A merchant’s knowledge of Phandalin and its hinterlands would likely be sourced from trade records, merchant gossip, old contacts, and letters in merchant guild archives that speak of shifts in markets, alliances, and regions of importance. Merchants often deal with economic patterns, and so would see history as a reflection of those patterns.
Intelligence (History) – Merchant Background (Phandalin Lore)
| DC | Difficulty | What the Merchant Might Recall |
| 10 | Easy | Phandalin is a frontier town between the High Road and the Long Road along the Sword Coast. It’s recently been revitalized by an influx of prospectors, and is emerging as a hotspot for traders looking to move goods – especially for those who know where the real opportunities lie. |
| 15 | Medium | The town does not have a functioning constabulary or militia, making it vulnerable to lawless ruffians and predatory monsters that prowl its hinterlands. Despite such perils, the lure of gold, silver, and platinum in the streams and hills surrounding Phandalin is too strong for the prospectors who flock to the remote frontier town. |
| 20 | Hard | You’ve heard whispers about Wave Echo Cave and the lost treasures said to be buried within it. The mine was located in the vicinity of Phandalin, and its rumored riches were said to include rare gems and metals – items with incredible market value. Legend tells of a wondrous arcane forge within the mine called the Forge of Spells, which was believed to be capable of crafting magic items, the likes of which have not been seen in centuries. |
| 25 | Very Hard | You once overheard a tavern conversation between two venerable Dwarven merchants discussing the Phandelver Pact, and how it governed the Wave Echo Cave and Phandalin half a millennium ago. The pact was more than just a sworn alliance between dwarves, gnomes, and humans – it also regulated trade and resource sharing, giving the region exclusive rights over precious metals and magical tools. Those who controlled Wave Echo Cave controlled the region’s wealth. Its rediscovery could shift the entire market economy of the Sword Coast. |
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