Phandalin

In the late 15th century DR, Phandalin was a modest and architecturally boring town of hard-working frontiersfolk built atop the ruins of the old Phandalin.[6][2][7] The town quickly grew to about fifty well-maintained structures built of logs and flagstones[6][8] with three deep wells providing water.[4] The town was dominated by an apple orchard on the west side and a ruined manor atop a hill to the east. The townsfolk would congregate in a small town square and an adjacent town green.

Government

When Phandalin was reestablished in the late 15th century DR, at first it had no real functioning government, and the Phandalin Miner's Exchange began acting as a center of records-keeping for local mining claims. The townsfolk also annually elected a "Townmaster" who served as a judge and mediator as well as kept town records. In 1491 DR,[note 1] Harbin Wester was the perennial Townmaster.[12]
After diminished faith in the abilities of a single Townmaster to address threats to the village during the early 1490s DR, the townsfolk instead elected a three-member Town Council,[8][13] originally consisting of Harbin Wester, Sildar Hallwinter, and Trilena Stonehill.[13] Trilena was eventually replaced by Halia Thornton, who subsequently disappeared. As of 1496 DR,[note 2] the townsfolk moved to expand the council from three to five and additionally to elect a mayor.

Industry & Trade

Phandalin was adjacent to land which was good for farming and ranching, and was near enough to Neverwinter Wood to support a woodcutting and logging industry. Most of the wealth, however, was from mining in the nearby Sword Mountains for gold, platinum,[2] ore, timber, skins, and cold iron.

History

Early History Phandalin was originally a farming community[4] notable for its mages and enchanters.[14] It became a member of Phandelver's Pact circa the 10th century DR, giving the town access to the Forge of Spells and the mining operations in Wave Echo Cave.[15] By the Year of the Doomguard, 950 DR, Phandalin boasted a large an prospering community of humans,[6] gnomes, and dwarves, and thanks to the wonders brought about by the Forge of Spells and Phandelver's Pact, they aspired to eclipse nearby Neverwinter as a beacon of civilization on the Sword Coast North. The town's cooperative nature was highlighted in the writings of then-mayor Alderleaf, entitled The Wonders of Phandalin.[3]
At that same time, the nearby orc realm of Uruth Ukrypt had exhausted their food supply from over-hunting, and so began to raid settlements in the area for supplies. Phandalin was one of these settlements, and in the Year of the Empty Hourglass, 951 DR, it was overrun and then abandoned.[4][5] It was said that the orcs were supported by mercenary wizards, who went on to lead the orcs to raid Wave Echo Cave.[16]
The town remained abandoned for centuries, with no inhabitants save for monsters and the occasional passing ranger making camp in one of the more secure structures.[17]
First Resettlement By the mid-to-late 14th century DR, Phandalin was notable as one of the better preserved ruins along the Sword Coast. Visitors were cautioned that although the town's three wells still contained water, one was tainted with an undetectable toxin that was fatal to all but orcs and half-orcs.[17]
The town was resettled some years before the Year of Lightning Storms, 1374 DR. The small village was a struggling hard-working community, with its most notable resource being mined in the nearby cold iron mines. The industrious man named Danley assembled a group of tough veterans of the Shadow War to clean the cold iron mines of their monstrous humanoid inhabitants and resume the cold iron production. The plan came to a halt when two representatives of the so-called "Cold Mining Company" arrived in Phandalin and declared ownership of the mines, and cleared out orcs and other creatures who infested it. Danley's suspicions were peaked as something was wrong about these claims. He suspected the Black Network or some nearby nation. The "Mining Company" refused to employ people of Phandalin and sold the cold iron to some unknown source, never merchant caravans that passed the village. Danley allied with a group of mercenaries who worked for the merchant princess Sa'Sani to investigate the mines. Daniel Merriwether and Chester Paulson, the leaders of the operations, were revealed to be magically disguised oni mages Radbur and Gromcheck and miners – disguised orcs and bugbears. The "Cold Mining Company" was subsequently closed and claimed by Danley and the folk of Phandalin.[1]
Second Resettlement Following the Spellplague, Phandalin once again was in ruins. Beginning around the Year of the Nether Mountain Scrolls, 1486 DR, settlers from Neverwinter and Waterdeep began resettling the ruins of Phandalin once again, and the rebuilt town was well-established by the Year of the Scarlet Witch, 1491 DR.[6]
Around this time, two challenges befell the town. One was a group of bandits known as the Redbrands, or the Redbrand Ruffians, who settled in Phandalin, making their lair under Tresendar Manor. They committed several terrible acts, such as racketing local businesses, kidnapping over a dozen travelers to sell into slavery, killing the woodcarver Thel Dendrar for his defiance, and later kidnapping his family.[18] The other challenge was the appearance of Cryovain, a white dragon who claimed Icespire Hold as his lair and the region around Phandalin as his territory. The dragon terrorized the town and its neighbors, and further displaced orcs and monsters from of the Sword Mountains who likewise threatened Phandalin's safety.[2] Unimpressed with how the townmaster, Harbin Wester, handled these challenges, the townsfolk restructured their government to include a three-person town council.[8][13]
Soon after, Volothamp Geddarm passed through the town and wrote about it in his book, Volo's Guide to Monsters, causing the area to experience an influx of tourists and adventurers. This led a boom in the town's tourism industry, leading to an explosion of competition between the town's inns and taverns. The influx of tourists not only brought more business into Phandalin, but also led to increased incidents of visiting nobles and hapless thrill-seekers landing themselves in danger with local monsters.[19] The town's newfound popularity coincided with the appearance of Gavmogon, a beholder with access to a powerful artifact that allowed him to spread madness in the region.[20]
Over the next few years, much of the mineral wealth that was expected to flow into Phandalin failed to materialize. The town could go for months with no new income from the mining operations,[21] and efforts to open the ancient mine at Wave Echo Cave were abandoned.[21]
In the Year of the Duplicitous Courtier, 1496 DR, the town held its first mayoral election since its resettlement, with Harbin Wester and Sildar Hallwinter competing for the office. At issue in the election were things like the role of adventurers in the town's safety—exacerbated by the arrival of a franchise of the Acquisitions Incorporated adventuring company—and what to do about an unusually intelligent ogre named Stuuzant who had begun attacking local livestock.

Points of interest

Notable Locations Phandalin A map of the town circa 1491 DR.
Inns and Taverns Stonehill Inn: A modest inn that was run by a short, friendly young human man named Toblen Stonehill. Toblen came from the east of Triboar, seeking opportunity in prospecting like many others. He soon found that he knew more about running an inn than mining, and so he established the inn.[23] The Sleeping Giant: A rundown, dirty, and dangerous watering hole. It was known for being frequented by a bandit group, the Redbrands. It was operated by a surly female dwarf named Grista.[12] Danley and Sons Inn: The only inn when the town was briefly resettled in the late 14th century DR.[1] Shops and Businesses Barthen's Provisions: The biggest trading post in Phandalin, which stayed open from sunup to sundown. It was run by a lean and balding, middle-aged man with a kindly manner, Elmar Barthen.[18] This shop was closed and converted to a temple in 1496 DR.[24] Edermath Orchard: An orchard field with the simple cottage of a silver-haired half-elf named Daran Edermath. Daran was a retired marshal in the lands of the Dragon Coast. When he retired, he returned to the Neverwinter region, which was his original home, to grow apples and make cider.[18][22] Lionshield Coster: A weapons and armor supplier owned by the Lionshield Coster. The master of this post was a sharp-tongued woman named Linene Graywind,[18] who ran the business with her daughter Minghee.[25] Phandalin Miner's Exchange: A trading post where miners had their finds weighed and paid out. The townsmaster's records were kept here, with responsibility of no local lord. The exchange was run by the Zhentarim, who attempted to slowly take control of Phandalin. Their original agent was Halia Thornton,[26] who was eventually replaced by Sharna Quirstiron.[25] The Smithy: The local blacksmith was Alger Frakk, who ran this smithy with his apprentice, Maza Fieldsalder.[24] The Woodworker: A woodcarving business run by Thel Dendrar until his death in 1491 DR.[23] Temples and Shrines Shrine of Luck: A small shrine made of stone from the ruins and Phandalin's only temple, dedicated to Tymora. It was in the care of a zealous young elf and member of the Harpers, Sister Garaele.[12] Temple of the Coinmaiden: A temple that was dedicated to Waukeen in 1496 DR at the former location of Barthen's Provisions. It was managed by the aloof Ditch Fundi, although the actual temple services were overseen by two acolytes, Hesten Jenz and Mischka Solmen.[24][10] Shrine of Waukeen: A small shrine built when the town was briefly resettled in the late 14th century DR.[1] Other Locations Alderleaf Farm: A simple farm that was run by a wise female halfling named Qelline Alderleaf. She was long-time friends with the druid, Reidoth.[12] Townmaster's Hall: A small building that served as the seat of the town government. It also housed a small, but serviceable jail in the cellar.[27] Tresendar Manor: More of a castle than a manor, this was an ancient building that was abandoned after the orc raids of 951 DR. In the late 15th century DR, the cellars—once served as a safe haven when the estate was attacked. It also served as a resting place for the deceased members of the Tresendar family—were turned into the hideout of the Redbrands.[28] The building was later turned into a guildhall for Acquisitions Incorporated.

Geography

Phandalin was located in the Lost Hills of the Sword Mountains south of Neverwinter Wood.[9] It was northeast of Leilon where the road that ran from the High Road to Triboar faded into a trail.[4] This was a region rich with both natural resources and adventuring opportunities.[7][9]
The climate was temperate, with an average yearly rainfall of 18 inches (46 centimeters).[10] Icespire Peak was visible from the town on clear days.