Session 1: trouble on the Triboar Trail

The adventure began as the party traveled along the Triboar Trail toward Phandalin with Gundren Rockseeker’s wagon, reflecting on their shared history with Gundren. Some had worked with him in the past, while others had been romantically involved with his brother. As they continued, they came across two dead horses blocking their path. Upon closer inspection, the party realized these horses belonged to Sildar Hallwinter and Gundren, who had traveled ahead of them to Phandalin. The horses had been shot with black-feathered arrows, which the party immediately recognized as the work of goblins.

Before they could investigate further, they were ambushed by a group of goblins hidden in the treelines. A tense and almost deadly battle ensued, testing the party’s mettle. The goblins were relentless, but after a lengthy fight, the party emerged victorious, albeit with some injuries. Vidia took the opportunity to collect goblin teeth for her necklace, with the help of Pax, while the rest of the party searched the bodies of the fallen goblins. Among the loot, they found a set of orders, signed by Klarg, indicating that the goblins were tasked with waiting for the arrival of Gundren’s wagon while the rest of their tribe took Gundren and Sildar to their hideout, the Cragmaw Hideout.

The party learned that the Cragmaw are a notorious goblin tribe in the area and discussed their next steps. They agreed to deliver the wagon to Phandalin to collect the payment and resupply, and then they would venture out to rescue their captured friends. The group made their way to Barthen’s Provisions, where they met Elmar Barthen, the shopkeeper. Juddith attempted to convince Elmar that Gundren had died and taken his own life, but the rest of the party convinced Elmar that Gundren was merely missing. Despite this, Elmar grew frustrated with Juddith’s claims and asked her to leave the shop. Fer Heim stepped in and forcibly escorted Juddith out, while the rest of the party spoke with Elmar.

Elmar revealed that Gundren had rediscovered the lost Wave Echo Cave and had been working with him on the venture. He also mentioned that the other Rockseeker brothers, Tharden and Nundro, had been camped outside of town for some time, but he hadn’t seen them in nearly ten days. Desperate for help, Elmar asked the party to find the missing brothers and rescue Gundren. The party agreed to the task and decided to set out at dawn to rescue their friend. Before parting ways, Elmar warned the party about the Redbrand Ruffians, a local gang causing trouble for the businesses in town, and mentioned that they often congregate at the Sleeping Giant Tap House.

The party split up to prepare for the next phase of their journey. Fer Heim and Zera went to Lionshield Coster to stock up on arrows and rest, while the rest of the group headed to the Tap House to confront the Redbrand Ruffians. Inside, a tense conversation escalated into a heated argument, and a fight broke out. Several members of the party were knocked unconscious, and the remaining adventurers were coerced into paying the Redbrands to avoid further violence. Pax reluctantly agreed to the payment, and the Redbrands retreated inside the tap house to drink.

After the confrontation, the party was approached by a woman named Halia Thornton, who warned them against taking on the Redbrands in the future. She offered them a healing potion to revive Juddith, with no expectation of payment, simply asking them to consider it an investment in their future endeavors. Grateful for her generosity, the party regrouped and headed to the Stonehill Inn for a much-needed rest after a challenging day.

Key Events:

• The party encountered and defeated a goblin ambush, discovering that Gundren and Sildar were taken by the Cragmaw Goblins to their hideout.
• The group delivered the wagon to Barthen's Provisions and spoke with Elmar Barthen, learning about Gundren’s rediscovery of Wave Echo Cave.
• Juddith tried to convince Elmar that Gundren was dead, causing a tense confrontation that led to her being ejected from the shop.
• The party received a warning about the Redbrand Ruffians from Elmar and encountered them at the Sleeping Giant Tap House, where a fight broke out, and Pax was forced to pay off the gang.
• Halia Thornton offered a healing potion and advice, encouraging the party to think carefully before challenging the Redbrands again.

Party Members:

• Fer Heim (party member)
• Vidia (party member)
• Pax Auerlic (party member)
• Zera Nightingale (party member)
• Juddith Hoppington (party member)
• Reylynn Featherdream (party member)

NPCs Encountered:

• Gundren Rockseeker (mentioned)
• Sildar Hallwinter (mentioned)
• Elmar Barthen (shopkeeper of Barthen’s Provisions)
• Halia Thornton (local businesswoman)
• Redbrand Ruffians (hostile NPCs)

Loot Acquired:

• Goblin teeth (Vidia's collection)
• Goblin orders from Klarg regarding Gundren's capture
• 10 gold for each party member
• 17 copper pieces from Goblins
• Spent Healing potion (from Halia Thornton)

Next Steps:

• Investigate the Cragmaw Hideout to rescue Gundren and Sildar.
• Continue to gather information about the Redbrand Ruffians and their activities in Phandalin.
• Search for the missing Rockseeker brothers (Tharden and Nundro).

Campaign

Lost Mines of Phandelver Campaign

Protagonists