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We D&D- Tyranny of Dragons Part 2: The Rise of Tiamat #24b Strike Team 1 Part 2 A Ton of Undead.
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<blockquote data-quote="Goonalan" data-source="post: 7525941" data-attributes="member: 16069"><p style="text-align: center"><strong>We D&D.</strong></p><p></p><p><strong>Lost Mine of Phandelver #0 Character Creation.</strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong>What’s this then?</strong></p><p></p><p>This is a write up of the D&D 5e Starter Set adventure- Lost Mine of Phandelver, a mixture of Fantasy Grounds sessions and real-world pen & paper games. Oddly we sometimes get much more done on Fantasy Grounds, the simple explanation being when we get to together other events often get in the way- children, family, alcohol and the politics of the day. This first adventure is obviously complete, all I have to do is write it up from my copious notes (and the Chat file on Fantasy Grounds), and then post it here.</p><p></p><p>Just a note to say that there’s a bit of story to be had here, but more often a reflection (from the DM’s PoV) of what happened- where the adventurers went and what they did, and the various way in which I tried to help/hinder or else kill them, that kind of thing. I’m not going to go in to lots of detail- no blow by blow battles (although), just the facts. That’s not to say there won’t be a little humour to be found here and there- usually at my expense.</p><p></p><p><strong>Who are they?</strong></p><p></p><p>A quick word about the players, not the PCs, but the players themselves- Pete (playing Flint Chippins) & Rob (playing Shah Mah’ha) have been playing D&D (and other RPGs) for a while now, Rob for the last decade or so- off and on, while Pete has been playing since dinosaurs ruled the Earth. So, for a while then. I used to be Pete’s DM of choice (so he tells me, he’ll lie to your face), back when the dinosaurs were about.</p><p></p><p>Pete is partnered (in real life) by Jackie (playing Nimbus), while Rob is living in sin with Sandy (playing Myrium). Sandy has played maybe three sessions of D&D previously, this is Jackie’s first venture in to gaming. Keep this in mind when we get to the first session of actual play.</p><p></p><p>We are mature individuals (average age approx. 50).</p><p></p><p>In truth, we should know better.</p><p></p><p>And so on, to the PC creation bit.</p><p></p><p><strong>How?</strong></p><p></p><p>Each player was given an hour or so with me on Fantasy Grounds for character creation (including making up a bit of backstory) and the initial interview (roleplayed, briefly) with their patron, also a chance for them to ask any questions about the task ahead.</p><p></p><p><strong>The PCs.</strong></p><p></p><p>With just four players in game it was decided ahead of time, via e-mail, that the players would try to cover the core classes/skills needed- so a warrior-type, an arcane spell caster, a healer, and someone a bit sneaky who has access to rogue-like skills (like a rogue).</p><p></p><p>And so we have-</p><p></p><p></p><p><strong>Flint Chippins (played by Pete)</strong></p><p><strong>Male Hill Dwarf Barbarian Lvl 1 (Criminal background)</strong></p><p></p><p>Flint is a ne’er-do-well itinerant thug, a paunchy middle-aged dwarf with bad jailhouse tattoos (in many ways he resembles Pete). He has spent the last three decades drifting down the Sword Coast from the frozen north, moving on when he has outstayed his welcome- and thus keeping one step ahead of the law. He is dirty, (very) angry and forthright- a career as an adventurer represents his final chance for glory (for ‘glory’ read money, he needs a hefty payday). Flint has debts, and people who are looking for him in order to make him pay…</p><p></p><p></p><p><strong>Myrium the Blessed (played by Sandy)</strong></p><p><strong>Female Human Cleric of Lathander Lvl 1 (Acolyte background)</strong></p><p></p><p>Myrium is a headstrong, beautiful young woman with cascading blonde hair. After her time at the seminary she worked with the poor and downtrodden in Neverwinter, bringing succour and enlightenment. Myrium always sees the best in people. She believes that she is destined to serve Lathander as an adventuring priestess, holding back the darkness.</p><p></p><p>Myrium is the only child of Sildar and Renee (deceased) Hallwinter. Sildar is not at all happy about Myrium’s new career but promised his wife- before she died, that he would not stand in their daughter’s way.</p><p></p><p></p><p><strong>Nimbus (played by Jackie)</strong></p><p><strong>Female Tiefling Rogue Lvl 1 (Charlatan background)</strong></p><p></p><p>Nimbus is young, lithe and agile, and beautiful. She’s cautious and quiet- reserved even. She is Neverwinter born and bred. Nimbus knows of Myrium only slightly, she lifted the priestess’s purse once. Of late her roguish ways have come to the attention of one of the Thieves’ Guilds in Neverwinter, the Shoremen, adventuring represents a chance for her to escape Neverwinter and explore new horizons, while getting paid for doing so.</p><p></p><p></p><p><strong>Shah Mah’ha (played by Rob)</strong></p><p><strong>Male Eladrin Wizard Lvl 1 (Noble background)</strong></p><p></p><p>Shah Mah’ha dresses in the finest adventuring gear money can buy and is spotlessly clean. He is tall, very handsome and a charmer, although arrogant by nature- the noble eladrin thinks that high elves are country bumpkins, the other ‘lesser’ races are almost beyond his notice. Dwarves are unspeakably dirty and vile- which if Flint is anything to go by is an accurate assessment.</p><p></p><p>Shah is slumming it, having arrived by ship from far off lands, he has set himself the task of becoming a great and powerful mage, so that he can return to his homelands and claim his rightful place. In reality Shah is the second son of a very minor noble family, and suitably unhappy (and frustrated) with his lot.</p><p></p><p>While in Neverwinter he has failed repeatedly to hire on with numerous ‘adventuring’ groups in the last two months or so, finally resorting to paying Gundren to join this group. Side note- Shah believes that he is the god’s gift to the fairer sex (his words), and thus tries it on all the time.</p><p></p><p></p><p>Note, it’s always best (if you have the time) to get the players to come up with some motivation for them taking the leap in to an active adventuring career- Flint’s debts, Myrium’s crusade, Nimbus’ need to get out of Neverwinter and get on, and Shah’s desire for power. Apologies if I’m teaching you to suck eggs but the players should motivate themselves, the adventure is (most of the time) just the journey- the PCs are already primed and ready for change.</p><p></p><p><strong>The Interview & the Task Ahead.</strong></p><p></p><p>The PCs are interviewed individually in a backstreet tavern in Neverwinter by Gundren Rockseeker (dwarf merchant/miner), and his (meat-shield) factotum Sildar Hallwinter (grizzled ex-guard captain).</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center">[ATTACH=full]112912[/ATTACH]</p><p></p><p>The job is to transport a cart full of mining equipment and other supplies to Phandalin, a three-day journey. Gundren and Sildar will be leaving for Phandalin tomorrow, on fast horses, they are set to arrive at least a day ahead of the adventurers. During the initial interview Gundren also hints that there may be other tasks that the neophyte adventurers could help with- a little light exploring perhaps, the dwarf is however reluctant to go in to detail. Basically should part one (get the cart to Phandalin) go well, then Gundren may have some other work for the adventurers, more lucrative work- perhaps.</p><p></p><p>Note Sildar Hallwinter is the father of Myrium the Blessed.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]114026[/ATTACH]</p><p></p><p><strong>Sildar Hallwinter, Gundren's muscle, ex-guard captain, and father of Myrium the Blessed. He's all business, and an active member of the Lords' Alliance. He's been chewing on his moustache since he grew it, aged 8. </strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong>Questions?</strong></p><p></p><p>The adventurers are given the opportunity to ask any questions they have about the task facing them.</p><p></p><p>Shah & Nimbus have nothing much to ask, although Nimbus is keen to learn the rate of pay- 10gp each as it happens for getting the cart and contents safely to Phandalin.</p><p></p><p>Flint, in an inspired moment, claims to be a long lost cousin of Gundren, the merchant doubts this but cannot be 100% certain. Flint also plays heavily (during the interview) on the- ‘we’re all dwarves together’ line, he likes to build bridges before (inevitably & often violently) destroying them. He has, however, no questions to ask about the task.</p><p></p><p>Myrium, over the course of twenty or so minutes, asks more than twenty questions including a great many doozies that put Gundren (and me, your kindly DM) on the back-foot. These include-</p><p></p><p>What dangers lie ahead on the road to Phandalin?</p><p>What’s in the cart?</p><p>What’s the value of the items in the cart?</p><p>Why are you paying 40gp to transport goods of about the same value to Phandalin?</p><p>Why are you two going ahead- and not travelling with the cart which would be a much safer thing to do, and probably save you some money on hired help?</p><p>Why do you have to get back to Phandalin so quickly?</p><p>Who is waiting for you there that you need to get to in a rush?</p><p></p><p>And lots more…</p><p></p><p>Players, gah!</p><p></p><p>At the end of the fusillade Gundren (and the DM) is sweating, while Sildar is grinning like a loon- a father’s pride.</p><p></p><p>Eventually Gundren allows a little more of the plot to slip out- he and his two brothers (Tharden & Nundro) have found an old mine. His brothers are at present camped there, and eagerly awaiting his return- they desperately need food and supplies but cannot leave the mine in case someone else finds it.</p><p></p><p>The dwarf merchant further adds that should the PCs get the cart to Phandalin safely then they will be offered employment exploring the long-abandoned mine, this could prove to be lucrative work.</p><p></p><p>Myrium is delighted to make some headway- further stating that the ‘mine’ must have been lost for some time and possibly famed in its day for whatever it produced.</p><p></p><p>Gundren is suitably aghast- how did she know this, he eyes Sildar (Myrium’s dad) suspiciously.</p><p></p><p>Myrium points out that the dozy DM, in a previous e-mail, mentioned that the module we would be playing was called… the Lost Mine of Phandelver.</p><p></p><p>Paying attention it seems can get you places.</p><p></p><p>And so… to Phandalin.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Goonalan, post: 7525941, member: 16069"] [CENTER][B]We D&D.[/B][/CENTER] [B]Lost Mine of Phandelver #0 Character Creation. What’s this then?[/B] This is a write up of the D&D 5e Starter Set adventure- Lost Mine of Phandelver, a mixture of Fantasy Grounds sessions and real-world pen & paper games. Oddly we sometimes get much more done on Fantasy Grounds, the simple explanation being when we get to together other events often get in the way- children, family, alcohol and the politics of the day. This first adventure is obviously complete, all I have to do is write it up from my copious notes (and the Chat file on Fantasy Grounds), and then post it here. Just a note to say that there’s a bit of story to be had here, but more often a reflection (from the DM’s PoV) of what happened- where the adventurers went and what they did, and the various way in which I tried to help/hinder or else kill them, that kind of thing. I’m not going to go in to lots of detail- no blow by blow battles (although), just the facts. That’s not to say there won’t be a little humour to be found here and there- usually at my expense. [B]Who are they?[/B] A quick word about the players, not the PCs, but the players themselves- Pete (playing Flint Chippins) & Rob (playing Shah Mah’ha) have been playing D&D (and other RPGs) for a while now, Rob for the last decade or so- off and on, while Pete has been playing since dinosaurs ruled the Earth. So, for a while then. I used to be Pete’s DM of choice (so he tells me, he’ll lie to your face), back when the dinosaurs were about. Pete is partnered (in real life) by Jackie (playing Nimbus), while Rob is living in sin with Sandy (playing Myrium). Sandy has played maybe three sessions of D&D previously, this is Jackie’s first venture in to gaming. Keep this in mind when we get to the first session of actual play. We are mature individuals (average age approx. 50). In truth, we should know better. And so on, to the PC creation bit. [B]How?[/B] Each player was given an hour or so with me on Fantasy Grounds for character creation (including making up a bit of backstory) and the initial interview (roleplayed, briefly) with their patron, also a chance for them to ask any questions about the task ahead. [B]The PCs.[/B] With just four players in game it was decided ahead of time, via e-mail, that the players would try to cover the core classes/skills needed- so a warrior-type, an arcane spell caster, a healer, and someone a bit sneaky who has access to rogue-like skills (like a rogue). And so we have- [B]Flint Chippins (played by Pete) Male Hill Dwarf Barbarian Lvl 1 (Criminal background)[/B] Flint is a ne’er-do-well itinerant thug, a paunchy middle-aged dwarf with bad jailhouse tattoos (in many ways he resembles Pete). He has spent the last three decades drifting down the Sword Coast from the frozen north, moving on when he has outstayed his welcome- and thus keeping one step ahead of the law. He is dirty, (very) angry and forthright- a career as an adventurer represents his final chance for glory (for ‘glory’ read money, he needs a hefty payday). Flint has debts, and people who are looking for him in order to make him pay… [B]Myrium the Blessed (played by Sandy) Female Human Cleric of Lathander Lvl 1 (Acolyte background)[/B] Myrium is a headstrong, beautiful young woman with cascading blonde hair. After her time at the seminary she worked with the poor and downtrodden in Neverwinter, bringing succour and enlightenment. Myrium always sees the best in people. She believes that she is destined to serve Lathander as an adventuring priestess, holding back the darkness. Myrium is the only child of Sildar and Renee (deceased) Hallwinter. Sildar is not at all happy about Myrium’s new career but promised his wife- before she died, that he would not stand in their daughter’s way. [B]Nimbus (played by Jackie) Female Tiefling Rogue Lvl 1 (Charlatan background)[/B] Nimbus is young, lithe and agile, and beautiful. She’s cautious and quiet- reserved even. She is Neverwinter born and bred. Nimbus knows of Myrium only slightly, she lifted the priestess’s purse once. Of late her roguish ways have come to the attention of one of the Thieves’ Guilds in Neverwinter, the Shoremen, adventuring represents a chance for her to escape Neverwinter and explore new horizons, while getting paid for doing so. [B]Shah Mah’ha (played by Rob) Male Eladrin Wizard Lvl 1 (Noble background)[/B] Shah Mah’ha dresses in the finest adventuring gear money can buy and is spotlessly clean. He is tall, very handsome and a charmer, although arrogant by nature- the noble eladrin thinks that high elves are country bumpkins, the other ‘lesser’ races are almost beyond his notice. Dwarves are unspeakably dirty and vile- which if Flint is anything to go by is an accurate assessment. Shah is slumming it, having arrived by ship from far off lands, he has set himself the task of becoming a great and powerful mage, so that he can return to his homelands and claim his rightful place. In reality Shah is the second son of a very minor noble family, and suitably unhappy (and frustrated) with his lot. While in Neverwinter he has failed repeatedly to hire on with numerous ‘adventuring’ groups in the last two months or so, finally resorting to paying Gundren to join this group. Side note- Shah believes that he is the god’s gift to the fairer sex (his words), and thus tries it on all the time. Note, it’s always best (if you have the time) to get the players to come up with some motivation for them taking the leap in to an active adventuring career- Flint’s debts, Myrium’s crusade, Nimbus’ need to get out of Neverwinter and get on, and Shah’s desire for power. Apologies if I’m teaching you to suck eggs but the players should motivate themselves, the adventure is (most of the time) just the journey- the PCs are already primed and ready for change. [B]The Interview & the Task Ahead.[/B] The PCs are interviewed individually in a backstreet tavern in Neverwinter by Gundren Rockseeker (dwarf merchant/miner), and his (meat-shield) factotum Sildar Hallwinter (grizzled ex-guard captain). [CENTER][ATTACH type="full" alt="Sword Coast.jpg"]112912[/ATTACH][/CENTER] The job is to transport a cart full of mining equipment and other supplies to Phandalin, a three-day journey. Gundren and Sildar will be leaving for Phandalin tomorrow, on fast horses, they are set to arrive at least a day ahead of the adventurers. During the initial interview Gundren also hints that there may be other tasks that the neophyte adventurers could help with- a little light exploring perhaps, the dwarf is however reluctant to go in to detail. Basically should part one (get the cart to Phandalin) go well, then Gundren may have some other work for the adventurers, more lucrative work- perhaps. Note Sildar Hallwinter is the father of Myrium the Blessed. [ATTACH type="full" align="left" alt="Sildar.png"]114026[/ATTACH] [B]Sildar Hallwinter, Gundren's muscle, ex-guard captain, and father of Myrium the Blessed. He's all business, and an active member of the Lords' Alliance. He's been chewing on his moustache since he grew it, aged 8. Questions?[/B] The adventurers are given the opportunity to ask any questions they have about the task facing them. Shah & Nimbus have nothing much to ask, although Nimbus is keen to learn the rate of pay- 10gp each as it happens for getting the cart and contents safely to Phandalin. Flint, in an inspired moment, claims to be a long lost cousin of Gundren, the merchant doubts this but cannot be 100% certain. Flint also plays heavily (during the interview) on the- ‘we’re all dwarves together’ line, he likes to build bridges before (inevitably & often violently) destroying them. He has, however, no questions to ask about the task. Myrium, over the course of twenty or so minutes, asks more than twenty questions including a great many doozies that put Gundren (and me, your kindly DM) on the back-foot. These include- What dangers lie ahead on the road to Phandalin? What’s in the cart? What’s the value of the items in the cart? Why are you paying 40gp to transport goods of about the same value to Phandalin? Why are you two going ahead- and not travelling with the cart which would be a much safer thing to do, and probably save you some money on hired help? Why do you have to get back to Phandalin so quickly? Who is waiting for you there that you need to get to in a rush? And lots more… Players, gah! At the end of the fusillade Gundren (and the DM) is sweating, while Sildar is grinning like a loon- a father’s pride. Eventually Gundren allows a little more of the plot to slip out- he and his two brothers (Tharden & Nundro) have found an old mine. His brothers are at present camped there, and eagerly awaiting his return- they desperately need food and supplies but cannot leave the mine in case someone else finds it. The dwarf merchant further adds that should the PCs get the cart to Phandalin safely then they will be offered employment exploring the long-abandoned mine, this could prove to be lucrative work. Myrium is delighted to make some headway- further stating that the ‘mine’ must have been lost for some time and possibly famed in its day for whatever it produced. Gundren is suitably aghast- how did she know this, he eyes Sildar (Myrium’s dad) suspiciously. Myrium points out that the dozy DM, in a previous e-mail, mentioned that the module we would be playing was called… the Lost Mine of Phandelver. Paying attention it seems can get you places. And so… to Phandalin. [/QUOTE]
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