Worlds & Realms: Adventures from Greyhawk to Faerûn and Beyond is a new book that wants to “explore D&D” without all the rules.
This week, Ten Speed Press announced a new book detailing the many worlds of D&D. Titled Worlds & Realms: Adventures from Greyhawk to Faerûn and Beyond, the new book is an “immersive exploration of fifty years of Dungeons & Dragons.” But what does that mean, exactly? If you hear something like that, and your mind immediately leaps to “oh this is a new campaign setting book” I wouldn’t blame you.
But that isn’t exactly what this is. Because a “campaign setting book” carries a certain weight, and certain expectations with it. You imagine there’ll be some new rules and new mechanical things that reflect the unique way this setting works. One need only look at books like Mythic Odysseys of Theros or Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft to get an understanding of it. Or look at the criticisms leveled at Spelljammer: Adventures in Space which didn’t feature enough new rules for many players’ tastes.
But that’s not what Worlds & Realms is trying to do here. It’s an immersive exploration, meaning that it’s lore; and moreover, lore presented from an in-universe perspective. Ten Speed Press and former WotC designer Adam Lee gather together the many worlds of D&D.
Worlds & Realms: Adventures from Greyhawk to Faerun and Beyond – A New Lorebook
From the announcement:
Worlds & Realms: Adventures from Greyhawk to Faerûn and Beyond (on sale 10/29/24) by Adam Lee is an immersive exploration of fifty years of Dungeons & Dragons through the art and lore of the worlds, planes, and settings that have captivated players throughout D&D’s decades of adventures and campaign storytelling. Each chapter of this sumptuously illustrated guide focuses on an iconic world or setting in the D&D multiverse, narrated by legendary mage Mordenkainen and filled with official artwork curated from fifty years of source books and adventures.
It’s “immersive” in that the book is written from the perspective of Mordenkainen and other folks from within the D&D universe. The release describes it as Mordenkainen musing about the “unique features, unmistakable characters, and magical mysteries” he’s encountered travelling through D&D’s multiverse.
Which, you know, fair. He’s been through a lot. The book comes from Adam Lee, a former WotC designer and worldbuilder. But Lee isn’t alone. The book also will explore “daily life” in each world, through stories from others. You might recognize some of the other authors: Jasmine Bhullar, Geoffrey Golden, Jody Houser and Eric Campbell, and Jaleigh Johnson.
So keep your eyes open, and your d20 handy. Worlds & Realms is due out on October 29th!
