US #5915
2024 Warrior Fighting Red Dragon – Dungeons & Dragons

• One of 10 stamp designs commemorating the 50th anniversary of the wildly popular tabletop roleplaying game, Dungeons & Dragons

Stamp Category: Commemorative
Value: 73¢ First Class Mail Rate (Forever)
First Day of Issue: August 1, 2024
First Day City: Indianapolis, Indiana
Quantity Issued: 45,000,000
Printed by: Banknote Corporation of America
Printing Method: Offset
Format: Panes of 20
Tagging: Phosphor, Block Tag

Why the stamp was issued: To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the tabletop roleplaying game and worldwide phenomenon, Dungeons & Dragons.

About the stamp design: Pictures an illustration of a warrior fighting a red dragon. The image appeared on the box cover of the 1983 D&D Basic Set (“red box”).

First Day City: The First Day of Issue Ceremony took place at Lucas Oil Stadium during Gen Con Indy 2024, a gaming convention in Indianapolis, Indiana.

About the Dungeons & Dragons set: 10 Forever stamps issued for the 50th anniversary of Dungeons & Dragons. They picture 10 different designs showcasing characters, creatures, and encounters from Dungeons & Dragons. The selvage of the pane of 20 pictures a party of adventurers fighting a dragon, a gold 20-sided die (d20), and an example of a Dungeons & Dragons map.

History the stamp represents: In Dungeons & Dragons, not all dragons are created equal. They are divided into two distinct groups – chromatic (evil) and metallic (good). Both are extremely powerful creatures, but each has certain characteristics that set them apart.

Chromatic dragons were birthed by the evil five-headed dragon goddess Tiamat. They can be identified by their solid-color, non-reflective scales and evil natures. Chromatic dragons may be red, black, blue, green, white, brown, purple, gray, yellow, salt, or pink. Each color has a different breath attack that makes them formidable foes. These include fire, ice, lightning, acid, poison gas, and more. Purple dragons (also known as deep dragons) in particular have a special breath ability that confuses and disorients their target.

Chromatic dragons tend to be cruel, cunning, and greedy creatures. As creations and worshippers of the goddess Tiamat, their main goal is to spread violence and destruction everywhere they go. And, of course, to collect as much treasure in their hoard as they can. Unlike metallic dragons, chromatic dragons cannot shapeshift into humanoid or other forms. So at least you won’t have to worry about being eaten by a chromatic dragon you mistook for a harmless traveler!