Review by C.J. Bunce
The new Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition adventure Mythic Odysseys of Theros has an inspired twist on the mythology and real world of the Ancient Greeks, creating a bit of a mirror fantasy setting that is still nicely footed in that world. The new campaign, which arrives online and in game shops July 21, has a very different look and feel from your typical D&D sourcebook. You’ll harken back to when you first imagined living among a pantheon of dueling Gods, and encountering your first images of hydras, hippocamps, krakens, and chimera (or watched Clash of the Titans). And a book full of some enticing new maps will keep you absorbed in hours of roleplay this summer, even if you’re needing to make it all work with your friends over Zoom instead of in person.
The new adventure expands on the town of Theros from Magic: The Gathering, the popular trading card game, as introduced to D&D with Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica. This is a guide–like a Fodor’s or Lonely Planet travelogue–to Theros, its legends, and how to become a legend yourself, first by building your hero character, including tragic flaws and supernatural gifts from the gods. Pick from one of two bands of centaurs, a fierce leonin, horned minotaur, a raucous satyr, or create a wall of water as a triton. Follow the College of Eloquence or take an Oath of Glory, or go Olympian as an athlete. You’ll also encounter a newly introduced piety system and one of our favorite fantasy elements in the Grand Orrery.
Destiny and fate have great roles in Theros. The gods of this adventure are more active than in previous D&D worlds–they have great power, but also limitations. They include Athreos the River Guide, the city protector Ephara, Erebos and his dominion over the Underworld, ruler of the gods Heliod, courageous Iroas, god of destiny Klothys, the mysterious Kruphix, the violent Mogis, god of the hunt Nylea, the Hippocrates-inspired Pharika, god of deception Phenax, and more.
The culture developed here is layered and vivid, with a variety of languages, a new calendar, and a way of life surrounded by magic encompassing dozens of new towns and environments players will explore. The adventure artwork is some of the best and unique we’ve seen in the D&D 5th Edition thanks particularly to cartographers Jonas De Ro and Dyson Logos.
Finally, look forward to 53 pages of creatures and magic items to wield directly from the gods, like a flying chariot, fire and damage-resistant bronze armor, slings, and a spellcasting lyre, and artifacts to help you on your way.
Look for the standard cover for Mythic Odysseys of Theros available now for pre-order here at Amazon, or an alternate cover by Kevin Tong, available through resellers here at Amazon and at game shops. Both books are published in hardcover at 256 pages, and scheduled for release July 21, 2020.
