Critical Role: Call of the Netherdeep is a campaign and adventure module published by Wizards of the Coast. First teased at D&D Celebration on September 26, 2021 by Chris Perkins,[3] the book was released in hardcover and digital formats on March 15, 2022. However, due to shipping delays, the hardcover was later released in Europe on April 5, 2022.[4]
Contents[]
The adventure, intended to run through levels 3 through 12, begins in Xhorhas, progresses to Ank'Harel, then moves into a new location: the Netherdeep, described as "a terrifying cross between the Far Realm and the deep ocean". Under the watchful gaze of Ruidus, twisting the fate of those who can change history, adventurers seek to release a forgotten champion of the gods, thought destroyed but instead awakened in his prison in the depths of Exandria.[5]
The book also includes statblocks for new magical items, including those allowing characters to survive in underwater environments, and new mechanics on running a party of rival NPC characters.[5][6]
The adventure includes a diagram of Cael Morrow and the Netherdeep marked with the date 836 PD, implying that the adventure takes place in that year.[7] In response to fan questions, James Haeck suggested the adventure is concurrent with Campaign Two (which is set in 835–836 PD), but could be set at any time.[8]
Credits[]
Development on Call of the Netherdeep was led by Matthew Mercer and Chris Perkins with contributions from James Haeck. Hannah Rose also worked on the adventure.[1][9] Further credits include:[10]
- Writers: Makenzie De Armas, LaTia Jacquise, Cassandra Khaw, Sadie Lowry
- Cover art: Minttu Hynninen
- Cartography: Stacey Allan, Will Doyle, and Deven Rue
- Concept art: Claudio Pozas (artist's category), Richard Whitters, Shawn Wood (artist's category)
- Interior illustration:
- Eric Belisle
- Hunter Severn Bonyun
- Zoltan Boros
- David René Christensen
- CoupleOfKooks
- Kent Davis
- Nikki Dawes
- Axel Defois
- Max Dunbar (artist's category)
- Isabel Gibney (artist's category)
- Minttu Hynninen
- Julian Kok
- Linda Lithén
- Jessica Mahon
- Andrew Mar (artist's category)
- Marcela Medeiros (artist's category)
- Robson Michel (artist's category)
- Goñi Montes
- Jim Nelson
- Nguyen Hieu (artist's category)
- Jessica Nguyen (artist's category)
- Irina Nordsol (artist's category)
- Caio Santos
- David Sladek
- Crystal Sully
- Brian Valeza (artist's category)
- Anna Veltkamp (artist's category)
- Johannes Voss
- Tyler Walpole (artist's category)
- Lauren Walsh (artist's category)
- Shawn Wood (artist's category)
- Zuzanna Wuzyk (artist's category)
- Kieran Yanner (artist's category)
- Anna Zee (artist's category)
- Maria Zolotukhina
Gallery[]
![Full cover wrap, by Minttu Hynninen.[art 1]](/wiki/File:Call_of_the_Netherdeep_-_Full_Cover_Wrap.jpg "Call of the Netherdeep - Full Cover Wrap.jpg (335 KB)")
![Official art of Exandria's moons, Ruidus and Catha, viewed from Xhorhas, by Kent Davis.[art 2]](/wiki/File:Catha_and_Ruidus_over_Xhorhas_-_Kent_Davis.jpeg "Catha and Ruidus over Xhorhas - Kent Davis.jpeg (135 KB)")
![Concept art of the rival party, by Shawn Wood.[art 3]](/wiki/File:Netherdeep_rival_party_concept_-_Shawn_Wood.jpg "Netherdeep rival party concept - Shawn Wood.jpg (580 KB)")
![Depiction of a vision of Alyxian, the Apotheon, by Andrew Mar from Critical Role: Call of the Netherdeep, p. 34.[art 4]](/wiki/File:Vision_of_the_Apotheon_by_Andrew_Mar.png "Vision of the Apotheon by Andrew Mar.png (1.53 MB)")
![Depiction of Ayo Jabe's adventuring party on the road in Xhorhas, by Robson Michel from Critical Role: Call of the Netherdeep, p. 42.[art 5]](/wiki/File:Netherdeep_rival_adventurers_-_Robson_Michel.png "Netherdeep rival adventurers - Robson Michel.png (2.22 MB)")
![Depiction of Ayo's party arriving in the Netherdeep, by Robson Michel.[art 6]](/wiki/File:Netherdeep_-_Robson_Michel.jpg "Netherdeep - Robson Michel.jpg (1.84 MB)")
D&D Adventurers League[]
Upon the release of Call of the Netherdeep, both it and the previously published Explorer's Guide to Wildemount were adapted for the D&D Adventurers League, Wizards of the Coast's official organized play program.[11]
In March 2022, Wizards of the Coast licensee Baldman Games began running an online ticketed Alternate Campaign featuring two Critical Role starting adventures: "Frozen Sick" (from Explorer's Guide to Wildemount) and "Cold Rush" (DDALCA-03). Baldman Games will also initially run the Call of the Netherdeep Alternate Campaign where the book will be broken up into four hour segments for digital play.[12][13]
Related interviews[]
- "Dragon+ #40 - Critical Role: Call of the Netherdeep", an interview with Matt Mercer.
- "Dragon Talk #369 - Matthew Mercer, How To DM on The Rule of Cool", significantly covering Call of the Netherdeep
- Critical Role: Call of the Netherdeep interview playlist at the Dungeons & Dragons official YouTube
- D&D Beyond's Call of the Netherdeep video coverage, including interviews with Makenzie De Armas and James Haeck
- Official CritRole.com release announcement, including commentary from De Armas on some creature design inspirations
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1
Hype: Call of the Netherdeep, Our Dungeons & Dragons Adventure Module Is Available for Pre-order Right Now! on CritRole.com
- ↑ See Call of the Netherdeep. Appendix F: Poster Map. Current map of Ank'Harel and Cael Morrow is dated as 836 PD.
- ↑ Hoffer, Christian. "Dungeons & Dragons Gives Tease About First 2022 Book" (September 27, 2021).
- ↑ Hoffer, Christian (February 16, 2022). "Dungeons & Dragons Announces Delay for European Release of New Critical Role Book". ComicBook.com. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Critical Role: Call of the Netherdeep" on the official Wizards of the Coast Dungeons & Dragons website.
- ↑ Spangler, Todd. "Critical Role Official D&D Book 'Call of the Netherdeep' Due Out in Early 2022 " (October 12, 2022).
- ↑ See Call of the Netherdeep, p. 224. The map is from the Allegiance of Allsight, which only gains access to the Netherdeep between missions 5 and 6, which are separated by one week; see pp. 102–103.
- ↑ See James J. Haeck (@jamesjhaeck) on Twitter: "To me, this book is set concurrent with campaign 2, but COULD be set at any time." (2022-03-16). (backup link)
- ↑ Hannah Rose (@wildrosemage) on Twitter: "I'm beyond honored and, moreover, SO EXCITED to have worked on this INCREDIBLE adventure." (2021-10-12).
- ↑ Call of the Netherdeep at the CritRole.com US shop.
- ↑ D&D Adventurer's League (@DnD_AdvLeague) on Twitter: "Critical Role: Call of the Netherdeep as well as the previously released Explorer's Guide to Wildemount will be adapted for play in D&D Adventurers League when the new book releases!" (2021-10-12).
- ↑ "Virtual D&D Weekends - March 2022". Yawning Portal. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Hall, Charlie (2022-03-16). "Here's how to play D&D's new Critical Role adventure online". Polygon.
Art:
- ↑ Full cover wrap, by Minttu Hynninen (source). Used with permission.
- ↑ Official art of Exandria's moons, Ruidus and Catha, viewed from Xhorhas, by Kent Davis (source). Used with permission.
- ↑ Concept art of the rival party, by Shawn Wood (source). This page contains unofficial Fan Content permitted under the Wizards of the Coast Fan Content Policy. Not approved/endorsed by Wizards. Portions of the materials used are property of Wizards of the Coast. ©Wizards of the Coast LLC.
- ↑ Depiction of a vision of Alyxian, the Apotheon, by Andrew Mar from Critical Role: Call of the Netherdeep, p. 34. This page contains unofficial Fan Content permitted under the Wizards of the Coast Fan Content Policy. Not approved/endorsed by Wizards. Portions of the materials used are property of Wizards of the Coast. ©Wizards of the Coast LLC.
- ↑ Depiction of Ayo Jabe's adventuring party on the road in Xhorhas, by Robson Michel from Critical Role: Call of the Netherdeep, p. 42. Used with permission. This page contains unofficial Fan Content permitted under the Wizards of the Coast Fan Content Policy. Not approved/endorsed by Wizards. Portions of the materials used are property of Wizards of the Coast. ©Wizards of the Coast LLC.
- ↑ Depiction of Ayo's party arriving in the Netherdeep, by Robson Michel (source). Used with permission. This page contains unofficial Fan Content permitted under the Wizards of the Coast Fan Content Policy. Not approved/endorsed by Wizards. Portions of the materials used are property of Wizards of the Coast. ©Wizards of the Coast LLC.
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