D&D 5E (2024) What are the 7 dungeons in D&D World of Warcraft all about?

We reported the other day that various online influencers have been given access to the upcoming World of Warcraft book, and have permission to discuss certain elements of that book. Most of them are concentrating on the various dungeons within: the Deadmines and Shadowfang Keep set up for Levels 1-4 players, Blackfathom Deep and Scarlet Monastery for Levels 5-10 players, Scarlet Monastery (again) and Dire Maul set up for Levels 11-16 players, and Azjol Nerub and Onyxia’s Lair for Levels 17-20 players.

These are all classic dungeons found within the MMORP, and are likely familiar to players of that game. Many D&D players, however (including me) might not be familiar with the contents of the video game, so I did the research so you didn't have to. Here's what the 7 dungeons are all about (though there's no guarantee that these will be exactly the same).

• The Deadmines (1-4) is a bandit hideout. In the video game it is hidden underneath a farming town, and is an abandoned goblin mine. In the MMORPG it leads to a ironclad pirate warship. Obviously.
• Shadowfang Keep (1-4) is a gothic-style castle on a cliff filled with were-creatures and undead, as well as a mad archmage.
• Blackfathom Deeps (5-10) is an underwater temple, once owned by night elves and now corrupted by a cult to the Old Gods. Expect aquatic foes and, if its the same as the MMORPG, a hydra
• Scarlet Monastery (5-15) is the base of an order of fanatical inquisitors who execute anyone they think has been infected by the undead.
• Dire Maul (11-15) is the ruin of an ancient elven city. In the MMORPG it has three main zones--ghosts, a demonic prison, and an ogre-run gladiator arena.
• Azjol-Nerub (16-20) is an arctic underdark style place where a species of 4-legged spider folk have been turned into undead, led by a reanimated 'crypt lord'.
• Onyxia's Lair (16-20) is a black dragon lair.

This is all based on some research I did, so if I got any details wrong, it's my own fault. I've never played World of Warcraft, and I'm sure that players of the MMORPG can provide much more detail.

 

[Dessert Nomad]

I wonder if Anoxia's lair is going to stick around as a meme.

 

[Baumi]

I'm surprised that there is so much Adventure-Content is included. It's not a bad thing, but I would have thought that the conversion of the classes, subclasses and the world itself would take at least one fat book. I'm now very curious about the final book

 

[Parmandur]

I'm surprised that there is so much Adventure-Content is included. It's not a bad thing, but I would have thought that the conversion of the classes, subclasses and the world itself would take at least one fat book. I'm now very curious about the final book

It's a 256 page book: I saw somewhere that the Gazateer chapter will be 20 pages, and the Adventure chapter including these Dungeons will be about 50 pages.

 

[Emerikol]

Also levels aren't levels like D&D. Levels go far higher in the MMO. So a dungeon for 11-14 might actually be a dungeon for 3-5 when they are done.

 

[aco175]

I wonder if this would be cool to play at a convention as an epic event with several tables all working together or competing against each other.

 

[Dessert Nomad]

Also levels aren't levels like D&D. Levels go far higher in the MMO. So a dungeon for 11-14 might actually be a dungeon for 3-5 when they are done.

Those are D&D levels. They've already posted stats for some of the named monsters in Dire Maul, it's definitely not a level 3-5 dungeon.

 

[Emerikol]

Those are D&D levels. They've already posted stats for some of the named monsters in Dire Maul, it's definitely not a level 3-5 dungeon.

Okay so they already made the change. That makes sense. I don't always expect them to do the sensible thing though.

 

[Morrus]

Also levels aren't levels like D&D. Levels go far higher in the MMO. So a dungeon for 11-14 might actually be a dungeon for 3-5 when they are done.

The levels above are the D&D levels, not the WoW levels.

 

[Sulicius]

A great spread! Shadowfang Keep is one of my favorite ever.

The dungeons, however, are spread across 3 continents, which does bother me a bit. I guess they have to take the boat or zeppelin.

As a final note, the Icecrown Citadel dungeon is available as a physical map pack, but with a complete D&D Beyond exclusive adventure, levels 16-20 (this digital adventure is unlocked with a D&D Beyond code included within the physical product).