Chapter 2: Phandalin

[RorytheRomulan]

Arveene glares daggers at the fool.

"This is not your domain, 'Glasstaff', and we are not your guests. This manor is my ancestral home. I am its rightful inheritor. You're just a trumped-up squatter, and I'm booting you out."

(Edited: Arveene won't *try* to break the staff)

[Othniel]

"Albrek?" Sasha asks, her tone suspicious. "What the hell are you doing leading a band of thugs?"

[Shurijo]

The mage attempts to shrug off the half-orc still holding him. Hoping to be set free. He listens to Arveene, but doesn't directly respond to her threats.

"Lady Sasha, it has been a while since we last met. A few unfortunate events may have occurred. And there's even some rumors of some unpleasant little business. If you are here under authority of the constable, then let us proceed to town."

[ManWithDoor]

Grogg looks confused, and this is very much not going the way he thought it would. Is this guy not the leader of the Redbrand thugs? He seems excessively calm about being escorted to the constable. The half-orc generally keeps himself isolated in the wilderness, but even he knows that towns tend to string up bandits, even magic ones. He looks to the others and shrugs, releasing the little man and then patting him down for any other magical aides. Spell components, pouches of mysterious sparkling dust, ritual daggers, that sort of thing. Outside of knocking the guy out Grogg doesn't know how to prevent a wizard from casting magic, but this seems reasonable enough. With the guy surrounded he likely isn't going anywhere anyways. "Uh huh, we'll go in a bit. And we'll take those peasants you took prisoner back to safety. And you'll show us what's in the closet here," pointing to the small door to the west, "and what's across that delightful pit trap I almost fell into."

[Othniel]

"Keep his hands bound, and search him for anything he could use to cause harm or cast spells," Sasha tells the others. "Even despoiled, a mage can be dangerous, so be wary. We will need to speak with Sildar about this. And I have questions myself," she adds, her eyes narrowing.

[Shurijo]

After a through search of the mage, they group finds nothing which could aid him in casting spells. As the others search the room, they find sturdy, unlocked wooden chest at the foot of Iarno’s bed containing valuables. Various papers and notes are stacked neatly on the desk, mostly consisting of Iarno’s written orders to apothecaries and alchemists in nearby settlements for more materials for his workshop. There is also a letter signed with the Black Spider's symbol.

When Grogg asks about the other door, the mage says, "That's my workshop leading to the hallway and the proper entry through doors. Oh yes, the pit. Dreadful thing. I believe that leads to the manor's cellar and cistern."

chest contents

180 sp
130 gp
silk pouch containing 5 carnelians (10 gp each), 2 peridots (15 gp each), and 1 pearl (100 gp).
scroll of charm person
scroll of fireball

staff

made of glass (but it's magical, so it doesn't break like glass), hence "glasstaff"

staff of defense, require attuning

This slender, hollow staff is made of glass yet is as strong as oak. It weighs 3 pounds. You must be attuned to the staff to gain its benefits and cast its spells.

While holding the staff, you have a +1 bonus to your Armor Class.

The staff has 10 charges, which are used to fuel the spells within it. With the staff in hand, you can use your action to cast one of the following spells from the staff if the spell is on your class’s spell list: mage armor (1 charge) or shield (2 charges). No components are required.

The staff regains 1d6 + 4 expended charges each day at dawn. If you expend the staff’s last charge, roll a d20. On a 1, the staff shatters and is destroyed.

[RorytheRomulan]

"Bind his arms nice and tight, Grogg."

Arveene picks up the orders - or invoices? - and the letter from the Black Spider. "Well well. What's this?" She opens up the letter.

[Shurijo]

Lord Albrek,

My spies in Neverwinter tell me that strangers are due to arrive in Phandalin. They could be working for the dwarves. Capture them if you can, kill them if you must, but don’t allow them to upset our plans. See that any dwarven maps in their possession are delivered to me with haste. I’m counting on you, Iarno. Don’t disappoint me.

[RorytheRomulan]

Arveene passes the letter to Sasha. "This letter might preempt some of your questions."

[Grimbold]

"I think this belongs in a wizard's hands." Lorenzo says. "Does anyone mind if I take it?" The half elf points to the staff.