D&D 5E Unearthed Arcana: Draconic Options

The latest Unearthed Arcana from WotC is called Draconic Options. It includes three variant Dragonborn races and a new kobold race, as well as a handful of new spells and feats. Dragonlance fans might do a double-take when they see Fizban's platinum shield (two Forgotten Realms dragons are referenced in the spells, too -- Icingdeath and Raulothim -- as is the FR god of fey dragons, Nathair).

Harness the power of dragons in this installment of Unearthed Arcana! This playtest document presents race, feat, and spell options related to dragons in Dungeons & Dragons.

First is a trio of draconic race options presented as an alternative to the dragonborn race in the Player’s Handbook, as well as a fresh look at the kobold race. Then comes a handful of feat options that reflect a connection to draconic power. Finally, an assortment of spells—many of them bearing the names of famous or infamous dragons—offer a variety of approaches to manifesting dragon magic.

News Archive | Dungeons and Dragons

Read the full archives of Dungeons & Dragons news, Sage Advice, Unearthed Arcana, and D&D Studio Blogs.

dnd.wizards.com

 

[Urriak Uruk]

So, I think this UA essentially confirms a Dragon-style book coming this July. Maybe it will also contain Fey material, but it will at minimum be chock-full of dragon stuff.

This also makes the idea of Strixhaven (another popular speculation) less likely in my mind. This UA definitely has nothing Strixhaven about it.

The question I have now, is the July book also containing Fey material... or is our big annual adventure book Fey themed?

 

[Charlaquin]

Even "Gleam" or "Glimmer" are more intimidating than "Twinkle."

Exactly!

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

So, I think this UA essentially confirms a Dragon-style book coming this July. Maybe it will also contain Fey material, but it will at minimum be chock-full of dragon stuff.

This also makes the idea of Strixhaven (another popular speculation) less likely in my mind. This UA definitely has nothing Strixhaven about it.

The question I have now, is the July book also containing Fey material... or is our big annual adventure book Fey themed?

They still have enough time to go either direction, but getting double the dragon material to the fey material at this point sure looks like the order will be dragon book and then fey book.

 

[doctorbadwolf]

Icingdeath sounds like a poisoned cake. It’s just goofy. Foehammer and Goblin Cleaver may be unsubtle, but at least they sound like weapons instead of baked goods.

I would never have made that connection without it being pointed out, but even having seen it, it just doesn't stick, because it isn't a connection that would exist within the world in which the thing with that name exists.

I disagree. Twinkle just sounds too cutesy to me. Call it something like starlight if you want to reference the fact that it sparkles, but twinkle... doesn’t sound like something you’d call a weapon.

It absolutely is something someone would call a weapon. It fits in with translations of weapon names IRL, which are often quite mundane, or can seem silly in the context of modern conventions, especially in the degree of their unself-concious earnestness, which I strongly consider a virtue.

 

[Maxperson]

I'd guess that they're just including Fizban's name in a more generic Draconomicon--after all, they've included lots of spells with Grehawk names and haven't put out a Greyhawk worldbook.

Do gem dragons even exist in Dragonlance?

And Icingdeath is the name of one of Drizzt's scimitasr.

 

[Maxperson]

I would never have made that connection without it being pointed out, but even having seen it, it just doesn't stick, because it isn't a connection that would exist within the world in which the thing with that name exists.

It absolutely is something someone would call a weapon. It fits in with translations of weapon names IRL, which are often quite mundane, or can seem silly in the context of modern conventions, especially in the degree of their unself-concious earnestness, which I strongly consider a virtue.

I can see humans, halflings, fey, elves, certain planar creatures, and more calling a sword Twinkle.

 

[teitan]

Well, this is clearly a call to a future Dragonlance book, with the names of the spells.

Unlikely with the kobolds and such. It’s a Draconomicon like book. Probably Dragons aaand Fey.

 

[Maxperson]

Unlikely with the kobolds and such. It’s a Draconomicon like book. Probably Dragons aaand Fey.

It could be both, with the Draconomicon likely coming first.

 

[doctorbadwolf]

I can see humans, halflings, fey, elves, certain planar creatures, and more calling a sword Twinkle.

Absolutely! Especially, like, Moon Elves. I wouldn’t blink if I found an appendix in LOTR that I didn’t remember that gave that translated name to an elf blade, either.

 

[Mind of tempest]

I can see humans, halflings, fey, elves, certain planar creatures, and more calling a sword Twinkle.

true but they would have to have the mind of a five-year-old, dangers herald would be better and that is not even a cool name.