D&D 5E Book of Many Things overview.

[MonsterEnvy]

We've heard a lot.about the general shape of the origin story in various previews, how do you.find it when it all laid out? Any fun surprises?

Have not read it too closely, but it’s a fun little thing. Though the Grim Champion of Desolation hates them for getting Istus to make the deck.

 

[Parmandur]

Regarding the random generation tables in Chapter 3, we had some hints from the preview videos, but would you.mind sharing anything about what they contain or how they work?

 

[MonsterEnvy]

Is House of Cards still a spell, @MonsterEnvy? And if so, is it still a worse version of Tiny Hut at a higher level, or does it have some clear advantages over Tiny Hut (given that it was higher level in the UA)?

It’s an uncommon magic item now.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

It’s an uncommon magic item now.

Wow, that is a big change, but it addresses my "why would I cast this when Tiny Hut is a thing" UA feedback. Thanks!

 

[MonsterEnvy]

Regarding the random generation tables in Chapter 3, we had some hints from the preview videos, but would you.mind sharing anything about what they contain or how they work?

So a DM can build an encounter deck for an area. Roughly 20 cards each representing a monster. With some special effects for some. When an encounter happens the DM draws cards equal to the number of characters and uses one or more to make an encounter, and discards cards for slain monsters.

An example of special cards are a lurker card which is a sneaky monster who attacks separately from the main monsters encountered. And the Twin cards which are only encountered together.

 

[MonsterEnvy]

Here an example with the cards.

Drawing from a normal card deck I have used for this, for my four players I draw king of spades (Bandit Captain), 8 of Spades (Ankheg Lurker) 7 Clubs (Displacer Beast twin) King of Hearts (4 Bandits)

To build the encounter I would put the Lurker Ankheg to the side as it will trespass on the battle later, and the Displacer Beast back in the deck as its twin was not drawn. Normally I would pick between the two other cards for the encounter, but they are both part of the Bandit Card group so instead I use them together for the encounter.

 

[Parmandur]

Here an example with the cards.

Drawing from a normal card deck I have used for this, for my four players I draw king of spades (Bandit Captain), 8 of Spades (Ankheg Lurker) 7 Clubs (Displacer Beast twin) King of Hearts (4 Bandits)

To build the encounter I would put the Lurker Ankheg to the side as it will trespass on the battle later, and the Displacer Beast back in the deck as its twin was not drawn. Normally I would pick between the two other cards for the encounter, but they are both part of the Bandit Card group so instead I use them together for the encounter.

I like it. Does it give robust examples, or.just the format?

 

[MonsterEnvy]

I like it. Does it give robust examples, or.just the format?

It gives two examples encounter decks, I took the encounters from the first one for my example.

 

[Libertad]

The last two chapters sound like they have general-purpose advice for when the Deck inevitably derails a campaign. Am I getting that right?

 

[MonsterEnvy]

The last two chapters sound like they have general-purpose advice for when the Deck inevitably derails a campaign. Am I getting that right?

That’s more chapter 2. The last 2 are monsters and an origin story for the deck with two major NPCs that could be allies or rivals.