D&D 5E Chains of Asmodeus: Official 286-Page Nine Hells Book & Adventure Released!

For Extra Life, the children's hospital charity, Wizards of the Coast just released Chains of Asmodeus on DMsGuild in PDF format. Written by James Ohlen and Adrian Tchaikovsky, this book includes an adventure for levels 11-20, stat blocks for Asmodeus and the other archdevils, a corruption mechanic, and more.

Arcanum Worlds Presents: Chains of Asmodeus
Chains of Asmodeus is a 286-page source book and adventure for the Nine Hells written by legendary game designer James Ohlen (Baldur's Gate, Baldur's Gate II, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Dragon Age: Origins) and award-winning author Adrian Tchaikovsky (Children of Time, The Tiger and the Wolf, The Doors of Eden). This book is beautifully illustrated with haunting art from Sergei Sarichev, Sergey Musin, Julian Calle, Sebastion Kowoll, Paul Adams, Luis Lasahido, and the Aaron Sims Company.

Travel through the Nine Hells to save your soul in this tome that includes:

• 50+ High Challenge Monsters
• Stat Blocks for Asmodeus, Lord of the Nine, and all major Archdevils
• 20+ Infernal Magic Items
• New Item Corruption Mechanic
• Details on all Layers of the Nine Hells, with Beautifully Illustrated Maps created by John Stevenson
• A Fiendish Adventure for Levels 11-20

The book includes full stat blocks for Asmodeus (CR30), Beelzebub, Belial, Dispater, Fierna, Glasya, Levistus, Mammon, Mephistopheles, and more including Bel, Zariel, and a ton of monsters and NPCs.

You can pick it up for $29.99 on DMsGuild.

 

[Parmandur]

So just to be clear, you think all of those people producing work on itch, DTRPG, DMsGuild and elsewhere should have sensitivity readers for everything they produce?

Ideally, yes. I understand not everything on the DMsGuild can be fully professional: he'll, even WotC wasn't up to speed a year ago. But failures to live up to the ideal do not detract from the ideal.

 

[Incenjucar]

So just to be clear, you think all of those people producing work on itch, DTRPG, DMsGuild and elsewhere should have sensitivity readers for everything they produce?

It would be ideal, but not realistic. WotC can afford it, indies often can't, or don't know how to engage in such a process.

 

[Reynard]

Ideally, yes. I understand not everything on the DMsGuild can be fully professional: he'll, even WotC wasn't up to speed a year ago. But failures to live up to the ideal do not detract from the ideal.

It would be ideal, but not realistic. WotC can afford it, indies often can't, or don't know how to engage in such a process.

"Ideal" is a strong word. I might be inclined to agree with "it would be nice."

But here's the thing: what if the supplement is about the vikings from the perspective of their enemies? What is the job of the sensitivity reader with regards to discussions about raids, pillaging and capturing and selling slaves? Is the goal to eliminate the uncomfortable elements? That doesn't make sense in the context?

Or less controversially, what purpose does the sensitivity reader serve in a book of 12 Ice Spells for your Elementalist?

 

[dave2008]

Too many people

What do you mean by this? How does "too many people" affect the sales rate of the two products?

 

[darjr]

About sensitivity editors/readers.

I tore muscles along my IT band in my leg. I’ve dealt with tears before, no big deal.

However it’s been over a month now and it was getting worse! I tried all the things I usually do and it got worse.

Finally decided to see an expert and in under an hour he found things I didn’t even consider and I’m already better.

Even if you think you know, if it’s important to you, hire an expert.

 

[Scribe]

Or less controversially, what purpose does the sensitivity reader serve in a book of 12 Ice Spells for your Elementalist?

The fluff/lore text could be seen by some to be an issue. The art may be seen by some to be an issue. Its as simple as that.

About sensitivity editors/readers.

I tore muscles along my IT band in my leg. I’ve dealt with tears before, no big deal.

However it’s been over a month now and it was getting worse! I tried all the things I usually do and it got worse.

Finally decided to see an expert and in under an hour he found things I didn’t even consider and I’m already better.

Even if you think you know, if it’s important to you, hire an expert.

Went to 2 doctors, x-ray, and a shoulder specialist to have some pain looked at. "Nothing to be done."

Went to a physiotherapist, she found where I had torn a weird muscle under the shoulder, in my back/side, broke down the scar tissue (not fun!) and look at that, issue mitigated.

 

[Reynard]

The fluff/lore text could be seen by some to be an issue. The art may be seen by some to be an issue. Its as simple as that.

So, to be clear, I understand that some people might be inclined to hire a sensitivity reader because they are concerned about how their work might be perceived, especially a large company that has a lot riding on it. That is different than making it a de facto "requirement" for publishing in the RPG space.

Art should not require anyone's permission. Of course, one has to accept the consequences of taking such a stance.

Even if you think you know, if it’s important to you, hire an expert.

I do understand the idea that you don't know what you don't know. There is a lot of deeply rooted anti semitism, for example, built into a lot of traditional European monster folklore. But there is also value in tropes. So it is a balance and ultimately a gamble.

 

[AnotherGuy]

Went to 2 doctors, x-ray, and a shoulder specialist to have some pain looked at. "Nothing to be done."

The Charlatan background is one of the most fun to play.

 

[darjr]

So, to be clear, I understand that some people might be inclined to hire a sensitivity reader because they are concerned about how their work might be perceived, especially a large company that has a lot riding on it. That is different than making it a de facto "requirement" for publishing in the RPG space.

Art should not require anyone's permission. Of course, one has to accept the consequences of taking such a stance.


I do understand the idea that you don't know what you don't know. There is a lot of deeply rooted anti semitism, for example, built into a lot of traditional European monster folklore. But there is also value in tropes. So it is a balance and ultimately a gamble.

Absolutely. So hire an expert.

 

[AnotherGuy]

There is a lot of deeply rooted anti semitism, for example, built into a lot of traditional European monster folklore.

Seriously? Which monsters?