Phandalin

With a wagon full of goods you expect to be well compensated for all of the trouble that you've been through the last day or so. Your thoughts are still on finding your employer, Gundren Rockseeker, and although you're fairly certain where he's been taken, you have no idea where this castle is located. As the sun starts to get low in the sky the rutted track you've been traveling 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 the old fieldstone foundation. More old ruins, crumbling stone walls covered in ivy and briars, surround the new houses and shops, showing how this must have been a much larger town in the 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.

As you approach, you see children playing on the town green and townsfolk tending to chores or running errands at shops. Many people look up as you approach, but all return to their business as you go by. Much more at ease now that he appears to finally be safe Sildar clears his throat as speaks up, "My friends, let us secure lodgings. I'm told the local inn is very quaint."

Jumping from the wagon, Sildar motions to a large, newly built roadhouse of fieldstone and rough-hewn timbers. A sign on the front above the door reads, "Stonehill Inn".

Entering the Stonehill Inn Colten finds that the common room is filled with locals nursing mugs of ale and cider all while eyeing the nobleman with more than a bit of curiosity. "How can I help you, Sir?" a cheerful voice says from behind the counter. "Food, beverages, a place to stay, perhaps? the young man behind quickly flips through a loosely bound book, before shaking his head slowly, "One moment, please" he begs. "Trilena? Who booked all of the rooms?"

From behind a heavy curtain, a woman enters, and moves alongside the man. "It was Mr. Hallwinter." With a hint of exasperation in her voice she continues, "I told you, Tolben, that he requested rooms for himself and his party." Noticing Colten on the other side, she flashes a broad smile, "You'll have to forgive my husband, with all of the trouble the Redbrands have been causing about town, his mind has been a little elsewhere lately."

---

Quickly realizing that there are too many supplies to move by hand to either of the warehouses, Delg and Luka decide to visit the Lionshield Coster first and then return their original cargo to Barthen's afterwards. Directly across the square from the Stonehill Inn is a modest looking trading post, a sign shaped like a wooden shield with a blue lion painted on it hangs above the front door positively identifying it as the Lionshield. As you both enter the building you're curtly greeted, "State yer business. Unless yer one of them Redbrands in which case, bug off!!"

Tolben stares silently at Colten's signet as the nobleman speaks, unsure of what to make of the situation. Trilena, on the other hand, is unfazed. "Well met, Sir Duveau." she says warmly "and welcome to the Stonehill Inn. We will have your room prepared shortly and your wineskin filled with the finest we offer." She takes Colten's wineskin and hands it to Tolben, "The good stuff for Sir Duveau, if you would." Snapping to attention the short man smiles and heads off into the back.

"And what do we owe the honor of such of visit, Sir Duveau, if you don't mind me asking. It's not very often we have guests of such stature visiting our little inn."

In the Stonehill Inn

Trilena leans over the bar and motions Colten closer. "If you are looking to hone your skills, perhaps you'll get your chance while you're in our little town." She goes on to tell of the Redbrands, a gang of thugs who run Phandalin, "Murdered Thel Dendrar for standing up to them when they was harassing his wife. Good man, Thel, skilled woodcarver...". Trilena trails off a bit, sadness in her voice as she continues, "...anyway, his wife and kids haven't been seen in a tenday. Just know them bastards had something to do with it."

Just as she finishes Toblen reappears from the back with a full wineskin which he hands to his wife. Wiping a few tears from her eye Trilena hands the wineskin back to Colten. "Probably not up your standard, but this is the best we have to offer, Sir Duveau."

---

In Lionshield Coster

"SIR???" the woman bellows as she turns around allowing you to get your first real look at her. A middle aged women, with slightly graying hair, she looks at the pair of you for a moment to gauge your reaction before adding "I do guess my voice is a little rough these days, yes?"

Moving around the counter her face suddenly takes on a serious expression as she looks the both of you up and down. "Stolen goods of mine, ya say? In a goblin cave, ya say?" Her hand resting on the hilt of her blade she takes a single step back and asks, "And how do I know you and some of your Redbrand friends didn't ambush my shipment? Trying to sell me back my own goods?"

In the Stonehill Inn

"Nobles?! We don't get a lot of noblemen visiting our little town, Sir Duveau" Trilena answers and before she can continue her husband breaks in. "And that Wester sure doesn't want to do his job and stand up to those thugs. Worst townmaster I've ever seen!" he says before running off to a few of the customers who have been impatiently waving him down.

Trilena explains "What Tolben says is true, Harbin Wester hasn't done a single thing to try and stop the Redbrands from terrorizing the town. It's almost as if he scared to even try." She shakes her head and sighs, "Enough of me boring you with our troubles, Good Sir. We do hope you enjoy your stay and if there's anything we can do for you, please let us know."

---

In Lionshield Coster

The women, apparently convinced that the two of you aren't part of the Redbrand gang takes a more relaxed stance as her hand moves away from her weapon's hilt. "So you say you've recovered some goods belonging to me, eh?" she asks as she starts towards the door, "I do hope you gave them goblins hell!"

Walking towards the wagon the woman introduces herself as Linene Graywind, owner and proprietor of Phandalin's Lionshield Coster's local branch. A human woman, appearing to be in her mid thirties, comes across as tough and sharp witted, and not someone to be taken lightly. After a careful inspection of the goods she says, "Looks to be just about the entire shipment that was supposed to arrive about a tenday ago. Make you both a deal, help me lug this stuff into the store and I'll give you full price for it. Hell, might even cut you a deal on some equipment if you're looking."

While Colten has obviously spent nights in far finer lodgings the accommodations that have been made for him at this remote inn are more than acceptable. Freshly cleaned sheets and a comfortable pillow await the nobleman for when he decides to turn in and a bottle of wine and some assorted fruit have been brought in for his enjoyment as well.

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With Linene's help, Delg and Luka finish hauling in the goods belonging to Lionshield Coster. "Many thanks to the both of you" she offers, wiping the sweat from her brow with her sleeve. She reaches into her front pocket and slowly starts counting out coins, "48, 49… and, here we go 50" and hands the payment over to Luka. She thanks you both once again and reminds you that if either of you are in need of weapons or armor to come by the next day, a "Getting late now, but if you two stop by in the morning I'll offer you a five percent discount on whatever I have in stock. Oh, and if I were you two, I'd avoid the Sleeping Giant tap house, nothing but trouble, that!"