Lost Mine of Phandelver Dungeon Master Guide & Tutorial. The Lighthall Platform is now offering free online live classes for Dungeon Masters that I will be facilitating in one week. The student sign-up is free and the link is below, www.lighthall.co/class/d336b3e7-aac8-4070-b57f-a5f421cc793a
regarding Nezznar being underpowered: I read on a Reddit post that after the PC's defeat him, he mumbles a prayer as he lays dying, or whatever, but the evil drow Spider Queen deity is displeased with him and turns him into a.....Drider! Begin phase 2 of the Boss Fight!
That’s initially what I was gonna have happen, but changed him last minute to have the CR 7 Drow Mage statblock (context: my players were grossly overleveled for the fight and it was an actual challenge instead of the curbstomp they usually dished out in most fights in the campaign.
Intelligent drow males are actually commonly wizards. The clergy is entirely reserved for females and is considered more prestigious than arcane magic. So competent males fill the role of mages as one of the few areas where they can advance in life
My DM made this guy a shadow sorcerer. Fitting, considering he's a drow. He also had Hold Person, which devastated our barbarian. (no giant spiders, but there were two bugbears and a 5th level champion fighter hobgoblin loyal to Nezznar) Thankfully, he was unsuccessful in paralyzing my dragonborn devotion paladin who got the first turn of combat and used it to cast Bless.
Have started the campaign and players have dealt with the Cragmaw Hideout where they were able to rescue Sildar. They just started exploring Tresendor manor and are at the beginning stages of the Redbrands Hideout. They were able sneak/surprise and capture the first 3 Redbrands. So how what they do next will be interesting. This video has helped me better understand the overview of the campaign with Nezznar as the guy pulling the strings. I knew he was the ultimate bad guy but hadn’t thought through some of the key points you made, especially his doppelgänger spies and how well informed he will be. Great video and insight! It will definitely help me DM this campaign better and I think will make it more entertaining and enjoyable for the group :-) Keep up the good work!
Have you read the Drizzt books by Salvatore? Drow females are clerics of lolth never wizards, males are trained about magic even as warriors, there's even a whole school for it Sorcere. Exceptional males are taught to be wizards and are considered very high up socially and help define the power of a house while still dirt to any female priestess. good series by the way
Hey man, I've found your videos and your channel just today, and it's been really helpful for my ongoing campaign with my friends. Keep up the good work and I hope you get the view you deserve, this stuff is super helpful for people still new and on the starter campaign like me!
Females=clerics/fighters, males=mages/fighters Nezznar could be a representative of Jarlaxle. Or just trying to raise in status within a house by bringing his Matron Mother the Forge.
@@HowtoRPG I didnt realise there was a live stream, but I'm gonna be running the wave echo cave encounter for my players on wednesday so this video was really helpful. Also, I run a Club at my school, and everybody there are complete newbies, could you make a video on how to help somebody make a character, because normally, I find my self fleshing out the sheet for them 😌
I don't know about making a character, but get them to use D&D Beyond the website. You might like the Mormesk the Wraith video also. ruclips.net/video/52qVR1tqTxU/видео.html
I’m definitely concerned with the fight with Nezznar; especially after how quickly they dealt with Glasstaff...Glasstaff died in round 1! The rogue rolled a nat20 sneaking through the secret door and the others in the party made noise in the lab. Backstab! Roll initiative. Glasstaff rolled 1st and hit rogue with a shocking grasp. Rogue went next and did enough damage to kill Glasstaff. As a DM I kept him alive to at least make it through the round. The rest of the party were fighting zombies I added - in my narrative Glasstaff was studying necromancy. End of the round comes and in walks the Nothic which the party crit convinced to help in the fight...Rotting Gaze. Glasstaff “melted” before he could get in a word. It took several rounds to kill the zombies but the wizard fight was anticlimactic. So I know I want to make Nezznar more formidable!
How to D&D I have some plans with the doppelgängers. Some great plans I think! I’m playing a long game with them. As far as memorable encounters, just tonight the party almost got tpk’d by Agatha. The party gave her the comb, got the info, then the rogue decided to steal something from her. Since I made Glasstaff the Necromancer I cut out old owl well entirely and have spread that content around. The treasure from that section is now in Agatha’s lair. He rolled high stealth & sleight of hand - so he did it, and the wizard casted an illusion to make it appear like it was there - but Agatha saw through the illusion. I gave the party a head start since they bolted as soon as they left the door and she probably took her a second to turn and look. Agatha caught up and wailed instantly taking out 3/4 of the party. She warned the last one to take her friends and leave after retrieving her belongings. I hinted that at a higher level they might be able to try again. Part of me wanted to let them get away with it, but I didn’t want them to feel invincible. As for Nezznar, my plans for him definitely involve the doppelgängers acting as spies in the town leading the party through subterfuge and deception towards the inevitable fight. I might up the number of allies Nezznar has and give him more punchy spells.
Our party spoke with Nezznar generally our characters are not that kill happy. Also my character a former wizard apprentice now warlock believed that the criminal network Nezznar was involved with had kidnapped his Mentor so he was very eager to talk with this man to find out where his teacher had been taken.
When I was a player in LMoP we did go straight to attacking Nezznar upon finding him. However, we did decide to capture him and tie him up. We did kill him, but after we questioned him.
Surprise appearance by Marvel Super-Heroes Roleplaying Game!! Awesome! Anybody remember FASERIP ? Man, I still have about 20 books and modules from the old set. Good times ...
The picture at the beginning, with the Fantastic Four playing the Marvel game with Franklin Richards. It was a panel of art from the original game. I thought you put it on screen because you liked the old game. Maybe it's just a random image?@@HowtoRPG
I have aparty of 6 doing the LMOP , they are eating it up, I have had to rewrite the Redbrand's as the ruffians are not a challenge. the Black spider would not be a challenge to them as written. I like the spider idea and will use that and the darkness spell.
I have Dungeon Master notes for Lost Mine of Phandelver on Patreon, plus Nezznar as a Drider with the statblock. I also run a weekly Lost Mine of Phandelver DM Tutorial live.
Thanks Eric. That is a few times to watch the video. I might get around to writing some video notes on Nezznar for Patreon. I am much more likely to do character videos on the NPC's in Out of the Abyss. But never say never...
My first players died in lost mines and my second campaign takes place 10 years after with the dragon of ice spire. Nezznar has unimpeded, become the owner of the lost mines, becoming an eccentric leader figure in phandalin. The C1PC’s defeated the red hoods, and ended up killing all the rock seeker brothers because of negligence.(awful players but a good learning experience for me a baby dm) Living on the surface and not dealing with every day drow sexism, seeing all the races of the lost coast living a much more peaceful life compared to the people of the under dark. He’s had 10 years to adjust to society after all and he has a lot of money- He has turned more neutral than evil, he cares more about capitalism and using loopholes in the law to get his way. He killed glassstaff when he went to betray him to the dragon cult. So he wields the glass staff presently. I think my Nezznar wants to get enough money that he can flood the under dark city where he grew up. I gave him an umbrella with dark fabric curtains that he uses to walk around in the day time, a very goth gf parasol. He always wears round lense sunglasses when he’s out in the day too, it he prefers to hold town hall and meetings at night or in dimly lit rooms, cause light sensitivity. He also has a heavy and thick, slightly silly accent like the Chezks from the show Barry. Everyonce in a while his original evil nature seeps into his words, “Would you like to invest in real estate?” He’s said far too menacingly to the current party 😂
The bug bear king, and venomfang are also still alive in my present campaign and the bug bear king begrudgingly attends town meetings with phandalin cause “ good kings participate in politics with the tiny unfurred masses” Venomfang isn’t happy about the young white in his territory tho so- we’ll see how that goes! I think my Nezznar’s motivation for leaving the under dark would be an arranged marriage to a known black widow. (a woman who takes pleasure in killing her husbands) He hates his parents and sister for trying to kill him off, his only knowledge of romance is that it ends in death. Maybe in the third campaign he’ll find love.
Thanks for the video! I'm confused though. You propose a situation where the party becomes immobilized by spiders to enable a conversation with Nezznar. Clever. But how does the party get out of the webs and defeat Nezznar? You just transitioned to his stats. How does your scenario play out?
How to D&D: Sure, thats always true but you proposed a specific situation. Certainly, you also have ideas of different options or ways that players might come up with to escape. Or was your intention just to propose a situation where everyone dies? 😔
@@nathanielroach4863 thats what i thought. Web then knock them out with spider venom. When they wake up their equipment is sitting in the corner and they are tied up. He offers them an ultimatum to help him or die. He also offers them a treasure trove of magical items found in the store room once they finish helping him (all lies). Once they agree he leaves and a goblin unties them.
I’m just looking at Nezznar’s stat block in my DM booklet and near the end of this video and apparently Nezznar doesn’t speak Common, lol. Probably an oversight.
Lost Mine of Phandelver Dungeon Master Guide & Tutorial. The Lighthall Platform is now offering free online live classes for Dungeon Masters that I will be facilitating in one week. The student sign-up is free and the link is below,
www.lighthall.co/class/d336b3e7-aac8-4070-b57f-a5f421cc793a
regarding Nezznar being underpowered: I read on a Reddit post that after the PC's defeat him, he mumbles a prayer as he lays dying, or whatever, but the evil drow Spider Queen deity is displeased with him and turns him into a.....Drider!
Begin phase 2 of the Boss Fight!
It's not in the adventure, but a cool modification.
That’s initially what I was gonna have happen, but changed him last minute to have the CR 7 Drow Mage statblock (context: my players were grossly overleveled for the fight and it was an actual challenge instead of the curbstomp they usually dished out in most fights in the campaign.
my character just finally defeat him in my last session last week! and my DM really doing this for Nezznar final moment
@@bimasaragih2272 I don't understand your last sentence
Intelligent drow males are actually commonly wizards. The clergy is entirely reserved for females and is considered more prestigious than arcane magic. So competent males fill the role of mages as one of the few areas where they can advance in life
Thanks for your feedback.
Cheers mate, first time DM with first time players, these videos have really added to our first run through!
Thanks. That is great news.
@@HowtoRPG Ditto... 1st time DM, 1st time players. Love the bit about the Alarm spell... going to use that - was thinking same thing. thx!
My DM made this guy a shadow sorcerer. Fitting, considering he's a drow.
He also had Hold Person, which devastated our barbarian. (no giant spiders, but there were two bugbears and a 5th level champion fighter hobgoblin loyal to Nezznar) Thankfully, he was unsuccessful in paralyzing my dragonborn devotion paladin who got the first turn of combat and used it to cast Bless.
Glad it all went well in the end.
Have started the campaign and players have dealt with the Cragmaw Hideout where they were able to rescue Sildar. They just started exploring Tresendor manor and are at the beginning stages of the Redbrands Hideout. They were able sneak/surprise and capture the first 3 Redbrands. So how what they do next will be interesting. This video has helped me better understand the overview of the campaign with Nezznar as the guy pulling the strings. I knew he was the ultimate bad guy but hadn’t thought through some of the key points you made, especially his doppelgänger spies and how well informed he will be. Great video and insight! It will definitely help me DM this campaign better and I think will make it more entertaining and enjoyable for the group :-) Keep up the good work!
Thank you. I have a series of videos on the lost mine of phandelver, you might find useful.
This is a very good video, and valuable for any DM regarding Mines of Phandelver. I wish I watched this six months ago.
Thanks. I hadn't made the video 6 months ago. I hope your game went well?
Have you read the Drizzt books by Salvatore?
Drow females are clerics of lolth never wizards, males are trained about magic even as warriors, there's even a whole school for it Sorcere. Exceptional males are taught to be wizards and are considered very high up socially and help define the power of a house while still dirt to any female priestess.
good series by the way
Thanks for your insightful feedback. I have not read the books.
But it is YOUR world.
You can do with the world as YOU see fit.
very helpful to know when I run this part of the adventure, helps to have an alternate view on how he would naturally behave! Much thanks!
You are welcome.
Hey man, I've found your videos and your channel just today, and it's been really helpful for my ongoing campaign with my friends. Keep up the good work and I hope you get the view you deserve, this stuff is super helpful for people still new and on the starter campaign like me!
Thank you. I have a series of videos on the Lost Mine of Phandelver.
Females=clerics/fighters, males=mages/fighters Nezznar could be a representative of Jarlaxle. Or just trying to raise in status within a house by bringing his Matron Mother the Forge.
Great video. So helpful as I'm preparing to run this. Thank you.
Thank you. All the best with your campaign.
Yess! Ive been waiting for this!
I am sorry the edited down version took so long. You are welcome and the full live stream is also linked at the end of the video.
@@HowtoRPG I didnt realise there was a live stream, but I'm gonna be running the wave echo cave encounter for my players on wednesday so this video was really helpful.
Also, I run a Club at my school, and everybody there are complete newbies, could you make a video on how to help somebody make a character, because normally, I find my self fleshing out the sheet for them 😌
I don't know about making a character, but get them to use D&D Beyond the website. You might like the Mormesk the Wraith video also.
ruclips.net/video/52qVR1tqTxU/видео.html
Drow, rhymes with Toe according to Gygax.
I’m definitely concerned with the fight with Nezznar; especially after how quickly they dealt with Glasstaff...Glasstaff died in round 1! The rogue rolled a nat20 sneaking through the secret door and the others in the party made noise in the lab. Backstab! Roll initiative. Glasstaff rolled 1st and hit rogue with a shocking grasp. Rogue went next and did enough damage to kill Glasstaff. As a DM I kept him alive to at least make it through the round. The rest of the party were fighting zombies I added - in my narrative Glasstaff was studying necromancy. End of the round comes and in walks the Nothic which the party crit convinced to help in the fight...Rotting Gaze. Glasstaff “melted” before he could get in a word. It took several rounds to kill the zombies but the wizard fight was anticlimactic. So I know I want to make Nezznar more formidable!
Fair enough. I suggested changing the Black Spiders spells Add some Giant Spiders and Doppelganger maybe.
How to D&D I have some plans with the doppelgängers. Some great plans I think! I’m playing a long game with them. As far as memorable encounters, just tonight the party almost got tpk’d by Agatha. The party gave her the comb, got the info, then the rogue decided to steal something from her. Since I made Glasstaff the Necromancer I cut out old owl well entirely and have spread that content around. The treasure from that section is now in Agatha’s lair. He rolled high stealth & sleight of hand - so he did it, and the wizard casted an illusion to make it appear like it was there - but Agatha saw through the illusion. I gave the party a head start since they bolted as soon as they left the door and she probably took her a second to turn and look. Agatha caught up and wailed instantly taking out 3/4 of the party. She warned the last one to take her friends and leave after retrieving her belongings. I hinted that at a higher level they might be able to try again. Part of me wanted to let them get away with it, but I didn’t want them to feel invincible. As for Nezznar, my plans for him definitely involve the doppelgängers acting as spies in the town leading the party through subterfuge and deception towards the inevitable fight. I might up the number of allies Nezznar has and give him more punchy spells.
Our party spoke with Nezznar generally our characters are not that kill happy. Also my character a former wizard apprentice now warlock believed that the criminal network Nezznar was involved with had kidnapped his Mentor so he was very eager to talk with this man to find out where his teacher had been taken.
When I was a player in LMoP we did go straight to attacking Nezznar upon finding him. However, we did decide to capture him and tie him up. We did kill him, but after we questioned him.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experience Tanner.
Surprise appearance by Marvel Super-Heroes Roleplaying Game!! Awesome! Anybody remember FASERIP ? Man, I still have about 20 books and modules from the old set. Good times ...
I am lost. Did I talk about the marvel role-play game?
The picture at the beginning, with the Fantastic Four playing the Marvel game with Franklin Richards. It was a panel of art from the original game. I thought you put it on screen because you liked the old game. Maybe it's just a random image?@@HowtoRPG
@@HowtoRPG Nerdarchy has a stream of them playing the old Marvel game, I thought it might be related, why you picked that picture.
I really liked the picture and message in meme. I do have one Marvel RPG book.
I have aparty of 6 doing the LMOP , they are eating it up, I have had to rewrite the Redbrand's as the ruffians are not a challenge. the Black spider would not be a challenge to them as written. I like the spider idea and will use that and the darkness spell.
I have Dungeon Master notes for Lost Mine of Phandelver on Patreon, plus Nezznar as a Drider with the statblock. I also run a weekly Lost Mine of Phandelver DM Tutorial live.
Third time watching great video. It would be awesome if you do these videos for Storm Kings Thunder (hint hint) as well!
Great stuff Fred
Thanks Eric. That is a few times to watch the video. I might get around to writing some video notes on Nezznar for Patreon. I am much more likely to do character videos on the NPC's in Out of the Abyss. But never say never...
My first players died in lost mines and my second campaign takes place 10 years after with the dragon of ice spire.
Nezznar has unimpeded, become the owner of the lost mines, becoming an eccentric leader figure in phandalin.
The C1PC’s defeated the red hoods, and ended up killing all the rock seeker brothers because of negligence.(awful players but a good learning experience for me a baby dm)
Living on the surface and not dealing with every day drow sexism, seeing all the races of the lost coast living a much more peaceful life compared to the people of the under dark.
He’s had 10 years to adjust to society after all and he has a lot of money-
He has turned more neutral than evil, he cares more about capitalism and using loopholes in the law to get his way.
He killed glassstaff when he went to betray him to the dragon cult. So he wields the glass staff presently.
I think my Nezznar wants to get enough money that he can flood the under dark city where he grew up.
I gave him an umbrella with dark fabric curtains that he uses to walk around in the day time, a very goth gf parasol. He always wears round lense sunglasses when he’s out in the day too, it he prefers to hold town hall and meetings at night or in dimly lit rooms, cause light sensitivity.
He also has a heavy and thick, slightly silly accent like the Chezks from the show Barry.
Everyonce in a while his original evil nature seeps into his words,
“Would you like to invest in real estate?” He’s said far too menacingly to the current party 😂
The bug bear king, and venomfang are also still alive in my present campaign and the bug bear king begrudgingly attends town meetings with phandalin cause “ good kings participate in politics with the tiny unfurred masses”
Venomfang isn’t happy about the young white in his territory tho so- we’ll see how that goes!
I think my Nezznar’s motivation for leaving the under dark would be an arranged marriage to a known black widow. (a woman who takes pleasure in killing her husbands)
He hates his parents and sister for trying to kill him off, his only knowledge of romance is that it ends in death. Maybe in the third campaign he’ll find love.
What if black spider wants to destroy it, because it's to powerful for anyone? And he doesn't choose how he weill do it, he believes he is doing good.
Do it.
Thanks for the video! I'm confused though. You propose a situation where the party becomes immobilized by spiders to enable a conversation with Nezznar. Clever. But how does the party get out of the webs and defeat Nezznar? You just transitioned to his stats. How does your scenario play out?
Than you. You can only plan Nezznar's actions and even then it might workout. The players figure out how to escape not the Dungeon Master :)
How to D&D: Sure, thats always true but you proposed a specific situation. Certainly, you also have ideas of different options or ways that players might come up with to escape. Or was your intention just to propose a situation where everyone dies? 😔
@@douglasequils7437 They have spells and skills, there are many options.
He could attempt to enlist (coerce) them to fight the wraith guarding the forge of spells for him
@@nathanielroach4863 thats what i thought. Web then knock them out with spider venom. When they wake up their equipment is sitting in the corner and they are tied up. He offers them an ultimatum to help him or die. He also offers them a treasure trove of magical items found in the store room once they finish helping him (all lies). Once they agree he leaves and a goblin unties them.
Thanks 🙏
You are welcome 😊
getting ready to dm this, ill probably channel Thulsa Doom when roleplaying Nezznar. :)
Sounds fun.
27 hp for the last boss, in a adventure designed for 4-5 people?? What were they thinking?
I think the designer's intended it to be very easy.
Great video
Thank you very much.
I’m just looking at Nezznar’s stat block in my DM booklet and near the end of this video and apparently Nezznar doesn’t speak Common, lol. Probably an oversight.
LMOP has to be played below the creatures' capabilities or the party is screwed.
If they are new players then character death and TPK's are very likely at some points. For experienced players, they will be fine.
19:27 Wait, this jerk doesn't even speak common! How do they expect him to interrogate the PCs?
A bit silly right. You could have Nezznar select the spell Tongues the next day.
I'd maybe have him speak elvish if their is an elf in the party. Otherwise I'd just have him speak common, the players dont see the stat block.
Magic Brian!
My party stole Dave grohl's crown 😂
What is the Wrath's or Spirit's name that controls the undead in Wave Echo Cave?
Mormesk.