Chapter 2: Morning After in Phandalin

Second chapter is UP! For those wondering, I would probably split a session into three depending on the length and volume of each session. If you enjoy it, please do continue supporting us! 

Cast:

Dungeon Master: Hazeeq
Malusflamma (Malus): Hazmi
Ryse: Asri
Wingston: Theven

Chapter 2: Morning After in Phandalin

Session 1 (27th April 2018) Part 2

“Ugghh… My head hurts.” Wingston was the first to awaken. His vision was still blurry as he sat up on the unfamiliar bed which he had apparently slept on. A quick glance out the similarly unfamiliar window in front of him confirmed that it was morning. “Where the heck am I?”

“Ah, good! You’re awake.” A kind elderly voice was heard from not far next to where Wingston was sitting. An elderly man was tending to the white Dragonborn that had also stirred on a bed next to Wingston’s. It was Ryse, the other adventurer that was on Wingston’s party.

“Morning.” The dragonborn Ryse nodded at the young human cleric, who waved in response. The elderly man had poured a cup of water and handed it to Wingston, who quickly downed the drink in a single gulp. The elderly man, easily about 40 odd years old, had a skinny figure but was seemingly still quite healthy for a man of such age.

“I’m glad to see that the two of you are relatively unharmed. Even if you’re left with nothing but the clothes on your back.” The elderly man smiled caringly. “My name is Toblin, and I am the innkeeper here at the Stonehill Inn. You’re in Phandalin now, if you’re wondering.”

“Phandalin? But that means…. What about our cargo? What happened to our cargo?” Wingston asked the innkeeper.

“I’m sorry, but the guards that brought you here found no cargo anywhere near you.”

“We lost the cargo…”

“And all your stuff. What you have on you right now is all you have.”

“Damn it.”

“Just out of curiosity, may I know to whom the cargo you were carrying is supposed to go to?” Toblin’s face turned serious. “Who was your contractor?”

“It was… What was his name again?” Wingston looked over at Ryse, both trading quizzical look as they tried to recall the name of the person that had sent them on this mission.

“Gundren.” A fourth voice was heard from Wingston’s other side. “We were sent by the dwarf Gundren Rockseeker.” Malus, the tiefling, had also sat up, his forehead in his hand. The three others in the room looked at him quietly as he made his own way to Toblin’s jug of water, pouring himself a cup and downing it.

“If I may ask, good sirs. Is this…. Creature… in cohorts with the two of you?” Toblin lowered his voice as he spoke to Wingston and Ryse, inching away from the crimson-skinned half-demon. “We don’t really appreciate you bringing… his kind… here into this city.”

“My kind?” Malus turned towards the innkeeper. As he said this a curious gust of wind suddenly blew through the room, slamming the windows shut and plunging the room into complete darkness. The only thing that can be seen in the darkness was a pair of fiery purple eyes, its light menacing. “What is it that you have to say about MY KIND, puny HUMAN?”

The innkeeper could feel a cold shudder run down his spine, though he quickly straightened up and said with a shaky voice. “Your tricks don’t scare us here, goat. Neither your kind nor troublemakers are welcome here in Phandalin, so it would be best for you to behave.”

Malus let out an audible click of his tongue. With a snap of his fingers, the windows that was closed earlier flung themselves open again, letting light wash into the room. “This is pointless.”

“And where do you think you’re going?” Toblin asked the tiefling as he started to walk out of the room.

“Getting my stuff, and Gundren’s, back from those beasts. I have a contract to complete.”

“Look here, I know Gundren Rockseeker. And I have a guess to what your cargo entails.” Toblin steps in front of Malus, squaring up to the younger humanoid. “And it would be the best for this whole town if you got your cargo back.”

“So you’ll help us?” Wingston chimed in. “You see, we’ve lost all our gear and money too… So we’re going to need all the help if we’re gonna go after those goblins again.”

Malus clicked his tongue, clearly defeated in the face of such undeniable logic. Wingston and Ryse walked up next to Malus, looking to Toblin apologetically. “Can you help us, Sir Toblin? Do you know a place where we can maybe borrow some weapons or armour?”

“Well, I do know a place that MIGHT be able to help you out.” Toblin sighed, switching his gaze from Malus to Wingston. “I don’t know about him, though.” He gave a snide look at Malus. “Anyway, I’ll take you there. Follow me.”

Malus, Ryse and Wingston stepped out of the inn as they waited for Toblin to inform his employees that he will be stepping out. Almost instantly, Malus could feel the eyes of the other pedestrians glancing over towards him, some openly gawking at him while others pointed and whispered to one another.

Toblin stepped out a moment later, a walking stick in his hand and a cloak over his shoulders. “Let’s go.”

The three followed the older man, making their way through the hustle and bustle of the small mining town. Humans, dwarves and elves go about doing their daily activities, some stopping to stare at Malus as he passed by. Clearly, his kind is unwelcome in the backwater town.

The party walked in silence towards a relatively large building near the centre of the town. A sign was hanging above the front door of the building bearing a crest of a shield with a blue lion painted on the sign. Toblin led the party into the trading post, a small bell hanged next to door frame chiming as the four entered.

The establishment was stocked to the brim with adventuring gear. Racks of various weapons line the walls of the small wooden structure, each impressive in their craftsmanship. 

“Welcome to Lionshield Coster…. Oh, it’s just you, Toblin.” A woman’s voice welcomed the party from the back of the establishment. A tall, middle-aged woman walked out to meet them at main counter, a slight scowl on her face. She was an average looking woman

“Oh hello there, Linene.” Toblin raised a hand in salutation.

Linene Graywind, the purveyor of the Lionshield Coster, had her hands on her hips, eying the party silently. Her gaze stopped at Malus where her brows knitted even further. She scowled as she addressed Toblin once again, keeping a side glance towards the Tiefling. “I told you to not bring trouble to my place.”

“Please, Graywind. These young adventurers just got robbed on the High Road while escorting supplies for Gundren.” Toblin explained, waving a hand over to the three.

“Gundren? That Gundren?” She mused for a moment, sighing. “That dwarf and his poor judgment. The least he could do is NOT offer his job to a filthy goat.”

“What did you say, human?” Malus growled, his fists clenched beside him.

“I’m saying that your kind is not welcomed here.” Linene responded with a glare of her own, her hazel eyes piercing into Malus’ purple. The Tiefling growled, but backed away when Wingston stepped in front of him.

“Forgive us, ma’am.” The human cleric politely interjected. “But may I ask… Are you a believer?”

“A… believer?” The shopkeeper echoed, confusion on her face. Her eyes travelled down to the silver symbol on the Wingston’s chest. “That symbol… I don’t recognize it.”

“Oh, you don’t?” The spiky-haired cleric said, hanging his head slightly in disappointment.

“For real, what is that symbol anyway?” Malus asked, raised an eyebrow while letting out a slight chuckle.

“Anyway.” Linene cleared her throat. She pushed Wingston aside, confronting Malus once more. 

“About business. I’d rather not have one of my wares be handled by one of those half-demons.”

Malus started to get riled up again, but just before he lashed out he took a deep breath and glared directly into the shopowner’s eyes. “Listen here, human. I’ve seen your craft, and I know where you get your supplies.”

Linene’s eyes twitched ever so slightly at the mention of this. “Whatever do you mean… goat?”

“Neverwinter supplies goes through a very specific route before being shipped out. You know, a few gold exchanging hands between the buyer, the seller and also… a certain family.”

Linene gulped audibly, but otherwise remained silent.  

“The Aquarians. I know you’ve made dealings with them.” Malus continued to talk, walking towards a rack of spear leaning against the trade post wall. “Insurance money to make sure that your cargo arrive safely.”

“The fact of the matter is that… Cargo rarely arrives anywhere nowadays. Sure, some may write it off to monster raids, as we have experienced first-hand…” Malus said, grinning despite himself. He picked up one of the spears on “But what if I told you that not all missing cargo gets hoarded by ogres and goblins? What if those you had trusted with those precious materials swiped it up for themselves?”

“That… That can’t be.”

“I have information that could help you get a better deal from those swindling buffoons, and I would trade in order to have me…” Malus eyed over to Wingston and Ryse, sighing. “I mean, us… armed for our expedition.”

Linene bit her lip, deep in thought for a moment before starting to speak slowly. “I have a feeling that I could take my chances with that offer. But if I may add a few extra stipulations to this deal?”

“Speak it, human.”

“Alright.” Linene took in a breath. “I’ll agree to lend you a few of my arms, but in return should you find any missing cargo from this town you shall return them to me.”

“I could live with that.” Malus twirled the spear that he had picked up between his fingers. “I’ll be taking this, then.”

“Take care of it. It’s not a cheap spear.” Linene warned him.

“It’s nothing compared to a Neverwinter forged spear, but it’ll do.”

“Ungrateful little…”

“I’ll be taking these then.” Wingston picked up a large steel mace from a display table and a large round wooden shield from a nearby rack. Ryse, on the other hand, picked up a steel shortsword. The three inspected their weapons before sheathing them.

“Ummm… Excuse me.” Ryse spoke up, catching Linene’s attention. “I was wondering if I may get a bow and some arrows?”

“But you’ve already taken a dagger, haven’t you? It’s quite unfair if I were to give you two weapons.” Linene protested.

“Ummm… Please?” Ryse tried again, his hands clasped together and his eyes wide as he appealed to her once more.

“Ummm…” Linene stuttered, her face flushing a shade of red. “Al-alright. Just a short bow, though, and just one quiver of arrows.”

“Thank you, Linene!” Ryse said happily, taking the weapons and fastening it to the belts on his leather armour.

Linene watched as the three geared up for the journey. Toblin, whom had been watching the exchange between party and the shopkeeper, nodded to them. “You’ll probably going to need to know where to find those goblins, won’t you?”

“Yes. Do you have any information about that?” Wingston asked. He was geared up and ready for the journey, a mace on his belt and a shield on his back.

“The only thing we’ve heard from the town’s guards is that they’ve found you somewhere a little bit further north, north-east from Phandalin.” Toblin said, scratching his grizzly chin. “That’ll probably be your best bet.”

“That’s probably true. Thank you, Toblin.” Wingston put a hand on his chest and gave a slight bow.

Malus made some last checks on his gear, making sure that the spear was properly attached to the leather straps on his back. He turned towards Linene, a smile on his face. “I’ll make sure I return this in as good a condition as I could.”

“I certainly hope so.” Linene let out a slight laughed. “It’s either that or you won’t return at all, wouldn’t it?” Malus returned with a slight laugh of his own. He turned towards Ryse and Wingston, both waiting for him at the door. “Let’s go.”

To be continued…