The upcoming book Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen takes us to Krynn, a high fantasy world of powerful magic, meddling gods, and an epic amount of dragons. But hold on to your helmets because the dragons aren't the only awesome thing about this new book! Not only is this the first time you can grab a physical book along with the digital version on D&D Beyond via the physical and digital bundle, but the board game Dragonlance: Warriors of Krynn can supplement the adventure with mass combat experiences!
Not familiar with Dragonlance and the world of Krynn? This article will touch on the history of Krynn, as well as what you can expect when creating characters for this setting.
- What is Dragonlance?
- The birth and rise of Krynn
- The Cataclysm
- The War of the Lance
- What awaits you in the world of Krynn
What Is Dragonlance?
Dragonlance was created in the 80s by Laura and Tracy Hickman as a world in which they could run their Dungeons & Dragons adventures. These adventures were later retold in a series of novels, referred to as the Dragonlance Chronicles, by Tracy and his writing partner and D&D party member, Margaret Weis.
The popularity of these books helped make Dragonlance one of the most beloved D&D settings, prompting numerous other stories to be told in the world of Krynn via D&D supplements, novels, short stories, and graphic novels.
The Birth and Rise of Krynn
Little is known of the Age of Starbirth, as much knowledge of Krynn's earliest days has been lost to the passage of time. But it is believed that during this era the gods forged the world out of primordial chaos. The first age of mortals, the Age of Dreams, followed this era. It was during this time that the famed Knights of Solamnia and the Mages of High Sorcery were established, as were many of the cultures that hold power throughout Krynn to this day, such as the dwarven kingdom Thorbardin.
During the Age of Dreams, a pivotal moment in Krynn's history came about in the Third Dragon War. It was during this war between the forces of good and Takhisis the Dragon Queen that the dragonlance was first used in battle. This mighty weapon was gifted to the knight Huma Dragonbane, who used it to defeat Takhisis, banishing her and her chromatic dragons from Krynn. After victory was achieved, the good metallic dragons of the realm also departed in order to maintain balance.
In the absence of many gods and the devious dragons that worshipped Takhisis, civilization flourished during what is known as the Age of Might. This era lasted 1,000 years, until humanity's progress became its downfall—for even in Takhisis's absence, seeds of evil took root and bore fruit.
The first step toward their eventual destruction came when the city of Istar grew to become an empire that spanned the continent, in part thanks to the military power that the Knights of Solamnia provided. This empire was ruled by kingpriests who fanatically sought to root out evil from the world—so much so that they came to control every aspect of their people's lives, even their thoughts. Eventually, one kingpriest came into power that was so morally misguided that they strove to become a god so that they might forever rule Krynn in the name of good. This drew the ire of the gods and led to the event known as the Cataclysm.
The Cataclysm: The Catastrophe That Shook Krynn
While some gods of Krynn prefer their influence on the world to be subtle, this was not a time for subtly. When the last kingpriest of Istar put their plan to transcend to godhood in motion, the gods sent Thirteen Warnings to deter their efforts. These signs were ultimately ignored. As a last-ditch effort to avoid the retribution to come, the gods tasked some of their followers with stopping the kingpriest. When this failed, the gods had no choice but to act.
By the hands of the gods, fiery destruction befell Istar. The devastation didn't stop with the kingpriest or even the capital city. Shockwaves of the gods' fury were felt around Krynn, flattening mountain ranges, forming new oceans, and sundering the population in all corners of the world. The only people spared from this calamity were the devout followers of these vengeful gods, who were taken by their deities as they vanished from the world.
After the Cataclysm, Krynn was in ruins. For three centuries—a period known as the Time of Darkness—Krynn suffered mass famine and plagues that ushered in mass migrations. This caused certain less-impacted societies, like the elves and dwarven kingdoms, to close their homes to those that were displaced. Eventually, the citizens of Krynn began to recover, trade routes were reestablished, and life returned to some semblance of normalcy—though the gods remained absent.
Krynn and the War of the Lance
Even as the Time of Darkness comes to an end, the people of Krynn struggle to piece their civilization back to what it was pre-Cataclysm. Unfortunately, evil once again has its sights set on Krynn. With the gods gone and the metallic dragons in exile, the Dragon Queen Takhisis seeks to return to Krynn. From afar, she has raised an army of draconians from the corrupted eggs of metallic dragons. To bolster her forces, she has also recruited a great many people to her five Dragon Armies, promising wealth and glory not seen since before the Cataclysm. Commanding each of her armies are her most cunning, devout, and dangerous followers, the dragon highlords.
This conflict between the people of Krynn and Takhisis' Dragon Armies is known as the War of the Lance, and it is during this legendary battle that Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen takes place.
What Awaits You in the World of Krynn
Even after the destruction caused by the Cataclysm, the lands of Krynn are not without magic, unique creatures, and powerful factions. How will these powerful forces influence the hero you create to challenge the armies of Takhisis?
Mages of High Sorcery
Magic is a strictly controlled power in the world of Krynn. The public has an innate distrust for those who can wield nature's fundamental forces, so much so that magic users are often exiled from their societies. One of the only places those facing discrimination for their arcane talents can turn is the Tower of High Sorcery. This fortress houses the Mages of High Sorcery, who oversee the responsible use of magic across the realm.
If you're looking to create a character affiliated with the Mages, you can choose the Mage of High Sorcery background available in Shadow of the Dragon Queen. Though, to be fully indoctrinated into their ranks, you must undergo a deadly trial to see if you're worthy of a place among the esteemed mages. If you succeed, you'll join one of the three orders that make up the Mages' ranks, the White, Red, or Black Robes.
Despite being referred to as the Mages of High Sorcery, all people that can channel the arcane arts are able to join the order. That said, the strict rules devised by the Conclave—the Mages' governing body—make it unlikely for those with a more free-thinking way of life to want to join their ranks.
Knights of Solamnia
Proud and selfless, the Knights of Solamnia do their utmost to defend the innocents of Krynn. Unfortunately, since the fall of Istar, the Knights of Solamnia have become distrusted by the general populace. When Istar expanded its kingdom, the Knights of Solamnia made a military alliance with the righteous empire, allowing Istar total military dominance over the region.
When Istar was destroyed in the Cataclysm, the Knights of Solamnia received the public's ire as enablers for the kingpriest's plots. Now, the Knights' numbers are greatly diminished as portions of the order have retreated to their strongholds, refusing to defend a people that reject and persecute them. Though some have abandoned their oaths, others have doffed their shining armor and continue their work, disguised so as not to draw the anger of those they defend.
Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen provides a new Knight of Solamnia background for players looking to create a character associated with this conflicted group.
Kender
While maybe not the most powerful force in Krynn, kender are curious beings in the most literal sense. Available as a new playable race in Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen, all kender share an unrestrained curiosity and fearlessness, making them excellent adventurers. These happy-go-lucky folk are masters of provocation and have an uncanny ability to get on the nerves of enemies and allies alike. Whether the kender is endlessly teasing their target, stonewalling an attempt to be intimidated, or displaying a dangerous amount of inquisitiveness, kender are usually running away from or getting into some sort of trouble.
Because of their small stature and nimble fingers, kender make natural rogues. That said, their fearless attitude and naturally good mood can also work well for bards!
Lunar Sorcery Sorcerer
Krynn has three mystical moons from which some sorcerers gain their magic. Players will have the opportunity to play the new Lunar Sorcery sorcerer with the release of Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen. This subclass has abilities that change depending on the lunar phase they manifest, and has access to more known spells than any other sorcerer subclass. Check out our Lunar Sorcery sorcerer guide for more information!
Can You Turn the Tides of War?
Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen and the board game Dragonlance: Warriors of Krynn pit your party against the dark forces of the Dragon Queen in a continent-spanning conflict of epic proportions. Will you have the strength and courage to defend your home world against the forces that seek to destroy it?
Mike Bernier (@arcane_eye) is the founder of Arcane Eye, a site focused on providing useful tips and tricks to all those involved in the world of D&D. Outside of writing for Arcane Eye, Mike spends most of his time playing games, hiking with his girlfriend, and tending the veritable jungle of houseplants that have invaded his house.
So many Knights, so few moustaches.
Here you go!
https://www.dndbeyond.com/attachments/10/12/dragonlance-ddb-banner.jpg
The Essentials Kit came with a DNDBeyond Unlock Code so all they'd need to do is put the code in a MTG card format and put it in a sealed pack.
If WOTC was smart they'd turn the variant cover into a pre-release edition and ship them with a little Magic the Gathering style promo pack that includes the DNDBeyond code and a MTG promo card as a game store exclusive.
This has been done for MTG for years with stores registrated with WOTC bring shipped exclusive items to be handed out to players at the in person events.
They could then tie it into a Adventure League in store "pre-release" event on par with what is done with Magic the Gathering.
This would encourage people to visit and support their local stores vs this 'buy direct from WOTC model that actually harms local game stores by cutting them out entirely.
This solution would also help the community grow by creating a event where players can learn to play dnd - and also get some cross advertising between MTG and DND - which would perfectly support the "One DND" model.
In DoAT, they said Strum wrote the traditional solomnic mustache despite them falling out of style with newer knights
I'll admit, it's been a minute since I read the original series, but that sounds familiar. And literal zero of them I've NPC'd recently has had them, so I really have no room to talk. 😅
I never liked the mustaches much.
Shh. We're not supposed to say that out loud!
Sorry lol
does the special art cover only available online can I get the alt cover in local shops like before?
you can if you are lucky pre order the alternative cover if you hurry up in your local store . The one i got not to far from home will have it anyways....And for all the mustache thing its fun to see that is a big moustaches or prestine shaving things for the heroes of the lance in the Larry Elmore paintings of the setting and novels (they are superbs by the way. I am very desaspointed they have not calling him back to make the cover of this book.) .
I recall hearing recently that Mr. Elmore wants to work on his own painting now.
Heretic; Leave the Kenders alone..
What have they done to you? I guess nothing 😕
A Kender is a true hero of Kryn, with their wanderlust and cleptomancy there's nothing they can't do.
I sure hope so! Otherwise, it is a real slap to the face of LGS who have helped keep DnD alive for so many years.
Oops!
-Some Kender
Hopefully it has more info than Spelljammer did... :(
It’s mostly an adventure but it should have some Dragonlance lore in it too. I’m really looking forward to it, especially the lore on the Solamnic knights and the wizards of High Sorcery.
I just noticed. None of the game pieces are female. And the Dragonlance Chronicles had several excellent female characters.
Get me in I’m good
Is Vecna going to be involved
I didn’t know that none of the game pieces were female but now that you mention it that bothers me too. I doubt Vecna will be involved because he’s never mentioned as part of Dragonlance canon. (Although it would be interesting if he was involved 😊.)