Troublesome Consequences from Lost Mine of Phandelver (DM Guide)

[@HowtoRPG]

Lost Mine of Phandelver Dungeon Master Guide & Tutorial. The Lighthall Platform is now offering free online live classes for Dungeon Masters that I will be facilitating in one week. The student sign-up is free and the link is below, www.lighthall.co/class/d336b3e7-aac8-4070-b57f-a5f421cc793a

[@lwlewis007]

Here’s a way to deal with it: “Ask players ‘what magic item do you want to make?” (Player designs +3 frostbrand scimitar of speed) DM: ‘Great. You just need this forge, plus the scale of a Wyrm white dragon which has never been above freezing temperature, the tears of a Will o the Wisp, and air from the eye of a hurricane. Who’s next?” It becomes a forge of infinite quests. And players can design their own super weapons and spend years gathering the loot to make their dreams come true. Awesome

[@HowtoRPG]

That will create long quests. Do you think Player's will be happy with this solution?

[@oldmankatan7383]

Gotta necro this one. In a previous edition, YES. There came a point after the main campaign where all of the quests that were happening were player motivated. This was tons of fun for the players, and took a load off of the DM. The DM was often the player without a stake, and they asked "what do you want to do?" Then scribbled some notes while everyone got the drinks and snacks ready. Then off we went to... whatever! One night it's trying to get a tooth from an auroch (without killing it because the party's druid said no) for a magic item, the next time it's diplomacy with the neighboring lord to leverage a drought into favorable treaties. Not all players would like this, but our table got 3 years out of it. EDIT: wrong word

[@solojo13]

After watching so many of your videos, I'll have to dedicate an NPC or a villain to you because in addition to your content, you've become an invaluable resource for a great New Zealand dialect!!

[@HowtoRPG]

lol. Thanks. I would be an ancient Liche Mimic with levels in Monk.

[@solojo13]

@@HowtoRPG LOL, can do! Consider it done!

[@KurikuShoTto]

This series is so so good 😭, I'm gonna be a first time DM and I feel so much better watching your LmoP video

[@HowtoRPG]

Thank you. All the best with your game.

[@archlittle6067]

Here's what is knowable. -Page 14 notes that "...prospectors drawn by stories of gold and platinum" came to Phandalin to look for the Wave Echo Cave (WEC). -The map of WEC on page 43 has two areas #6 and #11 titled as South and North Barracks. The text for these rooms describes them as miners' barracks. -The rooms have a total of 13 stone beds for the miners. -According to the Basic rules, a character can craft 5 gp per day worth of items. -Thus, 13 miners could craft 5 gp/day each in finished ore. That's (13 x 5 = 65 gp/day). Now as shift workers will tell you, no one works around the clock. The 13 workers would work one shift and then another 13 workers would take their place. The shift that was relieved would take their rest in the barracks and sleep in the now empty beds. -This doubles the output to (65 per shift x 2 = 130 gp/day total). -The Basic rules also state that the above crafting would take 8 hours/day. This would emply a third shift. Perhaps these miners spend their off time in area #9, the Great Cavern, eating and drinking for 8 hrs. Now, we have a new total of (65 per shift x 3 = 195 gp/day). This brings up a question, "Do the rooms contain double bunk beds?" In Redbrand Hideout, area #2 has "Two double bunks" that are concisely stated as such. The beds in the WEC barracks are not articulated as such, so only single beds. So, ten percent of 195 gp/day equals 19.5 gp/day for the party. Using the pre-gen party as an example, that's 3 gold and 9 silver pieces per day for each character. The cost of a wealthy lodging at the Stonehill Inn is 2 gp/day from the Starter Set Rules. That party would thus afford a good lifestyle on their stipend.

[@HowtoRPG]

Ok ;)

[@arekpetrosian4965]

Pretty awesome breakdown! Having just finished his module (about two weeks ago), I'll give the players this amount, since most of them forgot about it, but one reminded me recently. :D

[@C0untersignal]

I know this is an old series for you, but this really adds a lot of depth for me as a DM. I hate the way the books are laid out, despite the adventures themselves being fantastic and straightforward.

[@HowtoRPG]

Thanks. It is an old series, but I still make videos for this series.

[@falainothiras6252]

I used the mysterious map to send my PC's to a dungeon that sent them to Sigil, ushering a Planescape campaign. When they came back to FR and inquired about their profits from the mine, nobody knew anything about the mine in the major cities of the area. I used their absence to build up an adventure in the mine, what with the dwarves digging and unearthing some ancient evil temple of the Star Spawn monsters. They used the forge as a mythal, to shroud the village and mine in an aura of lethargy, and they subsequently corrupted/mind controlled everyone, so every commoner is a warlock too. In order to corrupt them, they used the ground scales of a purple worm, which I ruled to have mind affecting properties. They then started smuggling the stuff to major cities where people use it as a narcotic, which is the hook that leads a trail back to the mine, in addition to greedy players wanting to see where their money is. Disclaimer: The narcotics idea is pretty much stolen from the Ravenor novellas.

[@matthewcrawford4216]

Great topics to consider after the campaign ends. I just started LMOP as a first time DM and these are definitely issues I know my group will have. Thanks for sharing these tips.

[@HowtoRPG]

You are very welcome. The full live stream video is linked at the end of the video, if you are interested. Best of luck with your campaign.

[@Peoples_Republic_of_Cotati]

Some thoughts on the Spell Forge: After the Time of Troubles, the Spell Plague, and the 2nd Sundering, I can't imagine it working the same as it had originally been. The change may also be direct battle damage, or perhaps it is related to how worked the mountain was over time from mining...or some combination of all these things. That said, It does still function to keep the location un-scryable, which is VERY important. I could see it being repaired/repurposed to make relatively inexpensive consumable magic items, like potions, scrolls, and other useful things.

[@HowtoRPG]

That's a good compromise to keep it running.

[@windhamcabin]

I have really enjoyed this series! I wish I had found it several months ago. Haha. I took up playing again after a 25 year hiatus. The 5th edition rules are well done in my opinion. Of course I missed the 2nd thru the 4th editions so I'm comparing it directly to the AD&D rule set. I purchased the starter set for my 10 year old son in hopes that I could spark an interest for him (and rekindle my love for dnd). After reading thru the adventure I decided to make a few changes to the key story and elements of the campaign before I started it. I only loosely based the setting in the forgotten realms. There was just to much I had missed in the last 2+ decades to run an effective campaign on current day Faerun. That being said most of the factions and landscape are intact. It has worked wonderfully. The players are not Forgotten Realms purist so I have free reign to make changes as I see fit. Your background info and ideas have lead to me filling the plot line with many possible paths the players can pursue, which is great! The group I have is composed of 4 new players and one old friend who I played with years ago. The 4 things I altered from the original story line of the Lost Mines of Phandelver are -Sildar is playing a much larger role in orchestrating what the characters focusses are. He and the Lords Alliance are going to see the settlement reestablished as a power in the region. Sildar quickly establishes a position of authority appointed to him from the spineless Town master. -The Zents and the Red Wizards start to interfere with the players efforts. They want control of the mine! -Venom Fang is going to play a larger roll in shaping the future of lost mines. After the players drove him from Thundertree, Venom Fang swore his revenge. -The players rescued Gundren but he was mortally wounded. Before his passing he gave full ownership of his claim to the pre-generated Dwarven character included with the starter set. I had used this character as an npc several times in the campaign so the players are already allied with him and have pledged to help avenge Gundren. If the players succeed in defeating the Black Spider and clearing the mine the Spell Forge will become a target for all the villains. I decided it could be used 6 times to enchant items before its powers wain. But the knowledge needed to harness the power of the forge is beyond anyone involved in the campaign. And that opens the door for the players to seek out one who could help to rekindle the forge, also more powerful foes trying to seize it for themselves. Sorry to ramble on. Thank you very much. I appreciate all your efforts in the research you do and videos you produce. It has been a huge help and great inspiration for our campaign. Greetings from Windham, Maine! Take care -Chris

[@HowtoRPG]

Thanks. I did read your post, interesting. Is your son playing?

[@windhamcabin]

@@HowtoRPG Yes he is. He choose the Halfing character. It's been alot of fun for him. His imagination is much more vivid then mine! Haha

[@HowtoRPG]

@@windhamcabin Great news. Kids are in the zone :)

[@theophrastusbombastus1359]

Thanks for the insight. I'll be "borrowing" some inspiration here of you don't mind?

[@ChrisWEEZ]

Appreciate your tackling a sticky subject. My party recently completed most of the LMoP, and here's the results of our adventure: * Nezznar is dead, with my party's tempest cleric having "kaboomed" him. The party treated with the doppelgängers, who stopped messing around in Phandalin and agreed to retreat back into the underdark, taking the Nothic that the party never killed with them. * My party never went to Thundertree, which, IMO, is way out-of-the-way compared to the other optional locations. Therefore, Venomfang is still to be encountered (but has been given as a quest by a tempest cleric in Neverwinter). * Iarno "GlassStaff" Albrek is alive and on the run, location unknown. I've been trying to decide what to do with him, and I may have him trying to treat with Venomfang in order to gain the dragon's favor and retake Phandalin. * With the other side quests completed and the party forgetting about the map they found in Wave Echo Cave, they decided to escort Sister Garaele on the Triboar Trail and the High Road to reach Neverwinter and speak with her Harper contacts about the spell book said to be in Irieabor. * Gundren is dead, but Nundro is seeking trustworthy miners and sell swords to help protect the mine as they try to get it going again. The Forge of Spells will be of interest to anyone who hears of it in my campaign, but I don't plan on it having any extra power outside of a set of high-level wizards coming to inspect it. I spent a lot of time trying to find content related to Neverwinter, as being the closest big city, it seems like the next logical place to send your adventurers. I haven't found any though…maybe a future topic?? In the meantime, I purchased a PDF copy of the D&D 4e Neverwinter Campaign Setting, which has more than enough content to help flesh out your characters visiting the city. It has to be adjusted somewhat since 5e takes place at least 30 years later, but it gives you some history, characters, and locations to play with. Since the factions all seem to have a presence in the city, it makes a good spot to provide your party with new quests.

[@HowtoRPG]

Thank you. I am part crazy monkey and paper weight. Your group had the right idea.

[@paulnewsham8210]

Ive not run this module for well over a year, and have a group starting soon. aiy, youre a lifesaver mate

[@HowtoRPG]

You are welcome Paul. I have a weekly Lost Mine of Phandelver DM Tutorial that is live. I do demonstrations, explain stuff, do a lot of the leg work for you and answer questions.

[@paulnewsham8210]

@@HowtoRPG I'll check it out if I can - though I fear the time difference between NZ and México is going to be a logistical issue. "in the moment" might be difficult. But I'll keep my eye out. Thanks! :)

[@HowtoRPG]

@@paulnewsham8210 Fair enough.

[@paulnewsham8210]

@@HowtoRPG I do have a question: My players want to use the crafting mechanics from Xanthars - as a result i wont really be seeding the world, at all, with magic items: they will have to use the buying or crafting mechanic from Xanthars downtime rules. Would you swap the permenancy of those mechanics around with the temporary nature of the forge? ie - they can craft magic items which last for d4 days or whatever with the crafting mechanics- and gain the ability to make permenant items, using the same crafting mechanics, once they unlock the forge? That way i can mix in that golden frog statuette that Klarg has, using it as some sort of flux capacitor or something as a "cowboy" repair to the forge - restoring conductivity or some other narrative explaination. or will this be problematic, do you think?

[@HowtoRPG]

@@paulnewsham8210 I found crafting permanent magic items will always create headaches. I am not surprised the players want crafting in the game. I recommend allowing the crafting of one Magic item per character that is permanent at around level 15. But learning from mistakes is usually more valuable than following someone's advice.

[@disgruntledbob2812]

Some thought’s I’ve had for my freshly started LMoP campaign: I’ve got a druid who wants to make ‘n’ sell magical dresses and an artificer who would both probably really like to use the Forge. Goin’ on from LMoP we’d have a timeskip to when the druid sets up her shop and has been usin’ the forge in her business, with the artificer helpin’ and makin’ magic items (occasionally with druid’s help). Not a huge amount of things because the forge is mostly broken, and not anything of high rarity because the Forge takes special lost trainin’ to use properly. Nonetheless, a great, balanced asset for the party. If the campaign continues for long, a magical organisation starts to repair it (with some faction squabbling Venomfang is involved with) and they *could* make better items with more resources. But when they get to the forge, I’m goin’ to have the brazier have three charges of permanent +1 its gathered over the years even while damaged, which the party can use to add to their favourite mundane items (like the fighter’s sentimental biker’s cut leather armour). But they can also find a special mobile censor that can carry three charges of the temporary +1, refilling if they stop back at the forge. They might not get the chance to often when they get stuck in Avernus, but it’ll be a cool item that’ll come in clutch at the right moment.

[@HowtoRPG]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. All the best with your campaign. I run a weekly Lost Mine of Phandelver DM Tutorial live stream if you are interested.

[@disgruntledbob2812]

@@HowtoRPG yer quite welcome, but more importantly thank *you*: I’ve been bingin’ your LMoP series and its helped me become much more confident runnin’ it after a good few rusty year’s DMin’ hiatus, so I’ll definitely try to catch ya live. When’s the next one?

[@HowtoRPG]

@@disgruntledbob2812 Saturday 7 pm CDT every week.

[@disgruntledbob2812]

@@HowtoRPG That’s 10 am over ‘ere. I’ll either be in bed or that’ll be perfect for listenin’ in while workin’

[@HowtoRPG]

@@disgruntledbob2812 Good.

[@garkr]

Great video! I am juat finishing this module as a first time GM...... I got supet side tracked but kept true to the big element of ending the campaign at the Forge. For me, the Forge is a direct connection to the Fountain. By reclaiming the Forge, the Fountain can once again flow into the region. Other than that note, I am basically doing everything else you discussed. This module is pretty well made seeing as how this is the first video of yours I have seen and agree with what you have said!

[@HowtoRPG]

Thank you. I have a video on what the next adventure could be after this one if you are interested.

[@robhoteling5552]

I am getting ready to run this for my son and nephew. I plan on, after the BBG fight, they hear several clicks behind them. They feel a pinch on the neck, and wake up in OOtA.

[@HowtoRPG]

@@robhoteling5552 Family games are the best :)

[@bruced648]

with the essential kit out, combining with phandelver, makes a more involved sandbox. being able to advance into mad mage or some other story, provides the characters with a vested interest for the region.

[@HowtoRPG]

I am running the Mad Mage, but I think my players are out growing it.

[@bruced648]

@@HowtoRPG there are many options for local stories. however, regionally, they can travel north for the snowmaiden rime or s/e and take on the zentarym or onto the sea's and have pirate/island adventures. to really mix it up, add elements from rise of tiamat. not the full story, just hints and events that the characters would hear about. a favorite of mine is to either meet or over hear another (npc) adverturing group talk about missions and what they are planning to undertake. or towns folk gossip of local rulers and some of the regional concerns (trade, upstart Baron, some cult, raiders). these lead to loads of side quest options. then use the side quests to provide hints and clues towards the main story. yes, alot of prep work, but very rewarding as a GM and a player.

[@Xenedris]

I would use this profit to cover cost of living and bar tabs going forward, plus ammunition, and then give the players a small house in town. Then never address it again. If at some point they need a huge cash infusion, they can sell their stake to gundren

[@HowtoRPG]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts Stephen. That is one way to do it.

[@geargail]

Thanks for this Video... purchased 'a beginners box' and this Title was in it. ( Read the source material for an hour before falling asleep --- and had more questions than answers.) Figuring out what a Game Master ought to do... as a beginner.

[@HowtoRPG]

You are welcome. I have a series of videos on the lost mine of phandelver if you are interested.

[@geargail]

@@HowtoRPG Enjoying the extra content, with Profile Pictures with NPC's.

[@narfellus]

Excellent video! I ran Lost Mine the first time when 5e came out and really enjoyed it. I'm running it again now for a new group of players and liking it even more. I've had 5 years of experience with 5th edition and using that with prior knowledge of the adventure I've managed to flesh it out in many, many ways. Also, I've blended it with the Essentials set so there are even more encounter locations around the area and in the forest. I'm going to have Venomfang team up with the white dragon and attack Phandalin (she's looking for the PCs who stole her stuff) and if the mine gets running again, I don't think it will be strong enough to produce permanent magic weapons and armor, but probably consumables. Either way, more powerful factions such as the Zhentarim will be interested in taking over production, so I don't think the PCs would be interested in squatting there to guard it. I think I could keep the campaign going in that region until 7th or 8th level but that's about as high as I enjoy running D&D (unfortunately).

[@HowtoRPG]

Glad you liked it. Thanks for sharing your experience and thoughts.

[@jonwooldridge3766]

Love these LMoP videos. They are a big help. May I suggest a video on Barthen and Barthen's Provisions next?

[@HowtoRPG]

Thank you. I have already done it, about two weeks ago. Link is below, kzbin.info/www/bejne/fIrSdql3i7Ohb6c

[@therandomninja5]

Idea: using both the map and the brazier to hook for the follow up adventure. Maybe the brazier dies out after the party tries to use it, but the map leads to where another one is or where the brazier was made. Now the adventure is to get it fixed. The party might wind up level 10 or higher before they get it fixed. And of course the mine comes under further attack by the various outside forces mentioned.

[@HowtoRPG]

You just need to try it. Try everything atleast twice ;)

[@leonielson7138]

If you're planning on continuing with the same characters, I suggestion is that you roleplay that the dwarves and gnomes are still getting the Spell Forge up and running. Common magic items would become available - armors of gleaming, and that type of thing. My suggestion is that the PC's become merchants trying to sell Cloth of Mending, Wands of Cleaning (feather dusters that cast Prestidigitation and Mending cantrips), and Self-Emptying Chamber Pots. By becoming merchants you can lead them into any of the other Campaigns. The map might lead to the Lost Laboratory of Kwalish, they might pursue an escaped Niznar into the portal to Barovia, or travel to Waterdeep to explore the Dungeon of the Mad Mage.

[@HBookbinderGM]

For a steady income, you can use the downtime running a business mechanics. My sons really like the regular income from their Tavern in Waterdeep (Dragon Heist). Also, an interruption in payments may indicate a problem at the mine. . . new adventure hook.

[@liquidcitrus145]

Best dnd videos on youtube.

[@HowtoRPG]

Thanks.

[@MsMotherWolf]

I settled on a 500 gp a month for the 10% payout. In game, the group has collected one month's worth of shares, but we moved onto Tyranny of Dragons and with the group being on the road, there's about 2 months of shares they haven't claimed. Early on, that 500 month seems a lot, but with how characters are getting wealth from their adventures, they doesn't seem as much later on. One group still wants to go back and take out that green dragon, Venomfang. Despite the OGL debacle, I'm looking forward to the Phandelver Campaign book that's coming in August. I ran this adventure for another group where they went to cragmar castle, killed King Grol but then left so after they cleared Wave Echo Cave, they return to the town to see it under siege from the hobgoblins who seized power and want revenge and a massacre of the town.

[@HowtoRPG]

Thanks for sharing your experience and story.

[@rainierisendam4491]

If Gundren can't protect the mine from potential threats and the players won't because it's boring, why not sell the mine to some dwarven clan who can take over in force. The players can then be bought out for their percentage of ownership and adventure on. That also solves the problem of them wanting to stick around for making magic weapons for themselves for eternity.

[@TexanGent12]

Awesome video, a lot of things I hadn’t considered. I am moving the campaign to the valley for Red Hand so the gang stuff isn’t a concern but the forge is not something I had thought about. My thought is that it can only be operated by a master dwarven smith (resolving some of their cash flow surplus since they have to pay him) and that for every day the forge is used to craft an item it has to rest for a period. (Maybe 1d4 days rest per day of use?)

[@HowtoRPG]

Thank you. All the best with your campaign.

[@beansmalone1305]

My table Neznar was captured by the party but then took poison and died. Lex Redbrand (great advice by the way on him) was reformed and tried to outst Harbin for town mayor but he was killed by the female prisoner from the redbrand hideout as revenge for killing her husband and leaving him for the nothic.

[@HowtoRPG]

Thanks for sharing your experience and story. All the best with your game.

[@PilotSun-rg9bh]

You answered many of my questions on this, thank you!

[@HowtoRPG]

You are welcome. I have a series of video's on the Lost Mine of Phandelver.

[@PiiskaJesusFreak]

I think magic item forge offers good adventure hooks. Now gold doesn't become useless at higher levels. If players want something fancier than common magic items, they could need - a favor from powerful wizard - special materials like dragon scales - convince a more skilled craftsman to work with them - defend the caravans that transport the goods from the mines to Neverwinter from Venomfang and other enemies - fight to keep the cave from falling into hands of Zhentarim - manouver Neverwinter politics to keep Phandalin, that relies on supply caravans from there, independent - schematics for specific powerful items

[@Sypheara]

As a DM, it makes more realistic sense that this mine would take at least a few years before its back up to speed. It makes no sense the opposite that the mine is 'exhausted', otherwise there would be no point going after the magical forge and the metals in the first place. As such, id start the 10% off as miniscule but have it scale with the players so its dependable income and eventually becomes pretty lucrative as long as everyone who has the claim doesnt die or passes it on.

[@recowabunga7200]

this will be helpful when i get there.

[@HowtoRPG]

Very good.

[@Shadowmib]

One thing to consider is they get a share of the PROFIT, not 10% of the production.. So if they mine 1000GP worth of gold out of it per week, but theres actually 750gp of expenses (equipment and labor costs) then that leaves 250G so the share is 25GP split between the party.

[@HowtoRPG]

Yes.

[@fhuber7507]

I'm making use of the "loose ends" I'm NOT going to give the PCs a permanent income from the mines. Just a flat fee reward. I'm altering the spellforge somewhat. Also the Specktator. I don't like the Spektator being insane. I have used them in other adventures and they can be fun without making them insane. The Spektator will tell them how to use the spellforge and give hints on how to fix it. (if properly approached) Re-listening to the whole LMoP video series while I am working on the campaign. Session 0 was last week. The campaign begins in earnest tomorrow.

[@HowtoRPG]

Thanks for sharing your replay experience with me.

[@panhandlersparadise1733]

That's what I was thinking about the permanent income. Besides, no dwarf is going to give you a 10% share of his mine for life just because you cleared out some monsters. I took it to provide an end to the story instead of just saying, "Okay, we're done." Those characters aren't going to continue playing, but instead take upper management jobs in the mines. The players roll up new characters now that they've learned the game, and proceed to play a longer campaign without the mistakes people tend to make the first time. (Ability score placement, skill point distribution, feats, weapon choices, learning spells that sound cool but you never really use, etc.) Also, since this is for Basic, it only has four classes and four races. It's a great way to learn D&D, or the new 5th ed rules, but you know the players are going to want to switch to the "advanced" version with all the extra options it offers.

[@Amadi605]

The forge of spells can only be used once per 200 years when stars align a certain way. This is why Gundren and Sildar were in such a hurry

[@HowtoRPG]

Sounds like a good idea 💡

[@antonioalaniz6967]

Anyone have any resources or material for the mine prior to its destruction? Any info would be GREATLY appreciated.

[@jonwooldridge3766]

Spell Forge - spell plague broke it, can't be fixed short of a Wish or direct divine intervention by Mystra. So, not likely. This is not a block, this gives the impression that the spell forge is as it should be fantastic and beyond the PCs power...or any mortal creature's power. To treat it in any other way is cheapening it to a simple game mechanic and crutch for the PCs to lean on. You didn't cover access. It is likely the Rockseeker brothers will not allow access to this dwarven relic. Maybe the gnomes, who helped create it may turn up to claim their right to it.Repairing the forge of spells could and probably should be a complete campaign in and of itself.

[@HowtoRPG]

I know what you are saying, but in practice it is not that simple for players to accept. No issues for the DM.

[@WarsmithThanatos]

The Brazier of Flamme is not really that bad. You dont need only gold and time. You also need a ingredient and the DM says what ingredient. So for example a player want to build a legendary sword, he not only need 100000g and 50 weeks of word, he also needs a part of a monster of CR 19+ which is probably a monster at the end of the next adventure. So there is a hook and a reward in one.

[@deekeller9562]

Wow, where to start... First of all, thank you for this series and this episode in particular, it has helped me immensely as a long time absent player, newly returned DM with a full group of newbies running this adventure. Ok, I wrote a side mini-arc for my group, which was enormously successful as far as player interest went, so much so that it metastasized (yes, I use the malignant word intentionally) into a huge possibility of an overarching secret arc/BBEG for this and possible future campaigns. My question to you is: Can I conceivably link the forge of spells to my side growth, in your opinion? What I did was, I created a traveling tavern. One that appeared mysteriously overnight in Phandalin, and disappeared after my group left it. My original intention was a bit of Halloween one shot fun. It grew. A lot. The tavern itself became three solid encounters, (undead and giant boa/snake witch at crossroads, mirror maze/doppelganger/phase spider out of cracked mirror, and gelatinous cube/grey ooze) - all encounters were semi-illusionary, controlled by the tavern owner. So then I needed a reason for the tavern owner to have a traveling tavern full of magical threats. So he became a lich prospective, with the tavern as his phylactery in construction. He uses souls that enter as fuel for it. (There's a cool mechanism I'm using for that, but it's a tangent here). I made him a citizen? of Sigil, and have plans for the tavern to keep reappearing in this and future campaigns until my group realizes who and what he is and try to destroy him to end the lien on their souls. My question, to get back to the issue, is this: Would it be reasonable, at the end of Phandelver to have his target in appearing in Phandalin in the first place as the Forge of Spells? He would obviously be able to do a lot or have a lot of use for it, even if it was damaged or even if it only creates one time temporary objects/effects. I know this is confusing, I'm sorry - as I said, it grew.

[@HowtoRPG]

Thank you. Glad I could help. Try it.

[@romankvapil9184]

I know this is old. But I have a question to ask. The runes at the Old Owls well. In the tower there's apparently a Contnigent rune carved into the stone. Our party's goliath warrior decides to smash that rune, because he didn't like it to be of necromantic nature. Turns out, it's the rune to keep the King of Oreme and it's 60 liches in their dream state during their rotation. What the hell do we do now that it's broken?

[@HowtoRPG]

lol. I love it. the rest of the campaign is about the 60 liches taking over the world.

[@trentotts]

Could you make a video about how to roll LMoP into other prewritten campaigns such as ToA

[@HowtoRPG]

I already have. The next adventure after Lost Mine of Phandelver.

[@trentotts]

@@HowtoRPG Just watched it earlier today. Thanks! I love your content.

[@HowtoRPG]

@@trentotts Thanks.

[@SecularMentat]

I think they could go into 'builder mode' for those players if they chose. And make their own adventuring company. Like they suggest in Acquisitions Inc. Build up Phandalin and it's mine. But then to actually make the forge do something they have to go do some insanely difficult quest. To which they end up hiring new adventurers to do the job for them. They roll up those new players and it's almost a meta-questing situation.

[@HowtoRPG]

Try it.

[@DevOne420]

What if the forge makes temporary, great items but only one item of their choice can be forged with more balanced (less game breaking) permanent affects? Like the permanent forging of the affect makes it less potent sort of thing...

[@lilv3966]

9:33 well campaign writers would disagree with you lol. I'm looking forward to getting the essentials campaign for xmas.

[@HowtoRPG]

I disagree with Wizards of the Coast all the time. They are not gods. DM's love running Dragon of Icespire Peak, players don't really want to stay in Phandalin, but they don't have much choice if that's all that's offered.

[@cab1956]

Could you do a video on spelljammer and or planet travel in D&D 5E?

[@HowtoRPG]

This is a video better suited to AJ Pickett.

[@PMMagro]

The Forge needs special attention. A magic item shop is not good for the will to adventure or explore. It could be great though if the Dwarves run the mine but players need to find the magic materials and information? With the materials and knowledge the Dwarves can make some items but it's not passive income. Maybe a heap of items that can be fixed/done that runs out quick otherwise. If the Dwarves need some special equipment or raw material from far away lands, like dwarf/gnomes areas or a dangerous area (also info from a place or person of knowledge) the mine will create adventure?

[@scottmefford6917]

Try making the magic items semi-permanent like they did in the 80's D&D animated series.

[@HowtoRPG]

You can do that, but players will not like it. It's still the same issue I talked about.

[@dragonballtalk8527]

Bad audio good topic

[@HowtoRPG]

Thanks.

[@paulcoy9060]

Where to go next? "Ravenloft!!!"

[@HowtoRPG]

I would start a new campaign for curse of Strahd.

[@paulcoy9060]

@@HowtoRPG Right, the 5th edition version of Ravenloft.

[@paulcoy9060]

@@HowtoRPG I was reading the module Princes of the Apocalypse, and the map is adjacent to the Phandelver map, being due East of it! That means (in my mind) it is the logical progression from Phandelver. Plus, check out this synergy-- Lost Mine of Phandelver: Princes of the Apocalypse: Spell Forge...................................................Fire ....(a forge needs fire to operate) Wave...........................................................Water ...(mostly waves) Echo............................................................Air ...... (sound propagates through air) Cave............................................................Earth .....(where caves are found) Coincidence?! I think not.

[@HowtoRPG]

@@paulcoy9060 Princes of the Apocalypse is awful to run.

[@paulcoy9060]

@@HowtoRPG If I do it, I will certainly read it through again, and alter the adventure as needed for my group. I do love the idea of fighting giant evil elementals, but right now they are too powerful for my players.

[@Sarge395]

I see my players getting all killed by this dragon if I run it right. Will be a lot of stumbling and pausing and death.

[@HowtoRPG]

Lol. Yes that would be about right.

[@XpVersusVista]

if they instantly attack the dragon once they run into him they deserve to die. if you instantly let the dragon attack them without them provoking it then you are doing it wrong and bad at DMing. dragons are sentient beings, read some of the characteristics of green dragons beforehand and roleplay it right. it should not come to a fight (unless your party is hellbent on *trying* to kill a dragon. show them what a dragon can do if they want to do that)

[@nokomarie1963]

I think there are more problems than solutions to this game and my players pretty well wanted to ditch it.

[@fizbinsfire]

Yeet agin? Lol

[@HowtoRPG]

I have made a lot of videos on Lost Mine of Phandelver.