DnD Live 2020 is here, which means, in addition to watching celebrities play DnD, a ton of new information about the next official adventure for the tabletop role-playing game is here. Along with the official reveal of Dungeons and Dragon - Icewind Dale - Rime of the Frostmaiden, Wizards of the Coast just shared a boatload of details about the book's contents and supporting materials.
Just last week, news about the Icewind Dale setting for the adventure leaked, but that didn't come as a major surprise. DnD has been dropping hints that players would be returning to a very frosty region of the Forgotten Realms for a few months, so Icewind Dale was a popular prediction for this book anyway. That said, Rime of the Frostmaiden is giving Dungeons and Dragons players a brand new take on the region and offering an adventure that is far removed from those of Drizzt and the world-famous Drow's adventuring party.
Unlike D&D's last horror-themed adventure, the highly-ranked Curse of Strahd, Icewind Dale opts for a modern horror approach instead of a gothic take. The plot is mostly still a mystery, but it will definitely pin players against the elements and put a focus on party secrets that can range from the benign to something truly horrific and devastating.
What is Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden?
"Adventure to Icewind Dale, the beloved setting made famous by Drizzt Do’Urden and the Companions of the Hall and experience D&D in a way that you’ve never seen before.
This tale of dark terror revisits the forlorn, flickering candlelights of civilization known as Ten-Towns and sheds light on the many bone-chilling locations that surround these frontier settlements. A thrilling Dungeons & Dragons adventure for characters of levels 1–12."
In short, Icewind Dale is an upcoming adventure for D&D that takes players to the iconic Icewind Dale location made famous years ago by Drizzt and the R.A. Salvatore series of novels. This adventure takes place 100 years after Drizzt and his party became legends, but there will likely be some fun nods and easter eggs for fans of the original novels and adventures.
What is the theme or style of this adventure?
Rime of the Frostmaiden is a modern horror themed adventure with themes of isolation and paranoia. The adventure's creators cite The Shining and John Carpenter's The Thing as some of the inspiration that they looked towards when writing this book. The setting is also incredibly deadly due to cold weather and the influence of the Frostmaiden on the environment, so expect some intense exploration encounters that really challenge adventurers.
When does Rime of the Frostmaiden release?
Dungeons and Dragons - Icewind Dale Rime of the Frostmaiden releases everywhere on September 15, 2020. At this point, it sounds like the DnD Beyond and physical edition will release on the same date. There was no mention of a discount on DnD Beyond for players who pre-order the physical edition like the deal that is currently in place for 50% off the Theros book.
What level characters does Rime of the Frostmaiden support?
The Icewind Dale adventure takes player characters from level 1 through level 12 if they play through the entire adventure. That said, there is a ton of optional material and player groups who skip most of the side quests will likely end up a bit lower than level 12.
Is there an alternate art cover for this book? How do I get the alternate art cover?
Yes! There is a pretty amazing alternate art cover that is only available through game stores. Check with your local game shop to see if they have a policy for pre-ordering variant covers.
Will there be a Rime of the Frostmaiden dice and map kit?
Yes. This new trend has become popular with recent D&D adventure books and Icewind Dale will also have a Dice and Miscellany set that contains dice, a map, and double-sided description cards.
Eleven dice (two d20s, one d12, two d10s, one d8, four d6s, one d4)
Player-friendly foldout map of Icewind Dale and Ten-Towns (10.5” × 15.75”)
Durable, felt-lined box that functions as two dice trays
Twenty double-sided cards with descriptions and illustrations of characters and creatures one might encounter in Icewind Dale
Will there be minis available for this adventure and setting?
Yes, there will be new Wiz Kids products available that feature the new heroes and monsters.
The Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden line includes bone chilling new monsters to confront, like the unnerving Tomb Tapper and ferocious Abominable Yeti. You can also interact with many of the denizens of the Ten Towns, like the Reghed Nomads as they fish for their most precious resource, Knucklehead Trout. The set also includes the many forms of the Frostmaiden herself, should you dare
to incur her wrath! Collect all 45 figures from Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden, the newest set of randomly sorted monsters and characters in our exciting line of D&D miniatures, Icons of the Realms.
This Icons of the Realms fantasy miniature release comes in two product configurations: the Standard Booster and the Standard Booster 8 Ct. Brick.
There are going to be a lot of other details about Icewind Dale and other upcoming D&D products dropping throughout the rest of the DnD Live 2020 event, so be sure to stay tuned and check back for additional news. Be sure to check back in the near future for more Dungeons and Dragons news, updates, and strategy guides. Until then, roll well, adventurers!
Dungeons and Dragons: Icewind Dale Rime of the Frostmaiden releases everywhere on September 15, 2020.