D&D 5E (2024) Zards Pure 5.5 New Campaign: Legacy of Netheril

[Zardnaar]

So I have been waiting for the new books to come out with what's happening with Shade.

My current campaign is winding down level 13. 2 more sessions left maybe. It was converted from 5.0 around level 4.

Currently talking things over with my players to figure out a new hook. One of them is a Kingmaker style campaign pushing into Anauroch to create a desert kingdom.

Other leading options are not Egypt and something a bit grittier. Secondary discussion are demons, devils, undead, aberrations theme.

By pure 5.5 I mean starting from lvl 1. Xanathars and Mordenkainens multiverse books are allowed along with any of the new FR books and maybe the upcoming Eberron book.

A new city of Shade has been constructed. I was thinking something like Shade infiltrators , shadow infused bullettes and purple worms as inhabitants. Survivors of Netheril reborn would be in isolated strong holds.

As it turns out I dont have to change things to much.

Mining Kingmaker AP I was thinking Stonelands north of Cormyr, southern Anauroch, desert mouth mountains west to Skull Gorge area. Maps will be dug out of 2E as I was looking at buying Anauroch, The North PDFs etc to mine them.

Cormyr is sponsoring the Kingmaker part. Bastions from the DMG rules used.

Thoughts?

 

[THEMNGMNT]

Sounds cool. I like it. Basically, it fits nicely with the info in the new FR campaign setting about Anauroch and Shade. I think you would also want a Zhentarim presence since they control the Black Road and would take a dim view of anyone trying to establish an independent power base. The nomads could be a faction that is either helpful or hostile depending upon player actions.

 

[Zardnaar]

Sounds cool. I like it. Basically, it fits nicely with the info in the new FR campaign setting about Anauroch and Shade. I think you would also want a Zhentarim presence since they control the Black Road and would take a dim view of anyone trying to establish an independent power base. The nomads could be a faction that is either helpful or hostile depending upon player actions.

Thats in the new book?

 

[THEMNGMNT]

Yes. Looks like there's about 3 pages on Anauroch in FR: Heroes of Faerun. Here's the section on Shade:

Empire of Shadows​

Anauroch is littered with the ruins of the ancient empire of Netheril, which fell in a magical cataclysm almost 3,000 years ago. Some of these ruins lie frozen in ice, their magical secrets preserved and waiting for Netherese survivors—or bold adventurers—to discover them. In the Year of Wild Magic (1372 DR), the Netherese flying city of Thultanthar, also called the City of Shade, emerged from the Shadowfell, where it had lain hidden for centuries. Its rulers, calling themselves Shadovar, began rebuilding their long-lost empire and even returning life and growth to the desert. Thultanthar fell in 1487 DR, crashing in Myth Drannor (see “ Heartlands ” in this chapter), and the Shadovar empire fell with it. But survivors of that catastrophe are working to re-create the fallen city near the Shoal of Thirst.

Shade. The former city of Thultanthar, capital of the Empire of Shade, was a magical flying marvel. After it crashed, survivors of the empire built a new settlement on the slopes of the Scimitar Spires, overlooking the Shoal of Thirst. Though this city, called Shade, can’t yet fly, it is inspired by old Thultanthar, and it resembles a piece of the Shadowfell transplanted to Faerûn. Its lightless avenues and sunless courtyards are shrouded in impenetrable gloom despite the desert’s glaring sun, providing a comfortable home for the city’s Shadovar rulers. Most explorers and traders avoid the city, as the Shadovar attack intruders.

 

[Zardnaar]

Yes. Looks like there's about 3 pages on Anauroch in FR: Heroes of Faerun. Here's the section on Shade:

Empire of Shadows​

Anauroch is littered with the ruins of the ancient empire of Netheril, which fell in a magical cataclysm almost 3,000 years ago. Some of these ruins lie frozen in ice, their magical secrets preserved and waiting for Netherese survivors—or bold adventurers—to discover them. In the Year of Wild Magic (1372 DR), the Netherese flying city of Thultanthar, also called the City of Shade, emerged from the Shadowfell, where it had lain hidden for centuries. Its rulers, calling themselves Shadovar, began rebuilding their long-lost empire and even returning life and growth to the desert. Thultanthar fell in 1487 DR, crashing in Myth Drannor (see “ Heartlands ” in this chapter), and the Shadovar empire fell with it. But survivors of that catastrophe are working to re-create the fallen city near the Shoal of Thirst.

Shade. The former city of Thultanthar, capital of the Empire of Shade, was a magical flying marvel. After it crashed, survivors of the empire built a new settlement on the slopes of the Scimitar Spires, overlooking the Shoal of Thirst. Though this city, called Shade, can’t yet fly, it is inspired by old Thultanthar, and it resembles a piece of the Shadowfell transplanted to Faerûn. Its lightless avenues and sunless courtyards are shrouded in impenetrable gloom despite the desert’s glaring sun, providing a comfortable home for the city’s Shadovar rulers. Most explorers and traders avoid the city, as the Shadovar attack intruders.

Saw something like that posted elsewhere.

My books are on pre-order. Located in NZ will probably get them around 6E.