Everyone dedicates 100% of their time and resources either working on rebuilding the damage from the catastrophe or guarding those who are working.
In the ruined city of Neverwinter where your players are from, there isn't a lot of fun to be had.The default hook of the book is weak, but super easy to present it in a way that will make your players care enough to continue the adventure: It is up to you as the DM to give the players a reason to be in Phandalin. There aren't any evil cults, there's not any money to be made, there's no deep dark secrets. The Hook: Let's just cut to the chase: there is nothing to do in Phandalin. There's not much here to attract outside attention. The town isn't situated in the most secure area, being as near to the Sword Mountains and the Neverwinter Woods as it is, but the townspeople know how to fend for themselves! There are no guards, and sometimes shady people are spotted around town, but Phandalin folk can take care of themselves. Nobody here is making it rich, but they're making it! It was once a great mining town a few hundred years ago, but now it mostly consists of farmers, families, traders, and prospectors. This humble town off the Triboar Trail on the Sword Coast isn't much, but it is our home.
