in Descent, devil dealmaking seems very odd. It’s stated “Lesser and greater devils can’t freely make deals outside of their home plane.” Since those devils can only make deals in Baator, isn’t that counterproductive regarding soul quotas? @Dan_Dillon_1 #DnD

— Dan Stivers (@dan_stivers) November 12, 2019

They can’t do so freely, but as the rest of that paragraph describes, there are specific ways you can call up on lesser and greater devils outside Baator. You can go out of your way with the right knowledge (true name or talisman) to forge a deal, but you can’t do so on the fly. If you want to do just ask any old barbed devil to do you a solid in exchange for some or all of your immortal soul, you'll have to be in the Nine Hells where they can reach out and pluck the power of Asmodeus or their archduke and make it happen.

— Dan Dillon 👥 (@Dan_Dillon_1) November 12, 2019

A few things went into it.

1. We mechanized deals for the first time (at least in 5e). They were talked about in narrative terms, but never set down concretely. When you lay out rules, it opens up a lot of interesting cases that can get out of hand, or go in odd directions. 1/-

— Dan Dillon 👥 (@Dan_Dillon_1) November 12, 2019

2. We wanted to preserve the narrative of deals but keep it from becoming what happens EVERY time you encounter ANY devil ANYWHERE. If every imp fight turns into “let’s make a deal” that’s hitting the wrong note. In Descent, that’s fine because it’s reinforcing the theme. 2/- 3. Related to the previous, Archdevils should be the exception. That's why they can make deals anywhere if you get their attention (slightly harder outside the Hells, but not terribly so). They might send a lesser/greater devil to represent their interests. 3/-

— Dan Dillon 👥 (@Dan_Dillon_1) November 12, 2019

By gating deals behind either being in Baator, OR having to go through some mystical, trope-reinforcing hoops, it allows us to preserve deal-making, and keep devils as things you reasonably have to just fight sometimes. So that’s what we were thinking. We wanted to keep deals a thing you can really get into, without making them become the de-facto encounter with every devil every time. If devils could just cut straight to deal-making, that’s very likely what would happen. Why wouldn’t it? 4/- 5/-

— Dan Dillon 👥 (@Dan_Dillon_1) November 12, 2019

And of course, if you prefer it to be open season on deals, feel free to remove that restriction from devils at your table!

I hope that helps! Devils have to corrupt mortals on the Material through subtlety and guile rather than direct deals in most cases: The imp familiar constantly tempting their “master” into more and more lawful evil acts that push their soul further into the clutches of the Nine Hells. 6/- 7/7#dnd #WotCStaff

— Dan Dillon 👥 (@Dan_Dillon_1) November 12, 2019

Since we're headed to Hell, here's a #DnD writing tip: the plural form of the words "nupperibo" and "abishai" both end in the letter S.

— James Introcaso (@JamesIntrocaso) September 13, 2019

Hi
@adamofadventure
and
@ChrisPerkinsDnD
, any idea if Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus take place in 1492 DR or 1491 DR? #dnd
@Wizards_DnD
#dnd5e 1492 DR

— 🐟🐠Adam Lee🏔🏕 (@adamofadventure) September 24, 2019

Could use a recommendation for a source describing Elturel in detail before Descent. Do you know of any? 😇 There are some older products, but I think your best bet for the most "current" version of Elturel is the Sword Coast Adventurers Guide. What say you, @adamofadventure?

— James Introcaso (@JamesIntrocaso) October 10, 2019

Not a lot of lore. 2E FR Adventures and Volo’s Guide to the Sword Coast had the most. 4E FR Campaign Guide has a blurb. I think of it as a burgeoning holy nation. There is the core old city that has new buildings with grander architecture that speaks to its ambitions.

— 🐟🐠Adam Lee🏔🏕 (@adamofadventure) October 10, 2019

hi, is all of that juicy NPC intrigue info MEANT for players to know off the bat? It’s impossible to read about the three districts of Baldur’s Gate without stumbling onto that stuff on practically every page of that part of the Baldur’s Gate Gazetteer. Intended? If the PC is from Baldur’s Gate then they know how the city works and some of the intrigue. BG is a famous enough city that outsiders would know basic facts about it. Some PCs might even be involved in some deeper intrigue as well (see the Dark Secrets section of DiA)

— 🐟🐠Adam Lee🏔🏕 (@adamofadventure) September 18, 2019

But the infernal intrigue and the main plot of the adventure is meant to be discovered. You have have them make checks to see if they know more obscure facts. Better to have your PCs more in the dark than knowing everything 🙂

— 🐟🐠Adam Lee🏔🏕 (@adamofadventure) September 18, 2019

Okay, that makes the sections about the Upper City, Lower City, and Outer City very difficult to navigate as a player without a DM. Not that a player cannot read it at all, but they should definitely have a DM who has put sticky notes and *might* be willing to uncover some of/Those sticky notes for each player. Otherwise, DM will have an easier time reading it off and having players take notes, afaik.

— Jon Forel (@Jon_4L) September 18, 2019

Yep! Sticky notes with pertinent info chunks to hand to players are a great idea!

— 🐟🐠Adam Lee🏔🏕 (@adamofadventure) September 18, 2019

Okay, but seriously. How could I not rush home over lunch to get a look at this baby?

Look how beautiful she is! One quick peek inside. Unfortunately, I've got to go back to work. Apparently people need surgeries, and I can't just play D&D all day. I'll do a proper unboxing later. 🥰

But look at the soul coin slot! Bonus B&G miniatures from GF9! Box contents sheet with me in the credits! pic.twitter.com/B3Q2hSUagI

— Norse DM 🌩️🔨 (@justice_arman) November 8, 2019

Be careful for what you sign… @BeadleAndGrimm #valiantaf @justice_arman @MatthewLillard pic.twitter.com/PogoluYdFa

— Mikaela Sims (@Mikaela_V_Sims) November 8, 2019

Soul coin slot that holds the coin within the lid! So cool.

Look at that face pushing out of the coin! pic.twitter.com/icRo1jetyN

— Norse DM 🌩️🔨 (@justice_arman) November 8, 2019

A heap of hellishly tinted encounter cards. Look at Bel. Always so smug.

Beadle & Grimm's minis!

And of course, sweet Lulu. Keep her away from your dogs. Mine have been staring longingly… pic.twitter.com/F6M3qkd6AG

— Norse DM 🌩️🔨 (@justice_arman) November 9, 2019

Deliverables galore! Creed resolute, double-sided art you can hang on your DM screen, and this sexy player reference you can hand out in Candlekeep so your session isn’t a lecture.

We have some pre-generated characters for early deaths in Baldur's Gate, redcap taunts that will make you and your players laugh, and four awesome bonus encounters for DMs who want a little bit more mileage – each with stunning commissioned artwork. pic.twitter.com/V5N028tGql

— Norse DM 🌩️🔨 (@justice_arman) November 9, 2019

This infernal war machine is exclusive to our box! WizKids actually designed the front weapon unique for the Platinum Edition.

Space for a 5mm mini if you want to recreate the saxophone bard from Mad Max. And inside – is that Mirt and Durnan? Get outta there! Back to WDH!Lulu loves the new map tube.

People asked @BeadleAndGrimm to put in more maps – and we did! There's so many in this Platinum Edition.

Of course, you'll get a canvas map of Avernus and Baldur's Gate. But we commissioned other ones too, like the Elfsong Tavern! #baldursgate3 pic.twitter.com/1WwImqx83X

— Norse DM 🌩️🔨 (@justice_arman) November 9, 2019

Hey @BeadleAndGrimm – The Sea King’s Malice maps are simply stunning! They are beautiful! Truly amazing work guys. Thanks Bill, Charlie, and Matt @MatthewLillard !! pic.twitter.com/BfqcRItufR

— Alex Kammer (@GHC_and_Tacos) November 11, 2019

OHMYGODS!!! I just did an unboxing video of @BeadleAndGrimm #DescentintoAvernus #DnD #PlatinumEdition box set that comes with so much more! Here’s the aftermath of the 20 min unboxing video. @Wizards_DnD @GildingLight pic.twitter.com/DrgV6kS8zj

— Satine Phoenix – Herald of Compassion 💖✨💖 (@satinephoenix) November 12, 2019

Okay. I’m still on this Infernal War Machine thing…setting aside that there doesn’t appear to be a clear way to cross the Styx, if a caster uses Mending on an IWM does that aid in repair efforts? Lower DC? Advantage? Auto-repair? Depending on the nature of the damage it might do any or all of those! Very much situational, though

— Dan Dillon 👥 (@Dan_Dillon_1) October 24, 2019

“Is it A, B, C, or other?” “Yes…sometimes…”. 😂 It’s the same thing I ran into with TSM in WDH, how much can a PC avoid dealing with fixing stuff by using a cantrip? That's the nature of mending, sorry boss. Clean break less than a foot? Mending can fix it in a minute. Acid damage? Not so much. 😄

— Dan Dillon 👥 (@Dan_Dillon_1) October 24, 2019

It’s also the nature of a game wherein HPs are a thing that the specific nature of damage is often ill defined. I guess the real issue is: should it bother me that repairs that are intended to be somewhat of a thing can be solved through infinite mending spells? 😉 I think you're looking at it the wrong way. I feel like most repairs aren't fixable with mending since things a simple bent piece of metal (which can cause all kinds of problems in a machine) isn't something mending can solve.

— Dan Dillon 👥 (@Dan_Dillon_1) October 24, 2019

Also, since mending takes a minute to cast it becomes almost more of a downtime thing to fix any serious damage, which makes me worry way less about it.

— Dan Dillon 👥 (@Dan_Dillon_1) October 24, 2019

True…I guess it’s just a hold over from my WDH issues…I handed my PCs a list of repairs and their like, uh, can Mending and Prestidigitation handle most of this? And I’m all, well, it was supposed to be more of a thing than that…but I guess a lot of it, yeah. 😉 Yeah I dunno, having done a shitload of home repair there is soooo damn much that isn't just "This is a 12 inch cut or break" that you have to do. 😂

— Dan Dillon 👥 (@Dan_Dillon_1) October 24, 2019

Cost. I don’t know what Cistercian is. 😳 Order of Catholic monks. 😛

— Dan Dillon 👥 (@Dan_Dillon_1) October 24, 2019