D&D 5E Is Paladine Bahamut? Is Takhisis Tiamat? Fizban's Treasury Might Reveal The Answer!

According to WotC's James Wyatt, Fizban's Treasury of Dragons introduces a new cosmology for dragon gods, where the same beings, including Fizban, echo across various D&D campaign settings with alternate versions of themselves (presumably like Paladine/Bahamut, or Takhisis/Tiamat). Also... the various version can merge into one single form.

Takhisis is the five-headed dragon god of evil from the Dragonlance setting. Paladine is the platinum dragon god of good (and also Fizban's alter-ego).

Additionally, the book will contain psychic gem dragons, with stats for all four age categories of the five varieties (traditionally there are Amethyst, Crystal, Emerald, Sapphire, and Topaz), plus Dragonborn characters based on metallic, chromatic, and gem dragons.

D&D 5E - Check out Fizban's Alternate Cover!

WotC's James Wyatt talked to Polygon about Fizban's Treasury of Dragons, which also revealed the alternate cover, which you can only get from hobby stores. https://www.enworld.org/threads/fizbans-treasury-the-dragon-book-now-has-a-description-and-a-feat.681399/

www.enworld.org

D&D 5E - Fizban's Treasury: The Dragon Book Now Has A Description... And A Feat

Courtesy of Amazon, we now have a description for Fizban's Treasury of Dragons, the October D&D hardcover. The book introduces gem dragons, dragon-themed player options, and plenty of draconic lore! This joins September's The Wild Beyond the Witchlight, and November's Strixhaven: Curriculum of...

www.enworld.org

 

[Azzy]

Exactly, in this case you have the 'living truth' to point to.

If I liked Dino Halflings I would be right there with you.

How can you not like dino-riding halflings, you heathen?

 

[dave2008]

"I hope this thread has finally taught me to stop engaging people on the topic of the relevance of "official" lore/fluff past and present."

Did I even make it 1 day!

 

[Bolares]

How can you not like dino-riding halflings, you heathen?

 

[Azzy]

Re-reading that article, it makes less sense.

The first time I read it as a “sequel” to the other comments that had said that 5e canon is whatever is written in the 5e RPG books. If that were intended context, the article makes sense.

But since the article doesn’t actually say that, it doesn‘t make sense. It does not say that only the PHB, DMG, and MM are canon, but that canon begins there. It then gives a few examples of other things that are canonical, which are found in other 5e D&D products. And it even specifically talks about introducing new lore beyond the core books!

It seems to be claiming: “Canon is PHB+DMG+MM+other stuff that we probably know but you have to guess at and generally is inspired by, but not limited to, things which have been true in previous editions.”

I mean, with just that article itself (and since it doesn‘t link to anything, I can only assume it is supposed to stand on its own), I feel like I know less about what they are treating as canon than before I read it.

The best I can derive is that for purposes of “fellow creators and business partners” they need only abide by the core books, but internally WotC has a much bigger body of canon that D&D sourcebooks are intended to present portions of when published, but that sometimes evolves and changes.

I think that the article is like a Rorschach test... Your take away depends on your POV.

To me, what I got was that, beyond the core three, those that license D&D from WotC don't have to worry about what WotC is doing in a supplemeny, like Volo's. Salvatore, foe example, can keep on Dritzzing in a way consistent with what he's always been doing. WotC also has an internal canon that is (supposedly) consistent across their 5e products. They draw from previous editions (as has been apparent in the various adventures), but are not above changing something should the need or desire arises (something that has happened in previous editions, too).

So, what does this mean for Joe/Jane D&D Player/DM? The only thing that they need to worry about is what's in their hands. Take what you want, throw away the rest (or save it for later). Like in the OG D&D ethos—do what you want with the lore available to you. Hack it, it's yours to play with.

WotC is saying that new players don't need to go buy all the older products on DMsGuild (though, I'm sure their bean counters would love that) or consult some fan wikia to keep track of all the massive glut of information that is out there. Want to play in a published setting in 5e? Get the core 3, plus the relevant setting book and you're good to go out of the box. Prior lore? It's there is you want it, but it's not something that you need to have to run a game.

 

[Scribe]

I think that the article is like a Rorschach test... Your take away depends on your POV.

To me, what I got was that, beyond the core three, those that license D&D from WotC don't have to worry about what WotC is doing in a supplemeny, like Volo's. Salvatore, foe example, can keep on Dritzzing in a way consistent with what he's always been doing. WotC also has an internal canon that is (supposedly) consistent across their 5e products. They draw from previous editions (as has been apparent in the various adventures), but are not above changing something should the need or desire arises (something that has happened in previous editions, too).

So, what does this mean for Joe/Jane D&D Player/DM? The only thing that they need to worry about is what's in their hands. Take what you want, throw away the rest (or save it for later). Like in the OG D&D ethos—do what you want with the lore available to you. Hack it, it's yours to play with.

WotC is saying that new players don't need to go buy all the older products on DMsGuild (though, I'm sure their bean counters would love that) or consult some fan wikia to keep track of all the massive glut of information that is out there. Want to play in a published setting in 5e? Get the core 3, plus the relevant setting book and you're good to go out of the box. Prior lore? It's there is you want it, but it's not something that you need to have to run a game.

I just dont understand how that can be the reading.

Its not saying, get the core 3 + setting. Its not about prior lore at all.

"The Core 3 are the only public facing canon."

That excludes settings, XGtE/MToF/Volos.

Its the Core 3. Thats it.

 

[Bolares]

I just dont understand how that can be the reading.

Its not saying, get the core 3 + setting. Its not about prior lore at all.

"The Core 3 are the only public facing canon."

That excludes settings, XGtE/MToF/Volos.

Its the Core 3. Thats it.

How we read it "public facing canon" means that that's what they expect other public facing DnD products have to respect. Not "all that matters to the public".

 

[Scribe]

How we read it "public facing canon" means that that's what they expect other public facing DnD products have to respect. Not "all that matters to the public".

If its public facing, it is the same as 'what matters to the public'.

They are one and the same, or else its not canon.

 

[Bolares]

They are one and the same, or else its not canon.

Well by their own difinition there are multiple canons.

 

[Scribe]

Well by their own difinition there are multiple canons.

Sure, and I do not mean this to be offensive to you, I understand this is what they are saying by way of 'internal' vs 'public' canon, but to be blunt.

That's complete trash.

Its just more of Wizards 'we want to ride the fence and have it both ways without taking a stance that could later get us in trouble.'

 

[Bolares]

That's complete trash.

Well well well...

Now its MY TIME to say "that's a personal judgment call!

I don't know if it's a good decision, I think I'm not invested enough in canon to judge that. But saying there is no canon because of the statement, or that only the 3 are canon is not true by WotC's definition of canon. And obviously WotC wants to ride the fence... its WotC.