# 1. sticky fingers

## 🌙 NIGHT 0 **• 📅** ELEINT 21

## New Beginnings

Our story begins, as all good stories do, in a tavern.

Having seen a bulletin board job posting requesting escorts for a cart, three adventurers make their way to the Bad Piano as the sun begins to set on Eleint 21. They find their prospective employers — a dwarf named Gundren Rockseeker and a human named Sildar Hallwinter — at a table, and sit down to converse. As they do, the bard playing at the tavern starts a loud, rhythmic song that our adventurers begin clapping and dancing to, much the chagrin of their employers.

Gundren attempts to explain the details of the job over the loud music, but as the song draws to a close, the bard approaches the table and introduces himself as Sorennar’vayre Tansiine’thiir, expressing an interest in the job as well. The heroes flesh out the details of the job, despite countless distractions including: Colt’s failed attempts at lying about the agreed-upon price, Sorennar’s “tall tales” about the dangers of the High Road, Lera’s curious interjections about the other adventurers and Hugh’s *vehement* questions about the definition of a cart.

Eventually, the group finally comes to an agreement: **the safe escort of a cart of supplies to Barthen’s Provisions in the town of Phandalin, in exchange for 22 gold per adventurer upon delivery.**&#x20;

## Sildar's "Interview"

Sildar brings the adventurers down into the cellar to test their combative abilities, riling up Colt with his taunts. Sorennar hides in the back, sitting on a chair and offering taunts of his own, though subtly offering magical support to Lera in the combat. Lera and Colt fight valiantly, and Hugh eventually lands a heavy blow on Sildar that has him calling an end to the fight.

Sildar expresses vested approval of the characters, which Colt *promptly* ruins by very, very badly (nat1) attempting to steal a tomato out of a sack in the cellar. Hugh also begins rifling through the sacks for something to eat. Sildar stops them and ushers them upstairs, warning the barkeep of their actions... though he does manage to get them lodging for one night.

Gundren and Sildar set off to settle things in Phandalin, leaving the adventurers to their own devices in the bar. Tina, the barkeep, shows the group to their rooms — after accepting Sorennar’s bribery of putting Lera’s room with his. Lera speaks to Sorennar privately, exchanging compliments and questioning him gently about his face tattoo, which he diverts the subject from.

## Icebreakers

After setting down their things, the group reconvenes downstairs for drinks and to get to know each other better. Sorennar buys drinks for the party, but has the cost waived due to Tina's affability with Sorennar.

Through this conversation, we learn (according to the characters, added on Lily's notes, thank you!)

* Sorennar
  * Is from Menzoberranzan, a large Drow city in the Underdark
  * Has two siblings: an older and younger one
  * Detests the mention of rats and vermin, especially at the dinner table
  * Once stole for a living, and was taught how to play by a group named the Silver Hydras
  * Is cognizant of the tensions between high elves and drow, and is not optimistic about a friendship with Colt for this reason.
  * Worships Lolth, the Drow God / Queen of Spiders
  * Found his lute in the Underdark and played it in the city square; did not go well
* Hugh
  * Is from the mines near the mountain ranges of Mithral Hall, a Dwarven stronghold / civilization
  * Was an explorer / miner whose job was to scout for rare minerals and gems
  * Has a massive family, full of siblings, which owned goats(?). He loves goat milk
  * Fell down a hole into the Underdark a few months ago, where he fought alongside Sorennar and displayed impressive magical prowess
  * Does not remember the above, at all.
  * Is plagued by horrible headaches and is trying to earn the money to see a doctor
* Lera
  * Is from a small port town named Velprintalar
  * Is a cleric who does not believe in her own god(?)
  * Was very dejected that she could not help Hugh with his pain, and became withdrawn for a moment after it
  * Seeks to do good in the world in her travels, and learn more about how to better help people.
  * Has now made it her goal to help Hugh with his headaches.
* Colt
  * Is from around Neverwinter
  * Has, at one point, subsisted on rats
  * Takes free food where he can get it, implying past starvation(?)
  * Is not above stealing or taking advantage of others, as long as they aren’t his friends
  * Does not know where his family is, or whether they are alive. This seems to be a touchy subject.
  * Seems unwilling to speak too much to his past.
  * Past involves Drow to some extent, though he does not share the common elven hatred of them

Eventually, after a thrilling dice game hosted by Hugh, the group retires to their rooms for the night. Colt asks for a broken chair from Tina, who is extremely wary of him, and carves the wood into crossbow bolts for Lera, and a small spoon for Tina as apology for his tomato-stealing endeavors.

## 🌞 DAY 1  **• 📅** ELEINT 22

In the morning, Sorennar is first to rise due to his elven anatomy. He goes downstairs to enjoy a drink, then practice and tune his lute, at which point he gratefully accepts Tina’s offer of some extra food for the road as thanks for his performances at the tavern. He asks for a blanket for the road.

As the rest of the group filters downstairs, they chat briefly and notice that Sorennar’s lute is badly damaged and barely put together. Colt gives Tina his spoon gift, then offers to fix Sorennar’s lute. Sorennar is mildly impressed at his woodworking capabilities.

After a hearty and wonderful breakfast courtesy of Andrei, the cook, the group begins to ready themselves for the long journey ahead of them.
