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.
Time to break out my old Kender characters! YES!
lol exactly this - we'll give you the content in both formats, because that's what the community has been asking, but for the same price as if you bought both formats separately... I think they've widely missed the point.
$42 shipping to Australia is absurd. You really need to work on better shipping options for folks overseas. There's zero reason to buy this from here, which means the whole digital + physical retail bundle is pointless. Why even offer it.
It would be nice if the book I can buy at a local hobby store, and it comes with a key for me to get the digital copy!
I'm disappointed that the Legion of Steel wasn't included😔
I always wanted to travel from Faerun, Eberron, and Krynn by Spelljammer.
"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.."
That's selling it a bit short. With over 150 novels and supplement materials, DL is one of the largest (D&D) worlds besides The Forgotten Realms. But unlike FG, tells a mostly continuously evolving story set in different ages. It truly is epic in its proportion and was a huge factor in D&D's popularity back in the day. I do hope they can capture the magic that those original modules gave us.
So is this a sourcebook, or a campaign module?
Me too!
@Nothic2SeeHere I think it’s both a sourcebook and an adventure. Kinda like Strixhaven was (which I really liked overall, unlike most people).
$43 shipping to Canada?!? What the hell?!?
I am stoked for the Dragon Lance setting finally making it to 5E. I ordered the deluxe edition and it cannot get here fast enough!
This is awsome, but a few things seem strange....
In the campaign description: "VILLAINS: Pits heroes against the infamous death knight Lord Soth and his army of draconians".
Comment: During the War of the lance, Lord Soth is not a dragon highlord, he pledged his loyal allegiance to the Blue Dragon Highlord (Kitiara).
He does not have an army of draconians, but he does have a following of evil undead minions... No Draconians follow him, and he has no love for Takhisis (The Dragon Queen)...
Can we order the Lord Soth cover if we live in a non-English speaking country?
$43 to Canada. Like we're far but not THAT far.
Their FAQ says that, for now at least, the digital+physical bundle is only available online directly from them. They also say that this is a trial, and they're looking for feedback.
FWIW, I believe that they really do want to solve this problem. It's always been one of the biggest complaints on D&D Beyond, and now that Wizards and D&DB are owned by the same company it is at least theoretically possible. But the practical problems for selling bundles through bricks-and-mortar retail channels, like B&N or a LGS, are huge.
Like, if you include a card in each book with a code that unlocks the digital book on D&D Beyond, inevitably some people are going to go to bookstores or LGSs and harvest all those cards. If you shrink-wrap the books to prevent that, then people aren't able to browse them before deciding whether they want to buy, which takes away one of the big advantages of LGSs over online stores.
Other options -- adding a code to the receipt, or handing out the card at checkout -- add their own difficulties. The first would require WOTC to be able to interface with every POS system any retailer selling 5E books uses, which would be incredibly difficult. The second means every retailer has to add special procedures for selling 5E books in particular, which would be a huge hassle without providing any benefit to them. And either way, someone could still buy the book, redeem the code to get the digital version, and then return the physical book for a refund.
I don't see a solution that can't be easily gamed or defeated, other than simply deciding that the digital versions of the books are free... and I have no idea how much that would but into their sales of physical books, but I imagine it would be substantial.
Can't wait to DM and play some new Dragonlance!! I am curious about how the creators handle the return of the gods of good? does Goldmoon or the Blue Crystal staff appear?
Has the gods of good returned yet, is the before or after the Blue Crystal Staff is found? has the word of the prophet gone to the north, to Solamnia?
i hope they bring Tasslehoff Burfoot back. <3