Spelljammer
Designers Jeff Grubb | | |
Publishers | TSR, Inc. Wizards of the Coast | |
---|---|---|
Publication | November 1, 1989 | |
Genres | Fantasy Tabletop role-playing game | |
Systems |
Spelljammer is a
Spelljammer introduced into the AD&D universe a comprehensive system of fantasy
The Spelljammer setting is designed to allow the usual sword and sorcery adventures of Dungeons & Dragons to take place within the framework of outer space tropes. Flying ships travel through the vast expanses of interplanetary space, visiting moons and planets and other stellar objects.
Like the
Publication history
Shannon Appelcline, in the book Designers & Dragons (2011), highlighted that in 1989 Spelljammer was the first of a host of new campaign settings published by TSR. It was created by Jeff Grubb and "introduced a universe of magical starships traversing the 'crystal spheres' that contained all the earthbound AD&D campaign worlds. It suggested a method to connect together all of TSR's settings and at the same time introduced fun new Jules Verne-esque technology that had never before been seen in the game. It was innovative and popular".[1]: 26 Appelcline commented that Spelljammer "offered a way to connect every single D&D fantasy world, was thus one of the first true crossovers" in role-playing games.[1]: 219
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons (2nd edition)
The Spelljammer: AD&D Adventures in Space space fantasy boxed set was released in 1989.[2] Several of TSR's other campaign worlds had their own sections in the Spelljammer Boxed Set - Realmspace for the Forgotten Realms, Krynnspace for Dragonlance, and Greyspace for Greyhawk. Along with the new sphere - Clusterspace - they were known as the "Big Three and Astromundi". Dark Sun, Ravenloft and Mystara weren't included, as the first two did not fit with the setting and the Mystara only used the D&D rules, not the AD&D rules.[citation needed]
The product line would be expanded with a number of boxed sets and accessories such as Lost Ships (1990),[3] Realmspace (1991)[4] and The Astromundi Cluster (1993). Appelcline commented that The Astromundi Cluster acted as "a soft reboot of the Spelljammer line" and was more of setting focused sourcebook than previous Spelljammer books which acted more "as a conduit between all of the other AD&D settings".[5] The first adventure module, titled Wildspace, was released in 1990; four connected adventure modules followed it.[6][7] A longer campaign module, Heart of the Enemy, was then published in 1992[8] followed by an adventure anthology, Space Lairs, in 1993.[9]
The monsters of Spelljammer were detailed in two installments of the Monstrous Compendium series, Spelljammer Appendix in 1990 and Spelljammer Appendix II in 1991.[10][11]
In 1993, Space Lairs and The Astromundi Cluster were the final products of the line.
Dungeons & Dragons (3rd edition)
The Spelljammer line of products was discontinued by TSR before they were acquired by Wizards of the Coast in 1997.[12]
In May 2002,
In May 2005, Wizards of the Coast updated the neogi to the 3.5 edition rules in the supplement Lords of Madness (2005).[14] The book included a chapter with a sample map of a crashed Spelljamming vessel, cultural habits of the neogi, and the monster's stat blocks.[citation needed]
Dungeons & Dragons (4th edition)
A Spelljammer homage appears in the 4th edition Manual of the Planes;[15] the sourcebook highlights Spelljammer ships as one method of traveling between planes and provides information for in-game use of Spelljammer vessels.[16]
Dungeons & Dragons (5th edition)
Spelljammer content also appears in the 5th Edition adventure module Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage (2018). In the adventure, a spelljamming ship and its illithid captain appear stranded in level 19 of the titular dungeon.[17][12][18] Then in October 2021, Wizards released the PDF Travelers of the Multiverse which is part of the "Unearthed Arcana" public playtest series. Of the six player races it included, four races (autognome, giff, hadozee, and plasmoid) are closely associated with the Spelljammer setting. Both Polygon and Bleeding Cool highlighted that this playtest could indicate a future Spelljammer reboot.[12][18]
Wizards of the Coast released a new boxed set titled Spelljammer: Adventures in Space on August 16, 2022; this release updates the Spelljammer setting for the 5th Edition.[19][20] The box set includes a Dungeon Master's screen, a double-sided poster map and three 64-page hardcover books: Astral Adventurer's Guide (a Dungeon Master guide), Boo's Astral Menagerie (a bestiary), and Light of Xaryxis (an adventure module).[21] A special edition, with cover art by Hydro74, was also released.[20] A prequel adventure module, titled Spelljammer Academy, was released for free on the Wizards of the Coast website and on D&D Beyond in July of the same year.[22][23]
Monstrous Compendium Vol 1: Spelljammer Creatures introduced ten creatures from the Spelljammer setting to the 5th Edition in April 2022.[24][25]
Fictional setting
Spelljamming helms
Spelljamming helms are the central setting concept which allow interplanetary and interstellar space travel for vessels which would otherwise not be spaceworthy, in the form of a helm.[26] Any spellcaster may sit on a spelljammer helm to move the ship.[26] The mysterious race known as the Arcane is the sole manufacturer and distributor of spelljamming helms.[26] Within the Dungeons & Dragons universe, they are a method of converting magical energy into motive power.
Gravity and air
All bodies of a sufficiently large size have gravity. This gravity usually (but not always) exerts a force equal to the standard gravitational attraction on the surface of an Earth-sized planetary body. Gravity in the Spelljammer universe is also an exceptionally convenient force, and almost always works such that "down" orients itself in a manner most humanoids would find sensible.
All bodies of any size carry with them an envelope of air whenever they leave the surface of a planet or other stellar object. Unlike real-world astrophysics, this air envelope is not dispersed by the vacuum of space. These bubbles of air provide breathable atmosphere for varying lengths of time, but 3 months is considered "standard".
Crystal spheres
A crystal sphere (also known as a crystal shell) is a gigantic spherical shell which contains an entire planetary system. Each sphere varies in size but typically they are twice the diameter of the orbit of the planet that is farthest from the sun or planet at the center of the sphere (the system's primary).
The surface of the sphere is called the "sphere wall" and separates the void of "wildspace" (within the sphere) from the "phlogiston" (that surrounds and flows outside the sphere). The sphere wall has no gravity and appears to be impossible to damage by any normal or magical means. Openings in the sphere wall called "portals" allow spelljamming ships or wildspace creatures to pass through and enter or exit from a crystal sphere. Portals can spontaneously open and close anywhere on the sphere wall. Magical spells (or magical items that reproduce their effects) can allow a portal to be located. Other magic can open a new portal or collapse an existing one. Ships or creatures passing through a portal when it closes may be cut in two.
Note that unlike the
Wildspace
Wildspace is similar to the outer space of science fiction, with planets, asteroids and stars, but with different physics.[26] Gravity is either none or the same as that of Earth, and is directed towards the center of planet-sized bodies; on large objects in space like spacecraft and enormous creatures gravity is directed towards a flat plane running through the object's long axis, allowing characters to stand on the decks of ships.[26]
The Phlogiston
The
The Spelljammer
The Spelljammer is a legendary ship which looks like a gigantic
As a living thing (although it does not consume any matter, it does absorb heat and light through its ventral (or under) side and uses them to produce air and food for its inhabitants), the Spelljammer has a complex life cycle and means of procreation. Normally the ship has no captain and wanders the cosmos seemingly aimlessly. When the Spelljammer has a captain, obtained through another complex process, it will create Smalljammers (miniature versions of the Spelljammer) that go forth as its spawn. Apparently there can only be one Spelljammer at any one time. One Smalljammer will mature into a full Spelljammer ship if its predecessor is ever destroyed.
Races
Alien races inhabiting the Spelljammer universe included
Official products
Spelljammer has acted as the official campaign setting for multiple Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying adventure modules, sourcebooks and accessories.
Title | Year | ISBN
|
Notes |
---|---|---|---|
AD&D box sets | |||
Spelljammer: AD&D Adventures in Space | 1989 | 0-88038-762-9 | Introduced the setting and provided the basic rules for spelljamming travel. |
The Legend of Spelljammer | 1991 | 1-56076-083-4 | Expanded on the setting, in particular the Spelljammer itself. |
The War Captain's Companion | 1992 | 1-56076-343-4 | Provided more detailed ship-to-ship combat rules. |
The Astromundi Cluster | 1993 | 1-56076-632-8 | Provided a roleplaying campaign for the setting. |
AD&D accessories | |||
Lost Ships | 1990 | 0-88038-831-5 | Expanded the number of ships. |
Practical Planetology | 1991 | 1-56076-134-2 | Assisted DMs who wished to create their own spelljamming setting. |
The Rock of Bral | 1992 | 1-56076-345-0 | Provided a home base for adventuring parties. |
Realmspace | 1991 | 1-56076-052-4 | Information about the crystal spheres housing TSR's three main campaign worlds. |
Greyspace | 1992 | 1-56076-348-5 | |
Krynnspace | 1993 | 1-56076-560-7 | |
MC7 Monstrous Compendium Spelljammer Appendix | 1990 | Part of the Monstrous Compendiums series | |
MC9 Monstrous Compendium Spelljammer Appendix II | 1991 | ||
Complete Spacefarer's Handbook | 1992 | 1-56076-347-7 | Focuses on spelljamming travel. |
AD&D adventure modules | |||
Wildspace | 1990 | 0-88038-819-6 | A series of five connected adventure modules. |
Skull & Crossbows | 1990 | 0-88038-845-5 | |
Crystal Spheres | 1990 | 0-88038-878-1 | |
Under the Dark Fist | 1991 | 1-56076-131-8 | |
Goblins' Return | 1991 | 1-56076-149-0 | |
Heart of the Enemy | 1992 | 1-56076-342-6 | A longer campaign module. |
Space Lairs | 1993 | 1-56076-609-3 | Adventure anthology. |
D&D 5th Edition | |||
Spelljammer Academy | July 2022 | Adventure module released digitally. | |
Spelljammer: Adventures in Space | August 2022 | Boxed set which contains three 64-page hardcover books: Astral Adventurer's Guide (a Dungeon Master guide), Boo's Astral Menagerie (a bestiary), and Light of Xaryxis (an adventure module). |
In other media
Comics
Fifteen comics set in the Spelljammer universe were published by
Novels
Six novels set in the Spelljammer universe were published by TSR, before TSR was incorporated into Wizards of the Coast. The novels were interconnected and formed "The Cloakmaster Cycle". The novels tell the story of Teldin Moore, a 'groundling' farmer on Krynn who has a powerful and apparently cursed magical cloak that was given to him. He then ends up on a quest, which takes him first into wildspace and then away from his home sphere to distant crystal spheres. The series showcases the wonders and perils of the Spelljammer universe. The novels are now out of print.
- Beyond the Moons by ISBN 1-56076-153-9)
- Into the Void by ISBN 1-56076-154-7)
- The Maelstrom's Eye by ISBN 1-56076-344-2)
- The Radiant Dragon by ISBN 1-56076-346-9)
- The Broken Sphere by ISBN 1-56076-596-8)
- The Ultimate Helm by Russ T. Howard, (September, 1993) (ISBN 1-56076-651-4)
Computer games
The only Spelljammer computer game ever produced was
In 2002 a team of freelance game modification developers created "The Arcane Space Tileset" for Neverwinter Nights.[27] This tileset included Spelljamming ships, space and atmospheric terrains, along with monsters and NPCs, all set within the Spelljammer Campaign setting.
Web series
Legends of the Multiverse is an official actual play streaming series broadcast on the Dungeons & Dragons channels which premiered on April 27, 2022 and is set in the Spelljammer campaign setting. It stars Deborah Ann Woll, B. Dave Walters, Gina Darling, Meagan Kenreck, and Todd Kenreck. It will also feature guest stars such as Brennan Lee Mulligan, Aabria Iyengar, Ginny Di, Anna Prosser, Deejay Knight, Emme Montgomery, Travis McElroy, SungWon Cho, and Jim Zub.[28][29]
Reception
In the January 1990 edition of
Alexander Sowa, for CBR in October 2021, commented that Spelljammer should be one of the classic settings Wizards of the Coast brings back for the 5th Edition. Sowa wrote that "players have been asking for Spelljammer to be introduced to 5e since the release of the first setting sourcebook. Wizards tossed them a bone with the Dream of The Blue Veil spell added in Tasha's Cauldron of Everything, but it's not a replacement for the niche Spelljammer previously filled. It's not just a way to travel between different campaign settings; it's a simultaneous fulfillment of sci-fi and fantasy dreams of exploration, venturing deep into unknown depths and contending with the strange and otherworldly".[31]
Spelljammer was #3 on The Gamer's 2022 "The 8 Best Dungeons & Dragons Settings Ever" list — the article states that "Spelljammer is one of the most unique settings on this list, with endless possibilities brought up in its planet-hopping realms. The Spelljammer setting can almost best be surmised as 'pirates meets sci-fi fantasy' with its blend of magical worlds and galaxy-traversing galleons".[32] In a separate article for The Gamer, in February 2022, Paul DiSalvo commented that "while D&D's second edition was home to a wide range of Spelljammer books including several adventure modules, the setting has since faded into obscurity, with it not being prominently featured within the game's third, fourth, and fifth editions".[33]
References
- ^ ISBN 978-1-907702-58-7.
- ^ "The History of TSR". Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on 2008-09-24. Retrieved 2005-08-20.
- DriveThruRPG. Retrieved 2022-04-22.
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- ^ DriveThruRPG. Retrieved 2022-04-22.
- DriveThruRPG. Retrieved 2023-06-16.
- DriveThruRPG. Retrieved 2023-06-16.
- ^ a b c Sheehan, Gavin (2021-10-08). "Dungeons & Dragons Just Added Old Spelljammer Content To Playtest". Bleeding Cool News And Rumors. Retrieved 2022-04-22.
- ^ Collins, Andy (May 2002). "Spelljammer: Shadow of the Spider Moon". Dungeon (92): 16–65.
- DriveThruRPG. Retrieved 2022-04-22.
- Dungeon Masters Guild. Retrieved 2022-04-22.
- ISBN 978-0-7869-5002-7. Archived from the originalon November 14, 2009.
- ISBN 978-0-7869-6626-4.
- ^ a b Hall, Charlie (2021-10-12). "D&D playtest could hint at a Spelljammer reboot". Polygon. Retrieved 2022-04-22.
- ^ "Spelljammer and Dragonlance Return in Dungeons & Dragons' New Adventures". Gizmodo. April 21, 2022. Retrieved 2022-04-21.
- ^ a b Sheehan, Gavin (April 21, 2022). "Dungeons & Dragons Brings Back Spelljammer With Three Book". Bleeding Cool. Retrieved April 21, 2022.
- ^ Hall, Charlie (2022-04-21). "D&D's Spelljammer reboot looks unlike any other 5th edition adventure so far". Polygon. Retrieved 2022-04-21.
- ComicBook.com. April 21, 2022. Retrieved April 21, 2022.
- ^ "Get Ready to Blast Off! Spelljammer: Adventures in Space Is Coming August 16". D&D Beyond. April 21, 2022. Retrieved April 21, 2022.
- ComicBook.com. April 22, 2022. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
- ^ "D&D: Best New Spelljammer Monsters For 5e (So Far)". ScreenRant. May 11, 2022. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g Rolston, Ken (February 1990). "Role-playing Reviews". Dragon (#154). Lake Geneva, Wisconsin: TSR: 59–63.
- ^ ""The Arcane Space Tileset"".
- ^ Benjamin, Adam (April 21, 2022). "Catch a Glimpse of Spelljammer and More From the First D&D Direct". CNET. Retrieved April 21, 2022.
- ^ Legends of the Multiverse - New D&D Play Series (YouTube). Dungeons & Dragons. April 21, 2022. Retrieved April 21, 2022.
- Games International. No. 12. p. 43.
- ^ "Dungeons & Dragons Should Revisit Spelljammer and Dark Sun in 2022". CBR. 2021-10-07. Retrieved 2022-04-22.
- ^ "The 8 Best Dungeons & Dragons Settings Ever". TheGamer. 2022-03-18. Retrieved 2022-04-22.
- ^ "Dungeons & Dragons: What Is Spelljammer?". TheGamer. 2022-02-28. Retrieved 2022-04-22.
External links
- Spelljammer: Beyond the Moons (official fan site)
- Dragonhelm's Guide to Krynnspace at Dragonlance Nexus
- Beyond the Moons - Crimson Sphere at Spelljammer.org
- Tarkas Brain Lab IV (listed as Helm System for 3e) at Spelljammer.org
- Spelljammer: Shadow of the Spider Moon at AndyCollins.net