D&D General Keys from the Golden Vault look through.

[pukunui]

There are thirteen adventures and with two exceptions they are all setting agnostic.

Prisoner 13 is one of the two exceptions. What's the other one (and what setting is it placed in)?

 

[Reynard]

Doing good, even through illegal means. They may have something to do with Metallic Dragons, and they may be based on an upper plane.

I see it like the Mourning from Eberron were the DM can decide their true nature.

Why bother including the organization then?

 

[Zaukrie]

Why bother including the organization then?

It's how you get your assignment. Nothing more or less here. I'm not sure all tables need / want more information.

 

[MonsterEnvy]

Prisoner 13 is one of the two exceptions. What's the other one (and what setting is it placed in)?

One of the ones I have not gotten to.
Affair on the Concordant Express. Which is Planescape based.

​

 

[dave2008]

If it is metallic dragons behind the Golden Vault, it couldn't be Gold or Silver or Bronze, not by their RAW alignment (=lawful good)

That only leaves Brass and Copper.

By RAW, alignment is only a suggestion. From the MM:

"The alignment specified in a monster’s stat block is the default. Feel free to depart from it and change a monster’s alignment to suit the needs of your campaign. If you want a good-aligned green dragon or an evil storm giant, there’s nothing stopping you."

 

[dave2008]

Why bother including the organization then?

The organization is optional, IIRC. So probably not worth it to go into to much detail for something intentionally optional.

I know some /many don't like it, but I prefer the lore-lite products of most of 5e's run. I want small bits that inspire me, not detailed lore that hinders me.

Please note: this is my opinion, I am not suggesting what I like works for everyone.

 

[dave2008]

I bought the bundle so I have early access to the book going to go over it a bit and give some thoughts. Spoilers ahead. You can also ask any questions you want and I will do my best to answer them.

So the book is a collection of 13 Heist Adventures that follow the four steps here


They can be standalone and inserted into games at the DM's descension or put together in an episodic campaign.

Some DM's may want the party to have a Patron and in this case it's the Golden Vault, a secretive organization rumored to be involved with Metallic Dragons, and based in one of the Upper Planes. "The Golden Vault’s motto reflects its primary motivation: “Do good, no matter the cost.” Missions from the Golden Vault are often illegal, but they always support a just, moral cause."
Members will get extra help from their Golden Vault handler along with info and gear to help in their missions. And extra rewards for completing missions.

As the adventures are Heists complications normally arise. The Intro gives two types. The Moving Macguffin, where the object or person the party needs to find has been moved from the spot it's supposed to be. (It's advised not to do this too many times, it would be annoying for the players to learn the objects new location only to find it's been moved from there too) The other is a Rival Crew, a group racing them for the same prize. The book gives some example rival crew members, along with motives for the crew to be racing them. If a rival crew is involved the DM should decide or roll if the rivals are ahead or behind the party in pursuit of the objective, along with showing evidence of their presence.

There are thirteen adventures and with two exceptions they are all setting agnostic.

The Murkmire Malevolence

Spoiler

The first adventure involves stealing an object called the Murkmire Stone from a museum. A researcher has discovered the stone is actually the soon to be hatching egg of a horrible eldritch beast. But she was not believed and her own attempt to steal it failed and so she hires the party to steal it so she can neutralize it before it hatches and hurts people. Along with a hand drawn map the party will be able to go to a Gala to scout out the Museum and investigate the various security measures.

The Stygian Gambit

Spoiler

The party is given the task of stealing from Nine Hells themed Casino. The employer is a former partner of the casino's owner, whom was robbed by the owner after years of supposed friendship. There are two objectives to the theft one is the theft of a Golden Statue that is intended to be first prize in a card game tournament. Stolen before the tournament ends, as the employer only wants the owner to be a victim not some random gambler, and it's theft will embarrass him. The other objective is stealing five thousand gold as that was the amount the owner stolen.

Reach for the Stars

Spoiler

The party is tasked with stealing back a stolen book called the Celestial Codex from a mansion. The thief is a friend of the employer who does not know why he stole it but he had already sent in a another group to get it back who perished in the attempt. The party will be confronted by the spirits of the dead adventurers, who can give them info about the mansion and the horrors within.

Prisoner 13
This adventure is free on D&D Beyond.

Tockworth's Clockworks

Spoiler

A small Deep Gnome town has been taken over by constructs at the behest of their insane creator and Security Overseer Tixie Tockworth. The mayor wants the party to infiltrate the town and activate the failsafe to shut down the Clockworks, and also deal with Tockworth.

Masterpiece Imbroglio

Spoiler

A group of sages purchased a portrait that has now been stolen by a thieves guild. With the help of one of the captured thieves the sages know the location and more or less the layout of the guildhouse, and so want the party to sneak into it and steal the portrait back.

Axe from the Grave

Spoiler

A dead bard has returned from the grave, and has the neighborhood spooked. The bard was buried with his magical mandolin Golden Axe but Grave Robbers stole it, which caused his return. The Bard wants it back so he can be laid to rest again. The grave robbers themselves work for a Musical Teacher named Sythian with a large conservatory, where he teaches the wealthy about music. He intends to give the mandolin to one of his wealthiest students for the financial support. Sythian is secretly a worshipper of Graz'zt and has several demons in his home, which will make getting the mandolin back harder.

Vidorant's Vault

Spoiler

A former partner of a master thief wants the party to infiltrate his former partner's vault and steal a diadem that belonged to his family, success will result in the party gaining membership in his society of master thieves.

Shard of the Accused

Spoiler

A reverse heist were the party has to return a cursed magical item to a tomb, but the tomb is now controlled by a powerful criminal group.

I am currently out of time I will give the details on the remaining adventurers in a little while.

Is this another digital /physical bundle? I don't want a physical book, but I do like early access!

 

[pukunui]

The organization is optional, IIRC. So probably not worth it to go into to much detail for something intentionally optional.

Yeah, but we got quite an excellent write-up on the Radiant Citadel with that book. (It was just a shame that the actual adventures made no use of it.) We also got quite a meaty write-up on the Yawning Portal Inn as the preface for Tales from the Yawning Portal, and a thorough write-up on Saltmarsh and its surrounds for Ghosts of Saltmarsh, and a decent write-up on Candlekeep for Candlekeep Mysteries. So I was expecting something similar in this book - a decent write-up of the Golden Vault organization, perhaps using the faction rules from Ravnica, and maybe a description (with map) of their headquarters or something.

Is this another digital /physical bundle? I don't want a physical book, but I do like early access!

Yes, it is. I'd love the early access, but I don't want to be stuck with no hard cover for several months again. (Good thing I'm not planning on running Dragonlance any time soon!)

 

[Reynard]

The organization is optional, IIRC. So probably not worth it to go into to much detail for something intentionally optional.

I know some /many don't like it, but I prefer the lore-lite products of most of 5e's run. I want small bits that inspire me, not detailed lore that hinders me.

Please note: this is my opinion, I am not suggesting what I like works for everyone.

If it isn't worth 4 pages it isn't worth putting in the book at all.

But I cut my writing teeth 20 years ago. Maybe I'm just out of touch. It wouldn't be the first time.

 

[dave2008]

Yeah, but we got quite an excellent write-up on the Radiant Citadel with that book. (It was just a shame that the actual adventures made no use of it.) We also got quite a meaty write-up on the Yawning Portal Inn as the preface for Tales from the Yawning Portal, and a thorough write-up on Saltmarsh and its surrounds for Ghosts of Saltmarsh, and a decent write-up on Candlekeep for Candlekeep Mysteries. So I was expecting something similar in this book - a decent write-up of the Golden Vault organization, perhaps using the faction rules from Ravnica, and maybe a description (with map) of their headquarters or something.

Yep, everyone wants different things. That's OK.

Yes, it is. I'd love the early access, but I don't want to be stuck with no hard cover for several months again. (Good thing I'm not planning on running Dragonlance any time soon!)

Ouch! I got my dragonlance bundle (both of them) within 2 weeks. In fact I was able to mail the 2nd one as a gift and it arrived at its destination before Christmas!