100 years ago a group of adventures; Helja a Hill Dwarf cleric, Denton Lionmoon a Human fighter, and Lidda Tosscobble a Halfling rouge; set off on what was to be a run-of-the-mill assignment of chaperoning a cart full of mining supplies from Neverwinter to the small town of Phandelin. As they traveled the Triboar Trail they encountered a band of goblins who had seized their benefactor, Gundren Rockseeker, and his companion, one of the Lords’ Alliance, Sildar Hallwinter. Afterkilling the goblins residing in the nearby Cragmaw Hideout and rescuing Sildar, he recollects that Gundren and his brothers, Tharden and Nundro, have found the location of Wave Echo Cave, a lost legendary site where the Phandelver’s Pact¹ and the Forge of Spells were created. The two were ambushed and the map and Gundren were taken to Cragmaw Castle.

The group arrive in Phandelin where they meet, among other townsfolk, Halia Thornton who runs the Miner’s Guild. She convinces them to clear out the local gang, the Redbrand Ruffians, and their leader, a wizard named Glasstaff, who have set up base in the dilapidated Tresendar Manor’s basement. While doing so they save a small goblin named Droop who joins them on their quest. Glasstaff escapes capture and the group learn that he is Iarno Albrek, a missing Lords’ Alliance wizard who Sildar is searching for.

Droop leads his new compatriots to Cragmaw Castle where they encounter the Black Spider’s messenger, Vyerith, a doppelganger disguised as a female drow. They decimate the goblins, rescue an unconscious Gundren Rockseeker, and retrieve the map to Wave Echo Cave.

Making their way to Wave Echo Cave the adventurers find the body of a dwarf, Tharden Rockseeker. The group encounter a Wraith named Mormesk who is at odds with a Spectator residing in the room with the Forge of Spells. The Black Spider had trailed the dwarves to the cave, killing Tharden and taking Nundro as a hostage. After fighting their way through the dangerous inhabitants of the cave as well as the Black Spider’s goons, the adventures come to their final battle. The Black Spider, Nezznar, a drow sorcerer and his giant spiders were formidable foes but they still succumbed to our heroes’ might.

Gundren and Nundro Rockseeker began mining Wave Echo Cave for its mineral riches as well as becoming stewards of the fleeting magic of the Forge of Spells. In doing so, Phandalin flourished becoming a rich mining town.

Decades pass and as the town flourished our heroes, Sildar, and the Rockseekers fade away into legend, their fates shrouded in a murky cloud of oral history.