The New Lodestar 5e Campaign Sets Sail for a Better Spelljammer

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Dungeons & Dragons fans who were more than little disappointed with the game’s official return to the Spelljammer setting back in back in 2022, may be happy to learn that a new campaign has arrived that seeks to offer smoother sailing on the astral sea.

Entitled Lodestar: A Spacefarer’s Manual, the project is a D&D 5e compatible sourcebook from UK publisher The Dragon’s Vault that combines the lore of old school Spelljammer with the vibes of Disney’s Treasure Planet and historical adventures from the Golden Age of Sail.

The project is available now on BackerKit and has already far surpassed it’s initial funding goals, with plenty of wind still left in its sails. Below, we set a set a course for all the details.

What is “Lodestar: A Spacefarer’s Manual” about?

Lodestar: A Sparefarer’s Manual is a 250+ page hardcover sourcebook for D&D 5E and D&D 2024 that introduces a complete interstellar campaign setting in an area of space known as The Beyond. It’s a galaxy in which the remnants of long dead cosmic being have created astral currents known as “Silt.” Travel between worlds is achieved through magical vessells known Siltsails, with various interstellar factions vying for power.

Outside the Silt routes lies a region known as Void Space, a lawless and dangerous expanse inhabited by pirates, supernatural entities, derelict ships and massive creatures lurking in the darkness.

In addition to new lore and setting details, the book also includes:

• Five new species, including the Dreg (ooze-like creatures that symbiotically bond with a host), the Sameling (plant-reptile hybrids that reproduce through cloning) and the Chitan (squid-like beings encased in biomechanical armor).
• 10 new subclasses, including the Solar Sorcerer (who harness the energy of stars), the Coven of Spheres Witch (who divines knowledge from planetary motion) and the Spellpowder Wizard (who fuses magic with alchemical explosives).
• Over a dozen new magic items, including Spellshot Cannons and a Barrel o’ Mimics.
• A Ship management system that allows players to crew and customize their own Siltsail vessels.
• Ship-to-ship combat rules (which were definitely missing from Spelljamer: Adventures in Space).
• New monsters: This includes both space-faring creatures and fleet destorying “Titanic Foes.”
• DM guidance on running campaigns in the Beyond, with new adventure hooks and encounter tables.
• Art from Spelljammer illustrators: This includes new work from classic TSR artists Paul Abrams and David O. Miller.

What are the backer options for Lodestone?

Backers can choose from several tiers through BackerKit, ranging from digital access to full physical editions:

• Digital Explorer ($30 USD): Includes the PDF and all digital stretch goals.
• Standard Edition ($60 USD): A hardcover copy of A Spacefarer’s Manual, plus the PDF.
• Captain’s Edition ($110 USD: Includes the hardcover, PDF, plus bonus accessories including maps and dice.
• Fleet Commander Bundle ($180 USD): Includes all previous rewards plus physical upgrades and the Elder Gods of Deep Space expansion.

Fulfillment is expected for the fall of 2026, with digital PDFs available first for all backeers.

Final Thoughts

Wizards of the Coast’s last attempt to revitalize Spelljammer in 2022, was generally panned by both critics and fans, with Wizards of the Coast seeming to miss the mark. So it’s not surprising that we’re now seeing third-party D&D 5e creators taking their own shot at (including Ghostfire Gaming’s recent Aetherial Expanse setting). Whether or not this newest attempt will chart a successful new course or get lost in space, however, remains to be seen.

You can support Lodestar: A Spacefarer’s Manual now on BackerKit.