View source for Spelljammer

{{short description|Dungeons & Dragons fictional campaign setting}}
{{italic title}}
{{Infobox game
|title      = Spelljammer
|image      = SpelljammerLogo 1.jpg<!-- FAIR USE of SpelljammerLogo 1.jpg: see image description page at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:SpelljammerLogo_1.jpg for rationale -->
|caption    = The ''Spelljammer'' logo
|designer   = [[Jeff Grubb]]
|publisher  = [[TSR, Inc.]]<br>[[Wizards of the Coast]]
|date       = {{Start date and age|1989|11|01|df=no}}
|genre      = [[Fantasy]] [[Tabletop role-playing game]]
|system     = {{unbulleted list
|''[[Editions of Dungeons & Dragons#Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd Edition|Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd Edition]]''
|''[[Editions of Dungeons & Dragons#Dungeons & Dragons 3rd edition|Dungeons & Dragons 3rd edition]]''
|''[[Editions of Dungeons & Dragons#Dungeons & Dragons 4th edition|Dungeons & Dragons 4th edition]]''
|''[[Editions of Dungeons & Dragons#Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition|Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition]]''}}
}}
'''''Spelljammer''''' is a [[campaign setting]] originally published for the ''[[Advanced Dungeons & Dragons]]'' ([[Editions of Dungeons & Dragons#Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd Edition|2nd edition]]) [[role-playing game]], which features a [[fantasy|fantastic]] (as opposed to [[science|scientific]]) [[outer space]] environment. Subsequent editions have included ''Spelljammer'' content; a ''Dungeons & Dragons'' [[Editions of Dungeons & Dragons#Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition|5th edition]] setting update was released on August 16, 2022.

''Spelljammer'' introduced into the ''AD&D'' universe a comprehensive system of fantasy [[astrophysics]], including the [[Ptolemaic system|Ptolemaic]] concept of crystal [[celestial spheres]]. Crystal spheres may contain multiple worlds and are navigable using ships equipped with "spelljamming helms". Ships powered by spelljamming helms are capable of flying into not only the sky but into [[space]]. With their own fields of [[gravity]] and [[celestial body atmosphere|atmosphere]], the ships have open decks and tend not to resemble the [[Spacecraft|spaceship]]s of [[science fiction]], but instead look more like [[galleon]]s, animals, birds, fish or even more wildly fantastic shapes.

The ''Spelljammer'' setting is designed to allow the usual [[sword and sorcery]] adventures of ''Dungeons & Dragons'' to take place within the framework of outer space tropes. Flying ships travel through the vast expanses of interplanetary space, visiting moons and planets and other stellar objects.

Like the [[Planescape]] setting, ''Spelljammer'' unifies most of the other AD&D settings and provides a canonical method for allowing characters from one setting (such as [[Dragonlance]]) to travel to another (such as the [[Forgotten Realms]]). However, unlike Planescape, it keeps all of the action on the [[Prime Material Plane]] and uses the crystal spheres, and the [[Phlogiston theory|"phlogiston"]] between them, to form natural barriers between otherwise incompatible settings. Though the [[cosmology]] is derived largely from the [[Ptolemaic system]] of [[astronomy]], many of the ideas owe much to the works of [[Jules Verne]] and his contemporaries, and to related games and fiction with a [[steampunk]] or [[planetary romance]] flavor. A strong [[Age of Sail]] flavor is also present.

==Publication history==
Shannon Appelcline, in the book ''Designers & Dragons'' (2011), highlighted that in 1989 Spelljammer was the first of a host of new campaign settings published by TSR. It was created by [[Jeff Grubb]] and "introduced a universe of magical starships traversing the 'crystal spheres' that contained all the earthbound AD&D campaign worlds. It suggested a method to connect together all of TSR's settings and at the same time introduced fun new Jules Verne-esque technology that had never before been seen in the game. It was innovative and popular".<ref name="designers">{{Cite book|last=Appelcline|first=Shannon|title=Designers & Dragons|publisher=Mongoose Publishing|year=2011| isbn= 978-1-907702-58-7}}</ref>{{rp|26}} Appelcline commented that Spelljammer "offered a way to connect every single ''D&D'' fantasy world, was thus one of the first true crossovers" in role-playing games.<ref name="designers"/>{{rp|219}}

=== ''Advanced Dungeons & Dragons'' (2nd edition) ===
[[Image:SpelljammerAdventuresInSpaceBox.jpg|thumb|Original [[Spelljammer: AD&D Adventures in Space|Spelljammer boxed set]] (TSR, 1989)]]
<!-- FAIR USE of SpelljammerAdventuresInSpaceBox.jpg: see image description page at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:SpelljammerAdventuresInSpaceBox.jpg for rationale -->
The ''[[Spelljammer: AD&D Adventures in Space]]'' space fantasy boxed set was released in 1989.<ref name="history">{{cite web | url=http://www.wizards.com/dnd/DnDArchives_History.asp | title=The History of TSR | publisher=[[Wizards of the Coast]] | access-date=2005-08-20 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080924195557/http://www.wizards.com/dnd/DnDArchives_History.asp | url-status=dead | archive-date=2008-09-24}}</ref> Several of [[TSR, Inc.|TSR]]'s other campaign worlds had their own sections in the ''Spelljammer Boxed Set'' - ''Realmspace'' for the [[Forgotten Realms]], ''Krynnspace'' for [[Dragonlance]], and ''Greyspace'' for [[Greyhawk]]. Along with the new sphere - ''Clusterspace'' - they were known as the "Big Three and Astromundi". [[Dark Sun]], [[Ravenloft]] and [[Mystara]] weren't included, as the first two did not fit with the setting and the Mystara only used the D&D rules, not the AD&D rules.{{Citation needed|date=April 2022}}

The product line would be expanded with a number of boxed sets and accessories such as ''[[Lost Ships]]'' (1990),<ref>{{Cite web |last=Appelcline |first=Shannon |title=SJR1 Lost Ships (2e) {{!}} Product History |url=https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/17252/SJR1-Lost-Ships-2e |access-date=2022-04-22 |website=[[DriveThruRPG]] |language=en}}</ref> ''[[Realmspace]]'' (1991)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Appelcline |first=Shannon |title=SJR2 Realmspace (2e) {{!}} Product History |url=https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/17259/SJR2-Realmspace-2e |access-date=2022-04-22 |website=[[DriveThruRPG]] |language=en}}</ref> and ''[[The Astromundi Cluster]]'' (1993). Appelcline commented that ''The Astromundi Cluster'' acted as "a soft reboot of the ''Spelljammer'' line" and was more of setting focused sourcebook than previous Spelljammer books which acted more "as a conduit between all of the other AD&D settings".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Appelcline |first=Shannon |title=The Astromundi Cluster (2e) {{!}} Product History |url=https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/17243/The-Astromundi-Cluster-2e |access-date=2022-04-22 |website=[[DriveThruRPG]] |language=en}}</ref> The first adventure module, titled ''[[Wildspace (module)|Wildspace]]'', was released in 1990; four connected adventure modules followed it.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Appelcline |first=Shannon |title=SJA1 Wildspace (2e) {{!}} Product History |url=https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/17245/SJA1-Wildspace-2e |access-date=2022-04-22 |website=[[DriveThruRPG]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Appelcline |first=Shannon |title=SJS1 Goblin's Return {{!}} Product History |url=https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/17249/SJS1-Goblins-Return-2e |access-date=2022-04-22 |website=[[DriveThruRPG]] |language=en}}</ref> A longer campaign module, ''Heart of the Enemy'', was then published in 1992<ref>{{Cite web |last=Appelcline |first=Shannon |title=SJQ1 Heart of the Enemy (2e) {{!}} Product History |url=https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/17250/SJQ1-Heart-of-the-Enemy-2e |access-date=2022-04-22 |website=[[DriveThruRPG]] |language=en}}</ref> followed by an adventure anthology, ''Space Lairs'', in 1993.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Appelcline |first=Shannon |title=SJR8 Space Lairs (2e) {{!}} Product History |url=https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/17256/SJR8-Space-Lairs-2e |access-date=2022-04-22 |website=[[DriveThruRPG]] |language=en}}</ref>

The monsters of ''Spelljammer'' were detailed in two installments of the ''[[Monstrous Compendium]]'' series, ''Spelljammer Appendix'' in 1990 and ''Spelljammer Appendix II'' in 1991.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Appelcline |first=Shannon |title=MC7 Monstrous Compendium Spelljammer Appendix (2e) |url=https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/17244/MC7-Monstrous-Compendium-Spelljammer-Appendix-2e |access-date=2023-06-16 |website=[[DriveThruRPG]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Appelcline |first=Shannon |title=MC9 Monstrous Compendium Spelljammer Appendix II (2e) |url=https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/17261/MC9-Monstrous-Compendium-Spelljammer-Appendix-II-2e |access-date=2023-06-16 |website=[[DriveThruRPG]]}}</ref>

In 1993, ''Space Lairs'' and ''The Astromundi Cluster'' were the final products of the line.<ref name=":0" /> Appelcline commented on the end of the setting in the ''Advanced Dungeons & Dragons'' era: "TSR's fifth second-edition campaign world, [[Planescape]] (1993), was released to replace Spelljammer, which had just then ended. TSR wanted a new world-spanning setting and [[Slade Henson]] came up with the answer by suggesting a new setting built on Jeff Grubb's first-edition ''Manual of the Planes'' (1987). [...] Unlike Spelljammer this new setting had a strong geographical centre, the City of Sigil, resolving a flaw in the Spelljammer setting that denied players a good home base".<ref name="designers" />{{rp|26}}

=== ''Dungeons & Dragons'' (3rd edition) ===
The ''Spelljammer'' line of products was discontinued by TSR before they were acquired by [[Wizards of the Coast]] in 1997.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Sheehan |first=Gavin |date=2021-10-08 |title=Dungeons & Dragons Just Added Old Spelljammer Content To Playtest |url=https://bleedingcool.com/games/dungeons-dragons-just-added-old-spelljammer-content-to-playtest/ |access-date=2022-04-22 |website=Bleeding Cool News And Rumors |language=en}}</ref>

In May 2002, [[Paizo]] published an article for Spelljammer in ''[[Dungeon (magazine)|Dungeon]]'' #92 titled "Spelljammer: Shadow of the Spider Moon".<ref>{{Cite journal
  | last = Collins
  | first = Andy
  | author-link = Andy Collins (game designer)
  | title = Spelljammer: Shadow of the Spider Moon
  | journal = [[Dungeon (magazine)|Dungeon]]
  | issue = 92
  | pages = 16–65
  | date = May 2002
  | url = http://paizo.com/dungeon/products/downloads/92}}</ref> Using the [[D20 system]], it provided new rules for firearms and spelljamming, as well as skills, feats and prestige classes. [[Monsters of Spelljammer|Spelljammer monsters]] such as neogi and giff were not used. Instead, it featured creatures from the ''[[Monster Manual]]'' such as [[Drow (Dungeons & Dragons)|drow]], formians and yuan-ti.{{Citation needed|date=April 2022}}

In May 2005, Wizards of the Coast updated the neogi to the [[Editions of Dungeons & Dragons#Dungeons & Dragons v3.5|3.5 edition]] rules in the supplement ''[[Lords of Madness]]'' (2005).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kulp |first=Kevin |title=Lords of Madness: The Book of Aberrations (3.5) {{!}} Product History |url=https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/1752/Lords-of-Madness-The-Book-of-Aberrations-35 |access-date=2022-04-22 |website=[[DriveThruRPG]] |language=en}}</ref> The book included a chapter with a sample map of a crashed Spelljamming vessel, cultural habits of the neogi, and the monster's stat blocks.{{Citation needed|date=April 2022}}

=== ''Dungeons & Dragons'' (4th edition) ===
A ''Spelljammer'' [[Homage (arts)|homage]] appears in the 4th edition ''[[Manual of the Planes#Dungeons & Dragons 4th edition|Manual of the Planes]]'';<ref>{{Cite web |last=Appelcline |first=Shannon |title=Manual of the Planes (4e) {{!}} Product History |url=https://www.dmsguild.com/product/58822/Manual-of-the-Planes-4e |access-date=2022-04-22 |website=[[Dungeon Masters Guild]] |language=en}}</ref> the sourcebook highlights Spelljammer ships as one method of traveling between [[Plane (Dungeons & Dragons)|planes]] and provides information for in-game use of Spelljammer vessels.<ref>{{Cite book
  | last1 = Baker | first1 = Richard
  | first2 = John | last2 = Rogers
  | first3 = Robert J. | last3 = Schwalb
  | first4 = James | last4 = Wyatt
  | title = Manual of the Planes
  | publisher = Wizards of the Coast
  | date = December 2008
  | location = Renton, WA
  | pages = 20,159
  | url = http://www.wizards.com/Dnd/Product.aspx?x=dnd/products/dndacc/218937200
  | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091114080253/http://www.wizards.com/dnd/Product.aspx?x=dnd/products/dndacc/218937200
  | url-status = dead
  | archive-date = November 14, 2009
  | isbn = 978-0-7869-5002-7}}
</ref>

=== ''Dungeons & Dragons'' (5th edition) ===
''Spelljammer'' content also appears in the [[Editions of Dungeons & Dragons#Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition|5th Edition]] adventure module ''[[Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage]]'' (2018). In the adventure, a spelljamming ship and its illithid captain appear stranded in level 19 of the titular dungeon.<ref>{{Cite book
  | last1 = Perkins | first1 = Christopher
  | title = Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage
  | publisher = Wizards of the Coast
  | date = November 2018
  | location = Renton, WA
  | pages = 243
  | url = http://dnd.wizards.com/products/tabletop-games/rpg-products/waterdeep-dungeon-mad-mage
  | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180606080309/http://dnd.wizards.com/products/tabletop-games/rpg-products/waterdeep-dungeon-mad-mage
  | url-status = dead
  | archive-date = June 6, 2018
  | isbn = 978-0-7869-6626-4}}
</ref><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Hall |first=Charlie |date=2021-10-12 |title=D&D playtest could hint at a Spelljammer reboot |url=https://www.polygon.com/22722987/dungeons-dragons-spelljammer-reboot-5e-fifth-edition |access-date=2022-04-22 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}}</ref> Then in October 2021, Wizards released the PDF ''Travelers of the Multiverse'' which is part of the "[[Unearthed Arcana#Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition|Unearthed Arcana]]" public playtest series. Of the six player races it included, four races (autognome, giff, hadozee, and plasmoid) are closely associated with the ''Spelljammer'' setting. Both ''[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]'' and ''[[Bleeding Cool]]'' highlighted that this playtest could indicate a future ''Spelljammer'' [[Reboot (fiction)|reboot]].<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />

Wizards of the Coast released a new boxed set titled ''[[Spelljammer: Adventures in Space]]'' on August 16, 2022; this release updates the ''Spelljammer'' setting for the 5th Edition.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=April 21, 2022 |title=Spelljammer and Dragonlance Return in Dungeons & Dragons' New Adventures |url=https://gizmodo.com/d-d-direct-spelljammer-dragonlance-starter-set-1848822873 |access-date=2022-04-21 |website=Gizmodo |language=en-us}}</ref><ref name="Bleeding Cool on Spelljammer date">{{Cite web |last=Sheehan |first=Gavin |date=April 21, 2022 |title=Dungeons & Dragons Brings Back Spelljammer With Three Book |url=https://bleedingcool.com/games/dungeons-dragons-brings-back-spelljammer-with-three-book/ |access-date=April 21, 2022 |website=[[Bleeding Cool]] |language=en}}</ref> The box set includes a Dungeon Master's screen, a double-sided poster map and three 64-page hardcover books: ''Astral Adventurer's Guide'' (a Dungeon Master guide), ''Boo's Astral Menagerie'' (a bestiary), and ''Light of Xaryxis'' (an adventure module).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hall |first=Charlie |date=2022-04-21 |title=D&D's Spelljammer reboot looks unlike any other 5th edition adventure so far |url=https://www.polygon.com/23033732/dnd-spelljammer-adventures-in-space-release-date-price |access-date=2022-04-21 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}}</ref> A special edition, with cover art by Hydro74, was also released.<ref name="Bleeding Cool on Spelljammer date" /> A prequel adventure module, titled ''Spelljammer Academy'', was released for free on the Wizards of the Coast website and on [[D&D Beyond]] in July of the same year.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=April 21, 2022 |title=Dungeons & Dragons Announces Spelljammer: Adventures in Space Box Set |url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/dungeons-dragons-spelljammer-confirmed-adventures-in-space/ |access-date=April 21, 2022 |website=[[ComicBook.com]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=April 21, 2022 |title=Get Ready to Blast Off! Spelljammer: Adventures in Space Is Coming August 16 |url=http://www.dndbeyond.com/posts/1228-get-ready-to-blast-off-spelljammer-adventures-in |access-date=April 21, 2022 |website=[[D&D Beyond]] |language=en-us}}</ref>

''Monstrous Compendium Vol 1: Spelljammer Creatures'' introduced ten creatures from the ''Spelljammer'' setting to the 5th Edition in April 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 22, 2022 |title=Dungeons & Dragons Brings Back Monstrous Compendium Series, Free for All Players |url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/dungeons-dragons-monstrous-compendium-volume-1-spelljammer-dndbeyond/ |access-date=June 7, 2023 |website=[[ComicBook.com]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=May 11, 2022 |title=D&D: Best New Spelljammer Monsters For 5e (So Far) |url=https://screenrant.com/dungeons-dragons-spelljammer-new-monsters-dnd-5e-campaign/ |access-date=June 6, 2023 |website=ScreenRant}}</ref>

==Fictional setting==
=== Spelljamming helms ===
''Spelljamming helms'' are the central setting concept which allow interplanetary and interstellar space travel for vessels which would otherwise not be spaceworthy, in the form of a [[Ship's wheel|helm]].<ref name="Dragon #154">{{cite journal |last=Rolston |first=Ken |author-link=Ken Rolston |date=February 1990 |title=Role-playing Reviews |journal=[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]] |location=[[Lake Geneva, Wisconsin]] |publisher=[[TSR, Inc.|TSR]] |issue=#154 |pages=59–63}}</ref> Any spellcaster may sit on a spelljammer helm to move the ship.<ref name="Dragon #154" /> The mysterious race known as the Arcane is the sole manufacturer and distributor of spelljamming helms.<ref name="Dragon #154" /> Within the ''Dungeons & Dragons'' universe, they are a method of converting magical energy into motive power.

===Gravity and air===
All bodies of a sufficiently large size have [[gravity]]. This gravity usually (but not always) exerts a force equal to the standard gravitational attraction on the surface of an Earth-sized planetary body. Gravity in the ''Spelljammer'' universe is also an exceptionally convenient force, and almost always works such that "down" orients itself in a manner most humanoids would find sensible.

All bodies of any size carry with them an envelope of air whenever they leave the surface of a planet or other stellar object. Unlike real-world astrophysics, this air envelope is not dispersed by the vacuum of space. These bubbles of air provide breathable atmosphere for varying lengths of time, but 3 months is considered "standard".

===Crystal spheres===
{{redirect|Crystal sphere|the fortune-telling object|Crystal ball|Dungeons & Dragons adventure module|Crystal Spheres|the short story by David Brin|The Crystal Spheres}}
A crystal sphere (also known as a crystal shell) is a gigantic spherical shell which contains an entire [[planetary system]]. Each sphere varies in size but typically they are twice the diameter of the orbit of the planet that is farthest from the sun or planet at the center of the sphere (the system's primary).

The surface of the sphere is called the "sphere wall" and separates the void of "wildspace" (within the sphere) from the "phlogiston" (that surrounds and flows outside the sphere). The sphere wall has no gravity and appears to be impossible to damage by any normal or magical means. Openings in the sphere wall called "portals" allow spelljamming ships or wildspace creatures to pass through and enter or exit from a crystal sphere. Portals can spontaneously open and close anywhere on the sphere wall. Magical spells (or magical items that reproduce their effects) can allow a portal to be located. Other magic can open a new portal or collapse an existing one. Ships or creatures passing through a portal when it closes may be cut in two.

Unlike the [[Ptolemaic system]], the crystal spheres are not nested within each other.

===Wildspace===
Wildspace is similar to the outer space of science fiction, with planets, asteroids and stars, but with different physics.<ref name="Dragon #154" /> Gravity is either none or the same as that of Earth, and is directed towards the center of planet-sized bodies; on large objects in space like spacecraft and enormous creatures gravity is directed towards a flat plane running through the object's long axis, allowing characters to stand on the decks of ships.<ref name="Dragon #154" />

===The Phlogiston===
The [[phlogiston]] is essentially a big ocean of a unique element that is neither air, fire, water, or earth.<ref name="Dragon #154" /> The phlogiston (also known as "the Flow") is a bright, extremely combustible gas-like medium that exists between the Crystal Spheres. A signature property of the substance is that it does not exist within the boundaries of a crystal sphere, to the degree that it cannot be brought into a crystal sphere by any known means up to and including the direct will of deities. Every crystal sphere floats in the phlogiston, very slowly bobbing up and down over time. Travel between Crystal Spheres is facilitated by the formation of "Flow rivers" &mdash; sections of the phlogiston which have a [[wikt:current|current]] and greatly reduce travel time. Travel through the "slow flow" (i.e. off the Flow rivers) is possible, but very dangerous.

===The ''Spelljammer''===
The ''Spelljammer'' is a legendary ship which looks like a gigantic [[manta ray]],<ref name="Dragon #154" /> and houses an entire city on its back. All spacefarers (people who live in wildspace) have heard of the ''Spelljammer'' but very few have ever seen it themselves. It is this ship that gives its name to "spelljamming", "spelljamming helms" and anything else connected with spelljamming. The ship has been reported to have been seen in countless spheres for as long as records go back. Even some groundlings (people who live on planets that have very little or no commerce with spelljamming communities) have legends about it. There are hundreds of conflicting legends about this ship, and a mythology has developed about the ship that is similar to the legends surrounding ''[[The Flying Dutchman]]''.

As a living thing (although it does not consume any matter, it does absorb heat and light through its ventral (or under) side and uses them to produce air and food for its inhabitants), the ''Spelljammer'' has a complex life cycle and means of procreation. Normally the ship has no captain and wanders the cosmos seemingly aimlessly. When the ''Spelljammer'' has a captain, obtained through another complex process, it will create Smalljammers (miniature versions of the ''Spelljammer'') that go forth as its spawn. Apparently there can only be one Spelljammer at any one time. One Smalljammer will mature into a full ''Spelljammer'' ship if its predecessor is ever destroyed.

===Races===
Alien races inhabiting the Spelljammer universe included [[Human (Dungeons & Dragons)|humans]], [[Dwarf (Dungeons & Dragons)|dwarves]], xenophobic [[Beholder (Dungeons & Dragons)|beholders]], rapacious [[neogi]], militant [[Giff (Dungeons & Dragons)|giff]] (humanoid [[Hippopotamus|hippopotami]]), centaurlike dracons, hubristic [[Elf (Dungeons & Dragons)|elf]] armadas, spacefaring orcs called "scro", mysterious [[mercane|arcane]], the [[Thri-kreen]] insectoids, and bumbling tinker [[Gnome (Dungeons & Dragons)|gnomes]]. [[Illithid]]s were another major race, but were presented as more mercantile and less overtly evil than in other D&D settings. The ''Monstrous Compendium'' series added many more minor races. The simian Hadozee were also introduced into the setting, and later incorporated into the 3.5 rules in the supplemental book ''[[Stormwrack]]''.

==Official products==
Spelljammer has acted as the official campaign setting for multiple ''Dungeons & Dragons'' roleplaying adventure modules, sourcebooks and accessories.
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="margins:auto; width=95%; font-size: 95%;"
|-
!Title
!Year
![[ISBN (identifier)|ISBN]]
!Notes
|-
! colspan="4" |''AD&D'' box sets
|-
|''[[Spelljammer: AD&D Adventures in Space]]''
|1989
|{{ISBNT|0-88038-762-9}}
|Introduced the setting and provided the basic rules for spelljamming travel.
|-
|''The Legend of Spelljammer''
|1991
|{{ISBNT|1-56076-083-4}}
|Expanded on the setting, in particular the ''Spelljammer'' itself.
|-
|The ''War Captain's Companion''
|1992
|{{ISBNT|1-56076-343-4}}
|Provided more detailed ship-to-ship combat rules.
|-
|''[[The Astromundi Cluster]]''
|1993
|{{ISBNT|1-56076-632-8}}
|Provided a roleplaying campaign for the setting.
|-
! colspan="4" |''AD&D'' accessories
|-
|''[[Lost Ships]]''
|1990
|{{ISBNT|0-88038-831-5}}
|Expanded the number of ships.
|-
|''Practical Planetology''
|1991
|{{ISBNT|1-56076-134-2}}
|Assisted DMs who wished to create their own spelljamming setting.
|-
|''The Rock of Bral''
|1992
|{{ISBNT|1-56076-345-0}}
|Provided a home base for adventuring parties.
|-
|''[[Realmspace]]''
|1991
|{{ISBNT|1-56076-052-4}}
| rowspan="3"|Information about the crystal spheres housing TSR's three main campaign worlds.
|-
|''[[Greyspace]]''
|1992
|{{ISBNT|1-56076-348-5}}
|-
|''[[Krynnspace]]''
|1993
|{{ISBNT|1-56076-560-7}}
|-
|MC7 ''Monstrous Compendium Spelljammer Appendix''
|1990
|
| rowspan="2"|Part of the ''[[Monstrous Compendium]]'' series
|-
|MC9 ''Monstrous Compendium Spelljammer Appendix II''
|1991
|
|-
|''Complete Spacefarer's Handbook''
|1992
|{{ISBNT|1-56076-347-7}}
|Focuses on spelljamming travel.
|-
! colspan="4" |''AD&D'' adventure modules
|-
|''[[Wildspace (module)|Wildspace]]''
|1990
|{{ISBNT|0-88038-819-6}}
| rowspan="5"|A series of five connected adventure modules.
|-
|''[[Skull & Crossbows]]''
|1990
|{{ISBNT|0-88038-845-5}}
|-
|''[[Crystal Spheres]]''
|1990
|{{ISBNT|0-88038-878-1}}
|-
|''Under the Dark Fist''
|1991
|{{ISBNT|1-56076-131-8}}
|-
|''Goblins' Return''
|1991
|{{ISBNT|1-56076-149-0}}
|-
|''Heart of the Enemy''
|1992
|{{ISBNT|1-56076-342-6}}
|A longer campaign module.
|-
|''Space Lairs''
|1993
|{{ISBNT|1-56076-609-3}}
|Adventure anthology.
|-
! colspan="4" |''D&D'' 5th Edition
|-
|''Spelljammer Academy''
|July 2022
|
|Adventure module released digitally.
|-
|''[[Spelljammer: Adventures in Space]]''
|August 2022
|
|Boxed set which contains three 64-page hardcover books: ''Astral Adventurer's Guide'' (a Dungeon Master guide), ''Boo's Astral Menagerie'' (a bestiary), and ''Light of Xaryxis'' (an adventure module).
|-
|}

== In other media ==
===Comics===
Sixteen comics set in the ''Spelljammer'' universe were published by [[DC Comics]] between September 1990 and November 1991 with the creative team of [[Barbara Kesel]] as writer, and Michael Collins, [[Dan Panosian]], and other contributors. The first appearance was in TSR Worlds Annual #1, where the Jammers were introduced in a third of the 72-page book. Two weeks later, their own title went on sale, but both comics have a shelf date of September, 1990. <ref>https://www.comics.org/issue/258216/</ref><ref>https://www.comics.org/issue/258143/</ref> ''[[Spelljammer (comics)|Spelljammer]]'' comics also uses Jasmine, a winged human character originally introduced from [[Forgotten Realms (comic)|Forgotten Realms comics]], as one of the lead characters.<ref>https://comicvine.gamespot.com/jasmine/4005-178301/</ref>

=== Music ===
Wizards of the Coast released a soundtrack, titled ''[[Spelljammer: Adventures in Space#Spelljammer Academy|Spelljams]]'', for ''Spelljammer: Adventures in Space'' digitally on August 16, 2022;<ref name=":22">{{Cite web |last=Hall |first=Charlie |date=2022-08-17 |title=The new D&D album rips, and it's free to play and download |url=https://www.polygon.com/23309840/dnd-spelljams-album-free-download-decembrists-reggie-watts |access-date=2022-09-17 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=2022-08-16 |title=D&D's new Spelljammer adventure has inspired an official music album |url=https://www.dicebreaker.com/games/dungeons-and-dragons-5e/news/dungeons-and-dragons-spelljams-musical-album-spelljammer |access-date=2022-09-17 |website=Dicebreaker |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":52">{{Cite web |date=August 18, 2022 |title=New D&D Campaign SPELLJAMMER Has Its Own Trippy Soundtrack Album |url=https://nerdist.com/article/wizards-of-the-coast-dungeons-and-dragons-campaign-spelljammer-soundtrack-album-spelljams/ |access-date=2022-09-17 |website=Nerdist |language=en-US}}</ref> each song on the soundtrack corresponds with one of the chapters in the adventure module ''Light of Xaryxis''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Murray |first=Sean |date=2022-08-16 |title=Dungeons & Dragons Drops Spelljammer-Themed Album Spelljams |url=https://www.thegamer.com/dungeons-dragons-spelljammer-album-spelljams/ |access-date=2022-09-17 |website=TheGamer |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Novels===
Six novels set in the ''Spelljammer'' universe were published by [[TSR, Inc.|TSR]], before TSR was incorporated into [[Wizards of the Coast]]. The novels were interconnected and formed "The Cloakmaster Cycle". The novels tell the story of Teldin Moore, a 'groundling' farmer on Krynn who has a powerful and apparently cursed magical cloak that was given to him. He then ends up on a quest, which takes him first into wildspace and then away from his home sphere to distant crystal spheres. The series showcases the wonders and perils of the Spelljammer universe. The novels are now out of print.

* ''Beyond the Moons'' by [[David "Zeb" Cook|David Cook]], (July, 1991) ({{ISBN|1-56076-153-9}})
* ''Into the Void'' by [[Nigel Findley]], (October, 1991) ({{ISBN|1-56076-154-7}})
* ''The Maelstrom's Eye'' by [[Roger E. Moore]], (May, 1992) ({{ISBN|1-56076-344-2}})
* ''The Radiant Dragon'' by [[Elaine Cunningham]], (November, 1992) ({{ISBN|1-56076-346-9}})
* ''The Broken Sphere'' by [[Nigel Findley]], (May, 1993) ({{ISBN|1-56076-596-8}})
* ''The Ultimate Helm'' by Russ T. Howard, (September, 1993) ({{ISBN|1-56076-651-4}})

===Computer games===
The only ''Spelljammer'' computer game ever produced was ''[[Spelljammer: Pirates of Realmspace]]'', published by [[Strategic Simulations, Inc.|SSI]] in 1992.

In 2002 a team of freelance game modification developers created "The Arcane Space Tileset" for  ''[[Neverwinter Nights (2002 video game)|Neverwinter Nights]]''.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://neverwintervault.org/project/nwn1/hakpak/arcane-space-tileset| title = "The Arcane Space Tileset"}}</ref> This tileset included Spelljamming ships, space and atmospheric terrains, along with monsters and NPCs, all set within the Spelljammer Campaign setting.

=== Web series ===
''[[List of Dungeons & Dragons web series#2020s|Legends of the Multiverse]]'' is an official [[actual play]] streaming series broadcast on the ''Dungeons & Dragons'' channels which premiered on April 27, 2022 and is set in the Spelljammer campaign setting. It stars [[Deborah Ann Woll]], B. Dave Walters, Gina Darling, Meagan Kenreck, and Todd Kenreck. It will also feature guest stars such as [[Brennan Lee Mulligan]], [[Aabria Iyengar]], Ginny Di, Anna Prosser, Deejay Knight, Emme Montgomery, [[Travis McElroy]], [[SungWon Cho]], and [[Jim Zub]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Benjamin |first=Adam |date=April 21, 2022 |title=Catch a Glimpse of Spelljammer and More From the First D&D Direct |url=https://www.cnet.com/culture/entertainment/spelljammer-and-new-starter-sets-everything-announced-todays-dungeons-dragons-dnd-direct/ |access-date=April 21, 2022 |website=CNET |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeIK3qhzKdQ |title=Legends of the Multiverse - New D&D Play Series |date=April 21, 2022 |type=[[YouTube]] |publisher=Dungeons & Dragons |access-date=April 21, 2022}}</ref>

==Reception==
In the January 1990 edition  of ''[[Games International]]'' (issue #12), James Wallis was not a fan of the initial release, ''[[Spelljammer: AD&D Adventures in Space]]'', finding inconsistencies in the combat rules, saying that the cumulative effect of these inconsistencies is to make space combat unplayable. He did find the background "imaginative and consistent", but very little of it. Although he admired the production values of the components, he found the book disorganized to the point of "disarray and confusion". He concluded by giving the game a poor rating of only 2 out of 5, saying that "''Spelljammer'' may score well physically but fails mentally [...] Scavenging ''AD&D'' players who enjoy stripping tasty ideas from the carcasses of dying games may find it of interest, but I cannot recommend it to anyone else".<ref name=gi>{{cite magazine|last=Wallis|first=James| date=January 1990 |title=Spelljammer|journal=[[Games International]]| issue=12|pages=43}}</ref>

Alexander Sowa, for ''[[Comic Book Resources|CBR]]'' in October 2021, commented that Spelljammer should be one of the classic settings Wizards of the Coast brings back for the 5th Edition. Sowa wrote that "players have been asking for Spelljammer to be introduced to ''5e'' since the release of the first setting sourcebook. Wizards tossed them a bone with the Dream of The Blue Veil spell added in ''[[Tasha's Cauldron of Everything]]'', but it's not a replacement for the niche Spelljammer previously filled. It's not just a way to travel between different campaign settings; it's a simultaneous fulfillment of sci-fi and fantasy dreams of exploration, venturing deep into unknown depths and contending with the strange and otherworldly".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-10-07 |title=Dungeons & Dragons Should Revisit Spelljammer and Dark Sun in 2022 |url=https://www.cbr.com/dnd-5e-2022-spelljammer-dark-sun/ |access-date=2022-04-22 |website=CBR |language=en-US}}</ref>

Spelljammer was #3 on ''The Gamer''<nowiki/>'s 2022 "The 8 Best Dungeons & Dragons Settings Ever" list — the article states that "Spelljammer is one of the most unique settings on this list, with endless possibilities brought up in its planet-hopping realms. The Spelljammer setting can almost best be surmised as 'pirates meets sci-fi fantasy' with its blend of magical worlds and galaxy-traversing galleons".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-03-18 |title=The 8 Best Dungeons & Dragons Settings Ever |url=https://www.thegamer.com/dungeons-dragons-best-settings-worlds-campaigns/ |access-date=2022-04-22 |website=TheGamer |language=en-US}}</ref> In a separate article for ''The Gamer'', in February 2022, Paul DiSalvo commented that "while D&D's second edition was home to a wide range of Spelljammer books including several adventure modules, the setting has since faded into obscurity, with it not being prominently featured within the game's third, fourth, and fifth editions".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-02-28 |title=Dungeons & Dragons: What Is Spelljammer? |url=https://www.thegamer.com/dungeons-dragons-spelljammer-explained/ |access-date=2022-04-22 |website=TheGamer |language=en-US}}</ref>

In his 2023 book ''Monsters, Aliens, and Holes in the Ground'', RPG historian Stu Horvath called the game "gloriously bewildering." Horvath also noted the new edition being launched for the 5th edition of ''[[D&D]]'', commenting "I can't imagine something so weird as the original coming out today — the new version already seems different, a little less odd, a little more formulaic."<ref name=mahg>{{cite book| last = Horvath| first = Stu| title = Monsters, Aliens, and Holes in the Ground| publisher = MIT Press| date = 2023| location = Cambridge, Massachusetts| pages = 194–197| isbn =9780262048224 }}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.spelljammer.org Spelljammer: Beyond the Moons] (official fan site)
* [http://www.dlnexus.com/fan/rules/11671.aspx ''Dragonhelm's Guide to Krynnspace''] at [[Dragonlance Nexus]]
* [http://spelljammer.org/worlds/CrimsonSphere/ ''Beyond the Moons - Crimson Sphere''] at Spelljammer.org
* [http://lost.spelljammer.org/TBLIV/ ''Tarkas Brain Lab IV''] (listed as ''Helm System for 3e'') at Spelljammer.org
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20101018043755/http://www.andycollins.net/Projects/Spelljammer/Spelljammer.htm ''Spelljammer: Shadow of the Spider Moon''] at AndyCollins.net

{{D&D topics}}

[[Category:Spelljammer| ]]
[[Category:Dungeons & Dragons campaign settings]]