Part 2: Phandalin

"Yes, that way is likely unguarded still. I am curious still about the person who wanted this letter unread by us, but didn't care if Glasstaff was dead. We can sneak back in and mop up the thugs once this guy is taken care of. They likely won't be an issue once they realize their boss is gone."

Kama is careful not to give away too much identifying information. "We have heard the name Black Spider before," he says. "With that letter, we have the incriminating evidence that should be turned over to the proper authorities. I'm sure it will lead to further questioning, as well, especially if Albreck here knows something that could help us. But let's have this nice friendly chat later, in safer quarters."

Wish stands up, distracted by some parchment in his hands. "This is interesting..." then his brain catches up with what his ears have heard. "You know, if you can't remember their names, you could just ask me! I mean..."

Wish gets a look at their faces. "What? OH! Ohhhh...yes, certain people back in a certain town would be pretty interested to hear about what a certain someone has been doing, especially when some people have a certain something that shows how that certain someone was involved..." He beams, pleased with himself.

Then he remembers what he's found. "Oh - hey, before we go, look at this! This chest has a pouch of gold & silver coins, a pouch of precious stones, and two scrolls. What's interesting is that these seem to be magic scrolls, and yet I can read them! That probably means that whoever wrote these was clever enough to put the magic into the paper, so that anybody could use them to cast a spell. I mean, if I can read it, probably anyone can! Let's see...this one seems to be called "Figbain's Coercing Others," and this one is "Fiona's Blast of Flame."

(OoC: a spellcaster looking at these scrolls can tell that the scrolls are Charm Person and Fireball, respectively.)

"Things like these are probably worth a lot of money!..." Wish gets a gleam in his eye.

"...but we could also use them, I suppose. Does anybody care to try Figbain's magic, or Fiona's?" He holds out the scrolls to the others, careful to keep them away from Glasstaff, in case he can somehow activate them despite being bound.

"Put those away for now. I am familiar with the Coercing spell already, the other one may prove useful in the future. They were likely written so that someone could identify them in a hurry. And yes Wish, I haven't forgotten their name. But now I think we have waited long enough. We should get our catch back to town before we are discovered." Hollow cradles the staff wondering what magic it holds, but knows she will have to wait to discover it's secrets.

"Escort missions," mumbles Kama. "They're always fun." He nods to Wish and Xora, wanting for either of them to lead the way while he keeps a firm grip on Albreck's arm, pushing up on the shoulder to keep the man off-balance and moveable.

Satisfied that there are no other surprises here, I grunt and lead the group out. "Back the way we came."

"This is Iarno Albrek, also known as Glasstaff, leader of the Redbrands." She presents the staff of glass assuming it will help identify him.

"We also have papers linking this man to the disappearance of Gund... am Rock... crusher?" Kama stumbles a bit over the dwarf's name. He shakes his head briefly, clearing the fog, before re-establishing his attention on keeping Albreck in custody.

"No, the Redbrands are still out there. We found ourselves with an opportunity to capture their leader and we took it. If they haven't discovered his disappearance by now, they will soon. It may cause them to scatter, or somebody might try to take over. We will deal with them. If we can I'd like to have a word with Halli from the Miner's Exchange. She may have some information that could prove useful." Sparing a thought for her companions she sends to them, "Feel free to speak up if one of you has a different idea on how to proceed. I just can't shake the feeling this woman is more involved than she has said."

"We'll probably want to head back to their lair," says Kama, referring to the Redbrands. "Convince the remainder to flee... or maybe... try to convert them to constables under supervision." Kama looks at Sildar to gauge his reaction to that idea, and adds, "Might help to have a few extra hands if and when the orcs decide to raid? We do still have pressing business with a dwarf to rescue."

Kama looks at Hollow for a moment. I don't doubt that she expressed more than a passing interest, but would we investigate now, or after clearing the manor?

"She offered gold for this letter...unread by us. I think she's involved somehow. But it can wait I suppose."

Kama nods to Hollow.

I agree with your suspicion. I just figure that she's probably not going anywhere. I also don't think she knows what the letter says specifically, as she only asked us to turn over anything we've found. Sounds like she's just very interested in whatever Albreck had going on, maybe to use as blackmail, maybe to figure out if anyone was above him and giving him orders, or maybe just for ideas to run her own competing gang.

Kama looks to the side, briefly, I think I have something stuck in my teeth, and spends some time working something in his mouth.

"I don't like leaving the Redbrands under the manor....uh...unsupervised. We ran into just a few of them earlier at the tavern, and saw what damage they could do, and that was without a leader. Who knows what mischief they're getting up to up there?"

Wish exchanges a look with the others, and thinks at Hollow, hoping she's receiving as well as broadcasting: :::I think it would be interesting to check in with her and watch her closely, to see what her reaction will be. Does she have knowledge of this Black Spider villain?:::

Wish remembers something: "Oh! And the crook we brought in before..." He looks to Kama for an aside "...we put them in separate cells, right?" Then back to Sildar and Harbin: "...that guy mentioned that there were bugbears under the manor, too, which is a good case for going back and clearing them out. They might end up leading the humans, if they don't eat them first."

Kama grunts. "Going back is fine and good," he says. "But let's have a chat with Albreck and his henchman in the cells. It'd be nice to know how many bugbears and Redbrands remain in the manor, as well as any other surprises that might be in store."

"That is a good idea Kama, if we can get them to talk. The first one we brought in was vague about their numbers. Albreck was not talkative, but I think we can spare a few minutes to try again. They won't get assistance from the orc that fast...if they even are, or know they are, allies."

To Wish, telepathically, "Precisely what I want to find out. The Redbrands left her alone, why? She knew something about Albreck being Glasstaff and wanted to keep it secret, why? My darkest suspicion is that Black Spider has woven a web around Phandalin and placed many of his own people in key positions. Halia may be a jealous rival looking to move up because of the fall of the Redbrands, but worried that we might find something to link her to the Spider before she is ready to play her hand."

Before going back to the cells, Wish looks at his companions in admiration. Gundren really knows his business, to have picked such wise and capable people to assist him. It makes Wish feel motivated to do better, to jutify his inclusion on this great team. "Yes, I think Kama has the way of it. Sildar, do you wish to observe as we talk to Gla...um...Iarno, and perhaps learn more about why he was doing what he's been doing, while we figure out how many villains we have to fight?"

After making the invitation, Wish will head back to the cells.