Here is some of the basics about the module. Lost Mine of Phandelver has a written in adventure hook that gives an NPC interaction to help make sure that all of the players are on the road together to make their way to Phandalin. In one group I have run I had someone say they were a dwarven cousin to Gundren, in another they were all complete strangers just completing a job together.

The first few pages are the introduction with a basic DM tutorial on how to run an adventure and an overview of the game. The book is broken into four main parts that go over the different sections of the game. Part One has the information of what happens on the way to Phandalin; Part Two has everything that happens in the town including the NPC's, and the little quests that can happen when interacting with the people of Phandalin; Part Three has locations of the quests players could have picked up in Phandalin; and Part Four has the confrontation of the BBEG in Wave Echo Cave.

In Phandalin the areas that can have interactions include: Stonehill Inn, Barthen's Provisons, Edermath Orchard, Lionshield Coster, Phandalin Miner's Exchange, Alderleaf Farm, Shrine of Luck , The Sleeping Giant and the Townmaster's hall. Depending on their actions and the quests they complete the PC's can be approached into joining the Order of the Gauntlet, the Zhentarim, the Lord's Alliance or the Harpers.

The players have a few bigger "quests" from clearing out the Redbradn Ruffians from the town of Phandalin, possibly saving Gundren Rockseeker and Sildar Hallwinter along with taking down the Black Spider.

As a "Forever DM" I love seeing things that are friendly for those new to the DM seat. In the introduction there are some really great rules to game by for new and veteran DM's alike to read and remember. I love the reminder that DM's can made things up and is in charge of making the game overall fun and that everyone is having a good time. There is also in the introduction a glossary and abbreviations that dms will come across. There is also information on improvising abilities check, because players will always want to do crazy and things that are not written about in the campaign books. The adventure itself is also pretty well written and is easy to follow for those who have not been behind the Dungeon Master screen before.

Introduction

1. Adventure is written for 4-5 1st level characters.

2. Game focuses on the Sword Coast Region.

3. Background:

   • Phandelver’s Pact- Over 500 years ago the clans of dwarves and gnomes made an agreement to share the riches of Wave Echo Cave which had mineral and magical wealth.

   • Human spellcasters allied themselves with the dwarves and gnomes to build the Forge of Spells

   • Powerful orcs with evil mercenary wizards attacked the Cave. The humans, dwarves, and gnomes destroyed much of the cave to protect the forge. They buried the cave.

   • Phandalin changed from a prosperous town to a rough-and-tumble frontier town.

   • The three Rockseeker brothers find the entrance and they plan on reopening it but the Black Spider is trying to take it for himself.

4. Overview: story has 4 parts.

   • 1. Party is ambushed by goblins on the road 2. If the party follows the trail they find a cave and can rescue Sildar.

   • Phandalin: the players arrive in town where the Redbrands has taken over led by Glasstaff. Here there are NPC’s, rumors and people to send the party on other quests and missions that are part 3

   • Part 3: The Spider’s Web. The party follows leads and quests that take them around the region. Cragmaw Castle where Gundren Rockseeker is being held is a main focus so players can rescue the important NPC and retrieve his map that leads to 4

   • Part 4: Wave Echo Cave. This is where the players encounter the BBEG and the stuff that was mentioned in the background section.

5. Adventure Hook. As written in the campaign book players can invent their own reasons for visiting Phandalin. Each of the pre-made characters also come with their own motivations and reasons for taking this trip

Meet me in Phandalin: Players are to start in Neverwinter when their dwarf “patron and friend” Gundren Rockseeker hires them to escort a wagon to Phandalin. Gundrin and Sildar leave earlier than players. Players offered 10 gp each when deliver wagon to Barthen’s Provisions

Introduction

1. I love this game specifically for brand new players to ttrpgs. It is well written and easy to follow as a great starter game. I have run this game for two groups of four. With this game I do say stick to the suggested level 1 start.

2. Oh Sword Coast… the only part of Faerun that everyone knows. This module could be placed elsewhere if you are not playing in the realm of Faerun. Phandalin is a good starter town but could be renamed or repackaged with a little bit of effort.

3. This information is supposed to make it sound like no one remembers what happens. Dwarves live 250-350 years so it could be a rumor/hint passed down from a dwarf's grandfather. An elf can live up to 750 years meaning an elf could have been around during that point of Phandelver’s Pact.

4. All of my detailed notes for each section are written in their appropriate spots.

5. The Adventure hook Meet me in Phandalin with the offer of gold is usually promising enough for players to agree to this angle. I have had dwarven players say that they are distant cousins to the Rockseeker brothers. I have also had a player who had family connections in Phandalin and were going because they were getting harassed by the Redbrands and the PC was going to support their family. As stated before all of the pre-made characters also have written in Phandalin based motivations that can also be given to those who are creating their own characters. During our session zero I talk about Neverwinter in brief and is when I introduce Gundren Rockseeker and his companion Sildar Hallwinter in a very brief pre-game encounter to engage players in session zero and get them ready for the campaign session one when they are already in transit to Phandalin.

Part 1: Goblin Arrows

My players have done this dungeon in the order of: 1, 2, 3, 8, 7, 5, 6 and 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 6

1. Intro to Game/ first page

   • Read the introduction paragraph as printed.

   • Give players time to introduce and describe what they see

   • Establish marching order

2. Goblin Ambush

   • There are printed things to read

   • Investigation checks for identifying horses & perceptions for goblins

   • Encounter: 4 Goblins

Stealth = d20 + 6 vs passive perception

Establish if players are surprised or not.

Booklet has everything neatly written out for first time dms.

2 are melee, 2 are ranged

*When 3 of the 4 goblins are defeated the last goblin will attempt to flee up the goblin trail.

** if players are defeated they are left unconscious and have been looted along with everything in the cart. Players can go to Phandalin to gain new gear and return.

*** If a goblin is captured pg 8 has “What the Goblins Know” sidebar.

3. Goblin Trail. DC 10 Survival to find.

   1. Snare

• Passive perception or perception roll of 12 spots it.

• Dex 10 on fail spot. 1d6 bludgeoning damage on failed save.

2. Pit

• 6ft wide by 10 ft deep

• Passive perception or perception roll of 15 spots it.

• Dex 10 on fail spot. 1d6 bludgeoning damage on failed save.

4. Cragmaw Hideout

General features described on pg 8 along with what the goblins know if the players interrogate or capture any of them.

1. Cave Mouth- description. If players are noisy alert area 2

2. Goblin Blind-

Encounter: 2 goblins. Can be snuck up on. Goblins have half cover from thickets

3. Kennel

Encounter: 3 wolves

• Wolves are chained up and unable to reach players on the steps

• Goblins ignore the sound of the wolves, as they fight all the time.

• Animal handling DC15 to move past, or if given food DC 10

• Wolves goaded or not handled go into frenzy. Each round players are in sight make a DC 15 strength to escape. Success 1st time loosens rod and DC goes to 10. 2nd success they are freed to attack.

• If passed by a goblin or hobgoblin can free the wolves

4. Steep Passage.

• This is where it starts to get dark and players need to have either a light source or dark vision.

• Darkvision and light sources can start to make out the bridge ahead. If there is a light source the bridge goblin goes to release the flood.

• Perception check of players vs. Stealth of goblin to see it on the bridge

5. Overpass:

Encounter: 1 goblin

Trigger for FLOOD!

Roll for Gobo Stealth vs. Players Perception (or passive perception if they know of the bridge)

• See light or hear players then the goblin triggers the Flood in area 7.

• Bridge AC 5 and 10 hp. Bridge collapse is a DC 10 Dex save or fall taking 2d6 bludgeoning damage & landing prone

• Walls 20 ft high and need DC 15 Athletics to climb.

• FLOOD! - Clears out the whole passage. DC 10 dex save to avoid being swept away for anyone 10 ft of the disused passage or on the stairs leading to 3.

DC 15 Strength to hold on to avoid being swept away

Those swept to area 1 take 1d6 bludgeoning damage.

6. Goblin Den

Encounter: 5 regular goblins

1 Buffed goblin (12hp)

Sildar Hallwinter (1 hp)

Sildar Hallwinter - read 11 for the roleplaying and what he knows

7. Twin Pool Cave

Encounter: 3 goblins

Waterfall is loud enough to prevent area 8 from hearing the fight.

This is where the floods can be released

8. Klarg’s Cave

Encounter: Klarg the Bugbear

Ripper his wolf

Two goblins

Fire pit (1 fire damage)

This room has the supplies from the Lionshield Coster from Phandelver that can be returned for a reward

If warned the encounters of this room hide behind things and cannot be surprised.

What’s Next?

• Paid 50gp by Barthen’s Provisions (pg 16)

• Sildar Hallwinter escorted to town = 50 gp. After he rests he has quests for the party at Townmaster's Hall (pg 18 &19)

• Lionshield coster things can be returned (10 gp each)

• Find the way to Cragmaw Castle (pg 35)

1. It is important to note who is driving the cart but I also put up on the map the wagon so players can tell me exactly where each of them are in relation to the card. I also note if they are talking loudly/singing/making obvious noise to alert the goblins far in advance. I also use this time to note each player’s passive perception and AC and write it down in preparation for the ambush.

2. The ambush is the first combat. I have seen both great rolls and terrible rolls. Both tables I have run for had high enough perceptions to spot at least one goblin before rolling for initiative. I have also had one group that used their persuasion/deception rolls to talk their way out of combat in a very “Three Billy Goats Gruff” style of conversation. As this was their first combat there were a lot of explanations for new players. This first encounter is pretty cut and dry. If things are too terribly easy (everything gets killed in round one) I have added an additional 2 goblins to come to their fallen comrades aid but only do this if the players kill everything in the first round and have taken no hits.

3. One of my groups absolutely rocked the perception checks on the snares. Another one had the first triggered which then helped make them alert enough for trap 2. The traps are not meant to be lethal but if both traps are triggered by the same person that is a total of 2d6 damage and can be a lvl 1 character’s max health. I use the traps as a good moment to rp. Describe the traps, if triggered give a brief story of what happens including damage.

4. As only areas 1 & 2 have light it is important to note which characters have dark vision (explaining that everything is in greyscale) and note who needs to have a light source. Light sources warn goblins of the players coming. If light sources are used stealth is not an option as you cannot hide a light source in a dark cave.

   1. Cave Mouth/ Goblin Blind: Can also be used as an RP opportunity. In one group a Kobold player challenged them to a game of cards as a distraction for the other party members to sneak up on them.

   2. Kennel: The main point of this room is in the very back there is a fissure leading up the wall that is currently being used as a trash chute for area 8. Players can attempt climbing using a DC 10 athletics check. I have had one player successfully climb up and enter area 8 causing the big bad to become alerted to the intruders in the cave. Most people will be discouraged from doing a 30 ft climb at half movement speed, but if they do then area 8 is alerted who then alerts 7 and the goblin on the bridge and all sorts of chaos ensues. The other major thing I have encountered with this area is players who want to befriend the wolves. I describe them as hungry and dehydrated crazed wolves who are only distracted for the moment's animal handling check. Only really amazing rolls (nat 20s) or druidic spells would cause me to allow players to befriend them.

   3. Steep Passage.

** There is the western passage that is difficult terrain. The ledge can only take 100 lbs before it falls. It is more of a danger to the players than a variable way to travel. DC 10 dex save vs 2d6 bludgeoning on a failure can be a character death especially if they have taken previous battle. I do my best to describe the hazard to prevent the people from using it.

One of my groups was able to go in with darkvision on everyone and it makes this cave much easier. My second group had a party member who needed a torch. That fire light poses quite the problem for the group and the Flood is a beast when released.

4. The Flood is more of an annoyance to the players than a terrible danger but if they go back in a second time after being swept away without changing tactics a second flood can be triggered.

5. Goblin Den: The main thing is Yeemik wants to oust Klarg and wants to parley. It is important that as the DM you try to do speaking through Yeemik to try to get that RP portion of the encounter.

**If the players continue Sildar gets pushed off the cliff and then goes down to 0 hp. There is still a chance to save him as Sildar still needs to make death saving throws.

This is an area where players can decide to take prisoners, and try to get information from the goblins.

6. Twin pools. This is where the Flood comes from. The waterfall is important to describe as loud. There are only three goblins here but the last one standing can run to Klarg’s Cave for backup

7. Klarg’s Cave: there is a variety of treasure here and pieces that can be brought back to Phandelver.

This is another area where players can decide to take prisoners, and try to get information from the goblins/Klarg

Most of my players have made their way straight to Cragmaw Castle. One group did drop off Sildar before continuing straight to the castle.