As the session begins Targor Bloodsword and his band of hobgoblins have discovered our party hiding in the quarters of the recently deceased King Grol. Targor's warband begin beating down the barricaded doors to the room and shouting threats while one circles around and tosses an explosive through one of the two arrow slits to the east. With few options remaining Garad borrows Grol's crown from Rolen and challenges Targor Bloodsword to a duel, the winner shall be king of the ruins of Cragmaw Castle. Garad meets his opponent in the muddy fields to the north of the castle while a storm pours rain down upon them all - two strokes of Talon later and Garad stands victorious over Targor's headless corpse. Exercising his newfound authority Garad wins command over Targor's two pet wolves and commands the two remaining hobgoblins to stay at the castle, take care of the wolves, and be ready for when Garad calls. The party at last gathers together to return to Phandalin. The party levels up to level 4! Entering Phandalin the party is reminded of the appreciation the town feels for freeing them from the grasp of the Redbrands - everywhere they go the "Flames of Tresendar" are treated as heroes! Sildar Hallwinter is overjoyed - and rather surprised - to see the party has returned with Gundren Rockseeker, and takes the dwarf inside the townhall to rest. Daran Edermath, a former adventurer who now runs the apple orchard in the NW area of the town, has asked the party to investigate Old Owl Well to their east, where several prospectors have recently reported being chased away by undead forces. He believes there would be some coin in it for anyone who took care of the problem. Grista, the barmaid at The Sleeping Giant, continues to be surly and is only barely prevented from heading off on her own by the timely intervention of Granny. She does make it clear to the party that the doppleganger they slayed in Cragmaw Castle was not The Black Spider himself, but a close companion. She reminds the party that The Black Spider is a drow elf. Garad approaches his aunt, Qeline Alderleaf, and convinces her to come onboard as staff at The Sleeping Giant. She reluctantly agrees and is waiting on confirmation from Garad after he confers with his associates. Droop has made some birdhouses and is looking forward to continuing to refine his craft. Sister Garaele was thankful.that the party freed the town from the Redbrands and freed Gundren from the Cragmaw tribe. Recto got the impression that she didn't feel comfortable speaking about more Harper business with two of his compatriots within earshot. At the end of the session the party visited Halia Thornton, head of the Miner's Exchange. She claimed to know little or nothing about The Black Spider or Wave Echo Cave, but did offer a purse of 100gp to the party in thanks for freeing the town from the Redbrands. One of her workers secretly slips a note into Steve's pocket as they deliver the purse. Loot Cragmaw Patrol: 18 silver, 12 copper Sildar's reward for finding Gundren: 200gp Halia's purse: 100gp
