The second half of 2014 saw the re-birth of Dungeons & Dragons. Back in January 2012, Wizards of the Coast announced that a new edition of the game was under development, and the playtest for it would be known as DnDNext beginning on May 24, 2012 and going on all the way until the very beginning of 2013. Mechanically, 5th edition drew heavily on prior editions, while introducing some new mechanics intended to simplify and streamline play.

The 5th edition’s Basic Rules were released on July 3, 2014, along with the Starter Set a few days later on July 15. The Core Books followed and in between them the very first official adventure arc, «Tyranny of Dragons», got published in two parts: «Hoard of the Dragon Queen» on August 14 and «Rise of Tiamat», on October 21.

Five years later, in order to celebrate these events, Wizards of the Coast released both adventures bound together with a fresh new cover with spectacular art by Hydro74, featuring concept art from the creative process and including the latest errata and a reworked opening chapter.

The 5-day Challenge

Via its Facebook community, Wizards has posted from October 22 the 5-day Challenge, asking participants to answer one different question every day. And this is my take, expanding a little on how I participated.

Day 1: How did you discover Fifth Edition D&D?

I’ve been playing Dungeons & Dragons for almost 20 years now, and I playtested DnDNext since its initial version in 2012. The true anecdote here was that I was able to buy the 5e Player’s Handbook a few days earlier than its release, while I was in Juneau, Alaska. Equipped with my +2 anticold jacket and my +3 vorpal umbrella, the unfriendly weather and local fauna couldn’t stop me in my quest for the «Tome of New Knowledge».

Day 2: What is your favorite 5e setting?

Without the slightest hint of hesitation, the answer is Eberron. I was super excited when the «Wayfinder’s Guide to Eberron» saw the light via the DungeonMaster’s Guild and I’m even more excited about the soon-to-be-released «Rising from the Last War» hardcover and «Exploring Eberron» digital book. So much, that we have planned a special celebration at Codex Anathema in anticipation of such a great date (come back on November 1st to know what all this will be about!).

Day 3: If you could be any 5e class IRL, what would it be? (including Unearthed Arcana)

I’m a scientist drawn by knowledge, so Wizard is (and always has been) my favorite class. Besides, even at only 1st level, access to Prestidigitation is totally invaluable in real life:

• No microwave to warm up your lunch? Prestidigitate it!
• Is your ice cream almost melt because of the weather? Prestidigitate it!
• Did you spill some coffee in your shirt before a meeting? Prestidigitate it!
• There is no show for your nephew’s birthday party? Prestidigitate it!
• Did you forget the lighter and you want to light up a BBQ? Prestidigitate it!
• Did you mismatched your tie and want it to look like a different color? Prestidigitate it!

Day 4: What’s your favorite inside joke from your 5e jokes?

For most of this year, I’ve become some sort of a try-it-all joke into my parties. Why? Because one of my New Year resolutions for 2019 was to play every character class in the Player’s Handbook, so I was using temporary characters every chance I had. My last creation? Felix Felicis, a felis bard/barbarian.

Day 5: How did 5e impact your life away from the table?

As I mentioned above, I’ve been playing Dungeons & Dragons for almost 20 years now, but since 5e, curiosity about the game from strangers have increased notoriously, and some hobby stores have approached me to DM beginner groups. I’ve been lucky to be asked to run Ixalan’s «X Marks the Spot» and Ravnica’s «Kranko’s Way» among others I created myself for Magic players wanting to try D&D. This has given me the opportunity to meet new players, some of which have become close friends. Besides that, as a teacher, I have actively started to promote the hobby at my job, so wish me luck with that!

Did you answer all the five questions yourself? Leave your best below in the comments!