2024 PHB | Phandelver and Below | Beginner Friendly Lvl 1-12
From classic fantasy adventure to mind-bending cosmic horror, uncover the secret of the shattered obelisk before its madness consumes the world.
$20.00
/ Session
Details
Weekly / Saturday - 4:00 AM UTC
Session Duration / 2.5–3 hours
Campaign Length / 40+ Sessions
3 / 6 Seats Filled
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Schedule
Meet your party members
3/6
About the adventure
This adventure begins in the familiar and beloved setting of the frontier town of Phandalin, picking up right where many classic D&D stories start: with a simple bandit problem. However, this is no ordinary goblin threat. Soon, your party will uncover a dark secret beneath the town, leading you into a sprawling network of ancient caverns, forgotten temples, and the eerie, glowing threat of the Underdark. What begins as heroic fantasy gradually shifts into a terrifying story of survival against cosmic horror, as you race against a spreading mental corruption tied to a mysterious, shattered obelisk. This campaign is perfect for both new and experienced players. New players will appreciate the traditional, grounded start in Phandalin to learn D&D 5e's mechanics, while veterans will enjoy the terrifying, high-stakes evolution of the plot. This adventure covers a wide power span, taking characters from Level 1 all the way to Level 12, allowing you to experience significant growth. If you enjoy games that blend classic dungeon crawling with challenging new monsters, intense survival scenarios, and a strong sense of mystery, this is your adventure. We will be running the rules largely as written, ensuring a balance of danger and epic reward. Prepare for fun, engaging, and cinematic combat! I prioritize creating exciting encounters that require teamwork and creative use of your character's abilities. You'll interact with a host of memorable, often quirky voiced NPCs in Phandalin and beyond, whose fates will often depend on your choices. To enhance the shifting tone—from cozy frontier town to the cold dread of the cosmic horror—I use Foundry VTT with dynamic visuals and spell animations, and Syrinscape for immersive soundscapes. Expect high immersion, great roleplaying, and a story that gets darker, weirder, and more thrilling the deeper you go!
Game style
Combat Heavy
Dungeon Crawl
Roleplay Lite
Rules as Written (RaW)
Meet the Game Master
4.7
(47)
3 years on StartPlaying
668 games hosted
Highly rated for: Sets the Mood, Storytelling, Voices
Average response time: 1 hour
Response rate: 71%
About me
With over four years of experience, I specialize in running prewritten tabletop RPG modules, creating immersive, high-quality experiences that are tailored to all players, including newcomers. Using tools like Foundry VTT, Syrinscape, custom artwork, and animations, I bring each adventure to life with dynamic visuals and interactive features. Whether you’re exploring dungeons, navigating political intrigue, or solving ancient mysteries, the world feels vibrant and alive through rich soundscapes, detailed maps, and engaging storytelling. I pride myself on being an approachable Dungeon Master who excels at guiding new players through the rules and mechanics of tabletop RPGs. I ensure that everyone, whether experienced or just starting, feels comfortable and empowered to roleplay, make meaningful decisions, and immerse themselves fully in the adventure. My focus on prewritten modules means the adventures are expertly crafted and easy to dive into, so players can enjoy rich, well-balanced stories right from the start. - Prewritten Module Campaigns - One-Shot Adventures - Weekly Sessions - Foundry VTT Integration for Seamless Gameplay - Syrinscape Audio for Immersive Soundscapes - Custom Artwork and Animations for Enhanced Storytelling - Player-Focused Narrative and Experience - Specializing in Welcoming New Players and Teaching the Rules Let’s embark on an unforgettable journey, whether you're a seasoned adventurer or stepping into the world of RPGs for the first time!
View Profile →Character creation
Creating your character
You will be building your hero on D&D Beyond, utilizing the content from the 2024 Player's Handbook (PHB) and the Forgotten Realms: Heroes of Faerûn book to select your Class, Species, Background, ect. For your Ability Scores, you may choose between Standard Array or Point Buy. You may select either the Basic Starting Equipment, or gold to purchase your gear. If you are comfortable with character creation, feel free to build your level 1 character before Session 0. If you are new to D&D or unfamiliar with the process, don't worry! We will go through character creation step-by-step together during Session 0 to make sure everyone is ready for the adventure. Content Sharing will be turned on during Session 0.
What to expect
Preparing for the session
Players will need to have the following things ready to play: • Microphone • Discord • Internet Browser compatible with Foundry VTT • Free Account on DnDBeyond
What Geoff brings to the table
As your Dungeon Master, I am committed to providing a highly immersive and memorable gaming experience. I will supply the official adventure text for Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk and access to all necessary content on D&D Beyond (including the 2024 PHB and Heroes of Faerûn). To bring the Phandalin and the Forgotten Realms to life, I use high-quality digital assets and tools, including: • Foundry VTT: A dynamic platform with high-quality maps and lighting effects. • Dynamic Visuals: Animations for spells and effects to make every combat feel cinematic and impactful. • Custom Art: Visual aids for key locations, monsters, and important NPCs. • Immersive Audio: Dynamic soundscapes, music, and effects via Syrinscape to set the mood for tense exploration, thrilling combat, and discovery. • Detailed Storytelling: Consistent, voiced NPCs and a focus on keeping the narrative engaging, fair, and fun, while running the adventure as faithfully as possible to its challenging design.
Equipment needed to play
Computer
Microphone
Internet
Platforms used
Safety
How Geoff creates a safe table
While Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk evolves into a high-stakes adventure, the environment at our virtual table will be supportive, respectful, and safe for all players. I use specific tools to ensure everyone is comfortable and engaged, allowing us to confidently explore this story's themes: • Session 0 & Content Review: Our first session will be dedicated to a thorough Session 0. We will discuss the adventure's themes and potential content—which transitions from classic fantasy to cosmic horror and includes elements of body horror and mind manipulation—to ensure all players are aware of what may arise. • The Monte Cook RPG Consent Checklist: We will use this checklist privately to help you communicate your comfort levels regarding sensitive plot elements. This allows me to adjust the narrative to avoid any "hard limit" topics for a stress-free experience. • Stars and Wishes Aftercare: At the end of each session, we will briefly use the "Stars and Wishes" tool. This gives everyone a chance to share a Star (something they loved or enjoyed) and a Wish (something they would like to see more of, or a point of feedback), ensuring open communication and continuous improvement of the game experience. Your comfort is my priority, allowing us to delve into this epic, dangerous story with confidence and enthusiasm.
Content warnings
Safety tools used