Session 2: The Cragmaw

General Summary

After the tense encounter with the Redbrand Ruffians, the party—Fer Heim, Vidia, Pax Auerlic, Zera Nightingale, Juddith Hoppington, and Reylynn Featherdream—decided to recuperate at the Stonehill Inn. There, they met Toblen Stonehill, the innkeeper, and rented out six rooms while ordering meals for the day. They spent the evening listening to local gossip and gathering information.

They overheard a farmer, Narth, mention that Sister Garaele, the caretaker of the Shrine of Luck, had recently returned to town wounded and exhausted after disappearing for a few days. The party also had a humorous encounter with Pip, Toblen's young son, who mistook Juddith for a doll and wiped his dirty hands on her, only to realize she was real and flee in terror to his mother, Trilena. Toblen later shared his frustrations about the Redbrand Ruffians, expressing his anger at the townmaster, Harbin Wester, for failing to take action against them. However, he admitted he was reluctant to make a stand for fear of putting his family in danger.

The party rested for the night and set out early in the morning to rescue Gundren Rockseeker, following the trail to the Cragmaw Hideout. As they approached, they spotted two goblins guarding the entrance. Juddith used her magic to charm one of them—Klung—while Zera quickly dispatched the other. Under the effects of the charm, Klung revealed vital information:

• The hideout housed about fifteen goblins.
• Their leader, Klarg, was a bugbear who answered to King Grol, chief of the Cragmaw Tribe, who resided in Cragmaw Castle in Neverwinter Wood, roughly twenty miles northeast.
• A messenger from King Grol had recently arrived, delivering orders from someone called the Black Spider. The Cragmaws had been paid to watch for Gundren Rockseeker, capture him, and send him—along with anything he carried—to King Grol.
• After ambushing Gundren, they delivered him and his map to King Grol.
• Sildar Hallwinter, Gundren’s human companion, was still being held in the "eating cave."

Once Klung had revealed everything, Fer Heim swiftly ended his life, and the party stealthily entered the cave.

Inside, they encountered Klarg’s pet wolves and attempted to sway them to their side, but their loyalty to Klarg proved too strong. A fierce battle broke out, and the party put the wolves down before pressing further into the hideout. Moving deeper, they fought several goblins and finally faced off against Klarg himself. The battle was swift and decisive, with the party overpowering the bugbear and his minions.

Searching the hideout, they looted Klarg’s treasure chest, finding:

• 600 copper pieces
• 110 silver pieces
• Two potions of healing
• A small jade statuette of a frog with golden orbs for eyes (40 gp)

With the threat eliminated, the party advanced to the "eating cave," where they found and rescued Sildar Hallwinter. Weakened but grateful, Sildar shared what little he knew and agreed to return to Phandalin with the party, where he could recover and assist in their next steps.

Key Events:

• Gathered information from Toblen Stonehill and the Stonehill Inn patrons about the Redbrand Ruffians and Sister Garaele’s mysterious injury.
• Charmed a goblin (Klung), learning about Klarg, King Grol, and the Black Spider’s involvement.
• Fought and defeated Klarg, along with his goblin followers and pet wolves.
• Looted Klarg’s treasure chest, securing valuable items.
• Rescued Sildar Hallwinter and returned to Phandalin with him.

NPCs Encountered:

• Toblen Stonehill – Innkeeper of the Stonehill Inn
• Trilena Stonehill – Toblen’s wife, mother of Pip
• Pip Stonehill – Toblen’s young son
• Narth – Farmer who mentioned Sister Garaele’s injuries
• Klung – Charmed goblin who revealed key information (Deceased)
• Klarg – Bugbear leader of Cragmaw Hideout (Deceased)
• Sildar Hallwinter – Gundren’s companion, rescued from captivity

Loot Acquired:

• 600 cp
• 110 sp
• Two potions of healing
• Jade frog statuette (40 gp)

Next Steps:

• Recover and debrief Sildar Hallwinter in Phandalin.
• Investigate King Grol and Cragmaw Castle to rescue Gundren Rockseeker.
• Look into the Black Spider and their involvement in Gundren’s disappearance.
• Decide whether to address the growing Redbrand Ruffian problem in Phandalin.