Chapter 1 - Red Larch

Balak

See above for description of the bakery.

Arriving after Dazzle left, Mangobarl gives Balak the same rumours. He adds, after trading the Zhent signal: "There is another Zhentarim here; he left a few minutes ago. I've been given orders to try and recruit a team to figure out what is going on in Dessarin Valley. If there is a new power rising, we need to be on the right side of that. Go find Dazzle, and team up. You may need to team up with even more people to be safe, given the amount of criminals around. Don't be against using adventurers or other mercenaries to help you gather the info we want."

Dazzle

This wooden building grew haphazardly for many years, shooting out single-story wings and annexes untidily in all directions. The interior looks like a barn or attic, with exposed beams and posts. Pens with live chickens fill most of the odd corners and halls of the building, leaving only a narrow aisle down to the back, where the Mhandyvvers live. Their rooms are separated from the chicken pens by a workroom with cutting benches and a central hearth.

Mhandyvver’s is the less impressive of the two local poulterers, but is a favorite with Red Larchers. Kindly old Minthra "Minny" Mhandyvver (female Tethyrian human) and her three grown children sell chickens live or roasted and preserved in oil, pickled chicken livers, and eggs both fresh and pickled.

After Dazzle's introduction and query, Minny tells him that her adventurous young granddaughter Pell had a frightening encounter with a "ghost" near a long-forgotten tomb a short distance outside of town. Minny has ordered the girl to stay away, but she wonders what Pell saw, and she thinks that someone ought to "make sure it’s safe." The directions Pell provides when asked lead to the "Haunted Tomb" which match Mangobarl's. They cannot tell you anything about the contents of the tomb, as Pell did not enter it.

Balak (and Dazzle)

Feng Ironhead is a friendly half-orc. He is proud of his weapons and armor, some of which is used but repaired gear. He explains each item and for some of the pieces, has clearly put far too much time into making them the best they can be than he can reasonably expect to sell them for.

As such, you can get a quality piece for 10% less than full price (i.e. as per the PHB). Some sort of negotiation would be required to get a better deal.

Xella and Sorgrimm

Imdarr scratched his chin for a moment, thinking. "I think I know who you're talking about. Fire genasi? Maybe a wizard? I heard someone like that was skulking around the Valley, but I don't think he came to Red Larch. If I hear more, Ill be sure to let you know."

Walter

Aside from the bewildering profusion of doors, barrels, rotting old furniture, and tools leaning against its outside walls, this building looks like a private home.

A small, faded sign on the front door reads "Vallivoe’s Sundries." Rooms are crammed to the rafters with new wares and used items of all sorts.

Endrith Vallivoe (male Tethyrian human) is a retired caravan merchant who sells new and used goods: furniture, lamps, carpets, mirrors, weapons, shields, helms, and a little bit of everything else. Almost anything might be available to buy here, buried under heaps of other stuff, and Vallivoe carries a good running inventory in his head. He’s the only vendor in town selling blank books and parchment.

Once Walter has passes the code sign, Endrith acknowledges himself as a Harper.