NOTE: We are slowing replacing the pre-gen characters that come with the D&D Starter Kit with custom characters that each player has rolled. As mentioned elsewhere, this is optional. If players (Nick, Moch) choose to, they may keep their pre-gen'd characters or tweak them to fit their preferences. This week: Recto the Monk has replaced Niam the Fighter [Merrill] Rolen the Druid has replaced Grodrik the Cleric [Andy] Steve the Warlock is a new entrant [Hillers] All changes were just magically retcon'd into place by DM fiat as having always been that way. Cragmaw Hideout Having defeated Klarg, his pet wolf Ripper, and a handful of other goblins, the party searches Klarg's lair. They find and pocket a few provisions from a stack of crates & sacks decorated with emblems depicting a blue lion's head. Making their way west across a bridge, they run into a goblin sentry which they quickly strike down. Moving further west into the tunnels they encounter a large force of goblins and recognize a seriously injured Sildar Hallwinter , the warrior who had accompanied their employer Gundren Rockseeker on his journey toward Phandalin. As they draw their battle with the goblin forces to a close their leader Yeemik - a lieutenant of Klarg - implores them to reach a truce; simultaneously threatening Sildar's life while attempting to coerce the party into killing Klarg (which they have already done, unbeknownst to Yeemik) so that Yeemik may lead the goblins of Cragmaw Hideout in the bugbear's place. Seeing the party's posture become ever more threatening, Yeemik cravenly tosses Sildar off of the tall ledge while running to look for help - not believing that Klarg is actually dead. The fall nearly takes the life of the battered human warrior Sildar. While some of the party stays to stabilize and subsequently heal the man, the rest chase down Yeemik where they are finally able to incapacitate him. Before executing the goblin they're able to solicit a couple pieces of information from him, though it proved difficult to truly separate fact from fiction as the goblin tried increasingly desperate measures to escape with his life: Klarg & the goblins of Cragmaw Hideout were instructed by King Grol to wait for and eventually waylay Gundren & Sildar specifically Gundren was transferred into the hands of King Grol at Cragmaw Castle, location unknown After killing the goblin, the party finds their first opportunity to speak with Sildar and understand a bit more of what is going on. From Sildar they learn: Gundren and his two brothers believe they have found the entrance to the long lost mines of Phandelver's Pact - home of the Forge of Spells (background info in your Handouts panel) Sildar does not know the way to the mine; Gundren carried a map with him that is now presumed to be in the hands of King Grol Sildar offered an unspecified reward for his rescue and safe passage once they've returned to Phandalin; this is separate from the wagon contract which is deliverable to Elmar Barthen, also in Phandalin With Gundren missing, Sildar was eager to find his contact from the Lord's Alliance, Iarno Albrek, in Phandalin With Sildar now healed and following, the party makes way for Phandalin. Stonehill Inn Arriving for the first time in the town of Phandalin as the sun set, the party makes way to the local Stonehill Inn. Inside they meet Toblen Stonehill, the innkeeper, and secure a room for each of them. They learn that the Redbrands - a local gang of bandits seemingly already known to Elor (Nick) - have claimed the local tavern The Sleeping Giant and are warned that it would be dangerous to stray too near. As the rest of the party prepared for a well-earned rest, Steve (Hillers), followed Sildar from the inn to the Townmaster's Hall. Eavesdropping on the conversation inside he learned that: Sildar did not previously know the Townmaster, Harbin Wester When asked about Sildar's contact Iarno Albrek, Harbin Wester invited Sildar upstairs for a more private discussion Satisfied that Sildar was not deceiving them and would still be nearby in the morning to collect the promised reward, Steve headed back to the Stonehill Inn to join the rest of his companions in their first evening in Phandalin. MVP Award Every week, starting now, we'll discuss who best deserves this session's "MVP Award". The person selected will start next session with Inspiration, which lets them apply Advantage to any one roll during that session - MVP Inspiration is lost at the end of the session. The rules for choosing the MVP are loose: it could be combat prowess, excellent roleplaying, or just saying something that is really fucking funny. Leave your nominations below and I'll select the MVP at the start of next week's session.
