To help kick off The Lost Mines of Phandelver, the letters on the
following pages invite your players to their initial adventure hook and seed
motivations from their background of choice from the Pre-generated
Character Sheets included in Lost Mines of Phandelver.
Be sure to also include the personal goals handout, too! All this content can
be found on at https://occamsrustedrazor.itch.io
Acolyte - Pg 2
Folk Hero - Pg 3
Noble - Pg 4
Sage - Pg 5
Soldier- Pg 6
Criminal- Pg 7
Good luck on your journeys!
Occam’s Rusted Razor
Lost Mines of Phandelver and it’s related content is Copyright Wizards of the Coast.
My good friend,
I hope this letter finds you in Oghma’s good graces and that Oghma’s knowledge
flows ever through you.
I need to ask an urgent favor of you. I have a wagon heading south to Phandalin
with a load of supplies. I’d like you to help escort that wagon safely to Phandalin. 10
gold pieces await you at Barthen’s Provisions for thanks of your services.
Beyond the importance of this wagon, I believe Sister Garaele could use your
counsel and Oghma’s guidance.
I have sent letters to several other trusted friends. If all goes well, you will be
far from alone. I can vouch for each of them. As you know, my friendship is not
easily earned. I wish I could go into more detail, but I can assure you, I have found
something big! I’ve arranged for you all to meet at the southern gate in
Neverwinter on the twenty-fourth day of The Melting at midday. The stable
master has his instructions. Show him this letter with my signature and you will
brought up to speed.
Sildar and I have gone ahead and will meet you in Phandalin. There I will explain!
It is too important to entrust to letters and couriers.
GUNDREN ROCKSEEKER
My friend,
I know you are restless working at the docks, and as promised if I had an
opportunity to alleviate you from such thankless work, I would write to you. I hope
the courier finds you in time and good health.
I have a wagon heading south to Phandalin with a load of supplies. I’d like you to
escort that wagon safely to Phandalin. 10 gold pieces await you at Barthen’s
Provisions for thanks of your services. I know this is a dock worker’s year’s
earnings and I hope this gesture secures your interest..
I have sent letters to several other trusted friends, including another dockhand
that you may or may not be familiar with. If all goes well, you will be far from
alone. I can vouch for each of them. As you know, my friendship is not easily
earned. I wish I could go into more detail, but I can assure you, I have found
something big! I’ve arranged for you all to meet at the southern gate in
Neverwinter on the twenty-fourth day of The Melting at midday. The stable
master has his instructions. Show him this letter with my signature and you will
brought up to speed.
Sildar and I have gone ahead and will meet you Phandalin. There I will explain! It
is too important to entrust to letters.
GUNDREN ROCKSEEKER
Sire,
I have a request of utmost importance that requires your attention. Gundren Rockseeker, a dear friend of mine, has tasked
myself and the Lord’s Alliance with stabilizing the old mining and farming town of Phandalin. The old Tresendar
Manor stands in disrepair and houses what I believe to be some kind criminal activity. Without a noble occupying the old
castle, rebuilding it to former glory and hiring the local populations, I will be hard pressed to bring any civility or stability
back to the region.
As we know Corlinn Hill was destroyed, I offer this Tresendar Manor to you in exchange for assisting in the
escort of a wagon full of supplies to Barthan’s Provisions in Phandalin and the removal of any criminal activity
residing there. Gundren Rockseeker has assembled a team of allies himself but allowed me to add one of my own choosing. I
ask that you join them. Everyone is to meet at the southern gate in Neverwinter on the twenty-fourth day of The Melting at
midday. The stable master has his instructions. Show him this letter with my signature and he will get you on your way.
Barthan is authorized to provide10 gold pieces to each upon delivery of the wagon, though I’m sure the Manor will
be your true motivation. Be careful. The roads are likely not safe in the frontier lands.
Gundren has discovered something big.Very big. Certainly larger and more important than Tresendar even.
Unfortunately we cannot trust the details to couriers. Gundren and I will fill everyone in when you arrive.
Strength in Unity,
Sildar Hallwinter
My good friend,
A little wyvern whispered in my ear that you would find yourself in
Neverwinter. I hope the courier finds you in time.
I need to ask an urgent favor of you. I have a wagon heading south to
Phandalin with a load of supplies. I’d like you to escort that wagon safely to
Phandalin. 10 gold pieces await you at Barthen’s Provisions for thanks of
your services.
I have sent letters to several other trusted friends. If all goes well, you
will be far from alone. I can vouch for each of them. As you know, my
friendship is not easily earned. I wish I could go into more detail, but I can
assure you, I have found something big! I’ve arranged for you all to meet
at the southern gate in Neverwinter on the twenty-fourth day of The
Melting at midday. The stable master has his instructions. Show him this
letter with my signature and you will brought up to speed.
Sildar and I have gone ahead and will meet you in Phandalin. There I will
explain! It is too important to entrust to letters and couriers.
GUNDREN ROCKSEEKER
Friend,
I heard you were recently suspended from duty for following your conscience. I
commend you. I’ve heard unfortunate rumors from the Neverwinter Guard. I’m glad
you do not fall victim to such hubris.
I need to ask a favor of you. I have a wagon heading south to Phandalin with a load
of supplies. I’d like you to escort that wagon safely to Phandalin. As I’m sure you’ve
heard, there is mercenary activity in town as well. The caravan could use your
expertise..
10 gold pieces await you at Barthen’s Provisions for thanks of your services.
I have sent letters to several other trusted friends. If all goes well, you will be
far from alone. I can vouch for each of them. As you know, my friendship is not
easily earned. I wish I could go into more detail, but I can assure you, I have found
something big! I’ve arranged for you all to meet at the southern gate in
Neverwinter on the twenty-fourth day of The Melting at midday. The stable
master has his instructions. Show him this letter with my signature and you will
brought up to speed.
Sildar and I have gone ahead and will meet you Phandalin. There I will explain! It
is too important to entrust to letters.
GUNDREN ROCKSEEKER
It’s been a while. I hope you’re doing well.
I know we haven’t always been on the best terms, but I have a job offer for you,
and it may also help you in your goals. I have a cart heading to Phandalin and it
could use your escort. Since you’re familiar with the Redbrand’s tactics you are
uniquely suited to help.
Although you still owe me that favor, there will also be 10 gold pieces waiting you in
Barthens Provisions upon delivery.
I have enlisted others to help in this so you wont be alone on the trip. Try to get
along with them,. This could be a perfect opportunity to take care of your
business especially if you can convince the others to help. The Redbrands have
caused issues for me, so I see no reason to stand in your way.
I wish I could go into more detail, but I can assure you, I have found something big
and you can be a part of that. I’ve arranged for you all to meet at the southern
gate in Neverwinter on the twenty-fourth day of The Melting at midday. The
stable master has his instructions. Show him this letter with my signature and
you will brought up to speed.
Sildar and I have gone ahead and will meet you Phandalin. There I will explain! It
is too important to entrust to letters.
GUNDREN ROCKSEEKER
