Lost Mine of Phandelver Redux-Learn to Play, Beginners Welcome!

Creating your character

Characters start at level 1 and using point buy for stat generation to ensure all characters have roughly the same capabilities. If you're completely new or otherwise need help (making a character can get complicated!), I'm happy to help you through the process before we actually sit down for the session. If you would prefer to use a pregenerated character, I can provide one. You can create and track your character using any program or website you wish, or even a physical, printed character sheet!

Preparing for the session

You'll need to download Discord and have a working microphone, since we will be doing voice chat over Discord. I'll send you the link to the server when you sign up. Dice rolling (including my own) can be done in Owlbear Rodeo, a browser-based virtual tabletop. But if you'd prefer to use D&D Beyond or even your own real dice, go with whatever you prefer. Owlbear Rodeo allows for maps and other visual aids to help you envision areas you may visit in your adventures. You don't need to own or read any of the books in order to play. I'm happy to take things slow and walk everyone through how combat, exploration, etc. work during play. If you'd like to look through a free reference on the game's basics, you can find them here: https://dnd.wizards.com/what-is-dnd/basic-rules

What F H brings to the table

A digital tabletop and dice roller in Owlbear Rodeo Immersive sounds and music using Syrinscape 25+ years of DMing experience An expanded and deepened Phandelver campaign experience that still remains fun and accessible to new players. The learning curve gradually ramps up the difficulty and complexity of your challenges as you become more familiar with the game and your characters grow in experience and level. All three pillars of the D&D play experience--combat, exploration, and roleplay--get their time to shine. While there is a "main" plot, your characters will have the freedom to approach, overcome, or avoid challenges from multiple angles. For those who have dipped their toes in this adventure already, this isn't your bog-standard Phandelver! Key NPCs have had their motivations and goals expanded upon. A layer of political intrigue permeates the lands around the Lost Mine as multiple groups position themselves to seize its power. Who do you trust? Who do you ally with? Those are decisions you'll need to make for yourselves! No two campaigns unfold in the same way.

Homebrew rules

Each character can drink for themselves any one potion per encounter as a bonus action, presuming they had it easily accessible in a belt or bandolier of some kind. Further potions, or any that are applied to other creatures, take a full action A character healed off of death's door at 0 hit points gains 1 level of exhaustion

How F H creates a safe table

I ask for five simple agreements of my players to ensure each session is fair, runs smoothly, and maximizes fun. 1) Running away is on the table, and it will never be unfairly punished. It's tactical intelligence. If something is dangerous or potentially out of your league, that danger will be telegraphed. 2) I'm not an adversary. I run a world that can and will bite back, and one whose inhabitants don't automatically know about your character's history or intended arc. The consequences of bad choices or bad luck happen, but only after a series of decisions made by you, the players. Death is possible but not a given. 3) Achieving goals is the metric for success, not battling every monster or looting every item. It doesn't matter how it's done, whether through violence, stealth, bribery, or outright manipulation, as long as it does get done. D&D is foremost a game about problem-solving and overcoming challenges. 4) Communication is what pushes gameplay forward. Ask questions and describe your actions. Tell me what you are doing and how you are doing it, and I'll tell you what you find or what happens. 5) I run a PG-13 campaign. Not G or PG, not R, and not NC-17. If you're fine watching an action-based, PG-13 movie, you should be fine at my table.