D&D 5E Phandelver & Below's Full Description

On Amazon you can read the full back cover text of September's Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk. The description includes hint at a villainous cult to a malevolent entity, a bestiary of over 20 new creatures, a magic appendix, and a double-sided poster map. The hardcover comes out on September 19th, with Beadle & Grimm's deluxe edition following in October.

Uncover a new threat to Phandalin in this timeless dungeoneering adventure for the world’s greatest roleplaying game.

Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk is a high-fantasy adventure that begins in the beloved town of Phandalin as it faces unimaginable danger. Whether the heroes are newcomers to Phandalin or are returning after the acclaimed Dungeons & Dragons adventure Lost Mine of Phandelver, they discover hints of a threat lurking below the town. The heroes soon learn that the cult of a malevolent entity has set its sights on transforming Phandalin into the capital of its evil empire. To save the town from oblivion, the heroes must uncover a nefarious plot and confront the otherworldly cultists directly.

• Offers new Dungeon Masters and players the opportunity to dive into their first full-fledged Dungeons & Dragons adventure
• Retains the beloved Lost Mine of Phandelver quests that unfold into a brand-new adventure with classic D&D themes and a tinge of horror
• Presents a bestiary with approximately two-dozen new creatures that showcase psionic magic, body horror, and more.
• Provides a magic appendix that includes new consumable metamagic items, Netherese amulets, and duergar magic
• Includes a double-sided poster map with the Phandalin region on one side and the town of Phandalin plus key encounters in the adventure on the other

 

[Plaguescarred]

I mean, yes? They said some time go that thi book has Lost Mines of Phandelver included, so that's the Level 1-5 material. Ao the new material is 6-12 stuff, which based on how big the book is, and how short Loat Mines is means rhe bulk of the Campaign by page count is going to be 6-12.

It's unfortunate as buying this new 30$ adventure will have more than 40% level worth of quest that i already used and paid 20$ for.

If only we had a rebait for having purchased Lost Mine Of Phandevler in the past.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

It's unfortunate as buying this new 30$ adventure will have more than 40% level worth of quest that i already used and paid 20$ for.

If only we had a rebait for having purchased Lost Mine Of Phandevler in the past.

Hmmh. You get that for free now...

I will buy the German version most probably.

 

[doctorhook]

Seems a bit funny to me as well. Guess they wanna focus on goblins, not orcs?

What bugs me is that so much is going on in one little village? Don't the PCs want to see the wider world? What kind of world-breaking conspiracy is going to be so attracted to nowheresville that it will power a campaign that will keep the PC's around for another bunch of levels? There is a reason Phandelver, and Icespire were starter adventures, they are supposed to launch the PC's starting in Phandalin out into the world, right? The second half of this adventure better play somewhere else cool like Amn, Rashemon, or even revisit the Moonsea region or something.... Yeah underdark bits, yeah fine... this is cause that tiny leetle patch of the Sword Coast is tapped out.

Personally I much prefer a localized campaign, centered around a specific area, than the ridiculous road-trip adventures that were Tyranny of Dragons and Storm King’s Thunder. Both of those felt like they were designed by committee to have the adventure visit as many popular Forgotten Realms locations as possible without a solid rhyme or reason.

 

[bedir than]

It's unfortunate as buying this new 30$ adventure will have more than 40% level worth of quest that i already used and paid 20$ for.

If only we had a rebait for having purchased Lost Mine Of Phandevler in the past.

They're making an adventure mostly designed for people who are new to S&D, not people who have played for a decade.

This is 100% new to vastly more players than it is a rehash for them

 

[Uni-the-Unicorn!]

My game if anyone is interested. I'm DM cause I'm the only one that knows the rules we'll enough. The party is a Champion fighter, a battle Master, 2 druids with different subclasses, and a sorcerer. They have made their way to Phandelver per the book. I've mixed it up and started rumors about the Sunless Citadel. The party takes the bite and heads off to the location. They have befriended the kobold. Fought the goblins. Now the are in the Grove getting ready to fight the crazed druid and his tree
. I'm hoping that this book will let take this starter adventure and seamlessly pivot the party to the new issues the next book will have. Trying not to get over hypesd but I really want to turn it into a full blown campaign. I'm really hopping Vecna makea an appropriate. That would get my wife and kids super stoked since they know who he is.

Vecna is related to the obelisks, but I don’t think he will appear in this adventure. He is already slated to be the big bad in an upcoming adventure next year or the year after (I forget which)

 

[Zaukrie]

It's unfortunate as buying this new 30$ adventure will have more than 40% level worth of quest that i already used and paid 20$ for.

If only we had a rebait for having purchased Lost Mine Of Phandevler in the past.

I'd guess more like ten percent...

 

[Uni-the-Unicorn!]

I'd guess more like ten percent...

Page count yes, but actual levels no. Though this adventure could add new low level content I guess.

 

[Parmandur]

It's unfortunate as buying this new 30$ adventure will have more than 40% level worth of quest that i already used and paid 20$ for.

If only we had a rebait for having purchased Lost Mine Of Phandevler in the past.

~25% by page count. I'm significantly mollified by the poster map.

Consider how unfair it would be to anyone who didn't already have Lost Mines to not include it.

 

[Parmandur]

Vecna is related to the obelisks, but I don’t think he will appear in this adventure. He is already slated to be the big bad in an upcoming adventure next year or the year after (I forget which)

My guess, some Netherse group of Wizards are up to no good, but hooks into tge future Vecna plot via the Obelisks.

 

[humble minion]

The Amazon page says Phandelcer and Below is 200 pages.

Honestly, this is the bit that concerns me most about the product. That’s REALLY thin for a full level 1-12 campaign. Frostmaiden was 320, SKT was 256, even Netherdeep was 224.

Maybe it’s just a placeholder number that Amazon is using, but it would fit the very distinct trend of WotC books getting thinner and thinner we’ve seen over the past few years.