D&D 5E Quests from the Infinite Staircase TOC and Zargon.

Brandes Stoddard shared the table of contents from Quests from the Infinite Staircase, along with the stats for the elder evil Zargon the Returner, over on BlueSky. Quests from the Infinite Staircase comes out on July 16th, and is an adventure anthology for character levels 1-13.

 

[Stormonu]

QotI = Quests from the Infinite Staircase abbrated.

Ah, shouldn't that be QftIS or QotIS? I think it was the missing "S" that threw me.

 

[Necropolitan]

I mean, the organization formed? That's Lawful Evil.

It's a hedonistic cult of drug-addicted madmen. That's hardly Lawful Evil.

Edit: I checked and Zargon was listed as "Chaotic" in the 1st Edition adventure he originated in. Which isn't that helpful since "Chaotic" basically covered most enemies the PCs would fight back then.

 

[MonsterEnvy]

Cultivating worship was something Zargon did in the original

Although Zargon is ancient, it is no god. It is a cunning creature that discovered its "godhood" makes it easier to get victims. Zargon was worshipped by primitive peoples in early times, but retreated underground when the primitives were wiped out by the ancestors of the Cynidiceans. Zargon remained in a strange hibernation for many years. By chance, the Cynidiceans built the pyramid on the spot where Zargon's original shrine stood, and the later digging of the Cynidicean slaves awakened the creature.

I originally posted this in the wrong thread.

 

[Kobold Avenger]

I remember one of the previews depicted Lillendi in the art, but they're not in the appendix of monsters. Could be a sign that they're in the new Monster Manual.

 

[Demetrios1453]

I remember one of the previews depicted Lillendi in the art, but they're not in the appendix of monsters. Could be a sign that they're in the new Monster Manual.

They may just cop out and say, "Use the merfolk stat block, except their type is Celestial," with maybe another minor change or two.

 

[MNblockhead]

Interesting to compare to the Goodman version...

View attachment 370270
View attachment 370271

I actually like the the OAR artwork better, though I do appreciate the 50/60s-era pulp science fiction paperback cover look of the WotC art.

 

[Parmandur]

I remember one of the previews depicted Lillendi in the art, but they're not in the appendix of monsters. Could be a sign that they're in the new Monster Manual.

Or that the text says "use a Solar stat block" or something.

 

[Nikosandros]

I remember one of the previews depicted Lillendi in the art, but they're not in the appendix of monsters. Could be a sign that they're in the new Monster Manual.

The adventure is coming out this month while the new MM won't be out until February. It seems strange that the adventure would point to a book that won't be available for 7 months.

 

[dave2008]

Ok let's compare them
...
Total points: Goodman Zargon: 12-13.5 points vs WotC Zargon: 13 points. Roughly equal, which I find somewhat concerning, when you consider Goodman Zargon is a CR 13 monster, while WotC one is CR 17. I get a sense between being bigger bag of hit points and his regeneration you can only stop by dealing him damage he is resistant to, WotC Zargon will be tedious to fight against, while seven attacks per turn and three with legendary action make Goodman Zargon more of a pain in the bottom area to run. Now, Zargon who combines two statblocks would be an utter horror to fight, that would be a final boss material.

Use them both as two different versions of his Avatar form. Then combine the best traits from both stat blocks for Endgame Zargon.

Ask and ye shall recieve! Here is a combined Zargon plus a bit of my own spice (PS - this uses a custom version of the new 2024 statblock format):

 

[Paul Farquhar]

What makes Zargon Lawful Evil as opposed to Neutral Evil or Chaotic Evil?

I mean, why not? I don't see him doing anything particularly chaotic.

And from a practical point of view it is useful to have a lawful option in the GOO warlock patron list.