Phandelver and The Shattered Obelisk: Play by Post (PbP)
Venture to Phandalin, a frontier town full of opportunity—plagued by goblins, bandits, and a dark force rising in the shadows,
$7.50
/ Session
Details
Play by Post (Asynchronous)
Billed Weekly / Monday - 1:00 PM UTC
Mar 16 / Session 24
Session Duration / 2–3 hours
Campaign Length / 10–50 Sessions
4 / 6 Seats Filled
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Schedule
About the adventure
Embark on a thrilling adventure of mystery, danger, and treasure in Phandelver and Below! This play-by-post/play-by-chat campaign welcomes both newcomers and seasoned adventurers to the Forgotten Realms. Your journey begins with a simple job—escorting a supply wagon to the frontier town of Phandalin. But as you venture into the wilds, you’ll uncover a dark plot threatening the region, leading to lost mines said to contain ancient magic and unimaginable wealth. This story-driven campaign blends exploration, combat, and roleplay, offering rich opportunities to shape your character’s path and forge bonds with fellow adventurers. Whether you're new to D&D or a veteran looking to revisit a classic, this adventure delivers suspense, camaraderie, and unforgettable moments. Hosted on Discord and available 24/7, the game is perfect for those who enjoy flexible, text-based roleplay. You’ll find dedicated In Character and Out of Character channels, and guidance from an experienced DM every step of the way. Gather your gear, prepare your spells, and steel your nerves—Phandelver's secrets await. Will you rise to the challenge?
Game style
Play By Post
Game themes
Meet the Game Master
1 year on StartPlaying
88 games hosted
Highly rated for: Teacher, Knows the Rules, Storytelling
Average response time: 3 hours
Response rate: 100%
About me
Greetings! I'm Ronnie, a retired Navy Submarine veteran, former high school teacher, and recently retired school bus driver of ten years. I embarked on my D&D journey in 2017 and transitioned to Dungeon Mastering in 2018, starting at the table before moving to online platforms like Roll20. I've recently delved into Play by Post and find it immensely rewarding. My games are meticulously prepared yet allow for spontaneous twists to keep players engaged. They're driven by the players' choices, weaving their unique stories while I provide guidance and enrich their narrative. For play by post games, I use Discord for text communication and Avrae for combat resolution. Character creation and resource management are streamlined with D&D Beyond. When maps are needed, I rely on a mix of tools, with Owlbear Rodeo being a favorite. I'm committed to responding to posts within 24 hours and typically post 2 to 3 times daily. I value player commitment and expect mutual dedication, with any schedule changes communicated in advance.
View Profile →Character creation
Creating your character
Create your character on D&D Beyond using the Standard Array for Ability Scores. We play by the 2024 rules, but 2014 races and subclasses are allowed.
What to expect
Preparing for the session
You will need at least free accounts on Discord and D&D Beyond. A free account on Owlbear Rodeo is helpful, but not required.
What Ronnie brings to the table
Play-by-Post: A Rich, Thoughtful Way to Play D&D Play-by-Post (PbP) campaigns offer a uniquely rewarding roleplaying experience. They allow players time to think, research, and fully explore their characters’ thoughts, actions, and decisions—something not always possible in the fast pace of live, in-person or video sessions. If you enjoy deep storytelling, strong character development, and immersive worldbuilding, PbP might be exactly what you’re looking for. So, how does it work? You'll gain access to a private Discord server, where we’ll use text channels to roleplay scenes and an out-of-character (OOC) space for coordination, questions, and casual chat. I use Avrae for combat resolution, D&D Beyond for character creation and resources, and Owlbear Rodeo with custom maps and tokens for a visual touch when needed. Posting Schedule & Expectations: I post at least three times per day weekdays, and at least once a day on weekends. Players are asked to post at least once per weekday, though 2+ posts per weekday is ideal for pacing and engagement. ----- Game Rules & Tools: We're using the 2024 D&D ruleset. If your character options haven't yet been updated, 2014 content is still fully supported. You’ll have access to: • A private, well-organized Discord server • Premium Owlbear Rodeo maps and tokens (available 24/7) • D&D Beyond content sharing for character building and rules references ----- My Approach as a Game Master: As a GM, my focus is twofold: the story and you, the player. I work to weave your characters into the world organically, creating an emergent narrative shaped by your choices and motivations. I’m a retired high school teacher with experience running D&D for both teens and adults. I tailor each campaign to what excites and inspires my players—whether it’s deep lore, personal arcs, clever puzzles, or big heroic moments. While I balance all three pillars of D&D—social interaction, exploration, and combat—I tend to emphasize social and exploration aspects in PbP campaigns, as they naturally support long-form storytelling and character-driven plots. Expect plenty of opportunities for roleplay, moral choices, secrets, alliances, and character growth. If you enjoy character development and collaborative storytelling, you’ll feel right at home at my table.
Homebrew rules
Drinking a potion as a bonus action
Equipment needed to play
Internet
Computer
Platforms used
Safety
How Ronnie creates a safe table
We will start with a Session 0 to discuss expectations and limitations. Everyone will get a Lines and Veils questionnaire. X, N, and O Cards will be used and will be sent to me by message.
Content warnings
Safety tools used


