D&D: New ‘Netherdeep’ Preview – Goblin Clerics & Corrupted Sharks Abound
Critical Role: Call of the Netherdeep‘s new preview brims with worthy adversaries, including a sinister shark and a loyal goblin cleric.
As we draw ever closer to March (so soon?) the Call of the Netherdeep previews keep rolling in. Critical Role: Call of the Netherdeep promises underwater adventure. And from what we see in a new Netherdeep preview, it delivers.
In the latest preview of Call of the Netherdeep, WotC unveiled a new sea monster with sinister details. And they gave us a look at another rival NPC adventurer.
Dermot Wurder, Goblin Cleric, Would-be Gardener
Meet Dermot Wurder. Demot is described as loyal. He is, like many goblins in D&D, surprisingly soft. I can already tell that parties will want to befriend the goblin.
And with a name like Dermot Wurder, you have a real Sam Smorkle situation on your hands.
DM: At bar you see a cloaked, hunched over man. He wears a crown of bone and blade, surrounded by three sentient rings of fire. His arm is made of steel.
Players: who else is in the tavern
DM: uhhhh theres a goblin named Sam Smorkle
AdvertisementPlayers: I want to talk to Sam Smorkle
— chocken smirk (@beanytuesday) January 17, 2019
Except, this time, the weird little goblin invented in desperation, is actually part of the story. Here’s his description from the newest Netherdeep preview:
Newly ordained Luxon Cleric Dermot Wurder would rather spend his time gardening than adventuring. But as a loyal friend to Ayo, he’s ready to face new challenges!
Ayo, of course, is the other rival adventurer we’ve seen so far. Dermot, as a Cleric is a spellcasting NPC. And in the new Netherdeep preview, we got a look at his abilities.
Like all spellcasting NPCs since Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse, Dermot uses spells and “spell attacks.” With his spellcasting action, he can cast guidance, light, and spare the dying at will. Or, once per day each, he can cast bless and cure wounds.
Dermot also has a ranged spell attack, searing wrath, which is a lot like the Cleric cantrip searing light. It does 2d8 (which tracks with Dermot’s 8d6 hit dice), only it blinds the target until the end of their next turn. Which is pretty potent in a fight. Potent, but not lethal.
Which seems to be what this rival group of Adventurers is all about. Fighting and challenging the PCs without necessarily it being to the death each time.
Corrupted Giant Shark
Okay but let’s talk about the things you will want to fight to the death. Or more pointedly, the things that want to fight you to your death.
From the new Netherdeep preview:
This poor peaceful Giant Shark has been corrupted! Survivors say as it closed in, their minds screamed in agony. The Giant Shark has survived the onslaught of hundreds of harpoons.
It looks like this monster is going to have some powerful psychic abilities. Whatever corrupted it must have empowered it somehow, even as it filled the shark with bloodthirsty rage. Find out more in Critical Role: Call of the Netherdeep.
Happy Adventuring!
