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[D&D] The Lost Mines of Phandelver
- Thread starter ravenvii
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Look there, a rat standing yonder on top of that fence post? I hope it's not one of those magic gown sewing rats, but I'm going to try to knock it off with this horse biscuit. <throws, misses> I swear it shook it's fist at me before hopping off!
The innkeeper looks at you with fearful anticipation. His face visibly relaxed when you inquired about the farm. He is just glad that you would be heading elsewhere instead of remaining in the vicinity of the inn.
"Ah, sir, the Alderleaf farm is at the woutheastern end of town. You can get there by following the road south, and turning to the east at the Townmaster's Hall. That road leads directly to the farm."
Let's head over to the farm outside the village now that we have directions. We can spend the night there and get information on the secret passage. Even if it's nothing, we will have a safe place to camp for the night.
We want to get there before it gets too dark so we should head there immediately. Syllin (@scepticlescribe) probably wants to spend the night with the elf at the shrine and we can tell Syllin our plans as we pass there (she's next door at the shrine).
@ravenvii, if the others are in agreement, head to the halfling farm for information and to camp out. Let Syllin know where we will be. Also, ask her to be ready early the next morning if she still wants to join us in the assault on the Redbrand mansion.
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As the shrine is directly across the street from the inn, you step inside. Your ears are hit by a sudden silence as the two elves look at you. With as much confidence as you could muster, you announce your intention to head to the farm, and conveyed the innkeeper's directions. You back out before the elves could respond.
More relieved than you'd like to admit, you head with the rest of the party down the street, past the Townmaster's Hall, and turn into a side street that resembles a cleaner version of the road you headed down to reach the Sleeping Giant.
You note a home to your left which stands out from the rest -- it looks to be the home of the Townmaster. You continue down the road as the buildings begin to thin out. Just before the town ends, you come upon a house with a huge field beyond stretching into the distance before turning into forest.
You have reached the Alderleaf farm.
@Plutonius @Huntn @twietee @Moyank24 what do you do?
It is clear when I enter the shrine that Sister Graele is deep in meditation.
My companions do not appear to be cognisant of the fact that in the world of elves, we can meditate for hours. Days, actually. There are elves who have pondered the world for months or years, but that is not - in my estimation, what we are facing here.
Nevertheless, Sister Garaele is deep in meditation, and there were a number of issues of etiquette to consider.
The first is that of basic meditation etiquette; unless there is a most pressing emergency - and, candidly, not always, even then, is it deemed appropriate for one elf to disturb the mental equilibrium acquired during deep meditation of another.
More important still, is the deference elven society insists that relatively junior ranked members - such as myself - those who have just recently graduated in their field of study - are expected to accord those of a more senior status.
Accordingly, I stand, stance relaxed, head bowed, hands loosely clasped, and wait until Sister Garaele returns from whatever mental landscape she currently inhabits.
Still, I am skilled in interpreting patterns of meditation; and it is clear that Sister Garaele will not be with me for another few hours, so I might as well mediate lightly - elven recovery takes such forms, and it is good to have some privacy and time to gather my thoughts.
As my dreams have suggested that a conversation with Sister Garaele might be of some assistance - and we elves are adept at interpreting our dreams - it seems to me to be prudent to linger until she returns from her meditative journey.
This may take the night.
Abruptly, a noise startles me, and I hear the hurried and slightly garbled message that is conveyed at an unsettling speed.
Turning, I study our hasty messenger, and Sister Garaele's sombre expression does not alter, and nor do her eyes so much as flicker or register the slightest interest in what is being said.
It appears that the party has decided not to shelter at the inn - this is curious - it appears that they may have worn out their welcome - but, for now, I shall remain and wait to offer a formal and respectful greeting to the venerable Sister.
Then, perhaps, it is possible that we shall converse.
I seat myself on the earthen floor, cross legged, hands loosely on my lap, eyes hooded, and meditate, one part of my conscious mind watching the dark door, the other focussed on the venerable Sister.
It seems that I shall be staying the night here. Sister Garaele should return from her mental peregrinations not long before dawn, or I miss my guess.
My companions do not appear to be cognisant of the fact that in the world of elves, we can meditate for hours. Days, actually. There are elves who have pondered the world for months or years, but that is not - in my estimation, what we are facing here.
Nevertheless, Sister Garaele is deep in meditation, and there were a number of issues of etiquette to consider.
The first is that of basic meditation etiquette; unless there is a most pressing emergency - and, candidly, not always, even then, is it deemed appropriate for one elf to disturb the mental equilibrium acquired during deep meditation of another.
More important still, is the deference elven society insists that relatively junior ranked members - such as myself - those who have just recently graduated in their field of study - are expected to accord those of a more senior status.
Accordingly, I stand, stance relaxed, head bowed, hands loosely clasped, and wait until Sister Garaele returns from whatever mental landscape she currently inhabits.
Still, I am skilled in interpreting patterns of meditation; and it is clear that Sister Garaele will not be with me for another few hours, so I might as well mediate lightly - elven recovery takes such forms, and it is good to have some privacy and time to gather my thoughts.
As my dreams have suggested that a conversation with Sister Garaele might be of some assistance - and we elves are adept at interpreting our dreams - it seems to me to be prudent to linger until she returns from her meditative journey.
This may take the night.
Abruptly, a noise startles me, and I hear the hurried and slightly garbled message that is conveyed at an unsettling speed.
Turning, I study our hasty messenger, and Sister Garaele's sombre expression does not alter, and nor do her eyes so much as flicker or register the slightest interest in what is being said.
It appears that the party has decided not to shelter at the inn - this is curious - it appears that they may have worn out their welcome - but, for now, I shall remain and wait to offer a formal and respectful greeting to the venerable Sister.
Then, perhaps, it is possible that we shall converse.
I seat myself on the earthen floor, cross legged, hands loosely on my lap, eyes hooded, and meditate, one part of my conscious mind watching the dark door, the other focussed on the venerable Sister.
It seems that I shall be staying the night here. Sister Garaele should return from her mental peregrinations not long before dawn, or I miss my guess.
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Do we need to talk to someone here? Knock on the door and make our precense known, or setup camp nearby?
"The disdain of meditation has perplexed me to no end upon my entrance in the world at large. This town is no different, and I had, both regrettably and necessarily, became accustomed to it. This is why I now thank you for reminding me of the importance of meditation, in both the restoration of the physical body and the mind...
"But let us converse of your purpose here, child. And of the purpose of visiting me this evening.
"The... superiors that I answer to has asked me of undertaking a delicate mission. There dwells among the forests to the north a banshee named Agatha. The superiors requires the knowledge of a spellbook belonging to a legendary mage named Bowgentle. It is said that only the banshee knows the location of the spellbook, and will only appear to those she deemed worthy of asking of it a question.
"I have journeyed to the abandoned village of Conyberry to visit the banshee Agatha. She did not make her presence known to me."
The elder elf looks down. You note the fleeting shame in her tone but do not speak. You remember Conyberry -- it was an abandoned village sacked by who-knows-what along the Triboar Trail. The caravan has travelled past the village when traveling from Neverwinter. A shiver runs down your spine as you remember the haunted place, shrouded by fog and the ambiance of death.
Finally Sister Graele continues, "It it my hope that a younger, more... fresh-minded individual such as yourself would attract the attention of the banshee. I will convey to you a suitable gift to give Agatha in exchange for the privilege to ask of her a question."
"Find the location of Bowgentle's spellbook, and I will be indebted to you and your party."
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Esteemed Sister Garaele, my presence here is neither an accident nor a coincidence.
As an elf, I would have paid my respects to thee, - especially to an elder as our culture asks of us.
However, my own dreams, to which I sometimes pay but fleeting heed, I will concede, did suggest that you might be able to aid us in our quest, and there is much we do not know.
Besides, in the inn - that inn that my companions appear not to have chosen to spend tonight - last night, your name was also invoked with much respect.
I would know what you can tell us, of what it is necessary for us to know, before I can commit myself or my companions to any further quests. Or tests.
As an elf, I would have paid my respects to thee, - especially to an elder as our culture asks of us.
However, my own dreams, to which I sometimes pay but fleeting heed, I will concede, did suggest that you might be able to aid us in our quest, and there is much we do not know.
Besides, in the inn - that inn that my companions appear not to have chosen to spend tonight - last night, your name was also invoked with much respect.
I would know what you can tell us, of what it is necessary for us to know, before I can commit myself or my companions to any further quests. Or tests.
The touch of darkness flew across the Sister's face in an instant -- if you were not an elf, you would not have possibly detected it. "It is clear that you have encountered much in your journey. Such a guarded heart has placed a heavy dismay upon mine."
Sister Graele looks up and directly into your eyes. "Tell me, what purpose has brought you here? And how have you found yourself among your party? I may have information of import that I can give you in exchange, perhaps?"
You can barely detect a touch of uncomfort in the Sister's voice -- she is clearly unaccustomed to a negotiation such as this. You knew that such manner of negotiation was not the ways of the High Elves, but as the Sister said, your time in the world has irreversibly changed you, for better or for worse.
Let's tie up the prisoner and leave him hidden outside before we make ourselves known. I'm hoping that Portia (@Moyank24) can handle most of the conversation with the halfling farmer.
Portia, are you up to conversing with the halfling farmer ? Her son knows the location of a secret passage which may or may not have something to do with the Redbrand mansion. It would also be great if we could spend the night in the farmer's barn.
Does the farmer have a daughter?
But, yes, I can definitely talk to her and see what intel she's able to give us.
When the farmer answered the door, she smiled. "It's not often that I see a fellow halfling pass through."Does the farmer have a daughter?
But, yes, I can definitely talk to her and see what intel she's able to give us.
She looks past you and sees Dalo and Claus and nods with recognition. Veit has taken the Redbrand out of sight, and -- to his credit -- out of earshot, as the ruffian is shouting obscenities in an attempt to attract attention.
"How may I --"
"Mother! They're here to see the secret tunnel! They're going to fight the Redbrands! I'm going to show --"
"Quiet, Carp! Go back into the kitchen," Qelline Alderleaf said sternly. Carp looks at you earnestly, "I saw --"
"Carp Alderleaf!"
The boy sullenly disappears out of sight.
"My apologies, Carp is a spirited boy, and dreams of being an adventurer. Like you, I suppose," she finishes with a wry smile.
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"We're on a bit of an adventure now, which brings us here. Is there anything you can tell us about this tunnel your son is talking about? It would be a great help to us all. "
The boy suddenly sprints back into view.
"Told you, mother! They're here about that tunnel! That I told them about at the inn yesterday!" the boy shouted excitedly.
Quelline Alderleaf sighed and let her son continue.
"I saw them! When I was playing in the woods near that manor! They came in and out of this tunnel in the thicket! I saw two big ugly bandits come out of the tunnel and met with two Redbrands! They almost saw me but I was clever and hide from them! They didn't see me!"
The boy panted with excitement. A look of worry comes upon Quelline's face. "Carp --!"
But the boy's excitement overrode her, at least for a moment. "I can lead you there! To the tunnel! I think the Redbrands have a secret lair down there! Under that manor!"
"You will do no such thing! It is getting dark, and I did told you not to play in the woods!"
"But --"
"No. Leave us. Now." Quelline looks at her son with a look that says "you're in deep trouble, boy."
Carp gives you one last look before looking down with disappointment that he won't be going on any adventures tonight. He sullenly leaves from view again.
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"Thank you. He's a good boy. And you don't have to worry. We're not going anywhere tonight, and when we do go, we won't involve him."
"Speaking of tonight, we have just 1 more favor to ask and then we'll be out of your hair." I look towards the barn.
"Oh, of course. Of course you can stay in the hayloft for the night. If you are indeed going to... see to the Redbrand problem, it is the least I can do."
A sweet smelling barn full of lovely hay to settle into. Who needs a stinky old tavern? Maybe I can manage to brew up some barley tea with a wee fire if there is a convenient spring or well close by.
Speaking of daughters..
..don't wait for me to solve the redbrand issue.
..don't wait for me to solve the redbrand issue.
Does that mean an extended vacation at the Alderleaf farm?
Nope, it just means that @twietee's is out of the game.
I'm hoping some Redbrands have gone on vacation since our ranks have gotten very thin
.@ravenvii, spend the night in the barn and ask the farmer's son to show us the entrance to the secret passage in the morning.