Lost Mine of Phandelver - Beginner Friendly

Creating your character

How to Create Your Character (Spoiler-Free) Goal: bring a level-1 hero who plays well with others, fits a frontier-town start, and shines in roleplay and combat. New to 5e? Follow these steps and you’ll be ready for Session 0. 1) Pick a concept (60 seconds) Choose a vibe: stouthearted guard turned explorer; runaway noble illusionist; gritty herbalist ranger; bookish war-cleric. Think team-first. 2) Choose ancestry & class Books allowed: PHB, Tasha’s, Xanathar’s (ask for others). Any class works. If unsure: Fighter, Rogue, Cleric, Wizard is the classic spread. I can provide curated pregens or co-build live. 3) Ability scores Use Point Buy (27) or Standard Array (15,14,13,12,10,8). Put your highest in the class’s key stat. HP: max at 1st; take average on level-ups unless you love rolling. 4) Background & local ties Pick a background that explains why you’re on the road and willing to help a small frontier town. Add two ties (choose any): A friend/contact in the region (trader, priest, smith, scout). A lead or rumor (map scrap, family debt, missing mentor). A promise (deliver supplies, protect travelers, repay aid). 5) Skills, gear, spells Lean into skills you want to spotlight; consider covering gaps (face/survival/utility). Take class/background starting equipment (or roll gold if you know how). Bring a travel kit: bedroll, rations, waterskin, light source, rope. Spellcasters: prep one control, one utility, one reliable damage, and one out-of-combat trick. 6) Personality notes (3 lines max) Drive: what you want now (“Prove I belong among heroes.”) Bond: someone/ideal/place that matters. Flaw/Quirk: something fun to roleplay (overconfident, superstitious, too helpful). 7) Party hooks (pick at least one) You owe another PC a favor. You and a PC share a past job that went sideways. You carry a hand-me-down tied to a local mystery. You’re pursuing the same rumor for different reasons. 8) Table culture (Session 0) Rule-of-Cool: clever ideas earn advantage, shortcuts, or spotlight. Share scenes and boost others. No PvP. Ask before acting on another PC. Safety tools: Lines/Veils + Open Door. Tell me what’s off-limits. 9) Tech & sheet We play on a VTT with Discord voice. Mic required; camera optional. Use the provided sheet template or send DNDBeyond/Google Sheet/PDF. File name: [Player] – [Character] – L1. 10) Send before Session 0 Sheet link or PDF 1–2 sentence concept Your chosen party hooks Lines/veils or accessibility needs Quick builds Human Fighter (Soldier): Str/Con high; Dueling; Athletics, Perception. Lightfoot Rogue (Urchin): Dex high; Stealth, Sleight, Perception, Thieves’ Tools. Hill Dwarf Life Cleric (Acolyte): Wis/Con high; bless/healing; guidance/light. High Elf Wizard (Sage): Int high; shield or find familiar; utility cantrips. Need a pregen tuned to the group? Say the word. Bring bold ideas—I’ll bring the voices, the vibes, and a frontier ready for heroes.

Preparing for the session

Preparation — What to Do Before Session 0 TL;DR: Join Discord, confirm tech works, bring a level-1 character (or pick a pregen), and be ready to have fun. Details below. 1) Accounts & Links Discord (required): Create/join my server (invite sent upon booking). VTT (online tabletop): We’ll use a browser-based VTT; I’ll DM the link 24 hours before the game. No purchase needed—just a free account if prompted. Character Sheet: DNDBeyond, PDF, or my provided sheet template are all fine. 2) Tech Check (10 minutes) Mic required, camera optional. Test your microphone in Discord. Browser: Chrome or Firefox recommended; allow pop-ups and hardware acceleration. Internet: Stable connection (wired or strong Wi-Fi). If your upload is spotty, use Push-to-Talk. Headphones: Prevent echo/feedback. VTT test: When I share the link, log in early to confirm you can see maps, move a token, and roll dice. 3) Character Prep (spoiler-free) Level: 1 (advances to 5 across the campaign). Books allowed: PHB, Tasha’s, Xanathar’s (ask for others). Ability Scores: Point Buy (27) or Standard Array (15,14,13,12,10,8). Gear: Class/background starting equipment is easiest. Personality: 1-2 sentence concept + Drive, Bond, Quirk. Party Hooks (pick 1+): owe a PC a favor; shared past job; inherited trinket tied to the region; chasing the same rumor for different reasons. New to 5e? I have curated pregens; you can customize as we go. 4) What to Send Me (at least 12 hours before) Sheet link or PDF (file name: [Player] – [Character] – L1) Concept (1–2 sentences) Chosen party hook(s) Lines/Veils (content limits) or any accessibility needs 5) Table Tools & Files I provide battle maps, tokens, handouts, and a loot/log sheet after each session. Dice can be rolled in the VTT or in real life—announce results if rolling at home. Keep rules references handy, but I’ll teach as we play. 6) Safety, Etiquette, and Vibe Session 0 included: We’ll confirm tone, boundaries, and bonds. Safety tools: Lines/Veils, X-Card, Open Door—use them any time. Culture: Be kind, collaborative, and share the spotlight. No PvP or griefing. Rule-of-Cool: Clever ideas may earn advantage, shortcuts, or cinematic moments. 7) Start of Session Checklist Join Discord 5 minutes early. Close bandwidth-heavy apps (streaming/cloud sync). Have water/snacks, character sheet, and a way to take notes. Skim the “Previously on…” recap if provided. 8) Rescheduling & No-Shows If you’re running late or need to reschedule, ping me on Discord ASAP. I’ll start on time; after 15 minutes we may proceed with a side scene or pregen. If you want a pregen or quick build help, just say the word—I’ll tune one to your concept. I bring the voices, puzzles, and maps; you bring a mic, a hero, and your best ideas.

What Mimic brings to the table

What I Bring to the Table Cinematic, spoiler-free adventure with strong player agency. I run Phandelver like a binge-worthy mini-series: tight scenes, clear stakes, smart enemies, and memorable NPCs—all without revealing key set pieces ahead of time. Style & Vibes Character Voices & Acting: Distinct voices, attitudes, and mannerisms for every notable NPC. Soundscape: Ambient music and SFX for towns, wilds, and dungeons (kept at “enhance, don’t distract”). Rule-of-Cool: Clever, cinematic ideas can earn advantage, shortcuts, or custom outcomes. RAW is our baseline; rulings favor fun, clarity, and momentum. Pacing: Snappy turns, quick rulings, and scene framing that respects your time. Combat & Challenges Tactical but Fast: Readable battlefields, meaningful terrain, and foes with goals—not just hit points. Multiple Solutions: Stealth, social, puzzles, and creative tools are as viable as sword swings. Fail-Forward Design: Missed rolls create new angles rather than brick walls. Tools & Tech VTT Ready: Gridded maps, vision/lighting, tokens, status markers, and handouts. Tracking Sheets: Shared loot log, quest board, and quick rules references. Recaps: Short “Previously on…” posts after each session to keep everyone synced. Player Experience New-Player Friendly: I teach as we play, offer curated pregens, and help you level efficiently. Spotlight Balance: Everyone gets hero moments. I rotate hooks and tailor scenes to your concepts. Respectful Table: No PvP or griefing; we celebrate each other’s wins. Safety & Accessibility Session 0: Lines/Veils, tone, and party bonds. Open Door & X-Card: Step away or fade to black any time—no explanations required. Content Calibration: Fantasy peril and light horror elements tuned to group comfort. Communication & Reliability Clear Expectations: Session length ~3 hours; start on time; quick breaks. Scheduling: If life happens, I communicate early and offer options. Between Sessions: I’m available on Discord for rules help, character tweaks, and plan-crafting. What You’ll Leave With A Cohesive Party Story shaped by your choices and relationships. Memorable NPCs & Moments delivered with performance and polish. A Polished Starter Arc that feels epic without bloat—levels 1–5 done right. I bring the voices, puzzles, maps, and momentum. You bring bold ideas and a hero worth rooting for. Together, we’ll make Phandalin legendary—no spoilers, just great sessions.

Homebrew rules

What I Bring to the Table Cinematic, spoiler-free adventure with strong player agency. I run Phandelver like a binge-worthy mini-series: tight scenes, clear stakes, smart enemies, and memorable NPCs—all without revealing key set pieces ahead of time. Style & Vibes Character Voices & Acting: Distinct voices, attitudes, and mannerisms for every notable NPC. Soundscape: Ambient music and SFX for towns, wilds, and dungeons (kept at “enhance, don’t distract”). Rule-of-Cool: Clever, cinematic ideas can earn advantage, shortcuts, or custom outcomes. RAW is our baseline; rulings favor fun, clarity, and momentum. Pacing: Snappy turns, quick rulings, and scene framing that respects your time. Combat & Challenges Tactical but Fast: Readable battlefields, meaningful terrain, and foes with goals—not just hit points. Multiple Solutions: Stealth, social, puzzles, and creative tools are as viable as sword swings. Fail-Forward Design: Missed rolls create new angles rather than brick walls. Tools & Tech VTT Ready: Gridded maps, vision/lighting, tokens, status markers, and handouts. Tracking Sheets: Shared loot log, quest board, and quick rules references. Recaps: Short “Previously on…” posts after each session to keep everyone synced. Player Experience New-Player Friendly: I teach as we play, offer curated pregens, and help you level efficiently. Spotlight Balance: Everyone gets hero moments. I rotate hooks and tailor scenes to your concepts. Respectful Table: No PvP or griefing; we celebrate each other’s wins. Safety & Accessibility Session 0: Lines/Veils, tone, and party bonds. Open Door & X-Card: Step away or fade to black any time—no explanations required. Content Calibration: Fantasy peril and light horror elements tuned to group comfort. Communication & Reliability Clear Expectations: Session length ~3 hours; start on time; quick breaks. Scheduling: If life happens, I communicate early and offer options. Between Sessions: I’m available on Discord for rules help, character tweaks, and plan-crafting. What You’ll Leave With A Cohesive Party Story shaped by your choices and relationships. Memorable NPCs & Moments delivered with performance and polish. A Polished Starter Arc that feels epic without bloat—levels 1–5 done right. I bring the voices, puzzles, maps, and momentum. You bring bold ideas and a hero worth rooting for. Together, we’ll make Phandalin legendary—no spoilers, just great sessions.

How Mimic creates a safe table

Safety & Comfort at My Table Promise: Fun first, people first. We use clear boundaries, easy safety tools, and respectful culture so everyone can relax and play boldly. Session 0 (15–25 min) Lines & Veils Form (digital): You’ll get a quick checklist before the game. Lines = hard no; Veils = fade-to-black; Ask First = check-in required. Tone & Content: Adventure vibe, horror dial, humor level, romance policy. Table Norms: Pronouns, mics/cameras, turn-taking, rules of engagement (no PvP, no griefing). Accessibility: Pace, reading/hearing needs, breaks, screen fatigue options. At the Table: Easy, Visible Tools X / N / O Cards (digital): X: Stop/skip immediately—no questions. N: Warning/slow down—change approach. O: Check-in/consent—“I’m okay, keep going.” Use chat emojis or type the letter; I’ll acknowledge and pivot right away. Open Door: Anyone can step away anytime. No explanations required. Pause & Reframe: I will pause if energy dips or a scene feels off; we can reframe, fade to black, or switch focus. Opt-In Spotlight: I rotate spotlight, but you can always pass and rejoin when ready. Conduct & Respect Zero Tolerance: Bigotry, harassment, or boundary-pushing is an immediate stop and removal from the table. Assume Good Intent—Own Impact: If harm occurs, we repair and adjust. Consent for Recording: No recording without unanimous prior consent. Content Calibration (Spoiler-Free) Common Elements: Fantasy peril, dungeons, light horror (creatures, darkness), mild gore. Adjustable Dials: Fear, darkness, bugs/spiders, body horror, moral ambiguity, romance—set during Session 0 and revisit anytime. Fail-Forward, Not Punitive: Consequences exist, but we avoid humiliation or trapped feelings. Aftercare & Debrief Two-Minute Roses/Thorns: Quick end-of-session check: what worked, what to tune. Private Follow-Up: My DMs are open for concerns or adjustments. Anonymous Feedback Form: Link provided after Session 0 for ongoing notes. Tech & Breaks Breaks: 5–7 minutes midway; more if needed—just say “BRB.” Cameras Optional: Voice is enough. Use push-to-talk if background noise. Safety Shortcut: Type “X” in chat for instant fade/skip. Conflict Resolution (When Needed) Pause & Clarify: Identify the friction (“rules, spotlight, tone?”). Restate Boundaries: Anchor to Lines/Veils and table norms. Path Forward: Adjust scene/mechanics; if needed, I run a short side scene while tension cools. Escalation: If behavior violates policy, I end the session for that player and issue refunds per platform rules where applicable. My Commitments Proactive Check-Ins: I’ll occasionally ask “O?” to confirm comfort. Transparent Rulings: Quick decisions, explained after the moment. Inclusive Design: Clear maps, readable info, and multiple solutions so no one feels stuck. Play brave, play kind, and tell me what you need—I’ll tune the experience so everyone can have a great time.