The New D&D Adventure Is - Tomb of Annihilation!

Tomb of Annihilation is in the Forgotten Realms set in the Lost Continent of Chult - Away from the Sword Coast (the hosts of the live stream are very interested with undead dinosaurs). Acererak is, as many predicted, the source of this plotline as the Archlich is more or less "eating" resurrection magic from the rest of the Forgotten Realms and causing a zombie apocalypse. Pendleton Ward from Adventure Time is a creative consultant on this adventure.

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More updates will be coming through the Dungeons & Dragons marathon live stream live on Twitch throughout the weekend.

 

[timbannock]

Look I get they have to make money. D&D is pretty much the red-headed stepchild of WoTC and has to justify its existence. But would it kill them to do something a little different?

That red-headed stepchild got its first mention pretty much ever on a Hasbro earnings phone call recently. Not only that, it was a positive statement about the business it's doing.

As for different, have you not seen their multimedia approach to the game? Do you not acknowledge the radically different supplement turnaround and wide ranging seasonal storyline-focus of the company because you don't see it happening or because you don't like it? Have you not noticed that they hit media outlets regularly and with far greater reach than they ever have (maybe with the exception of the Satanic Panic era, but I doubt even that for sheer numbers).

I get the hate of corporations. I get the hate of The Man. Whether or not I agree with it, I totally get it.

But it's like some people are actively trying to keep the blinders on rather than to look outside of their little bubble of derision.

 

[Zaukrie]

I would call a jungle based adventure quite different than anything we have received in years and years. Maybe I missed a product?

 

[Patrick McGill]

Yeah, it's an exotic locale compared to Europe-adjacent Sword Coast with a focus on exploration, a sand-boxy "gazetteer" approach. And zombie dinosaurs.

How is this not "different"?

 

[Allyson Latondress]

Here's a video from Faerun History on the Jungles of Chult, in case anyone wanted some more info on the location!

 

[Benji]

Mine was not speculation. Part of savage tide is set on isle of dread. That part was specifically stated to be a refresh of Isle of Dread for 3e by Erik Mona.

I knew that about savage tide, and forgot it.

I suppose my point is that of course D&D adventures mimic each other, that's how things that share themes work. I'm not sure people complaining about that add anything to the overall discussion. At most they are drawing a parallel that actually exists but doesn't mean anything (Yes, Storm Kings Thunder is Against The Giant inspired but does that cheapen it? Does that speak to it's construction? Does it tell us anything about it's inherent value?). At worst it creates some kind of antagonism towards a thing before it's started because it's like a thing we enjoyed. I liked The Dark Knight. I didn't go 'It's a bit like Batman Begins, so god I hate that' I also didn't go 'It's a bit like the Batman comics that I like, I won't get it'. I don't get the antagonism for stuff when it's adding to a mythos - it's like ragging on Lord Of The Rings becuase it re-uses ideas from The Hobbit. Anyway, I like the idea of tomb of annihilation because finally after all these year acererak might seem like a rounded villain with realistic motivations. Not just a random joker-like Lich you think you've killed but haven't.

Anyway Mistwell, I know you aren't subscribing to the viewpoint I'm arguing against, so please feel free to ignore this rant.

 

[Dark_T_Zeratul]

Which would be fine, but the adventures don't say that. Or even mention Asmodeus.
Instead, the mention Tiamat being "banished" to the Nine Hells and "imprisoned". It's pretty clear that "long ago" she was trapped in the Hells. But that totally doesn't mesh with her last past apperences, as recently as the 4e Scales of War adventure path.

Scales of War wasn't Forgotten Realms. As far as Forgotten Realms is concerned, she's always been in the Nine Hells.

Except the last place Artus was actually seen, canonically, was Chult. He settled down there. Right?

The Storm King's Thunder expansion for Neverwinter was centered around Artus Cimber chasing after frost giants in Icewind Dale that had stolen the Ring of Winter. Not sure what if any of that was in the adventure book.

 

[vecna00]

That red-headed stepchild got its first mention pretty much ever on a Hasbro earnings phone call recently. Not only that, it was a positive statement about the business it's doing.

As for different, have you not seen their multimedia approach to the game? Do you not acknowledge the radically different supplement turnaround and wide ranging seasonal storyline-focus of the company because you don't see it happening or because you don't like it? Have you not noticed that they hit media outlets regularly and with far greater reach than they ever have (maybe with the exception of the Satanic Panic era, but I doubt even that for sheer numbers).

I get the hate of corporations. I get the hate of The Man. Whether or not I agree with it, I totally get it.

But it's like some people are actively trying to keep the blinders on rather than to look outside of their little bubble of derision.

Some people just want more choice. It's the downside of the current approach where the only choice is this book or nothing, and then waiting six months to see if the cycle continues.

They don't have to give new campaign books, just update the mechanics, the fluff is already there. That will probably reduce a lot of the disappointment, I know it will for me.

 

[Al2O3]

Personally I find this a bit too different, so I'm glad my group will have a long time left with SKT.

And for Rise of Tiamat and finding lore:
If it is 4e or later, Forgotten realms and the Nine Hells, then Erin M Evans is likely the person with the details.

Tiamat got tired of something and made a deal with Asmodeus. Traded some freedom in general to get more power with her own realm. I think it was part of The Adversary.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using EN World mobile app

 

[Aldarc]

No surprise, but so tired of the Realms. So this is another adventure that I will not be purchasing.

 

[MonsterEnvy]

Annihilation is much more than just zombies. They're not as predominant in the story as you might think, but what happens with them is really cool!

You are new, but you also sound like someone who is in the know. Are you part of the D&D team?