u/ToxicToader

Here are some ways I am customizing my campaign to make it better for my players (at least I hope these will)…

The hook - one of my players inherits a house and mining rights in Phandalin.  I believe this will get my players more invested in preserving the town.

1. The player inherits the house from an uncle killed by an orc while mining.  This hopefully will convey the danger of the “stirred up” orcs due to being misplaced by Cryovain.
2. Harbin Wester tricks the characters (hopefully) into signing a contract for a deed transfer fee but then gives them quests to make the gold to pay it off.  The quests are originally designed to bolster the town against the threat of the orcs (while lining Harbin's pockets with more gold).  For example, convince the two dwarfs to return to operate the smithey for creating weapons.
3. Harbin is accessible to the party vs. hidden behind a locked door.  He does have a very large body guard however…
4. After the first few quests, Cryovain flies into town and drops a huge cauldron.  He demands that the town fill the cauldron with gold / treasure by the next full moon.  I believe this will open up multiple choices for the party:
   1. Raise the gold to pay off Cryovain through mining and exploration.  This could set off a nice confrontation with Harbin as to how much gold he has.
   2. Setup a trap for Cryovain once he returns (and the party has grown stronger)
   3. Attempt to find Cryovain’s lair and surprise him there
   4. Attempt to flee the town
   5. Work out a deal with Cryovain to get vengeance on the frost giants that originally imprisoned him in exchange for sparing the town.

 My group just arrived at Phandalin so I’m looking forward to running this adventure!