Wizards of the Coast is set to release a new Dungeons & Dragons book called The Book of Many Things, which features an unexpected and welcome addition. The book brings back the legendary artifact, the Deck of Many Things, and introduces a narrator who is autistic.
The narrator, Asteria, is a princess turned Paladin and will serve as the voice players hear throughout the book. She is canonically autistic and has hyperfixation, particularly on puzzles. Asteria also uses a fidget toy while exploring with her adventuring party.
The book’s designer, Makenzie De Armas, who is also autistic, was careful not to let Asteria’s condition define her. Instead, Asteria provides players with a perspective of someone living on the spectrum in a fantasy world. De Armas expressed her satisfaction in reflecting Asteria’s experiences through the notes and her story.
Wizards of the Coast has been actively working on representing diverse communities in their world, from making adventures more inclusive for queer individuals to introducing genderfluid characters like Char in the Birds of a Feather adventure path. This commitment to inclusivity makes the tabletop RPG community more accessible to members of various communities.
The Book of Many Things aligns well with the themes of Asteria’s autism, as it challenges the perception of storytelling and allows players to alter fate using the Deck of Many Things. Wizards’ continued inclusion of underrepresented individuals in their official books is a positive trend in the tabletop RPG world, expanding the community in a more inclusive direction.
Pre-orders for Asteria and The Book of Many Things are available through D&D Beyond. The book will be released on November 14, with a digital version available from October 31.
Please note that the table content remains unchanged and is not summarized or rewritten.
Source: DOTESPORTS
