Council of Wyrms is a 192-page boxed set for Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition released in 1994. It introduces and defines the Council of Wyrms campaign setting, based on an island chain known as Io's Blood Isles.
The boxed set explores a setting in which dragons can be played as the player characters.
Official synopsis[]
Feel mighty muscles ripple beneath your armored flesh. Hear the wind rush by with each powerful flap of your scaled wings. Smell the fear-soaked sweat of your prey as it wafts up from the ground below. You are a dragon—majestic, invincible, supreme!
IMAGINE player characters of such fierce countenance and unstoppable power that only one setting can hold them!
IMAGINE having abilities of sweeping scope, breath weapons of deadly power, claws like long swords, teeth like daggers!
Council of Wyrms provides everything you need to create a campaign for dragon player characters. In addition, there are rules for creating elf, dwarf, and gnome "kindred" for your dragon, and details on two new character types: half-dragons and dragon slayers.
Inside you'll find:
- A 64-page Rules book packed full of rules for creating and playing dragon, kindred, and half-dragon player characters
- A 64-page Campaign book detailing a dragons' campaign and the legendary Council of Wyrms, revealing the secrets of dragonkind and outlining new player-character kits
- A 64-page Adventures book to challenge the strongest dragon characters
- 12 full-color reference cards
- 3 full-color posters, including a dragons' size-comparison chart, a map of the dragons' island homes, and a guide to the dragon clans.
Content[]
Book One: Rules[]
Rules is a 64-page book detailing rules for playing dragon characters.
- Chapter 1: Creating Characters describes rules for character creation and combat in the Council of Wyrms setting. It includes rules for playing dragons, half-dragons, and "kindred", or demihumans who possess a psychic link to a dragon. The standard mode of play is either to play a half-dragon, or to play a dragon/kindred pair. Ability score generation rules for dragons are given, with ability score adjustments based on type, for the fifteen metallic, chromatic, and gem true dragons. Dragons also possess unique level advancement rules that rely on age advancement. Rules for hatchlings also appear.
- Chapter 2: Proficiences and Abilities describes rules for proficiencies, both combat and non-combat. Combat proficiencies include the dragon's natural weapons and flight techniques, while non-combat proficiencies are a mix of normal and dragon-specific skills, including psionic proficiencies.
- Chapter 3: Draconic Combat provides rules for each dragon type's special attacks and qualities, resistance to non-magical weapons, and movement speeds.
Book Two: Campaign[]
Campaign is a 64-page book detailing the setting.
- Chapter 1: Io's Blood Isles introduces the island chain where the setting takes place. It details the islands' mythic origin, their climate, the major dragon clans, modes of address between dragons, systems of government, culture, and industry.
- Chapter 2: The Council of Wyrms explores the titular hierarchy and system of laws.
- Chapter 3: Dragonkind explores dragons themselves: their aging, hoards, sleep, mating, religion, and magic.
- Chapter 4: Campaign Rules and Kits explores running campaigns in the setting, using dragons in other campaign settings (which the book does not recommend), awarding experience, and kits for dragons, half-dragons and kindred, including a dragon slayer kit.
Book Three: Adventures[]
Adventures is a 64-page book of adventure modules:
- Adventure One: Not the Draca is an adventure for four to six hatchling PCs.
- Adventure Two: Color Blind is an adventure for four to six 3rd-level dragon PCs.
- Adventure Three: The Terrible Alliance is an adventure for four to six 4th-level dragon PCs.
- Adventure Four: Stolen Hoards is an adventure for four to six 6th-level dragon PCs.
Accessories[]
Additionally, the set includes twelve reference cards featuring art and dragon character sheets; and three posters.
Development and release[]
Development[]
The book was written by Bill Slavicsek. Art was provided by Jeff Easley, Glen Angus and Arnie Swekel.
Release[]
Council of Wyrms was released by TSR in 1994 for $25.00 US, $32.00 Canadian, or £17.99 UK.
On November 25, 2014, it was re-released in digital format. It is currently available on DriveThruRPG and Dungeon Masters Guild for $9.99.
Reception and influence[]
Critical reception[]
As of 2023, Council of Wyrms reached the rank of Gold seller on DriveThruRPG.
Influence on other works[]
Council of Wyrms received a revised version, Campaign Option: Council of Wyrms Setting (1999).
The half-dragon became popular with powergamers in Dungeons & Dragons 3rd edition.
External links[]
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