Spelljammer: Adventures in Space Confirmed!
Last week was the first D&D Direct program and we got to see a slew of new product announcements, content updates, and even a movie announcement. Nothing captured the attention of the internet more than the announcement of the return of Spelljammer, updated for D&D 5e. While we have seen homages and allusions to Spelljammer in D&D 3rd edition and D&D 4th edition, we have not truly seen Spelljammer content since 1993 [nearly thirty years ago for those of you keeping score!]. While some have considered Spelljammer to only have a cult-following, the reception of the return of Spelljammer has been overwhelmingly positive. I for one am excited to explore Spelljammer along with my players and the rest of the D&D Community.
So what exactly is Spelljammer and what makes it so appealing? Spelljammer was originally published for Advanced Dungeons & Dragons (often known as 2nd edition) as a campaign setting. Spelljammer allows players to set sail for the stars and the “waves” of the astral sea. With the use of “spelljamming” vessels, space-faring vessels which look oddly like seafaring vessels but have been modified to survive the conditions of the Astral Sea, the players will visit unique and bizarre locations and hop between the worlds of the D&D Multiverse. Spelljammer is filled with strange creatures and locals, and it promises its players unique stories and adventures.In order to prepare both players and Game Masters for the journey to the Astral Sea, Wizards of the Coast has announced a box set of three 64-page books and a GM Screen to help introduce everyone to the setting. The box set releases August 16, 2022.
The first book, designed for players and Game Masters, is the Astral Adventurer’s Guide which will include six new playable races including: Astral Elves with starlight in their eyes, Autognomes which are living gnome automaton constructs, the Hadozee who are a species of flying monkey creatures, the Giff--a species of space-faring and adventure-seeking Hippofolk, Plasmoids who are sentient slime or ooze people, and–returning to 5e as a player option for the first time in a long time– the Thri-kreen, a race of insectoid people who communicate telepathically and can change their carapaces to match their surroundings. As someone who is a fan of elves, I personally really like the concept of the Astral Elves, but the Plasmoids also sound really fun! Who wouldn't want to play as a sentient ooze?! I also cannot wait for what additional player options this will include as I am sure we will see new feats, backgrounds, and maybe even some spells and class options!
The second book acts as sort of a monster manual for the Astral Sea and is entitled Boo’s Astral Menagerie. [Named for the infamous Miniature Giant Space Hamster.] Contained within this book are new monsters including: Space Clowns, Vampirates (Vampire Pirates), Murder Comets, Solar and Lunar Dragons, and of course Giant Space Hamsters. At this time they have also released a sample of some additional monsters to be released in the upcoming book for anyone who has a Wizards account or D&D Beyond account. Some of these monsters include the awesomely powerful Eldritch Lich, the comical Goon Balloon, and the nightmarish Asteroid Spider. I am definitely looking forward to unleashing the Eldritch Lich on my players soon. As a fan of Liches in general, seeing one that has been twisted by powers beyond human comprehension is a terrifying thought indeed!
Finally, the third book is quite possibly my favorite book to be announced: Light of Xaryxis. This is a 64-page adventure set in wildspace in the Astral Sea and designed for characters level 5 to 8. This new book is sure to make ample use of the new monsters found in Boo’s Astral Menagerie as well as a few new surprises. According to the segment in the D&D Direct program, the book is made up of 12 chapters, each of which ends in a cliffhanger! Finally, during the conclusion of the final chapter, the story goes–and I quote– “Buck-wild”. Fortunately for those who are impatient like me, Wizards of the Coast will be releasing a prequel adventure entitled Spelljammer Academy for anyone who has a Wizards account. There is currently not a hard release date, but it is supposed to be downloadable sometime in July 2022.
So why am I excited about Spelljammer? Primarily, I think it suits my play-style. I enjoy campaigns that are story driven and allow the players to make deep meaningful choices, but I really like a setting with levity and silly things like Giant Space Hamsters. My focus is always on the fun and I feel that Spelljammer will allow me to really dial in on that fun. From our early sneak peaks, and from what my Spelljammer friends have told me, Spelljammer evokes the feel of Guardians of the Galaxy and Thor: Ragnarok, which is my style of storytelling for sure. Never taking myself too seriously. After all, if a Hippo, a Giant Bug, and an Ooze-Person walked into a space bar, would you be able to take them seriously? I feel like the jokes write themselves. . . and I am here for it!
Looking forward to setting sail with you on the Astral Sea in August!
‘Til Then,
Take Heart!
Karington Hess
Game Master and Founder of Open Heart Games
