The latest D&D book, Journeys Through the Radiant Citadel, has officially landed. Is it worth adding to your shelf? Considering how frequent the output from publisher Wizards of the Coast has been lately, it's a fair question. And because knowledge is as powerful as any ninth-level spell, we've done our best to give you the full lowdown here.
As an example, did you know that Journeys Through the Radiant Citadel is a first for D&D? More specifically, its stories have been written entirely by POC creators. These adventures visit entirely new worlds inspired by the experiences and folklore of this creative team, so it promises a flavor we've not seen before in Dungeons and Dragons books. Crucially, it leaves room to weave in your own worldbuilding as well. This collection (which is available to buy for 10% less from Amazon right now, by the way) has been made with homebrew settings in mind, and each of its 13 one-shot quests can be plugged into any campaign.
But what does that look like in practice? Strap in - here's everything we know about Journeys Through the Radiant Citadel so far, and how it compares to the rest of the best tabletop RPGs.
Journeys Through the Radiant Citadel - everything you need to know
What is Journeys Through the Radiant Citadel?
Much like Candlekeep Mysteries before it, Journeys Through the Radiant Citadel is an anthology book with multiple one-shot adventures that you can incorporate into your own setting or campaign as you see fit. There are 13 stories in total, and all of them have been created by POC writers. Indeed, project co-lead Ajit George (who was a writer on Van Richten's Guide to Ravenloft and serves as director of operations for the Shanti Bhavan Children’s Project) notes that its team comprises roughly 50 POC creators in various roles. That list includes Life is Strange: True Colors writer Felice Tzehuei Kuan, Critical Role product marketing manager Surena Marie, and senior D&D game designer Justice Ramin Arman.
As for the Radiant Citadel itself, this is a floating city deep within the Ethereal Plane. It serves as a homebase for the characters and will allow them to visit numerous, previously unseen worlds out in the multiverse.
This 'City of Stories' is said to have been carved from the fossil of a colossal, unidentified creature that's entirely new to D&D. Although the settlement was originally abandoned, 14 civilizations recently came together to reclaim it.
During the book's press reveal, George also stated that the Radiant Citadel is an "ecological paradise" which serves as a reprieve from today's world. That means it shies away from the political backstabbing of other D&D locations.
However, that isn't to say there's no sense of intrigue beneath it all. Tensions flare between the city's inhabitants during the book's first adventure, and the locations you can travel to from the Citadel are far from peaceful.
In addition, 12 of the Citadel's founding societies have been forgotten and lost to time. That allows players to insert any existing setting or homebrew world they like into the narrative.
When is Journeys Through the Radiant Citadel coming out?
Here's some good news for you - the new book is available right now. Although it was delayed by a month earlier this year (slipping from its June 21 release date), it hit shelves on July 19 instead. Both the standard cover by Evyn Fong and an alternate cover by Sija Hong are purchasable as we speak.
How much does Journeys Through the Radiant Citadel cost?
As with most D&D releases, Journeys Through the Radiant Citadel will cost $49.95 in the USA and roughly £42 in the UK. You can order a copy of the standard edition at Amazon US, Amazon UK, or Barnes and Noble. Alternatively, you can pick up a digital edition of the book for $29.99 from D&D Beyond.
An alternate cover will be available for the same price, but only in-store.
What are the adventures like in Journeys Through the Radiant Citadel?
Because this book is an anthology with multiple writers, there isn't one specific campaign connecting each storyline together; instead, Journeys Through the Radiant Citadel is made up of 13 one-off adventures that won't tie players down to a years-long quest. We know bits and pieces about some of these one-shots, and you can find out more below.
- Salted Legacy: A comedic first-level adventure by Surena Marie, this story is focused on the Radiant Citadel's vibrant night market as tensions rise between two rival families. Besides forcing you to tackle generational issues that are disrupting this part of the city, it's also something of an icebreaker - it includes light-hearted challenges such as a cooking task that force you to battle human-sized prawns who object to the thought of being eaten.
- Written In Blood: This is a third-level folk horror by Erin Roberts that whisks us off to the new world of Godsbreath, and it's inspired by the Black experience in the American South. Much like Lovecraft Country, something is very wrong in this neck of the woods - but fortunately, the Proclaimers (a group described as a cross between Bards and Paladins that write down the peoples' story) are on-hand to help.
- Shadow of the Sun: Written by Justice Ramin Arman, this 11th-level one-shot revolves around a city state inspired by ancient Persia that is ruled by an angel. Thanks to their increasingly-demanding edicts, resistance is starting to bubble under the surface - and you've got to decide which side you want to be on.
- The Fiend of Hollow Mine
- Wages of Vice
- Sins of Our Elders
- Gold for Fools and Princes
- Trail of Destruction
- In the Mists of Manivarsha
- Between Tangled Roots
- The Nightsea's Succor
- Buried Dynasty
- Orchids of the Invisible Mountain
Journeys Through the Radiant Citadel - deals
Journeys Through the Radiant Citadel - alternate covers
As with other D&D books in the past, Journeys Through the Radiant Citadel has a special alternate cover (you can check out the artwork by Sija Hong above). However, it should be noted that you'll need to physically head in-store to buy it. That's because it's only available from brick-and-mortar book or hobby shops.
Sure, we've seen alt covers turn up online before. But it's not a possibility we'd suggest relying on. Although there are exceptions, they're usually overpriced.
It's important to be quick, too. These covers don't usually get a reprint once they're sold, so you're out of luck if you miss them the first time.
Journeys Through the Radiant Citadel - accessories
Will any accessories be available for Journeys Through the Radiant Citadel (potentially as a cheeky gift for gamers)? Unfortunately, it doesn't seem as if there is any bonus content. However, we wouldn't be surprised to get themed dice like those seen for The Wild Beyond the Witchlight eventually. It's also highly likely that some Radiant Citadel WizKids miniatures are on the way to tie in with the book's launch. We'll keep you informed as and when we hear more.
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As soon as we've had a chance to go hands-on with Journeys Through the Radiant Citadel, we'll give you our thoughts. In the meantime, take a look at the best prices on existing D&D releases below.
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