D&D 5E Lore books for 5e that I would actually buy

[MNblockhead]

Some recent threads discussing the pros and cons of adding more lore to 5e. Is 5e too lore light? Is overly rich lore intimidating and a turn off to new players? How true to older lore should 5e lore be. Etc.

Generally, I've been in the camp arguing for a minimum of lore. But...with a bit of self reflection, that is not really true. I love lore and consume a great deal of it, but little is from published material and I do eschew running games in established lore-heavy settings.

Yet, I listen to hours of Youtube videos on D&D lore. Christopher Perkins "Lore You Should Know" are my favorite segments of Dragon Talk. I loved reading through Eye of the Beholder: The Art of D&D. I've bought most of the Goodman Games "Original Adventures Reincarnated", etc. I love them because they give me snippets of lore from a variety of settings across editions that give me ideas for my campaigns.

What I would absolutely love is for books that bring together lore on specific topics. For example, a Monster Lore through the Ages. Have a section on Orcs that covers how orcs have been portrayed in different editions and settings...and so on for a variety of monsters. Same with cosmology, magic, classes, etc. Add rules variants for the different approaches.

These would make for some great 50th Anniversary books. I don't have much hopes in WotC doing this, but it would work best if they did because of IP limitations.

 

[dave2008]

I love the idea too. I don't care to much about specific setting lore, but I would be interest in the type "lore of the game" books you describe. The first one would have to be on dragons of course:

• The origin of D&D dragons
• Changes of dragons through the editions (maybe talk to @Echohawk for these)
• Designing dragons
• dragon gods
• etc.

 

[Shardstone]

I love the idea too. I don't care to much about specific setting lore, but I would be interest in the type "lore of the game" books you describe. The first one would have to be on dragons of course:

• The origin of D&D dragons
• Changes of dragons through the editions (maybe talk to @Echohawk for these)
• Designing dragons
• dragon gods
• etc.

Uh Fizbans...?

 

[dave2008]

Uh Fizbans...?

No. The history of the game, not the fantasy of the game. So how dragons changed from OD&D to AD&D to 2e to 3e, etc. What was the inspiration for D&D dragons, the origins of the idea chromatic and metallic (RL historical inspirations, not fantasy in game origins). The idea behind allowing dragons to be subdued in 1e, etc.

The lore of the history of the game, not the lore of the fantasy of the game.

 

[Tales and Chronicles]

Yup. Meta-lore about some D&Dism would be cool.

I'd also like the equivalent of MtG ''Art of X'' for different classic settings. Art books with scenic shots of Neverwinter, Waterdeep, Icewind Dale, Alkathla, Lantan, a reunion of the Masked Lord, the last battle of Mithral Hall, the death of Bhaal etc

 

[aco175]

I would buy a Sword Coast book. I know that it has been done and there is a lot more to FR than Sword Coast and all the other complaints about other worlds and Hasbro's cash grab and such.

But, a book that has more than just a paragraph or two on each town or nation. Something that provides maps to towns and provides adventure locations, both detailed and open for DM input. A book that links good and bad groups across the coast and has ideas on leaders motivations and how to roleplay them in the game. Make my job easier overall with some meat on the bones that has been provided.

 

[MNblockhead]

I would buy a Sword Coast book. I know that it has been done and there is a lot more to FR than Sword Coast and all the other complaints about other worlds and Hasbro's cash grab and such.

But, a book that has more than just a paragraph or two on each town or nation. Something that provides maps to towns and provides adventure locations, both detailed and open for DM input. A book that links good and bad groups across the coast and has ideas on leaders motivations and how to roleplay them in the game. Make my job easier overall with some meat on the bones that has been provided.

Isn't that what they've been doing with the adventure books? Fleshing out locations like Waterdeep (Dragonheist), Candlekeep (Candlekeep Mysteries), etc?

I know many people would like to keep setting material and adventures separate, but I like the current model. You have an adventure you can play and but the books remain useful even if you never rerun the adventure because of the setting information.

 

[Blue]

For me personally, I would only buy setting lore. I despise with the fury of ten thousand natural 1s how "kitchen sink" settings file everything that is interesting off a setting race and then leave it as some bare mechanical effects.

In Eberron a Warforged was a sentient weapon created under a monopoly by House Cannith but sold to all of the nations involved in the Last War. But the Treaty of Thronehold that ended the war both declared them free people, and closed all of the Creation Forges. So you have warforged who may or may not have served, who may or may not be used to the idea that they were not even slaves but self-guided equipment. They may support the Treaty that freed them, hate it as a slow genocide - or both. People are used to seeing them as weapons, and now see them as reminders of a war most want to leave behind. Some will still treat them as slaves, others try to "save" them.

In FR, they are metal men with some mechanical influence.

Heck, look at how Eberron or Dark Sun has refreshed the stale lore of other races and classes, allowing stories much different than the default.

So I dont' want any "generic" lore - I don't want to play in a game that can use it. So if you want me to have a chance to purchase it, make it setting lore.

All of that said, I homebrew my settings, something I enjoy doing greatly. So it's lore books for games I play in.

Like I started with: "for me personally...".

 

[Snarf Zagyg]

What lore book do I want?

Shop Xvart. Shop X-Vart.


Now that I've said it, you want it.

 

[grimslade]

What lore book do I want?

Shop Xvart. Shop X-Vart.


Now that I've said it, you want it.

Attention Shoppers, there is a Blue Skin Special in the Housewares aisle.