Starter Set Rulebook
The Starter Set Rulebook is a comprehensive summary of all the mechanics you’ll need to hit the ground running in your first adventure. It includes a basic introduction to what DnD is and how it should be approached, mechanics for both players and Dungeon Masters, and a concise encyclopedia of common equipment and spells. It’s a fantastic guide to have while running the game and is one I’ll probably keep handy during future sessions as a compact refresher on the rules. The book also encourages watching a few videos released by Wizards of the Coast. For a new player, sitting down and reading the Rulebook cover to cover may be a little overwhelming, but the recommended videos provide an engaging approach to learning the rules and offer greater insight into the unity of mechanics and roleplay. All links to these additional resources are included on a sheet that come with the kit.
Character Sheets
The Kit includes five pre-made character sheets; a Hill Dwarf Cleric, a Lightfoot Halfling Rogue, a Wood Elf Fighter, a High Elf Wizard, and a Human Paladin. Each double-sided sheet comes with all the information a player will require, including steps for leveling up throughout the adventure. The sheets each carry a brief explanation of the character’s class and race as well as their features and proficiencies. It should be noted that these are somewhat simplified versions of the classes you’ll usually find in 5th Ed. For example, the Rogue sheet doesn’t include an explanation of off-hand attacks and most builds don’t include a sub-class. With the amount of new information a player will be taking in, I think this slight adjustment will probably help people settle into D&D without feeling overwhelmed. What’s important is understanding the flow of the game and having a grasp on basic mechanics. Strategising and optimised tactics can come later. The sheets also establish a background for your character. This provides a motivation for your character traveling to Stormwreck Isle in the first place, encouraging them to stick with the party and pursue the adventure, rather than trying to run off and initiate their own, as many players are want to do at some point or another. These backgrounds also bring a sense of personality to the characters. While the player is left to fully develop their traits, a pre-determined background can get the ball rolling and show that the character is more than a set of numbers; they have a history and identity. I’m also impressed by some of the builds presented here, primarily the fighter. In Fantasy works the fighter will often be your classic sword-toting strongman, but this kit’s fighter is an archer. While it would have been easy to include a Ranger as the typical ranged class, showing a unique build like this demonstrates to new players the versatility of character-building options in D&D; A Fighter can use bows, the Healer can be a heavy hitter, the Magic-user can take a blow. The classes in D&D aren’t a single archetype that your character has to fit into, but a moldable base that can be shaped to fit who you want to play. [/fusion_text]
Adventure Guide
Spoiler Free
You all have your own reasons for coming to Stormwreck Isle. Hunting treasure, hunting lore, searching for meaning, or for guidance. Whatever your cause, you boarded a boat with a few other adventure seekers and found your way to this quiet, rocky beach. Stormwreck Isle is home to Dragons Rest, a secluded cloister dedicated to Bahamut, benevolent god of the Chromatic Dragons. This sequestered temple doesn’t draw many visitors, but those seeking peace in a chaotic world may find themselves searching for an oasis such as this. But as much as the sanctuary and its gentle leader encourage harmony, the vicious world around it is loath to let it rest unhindered. Threats of all shapes lurk in the reaches of Stormwreck Isle. Adversaries young and ancient await your party beyond its rocky shores.
Definitely Not Spoiler Free
This section is for prospective DM’s and will contain spoilers for the story. Be warned! Stormwreck Isle is the heart of an ancient war between Chromatic and Metallic Dragons, reaching back to the feud of Tiamat and Bahamut themselves. Many years ago, a Red Dragon wrought havoc along the Sword Coast, destroying all in her path. Eventually though, under the strength of three united Chromatic Dragons, she was defeated and buried under the ocean floor. The volcanic activity that resulted formed what is now known as Stormwreck Isle. The residual energy the burial left behind attracted many more Dragons, and so the islands became a battleground. Centuries of Draconic fights have left magical scars in the landscape, encouraging the manifestation of all manner of chaos. Runara, a kindly Bronze Dragon, established Dragons Rest in the hopes that under her doctrine of peace, the place could find harmony; that she could encourage a movement of unity between Chromatic and Metallic Dragons. Runara runs Dragons Rest, residing mostly in her human guise, keeping a watchful eye over the islands. However, not too long ago, one of the many magical scars across Stormwreck attracted the attention of a Blue Dragon Wyrmling, seeking the power of his late Grandfather and hoping to imbue himself with the strength of all Dragons that had previously fought and died on the Isle. Runara hopes to prevent such a dangerous power grab but knows that her presence at such a temperamental magical rift could have disastrous effects. This is where our Adventurers come in. Runara is kind but is not quick to trust this information with others. They will need to prove themselves first. Two other issues have arisen on the island, brought on by the island’s scars. A community of Myconids once supplied the cloister with mushrooms needed for the creation of health potions but recently, they have gone quiet and barred the entrance to their home with a guardian octopus. And a wreck off the coast is spawning undead sailors, who pull themselves to the shore, threatening the safety of the temple. Once our adventurers investigate and remedy these problems, Runara will share her knowledge, or more importantly, the key to the Clifftop Observatory. Here the Blue Dragon Wyrmling is preparing a ritual to capture and consume the power of past Dragons, and is holding another Wyrmling hostage to use as a sacrifice. Stop him before it’s too late, and restore peace to Stormwreck Isle. This short adventure introduces characters at level 1 and concludes at level 3, with the party leveling up after completing each side quest (the Myconids and the Shipwreck). The story can be drawn out using additional encounters provided at the beginning of the guidebook, but following the basic structure, the game should last 3 to 4 sessions (where each session is 4 hours long). While this adventure can technically be run one on one, I’d encourage a larger group if possible. The book explains that a player can take on mutiple characters and while two per person may be manageable, having a single person run four characters seems quite difficult in my opinion. Not only that, but it denies interaction between the Player Characters and removes a degree of the social element that makes Role-Playing Games so fun. I recommend striving to have a party of four or five, so each person is able to fully flesh out and embody their own character. Since its initial launch 8 years ago, Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition has seen a lot of changes, mostly in its approach to roleplaying games in general. Dragons of Stormwreck Isle aligns with our latest understanding of D&D and provides a great introduction to Players and DM’s alike. Whether you’re new to Dungeons and Dragons and want to give it a try or you’re a veteran player looking to check out some new dragon-based content, this kit is a great grab! Dragons of Stormwreck Isle is out now, ready to be picked up online or from your local Good Games. Good Journey Adventurer! - Alyshia
