Claim Lost Mine of Phandelver While You Still Can

Just wanted to give folks a heads up. You have until October 6th to claim Lost Mine of Phandelver on D&D Beyond for free. After that time, Intro to Stormwreck Isle will become the free unlockable adventure. If you claim the original Phandelver adventure, you will still have access to it once Stormwreck takes it s place.

I've seen folks complain about it, but I think Lost Mine is one of my favorite starter adventures. There's a lot to it and Phandelver seems to be a popular spot, since it's the basis for three 5e adventures. 

New 5E Sidekick - Chitter the Spider

This week I picked up the D&D Essentials Kit. I love it and it is hands down the best of the three boxed sets out right now. I'll try to do a review next week. One of my favorite aspect of the boxed set is a small part, but in some ways is a codified game changer for 5e. There are official rules for followers (called sidekicks). They're pretty generic (Spellcaster, Expert, and Warrior). There are stat blocks (with customization) and rules for how to adjust them as the character levels up. The set also has cards that feature artwork on one side and description, personality, ideal, bond, and flaw for sample followers.

I talked with Josh about taking this idea and making it our own versions of these. They will be specific characters, with stats, and rules for increasing their abilities as characters level up. Here's a sample of what I'd like to do with this in our format. I've also made tied it into Dragon of Icespire Peak (the Essentials Kit adventure). Also like the sidekicks in the boxed set, he only goes up to level 6, though for our planned Companions book they will go up to level 20.

You might be hard-pressed to find an adventuring companion more unusual than Chitter. Hailing from Neverwinter Woods, Chitter is a medium sized spider more intelligent than the rest of his cluster. When they were destroyed by the dragon Cryovain, Chitter hid and bid his time. It saw an opportunity to destroy the bringer of the dreaded cold in the form of the man-things. These beings show great strength despite their soft fleshy bodies. Chitter will aid them in their goals if they help him defeat Cryovain.

Introduction: Chitter will quietly stalk the adventurer(s) to gauge their abilities. When it decides they can be of use, he will aid them in content, perhaps preventing an ambush, while speaking of an alliance in a halting raspy sounding common.

Goals: Destroy the dragon menace known as Cryovain, learn more about man-things

Likes: Drinking warm blood, music

Dislikes: The cold, strong perfume/cologne

Quirks: Doesn't understand humanoids (especially their emotions)

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Chitter (1st Level Companion)

Medium beast, neutral

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Armor Class 13

Hit Points 11 (2d8+2)

Speed 40 ft., climb 40 ft.

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    STR     DEX         CON       INT       WIS      CHA

12 (+1)   16 (+3)      10 (+0)    8 (-1)     12 (+1)   4 (-3)

------------------------------

Skills Perception +3, Stealth +7

Senses blindsight 10’, darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 13

Languages Common

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Spider Climb. Chitter can climb difficult surfaces, including upside down on ceilings, without need to make an ability check.

Web Sense. While in contact with a web, Chitter knows the exact location of any other creature in contact with the same web.

Web Walker. Chitter ignores movement restrictions caused by webbing.

Actions

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Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 4 (1d6+3) piercing damage, and the target must make a DC 11 Constitution saving throw, taking 7 (2d6) poison damage on a failed save, or half as much on a successful one. If the poison reduces the target to 0 hit points, the target is stable but poisoned for one hour, even after regaining hit points, and is paralyzed while poisoned this way.

Chitter Beyond 1st Level

2nd Level - 16 Hit Points (3d8+3) - Hunter. On Chitter's turn in combat, it can take a Hide action as a bonus.

3rd Level - 22 Hit Points (4d8+4) - Agile. Chitter becomes proficient in Dexterity saving throws. This grants him an additional +2 to Dex saving throws.

4th Level - 27 Hit Points (5d8+5) - Ability Score Improvement. Chitter's Dex. score is increased by 2, raising the modifier by 1, so incease the following numbers by 1. the saving saving throw bonus, the Stealth bonus, and the bonus to hit and damage with its bite attack.

5th Level - 33 Hit Points (6d8+6) - Web (Recharge 5-6).  Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, range 30/60 ft., one creature. Hit. The target is restrained by webbing. As an action, the restrained target can make a DC 12 Strength check, bursting the webbing on a success. The webbing can also be attacked and destroyed (AC 10; hp 5; vulnerability to fire; immunity bludgeoning, poison, and psychic damage).

6th Level - 38 Hit Points (7d8+3) - Extra Attack. Chitter can attack twice, instead of once, whenever it takes the Attack action on its turn.

My Next Campaign

Starting at the beginning of the year I'm going to be running a 5E game every other Friday night. I've got four players so far and while I've known them all for years, I've never played D&D with them. I'm having an internal debate about how I want to start the game out. These are the two adventures I'm leaning towards. 

I know that Lost Mine is a fun adventure because I ran it when 5e first came out. It's got a nice variety and I'm very familiar with it. In contrast, Waterdeep Dragon Heist is the new hotness. Though I've not read it yet,  I've heard some great things from folks that are running it.

If Lost Mines is the route I go, I plan on adding another lost mine (Glitterdoom). I also think the Kobold Art Exhibit will make an appearance. Some of the monster variations from Volo's Guide will definitely be added in.

If I go with Dragon Heist, I'm going to make Manshoon the villain so that the adventure is set during winter. This works with the timing of the game and lets me use Winter's Splendor. I can also use my copy of Cloud Giant's Bargain. Of course, if I use Dragon Heist I can also go right into Dungeon of the Mad Mage.

With both adventures I'm going to introduce a character from The Mermaid's Blessing early on. I'm also going to do a 5E version of the Secret Party House of the Hill Giant Playboy because it's just sounds fun as Hell and I never got to use it.

So what games do you have lined up for the new year?

Rollout - Season 4 (Season Finale)

Apparently they just filmed one session and broke it down into four parts for season 1. I was entertained and hope they come back to it.

Rollout - Episode 3

This week the party tracks the goblins to their caves. I laughed at the final encounter and might need to work some "Oh yeahs!" into my next game.

Rollout - Episode 2

Episode 2 of Rollout is available to watch. Much like the first, this one made me laugh a lot. Some folks might not like celebs playing D&D, but if it exposes more folks to the hobby, I'm not going to complain.

Rollout - Episode 1

Rollout is a new YouTube show on WWE superstar Austin Creed's channel, Up Up Down Down. While his videos normally center around video games, in Rollout he and his fellow wrasslers are playing D&D. Their DM is running Lost Mines of Phandelver for them and it's pretty fun. I mean, it's goofy as hell, but I dig it. While these folks are voice actors like the Critical Role folks, they still entertain folks for a living and are pretty expressive. The big dice came made me laugh. I'm interested in seeing how this game goes.

My 5E Game - Long Overdue Update

I haven't talked about my 5E campaign on here since November. This Saturday we're coming back from a month and a half long hiatus, so I thought I'd do a quick recap of what's happened since I last posted.

• The party captured basilisks for an eccentric gnome alchemist as payment for turning Rolen and Rogar back to flesh. The basilisks were pets of a small tribe of bullywugs (mainly because I love bullywugs).
• The party studied the dead green dragon. Mojo learned halfling. Armor, weapons, and accessories were commissioned from the butched dragon.
• The party was hired by a prince named Roberte to escort him to a lost shrine. The prince only had one arm and the shrine could make him whole. The party faced off with a witch, a monstrous arm-ripper, and made a new ally, a human turned ettin named Gilmi. Rolen aslo had his arm ripped off, though the shrine healed him. After returning to Neverwinter, Roberte's lycanthropy returned (due to the magic of the shrine) and there was a rooftop race to stop him from going on a murderous spree. The party managed to capture him and cure him once and for all. Roberte has now pledged himself to serving the Order of the Gauntlet. 
• One their return trip to Phandalin the party encountered a secret elf named Will. The elf informed them that the town had been taken over by their enemies, the Broken Tusks. The group evaded patrols and made it into their manor, where they found Droop and a few survivors of the town guard. They set up a daring raid to free some of the prisoners, and then engaged to orcs and their giant servants. We ended with a cliffhanger. The giants had been defeated, but the orcish chief had just KO'd Gilmi and Droop.

When the battle ends Saturday this will tie up the first campaign arc. The party with next find the chained coffin and head to the Shudder Mountains. After that clues will lead them to a  group of mysterious islands that exists outside of Faerun, but is connected via mystical ley lines. It is here that Mojo will learn the truth of his origins.

Getting Stoned With Orcs

Current Adventure: Homebrew

Party
Rolen Moonshadow (Remy) - wood elf ranger of the Emerald Enclave
Mojo ar Meisce (David) - human monk
Saarkson (Paul) - tiefling warlock and Zhent agent
Rogar Lighttalon (Adam) - dwarf cleric and member of the Order of the Gauntlet

The party decided to make it's way to Neverwinter to purchase a wagon to transport the green dragon corpse. While on the road they were ambushed by a party of orog's led by a wereboar. The group were raiders of the Broken Tusk tribe (which the party has had previous dealings with).


Rolen used his woodland skills to track the group back to their lair (he also discovered drag marks, as well as giant and 8-legged reptilian foot prints). The tracks led to a cave. They discovered a camouflaged catapult near it (the source of the drag marks). They entered the cave and fought several orogs. Rolen scouted ahead and found that the chieftain and shaman were waiting on him. The group were bottle-necked and after fighting for a bit decided to retreat back into the initial cabin. This lead to a bit of a stalemate.

The party decided to leave the cave and take a short rest in the nearby woods. The orcs didn't pursue, knowing their ettin ally would return soon.

The party didn't do the best job hiding during their rest and the ettin and his pet basilisk quickly noticed them. Rogar commanded the ettin to halt and Saarkson hit it with a fireball. Rolen hit him with two rounds of colossus slayer and the ettin didn't have a chance. Unfortunately for the party Rolen and Rogar met the gaze of the basilisk (and failed both their saving throws).

The night ended with Saarkson and Mojo dragging their stoney companions towards Neverwinter.

This was the first time I was able to use my Dwarven Forge cavern tiles and they look great. I can't wait to pick more up.

Puff, Puff, Ash?

Current Adventure - The Lost Mines of Phandelver

Party
Rolen Moonshadow (Remy) - wood elf ranger of the Emerald Enclave
Mojo ar Meisce (David) - human monk
Saarkson (Paul) - tiefling warlock and Zhent agent
Rogar Lighttalon (Adam) - dwarf cleric and member of the Order of the Gauntlet

Warning Adventure Spoilers (especially if you're in my group)

The gaming session didn't go as planned. Having just defeated the Venomfang, the party sought refuge in the home of the druid of Thundertree. They celebrated their victory and took a long rest. The next day they decided to purge the rest of the town of undead and other threats. They fought several ash zombies and ash ogre zombies (because I wanted them to fight something with more umph and I have two zombie hulk minis).

I had planned an elaborate encounter using the graveyard scenery I've recently purchased. There were going to be zombies, ghouls, wights, a wraith and some orc envoys (part of the next session). And I didn't use any of them. Well I did keep the half-orc monk, Karsk, and his giant praying mantis. The adventure halted half-way through the night and he had a kung-fu movie battle with Mojo.

The party will still probably encounter the Broken Tusk orcs (and their ettin ally) next session, but things just didn't pan out the way I thought they would.

The party has essentially finished The Lost Mines of Phandelver. I had originally planned to take them into Hoard of the Dragon Queen, but now I think I'm just going to do my own thing.

Next session the party will take some downtime. Rolen wants to hire some alchemists and and armor smiths to work on Venomfang's corpse with him. Having discovered a halfling cookbook, penned by my former character Ollo Tosskettle, Mojo has decided he wants to learn halfing and now to cook. I haven't spoken with Paul or Adam, so I don't know Rogar or Saarkson's plans. I'm sure they will involve their organization ties.

To Slay A Dragon

Current Adventure - The Lost Mines of Phandelver

Party
Rolen Moonshadow (Remy) - wood elf ranger of the Emerald Enclave
Mojo ar Meisce (David) - human monk
Saarkson (Paul) - tiefling warlock and Zhent agent
Rogar Lighttalon (Adam) - dwarf cleric and member of the Order of the Gauntlet

Warning Adventure Spoilers (especially if you're in my group)

After resting under the (creepy) watch of the spectator, the party continued to explore the remains of the mine. They encountered more bugbears. Rolen attempted to deceive them into unbarring the door.

Rolen: (in goblin) "Help, I need in."

Bugbear: (in goblin) "Dwarf shit you do. We're all here."

The party broke the door down and dispatch the bugbears. From this room they made their way to the abandoned smelter (with it's skeleton and flame skull guardians). The flame skull put the fear of the gods in them with a fireball. After a tense battle the party defeated the undead. They decided to smash the skull fearing it's magic. Unfortunately if the skull isn't dowsed in holy water or disenchanted with other magic, it will reform in an hour.

An hour later the party are resting after an encounter with some ghouls and the skull reforms and returns. They defeat it again and the warlock decides to watch over it. The tiefling has made an arcana check to see what it is, but they dwarf doesn't ask to make a religion check to know how to dispatch it.

After clearing the remainder of the mine the party is attempting to climb back up to the entrance. This is after a long rest, so the now active flame skull hiding in the tiefling's backpack has all of his spells again. 

I got everyone with a point blank fireball cast from within the warlock's backpack. The look on the party's face was priceless. After dispatching the thing a third time I told the cleric that he might wan to try to figure out how to dispatch it for good. He made is check and the flame skull was finally defeated and laid to rest.

On the way back to town the party discovers the injured body of Rogar's cousin, Nundro. This is actually an ambush set up by the doppleganger and bugbears that would have killed the party last session. They party dispatched the villains, headed back to town, and celebrated (in the way adventurers do).

The morning after the group set forth to the ruins of Thundertree to drive away the green dragon that dwelt there. They quickly defeated the twig blights and giant spiders there. They avoided the zombies (deciding to take care of them after they defeated the dragon).

Rolen drank a potion of invisibility and the party crept towards the tower that held the dragon. Rogar, Saarksan, and Mojo attempted to parlay with the beast. When it became obvious that this wasn't going to work, Rolan let loose an arrow. He had advantage and this was the result of his rolls:

Double ones.

Seriously.

The fight actually didn't last as long as I thought. It was over in five rounds. The dragon was only able to use his breath weapon once (hitting only Mojo and Rogar). Mojo was KO'd, but Rogar made his save and because of his dwarven resistance to poison, took minimal damage. Mojo actually knocked the dragon down twice using his monk abilities (something that made David very happy). The dragon died and none of the party did. They're holding on to a scroll of revify, so I was really hoping someone would bite it.

We ended the session as the dragon died. Technically other than a few quick encounters in Thundertree, we've completed the Lost Mines of Phandelver. Next session we'll be hopping into Hoard of the Dragon Queen.

Into the Wave Echo Cave - Part I

Current Adventure - The Lost Mines of Phandelver

Party
Rolen Moonshadow (Remy) - wood elf ranger of the Emerald Enclave
Mojo ar Meisce (David) - human monk
Saarkson (Paul) - tiefling warlock and new Zhent agent
Rogar Lighttalon (Adam) - dwarf cleric and member of the Order of the Gauntlet

Warning Adventure Spoilers (especially if you're in my group)

After a night of celebration the party gathered in the morning and set forth to the mines.

The party entered the cave and quickly discovered one of the Gundren's brothers, dead near a pile of supplies. They wrapped the body and Rogar said a short prayer for his fallen cousin. The party then tied off some rope, and descended into the pit. Rogar and Mojo both fell despite the lowered DC for climbing with a rope. Mojo used his monk reflexes to land safely, while Rogar fell on his heavily armored arse. I jokingly declared that falling was how I'd have to kill him.

The party decided to take the western path and hug wall. They encountered the ocher jelly and quickly dispatched it. The path they traveled actually took them to what should be the final encounter of the mine. They faced entered the temple and faced off against the Black Spider, his two bugbear bodyguards, and four giant spiders. The party was at full strength, but I knew this was going to be a hard encounter. The Black Spider ultimately paid for his foolishness. Instead of going invisible the first round (which I should have had him do), he hit Mojo with magic missile (which is the magical equivalent of flipping the bird in my mind). Before he could go invisible on his second turn, Rogar hit him with a 2nd level spell slot guiding bolt that killed him in one hit. The party then had a hard fight against the bugbears and four giant spiders. In the end the fight turned into a one on one fight between Rogar and an uninjured giant spider. The rest of his companions ko'd, poisoned, and paralyzed, he found the strength to slay the final spider.

I fudged this encounter. While I didn't fudge any of the roles, I kept this to a near TPK instead of an almost TPK. As written the monsters in area 18 (two bugbears and a doppleganger) would have joined the combat in the third round. I knew the party was going to have to exhaust all of its resources for this fight, so I chose not to stack encounters. I stand by my decision, because if I hadn't the game would have been over. I'm going to plan a devious encounter with those creatures.

After recovering and looting, the party found Gundren's youngest brother still alive. The healed him and led him to the mines entrance. He armed himself and they sent him back to the town. I've not decided if he makes it back unharmed or not. Perhaps, they doppleganger and bugbears get to him.

The party rested and decided to take the other path through the pit. They encountered the skeletons in near the assayer's office and took some heavy damage. I added a few skeletons and ghouls to the mix (feeling slightly guilty that I cheated on their behalf). I witnessed the threat even low level monsters can have on parties. The ghouls did a bit of damage, but the skeleton archers dropped Rogar to single digits. Now I did crit twice in a row and then roll max damage for the two hits after that....

Rolan noticed many of the mushrooms were poison in the fungus room and Saarkson used mage hand to pop them.

In the wizard's barracks they fought Mormesk the wraith. I like the way 5E handles level drain. It's
dangerous at the time, but easily fixed (with a long rest). Had he not be dispatched as quickly as he was, Mormesk probably would have ended Mojo's life. The party rested again after defeating the wraith.

The final encounter of the night took place in the forge with the spectator. The party quickly realized it was unhinged and tried to convince it that the mine was no longer in operation. He didn't believe them. After talking for a bit, he asked the party if his services were still needed.

Rogar said, "Yes."

The rest of the party (and me) thought Rogar needed slapped. He then explained that Gundren is rightfully going to reclaim the mind and that having a magical guardian would be helpful. The party convinced the creature that they were allies.  They ended the session by claiming Lightbringer and the magical breastplate.

Areas explored by the party.

Assault of Cragmaw - Part II

Current Adventure - The Lost Mines of Phandelver


Party
Rolen Moonshadow (Remy) - wood elf ranger of the Emerald Enclave
Mojo ar Meisce (David) - human monk
Saarkson (Paul) - tiefling warlock and new Zhent agent
Rogar Lighttalon (Adam) - dwarf cleric and member of the Order of the Gauntlet

NPC's
Droop - goblin henchmen
Gundren - dwarf patron
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Warning Adventure Spoilers (especially if you're in my group)

After defeating the goblin priest, the party continued to journey further into Castle Cragmaw, searching for Gundren.

They encountered a group of group of hobgoblins (next to the owlbear tower) and quickly dispatched them. Unfortunately, I messed up the encounter and the owlbear wasn't released.  They decided not to open the barred door and to continue searching.

They made it to the King's Quarters and fought a pitched battle with Grol, Snarl, and Vyerith. The doppleganger really did some damage to Mojo. It was honestly the first time in a session or two that someone was really worried about going down. Still the heroes prevailed (as heroes tend to do). They healed Gundren and decided to bar themselves in the room for the night.

While exiting the next morning they encountered Targor Bloodsword's hunting party. Words were exchanged and things quickly escalated.  The hobgoblins released the owlbear,  two stayed and fired bows, while Targor and another circled back around to get next to the Saarkson. Rolen took some serious wounds from the owlbear and I think his player, Remy, thought he might die. Of course, no one did.

The party regrouped with Droop, their henchman. This led to some funny dialogue between Gundren and his cousin Rogar. While on the way back to town the party was ambushed by bugbears. I have to say this was the first time I've actually been able to surprise the party with bugbears and it was nasty. Going to be honest, I really wanted to KO Saarkson in that encounter. I also used this as an opportunity to reveal that Droop may be more than he seems. I still haven't decided what he is. He's most likely a goblin agent of another organization, but he might be a doppelganger, or even a polymorphed dragon (because, why not).

After arriving back in town the party decided they wanted to explore the manor about the former Redbrand hideout. This isn't in the module so I had to describe everything on the fly. They found a random note that read "Thomas, Its in Baldur's Gate, the rose garden, behind the angel." I have plenty of time to figure out what this means.

They met with Gundren, who offered them a share of the profits, if they helped liberate the lost mine and stop the Black Spider. Sildar also offered them the deed to the manor that they had just explored. The next morning they would go to the mines, but that night they would celebrate with Gundren and Sildar.

The party then decided to go to the Shrine of Luck to speak with Sister Garaele. They informed her of the desecrated temple in Castle Cragmaw. She rewarded them with the Dice of Saint Rogers (pronounced with a French accent), considered to be a Tymoraian relic. I haven't decided if they will have any crunchy game effects yet. Rolen hit on Sister Garaele and they decided to meet for drinks at the tavern.

Up until this point there hasn't been a lot of roleplaying in this campaign. We only get to play every other week and our time is limited. There's a lot of excitement and we tend to rush through encounters. That's why I encouraged the party to celebrate their victories thus far. The npc's prompted some discussion and everyone seemed to have fun. A drunken Mojo revealed his trinket, a aberrant statue that caused him nightmares and his only tie to his parents. Saarkson (who's warlock pact is with outer gods) was quite interested. Sister Garaele sketched the statue and promised to look into it. I think this will be my hook to get Mojo to join the Harpers. After everyone else went to bed a drunken Rolen pulled out his trinket (a black flag with a dragon skull and crossbones). He loudly asked everyone in the bar if anyone knew what it meant.

I used this as an opportunity to introduce Leosin Erlanthar, a character in Hoard of the Dragon Queen. He
warned Rolen to keep the flag hidden, that it was tied to the Cult of the Dragon, and to meet him in Greenest for more information.

The next morning Saarkson received a note from his Zhent contact telling him to collect any journals/letters that the Black Spider has.

The party then set off for the Wave Echo Cave.

Assault on Cragmaw Castle - Part I

Current Adventure - The Lost Mines of Phandelver

Party
Rolen Moonshadow (Remy) - wood elf ranger of the Emerald Enclave
Mojo ar Meisce (David) - human monk
Saarkson (Paul) - tiefling warlock and new Zhent agent
Rogar Lighttalon (Adam) - dwarf cleric
Droop (npc) - goblin henchman

----
Warning: Adventure Spoilers

The night started as expected, the party eliminated the orc scouts at Wyvern Tor and their ogre ally. The fight was rather quick and I was rolled terribly. I couldn't hit a pc to save my life.

After defeating the orcs, the party returned to Phandalin. They spoke with Sildar and received their reward for killing the orcs. Then they went to the orchard to inform Daran that they'd taken care of the undead at the Old Owl Well. The aging knight gave them each a bottle of his best hard cider and inducted Rogar into the Order of the Gauntlet.

For reasons unknown to me Rogar's player started talking in a really bad Ringo voice. We laughed too hard and I'm still not sure why it was so funny. I ended up giving him inspiration because my face hurt from laughing. It might have been payback for me saying "Dude, do you even dwarf?"

The party picked up Droop from the former Redbrand hideout and that's when things went a different way that I expected. Instead of heading to Thundertree, they decided to head straight to Cragmaw Castle (with Droop leading the way).

The coolest moment of the night happened right outside of the castle. One of the goblins fired through the arrow slit and Mojo's player spent a ki point to deflect/catch missiles. He caught the arrow, rolled a 20, and through the arrow back at the little bugger... killing it before it could duck for cover.

He would catch two more arrows before the night was out. though not as cool as throwing it through an arrow slit). One of the two throws was even another crit.

The party made it through two thirds of the Cragmaw castle. They took out a multiple groups of goblin mooks, the hobgoblins, and the goblin "priest" and his pet.

We all had a great night! I wish the game was weekly, but the best we can do is bi-weekly. I'm looking forward to finishing Cragmaw Castle.

Mojo's magic 20

The party vs. the orcs of Wyvern Tor

Tonight's Gaming Session - Ruins of Thundertree

After a brief hiatus, my 5E game starts back up tonight. Tonight should be very exciting. Tonight's agenda includes eliminating the orcs of Wyvern Tor and then heading to the ruins of Thundertree.  If you're playing through the adventure, you should stop reading now.

Thundertree is a dangerous place. The ruined town includes numerous encounters with twig blights, ash zombies, a Cult of the Dragon encounter (because Tyranny of Dragons), and to top it off there is a green dragon!

The party doesn't know about the twig blights or cultists. They do know that undead lurk there and they know a dragon currently lairs in the ruins. The ranger (a member of the Emerald Enclave) has a hatred for evil dragons and his player (a newbie to tabletops) is hellbent on killing the thing. I've made sure to point out that his mission is to drive the monster away, not necessarily kill it, but we'll see how things go tonight.

Dragons Beware!

My D&D group had originally planned on playing Lost Mine of Phandelver (the Starter adventure) with pre-gens and then creating characters to play through Hoard of the Dragon Queen. However, after a bit of discussion we've decided we're stilling going to play the adventures, we're just going to go about it a little different. 

Everyone's made their characters using the PHB and we're just going to retcon them into Lost Mine of Phandelver. Tonight these characters are just going to start where the pre-gens left off and for all intensive purposes we're assuming they have been the party the whole time. After we finish the Lost Mine, then we're just going to dive into Lost Hoard. This may take some modification to encounters on my part, but with 5E, I don't think that will be an issue. 

Am I excited? You bet your shiny new platemail I am.