Overview of Call of the Netherdeep
Critical Role: Call of the Netherdeep is a Dungeons & Dragons adventure module by Wizards of the Coast, released in March 2022․ It spans levels 3-12, offering a linear campaign that explores mysterious locations like Xhorhas, AnkHarel, and the Netherdeep, a terrifying blend of the Far Realm and deep ocean․ Players uncover a forgotten champion of the gods, navigating twists and lore-rich environments․ The module is available in hardcover and digital formats, including PDF, making it accessible for both physical and virtual play․
Publisher and Release Details
Critical Role: Call of the Netherdeep is published by Wizards of the Coast, the renowned company behind Dungeons & Dragons․ Initially teased at D&D Celebration on September 26, 2021, by Chris Perkins, the adventure module was officially released in hardcover and digital formats on March 15, 2022․ However, due to shipping delays, the hardcover edition reached European markets on April 5, 2022․ The module is available as a downloadable PDF, making it accessible for virtual tabletop play․ This release marks Wizards of the Coast’s continued expansion of the Exandria setting, catering to both new and veteran players․ The publication aligns with the growing demand for immersive D&D campaigns, offering a rich narrative and detailed world-building․
Key Locations: Emon, AnkHarel, and the Netherdeep
Emon, AnkHarel, and the Netherdeep are central to the adventure, each offering unique environments and challenges․ Emon, a city plagued by magical anomalies and monsters, serves as a starting point, immersing players in the mystery․ AnkHarel, a mysterious and ancient location, holds secrets tied to the quest, blending intrigue with danger․ The Netherdeep, a terrifying realm blending the Far Realm and deep ocean aesthetics, is the climactic setting where the entity’s prison lies․ Under the gaze of Ruidus, the Netherdeep twists the fates of those who dare to explore, making it a pivotal and eerie location in the campaign․ These locations provide a diverse and immersive journey for players, from urban intrigue to otherworldly horrors․
Plot and Campaign Structure
Call of the Netherdeep follows a linear quest to free a trapped, corrupted entity, guided by the Jewel of the Three Prayers, progressing through Xhorhas to the Netherdeep․
The Jewel of the Three Prayers and the Quest
The Jewel of the Three Prayers is an ancient artifact central to the campaign, driving the quest to free a forgotten champion of the gods from an eldritch prison․ This powerful relic serves as a guide, directing the party through a series of challenges and locations, from the mysterious city of AnkHarel to the depths of the Netherdeep․ The quest begins when the characters discover the jewel, which reveals visions of the imprisoned entity and sets them on a path to unravel its fate․ As they progress, the jewel’s significance grows, becoming a key to unlocking the secrets of the Netherdeep and the true nature of the entity they seek to liberate․ The jewel’s power and the quest it initiates form the backbone of the adventure, blending exploration, lore, and high-stakes decisions․
Linear Campaign Design: From Xhorhas to the Netherdeep
Call of the Netherdeep is structured as a linear campaign, guiding players through a series of interconnected locations and events․ The adventure begins in Xhorhas, where the party becomes entangled in the mysteries of the Jewel of the Three Prayers․ From there, the journey progresses through distinct regions, including AnkHarel and the enigmatic Netherdeep․ This design ensures a cohesive narrative flow, with each chapter building upon the last․ The campaign’s linearity allows Dungeon Masters to maintain a clear structure while still offering opportunities for creative storytelling and player agency․ Key locations like the Festival of Merits and the Emerald Grotto provide unique environments that enrich the adventure’s progression, ultimately leading to the climactic confrontation in the Netherdeep․
Character Creation and Integration
The module provides guidelines for crafting characters within Exandria, ensuring they fit seamlessly into the campaign’s lore and setting․ Players can create unique backgrounds and integrate seamlessly․
Guidelines for Building Characters in Exandria
The module offers detailed guidelines for creating characters tailored to Exandria’s rich lore, ensuring seamless integration into the campaign․ Players can craft unique backgrounds, races, and classes that align with the setting’s themes․ The PDF provides tools for customizing characters to fit the story, emphasizing storytelling and roleplay․ It encourages players to develop personalities, motivations, and connections to key locations like Emon or AnkHarel․ These guidelines help DMs and players alike to create characters that feel authentic within Exandria’s world, enhancing immersion and engagement throughout the adventure․
The Entity and Its Significance
The entity, a forgotten champion of the gods, is central to the adventure, trapped in an eldritch prison․ Release it to alter fate and history․
The Forgotten Champion of the Gods
The Forgotten Champion of the Gods is a central, enigmatic figure in Call of the Netherdeep, trapped in an eldritch prison and corrupted by dark forces․ This ancient entity, once a divine hero, now exists in a state of torment, its power warped by its imprisonment․ The campaign revolves around the discovery of the Jewel of the Three Prayers, an artifact that sets the adventurers on a quest to free this champion․ The journey spans across Exandria, from the shadowy lands of Xhorhas to the eerie depths of the Netherdeep, a surreal environment blending the Far Realm and the ocean’s abyss․ The entity’s release could reshape history, making it a pivotal moment in the campaign․ The module explores themes of redemption, fate, and the consequences of divine influence․
Setting and Lore
The Netherdeep is a surreal, eerie environment blending the Far Realm’s eldritch horror with the deep ocean’s mysteries․ Its shadowy depths and hidden secrets create a unique, immersive setting․
Unique Aspects of the Netherdeep and Its Environment
The Netherdeep is a haunting fusion of the Far Realm’s eldritch horrors and the deep ocean’s crushing abyss, creating an unparalleled setting․ Its environment is marked by surreal landscapes, where twisting, alien architecture mingles with bioluminescent flora․ The deep darkness is punctuated by eerie, pulsating lights, and the air is thick with an otherworldly presence that distorts reality․ Unique creatures, born from the Far Realm’s influence, roam the depths, challenging adventurers with unpredictable behaviors and terrifying forms․ The Netherdeep’s waters are alive with strange energies, affecting magic and perception in unpredictable ways․ This setting immerses players in a world of cosmic horror and mystery, offering a fresh twist on traditional D&D environments․
PDF and Digital Availability
Critical Role: Call of the Netherdeep is available as a PDF and in hardcover․ The digital version was released on March 15, 2022, alongside the physical copy․
Downloading and Accessing the Adventure Module
Critical Role: Call of the Netherdeep is readily available in digital formats, including PDF, through official platforms like D&D Beyond and Roll20․ To access the module, players can purchase and download it directly from these platforms․ Once purchased, the PDF can be downloaded for offline use, ensuring easy access for Dungeon Masters and players alike․ Additionally, the module is compatible with virtual tabletops, making it convenient for online campaigns․ For those preferring physical copies, the hardcover version can be purchased separately․ The digital release ensures that adventurers can immerse themselves in the lore and quests of Exandria without delay, while also supporting seamless integration into their preferred playstyle, whether online or offline․
Tips for Dungeon Masters
Emphasize the Netherdeep’s eerie environment and lore to enhance immersion․ Use descriptive storytelling to highlight the Forgotten Champion’s significance and maintain pacing in the linear campaign․
Running Call of the Netherdeep Effectively
DMs should focus on pacing the linear campaign, ensuring a balance between exploration, combat, and role-playing․ Emphasize the eerie, otherworldly atmosphere of the Netherdeep, using descriptive storytelling to immerse players․ Highlight the Forgotten Champion’s lore to maintain intrigue․ Provide clear direction at key junctions while allowing player agency․ Utilize the PDF’s digital format for quick reference and seamless navigation․ Encourage character development aligned with Exandria’s setting․ Balancing encounters and toning down complexity for newer players is crucial․ Leverage the module’s unique environments, like AnkHarel and the Emerald Grotto, to create memorable experiences․ Keep sessions dynamic, ensuring each location builds toward the climactic finale․ Prep tips: Study the Netherdeep’s lore, plan encounters, and adapt to player choices for a tailored adventure․