Introduction
Campaign begins in the year 1491 DR.
Opening Monologue
Readaloud
You began your adventuring career in the city of Neverwinter. A dwarf named Gundren Rockseeker hired you to bring a wagonload of provisions to the rough-and-tumble settlement of Phandalin, a couple of days’ travel south 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. 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.”
You’ve spent the last few days following The High Road south from Neverwinter, and find yourselves at the intersection where the Triboar Trail begins. You’ve had no trouble so far, but you know this territory can be dangerous. Bandits and outlaws have been known to lurk along this road.
The party settles in for the night at a squat, timber framed roadhouse called The Weary Wheel. You are a rag-tag group of adventurers who only met for the first time in taking this contract. You settle in for the night over a meal at The Weary Wheel, getting to know each other more.
On the Road to Phandalin
The Party Gets to Know Each Other
Player Characters get to know a little more about each other over a meal at The Weary Wheel. Player characters are:
Readaloud
The fire in the hearth has burned down to a comfortable glow, and the The Weary Wheel is quiet for the evening — just a handful of locals nursing their drinks and keeping their voices low. All except for one group of three in the back at a table littered with empty glasses, loudly placing bets and slapping each other on the back over a game of dice. Your food is hot, your ale is decent, and for the first time since you set out on the Triboar Trail, you’re sitting somewhere that doesn’t smell like pine needles and horse sweat.
The proprietor of the tavern, Mags Holloway, brings over the table’s food before returning to her spot behind the bar, polishing a set of beer steins while talking with a couple of familiars.
In this reprieve from the high road, the party takes the opportunity to get to know each other a little more.
The players roll perception checks to notice the group of three Redbrands milling around in the back. All three of them eventually drunkenly stumble past the party, back out to where the wagon is parked and start looting the wares stored in the back.
Dinner is Disturbed
The party confronts the Redbrands looting the cart and fend them off.
Session Transcript / Notes
D&D Character Introductions
(dictation began late)
- Versace Vaffelhelm (Forest Gnome Druid)
- Appearance: dirt/berry juice stained, patchwork clothing of moss/leather/biomaterials
- Companions: grumpy badger, gossipy magpies
- Abilities: can communicate with small animals via “commune with animals”
- Fleck (Half-Elf, age unclear 14-18)
- Stealth-focused character who appears without being noticed
- Constantly observing others, darting eyes
- Orla Moonpebble (Rock Gnome Druid)
- Youthful, bubbly energy, possibly naive
- Equipment: mushroom staff with bird bones, jeweled accessories
- Background: comes from tinkerer lineage
Campaign Setup & Background
- Setting: Neverwinter region, The Sword Coast of Faerûn
- Mission: escort wagon of provisions to Phandalin for Gundren Rockseeker
- Payment: 10 gold pieces each
- Destination: Barthan’s Provisions trading post
- Gundren departed early with warrior escort Sildar Hallwinter
- Mentioned finding “something big” with his brothers
- Party staying at The Weary Wheel roadhouse on Triboar Trail
Red Brands Encounter
- Three drunk bandits in red tattered robes confronted party
- Mags Holloway (tavern owner) revealed The Redbrands have been:
- Terrorizing local businesses for weeks
- Looting caravans on Triboar Trail
- Demanding protection payments
- Combat resulted in all three Redbrands killed
- Interrogation of leader “Lawrence” revealed:
- Organization leader: “Glasstaff” (location unknown)
- Operating protection racket in area
- 50 copper pieces recovered and left for Mags
Combat Mechanics Learning
- Initiative order and turn structure covered
- Movement, actions, and bonus actions explained
- Spell casting mechanics (cantrips vs spell slots)
- Attack rolls, damage rolls, and armor class concepts
- Advantage/disadvantage system demonstrated
- Death saving throws and healing mechanics outlined
Equipment & Character Development
- Collected 2 Redbrand cloaks for disguises (placed in the party’s shared equipment)
- Character spell selection needed for spellcasters
- Miniature creation process discussed using AI tools
- Character backgrounds and details to be finalized
Next Steps
- Party fled Weary Wheel after Mags demanded body disposal
- Setting up camp away from tavern
- Character sheet familiarization homework assigned
- Spell selection required for spellcasters
- Miniature design and 3D printing planned
- Next session date already scheduled