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boddynock
Learned Scribe
Belgium
258 Posts |
 Posted - 04 Apr 2007 : 20:36:06
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Very good news indeed. I really like the undermountain adventures from second edition (three adventures +2 boxed sets). I'm really curious to see what they bring us :-)
June ... it looks so far :p |
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ericlboyd
Forgotten Realms Designer
USA
2067 Posts |
Posted - 04 Apr 2007 : 21:13:40
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quote:
Originally posted by Dargoth
According to Richard Baker Expedition to Undermountain is designed for a first level party and will take them to 9th level
I'm not sure 9th is correct. It might be less than that.
--Eric |
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http://www.ericlboyd.com/dnd/ |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
Posted - 04 Apr 2007 : 21:55:10
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Either way, I'm quite looking forward to it. 
Do any of the original Undermountain magical items get updated? |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen!  |
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ericlboyd
Forgotten Realms Designer
USA
2067 Posts |
Posted - 04 Apr 2007 : 22:07:00
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
Either way, I'm quite looking forward to it.
Do any of the original Undermountain magical items get updated?
Too early for me to answer that question.
Sorry,
--Eric |
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http://www.ericlboyd.com/dnd/ |
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Dargoth
Great Reader
Australia
4607 Posts |
Posted - 13 Apr 2007 : 04:45:39
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From April and beyond
Another homage to the golden age of D&D , Expedition to Undermountain plumbs the depths of that most deadly and expansive of dungeon complexes, the infamous Undermountain. Located far below the city of Waterdeep (in the Forgotten Realms ), this legendary location has been killing -- that is, challenging -- characters ever since the publication of The Ruins of Undermountainlong, long ago. So popular and exhaustive, the dungeon complex has most recently been re-explored by the lovely and talented Matt Sernett, in a series of web features titled Return to Undermountain. But now, you're staring down the dark corridors of a 224-page super-adventure designed to take a party of 1st-level characters and turn them into hardened 10th-level heroes. Even though Undermountain was/is located underneath Waterdeep, you don't have to be running a campaign in the Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting to make use of this vast labyrinth -- Expedition to Undermountain was designed to be useful to any DM in any campaign setting. I won't go into any more detail or description, but I will pass along the back cover text:
No one knows what lurks
in the depths of the mad archmage's halls . . .
but you're about to find out.
Day, night, I can no longer tell. Gargoyles carried off the wizard while we were roping our way down Belkram's Fall. Evendur the paladin fell beneath the axe of a blood-maddened minotaur two rests later, then Ironhewer stumbled into a magical portal and vanished screaming. We dared not follow him. It is said that these halls hide treasure beyond imagining, but even if we found Halaster's hoard in the next chamber, we are so hopelessly lost that I doubt I would live to spend a copper of it.
This Dungeons & Dragons adventure presents the vastest, deepest, most legendary dungeon of them all -- Undermountain, the domain of the mad archmage Halaster. Below the streets of Waterdeep lie more than twenty levels and sublevels, some miles in extent. Ruined fortresses, secret shrines, subterranean rivers, forgotten crypts, and monsters of every description lurk in the darkness below.
This campaign adventure is designed for characters of levels 1-10 and features an easy-to-use combat encounter format. This book also presents new magic items for player characters and an overview of Waterdeep as a base for any D&D campaign
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“I am the King of Rome, and above grammar”
Emperor Sigismund
"Its good to be the King!"
Mel Brooks |
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George Krashos
Master of Realmslore
Australia
6666 Posts |
Posted - 13 Apr 2007 : 05:17:35
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And that little 'taster' flavour quote is exactly what UM should be for adventurers. Looking forward to this one.
-- George Krashos
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"Because only we, contrary to the barbarians, never count the enemy in battle." -- Aeschylus |
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Asgetrion
Master of Realmslore
Finland
1564 Posts |
Posted - 14 Apr 2007 : 14:23:00
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quote:
Originally posted by George Krashos
And that little 'taster' flavour quote is exactly what UM should be for adventurers. Looking forward to this one.
-- George Krashos
A wonderful piece of flavour text - left me absolutely drooling for more! (I assume that Ed wrote this?)
As I read it, I immediately felt a flood of old memories... our blind characters desperately stumbling through the Halls without a map to reach the well room, dropping our stuff to distract pursuing monsters. Another time and another level - setting off multiple traps in a door that we *must* get through to survive, while the others buy me time with their lives. Ah, Undermountain - every player's worst nightmare...  
I am truly waiting for this one, as a player, since it *always* felt so damn rewarding to just escape the Halls of Halaster alive. Treasure? Magic? Experience? Our characters never really got too much of those, but I still consider all that time my characters spent in the depths as some of the most enjoyable experiences I ever had in my twenty years of gaming!  |
"What am I doing today? Ask me tomorrow - I can be sure of giving you the right answer then."
-- Askarran of Selgaunt, Master Sage, speaking to a curious merchant, Year of the Helm |
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AlorinDawn
Learned Scribe
USA
313 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jun 2007 : 15:59:10
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| Do we know if the book will carry the Forgotten Realms logo and look, or the generic look that has been used thus far in the previews? |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
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Kuje
Great Reader
USA
7915 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jun 2007 : 17:10:16
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quote:
Originally posted by AlorinDawn
Do we know if the book will carry the Forgotten Realms logo and look, or the generic look that has been used thus far in the previews?
It seems, from what we've seen online, it'll be a generic logo. |
For some of us, books are as important as almost anything else on earth. What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet and excite you... Books are full of the things that you don't get in real life - wonderful, lyrical language, for instance, right off the bat. - Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium |
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Skeptic
Master of Realmslore
Canada
1273 Posts |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
Posted - 14 Jun 2007 : 03:30:36
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| I find it hard to believe that they would off Halaster... Especially considering the effects of his absence from the Underhalls during Halaster's Harvestide... |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
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Skeptic
Master of Realmslore
Canada
1273 Posts |
Posted - 14 Jun 2007 : 05:16:20
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
I find it hard to believe that they would off Halaster... Especially considering the effects of his absence from the Underhalls during Halaster's Harvestide...
Halaster's death is now confirmed :
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ex/20070613a&page=2 |
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Dhomal
Senior Scribe
USA
565 Posts |
Posted - 14 Jun 2007 : 05:24:28
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Hello-
Aye - I see it - near the end there. In balck and white.
<sigh>
Perhaps it is a time of great change and all... perhaps there are contingency-style magics at play that will return him...
Perhaps we will learn more - and this will be resolved by the end of the module....
We will have to wait and see.
Dhomal |
I am collecting the D&D Minis. I would be more than willing to trade with people. You can send me a PM here with your email listed - and I can send you my minis list. Thanks!
Successfully traded with Xysma! |
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Skeptic
Master of Realmslore
Canada
1273 Posts |
Posted - 14 Jun 2007 : 05:28:08
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quote:
Originally posted by Dhomal
Hello-
Aye - I see it - near the end there. In balck and white.
<sigh>
Perhaps it is a time of great change and all... perhaps there are contingency-style magics at play that will return him...
Perhaps we will learn more - and this will be resolved by the end of the module....
We will have to wait and see.
Dhomal
Yeah, quite possible, that or another one (maybe one from the Twisted Rune) take his place 
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Edited by - Skeptic on 14 Jun 2007 06:02:43 |
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Dargoth
Great Reader
Australia
4607 Posts |
Posted - 14 Jun 2007 : 05:48:20
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| Looks like the Twisted Rune are in on it (Checkout the TOC) |
“I am the King of Rome, and above grammar”
Emperor Sigismund
"Its good to be the King!"
Mel Brooks |
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RodOdom
Senior Scribe
USA
509 Posts |
Posted - 14 Jun 2007 : 06:20:43
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| Good grief. Will Wizards be only be happy after they've gotten rid of all the interesting characters but for Drizzt? |
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Brenigin
Learned Scribe
New Zealand
117 Posts |
Posted - 14 Jun 2007 : 08:32:53
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| He'll be back. Ed and Eric wouldn't discard all the ground work that was laid for Halaster's future in Elminster in Hell... |
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Dhomal
Senior Scribe
USA
565 Posts |
Posted - 14 Jun 2007 : 09:18:01
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Hello-
IIRC - the snipetts on the web make comment that the events start on the first or last day of Elient in 1375 - when do the events in Blackstaff occur - as we have a sighting in that novel...
Dhomal |
I am collecting the D&D Minis. I would be more than willing to trade with people. You can send me a PM here with your email listed - and I can send you my minis list. Thanks!
Successfully traded with Xysma! |
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Dargoth
Great Reader
Australia
4607 Posts |
Posted - 14 Jun 2007 : 09:34:28
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quote:
Originally posted by Dhomal
Hello-
IIRC - the snipetts on the web make comment that the events start on the first or last day of Elient in 1375 - when do the events in Blackstaff occur - as we have a sighting in that novel...
Dhomal
last day of 1374 |
“I am the King of Rome, and above grammar”
Emperor Sigismund
"Its good to be the King!"
Mel Brooks |
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Uzzy
Senior Scribe
United Kingdom
618 Posts |
Posted - 14 Jun 2007 : 13:34:10
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He appears during the Feast of the Moon, 1374, which isn't the last day, Dargoth. 
Anyway, I'm sure there must be more to it then this. How many people actually have the sourcebook and are able to look through it yet? |
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Gelcur
Senior Scribe
523 Posts |
Posted - 14 Jun 2007 : 18:39:50
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Halaster might just be playing dead, he has so before. Let everyone think he is gone so more fools will delve to their deaths. Hahaha.
I can't wait to get my hands on this book. |
The party come to a town befallen by hysteria
Rogue: So what's in the general store?
DM: What are you looking for?
Rogue: Whatevers in the store.
DM: Like what?
Rogue: Everything.
DM: There is a lot of stuff.
Rogue: Is there a cart outside?
DM: (rolls) Yes.
Rogue: We'll take it all, we may need it for the greater good. |
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Skeptic
Master of Realmslore
Canada
1273 Posts |
Posted - 14 Jun 2007 : 18:57:50
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quote:
Originally posted by RodOdom
Good grief. Will Wizards be only be happy after they've gotten rid of all the interesting characters but for Drizzt?
Well, the last important death was done by the author, not at WOTC request.
I'm pretty sure that if RAS wanted to end Drizzt's saga with his death, WOTC would let him to it. |
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 14 Jun 2007 : 20:10:45
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Ed has just received his advance copies of EXPEDITION, and tells me it's "gorgeous." 221 numbered pages, plus ad pages, generic-line packaging.
Skeptic, if by "last important death" you mean Khelben, that WAS at WotC request. Ed has asked me to say nothing about Halaster or other contents of this book until gamers get their hands on it.
love,
THO |
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Uzzy
Senior Scribe
United Kingdom
618 Posts |
Posted - 14 Jun 2007 : 20:22:03
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How 'gorgeous' is it? As gorgeous as you, THO?
Anyway, it still looks good. Going to pick it up next week, maybe introduce some people to DnD with it! |
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 14 Jun 2007 : 22:38:49
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Just started poking around the excerpts.
I loved the graffiti in the well. Especially the snarky elven comment following the dwarven comment. I was a bit leary when I read in the introduction that they were making this generic, but it seems like despite this disclaimer, nearly every passage defaults to the Realms, and then makes a few notes on how to make it more "generic" rather than the other way around. |
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Skeptic
Master of Realmslore
Canada
1273 Posts |
Posted - 14 Jun 2007 : 22:42:43
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quote:
Originally posted by The Hooded One
Ed has just received his advance copies of EXPEDITION, and tells me it's "gorgeous." 221 numbered pages, plus ad pages, generic-line packaging.
Skeptic, if by "last important death" you mean Khelben, that WAS at WotC request. Ed has asked me to say nothing about Halaster or other contents of this book until gamers get their hands on it.
love,
THO
Ooops, I understand now what I misunderstood from what S. Schend said.
So they are probaby getting rid of major powerful [good] NPCs.. my bet on El for the next stay
Also, THO, some said on ENWorld that the fluff text is awfull, I'm a bit surprised, it was not written by Ed ? |
Edited by - Skeptic on 14 Jun 2007 22:47:45 |
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 14 Jun 2007 : 22:48:36
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quote:
Originally posted by Skeptic
quote:
Originally posted by The Hooded One
Ed has just received his advance copies of EXPEDITION, and tells me it's "gorgeous." 221 numbered pages, plus ad pages, generic-line packaging.
Skeptic, if by "last important death" you mean Khelben, that WAS at WotC request. Ed has asked me to say nothing about Halaster or other contents of this book until gamers get their hands on it.
love,
THO
Ooops, I understand now what I misunderstood from what S. Schend said.
So they are probaby getting rid of major powerful [good] NPCs.. my bet on El for the next stay
And Halaster qualifies for this treatment under this theory how? |
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Skeptic
Master of Realmslore
Canada
1273 Posts |
Posted - 14 Jun 2007 : 22:50:13
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quote:
Originally posted by KnightErrantJR
quote:
Originally posted by Skeptic
Ooops, I understand now what I misunderstood from what S. Schend said.
So they are probaby getting rid of major powerful [good] NPCs.. my bet on El for the next stay
And Halaster qualifies for this treatment under this theory how?
That is why I added the [ ], in fact I should have said major NPC that keep a strong statuo quo around them. |
Edited by - Skeptic on 14 Jun 2007 22:50:49 |
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 14 Jun 2007 : 22:52:16
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| Seriously, I don't know the full extent of the story and how its told, but its kind of a double edged sword. If the same NPCs stay around forever and are "untouchable" then the setting gets hung with the "The NPCs are the stars, not the PCs" sterotype, and when they die, then fans of the character's get upset. I can understand being upset, I love Halaster, and I'd love for him to keep kicking around for a while, and I worry about the rationale behind UnderMountain being maintained without him . . . but if the story is well told and ties into some interesting Realmslore, than they, I'm in as well. |
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Expedition to UnderMountain Information
