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.

 

[dave2008]

Its up to Platinum now.

 

[Weiley31]

I think it is silly to suggest that a book of ice magic spells or swashbuckler feats or an adventure in the demi-plane of angry candy need a sensitivity consultant. I certainly think there is a place for that, but erecting a barrier in the name of "working wisely" is still erecting barriers.

Something Orcs, something Drow, something. Asian Kung-Fu Monks, something something something.

 

[Weiley31]

Well, I honestly never expected 5E Asmodeus to get an official stat write up, but I'm not surprised they went with a CR 30 for him.

 

[Weiley31]

It's worth noting that Asmodeus is not just an archdevil, but a deity, and a deity can appear however they wish without polymorphing themselves with a spell - it's due to the mutable nature of their quasi-spiritual, quasi-physical, quasi-conceptual bodies.

As such, every depiction of Asmodeus ever included in official publication could be considered "correct".

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).

Into the Asmodeusverse?

Ah, so as of 5E (via Chains of Asmodeus), we now know what EXACTLY 5 of his 10 Avatar forms look like. (Editions 1-5).

It's gonna take editions 6-10 for the remainder of the 5!

 

[dave2008]

Well, I honestly never expected 5E Asmodeus to get an official stat write up, but I'm not surprised they went with a CR 30 for him.

What is interesting is the The Misc and Boo extra life product (also by James Ohlen) also had some of the same archdevils in it, but different stat blocks I think:

 

[Zaukrie]

What is interesting is the The Misc and Boo extra life product (also by James Ohlen) also had some of the same archdevils in it, but different stat blocks I think:

View attachment 320688

Like we'd ever know the true strength of creatures as devious as Arch devils. Given their nature, their lawful lying, all these hold a kernel of truth....

 

[Reynard]

What is interesting is the The Misc and Boo extra life product (also by James Ohlen) also had some of the same archdevils in it, but different stat blocks I think:

View attachment 320688

I wonder if the folks upset about Thor getting stats are equally upset about these.

 

[Shardstone]

The only thing I don't like about this book is it says that Asmodeus's great scheme is to literally spread atheism around, which damns souls and causes them to be slurrped up by Asmodeus himself. I really, really, really, really hate that, because I think not-believing in gods shouldn't be punished by going to Hell/being eaten by Asmodeus/becoming a devil.

"But the gods are real!" There is a new big faction in Planescape dedicated to proving the gods aren't real but are just powerful lifeforms co-opting divinity and using it to rule the multiverse. If that can exist but believing that gods don't exist (even if you acknowledge there is an Asmodeus, an athiest in D&D probably just sees him as a powerful and evil alien/creature) sends you to Hell, that's wack.

I know I can just remove this idea but it is kind of a turn off.

Otherwise, amazing book. I love the Damned Souls and Lost Souls the most. That stuff is super rich, amazing RP fuel, and really runs home the idea that this is an adventure in Hell. I also loved the maps and the bestiary. The new devils and other creatures, especially the Tyrant Shadows, are just awesome. Imagining that Asmodeus has a godly Tyrant Shadow making him more malicious and preparing to one day consume him is so cool.

This adventure makes me think that Asmodeus is a bit stupid though. Lies are super common in Hell and everyone is scheming. Since Asmodeus can trick anything into a contract, he really should get like a solid 100 elder brains brought into Hell and installed on all the levels and use them to mindread all the devils. I have no idea why he would be unable to do this.

 

[Shardstone]

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.

It's affordable for a lot of us, but there's nothing wrong with it. You have nothing to lose from having someone go through your work with a critical eye. You don't have to make changes you don't want to, and it can help you think about your work in a new light. While I won't say this should be a 100% standard for every work, for those who do it, I have respect, because it just means they went above and beyond to ensure their work was quality (even if they don't use what the sensitivity reader suggests).

 

[Reynard]

It's affordable for a lot of us, but there's nothing wrong with it. You have nothing to lose from having someone go through your work with a critical eye. You don't have to make changes you don't want to, and it can help you think about your work in a new light. While I won't say this should be a 100% standard for every work, for those who do it, I have respect, because it just means they went above and beyond to ensure their work was quality (even if they don't use what the sensitivity reader suggests).

What is the word rate for a sensitivity reader?