Welcome to Advent's Amazing Advice or AAA as I like to call it. This is a series where I take popular one-shots, modules, campaigns, etc. and fully prep them for both new and busy DM's. These are more than just regular notes. They include music, ambiance, encounter sheets, handouts and tweaks that we all know are needed for WoTC content. I have an obsession with searching far and wide for the best of the best, so let that obsession work for you!
The Lost Mine of Phandelver is a classic, one of the very first mini campaigns that new DM's run. Hell it's part of the starter set after all! The issue though, as with many other modules, is that it doesn't describe the best way to transform the contents of the book into an actual session. The Book to session conversion can be difficult. Between figuring out when things should happen, to understanding motivations and even balancing encounters.
Well fortunately for you 99% of that work is done! Only a few things are really left.
Consider the needs of your group. As you've heard or are about to hear a million times, every table is different. If you plan on combining this with a campaign you'll have to make tweaks here and there. (Bonus points if you include your players backstory)
These notes aren't meant to be end all be all. Tweak to your hearts content and don't consider any of what's written to be set in stone. For me, having notes like this helps give me the confidence to go off the rails and follow along with what my players want. It helps me understand where things were meant to go and why. Having that understanding allows me to guide the players and create other new and interesting stories. These are all things that will come with experience though, so don't freak out and enjoy the journey!
Without further adieu:
Google Docs Notes for The Lost Mine of Phandelver (Part 1 Cragmaw Hideout): DM Notes
A word document with all my notes including a link to music tracks for ambiance and fights
Special PDFs for all the encounters. This includes all the enemies stat blocks organized neatly along with an initiative tracker and a spot to mark HP.
An additional PDF with Sildars stats should he join the party as an ally
A map of Cragmaw Hideout. I enlarged and printed this out for my players as a battle map!
If you see something you think I can improve, add, change, etc. please let me know. I want this to be an amazing resource for all DMs and plan to keep it constantly updated! With the Hive Mind here we can create the ultimate version of The Lost Mine of Phandelver!!! If you'd like to support me, shape future releases, and get content a week early feel free to check out my Patreon!
Welcome to Advent's Amazing Advice or AAA as I like to call it. This is a series where I take popular one-shots, modules, campaigns, etc. and fully prep them for both new and busy DM's. These are more than just regular notes. They include music, ambiance, encounter sheets, handouts and tweaks that we all know are needed for WoTC content. I have an obsession with searching far and wide for the best of the best, so let that obsession work for you!
The Lost Mine of Phandelver is a classic, one of the very first mini campaigns that new DM's run. Hell it's part of the starter set after all! The issue though, as with many other modules, is that it doesn't describe the best way to transform the contents of the book into an actual session. The Book to session conversion can be difficult. Between figuring out when things should happen, to understanding motivations and even balancing encounters.
Well fortunately for you 99% of that work is done! Only a few things are really left.
Consider the needs of your group. As you've heard or are about to hear a million times, every table is different. If you plan on combining this with a campaign you'll have to make tweaks here and there. (Bonus points if you include your players backstory)
These notes aren't meant to be end all be all. Tweak to your hearts content and don't consider any of what's written to be set in stone. For me, having notes like this helps give me the confidence to go off the rails and follow along with what my players want. It helps me understand where things were meant to go and why. Having that understanding allows me to guide the players and create other new and interesting stories. These are all things that will come with experience though, so don't freak out and enjoy the journey!
Without further adieu:
Google Docs Notes for The Lost Mine of Phandelver (Part 1 Cragmaw Hideout): DM Notes
Link to: The Complete Collection
Included in The Complete Collection is:
A word document with all my notes including a link to music tracks for ambiance and fights
Special PDFs for all the encounters. This includes all the enemies stat blocks organized neatly along with an initiative tracker and a spot to mark HP.
An additional PDF with Sildars stats should he join the party as an ally
A map of Cragmaw Hideout. I enlarged and printed this out for my players as a battle map!
Index:
The Lost Mine of Phandelver Index
Part 1 - Intro and Cragmaw Hideout
Part 2a - Phandalin (Coming Soon)
Part 2b - Redbrand Hideout (Coming Soon)
Part 3a - Reign of Iron (Coming Soon)
Part 3b - Ruins of Thundertree (Coming Soon)
Part 3c - Cragmaw Castle (Coming Soon)
Part 4 - Wave Echo Cave (Coming Soon)
Other One Shots and Modules:
A Wild Sheep Chase - Click Here
Death House - Click Here
If you see something you think I can improve, add, change, etc. please let me know. I want this to be an amazing resource for all DMs and plan to keep it constantly updated! With the Hive Mind here we can create the ultimate version of The Lost Mine of Phandelver!!! If you'd like to support me, shape future releases, and get content a week early feel free to check out my Patreon!
Cheers,
Advent
https://www.patreon.com/AdventsAmazingAdvice