D&D 5E (2014) Dreams of the Red Wizards: Dead in Thay (spoilers allowed)

[Hutchimus Prime]

That makes sense with Ghosts of Dragonspear Castle being slotted in as the fifth Sundering Adventure.

I like the regional focus of most of the adventures; Baldur's Gate, Icewind Dale, etc. I hope they keep that format up for awhile.

 

[Scrivener of Doom]

(snip)

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! (snip)

So far it has reminded me of the whole Rise of the Underdark metaplot: full of sound and fury, but (ultimately) signifying nothing.

Perhaps WotC is aware that a lot of people - including some of the more diehard FR fans - truly despise most RSEs so they're decided to have an RSE that's not really an RSE? (Merric, as a fellow Australian, you will no doubt understand the my use of the expression a Clayton's RSE: the RSE you have when you're not having an RSE.)

Either that or there is no grand plan, per se, and they're just making it up as they go along in response to fan feedback....

 

[Hutchimus Prime]

...or The Sundering (event) is just as they've described it; the stories of the people of the Realms during the time period in which The Sundering is occurring,and The Sundering (RSE) will be fully explained when 5th Edition and/or the 5th Editon Campaign Setting is released.

 

[Rerednaw]

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?

FYI, latest update has the EB spell under Spells. 1d10 Force, 120', 2/3/4 beams at 5/10/20 same or mutli target

 

[jodyjohnson]

The interim rules that come with Dead in Thay have been updated as of May 1.

I had missed that.

 

[ccooke]

The interim rules that come with Dead in Thay have been updated as of May 1.

I had missed that.

Interesting. What's the delta?

 

[jodyjohnson]

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

Looking at the schedule for Gen Con, I'd guess that the original plan was 5 Seasons of Encounters:
1. Murder in Baldur's Gate - Baldurs Gate games
2. Legacy of the Crystal Shard - Icewind Dale
3. Scourge of the Sword Coast (Dreams of the Red Wizards I) - strong tie to Under Illefarn
4. Dead in Thay (Dreams of the Red Wizards II)
5. Something of the Moonsea - strong tie in to Pools of Radiance

The last may have been scavenged for parts given the length of this years Encounters seasons (11-13 weeks) compared to the standard last year (8 weeks).

And the already announced Tyranny of Dragons waiting in the wings; breath weapon at the ready.

They play on strong Video Game IP.

 

[Scrivener of Doom]

The interim rules that come with Dead in Thay have been updated as of May 1.

I had missed that.

And that probably explains why the PHB, DMG, and MM aren't going to be available at GenCon according to the most recent rumour/report: the bloody game still isn't finished.

 

[jodyjohnson]

At Pax East they said they were still working on it.

Last Friday at the Live game they said they were still working on it.

So I assume given Rodney's been gone, they are still working on it.

 

[Argyle King]

Question: The group I'm in nearly killed the lich in the encounter prior to entering the blood gate. In the event he would be killed, how is the adventure supposed to proceed?