2. Phandalin

"We have no qualms with you but we have other things to attend to." Redhawk keeps hand on bow ready to nock in a blink.

Alex looks the men over. He does not have a good feeling about them at all. However, he and his team aren’t acolytes of Torm nor are they in the habit of attacking sapient beings without cause.

"Thank you for the offer, but we have business to the North. Let us not delay you; by all means, pass us by and be on your way." Alex says this with a smile, but his hands remain near his waist from where his various blades can be easily reached.

Igrem narrows his eyes when hearing their story. He does somehow betray his suspicion of them being bandits of some sort by his demeanor. He cannot help but ask: "So the Temple of Truth is around this region? Are you saying that you have never been there before?"

He looks intently at them, waiting for the answer.

Beneath his typical smile, Boggart can feel the tension of the situation. Though he does not openly reach for his mace, his hand falls to where it lays hanging off of a stud on his belt by a bit of cord wrapped around the handle. His free hand he places on Puck's head, and he can feel that the luminous marten is similarly wound up for action.

He quirks his eyebrow up at Igrem's questioning: perhaps the mage has history with the Temple of Truth? A question to ask later.

Feder relaxes a little when Alex politely declines and finally lowers his sword, though he keeps it in hand.

"Oh, we've been there," he says to Igrem with a short laugh. "Found the place a few days ago, in fact."

Rilke nods. "Treasure's real enough, too. Old stuff, coins, maybe magic items. Problem is…" He glances at Feder.

"The problem is the giant."

Feder spits.

"Big brute's taken over the place. At first he offered to help us dig up the treasure—said he knew where some of it was buried beneath the ruins. But every day it's something new. 'Too tired.' 'Need more ale.' 'Dig there instead.' He's stalling. We figure he wants to keep the treasure for himself."

Rilke grins and says:

"Our leader, Ursic One-Ear, has been talking about hiring some extra blades to deal with the problem."

He gestures toward your weapons.

"You lot look capable enough. Come with us to the Temple of Truth, meet Ursic, and if you help slay the giant, I'm sure he'd offer you a fair share of the treasure."

The two men wait expectantly.

Alex, whatever else they may be, they certainly seem eager to recruit you for this venture. Whether out of genuine need, greed, or something else entirely… that is another matter.

"A moment if you will," Boggart says to the newcomers and motions to his companions to circle up.

"What do we think? Personally, I'm not against a bit of curiosity, but promised treasure doesn't outweigh the safety of the farmers by my reckoning."

Puck yips in agreement. "Thank you, Puck," Boggart says with a grin.

Redhawk nods"I agree with Boggart, we have a job to do."

"Agreed, Boggart. We have given our word to Masters Sildar and Harbin. 'twould be ill-mannered and ill-met for us to gallivant after yonder ruffians simply for personal aggrandizement."

After a brief huddle, the party reaches a unanimous decision.

The Temple of Truth, giants, and buried treasure may be interesting, but they are not why you left Phandalin this morning.

You gave your word.

The farmers near Wyvern Tor and the inhabitants of Phandalin still fear the orcs, and until that matter is settled, chasing rumors of treasure would sit poorly with all of you.

One of you turns back to the two strangers with an apologetic smile and tell them your decision. Perhaps another time.

Feder's shoulders sag slightly.

"A shame," he says. "Could've used the extra swords."

Rilke seems less disappointed and more relieved. Regardless, the two men retrieve their keg, exchange a few final nods, and continue on their way toward the west, disappearing over a low rise and into the scrub-covered hills.

You watch them go. Perhaps they truly are treasure hunters. Perhaps they're bandits. Perhaps both.

Either way, their road and yours now part and nobody was hurt. Redhawk once again takes the lead, guiding the company onward through the rolling countryside.