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What is canon about older-edition settings in 5E?
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<blockquote data-quote="JEB" data-source="post: 8352778" data-attributes="member: 10148"><p>With the recent declaration that only 5E books are canon, it occurred to me - they've actually talked about older settings in 5E books! So taking them at their word, I thought I'd assemble together what they have (in theory) established as canon for those settings in 5E thus far. I'll start with the core rules and add more as I feel like it, but feel free to add more sources yourselves before I get to them (and add anything I missed)...</p><p></p><p>PLAYER'S HANDBOOK</p><p></p><p><em>Greyhawk</em></p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Gray elves and valley elves are high elves</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Wild elves (grugach) and Greyhawk's wood elves are wood elves</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Hairfeet and tallfellows are lightfoot halflings</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The druids' Old Faith is described under the Druid entry</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Many monk monasteries are dedicated to Xan Yae or Zuoken</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The Scarlet Brotherhood are evil monks that believe in Suel human superiority</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Part of the Greyhawk pantheon (not including Xan Yae or Zuoken) is described in Appendix B</li> </ul><p></p><p><em>Dragonlance</em></p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Neidar and Klar dwarves are hill dwarves</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Hylar and Daewar dwarves are mountain dwarves</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Silvanesti elves are high elves</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Kagonesti elves are wood elves</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Draconians are evil dragonborn created from the corrupt eggs of metallic dragons by followers of Takhisis; they fought for Takhisis in the War of the Lance; each corresponds to a metallic dragon color (aurak = gold, baaz = brass, bozak = bronze, kapak = copper, sivak = silver); they have "unique magical abilities" in place of breath weapons</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Tinker gnomes are rock gnomes</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Most monks are dedicated to Majere</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Tika Waylan's background is described throughout Chapter 4 (to include mentions of Solace, the Inn of the Last Home, and dragonarmies)</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Part of the Dragonlance pantheon is described in Appendix B (broken into gods of good, neutrality, and evil)</li> </ul><p></p><p><em>Planescape</em></p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Sigil is described in Appendix C</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Gate-towns are described generally in Appendix C</li> </ul><p></p><p><em>Blackmoor, Birthright, Dark Sun, Mystara</em></p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Mentioned only in Appendix C</li> </ul><p></p><p>MONSTER MANUAL</p><p></p><p><em>Greyhawk</em></p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Nightfang Spire, Gulthias, and the Gulthias tree are mentioned under Blights (but not explicitly tied to Greyhawk)</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Acererak and the Tomb of Horrors are described under Demilich (but not explicitly tied to Greyhawk, and Acererak later appeared in <em>Tomb of Annihilation</em>)</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The <em>Demonomicon of Iggwilv</em> is mentioned under Demons and again under Oozes (but not explicitly tied to Greyhawk, and Iggwilv - as Tasha - later featured in <em>Tasha's Cauldron of Everything</em>)</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Hommlet and the Temple of Elemental Evil mentioned in a sidebar next to the Marilith (but not explicitly tied to Greyhawk)</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Slaver lord Stalman Klim is quoted in the sidebar next to Goblins (but not explicitly tied to Greyhawk)</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Mordenkainen describes an iron golem in Maure Castle in the sidebar next to Golems (but not explicitly tied to Greyhawk)</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The gynosphinx of White Plume Mountain is mentioned in the sidebar next to Sphinxes (but not explicitly tied to Greyhawk)</li> </ul><p></p><p><em>Dragonlance</em></p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Lord Soth's origin is described under Death Knight (but not explicitly tied to Dragonlance)</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">A sidebar under Green Dragon by the Silvanesti, Pelios of Ergoth, describes the green dragon Cyan Bloodbane (Silvanesti previously established to be in Dragonlance)</li> </ul><p></p><p><em>Planescape</em></p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">A sidebar next to the Marid describes the Parted Veil, a bookshop in Sigil, and its proprietor</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The Great Modron March is described under the Modron entry</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Shemeshka the Marauder of Sigil is quoted in the sidebar in the Yugoloths entry</li> </ul><p></p><p>DUNGEON MASTER'S GUIDE</p><p></p><p><em>Greyhawk</em></p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Described as a setting that doesn't stray far from the "default assumptions" of D&D</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Heironeous and Hextor are described</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Kord, Pelor, Tharizdun, and Vecna, in the Dawn War pantheon, are described as originating from Greyhawk</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Wee Jas is said to be "akin" to the Dawn War pantheon's Raven Queen</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The Free City of Greyhawk is mentioned, and also described as an example of an oligarchy</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The Bandit Kingdoms are an example of a kleptocracy</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Highport and Suderham are examples of satraps, and the Slave Lords are also mentioned</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">World is named Oerth, "renowned paladin" Murlynd is named</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The Mace of St. Cuthbert is described</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The Barrier Peaks are mentioned</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Elminster is said to have met a wizard from Oerth in Ed Greenwood's kitchen</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Oerth (a "sword and sorcery" world) is detailed specifically at the end of Chapter 2, to include Bigby, Mordenkainen, the Flanaess, and Iuz</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Wee Jas, Iuz, and Incabulos are associated with the Death domain</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Pyremius is associated with the Death domain (not explicitly tied to Greyhawk)</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Blackrazor, Wave, and Whelm of White Plume Mountain are all described (not explicitly tied to Greyhawk)</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Eye and Hand of Vecna is described, to include Vecna</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Sword of Kas described, to include Kas (same setting as Vecna implied)</li> </ul><p></p><p><em>Dragonlance</em></p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Described as a setting that doesn't stray far from the "default assumptions" of D&D</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The dragonarmies and Dragon Highlords that serve under Takhisis are an example of a hierarchy</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Solamnia is an example of a militocracy</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Sturm Brightblade is described as an "honorable knight" (same setting as Takhisis implied)</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Described as an "epic fantasy" setting</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Elminster is said to have met a wizard from Krynn, the Dragonlance homeworld, in Ed Greenwood's kitchen</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Krynn is detailed specifically at the end of Chapter 2, to include Ansalon</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Chemosh and Morgion are associated with the Death domain</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Orb of Dragonkind described, to include Towers of High Sorcery; Takhisis is explicitly described as Tiamat's name on Krynn</li> </ul><p></p><p><em>Mystara</em></p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Described as a setting that doesn't stray far from the "default assumptions" of D&D</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Mystara is detailed specifically at the end of Chapter 2, to include Immortals</li> </ul><p></p><p><em>Nentir Vale</em></p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The Dawn War pantheon is presented as an example pantheon (but not explicitly tied to Nentir Vale)</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">World Axis cosmology is described (but not explicitly tied to Nentir Vale)</li> </ul><p></p><p><em>Dark Sun</em></p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Described as a setting that moves further away from the "baseline" of D&D</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The sorcerer-kings of Athas are an example of a magocracy</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Planet named as Athas, described as a world where arcane magic is hated and drains life from the world, and notes that most magic in Athas is held by evildoers</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Described as a "sword and sorcery" setting with heroic gladiators</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Athas is detailed specifically at the end of Chapter 2, to include water being valuable, the gods abandoning it, and metal being scarce</li> </ul><p></p><p><em>Planescape</em></p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Described as a setting that moves further away from the "baseline" of D&D</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Sigil and the Infinite Staircase are mentioned as ways to travel the Outer Planes</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Gate-towns are named and Sigil is detailed, to include the Lady of Pain</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Razorvine is described among wilderness hazards</li> </ul><p></p><p><em>Spelljammer</em></p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Described as another setting that moves further away from the "baseline" of D&D</li> </ul><p></p><p><em>Birthright</em></p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Aebrynis is detailed specifically at the end of Chapter 2, to include scions with divine bloodlines, Cerilia, and abominations born from an evil god</li> </ul><p>EDIT: Additional posts (disclaimer - these are only possible canon at best - the public, official canon policy only includes the current printings of the core rulebooks, reflected above):</p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><a href="https://www.enworld.org/threads/what-is-canon-about-older-edition-settings-in-5e.681606/post-8353221" target="_blank">Elemental Evil Player's Companion; Volo's Guide to Monsters</a></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><a href="https://www.enworld.org/threads/what-is-canon-about-older-edition-settings-in-5e.681606/post-8353595" target="_blank">Xanathar's Guide to Everything; Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes</a></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><a href="https://www.enworld.org/threads/what-is-canon-about-older-edition-settings-in-5e.681606/post-8354334" target="_blank">Tasha's Cauldron of Everything</a></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><a href="https://www.enworld.org/threads/what-is-canon-about-older-edition-settings-in-5e.681606/post-8355285" target="_blank">Princes of the Apocalypse</a></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><a href="https://www.enworld.org/threads/what-is-canon-about-older-edition-settings-in-5e.681606/page-3#post-8356204" target="_blank">Tales from the Yawning Portal</a></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><a href="https://www.enworld.org/threads/what-is-canon-about-older-edition-settings-in-5e.681606/post-8356272" target="_blank">Tomb of Annihilation, Ghosts of Saltmarsh</a></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><a href="https://www.enworld.org/threads/what-is-canon-about-older-edition-settings-in-5e.681606/post-8357178" target="_blank">Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus, Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden, Candlekeep Mysteries</a></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><a href="https://www.enworld.org/threads/what-is-canon-about-older-edition-settings-in-5e.681606/post-8357198" target="_blank">Explorer's Guide to Wildemount, Van Richten's Guide to Ravenloft</a></li> </ul></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="JEB, post: 8352778, member: 10148"] With the recent declaration that only 5E books are canon, it occurred to me - they've actually talked about older settings in 5E books! So taking them at their word, I thought I'd assemble together what they have (in theory) established as canon for those settings in 5E thus far. I'll start with the core rules and add more as I feel like it, but feel free to add more sources yourselves before I get to them (and add anything I missed)... PLAYER'S HANDBOOK [I]Greyhawk[/I] [LIST] [*]Gray elves and valley elves are high elves [*]Wild elves (grugach) and Greyhawk's wood elves are wood elves [*]Hairfeet and tallfellows are lightfoot halflings [*]The druids' Old Faith is described under the Druid entry [*]Many monk monasteries are dedicated to Xan Yae or Zuoken [*]The Scarlet Brotherhood are evil monks that believe in Suel human superiority [*]Part of the Greyhawk pantheon (not including Xan Yae or Zuoken) is described in Appendix B [/LIST] [I]Dragonlance[/I] [LIST] [*]Neidar and Klar dwarves are hill dwarves [*]Hylar and Daewar dwarves are mountain dwarves [*]Silvanesti elves are high elves [*]Kagonesti elves are wood elves [*]Draconians are evil dragonborn created from the corrupt eggs of metallic dragons by followers of Takhisis; they fought for Takhisis in the War of the Lance; each corresponds to a metallic dragon color (aurak = gold, baaz = brass, bozak = bronze, kapak = copper, sivak = silver); they have "unique magical abilities" in place of breath weapons [*]Tinker gnomes are rock gnomes [*]Most monks are dedicated to Majere [*]Tika Waylan's background is described throughout Chapter 4 (to include mentions of Solace, the Inn of the Last Home, and dragonarmies) [*]Part of the Dragonlance pantheon is described in Appendix B (broken into gods of good, neutrality, and evil) [/LIST] [I]Planescape[/I] [LIST] [*]Sigil is described in Appendix C [*]Gate-towns are described generally in Appendix C [/LIST] [I]Blackmoor, Birthright, Dark Sun, Mystara[/I] [LIST] [*]Mentioned only in Appendix C [/LIST] MONSTER MANUAL [I]Greyhawk[/I] [LIST] [*]Nightfang Spire, Gulthias, and the Gulthias tree are mentioned under Blights (but not explicitly tied to Greyhawk) [*]Acererak and the Tomb of Horrors are described under Demilich (but not explicitly tied to Greyhawk, and Acererak later appeared in [I]Tomb of Annihilation[/I]) [*]The [I]Demonomicon of Iggwilv[/I] is mentioned under Demons and again under Oozes (but not explicitly tied to Greyhawk, and Iggwilv - as Tasha - later featured in [I]Tasha's Cauldron of Everything[/I]) [*]Hommlet and the Temple of Elemental Evil mentioned in a sidebar next to the Marilith (but not explicitly tied to Greyhawk) [*]Slaver lord Stalman Klim is quoted in the sidebar next to Goblins (but not explicitly tied to Greyhawk) [*]Mordenkainen describes an iron golem in Maure Castle in the sidebar next to Golems (but not explicitly tied to Greyhawk) [*]The gynosphinx of White Plume Mountain is mentioned in the sidebar next to Sphinxes (but not explicitly tied to Greyhawk) [/LIST] [I]Dragonlance[/I] [LIST] [*]Lord Soth's origin is described under Death Knight (but not explicitly tied to Dragonlance) [*]A sidebar under Green Dragon by the Silvanesti, Pelios of Ergoth, describes the green dragon Cyan Bloodbane (Silvanesti previously established to be in Dragonlance) [/LIST] [I]Planescape[/I] [LIST] [*]A sidebar next to the Marid describes the Parted Veil, a bookshop in Sigil, and its proprietor [*]The Great Modron March is described under the Modron entry [*]Shemeshka the Marauder of Sigil is quoted in the sidebar in the Yugoloths entry [/LIST] DUNGEON MASTER'S GUIDE [I]Greyhawk[/I] [LIST] [*]Described as a setting that doesn't stray far from the "default assumptions" of D&D [*]Heironeous and Hextor are described [*]Kord, Pelor, Tharizdun, and Vecna, in the Dawn War pantheon, are described as originating from Greyhawk [*]Wee Jas is said to be "akin" to the Dawn War pantheon's Raven Queen [*]The Free City of Greyhawk is mentioned, and also described as an example of an oligarchy [*]The Bandit Kingdoms are an example of a kleptocracy [*]Highport and Suderham are examples of satraps, and the Slave Lords are also mentioned [*]World is named Oerth, "renowned paladin" Murlynd is named [*]The Mace of St. Cuthbert is described [*]The Barrier Peaks are mentioned [*]Elminster is said to have met a wizard from Oerth in Ed Greenwood's kitchen [*]Oerth (a "sword and sorcery" world) is detailed specifically at the end of Chapter 2, to include Bigby, Mordenkainen, the Flanaess, and Iuz [*]Wee Jas, Iuz, and Incabulos are associated with the Death domain [*]Pyremius is associated with the Death domain (not explicitly tied to Greyhawk) [*]Blackrazor, Wave, and Whelm of White Plume Mountain are all described (not explicitly tied to Greyhawk) [*]Eye and Hand of Vecna is described, to include Vecna [*]Sword of Kas described, to include Kas (same setting as Vecna implied) [/LIST] [I]Dragonlance[/I] [LIST] [*]Described as a setting that doesn't stray far from the "default assumptions" of D&D [*]The dragonarmies and Dragon Highlords that serve under Takhisis are an example of a hierarchy [*]Solamnia is an example of a militocracy [*]Sturm Brightblade is described as an "honorable knight" (same setting as Takhisis implied) [*]Described as an "epic fantasy" setting [*]Elminster is said to have met a wizard from Krynn, the Dragonlance homeworld, in Ed Greenwood's kitchen [*]Krynn is detailed specifically at the end of Chapter 2, to include Ansalon [*]Chemosh and Morgion are associated with the Death domain [*]Orb of Dragonkind described, to include Towers of High Sorcery; Takhisis is explicitly described as Tiamat's name on Krynn [/LIST] [I]Mystara[/I] [LIST] [*]Described as a setting that doesn't stray far from the "default assumptions" of D&D [*]Mystara is detailed specifically at the end of Chapter 2, to include Immortals [/LIST] [I]Nentir Vale[/I] [LIST] [*]The Dawn War pantheon is presented as an example pantheon (but not explicitly tied to Nentir Vale) [*]World Axis cosmology is described (but not explicitly tied to Nentir Vale) [/LIST] [I]Dark Sun[/I] [LIST] [*]Described as a setting that moves further away from the "baseline" of D&D [*]The sorcerer-kings of Athas are an example of a magocracy [*]Planet named as Athas, described as a world where arcane magic is hated and drains life from the world, and notes that most magic in Athas is held by evildoers [*]Described as a "sword and sorcery" setting with heroic gladiators [*]Athas is detailed specifically at the end of Chapter 2, to include water being valuable, the gods abandoning it, and metal being scarce [/LIST] [I]Planescape[/I] [LIST] [*]Described as a setting that moves further away from the "baseline" of D&D [*]Sigil and the Infinite Staircase are mentioned as ways to travel the Outer Planes [*]Gate-towns are named and Sigil is detailed, to include the Lady of Pain [*]Razorvine is described among wilderness hazards [/LIST] [I]Spelljammer[/I] [LIST] [*]Described as another setting that moves further away from the "baseline" of D&D [/LIST] [I]Birthright[/I] [LIST] [*]Aebrynis is detailed specifically at the end of Chapter 2, to include scions with divine bloodlines, Cerilia, and abominations born from an evil god [/LIST] EDIT: Additional posts (disclaimer - these are only possible canon at best - the public, official canon policy only includes the current printings of the core rulebooks, reflected above): [LIST] [*][URL='https://www.enworld.org/threads/what-is-canon-about-older-edition-settings-in-5e.681606/post-8353221']Elemental Evil Player's Companion; Volo's Guide to Monsters[/URL] [*][URL='https://www.enworld.org/threads/what-is-canon-about-older-edition-settings-in-5e.681606/post-8353595']Xanathar's Guide to Everything; Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes[/URL] [*][URL='https://www.enworld.org/threads/what-is-canon-about-older-edition-settings-in-5e.681606/post-8354334']Tasha's Cauldron of Everything[/URL] [*][URL='https://www.enworld.org/threads/what-is-canon-about-older-edition-settings-in-5e.681606/post-8355285']Princes of the Apocalypse[/URL] [*][URL='https://www.enworld.org/threads/what-is-canon-about-older-edition-settings-in-5e.681606/page-3#post-8356204']Tales from the Yawning Portal[/URL] [*][URL='https://www.enworld.org/threads/what-is-canon-about-older-edition-settings-in-5e.681606/post-8356272']Tomb of Annihilation, Ghosts of Saltmarsh[/URL] [*][URL='https://www.enworld.org/threads/what-is-canon-about-older-edition-settings-in-5e.681606/post-8357178']Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus, Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden, Candlekeep Mysteries[/URL] [*][URL='https://www.enworld.org/threads/what-is-canon-about-older-edition-settings-in-5e.681606/post-8357198']Explorer's Guide to Wildemount, Van Richten's Guide to Ravenloft[/URL] [/LIST] [/QUOTE]
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