The Abyssal Plague multi-setting crossover event for D&D

[Laeknir]

Looks like they're starting up a comics-style crossover event that will be dotted through the "new D&D home world" (not Greyhawk but the one in core 4E rules), Forgotten Realms, Dark Sun, and Eberron.

It's the Abyssal Plague world-spanning event!

With some more tidbits here:
http://www.wizards.com/DnD/Article.aspx?x=dnd/dramp/2010july

Thoughts, opinions? Is it the RSE that will destroy the Realms once and for all (since FR novels are still canon?), or a simple marketing ploy to get people to purchase products from different settings, or just something fun that will be a good thing?

[ggroy]

The question is, what exactly is there left to "destroy" in Forgotten Realms, Eberron, Dark Sun, Nentir Vale, etc ... which they still find objectionable (for any number of reasons)?

With that being said, one can look at precedents from the past for other RSE type events.

The Forgotten Realms "Time of Troubles" and the Spellplague, came with a change in edition. Some may argue the Spellplague had an additional dual purpose, of throwing out existing FR canon.

The "Greyhawk Wars" was somewhat different. Allegedly it was done to reinvigorate the moribund Greyhawk setting, back in the early 1990's. In the end it appeared it didn't do much to shore up sales, and TSR dropped Greyhawk shortly thereafter from its roster of settings.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greyhawk_Wars

With these past precedents in mind, what is the main purpose of introducing the "Abyssal Plague" to begin with?

- An upcoming change in edition?
- Throwing out tons of canon?
- Reinvigorating a setting, in order to shore up sales?

Another possible purpose is to merge all of the previous D&D settings, into one huge "Points of Light" universe. From the blurb in the OP, this "Abyssal Plague" will allegedly be affecting all of the known 4E D&D worlds published so far. Could this be similar to DC comics' 1985 "Crisis on Infinite Earths"?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crisis_on_infinite_earths

The case of an upcoming 5E D&D edition in 2011 or 2012, would probably be the least likely. That is, unless one is really cynical to believe that WotC has already been developing a 5E D&D over the last two years in complete secrecy.

In the case of throwing out canon, what remaining canon is there to throw out which the Spellplague has not already thrown out? Kill more gods? Reduce the size of the pantheons even further?

If 4E sales haven't been very good over the last year or so, one could be led to believe that the "Abyssal Plague" is a cynical ploy to hype up sales by "jump starting" the setting. (Sales figures are unknown at this point in time to non-insiders).

Merging the existing (and future) 4E D&D settings into one huge universe, is probably more likely and less cynical than the other possible conjecture purposes above.

[Uchawi]

It would be interesting if they can pull it off, to create a link between worlds. Whether you choose an abyssal backgroup, versus astral, ethereal, etc. does not make a huge difference as long as it it not totally off the wall.

So I agree with the merging aspect, and if done right, with enough detail on differences between worlds and all the major relationships, it could be really interesting.

Except for spelljammer or planescape, I am not sure of any major setting the concentrates on other worlds, while jumping to different or alternate planes of existance. This is typically reserved for modern or futuristic settings.

It makes sense for WOTC to concentrate on one world setting, while providing a path to previous ones. Much like Microsoft and DOS.

[yellowdingo]

I looked up Abyssal in the oldest dictionary i could find. It refers to the deepest parts of the Ocean. So I take it someone ate some bad fish left over from a BP Oil Spill.

Anyway I have been suggesting the Mystaran Setting to WOTC(as of AC1020 - When Night Dragon Synn discovers the source of the Raidance and sucks it dry causing a cataclysm and the end of Magic and Immortal access to clerics). The Chaos that follows is that all the rules defying subterranean lands of the Shadow Elves - previously propped up some immortal or other collapses some 1000-2000 feet taking out three kingdoms and leaving the Civilized to fend for themselves against the Unhuman and Monstrous world without Magic and Clerics.

So my three cents is that They will create a new Planet where Greyhawk and the other settings collapse together in a new world.

[Darkwolf]

ggroy wrote:

That is, unless one is really cynical to believe that WotC has already been developing a 5E D&D over the last two years in complete secrecy.

They developed 4e for years in complete secrecy. Not that I think they're releasing 5e anytime soon. That would be suicidal.

[Admiral Jose Monkamuck]

Wolfthulhu wrote:

ggroy wrote:

That is, unless one is really cynical to believe that WotC has already been developing a 5E D&D over the last two years in complete secrecy.

They developed 4e for years in complete secrecy. Not that I think they're releasing 5e anytime soon. That would be suicidal.

Unfortunately just because something is a bad idea it doesn't mean people won't do it.

[Jeremy Mac Donald]

yellowdingo wrote:

I looked up Abyssal in the oldest dictionary i could find. It refers to the deepest parts of the Ocean.

Abyss: From the late 14th century, earlier abime. From Late Latin abyssus "bottomless pit," from (ancient) Greek. abyssos "bottomless (pool)," from a- "without" + byssos "bottom," - possibly related to bathos "depth."