Introductions

Hello everyone!

The campaign I am currently running is the Lost Mines of Phandelver, by Wizards of the Coast (NOTE: All content involved with and referencing to The Lost Mines of Phandelver is owned explicitly by Wizards of the Coast, please don't sue me). In this post I will introduce my characters and my campaign, then the real fun will begin in the next post. I decided to use the pregenerated character sheets for most of the characters, though one of my players had already created an absolutely fascinating character which I was more than happy to comply with (I will get to the characters in a moment). I know is isn't normal for most Dungeon Masters to use pregenerated characters, but I wanted to experiment. I wanted to give the players a structure to work off of, a guideline, but let them build who their character was. I gave them the background, class and race, and they determined their characters personality, and actions. This, I believe, is a very good exercise for not only new players and DMs, but also generally new groups. No matter how experienced a DM or player you are, stepping outside of your comfort zone into a class or character type that you've never played before is brilliant for you. You learn to be a lot more diverse, and to appreciate the other classes. You begin to feel for your character and you role-play a lot better, as you have to thin about your character's reaction, instead of using your default role. As a person, I am a big fan of the role-playing aspect of D&D, thus I will role-play if I play, and I reward it in my own campaigns. 

Now, to the characters:

    

1. Firstly we have Thespus Corlynn, a human fighter, played by Jordan. Being the son of count and countess of Corlynn Hill, Thespus is no stranger to wealth, power and privilege. He was born in a large estate in the hills northeast of Neverwinter, however when Mount Hotenow erupted, Corlinn Hill was wiped from the map. Instead of growing up in his parents estate, he was raised in a small comfortable town house in Neverwinter. As an adult, he stands to inherit a meaningless title and little else. Thus, Thespus wants to build a legacy, something worthy of his title, something worth ruling. He plans to attempt to civilise the small hamlet of Phandalin which orcs sacked many a century ago, however has never been able to rebuild itself to worthwhile town. Phandalin needs someone to take the reins, to bring law and order. Someone like Thespus Corlynn.

2. Secondly, we have Vanar Weatherwood, a human fighter, played by Jackson. Vanar's parents lived in the prosperous village of Thundertree, east of Neverwinter and bordering Neverwinter Wood. He doesn't recall much of Thundertree, as his parents fled with him in his infancy when Mount Hotenow erupted. Vanar has never been much more than a labourer or servant, finding work where he could. The last few years had been spent at Neverwinter as a porter and labourer at the city docks, however it became clear to him and everyone about him that he is destined for so much more, when he stood up against an abusive ship captain, and all the other dockworkers began to look up to him. He was destined for so much more. One day he will drive off the dragon that inhabits Thundertree, he will make it inhabitable. He will be a hero.

 

3. Third is Ragnar Rockseeker a dwarven paladin (yes this has been altered form the starter set), played by Matt. Ragnar was trained as a soldier on the island of Mintarn. He was hired into a mercenary company, and travelled to Neverwinter to serve as both army and city watch. However he grew disillusioned with his fellow soldiers, who seemed to enjoy their authority at the expense of those they were supposed to protect. He was recently suspended from active duty, after disobeying an order to get a job done, however he retained his rank and connection to the Mintarn Mercenaries. Since, Ragnar has devoted himself to Oghma. He plans on making his way to Phandalin to deal to a group of local thugs that are bullying the town, and need to be taught a lesson. Putting a stop to their villainy is certainly a worthy goal for Ragnar, and he plans on achieving it. 

  

4. Fourth is Slagathor Lovelock, a halfling thief, played by Theo. Slagathor was originally drawn to Phandalin after hearing stories of it's history, and the gold and platinum that inhabit the foothills surrounding from the centuries before. He was not looking to earn a living, but instead to prey on those who struck it rich. Slagathor joined the local gang, the Redbrands, and made some decent coin as an enforcer, burglar and fence. However, he must have made an enemy among the Redbrands. Someone set him up. On the word of the leader of the Redbrands, a wizard named Glasstaff, Slagathor was to be killed. He escaped, barely alive, and thanking Tymora for his good luck. He left Phandalin penniless and with only the tools of the trade. But Slagathor is back, and he's looking to exact his vengeance on those responsible for his attempted murder.

   

5. Fifth is Galion Talari, an elven wizard, played by James. Galion has spent his entire life devoted to Oghma, the all-seeing god of knowledge. Through visions delivered to him in his trances, it seems Oghma has called Galion to a new mission. A goblin tribe has made their home in an ancient ruin, called Cragmaw Castle, where they have defiled a shrine to Oghma in favour of their vile god Maglubiyet. Such an insult to Oghma cannot be left unpunished, and thus, Galion seeks to clear the goblins and reconsecrate the shrine. Maybe Oghma will have something greater in store for him if he can complete this quest. Galion sure hopes so.

6. Last, but definitely not least, is Mytar Goldwynsson, a gnome played by Will. No one knows exactly who Mytar is, much less his past, but rumours swirl on the wind of his previous escapades and history. Some say he is a travelling minstrel, with the ability to appear and disappear at will, while some others claim he is a wizard who can summon a Tarrasque as a companion, or a cleric of a long forgotten deity, possibly even the deity himself reincarnated. The people that speak these whispers and talk these rumours, or rather should I say, the person that speaks them, is indeed Mytar himself. While it is true no one knows who he is, or what he's doing (himself included) he is here, and he is indeed, one not defined by his past.

This, ladies and gentlemen (and possibly fiends, fey and all in between), is the cast for the beginning of the campaign. I hope you all enjoy your adventures through the world that is Dungeons and Dragons with Jordan, Jackson, Matt, Theo, James, Will and I as much as I am looking forward to sharing them with you all.

Happy adventuring,
~Aidan