Linene Graywind, grateful for the return of the packages, payed a reward of 50 gold. She gave them a warning of the thugs in town, the Redbrands, advising the party to stay clear of the Sleeping Giant Tap House.
Seeking out the rumors from the patrons at the inn the night before, the group spoke with several people around town:
Sitting against an apple tree in his orchard, Daran Edermath liked to talk. He thought it particularly interesting that zombies were spotted by some miners out East near Conyberry, at the Old Owl Well. He waxed on for a bit about his old adventuring days, until prodded to talk about the Redbrands. He mentioned the Tresendar Manor, the ruined structure at the top of the hill, thinking they likely were holed up in there, with their leader, "Glassstaff."
Sister Garaele was found sitting at the Shrine of Luck reading from a stack of books. She appeared to have some minor injuries, though she wouldn't go into too much detail. When pressed, she spoke of her research into a wizard known as "Bowgentle," and the location of his spellbook that had once been in the possession of someone named "Agatha." Sister Garaele found that Agatha's spirit still resided in the woods to the North of Conyberry, but the ghost refused to answer her, and threw her out (literally).
Hoping that the adventurers might have better luck than herself, she offered them 3 health potions if they promised to try. She gave them a silver comb, thinking that might appeal to Agatha's vanity and aid the group in getting her to answer.
Halia Thornton stood behind the counter of the Miner's Exchange, a dusty building full of crates of ore and gems. She was more than happy to discuss the Redbrands; in fact, she appeared to almost admire them, and when goaded, noted how they could be doing a better job at controlling the town, if they had better leadership.
She had not met Glassstaff, though she did hear that there was a goblin being kept by the Redbrands in their "hideout." She scoffed while saying the word "hideout," since everyone knew it was the basement of the old manor house on the hill.
She was particularly worried that the Redbrands were bad for business, as they had likely been involved with the disappearance of Iarno Albrek several months ago, and were definitely responsible for the death of the woodcarver Thel Dendrar and the disappearance of his family. Halia seemed worried that there was more to the thugs than what they appeared on the surface, and offered the group 100 gold to show her anything they might find, if they go to confront Glassstaff.
The rogue, Durial, attempted to use Thieves' Cant to communicate with her during the conversation, but she appeared to either not understand or ignored his efforts.
Qelline Alderleaf sat in a rocking chair on her porch, her son Carp running around a hay bale and slashing at it with a wooden sword. Qelline sighed as Carp ran in circles out of earshot, noting that his father had gone off to find "fame and fortune" some months back, and hadn't returned.
The halfling boy jumped excitedly when talking about the Redbrands, and how he found the secret entrance on the south side of the hill near the manor. He mentioned the "big hairy things" that entered the tunnel while he hid in the bushes. The party, not keen on risking the safety of the child, thanked the Alderleafs and decided they could likely find this tunnel based on his description and a (very) hastily drawn crayon map he gave them.
Harbin Wester and Sildar Hallwinter could be heard arguing though the door of the Townmaster's hall. Harbin, a sniveling, sweaty man, was trying to talk Sildar down, while Sildar insisted that the Redbrands needed to be dealt with, and that a search party needed to be sent to find Gundren.
As the party entered, Sildar berated the whimpering Harbin, asking what had been done to find Iarno, his long time friend that was sent to Phandalin almost 3 months ago, and then disappeared a mere 2 weeks later. Backed into a corner, Harbin stuttered and could barely respond. Sildar turned to the party, and in a commanding voice, insisted that Harbin would pay a 200 gold reward for the removal of the Redbrand threat. Harbin, aghast, began to protest. Sildar loomed over the little man, then added in a hoarse whisper, "and 500 for the Cragmaw tribe leader that captured Gundren." Harbin, thoroughly beaten and afraid, just stared and nodded meekly.
Impressed by the show of intimidation, the group decided they could use the old warrior's assistance. They made the case that Sildar would be especially helpful, considering his personal investment in both the tasks.
[DM note: the rogue rolled a natural 20+5 persuasion...]
He agreed, and followed them out the door, scowling back at the pitiful Harbin Wester.
On the way out of the building, the party took note of a paper pinned to the wall, offering a 100 gold reward to anyone that could investigate the presence of orcs near a place called Wyvern Tor, just south of the Old Owl Well.
With a borrowed sword, Sildar followed the adventurers to the Sleeping Giant Tap House.
---------------------------
Sauntering up to the rundown bar, the formidable party was met by 4 men in red cloaks sitting on the porch.
"Well, aren't you cute, coming here to dance?"
"Are you hitting on me?" asked the drow rogue.
"Err, um..."
"Dude, that sounded like you're flirting with him."
"Shut up. What do you want? You better have a good reason for coming up here."
"We're just passing through, looking to get a drink," the rogue replied, smirking.
[DM note: the rogue rolled an 18+5 deception...]
The Redbrands, distracted and mocking each other, allowed the group to pass. The bar was dimly lit, and the only person inside was the grisly and aptly named dwarf bartender, Grista. (Sorry, no picture.)
The drow walked right up to her, and told her what he knew of the Redbrands, the murder and kidnappings, and he emphasized the missing children as he spoke.
[DM note: the rogue rolled another 19+5 persuasion. Yep, this is a thing now...]
Grista, shocked and honestly tired of the rude, poor tipping ruffian customers, reached behind the bar and pulled out a warpick, rusted and bent. She mentioned it was about time to retire, anyway, and would be just as happy to sell the old shack and move back to the mountains with her sister. "Besides, nobody should be messing with kids. I'll wait for your cue," she said in a gravely voice.
The drow rogue, very happily taking the lead, called out, "hey, boys! How about I buy you a round, and we talk about the dancing!"
[DM note... nevermind, you get the rolls at this point. It's ridiculous.]
Surrounded and outnumbered, the thugs realized the trap too late. Longsword, greatsword, crossbow, maul, thornwhip, ray of frost, and a final warpick to the skull; they didn't last long. A magical Command from the cleric to sit, a net from the rogue, and the final one was captured. (Yes, it was the accidental flirt, as planned.)
He didn't know much, and Harbin certainly was less happy and more sweaty than ever having the thug tied up in the Townmaster's Hall basement, but the Redbrand could tell them one thing:
Glassstaff had something in the hideout, a guard, a monster...
...with one big eye.
Bowgentle? Who's that? Never heard of him. ;)
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