# 【𝐋𝐎𝐒𝐓 𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐏𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐋𝐕𝐄𝐑】

## ✨synopsis

【 ARC 1 】

Our heroes, after enrolling on a supposedly-simple escort mission from Neverwinter to Phandalin, quickly realize that they have become embroiled in a centuries-old mystery when they find their employers kidnapped and tortured by goblins.&#x20;

As they encounter increasingly bizarre occurrences along their trail, culminating in a particularly gristly one just before arriving at Phandalin, our heroes make the decision to take a stand against a nefarious and potentially world-ending scheme involving an ancient artifact.

【 ARC 2 】

Upon arriving at Phandalin, our heroes uncover treachery among them and convince Sorennar, an unwilling agent of the Black Spider, to help them stop him instead.

We meet the townsfolk, some of whom are more than they seem, and clear out the Redbrand bandit threat, learning of Iarno Albrek’s betrayal of the Lord’s Alliance, and the Black Spider’s desperation — during which Hugh and Soren display concerning signs of “possession” on separate instances.

Silhouetted by the cheers of the grateful townsfolk, we leave for Cragmaw Castle to rescue Gundren, with the guidance of a friendly goblin, Droop.

【 ARC 3 】

Our heroes raid Cragmaw Castle, retrieving Gundren, killing King Grol and liberating the goblins--who join the Cragmaw Hideout tribe.&#x20;

Stopping by Thundertree for Lord's Alliance business, we meet a ranger named Willow Astane, who seems to distrust drow. With him, we take on a quest to kill a green dragon terrorizing the area, but are overpowered, forcing Soren to make a pact with a mysterious and powerful entity.&#x20;

We prevent an attempt on Gundren's life, and leave Thundertree with a new ally -- Willow, who joins us upon learning our cause to stop the Spellforge from falling into drow hands.

【 ARC 4 】

The party visits a faire to unwind, only to get caught in the crossfire of a century-old battle between two gnomish gods-- Glittergold (luck) and Urdlen (chaos).&#x20;

Trapped, along with the village, in a time loop that no one else seems to notice, the party must convince Glittergold to accept their help, while protecting the villagers from themselves, bloodthirsty beasts, and other outsiders--including horrifically violent bandits and a wanted thief.&#x20;

After four repeated days of Harvestide, the party helps Glittergold break Urdlen's curse and finally enjoy a day of festivities before heading back towards Phandalin to complete their quest.

【 ARC 5 】

The party readies themselves to take Wave Echo Cave and set off in a hurry after Nezznar kidnaps Droop and Pip.

After a fierce battle, we witness Nezznar turned into a drider by Lolth and subdue him. Deciding to bring him to Waterdeep for interrogation, we rescue Nezznar's prisoners and return to Phandalin victorious!

Upon returning, we save Phandalin from an orc raid, then tie up loose ends while Soren savors his newfound freedom with great relish. Amidst the cheers of grateful townsfolk, we depart for Waterdeep, leaving Phandalin behind us once more and opening the chapter to our next adventure.

## 👌1. sticky fingers

On the evening of Eleint 19, our heroes meet at the Bad Piano inn of Neverwinter.

We accept a simple quest from dwarven prospector Gundren Rockseeker and Lord's Alliance representative Sildar Hallwinter: to escort a cart of mining supplies for three days down the High Road and Triboar Trail, to the small town of Phandalin.&#x20;

After testing the group's combat abilities satisfactorily, Sildar departs with Gundren to handle matters in Phandalin. The group gets to know each other a little over some drinks before bed.&#x20;

## ⚽2. goblin ball

Our heroes embark on the High Road for our escort mission. Amidst idle chatter, we stumble upon two dead horses.&#x20;

After investigation, we find that they are Gundren and Sildar's, shortly before getting attacked by a group of four goblins. We eliminate all but one of them, named Joe, and question him for information.&#x20;

We learn that the goblins took Gundren and Sildar in for questioning at the orders of their tyrant leader Klaarg, who in turn serves a King Grol. The group has Joe lead them to the goblin's base of operations: Cragmaw Hideout.

## 📯3. mutiny at cragmaw

Our heroes arrive at Cragmaw, finding a badly tortured Sildar but no Gundren.&#x20;

We form an uneasy alliance with the co-leader of the goblins, Yeemik: we will free them from their tyrant leader Klaarg in exchange for the freedom of Sildar and information on Gundren's location.&#x20;

After killing Klaarg, we learn that the goblinoids are working with someone named the Black Spider, and that Gundren has been taken to a Cragmaw Castle elsewhere under watch of the powerful King Grol. The group proceeds towards Phandalin, with the rescued Sildar in tow, before setting up camp for the night.

## 🧼4. wtfiuwt

Our heroes play a question game "What The FUCK Is Up With That" around the fire, learning a lot about each other, including motivations, dreams, favorite foods, etc.&#x20;

The group goes to bathe in a nearby lake, and get to talking more. Sorennar's back is heavily marked, piquing some curiosity.&#x20;

We keep an uneventful watch rotation through the night, with each pair of watchers getting to know their partners a little better. Hugh and Sorennar wake up from their sleep with unsettling nightmares.

## 🦉5. owlbear rescue

Sildar offers our heroes a small side investigation on behalf of the Lord's Alliance: along the High Road, people have been mysteriously going missing at the roadside Willow Inn. The group hatches a plan to enter undercover, pretending one of the party members is royalty to bait the "kidnappers".

They continue on their journey southward, saving an Owlbear and her three cubs from a pack of wolves along the way. Sorennar shares some knowledge of Underdark creatures, and of the quests in Phandalin. Sildar tries to stop the group from running at a dragon.

Sildar and Colt compare sword lengths.

## 👻6. fuckfest at willow inn

Our heroes split off to execute their undercover mission.&#x20;

Colt, Lera and Hugh arrive at Willow Inn first, discovering that the entire inn is shrouded in uncanniness: the patrons and bartender are acting extremely inhumanly and smiling unsettlingly.&#x20;

Sorennar spars with Sildar while waiting for their turn.&#x20;

The group attempts to gather more information and eventually decide to wait until Harold goes to bed, or is alone, before confront him and / or investigating the strange basement.

## 🧠7. into the basement

Our heroes confront the odd barkeep, only for him to melt into red ooze and slip through the slits between the floorboards.&#x20;

The group rushes to the basement to find the inn overrun by an Oblex, an Underdark, Mind Flayer-tampered ooze that feeds off of memories and can transform into those that they consume.&#x20;

Though we emerge victorious, Colt, Sorennar and Sildar are badly injured and have several days - months worth of memory loss. Hugh and Lera manage to calm down the memory-loss-trio who is initially distrusting of the group until their memories come back.

## 🌙8. words in the night

Our heroes discuss topics ranging from racism to poison to future plans regarding Underdark travel.&#x20;

Sildar, finally convinced of the party's strength, tells the party the truth: he represents the Lord's Alliance's involvement in Gundren's discovery of an artifact that can create magic items, named the Spellforge, which is hidden in a Wave Echo Cave. The group, minus Sorennar, agrees to help stop the Black Spider from finding it first.

Sildar and Sorennar confide some of their pasts to each other. Lera has a nightmare about losing her powers. In the morning, the group makes Sildar's favorite food for him.

## 🩸9. hunger

Our heroes wrap up their business at Willow Inn, which Sildar promises to file in their name. We bury the bones of the Oblex victims, have some talks about morality and set off.&#x20;

We engage in a "fun" race between party members, and the unfortunate "giving head" joke is born. Eventually, we come across a gruesome scene in the road: several gnolls tearing apart a Bulette (Underdark creature) while another group of adventurers watch.&#x20;

When the gnolls turn on these adventurers, the party jumps to their aid and works with the other group to take down all the gnolls.

## 🌅10. fun in the sun

Our heroes mingle with the new group, and get along very well with each other as we partake in activities in the lake.&#x20;

The reverie is shattered when they reveal that they've been planning to kill Sorennar to "save" the party from the manipulative drow.&#x20;

Our heroes jump to action, and are initially subdued as Sorennar is almost assassinated. The fight turns in our favor, however, when their Helm cleric suddenly loses her powers, and we manage to defeat them. We knock most of them out, tie them to a tree and confiscate their items and weapons.&#x20;

## 🍞11. breaking bread

In the ensuing aftermath, Sorennar reveals truths about his past, and the Underdark cities. Lera interacts with Esta, the youngest member of the group, until the rest of them wake up.&#x20;

After some fruitless debate about the morality of Drow, Sorennar ends the debate by inviting the other party to a campfire lunch. Begrudgingly, the other group acknowledges that they may have been in the wrong, to Sorennar's disagreement, and make peace with us before leaving.&#x20;

Hugh fishes and catches a turtle, and we adopt a baby hyena from the gnoll pack. Sorennar and Colt share some heartfelt words.

## 🕷 12. spider's prey

Our heroes travel a little more before setting up camp. Lera and Sildar have a disagreement about moral justice. We have an "unventful" night, with watches full of secrets, ghosts and intimacy.&#x20;

The next day, we find the badly mangled and tortured body of one of Gundren's brothers, causing the group to decisively agree to stop the Black Spider.&#x20;

In Phandalin, the party learn, alarmingly, that Sorennar had already known about the artifact and had seemingly joined to spy on the group. Sorennar, who'd split off from the group under false pretenses, rendezvouses with a black spider in the woods.

## 📜13. the truth

Sorennar reports his adventures to the Black Spider. The group prepares to interrogate Sorennar, getting roped into a favor by Sister Garaele to go to Conyberry.&#x20;

They confront Sorennar, who escapes long enough to Sending Scroll his family a warning, receiving devastating news in return. Under Zone of Truth, he admits his past and treachery. The group requests he stay with them to take down his master, Nezznar Xorlarrin, which he tearfully agrees.&#x20;

Lera's attempts to heal Hugh seem to backfire, and they visit Garaele for magical pain relief, as well as to receive more instructions on their Conyberry quest.

## 🔪14. to kill or not to kill

The group share a tense dinner. Everyone remains kind to a bewildered Sorennar; but Sildar, who, to the group's agitation, puts into place precautions like confiscating his weaponry. Hugh confronts Elsa's racism.&#x20;

Dinner is interrupted when a group of four Redbrand ruffians antagonize the party and threaten hostages. The party ends up taking them down and questioning them for information, learning of the Redbrand's hideout location and leader.&#x20;

We struggle morally at the prospect of executing the unconscious bandits, and end up breaking into the Townsmaster's Hall to lock them in jail. We take the keys and return to Stonehill.

## 💜15. pleasure.

At Stonehill, we discuss how to handle the waiting Black Spider. Sorennar and Sildar share a tense night, exacerbated after Sorennar dreams of the party killing him. Colt gets an unexpected visit from his old mentor's "ghost", prompting discussion about Underdark dangers.&#x20;

Sister Garaele helps the party scry on Sorennar's next meeting with the Spider, and they get better understanding of the situation when he gets punished for "failing" to kill Sildar.&#x20;

We visit Alderleaf Farm to learn about the Redbrand kidnappings, where Colt and Sorennar get possessed by a presence that forcefully encourages them to save the Alderleafs.

## 🧦16. dobby and gollum

The party shops at Barthen's, buying a drum for Sorennar; Hugh buys pelts, Colt entrepreneurs coats, Lera gets rations/cooking supplies. We return the Lion Coster crates, and buy potions + crossbow bolts.&#x20;

We enter the Redbrand's hideout from a cave, meeting a Nothic, whom we uneasily "befriend" with the promise of food. We find bugbears humiliating a goblin slave, Droop, causing Sorennar to recklessly attack and vengefully interrogate the remaining bugbear after the group kills all but one.&#x20;

Sildar and Lera calm him, and we discuss sending Droop safely back to Phandalin, before getting accosted by some drunk Redbrands.

## 🦟17. sack of worms

Together, the group makes short work of the Redbrands. We feed the bodies to placate the Nothic, before Droop leads us to the Alderleaf prisoners, whom we free.&#x20;

We loot the hideout after making sure the Alderleafs escape safely, then confront Glasstaff, who turns out to be Iarno Albrek, the missing Lord's Alliance member. He taunts Sildar about the world running on money and corruption, before almost wiping the group with Fireball.&#x20;

Hugh's "magical rage" blinds Glasstaff to turn the tides, and we knock him out as he tries to escape. We find documents and treasure in his study.

## 🧹18. spring cleaning

The group questions Iarno, not learning much about the Spider but gaining information about Sildar's and Colt's past. We kill him, and clear out the rest of the Redbrand Hideout of skeletons and loot, then pick up Droop from the grateful Alderleafs.&#x20;

We intimidate the remaining Redbrands at the Sleeping Giant with Iarno's body, put them in jail along with the old Townsmaster for his incompetence and aggression to the party.&#x20;

The group instates Sildar as the new Townsmaster, and we discuss future actions regarding going into the Underdark, as well as Sildar's disillusionment with the Lord's Alliance.

## 🖤19. decay.

We pick up shovels at Barthen's to bury Iarno, where Sildar buys several instruments for Sorennar and starts a war with Lera, which Sorennar helps him win :)&#x20;

We bury Iarno, go for a warm bath at the bathhouse, and head to the Phandalin Miner's Exchange to sell our gems. Halia, the clerk there, seems to hate us and offers Soren a job in secret.&#x20;

We have dinner with Garaele after Soren and Sildar confront their feelings thanks to Lera's encouragement. Garaele casts Detect G\&E on the group, causing Hugh to go batshit and start eating dirt, paper and rugs

## 🦎20. unexpected visit

Colt departs for Luskan. The party decides to go to Candlekeep after everything, to research Hugh's mind demon.&#x20;

Soren visits Halia for his "secret job" while the party listens in, learning she is Zhentarim and wants to recruit him. He agrees, in order to gain information for Sildar / TLA. The party chides him for his rashnesses.

After a trip to Barthen's, we find Nezznar waiting for us at Stonehill. Soren poisons himself and Nezznar with the taggit poison, and the group interrogates Nezznar, learning he's actually a doppelganger named Art who'd been manipulated by Nezznar to come scare Soren.

## 🍻21. not drunk

We rope Grista into Hugh’s prison food program, then deliver Art to the Townsmaster’s Hall, where Sildar begins his work as de-facto Townsmaster, awarding us for the Redbrand cleanup on behalf of the town. The group returns to Stonehill for a drink and rest.

Soren gets hopelessly drunk and Hugh gets laid with Garaele. Lera, learning about Vulmar and Aire, comforts Sildar. Sildar and a wasted Soren share an intimate conversation about their relationship going forward, and their differing lifespans.&#x20;

Toblen suspiciously wakes us, to reveal that the town has thrown us a surprise thank-you party!

## 🎊22. the party

The party joins... the party!&#x20;

We network with the townsfolk of Phandalin: Henry, the Alderleafs, the Dendrars who asks us to retrieve a family heirloom from Thundertree), Freda Norle, The Stonehills, Barthen, Edermath (who asks us to check in on some archaelogists near Old Owl Well) and Elsa before finally regrouping with Garaele. Several townsfolk bear gifts.

Hairs are braided, and Soren learns to identify. We reforge Halia's letter, then set off on the Triboar Trail. Soren identifies every magic item the group has, and discuss Hugh's brain demon, whom he's named Myco. We also discuss strategy for Cragmaw Castle.

## 🌙23. troll in the night

We discuss paper bird recipients. Lera gets wet in the rain. Soren recounts recent stories from travelers about the dangers of Triboar. Soren makes "noodles n' cheese".&#x20;

During the night, a troll plagued by stirges attacks the group, resulting in a tough fight, causing Sildar to re-examine his lack of darkvision. Droop pushes Soren to speak on his past with goblins. Droop is thrown a lot and Soren snitches on Hugh.&#x20;

Hugh and Droop discuss combat, raging and Droop is inducted into the Flail Bros. Soren gives Sildar a handdrawn picture of Vulmar and Aire, resulting in an emotional moment.

## 📜24. no! no!

Soren and Sildar make progress on magic lessons. Lera has a terrible nightmare about her past experiences with cultists, and the group works to calm her of her guilt over killing a man in self-defense. Sildar makes bunny apples.&#x20;

Sildar, Hugh and Droop conflict with Lera and Soren when the former decide to kill Grol quickly, while the latter two want to make him suffer. This culminates in Soren threatening to leave.&#x20;

At Cragmaw Castle, we knock out Yegg, the tyrant chef, and evacuate Droop's family, learning from them about a mysterious female drow that works for the Black Spider.

## 🥔25. jared, 19

Push forward into Cragmaw Castle, we use most of our resources in fighting off Grol's bugbear + hobgoblin lackeys and eventually managing to knock out Grol. We find an unconscious Gundren and a wood elf (Jharym...) in Grol's room, and a map of Wave Echo Cave.

After looting Grol's room, we speak with Gundren and Jharym, learning of Grol's actions and some relieving news: that Wave Echo Cave is collapsed and monster-ridden, and the Spider is unlikely to have made much headway even if he's found the cave.

As we prepare to leave, a group of hobgoblins arrive and notices us.

## 🗻26. revisiting friends

We manage to bluff our way out of the hobgoblin situation by pretending to be the Spider's minions, regrouping with the goblins we left outside.

On the way to drop them off at Cragmaw Hideout, Sildar and Soren reconcile over the torture conflict. Soren apologizes for threatening to leave and hurting Sildar. Hugh throws Droop really hard and gets free Enlarges in exchange for stopping.

The group sends Droop and his family into Cragmaw Hideout to see if Yeemik has, in fact, turned the tribe over a new leaf. While waiting, Hugh regales us with Tasha's-Hideous-Laughter-worthy jokes.

## 🍫27. s'mwhores

We regroup with Droop's family and tour Cragmaw to ensure Yeemik hasn't been kidnapping adventurers, catching up with the Cragmaw goblins. We offer to bring the goblins to Neverwinter in five days to integrate them into city life -- better than freezing in the winter. Yeemik hesitantly agrees.

After leaving, we travel back southward until night falls. We set up camp. Sildar and Hugh wrestle shirtless 👀 Hugh cooks a hearty soup.&#x20;

Soren and Sildar discuss best ways to die. Sildar sends a paper bird to Waterdeep with a report, before the two bond over their desire to travel together.

## 🌱28. willow

As we wake, Sildar receives a paper bird from Waterdhavian superiors confirming receipt of Sildar's letter and requesting Sildar to investigate missing merchants at Thundertree.

Our arrival at Thundertree -- a ruined town -- is greeted with vicious attacks from awakened twig blights. We follow a signboard seeking adventurers to a cottage where we meet Reidoth, an old druid, and Willow, his young apprentice. Reidoth beseeches us to fight Venomfang, a green dragon endangering Phandalin and Neverwinter.

Will comes with us. As we walk to the dragon's lair, we are attacked by large spiders. Hearing us nearby, the dragon requests a parlay.

## 🚪29. knock knock

We decide to explore, arm ourselves and rest before confronting Venomfang. After fighting zombies and finding ranged weaponry in a blacksmith, Will admits his disdain for drow.

We find the Dendrar heirloom but are attacked by larger awakened plants before hurrying back to Reidoth's cottage. Venomfang flies away; Reidoth leaves to investigate. Assuming past bad experiences with drow, Soren apologizes to Will before trying to bond over their shared love for herbalism; it doesn't go well.

Will gets to know the party; Soren confesses his original motives under Nezznar's orders, but Will seems to appreciate the honesty.

## 👀30. reconnaissance

We're interrupted by more awakened foliage, which destroy Reidoth's cottage and almost kill Soren. Scavenging parts from the ruins, we patch it up best we can.

Shaken by the near-death, Soren proposes we scout Venomfang's lair to better prepare. We learn Venomfang's lair layout and range from our fieldtrip, which Soren uses to formulate battle-plans. Reidoth returns; Will cooks and we prepare to rest.&#x20;

Soren privately purchases pipeweed from Reidoth before desperately pleading with him to share any knowledge that might extend Sildar's lifespan -- or shorten Soren's to match. Reidoth gently dissuades Soren, telling him to focus on the present.

## 🐲31. venomfang

The group spends a restless night before confronting Venomfang, who enlists our help in killing his sister--only to reveal it was a ploy to lure us into his lair before attacking us.&#x20;

The dragon's might proves almost deadly, and the party is forced onto the defensive. Will reveals his celestial nature, but despite best efforts, the dragon overpowers the party. Soren begs the entity that possessed him and Colt at Alderleaf Farm for help, offering his freedom and servitude in exchange.&#x20;

It responds, cleaving the dragon in half and leaving Soren badly burned from the inside out.

## 🔪32. among us

The group struggles to deal with the badly injured, and seemingly hostile, Soren. Meanwhile, Soren reaches out to his new "benefactor", who is surprisingly friendly.&#x20;

The party discusses Will's celestial nature and past, and harvest the dragon before finding Soren missing. Soren eventually returns, acting odd, before another Soren appears--making it clear that there is an imposter. Despite the imposter knowing private information, the group identifies the real Soren correctly and incapacitate the imposter.&#x20;

As they wait to question the imposter, Soren continues acting strangely hostile, hurting Sildar's, Hugh's and Droop's feelings.

## 🐝33. like the bees

We learn that Fake!ren is a doppelganger named Vyerith, which Reidoth demands that Will kill due to its monstrous nature.&#x20;

During the interrogation, we learn that though she is an agent of the Black Spider, she burned our cave map to protect the world from the Forge, and Will seems to take pity on her. It's revealed that the doppelganger is Jharym, who only got close to Gundren to kill him and hide the Spellforge.&#x20;

Through botanical analogies, Will shuts down Vyerith's claims that being evil is in her nature. The party splits their loot and identifies their items.

## 🍄34. the lady of rot

The characters spend their last night in Thundertree, after which Soren seems to return to normal.&#x20;

Hugh has a nightmare about a large rot-and-fungus-covered lady who whispers about consuming, freaking him out. Reidoth explains that the lady is the Demon Queen of Rot and Decay; likely what's causing Hugh his headaches.&#x20;

Soren worries about parallels between him/Sildar and Vyerith/Gundren's situation, and tries to strongarm Vyerith into repenting for her actions. Will and Reidoth have a tearful and touching farewell. As the group leaves Thundertree, they find a magic store where there previously was not one before.

## 🦁 35. the lion, the witch, and the demon lords

The party enters the store--a traveling magic shop owned by the wizard Pax. Hugh decks out Droop with gear, Soren gets a circlet of disguise-as-human, and Will gets two bags of tricks. An exasperated Garaele takes Gundren and Vyerith back to town

Pax refers us to the nearby Pudding Faire in celebration of Harvestide. We learn more about our group "patrons" from Pax: Hugh's "Lady of Rot" is a demon lord named Zuggtmoy, while Graz'zt is a hedonistic demon lord known to make fiendish carnal deals.

No one is happy about this. We head off to the faire.

## 😽 36. snap crackle pop

The party enjoy festivities at the Pudding Faire, partaking in fair food while keeping village children (and Droop) out of trouble. We meet Grandpappy Cowslip, a wizard with three Enlarged kittens, which instantly enamor Will and Sildar.

We buy trinkets for each other at a yard sale--which, unfortunately, gets cut short by an accident involving thieves. Soren explores the human concept of gift-giving. After saving a young girl from being arrested, we get free potions from the village herbalist. Droop signs up for the annual capture-the-flag tournament.

Will purchases herbs and flowers. Sildar buys a bouquet of roses and lilacs for Soren.

## 🐷 37. the missing pig

A farmer beseeches the party to find his stolen prize hog, Cameron. We shop for vases from a talented potter before following the thieves' trail into the woods, where we find a young halfling being hunted by invisible creatures that only Droop and herself can see.

After a tough battle--wherein Soren calls upon Graz'zt's powers as a warlock and Droop demonstrates a barbarian rage upon seeing Hugh badly hurt--we continue tracking the pig. Will gets caught in a hunting snare, though he is unhurt.

We eventually find a camp of six rugged-looking travelers sitting around a large, roasted pig. :(

## 🤕 38. close calls

When WIll is unable to cure a mortally injured bandit, the rest of them attack the party viciously. The fight turns sour quickly and we barely escape and return to the faire, shaken.&#x20;

\We learn that Honeypuddle's mayor was turned into a frog by a rude gnome, but Cowslip turns him back before setting off to "send the bandits packing". The group prevent a pancake fire, then enter Droop into a children's capture-the-flag-esque event, where he ends up attacking a contestant for hurting his friend.&#x20;

Suddenly, the party finds themselves transported back to 7:00AM of the (seemingly) same day.

## 🐹 39. groundhog day

The party, quickly realizing the day reset and they are stuck in a time loop, begins to try and investigate.&#x20;

They notice several things inconsistent from yesterday and follow clues into the woods, where they save a goblin from a mysteriously enlarged constrictor snake--shortly after the duo encountered a foul purple-haired gnome.&#x20;

With evidence, they convince Grandpappy to go check out the threat, then follow him to discover that Granpappy and the purple-haired gnome, Urdlen, are both gods settling a personal grudge. Granpappy attempts to banish Urdlen, but is overpowered and the time once again resets.

## 🐗 40. in mysterious ways

Soren grows anxious at the idea of getting between gods, but the party is adamant about helping the village break their time loop. Granpappy is easily convinced of Urdlen's threat but refuses to let the group help him, storming off alone.&#x20;

The group tries to gather more clues from the rest of the faire, with Sildar winning a piglet wrestling contest that goes wrong when the boar is enlarged like yesterday's snake.&#x20;

The group encounters a wanted thief from Waterdeep, then encounter more magical mishaps pointing at Urdlen's mischief at the archery range.

## 🏹 41. pew pew

The group enters the archery contest and Droop wins. Talk about pets grows solemn when Will reveals he lost his dog in the drow raid of his past.&#x20;

We encounter a girl who wins a stoneskipping competition but isn't seen because everyone becomes distracted by a group of butterflies, at which Will demonstrates excellent children skills and placates the distraught girl.&#x20;

The party rescues a family of gnomes from hungry ankhegs, which we know to be associated with Urdlen, god of deep-crawlers. Sildar receives a letter from Waterdeep urging caution around drow, as the Bregan Daerthe is making a move.

## 👆 42. the might of gods

At Sildar's dismissal of the letter, Soren reveals he wants the Alliance to tear down Menzoberranzan.&#x20;

The party protests against this genocide, and Will reveals his village was raided because they sheltered a young lost noble drow girl, who was initially racist but came around after being shown kindness. Soren softens at this until he learns this noble girl was his half-sister.&#x20;

We find the missing Arabella's charred corpse at the bandits' camp; they begin setting the faire on fire in a rage. Sildar triggers a reset by destroying the pudding, but is disintegrated as a result. The day resets.

## 🤝 interlude: amends

The group heads back to the bandit camp to confront them. Soren apologizes for his outburst during which he told Will what the drow are inflicting on his former villagers.&#x20;

Sildar, Will and Soren try to get each other to see that the horrors of their past are not their fault. Soren expresses his sins outweigh any attempt at redemption; that he's likely going to a different place from Sildar when he dies.&#x20;

Sildar, perturbed by his death the previous "day", promises he'll join Soren in death. Soren in turn promises to pursue goodness and freedom even if Sildar dies.

## ⌛ 43. breaking the loop

Sildar attempts to distract Urdlen and his new bandits while Grandpappy charges a banishment spell, but is discovered.&#x20;

A tough fight ensues between the party and the bandits, though the party is more prepared this second time and eventually manages to overcome them despite Urdlen summoning various monstrosities to aid the bandits. The party emerges victorious, which doesn't seem to concern Urdlen, who makes as if to reset time again....only for Granpappy's banishment spell to finish.&#x20;

The group finds themselves once again at the start of Pudding Faire, but this time, things are clearly different. The loop is broken!

## 🎪 44. faire-going

Granpappy gives each party member some words of encouragement, a magic item, and disappears, leaving behind a kitty.&#x20;

Finally free from the god's evil curse, the party enjoys the faire games! Between several good deeds and stopping disasters (since the party already knows the day's events well) Sildar wins a Drizzt statue for Soren, Soren demonstrates his gag reflex, we help reunite star-crossed lovers, Hugh destroys Sildar in a wrestling competition.

Sildar meets a familiar face from Waterdeep... whom we learn to be a doppelganger pretending to be Sildar's friend--discovering that not all doppelgangers are evil, after all.

## 🍮 45. pudding, at last

Droop makes friends with the kids, Hugh wins a pudding contest, and amidst song and dance, the Pudding Faire comes to a close.&#x20;

We rest at the local inn to prepare for journeying back to Phandalin. Soren suggests a plan to deceive Nezznar that involves endangering Will; Will agrees.&#x20;

The group enjoys a peaceful (but dream-filled) night; Graz'zt convinces Soren to draw on more of Graz'zt's demonic powers in order to someday tear down Menzoberranzan. Will dreams of his mother hugging him in front of a cozy fireplace. Myco urges Hugh to kill Soren and hurry to the wedding.

## 💕46. domination

The group travels back to Phandalin, encountering more strange Underdark creatures out of their habitat and acting in crazed ways. They dispatch a group of slaver kuo toa who try to capture the group to meet their deity, the "Mooggoon".&#x20;

Soren and Will speak about mushrooms and trauma. As we approach Phandalin, we are once again struck by unfortunate events: Nezznar, the Spider, contacts Soren through Sending furiously due to his lack of communication; Soren accidentally outs that he was compromised and puts Will in danger.&#x20;

In the ensuing chaos, we return to Stonehill, where a grieving Gundren punches Soren.

## 🐜47. the spider and the ant

The group placates Gundren and learn Garaele is out of town. Soren meets his master's familiar, and is almost killed--before he tells Nezznar about Will's presence; the drow is intrigued to "examine" an aasimar.&#x20;

Mentions of past flames cause Soren to visit Vyerith in jail to learn more, but gets attacked by a Redbrand prisoner. Soren reacts violently, traumatizing the prisoner, much to the group's horror. They teach Soren about the moral responsibility of having power. Soren is deeply apologetic upon seeing the start of parallels between himself and Nezznar.&#x20;

The group visits Pax and purchase various items from her.

## 🔍48. mirror, mirror

The group buys ranged weapons to cover our martials' weaknesses; Soren reports to the Zhents and learns they have their eye on the Forge. We find Pip and our pets in good health and promise to dine with the child before our departure tomorrow for Wave Echo.&#x20;

We view Nezznar's past through Soren's new mirror and find uncomfortable evidence that Nezznar was not always cruel, but was made so by the vicious drow societal upbringing; that Nezznar is a victim in a grand cycle of hatred.&#x20;

As we go to sleep, Sildar gives Soren a promise ring, which touches Soren.

## 🌄49. wave echo cave

We are woken by a frantic Toblen: Pip and Droop have been kidnapped by bugbears, leading to a mad scramble to get to Wave Echo.&#x20;

Soren believes he wants to torture Nezznar for revenge; the group refuses to let him, causing a moral blowout and uncomfortable tensions between the party before their final fight of the campaign together.&#x20;

We reach the cave and traverse its natural terrors (including oozes and minecart mazes) before massacring Nezznar's forces of bugbears and retrieving Droop. We learn that Pip is being held hostage, and briefly rest before moving to, finally, confront the Black Spider.

## 🕷️ 50. spoiler: we win.

Soren seems to betray the party--long enough to wrench Pip away from Nezznar, before standing by the party again in the final fight.&#x20;

The battle is arduous, and both sides suffer heavy casualties. As Nezznar is forced into a corner, he summons a Yochlol demon which promptly turns him into a drider and leaves. We defeat drider!Nezznar and restrain him.&#x20;

Soren receives some time alone with his former master but cannot bring himself to torture someone, and instead treats Nezznar's wounds as the drider struggles to come to terms with his new form.

## 👖51. juicy ass drider pants

Nezznar continues to question Soren's kindness; Soren maintains he doesn't want to witness suffering. Shortly before sleeping, group decides to find the Forge before turning Nezznar in to the Lord's Alliance for questioning.&#x20;

Will tries to better understand the cruel drow, Nezznar taunts Sildar about Soren's past intimacies with humans (and how they all ended up), Hugh tries to make him "drider spider pants with JUICY on the ass", and Soren tries to question Nezznar under the pretense of torture--overall rather effectively.&#x20;

The group begins to explore the rest of the cave in search of the Forge.

## 👁‍🗨52. the spellforge

After killing a Flameskull and clearing the mines of some ogre zombies, the group finds the Forge guarded by a delusional Spectator, whom they convince to return home through lies.&#x20;

We experiment with the powers of the Forge and learn that it's badly damaged and a far cry from its past potential. Still, we strip the place of their magic items and enhance our own with the lingering powers of the Forge.&#x20;

We learn a bit about Soren's honeypotting past, Hugh meets his match in poisonous mushrooms, and we fight a shrivelled old wraith who touches Soren in mean ways. :(

## 🫀53. a coward's choice

Fearing mistreatment, Nezznar helps the group with the flameskull in exchange for food, though the group is clear that they would not starve him.&#x20;

Later, he bribes Soren into revealing Will’s history with drow by holding info about Soren’s brother, Nadhiir, above his head. Soren learns that his enslavement only benefited Amalka, who disposed of every male of the family.&#x20;

When Nezznar uses this knowledge to torment Will, Soren threatens and strikes Nezznar for the first time. The group defeats a room full of ghouls and settles to rest. Soren is apologetic for his actions, but Will is understandably and thoroughly upset.

## 🍰54. birthdays

The party fights off a giant skeleton monstrosity, and swarms of stirges, before finally finding their way out of Wave Echo Cave.&#x20;

After some taunting, Nezznar freely offers information that Dresnan, Soren’s father, escaped before his execution, before implying that this is not the first of Soren’s many birthday gifts, shocking Soren.&#x20;

The group exchanges birthdays, and promises to celebrate Soren’s for the first time in his life. We return Pip safely, regroup with Droop at Garaele’s, and use the diamond from the cave to finally revive Tharden Rockseeker, who had been killed by Nezznar days ago.

## 💰55. shopping therapy

The party gets their loot appraised and come into a good sum of money from ancient dwarven historical artifacts.&#x20;

We shop at Pax’s for more gear. Nezznar runs his mouth at Pax, causing her to charm him and force him to embarrass himself. Nezznar comes out of the charm terrified, to the party’s surprised discomfort.&#x20;

The party returns to Stonehill and begin prepping for dinner while Hugh gets Droop back on his feet. Nezznar remains shaken and sullen as Will and Soren attempt to offer him some comfort. Upon receiving Nezznar’s word that he would behave, Soren unties him.

## 🥩56. heroes' feast

After discussing future plans, the party frees the doppelgangers as promised and invite them to dinner. We learn a little about Will's past. Soren blackmails Nezznar into helping with meal prep and learns about Nezznar's (uncomfortably-relatable) intentions with the Spellforge.&#x20;

With the help of the party, Soren dramatically proposes to Sildar, asking that they spend the rest of their days together. Sildar happily accepts.&#x20;

We enjoy the ensuing large feast before Hugh goes home with Garaele. We spend an uneventful night taking turns watching Nezznar before a warband of orcs launch a raid on Phandalin at the crack of dawn.

## ⚔️57. divide and conquer

As Phandalin comes under attack, the party splits up to protect the townsfolk and prevent the orcs from devastating the town.&#x20;

Hugh, Droop and Sildar use their brute force to make short work of the invading orcs. Will utilizes his range and mobility to kite the orcs, while Soren uses his charisma to guide townsfolk to safety, before using darkness to defeat the attackers.

With the party's help and Garaele's healing, there are no casualties (except Harbin Wester's house, oh no 🙄) and the party reconvenes to battle the apparent commanders and orchestrators of the orc raid.

## 💓58. wrath.

In the ensuing fight against the orc commanders, Soren positions poorly and is almost killed, though the rest of the party manage to barely keep him alive and kill the commanders, obtaining some interesting weaponry and loot.&#x20;

We are thanked for our protection of the town before we head off to Conyberry to complete the task of finding and questioning an elusive banshee, Agatha, on behalf of Garaele.&#x20;

Along the way, Myco communicates with Hugh. We learn that it is not only permanently awake now, but also slowly devouring Hugh's brain, lending new urgency to our quest of killing it.

## 🌱59. watch it grow

We reach Conyberry and after much searching, find Agatha, who is disillusioned by human greed and violence. Will offers to plant her some seedlings instead, and his innocence touches her.&#x20;

She offers us four questions; we learn that Myco cannot be easily expelled, that Will's mother is alive and "dealing with demon uprisings", and Soren learns information about the missing people from the drow raid on Will's village.&#x20;

We set up camp and fish; Will endures an uncomfortable night watching over Nezznar, who is cruel and taunts him. Soren shares a surprisingly vulnerable, albeit short-lived, moment with Nezznar.

## 🧟‍♀️60. plants n' zombies

We negotiate with a necromancer from Thay to share his Netherese excavation site with others, completing the task Edermath gave us.&#x20;

We also locate the orc hideout in Wyvern Tor, clearing out the last few remaining orcs, officially completing all of our quests from the Phandalin townsfolk.

Nezznar continues to taunt Will throughout their night watches, calling him a coward and the surfacers weak. These unpleasantries extend to Soren, who learns that Nezznar intends to escape and keep Soren around as a slave while he regains his house and power.

## 🧶61. loose ends

The party reports our quest progress to the respective townsfolk, before saying our goodbyes to the townsfolk, with whom we've grown close.&#x20;

We tie up loose ends by putting the Nothic out of its misery, and killing Nezznar's spider familiar in the woods (which Nezznar no longer has control over). We instruct Gundren to use our share (minus Will's) of the Spellforge's profits to fix Tresendar Manor.&#x20;

We depart Phandalin and head towards Waterdeep, where we intend to turn Nezznar in for interrogation. Along the way, we are attacked by strange scarecrow constructs, which heavily damage the party.
