2. Phandalin

"Thank you!" says the proprietor. "Any meat will be welcome and well paid, but don't feel obligated to bring me anything."
After Redhawk answers but before Boggart can continue their conversation, Alex and Igrem arrived.

As Alex enters the Stonehill, he excitedly scans for his companions. Catching sight of them, he quickly rushes over and, somewhat breathlessly, describes the encounter at the coster and finishing with the mistresses two choices. Looking at Igrem and his new friends, Redhawk and Boggart, he finishes Well, folks, what should we do? The wagon and mule option sounds as if it would be rather helpful but perhaps we should not risk a fight with Queen Nott and her harem who may have decided those goods are theirs? Let the coster assume that risk and just split the fifty gold between us?", Looking at Sildar he continues, This will also take a day or two which may interfere with good Master Sildar's plans. What say you all?

"You spent the most time there, friends. You should be the ones to tell us if they are likely to answer our request favorably." adds Igrem.

Redhawk will look to Boggart "They seem like they no what they are doing and are good in jam. I think we got lucky to fall in with them"

Boggart was just listening to Redhawk's response when Alexander and Igrem return. "My vote is to go see our goblin friends! They're an agreeable sort, and were nice enough to treat us as guests. There's no way that they won't return the goods if we ask nicely," Boggart grins. He turns to Redhawk: "You're right, we did get lucky to fall in with these two."

The rest of the day passes without incident.

You eat, drink, and allow the tension of the road and the cave to finally ease from your shoulders. The Stonehill Inn is simple, but clean and safe.

As evening comes, arrangements are made. Toblen provides modest but comfortable rooms for the party and Sildar, and for the first time in days, you find yourselves with proper beds, a roof overhead, and no immediate threat. Wounds are tended, gear is checked, mana is restored.

You take a Safe Rest.

---

Morning comes gently. You gather your belongings, share a meal, and make your preparations.

Ahead lies a return to the cave—not as desperate intruders and saviors this time, but as negotiators… or something close to it. Whether Nott, the Queen, proves as agreeable as Boggart believes remains to be seen.

---

Igrem agrees to stay alert, which is in his nature anyway. He follows his friend Alex conscientiously.

As they set out in the Redhawk with his trusty bow in hand will guide the party back to the goblin cave.

As they set out in the Redhawk with his trusty bow in hand will guide the party back to the goblin cave. But for some reason, maybe it was the time spent underground he seems to get turned around.

Alex walks along nonchalantly with his party, basically at rest but pausing every now and then to listen carefully for any changes to the normal background music of a Sword Coast forest.

Redhawk takes the lead, bow in hand. At first, the trail seems familiar enough. The Triboar Trail is not hard to follow. But as you leave the trail towards the cave and the hours stretch on, something feels… off.

The trees grow denser. The underbrush thicker. Landmarks that should be there… aren’t. Redhawk slows. Pauses. Adjusts course.

Then pauses again.

What should have been a straightforward return begins to twist into uncertainty.

You are no longer entirely sure where you are.

---

By midday, you pick up tracks—goblin, by the look of them. Small, clawed footprints pressed into softer earth, running between the trees.

A promising sign.

Redhawk follows them carefully, the group moving more cautiously now. The trail leads into a narrow stretch between tangled brush and low-hanging branches, the ground uneven but passable.

Then—

"Wait!"

Boggart’s voice cuts in, sharp and urgent. Just ahead, partially concealed beneath loose dirt and leaves, a crude snare lies ready—rope looped and tethered to a bent sapling, positioned perfectly to yank its victim upward or worse.

Alexander Simonnet Natalis de Bertier du Puy, once again, was unhappy. What should have been a short trip through the woods had gone awry. and we are led by a "woodsman" no less, he thinks sarcastically. This never would have happened if Nelly were here! Hearing Boggart's cry, he stops in his tracks and then slowly moves to the front. "Keep it down, gentlemen, there ARE goblins about", he whispers. Peering more closely at the snare, he whispers to Boggart, "I know my way around a trap or two, but I am more than happy to defer to our woodsman's expertise, should he desire", he says looking pointedly at Redhawk.

Redhawk will look at Alex with a smile and whisper"Be my guest."

Very well then, Alex whispers in response. Boggart, my good gnome, please step back just in case I have a mishap. Alex spends a bit of time looking over the trap. Edit. That examination check was an 11. Cheat ability.