. Or you could probably just find it on the internet as well.
There is flavor text. Wizards redid their undead-flavored patron class because the first go was pretty meh, so it's likely to show up in that context. The revision explicitly says you can take Azalin, Lord Soth, or Strahd as a warlock patron. https://media.wizards.com/2020/dnd/down ... sses04.pdf (And you don't have to be in Ravenloft apparently. The Dark Powers got with the century and are allowing their prisoners email with arcane attachments.) If you have been following the Unearthed Arcana releases, many (most) have found their way into the newer splatbooks-of-everything. I'll personally be curious to see if the ranger-feature swap unearthed arcana makes it in, because that's the variant I based S-'s block on and I think it will be an easier sell if I can say she's a Tasha's style ranger than a UA.Gonzoron of the FoS wrote:Just to confirm... there's nothing in the book text-wise about Azalin, just that picture? (which I can take or leave, honestly.. not outraged, but not in love.)
The theme of 5e is a rise from the ashes of 4e. They've got the new friendlier ruleset, but lore-wise they've burnt everything to the ground to clear out the clutter. Current wizards, for better and for worse, doesn't care about old canon. They see their future in magic the gathering tie-ins, productions like critical role, and getting name dropped in pop culture like Stranger Things or Ready Player One.Rock wrote:What? Weis & Hickman let Soth die. Why can't WotC let him rest in peace already? While they're at it, they can release Jander Sunstar!
I made the same complaint about Strahd's apparent age in a topic about Neverwinter: Ravenloft. A big part of his deal with Death was getting ripped off and having immortality but not youth.FiranDarcalus wrote:My issue w/ 5th ed Strahd is that he looks too young...just doesn't look, to me, like a middle aged man. Looks like he's in his early 30's. Plus, just not feelin' long haired Strahd! Cut your hair ya hippie
I just wish they would take the hint from all that 80's and 90's nostalgia and bring back some of their famous settings from that era. Like Darksun, Spelljammer, or Ravenloft. But nope. All we get an okay at best gaming stream and tons of cardboard crack.Mischief wrote:The theme of 5e is a rise from the ashes of 4e. They've got the new friendlier ruleset, but lore-wise they've burnt everything to the ground to clear out the clutter. Current wizards, for better and for worse, doesn't care about old canon. They see their future in magic the gathering tie-ins, productions like critical role, and getting name dropped in pop culture like Stranger Things or Ready Player One.
I'm inured to long-haired vampires. Blame Castlevania.Wolfglide wrote:I made the same complaint about Strahd's apparent age in a topic about Neverwinter: Ravenloft. A big part of his deal with Death was getting ripped off and having immortality but not youth.FiranDarcalus wrote:My issue w/ 5th ed Strahd is that he looks too young...just doesn't look, to me, like a middle aged man. Looks like he's in his early 30's. Plus, just not feelin' long haired Strahd! Cut your hair ya hippie
Also, I prefer Strahd with short hair as well.
One of the things I remember from WoTC's 4e postmortem/5e canvassing is that the multiple worlds, Ravenloft, Dark Sun, Planetscape, etc, were isolating tables. In 5e, Wizards has firmly put one world, Forgotten Realms, as the hub because it is easy to grasp. (The MtG tie-ins were a clear money-making diversion). Only organic fan support will keep Ravenloft's lights on because the developers have fully leaned into the video-game ethos of "if the players want it, they'll mod it, and provide us with more sale value." I tried to outline a path to Ravenloft as a multi-domain setting that can exist in a ruleset geared towards warmer, higher fantasy.KingCorn wrote:I just wish they would take the hint from all that 80's and 90's nostalgia and bring back some of their famous settings from that era. Like Darksun, Spelljammer, or Ravenloft. But nope. All we get an okay at best gaming stream and tons of cardboard crack.Mischief wrote:The theme of 5e is a rise from the ashes of 4e. They've got the new friendlier ruleset, but lore-wise they've burnt everything to the ground to clear out the clutter. Current wizards, for better and for worse, doesn't care about old canon. They see their future in magic the gathering tie-ins, productions like critical role, and getting name dropped in pop culture like Stranger Things or Ready Player One.
I understand that. I just wish we could get at least something else. And it hurts worse cause they keep referenceing those settings! They reference Spelljammer all the time and still, even with vehicle rules now, won't make a general catch all book to let people build off of on their own. At the very least they could give a manual of the planes, and quickly name drop Athas or the crystal spheres with a quick aside.Mischief wrote:One of the things I remember from WoTC's 4e postmortem/5e canvassing is that the multiple worlds, Ravenloft, Dark Sun, Planetscape, etc, were isolating tables. In 5e, Wizards has firmly put one world, Forgotten Realms, as the hub because it is easy to grasp. (The MtG tie-ins were a clear money-making diversion). Only organic fan support will keep Ravenloft's lights on because the developers have fully leaned into the video-game ethos of "if the players want it, they'll mod it, and provide us with more sale value." I tried to outline a path to Ravenloft as a multi-domain setting that can exist in a ruleset geared towards warmer, higher fantasy.
So in the actual book, they don't actually mention Azalin in the text (they mentioned him in a sample of the product originally, but I guess it didn't make it into the final product). There is a little blurb under the pic that says "Azalin, the Lich, spies on Castle Ravenloft". That's it unfortunately. Guess it's better than nothing!Gonzoron of the FoS wrote:Just to confirm... there's nothing in the book text-wise about Azalin, just that picture? (which I can take or leave, honestly.. not outraged, but not in love.)
Is there even a caption to say that it is in fact supposed to be him? (certainly seems to be, but who knows?)
Debating whether to buy this or not, just for the pic. (yes, I have a completionist problem)
So he wasn't a group patron after all? Lame.FiranDarcalus wrote:So in the actual book, they don't actually mention Azalin in the text (they mentioned him in a sample of the product originally, but I guess it didn't make it into the final product). There is a little blurb under the pic that says "Azalin, the Lich, spies on Castle Ravenloft". That's it unfortunately. Guess it's better than nothing!Gonzoron of the FoS wrote:Just to confirm... there's nothing in the book text-wise about Azalin, just that picture? (which I can take or leave, honestly.. not outraged, but not in love.)
Is there even a caption to say that it is in fact supposed to be him? (certainly seems to be, but who knows?)
Debating whether to buy this or not, just for the pic. (yes, I have a completionist problem)
Well a good chunk of it was in the anime style, so long (white) haired pretty boys were expected. (Well hello, Aculard)Mischief wrote:I'm inured to long-haired vampires. Blame Castlevania.
By the looks of it, yes. His right arm appears to be resting on his lap, so he is seated on a weird cross throne. But I won't mention his crown looks like a party hat (no prominent jewel, wrong shape, etc) or that he is not wearing gloves (a big thing in I, Strahd).But I am not inured to blocky neckpillows. Is that supposed to be Azalin's throne? A whole freaking cross strapped to his back?
