Menace of the Underdark

Menace of the Underdark is an upcoming expansion for Dungeons and Dragons Online, launching June 25th, Summer of 2012.

Story Teaser
Experience the classic fantasy and adventure of D&D's most imaginative and renowned setting. Arrive in the village of Eveningstar and adventure through the surrounding King's Forest wilderness area where the citizens of the nation of Cormyr must unite to face a new threat to the Realms.

The shadow of Lolth has cast darkness over the kingdom of Cormyr where heroes struggle to stem the unrelenting tide of the Drow forces. Descend into the Menace of the Underdark™.

The hopes of the Realms lie with champions from Eberron, whose world has become entangled in Lolth's schemes, bringing them to Faerun where they will make the final stand against the Queen of the Demonweb!

Brave the caverns of the Underdark
Come face to face with the Underdark Drow and Lolth, their Queen and goddess, as you explore this vast and twisted, subterranean world. Infiltrate the Drow stronghold of Sschindylryn - the city of portals - where Lolth's forces work to further her schemes.

Features

 * Attain Epic levels to 25!
 * Forge your own epic adventure and create a unique Epic hero with powerful character customization options as you advance beyond level 20 to epic level 25.
 * Levels up to 25 will be available to everyone, even free to play players without purchasing the expansion.
 * Epic Destinies
 * An alternate advancement system that players can use to advance their level 20+ character. The game will be separated into "heroic" advance (as now, except up to level 25) and "epic" destiny advancement, which will require players to run epic content to earn XP to spend on these special enhancements. They will likely be unlocked at level 20, but unlike regular "heroic" advancement, you can progress your epic destinies indefinitely - even after you hit the new level cap of 25. Speculation: You may be limited in how many you can slot, and require addition "epic" experience to replace slotted destinies, similar to the game's original enhancement system from 2006.
 * Epic Destinies are included with the expansion, and will later be available for separate purchase on the DDO store in Update 14.
 * Play the Druid Class
 * Play as the all new shape-shifting Druid class! Wield nature's magic or transform into a powerful animal form with this classic D&D class. Free to VIPs.
 * Journey to the Forgotten Realms
 * Features Epic-level content (21-25); at least two wilderness adventure areas (The King's Forest and The Underdark); one fully featured player city (Eveningstar); and many quests - said to be the size of several updates combined, so expect at least 8+.
 * Three Forgotten Realms Adventure Packs and one challenge pack will be available with expansion:
 * The King's Forest - Explore deep into the King’s Forest and defend the village of Eveningstar from Lolth’s Drow legions!
 * The Underdark - Venture down into the Underdark and confront Lolth’s elite followers in the Drow city of Sschindlyryn!
 * The Demonweb - Journey to Lolth’s home plane in this Raid quest, battle demon hordes and confront the spider goddess herself as you attempt to stop her scheme!
 * Eveningstar Challenge Pack - Will take place in the city of Eveningstar and presumably function similarly to the current Vaults of the Artificers challenge pack. Said to be for levels 15-25. Free to VIPs.