By In a playground dominated by D&D, Daggerheart (the novel tabletop RPG from Critical Role) offers a refreshing alternative. With its unveiling drawing near, the publisher, Darrington Press, is gradually revealing details about this enchanting fantasy gameplay system – and I have an unprecedented peek to share with you.
So far, we’ve gleaned much about the classes, cards, and the innovative dual-dice system that distinguishes Daggerheart from standard D&D. However, this insight delves into something slightly divergent, yet equally vital. Feast your eyes on one of the scenes of your adventures in this RPG – presenting the Witherwild.
As a nod to Legend of Zelda, Princess Mononoke, and The Dark Crystal, this is a domain begging for some serious landscaping. Post the outbreak of plague in the militant nation of Haven (known for constructing its city from an actual deity’s remains), they besiege a neighboring land, ruled by gods, in pursuit of a remedy. They stumble upon it, but like several top-ranked tabletop RPGs, it comes with a toll. Ironically, doing so sets free a pernicious, mystical menace named the Witherwild, which invades the landscapes like an insidious weed.
Consequently, all plant and animal life spirals out of control. Rather than being mere decoration, the Witherwild influences your character in a real way. For instance, the mushroom-like Fungril species inflates to unusual proportions in The Witherwild. On the other hand, the frog-like Ribbet species is forced to migrate after Haven ousts them from their marshy habitat – this naturally gives Ribbet heroes an instant involvement in the storyline.
The game offers a customizable approach for classes and communities, somewhat reminiscent of backgrounds in similar RPGs. These contain various questions to stir creativity among players and deeply connect characters to The Witherwild’s prevalent narratives right from the start.
This offers an intriguing glimpse into how Daggerheart manages campaign settings; it’s interesting to note that these settings hinge on a singular narrative catering to specific gameplays. Most importantly, every character’s development is grounded in this narrative, creating a well-focused, immersive world introduced within a few lines.
Daggerheart will be available starting this May 20, and it’s now ready for pre-order through Amazon or directly from Darrington Press.
Looking for a game to play until then? Don’t miss the top board games or the finest D&D books if you’re keen on sticking with the classic RPG.