Chapter 2 - Phandalin

You retrace your steps out of the cave and manage to exit without alerting any of the remaining inhabitants of your presence. Once outside Sildar, who is still struggling a bit after his ordeal, takes a quick seat in the open area just outside to catch his breath.

"A shame we couldn't clear this place before our departure, but perhaps it's for the best. We can at least inform others of the location and take care of it at a later time. For now, once we've reached Phandalin I will try and find an old friend of mine, Iarno Albrek. From what I understand he's been away from Phandalin for a while and hasn't been heard from. I'd expect he'd be back within the next few days. He would be the one to question about the location of this castle the goblins are using."

A few more deep breaths and Sildar is back on his feet. Obviously still weak, the man trudges on along through the hidden goblin trail and onto the Triboar trail.

It takes several hours by foot to travel the distance to Phandalin and Sildar does his best to keep both his and everyone else's spirits up by telling tales of his past. It's actually quite refreshing as the man is clearly practiced in the art of storytelling; a welcome change from your previous companion Tyr.

With the sun starting to get low in the sky the trail emerges from a wooded hillside and you catch your first glimpse of Phandalin. The town consists of forty or fifty simple log buildings, some built on old fieldstone foundations. More old ruins-crumbling stone walls covered in ivy and briars-surround the newer houses and shops, showing how this must have been a much larger town in centuries past. Most of the newer buildings are set on the sides of the cart track, which widens into a muddy main street of sorts as it climbs toward a ruined manor house on a hillside at the east side of town.

Walking into the town you notice your wagon, empty of supplies, sits in front of a large building - Barthen's Provisions. It seems that young Tyr was good on his word to deliver the goods in your absence.

Sildar, looking more at ease now that he is in town, tosses his acquired short sword and shield to the ground. "I shall re-equip myself tomorrow, but for now I must rest and recover. Let us meet at the Stonehill Inn in the morning, in fact, let me secure us each a room there. Consider it a down payment on your escort fee, which I will have for you no later than tomorrow afternoon.

While most of the people in the village don't appear to be outright hostile, or particularly pleased, by Kerisha's presence there are three notable exceptions:

1. In the middle of town was a small open shrine tended to by a young female elf. As you walked by she smiled and greeted you with "May Tymora's luck find you."

2. At the end of the main street was a rundown looking tap house by the name of The Sleeping Giant. Four rough looking humans who were sitting on empty ale barrels under the covered front porch glared intensely at you as you walked by. They're were all dressed in similar grimy scarlet cloaks.

3. On the southeast edge of town you encountered a halfling and her rambunctious child in front of their small farm. The women introduced herself as "Qelline" as you walked by while trying to keep her son from bothering you about a tunnel he found while playing "adventurer" in the woods near the farm.

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Gerbo's scampering about turns up a couple of possible locations for him to practice his craft. The first is the Stonehill Inn, which is more of a welcoming tavern than a bar, and the location which Sildar has acquired rooms for everyone in the group.

The second is the rundown The Sleeping Giant at the end of the main road. The same four men who glared at Kerisha as she went by earlier are still there given a very similar look to Gerbo. If there was any place where patrons would be gambling, this is most likely it.

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Walking into the newly built roadhouse, Belanor finds that the common room has a few locals nursing mugs of ale or cider, but is otherwise quiet. A short, friendly human male behind the counter smiles and asks if he can help you.

"We get our share of travelers coming through here, that's for sure." the bartender says as he places a fresh pint of cider in front of Belanor.

"Three copper, friend. And a bit of advice to you if you plan on staying for more than a day or so."

He leans in and gives a quick glance around before quietly advising. "Watch out for the men around town in the dark red cloaks, they ain't nothing but trouble!"

Just as he starts to lean back away an older gentleman, dressed in well worn work clothes who sits just a few seats down, slaps his hand on the bar. "Toblen. A mug of ale when ya get a chance, eh!." The bartender gives Belanor a quick nod and a smile and responds to the other man, "Coming right up, Narth!

As Gerbo starts to the approach the four men, one of them stands from his barrel to block the way.

"You lost, Puppy?

The other men quicky follow suit, each standing and making a show of the fact that they are well armed.

"Did you come here to bark, Puppy?" the first man growls, leaning over just a bit to emphasize the height difference between himself the outnumbered gnome.

Grinning ear to ear the young halfling looks towards his mother, his eyes make it clear that he's silently begging for her approval to go adventuring with Kerisha.

Qelline takes a moment to think things over, but reluctantly agrees. "It's getting pretty late Carp, so you'll have to be quick about it! We don't want to bother the nice lady any more than you already have."

In stuttering Orcish Qelline says, "I follow from distance. If trouble have him run to me."

Eager to set off on his first real adventure, Carp bolts forward through the family's field and into some nearby woods. Once there, he slows his pace and crouches low to the ground. Within a few minutes he stops and points to a thicket. In a whispered voice he looks up to Kerisha.

"A few uglies came out of there the last time I was here. I hid good so they didn't see me. I bet that tunnel goes to the old manor house.

He produces a small pointed stick which he kept tucked in his belt and arms himself, ready for action!

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Determining that discretion is the better part of valor, Gerbo departs from the Sleeping Giant under the continued verbal assault from the cloaked men. Eventually a new target crosses their path and they turn their wrath away from the Gnome.

Entering the Stonehill Inn, Gerbo finds a few locals in the main room nursing their drinks. They all give a quick glance in the gnome's direction before going back to their drinks. At the bar sits Belanor and a few seats from him an older gentlemen. The barkeep and Belanor appear to be having a conversation.

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"Well, Sir, we're the only real lodgings in town. Unfortunately Sir Hallwinter has purchased all of the rooms tonight for him and his guests." He reaches below the bar and pulls out a ledger.

"Yep all occupied for the evening." the man confirms to Belanor.

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