Venture from the shadowy depths of a Githyanki creche to a sugar-dusted cottage in a fairytale forest in Dragon Delves, arriving July 8! Each of the ten adventures showcases a bold, distinctive art style—brought to life by renowned artists to capture the majesty of the chromatic and metallic dragons within.

Josh Herman, head of art for Dungeons & Dragons, takes us behind the scenes to explore the unique visual storytelling that makes Dragon Delves—and the featured dragons—unforgettable.

• Encounter the New and Improved Dragons for the First Time
• A Unique Style Woven into Every Tale
• Pushing the Boundaries of Traditional Fantasy Art
• Art That Tells a Story
• Cartography as a Storytelling Tool

Encounter the New and Improved Dragons for the First Time

Artist: Ed Kwong

Dragon Delves brings you face-to-face with ten iconic chromatic and metallic dragons, featuring their bold new designs from the recently released Monster Manual.

“One of the big initiatives in the new Monster Manual was to give each dragon distinct body types that they felt like they'd be more comfortable or appropriate in different biomes, and then to also play into the temperament, personality, and abilities of the dragon,” said Josh.

On top of the recent cosmetic revamp, each type of dragon in the Monster Manual also received new features, such as the Spellcasting ability and special Legendary Actions. But a stat block doesn't tell a story, and Dragon Delves is where the narrative potential of the new dragon designs comes to life.

“The core rulebooks are not narrative books. They're not supposed to take you on a story,” Josh explained. “So Dragon Delves is when we get to take some of those theories that we've had since the dragon's redesign and flesh them out. This is what a green dragon's lair would look like. This is how it would plot and scheme.”

A Unique Style Woven into Every Tale

Artist: Matt Stikker

Each adventure in Dragon Delves revolves around a different type of dragon, and the art direction is tailored to reflect each dragon's personality and the mood of the adventure.

“We wanted to try putting our foot out there in some styles that we've never really done for D&D or we haven't done for a long time,” said Josh.

For instance, in the Baker's Doesn't adventure, you'll venture through a whimsical, light-hearted story that features a Gold Dragon Wyrmling in the bright color and unique style of Andrew Kolb. In contrast, the black dragon-focused adventure, Before the Storm, plunges you into a gritty setting depicted in an inked style reminiscent of the art from Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, brought to life by Matt Stikker.

"That's a distinct difference," Josh mentioned. "From tons of color, hypersaturated cutesy kind of vibes to almost old school D&D."

Pushing the Boundaries of Traditional Fantasy Art

Artist: Justine Jones

Other artists featured in Dragon Delves dive into far stranger waters, like Justine Jones, whose work is showcased in the For Whom the Void Calls adventure.

"You'll find pieces that completely subvert the typical fantasy tone of Dungeons & Dragons," said Josh. 

Known for her surreal, psychedelic compositions, Jones uses her signature style and neon colors to reflect the strange and alien nature of the Astral Plane's influence on the dragon's underground lair in this adventure.

Meanwhile, Shivering Death, illustrated by Ed Kwong, features a white dragon in a storybook art style that's camouflaged so well into its icy environment that readers might need a successful Perception check just to spot it.

Art That Tells a Story

Artist: Dominik Mayer

In Dragon Delves, the unique art that fills the pages helps support the narrative as much as the tone of the adventure. Dominik Mayer's work in the Death at Sunset adventure is a prime example of this storytelling in motion. Rather than creating multiple standalone images, Mayer pitched a single, tapestry-like illustration that spans the plot of the adventure.

“He came back to us with a sketch and was like, ‘What about this idea where it's one really big piece?'” Josh recalls.

The result is a striking, cinematic sequence that threads throughout the adventure. The green dragon's long, serpentine form twists across the art like a snake coiling through the trees, reinforcing its sinister, scheming nature.

Cartography as a Storytelling Tool

Artist: Jared Blando

The cartography in Dragon Delves takes on a storytelling role of its own. Seven cartographers contributed to the project, each chosen to align with the distinct vibe of their adventure.

“The map has to do an equal amount, if not more, lift for what the vibe and tone of the adventure is, because that's the most likely art that players will see,” Josh said.

This practice is on full display in the Before the Storm adventure, where Jared Blando's maps adopt a darker, moodier fantasy style. The coastal caverns and storm-battered cliffs feel foreboding, a perfect match for the sinister black dragon that haunts the chapter.

A Trove of Art and Adventure Awaits

In addition to being a collection of ten draconic adventures, Dragon Delves is also a visual journey told through the unique visions of ten unforgettable artists.

“This was an experiment,” Josh said. “We wanted to give players and DMs something different, and a little bit of what they know already.”

Ready to embark on your own draconic journey? With the Dragon Delves Ultimate Bundle, you'll receive a digital and physical copy of the book, the exclusive Ancient Gold Dragon Digital Dice Set, and the Dragon Lairs Digital Maps Pack—complete with five breathtaking maps and ten dragon-themed stickers.

Pre-order today to unlock early digital access starting June 24 for Master Tier subscribers and July 1 for Hero Tier subscribers!

Mike Bernier 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 partner, and tending the veritable jungle of houseplants that have invaded his house.