The Book of Ebon Tides is a 254-page hardcover supplement for D&D 5E, exploring the mysterious Plane of Shadows. It includes detailed setting lore, new character options, and tactical maps for the Shadow Realm, offering a rich narrative and mechanical depth. Perfect for fans of dark, fey-inspired campaigns, this book is part of the Midgard campaign setting and comes with a companion supplement, Tales from the Shadows, featuring 14 self-contained adventures.
1.1 Overview of the Book and Its Setting
The Book of Ebon Tides is a 254-page campaign setting supplement for D&D 5E, delving into the enigmatic Plane of Shadows. This twilight realm, inspired by dark fairytales and gothic horror, blends folklore, fey lore, and shadowy mechanics. It serves as a detailed guide to the Shadow Realm, offering rich lore, new races, and adventures tailored for the Midgard campaign setting. The book balances mystery with mechanical depth, crafting a unique narrative experience.
1.2 The Plane of Shadows in D&D 5E
The Plane of Shadows in D&D 5E is a mysterious demiplane of darkness, often linked to the Feywild but distinct in its eerie, shadowy essence. The Book of Ebon Tides enhances this setting, blending gothic horror with dark fairytales. It introduces a corruption system using Exhaustion levels, offering both penalties and perks like darkvision. This mechanic balances flavor with gameplay, making the Plane of Shadows a compelling, narrative-rich environment for adventurers to explore.
The Shadow Realm: A Deep Dive
The Shadow Realm is a mysterious, dark domain ruled by shadow fey, blending fairytales and horror with rich lore and immersive, vibrant visuals and design.
2.1 History and Denizens of the Plane of Shadows
The Plane of Shadows, a mysterious twilight domain, is steeped in lore, blending Grimm fairytales, Eastern European legends, and the Feywild’s darker aspects. Its enigmatic inhabitants, like the shadow fey, memory thieves, and moonshadow catchers, embody the realm’s intrigue. Shrouded in mystery, it balances darkness with narrative depth, offering a rich backdrop for adventurers to explore its shifting landscapes and uncover truths.
2.2 Factions and Power Struggles in the Realm
The Plane of Shadows is a realm of intricate alliances and rivalries, dominated by shadow fey and other enigmatic factions. These groups vie for power through subtle intrigue and manipulation, often shifting alliances to maintain control. Mortal agents and dark cults also influence the balance, adding layers of complexity. Adventurers navigating this treacherous landscape must navigate these power struggles, where betrayal lurks in every shadow and loyalty is a fleeting concept.
Character Options and Mechanics
The Book of Ebon Tides introduces new races, subraces, and classes tailored for the Shadow Realm, alongside feats and character builds that enhance gameplay. The corruption system adds depth, offering both advantages and drawbacks, while integrating seamlessly with D&D 5E mechanics to create unique playstyles.
3.1 New Races and Subraces for the Shadow Realm
The Book of Ebon Tides introduces 15 new and expanded races and subraces, such as the Stygian Shades and Sable Elves, tailored to the Shadow Realm. These races offer unique abilities like enhanced stealth and darkvision, blending seamlessly with the Plane of Shadows’ mysterious atmosphere. Each race is richly detailed, providing players with fresh opportunities for character creation and storytelling within the dark, fey-inspired setting of the Shadow Realm;
3.2 Classes, Feats, and Character Builds
The Book of Ebon Tides introduces a variety of new classes, feats, and character builds tailored to the Shadow Realm. These options emphasize dark, shadowy themes, offering unique abilities that interact with the Plane of Shadows. The book provides balanced mechanics while maintaining a rich, immersive flavor, allowing players to craft characters that thrive in the mysterious and often treacherous environment of the Shadow Realm.
The Corruption System and Mechanics
The Book of Ebon Tides introduces a Shadow Corruption system based on D&D 5E’s Exhaustion rules, offering a 6-level progression with both penalties and shadowy perks like darkvision.
4.1 The Shadow Corruption System Explained
The Shadow Corruption system in the Book of Ebon Tides is based on D&D 5E’s Exhaustion mechanic, featuring a 6-level progression. Each level introduces penalties, such as reduced ability scores or skill inefficiencies, but also grants unique perks like darkvision or enhanced stealth. This system reflects the plane’s influence, creating a balance of flavor and mechanics that immerse players in the Shadow Realm’s dark, mysterious atmosphere.
4.2 Balance and Flavor in Game Mechanics
The Book of Ebon Tides masterfully blends balance and flavor, ensuring mechanics enhance storytelling without overpowering. New races, like the stygian shades, and classes are tailored to the Shadow Realm’s theme, offering unique abilities that fit the setting. Monsters, such as the memory thief, provide challenging yet narrative-driven encounters. The book’s design, with its two-column layout and evocative artwork, immerses players in the Plane of Shadows’ dark beauty, creating a seamless fusion of crunch and atmosphere.
Adventures and Encounters
The Book of Ebon Tides offers 14 self-contained adventures for levels 1-8, set in the Shadow Realm, with deep backgrounds and rich NPC stories, perfect for immersive play.
5.1 Adventures in the Shadow Realm
The Book of Ebon Tides features 14 self-contained adventures set in the Shadow Realm, designed for characters from levels 1 to 8. These adventures provide deep backgrounds and rich NPC stories, creating an immersive experience. They explore themes of dark fairytales and the eerie Plane of Shadows, blending narrative depth with mechanical challenges. Perfect for setting the stage for a Shadow Realm campaign, these encounters offer a mix of mystery, combat, and intrigue, tailored to the book’s thematic setting.
5.2 Notable NPCs and Monsters
The Book of Ebon Tides introduces 20 unique monsters and NPCs, such as the memory thief and moonshadow catcher, spanning CR 1 to 17. These creatures embody the Shadow Realm’s dark, mysterious essence. Kobold Press’s reputation for creative monsters shines, blending lore and mechanics seamlessly. Each entry enhances the Plane of Shadows’ eerie atmosphere, offering fresh challenges for players and narrative depth for DMs to craft compelling encounters.
Art and Design of the Book
The Book of Ebon Tides features a two-column layout with vibrant, full-color artwork. Purple, gold, and tan hues dominate, balancing warm lighting with shadowy themes. Sidebars include excerpts from the titular book, enhancing immersion and visual appeal.
6.1 Visual Style and Themes
The Book of Ebon Tides showcases a striking visual style with full-color artwork dominated by purple, gold, and tan hues. These warm tones contrast beautifully with the dark, shadowy themes of the Plane of Shadows, creating a haunting yet enchanting aesthetic. The design effectively balances light and darkness, immersing readers in the mysterious and eerie atmosphere of the Shadow Realm while maintaining readability and visual appeal.
6.2 Layout and Readability
The Book of Ebon Tides features a clean, two-column layout that enhances readability. Sidebars containing excerpts from the titular book add depth without disrupting the flow. The text is well-organized, making it easy to navigate through the rich content. This thoughtful design ensures that both setting lore and mechanical details are presented clearly, providing players and DMs with an engaging and user-friendly experience.
Reviews and Reception
The Book of Ebon Tides has received mixed reviews. Many praise its original setting and mechanical depth, while others criticize its layout quality and uninspiring aspects.
7.1 Community Feedback and Impressions
The community has shared mixed impressions of the Book of Ebon Tides. Many enthusiasts praise its rich setting, unique character options, and immersive dark fairy tale theme. Fans highlight its ability to blend narrative depth with mechanical innovation. However, some critics mention issues with the physical book’s quality, such as damaged pages and scratches. Overall, it’s well-received for its originality, though opinions vary on its appeal to broader audiences.
7.2 Criticisms and Areas for Improvement
Some critics noted issues with the physical quality of the Book of Ebon Tides, such as damaged pages and scratches. Additionally, a few readers found the setting and rules too unconventional or niche, which may not appeal to all players. While praised for its originality, the book could benefit from better quality control and clearer balance in its mechanical elements to enhance accessibility for a broader audience.
Companion Books and Resources
The Book of Ebon Tides is supported by Tales from the Shadows, offering 14 self-contained adventures. A companion 7 Dice Set and Box of Adventure enhance gameplay, while integration with the Midgard Campaign Setting expands its lore and mechanics, providing a seamless experience for players and DMs alike.
8.1 Tales from the Shadows and Other Supplements
Tales from the Shadows complements the Book of Ebon Tides with 14 self-contained adventures for levels 1-8, offering rich storylines and detailed NPCs. This companion book enhances the Shadow Realm experience, providing settings and encounters that deepen the dark fey theme. Additional resources include a Book of Ebon Tides 7 Dice Set and a Box of Adventure, ensuring a immersive and well-rounded campaign experience.
8.2 Integration with Midgard Campaign Setting
The Book of Ebon Tides seamlessly integrates with the Midgard Campaign Setting, offering a dark, fey-inspired narrative that enriches the world. It introduces races like stygian shades and sable elves, alongside monsters and lore tailored to Midgard’s unique flavor. This supplement expands the setting’s depth, blending Grimm-esque fairy tales and shadowy realms to create a compelling, immersive experience for both players and DMs.
The Role of the Plane of Shadows in Campaigns
The Plane of Shadows in Book of Ebon Tides offers a dark, mysterious backdrop for campaigns, blending shadowy realms and dark fairytales to enrich storytelling and worldbuilding.
9.1 Storytelling and Worldbuilding Ideas
The Book of Ebon Tides offers rich storytelling and worldbuilding ideas, immersing players in the Plane of Shadows. Its dark fairytales and shadowy lore inspire unique narratives, while detailed NPCs and adventures provide depth. The book’s thematic elements, blending fey mysteries with shadowy realms, help craft immersive campaigns, making it a valuable resource for weaving compelling tales in the Shadow Realm.
9.2 Balancing Darkness and Hope in Narratives
Book of Ebon Tides masterfully balances darkness and hope, offering narratives where shadowy despair contrasts with flickers of redemption. The corruption system introduces moral dilemmas, while character options like darkvision provide empowering yet thematic abilities. Stories can explore resilience, as heroes navigate the Plane of Shadows, blending eerie mysteries with moments of triumph, creating a narrative equilibrium that captivates and inspires players.
Book of Ebon Tides is a standout supplement for D&D 5E, offering rich setting lore, unique mechanics, and inspiring narratives. A must-have for fans of dark, fey-themed campaigns, it seamlessly blends storytelling with gameplay, making it a valuable addition to any collection.
10.1 The Impact of Book of Ebon Tides on D&D 5E
The Book of Ebon Tides enriches D&D 5E with its unique take on the Plane of Shadows, introducing a corruption system based on exhaustion levels. It expands character options with races like stygian shades and sable elves, while adding 20 new monsters. This supplement bridges narrative depth with mechanical innovation, inspiring dark, fey-themed campaigns and setting a new standard for immersive storytelling in the Shadow Realm.
10.2 Recommendations for Players and DMs
Players and DMs seeking a dark, immersive experience will find Book of Ebon Tides invaluable. Its Shadow Realm setting offers rich lore for worldbuilding, while new races and classes provide fresh character options. DMs can leverage the corruption system to add depth to narratives, balancing darkness with hope. Adventures like Tales from the Shadows offer ready-to-play content, making it a must-have for those exploring the Plane of Shadows in their 5E campaigns.