Back to Holdfort County,  Phandelin Game Notes

Other Places: Thundertree; Conyberry; Old Owl Well; Wyvern Tor; Morrowdelve and below

The town of Phandelin is built on the ruins of much older places. It was originally settled during 1st Empire days, abandoned during the first interregnum, rebuilt and extensively farmed during the 2nd Empire, and overrun by orcish mercenaries during the Fall. Since then, it has lain abandoned until just after the Dragonswar, 5 years ago. Count Michael has heard rumors of Wave Echo Cave and its magical potential. He recently recruited settlers to move into the area, giving several of them his personal charter as a sign that they are permitted to settle the old ruins.

The town has a population of about 300 people in the town proper, and another 3-500 living on farms and in smaller villages within an hour's walk. The town is on fairly high ground, about a mile east of Lake Phandalin, where three small villages, each about 50 population, have recently been resettled as well. There are also a number of small mining operations recently established in the region; there are about 200 miners living and working in these mines - some singly or in smallish groups, and a couple of larger operations with as many as 50 workers each. Most of what is mined in this area is coal, but there is also some limestone and clay.

Phandalin's population is about 70% human, with 20% half-elves, and the rest split about evenly between dwarves and hobbyts.

Town Description:

1. Stonehill Inn:

Toblen Stonehill of the Stonehill Inn (charter holder) is the owner. 6 rooms. Toblen is young, short, friendly and a local native. He grew up in Woodsvale, where his family ran an inn. He came here to prospect, but later requested a charter to establish the Inn from the Count. He is upset about the Redbrand bandits, and sent one message to the County Court requesting aid, but is afraid for the safety of his wife and children if he speaks up here and now. If a PC identifies himself as a Count's Man, Toblen will give all the aid he can until the bandits are defeated, including free food and lodging. Other employees include Toblen's wife Beaba, the barmaid Elsa, and Paega, Toblen and Beaba's 9 year old son. The Inn is a newly-built structure, of local limestone and wood. The common room is filled with farmers, miners and craftsmen, all drinking local cider or beer.

Rumors: Narth Ridley, an old farmer: "Sister Gayna of the shrine of Elanora recently left town for a few days, then returned exhausted and injured."

Elsa Blythe the barmaid: "Daran Eldermath, the orchard keeper, is a former adventurer."

Lar Harley, a miner: "Orc raiders have been seen near Wyvern Tor, north of Old Owl Well. The Mayor is looking to hire someone to run them off."

Karol Digby, a local farmer: "Not all the dragons are gone! Woodsmen seen the shadows o' one not a week agone!"

Beaba Stonehill, the Innkeeper's wife: "Osulf Woodcarver tried to stand up to the Redbrands a few days ago, when they leered at his wife. They killed him! Everyone knows it! Now his wife Ead and two children have gone missing!"

Paega Stonehill, the Innkeeper's son: "Cottman Alderleaf's son Carp (Paega's best friend and a hobbyt) says he found a secret tunnel in the woods, and the Redbrands almost caught him exploring it!"

Frida Hweven, a weaver: "The redbrands hassle everyone in town, except the Miner's Exchange. They don't want trouble with Hilde and her miners!"

Elmar Barthen: "Earnwald, the Count's man in Phandelver, has gone missing! Everyone says he left to go back to Woodsvale, but I saw him riding out towards Tresendar Manor weeks ago, and he hasn't been seen since."

2. Barthen's Provisions:

Owner Elmar Barthen and his wife, Peryth.(charter holder) (Barthen's home is attached to the Store). The larger of the two trading posts in Phandalin, it stocks most ordinary goods, including camping and mining supplies, foodstuffs and farm equipment. It carries no armor nor weapons, though knives, axes and some farm tools can be used as such. Prices are standard PH (silver converted). Those who want weapons can see the local smith, and armor can be purchased at the Lionshield Trading Post. Elmar has two assistants, named Ander (human) and Thistle (hobbyt) who load and unload, wait on customers when Elmar is busy, and do the general restocking.

Delivering Supplies: 10 SP to each PC who aids in delivery of his merchandise, and a friendly attitude; he's upset by Gundren's capture, and encourages the PCs to rescue him. He knows about Gundren's quest to find the Lost Mines of Wave Echo Cave, and suggests that the PCs also may want to make contact with Nundro and Tharden, Gundren's brothers, who are camped somewhere west of town.

Other News and Gossip: Barthen despises the Redbrand Bandits, but has been paying them a small shakedown fee for the past six or eight weeks, waiting for the message he sent to the Count to do some good. He's hoping Sildar is here to take care of them, and will be very excited when Sildar edicts the old mayor and takes over. He's happy to tell the PCs that the Redbrands can typically be found at the Sleeping Giant Tavern.

3. Phandalin Miner's Exchange

Hilde Thornton owns the the Phandelin Miner's Exchange, for which she holds a Charter from the Count. This is where the local miners bring their wagonloads of coal to be weighed, graded and marked for sale. Traders who buy coal come here at least weekly to collect freight wagons of the valuable material, and ship it to smithies and forges across the County and into Westfar, Farrhills and Flatrock Counties as well. The Miner's exchange is also the place where land claims are recorded, where disputes about mining claims can be brought for evaluation (and will eventually be taken to either the Mayor or on to the Count's Court). There are around 200 miners working in the Phandalin area; nearly 100 work for the two large mining operations in the region; Spring Creek Coal Mine is located just east of Phandalin by about 3 miles, and brings about 8 wagonloads a week in on the Karrville Road. The Rosebud mine is to the southwest of town, near the edge of Lake Phandalin. It brings 5-7 wagonloads a week, and comes in from the south. They've recently lost 2 wagons to the goblin raiders, and are now hiring guards. Smaller mining operations employ another 100 or so miners in lots of 8-15 men per mine/seam. Generally they can bring in a wagonload or two per week of coal.

Hilde Thornton is an ambitious woman; she wants to control as much of Phandalin as she can; she's tried to get the Inn charter, and has put herself forward as the next Mayor. She's also interested in buying out the Lionshield Trading Post. Hilde has a minor "in" with the Redbrand bandits, as she suspects who Glasstaff really is, and she knows that the bandits have at least one goblin minion, so she suspects the two groups are in cahoots. She doesn't really want to eliminate the Redbrands, just get them under her control; she'd be very interested in using a PC as a go-between to blackmail Glasstaff. To do this, she will offer the PCs 100 silver pennies if they can deliver a message to him for her, without revealing her as the source. Note that Hilde is a stranger to this region, and has no knowledge of or interest in Wave Echo or Cragmaw.

4. Town Hall: (charter holder - appointed by the Count)

Town Hall is a large building built mostly of local limestone, with a pitched wooden roof and a bell tower. Posted on a board near the front door is a sign that reads: "Reward! Orcs near Wyvern Tor! Inquire within!" The message bears the Mayor's seal and signature.

Mayor Hollis Wester was appointed by the Count, and is the only official government the town has. Note that there is no Sherrif and no Watch in Phandalin. This is unusual, and would be corrected if there were a Baron or Knight appointed to hold the region, which has not yet happened. Right now the nearest Knight's fee to Phandalin is south of the ruins of Thundertree, on the east side of the road. The knight in that manor/village is Sir Edward Plainstaff; he sends a patrol of his men at arms to Phandalin monthly, but they have failed to recognize the growing menace of the Redbrands, and are not likely strong enough to route them out, anyway. Mayor Wester is a fat, pompous old fool. Completely intimidated by the Redbrands, he has done nothing to either try to alert the Count or to stay the bandits' hands. He simply ignores any complaints about them, insisting that they're "a legitimate mercenary group, just going about their business". The town hall boasts a small jail in the basement, capable of housing 3-4 prisoners at a time. A stocks out front can hold 2 prisoners for punishment as well. Mayor Wester has the cell keys on his person at all times.

Rumors and Quests: Hollis would hire anyone who asks about the orc reward to head north to Wyvern Tor (he fails to mention that the area is outside the bounds of Greenvale), to deal with the orc band that is raiding the Karrville North Road. He can pay up to 100 silver pennies for the job, and he insists that this will stop all the problems the local miners are having with shipment deliveries.

Once Sildar uses his rights from the Count, and removes Mayor Wester from his position, he will establish himself as the Count's temporary representative in the Town Hall. This will happen within 3 days of his arrival in town, no matter what the PCs do. He will then start recruiting a "posse" to deal with the Redbrands; if the PCs don't do it themselves, he will ask them to be his core group. After the Redbrands are dealt with, he will specifically recruit the PCs to do three things; 1) locate the goblin headquarters, which he suspects is in Cragmaw Castle, though he doesn't know exactly where that is, and rescue Gundren Rockseeker. Sildar can offer 500 silver pennies to anyone who locates Cragmaw, rescues or recovers Gundren, and defeats or drives off the Goblin chieftain. 2) find the other two Rockseeker brothers, determine if they've really found Wave Echo Cave, and see if they need assistance in putting it back into production. There's no reward for this, but it shouldn't really need one.  3) find his friend Earnwald Albrek, who came here on the same mission he was assigned from Count Michael - to investigate the bandits in the region, to re-establish the Mayor's authority, and to protect the town.  Earnwald arrived about 3 months ago, and poked around for about 2 weeks before reporting that he was ready to head back to Woodsvale and report to the Count. He hasn't been seen since. Earnwald is a wizard; a short dark man in his 50's, about the same age as Sildar.

5. Lionshield Provisions and boarding house:

Run by Lydeth Graywind, this two-story wooden structure boasts a trading post on the ground floor, and a half-dozen rooms for rent above. Each renter also receives rights to use the common dining room, sitting room and bathing chambers, as well as being served two meals each day - a breakfast at sunrise, and a hearty supper just after sunset. Rooms rent for 15 silvers per sevenday, which is a decent rate including meals.

Lydeth sells mostly mining supplies and adventurer's gear. She has a few weapons for sale, at 10% over list price, and light or medium armor (also at 10% over book). She refuses to sell to anyone she thinks is associated with the Redbrand bandits. She will warn them that the ruffians are trouble and hang out at the Sleeping Giant tavern.

The Lionshield has lost the last two shipments of goods they should have received; they were both raided by the goblins. If the goods in Cragmaw castle are restored to her, she will pay 50 silvers and offer her help in any way she can to the adventurers in the future. Lydeth is not a fighter herself in any way, but she's a sensible, tough-minded woman who wants what is best for Phandalin. She's an employee of the Lionshield Trading Company, based out of Elfort, but she's also a local resident and knows many of the stories about Wave Echo Cave and Cragmaw Castle.

6. Edermath Orchards:

 Owned and run by Daran Edermath, who is a retired adventurer. He's a half-elf, over 100 years old, silver-haired but still strong and sturdy. He grew up in this area but spent most of his adult life serving in the Greenvale Guard; he retired here at the end of the Dragonwars. He's a L6 fighter. The only reason he has not yet dealt with the Redbrands himself is that he's been too busy this spring and summer collecting information about an upswelling of undead around Old Owl Well, north-east of Phandalin. He's spent a good bit of his time off prowling in that direction, and hadn't realized how aggressive the Redbrands had gotten. When they're dealt with, he'll ask the PCs to investigate Old Owl Well and see what they see, and if their findings match his own.

7. Shrine of Elanora:

Sister Gayna (L3 cleric) is a half-elf. She's retreated to Phandalin because of the strong human-only sentiment often found in larger temples of Elanora. Here, the townsfolk seem to ignore her mixed race, and she's comfortable serving their needs. She repaired the Temple building herself, and it still needs considerable work. The windows are open holes, without shutters, and the roof leaks badly. Gayna is a devotee of Elanora, but she is willing to allow any follower of the Gods of Greenvale worship here, and will work with any reasonable cleric of any other deity. Gayna has twice sent word to her senior Temple in Woodsvale of the bandit problems in Phandalin, and has gotten no aid.

Quest: Ask Agatha: Gayna has recently been contacted by a member of the House of Ivorr who is a (human) relative of hers - they have asked her to contact "Agatha", the ghostly spirit dwelling near the ruins of Conyberry, a question. Nearly a hundred years ago, a spellbook that belonged to a legendary spellcaster by the name of Bowgentle may have passed through Agatha's hands. The House of Ivorr is now searching for said book, and hopes that a suitable token (a jeweled comb) might tempt her to reveal what she knows. Gayna is terrified of Agatha, and will request that a PC carry out the questioning for her.

8. Sleeping Giant Tavern:

A rundown wooden building, single story, houses a dirty, dangerous tavern. It is frequented by the Redbrand thugs, and is run and operated by half-orc named Ormund. He's a woodsfolk (fox) who has been outlawed by his own people for his dishonesty. He only knows that the Redbrand bandits pay well, and he doesn't care who they harass. A few miners of the rougher sort also frequent his tavern, and he hears stories of orcs in Old Owl Well and on Wyvern Tor. See module for encounter here.

9. Tresendar Manor:

see the adventure module for details. More a castle than a manor proper, this structure was originally built in 2nd empire days by a wealthy knight who ruled the region. It would be an excellent defensive residence if it were properly restored, as it sits on a high hill overlooking the village and the nearby valley.

10. Smithy:

A rather workaday place, the human smith Edwy can do simple ironwork, repair armor, sharpen and mend weapons, but cannot make anything more dangerous than arrowheads, simple speartips and knife or axe blades. However, he's quite a connoisseur of local stories, and knows a lot about the history of Wave Echo Cave, which he will be happy to share, especially with anyone who tells him stories as well. Edwy is brusque when he's at work, but very easy to talk to in the evenings at the Inn. He's unmarried. The Redbrand ruffians have yet to try to strongarm him, perhaps because of his enormous strength and height; he's almost 7' tall, with a 19 Str.

11. Woodworker

12. Leatherworker

13. Bakery

14. Seamstress

15. Alderleaf Farm:

Cottman and Peony Alderleaf, and their 10 year old son Carp (and 3 other younger children) run this busy, well-tended and profitable farm. They've only been here 3 years, but already they've made it a home. They will let anyone who can't afford to stay at the Inn put up in their hayloft, if either Lydeth Graywind or Elmar Barthen put in a good word for them.

Carp's Story: a spirited and precocious boy, he wants to be an adventurer. One day when he was playing in the woods near Tresendar Manor, he found a secret tunnel in a thicket. A couple of "big ugly bandits" came out of the tunnel and met with a pair of goblins! He doesn't know what they said, but the goblins went back into the woods, and the bandits went into town. Carp would be happy to show the PCs where he found the tunnel, if they want.

Other info: Peony and Cottman both are friends of the druid Reidoth. If they discover that the PCs are looking for the specific locations of Cragmaw castle or Wave Echo Cave, they suggest the PCs seek out Reidoth in Thundertree Village's ruins. He left headed there three days ago. The ruins are easy to find, and Cottman gives clear directions on how to get there. Thundertree village is located about 12 miles from Phandalin, on the south side of the lake. One of the new villages, called Uscombe, is only a half-mile from the ruins.

DM Secrets!