D&D 5E Let's Talk About Yawning Portal

[FormerlyHemlock]

It doesn't have a sphere of annihilation in it. But then, neither did the original. The text of the new one is literally copy-pasted out of the old one, and says that the green face has an effect similar to a sphere of annihilation. If characters step into it they disappear. The end.

Ah, good.

I've actually never run the Tomb of Horrors before, I've only heard the legends, but I'm glad that insta-kills are still in it because it implies that the conversion is willing to put player characters in genuine danger, which is where I find the most fun is*. Looking forward to my copy now.

* There is in my opinion nothing more fun than when a new player, through his own fault, winds up in a situation where the DM says with complete candor, "I think you guys are about to die"--and then somehow they don't! Taking risks and pushing the limits is how you learn the game. Quote from my newest player: "I'm willing to die a few times to learn when to be cautious though." IMO that attitude leads to a fun game.

 

[the Jester]

Yes, gold is perhaps the biggest weakness of 5e.

There simply isn't any coherent thought as to how much you should get, and what you can use it for.

In short: the game desperately needs a magic item creation and pricing system that a) assumes little or no downtime,

That is the exact opposite of what I want, though I agree with your point B.

 

[zaratan]

Got my copy, Yeayy!

First look, is just me or there is a real chance to 4 lvl 15 players kill a demilich (even with trap the soul) before first turn end? 80hp even with 20AC and all resistances doesn't look a match for 3 level 15 players attacking.

 

[robus]

Not got my copy yet (waiting on Amazon)...

But I'm curious if there's any advice on stitching the adventures together into a campaign?

Though I guess this would be good practice on coming up an idea by myself if there isn't!

 

[pukunui]

I'm curious if there's any advice on stitching the adventures together into a campaign?

There is, but there's not a whole lot to it. It's basically just "You meet a randomly generated quest giver at the Yawning Portal who sends you to the next dungeon for reasons of their own."

 

[robus]

There is, but there's not a whole lot to it. It's basically just "You meet a randomly generated quest giver at the Yawning Portal who sends you to the next dungeon for reasons of their own."

Well that's a bit tragic. An obvious idea would be a McGuffin that has been stored in the ToH and the PCs have to unravel the mystery of its final resting place by following clues located in each of the other dungeons...

 

[Patrick McGill]

Well that's a bit tragic. An obvious idea would be a McGuffin that has been stored in the ToH and the PCs have to unravel the mystery of its final resting place by following clues located in each of the other dungeons...

Perhaps a... roddish thing... of multiple parts?

 

[pukunui]

Well that's a bit tragic.

Indeed. As I may have said here (or perhaps it was elsewhere) already, I think the Yawning Portal would've worked better as framing device for an actual Undermountain book. The section on the inn even talks about the cost of going down the well and how you have to either prepay or send your money in a bucket first before Durnan will let you come back up ... and yet none of the adventures contained in the book have anything to do with Undermountain at all. It's not like you have to descend into Undermountain to find portals to these other dungeons or something. It's a wasted opportunity, really. If they ever *do* get around to doing an Undermountain campaign, I wouldn't be surprised if they just copy/paste the YP parts from this book.

I understand that the dragon hoard is valuable, but other tresure spread across the dungeon are also copy-pasted instead of adapted?

I did not check every single bit of treasure, but the ones I did look at in both Sunless Citadel and Forge of Fury were either identical or very close to the originals. These early adventures at least will definitely come across as real Monty Haul adventures compared to the new 5e ones.

 

[LordEntrails]

...
Since WotC haven't yet conceded their encounter guidelines can't challenge seasoned veterans for shots, there was no reason to expect any deadliness out of the module. ...

All you have to do is realize that the encounter guidelines in the DMG are not intended for seasoned veterans. They are for new players and new DM's. Seasoned DMs should already know that no guidelines will work for every party.

Therefore, the only value in guidelines is for the new or inexperienced DMs and players.

 

[Prakriti]

Indeed. As I may have said here (or perhaps it was elsewhere) already, I think the Yawning Portal would've worked better as framing device for an actual Undermountain book. [...] It's a wasted opportunity, really. If they ever *do* get around to doing an Undermountain campaign, I wouldn't be surprised if they just copy/paste the YP parts from this book.

I think what actually happened is that they were working on an Undermountain campaign, and the Yawning Portal stuff got recycled here when they gave up on it.

Thankfully, the material is well-written and it will be useful if I ever want to set another campaign in Waterdeep. But it's a little dangerous using the Yawning Portal as a framing device.

Just imagine sharing all that amazing backstory and history -- ancient dwarven tunnels -- strange magic -- Halaster Blackcloak -- adventurers entering never to return, or coming back stinking rich. Heck, the entrance to the Undermountain is the center-piece of the Yawning Portal. It's right in the middle of the tap-room. Durnan built the whole inn around it. Then you get this exchange...

Players: "Awesome! When do we go in?"
DM: "Er... you don't."