Joined in the night by Rissa’s wolf companion Rakhi, the party awakes to find a half-elf standing towards the entrance of the temple they previously explored. The newcomer identifies himself as Qurion, a priest who “goes where he is needed;” he heard about the party’s expedition to the excavation site from Toblen in Phandalin and decided to see if they required his assistance. After some thought, the party agrees that he may prove useful and allow him to join them in their adventure. Norbus and Dazlyn are pleased that the group has eliminated the ochre jelly threat from the temple, and reward the group with a pair of sending stones.
On their way out of the temple, the party is attacked by a small band of orcs. The orcs do not offer any peaceful conversation with the adventurers, and instead immediately move to attack the party. Through Sister Poppy’s acrobatics and well-placed strikes, a fortuitous mis-swing from Hrothgar’s glaive, Rissa’s blade and Rakhi’s bite, Qurion’s skillful use of a spiritual greatsword (and helpful healing of Sister Poppy), and Ramarcus’ devastating bolts of fire, the party dispatches the band of orcs before they cause much harm.
The adventurers search their enemies, finding that each wears simple hide armor and carries a greataxe. The party notices that the orcs are visibly malnourished, with their cheeks slightly sunken and dark circles under their eyes. Tucked in the armor of one orc is a crumbled, worn piece of parchment which bears a scribbled map of the area surrounding the temple’s entrance and hastily written orcish characters spelling “Try here.” After some contemplation of the map and the defeated orcs, Rissa connects the orcs and the map to the rumors the party has heard; these orcs came from the south, apparently driven from their home by a white dragon and desperately searching for somewhere to live, some food, or perhaps simply shelter from the dragon itself.
Curious about the dwarven miners, Norbus and Dazlyn, the party returns to the main chamber of the temple to investigate their actions. The dwarves are back to work now that the ochre jelly threat is no more, hacking away at a pillar in search of anything of value. Sister Poppy questions their motives, but the dwarves explain that they’d found a couple gems in a similar pillar; as Rissa moves to investigate, Norbus’ pickaxe strikes through the pillar and 10 small gemstones roll out to the ground. The party and the dwarves agree that the party should take 7 stones while the dwarves keep the other three, and the party decides to return to Phandalin and check in with Toblen.
Upon their arrival, Toblen pays the group 50 gold pieces and pours them some ales. He directs them to a newly-erected job board outside of Townmaster Harbin Wester’s home, explaining that the Townmaster has gone into hiding within his residence, fearful of the supposed “roving bands of orcs” and “dragon on the prowl.” He also welcomes them to rest in his inn at anytime that they need.
Ramarcus inquires about the gemstones, and Toblen directs the party to the Lionshield Coster. Here they meet Linene Graywind, who tells them the stones might be worth 15 gold pieces each to someone who deals with such goods, but that she can’t offer them that much as she’d have to find a buyer herself. She offers them 75 gold pieces for the lot; after some haggling, Hrothgar agrees with Linene to trade four gems for a +1 greataxe and two javelins.
On their way back to the Stonehill Inn, the party stops by the job board posted outside the Townmaster’s home. Two pages are nailed to the board, reading:
“Orcs have attacked Butterskull Ranch, five miles east of Conyberry along the Triboar Trail! Travel there with haste, assess the damage, and help in anyway you can. Ranch owner Alfonse “Big Al” Kalazorn is a retired sheriff who can reward you for your efforts. If he’s dead, return to Townmaster Harbin with proof of Kalazorn’s demise to receive a reward of 100 gp.”
“West of Phandalin, on the coast, is an old stone lighthouse. While it should be out of commission, travelers have reported an eerie green light appearing at the top, drawing ships in like moths to a flame and dooming them to crash on the rocks. Investigate the cause, eliminate the source, and return to Townmaster Harbin for a reward of 100 gp.”
The party returns to the inn for the night. Rissa makes sure to feed Rakhi while Ramarcus studies his spellbook. Qurion and Sister Poppy both find quiet places to meditate until they drift into sleep, and Hrothgar admires his newly-acquired greataxe until sleep finds him as well.