It’s getting late and the party is tired from all of their activities. They decide to head back to the grove to get some rest. When arriving at the grove they see that the Halfling found at the goblin camp is awake. The Halfling introduces himself as Ander and the rest of the party exchange names.

Ander remembers very little of what happened to him, he tells the group he has no idea why he was kidnapped. The party talks for a while longer as Ander picks from some game fowl that is roasting. Finally exhaustion sets in and everyone decides to get some sleep.

Seven Hammer, 1370 Dales Reckoning

A new day has dawned and this day is even colder than the last. The party agrees to help Dolgrin figure out what happened to him. They decide to head back into Thunderstone and after a quick stop to pick up warmer clothes begin a more thorough investigation. Andraste asks the party to pick her up some seeds to start a fruit garden. They debate whether or not there will be any available this time of year and Andraste remains hopeful that the group will find some. Nysillis heads off into the woods.

Back in Thunderstone the party makes a quick stop at “Hot Buns” a small bakery that has poorer than average muffins and overly sugared tarts. The proprietor is dressed in formal attire that is far too extravagant for a baker. Dolgrin buys the entire batch of baked goods and the party heads off to the Dragons Den.

Another round of info gathering at the Dragons Den and the party is questioned about why their weapons have not been peace bonded. They are told they should head to the Crown Office immediately and register themselves before the Purple Dragons realize that they have no papers. The group heads to the Crown Office to get the necessary documentation and learn about the laws of Cormyr. They also learn that with the Goblin War still not 100% settled the Peace Bond requirement for weapons has been temporarily suspended to ensure citizens and visitors can defend themselves.

The party heads to the Shrine of Tempus. At the Shrine they are just in time to witness the Battle Chaplain giving a sermon to a small group of Purple Dragons who are about to start their duties for the day. Ander decides to wait outside with Fairybell while Volodar and Dolgrin go inside. The Battle Chaplain introduces himself as Isaac Black. He has little information to offer the party but he does inform them that the Dwarf in question would frequent the Dragons Den and the Brothel in town. He also reconfirms that the Dwarf has a brother in town that owns the Bears Den Inn.

Most of the party heads to the Bears Den while Ander says he needs to handle something else in town. The party agrees to meet up at the brothel later. At the Bears Den the party finds that the place is closed. There are no lights and the door is locked. Shortly thereafter they all reconvene at the Brothel.

The Mistress of the establishment, a sultry elven woman with long curly blond hair and trendy glasses greets the group as they enter. Before any discussions can be had she demands that the Dwarf takes a bath. Bathing services here are already high and she states given the amount of grime on the dwarf she will need to charge extra. The party pitches in the five gold she is asking to clean Dolgrin and he is ushered back into a room for cleaning.

A round of questions here reveals that Borris the dwarf they are searching for has not been here for over a month, although he was a regular. It seems there was a disagreement about prices during his last visit with one of his regular girls Alex. Soon Dolgrin comes out all cleaned up and the party learns that the Bears Den never closes.

The group heads off to the Bears Den again to see if there is a way inside. They head around the back where Ander uses some tools to get inside. The place is clean and everything seems to be in order save for the fact that no one is here. The group finds what appears to be the Innkeepers room. The room is full of Dwarven bobbles, clothes, and ledgers. The Armoire is full of clothes and there is no  sign that anything violent happened here. The party cracks open a chest in the room and finds a bit of coin which they debate taking. In the end they decide to leave the money. Fairybell sniffs around and stumbles upon some familiar scents. One is the smell of rodents and the other is the smell of the donkey that they acquired at the goblin camp.

The party debates their next course of action and decide to head back to the Brothel to talk with Alex. By this time customers have started to arrive at the Brothel. Many of them seem to be Sembian Merchants. The Group talks with the Mistress about Alex and she agrees to let one of them talk to her so long as they pay for her time.

Alex comes into the common area. Dolgrin and Fairybell attempt to enter the room with her, but Alex states she isn’t into animal stuff and only Dolgrin is permitted to join her. Alex charges Dolgrin a fair fee for her time. She explains that Borris was haggling prices with her claiming that if she didn’t agree he would just start going to this other brothel that has recently opened in town and is charging half the price. Alex was upset by this as she was already giving him a great discount.

This is the only Brothel that is licensed to operate in Thunderstone. They pay their taxes and if another Brothel is opened in town it has done so illegally. Alex is not aware of where the place could be. When their conversation ends she Dolgrin on the neck leaving some lipstick then sprays him with perfume.

Dolgrin asks Ander if he knows any way to find out about underground activities in town. Ander takes offence to this and the party debates whether it’s even something they should be following up on. Reasoning that this could be a ploy by the brothel to eliminate potential business competition monopolizing the pleasure palace industry.

Ander remains “upset” about the stereotype that a Halfling should know about shady organizations, but suggests that the docks might be a good place to start. The group heads to the docks where many of the Fish Mongers have already set up their stands. They meet a Rock Gnome Fishmonger and witness him exchanging japes with a Sun Elf.

The party also come across a far past his prime Dwarf. He struggles to keep his posture and looks to be far too old to be fishing. Dolgrin speaks with him in Dwarven and learns that the old Dwarf’s daughter usually runs the stand, but she has gone missing. The fish currently available is a few days old and after today he won’t be able to keep them out. He mentions that the last time he saw her she was on her way to the Bears Den to have drinks as she did on most nights after work. He tells Dolgrin that most of the Dwarves in Thunderstone go there for relaxation. She never came home afterwards. He’s worried about her and begs for her safe return.

He agrees to let the group come look through her things if they wish, and gives Dolgrin his address. The group decides to spend the rest of the day asking around town about the missing Dwarves.

~*~End Session~*~
Length: Four Hours
Platform: Fantasy Grounds
Player Characters (4): Dolgrin (Dwarven Battlerager), Fairybell (Totemic Druid), Volodar (Ranger), Ander (Shadowdancer)

The group once again meets outside of the Brothel to discuss what they have discovered about the missing dwarves.

Ander has learned that the new brothel in town has been catering to members of the mining community. His contact does not know the location of it but they are certainly interested on knowing its location.

Fairybell talks with many of the townsfolk around the docks. Most of the citizens aren’t even aware that the Dwarves are missing. With so few in the town to begin with, some people just assumed they left town. Some think that the Dwarves are all working at the mines and are probably just too busy to come into town. One lead states that Fairybell should speak with Wan Mai at the house of Iron, as she relies on the mines for ore that she smelts for the local smiths. Fairybell is also given the name of the Dwarf that runs the Thunderpeaks Mining Company.

As it’s pretty late the group decides to stay in town for the evening, being that they forgot to pick up Andraste’s seeds. They make their way to the Sign of Thunder Inn instead of heading back to the grove. The Inn is packed, partly due to the fact that right now only one Inn is operating in town, but also that this is where all of the Chartered Adventuring companies gather to obtain rumors, drink, higher help, and brag about their exploits in the Vast Swamp and Infested Hills.

Upon entering the establishment, Fairybell produces a divine aura that catches the eye of a Paladin seated near the door. The paladin motions towards the party. Fairybell decides to sleep outside while the group moves towards the Paladins table.

Dolgrin has a brief conversation with the Paladin who seems a slightly interested in the dwarf. He expresses that he is looking for recruits for the Golden Gauntlets. Dolgrin begins enthusiastically explaining his thirst for vengeance and the Paladin decides he’s had enough of the conversation and decides to leave, but not before his traveling companion makes a comment about the lack of class and order in this part of Cormyr.

Dolgrin takes offence to this and attempts to confront the man. Suddenly a feeling of fear burns in Dolgrins stomach. One that brings back memories of his childhood and he collapses to the floor. The Golden Gauntlet members leave the Inn.

Volodar makes his way to the bar to see about a room and some drinks. Finding it difficult to get the bar tenders attention, he is noticed by a snaggle-toothed woman with strawberry blond hair sitting at the bar. She introduces herself as Bulma and hails the bar tender for him. Volodar makes his way back to Dolgrin to keep him company.

Ander makes his way up the Loft that overlooks the bars common area. He witnesses a Gnome arguing with what appears to be a Sembian merchant. He tries to listen in, learning that the leader of this group known as the Emerald Swords apparently owes money to this Merchant for supplies bestowed prior to full payment being obtained. The Gnome explains that their leader has gone missing so any deals that he made with the Merchant are void in their eyes as the charter is not responsible for the transactions of individual members. They argue a bit longer and the Merchant leaves.

Ander attempts to trail the fat merchant but finds it hard to move through the crowed. He causes an altercation between two patrons by having one of them smack the other in the junk. This opens up a bit of room when the two men begin fighting on the stairs. Ander “bumps” into the merchant just outside of the Inn and attempts to lift his purse. He is almost successful but the man steps back at the last second. He then berates Ander thinking he is just a young boy. After a short conversation the Merchant heads down the street.

Ander stalks him from the shadows and as soon as he is sure no one is around dashes by slashing into the back of the man’s calf with his Sax. He cuts much deeper than intended, opening a huge gash in the calf. The merchant passes out from the pain and Ander quickly relieves him of his purse and heads off to the Inn. The Merchant lies unconscious bleeding out in the cold muddy road of Thunderstone.

Ander removes the gold pieces from the purse then stashes the remainder under the table that the Emerald Swords are sitting at. He then goes to the bar in an attempt to find out where the rest of the group went. He runs into Bulma who mistakes him for Volodars son. She escorts him up to the room. Volodar thanks her for returning his son the slams the door in her face.

Eight Hammer, 1370 Dales Reckoning

Ander heads out to get some sticky buns, while the rest of the group makes their way to Wan Mai’s House of Iron. Wan Mai an elderly Shou woman that has burn scars all over one side of her body to include her face. Much of the hair on that side of her hair is gone and one of her eyes is milky white.

Dolgrin explains that he is here to join the Mining Company. Wan Mai confused as to why he would come to her shop for this, she is simply a customer of the Mining Company. They supply her with ore that she smelts down for the local smiths. She has not seen any supplies from the mining company for at least a ten day. She thinks the Sembian merchants in town are buying up all of their supplies before she can get any.

Meanwhile back at the Delicatessen Ander arrives just in time to see an attractive girl on her way out of the establishment with a tray full of hot pastries. He goes in and sees what must be the girl’s sister judging by the resemblance is behind the counter and an older woman running the shop. He buys a dozen sticky buns then makes his way back to Wan Mai’s.

After arriving at Wan Mai’s, Ander is brought up to speed on what the party has learned. At an impasse they discuss their next move. Dolgrin wants to go up to the Mines which is about a day’s journey up the Thunderflow River via boat. Fairybell on the other hand thinks they should go talk to the old fisher dwarf as he said they could search his house for clues about his missing daughter.

The group decides to head to the fishermans house, maybe they can use his boat to head up the river. When they get to the house, Dolgrin knocks on the door and it opens on its own. Realizing something is probably not right everyone draws weapons and Dolgrin pushes the door open. The smell of feces and urine permeates the air and the room is dark. A figure is seated on the opposite side of the room. Dolgrin approaches and lays a hand it the man’s shoulder.

The old dwarf from the docks slumps over in his chair and the party sees he has a single stab wound right in the center of his chest. The group proceeds to look about the place. Aside from a messy bedroom the place is largely un-molested. Ander finds a dwarven locket and the group also finds a pile of documents on a table.

Dolgrin looks at the rune on the locket, he explains that it will only open by reciting the words on the locket. Unable to read very well he admits he doesn’t know what it says. Volodar being the only one able to read common looks over the documents on the table. The only non-dwarven paperwork in the pile is what appears to be a Deed for a boat and some past due loan paperwork from the crown office of Cormyr in the amount of 55 gold pieces.

The group heads down to the docks to find the man’s boat. Being that only one of the boats has dwarven runes on the side of it, they come to the conclusion this must be his. The boat is a rather large fishing barge, at least it is for this area. It would require at the very least a four man crew to operate. The group then decides to just buy a canoe from the shipwright. They also buy a couple more ores.

With their new sea fairing vessel they head up the river. Towards the end of the day Volodar and Dolgrin struggle to keep rowing while Ander it seems has no trouble at all. Despite his slender frame his technique is solid and he seems to use very little energy while producing the most efficiency. As the group starts to make it into the foothills the water’s current becomes much stronger and the exhausted group decides to camp here before it gets too late.

Volodar attempts to make camp for everyone but is unable to find dry wood suitable for starting a fire without tools and it turns out no one brought blankets, bed rolls, a tinder box, or even any flint & steel. Fairybell curls up in a ball while the rest of the group flips the canoe and sleeps under it.

Nine Hammer, 1370 Dales Reckoning

After a not so great rest the group wakes to find that Fairybell caught a Muskrat for breakfast. A quick meal of Muskrat and beef jerky and the party continues their trip back up the river.

A few hours later the party comes across a clearing on the shore that seems to have a well-used trail going up into the Thunderpeaks. The party drags their canoe to shore and hide it with some foliage. They make their way up the mountain trail

Thunderpeaks

A couple more hours into the trip the party hears an angry beast roaring and what sounds like yipping and squealing pigs. Dolgrin recognizes the sounds of a bear and they continue cautiously. Coming around a bend in the trail the party sees that a band of goblins has a mother Black Bear cornered as she desperately defends two cubs. Two of the goblins have spears pinning the mother bear in place while several others fire arrows into her.

The party quickly moves in on the goblins. Fairybell casts entangle ensnaring all of the goblins making for easy pickings as Volodar hurls arrows and Ander slings stones into them. Dolgrin begins to rage and smashes to goblins heads open before becoming entangled in the magical vines.

The party makes short work of the goblins and the bear stands its ground protecting its cubs but does not move closer to the party. The party steps away from her to ensure she does not feel threatened by them.

~*~End Session~*~
Length: Four Hours
Platform: Fantasy Grounds
Player Characters (4): Dolgrin (Dwarven Battlerager), Fairybell (Totemic Druid), Volodar (Ranger), Ander (Shadowdancer)

After defeating the goblins the party has a disagreement on what to do about the mother black bear. Dolgrin wants to fight the bear and use its pelt and meat. Volodar and the others are heavily opposed to the idea and the group eventually is able to talk Dolgrin down. Volodar attempts to approach the bear to remove the arrows from her but she is too on edge. The party leaves some Goodberries for her and continue on their way.

A few more hours up the mountain trail the party approaches a mining camp. The place is completely abandoned. Three buildings that look as though they were once living quarters. All of the bunk beds in the buildings have been smashed and there is excrement everywhere. The largest structure has had significant floor damage and looks as though it once had lots of shelves that have all been smashed.

A building closest to the cave has been carefully disassembled. There are large holes in many support beams indicating large equipment was once in this building. The final building is a kitchen/dining area.

In the kitchen the party sees a group of goblins scavenging through the wrecked room. Dolgrin quickly attacks. Soon more goblins come pouring out of some of the other buildings that were left unchecked. The party makes short work of the majority of them while the remaining goblins escape down the mountain path.

After sustaining some minor wounds the party decides to head into the cave. They evidence that there use to be a rail system but all of the ties and rails have been removed. Further in there is a large wooden platform that looks as though it had some large device attached to it that has also been removed. Many of the planks on the platform have been torn away.

In another wing of the mine the party comes across two female goblins diligently working a line of boxes. The wood and materials used to construct the boxes is not in good shape and the craftsmanship is pretty bad. Before the goblins notice the party Dolgrin springs into action killing both of them.

Further into the mine the party enters into a huge open cavern that has ore and stone littered on the ground haphazardly. At the far end of the cave is a large pool. The party debates for a while on how to best approach this situation figuring that they need to go in the water. Fairybell dives in and swims around before submerging himself.

Under the water he finds a tunnel that goes on farther than he is able to hold his breath. He decides to head back and notices a large pile of humanoid bodies at the bottom of the pool. All of their ankles have been bound to large stones with short ropes.

The party spends the next hour bringing up all of the bodies and attempting to explore the underwater tunnel. Dolgrin suggests that they use their rope to leap frog up the underwater tunnel. Ander explains that’s not how it works and the party laughs at Dolgrins expense.

They also find a massive boulder near the wooden platform that seems ab it out of place. After several attempts the party is able to move the boulder and find a humanoid body underneath. Although smashed and more or less unrecognizable, it is obvious he is no miner. He is still clutching a dagger and has a coin purse.

None of the dead miners are dwarves. Dolgrin comments that it would take months for this mine to be disassembled as it has, at least by normal means. The party toss around ideas about what they think happened. Realizing pretty quickly the goblins are probably not responsible for this. It’s mentioned that maybe the Dwarves themselves killed all the miners. The group decides to sleep in the mining camp for the night before heading back to thunderstone.

Ten Hammer, 1370 Dales Reckoning

On the way back Volodar notices that some of the wagon tracks have deeper ruts than the others. They follow these tracks which lead down to the shore where they hid their canoe. The tracks go up river a little further where they stop at another shore line. Here there are deep groves in the ground as if something massive pulled up to shore.

The party gets in their canoe and heads back to Thunderstone. They decide to push on through the night and finally make it to the docks very early in the morning.

Eleven Hammer, 1370 Dales Reckoning

Fisherman are starting their day, loading their boats, and about to head out. The Party heads back to the Sign of Thunder Inn and gets the last available room for some much needed rest.

~*~End Session~*~
Length: Four Hours (Thirty Minutes of Character Advancment and Rules Q&A)
Platform: Fantasy Grounds
Player Characters (4): Dolgrin (Dwarven Battlerager), Fairybell (Totemic Druid), Volodar (Ranger), Ander (Shadowdancer)