How to Prepare Lost Mine Of Phandelver - Dungeon Master Guide

Prepare to be the Dungeon Master for Lost Mine of Phandelver, part of the Starter Set and probably the most popular D&D adventure of all time. In this series we're going through step by step to help you start your DM journey and to give your players an amazing adventure. In this first part we gather our resources, connect our player characters to each other, Phandalin, the story and the world, and discuss session zero.
Full Lost Mine of Phandelver Dungeon Master Guide Playlist: • Lost Mine Of Phandelve...
❤️Patreon: / verdigristable
💬Discord: / discord
📚DMsGuild: bit.ly/dmgvtrd
🌎Website: verdigristable.com/
🐉Starter Set: amzn.to/3KZpVDf
🗻Essentials Kit: amzn.to/380CmjC
📕Players Handbook: amzn.to/3858ORN
🧙‍Dungeon Masters Guide: amzn.to/3OfWAGG
👾Monster Manual: amzn.to/3uTGpqS
👨‍🏫 DND101: • Intro to DnD
🧩 Easy Character Creation: • Cleric Character Creation
📗 Starter Set Rules: media.wizards.com/2020/dnd/do...
📘 Essentials Kit Rules: media.wizards.com/2020/dnd/do...
📙 Basic Rules: media.wizards.com/2018/dnd/do...
🌐 DND Character Sheets: dnd.wizards.com/charactersheets
Index
00:00 - The Lost Mine Of Phandelver Prep
02:18 - Rules to Game By
03:05 - Background: Forge of Spells in Wave Echo Cave
04:52 - Hook: Gundren Rockseeker - Meet me in Phandalin
05:40 - How long does it take to run Lost Mine Of Phandelver?
06:43 - Setting: The Sword Coast & Forgotten Realms
07:36 - Know Your Important NPCs!
10:29 - Connect the PCs to NPCs to Keep Players Motivated
13:12 - How Many Players? & Character Sheets
16:19 - Session Zero- Expectation & Boundary Setting, Character Creation
18:52 - The Key: Gundren Rockseeker & Starting in the Tavern
21:15 - Setting the Table & What Comes Next
Some of the above are affiliate links and I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you when you make a purchase using them.
#Dnd #DM #StarterSet #LMoP

[@attilamuller813]

I've been checking Lost Mine of Phandelver guides but I like this one the best so far. This should pop up in the first videos when new dms search for it!

[@RdotDoyle]

Thanks, sounds good to me! I put a lot of work into this series and I definitely appreciate you saying that

[@cuchi2456]

I running this campaign this month. Ive been watching so many videos on how to run LMOP. Fred at How to Dnd does a pretty good job laying out the prep for this campaign.

[@j.f.5162]

Agreed

[@attish1000]

It does actually pop up first, the whole playlist. It's great so far!

[@quillfell496]

It was the first one that popped up when I searched it!!

[@Caladrius-py5jp]

This is THE video you need to start out as a DM. Seriously, don't DM LMoP without watching this series.

[@RdotDoyle]

Thank you, that is very kind of you to say. Happy to be of service!

[@johnnii]

What is the point of a starter adventure if a fresh DM cannot run it just by using the book?

[@RdotDoyle]

@johnnii that’s maybe a question for WoTC but I will say it is possible to run this thing cold, it’s just likely to be way more difficult and way less fun

[@brookspn]

I'm about to DM for the first time in, like, 15 years (since 3.5 y'all!). This has been a very helpful refresher for me. Thanks so much!

[@RdotDoyle]

Heck yeah, it’s a great time to jump back in and I bet you’re going to have an awesome time

[@bobbycorwen]

Dude thank you for your well spoken, and fleshed out explanations and guidance. I cant wait to DM this! Also I was adamant about no starting tavern scene and having them get to know each other in the back of the wagon on the way there, but now I am heavily considering this tavern approach so they can get to know the main NPC characters. Thank you!

[@RdotDoyle]

Thanks, I’m excited for you! If you can get the players to buy in that it’s all about Gundren out of game, “this is your characters’ motivation,” then you can definitely start on the road. I just think the hook will likely be set much deeper if they actually get to meet the guy before they spend a bunch of sessions trying to rescue him. If you really don’t want the tavern: Maybe a middle ground is to have the PCs camping with Sildar and Gundren that first night out of Neverwinter, and the NPCs go ahead in the morning because they can go faster than the cart and Gundren is in a rush to get to his brothers. Hope you have a great time running this

[@abbblackbird]

Thank you so much for this. You've been a lifesaver. I'm starting my D&D journey soon after only watching streamed campaigns with no actual player experience, and I'm being thrown in as DM. This is such an incredible and useful resource. Thank you thank you thank you.

[@RdotDoyle]

Awesome, I love to hear it! The first time I ever played D&D (and the next like 20-30 times I played D&D) I was the Dungeon Master and I ran LMoP.

[@stevehiler5021]

This is a very good comprehensive guide and as a first time dm (loooooongtime player) this makes me very excited for session one

[@RdotDoyle]

Awesome, thank you! Hope you have a blast

[@AninaySanchez]

You have saved me!! My cousins and I are just starting to get into D&D and they volunteered me as the DM for our very first session. I was so nervous because of the amount of prep work I would have to do but your video has eased my concerns. Very excited to go through this series and create a great game for my cousins and I to enjoy. Thank you so much for your wisdom! You are awesome!

[@RdotDoyle]

Amazing, I love to hear it! I bet you'll do great. Remember, you don't have to know everything, just more than the players. If you're watching this and they're brand new you've already got that covered. Also worth remembering, you can always makes stuff up and change things, even after the fact

[@englemanart]

This page is great! Last time I DMd a true D&D was way back in AD&D 2nd edition! But I am going to ramp up this 5e adventure with a few people. You really break it down simply, much appreciated, and Phandelver seems like such a cool way to start.

[@RdotDoyle]

Thanks so much! I hope you have a blast. Just like riding a bicycle, I bet your 2E experience will be an asset and give you insight. Let us know how it goes

[@stephaniesheen6405]

Thanks so much for your suggestions! My characters are heading back to the city after their first adventure (peril in pinebrook) and are planning to catch a ride on a cart back. I'm going too have them catch a ride with Gundren and Sildar as they are going to the city to stock up on supplies. Maybe even have a combat encounter on the way to get the friendship going. 😊

[@RdotDoyle]

Sounds like a great plan, how’d you like Peril in Pinebrook?

[@stephaniesheen6405]

Hi! I liked Pinebrook and my kids (aged 12 and 14) absolutely loved it! I used to play loads between 1995 and 1999 but this was my first time being the DM. By the the way I was wondering : any tips for deciding on some stats for Gundren? I was going to take basic stats for a Bandit from monsters manual, give +1 on the AC, boost WIS and CHA up to 13 and switch the scimitar for an axe. I know the book says he is a commoner (Page 63 of Phandelver and below) but I think he would have more impressive stats than a typical commoner. I'd love to hear from a more experienced DM whether that is a reasonable adjustment. (my first time deciding on stats for an NPC...) Thanks! Just subscribed! 😁

[@sleepy-kroto]

Running LMOP has been my first experience playing D&D, and it's been a blast thus far thanks in large part to this series and this entire channel. Without your help with these guides, I honestly don't think I would have had enough confidence to even try DMing. But thanks to you, there are now four more D&D players in another little corner of the world. Thank you so much for what you do here!

[@RdotDoyle]

Thanks so much, I loved reading this. This is exactly why I started this channel. Have fun out there

[@gerakx]

I am planning on running my youngest daughter and a few sidekicks through this very soon. We are both so very excited! Thank you so much for making this video series helping to break down the key moments and give new DM's pointers for these adventures. The module isn't always so clear cut as you explain things to be. I appreciate your work with all of your module guides. I cant wait to pour through them and get to adventuring!

[@RdotDoyle]

Thanks! Glad you found your way over to this playlist. I hope you two have a great time and that these little videos can be helpful. Sidekicks are great, and one on one D&D can be really special. My best advice is to scale down every fight, at least at first. The side with the most actions always has a big advantage, so if the party is outnumbered (say by goblins right away) then they can be in real trouble

[@RdotDoyle]

Same advice still applies, a sidekick (or two) that fill roles her character doesn’t is a good idea. Scale down the enemies numbers, whenever a side has more actions they’ve got a big advantage

[@Sunscape360]

Easy to understand way of helping us new DM's. This is great!

[@RdotDoyle]

Glad it was helpful!

[@brandonmezzell4921]

Absolutely amazing video man, as a first time DM this had so much info and tips in it. Definitely gonna be using them!

[@RdotDoyle]

Thanks so much, glad to hear it! Let us know how it goes

[@garrett99]

Just gotta say I’m starting this campaign this Thursday and I keep rewatching your videos and this playlist in preparation. This will be my first time DM’ing and after all my scouring of the internet your videos are by far some of if not the best and most helpful ones I’ve come across so thank you!!

[@RdotDoyle]

Thank you very much, that was very kind of you to say. I'm happy I helped you get your start behind the DM's screen, that's the goal. I hope you and your group have an amazing time, come back and tell us how it goes!

[@MihaiD259]

Very cool video, I will be hosting this as a new DM with new player in a few weeks, I received both starter sets and this one seems more fun for new people, will be watching the whole series! Thank you!

[@RdotDoyle]

Great, thanks! I think Lost Mine of Phandelver is one of the best things going for 5E, beginner or not. And you can always incorporate pieces from the others as you go, or in future adventures. I hope you enjoy these videos and have a lot of fun running this

[@Anticitizen2501]

Thank you so much for this series. Out of all the guides to DMing I've watched for years now while procrastinating, it was your videos that finally got me ready to run my first game yesterday. We started in the tavern for sure, as all adventures should. The PCs got to meet Gundren and Sildar and got to know them properly and then I straight up had them attacked by Rebrand ruffians (at the behest of the Spider) trying to get the map from Gundren, right there in the tavern. Also, the players minds were blown when I handed them an actual map of the region, from Gundren. 😁 Can't wait for the next session.

[@RdotDoyle]

Oh this one makes me super happy! I am glad you took the leap and that I could help in some small way. Sounds like you are off to a great start and I hope there are many more awesome sessions to come

[@alessandrolongoni8602]

I am a new dm and i am running this adventure since months. I discovered right now this video and i am glad to hear the same thoughts i had on this beautiful set. I am really enjoying your point of view.

[@RdotDoyle]

Awesome, thanks for that! May your DM career be long and glorious

[@danielhall9050]

I found your channel from this video and I am so impressed! I'm DMing my first session tomorrow and this has helped so much. The explanations and tips are so quality, I love your style of video making. I almost never comment but I am liking subscribing and commenting after watching this video and a few others on the channel.

[@RdotDoyle]

Thanks very much! I really focused in on trying to help people DM for the first time and it is deeply gratifying to feel like I'm accomplishing that. I also appreciate the compliment on my video making, because that is not something I'm super confident in as I've really just started on that side of things. Comments do mean a lot, especially on small channels, as it can very easily feel like you're talking to nobody, so thanks for taking the time

[@Geeksmithing]

@@RdotDoyle I wanted to echo this sentiment here. The clean and straightforward presentation is great, along with even your thumbnails! Keep it up!

[@MrDebilek007]

Loving the videos man, keep up the good work

[@RdotDoyle]

Thanks, appreciate it!

[@Antipodeano]

Subscribed and thumbs up, running this tonight for brand new players, I have a tonne of GM experience, but wanted a quick run down on the essentials of LMoP, as I was going to homebrew it, but this vid is so good, will now run this from the book with your suggestions incorporated as well as my own input of course! Thank-you for taking the time/effort to save me a lot of extra effort!

[@RdotDoyle]

Awesome, love to hear it. Hope you have a great time with it!

[@dustytelephone]

This was really useful. Wanting to start this campaign to dip my toes into DMing. Looking forward to watching the rest of the playlist on the Starter Set.

[@RdotDoyle]

Awesome, glad to hear it! I love helping new DMs get started

[@jessekyle6023]

Awesome video and great playlist for LMOP! Thank you for taking your time to make these videos.

[@RdotDoyle]

Thank you, I appreciate you taking the time to let me know you’re getting something out of them

[@jessekyle6023]

@@RdotDoyle got a lot out of them! Especially loved the insight into making Gundren and Sildar hooks for the party starting in a tavern first. So many good ideas, and I honestly think some of those ideas you shared (that aren't in the books) helped me cement the world and inhabitants in my head. Naming all monsters was what did it for me, it painted the mental image so well.

[@jackh3mmerjack]

very helpful video man, first time dm here going to run this in about 2 hours. watched the first two videos in preparation. thanks a ton

[@tuckbuckk6132]

Great Video man! Great quailty and great tips!

[@RdotDoyle]

Glad you enjoyed it, hope this series helps you run an awesome game!

[@STALKER-kv7nu]

this is the best guide ever i am a board game player i've got saboteur coup as well as the extension to it daimant escape the dark castle but dnd is the only one i could'nt figure out

[@RdotDoyle]

Thanks. D&D is not only more complex than most other games out there, it's essentially different and if you don't have experience with TTRPGs it's tricky to wrap your around. That's why I put so much energy into these beginner guides, glad you found value in it

[@STALKER-kv7nu]

Thank you by watching your guide I can play dnd starter set and I am thinking about getting the essentials kit let me know whether that's advisable thanks for everything!@@RdotDoyle

[@RdotDoyle]

@@STALKER-kv7nu The adventure in the starter set occurs in the same town as the essentials kit, so in some ways it's easy to combine them. The challenge is that they happen at the same levels, and there are already plenty of distractions from Gundren and his map in LMOP. Personally, I like options at hand for if the players decide to do the unexpected, but I think a new DM with new players is better off focusing in on LMOP and then maybe running the Dragon of Icespire Peak as a follow up. I do have a playlist on that one as well, maybe check it out and decide for yourself

[@STALKER-kv7nu]

i will definitely@@RdotDoyle

[@Geeksmithing]

Hey man, I just wanted to say thank for your video in this series. I just started DMing for the first time with my family,(consisting of my wife and 2 kids under 11 years old, who are 100% brand new to dnd). These have been great to see as an example of things I can do and suggest to them while DMing. So helpful. Looking forward to checking out your other videos! Def earned a sub! Cheers!🎲🛡️🏰🗡️🐉

[@RdotDoyle]

Thank you, I really appreciate it! I gotta say, I started doing this to do just that, help people start DMing for the first time and really hoped I'd succeed in doing that. In my imagination that was always at the individual level. Now that I am getting feedback that it's actually helping families like yours get into the hobby and spend some quality time together, it's hard to express how deeply gratifying it is. I have big plans for this channel and the Verdigris Table, but if this is as far as it goes I'll consider it a great success. Thanks so much for sharing

[@Mamakaz86]

Brand new to D&D & being a DM - my husband got me the Starter Set with LMoP in for xmas. I am currently prepping for our first session next weekend & your videos are really useful & have made the thought of being a DM a lot less daunting!

[@RdotDoyle]

Oh exciting, hope you all have a blast with it! Happy to be of help

[@galenrokosz4555]

My players loved meeting Gundren and Sildar in a tavern before the adventure! great guide

[@RdotDoyle]

Thanks! Gotta sink those hooks early

[@bearururu]

New DM here. I've experienced the adventure before as a player character but came to this video to hear about tips for DMs. This is incredibly helpful, thank you!

[@RdotDoyle]

Oh awesome, you’re in just about the perfect position for this then. Happy to help you get behind the DM’s screen, welcome to the club!

[@bigdickbazuzo5331]

bro you are insanely helpful thanks for the great video, really helps me out

[@RdotDoyle]

Thank you, hope you find the rest of the playlist helpful too! I try really hard to keep a beginner mindset without wasting time on the obvious things

[@shyjunkyard1745]

Thank you so much, I've been a player for a bit (maybe around 5ish years, but now I'm about to be a player and I am kinda nervous but this helps so so much. THANK YOU!!!!

[@windjager2177]

Tysm. I am dming for the first time... With new and experienced players. So this helped a lot.

[@biggreenpinetree]

Thanks for the video. Very helpful prep work ideas.

[@Oba936]

This was super helpful!

[@RdotDoyle]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lpbigD4444]

I just discovered your channel today and I want you to know this stuff is so helpful and I really appreciate the time you put into this. I have no doubt I'll be going through your whole library slowly but surely. I've never played d&d tabletop before but I have always loved bioware videogames dating back to BG1. My friends liked BG3 so much they're going to try playing with me. Stuff like this is a godsend

[@RdotDoyle]

What a nice comment, thank you. I'm sure you guys are going to have a lot of fun with it. I'd recommend remembering, and reminding them, that it is different from a video game. There's nothing wrong with pulling inspiration from Baldur's Gate or any other game really, plus having a good understanding of the basic mechanics is a big head start, but a table top game is going to be more distinct (and better in my opinion) exactly because of the things we can do that set it apart from a video game.

[@lpbigD4444]

@@RdotDoyle I'll take that to heart thanks - I know they'll love leveling up and fighting. It's getting them into the roleplaying I'm worried about. That's why I want to go in ultra prepared as the DM so I can give them my best and make it fun for them

[@RdotDoyle]

@@lpbigD4444 That's why i like starting with Gundren, it helps them care about him but it also establishes the RP side before we hop into combat and fight those pesky goblins

[@omgMerrick]

This video just popped up on my feed because I've been watching so many videos on learning to DM and running the Lost Mine of Phandelver. I just wanted to say 'thank you' for putting this together! Your production and editing are great, you speak well, and you give great advice! Definitely earned yourself a subscriber. I really like the idea of starting off the adventure in the tavern. I was thinking about that myself as I've been reading through the module. It just seems like it would be the most organic way of getting my future players invested in the adventure. The only thing I worry about is that if I start them off in a tavern in Neverwinter, that maybe they'll not take the hook and want to just run off and try something else. But, I figure I can get them to take the hook. Looking forward to watching more of your content! Keep it up!

[@RdotDoyle]

Thank you, I really appreciate you saying that! In the last video in this playlist (the Reddit bonus episode) we get into Neverwinter a bit and share a great resource for helping you run it. That was one of my big fears the first time I was a DM, the challenge of how to run a whole city. I would tell myself back then, and you now, to not stress about it too much because there are two things you can do to easily address it, one that's player-facing and one that's character-facing: 1) Don't be afraid to tell the players straight up: this adventure is about going to Phandalin with Gundren. I put a lot of work into preparing for that, if you don't do that we're all going to have a lot less fun. It can be part of the social contract of the game that the players go on the prepared adventure. As you gain more experience you can blow the doors off of that idea but it takes a lot from the DM and it's not fair to expect beginner DMs, or even veterans with little prep time, to throw away all their work on a whim. 2) If that's not appealing and you want to preserve as much player agency as possible (and I get that,) the other approach is to have Neverwinter be not that appealing. There isn't an adventure here, or there isn't much interesting work for level 1 characters because the city watch is way stronger than you, and there are NPCs walking around that are way strong than them. Plus, everything is expensive. Gundren isn't paying for your tavern bill if you're not working with him, and there's not much to do in this city but shop. There is some cool stuff, but you just started out and can't even afford a healing potion. That is actually the approach I would take today if my party went to Neverwinter at any point in the adventure: Neverwinter is for shopping. It gives the characters a gold sink, a reason to go there, and most importantly, a reason to leave and got on with the adventure. Hope that helps

[@drakanize]

Thank you this will be my 1st time dming

[@RdotDoyle]

Have fun! I hope this and the rest of the series helps

[@markporter3522]

This is excellent, thank you. Played as a teen and absolutely loved it. I’m 51 now and about to DM for the first time. I bought my partner’s son the starter set for his 15th birthday. He and his sister are bright and play board games like “Risk,” “Colditz,” etc. I think they’ll love it but I’m less nervous after watching this. It’s a lot of responsibility to know I could really put them off if I mess it up!

[@RdotDoyle]

I’m sure you’ll do great. Take it easy with the goblins and first and you all will have a ton of fun

[@Jasper_DL]

Very nice and helpful video! Thanks!

[@RdotDoyle]

Thank you! Hope it helps you run a great game

[@alexwilliams6022]

This is so helpful as a new DM. Cheers mate #subscribed 👍🏻

[@RdotDoyle]

Thanks! That's the goal so I appreciate the feedback

[@simounobrien9096]

I actually can do LMOP in about two sessions due to my style of reading the module but only picking the stuff that I found to be the most interesting. I can just mix it up when I restart the Adventure with stuff I didn't use in the previous sessions. Great advice by the way :D!!! You earned a Sub

[@RdotDoyle]

Thanks! I'm curious what you take as the best two session of material, and how you handle leveling

[@36samson]

I really like your style of tutorials, very clear and informative. Can you please put a tutorial together on faction use within a campaign?

[@RdotDoyle]

Thanks! That’s a good idea, I’ll put it on the list

[@jeffreybarker357]

Time stamps?! What?!!! Thank you, Ryan. Great set up and easy to navigate and watch again because of those time stamps. Hope my several views are adding to that algorithm!

[@RdotDoyle]

Thanks! Yeah I figured this series would be much more useful with the chapters to review. Glad you find them helpful

[@GodNSense]

Thank you. Playing with my wife and three kids. I will try my best. I got the rules down. Wish us a grand adventure.

[@RdotDoyle]

I believe it will definitely be a grand adventure, and an experience you all will remember for years to come!

[@archlittle6067]

Here is one hook to get the players involved. If the players use the pre-gen party characters that came with the game, the Dwarf has a backstory where the Rockseekers are actually his cousins.

[@RdotDoyle]

Nice, can't go wrong by using relatives

[@AdriaanPretorius]

You were settling in for an evening by the fire, then a note was slipped to you. - Eye of the Beholder, The Legend of Darkmoon

[@RdotDoyle]

As is Tradition!

[@michaellynch8985]

I love this series! Would you ever do a video on Shattered Obelisk? I’m running the lost mine of Phandelver half of the shattered obelisk module and I’d love to know how you approach the new material

[@RdotDoyle]

Thanks, no spoilers but… check back tomorrow 😉

[@michaellynch8985]

@@RdotDoyle no WAYY perfect timing!

[@xxxreplikuntxxx]

I've decided to do this campaign as well and a first time DM. Planning it ahead of time and looking for as much help as I can get

[@RdotDoyle]

This is a great place to start, hope this series helps you

[@HaloReachAr0und]

Thank you

[@RdotDoyle]

Thank you!

[@HURRIC4NEyt]

Ik this vid is 2 years late, but I have decided to finally introduce me and my friends to this game. We all loved stranger things, but I caught my eye on DND in the show. It really interests me and I have already bought a lot of things needed to start my first campaign and I know I will be a DM, thanks for this video, really helps!

[@fatrunner]

Just Dm'd my first ever session at the weekend and this was the campaign. Wish I'd watched this first as I love the tavern idea. Oh well, it went pretty well anyway I think.

[@RdotDoyle]

There's definitely an argument to hit the ground running as well, that's what the adventure does as written. Just keep reminding them of Gundren, Sildar is good for that. Hope the rest of this playlist is helpful

[@robot7759]

Starting in a tavern usually remains in the tavern, but maybe that's just my table 😁

[@RdotDoyle]

The tavern’s where we learn all the interesting rumors after all

[@Wwhdduendjdhhfmwosdn]

this is a godsend lol. My fam and I decided to try this campaign with absolutely no experience whatsoever with dnd. I’m the dm, and it is so chaotic xD

[@RdotDoyle]

Awesome! Embrace the chaos

[@ryanhickey1424]

Yeah this is good content right here

[@RdotDoyle]

Thanks! It might not always look like it but a lot of work goes into these to make it easier for people to dive into running D&D for their friends and family. I always appreciate feedback

[@kaizze8777]

one thing im keeping in mind is that each session I do a "do upto 2-3 pages" of the adventure, then hard stop. that way I can get acquainted with 2-3 pages of content at a time and prep up a pretty good session cos my mental RAM isnt blown lol

[@RdotDoyle]

Yeah we’re all built different and so many tutorials assume we’re all the same. I find having the big picture down helps me figure out where everything fits, but if I get too far ahead of myself the lower level stuff losses it’s shine a bit

[@kaizze8777]

@@RdotDoyle yeah, I do hope to one day do one of those fancy dramatised sessions...it's easy to take for granted that DMing is in insanely complicated role XD

[@ZenifBlu]

I decided to be a DM with LMoP around 7 days ago and i run session 0 tomorrow, its 4am this is going to be interesting

[@RdotDoyle]

You'll do awesome but tell us how it goes

[@thebtm]

The one game I'm in, we were all on the train to Sharn (Eberron).

[@RdotDoyle]

Nice! I’ve always liked the vibe of Eberron but never played in it. One day maybe I’ll run a steampunk extravaganza

[@atomicnectar]

This is such an amazing series would you do other modules? Like rise of Tiamat? I’ve read through it a few times but I’m interested in what advice you would have on running it

[@RdotDoyle]

There might be more like this one day but for now you've got this one, Dragon of Icespire Peak, Sunless Citadel, and Forge of Fury

[@atomicnectar]

@@RdotDoyle Dragon of Icespire is my next stop I’ll start reading up on that one and rise of Tiamat. Love the content mate

[@godsamongmen8003]

There are some inconsistencies in the module that I really, really hate. So now that I'm running Lost Mine as a precursor to a longer campaign, I changed what I don't like. 1) Ever look at the Cragmaw Hideout map? It looks like the cave is in a mountain. In the middle of bald prairie there's no way this is a hideout -- you'd see it from a hundred miles away. So I moved it to the start of the foothills pretty close to Phandalin. The goblins still have the same orders to capture Rockseeker, and they're in a good spot to see the comings and goings from town. 2) No way in hell does a small mountain town have enough wealth to support over twenty theives shaking people down. And would people independant and tough enough to move out there be the type to just cower in fear? Dumb all around. I decided that the Redbrands are a mercenary company hired by Nezznar to watch for any help hired by the rockseeker brothers. The mercenaries are polite and professional, but also bored. They're basically being paid to sit around all day. They don't approach the players but will be polite if spoken to. The night of the party's arrival, the redbrand leader talks to Glasstaff who orders him to take the party out -- quietly. The redbrand captain will ask the players for help on a mission where he lost some men. He didn't lose any men and the whole thing is a setup. Failing that, he'll take a small group to follow the players and attack after it appears they were just in a big fight. 3) The carpenter's wife and kids were never kidnapped. But her husband did dissappear. If the players investigate, they may eventually find that the carpenter was stabbed by a redbrand after taking all his gold in a card game. The redbrand captain sent the offending redbrand back to Neverwinter immediately and fed the carpenter's body to that creepy monster below Tresendar Manor. 4) I put Agatha directly in Conyberry. I house-ruled that banshees are incapable of going very far from where they died, and may need to deal with the living to do things for them. Agatha wants her husband's remains buried beside her and is willing to pay with information. I discarded the silver comb thing completely. 5) The orcs at Wyvern Tor are refugees complete with families and children. Their old home was in the mountains until Cryovein drove them out. The orcs lost half their numbee when they tried to settle in Conyberry and Wyvern Tor was a convenient shelter. The Old Owl Well us the only source of clean water nearby, and the orcs don't want to lose more men fighting a red wizard and his zombies. Either the red wizard or the orcs will pay to have the other removed (my players actually solved this peacefully by giving the wizard the information he wanted, then he left).

[@RdotDoyle]

I love how every DM gets to make the game and the story their own for their table. Your #2 always struck me too: this small town having a fairly large criminal organization, like the Redbrands are Phandolin's largest employer? I reconciled things for myself as having them use Tresendar as home base and they do most of their "business" on the Triboar Trail

[@godsamongmen8003]

@@RdotDoyle A bunch of my changes were making it personal for my players, so if I ran the module again with a different group things would be different. I've never been very good at making up my own material, but its not too hard to take someone else's material and start making changes.

[@RdotDoyle]

@@godsamongmen8003 I think that's one of the best ways to do it, putting that creative energy into the connections with the player characters. Adapting something helps the DM not get too precious with the material as well, so they can go with the flow more and not railroad the players towards some story beat they have in mind. Also in the sense that there's an abundance of material to adapt so if the party zigs when they should of zagged it's much easier to go reaching for something else

[@johanneshultquist9900]

anyone have a link to the player friendly map? great guide btw

[@RdotDoyle]

It's moved since I've made this but google image search is your friend. People are always making cool alternatives as well

[@RdotDoyle]

If you want the option of taking this story all the way to level 12 with the Shattered Obelisk, it's worth watching this to set yourself up for success: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hH2zd5KhbLeVedU Full Lost Mine of Phandelver DM Guide Playlist: kzbin.info/aero/PL_1gLniRsbW5YrLp9qd_qA1JDK-Hg-SL0

[@bender7167]

"Tavern fight me you coward!" - Ryan Doyle, 2022 (paraphrased)

[@RdotDoyle]

This made me day, thank you

[@KT-dj4iy]

I'm starting what I hope to be an ongoing D&D group, and I'm using this adventure as their taster. But a practical question is how much time commitment I ask from them. There are at least two options: 1. I say we'll play until the adventure is complete, no matter how long it takes; e.g. one three-hour session every week UNTIL IT'S OVER. That means we get through the whole thing and from a story-telling and immersion point of view that's probable ideal. OR 2. I say we'll play for a fixed time, no matter how far we get; e.g. one three hour session every week FOR THREE WEEKS PERIOD. That means I don't scare the bejeezus out of them in terms of time commitment. Any advice? Also, if it really needs to be #1, then roughly, on average, how many three-hour sessions would typically be needed?

[@RdotDoyle]

This is one of the hardest parts of being a DM and feels like it shouldn't really be your responsibility as you've got so many other plates spinning. However, it usually does fall on the DM to handle all the schedule organizing and cat herding. It is very difficult to give you a solid answer without knowing your group. Honestly, I know my own groups really well and couldn't always accurately answer this question for them. My best advice, in a perfect world you keep it open ended, everybody has a great time, after three sessions or so inertia kicks in and Friday nights are game nights or whatever until some outside force intervenes. If you do option one you're definitely more likely to scare people off, and you might be setting yourself up for disappointment. You're going to do your best to achieve option one, but if you come out and explicitly make it like a contractual obligation it sounds like it may actually hurt your chances of success. If you do option two you won't finish LMOP, and it seems pretty clear it's not what you're hoping for, so that doesn't feel great either. I think this is a false binary and there's a middle path here. If you absolutely need to provide your players with an answer tell them some groups get through this in a month or two of 3-4 hour sessions, though some groups go faster and some take longer. New players go slower at first because they're learning the game. I'd keep the obligation out of it, if someone leaves and most people stay that's fine, it happens, maybe new people come in. Maybe you have guest stars. Maybe you end up running more of an open table Westmarches style game over time. The best thing you can do is to do your best to make things fun for everybody (including yourself) and surrender some control over it. Easier said then done maybe, but such is life.

[@RdotDoyle]

Also, it occurs to me a one shot might be a good answer in your situation as well. It will give you a chance to gauge if your players are interested in a longer campaign. Goblin Arrows on its own could be a fun one shot. You might also like my Eyeless in the Dark, I purpose built it for helping new DMs hook new players and did a whole guide video for it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bILYhpJje8qEeZY

[@bocconom]

I know this is a noob question but what is the distance the individual hexes represent on the map? I have never played in the Forgotten Realms before only Greyhawk and the hex distance is different. I am just trying to get a sense of distance as represented by the module map. Thanks.

[@RdotDoyle]

Not a noob question, maps can be different scales. The Sword Coast map in LMoP is a 5 mile hex

[@bocconom]

@@RdotDoyle Thankyou for your reply. It helps me to visual travel and the time it takes to get from point A to point B. Btw, I plan on watching your entire video series on LMoP before running it myself.

[@RdotDoyle]

I’m the same way. Love a good map and it helps me keep the information organized in my mind. Average days of travel is 24 miles, which is why I like 6 mile hexes for my homebrew. You can handwave it though, especially if they leave the road and are going cross country and just have them move 4 hexes a day in the plains and maybe 3 in the woods and hills.

[@avengingblowfish9653]

1:32 It’s Lost MINE of Phandelver. ONE MINE! I am disappoint.

[@RdotDoyle]

Ha! My mind wants it to be plural for some reason. I consider it a victory that I managed to use the singular the majority of the time in this series. With months of search data now I can tell you I'm not alone, a ton of people are typing the plural into the search bar. I think maybe the plural is just a little more poetic sounding with Lost coming before it

[@matguidoni]

This might be a dumb question since I'm looking to play D&D for the first time, but can I change the region and location names so it's more personalized to me and my friends? Thanks!

[@RdotDoyle]

Absolutely, it is likely going to be even better if you do

[@matguidoni]

@@RdotDoyle Yesss, thank you so much! I'm watching the videos right now, and it's so, so helpful! Thx for the awesome work!

[@RdotDoyle]

Awesome, have fun with it and come back to tell us how it goes

[@matguidoni]

@@RdotDoyle absolutely!

[@KC-dm2ls]

im a bit confused lol. im sort of slow, so hear me out. in the "know your npcs" section, you say to list these characters. (reidoth, nezznar, gundren, etc) Should I just list them, and add facts and little bits about them as we go? again, sorry if this is a stupid question lmao

[@RdotDoyle]

It's not a stupid question, but there isn't one single answer. If it helps think of this as studying for an open book test. If you hate studying, don't think about it that way lol, but the point is we all organize and process information differently, and making yourself a reference sheet for your DM's screen or notes covers a lot of bases for a lot of people. Does that help?

[@KC-dm2ls]

@@RdotDoyle Thank you so much! I appreciate that you still respond to comments even after a year of this video being put out.

[@jaydenhansord8336]

Is it possible to play this campaign with characters that your group makes themselves? Or do you have to use the pre generated characters?

[@RdotDoyle]

Absolutely! The pregens are a nice short cut to quickly and easily get to the game, but players are often more invested in a character when they’ve made it themselves

[@jaydenhansord8336]

@@RdotDoyle awesome that’s cool to hear, thanks man

[@RdotDoyle]

Sure thing, happy to help

[@spudsbuchlaw]

"All good campaigns start in a tavern" Critical Role Campaign 3: Aight, Ima head out

[@RdotDoyle]

To each their own

[@justaveragegamer17]

Do you think I would be able to play this with only one day of prep?

[@RdotDoyle]

If you focus on the hideout you could be ready to run it next day for sure, and that buys you a week to prep Phandolin and on

[@justaveragegamer17]

Yeah I managed to do it I ran it earlier on

[@justaveragegamer17]

Do you reckon I will have time to prep phandalin for tomorrow evening because we plan to play then

[@mollyburns6280]

I have 7 player characters do they have to play as sidekicks? I don't think they'd want to.

[@RdotDoyle]

No definitely not. You just might have to add more enemies and increase their hp at times, and it might be challenging to keep everyone engaged and getting their share of focus. I don’t know if it’s possible with your situation, but I’d consider splitting things into two groups. It will make things easier on you. That being said, I had seven at my table for this a few sessions and we enjoyed it. These days I’ll cap out at five though, maybe six

[@TonyTh3Tank]

**Rolls for Initiative**

[@RdotDoyle]

Ha! Let's go!

[@gheshalrejotar6677]

D&D is like working on a car, you don't learn anything if you don't try. The same goes with anyone that needs their hand held all game.

[@RdotDoyle]

Like most things, watch a couple KZbin videos and dive in!

[@quesooclock5106]

Uncle Ian

[@RdotDoyle]

I am confused and intrigued

[@trevynlane8094]

Spoilers: My biggest suggestion is to replace the Bugbear first dungeon boss with a Hobgoblin. I killed one of the party I ran through it (and they were playing smartly for new players) and almost killed 2 others due to the high damage output of a base Bugbear.

[@RdotDoyle]

Nice use of spoiler tag and solid advice. Clarg is definitely no joke and once in a similar situation with a bugbear and newbie players I actually gave it two attacks, splitting the damage dice, and having it run around to spread out the damage while triggering attacks of opportunity. I like a little bit deadlier of a game than most 5E folks it feels, but I also like players to get a chance to learn how to play and get hooked before they lose a character

[@painfullyawake4892]

Learning your player's discomforts and phobias is super important as a DM. It lets you target them to create compelling story moments and we can all actually grow as fucking humans instead of living inside a comfort bubble.

[@RdotDoyle]

Yikes! Glad I’m not at your table. I’m all for personal growth but I do like to be comfortable when I carve out a few hours to play a game with friends. D&D can be very therapeutic, for sure, but I’m not qualified or interested in being my player’s therapist, DM’s have enough going on

[@painfullyawake4892]

@@RdotDoyle For what it’s worth, I’m glad you’re not at my table too ^_-