Tales from the Yawning Portal Review - D&D 5E - 7 epic adventures

[@kgeo2686]

If they want to go into the well so badly(and resist all very serious warnings) just have Out of the Abyss intro ready for them. They make a dark, dangerous and almost unbearable climb down, ending in a dead drop to darkness below. If they STILL insist on continuing they fall a painful but not deadly distance to solid stone in the pitch black. Have a sinister(yet laughing) voice say: "So you didn't listen to his warnings??? Hahahaha.... it's been years since anyone has been so foolish(in a laughing almost pleasured tone). Well thank you, and welcome....." Then in drow speak some names and swift commands ending with a harsh word. Then the characters are knocked out and so the adventure begins :)

[@WASD20]

Hey, not bad. :)

[@kgeo2686]

WASD20 Thanks! Great video as always!

[@beezer524]

You could also have the guy say that all the gold that was down there is gone now and all the monsters are dead. I mean that would make sense because the guy already went through the dungeon right? Then if you wanted it to show up later, you could all of a sudden say there are rumblings down there, trouble is afoot!

[@IndefinableNebulaCrystals]

i've runned the adventures exactly by a ghost jumping in a well, and players jumped after it just by hearing that it is super dungeon there. And from there skipped the village from the very first adventure - just on the edge of rift of Sunless citadel.

[@DrusinianX]

@@IndefinableNebulaCrystals at this point we know the well leads to the dungeon of the mad mage and is 300+ pages

[@johnharrison2086]

It's worth it for Sunless Citadel and Tomb of Horrors. Two of my favorite modules of all time.

[@aFistfulofDice]

Seeing new art for Sunless Citadel made me so happy. My all-time favorite adventure module. Thanks for the review, Nate! Definitely picking it up soon.

[@WASD20]

Thanks, Matt. I definitely thought of you when reading through the Sunless Citadel. I'm actually going to start it with my gaming group starting this Friday!

[@redfeildre349]

How does this set of adventures reconcile the fact that most of these adventures happen in Grayhawk? Is Grayhawk not a thing anymore? Has Forgotten Realms pulled a Borg on all other worlds? "We are the Forgotten Realms. You will be assimilated. Resistance is futile." Oh dear. I admit, I am loving The Sword Coast more than I thought I would but can we at least get a nod to Grayhawk, Dragonlance, and Mystera? Sorry if I sound like a curmudgeon. I think 5E is the best versions of D&D I've played and I go back to 1st edition AKA Advanced Dungeons and Dragons. So this is not hating on the game or it's direction. I just want a bit of a nod for what I consider the original iconic worlds of Greyhawk and Mystera. BTW: I will be getting this book. It looks awesome.

[@aFistfulofDice]

There's literally a breakout box about how to run the adventures in different settings, including Greyhawk. Did you miss that part? Nate mentions it around 11:10.

[@redfeildre349]

That was fast. Yes I did. I tend to post things before finishing the video. A very bad habit no one should pick up. Thanks.

[@erick6037]

Overall I enjoy the Yawning Portal. Wish we could have gotten a map of at least the inn. Im sure my players will want a ride down the well ....

[@WASD20]

An inn map would have been nice. Agreed.

[@mehmeh5615]

Erick Sheeley it’s now in Waterdeep I think

[@Javawocky92]

If your watching this now. The Yawning Portal mentioned at 8:05 is the Dungeon of the Mad Mage game.

[@DungeonDad]

I can not wait for mine to arrive in the mail. It looks truly awesome! I really like how they give you the option to just string these adventures together in a barely coherent campaign.

[@Blinnebots]

I'm excited to get my hands on this! My favorite campaigns are the ones that have you on the edge of your seat, like real stakes at hand (death on the line) and this looks like just the thing for me. Given that I've never run a campaign before I would want to run one before starting in on these but 100% will run/play one (hopefully more) of these in ~the future~

[@WilliamSlayer]

I was reluctant to go out and buy this product because I wasn't sure they were going to do the original modules Justice. Thanks so much for the review it has showed me that they put the time into it to make it worth it to purchase these for the new fifth edition! On a side note I have actually played(or DMed) every single one of these Adventures except for Tamaochin, which makes me REALLY OLD! LOL 😲😁

[@fullrefund8812]

1979... Really old?!? I remember playing White Plume Mountain when it was new. Thanks. :p

[@WASD20]

Haha. I only speak the truth! Sorrynotsorry. :D

[@arlionman]

In my campaign where we all rotate dm and play a kind of dungeon of the week style, the yawning portal is the hub for our rotating cast of players (currently 12 that switch around every week). Anyway, long story short, undermountain is a giant, infinite, and magically ever changing dungeon that every dm takes a shot at eventually. I just imagine them coming back up every time and Durnan is at the bar pouring a brew as he looks at the bloodied adventures and asks “so... find anythin’ new?” with a bit of a wink and a grin

[@Scotty_in_Ohio]

Thanks for the overview! Some of those bring back fond memories and will be nice to have them in a collection without having to find a near mint version of the original on eBay for _crazy_ money (should have never gotten rid of my original AD&D stuff but I've bought most of what I had back (paying a hefty premium).... Will be interesting to see how 5e rules change things up. I'm back in to D&D after being away since 1984 - lots of catching up to do.

[@And-c7n]

Scott Warmbier Once you go THACO you never go back!

[@Scotty_in_Ohio]

Yep been living the AC 0 for my entire life ;-)

[@The_Real_DCT]

If you don't mind buying re-prints or reproductions try sites liks Drive thru RPG you can find many 1st and 2nd edition stuff even D&D basic(like the Rules Cyclopedia) and OD&D books available in hard or soft cover reproductions for reasonable prices often 35-40 bucks

[@Wazdakka.Gutsmek]

Wow, played Against The Giants and T of H back in the day.(Feeling old) Would love to run them in 5th ed. Great Review Nate. Thanks

[@WASD20]

Cool! I'd love to hear how you like them if you end up doing it. Thanks for watching!

[@Scotty_in_Ohio]

Feeling old too - I remember taking the shrink wrap off of both of those when they came out....

[@midnightgreen8319]

Against the giants is one of my fondest memories of gaming as a teenager

[@Geraint3000]

Having played 1st Ed back in the 80s and now 5e, it was great prepping the modules contained within this book. I've run Sunless Citadel and Forge of Fury twice and the players absolutely love it. It's a perfect introduction to classic D&D. I parachuted Tamoachan into the jungles of Chult as a training ground excercise for the players in Tomb of Annihilation. t was great. Then in another campaign in Ghosts of Saltmarsh the party went on an epic voyage to retrieve the magic items stolen by Keraptis in White Plume Mountain. Having loved playing WPM in 1st Edition, I was really looking forward to sharing the excitement of this classic adventure. The players enjoyed it but found it rather baffling and nonsensical with its lack of logic. Funhouse dungeons are no longer a part of modern D&D where for the best part adventures have a huge arcing narrative and the way dungeons are populated make sense - this certainly isn't the case with WPM. I'm about to run the Giants Modules next so we'll see how they get on with that.

[@mgreenester]

Haha! He said "Miso American." Now I'm imagining an American with an umami flavor.

[@WitchieBelle]

love your reviews Nate!!

[@WASD20]

Thanks!

[@Iknowaguyds]

White plume mountain & tomb of Horror's some of the best modules ever..

[@critical_mass6453]

I think Wotc could help people appreciate their modules soooo much more if they simply added stat blocks. Just adding those would make the sessions run much smoother IMO rather that having to prep like you're studying for a college test before each session or having to flip thru multiple books thus breaking the flow of the game.

[@HappyConsoleGamer]

Instant subscribed!

[@WASD20]

Well thanks! :)

[@NumbLock]

mines arriving tomorrow. cant wait to run through it. haven't told my group yet either

[@scottplumer3668]

I got it for $20 brand new on Ebay, but I would have paid $50 for it, just for the content. My only complaint, though, is the maps are REALLY hard to read (at least in Forge of Fury, which I'm running now). There are secret doors that are barely discernible as such. I found some hi-res maps from the whole book online (like 10000 pixels wide!) that are much better.

[@johncartwright6759]

Well done Nate. So far I like your review the best.

[@WASD20]

Thanks, John!

[@spuggym8986]

Ordered this after looking for some good introductory campaigns/adventures to run for new players, saw the sunless citadel and thought it'd be a fun adventure to run but the original book was like £20 on eBay, then I stumbled on this, ten quid more and 6 more adventures, I'm excited to give it a spin for certain

[@danteviperbrandolini]

Extremely Awesome Tales From the Yawning Portal Review Video by you Sir...I Ordered this Book Tonight because of your amazing & very detailed review, You also mentioned this is one of your favorite D & D Books, so ultimately, that's why I went ahead with ordering this Book. Thx you so much Nate for being so awesome @ your craft....👽👻😉👽

[@kikedragoon]

Some trap statistics don't show up in this book, so that's why it recommends the DMG

[@WASD20]

Magic items too, but yeah that's good to know. Thanks.

[@natee.81]

Thanks, I just ordered it and I'm going to dm it. Thank you for this video!

[@WASD20]

Great. Enjoy!

[@jacobnavarro3675]

It's D&D meets Buster Scruggs!

[@bytecode5834]

Fantastic video, thanks for the gift!

[@KFuzze]

I'm really catching the bug. All these worlds seem so real. It's amazing how much responsibility falls to the Dungeon Master to create a compelling world. Love the video Nate!

[@jordanw2009]

Robert Mitchell Forbes if you’re a good dm the players build it too

[@bassmanjla]

Totally agree with you on the juxtaposition of the Undermountain being described so epically at the beginning of the book and then offering NOTHING in the way of satisfaction to that anywhere in the book. I'm really not happy with the way they utterly FAILED to interweave any sort of story follow through with Durden and the Yawning Portal. The "framing Device" is nearly as bad as some of the ones presented at the beginning of Adventurer's League Published adventures which are almost universally skipped or narratively rewritten by good DMs.

[@WASD20]

Well said! Overall, the book is awesome for me. But there were some odd choices and omissions, and a little more narrative glue for the Yawning Portal (tavern) would have helped.

[@bassmanjla]

WASD20 Totally agree. I havent had the chance to peruse yet, i just scanned through after I realized that all the YP content just ENDED at the end of the 1st chapter.

[@bassmanjla]

claire medeiros yeah, Im aware of what undermountain was. my point still stands though. from a book design aspect, its a fucking terrible thing. i relate it this way. remember in the fellowship of the ring, how there was that great big awesome prologue summarizing the history of the ring and showing that big battle with sauron? imagine if THAT prologue was instead shown at the begininning of the Hobbit.. and in the main story of the Hobbit, bilbo never meets gollum, never finds the ring. and nothing ever happens with gondor, or shit else that has to do with that prologue. THAT, is the book design for TFTYP

[@bassmanjla]

claire medeiros good points though

[@najmjapanwala]

Wizards of the Coast released an Undermountain adventure too now so one could use that, if you’re okay with the fact that a one-shot would turn into a Lvl 5 - 20 campaign.

[@dennishagen1679]

Love your reviews Nate! 😀

[@WASD20]

Thanks, Dennis!

[@GuillermoJI]

Love your reviews! regards from Argentina Nate!

[@WASD20]

Thanks, Guillermo!

[@mythicology5439]

I'm going to use the Yawning Portal as a Tavern that appears out of now where when you finish a quest

[@jctxcboy36]

Would be good to entice new players on the lore behind the yawning portal, very nostalgic and worth mentioning

[@sunsin1592]

Way back in the day I had ambitions of putting Hidden Shrine of Tomoachan and Tomb of Horrors together, or at least in the same ruined city complex. It would work even better with Dwellers in the Forbidden City, which I'm currently adapting for a Castles & Crusades adventure I'm writing.

[@oliviafair3668]

Hey Nate, nice video. I was wondering, when will the next mappening be?

[@WASD20]

Hey thanks! Not sure about the next Mappening. April or May, I'd guess.

[@jimamos7984]

Have they updated the Drow adventures from 1e yet?

[@DawnsonRPGs]

*sees Against the Giants* Me: THERE ARE GIANTS IN THE SKY!!!

[@chaosthegod]

Hey! Since these are short adventures and players may get tired of creating new characters each time, do you think it's possible to use the premade characters from Starter Kit to play through these adventures?

[@screwtapee]

I would say so yeah, but those characters only go up to level 5, and also you could play the same home made characters for all the dungeons

[@brandongore711]

My plan is to have a Chromomancer arrive in Waterdeep, working with Durnan to bring his stories to life for adventurers. With enough coin, the Chromomancer will open a time rift within the yawning portal, taking the party to the setting of each adventure instead of Undermountain. Tomb of Horrors will be locked away until the party is ready lol

[@MegaByron1970]

Sunless citadel is cool 😎, I liked the twig blights

[@WASD20]

It's a good one!

[@checkedoutaf-mtb2221]

you sold me on this book. i look forward to play these adventures with my kids. by the way nate ty for the hardwork making these video's .good job 👍.

[@WASD20]

Thanks so much for the kind words. I hope you and your kids enjoy!

[@captcorajus]

Lol... Nate, you had the same issue I did with Undermountain being RIGHT THERE! I LOVE the Yawning Portal, but, honestly, if you want to run the adventures from the book, start in a different tavern. lol.

[@WASD20]

Yup! :)

[@williampfeiffer5536]

I'm going to need to buy this and Volo's

[@And-c7n]

William Pfeiffer Volo's is very good. Nate has done one review and there is another on WebDM for a different take.

[@RecluseAllKnight]

Thanks Nate!

[@WASD20]

Glad you enjoyed, brother.

[@redfeildre349]

So who else want's to see a Tales from Mystara?

[@The_Real_DCT]

Closest we will get are the new reproductions of some of the offically liscenced D&D basic adventures from Goodman Games they already released into the borderlands and Isle of Dread which have both the D&D basic versions so if you have the rules Cyclopedia(or picked up the reproduction of the Rules Cyclopedia from Drive thru RPG) or even the original boxsets you can run it straight out and a new 5e version and they are putting out Expedition to The Barrier Peaks next. Downside is these are about 49-50 a piece but they come in sweet hard covers and are pretty thick.

[@kurgon1976]

I wish they made the box sets again.

[@paulcoy9060]

With handouts and maps that are separate, instead of risking cracking the spine of a 50 Dollar book trying to Xerox it.

[@an8strengthkobold360]

18:53 hey, me too.

[@bioguy8734]

I am very disappointed that they describe undermountain as this incredible dungeon with untold adventure inside. but they don't make anything to run it as an adventure.

[@WASD20]

I'm with you.

[@oneeyeman6118]

Gotta bump this comment... they were saving it for it's own standalone mega dungeon that can level your players up to 20. ;)

[@oneeyeman6118]

I'm totally new to table top rpgs, but went on the deep end with buying TftYP and preordering Dragon's Heist + Dungeon of the Mad Mage. I have a feeling that all three are going to complement each other VERY nicely

[@old_geeky_Michael]

Hmm, I haven't played much with "modern" editions, but that looks interesting. Although, surely the greatest D&D module of all time is missing! Where is AD&D module I6 ?!? ;-)

[@RhysSGaming]

Any plan to review the newer module ghosts of saltmarsh?

[@WASD20]

I did!

[@RhysSGaming]

@@WASD20 my bad 😂 let me try again, what about the stranger things set..

[@giacomobiagini9263]

Hi, I really like your videos and your style. I have one-two simple question: as rookie dm, I would like to run an Eberron campaign with some friends. I already bought the PH, the dm handbook, the monster manual and some shit about Sharn the city of towers. Could you please make a video about the world of Eberron and how could or should I fit the 5th edition in my future campaign? I ask to you beacuse you gave me some pretty nasty ideas thanks to some of your videos. SORRY FOR MY BAD ENGLISH....

[@WASD20]

I actually know very little about Eberron, but thanks for the suggestion! I think you might find this useful. media.wizards.com/2015/downloads/dnd/UA_Eberron_v1.pdf

[@giacomobiagini9263]

WASD20 sure it is! I already download this time ago :) thank you so much man. Have a good day ;)

[@alanthomasgramont]

O played in the second edition Ruins of Undermountain box set for years. My wizard went from 1st to 15th level, which in 2nd edition is a slow churning process. I loved the adventure until I moved into more of a story telling game where that box set just didn’t have any story.

[@iwanfennema6235]

Hi Nate! I was wondering what your opinion about on Out of the Abyss was? I recently bought the book, and read it through, can't wait to start after we finish the starter kit story!

[@WASD20]

Hi Iwan. I think it's good! I like it a lot, but haven't actually run it. See my review over here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bau3qGtsr75roKs&lc=z13tffqz5z2dubtff23wepupaxewghovr But if you're a fan of the underdark adventures, it's definitely solid.

[@jacobdefassio5021]

Wondering how long do people think each dungeon would take? Looking to plan some "one-offs" and wanted to see how long each of these typically take. Thanks!

[@WASD20]

I made it about half way through the Sunless citadel in one long session. But my group doesn't RP much, and it was only 2 level 3 players.

[@Robtmmartine77]

Man I want to play so bad but no time with my Engineering classes!! I bought the books, I also bought the Cthulhu rpg books, and so want to play. With D and D Inthink I would rather play with maps and minis but it seems like it will cost a fortune to start building a stock of minis to play. Any advice On cheap minis which are nice. I'll paint them myself.

[@harknessfan567]

Robert Martinez The d&d board games have quite a few unpainted miniatures in the a few heroes and quite a few monsters. Depending where you shop the price can vary from £40-£60 so I'd buy them in intervals. But type in cheap d&d miniatures into KZbin and check out what channels like howtod&d and blandco suggest when it comes to buying affordable d&d miniatures. Could even use, used blank bottle caps of different sizes and a dry erase marker to let players now what it is they're facing. There's also the counters and card miniatures option they run a lot cheaper than some of the crazy money the official plastic and metal miniatures run up. Also non d&d miniatures work grate as well. Just type in a class and gender of the hero you want into Amazon and look at the results you get. Also goes for monsters as well, some good looking miniatures on there for quite an affordable price. I'm getting into the hobby myself and it can seem quite overwhelming, but from looking at videos from different DM's from dawnforgedcast to Matthew coville and also the ever impressive Mathew Mercer voice actor and DM of Geek&Sundrys Critical role. Then deciding that these are the options that I'll be going with. Also check out DM Scotty's the DM's craft and Runehammer can also be found under drunkens&dragons. Good luck with what ever you decided to do. Happy Gaming.

[@johnbrogan7455]

i owned the oranigal sunless citadel it took about 2 hours and 30 mintes to play with new players this was their 1st time playing D&D

[@WASD20]

Wow! That's quick. I can't imagine any group I've played with finishing it that quick, but we'll see! I'm starting it tonight.

[@WASD20]

I played with 2 level 3 characters for about 3 hours. We got about 75 percent, I'd estimate. Quicker than I thought.

[@johnbrogan7455]

if you had a group like we had with a set of house rules to speed everything up we where able to get through it quickly, there was 8 players in that game

[@daveramsey5756]

I too (as others have said here) found it a bit of an odd executional idea to place the yawning portal above the mountain and then not provide the corresponding details..unless they intend a following book? I can also comment that I increasingly find that wotc price point is high, and typically third party companies provide much more for less. eg. kobold press released Tome of Beasts about the same time as volos guide to monsters and it was litteraly three time as thick for the same price. As an old school player, I found it refreshing to see a rehash of older dungeons and converted to 5e. All In all I feel its an ok product but over priced.

[@WASD20]

I do feel that $40 would be a much better price point, and if I weren't trying to get the review out ASAP I would have waited for the lower Amazon price.

[@davecam4863]

I think it's hilarious that they always include Dragonlance in 5e but haven't published squat for that setting in like 10 years.

[@parttimed.m.1111]

And when they finally did print something for it...they screwed it up massively.

[@armyaircat2]

Are these all setup for the new 5e rules and my players 5e characters?

[@WASD20]

Yes indeed! Classic adventures re-imagined for 5th edition rules/characters.

[@frogking5618]

Hey really loved the vid, you basically sold it too me as a way to fill my campaign with a few professional dungeons. I think you should try putting the affiliated link "plug" at the start of your video because I had already found and purchased it by the 15 minutes mark. I will leave a like though, the least I can do.

[@genericperson8719]

I just HAVE to buy this because the Tomb of Horrors was featured in the novel Ready Player One, which is one of my favourite books of all time.

[@WASD20]

Me too!

[@paulcoy9060]

Favorite book, but how do you feel about the movie?

[@bigchris2995]

I have just finished Lost Lines of Phandelver with a group of newbies, and was going to start Storm King's Thunder with them. However i just received a copy of Tales from the Yawning Portal and they all eager to attempt Tomb of Horror. Reading through it, they have no idea what they are getting themselves into... hehehehe

[@ianw.5047]

Big Chris let them get to a higher level and make it seem like the dungeons the final boss battle or something. Then you kill them all in a bullshit sort of way. That's how I lost my friends

[@nickmoniker]

Does the book indicate the intended PC level for each adventure?

[@WASD20]

Yes it does. From level 1 to 11 for starting level. I don't think tomb of horrors gets specific though. I think it just said high-level.

[@MK-wu1iw]

The Sunless Citadel can be completed in 3 sessions Can be

[@handlebarfox2366]

So, do DnD players ever not have exact change when they buy something?

[@purpleCupfish]

1:35 what is that word? A little more "mundavid?" How neat is that the opposite of mundane, do you know the correct spelling?

[@BleepingRelics]

Actual architects must probably facepalm at the view of these dungeon maps xD

[@jctxcboy36]

Undermountain is a well in the ground? Please remake this video and please explain the importance of Undermountain, goes back many, many years…..tons of lore and would be nice to see a video really explaining its importance in the scheme of this source book….

[@an8strengthkobold360]

I most just want stuff to stick in other campaigns.

[@xezzee]

Got the book for my self . . . funny story, I have no idea how to use it and I might be player so~ in all fairness, I won't be reading it ^_^ My question is, is it hard to run D&D session from the book blind? Is there something that I should know before I hand the "holy book" for my friend, so he can be DM xD

[@WASD20]

Really, just the DM needs to read it once or twice beforehand. I always read it through, print out monster and spells that I'll need, and then I'm good to go.

[@xezzee]

So, I should try get the book for the one who is going to be the Dm so he can read it ^_^ I made fast calculation and I think I have spend ~500€ to D&D and played meybe 10 games were 4 times I was DM. This is going to be the first with real book :o it will be interesting to see how it goes :D

[@WASD20]

Yeah, any of the adventure or monster books are for the DM. Players get the players handbook, and can find more good stuff in the sword coast adventurer’s guide, and Xanathar’s guide to everything.

[@dylanblack3635]

Expedition to Undermountain (2013) was 200+ pages, sooo yeah. a bit too big for this book.

[@dylanblack3635]

edit. Oops 2007

[@WASD20]

Totally agree, but then maybe don't make the center of the book the entrance to this dungeon? :)

[@gambent6853]

@WASD20 Right? If they don't want you to adventure into the Undermountain, why make the Yawning Portal on top of it?

[@trezo9795]

because the yawning portal is a very well known and classic place where adventure start.I would say the most classic place in the forgotten realm.I love it when i saw the yawning portal as a the "theme" of this book because many of mine adventure has started their! :)

[@71co0k]

It's "Acer-er-ak", you missed an extra syllable. Come on, man. ;^p

[@WASD20]

Noooooo! That's not just mispronouncing. That means I can't read!

[@jeremysteinmeier1701]

T of H is a very unkind joke written by Gygax at as an f'u to too many high level players. It's really not a lot of fun or very clever. I think a dm with a more clever approach could clean it up and make it more fair.

[@gorter23]

couldnt hear you over the sound of the annoying as fuck beeping song in the background

[@WASD20]

Sorry you didn't like the intro music. It's only the intro though. Once the actual review stars around 0:50 it stops.

[@gorter23]

ah you are right peace and tranquility to earth

[@WASD20]

:D I should get a new intro song, or not use any, apparently.

[@gorter23]

i would suggest either slightly lower volume of the song, or don't start talking until you cut the song out from your youtube. and you are all set. or no song at all, or different song. you got options and you will make it work i am sure

[@WASD20]

I appreciate the feedback. Always trying to improve. :)

[@scoobydoo316us]

Just a rehash money maker

[@AlternityGM]

Having one of the players draw the map as they explore a dungeon is actually an idea from the original D&D game. And 1979 is real old? Wow have some respect for viewers born before you. Not everyone is a Millennial. 1979 is only 41 years ago which is not old at all. But otherwise decent review.

[@dennishagen1679]

First