Adventure Between Sessions #003

 

~ Adventure Between Sessions ~

1 Winterwane 5023 VA

Traveling with Sildar Hallwinter

Sildar Hallwinter is a human warrior, war hero, retired Colonel of the Ajwain military, and agent of the Consortium who was traveling with Gundren Rockseeker, captured and held prisoner by the bogbir Klarg and his band of goblin bandits, and rescued by The Order of Righteous Peregrination. 

When the Order found him he was weakened, wounded, bruised, and bloodied, having been badly beaten and tormented by the goblins. Garnet caught him as he was pushed from a ledge and most likely saved his life. Even still, when he was freed from his bonds he insisted on helping his rescuer to his feet, took a sword from one of the goblins, and refused any assistance during the 5-mile trek back to the horses and oxcart, making the trip without complaint and with impressive tenacity given his state.

Sildar Hallwinter is a gracious and considerate human male of nearly fifty years who holds a place of honor in the famous griffon cavalry of capital city, Sacramento. He is an agent of the Mercantile Consortium, a group of allied financial powers concerned with security and prosperity. Members of the order ensure the safety of cities and settlements by proactively eliminating threats and bringing prosperity and stability to the civilized world.

Sildar met Gundren Rockseeker in Redding and agreed to accompany him back to Weaverville. Sildar wants to investigate the fate of Iarno Albrek, a human wizard and fellow member of the Consortium who disappeared shortly after arriving in Weaverville. Sildar hopes to learn what happened to Iarno, assist Gundren in reopening the old mine, and help restore Weaverville to a civilized center of wealth and prosperity.

Sildar Hallwinter pays 50 gp to the party for his rescue and escort. Although he has no money on him, Sildar can secure a loan to pay the characters within a day after arriving.

“I assume the horses were looted? Rockseeker had a map showing the secret location of Wave Echo Cave, but the goblins took it when they captured us. I firmly believe that Klarg sent the map and the denwar to his chief. To someplace called Cragmaw Castle. Seems Klarg had orders to waylay Rockseeker, or maybe any denwar, on the road. I heard the goblins say that the Black Spider sent word that the denwar was to be brought to him. I don't know about this Black Spider, but I suppose that’s where the little buggers took our friend, his map, and my gear.

“And this Cragmaw Castle? The goblins don’t have any castles I’ve ever heard of, but I’d be willing to bet that’s an appellation for an older ruin. There are plenty of those scattered around and without knowing which one they’re using, I have no idea where it might be. Perhaps someone in Weaverville might know. Finding that place has got to be our priority. I wouldn’t want Gundren to guest overlong with the goblin chief as his host.”

- – —//— – -

“I met Rockseeker in Redding, he was on his way back to his claim in Weaverville and I was heading to that same town on Consortium business. He did not say as much, but I think he sought me out, as he recognized my name and was familiar with my notoriety.  But we got on fine and made for good traveling companions. He confided in me about the discovery of the lost mine, that he suspected someone was working to steal the secret and jump the brother’s claim, and he spoke of the aid he had asked from his friends. You’re a motley bunch, but I see now why Rockseeker sought you out, and owing you my life I think his judgment was sound.

“That wily denwarf gave me a glimpse at his map and it appears that the Rockseeker brothers have indeed located an entrance to the lost Wave Echo Cave. Quite a find, not just for them, but for the region, the town, and the county. That mine, if it does prove to be Wave Echo, was the subject of the Phandelver’s Pact and the prosperity that grew Old Weaverville to a place of 10,000 eidola.

“The Phandelver’s Pact was a treaty drawn up in forty-eight fifty-one between the denwar, nome, and homen who exploited the riches and power found in that cave. Seems it wasn’t just mineral wealth they’d found in that hole. Turns out that there was a geyser or fount of raw magical energy in that cave. They harnessed that source, dubbed it the Forge of Spells, and from that forge flowed a wellspring of magical creations and research. It is said that Atri used that forge to craft his wonders and the chalice itself.

“Times were good and Weaverville prospered alongside the mine. But all that activity, all that environmental destruction, all that wealth, and all those people stirred up resentment and anger. The scro gathered in a horde, the size of which has never been seen since, and swept the outsiders aside like a tide, laying waste to everything in their path. Wave Echo Cave was looted in that destruction and the land hid the ruin; fires, slides, and earthquakes have so twisted the land that the  location of the cave was lost for 170 years.”

- – —//— – -

“The Consortium was part of the resettlement plan for Trinity county and Weaverville in particular. Albrek was our agent in the endeavor and part of Fiona Drover’s expedition to refound the town in nineteen. That was successful and Albrek was charged with establishing order thereabouts. Things were fine and successful until about two months ago when reports started coming in that contradicted those being sent by Albrek to the Mercantile Consortium. Something strange is going on and I need to investigate what that is. I’m afraid that Albrek may have run into some trouble.”