He pauses only a moment to see the old man in his cabin. The sun is setting and he wants to do a wide circle ( roughly 1/2 mile ) around the entire town before it gets completely dark. Letting his nose guide him for any scent of the dwarven brothers rumored to be camping nearby, he heads out at a good pace.
Mindful of what happened last time with the goblins, and remembering to ask about that hidden tunnel some youngster spoke of, she is concerned about the size of the orc problem.
"As you are good at numbers, can you estimate the number of orcs?"
Last edited by Neptune; Wed 14/01/1517:52 UTC. Reason: Added location to post header
"I do not think it is a large contingent, maybe a dozen or less, but I am not sure. When you find one cockroach there are usually many more hidden. Hopefully, if you address the situation now, it will keep it from becoming a big problem."
Can Davroar please provide both a perception and insight roll
There are few trinkets in the sparcely decorated Townmaster Hall. There is a door, which is ajar. As Chandan glances beyond he sees a lounge and a stairway down.
A dozen or less.. but could be more. They need to approach this differently than they did the goblins if they are to succeed. Orcs are a bit worse than goblins as far as she can remember so it might well be harder. She frowns, thinking.
"I think that I've heard enough. We're not going to solve this problem now. It's dark. I am going to head back to the inn and get a good night's rest. I suggest you all do too. Tomorrow is shaping up to be a busy day."
DM for Davroar the wolf - Around town
Davroar peers into the cottage and sees the man eating his dinner. OOC: I still need those perception and insight rolls from Davroar and then takes off to scout the outlying area. He moves west first and then south to circle the town.
He sees that the town is situated in a vale. Gentle hills form a border to the west. As he turns south he crosses another trail. He pauses there as there are some men, evidently miners, coming back to town after a long day of work. They stop by this one structure, which Davroar concludes is that Miner's Exchange they heard about at the inn. Nothing dramatic happens so he continues on, turning back east.
The land south of the town must be the most fertile because that is where most of the farms are situated. Small homes dot the outlying area there. South of those farms are more hills.
Finally, Davroar sees a large structure at the east edge of town on a low hillside amid woods and thickets. The building looks unused, abandoned.
Skirting that building but taking note, Davroar crosses another road and finds nothing more to note before reaching the road that they had traveled on to enter Phandalin.
The dragonborn's question seemed to prick the town master in a manner that the other questions didn't. He bristled at what he considered to be a pointed question, a direct attack on him, before answering, "Well, we don't tolerate it and, as you can see, I am doing what I can to hire people to help us out. Nobody in this town wants to let any wrong-doers flourish!"
Sildar casts a skeptical gaze at the town master and Kriv catches it. The two seem to share a common thought process.
The Dragonborn dipped his head in a conciliatory manner and asked, in a perfectly innocent tone,
"I am glad to hear of your dedication to law and order, both individually and collectively. You are entirely correct, the poster asking for aid with the Orc problem demonstrates a firm will to see the vermin dealt with and the town made safe from their predations. It is exactly the response you'd expect to see from a firm, upstanding leader doing all in his power to protect the people in his care. It indicates a reliable hand on the tiller, able to ensure his citizenry can rest easy at nights."
He paused, a respectful but inquisitive tone creeping into his voice.
"All of which makes me wonder, where is the poster asking for aid with the bandit problem?"
Once again it is easy to see that he is uncomfortable with the line of questioning. Beads of sweat are forming on his forehead. "Bandits? I know of no bandits. Did you run into any? I see that some of you suffered wounds not too long ago. I assumed it was in some battle before you got here."
She smothers a smile, knowing where Kriv is going with his questioning. It would be good if they could get payment for sorting out this gang that is terrorising the town. But they also have the orcs to sort out and Grundren to rescue.
Looks like she won't be heading for home for quite a while. Maybe she should try to send a note to her mentor?
Davroar had peered into the window of the home in the center of the orchard and when he did, he noticed something of interest. Hanging on the wall was a banner hanging on the wall. It is the type that a herald might carry as a flag or a marshal might carry into battle. It is of a hand wearing a gauntlet, holding the blade of a sword. He takes note of this and realizes that the old man must be something more than a simple man tending an orchard. There must be a history to him. He is not a mundane commoner, regardless of what his outward visage might portray. ooc: You might want to try another skill that the post hints at using...
*This man is a fool. Still he could not ignore orc or bandits near any innocents.*
He did enjoy the way the old man was making this fool squirm. There was more to their new acquaintance than he'd originally thought. At least when he was sober.
She has been in the corner, listening while lounging against a table. She chimes in. "We'd certainly be willing to address your problem....., for the right compensation for our risk of course." Kallista Insight Roll Zeim rolled d20+1 and got 7
He pushes the door to the lounge closed, and listens to Kriv and Kallista, interested in their points and the fat man's response.
He wonders how a master of this town is appointed. Chandan has travelled far since coming down from the mountains, but is still perplexed by the complex and varied systems that govern civilisations, even those as small as this.
It would seem that Harbin Wester wasn't appointed by any lord. There was no livery about, and the men at the inn hadn't spoken of any lords when Chandan had asked.
Indeed, when asked they'd told him to talk to Harbin Wester, almost as if the townmaster was self-appointed.
And now these Redbrands, ill-regarded by the locals, disregarded by the townmaster, turned out to be a mercenary guild. Had they turned down the work at Wyvern Tor?
Following on from Kallista, Chandan says.
"Because 100 in gold cannot have been 'right compensation' for the Redbrands to take your job."
He knows nothing of heraldry. His barbarian upbringing and being only sixteen years old leaves little chance of him recognizing the banner. Even his mentor for becoming a druid taught him only a handful of the main kingdoms banners and colours. Yet perhaps his memory might help if he has seen it before somewhere else.
Nevertheless, this man has got him curious enough to venture closer. Being quiet, he will sneak up to the cabin, keeping his ears trained on the cabin to check if the old man is truly alone in there.
Davroar Stealth check to cabin Dugan rolled 1d20 and got 2
Davroar INT (memory) check Dugan rolled 1d20 and got 1
Davroar History skill check Dugan rolled 1d20 and got 15
DM - Orchard At the orchard, Davroar saw the banner. And although he did not have knowledge of the ways of civilized men, he knew there was significance to it. He had seen this symbol in his travels and remembered that the wearers of such symbols stood out as faithful and vigilant seekers of justice who sought to protect others from the depredations of evildoers. He thought that it was the banner of the Order of the Gauntlet.
The townmaster seems shaken by the line of questioning. His responses give his guests the sense that he has been thoroughly intimidated and fears for his life. He is visibly shaken and you will be able to get more information about the Redbrands from him. He does answer Chandan's question by changing the topic.
"You were here first so you get the first crack at those orcs. I am sure any competitors would be upset about losing out on the bounty, but you look like you might be formidable enough to earn it."
He is feigning a smile and wipes his brow with a handkerchief. "I can give you ten percent in advance. That means ten gold, as a sign of good faith, just if you go looking. You would need to bring back some sort of proof, to collect the balance of the bounty."
ooc: Gypsy, Kriv gave the party the 3rd success for insight so won't need Jaliera's roll. If you want to roll it so that you can use it to roll-play, go ahead.
[OOC was absent this weekend but Jaliera is full of her own thoughts anyway, thanks! ]
Jaliera
She refocuses on the conversation, realising that the townmaster had said something that is incorrect. She decides to challenge it.
"You say we were here first but the Redbrands have been around for a while. They are probably getting enough money frightening businesses in the town, easier than tackling orcs I would imagine. Now that you are aware of this, what do you intend to do about it?"
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