Add real history to your game of Dungeons & Dragons with these books

Historica Arcanum takes on a historical period with a dark fantasy perspective, taking players through the secrets of our world… (+) magical battles. Metis Creative Dungeons & Dragons draws inspiration from myth, history, and more. It’s fun to imagine living in a world similar to ours hundreds of years ago. Players love digging up details from the era to make their characters feel more real. As the calendar turns to fall, many D&D avid fans return to school as students and teachers. For this article, we’ve collected a few books that provide elements of real history that can be used at the gaming table for your 5th edition Dungeons & Dragons sessions. These books can be used anywhere from a quick taster to a full-blown campaign set in a time other than the Middle Ages that mimics the Middle Ages. Historia Mana Project Studios is home to Historia, a dark fantasy renaissance setting. The world of Vesteria stands out in that it takes inspiration from 14th-17th century Europe, rather than the Middle Ages of the 6th-16th centuries. Instead of elves, dwarves, or other fantasy creatures, the characters are all anthropomorphic animals, including cats, dogs, ervarks, and birds. The world was created and illustrated by Mirko Failoni. The art looks like classical paintings, but the animals are lavishly detailed. The world offers dark magic, deep intrigue, and adventure for animal lovers and fantasy fans alike. Historica Arcanum Part of the fun of studying history is learning about the moments that shaped the world we know today. Metis Creative’s Historica Arcanum delivers a story where secret occult history collides with the real world, and players interact with real historical figures to keep the world moving. Setting books include the Silk Road, Victorian Istanbul, and the Crusades. The Crusader Era books are available at bargain prices at Bundle of Holding until September 16, 2024. This bundle offers many materials at discounted prices and includes a soundtrack, 3D printable miniatures, and more. Fans interested in the latest offerings can check out the Echoes of Renaissance Kickstarter, a forthcoming book set in the Great Carnival of Venice in 1521. AD&D Historical Reference Series Previous editions of Dungeons & Dragons have tackled this idea head-on. The Historical Reference Series offered seven books with rules and advice for running Advanced Dungeons & Dragons in real-world historical periods. These books cover Vikings, Charlemagne, the Celts, Musketeers, Rome, Ancient Greece, and the Crusaders. These books are available individually in digital form or in a complete bundle on DriveThruRPG. While the mechanics may not be compatible, you’ll find plenty of inspiration in any edition of D&D. There are plenty of second-hand copies available. Nations & Cannons Many D&D settings downplay firearms. This is because the concept of firearms often clashes with action scenes centered around the clash of swords and armor. Nations & Cannons puts firearms at the center of the setting, as it is set during the American Revolutionary War. Guns of the time are as deadly to the target as they are to the person wielding them. Don’t look for a priest if your musket misfires. The book is purely focused on the historical setting, without any magic or fantasy creatures. The company also makes the book easily available to educators and librarians who want to use it as a teaching tool.