Session 02 — Phandalin & the Redbrand Hideout

Formatted recap of Session 02 (raw notes preserved in that note).
Summary: Arriving in Phandalin, we gathered intel on the Redbrand ruffians and their leader Glass staff, learned the deeper history of the wave echo cave, took on jobs from Halia thorn, gained Sildar as an ally, and tracked the Redbrands to a cave hideout where we slew a nothic and uncovered proof that Glass staff is the wizard Iarno Albrek.

At the Stonehill Inn — talking to Sildar

We woke in Phandalin and spoke with Sildar. His lore dump:

• He wants to reach the town master on behalf of his friends in the Lord's Alliance.
• Mentions a wizard and Pragma castle.
• When captured, he overheard they were hunting Gundruid, sent by the black spider.
• Cragmaw Castle is where Gundruid is being held.

Town trouble: A local woodcarver (Trendar) stood up to the Redbrands and was killed in
broad daylight. The town master is a fool. The Redbrand ruffians run the town.

Later, a Sending Stones call from Sildar:

• The wizard vanished from the upper part of town about 2 months ago.
• The Redbrands hang out at an inn called the sleeping giant.

Townsfolk intel

• Toblen (miner) & Pip — Pip's friend was captured; Pip saw the secret tunnel.
• Elsa (woman behind the counter) — wasn't present at the murder. Points us to a retired adventurer named Darren by the apple orchard (80 yrs, "bad adventurer").

In the orchard — Darren

Darren, a half-elf (80), knows the Redbrand ruffians but doesn't know Sildar:

• The Redbrands have a safe house under the ruined manor, northeast of Phandalin.
• Someone was attacked by undead there.
• wave echo cave lore: 500+ years old, full of minerals and magic. Held the
  Forge of Spells, where magic items were crafted. After a great battle inside, its location was lost.
• Halia thorn, boss of the Miner's Exchange, is also interested in the Redbrands.

At Barthen's Provisions

A cool trading post (where we dropped our delivery). Behind the counter: Barthen.

• Gundruid is a Rockseeker; the reason he was captured is that he found the
  wave echo cave.

Ambush outside the shop

Leaving, we were jumped by Redbrand ruffians and obliterated them (killed Jonathan

• one other). Interrogation:

• Hired by the black spider.
• The gang is ~20 Redbrands + 2 bugbears.
• Leader is Glass staff.
• No loyalty to the town master ("he's just a pushover").
• Hideout holds 3 captives, guarded by skeletons, and they're feeding a scary monster.

Phandalin Miner's Exchange — Halia thorn

On the way, ran into Sildar for a recap. Inside (guard-like staff around), we met
Halia thorn:

• She asks us not to tell the town master about the Redbrands.
• Quest: Bring her Glass staff's head for 100 gold.

Sildar joins the party — he won't believe his "friendly wizard" is Glass staff.

townmaster's hall

• The town master is hopelessly oblivious — likes everyone, clueless.
• Lead (future): Orcs near Wyvern Tor — "inquire within."

The Cave Hideout (via the inn & Pip)

Pip guided us through the forest into a cave:

• A nothic — an evil being that can stare you to death. The wizard had been trying to
  control it; it's fine with us as long as we bring it bodies.
• We snuck into the wizard's room — but the wizard escaped (through some unknown exit).

Discoveries

• The magic mace Lightbringer is lost in the wave echo cave.
• Found a black sword made of obsidian.
• Found a card addressed to Iarno Albrek → Glass staff = Iarno Albrek.

Combat

• Tried to talk to the nothic — it refused → initiative. We skewered it like a kebab.
• 3 Redbrand ruffians burst in — handled them too.
• Below, a necrotic aura; found a townsperson, eaten up.

Reference

NPCs

Locations

Phandalin · Stonehill Inn · the orchard · Barthen's Provisions ·
Phandalin Miner's Exchange · townmaster's hall · sleeping giant ·
ruined manor · the cave hideout · Cragmaw Castle · wave echo cave

Quests & Leads

• Kill Glass staff (Iarno Albrek) — head to Halia thorn for 100 gold
• Find / rescue Gundruid — held at Cragmaw Castle
• (Future) Orcs near Wyvern Tor

Loot & Clues

• Obsidian black sword
• Card addressed to Iarno Albrek (proof: Glass Staff = Iarno)

Open Threads

• The wizard (Glass staff) escaped — to where?