So i know their are the books and like wikis that explain the background of the DND world (Going by the books) but does anyone have like an official summary of what happened in the world over the course of a timeline? it seems like theirs fragments of the story scattered about on webpages, i get that it makes it open to interpretation but having a full blown story to go by would make my campaigns immersiveness a long way
The '90s were the building time for the Forgotten Realms. There are a good many stories in softcover book form that were released by TSR.
Many of the story lines are cross referenced and the overall feel of the timelines and story arcs tie together very well. Recurring characters that have interactions through numerous authors and books gives a very cohesive feel to the world.
And that only covers the Forgotten Realms...Ravenloft, Dragonlance, Spelljammer, and a plethora of other realms all have their own book lines.
And I have enjoyed each one that I have had the chance to read. Currently I am on book 13 of The Harpers Forgotten Realms Adventure Series.
I do believe Wizards of the Coast has released a few of the more popular books as well. Hit up those little used book stores and you should find D&D based stories aplenty.
The '90s were the building time for the Forgotten Realms. There are a good many stories in softcover book form that were released by TSR.
Many of the story lines are cross referenced and the overall feel of the timelines and story arcs tie together very well. Recurring characters that have interactions through numerous authors and books gives a very cohesive feel to the world.
And that only covers the Forgotten Realms...Ravenloft, Dragonlance, Spelljammer, and a plethora of other realms all have their own book lines.
And I have enjoyed each one that I have had the chance to read. Currently I am on book 13 of The Harpers Forgotten Realms Adventure Series.
I do believe Wizards of the Coast has released a few of the more popular books as well. Hit up those little used book stores and you should find D&D based stories aplenty.
And this is why it feels a bit much to get into Forgotten Realms. There's such a mountain of back material that it feels more worth my time to go with a less heard of world, or a new one entirely (likely homebrew).
If you want to play in the Forgotten Realms, you can get by with only the Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide for 5e. It will have most of what you need. Storm King's Thunder has more about FR as well. As long as you are good with playing in FR and not worried about what came before 5e in the Realms that's all you really need. Don't worry about the rest.
Now, there is also Greyhawk, which was the old original campaign world of Gary Gygax (one of the co-creators of D&D). There is no official 5e support for Greyhawk (yet) so you'll have to look for older material. It was technically the official campaign world for 3e and 3.5, but I don't believe there was an official source book for it, but some of the older Dungeon Magazines have material for Greyhawk. Some of the adventures from Tales from the Yawning Portal are originally from greyhawk, but have been updated for Forgotten Realms.
Hope that helps.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"Orcs are savage raiders and pillagers with stooped postures, low foreheads, and piggish faces with prominent lower canines that resemble tusks." MM p245 (original printing) You don't OWN your books on DDB: WotC can change them any time. What do you think will happen when OneD&D comes out?
It depends on the world if you're looking at for world history.
Toril has a rich history full of cataclysmic events... it takes a lot of reading up to get the full gist of what the world has gone through.
Look up "The Grand History of the Realms." It's a sort of timeline from the start of the world to slightly before 4th edition.
This definitely looks like the sort of thing I need to get into reading. I really like the idea of my own campaign being set in the D&D official timeline lol
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
So i know their are the books and like wikis that explain the background of the DND world (Going by the books) but does anyone have like an official summary of what happened in the world over the course of a timeline? it seems like theirs fragments of the story scattered about on webpages, i get that it makes it open to interpretation but having a full blown story to go by would make my campaigns immersiveness a long way
It depends on the world if you're looking for world history.
Toril has a rich history full of cataclysmic events... it takes a lot of reading up to get the full gist of what the world has gone through.
Look up "The Grand History of the Realms." It's a sort of timeline from the start of the world to slightly before 4th edition.
Site Rules & Guidelines --- Focused Feedback Mega Threads --- Staff Quotes --- Homebrew Tutorial --- Pricing FAQ
Please feel free to message either Sorce or another moderator if you have any concerns.
The '90s were the building time for the Forgotten Realms. There are a good many stories in softcover book form that were released by TSR.
Many of the story lines are cross referenced and the overall feel of the timelines and story arcs tie together very well. Recurring characters that have interactions through numerous authors and books gives a very cohesive feel to the world.
And that only covers the Forgotten Realms...Ravenloft, Dragonlance, Spelljammer, and a plethora of other realms all have their own book lines.
And I have enjoyed each one that I have had the chance to read. Currently I am on book 13 of The Harpers Forgotten Realms Adventure Series.
I do believe Wizards of the Coast has released a few of the more popular books as well. Hit up those little used book stores and you should find D&D based stories aplenty.
Pain Heals, Chicks Dig Scars, Glory Lasts Forever!
If you want to play in the Forgotten Realms, you can get by with only the Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide for 5e. It will have most of what you need. Storm King's Thunder has more about FR as well. As long as you are good with playing in FR and not worried about what came before 5e in the Realms that's all you really need. Don't worry about the rest.
There is a great video series on YouTube that goes through the history of FR. See here: Forgotten Realms from Jorphdan
Now, there is also Greyhawk, which was the old original campaign world of Gary Gygax (one of the co-creators of D&D). There is no official 5e support for Greyhawk (yet) so you'll have to look for older material. It was technically the official campaign world for 3e and 3.5, but I don't believe there was an official source book for it, but some of the older Dungeon Magazines have material for Greyhawk. Some of the adventures from Tales from the Yawning Portal are originally from greyhawk, but have been updated for Forgotten Realms.
Hope that helps.
"Orcs are savage raiders and pillagers with stooped postures, low foreheads, and piggish faces with prominent lower canines that resemble tusks." MM p245 (original printing)
You don't OWN your books on DDB: WotC can change them any time. What do you think will happen when OneD&D comes out?
Actually, this was an outstanding source for the world of Greyhawk as of 3rd Edition. Great stepping off point into your own adventures there:
http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/28492/Living-Greyhawk-Gazetteer-30?it=1
Yawning Portal gives advice for how to squeeze these adventures into many settings. Really hasn't been updated to any particular one.
When i get paid ill have to check them out haha