Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk (Learn to Play)
The town of Phandalin is a seemingly idyllic frontier town, but just below the surface and you'll find bandits, monsters, and something much darker...
$20.00
/ Session
Details
Bi-weekly / Sunday - 9:00 PM UTC
Session Duration / 3–3.5 hours
Campaign Length / 8–12 Sessions
1 / 5 Seats Filled
Report Adventure
StartPlaying Money Back Guarantee
If your game doesn't happen, we guarantee a refund. Just reach out to StartPlaying Support. Refund Policy
Meet your party members
1/5
About the adventure
Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk is a classic D&D adventure set in the idyllic frontier town of Phandalin set just off the Sword Coast, where forgotten ruins, dangerous factions, and destiny await. This game is perfect for new players. Rules are taught naturally at the table, making it an ideal introduction to D&D, while still offering depth through meaningful choices, tactical combat, and rich roleplay. Creativity is encouraged, with multiple ways of solving the various obstacles put in the players' way. The campaign emphasizes character-driven storytelling, weaving player backstories into the narrative so the world reacts to who you are and what you do. Expect cinematic moments, memorable NPCs, and a balanced mix of roleplay, exploration, and combat in a welcoming, collaborative environment.
Game style
Combat Heavy
Roleplay Heavy
Game themes
Meet the Game Master
5.0
(2)
Less than a year on StartPlaying
Highly rated for: Teacher, Creativity, Voices
About me
Joel is full time commercial construction manager (Let me know if you are interested in medieval construction techniques!), game master, and lifelong lover of all things fantasy and magic. My players often described me funny, energetic, and full of surprises. I believe in a high stakes lived in word with tense story beats, engaging characters, thrilling combat, and bouts of levity to balance it out. I love creating stories, sharing laughs, and creating a fun and welcoming environment that is a refuge from the mundane.
View Profile →Character creation
Creating your character
Players will be limited to creating characters using the 2024 core rule books and forgotten realms: heroes of faerun books. I will provide full access to these books through the DnD Beyond website and walk you through character creation.
What to expect
Preparing for the session
1. Players will need to download the discord application and make an account. https://discord.com/ 2. Players will fill out the lines and veils questionnaire on discord. 3.. Players will need to create and account on DnD Beyond. https://www.dndbeyond.com/en 4.. Players will need to ensure they have a functioning microphone. A webcam is not required, but highly encouraged. 5. Players will join the virtual table top through DnD Beyond Maps which will be hosted by me with a link sent out through discord.
What Joel brings to the table
I will create a reactive and lived in world. I plan to fully integrate players backstories into the setting and the larger narrative as a whole. I provide memorable NPCs and dastardly villians complete with character voices. I stick pretty closely to rules as written (RAW), but not at the expense of stifling player creativity. I will show up prepared and on time to sessions ready to have fun. I will also provide access to my DnD Beyond library for character building. All they will need is a free account.
Homebrew rules
Homebrew Rule: Last Stand Turn. At any point during a player's death saving throws they can at anytime choose to rally at 1HP they regain full movement, actions, and resources for this turn. However once this turn ends their character will succumb to their wounds and permanently die without any chance of resurrection by normal or magical means.
Equipment needed to play
Internet
Computer
Microphone
Webcam
Platforms used
Safety
How Joel creates a safe table
At the start I will invite players to a discord that has a section to fill out lines and veils. I will start the campaign with a session zero to establish what players are comfortable, character creation, and how their characters fit into the story. During the campaign players are free to use X, N, or O cards for their comfort either privately or with the group. At the end of a session I will ask players for feedback on how the session went with stars and wishes.
Content warnings
Safety tools used