Dungeons & Dragons campaigns can soon take players on a march against the Dragon Armies in Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen and will offer new character creation options including some unique new backgrounds and feats. This new module allows players to create characters from Krynn, the world that Dragonlance is set in, and includes the Knights of Solamnia and Mages of High Sorcery. The new backgrounds for these character types are specially designed for the world of Krynn and can be a fun new style for seasoned players to try out.
The DnD world of Dragonlance is different from the Forgotten Realms in many ways and will offer new challenges and variety for players and DMs alike. Many of the common races in DnD are not found in the Dragonlance world, such as orcs. However, there are new races and classes for players to try out instead. The new Mages of High Sorcery and Knights of Solamnia classes add another layer of options for players to be able to stretch their wings and experiment with something fresh, and the backgrounds and feats for these help direct players in how to most effectively play them.
Take The Oath Of The Knights Of Solamnia In DnD: Dragonlance
The Knights of Solamnia are proud and brave cavaliers who answer to a code of conduct known as The Measure as well as their sworn oaths. These oaths divide the Knights into three factions: Knights of the Crown, Knights of the Sword, and Knights of the Rose. For all three of these oaths, the Knights in the Dungeons & Dragons: Dragonlance setting are focused strongly on honor and duty.
Knight of the Crown Oath In DnD 5e
In Dungeons & Dragons, most Knights of Solamnia begin as Knight of the Crown. This order teaches them the importance of honor, loyalty, and obedience above all. Knights of the Crown value the lives of their fellow Knights as much as their own, sometimes more so, and will freely give their lives for another. These Knights make great clerics as they desire to heal their comrades and protect others.
Knight Of The Sword Background In DnD's Dragonlance
Knights of the Sword are the most heroic and brave of all the Knights of Solamnia. They have dedicated their lives to providing justice. They will protect the innocent at all costs, or sometimes simply the perceived innocent. They, too, would willingly give their lives for another and never waver in their focus on the greater good. They are the epitome of the DnD lawful good character alignment. They hold high morals and will not shy away from heroic acts.
The Oath To Be A Knight Of The Rose In Dragonlance
Finally, the Knights of the Rose are the noblest of the Knights in Dragonlance. The Knights here are the most experienced of Knights and have faced countless trials to prove themselves in ways others can't begin to imagine. They have proven multiple times their honor, loyalty, their goodness, and heroism. These Knights follow the god Paladine, the Father of Good in DnD: Dragonlance lore.
The Squire of Solamnia Is A New Feat In DnD
The Squire of Solamnia feat goes along with the oaths of Knights of Solamnia backgrounds and can give a player two benefits. When used effectively, these bonuses can be indispensable in aiding the character in battle, particularly, and can have a huge advantage in DnD's Dragonlance.
- Mounting and dismounting steeds only cost 5 feet of movement instead of using half of the movement speed.
- Players can give themselves advantage on weapon attacks a certain number of times per long rest, which will also deal additional damage when used.
The Mages Of High Sorcery Background In Dragonlance
DnD's Mages of High Sorcery are much more than simply wizards or even regular mages. The Mages of High Sorcery is a mysterious organization of mages who have devoted their lives to the study of magic and policing the use of magic in the world. In order to join this organization, prospective members must complete a test. If they pass, they can then enter one of the Mages' three different orders.
Dragonlance's Order of the White Robes Background In DnD 5e
Mages in the Order of the White Robes have the desire to use their magic to make the world better. While much of the lore of Dragonlance has changed mages in DnD, the Order of the White Robe mages remain characters who practice white magic and generally follow good alignments. They are followers of the teachings of the god of Krynn's white moon, Solinari.
The Order of the Red Robes Background In DnD
Mages who choose the Order of the Red Robes in DnD 5e are generally more neutral. They want to study magic for their own personal goals and powers and are not entirely evil or good. They follow the god of Krynn's red moon, Lunitari, and generally maintain a balance between good and evil uses of magic.
DnD's Order of the Black Robes Background
The more evil-aligned Mages in Dragonlance are those who join the Order of the Black Robes. These DnD mages are seeking power and may be morally ambiguous in their means of reaching their goals. They are followers of Krynn's black moon, Nuitari, and use black magic to build themselves up and gain power and glory.
The Adept Of The Robes Feat & Initiate of High Sorcery Feat In DnD 5e
Mages seeking to join the Mages of High Sorcery must take the test of high sorcery in Dragonlance which can have deadly consequences for failure. If successful, then at higher levels characters can also receive the Adept of the Robes Feat for whichever color robe they have joined.
- Adept of the White Robes grants a bonus 2nd-level abjuration or divination spell once per day without a spell slot, and the ability to gain a reaction that lets a character spend a spell slot to reduce damage.
- Adept of the Red Robes grants a bonus 2nd-level illusion or transmutation spell, and three times per day when making an attack roll or ability check that rolls lower than a 9, it can be treated as if it were a 10.
- Adept of the Black Robes grants a bonus 2nd-level enchantment or necromancy spell, as well as the ability to spend unspent hit dice to deal extra damage, which could be very helpful as Dragonlance campaigns have harder battles than other D&D campaigns.
Meanwhile, the Initiate of High Sorcery Feat allows a character to add a wizard cantrip to their supply and they are granted two 1st-level spells from a list of four choices influenced by the moon they follow.
The unique possibilities opened up in Dungeons & Dragons' Dragonlance setting changes with character backgrounds and feats are something that will add color and variety to many new campaigns. Whether a player chooses to be a Knight of Solamnia or take the test to join the Mages of High Sorcery, they will be a boon to the epic battles their parties will inevitably face as they face adventures unknown.