D&D 5E Dreams of the Red Wizards: Dead in Thay (spoilers allowed)

[Blackwarder]

Another issue that I see PC's having in this module is motivation. The previous module had monetary incentives to motivate the players into assisting Isteval. This module doesn't have any reward offered by Isteval -- except to rid the Sword Coast of the Red Wizard's threat. While this will work for some, there are certain PC's (quite a few of them my own) who will only do such a life-risking quest for gold. Any suggestions as to an amount that Isteval might pay?

Offer them first loot rights of the place, or when the dust settle Isteval will support the characters claim for the keep.

Warder

 

[Arksorn]

Maps

The cartographer for this one has posted the maps in very high resolution here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeschley/

He also has maps for some of the other D&D next adventures.
They are fantastic.

 

[Hutchimus Prime]

Must now know what the last Sundering adventure is going to be about....and it's setting....impatience knows no bounds....

 

[MerricB]

Does this module use the same stat blocks for monsters as were in the last public playtest packet? Or are there new monster statblocks here that provide insight into how monsters have been shaping up in the rules since the end of the public playtest?

New monster stat blocks including - dah dah DAH! - Legendary Actions for some key monsters!

The monster stat-blocks are not identical to the last public playtest packet. As one example, the Behir has gained 54 hit points (168 compared to 114), and has lost its claw attacks.

Cheers!

 

[mach1.9pants]

Oooh that is interesting, thanks Merric

 

[Scrivener of Doom]

The cartographer for this one has posted the maps in very high resolution here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeschley/

He also has maps for some of the other D&D next adventures.
They are fantastic.

Thanks for that update. I really wish he would upload to somewhere other than Flickr. I hate Flickr. It's always hit and miss as to whether or not you can download from there.

 

[SN0WRAVEN]

Eldritch Blast Cantrip

There are numerous monsters and the specialist red wizards that have the eldritch blast cantrip listed, but there isn't a description of the spell in any of the material or playtest. Am I just missing something? That being said, would using the base d8 damage for cantrips and giving it necrotic damage be about right?

 

[jodyjohnson]

I'll make Eldritch Blast 50', 1d6 force with an attack roll.

Eldritch blast in the 081712 Class document was a full attack spell doing force damage. (Minor Invocation)

I've noticed the proficiency math varies quite a bit. The NPCs use new proficiency bonuses (+2 to +6) while the pre-gens use old bonuses (+1 to +6). The monsters always have a little fudge-factor so it's harder to tell with them.

 

[jodyjohnson]

Must now know what the last Sundering adventure is going to be about....and it's setting....impatience knows no bounds....

I think this is the last Sundering module. The 5 adventures number was from a Wizards Play Network news item and not announced in general to my knowledge.

I think this is it with Tyranny of Dragons in August.

 

[MerricB]

Most likely the Sundering adventures are:

Murder in Baldur's Gate
Legacy of the Crystal Shard
Ghosts of Dragonspear Castle
Scourge of the Sword Coast
Dead in Thay

(Scourge and Thay are follow-ups to Ghosts).

Honestly, "The Sundering" as an event has been underwhelming - I'm still not sure what has been going on. The actual adventures are fun, but only the first really seems to have any relationship at all to "The Sundering", and that merely because it brings Bhaal back to the Realms!

I haven't read more than the second novel.

Cheers!