What Will the Next Storyline From Wizards of the Coast Be?

[leozelig]

Tomb of Annihilation was released in September. Does anyone know what the next published adventure from WotC will be? So far, we have had...


Tyranny of Dragons - dragons and cultists
Elemental Evil - cultists and cultists
Rage of Demons - drow and demons
Curse of Strahd - vampires and werewolves
Storm King's Thunder - giants and more giants
Tales from the Yawning Portal - classics anthology
Tomb of Annihilation - frog men and dinosaurs


It looks like they have hit most of the big settings and villain archetypes, paying tribute to Temple of Elemental Evil, Ravenloft, and the G-series along the way. Even Tomb of Annihilation was channeling a Dwellers of the Forbidden City vibe to me, which is not a bad thing.

So what's next??? I don't know if anything has been announced or even teased, but I don't mind speculating...


An exploration of some part of the D&D multiverse to complement Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes.
Desert setting with efreet, djinn, and the like.
We had Rage of Demons, how about some devils?
The Red Wizards or some other wizard-based theme.
A more traditional undead threat rather than the gothic horror that is Ravenloft.


Other thoughts...


Will they stick to expansive level ranges or maybe venture into higher level (i.e. level 11-20) adventures?
They seem to have drifted towards a more open-ended adventure path with recent storylines - I expect this to continue.
This is the longest break between storylines since the Starter Set was released in July 2014. Does that mean anything?

[Zacchaeus]

The next release next month is Mordenkainen’s Tome of Foes, which is not and adventure. No details on anything beyond that.

[LordEntrails]

ENWorld has a huge thread about this, I think it's over 800 posts.

There is no consensus, obviously. But it is known that the next two products (Broadway and Catacombs are the development names, if I remember right) will be published in September and October. They will be announced about 3 months prior to release (per usual). I suspect they are probably already in development for FG modules (or soon will be), but of course would be protected by Non-Disclosure Agreements so SW and the devs wouldn't be able to say anything.

Personally, I believe they will be adventures set in Waterdeep and Undermountain.

[celestian]

Darksun.

[leozelig]

Mordenkainen’s Tome isn’t an adventure - that’s true, but it does cover D&D cosmology and the multiverse from what I understand, so perhaps a plane-hopping adventure. That might be difficult as an overarching theme on its own but could certainly be part of something else, or they might focus on one.

[GunnarGreybeard]

Maybe they stopped to work on D&D 6e . . . . Just kidding!

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTDhkckjlyoq7oCsayzIo0XmrZcDzdfr VshxJuipZRDN_VlRkIVqA

Personally, I would like to see DarkSun.

[LordEntrails]

I'm hoping for DarkSun too. I only played a campaign that died early once. But it looked really cool and unique. I'm still confident this year's AP's are Waterdeep and UM :)

[ColinBuckler]

I am kinda hoping for Spelljammer - especially after Starfinder has been released living a gap in 5E's product profile. (Broadway?)

Though Planscape could be quite high - maybe more so after Mordenkanian's release if it contains a lot of planescape monsters....

However I would like to see Birthright - but I think thats a bit of a punt and well behind Darksun and other posibilities - though Undermountain could be a strong contender (Catacombs)

[JohnQPublic]

Personally, I believe they will be adventures set in Waterdeep and Undermountain.

Yawning Portal was set out of Waterdeep and kinda sorta touched on Undermountain. I suspect they are going elsewhere.

My money is on a higher level, plane hopping type adventure.

[celestian]

I'm hoping for DarkSun too. I only played a campaign that died early once. But it looked really cool and unique. I'm still confident this year's AP's are Waterdeep and UM :)
I'm not a fan if darksun I just suspect that is their direction after what I've seen. If much prefer generic setting adventures.

[Grommit57]

Eberron

[Bidmaron]

Al Qadim, but I don't play 5e. That was a very nice setting, though.

[shadzar]

I have been expecting that ever since Rob Aducci moved from AL to another project, that he was converting DarkSun to 5e.

[leozelig]

I really like what they did with Tomb of Annihilation, taking us away from the Sword Coast to a jungle island adventure. The setting was original but not unfamiliar (Isle of Dread, Dwellers of the Forbidden City). We haven't been to the desert much outside the world of Darksun, but I feel like a Darksun update would be more of a supplement than an adventure.

A city-based adventure would be interesting. A crowded city could be full of interesting NPCs and locations. If anyone watches Dice, Camera, Action!, the party has been back on the streets of Chult for the last few episodes. Perhaps a hint of things to come, although not in that particular city. How about City of Brass, with a little Nine Hells mixed in - efreet, devils, etc.! That would probably have to be higher level, but if they have two releases planned in a short time, maybe one will be just that.

[Zhern]

If they are going to stay in the Forgotten Realms, and I suspect they are, it would be nice if they moved east towards Rashemen, Vaasa, Damara, and the like. Or Thay. Going deep into the heart of Thay to challenge the zulkirs would be interesting. Personally, I'm holding out hope for Darksun or Planescape. Honestly, anything other than the Forgotten Realms would be welcome.

I can't speak for WotC, but I do know a thing or three about a certain City of Brass for 5E that will drop later in the year...

[leozelig]

If they are going to stay in the Forgotten Realms, and I suspect they are, it would be nice if they moved east towards Rashemen, Vaasa, Damara, and the like. Or Thay...

I can't speak for WotC, but I do know a thing or three about a certain City of Brass for 5E that will drop later in the year...

Well Zhern, you have piqued my curiosity!

I don't mind the Forgotten Realms, but they do need to get away from the Sword Coast...

[Valyar]

Completely new setting will definitely stir the things up, though I doubt. Like in the recent ten or more years in Hollywood, they probably will re-use old and proven stuffs, not risking too much.

[LordEntrails]

Almost official, Waterdeep and Undermountain. Of course all the references could be something else, but seems unlikely.
https://dnd.wizards.com/articles/events/some
June 1st we will know for sure.

[Grommit57]

Almost official, Waterdeep and Undermountain. Of course all the references could be something else, but seems unlikely.
https://dnd.wizards.com/articles/events/some
June 1st we will know for sure.

Looks like you are probably correct. Was really hoping for something different this time around. After Chult it made me want to play Eberron again.

[shadzar]

Xanathar, followed by Mordenkainen...

What comes after Xanathar, and an archmage? Myth Drannor.

Eye of the Beholder = BBEG Xanathar
Eye of the Beholder II = Archmage of Waterdeep gives people notes with information (Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes, though Mord is Greyhawk, possibly to throw people off)
Eye of the Beholder III: Assault on Myth Drannor

there is "many eyes"

recent ARG: Immortal Fortress


Myth Drannor, which is ruled by a Lich named Acwellan

immortal IN a fortress.

https://www.immortalfortress.com/who-is-our

The man dispatched to Earth and tasked with safeguarding the stone, knows not his own true name, nor of the land he once called home; Subjected to a spell, which, for a time, recast his mind, occluding his true self, lest he be too easy to find.

Lich protect their phylactery, was Acwellan his true name?

announced in June, probably release in Fall...

the Fall of Myth Drannor...

[celestian]

The name of the stream event next month I think was called "SOME" Stream of Many Eyes.

Sounds a lot like Beholders certainly.

[shadzar]

The man dispatched to Earth and tasked with safeguarding the stone, knows not his own true name, nor of the land he once called home; Subjected to a spell, which, for a time, recast his mind, occluding his true self, lest he be too easy to find.


the wearer can place three memorized spells or spell-like powers (including beholder eyebeam powers) into the gem.

The mantle stone is sentient with the intelligence and soul of Vhyridaan the Mad, a half-elf, exile wizard whose attempts to teach himself High Magic saw him lose his mind into his creation.

Aulmpiter....

well, Aulmpiter was the last to posses the stone before the great explosion, that either killed them all or possible sent them flying somewhere else... probably unable to remember his own name or the land he once called home. :P

and more dang beholders...

[shadzar]

its Greyhawk.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dcryy9xVwAAVXTq.jpg

"Earth" ... Oerth

the whole thing is a case of Leomund's Lamentable Belaborment. the true name of the Circle of Eight member was not Leomund, but Guy Gas.... an imposter posing himself as Leomund.


This devious spell distracts the subject creatures by drawing them into an absorbing discussion on topics of interest to them.

Most likely the new place will be Medegia (https://ghmaps.net/medegia/).

#NoStoneUnturned

[shadzar]

i spent the lst hours trying to use Trenloe's language extension to turn this into a language for 5e, and sick of this busted design for adding simple things, so someone else can go here (https://immortalfortress.wikia.com/wiki/Dead_Drops_-_Glyphs) and figure it out.

Note: the font file on that page isnt even correct, you have to assign the A to the actual glyph first. i wont give the edited version i fixed because it isnt my font. likewise i wont share the FGF file make from the corrected font either.

if someone wants to come up with a simple method to add more languages, and tutorial for it instead of just adding random fonts, then maybe i would be willing to try again after the original font creator fixes the font and includes an actual TTF file instead of only OTF, woff, and woff2.

[LordEntrails]

i spent the lst hours trying to use Trenloe's language extension to turn this into a language for 5e, and sick of this busted design for adding simple things, so someone else can go here (https://immortalfortress.wikia.com/wiki/Dead_Drops_-_Glyphs) and figure it out.

Note: the font file on that page isnt even correct, you have to assign the A to the actual glyph first. i wont give the edited version i fixed because it isnt my font. likewise i wont share the FGF file make from the corrected font either.

if someone wants to come up with a simple method to add more languages, and tutorial for it instead of just adding random fonts, then maybe i would be willing to try again after the original font creator fixes the font and includes an actual TTF file instead of only OTF, woff, and woff2.
What does this have to do with this thread?

[celestian]

What does this have to do with this thread?

It's the source of the previous message he posted. The "quest" to find the usb drive and reveal the information (message from Elmonster).

[LordEntrails]

It's the source of the previous message he posted. The "quest" to find the usb drive and reveal the information (message from Elmonster).
Oh, thanks, I had no idea that was what he was complaining about.

[shadzar]

new day, the author seems to have fixed the glyph font, so testing to make sure the IF.FGF files work in FG... result...

font from twitter.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dc2mXpiV0AElCFT.jpg

font as FGF file in FG...
https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=23449&d=1526141523


23449

step 2 will be trying again with Trenloe's Language thing to add the font as a language... but that seems small. what size should those languages be for these things? 12 pt currently in the image.

[shadzar]

Step 2... TPTB can decide if this needs further fixing for 5e ruleset so none of the existing languages are lost.. i had a hrd time in 2 days trying to get this to work so @Trenloe since the FLF exntension is yours, if this don't work. i will let you fix it.


https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=23450&d=1526145095

https://static.wixstatic.com/media/fc755a_8ebb600c4a574ad383368241aa992b6a~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_0,y_54,w_1200,h_434/fill/w_355,h_128,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01/fc755a_8ebb600c4a574ad383368241aa992b6a~mv2.jpg
https://static.wixstatic.com/media/fc755a_5e507ed83f394289ab1acdba981ff72d~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_0,y_75,w_1200,h_433/fill/w_355,h_128,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01/fc755a_5e507ed83f394289ab1acdba981ff72d~mv2.jpg (https://www.immortalfortress.com/secret-packages-secret-glyphs)

#NoStoneUnturned

[Laerun]

Xanathar is based in Skullport, underneath Waterdeep, well, he used to anyhow. There has not been any 'major' dungeon delve exclusive content, my best bet is Waterdeep and connected areas...
.... The only thing I can think of is older settings from other editions and iteration s from D&D. I doubt Darksun will be released anytime soon. Robert may have Dark Sun as a 'pet project, which is cool..! However, since WoTC tends to stay mostly on the Sword coast, I think it appropriate to detail Waterdeep and it's locales, which also ties in with the Yawning Portal modules. Since Waterdeep is almost a Sigil in itself, I think it, the new settings, could be there. Watching the D&D lore and things like that lends itself to Waterdeep and it's other attached settings. Portals and such are somewhat common. Mind Flayers, Beholders, Giths, etc... Makes sense, sort of... As far as expansion or new universes go, they betta come out with Dragonlance or Greyhawk before anything else.

[shadzar]

people are so funny...

They (https://immortalfortress.wikia.com/wiki/Puzzle_-_Social_Media_Images) are mapping the glyphs to letters, but forgot to do what the clue says (https://www.immortalfortress.com/new-glyphs-new-information).

Black = page 205, word ? , letter 6
Gold = page ?, word 24, letter ?
Orange = page ?, word 15, letter 6
White = page ?, word 11, letter ?
Blue = page ?, word 18, letter ?
Purple = page ?, word ?, letter 4

Cypher (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_cipher) probably uses Volo’s Guide to Monsters since the alphabet used all monsters (https://immortalfortress.wikia.com/wiki/Dead_Drops_-_Glyphs), and the mysterious Adam is Volo (https://www.immortalfortress.com/a-spell-for-our-subject).

#NoStoneUnturned

[leozelig]

Anyone know the puzzle answer? I sure don't, but here is the next adventure for Sept release:

https://dnd.wizards.com/products/tabletop-games/rpg-products/dragonheist

Sounds like fun!

[Klandare]

Anyone know the puzzle answer? I sure don't, but here is the next adventure for Sept release:

https://dnd.wizards.com/products/tabletop-games/rpg-products/dragonheist

Sounds like fun!

I find it odd that it says the adventure is for levels 1-5. Seems low for a whole storyline coming out.

[LordEntrails]

I find it odd that it says the adventure is for levels 1-5. Seems low for a whole storyline coming out.

There is second book announced as well. Dungeon of the Mad Mage, it is Undermountain and for levels 6 to 20.

[Klandare]

There is second book announced as well. Dungeon of the Mad Mage, it is Undermountain and for levels 6 to 20.

Sweet! I had not seen that one. <does a little happy dance>

I like mega-dungeons and Undermountain to me was always THE megadungeon.

[LordEntrails]

Sweet! I had not seen that one. <does a little happy dance>

I like mega-dungeons and Undermountain to me was always THE megadungeon.
Yep, I agree :) That's why I started my 5E version years ago when my players convinced mt to publish the version I was running them through :)

[leozelig]

Wow, that will keep us busy for awhile!

[ColinBuckler]

Its even better than that .... apparently there is a link from the new module to Spelljammer !

With the talk of TWO new settings this year (see https://www.enworld.org/forum/content.php?5300-Two-New-Settings-For-D-D-This-Year ) so my bet is on Spelljammer to provide the link and maybe Dark Sun.

I suspect that these may take the form of a small PDF document to guage interest and then - perhaps - followed up with an actual book.

[LordEntrails]

Its even better than that .... apparently there is a link from the new module to Spelljammer !

Undermountain as traditionally had a link to Spelljammer via Stardock. Described in the adventure aptly named Stardock :)