the enchantment came later care of the cleric. Snoric also had a batch of his muffins, assorted colors and patterns.

The dwarf as well as most of the notable members of town were there to see you off. Gundren came forward with a smile. "I'll be leavin' in four days, but will have heavier wagons than yours, so i will be a week behind at most."

He shook the hands of the group and smiled as you all began moving for the cave and the mine of the dwarf.

---

<OOC: I want four people to roll a d20 for me.  These people will roll seperately and one each. You may choose who rolls.

I also want to know who will keep watch at nights and a perception check from all of you (Snoric, this includes one from Muffin as well)>