Goblin Raiders and Redbrand Ruffians
Tallon the Tall, Willow and Yeet Longshade begin by first encountering an ornery group of goblins and a bugbear (named "Krag") in a cave, that leads to the rescue of Sildar Hallwinter, and the beginning of everything else...
Sildar thanks them, gives a modest reward but more importantly offers to employ them - sponsoring the next quests, starting with figuring out what's up in Tresendar Manor ruins with the Redbrands. This leads to them escaping capture, fighting the Nothic in the caverns beneath the ruins and finding a sword and magical bag that later produce Ujio and Mon-Kei, who have been suspended in time within those items. In sharing the story of their escape, they mention overhearing "Albrek" being "Glasstaff - the leader of the Redbrands" - and Sildar grows upset, realizing his missing Lords Alliance contact in Phandalin (Lord Iarno Albrek of Neverwinter) has betrayed him.
Sildar calls for reinforcements from Waterdeep, while still concerned about his friend Gundren of the dwarf Rockseekers clan, who had been captured with him - but taken to the bugbear's leader - a "King Grol of Cragmaw Castle". Sildare sends Our Party off to Thundertree to see if the druid Reidoth can help them find out where Cragmaw Castle might be in the vast Neverwinter Wood.
Thundertree (Player's Perspective):
In the ruined town of Thundertree, the bumbling, cowardly, but kindly old druid Reidoth agrees to assist, but only if the party helps him out first. He keeps the town's plant-creatures (Blights) away from them while they go to drive a pesky dragon out of a nearby tower. Finding the dragon had disposed of some giant spiders and otherwise made itself comfy, a terrific battle is fought and the party is barely able to survive, but indeed triumphs.
Venomfang flies off as the party, scattered on the ground brace against the churning winds directed by flapping wings. The Sanctum Sack falls to the stony floor, utterly bubbling with poisonous bile.
From beyond the keep's ruined walls a cheer and clapping can be heard - the druid Reidoth, incredulous at your success. He seems wary of entering the building and patiently waits as you search for a presumed horde - don't dragons always have hordes?
Thundertree (NPC's Perspective):
You do find a chest full of loot, open to glisten for the dragon's greedy indulgence. The chest is cracked but its contents manageable to be removed, divided among the party members. Two scrolls in bone cases and a tome of weather lore are kept in a side drawer. But beneath coins and moonstones and some silver goblets lies a battleaxe inscribed with Dwarven runes, which Tallon proudly reads as "Hew".
The axe turns out to be the source of the druid's unease, and while Tallon finds it quite pleasing in heft and movement, Willow and Reidoth share some words privately where she both smirks and frowns. In his tests, Tallon seems able to mightily split furniture and even the heavy doors of the cottages (though on the stray ash zombie inside, it seemed about the same as his warhammer). Reidoth is pleased to have the axe taken away from the town of Thundertree. Willow seems to watch carefully whenever Tallon has it out.
Since Tallon won't throw the axe into the river, Reidoth refuses to travel with you to Cragmaw Castle, but keeping his word he gives you excellent directions and even suggests a local you can check with if you get lost. It's about 25 miles directly north of the town of Phandalin. (Thundertree was about 60 miles travel from Phandalin).
Reidoth: "Cragmaw Castle was originally a stronghold - long ago, and it has since fallen in on itself and become overgrown with the southern Neverwinter Forest. Ironically, you passed not too far from it on your way to Thundertree, probably only evading the goblin patrols because of Willow's skill swiftly and quietly leading the party through the forest."Reidoth shares a few other things he can recall about Cragmaw Castle, hoping these helpful:
- There are a number of goblins and hobgoblins that raid and hunt from the castle. One of the hobgoblins keeps two wolves as pets.
- Bandits, who fit the description of the Redband Brigands (who are bullying the people back in the town of Phandalin), have been seen coming to and leaving the place.
- The goblins recently captured an Owlbear and it sounds like they are trying to keep it as a pet or use it as entertainment or something.
- The leader of the goblins, the one who apparently has Gundren Rockseeker prisoner, makes them call him King Grol. Apparently, like Krag from the first adventure, King Grol is a bugbear who has won his power with his strength and brutality.
- The main gate faces west, but there is a side entry from the south and one of the north tower walls is badly collapsed and may have a way in.
This time Willow advises against taking the Forest path, giving a side-glance at Tallon for some reason, and Yeet suggests instead the party first take the road to the city of Neverwinter to trade your coins in for supplies or more compact coins or gems for easy travel.
(Next: Paladin Escort to Cragmaw )