A1 - Employment

General Summary

ACT 1- Employment

1496.WI.42   Raziel Willow, Mordai & Grimnir whilst in the Moonstone Mask tavern enjoying some well deserved ales see a slightly tipsy dwarf drinking alone. He however is speaking very loudly about how he is heading out to Phandalin. Grimnir approaches being like minded and a great drinker of ale sits with him and before long the group are set to join Gundren Rockseeker to Phandalin. He offers to pay the group gold for escorting his wagon of tools and equipment. He and his friend Sildar Hallwinter plan to leave in the morning. The wagon will be heavily loaded and will trail behind but Gundren agreed to meet them at Barthen's Provisions in Phandalin.   The first day of the journey went well and there was very little to speak of, the weather was fair but chilly. Early on the second day the trio came across a wandering elf called Maple Barkenskin and a human called Captain Albert Boatman, both looking battered and bruised, they explained they has been ship wrecked not far from here. Offering them food and water the pair decided to accompany the wagon to Phandalin and seek shelter there. However mid day the party came across a couple of dead horses in the middle of the trail. The large bodies could be seen from a way off and it was clear they needed to be moved to enable to wagon past. On closer inspection though the horses had been fallen by black feathered arrows. Suddenly a hail of arrows unleashed from the woods landed near the adventurers. With this Albert and Grimnir charged off into the woods to confront the assailants. Maple instinctively quickly firing her bow from atop the wagon killed a small humanoid skulking in the trees. As the gurgled cry died out two goblins ran from the tree line towards the wagon, Raziel Willow and Mordai. Locked in combat the goblins eventual fell to magical missiles and the cold hard steel of a mace. In the opposite tree line Grimnir had become lost but Albert fared better and cut down a goblin trying to reload.   Inspecting the dead horses the group found that they were Gundren Rockseekers and Sildar Hallwinters. A rough trail could be seen leading up the path and into Neverwinter Woods. However concerned that leaving the wagon of supplies on the road unattended they would be stolen. The party continues the journey to Phandalin. Once arriving at Barthen's Provisions they realise that neither Gundren nor Sildar had made it to the village. After delivering the wagon to Elmar Barthen the party headed back to the ambush spot and ventured in to find what had become of their employers. Maple a natural tracker lead the party through the heavy tree growth, fortunately spotting a number of traps. After a short while the party made their way to a clearing where they could see a small stream emerging from a cave.   Inside the sound of a water fall drowned out a lot of the noise but it was very dark and Raziel and Albert struggled to see. Slowly moving forward the party missed a guard standing atop a wooden bridge high above the cavern. The guard called out to other goblins further into the cave and suddenly a large rush of water filled the tunnel. Smashed by the impact of the water the group were push outside the cave, but luckily only suffered minor injuries.   Determined the party headed back into the cave and up a steep slope where they found a group of goblins eating and sleeping. One goblin called Yeemik who appeared to be in charge stood atop a ledge and when they saw the party pulled forward Sildar Hallwinter who looked very unwell. His armour was gone and his face was matted with blood and dirt. Yeemik explained that the goblins were tired of Klarg the leader and Yeemik wanted to be boss. If the adventurers killed Klarg he would free Sildar. Not believing a word of a dirty goblin the party attacked. Fighting off the goblins at the base,Yeemik had plenty of time to push Sildar off the ledge, hitting the ground with a sickening thud, Sildar didn't move. After a few moment the party had dispatched the goblins including the treacherous Yeemik. The party seeing SIldar un-moving rushed to his side and managed to stabilize him, coming round only able to say that he had been separated from Gundren the day before.   Pushing further into the caves the party eventually found Klarg, a grizzled Bugbear inside a large chamber barking orders at his minion goblins. Springing a trap of their own the party rushed into the chamber quickly killing the goblins and Klargs pet wolf. Seeing that the battle was lost Klarg fled down a tight tunnel with Maple hot on his heels. After a few well placed shots in his rear the Bugbear turned to face the lone adventurer. After trading a few deadly blows Raziel, who had now caught up conjured flames up out of the ground around the beast and with a bloody curdling cry the large figure slumped to the floor.   The cave was clear and looted, however Gundren was no where to be seen. Helping Sildar to Phandalin he was able to remember that Gundren had been requested and was being sent to the Black Spider, although that is all he knew.

Rewards Granted

10 Gold coins each from Talben Barthen for the delivery of the mining equipment. Found in the Cragmaw hideout was 43 gold, 125 silver, 600 copper, 2 healing potions.

Missions/Quests Completed

Saved Sildar Hall winter and learnt that Gundred had been taken away to see the Black Spider.

Character(s) interacted with

Sildar Hallwinter - Member of Lord alliance   Talben Barthen - Owner of Barthen's provisons in Phandalin   Yeemik - Member of Cragmaw tribe, Goblin, second in command to Klarg.   Klarg - Leader of group, Bugbear