Lost Mine of Phandelver | Beginner Friendly, Session 0 & 1 free

Creating your character

Players will make their characters using the 2014 Players Handbook. Characters will start at level 1 and character sheets will be filled out in Roll20. Ability scores will be determined using the Point Buy option. Leveling past level 1 will require Hit Dice to be rolled to for HP with no re-rolls. Multiclassing will not be an option for characters, but feats will be available for further character customization. Background stories should fit your character’s background and should also be simple. As we will be using published adventures, you are welcome to use details from those adventures to help form your background. All I am looking for in a background is a reason why your character became an adventurer. Your character’s story will be written as we play the game and from the choices your character makes Keep in mind that adventurers are rare, so there must be something in you that would cause you to leave the safety and comfort of civilization to explore the wilds of the world. Also keep in mind that this is a team game, so your character must be willing to work with other characters. No edge lords!

Preparing for the session

Players will require a working microphone and webcam. Please ensure both are functional before session time. We will be using Roll20 for maps, dice, and Audi video, so you’ll need an active account and a stable Internet connection. No prior rules knowledge is required. This game is new-player friendly. I’ll teach you everything you need to know as we play. All you need to bring is your curiosity, a willingness to learn, and the spirit of adventure.

What Josh brings to the table

I will provide access to all relevant sourcebooks and published adventures directly through Roll20. You’ll have everything you need to play (where applicable), character sheets, tokens, maps, and digital resources already prepared. You just bring your imagination, your mic and webcam, and a willingness to dive in. I run each session with a professional setup: dynamic lighting & maps, and ambient background music (where applicable). I run D&D 5e in a way that recaptures the old-school sense of challenge and discovery while keeping the accessibility of modern play. My games emphasize player choice and fair rulings. You’ll have freedom, but you’ll also be accountable for your decisions. The game's pacing is dependent solely on the players, not the DM. I will not push you or railroad the players to the next objective; that decision will be on them. However, events will proceed in the background, known or unknown to the players. I run combat tactically. Positioning, timing, and creative problem-solving matter. You’ll face thinking opponents who act logically and a world that responds realistically to your actions. Encounters are not always balanced, and sometimes the best victory is knowing when not to fight. I adhere to the Rules as Intended philosophy. Creativity is encouraged but it has to work within the system. I believe that challenge and consequence make success worthwhile. The dice and the rules are impartial, and so am I. My view my role is that of a referee and worldbuilder, rather than a director or a storyteller. When rules disputes arise, I make quick, fair rulings to keep the game flowing. Everything I do as a GM serves one goal: to make the world feel consistent, logical, and alive. At my table, you can expect: - A living, reactive world. - Tactical, fair, and engaging combat that rewards teamwork and smart play. - Rules mastery and consistent rulings that maintain fairness and immersion. - A balance of roleplay, exploration, and strategy. - Respect for your time, choices, and creativity. If you’re looking for a GM who values structure, strategy, and immersion, someone who runs a game where player skill matters more than character stats, this is your table.

Homebrew rules

HOMEBREW: The Unearthed Arcana Ranger replaces the PHB Ranger. SKILL CHECKS: A player must declare and action and describe what they are attempting to do. From there, I may call for a skill check, if applicable. If a player pre-emptively rolls a skill skill check before I call for one, that roll is invalid. Some actions, such as carefully looking around a room, will not require a skill check. But searching for a hidden door will require a skill check. How carefully you look may include a hidden bonus to your roll. All skill checks require a roll. Passive checks function as DCs based on passive scores. GUARANTEED CRITICAL: When you score a critical hit, maximize the weapon’s or spell’s base damage dice and roll additional dice as normal. SPELLCASTING: Material component rules from PHB p.203 are enforced. If a component has a cost or is consumed, it must be provided each time the spell is cast. This preserves the tension and ritual nature of magic. Hex and Hunter’s Mark can each be cast without a spell slot a number of times equal to the caster’s spellcasting ability modifier (refreshes on a long rest). SUMMONING: All summoned creatures (except familiars) are role-played by the GM according to their nature—capricious, proud, or even hostile. Summoning carries both power and risk. DEATH SAVES: The GM rolls death saves in secret to heighten tension and prevent metagaming. Players are informed only when a character stabilizes or dies. DROP TO 0 HP (BUT NOT DEAD): When reduced to 0 HP but not killed outright, gain 1 level of exhaustion (stacking). HEALING: Long rests no longer fully restore HP. Players must spend hit dice to heal during a long rest (8 hours, in safety). Regain half your total hit dice afterward.

How Josh creates a safe table

Session 0 will be used to set expectations and ensure everyone feels comfortable and informed before we begin play. During this session, we’ll cover: - My table and house rules for D&D 5e - Player preferences for tone, themes, and desired play style - Safety tools and boundaries This conversation is collaborative. I’ll share what I implement in my own games and listen to what you’d like to include or avoid. My goal is to create a game experience that fits everyone’s preferences and comfort level. Listed content warnings are a disclaimer of what could happen in the game instead of a guarantee. I try to run my games PG/PG-13 in terms of content as that is my personal preference. Published modules may have such content as well.