Book picks similar to
The Tainted Sword by D.J. Heinrich


fantasy
fiction
dungeons-and-dragons
d-d

Critical Role: Vox Machina—Kith & Kin


Marieke Nijkamp - 2021
    A harsh childhood in the elite elven city of Syngorn quickly taught them not to rely on others. Now, freed from the expectations of their exacting father and the scornful eyes of Syngorn’s elves, the cunning ranger and the conning rogue have made their own way in the world of Exandria. The twins have traveled far and experienced great hardship. But with the help of Vex's quick wit and Vax's quicker dagger, they've always kept ahead of trouble. Now, unknown perils await them in the bustling city of Westruun, where the twins become entangled in a web spun by the thieves’ guild known to many as the Clasp. Trapped by a hasty deal, Vex and Vax (along with Vex's faithful bear companion, Trinket) set out into the wilds to fulfill their debt to the infamous crime syndicate. As the situation grows more complicated than they ever could have imagined, for the first time Vex and Vax find themselves on opposite sides of a conflict that threatens the home they have carried with each other for years.Written by #1 New York Times bestselling author Marieke Nijkamp, Critical Role: Vox Machina – Kith & Kin follows a brand-new adventure that delves into the twin's unexplored history, and returns to some of the iconic moments that forged Vox Machina's most unbreakable bond.

Realms of Valor


James LowderDouglas Niles - 1993
    Salvatore, Douglas Niles, Troy Denning, Christie Golden, and others

Shadowbred


Paul S. Kemp - 2006
     It has already begun." Shadows move out of the shrinking desert, south to the rich and arrogant cities of Sembia. ""Be brave, little man," says the shadowman, and the boy thinks his voice is surprisingly soft. "Stay with your mother. This will be over soon." The shadows swallow him and he is gone." On the edge of a war that will change the face of Faerun, the world will find that not all shadows serve Shade.

The Lost Library of Cormanthyr


Mel Odom - 1998
    . . somewhere in the most ancient corners of Faerun? An intrepid human explorer sets out to find the truth and what starts as an archaeological expedition soon becomes a race against time as an undying avenger is determined to protect the secrets of the ancient, xenophobic elven empire of Cormanthyr. Lost Empires is a bold new series that uncovers the secrets of the lost, ancient Forgotten Realms world.

Pool of Radiance


James M. Ward - 1989
    (Cover art by Clyde Caldwell)

Dungeon Master's Guide


Mike Mearls - 2014
     - An excellent resource for new and existing Dungeons Masters to engage in both adventure and world creation, with rules, guidelines, and sage advice from the game's experts. - Created as part of a massive public playtest involving more than 170,000 fans of the game.

King Pinch


David Zeb Cook - 1995
    Original. 75,000 first printing.

Whisper of Waves


Philip Athans - 2005
    In a twisted dimension outside the walls of time and space, he plots and plans.The SenatorA genasi, he has fought his way up from the gutter and will never go back. Amid the tangled streets of Innarlith, he mixes ambition with thoughts of vengeance.The ManA master builder, he walks the coast of Faerûn, and the waves whisper to him of a mighty work, a task worthy of his talents.

The Dawning of a New Age


Jean Rabe - 1996
    Ansalon's nightmare has only just begun. The gods have departed the world, heralding a new Age of Mortals. But before the dust of war can settle, vast shadows cover the land. Dragons have come to Ansalon, larger and more powerful than any ever seen, and they will wreak havoc on nations still trembling from war. As the lands themselves begin to change under the dire magic of the new dragon overlords, new heroes arise to lead the fight for freedom. The first book in a rerelease of a key trilogy in the Dragonlance saga, this trilogy covers key events that take place between "Dragons of Summer Flame" and the bestselling" "War of Souls trilogy. Will all-new artwork and cover designs, these books tie in with The Dhamon Saga.

Sword Play


Clayton Emery - 1996
    Only in the mighty, magical empire of Netheril are men a force to be reckoned with.Bored and haughty in his midair castle, the Netherese mage Candlemas bets fellow wizard Sysquemalyn that a certain barbarian who has caught his eye can survive the most savage tests his friend -- and deadly rival -- can devise. The only rule: The tests must offer the subject some chance to survive, however slight.Of course, "playing fair" is a concept as alien to the wizards of Netheril as "mercy."But the subject of their wager, Sunbright Steelshanks of the Rengarth Tribe, has a mind -- and a will -- of his own. And Candlemas and Sysquemalyn are not the only players in this lethal game of swords and sorcery...

Dungeon Master's Guide


Monte Cook - 2000
    Along with the "Player's Handbook" and the "Monster Manual", this guide comprises the core rules for the game.

Tomb of Annihilation


Christopher Perkins - 2017
    Victims grow thinner and weaker each day, slowly but steadily sliding toward the death they once denied.When they finally succumb, they can’t be raised—and neither can anyone else, regardless of whether they’ve ever received that miracle in the past. Temples and scholars of divine magic are at a loss to explain a curse that has affected the entire region, and possibly the entire world.The cause is a necromantic artifact called the Soulmonger, which is located somewhere in Chult, a mysterious peninsula far to the south, ringed with mountains and choked with rainforests.Adventure design by Christopher Perkins, Will Doyle, and Steve Winter, with additional design by Adam Lee. Story consulting by the award-winning creator of Adventure Time, Pendleton Ward.

Volo's Guide to Monsters


Wizards of the Coast - 2016
     - A deep dive into the lore behind some of D&D's most popular and iconic monsters - Dozens of monsters new to the fifth edition to include in your epic adventures - New playable races to allow you to build characters to fit nearly any type of story in your D&D game.The esteemed loremaster Volothamp Geddarm is back and he's written a fantastical dissertation, covering some of the most iconic monsters in the Forgotten Realms. Unfortunately, the Sage of Shadowdale himself, Elminster, doesn't believe Volo gets some of the important details quite right. Don't miss out as Volo and Elminster square off (academically speaking of course) to illuminate the uninitiated on creatures both common and obscure. Uncover the machinations of the mysterious Kraken Society, what is the origin of the bizarre froghemoth, or how to avoid participating in the ghastly reproductive cycle of the grotesque vargouille. Dungeon Masters and players will get some much-needed guidance as you plan your next venture, traipsing about some dusty old ruin in search of treasure, lore, and let's not forget ... dangerous creatures whose horns, claws, fangs, heads, or even hides might comfortably adorn the walls of your trophy room. If you survive.Research has never been so dangerous!

Dungeons & Dragons Art & Arcana: A Visual History


Michael Witwer - 2018
    It is a seminal RPG (role-playing game) and the inspiration for video games like World of Warcraft and Zelda, fantasy art, and countless other facets of "geek culture." This officially licensed illustrated history provides an unprecedented look at the visual evolution of the game, showing its continued influence on the worlds of pop culture and fantasy. It features more than 700 pieces of artwork--from each edition of the game's core books, supplements, and modules; decades of Dragon and Dungeon magazines; classic advertisements and merchandise; and never-before-seen sketches, large-format canvases, rare photographs, one-of-a-kind drafts, and more from the now-famous designers and artists associated with the game. The superstar author team gained unparalleled access to the archives of Wizards of the Coast and the personal collections of top collectors, as well as the designers and illustrators who created the distinctive characters, concepts, and visuals that have defined fantasy art and gameplay for generations. This is the most comprehensive collection of D&D imagery ever assembled, making this the ultimate collectible for the game's millions of fans around the world.

The Iron Throne


Simon Hawke - 1995
    In the chaos after Deismaar, Roele founded an empire that would span the continent and last a millennium.