After trying to use an old monitor as a game board issues arose such as poor view at certain angles and being too small I obtained a projector in the amazon sale (Magicube). This was installed above the table and linked to a laptop via a long HDMI cable. Using this and DnD beyond I was able to run our latest session. I printed a bracket for this using the Bambu printer.
I have created the campaign using Obsidian. From there I can move images such as maps onto the laptop’s second screen (the projector). For the most part for combat and dungeon exploration I used the battle maps loaded onto the DndD beyond VTT.
Using the VTT I was able to have the main DM map on laptop and project the player version with Fog of War. On the DM map I was able to prepare all the monsters/ encounters ahead of time and then select them into the battle as required.
We then put physical miniatures onto the maps. I kept the counters for the monsters and used that to track HPs, initiative and open up their Monster Sheets with their abilities which worked well.
The room has to be dark and my adventure book is a physical version so I had a small reading lamp for that and we used physical dice mostly which we could see using the lamp or on the battlemap.
This worked really well and we had a great session.
After surviving the perils of the Triboar Trail, Korrath and his steadfast companion Brightblade finally arrived in the frontier town of Phandalin, travelling aboard Gundren Rockseeker’s oxcart. Though weary from the road, they wasted little time in fulfilling the promises they had made.
Their first stop was Barthen’s Provisions, where they delivered Gundren’s long-overdue supplies to Elmina Barthen. Before they could even step through the doorway, however, they found themselves roughly shouldered aside by two swaggering members of the notorious Redbrands. Their arrogant display left little doubt that the gang believed themselves masters of the town. After completing the delivery and receiving Gundren’s payment, Korrath’s opinion of Phandalin’s so-called peace had already begun to sour.
From there the companions travelled to the Lionshield Coster, returning the stolen goods they had recovered from the goblin ambush. Linene Greywind gratefully accepted the recovered cargo and rewarded them for their honesty and courage. During their conversation they learned that the Redbrands were known to gather at the Sleeping Giant Inn, a rough alehouse that served as the gang’s preferred haunt.
With business concluded, Korrath and Brightblade accepted Sildar Hallwinter’s generous offer of lodging at the welcoming Stonehill Inn. There they met the friendly Stonehill family and spent the evening learning more about the troubled town. Beneath the warmth of the inn, it quickly became clear that fear of the Redbrands cast a long shadow over every household.
The following morning the pair visited Sildar at the Townmaster’s Hall. Sildar spoke of Iarno Albrek, the wizard who had vanished after arriving in Phandalin, along with several other concerns that hinted at darker forces moving behind the scenes.
Determined to learn more, they travelled to the nearby orchard to meet Daran Edermath, the retired adventurer whose sharp eyes missed little. Impressed by Korrath’s sense of justice, Daran promised to sponsor him for membership of the Order of the Gauntlet if he could rid Phandalin of the Redbrand menace and uncover whoever truly commanded them.
Those words stirred something deep within Korrath. Outrage at the gang’s tyranny hardened into resolve.
Without delay he marched to the Sleeping Giant Inn, where he confronted the Redbrands openly. Steel was drawn, blows were exchanged, and the confrontation confirmed what Korrath had already suspected: the gang operated from the long-abandoned Tresendar Manor overlooking the town.
After speaking with concerned townsfolk, including Harbin Wester, Sildar Hallwinter, and members of the Stonehill family who had gathered to investigate the disturbance, Korrath set out immediately for the manor.
Searching its ruined cellars, he uncovered a concealed passage leading into the Redbrands’ hidden stronghold. There, lurking in the darkness, dwelt a strange and dangerous Nothic. Rather than rushing headlong into battle, Korrath chose diplomacy. Through careful negotiation he convinced the twisted creature to grant safe passage, avoiding what could have been a deadly confrontation.
Within the hideout, Korrath and Brightblade proved relentless. They swept through the Redbrand ranks, defeated their bugbear allies, and rescued a miserable goblin who had suffered constant abuse at the hands of his supposed comrades.
Honouring his bargain with the Nothic, Korrath later supplied the creature with ample “fresh meat” from the fallen Redbrands. In return, the creature revealed the location of a hidden cache containing the magical longsword Talon, a weapon worthy of a true champion.
Armed with this knowledge, the companions tracked down the mysterious Glasstaff in his private library. Before the wizard could escape or unleash his magic, Korrath acted swiftly, overpowering him and taking him alive. With Glasstaff bound as their prisoner, the remaining Redbrands lost both their confidence and their leadership.
Rather than pressing deeper into unnecessary danger, Korrath wisely used his captive to secure safe passage through the remaining sections of the hideout. In doing so, he was able to rescue the imprisoned Dendrar family, avoiding many of the deadly traps and remaining foes that still lay ahead.
Notable Achievements
Delivered Gundren’s supplies to Barthen’s Provisions.
Returned the Lionshield cargo and earned Linene Greywind’s reward.
Earned the respect of Daran Edermath.
Received the promise of sponsorship into the Order of the Gauntlet.
Defeated the Redbrands within Tresendar Manor.
Negotiated peacefully with the Nothic.
Defeated the bugbears.
Rescued an abused goblin.
Captured Glasstaff alive.
Rescued the Dendrar family.
Claimed the magical longsword Talon.
Threads Yet to Unravel
Although the Redbrands have been broken, many questions remain unanswered.
Who truly commanded Glasstaff?
What became of Gundren Rockseeker?
Where does the mysterious Black Spider fit into these events?
Will Korrath prove worthy of joining the Order of the Gauntlet?
The roads around Phandalin remain dangerous, and greater adventures surely await beyond the town’s borders.
Family game with Iz the victor with great strategy of completing many tickets and finishing before others were ready. P even with longest route could not catch up.
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