Dungeons and Dragons Encounters: Lost Mine of Phandelver

Introduction:

Read Aloud Text:

In the city of Neverwinter, the docks are busy today and the smell of
fishing boats fills the air. You find yourself in a salty establishment
known as Driftwood Tavern down by the wharves. A dwarf named
Gundren Rockseeker has advertised for guards to escort a trade wagon.
You all have responded to the call from billing posters, gossip, or
personal requests and are meeting for the first time. Gundren
Rockseeker is a stout dwarf with a massive red beard. A very fine
mining hammer hangs from his belt. He downs the rest of his ale and
greets you warmly. "Thank you all for coming. I have need for strong,
brave and capable guards. I can offer 10 gold coins each for the job.
Please introduce yourself and tell me why you are qualified for the job."

Note: Let the players introduce their real names and character names.
The players can describe what their character looks like and sell
themselves to Gundren Rockseeker. Also at the table is an older human
male, called Sildar Hallwinter. Sildar speaks after the players have
introduced their characters.

Gundren Rockseeker: Unlike most dwarves, he's polite, well spoken,

and can turn anyone into a friend usually, except for the dwarf he was
arguing with outside the Tavern. Try to get each character to like
Gundren Rockseeker, as this is likely the last time they will see him
alive, before they might have to try and rescue him. Gundren knows the
mining business and it's often the only thing he will talk about.

Read Aloud Text:

An older man wearing chainmail and a sword waits for you all to finish
speaking, he looks like a professional soldier. "I am Sildar Hallwinter.
Former captain of the Griffon Cavalry in Waterdeep. I am now a servant
of the Lord's Alliance, an order dedicated to keeping the great cities safe
from the terrors of the wild. I am traveling to Phandalin to look for a
fellow member of the Lord's Alliance that went missing."

Note: Allow the players to ask Sildar Hallwinter questions. Details on

Sildar Hallwinter see page 11 of "Lost Mine of Phandelver". Sildar
Hallwinter will explain the details of the job, see below.
Read Aloud Text:
"Gundren wants to hire you to escort some important supplies from
Neverwinter to the nearby settlement of Phandalin. Take the High road
south down the coast until you reach Triboar Trail. There, turn east until
you see signs for Phandalin. You can't miss it. Keep vigilant when you
travel the Triboar Trail. I hear there be Goblins in the hills. Anyway,
once in Phandalin, you should deliver the goods to Barthen's Provisions,
a trading post. Old Barthen is an honest man and will pay you 10 gold
pieces each for delivering the wagon safely. Now which one of you
knows how to drive a wagon?"

Note: Get the players to determine who will drive the wagon, which is a
heavy wagon drawn by two oxen. The wagon contents are on page 6.
See page 14 for information on Phandalin with an moderate DC 15
History or Intelligence check. Neverwinter information can be found at
the bottom of page 4, no check is required.

Read Aloud Text:

Gundren says, "Unfortunately, the wagon load won't be ready until the
morning. Sildar and I will set out today. We'll arrive early and get things
prepared. Once you get to town, find me and my brothers. We'll be at
the Stonehill Inn."

Note: Gundren Rockseeker's brothers are called Tharden and Nundro.

Gundren can't wait for the party and wagon to be ready, as leaving his
brothers to manage the business can cause problems. If the player insist
on travelling with Gundren Rockseeker to keep him safe, he might hire
as many NPC guards to escort him, that the characters feel they don't
need to go with him. Unfortunately any NPC guards that Gundren hires
are Redbrand members and lead him into the ambush later. Gundren
might also say he will wait for the PC's, but leave early the next morning.

Problems with the Adventure:

[p.08] Kennel: text says that two wolves are chained up, but there are
actually 3 wolves in the room. One wolf is hidden from view, behind a
rock.

[p.20] Cellar: There are two doors leading out of this room, but the Box
Text only mentioned ONE of them. The unmentioned door belongs to
Area 2 and they can possibly ambush the PCs in Area 1.