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.

 

[Saracenus]

Hope your pooch is ok

She is, but as a Frenchie with allergies and skin issues, Miss Tulip gets all kinds of interesting infections... We try and stay on top of it, but it does break through sometimes and then... well I empty my wallet . She would give me serious side-eye for taking this thread off topic... So, I bring you back to your regularly scheduled thread about Chains of Asmodeus.

 

[Eyes of Nine]

She is, but as a Frenchie with allergies and skin issues, Miss Tulip gets all kinds of interesting infections... We try and stay on top of it, but it does break through sometimes and then... well I empty my wallet . She would give me serious side-eye for taking this thread off topic... So, I bring you back to your regularly scheduled thread about Chains of Asmodeus.

Right, sorry! (French bulldogs are sooooo cute though!)

Unfortunately for me I have to wait for my next paycheck before I can think about getting this, so my ability to talk about it is limited. I will say from some of the reviews coming in and some of what is said here this is on my Top 5 gets from DMs Guild... In no particular order:

• Manual of the Planes
• Arcanum Worlds Presents: Chains of Asmodeus
• Curse of Strahd Companion: The Complete Edition (for my wife, she loves running Ravenloft)
• Heroes of Baldur's Gate (Written and Designed by James Ohlen and Jesse Sky)
• Minsc and Boo's Journal of Villainy (Also Extra Life, Written and Designed by James Ohlen)

Now its decision, decisions, decisions for me. I just wish my dog had not hit me with a very expensive vet bill...

Also, there is now a banner ad for Chains of Asmodeus on the DM's Guild Home Page:
View attachment 320113

I agree with your top two, and I don't have a 3 through N.

I just bought a couple Strixhaven related items off the Guild a few weeks ago; and am waiting for the POD versions of both Manual and Chains. Ok, maybe Titanhall is my #3 (like Strixhaven but for martial types like Fighters, Monks, Rogues) - I haven't decided yet if I want to pull that into my campaign

 

[Saracenus]

I agree with your top two, and I don't have a 3 through N.

I just bought a couple Strixhaven related items off the Guild a few weeks ago; and am waiting for the POD versions of both Manual and Chains. Ok, maybe Titanhall is my #3 (like Strixhaven but for martial types like Fighters, Monks, Rogues) - I haven't decided yet if I want to pull that into my campaign

I was eyeballing 4 and 5 before Chains of Asmodeus dropped, it is quite telling that I like stuff from by James Ohlen, because he is a main writer of 3 of 5 of my choices. Also, played me some Baldur's Gate 1 & 2 when I was younger and time for such things (also, sleep dep was way less painful). Anything from Mike (Sly Flourish), Sine Nomine Publishing (I love the system neutral stuff he does), and Kobold Press are closest have to must buys.

 

[beta-ray]

I was talking about the book in this thread and WotC.

Way to go folks.

Sadly this is how so many threads here end up.

And now i have contributed to that. Sorry.

 

[darjr]

Sadly this is how so many threads here end up.

And now i have contributed to that. Sorry.

I guess me to.

No worries. I’m just going to keep working at being better.

 

[dave2008]

Nor have I - but his Children of Time series just won the Hugo for best series. So I'd guess his work is pretty well liked...

I don't know that being a good author translates to good adventure design though.

 

[jayoungr]

I don't know that being a good author translates to good adventure design though.

That's what James Ohlen is there for.

 

[Eyes of Nine]

That's what James Ohlen is there for.

Exactly what I was thinking

 

[Eyes of Nine]

I don't know that being a good author translates to good adventure design though.

Yeah fair (will not bring up Dragonlance will not bring up dragonlance will not bring up dragonlance...)

 

[TravDoc42]

I would like to get back to discussing the product and discuss one of the issues I have with it (@Micah Sweet, you can close your eyes for this discussion ),the art.

I am not really fond of the art of the archdevils. You can see Asmodeus on the cover and the other archdevils are in the same style. I have two issues:

1. I don't really like the 3D model look of this style. It looks like rendering of mini almost to me and feels less alive than more traditional art / styles (IMO of course).
2. All the devils are a bit grotesque (some more than others) and I feel that approach is more for demons (in D&D at least). D&D archdevils are supposed to be bewitching IMO.

1e Asmodeus
View attachment 320109
1e Glasya
View attachment 320110

I agree, the archdevils are slightly off. However, the book does mention for Asmodeus that his each of his 10 avatar forms are gentlemen, "and handsome to boot." (page 216).