Novice DM looking for module recommendation for novice group. The ignorance is real.

[Spaceman]

Joined a group of coworkers interested in starting a D&D 5e game, only to find most have no RPG experience, and the couple who did have minimal D&D experience didn't want to DM. I've been playing Pathfinder for a couple of years, so I manned up and volunteered. Now I am first-time DM'ing for a system I've never played for a party of seven beginners.

Help me.

I have access to the three core books, so I'm good on basic rules. What I really need is a good module or adventure to ease my burden. Ideally designed for characters starting at level 1 and relatively short, any suggestions would need to keep the hilarious noobness of this group in mind. Finally, while I'm not opposed to spending cash for a quality product, I don't want to invest too much in case the group decides they don't like the game in general. I'm aware of the starter kit, but hesitant to use that as the people in the group with D&D experience already played through it (although if people think it's worth it I'll request they run it again for the sake of the group).

[Shining Wrath]

Lost Mines of Phandelver, came in the starter box set. It'll get you through level 5, more or less. It's pretty lethal so you'll want a party of at least 4 (or exercise your DM nerf powers).

[Squeak]

To be honest the Starter Kit would have been your best bet if some player's hadn't played it before.


You could check this site;

http://merricb.com/dungeons-dragons-5e/the-great-list-of-dd-5e-adventures/

for a list of 5e adventures and reviews. There are some free ones linked there as well.


Some additional links can be found in the first reply here:

http://rpg.stackexchange.com/questions/41866/free-basic-rules-only-adventure-to-showcase-dd-5e

[manny2510]

Honestly I hate lost mines with my entire being. That being said google kobold fight club and donjon.

[Spaceman]

Good stuff. I'll check with my players to see if they're willing to run the starter kit again. Also open to any other module suggestions. The more DM resources included, the better. I've got less than a week to learn how to DM and put together the first session, so I don't have a lot of time to create maps or build NPCs or monsters.

[Astovidas]

Good stuff. I'll check with my players to see if they're willing to run the starter kit again.

Why do you say *again* if they have no RPG experience? Did they already run this adventure?

I have run LMOP twice now with two different groups and I have to say, that it is a decent adventure, but not too interesting if you don't change things up a bit. It can be a bit bland at times.
You start as caravan guards and guard mining supplies (food, tools, torches, ... (really? not that heroic...) and get ambushed by goblins (what a surprise). The main town (Phandalin) has a lot of NPC with not a lot to describe them, but tons of quests. every one you talk to gives you another quest.. and the BBEG doesn't really have an interesting motive, except *uh, shinies*. hat being said, there is a lot you could do with it (Doppelgänger and other cool stuff) but it is difficult for a new DM with only one week.

This seems a bit too hard, you can have a lot of fun. so if your players are fine with this and you can get your hands on it, then you can run the first part of the adventure and if you're happy, then go with it. it gives you material for several sessions. I had with both groups more than half a year, but we could not meet us that often.

Another option would be the encounters modules. They are really short (they are designed to be played in one session), maps are included and are easy to run imho. however, afaik they aren't available anywhere officially. but if you could get your hands on them, they could be interesting.

The site http://merricb.com/dungeons-dragons-5e/the-great-list-of-dd-5e-adventures/ is really a good suggestion by Squeak.
I wanted to suggest Bandit's Nest, since it was for free a while ago, but now it seems to be $2.99:
http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/147031/Bandits-Nest?affiliate_id-8220
I had the chance to grab it and it is of a very good quality.

Wanted seems to be very nice as well and these are very short adventures, but I haven't had the chance to read it yet:
http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/138684/Wanted?affiliate_id=8220

Sorry for the long post.. but I hope it helps..