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War has come to Krynn. The Dragon Queen advances on Solamnia, a once-glorious nation of knights and heroes. Takhisis’ Dragon Armies are mighty and supported by chromatic dragons that provide a staggering advantage on the battlefield.
To quote Private Frost in Aliens, “What the hell are we supposed to use, man, harsh language?” And sometimes, yes, that’s exactly what’s needed to help rally your side for battle. With the arrival of Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen, we expect many a game table to prep for adventures in war-torn Krynn.
In this article, we offer pointers for coming up with your own rallying speech, as well as a fill-in-the-blank speech you can use to throw together your own monologue in the heat of the moment.
Crafting Your Own Rallying Speech
The War of the Lance has begun—a conflict between gods and dragons, with the wounded world of Krynn hanging in the balance. With such significant stakes at play, your group’s actions can have incredible impact and bearing. So, what’s the best way to express the weight of events before marching into combat? A mere “roll for initiative” just doesn’t seem adequate.
Instead, imagine addressing a unit of soldiers before you face an adult red dragon together. Inspiring them to hold their lines, no matter the number of draconians charging against them. Encouraging them as they make a long and dangerous march into enemy territory. In Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen, players will find similar need to rally their cause. For example, if they’re tasked with defending townsfolk, they may need to forge alliances and bolster defenses if they want everyone to survive the day.
So, who’s to speak up from the walls and trenches? And how to best go about it?
Inspiration for Your Inspiration
There’s no shortage of inspiring speeches from shows and movies to use as examples. To help set the mood at your table, you might watch the following scenes (or show them to your players):
- 1970’s Patton (speech to the Third Army)
- 1989’s Henry V (St. Crispin’s Day speech)
- 1999’s Any Given Sunday (Tony D’Amato’s locker room speech)
- 2000’s Gladiator (General Maximus’ speech at the Limes Germanicus)
- 2002’s Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (King Théoden’s speech at Helmsdeep)
Inspiration for Your Character’s Rallying Speech
Bards have long made use of their eloquence, both inspiring their fellow party members during combat and soothing their wounds when at rest. Yet, while inspiring speeches are certainly in their wheelhouse, any character might deliver their own version, customized in any number of ways.
Consider Dragonlance’s Knights of Solamnia. When it comes to rallying their fellow party members, how would each of their orders approach a speech made before a battle? Knights of the Sword might appeal to courageous sacrifice, while Knights of the Crown might speak of loyalty and duty.
Kenders relish a good taunting, which they might work into a speech that effectively ridicules their enemies, dispelling any fears or intimidation.
Even barbarians might drive themselves into a rage either by delivering a fiery speech or hearing one from their fellow players.
Benefits of a Rallying Speech
Aside from the roleplaying theatrics of an inspiring speech delivered on the eve of battle, you might also consider granting a boon to party members. For example, if a player delivers such a speech during a short rest, all party members within earshot could receive one of the following:
- An extra Hit Die of healing
- Removal of a particular effect or a level of exhaustion they may be suffering
- Immunity to the frightened condition (lasting 10 minutes)
- Resistance to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage during their first round of combat
- Advantage on their next Acrobatics, Athletics, or Intimidation check (or other suitable ability check)
- One Bardic Inspiration die (d6)
- Benefits of the Inspiring Leader feat (using the speaker’s level + Charisma modifier)
The Enemy’s Rebuttal
The monsters aren’t exactly wallflowers. They might deliver speeches of their own when readying formation. Dragonlance’s Wersten Kern, for instance, uses her Terrifying Litany ability to recite the names of those slain by Lord Soth and company in order to evoke fear—and inflict the frightened condition. For added effect, you might have her litany include the names of memorable NPCs the party crossed paths with earlier.
The effect of enemy speeches might similarly work to inspire their own troops and lower the party’s morale. However, you might also consider ways it could work to the party’s advantage—for example, physically or magically spying upon an enemy speech might offer the party clues as to their plans and strategies, their champions or targets, or even their particular strengths and weaknesses.
For example, a dragon army officer might be overheard extolling their solders to keep allied dragons in sight to press the advantage (referencing their Draconic Devotion feature). In which case, the players might learn to target any soldiers isolated from dragons. After all, knowing is half the battle, or so it’s been said!
Fill-in-the-Blank: Your Rallying Speech
Need to make a speech before a battle? Below you’ll find a prewritten speech that you can fill in and use at your table. We’ve included a printable handout of it, so you can bring it to your table. The speech is based on Henry V and has been modified for the gaming table with all due respect to the bard of bards.
Bart Carroll works as a Senior Digital Marketing Manager for Wizards of the Coast. He is still afraid of the dark after one viewing of Poltergeist as a child, and once struck out in Little League while simultaneously getting hit by a pitch. His favorite monster is the brain-in-a-jar, and his favorite pasta dish is “any.” He often tries to deflect writing bios by using humor, with various degrees of success.
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