Session A02 – Redbrands and the Manor

Summary

The party returned to Cragmaw Hideout to finish what they started. Groznak was killed charging into the cave's new anti-undead defenses. The party pushed through, rescued Sildar Hallwinter, and returned his effects. Sildar helped them fight their way out and clear the hideout for good. Inside, they found a dead goblin with an elongated head — unexplained — and encountered Yeemick, a psionic goblin with an abnormal skull who could raise the dead. Sildar revealed that the Black Spider, a drow, orchestrated Gundren's capture for the map to Wave Echo Cave, and that Klarg had sent both Gundren and the map to Cragmaw Castle.

Back in Phandalin, the town council met to address mounting threats. Sildar Hallwinter deputized the party to deal with the Redbrands. The mysterious Jenevelle Hallowleaf appeared — the person Jonah had been seeking — gave him a book, healed Kavu, and vanished north. The Redbrands escalated by attempting to torch the Townhall; the party captured one and learned their leader Glasstaff operated from beneath Tresendar Manor with prisoners and something telepathic in a pit. Pip pointed them to Carp Alderleaf, who revealed a secret tunnel into the hideout — setting the stage for the assault on the manor.

Key Events

Return to Cragmaw Hideout

The party returned to Cragmaw Hideout as promised to Elmar Barthen in A01. Groznak, who had been their goblin prisoner, was killed when he charged into the cave's new anti-undead defenses during the assault.

The party pushed deeper into the hideout, rescued Sildar Hallwinter, and returned his personal effects. Sildar — a capable fighter — joined the party and helped them fight their way out, clearing the cave for good.

During the assault, the party found a dead goblin with an elongated head — different from anything they had seen before. The significance was unclear.

Phandalin Council Meeting

A town council meeting established priorities:

• Granny Graywind will pay 19gp each for recovering her stolen shipment
• Sildar Hallwinter offered to deputize the party (10gp per tenday) to deal with the Redbrands
• Daran Edermath (orchard keeper, former adventurer) reported undead at Old Owl Well — a ruined Netherese watchtower northeast of town
• Elmar Barthen concerned about the missing Rockseeker brothers (Nundro and Tharden camped outside town, now missing)

Jenevelle Hallowleaf

A young woman — heavily armored, light hair, radiant weapon — appeared in town. She is a cleric or paladin of Selune (the person Jonah was seeking). She gave Jonah a book, cast Heal on Kavu (annoying Sister Garaele), and departed north via what seemed to be Dimension Door.

Carp Alderleaf and the Secret Tunnel

Pip told the party that Carp Alderleaf — a young boy from the Alderleaf farm — knew something about an entrance to the Redbrand hideout beneath Tresendar Manor. The party spoke to Carp, who revealed a secret tunnel entrance near the farm. This became their infiltration route in Session A03.

Redbrand Interrogation

After Redbrands attempted to torch the Townhall, the party captured one. Interrogation revealed:

• Most Redbrands are in Tresendar Manor
• Prisoners: a woman and her children (Thel Dendrar's family)
• There is a pit in the basement — "something talks in your head" — the party suspects a creature
• Their leader: Glasstaff (a human wizard who carries a glass staff)

NPCs Encountered

Threads Opened

• Glasstaff = Iarno Albrek (Sildar's man sent ahead to Phandalin)
• Wave Echo Cave and its Forge of Spells — the Black Spider seeks it
• What are the undead at Old Owl Well?
• Dead goblin with elongated head in Cragmaw Hideout — what was it? Connected to Yeemick's abnormal skull?
• Cragmaw Castle — where the Black Spider holds Gundren and the map
• Tresendar Manor — Redbrands dug in with prisoners, a telepathic creature, and Glasstaff; assault imminent