The Gates of Madness

The Abyssal Plague Origins #1

by James Wyatt

In a dark dimension beyond the known planes of existence, the Chained God thirsts for freedom. Infusing his will into the residue of a long-dead universe—scarlet liquid shot through with veins of silver and flecks of gold—he sends this liquid crystal between worlds to prepare his way. But his will is not the only force that drives the Voidharrow.

Imbued with the power of the Voidharrow, the dragon Vestapalk creates a horde of demonic minions to spread the Abyssal Plague across the Nentir Vale. But the threat is not contained within a single world: Faerûn and Athas must contend with their own outbreaks of tainted demons and virulent plague. Will the Voidharrow consume the multiverse? Will the Chained God break free? Or will the heroes of the age put a stop to the Abyssal Plague?

Genres: Forgotten Realms, Fantasy, Dungeons and Dragons, Fiction

80 pages, ebook

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

James Wyatt is an award-winning game designer at Wizards of the Coast, and now holds the position of Design Manager for Dungeons & Dragons. He was one of the lead designers for D&D 4th Edition and one of the original designers of the Eberron Campaign Setting, and has written and co-authored dozens of game supplements. He grew up in Ithaca, New York, and now lives in Washington State with his wife and son.

Reviews

[Brad · Rating 2 out of 5]

Never, ever, ever should a character be named. 'Nowhere'.

[Paulo "paper books only" · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a novella spilt in five parts with 73 pages.

Part 1: Forgotten Realms, The Ghost King by R.A. Salvatore
Part 2: Dungeons & Dragons, The Mark of Nerath by Bill Slavicsek
Part 3: Dark Sun, City Under the Sand by Jeff Marriotte
Part 4: Forgotten Realms, Whisper of Venom by Richard Lee Byers
Part 5: Eberron, Lady Ruin by Tim Waggoner


So what is this?
I am not very versed in the Wizards of the Coast realm. I understand a little of Dragonlance or Forgotten Realms but everythng else is new to me. But this novella is quite good even if I thought strange (because of my lack of knowledge)

Party of Characters
Brenclis - Paladin (Pelor)
Nowhere - Tiefling
Sherimma - Eladrin Wizard
Miri - Axe (Half-Elf)
Demascus- Sword of the Gods (Ioun)

Each part begins with the Chained God (Tharizdun) talking to his servants and for what I learn he was trapped by the combine force of other gods and he is trying to get free. I read it like a adventure from D&D game and It felt like it one. I don't understand what all the fuzz about this thing but okay. I try reading a little on the internet but is all to vague. Strangely enough there are some interesting characters like Brenclis a Paladin, Nowhere a Theifling and Sherimma a Eladrin Wizard. They are helpe by Demascus a strange character which is getting a book by himself "Sword of Gods" by Bruce Cordell.

For what I learn there was a war called the Dawn of War where the Primordial versus the Gods (like the greek mythos of Titan vs Gods) and this Chained god got a beautiful cage in a strange realm/dimension (I think is Pandemonium) for that and now he want's to be free. Opposing there are several characters that worship (or work to) to the deities that imprision him. They leap from one realm to another as they search one way to oposse His minions as they ssearch for a Staff of Opening in the City of the Doors (a place where you can travel to any place you like)

"Tharizdun, the Chanied God, has released the Voidharrow—a liquid crystal imbued with his will and all the chaos of the Abyss—into the universe, and with it comes an engine of destruction and pestilence that twists and deforms beings into chaotic demonlike creatures."

It was good but unfortunally too much information for a guy like me who isn't into Forgotten Realms things.

[Maris · Rating 3 out of 5]

before reading this intro to the Abbysal Plague event I had read few of reviews here and judging by them I shouldn't have even touched this one - but as it turns out - opinions do differ,and that's nice.

Gave it 3/5 as fits the description of three out of five stars- "I liked it." And the most important thing -it got me interested in further reading of the event - Abbysal Plague.

Definitely didn't see the reason for giving it 1/5 as some had did, as it was a well written explanation to the Elder Elemental Eye, Progenitor and Voidharrow, and introduction to Damascus(whom i knew from once read review of the book- Sword of the Gods),and for myself -an ever expanding pantheon of Gods - Ioun and Pelor, and their champions. (seems like failed ones - judging by this intro). it was a short, and nice intro and it felt like that. the only gripe with it was that even in the short time I spent reading it - it reminded me of my least liked book from Forgotten Realms novels I had read up until now - Dawnbringer - because of the whole premise - some mighty being being imprisoned somewhere far, and trying to get out by some any means available. that book bored me- this one - not.

Definitely will try out next books in Abbysal Plague series.

[Mike · Rating 1 out of 5]

Wow, talk about a study in opposites. I've finished this short compilation in one day. The same day I finished another book of similar type. Both deal with bringing the world to an end by summoning an entity bent on destroying all of existence. One is a textured piece of fiction and the other is a one-dimensional piece of commercial trash. I suggest you count the stars if you have any doubts about my opinion.

This book has no texture, no soul. Even dead and asleep Cthulhu has more spirit than Tharizdun. Although, that's not fair. You can make a dog's lunch out of any ingredients. There are a hundred authors who spread the name Cthulhu through their text and still fail to evoke any emotion, unless boredom can be called an emotion. And let's just face it, Tharizdun is just an Exported Character or in this case maybe an

[Marcin Roszkowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Całkiem zgrabna nowelka, stanowiąca wstęp do cyklu, który miał spiąć settingi czwartej edycji D&D. Linią fabularną była Piekielna Plaga, zaraza przenosząca się przez światy, magię, działająca na ludzi, zwierzęta, rośli, a nawet materię nieożywioną...

Wszystko kręci się dookoła złego bóstwa, uwięzionego poza światem, które chce zniszczyć wszystko, co się rusza i na czubek drzewa nie ucieka. Choć opowieść jest sztampowa, to wciągająca, sprawnie napisana i stanowi zgrabne "czytadło". Nie należy się spodziewać wielkiej literatury, ale też nie jest to cel noweli. Ma nas zabrać w podróż po światach, które znamy z sesji RPG i z tego zadania wywiązuje się znakomicie.

[Marco · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting beginning to the series. I do like Mr Wyatt's way of introduction of the plague, it leaves a lot of questions unanswered. I'm looking forward to "The Temple of Yellow Skulls" to read about what happens to the main characters of the novella. Even though the characters were not well rounded, as the length of the chosen kind of narrative doens't usually allow, it is still possible to glimpse the typical "D&D" look & feel. For all gamers, it's a nice read.

[Ken Bryant · Rating 1 out of 5]

If this was meant to make me want to read the Abyssal event that is crossing D&D novels this year, it was a complete failure. This "prologue" reads more like a hastily thrown together module, rather than an interesting and coherent story. I wonder if this is the future of 4th edition based novels, or just one writers folly.

[Trung · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit rushed, even for a prequel story. Characters just had a bit more substance than I expected, which did lend to my overall enjoyment of the story. Will continue to read the remainder of the series.