Wave Echo Cave

Wave Echo Cave is a rich iron mine that was maintained by the Phandelver Pact, a treaty between gnomes, Rockseeker dwarves, and humans from the nearby town of Phandalin. 500 years ago a large orc invasion of the north destroyed Phandalin and threatened to overwhelm Wave Echo Cave. Rather than give up their homeland, the dwarves sealed the tunnels and fled.

The location of the mine was lost with time, only to be rediscovered recently by the dwarf Gundren Rockseeker. Little did he know he was being tracked by the Black Spider, a drow agent who was controlling the local Redhands gang of Phandalin. The Black Spider arranged to have Gundren and his brothers kidnapped while they were en route to Phandalin. He extracted the route to the cave from the dwarves then killed Gundren's two brothers. The heroes eventually found Gundren at Cragmaw castle and freed him from his imprisonment. With the help of Gundren and Sildar Hallwinter the heroes reclaimed Wave Echo Cave, though SIldar was killed in the final battle with the Black Spider (only later to be resurrected).

Wave Echo Cave is now being worked by a combined workforce of dwarves and human miners. Recently a cave-in in one section of the mines revealed a lost passage that had been sealed for centuries. Unfortunately, it also opened up a series of tunnels to the Underdark, allowing Drow easy access to Wave Echo Cave. Gundren hired the heroes to explore the caverns and report back any findings. After encountering a Drow war party and overcoming several ancient dwarven puzzles they found a huge vein, rich with iron, gold, and silver. Also, the Rockseeker family jewel was found, a large ruby that is now protected by Titanius. Gundren has immediately started mining and excavation expeditions into the newly opened section of the cave.