D&D General Forgotten Realms cover to "Guide to the Dalelands" revealed, book delayed

The cover to Forgotten Realms creator Ed Greenwood's first sourcebook in the Realmsbound series has been revealed.

Guide to the Dalelands is the first of four books, and is a regional sourcebook for both DMs and players. It will be released on the Dungeon Master's Guild. The book has been delayed from Q1 2026 to Q2 2026. They are hoping to release it in June.

The other books in the series are:

• Guide to the Dalelands: A regional sourcebook for both DMs and players.
• Inn Sites of the Dalelands: Geared towards social encounters, it covers not just inns but also NPCs, mini-games, and social occasions such as festivals and tournaments.
• Delves of the Dalelands: a collection of dangerous locations to serve as fodder for adventurers.
• Adventures in the Dalelands: An anthology of adventures for levels 1 to 12.

 

[sevenbastard]

I dont hate it, but the lady crouching in ambush looks like she needs a larger bow.

But the art fits the style of a pastoral setting that makes up the Dalelands

 

[aco175]

I just hope it is not a reprint of all the stuff in the 2e Guide books. I recall that the Pocket Kingdoms was a lot of reprint stuff just packaged up for DMsGuild.

 

[Uta-napishti]

Hey, I love rustic art more than most, and the clothing and vegetation are nicely drawn, and the village is charming.
Of course there are questionable things here. I assume the bandits we see are supported by 2d6 others off screen, or else they are pretty stupid attacking clearly better armed and mounted warriors. And yes, the bandit lad / maid needs a properly sized short bow - I assume that toy one we see has a 5 lb draw and does 1d2 damage.

 

[Planescape]

They are showcasing that Dalelands are so safe and cozy because their bandits are dumb enough to ambush people well out of their CR!

 

[Elvish Lore]

I love this cover. It's not perfect but does a great job of encapsulating the feel of the Dalelands. Plus I really like how clean the illustration is.

 

[Azzy]

I dont hate it, but the lady crouching in ambush looks like she needs a larger bow.

She also needs to learn how to hold a bow, too. It all sorts of wrong.

Other than that, though, I like the art and art style. I'd definitely like to see more of it.

 

[jaycrockett]

The bandits seem happy. Maybe they are pranking their friends?

 

[Mercador]

I can't believe I'm thinking of purchasing this series, I haven't even open the FR official books released last Fall.

 

[Superchunk77]