D&D 's Going To The Barrier Peaks

  • D&D's Going To The Barrier Peaks

    by
    gyor

    1. Read more about:
    2. Dungeons & Dragons
    Thursday, 13th September, 2018 09:52 AM
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    WotC is preparing a D&D adventure set in the Barrier Peaks, which will appear in in their online magazine Dragon+ and on the DMs Guild. Profits from the adventure will go to the charity Extra Life.




    Expedition to the Barrier Peaks was a science-fantasy AD&D 1st Edition adventure by Gary Gygax, and appeared back in 1980 (at least that was the publishing date -- it appeared at conventions before then). The setting was a crashed spaceship, filled with robots, blaster rifles, and more. Other critters included a froghemoth and a karate robot. Interestingly, it's also Stephen Colbert's favourite D&D adventure.

    "Extra Life is a charity organization D&D has been happy to be involved with since 2013, where gamers stream themselves playing together with the express purpose of driving donations to the Children's Hospitals Network. Last year, the D&D team added several projects to the DMs Guild in support of Extra Life. Now for 2018, we’re working on a special Dragon+ adventure scenario for the DMs Guild, which takes place in the Barrier Peaks."

    They're asking for fan-submitted Barrier Peak rumours here. "This time, we’re asking for rumors regarding the famed Barrier Peaks. Who can say what’s true or false, but what strange rumors circulate around local taverns about these mysterious mountains (in 150 words or less)?"

    Back in 2006, WotC released a d20 Modern conversion called Return Expedition to the Barrier Peaks in the form of an article.

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    Comments 44 Comments
    1. Prakriti's Avatar
      Prakriti - Thursday, 13th September, 2018, 01:52 AM
      "In prior community polls, we’ve asked for your thoughts on elemental trinkets, things carried in a giant’s bag, and unusual lich phylacteries."

      In other words, "we've asked you for your thoughts on previously upcoming adventures (PotA, SKT, and ToA)."

      The question is, will the forthcoming book be a compilation of classic modules a la Tales from the Yawning Portal or a fleshed-out, updated version of a classic module a la Curse of Strahd?
    1. Parmandur's Avatar
      Parmandur - Thursday, 13th September, 2018, 02:02 AM
      Why not both? Wizards published the Against the Giants modules in TftYP within nine months of SKT...
    1. Jester David's Avatar
      Jester David - Thursday, 13th September, 2018, 03:12 AM
      It literally says "we’re working on a special Dragon+ adventure scenario for the DMs Guild". So neither.

      Which makes sense, as EttBP is iconic enough to be updated somewhere, but is pretty weird and niche and unlikely to be a full storyline with minis and Neverwinter expansion. It's pretty divisive. Having a cheap PDF update that's PoD would satisfy most.
    1. Parmandur's Avatar
      Parmandur - Thursday, 13th September, 2018, 03:23 AM
      Quote Originally Posted by Jester David View Post
      It literally says "we’re working on a special Dragon+ adventure scenario for the DMs Guild". So neither.

      Which makes sense, as EttBP is iconic enough to be updated somewhere, but is pretty weird and niche and unlikely to be a full storyline with minis and Neverwinter expansion. It's pretty divisive. Having a cheap PDF update that's PoD would satisfy most.
      Still, hardly mutually exclusive with either option. EBP monsters we're prominently features in Volo's Guide and ToA, with ToA laying some plot hooks for the Expedition itself. I could easily see it being a chapter in another anthology, and/or a component in a full AP.
    1. Jester David's Avatar
      Jester David - Thursday, 13th September, 2018, 04:14 AM
      Quote Originally Posted by Parmandur View Post
      Still, hardly mutually exclusive with either option. EBP monsters we're prominently features in Volo's Guide and ToA, with ToA laying some plot hooks for the Expedition itself. I could easily see it being a chapter in another anthology, and/or a component in a full AP.
      Absolutely.
      Or it could be just what it seems: a DMsGuild adventure for charity.

      I wouldn't be surprised to see it in an anthology. And rather expect one in the spring. But let's not get ahead of ourselves here.
    1. Elfcrusher's Avatar
      Elfcrusher - Thursday, 13th September, 2018, 04:24 AM
      Remember how the Ravnica hints were, in hindsight, very specific and explicit, but still got totally distorted and misinterpreted by the wishful-thinkers?
    1. Parmandur's Avatar
      Parmandur - Thursday, 13th September, 2018, 05:00 AM
      Quote Originally Posted by Jester David View Post
      Absolutely.
      Or it could be just what it seems: a DMsGuild adventure for charity.

      I wouldn't be surprised to see it in an anthology. And rather expect one in the spring. But let's not get ahead of ourselves here.
      Where's the fun in that?
    1. Elfcrusher's Avatar
      Elfcrusher - Thursday, 13th September, 2018, 06:53 AM
      So...can a Kensai monk choose Laser Rifle as a weapon?
    1. Paul Farquhar's Avatar
      Paul Farquhar - Thursday, 13th September, 2018, 06:56 AM
      No, laser rifle is heavy. They would have to choose laser pistol.
    1. Henry's Avatar
      Henry - Thursday, 13th September, 2018, 11:22 AM
      ...aaall RIIIGHT!!!

      This used to be one of my favorites, too. It had a few problems, design-wise, but it absolutely kept my various players guessing.

      Spoiler:
      I hope they PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE still keep in the paralysis pistol... (evil laughter)
    1. LuisCarlos17f's Avatar
      LuisCarlos17f - Thursday, 13th September, 2018, 12:32 PM
      I guess it's like a playtest of high-tech in a fantasy setting with a right level of power. Do remember a simple level 1 goblin riding a exo-suit may be a nightmare for the players. How should be the XP reward when the PC can kill all an horde of zombies because he found a RPG (Rocket-propelled grenade) in a crashed alien ship (whose origin is a mixture of the background of the games Star*Drive and Eclipse Phase).
    1. jasper's Avatar
      jasper - Thursday, 13th September, 2018, 01:40 PM
      Well we know they are going to nerf the instant death if you fail and have the laser pistol pointed at your head chart. For those who don't know, a couple of charts existed which allow you figure out the weapon. Roll badly and you shot yourself.
      Ok I remember vegypymies, wolf in sheep clothing, but that is all I remember of new monsters introduce to 1E. What am I missing?
    1. Reynard - Thursday, 13th September, 2018, 01:43 PM
      Quote Originally Posted by LuisCarlos17f View Post
      I guess it's like a playtest of high-tech in a fantasy setting with a right level of power. Do remember a simple level 1 goblin riding a exo-suit may be a nightmare for the players. How should be the XP reward when the PC can kill all an horde of zombies because he found a RPG (Rocket-propelled grenade) in a crashed alien ship (whose origin is a mixture of the background of the games Star*Drive and Eclipse Phase).
      If there is a limited number of shots that can never be replenished, I say full XP.

      I for one am excited by this prospect.
    1. Rhineglade's Avatar
      Rhineglade - Thursday, 13th September, 2018, 02:17 PM
      Love this! I have so many fond memories of playing through this adventure as a kid. A crashed spaceship on the fantasy World of Greyhawk? Ingenious! Lots of comedy bits thrown around too for added fun. What character wouldn't want to get their hands on one of the laser pistols and start blasting away?
    1. Henry's Avatar
      Henry - Thursday, 13th September, 2018, 03:22 PM
      Quote Originally Posted by jasper View Post
      Well we know they are going to nerf the instant death if you fail and have the laser pistol pointed at your head chart. For those who don't know, a couple of charts existed which allow you figure out the weapon. Roll badly and you shot yourself.
      Ok I remember vegypymies, wolf in sheep clothing, but that is all I remember of new monsters introduce to 1E. What am I missing?
      Spoiler:
      The Froghemoth was introduced in Barrier Peaks, too.
    1. GrayLinnorm's Avatar
      GrayLinnorm - Thursday, 13th September, 2018, 03:40 PM
      One word: Tiraphegs.
    1. Ralif Redhammer's Avatar
      Ralif Redhammer - Thursday, 13th September, 2018, 04:36 PM
      Oh, those tiraphegs. They were so weird-looking that the party face, when the PCs first encountered them, could only manage a “Hello?” rather than his usual flowery speech. We teased him for months about that.

      I will say that Barrier Peaks would make for a heck of a campaign-sized module and corresponding AL season. But the only way I could imagine it not being total (possibly balance-wrecking) insanity would be if they changed it from a spaceship to a Spelljammer ship.

      Quote Originally Posted by GrayLinnorm View Post
      One word: Tiraphegs.
    1. RobJN's Avatar
      RobJN - Thursday, 13th September, 2018, 05:26 PM
      I'm surprised they didn't mash it together with DA 3: City of the Gods and transplant it to some corner of the Forgotten Realms....
    1. TwoSix - Thursday, 13th September, 2018, 05:50 PM
      I wonder what section of the Realms this will be in?
    1. Parmandur's Avatar
      Parmandur - Thursday, 13th September, 2018, 05:55 PM
      Quote Originally Posted by RobJN View Post
      I'm surprised they didn't mash it together with DA 3: City of the Gods and transplant it to some corner of the Forgotten Realms....
      Throw in Spelljamming and Gates to Firestorm Peak, and I think that would be a fair guess at a future product.
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