Timeless Tales: Lost Mines of Phandelver - Session 16

Storyline (Session 16)

• After traveling from recent encounters (notably an owl bear), the party reaches Skywatch and is reunited with Sildar there. Sildar’s involvement in Phandelver has concluded, but he’s back at Skywatch.
• The party’s main objective is to learn about Cragmawr / “Craigma” Castle (spellings vary in the subtitles) to determine:
  • its layout and location details,
  • likely ways to enter (or at least routes nearby),
  • and anything that might help rescue Gundren Rockseeker, who has been kidnapped and is feared to die if time runs out.
• They go to the College of Plentres / Plentress / Plinders (name varies in subtitles) to consult maps and schematics—specifically for Cragmawr Castle information.
• At the library, they meet Lembless / Lameless Harris, a librarian who:
  • helps them research older maps,
  • identifies that older maps show a skull-labeled dangerous area and a question-mark region (their likely target),
  • explains that many old maps were destroyed, with updates arriving via couriers.
• The party discusses the urgency of the rescue: Gundren has been kidnapped for ~three weeks, so delaying increases the risk of death.
• Before leaving to travel toward the castle, a noble (encountering the party near the gates) reveals strange behavior—apparently a disguise/magical transformation occurs:
  • the noble’s companion/guard arrangement shifts suddenly (including a flash of light affecting the party),
  • and it becomes clear the interaction is a trap involving shapeshifting and a “black spider” connection.

Gameplay / Key Gameplay Highlights

• Social + scouting at the College

  • The party uses intimidation/confidence and “showmanship” to draw attention briefly (including a theatrical lift/toss of Skip), then refocuses to find library help.
  • They also use insight/perception/perception checks to detect what locals think and to identify notable individuals.

• Library research

  • They request books and “schematics” on the castle.
  • They combine their “castle map we have” with older regional maps to infer missing/unsafe areas (question-mark territory).

• Combat encounter at the city gates

  • A sudden magical/shapeshifter reveal triggers initiative.
  • Kugan rage-attacks a transformed enemy/guard and deals heavy damage.
  • Buttermelt flies in and uses dragon breath, incinerating multiple bandits.
  • A doppelganger is identified via arcana (described as a likely fabled doppelganger/shape-shifter).
  • Isizara / Aar casts Withering / “Wither Bloom” (title varies) to damage enemies and regain hit points via hit dice.
  • Skip goes invisible while blinded, moves along the battlefield, then repositions.
  • The doppelganger shifts into a close-to-fatal exchange, then is eventually pressured into surrender.

• Negotiation / information extraction

  • The party interrogates the surrendered doppelganger/protector:
    • it claims it serves the Black Spider and is the “protector of the secret keeper” rather than directly the castle door-holder,
    • it admits the other entrances are not freely shown and implies there is a way in/out,
    • but it suggests you can’t access non-front routes without it helping.
  • The party debates whether to kill it or keep it as a temporary guide.
  • They choose to keep it alive under supervision while traveling.

• Session end

  • The group departs Skywatch east toward Cragmawr Castle, ending the session with the doppelganger as a new companion.

Strategies / Key Tips Mentioned (as used in play)

• Research before assault

  • Use college/library resources to learn layout and infer missing areas from older maps.

• Time management for hostage rescue

  • Treat the hostage timeline seriously (~3 weeks); delaying can mean death.

• Distraction + infiltration planning

  • Consider distraction (fog/fire/stealth approaches) to allow a stealthy entry/rescue.
  • However, conclude that a full “decoy distraction” might be insufficient due to enemy numbers/fortifications—so prioritize sneaking to objectives.

• Use party strengths in combat

  • A flying/dragon-breath user to thin enemies quickly.
  • A frontliner to hold space and reduce threats while casters fight.
  • Invisible repositioning for control and survivability.

• Interrogate shapeshifters carefully

  • Even “helpful” shape-shifters can be unreliable; extract specific actionable info (routes/doors) and keep them under coercion/guard.

Gamers / Sources Featured

• No external sources are referenced.

Characters / Entities Appearing in the Session Text

• Sildar
• Skip (Skip Eratry)
• Kugan (Kugan Ironfist)
• Buttermelt
• Isizara / Aar (name varies; Aar is stated)
• Lembless / Lameless Harris (librarian)
• Eric Floen (the noble near the gates; later revealed as tied to the trap/shapeshifting sequence)
• The doppelganger (enemy turned reluctant companion)
• The Black Spider (antagonist referenced by name)
• Gundren Rockseeker (hostage referenced)
• Emperor Limus (mentioned as part of Skywatch’s council/leadership)