Dragonlance in Dungeons & Dragons 5e

Illustration by Andrew Kuzinskiy depicting a scene from the War of the Lance. | Source: Wizards of the Coast

Dragonlance is a legendary world that has captured the hearts of millions of loyal fans. And it’s no wonder – powerful mages, heroic warriors, magical lances, and, of course, dragons! Who could resist? The first module to bring the world of Dragonlance to Dungeons & Dragons was released in 1984 and was designed for the first edition of AD&D (Advanced Dungeons & Dragons).

But if you aren't an old-school veteran and don't want to organize an archaeological dig just to play by the original rules, I have good news for you. Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen is out now as a sourcebook for the 5th edition of Dungeons & Dragons.

Watch out for Kender

The world of Krynn wouldn't be the same without kender roaming its lands. Many hate them with a passion, but they have plenty of fans too. Kender are a small race often compared to hobbits or halflings. Their typical traits include insatiable curiosity, a complete lack of self-preservation, and a tendency to "borrow" things that belong to others. Because of these traits, they can easily become a nightmare for an unprepared party and novice Dungeon Masters. In the hands of an experienced player, however, a kender can bring plenty of interesting and humorous situations to the game.

The Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen sourcebook with the classic or alternate cover.

Subclass: Lunar Sorcery

Sorcerers can rejoice, deck themselves out in moon amulets, and burn their old manuals, because this new subclass is simply divine. But seriously—the new specialization focuses on the various phases of the moons, which you will harness for your magic. Don't worry, though; you or your DM won't have to keep track of which phase each moon is currently in.

Simply decide after each long rest whether you are channeling the power of the full moon, the new moon, or the crescent moon, and you're all set. Each phase empowers different schools of magic. This allows your playstyle to adapt to the challenges that lie ahead. Check out the video where the authors introduce this specialization.

A familiar world, an unfamiliar place

This time, the authors didn't get carried away by the monumental world, and as players, you won't be mercilessly thrown into one of the epic conflicts tearing Krynn apart. Instead, your characters start in an unknown part of eastern Solamnia, in a fishing village called Vogler.

The adventure in the Shadow of the Dragon Queen module is designed for 1st-level characters, for whom humble beginnings are much more appropriate. Nevertheless, rumors of the Dragon Army approaching from the east will soon reach you. Will the picturesque village find itself at the center of an epic conflict? Or will everything turn out quite differently?

Deluxe edition with the Warriors of Krynn board game

Epic battles of great armies are simply part of Krynn, which is why Shadow of the Dragon Queen accounts for them. The deluxe edition includes a tool for simulating army conflicts and a board game in one.

The Warriors of Krynn board game, which you'll find in the deluxe box. | Source: Wizards of the Coast

Warriors of Krynn helps you create scenarios where armies clash while your heroes play key roles. You won't be playing generals giving orders from the safety of a command tent. You will find yourself in the middle of the fray, trying to complete important objectives – gathering information, fighting enemies, or protecting civilians.

The difficulty of the scenarios in Warriors of Krynn gradually increases, and some are tailored specifically to key moments in the Shadow of the Dragon Queen campaign. However, you can easily create your own quests and new conflicts. And if you don't have time to play through a part of the campaign, you can play Warriors of Krynn as a standalone board game.

Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen brings a huge amount of content that you shouldn't miss. So don't hesitate, the fate of Krynn is now in your hands!

author Michal Dlouhý