Beginners 5e D&D Game - Phandalin Open Campaign

Campaign Notes
PCs are adventurers and explorers recently arrived at the frontier mining village of Phandalin, in the foothills of the Sword Mountains...

PCs
***All New PCs start at 1st level***
PCs may participate in a session of their Tier (1-4, 5-10, 11-16, 17-20). With GM's permission a PC may participate in a higher Tier session. The management takes no responsibility for the outcome. :D

Character Attributes: Use one of:
1. A Pregenerated PC,
2. The Default Array 15 14 13 12 10 8,
3. Standard Point Buy

Feats are not permitted. Multiclassing is not permitted.

Permitted Sources are the Player's Handbook, Xanathar's Guide to Everything, and the Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide. 3rd party materials & Unearthed Arcana are generally not permitted, but you can ask the GM and provide a copy of requested materials.

The Tier System
(a) All new PCs start at 1st level and sessions are gated by tier, eg a Tier II game session requires level 5-10 PCs.
(b) You can make a new level 1 PC to play in a Tier I game.
(c) With GM's permission a PC may participate in a session of higher Tier.

Tier  PC Level
I         1-4
II        5-10
III       6-16
IV      17-20

Resting:
A long rest takes about 7 days in the wilderness or poor accommodation, or 4 days at a good Inn.
A short rest takes about an hour. Any one Short Rest ability (eg Ki, Action Surge) may be recharged a maximum of 3 times per day.

Downtime:
Game time progresses roughly in line with real time, thus some down time will be available for use by PCs, eg for crafting, training or carousing. A skilled crafter can create 5gp worth of goods, or 25 gp worth of magical goods, per day of crafting. Working to commission, a skilled crafter living modestly can typically make a net profit of around 0.5gp per work-day, 3.5gp per Tenday (assuming 3 days of rest every 10 days), and 10gp per month (assuming 1 holiday per month).
Please bring any rules (DMG or Xanathar's) you'd like to refer to for more complex activities. 

Neverwinter - Phandalin Region

Phandalin
The frontier town of Phandalin (fan-duh-lin) is built on the ruins of a much older settlement. Hundreds of years ago, the old Phandalin was a thriving human town whose people were firmly allied with the dwarves and gnomes of the Phandelver's Pact. However, the same orc horde that sacked the mines at Wave Echo Cave laid waste to the settlement, and Phandalin was abandoned for centuries.

In the last twenty years (ca 1470 DR+), hardy settlers from the cities of Neverwinter and Waterdeep have begun the hard work of reclaiming the ruins of Phandalin. A bustling frontier settlement has grown up on the site of the old town, and is how now to farmers, woodcutters, fur traders, and prospectors drawn by stories of gold and platinum in the foothills of the Sword Mountains. Unfortunately, more than a few bandits and brigands have settled here as well, taking advantage of the fact that the area has no local lord or authority to chase them off. A gang known as the Redbrands has controlled Phandalin for the past few months, extorting and bullying everyone in town. The gang is led by a mysterious figure known to the townsfolk as Glassstaff.

Locations

Elsa the barmaid, Stonehill Inn

Stonehill Inn
A modest inn that run by a short, friendly young human male named Toblen Stonehill. Toblen came from Yartar west along the Triboar, seeking the opportunity in prospecting like many others. He soon found that he knew more about running an inn than mining, and so he established the inn.
Locals commonly found here include old farmer Narth, Elsa the gossipy barmaid, Lanar the miner, Trilena Stonehill Toblen's wife, Pip Stonehill the young (9 yrs) son of Toblen & Trilena, and Freda the weaver. Adventurers currently staying here include Anaveth, a Silverstar Priestess of Selune.

Toblen Stonehill

Trilena Stonehill

Elmar Barthen

Barthen's Provisions
The biggest trading post in Phandalin, staying open from sunup to sundown. Run by a lean and balding, middle-aged man with a kindly manner, Elmar Barthen.

Edermath Orchard
An orchard field with a simple cottage of a silver-haired half-elf named Daran Edermath. Daran was a retired marshal in the lands of the Dragon Coast. When he retired, he returned to the Neverwinter region which was his original home.

Lionshield Coster

Linene Graywind

A weapons and armor supplier owned by the Lionshield Coster. The master of this post is a sharp-minded (and oft sharp-tongued) woman named Linene Graywind. She is unmarried.

Halia Thornton

Phandalin Miner's Exchange
A trading post where miners have their finds weighed and paid out. The townsmaster's records are kept here. The exchange was run by an ambitious and calculating human woman named Halia Thornton, rumoured to have underworld connections.

Alderleaf Farm
A simple farm run by a wise female halfling named Qelline Alderleaf. She was long-time friends with the druid, Reidoth.

Sister Garaele, Priestess of Tymora

Shrine of Luck
A small shrine made of stone from the ruins and is Phandalin's only temple, dedicated to Tymora. It is in the care of a zealous young elf and member of the Harpers, Sister Garaele.

The Sleeping Giant
A rundown, dirty, and dangerous watering hole. It is known for being frequented by the bandit group the Redbrands. It is operated by a surly female dwarf named Grista.

Townmaster's Hall
A small building that works as the town's council building. It also houses a small, but serviceable jail in the cellar. It is run by the townsmaster, Harbin Wester.

Tresendar Manor
More of a castle than a manor, it is an ancient building that was abandoned after the orc raids of 951 DR. The cellars have been turned into the hideout of the Redbrands. The cellars once served as a safe haven when the estate was attacked. It also served as a resting place for the deceased members of the Tresendar Family.

Notable People of Phandalin
Harbin Wester, cowardly human Townmaster of Phandalin
Sister Garaele, resident young elf Tymora priestess in Phandalin. Acolyte, level 1 Cleric spells.
Halia Thornton, human Mistress of the Miner's Exchange
Daran Edermath, Retired half-elf Adventurer
Linene Graywind, human owner of the Lionshield Coster
Mirna Dendrar, local human woman, survivor of the disaster that ruined Thundertree. Missing.
Qelline Alderleaf, a Halfling farmer of the town.
Anaveth of Waterdeep, adventuring half-elf Silverstar priestess of Selune (VGTM Bard, no armour prof, add mage armour & cure wounds), on an unknown mission.
Glasstaff, leader of the Redbrand Ruffians at Tresendar Manor. Believed to be a wizard.

Anaveth, half-elf Silverstar Priestess of Selune

Harbin Wester

Glasstaff, leader of the Redbrands 'adventurers'.

The Sword Coast

Major Factions of the Heartlands

Harpers – A scattered network of spellcasters and spies who advocate equality and covertly oppose the abuse of power. The organization is benevolent, knowledgeable, and secretive.

Order of the Gauntlet – Composed of faithful and vigilant seekers of justice who protect others from the depredations of evildoers. The organization is honorable, vigilant, and zealous.

Emerald Enclave – A widespread group of wilderness survivalists who preserve the natural order while rooting out unnatural threats. The organization is decentralized, hardy, and reclusive.

Lord’s Alliance – A loose coalition of established political powers concerned with mutual security and prosperity. The organization is aggressive, militant, and political.

Zhentarim – An unscrupulous shadow network that seeks to expand its influence and power throughout Faerûn. The organization is ambitious, opportunistic, and meritocratic.

Magic Items available in Neverwinter, ca 1491 DR

Cloak of Billowing - 200gp
Gloves of Swimming and Climbing - 1000gp
Goggles of Night - 1000gp
Wand of Magic Detection - 1000gp
Bag of Holding - 2000gp
+1 Shield - 2000gp
+1 Weapon  - 2000gp 
Ring of Mind Shielding - 2000gp
Ring of Swimming - 2000gp
Ring of Warmth - 2000gp
+1 studded leather armour - 5000gp
+1 half plate armour - 5500gp
+1 full plate armour - 7500gp

Potions & Consumables
Potion of Healing - 50gp 
Perfume of Bewitchment - 50gp/dose 
Potion of Climbing  - 75gp 
Potion of Animal Friendship - 100gp
Potion of Greater Healing - 100gp
Potion of Water Breathing - 100gp
Potion of Growth - 250gp
Potion of Hill Giant Strength - 250gp 
Keoghtom’s Ointment (5 doses) - 500gp
Potion of Superior Healing - 500gp

Spell Scroll
cantrip 25gp
level 1 75gp
level 2 150gp
level 3 300gp
level 4 500gp
level 5 1000gp

House Rules - COMBAT

The following use up half a character's movement: 

1. Standing from prone (as per RAW)

2. Mounting or dismounting a mount (as per RAW)
3. Picking up an object from the floor and standing back up

The following incur opportunity attacks if done adjacent to enemy: 
1. Standing from prone

2. Picking up an object (such as a dropped weapon) from the floor and standing back up
3. Drawing a bow, or loading a crossbow

Grappled Casting: A character who is grappling another may use their Reaction to attempt to disrupt a spell cast by the one grappled. Roll an Athletics check for the grappler. The one who attempts to cast a spell while Grappled must then make a concentration check CON save at DC = the Athletics check result, or else lose the spell. If  Grappled & Prone, the save is with Disadvantage.

Classes
Rogues may Sneak Attack with any light melee weapon, eg a sap or hand axe.

Adventurers at the Cragmaw Caves, Spring 1484 DR

Spring 1484 DR: Glorious Victory Over a Ghoul.