Here are the backs of each. Beautiful illustration of Zariel. pic.twitter.com/5Z0KEHD6UH
— Kato Katonian @ Avernus (@KatoKatonian) September 4, 2019
The special cover has the foil process they’ve used before to make it shiny. pic.twitter.com/lv0gmEKoKp
— Kato Katonian @ Avernus (@KatoKatonian) September 4, 2019
The book starts with a good description of the story, and the “beats” of where the PCs should be level-wise when they reach certain areas.
An entire city has descended to hell, leaving a crater behind. The PC’s must keep Baldur’s Gate from suffering the same fate! pic.twitter.com/k7RZaOnCea
— NewbieDM (@newbiedm) September 5, 2019
This handsome creature greets you on the front page. (Also appears as a miniature in the WizKids miniature line that ties in). pic.twitter.com/RXLwTVTHQr
— Kato Katonian @ Avernus (@KatoKatonian) September 4, 2019
Some quick facts: 256 page book across six chapters, a gazetteer, and seven appendices. Takes players from levels 1 to 13. A whole mess of people worked on this book. I’d tag them but it would look like username soup. So here’s the credits page: pic.twitter.com/j1WiKwY6Fe
— Kato Katonian @ Avernus (@KatoKatonian) September 4, 2019
Possible spoilers here in the Table of Contents. Scroll on by if you think the chapter contents will spoil something for you. pic.twitter.com/Rxekmo93d6
— Kato Katonian @ Avernus (@KatoKatonian) September 4, 2019
Minor copyright thing I noticed: WotC calls out that Arkhan the Cruel, Torogar Steelfist, and Krull the Tortle are properties of Joe Mangianello. No surprises there, just interesting how characters created outside of WotC can be incorporated and rights remain with creator. Several people asked for the disclaimer listed in Descent Into Avernus. Here it is. Scroll by if you don’t want it spoiled.
(Amusing nod to the Satanic Panic) pic.twitter.com/jNACiWWit3
— Kato Katonian @ Avernus (@KatoKatonian) September 4, 2019
There’s a @schleyMap of Baldur’s Gate. Looks like the one from Murder in Baldur’s Gate but not sure. cutaway in here! 💙 pic.twitter.com/0M8IMj97xA
— Kato Katonian @ Avernus (@KatoKatonian) September 4, 2019
Appendix A: Diabolical Deals. Information on how devils go about making deals. What devils want, what they offer. How contracts work (especially if you break them) and what forms they take (apparently “baby dolls” is an option)… pic.twitter.com/FYByMJJauj
— Kato Katonian @ Avernus (@KatoKatonian) September 4, 2019
This is a map of Vanthampur Villa in the Descent into Avernus book.
What’s interesting about it is that it is specifically called out in the credits as “inspired by a building design by Dean Turner”.
First time I’ve ever seen a real world architect get credit in a #dnd book. pic.twitter.com/xNDkB61oI3
— NewbieDM (@newbiedm) September 5, 2019
The adventure starts PCs off in the middle of a refugee crisis at the walls of Baldur’s Gate.
I recommend you learn to paraphrase. It is a necessary skill when running published adventures. That’s a hefty bit of boxed text. pic.twitter.com/yBxnEsglth
— NewbieDM (@newbiedm) September 5, 2019
Appendix B: Infernal War Machines. Vehicles built in the Nine Hells and fueled by souls of the damned. Rules for vehicles and how to use them. They have statblocks similar to monsters. Here’s The Scavenger for instance: Infernal War Machines are powered by soul coins (magical items containing a soul). Soul coins have a number of charges and those charges power the War Machine for an associated amount of time. The souls scream out as they are consumed by the war machine’s furnace. Fun.
— Kato Katonian @ Avernus (@KatoKatonian) September 4, 2019
Book details 4 example War Machines but includes rules for Fiendish Variations which are alternative armor, weapons, and magical gadgets with which war machines can be outfitted.
Vehicle rules include mishaps, repairs, crashing and falling. There’s also a Chase Complications table to allow you to use the DMGs rules for Chases. Would have liked maybe some more info here (it’s half a page) as I’ve found the DMG’s chase rules are kinda lacking.— Kato Katonian @ Avernus (@KatoKatonian) September 4, 2019
Maps are once again brought to you by @DysonLogos pic.twitter.com/pn37p3ZqHq
— NewbieDM (@newbiedm) September 5, 2019
A song.
And now I am reminded of Dragonlance. Sigh. pic.twitter.com/uWKKNnNPjU
— NewbieDM (@newbiedm) September 5, 2019
There’s also a Chase Complications table to allow you to use the DMGs rules for Chases. Would have liked maybe some more info here (it’s half a page) as I’ve found the DMG’s chase rules are kinda lacking. Appendix C: Magic Items
Looks like 12 new magic items, many related to NPCs in the adventure. Arkhan the Cruel’s battleaxe “Fane-Eater” and Zariel’s sword are both statted out here. Also here’s the aforementioned soul coin. pic.twitter.com/Ec902f4E4F— Kato Katonian @ Avernus (@KatoKatonian) September 4, 2019
For example: pic.twitter.com/vwuK8FUWDD
— Kato Katonian @ Avernus (@KatoKatonian) September 4, 2019
I’ve seen him before. Maybe in the Hoard of the Dragon Queen book? pic.twitter.com/TRvvKNaiZn
— NewbieDM (@newbiedm) September 5, 2019
This takes place after Tomb of Annihilation.
Remember her? pic.twitter.com/4fqy54ueTr
— NewbieDM (@newbiedm) September 5, 2019
Appendix E is the Infernal Rapture Menu which I won’t spoil.
Quick flip looks like there’s another 22 statblocks scattered throughout the rest of the book, mostly NPCs. But also this good fiendy boy: Appendix F: is Story Concept Art. Neat stuff here as usual.
Appendix: G: Infernal Script. A cipher for writing in or deciphering Infernal. pic.twitter.com/Y9wffYgKaq— Kato Katonian @ Avernus (@KatoKatonian) September 4, 2019
Epic. Griffon ridin’! pic.twitter.com/mOCVCTxGnX
— NewbieDM (@newbiedm) September 5, 2019
The Fall of Zariel (possible spoilers, though this was all mentioned in a relatively recent Dragon Talk.) pic.twitter.com/tZh0g2LU29
— Kato Katonian @ Avernus (@KatoKatonian) September 4, 2019
Each chapter has a flowchart pic.twitter.com/yHUqXkTBY0
— NewbieDM (@newbiedm) September 5, 2019
So far best table in Baldur’s Gate: Descent Into Avernus is “Flesh Warping”. Roll to see what happens when you come in contact with Demon Ichor. pic.twitter.com/OFT3fXltdE
— Kato Katonian @ Avernus (@KatoKatonian) September 4, 2019
Ah, in this chapter I recognize some of the names, they were characters in the Descent event I went to in LA back in May. pic.twitter.com/LpsVjHcENS
— NewbieDM (@newbiedm) September 5, 2019
Canon. #Criticalrole pic.twitter.com/PKZAcI2n55
— NewbieDM (@newbiedm) September 5, 2019
So chapter 3 branches off into 2 possible paths as the PCs search for the Sword of Zariel. Path of Demons and Path of Devils. Basically locations the PCs must visit as they ride their war machines through Avernus. pic.twitter.com/2vg2mQoIit
— NewbieDM (@newbiedm) September 5, 2019
Finally there are twenty double-sided cards. One is the infernal cipher again. There are also a Strange Encounters in Avernus, and a Trinkets table… pic.twitter.com/faUuznN3oZ
— Kato Katonian @ Avernus (@KatoKatonian) September 5, 2019
The Baldur’s Gate gazeteer describes it as it is in 1492 DR. pic.twitter.com/0hvTkj1xQe
— NewbieDM (@newbiedm) September 5, 2019
There are new features to adapt backgrounds for BG specifically, and a whole new one, Faceless. I am reminded of Arya Stark. pic.twitter.com/k69m4ONsnW
— NewbieDM (@newbiedm) September 5, 2019
Okay. This is cool. The story assumes the party is already together and share a Dark Secret—a conspiracy, a murder, theft, or a failed coup. pic.twitter.com/M7cvvMj0zG
— NewbieDM (@newbiedm) September 5, 2019
The concept art section is great! I hope it is downlodable at @DnDBeyond once the adventure goes live on there. Could be useful. pic.twitter.com/UexwBqnEE9
— NewbieDM (@newbiedm) September 5, 2019
The concept art section is great! I hope it is downlodable at @DnDBeyond once the adventure goes live on there. Could be useful. pic.twitter.com/UexwBqnEE9
— NewbieDM (@newbiedm) September 5, 2019