4. Phandalin's Redbrand Ruffians

Boggart nods his assent. "Owlbear first, then speaking. We could split up to talk to both Sildar and Daran at once, but that runs the risk of being caught out by these 'Redbrands', if they decide to harass us further. We shouldn't count on all of them being greenhorns that run at the sight of blood."

Now that you are safely back in Phandalin, you have several options.

You could (A) craft the items yourselves, using the materials you recovered from the owlbear. This would require the appropriate time and facilities, but the actual additional cost would be minimal—a negligible donation to a temple, smith, or other appropriate local service in exchange for the use of their facilities and assistance.

You could instead (B) find someone to craft the items for you. This would avoid the need for you to spend your own time on the work, but skilled craftsmen will expect payment. In general, you could expect to provide twice the materials required for the item to avoid crafting them. You will still have to wait, though, while they craft it.

You could also simply (C) sell all the harvested owlbear parts and turn the whole thing into coin. That would give you immediate value without delaying your other plans.

Or, of course, you can combine these approaches. You might keep the rare or particularly useful components for your own crafting, commission some items from a specialist, and sell whatever remains.

See this thread for the recipes and necessary time.

---

Igrem will insist in having the potions crafted. He will leave the decision concerning the weapons or armors to the others.

Requiring to provide twice the amount of material to have the items crafted by someone else could prove to be problematic, as there are only 2 eyes, and a limited number of talons. Igrem will lean into producing them himself.

Also, who would be a capable crafter in town, and how much would they be charging?

So let's start with the Greater Healing potions. Please roll 2d6 to see how many you can craft before they spoil.

Each potion takes 2 work shifts to prepare. The day has up to 4 work shifts, so this will certainly take a few days. Let's roleplay the scene: where you want to brew them, who among the other PCs (if any) will help, and how it will all unfold.

At the inn? At someone's house? There are no mechanical differences and all are possible but it certainly affects the story. Also, make an Influence check, please. =)

As for the darts, Qelline Alderleaf—a pragmatic halfling who is a farmer and a part-time smith (especially during the winter months, when she can't work the land)—might be able to help you. Whoever goes to see her, let me know, and we’ll roleplay.

Igrem will elect to work at the inn, not sure to know anyone in town well enough to work at their place. "Boggart, I'm going to work on potions as soon as I can. Will you assist?" he asks his companion, not wanting to sound too formal. He advises his other companions to meet Qelline the halfling, which would save time, then starts immediately to setup his tools in order to get to work.

"I will go speak with Dardan Edermath and stop by and talk with Qelline on the way." looking at Alex"Would like to join me? I don't think we should travel alone with the Rubberbands stalking town."

Stonehill Inn, Phandalin
Dusk, 3rd of Tarsakh
Igrem, you turn to Toblen and ask whether the inn has somewhere secluded where you could set up a temporary workspace and work with the preserved ingredients.

Toblen considers the question, then looks around his inn.

"Secluded? Not really. I've got the common room, the kitchen, the cellar, and the rooms upstairs. None of them were exactly designed for... whatever it is you're planning."

He pauses, looking at the strange assortment of parts you have brought back.

"But I suppose the rooms are better than nothing. If you need somewhere private, use yours. Keep the door shut, and don't spill anything on the furniture."

He gives you a slightly concerned look.

"I'd rather have you brewing whatever it is up there than setting up a laboratory in my common room."

So, with Toblen's "permission", your rooms can serve as a temporary laboratory. It isn't ideal, but it provides privacy, a place to work undisturbed, and enough space to begin crafting the potions without having to pay someone else or wasting twice the materials. You will start tomorrow morning.

Phandalin, Dawn, 4th of Tarsakh
Igrem, you make a short trip to Barthen's Provisions to purchase the tools and supplies you need for your temporary laboratory. After everything that has happened on the road and your encounter with the Redbrands at the town's entrance, you find yourself watching every alley, doorway, and passing stranger with suspicion.

Fortunately, your paranoia is not rewarded. The quick trip through Phandalin is completely uneventful. You reach the shop, make your purchases, and return to the Stonehill Inn without anyone bothering you or showing any particular interest in what you are carrying.

---

Boggart, you look around the cramped, dusty room as Igrem asks whether you will help with the work. It would certainly be useful to have the potions, but you think about working indoors...

Spending the whole day in such a dirty, cramped space does not sound particularly appealing...

---

Meanwhile, Redhawk and Alex, you make your way southeast of Phandalin toward the Alderleaf farm, looking for Qelline Alderleaf.

On your way, Redhawk, you realize that the darts should be simple enough to make yourself. A set of Woodcarver’s Tools would cost only 1 gp, and unlike a forge or other heavy equipment, the tools are small and portable enough to carry with you. You could even work on the darts during your travels, turning some of the owlbear’s talons into useful ammunition without having to remain in Phandalin.

Regardless, when you two arrive, you find Qelline busy with the morning's work. She notices you approaching the farm and pauses, looking you over. After a moment, she sets aside what she is doing and walks closer.

"Good morning," she says. "Can I help you with something?"

"Sure. I must stop at the Shrine of Luck to express my gratitude to my Lady of the Diamond-Glitter Dice for our, honestly, unexpected survival. We can do it on the way there or back, whichever makes more sense."

"Good morning and well met. I have a question you might be able to help with. Where would I find a buyer for an owlbear hide?"

Qelline’s eyebrows rise at the mention of an owlbear hide, and for a moment she simply looks at you, as though reconsidering what sort of stranger has just walked onto her farm. "An owlbear?" she asks, clearly impressed. "If you’ve actually killed one, that’s quite a feat."

She thinks for a moment, then shakes her head. "Phandalin is too small for something like that. There aren’t enough folk here with the coin, or much use for a hide of that quality. Your best bet would be to find someone who can move it somewhere bigger like Neverwinter or Waterdeep, where there are armorers and adventurers who might pay properly for it."

She gestures toward town. "Try Linene Graywind at the Lionshield Coster. She runs the trading post, and she knows the merchants coming through here. I’d say she’s your best chance of getting a fair price without hauling the thing halfway across the Sword Coast yourself."

Redhawk will nod" It was a mighty battle. My friends and I took it down some distance from here.Thank you for the info. If we do manage to sell we might be in line for some new armor if you are interested in the work."

Qelline gives you an approving nod at that, her expression brightening at the prospect. "I might be," she says. "Though I should warn you, I’m not exactly running a full armorer’s shop here. Most of what comes my way is repairs and small jobs: fixing a hinge, replacing a bit of ironwork, hammering out a bent piece, making nails and the like. Enough to keep a farmer’s tools and equipment in working order."

She considers the offer for another moment before adding, "If you’re looking for proper armor, Linene may be able to help with that too. The Lionshield Coster brings armor and other goods in from the larger towns, so you’d probably find more selection there than anywhere else in Phandalin. But if you do end up needing something made, fitted, or repaired, I’d be happy to take a look."

Alex, you and Redhawk make your way through Phandalin toward the Lionshield Coster. Inside, crates, barrels, tools, and assorted goods are stacked wherever there is room, with the more valuable merchandise kept behind the counter. Linene Graywind, the sharp-eyed master of the Coster, looks up as you enter. She recognizes you both, and her gaze lingers briefly on Redhawk before settling on Alex.

"Good morning" she says. "What can I do for you?"

Meanwhile, Igrem, you set about preparing the ingredients for a Greater Healing Potion, with Boggart providing the assistance that the work requires. The room quickly takes on the smell of crushed herbs, heated reagents, and something distinctly more unpleasant as the owlbear meat is prepared.

Boggart is less than enthusiastic about the process, particularly when the work requires spending so many hours indoors. Still, he helps where needed, while you handle the more delicate parts of the brewing. The owlbear’s alchemical properties prove potent, and after careful preparation and a little patience, the mixture settles into a thick, crimson liquid.

You have successfully produced one Greater Healing Potion from the owlbear’s valuable components. 5 more to go.

Igrem will methodically proceed to the creation of the next potion, not wanting to let the owlbear meat spoil. He looks from time to time at the eyes of the creature, both floating in a jar on his table, wondering what he could do with them.