Before I get into the read-through:

I explained my feelings about TTRPG factionalism and my feelings regarding Hasbro/ Wizards of the Coast yesterday on this thread:
https://dice.camp/@SebrinaCalkins/109638993582567222

This was before more was released/ I was aware of the breadth of the ramifications of the changes to the OGL. Now is the time to be compassionate towards 3rd party content creators dealing with the ramifications of this bombshell. Please save any understandable bike for those who deserve it...

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...not those getting absolutely screwed over. Please and thank you.

Without further ado let's get into the Doomed Forgotten Realms, which is exactly what it says on the tin. The FR being the 'default' fantasy setting of D&D5e & the bulk of its official campaigns & the Doomed part being a What If? style scenario where every the heroes failed & the villains succeeded, all events masterminded, manipulated, &/ or taken advantage of by Vecna, the Arch-Lich, The Undying King, etc., etc.

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"This 240+ page adventure is designed to take players from 10th to 20th level. It is not necessary to have played the previous adventures, and Fall of Vecna can be run as a stand-alone adventure for brand new characters. Additionally, advice has been provided to help transition higher level characters from other [WOTC] products. Best yet, the product’s modular nature allows DMs to selectively pick and choose content to embed within their own homebrew campaign"

https://www.dmsguild.com/product/421754?affiliate_id=1507682

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As a whole, the Doomed Forgotten Realm has truly been a who's who of established D&D characters, locations and creatures, getting amongst it and writing a unique saga in its creation and in the running and adventuring that makes this perfect for the hardcore fan or those dipping their toes back in or making an epic farewell to the setting/ game.

That's not to say that this is just for established players as the epic setting and adventures offer something for all, including specific aid...

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For new players and DMs in the first volume, Academy of Adventure, but I'll srep back and overview the series after looking at the overview of the Fall of Vecna, which is the focus of this thread.
This volume includes, some breaking and entering of the Brotherhood of the Arcane's Hosttower in Luskan, a holiday in the Domains of Dread to learn the secrets of Lich King in Ravenloft, taking a dip in Jarlaxle's magical submarine, the Scarlet Marpenoth, to do battle with an ancient Kraken,...

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...hijacking the beyond gargantuan Adamantine 'Titan of Death', Vonindod, who Chris Perkins once jokingly gave the stats: "AC 30; hp 5,000; 2 fists (+20 to hit, 20d10 damage); 300-ft. death ray (DC 30 save or die); Spd 50 ft., fly 100 ft.", teaming up with Halaster Blsclcloak, the *sigh* 'Mad Mage of the Undermountain', rescue the one of the most famous dwarves of all time, Bruenor Battlehammer, from the Elemental Plane of Earth, before finally sneaking into Waterdeep through Skullport...

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...to face the ultimate BBEG of BBEGs, the Arch-Lich of Arcb-Liches, and general very naughty boy before he completes his final ascension and destroys the realms once and for all...

So there's a lot to do and 240ish pages to do it in, which is good but doable with the average 5e campaign sitting at 250ish pages.

Even as I have played and focused less on D&D, Doomed Forgotten Realms really appealed to me. I just love alternate darkest timeliness and if we're playing in established...

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...settings, I love seeing all the cool stuff I've read about or touched upon in other adventures

I could see how somome might regard this as fan service, but these larger than life, legendary elements in the game can make you feel truly a part of these epic tales. Plus it's always fascinating to see how a writer & DM will interpret & play these famous folk

I'm definitely excited to sink my teeth in, but next time I'm going to take a quick look at the Doomed FR Gazetteer & previous volumes

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