![Learn to Play: Lost Mine of Phandelver [lvl 1-5, FREE Session 0]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fspg-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com%2F565bcaef-cc20-469e-804e-fb8591d00d6c&w=3840&q=75)
Learn to Play: Lost Mine of Phandelver [lvl 1-5, FREE Session 0]
Discover the treasure of a lifetime as your party assists a trio of dwarven brothers in a race to find a long-lost spring of forgotten magic.
$25.00
/ Session
Details
Bi-weekly / Saturday - 11:00 PM UTC
Session Duration / 3–4 hours
Campaign Length / 15–20 Sessions
0 / 6 Seats Filled
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About the adventure
Lost Mine of Phandelver is the official Starter Kit adventure for Dungeons and Dragons 5th edition, and has remained one of the most popular hardback adventures since its initial publication. It offers a strong balance of combat, exploration, and social interaction that allows new players to explore everything that D&D has to offer. It runs levels 1-5, with the main storyline likely taking about 20 three-hour sessions to complete. It is a wonderful way to get to know the Sword Coast and the world of Faerun, particularly for those who would like to continue beyond the 5th level in other campaigns. This game has no prerequisites and assumes that all players have little to no familiarity with D&D or tabletop roleplaying games in general. We will begin with a "session 0" to create characters and set expectations as a group, likely ending with a short game scenario to introduce the core mechanics. We will then launch into the game proper, following along the main storyline to its conclusion. My intention as the GM is to create a fun, relaxed environment where new players can learn how to play and follow along with an exciting, well-loved story.
Game style
Roleplay Heavy
Sandbox / Open World
Game themes
Meet the Game Master
5.0
(5)
Less than a year on StartPlaying
2 games hosted
Highly rated for: Inclusive, Teacher, Creativity
Average response time: 1 hour
Response rate: 100%
About me
When I first became obsessed with tabletop roleplaying games (ttrpgs), it was 2015 and the D&D renaissance was only just starting to take off. No one in my university town was hosting open games, so I proceeded to indoctrinate friends, family, and strangers on my quest to play the kind of games I enjoyed. In 2016 I helped found a ttrpg club in my hometown, and I have spent the last ten years since constantly playing and GMing in games both in person and virtually. Though I have GMed several long-running campaigns over the years, I've found that I get the most satisfaction from bringing new players into the fold and helping them gain confidence through their gameplay. My focus is on one-shots and mini-campaigns that introduce new players to the world of ttrpgs and teach both the mechanics of new systems as well as the often more elusive skills of roleplaying, character building, and immersion. If you are new to tabletop gaming or you just feel like you've never been able to fully settle into a character, my games might be the right space for you. My goal as a GM is to create a welcoming, fun, and low-stress environment that rewards risk taking and embraces failure as part of the journey.
View Profile →Character creation
Creating your character
We will create characters during the free session 0, which will include a full walkthrough on how character creation works. Roll20 will be our primary venue, so character sheets will be created there. Any published materials from Wizards of the Coast are fine to work with when looking for species and classes. I highly recommend taking a look at the options before session 0, just to get an idea of the possibilities; D&D Beyond offers a good introduction to character creation if you'd like to get an initial sense of how it works. https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/dnd/br-2024/creating-a-character?srsltid=AfmBOooCsB0e-TCgBGbQBpyQx_PALxTZLTs1rBqpnauMdrFGRaBQXdB9
What to expect
Preparing for the session
It can be helpful to look ahead of time to see what species and classes are available to play. We will also be playing over Discord, so please have an account ready to use. I highly recommend a decent pair of headphones to avoid feedback over your computer microphone as well. We will use Roll20 to house our character sheets and make rolls, mostly because it cuts down on a lot of the math involved and I believe this makes the game more streamlined and welcoming for new players. However, you should not need a Roll20 account to participate.
What Maddie brings to the table
When you play with me, you receive: - A GM with a deep understanding of the rules of 5e, who will help familiarize you with the game in a judgement-free environment - A bespoke game complete with immersive roleplay, music, and art - Dynamic combat where players are encouraged to think outside the box and find interesting ways to tackle problems - Unique, custom-made art of your character, created by the GM - Access to a growing Discord server of players who have participated in my games in the past, giving you first dibs on future games hosted by me. This Discord offers a community where you can continue learning about ttrpg, find other people to play with, and maybe even make a game of your own! More details: Before our first true session, I will host a free session 0 to help players develop their characters and build their character sheets. This session will cover not only the mechanical elements of building a character, but also offer some strategies to help think of backstories and goals. Part of my goal is to help players understand how to build a character that sets both them and their DM up for success! After session 0, we will dive into the main game, exploring various mechanics and developing roleplaying skills as we go. I typically stage all non-player character (NPC) interactions as scenes, asking players to communicate directly with characters throughout the world. All NPCs are uniquely voiced by me. I also typically utilize a light level of ambient music through Discord, which allows players to adjust the volume or mute the music if they find it distracting. I also provide committed players with unique custom character art, created by me (with no use of AI). We will use these character pieces for art in Roll20 and for character tokens, and I will send a high-definition version of the piece directly to each player. These pieces are full body, full color depictions of the characters based on their players' descriptions and feedback. Each piece is a $60 value, offered free to anyone who attends three or more sessions (including the session 0).
Homebrew rules
As this is an introduction to D&D 5e, I do not use any homebrew rules in this game.
Equipment needed to play
Internet
Computer
Microphone
Headphones
Platforms used
Safety
How Maddie creates a safe table
I will send a link beforehand to a short survey where players can express any concerns they might have or suggest content they would like to avoid. This game should be very light hearted, so I don't anticipate any common triggering material. After the session, I will be available to discuss any questions with the players and make sure everyone leaves in good spirits. I will send out another survey afterwards to ask players what they enjoyed and what they think could have gone better or what they wish they had learned, so that I can improve future sessions.
Content warnings
Safety tools used