The Lost Mine of Phandelver

More than five hundred years ago, clans of Shadar dwarves and halflings made an agreement known as the Phandelver's Pact, by which they would share a rich mine in a wondrous cavern known as Wave Echo Cave. In addition to its mineral wealth, the mine contained great magical power. Human spellcasters allied themselves with the dwarves and halflings to channel and bind that energy into a great forge (called the Forge of Spells), where magic items could be crafted. Times were good, and the nearby human town of Phandalin prospered as well. But then disaster struck when orcs swept through the east and laid waste to all in their path. A powerful force of orcs reinforced by evil mercenary wizards attacked Wave Echo Cave to seize its riches and magic treasures. Human wizards fought alongside their dwarf and halfling allies to defend the Forge of Spells, and the ensuing spell battle destroyed much of the cavern. Few survived the cave-ins and tremors, and the location of Wave Echo Cave was lost. For centuries, rumours of buried riches had attracted treasure seekers and opportunists to the area around Phandalin, but no one had ever succeeded in locating the lost mine. In the late 7980s, people had resettled the area. Phandalin still stands today as a rough-and-tumble frontier town. More importantly, in the late 7990s, it was rumoured that the Rockseeker brothers—a trio of dwarves—had discovered the entrance to Wave Echo Cave, and they intended to reopen the mines. Unfortunately for the Rockseekers, they were not the only ones interested in Wave Echo Cave. A mysterious villain known as the Black Spider controlled a network of bandit gangs and goblin tribes in the area, and his agents had followed the Rockseekers to their prize. The Black Spider wanted Wave Echo Cave for himself, and he took steps to make sure no one else knew where it was.

The Wayward Adventurers

The Rockseeker brothers failed in their attempts to keep a hold on Wave Echo Cave, and had to hire adventurers for backup. Baby McBaby, Deer, Nym, Veo, Nick Nara, and Myrddin were in Obsidian City when their dwarf patron and friend, Gundren Rockseeker, hired them to escort a wagon to Phandalin. Gundren had gone ahead with a warrior, Sildar Hallwinter, to attend to business in the town while the adventurers followed with the supplies. They were also promised 10 gp each by the owner of Barthen's Provisions in Phandalin when they deliver the wagon safely to that trading post. The adventurers were on the road to the town of Phandalin when they stumbled into a goblin ambush. They discovered that the goblins (who belonged to the Cragmaw tribe) had captured Gundren and Sildar. They dealt with the ambushers and then followed their trail back to the goblins' hideout. They rescued Sildar and learned from him that Gundren and his brothers discovered a famous lost mine. Sildar knows only that Gundren and his map have been taken to somewhere called Cragmaw Castle. The adventurers then arrived in Phandalin to find it terrorised by the Redbrands, a gang of miscreants led by a mysterious figure called Glasstaff. A number of interesting folk could also be found in Phandalin, in particular Sister Garaele, who Veo became slightly infatuated with. The Redbrands tried to run the adventurers out of town, so they returned the favour and stormed the Redbrand lair. In a hidden stronghold beneath an old manor, they found that Iarno "Glasstaff" Albrek, the leader of the Redbrands, was taking his orders from someone called the Black Spider, and that the Black Spider wanted the adventurers out of the picture. The adventurers took several short adventures in the region around Phandalin as they searched for more information about the Black Spider and the dwarves' lost mine. The clues the characters picked up in Phandalin led them to spy on a mysterious Red Wizard at the ruins of Old Owl Well, sought the advice of a dangerous banshee, ousted a band of orcs lurking at Wyvern Tor, and investigated the ruins of the town of Thundertree. Several of these leads pointed to Cragmaw Castle, which was the stronghold of King Grol, leader of the Cragmaw goblins. Here the adventurers discovered that the Black Spider was a drow scientist named Dave, and that the Cragmaw goblins worked for him. More importantly, they recovered Gundren Rockseeker's map to the lost mine. Following the map or the directions to the lost mine brought them to Wave Echo Cave. That lost underground complex was now overrun by undead and strange monsters. Dave was there with his loyal followers, exploring the mines and searching for the legendary Forge of Spells. The adventurers had the opportunity to avenge Gundren Rockseeker, to ensure the prosperity and security of Phandalin by clearing the rich mine of its monsters, and to put an end to the troublemaking of the Black Spider. It is unknown what happened at Wave Echo Cave, and the Black Spider was presumably killed, bringing peace to Phandalin and securing Wave Echo Cave and the Forge of Spells. However, it is known that whatever happened in Wave Echo Cave led to the adventurers splitting up for good. With hard work and a little luck, the adventurers cleared Phandalin of the ruffians who threatened its people and reclaimed the lost mine of Wave Echo Cave. Their deeds would be long remembered in this corner of Terra Caelum. In years to come, the restored mines of the Phandelver's Pact would bring great riches to Phandalin and help establish peace and prosperity in the area. Nundro Rockseeker, having been rescued by the adventurers after being a hostage of Dave, took over administration of the new mine. Even though the adventurers chose to split up and move on in search of new adventures, they'd always have a warm welcome in Phandalin.

Date of Setting

7999

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