About this video

• Video Title: How to run the Cragmaw Hideout and Goblin Arrows in LMoP - D&D 5th Edition Starter Set Guide 2
• Channel: Matthew Perkins
• Speakers: Matthew Perkins
• Duration: 00:18:58

Overview

This video provides a comprehensive guide for Dungeon Masters on how to run the "Cragmaw Hideout" and "Goblin Arrows" sections of the Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition Starter Set, "Lost Mines of Phandelver." The presenter offers advice on pacing, NPC motivations, encounter adjustments, and creating engaging player experiences.

Key takeaways

• The Cragmaw Hideout is deadly but can be made fairer: The adventure is notorious for killing characters, but adjustments can be made to balance its difficulty, especially for new players.
• NPCs serve specific purposes: Each Non-Player Character (NPC), from goblins to Klarg and Sildar Hallwinter, has a role in advancing the plot, providing information, or creating specific challenges.
• Encounters should have a purpose: Every combat or interaction in the dungeon should serve a narrative or mechanical goal, and DMs are encouraged to modify them to better fit that purpose.
• Dungeon Running Tips: Key advice includes managing time to avoid ending mid-dungeon, avoiding showing players a full dungeon map until necessary, and paraphrasing boxed text for a more natural delivery.
• Adjusting Encounters: Specific advice is given for each room in the Cragmaw Hideout, including cutting certain encounters, modifying traps, re-envisioning combat scenarios, and adjusting difficulty based on player level.
• Creating Special Player Moments: The video emphasizes the importance of tailoring the experience to individual players, suggesting opportunities for personal story beats and unique interactions.
• Session Endings: The importance of a complete-feeling session that also teases future content is highlighted, with an example of a narrative montage leading into the next part of the campaign.

NPC Breakdown

• Cragmaw Goblins:

  • Purpose: Primary combatants, to be captured and interrogated for information. Also teach players about stealth.
  • Role-playing: Characterized by cowardice and submissiveness, but prone to cruelty and capriciousness. Avoid high-pitched voices; use body language (hunched shoulders, jaw out).
  • Knowledge: Know the Cragmaw Hideout's layout and location. Know Klarg is their leader and the "biggest boy." Don't know the way to Cragmaw Castle, but know Klarg does. Know Klarg received orders to capture a dwarf.
  • Yeemik (Goblin Guard):
    • Role-playing: Similar to other goblins but with confidence and defiance instead of cowardice and submissiveness.
    • Knowledge: Is guarding a prisoner.

• Sildar Hallwinter:

  • Purpose: Primary "info dump." Provides direction and lore if players are unsure.
  • Role-playing: An honorable, noble, brave, and kind old man. The goal is for the party to trust and like him.
  • Actions to foster trust: Give the party something (healing potion, magic item like a cloak). Minimize his burden while injured after rescue.
  • Knowledge: Knows the history of Phandalin, the Lost Mines, and the Forge of Spells. Doesn't know the exact purpose of the puzzle box. Knows his friend Iarno (Glass Staff) is in Phandalin. Unaware Iarno has gone to the "dark side."
  • Goal: To check on Iarno in Phandalin.

• Klarg (Bugbear):

  • Purpose: To be intimidating and add drama. Provides the first hints about Cragmaw Castle, King Grol, and the Black Spider.
  • Role-playing: Play like "evil Seth Rogen."
  • Knowledge: Knows the location of Cragmaw Castle and the identity of King Grol. Knows the dwarf was sent to Cragmaw Castle. Knows King Grol has allied with the Black Spider.
  • Intimidation tactic: Ask players to describe the biggest, strongest person they've ever seen, then state Klarg is bigger and tougher.

• Wolves:

  • Purpose: Act as a test of morality for players and an opportunity for special player moments.
  • Role-playing: They are dogs. Play them as fearfully aggressive, not easily aggressive, to dissuade violence.
  • Actions: Can be treated as a trap if they break chains (one attack on the player in front as they flee). If players rescue and befriend a wolf, it can imprint and help in combat using modified rules (animal handling check for advantage on player's attack).

Next Session Tease (Ending Montage)

The video suggests ending the session with a montage sequence to tease the next part of the campaign, focusing on the themes and characters of Phandalin:

"A day and a night back on the road, kicking up red dust, listening to Sildar stories brings you to an old scarecrow, loose clothes, hanging off a cross, made from an old pitchfork and a pick ax with a sign nailed to its chest, 'Welcome to Phandalin,' it reads. In town, a barkeeper looks into the mirror and washes some blood off his knuckles before applying a salve to his black eye. Elsewhere, a cowardly male hastily closes the shutters of his office, to avoid being seen by some thugs in the street, all dressed in red. And all the while, underground in that deep dark place, the creature with a single great green eye cackled quietly to itself, as it sorts through its collection of bones. It senses your arrival and whispers. 'Welcome to Phandellin.'"