Welcome back everyone! While others may be exploring a new universe, we're celebrating the Season of Champions with a trip through Ysgard and the Upper Planes!
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This month, we're giving DMs quite a few maps from the Upper Planes, some Ysgardian foes, and some stickers to help you cement the feel of a battlefield!
Monsters
Dread Linnorm (CR 17). These twin-headed dragons fight with a mix of ice and fire and are eager to tear heroes apart, limb from limb. Artist: David Astruga
Firre (CR 4). These celestial beings are ardent champions of art and innocents across the Upper Planes and the Material Plane. Artist: David Astruga
Valkyrie (CR 9). These fierce warriors are born from the blood spilled from gods in battles and wield the power of divine justice. Artist: David Astruga
Maps
Celestial Mountain Slope. A gently flowing brook meanders down this heavenly mountainside, offering you a moment’s respite before the next fight. It can be found under Wilderness > Mountain. Cartographer: Mike Schley.
Musicians’ Amphitheater. In this celestial amphitheater, can you put on a performance worthy of the gods? It can be found under Urban > Park. Cartographer: Mike Schley.
Yggdrasil’s Roots. Explore the World Tree's roots, where paths to every plane twist beneath your feet. It can be found under Wilderness > Forest. Cartographer: Mike Schley.
Stickers
Ysgard Sticker Pack. We also have 6 new (each with a variant, for a total of 12) battle-inspired stickers for you to customize your maps with! Artist: Mike Schley
Detect Thoughts: DM Options
When I learned that we were doing the Season of Champions, I knew that we had to shine a light on the Heroic Domains of Ysgard, and by extension, the Upper Planes as a whole! Terrifying combatants await your players – and the maps we've added this month will help you set the stage (heh) for unforgettable experiences on the Upper Planes.
I'm already making plans to use the Celestial Mountain Slope map as the backdrop of an Ysgardian battle!
Fun Thanksgiving-related fact: last month we released the Roadside Rescue Drop-in Encounter. The level 6 version of the encounter includes an owlbear named Gobbler. Gobbler is a turkey-headed owlbear (the Storied Encounter text will reflect this fact, once uploaded). Most people I've told this to has told me how horrifying the mental image is.
For Players
Irina Nordsol
This month, we're bringing back another species, new Planar Pact feats, and for the first time in Drops: brand-new weapons!
Species
Bariaur: Bariaurs are native inhabitants of Ysgard that never shy away from a battle. Artist: Irina Nordsol
Feats
Upper Planes Pact: Make a pact with an entity from the Upper Planes and draw upon some of its powers.
Elysium Diplomat: Call upon the tranquility of Elysium to calm hostile hearts and slip away when talks turn sour.
Ysgardian Warrior: Build upon your pact with the Upper Planes by embracing the fighting spirit of Ysgard.
Weapons
Of course, you'll need weapons at your side with which to do battle! We have 3 new weapons:
Bola (Martial Ranged). Bolas are two weights secured to a short length of leather or rope used in hunting.
Pitchfork (Simple Melee). Pitchforks are a popular farming instrument consisting of two or three sharp tines at the end of a long handle.
Weighted Chain (Martial Melee). Weighted chains are a long chain that loops behind the wielder’s back and extends past each hand.
Ysgard Backdrop
And of course – how could we call this a monthly Drop complete without giving you some snazzy new backdrops, themed around Ysgard!
Detect Thoughts: Player Options
We have a number of new things this month! First, we're bringing back the Bariaur: a species native to Ysgard that hasn't been a playable option since 3.5e's Planar Handbook!
Then, we decided to mix it up for the Planar Pact feats. Until now, these feats have been tied to an extraplanar concept or creature type. This month, they're explicitly tied to the Upper Planes (rather than something like Celestial), with General feats themed around specific planes. Let us know whether you like this change, or if the more abstract themes like creature type felt more compelling.
Lastly, we knew we had to give you all new weapons for the Season of Champions! With pitchfork in hand, your characters can finally join in any angry mobs they come across.
Survey
To mix things up (and to celebrate Drops' 6-month anniversary), we also have a public-facing survey to fill out! While most of it will focus on the contents of the October Drop (as our surveys often cover the previous month's Drop), there are several additional questions asking for feedback about the Drops program itself. I would appreciate any and all responses (even if you don't use Drops and want to use it as a way to tell me how stinky I am).
Before we end this blog, I wanted to take a moment because this Drop marks the 6-month anniversary of when we launched Drops! I'm continually humbled, awestruck, and beyond giddy that I'm able to help charter the course for Drops. I'm always excited and touched whenever I see anyone engaging with or talking about Drops content (I constantly do the Leonardo DeCaprio pointing meme when I see that happening in the wild).
Whether your attitude toward Drops has been negative, positive, or wholly indifferent, I want to thank you regardless. Without all of you, this wouldn't be possible.
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Posted Nov 6, 2026That's the one! Thanks, glad you got something out of reading it.
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Posted Nov 6, 2026Finally, a d8 finesse reach weapon! No more settling for whips! So many new options for builds just opened up!