Session 6

General Summary

Last session began with the party gathered inside the deepest chamber of Cragmaw Cave, searching the room for anything of value. Inside a small, wooden box, Badger found a silver amulet, etched with a single arcane rune Meanwhile, Wellington found a cache a weapons that had been destined for the Lionshield Coster of Phandalin, as well as a quiver of three specially designed corrosive arrows. Before returning to the chamber where Sildar was being held, the party decided to remove the head of the slain bugbear leader, Klarg, as a show of intimidation. While cutting through the creature's thick fur and muscle, Fea found another curious item hung from the bugbear's neck: a bear claw etched with several arcane symbols. After collecting the head, the party returned to the adjacent chamber. Although the remaining goblins were nowhere to be found, Sildar lay bound on the stone floor in the center of the room. 
After untying the solider, tending to his wounds, and informing him that you did not find Gundren elsewhere in Cragmaw Cave, Sildar said that Gundren must have already been moved. Sildar then said that he had gleaned some information from the goblins in the time that he was being held captive. First, someone going by the name the Black Spider seemingly hired the Cragmaw Tribe to find and capture Gundren. Second, the goblins likely sent Gundren on to a place called the castle, which Sildar believes to be a ruined stronghold that the Cragmaw use a base of operations. Sildar said that he personally does not know where Cragmaw Castle is located, but he believes one of his subordinates, a man named Iarno, might have a lead. Sildar said that he sent Iarno to Phandalin some time before he and Gundren left Neverwinter. The group then agreed to escort Sildar back to Phandalin to find Iarno.
On the way back to the village, you came across an unusual creature in the middle of the roadway: a tiny earth elemental that was gathering stones into a small pile. Albero and Fea approached the creature, which at first seemed quite apprehensive and hid behind a nearby tree. However, after offering some words of introduction in Primordial, a language understood by many creatures native to the elemental planes, Albero seemed to gain the creature's trust. Albero and Fea then helped the elemental gather several more stones that lay scattered across the roadway. Once all the stones had been gathered together, they slowly began to animate and take shape, eventually forming a second tiny earth elemental. The first elemental then offered Albero a small stone that it pulled from its chest before both creatures ran off into the woods.
Upon arriving in Phandalin, Sildar thanked you for your aid and invited you to meet him at the villagemaster's hall the next morning. He then left, headed to Stonehill Inn to get some rest. You then made your way to the Lionshield Coster, to deliver some of the weapons that you recovered from the Cragmaw. You arrived as Linene Greywind was closing up the shop, but she was more than happy to invite you inside when you showed her the items in your possession. She paid you for the delivery and reminded you that she her first offer still stood, if you were willing to inquire in Leilon about the remaining lost shipment. After finishing at the Lionshield Coster, you headed Stonehill Inn and told Toblen that you had information to share with Tharden, Gundren's brother who you previously encountered in Phandalin. After a short time, Tharden arrived, and you shared with him the story of what transpired at Cragmaw Cave.
Afterward, you tried to ask Tharden for more information, but he evaded your questions. Fea then became frustrated and told Tharden that if he was serious about wanting your help finding Gundren, he would have to divulge what he knew. Seemingly accepting his limited options, Tharden explained that he and his brothers, Gundren and Nundro, came to Phandalin from Neverwinter in search of Wave Echo Cave, but unlike so many before them, they succeeded in finding an entrance. Tharden said the Rockseekers planned to reopen the mine, but they were concerned they wouldn't be able to hold it for themselves without help. As such, Gundren returned to Neverwinter with a proposal for Sildar Hallwinter, an old friend and member of the Lords Alliance: if the Lords Alliance agreed to keep the peace in Phandalin while the Rockseekers set up their operation at Wave Echo Cave, the brothers would finance the construction and outfitting of a garrison in the village. Tharden assumes Sildar accepted their proposal, since Sildar was traveling with Gundren when they were ambushed on the Triboar. Tharden said that, to his knowledge, the Rockseekers and Sildar are the only people aware that the brothers found Wave Echo Cave. Tharden acknowledged that Gundren collected a shipment of supplies while in Neverwinter, as you well know, since you delivered the shipment to Phandalin, and that, although unlikley, Gundren may have told others about the discovery. Before Tharden left the inn, he said that he and Nundro would meet with you and Sildar at the villagemaster's hall in the morning to discuss what to do next.

Report Date

18 Dec 2019