Phandelver and Below
(Contains spoilers)
The tale continues with Korrath, Dragonborn Monk, warrior, and master of arms.
After the fall of the Cult of Chaos in the Borderlands, Korrath and his longtime companion Geriant the Fighter earned hard-won renown. Together they defended the Keep, shattered the cursed bell within the Sacred Pool, and brought a fragile peace to the land.
With their previous trials behind them, the pair travelled north to the great city of Neverwinter. Geriant sought out an old acquaintance, the dwarven prospector Gundren Rockseeker, while Korrath pursued a different path entirely. Drawn by honour and discipline, he hoped to learn more of the famed Order of the Gauntlet and journeyed toward Phandalin to seek one who had once belonged to that noble order.
Fortune, however, has a habit of twisting roads together.
Gundren was in need of capable adventurers willing to escort a wagon south to Phandalin. At a crowded inn Korrath encountered Brightblade, a silver-tongued bard with expensive tastes and a suspiciously empty coin purse. Brightblade eagerly joined the expedition after a combination of persuasion, promises of glory, and outright bribery.
Geriant, meanwhile, remained behind in Neverwinter on business he refused to explain.
Thus Korrath and Brightblade set out alone upon the Triboar Trail.
Their journey quickly turned perilous.
Not long after leaving the High Road, the pair discovered signs of violence and soon fell prey to an ambush by Cragmaw Goblins lurking in the wilds. Refusing to retreat, Korrath pursued the raiders directly to their hidden cave stronghold.
Charging ahead with fearless determination, the Dragonborn triggered nearly every trap on the path to the goblin tunnels, though by grit, skill, and sheer stubborn resilience he emerged with little more than bruises and irritation.
Within the caves the companions defeated the outer sentries and soon came upon a den of chained wolves. Using a Spider Climb enchantment, Korrath scaled the rough chimney walls to spy upon the goblin king above: a brutish bugbear tyrant holding court within his filthy throne room.
After silently descending once more, Korrath and Brightblade devised a daring assault.
Together they overcame the wolves before climbing into the chamber itself, striking with complete surprise. The self-proclaimed “King” was cut down before he could rally his guards, and the pair pressed deeper into the caves, clearing goblins and beasts from chamber after chamber.
At last they reached the heart of the hideout, where several goblin bosses and hardened warriors made a desperate final stand.
The battle was fierce.
Korrath fought like a living tempest, scattering foes with fists, steel, and relentless martial discipline, but even he was eventually overwhelmed and struck down amidst the chaos. In the critical moment Brightblade rushed to his side, forcing a healing potion between the Dragonborn’s jaws and dragging him back from the brink.
Recovered and furious, Korrath rejoined the fray while Brightblade, never one to miss an opportunity for theatrics, loosed a perfectly timed arrow into the distracted final goblin leader during tense negotiations over the fate of the fallen bugbear king.
With their leaders slain, the remaining goblin warriors surrendered.
Among the prisoners the adventurers discovered a captured nobleman who introduced himself as Sildar Hallwinter. Grateful for his rescue, Sildar rewarded the heroes with valuable information and promises of future payment.
Before departing, Korrath and Brightblade ordered the surviving goblins to load the stolen merchant goods back onto their wagon before scattering into the wilderness.
Now the unlikely companions once again travel the road to Phandalin, wagon heavy with recovered supplies, rescued prisoner in tow, and new dangers waiting somewhere beyond the hills.
wargamesdiary 