![[Phandalin Village.png]] By the time the party reached town, exhaustion had settled deep into their bones. The faint glow of lanterns welcomed them as they passed under a wooden sign swinging in the night breeze, **Stonehill Inn**. The tavern was warm and noisy, filled with the smell of roasted meat and cheap ale. Behind the counter stood a stout, red-faced man wiping mugs with a scowl that could sour milk. “Name’s **Jer**,” he grunted when they entered. What followed was an awkward session of bartering, passive-aggressive haggling, and the occasional muttered remark that earned Jer a few narrow glares, particularly from [[Ellette|Ellette]]. Still, a deal was struck, and the weary adventurers secured beds for the night. ![[Pnadalin Bar.jpg]] The dawn came quietly, painting the village in soft gold. [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] was already up and about, collecting herbs and sniffing every shrub within sight. “Never know when you’ll need a few fresh reagents,” he muttered. Moments later, however, curiosity, or confusion, got the better of him. He crouched beside a stray cat, and before anyone could stop him, produced a small knife. “[[Karrut Styk|Karrut]]… what are you _doing_?” [[Ellette|Ellette]] asked, horrified. A brief pause. Then [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] proudly held up a small, pink object. “It’s a cat’s tongue!” he declared, tucking it into his pouch. [[Ellette|Ellette]] gagged. “You’re _disgusting._” ![[Its a cats tongue!.jpg]] After that unfortunate incident, [[Ellette|Ellette]] decided a change of scenery was in order. “Let’s find a blacksmith,” she said. “Some of us clearly need… supervision.” They came across a simple stone forge, smoke curling lazily from its chimney. Inside, a broad-shouldered dwarf worked the anvil, sparks flying as he hammered a glowing blade. “Name’s **Harold**,” he said, setting down his tools. [[Ellette|Ellette]] immediately launched into haggling for a new pair of daggers, her sharp words meeting Harold’s gruff patience. [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]] wandered the shop, hunting for magical materials, while [[Rock, the Silent Fighter|Rock]] examined a fine new sword with quiet appreciation. [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]], meanwhile, seemed entirely content just to _be there_, humming as he looked at the various metals and tools with wide eyes. Once their purchases were done, the party continued through town in search of additional supplies. It wasn’t long before they noticed a few _oddly dressed figures_ slipping behind the local church, cloaked, whispering, and very much up to something. They followed, trying to keep out of sight, but by the time they rounded the corner, the figures had vanished. “Lovely,” [[Ellette|Ellette]] muttered. “Nothing suspicious about _that_.” Abandoning the trail, they made their way to a goods and services building, a strangely named establishment called **Tesco**. A single town guard stood watch outside, barely paying attention. Inside, the shop was tended by a young woman with a permanent scowl. She barely looked up as the group entered. “If you break anything, my boyfriend’ll deal with you,” she said flatly, nodding toward the door. Unfazed, [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]] bought a dusty tome of magic. [[Ellette|Ellette]] picked up a few healing potions, and, on impulse, a small box of _fairy cakes_. [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] stocked up on more plants, and [[Rock, the Silent Fighter|Rock]] quietly browsed the shelves, testing the balance of random tools in his hand. They left the shop in high spirits, a little _too_ high, as it turned out. Within minutes, the fairy cakes’ hidden ingredient, faerie dust, began to take effect. [[Ellette|Ellette]] giggled uncontrollably. [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]]’s pupils shimmered faintly gold. [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] claimed to hear plants laughing. Even [[Rock, the Silent Fighter|Rock]]’s usually stoic face softened into something resembling joy. Their laughter carried through the streets until they found themselves gathered around the town’s fountain, watching the pink crystal atop it pulse with gentle light. A passing villager, amused by their antics, paused to explain. “That crystal keeps Phandalin safe from monsters,” he said. “Been there longer than anyone can remember.” He hesitated, then added, “If you lot are the adventuring sort… there’s a farmer on the east edge of town. Poor man’s wife went missing. Same with his boy. Folk say he’s cursed, or worse.” The laughter faded. [[Ellette|Ellette]] exchanged glances with the others. “A missing family?” she asked quietly. [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]] closed his book. “We should look into it.” [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] nodded, wiping crumbs from his chin. “Aye. Can’t have monsters or curses on an empty stomach.” [[Rock, the Silent Fighter|Rock]] simply gave a thumbs-up. And so, with the faint afterglow of faerie dust still in their veins and a new lead before them, the party set off once more, toward the edge of town, where mystery waited among the fields. [[Chapter 3. Farmers Wife]]