D&D: Critical Role’s Netherdeep Previews Unveil New Monster And ‘Tiered Antagonist’
Want a peek inside Critical Role: Call of the Netherdeep? Take a look at a brand new monster and a “tiered antagonist.”
Critical Role: Call of the Netherdeep hits stores in about a month. When it does, adventurers will travel to the world of Exandria. Specifically to the furthest reaches of Marquet–which just so happens to be where Campaign 3 is set right now. But what wonders and horrors lie in store for intrepid adventurers? Earlier this week, WotC gave everyone a preview.
When entering the Netherdeep, be alert in dark waters. A Slithering Bloodfin lurks where the light cannot reach.
Keep close to the surface if you value your life… pic.twitter.com/BcQhTs9Wbj
— Dungeons & Dragons (@Wizards_DnD) February 8, 2022
First up, let’s talk about this delightfully snake-y new monster. This is a Slithering Bloodfin. Slithering Bloodfins look like every DM’s favorite monster: sea serpents. It’s why you can’t expect to go on a boat without getting attacked.
Sea monsters and D&D go way back. Critical Role doubly so, as last campaign they featured Uk’otoa, a demigod sea serpent. I don’t know what the apostrophe does in that word, but you know fantasy worlds and names with apostrophes.
The advice, “stick close to the surface” seems to tease that the Netherdeep will pull people into an underwater adventure. If so, I’m here for it. Give me Kuo-toa, Sahuagin, and all the other fish people D&D seems improbably filled with.
Netherdeep Preview: Tiered Antagonists
But it’s not just aquatic monsters waiting. The Call of the Netherdeep is answered by many. And in another recent preview, WotC showed off “tiered antagonist NPCs” that seem to be playing into my favorite trope: rival adventuring parties. Meet Ayo Jabe.
Did you think your party was the only one to answer the call to adventure? As the bold leader of her own group, Ayo Jabe will prove to be a worthy adversary.
Ayo Jabe seems to be set up as an adventurer who might also be after whatever the primary party is seeking. These “tiered antagonists” use a new suite of rules, promising to adapt to the party’s progress:
Take a dive into the new dynamic character building for Rival NPCs in Call of the Netherdeep.
Watch as both the leader Ayo Jabe and her party change and adapt to every crucial moment in your campaign.
Adapting to every moment seems to imply that as a “tiered antagonist” Ayo Jabe and co. will grow in power. I bet there’s a Tier 2 or 3 version of this stat block as well, which is great for DMs looking for examples of how to power up a monster.
It’s also great that this “rival NPC” is good-aligned. One of the hardest things to do can be to have antagonists that you fight but don’t necessarily kill. Good-aligned rivals are some of my faves. I’m excited to see how they shape up, as well as rules for “dynamic character building.”
Call of the Netherdeep releases March 15th
Happy Adventuring!
