Lost Mine of Phandelver 2024 | Beginner Friendly

Creating your character

Characters are created before our first session so we can jump straight into the action. Once you join the game, you will receive a link to the Roll20 campaign where you can build your hero directly. We will start at Level 1, and I will work with you to ensure your character fits the tone of the adventure and is someone you will truly enjoy playing. For character options, we will be using the Players Handbook and Heroes of Faerun. I will help you navigate these materials to make sure your character is ready for the frontier. This collaborative process ensures your hero has a strong connection to the story and the rest of the party before we begin our journey to Phandalin.

Preparing for the session

To prepare for our adventure, you will need to have a free account on Roll20, as this is where all our maps, character sheets, and dice rolls will live. Once you have joined the campaign on StartPlaying, I will send you the invite link to the Roll20 table so you can begin setting up your character. Please ensure you have a working microphone and a stable internet connection for our sessions, as we will be using Roll20 for our voice communication as well. No additional software downloads are required, as everything runs directly through your web browser. Once you are in the game room, I will guide you through the final steps to ensure your audio and character sheet are ready for our first session.

What Immovable Rod brings to the table

I will provide a fully immersive experience using Roll20, featuring detailed maps, character tokens, and integrated ambient music to set the mood for your journey through the Sword Coast. I embrace the "Rule of Cool" within reason, prioritizing fun and memorable moments while using the official rules as a consistent foundation for fairness. As your Dungeon Master, I lean towards a balanced style, mixing character voices, descriptive narration, and tactical combat encounters. You can expect a world that reacts dynamically to your choices, whether you are negotiating with a shady merchant in Phandalin or fighting goblins in a cave. My goal is to work collaboratively with the players to tell an epic story where your characters are the true heroes.

Homebrew rules

I run my games as close to Rules as Written (RAW) as possible to ensure a fair and consistent experience for everyone. This provides a solid, predictable foundation for both combat and roleplay, which is especially helpful for players learning the system. However, I am open to incorporating specific homebrew rules if the entire party unanimously agrees on them. If there is a popular house rule your group loves—such as drinking a potion as a bonus action—we can discuss it as a team before the campaign begins to ensure everyone is on the same page.

How Immovable Rod creates a safe table

To ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable experience, we will hold a Session 0 at no charge to establish clear boundaries and expectations. During this time, we will discuss our collective Lines and Veils to ensure the story remains comfortable for everyone at the table. I maintain an open-door policy where players can message me at any time with concerns or updates regarding their comfort levels. During gameplay, we use digital X, N, and O cards via the Roll20 interface or private messages to signal if a scene needs to be edited, paused, or skipped entirely. After each session, I am available for a brief check-in to discuss the game's events and ensure everyone is feeling good about the direction of the story. My priority is to foster a respectful environment where every player feels safe to explore their character's journey.