Overview
Hew Hackinstone is a barmy (mentally unstable) shield dwarf dragon slayer available as a guide in Port Nyanzaru. He is the sole survivor of a dwarven expedition to Wyrmheart Mine that was decimated by the red dragon Tinder (Tzindelor) three years ago.
Background
Three years before the adventure, Hew was part of a dwarven expedition attempting to reopen Wyrmheart Mine, which had been conquered by the red dragon Tzindelor forty years earlier. During the expedition’s encounter with the dragon, Hew was the only survivor. He escaped after Tinder bit off his left arm, leaving him permanently maimed.
Motivation
Hew is obsessed with returning to Wyrmheart Mine to slay Tinder and avenge his fallen companions. He needs a group of capable adventurers to help him accomplish this goal. If hired as a guide, Hew claims he can lead the party anywhere they want to go, but he will only take them to Wyrmheart Mine—revealing his singular focus on revenge.
Game Statistics
Hew uses the berserker stat block with the following modifications:
- Alignment: Chaotic neutral
- Skills: Survival +4
- Resistances: Resistance to poison damage and advantage on saving throws against being poisoned (dwarf racial trait)
- Senses: Darkvision 60 feet
- Weapon: Wields a battleaxe (not greataxe) dealing 7 (1d8 + 3) slashing damage. He cannot wield weapons with two hands due to his missing left arm.
Connection to Wyrmheart Mine
The mine is filled with evidence of Hew’s failed expedition. Four fresh (three-year-old) charred dwarven skeletons are found at the bottom of the main shaft—these are Hew’s former companions, stripped of valuables by kobolds. One additional dwarf skeleton from Hew’s expedition lies in the haunted forge, uncharged but face-down at the base of steps, killed by the specters that haunt that location.
Handout
When characters meet Hew, players should receive handout 5 from appendix E (specific content not provided in source text).