Return to Phandalin

Year: 1491, Month: Mirtul, Date:2nd & 3rd

Felgolos is in high spirits as we begin our return journey towards Mount Sar.  He agrees to drop us off close to Mount Sar so we can resume our search for Harshnag.  The routine is much the same as our journey to Ascore and becomes fairly monotonous and I will save you the details here.  Suffice it to say little of interest happens and we spend our time exchanging tales and hoping the carriage will stay in one piece long enough for us to get back, although Felgolos seems unconcerned.

Year: 1491, Month: Mirtul, Date:4th

On the morning of the third day of our journey, Celery and I rise with the dawn as usual to offer our thanks to Tyr and Lathandar for watching over us once again.  Leo rises about the same time, which seems a little uncharacteristic of him.  He looks like a small child who has been scolded but doesn't know why.  He waits impatiently, whilst we pray to our Gods, and rushes over the moment we are both finished.  He says he had a dream during the night.  In his dream he was woken by a massive slap to the back of his head.  It sounded very similar to the mild punishments Acolytes of Tyr might receive during their training in the Temple for some minor transgression during classes such as looking out of the window.  I know it well, having been on the receiving end of such admonishments many times.  He explains that his dream begins with an image of a bustling village.  On the village green, an elvish priestess is proudly surveying the construction of a Temple to the Goddess Tymora.  The vision then panned to the villages' surroundings where a well worn road leads to a new road that, although under construction, is already well traveled.  Mining equipment is being moved in both directions, and there is a stream of workmen going back and forth.  As the vision begins to fade, Leo receives the final image of a very large humanoid helping with the construction of the Temple.

Both Celery and I think the village in Leo's vision appears very much to be a prospering Phandalin.  Celery seems a little disappointed.  Over many camp fires we had talked of starting a Temple dedicated to both Tyr and Lathandar in Phandalin should Gundrun's mining venture prove successful.  Celery wanted to build a hospice to care for the villagers and the miners, and I, an outpost to protect the people and it's new found wealth and ensure Justice was served.


It seems Gundrun has been successful, but Gariel has had the same idea, and is well on the way to constructing her Temple. I'm sure the miner's will appreciate the favour of Tymora, the Goddess of Luck.

Over breakfast of jerky, nuts, and dried fruit, we ask Felgolos if he knew where Phandalin was, and whether he would mind setting us down not far from there.  Felgolos is still in a fine mood after recovering his tobacco pouch and agrees.

A few hours later as the sun is rising to it's zenith, Felgolos lands, not so gently, in a clearing a few miles from Phandalin by the Long Road .  We say our goodbyes, and Felgolos begins to take flight.  He looks back and lifts an arm in farewell, but manages to trip himself.  He recovers and manages to get into the air without further incident, muttering under his breath.  I've never encountered such a clumsy Dragon (although Felgolos is only the second Dragon I have met).  I was taught they were graceful creatures.   We walk the few miles into the village.  It has changed a lot since we were last here.  There are many more folk bustling about in the streets, and the sounds of construction are all around.  We reach Barthen's provisions, which looks like it is now a shop for miners.  Picks, Hammers, and Shovels are stacked neatly outside.  It looks like he's doing good business, in fact, the whole town looks like it is prospering.

Celery is keen to see Gariel, so we split up.  Leo follows me into Barthens, as Celery strides on towards where Gariel's shrine once was.

"Hey Barthen! Well met!  Things seem to be looking up for you. Hows business?" 

"Ah Erlic.  Its good to see you.  Business is fantastic now, ever since you helped Gundrun reopen the mine." 

"That's great news.  So Gundrun really did manage to make a go of it.  Where might we find Gundrun?"  

"He lives at the mine, and doesn't come into town much.  Anyway, enough of the small talk, is there something I can do for you?"  

"Just come to re-provision."  

"Ah, go ahead."

 Leo asks whether there is a big chap helping build here?

"Ah yes, you would mean the Frost Giant, he's been here a couple of days."  

"Where might we find him?" 

"He's probably out by the village green, helping to build the Temple." 

"That will be three gold for those good quality rations for 10 days." 

As Leo brings the gold out, Barthen's hands move lightening quick to take the money, a gleam in his eyes.

We take our leave of Barthen, and head towards the village green.  Celery is already there talking to Gariel, "... apparently the Giant is here to meet with you", and with that the Frost Giant puts down his tools and strides over.  He greets us in a deep, booming, mountainous voice as though he knows who we are.

"Our Lady sent you to meet me, but then I was sent to meet you. I thought there was five of you.  Where is the Shadowy one?"  

"We were separated from her about a week ago whilst we were in Ascore."  

"Hmmm. Where's the other feline one?"  

"She disappeared when we used your portal to travel from Waterdeep to your cave just before we ended up in Ascore."

"Hmmm.  It is good the strong ones are with us.  You're here to help me with the Giant incursion?  I know where we need to go.  I feel we must travel to the Spine of the World.  I know of the location of the Oracle."  

"The Oracle?"

"Yes, that is what the Allfather removed to become the Allfather.  She will help us. Excellent.  When shall we leave?"  

"Can we leave tomorrow, we have a few things to sort out here?"

"Hmmm.  That will be good"

And then he turns round, picks up the tools and continues working side by side with the villagers on the Temple.

I summon my faithful Steed, which I have renamed Hildebrand (from Steve the Steed) in honour of my fallen comrade, and head off to see Gundrun at Wave Echo Cave.  Leo chooses to join me as he is intrigued about the Forge of Souls.  What once was just a wilderness is now a bustling working mine.  I have a few difficulties gaining entrance until I explain who I am.  The guard instructs me where I can find Gundrun.  The last time I was here was when we parlayed with the Black Spider, and convinced the Drow to leave.  I greet Gundrun like an old friend.  He asks where my companions are and I explain Celerity is in Phandalin with Gariel.  Zook and Carrick are off on their own adventures.  He moves round his desk and drags a small chest over.

"Business is booming.  Fools come from all over to enchant items with the Forge, even though the enchantment only lasts a few hours.  This is your share of the profits since the mine opened - 700 gold in this chest, and I sent another 400 gold to you at your Temple in Neverwinter. I did the same for Celerity to her Temple in Waterdeep.  Carrick and Zook's shares are also here."

I am amazed, as I follow where he is pointing, where three identical chests rest on the floor.  Celery and I could begin to do some good with this money, but we have other matters to attend to first.

"Gundrun, could you please keep our shares here safely with you until we return again."

Gundrun acquiesces, and soon after we take our leave.  Leo is still keen to look upon the Forge of Souls, so I take him to see it, before we head back to Phandalin.

I get a warm reception at Tolben's Inn.  Business is booming for him also. He is so grateful for our assistance in turning around his fortune and that of the village that he gives my companions and I free rooms and meals.  I gratefully accept, and explain we will be leaving again in the morning.

I understand Celery has visited Myrna who will continue to look after the dilapidated mansion.  We must decide what we will do with the mansion soon.