D&D 5E (2024) Next issue of Game Informer will have details on the two upcoming Forgotten Realms books

[pukunui]

These kinda look like cranium rats to me, but I kinda hope not, as that would be the 3rd time they'd be reprinted in 5e!

I don't see any exposed brains, so I doubt those are cranium rats. These are probably 1st level PCs fighting rats being magically controlled by some mini bad guy off-screen. At least they're not fighting the rats in a tavern cellar!

 

[Demetrios1453]

I don't see any exposed brains, so I doubt those are cranium rats. These are probably 1st level PCs fighting rats being magically controlled by some mini bad guy off-screen. At least they're not fighting the rats in a tavern cellar!

Maybe the tavern's cellar is really spacious? And has stalactites for some reason?

Being a bit serious, it could be a cave being used as a wine cellar or cheese storage (explains the rats) or something similar for a tavern. Although likely not lol.

(Which gives me an amusing idea for a campaign. The tavern keeper wants you to clear his cellar of rats or anything else down there. Except his cellar is a cave that he uses for storage. Which leads to further caves, with more and more deadly monsters the further you go in. There are dragons down there! Whole drow cities! And the tavern keeper won't pay you until you've cleared "everything down there" out.)

 

[pukunui]

Maybe the tavern's cellar is really spacious? And has stalactites for some reason?

Being a bit serious, it could be a cave being used as a wine cellar or cheese storage (explains the rats) or something similar for a tavern. Although likely not lol.

(Which gives me an amusing idea for a campaign. The tavern keeper wants you to clear his cellar of rats or anything else down there. Except his cellar is a cave that he uses for storage. Which leads to further caves, with more and more deadly monsters the further you go in. There are dragons down there! Whole drow cities! And the tavern keeper won't pay you until you've cleared "everything down there" out.)

Sounds like Dungeon of the Mad Mage! Durnan sends you down the well to kill some rats … and Halaster … and everything in between.

 

[Veltharis ap Rylix]

View attachment 413583
I vaguely remember someone here mentioning about these rats, but I cannot find it now.
These kinda look like cranium rats to me, but I kinda hope not, as that would be the 3rd time they'd be reprinted in 5e!

Not Cranium Rats - no exposed brain, and they're mostly a planar/Sigil thing.

Moon Rats, perhaps? I don't recall much about them, but I think they were in one of the 3e/3.5e Monster Manuals...

 

[TravDoc42]

Not Cranium Rats - no exposed brain, and they're mostly a planar/Sigil thing.

Moon Rats, perhaps? I don't recall much about them, but i think they were in one of the 3e/3.5e Monster Manuals...

Oh right, those guys!! That could very well be it, thanks!!

 

[Henadic Theologian]

View attachment 413583
I vaguely remember someone here mentioning about these rats, but I cannot find it now.
These kinda look like cranium rats to me, but I kinda hope not, as that would be the 3rd time they'd be reprinted in 5e!

They aren't cranium rats, no exposes brain. They might be magically summoned Swarm however. Glowing eyes. We could use a summon swarm spell.

 

[Henadic Theologian]

I don't see any exposed brains, so I doubt those are cranium rats. These are probably 1st level PCs fighting rats being magically controlled by some mini bad guy off-screen. At least they're not fighting the rats in a tavern cellar!

You ninja'd me.

 

[TravDoc42]

could use a summon swarm spell.

Agreed!!
And thanks for the response!!

 

[Demetrios1453]

Sounds like Dungeon of the Mad Mage! Durnan sends you down the well to kill some rats … and Halaster … and everything in between.

Except the party has no idea of what they are getting into. Pity about that magically binding contract, though....

 

[TravDoc42]

So far, these are the monsters and NPCs I have heard are in the books and digital expansions:
• Spirit dragons
• The Drow of Lolth
• Manshoon (NPC)
• Sammaster (NPC)
• Phaerimms (Including new types in Netheril's Fall)
• Biha Babir the giant genie (NPC)
• Devil worshipping vampires (in Astarion's Book of Hungers)
• Ice serpent (if my detective skills don't deceive me)

Any others that we know of?