The next Neverwinter module, Northdark Reaches, has been co-written by famous Dungeons & Dragons author R.A. Salvatore. The game's next module follows on from Neverwinter's Dragonslayer module that launched in June, which involved players hunting powerful dragons in D&D's Forgotten Realms campaign setting.
R.A. Salvatore is the creator or Drizzt Do'Urden, the most famous D&D character from the novels. He has appeared in numerous video games, most recently starring alongside the Companions of the Hall in Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance. The Northdark Reaches module is set between the events of the latest two Drizzt novels: Starlight Enclave and Glacier's Edge, which are part of The Way of the Drow trilogy. This marks Salvatore's second collaboration with Neverwinter, having been involved with the Underdark module back in 2015. Since then, Neverwinter has adapted numerous D&D locations into the game, including a trip into the Ravenloft campaign setting.
Gearbox Publishing and Cryptic Studios has announced that the Northdark Reaches module will become available in Neverwinter on PC and consoles on November 8, 2022. Northdark Reaches is the first entry in a two-part storyline, which was written in collaboration with R.A. Salvatore and Geno Salvatore. The new content in Northdark Adventures will take place in Neverwinter's first persistent Underdark Adventure Zone, as players take on new quests, bosses, and heroic encounters, and discover gadgets throughout the new region. Northdark Reaches will also add new QoL improvements, including updating the inventory system and making alterations to Neverwinter's Wizard character class. The Temple of the Spider dungeon will also be receiving an update in Neverwinter, which will add new bosses, enemies, and rewards, along with Normal and Master difficulty options.
Neverwinter's Northdark Reaches Features New Adventures In The Underdark
The Northdark is an important part of the Underdark in D&D's Forgotten Realms campaign setting, as it houses many of the locations from The Legend of Drizzt novels, including the drow city of Menzoberranzan and the deep gnome city of Blingdenstone. The Underdark is a vast place, with many dangers that have destroyed adventuring parties, so it's the ideal location for a Neverwinter module, especially one involving the drow. Northdark Reaches will also introduce popular characters from the Forgotten Realms campaign setting (including ones from D&D campaigns) into Neverwinter, including the myconid Rumpadump, Saribel Xorlarrin Do’Urden, and Minolin Fey.
As is the case with the other Neverwinter modules released so far, Northdark Reaches will be a free update to the game, and players will be able to explore its mysteries as soon as it goes live on November 8. Northdark Reaches is the first of a two part story, with the second part launching in 2023. Until then, players will have to contend with the monsters of the Underdark, as they aim to prevent a drow civil war in Neverwinter.