Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk expands the beloved Lost Mine of Phandelver into a full campaign, guiding characters from level 1 to 12. Set in the iconic town of Phandalin, this adventure blends classic D&D themes with cosmic horror, introducing new challenges and immersive storytelling for both new and veteran players.
Overview of the Adventure
Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk is a high-fantasy adventure that begins in the quaint town of Phandalin, where the familiar story of the Lost Mine of Phandelver unfolds. The adventure is divided into two distinct halves: the first reimagines the classic Lost Mine of Phandelver, guiding characters from level 1 to 5, while the second half introduces a perilous journey into the Underdark, exploring cosmic horror themes and escalating threats. Players uncover a looming danger beneath Phandalin, leading to a narrative that blends mystery, exploration, and combat. The adventure is designed to cater to both newcomers and veterans, offering a fresh take on a beloved setting while expanding its scope and depth. With a focus on character progression and immersive storytelling, The Shattered Obelisk promises a thrilling experience for all.
Key Features of the Campaign
Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk offers a comprehensive and engaging experience with several standout features. The campaign spans character levels 1 through 12, providing extensive development opportunities; It seamlessly blends the classic Lost Mine of Phandelver with new content, introducing cosmic horror elements that add depth and intrigue. The adventure includes enhanced encounters, updated art, and detailed maps, ensuring immersive gameplay. Players explore familiar locations like Phandalin and venture into the Underdark, facing diverse threats from both the surface and underground. The campaign also incorporates fresh challenges and narrative twists, making it appealing to both new players and veterans. With its rich storytelling and expanded scope, The Shattered Obelisk delivers a memorable journey that builds on the legacy of its predecessor while introducing bold new ideas.
Target Audience: New and Veteran Players
Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk is designed to cater to both new and veteran players, offering a balanced mix of accessibility and depth. For newcomers, the campaign provides a gentle learning curve, starting with the familiar Lost Mine of Phandelver before introducing more complex elements. Veterans will appreciate the expanded narrative, fresh challenges, and the integration of cosmic horror themes, which add a unique twist to the classic D&D experience. The adventure’s structure allows players to grow from level 1 to 12, ensuring a satisfying progression for all skill levels. Whether you’re exploring Phandalin for the first time or revisiting it with a seasoned party, The Shattered Obelisk delivers a memorable and engaging experience tailored to diverse playstyles and preferences.
Campaign Structure and Progression
Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk offers a structured progression from level 1 to 12, blending the familiar Lost Mine of Phandelver with new, expansive content, ensuring a seamless and engaging journey.
From Level 1 to Level 12: Character Development
Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk provides an extensive journey for characters, progressing from level 1 to 12. This expanded range allows for deep character development, enabling players to explore diverse abilities, class features, and role-playing opportunities. The adventure begins in the familiar town of Phandalin, where characters uncover threats and embark on quests that gradually escalate in complexity. As they delve into the Underdark and confront cosmic horrors, players face challenges that test their skills and narrative depth. The campaign’s structure ensures a balanced mix of combat, exploration, and storytelling, giving characters ample room to grow and shine. This progression makes it an ideal adventure for both new players learning the ropes and veterans seeking a rich, immersive experience.
The Two Halves of the Adventure
The adventure is divided into two distinct halves, offering a blend of familiarity and innovation. The first half reimagines the classic Lost Mine of Phandelver, guiding characters from level 1 to 5 as they explore the town of Phandalin and its surroundings. This section introduces foundational quests and establishes the adventure’s core themes. The second half introduces new content, delving into the Underdark and incorporating cosmic horror elements, which challenge characters up to level 12. This structure allows players to experience both the nostalgic beginnings of Phandalin and the darker, more mysterious depths below, creating a comprehensive and engaging narrative arc.
Narrative Arc and Story Depth
Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk offers a rich narrative arc that evolves from the familiar town of Phandalin to the mysterious depths of the Underdark. The story begins with the heroes uncovering threats to Phandalin, gradually revealing a darker, more sinister plot that ties the surface and underground together. As the adventure progresses, cosmic horror elements emerge, adding depth and complexity to the tale. The narrative expands on the original Lost Mine of Phandelver story, introducing new factions, mysteries, and lore that enhance immersion. Players experience a seamless transition from the lighter, introductory tone of the first half to the darker, more ominous themes of the second, creating a compelling and engaging story that keeps players invested from start to finish.
Setting: Phandalin and Beyond
Phandalin and Below: The Shattered Obelisk is set in the charming town of Phandalin, a familiar starting point for many adventurers. The adventure expands beyond the town, delving into the mysterious Underdark, blending surface and underground threats for a rich, immersive experience.
The Town of Phandalin: A Beloved Starting Point
Phandalin serves as the heart of the adventure, offering a charming and familiar starting point for both new and veteran players. This quaint town, nestled in the heart of the Sword Coast, provides a sense of safety and normalcy before the dangers unfold. Players begin their journey here, uncovering the initial threats to the town and its surroundings. The town’s friendly atmosphere, complete with memorable NPCs and local quests, makes it an ideal location for building camaraderie and setting the stage for the larger narrative. As the adventure progresses, Phandalin becomes a hub for exploration, with its proximity to mysterious locations like the nearby mines and forests. The town’s familiarity, combined with its role as a gateway to the deeper dangers below, makes it a beloved and iconic starting point for this high-fantasy campaign.
Exploring the Underdark: New Environments
Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk introduces players to the vast and mysterious Underdark, a realm of ancient secrets and hidden dangers. This subterranean world, filled with sprawling fungal forests, glowing bioluminescent plants, and treacherous underground rivers, offers a stark contrast to the familiar surface of Phandalin. The adventure delves into the depths of this alien environment, where players encounter unique ecosystems and terrifying creatures. The Underdark is not just a backdrop but a living, breathing setting that immerses players in its eerie beauty and deadly perils. As the story unfolds, the party must navigate political intrigue among subterranean factions, such as the drow, and confront the horrors lurking in the shadows. This expansion into the Underdark adds a fresh layer of exploration and danger, enriching the campaign with unforgettable experiences and challenges;
Threats from the Surface and Underground
Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk introduces a dual-layered threat system, with dangers emerging from both the surface and the depths below. On the surface, the town of Phandalin faces goblin raids and the influence of a malevolent cult seeking to exploit ancient ruins. As the adventure progresses, the party uncovers a deeper menace lurking beneath their feet. The Underdark, with its dark elf factions and terrifying creatures, poses a significant threat to the surface world. The shattered obelisk, a mysterious artifact, serves as a catalyst for these dangers, drawing cosmic horrors into the realm. Players must navigate both the immediate surface threats and the looming underground peril, creating a dynamic and interconnected narrative that challenges even the most seasoned adventurers. This layered approach ensures a thrilling experience, blending classic D&D elements with fresh, high-stakes encounters.
New Elements and Expansions
Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk introduces cosmic horror themes, expanding the original adventure with enhanced encounters, updated art, and deeper narrative layers, offering fresh challenges and immersive play.
Expansion of the Original Lost Mine of Phandelver
Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk builds upon the iconic Lost Mine of Phandelver, expanding its scope and depth. The first half reimagines the original adventure, maintaining its charm while enhancing encounters and storytelling. The second half introduces entirely new content, delving into the Underdark and cosmic horror themes. This expansion allows for a seamless transition from the familiar starting point to a broader, more complex narrative. Players who enjoyed the original will find fresh challenges and surprises, while newcomers experience a polished and immersive adventure. The expansion also includes updated art, maps, and mechanics, ensuring a modernized yet faithful evolution of the beloved campaign.
Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk introduces cosmic horror elements, adding a darker, mysterious layer to the adventure. Inspired by 80s and 90s fantasy horror, the campaign incorporates eerie, otherworldly themes that expand the narrative beyond traditional fantasy. Players encounter unsettling phenomena, ancient evils, and eldritch mysteries that challenge their understanding of the world. These themes blend seamlessly with the existing story, creating a unique experience that appeals to fans of horror and mystery. The cosmic horror elements enhance the adventure’s depth, offering a fresh perspective on the Phandelver setting while maintaining its beloved charm. This addition ensures the campaign stands out, providing a thrilling experience for both new and veteran players.
Enhanced Encounters and Challenges
Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk delivers enhanced encounters and challenges, offering a more dynamic and immersive experience. The adventure expands on the original Lost Mine of Phandelver, introducing diverse threats from both the surface and underground. Players face complex combat scenarios, puzzles, and role-playing opportunities that cater to all playstyles. The inclusion of cosmic horror themes adds a layer of mystery and dread, with encounters that challenge characters’ resolve and ingenuity. New creatures, environmental hazards, and story-driven conflicts ensure that the adventure remains engaging from level 1 to 12. These enhancements provide a fresh experience for veterans while remaining accessible to newcomers, making the campaign a standout addition to any D&D library.
Updated Art and Maps for Immersive Play
Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk features updated art and maps designed to enhance immersion and visual storytelling. The adventure includes high-quality illustrations that bring the town of Phandalin, its inhabitants, and the perilous Underdark to life. Official maps have been refined for clarity and ease of use, with options for both physical play and virtual tabletops (VTTs). These visual enhancements help players and Dungeon Masters alike to better visualize the world and its dangers. The artwork captures the eerie atmosphere of cosmic horror themes, while the maps provide detailed layouts for key locations, making exploration and combat more engaging. This attention to detail ensures a more vivid and immersive experience, drawing players deeper into the adventure’s high-stakes narrative.
Resources for Dungeon Masters
Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk provides official maps, artwork, and community-created guides to enhance gameplay. These resources include resized maps for VTTs and compiled creature lists for streamlined DM preparation.
Official Maps and Artwork
The Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk adventure includes a wealth of official maps and artwork designed to immerse players in the world of Phandalin and its surrounding regions. These resources are meticulously crafted to enhance the visual and narrative experience, providing Dungeon Masters with tools to bring the adventure to life. The maps are detailed and versatile, suitable for both physical and virtual tabletop play, while the artwork captures the essence of the story, blending high-fantasy elements with cosmic horror themes. Official illustrations depict key locations, NPCs, and creatures, helping to set the tone and atmosphere for each encounter. Additionally, the maps have been optimized for ease of use, with resized versions available for virtual tabletop platforms, ensuring seamless integration into any campaign setup.
Community-Created Resources and Guides
The release of Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk has inspired a vibrant community of creators to develop supplementary resources and guides. Fans have compiled detailed lists of locations, encounters, and creatures, while others have shared resized and cropped versions of official maps for easier printing and virtual tabletop use. Community members have also created comprehensive guides to help Dungeon Masters navigate the adventure’s complexities, offering tips for pacing, NPC interactions, and integrating homebrew content. These resources, often shared freely online, reflect the collaborative spirit of the D&D community and provide invaluable support for both new and experienced players. Such contributions enhance the overall experience, making the adventure more accessible and engaging for everyone involved.
Best Practices for Running the Adventure
Running Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk requires a balanced approach to storytelling, combat, and player agency. Dungeon Masters should familiarize themselves with the adventure’s two distinct halves, ensuring smooth transitions between the familiar Lost Mine of Phandelver and the darker, cosmic horror-infused second half. Given the campaign’s expansive level range (1-12), pacing is crucial to allow for meaningful character development. Encourage players to explore Phandalin and its surroundings thoroughly, as these early interactions lay the groundwork for later narrative twists. Balancing combat encounters with roleplay opportunities ensures a well-rounded experience. Additionally, leveraging the provided official maps and community-created resources can enhance immersion. Finally, embrace flexibility—allow players to shape the story while maintaining the adventure’s core themes. This approach ensures a memorable journey for both new and veteran players.
Reception and Reviews
Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk has received widespread acclaim for its engaging narrative and expanded gameplay. Critics praise its blend of classic D&D charm with cosmic horror elements, while some note the lack of a bestiary and magic items in certain versions as a drawback. Players and DMs alike commend its versatility for both newcomers and veterans, solidifying its place as a must-play adventure in the D&D 5e lineup.
Community Feedback and Praise
Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk has garnered significant praise from the D&D community, with many hailing it as a “masterpiece” and a “must-play” adventure. Fans appreciate how it builds upon the beloved Lost Mine of Phandelver, offering a fresh and expanded experience. The adventure’s ability to cater to both new and veteran players has been widely commended, with its cosmic horror elements and immersive storytelling standing out as highlights. Many DMs and players have praised the updated art, maps, and the way it seamlessly blends classic D&D themes with darker, horror-inspired narratives. The community has also lauded its extensive character progression, allowing players to grow from level 1 to 12, making it a standout campaign for long-term engagement. Overall, the adventure has been embraced as a testament to the enduring appeal of the Phandelver setting.
Criticisms and Areas for Improvement
While Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk has been well-received, some critics note areas for improvement. A few players and DMs have mentioned that the transition between the first and second halves of the adventure feels abrupt, potentially disorienting for some groups. Additionally, the pacing in the later levels, particularly around level 12, has been criticized for feeling rushed, leaving little room for detailed character development. Some fans also expressed disappointment that certain elements from the original Lost Mine of Phandelver were not expanded upon as expected. Furthermore, a few versions of the PDF lacked essential appendices, such as the bestiary and magic items, which were later addressed in updated releases. Despite these criticisms, the adventure remains highly regarded for its engaging narrative and immersive gameplay.
Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk is a must-play, blending classic D&D with cosmic horror, offering an unforgettable journey from level 1 to 12, with room for future expansions.
Why Phandelver and Below is a Must-Play
Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk is a must-play for its masterful blend of classic D&D storytelling and fresh cosmic horror elements. It offers a seamless experience for both newcomers and veterans, expanding the iconic Lost Mine of Phandelver into a full-fledged campaign that spans from level 1 to 12. The adventure’s narrative depth, immersive settings, and enhanced encounters ensure a memorable journey. Starting in the charming town of Phandalin, players uncover threats both on the surface and below, exploring diverse environments like the Underdark. With updated art, maps, and a rich story arc, this campaign delivers a complete and engaging experience, making it a standout addition to any D&D library.
Future of the Phandelver Series
The success of Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk hints at a promising future for the series. Its blend of classic D&D charm and cosmic horror has resonated with fans, suggesting that future installments could explore even darker, more immersive themes. Wizards of the Coast may expand on the Underdark and other uncharted regions, offering new adventures that build on the rich lore established in this campaign. The integration of horror elements could pave the way for more suspenseful storylines, appealing to both veteran players and newcomers. Additionally, the campaign’s modular design and community engagement may inspire further expansions or spin-offs, ensuring the Phandelver series remains a cornerstone of D&D storytelling for years to come.