In the last three or four years, hardy settlers from the cities of Neverwinter and Waterdeep have begun the hard work of reclaiming the ruins of Phandalin. A bustling frontier settlement has grown up on the site of the old town, and is home now to farmers, woodcutters, fur traders, and prospectors drawn by stories of gold and platinum in the foothills of the Sword Mountains.
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Last night (before downtime activities)
The rutted track 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.
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.
Sildar seems much more at ease. "My friends," he says, "let us secure lodgings. I’m told the local inn is very quaint."
In the center of town stands a large, newly built roadhouse of fieldstone and rough-hewn timbers with a sign showing the symbol for rest. Once inside Stonehill Inn, they group finds the common room is filled with locals nursing mugs of ale or cider, all of them eyeing you with curiosity.
A short, friendly looking young human male quickly approaches the strangers. "Greetings. I'm Toblen Stonehill. Welcome to Stonehill Inn. Are you looking for some rooms?"
Sildar quickly steps up and shakes the man's hand and whispers something into his ear.
"Well, why didn't you say so. We've been waiting for you. I.. uh.. expected more dwarves.." He responds loud enough for everyone to hear.
"Their rooms will go on the Lords' Alliance tab until I say otherwise. I owe them a favor or two." Sildar says.
"Well, there's already one of your alliance here. Should I put her on your tab as well?" Toblen asks.
The puzzled Sildar responds, "Let me talk to her first. I need to see if she's here on business or pleasure. I wasn't informed of any others coming to Phandalin." Meanwhile, a shady looking human drinking chugging a mug of ale moves over to inquire with Panjad and Grogg, the two largest of the group.
Toblen says, "Follow me." The innkeeper leads you upstairs to your rooms.
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After you stow your gear and change into more comfortable and clean clothes, most of the companions gather in the common room to grab a drink, bite of fresh food, or mingle with the locals.
Rumors gained:
Narth, an old farmer: "Sister Garaele, who oversees the Shrine of Luck, recently left town for a few days, then returned wounded and exhausted."
Elsa, a gossipy barmaid: "Daran Edermath, the orchard keeper, is a former adventurer."
Lanar, a miner: "Orc raiders have been seen on the east end of Triboar Trail. The townmaster is looking for someone to run them off."
Trilena, the innkeeper’s wife: "Thel Dendrar, a local woodcarver, stood up to the Redbrands a tenday ago when they came by his shop and leered at his wife. The ruffians murdered him. Several townsfolk saw it happen. The Redbrands grabbed his body, and now his wife, daughter, and son have gone missing too."
Pip, Toblen’s young son: "Qelline Alderleaf’s son Carp said he found a secret tunnel in the woods, but Redbrands almost caught him."
Freda, a weaver: "The Redbrands hassle every business in town, except for the Phandalin Miner’s Exchange. They don’t want trouble with Halia Thornton, who runs it."
Toblen Stonehill, innkeeper: "Krusk is an amazing hunter. In our first winter, we were starving, and he saved the entire town by feeding us. Here, taste this roasted boar that he brought in yesterday. I can’t wait until he opens a hunting lodge. His lodge will bring in a lot of business for the town and the inn."
Lavinia, the farrier: "Stay away from the Sleeping Giant tap house on the east end of town. Those ruffians are trouble."
Ander, a clerk for Barthen's Provisions, "You're from Neverwinter, too? A another young lady checked in earlier today. She's from there, too."
After mingling and eating dinner, the companions split up and go into different directions for the night.
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Downtime activities take place
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When morning comes, the companions wake up after a well rested night. They were able to collect their horses, wagon, and cargo from the trail, which is now tied up outside the inn. Their task was to deliver the goods to Barthen's Provisions so they can get paid.
The common room is less filled then the previous night, only a single, young human male is standing and waiting in the room. Tolben and Trilena has placed a basket of warm bread made with berries on the counter along with a handful of apples from the Edermath orchard.