D&D 5E (2014) So...Volo, Xanathar...who's next?

[Parmandur]

Eliminster's Guide to Planar things seems likely; I wager the structure will be more like Volos Guide than previous MotP, focusing on planar enemies like Devil's and Demons, with some player stuff and a planar bestiary.

 

[FlyingChihuahua]

I don't think they run in Waterdeep, but rather run out of Skullport which has portals to various places. I also don't think they thieve as much as they engage in slavery.

Isn't Skullport basically the underdark part of Waterdeep or something like that?

 

[Irda Ranger]

Volo's Guide = Monster Manual II
Xanathar's Guide = Player's Handbook II

So the question is, what does a DMG II look like?

 

[AmerginLiath]

For a “DMG II”?

Domain play, large-scale war, and high-level campaigning (possibly including planar travel), centered around around a character known for attempts at world conquest?

 

[Jester David]

I'm anticipating a magic item book next fall. More artifacts, more generic wondrous items, more potions and scrolls, perhaps some crafting rules. Possibly the artificer.

So it could be anyone. Elminster's Magical Wonders. Bigby's Bazaar. Book of Artifacts. Mordenkeinan's Marketplace.

 

[MechaPilot]

I'm anticipating a magic item book next fall. More artifacts, more generic wondrous items, more potions and scrolls, perhaps some crafting rules. Possibly the artificer.

So it could be anyone. Elminster's Magical Wonders. Bigby's Bazaar. Book of Artifacts. Mordenkeinan's Marketplace.

Well, not "anyone."

If it is a magic item book, it probably won't be a Van Richten's Guide. Probably the only Ravenloft personality I could see fitting with a magic item book would be the darklord of Darkon. An Azalin's Vault of Wonders kind of thing.

 

[Parmandur]

Volo's Guide = Monster Manual II
Xanathar's Guide = Player's Handbook II

So the question is, what does a DMG II look like?

Well, Xanathar's seems as much DMG II, and maybe more.

 

[Parmandur]

I could see Van Ricthen's Guide to the Undead (something along those lines) being a future book...

 

[MechaPilot]

I could see Van Ricthen's Guide to the Undead (something along those lines) being a future book...

I could see that as well, but I think that would undervalue the things you could put into a Van Richten's book. I'd make it more broadly based than just undead. Something like Van Richten's Guide to Monster Hunting.

Apart from the charm and overall pleasant presentation of the AD&D 2e Van Richten's Guides (and to a slightly lesser extent the 3e ones penned by his nieces), one of my favorite things about those books is how they offer a great deal of inspiration and options for making each monster (whether fiend, spirit, golem, therianthrope or undead) unique and memorable. Also notable is their presentation of how monster abilities can be used to invoke fear, and impotence, and how monster abilities tie to various emotional and psychological elements like rage, lust, etc.

Make the book's focus on creating memorable and awesome individuals from basic Monster Manual entries, with examples (perhaps in the form of a couple Ravenloft Darklords). Then throw in some monster hunting subclasses and organizations, and some magic items geared toward slaying specific types of monsters (especially the classic movie monsters of ghosts, vampires, mummies, golems, werebeasts, etc.), and some monster-themed backgrounds (like a former monster who was cured, or someone who's the target of a monster's obsession like a bride of dracula kind of thing) and call it a day.

I'd buy the heck out of that book.

Especially if one of the examples was Jacqueline Renier. Love her.

 

[dropbear8mybaby]

Berk's Guide to the Planes.