The Lost Mine - Tresendar Manor

Last Updated: April 23, 2023

Tresendar Manor History

More than five hundred years ago, clans of dwarves and gnomes made an agreement known as the Phandelver's Pact, by which they would share a rich mine in a wondrous cavern known as Wave Echo Cave. In addition to its mineral wealth, the mine contained great magical power. Human spellcasters allied themselves with the dwarves and gnomes to channel and bind that energy into a great forge (called the Forge of Spells), where magic items could be crafted. Times were good, and the nearby human town of Old Phandalin prospered as well. Tresendar Manor was built hundreds of years ago and the Tresendar family was an important part of the Old Phandalin. But then disaster struck when orcs swept through the North and laid waste to all in their path.

A powerful force of orcs reinforced by evil mercenary wizards attacked Wave Echo Cave to seize its riches and magic treasures. Human wizards fought alongside their dwarf and gnome allies to defend the Forge of Spells, and the ensuing spell battle destroyed much of the cavern. Few survived the cave-ins and tremors, and the location of Wave Echo Cave was lost.

The same orc horde that sacked the mines at Wave Echo Cave laid waste to Old Phandalin. The last head of the Tresendar family, a great knight named Sir Aldith Tresendar, also known as the Black Hawk, led a valiant counter assault against the orcs while wielding his magic longsword "Talon", a family heirloom. Unfortunately, Sir Aldith died fighting off the orcs that attacked through the hidden caverns below his manor and "Talon" was thought lost (until found by Coryn Reyydark in a deep crevase in the cellar tunnels).

Old Phandalin and the Tresendar Manor were abandoned for centuries. In the last three or four years, hardy settlers from the cities of Neverwinter and Waterdeep have begun the hard work of reclaiming the ruins of Phandalin. A bustling frontier settlement has grown up on the site of the old town, and is home now to farmers, woodcutters, fur traders, and prospectors drawn by stories of gold and platinum in the foothills of the Sword Mountains.

As a reward for defeating the Black Spider and her minions, the Townmaster of Phandalin awarded our heroes with Tresendar Manor to use as a base, but they will need to pay for the repairs and upkeep.

Tresendar Manor the Moneypit

Maintenance/Upkeep Costs

Tresendar Manor is a noble estate in the town of Phandalin.

  • The recurring maintenance/upkeep cost is 10 gp per day or 300 gp every 30 days (see DMG p127).
  • Therefore each hero is required to contribute 50 gp every 30 days.
  • This cost includes the salaries of both the skilled and unskilled hirelings.
  • This cost also includes any taxes owed to Phandalin
  • This does not include the cost to rebuild Tresendar Manor from its current ruined state.

    Reconstruction Costs

    Tresendar Manor is a ruined noble estate in the town of Phandalin.

  • The cost to build a new noble estate is 25,000 gp (see DMG p128).
  • This covers material and labour.
  • It will take 150 days to complete, so long as our heroes or their Steward is supervising the construction.
  • If new build, each hero is required to pay 834 gp every 30 days, or construction will halt.
  • Each day unsupervised will add 3 days to the reconstruction time.
  • The upkeep costs occur once the construction is complete or during 30 days of no construction.
  • Maybe our kind DM will provide a break on the reconstruction costs?
  • Especially since the cellar/secret dungeon is already built (20-40% discount)?
  • Perhaps as thanks Reidoth the Druid can cast "wall of stone" twice/day?
  • Wall of Stone can create five 20 ft long x 10 ft high panel walls 3 inches thick with supports.
  • Two castings is enough to create outer walls of Manor 3 inches thick.
  • So four days per foot of thickness, so 12 days for 3 ft thick outer walls 10 ft high.
  • OR
  • Wall of Stone can create five 10 ft long x 20 ft high panel walls 3 inches thick with supports.
  • Four castings is enough to create outer walls of Manor 3 inches thick.
  • So eight days per foot of thickness, so 24 days for 3 ft thick outer walls 20 ft high.
  • AND
  • Wall of Stone can create five 10 ft long x 10 ft high panel walls 6 inches thick with supports.
  • Three castings is enough to create inner walls of Manor 1 ft thick.
  • So another 3 days for 3 ft thick inner walls 10 feet high.
  • Reidoth the Druid also use "shape stone" for doors, chimney, arrow slits, etc...
  • This should reduce construction costs even more (another 20-40% discount)?
  • Maybe suggest ~60% total reduction of a new build or ~10,000 gp
  • 9,000 gp easier to divide by 6, so 1,500 gp each
  • This would be 300 gp each every 30 days for 5 months.

    Useful Spells for Manor (until dispelled)

  • arcane lock (wizard 2 - 25 gp/casting)
  • continual flame (cleric 2, wizard 2 - 50 gp/casting)
  • glyph of warding (bard 3, cleric 3, wizard 3 - 200 gp/casting)

    Useful Magic Items for Manor

  • Alchemy Jug (uncommon, 100 gp) - for kitchen
  • Daern's Instant Fortress (rare, 500 gp) - instant moveable guard tower (why build manor if have this?)
  • Decanter of Endless Water (uncommon, 100 gp) - fire brigade - Sigh has one already
  • Driftglobe (uncommon, 100 gp) - light source that can follow you around
  • Eversmoking Bottle (uncommon, 100 gp) - obscuring smoke
  • Heward's Handy Spice Pouch (common, 50 gp) - for kitchen
  • Horn of Silent Alarm (common, 50 gp) - for guards
  • Lantern of Revealing (uncommon, 100 gp) - detect invible creatures within 30 ft (at entrance)
  • Lock of Trickery (common, 50 gp) - disadvantage to open without key (combo with arcane lock)

    Sources of Revenue

    The heroes have been pledged 10% of the profits from Wave Echo Cave by Gundren and Nundro Rockseeker.

    Tresendar Manor Staff

  • It requires 3 skilled hirelings (Steward, Chef, and Guard Captain) to oversee the work.
  • It requires 15 untrained hirelings to do the work.
  • Do we need a Guard Captain or maybe a Sage/Alchemist/House Wizard instead? Other?
  • recruit Sildar Hallwinter as Guard Captain? Or as Steward?
  • Or not recruit and just Help him build a Phandalin Constabulary?
  • recruit Mirna Dendrar as Steward (former shop owner/manager, herbalism skills)? Or as Chef?
  • Other suggestions?
  • Radical thought? Hire Grista as chef/alemaster, shut down Sleeping Giant to clean town?
  • Offer survivors of Nargenstal work as unskilled hirelings?

    Tresendar Manor Location Key

    Cellar

    Ground Floor - in ruins

    Second Floor - in ruins

    Third Floor - in ruins

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