Phandelver & Below: The Shattered Obelisk | Beginner Campaign!

Phandelver & Below: The Shattered Obelisk | Beginner Campaign!

A lost mine stirs, a green dragon lurks, and an ancient cult casts its shadow on the Sword Coast. Will you rise as heroes or vanish into legend?

TYPE

Campaign

LEVELS

1–12

LANGUAGE

English

EXPERIENCE

Open to all

AGE

All Ages
3 NEEDED TO START
$25.00

/ Session

Details

Weekly / Tuesday - 4:30 PM UTC

Session Duration / 2.5–3.5 hours

Campaign Length / 25–35 Sessions

0 / 6 Seats Filled

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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
About the adventure

Phandalin is trying to become a home again, and something buried beneath it wants to make it a nightmare. What begins as a simple journey to a frontier town quickly draws you into bandit wars, lost mines, and secrets that the Sword Coast itself tried to forget. As you rise from unknown adventurers to local heroes, you will shape the future of a struggling settlement through hard choices, dangerous alliances, and victories that feel earned rather than guaranteed. The deeper you dig, however... the stranger the truth becomes. Ancient magic stirs below the town, guided by fanatics who believe the world can be remade through transformation and devotion. Your path will take you from familiar roads and ruined keeps into the Underdark and beyond, where survival demands courage, teamwork, and a willingness to face monsters whose very existence has been long forgotten by time. Whether you are new to Dungeons and Dragons or a veteran looking for a long-form story with real stakes, this campaign offers a steady climb from grounded adventure to epic confrontation. Gather your party, claim your place in Phandalin’s story, and decide what the town becomes when the truth finally rises to the surface!

Game style

Combat Heavy

Hexcrawl / Exploration

Rules as Written (RaW)

Meet the Game Master
LGBTQ+
Neurodivergent
Voice Actor

5 years on StartPlaying

823 games hosted

Highly rated for: Creativity, Inclusive, Voices

Average response time: Under 1 hour

Response rate: 100%

About me

Hi, I’m Dylan! I’ve been a Dungeon Master since 2017, creating unforgettable adventures for players of all experience levels. My games emphasize immersive storytelling, vibrant NPCs, and a nuanced, open world where every choice matters. Whether you’re navigating political intrigue in Eberron, battling dragons on the Sword Coast, or just sharing laughs with friends, my goal is to provide a safe, inclusive space where creativity and fun thrive. Let’s roll some dice and bring your next epic tale to life!

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Character creation

Creating your character

This adventure will be 2024 rules only. Character creation will occur initially on DnDBeyond. There is nothing wrong with having a desired build already established but builds will not be finalized until Session Zero. Everyone will be starting at level 1. Which content to enable and disable will be covered during Session Zero. Stats will be generated using Point Buy.

What to expect

Preparing for the session

To ensure that everyone has the best experience possible, here are a few simple requirements for joining our games: -Computing Device: Please use a computer (laptops or desktops) as Foundry VTT, our virtual tabletop platform, does not currently support mobile devices like tablets or phones beyond a rudimentary 3rd party mobile companion app. -Internet Connection: A stable and reliable internet connection is crucial; WiFi or Ethernet is preferred, as mobile data or hotspot connections can be spotty. -Web Browser: Foundry Virtual Tabletop is designed for use in Google Chrome, but Firefox can work fairly well. -DnDBeyond Account: Create a free account on DnDBeyond if you don’t already have one. This will give you access to necessary game materials and allow for seamless integration of D&D resources. Discord for Communication: -Discord Account: A free Discord account will be needed to communicate during our sessions. You can sign up easily if you haven't yet. -Microphone: Good audio is key for interaction, so please have a microphone ready. This could be through your phone if you choose to use the Discord mobile app, or via a built-in or external microphone on your computer.

What Dylan - Stolen Velvet brings to the table

Relaxed and Engaging Gameplay: At the heart of every session is the goal of fun. Dungeons & Dragons is collaborative storytelling at its finest, and I strive to keep the atmosphere light and encouraging. While respecting the gravity of our adventure’s dramatic moments, I ensure a welcoming environment where everyone can role-play at their comfort level without pressure. Premium Game Resources: -DnDBeyond Master-tier Subscription: All players in my campaigns gain access to all sourcebooks, ensuring you have every tool at your fingertips. -Foundry Virtual Tabletop: We will use this advanced platform for most sessions, known for its robust features that enhance gameplay. -Exquisite Maps and Ambience: Enjoy hundreds of detailed maps from some of the best creators on Patreon, including Cze and Peku and JamesRPG Art. -Rich Audio Landscape: A vast catalog of music, environmental sounds, voice lines, and foley effects from Monument Studios brings our world vibrantly to life. Dynamic Gameplay Elements: -Combat: Expect combat to be swift yet accommodating. I’m here to answer any mechanics or rules questions you may have, making sure everyone remains engaged and learning. -Puzzles and Riddles: Challenges are designed to be stimulating but never game-stopping. Every puzzle and riddle has multiple solutions, ensuring the story keeps moving. -Social Interactions: Prepare for rich, immersive interactions. I love bringing characters to life with distinct accents and personalities—feel free to laugh along with my attempts! -Balanced Experience: Players can anticipate an even blend of combat, puzzles, and social interactions, ensuring a well-rounded adventure. -Rule of Cool: I lean towards creativity and epic moments over strict adherence to rules. If you have a daring idea, let’s make it happen!

Homebrew rules

Character stats will be generated using Point Buy. Drinking a potion costs a bonus action, OR a full action if you want the guaranteed maximum healing. Modified Critical Hits - Max base rolls, roll crit (ex. a d10 critical would be 10 + 1d10 + Modifiers) Three Natural 20's in a row from the party results in immediate inspiration for the entire party - DOES NOT STACK if you already have inspiration so use it or lose it!

Equipment needed to play

Computer

Internet

Microphone

Safety

How Dylan - Stolen Velvet creates a safe table

Commitment to Safe and Inclusive Gaming: Respectful Time Management: Each session is designed to be engaging and manageable: -Sessions will not exceed 3 hours unless unanimously agreed upon by all players. -Every session includes a 15-minute break to ensure comfort and maintain focus. Thorough Onboarding with Session 0: -Before we embark on our journey, we'll hold a free Session 0. This is a critical setup phase where we align on player expectations, discuss boundaries, and go through character creation. Players are encouraged to communicate any personal boundaries or concerns privately via Discord if they prefer not to share in a group setting. Continuous Feedback and Verification: -After every session, I personally check in with each player via Discord to gather feedback and ensure everyone is satisfied with the campaign's direction. -Players are also encouraged to leave reviews to help improve and verify the gaming experience. Zero Tolerance for Discriminatory Behavior: -Any form of racism, homophobia, xenophobia, hate speech, or sexual violence is strictly prohibited. -Violations will result in immediate ejection from the session, with potential permanent removal from the campaign based on the severity of the offense. Ensuring Fair Play: -Any violations of the established guidelines will be handled on a case-by-case basis: -Minor infractions may lead to a short reflective pause. -Major or repeated violations could trigger a discussion and vote among players and the DM regarding potential ejection from the campaign. Join Our Respectful and Engaging Adventures: -Embark on a journey where everyone's voice is heard and respected. Our campaigns prioritize fun, inclusivity, and the safety of all participants. Let’s create epic stories together in a supportive and positive environment!

Content warnings

Alcohol Use
Animal Death
Blood
Death
Insects
Violence
Warfare

Safety tools used

Frequently asked questions