New D&D 5e Game: Lost Mine of Phandelver

Lost Mine of Phandelver



----- The Game System and Rules Version -----
This game is going to be run using Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition (D&D 5e).

----- The Pitch -----
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 Phandalin (pronounced fan-duh-lin) prospered as well. 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.

For centuries, rumors of buried riches have attracted treasure seekers and opportunists to the area around Phandalin, but no one has ever succeeded in locating the lost mine. In recent years, people have resettled the area. Phandalin is now a rough-and-tumble frontier town. More important, the Rockseeker brothers — a trio of dwarves — have discovered the entrance to Wave Echo Cave, and they intend to reopen the mines.

Unfortunately for the Rockseekers, they are not the only ones interested in Wave Echo Cave.

The characters are in the city of Neverwinter when their dwarf patron and friend, Gundren Rockseeker, hires them to escort a wagon to Phandalin. Gundren has gone ahead with a warrior, Sildar Hallwinter, to attend to business in the town while the characters follow with the supplies. The characters will be paid 10 gp each by the owner of Barthen’s Provisions in Phandalin when they deliver the wagon safely to that trading post.

----- Game Duration and Post Frequency -----
This game is a pre-written campaign from Wizards of the Coast. It starts at 1st level, and by the end the characters should be at 5th level. Based on my experience in PbP games, this could take a couple of years to complete. I plan to do a check-in at some natural points in the story to check everyone's interest level at those spots.

----- Adult Content or Controversial Themes -----
This is a very standard Dungeons & Dragons adventure, a great introductory adventure, but that comes with some tropes related to necromancy and undead, cultists, violence, and banditry. If those are hot-button topics to you, then this is not the game for you. I am also permitting curse words and salty language, though I request that it not be a defining part of your character’s speech.

----- Character Creation Guidelines -----
Character Level: 1st level characters
Attribute Scores: Point-Buy Method or Standard Array Method (your choice)
Races: Only races presented in the Player's Handbook
Classes: * Only classes presented in the Player's Handbook (i.e. no artificers)
* Subclasses can be from any official WotC source
Backgrounds: Can be from any official WotC source, or if you have a concept that deviates from those presented, let me know so I can work with you in formulating that background mechanically.
Equipment: *Use the "Starting Equipment" options for your character. If you would like to trade some items for other items after those selections are chosen, please work with me.
* Each character will also receive an uncommon magic item of their choice to start, but I expect some good backstory to how you came to be in possession of said item.
Alignment: No evil characters. You don't have to be altruistic, but I don't want a villain in "sheep's clothing", if you will.

----- Specialized Software and Resources -----
I plan to use Owlbear Rodeo for my maps (I will take screenshots and such and post them on the forum, so that you don’t have to be actively logged into the map in order to engage with it), and we will be using DNDBeyond for character sheet management. If you would like to import your character stats into Gamersplane, I am happy for you to do so, but I do request that you keep your character sheet on DNDBeyond up-to-date. If you have questions for how to use the tool, please indicate so.

----- Player Experience Requirements -----
I am looking for newbies to Gamersplane (if you need help in learning D&D 5e, just let me know, though it is expected that you will be able to pick up the game and help us to keep it going).

The town of Phandalin has a small, upstart community, and as such, characters from various lifestyles are welcome in this game, and anyone can make a name for themselves in this part of the Neverwinter Wood. (In other words, players and characters of all types are encouraged to join, so long as those characters and players are willing to work together with the group).

----- Things That Are Frowned Upon in My Game (may result in expulsion if issues persist) -----
- Player vs. Player won't be tolerated
- Bullying and/or insulting other players (in-game character tension is one thing, but pestering other players will not be tolerated)
- Arguing with me too much over rulings. We will be using the standard 5e rules in most situations, but in the situation where there is some gray area, you are welcome to advocate for yourself using posts from Jeremy Crawford on Twitter, or Reddit, or other sources, but I have final say for the rule in that circumstance, even if other non-core sources say otherwise.

----- How to Apply -----
If you wish to join the game, please post on this thread, introducing yourself, your interest in this particular game, and if you have a character concept that you would like to utilize or develop. A picture of the character concept is nice, but not necessary.

I will ultimately be choosing 4 players to create characters and join me on this journey.

I anticipate that the first in-game post will go up sometime the week of July 5.

Nice but I'm in a game of that.

Thanks Gene, but you’re also not a Gamersplane newbie.

Yeah Think.

Yay, I wanna

Awesome! Do you have a character concept you would like to try out? Tell me about it here.

I'd like to join. As for character I was thinking along the lines of a divine soul warlock. Haven't really decided on race, but thinking either human or half-elf. The only issue is that I only have the physical books and not any of the d&d beyond. So I'm not sure how that would affect my character sheet

That's a good question! I have a large number of the books on DNDBeyond, so you should be good. They have book-sharing for those with a Master-level subscription (which I have), so anything that I own, or that any other players in the game owns through DNDBeyond should be at your disposal.

Which classes do you have so far?

So far, we just have a half-elf celestial-pact warlock and a human fighter.

Are you interested in joining our game? If so, what are you thinking for a concept?

I'm definitely interested in joining. I am not new to Gamers Plane, but I've not participated in a game for a very long time due to IRL responsibilities. I'd like to play a human rogue if accepted into the game.

Thanks @mcinnis138, you're in!

So far, we have 3 out of the 4 players for the game.

Those who have made the cut are:
- mcinnis138
- millyk
- KirinOfDarkness

Much obliged!

So far, we have a celestial-pact warlock, a human rogue, and a variant human fighter.

Best of luck running this game, HeroAmongMen! I had the privilege of playing with Hero recently and really enjoyed his well-written, in-depth posts; rich characterization; and creative and enthusiastic participation! This game is going to be great!

Lost Mines of Phandelver is a much loved 5e classic (possibly even the classic). I'm sure you'll have a great time.

If you're new to D&D 5e and GP then you should definitely try and get into this game.

I joined! I will play a warrior princess here !

I had seriously considered joining. I really want to join but after some thought, I come to a) I'm joining another group at the same time and b) I don't know if I could commit to the time length to finish the module. If it's public, I can't wait to read it!

I was thinking about playing a high elf knowledge domain cleric. I am in one other game, but this would be my second game here on GP. I've never used DND beyond before though. The picture is from my other game.