From domestic to deadly, the denizens of Krynn are nothing if not diverse.
Intro Welcome to another DragonLance Saga episode.
My name is Adam and today we are going to talk about some of the creatures that can
be found in Krynn. I would like to take a moment and thank my collaborator patrons,
the Heroes of the Lance, and invite you to consider becoming a patron or member of this
channel by visiting the links in the description below. You can even pick up Dragonlance gaming
materials using my affiliate link. This is far from a complete list of all creatures,
but it is a list of decidedly Krynnish ones. Discussion
Apart from the majority of the typical Advanced Dungeons & Dragons races you will find on
Krynn, and even those that are specific to it, a player will inevitably run into other,
more exotic species. Looking back through the original Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Dragonlance
modules, it’s fair to say that Krynn is ripe with a diverse array of creatures. During
the Age of Starbirth, the gods of Krynn populated it with Humans, Elves, Ogres and Dragons.
But also all of the wildlife and vegetation. Once the Graystone was unleashed, even more
species began to pop up. Let’s examine some of the offshoots from the Graystone in addition
to the more exotic creatures specific to Krynn. As a blanket statement, I will be going into
more depth about some of these creatures in future episodes. This is meant to be a general
overview of some of the more interesting creatures.
The dragons of evil include the following: Black Dragons who are native to swamps or
marshes, but are also found in subterranean lairs. Their breath weapon is acid. They are
fiercely independent and thus are traditionally used as guards. Blue Dragons typically dwell
in caves and are found in desert and arid climates. Their breath weapon is lightning.
They are more gregarious than their cousins and act well in units. Green Dragons are often
found in forested areas. Their breath weapon is a cloud of venomous chlorine gas. They
excel at trickery and magic, used primarily for sinister purposes. Red Dragons dwell wherever
they like. Their breath weapon is flame. They are not inclined to follow orders but obey
Takhisis whenever called upon. White Dragons have adapted to colder climates and prefer
them. Their breath weapon is a cone of frost. They are smaller than their cousins and are
often used as scouts.
The good dragons consist of Brass Dragons who inhabit sandy and arid regions. Their
breath weapons are sleep and fear gasses. They are affable and enjoy long conversations.
Bronze Dragons live near large bodies of water. Their breath weapons are a bolt of lightning
and a repulsion gas. They are incredibly interested in mankind and enjoy observing them. Copper
Dragons live in rocky and mountainous areas. Their breath weapons are acid and slow gas.
And they are self centered and incredibly fond of wealth. Gold Dragons can live in any
climate, but prefer lairs of stone. Their breath weapons are fire and chlorine gas.
They believe they are the most majestic of dragons. Lastly, Silver Dragons enjoy being
around other races of Krynn and at times prefer to take their forms. Their breath weapons
are cones of paralyzing gas and frost. They enjoy helping both elves and humans.
From good dragon eggs were created the Draconians. I have briefly described them in the Races
of Krynn episode, so I will not repeat myself here. I will be creating a video specifically
about Draconians in the future.
From the Ogres we have the irda, Minotaurs, Giants and Goblins, and after the Greystone
we see the Thanoi, Trolls, Kobolds, hobgoblins and Bugbears. Of course the first creature
you run across is Fewmaster Toede, a hobgoblin in DL1 Dragons of Despair. Since hobgoblins
are a common Advanced Dungeons & Dragons species, and I covered Minotaurs, Orges and the Irda
in the Races of Krynn episode, let's focus on the Thanoi or walrus Men. They are a bizarre
blend of human and walrus. They are a vicious race, often killing for the sheer joy of it.
They are also not above eating any meat they come across, alive or dead. They have tough
leathery skin covering a thick layer of fat. They are immune to all forms of cold and attack
with their tusks in addition to weaponry.
The animals of krynn were not above being transformed through the Greystone which spawned
magical creatures like pegasus and Griffons from them. Griffons are ferocious carnivores,
half-lion and half-eagles. They dwell primarily in forested areas and are capable of ESP with
elven royalty. They live in small groups and are the favored mounts of the royal families,
though they distrust all other races. They may be one of the only species that do not
fear dragons and will defend themselves from them.
In addition Krynn is populated with Centaurs, Dryads and even Unicorn, though only the Forest
Master is called out. One special form of animal native to Krynn is the Ice Bear. They
are carnivorous, primarily subsisting on fish. Their color is that of a polar bear, but more
closely resembles cave bears in size and ferocity. The Thanoi use them to track over snow and
ice. Skyfishers are aerial predators. They look like a cross between a giant bat and
a vulture with long dangling feet.
Humans on Krynn spawned Gnomes through Reorx and the Greystone caused even more change
in the form of Dwarves and their subsets of Theiwar, Hylar, Daewar, Daergar, Neidar, Klar
and Aghar. The Greystone also created sirens, and shadowpeople from humans. Though they
are rarely seen or even believed to exist. They have dwelled under Sanction since before
the cataclysm. They exist exclusively underground as light harms them. Their body is covered
in dark, smooth fur. They have large membranes unter their arms connecting to their flanks.
This allows them to glide. They can audibly communicate with squeaks and growls but prefer
ESP. They have two classes, warriors and councillors, and they live in clan societies.
Elves are differentiated between Kagonesti and Silvanesti, who then split to the qualinesti
in the from the Kinslayer Wars. The greystone created the Dimernesti and Dargonesti elves.
They both have webbed hands and feet, possessing gills and can breathe both water and air.
They are also shapeshifters! Dimernesti can change into sea otters, and dargonesti can
change into dolphins.
From here, things get even more mysterious. Dreamshadows are the creation of the Mind
Spin spell. They take the shape of any real person or creature known to the dreamer. Though
they are only illusions, they can be harmful by causing illusion damage. Dreamwraiths are
violent creations of the subconscious. They take nearly any form. They were freed from
the mind spin spell and attack the mind of their victims. They are swift and fanatical.
Though they are only illusions, maintaining disbelief in them is nearly impossible.
If we wander into the Abyss, you would run across all manner of ill conceived and shadowy
creatures, including the Fetch. They are simply referred to as harbingers of death. They can
reach into Krynn through reflective surfaces like a pool or mirror and appear as haggard
and deathly pale versions of the person gazing into the reflection. They are actually invisible,
only seen in a reflection so dealing with them can be tricky. They also drain your life
essence on touch. Spectral minions are the spirits of humans or demi humans who have
died before completing a vow or quest. They are compelled to relive the events in death,
trying to fulfill their purpose. They are bound to the area of their demise. They are
only dangerous if they died with a weapon in hand and are generally broken down into
six categories: Berserkers, Guardians, Philosophers, Revelers, Searchers and Warriors.
A fireshadow is a summoned creature from the lower planes. It is called by an evil cleric,
taking whatever form is requested. It is composed entirely of flame, in a form like green slime.
It will spread on touch, entirely consuming or controlling those attacked when co vered.
Outro And that is all I am prepared to talk about
in this episode. Again I will return with More creatures of Krynn in future episodes.
Do you have a favorite species that was not touched on? What other creatures would you
like to hear about? And which ones deserve their own video? Leave a comment below.
I would like to once again invite you to consider becoming a patron or member of this channel,
and you can pick up Dragonlance gaming materials using my affiliate link, all of which are
in the description below.
This channel is all about celebrating the wonderful world of the Dragonlance Saga, and
I hope you will join me in the celebration. Thank you for watching, this has been Adam
with DragonLance Saga and until next time, remember:
If I was going to leap headfirst into the mouth of a red dragon, I’d be happy to take
you with me.