Phandalin

When last we left our heroes...

Andafir journeyed from her mountain home for the small town of Phandalin, her presence requested by her first cousin once-removed, Angar. His father Salar (Andafir's first cousin) had fallen ill and Andafir was asked to visit. She was accompanied by Rhene, a human cleric of Eldath that often visited Andafir with medicinal salves and very eager to see the outside world. Qiora, a halfling bard and messenger that delivered the request, also joined the party on the promise of payment for her services.

The party arrived in Phandalin and found the Pascolo farmstead to be in lockdown, windows shuttered and door barred. Andafir learned that a gang called the Redbrands had started to shake down the residents, extorting money and confiscating property. Resistance was often met with violence, and without protection of any authority from the townmaster the residents were left scared, particularly since the Redbrands were rumored to be led by a wizard named Glasstaff. Medicine for Salar had run out, and Angar had disappeared after stating he would find money somewhere or somehow.

Asking about Angar in town, Andafir and company were accosted by some Redbrands. She managed to capture and subdue two of them, while one ran away to the Sleeping Giant, a taphouse frequented by the thugs. Andafir learned that while these ruffians didn't know Angar, prisoners were often sent to the Redbrand hideout beneath the ruins of nearby Tresendar Manor.

Andafir had just asked her captives whether they'd like to earn a little extra money.

"We gots some rooms underneath the manor," says Bennett. "The place has a big basement."

Bennett appears hesitant. "Well... I don't know if I should tell you. The boss probably won't like it."

"I guess," says Bennett. He is uncomfortable discussing what, in his simple mind, feels like a betrayal of his gang. "We got a cage downstairs, where we keeps anyone we think can turn a profit. Reckon if he keeps his mouth shut, he might live someplace else under a new master, and we get paid. Not as much as what we already got, though; a lady and a coupla kids usually worth good money."

[Andafir looks at Bennett and the others to see if they will add more.]

You get the sense that Bennett in regards to Angar, he is referring to standard practices rather than a specific individual. The comment about a lady and kids seems more specific to you, however.

"Oh yeah," says Bennett. "We nabbed 'em the other day after their pops mouthed off at us. Shut him up right quick, then took his kin to the cells 'til we hear back from the buyer."

Bennett frowns. "What, you thinkin' of ransomin' us?"

At this point, Calder speaks. "Glasstaff'd just kill us," he says, almost dejectedly. "Feed us to the monster in the pit, or let the bugbears have their fun."

This incites near-panic in Bennett. "I don't wanna get eat!" he wails. "Lady you gotta let us go! I'll just run, I won't bother nobody no more!"

"No way, I ain't going back. If he catches me with you, I'm worse than dead!" wails Bennett.

Both men appear legitimately scared and resigned to their perceived fate.

Rhene appears lost. This is far beyond her experiences of normalcy. Either things are moving too fast for her, or they are too unfamiliar and thus she is taking her cues from you. "Maybe... we should let them go?" she says, but her tone belies uncertainty in whether or not that is the right thing to do.

Qiora seems bored, and not paying any attention.

Both men stand, and willingly cooperate as you take them into custody. The Townmaster's Hall abuts the main square, so it is a very short trip.

The building has sturdy stone walls, a pitched wooden roof, and a bell tower at the back. Posted on a board next to the front door is a notice written in Common. It reads: "REWARD - Orcs near Wyvern Tor! Those of a mind to face the orc menace should inquire within." The notice bears the town's seal and an indecipherable signature.

The interior of the hall comprises a single large room dominated by a long table. A set of stairs to the side leads below. There is a desk at the far end, occupied by an overweight human man dressed in fine clothes: Townmaster Harbin.

You bring the captured criminals before the man and explain the situation. Harbin, however, seems reluctant to do anything. "If the Redbrands retaliate, a lot of people will get hurt!" he says, nervously looking at the main doors as though expecting immediate retribution.

The Townmaster interjects. "The Redbrands are what's keeping the orcs from coming here!" he wails. It's hard to tell whether or not he's truly scared or being extremely loyal. "Look, I don't know who you people are, but you're making a mess of things. Let's just all cooperate and no one else has to get hurt, okay?"

The Townmaster slumps back into his chair and pinches the bridge of his nose. "Yes, there is a reward," he sighs. "If anyone wants to go out there and take care of the orc problem, we are prepared to offer 100 gold pieces.

"However, the Redbrand presence in Phandalin is what's keeping those orcs in the hills! I'm not going to let this town be defenseless!"

"We're too small to afford a town guard," says Townmaster Harbin, "but our bailiff has gone missing about two days' ago. He went to meet up with a shipment of supplies on the Triboar Trail and hasn't returned."

"Uh, hey, I ain't messin' with no orcs, not with you anyways," says Calder. "No offence, but them savages would make mincemeat pie out of you."

"The people much safer living with the Redbrands than getting killed by orcs!" Harbin protests. He does not reply to the comment about the bailiff, though he appears distracted by his own thoughts. "If people would just cooperate, everything would go smoothly! The Redbrands are the only ones strong enough to protect the town."

It would seem that the Townmaster is very anxious about your presence here, with two of the supposed security personnel in custody. However, he seems genuinely afraid of the repercussions in his described danger from the orcs, and less so because he has anything to hide.

I need an emoji that represents "thbbbbt"

Both Bennett and Calder were stripped of their weapons after you captured them in the town square. Qiora was given possession of their shortswords.

The two Redbrands regard you pessimistically. "Look, lady, you might be good with rope and riding a horse, but you ain't got nothing against Glasstaff," says Calder. "If you're looking for your friend, I can tell you where abouts you might start, but I ain't going back in there with you. We promise we won't say a word of this to the others, so you don't have to worry about them looking for revenge, yeah? Just let me and Bennett go and we'll... we'll head off to Neverwinter, see what jobs we can find. Right, Ben?"

Bennett nods enthusiastically. "Yeah, yeah. We'll leave, won't bother you none!"

The Townmaster slumps in his chair, hand massaging his temples. He mumbles something under his breath regarding his impending doom.

Bennett replies, "If they haven't been eat, they's probably at the manor. Not like I keep track of where dinner comes from."

It's difficult to tell if the Redbrands are being deceptive, based on your observations.

Rhene says with conviction, "We should trust them. We place our faith in them, and have faith that they will do the right thing."

Qiora just adds, "We could kill 'em. Let 'em go, watch which way they leave, and then follow and sneak up on them in the middle of the night!"

The halfling pauses amid the shocked faces of Rhene, the townmaster, and the Redbrand prisoners, then says, "Wait, did I say that out loud?"

Are those comments based on checks they rolled, or did they not roll? If they're based on rolls, can I ask what the results were?

Bennett nods. "Thank you, ma'am. I'll be good, I promise."

"Please don't tell Glasstaff!" says the Townmaster, practically wailing in his request.

"Don't tell him about what happened today!" says Harbin. "Weren't you paying attention? The Redbrands protect the town, and Glasstaff runs the Redbrands. If he hears about you and what you did, he's going to come to me for answers!"

Calder nods and gets to his feet. Both men look at you all, look to each other, then head out the door.

The townmaster slumps in his chair, patting his sweaty forehead with a cloth.

You all depart Harbin's office, leaving the townmaster sweating in his seat.

Outside, you spy Bennett and Calder hustling out of town, headed northward for the main road and presumably the lands beyond. You also see your horses where you left them.

Across the way, you see Sister Garaele outside at the small shrine, watching the departure of the Redbrands. The elf turns to your arrival.

The Sister bows. Now that you see her outside of her home, you notice that she leans on a makeshift cane and favors a recently-bandaged leg.

Garaele and Rhene engage in a brief discussion centered around their respective faiths. There is no tension between them, as their deities' domains often coexist. Qiora, however, quickly loses interests in the topic of religion.

"Go with luck, my friends," says Garaele to you all. "May Tymora be ever watchful over your shoulder."

"Not individually, no," says Garaele. "I could tell they were Redbrands, though, based on their garb. It seems like you had a hand in their departure, as they're leaving town rather than going to their manor. Fortune already seems to favor you."

She looks at your gesture and blushes. "Oh, it's nothing. I was just running an errand out of town when I stumbled and twisted my ankle. I will be fine."

Garaele then appears thoughtful. "Perhaps, when you are done with your tasks here, I might beseech your assistance?"

Sister Garaele smiles. "I was on my way to visit someone and seek the answer to a particular question," she says. "I can give you more details if you are willing to undertake this venture, and ready to journey on my behalf. You will be compensated, of course."

As far as you can tell, Garaele appears genuine and forthright. You sense no deception in her manner.

Rhene nods. "I would be happy to help in whatever way possible."

Qiora adds her agreement. "Yes. I'd like to know more about this compensation, though."

Aside from your gathering, there is nobody in the streets. You do notice a few people have come to their shutters or windows to peek outside.

Sister Garaele nods. "When you are ready for this task, I will tell you everything. You may find me here, tending to the shrine."

She pauses. "Unless you mean to do this now? I thought you were looking for someone."

Sister Garaele shrugs. "Not so much a long story, but a long journey. The person I was to seek resides near a place that's two days' travel from here."

"Her name is Agatha," says Sister Garaele. "She lives in a place a few miles outside the ruins of Conyberry. I was to bring a fanciful item to her, in exchange for the answer to a question regarding a lost item."

You are not familiar with the name of the town, but after inquiring about its location and being given a map, you realize that you passed through on your way to Phandalin. You had journeyed through the abandoned area along the Triboar trail, after you had crossed the Starmetal Hills.Qiora nods. "Anyplace is as good as any," she says. "Thinking of kicking more Redbrand ass?"

Rhene seems hesitant to agree with that statement, but she adds, "If your cousin is there, I think we should go. Is he there?"

The walk to the manor is unremarkable save for the emptiness of the streets. You pass by the Sleeping Giant and notice no activity, no movement. The manor itself is alone at the east edge of town, sitting on a low hillside amid some woods and thickets.

You notice that the manor is in ruins. Gaping holes in the collapsed roof leave little to the imagination, and the fallen brick walls litter the hilltop with rubble. The ruins of the manor make it look more like it used to be a castle than a house, but it is obviously uninhabited on the surface.

The grounds of the manor may be deserted, but you easily spot plenty of tracks through the area. The tracks lead to a stone staircase just off the empty ruin of a large kitchen, and at the bottom of the stairs is a door.

The horses are secured out of sight and away from the ruins.

You check through the rubble and do not find anything noteworthy or dangerous. It seems this area is never occupied, perhaps too exposed to the elements.

The door at the bottom of the stairs, leading presumably to a cellar, is unlocked.

The door is made of wood with iron handles, hingles, and built-in locks. It looks well-used and maintained, and is not secured in any way.

There is plenty of cover amidst the rubble. The stairs themselves number about a dozen, descending deep enough to imply a spacious cellar or underground level.

The rock slams against the wooden door and falls with a clatter to the stairs. The door seems indignant at such treatment and does not open.

Some time passes, and there is no response at the door.

Under such an onslaught, the door responds by opening a crack. It might seem as though the impact jarred the door loose.

Nothing else happens, neither at the door nor within the ruins.

You reach the bottom of the stairs without incident, and stand before the threshold. The door is slightly ajar, but not enough to let you see into the room beyond.

You hear nothing on the other side of the door.

The door gives way to a five-foot landing, itself fifteen feet above a large cellar. Stone steps descend to the floor in two short flights. Another door can be seen beneath the stairs to the north.

A large stone cistern can be seen across the way, occupying the western part of the room. The walls there are lined with kegs and barrels.

Torches are set into sconces on the walls, providing light. There does not appear to be anyone in the room.

The door requires a key to lock, but as there is no key there is little chance of it locking on its own.

The landing appears free of traps.