(can be read as a proposal to be done after the burning of Redbrands and whatever comes of that) Steve has found himself in a new position in life in that for the first time ever, he is completely weighed down with coin. Growing up as an urchin in Neverwinter Steve's memories were filled with cold floors for beds and meager scraps that could be beg, bought, or stolen for dinner. Years of living desperately had honed Steve's desire to be successful in life to a fine and unpredictable edge. He wanted badly to live up to the reputation and prestige of the Gray hands adventuring band and resolved to himself that the band of adventurers he now found himself with would make their mark as well. The streets of Neverwinter had provided ample opportunities to study what made for success for failure in life. Watching addicts and drunks stumble by the alleyways he called home had shown Steve that the most hardscrabble losers never had any coin in their pocket, what they made, they spent and then it was gone. If this adventuring band was going to be stable they needed roots, they needed investments. A home base they could count on would be no rough thing either. Not counting any material good (jewels, furs, etc.) the party had amassed 631g, 481s, and 129c after what they had given to the widow Dendrar, they now found themselves with a fair weight of loot, a rather run down woodworking shop, and presumptive owners/operators of the Sleeping Dragon Inn. Steve realizes that if they are to have roots in Phandalin they will need allies and agents. He takes Droop around town and introduces him to the members of the city that the party has met already, he makes every effort to show that Droop is a non-threatening, valuable individual, and suggests (where necessary) that the party would be very upset to find that anything has happened to Droop in their absence. Droop still needs to get the party to Cragmaw castle, but Steve tells Droop that, if he is willing, that the party would be thrilled to have him as their agent in town, he would be free to improve the woodworking property, and given some funds to fix the place up, install some places to sleep, maybe start on a stable, and a hire the best available woodworker (who would thereafter be paid from the proceeds of the shop). Whatever the shop brought in Droop could use to subsist and to continue to make whatever improvements he thought best to the property. [If this all goes to plan Steve would provide 100g to Droop to get things started] Regarding the Sleeping Dragon Inn, Steve knows that their stake there is perhaps even more valuable, but their hold on the situation far more tenuous. After introducing Grista to Groop Steve sits down with her at the bar and they discuss their future. Steve makes every effort to alleviate Grista's fears, and to let her know that the Black Spider will soon be FAR too busy dealing with the consequences of his crimes to worry about investing resources in coming for her. Nevertheless, Grista will be provided with some initial money to fix up the damage done to the Inn, hire local security she feels comfortable with (to be paid therafter with sales from the Dragon), and to make whatever improvements to the bar the funds would allow. After this initial investment, profits from the Inn will be split 50/50 with Grista, providing she keep the place in good repair, and make sure that it remains an upstanding establishment and force for good in the community. Steve also makes it clear that should the party need rooms or provisions, that those will have to be provided on command, even if it means some patrons need to be displaced. Groop will be expected to stop by periodically, and ensure that funds are being split for the party, but otherwise Grista will have a new job and the flexibility to run the bar, and her life, how she chooses. [Provided this goes to plan Steve will provide 100g to Grista for these projects]. Finally, Steve is tired of schlumping around so much loot. The rick and powerful of Neverwinter were not in the habit of carrying things; if Steve was to truly move past his days as a porter for the Gray hands, it was time to stop porting so damn much. The party needed a place to put their goods, a way to transport prisoners and hostages, and maybe someday, a means of escape. A drfat horse is what they needed and Steve resolved to check the surrounding community (and farms if necessary) to procure a draft horse. He was excited by the purchase and eagerly awaited the opportunity to present their new friend to the party, and to naming the beast. [Troy let me know how much this costs me, I think the PHB has a draft horse at 50g] [Provided this all goes something like it's planned here the party will now have 421g, 91s, and 21c, which amounts to 70g, 16s, 4c each, in addition to be entitled to 1/6th of Inn's profits and full use of the woodworking shop and it's amenities,and they are also 1/6th owner of a new Horse, who I recommend be named Champy]
