Difference between revisions of "NCAG Epilogue"
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''Late autumn, heavy downpour'' | ''Late autumn, heavy downpour'' | ||
In Phandalin, hustings are held between the three candidates for townmaster: Toblen Stonehill, Linene Graywind, and Guni. Due to his popularity with the townsfolk, Toblen easily wins the election, and is now the new Townmaster. Elsewhere, the duergar, emboldened by the losses taken by NCAG and the warband, go to war with Venomfang and his dragon cult in Thundertree, aiming to gain a foothold in the surface world. | In Phandalin, hustings are held between the three candidates for townmaster: Toblen Stonehill, Linene Graywind, and Guni. Due to his popularity with the townsfolk, Toblen easily wins the election, and is now the new Townmaster. Elsewhere, the duergar, emboldened by the losses taken by NCAG and the warband, go to war with Venomfang and his dragon cult in Thundertree, aiming to gain a foothold in the surface world. NCAG also suffer the results of last months skirmish, but not in an immediate sense; the fight between two major factions in the area has attracted all manner of thieves and cut-throats, making for untrustworthy recruitment. | ||
'''Missing Hobgoblin | '''Missing Hobgoblin activity logs''' | ||
===Zanston's Business=== | ===Zanston's Business=== | ||
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''Early winter, cold showers'' | ''Early winter, cold showers'' | ||
The war between the duergar and Venomfang did not end well - for either side. The whole area around Thundertree has been reduced to rubble by dragonbreath and dwarven siege weapons. Further south, Toblen Stonehill settled into the role of townmaster very well, reinforcing his easy rapport with the people. Stranger things happened to the Hobgoblins however, as a series of mutations afflicted all of the newborns - each was born with four arms. | The war between the duergar and Venomfang did not end well - for either side. The whole area around Thundertree has been reduced to rubble by dragonbreath and dwarven siege weapons. Further south, Toblen Stonehill settled into the role of townmaster very well, reinforcing his easy rapport with the people. Stranger things happened to the Hobgoblins however, as a series of mutations afflicted all of the newborns - each was born with four arms. Perhaps by dint of association with the prospering Phandalin, many of the new recruits at NCAG warm to the leadership well, increasing loyalty. | ||
===Zanston's Business=== | ===Zanston's Business=== | ||
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''High winter, cold and cloudy'' | ''High winter, cold and cloudy'' | ||
In a shocking turn of events, the duergar attack Cragmaw castle, and manage to uproot NCAG! The dark dwarves mercilessly drive out the adventurers, and make Cragmaw castle their new base of operations. The hobgoblin tribe do not fare much better, as they are struck by a peculiar and lethal plague - but one which only affects the older two-armed generation. The quick-maturing four-armed generation are left in a vulnerable position, with Bloodsword's son taking over as chieftan. As the duergar became more entrenched in Cragmaw Castle, they began construction on a mighty dragon-salying ballista, with the intent to finally slay their old enemy Venomfang. The dark dwarves also sent out raiding parties to the surrounding lands to raise food supplies. These raids particularly target Phandalin, and the town's food supply is pillaged severely. | |||
===Zanston's Business=== | ===Zanston's Business=== | ||
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''Late winter, cold and cloudy'' | ''Late winter, cold and cloudy'' | ||
Ruin came to the region this month, as the desperate four-armed hobgoblin survivors mounted an all-out attack on Phandalin. NCAG stepped in to defend the town, and Stev slew the younger Bloodsword, leaving the hobgoblins without a chieftan again. In their new castle, the duergar began to grow complacent due to their recent successes, with leadership and respect beginning to erode. | Ruin came to the region this month, as the desperate four-armed hobgoblin survivors mounted an all-out attack on Phandalin. NCAG stepped in to defend the town, and Stev slew the younger Bloodsword, leaving the hobgoblins without a chieftan again. In their new castle, the duergar began to grow complacent due to their recent successes, with leadership and respect beginning to erode. Despite their hard work defending the town once more, NCAG was plagued with poor recruitment this month. | ||
===Zanston's Business=== | ===Zanston's Business=== | ||
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The battle last month had attracted some more unsavoury adventurers to Phandelver, leading NCAG to take in some less-than-trustworthy recruits. This did not affect the town of Phandalin though, as the townsfolk were prospering nicely now that the hobgoblin raids had abated. Those same hobgoblins came upon more misfortune, when they were routed and slain from their encampment by the newly reorganised Redbrands under a successor to Nezznar The Black Spider. The duergar suffered low morale due to their failed theft from Stev this month. | The battle last month had attracted some more unsavoury adventurers to Phandelver, leading NCAG to take in some less-than-trustworthy recruits. This did not affect the town of Phandalin though, as the townsfolk were prospering nicely now that the hobgoblin raids had abated. Those same hobgoblins came upon more misfortune, when they were routed and slain from their encampment by the newly reorganised Redbrands under a successor to Nezznar The Black Spider. The duergar suffered low morale due to their failed theft from Stev this month. | ||
===Zanston's Business=== | ===Zanston's Business=== | ||
Having finally beaten his economic woes, Zanston has his first good month in some time. He hires new apprentices with the profits and pays Kai to ward his tower against fey for fear of further legal action. | Having finally beaten his economic woes, Zanston has his first good month in some time. He hires new apprentices with the profits and pays Kai to ward his tower against fey for fear of further legal action. | ||
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Total wealth: 600gp | Total wealth: 600gp | ||
===Stev's Business=== | ===Stev's Business=== | ||
Stev stumbled upon a relic from The Forge of Fury only to have it stolen away by duergar as he was having it transported to Phandalin. A mixed group of adventurers were deployed to recover the artifact. They did so successfully, but Harald barely survived the mission. | Stev stumbled upon a relic from The Forge of Fury only to have it stolen away by duergar as he was having it transported to Phandalin. A mixed group of adventurers were deployed to recover the artifact. They did so successfully, but Harald barely survived the mission. | ||
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Total wealth: 1400gp | Total wealth: 1400gp | ||
===Stev's Business=== | ===Stev's Business=== | ||
One of Feratek's old friends from Waterdeep attempted to gain Stev's trust, only to then rob the smithy. Luckily Stev was not entirely fooled, so a band of adventurers were sent after the criminal before he could skip town. | One of Feratek's old friends from Waterdeep attempted to gain Stev's trust, only to then rob the smithy. Luckily Stev was not entirely fooled, so a band of adventurers were sent after the criminal before he could skip town. | ||
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Issues with their food supply plagued the duergar this month, caused by the influx of new members drawn by the cult. The loyalty issues that had plagued NCAG came to a resolution when Bronvir managed to root out the dissenters and lowlives, making the junior adventurers altogether more reliable. A large attack on the town by the New Redbrands put these freshly-forged loyalties to the test; the NCAG leaders were on hand to drive off the bandits, but the New Redbrands suffered no major losses. | Issues with their food supply plagued the duergar this month, caused by the influx of new members drawn by the cult. The loyalty issues that had plagued NCAG came to a resolution when Bronvir managed to root out the dissenters and lowlives, making the junior adventurers altogether more reliable. A large attack on the town by the New Redbrands put these freshly-forged loyalties to the test; the NCAG leaders were on hand to drive off the bandits, but the New Redbrands suffered no major losses. | ||
===Zanston's Business=== | ===Zanston's Business=== | ||
Accused of selling scrolls to the newly reestablished Black Spider bandits, Zanston puts two and two together and realises this is the cause of his lost shipments. He is unable to resolve the problem with hired adventurers. | Accused of selling scrolls to the newly reestablished Black Spider bandits, Zanston puts two and two together and realises this is the cause of his lost shipments. He is unable to resolve the problem with hired adventurers. | ||
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Total wealth: 1200gp | Total wealth: 1200gp | ||
===Stev's Business=== | ===Stev's Business=== | ||
It was a quiet month at the smithy, with the only notable event being a violent altercation between Stev and a disgruntled customer. | It was a quiet month at the smithy, with the only notable event being a violent altercation between Stev and a disgruntled customer. | ||
Latest revision as of 20:37, 23 January 2024
After the events of The Lost Mines of Phandelver, the newly-formed New Cragmaw Adventurer's Guild were left in an very unstable position, with their grip over their new castle tenuous at best. This log details the happenings in the years that followed, to both the members of NCAG, their businesses, and the wider Phandelver region.
Month 1
Early autumn, rainy and gusty
Rumours are spreading across Phandelver of the return of Targor Bloodsword, brutal leader of a hobgoblin warband that once laid claim to Cragmaw Castle. On top of this, some of the farmers who operate around the periphery of Phandalin are reporting strange gray-skinned dwarves pillaging their grain supplies. Throughout this unrest, Harbin Wester proves once again to be a direly ineffectual Townmaster, and the people of Phandalin are unsettled. NCAG catches wind of the warband's return.
Zanston's Business
Business issues resolved in Waterdeep where a shortage of materials for scroll writing was found to be because of an error in address after the move to the new tower. Whilst in Waterdeep, Zanston stays a while longer than planned to purchase scrying tools to expand his business opportunities.
100gp profit reinvested (d4 to d6)
Total wealth: 300gp
Stev's Business
Stev's blacksmithing business is initially confounded with the non-arrival of a supplies caravan he ordered from Waterdeep. However, The Adventurer's Surgery is deployed to retrieve the supplies, and they do so.
400gp profit retained
Total wealth: 700gp
Month 2
High autumn, heavy downpour
The region is rocked by a huge skirmish at Cragmaw castle, as NCAG and Bloodsword's warband clash in the ruined keep. Both sides take heavy wounds, but no land changes hands. Meanwhile, in town, Harbin Wester's weak leadership catches up to him as he is impeached for embezzlement, leaving Phandalin without a leader. The duergar insurgents, having addressed their food shortages last month, are able to send out scouting parties. They hear reports that both NCAG and the hobgoblins are weakened.
Zanston's Business
Business turns no profit this month, with word received of competition in the area. Zanston sends The Surgery to tackle the issue. The competition turns out to be a new necromancer holed up in the old necromancer’s tower who is souring the reputation of wizards in the area. They prove too much for The Surgery, felling Erky, Aaron and Yelrin.
No profit
Total wealth: 300gp
Stev's Business
With trade carts running smoothly (for the most part), it is an easy month at the smithy.
300gp profit reinvested (d4 to d6)
Total wealth: 700gp
Month 3
Late autumn, heavy downpour
In Phandalin, hustings are held between the three candidates for townmaster: Toblen Stonehill, Linene Graywind, and Guni. Due to his popularity with the townsfolk, Toblen easily wins the election, and is now the new Townmaster. Elsewhere, the duergar, emboldened by the losses taken by NCAG and the warband, go to war with Venomfang and his dragon cult in Thundertree, aiming to gain a foothold in the surface world. NCAG also suffer the results of last months skirmish, but not in an immediate sense; the fight between two major factions in the area has attracted all manner of thieves and cut-throats, making for untrustworthy recruitment.
Missing Hobgoblin activity logs
Zanston's Business
Poor trade in the heavy rain and the presence of the necromancer make for a terrible month’s work. Zanston tries in vain to rid himself of the necromancer thorn in his side, only for the Surgery to once more be driven off, this time by their reanimated friends.
300gp loss
Total wealth: 0gp
Stev's Business
More trade carts are going missing, and the adventurers that Stev hired failed to find the source of the problem, with Fenrehrt the only survivor of the expedition. The amount of missing goods and supplies make a dent in the smithy's finances.
500gp loss
Total wealth: 200gp
Month 4
Early winter, cold showers
The war between the duergar and Venomfang did not end well - for either side. The whole area around Thundertree has been reduced to rubble by dragonbreath and dwarven siege weapons. Further south, Toblen Stonehill settled into the role of townmaster very well, reinforcing his easy rapport with the people. Stranger things happened to the Hobgoblins however, as a series of mutations afflicted all of the newborns - each was born with four arms. Perhaps by dint of association with the prospering Phandalin, many of the new recruits at NCAG warm to the leadership well, increasing loyalty.
Zanston's Business
In desperation Zanston deals with the necromancer problem himself, along with Stev, Doublelock and Bronvir. The party finish him for good, just as they did his predecessor.
Due to their successes, business slowly returns to the tower.
100gp profit
Total wealth: 100gp
Stev's Business
Stev sent a party of new adventurers to track down exactly who or what was waylaying his trade carts. They found the culprits, a band of duergar scouts, and managed to defeat the dark dwarves, though it was a phyrric victory.
200gp profit
Total wealth: 400gp
Month 5
High winter, cold and cloudy
In a shocking turn of events, the duergar attack Cragmaw castle, and manage to uproot NCAG! The dark dwarves mercilessly drive out the adventurers, and make Cragmaw castle their new base of operations. The hobgoblin tribe do not fare much better, as they are struck by a peculiar and lethal plague - but one which only affects the older two-armed generation. The quick-maturing four-armed generation are left in a vulnerable position, with Bloodsword's son taking over as chieftan. As the duergar became more entrenched in Cragmaw Castle, they began construction on a mighty dragon-salying ballista, with the intent to finally slay their old enemy Venomfang. The dark dwarves also sent out raiding parties to the surrounding lands to raise food supplies. These raids particularly target Phandalin, and the town's food supply is pillaged severely.
Zanston's Business
A pair of adventurers demanded a refund for being given the wrong scroll, despite Zanston’s strict scroll case labelling methods. Knowing this couldn’t possibly have been a fault of his own, he sent new recruits from the New Cragmaw Adventurer’s Guild to investigate the issue.
The adventurers found that truck some fey had been swapping the scrolls as a joke. When confronted at their court, the matter was resolved by accidentally bargaining away two of the party’s lives to dance forever.
300gp profit
Total wealth: 400gp
Stev's Business
Stev's smithy was robbed by common bandits, but the apprentice adventurers that Stev hired to deal with the thieves managed to recover all of his tools and wares.
100gp profit
Total wealth: 500gp
Month 6
Late winter, cold and cloudy
Ruin came to the region this month, as the desperate four-armed hobgoblin survivors mounted an all-out attack on Phandalin. NCAG stepped in to defend the town, and Stev slew the younger Bloodsword, leaving the hobgoblins without a chieftan again. In their new castle, the duergar began to grow complacent due to their recent successes, with leadership and respect beginning to erode. Despite their hard work defending the town once more, NCAG was plagued with poor recruitment this month.
Zanston's Business
The fey never said anything about Zanston’s scrying business, and so come back to alter his predictions, leaving Zanston facing down civil charges. A team of NCAG adventurers proves fey involvement, leading to the imprisonment of the first fairy in Phandelver in a cold iron cage.
The new leadership in Phandelver takes this opportunity to enact new Forest Law, passing a bill that forbids involvement of mortal folk with fey in the woods.
200gp profit
Total wealth: 600gp
Stev's Business
Stev took a commission from Zanston for a cold iron cage in the event that the problems with the fey continued. Even at a beneficial rate given to his guardian, Stev's smithy still turned a tidy profit this month.
500gp profit reinvested (d6 to d8)
Total wealth: 500gp
Month 7
Early spring, sunny and cloudy
The battle last month had attracted some more unsavoury adventurers to Phandelver, leading NCAG to take in some less-than-trustworthy recruits. This did not affect the town of Phandalin though, as the townsfolk were prospering nicely now that the hobgoblin raids had abated. Those same hobgoblins came upon more misfortune, when they were routed and slain from their encampment by the newly reorganised Redbrands under a successor to Nezznar The Black Spider. The duergar suffered low morale due to their failed theft from Stev this month.
Zanston's Business
Having finally beaten his economic woes, Zanston has his first good month in some time. He hires new apprentices with the profits and pays Kai to ward his tower against fey for fear of further legal action.
100gp profit reinvested (d6 to d8)
Total wealth: 600gp
Stev's Business
Stev stumbled upon a relic from The Forge of Fury only to have it stolen away by duergar as he was having it transported to Phandalin. A mixed group of adventurers were deployed to recover the artifact. They did so successfully, but Harald barely survived the mission.
300gp profit
Total wealth: 800gp
Month 8
High spring, strong pollen
This month, NCAG discovered that woes often multiply - their previous batch of disloyal recruits only bred further dissent amongst the new adventurers hired this month. The same could be said for The Black Spider, given that Stev tracked down and slaughtered the operatives he had put in place in Tresendar Manor. Elsewhere in the town, a shocking result emerged from the trial of Harbin Wester when the old townmaster was found guilty of embezzlement and summarily executed by hanging. This bloodthirsty shift in the town's politics prompted Sister Garaele to withdraw from the settlement entirely. Religous changes also occured for the duergar: a splinter faith of traditional dwarven faith took hold in their ranks, preaching equality amongst species.
Zanston's Business
Zanston’s apprentices have a knack for the trade but Kai goes missing. Hoping to keep the profit ball rolling, Zanston sees to it that his huntsman is not harmed. The men sent find Kai forcibly in attendance of a 13 year ent moot, which should he try to leave he would face his end. The adventurers manage to rescue him.
800gp profit
Total wealth: 1400gp
Stev's Business
One of Feratek's old friends from Waterdeep attempted to gain Stev's trust, only to then rob the smithy. Luckily Stev was not entirely fooled, so a band of adventurers were sent after the criminal before he could skip town.
300gp profit
Total wealth: 1100gp
Month 9
Late spring, strong pollen
Issues with their food supply plagued the duergar this month, caused by the influx of new members drawn by the cult. The loyalty issues that had plagued NCAG came to a resolution when Bronvir managed to root out the dissenters and lowlives, making the junior adventurers altogether more reliable. A large attack on the town by the New Redbrands put these freshly-forged loyalties to the test; the NCAG leaders were on hand to drive off the bandits, but the New Redbrands suffered no major losses.
Zanston's Business
Accused of selling scrolls to the newly reestablished Black Spider bandits, Zanston puts two and two together and realises this is the cause of his lost shipments. He is unable to resolve the problem with hired adventurers.
200gp loss
Total wealth: 1200gp
Stev's Business
It was a quiet month at the smithy, with the only notable event being a violent altercation between Stev and a disgruntled customer.
100gp profit
Total wealth: 1200gp
Month 10
Early summer, pleasantly warm
Seeing the NCAG leaders rise to the occasion last month promoted a wave of loyal sentiment in the new recruits this month. This sense of community was not reflected in the townsfolks of Phandalin - a wave of anti-adventurer sentiment took hold in the town as the residents questioned why their security was quite so dependent on the sympathies of a gang of mercenaries. The duergar leadership was entirely supplanted by cultists, but their position and hold over the dark dwarf populace was only shaky. The Black Spider learned that there was dissent in Phandalin.
Zanston's Business
Zanston relies on the remaining members of the Surgery to dispatch the bandits interrupting his supply chain, to great success. His reputation is restored and business picks up once more.
300gp profit
Total wealth: 1500gp
Stev's Business
The New Redbrands were a consistent thorn in Stev's side this month, but the caravan guards that he hired proved to be an excellent investment.
300gp profit
Total wealth: 1500gp
Month 11
High summer, warm and cloudy
Skirmishes rocked the region this month! The duergar attacked Phandalin only to be driven off by a selection of NCAG members, but in their retreat, they found the location of Wave Echo Cave. Phandalin was also assailed by the New Redbrands as the Black Spider orchestrated a great push to take over the town. The NCAG leaders managed to drive off the bandits, but the Black Spider managed to scope out the town's defences.
Zanston's Business
Zanston is beset by demons on a research trip to find new spells. The demons arose due to the dwindling presence of the fey in the woods. After running away from the confrontation, Zanston introduces them to the devilish social contract of Stev’s hammer.
700gp profit
Total wealth: 2300gp
Stev's Business
The smithy was blessed by a windfall this month - a group of adventurers hired by Stev to explore the surrounding lands stumbled upon a New Redbrand hideout, cleared out the bandits, and recovered a huge cache of weapons that had been stolen from Stev a few months ago.
400gp profit
Total wealth: 1900gp
Month 12
Late summer, hot and windy
The violence in Phandelver did not let up this month, as two more clashes happened near Phandalin. Early in the month, a conclave of morally dubious artificers attempted to kidnap Stev for research, but thanks to the valiant sacrifices of Doublelock and Bronvir, the abducters were driven away. When the New Redbrands attacked the town again later that month, the defence was left to the NCAG B-team, who succeeded with flying colours! Elsewhere, the duergar were rocked with turmoil when the more zealous cult members started to question why exactly the group were pursuing the secrets of Wave Echo Cave. Back in town, agents of The Black Spider infiltrated the people of Phandalin, and re-established The Sleeping Giant Inn as a legitimate front business.
Zanston's Business
A large scale clash on home turf eats into Zanston’s time, but business goes swimmingly other than that.
200gp invested (d8 to d10)
Total wealth: 2300gp
Stev's Business
Despite the busy month, Stev managed to keep the smithy running smoothly, and reinvested the funds into new tools, trade carts, and caravan guards.
100gp profit reinvested (d8 to d10)
Total wealth: 1900gp
