Investigate the Attacks on Halia's Waypoints

Investigate the Attacks on Halia's Waypoints

Status: Completed — the immediate crisis was resolved. The cell behind the attacks (the Sighing Masks) remains at large.

Summary

A Cult of the Dragon splinter cell — later identified as the Sighing Masks — discovered and attacked Halia Thornton's Zhentarim waypoints along the trade routes from Phandalin to Neverwinter and Waterdeep. The cultists murdered the operators and stole magic items, mistakenly believing these were the legendary items coming from the Forge of Spells — when in fact they were Halia's ordinary trade goods.

What Was Known

• Halia operated waypoints on the trade routes from Phandalin to the major cities
• One waypoint sat halfway to Neverwinter (a small farming community); another halfway to Waterdeep, north of Thornhold
• The Cult attacked both, killing operators and stealing goods
• The northern waypoint was run by two brothers, with cousins in Neverwinter — Zandirk (runs a shop selling Halia's goods) and Sanood (grieving, blaming Zandirk)
• The Cult believed fantastic magic items were coming from the region; the real (hidden) source was the Forge of Spells, operated by Thurmin and Nundro Rockseeker and guarded by Venomfang
• Both Thurmin and Halia wanted the killings to stop

Outcome

The party resolved the immediate crisis by delivering the missing magic items, satisfying the demand that had driven the attacks, and confirmed that the raiders were a Cult splinter hunting for the source of the region's magic — not aware of the Forge of Spells. The perpetrating cell, the Sighing Masks, was never tracked down and remains at large (see that lead).

Key NPCs

• Halia Thornton — Zhentarim operator whose network was attacked
• Cult of the Dragon / the Sighing Masks — Attackers
• Thurmin, Nundro Rockseeker, Venomfang — The Forge of Spells and its secret guardian