Nestled in the rocky foothills of the snow-capped Sword Mountains is the mining town of Phandalin, which consists of forty or fifty simple log buildings. Crumbling stone ruins surround the newer houses and shops, showing how this must have been a much larger town in centuries past.
Phandalin’s residents are quiet, hard-working folk who came from distant cities to eke out a life amid the harsh wilderness. They are farmers, stonecutters, blacksmiths, traders, prospectors, and children. The town has no walls and no garrison, but most of the adults keep weapons within easy reach in case the need for arms should arise.
Visitors are welcome here, particularly if they have coin to spend or news to share. The Stonehill Inn at the center of town offers modest lodging and meals. A couple of doors down from the inn, posted outside the townmaster’s hall, is a job board for adventurers.
You begin in Stonehill tavern in Phandalin while travelling towards your destination of Waterdeep. You are dirty and tired from weeks on the road, and glad to sit down in a comfortable chair next to a large, warm hearth. A balding but friendly looking human man named Tolben has just brought you the best meal you've had in a long while. Roasted turkey leg with stewed carrots and brussel sprouts. "Good evening to you miss. Looks like you've been on the road a while. I have a room available up stairs if you want. You are welcome here as long as you need."
The tavern is about half full of patrons enjoying the evening meal. Most are human, but there are a few dwarves seated at a table near you. There is also a table with two gnomes excitedly tearing into turkey legs. The atmosphere is calm and peaceful, and a human minstrel plucks a lute in the corner.
You retire to your room for the night. The room is basic and sparse, but comfortable. Glad for the first hot bath and soft bed you've had in a long while, you fall asleep quickly.
You awake the next morning refreshed, and after getting ready you head down stairs for breakfast. As you walk down the stairs, you hear the same two gnomes from yesterday now joined by a third and sounding distraught and worried. They are talking anxiously in gnomish. "I don't know why he did it, he just went mad. Now the community has no leadership, we are a ship without a rudder, we'll fall apart! And now Orran and Warryn have disappeared! I don't know what is happening, but we must return post haste. Who else is going go tend the mushrooms? Who else is going to keep Factorè from shooting Fibblestib again?"
Another voice joins in from another small table nearby, just slightly too loud for the customary quiet of the breakfast rush.
"Fellas, I don't mean to intrude but it sounds like you've got some trouble on your hands. I'd be happy to help if there's anything I can do, being as y'all are small folk."
A halfling in drab farmer's clothing is leaning over from his breakfast plate, a strong cup of Dwarven-blend coffee spilling a little onto his table as he raises it to greet the gnomes.
All 3 gnomes look toward Alton then look back to each other. "An outsider might prove useful" one says. "He might have insight we can't provide" another says. "And he won't complain about the height our halls like the tallfolk do."
The 3 gnomes look back toward Alton. "Will you accompany us back to Puddleborough? Our dear King Korboz has went mad and has taken sweet Queen Gnerkla hostage. He's barricaded the both of them in their quarters. Says he doing it for their safety. Refuses to lead us or do anything, and we won't last long without his leadership. Two other gnomes have also dissapeared since the king went mad. No one knows what could have happened to them." We will find someway to repay you for your help."
Enid recognises these 3 gnomes as Rock Gnomes. Distant kin to her forest folk in Neverwinter Wood, she knows they have several small communities built into the rock of the Sword Mountains a few hours to the southeast of Phandalin.
I approach their table. “Excuse me. I couldn’t help but overhear. If you don’t mind an extra set of hands, I’d like to accompany you and see what assistance I can offer.”
The rock gnome's eyes brighten when they see another gnome offer to help. "Of course, kin is always welcome to Puddleborough, especially now. I feel that if something isn't done soon, we might have to leave and either go deeper into the mountains or abandon them altogether for the Wood."
The newest of the rock gnomes looks to both Enid and Alton. "How soon will you be able to leave? Puddleborough is only a 4 or 5 hour walk from here, so no need to pack to heavy. We'll be ready to leave in the hour." He offers a small pouch of 10 gold to each of you. "This should help buy anything you need for the trip."
Alton gnods to Enid, the gnewest gnome in the conversation.
”Ma’am.”
Turning back to the other gnomes, he smiles broadly. “Hells, I didn’t really have business in this town, was just passing through. On something of a walkabout, you understand. A king though? I’m not sure you’re that helpless without one of those, but we can talk about that on the road. I can leave anytime.”
A few minutes later, everyone heads out of the tavern and southwest out of Phandalin. The rock gnomes lead you on Miner's Trail out of town but then leave the main road and turn to the southeast toward the mountains. You cross a few crop fields before the land starts to rise in rolling hills. Its late summer, days are still quite warm and the nights are comfortable but getting cooler by the week. This morning it is sunny and comfortable, a good day for traveling. The lead rock gnome turns to Alton and Enid while hiking. "I guess we should get to know each other since y'all are coming to our aid. I'm Vlart, and this is my brother Reginald, and this is my other brother Reginald. Please don't ask why I have two brothers name Reginald...its a long story." Reginald #1 snorts and grins, and Reginald #2 slowly shakes his head and looks at the ground, embarrassed. They look nothing alike, except for the same mole on both their noses. Both Reginalds wear common clothes while Vlart wears over-alls with many pockets and a toolbelt with many small hand tools. Many of the tools neither of you have seen before. He also has a pair of complicated looking spectacles hanging out of his front chest pocket. "We've lived in Puddleborough for about 40 years, but we dont get out much. Sometimes my brothers like to come to Phandalin to eat some exotic human food. Turkey legs are their favorite. Where are y'all from?"
Alton spits out a wad of some sort of leaf he'd been chewing on as he walks. "Little town called Jiggs in the hills just a few days north of here. We don't have any of that king business, we just take care of each other. Raise goats mainly, and trade with the tall folk down here and the goblin tribe in the mountains. You ever had blaand? I might have a bottle of it in my pack somewheres when we stop. Anyway, I'm an apprentice druid. That's my job there, I help take care of the gardens and the goats."
"We've never had any blaand. You ever had any purple spotted mushroom wine? Its pretty much the staple drink in Puddleborough. We could swap bottles when we get there." Vlart says.
Enid says, “I’m from the Great Dale, in the east. For longer than I can remember, gnomes have been going missing. I’m just out here trying to find them and bring them home.”
"Gnomes in other places are going missing?!" Vlart and both Reginalds look at you with worry in their faces. "What do you think is happening? Do you think thats what happened to Orran & Warryn?"
Enid scribbles the two names, Orran and Warryn, in her notebook. “I’m not sure why our gnomes are missing. Every few weeks, for the past year, another gnome disappears. I don’t know if these incidents are related but I’ll do everything I can to find them.”
Nestled in the rocky foothills of the snow-capped Sword Mountains is the mining town of Phandalin, which consists of forty or fifty simple log buildings. Crumbling stone ruins surround the newer houses and shops, showing how this must have been a much larger town in centuries past.
Phandalin’s residents are quiet, hard-working folk who came from distant cities to eke out a life amid the harsh wilderness. They are farmers, stonecutters, blacksmiths, traders, prospectors, and children. The town has no walls and no garrison, but most of the adults keep weapons within easy reach in case the need for arms should arise.
Visitors are welcome here, particularly if they have coin to spend or news to share. The Stonehill Inn at the center of town offers modest lodging and meals. A couple of doors down from the inn, posted outside the townmaster’s hall, is a job board for adventurers.
You begin in Stonehill tavern in Phandalin while travelling towards your destination of Waterdeep. You are dirty and tired from weeks on the road, and glad to sit down in a comfortable chair next to a large, warm hearth. A balding but friendly looking human man named Tolben has just brought you the best meal you've had in a long while. Roasted turkey leg with stewed carrots and brussel sprouts. "Good evening to you miss. Looks like you've been on the road a while. I have a room available up stairs if you want. You are welcome here as long as you need."
The tavern is about half full of patrons enjoying the evening meal. Most are human, but there are a few dwarves seated at a table near you. There is also a table with two gnomes excitedly tearing into turkey legs. The atmosphere is calm and peaceful, and a human minstrel plucks a lute in the corner.
I nod at the offer, and place some coins on the table. Hoping it's enough and Tolben doesn't get more chatty.
Seeing you're in no mood to talk he takes your coin and slides the key to your room to you. He walks away to tend other tables.
I finish my meal, keeping an eye on the other patrons. Then head to my room. If I see Tolben on my way up, I wave a thanks to him.
You retire to your room for the night. The room is basic and sparse, but comfortable. Glad for the first hot bath and soft bed you've had in a long while, you fall asleep quickly.
You awake the next morning refreshed, and after getting ready you head down stairs for breakfast. As you walk down the stairs, you hear the same two gnomes from yesterday now joined by a third and sounding distraught and worried. They are talking anxiously in gnomish. "I don't know why he did it, he just went mad. Now the community has no leadership, we are a ship without a rudder, we'll fall apart! And now Orran and Warryn have disappeared! I don't know what is happening, but we must return post haste. Who else is going go tend the mushrooms? Who else is going to keep Factorè from shooting Fibblestib again?"
I choose a table as close as possible, trying to see if I can learn more. Maybe I can offer my help.
Another voice joins in from another small table nearby, just slightly too loud for the customary quiet of the breakfast rush.
"Fellas, I don't mean to intrude but it sounds like you've got some trouble on your hands. I'd be happy to help if there's anything I can do, being as y'all are small folk."
A halfling in drab farmer's clothing is leaning over from his breakfast plate, a strong cup of Dwarven-blend coffee spilling a little onto his table as he raises it to greet the gnomes.
"Name's Alton, by the way."
All 3 gnomes look toward Alton then look back to each other. "An outsider might prove useful" one says. "He might have insight we can't provide" another says. "And he won't complain about the height our halls like the tallfolk do."
The 3 gnomes look back toward Alton. "Will you accompany us back to Puddleborough? Our dear King Korboz has went mad and has taken sweet Queen Gnerkla hostage. He's barricaded the both of them in their quarters. Says he doing it for their safety. Refuses to lead us or do anything, and we won't last long without his leadership. Two other gnomes have also dissapeared since the king went mad. No one knows what could have happened to them." We will find someway to repay you for your help."
Enid recognises these 3 gnomes as Rock Gnomes. Distant kin to her forest folk in Neverwinter Wood, she knows they have several small communities built into the rock of the Sword Mountains a few hours to the southeast of Phandalin.
I approach their table. “Excuse me. I couldn’t help but overhear. If you don’t mind an extra set of hands, I’d like to accompany you and see what assistance I can offer.”
The rock gnome's eyes brighten when they see another gnome offer to help. "Of course, kin is always welcome to Puddleborough, especially now. I feel that if something isn't done soon, we might have to leave and either go deeper into the mountains or abandon them altogether for the Wood."
The newest of the rock gnomes looks to both Enid and Alton. "How soon will you be able to leave? Puddleborough is only a 4 or 5 hour walk from here, so no need to pack to heavy. We'll be ready to leave in the hour." He offers a small pouch of 10 gold to each of you. "This should help buy anything you need for the trip."
Alton gnods to Enid, the gnewest gnome in the conversation.
”Ma’am.”
Turning back to the other gnomes, he smiles broadly. “Hells, I didn’t really have business in this town, was just passing through. On something of a walkabout, you understand. A king though? I’m not sure you’re that helpless without one of those, but we can talk about that on the road. I can leave anytime.”
Enid returns Alton’s nod and turns to the gnomes. “I can be ready to leave when you are.”
A few minutes later, everyone heads out of the tavern and southwest out of Phandalin. The rock gnomes lead you on Miner's Trail out of town but then leave the main road and turn to the southeast toward the mountains. You cross a few crop fields before the land starts to rise in rolling hills. Its late summer, days are still quite warm and the nights are comfortable but getting cooler by the week. This morning it is sunny and comfortable, a good day for traveling. The lead rock gnome turns to Alton and Enid while hiking. "I guess we should get to know each other since y'all are coming to our aid. I'm Vlart, and this is my brother Reginald, and this is my other brother Reginald. Please don't ask why I have two brothers name Reginald...its a long story." Reginald #1 snorts and grins, and Reginald #2 slowly shakes his head and looks at the ground, embarrassed. They look nothing alike, except for the same mole on both their noses. Both Reginalds wear common clothes while Vlart wears over-alls with many pockets and a toolbelt with many small hand tools. Many of the tools neither of you have seen before. He also has a pair of complicated looking spectacles hanging out of his front chest pocket. "We've lived in Puddleborough for about 40 years, but we dont get out much. Sometimes my brothers like to come to Phandalin to eat some exotic human food. Turkey legs are their favorite. Where are y'all from?"
Alton spits out a wad of some sort of leaf he'd been chewing on as he walks. "Little town called Jiggs in the hills just a few days north of here. We don't have any of that king business, we just take care of each other. Raise goats mainly, and trade with the tall folk down here and the goblin tribe in the mountains. You ever had blaand? I might have a bottle of it in my pack somewheres when we stop. Anyway, I'm an apprentice druid. That's my job there, I help take care of the gardens and the goats."
"We've never had any blaand. You ever had any purple spotted mushroom wine? Its pretty much the staple drink in Puddleborough. We could swap bottles when we get there." Vlart says.
Enid says, “I’m from the Great Dale, in the east. For longer than I can remember, gnomes have been going missing. I’m just out here trying to find them and bring them home.”
"Gnomes in other places are going missing?!" Vlart and both Reginalds look at you with worry in their faces. "What do you think is happening? Do you think thats what happened to Orran & Warryn?"
Enid scribbles the two names, Orran and Warryn, in her notebook. “I’m not sure why our gnomes are missing. Every few weeks, for the past year, another gnome disappears. I don’t know if these incidents are related but I’ll do everything I can to find them.”
Vlart says "I'm glad you and Alton are coming with us. For the good of all gnomes."