Phandelver & Below: The Shattered Obelisk (Play by Post)

Image by Calvin Gentz

Phandelver & Below: The Shattered Obelisk (Play by Post)

Gundren needs your help to deliver goods to Phandalin. Adventure and danger await beyond Neverwinter. What secrets does the quaint town hold?

TYPE

Campaign

LEVELS

1–12

LANGUAGE

English

EXPERIENCE

Beginner

AGE

18+
Warning: Game may not start today
It may be too close to this game's start time, or this game may have too few players to start today. This Game Master needs at least 12 hours to prepare for a new player to join and at least 3 players to start the game today. Joining now may not leave enough time to set you up.
2 NEEDED TO START
$15.00

/ Session

Details

3 players following this game

Play by Post (Asynchronous)

Billed Weekly / Sunday - 10:00 PM UTC

Session Duration / 2–3 hours

Campaign Length / 100–250 Sessions

1 / 5 Seats Filled

Top Game Master

One of StartPlaying's top-rated GMs, a player favorite and highly recommended.

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This game will begin once 3 players have joined

Meet your party members

1/5

About the adventure

Campaign Introduction: Lost Mine of Phandelver A Mysterious Quest to a quaint little Town You find yourself in the bustling city of Neverwinter, a place of opportunity and intrigue. As you wander the bustling streets, you encounter a familiar face: Gundren Rockseeker, a dwarven miner with a twinkle in his eye and a glint of adventure in his heart. Gundren has a proposition for you. He needs a reliable team to escort a wagon of supplies to the small town of Phandalin. While he and his guard, Sildar Hallwinter, have traveled ahead, he trusts you to safely deliver the goods to Barthen’s Provisions. Why should you help Gundren? Perhaps you're drawn to the promise of adventure, the lure of treasure, or simply the opportunity to explore the untamed wilderness beyond Neverwinter. Or maybe you're intrigued by the mystery surrounding Phandalin, a town shrouded in ancient secrets. Whatever your reason, the road to Phandalin is fraught with danger. Bandits, goblins, and worse lurk in the shadows, ready to strike. Are you ready to face the challenges that await? The adventure begins...

Game style

Play By Post

Roleplay Heavy

Rules as Written (RaW)

Theater of the Mind

Meet the Game Master

4.9

(22)

TOP GM
DMs Guild Writer
Artist

1 year on StartPlaying

189 games hosted

Highly rated for: Creativity, Beginner Friendly, Inclusive

Average response time: 1 hour

Response rate: 100%

About me

Born and raised in Cape Town, I am a professional Dungeon Master dedicated to the art of collaborative, high-stakes storytelling. My life has been a long journey from a young adventurer in the Forgotten Realms to a professional creator who believes that D&D is the ultimate form of community therapy. ​By trade, I am a graphic designer and illustrator. I bring this professional eye to the virtual tabletop, treating every session not just as a game, but as an immersive production. I am a lifelong storyteller who believes that the "Transmutation Rule"—Never say "No"—say "Yes, and here are the consequences"—is the key to unlocking a campaign that stays with you long after the session ends. ​I am deeply committed to a trauma-informed, inclusive table. I prioritise community over anonymity, fostering a space where 2SLGBTQIA+, BIPOC, and neurodivergent adventurers can find a home. When you join my table, you aren't just a player—you are a contributor to a living, breathing world. What My Players Say ​“I was beyond spoiled having Calvin as a DM. His infectious personality, encyclopedia of NPC voices, and deep care for the game and his players is evident in every session.” ​“Every arc and cliffhanger is an emotional rollercoaster; Calvin is the definition of collaborative and is very diligent in making sure players feel safe.” ​“A needlepoint balance of everything—collaborative, creative, and permissive.”

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Character creation

Creating your character

All published 5E races, classes, sub-classes are available in this campaign that would fit into the world of The Forgotten Realms. About this Campaign: We will be making use of the newly released 2024 rules. Campaign Introduction: Lost Mine of Phandelver A Mysterious Quest to a quaint little Town You find yourself in the bustling city of Neverwinter, a place of opportunity and intrigue. As you wander the bustling streets, you encounter a familiar face: Gundren Rockseeker, a dwarven miner with a twinkle in his eye and a glint of adventure in his heart. Gundren has a proposition for you. He needs a reliable team to escort a wagon of supplies to the small town of Phandalin. While he and his guard, Sildar Hallwinter, have traveled ahead, he trusts you to safely deliver the goods to Barthen’s Provisions. Why should you help Gundren? Perhaps you're drawn to the promise of adventure, the lure of treasure, or simply the opportunity to explore the untamed wilderness beyond Neverwinter. Or maybe you're intrigued by the mystery surrounding Phandalin, a town shrouded in ancient secrets. Whatever your reason, the road to Phandalin is fraught with danger. Bandits, goblins, and worse lurk in the shadows, ready to strike. Are you ready to face the challenges that await? The adventure begins... Levels All players start at Level 1. Standard Array (15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8). Whatever brought you to these lands, has made you hardy and stronger than most of Faerun. Available Backgrounds Once chosen, message me to share more details on your background or tweak it slightly. 💭 Acolyte 💭 Artisan 💭 Charlatan 💭 Criminal 💭 Entertainer 💭 Farmer 💭 Guard 💭 Guide 💭 Hermit 💭 Merchant 💭 Noble 💭 Sage 💭 Sailor 💭 Scribe 💭 Soldier 💭 Wayfarer

What to expect

Preparing for the session

What you will need to prepare: ✅ Play by Text ✅ Discord ✅ DNDBeyond Account (I will share a link to the campaign/oneshot in which all my content will unlock for you.) ✅ Fill in the Supplied Google Forms ✅ Create your character within DNDBeyond ✅ A basic knowledge of the rules and how your character/class works. (if you are a beginner, don't worry, you will get the hang of it!)

What Calvin brings to the table

Tools & Resources: D&D Beyond: We'll use D&D Beyond for character creation and reference during the game. This makes it easy for everyone to track their stats, abilities, and spells. VISUAL PLAY BY POST: Immerse yourselves in the narrative via Text by Post (PbP) on our very active Discord server. Engage with the world through a wealth of custom visual aids, maps, and handouts crafted to bring the party's adventure to life. Discord: We'll connect and communicate on Discord, sharing voice and text chat to keep the game flowing smoothly. Legendkeeper: Behind the scenes, I'll be using Legendkeeper to weave a rich tapestry of lore, track our progress, and build captivating maps for the world we explore together. Custom Content: I'll be creating plenty of my own content to bring the world to life, from unique NPCs and monsters to immersive descriptions and intriguing plot hooks & creative hand outs. My GM Style: Immersive Storytelling: I love to create a vivid and engaging narrative, using descriptive language, character voices, and ambient music to set the scene and draw you into the world. Tactical Combat: Expect exciting and challenging combat encounters, where strategy and teamwork are key to victory. Rule of Cool: While I respect the rules, I also believe in the power of the Rule of Cool. If you come up with a creative and awesome idea, I'll do my best to make it work within the game's framework. Collaborative Storytelling & Passion: As one of my players mentioned, I'm passionate about collaborative storytelling. My primary concern is for everyone to contribute to and enjoy an awesome story together. Lore Focused: I delve deep into the lore, crafting a world rich in history, secrets, and interconnected narratives. Overall, my games are a blend of: Immersion: I aim to create a world that feels real and alive, with rich details and memorable characters. Challenge: Expect to face tough choices, overcome obstacles, and test your skills in combat and roleplaying. Fun: Above all, I want everyone to have fun and enjoy the collaborative storytelling experience. What to Bring: Your Character: A fully created character on D&D Beyond, ready for adventure! Enthusiasm: Come ready to explore, roleplay, and have a great time! Open Mind: Be prepared for the unexpected and embrace the collaborative storytelling experience. I'm excited to embark on this journey with you!

Homebrew rules

House Rules • A Blessing from Bhaal: Players who provide a recap of the previous session at the start of a new session or submit notes in the Journal Channel by the Friday before the next session will receive a free reroll token. This token can be used once per session on any check, save, or attack roll, as well as on damage, healing, or Hit Die rolls (When Leveling up). This benefit is limited to one token per player per session.

Equipment needed to play

Internet

Computer or Mobile Device

Mobile Phone

Safety

How Calvin creates a safe table

Safety Tools & Session 0: Lines and Veils: I'll share a link to a Lines and Veils document before Session 0, where you can anonymously list any topics or themes you'd prefer to avoid or approach with caution. Session 0: We'll dedicate time to discuss everyone's expectations, comfort levels, and playstyles. We'll also establish shared boundaries, review the Lines and Veils, and address any questions or concerns. Aftercare: If a session touches on sensitive topics or triggers any discomfort, I'll check in with everyone afterward to ensure they're okay. I'm also open to debriefing or discussing any issues outside of the game. X, N, & O's: We'll use a combination of digital and verbal cues for X, N, & O's, depending on what's most comfortable for the group. Gameplay Details: Character-Driven: I love to see characters grow and evolve, so expect plenty of opportunities for roleplaying and personal development. Player Agency: Your choices matter! The story will adapt and change based on your decisions, creating a unique and collaborative experience. Worldbuilding: I'll provide a rich and detailed setting to explore, filled with intriguing lore and hidden secrets. Getting to Know You: Before we begin our adventure, I'd like to get to know you a little better. Please take a few minutes to fill out a Google Form before our session. I'm curious about what you enjoy in games, what inspires you, and any specific boundaries or preferences you have. This helps me create a safe and enjoyable experience tailored to your interests. For example, I'm personally terrified of spiders, so I won't be including them in the game unless everyone is comfortable with it.

Content warnings

Alcohol Use
Blood
Character Death
Classism
Death
Cults
Gore
Language/Cursing
Murder
Scars

Safety tools used

Frequently asked questions