Session 15: Phandalin Unrest & Onward to Wave Echo Cave Report
General Summary
CRAGMAW CASTLE, NEVERWINTER WOOD
With King Grol now dead, the party turns their attention back to Gundren Rockseeker who lies beaten in his cell.
Gundren doesn't want to leave the Cragmaw Castle Ruins until he can find the map of Wave Echo Cave that Grol stole from him. They eventually find it tucked under Grol's throne in the previous room.
Gundren's map isn't all that great as they were in the process of doing the layout prior to he and Sildar Hallwinter were captured on their way to Phandalin.
Gundren and his brothers had discovered the entrance of the mine but did not go in too far as they did not have all the supplies needed to continue forward.
He doesn't know anything about the odd doppelganger who recently fled the castle other than that she works for Nezznar the Black Spider. Nezznar has wanted to get rid of him and his brothers to ensure no one else could find the lost mine.
Gundren explains that the argument that King Grol was having was because he wanted to sell the map and keep Gundren as his "slave pet". However, the doppelganger disagreed as her orders to get rid of both.
The hope has been that the Wave Echo Cave could be reopened by the Rockseeker brothers. Unfortunately, Nezznar has been using the Cragmaw goblins and Redbrands to try and control the area. Gundren is willing to cut in the party on potential profits if they can help secure Wave Echo Cave.
Gundren is not sure where his two brothers are but the brothers had learned of another excavation site in the area.
Other than Nezznar and his factions, Gundren had recently learned about some odd orc type of group who has also been pushing into the area. Nezznar hasn't been pleased with this so he's been trying to get some nasty green dragon to work with him. Nezznar believes that these orcs are in some way connected to some other dragon in the region.
SWORD COAST OVERLAND MAP
As the group leaves the castle ruins, they decide to return to the campsite where Zephyr died to get some of his stuff.
After a long rest, they make their hike back to Phandalin.
TOWNMASTER'S HALL, PHANDALIN
Now back in town, they head first to visit Harbin Wester and Sildar Hallwinter is also there. However, the party believes Sildar is acting a bit odd.
Sildar, via Harbin, gives the party the 500gp he promised for taking care of the Cragmaw goblins
Harbin eventually wonders why Varis and the others are acting so odd
Sildar eventually wants to leave but the party wants to figure out if he is the doppelganger that escaped as Gundren in King Grol's chamber at the Cragmaw Castle Ruins.
Nyx is able to detect Sildar's thoughts and discovers that he is quite anxious.
As Sildar attempts to leave, the party sort of surrounds him but he eventually is able to get back them reporting he has things to do.
TOWN CIRCLE, PHANDALIN
The party slowly follows Sildar as he leaves the hall. Varis stealthily watches as he ends up meeting with Freeda the Weaver who is typically at the inn.
Varis eventually gets caught by the two and Sildar is quite frustrated at his antics. Sildar doesn't trust Varis with the result that Varis winds up shooting an arrow at him.
Sildar winds up visiting Linene Graywind while Freeda then heads back into town.
The whole time, Dakari and Nyx have remained hidden to watch the situation.
SHRINE OF LUCK, PHANDALIN
Dakari and Nyx decide to report back to Sister Garaele about their visit with Agatha the Banshee. The news isn't all that helpful but Garaele is thankful
Sister Garaele explains that a lot of her work is helping the sick and weak who are being housed here.
TOWNMASTER'S INN, PHANDALIN
Varis decides to head back to Harbin now that he's alone
Varis explains about the situation with Sildar which results in Harbin being angered that someone would even dare should an arrow at someone without warrant
Harbin says he'll need to follow up with Sildar later but also that he sent Gundren over the inn to rest up
STONEHILL INN, PHANDALIN
Varis heads to the inn hoping he can chat with Gundren
Freeda has returned and, seeing Varis, comes up and starts yelling at him for what he has done
The other elders at the inn come to her aid and Varis is now stuck in a heated conflict
Toblen Stonehill believes that Varis should leave the inn since he is upsetting everyone which is agrees
Varis decides to disguise himself as Harbin and then return to the inn
Varis, as Harbin, tries to get the patrons of the inn to give Varis as a second chance but everyone thinks Harbin is an idiot for trusting some random person who only arrived in town recently over Sildar who they have known for ages. They challenge Harbin to talk with Sildar first before making any decisions.
In the morning after a long rest at the emptied Redbrand hideout, Dakari and Nyx go to the inn hoping to smooth things over having heard what happened from Varis. Varis hangs back just outside
Freeda immediately comes over to the two and tells them about their stupid friend. The other elders come to them as well and recount how both Varis and Harbin are idiots.
Gundren eventually comes downstairs from a very long rest wanting some breakfast
Eventually the conflict simmers down and Gundren is ready to search for his friends. However, he's not sure whether to head to the rumored excavation site or to Wave Echo Cave.
Together, the group all decides to head to Wave Echo Cave.
WAVE ECHO CAVE
A shorter hike away, the party makes their way to the cave entrance
Gundren leads the group into the main chamber only to stumble upon his dead brother Tharden Rockseeker. In utter sadness, Gundren decides to stay behind while the party moves forward.
The party heads up through the main minecar track area and then towards the northwest part of the cave.
Eventually, the party encounters some bugbears and a doppelganger.
