[UPDATED] RAGE OF DEMONS! New D&D Storyline Features Drizzt, Underdark, & Demon Lords!

Following Elemental Evil this fall, Rage of Demons will launch a new storyline featuring Drizzt Do'Urden, the Underdark, and various demon lords from the Abyss including old favourites like Demogorgon, Orcus and Graz’zt. This will feature on tabletop, console, and PC. "The demon lords have been summoned from the Abyss and players must descend into the Underdark with the iconic hero Drizzt Do’Urden to stop the chaos before it threatens the surface." It begins with the adventure Out of the Abyss, which releases on September 15th for $49.95, and is being designed for WotC by Green Ronin Publishing. (Thanks to Charles Akins for that last scoop!)

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Drizzt? WotC's Chris Perkins says: "Drizzt's role in the RoD story varies depending on the platform. In the TRPG adventure, the PCs are the stars."

Inspiration: "My inspirations for RAGE OF DEMONS were Lewis Carroll's Wonderland stories and EXILE, by R.A. Salvatore." [Perkins] So this is the Alice in Wonderland inspired story that's been previously alluded to.

Here's the full announcement.

"Today, Wizards of the Coast announced Rage of Demons, the new storyline for Dungeons & Dragons fans coming in Fall 2015. The demon lords have been summoned from the Abyss and players must descend into the Underdark with the iconic hero Drizzt Do’Urden to stop the chaos before it threatens the surface. Rage of Demons is the story all D&D gamers will be excited to play this fall, whether they prefer consoles, PCs or rolling dice with friends.

Following on the critically-acclaimed Tyranny of Dragons and Elemental Evil stories, Rage of Demons will transport characters to the deadly and insane underworld. Rumors of powerful demon lords such as Demogorgon, Orcus and Graz’zt terrorizing the denizens of the Underdark have begun to filter up to the cities of the Sword Coast. The already dangerous caverns below the surface are thrown into ultimate chaos, madness and discord. The renegade drow Drizzt Do’Urden is sent to investigate but it will be up to you to aid in his fight against the demons before he succumbs to his darker temptations.

Dungeons & Dragons fans will have more options than ever to enjoy the Rage of Demons storyline. The themes of treachery and discord in the Underdark are in Sword Coast Legends, the new CRPG (computer role-playing game) coming this fall on PC from n-Space and Digital Extremes. The epic campaign that drives Sword Coast Legends' story forces players deep into the Underdark and continues well after launch with legendary adventurer Drizzt Do'Urden.

For fans of Neverwinter, the popular Dungeons & Dragons-based MMORPG will bring a new expansion – tentatively titled Neverwinter: Underdark – in 2015. The update will see adventurers travel with Drizzt to the drow city of Menzoberranzan during its demonic assault as well as experience a unique set of quests written by the creator of Drizzt, R.A. Salvatore. The expansion will initially be released on PC and will come out on the Xbox One at a later date.

Players of the tabletop roleplaying game can descend into the Underdark in Out of the Abyss, a new adventure which provides details on the demon lords rampaging through the Underdark. Partners such as WizKids, GaleForce 9 and Smiteworks will all support Rage of Demons with new products to help bring your tabletop game to life. To really get in the mind of Drizzt, fans will have to check out Archmage, the new novel by R.A. Salvatore, scheduled for release in early September.

“Rage of Demons is a huge storyline involving all expressions of Dungeons & Dragons, and we’re excited to bring players this story in concert with all of our partners,” said Nathan Stewart, Brand Director at Wizards of the Coast. “I can’t wait to see everyone interact with one of the world’s most recognizable fantasy characters: Drizzt Do’Urden. Descending into the depths won’t exactly be easy for him, and D&D fans will get their mettle tested just like Drizzt when they come face-to-face with all the demon lords.”

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[Paraxis]

Ignoring the disparity of numbers, I wonder how Paizo avoids such complaints with setting all their APs on Golarion (and a fair amount walking distance from Sandport).

Golarion is a huge kitchen sink setting, and most of the AP's are set in vastly different locations and environments.

The only two I know of that are anywhere near Sandpoint is the first Rise of the Runelords and the Jade Regent one starts in Sandpoint but very quickly leaves the area and travels to their version of the orient.

But yeah, there is a dessert one (or two), a jungle one, a hell on earth one, a ravenloft like one, and so on.

Oh there is another one in the Sandpoint area I forgot about but it was the spiritual successor to the first one, trying to capitalize on the success of Rise of the Runelords, but it was a couple years later not 6 months.

 

[Mercule]

For me, the point is, "Dear WotC, you would get more of my money if you had some adventures that weren't set in the FR".

This thread gives me a small glimmer of hope that there is a growing, general fatigue with the Realms. Maybe this relentless focus from Wizards will finally kill the setting. I'm sure that's a pipe dream, but I'd be just tickled to have FR receive the same level of support that Grayhawk did in 2E.

That said, I'm having a tough time deciding what I think about this adventure. I've always loved demons (as a DM). But, I've always hated the Underdark, dark elves, and aberrations. I could probably handle setting this in Khyber (which isn't quite the same as the Underdark, IMO) and a few aberrations. Drow are a tough pill to swallow, though.

Also, I think Drizzt is an immediate penalty flag for anyone with any animosity towards the Realms. Even if he's not featured in the TT adventure, pointing out that he's somewhere in the same hemisphere is annoying.

 

[Remathilis]

Golarion is a huge kitchen sink setting, and most of the AP's are set in vastly different locations and environments.

The only two I know of that are anywhere near Sandpoint is the first Rise of the Runelords and the Jade Regent one starts in Sandpoint but very quickly leaves the area and travels to their version of the orient.

But yeah, there is a dessert one (or two), a jungle one, a hell on earth one, a ravenloft like one, and so on.

Oh there is another one in the Sandpoint area I forgot about but it was the spiritual successor to the first one, trying to capitalize on the success of Rise of the Runelords, but it was a couple years later not 6 months.

This is something I hope WotC will eventually do; APs that take PCs to other areas (you can argue this one could well be; the Underdark isn't quite the same as Neverwinter, even if you do start in the Sword Coast). An AP that take you to Kara Tur, to Zakhara, to Thay and Cormyr and the Dalelands and beyond. Sure, the first few need to be in the same area (for marketing purposes) but I hope to soon see more diversity coming soon from WotC's regional choices.

 

[Wicht]

Hater haters gonna hate hate.

I just wonder if hate haters complaining about complainers and hating on hateful haters realize they project the same hateful hate as those they hate for hating.

 

[TwoSix]

This thread gives me a small glimmer of hope that there is a growing, general fatigue with the Realms. Maybe this relentless focus from Wizards will finally kill the setting. I'm sure that's a pipe dream, but I'd be just tickled to have FR receive the same level of support that Grayhawk did in 2E.

Almost assuredly not going to happen, at least for the big transmedia storylines. No other setting has anywhere close to the presence of the Realms in the video game D&D universe.

That doesn't mean we can't have adventures that aren't FR, just that the big adventures that are tied to other products probably will be FR for a while. Maybe in a few years, if this relaunch of the brand works out and they want to expand the IP.

 

[TwoSix]

I just wonder if hate haters complaining about complainers and hating on hateful haters realize they project the same hateful hate as those they hate for hating.

How much hate could a hater hate if hater hated hate?

 

[justinj3x3]

I just wonder if hate haters complaining about complainers and hating on hateful haters realize they project the same hateful hate as those they hate for hating.

Oh like the ones that are the second or third post of a news thread saying (not this one specifically, nor quoting specifically) 'Great news! Now the complainers will start posting their negative posts' not realizing that they have just become that complainer posting that negative post by posting that post. They amuse me.

Yes I'm a hater hater hater.

 

[justinj3x3]

This thread gives me a small glimmer of hope that there is a growing, general fatigue with the Realms. Maybe this relentless focus from Wizards will finally kill the setting. I'm sure that's a pipe dream, but I'd be just tickled to have FR receive the same level of support that Grayhawk did in 2E.

I doubt it, but for the record I'm not buying any APs because they are FR. If they were even generic I'd consider buying them. If they were Greyhawk I'd have it pre-ordered.

 

[cmad1977]

Who cares if it's set in FR? Port it to wherever you want. Easy peezy.

 

[justinj3x3]

Who cares if it's set in FR? Port it to wherever you want. Easy peezy.

I care. They say vote with your dollars. So I'm voting by not buying.