Deep Horizon is a 32-page adventure module for Dungeons & Dragons 3rd edition released in November 2001. It is intended for 13th-level characters.
It is the sixth work in a series of eight linked modules unofficially referred to as the Sunless Citadel adventure path. It consists of The Sunless Citadel (2000), The Forge of Fury (2000), The Speaker in Dreams (2001), The Standing Stone (2001), Heart of Nightfang Spire (2001), Deep Horizon (2001), Lord of the Iron Fortress (2002), and Bastion of Broken Souls (2002).
- Spoiler alert: The following article contains spoilers for a Dungeons & Dragons product.
Official synopsis[]
The Underdark Holds Many Secrets
A series of earthquakes and eruptions have rocked a normally placid land. Strange creatures sighted in the dark of night raise fears across the already disturbed countryside. As tales of a lost race that once warred with the drow begin to surface, only the boldest adventurers dare to descend into the shadowy darkness.
"Deep Horizon" is a stand-alone adventure for the DUNGEONS & DRAGONS® game. Designed to challenge 13th-level D&D® characters, it presents a long-forgotten civilization for heroes to discover and save, if they can.
To use this accessory, a Dungeon Master also needs the Player’s Handbook, the DUNGEON MASTER’S Guide, and the Monster Manual.
Plot[]
Background[]
Centuries ago, the desmodus—bat-like humanoids inhabiting the Underdark—fought the drow in a war which threatened to destroy them. They sealed off their home caverns by re-routing a lava flow, destroying the drow city in the process. Nearly everyone assumed that the entire desmodu race had been destroyed.
Three months ago, an earthquake re-opened a path to the desmodus' domain, unveiled the lost drow city, and sparked conflict between the desmodus and their former trading partner, a colony of salamanders. The salamanders have struck an alliance with beholders who have taken up occupancy in the drow city. This in turn has led to political conflict within desmodu society as differing political factions disagree over the best way to handle the new threat.
Synopsis[]
The player characters descend into the Underdark and reach the ruins of a drow city, now occupied by beholders who have taken desmodu slaves. The desmodus lead them to an enclave of their people, leading to a murder investigation. Next, they lead an attack on a lair of salamanders. Alogn the way, they encounter rival factions of desmodu, each with their own agenda.
Development and release[]
Development[]
The book was written by Skip Williams. Art was provided by Brom and David Roach.
Release[]
Deep Horizon was previewed at Gen Con 2001, held from August 2-5 of that year.[2].
It was released by Wizards of the Coast early in November 2001 for $9.95 US or $13.95 Canadian.[3] It appeared under two product codes: WTC11855, and 886670000.[4]
A web enhancement was published on November 10, 2001. It provides a new area and a map.[5]
On January 22, 2013, 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[]
Kevin Kulp described Deep Horizon as an oldschool-style adventure module, focusing on exploration and combat. He described occasional complaints that the initial adventure hooks were lackluster, but the adventure itself was fun and offered flexibility for the DM to insert their own content.[4]
As of 2023, Deep Horizon reached the rank of Gold seller on DriveThruRPG.
Influence on other works[]
Deep Horizon is the sixth in a series of eight adventure modules: The Sunless Citadel (2000), The Forge of Fury (2000), The Speaker in Dreams (2001), The Standing Stone (2001), Heart of Nightfang Spire (2001), Deep Horizon (2001), Lord of the Iron Fortress (2002), and Bastion of Broken Souls (2002). The concept of a series of linked adventure modules taking a character from level 1 to 20 would be come to be known as an "adventure path", a term first used by James Wyatt to describe this series in an interview in Dragon #281 (Mar 2001). Dungeon Magazine went on to publish its own adventure paths beginning in Dungeon #97 (Mar/Apr 2003). Following Dungeon's closure in 2007, adventure paths formed a core feature of Paizo Publishing's Pathfinder product line, which at one point surpassed Dungeons & Dragons in sales.
This adventure module introduced the desmodu to Dungeons & Dragons, later appearing in Monster Manual II (3e) (2002).
External links[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Product page. Wizards.com, via Web Archive.
- ↑ Polyhedron #148 (Oct 2001), p.64.
- ↑ Deep Horizon. Wizards.com.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Deep Horizon (3e), Dungeon Masters Guild.
- ↑ Deep Horizon: The Ruined Gatehouse. Web enhancement, Wizards.com, Nov 10, 2001.
| Sunless Citadel series |
|---|
| The Sunless Citadel • The Forge of Fury • The Speaker in Dreams • The Standing Stone • Heart of Nightfang Spire • Deep Horizon • Lord of the Iron Fortress • Bastion of Broken Souls |
| Dungeons & Dragons 3.0 |
|---|
| Core rules |
| Player's Handbook • Dungeon Master's Guide • Monster Manual • Dungeons & Dragons Adventure Game |
| Supplements |
| Arms and Equipment Guide • Book of Challenges • Book of Vile Darkness • Defenders of the Faith • Deities and Demigods • Enemies and Allies • Epic Level Handbook • Fiend Folio • Ghostwalk • Hero Builder's Guidebook • Living Greyhawk Gazetteer (Gazetteer) • Manual of the Planes • Masters of the Wild • Monster Manual II • Oriental Adventures • Psionics Handbook • Savage Species • Song and Silence • Stronghold Builder's Guidebook • Sword and Fist • Tome and Blood |
| Adventures |
| The Sunless Citadel • The Forge of Fury • The Fright at Tristor • The Speaker in Dreams • The Standing Stone • Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil • Heart of Nightfang Spire • Deep Horizon • Lord of the Iron Fortress • Bastion of Broken Souls • City of the Spider Queen |