Investigate Garmok's Mine
Investigate Garmok's Mine
A personal quest of Xanphina's, tied to her ancestral heritage with The Skarhald Clan: locate and explore Garmok's Mine in the Mere of Dead Men, the place where the legendary orc hero Garmok the Chainbearer disappeared centuries ago. Though the Council of Waterdeep assigned Deez Nuts the missions to find Maccath the Crimson and find Varram the White, the party chose to pursue Xanphina's ancestral quest first.
Background
The legend of Garmok the Chainbearer was first shared with the party by the Orc Guard Captain in Session 42: Garmok ventured into the fen, found "a mine that wasn't a mine — a wound in the world," and threw his flail into an infernal rift to seal it, being pulled in himself. The Cult of the Dragon learned of Xanphina's interest in the mine by torturing the orc guard captain, and raced to occupy it ahead of the party.
Objective
Reach Garmok's Mine, confront the Cult of the Dragon forces occupying it, and uncover what became of Garmok the Chainbearer and the ancient evil the dwarves disturbed.
Locations Involved
- Garmok's Mine — the ancient dwarven mine in the Mere of Dead Men
- Mere of Dead Men — the dangerous swamp region containing the mine
- Castle Naerytar — the party's allied stronghold, used as a staging point
Factions Involved
- The Skarhald Clan — Xanphina's ancestral orc clan
- Cult of the Dragon — occupying the mine, lying in ambush
- Bronze Blades — also investigating dragon activity in the region
Progress
Completed [1]. Begun in Session 43, when the party entered the mine, rescued the Bronze Blades from a cultist ambush, fought through Cult forces, and looted a hidden vault (the Eye of Gilbraxis among the spoils). In Session 44 the party reached the heart of the mine, where they found Garmok's spirit still binding a horned devil in spectral chains to hold back the infernal rift. Destroying the devil freed Garmok's spirit at last (he passed on his flail to Xanphina), and the party went on to slay the black dragon Voaraghamanthar who laired in the flooded depths.
Outcome
- Garmok's spirit released from its centuries-long vigil; Garmok's Flail inherited by Xanphina.
- The black dragon Voaraghamanthar slain.
- The infernal rift remains open, however — sealing it for good became the follow-on quest, the Rite of Sundering (charged to Xanphina by Garmok's spirit in Session 45).
Related Quests
- Rite of Sundering — the follow-on: mend the rift Garmok could only hold
- Find Maccath the Crimson — Council mission resumed afterward
- Find Varram the White — Council mission still open
Sessions
- Session 43 — party reaches and enters the mine
- Session 44 — the delve concludes; Garmok freed, Voaraghamanthar slain