Organizing defenses of a dungeon in a forest

[HoboKnight]

Here is the story so far: Cult of the dragon, the one from Hoard of the Dragon Queen, also had a competent lieutenant in region of Wood of sharp teeth (Sword coast). This guy had a drow minion and this drow has successfully entered the forest, traversed all the dangers and has found Forge of Spells - one of rare sites in Sword coast, where magic items can be created. Forge is placed in a small dungeon (now cleared out - its Wave Echo Cave) and positioned at the foot of several hills in this thickly forested part. It takes about a day and a half on foot for a man to reach the edge of the forest and another day to reach first road.

So. Dungeon is cleared. Forge of spells is comfirmed to be in operational state. A few mages, needed to run the forge are available.

This luitenant has several hundred men under his direct or indirect command - they are scattered in this region of Sword coast. He is able to pull in several ten thousand goldpieces if needed and is in control of several important figures in the region - mayors, castelans, merchants, other important figures.

What would it be a good way for this guy to secure the newly found dungeon with this immensely important (and immovable) device placed in it?

thanks

[JackPhoenix]

Stealth would be the first option. The forge is far enough from the nearest settlement, and nobody has found it for centuries. Unless you draw attention to it (by, for example, moving a hundreds of men there, and constructing defenses that require transporting supplies and propably clearing a good path there), there's no reason why couldn't remain hidden for few more decades, especially if he can use authorities to discourage investigation.

[da newt]

Limit the number of people who know of its existence, seal the entrance, hide it entirely, make the only way to enter via strong magic (teleportation circle or something) and knowledge of it's exact location and how to enter (maybe a special key of some sort), seal a few artisans in there to work, someone who can cast goodberry, something like that.