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It's the special magical properties the PCs accidentally get when they interrupt a ritual of Vecna cultists. "When the characters clash with the cult, they become linked to the lich, which sets them on the path to discover Vecna’s plot to remake the multiverse." "The characters each gain a...

"Vecna’s Grasp is a cave network in Pandesmos. Other than Vecna, only the characters can reach this cave network—and only because they carry Vecna’s Links." -- that's why only the PCs can get there.

At some point, with a lot of these adventures, you have to just suspend disbelief and say "I want this adventure to work." For, despite a host of problems I have with it, there are several sections that look like they'll be so much fun to run and play. The adventure, at least, understands a...

You're right! It's even worse than the regular complaint that "high level NPCs don't get involved!" :) Cheers, Merric

I cared only insomuch as "that's interesting - let's see what cool stuff you do with it!" I haven't run Rime of the Frostmaiden, so that an obelisk had a larger role in it didn't register. But when they started mentioning them as being significant in the marketing for The Shattered Obelisk, it...

Initial thoughts: https://merricb.com/2024/05/08/vecna-eve-of-ruin-first-thoughts/

Lord of Blades is mentioned. Eberron's cosmology is notably absent. Cheers, Merric

The Dragonlance chapter is as bad as I feared. When it comes to evoking Dragonlance, it... doesn't. EDIT: Based on additional information, the credits for a Wizards adventure are really bad at identifying who came up with the adventure concepts and storyline. The "Lead Designer" may have a lot...

None. You do need to read them. :) But here's the thing: All of those one-page RPGs are hugely parasitic. They presume you know how to run RPGs, and not only that, know how to run RPGs in their style. Your preparation for them are all the hours you've spent running RPGs before. There are so...

The world would be a much better place if (say) Roger Federer didn't mainly concentrate on Tennis. "But Roger, you should also be participating in motor racing and football and baseball! And cricket! And writing books! And playing video games! And... playing Call of Cthulhu!"

I don't think it can be considered canonical, especially since Wizards doesn't have the rights to the CR setting. (Consider how we can't use any of it on the DMs Guild). Cheers, Merric

Agreed. In fact, given the disappointing nature of the "revelation" of the obelisks in The Shattered Obelisk, I don't think there's been any long-term planning at all. Perhaps the obelisks become a lot more relevant in Vecna, but I'm not holding my breath. Cheers, Merric

The encounters in that section feel really strange. Overall, it feels so underwhelming. It's more "here are some kooky inhabitants of the Far Realm" rather than much that is actually threatening. Or disturbing to the players. Cheers, Merric

I think in that case, it's hard to go past "this adventure is written as a railroad". :) (It's rather amazing how many pages the DM reads of boxed text before the PCs really get a choice!) Cheers!

Read the start of DL2 Dragons of Flame, and talk to me about what style that is.

Yep. At this stage, when the party decides "we want to flee", I allow it. It breaks the initiative cycle immediately and we move into a different resolution mechanic. (Chases, though my own system). It's not actually an "action", because those are PC-based, but rather an agreement that we're...

Even linear adventures have differing levels of player agency. In Hoard of the Dragon Queen, there are some sections that can be approached completely differently depending on the group. Consider Castle Naerytar, for instance, where you can incite a revolt, go in all spells blazing, sneak in...

Note that the bonus action attack does not count as you using the "Attack Action", so there can be some abilities that don't work as a result. I agree with the rogue sneak attack ruling. Jeremy Crawford says no. Cheers, Merric

Any adventure that is doing stuff I haven't seen before tends to get higher marks. :) Cheers, Merric

2E had high spots, but trying to find them amongst the morass of "meh" material was a pain. The classic era of D&D adventures is 1978-1984 or thereabouts. (Not that all were great, but a lot of them were memorable). 5E is the next era that has really concentrated on high-quality adventures...