By [ad_1]
Nestled in the northern region of the Sword Coast lies the frontier town of Phandalin, a rough-and-tumble settlement of hardy folk. This hot spot for adventurers, located just south of Neverwinter, was abandoned for centuries following its destruction at the hands of a horde of monsters but has recently been resettled.
Phandalin has been a hub for exploration in previous adventures and returns in Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk, now available for preorder. The book updates and expands the Lost Mine of Phandelver adventure into a full-fledged campaign, where the party will contend with forces seeking to turn the town into the capital of an evil empire.
Keep reading for a guide to this beloved town and to learn what you can expect in Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk!
What Is Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk?
D&D’s latest adventure is coming September 19, 2023, and kicks off in Phandalin and the nearby countryside, where a corrupting power unleashes psionic goblins and other horrors you’ll face off against!
This book expands the beloved Lost Mine of Phandelver adventure into a full-length campaign that takes characters from 1st to 12th level. In it, you’ll unearth secrets about the mysterious obelisks that have cropped up in so many fifth edition adventures and that expose Phandalin to its greatest threat yet!
Preorder your copy of Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk on D&D Beyond or reserve your digital + physical bundle today!
Phandalin: History, Key Locations, and Adventure Hotspots
A Brief History of Phandalin
To understand the ins and outs of Phandalin as it currently stands, we need to go back more than five hundred years to the formation of the Phandelver Pact.
During this period, dwarves and gnomes agreed to share the rich resources of Wave Echo Cave, a wondrous cavern full of magical power in close proximity to Phandalin. They allied with humans and created a forge that could be used to craft magic items. This alliance allowed Phandalin to flourish into a bustling hub of economic prosperity.
Unfortunately, the good times didn’t last. Evil wizards allied with a force of orcs, giants, and other enemies in an attempt to seize Wave Echo Cave and its riches. The ensuing battle between the members of the Phandelver Pact and the attacking band of mercenaries caused cave-ins and resulted in the location of Wave Echo Cave being lost. The mercenary band also raided Phandalin. The town was ruined and its inhabitants abandoned the settlement.
The town remained abandoned for hundreds of years until, in the last three or four years, settlers from Neverwinter and Waterdeep began to reclaim the ruins, creating a new settlement that attracted farmers, woodcutters, fur traders, and prospectors.
However, the lack of a local lord or authority has also drawn in bandits and brigands, notably the Redbrands. They extort and bully the people of Phandalin.
Phandalin Locations of Interest
Nestled in the rocky foothills of the snow-capped Sword Mountains is the mining town of Phandalin, which consists of forty or fifty simple log buildings. Crumbling stone ruins surround the newer houses and shops, showing how this must have been a much larger town in centuries past.
Phandalin’s residents are quiet, hard-working folk who came from distant cities to eke out a life amid the harsh wilderness. They are farmers, stonecutters, blacksmiths, traders, prospectors, and children. The town has no walls and no garrison, but most of the adults keep weapons within easy reach in case the need for arms should arise.
Source: Dragon of Icespire Peak
While far from a thriving metropolis, Phandalin has everything a band of burgeoning adventurers needs for questing. Here’s a glimpse at some of the locations and NPCs you’ll find:
|
Location
|
Proprietor
|
Short description
|
|
Stonehill Inn
|
Toblen Stonehill (human male)
|
Modest inn for eating, resting, and gossip
|
|
Barthen’s Provisions
|
Elmina Barthen (human female)
|
Trading post for adventuring gear
|
|
Edermath Orchard
|
Daran Edermath (drow male)
|
Retired adventurer
|
|
Lionshield Coster
|
Linene Graywind (human female)
|
Supplies armor and weapons
|
|
Phandalin Miner’s Exchange
|
Halia Thornton (human female)
|
Records office and trading post
|
|
Alderleaf Farm
|
Qelline Alderleaf (halfling female)
|
Lodgings in exchange for honest work
|
|
Shrine of Luck
|
Sister Garaele (elf female)
|
Shrine to Tymora, the goddess of luck and good fortune
|
|
Townmaster’s Hall
|
Harbin Wester (human male)
|
Townmaster’s residence
|
|
The Sleeping Giant
|
Grista (dwarf female)
|
Dirty, dangerous watering hole
|
There are also plenty of rumors, townsfolk in need of assistance, and brigands that need dealing with around the town, making it an ideal location for heroes that are just starting out on their heroic careers.
Adventure Destinations Near Phandalin
Travelers leaving Phandalin can reach two of the major cities of the Sword Coast with relative ease. The city of Neverwinter—which some refer to as the Jewel of the North—is accessible in only a few days by riding west to the High Road, then heading north. The High Road can also be used to travel south to Waterdeep, though the trip is much longer.
Those looking to hawk their wares may take the Triboar Trail through the Sword Mountains to the bustling mercantile town of Triboar, though the trek has been made dangerous by marauding bands of bandits and monsters.
Beyond being a hub for trade in the wilderness, Phandalin is also a hub of adventure. If you’re searching for more venturesome places to explore, these nearby locations are chock-full of dangerous creatures and magical loot:
Wave Echo Cave
This abandoned mine was lost centuries ago after an alliance of gnomes, dwarves, and humans clashed with bandits and mercenaries seeking to steal its riches.
Prospectors have combed the region for hundreds of years, seeking to find the entrance and the riches that lie beyond, but none have been successful yet. While highly sought after, these riches certainly come with their fair share of danger.
Those who discover the ancient ruins will have to contend with everything from ghouls to ochre jellies if they want to take home the haul they came hunting for.
Cragmaw Castle
On top of dangerous orc tribes, gangs of brigands, and all the other dangers located in the area, a devious clan of goblinoids called the Cragmaw plot to destabilize the area. They have hideouts spread around the region. But as the players will discover, not all is well with the goblins…
Icespire Hold
The adventure Dragon of Icespire Peak features the location of Icespire Hold, a ruined fortress perched on the northeast spur of Icespire Peak, which has recently become home to the young white dragon Cryovain.
This new, powerful apex predator has upset the balance of the surrounding ecosystem, causing orc hordes to migrate, manticores to abandon their lairs, and other monsters in the region to become displaced from their homes.
Naturally, this has had dire consequences for the town of Phandalin, located just 30 miles from the dragon’s roost.
Adventure Awaits in Phandalin!
So there you have it, adventurers. Phandalin is a welcoming town with a rich history full of tough, hard-working folk. But be warned, danger—and therefore adventure—lurks around every corner! Are you and your party ready to take up the challenge in Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk?
Mike Bernier (@arcane_eye) is the founder of Arcane Eye, a site focused on providing useful tips and tricks to all those involved in the world of D&D. Outside of writing for Arcane Eye, Mike spends most of his time playing games, hiking with his girlfriend, and tending the veritable jungle of houseplants that have invaded his house.
[ad_2]
