A Darkness Gathering is a 32-page adventure module for Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition released in June 1998. It is for four to six characters of levels 7 to 9.
It is based on mind flayer sourcebook Monstrous Arcana: The Illithiad (1998), Bruce Cordell's definitive work on the mind flayer. The module is the first part of a trilogy, followed by Masters of Eternal Night (1998) and Dawn of the Overmind (1998).
- Spoiler alert: The following article contains spoilers for an adventure module.
Official synopsis[]
"Put out the Sun; Darken the Light!" —Illithid aphorism
"I watched the early morning sun dribble above the horizon, only to have my worst fears realized. As I looked on, something vast and unseen took a monstrous bite out of the sun, leaving gaping teeth marks. The bloated red disc guttered and spit, finally plunging back below the horizon like a wounded bird in flight, dousing the plain in a stygian darkness. and I knew what I had long suspected: They had returned!"
Something is very wrong in Stormport: Corruption runs rampant among city officials, more and more people turn up missing every day, dark prophesies of Change convert new believers, and rumors persist of a demonic beast with a taste for human flesh that stalks the alleyways. Worse yet, spring is overdue; winter refuses to relinquish its icy grip.
Only one vile force could cause such chaos: The illithids have risen up once again, ready to enslave the surface races. Now, as never before, the world needs great heroes, mighty adventurers who will challenge the illithids; dark agenda.
A Darkness Gathering is the first of an adventure trilogy (continuing with Masters of Eternal Night and concluding in Dawn of the Overmind) that pits brave adventurers against the brain eating mind flayers. Dungeon Masters can run each individual adventure of the trilogy separately, or they can be linked together to form a seamless, epic-length adventure.
The illithid trilogy supports The Illithiad, a MONSTROUS ARCANA® supplement that provides invaluable supplementary information on mind flayers and their evil plans.
Content[]
A Darkness Gathering is the first in a trilogy of adventure modules based on Monstrous Arcana: The Illithiad (1998), Bruce Cordell's definitive work on the mind flayer. The module was followed by Masters of Eternal Night (1998) and Dawn of the Overmind (1998).
Backstory and plot[]
A cell led by the mind flayer Shuluth have infiltrated the city of Stormport. But this is only part of a larger plot. Druids say the sunlight is dimmer than before, and astrologers have noticed that several stars in the night sky have simply gone out. It is up to the party to investigate.
The book introduces the phthisic.
Development and release[]
Development[]
The book was written by Bruce R. Cordell. Cover art was provided by Matt Willson, with interior illustration by Glen Michael Angus.
Cordell dedicated the book to the players of his weekly RPG group: Sue Weinlein Cook, Ray Vallese, Keith Strohm, Jeff Quick, and GM Monte Cook, who ran the "Millennium Fever" campaign.
Release[]
A Darkness Gathering was released by Wizards of the Coast in June 1998 for $9.95 US or $12.95 Canadian.
On June 20, 2017, it was re-released in digital format. It is currently available on DriveThruRPG and Dungeon Masters Guild for $4.99.
Reception and influence[]
Critical reception[]
As of 2023, A Darkness Gathering reached the rank of Gold seller on DriveThruRPG.
Influence on other works[]
External links[]
References[]