You’ve decided to start running a Dungeons & Dragons game for your friends. Great! As a DM, you’ll be weaving the backdrop for your players’ adventure. That means choosing a published DnD setting for your game, or creating an original world. There are so many classic, modern, and third-party settings, it can be overwhelming!
Let's explore some of the most popular and interesting options, how to choose the right one for your party, and tips for creating your own homebrew setting (plus how World Anvil can help!)
Official DnD Settings
Classic Fantasy Settings
Forgotten Realms: The default setting for 5th edition (DnD5e), the Forgotten Realms, or Faerun, will be familiar to players who’ve seen actual plays of official D&D adventures. From bustling cities like Waterdeep, Neverwinter and Baldur’s Gate, to the villages and wilds of the Sword Coast, this setting offers a variety of locations appropriate for many different types of campaigns. Most official 5e sourcebooks and adventures are set wholly or partly in Faerun.
Greyhawk: One of the earliest DnD settings, Greyhawk, aka Oerth, is a dangerous sword and sorcery world. It’s the home realm of iconic deities and legendary characters, but its official lore is sparse by design - intended for dungeon masters to use as a starting point to build on. It’s not been featured in 5e until now - but is a location included in Vecna: Eve of Ruin.
Dragonlance: Popularized by a series of tie-in novels by Tracy Hickman and Margaret Weis, Dragonlance, aka Krynn, may be the most fleshed-out world in D&D. It features heroic high fantasy with a unique lunar-based magic system. If Greyhawk emphasized the “dungeons” part of D&D, then Dragonlance showcases the dragons. The only official 5e adventure for this setting is Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen.
Non-Medieval Settings
If medieval fantasy isn’t your style, there are a couple of more modern options that emulate more of a Renaissance or Victorian era sensibility. These are two to check out.
Eberron: Eberron was created by Keith Baker, and introduces a blend of magic and technology, with unique elements like warforged and dragonmarked houses. It's a world where pulp adventure meets noir intrigue, with diverse nations that emphasize different themes like monsters, necromancy, or airship pirates. Rising from the Last War is the official 5e sourcebook, which includes a short sample adventure.
Ravnica: Originally a Magic: The Gathering setting, Ravnica is a cityscape dominated by powerful guilds. Each guild brings its own flavor and politics, perfect for urban adventures and complex intrigue. If your party is already familiar with Ravnica from playing Magic, they might enjoy exploring it more in tabletop RPG format.
Unusual or Specialty Settings
If you’re looking for something outside of traditional epic or high fantasy roleplaying and dungeon delves, these settings might work best for your party.
Spelljammer: This setting takes D&D to space, combining fantasy with science fiction. Adventurers explore wildspace in magical ships, encountering bizarre creatures and planets. If your party is looking for swashbuckling space fantasy in the style of Treasure Planet, they will love this DnD setting. Spelljammer: Adventures in Space is the official 5e sourcebook.
Theros: Inspired by Greek mythology, Theros is a realm where gods play an active role in the world. It’s perfect for campaigns filled with heroic quests and divine intervention. Mythic Odysseys of Theros is the official 5e sourcebook for this setting.
Ravenloft: Known for its gothic horror theme, Ravenloft is a land of mists and monsters. It's ideal for campaigns focused on horror, suspense, and moral dilemmas. Curse of Strahd, possibly the most popular official D&D adventure, takes place here. The official sourcebook is Van Richten's Guide to Ravenloft, which also provides guidance for creating your own “domain of dread” in the setting.
The Feywild: A chaotic counterpart to Ravenloft, the Feywild is a fairy-tale themed setting that can be both whimsical and dangerous. If your party’s tastes run to movies like Labyrinth, The Wizard of Oz or Alice in Wonderland then the Feywild might be the right choice. Wild Beyond the Witchlight is the official adventure for 5e in this setting.
Strixhaven: A magical university setting also borrowed from Magic: the Gathering, Strixhaven combines elements of academia and wizardry. It’s great for campaigns centered around young mages learning the ropes and uncovering secrets. Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos is the official campaign.
Notable 3rd Party Settings
Thanks to the OGL, many third party publishers have created settings compatible with DnD 5e. Here are a few of the most popular ones you might want to consider.
Midgard: Created by Kobold Press, Midgard is a dark, gritty world influenced by Norse mythology. It features a rich tapestry of cultures and deities, perfect for those seeking a darker fantasy experience.
Grim Hollow: A grimdark setting by Ghostfire Gaming, Grim Hollow offers a world of dark fantasy and horror. It emphasizes transformation and moral ambiguity, providing a deep, immersive experience.
Exandria: From the world of Critical Role, Exandria is a vibrant, diverse setting filled with rich lore and beloved characters. It's perfect for fans of the show or those looking for a detailed and well-developed world.
Humblewood: A unique setting by Hit Point Press, Humblewood is centered around anthropomorphic animal characters and the mystical Humblewood forest. It’s charming and accessible, ideal for family-friendly campaigns.
Dungeons of Drakkenheim: Created by Dungeon Dudes, a dark, gritty urban fantasy setting imbued with eldritch horror. Ravaged by a mysterious meteor, the city is transformed into a haunted, ruin-filled wasteland. This setting emphasizes exploration, survival, and political intrigue. It’s perfect for groups who enjoy a blend of horror, mystery, and tactical combat.
Planegea: Created by Atlas Games, Planegea is a prehistoric setting where dinosaurs roam and primal magic reigns. It’s great for those wanting a primal, untamed adventure.
Choosing the Right Setting
When choosing a DnD setting, consider the following factors:
- Player Interest: Engage with your players to understand their preferences. Do they prefer classic fantasy, gritty horror, or something entirely different?
- Campaign Theme: Match the setting to your campaign's theme. Political intrigue might fit best in Ravnica, while a survivalist dungeon-delve campaign could thrive in Greyhawk.
- Complexity: Some settings, like Eberron, come with a wealth of lore and details, which can be both a boon and a challenge. Ensure you're comfortable with the setting’s complexity.
Pros and Cons of Various Settings
- Forgotten Realms: (+) Rich lore and widely supported. (-) Can be overwhelming due to its vastness.
- Eberron: (+) Unique blend of magic and technology. (-) May require more effort to integrate traditional fantasy elements.
- Ravenloft: (+) Perfect for horror-themed campaigns. (-) Might be too dark for some groups.
- Greyhawk: (+) Grim swords & sorcery setting, 5e compatible from 2024 onward (-) Lack of official 5e materials until launch of 2024 edition
- Dragonlance: (+) Ideal for fans of the novels, heroic fantasy. (-) Limited material available currently. Lore heavily tied to fiction.
- Midgard:(+) Great for fans of Norse mythology. (-) Might be too dark for some players.
- Humblewood: (+) Good choice for family-friendly campaigns. (-) Might feel too lighthearted for some.
- Drakkenheim: (+) Unique blend of urban fantasy & eldritch horror. (-) Could be too dark and disturbing for some.
Tips for Introducing Players to a New DnD Setting
When introducing a new setting to your D&D players, it's best to start small. Begin with a single city or region rather than the entire world. This localized focus allows players to get acquainted with the immediate environment, important NPCs, and local conflicts. As the campaign progresses and players become more comfortable, you can gradually expand the scope, revealing more about the world and its larger geopolitical and cultural landscape.
Using familiar tropes can help ease your players into the new setting. Incorporate classic fantasy elements such as village taverns, wise (quest-giving) mentors, and dangerous dungeons. These recognizable themes make it easier for players to drop themselves into the story. From there, you can introduce unique twists and original concepts that distinguish your setting from others, keeping the experience fresh and engaging.
Providing resources like maps, handouts, and essential lore is crucial for helping players understand and connect with the new setting. Maps can give players a sense of geography and spatial relationships. Handouts provide key information about the setting’s history, cultures, and important figures and can enhance immersion. These resources serve as reference points that players can consult throughout the campaign.
Considering a Homebrew Setting?
Creating a homebrew setting for your Dungeons & Dragons campaign can be rewarding. It offers total creative freedom and the ability to collaboratively worldbuild with your players. This allows you to design unique cultures, histories, and landscapes tailored to your group's preferences, making the game more engaging and personalized.
However, homebrew settings come with challenges, including a substantial time commitment and the need for detailed planning. Maintaining consistency can be difficult without a well-organized world bible, making it easy to introduce contradictions or forget important details. Ensuring coherence and logical consistency requires meticulous record-keeping and ongoing effort.
If you're concerned about creating a completely original setting,
partial homebrew is a popular choice. Use an official setting as a launchpad to get started. You can take established worlds like the Forgotten Realms and tweak regions or cultures to fit your vision. There are a lot of regions and eras within Faerun or Eberron that haven't been extensively covered in official 5e materials. Feel free to take that as a challenge, and make a piece of that world your own!
World Anvil Can Help!
If you're thinking about creating an original or partial homebrew setting, World Anvil has a powerful toolbox to support you - even as a beginner DM! Be sure to check out the following guides:
Takeaways
- Choosing the right DnD settings, whether official, third-party, or homebrew, can make or break your experience as a DM.
- Remember to consider player preferences, campaign themes, and the unique features of each setting.
- Embrace the creativity of homebrewing if it suits your style, and don't be afraid to mix and match elements to create the perfect world for your adventures.
For Further Reading
Ready to dive deeper? Check out these related articles:
- How to Get Started as a Dungeon Master
- How to Plan a D&D
- How to Create an Introductory One-Shot
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