Lost Mine of Phandelver Story

Interlude: Recovery (Rose)

20 Tarsakh 1491

Prepared Spells

Level One

• Color Spray

• False Life

• Magic Missile

• Sleep

Level Two

• Hold Person

• Misty Step

• Invisibility

• Nystul's Magic Aura

Component Pouch

• 1/4lb charcoal

• 5 sticks incense

• 1 pkg herbs

• 15 rose petals

• 1 feather (raven)

• 50mL dwarvish whiskey

• 10mg multi-colored sand

• 2 inch stick of iron

• 1oz gum arabic w an eyelash

• 1 2in×2in silk square

Dear Diary,

Finally, I have some time to sit down and relax. The past two days have been eventful for all the wrong reasons. When we returned from our venture at Cragmaw Castle, we healed Gundren as soon as we were able, but his time in the goblins' care took a toll on him. Despite Peri's best efforts, he's still too weak to travel, (completely understandable, given the horrendous state of that castle, I'm amazed he doesn't have an infection.) So we're waiting until he recovers before we make any further progress investigating Wave Echo Cave.

In the meantime, we've busied ourselves helping the townsfolk of Phandalin with various tasks. The other night I was told of a nearby shrine tended by Sister Garaele, a priestess of Tymora, the goddess of luck and good fortune. According to my source, the sister had left town for a few days, then returned wounded and exhausted. When I told Peri about it, he insisted we check up on her, saying that he needed to "take care of his fellow enlightened" or something to that nature. And while I don't personally subscribe to worship of these "gods" that the people of Faerun are so obsessed with, I didn't have any reason to turn him down.

Over at the Shrine of Luck, we met Sister Garaele, and she informed us that she was a member of The Harpers, a scattered network of adventurers who monitor threats across the countryside. Recently, Garaele's superiors asked her to persuade a banshee named Agatha to answer a question about a spell book. Garaele sought out the banshee in her lair, but the creature didn't appear to her, and after two days, the sister returned. She asked that we go as an intermediary to bring a suitable gift (a jeweled silver comb) and persuade her to tell us what she knew about a spell book belonging to the legendary wizard Bowgentle. In exchange for our assistance, the sister offered us three potions of healing which, while nice, isn't exactly a king's ransom. Still, with Peri being bound by duty, and Sonny by a bleeding heart, we agreed to undertake the mission. And, I suppose, I'll admit to being at least a little curious about the spell book myself.

We followed Sister Garaele's instructions to the abandoned town of Conyberry, which had been sacked by barbarians years ago and left in ruins. From the town, we walked along a trail that led into Neverwinter Wood. Eventually we came to a screen made from warped branches of trees standing close together, woven into a domelike shelter in the shadows with a low opening for a door. Looking at it reminded me of the coven back home, actually. The weaving of primal and arcane to make natural homes is very Feywild. Unfortunately, Peri didn't agree with my assessment, insisting that the house was "creepy" and that we should leave and come back another day. (I suppose that's what they mean by "fraidy cat.") Thankfully, we were able to convince him that there was nothing to be afraid of, but that Sonny would hold his paw if he got scared (which, of course, he did the whole time.)

We entered the banshees hut, but found the place abandoned. We almost gave up and went home, but just then a chill ran through the room, and the banshee appeared in the center of the room, asking what we sought. Thankfully, I have experience with spirits from my training with Brunhilde. The key is to avoid direct eye contact and be polite (but never fawning, they can sense insincerity.) I presented Agatha with the silver comb as a "token of our esteem," which she gladly accepted. She told us that she knew we sought information, and told me I could ask one question.

Tempted though I was to ask for specific magical secrets, we had made an agreement, and I am nothing if not a witch of my word. I asked her what she remembered about Bowgentle's spell book, and she informed me that she had traded the book to a necromancer named Tsernoth from the city of Iriaebor more than a hundred years ago. She didn't know what became of it afterwards.

Assuming she was being truthful, we thanked the banshee for her time and returned to Phandalin.

We reported back to Sister Garaele with our findings, and she thanked us with the agreed upon price of three potions of healing. She said that it was enough information for her and The Harpers to resume their search for the book, and that she appreciated our efforts. Personally, I am a bit curious about what that old spell book contains. I'll need to check in with her later for updates. Until then, we have plenty to focus on here.

Speaking of which, it's getting late and I should be getting to bed. Hopefully tomorrow's efforts will be more fruitful.

Until then,

Rose

P.S. I forgot to mention: after using detect magic on the sun elf statuette Viola found in Cragmaw Castle, I've determined that it has divinatory properties. Definitely warrants more study.

Interlude: Recovery (Sonny)

Hey Ma,

I hope you're doing well. I'm sorry to be bothering you with this, but something has come up that has me mighty confused, and I need your advice. The trouble started after we returned from Cragmaw Castle. Like I mentioned in the letter I wrote Pa yesterday, Gundren has been bedridden since we got back, so we've passed the time till he gets better doing odd jobs around Phandalin. 

This morning, we went over to the Edermath Orchard, since a friend of ours had mentioned that the owner used to be an adventurer like us. I figured it would do me some good to get some farming in (gotta beat off the rust before I get back home for harvesttime, afterall) and the others thought we could hear some cool stories from talking to Daran, the owner of the orchard. 

Daran is a retired adventurer; says he spent a lotta years down on the Dragon Coast, working as a marshal and herald before coming back home to Neverwinter. He's a member of this group called the Order of the Gauntlet- a group that protects the innocent from folks that would exploit them. He thanked us for helping out with the Redbrands, and for getting Gundren back safe. 

He also told us about some rumors he'd heard about someone digging around the ruins of Old Owl Well. What's worse, a few prospectors in the area have told tales of being chased off by undead in that area. Daran asked if we'd be willing to investigate- find out who was there and what they wanted. When we asked what he was so worried about with an old abandoned well, he told us that the ruins were an old watchtower of an ancient magical empire called Netherill, and that he was worried some dangerous ancient magic might be buried there. Of course, as soon as he mentioned old magic, Rose insisted that we get there as soon as possible (which I don't think Daran took too kindly to) and we didn't have much else to do besides (his orchard is pretty small, and he manages well enough with the handful of farmhands he has on staff) so we agreed to head north and investigate.

After two days of hiking, we eventually reached the ruins. The 'watchtower' was mostly just a bunch of ruined walls surrounding a courtyard with the well at the center. As we got closer, we caught a whiff of something foul- do you remember when that rat got wedged between the walls in Gil's room, and we didn't find it until a month later? It was like that, but times ten. We walked up to the well and a bunch of zombies came shambling out- like something out of Uncle Jack's stories, I swear. Thankfully, Peri was prepared, and sent them packing with their holy symbol- just shone a light at em and they all turned tail and ran (or whatever their version of running was- it wasn't very fast.)

Hearing the commotion, this bald, tattooed wizard came scrambling out of a nearby tent, asking what we were doing there. We told him we were there investigating the well, and to see what was going on with the zombies. He introduced himself as Harmun Kost, but wouldn't tell us what he was doing at the well, and demanded that we leave. We were only there to observe and report, so I was ready to be done with the whole thing, but Rose insisted that he was bad news, and that we couldn't leave him to his own devices. So, we decided to stay and keep him talking. He didn't like that very much, and pretty soon we had another fight on our hands.

Thankfully, Peri's light thing seemed to do the trick, and we were able to scare off the zombies long enough for me to take down Harmun. After running the rest of his forces off, we turned back to Phandalin. Things went pretty smooth, other than a tussle we had with some orcish folk who were passing through, but they didn't give us too much trouble either.

When we made it back to Phandalin, we told Daran what we'd found and that we'd handled the situation. He thanked us, then we got to talking about his adventuring days, and different fights he'd had, and we got to talking about our adventuring days and the fights we've been having. And I guess he liked my stories in particular, cause when all was said and done, he took me to the side and asked me if I'd be interested in joining the Order of the Gauntlet. I told him I'd sleep on it, and ask you what you thought. He laughed at that, which I didn't appreciate, but he'd been polite till then, so I didn't figure on starting nothing.

So I guess that's my problem, mama. I want to get back to you. And to pa and the others, but things keep cropping up out here that keep me away. And the scariest part of it is, I think I'm starting to like adventuring- but I know that every moment I spend out here is a moment I could be spending with the people who need me back home. I feel mighty selfish and stupid for not knowing what should come natural, and I guess I hope you can set me straight.

I love you, mama. And I hope to see you soon.

Love,

Sonny

Interlude: Recovery: Verne

My Dearest Anais,

After all the toil and worry, we have finally done it: Gundren is home safe. In truth, the man is rather ill, being currently confined to his bed for the time being, but much better to be sick in bed than in a cold dungeon surrounded by goblins. But I am getting ahead of myself.

Upon the morn of our rescue venture, we entreated the aid of Krustt, a bugbear formerly under the employ of the Redbrands, to guide us to Cragmaw Castle, where our friend Gundren Rockseeker was being held prisoner at the behest of a mysterious figure known as the Black Spider. Once we arrived, we sneaked into the foyer and quickly dispatched the guards before slowly working our way through the south end of the building, rallying against the goblin forces we found there, finally coming across the leader of the sordid company: a grizzled old bugbear who called himself King Grol.

We fought and slew the king, as well as his attendants and a silent drow who we believed to be the Black Spider (having heard the mastermind was a drow from Redbrand leader Iarno Albrek,) but who instead turned out to be a doppelganger. With Gundren secured we had but to escape the castle and the remaining goblin forces, but before that, I had a mission.

As you well know, I am a lover of all beasts, and I cannot abide by their mistreatment or confinement if I am in a position where I may remedy their situation. And in our surveillance of the castle, I found an offshoot tunnel in which a large creature was held behind a barred door. Compelled by duty, I elected to free the creature from its prison with the aid of Sonny, who was very brave in his action, (ill-considered though it may have been.) The creature we found turned out to be an owlbear: an impressive beast of mysterious and likely unfortunate arcane origin. Woe be unto the magicians who created these beasts, only to be torn asunder by beak and claw.

To free you of worry, my young friend is fine, and in the comfort of hindsight, the events were in fact quite comical. You see, we opened the door with the intention of letting the creature run out of an entrance at the north end of the tower, but for reasons that escape me, Sonny began banging on his shield and entreating the monster to chase him, which of course, it did. They ran helter-skelter down the hall until reaching the entrance where the owlbear batted Sonny away like a cat would a ball of yarn before trotting off into the sunset, happy as a barnyard pig.

As I said, Sonny was fine after the ordeal, and we had an enlightening conversation about the role of adventurers and the purpose of violence as a balancing force for good. In truth, most of my speech to the lad was repurposed from things Thalia told me of her time in the king's army. Regardless, I believe my words eased his mind, and we were able to continue our escape.

We next came across a shrine protected by goblin priests and a slithering, tentacled creature that nearly strangled Peri, but thankfully we were able to save them, as well as restore the shrine, which I believe was a good experience for them. Additionally, we found a magical statuette (shaped like a sun elf, believe it or not) that Rose believes can be used to divine answers about the future. The fruits of her research remain to be seen, but I trust the young mage's erudition.

With most of the goblins cleared out, we thought ourselves free of Cragmaw Castle, but alas- it was not so. We were caught on the front steps by a band of hobgoblins returning from a hunt. The prey: elves. I could of course not let this abhorrent deed go unpunished, and with my allies at my back, we destroyed the hobgoblin forces and brought Gundren safely back to Phandalin.

And so we are, once again, back at the Stonehill Inn. We have been busying ourselves taking care of assorted goings-on around town while Gundren recovers. And I believe tomorrow, we will be heading northeast along the Triboar Trail to investigate the lair of a banshee, an abandoned magical well or the presence of orcs somewhere along the trail. Never a shortage of things to do while out on the open road, I suppose.

Well my dear, I shan't bore you any longer with my ramblings. I do hope you enjoy these stories- I look forward to the day when I may read them to you in the land beyond. But for now: I must rest.

With Love Everlasting,

Verne

Interlude: Recovery (Peri)

20 Tarsakh

Prayer

“I gratefully thank You, O Morning Lord, for the light you bring to my heart, that I may spread your radiance across the land.”

Thanks

Thank you for showing me the dark, so that I can appreciate the light

Thank you for giving me opportunities to smite evil in your name

Thank you for leading me to your shrine, that I may restore it to glory

Blessings

I pray for blessings for my allies, who keep me company on the road:

I pray that Rose may find a spell of light, so the darkness scroll she found does not overtake her spell book.

I pray for Sonny, that you may guide his hand and make his decision easy. (But please make him stay- I’d be sad if he went home.)

I pray for the peaceful passage of the owlbear. Verne said it was ok to set it loose.

I pray for Viola, that she finds some treasure that’s hers. I think she was sad to give up the invisibility potion.

I pray for Gundren. May he make a speedy recovery.

And I'll also pray for the goblins of Cragmaw Castle. I hope your light can reach them in the land beyond.

Closing

Thank you Lathander, Inspiration’s Dawn, for all you do. For the warmth and light you wash over us. Till the next dawn comes.

Amen.

Interlude: Recovery (Viola)

Total Treasure from Cragmaw Castle and Other Ventures 

Coin

5pp, 170gp, 232ep, 435sp, 750cp

Items

Pearl - worth 100gp per Peri

Potion of healing (5)

Spell scroll of darkness

Jeweled box - worth 25gp per Peri

Ring of protection that I definitely don't need

Vials of perfume (3) - worth 10gp each per Halia

Sun elf statuette - worth 100gp per Halia (potentially more, if Rose is right about it being magic)

Chalice, knife and censer - worth 150gp, 60gp, 120gp (NOT donating, sorry Peri)

Spell scroll of silence

Spell scroll of revivify

Map to Wave Echo Cave

Other

Verbal agreement from Gundren Rockseeker promising us each a 2% stake in the mine (which seems a bit slim, considering we saved his life but still- mama's a mining magnate now!)

Value Total

5pp, 755gp, 435sp, 750cp

Split

1pp, 151gp, 87sp, 150cp each

Rose - potion of healing, spell scroll of darkness

Sonny - potion of healing

Verne - potion of healing, spell scroll of silence

Peri - potion of healing, spell scroll of revivify, ring of protection (which seems silly, since they have armor and a shield, but they did scare off the zombies so that we could get the ring in the first place, so whatever.)

Viola - potion of healing (yippee)