Phylund Hunting Lodge

The Phylund Hunting Lodge was a stone keep in the western Ardeep Forest east-southeast of Waterdeep. It was built by the noble Phylund family in the mid–14 century DR and was used as a base of operations for the family's monster-breeding and monster-hunting safari business. It also served as an alternate residence for some Phylunds at various times. By the late 15 century, the Lodge had been abandoned and a Red Wizard named Thegger Grynn had moved in with the help of some gnolls.

Location
The Lodge was reached by traveling south from Waterdeep on the Trade Way, over the Zundbridge, and then taking an unpaved path to the east for about. Halfway to the Lodge, the path forked toward the south but either branch eventually reached the lodge. Some older maps showed the Lodge as being well inside the Ardeep Forest, while newer maps indicated it was on the verge. The approach to the Lodge was through wild, uncultivated countryside and the forest was dense with trees, shrubs, and creeping vines, often shrouded in mist.

Structure
The original building was constructed of stone and underwent a few expansions and fortifications as the Phylund's businesses thrived. As of the, the Lodge had three main sections connected on the second floor, leaving passages between them for carriages or people to pass through or shelter from the weather. At one time, the entire compound was surrounded by a wooden palisade with watchtowers placed at intervals, but by this time they had all rotted and collapsed. There were courtyards on the east and west sides of the structure.

The northern section of the building had a large menhir that formed much of the southwest corner of the two-story structure. It was haphazardly carved with symbols and oaths to Tempus and Malar. On the opposite corner of this section was an apple orchard with perhaps ten trees that were inside the palisade. There were doors on either side of the cornerstone in the west and south walls that accessed the original main hall. Two more doors entered the kitchen from the orchard and the east courtyard.

The middle section was the formal entrance, with a set of large double doors on the west wall, and the great hall beyond it. Behind the great hall was a single-level stable that accommodated about a half-dozen mounts, with double doors to the east courtyard. A stone-lined well across was built in the north wall in the corner where the chimney for the fireplace in the great hall jutted out.

The southern section connected to the middle building with a full room on the second floor. There was one door in the middle of the north wall on the ground floor under this overhang.