I am planning to run Lost Mine of Phandelver, the adventure from the D&D Starter Set. This will be run as an asynchronous play-by-post campaign here on this forum. New and experienced players are welcome. I will be accepting six players. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask.

Expectations:

• All players must be at least 18 years of age.
• I am hoping to keep a pace of at least two substantive posts per week, with advance notice from me, or any player, if unavailable to post for a whole week.
• The campaign should have a mostly serious tone. Your character must be a good person, motivated to go on this adventure and capable of working in a team.
• We will be using a Group Initiative house rule. PCs will roll initiative as normal but will take the average result; PCs may act in any order on that initiative count.

Adventure Hook:

In the city of Neverwinter, a dwarf named Gundren Rockseeker asked you to bring a wagonload of provisions to the rough-and-tumble settlement of Phandalin, a couple of days’ travel southeast of the city. Gundren was clearly excited and more than a little secretive about his reasons for the trip, saying only that he and his brothers had found “something big,” and that he’d pay you ten gold pieces each for escorting his supplies safely to Barthen’s Provisions, a trading post in Phandalin, and ten more upon completion. He then set out ahead of you on horse, along with a warrior escort named Sildar Hallwinter, claiming he needed to arrive early to “take care of business.”

Character Creation Rules:

• This adventure starts at level 1. It is expected to end at level 5.
• Available sources: Player’s Handbook, Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide, Xanathar’s Guide to Everything, and Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything. Please use Races from the PHB and SCAG only.
• Ability Scores: Use the standard array of 15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8.
• Starting Equipment: Take the default equipment or gold based on your Class and Background, plus an additional 10 Gp, which you may spend on adventuring equipment listed in the PHB.
• We will be using the Variant Encumbrance rule and counting coin weight. Be sure to select those options when setting up your character sheet.

Application Format and Additional Instructions:

• Character Name and Pronouns: All pronouns, genders, and sexualities are welcome.
• Character Race and Sub-race: The Variant Human Sub-race is allowed.
• Class and Sub-class: If you intend to multi-class at some point, note so here.
• Background: Per the PHB, you may create a customized background.
• Backstory: Please write 1–2 paragraphs or so. This is the most important field.
• Character Sheet: Please link a D&D Beyond character sheet. If you require content sharing for a desired character option, use a placeholder from the Basic Rules and note your intended option here. Alternatively, you may request to use one of the premade characters available for this adventure.
• Character Description: Should be another 1 or 2 paragraphs, but may include an image.

Application

• Name Pronouns: Chase Kragen He/him 
• Race Sub-race: Hill Dwarf
• Class Sub-class: Order domain Cleric
• Background:  Inheritor
• Backstory:

• Character Sheet:  🔗  Link  PDF
• Character Description:

  Chase Kragen is devoted to Gorm Gulthyn, the Golden Guardian.  His warhammer and shield are nearly heirlooms of dwarven design and his chainmail is of dwarven make as well.  When he is in a civil community he wears his vestments and offers the blessings of his faith.  When over the road sturdy travel cloths.  Easily spotted by his bushy red mane, when not hooded, Chase is often on the look out for specific materials to use in his smithing endeavors.  No better ally on a battlefield or in a skirmish, chase brings out the best in those around him.  
  At times quiet other times bossy Chase is not known for laughter or frivolity, however it is a sure sign of approval when he gets a big smile on his face.

• Character Name and Pronouns: Doldek Torevir he/him
• Character Race and Sub-race: Rock Gnome
• Class and Sub-class: Wizard (Abjurer)
• Background: Sage
• Backstory: Doldek had found his path in the Temple of Oghma. As an initiate, he was transcribing records in the Hall of Knowledge when the Dwarf burst in. The visitor's name was Gundren and he sought craft to protect his mines. The disciples Oghma were the most knowledgeable Abjurers in Neverwinter, certainly the right folk to ask. Yet their answers were not satisfactory. Not to the Dwarf and, in truth, not to Doldek. Their theories of the Weave were still brilliant, but they lacked appreciation for the subject of their proposed wards. The Gnome discovered a spark he had never felt before. He put aside his scribing duties and invited Gundren to his table. There they discussed long into the night about the peculiar hazards of stone and earthen tunnels.
• Character Sheet: https://www.dndbeyond.com/characters/78963111/JdLpmW
• Character Description: Doldek is still a devotee of Oghma. Dour and methodical, he carries a patient, but nonetheless incessant, hunger for knowledge. Once, he had been able to sate that hunger with books and theory. But his new Dwarven friend awakened a curiosity for hands-on experience.

Character Name and Pronouns: John Hawkins

Character Race and Sub-race: variant human (cross bow expert)

Class and Sub-class: Ranger (Hunter)

Background: Soldier 

Backstory: John grew up with stories of the war. Glorified, Romantic stories about the heroic actions of great men. Drunk on these tales he trained daily with his father's sword and crossbow. As he grew he found he was a natural with the bolt slinger and could do things most only dreamed up. 

At the age of 16 John left for the city of Neverwinter with a letter from his father in hopes of joining the guard and becoming a man at arms like his father. While he allowed to enlist his life of glory was not to be. He was tasked at a scout and wall guard. After 4 years of no action John chooses to not reenlist and try his hand as an adventurer.

Character Sheet: https://www.dndbeyond.com/characters/130269042

Character Description: John is a young man of 20 summers. He is of average height and build with black hair and brown eyes. His skin is tanned from many hours in the sun Manning the walls. 

• Character Name and Pronouns: Dunkin Netminder (he/him)
• Character Race and Sub-race: Stout halfling
• Class and Sub-class: Druid
• Background: Fisherman, Advocate for freedom and fairness
• Backstory: Having fished he runs of migratory trout in the Northern realms for 80 years, Dunkin Netminder has been known as a hard worker and a fisherman at the top of his trade; that is until the Southern fleets began encroaching on the territory of the Northerners. As the fish runs dwindled, Dunkin found himself fighting against the ever-increasing territorial encroachment and price manipulations by wealthy Southern merchants and guilds. A lover of rivers and open seas, Dunkin has lately found himself in too many guild halls. His protests have also made him some powerful enemies. Despite his desire to lead a simple life, Dunkin is beginning to think a trip or adventure might do him some good.
• Character Sheet: https://www.dndbeyond.com/characters/130248618/jK4Tnq
• Character Description: The oldest of 7 children, Dunkin has carried on the family tradition of fishing, mainly on large rivers but also the open sea. He's at home in and around the water (something strange for most halflings). He's also a bit large, a bit stronger, and a bit more comfortable with weapons than many of his race, a point sometimes tested in taverns or put to good use in the riots he instigated as protests against over-fishing. Given their trade, Dunkin's family also has a strong connection with nature and the elements (hence his druidic-class and skills). Dunkin has never married, and can sometimes be known as a grump. He's got a taste for ale (and sometimes spirits), which can sometimes get him into trouble. Although when he's sober, Dunkin is hard on himself and others about doing the right thing no matter the cost.

• Character Name and Pronouns: Vasha (he)
• Character Race and Sub-race: Half-Drow (from SCAG)
• Class and Sub-class: Barbarian (Wild Magic)
• Background: Custom (Hired Thug)
• Backstory: Vasha grew up in the bustling city of Neverwinter, raised by his human mother who worked tirelessly as a tavern maid. Though his father was a drow, Vasha inherited enough of his mother’s features to pass as human, sparing him from the prejudice often directed at his kind. As he got older, he found work as a thug, offering protection services to local merchants including one Gundren Rockseeker. Despite the rough nature of his job, Vasha was known as a decent person, often preferring to use his intimidating presence before resorting to actual violence.   
  
  However, beneath Vasha’s calm exterior lies a sense of unease—a restlessness he can’t quite explain. Unbeknownst to him, this is the dormant wild magic inherited from his drow lineage, a chaotic force that has yet to manifest. For now, Vasha continues his life in Neverwinter, unaware of the power lying dormant within him even as he accepts his next assignment, some sort of escort mission, from Rockseeker.
  
  
• Character Sheet: https://www.dndbeyond.com/characters/130275387/IMniad   
  
  
• Character Description: Vasha is a tall, broad-shouldered half-drow with a deep tan complexion that allows him to pass as human. His hair is a dark, almost black shade of brown, kept short and slightly tousled. His eyes are a rich brown, slightly larger and more expressive than most, hinting at his drow heritage. Vasha’s features are strong and rugged, with a few faint scars on his face and arms from past brawls. He dresses in simple, practical clothing— a worn tunic, sturdy boots, and a cloak that helps him blend into the city’s shadows.

• Character Name and Pronouns: Nyli Bemblade  She/Her
• Character Race and Sub-race: Forest Gnome
• Class and Sub-class: Rogue (Thief at L3)
• Background: Far Traveller
• Backstory: Nyli grew up in a small hamlet on the Lake of Mists far to the East. Like most people in the area her parents were fisher-folk, and that was expected to be her path in life. One day, curious to know what lay beyond the local area she volunteered to travel with one of the trader caravans that took smoked fish to places like Rashemen and Murghom. Enthralled by what she had seen on the way, she left the caravan and continued to travel.
  Since then she has headed ever westward, through many lands; sometimes on foot, sometimes with a caravan, and now she finds herself on the Sword Coast and wondering where she will go next.
  
  
• Character Sheet: Nyli.
  
  
• Character Description: Nyli is a fair haired gnome, youthful looking and well tanned from a life spent travelling. She is free-spirited, but not to the point of being rude, or unreliable.
  Physically she looks like most gnomes, short and slim, but when you look closer she looks different somehow. You realise that her attire looks normal, but at the same time looks unusual. The same with her features, she manages to look like just another gnome whilst also not looking like any other gnome you know.
  Noticing your attention she makes a point of rolling her eyes before she speaks.
  “Yes, I’m a gnome” she says in a very unusual accent.
  “and yes, I look different;
  and yes I sound different;
  and yes I’m not from around here.”
  
  “But don’t let it bother you” she laughs “I don’t”
  
  She gives a little wave and smiles “I’m Nyli, nice to meet you.”