Redbrands
The Redbrands, sometimes called the Redbrand Ruffians, were a group of bandits and brigands active in the resettled frontier town of Phandalin and nearby Triboar Trail region in the late 15th century DR.
Structure
The Redbrands mostly consisted of humans, male and female, although a handful of halflings and bugbear were also in the bandit group. Each Redbrand wore a simple, dirty scarlet cloak. These cloaks were used to stop The undead in their hideout in Tresendar Manor from attacking them.
They were led by a mysterious wizard who they called Glasstaff. Who a group of adventurers called Sizable Problems found out to be Iarno Albrek a former member of the Lords' Alliance.
Public Agenda
The Redbrands terrorized the locals with threats and demands for protection money, which escalated into murder and kidnapping. In addition, they would capture travelers to be sold as slaves. Slaves and illicit goods were smuggled into and out of Phandalin via a secret tunnel which connected to the basement of their base at Tresendar Manor.
History
The Redbrands were founded by a traitorous agent of the Lords' Alliance named Iarno Albrek, calling himself "Glasstaff," in the Year of the Era of Upheaval, 1488 DR. After making contact with Nezznar "the Black Spider," Iarno conspired to keep the population of Phandalin away from Wave Echo Cave, and in return he would receive a share of the spoils from Nezznar's excavation of the site.
With no local lord or powerful authority within the small town, the Redbrands were able to harass the farmers and prospectors for two months. Apart from terrorizing the local populace, the Redbrands enjoyed drinking at The Sleeping Giant tavern. Many were afraid of standing up to the bandit group, including Townmaster Harbin Wester, the closest thing Phandalin had to a local authority, although some members of the community proved too hard or too dangerous to harass, such as Sister Garaele of the Shrine of Luck and Halia Thornton of the Phandalin Miner's Exchange.
Things eventually escalated to a breaking point when the Redbrands killed the woodcarver, Thel Dendrar, and kidnapped his wife, Mirna, and their children, Nars and Nilsa. The group was defeated and cleared from their hideout by a group of adventurers called the Sizable Problems.
Disbandment
The organization was disbanded by a group of adventurers called the Sizable Problems. They arrived in Phandalin and sought their leader Glasstaf after being hired by the people of Phandalin. They entered the Tresendar Manor and found Glasstaf and found out he was called Iarno. They kidnapped him and brought him to Harbin Wester and Sildar Hallwinter. Where he was imprisoned and questioned.
DISBANDED/DISSOLVED
1488 - 1488
Type
Illicit, Gang
Alternative Names
Redbrand Ruffians
Leader
Location
Notable Members
Related Species
Comments