Day 2 - Phandalin
With their enemies vanquished, their employers rescued, everyone healed up as best they could manage, and the castle grounds thoroughly looted, the group set out on their journey back toward Phandalin.
The journey started a bit slow, while Gundren worked the soreness out of his battered body enough to get it moving the way he wanted it to. After about ten minutes, he'd got his blood flowing enough to flush the acid build-up in his muscles and move as normal. Half an hour into the trip, the group finds themselves in a small clearing, where they spot a lone boar. The boar seems...strange, but no one can pinpoint exactly why that would be. Some question whether or not they should try to kill it, but the boar backed up into the trees, then turned and fled before any decision could be made.
18:10, Today: Psynister rolled 19 using 1d20. Random Encounter.
Another couple of hours passed with nothing but a few random birds or rabbits showing themselves here and there. Then at last, the group came out onto the road on the outskirts of the town of Phandalin.
18:10, Today: Psynister rolled 9 using 1d20. Random Encounter.
18:11, Today: Psynister rolled 13 using 1d20. Dragon's Location.
Nestled in the rocky foothills of the snow-capped Sword Mountains is the mining town of Phandalin, which consists of forty or fifty simple log buildings. Crumbling stone ruins surround the newer houses and shops, showing how this much have been a much larger town in centuries past.
Phandalin's residents are quiet, hard-working folk who came from distant cities to eke out a life amid the harsh wilderness. They are farmers, stonecutters, blacksmiths, traders, prospectors, and children. The town has no walls and no garrison, but most of the adults keep weapons within easy reach in case the need for arms should arise.
Visitors are welcome here, particularly if they have coin to spend or news to share. The Stonehill Inn at the center of town offers modest lodging and meals. A couple of doors down from the inn, posted outside the townmaster's hall, is a job board for adventurers.
Among said visitors, you see a number of men and a few women who look as though they fit the part of the miners that Gundren said had been invited to come. You also notice a fairly large number of armed men wearing red cloaks walking through the streets, often in groups of 2-4, and you notice that everyone else in town gives them a wide berth and avoid even looking at them when possible.
Anyone with a Passive Insight of 13+ notices that Gundren's brows furrow when he sees all the red cloaks, as though he's not sure who they are or why they're here. He doesn't seem pleased by their presence.
Anyone with a Passive Religion or History of 14+ recognizes a symbol on the red-cloaked men as the symbol of The Red Wizards.