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Alright. Lets do this. Lets take a look at the newest #dnd hardcover, and one created in partnership with @CriticalRole, Explorer’s Guide to Wildemount.
First, a little bit of context. I know who @matthewmercer is, I am well aware of the success of the show, etc, but I do not watch it. I have no idea what the world is like, what the setting is, etc. i am going into this as blind as one opening up a new setting for the 1st time.
If you don’t know me, I play and run dnd a lot. Have been for many years. I review books here on twitter and on an old blog of mine dating back to 4e dnd. There. Got that out of the way. 
The book is a standard #dnd hardcover, 304 pages with an index, published in partnership with @CriticalRole
It includes a beautifully rendered map by @DevenRue
Might have the longest disclaimer yet in a #dnd book.
There are 7 chapters. One of them is filled with character options.
A foreword by @matthewmercer opens the book. Nicely written tale of his journey from high school DM to the modern face of #dnd.
The book wastes no time explaining the setting. This is a world caught up in a war. The Raven Queen’s raven herald provides our “bird’s eye view”, so to speak. Is this world originally a 4e world? I like it already.
The typical things you’d expect are here. The opening of the book tells you how the world works.
My eyes gravitate here. Is this a world with high rises and newspapers? Airships? No.
But it does seem to have black powder. The Forgotten Realms shied away from that. This seems to embrace it.
But it does seem to have black powder. The Forgotten Realms shied away from that. This seems to embrace it.
Chapter 1: Story of Wildemount. Is this the party from the show?
The world’s creation myth opens the chapter. Elves, dwarves, and humans walked the lands first.
The gods are nicely detailed. Matt worked with some established #dnd gods. Smart move, I’d do the same. Why reinvent the wheel? 
Betrayer Gods.
What was the name of that 4e god that crawled in the Underdark? Ugh. It wasn’t Torog, was it? Anyway, Far Realm gets a shout out here. I like this Pantheon.
Factions and Societies details factions and npc’s of 13 groups. Check out the varied art.
This dude is close enough to my last name I’m fairly certain @matthewmercer named him after me. We’re friends like that you know. Tight.
Anyway. No stats. Just story.
The gazeteer makes up the bulk of the book with 99 pages of setting info.
Alright. This throws me back to the greatest setting book ever published by WOTC, the 3e Realms. Areas are detailed out, mapped, and adventure ideas cooked into the entry. Great stuff!
BUILD HOOKS INTO YOUR SETTINGS.
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Port Nyanzaru tings.
This is so useful. Honestly.
These little details make settings come alive.
Full color maps. With wacked scales! 
The art is a mix, going from realistic to cartoony in the flip of a page.
I counted
121
adventure hooks.
You could run an entire campaign just from the included hooks.
121
adventure hooks.
You could run an entire campaign just from the included hooks.
I usually take angled pics to not give too much away in spoilers. But look at these hooks. They have just enough to get you going. They are all like this. Ranging in tiers. Entire campaign is written for you.
Other parts of the world get a shout out, including the land published by Green Ronin.
Yes, I know it’s from their first campaign.
Yes, I know it’s from their first campaign.
Ask me anything. I may answer.
Races. Tons of races.
Hollow One.
15 new spells.
New character building tech: Heroic Chronicle.
It’s basically a way to tie the character deeper into the setting, through tables and random rolls. They provide extra proficiencies, feats, etc before the campaign even starts.
Completed Prophecies, part of the chronicle, bring rewards.
One adventure would be cool. This thing brings 4!!!
Fans of color maps are gonna be happy.
Every adventure is a beginning one, set in different parts of the world. 1-3 levels.
33 magic items.
Oh shit. Cool. Magic items that evolve with their wielder.
I love this.
23 stat blocks.
The Frost Worm is the toughest creature. Gargantuan Challenge 17.
A two page glossary and an index round out this book.
Wow.
I went from “Meh” to “Whoa” fairly quickly.
I went from “Meh” to “Whoa” fairly quickly.
So Ravnica for example, didn’t grab me. I just didn’t connect with the setting. And could never see me running a game there. This setting, just based on a flip through, makes me want to dig deeper. It is evocative.
I love the way the world is presented, the effort it makes to tie characters and DMs into the setting. The breadth of story. It’s how a setting should be presented.
I have no idea what the show it’s based on presents, and this book won’t make me rush to watch, but it certainly makes me want to read it cover to cover.
The chronicle system, the evolving magic items, the hooks... that alone makes it a standout.
I could run a game here. Shit, 4 starting adventures? 121 hooks? That’s spoiling me. Now every setting better be as complete. This sets a bar.
Listen, Matt, buddy, my friend. Lets hook up and play in Wildemount. Let me run you through one of the starting adventures. 
Anyway, thanks for following along.
If you’re new to following me here, well, welcome and thanks! Hope to not disappoint!
That’s it for now. Any more thoughts I’ll add to this thread later.
Good book. But I’m tired.
If you’re new to following me here, well, welcome and thanks! Hope to not disappoint!
That’s it for now. Any more thoughts I’ll add to this thread later.
Good book. But I’m tired.
