ELIZABETH CHAIPRADITKUL, MATTHEW DAWKINS , JACQUELINE PENNY HART,

TRAVIS LEGGE, MEGAN MACKIE, ASHLEY MAY, KATRIEL PAIGE, ROMAN TREVISANUT,
STEFFIE DE VAAN, VERA VARTANIAN, ASHLEY WARREN
 CREDITS
Developer: Steffie de Vaan
Writers: Elizabeth Chaipraditkul, Matthew Dawkins,
Jacqueline Penny Hart, Travis Legge, Megan Mackie,
Ashley May, Katriel Paige, Roman Trevisanut, Steffie de
Vaan, Vera Vartanian, Ashley Warren
Editor: Brian Johnson
Art: Alex Sheikman, Nate Pride, Tilen Javornik, Doug
Stambaugh, Gong Studios, Gunhip Revolution Studios,
Guy Davis
Art Direction and Design: Mike Chaney
Creative Director: Richard Thomas

© 2021 Onyx Path Publishing. All rights reserved. Reference to other copyrighted
material in no way constitutes a challenge to the respective copyright holders of
that material.
The Legendlore property and all related concepts are copyright 2021 by Caliber
Comics.
Open game content may only be used under and in the terms of the Open Game
License. Onyx Path, LLC are not affiliated with Wizards of the Coast™. Onyx Path,
LLC makes no claim to or challenge to any trademarks held by Wizards of the Coast™.
This printing of Legendlore is done under Version 1.0a of the Open Gaming License, and the System Reference Doc-
ument, by permission from Wizards of the Coast, Inc.
Designation of Product Identity: The following items are hereby designated as Product Identity in accordance with
Section 1(e) of the Open Game License, version 1.0: Legendlore, all proper nouns, capitalized terms, italicized terms,
artwork, maps, symbols, depictions, and illustrations, except such elements that already appear in the System Reference
Document or have been released as Open Content.
Designation of Open Content: The Open Content in this issue includes the system text of all new classes, new peo-
ples, new monsters, new magic items, and new spells. All other material is Product Identity, especially place names,
character names, locations, story elements, and fiction. No other portion of this work may be reproduced in any form
without permission.
Some of the portions of this book which are delineated OGC originate from the System Reference Document and are
copyright © 2000 Wizards of the Coast, Inc. The remainder of these OGC portions of this book are hereby added to
Open Game Content and, if so used, should bear the COPYRIGHT NOTICE “Legendlore Core Rulebook,” copyright ©
2021 Onyx Path, LLC, all rights reserved.
Visit www.theonyxpath.com

2 – LEGENDLORE –
Introduction 11
Chapter One:
Legend, Backgrounds & Feats 15
Crossing 15
The Many Possibilities of You 16
One You, Many Stories 17
Endings 17
Legacies 18
Legends 18
Choosing Your Legend 18
Avatar of Peace 19
Bane of Ardonia 19
Caln of Stone 20
Regent of Dragons 21
Suzerain of Blossoms 21
Backgrounds and Feats 22
Visitor Backgrounds 22
Academic Education 22
Activist 22
Artist 22
Born into Wealth 23
Entertainer 23
Faithful 24
Farmer 24
High School Student 24
Historian 25
Medical Professional 25
Occultist 26
Roleplaying Aficionado 26
Rural Upbringing 27
Scientist 27
Self-Educated 27
Urban 28
Writer 28
Working Poor 29
Realmborn Backgrounds 29
Ardonian 29
Brachmon 29
Bryzine 30
Carahill 30
Drohm 30
Enchanted Forest 31
Grey Hills 31
Isle of Fantasia 32
O’koth 32
Olardell 32
Feats 33
Adaptable 33
Aim 33
Bare-knuckled Brawler 33
Bargain Finder 33
Battlefield Glance 33
Brutal Hit 33
Broken Sword Initiate 33
– Table of Contents –
Call of Community 33
Cautious 34
Compel 34
Confident 34
Conjunctive Attunement 34
Contortionist 35
Cutting Blow 35
Desperate Rites 35
Diehard 35
Exposure 35
Expression Blank 35
Flames of the Heart 35
Fleet of Foot 35
Gambler 35
Great Fortitude 36
Halo Effect 36
Hear the Cries 36
Hearthfinder 36
Hearty Constitution 36
Hustler 36
Improved Initiative 36
Incredible Might 36
Iron Mind 36
Lightning Reflexes 36
March of Will 37
Mnemonic Mastery 37
Mystical Multitask 37
Nature’s Favor 37
Observant Heart 37
Opportunist 38
Practiced Drinker 38
Pure Mind 38
Quicksilver Wit 38
Rainbow Aura 38
Reasoned 38
Skill Focus 38
Skilled 38
Source Awareness 38
Source Tap 39
Speed Burst 39
Spellscholar 39
Spellslinger 39
Steadfast Companion 39
Summoner’s Strength 39
Sympathetic Sorcery 39
Thrown Weapons Master 39
Chapter Two: People of East Azoth 41
Bryzine Trolls 42
Dwarf 44
Elves 46
Hairfoot 48
Human 50
3
 Orc 52
Pixies 54
Chapter Three: Classes 57
Alchemist 58
Class Features 58
Gunslinger 62
Skilled Warriors 62
Self-Reliant Craftspeople 62
Class Features 62
Gunslinger Specialties 64
Barbarian 66
Ocean Raider 66
Seafaring Soul 66
Undertow Sweep 66
Blood of the North 66
Swirling Strike 66
Woad Painted 66
Ritual Skin Painting 67
Resilient Paint 67
Frightful Symbols 67
Protective Markings 67
Bard 68
Bakhurun 68
Keys to Ancient Power 68
Artisans of Mystic Might 68
Cleric 69
Eye of Othaaris 69
Sense Mehella 69
Holy Shield 69
Channel Divinity: Gaze of Othaaris 69
Divine Protection 70
Searing Mehella 70
Divine Mehella 70
Druid 71
Druid of Fantasia 71
Touch of the Wilds 71
Mark of Beasts 71
Invasive Growth 71
Expansive Magic 71
Fighter 72
O’koth Ranger 72
Field Training 72
Precision Strike 72
Covered Track 72
Lightning Reflexes 73
Instant Counter 73
White Unicorn 73
Battle Skirmisher 73
Unwavering Dedication 73
Intervention 73
Fatal Striking 73
Unicorn Charge 73
4 – LEGENDLORE –
Monk 74
Fist of Othaaris 74
Light of Othaaris 74
Divine Fury 74
Inner Flame 75
Radiant Warrior 75
Way of the Broken Sword 75
Stalwart Protector 75
Shatter the Sword 75
Paladin 76
Oath of Fealty 76
Guardians of the People 76
Swords of the Nation 76
Rogue 78
Hidden Shadow 78
Students of Endless Combat 78
Masters ofthe Silent Death 78
Sorcerer 80
Sourceborn 80
Direct Connection 80
Rare and Powerful 80
Warlock 82
Demon of theShadow Lands 82
Expanded Spell List 82
Fickle Fortune 83
Taking One’s Time 83
Cloak of Chaos 83
Demonic Audience 83
Your Pact Boon 83
The Last Unicorn 83
Expanded Spell List 83
Shield of the Wild 84
Land’s Stride 84
Boon of Old Magic 84
Call to the Last 84
Your Pact Boon 84
Wizard 85
Arcane Artificer 85
Affinity 85
Object’s Talent 85
Knowledge Objectum 87
Chapter Four: Magic, Spells and Rituals 89
Menthruac 89
Focus Items 90
Components 90
Spells 91
Planar Magic 92
Banned Spells 92
Altered Spells 92
Blink 92
Conjure Animals 92
Conjure Woodland Beings 92
Etherealness 94
 Secret Chest 95
New Spells 95
New Spell Descriptions 95
Absorb Mana 95
Alibi 95
Arcane Parry 95
Battlecry 97
Blood Trail 97
Body of Sand 98
Chains of Binding 98
Circle of Sounds 98
Chapter Six :
Cloak of Silence 98
Nations and Dangerous Places 123
Compost 98
Dark Flame 98
Enrage 99
Entrance Animal 99
Exile from Nature 99
Eyeburst 99
Healing Interdiction 99
Imbue Weapon 100
Magic Vestment 100
Rallying Respite 100
Shield Ally 100
Shield the Gathering 100
Source Interference 100
Source Sink 101
Tenacity 101
Violent Scream 101
Wall of Mana 102
Eldritch Invocations 102
Breach the Impermeable 102
Coerce Confession 102
Curse of Dead Blood 102
Familiar Steed 102
Seven League Step 102
Azothian Rituals 102
Learning an Azothian Ritual 103
Casting a True Ritual 103
True Ritual Descriptions 105
Army of Darkness 105
Banishment 105
Bind Planar Entity 105
Coronation 106
Open Crossing 107
Prison of the Ages 107
Reclamation of the Pool 108
Summon Celestial Avatar 108
Summon Demon 109
Summon Shinde Imas 109
Twist the Flesh and Soul 110
Unleash Plague 110
Chapter Five: The Realm 115
The First Humans 115
The Return of Magic and the Elf War 115
The Forever War 116
– Table of Contents –
The Orc War 116
The Attack on Ardonous 116
The Plague War 116
The End of War 117
The Geographyof East Azoth 117
The Seas of Azoth 119
Climate in East Azoth 119
Culture 119
Languages 120
Strange Things 120
Ardonia 123
Principals of Ardonia 123
The White Unicorns 124
Notable Cities 124
Bloody Hills 126
Welcome Village 127
Marks of History 127
Brachmon 128
Ashmedai 128
Cha’Tak 128
Epicurus 129
Iodhan 129
Kamalak 129
Khur-Um 129
Ormuzd 130
Popol-Vah 130
Seth 130
Tigonn 130
Val-Hur 131
Zo-Hur 131
Bryzine 131
Notable Locations in Bryzine 132
Carahill 132
Principals of Carahill 132
Notable Cities 133
Drohm 135
House Spirits of Drohm 136
A Guise of Propriety 136
Principals of Drohm 136
Places to Visit 138
The Enchanted Forest 139
Principals of the Enchanted Forest 140
Places to Visit in the Enchanted Forest 141
Grey Hills 141
Principals of the Grey Hills 142
Places to Visit 142
Isle of Fantasia 143
Principals of the Isle of Fantasia 144
Notable Places 145
O’koth 145
Principals of O’koth 145
Notable Locales 146
Olardell 148
5
 Principals of Olardell 148
Notable Districts 150
Dangerous Places 151
The Black Mountains 151
The Disc of Mylnon 151
Na Laetha Gael 151
Orc Caverns 151
Proud One’s Cave 151
Delora’s House 152
Children of the Highland 152
Mine Trolls’ Hall 152
Pristine Fountain of Fortune 152
Lost Library of Hanlin Yuan 152
Bandit Camp 152
Black Mountain’s Peak 152
Anomalin’s Library 152
Isle of Ardonous 153
The Black Plague 153
Denizens of Ardonous 153
Notable Locations 154
Kingdom of Thorin 154
History 154
The Land of Thorin 155
Night Land 156
The Sanguine Marches 156
The Well of Night 156
Amaranth Hall 156
Orc Lands 156
The Boarelli 157
Lost Places 157
The Library of Alexandria 157
The Mansa’s Sea 158
Shambala 159
The Skies Above 160
Statue of Zeus at Olympia 160
Thule 160
A Legion Forgotten 161
Chapter Seven:
Allies, Adversaries, and Creatures 163
Dwarves 163
Dwarven Bear Rider 163
Elves 164
Elven Bard 164
Grey Hills Giants 164
Stone Giant Marauder 165
Stone Titan 165
Goblins 165
Cave Goblin 166
Forest Goblin 166
Skull Breaker 167
Hairfeet 167
Tracker 167
Cutpurse 168
Hobgoblins 168
6 – LEGENDLORE –
Shadow Blade 168
Humans 169
Epician sea raider 169
Ranger of O’koth 170
Roadside bandit 170
Vile cultist 170
Minotaurs 171
People of the Plains 171
Minotaur slaver 171
Ogres 172
Great Ogre 173
Orcs 173
Ambassador 174
Raid Master 174
Pixies 175
Prankster 175
Swarm of Pixies 175
Trolls 176
Troll 176
Creatures 177
Bat People 177
Demons 178
Dragons 181
Drakes 183
Gol-thim 183
Griffons 184
Night Creatures 185
Rocs 186
Sacred Beasts of the Seasons 187
Serpents 191
Shrieker Mushrooms 191
Skeletons 192
Spawn 193
Werewolves 195
Wyrms 196
Zombies 197
Chapter Eight: Magic Items
and Strange Things 201
Amulet of the Sky Captain 201
Amulet of Weakness 201
Ardonian Air Ship 201
Armor of the Golden Warrior 202
Beacon of the Undead 202
Book of Mena-Ran 202
Book of S’ai Horthus 203
Book of Wyrth 203
Brachmon Travel Bag 203
Can of Refined Acid 203
Chest of Azoth 204
Cloak of Necromantic Aura 204
Collapsible Boat 204
Necklace of Truth 204
Delayed Spell Box 205
Daemon Storm 205
 Daydream Orb 205 Crisis 217
Energetic Lamp 205 Climax 217
Ensorcelled Typewriter 205 Denouement 217
Flask of Unexpected Fortitude 206 End 217
Food Wave Machine 206 Running the Game 217
Gauntlets of Precision 206 The Rule of Cool 218
Glyph of Stealth 206 Laying Down the Law 218
Goggles of True Sight 207 Off the Rails 218
Granite Armor 207 Dealing with Death 219
Hydraulic Exoskeleton 207 Getting Home 220
Iron Mustang 207 Good and Evil, Law and Chaos 221
Key of Infinite Locks 207
Starting Adventure:
Lightning Concentrator 208
Voices from Afar 221
Mechanical Limb 208
Background 222
Mighty Bow 208
Overview 222
Mirror of Echoes 208
Chapter 1 222
Orb of Death 208
Chapter 2 222
Orb of Turning 209
Chapter 3 222
Phantomsong 209
Adventure Hook 222
Plague Ward 210
Chapter 1 — Strange New World 223
Ring of Safe Passage 210
Stampede! 223
Rod of the Heavens 210
A. The Enchanted Forest: Faerie Lights 224
Scope of Far Sight 210
B: The Great Field of A’zoth: Where the Ghosts Roam 225
Shard of Abraxas 210
C. Drohm: Bet on It 226
Sigils of the Gatekeeper 211
D. Brachmon: Wrong End of a Sword 227
Sling of Voltage 211
Chapter 2 — Where Worlds Collide 228
Sonic Cannon 212
Chapter 3 — A World Apart 230
Sword of Drohm 212
Conclusion 233
Sword of Golzim-Ra 212
Continuing Adventures in Azoth 234
Vampiric Rod 212
Pregenerated Characters 234
Ward of Sanctification 212
Cleric of Othaaris, Level 1 235
Watch of Precision 213
Cleric of Othaaris, Level 3 236
Were-Hide Cloak 213
O’koth Ranger, Level 1 237
Woodland Bow 213
O’koth Ranger, Level 3 238
Yu’lldian Blade 213
Grey Hills Barbarian, Level 1 239
Chapter Nine: Grey Hills Barbarian, Level 3 240
Running the Game 215 Fantasian Druid, Level 1 241
Fantasian Druid, Level 3 242
Session Zero 215
Warlock of the Last Unicorn, Level 1 243
Building Your Story 216
Warlock of the Last Unicorn, Level 3 244
Exposition 216
Drohm Rogue, Level 1 245
Inciting Incident 216
Drohm Rogue, Level 3 246
Rising Action 217

– Table of Contents – 7
 “Are you ready for the greatest game of all time?” Con-
nor couldn’t suppress his smile as he led the small group
toward the farthest door in the campus library basement.
“Yeah, but where are we going?” Nichelle asked, her
arms aching from lugging her brother’s books the quarter
mile from the student parking lot, across the campus
green, down the three flights of stairs in the library, and
at last through the maze of book stacks to this singularly
unremarkable door.
“Isn’t this part of the library haunted?” Cardinal asked,
carrying zir own burden of snacks and drinks while
following zir friends.
“What is ze talking about?” Nichelle asked, alarmed.
“Connor, what is Cardinal talking about?”
The well-dressed young man rolled his eyes. “It’s just
an old rumor. Something they like to tell the freshmen
on orientation week.” Pulling the door open, the trio was
greeted by enthusiastic hails from the other two people
already waiting inside.
“Professor, this is Nichelle, and Nichelle this is my
professor of medieval history, Riku Kobayashi,” Connor
introduced, as he set his stack of books on the small,
worn-out conference table.
“Riku or Rickie when I’m the game master,” the pro-
fessor said, the crinkle at the corner of his eye the only
telltale sign of age on his handsome face. The Japanese
professor stood up to offer his hand to Nichelle, who
blushed as she set down her own burden to shake it.
“Thank you for inviting me,” Nichelle returned, sitting
down at the table and pulling her black curls back into
a bun.
“Always great to have a new player. I’ve been running
this game for awhile now. It’s nice to get someone from
the outside.”
“So it’s all right that I’ve never role-played before. I
mean, I have played roles, but…” Nichelle stammered.
“She’s an actress,” Connor explained.
8 – PROP THE DOOR! –
Riku laughed. “Then this should be easy for you. Feel
free to ask any questions you have.”
“I have a question: can we exchange experience points
for grade improvements on the final?” Cardinal asked, as
ze moved past to deposit the grocery bags onto a second,
smaller table set up as their unofficial snack buffet.
“Still no — same as last week,” Riku returned to his
seat behind his game master’s screen.
“I still maintain an elective shouldn’t be held to the
same standards as required classes,” Cardinal waved
zir multi-colored painted nails dismissively.
“This coming from the strictest rules lawyer I’ve known
in the past ten years,” countered Riku smoothly.
“Oh, and Nichelle, this is Terra,” Connor said, gesturing
over the fifth member of the group patiently waiting on
the other side of the table. “She’s an engineering student.”
Terra jumped down from her chair, her eyes just visible
above the table as the little person came around Riku’s
chair with her hand outstretched.
“Nice to meet ya,” Terra declared. “So what’s the story
between you two?” she asked Connor. “Did Kevin break
your heart for good this time?”
“She’s my sister,” Connor said with an edge, before
sliding his character sheet and notes out of a folder.
“Sister?” Terra asked, now looking Nichelle up and
down before glancing over at lily-white Connor.
“His mother married my father,” Nichelle explained.
“We’re step-sibs.”
“Do you know what kind of character you’d like to
play?” Connor interrupted them, pulling out his player’s
guide book, ready to flip to the relevant pages.
“Oh, and Terra, did you bring your new character for
me to check over?” Riku asked, still setting up a dice
tower and miniatures behind his game master’s screen.
“Yes, but I wanted to check one thing quick,” Terra
said, returning to her own chair on the opposite side.
“Hey, Cardinal?”
 “Ye-es?” Cardinal queried dramatically.
“Would you be offended if I played my new character
as non-binary?” the little person asked.
“Absolutely not. Viva representation!” Cardinal added
with a fist bump to the air.
“So, professor,” Nichelle started, “Connor was telling
me this part of the library is haunted?”
Riku barked a laugh. “That is the legend, yes.”
“It happened in the 80s, is what I was told,” Terra added,
getting excited. “A group of engineering students and a
janitor who helped them died in some sort of experiment.”
“It was in the 90s. And it was a group of pre-med stu-
dents who were using this very room to study for exams,”
Cardinal cut in. “They came in to pull an all-nighter, and
disappeared without a trace. All anyone ever found was
their textbooks.”
“And yet it was apparently in the 60s, or at least that’s
what they told me when I was a student here in the 80s,”
Riku laughed. “A group of kids came down here to play
spin the bottle and just vanished. And all that they found
was the bottle.”
“Yeah, that sounds like a curse to me,” Terra laughed.
“Every ten years, the library demands a sacrifice in stu-
dent blood.”
“There would be evidence if it was real, like newspa-
per clippings or something. Unlike you lot, I actually
checked. It’s all just urban legend,” Connor muttered
without looking up as he pre-rolled his dice.
“Oh my lord, you are such a spoilsport,” Nichelle
laughed.
By now Terra has searched her bag and all her papers,
twice, and sighed resignedly: “I must have left my char-
acter sheet in my room. I’ll go get it.”
“Well, please hurry,” Riku said, glancing at the cracked
standardized clock on the stained wall. “I have to pick
up my kids from their mother’s in the morning, so I can’t
be up all night. Once we have Nichelle’s character sheet
done, we’re diving right in.”
“I’ll be ten minutes. Tops,” Terra assured as she picked
up her smartphone and went to the door. She hauled it
open, only to stop in place and stare.
Beyond the door was a nighttime forest bathed in
moonlight.
“What the…” Cardinal’s voice behind her was incred-
ulous, but Terra couldn’t tear her eyes away from the
impossible scene. Fireflies were dancing about in the
warm summer air, where the chill winter frost outside
the library should be.
“That…that can’t be real,” Nichelle said, rising from
her seat.
They all stared silently, unsure of what to do or
say as the sounds of crickets and cicadas strung over
a general humming chorus of night life filtering in
through the door.
– PROP THE DOOR! –
Then Terra finally moved, extending her arm straight
out. Someone behind her gasped at the abrupt gesture,
but all she did was point at the ground. “The light.”
A rectangle of light cut across the grassy ground in
front of the door.
“If it wasn’t real, the light wouldn’t fall on it,” Terra
concluded, as if that was what she needed to believe
what she was seeing.
“Terra, maybe you should back up,” Riku said, taking
charge as he moved toward the door. He set a hand on her
shoulder, to indicate she should move backward, but instead,
the small woman surged forward a step into the grass, in spite
of the cries of dismay from her friends. When the ground
didn’t swallow her whole or turn her into a puddle of ooze,
she bent down and pushed on the turf with her hand.
“It feels real to me.”
With that confirmation, and the absence of dangerous
creatures pouncing on their friend, the others hesitantly
stepped across the threshold into the night-time forest.
“Look at that night sky!” Cardinal exclaimed, pointing
up through the towering dark spires of trees to the stars
beyond.
“It’s sweltering,” Nichelle said, removing her sweater
to tie around her waist.
“Did any of you feel something when we passed
through the door?” Riku asked, turning in a circle to look
back into the library conference room just in time to see
Connor on the verge of crossing the threshold.
“This is amazing!” the young man breathed as he looked
left and right, trying to take it all in before stepping out
himself and letting the door fall shut behind him.
“Prop the door!” Riku called out too late, just as the
door slammed hard into its frame. It utterly disappeared
into the night.
“Oh my g...”
“Where’s the door?”
“I can’t see!”
“We’ve been lost forever and no one will ever know
what will happen to us!”
“It’s been five minutes.”
“I have a paper to finish!”
“Okay, everyone calm down,” Riku shouted over the
frantic panic.
“Wow,” Terra breathed in awe. “Look!”
“What do you mean look? It’s pitch black!” Nichelle
squealed, her voice tight with panic.
“Two moons,” Terra replied.
The group looked up through the towering black trees to
the expanse of stars, now dimming as a smaller, brighter
moon rose to join the larger one in the sky.
“We’re on another planet,” Nichelle breathed. She
turned to look at each of the faces beside her, now much
more visible in the new moonlight.
9
 The Legendlore Roleplaying Game is based on The Realm
and Legendlore comics, in which four friends from Earth find
themselves teleported into a wholly unfamiliar world. They
embark on many adventures, suffering losses and finding love,
in the Realm before finding a way home — and some of them
never do, instead choosing to remain in this world of magic.
The Legendlore comic started as a black-and-white pub-
lication with Arrow Comics in 1986, written by Stuart Kerr
and Ralph Griffith and illustrated by Guy Davis. It then
moved to Caliber Comics and saw several spin-offs such as
one shots featuring the elf Silverfawn, the Daemonstorm,
the Elf-Human War, and a mini-series crossover with the
supernatural zombie comic Deadworld titled Realm of the
Dead. Legendlore counts nearly 60 issues in all, which
were recently digitized, enhanced, and re-published in
five collected volumes. The roleplaying game before you
is based on the first major arc of The Realm, collected in
issues 1-22.
YOU, YOURSELF
Legendlore sees you Cross from Earth into the Realm to
become a changed version of yourself. A songwriter might
find themself a bard, a scientist a wizard, or an activist a
fighter. You may find your body changing to better match
your true self, even adopting a new fantasy appearance if you
so choose. Your identity and memories remain wholly your
own though, and you’ll find no gods or predetermined align-
ments forcing your actions. Crossing also imbues you with a
Legend, which each player designs for themself, that propels
you to greatness and a full embrace of your chosen destiny.
A Diverse World
The Legendlore Roleplaying Game presents a diverse and
inclusive world based on the Legendlore comics. You’ll find
people, including all non-humans, of all colors, genders, and
sexualities in East Azoth. You are always welcome in the Realm.
HOW TO USE THIS BOOK
To run the Legendlore Roleplaying Game, you’ll need
a set of polyhedral dice and the player’s handbook (PHB)
for the 5th edition of the fantasy roleplaying game.
– Introduction –
WHAT HAPPENED TO ….
The Legendlore Roleplaying Game picks
up at the first issue of The Realm. If you read
the comics, you might wonder what happened
to Alex, Dom, Marjorie and Sandra. You may
decide they’re out there fighting Darkoth,
and your players could encounter. Maybe
they never Crossed, or your game is set in an
alternate Realm, and it’s up to you to thwart
the Darklord. The world is yours to create.
Part 1: Character Creation and Play
Chapter 1, Legend, Background & Feats — This chap-
ter deals with Crossing, and transforming you the player
into You the character. Choose a Legend, and optionally
Backgrounds and Feats.
Chapter 2, People of East Azoth — Choose any of the
seven new people for your character.
Chapter 3, Classes — Choose from two new classes, or
fifteen subclasses to existing classes.
Chapter 4, Magic, Spells and Rituals — This chapter
details casting spells and performing rituals in the Realm.
Part 2: The East Azoth Gazetteer
Chapter 5, The Realm — An overview of the Realm’s
history and culture.
Chapter 6, Nations and Dangerous Places — This
details the nations of East Azoth, plus Dangerous Places
as adventure locales.
Part 3: Game Master Section
Chapter 7, Allies, Adversaries, and Creatures —
Friendly and hostile NPCs, as well as mysterious creatures.
Chapter 8, Magic Items and Strange Things — Find
items of sorcery, alchemy, and artifice here.
Chapter 9 Running the Game — The GM chapter, with
a starting adventure and five pregenerated characters.
11
 The four students and their professor stood blinking
in amazement at the world before them.
“We walked through the door into a new world!”
Nichelle began, when a yelp from Terra interrupted.
“My shoes!” the shorter woman cried as she yanked at
the laces. “They hurt. Help me me get them off!” Cardinal
seized the heel of the shoe and pulled. Terra sighed as
the shoe came free, then stared. “What the hell happened
to my foot!”
“Is that hair?” Cardinal asked, as ze continued to hold
the shoe with both hands. “You look like a hobb-”
“Don’t say it!” Terra cut them off. “Never say that to
me!” Her face contorted with a pained expression while
Riku knelt down in front of her to get the other shoe off.
“There! Does that feel better?” Riku asked, but Terra
didn’t respond right away. Looking up he saw both her
and Nichelle staring at him.
“What is it?” he asked, his voice edged with appre-
hension.
“Your ears...” Nichelle said.
Riku stiffened, before slowly raising his fingers to touch
his ears. He withdrew them sharply only to touch them
again, grabbing the upper tips more firmly.
“They have points,” Riku reported. “My ears are
pointed...”
“It’s not just that,” Nichelle said. Breaking all propriety,
she reached down and turned his face toward the light
from the second moon. “You look younger!”
“That can’t be. It’s a trick of the moonlight,” Cardinal
said, only to join Nichelle in staring down at their profes-
sor. Using a painted thumbnail, ze rubbed gently at the
corner of Riku’s eye, where his crow’s feet had once been.
Riku pulled his head away. “Please stop probing me.
Anyone else had any changes?”
“Sort of,” Connor said. All eyes turned to him.
“What’s different about you?” Terra demanded, looking
him up and down.
He shifted awkwardly before lifting up his arm into a
flexed position. The seams of his dress shirt creaked and
split, exposing slices of moon-pale skin.
“Oh, man! That is beyond unfair!” Terra cried. “I get
monster feet and he just gets ripped?”
12 – YOU ALL AREN’T FROM AROUND HERE, ARE YOU? –
“Nichelle? Cardinal? Anything?” Riku asked.
Both looked down at themselves but shook their heads.
“No. Still feel like me,” Cardinal said.
An arrow shot out of the forest thicket, straight at
Nichelle’s head.
Before anyone could react to it, she whipped around
to catch the arrow in midair. Staring at it with wide eyes,
Nichelle’s hand holding the arrow began to shake.
“Nichelle! Are you alright?” Her brother took a step
forward, only to be cut off by another arrow burrowing
into the ground in front of him. At the same time a
short woman burst through the trees, diving out of the
undergrowth.
“Everyone get down!” she shouted as more arrows
whistled after her. She turned in one smooth motion
and raised a large shield. Yet, even as several clunked
against the metal, one of the missiles buried itself into
her shoulder. The stranger screeched in pain but didn’t
lower her only defense.
A raucous group of five creatures laughed and growled
as they stepped forward. Two were armed with bow and
arrow, while the other two had jagged swords, leaving
the largest of them carrying what looked like a glaive
made from a small tree.
“Nowhere to run, Moira!” the largest one cackled,
slapping the haft of his glaive into his empty hand.
“You, lad,” the injured woman grabbed the back of Con-
nor’s shirt to pull him up from where he had dived to the
ground. “You got muscle. You know how to use a sword?”
“What? No? Kind of?” Connor said frantically as he
regained his feet.
“Well, you better decide that’s a yes. Take my sword,”
Moira offered the hilt of her sword for him to take.
Connor swallowed and raised the tip of steel level to
his eyes. Drawing a steadying breath, he looked beyond
to the grinning creatures.
“You, elf,” Moira called, groaning as she forced her
arm to pull out a long dagger, only to drop it. The point
stuck into the ground, its handle directed toward Riku.
Moira turned to heft the shield with her good arm in
time to block a downward sweeping stroke from one
of the creatures. The sword reverberated with a loud
clang. Connor stepped forward at the unofficial gong,
and shouted as he blocked the other sword-creature’s
attack. The two archers took aim and before Riku could
wrap a shaking hand around the handle of the knife, an
arrow bloomed right beside it, forcing him to jerk back.
Instead, it was Nichelle who grabbed the knife. Hefting
it in her palm as if she had been doing it all her life, she
flipped the blade and threw, nailing one of the archers
squarely in the body. The move distracted the other ar-
cher long enough for Terra to bowl hard into their legs,
knocking that one over as well.
“Give me back my treasure, dwarf!” the large creature
roared as he tried to bring his glaive down on Moira’s head
while she was still engaged by the other sword fighter.
Lacking any other weapon, Riku grabbed the arrow
still driven into the ground. The point was unbroken, so
he thrust it hard into the larger creature’s leg right above
the knee. The creature roared, but remained standing and
paused only a heartbeat before bringing the glaive down.
Riku’s effort bought Moira time though, allowing her to
shove off her other attacker and spin around in time to
block the weapon with her shield.
“Ha!” she crowed triumphantly.
At that moment a new source of light flashed to illu-
minate the forest.
“What is that?” Cardinal shouted as ze turned toward
source of the light.
“A way out of this mess,” Moira cried, and she kicked
hard at the knee still bearing Riku’s arrow. Her opponent
bellowed, this time buckling enough for her to disengage.
Dropping her shield, she used her good hand to grab Riku.
“Run!” she shouted, practically dragging Riku behind
her.
With a quickness he hadn’t possessed even when he
was younger, Riku’s feet seemed to find the ground all on
their own and soon he was running beside the dwarf. He
slowed down only a bit to push Cardinal ahead of him.
“Run! Towards the light!” Riku shouted.
“How do you know that’s not...” Cardinal started to
ask before ze dodged out of the way of a fresh arrow.
“Connor!” Nichelle cried to her brother.
“Just go!” he shouted, blocking another body blow that
was strong enough to push him back a step, even though
the creature was far smaller than himself.
“Back off!” Terra screeched, and then there was a flash.
The creatures shrieked, dropping their weapons as they
covered their eyes.
“I’m blind,” Connor said, standing in disbelief. “What
was that?”
“…just my camera phone,” Terra said, shocked at how
effective that was, before turning to run again. She pulled
Connor, still blinking to regain his sight, with her.
“This way!” Moira’s shout echoed off the trees. “Hurry,
or you’re going to be left behind!”
Nichelle, Riku and Cardinal rushed forward to help
Connor up onto the source of the light, a smooth round
platform seemingly made of crystal.
“Get behind me,” Moira ordered, placing herself and
her shield between the group and the creatures once
– YOU ALL AREN’T FROM AROUND HERE, ARE YOU? –
again on their trail. “We have to hold them off until the
Disc moves.”
“The Disc?” Terra asked, staring down at herself
reflected in the crystalline floor. She didn’t receive
any further clarification as a tree shook nearby — the
largest creature was coming toward them, using his
glaive as a machete. His blows sent shards of bark and
wood flying.
“We need to run!” Riku said, laying a hand on Moira’s
shoulder.
She shrugged him off. “Stand your ground, elf,” she
growled through her teeth before shouting, “Come on,
I’m ready for you!”
The encouragement wasn’t needed as the creature
bore down on the dwarf, swinging the glaive to take
Riku’s head off.
Light shot up from the Disc into the sky.
For an eternity, there was nothing but radiating white
and the hollow lack of all sound.
And then the world reformed around them, revealing
daylight rather than night. Blinking in the bright morn-
ing light, the small, bedraggled group took a collective
sigh of relief. Cardinal’s legs gave out and ze slumped
onto the group. Terra stumbled forward and leaned on
zir shoulder.
“Connor, are you alright?” Nichelle asked, kneeling
down beside her brother as he sat up.
Passing his hand in front of his eyes, he formed a re-
lieved smile. “I’m starting to see again.”
“Thank heaven,” she breathed in relief and sat down
next to him on the ground.
“What? Why? What?” Riku gasped as he stared in a
daze at the dismembered arm of the creature, still hold-
ing the glaive.
“Steady there, elf-boy,” Moira said, dropping her shield
to the ground with a charming, crooked smile. “Don’t
need you passing out on us. Especially since I seem to
be about to...” she fell, and would have tumbled to the
ground if Cardinal hadn’t caught her.
“Hey, lady!” Nichelle called, as she joined Cardinal on
Moira’s other side. “What was her name?”
“That creature called her Moira,” Riku said, still looking
like he was about to faint.
“Can you help her?” Nichelle asked, staring down at
the arrow still in Moira’s shoulder.
“I don’t know. I’m just pre-med. I start EMS training
this summer,” Cardinal said as ze pulled back the clothing
around the arrow — and then zir hands ignited with a
warm, red light.
The light poured out into Moira’s wound, the puncture
closing up and pushing the arrow out. The next second,
Moira opened her eyes and sat up.
“How lucky am I to run into a Priest of Othaaris,” she
said, grinning and rubbing her shoulder.
“A who?” Cardinal asked, stunned, as the light faded
from zir fingers. “How did I do that?”
Now it was Moira’s turn to blink. She looked at each of
their faces. “You all are not from around here, are you?”
13
T his chapter deals with your first forays into the Realm,
and transformation from you the player to You the
character. We talk about Crossings and Legends, as well as
Backgrounds and Feats. While most Backgrounds and Feats
deal with characters hailing from Earth, you’ll find more
than enough for Realmborn characters to choose from.
Crossing
T
he Realm touches many other planes, including Earth,
and where it does, Crossings might appear. These are
pathways, naturally occurring or coaxed through magic,
where people may move between Earth and the Realm.
Not every Crossing goes two ways, and people from
Earth might find themselves inadvertently Crossed into
the Realm and then stuck there until they painstakingly
find a Crossing back home.
A Crossing can be anything. Storytellers from the Realm
sing of strangers down on their luck, selling off their
possessions until they come across a bracelet from their
childhood — in the time of their greatest need, that bracelet
became a Crossing so the stranger might enter the Realm
and start their life anew. Tales from Grey Hills to as far
as the Erebus Sea tell of mirrors, or pools of water being
Crossings, other worlds lying just behind their surface
reflections. A Crossing can be a battered suitcase locked
in an attic and forgotten until just now, a hatbox, a crystal
pendant necklace, a porcelain doll, a crayon drawing or
folded papercraft. A Crossing does not sit fully in either
Earth or the Realm, nor does it have a fixed value. The item
that acts as a Crossing can be worth five dollars or five
hundred anything from a brightly colored bauble from a
vending machine, to a priceless family heirloom.
This very book could be a Crossing.
Some Crossings have conditions to their use. A suitcase
handed down from an adventuring uncle is a Crossing, but
it only opens into the Realm when his nephew is present.
– Crossing –
WHAT’S THAT
IN MY POCKET
You Cross into the Realm with whatever items
you have on you — your jacket (leather jackets can
count as light armor), whatever coins are in your
pockets, perhaps the book you were reading, and
in all likelihood, your cell phone. Unfortunately,
the world-shifting energies involved in Crossing
tend to short-circuit most technology. If the Game
Master is so inclined, players may roll a d100 for
each piece equipment — modern technology has
a 15% survival rate, and anachronistic technology
20%. The Game Master can also simply use
their own discretion to name which pieces of
technology did and did not survive, based on the
needs of their game. The Game Master can also
use these items to give the characters a monetary
head start in the Realm — a little searching can
always yield traders willing to purchase strange
items from Earth, or exchange local currency for
Euros or Dollars.
Another Crossing might only work for people over eighteen
years of age. Another Crossing might have its condition
hidden in plain sight, like a friendship bracelet that only
opens into the Realm in the presence of friends, or perhaps
when one friend decides to pass on the treasured gift to a
new acquaintance. Some Crossings like to hide themselves,
sitting in a forgotten corner of a cherished vacation spot,
only to appear when a group of friends travels there together.
In the case of Alex, in the first issue of The Realm, the
treasure chest he finds on his late uncle’s property is a
Crossing capable of transporting him and his friends,
though its specific activation mechanism remains unclear.
15
 It is, however, rare that an item is already known to be a
Crossing, as that would imply the person who knew of the
item not only discovered it was a Crossing, but used it to go
to another world, then successfully returned to Earth to tell
the tale. A hero returning from the Realm should keep the
importance of their Crossing under proverbial wraps, lest
Earth governments travel to the Realm en masse for trade
— or less innocuous motives. That’s if people even believe
them. Someone who is not discreet about their Realm adven-
tures and the Crossing they used to travel between worlds
could easily have family seek to disinherit them for telling
lies or being prone to flights of fancy, have their own assets
placed under conservatorship, or be forcefully committed to
a hospital. Even if it does not go that far, rumors and gossip
about their “delusions” would easily spread. The returning
hero might meet old friends who now turn away from them
in the grocery store or on the street, afraid to be seen with
them. But suppose their friends and family believe them.
Now what? The hero can take them on their next Crossing,
and thus place their loved ones in mortal danger. They can
refuse to take them, and see their envy grow with tales of
every new adventure. No, best to keep quiet.
While you as a player have no fear of such things hap-
pening to you, your character — your You in the game
— might very well realize the danger of telling classmates,
colleagues, or family about the Realm. Groups who want
to run an Earth-heavy campaign could also consider rivals
following them into the Realm. If they do though, the rival
should be wholly fictional — you can’t create simulacra of
unconsenting people in your game.
Easing complications a little, time can pass differently in
the Realm than on Earth depending on the group’s needs.
A Realm-focused adventure may benefit from having very
little time pass on Earth, while an adventure with more
Earth intrigue, or an adventure that relies on a “getting back
home” plot may benefit from time passing at a similar rate
in both worlds. Related to that, different times may Cross
from Earth to the same moment in the Realm — it’s wholly
possible to encounter Allied forces from 1944 keen to get
back home and fight some Nazis.
The Many
Possibilities of You
C rossing brings out the You in you. That is to say, the
fantasy version of you (or rather, the parts of yourself
you wish to share at the table) as a Legendlore character.
A woman taking martial arts classes to defend herself,
and who possesses a strong sense of not wanting anyone to
control her ever again, sees those aspects of herself enhanced
after she crosses into the Realm. She may become a fighter,
or she may show talent as a wizard due to her self-discipline
and control. If a man puts on a show of being a gym rat, but
secretly yearns to be in a band or loves to write poetry, he
16 – CHAPTER ONE: LEGENDS, BACKGROUNDS, AND FEATS –
I KNOW THIS GAME
You, the player, might be an avid roleplayer.
Your character can be too — roleplaying games
exist in Legendlore’s Earth — and this may
indeed give you a leg up as you should easily
recognize the common threads from one fanta-
sy game to another. In fact, the only thing that
does not exist in the version of Earth presented
in the Legendlore Roleplaying Game,
are the Legendlore comics. The reason for this
is narrative — the Realm’s “now” is the same as
when Alex, Dom, Sandra and Marjorie arrive,
and we wouldn’t want your character to go in
with spoilers.
may become a bard after the Crossing. Most modern tech-
nology does not exist within the Realm, but a person who
loves computer programming may find their calling as a
bard or a wizard, speaking power and bending reality with
their words. Their personality does not change, but Crossing
offers new opportunities to bring their inside to the outside.
Crossing also effects physical changes in your character
to match You best. A girl assigned male at birth might find
her body changed or remaining the same, depending on
the player’s view of herself. If a player has glasses, and
their sense of self includes said glasses, the character
retains them after Crossing — if not, they now have 20/20
vision. The same goes for hearing aids and other devices.
Crossing ensures that contacts, wheelchairs, joint braces,
pacemakers, and any other medical aids that might require
power sources or precise and tiny electronics now run on
a mysterious ancient magic so long as their bearer remains
in the Realm. If someone has a chronic illness but wishes
to live a life without such constant pain, their self after the
Crossing simply does not have it. However, it is also possible
for that same person to want to keep their chronic illness,
feeling that their life has been shaped and formed alongside
and inseparable from their condition. It is likewise possible
for a person who experiences nonverbal episodes, such as
via autism spectrum or trauma, to be verbal if they wish it,
just as it is entirely possible for these people to be nonverbal
in the Realm as well. Every Crossing accepts all without
judgment, and changes each to their most inner self.
Likewise, You can be changed during the Crossing to take
a form more fierce, more elegant, hardier, or simply more
sneaky, and transform from human into any of a number
of other peoples not found on Earth. People of the Realm
still distinguish these transformed individuals as Earthborn
rather than Realmborn, despite them having the same
physique as indigenous inhabitants — it takes only a short
conversation to realize the Earthborn elf doesn’t have the
pre-existing connections and knowledge of Realm histo-
ry that a Realmborn elf would. Some elves will consider
this Earthborn elf akin to a distant cousin, while others
immediately classify them as a Visitor, but all accept the
Earthborn is one of them at heart.
So what happens if you, the player, have a family? If you
have a beloved partner who would come back home from
work, or who would travel to your city for the weekend
only to see you missing and assume the worst — and with
no closure, no body to mourn and bury? What happens if
you are a parent yourself? As time passes differently and
unpredictably between Earth and the Realm, You might
not be able to stand being in another world for so long
without the presence of your loved ones beside you, even
in a fictional story.
Fortunately, You have options.
One You, Many Stories
You contain many possibilities. In some timelines You
took the first job you saw, even if it crushed you, and your
curiosity and ambition took years to recover from that harsh
environment. In other timelines, You came out earlier than
you did in the present one. All of these, at their core, are
You: but they represent branches, different stories.
We call these instances Other You.
Other You is a bit like an alternate version. A parent
who passes through a Crossing emerges as themself from
a time in their life before they became a parent. Perhaps
this Other You does not have family to care for during
their illnesses and disability with all the obligations and
dynamics that might bring. This is a You before entering
the military, or before that cross-country move. This might
be a You who did not have estranged siblings due to family
trauma. This might be a You who dumped their first love
because they saw the red flags earlier, or who asked that
high school crush to prom, or that college sweetheart to
the swing dancing class — or who refused to bow to the
pressure of keeping your loves secret out of fear of hatred
and violence. This is a You who did not get kicked out of
their family — a You who was accepted early on for who you
were, or who got help instead of struggling for years. This
is the You who decided to be an activist, or a You who went
into dance, when the people all around you had told you
it was dangerous. This is the Other You who took another
path, who wrote another branch, in the story in your life.
The Crossing would reveal this You as well, and players
are encouraged to discuss their options and desires with
the Game Master for their game. As the Game Master’s
role is to help coordinate the stories of the characters and
their scenario, this is a perfect time to start talking about
playful exploration, creativity, and the many possibilities
of the game.
Sometimes loved ones cannot be left behind; sometimes
obligations are too great to just imagine You running off
suddenly to a realm of magic away from our own. This Other
You comes from an alternate reality, one of many paths not
– The Many Possibilities of You –
SESSION ZERO
Characters in Legendlore are represen-
tations, or aspects, of the players. That brings
nuances and vulnerabilities to bear which require
a Session Zero, detailed more fully in Chapter
Nine. Get together before the campaign starts
and talk about expectations for the game (which
themes would players like to explore), as well as
soft and hard boundaries. In a player asks the
Game Master to tread lightly around a certain
topic, they should do so — and check in frequently
to confirm the player is still okay. If a player asks
the Game Master to avoid another topic entirely,
they should to that too. The characters in the game
are the people at the table, and people should
be treated with kindness and respect.
taken, and so has the freedom to have adventures — and
possibly their own idiosyncrasies and baggage, from their
different experiences — but is still fundamentally Your
personality and You all the same.
These ideas of “You” and “Other You” might seem a fine
distinction to players, but they are an important one. As a
player making a version of yourself for a character, you are
empowered to bring only those aspects of yourself into the
Realm that you wish to.
Endings
Empowerment and collaboration also are important if a
character dies during the game’s story. The group should
avoid “Your character is dead now, Erik, join us again when
we start a new campaign three months from now.” Leg-
endlore is a game of collaborative storytelling, of finding
your character’s Legend, and the Realm can reincarnate a
Visitor if their story isn’t over yet. Reincarnation doesn’t
always mean the character returns exactly the same though,
or with all of their memories and experiences intact, and
exploring this — via a quest to find someone who can
reincarnate a group member, or questing for memories of
their old life — becomes part of the story. Other ways to
handle character death include seeking out Othaaris to ask
for their return, or pursuing leads on ancient and secret
magics. During these stories, the player of the deceased
character can temporarily play an interim character, or
an existing NPC. The Game Master and player could also
just decide that the Legend of that specific character isn’t
finished yet, and some twist of fate kept them going when
all seemed lost.
If reincarnation or returning from near death is not in
the proverbial cards, the player can also use an Other You.
While the character’s death can be an opportunity for the
players and the Game Master to explore themes of sacrifice
17
 and legend, bringing in an Other You ensures the player
can stay within the game and enjoy themself.
Legacies
Y
ou are not the first from Earth to travel to the Realm.
The Realm has had Visitors before, and each time
these Visitors left something behind, whether it be science,
architecture, or even accidental technology. Some Visitors
became stranded and formed their own communities out
of an immediate need for survival. These communities can
still be found in the Realm, though they tend to be pockets
of isolation and have their own customs and concerns.
Sharp-eyed Visitors may recognize aspects of their own
world appearing in the Realm as inexplicable phenomena.
In the depths of a forest, they may encounter a glider plane
abandoned with vines anchoring it to the soil, its metal
rusting and markings faded under a strange sun its paint
was never meant to withstand. These phenomena are
considered Strange Things throughout the Realm. Another
Visitor may recognize the glider as a type of plane, even if
they do not recognize the exact make or precise time from
which it stems. A group of Earthborn may recognize the
local word for the glider, borrowed from words they might
recognize just as the words for “aeroplane” or “aluminum”
might sound similar between different languages on Earth.
Areas with previous contact with Visitors may have words
like these but see them misapplied. An airplane chassis may
be identified with the word “aluminum.” A pack of military
rations may be called by words like “guard” or “emergency.”
Not all places frequented by past Visitors are abandoned,
however. Living communities descended from stranded
Visitors grow and flourish, and some things Visitors brought
are now considered part of the societies they connected
themselves to. These can be as obvious as distinctive ar-
chitectural styles brought over from times and places in
Earth’s history. Styles of armor may also show influence
from different cultures from Earth, and an artisan within
the Realm may know of several different styles and their
relative strengths and weaknesses. Visitors may also
recognize the use of certain decorations and techniques,
such as a specific flower pattern popular in Norway or the
technique of making the paper room-partitions or thatched
roofs traditional in Japanese architecture. There may be
gargoyle-like statuary from medieval Europe, or statues of
other fierce protectors with teeth bared that show inspira-
tion from India or China. Alchemists across the Realm are
slowly discovering the facets of metalworking needed to
make intricate clockworks, and a rare few are tentatively
perfecting the chemistry needed to make black powder, after
Visitors brought knowledge of these innovations into the
Realm. It is even rumored that some Visitors came to the
Realm with their weapons, and in trying to find a way to
maintain them in their new lands inadvertently introduced
new martial disciplines.
18 – CHAPTER ONE: LEGENDS, BACKGROUNDS, AND FEATS –
The nation of Ardonia embraced virtually every scien-
tific innovation it encountered, its artificers doing what
they could to perfect and integrate these advances into
their society. Magic-users are extremely rare within its
boundaries as hypotheses, statistics, and experiments now
carry Ardonia toward the skies using skillful manipulation
of flame and air currents. Visitors may recognize these for
what they are — scientific experiments harnessing prin-
ciples of alchemy and artifice instead of the Earth laws of
physics. Electricity becomes ambaric energy, or harnessed
aether. Scientists become alchemists and artificers. But to
many people within the Realm, the wonders of science are
still difficult to distinguish from the wonders of magic. If
someone can produce a ball of flame on command, it matters
little to onlookers whether they do so through a controlled
reaction of the necessary chemical compounds, or a spell
using more arcane components kept in a special pouch.
Legends
C
rossing doesn’t just change a Visitor; it attaches a
Legend to them — threads of destiny and fate which
propel Visitors onward in their story. You can choose and
design your Legend during character creation, meaning
you know what your character’s destiny is even if they
must still uncover it. Alternatively, you can wait until
you’re a few sessions in and you have a clear sense of
where you want to take your character. While you should
design a Legend at some point — it’ll contribute to your
character’s story and give you a way to earn Legend
Points — you’re under no obligation to do so immediately.
The Legend mechanic represents the character’s destiny,
such as Regent of Dragons or Avatar of Peace. Whenever a
character does something momentous like defeating Zarkon
(which grants Legend Points to all involved), or takes an action
that resonates with their own Legend such as refusing to let
their party members kill Zarkon because they’re the Avatar of
Peace, the player earns a Legend Point. Players can keep the
point to themselves or place it in the communal Legend Pool.
Players can spend Legend Points, either from their own or
the communal pool, to gain advantage on an attack roll, saving
throw, or ability check. They can also spend it to introduce a
narrative element such as “The guard carries the keys to our
cell on his belt,” or add a friendly Game Master character to
the scene in the manner of Silverfawn, Diggorous, or Pilden
from the Legendlore comics. A player who hasn’t chosen a
Legend yet can, so long as their character is part of this group
of Visitors, still use Legend Points from the communal pool.
Legend replaces the inspiration mechanic (not to be
confused with Bardic Inspiration).
Choosing Your Legend
The player works with the Game Master to design a
Legend for their character. Perhaps they’re trying to not
spread any more violence than absolutely necessary for
self-defense, and you want their destiny to reflect that com-
mitment to peaceful solutions: thus, you choose the “Avatar
of Peace” Legend. With a basic concept chosen, you should
now decide what kind of actions garner a Legend Point.
An Avatar of Peace could choose to defuse situations by
talking it out, or through other nonviolent means, thus gar-
nering Legend Points. They also build their Legend through
relatively minor actions: the choice to get both sides of a story
before coming to conclusions, or getting more context about a
situation before rushing in with swords drawn might seem like
small things, but are still steps toward realizing their Legend.
Likewise, if they helped a diplomat broker peace between two
settlements, avoiding a blood feud or war, that momentous
action would also warrant gaining Legend Points.
Every Legend comes with one positive and one negative
attribute, which inform how people within the Realm respond
to that Legend. There is great diversity in responses across the
peoples of the Realm. For example, the people of Brachmon
might think the Avatar of Peace is dragging their heels as
Darkoth attacks Brachmon. Meanwhile the people of Ardonia,
committed to Othaaris as Goddess of Healing, might revere
them. The player can also choose an internalized positive and
negative, such as a peacemaker who refuses to punch Nazis
even if they sometimes probably should. These positive and
negative attributes serve to further the character’s narrative,
and a player may earn Legend Points by leaning into them in
a way that’s enjoyable for the group of players.
Lastly, the player should pick two skills, languages, or
tools in which their Legend grants them proficiency. An
Avatar of Peace might choose from Intelligence (History)
to better navigate historical divides, Wisdom (Insight) to
see how to best coax an enemy from violence to negotia-
tions, and Charisma (Persuasion) to convince that enemy
to commit to such negotiations. Note that this gives player
characters in Legendlore two extra proficiencies compared
to characters in other games, should you wish to do a cross-
over game at some point.
A group of players can also choose a communal Legend
for their characters. If the characters are dedicated to
exploring all the nations of the Realm, their players might
collectively decide on a Legend such as “The Four Corners,”
in reference to reaching the very edges of the Azothian
map. Legend Points from a shared Legend automatically
go into a communal pool, though the Game Master should
still award a point for each character — if a group of four
travels to the far reaches of Brachmon, that warrants four
Legend Points for their communal pool.
It is possible for a character to work against their destiny,
or to try to refuse the call — after all, just because the player
thinks it’s awesome to be the “Bane of Ardonia” doesn’t
mean the character is immediately on board, despite their
many similarities. Exploring a Legend and the character’s
reactions toward it can be a way for a player to explore
themes of will, perception, and complex motivations. If a
character commits selfish or evil acts, they may have initially
– Legends –
thought they were doing something good or justify the
behaviors by saying that they are keeping order in the land.
Maybe the hero does not think they deserve their Legend.
Maybe they feel like they have made too many mistakes in
their life. Stories abound of the reluctant hero who must
learn about themself or get past their own preconceived
notions first to grow into their role. This is a chance for
You to grow into Your Legend and become such a hero!
We offer five sample Legends below but encourage
players and Game Masters to design their own to fit their
campaign. Every Legend has both a positive attribute and
a negative attribute, and grants proficiency to a combined
two skills, languages, or tools.
Avatar of Peace
The Realm is preparing for war. The nations of the south
may not realize it yet, but Darkoth’s attack on Brachmon
is only an opening salvo. If he conquers Brachmon, he’ll
move to Grey Hills and the Enchanted Forest next. You are
going to stop him — not through war, but by persuading the
people of Drohm to lay down their arms. Darkoth’s plans
won’t go anywhere if he doesn’t have an army. As a negative,
you are so committed to peace that this includes Darkoth
himself, who is unlikely to be dissuaded by your words.
Proficiencies: Choose Two: Intelligence (History),
Wisdom (Insight), Charisma (Persuasion), tea kit toolset
(aids in peaceful talks)
LEGENDARY REPUTATION
Thus far, East Azoth takes little notice of Drohm’s attack
on Brachmon. As a result, most are initially unlikely to
have an opinion on your ideals. Once word spreads though,
Brachmon’s immediate neighbors in Grey Hills and the
Enchanted Forest will think you naive and blind to the facts.
Meanwhile the southern nations, who are not currently a
target for Drohm, will embrace your ideals.
LEGEND POINTS
Examples of when this Legend grants Legend Points:
• When you refuse to commit violence even in self-de-
fense
• When you persuade others to lay down their arms
• When you lead negotiations for peace
Bane of Ardonia
Ardonia is a nation of great scientific advances, governed
by a religion of peace under Othaaris. However, they’re
also isolationist and have physically walled themselves off
from East Azoth. Their wall will only keep good people
and legitimate ideas out — those who’d respect Ardonia’s
self-imposed isolation — while bad people and awful ideas
will find a way to sneak through. In short, it needs to go.
You are a revolutionary with ideals of a larger connected
19
 world. As a negative, you sometimes lose yourself in
your vision for Ardonia and forget that the Ardonians
need a little time to come around.
Proficiencies: Choose Two: Charisma (Intimida-
tion), Charisma (Persuasion), Intelligence (History),
Intelligence (Religion)

LEGENDARY REPUTATION
Ardonia’s neighbors in O’Koth, Carahill, and the
Enchanted Forest, as well as more open-minded
Ardonians, support your cause. Meanwhile Drohm,
which prefers Ardonia not interfere with its plans for
conquest, and more fearful Ardonians don’t like you.

LEGEND POINTS
Examples of when this Legend grants Legend Points:
• When you get an Ardonian to consider whether
a wall really protects them

• When you make a compelling case against the

wall, even if you go unheeded

• When you further your own understanding of

why the wall exists, and why the Ardonians
cling to it — you needn’t agree with them, but
you should know their reasons

Caln of Stone
“This far and no further.” Stone represents stability,
fortitude, and uncompromising will. This Legend’s pos-
itive features relate to construction and stability, whether
literally rebuilding a city’s structures or helping to “hold
the line” in a great battle. The negative features include
stagnation, isolation, and self-delusion. Great defenders
and spiritual leaders have been Calns of Stone: so too have
extremists, convinced what they do is right no matter what.
Proficiencies: Choose two: Charisma (Intimida-
tion), Strength (Athletics), tinker’s tools, mason’s tools

LEGENDARY REPUTATION
People from Ardonia, Drohm, and Grey Hills admire
your steadfastness, as they hold to the same determi-
nation and long-term vision. The people of Carahill,
the Enchanted Forest, Olardell and Brachmon take a
more ad hoc approach to life, and often find you too
set in your ways.

LEGEND POINTS
Examples of when this Legend grants Legend Points:
• Facing a great dilemma (internal or external)
and not compromising on your values

• Repairing buildings in a destroyed village

20 – CHAPTER ONE: LEGENDS, BACKGROUNDS, AND FEATS –

 • Defending one of of a city’s significant structures
from attack or disaster, to help preserve the city’s
history
Regent of Dragons
“Know thy own self.” Dragons in the Realm symbolize
wisdom, justice, and ferocity. They passed into stories
long ago, though rumors abound of dragons waiting — or
lurking — in isolated mountains and caves, furthering the
popular belief that dragons reward wisdom and destroy
the foolish. A Regent of Dragons is skilled at discerning the
motives of people, and weighing how groups have acted in
the past, to inform judgments and decisions in the present.
Proficiencies: Choose two: Wisdom (Insight), Intelli-
gence (History), a language of choice
LEGENDARY REPUTATION
When people discover you are Regent of Dragons, many
will come to ask questions of you and seek your judgment.
However, a Regent of Dragons knows that the path to
wisdom is one of continual learning, and while you try
to judge fairly, fair judgments may not be what a person
seeks of you: nor can you advise everyone, for you are just
one person. Elves especially try to make friends with a
Regent of Dragons, though such a Legend is esteemed by
all peoples. However, people from across the Realm might
see a Regent of Dragons as too selfish when such a Regent
acknowledges the limits of their own emotional capacity,
resources, or other capability, and these people will often
try to undermine your Legend.
LEGEND POINTS
Examples of when this Legend grants Legend Points:
• Dispensing justice and bringing reconciliation be-
tween two battling groups
• Teaching others a skill or subject for an extended
period of time (GM discretion)
• Acknowledging the limits of your own knowledge,
resources, and capacity; seeking out or recommend-
ing others who may be better able or better equipped
to help
– Legends –
Suzerain of Blossoms
“Each person possesses their own worth.” This Legend
encourages people in seeking out their own paths, in en-
couraging and cultivating their own strengths and talents.
Among the Elves, the song of the Suzerain of Blossoms is
called the Song of Worth and sung when a family gains a
member or when an adult member goes off on their own.
A Suzerain of Blossoms is often observant, thus more able
to notice the actions and aspirations of those around them.
However, negative features of this Legend include not
being able to tell when individual responsibility ends and
collective responsibility begins.
Proficiencies: Choose two: Wisdom (Insight), Wisdom
(Perception), a language, a musical instrument, a single
set of tools
LEGENDARY REPUTATION
A Suzerain of Blossoms often knows what it is like
to lose hope, or to be jealous of someone else’s skill,
talent, or some other feature. Perhaps you realize you
are a Suzerain of Blossoms after years of acting as your
only cheerleader, and after several in the Realm benefit
from your encouragement. All people ostensibly esteem
a Suzerain of Blossoms, but your Legend in encourag-
ing others sometimes has unintended consequences.
A person skilled at martial pursuits may later become
a great war-master. A person skilled at performance
may become a renowned bard able to not only recite a
lovely speech, but perhaps also turn demands for justice
into either halfhearted murmurs or riots. A Suzerain of
Blossoms thus often struggles with issues of boundaries
and responsibilities.
LEGEND POINTS
Examples of when this Legend grants Legend Points:
• Encouraging someone who is in despair or in the
midst of failure
• Helping a person or group practice a skill or subject
for an extended period of time (GM discretion)
• Acknowledging the limits of your own responsibility,
and that other people have their own choices to make
(GM discretion)
21
 Backgrounds and Feats
H ere you’ll find backgrounds, for Visitors and Realmborn
alike, as well as feats to customize your character.
Visitor Backgrounds
T hese backgrounds represent the life experience
Visitors bring with them, and how that translates
to skills in the Realm.
Academic Education
Learning is center stage in your life. You probably own more
books than anyone you know, and you know your way around
the cadences of academic writing and speech — in other words,
you know how to sound erudite, informed on a subject even
when you’ve only got a surface-level understanding, and you’re
able to convince others you know what you’re talking about.
In addition, that basic understanding is, for you, a gateway to
more learning, because you’ve done so much research you could
probably do it in your sleep at this point.
After the Crossing, you’re simultaneously the most out of
place and the readiest to adapt to meet the demands of the
strange world you’ve found yourself in. Free of deadlines
and lengthy papers, now you have adventure and danger
to see yourself and your friends through.
Skill Proficiencies: Choose two from Investigation,
History, Religion, Nature, or Persuasion
Tool Proficiencies: Choose two from alchemist’s tools,
navigator’s tools, cartographer’s tools
Equipment: Notebooks, textbooks, a set of common
clothes, your tools
FEATURE: RESEARCHER
When you don’t know a particular piece of information,
you can deduce where you might find it. Typically, this is
from a sage, a library, a university, or another such source of
learning. Your GM might rule that difficult-to-find knowl-
edge is available but difficult to access, such as buried in a
forgotten temple or hidden in the library of a notoriously
wicked noble. The deeper the secret, the greater the effort
necessary to unearth it; only the deepest and most obfuscat-
ed knowledge should be totally out of reach of a dedicated
researcher, however.
SUGGESTED CHARACTERISTICS
You’re curious, and usually highly motivated to learn —
especially if new information concerns your specialty. You
tend to be performance-oriented, and exceptional at work-
ing under pressure when it comes to an academic context.
22 – CHAPTER ONE: LEGENDS, BACKGROUNDS, AND FEATS –
Activist
You always had a spark inside you, ready to kindle into
flame at the slightest hint of injustice. This probably got you
marked as a troublemaker, but you couldn’t care less — what
matters is the end result. Whether you fight for economic
or social issues, you’re a born organizer, and you know how
to make people care about the issues you’ve dedicated your
life to. In your mind, this is just the Right Thing to Do.
After the Crossing, you found plenty of things rousing you
to righteous action, be it slavery, wealthy nobles oppressing
humble peasants, or even simple antipathy between the
different peoples of the Realm. You never met a just cause
you wouldn’t fight for, and this is no different — just be
careful not to let your mouth write a check that you (and
your friends) can’t cash.
Skill Proficiencies: Acrobatics, Sleight of Hand
Tool Proficiencies: Lockpicking kit and disguise kit
Equipment: Common clothes, markers, a mask or
balaclava
FEATURE: POWDER-KEG
Wherever you go, you have a natural sense for power
dynamics, and Crossing to the Realm hasn’t changed that.
Once per session, when encountering an NPC in a position
of authority, you may ask the GM what that NPC is most
disliked for, and by whom. The answer need not be specific
but should provide a starting point for you to dig deeper
into the social milieu for potential allies or enemies.
SUGGESTED CHARACTERISTICS
Activists start shit. Comforting the afflicted and afflicting
the comfortable is your entire raison d’être. Empowered to
fix problems with direct action, you’re not about to back
down. Remember, though, that direct action doesn’t have
to mean violence. You could just as easily organize tenant
farmers into a union or distribute food and medical supplies
in the wake of a disaster and make as much difference or
more than you might swinging a broadsword around.
Artist
Creativity is your lifeblood. As a child, you doodled in the
margins even when you were told not to, and as an adult
you’ve trained your skills to the point where — if you want
to — you could actually make money doing this. You’re no
stranger to paint-stained fingers, hands that smell of pho-
tographic development chemicals, or wrist braces to guard
against the repetitive stress injuries of creating digital art.
Your eye is ever on the lookout for inspiration, for some-
thing that will find its way into a piece you’re thinking of,
directly or otherwise.
One might think that in the Realm art is a luxury, but that’s
a far cry from the truth. Your eye for detail is sharp like few
others, and your fine dexterity is the envy of thieves’ guilds
and wizards alike. Nobles will pay good money for portrai-
ture, if that’s more your line, or you might turn your hand
to forgery. Either way, you’ve a set of indispensable skills.
Skill Proficiencies: Choose two from Insight, Investi-
gation, Perception, or Sleight of Hand
Tool Proficiencies: Two different sets of artisan’s tools
(such as calligrapher’s supplies, glassblower’s tools, jewel-
er’s tools, painter’s supplies, potter’s tools, or woodcarver’s
tools), or one set of artisan’s tools and a forgery kit
Equipment: Artisan’s tools or a forgery kit
FEATURE: A THOUSAND WORDS
You’re adept at crafting pieces that speak to others, not
in words but with a more direct connection. A piece of art
is always a valid way for you to attempt to influence others.
Against crowds, you can only evoke general feelings, but when
a piece is intended for a single recipient the effect can cut much
deeper. You may use Dexterity checks instead of Persuasion
when attempting to influence others through your art.
SUGGESTED CHARACTERISTICS
The stereotypical artist is flaky, weird, and always slightly
tuned out. You may or may not fit that stereotype, but others
will probably ascribe it to you. In their defense, you are proba-
bly the type to take a moment to really appreciate a tree that’s
grown an interesting way, or a particular curve of a cloud at
sunset, or the wild and frenzied warning signs painted around
caves occupied by goblins (hey, technique is technique).
Born into Wealth
You had the best of everything growing up, and you’ve
never had to go without. That’s not to say your parents went
easy on you. From behavior down to hobbies and vocations,
most of what you did was, at some point, planned or insist-
ed upon by someone else. Most of your life was probably
planned out for you before you could walk.
The Crossing rips all of that away, good and ill. You
aren’t beholden to anyone but yourself anymore. If you’re
fortunate, one or another of those highborn hobbies —
equestrianism, fencing, and so on — gave you some small
preparation for the Realm. The upside, one that might take
a while to become apparent, is that in the Realm, there’s
no one making your decisions for you. The Earthborn can
write their own destiny here, and for the first time, you don’t
know where your future will lead you, a kind of freedom
that may be totally alien to you.
Skill Proficiencies: History, and either Insight or Per-
suasion
Tool Proficiencies: One set of artisan’s tools (your
choice), and a musical instrument
– Visitor Backgrounds –
Equipment: Well-made clothes, the latest gadgets,
credit card
FEATURE: THE ONE TO KNOW
You are hypersensitive to social milieus and pick up on
little details of behavior very quickly. Whenever you’re in
a novel social situation, you may ask the GM for a brief
overview of the social network and power structure of the
venue — specifically, who the movers and shakers within it
are. Cozying up to them is another story, but you can always
pick the important people out of the crowd immediately.
SUGGESTED CHARACTERISTICS
You might come across as standoffish, but that’s only
because your first reflex is to put up a good appearance and
not cause a scene. You might be generous to a fault, simply
because you’ve never had to account for expenditures
before, or you might be very aware of how small a budget
you and your friends now have to work with.
Entertainer
You made a living doing what most people dread: getting
up in front of other people and performing. Whether you
were a musician, an actor, or a stand-up comic, you put
on your game face, got up, and wowed the room — or, at
least, did your thing and got paid. You’ve got confidence
and hard-earned skill on your side, and used them to carve
out a reliable niche to live in.
After Crossing, that skill and confidence may still be
the only things keeping you alive — but performing to pay
your way to things like rent and food is nothing compared
to being called on to ply your trade for life and limb! You
know how to turn heads and hearts, and that might be the
only thing keeping you and your friends from imprisonment,
exile, or worse. That’s a lot of pressure. Good thing show
business is one of the highest-pressure environments there
is — you’re used to that.
Skill Proficiencies: Performance, and Perception or
Deception
Tool Proficiencies: Choose two from any one musical
instrument, disguise kit, or any one gaming set
Equipment: Your starting tools
FEATURE: ON EVERYONE’S LIPS
Being the center of attention isn’t just a skill, it’s a pas-
sion for you. When you perform, you always draw a crowd
unless there’s literally no one around. If they’re unfriendly
but not actively hostile, they even let you finish your set
before telling you to get lost.
SUGGESTED CHARACTERISTICS
It’s easy for you to fit in, even in places you wouldn’t normally.
You’re an expert at leveraging parasocial relationships — the
asymmetrical relationship between audience and performer
23
 — and making yourself seem larger than life, allowing you to
bluster through situations where others might struggle. Many
artists are notably different when not performing, but that’s
a face only one’s closest friends get to see.
Faithful
You were a religious person, perhaps part of a formal order,
or an informal leader in an affinity group. You might even have
been a solo practitioner of your faith, but let it occupy center
stage in your life regardless. You believe in higher powers,
such that you feel called to serve them. You may have had
personal experiences of the divine, even before the Crossing.
Azoth is a place of many faiths, some native, others
brought by travelers from elsewhere. You may discover
an affinity for one of those faiths, or you may hold fast to
your own, but either way, your bearing as someone de-
voted to the sacred is notable. Some faiths don’t tolerate
competition as well as others do, though, and that might
be a cause for friction.
Skill Proficiencies: Arcana, Religion
Tool Proficiencies: Choose two from any one artisan’s
tools, and any one musical instrument
Equipment: Common clothes, a religious icon
FEATURE: THE POWER OF BELIEF
Miracles are hard to come by, even in Azoth, but the
Realm is more accustomed to them than Earth, and an
amplified connection to a divine patron tilts the scales just
a little. Once per session, you may Channel Divinity, even
if you’re not a cleric (choose a domain to represent your
faith at character creation). If you are a cleric, you may use
this feature to Channel Divinity again even if you’re already
expended all uses of Channel Divinity since your last rest.
SUGGESTED CHARACTERISTICS
The faithful are often called to aid others by their divine
patron, and there are plenty of others in need of aid in Az-
oth. Here, too, are obvious signs of evil, which may or may
not accord with your preconceptions but nonetheless are
easily recognizable as such. You may feel that your divine
patron or patrons called you here for a reason, but even if
you don’t believe you were chosen for some great work,
you have a bedrock of faith to fall back on in hard times.
Farmer
Agriculture transformed human society, and thenceforth
transformed the world. Nowadays, it’s a thing of massive
corporations and mechanized superfarms, with what we
think of as the traditional family farm a distant outlier
crushed by capitalism, which loathes self-sufficiency. May-
be you are one of those farmers, living as far off the grid
as you can, or maybe you simply have a green thumb and
have turned your tiny patch of suburban (or even urban)
dirt into a cornucopia that is the envy of your neighbors.
24 – CHAPTER ONE: LEGENDS, BACKGROUNDS, AND FEATS –
The Realm is not modern Earth. After Crossing, you’ve
likely run into hundreds of people living lives similar
enough to your own, tied to the rhythm of the land. They
see a kindred spirit in you, and you understand them bet-
ter than your fellows do. You know what it means when
goblin raiders threaten a harvest, or when night-creature
sorcery dims the sun’s light, and unlike so many, you’re in
a position to do something about it.
Skill Proficiencies: Animal Handling, Nature
Tool Proficiencies: Herbalism kit, plus your choice of
one artisan’s tool or one musical instrument
Equipment: Herbalism kit, common clothes, a farming
implement
FEATURE: ONE WITH THE LAND
You’re familiar with all the ways the parts of an ecosys-
tem work together, and you can identify most plants and
mushrooms with a glance. You can always provide enough
food for yourself and a few others just by gathering it from
the environment, as long as you’re in a natural setting and
you don’t stay in the same place for more than a day or two.
SUGGESTED CHARACTERISTICS
The stereotypical farmer is a quiet person who seeks
isolation. Maybe you’re like that, but odds are you’re not.
Even rural farmers are part of communities — specialization
is at the heart of agricultural life, after all. Urban farmers
are often adept at organizing to ensure that community
gardens survive gentrification and development. Think of
it as permaculture, creating a holistic and self-supporting
farm ecosystem, but with people instead of cows.
High School Student
Your life is defined by routine. You wake up earlier than
anyone should be reasonably expected to so you can get to
school on time. You learn what you’re told to learn, when
you’re told to learn it. Maybe you participate in extracur-
ricular activities — chess club, football, whatever’s your
speed — or maybe you just go home to get a head start on
the mountains of homework they give you, crawling into
bed much later than you ought to. All this on top of the
social free-for-all of your peer group, combined with the
crucible of puberty. You have no idea why adults look back
wistfully on this, but you suspect it’s encroaching senility.
In the Realm, you gain a kind of freedom you’ve never
had. Most people treat you more or less like an adult, which
you’re likely totally unprepared for. You’ve been lectured
about responsibility, sure, but being expected to pick up a
sword and defend a village is something else entirely. You
might be a wallflower or a quarterback, but either way
there’s going to be something someone wants of you, O
Earthborn. Unfortunately, you’re just young enough that
you probably haven’t realized you’re not immortal yet, but
hey, if magic’s real, that might be something you can fix!
 Skill Proficiencies: Stealth and Investigation, or Ath-
letics and Perception
Tool Proficiencies: One kind of gaming kit and one kind
of musical instrument
Equipment: Gaming kit or musical instrument, common
clothes
FEATURE: BURNING THE MIDNIGHT OIL
You’re accustomed to weird hours and scads of work,
whether or not that work makes sense to you in terms of
execution or application. You always find the time during
long rests to accomplish one extra task, be it reading an
ancient tome, repairing a broken tool or weapon, or mixing
the appropriate reagents to create a potion.
SUGGESTED CHARACTERISTICS
High schoolers have two settings: off, and high. When
you’re on, you’re all energy, all fire and vinegar, ready to
start arguments and do things you probably shouldn’t.
When you’re not, you’re surly, recalcitrant, and generally
unwilling to involve yourself. Cut yourself some slack,
because growing up is tough, and you will eventually grow
up. Everything between now and whenever that happens
is the process of finding yourself.
Historian
You probably came to the study of history with Santaya-
na’s famous aphorism about those who cannot remember
the past being condemned to repeat it echoing in your ears.
Only after you got your degree and followed the same path
your professors took into the ivory tower did the irony of
those words become fully clear to you. Yours is a life of
arguing over the minutiae of primary source documents,
building a picture of the world as it was to the best of your
ability, publishing lest you perish.
Then you Crossed to the Realm. No one here cares about
Westphalia, the Kamakura Period, or whatever your pet
fascination was. It’s a good thing that the work of a historian
is far more than memorizing dates! You are an expert at
sifting fact from supposition, news from rumor. You have
a built-in lie detector so finely honed you can sniff one out
not only from thousands of miles away but across centuries
of time. Confronted with an entirely new world to study,
your reaction is most likely, “I get to be the first person to
write about this!” Like most historians, you’re wrong about
that, but it’s not going to slow you down.
Skill Proficiencies: Insight, History
Tool Proficiencies: Forgery kit, or your choice of one
artisan’s tool
Languages: A dead language of your choice
Equipment: Common clothes, pens, paper, and several
dog-eared paperbacks
– Visitor Backgrounds –
FEATURE: WHAT HAPPENED HERE?
The past is a historian’s job. Usually, that’s the work of
searching through documents, but sometimes it’s the work
of getting your hands dirty as well. Once per session, when
confronted with a scene where action clearly took place
in the past, you may ask the GM what happened there.
The GM will call out certain features of import, but the
conclusion is yours to make.
SUGGESTED CHARACTERISTICS
History is a field for people who love to read. There’re
never enough books, and conversely, there’s never enough
time to read the books you have. Put you in a library and
you can tell someone everything they need to know about
anything — of course, you’ll likely be all but impossible to
remove from said library, because you’ll discover something
fascinating that you want to follow up on.
Medical Professional
You save lives. At least, that’s what the general idea is.
Whether you have the all-important letters “Dr.” and “M.D.”
next to your name or not, and whether or not you work in
private practice or a group setting like a hospital, healing
is your job, and you’ve dedicated a big chunk of your life to
training and preparation for it. You’ve probably seen some
awful things, particularly if you worked in a trauma ward
or emergency room.
The Crossing didn’t change much about any of that ex-
cept the setting. There are still people who need medical
care in the Realm, some much more so than back on Earth,
and you might be the only person for miles around ready
to deliver that care. Even if this was just a paycheck to you,
compassion is something you can learn, and it’s calling out
for you to make a difference.
Skill Proficiencies: Medicine and Perception
Tool Proficiencies: Herbalism kit, and your choice of
one artisan’s tool, gaming set, or musical instrument
Equipment: Common clothes, a first-aid kit
FEATURE: FIRST DO NO HARM
Even in a world as chaotic as Azoth can be, some things
are still universal, and this is one: a good doctor is hard to
find. Even in situations where the lives of others might
be held cheaply, such as when captured by bandits, if you
make it clear that you are a healer, most foes will decline
to do serious violence to you. They’re likely to put you to
work, but that’s better than a sword in the gut or confine-
ment in a pit or cell — and it’s an opportunity for you to do
something to rescue your friends.
SUGGESTED CHARACTERISTICS
Medical professionals often have dark senses of humor, par-
ticularly those who deal with serious injuries and trauma. It’s a
way for you to blow off steam, considering how high-pressure
25
 the job can be. You know how to hold that in but will let it out
among others who understand the spirit in which it’s meant.
You likely have a decent-enough bedside manner and will find
it hard to neglect someone in need of care.

Occultist
You’ve made the study of the strange your life’s work. Wheth-
er it’s magic, cryptids, demonology, or parapsychology, you’re
well-accustomed to the fringes of respectability. Even if you
never saw Bigfoot or conjured a demon, you know more about
this stuff than anyone you know. Maybe you’re a respected
thinker among your fellow-travelers, or maybe you’re the
weirdo no one wants to talk to. Ultimately, your dedication
to finding a truth that all others neglect is enough for you.
And lo, you were right: there is more to the world than what
our five senses show us! In the Crossing, you discovered some-
thing truly paranormal, beyond the ordinary, and you’re going
to do everything you can, not just to find out everything you
can, but to get back so you can prove yourself right to others!
Skill Proficiencies: Arcana, and Nature or Religion
Tool Proficiencies: Choose two from alchemist’s sup-
plies, cartographer’s tools, or forgery kit
Equipment: Common clothes, a camera, a notebook

FEATURE: WHAT OTHERS DON’T SEE

You’re always on the lookout for things others don’t see,
even if they’re not there. You may take a +1 to Perception
checks, but if you do so, your Perception check is rolled in
secret. The GM will tell you what you see, but you don’t
know if you succeeded or failed.

SUGGESTED CHARACTERISTICS
You never quite know when to stop talking about your
favored topic, especially when you find evidence that what
you believe is real. You’re committed to discovering the
truth, but you often decide what the truth is well in ad-
vance, which can be problematic when you’re off base. On
the other hand, your stamina and conviction are second to
none, and if someone gets you on their side, you’re probably
going to be the person they trust the most.

Roleplaying Aficionado
You’ve gone through impossibly deadly dungeons with-
out suffering a scratch. You saved kingdoms and married
at least three grateful royal scions. You have been a master
swordfighter, a brilliant wizard, a compassionate cleric.
You played all these roles and more, sitting across the
table from your friends, and you know the ins and outs of
dozens of settings and systems. Your entire life has been
spent preparing for this moment. Regrettably, very little
of that preparation actually prepared you to do it for real.
Skill Proficiencies: Deception, Insight
Tool Proficiencies: One kind of gaming set, and a dis-
guise kit

26 – CHAPTER ONE: LEGENDS, BACKGROUNDS, AND FEATS –

 Languages: Any one fictional language
Equipment: Common clothes, one kind of gaming set
or a disguise kit
FEATURE: METAKNOWLEDGE
For practically every situation you find yourself in, you’ve
been through something at least a little bit like it in the realm
of the imaginary, and you have ideas about how to tackle it.
Once per session, you may ask the GM any question about the
structure of the narrative. For example, you might ask “Is this
shady guy in the tavern going to backstab us?” After you ask
your question, make an Insight check with a DC set by the
GM. If you’re successful, the GM will answer your question
honestly. Whether you’re able to convince your friends of the
accuracy of your metatextual intuition is another question.
SUGGESTED CHARACTERISTICS
You’re often a bit more adventurous than is healthy,
seeing life as a wild adventure — at least at first. You might
maintain that zest for experience or learn the hard way
that real life is nothing like your fantasies. Even when you
suffer bad experiences, though, you retain a certain joie de
vivre that lifts the mood of your fellows. You can always
count on a gamer to find some way to engage others in play.
Rural Upbringing
You’re no stranger to the outdoors — you practically grew
up in them. You might have lived on a farm, or in a small
town far from the city, the sort of place where a bonfire
is the best entertainment on offer for a Saturday night.
You’re pragmatic, because in a place like that, you have
to be. You’re probably more self-reliant than the average
person, simply because help was more often than not too
far away to be of any real use.
After the Crossing, you’re likely to be the one who calmly
assesses the situation and acts accordingly, because after
fighting off a coyote that was after your dog, how scary can
a few goblins really be? You likely won’t balk at sleeping
out of doors or be afraid to get your hands dirty. Others
may come to rely on you, especially if you know your way
around a weapon.
Skill Proficiencies: Choose two from Animal Handling,
Nature, and Survival
Tool Proficiencies: Choose one from cartographer’s
tools, woodcarver’s tools, or herbalism kit, plus any one
musical instrument of your choice
Equipment: A multitool, common clothes, your tools
or instrument
FEATURE: LAY OF THE LAND
You’re never entirely lost. Once per session, if you’re in a
natural setting, you can ask the GM to point out a landmark
or trail. This will always lead you to where you want to go,
but the path will not necessarily be easy. You might run
into bandits, wild animals, or difficult terrain.
– Visitor Backgrounds –
SUGGESTED CHARACTERISTICS
You tend to be situationally gregarious, close with people
you know but distant with people you don’t. Trust matters,
and those who abuse it aren’t likely to win it back again.
Crowded urban areas may overwhelm you or make you
otherwise uncomfortable, but you’ll be much less wor-
ried about a gloomy-looking stretch of woods than your
city-slicker friends.
Scientist
The world is an orderly place, one that can be under-
stood through trial-and-error application of the scientific
method. You have a framework of reality in your head,
whether it stems from physics, chemistry, biology, or an-
other discipline (or even a combination of them), and you
know how to test things within that framework. Whether
you’re well-known or just another lab-tech, you’re the
one people come to when they want to know the answer
to some obscure science question.
And then, you found out that magic was real. The
Crossing was a wake-up call to you. Perhaps you’re the
stubborn hidebound type, trying to fit magic into your
scientific framework, or maybe you’re the sort who is end-
lessly excited at the very idea of it because it means your
framework was wrong and you get to write the new one.
After all, knowledge advances as often from an “Oops!” as
a “Eureka!” Who knows — maybe you’re the one to teach
the Realmborn something new!
Skill Proficiencies: Arcana, Investigation
Tool Proficiencies: Navigator’s tools and herbalism kit
Equipment: Common clothes, a phone with various
science apps on it
FEATURE: THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD
You know how to test things, even things you’ve never
seen before. As long as you have the opportunity to spend
time (a long rest, or longer) on a puzzle, problem, or riddle,
you gain advantage for the check.
SUGGESTED CHARACTERISTICS
The stereotypical scientist is a nerd, plain and simple, full
of interesting (if dry) facts. Few people consider that the
essential kernel of science is wonder, a delight at the way
the natural world fits together in such an elegant way, from
the gravitational attraction between stars to the interplay
of atoms in chemical reactions. While certain elements of
the Realm are familiar, plenty are novel, and you want to
learn about all of them.
Self-Educated
People joke about the School of Hard Knocks. You prob-
ably don’t, because you had to fight for opportunities that
none of them ever had to. Maybe you were homeschooled,
and only when you got out on your own did you understand
27
 how lacking your parents’ educational expertise was. Maybe
you never even had that. Whatever your history, you are
the champion of hustle. When you set yourself a task, you
do it, because the alternative doesn’t bear thinking about.
When people who rely on things outside themselves have
their world turned upside down, there’s usually a period
of adjustment. When you Crossed to the Realm, it was just
another day. Sure, you probably lost some degree of a support
network, but you had built that from nothing, and you can do
it again. This isn’t your first time hitting bottom, and unlike
so many others, when you do hit bottom, you hit it running.
You’ll adapt to this new world faster than anyone else, be-
cause you know how to learn without anyone to teach you.
Skill Proficiencies: Insight, Perception
Tool Proficiencies: Any two
Equipment: Common clothes, appropriate kit for a
chosen tool proficiency
FEATURE: HOW’S THIS WORK?
You don’t approach anything with preconceived notions,
which means that you can often make leaps of logic that others
wouldn’t. Once per session, when confronted with something
unknown, unexplainable, or otherwise mysterious, you may
ask the GM one of the following questions: What’s the most
dangerous thing here? How do I use or activate this? What’s
the most important thing we haven’t noticed?
SUGGESTED CHARACTERISTICS
You may come off as ignorant, or have strange gaps in
knowledge, simply because you didn’t learn the same things
at the same time as everyone else — but then, how useful is
memorizing the Magna Carta in day-to-day life? Conversely,
it’s likely that you have certain areas of expertise where
you dug deep into something that caught your interest,
usually but not always something practically applicable.
You’re likely very aware of how others see you, and will
do whatever you can to steer conversations or situations
away from areas you don’t feel comfortable in.
Urban
You lived in the bustling heart of the city, either in a house
or an apartment — but no matter which, it was probably a
little cramped. You lived cheek-to-jowl with your neighbors,
and unlike so many in these times you might even have
known their names, if only from running into them on the
street or the stairs. The thrum of the city lulled you to sleep
each night — every time you’ve tried to sleep without it, you
end up lying awake wondering why it’s so damned quiet.
After the Crossing, you’re likely to feel out of sorts until
you’re fortunate enough to find a large city, at which point
you will feel like you’ve come home again. Sure, it’s not quite
the same, but people congregating in large numbers have
similar habits and similar problems, and you know them all
like the back of your hand. You’re invaluable when it comes
to finding a safe place to stay, not getting ripped off by sleazy
28 – CHAPTER ONE: LEGENDS, BACKGROUNDS, AND FEATS –
merchants or pickpockets, and navigating the winding streets.
Skill Proficiencies: Perception, and Persuasion or
Intimidation
Tool Proficiencies: Choose two from any one set of
artisan’s tools, one gaming set, or one musical instrument
Equipment: Common (but stylish) clothes, pepper spray
FEATURE: GOOD NEIGHBOR
People who grow up in urban neighborhoods are exposed
to diversity not often found in rural or suburban areas, and so
consequently learn to adapt to new cultural circumstances very
quickly. When you encounter a new culture — which may be a
subculture within a larger group — you may ask the GM for a brief
overview of local etiquette, enough to avoid being irretrievably
rude or committing a faux pas. You might still put your foot in
your mouth, but at least won’t completely embarrass yourself.
SUGGESTED CHARACTERISTICS
You value and respect privacy, because the only way
you get any is through the social convention of everyone
pretending they can’t hear exactly what’s going on not just
on their floor, but the floors above and below them. On the
other hand, sometimes that means you ignore things you
shouldn’t. In times of crisis, though, even the most abrasive
people come together. You’re used to there being a lot of
people around and working hand in glove with them.
Writer
You are a weaver of words, perhaps a teller of tales, but
whether you write fiction or non-fiction you have an eye
for both. You’re well-read — you have to be — and you have
a keen understanding of things like narrative structure
and character development. Your handwriting might be
immaculate, or it might be a mess, but the content of your
writing is always incisive and on-point.
You might think that, post-Crossing, you’re going to be
a hot mess, useless in every way compared to your more
active and accomplished comrades, but consider the follow-
ing: every writer is a trove of information gleaned during
the course of their career, from poisons and criminology
to physics to sociology. You know how things fit together,
and you know how to tell stories — and more importantly,
you know how to make them interesting. That means a lot
more in a pre-modern setting than you might think.
Skill Proficiencies: Choose two from Insight, Persua-
sion, History, Performance, or Perception
Tool Proficiencies: Calligrapher’s tools, plus one set of
artisan’s tools of your choice
Equipment: Calligrapher’s tools, a notebook full of
jotted-down ideas
FEATURE: SING, O MUSE
When you tell a story — whether it’s factual or fictional
— you know how to make it interesting and enthralling
for the audience. Storytelling is always a valid way for
you to influence others with Persuasion checks, assuming
you have a story you can tell supporting the moral or idea
you’re trying to convey.
SUGGESTED CHARACTERISTICS
You might be shy and retiring or boisterous and outgoing,
but you definitely have an eye for stories that haven’t been
told yet. You’re always curious to know more and will ask
questions that others might not think to. Attention to detail
is everything, and it’s invaluable in a crisis.
Working Poor
Life has always been a struggle for you, and it was al-
most certainly a struggle for your parents as well. You live
paycheck to paycheck, and even things like unexpected
car maintenance or doctor visits are major financial crises
for you. If you have any savings at all, they’re meager, just
enough to keep your head above water in the aforemen-
tioned crises. You make do, and you stretch everything to
make ends meet.
Things are different in the Realm. After the Crossing,
you have the opportunity to write your own ticket here,
backed with sword, bow, or spell. You may never shed
that hard-learned frugality, but in this world without the
nine-to-five grind of alienated labor, that just means you’re
more ready than most to make it through lean times. For the
first time in your life, you’ve got the chance to get ahead,
to hold a fortune in the palm of your hand, and nothing’s
going to hold you back.
Skill Proficiencies: Choose two from Insight, Perception,
Deception, or Persuasion
Tool Proficiencies: Herbalism kit, and one artisan’s kit
of your choice
Equipment: Common clothes, painkillers
FEATURE: NEVER SAY DIE
You’re the champion of dealing with bad circumstances
and making do without everything you might otherwise
need. When you’re in a tight spot, you may ask the GM to
highlight a feature of the area that will provide at least lim-
ited aid. This might be food for a day, an unnoticed dungeon
alcove where the party might take a sort rest, and so on.
SUGGESTED CHARACTERISTICS
You probably fiercely guard whatever you have and are
on the lookout for anything that might be of use or value.
This isn’t greed but striving for security. Sometimes, this
might evolve into hoarding, but the life of an adventurer
isn’t conducive to possessions that aren’t immediately
useful. You’re more likely to hand out what you have to
those you meet along your journey who have a need for
those things, because you know what it is to go without.
– Realmborn Backgrounds –
Realmborn Backgrounds
T
hese backgrounds represent the upbringing and
cultural experience of Realmborn characters. As
Realmborn, you’re also familiar with your home nation
which you can read more about in Chapter Six: Nations
and Dangerous Places. At GM discretion, Visitors who
have spent a long time in the Realm may exchange their
Visitor background for a Realmborn one.
Ardonian
The kingdom of Ardonia is notoriously mistrusting of
outsiders and criminals. An individual hoping to become a
citizen needs a clean background and must not be wanted as
a criminal in any locale, no matter how distant. Although a
carefully crafted lie could fool Ardonian authorities, it would
take a constant charade to maintain your citizenship. Those
with a keen interest in science and new bizarre inventions
are likely to find a welcome home inside the city. Anyone
who relies heavily on arcane power is viewed with suspicion
however, and faces a difficult time earning the Ardonians’ trust.
Skill Proficiencies: History, Religion
Tool Proficiencies: Your choice of one set of artisan’s
tools, aeronautics
Equipment: A blank notepad, a bottle of black ink, a
quill, a set of practical but plain clothes, and a pouch of
random crafting components
FEATURE: INFORMATION BROKERS
Nowhere in the Realm boasts such technology as Ardonia.
Having contacts within the kingdom means access to the
grandest inventions and brightest minds. If you don’t know
how to build something, you know who does.
Ardonia’s habit of keeping strict records on anyone who
passes through its borders is also a major boon if you’re
trying to locate a traveler: if your quarry passed through the
kingdom, there will be record of their points of entry and
departure, as well as their claimed destination. You have
access to this record so long as you remain an upstanding
citizen, or at least appear to be one.
Brachmon
A loosely aligned collective of twelve nations, Brachmon
is home to a brilliant diversity of people. From the warriors
of Ashmedia to the peaceful Zu-Hurians, the mountain
dwelling Judhani and the seafaring Epicians, many find
their place in Brachmon. Despite the intense bickering
that often arises from decision-making, the kingdom pro-
vides a multifaceted front to anyone who tries to encroach
upon their freedom, each nation lending its strength to the
greater whole. Given the variety present, there is a place
for anyone willing to work together and not put off by the
bitter winters that grip the kingdom.
29
 Skill Proficiencies: Survival, Perception
Tool Proficiencies: Navigator’s tools, your choice of one
set of artisan’s tools
Equipment: A set of cold weather clothes, flint and tinder,
a fishing net, and a pouch containing 20 gp in mixed coins
FEATURE: THE SPICE OF LIFE
From an outsider’s perspective, the kingdom is nothing
more than a collection of squabbling nations forced to-
gether under one banner. And they wouldn’t be entirely
wrong with that assessment. But the nations cooperate
more smoothly on the day-to-day level than they do with
regard to the larger issues that plague the Realm. Trade is
fierce and travel is fast. Becoming affiliated with one nation
all but guarantees access to the others, providing ample
opportunity for trade and connections to aid on a quest.
These connections even carry across the confederation’s
borders, as enterprising Brachmon travel far and wide. If
you’re currently in a large city or one that thrives on trade,
a short rest will lead you to a fellow Brachmon.
Bryzine
The majority of the population in Bryzine are trolls, both
the feral mine trolls and the friendly Bryzine trolls. The
nation is welcoming to outsiders however, particularly those
interested in trade, and it’s not uncommon for residents to
speak multiple languages to assist in such endeavors. All
people are welcome in Bryzine, so long as they’re willing
to live and trade in peace.
Skill Proficiencies: Persuasion, Animal Handling
Tool Proficiencies: Jeweler’s tools or mason’s tools,
plus navigator’s tools
Equipment: A week’s worth of rations (usually mast-
odon jerky), a 50-foot length of silk rope, a headlamp, and
a pouch of gems worth 20 gp
FEATURE: TRADE GOODS
The largest exports of Bryzine are its precious gems. The
kingdom is home to the largest raw gem reserves in the
Realm, providing the finest quality stones to all corners.
They also trade in the meat of the large deer and mastodon
predominantly used to sate the mine trolls. Gaining access
to their extensive mercantile network is worth its weight in
diamonds, quite literally. In addition to its many legitimate
trade connections, Bryzine sees a thriving black market for
nearly any item a person might need. It is said if it can’t be
found in the markets of Bryzine, it isn’t for sale. You can
access these connections anytime in Bryzine, or abroad
with a short rest, at GM’s discretion.
Carahill
One of the wealthiest nations in the Realm, Carahill arose
from the ashes of two war-torn kingdoms. United by the
original Lady Falla, the kingdom has enjoyed a relatively
30 – CHAPTER ONE: LEGENDS, BACKGROUNDS, AND FEATS –
peaceful existence since its founding. The kingdom is no-
torious for remaining neutral throughout the conflicts that
gripped the rest of the Realm, provoking no small amount
of resentment from the other nations.
Alongside their policy of open borders and welcoming
all, however, lies a sinister undercurrent beneath the shin-
ing façade. Publicly, the practice of dark magics is decried
here as in most other kingdoms, but behind closed doors
practitioners of dark magic abound, and are more likely to
find a quiet welcome here than in any other kingdom in
the Realm. That is not to say the kingdom is wholly evil,
merely that in the absence of a strong stance against them
the seeds of darkness are allowed to flourish.
Skill Proficiencies: Deception, Arcana
Tool Proficiencies: Your choice of gaming set, and a
forgery kit
Equipment: A set of fine clothes, a component pouch,
and an arcane focus worth 10 gp (crystal, rod, staff, or wand)
FEATURE: IN THE SHADOWS
Beneath the streets of the grand capital city of Shamir,
the seat of Lady Falla’s dynasty, lies a shadow city of dark
magic. Older than the city above, Abraxas controls much
from the shadows. Here, dark warlocks can practice
openly and find all they might need for their magics,
even the vilest of components. A hotbed of necroman-
tic activity, it thrives in utter secrecy. But not just dark
magic can be found here; any magic deemed dangerous
finds a home in the capital’s demimonde, including many
powerful artifacts that can repel or control the undead.
You can always find a practitioner of dark magic when
in Carahill, and you know the secret hand signals which
can draw one to you abroad.
Drohm
Once a bright and vibrant place to live, Lord Darkoth’s
reign now casts a deathly pall over Drohm. The kingdom
lives in direct conflict with most of its neighbors, chewing
at their borders to add to its own land, in some instances
directly invading them for territory and spoils. Drohm’s
military is considered the most formidable in the Realm,
and Darkoth’s generals use it to devastating effect.
Even under the boot of a usurper like Lord Darkoth,
however, life flourishes and much of the kingdom goes on
as best they can. Hope smolders in secret, and no usurper
can ever completely compel the obedience of their subjects.
Here, more than anywhere else, righteous rebellion awaits
those who know where to look.
Skill Proficiencies: Deception, Insight
Tool Proficiencies: Choose two from disguise kit,
thieves’ tools, poisoner’s kit
Equipment: A flask of oil, a hooded lantern, an alms box
with a false bottom, and a set of costume clothing
FEATURE: THE BELLY OF THE BEAST They would be foolish to think so, as the inhabitants are
keenly aware anytime someone new sets foot in their land.
No matter how compliant the kingdom’s citizens appear to
This whisper network stretches from the smallest beetle
the outside observer, nowhere is the movement to depose Lord
to the tallest oak, and all the way to the sovereigns of the
Darkoth more prevalent than within his own kingdom. Living
elves. If someone with ill intent strides into the Enchanted
under decades of his rule has only strengthened the rebels’
Forest, rarely do they walk back out again. And likewise, an
resolve. Although they are not public about their leanings,
explorer with good intentions may find themself guided as
secrecy being a necessary evil given the might of the Drohm
though by an unseen hand to their destination. Within the
military complex, the clues are there for those who know how
Enchanted Forest, you can easily find out about recent local
to read them. Within Drohm, you can always find basic supplies,
events as well as visitors to the Enchanted Forest. Further-
food, and a place to hide with other rebels and sympathizers.
more, both in the Enchanted Forest and outside its borders,
Enchanted Forest deciduous forest never counts as difficult terrain for you.

Massive and ancient, the Enchanted Forest is an un-

touched arboreal paradise. Its people, predominantly elves
Grey Hills
A grim and frozen land, some of the greatest warriors
and pixies, are naturally cautious of humans and, to a lesser
in history hail from the Grey Hills. Local dwarven culture,
extent, other people not native to the forest who have a
especially, values both physical and mental strength above
penchant for cutting down trees to make room for brick
all else. These dwarves welcome all warriors into their
buildings. Despite this, they are not closed off to outsiders
ranks, often putting them through the same trials as young
so long as they are respectful of the forest and its people.
dwarves. These rites vary by city but always involve trials of
It should come as no surprise that druids are drawn here
skill and strength, such as catching the great coastal fish or
more than most other kingdoms.
taming one of the massive bears they use as mounts. People
Skill Proficiencies: Arcana, Survival
of Grey Hills excel in mounted combat, and the nation’s
Tool Proficiencies: Herbalism kit, your choice of mu- cavalry is feared by all Realmborn.
sical instrument
Skill Proficiencies: Athletics, Intimidation
Equipment: A week’s worth of travel rations, 50 feet of
Tool Proficiencies: Mounts (Exotic), your choice of
hempen rope, a tent, and a bedroll
gaming set or musical instrument
FEATURE: THE FOREST HAS EYES Equipment: A week’s worth of animal feed (varies
according to mount type); bit, bridle, and military saddle;
Under the shade of the ancient trees, the sounds of nature fishing tackle
around them, travelers think themselves alone and unheard.

– Realmborn Backgrounds – 31
 FEATURE: JAWS OF DEATH
The prowess of Grey Hills’ warriors is known far and
wide, their mere mention conjuring up images of warriors
charging into battle atop massive steeds. They live for
adventure and the fight and take any excuse to leave their
frozen homeland. Although Grey Hills does not produce
much in the way of materials or goods, there are few better
places to find weapons and other tools of war. In particular,
there is no finer or hardier mount than those raised and
trained in the Grey Hills. While Grey Hills traders usually
drive a hard bargain, they always offer a fair trade to you —
even more so abroad, where they’re happy to see a fellow
citizen. Furthermore, both in the Grey Hills and outside its
borders, mountains never count as difficult terrain for you.
Isle of Fantasia
The druids of Fantasia are notoriously unfriendly toward
outsiders treading on their lands, and anyone who happens
upon their shores is met with suspicion and open hostility.
While they do not kill someone for simply trespassing
upon their land, they act swiftly if the person violates
their rules, even by accident. Druids from other nations
are often the only ones truly welcomed, and even the most
well-meaning non-druid is viewed dubiously. Gaining the
trust of the islanders is a daunting task at best, and not to
be undertaken lightly. The isle holds many secrets, and the
druids take their duty to protect it very seriously.
Skill Proficiencies: Nature, Perception
Tool Proficiencies: Herbalism kit, navigator’s tools
Equipment: A druidic focus, a set of traveler’s clothes,
and a component pouch
FEATURE: THE WAYS BETWEEN
All but the most primitive of tools are shunned on the isle,
with a strict prohibition against Strange items, but natural
magic flourishes in every inch of the land and in every per-
son who calls it home. The boundaries between worlds are
particularly thin here, and there are many rumors of people
Crossing between them by pure accident. You know a bit
more about Visitors than most people. You also gain the
druidcraft cantrip to represent your connection to nature.
O’koth
The kingdom of O’koth is split into three major sections:
O’koth Forest, the Great Field of A’zoth, and the Old Forest.
The bulk of its citizens live in O’koth Forest, with the Great
Field seeing only a smattering of towns and Old Forest
besieged by man-wolves. Life in O’koth is dangerous no
matter which region one calls home, serving as a buffer
between Drohm and Ardonia.
Undoubtedly the most famous faction to ever hail from
the kingdom are the O’koth rangers, a highly skilled group
of fighters pledged to Othaaris and sworn to protect the
32 – CHAPTER ONE: LEGENDS, BACKGROUNDS, AND FEATS –
kingdom at all costs. Although the rangers primarily consist
of humans and elves, this is not a prerequisite for joining
and recent years have seen a deliberate push to allow other
peoples into the rangers.
Skill Proficiencies: Religion, Survival
Tool Proficiencies: Woodcarver’s tools, your choice of
musical instrument
Equipment: A hunting trap, a set of light or medium
armor (usually leather), and an adventurer’s pack
FEATURE: O’KOTH RANGERS
Devout followers of the goddess Othaaris, the rangers
are sworn to defend the dual forests of O’koth, even though
they’re not always welcomed with open arms in the Old
Forest. Sometimes viewed as traitors by those who still fol-
low the old ways, the rangers are nevertheless an honorable
order who view all residents of O’koth as their protected
charges. You always find a free meal and boarding in O’koth
and Ardonia and are treated as a welcome guest in all other
nations excepting Drohm.
Olardell
The only true city on the Isle of Fantasia, Olardell enjoys
an uneasy peace with the isle’s druids. So long as the citi-
zens of Olardell stay to their portion of the isle, and don’t
encroach onto the undisturbed wilds, the druids leave them
alone. Given these tight restrictions, the city-state was built
up rather than out, and houses some of the tallest buildings
in the Realm. Coin, while still worth the metal in which it
was minted, holds less appeal here than in other kingdoms:
barter drives trade and it’s always better to offer material
goods than a pocket full of gold. Craftspeople are highly
valued here, as is anyone with skills to offer, although the
kingdom is relatively peaceful and has little need for a
standing army or warriors. Those who make battle their
trade are less likely to find a home here.
Skill Proficiencies: Persuasion, Insight
Tool Proficiencies: Your choice of gaming set, your
choice of artisan’s tools
Equipment: A deck of cards, an assortment of various
goods worth a total of 30 gp, and a set of artisan’s tools
FEATURE: PORTSIDE LIFE
Although entry to the kingdom does not come with ac-
cess to the rest of the island, the port city is an excellent
jumping off point to other coastal cities on the mainland.
All trade to the isle comes through Olardell, providing a
concentrated melting pot of people and goods. You can
always book passage with an Olardell ship, at reasonable
rates as one of the locals, to any port in the Realm. If you
find too much trouble there, you can always return home —
Olardell is an excellent place to lie low, and citizens never
tell on each other.
Feats
Adaptable
Prerequisite: Earthborn character
Whether human, elf, dwarf, hairfoot, or some other of
Azoth’s people, you simply do not have the knowledge of
local politics or history that others may already possess due
to years of education or living in a particular area. However,
you are quick to adjust to your new surroundings. You gain
the following benefits:
• Increase your Intelligence score by 1 to a maximum
of 20.
• You may select three from this list and gain profi-
ciency in your selections: Arcana, History, Nature,
Religion, any one language spoken in the Realm,
your choice of artisan’s tools. You must not already
be proficient in these selections.
This feat cannot be taken multiple times.
Aim
By taking your time and lining up a shot, you are able to
increase your accuracy with ranged attacks. You may use
your action to aim. If you do, you may add your Wisdom
modifier to the result of your next ranged attack roll, as
long as you make that roll before the end of your next turn.
Bare-knuckled Brawler
Prerequisite: Strength 13+
You are well practiced in tavern brawls, boxing, or some
other form of unarmed combat. You gain +1 Strength, to a
maximum of 20. Additionally, your unarmed strike deals
bludgeoning damage equal to 1d6 + your Strength modifier.
Bargain Finder
You are adept at finding useful trinkets when you need
them, or otherwise know who might be likely to have what
you seek. If you are a Visitor, perhaps you had a knack for
finding great deals in thrift stores or online bargains.
• You may claim advantage on Charisma (Deception)
and Charisma (Persuasion) checks made when buy-
ing, selling, or arranging deals involving payment or
trade, as well as Wisdom (Insight) checks to see if the
merchant is telling the truth about the value of an item.
• Once per long rest, you may choose to roll Intelli-
gence (History) at DC 13 with advantage to do one
of the following: see if there is an item within 1
mile of your present location that has a rarity value
of uncommon or rare, or to see if a friendly contact
within 1 mile of your present location knows where
– Feats –
you can find items of the uncommon or rare rarity
values.
Battlefield Glance
Prerequisites: Intelligence 13
Once per long rest, if you succeed on an Intelligence
(Investigation) check at DC 13, you may determine two of
the following attributes of your surroundings: the nearest
high ground, nearest adequate shelter, source of water,
approximate hours until sunrise or sunset, any collapse
points or weaknesses in structures you are in or within
30 feet of you, or number of hostile creatures or persons
within 30 feet of you.
If you fail the check, you may only determine one of
those attributes. This ability recharges after a long rest.
Brutal Hit
You are adept at dealing critical wounds, and maximizing
the effectiveness of strikes that reach your target’s weak
spots. As such, you gain the following benefits:
• Your Strength OR Dexterity increases by 1, to a
maximum of 20.
• When you land a critical hit you double your ability
score modifier for damage, in addition to doubling
the damage dice.
Broken Sword Initiate
Prerequisite: Cannot be a Way of the Broken Sword
monk
You studied briefly with the Broken Swords or otherwise
share the ideal of the protective, defensive martial artist.
However, you took a different path than the Broken Swords
themselves, whether through choice or through destiny,
and instead use their ideals to guide your own approach
to combat.
• Increase Constitution by 1 point to a maximum of
20.
• If an ally within 5 feet of you suffers damage from an
attack, you may use your reaction to make a single
attack or cast a single spell upon the person or crea-
ture who struck your ally. The spell effects allowed
under this feat must be among the spells requiring an
attack roll. Spell effects that would ordinarily strike
multiple times at higher levels, such as eldritch blast,
may only strike once if cast using this feat.
Call of Community
You can glean information and arrange to receive re-
sources from your hometown, even if you are far away.
Earthborn characters with this feat draw upon contacts in
the first friendly city or village they encountered.
33
 Once per long rest, you may take an hour to make the
necessary preparations — whether it be a ritual con-
necting you to minds back home, or sending messages
to contacts — and make an Intelligence (Investigation)
roll at DC 13: if you succeed, you can choose two from
the following options: knowledge of the nearest land-
mark lying between you and your destination, a contact
who can assist you in your current quest, a used but
still functional shield (must be nonmagical), used but
functional armor (must be nonmagical) which you or a
chosen ally are proficient in, or a used but sturdy set of
tools (must be nonmagical).
If the check fails, you can only choose one benefit from
the options given. This feature resets after a long rest.

Cautious
Prerequisite: Dexterity 13+, proficiency with thieves’ tools
You are extremely careful when dealing with delicate or
dangerous devices. You have advantage on all checks that
use your proficiency with thieves’ tools.

Compel
You have a very compelling voice, or your
sign language flows with great beauty.
You may claim advantage on Charisma
(Deception), Charisma (Persuasion),
and Charisma (Performance) checks
that rely primarily on your spoken or
signed words.

Confident
Prerequisite: Charisma 13+
You are remarkably self-assured. Whether it be due to high
self-confidence, fearlessness, subconscious denial of the stakes
of your circumstances, or abject stupidity, you are unaffected
by nonmagical attempts to intimidate you. Charisma (Intimida-
tion) checks that target you automatically fail. This has no effect
whatsoever on magical effects, substances, or creature abilities that cause the
frightened condition.

Conjunctive Attunement
Through intensive study of the nature of magic and the process of creating and
maintaining magic items, you learn to circumvent normal attunement limits by joining
two items together in synchronicity. To do so, you must spend a short rest performing
various minor rituals, incantations, and meditation while touching two
magic items of different types. Once this short rest is completed you may
attune both items with a single attunement slot. These two items are
forevermore considered one item with regard to attunement by you.
If you break your attunement to one of the items, your attunement
to both items breaks. You may not later attune either of the items
unless you attune them both. If one of the items is cursed, both
items are considered cursed, requiring two castings of remove curse to
allow breaking attunement on both items.

34 – CHAPTER ONE: LEGENDS, BACKGROUNDS, AND FEATS –

 As a result of this technique, you can be attuned to a
maximum of four magical items, rather than the normal
limit of three. Other attunement limitations still apply.
Contortionist
Through training or talent, you are adept at maneuvering
out of holds and grapples. You gain the following benefits:
• Increase your Dexterity by 1 to a maximum of 20.
• You may claim advantage on any checks made to
resist becoming grappled.
• In addition, once per short rest, you may claim ad-
vantage on any single saving throw made to resist
becoming restrained either through physical means
such as rope, chains, or manacles or via spell effect
such as the hold person spell. This effect resets after
a short rest.
Cutting Blow
Your blows cut deep, inflicting bleeding wounds and
granting you the following benefits:
• Your Strength OR Dexterity increases by 1, to a
maximum of 20.
• On a critical hit when using a slashing weapon, you
add an extra die of damage. The die type is the same as
that of the weapon used. This Cutting Blow damage
die is in addition to the critical hit, and not doubled.
The target continues to take the Cutting Blow die
in damage each round at the start of their turn until
they receive magical healing or receive treatment
via a successful DC 10 Wisdom (Medicine) check.
The DC of this check is increased by 1 for every 10
points of damage dealt in the initial strike.
Desperate Rites
Once per day, if an attack against you would otherwise
drop you to 0 hit points, you may drop to 1 hit point instead.
Conditions which do damage over time such as poison
do not do damage until the end of your next turn. If your
opponent could take additional actions to inflict damage
on you, they cannot do so until the end of their next turn.
This ability recharges at sunrise each day.
Diehard
Prerequisite: Constitution 13+
Whether due to a physiological quirk, a mystical blessing,
or an incredible will to live, you are improbably hard to kill.
You have advantage on death saving throws.
Exposure
You are skilled in manipulating reputations, including
destroying the reputations of your enemies by displaying
– Feats –
their weaknesses for all to see.
• You may claim advantage on Wisdom (Insight)
checks to determine a target’s current motivations,
and if they are intentionally deceiving you.
• In addition, up to three times per long rest, you may
force a single enemy to reroll one of the following:
a check involving Charisma (Deception), Charisma
(Intimidation), or Charisma (Persuasion); Dexterity
(Sleight of Hand); Wisdom (Insight); or a roll to see
if an attack succeeds against you or an ally within
10 feet of you.
Expression Blank
You are skillful at causing others to underestimate your
capabilities and disguising your true feelings. You receive
the following benefits:
• Increase your Wisdom score by 1 point to a maximum
of 20.
• Wisdom (Insight) rolls made against you to de-
termine the intent behind your words are at a
disadvantage.
• If you are within a magical effect that compels truth,
such as the zone of truth spell, you are automatically
aware of the magical compulsion.
Flames of the Heart
Drawing on passion, rage, or a mystical connection to
the Source, you can choose once per long rest to manifest
flame around yourself in a 5-foot radius.
This ethereal flame moves with you, and you do not suffer
fire damage while the flames are active. While the flames
persist, you may use your reaction to direct them to one
creature attacking you in melee range OR one attacking
creature starting their turn within 5 feet of you. This cho-
sen target must succeed on a Constitution saving throw or
suffer 2d6 fire damage.
Flames of the Heart lasts for a minimum of 1 round,
plus as many additional rounds as your Wisdom modifier.
Fleet of Foot
You are extremely fast. Your speed increases by 10 feet.
Gambler
Spending countless hours winning and losing coin in
ale-stained taverns has forged you into a consummate
gambler and chance-seeking addict. You gain the following
benefits and features:
• Increase your Charisma score by 1, to a maximum of 20.
• You gain proficiency with two types of gaming sets
of your choice.
35
 • You have a reputation as a card shark. Some folks
may avoid playing you for this reason, while other
gamblers may seek you out specifically.
Great Fortitude
You have incredible stamina beyond the norm. You
may add your proficiency bonus to all Constitution saving
throws. This feat has no effect if you are already proficient
with Constitution saving throws.
Halo Effect
Through study via a tutor, strict upbringing, or demands
of your profession, you know how to use your own personal
charisma to make others regard your friends and allies
almost as well as yourself. You gain the following benefits:
• Increase Charisma by 1 point to a maximum of 20.
• You may grant advantage up to three times per long
rest on Charisma (Deception), Charisma (Intimi-
dation), and Charisma (Persuasion) checks made
by an ally of your choice if you are within 30 feet of
them. The ally does not need to perceive you, but
you must be able to perceive them.
Hear the Cries
Whether through natural empathy, your oaths and
promises, or your personal outlook on the world, you have
knowledge of the interdependence of all things. You gain
the following benefits:
• Increase your Wisdom by 1 to a maximum of 20
• You may roll a Wisdom (Medicine) check with ad-
vantage when attempting to stabilize or heal yourself
or an ally.
• In addition, if you have racial or class features, or
feats, that grant a restoration of hit points to yourself
or others, instead of rolling dice to determine the
amount restored you may restore the maximum
amount of hit points. You may use this ability three
times per long rest.
Hearthfinder
You are accustomed to haggling for shelter and resources
in a variety of places — maybe due to a rough life, handling
logistics for a team, or your role as the provider for others.
You gain the following benefits:
• Increase your Constitution or Charisma ability score
by 1, to a maximum of 20.
• You may claim advantage on Charisma (Persuasion)
and Charisma (Intimidation) checks when used
toward finding food, shelter, or medicine for you
or your companions.
36 – CHAPTER ONE: LEGENDS, BACKGROUNDS, AND FEATS –
Hearty Constitution
You keep yourself in excellent health, to the extent
that you bounce back quickly from injury. You gain the
following benefits:
• Increase your Constitution score by 1, to a maximum of 20.
• Whenever you regain hit points as a result of a spell,
potion, class feature, or other means, you regain
additional hit points equal to your proficiency bonus.
• When a creature uses a spell, Wisdom (Medicine)
check, healer’s kit, or other means to stabilize you
when you are dying, you also regain hit points equal
to your proficiency bonus.
Hustler
Prerequisite: Proficiency with at least one gaming set.
You are well-practiced at lulling people into a false sense
of confidence, fleecing the easy marks, and earning stacks
of coin through games of chance.
• You have advantage on Charisma (Deception) checks to
bluff opponents in games of chance, and Charisma (Per-
suasion) checks to convince others to join you for a game.
• When you take the Carousing downtime action,
you may reroll your result once, but must keep the
results of the second roll.
Improved Initiative
You react with amazing speed. As such, you gain a +4
bonus on Initiative rolls.
Incredible Might
You are able to draw upon reserves of remarkable
strength. You may add your proficiency bonus to all Strength
saving throws. This feat has no effect if you are already
proficient with Strength saving throws.
Iron Mind
You are able to shrug off the most terrifying and blatant
assaults upon your personality and ego. You may add your
proficiency bonus to all Charisma saving throws. This feat
has no effect if you are already proficient with Charisma
saving throws.
Lightning Reflexes
You are blessed with uncanny reflexes. You may add your
proficiency bonus to all Dexterity saving throws. This feat
has no effect if you are already proficient with Dexterity
saving throws.
March of Will or half the damage you take, whichever number is higher.
On a failure, you lose concentration on both spells.
You are accustomed to physically intense work, or other-
wise have greater physical endurance than your peers. This
may be due to a history of athleticism, strength training, past
Nature’s Favor
injury, or force of will, but no matter the reason, you are You take to the forests, water, cities, mountains, or the
more resistant to exhaustion. You gain the following benefits: underground exceptionally well, whether due to your
upbringing, hobbies, or training.
• You may increase your Constitution score by 1 to a
maximum of 20. • Increase your Constitution by 1 to a maximum of
20.
• Once per short rest, if you would otherwise gain a
level of exhaustion due to environmental effect or • You gain advantage on Wisdom (Nature) checks.
spell, you may ignore it.
• Select your favored environment and gain an addi-
tional effect while within that environment.
Mnemonic Mastery
Environment Effect
Prerequisite: Spellscholar feat
Your study of the spells at your disposal has advanced to Cities Once per long rest you may roll
such a degree that you may hold a portion of magical energy in an Intelligence (History) check DC
13 to see if you know one of the
reserve, freeing you from the restrictions of spell preparation. following: a local figure of note, a
When you prepare spells, you may keep a number of open spells single point about local politics, or
on your prepared list equal to your spellcasting ability modifier a safe location within the city.
(minimum 1). As an action you may choose a spell you know
Forest You may cast hunter’s mark
but do not have prepared and make an ability check using your without magical aptitude or
spellcasting ability (DC = 10 + the level of the desired spell). If using spell slots once per long
successful, you may instantly prepare the desired spell. You rest.
must have at least one spell slot available of the desired spell’s
Mountains You may claim advantage
level or higher in order to use this feat to prepare a spell. on saving throws relating
to exhaustion while in the
Mystical Multitask mountains.
Prerequisite: The ability to cast at least one spell Underground Once per long rest you may roll
Due to intensive training, a deep connection to the an Intelligence (History) check
Source, sheer stubbornness, or natural talent, you are able
DC 13 to see if you know one of
the following: a weak structural
to maintain concentration on two spells or effects at the point such as in a cave or mine
same time. This is a taxing practice, and automatically system; a relatively safe location;
accrues one point of menthruac. a single fact about relevant
history or politics of the area.
• If you attempt to cast a spell that requires concen-
tration while already concentrating on an existing Water You may claim advantage on
spell, you can maintain concentration on both spells Strength (Athletics) checks to
simultaneously. You must spend your action each swim; you suffer no harm in
temperatures as cold as –20
subsequent round on maintaining this concentration degrees Fahrenheit while near a
or lose concentration for both spells. You may take major source of water such as a
bonus actions, reactions, and move normally while sea or ocean.
maintaining this concentration. You can take this feat
multiple times for additional
• At the end of each turn where you have two spells you environmental effects, but
are concentrating on, you must make a Constitution the Constitution bonus and
saving throw against a DC of 10 + the number of com- advantage to Wisdom (Nature)
plete rounds you’ve been concentrating on two spells. checks do not stack.
On a failure, you lose concentration for both spells. You
can drop concentration on one of your spells during Observant Heart
your turn as a bonus action to avoid this saving throw.
You more easily observe and notice the motivations of
• Any time you would be forced to make a Constitution your allies and enemies, social implications, and what can
saving throw to maintain concentration due to taking only be read between the lines of speech or a letter, and
damage, the DC equals 10 + both spells’ levels combined, thus gain the following benefits:

– Feats – 37
 • Increase Charisma OR Wisdom by 1 point to a max-
imum of 20.
• No matter which ability score increased, you may
claim advantage on Charisma (Persuasion) and
Wisdom (Insight) checks.
Opportunist
Prerequisite: Intelligence 15
You are constantly aware of the battlefield around you,
honing this awareness into lethal prowess. When a crea-
ture within 5 feet of you takes damage from an attack, you
may use your reaction to make a melee attack against the
damaged creature.
Practiced Drinker
The inns and taverns of the Realm are known for drinking
games. In your travels, you have played and won several, and
in doing so you’ve learned to slam drinks while minimizing
their adverse effects. You gain the following benefits:
• You can drink a potion as a bonus action, instead of
as an action.
• You have advantage on any saving throws triggered
by ingesting an alcoholic beverage or poisonous
substance.
Pure Mind
Due to training, meditation, a natural gift, or dedication to the
Source, you are resistant to the charmed and frightened condi-
tions and may claim advantage on saving throws made against
these effects. If you are already resistant to these conditions,
your next action after the saving throw is also at advantage.
Quicksilver Wit
Your mental reaction time is much faster than most folks.
You may add your proficiency bonus to all Wisdom saving
throws. This feat has no effect if you are already proficient
with Wisdom saving throws.
Rainbow Aura
Natural flora and fauna are colorful and use those colors
as signals to defend themselves. You do likewise, albeit
somewhat more proactively.
You increase your Constitution ability score by 1 up to
a maximum of 20. In addition, up to three times per long
rest, when you successfully hit on an attack, you may roll
an additional 1d6. The result on the die determines the
additional damage of the attack as follows:
38 – CHAPTER ONE: LEGENDS, BACKGROUNDS, AND FEATS –
Result Effect
1 You do cold damage equal to your
Constitution modifier (minimum damage 1).
2 You do fire damage equal to your
Constitution modifier (minimum damage 1).
3 You do acid damage equal to your
Constitution modifier (minimum damage 1).
4 You do psychic damage equal to your
Constitution modifier (minimum damage 1).
5 You do necrotic damage equal to your
Constitution modifier (minimum damage 1).
6 You do radiant damage equal to your
Constitution modifier (minimum damage 1).
If the original roll to hit was a critical success, double
the amount of additional damage dealt via this feat as well.
Reasoned
Your powers of reason and ability to process information
make you incredibly resistant to mental manipulation. You
may add your proficiency bonus to all Intelligence saving
throws. This feat has no effect if you are already proficient
with Intelligence saving throws.
Skill Focus
Choose a skill, tool, instrument, or vehicle you are pro-
ficient with. Your proficiency bonus is doubled for any
ability check you make that uses that proficiency.
Special: You can take this feat multiple times. Its effects
do not stack. Each time you take the feat, it applies to a new
skill, tool, instrument, or vehicle. The effects of this feat
do not stack with the Expertise class feature or any other
feature that grants a doubled proficiency bonus.
Skilled
You are remarkably adept with skills, tools, and vehicles.
Choose any three skills, tools, instruments, or vehicles
you are not proficient with. You gain proficiency with the
chosen skills, tools, instruments, or vehicles.
You can take this feat multiple times. Each time you select
three new skills, tools, instruments, or vehicles.
Source Awareness
You have an acute awareness of the flow of magical energy.
When a spell is cast within a number of feet of you equal
to your passive Perception score × 10 feet, you are aware of
the general direction from which the spell is cast, as well as
the level of the spell. You may use a bonus action to make an
Intelligence (Arcana) check (DC = 10 + the spell’s level). If
successful, you recognize the school of the triggering spell.
Source Tap
Prerequisite: The ability to cast at least one spell
Your connection to the Source when casting magic of a
particular school is potent. When you choose this feat, select
a school of magic. When calculating your spell save DC for
spells of that school, you use double your proficiency bonus.
You may take this feat multiple times, selecting a different
spell school each time the feat is taken.
Speed Burst
Drawing on emotional reserves, training, or force of sheer
will, you have learned to work more quickly — but you cannot
sustain this speed. Once per long rest, you may use haste,
as per the spell, even if you do not have spell slots available.
This use of haste can only target yourself, but the other
effects remain the same, including the inability to move or
take actions until after your next turn once the spell ends.
Spellscholar
Prerequisite: The ability to prepare, and cast, at least
one spell
Through intense study of your spellbook or holy texts,
you have learned a degree of flexibility in your spell prepa-
ration. This allows you, in times of extreme duress, to alter
your spell preparation for the day. As an action, you can
instantly prepare a spell from your available class spell
list (or spellbook, if you prepare spells from one) that you
did not have prepared. This spell choice must be of a level
for which you have spell slots remaining. You then lose
preparation of a different spell of your choice of equal or
higher spell level.
If you are multiclassed, you can only use Spellscholar to
rapidly prepare and swap spells from a class that prepares
spells. Once you use this ability, you must finish a short or
long rest before you can use it again.
Spellslinger
Prerequisite: Character level 8th or higher
Through intense focus, training, and dedication, you’ve
harnessed the techniques of rapid spellcasting. You are no
longer limited to only one non-cantrip spell per turn. If
you are able to access multiple actions, reduce the casting
time of a spell to a bonus action, or by some other means
introduce a second spellcasting action into your turn, you
may cast a second spell that requires the expenditure of
a spell slot. If you cast two or more spells in a single turn,
only one of them can use a spell slot of 3rd level or higher.
Steadfast Companion
If an ally within 10 feet of you suffers damage from an
attack, you may as a reaction move to that ally even if you
used your maximum movement capacity during your
– Feats –
turn. The movement involved in this feat is not subject to
movement restrictions caused by magical effects or difficult
terrain. It also does not provoke attacks of opportunity.
If an ally within 10 feet of you suffers damage from an attack
while you are subject to movement restrictions caused by
physical means, such as binding with chain or the grappled
condition, you instead may use a reaction to immediately
roll the appropriate check to see if you regain freedom of
movement. If you succeed on your check, you may choose
to move as per Steadfast Companion on your next turn.
Summoner’s Strength
Prerequisite: Character level 8th or higher, the ability
to cast spells
You are gifted and share a special rapport with creatures
you magically summon. When you cast a spell such as
find familiar, conjure woodland beings, or conjure minor
elemental, you may add a bonus equal to your proficiency
bonus to either the attacks or Armor Class of the creatures
you summon. You must choose which of these you wish to
apply the bonus to at the time you cast the spell and may
not change it later. This bonus applies to all creatures sum-
moned with the same casting of the spell. If you choose to
apply the bonus to attacks, the bonus applies to all melee
and ranged attack rolls made by the creatures but does not
apply to damage dealt by those attacks.
Sympathetic Sorcery
Prerequisite: Must be able to cast spells
If an attack is made against you and successfully hits,
you may roll a d20 as a reaction as if rolling to hit with an
attack against your attacker’s AC. If successful, the attacker
takes an amount of damage equivalent to the amount done
to you before any modifiers such as resistances (minimum
of 1 hit point damage). You may use this ability up to three
times per day. This ability recharges at sunrise.
Thrown Weapons Master
Through combat training, practice, or natural athleticism,
you are able to maximize the effect of weapons that have
been balanced for throwing. You may even throw weapons
that are not designed for such purposes, though with limited
range. You gain the following benefits:
• Increase your Strength OR Dexterity score by 1, to
a maximum of 20.
• Simple and martial melee weapons without the
thrown property can be treated as if they have the
thrown property. One-handed weapons have a range
of 20/60, while two-handed weapons have a range
of 15/30.
• Weapons that naturally have the thrown property
increase their range by +20/+40.
39
T heRealmishometoawidevarietyofcreatures,frompixies
to orcs. As you Cross, physical characteristics, personality,
and skills and inclination all shape your body into the right one
for You, letting you match the traits of a Realmborn.
After you select a people, you may choose to take their
noted ability score increase. This increase is cultural,
rather than innate. Bryzine trolls tend to be hardy due
to growing up in harsh northern conditions, and good at
haggling as they’re a trading people. Likewise, elves raise
their children in a way that favors increases to Charisma,
Intelligence, and Wisdom. East Azoth supports adoption
and fosterage between peoples, as different peoples cannot
biologically conceive a twin-people child. If you play a
Realmborn adopted into a different culture — like a dwarf
– People of East Azoth –
raised by elves — you choose which cultural bonus applies.
You can also pick one as your people template and add a
Realmborn background from Chapter One for the other.
You may also decide your Visitor doesn’t have this affin-
ity, or that your Realmborn’s talents simply run counter
to a traditional cultural upbringing. If this is the case, you
may forego your cultural ability score increase and instead
refer to the table on p. 57 of Chapter Three: Classes to
select a class-based increase instead.
As to languages—you start with whatever languages
you know. Luckily, East Azoth’s tongues are very similar.
Refer to Languages in Chapter Five for more, but gener-
ally you can assume most Visitors can make themselves
understood in the Realm.
41
 Bryzine Trolls
Cho Jae ate most of her lunches alone in the bathroom. She was the daughter
of a second-generation Korean immigrant father and a mother so classically
European-American she traced her family back to no less than five Euro-
pean countries. Jae was awkward around the kids at school — not smart
enough to be a nerd, not athletic enough to be a jock, and not Korean
enough to be grouped with the “Asians” at school.

What Jae desperately wanted was to be the person she was with
her family. The bright, hilarious young woman whose witty
comebacks always saved a conversation. Then one day she
fell out of a tree and instead of hitting the ground she kept
falling, until she landed in a cold, dark cave.

Opening her new eyes for the first time,

surrounded by hairy trolls exclaiming that
she literally fell into their dinner, Jae made
a quiet promise to herself. Whatever these
creatures were, wherever she was, she
would be the person she always knew she
was.

You are a
Bryzine Troll
Y ou’re a witty, friendly person who
is often misunderstood. Rather
than mistrusting you because of how
you act, people often judge you
because of your cultural background
and outward appearance. Entering
the Realm as a Bryzine troll changed
things very little for you.
While the Bryzine trolls are a unique
culture, people are unable to see past
the fact that you’re a troll. When you
encounter prejudice, you seek to
enlighten and teach others. You
put your best foot forward and
show people how their assumptions
are incorrect. Your efforts don’t always work,
but the hope that things can change drives you onward.
Deep within you is a strong, abiding love for others. There is
nothing you enjoy more than good conversation among good
friends. You meet new people with ease and forgive mistakes
easily, hoping other do the same for you.
One thing people don’t expect from you is your love of debate.
You love sparring ideas with other people and spending hours
discussing the fine points of very specific topics. You don’t need

42 – CHAPTER TWO: PEOPLE OF EAST AZOTH –

to be right, but you thrive on exploring competing ideas
and broadening your own view of the world.
People See You
as Alien and Fearful
C
overed in hair from head to toe, though smaller than
your troll cousins, people still see you as something
to fear. Sometimes you forget yourself, think you’re still
human, and walk directly up to someone and then wonder
at them backing away in fear. You’d do well to learn from
the other Bryzine trolls and approach people with caution
lest they take advantage of your sensitivity to fire.
Among the Bryzine trolls you’re accepted, even though
they know you’re an outsider. After all, many consider the
trolls outsiders themselves so who are they to judge? It’s
sometimes hard for you to understand why the Realmborn
trolls are so peaceful, why they focus on mercantile pur-
suits, and forgive grave offenses. Within Bryzine there is a
deep focus on changing others’ views on trolls and you only
hope you can contribute to that in some meaningful way.
– Bryzine Trolls –
Traits
• Ability Score Increase. Increase your Constitution
score by 2, and your Charisma score by 1.
• Age. Trolls mature at sixteen years. Their, albeit
limited, regeneration sees them reach a lifespan of
four to five centuries.
• Size. Bryzine trolls range from six to seven feet tall
and weigh on average 220 to 280 pounds. Your size
is Medium.
• Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
• Darkvision. Your trollish ancestry gives you supe-
rior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see
in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright
light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t
discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.
• Troll Resilience. You have advantage on saving
throws against poison and cold damage. You also
have resistance against poison and cold.
• Trollish Tenacity. When you are reduced to 0 hit
points, you regenerate hit points equal to 1 class Hit
Die + your Stamina modifier at the end of your next
turn. You can’t use this feature again until you finish
a short rest.
43
 Dwarf
Najda grew up poor in Los Angeles, and spent her time dodging the worst aspects of poverty by pouring her energy
into comics and writing. She loved it, and it appeased her mom’s mandate to stay out of trouble, which she immediately
broke by joining the military straight out of high school. She planned to go to college after a single tour in Afghanistan,
but never got that far.

While on patrol an IED flipped her truck, and Najda spent the next few years of her life fighting for veteran benefits.
It was some small blessing, at least, that Los
Angeles was one of the most wheelchair acces-
sible cities in the US.

One evening, locking up at the com-

ic-book store at which she now worked,
Najda heard a rustling behind her. It came
from one of the new comics, pages softly
turning in the wind — except there wasn’t any.
She opened the book to a page of a vast hilly
landscape that seemed to steadily draw her in….

You are a Dwarf

Y ou might be short, stocky, and squat, like
a Realmborn dwarf, but stature alone has
very little impact on why you Crossed as one.
Your inherent drive for adventure, your natural
sense of right and wrong, a love of music and history,
or desire to define yourself through action are the
traits that ultimately determined that you would
become a dwarf upon Crossing over.
If you were an author, voracious reader, or
natural storyteller, these traits might also
have contributed, especially if your goal
is to contribute to the cultural tapestry,
not just consume it.
If you seek to make history, to amass
a wealth of personal adventures, see
all the world has to offer, or strive to
do what is just and right in all things,
you may find you’re one of the rare few
who are turned into dwarves upon the
time of Crossing.

44 – CHAPTER TWO: PEOPLE OF EAST AZOTH –

Reckless Storytellers,
and Reliable Allies
D warves are thrill-seeking glory hounds, always
willing to join a fight, or adventure if it promises
fame or a good story. That’s often how others entice you
to come along, and it works more often than you like to
admit. You’re also the person they expect to volunteer for
seemingly impossible tasks, because if you live, everyone
will get to hear about it.
Other people come to rely on you as a moral compass,
since no matter what, you always do what you feel is right
or fair. You might be surprised at how willingly others take
you at your word, and you, like the Realmborn dwarves,
don’t break agreements without good cause.
By the fireside, you’re the first people expect to start a
song or tell a tale. If you spent a lot of your time on Earth
exploring and traveling, you have personal stories to tell,
and a little clever editing can turn any bit of pop culture
or Earth history into a thrilling story that nobody’s heard
before.
– Dwarf –
Traits
• Ability Score Increase. Increase your Constitution
or Strength score by 2, and your Charisma score by
1.
• Age. Dwarves mature around twenty years of age,
and on average live to about three hundred years
old.
• Size. Dwarves stand between four and five feet tall,
with broad, squat bodies that are nearly as wide as
they are tall. They can weigh up to 150 pounds. Your
size is Medium.
• Speed. Your base walking speed is 25 feet.
• Dwarven Mettle. You have advantage on saving
throws against fear, and resistance to psychic dam-
age.
• Dwarven Recovery. Once per turn as a reaction to
being damaged, if you’re not incapacitated, you can
spend and roll a Hit Die to immediately recover hit
points.
• Natural Performers. You gain proficiency in Per-
form (Charisma) and two musical instruments or
other performance tools of your choice.
45
 Elves
As Aaliyah and her companions trudged
into the depths of the forest, Aaliyah saw the
remnants of the forest goblin camp; a mark
here, a flint there. She halted and
raised a hand to sign to her party
in a mix of ASL and Forestspeak.
Her companions quietly loosened
swords in sheaths and arrows
in quivers but didn’t make any
overtly aggressive moves — they
had brought the ambassador with
them for a reason.
Aaliyah gestured her
translator to stand just behind
her, in case the goblins didn’t un-
derstand sign language, and took a
deep breath. She still remembered
her lessons from home, about
standing for what’s right
and making others see
your point. It had taken
her years to convince
her family she was
a woman. Yes, she
could do this.
You are
an Elf
E lves are otherworldly creatures,
associated with the scents of
woods, the colors of a sunrise over a
mountain, and the light reflected from
a waterfall. Elves in the Realm consist
of two broad groupings: elves of the
rainbow and elves of the forest.
Elves embody pride and a love of per-
sonal freedom. They possess a strong
sense of personal space, boundaries,
and sovereignty. While they are apt to
help strangers and view them as distant
relations, they view institutions
like slavery and enchantments that
affect the mind as transgressions
of a fundamental boundary. To all
elves, for oaths of love and friendship to
46 – CHAPTER TWO: PEOPLE OF EAST AZOTH –
matter in the first place, the individual must be free to
enter such relationships. An oath of protection does
not mean anything if the individual elf cannot make
decisions for their own mind, heart, and body. Love
spells are rightly taboo among elvenkind, and they
often avoid enchantments of suggestion too.
When Crossing, traits
like pride, love of chosen
family, a strong sense of
boundaries and personal
sovereignty, love of beauty, and
even love of personal explora-
tions of emotion, gender, and
sexuality can help determine
whether a Visitor becomes em-
bodied as one of the elves.
Community and Freedom
Pride manifests itself in unique ways among
elves. In addition to quotidian accomplishments,
they take pride in more abstract crafts as well,
such as leadership, the ability to survey terrain
at a glance to discern its advantages in war,
helping to heal disease, or alleviating hunger.
Forest elves are named such because their
culture revolves around wooded areas,
rivers, and the occasional field or mountain
spring. If a threat arises, they can move
quickly to avoid it. Rainbow elves — while
like forest elves in many ways — have a
more martial culture, preferring to root
out threats whenever possible to make
sure the danger does not follow them
home. While ideals like family and
friendship hold true for every elf, their
connection to the land has shaped
how forest elves interpret these ideals
and how they structure their communi-
ties. Homes and shelters are built with an
eye toward rapid portability, to be able to
take what few permanent possessions are
in the household and travel in the event
that uncontrolled fire, flood, or famine hits
the community’s land.
A proverb among elves is that family
is in the heart, not in the blood. Not
only is adoption common, but elves
give hospitality to other elves. Elves
treat each other with dignity, hospitality, and
kindness whether encountering a stranger from elsewhere in
the Realm, or one originally from Earth.
Rainbow and forest elves both speak Forestspeak, though
with differences between them. For example, rainbow elves
have more words to describe nuances in martial situations,
while forest elves have three different words for “moss.”
People See You as Proud
E
lves do have dealings with other people, though mostly
through trade, and the perceptions of elves can vary
quite a bit. In general, people see elves as proud and fierce
defenders of their communities. A human noble may regard
an elf as less courteous or elegant than the human expects,
just as it is possible for an elf to initially view a human as
tragically short-sighted and crass. If an elf makes a friend
or pledges an oath however, those relationships are built
on a strong foundation that might bend, but never break.
Traits
• Ability Score Increase. You allocate three +1 bo-
nuses, or one +2 and one +1 bonus among Charisma,
Dexterity, Intelligence and Wisdom.
• Age. Elves are long-lived. An elf may declare themself
an adult anywhere from thirty years to one hundred
years of age depending on their experiences; it is
rare for an elf to see 750 years, but not unheard, and
these elder elves are greatly respected or feared.
• Size. Elves range from 5.5 to 6 feet. Your size is
Medium.
• Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
• Darkvision. The Enchanted Forest is lit only by
stars and moon at night, and elves evolved to have
superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can
see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were
bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light.
You can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of
gray.
• Seekers of Beauty. As beauty is revered by both
forest elves and rainbow elves, You gain proficiency
in Charisma (Performance) and a single musical
instrument or other artistic tool set.
• Sleepless: You do not sleep and may take a long rest
by meditating for four hours instead. You are also
immune to effects, mundane or magical, that induce
sleep.
• Rainbow Step. Prerequisite: rainbow elf. As a bonus
action, you can teleport up to 30 feet to an unoccupied
– Elves –
space that you are able to see or otherwise sense.
Once you use this trait you cannot use it again until
you finish a short or long rest.
Starting at third level, Rainbow Step has an additional
effect, determined by rolling a d6 on the table below,
each time when used.
Result Effect
1 Immediately after you use your
Rainbow Step, each creature of your
choice that you can see within 5 feet
of you takes fire damage equal to
your Charisma modifier (minimum of 1
damage).
2 Immediately after you use your
Rainbow Step, each creature of your
choice that you can see within 5 feet
of you takes radiant damage equal to
your Charisma modifier (minimum of 1
damage).
3 Immediately after you use your
Rainbow Step, up to two creatures of
your choice within 10 feet of you must
succeed on a Wisdom saving throw
(DC 13) or be charmed by you for
1 minute, or until you or any of your
companions do any damage to them.
4 Immediately after you use your
Rainbow Step, up to two creatures of
your choice within 10 feet of you must
succeed on a Wisdom saving throw
(DC 13) or be frightened by you until
the end of your next turn.
5 Immediately after you use your
Rainbow Step, each creature of your
choice that you can see within 5 feet
of you takes cold damage equal to
your Charisma modifier (minimum of 1
damage).
6 Immediately after you use Rainbow
Step, each creature of your choice
that you can see within 5 feet of
you must succeed on a Constitution
saving throw (DC 13) or take poison
damage equal to your Charisma
modifier (minimum of 1 damage). If
the targeted creature fails the saving
throw, the creature is poisoned, suffers
the damage, and at the end of its turn
must succeed on a Constitution saving
throw (DC 10) or remain poisoned
until the end of its next turn.
• Keen Mind. Prerequisite: forest elf. You always know
which direction is north, the number of hours left
before the next sunrise or sunset, and furthermore
can accurately recall anything you have seen or heard
in the past month.
47
 Hairfoot
Taylor rolled the heavy gold coin over their knuckles; a trick they’d learned in college while dodging deadlines and
putting off studying. It was a worthless skill, sure, but they’d learned three valuable lessons on the road to their now
worthless degree. The first lesson was that a skill isn’t really worthless if nobody else has it.

The second lesson was that the right friend at the right time could make your life much, much easier. A friend made
in Carahill had graciously given them a bag of coins, and a hard-won friend in Drohm had given them information on a
wizard who might be able to get them back to Earth.

Sadly, they’d learned that wizards weren’t in the market for friends. They want-
ed things like ancient jeweled staves sitting in skeleton infested ruins.

This brought them to the third lesson college had taught them: You
can’t dodge the deadline forever; eventually you have to roll up your
sleeves and get the work done. So now Taylor sat in an Ardonian
pub tumbling one of their last coins over their knuckles, looking for
a friend or three who might help them with a dungeon.

You are a Hairfoot

Y ou may have been short, or
possessed large feet to
begin with, but your physical
characteristics have less impact
on the fact you’ve become a
hairfoot than your personality does.
Your wit, unique perspective on the
world, and ability to puzzle out situations
are what transformed you into a hairfoot upon Crossing over.
You might have been a corporate troubleshooter, a veteran
member of a tech support team, a skillful salesman, or even a shady
con artist; either way, you have insights into people and problems
that others don’t, and this is the essential nature of a hairfoot.

Troublemakers and
Valuable Allies
H airfeet are practical by nature, they value solutions to problems,
and are inherently talented at examining situations to find a good
angle of approach. This also means they are viewed as opportunistic
and exploitative — a reputation that isn’t inaccurate, but far more
negative than they deserve. You know as well as any other hairfoot that
you can’t let a good opportunity pass you by, since being in the right
place at the right time can be the difference between success and failure.
Other people expect you to take advantage and exploit these oppor-
tunities, and many are guarded against you, thinking you’ve got an
angle or motive they haven’t spotted yet. You might, but that doesn’t

48 – CHAPTER TWO: PEOPLE OF EAST AZOTH –

mean you’re not on their side. Sometimes you need to get
a little tricky on someone else’s behalf.
You’re the first one people look to for a wild plan or
bright idea, and you probably have at least the seed of one
to start with. You’re also confident that you can play the
rest by ear without worry of the whole thing going wrong…
and even if it does, you’ll come up with a plan for that!
Traits
• Ability Score Increase. Increase your Dexterity or
Charisma score by 2, and your Wisdom or Intelli-
gence score by 1.
• Age. Hairfeet mature quickly, reaching adulthood
by sixteen, and can reach about a century in age.
• Size. Hairfeet are especially short, standing no more
than four feet tall. They are slightly squat with large,
hairy feet. Your size is Small.
– Hairfoot –
• Speed. Your base walking speed is 25 feet.
• Nimble Digits. Thanks to your small hands you are
exceptionally good at fine detail work that larger
folk couldn’t easily manage. You have advantage on
Dexterity-based checks that benefit from your agile
hands.
• Unique Perspective. Thanks to your short stature
and keen eyes you often see ways to capitalize on
environments and situations others can’t. You can
give yourself advantage on a Dexterity (Stealth),
Wisdom (Perception), or Intelligence (Investigation)
check, and may do so three times per long rest.
• Shimmy and Slip. Once per turn as a reaction to
being attacked you can add +2 to your AC against
that attack and move five feet without provoking
opportunity attacks. If the attack misses due to this
feature, the distance you can move increases to 10
feet. This does not consume any of your movement
for the turn.
49
 Human
Miguel Lopez quietly worked on the lock of the school maintenance
building as his body rocked back and forth in a steady rhythm. Sure, he
was breaking into the maintenance shed, and yes, technically he was
going to dump food dye into the pool filters, but green is the school
color, and the swim team could use some extra school spirit for their
match tomorrow! As far as he was concerned this was
helping, and that’d be his defense if he was caught.

Within a few minutes he had picked the door,

and as he nudged it open was immensely confused
by what was on the other side. Instead of a mainte-
nance room he found an old stone chamber with a
shimmering orb on an iron pedestal.

Pranks could wait, he thought, and scooped up

the orb to peer into it. In the reflection he saw
himself, though his surroundings seemed dark
and strange. He spun around to compare the
room to the reflection, only to find the door
was gone, replaced by more dim stone hall-
ways. Stuffing the orb into his backpack he set
off exploring the odd structure he’d somehow
stumbled into.

You are a Human

Y ou were a human before the Crossing, and you
stayed that way as you transitioned between worlds.
Though things about you may have changed to better
fit the idealized You in your head, you’re fundamentally
unchanged.

Reliable, Adaptable,
Stalwart
H umans of the Realm are no different from humans
of Earth: they are adaptable, intelligent, empathetic,
cruel, shortsighted, and petty, sometimes all at once. You
have your flaws, as does everyone else.
You find that your appearance may influence where
others think you’re from, but you’ve never heard of places
like Brachmon, Drom, or Ardonia. You might do your
best to lie and fit in, but most humans will know
if you’re out of place.
As an outsider you have a hard time keeping up
with the traditions and cultures around you, which
will be the first thing that tips off Realmborn folk

50 – CHAPTER TWO: PEOPLE OF EAST AZOTH –

you’re not from Azoth. So long as you keep your head
down though, and don’t draw attention, all but the most
keen-eyed observers should overlook you.
Traits
• Ability Score Increase. Choose a cultural increase
dependent on your nation, or increase 3 ability scores
of your choice by 1, or one score by 2 and another
score by 1.
– Ardonia: Increase your Intelligence score by 2,
and your Dexterity score by 1.
– Brachmon: Increase your Constitution score by
2, and your Wisdom score by 1.
– Carahill: Increase your Charisma score by 2,
and your Constitution score by 1.
– Drohm: Increase your Constitution score by 2,
and your Strength score by 1.
– O’koth: Increase your Wisdom score by 2, and
your Constitution score by 1.
• Age. Humans reach adulthood in their late teens
and live less than a century.
– Human –
• Size. Humans vary widely in height and build, from
less than five feet to well over six feet tall. Regardless
of your position in that range, your size is Medium.
• Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
• Outsider Edge. Prerequisite: Earthborn. The fact you
come from a world of pop culture, history, science
and technology often benefits you in the Realm. At
GM’s discretion you gain advantage on ability and
skill checks where your background as a human from
Earth would provide insight or better methods of
handling a task.
• Reckless Initiative. Humans are reckless and
seemingly immune to fear. Once per long rest you
can double your initiative modifier, and also give
yourself advantage on that initiative roll.
• Give Me A Second. When humans aren’t racing
headlong into bad situations they are hanging back,
sizing things up. Once per long rest you can opt to
take an unmodified 1 as your initiative and go last in
the combat order. In exchange, you gain advantage
and a +2 bonus on one roll you make on your first
turn of that combat.
• Versatile. Choose one extra language, tool or skill
proficiency.
51
 Orc
Tommy Dufraine was born and raised on a pig farm in the southern US. The irony of this was not lost
on him. He was the runt of six brothers, and a full head shorter than the next oldest
brother; the running joke in the family was that Mrs. Dufraine was plain running
out of kid to have. Now he towered over everyone he saw, weighed as much as two
full-grown men, and could crush bones into dust with his hands if he wanted.

Luckily, Tommy wasn’t the bone crushing sort. He was a quiet,

even-tempered fellow, with a keen intelligence. He had particu-
lar love for puzzles and riddles, spending all his free time and
allowance on them as a young man. Even now he missed
doing the Sunday crossword with his dad more than any-
thing.

The current puzzle involved an ancient stone door,

and a set of revolving plates on a stone pedestal. His
new friends had been monkeying with it for the last
half hour. When you moved one plate all the others
would move on their own in some as-yet undiscerned
pattern. He’d offered help more than once, and they
brushed him off. Tommy was used to this, and it had
only become more common since he ended up in this
world.

It wasn’t until everyone had given up in disgust and

the notion of just smashing the door down was raised
that Tommy sidled up to the puzzle. With a few
minutes to figure out the patterns he quickly rolled
the plates around until they all could be pressed in,
unlocking the way forward.

“Y’know,” said Tommy, “pigs’re a lot smarter than

most folk give ‘em credit for.”

You are an Orc

Y ou may have started out tall or beefy to begin with, but
that was only a small factor in your transformation
when you Crossed over from Earth to the Realm. Your
untapped intelligence, natural empathy, and drive to
defy expectations had a much bigger impact on your
transformation into one of the towering porcine orcs of
the Realm.
You may have been constantly faced with preconcep-
tions based solely on an aesthetic, or expectations made
of your background. Goths, metal heads, punks, hipsters,
and most any group that may be easily misjudged for their
appearance have a strong chance of being remade as orcs
upon Crossing.

52 – CHAPTER TWO: PEOPLE OF EAST AZOTH –

Cunning, but Poorly
Regarded
T he first thing you learn about orcs in the Realm is
that they have a bad reputation. They are seen as
untrustworthy, brutish, violent, and crude. Your bearing
and personality get you lumped into the Bloody Hills Orcs,
confused with an ambassador for a people who think the
same way as you. This is to your advantage, as they appear
to be given at least a little respect in the world, if warily.
Since the majority of other people are automatically on
guard around you, making friends and allies may be initially
difficult. It takes effort to change their perceptions, but
you are used to this struggle. You know that appearances
are deceptive, and that actions can easily change minds.
With your intelligence, conviction, and willingness to
work with others you will quickly make allies of your
more open-minded critics.
– Orc –
Traits
• Ability Score Increase. Increase your Wisdom or
Intelligence score by 2, and your Strength score by 1.
• Age. Orcs mature rapidly, reaching adulthood by
ten, and living about 70 years.
• Size. Orcs are large and muscular, they stand be-
tween six and seven feet tall, and weigh four to five
hundred pounds on average. Your size is Medium.
• Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
• Sensitive Snout. You have advantage on Wisdom
(Perception), Intelligence (Investigation), and
Wisdom (Survival) checks that rely on your sense
of smell to search, scrutinize, or track something.
• Brutish Build. When you use the Attack action,
as a bonus action you can shove a creature you’ve
attacked, forcing them to make a DC 12 Strength
save or become unbalanced, which gives them dis-
advantage on their next attack, action, or save.
• Crushing Impact. When you use the Attack action
you can add an additional 1d10 to a single attack’s
damage. You can use this feature once per short rest,
unless the improved attack reduces the targeted
creature to 0 hit points, in which case the feature
is not expended.
53
 Pixies
As Jada’s hand made a very satisfying connection with the goblin’s cheek they immediately felt the smallest tinge
of regret in the pit of their very tiny stomach. Why were they always getting into these types of situations? One could
argue it all began in university when Jada stood up in front of the class and lectured the professor on the finer points of
feminism they heard their parents discussing at the dinner table. Or further back when they punched Tommy
Branson in 5th grade for telling them to go back to their own country…

Jada questioned their actions a million times per day, hundreds of hours over hun-
dreds of nights. Why did they always get into trouble? Were they in fact the one who
was wrong?

A deep growl from the goblin snapped Jada from their reverie. The crea-
ture’s eyes narrowed, and he flung the hairfoot he held to the ground.
Seeing the poor hairfoot cry, Jada remembered: No, they were definitely
not the one who was wrong.

You are a Pixie

Y ou’re not good with bullies. In fact, you’re not
good with anyone who thinks they’re superior
to others and can make them feel bad about it. The
best medicine for bullies is a good prank or two, to
take them down a peg, and show them they’re just the
same as everyone else. Anyone you call a friend is a friend
for life, and you’ll do anything to protect them. Earning your
love isn’t easy though, and people must prove
themselves multiple times to you before you’re
willing to let them in.
You often see things others miss. You notice
the person frowning in the back, hear the words
left unsaid, or even read the faulty logic of an argu-
ment. When this happens, rather than doing nothing
— you act. It isn’t always appreciated by others and it’s
exceedingly hard for you to hold back or filter yourself.
You believe in utter, brutal honesty, and hope the people
around you do as well. When you find out they don’t it’s often
a startling let down.

People See You as

a Mischievous Rebel
P eople think you cause mischief and sow chaos — and they aren’t half
wrong. What the big folk don’t understand is the motivation behind
your actions. They think, small person, small motivation, merely acting on a
lark, but they couldn’t be more wrong. This isn’t a misapprehension you’re going
to correct them of though; it’s always to your advantage when people underestimate
how committed you can be.
Creatures larger than you assume you’re Realmborn and often give you the wary respect
afforded any pixie, but interactions with other pixies is more difficult. Pixie communica-

54 – CHAPTER TWO: PEOPLE OF EAST AZOTH –

tion is a complex form of verbal and non-verbal signals.
More can be said in one movement than in fifty words,
and sometimes it’s impossible to get Realmborn pixies
to shut up. You feel you’ll spend your entire life trying to
perfect blending in with them.
Traits
• Ability Score Increase. Increase your Dexterity
score by 2, and your Intelligence score by 1.
• Age. Pixies mature quickly, reaching adulthood
within a year of hatching from their egg. While
effectively immortal (though not indestructible)
within the Enchanted Forest, pixies live to about a
century outside it.
• Size. Pixies stand roughly six to eight inches tall.
Your size is Tiny. Adjust weapon damage accordingly.
• Speed. Your base walking speed is 5feet. Your base
flying speed is 30 feet.
• Fey Ancestry. You have advantage on saving throws
against being charmed, and magic can’t put you to
sleep.
– Pixies –
• Geas. When you make a promise with someone,
you may both agree to turn it into a supernaturally
binding pact. If you or the other person breaks
their word, the other knows. Many pixies use this
ability to construct convoluted agreements, which
most always result in someone else breaking their
promise and owing the pixie a boon.
• Pixie Magik. You know the minor illusion cantrip.
When you reach 3rd level, you can cast faerie fire
once per day. When you reach the 5th level, you can
cast the major image spell once per day. Intelligence
is your spellcasting ability for these spells.
• Pixie Language. In addition to whatever languages
you speak and read, you can also speak and smell
Pixie — pixies have no written language and commu-
nicate using a complex combination of vocalizations
mixing with an olfactory understanding of others to
convey meaning behind what is said.
• Small and Mighty. You can move through the space
of any creature. Opportunity attacks made against
you by a creature that is a size larger than yours are
made with disadvantage.
• Wings. You have wings and can fly.
55
I n this chapter you’ll find two full classes, as well as customization options for the core classes of the 5th edition
fantasy system. Rather than take a cultural ability score increase from Chapter Two: People of East Azoth, you
have the option of choosing an increase based on your class.

Class Option Ability Score Increase

Alchemist n/a +2 STR, +1 DEX
Gunslinger n/a +2 STR, +1 CON
Barbarian Woad Painted, Ocean Raider +2 STR or CON, +1 WIS
Bard Bakhurun +2 CHA, +1 CON or DEX
Cleric Eye of Othaaris +2 WIS, +1 CON
Druid Druid of Fantasia +2 WIS, +1 CON or DEX
Fighter O’koth Ranger, White Unicorn +2 CON, +1 DEX or STR,
Monk Fist of Othaaris, Way of the Broken Sword +2 WIS, +1 DEX or CON
Paladin Oath of Fealty +2 STR or CON, +1 CHA
Ranger n/a +2 DEX or STR, +1 WIS
Rogue Hidden Shadow +2 DEX, +1 INT
Sorcerer Sourceborn +2 CHA, +1 CON
Warlock Demon of the Shadow Lands, The Last Unicorn +2 CHA, +1 CON
Wizard Arcane Artificer +2 INT, +1 DEX

– Classes – 57
 Alchemist
E ver since the first Visitor brought notions of science
to Azoth, alchemists have blended it with the Realm’s
unique laws of reality to create alchemy. They work
tirelessly to unlock the secrets of the natural world and
the magical properties within, seeking to make magic
available to all through potions, medicine, and in rare cases,
technology so advanced it’s indistinguishable from magic.
This is a very common class — almost every village has
a low-level alchemist selling wares.
Class Features
HIT POINTS
Hit Dice: 1d8 per alchemist level
Hit Points at 1st Level: 8 + Constitution modifier
Hit Points at Higher Levels: 1d8 + Constitution modifier
per alchemist level after 1st
PROFICIENCIES
Armor: Light armor
Weapons: Simple weapons, alchemical items
Tools: Alchemist’s bag
Saving Throws: Dexterity, Intelligence
Skills: Choose three from Arcana, Deception, History,
Insight, Investigation, Medicine, Nature, Perception or
Stealth
EQUIPMENT
You start with the following equipment, in addition to
the equipment granted by your background:
• (a) a dagger, (b) a mace, or (c) a quarterstaff
• (a) studded leather armor or (b) leather armor
• (a) a scholar’s pack or (b) a diplomat’s pack
• Alchemist’s bag and 20 gp
ALCHEMY
Alchemy is the study of magic within science. Every
alchemist has an alchemist’s bag with everything they
need to make potions and other items involved in those
studies; this counts as a set of alchemist’s supplies. The
alchemist’s bag also serves as focus item for spell potion
making. Alchemists use their Intelligence modifier to
calculate save DCs of any potions or other alchemist
class features.
58 – CHAPTER THREE: CLASSES –
Spell save DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus + your
Intelligence modifier
Spell attack modifier = your proficiency bonus + your
Intelligence modifier
ALCHEMICAL TRICKS
You know a number of cantrips from the alchemist
spell list, depending on your level. You gain these effects
not by casting spells, but by crafting potions on the spot
(requiring an action time equal to the cantrip’s casting
time) which contain the effect.
BASIC BANE
Basic Bane is a 1st-level potion that any alchemist can
make. For Basic Bane, an alchemist only needs their
alchemist’s bag, a piece from the body of a creature of
the same type as the one being targeted, and a free spell
slot to channel into the Bane. The material components,
including the piece of the creature of the targeted type,
are consumed in the crafting.
You can throw this potion up to 20 feet (or up to 60
feet with disadvantage) as a ranged weapon, or apply it
to a weapon or armor which gains the Bane effect when
it makes contact with a creature of the targeted type.
Once activated, Bane lasts 1 round per alchemist level + 2
rounds per level of the spell slot the alchemist expended
to craft the potion.
When a Bane potion, or weapon or armor to which Bane
is applied, makes contact with a creature of the targeted
type, the target must make a Charisma saving throw. If
the target fails, they roll and subtract 1d4 from their at-
tack rolls and saving throws for the duration of the Bane.
Starting at level 9, you can create Bane potions which
additionally inflict the poisoned condition. At level 13 your
Bane potion also inflicts the blind condition. At 17th level
it further inflicts the paralyzed condition.
SPELL POTIONS
At 2nd level, you have studied alchemical compounds
in nature to understand the magical components within
them. With the right ingredients, an alchemist can distill
spells from the alchemist spell list into potions. You know
all Alchemist spells for which you have spell slots.
The alchemist can craft a “quick potion,” or make a
sturdier potion ahead of time. Crafting a quick potion
takes one turn and consumes a spell slot of the same
level as the spell being distilled. Quick potions must be
used within ten minutes of their creation lest they decay.
 CLASS ADVANCEMENT
Proficiency
Level Bonus Features Spell Slots Per Spell Level
Cantrips 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th
1st +2 Alchemy, Alchemical Tricks, Basic 3 — — — — —
Bane, Throw Anything
2nd +2 Spell Potions 3 2 — — — —
3rd +2 Field of Research 3 3— — — —
4th +2 Ability Score Improvement 4 3— — — —
5th +3 Extra Alchemical Attack 4 4 2 — — —
6th +3 Advanced Spell Potions 4 4 2 — — —
7th +3 Field of Research 4 4 3 — — —
8th +3 Ability Score Improvement 4 4 3 — — —
9th +4 Basic Bane Improvement 4 4 3 2 — —
10th +4 Expert Spell Potions 5 4 3 2 — —
11th +4 Dissertation 5 4 3 3 — —
12th +4 Ability Score Improvement 5 4 3 3 — —
13th +5 Basic Bane Improvement 5 4 3 3 1 —
14th +5 Applied Alchemy 5 4 3 3 1 —
15th +5 Extra Alchemical Attack 5 4 3 3 2 —
16th +5 Ability Score Improvement 5 4 3 3 2 —
17th +6 Basic Bane Improvement 5 4 3 3 3 1
18th +6 Research Doctorate 5 4 3 3 3 1
19th +6 Ability Score Improvement 5 4 3 3 3 2
20th +6 Doctor of Alchemy 5 4 3 3 3 2

Alternately, the alchemist may spend a short rest crafting
a number of potions (which also consume matching spell
slots) equal to their proficiency bonus, which last until
their spell slots next refresh.
The alchemist regains all expended spell slots when
they finish a long rest.
ADVANCED SPELL POTIONS
At level 6, your potion making has advanced to have
twice the potency. You may double every potion’s damage
or duration at the cost of two spell slots of the same level
as the spell being distilled. These potions are potent but
unstable and can only be crafted as quick potions.
ABILITY SCORE INCREASE
When you reach 4th level, and again at 8th, 12th, 16th
and 19th level, you can increase one ability score of your
choice by 2, or you can increase two ability scores of your
choice by 1. You can’t increase an ability score above 20
using this feature.
FIELD OF RESEARCH
At 3rd level, and again at 7th level, you can select one
of the following research fields to study. At 11th level you
also gain an ability reflecting your dissertation in each of
your chosen fields of research. At 18th you gain a research
doctorate in your chosen fields.
* BOMBMAKER
You may expend a spell slot to create a thrown bomb that
has the same range as Basic Bane and does 3d8 damage
within a 20-foot radius of impact.
• Dissertation. At 11th level, you can create a bomb
with your choice of added cold, fire, acid, or lightning
for an additional 2d8 damage of the chosen type for
each level over 1st of the spell slot expended.
• Research Doctorate. At 18th level, you can create
bombs with an additional ability to do one of the
following: do psychic damage instead of physical,
inflict the effect of Basic Bane with the same bomb
or cast counterspell. Once the additional ability is

– Class: Alchemist – 59

picked, it cannot be changed and applies to all bombs
made using this feature.
* MUTAGEN CRAFTER
You may expend a spell slot to create a personal enhance-
ment mutagen that will either (a) grant your proficiency
bonus on rolls with one ability with which you are not
already proficient for one minute, (b) gain resistance
against slashing, piercing, and bludgeoning damage, (c)
restore hit points equal to 2 per spell slot level.
You can enjoy the effects of one mutagen at a time, and
may not craft additional ones ahead of time. The effect on
an ability does not carry over to skills using that ability.
• Dissertation. Your mutagen has become more potent,
also granting advantage on rolls with the ability of
your choice, while healing potions you create restore
an additional 4 hit points per spell slot level.
• Research Doctorate. Your self-discipline allows you
to enhance yourself to permanently gain advantage
on rolls with one ability of your choice. You can only
craft one such mutagen ever.
* HOMUNCULUS
You expend a spell slot to construct a small homunculus
similar to a Gol-thim. This construct creature is crafted
from clay.
60 – CHAPTER THREE: CLASSES –
Add your proficiency bonus to its AC, attack rolls, and
damage rolls. Its hit point maximum and Hit Dice are half
your own. It has Intelligence and Wisdom scores of 10.
You can command your homunculus as a bonus action on
your initiative either mentally or verbally. It attempts
to complete commands until directed otherwise,
or until the task is as complete as it can be.
If the construct is destroyed, you can create
a new one in two weeks of downtime. If you
die the homunculus stands inert wherever it
is, activating temporarily only to defend itself.
• Dissertation. At 11th level, you are able to re-
shape your homunculus into a proper Gol-thim.
It otherwise functions with the same rules as
a homunculus and is created in three weeks
of downtime. See Gol-thim, Chapter Seven:
Allies, Adversaries, and Creatures, p. 183 for stats.
• Research Doctorate. At 18th level, you have cracked
the secret of granting life and can now create an
elemental spawn — see Spawn, Chapter Seven, p.
193 for stats. You need to have access to your alchem-
ical supplies, a sample of the element in which the
spawn’s seed is planted, and a month of downtime.
* POISON TASTER
You’ve interacted with so many noxious compounds
that you’ve become immune to the poisoned, paralyzed,
petrified, and stunned conditions. Anyone who touches
your skin becomes poisoned if they fail a DC (8 + your
proficiency bonus + your Intelligence modifier) Consti-
tution saving throw, or do not have poison immunity;
this condition lasts one minute per round of contact. A
creature that saves against this effect is immune for the
remainder of the encounter.
• Dissertation. At 11th level you can suppress your
poisonous touch for one hour per day. You are also
immune to all conditions caused by magical effects,
including the Innate Spellcasting of magical beasts.
• Research Doctorate. At 18th level, your control
of poison allows you to grant poison immunity to
your allies for ten minutes; this can be applied to
any number of allies, but only once to each ally per
long rest. You are also able to generate a miasma of
poison in a 30-foot radius around yourself with the
same save DC and effects as your poisonous touch.
EXTRA ALCHEMICAL ACTION
Beginning at 5th level, you can act twice, instead of once
— allowing you to craft and use a potion in the same round.
At 15th level, you can act three times on your turn. You
can only use these actions to either craft or use potions.
 ALCHEMIST SPELL LIST
CANTRIPS Fog Cloud 3RD LEVEL
Acid Splash Grease Fireball
Blade Ward Inflict Wounds Gaseous Form
Chill Touch Jump Haste
Fire Bolt Longstrider Protection from Energy
Light Purify Food and Drink Revivify
Mending Sleep Slow
Poison Spray 2ND LEVEL Stinking Cloud
Prestidigitation Acid Arrow Water Breathing
Ray of Frost Barkskin 4TH LEVEL
Shocking Grasp Blindness/Deafness Blight
True Strike Darkvision Confusion
1ST LEVEL Enhance Ability Freedom of Movement
Color Spray Enlarge/Reduce Polymorph
Cure Wounds Gust of Wind Stoneskin
Detect Magic Invisibility 5TH LEVEL
Disguise Self Lesser Restoration Awaken
Expeditious Retreat Levitate Cloudkill
False Life Protection from Poison Creation
Feather Fall Putrefy Food Insect Plague
Universal Potion Scrying

APPLIED ALCHEMY DOCTOR OF ALCHEMY

At level 14, you can logic your way through problems. At 20th level, you can select any two 1st-level alchemist
Take an action to temporarily gain proficiency with any spells and distill them into a potion without expending
tool. a spell slot, and treating all level-dependent effects as if
they were cast using a 5th-level spell slot.

– Class: Alchemist – 61
 Gunslinger
V isitors from Earth to Azoth brought a number of
strange technologies and new sciences to the Realm.
The deadliest among these innovations is the firearm.
CLASS ADVANCEMENT
Those rare individuals with the skill to wield and maintain Proficiency
such weapons are known across the Realm as gunslingers. Level Bonus Features
1st +2 Bullet Casting
Skilled Warriors 2nd +2 Fighting Style
Gunslingers are, by nature, skilled with violence and
3rd +2 Gunslinger Specialty
warfare. Though there are some who prefer to rely on
diplomacy and peaceful means to achieve their aims, each 4th +2 Ability Score Improvement
gunslinger carries the capacity for incredible destruction 5th +3 Extra Attack
holstered at their side. The wisest gunslingers see this as a 6th +3 Breathing Control, Bullet
righteous burden, only resorting to gunplay when all else Casting Improvement
fails. There are some, however, who take sadistic joy in
7th +3 Gunslinger Specialty Feature
flaunting the power of their terrible weaponry.
8th +3 Ability Score Improvement
Self-Reliant Craftspeople 9th +4 Firearm Feint
The creation and maintenance of firearms require 10th +4 Point Blank Shot
mastery of gunsmith’s tools. This unique toolkit combines 11th +4 Gunslinger Specialty Feature
aspects of alchemist’s supplies, tinker’s tools, smith’s tools,
and herbalist’s kits to allow the gunslinger to not only 12th +4 Ability Score Improvement
maintain their firearms, but to craft ammunition and even 13th +5 Bullet Casting Improvement
new weapons. Due to the danger presented by firearm 14th +5 Opportune Discharge
technology, most gunslingers jealously guard their secrets
from outsiders. This tendency leads many gunslingers
15th +5 Gunslinger Specialty Feature
to be loners or to maintain small groups of close allies, 16th +5 Ability Score Improvement
while shunning larger organizations. Get two or more 17th +6 Stowed Shot
gunslingers together though, and the conversation rapidly
18th +6 Firing Blind
turns to tips, tricks, and debates on the best methods for
casing ammo, cleaning weapons, and improving targeting. 19th +6 Ability Score Improvement
20th +6 Flawless Aim
Class Features
EQUIPMENT
HIT POINTS
You start with the following equipment, in addition to
Hit Dice: 1d10 per gunslinger level the equipment granted by your background:
Hit Points at 1st Level: 10 + your Constitution modifier • (a) shield or (b) leather armor
Hit Points at Higher Levels: 1d10 (or 6) + your Consti-
tution modifier per gunslinger level after 1st • (a) two shortswords or (b) two simple melee weapons

PROFICIENCIES • (a) a dungeoneer’s pack or (b) an explorer’s pack

Armor: Light armor, shields
Weapons: Simple weapons, martial weapons, firearms
Tools: Alchemist’s supplies, gunsmith’s tools
Saving Throws: Dexterity, Wisdom
Skills: Choose three from Athletics, History, Insight,
Intimidation, Nature, Perception, Sleight of Hand, and
Stealth
• A flintlock pistol, a box of 20 bullets with powder,
a set of gunsmith’s tools
BULLET CASTING
The first thing a gunslinger learns is the proper method
for making bullets. Using gunsmith’s tools, gunpowder,
and metal, the gunsmith spends a short rest preparing

62 – CHAPTER THREE: CLASSES –

bullets according to a recipe. Provided you have sufficient
materials, you can craft up to 20 rounds of ammunition
over the course of a short rest. At 1st level, you know one
bullet recipe, the standard bullet. You gain additional
recipes at 6th level and 13th level. Certain gunslinger
specialties provide additional recipes as well. The
following recipes are available to gunslingers:
• Dragonsbreath: Deals the weapon’s damage
as fire instead of piercing. When loading this
ammunition, the weapon’s normal range becomes
its maximum range. Cost to create: 10 gp per 10
rounds

• Overload: Overloaded bullets include extra pow-

der for greater damage. Add 1 die to the weapon’s
damage, but the weapon misfires on a die result
of 1-4. Cost to create: 5 gp per 10 rounds

• Silver: Silvered rounds are often used to overcome

the damage resistances of supernatural beings such
as werewolves and some undead. Cost to create: 5 gp
per 10 rounds

• Standard: Standard rounds are made of copper

or lead. They deal the base damage listed for the
weapon. Cost to create: 2 gp per 10 rounds

FIGHTING STYLE
At 2nd level, you adopt a particular style of fighting.
Choose one of the following options.
You can’t take the same Fighting Style option more than
once, even if you later get to choose again.
Archery
You gain a +2 bonus to attack rolls you make with
ranged weapons.
Defense
While you are wearing armor, you gain a +1 bonus to AC.
Duelist
When you are wielding a firearm in one hand and no
other weapons, you gain a +2 bonus to damage rolls with
that firearm.
Two-Weapon Fighting
When you engage in two-weapon fighting, you can add
your ability modifier to the damage of the second attack.
GUNSLINGER SPECIALTY
At 3rd level, you choose a specialty that dictates the type
of firearms you work with: the Pistoleer, the Musketeer,
or the Culverineer. These are detailed at the end of the
class description. Your choice grants you features at 3rd
level and again at 7th, 11th, and 15th level.
choice by 2, or you can increase two ability scores of your
choice by 1. As normal, you can’t increase an ability score
above 20 using this feature.
EXTRA ATTACK
Beginning at 5th level, you can attack twice, instead of
once, whenever you take the Attack action on your turn.
BREATHING CONTROL
Beginning at 6th level, you achieve mastery of the art
of controlled breathing, which makes it easier to hit the
same target with subsequent shots. If you make a successful
firearm attack against a target with your first attack when
you take the Attack action, you may claim advantage on
your second attack of the turn against the same target.
This also allows you to survive suffocating for an addi-
tional number of rounds equal to your proficiency bonus.
FIREARM FEINT
When you reach 9th level, you can lay cover fire to assist
allies in combat. You may take the Help action to aid any
ally who is engaged in melee combat within your firearm’s
normal range by firing a round in the direction of the scuffle.

ABILITY SCORE IMPROVEMENT POINT BLANK SHOT

When you reach 4th level, and again at 8th, 12th, 16th, At 10th level, you no longer suffer disadvantage on
and 19th level, you can increase one ability score of your ranged attack rolls when you are within 5 feet of a hostile

– Class: Gunslinger – 63
 creature who can see you and who isn’t incapacitated as
long as you are attacking with a firearm.
OPPORTUNE DISCHARGE
Starting at 14th level, you may use a loaded firearm you
are holding to take an opportunity attack.
STOWED SHOT
Beginning at 17th level, you may use your reaction
to fire a holstered or stowed firearm on your person in
response to any attack you can see, as long as you are not
surprised. Once you use this feature you may not do so
again until you complete a long rest, during which time
you must repair the holster.
FIRING BLIND
Upon reaching 18th level, you are no longer solely reliant
on sight for targeting. When you make a firearm attack
against a creature within your firearm’s normal range
who you can’t see, your inability to see it doesn’t impose
disadvantage on your attack rolls against it. You cannot
benefit from this feature if you are deafened.
FLAWLESS AIM
At 20th level your aim is incredibly precise. Once on each
of your turns you may add your Wisdom modifier to either
the attack roll or the damage roll of an attack you make using
a firearm. You can choose to use this feature before or after
the roll, but only before any effects of the roll are applied.
Gunslinger Specialties
Gunslingers focus their expertise on one of three spe-
cialties.
= CULVERINEER
The Culverineer focuses on large, bulky hand cannons.
CULVERIN CRAFTING
At 3rd level, you gain access to a new type of firearm.
Whether brought with you from Earth, handed down to
you from a Visitor, or home-built after extensive study
and failure, you acquired a culverin. This weapon allows
you to load massive rounds and perfect a number of ad-
ditional techniques. A standard culverin can only hold
one round at a time, requiring reloading after each shot.
You can reload a culverin as an action or a bonus action
on your turn.
Name Damage Weight Properties
Culverin 2d8 13 lbs Ammunition
bludgeoning (Firearms),
(Range
40/120),
Loading, Two-
Handed
64 – CHAPTER THREE: CLASSES –
KAYO CANNON
Beginning at 7th level, when you use your Bullet Casting
feature, you may create Kayo rounds. These specialized
rounds can only be fired from a culverin. When you hit a
creature with a culverin attack while using these bullets,
the creature must make a Strength saving throw (DC 10 +
damage dealt). On a failed save the target is knocked prone.
EXPLOSIVE SHELLS
At 11th level, when you use your Bullet Casting feature,
you may create Boomer rounds. These specialized rounds
can only be fired from a culverin. When firing these rounds,
you choose a point within your culverin’s normal range.
All creatures within 20 feet of that point must make a
Dexterity saving throw (DC = 8 + your Dexterity modifier
+ proficiency bonus). A target takes 8d6 fire damage on a
failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
ENGINE OF DESTRUCTION
At 15th level, you are able to maximize the effectiveness
of your culverin as a siege weapon. Shots fired from your
weapon deal double damage to constructs, objects, and
structures. This applies to all types of ammunition loaded
into the culverin.
= MUSKETEER
The Musketeer focuses on two-handed rifle-style
weapons.
AGILE ARTILLERY
At 3rd level, you gain access to a new type of firearm.
Whether brought with you from Earth, handed down to
you from a Visitor, or home-built after extensive study
and failure, you acquired a musket. This weapon allows
you to perfect a number of additional techniques. You can
reload one barrel of your musket as an action or a bonus
action on your turn.
Name Damage Weight Properties
Musket 1d12 10 lbs. Ammunition
piercing (Firearms),
(Range 40/120),
Loading, Two-
Handed
CROWD CONTROL
Beginning at 7th level, when you use your Bullet Cast-
ing feature, you may create Salt rounds. When you fire a
Salt round, all creatures within a 15-foot cone must make
a Constitution saving throw (DC = 8 + your Dexterity
modifier + proficiency bonus). On a failed save, the target
takes half damage from the weapon and is considered
restrained until the beginning of their next turn due to
agony. On a successful save, the target is not restrained,
but still takes half the weapon’s damage. When loading
this ammunition, the weapon’s normal range is replaced Name Damage Weight Properties
by the 15-foot cone. 2 gp per 10 rounds
Pistol 1d8 3 lbs Ammunition
BOLT ACTION piercing (Firearms),
(Range 30/90),
At 11th level, you learn techniques that allow you to up- Reload (6)
grade your musket to incorporate bolt action technology.
This allows you to hold up to two rounds in each barrel of TWO GUN MOJO
your musket, permitting you to fire at up to four targets Beginning at 7th level, when you take the Attack action
before needing to reload. Upon gaining this feature, you with a pistol or a light melee weapon, you may use a bonus
may also reload one barrel as a free action at the end of action to attack with a revolver or flintlock pistol that you
your turn. are holding in the other hand. This feature otherwise
functions as two-weapon fighting.
SNIPER’S SHOT
At 15th level, you perfect your aim, maximizing your HAIL OF BULLETS
effectiveness within the weapon’s range. You no longer At 11th level, you can use your action to make a ranged
suffer disadvantage on attacks made at long range with attack against any number of creatures within 10 feet of a
firearms. point you can see within your weapon’s range. You must
= PISTOLEER have ammunition for each target, and you make a separate
attack roll for each target. Upon gaining this feature, you
The Pistoleer focuses on hand-held pistol-style weap-
may also reload one revolver as a free action at the end
ons.
of your turn.
REVOLVER REVOLUTION
FANNING SHOT
At 3rd level, you gain access to a new type of firearm.
At 15th level, you develop the ability to fan your shots,
Whether brought with you from Earth, handed down to
firing multiple rounds into a single target. You use your
you from a Visitor, or home-built after extensive study and
action to make a ranged attack against a single target within
failure, you acquired a Revolver. This weapon allows you
range of your revolver. On a successful hit, you expend
to load multiple rounds at once and perfect a number of
all remaining ammunition from your revolver, adding an
additional techniques. A standard revolver holds 6 bullets,
additional 2 damage dice to the weapon’s damage per
requiring less frequent reloading. You can reload a revolver
round expended this way.
as an action or a bonus action on your turn.

– Class: Gunslinger – 65
 Barbarian
Ocean Raider
T he Epician navy has a fearsome reputation; their
sailors are courageous, deadly, and so mighty that
a small boarding party is enough to take most enemy
vessels without issue. This terrible effectiveness is owed
to the ocean raiders that make up a majority of Epician
sailing crews. Like all barbarians they are fast, reckless,
and wear next to no armor, which greatly benefits them
in ship to ship combat.
Legends tell these raiders never drown, and that they
have a penchant for diving overboard with enemy sailors,
leaving them to drown deep underwater. Some survivors
of ocean raider attacks claim to have seen them do this,
others claim hogwash, and the raiders themselves like
to feed their own legend enough that a straight answer
is impossible to get.
66 – CHAPTER THREE: CLASSES –
Seafaring Soul
At 3rd level you have become well versed in the ways of
sailing and navigation, gaining proficiency with vehicles
(water), and advantage on checks to navigate or survive at
sea. In addition to this, while raging you cannot drown and
have a swimming speed equal to your normal movement.
Undertow Sweep
At 6th level you learn to sweep the legs out from under
your foes and drive them into the ground, amplifying the
force of your attack. Once per turn while raging when
you successfully hit a target with a melee attack, you can
force them to make a Strength (Athletics) or Dexterity
(Acrobatics) check against a DC of your attack roll or
be immediately knocked prone. If the struck creature is
knocked prone the attack is treated as a critical hit.
Blood of the North
At 10th level, while raging you become resistant to cold
damage, and your weapon attacks deal 1d6 cold damage.
On a critical hit, if you deal more damage than your target’s
Constitution score their movement is halved until the
end of their next turn.
Swirling Strike
At 14th level you learn to lash out with the
fury of a typhoon, delivering ruin to anyone
around you. While raging, as an action you
can force all adjacent enemies to make a
Dexterity save with a DC of 8 + your Strength
modifier + your proficiency bonus or take
10d6 bludgeoning damage. If you have a
slashing weapon in hand when using this
feature the damage type becomes slashing
instead. You can use this feature once per
short rest.
Woad Painted
The people of Brachmon have a longstanding belief
that symbols and runes hold power, and that adorning
clothing, jewelry, and buildings with the correct symbols
grants protection, luck, health, and the like. This was
indeed true once, long ago, and barbarians on the Path of
the Woad Painted still know how to use these symbols.
The path has no limitations on who may learn,
though purists of the path state all warriors should
begin practicing the art at a young age if they want
to master the runes. more paint. When far from Brachmon you may
While older warriors require an herbalist or alchemist to supply the
can take longer to rarer materials you need, paying 2 gp to obtain
learn the art, their what’s missing. If you regularly wear armor the
wisdom and greater price increases to 5gp due to the paint wearing
self-discipline easily off faster. If you cannot maintain your paint
makes up for what for any reason you may only apply half the
they lack in youthful number of unique markings until the
malleability. paint is restored to full potency.
All new members of
this path must first UNIQUE RUNES
master the mixing Rune of Armor — Your AC
and creation of mystic increases by 1.
pigments, and how to Rune of Bravery — You have
replicate the foundation advantage on saves against fear
symbols that will allow effects and being frightened.
them to empower the Rune of Health — You are im-
more complex runes of mune to poison and the poisoned
the path. While the paint condition.
is resilient and gener-
Rune of Wisdom — You have
ally waterproof, it’s
advantage on Wisdom-based
not immune to being
checks and saves.
rubbed or scraped
Rune of Life — You have
off in the heat of
advantage on death saving
battle, so most Woad
throws.
Painted avoid wearing
armor to protect the Rune of Secrets — You
integrity of the paint on have advantage on Dexterity
their skin. (Stealth) and Charisma (De-
ception) checks.
Ritual Skin Painting Rune of Elements — You gain resistance to your choice
of acid, cold, fire, lightning, or thunder. You can apply this
At 3rd level, during a long rest you can ritually apply rune multiple times, taking a different element each time.
magic symbols to your body, granting yourself a number
of advantages, listed below, equal to your proficiency
bonus. You can change or reapply symbols during a long
Resilient Paint
rest, and in combat can sacrifice them to gain temporary At 6th level you can sacrifice an applied rune to maintain
bonuses. You cannot stack the same rune multiple times. your barbarian rage if it would otherwise end because you
You only need to reapply paint once a week, and with had not attacked a hostile creature or taken damage since
a successful DC 10 Wisdom (Survival) check and a few your last turn. In addition to this you can now touch up
hours of time can find the materials necessary to make your paint during a short rest, restoring spent symbols.

WOAD PAINTED AND
BAKHURUN BARDS
The Bakhurun bards practice a style of magic
that locks power into ancient runes, many of which
bear striking resemblance to those painted by
the barbarians of this path. Indeed, both groups
acknowledge they use old magic that existed
long before the recorded history of present-day
nations, and Woad Painted and Bakhurun bards
each recognize the broad purposes of the symbols
the others use.
Frightful Symbols
At 10th level, as a reaction to being attacked you can
sacrifice a painted rune to make a Charisma (Intimida-
tion) check, forcing your attacker to make that attack
with disadvantage. If the creature is immune to fear this
feature has no effect.
Protective Markings
At 14th level, as a reaction to taking damage you can
sacrifice a painted rune to reduce the total damage by
10. Additionally, when making a saving throw you may
sacrifice a rune to gain a +10 bonus on the check.

– Option: Barbarian – 67
 Bard
Bakhurun activate a dormant rune within 5 feet of you. The rune’s
magic becomes active immediately, though depending

T he people of Azoth tap into the Pool of Magic through on the rune the effect may be delayed until a triggering
various methods. The bards practicing the art of event occurs.
Bakhurun weave together songs and runes, creating
LULL THE RUNE
mystical symbols that respond to the magic inherent in
each musical note and chord. At 6th level, you can use your music to lull runes
into dormancy. To do so, you must expend one use of
Keys to Ancient Power your Bardic Inspiration and use your action to make a
Charisma (Performance) check. The DC of this check
The practice of rune magic goes back to the first people
is (10 + the rune’s spell level.) If this check is successful,
of Azoth. Ancient spellcasters locked powerful magical
you deactivate an active rune within 30 feet of you. The
effects in runes throughout the land. Though the ravages
rune remains inactive until it is activated via Wake the
of war and time destroyed some of these runes, many lie
Slumbering Rune.
dormant awaiting activation by a Bakhurun bard.
Upon gaining this feature you may also use Wake the
Artisans of Mystic Might Slumbering Rune to activate a dormant rune within 30
feet of you.
The versatility of Bakhurun allows masters of this
college to create new and potent magical effects. By CRAFT RUNE
assembling magical secrets, master bards can c r e a t e At 14th level, you learn to craft your own magical
virtually any magical effect in rune form. runes. To craft a magical rune, you must spend
a use of your Bardic Inspiration and spend
BONUS PROFICIENCIES
one minute working on the rune. Once
When you join this college this time has elapsed, you spend a spell
at 3rd level, you gain profi- slot to cast any of your bard
ciency with calligrapher’s spells into the rune. The rune
supplies. You also gain is considered dormant when
proficiency in Runic, created and must be subse-
a written language of quently activated through the
ancient power, which is use of Wake the Slumbering Rune.
used across the Realm to store When creating a magical rune, you
powerful magic. must fulfill all components and
costs of the spell
WAKE THE SLUMBERING
normally. Any com-
RUNE
ponents consumed in
Also starting at 3rd level, the casting of the spell
you gain a fundamental are expended as usual.
understanding of rune If you are interrupted for
magic which allows more than one round while
you to activate existing creating a magical rune, all
runes. As a bonus action time, materials and your ex-
on your turn, you may penditure of Bardic Inspiration
expend one use of your are wasted.
Bardic Inspiration to

68 – CHAPTER THREE: CLASSES –

 Cleric
Eye of Othaaris Cleric Level
1st
Spells
Bless, Cure Wounds

T he church of Othaaris calls to a great many people,

but foremost among them are the Eyes of Othaaris,
a revered order of clerics that wield the power of their
3rd
5th
Scorching Ray, Warding Bond
Beacon of Hope, Daylight
goddess. They are primarily sages and oracles, guiding 7th Death Ward, Resilient Sphere
the people of Ardonia and bringing hope to those in need. 9th Commune, Flame Strike
Joining the Eyes of Othaaris takes a moment of divine
connection, such as having a vision of the goddess’ plan or Sense Mehella
manifesting a holy power for the first time. After this, the
When you choose this domain at 1st level, you gain the
established Eyes of Othaaris watch and study a hopeful,
ability to sense the Mehella, or auras of other creatures. By
gauging how true their connection to Othaaris is, and if
spending a minute studying a creature you can determine
legitimate, take them in for training. When this training
if they are good, neutral, or evil.
begins the young cleric often shaves their head, although
some may opt to leave a ponytail or mohawk.
Once sufficiently trained, clerics are free to travel, and
Holy Shield
help others as needed, though younger members of the Also at 1st level, you can create barriers of divine force to
order still receive guidance and gentle direction in the protect others. When you or an ally that you can perceive
proper methods of executing their duties. suffers damage, you can use your reaction to expend one
All clerics of this domain receive a divine spellcasting spell slot and reduce the damage by your Wisdom modifier
focus in the form of a staff topped plus the spell slot’s level.
with the Lily of Othaaris. This
exquisitely crafted flower is of-
ten made of silver or platinum Channel Divinity:
and glows faintly at all times.
Once per day it can be used to
Gaze of Othaaris
cast the light cantrip on itself, Starting at 2nd level, you can use your
and this light is pure enough to Channel Divinity to reveal the auras of all
harm undead as daylight would. beings around you.
The Eyes of Othaaris avoid As an action, you can evoke divine
the use of violence or magic as energy that grants you truesight
problem-solving tools, often for two minutes. You may also
preferring to observe and cause any living or undead
guide without being direct- creatures within 30 feet that
ly involved in the troubles you can sense to glow with
around them. Despite this, a visible dark aura, even if
they are no less potent than the creature is invisible or
other adventurers, and act otherwise imperceptible.
when they feel they have The glow cannot be seen
no other option. They through solid objects, or
don’t fear death, as they if the creature leaves
become one with the the current plane of
universe after death existence.
— indeed many refuse
the call of resurrec-
tion if slain.

– option: Cleric – 69
 THE RAVEN OF OTHAARIS
Part of Othaarian mythos speaks of a great priestess who will one day appear in the world, rising up as
a beacon of light which the darkness cannot withstand. In Azoth’s darkest hour she will stop a great evil
in the world.
Beyond this, little is known about the so-called Raven, her origin and time of arrival a mystery, with some
speculating that she is alive somewhere in the Realm right now.

Divine Protection
Beginning at 6th level, your magic energies shield and
protect others. When you cast a spell of 1st level or higher
on a friendly creature, they also gain temporary hit points
equal to 2 + the spell’s level.
Searing Mehella
At 8th level, your aura is suffused with divine energy
that burns anyone that attacks you. Once on each of your
turns when you are hit by a creature with a weapon attack,
you can deal 1d8 radiant damage to them. This damage
increases to 2d8 when you reach 14th level.
Divine Mehella
Starting at 17th level, you can use your action to activate
an aura of divine radiance that lasts for 1 minute, or until
you dismiss it as a bonus action. You emit bright light in
a 60-foot radius, and allies within it deal 1d8 additional
radiant damage when making weapon attacks. In addition,
any healing effects that take place in the aura automatically
reroll die rolls of 1.

70 – CHAPTER THREE: CLASSES –

 Druid
Druid of Fantasia
Druids of the Fantasian circle hail from the island of
that name. People revere them for their connection to the
old magic and beasts of the world. These druids seek to
safeguard nature, using their magic to mend wounds and
bring life to beleaguered lands. They are welcome in all
realms, and gladly travel to regions where they can lend
assistance, but closely guard their secrets against outsiders.
Touch of the Wilds
At 2nd level, you can draw the power of nature into
yourself, restoring magical energy and causing any place
you rest to experience new and faster growth a few days
after your passing.
During a short rest you recover a number of spell slots
equal to half your druid level (rounded up). The spell
slots can have a combined level that is equal to or less
than half your druid level (rounded up), and none of the
slots can be 6th level or higher. You choose which spell
slots to recover within those limits.
You can’t use this feature again until you finish a
long rest.
Hooves. Your speed increases by five feet, and your
unarmed kick attacks deal 1d6 bludgeoning damage.
Sharp Claws. Your unarmed attacks deal 1d6 slashing
damage.
Night Vision. You gain 60 feet of darkvision.
Flexible Tail. You gain a tail that gives you advantage
on Dexterity (Acrobatics) checks.
Heightened Sense. You gain a feature such as pro-
nounced ears, wolf snout, forked tongue, or owl eyes which
grants you advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that
use the associated sense. You may take this trait multiple
times, though it must be for a different sense each time.
Invasive Growth
Starting at 10th level, you can cast entangle, barkskin,
spike growth, blight, or tree stride once per short rest
without expending a spell slot.
Expansive Magic
Starting at 14th level, when you cast a spell of 1st level or
higher that has an area effect or radius, it increases by 10
feet.

Mark of Beasts
At 6th level, you begin to manifest physical ani-
mal traits as your connection to nature grows. You
initially select two traits, and an additional trait
at 10th and 14th level. You may also change
existing traits any time you gain a new one.
These traits are not lost when in your Wild
Shape, though they may be replaced by that
shape’s own features if they are inherently
better.
Additionally, you have advantage on
Wisdom (Animal Handling) checks with
any beasts that have similar traits to the ones
you’ve manifested.

PHYSICAL TRAITS
Antlers. If you move at least 10 feet be-
fore attacking, you can make an unarmed
head-butt attack for 1d8 bludgeoning
damage.

– Option: Druid – 71
 Fighter
O’koth Ranger RANGERS
AND FIGHTERS
T he O’koth rangers count themselves among the most
keen-minded defenders in the Realm, leaving no
trail while on the move, losing no quarry when on the
Despite their name, O’koth rangers are
mechanically closer to fighters than the ranger
hunt, and slaying all foes with astounding speed. Despite
class, and thus are presented as a martial
their name, they serve more as a military to the nations of archetype. If you want to play a ranger as per
Ardonia and O’koth than traditional rangers. The O’koth that class, we recommend the Hunter archetype
rangers destroy evil with deadly precision so that good folk to represent an O’koth ranger.
may rest easy at night without fear of the dark. They are
dedicated protectors who consider themselves the Arm of
Othaaris, whose purpose is to protect folk from the worst
the forests of O’koth have to offer, and are widely respected
by commoners, many of whom volunteer themselves to
Field Training
the noble cause of this order. At 3rd level, you gain proficiency in the Intelligence
(Investigation) and Wisdom (Survival) skills if you don’t
The rangers train to be stunningly precise warriors,
already have them and double your proficiency bonus for
taking up the sword before anything else. They use
any checks you make using those skills.
fast and accurate strikes to end fights quickly,
with as little risk to the ranger as possible.
This rapid form of combat is meant to
Precision Strike
afford the ranger extra time to examine At 7th level, you have
their foes and the greater battle, as half learned to make precise
a second can mean the difference cuts that bite deeply into your
between life and death. foes. As a bonus action you
More impressive than their can double your proficiency
speed and precision, however, is bonus on your next weapon
the rangers’ intense mental attack and add your proficien-
acuity. Since they cannot be cy bonus to that attack’s damage.
everywhere at once, and
often arrive to handle Covered Track
situations days after At 10th level, you can mask your-
key events transpired, self and a number of creatures equal
O’koth rangers are to your Wisdom modifier, hiding your
extraordinary in- trail and imposing disadvantage on
vestigators, able to non-magical methods to track the
deduce the nature group. Additionally, you can apply
of incidents well after camouflage to the same number
trails have gone cold or evi- of creatures during a short rest,
dence has vanished. This gives adding your proficiency bonus
them a certain legend among commoners, to their Stealth checks for the
who insist no one can escape a ranger next hour.
once they’re on the trail. Naturally the
rangers are happy to uphold this belief,
since it makes their jobs easier.

72 – CHAPTER THREE: CLASSES –

Lightning Reflexes
At 15th level, you get one free opportunity attack per
turn which does not use your normal reaction, though
you can’t make two opportunity attacks against the same
creature in a turn.
Unwavering Dedication
Beginning at 7th level, your dedication to your fellow
adventurers is so ironclad that you can use it to shove
aside fear and mind control. You have advantage on saves
to resist charm and fear effects.

Instant Counter Intervention

At 18th level, as a reaction to being attacked you can make At 10th level, you learn to protect your allies in battle
an opportunity attack against the creature attacking you as second nature. As a reaction to an ally being attacked,
if you haven’t already made one against them that turn. you may swap positions with them and apply the attack
to your AC instead. You must be adjacent to your ally to

White Unicorn do this. At 15th level you can use Intervention on an allied
creature up to 10 feet away.

B lessed by the Queen Mother of Ardonia, and clad in

shimmering white tabards, these elite warriors bear
the name and imagery of the White Unicorn, a mythical
Fatal Striking
Beginning at 15th level, you learn to capitalize on
weaknesses in your enemies. When you critically strike
protector of the kingdom which gave itself to protect the
a creature with a melee weapon attack and they aren’t
land and throne. When the revered Unicorn fell, this order
reduced to 0 hit points, you gain advantage on your next
rose to take its place as the tireless defender of Ardonia.
attack against them.
So great is the dedication of the white unicorns that
they suffer almost no cases of dereliction or insubordi-
nation, being hailed as the single most loyal force in the
Unicorn Charge
nation. The white unicorns have an ironclad hierarchy At 18th level, you can charge through battle lines fear-
and mandate of personal discipline that is often likened lessly, shattering formations with ease. As a bonus action
to putting chains on a thunderstorm. you can initiate a charge attack, gaining +1 to your
This women-only order trains for battle from next attack and damage roll for every 10 feet you
childhood, some beginning as young as five move before attacking, up to a +5 bonus. If you
years old, and are taught to love the Ardo- (or your mount if not on foot) take damage
nian monarchy with an unyielding ferocity. during this charge your first attack has
Hopeful recruits undergo grueling tests that advantage. If you do not attack after
weed out the few girls unsuited for the honor charging, then the bonus is lost.
of being a white unicorn. Those who make
it grow up within the ranks of the unicorns,
viewing their peers as sisters.
These defenders ride into battle upon
white steeds in silver barding and
horned helms that give their cavalry
the appearance of glittering unicorns.
Though they are not solely cavalry,
their endless training enables them
to fight easily on foot and by horseback.

Battle Skirmisher
At 3rd level, when you take this
archetype you gain the ability to fight
alongside others with incredible
ease. As a bonus action you can
move five feet in any direction,
and may swap positions with
any adjacent allied creature that
isn’t incapacitated. This movement
does not provoke opportunity
attacks from creatures you have
attacked on your turn.
– Option: Fighter – 73
 Monk
Fist of Othaaris convictions and intentions. It is here that trouble with
a student most often presents itself, and it is up to the
veteran monk to correct them, since the Fists of Othaaris

T o many, the goddess Othaaris is one of healing and are holy warriors, and not cruel, heartless executioners.
pacifism, protecting the good folk of the world Most young students spend many years under a senior
without violence — however, this is but one aspect of monk’s guidance, until they prove themselves as capable
Her. The monks of Othaaris know the fury and might as their teacher. Even then, the masters of the tradition
of their goddess, and channel it through their bodies remain a guiding counsel as the new Fists travel far to
fight evil.
to purge evil from the world. These monks are figures
of decisive action, turning their religious devotion into
a weapon few can match. The Fists of Othaaris believe
Light of Othaaris
they are superior to the clerics because they are more Starting when you choose this tradition at 3rd level, you
willing to act, and do not waste energy preaching peace can use your ki to duplicate the effects of certain spells,
when it can be obtained more directly by obliterating using Wisdom as your spellcasting ability.
the evil of the world. You gain the guidance cantrip, and as an action, you
This mindset is also what attracts many of the tradi- can spend 1 ki point to cast the bane or guiding bolt spell.
tion’s new members. Those harmed by evil often turn to You may also spend a second ki point to cast them as
the church for guidance, and many among them want 2nd-level spells.
revenge, which the clerical Eyes of Othaaris simply will In addition to this you may cast prayer of healing once
not advocate. The Fists of Othaaris, however, gladly ac- per short rest.
cept these souls, promising them the opportunity to bring
justice to the bandits and raiders that wronged them. The Divine Fury
trouble though, is tempering this inherent hatred for evil At 6th level you can spend a
with the wisdom necessary to remain in their goddess’ ki point to infuse a single un-
good graces. armed attack with radiant
The early days of instruction for young members of this energy. Your next attack
tradition are consumed by exhausting physical training gains 1d6 bonus damage in
to the point they have no energy left for anger or sorrow. the form of radiant energy,
This, coupled with sacred mantras and regular prayer, or holy fire. At 11th
marries their desire for justice with their faith in Othaaris level this increases
as one empowers the other. Next, they press their bodies to 2d6 radiant or
to impossible limits, going days without food or rest, fire damage.
drawing on their faith to persevere. This further
deepens their understanding of their own souls,
and their connection to Othaaris.
Once a young Fist of Othaaris proves
they are capable, a seasoned
monk takes them into the
world to find and fight
evil. This mentorship
is key to granting
the Fists of Oth-
aaris practical
experience that
training cannot
provide, while
also serving as a
test of the young
martial artists’

74 – CHAPTER THREE: CLASSES –

Inner Flame
Starting at 11th level you become so infused with
Othaaris’ power that you are resistant to fire and radiant
damage. In addition, as a reaction to taking radiant or fire
damage, you can spend a ki point to further reduce the
damage taken by your Constitution modifier.
Radiant Warrior
At 17th level you can call upon Othaaris to empower
your attacks, causing divine light to envelope you until
the end of your next turn. By spending 2 ki points, you
can grant all of your unarmed attacks the Reach quality,
and the first creature you hit on each of your turns takes
extra radiant damage equal to 1d6 + half your monk level
(rounded up). During this time your body casts bright
light to 10 feet, and dim light to 20 feet.
Way of the
Broken Sword
T his monastic tradition holds to ideals of defense and
self-discipline. As such, practitioners do not seek to
make the first strike and become the aggressor. However,
if bandits and robbers strike those under their protection,
these monks do their utmost to aid in defense and get
their wards to safety.
Within the Realm, the Broken Swords are known as
guardians of the peace and often guard
pilgrims of knowledge or the most
marginalized in a village. They
are the embodiment of “protect
and serve” but are not bound
to cities or specific gov-
ernments. As such, they
are well regarded by
commoners and users
of magics alike. Even
those selfish or osten-
sibly evil-aligned may
admire the self-disci-
pline inherent in the
– Option: Monk –
tradition’s principles, but generally wish to not meet a
monk of this tradition on the road and seek to avoid con-
frontation with them or the wards they guard.
Stalwart Protector
At 3rd level, when an ally within 10 feet is attacked,
you may use a reaction and spend a ki point to take any
one of the following actions: grant your ally +3 AC, give
the attacker disadvantage, or swap positions with your
ally (this uses no movement) to become the target of the
attack in their stead.
STUDY OF PEACE
Beginning at 6th level, you gain proficiency in two skills
chosen from this list: Insight (Wisdom), Investigation (In-
telligence), Perception (Wisdom), Persuasion (Charisma),
Religion (Intelligence), Survival (Wisdom).
FOOTSTEPS OF THE GUARDIAN
At 11th level you learned how to tread lightly upon the
world, leaving it in peace as you pass. You may spend two
ki points to use either expeditious retreat, longstrider, or
sanctuary. The particulars of these spells, including target,
casting time, and duration, remain unaltered.
Shatter the Sword
Upon reaching 17th level, you know how to prevent
attacks before they begin. You may strike pressure points
on an opponent to temporarily stifle their ability to
attack or cast spells. You must spend 3 ki points
and roll as if to attack during your action. If the
attack roll is a success, your target takes no
damage but instead suffers the paralyzed
condition for a number of rounds equal
to your Wisdom modifier.
Beginning on the second round of
paralysis, the target may make a
Constitution saving throw on
their turn and when they
take damage, to break
free from the para-
lyzing effect.
75
 Paladin
Oath of Fealty Responsibility. The safety and prosperity of the nation
fall upon your shoulders to bear. Execute your duties
willfully and graciously.

M any nations span the Realm, yet a common thread

rises among the paladins who serve each one. The
acceptance of duty as a paladin sworn to protect a nation
is known as the Oath of Fealty.
Guardians of the People
Whether serving the crown of Ardonia, or laboring
under the absolute rule of Lord Darkoth of Drohm, the
paladins of this oath swear an allegiance to serve their peo-
ple. This service is generally accomplished by strict
adherence to the laws and duties laid forth
by their superiors. Even when serving an
evil kingdom that is dismissive of its people,
paladins of this oath justify their brutality as a
kindness, teaching the peasantry how to be ideal
citizens through the use of force.
OATH SPELLS
You gain oath spells at the paladin levels listed.
CHANNEL DIVINITY
When you take this oath at 3rd level, you gain the fol-
lowing Channel Divinity options.
Decree of the Lawgiver. As a bonus action, you can
declare one creature within 30 feet of you to be an enemy
of the kingdom with your Channel Divinity. Each creature
of your choice within 30 feet of you that can hear you
gains advantage on attack rolls made against the target.
You can end this effect on your turn as part of any other
action. If you fall unconscious,
this effect ends.

Swords of the Nation

When a nation goes to war, the paladins are
most eager to serve. Volunteering for front line
duty and never shying away from the opportuni-
ty to shed blood, be it that of the enemy or their
own, paladins of this oath are eager and dutiful
soldiers. Even paladins dedicated to peace and
reason can become engines of destruction if all
nonviolent options are denied to them.

TENETS OF FEALTY
Though the means by which Fealty
paladins uphold their oath’s tenets vary
greatly depending upon the mores of
the nation they serve, paladins of this
oath share these tenets.
Bravery. Fear is a weakness that
must not stand between orders and the
execution thereof.
Obedience. Obey the spirit and the
letter of orders issued by the governing
body and duly appointed represen-
tatives thereof.
Patriotism. Loyalty to the nation
supersedes personal bonds or feel-
ings. The nation is what matters.

76 – CHAPTER THREE: CLASSES –

 UNSHAKABLE AURA
OATH OF FEALTY SPELLS Starting at 7th level, you and friendly creatures within
10 feet of you can’t be stunned while you are conscious.
Paladin Level Spells
At 18th level, the range of this aura increases to 30 feet.
3rd cure wounds, heroism
5th battlecry, magic vestment HERO OF THE CROWN
9th arcane parry, spirit guardians Starting at 15th level, you can cast heroism at will without
using a spell slot.
13th shield the gathering, tenacity
17th dispel evil and good, geas CHAMPION OF THE CROWN
At 20th level, you become the manifestation of the will
Judgment of the Crown. As a bonus action, you imbue of your nation’s crown. You can use your action to gain
a weapon you hold with the judgmental power of your the following benefits for 1 hour:
office as a paladin. For 1 minute, the weapon is considered
1. You have resistance to bludgeoning, piercing, and
magical. Any creature you successfully deal damage to
slashing damage from nonmagical weapons.
using the weapon while it is so ensorcelled must make a
Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, the creature suffers 2. You generate a zone of truth spell in a 15-foot radius
disadvantage on all attack rolls, ability checks, and saving sphere centered on you.
throws until the end of their next turn. You can end this
effect on your turn as part of any other action. If you are 3. You, and all allies within 30 feet of you, have advan-
no longer holding or carrying this weapon, or if you fall tage on Charisma saving throws.
unconscious, this effect ends. This effect ends early if you are incapacitated or die.
Once you use this feature, you can’t use it again until you
finish a long rest.

– Option: Paladin – 77
 Rogue
Hidden Shadow services. Those well trained in the arts of the Hidden
Shadow simply smirk at such accusations before offering a
demonstration to the doubtful. Few who take the Hidden

A zoth is a deadly and dangerous world. While there Shadow up on such an offer live long enough to retract
are a number of threats both magical and mundane, their disrespectful insinuations.
few are as universally feared as Hidden Shadow assassins.
DODGE MISSILES

Students of Endless Combat Starting at 3rd level, you can use your reaction to dodge
the missile when you are hit by a ranged weapon attack.
Hidden Shadows dedicate their lives to the study of
When you do so, the damage you take from the attack is
silent assassination. Rigorous training in physical combat,
reduced by 1d10 + your Dexterity modifier + your rogue
stealth, and weaponry are simple realities of daily life for
level. If you reduce the damage to 0 in this fashion, and
rogues who choose to walk this path. At first, such prac-
there is a hostile creature behind you within the effective
tices are dangerous, and at times deadly, as the teacher
trains the student largely through inflicting sudden and
brutal violence upon them. The student must be ready
to defend from any threat at any moment. Hidden
Shadow teachers randomly fire crossbows at
their students at odd times, such
as when the student is eating,
bathing, or sleeping. This is to
teach the student to dodge and
deflect incoming arrow fire while
also imparting the importance of
never letting one’s guard down.
Wearing armor merely slows
down the Hidden Shadow and gets
in the way of the silence upon which
their art depends. As such, the stu-
dent is forbidden from wearing such
protections during training, a tradition
most carry forth for the remainder of
their careers.

Masters of
the Silent Death
As the Hidden Shadow attains mas-
tery, they unlock the secrets of silent and
invisible movement. The greatest masters
of the Hidden Shadow are said to be
able to enter an open field in broad
daylight and kill a dozen targets
without being seen or heard.
Some outside this tradition of
study think that such rumors
are mere braggadocio, spread
to allow the Hidden Shadows
to demand higher rates for their

78 – CHAPTER THREE: CLASSES –

range of the original attack, you may designate that crea-
ture as the new target of the attack. The original attack
roll is compared to the new target’s Armor Class and the
attack is resolved normally against the new target.
UNARMORED DEFENSE
When you choose this archetype at 3rd level, while
you are wearing no armor and not wielding a shield, your
AC equals 10 + your Dexterity modifier + your Wisdom
modifier.
HIDDEN STEPS
Starting at 9th level, your mastery of Stealth has evolved
to mystical proportions. You may cast invisibility on yourself
without the need for spell components a number of times
equal to your Wisdom modifier (minimum 1) using this
feature. You may also cast greater invisibility on yourself
– Option: Rogue –
once with this feature. Wisdom is your spellcasting ability
for these spells. You regain all uses of this feature when
you complete a long rest.
SHADOW’S SILENCE
By 14th level you gain such mastery of stealth that you
no longer generate sound unless you choose to. Blindsight
does not detect you and other creatures are considered
deafened with regard to you unless you choose to make
noise.
SILENT DEATH
When you reach 17th level you become a master assassin.
When you strike a target who cannot sense your presence,
you may apply the maximum damage from your sneak
attack dice. Once you use this ability you may not do so
again until you complete a long rest.
79
 Sorcerer
Sourceborn MENTHRUAC CHANNEL
Beginning at 1st level, you draw magic directly from
the Source. This grants you unusual abilities regarding
All spellcasters draw from the Pool of Magic when casting.
menthruac, allowing you to channel magic in impressive
This Source of all magical energy is volatile, potent, and
ways. Each encounter, you may gain a number of levels
incredibly dangerous. The trappings of magic, including
of menthruac equal to your spellcasting ability modifier
focus items and spell components, act as filters between
with no ill effect. If you choose to continue to gain levels
the spellcaster and the Source, allowing the magic user to
of menthruac, you may do so, suffering 1d6 points of force
direct a minute portion of the Pool when a spell is cast. Even
damage per level of excess menthruac you gain. This hit
with these safety measures in place, mages must fear and
point loss cannot be prevented in any way but can be
respect menthruac (see Chapter Four: Magic, Spells, and
healed normally. Any levels of menthruac you accrue are
Rituals, p. 89) — a condition that overloads the sorcerer’s
removed when you complete a short or long rest. This also
mind. Unlike other spellcasters, however, Sourceborn can
allows you to ignore the focus component of any spells,
draw from the Pool directly without fear of mind-lock.
as you do not require a focus item in order to use magic.

Direct Connection SOURCE SHIELDING

Every other spellcaster in Azoth must find some At 1st level, you may draw on your innate con-
means of coaxing energy from the Source. nection to the Source of Magic to offer some
Through focus items, connections with protection against magical effects. When a
deities, or manipulation of music, these spell or magical effect requires you to make
casters draw forth wisps of magic. Not a saving throw, you may use this feature
so for sorcerers who draw directly as a reaction to grant yourself advantage
from the Pool. For these sorcerers, the on that saving throw. You may use this
Source springs within them. feature a number of times equal to your
Charisma Modifier (minimum 1) after
Rare and Powerful which time you may not use it again
It is difficult to make gener- until you complete a long rest.
alizations about Sourceborn
sorcerers, due to their rarity in ABSORB MAGIC
the Realm. At times throughout Starting at 6th level, when you
history, decades passed without a make a successful saving throw
single sorcerer on Azoth capable against a magical effect, you may
of drawing on magic in such a use your reaction to absorb some
blatant fashion. Arcane scholars of the incoming magic. Doing so
debate what may or may not cause adds one sorcery point to your
sorcerers to develop such power, available pool per level of the
but the truth remains elusive. spell, up to the maximum num-
The means by which those who ber of sorcery points you can
draw directly from the Source hold for your level. Using this
forge such connections seems feature does not otherwise
to be inscrutable and random. prevent or lessen the effects
Sorcerers of this origin have of incoming magic.
no answers themselves,
deepening the mystery REDIRECT SPELL
surrounding these mys- At 14th level, you gain
tical masters. the ability to alter the
flow of another cast-
er’s spell. When a
spell is cast that

80 – CHAPTER THREE: CLASSES –


SOURCEBORN
SORCERERS AND
SPELL COMPONENTS
Although sorcerers of this origin do not require
focus items to tap into the Pool of Magic, they still
direct spells like any spellcaster. A spell with a
verbal component still has a verbal component
when cast by a Sourceborn sorcerer. This can be
overcome through the subtle spell metamagic
option.
Sourceborn sorcerers can ignore the focus
component of all spells by virtue of their menthruac
channel feature.
– Option: Sorcerer –
targets you, you may use your reaction to spend a number
of sorcery points equal to the spell’s level. If you do, you
may choose a creature within 30 feet that you can see,
making that creature the target of the spell rather than
yourself. The spell’s original attack roll or save DC is used
against the new target and the spell is resolved normally.
Once you use this feature you may not do so again until
you complete a short or long rest.
METAMAGIC MASTERY
Beginning at 18th level, your connection to the Source
becomes so strong that you may use any metamagic option
on spells you cast, as long as the metamagic option is valid
for the spell. You may also use a number of metamagic
options on a single spell equal to half your Intelligence
modifier (rounded up, minimum 1). You must pay all
normal sorcery point costs to use these options.
81
 Warlock
Demon of the DEMON EXPANDED SPELLS
Shadow Lands Spell Level
1st
Spells
Command, Thunderwave
The Shadow Lands exist beyond reality and the flow
of time. This is an alien place shrouded in icy mist and
2nd Blindness/Deafness, Find Steed
darkness no mortal eyes can pierce. Here, a moment is an 3rd Bestow Curse, Blink
eternity which passes in an instant, and ancient demon 4th Black Tentacles, Confusion
kings and queens hold eternal court as they jockey for
5th Geas, Hallow
power in an unending political dance. To forge a pact with
one of these dark nobles is to invite a greedy and chaotic
darkness into your soul, one which numbs the fingers,
and chills the blood.
A pact with Shadow Lands demons is largely held as an
evil deed by most people within the Realm, though many
warlocks merely liken it to giving these alien nobles an
opiate, as they seem to be addicted to some quality inherent
to the pact and how energies flow between them and the
warlock. These demons find the sharp, ordered reality
of the Realm and the alien march of time intoxicating.
Forging a pact with a warlock that lasts
decades is merely a small breath
of perfumed air to the demons.
Other warlocks argue that re-
gardless of why the Shadow
Lords grant power, the power
itself can be used any way the
bonded caster likes — and
so long as the demon is kept
happy, the warlock can serve as a
potent force for good in the Realm.
In truth, the demons hardly care what
is done with the power, though they
often make demands of the warlock as
they seek to experience reality vicari-
ously through them. Denying a patron
is difficult, but a clever warlock soon
learns to keep their patron sated with
experiences, without risking their
own sanity or well-being.

Expanded Spell List

The Demon lets you choose
from an expanded list of spells
when you learn a warlock spell.
The following spells are added
to the warlock spell list for you.

82 – CHAPTER THREE: CLASSES –

Fickle Fortune
Starting at 1st level, you can call on your patron to alter
fate in your favor, if only briefly. As a free action you can
turn a successful attack into a critical hit or downgrade
an enemy critical hit into a non-critical hit. Once you use
this feature you can’t use it again until after a long rest.
Taking One’s Time
Starting at 6th level, when you reduce a hostile creature
to 0 hit points, you gain a single action that occurs in that
creature’s place in the initiative order. This action can be
used to make a single attack, cast a cantrip, or move. You
can use this feature once per round.
Cloak of Chaos
Starting at 10th level, you gain demonic protection. As
a bonus action you can give yourself either a +2 bonus to
your Armor Class, or a +1 bonus to all of your saves for 8
hours. You can use this feature once per long rest.
Demonic Audience
Starting at 14th level, when you hit a creature with an
attack, you can use this feature to instantly envelope them
in a shroud of darkness drawn from the Shadow Lands.
The target takes 10d10 psychic damage as they glimpse the
Shadow Lands and are subjected to the timeless scrutiny
of your demonic patron. The target remains shrouded in
chaotic darkness until the start of your next turn, and
while enveloped can’t be targeted or affected by attacks
and spells.
Once you use this feature, you can’t use it again until
you finish a long rest.
Your Pact Boon
Each Pact Boon option produces a special creature or
object that reflects your patron’s nature.
PACT OF THE CHAIN
Your familiar is dark and shadowy regardless of its form
and reflects the personality and desires of your demonic
patron. Along with the standard forms, your familiar may
also take on the appearance of an undead Shadow.
PACT OF THE BLADE
Your patron grants you a weapon (of player’s choice)
made of black metal with silver-blue threads running
through it in ever-shifting patterns, as though forged from
oil and liquid iron.
PACT OF THE TOME
Your Book of Shadows is a thin book, elegant in its
simplicity, and adorned with the noble symbol of your
– Option: Warlock –
particular patron’s lineage. It contains lore about the
bloodlines and history of your demonic noble, along with
ways to manipulate and control lesser beings.
The Last Unicorn
The Last Unicorn travels the Enchanted Forest of the
elves, though legends and folklore assert the blessed crea-
ture is also attracted to other places where light and pure
energies collect, such as remote, serene glades, or lands
hallowed by the priests of Othaaris. It is in these places
that fleeting images of a glowing mare with a golden horn
are seen, and the stories tell that if you see a unicorn while
traveling the woods you will have good fortune.
The Last Unicorn holds true to its lore and legend, as it
is a magical beast with good heart and great kindness. It
presents itself to the mortals of the Realm very rarely, and
it is in these rare moments that a warlock may attempt to
forge a pact with it.
Though the Last Unicorn prefers to deal only with the
good and kind beings of the Realm, there are no shortages
of foul creatures that attempt to claim its ancient magic for
nefarious ends. Few of these warlocks succeed, however,
as the unicorn’s impossible age and wisdom allow it to
sense the true nature of others with ease. It is the last of
its kind because of this careful wariness, and as such no
one of evil nature has successfully formed a pact with it.
As a patron the unicorn makes few demands of the
warlock who serves it, only asking that they become
a force for good in the world, spreading kindness and
light wherever they go. Rarely, the unicorn may grant
the warlock a vision of a place needing to be purified of
evil, such as a cave or rotted wood overrun with undead.
Such tasks are generally reserved for the most seasoned
and trusted warlocks, those who would stand a chance
against these dark forces.
Expanded Spell List
The Last Unicorn lets you choose from an expanded list
of spells when you learn a warlock spell. The following
spells are added to the warlock spell list for you.
UNICORN
EXPANDED SPELLS
Spell Level Spells
1st Color Spray, Faerie Fire
2nd Invisibility, See Invisibility
3rd Bestow Curse, Hallow
4th Hallucinatory Terrain, Polymorph
5th Commune, Hallow
83
 Shield of the Wild
Starting at 1st level, the energies of nature itself attempt
to keep you alive. When you are reduced to 0 hit points
and are surrounded by nature or wilderness, you gain
advantage on death saving throws, and treat a critical
failure as only a normal failure.
Land’s Stride
Starting at 6th level, your patron subtly guides you
through nature. Moving through non-magical difficult
terrain costs you no extra movement. You can also pass
through non-magical plants without being slowed by
them, and without taking damage from them if they have
thorns, spines, or present a similar hazard.
In addition, you have advantage on saving throws against
plants that are magically created or manipulated to impede
movement, such as those created by the entangle spell.
Boon of Old Magic
Starting at 10th level, your patron empowers your magic
with ancient energies. When casting a non-cantrip spell
you can either give one affected creature disadvantage on
their saving throw or reroll any 1s in the spell’s damage
roll. You can use this once per short rest.
Call to the Last
Starting at 14th level, you can call
upon your patron to manifest briefly.
As an action you can summon a uni-
corn to a space adjacent to you. Unless
your intentions are cruel or evil the
84 – CHAPTER THREE: CLASSES –
unicorn assists you as its abilities and features allow, and
in combat will prioritize attacking evil creatures it sees
or protecting good creatures that are near death. The
unicorn remains for 2 minutes, or until slain, at which
point it vanishes in a flash of light. You may call on this
unicorn again after the next sunrise.
Your Pact Boon
Each Pact Boon option produces a special creature or
object that reflects your patron’s nature.
PACT OF THE CHAIN
Your familiar is clearly of fey or natural descent and
reflects the personality and desires of your goodly patron.
Along with the standard forms, your familiar commonly
takes on the shape of a Sprite.
PACT OF THE BLADE
The unicorn grants you a weapon (of player’s choice)
constructed of gleaming silver or golden metal, with a
handle made of natural materials such as wood or pol-
ished bone.
PACT OF THE TOME
Your Book of Shadows is rustic and heavy; the
materials used show little in the way of modern
technique but are no less artful or robust. It
contains lore about the forests, their deni-
zens, and lost secrets, often accompanied
by beautifully detailed illustrations of the
subjects.
 Wizard
Arcane Artificer Object’s Talent
At 1st level, you can cast magic through your Affinity
Ever since the first Strange Thing arrived in the Realm object. An Artificer acquires wizard levels like other
from Earth, wizards have sought to understand them. wizards and has as many spell slots, starting with six
Strange Things and the artifacts inspired by them, especially known spells, but their magic is shaped and limited by the
technological ones, react differently in the Realm than on capabilities of the object itself — you can produce a fire
Earth, giving rise to a curious form of magic called Artifice. bolt from what was once a lighter, or blind someone with a
Artificers understand physics and chemistry, yet with the former camera’s flash. You are encouraged to be creative.
added comprehension of how magic influences those two You can cast these spells through the object, regardless
disciplines. This yields incredible results for a talented Arti- of whether you or someone else is holding it—or indeed
ficer, creating works of magic through the artifacts they love. if it’s placed somewhere. These spells otherwise follow
Unlike regular arcane traditions, Artificers develop their normal rules.
their talent at first level. They gain additional features at You may create attachments for your Affinity object,
6th level, and 10th, and 14th level. holding two new spells, each time you progress a level.
You might also encounter a Strange Item similar enough
Affinity to yours than you may decipher their workings and incor-
porate them into new attachments. Creating attachments
At 1st level, the Artificer develops an Affinity with an
costs an hour per spell level. You can switch out attach-
object. It must be an object from Earth that would not
ments after a long rest, but this does not
otherwise exist in the Realm, such as a camera or hair
replenish any spent spell slots.
curler, though by the time it’s fit to channel the Ar-
tificer’s magic the various crystals, carved bone,
and branded wood mean few people from Earth
could still recognize it. The Artificer always
has an innate directional sense of the object’s
location, which makes it difficult to steal or lose.
Most Artificers have one object with which they
have a bonded Affinity, and work their magic through
that object. Some Artificers begin as tradespeople,
who grew so close to the objects they worked
with that a magical connection formed over
time. Other Artificers simply
picked up the object once and
immediately established an
Affinity.
If the object is truly and irre-
coverably destroyed, this original
Affinity can be transferred to a
new object, or to a secondary ob-
ject gained through Multi-Affinity,
making the secondary object the new
primary. To an Artificer, destroying or
abandoning an Affinity object on purpose
is inconceivable. We present no hard rules
for creating a replacement object, but
rather encourage you and the GM to make
this part of a quest.

– Option: Wizard – 85
 Terra’s Diary
What an adventure!

I decided I’d start recording all the things my friends and I have been up to since arriving here, but to be
honest, I don’t have enough paper… or I guess, parchment, to describe it all. Just… Wow.

When we first arrived here, I was excited, but scared. Now I’ve discovered this place contains an infinite
number of wonders, equal to, or maybe surpassing the number of horrors lurking just over the horizon. Whenever
I feel gloomy or nervous, I just have to visit a market and sample a fruit I’ve never tasted before, with a flavor
like no other, or hear a song sung in a language I don’t understand, but with such emotion that I can discern
its meaning just from the musician’s tone and expression.

In some ways we have the advantage here. We retained our knowledge and some of our technology from our
world, and that makes the locals see us as people to be feared and respected. I was showing off my phone the
other day, but without a signal I was only able to let the local kids see photos I’d snapped. A few were afraid
I’d made doubles of them, trapped and miniaturized, in my phone. It didn’t take long for a clever youngling to
realize my phone was a Strange Thing, and they explained to the others that my phone was basically making
paintings, of sorts. After that all the younglings were having turns with it, snapping photos of the weirdest
things… Cabbages, close-ups of faces, parents, a lump of rock on the ground… Their capacity for genuine wonder
just makes me smile.

I realize I wrote “younglings.” It’s so easy to adopt the linguistic traits of these people. But I’ve also heard
words that I instinctively know mean danger. I’ve never met “Eophon,” but as soon as someone invoked her
name, I felt a chill in my heart and could smell death on the air. It sounds fantastical, I know, but everything
here is. Words have power in this place.

They call me an artificer and say I can work magic. I don’t know how much of that is true, except I know
my way around machines and can perform some tricks. It’s actually kind of nice though, for people to see
me for my skills rather than what might have got me picked on or ostracized back home. Here, I’m someone
special, valued by the community and trusted to accomplish great deeds. It beats getting shaken down, even if
my new form does come with hairy feet. And those didn’t really take me too long to get used to. I just don’t
wear socks quite as often, now.

The other night, I saw a shape in the sky swooping and fluttering its way past our camp. A few minutes
later, four more of them followed. I was told later that these were “bat people” and servants of some guy named
“Lord Darkoth.” You know, as much as these new things scare me, and sometimes a fella’s evil — I mean, his
name’s Darkoth — should make me want to go running home, I’m always split between that and wanting
to learn a little more.

I’ll have to go home at some point. I can’t stay here forever. But for as long as I’m here, and my friends
are here… well, diary, there’s a world in need of exploring, and people in need of saving. Somehow, my friends
and I are the people this world needs.

Artificers channel Spell Mastery gained at 18th level, ADDITIONAL TALENT

and Signature Spell gained at 20th level, through their
Affinity object.
This replaces the need for a Spellbook.
At 6th level, you can modify the object of your primary
Affinity to turn it into something capable of performing
spells beyond its prior ability, like a lighter casting ray of
frost, or a camera casting invisibility. There are no lim-
itations on what kinds of spells the object can perform.

86 – CHAPTER THREE: CLASSES –

 You also create a permanent upgrade for your Affinity
object. Choose a first level spell with a casting time of 1
action. You can now cast it as a bonus action. This expends
spell slots as usual.
MULTI-AFFINITY
As an alternative to Additional Talent, at 6th level, you
have the option of creating multiple Affinities objects
instead. This serves as a guard if you lose your Affinity
item, or if someone steals it from you — at least all your
spells are not tied to one object. You can also create an
item for someone else, allowing them to cast spells with
it. These castings count towards your used spell slots, but
you can limit the number of spell slots available to the
item when creating it.
If you choose Multi-Affinity, select which spells are tied
to which item. You may have as many additional Affinity
items as you like.
– Option: Wizard –
Knowledge Objectum
At 10th level you acquire Knowledge Objectum, which
allows you learn the history of any object you touch, such
as the object’s maker, one fact about the last person who
touched it, and the object’s general use. When you use
Knowledge Objectum, roll 1d4 and ask that many questions
of the GM. You may use this feature once per short rest.
OBJECT RECOVERY
At 14th level you can restore any deteriorated or broken
object, including your own Affinity objects, with all magic
intact so long as you have a single piece of it of at least
a square inch in size. Any other pieces then crumble to
dust. Object Recovery takes a standard action to perform
for handheld objects. Your GM determines time to repair
larger objects, whether it’s an ancient wizard’s tower or
a crashed airship. In all cases, you are preternaturally
fast at it. You can use Object Recovery once per long rest.
87
T he Pool of Magic, also known as the Source, feeds
mystical energy into all things on Azoth and reclaims
energy released through destruction and decay. The faint
touch of magic can be felt throughout the Realm in the
people and creatures that thrive there. The Crossings
are magical phenomena that bring interdimensional
immigrants to the Realm. In these manifestations, magic is
a natural phenomenon no different than weather or gravity.
Magic can also be utilized and directed through spell-
casting and ritual. An alchemist uses scientific principles
to coax magical essence from mundane reagents. A
wizard guides magical force through intensive study
and mastery of formulae. Clerics and warlocks lean on
connections to powerful entities through faith or pact,
bringing the will of their deities and patrons into being
through the use of spells and prayers. In all of these
cases, the magician relies on a focus item, such as an orb,
crystal, holy symbol, staff, or wand, to direct their will
and cast spells. Without such an item, magic is nearly
impossible to access.
Among those who manipulate magic, the strongest and
most dangerous are sorcerers of the Sourceborn origin.
Tied directly to the Pool of Magic, these spellcasters
open a primal channel to the Source, allowing them to
perform truly spectacular acts of mystical might. Though
all magic in the Realm draws from the Source, only these
rare sorcerers are able to do so without the need for the
tools and props that other spellcasters use to guide the
raw power of the Pool of Magic.
Drawing on the Pool of Magic is a dangerous prop-
osition. Alchemists, bards, druids, and rangers use the
inherent magic in nature to insulate them from the rig-
ors of accessing magic. Their crafts, while potent, are
indirect. Clerics, paladins, and warlocks rely on gods
and patrons to shield them from the worst effects, as
none draw from the Source directly. Sourceborn sor-
cerers, through the accident of their birth, fate, or some
magical anomaly, exhibit an uncanny immunity to these
dangers. All other spellcasters must exhibit great care
when tapping into the Source, lest they suffer menthruac.
– Menthruac –
Menthruac
Menthruac, also known as mind-lock, is a dangerous condi-
tion that affects spellcasters who try to draw too much from the
Source too quickly. Menthruac is a form of psychic exhaustion
that degrades the spellcaster’s abilities. It is possible for a care-
less wizard to drain themself to the point of unconsciousness
or death by ignoring the dangers of menthruac.
When an arcane caster (commonly bards, sorcerers,
warlocks, and wizards) of any origin other than Sourceborn
casts a spell, they may choose to gain one or more levels of
menthruac in exchange for access to additional spellcasting
features listed in the table below. A spellcaster may only
use one menthruac effect at a time. A spellcaster may never
accumulate more than eight levels of menthruac, regardless
of how they divide their uses of this arcane energy.
Level Effect
1 Choose one: Careful Spell, Distant Spell,
Empowered Spell, Extended Spell, Subtle
Spell, Twinned Cantrip
2 Choose one: Quickened Spell, Twinned
1st-level spell, increase Spell Attack Bonus
or Spell Save DC by 1 for the targeted
spell
3 Choose one: Heightened Spell, Twinned
2nd-level spell, increase Spell Attack
Bonus or Spell Save DC by 2 for the
targeted spell
4 Choose one: Maximize a number of
damage dice equal to your spellcasting
ability modifier for one spell, increase
Spell Attack Bonus or Spell Save DC by 3
for the targeted spell
When a character gains levels of menthruac, the energy
building within them threatens to tear them apart as un-
chained magic flows through the spellcaster’s body and soul.
At the end of the combat, or if casting outside of combat
when the spell ends, all levels of menthruac the spellcaster
gained are expended, applying the effects on the table below.
89
 SPELLCASTING CLASSES
AND MENTHRUAC
The basic menthruac rules assume that
wizards and most sorcerers are the only classes
directly impacted by menthruac. Sorcerers of
the Sourceborn origin (see Chapter Three:
Classes, p. 80) interact with menthruac very
differently due to their connection to the Pool
of Magic, and other spellcasting classes are
protected by the nature of their tools.
Menthruac has the following effects:
Level Effect
1 Disadvantage on saving throws to resist
spells and magical effects
2 Disadvantage on all saving throws
3 Disadvantage on ability checks
4 Disadvantage on attack rolls
5 Hit point total reduced to 0, must make
death saves as normal
6 Hit point total reduced to 0, first death
save automatically failed, must make
death saves as normal
7 Hit point total reduced to 0, first and
second death saves automatically failed,
must make death saves as normal
8+ Instant death
A character removes all current effects of menthruac
after completing a long rest.
Focus Items
Each spellcaster must have a magical focus item that al-
lows them to draw from the Pool of Magic in order to work
their spells. This focus is unique to the spellcaster and is
typically crafted or attuned when the spellcaster first learns
to use magic. Bards rely on musical instruments, druids on
objects like wooden staves and wands, clerics and warlocks
on the symbols and icons of their deities and patrons. A full
list of focus items by class is presented on the facing page.
Focus items are unique. Spellcasters can’t carry a spare
or keep a backup handy. If a spellcaster’s focus item is
destroyed or lost, they can no longer cast spells until they
construct a replacement. Doing so is a costly and time-con-
suming endeavor, taking a number of days equal to 21 – the
character’s level in the relevant spellcasting class. This
assumes the caster works on their new focus item during
all short and long rests. If the spellcaster goes into total
isolation, forgoing all activity other than eating, sleeping,
and working on their new focus item, the construction
90 – CHAPTER FOUR: MAGIC, SPELLS, & RITUALS –
MATERIAL
COMPONENTS (M)
Material components are not used for casting
spells in the Realm and are instead replaced by
the Focus component. When using a spell from
another source, such as the PHB, replace any
material components with the focus component.
Material components are used for True Rituals
(see below) but function according to the rules
and systems presented in that section and have
no bearing on spellcasting in general.
time is cut in half and rounded down, to a minimum of
one day of work. The caster must pay the purchase cost of
the new focus item before beginning the work of replacing
their old focus item.
Optional rule: Casting Without Focus
Under the normal rules, casters are unable to cast without
access to their focus item. Some troupes may find this a bit
too harsh, so this optional rule allows for spellcasters to
gain minimal access to cantrips at a price.
Each time a spellcaster who does not have their focus
item wishes to cast a cantrip, they may do so. When they
do, they must immediately suffer a level of menthruac due
to tapping directly into the Source without protection.
This allows the spellcaster a limited ability to access
some spells, albeit at a very steep price.
The Game Master should be sure to let players know
during character creation if this variant rule is being used
in the campaign.
Components
A spell’s components are the physical requirements
you must meet in order to cast it. Each spell’s description
indicates whether it requires verbal (V), somatic (S), or
Focus (F) components. If you can’t provide all of a spell’s
components, you are unable to cast the spell.
VERBAL (V)
Most spells require the chanting of mystic words. The
words themselves aren’t the source of the spell’s power;
rather, the particular combination of sounds, with specific
pitch and resonance, sets the threads of magic in motion.
Thus, a character who is gagged or in an area of silence,
such as one created by the silence spell, can’t cast a spell
with a verbal component.
Characters who use sign language due to being deaf or
mute can utilize sign language to fulfill the verbal compo-
nent of spells. They can also cast within an area of silence
by using more forceful signing to “break” the silence, but
this requires them to have both hands free.
 Purchase Purchase
Class Focus Item Cost Weight Class Focus Item Cost Weight
Alchemist Alchemy Bag 50 gp 8lb. Ranger Component 25 gp 2 lb.
Bard Bagpipes 30 gp 6 lb. pouch
Bard Citole 35 gp 2 lb. Ranger Herbalism kit 5 gp 3 lb.
Bard Drum 6 gp 3 lb. Ranger Sprig of mistletoe 1 gp -
Bard Dulcimer 25 gp 10 lb. Ranger Wooden staff 5 gp 4 lb.
Bard Flute 2 gp 1 lb. Sorcerer Component 25 gp 2 lb.
pouch
Bard Lute 35 gp 2 lb.
Sorcerer Crystal 10 gp 1 lb.
Bard Lyre 30 gp 2 lb.
Sorcerer Orb 20 gp 3 lb.
Bard Horn 3 gp 2 lb.
Sorcerer Rod 10 gp 2 lb.
Bard Hurdy-Gurdy 30 gp 4 lb.
Sorcerer Spellbook 50 gp 3 lb.
Bard Pan flute 12 gp 2 lb.
Sorcerer Staff 5 gp 4 lb.
Bard Shawm 2 gp 1 lb.
Sorcerer Wand 10 gp 1 lb.
Bard Viol 30 gp 1 lb.
Warlock Component Pouch 25 gp 2 lb.
Cleric Amulet 5 gp 1 lb.
Warlock Crystal 10 gp 1 lb.
Cleric Emblem 5 gp -
Warlock Orb 20 gp 3 lb.
Cleric Reliquary 5 gp 2 lb.
Warlock Rod 10 gp 2 lb.
Cleric Staff 5 gp 4 lb.
Warlock Spellbook 50 gp 3 lb.
Cleric Vestments 5 gp 4 lb.
Warlock Staff 5 gp 4 lb.
Druid Herbalism kit 5 gp 3 lb.
Warlock Wand 10 gp 1 lb.
Druid Sprig of mistletoe 1 gp -
Wizard Component 25 gp 2 lb.
Druid Totem 1 gp - Pouch
Druid Wooden staff 5 gp 4 lb. Wizard Crystal 10 gp 1 lb.
Druid Yew wand 10 gp 1 lb. Wizard Orb 20 gp 3 lb.
Paladin Amulet 5 gp 1 lb. Wizard Rod 10 gp 2 lb.
Paladin Emblem 5 gp - Wizard Spellbook 50 gp 3 lb.
Paladin Shield 10 gp 6 lb. Wizard Staff 5 gp 4 lb.
Paladin Vestments 5 gp 4 lb. Wizard Wand 10 gp 1 lb.

SOMATIC (S) their focus item. A spellcaster must have a hand free to hold
their spellcasting focus, but it can be the same hand that
Spellcasting gestures might include a forceful gestic-
they use to perform somatic components or sign-language
ulation or an intricate set of mudras. If a spell requires a
verbal components.
somatic component, the caster must have free use of at
least one hand to perform these gestures.

FOCUS (F)
Spells
While all spellcasters other than Sourceborn sorcerers
require access to their focus item in order to cast spells,
some spells require specific manipulation of the focus item.
S pells are singular magical effects that utilize energy
from the Pool of Magic to achieve a specific expression.
The PHB introduces dozens of spells. Though most of
Generally speaking, as long as a caster is in physical contact these function exactly as described when used within
with their focus item, they may cast their spells normally; the Realm, some merit special discussion.
however, if a spell requires a focus component, the spell-
caster must hold and brandish or otherwise manipulate

– Spells – 91
 Planar Magic
Azoth is a unique plane that connects with the larger
multiverse through Crossings. As a result, a number of spells
work differently, or do not work at all in the Realm. Spells
that do not function in the Realm simply do not exist as far
as the inhabitants of Azoth are concerned. They may be nei-
ther learned nor prepared. Note that effects similar to some
of these spells can be learned as True Rituals (see p. 102).
Banned Spells
Spells that may not be learned or used in the Realm are:
Astral Projection, Banishment, Commune, Conjure
Celestial, Conjure Fey, Contact Other Plane, Demiplane,
Gate, Imprisonment, Magnificent Mansion, Maze, Planar
Ally, Planar Binding, and Plane Shift.
Altered Spells
Spells that function differently than presented in the
PHB are detailed below.
- BLINK
3rd-level transmutation
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Self
Components: V, S
Duration: 1 minute
Roll a d20 at the end of each of your turns for the duration
of the spell. On a roll of 11 or higher, you become invisible,
insubstantial, and unable to make sound. While insubstantial
you are immune to all forms of damage and can take no action
that would deal damage or affect another creature in any way.
At the start of your next turn, and when the spell ends if you
are insubstantial, you stop being insubstantial and appear in
an unoccupied space of your choice you can perceive within
10 feet of the space you vanished from. If no unoccupied
space is available within that range, you appear in the nearest
unoccupied space (chosen at random if more than one space
is equally near). You can dismiss this spell as an action.
While insubstantial, you can perceive your surroundings,
which are dull and muted. While in this state you can’t
perceive anything more than 60 feet away regardless of
other sensory abilities, spells, or effects.
- CONJURE ANIMALS
3rd-level conjuration
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 60 ft
Components: V, S
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 hour
You magically summon beasts, pulling them from the
nearby environment, causing them to appear in unoccupied
92 – CHAPTER FOUR: MAGIC, SPELLS, & RITUALS –
LINE OF EFFECT
Several spells require an unimpeded line of
effect between the caster and target. For a target
to be within line of effect, the target must be able
to be perceived by the caster and must be at
least partially exposed. Walls and other objects
that provide total cover prevent the caster from
establishing a line of effect to the target.
spaces that you can perceive within 60 feet. Choose one of
the following options for what appears:
• One beast of challenge rating 2 or lower
• Two beasts of challenge rating 1 or lower
• Four beasts of challenge rating 1/2 or lower
• Eight beasts of challenge rating 1/4 or lower
These beasts disappear when the spell ends. If a sum-
moned beast drops to 0 hit points, it dies, leaving behind
a corpse as normal.
The summoned beasts are friendly to you and your com-
panions. Roll initiative for the summoned creatures as a
group, which has its own turns. They obey any verbal com-
mands that you issue to them (no action required by you). If
you don’t issue any commands to them, they defend them-
selves from hostile creatures, but otherwise take no actions.
The GM has the creatures’ statistics. Sample creatures
by environment can be found below.
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using certain
higher-level spell slots, you choose one of the summoning
options above, and more creatures appear: twice as many
with a 5th-level slot, three times as many with a 7th-level
slot, and four times as many with a 9th-level slot.
- CONJURE WOODLAND BEINGS
4th-level conjuration
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 60 ft
Components: V, S, F
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 hour
You summon fey creatures who are tied to the nearby
environment and appear in unoccupied spaces that you
can perceive within 60 feet. Choose one of the following
options for what appears:
• One fey creature of challenge rating 2 or lower
• Two fey creatures of challenge rating 1 or lower
• Four fey creatures of challenge rating 1/2 or lower
• Eight fey creatures of challenge rating 1/4 or lower
CR Environment Creature Name CR Environment Creature Name
0 Arctic owl 0 Hill baboon, eagle, goat, hyena, raven,
vulture
1/8 Arctic blood hawk
1/8 Hill blood hawk, giant weasel, mastiff,
1/4 Arctic giant owl mule, poisonous snake, stirge
1/2 Arctic - 1/4 Hill axe beak, boar, elk, giant owl,
1 Arctic brown bear giant wolf spider, panther, swarm of
bats, swarm of ravens, wolf
2 Arctic polar bear, saber toothed tiger
1/2 Hill giant goat, swarm of insects
0 Coastal crab, eagle
1 Hill brown bear, dire wolf, giant eagle,
1/8 Coastal blood hawk, giant crab, poisonous giant hyena, lion
snake, stirge
2 Hill giant boar, giant elk
1/4 Coastal giant lizard, giant wolf spider,
pteradon 0 Mountain eagle, goat
1/2 Coastal - 1/8 Mountain blood hawk, stirge
1 Coastal giant eagle, giant toad, plesiosaurus 1/4 Mountain pteradon, swarm of bats
0 Desert cat, hyena, jackal, scorpion, vulture 1/2 Mountain giant goat
1/8 Desert camel, flying snake, mule, 1 Mountain giant eagle, lion
poisonous snake, stirge 2 Mountain giant elk, saber toothed tiger
1/4 Desert constrictor snake, giant lizard, giant 0 Swamp rat, raven
poisonous snake, giant wolf spider
1/8 Swamp giant rat, poisonous snake, stirge
1/2 Desert swarm of insects
1/4 Swamp constrictor snake, giant frog, giant
1 Desert giant hyena, giant spider, giant lizard, giant poisonous snake,
toad, giant vulture, lion swarm of rats, swarm of ravens
2 Desert giant constrictor snake 1/2 Swamp crocodile, swarm of insects
0 Forest baboon, badger, cat, deer, hyena, 1 Swamp giant spider, giant toad
owl
2 Swamp giant constrictor snake, swarm of
1/8 Forest blood hawk, flying snake, giant rat, poisonous snakes
giant weasel, mastiff, poisonous
snake, stirge 0 Underground giant fire beetle
1/4 Forest boar, constrictor snake, elk, giant 1/8 Underground giant rat, stirge
badger, giant bat, giant frog, giant
lizard, giant owl, giant poisonous 1/4 Underground giant bat, giant centipede, giant
snake, giant wolf spider, panther, lizard, giant poisonous snake,
swarm of ravens, wolf swarm of bats

1/2 Forest ape, black bear, giant wasp, swarm 1/2 Underground swarm of insects
of insects 1 Underground giant spider, giant toad
1 Forest brown bear, dire wolf, giant hyena, 2 Underground giant constrictor snake, polar bear
giant spider, giant toad, tiger
0 Underwater octopus, quipper
2 Forest giant boar, giant constrictor snake,
giant elk, swarm of poisonous 1/4 Underwater constrictor snake
snakes 1/2 Underwater giant sea horse, reef shark
0 Grassland cat, deer, eagle, goat, hyena, 1 Underwater giant octopus, swarm of quippers
jackal, vulture
2 Underwater giant constrictor snake, hunter shark,
1/8 Grassland blood hawk, flying snake, giant plesiosaurus
weasel, poisonous snake, stirge
0 Urban cat, goat, rat, raven
1/4 Grassland axe beak, boar, elk, giant
poisonous snake, giant wolf spider, 1/8 Urban flying snake, giant rat, mastiff, mule,
panther, pteradon, riding horse, pony, stirge
wolf
1/4 Urban draft horse, giant centipede, giant
1/2 Grassland giant goat, giant wasp, swarm of poisonous snake, riding horse,
insects swarm of bats, swarm of rats, swarm
of ravens
1 Grassland giant eagle, giant hyena, giant
vulture, lion, tiger 1/2 Urban crocodile, giant wasp, swarm of
insects, warhorse
2 Grassland allosaurus, giant boar, giant elk,
rhinoceros 1 Urban giant spider

– Spells – 93
 A summoned fey creature disappears when it drops to
0 hit points or when the spell ends.
The summoned creatures are friendly to you and your com-
panions. Roll initiative for the summoned creatures as a group,
which has its own turns. They obey any verbal commands that
you issue to them (no action required by you). If you don’t
issue any commands to them, they defend themselves from
hostile creatures, but otherwise take no actions.
The GM has the creatures’ statistics. Sample creatures
by environment can be found below. If this spell is cast in
an environment that does not list available fey creatures,
the GM may decide to pull creatures from the nearest
environment to the spellcaster. The GM may also choose
to utilize beasts appropriate to the environment in lieu
of fey creatures (see conjure animals) though in this case,
the beasts are also considered fey creatures and respond
to being reduced to 0 hit points as described in this spell.
Lastly, the GM may rule that there are no fey spirits in the
region able to be summoned, in which case the spell fails,
and the slot is wasted.
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using certain
higher-level spell slots, you choose one of the summoning
options above, and more creatures appear: twice as many with
a 6th-level slot and three times as many with an 8th-level slot.

CR Environment Creature Name

2 Coastal sea hag
1/4 Forest blink dog, sprite
1/2 Forest satyr
1 Forest dryad
2 Underwater sea hag

- ETHEREALNESS
7th-level transmutation
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Self
Components: V, S
Duration: 8 hours
You become invisible, insubstantial, and unable to make
sound. While insubstantial you are immune to all forms of
damage and can take no action that would deal damage or
affect another creature in any way. You remain insubstantial
for the duration or until you use your action to dismiss the
spell. During this time, you can move in any direction. If you
move up or down, every foot of movement costs an extra foot.
You can perceive your surroundings, but everything looks
gray, and you can’t see anything more than 60 feet away.
While you are insubstantial, other creatures can’t per-
ceive you and can’t interact with you, unless a special
ability or magic has given them the ability to do so. You
ignore all objects and effects, unless those objects or effects
are stated to affect the Ethereal Plane. This allows you to
pass through solid objects.

94 – CHAPTER FOUR: MAGIC, SPELLS, & RITUALS –

 When the spell ends, you immediately become solid
in the spot you currently occupy. If you occupy the same
spot as a solid object or creature when this happens, you
are immediately shunted to the nearest unoccupied space
that you can occupy and take force damage equal to twice
the number of feet you are moved.
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell
slot of 8th level or higher, you can target up to three willing
creatures (including you) for each slot level above 7th. The
creatures must be within 10 feet of you when you cast the
spell. All creatures targeted with the same casting of this
spell can see one another for the duration, though they still
cannot communicate audibly.
- SECRET CHEST
4th-level conjuration
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Touch
Components: V, S, F
Duration: Instantaneous
You hide a chest (or similar container) you touch, and all
its contents, by making the chest invisible and insubstan-
tial. The chest can contain up to 12 cubic feet of nonliving
material (3 feet by 2 feet by 2 feet).
While the chest remains invisible and insubstantial, you
can use an action to manipulate your focus item to recall
the chest. It appears in an unoccupied space on the ground
within 5 feet of you. You can return the chest back to its
invisible and insubstantial state by using an action and
touching the chest.
After 60 days, there is a cumulative 5% chance per day
that the spell’s effect ends. This effect also ends if you
cast this spell again, or if you choose to end the spell as
an action. If the spell ends while the chest is invisible and
insubstantial, it is irretrievably lost.
New Spells
T
he following section details new spells found in the
Realm. It begins by presenting these spells in lists
according to class and is followed by descriptions of the
new spells.
New Spell Descriptions
- ABSORB MANA
2nd-level abjuration
Casting Time: 1 reaction
Range: Self
Components: S
Duration: 1 round
– New Spells –
Magic in the realm is a measurable, palpable, and deadly
force. This spell allows the caster to redirect a portion of a
spell’s energy for both defense and offense.
The spell captures some of the incoming energy of a spell
attack, lessening its effect on you and storing it for your next
spell attack. You have resistance to the damage type of the
triggering spell until the start of your next turn. Also, the
first time you hit with a spell attack on your next turn, the
target takes an extra 1d6 damage of the triggering type, and
the spell ends. If you do not deal damage with a spell attack
on your next turn this extra damage is lost and wasted.
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell
slot of 3rd level or higher, the extra damage increases by
1d6 for each slot level above 2nd.
- ALIBI
2nd-level enchantment
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 30 ft
Components: V, S, F
Duration: Until dispelled
The nations of Azoth are no strangers to deception and
intrigue. Through the use of this spell, the caster can magi-
cally provide a believable cover story for nefarious activity.
You attempt to charm a number of humanoids equal to
your spellcasting ability modifier (minimum 1) within 30
feet to whom you have line of effect. Each targeted crea-
ture must make a Wisdom saving throw and does so with
advantage if you or your companions are fighting it. If a
creature fails the saving throw, it will recall the caster being
within eyesight and earshot for a duration of the caster’s
choosing (up to one hour), though it will not recall directly
interacting with the caster. This false memory remains until
removed with dispel magic, remove curse, or a similar effect.
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell
slot of 3rd level or higher, you can target one additional
creature for each slot level above 2nd. The creatures must
be within 30 feet of you when you target them. Alternatively,
you may increase the duration of the false memory for an
additional hour per higher slot level spent. You must choose
whether to affect additional creatures or extend duration
for each additional slot level you expend. For example, if
casting alibi with a 5th-level spell slot, you could affect one
additional creature, implanting false memories of you being
in the presence of all affected creatures for three hours.
- ARCANE PARRY
3rd-level abjuration
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Self
Components: V, S, F
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute
95
 BARD 4th Level 8th Level
2nd Level Shield the Gathering Healing Interdiction
Alibi Tenacity WARLOCK
Battlecry RANGER 2nd Level
Dark Flame 1st Level Chains of Binding
Enrage Blood Trail Compost
Entrance Animal 2nd Level Dark Flame
3rd Level Circle of Sounds 3rd Level
Cloak of Silence Entrance Animal Violent Scream
Violent Scream 3rd Level 4th Level
7th Level Cloak of Silence Tenacity
Eyeburst SORCERER WIZARD
CLERIC Cantrip Cantrip
2nd Level Imbue Weapon Imbue Weapon
Compost 2nd Level 2nd Level
Magic Vestment Absorb Mana Absorb Mana
3rd Level Alibi Alibi
Arcane Parry Chains of Binding Chains of Binding
Cloak of Silence Compost Compost
4th Level Dark Flame Dark Flame
Shield the Gathering Enrage Enrage
Tenacity Entrance Animal Entrance Animal
7th Level Magic Vestment Magic Vestment
Rallying Respite Shield Ally Shield Ally
DRUID 3rd Level 3rd Level
1st Level Arcane Parry Arcane Parry
Blood Trail Body of Sand Body of Sand
2nd Level Cloak of Silence Cloak of Silence
Circle of Sounds Violent Scream Violent Scream
Compost 4th Level 4th Level
Enrage Shield the Gathering Tenacity
Entrance Animal Tenacity Wall of Mana
3rd Level Wall of Mana 5th Level
Body of Sand 5th Level Source Sink
Exile from Nature Source Sink 6th Level
PALADIN 6th Level Source Interference
2nd Level Source Interference 7th Level
Battlecry 7th Level Eyeburst
Magic Vestment Eyeburst Rallying Respite
3rd Level Rallying Respite 8th Level
Arcane Parry Healing Interdiction

96 – CHAPTER FOUR: MAGIC, SPELLS, & RITUALS –

 This spell allows the caster to skim a small portion of
mystical energy from the Source which can act as a shield to
incoming damage. By drawing on the Source for protection,
even the mightiest of blows can be reduced to harmlessness.
You create a field of protective magical energy around
yourself. If you are struck by an attack, spell, or effect while
this spell is in effect, you may use your reaction to reduce
the damage by 6d6. The spell’s effect ends once it is used.
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell
slot of 4th level or higher, you may reduce the incoming
damage by an additional 1d6 for each slot level above 3rd.
- BATTLECRY
2nd-level evocation
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Self (15-foot cube)
Components: V, S
Duration: Instantaneous
By infusing a fervent shout with mystical energy from the
Source, you can overwhelm your enemies. Confronted with
your mystical might, lesser foes find themselves stunned.
You let out a thunderous cry that strikes fear into the heart
of your enemies. Each creature in a 15-foot cube originating
from you must make a Constitution saving throw. On a failed
save, a creature is stunned until the end of their next turn.
– New Spells –
- BLOOD TRAIL
1st-level divination
Casting Time: 1 reaction
Range: 120 feet/Special
Components: V, S, F
Duration: 1 hour
The Pool of Magic is connected to all things. Students
of mystic arts can utilize this connection to aid in tracking
a wounded foe.
Blood trail allows you to magically track a wounded foe
so long as you witnessed the injury. If a creature to whom
you have line of effect suffers hit point damage while within
range, you may use your reaction to cast blood trail. For
the duration of the spell, you have advantage on Wisdom
(Survival) checks to track the target. If the creature travels
to another plane of existence, you are immediately aware
that they have left the plane, though you do not know
where they went. If they return to the plane you are on,
or you travel to the plane they are on, you are immediately
aware that they are again on the same plane and may make
a DC 20 Wisdom (Survival) check to pick the trail back up.
Success allows you to resume tracking the target normally,
while failure causes the spell to end immediately.
At Higher Levels. When casting blood trail using a
higher-level spell slot the duration increases as follows:
3rd level: 8 hours, 5th level: 24 hours, 7th level: 30 days,
9th level: until dispelled.
97
 - BODY OF SAND
3rd-level transmutation
Casting Time: 1 reaction
Range: Touch
Components: V, S, F
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 hour
Some Visitors to Azoth tell fables from their homeworld
claiming that humans were created from dust. Upon hearing
this story, a quirky sorcerer with a flair for the dramatic
created this spell.
You touch a willing creature. Until the spell ends, the
target’s body turns to sand. This sand retains the creature’s
size and shape and is cohesive, but the sandform grants
the target resistance to slashing and piercing damage from
nonmagical weapons. Furthermore, the target has advan-
tage on Stealth checks made in sandy terrain.
- CHAINS OF BINDING
2nd-level conjuration
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 90 feet
Components: V, S, F
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute
Spellcasters in service to the Darklord favor this brutal
and gruesome method for restraining those enemies whom
they wish to keep alive for interrogation or imprisonment.
This spell causes hooked chains to explode from the
ground within range, latching onto a single creature to
whom you have line of effect. The target must succeed on a
Strength saving throw or suffer 2d6 bludgeoning damage. On
a failed save, the target also gains the restrained condition.
The caster may choose to inflict an additional 2d6
bludgeoning damage on a creature who begins their turn
restrained by the chains. A creature restrained by the chains
can use its action to make a Strength check against your
spell save DC. On a success, it frees itself.
When the spell ends, the chains fade away into noth-
ingness.
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell
slot of 3rd level or higher, you may choose an additional
target within range for each slot level above 2nd.
- CIRCLE OF SOUNDS
2nd-level illusion
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 30 feet
Components: V, S, F
Duration: 10 minutes
The druids and rangers of Azoth learned to cloak the
sounds of their communication among the chirps and
98 – CHAPTER FOUR: MAGIC, SPELLS, & RITUALS –
whistles of the forest. This spell is in high demand among
scouting parties and small traveling groups seeking to pass
through natural areas undetected.
Choose a number of creatures to whom you have line
of effect within 30 feet of you who share a language with
you. For the duration, you and each creature you choose
can communicate verbally in your shared language, but
to anyone not included in the spell your words sound like
the normal, natural sounds of the local fauna. Any creature
affected by this spell may choose to speak normally or speak
under the cover of the circle of sounds.
- CLOAK OF SILENCE
3rd-level illusion
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Self
Components: V, S, F
Duration: Concentration, up to 10 minutes
When casting this spell, you create an invisible mobile
zone of silence that surrounds you. The spell functions by
bending all types of noise and sound around you but allows
you to hear yourself speak. Because the spell stops all sound,
it provides immunity to thunder damage, and renders you
deafened with regard to other creatures. Casting a spell that
includes a verbal component is possible while under the
effects of this spell, but any spell or effect that requires your
target to be able to hear you automatically fails.
- COMPOST
2nd-level necromancy
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Touch
Components: V, S, F
Duration: Instantaneous
When you cast this spell, you touch a corpse, ac-
celerating its decay and reducing it to a fine dust.
The corpse can then no longer be magically animated or
otherwise become undead. Thus, such spells as animate
dead and raise dead have no effect upon a corpse affected
by this spell. Compost does not interfere with resurrection.
The spell has no effect on living matter. If the spell is cast
upon an undead creature, the target must make a Constitution
saving throw, suffering 5d6 radiant damage on a failed saving
throw, or half as much on a success. If the spell inflicts enough
damage to reduce the undead to 0 hit points, the corpse turns
to a fine dust and can no longer be animated or raised again.
- DARK FLAME
2nd-level evocation
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Touch
Components: V, S, F
Duration: 1 hour • Arctic

You touch an object which begins producing flames of
darkness that encircle the object to a 20-foot radius. These
flames produce no heat and do not consume oxygen. For the
duration, all creatures within the flames have darkvision
within the affected area.
- ENRAGE
2nd-level transmutation
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Touch
Components: V, S, F
Duration: 1 minute
A willing creature you touch immediately enters a rage as
though they were a 1st-level barbarian, gaining all the ben-
efits and restrictions of that class feature. This rage lasts for
1 minute, though the target may end it early if they succeed
on a Wisdom saving throw. Any condition that would cause a
barbarian’s rage to end causes this spell to end as well.
Casting this spell on a barbarian does not affect their
normal uses of rage.
- ENTRANCE ANIMAL
2nd-level enchantment
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: A 30-foot-radius sphere centered on you
Components: V, S, F
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute
Your swaying motions and music, singing, or chanting
compel all beasts within range to make a Wisdom saving
throw. On a failure, the affected beasts are charmed by you.
A beast charmed in this fashion can take no actions or bonus
actions and its movement is reduced to 0 until the spell ends
or you or your companions do anything harmful to it.
• Coast
• Desert
• Forest
• Grassland
• Jungle
• Mountain
• Subterranean
• Swamp
A remove curse spell ends this effect.
At Higher Levels. If you cast this spell using a spell
slot of 4th level or higher, you may choose an additional
environment for each slot level above 3rd.
- EYEBURST
7th-level evocation
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 30 feet
Components: V, S, F
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute
Choose a creature to whom you have line of effect within
30 feet. A spark of blinding light leaps from your hand and
explodes in the target’s face, searing its visage and causing
the fluid in its eyes to boil and possibly rupture. The vic-
tim of eyeburst must make a Constitution saving throw or
suffer 10d10 points of radiant damage and be permanently
blinded. A successful save halves this damage and avoids
the blindness effect.
Eyes destroyed by this spell can only be restored by a
regenerate or wish spell, or another spell or effect that
permits the regrowth of missing body parts.

- EXILE FROM NATURE - HEALING INTERDICTION

3rd-level transmutation 8th-level necromancy
Casting Time: 1 action Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Touch Range: 120 feet
Components: V, S, F Components: V, S, F
Duration: Until dispelled Duration: 1 minute

You touch a creature, and that creature must succeed on a
Wisdom saving throw or become cursed for the duration of
the spell. A creature cursed in this way suffers disadvantage
on all Intelligence (Nature), Wisdom (Animal Handling),
Wisdom (Survival), Dexterity (Stealth) and Wisdom (Per-
ception) checks made while in an environment you choose
from the following list:
Healing interdiction is a powerful curse that prevents
all forms of healing, magical or otherwise. When casting
this spell, you choose a creature you can see within range.
The target must succeed on a Constitution saving throw or
become cursed. While under the effects of this curse, the
target is unable to regain hit points by any means. All cure
spells and spells that cause the target to regain hit points

– New Spells – 99
 automatically fail when directed at the target. Even spells
such as remove curse and regenerate fail. Nothing short of a
wish spell or divine intervention can heal the target while
this spell is affecting them.
- IMBUE WEAPON
Transmutation cantrip
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Touch
Components: V, S, F
Duration: 1 minute
You channel magical energy into a melee weapon you hold.
When you cast this spell, choose one of the following dam-
age types: acid, cold, fire, force, lightning, necrotic, poison,
psychic, radiant, or thunder. For the duration, the weapon
gains that damage type in addition to its normal damage type.
The weapon also becomes magical, if it isn’t already. The
spell ends if you cast it again or if you let go of the weapon.
At Higher Levels. You may choose an additional damage
type when casting this spell when you reach 5th level, 11th
level, and 17th level.
- MAGIC VESTMENT
2nd-level transmutation
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Touch
Components: V, S, F
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 hour
You touch a nonmagical garment or suit of armor. Until
the spell ends, that garment becomes magic armor with a
+1 bonus to AC.
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a
spell slot of 4th level or higher, the bonus increases to +2.
When you use a spell slot of 6th level or higher, the bonus
increases to +3.
- RALLYING RESPITE
7th-level transmutation
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 30-foot sphere centered on you
Components: V, S, F
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute
By channeling potent magical forces, you compress time in
your immediate vicinity. When you cast this spell, the flow of
time is altered for all creatures within a 30-foot-radius sphere
centered on you. While you concentrate, time is sped up for the
affected creatures, giving them one hour of respite, allowing all
creatures in the area to complete a short rest. Doing so confers
all benefits of completing a short rest normally.
Once the spell has begun, any creature attempting to leave
the affected area must succeed on a Strength saving throw
100 – CHAPTER FOUR: MAGIC, SPELLS, & RITUALS –
or be knocked prone within the affected area. Any creature
attempting to enter the affected area from outside bounces
off the perimeter of the affected area and must make a Consti-
tution saving throw, suffering 11d10 force damage on a failed
save and half as much on a success. Nonmagical projectiles
fired or thrown into the area burn to ash while magical pro-
jectiles fired or thrown into the area are unharmed, but land
harmlessly as soon as they are fully within the area of effect.
If your concentration is broken while maintaining this spell,
you must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw, suffering 11d10
psychic damage on a failed save and half as much on a success.
- SHIELD ALLY
2nd-level abjuration
Casting Time: 1 reaction, which you take when a
friendly creature is hit by an attack or targeted by the
magic missile spell
Range: 30 feet
Components: S
Duration: 1 round
An invisible barrier of magical force appears and protects
a friendly creature within range who you can see. Until
the start of their next turn, the target has a +5 bonus to
AC, including against the triggering attack, and takes no
damage from magic missile.
- SHIELD THE GATHERING
4th-level abjuration
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 120 feet
Components: V, S, F
Duration: Concentration, up to 10 minutes
A shimmering field appears and surrounds a number of
creatures of your choice within range equal to your spell-
casting ability modifier, granting each creature a +2 bonus
to AC for the duration.
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell
slot of 5th level or higher, you may choose an additional
target within range for each slot level above 4th.
- SOURCE INTERFERENCE
6th-level abjuration
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Self
Components: V, S, F
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute
By manipulating connections to the Pool of Magic in an
area, this spell slows down the ability of all nearby spell-
casters to cast spells and access the Source.
This spell allows you to create an aura of magical interfer-
ence which causes an increase in the casting time of spells.
The aura is an invisible 60-foot sphere centered on you. The
aura moves with you, though it does not affect you. While
in the affected area, spells with a casting time of a bonus
action take 1 action to cast. All spells with a casting time of
1 action or longer take twice as long to cast. Reaction spells
cast while in the affected area are cast normally.
A creature using Metamagic effects to impact the casting
time of their spells while within the area of effect treats
the spell’s longer casting time as the casting time being
modified by their Metamagic.
- SOURCE SINK
5th-level abjuration
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Touch
Components: V, S, F
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute
This spell creates a centralized point of energy that
draws all nearby magical energy into it, feeding that power
harmlessly back to the Source.
A darkly flickering, stationary 1-foot-radius orb of mys-
tical energy appears around the point you touch. This orb
taps into the Source, redirecting the magical energy of all
spells cast within a 15-foot-radius sphere around it. This
causes the magical energy of those spells to be siphoned
into the central orb, acting like an ongoing counterspell
effect. This functions as a counterspell cast using a 5th-lev-
el spell slot. Within the sphere, spells and other magical
effects, except those created by an artifact or a deity, are
counterspelled as described, as are effects that protrude
into it. A slot expended to cast a counterspelled spell is
consumed as normal.
Targeted Effects. Spells and other magical effects, such
as magic missile and charm person, that target a creature or
an object in the sphere, or pass through the area of the spell,
are counterspelled upon making contact with the sphere.
Areas of Magic. The area of another spell or magical effect,
such as fireball, can’t extend into the sphere. If the sphere
overlaps an area of magic, the part of the area that is covered
by the sphere is suppressed. For example, the flames created
by a wall of fire are suppressed within the sphere, creating a
gap in the wall if the overlap is large enough.
Spells. Any active spell or other magical effect on a crea-
ture or an object in the sphere is subjected to a 5th-level
counterspell when the creature or object enters the sphere.
For spells or effects of 6th level or higher, make an ability
check using your spellcasting ability. The DC equals 10 + the
spell’s level. On a success, the spell fails and has no effect.
Magic Items. The properties and powers of magic items
are suppressed while inside the sphere. For example, a
longsword +1 inside the sphere functions as a nonmagical
longsword.
A magic weapon’s properties and powers are suppressed
if it is used against a target inside the sphere or wielded
– New Spells –
by an attacker within the sphere. If a magic weapon or a
piece of magic ammunition fully leaves the sphere (for
example, if you fire a magic arrow or throw a magic spear
at a target outside the sphere), the magic of the item ceases
to be suppressed as soon as it exits.
Magical Travel. Spells permitting magical travel, ac-
cessing extradimensional spaces, or impacting the passage
of time, are counterspelled upon making contact with the
area affected by the sphere.
Creatures and Objects. A creature or object summoned
or created by magic from a spell cast with a 5th-level or
lower spell slot winks out of existence upon contact with the
sphere. Such a creature is effectively destroyed. Creatures
or objects summoned or created by magic from a spell cast
with a 6th-level or higher spell slot require you to make an
ability check using your spellcasting ability. The DC equals
10 + the spell’s level. On a success, the creature is destroyed.
Dispel Magic. Spells and magical effects such as dispel
magic have no effect on the sphere. A sphere created by an
antimagic field spell will suppress the source sink’s effect if
the affected areas overlap.
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell
slot of 6th level or higher, impacted spells and effects have
no effect if their level is less than or equal to the level of
the spell slot you used.
- TENACITY
4th-level transmutation
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 30 feet
Components: V, S, F
Duration: 1 minute
This spell allows the target to shrug off horrendous pain,
debilitating injury, and the limitations of the mortal form
for a brief time. When you cast this spell, you choose one
creature within range that you can see. For the duration of
the spell, the target is immune to the paralyzed, poisoned,
and stunned conditions, suffers no effects from exhaustion,
and gains 2d8 temporary hit points. If the target is paralyzed,
poisoned, or stunned when this spell is cast, those conditions
are suppressed for the duration. When the spell’s effect ends
the target becomes incapacitated and their speed is reduced to
0 until the end of their next turn. In addition, the target gains
one level of exhaustion, which can be recovered normally.
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell
slot of 5th level or higher, you may choose an additional
target within range for each slot level above 4th.
- VIOLENT SCREAM
3rd-level evocation
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Self (20-foot cone)
Components: V, S, F
Duration: Instantaneous
101

You release a horrific scream. Each creature in a 20-foot
cone must make a Constitution saving throw. A target takes
3d6 thunder damage and becomes deafened for one minute
on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful
one and is not deafened.
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell
slot of 4th level or higher, the damage increases by 1d6 for
each slot level above 3rd.
- WALL OF MANA
4th-level transmutation
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 20 feet
Components: V, S, F
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute
Drawing on the defensive principles and properties of the
Pool of Magic, you create a barrier of raw mystical energy.
An invisible wall of magical energy springs into existence
at a point you choose within range. The wall appears in any
orientation you choose, as a horizontal or vertical barrier or
at an angle. It can be free-floating or resting on a solid sur-
face. You can form it into a hemispherical dome or a sphere
with a radius of up to 10 feet, or you can shape a flat surface
made up of ten 10-foot-by-10-foot panels. Each panel must
be contiguous with another panel. In any form, the wall
is 1/4-inch thick. It lasts for the duration. If the wall cuts
through a creature’s space when it appears, the creature
is pushed to one side of the wall (your choice which side).
Spells cast from the side of the wall where you stand pass
through the wall normally. Spells of 4th level or lower cast
in your direction from the side of the wall opposite you are
stopped by the wall, their magical energy harmlessly imped-
ed by the wall. The wall is immune to all damage and can’t
be dispelled by dispel magic. A disintegrate spell destroys
the wall instantly, however. The wall also extends into the
Ethereal Plane, blocking ethereal travel through the wall.
At Higher Levels. When this spell is cast using a spell
slot of 5th level or higher, it impedes spells of the level at
which it is cast and lower from passing through the wall.
Eldritch Invocations
T he warlocks of the Realm are able to access a variety
of magical secrets. The following invocations are
available for warlocks.
- BREACH THE IMPERMEABLE
Prerequisite: 5th level, Pact of the Demon
Your body briefly becomes a shadow, allowing you to pass
through solid objects and barriers. When you use a bonus
action to activate this invocation, you gain the benefits
of the etherealness spell for one round, or until you move
102 – CHAPTER FOUR: MAGIC, SPELLS, & RITUALS –
60 feet, whichever comes first. Once you have used this
invocation you can’t do so again until you finish a long rest.
- COERCE CONFESSION
Prerequisite: 5th level
You can cast zone of truth without expending a spell slot.
Once you use this invocation, you can’t use it again until
you finish a short or long rest.
- CURSE OF DEAD BLOOD
Prerequisite: 15th level
You can cast healing interdiction once without expending
a spell slot. Once you use this invocation, you can’t use it
again until you finish a long rest.
- FAMILIAR STEED
Prerequisites: 5th level, Pact of the Last Unicorn
If you have an active familiar, you can cast find steed as
an action without expending a spell slot or using compo-
nents. When you do, your familiar dissipates in a puff of
acrid smoke and is replaced with a unicorn. This steed
retains all benefits of being your familiar. If the unicorn is
reduced to 0 hit points, it disappears as described in the find
familiar spell. If you dismiss the unicorn it dissipates in a
puff of smoke, and is instantly replaced with your familiar’s
previous form, which appears in an unoccupied space you
choose within 60 feet of you. Once you use this invocation,
you can’t use it again until you finish a long rest.
- SEVEN LEAGUE STEP
Prerequisite: 15th level
You can cast teleport, affecting only yourself, without
expending a spell slot or material components. Once you
use this invocation, you can’t use it again until you finish
a short or long rest.
Azothian Rituals
S
pells connect to the Pool of Magic for a brief moment to
achieve magical effects. Even the strongest spells only
skim the surface of potential within the Source. Azothian
rituals dive deep into the Pool of Magic, pulling raw power
forth and directing its flow into truly fantastic effects far
beyond those which can be accomplished through simple
spellcasting. The effort required to complete an Azothian
ritual is monumental by comparison to that invested in
a spell. Azothian rituals require intensive preparation,
masterful execution, incredible will, and the expenditure of
vast resources in terms of both time and materials. All rituals
require some form of sacrifice. Sometimes this is a sacrifice
of material, such as a rare gem or valuable item. Sometimes
it is a personal sacrifice such as a prized possession or
treasured, storied weapon. The darkest of Azothian rituals
may only be completed with sacrifices of life energy from
sentient beings.
Azothian rituals are rare secrets that are typically guarded
closely by those who have unearthed or designed them.
These are not simple tricks to be uncovered by the mildly
curious. Acquiring the knowledge and components to
perform an Azothian ritual should be a campaign-span-
ning undertaking, as the casting of such magic can have
world-altering consequences.
Learning an Azothian Ritual
Learning an Azothian ritual is a far more painstaking,
complicated, and expensive proposition than learning a
simple spell. Once the ritual is discovered, the real work
begins.
DECIPHERING TRUE RITUALS
Provided the Azothian ritual is found in written form,
the writing uses complex notation much like that used by
wizards to record spells in their spellbooks, or by other
spellcasters to record their spells onto scrolls. Due to their
length and complexity, Azothian rituals require much more
space than normal spells. A typical Azothian ritual fills
up at least an entire book, and mightier rituals might fill
several volumes. Some rituals are even stored in multisen-
sory formats, incorporating art objects and even musical
compositions into their notation. Only by collecting and
studying all the component pieces of the ritualist’s notes
does one have a hope of unlocking the ritual’s power.
To decipher an Azothian ritual, you must make one
Intelligence (Arcana) check (DC 12 + the ritual’s level)
per hour of the ritual’s casting time. Each check requires
three days of downtime and costs 1,000 gp in materials,
including rare inks, paper, and book bindings, expended
spell materials, and other supplies the process may require.
Success indicates you’ve deciphered that 1-hour section
of the ritual’s casting time. Failure indicates the time and
resources have been wasted and the process must begin
anew for the section of the ritual in question.
If, while attempting to decode the Azothian ritual, you have
access to aid from the original writer, or other esoterica inscribed
by the original writer, you may claim advantage on these checks.
Once the ritual is fully deciphered and understood, you
now have a copy of the ritual using your own symbols and
shorthand, which you may use to cast the ritual. Some
spellcasters shun the idea of creating a separate copy of
the ritual, preferring to add their own notes and shorthand
into the original text. This can be confusing to subsequent
casters who attempt to decipher the notes of two or more
authors in addition to the main text.
Casting a True Ritual
You can attempt to cast an Azothian ritual only once per
day, regardless of the ritual’s actual casting time. Casting
an Azothian ritual requires at least three elements: a min-
imum of one spellcaster who knows and has deciphered
– Azothian Rituals –
the Azothian ritual; any special components or sacrifices
the ritual requires; and sufficient casting time.
CASTERS
The following rules apply for those who would cast
Azothian rituals.
Primary Caster. Only one spellcaster who knows the ritual
can be designated as primary caster. Some Azothian rituals
may benefit from other participants such as secondary casters
or vessels (see below) but ultimately the primary caster is the
one who guides the ritual and connects the pageantry and
pomp to the Source in order to direct the ritual’s magic. The
primary caster must be of an appropriate class and of suffi-
cient level to cast spells of the ritual’s level. Where relevant,
the ritual uses the primary spellcaster’s spell save DC, spell
attack bonus, and spellcasting ability modifier. Each ritual
description addresses the primary caster as “you.”
When the ritual is complete, the primary spellcaster
must expend a spell slot of the ritual’s level to fuel the
magic. They also gain one point of menthruac per level of
the ritual. This means higher-level rituals are potentially
lethal. Some ritualists fall dead on completion of the ritual,
sacrificing their life energies to make one final, massive act
of magic, consequences be damned. Fortunately, secondary
casters can share the burden of menthruac.
Secondary Casters. Azothian rituals are complex,
draining, and extremely challenging. Due to the incredible
effort that rituals require, multiple spellcasters can work in
concert to share the risk of accessing the Pool of Magic so
blatantly. Each ritual can support a number of secondary
casters equal to the ritual’s level, each of whom must have
an available spell slot equal to or higher than the ritual’s
level in one of the classes shown on the True Ritual Casting
table on p. 104.
When a ritual utilizing secondary spellcasters is complete,
the primary spellcaster and each secondary spellcaster suf-
fer menthruac equal to the ritual’s level minus the number
of secondary spellcasters involved, with a minimum of 1.
Vessels. Unless an Azothian ritual states otherwise, it
allows vessels for the caster’s magic — participants who
need not be spellcasters. To act as a vessel, a creature must
have an Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma score of at least
12, as appropriate for the type of ritual being cast. Vessels
can be of any people, class, and character level.
For a given ritual, vessels can replace up to half of the
secondary casters allowed for the ritual, rounded down. To
replace a single secondary caster, vessels must have a com-
bined number of Hit Dice equal to twice the level of the ritual.
Vessels do not reduce or suffer menthruac in the same
fashion as secondary casters. The primary caster can chan-
nel menthruac into them as levels of exhaustion though,
making participation in a ritual far more dangerous for
vessels. These levels are transferred on a one for one basis.
The primary spellcaster determines which vessels suffer
exhaustion and how much, though no single vessel may
103
 be assigned more than 6 levels of exhaustion. At the end
of the process, all menthruac (translated into exhaustion
as willed) must be accounted for.
For example, a 7th-level Azothian ritual permits up to
seven secondary casters, each of whom has an available
spell slot of at least 7th level in any acceptable caster class.
Up to three of those casters can be replaced by vessels.
To replace a single secondary caster, the vessels involved
must have a total of 14 Hit Dice (or 42 HD to replace all
three casters).
If two secondary casters aid in the ritual, the ritual gener-
ates 15 total levels of menthruac — 5 levels for the primary
caster, and 5 levels for each secondary caster. Now let’s say
the ritual also involves 7 vessels with 2 HD each, replacing
one more secondary caster. The primary caster may channel
up to 15 levels of menthruac into exhaustion for the vessels
in any way they choose: dealing 2 exhaustion to six vessels
and 3 exhaustion to the seventh vessels, or dealing 6 levels
of exhaustion to (and thereby killing) two of the vessels and
3 levels to a third. The primary caster may also keep 4 levels
of menthruac per caster, ensuring none of them die, and dis-
tribute the remaining 3 levels as exhaustion over the vessels.
Any combination is valid, as long as all menthruac is
accounted for at the end of the ritual.
Ritual Type. Azothian rituals are arcane, divine, or
druidic. Some rituals may have more than one of these
three types.
This classification limits the type of spellcaster that can
undertake the ritual, whether as the primary caster or a
secondary caster, as shown on the True Ritual Casting table.
KNOWLEDGE
Azothian rituals require a deep knowledge of the under-
lying magic to make them function. To cast an Azothian
ritual, the primary caster must succeed on a skill check
based on the ritual type, as shown on the True Ritual Cast-
ing table. The DC for this check is 10 + the ritual’s level.
If there are secondary casters involved in the ritual, the
primary caster may claim advantage on this check. Using
only vessels does not grant this benefit.
COMPONENTS
All Azothian rituals have verbal, somatic, and mate-
rial components. Unlike spells, rituals consume these
components and require material components typically
costing 250 gp per level of the ritual. These are normally
consumed once the ritual is complete, regardless of its
success, unless otherwise noted. Casters performing a
ritual must also remain in contact with their focus item
during the casting.
Some rituals also require an additional, special object
as a focus, from which the magic of the ritual emanates
after the ritual is complete.
CASTING TIME
104 – CHAPTER FOUR: MAGIC, SPELLS, & RITUALS –
TRUE RITUAL CASTING
Ritual
Type Skill Caster Classes
Arcane Arcana Alchemist, bard,
sorcerer, warlock,
wizard
Divine Religion Bard, cleric, paladin
Druidic Nature Alchemist, bard, druid,
ranger
The typical casting time for an Azothian ritual is 1 hour
per level of the ritual, although some rituals differ.
AT HIGHER LEVELS
Most Azothian rituals can be cast at higher levels by more
powerful primary spellcasters, in which case the ritual’s
effective level changes to the level of the spell slot used
to cast it. Any such change in level requires proportionate
changes in primary caster level, secondary caster numbers
and levels, vessel requirements, menthruac accumulation,
and component cost.
The skill check DC to cast the ritual also changes to
match the level at which the ritual is cast.
ENDING A TRUE RITUAL
Due to an Azothian ritual’s great complexity, anyone who
successfully casts spells like dispel magic, counterspell, or
antimagic field on the primary caster or a secondary caster
during the ritual’s casting can interrupt the ritual as if it were
a normal spell. If the ritual is disrupted in this way, it fails
entirely, and the casting of the ritual must be started anew.
Reducing the number of participants once the ritual
has begun, but prior to the completion of the ritual, such
as knocking out or killing one or more participants, also
causes the ritual to fail. Similarly, if an interloper or sab-
oteur ruins, steals, or destroys the required materials or
special focus before the ritual is complete, the ritual fails.
Dispelling a successful Azothian ritual’s magic once it is
in place, however, is a far different matter. Anyone using
dispel magic on a completed Azothian ritual must use a
spell slot of at least the same level as that of the ritual,
and then make a spellcasting ability check against a DC
of 15 + the ritual’s level (even if the Azothian ritual is 3rd
level or lower).
An antimagic field or similar effect can suppress an
Azothian ritual as it would a normal spell, but only if the
caster of antimagic field succeeds on a spellcasting ability
check against a DC of 10 + the ritual’s level. If this check
fails, the Azothian ritual continues normally, despite the
antimagic effect.
If an area under the effects of a source sink spell overlaps
with an area affected by an Azothian ritual, the source sink
spell acts as a dispel magic spell cast upon the Azothian
ritual, using the systems above.
True Ritual Descriptions
A selection of Azothian rituals available on Azoth are
presented in alphabetical order.
- ARMY OF DARKNESS
3rd-level necromancy (arcane, Azothian ritual)
Casting Time: 3 hours
Range: Self (150-foot radius)
Components: V, S, M (jewelry and treasure stolen
from graves and tombs totaling 750 gp, which is
consumed when casting the ritual)
Duration: 3 days (see below)
This ritual allows the caster to raise a veritable army
of undead servants at once. This ritual is often cast on
battlefields, in charnel houses, or in graveyards to allow
for maximum density of undead forces. Some particularly
evil spellcasters have been known to send troops into
small villages to slaughter the innocent inhabitants in
preparation for the performance of this ritual.
You must cast this ritual so that it ends during nighttime.
Corpses and bones of Tiny, Small and Medium humanoids
within a 150-foot radius of you animate as up to 40 undead
under your control, assuming enough remains are present.
Bones become skeletons and corpses become zombies.
Alternatively, you can assert control over uncontrolled
skeletons or zombies in the area, but the maximum number
of undead created and controlled remains limited to 40.
You can use a bonus action to mentally command any
creature created or controlled with this ritual, as long as
the creature is within 150 feet of you. To command multiple
creatures at one time, you must issue them all the same
command. When the duration ends, 75 % of the undead
created with this ritual are destroyed and turn to ash.
The remaining undead become uncontrolled. However,
if uncontrolled undead have a clear task remaining when
they become uncontrolled, they tend to keep performing
that task.
At Higher Levels. When you cast this ritual using a spell
slot of 4th level or higher, the ritual’s radius and range of
control doubles for each slot level above 3rd, to a maximum
of 9,600 feet using a 9th-level slot. In addition, you can
animate up to 10 more undead per slot level above 3rd and
the percentage of undead who are destroyed after 3 days
decreases by 10% per slot level above 3rd, to a minimum
of 15% using a 9th-level slot.
- BANISHMENT
4th-level abjuration (arcane, Azothian ritual)
Casting Time: 4 hours
Range: 60 feet
– Azothian Rituals –
Components: V, S, M (a relic, item, or the remains of
a creature from the targeted plane)
Duration: Instantaneous
This dangerous ritual allows the caster to banish planar
intruders to their home plane. The ritual is generally used
to remove extremely powerful and malevolent fiends from
Azoth. Due to the extreme dangers in pursuing such a
course of action, this ritual has only been performed a
handful of times throughout the history of the Realm.
Some arcane scholars believe that this ritual could be
repurposed to send Visitors back to their plane of origin.
History does not record any incidents where this theory
has been tested, and few Visitors are willing to be the
first to take the risk.
You attempt to send one creature within 60 feet to whom
you have line of effect to another plane of existence. The
target must succeed on a Charisma saving throw or be
banished. Generally speaking, the target of this ritual is
unwilling and must be prevented from leaving the area by
some means for the duration of the ritual. Usually, when
this ritual is cast on a planar entity, the entity is placed
within an inverted magic circle and restrained with both
mystical and mundane means prior to the beginning of the
ritual. If the target is bound within a magic circle but does
not suffer the restrained condition, they receive advantage
on their saving throw to resist banishment.
If the target succeeds on their Charisma saving throw,
the primary caster may accept a level of menthruac,
applied to the total menthruac generated by the ritual,
in order to force another Charisma saving throw. The
primary caster may do this repeatedly a number of
times equal to the number of secondary casters (in-
cluding those replaced by vessels) until the target fails
a saving throw or the primary caster uses all available
repeat attempts, at which point the ritual completes
(be it success or failure) and menthruac is applied to
the participants normally.
If the banishment is successful and the target is native
to a different plane of existence than the Realm, the target
returns to its home plane with a faint popping sound.
If the target is native to the Realm, the ritual’s energy
backfires dealing 4d10 radiant damage to the primary
caster, all secondary casters, and all vessels involved in
casting this ritual.
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell
slot of 5th level or higher, you can target one additional
creature for each slot level above 4th.
- BIND PLANAR ENTITY
6th-level abjuration (arcane, Azothian ritual)
Casting Time: 6 hours
Range: 30 feet
Components: V, S, M (a relic or item of symbolic
importance to the target creature; or a physical portion
of the creature such as an amputated limb, horn, hoof,
105
 or lock of hair)
Duration: 3 days
Some potent spellcasters throughout the ages have woven
rituals designed to compel the service of various fiends and
celestials, compelling obedience and directing these planar
forces to achieve incredible ends. This ritual may be utilized
to gain temporary access to divine or infernal power. The
most prideful and brave ritualists of ages past placed perma-
nent effects on some planar entities, compelling obedience
to present and future descendants who acquire and execute
the proper steps when summoning a creature.
When the ancient Y’lldan Elves drove Shinde Imas from
Azoth, they employed this ritual with a permanent effect
that would ensure protection for, and obedience to, any
who brought forth the elf slayer with summoning magic.
Though this was intended to be a safety measure at the
time, it proved to be a grave mistake when Darkoth used
those same rituals to summon and compel Shinde Imas to
act as his personal weapon.
With this spell, you attempt to bind a celestial, an elemental,
a fey, or a fiend to your service. The creature must be within
range for the entire casting of the ritual. Often, the creature
is first summoned into the center of an inverted magic circle
in order to keep it trapped while this spell is cast. At the
completion of the casting, the target must make a Charis-
ma saving throw. On a failed save, it is bound to serve you
for the duration. If the creature was summoned or created
by another spell or ritual, that spell or ritual’s duration is
extended to match the duration of this ritual.
If the target succeeds on their Charisma saving throw,
the primary caster may accept a level of menthruac, applied
to the total menthruac generated by the ritual in order to
force another Charisma saving throw. The primary caster
may do this repeatedly a number of times equal to the
number of secondary casters (including those replaced by
vessels) until the target fails a saving throw or the primary
caster uses all available repeat attempts, at which point the
ritual completes (be it success or failure) and menthruac
is applied to the participants normally.
A bound creature must follow your instructions to the
best of its ability. You might command the creature to
accompany you on an adventure, to guard a location, or to
deliver a message. Your instructions may be as simple or as
complex as you like, and may contain conditional clauses,
such as “return to your plane of origin upon completing this
task.” The creature obeys the letter of your instructions, but
if the creature is hostile to you (likely once you have bound
it into service, particularly if the creature is of an opposing
alignment to your own), it strives to twist your words to
achieve its own objectives. If the creature carries out your
instructions completely before the spell ends, and you have
not given a clear directive for the creature to complete at
the end of your instructions, it travels to you to report this
fact if you are on the same plane of existence. If you are on
106 – CHAPTER FOUR: MAGIC, SPELLS, & RITUALS –
a different plane of existence, it returns to the place where
you bound it and remains there until the spell ends.
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell
slot of a higher level, the duration increases to 30 days with
a 7th-level slot, to a year and a day with an 8th-level slot,
and to permanent with a 9th-level spell slot.
- CORONATION
3rd-level transmutation (divine, Azothian ritual)
Casting Time: 3 hours
Range: 30 feet
Components: V, S, M (a crown, badge of office,
throne, or other symbol of power that is not consumed
while casting the ritual)
Duration: Instantaneous
Several nations on Azoth ascribe divine authority to tem-
poral power. Nations like Brachmon, which are led through
democratic processes, see a variant of this ritual performed
when an election is decided to legitimize the Headman’s
tenure. Likewise, as the title of Lady Falla is passed from
mother to daughter in Carahill, this ritual is observed. Even
the nation of Ardonia, embroiled in the pursuit of science
over magic, recognizes the authority of the goddess Othaaris
as the source of the crown’s power and performs this ritual
in deference to the will of the Church of the Light. Virtually
every kingdom on Azoth observes this ritual when a new
leader is selected, granting power and authority to the throne.
This ritual, performed when the leader of a nation as-
cends to office, grants mystical weight to the powers and
position of the new head of state. The ritual is couched in
the various traditions of the nation and may not appear
to outside scrutiny as a magical affair at all. Music and
dancing to celebrate a coronation, the counting of votes to
complete an election process, or the ritualized abdication
of mother and elevation of daughter are all manifestations
of this ritual.
The coronation ritual for each nation is unique to that
nation, worked into the mystical fabric of the country itself.
This prevents pretenders to the throne from committing
a magical coup. Each participant in the ritual must be
duly appointed to the function they fulfill in order for the
coronation to take effect.
When this ritual is completed, the coronated individual
gains the ability to legitimize paladin oaths made in ser-
vice to their nation, thus imbuing the Oath of Fealty (see
Chapter Three, p. 76). This may be done at any time and
is frequently done in a ceremony of its own.
The coronated party may also scribe laws that are re-
inforced with mystical might, granting any duly elected
representative advantage on Intelligence (Investigation)
checks, Wisdom (Perception) checks, and Wisdom (Insight)
checks made to gather and process evidence of such laws
being violated.
Once per day, the coronated party may issue a geas (as the
spell) affecting up to 10 willing creatures who must swear
fealty to the nation upon accepting the geas (though the
geas itself is usually an unrelated quest, undertaken for the
good of the nation and its people). This geas is cast as an
innate spell using the coronated party’s Wisdom as their
spellcasting ability. Casting this spell does not require a spell
slot or any components and does not generate menthruac.
Once per day, while sitting in the seat of their office (such
as the throne room, the council chamber, or any other space
considered to be a seat of government) the coronated party
may cast zone of truth as an innate spell using the crowned
party’s Wisdom as their spellcasting ability. Casting this
spell does not require a spell slot or any components and
does not generate menthruac.
This spell’s effects (and all spell effects generated by the
coronated party) end if the coronated party dies, or if the
coronated party abdicates of their own free will. If another
party is coronated according to the procedures and tradi-
tions of the nation while their predecessor has neither died
nor abdicated, the spell’s effect applies to both of them.
- OPEN CROSSING
9th-level conjuration (arcane, Azothian ritual)
Casting Time: 9 hours
Range: 30 feet
Components: V, S, M (a relic, item, or the remains of
a creature from the targeted plane)
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute
Most Crossings leading to the Realm occur naturally
and are remarkably challenging to predict. This ritual al-
lows for the opening of a temporary Crossing, targeted to
connect the Realm to a particular plane of existence. For
Visitors seeking to return to their plane of origin it is the
most reliable means of going home.
You conjure a portal linking an unoccupied space within
range to a precise location on a different plane of existence.
The portal is a circular opening, which you can make 5 to 20
feet in diameter. You can orient the portal in any direction
you choose. The portal lasts for the duration.
The portal has a front and a back on each plane where
it appears. Travel through the portal is possible only by
moving through its front. Anything that does so is instantly
transported to the other plane, appearing in the unoccupied
space nearest to the portal.
Deities and other planar rulers can prevent portals
created by this spell from opening in their presence or
anywhere within their domains.
When you cast this ritual, you can speak the name of a
specific creature (a pseudonym, title, or nickname doesn’t
work). If that creature is on a plane other than the one you
are on, the portal opens in the named creature’s immediate
vicinity and draws the creature through it to the nearest
unoccupied space on your side of the portal without the
chance for a saving throw. You gain no special power over
– Azothian Rituals –
the creature, and it is free to act as the GM deems appro-
priate. It might leave, attack you, or help you.
- PRISON OF THE AGES
7th-level conjuration (arcane, Azothian ritual)
Casting Time: 7 hours
Range: 30 feet
Components: V, S, M (the material component of
the prison is detailed under the variant of the ritual; the
component is not consumed by the casting of the ritual)
Duration: Until dispelled
Y This group of rituals offer the means of mystically re-
straining and preserving a creature. This ritual is often used
as a punishment but is occasionally used to preserve a great
hero so that they might rise again to face a future threat.
Each type of prison described below is created through a
different ritual, which must be learned, deciphered, and
cast separately.
ou create a magical restraint to hold a creature within
30 feet to whom you have line of effect. The creature must
be within range for the entire casting of the ritual and is
often restrained via mundane or magical means while the
ritual is performed. The target must succeed on a Wisdom
saving throw or be bound by the ritual.
If the target succeeds on their Wisdom saving throw, the
primary caster may accept a level of menthruac, applied to
the total menthruac generated by the ritual in order to force
another Wisdom saving throw. The primary caster may do
this repeatedly a number of times equal to the number of
secondary casters (including those replaced by vessels)
until the target fails a saving throw or the primary caster
uses all available repeat attempts, at which point the ritual
completes (be it success or failure) and menthruac is ap-
plied to the participants normally. If the target successfully
resisted the ritual, they become immune to the variant of
this ritual cast by the same primary caster.
If Prison of the Ages binds its target, the creature doesn’t
need to breathe, eat, or drink, and they don’t age. Divination
spells can’t locate or perceive them.
As noted above, several variants of this ritual exist. Each
must be discovered separately. The variant rituals, and the
material components required to perform them, are:
Burial. The target is entombed far beneath the earth in a
sphere of magical force that is just large enough to contain them.
Nothing can pass through the sphere, nor can any creature
teleport or use planar travel to get into or out of it. The special
component for this version of the spell is a small mithral orb.
Chaining. Heavy chains, firmly rooted in the ground,
hold the target in place. The target is restrained until the
spell ends and can’t move or be moved by any means until
then. The special component for this version of the spell
is a fine chain of precious metal.
Hedged Prison. The spell transports the target into a
107
 tiny demiplane that is warded against teleportation and
planar travel. The demiplane can be a labyrinth, a cage,
a tower, or any similar confined structure or area of your
choice. The special component for this version of the spell
is a miniature representation of the prison made from jade.
Minimus Containment. The target shrinks to a height of 1
inch and is imprisoned inside a gemstone or similar object. Light
can pass through the gemstone normally (allowing the target to
see out and other creatures to see in), but nothing else can pass
through, even by means of teleportation or planar travel. The
gemstone can’t be cut or broken while the spell remains in effect.
The special component for this version of the spell is a large,
transparent gemstone, such as a corundum, diamond, or ruby.
Slumber. The target falls asleep and can’t be awoken. The
special component for this version of the spell consists of
rare soporific herbs.
Ending the Ritual
During the casting of this ritual, in any of its variants,
you can specify a condition that will cause the spell to end
and release the target. The condition can be as specific or
as elaborate as you choose, but the GM must agree that
the condition is reasonable and has even a remote likeli-
hood of coming to pass. The conditions can be based on a
creature’s name, identity, or deity but otherwise must be
based on observable actions or qualities and not based on
intangibles such as level, class, or hit points.
You can use a particular special component to create
only one prison at a time. If you cast the ritual again using
the same component, the target of the first casting is im-
mediately freed from its binding.
- RECLAMATION OF THE POOL
5th-level evocation (arcane, Azothian ritual)
Casting Time: 5 hours
Range: Self (10-mile radius)
Components: V, S, M (the focus item of a spellcaster
who can cast 9th-level spells)
Duration: Instantaneous
This extremely dangerous ritual opens a direct con-
nection to the Pool of Magic in an area. The resulting
destruction is legendary in scope and all but guarantees
the death of the ritualists performing this horrific magic.
History records only one casting of this ritual in ancient
Azoth, when a sorcerer sought to destroy a terrible demon
who had taken root in the wake of Shinde Imas’ reign of
terror. According to the legends, this sorcerer lured the
demon to a remote mountain range before casting the
spell. Those same legends claim that the Great Field now
lies where that mountain range once stood.
This ritual opens a direct line between the Pool of Mag-
ic and the physical plane, exposing the land to the raw,
unfiltered power of the Source. Once the ritualist begins
the process of casting, their body is transformed into the
108 – CHAPTER FOUR: MAGIC, SPELLS, & RITUALS –
equivalent of a small star, shedding bright light for 600 feet
and dim light for an additional 600 feet. While performing
this ritual, the ritualist has resistance to all forms of damage
except radiant damage, to which the caster becomes vul-
nerable. Any creature starting their turn within 10 feet of
the caster suffers 5d10 radiant damage. Any creature who
makes a melee attack against the caster likewise suffers
5d10 radiant damage.
Once the ritual has begun, the caster may not move more
than 5 feet from the spot where they began casting. If they
do, the ritual stops immediately, dealing 15d10 radiant dam-
age to the caster and 5d10 radiant damage to any secondary
casters and vessels involved in the ritual.
Upon completing the ritual, the caster’s body becomes a
direct portal into the center of the Source. A 10-mile-radius
sphere, centered on the caster, fills with brilliant magical
energy. Every creature and item in the area suffers the
following effects:
All spells and magical effects are subject to a dispel magic
effect, as if cast using a spell slot of the level used when
casting this ritual and, if needed, the ritualist’s spellcasting
ability modifier to resolve whether a spell persists.
All magic items of legendary rarity or lower are disen-
chanted. Artifacts are unaffected.
All creatures in the region must make a Constitution
saving throw, suffering 20d10 radiant damage and 20d10
thunder damage on a failed save, half as much on a success-
ful save. A creature made of glass, crystal, wood, or stone
makes this saving throw at disadvantage. This damage is
considered siege weapon damage and deals double damage
to objects and structures.
The affected region is under the effects of an antimagic
field for 2d6 weeks.
Neither the primary caster, nor any secondary casters
or vessels enjoy any special resistance to the damage or
effects of this ritual.
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a
6th-level or higher spell slot, you increase the effect’s radius
by 10 miles per spell slot level above 5th.
- SUMMON CELESTIAL AVATAR
7th-level conjuration (divine, Azothian ritual)
Casting Time: 7 hours
Range: 30 feet
Components: V, S, M (a holy symbol, blessed item,
or other relic significant to the faith or disposition of the
being you seek)
Duration: Instantaneous
This ritual allows you to make the briefest contact with
a higher plane of existence, allowing you to call forth the
servant or representative of a divine or celestial entity. This
ritual, on its own merit, does not compel the entity to obey
your commands, nor does it grant the ability to dismiss the
entity. In order to achieve either of those aims,
other powerful magic must be employed.
You summon a celestial being, which ap-
pears in an unoccupied space within 30 feet
to which you have line of effect. This celestial
being is neutral toward you and your com-
panions. Certain ceremonies, garb, offerings,
and badges of office can alter the celestial’s
attitude at GM’s discretion. If the summoner
and any secondary casters and vessels bear
the accouterments of a religious order or oth-
er organization whose ideals align with the
celestial’s social rolls to impress or befriend
them gain a +2 bonus.
This ritual, on its own, does not summon a
specific creature, but rather a random creature
of the celestial type. Seeking greater specificity
in the summons requires the expenditure of
a higher-level spell slot when performing
this ritual.
When the celestial is summoned, it is
brought to the material plane and given free
reign. It may only leave the material plane by
its own power, or through a banishment ritual.
At Higher Levels. When you cast this ritual
using an 8th-level spell slot you can choose
what type of celestial you wish to summon
(such as a pegasus or an angel). When you
cast this ritual with a 9th-level spell slot,
you summon a specific celestial (e.g. Azrael,
Angel of the Dawn).
- SUMMON DEMON
7th-level conjuration (arcane, Azothian
ritual)
Casting Time: 7 hours
Range: 30 feet
Components: V, S, M (a desecrated
item, a broken holy symbol, and the
sacrifice of a living being)
Duration: Instantaneous
This ritual allows you to make the briefest
contact with the Shadow Lands, allowing you
to call forth the servant or representative of
a demon lord. This ritual, on its own merit,
does not compel the entity to obey your com-
mands, nor does it grant the ability to dismiss
the entity. In order to achieve either of those
aims, other powerful magic must be employed.
You summon a demon, which appears in
an unoccupied space within 30 feet to which
you have line of effect. This fiendish being is
hostile toward you and your companions. Cer-
– Azothian Rituals –
tain ceremonies, garb, offerings, and badges
of office can alter the fiend’s attitude at GM’s
discretion. If the summoner and any secondary
casters and vessels bear the accouterments of
a religious order or other organization whose
ideals align with the demon’s, such parties do
not suffer disadvantage on Charisma ability
checks made to alter the fiend’s attitude, but
all other parties present do.
This ritual, on its own, does not summon
a specific creature, but rather a random de-
mon bearing the fiend type. Seeking greater
specificity in the summons requires the
expenditure of a higher-level spell slot when
performing this ritual.
When the fiend is summoned, it is brought
to the material plane and given free reign.
It may only leave the material plane by its
own power, or through a banishment ritual.
At Higher Levels. When you cast this
ritual using an 8th-level spell slot you can
choose what type of fiend you wish to sum-
mon (such as a demon or a devil). When you
cast this ritual with a 9th-level spell slot, you
summon a specific fiend (e.g. Shinde Imas,
the Elf Slayer).
- SUMMON SHINDE IMAS
9th-level conjuration (arcane, Azothian
ritual)
Casting Time: 9 hours
Range: Self (Shinde Imas bursts forth in
a cloud of vapor from the mouth of the
summoner)
Components: V, S, M (a living creature
who must be sacrificed during the ritual’s
completion)
Duration: Instantaneous
This variant of the summon demon ritual
allows for the Elf-Killer, Shinde Imas to be
summoned forth to the material plane. If per-
formed properly, the ritual does allow Shinde
Imas to be controlled by the summoner and
any secondary casters involved in the ritual,
due to commands placed upon Shinde Imas
by the ancient Y’lldan Elves in ages past.
This variation of the summon demon ritual
targets Shinde Imas specifically and brings
it into existence in the material plane. At the
GM’s discretion, other variants summoning
different lords of the Shadow Lands might
exist.
109
 - TWIST THE FLESH AND SOUL
4th-level transmutation (druidic, Azothian ritual)
Casting Time: 4 hours
Range: 30 feet
Components: V, S, M (art objects depicting the desired
quality and the desired sacrifice, with a total value of
1,000 gp, which are destroyed in the casting of this ritual)
Duration: Instantaneous (see below)
Through the transformative power of druidic magic,
this ritual allows the caster to make the meek mighty and
the mighty wise. In times of great strife and war, some
ancient Azothians sought out this type of druidic magic
to gain an edge in combat. One legend speaks of a warrior
who was deep in love with a poet. The poet rebuffed the
warrior’s advances, for while the warrior was physically
a pleasing specimen of athleticism, she was, to quote the
poem, “dumb as a stump.” To win the poet’s heart, the
warrior sought out a wise druid to trade her muscles for
mindfulness. Through this ritual, the wish was granted,
and the poet’s heart was won.
This ritual allows the caster to alter the fundamental
abilities of the target, transmuting ephemeral traits into
physical acumen, or vice versa. The target of the ritual
must remain present and still throughout the casting of
the ritual. When the ritual begins, the caster selects one
ability score from Constitution, Dexterity, and Strength,
as well as one ability score from Charisma, Intelligence,
and Wisdom. Upon completion of the ritual, the target
receives a +2 bonus to one of the chosen ability scores (to
a maximum score of 22) while suffering a –2 penalty to
the other chosen ability score (to a minimum of 3.) These
changes are permanent and may only be reversed with
another casting of this ritual, or with a wish spell.
If the target wishes to resist this ritual, they must succeed
on a Wisdom saving throw. If they do, the ritual fails, and
the components are wasted. The primary caster and any
secondary casters and vessels suffer menthruac as normal.
This will likely result in a very angry group of ritualists, as
this ritual is typically performed at the request of the target.
At Higher Levels. When you perform this ritual using
a 5th-level spell slot, you may choose an additional set of
ability scores to affect. When you perform this ritual using
a 6th-level spell slot, you may choose a third set of ability
scores to affect, permitting changes to all the target’s ability
scores. When you perform this ritual using a 7th-level spell
slot, the bonuses and penalties to the affected ability scores
become +3/–3, +2/–2, +2/–2. When you perform this ritual
using an 8th-level spell slot, the bonuses and penalties to
the affected ability scores become +3/–3, +3/–3, +2/–2.
When you perform this ritual using a 9th-level spell slot,
the bonuses and penalties to the affected ability scores
become +3/–3, +3/–3, +3/–3.
110 – CHAPTER FOUR: MAGIC, SPELLS, & RITUALS –
- UNLEASH PLAGUE
5th-level necromancy (druidic, Azothian ritual)
Casting Time: 5 hours
Range: Self (1-mile radius)
Components: V, S, M (the corpse of a humanoid who
died from an infectious, virulent plague)
Duration: Instantaneous (see below)
Druids of old were tasked with the protection of the
natural world from the encroaching forces of Visitors
and humankind. This dangerous ritual was employed,
historically, as a means of population control on Azoth.
Now viewed as blasphemous to all but the most broken
and evil of beings, the secrets of plague-work are virtually
lost to history.
Through the power of this blasphemous ritual, you un-
leash the effects of a magically enhanced disease into an
area. The spread of the disease is magically aided, ensuring
maximum infection. Upon completion of this ritual, each
humanoid within a one-mile radius who is not a primary
caster, secondary caster, or vessel involved in casting the
ritual (all of whom are immune to the disease spawned by
the ritual) must succeed on a Constitution saving throw or
become poisoned. While poisoned in this way, the subject
suffers the effects of one of the diseases detailed below and
is extremely contagious. After 24 hours, those infected by
the initial casting of this ritual must make an additional
Constitution saving throw. If successful, they become
secondary infected and resolve their infection as such. If
this second Constitution saving throw fails, however, the
target is permanently infected and contagious, and will
remain so until death or until a wish spell or similar magic
is used to defeat the infection.
Any creature coming into contact with a creature poi-
soned by the infection created through this ritual must
also make a Constitution saving throw, becoming infected
with the disease on a failure. People so infected become
poisoned and suffer the effects of the disease, including
causing any creature they come into contact with to make
a Constitution saving throw to resist infection. Non-hu-
manoid creatures become contagious carriers who are
not poisoned and suffer no ill effects but may pass their
infection on to others as detailed above.
At the end of each day, the secondary infected must
make a Constitution saving throw. If the target succeeds on
three of these saves, they are no longer poisoned, and the
ritual’s effect upon them ends. Going forward, the subject
is immune to reinfection from this instance of the ritual’s
disease. If the secondary infected fails three of these saves,
they are now infected until they die or receive treatment
for their illness.
Since this ritual induces a natural disease in the secondary
infected, any effect that removes a disease or otherwise
ameliorates a disease’s effects applies normally, though the
strain of infection is particularly resilient. Any attempts
to treat the illness with Wisdom (Medicine) checks suffer
disadvantage.
The GM should afford saving throws to NPCs important
to the characters but may roll a d100 to determine how
large a percentage of unnamed NPCs is affected. They can
make this roll at advantage or disadvantage based on the
average health and fitness of the NPC population — taking
the lowest roll for advantage, and the highest roll for dis-
advantage. The outcome of this roll determines how many
of the present NPCs become primary infected. The second
day sees half that percentage as secondary infected. While
the number of primary infected remains the same unless
a wish cures them, the rate of secondary infected shrinks
or grows by 2d10% each day based on successful efforts
(by the characters or local authorities) or lack thereof to
contain and treat the contagion.
When this ritual is cast, select one of the following dis-
eases to be unleashed with its effects:
Blinding Sickness. Pain grips the creature’s mind, and
its eyes turn milky white. The creature has disadvantage on
Wisdom checks and Wisdom saving throws and is blinded.
Body Wrack. The creature is overcome with shaking. The
creature has disadvantage on Dexterity checks, Dexterity
saving throws, and attack rolls that use Dexterity. While
suffering this disease, the creature cannot regain hit points.
Filth Fever. A raging fever sweeps through the creature’s
– Azothian Rituals –
body. The creature has disadvantage on Strength checks,
Strength saving throws, and attack rolls that use Strength.
While suffering this disease, the creature cannot regain
hit points.
Flesh Rot. The creature’s flesh decays. The creature has
disadvantage on Charisma checks and vulnerability to all
damage. While suffering this disease, the creature cannot
regain hit points.
Mindfire. The creature’s mind becomes feverish. The
creature has disadvantage on Intelligence checks and
Intelligence saving throws, and the creature behaves as
if under the effects of the confusion spell during combat.
While suffering this disease, the creature loses 1d6 from
their hit point maximum upon completing a long rest. If
the creature’s hit point maximum is reduced to 0, they die
immediately.
Slimy Doom. The creature begins to bleed uncontrolla-
bly. The creature has disadvantage on Constitution checks
and Constitution saving throws. In addition, whenever the
creature takes damage, it is stunned until the end of its
next turn. While suffering this disease, the creature loses
1d6 from their hit point maximum upon completing a long
rest. If the creature’s hit point maximum is reduced to 0,
they die immediately.
At Higher Levels. When you perform this ritual using
a spell slot of 6th level or higher, you may inflict one ad-
ditional disease per level of the spell slot spent above 5th.
111
 Riku stopped in his tracks: “That’s a 1966 Ford Mustang
GT in Tahoe Turquoise.”
“A what?” Moira asked.
“A car. It’s a kind of vehicle in my world,” the elf replied,
still gazing in awe.
“Ah, I see,” the dwarf nodded. “A Strange Thing. Your
artificer will be very interested in that.”
“Yes, I’m sure she will be. Terra?” Riku said into the
device of crystals and stone wires Terra insisted was a
walkie-talkie.
“Hey! Good, you’re still alive. Did you find something?”
Terra’s voice crackled. The static was horrible, but that’s
what they got for building a walkie with alchemy and magic.
“More or less. Bring the group. They will want to see this.”
Soon enough the whole party had joined them, staring
at the old-timer covered in overgrowth.
“How long do you think it’s been here?” Connor mused,
rubbing the stubble on his chin with a gauntleted hand.
“Thirty years? Forty?” Nichelle guessed, setting her fists
on her belt of small pouches, all fitted tight and muffled
for stealth.
“Why don’t you go over and have a look-see, rogue?”
Moira asked.
“I thought rogues were the scum on the bottom of your
boot?” Nichelle replied icily.
“Aye, they are, but might as well use them when you got
them,” the dwarf replied, grinning tooth-achingly sweet.
“Hey, it’s okay,” Connor interceded, softening his voice
for his sister. “She’s just trying to rile you up. I can….”
“No, I got this. Watch out Mr. Clunky-Paladin,” she
answered, pushing his hand aside to crouch down as she
had learned from Cartieré the Quick. She moved forward
soundlessly.
The others watched her, standing clustered together by
the tree line.
“What do you think artificer?” Moira asked, leaning over
to whisper in Terra’s ear.
The hairfoot shifted away, rolling a discomforted
shoulder.
112 – ALWAYS THE PALADIN THAT BLOWS THE STEALTH CHECK –
“Don’t know until I look at it,” she harrumphed just as
softly, then fished her former smart phone, whirring with
luminescent tubes and silver gears, out of her pocket.
“What are you doing?” Riku asked, putting his hand
over the screen just as Terra prepared to channel her magic.
“Running a search,” Terra answered.
“Don’t. It takes too much out of you. This isn’t that
important,” Riku said, his immaculate eyebrows pinching
in worry.
“But I don’t know anything about last-century cars….”
“That’s alright, I do,” Riku grinned. “My uncle had one
of these. I spent a whole summer rebuilding the engine
with him.”
“Lot of good that will do without gasoline,” Cardinal
added flatly. Zir voice would have been barely audible if
it wasn’t for the sharp diction.
Terra and Connor both eyed zir.
“You know, if you don’t crack a joke soon, everyone will
think your humor went with your hair,” Connor quipped,
forgetting to whisper.
“Who’s there?!” a cry sounded from the Mustang.
Nichelle froze five feet from it, before turning murderous
eyes toward her brother.
“It’s always the paladin that blows the stealth check,”
Cardinal muttered to Connor’s stunned face. “How’s that
for a joke?”
Atop the car stood a short man, the hair on his feet
proudly declaring his heritage, the shortbow in his hands
declaring his intentions.
“This is my Strange Thing!” he shouted, face hollow
with bruised eyes. “Now shove off before I and my mates
feather you from top to stern.”
“We mean you no harm-” Riku started as the stranger
leveled his arrow at him.
“I know, elf. And you’re going to stay meaning me no
harm.”
“I don’t think there’s anyone else with him,” Nichelle
said softly.
“What kind of engine does that thing have — 200 CU?”
Riku asked.
 The hairfoot paused. “What do you know about it?”
“Quite a bit, actually. If you’d like some help?”
Shaking his head, the stranger renewed tension on his
bowstring. “You’re trying to trick me.”
Riku raised his hands, even as the rest of the group
renewed their grips on their weapons. “Not at all,” he
reassured. “We don’t want to take your Strange Thing.”
“I kind of do,” Terra muttered.
“I think we can help you,” Riku called, ignoring Terra.
“If we get the car working, would you give us a ride?”
The stranger seemed to mull it over, then lowered his
bow. “No funny business, or I’ll...” The hairfoot passed
out and tumbled down in the thickets. The group rushed
forward to help.
“Don’t touch him. We don’t know what’s wrong with
him,” Cardinal said as ze kneeled beside the hairfoot. Closing
zir eyes, Cardinal set zir hand on the man’s forehead. “He’s
been poisoned,” ze said after a moment, slapping zir palms
together. Light emerged from zir hands as ze laid them over
the stranger’s chest. Ecstatic bliss washed over Cardinal’s
face. The stranger took a deep, easy breath in and Cardinal
released zir healing, stumbling backward into Connor’s arms.
“Cardinal!” Nichelle cried.
“I got zir,” Connor said, lifting his unconscious friend
up into his arms.
“Well, that was exciting,” Moira commented from beside
the Mustang.
“He’s doing better.” Nichelle checked on the hairfoot.
“Those Othaarian incantations Cardinal learned in Medellin
are powerful.”
“Soul of a healer, that one,” Moira agreed. “Well, this
fellow is subdued, let’s check out our spoils.”
“Sure, you do that,” Nichelle replied coolly, “I’ll keep
an eye on the real owner.”
Moira didn’t seem bothered by Nichelle’s rebuke as she
chuckled to herself.
Riku and Terra had already moved to the front of the
Mustang, tromping through partially crushed undergrowth
to flip open the hood.
“Yup, 200 CU engine,” Riku said, nodding approvingly.
“Tires are rotted away. That’s an easy enough fix,”
Terra said, kneeling down to lay her hand on it, much like
Cardinal had with the hairfoot. Her purple glow of magic
channeled into the tire, and the decayed rubber undulated
the tire reknit and hissed as it refilled with air.
“Oh, yes, beautiful!” Terra whooped as she stood up and
beamed at her handiwork. “I love magic. Have I ever said
that? I love magic so much.” She beamed and proceeded
to the next tire.
Riku shrugged and turned back to the engine, only to
be distracted by movement in the cab. “Moira, what are
you doing?”
“Not much for spoils,” the dwarf’s voice sounded muf-
fled. “That hairfoot was obviously living in here though.
So what is this thing exactly?”
“Think of it like a wagon with no need for horses or
oxen.” Riku said.
– ALWAYS THE PALADIN THAT BLOWS THE STEALTH CHECK –
Moira blew out an appreciative breath. “Magical things
from the land of the gods. Humbles a soul, it does.”
Riku smiled indulgently, not interested in rehashing
arguments about Earth being the “land of the gods.”
Thankfully it was an opinion mostly confined to Moira. His
face turned to worry as he glanced at Connor still cradling
Cardinal in his arms.
“Just friends, my axe. I got a flying castle for sale if you
believe that,” Moira commented, waggling her eyebrows
at Riku.
“Best we stay out of it,” Riku said sternly.
A short distance away, Connor smiled to himself as
Cardinal stirred.
“What happened?” Cardinal groaned.
“You passed out. I thought healing magic wasn’t sup-
posed to do that?”
“I haven’t tried to cure poison before. Must have done
something wrong.”
“That’s okay. I got you buddy.”
Cardinal stiffened and sat up to pull zirself out of Con-
nor’s arms. “Yeah, thank you.” Ze got up, readjusting zir
knee-length robe, giving every indication that ze were
heading back to the group.
“Hey. Hey Card, wait a minute.”
“Don’t call me that.”
“Cardinal, sorry. Can you just wait a second. I think we
should talk.”
“What is it?” Cardinal turned back to Connor, folding
zir hands into the wide sleeves of the robe.
Connor looked down, shuffling his feet. “Sorry. I just
can’t seem to get used to seeing you this way.”
“What way is that exactly?” Cardinal narrowed zir eyes.
“Don’t be like that. You’ve changed. A lot. It’s been really
hard to adjust to it all.” Closing his eyes, Connor knew he
said the wrong thing the moment after he said it.
“You of all people should know...” Cardinal started to
growl, but stopped and took a deep breath to force seren-
ity into zir voice. “It’s nobody’s business what I change
about myself. Especially someone who is supposed to be
my friend.”
“It’s all just coming really fast,” Connor tried again.
“You’ve gone from atheist to religious practically overnight.
I barely know you anymore! No matter what changes on
the outside, you’ve always been Cardinal.”
“Just stop it...”
“No, Cardinal! You stop it. I’ve been right beside you
every step of the way, but this is more than that.”
“I’m sorry I’m such a burden!” Cardinal yelled, all pre-
tense of serenity gone.
The Mustang roared as it burst into life, interrupting
their fight — and for the better as Connor was regretting
every stupid, entitled word he said.
“Come on guys! We got ourselves a new ride!” Terra
called cheerily.
Cardinal didn’t look back at Connor as ze marched away.
113
M uch of the early history of Azoth is shrouded in
myths and legends, which vary considerably from
one people to another so a true accounting is hard to
find. Of all the peoples, the short-lived humans show the
greatest interest in recording and documenting history as
it unfolds around them. Let us start our tale, then, when
the first humans arrived in East Azoth.
The First Humans
H umans first appeared in the northwest of East Azoth,
crossing from West Azoth over the Black Mountains
and Grey Hills. No written records survive of this age,
and oral tradition varies on what drove them — famine,
war, and great winged monsters are all named in various
legends. This time is known as the Great Crossing, leading
Wanderers who hear of it to speculate as to whether all
these people were displaced from Earth. Earth itself,
after all, is rife with legends of people and nations who
disappeared seemingly without a trace.
Northern East Azoth was as inhospitable then as it is now,
and the arriving humans migrated slowly to the warmer
climes of the south. As they did so, they passed through
the territory of East Azoth’s indigenous people. If the
indigenous trolls and dwarves objected to this incursion,
their scholars keep mum about it now. Modern orc ambas-
sadors, on the other hand, cite displacement at the hands
of humans as the reason for their culture’s collapse, and
ask for the return of their homeland in the Bloody Hills.
Meanwhile Darkoth’s reign keeps the goblins silent — if
the Dark Lord allowed any of their historical knowledge
to survive at all. The elves’ response to the newcomers,
however, is well-documented on both sides.
The Return of Magic and the Elf War
As humans moved south, they delved into the arcane arts
for which they have a talent, or at least a reckless enthusi-
– The first humans –
STRANGE THINGS
AND LOST PLACES
Regardless of whether humans are native to the
Realm, many of them later Crossed from Earth into
the Realm. They left behind legacies still visible
in architecture and customs across East Azoth,
as well as Strange Things — objects hailing from
Earth that have Crossed into the Realm. Several
Visitors from Earth even set up their own little
corners in East Azoth, where they retained much
of their own culture.
asm, greater than any other people. They used their magic
to exploit, displace, and destroy East Azoth’s indigenous
peoples. The elves, East Azoth’s dominant people before
the coming of humans, were the first to stand up to them.
The Elf War (or Human War in the elves’ history) is the
earliest recorded military conflict in East Azoth.
The elves, more knowledgeable about East Azoth and
with far more resources at their disposal, expected to win
the war quickly and decisively. They did not count on the
humans’ knack for magic though, nor on their willingness
to use it to dire effect. Magic is dangerous to both the
spellcaster and their environment, and the natives of East
Azoth never predicted how far the humans were willing
to go. They summoned the demon Shinde Imas from the
darkness of the Netherworld, and the creature ripped
through the elven armies before turning its destructive
power on the rest of the elves. Only by the forging of the
Yu’lldian Blade were the elves able to defeat the demon,
who went down in history as The Elven Slayer.
The humans, rightly appalled by the slaughter they
unleashed, offered peace to the elves. The elves accepted
and moved to the Enchanted Forest where to this day
115
 humans find little welcome. They hid the Yu’lldian Blade
and destroyed any record of its location. Then, they quietly
turned to the study of magic to stop the humans if they ever
did such a thing again.
After the Elf War, humans continued to move south.
Many generations had passed since their first appearance,
and a new religion sprung up among them — the worship
of Othaaris, goddess of healing and fire. The Othaarians
abandoned the use of arcane magic, instead turning to a
simpler and more natural lifestyle. They retreated to the Isle
of Ardonous, where they built a nation founded on peace and
harmony. The remaining humans remained in East Azoth,
now living in relative peace with the indigenous people.
The Forever War
Even as the elves and humans settled into their new lands,
rumors rose in the east of a great black dragon attacking
the goblin coast of Drohm. No records survive to reveal
whether the goblins never sent a plea to their neighbors
for help, or if the other nations simply ignored them. While
reports of a “black dragon” went unconfirmed, a young
warlock named Darkoth did conquer the goblin coast, and
from there all of Drohm.
Darkoth’s arrival and obvious thirst for conquest set off
a series of territorial disputes, armed conflicts, and battles
now summarized as the Forever War. Using the threat of
Darkoth as a pretense for their own thirst for conquest,
nascent human nations turned against each other with the
intention of conquering all of East Azoth. The Forever War
lasted centuries, and saw empires rise and fall. Not a single
truce was forged in this time, and any period of peace was
both accidental and temporary. Generations of humans
lived and died knowing nothing but war and bloodshed.
The Orc War
The orcs rose on the ashes of warring human nations,
marching through the human lands and taking advantage
of their depleted resources and population. They might
have won, too, had they threaded more carefully around the
other inhabitants of East Azoth. Eager to defeat the humans
now, the orcs had marched forth from the Bloody Hills
with no heed to the dwarven or elven armies they passed
through — in fact, perhaps bitter about being abandoned
to their fate as the humans seized their larger lands, they
took glee in leaving a path of destruction behind them. The
dwarves and elves in turn looked to an alliance with the
humans to drive the orcs back.
The Orc War culminated in a final battle on the Great
Field of A’zoth. The battle lasted for weeks, and the Great
Field remains stained with blood to this day. The orcs
were defeated, and the dwarves, elves, and various human
nations found themselves as they had not since the arrival
of Darkoth — united. This was not the end of the Forever
War, as the humans wasted little time in returning to war
116 – CHAPTER FIVE: THE REALM –
THE ORIGINS
OF OTHAARIS
Othaaris was a Wanderer, even if no Azothian
remembers this. Other Wanderers might
recognize traces of Buddhism in her teachings
though, revealing to the clever scholar that she
hailed from Earth. Her fate is unknown, though
likely she really did ascend to godhood — the
Realm has a way of forcing grand destinies on
Wanderers who remain too long.
with each other, but it did sow the seeds for alliances to
come later.
The Attack on Ardonous
A
s the Forever War continued, a plague spread on
the Isle of Ardonous. This Black Plague wasn’t born
from any natural cause, but rather magically summoned
by the demon Terrorek. He sought the destruction of
the followers of Othaaris, whom he despised for their
dedication to goodness and light. Unable to stop the plague
sweeping their island, the people of Ardonous fled to the
mainland. Here they settled among other humans and
founded a new nation which they named Ardonia. Now
deeply wary of magic, Ardonia became a nation known
for its technological advances as well as deep-seated
faith in Othaaris. In an effort to shield themselves from
the Forever War, the Ardonians began to build a wall on
the borders of their nascent state.
The Plague War
By now, most nations began to withdraw from the For-
ever War and settled into the lands they held. Lady Falla,
an accomplished spellcaster and Queen of the Kingdom of
Shamir, was the first to do so, claiming both Shamir and
Carahill as her own. Scattered armies and displaced people
in the north formed the Brachmon coalition. To the south,
O’koth, the “Minister of Peace” who had negotiated many
of the alliances which now held between nations, claimed
a nation of his own in the wilderness of the southern coast.
The people of Ardonia had by now withdrawn behind
their wall.
Of the warring nations, only Drohm under Lord Darkoth,
and Thorin under Prince Thoragg, remained. Darkoth stood
poised to win, when Thoragg found a new ally in Terrorek.
The tide quickly turned on Darkoth, as Terrorek taught
Thoragg the dark magic of bringing the dead back from their
graves. Drohm’s armies could cut down as many of Thorin’s
as they might, but the next night they — and Drohm’s own
dead soldiers — would rise to fight for Thoragg again.
Repulsed and afraid of Terrorek’s arrival in East Azoth,
Ardonia offered an alliance to Darkoth. Together they de-
feated Terrorek and banished him back to the dark world
from whence he came. Darkoth continued to conquer the
kingdom of Thorin, though its darkness was too great even
for the Dark Lord to control and he eventually withdrew
— to this day, the Kingdom of Thorin remains a stretch of
the Great Field to be avoided. The defeat of Thorin, and
the alliance between Ardonia and Darkoth, marked the
end of the Forever War.
The End of War
E ast Azoth has been at peace since the Forever War.
Most nations were happy to finally turn inward,
advancing their technology and magic, and rebuild after
generations of war. Cities flourished, and the various
people of Azoth commenced diplomatic, though not
always cordial, relations with each other. If anyone, such
as the orcs or goblins, still believed they had a claim to
land now held by others, the nations were too battle-weary
to make anything of it.
The end of war has been a boon to travel and trade. Peo-
ple now live side by side in major cities of all nations. The
one exception is the Enchanted Forest, where humans are
quickly met at the border — the elves may have forgiven
them for Shinde Imas, but they have not forgotten. Still,
the elves themselves do settle in other nations, and some
– The Geography of East Azoth –
second-generation elven migrants have never seen the
Enchanted Forest. Times are good, and East Azoth is quiet
and peaceful.
Nothing lasts forever though. Lord Darkoth has not
abandoned his desire to rule all of East Azoth. Held at
bay by the great magic of Lady Falla in the south, and un-
willing to launch a conquest to the west where the elves
and — perhaps — his old enemy Thoragg await, he instead
launched an attack on the Brachmon nations in the north.
This is the world that greets the characters when they Cross
from Earth into the Realm — beautiful, full of adventure
and wonder, and with old evils poised to rise again.
The Geography
of East Azoth
T he Realm sits at an unstable crossroads on the axis
of reality connecting to countless worlds. Visitors
from Earth are frequent, and have brought marvels of
architecture, art, and science. Visitors from other worlds
— the Netherworld, or the Shadow Lands — also travel
to the Realm, and their gifts are not nearly as welcome.
Still, the people of Azoth take these incursions in stride,
merely referring to the occasional otherworldy oddity
as a “Strange Thing.”
A low pale sun rises over the Realm to paint the sky in
magnificent pastels every sunrise and sunset. Twin moons
grace the sky. The large moon has no name, as people simply
117
118 – CHAPTER FIVE: THE REALM –

THE PASSAGE OF TIME
The GM should take advantage of the
quicker passing of seasons where it makes for a
compelling narrative. Azoth’s punishing winters
cripple any northern travel, so the characters must
hustle to reach their destination before fall ends.
They must protect the Elvish Deer from hunters
until summer changes to fall — which should take
just long enough to be challenging, but not so
long it becomes tedious or impossible. However,
the designation “month” is Azothian, and no
records reveal if a month in the Realm resembles
the 30-to-31-day span Earthborn are used to.
For that matter, there’s no indication how long
a “day” in the Realm lasts as it turns around its
beautiful, pale sun. The quickly flowing seasons
are a gift to the GM, rather than something to
meticulously track day by day.
call it “the moon.” It’s the smaller one people refer to by its
name, Ysgawyn, only in hushed voices, for folklore claims
this is the moon that lends the Realm its magic.
With the exception of a few islands, the continent of Az-
oth is all the known land in the Realm. No recorded travel
indicates lands beyond the great seas. Azoth is divided in
half by the great range of the Black Mountains, and our
adventures take place in East Azoth.
The Seas of Azoth
T he continent of Azoth is completely surrounded
by water, and the names of the seas hearken back
to ancient tales rather than any proper geographical
designations. Only the Epicians of Brachmon have
circumnavigated the full continent, though the harrowing
journey is usually only undertaken to show the crew’s
prowess rather than for any practical purpose.
South of the continent lies the Naldonian Sea, flowing
counterclockwise from Qaiwain in West Azoth, to O’koth
and the southern coasts of Ardonia and Fantasia in East
Azoth. From here the water continues to the Erebus Sea
along the coastlines of Ardonia, Carahill, the west coast of
Fantasia, and Drohm. Storm’s Bay is an inlet of the Great
River, named for the constant storms that thrash above
the water. These storms are magical rather than natural in
essence, though no records survive of the cataclysm that
caused them. The Epicurean sea, named for the ancestors
of the Epicians, lies in the north and extends along the
northern coast crossing from East to West.
If the Black Mountains make travel overland from East
to West Azoth near-impossible, the Boiling Sea in the
northwest does the same. Active volcanoes spew white-
– Climate in East Azoth – Culture –
hot lava into the sea, creating a barrier of smoke and steam
that sees even most Epicians turn back. The heated water
warms West Azoth’s coasts, and temperatures tend to be
much higher than in their latitude counterparts in East
Azoth. Beyond that, if the ship survived the Boiling Sea, lies
the Whirlpool. Explanations for the Whirlpool range from
magic — perhaps the same that caused Storm’s Bay — to
boiling water clashing with much colder northern waters,
to underwater rifts and rock formations. No ship has ever
gotten close enough to get a definitive answer, and most
give the massive whirlpool a wide berth. Skragg’s Reef
extends along the west coast of Azoth, its shallow waters,
teeming with ocean life and reef sharks, far too dangerous
to navigate without a proper map. The black waters of the
Onyz Sea extend down the southwest shoreline of Azoth,
before flowing back into the Naldonian Sea.
Climate in East Azoth
T he land of Azoth goes through a cycle of four short
seasons which are designated as First Month (spring),
Second Month (summer), Third Month (fall), and Fourth
Month (winter).
The Great River, branching from Storm’s Bay into the
Black Adder River, marks the passage into the north and the
nations of Grey Hills and Brachmon. Weather conditions
are harsh here all year through, with the Ormuzd forest
marking the last of the deciduous trees. Further north lie
tundra and mountain ranges, and beyond that an area of
perpetual snow and ice which even summer cannot warm.
The Enchanted Forest, Drohm, and the Great Field of
A’zoth count toward central East Azoth. This area sees
heavy snowfall in winter, and hot summers. Here, more
than in the rest of Azoth, people live in accordance with
the seasons. Most crops are fast-growing, planted in spring
and harvested in fall, though a few plant multi-seasonal
crops which can weather the hard winters.
The south, comprising O’koth, Ardonia, and Carahill,
sees the warmest climate. Its countryside is dotted with
vineyards and olive trees. In summer, social activities take
place near dusk when the temperature drops, and smaller
villages seem completely abandoned at noon when the
scorching sun bears down. Even winter cannot bring snow
to the south.
Culture
R
ealmborn come in all skin colors regardless of
geographical location, as the various peoples used to
cover all of East Azoth before humans arrived. Grey Hills
and the Enchanted Forest, despite their northern locales,
see as many black people as they do white. Likewise,
Realmborn come in all genders and sexual orientations.
Where an organization is women-only, such as Ardonia’s
119
 White Unicorns, no Realmborn need ask if that includes
cis and trans women — of course it does, because women
are women. The people of East Azoth accept and welcome
this diversity. That’s not to say individual bigotry doesn’t
exist, but it’s against the norm and yields anything from
a quick admonition to social exclusion depending on
the severity.
Families in the Realm come in all variations. A
cross-people couple might adopt, as they cannot conceive
biologically. Alternately, like same-sex cis couples, they
might use a surrogate or donor. While East Azoth knows
of no magic to alleviate biological incompatibility, fertility
potions ensure it takes only one try to conceive. All families
in East Azoth are wanted, as even the smallest village has
a physician versed in birth control for all sexes.
Realmborn are quite physical in their expressions of
affection. They’re quick to welcome new people with hugs
or cheek kisses, and it’s common to see friends lean against
each other as they enjoy a meal, or a musical performance.
Depending on their Earth culture, Visitors may find this
jarringly intimate. Fortunately, Realmborn also have a
strong sense of individual boundaries, and an Earthborn
need only imply — through speech or body language —
once that they’re uncomfortable. Likewise, an Earthborn
mistakenly believing this physical intimacy is an invitation
to more is quickly corrected.
Fashion preferences, while they differ from people to
people, extend across all genders. Elves take great pride
in their magnificent hair, and a trader in alchemical hair
potions does excellent business visiting the Enchanted
Forest. The people of Brachmon like to braid their hair and
beards. Meanwhile people from Carahill favor revealing
attire and sweet-scented perfumes, while the Ardonians
prefer a sterner fashion.
The one thing that seems universal to all nations is a
love of stories. Realmborn are happy to offer free passage
on a cart or ship, food and accommodations, and even tools
and trinkets in exchange for a riveting new tale. Earthborn
with a talent for stories, who read many books or simply
paid attention to the plot of the latest movie they watched,
need never find themselves down on their luck.
Languages
The coastal tongues of East Azoth are remarkably like
languages from Earth. Ardonian resembles English, Cara-
hall is a mixture of French and Italian, and Drohm shares
traits with Japanese — if all a more old-fashioned version
than spoken on Earth today. The O’koth speak several
Mongolic languages, of which Mongolian is predominant
on the Great Field. The hairfeet of Olardell speak a very fast
and chattering form of Portuguese. While each Brachmon
nation speaks its own language, from ancient Egyptian to
the proto-Mayan tongue, their shared Brachman language
bears an uncanny resemblance to Old Norse.
120 – CHAPTER FIVE: THE REALM –
Move further inland though, and the traces of Earth
languages stop — perhaps there are no Crossings here, or
they’re so dangerous Visitors don’t survive long enough to
leave their mark. The people of the Enchanted Forest speak
what’s known as Forestspeak, though with a smattering
of Waorani and regional differences between rainbow
and forest elves. The people of Grey Hills likewise speak
Hillpeak, though it sees a wider divide in dialects owing
to its orc and troll populations. Dwarven Hillspeak, the
most dominant dialect, is a sprawling language that lends
itself well to stories and song with an immense catalog of
synonyms that singers, songwriters, and poets utilize to
compose epics. Meanwhile, Bryzine is more staccato and
direct. Orcs spoke a variety of languages before the arrival
of humans but have developed a patois since retreating to
the Black Mountains. Minotaurs historically speak Plain-
speak, a singsong language that conveys meaning through
harmonies as much as through words, though nowadays
most are also fluent in Drohm.
In addition to local languages, traders, travelers, and inn
and tavern keepers share a language called Cant. Cant finds
its basics in Spanish — and if this seems odd because none of
Azoth’s nations speak the Spanish language, the Realmborn
never seem to question it — but takes phrases and words
from every other language. Olardell especially has a heavy
presence in Cant, as the hairfeet are such prolific travelers
and traders. Cant is a little different everywhere you go,
adding more Brachman in the north or more Carahall in
the south, but the Spanish at its core remains.
Most people in East Azoth are multilingual. The hairfeet
of Olardell all speak Olardell, as well as the sign language
prevalent among their druidic neighbors. A hairfoot doing
regular trade with Carahill would also have that language
in their repertoire. An elf living in Ardonia speaks both
Forestspeak and Ardonian, and second-generation immi-
grants often devise a new language that combines both.
Likewise, Ardonians living in a city alongside elves would
have learned a few common phrases at the least. The rangers
of O’koth speak both O’koth and Ardonian, the language
of their allies, as well as the Werespeak common to the
werewolves of the forest. Learning at least the basics of
the language of people you regularly deal with is simple
courtesy in East Azoth.
Visitors who speak the Earth equivalent of any East
Azothian language can immediately understand its coun-
terpart, and with a little practice become fluent. Any who
speak Spanish or Portuguese can pick up Cant. Earthborn
do retain an accent though.
Strange Things
S ometimes, people from Earth bring their technology
with them, such as cell phones, portable batteries, or
digital cameras. They might not work for long — even if
Crossing didn’t fry them, the Realm has no power outlets
— but they’re still physically in East Azoth. These items
are Strange Things. Other times, Realmborn use an arcane
combination of technology and magic to invent something
wholly new. These are also Strange Things.
While Realmborn make no distinction between the two
kinds of Strange Things, it’s easy enough to spot the differ-
ence as the concept of “smaller is better” never caught on in
East Azoth. Ardonia’s massive zeppelins are Realm-made,
but that small black box recognizable only to Visitors as a
portable battery hails from Earth. The former are far more
prevalent than the latter.
While each nation sees Strange Things and accepts them
— much as it does Visitors — as part of living in the Realm,
Ardonia and Grey Hills stand out. Ardonia is expert at
creating Strange Things, to the extent it doesn’t even name
them that anymore — to the Ardonians, these are simply
the products of science. Science has given Ardonia, so far
the only such nation in Azoth, an aerial fleet replete with
– Strange Things –
zeppelins, which occasionally accommodate passenger
travel, as well as ornithopters. It may have given them much
more — rumors abound of massive light orbs that could
illuminate city streets at night — if not for their distrust of
magic. Any invention whiffing too much of magic rather
than science is shut down and banned.
Meanwhile the trolls of Bryzine in Grey Hills sell more
Strange Things than all other nations combined — which
admittedly still isn’t a lot. These items are invariably small,
definitely hail from Earth right down to the “made in”
stamp, and can be quite anachronistic, such as a flip phone
or a transistor radio. These items are quickly snapped up by
traders, for they fetch good money either as oddity items,
or as objects to be taken apart for research or components
for Realm-made Strange Things. Asked where they get
these items, the Bryzine trolls merely shrug and say their
cave-dwelling cousins find them where the Grey Hills
connect to the Black Mountains.
121
T he end of the Forever War saw East Azoth coalesce
into ten nations. While initially the various peoples
retreated to “their corner” of the half continent, the years
of peace following saw great trade, travel and migration.
Recent years have seen the rise of an eleventh nation,
though so far it goes unrecognized by the others.
In this chapter you’ll find the principals of each nation,
interesting and dangerous locations to visit, and adventure
seeds to draw inspiration from.
Ardonia
L ong ago, a group of humans settled on the Isle of
Ardonous. Living in relative seclusion, the people
devoted themselves to the worship of Othaaris, and tended
to a land that knew no war or strife. However, war found
them instead. While Darkoth’s Forever War swept across
all of civilization, the remote Isle of Ardonous fell under
the spectre of the Black Plague engineered by the evil
demon Terrorek. The humans knew that if they stayed,
the island would be their grave.
Traveling north across the water, the surviving humans
found a land they came to call Ardonia. Clinging to their
peaceful ways, they sought defense rather than war, and
they marked the edges of their territory by building a
massive wall to protect themselves. However, a wall can-
not offer security. The first rulers of Ardonia struck a deal
with Darkoth: When the Forever War ended, he would not
cross their walls, and they would not interfere with his
designs on Azoth. Darkoth has kept his word to this day,
but one can only guess how long the agreement will hold
if the nations around Ardonia fall to him.
Ardonia’s isolationist policies have relaxed over the years,
and access to the nation can be secured at any border cross-
ing station, simply by providing one’s name. However, the
border guards diligently record the names and descriptions
of all outsiders, and the identities of criminals or exiles are
distributed to all border stations. Anyone who commits a
crime within Ardonia has almost no hope of escaping the
– Ardonia –
land. Likewise, exiles know that there is no going home,
and they would be apprehended the instant they laid foot
on Ardonian soil.
Ardonia is a land of both faith and knowledge. Scholars,
thinkers, and scientists enjoy access to massive libraries,
academies, and forums to exchange thoughts and discov-
eries. Steps from these institutions are cathedrals built to
the Religion of Light, worshiping the goddess Othaaris
who blesses their holy land. While science and religion
do not come into conflict with one another, magic itself is
considered a less desirable path. Though magicians suffer
no persecution, the people of Ardonia generally do not
trust magic to protect them, in favor of their priesthood
and technology.
The kingdom is ruled by a hereditary monarchy, and King
Daelin and Queen Gera enjoy virtually unlimited power.
They are honored as the Avatars of Ardonia, symbolizing
the will of their entire nation, and enjoy the support and
political advisement of the Priesthood of Othaaris.
Ardonia is the most regulated, but also the safest land
in Azoth. It benefits from the pledged protection of the
rangers from the nearby land of O’koth, but also the internal
defense of the elite White Unicorns. Without the looming
threat of war constantly at their doors, the people of Ardonia
enjoy fine wine from their renowned vineyards, a nearly
universal worship of Othaaris woven into their very society,
respect for education and the keeping of knowledge, and
an amicable attitude toward the practices of polyamory
and free love.
Principals of Ardonia
QUEEN GERA
Queen Gera, a devoted servant of Othaaris, sits on the
throne of Ardonia. Called the “queen mother” by her people,
she functions as a guiding figure to the entirety of her nation,
though her personal motherhood has been mired in tragedy;
her only daughter died at birth, her eldest son Kajig was ban-
ished for an unspeakable crime, and her youngest son Bakta
died in war. The future of the throne is uncertain, but for now,
123
 Queen Gera holds it in an iron grip. Though Ardonia is a land
of science and faith, the queen herself has a strong command
of arcane magic and does not hesitate to use any tools at her
disposal in the ruling and protection of her kingdom.
KING DAELIN
The hereditary ruler of Ardonia, the gentle King Daelin
devotes much of his time and energy to the worship of
Othaaris. Though he lacks power and influence as a ruler,
his unwavering dedication to the goddess has earned his
nation the protection of the rangers of O’koth and brings
peace and joy to his people. Though some might see Daelin
as “weak willed”, especially beside his wife, Daelin simply
recognizes the failings of a hereditary system and is more
than happy to leave the governance of his land in the hands
of someone with the resolve to make tough decisions.
HALLAMDA
As a captain of the White Unicorns, Hallamda serves
as the primary teacher of recruits. She is both a source of
warmth and a strict instructor, drilling the teachings of
Othaaris and the virtues of sisterhood into her students.
When deciding who will be inducted into their ranks, or
who will receive mercy for their wrongdoings, Hallamda’s
word is perhaps the most powerful in all of Castle Dyonissis.
DELLAN
Though formally known as the Royal Minister of In-
formation, spymaster would be a more accurate title for
Dellan. While the library of Isliadril is the repository for
all of the collected knowledge of the world, Dellan deals
in the information that no one wants recorded. Though
Dellan is but one man, he has eyes, ears, and nimble fingers
all across Ardonia, and relies on them regularly to meet the
ever-growing demands of his queen.
TUWATHA
A priestess of Othaaris, Tuwatha lives a calm and
peaceful life of devotion and prayer within the protected
walls of Ardonia. However, she is eager to offer guidance
to newcomers passing through, as the chaotic lifestyle of
adventurers is attractive to her. Her attention is easily won
by sharing stories of travels and encounters in the wilds
outside of Ardonia’s safe walls.
The White Unicorns
The majestic White Unicorns serve as the holy knights
of the Church of of Othaaris and are blessed by the queen
mother. The people of Ardonia are well acquainted with
the image of the armored women riding upon white or
dappled warhorses, adorned with unicorn-horned barding.
Headquartered in the majestic Castle Dyonissis in the city
of Medellin, under the command of the high council of five
veteran warriors, the all-female military force serves as the
most respected bastion of Ardonia.
124 – CHAPTER SIX: NATIONS AND DANGEROUS PLACES –
ADVENTURE:
FOUNDATION OF
INDOCTRINATION
Gelwurth, a refugee from Drohm, fell in love
with a woman named Agna in Medellin. The two
had a daughter together, and Gelwurth took to the
road as a merchant to support her family. Gelwurth
returned home recently to find that her beloved
wife had given away their daughter Myran to the
White Unicorns to train as a soldier. Gelwurth was
appalled — her Drohm perspective on recruiting
five-year-olds was far different from the Agna’s
Ardonian view — and left her wife but refuses to
abandon her child. She asks the adventurers to
rescue Myran from the White Unicorns. Gelwurth
is willing to pay most of what she’s earned as a
merchant to have her daughter back.
Unbeknownst to Gelwurth, Myran is,despite
her youth, deeply dedicated to Othaaris, and
doesn’t want to leave her new friends and
teachers, having been taught by her mother
that service to the White Unicorns is the greatest
blessing one can receive.
Recruits for the White Unicorns are selectively drafted
as children. Girls begin their training at the age of five, old
enough for trans girls to realize they’re girls, living together
in spartan dormitories, dining in communal mess halls,
and spending most of their days in each other’s company.
In the beginning, even games are designed to teach the
young girls combat skills, strategy, and noble behavior. As
they grow older, their lives become strict daily exercises
in discipline and honor.
Those select few who endure thirteen years of train-
ing under the head instructor, Captain Hallamda, take a
knee before the queen mother and are blessed upon their
induction into the White Unicorns. Soldiers of the White
Unicorns are respected as holy warriors and called “sister”
even by people not of their order. For most, their service to
Ardonia is a lifelong appointment, and sees them interred
at Castle Mesmar when their noble watch has ended.
Notable Cities
CASTLE MESMAR
Though the name would imply a single structure, Castle
Mesmar refers not only to the sprawling castle upon the
hilltop itself, but also the town built around the base of the
hill, in support of the holy royal house. The people enjoy
some unique comforts by living in close proximity to their
nation’s seat of power, not limited to bustling trade, the se-
curity of the finest military presence, and any royal decree
or celebration being an excuse to throw a local festival.
ADVENTURE:
ABAROXAS THE VALUE OF
Abaroxas is the nearest large city to the wall, and the first
major locale travelers encounter if crossing into the coun-
REPUTATION
try from the Sirilian River. It is the educational center not An old, established merchant family of elves, the
only of Ardonia, but all of East Azoth. It holds this position Silverscales, fell victim to burglary, but they refuse
not because Abaroxas is exclusive with its curriculum, but to go to the local guard about the matter. Only a
because no other repositories of knowledge are as safely single item was stolen from their possession: their
guarded as those behind the wall. The academies of Abaroxas intricate, one-of-a-kind mercantile seal, which is
close their doors to no one, and openly invite outsiders to used to mark goods inspected and authorized by
study and debate within their walls, in the interests of free their house. With the seal, any smuggler or low-
thought and the trade of information. It is not uncommon quality dealer could mark their wares as having
to see groups of intellectuals walking between libraries and been approved by the Silverscale family. If rotten
eateries, enthusiastically debating philosophy and physics. produce or flawed fabrics flood the market with
The most wondrous collection of knowledge within the city, their crest on the crates, their reputation could be
however, is housed in the monastery of Isliadril. ruined within months. However, if knowledge of
the theft gets out, no one will buy anything with
That being said, Abaroxas is not limited to purely scholars.
the Silverscale emblem on it, even if the goods
The surrounding city comprises merchants, farmers, crafts-
are legitimate.
men, and the like, who dispense their necessary services to
The Silverscale family will pay a hefty reward
the learned types. Young academics who wish to study in
for the seal’s return, but they require the utmost
Abaroxas often travel to the city as day laborers and earn
stealth and secrecy.
their room and board by serving the scholars whose ranks
they one day hope to join.
Isliadril
Dwarfing the surrounding buildings by its sheer size, the
fill the streets, and the sky is dotted with hot air balloons
gargantuan monastery of Isliadril houses a famous library,
ferrying small but valuable cargo over the wall or the
and is also home to the Scribes of Isilarilin. The scribes are
O’koth forest. Nearly all imported or exported goods in
blessed by the queen mother, not unlike the White Unicorns,
Ardonia first pass through Gichtel, where trademasters
and their dedication to the preservation of knowledge is
weigh, value, and record it. Though a branch of the Noble
as vital to Ardonia as the knights’ protection of the people.
Peoples’ Exchange of Carahill is established here, it is not
The Scribes of Isilarilin have sworn a sacred oath to seek
the foremost financial power in town; houses of trade exist
out and record knowledge, and as such, count the world’s
all over the city, and each blazons its own seal of approval
foremost experts on Crossings, and the legacies left behind
on goods that pass through its oversight.
by Visitors, among their numbers. Isliadril is truly “The
Jewel of Abaroxas” as Ardonians name it. The residents of Gichtel want for very little, and even the
poorest folk can easily find work helping to carry crates,
Tongues wag that a different manner of archive lies in
care for draft horses, and tend to the needs and wants of
chambers constructed deep under Isliadril. Local legend
the wealthy merchants that pass through, contributing to
says that the Scribes of Isilarilin maintain a massive wine
a booming service economy. Conspicuous consumption is
cellar, keeping barrels of all the rarest and most exquisite
the name of the game in Gichtel, where money flows even
wines ever produced in Ardonia or abroad. Though inven-
more freely than the wine.
tive thieves have attempted to tunnel under Isliadril in the
past, they are usually discovered when they cause a sinkhole
MEDELLIN
that brings a cobblestone road down on their heads before
they ever reach the theorized cellars. In truth, the cellars Built around Castle Dyonissis, the seat of the White
hold something far more valuable and more dangerous, as Unicorns, Medellin is a city swelling with military pride.
the Disk of Mylnon makes a stop there once a year. Families pray to Othaaris that their daughters will be cho-
sen to serve the White Unicorns, even knowing their little
GICHTEL ones will be selected at the age of five and taken away to
the castle barracks. Though this practice may be appalling
Located at the base of the O’koth Mountains where
to Visitors, the people of Medellin see no fault with the
they intersect with the wall and surrounded by rolling
concept, justifying it with the fact the girls won’t actually
hills and flourishing vineyards that produce the finest red
be fielded until the age of eighteen.
wines, wealthy Gichtel serves as the trade center for all of
Ardonia. Carts and wagons drawn by horse and ox alike Next to the White Unicorns, Medellin is also well known
for its vineyards, producing some of Ardonia’s finest white

– Ardonia – 125
 wines. Warmaiden White is a famed semi-sweet and floral
riesling that is produced only in Medellin and is often drunk
when toasting to battle or victory, while Blushing Banneret
is a locally popular rosé.
SEMIRMAS
Though many cities in Ardonia border the wall, Semirmas
is unique in that it is literally divided by the wall itself. As
the largest port of entry into Ardonia, the centerpiece of
Semirmas is a massive gate through which a tributary of
the Sirilian River flows. Ships and boats enter from the
river and are welcomed to the sprawling city of Semirmas
in Ardonia, while a local ferry carries people back and forth
through the gate to visit the O’koth side of Semirmas on the
other side of the river, which is home to the famous rang-
ers. Many of the residents of Semirmas provide necessary
services as bowyers and fletchers, blacksmiths, herbalists,
and farmers. While they work in close conjunction with
the Rangers of O’koth, most of Semirmas’ residents enjoy
the protection of Ardonia’s side of the wall, rather than
living within O’koth proper.
KIRKWOOD
Though Ardonia as a nation is known for its wine, Kirk-
wood is famed for its ale, and you’ll find no finer ale than
what they pour in the hamlet’s most renowned tavern, The
Golden Fleece. Though the small town possesses little more
than farms, taverns, and a church to Othaaris, its happy
residents, merry atmosphere, and plentiful fields place it
on the precipice of becoming a major landmark. Just pay
no mind to the unsettling fog blanketing the town at night,
or rumors of undead desecrating the local church…
Kirkwood’s penchant for ale likely stems from the fact
that early vineyards around the town produced rather
unpleasant wine. The only remainders of this early era of
failed grape cultivation in Kirkwood are found in the local
sweet and chewy favorite, malt loaf, made with raisins and
malted barley flour.
VESTA
At the southern tip of continental Azoth sits the oldest
known Ardonian city, Vesta. It was here that refugees arrived
from the Isle of Ardonous, before spreading throughout the
rest of the lands that they would eventually surround by
the wall. Though Vesta sees no protection from the wall,
it is perhaps even more defensive, surrounded on all sides
by the sea and the mountains that separate the Vestan
peninsula from the rest of the continent.
Far from the eyes and governance of Castle Mesmar, the
people of Vesta live quiet and peaceful lives. The lack of
arable land on the peninsula has led them to build a strong
fishing and hunting culture, replacing livestock with fish
and wild game, and substituting foraged goods in place of
cultivated produce. Though the Vestan people worship
Othaaris like the rest of the Ardonian population, many
126 – CHAPTER SIX: NATIONS AND DANGEROUS PLACES –
ADVENTURE:
ACCURSED SHORES
Off the coast of Vesta lies the Isle of Ardonous,
shrouded in darkness. The people of Vesta firmly
believe that anyone who steps foot on the island
becomes corrupted by its evil. Entire schools of
dead and rotting fish now wash up on Vesta’s
shores, and the birds picking at them and carrying
them off are beginning to spread sickness to the
surrounding area.
The Vestans are not a warlike folk, and instead
reach out to adventurers passing through to
investigate the illness which they feel certain
is coming from the Isle of Ardonous. If a party
can get to the root of the issue (whether it lies on
Ardonous or not), they are promised both the
blessings of Othaaris and of the nature spirits
that suffer under the blight.
people within the city also pay respects to the spirits of the
forest and the sea, not unlike the people of the Old Forest
in O’koth. Though they do not worship the forest or the
sea itself, they believe the oldest trees and deepest waters
are inhabited by powers beyond their understanding and
could be helpful or harmful to humans depending on how
they are treated.
Bloody Hills
B loody Hills sits within the borders of Drohm, nestled
between the Orus river and Daath. The Bloody Hills
are the ancestral lands of the orcs, who were forced
to retreat to the Black Mountains after their defeat in
the Great Field of A’zoth at the end of the Orc War. In
recent years, orc ambassadors have descended from
the mountains and returned to Bloody Hills. These
ambassadors now travel East Azoth to petition other
nations to formally recognize Bloody Hills as a sovereign
orc nation.
The response from other nations to this request has been
lackluster, as none of them are keen to see orcs return to
central East Azoth from where they could more easily ha-
rass other nations. They also realize, however, that Darkoth
might consider it a small trade-off to give the orcs their
land back in exchange for loyalty in battle. If that happens,
the other nations might offer the orcs the smaller hills just
west of the Orus, in the Great Field of A’zoth, instead. The
main debate is over whether they should make that offer
now, both as a show of good will to the orcs and to remove
Darkoth from the equation or wait in hopes Darkoth does
not recognize them either.
Welcome Village
Welcome Village sits near the foot of Bloody Hills, its
name deliberately chosen to invite ambassadors, traders,
and travelers from other nations. Few have taken the orcs
up on their offer. Welcome Village is a testament to orc
craftsmanship, with sturdy wooden buildings beautifully
decorated in bright patterns. Travelers to Welcome Village
find inns and taverns clean, very reasonably priced, and
the food quite exquisite. Orc craftspeople are keen to show
their wares, from woodworking to silversmithing. The orcs
politely, but very eagerly, ask all travelers to recount to other
people how good their experience in Welcome Village was.
DENIZENS OF WELCOME VILLAGE
La’ars K’Mor is the elected leader of Welcome Village.
She carefully keeps track of the ambassadors’ travels and
results, and of which places seem welcoming and which
are best avoided for now. La’ars is wholly dedicated to
the ambassadors’ diplomatic work, and outright rejects
the notion of forcing the issue through violence. She has
a deep-seated belief that the other nations, once they
recognize the ambassadors’ good intentions, will do the
right thing.
Fe’ilar T’Nar runs the Home Inn, which is the largest
of several inns in Welcome Village. The inn doesn’t pull
quite the numbers Fe’ilar needs to make a profit, owing to
low visitor numbers in general. Fe’ilar takes great pride
– Bloody Hills –
in their inn though and has asked traveling ambassadors
to collect recipes from other nations’ cuisine so they can
make travelers feel at home.
Kig’ara D’Marko is the first, and admittedly so far only,
orc officially accepted into the Arcana Academy of Abaroxas
in Ardonia. This signifies the first serious outreach between
Bloody Hills and Ardonia.
Marks of History
Orcs were a largely nomadic people before the arrival
of humans. They traveled between the territories of other
peoples, alternately foraging and herding, trading with
them, or raiding to meet their needs. As humans settled
into nations with borders and armies, orcs were increas-
ingly pushed to the center of their territory in Bloody Hills.
Traces of this history are still visible in the architecture of
Bloody Hills — while the oldest orc buildings show careful
craftsmanship, the land around them is dotted with piles
of rubble where hastily erected structures once accommo-
dated a rapidly growing population.
THE STONE OF NE’STRA
The Stone of Ne’stra sits atop the tallest of the Bloody
Hills, carved with pictoglyphs narrating the legend of
Ne’stra, the first orc. Ne’stra descended to Graakahorda,
the orcish word for hell, where she visited three demons
and blinded them to her presence — two she fooled with a
127
 clever disguise, and the third she stabbed through the eye.
Her descendants still enjoy this “invisibility” to demons,
and Graakahorda can never claim orc souls.
HU’THAR’S PALACE
Little remains of Hu’thar’s palace above ground, though
the hills below remain riddled with passages and storage
halls. Hu’thar was the last orc queen and receives little
mention in orcish history as hers was the shameful act
of admitting defeat and leading her people to the Black
Mountains. Na’ier of the Boarelli believes Hu’thar left her
crown in Bloody Hills and has quietly sent agents to comb
the palace for it.
Brachmon
B
rachmon is a coalition of twelve nations, forged
by scattered armies and displaced people after the
Forever War. Geographically cut off from other nations
by the Great River and its icy location, Brachmon finds
itself often ignored by the other nations. This is fine by the
Brachmon, as their land provides near anything they need,
and people of Grey Hills make excellent trade partners.
The 12 nations of Brachmon have little in common with
each other, but the northern cold leaves little room for
internal strife. Nor do the Brachmon feel the need for an
over-arching culture or political ideals. Instead, they con-
sider their diversity one of their great strengths — where
one nation struggles, another can step in. Working together,
they’ve carved out a place for themselves where no other
humans could. As the Epician saying goes, the rising tide
lifts all ships.
The Council of Brachmon consists of two members of
each nation, as well as one Headman. The Headman can
be of any nation and, despite the archaic nomenclature,
of any gender. Each nation elects its councilors by its own
methods, but Headman is elected by popular acclaim of
all nations. The Headman is also impeached by the same
process, and a disgraced leader holding onto power will
find themself quietly lifted from their bed at night. The
council votes on all issues regarding the military defense of
Brachmon, treaties with other nations, and trading between
the twelve nations. The council meets on an ad hoc basis
as the need arises, and these meetings can get very heated
as the vote is won by simple majority. The Headman serves
as tie-breaker if need be, and ensures the debate does not
devolve into physical violence, though physical posturing
is both allowed and encouraged.
Drohm recently launched an attack on Brachmon’s coast
from both the sea and across the Great River, as Darkoth
considers its twelve nations divided and weak. The other
human nations have so far turned a blind eye, as most
consider Brachmon a far-away blip on the map. The elves
and dwarves take far greater note though, as conquering
Brachmon would leave the Great River controlled by Drohm
128 – CHAPTER SIX: NATIONS AND DANGEROUS PLACES –
— opening the way for incursions into the Enchanted
Forest and, beyond that, Grey Hills. Neither of them lend
any aid to the Brachmon so far, nor have the Brachmon
asked. The war has gone badly for the Brachmon to this
point, though the approaching winter may turn the battle
in their favor as Darkoth’s forces are ill-prepared to deal
with the punishing cold.
Ashmedai
The Ashmedai are proud warriors who pride themselves
on their legendary fighting skills. They alone never suffered
a single defeat in the Forever War, and they carry that
legacy to this day. Every Ashmedai is a skilled warrior in
additional to learning a conventional trade such as farm-
ing or blacksmithing, and the other Brachmon nations
fear the day the Ashmedai break the coalition and move
to conquer the others. It’s a testament to the council’s
skill, as well as generations of working together, that the
Ashmedai have not.
Currently the Ashmedai have left their home plains and
are marching en masse to the Brachmon coast to lend aid
to the beleaguered Cha’ks and Epicians. The other nations
provide them with food and fresh horses along with way
but even so the Ashmedai are racing against winter as the
northern ice comes down.
Galensh and Bratash, after proving themselves in sin-
gle combat against other Ashmedai, serve as the nation’s
envoys to the Brachmon council. Galensh, a one-armed
warrior, is also a great tactician, a trait that serves her well
as Ashmedai marches to war. Meanwhile Bratash is more
suited to peace — a farmer in addition to a warrior — and
it’s likely Brachmon will call on them once the nation can
recover from the war with Drohm.
Cha’Tak
Cha’Tak is the nation closest to Drohm, separated from
Darkoth’s land only by the Great River. General Ramus of
Drohm recently attacked their coastal cities in an effort
to gain a foothold in Brachmon, and so far has been very
successful — in fact, the general is close to conquering the
capital city Cha’Tak.
What Ramus doesn’t understand — how could he, learning
at the feet of Darkoth — is that a people are not their stone
cities. The Cha’ks are deliberately retreating to the western
forest and the nation of Ormuzd beyond, surrendering their
cities as they go. Their goal is threefold: suffer as little loss
of life as possible, draw the Drohm forces further north, and
await the arrival of either the Ashmedai or winter — either,
they believe, should make short work of Ramus’ army.
The Cha’ks are some of the finest jewelry smiths in all
of Azoth, and their retreat leaves behind a treasure trove
for the taking. While this both fuels and pays for Darkoth’s
drive for conquest, the Cha’ks had no choice but to abandon
their wares as food is a far more precious commodity on
their journey. Their fabled armaments, as their weapon-
smithing is also second to none, they either melted down
or carry west with them. They also left several painted
Woad warriors to harass the Drohm forces whenever they
threaten to move too far into Brachmon.
The Cha’ks appoint their councilors through direct
elections, each for a staggered four-year period. Council-
or Ha’ta is a dwarven silversmith, and one of the richest
men in Cha’Tak, currently leading the civilian retreat to
Ormuzd. Meanwhile the old warrior Ka’ta has come out of
retirement to lead the Woad warriors into battle.
Epicurus
The Epicians are masters of the sea, and their naviga-
tional command of the waters of Azoth is legendary. They
are the only nation to map out all of the seas surrounding
the continent, even venturing to West Azoth in longships
called Dracos. While the Brachmon coalition forbids them
from attacking other Brachmon villages, the other nations
they pass on their journeys don’t fare as well. The Epicians
engage in trade or raiding as it suits them, and many coastal
villages have a shelter for when the Epicians arrive, while
others offer very favorable trade. The hairfeet from Olardell,
meanwhile, adopted an “if you can’t beat them” attitude,
and hired the Epician ships for their own maritime trade.
Epicurus is the second Brachmon nation under attack by
Drohm, and unlike the Cha’ks cannot simply give way lest
Darkoth push further north to other Brachmon nations.
The Epicians must hold the line, and so far have weathered
every attack Drohm’s Admiral Cebran has launched. In fact,
they stand poised to win the war at sea, prompting Darkoth
to send field wizard Norvose to join Cebran.
The Epicians always select one trader and one raider as
their councilors, recognizing that both are needed for Epi-
curus to thrive. Trader Canute, a second generation hairfoot
immigrant who suffers from severe anxiety, now sails for
Olardell to secure a loan to build more Dracos. Meanwile
raider Lagarth leads the Epician fleet against Drohm.
Iodhan
Iodhan is the second most northern of Brachmon’s
nations, stretching from the frozen coast to the towering
ice mountains to its west. Iodhan sees perpetual snow and
has little in the way of agriculture. Instead, the Iodhani
are great hunters who migrate in the trail of their favored
prey. They use every part of the animals they kill, dressing
in skins and furs, and likewise using skins to create their
signature domed huts.
While their northern position sees the Iodhani safe from
most of Drohm’s incursion, a single Drohm ship made it
past both the Epician blockade and the nation of Seth be-
fore Iodhani vessels stopped it. The Drohm survivors, few
as they were, returned with tales of cannibals who wear
the skin of their enemies — none of them true, but rather
deliberate propaganda to dissuade Drohm captains from
invading Iodhan a second time.
– Brachmon –
As perpetual nomads in frozen conditions, the Io-
dhani carry their culture through oral tradition. Little
wonder then that their councilors are always their lead
storyteller and their apprentice. The current pair is Iman,
great-grandmother to more children than she can count,
and a genderfluid person Iodhani named Guran.
Kamalak
Kamalak sits near the heart of the twelve nations, on a
vast steppe plain. The Kamlak are the descendants of a
great cavalry, and renowned horse breeders in peace time.
They trade, and occasionally gift, horses of any color save
black to leaders of other Brachmon nations in exchange
for food supplies the steppe only grudgingly provides. The
Kamlak’s military heritage shows now, when Brachmon is
under attack, as the warriors ride out on their black horses.
The Kamlak cavalry is led by General Hormok, who also
serves as one of Kamalak’s councilors. Her warriors ride
black horses, the traditional mark of Kamalak’s ancestral
cavalry, and paint their bodies, weapons, and shields black
as well. They attack under the cover of darkness, using
their superior knowledge of the terrain to attack and re-
treat in a single night — leaving the Drohm forces to find
the battlefield riddled with arrows and corpses, with no
trace of the attackers.
Hormok has ridden her army south, with the intent of
halting the attack of Drohm generals Kiri and San Vulba
on Khur-Um. Instead she found San Vulba pushing north
hard, with their armies meeting on the border between
Khur-Um and Kamalak. Hormok is determined not to
let San Vulba advance any further and holds a hard line
regardless of any risks or losses.
Kamalak’s second councilor is a horse breeder named
Azrok. While in peacetime they would be the leading voice
of the Kamlak, war has pushed them into a secondary
position to Hormok. Azrok doesn’t mind, as they realize
different times require different leaders, though they’re
eager to rebuild once the war is done.
Khur-Um
Khur-Um is a relatively new nation formed from Brach-
mon traders along the Black Adder river. The Khurmi are
a communal people who share resources and assets to the
betterment of all, and poverty and homelessness do not
exist in Khur-Um. Meanwhile trade with dwarves, orcs,
and trolls from Grey Hills has made Khur-Um very rich —
so rich, in fact, the other Brachmon nations question what
they plan to do with all that gold.
Khur-Um’s wealth proved irresistible to Darkoth, who
demanded his generals push past Cha’Tak and Ormuzd to
take the nascent nation. Of all Darkoth’s generals, only Kiri
presented a plan with even a remote chance of success, and
even then, her troops are stretched precariously thin as she
must take Khur-Um and simultaneously prevent Ormuzd
from cutting off her supply ships. Young, ambitious, and
129
 determined to prove herself, Kiri embellishes her successes
in the reports she sends back to Darkoth. She may stand
poised to conquer the Khurmi, who have no army to speak
of, but is at great risk of being cut off if Hormok’s cavalry
succeeds in pushing San Vulba back.
Khur-Um is led by a council of seven democratically
elected officials, in addition to two more elected councilors
serving in the Brachmon council, as well as ambassadors
to various Grey Hills peoples. The two councilors are
Latash and Joshin, both successful traders. Latash was
born without the use of their legs and uses an enchanted
chair to move about.
No Khurmi official may serve for more than two terms of
three years each, both to encourage innovation and prevent
corruption. Right now, Khur-Um’s small population lets
every adult cast a vote in the election. As the population
grows, they’ll either have to invest in infrastructure to
facilitate elections or move to a representative system.
Ormuzd
The Ormuzd claim to be descendants of the first humans
to travel to East Azoth. Their land holds few temples or
other buildings to serve as evidence to this claim though,
and in Brachmon, where every nation hails back to some
great army or cavalry, deep historical roots would lend
the Ormuzd great prestige — as such, their tale is hotly
contested.
The Ormuzd are stalwart people, and they offered to take
in any refugees from Cha’Tak, but not aggressors. They have
no fit response to general Kiri taking their coastal lands to
secure her passage to Khur-Um — they know they need to
reclaim the coast and cut Kiri off, but lack the army to do so.
The Ormuzd are led by Beotach and Gurdel, who double
as envoys to the Brachmon council. Both are scholars, and
their knowledge of history led to their election by popular
acclaim. Beotach petitioned Hormok of Kamalak for aid,
but Hormok is currently fighting to protect her own na-
tion from advancing Drohm forces. Orcish Gurdel is now
imploring the Ashmedai to travel to Ormuzd rather than
Epicurus and Cha’Tak.
Popol-Vah
Popol-Vah is the breadbasket of Brachmon, raising
everything from grains to fruit and maize in green lands
warmed by underground volcanoes. The Popoli have little
in the way of any other produce but trade their crops for
anything else they need. So great is their harvest, that they
even established trade beyond Brachmon’s borders.
The Popoli keep a treasure trove of seeds, collected through-
out the generations, in their capital of Popol-Vah. These
include seeds of plants long extinct, as well as hybrid seeds.
The Popoli hold the long-term view on agriculture, avoiding
monoculture and leaving wild greenfields in-between crops.
The war with Drohm sees the Popoli called on to provide
food for the moving armies of Ashmedai and Kamalak. So
130 – CHAPTER SIX: NATIONS AND DANGEROUS PLACES –
far, their massive stores have provided all the armies need,
and Popol-Vah is far enough from the front lines it needn’t
fear an imminent attack.
The Popoli are the only Brachmon who elect their
councilors for life, barring impeachment, believing this
prevents them from leaving future councilors to deal with
their predecessors’ problems. As a result, both councilors
are very old. Councilor Wu’u is blind and nearly deaf,
though their mind remains as sharp as ever and they can
perfectly recount every treaty they ever signed. Councilor
Kic’e is a decade younger, and even his back is bent and
crooked with age.
Seth
The Sethites are some of the few Azothians to believe
in a deity other than Othaaris. Specifically, they believe
in Brachman the all-father (or all-mother, as Brachman
doesn’t care about gender) and the warrior-scholar Set.
It’s the latter they named their nation after, and who sees
worship in Sethite temples. Set is responsible for keeping
the Brachmon safe, so they in turn may keep the natural
order of the world. In their many legends, Set uses a com-
bination of cleverness and physical prowess to accomplish
this task. When Brachman rests in winter, Set comes down
to his temples to stand guard.
Seth sees a divide between those who own property, and
those who do trade. The former are responsible for keep-
ing homes, lands and businesses in order, while the latter
take the surplus to trade for other goods. The traders are
all priests of Set, owing to the belief that Set’s cleverness
will aid them in trade. As a result, most travelers to Seth
mistakenly believe it’s a nation of priests.
Seth always sends one property owner and one trader
to the Brachmon council. The former is currently Amun,
a troll as clever as he is stingy. The latter is Nefertu, and
their cleverness is only matched by their glib tongue. Both
are priests of Set — though this is not strictly a requirement
to serve as councilor, tradition gives priests an advantage
in getting elected.
Tigonn
Tigonn is the northernmost nation of Brachmon, spread
across the ice field between two vast mountain ranges.
This is a desolate land where nothing grows and even
prey is sparse. The Tigonni are as brusque as their land,
preferring to be left alone and declining to attend the last
twelve meetings of the Brachmon council as it “did not
concern them.”
The Tigonni believe crossing into their land relieves
a person of their past, and the nation draws a small but
steady trickle of immigrants seeking to wipe their slate.
Many of them are genuinely reformed criminals, others,
people who seek the northern solitude to forget some pain
inflicted upon them. All must adhere to the strict Tigonn
laws, which outlaw all forms of abuse. Tigonni punishments
are hard, though none harder than against criminals who
brought bodily harm to others directly, or indirectly by
denying needed food or shelter.
The Tigonni currently have no envoys to the Brachmon
council.
Val-Hur
While officially Val-Hur controls a thin stretch of land
between Ashmedai and the mountains that border Iodhan
and Tigonn, in reality they cluster in several partially
submerged villages on the coast. The Val-Huri themselves
are semi-aquatic, with webbed feet and hands, and gills to
facilitate short underwater sojourns. They can also commu-
nicate with the great northern whales and have forbidden
the Iodhani from hunting them. This puts Val-Hur at odds
with the Brachmon council, who allow the Iodhani a strict
hunting quota.
The Val-Huri are a people divided, who see no peace
between them. None of the Val-Huri, nor their faction
leaders, know what set off the violence — only that it goes
back many generations and provides ample reason for ven-
geance. On four separate occasions, the Brachmon council
held a peace summit to broker an armistice between the
Val-Huri, but no treaty ever held. As the mountain ranges
to the north, and Ashmedai to the south, keep Val-Hur’s
violence contained within its own borders, few Brachmon
see the issue as pressing enough to try again.
Val-Hur changes councilors as easily as the wind chang-
es direction, based on who recently defeated whom. The
Brachmon council welcomes them with proper decorum,
but otherwise largely relegates them to the sidelines as
the next Val-Huri councilor is likely to ignore any treaties
their predecessor signed.
Zo-Hur
The Zo-Huri are peaceful shepherds, descended from
people running the supply trains which fed northern
armies in the Forever War. Officially they control the fertile
land between Kamalak, Seth, and Epicurus. In reality, the
Zo-Huri are nomadic and travel all of Brachmon with their
vast herds — though in Popol-Vah they must strictly keep to
areas currently not readied for crops. As they always adhere
to local laws, and carefully replant after their animals graze
an area, none of the other nations take offense.
With war come to Brachmon, the armies of Ashmedai
and Kamalak called upon Zo-Hur to provide food. The
Zo-Huri stepped up, herding their cattle in the wake of
the great armies as they marched south — close enough
to supply the Brachmon, but out of reach of Drohm forces.
The Zo-Huri tend to send “whomever is closest” to
serve as envoys whenever the Brachmon council convenes.
Unlike the Val-Huri, however, councilors always keep to
agreements their predecessors made. As such, the council
doesn’t object to these rotating appointments.
– Bryzine –
Bryzine
T
he sound of metal on stone echoes as the people
of Bryzine mine the ores found deep in the Black
Mountains. Rich in resources, this city on a bay along
East Azoth’s north coast serves as a trading post between
mine troll communities and visitors from across Azoth.
Several peoples work the mining trade, but none have the
advantage of the Bryzine trolls who are distantly related to
mine trolls. Bryzine trolls work hard to change Azoth’s per-
ception of trolls, which is largely unfavorable thanks to violent
precedents. Bryzine trolls are peaceful and visiting Bryzine
is considered very safe for outsiders. Additionally, they are
exceptional traders and well-versed in commerce owing to
the potential wealth in the resources they live amidst. Many
Bryzine trolls are multi-lingual to help facilitate trade.
Bryzine’s proximity to the Enchanted Forest and Grey
Hills made it a useful trade depot for all three regions. The
rainbow elves and Grey Hill dwarves maintain friendly re-
lationships with Bryzine trolls’ elected council, comprising
six members who oversee commerce, trade, and wellness.
Visitors from farther locales who only know of trolls from
children’s books painting them as monsters may be taken
aback at first, but one interaction with a Bryzine troll is
all it takes to prove their fears unfounded. The Grey Hills
dwarves have passed along some of their blacksmithing
knowledge, and Bryzine trolls produce well-crafted, albeit
simple, armor and weapons.
Making Bryzine an inviting place to visit and conduct
business was a battle hard won. For centuries, Bryzine
ADVENTURE: NOT MY
BRETHREN’S KEEPER
Deep in the mines of Bryzine’s largest mountain
is a rich gemstone vein. Those who can source the
precious resource easily find wealth, prosperity,
and power in Azoth. But mining the ore is tricky:
Not only are the mines themselves an obstacle
course that fells even the nimblest of adventurers,
but the mine trolls who live under the mountain
are hostile to wanderers who attempt to loot and
claim their treasure.
When a traveling Ardonian merchant is
reported as missing after venturing into the mines,
a local Bryzine troll named Egra offers to serve
as a guide for adventurers who want to find the
merchant. But Egra worries the mine trolls killed
the Ardonian. Egra and her people work hard to
change the public perception of trolls, and she
must find a way to help the adventurers without
confirming their worst fears about her people.
131
 was derogatorily referred to as “troll territory” by much of
Azoth; although the phrase is still used, it lacks its former
bite. To accomplish this, Bryzine trolls had to placate the
mine trolls who have, in the past, eaten annoying trespass-
ing humans. As such, Bryzines trade food and money for
gemstones sourced by the mine trolls.
Notable Locations in Bryzine
BRYZINE TRADING HARBOR
Bryzine Harbor presents a welcoming scene upon arrival:
the bay is normally calm, and tides gently sweep in ships
toward the docks. Rows of straw-covered huts line the
harbor, each peddling a specific ware. Travelers can find
most common items here, including an impressive array
of Bryzine-crafted armor and weapons, and have a higher
chance of finding a masterwork item than elsewhere.
GEMSTONE MINES
Bryzine’s mountains are one of Azoth’s main sources of
gemstones. The spectacular gemstone ores are a dazzling,
vibrant surprise for adventurers or brave merchants seek-
ing wealth. The mostly blind mine trolls, however, detest
their vivid sparkle.
Carahill
L ong ago, the nations of Shamir and Carahill clashed in
war. In the end, Shamir was the victor, and its leader,
Lady Falla, sought to unite both lands under a single
banner. In an effort to appease the defeated population,
she named the new kingdom Carahill, while its capital
was named Shamir. Generations of Lady Fallas would
continue to serve Carahill as queen regnant, establishing
a country that protected itself not with walls, but instead
with a well-funded military, a prosperous population
loyal to the crown, and a royal bloodline known for its
arcane magic.
Carahill is a pleasant land full of beautiful sights and
sounds, and the nation’s residents live happy and pros-
perous lives.
Principals of Carahill
LADY FALLA
The honored descendant of the first Lady Falla who
united Shamir and Carahill, the current Lady Falla is no
less driven toward the peace and prosperity of her collec-
tive lands. Upon the death of her mother, she inherited the
title and all of the obligations that come with it, and the
current Lady Falla continues to uphold Carahill’s policies of
accepting all outsiders and travelers with open arms, while
remaining neutral in the political strife of other nations. As
a powerful sorceress, Lady Falla is not to be trifled with,
132 – CHAPTER SIX: NATIONS AND DANGEROUS PLACES –
and intends to pass on the magic of her bloodline and her
teachings to her daughter who will one day take her place.
BROTHER WILLIARD
Brother Williard is a traveling Priest of Othaaris, and a
keeper of a rare early copy of the sacred Book of Tindiani.
He travels in the company of his adult son, a warrior named
Mykel, and his adult daughter, a healer named Ella. Their
wandering mission leads them to protect and heal the
hearts, minds, and bodies of the people of Carahill. Often
traveling in the company of local guards and eager students
of Othaaris, the wheels of their wooden carriage never stop
in one place for long.
TALDWELL
Taldwell serves as chief commissioner of the Noble Peo-
ples’ Exchange, the world’s most powerful singular financial
institution. Though he led the NPE to an era of unforeseen
prosperity, Taldwell does not sit comfortably upon his pedestal;
financial decisions made by the bank are generally agreed upon
by the board, and while Taldwell holds the singular power to
overrule a decision, he uses it sparingly in the knowledge that
if he were to lose them money, he could easily be overthrown
and replaced. Taldwell is prone to hand flapping when he gets
excited and anxious.
WILD KALDA
Kalda is a wide-eyed young woman with a perpetually
clay-smeared face, muddy boots, and dirt under her nails.
She fancies herself an “archaeologist,” a term she read in
a book when her family visited Isliadril in her youth and
ADVENTURE:
SHE DOESN’T KNOW
WHAT SHE KNOWS
Kalda is accustomed to getting arrested. She’s
also rather used to being picked on or having
rocks thrown at her by locals. What’s new to her
is someone trying to legitimately murder her. A
week ago, someone tried to cave in one of her
tunnels with her inside, and she’s seen black-
cloaked figures showing up wherever she goes.
None of these things discouraged Kalda’s
exploration. To the contrary, she now feels certain
that she must be getting close to the dark city of
Abraxas, and that they don’t want her to find it.
While the existence of “them” is questionable,
there have been some credible attempts on
Kalda’s life recently, causing damage and injury
to bystanders, and the party is asked to look into
them if for no other reason than to keep collateral
damage to a minimum.
spends much of her time digging in exposed ground and ex-
ploring the cisterns of Shamir. Though frequently arrested
for the destruction of property and being a public nuisance,
Kalda quickly returns to her ways as soon as she’s set free
again. Kalda’s self-appointed quest leads her in search of
the rumored lost city of Abraxas that she believes still lies
somewhere under Shamir.
Notable Cities
SHAMIR
The capital of Carahill is located in Old Shamir. The city
is a thriving metropolis built around a towering castle. The
architecture is stunningly unique; nearly every building has
a narrow street-facing front that extends deeply behind
and is two or three stories tall. These houses were built
as such to dodge the property taxes levied by the second
Lady Falla, which charged based on the road-facing area
of a building’s ground floor. Though Lady Falla the Fourth
rescinded this tax law, the architectural styling of Shamir
had already become quite popular and fashionable.
While the city of Shamir lacks protective walls, the castle
is sheltered by a different layer of defense. The streets of
Shamir are a narrow, weaving tangle, not unlike the vines
that crawl the antique walls of its houses and shops. While
the city guard and the locals know these winding paths
well, outside invaders never penetrated the city more
than a few blocks before being boxed in by the guard and
summarily slaughtered.
Abraxas
Buried beneath Shamir, accessible only by a few hidden
stairwells, lies the lost ancient city of Abraxas. Some say the
dark sorcery practiced in Abraxas gave the first Lady Falla
the power to conquer and unite Carahill, but her daughter
collapsed and buried Abraxas out of fear that such dark
power could be used against her one day. For most, that
is where the story ends, but a few believe Abraxas was
sealed away, rather than destroyed. Though kept secret
from most, the matriarchal line is well aware of the old
powers that lie under their feet and know they might call
upon them some day.
MEUNG
A quiet, peaceful town, Meung is considered the bread-
basket of Carahill. Though not famed for any particular
exports or delicacies, the rich soil and wide-open lands
produce abundant crops and feed hearty livestock. Meung
often draws seasonal labor from miles away, and planting
and harvesting seasons can multiply the town’s population
by three-fold. This can lead to tent towns springing up near
the largest growers.
Pickling and preservation are common pastimes in
Meung, as abundant harvests sometimes mean not all of
their goods can be distributed before they begin to rot.
Whereas most homes in Carahill keep a wine cellar if
– Carahill –
ADVENTURE:
A TIME TO REAP,
A TIME TO SOW,
A TIME TO PARTY
Seasonal farmhands work hard, and they play
hard. The harvesting season has drawn to an end,
and the itinerant workers are planning one last
big festival to celebrate together before going
their separate ways. This is generally a time when
major landholders become generous and donate
food or wine to the celebration out of gratitude.
However, a local landholder has become
concerned that his storehouses may be targeted
for damage or arson, after he forced a separation
between his child and the pretty farmhand they
fell in love with. During the festival would be a
prime opportunity for the jilted young woman
to sabotage the storehouse then slip away into
the crowds.
But there is more to this story than meets the
eye. The land-holder’s wife intimates her husband
doesn’t pay seasonal workers a fair wage —
does that mean other workers might also have
reason to be resentful? Meanwhile his husband
admits the landholder is a sometimes overly strict
parent — perhaps his child seeks revenge for
their broken heart? It’s up to the adventurers to
figure this mess out!
they can, homes in Meung use their cool, dark basements
to store sealed jars containing pickled fruits, vegetables,
and dried meats.
TI-BOR
A coastal city in Old Shamir, and the largest port in Carahill.
At any given time, one can look to the eastern horizon and
see dozens of ships, sails unfurled, traveling to and fro. Their
cargo ranges from valuable imports and exports (especially
on NPE ships coming from Olardell), to civilian and military
transport, to the freshest catch from Ti-bor’s coast.
Ti-bor’s thriving seafood market produces many del-
icacies popular throughout Carahill. Though nearly any
coastal eatery in Azoth can serve you some manner of fish,
only those in Ti-bor serve unique offerings like red-wine
braised octopus with clams. Though Ti-bor is popular with
a growing community of connoisseurs, the tourism busi-
ness is hobbled by certain other factors. Chiefly, the odor
from the fishmongers and its tendency to travel far beyond
the docks has contributed to a striking local phenomenon
known as “fish rain.”
133
 HEYDON
Though Ardonia to the south may be famous for their
wines, the town of Heydon is famous for their appreciation
of wine. Indeed, Heydon is known for its wine stewards,
recognized as sommeliers by Earthborn, who elevated the
tasting, enjoyment, and pairing of wine with other flavors to
a high art form. Practices like decanting and allowing wine
to breathe are slowly beginning to gain traction outside of
Heydon, but the ever-evolving fashions of wine tasting make
it difficult for those abroad to keep up with the trends.
The local wineries bottle a prized rosé made only of
grapes that survive the harsh winter, and the bitter cold
imparts a remarkable sweetness to the wine. Though each
individual winery may have their own name for their par-
ticular bottles, the type of wine is known in foreign lands
as The Rose of Heydon.
RUBATON
Rubaton is the foremost trade city at the end of the
Sirilian River, in the lands of Old Carahill. Farmers from
as far away as Heydon make the trip to sell their produce
and livestock, and non-perishable goods are imported from
even more distant locales. Even the locals will tell you, it’s
impossible to walk a block in Rubaton without someone
trying to sell you something.
For a city its size, Rubaton actually has a very small
number of permanent residents, and a very large transient
population. For this reason, the primary economic forces
of Rubaton are the services that cater to travelers. Inns,
eateries, stables for beasts of burden, and money exchanges
are the most thriving businesses in Rubaton, once you take
a few steps off of the merchant-lined main roads.
The Purple Heather Inn and Eatery
A father and two daughters run this pleasant, albeit
middling inn with comfortable rooms and a fine kitchen.
Four silver pieces will rent you a two-bed room for the
night, generally free of rats and fleas, while the dining
downstairs is hearty and likewise decently priced. You’ll
find no luxuries, but little to complain about either.
Garkin’s Inn
A comfortable inn that deals only with merchants, and
only those whom they know, at that. Once a merchant has
built up a trustworthy reputation in Rubaton and met with
hairfoot Garkin himself, they may be honored with having
their name kept on the guest list. Though Garkin’s Inn is
not especially luxurious, it keeps the riff raff out, and pro-
vides a comfortable place for merchants to rub shoulders
and make deals.
The Pig & Whistle
Named by its orcish owner with tongue firmly in cheek,
the Pig & Whistle is a large, two-story bar with an active,
noisy atmosphere. With brightly burning hearths, frequent
entertainment from a variety of performers, and some kind
of gambling (legitimate and otherwise) happening at any
hour of the day or night, there is no shortage of excitement.
134 – CHAPTER SIX: NATIONS AND DANGEROUS PLACES –
SELTHOR
A town in rural Old Carahill, Selthor sits nearest to the
border of Drohm, surrounded by orchards of mulberry trees.
Refugees from Drohm brought the secrets of silkworm
cultivation to Carahill long ago. Now, these flourishing
mulberry orchards are the most common indicator of a
thriving silk-weaving business. Such orchards hold small
mansions at the center, paid for with noble and royal gold,
as silk has become the most prestigious material produced
in the land.
Though most well-known for its silk cultivation, Selthor
has not forgotten its roots. The town continues to uphold
its practice of sheltering refugees, and the local guards
frequently clash with hunters from Drohm who’ve come
to take back “missing citizens.” Under almost every wine
cellar is an additional hidden passage buried under floor-
boards or loose pieces of stone, leaving just enough room
for two or three folk to hide themselves until the coast is
clear. The residents of Selthor have grown to show no fear
to the hunters from Drohm and stand their ground with
the knowledge that if they come to harm, the wrath of their
queen will be soon to follow.
ELOHIM
Nestled between Ardonia’s wall and the Silvertip Moun-
tains in Old Carahill, the town of Elohim flourishes a mere
mile from a well-traveled entrance gate to Ardonia. Though
not a famed locale in its own right, it serves as the primary
funnel for travel between Carahill and Ardonia. Many local
businesses have sprung up around the transportation of
goods, ranging from cart rentals and repairs, to strapping
young men and women willing to sell their services in
loading and unloading cargo.
After a fire devastated Elohim roughly thirty years ago,
leaving naught but its foundations and cellars, the locals
endured the arduous process of rebuilding. However, local
culture was strongly influenced by the event, and it drove
many people to build their own wine cellars as a form
of investment; even if they were to lose everything they
owned, they’d keep enough wine buried and protected to
recover their lives. Though many cellars are kept hidden as
protection against thieves, one can assume even the poorest
hovel has a few bottles of mediocre wine from both Ardonia
and Carahill kept under the floorboards.
DENDARA
Before the lands of Carahill and Shamir merged, Denda-
ra was Carahill’s capital, and many people call it the old
capital to this day. Though lacking the political clout of the
proper capital in Shamir, Dendara established itself as the
financial focal point of the kingdom. While the streets are
not paved with gold as some rumors claim, the city seems
almost entirely devoid of poverty, with hardly a blemish on
the cream-colored plaster walls and the sweeping brown
shingle roofs.
 The people of Dendara want for very little, though this
was not always the case. Among bored nobles, conspicuous
consumption is the name of the game. Rich women flaunt
white silk gowns, knowing they’ll be easily dirtied and
never worn again. Garden parties are catered with more
food than the guests could possibly eat. Though the city
seems horrifically wasteful, it fuels a unique export economy
of its own, namely that of recycling what the rich throw
away. The historic poor of Dendara realized a white silk
gown with a stained hem could be pulled from the trash
and made into luxurious curtains, to be sold to a well-to-do
merchant the next town over. Realizing that a noble’s trash
could be a middle-class treasure, the impoverished people
of Dendara were soon wealthy by anyone else’s standards.
Dendara’s greatest claim to fame today is the presence
of numerous banks, the most important of which being the
Noble Peoples’ Exchange, which offer funding to not only
the people of Carahill, but foreign political, mercantile,
and military powers as well.
The Noble Peoples’ Exchange
A solitary tower stands in the center of Dendara, built in
what was once a tower of the royals’ palace in Old Carahill.
The most powerful financial institution in Azoth, The Noble
Peoples’ Exchange is responsible for not only the minting of
coin and collection of taxes within Carahill, but also makes
investments in businesses and neighboring territories that
it feels will promise a meaningful return. The exchange has
not become the wealthiest institution in Azoth by making
poor decisions and will demand recompense from anyone
who fails to deliver a return on those investments.
Coins produced by the NPE are known for the crest of
the swan on gold, the crest of the egret on silver, and the
crest of the hawk on copper. These intricate crests stand as
confirmation that the coins are pure and properly weighed,
as promised by the exchange itself. Though Carahill may
not be as rich and prosperous as the neighboring nation
of Ardonia, the Noble Peoples’ Exchange has worked hard
through the guarantees of their exclusive coinage to create
the widespread belief that Carahill’s economy is in fact
more stable than Ardonia’s.
The NPE’s most revolutionary practice is the concept of
paying interest to those who allow the bank to hold their
money, rather than solely collecting interest on loans the
bank makes. The NPE allows their customers to be inves-
tors in the bank’s various trades and pays them a cut of
the profits earned by the bank’s various financial endeav-
ors (investments in construction, import and export of
goods, etc). No other budding financial institution in the
world can mimic this practice, as only the Noble Peoples’
Exchange has the resources to pay interest regardless of
how successful their own endeavors are.
Torluck’s Bridge
Torluck’s bridge is a well-known landmark on the path
between the trade city Rubaton and Dendara. Though the
stream it crosses is a not a large one, the bridge allows safe,
comfortable and dry passage for carriages and carts. Dendara’s
– Drohm –
ADVENTURE:
FOR WHOM
THE TOLL TROLLS
Though Torluck’s bridge is generally safe, a
fearsome threat decided to make its homestead
in the shadows beneath the span. Showing a
modicum more intelligence than his brothers,
this particular river troll decided to charge an
unreasonably expensive toll upon travelers
crossing the bridge. When the Dendaran Guard
comes in search of him, however, he hides under
the bridge again until they are gone. The troll’s toll
is cutting into the profit margin of the merchants
who have to take the route, and they’re willing
to pay to see him gone.
Though the troll can be handled with violent
means, its massive size and quick regeneration of
wounds will make it a fearsome enemy. It would
be best to strike a deal with the troll and convince
it to leave, without having to pay it more than the
merchants’ gratitude could cover.
city guards make regular visits to the bridge, so even though
such a bottleneck would usually make easy pickings for thieves,
the local bandits tend to leave the bridge alone.
Drohm
U pon eastern shores buffeted by bitter ocean winds
lies the great nation of Drohm — a vibrant land
forged in the fires of the Forever War and ruled by the
cruel Lord Darkoth. While Darkoth hatches plans for
the rest of Azoth, the people of Drohm cling desperately
to their way of life attempting to salvage what they can
from their insatiable ruler’s hunger.
Before the arrival of Darkoth, Drohm was a land of
disparate city-states bound by similar culture and fa-
milial bonds. The people of Drohm fiercely valued their
independence from one another and the uniqueness each
city-state brought to their combined culture. When the
Forever War began, the warlord Darkoth antagonized
other nations and Drohm’s leaders widely condemned his
actions. Unfortunately, those outside Drohm’s borders did
not differentiate between Darkoth’s forces and the rest of
Drohm. When outside forces invaded Drohm, indiscrim-
inately attacking different city-states as if they were one
force, the confederation’s leaders had no choice but to rally
behind Darkoth to save what they could of Drohm. Drohm
became one true nation united in protecting its borders
and keeping its people safe.
Today, Drohm’s culture is a hold-over from its ancient
135
 past, centered on the family and the many permutations
family takes. It’s the eldest’s job to protect the youngest, and
the duty of the youngest to pay respect to their elders. This
extends outside the family to encompass all of society. At the
very top of the hierarchy are mages, lords and ladies with
extraordinary powers beholden to the people beneath them.
Next are the scholars, then a strong merchant class, and
finally the rest of society ranging from warriors to farmers.
Goblins and Dragons
Ancient historical records reveal the easternmost tip of
Drohm once held a coastal land predominantly populated
by goblins. The goblins reported attacks by a black dragon,
before abruptly ceasing all communication with the rest of
Drohm. When other people of Drohm went to investigate,
they found a massive castle floating above a new bay. From
here, the warlock Darkoth rose to power in the politics of
Drohm, enslaving the goblins to serve as his guards and
assassins.
Few humans still remember this tale, but some goblins do.
House Spirits of Drohm
Traditional Drohm households, though the practice has
fallen by the wayside among Darkoth’s followers, do their
best to attract house spirits. These spirits may inhabit most
any object when a place is imbalanced. Most citizens go out
of their way to imbalance their home for the good — giving
to charity, growing plants, laughing with one another in
hopes of drawing house spirits to them. Caretaker spirits
inhabit baby rooms to care for especially beloved children
and festival spirits love nothing more than swimming in
the giant mead casks brought out for Drohm’s Festival of
Flowers. As long as spirits are kept happy, they bless a place
with life, love, and most importantly fun.
A Guise of Propriety
People of all walks of life in Drohm wear masks. Some
choose simple fabric face-coverings hiding their nose and
mouth, whereas nobility prefer elaborately carved wooden
masks painted in warm hues. Wearing a mask around a
person is a sign of respect, and while most people don’t
don a mask for everyday life, there isn’t a social occasion
in Drohm without at least one masked attendant. A woman
may wear a mask to visit her wife’s grandfather as a sign
of respect, and a minister may cover his face when making
an important speech. The type of face covering or mask a
person wears comes down to regional preferences within
Drohm, however Earth masks do make appearances when
people are in the mood for something “exotic.”
Principals of Drohm
LORD DARKOTH
Darkoth the great Darklord of Drohm rules his lands
with an iron fist. A queer man with a love of extravagant
headdresses and dramatic eye make-up, Darkoth’s beauty
136 – CHAPTER SIX: NATIONS AND DANGEROUS PLACES –
hides a sinister heart beating within his chest. With an
innate charisma and startling magical abilities Darkoth
could be a beloved ruler feared by none and embraced by
all — finding a nice husband or wife to rule with, focusing
on improving the lives of Drohm’s peoples — but instead
he is utterly consumed by his voracious appetite for power.
There are few within Drohm who dare stand up to Darkoth
and even his most trusted advisors know to hold their tongues
lest they anger him. With a keen intelligence and cruel wit,
the Darklord understands how to bide his time and wait until
revenge is its sweetest. Darkoth’s greatest enemy is his own ego,
which is so inflated he truly believes no one would ever defy him.
Within higher circles it’s whispered the ageless lord is
of draconic lineage, a half-dragon prince nearly impossible
to kill. The truth is far more sinister. Darkoth is in fact a
black dragon of legend, a powerful beast born at the dawn of
magic and carefully plotting his way toward the end of time.
ZARKON
Grand Wizard Zarkon is the right-hand sorcerer of Darklord
Darkoth. A member of one of the great families of Drohm, in
his younger years Zarkon attempted to overthrow Darkoth
and take the throne from him. The Darklord defeated Zarkon,
blinding him in the process, and only spared the young wiz-
ard’s life because of the sheer power he exhibited. Years in
Darkoth’s employ twisted Zarkon’s mind and ambitions for
the throne — he still hungers for power but believes the only
way to a free Drohm is through becoming a bigger monster
than his master. To that end he bides his time until he can
battle Darkoth once more.
FVAN, APPRENTICE TO ZARKON
Fvan is Zarkon’s unfailingly loyal apprentice, groomed by
Zarkon from an early age in the magical arts. Zarkon was sure
to pick an apprentice with enough raw talent to impress, but a
weak enough will to mold into a loyal sycophant who would
ADVENTURE:
A SORCERER’S WILL
Lord Darkoth’s goal is to control all of Azoth.
He’ll start with Brachmon and work his way
forward until all lands are under his control. One
of Darkoth’s greatest oppositions are the rainbow
elves of the Enchanted Forest, whose standing
army rivals his own, but he plans to wipe them
out once and for all. Darkoth plans to summon
the demon Shinde Imas, the elven destroyer,
who was bound by the elves so long ago, but
he needs a powerful Earthborn sorcerer in order
to do so. If he can find this person his plans will
finally be set in motion — but he needs one of
the Visitors first.
do anything for Zarkon. Fvan is ambitious, but only so far as
his ambitions serve to bolster Zarkon. What Zarkon doesn’t
realize is that his schemes worked far too well, leaving Fvan
at best an insecure, murderous wizard with a terrible jealous
streak. If Fvan’s position as Zarkon’s second were ever threat-
ened there is no telling what he would do.
NORVOSE
A dark obsidian demon mask decorated with fierce tusks is
synonymous with the Son of Fire, Wizard of the Sun — field
wizard Norvose, one of Darkoth’s most trusted aides. Where
Zarkon stays at Darkoth’s side, harboring furious ambition,
Norvose glady rides into battle for Darkoth with unfailing loyalty.
Norvose truly believes in Darkoth’s vision of a united Azoth
under Drohm’s banner and is ruthless in accomplishing this goal.
When Norvose failed his lord early in his career Dar-
koth scarred him terribly for the misstep. Out of respect
for Darkoth’s judgment Norvose donned his demon mask
permanently and continues to wear it until Darkoth’s plan
comes to fruition. Only then will he remove his mask and
rest knowing his actions helped bring about a united Realm.
DESVILBA, APPRENTICE TO NORVOSE
Like his mentor, Desvilba believes in uniting Azoth under
Drohm’s rule and is eager to prove himself to Darklord
Darkoth. In order to do this Desvilba actively puts himself
forward for missions against lesser targets Norvose is too
important to handle.
– Drohm –
GENERAL RAMUS
The military leader of Drohm’s forces, General Ramus
strives to win the Darklord’s favor. Despite his numerous
military victories, the general is always overshadowed by the
wizards who fight by his side — Norvose, Desvilba, the list
goes on…. Darkoth has yet to show his true appreciation for
everything the ground troops do, and it sours Ramus’ mood
regularly. Together with his adjunct Captain Parkham, Ramus
works to change the Darlord’s perception of his rank-and-file
soldiers and show him who is truly doing all the work.
THE COMMANDERS OF ADORN, DAATH,
AND THRALDOR
Rounding out the leadership of Darkoth’s forces are gener-
als San Vulba and Kiri, and Admiral Cebran. Each controls a
different city within Drohm and all are prized by the Darklord
for their various skills and ambitions. The least impressive of
Darkoth’s generals is San Vulba, commander of Adorn, who is
a competent strategist, but content with doing the bare mini-
mum to maintain his position. San Vulba carries just enough
military victories to escape Darkoth’s wrath and just enough
losses to ensure he’ll never be seen as a threat.
Unlike San Vulba, General Kiri, commander of Daath, is a
bright, energetic woman. She’s currently leading campaigns
against Ormuzd and Khur-um and is poised to win at any
moment. While her ambition isn’t overtly obvious, Kiri’s
eyes are firmly set on General Ramus’ position. The old man
137
 ADVENTURE:
UNREMARKABLE
General San Vulba is by all accounts an
unremarkable human being. That is, until you
realize he is secretly working with the resistance
in his city to shake off Darkoth’s rule. San Vulba’s
persona is a carefully constructed set of lies aimed
at making him seem completely uninteresting to
the Darklord. San Vulba hopes to turn general
Kiri to his cause by appealing to her ambitions.
Kiri’s warrior spirit reminds San Vulba of the tales
of warriors in the Drohm long forgotten before
the appearance of Darkoth. If San Vulba could
get Kiri on the side of the resistance she’d be a
powerful ally.
does far too much bemoaning of his own fate and ignores
his true duty — ensuring the glory of all Drohm. Kiri has a
strong preference for wearing all white, sometimes leaving
only her eyes uncovered.
Rounding out the trio of officers is Admiral Cebran,
commander of Thraldor. Hardened in battle against Epi-
curus, Cebran is one of Drohm’s most celebrated warriors.
Set on dealing the deathblow to the Epicians, Cebran now
calls on wizard Norvose to aid in the fight and defeat them
once and for all.
Places to Visit
CASTLE DARKOTH
Castle Darkoth rests on a flying island floating above
an inlet filled with submerged skeletons and guarded by
goblins. The only entrance is via a magical portal directly
under the island and any uninvited guests must first deal
with the skeletons and goblins before even spying that gate.
Once atop the island, Castle Darkoth is a sight to behold.
Surrounded by sprawling gardens filled with all manner
of strange and magnificent topiary, Castle Darkoth is an
impressive glass and stone structure reaching far into the
heavens. Within the castle a rainbow of giant windows
wreathed in carvings of long-forgotten dragons light gen-
erously appointed hallways. Tiled floors leading through
the castle seamlessly transition from one hue of crimson,
to a burnt auburn, to a sunny lemon, giving any visitor the
feeling they’re walking upon fire trapped in stone.
Deep within the heart of Castle Darkoth dwell the
Perceivers. In a cave still part of the castle, but alien in its
darkness and dampness, the Perceivers sense the flux of
arcane magic across Azoth. These four humans are blind
to everything save the ebb and flow of magic, and Darkoth
uses them as a powerful tool to manipulate the tides of fate.
138 – CHAPTER SIX: NATIONS AND DANGEROUS PLACES –
ADVENTURE:
FLYING HOME
It’s said Castle Darkoth is not of the Darklord’s
creation, but a place he stole from a people
long forgotten. The only thing holding the castle
stationary is the portal linked to the gulf, wreathed
in deep magics powered by Darkoth himself. If
the portal were ever to break, the castle would
fly off. Where would the castle go? Most likely
it would return home to its people, who hold a
deep grudge against the Darklord.
If they were ever removed it would strike a devastating
blow at Darkoth’s powerbase.
DRAKHOL
The capital of Drohm, Drakhol, is a sprawling city rife
with crime and corruption. The city’s leader, Leanna, is
also its biggest crime boss, reporting only to Darkoth who
cares little for how she runs the city as long as it continues
to be profitable. Whether they know it or not, every gang
in Darkhol is ultimately answerable to Leanna, who uses
a cadre of ruthless guards and the threat of reprisals from
the Darklord himself to keep the gangs in check.
Drakhol’s main economic base is the slave markets where
raiders from all over Azoth come to sell and buy people
from all walks of life. Harboring the most detestable, but
sadly profitable, trade in Drohm, any self-respecting citizen
would not be caught dead in Drakhol, leaving the capital
to criminals and ne’er-do-wells. With the recent military
victories under Drohm’s belt much of the citizenry cries
to quash the slave trade and essentially shut down the
capital once and for all. Leanna and her guards quiet any
dissenters they find, however, making sure their business
ever continues.
If one embraces Drakhol’s lawless nature there are a
few bright spots within the city to enjoy. Most of the jovi-
ality within Drakhol comes from its impressive bar scene.
Travelers with a strong stomach could visit the Gilded Ram
which serves some of Drohm’s best ale. Or perhaps take a
trip to the Grinning Gargoyle where raucous music plays
till all hours of the morning and people tend to lose limbs
during arm-wrestling competitions.
ADORN
The mining city of Adorn is a shining jewel of diversity
within Drohm. Within the city all manner of people live
peacefully together and feel very little influence of the
Darklord’s power. Weapons forged within the city are sold
Azoth-wide, permitted by Darkoth for the steady source
of income they provide Drohm.

ADVENTURE:
JOIN THE RESISTANCE
Deep in the ancient parts of Adorn’s mines, long
since stripped of anything valuable, the Drohm
Resistance grows, conducted by its dwarven
leader Red Stonehammer. Red’s resistance is just
starting, but they’re supported by General San
Vulba who ignores any overt actions they take
within the city. Red’s goal is simple to understand,
but exceedingly difficult to accomplish — liberate
Drohm from the Darklord and make sure no one
worse takes his place. Red gathers a group of loyal
supporters around them and stockpiles whatever
they can skim off the weapon shipments going
out of Adorn. They’re looking for allies to help
them deal with their first high-profile target — the
slave markets of Drakhol.
Wide stone-paved streets lead to sturdy homes built
without a single nail, the architecture fitting together
in a fluid manner that makes the buildings immune to
earthquakes or other catastrophes. Life seems slower in
Adorn, people friendlier and more relaxed. Unlike the
mostly homogenized culture experienced in the rest of
Drohm, every street in Adorn is unique, rife with different
languages, songs, and decorations. Most visitors to the city
may think they’ve stepped into a perfectly peaceable place,
ignorant to the revolution brewing within Adorn’s bowels.
DAATH
A city of fading beauty, Daath was once a great kingdom.
When Darkoth defeated Daath and annexed the city, its
populace fled and the city fell into disrepair. General Kiri
now oversees Daath and works to make the city-kingdom
once prized for its artisans into an efficient, militarized
machine.
First order of business was closing the artists’ studios
to create barracks for her troops and setting any skilled
tradespeople left within the city the task of creating armor
and weapons for the war effort. While the general doesn’t
hate art, she is devoted to warfare and prizes anything
created in furtherance of it, and believes the best way to
protect her troops is to make sure they possess the best
weapons, armor, and training.
A few small hints to Daath’s past still remain in the city,
cared for by an aging populace too weak to leave during
the exodus. One of them is the city gardens located in the
center of Daath and one of the only pristine green places
left for miles around. Within the gardens people enjoy the
simple pleasures in life — a walk among the trees, a game
– The Enchanted Forest –
of chess in one of the many squares, or perhaps a picnic
with their family.
One of the garden’s most recent features is the spirit
living within it. Drawn to the overt sense of calm in a sea
of war the spirit made a home for itself in the gardens,
focusing its efforts on giving each visitor a sense of peace
to leave with. The spirit schemes to increase this area of
tranquility until Daath is overrun with trees and flowers.
Already vines grow over the garden’s walls, inching ever
closer to the military barracks.
THRALDOR
Before Darkoth controlled all of Drohm and instated
Drakhol as the capital city, Thraldor was the largest city
in Drohm. When Drohm was invaded the Thraldor family,
who gave the city its name, sought to unite the city-states
under one banner — forming a council in Thraldor who
ruled as one governing body, negotiating with their neigh-
bors to exile Darkoth for his deeds. Before the Thraldors
had a chance to enact their plan, Darkoth used spies to
manipulate invading elven forces into targeting the family,
pinning many of Darkoth’s own actions on them.
Now, the city of Thraldor stands as a reminder of what
Drohm was before the Darklord took over. While Darkoth
killed their leading family the people of Thraldor remain
defiant of his rule to this day. Allowed no political leeway
due to Darkoth’s deep grudge against the city, Thraldor is
instead a commercial and industrial powerhouse.
Giant wooden houses four stories tall, maintained from
the time before the Forever War, house a plethora of differ-
ent companies, merchants, and traders, each of them with a
different specialization, each of them trading, exchanging,
working to improve Drohm’s economy. If not for Thraldor
moving business in and out of the nation, Drohm would not
have the resources it does today and the people of Thraldor
make sure the Darklord never forgets that.
The Enchanted Forest
F
lanked by the Black Adder River and the Great River,
the verdant Enchanted Forest is home to many
people and several mythical species. Most notably, it’s
the Kingdom of the Elves. This is a whimsical region and
visitors flock to its lush glades and vales. This whimsy
reflects in the style of the elves, both in their individual
aesthetics and the architecture of their cities; however,
the elves take themselves quite seriously. They claim to
be the oldest creatures to populate East Azoth and take
pride in their extensive and venerable history.
The Enchanted Forest is one of the most beautiful and
lively forests in Azoth, filled with strange and colorful flora.
It houses many fey creatures, including fairy folk, pixies,
satyrs, and griffons. Visitors who treat these creatures with
respect may enjoy a memorable experience — and perhaps
earn a trusty new friend. Fey creatures maintain a close
139
 relationship with the elves who also reside in the forest,
and although the more martial rainbow elves consider the
fey and the forest elves to fall under their leadership, they
maintain mutually respectful and protective relationships.
Those who harm these creatures earn the wrath of the
rainbow elves, who do not take such offenses lightly.
Some of the creatures who live in the forest are rare, such
as the legendary Last Unicorn, and therefore draw poachers.
The rainbow elves employ skilled groups of archers to keep
an eye on such occurrences. Hunters are allowed, within
reason, and to aid in population control for some of the
more populous species, such as deer and rabbits.
Much of the region remains wild, although the rainbow
elves have a large capital, a few large settlements, and a
smattering of smaller villages. Structures and buildings
in the Enchanted Forest’s villages often display similar
architectural features: spires, gables, and large windows.
Most are constructed of sun-bleached chalk stone, which
makes the buildings stand out like white beacons among
the green trees. The rainbow capital, Hyljardin, boasts
some of the tallest structures outside of Ardonia and Cas-
tle Darkoth. The forest elves eschew an official capital,
instead preferring to live in a non-hierarchical community
of smaller villages governed by one monarch. Every elven
village displays memorials, often in the form of statues,
depicting warriors fallen to Shinde Imas. The forest’s pixies
live in Pixiegrove, which for a city on their scale is quite
big, even if most other people consider it small in scope.
None of the Enchanted Forest’s other people have a large
enough presence to necessitate their own capitals, and
instead live among the elves.
The Great River forms the southern border of the En-
chanted Forest, separating the domain of the elves from the
Great Field of A’zoth. The river is guarded by ferrymen and
passage across requires a payment to support the rainbow
ADVENTURE:
LIGHT THROUGH
THE TREES
Rumors abound of the Last Unicorn that lives
in the deepest, densest part of the Enchanted
Forest. This great beast is intelligent and capable
of conjuring powerful arcana. Those who seek
out the unicorn to earn its respect may become
one of its chosen paladins, infusing them with its
power. But the unicorn is hunted by those who
want to ravage and loot its corpse for their own
nefarious purposes. The unicorn can fend off most
hunters, but a hunting party from Drohm may be
a tougher battle. Can the unicorn be found and
protected before its kind are lost to Azoth forever?
140 – CHAPTER SIX: NATIONS AND DANGEROUS PLACES –
monarchy, or an act of service. Letters of renown from
notable figures (especially rainbow elves) can aid in this
crossing. The ferrymen take their role very seriously and
believe they are helping to protect the kingdom. When the
ferrymen do not permit travel, they report back to Hyljardin,
which can result in legal action and even imprisonment —
not ideal for adventurers eager to continue on their way.
To the west of the forest lie the Black Mountains and
the region derisively known as troll territory. The rainbow
elves have a prosperous trade agreement with the Bryzine
trolls to the northwest, but occasionally have to fend off
attacks from other trolls that emerge from the mines just
south of Bryzine. Fortunately for the elves, the Enchanted
Forest is well-fortified by natural landmarks: two large
rivers merge and cover most of the north, east, and south
borders, and a small mountain range slows down enemies
emerging from the west. Adding to this, the rainbow elves
have the third largest standing army in East Azoth, next to
Drohm and Ardonia.
Principals of the Enchanted Forest
ALIEANDOR GOLDTREE
Alieandor Goldtree is the leader of the Goldtree dynasty,
which rules over the rainbow elves. Alieandor sired three
sons: Randal, Arrior, and Yovan. Yovan was killed by Shinde
Imas in the war between humans and elves. Randal and
Arrior are learned and skilled diplomats; however, they
are not guaranteed successors. The rainbow elves have
an elected monarchy, and sovereigns who do not act in
the best interest of their people can be forced to abdicate.
That said, those appointed the position hold it for life even
if it’s not passed down to their children.
KING GREENBOUGH
King Greenbough, alongside twins Princess Rhian and
Prince Randell, rules over the Enchanted Forest’s villages of
forest elves. The twins are not related by blood to the King
but are the children of a former monarch. Due to the elves’
democratic form of monarchy, the twins remain connected
to King Greenbough, who does not have children of his own
blood, but are not in line for succession. Unlike the willowy
Alieandor Goldtree, King Greenbough is stockier, although
he still moves with the grace that most elves possess.
SERENE SILVERFAWN
Serene Silverfawn, renowned elven ranger, hails from
Hulsing. After escaping a kidnapping and reclaiming her
life, Serene now serves others by helping them navigate
Azoth. She is a highly skilled archer and wields a trusty
bola. Serene is highly empathetic and in tune with Azoth
— if something is wrong anywhere in the realm, Serene is
among the first to sense it.

ADVENTURE:
RIDDLE ME THIS
Not far from the village of Hulsing is a small
clearing containing a curious sight: a tiny cottage
perched in a tree. Vines spiral down the log
construction of the wee home, and flower beds
are perched on its two adjacent windows. It is not
an elven residence: it belongs to a satyr named
Mim, who sits in a hand-carved wooden chair
on the porch of his cottage, eagerly peering for
new friends. Mim is a clever and jovial fellow
who is happy to chat with anyone who crosses
his path. Mim often challenges visitors to a game
of riddles — whoever can best him and solve his
most mind-bending puzzles earns a unique item
of Mim’s making.
Places to Visit in the Enchanted Forest
HYLJARDIN
Spired towers stretch up toward the sky, towering above
the forest canopy, heralding the Enchanted Forest’s largest
city, Hyljardin. Also known as the Ivory City, Hyljardin is
a picturesque city with a distinct elven style. Its largest
building is the Ivory Castle, which serves as its seat of
government. The city is encircled by high walls, almost as
tall as the towers, and the buildings are all quite uniform,
built out of sun-bleached chalk stone. There is a lively
marketplace in the heart of the city, along with several
universities and training institutions.
HULSING
Hulsing is a mid-sized city located in the southlands of
the Enchanted Forest. Its inhabitants live in humble abodes,
although it boasts a larger citizenry than any of the Forest’s
other cities save Hyljardin. This region sits amid three hills,
which differentiates it from the tree-packed terrain that
covers the rest of the kingdom.
PIXIEGROVE
As the name implies, this region of the Enchanted Forest
is the domain of pixies. Marked by a pixie ring — a magically
created circle of fungi — wanderers stumble upon this grove
more often than actively seeking it out. It’s easy to miss
these tiny creatures, as the wee pixies are quite stealthy and
capable of hiding. Those who are captivated by the grove’s
sparkling dew-drenched trees and flowers may be caught
off guard by a pinecone bonking on their head, followed by
the sound of a tinkling laugh. The pixies are friendly little
tricksters who like to toy with visitors before revealing
– Grey Hills –
themselves. Pixies tend to favor fruit, and Pixiegrove is a
copse filled with various fruit trees and vines. The creatures
make their homes out of these plants; peering into a bird’s
nest on a low branch may instead reveal a small group of
pixies spying on visitors while munching on a tart apple.
Grey Hills
T he rolling terrain of the Grey Hills is traditionally
the domain of the dwarves, though today they share
it with trolls from nearby Bryzine, as well as humans,
elves and hairfeet drawn by the excellent trade prospects.
One look at the region justifies its name: the hills appear
slate colored in the shadow of the ever-present snow
clouds that loom above. The dwarves live around and
within these hills, finding shelter and resources deep
within them, building intricate fortresses that reflect
their reverence for battle. Dwarves are fiercely proud of
their homeland and call upon it to give strength in battle,
often shouting, “For the Grey Hills!” as they face down
an enemy, warhammer drawn.
The Grey Hills are covered in a thin layer of ice and snow
most of the year, and the frigid atmosphere makes dwarves
crave adventure and travel. The harsh environment inspires
a love for any activity that stirs the blood — notably combat,
although imbibing ale while listening to stories in front of a
large stone hearth is also a favored pastime. Most dwarves
travel far from home, earning reputations across Azoth as
fearsome warriors. Tales of the Forever War still recount
the most powerful armies breaking at the sight of dwarven
warriors astride large beasts, such as mastodons and bears.
Those living in Grey Hills tend not to be the most rev-
erent creatures when it comes to organized religion, but
they are united in their devotion to revelry. There are many
taverns throughout the Grey Hills in which to spend the
cold evenings. The dwarves are a practical bunch and are
distrusting of any fancy arcane magic. They feel this way
tenfold toward magical creatures and monsters found be-
yond the spectrum of the natural world. They see demons,
undead, and other unnatural scourges as monsters to be
rooted out like mold, lest they spread their influence across
Azoth. The Grey Hills dwarves especially have no qualms
about taking up the mantle of protector and sacrificing
themselves for the greater good.
Grey Hills is a monarchy led by dwarven King Tyros
Kaeron, who enjoys the advice and counsel of other leaders
from across the nation. The king actively recruits heads of
major families to serve as his aides, though his dwarven
disposition to battle sees many of these advisors drawn from
the ranks of former warriors. Other retired warriors want
to die the way they lived: on the battlefield. It is considered
customary and moral to grant these fighters an honorable
death by agreeing to a duel should they request it. Death
in the Grey Hills is treated with ceremony, and several
sprawling graveyards in the lowlands mark the resting place
141

ADVENTURE:
ROLLING STONES
The air grows colder as the mild lowlands
transition into the rocky, frigid coastal region
of the Grey Hills. During the winter months, the
warriors of Grey Hills leave the region in search
of adventure — the remaining families hole up in
their cottages or retreat deep into the hills.
This is the opportune time for the stone giants
to raid the far reaches. The ground rumbles with
the movement of the goliaths — they traverse the
rocking terrain like mountains in movement. With
clubs raised, the stone giants strike, preparing to
ravage the vulnerable families whose warriors
have left in search of riches.
Before the raid begins, however, the giants
lower their clubs and instead set up camp. The
people wonder if the giants have changed,
despite the odds and the lengthy, turbulent history
between them. They enlist the help of adventurers
to speak to the giants and forge a peaceful path
forward.
of some of the most respected warriors in Azoth history.
Much of the culture in the Grey Hills is centered on proving
one’s worth. Each village has its own coming-of-age ritual
which requires some display of bravery and strength. All
young people are called to participate, and youths from all
peoples go through these challenges together.
Grey Hills has an active trade agreement with the king-
dom of Brachmon and enjoys trading with the trolls of
Bryzine. Its primary threat lies in the population of stone
giants who dwell in the northern reaches and occasionally
storm Grey Hills towns. When this happens, a combined
force of dwarves (predominantly) and other people ride to
defend their homeland. Those who survive and succeed in
three of these encounters are drafted into an elite group of
warriors known as the Giantkillers. They sport a custom
emblem on their armor to mark their status. Young warriors
often aspire to join the ranks of the Giantkillers.
Principals of the Grey Hills
KING TRYOS KAERON
Tyros follows in the footsteps of his father, Akmos, who
perished in the great war between humans and elves. Like
the dwarven leaders who came before him, he continues
to foster alliances with elves. Tyros is a formidable leader,
and while he is less gruff than his father, his people treat
him with respect and admiration. The Kaeron dynasty is
known for their amber-colored beards that they adorn
142 – CHAPTER SIX: NATIONS AND DANGEROUS PLACES –
with beads and intricate braids. King Tyros is married to
his Prince Consort, and the two men have a daughter and
heir in their daughter Rayos, who is decidedly less gruff
than her father, although her sharp tongue makes her a
shrewd diplomat.
ROLAND TUNKIK
Roland, a human, has a reputation for being a fearsome
fighter, using a battle axe as her chosen weapon. Roland has
humble beginnings and hails from the less hostile region
of the Grey Hills, in a small village near the Black Adder
River. Because many travelers pass through this area, Ro-
land learned fighting techniques of people from beyond the
Grey Hills, which has given her a unique flair in combat.
DIGGOROUS GOREY
Diggorous Gorey is a mighty dwarven warrior from the
Grey Hills. Diggy, as he is affectionately referred to by his
friends and kin, is on a constant search for adventure. Never
one to forego an opportunity for battle, his great skill with
a battle axe has saved other people numerous times. Diggy
is always excited to meet new people and share a drink.
He serves as a stalwart travel companion and is a great
addition to any party.
Places to Visit
HALITHOR
Halithor sits on the border of the Grey Hills and Brach-
mon. Many years ago, the territory was disputed in a minor
conflict between the two nations. But despite Brachmon’s
sprawling influence, they relegated Halithor to dwarven
control, where it firmly remains. Still, this mixed history
is evident in the architecture.
BLACK ADDER RIVER
Black Adder River flows along the southern border,
forming a natural boundary between the Grey Hills and the
Enchanted Forest. The climate of this region is milder and
more pleasant than the northern coast, and many dwarves
migrate to the river during the warmer months.
Varkoruss is the major city of Grey Hills and the heart
of its governance. Located underground in the heart of the
largest mountain — after which the city was named — Var-
koruss is a testament to dwarven ingenuity. Constructed
entirely of stone, the spacious great hall is where the king
holds meetings with his council. Visitors can peruse galler-
ies of sculptures of notable Grey Hill heroes and nobility.
Characters who earn the respect of the Grey Hills dwarves
may someday discover their own likeness depicted in stone
within a gallery.
KAERON
Kaeron is a coastal village named after the Kaeron ruling
family, and sees a roughly equal population of dwarves,
 ADVENTURE: FISTICUFFS!
In the milder lowlands, near the Black Adder
River, is an old tavern called the River Rock.
Although it is welcoming to outsiders, most of
its current patrons are dwarves traveling from
the high hills, in search of quests. At one of the
wooden tables sits a dwarf with a bushy white
beard; the tavernkeeper calls him “Diggy.”
Bedecked in dented armor and sporting a large
satchel filled with traveling wares, the dwarf eyes
the door, eager to find a new party with whom
to adventure.
In front of Diggy are several empty goblets. As
he stands to make his way to the bar for another
round, an unassuming visitor accidentally bumps
into the intoxicated dwarf. Diggy grins and
swings! A bar brawl breaks out immediately;
anyone sitting in the tavern is pulled into the scuffle.
However, the unsuspecting visitor is an elven
diplomat, traveling to the Grey Hills from the
Enchanted Forest. Elves and dwarves have long
shared an alliance, and Diggy’s attack confounds
the elven visitors who wonder if the hill dwarves
are secretly hostile to this truce. Savvy adventurers
who step in and mitigate the fight may earn the
respect of both the Grey Hills and the Enchanted
Forest.
humans, and hairfeet. Youths ascend to adulthood through
an annual ritual: during the Third Month, when the shores
freeze over, they must capture one of the great fish that
swim below the icy surface. Kaeron citizens have a taste for
fermented and pickled foods, and visitors often purchase a
local delicacy — a jar of moldering fish heads — upon their
travels to Kaeron.
Intricate knitwear is also a Kaeron specialty. Kaeron
trades fish with Halithor for baskets of wool, and local
weavers process the wool and make beautiful, intricate
sweaters, scarves, and gloves to help fend off the chilly
breeze from the coast. These wares are highly prized
elsewhere in Azoth and only sold in Kaeron.
Isle of Fantasia
O ff the eastern coast of Azoth, surrounded by the azure
waves of the Erebus Sea, lies the Isle of Fantasia, a place
shrouded in dark mystery. Little is known about this elusive
island, which remains veiled by an ever-present embankment
of mist. Still, its tantalizing wild magic is a lure for adventurers,
who find themselves drawn to this enigmatic locale.
– Isle of Fantasia –
ADVENTURE:
BREAKING THE ICE
Beneath the frozen surface of the ocean lurk
great fish that provide sustenance for the dwarves
of Kaeron. Catching the fish is a sign of maturity
and might, and the community oversees an annual
ritual in which the young dwarves must prove their
mettle by hauling one in.
But this year, something below the surface is
killing the great fish. Locals suspect that a creature
they thought existed only in legends — a giant sea-
beast — does, in fact, lurk below the surface. They
worry it may pose a greater threat to Kaeron and
eventually rise above the inky depths in search of
a more substantial food source.
Many of the island’s inhabitants are druids who are selec-
tive about whom they permit entry — only fellow druids are
allowed to live among Fantasians. The druids are hostile toward
outsiders, and unwitting visitors may find themselves at their
mercy. Despite their innate understanding and reverence for
nature, the druids dislike science, especially the experiments
concocted in Ardonia, and refuse to use technology or tools
and weapons that they deem unnatural. Most of the druids are
spellcasters; their magic is rooted in the island itself, although
powerful druids can carry it with them wherever they go. Some
employ simple weapons composed of organic materials, such
as wooden longbows, when they deem it necessary.
Fantasia’s environment is lush and moody. Deep green
willow trees are clustered in the dense forests. Although
the island is sparsely inhabited by humanoids, it teems
with life. Those who listen identify a cacophony of sounds:
leaves rustling in the sea breeze, rivers trickling over rocks,
birds chirping, and fungi blooming from the loamy soil. The
weather remains cool, even within the dense tree line that
serves as a natural wall against sea spray.
Strange things occur on the Isle of Fantasia, adding to
its mysterious reputation. This is a place where Crossings
happen with more frequency than other locations in Azoth.
The sunsets on the isle are truly spectacular — those who
travel there and back excitedly describe the hypnotic color
show that appears above the island every night at sundown.
Most of the island is wild, and the druids do what they can
to leave it undisturbed, living in simple, naturally occurring
shelters, such as the trunk of a tree that has partially rotted
away or a cave in a hillside. They subsist on diets of foraged
morsels and refuse to hunt, farm, or cultivate gardens. The
druids live mostly independent from one another, although
occasionally they form families. They use a sign language
among themselves so their voices don’t disturb the natural
world around them.
143
 ADVENTURE:
SHIPWRECKED
A storm captures the adventurers’ ship and
runs it aground on the shores of the beautiful
and mysterious island. No one comes to greet
the survivors, but strange voices emanate from
the forest.
Beyond the treeline is a beautiful scene: a
serene, verdant vale appears, through which
trickling rivers run and tiny fey creatures flit about.
But the vale is not unoccupied — a group of
hostile druids kidnaps one of the unsuspecting
adventurers, or their companion, and holds them
hostage deep in the forest.
Characters can negotiate for the return of their
companion, or the kidnapped character can
befriend the druids, which may prove a harder
task than finding an escape.

Principals of the Isle of Fantasia

HYREK
Hyrek, druid of the forest Nylle, appears as old as the
forest itself. They’re a stoic person who carries a staff
through which they conjure natural arcana. Although they
sport elven features, other animalistic attributes such as ear
tufts lead many to wonder about their heritage. Similarly,
their age remains a mystery, although it is clear by their
stark white, wispy beard that they’ve seen many strange
things in their long life.

ADVENTURE: PASSAGES
The adventurers overhear a rumor in a bustling
port city, alluding to a strange, ancient willow
tree on the Isle of Fantasia. According to the
rumor, an ornate door large enough for a
humanoid is built into the trunk of the tree. No
one knows who built the door or why it is there,
but those who pass through the door end up in
other places far beyond the reaches of Azoth.
No one can substantiate the rumor, but the
idea persists: the Isle of Fantasia may hold the
key to traveling through dimensions. But finding
the door means traversing the wild terrain and
avoiding the wrath of the island’s powerful
druids — and risking a leap into the unknown
on the other side

144 – CHAPTER SIX: NATIONS AND DANGEROUS PLACES –

Notable Places
FOREST NYLLE
The forest Nylle is home to the druids whose sacred,
natural magic is sourced from the island itself. The trees
here are among the oldest found anywhere across the entire
Realm, and the druids linked to these trees are among the
most powerful. The trees bear succulent fruit, which has
healing properties.
THE VALE
An enchanting vale lies in the heart of the isle. This area
slopes downward, forming a basin where the rain and dew
collect, encouraging the growth of bright flora and fungi.
When the sun emerges, breaking through the mist, the
vale becomes a vivid sea of color. The water here is crisp
and fresh and offers a +2 boost to Charisma; consuming
mushrooms raises Wisdom by the same. The effect lasts a
day, and both water and mushrooms keep for a week away
from the island.
OLARDELL
The hairfoot kingdom of Olardell sits on the western tip of
Fantasia. The druids tolerate their presence, or perhaps the
hairfeet tolerate the druids — neither puts too fine a point
on whom the island “belongs” to. While the kingdom is far
busier than the druids like, the Olardellians’ willingness
to build up rather than out — thus keeping to their little
corner — wins their tacit approval.
O’koth
F
rom wide open fields to rolling hills and dense forest,
O’koth — which encompasses both O’koth Forest
and the south of the Great Field of A’zoth — seems like a
land of unburdened nature. However, this land has been
touched all too much by the hands of man, scarring the
earth deep with war, bloodshed, disease, and destruction.
O’koth’s neighbors long used the Great Field as the most
convenient ground for battle between themselves and
their enemies, with no concern for the people who called
it their home.
When the “Minister of Peace” returned home after
brokering truces between the human nations following
the Forever War, he formally declared the forest and fields
a nation in their own right. In honor of him, the nomadic
people renamed their land O’koth. They still faced threats
both external and internal, as the Great Field was teeming
with undead from the war, and the werewolves of O’koth
Forest had not grown any friendlier either. For this reason,
the O’koth Rangers formed from among dedicated men and
women who sought to protect their homes and families. To
this day, the rangers train in swordsmanship, archery, and
working with the natural terrain and creatures of their land.
– o'koth –
Rather than serving as an aggressive army, they function as
a protective barrier around their land, scouting and warding
off threats before they can cause damage.
Though generations of O’koth had honored the spirits of
nature, the rangers were highly receptive to the teachings
of Othaaris. The teaching of a goddess who encouraged
people to unlock their own inner power was a lesson that
resonated with the rangers, who quickly incorporated Oth-
aaris into their faith, and the rest of O’koth soon followed.
Their shared faith served as a bridge with the nation of
Ardonia, and the rangers soon folded Ardonia’s west wall
within their protection.
Principals of O’koth
NILSON RADEER
Nilson Radeer is a commander of the O’koth Rangers and
is one of their most respected leaders. Nilson leads blended
troops comprising both rangers and Ardonia’s White Uni-
corns, and his skills are acknowledged by anyone who has
had the pleasure of working with him. Ever the consummate
soldier, Nilson is as skilled in the arts of survival and tactics
as he is in direct combat. Though often working peacekeep-
ing missions, patrolling Ardonia and O’koth alike to protect
them from bandits and other threats, Nilson is no stranger
to battle. He is a man of honor and integrity who pledges his
life to the defense of those who cannot defend themselves.
TESSA BLACK
To a stranger, Tessa is an unremarkable looking old wom-
an with a hunched back, bony fingers gnarled by arthritis,
and clouded, half-blind eyes. To the rangers, she is one of
the most fearsome to ever stand among their ranks and
remains their most invaluable teacher. In her lifetime, Tessa
has outlived her two husbands and one wife, seven sons,
and two daughters, most of whom were rangers who died in
the line of duty. Instead of being consumed by grief, Tessa
focuses on teaching future generations of rangers. Though
her body may be bent from age and old war-wounds, her
mind remains sharp, and she teaches the skills of survival
to her students with painful repercussions; a failed test
results in an immediate rap across the knuckles with her
cane, though Tessa reminds them that the forests offer far
harsher punishments than she could ever mete out.
WIN’AQAI
Though the rangers typically comprise humans and elves,
Win’aqai, the son of the current leader of the centaurs, seeks
to change that. Not (yet) an official branch of the rangers,
Win’aqai and his “light riders” bear the mark of Othaaris
on their caparisons, the cape-like fabric draped over their
equine torsos, and they work as scouts and defenders of
the woods around Qaiwain. It is Win’aqai’s sincerest wish
to prove his people’s particular talents to the Othaarian
priesthood and see them inducted into the official rangers.
145
 CANDELLIS
Candellis is a petite forest elf who travels the Great Field
solo. Quick, nimble, small-framed, and with a penchant
for hiding in small holes or tall grass, they have a habit of
living through situations that their teammates don’t. This
led them to dislike working with others. They glibly claim
that it’s difficult at their small size to bury so many bodies,
but the flask they keep on their hip suggests it bothers them
more deeply than that. Though bitterly antisocial, there is
no better guide in the Great Field.
Notable Locales
O’KOTH FOREST
The canopy of the woods is thick with the rich green
leaves of old oaks. Occasionally, one might come across a
large tree, immeasurable in its age, and too large for even a
dozen people to wrap their arms around the trunk. At other
times, one might find a clearing covered in burned-out
cinders, with green sprouts peeking through the blackened
soil. The cycle of nature has proven itself careful steward
of O’koth Forest, while humans, elves, and other folk are
merely grateful guests within these woods.
The dense woods of the O’koth Forest can be as fearsome
as they are protective. Though the forests have avoided the
wars of other lands, one must still be mindful of the dark
shadows and mysteries that lie beyond each fallen log.
The Old Forest
In the oldest forest on the western side of O’koth, the
mixed communities of humans and forest elves practice a
form of animism, believing the forest is filled with spirits
to be respected and honored. Though they do not worship
the spirits, they believe these spirits that inhabit the trees,
the wind, the flowing waters, and even the rocks, hold a far
heavier sway over their lives than the teachings of a goddess
who no living person has ever actually seen.
Those who live in the Old Forest, far from the protection
of the priests of Othaaris and their army of rangers, do so
at great risk to themselves. They know that the woods are
also home to werewolves, who travel in groups and can
tear full grown humans and elves apart with their teeth
and claws or bring them into the fold of their packs.
Tattered Lily Run
Honored and respected as they may be, the life of a rang-
er isn’t for everyone. Abandoning one’s noble and sacred
responsibility is a shame that sees faithless rangers outcast.
For this reason, ex-rangers fled deep into the old forest and
built a village of their own, known as Tattered Lily Run.
The arched wooden gate of the village is decorated with
scarred or broken crests of Othaaris, hanging there as a
warning that “the good word” is not welcome here. Though
generations have come and gone, and children have been
born and raised in Tattered Lily Run, it is hardly a family
146 – CHAPTER SIX: NATIONS AND DANGEROUS PLACES –
town. The biggest industries in the village are the local
beer breweries, taverns, and the fighting pit.
SEMIRMAS
When most people think of Semirmas, they think of the
grand port town within the protective walls of Ardonia.
Most give little thought to the side of Semirmas that lies
outside of Ardonia, on the west bank of the Sirilian River.
West Semirmas serves as the capital for the rangers, housing
their families and providing the best training in O’koth.
Many younger rangers live in communal housing, while
older and more established rangers have houses of their
own along the riverbank.
The streets of West Semirmas are seemingly lined with
services catering to the rangers, from blacksmiths, to
fletchers and bowyers, leatherworkers, grocers and general
stores, and of course, places of worship. Small shrines to
Othaaris sit at nearly every street corner, and almost every
store displays some reverence to the goddess.
At the center of West Semirmas is the town square. On the
southern side lies the largest training school of the rangers,
and on the northern side a grand temple built to Othaaris.
Within the cathedral, the high priests and highest-ranking
officers of the rangers work in unison to oversee O’koth’s
military and guide their sacred mission.
QAIWAIN
Qaiwain, meaning “home,” has been applied to several
locales across Azoth, but the Qaiwain hidden deep within
the O’koth Forest is the most famed. The village of Qaiwain
is hidden far from the eyes of outsiders and stands as the
only bastion of East Azothian centaurs. These tall folk,
ADVENTURE:
YOU CAN RUN,
BUT YOU CAN’T HIDE
A dishonored ranger by the name of Kaelorn fled
from the order. Though his absence would hardly
be noticed otherwise, when he fled Semirmas,
he took with him an ancient sacred relic from the
Church of Othaaris. The priests and rangers alike
are concerned about what his plans might be; he
could attempt to sell it off on the way to Tattered
Lily Run, but he might also be planning to desecrate
it to win favor with his fellow renegades.
The Priests of Othaaris offer a reward for the
return of the relic, but the rangers themselves offer
an additional bounty for proof of Kaelorn’s death.
Though abandoning his post was a dire sin deserving
of punishment, his choice to throw away everything
the rangers believe in has marked him for death.
with the lower bodies of horses and torsos of humans, were
thought to only be creatures of myth before rangers found
Qaiwain beyond a deep thicket. The centaurs themselves
tell tales of a time when their people roamed freely across
the Great Field of A’zoth, before disease decimated their
numbers. Fleeing from ill bands, a few centaurs founded
the hidden village and from there, their numbers would
flourish in secret. Though they feared discovery by out-
siders would bring disease and war, instead, the priests of
Othaaris brought them a renewed faith which the centaurs
enthusiastically embraced.
The architecture of Qaiwain is rather unique, owing to
the centaurs’ anatomy. Most buildings are proportionally
quite tall, even as single-floor structures, and utilize a great
deal of overhead storage. Multi-story buildings have ramps
rather than stairs. Centaur homes lack beds, as their people
tend to subsist on short, standing naps. When laying down
is required, in times of illness, injury, or weakness, they use
beds of straw that can be readily replaced. Centaurs are
repulsed by the human tradition of laying on unwashable
cushions that collect shed skin flakes, dirt, dust, and hair.
THE GREAT FIELD OF A’ZOTH
One might look upon The Great Field of A’zoth, admiring
the rolling green hills and wildflowers, babbling brooks,
and ancient dirt roads being reclaimed by nature, and
think of this as a peaceful place. However, the Great Field
has seen more bloodshed than almost any other part of
the Realm, and several stretches of land are still stained
red. The weeks-long final battles of the Orc War, the great
war between humans and elves, and the war which pitted
Drohm against Thorin, have soaked the soil with blood. The
Great Field lies at the center of East Azoth, and as such, the
fields have been trampled underfoot in nearly every major
conflict in the land’s history. The peace that one finds here
is only after so much dust has settled.
Signs of this bloody history are found dotted across the
land, in the form of ruins that stand where towns once
flourished. The Great Field is not devoid of civilization,
however. Nomadic groups travel far and wide across the
fields, often with herds of cattle or goats. A few brave souls
have settled villages, often near the occasional forest or
hill, but they do so knowing they likely plow their fields
over unmarked graves.
Given the violent history of the Great Field, its residents
are under no illusion they will live peaceful lives. They know
the field’s central location and wide-open terrain mean
that they could see soldiers marching across their pastures
again at any time. Still, the people who make their homes
here consider war to be akin to natural disasters. Much
like a great flood or a windstorm sweeping over their land,
wars of other kingdoms are something they have no hand
in, war cares not for their humble lives, and war will leave
them solemnly picking up the pieces when it’s through.
THE GRASSBLADE TRAVELERS
The Grassblades are both a nomadic people and the
name of their homesteads. They are known for traveling
across the Great Field for days or weeks at a time and set
up where and whenever best suits the herds. Though they
seem to be focused on cattle as their primary livestock, the
culture of their people is built entirely around the elegant
horses they breed. Unlike nomadic groups that travel by
foot, the Grassblades live surprisingly comfortable lives,
in large tents and huts with considerable amenities. The
ability to draw wagons behind their horses allows them
to travel with more personal belongings than the average
nomad could carry on their back.
The equine bloodline records kept by Grassblade house-
holds are carefully guarded, and every family has their
own advice and practices for breeding horses to produce
the fastest, sturdiest steeds. Some families claim that their
teachings are descended directly from the ancient centaurs
who roamed the fields hundreds of years ago. Before the
teachings of Othaaris spread to the Great Field, these ancient
centaurs kept and trained horses as a matter of religious
practice, believing wild horses to be closer to nature and
spiritually superior to themselves. Other families have an-
cient books with strange writing that an Earthborn might
recognize as Arabic, suggesting some of their knowledge
was gifted by early Visitors.

ADVENTURE: AWAY WITH THE FERRIES

Traffic between West and East Semirmas has increased over the recent months, and additional ferries opened
to meet the demands of travelers. However, there have been reports of merchants boarding ferries and then
arriving on the other side feeling disoriented and having lost hours of their day. They often don’t realize until
later that they’re missing coin or goods from their cargo.
A bold thieves’ guild has constructed a ferry that they can easily disguise by hanging banners representing
other legitimate ferrying businesses. Once every few weeks, they select a mark and drug them once they’re
out on the open water, before the ferry pulls into a boat house and their wares are picked over to see what
can be fenced with ease. Because they regularly change their look and strike so seldom, they’re impossible
to pick out on sight, but attractive bait might do the trick to draw them out.

– o'koth – 147

ADVENTURE:
A FISH IN A POKE
A mysterious merchant traveled to various
locations in O’koth and beyond, selling something
they call grakafish. These large, tuna-like fish
with red scales are sold cheaply and can feed
a family for relatively little cost. However, days
after the merchant leaves and the grakafish has
been consumed, those who ate it begin to suffer
fevers and hallucinations of armies of undead
orcs attacking their homes.
The mysterious merchant must be tracked down
and stopped. One could gather from speaking
to nomads in the Great Field of A’zoth that his
grakafish are likely coming from The Pit, which
is known to the orcs as Graakahordamauh, or
“hell mouth.” The merchant himself is a sorcerer,
an orc hiding under magical disguise, driven to
seek revenge on humans for the miserable and
bloody ends his ancestors met.
THE PIT
Nestled in the valley between two hills is a large, appar-
ently man-made pit dug deep into the earth. Over time,
collected rain formed a muddy pond, though most times of
the year the water level remains at least ten feet below the
grassy edges around the hole. Sometimes called “the pig
pit,” nomads claim the hole was a mass grave dug to throw
the bodies of orcs into after a great battle of the Orc War,
in order to keep the corpses from spreading disease. Local
nomads refuse to pass too near to the pit, and some claim
after camping in the area that they have seen orc-shaped
spectres wandering the crests of the hills around the pit.
REDADRA
Redadra was the original capital of O’koth, before the
land’s conversion to worship of Othaaris. Its people are
highly spiritual, and it is not uncommon to find small
roadside shrines throughout the old city. Each of these
shrines might be decorated with flowers, small rocks, or
offerings of food, in gratitude to whatever nature spirits
were thought to inhabit this land before humans and elves
built their homes here. Though a small minority of residents
in Redadra do worship Othaaris, they often do so quietly
in the privacy of their own homes.
Redadra’s produce is considered universally superior. The
tomatoes are more flavorful, the potatoes heartier, and every
leafy green is large and rich with nutrients. The people of
Redadra believe their gratitude to the land blesses them
with this food, and they live well on a primarily vegetarian
diet. The farmers of Redadra are unconcerned with the fact
148 – CHAPTER SIX: NATIONS AND DANGEROUS PLACES –
they aren’t on any major trade routes, as they are less than
enthused by the idea of selling their harvest to people who
do not show the same respect for nature.
Olardell
W hile the Isle of Fantasia is not generally welcoming to
outsiders, Olardell itself is a beacon of warmth and
prosperity. Set on the west coast of the mysterious island,
the sprawling hairfeet metropolis of Olardell is known
for its gleaming white plaster walls, sweeping roofs, and
bustling port. Rather than being supported by outlying
towns, Olardell is a single city comprising numerous districts.
The hairfoot people consider every member of their
society equal, from the lowliest beggar to the wealthiest
merchant. Every citizen is entitled to the same rights, the
same protections, and the same oversight of the law. Like-
wise, every citizen is intended to work for their share and
contribute generously to taxes, and the hairfeet generally
lack ideas of inheritance; a business owner’s children are
not entitled to a share of their parent’s business unless
they have proven themselves skilled enough to continue
running it. Olardell welcomes all people in its midst, so
long as they adhere to these laws. Buildings in Olardell
historically being designed for hairfeet, the city sees very
few of the larger people move there permanently.
Though a prosperous kingdom, the city maintains a small
footprint, not only on behalf of its diminutive people, but
in order to not push their luck with the druids that inhabit
the rest of the island. For this reason, the city has built up-
ward rather than outward, resulting in the construction of
tenement buildings where homes are literally built on top
of their neighbors. The concept of an “apartment build-
ing” may not seem strange to Earthborn, but it’s actually
quite revolutionary in Azoth. Likewise, most commercial
locales like shops and artisans feature storefronts on the
ground floor, and homes for their owners and sometimes
employees on the floors above.
The residents of Olardell learn to barter as early as they
can count, and a popular childhood game involves bartering
various game pieces among siblings rather than taking turns;
half a deck of cards for a set of red checkers, a handful of
marbles for the board, and three wooden soldier figurines
for the black checkers is a good way to keep the children
entertained for an afternoon. As such, very little of the city’s
internal trade is done with coin. Monetary instruments are
typically used for trading with foreigners.
Principals of Olardell
KING BORDENGAM & KING PHILPENPHIO
Though seemingly an oxymoron, the kings Bordengam
and Philpenphio serve as the egalitarian monarchs of Olar-
dell. Though most would assume having a king wouldn’t
mesh with the idea that all people are equal, King Bor- TILDIE MERDIWELL
dengam and King Philpenphio are beloved by their people
The tough-as-nails dockmaster of Olardell, Tildie over-
for precisely the reason that they do not behave as though
sees every ship that comes and goes from her domain, and
they are superior. They raised all of their children to pay
her militant crew of dock guards are responsible for ver-
their own ways in the world, and the kings are paid a salary
ifying the inventory of every foreign ship to pass through
from taxes only because the governing and betterment of
their port. Though smuggling is not be tolerated by any
the kingdom is their full-time job.
ship flying a foreign flag, she’s more inclined to ignore it
GRAPPO PILDEN from her elven kin.

Grappo is a traveling merchant, and loving husband of BRADNEN SILDIVER

one of the royal princesses of Olardell, Princess Millanie.
Sildiver is an employee of The Noble Peoples’ Exchange,
Unlike other royal couples in Azoth, the low-born Grappo
a business native to Carahill, and the proprietor of the
and his wife must work to provide for their family just like
Olardell branch of the exchange. Though they appear old
any commoners would. While Princess Millanie runs a
and bumbling, the human remains a genius of numbers,
moderately successful clothing shop in Olardell, Grappo’s
capable of making quick calculations in their mind at a
efforts to provide for his family lead him far and wide across
moment’s notice.
Azoth, on both mundane and illicit business ventures.

ADVENTURE: DON’T COUNT YOUR CHICKENS

Silver coins, one of the most common denominations, have been showing up with strange properties in
foreign lands. People first began to notice that the graceful egret borne on coins from Carahill seemed sloppily
shaped, and more closely resembled a chicken. A deeper investigation revealed these coins to be thin stone
disks plated in silver, rather than solid silver coins.
The Noble Peoples’ Exchange of Carahill is deeply embarrassed by this forgery and launched an investigation.
However, evidence is beginning to point to the coins coming from Olardell, passing through the hit-or-miss
policing of its port and directly into Carahill, without the oversight of the NPE. Unfortunately, no one will talk
to NPE officers about who might be involved, so the exchange must send adventurers to do their questioning
for them. Get to the bottom of the fake coins, and a pile of real ones will be waiting for you in Rubaton.

– Olardell – 149
 ADVENTURE: ALL TOO HIDDEN
A friendly and much-loved local sailor by the name of Lem was drinking with her buddies in The Siren’s
Tale when five of her lovers burst in the door, seeking her explanation for the fact that none of them knew
about each other’s existence until recently. Lem hid under a trapdoor in the kitchen to avoid the wrath of her
ladies and gentlemen, and to the kitchen staff’s horror, the women and men overturned every barrel and
crate in search of her. When they opened the trapdoor, Lem wasn’t there either.
The angry exes have since moved on, but now, the staff of The Siren’s Tale are wondering what happened
to Lem? Strange scratching can be heard under the floorboards and the locals are beginning to suspect the
tavern is haunted. It’s up to the party to get to the bottom of this before the local watering hole dries up.

Notable Districts trade. Merchants enthusiastically hawk their wares, and

THE ROYAL QUARTER
At the center of Olardell lies the royal quarter, built
around the impressive villa and gardens of the kings. Con-
trary to the title, the remainder of the area is not populated
entirely by the royal couple’s many children, but instead by
the wealthiest and most influential residents of Olardell.
THE PORT
The jewel of the kingdom is its port, which sees dozens of
ships come and go every single day, traveling to ports across
Azoth. Olardell’s hairfoot sailors are more accustomed to
long-haul journeys than almost any others, though some
attribute this to their small sizes, leaving them more car-
go space to carry food, fresh water, and other amenities.
Their most important trade route is their longest, with
large fishing vessels traveling around the northeast coast
of Brachmon, west past the Grey Hills, and meeting with
the Bryzine trolls. Along the way, they fill their hold with
fresh caught fish, which they trade with the trolls in ex-
change for every kind of ore that can be mined from the
Black Mountains.
THE SIREN’S TALE
A sign shaped like a mermaid’s tail hangs above the door,
hammering home a pun that only the proprietor thinks is
funny. Still, The Siren’s Tale is famed as the most important
tavern and inn in Olardell. Conveniently located at the docks,
the local sailors gather here as soon as they step off their
boats. Consequently, it’s not uncommon for the spouses
and families of sailors to show up here, angrily seeking out
sailors who decided to stop in for a drink before coming
home. As such, The Siren’s Tale has numerous trapdoors,
empty barrels, and other places to hide that make it popular
with its clientele.
THE OPEN MARKETS
The main streets of the district are lined with stalls and
wagons, overflowing with a variety of goods for sale and
the deafening shouts and advertisements can be quite
shocking for foreign visitors, though the locals consider it
part of the ordinary atmosphere.
THE NOBLE PEOPLES’ EXCHANGE,
OLARDELL BRANCH
While Carahill’s NPE has few post-and-beam outlets
outside of their nation, the bustling trade of Olardell called
for a permanent expansion. While much of Olardell’s
internal economy runs on bartering, the Noble Peoples’
Exchange is a vitally important institution for converting
local goods into currency usable abroad. The officers of the
NPE are tasked with tracking the market value of various
local goods, paying people for their wares in coin, and then
exporting those goods to Ti-bor in Carahill to be sold there
at a profit. Likewise, when Olardellian merchants return
home from abroad, their first stop is the NPE to turn their
glittering coins into goods to feed their families.
THE CRAFTSMEN’S DISTRICT
Clanging, sawing, scorching, hammering, and dozens of
other sounds of production ceaselessly echo through these
streets from sun-up to sun-down. Almost any non-perish-
able material goods that are produced in Olardell come from
this section of the city; goods made for local distribution are
sold out of storefronts in the market, while goods made for
export are etched with the mark of their maker and carted
off directly to the port or the NPE.
THE FARMING DISTRICTS
Farms with sprawling fields of crops, pastures for live-
stock, facilities for preserving food, producing cheeses,
processing cereals into flour, and more, are wrapped along
the outer limits of Olardell. Though there are formally five
different farming districts, the lines between them have
grown blurry over time as farmers diversify their businesses
and are generally only recognized by couriers seeking out
specific addresses.

150 – CHAPTER SIX: NATIONS AND DANGEROUS PLACES –

E ast Azoth is a land of adventure and danger. The
locations below can serve as part of a greater campaign
— take the fight directly to Thoragg in the Kingdom of
Thorin, or quest to the Black Mountains for a Crossing
home — as well as smaller quests for groups seeking a
change of pace.
The Black Mountains
T
he Black Mountains sit on the western border of East
Azoth, an impenetrable end of the known world for
most people. Few travelers know what lies beyond the
Black Mountains and their mysteries, as monster-infested
tunnels and snow beasts hunting the towering crests
above deter most visitors.
The Disc of Mylnon
One of the ancient artifacts of the Realm, the Disc of
Mylnon is a translocating disk which roams Azoth in a
semi-predictable pattern. It’s also the quickest and safest
way to reach the Black Mountains, if one catches it on time.
Thus, adventurers who learn of an appealing destination
or possible treasure within the Black Mountains may seek
the disk for travel.
Ardonia’s Minister of Information tracks the disc’s move-
ment so people don’t accidentally get caught on it, and to
ensure Ardonia’s enemies don’t use it to transport troops.
The disc is approximately eight feet wide and can trans-
port any weight as long as it fits on the disk itself. Anything
not in the confines of the disk gets left behind when the
disk shifts.
While the disc traverses all of East Azoth including the
library of Isliadril in Ardonia, the table below lists several
places within the Black Mountains frequented by the
disc. If adventurers step onto the disc from any location
in Azoth, the Game Master can roll a percentile die to see
where they arrive.
01-10 Na Laetha Gael
11-20 Orc Caverns
21-25 Proud One’s Cave
26-30 Safe and sound in the middle of nowhere
31-35 Delora’s House
36-45 Garbage Pit of the Children of the
Highland
46-55 The Disc doesn’t move
56-65 Mine Trolls’ Hall
– Dangerous Places - The Black Mountains –
66-70
71-80
Pristine Fountain of Fortune
Lost Library of Hanlin Yuan
81-90 Bandit Camp
91-95 Black Mountain’s Peak
96-100 Anomalin’s Library
Na Laetha Gael
Na Laetha Gael is set in the foothills and serves as en-
trance into the Black Mountains. The gate is not hidden,
but nor is it on any maps. Carved of ancient stone with
writing lost to time, the entrance leads to the once mighty
halls of an ancient dwarven kingdom, now inhabited only
by mine trolls and the shrieker mushrooms that symbiot-
ically depend on them.
Orc Caverns
The orc caverns exist beneath the southernmost peak of
the Black Mountains. Constantly antagonistic to the mine
trolls, they infringe on each other’s territories in a never-
ending turf war. Woe unto the unlucky adventurer who
finds themself caught in between. Currently the orcs are
also in turmoil among themselves as they try to determine
who is their new queen, often erupting into skirmishes.
There has not been a new queen of the orcs for over a
hundred years, which has kept them from controlling the
mountains entirely.
Proud One’s Cave
Proud One is an ancient dragon, grown so large and
so old that her wings have become crippled and merged
with the rock walls of her cavern itself. Thus unable to
shapeshift, she is too large to leave her cave. Proud One is
far from defenseless though. Where her fire breath cannot
defend her, her magic serves against anyone who comes to
slay her and steal her treasure. Since her only diet tends
to be knights errant and impolite adventurers who attack
first and ask questions never, she is excessively friendly
to anyone who brings her something tasty to eat. In truth,
Proud One would much rather gossip and play chess with
anyone willing to spend the time. She often rewards those
who manage to beat her in a game or tell her a story that
either surprises or makes her laugh. She has a great deal of
knowledge about the Realm in general and will sometimes
answer questions if the mood suits her and her guests are
charming enough. She even knows the truth about Darkoth.
Her cave lies between the mine trolls’ territory and the orcs’
caves. Both groups avoid crossing paths with the dragon,
since they’re all terrible at chess.
151
 Delora’s House
Delora, talented daughter of the wizard Anomalin, is a
powerful wizard in her own right. She is curious and spe-
cializes in scrying spells as Anomalin does not allow her to
leave the Black Mountains for fear his enemies will harm
her. Adventurers who end up at her house find assistance
as long as they are polite. If there is a wizard in the party,
that person gets special attention, and she will teach them
a spell for free if she likes them.
Children of the Highland
Founded by a group of former Drohm slaves who attained
their freedom by legitimate and illegitimate means, the
Children of the Highland built their village in the safety of
the upper reaches of the Black Mountains. Most members
of the Children are of the hairy yak-like minotaur people,
but they welcome other peoples as well. Because of their
origins, the village is suspicious of strangers, for they fear
slavers and bounty hunters come to take them back to their
old lives, but do not attack unless threatened.
Mine Trolls’ Hall
Once the home of an ancient dwarven civilization, the
Mine Trolls’ Hall’s origins are lost to rumors and legends.
The trolls have claimed and held the Hall for many years
now, destroying what historical information might have
been left there. Several families of dwarves have laid a claim
on the hall, but no single one is able or willing to expend
the resources needed to take it.
Rumors make claim of a great treasure held the in the
deepest vaults of the Hall, though scholars cannot agree
what it is. The Axe of Mighty Clothar, and the Orb of Anom-
alin are the most popular claims. A scholar at the library
of Isliadril is currently compiling a dissertation based on
both these stories.
Pristine Fountain of Fortune
Set somewhere on the lower flanks of the mountains,
where pine trees still grow, the Fountain is said to only
reveal itself to the worthy. Those who drink from it gain all
health back and have advantage on all rolls for one day. Any
item dipped in its water gives its bearer magic resistance
for one day. Dipping any cursed item into the Fountain
removes the curse for one day. The fountain’s water holds
its potency for a week if flasked.
Once the party leaves the Fountain’s location, they will
not be able to find it again for one year.
Lost Library of Hanlin Yuan
This library is a Lost Place from Earth. The Library of
Hanlin Yuan was supposedly destroyed in a fire during
the Boxer Rebellion. In reality, an item within the library
activated during the battle and a good portion of the library
152 – CHAPTER SIX: NATIONS AND DANGEROUS PLACES –
Crossed to the Realm, transported into one of the many
caverns within the Black Mountains.
The library contained over 11,000 individual volumes
covering hundreds of years of Chinese history. Some of
these volumes, retrieved by Realm adventurers, made it to
the library of Isliadril which paid handsomely for each copy.
There is a high bounty to any adventurer who retrieves fur-
ther books from the collection, but none have ever been able
to make the return trip. The book that brought the library to
the Realm attained sentience during the Crossing and now
manifests itself as the Keeper of the Library. Those who
escaped with stolen books previously did not encounter the
Keeper as it only learned and grew in its power with time. It
sees the books as its family and guards them as such.
Bandit Camp
Bandit camps dot the mountainsides in the Black Moun-
tains, which offer excellent places to hide from the law. New
ones crop up every so often, while others disappear without
a trace as there are many dangers in the Black Mountains.
A bandit returned alive to a law-enforcement office in
one of the foothills villages is worth one gold, and bandit
leaders are worth five. Dead bandits are worth half bounty.
Black Mountain’s Peak
At the tallest point of the Black Mountain sits a shrine to
an unknown god. Those unlucky enough to find themselves
on the top of the Peak can get a quick trip back down to
another location in the Black Mountains if each person
makes a sacrifice to the shrine of something they need.
This allows the adventurers to choose any one of the Disc
of Mylnon’s natural destinations, including — at the Game
Master’s discretion — one not listed on the disc table.
An eternal flame burns within the shrine, and the sac-
rifice must be thrown into the brazier where it instantly
burns up. The instructions for this are written in several
languages on a cover stone outside the shrine, including
modern English, Tibetan, and Mandarin, but the words
are often buried under the mountaintop snows and need
to be dug out before reading.
Anomalin’s Library
Adventurers who find this grand library must be wary of
entering without Anomalin’s guidance, as the place is bespelled
to whisk intruders around randomly every time they pass
through a door or window. Since Anomalin is frequently gone
from his home, more than one intruder had the unfortunate
fate to aimlessly wander its halls until they starved or went mad.
Anomalin is unusually tall and very eccentric, and often
acts out of sync with this world. Apart from his strange
clothing, he also carries around on his person a mood ring, a
Mad Magazine from 1969, and a draft card. He is constantly
researching the Crossings and is always interested in any
new information on them. Anomalin considers himself a
scientist as well as a wizard.
Isle of Ardonous
M iles off the tip of the Vestan peninsula on the southern
edge of Ardonia, lies the ancient Isle of Ardonous.
Dark clouds swirl around the island, which is constantly
pelted with rain, and the air itself hangs heavy with the
warning that this isle welcomes no travelers. Not one inch
of the Isle of Ardonous has escaped the taint of death itself.
Long ago, Ardonous was an early cradle of the goddess
Othaaris’ worship. It is said her mortal toes touched the soil,
bringing teachings of enlightenment to the people, before she
was elevated to the status of a goddess. However, a strong light
draws stronger shadows, and a demon known as Terrorek was
provokedbythehappinessandgoodnessofOthaaris’worshipers.
The first legions of Terrorek’s armies did not come as foot sol-
diers, but instead as sickness that swept the island and claimed
many lives. Crops began to rot, animals terrorized people, and
soon the graveyards overflowed. The great cathedral built to
Othaaris became shadowed by dark storm clouds, and the grassy
fields around it filled with hundreds of cross-shaped grave
markers. By the time Terrorek’s undead soldiers arrived, the
last surviving people were already fleeing the island.
Though no living creatures besides rats and other vermin
call Ardonous their home today, demons and undead are
found at every turn, and they have no love for breathing
mortals. The remnants of abandoned villages are now
haunted by the specters of the past. Places of worship that
once filled people with hope have been desecrated in the
name of Terrorek. Only the bravest or the most foolhardiest
dare venture to the Isle of Ardonous, and no one takes the
journey on lightly.
The Black Plague
Similar to the black death that plagued Earth during the
14th-century pandemic, this horrid disease spread through
all remaining animals on the island, leaving them vicious
and diseased. Unlike Earth’s black death, the black plague
of Terrorek is entirely magical in nature, rotting away flesh
and leaving only undead creatures where the living once
stood. Furthermore, in places where Terrorek’s evil is at its
most distilled, even the air itself is saturated with plague.
Travel on the Isle of Ardonous is only possible for the
living through the use of a plague ward, a holy amulet
blessed by the priesthood of Othaaris. Learn more about
the plague ward in Chapter Eight: Magic Items & Strange
Things, p. 210.
Denizens of Ardonous
TERROREK
Though naming himself a god, Terrorek is nothing more
than a demon who poisons and corrupts all that he surveys.
– Isle of Ardonous –
ADVENTURE:
MODERN MEDICINAL
MIRACLES
A traveling healer in Ardonia believes the
black plague will eventually make its way to the
mainland, and that prayer alone cannot hold
the evil at bay. He believes a combination of
Othaaris’ teachings, magic, and science could
find a cure for the black plague, but in order to
test it, you need to bring him samples.
Armed with Plague Wards and three specially
warded clay jars, the healer orders you off to the
Isle of Ardonous to retrieve his specimens, ideally
live rats carrying the infection, but corrupted
plants or chunks of festering undead flesh will
do. He seems a tad unstable, especially to want
to take on such a dangerous task, but he seems
convinced that it’s necessary for the good of
civilization. If you pull this off, you’ll practically
become famed heroes overnight, or so he says.
Appearing as a bipedal dragon skeleton, Terrorek sits
upon his throne in what was once the holiest of all places,
now tainted down to its foundations. Learn more of the
demonic Terrorek in Chapter Seven: Allies, Adversaries,
and Creatures, p. 180.
THE WAILING MOTHER
The sobs of this creature can be heard when the wind
whips through the deadened forests and dried branches
screech against one another. The passage of time robbed
her of her identity, and no one truly knows if the Wailing
Mother is the ghost of one woman, or the amalgamation
of the souls of parents who mourn for their children lost
to war. Regardless, the Wailing Mother roams the island in
search of her lost children, and flies into a rage when faced
with anyone she might interpret as a soldier.
HOLY KNIGHTS OF RUST
These men and women once dedicated their lives to the
service of Othaaris, and while the black plague rotted their
bodies, their souls would not be so easily defeated. Though
their holy duty was an affront to Terrorek’s rule, he found
their miserable, shambling existences entertaining, and
allowed them to continue inhabiting the island. The ages
have eroded their crumbling skeletons, their armor, and
their purpose. The once-noble order of knights now seek
fresh mortal bodies to bear their rusted armor, possessed
of souls seeking purpose once more.
153
 Notable Locations
PLAGUE CATHEDRAL
Worshipers of Othaaris believe that at one time, the
goddess herself walked the hallowed halls of this cathedral.
The cathedral’s vaulted ceilings, flying buttress design,
and intricate stained-glass windows are like nothing else
in Azoth, and Earthborn visitors will recognize it as a rea-
sonable facsimile of the Notre-Dame de Paris.
When the forces of Ardonia and Drohm defeated Terrorek,
they used the vestiges of the place’s holy aura to bind Terrorek
within the Cathedral. However, over the years, Terrorek’s evil
seeped into the very stone of the edifice, grinding away at the
blessing that trapped him, until the halls were saturated with
undead taint. Now, the renamed Plague Cathedral no longer
imprisons Terrorek, but serves as the seat of his power.
THE MUDGRAVES
The ruins of this inland town are now half-buried in mud,
caught under a mudslide created by the seemingly ceaseless
rain of the Isle of Ardonous. The town’s hillside cemetery was
swept into the mudslide as well, leaving the streets scattered
with bones sticking out of the mud. At night, angry spirits
roam the town whose name is long since lost, searching for
their homes in the filth. As the residents of the cemetery
perished long before the black plague came, their confused
and wandering souls do not understand why their homes
are gone. Confusion breeds anger, and the ghosts will take
out their rage on anyone who wanders into their territory.
THE HANGING FORESTS
When Terrorek’s forces invaded the Isle of Ardonous,
entire communities were unable to evacuate in time. One
such seaside village realized that to be infected with the black
plague would be a fate worse than death, and so, they chose
to end their lives by their own hand rather than become part
of Terrorek’s undead army. By the time one of Terrorek’s
lieutenants by the name of Vespacious arrived, he found the
village empty, and soon after discovered its residents hanging
from the branches of the forest just inland from their homes.
Not one to be made a fool, Vespacious borrowed from his
dark lord’s power to ensure he had the last laugh.
Passage through the hanging forests today is treacherous.
What seems like a mundane, gnarled oak may suddenly
come alive to grapple adventurers passing under its barren
branches. The screams of the tormented echo from the
skulls embedded in the knots of the bark, and only fire can
free them from Vespacious’ curse.
Kingdom of Thorin
T horin was one of the great kingdoms once, a stalwart
opponent of Drohm and Ardonia in the Forever
War. Now, it is a shattered ruin, populated by the ghosts
154 – CHAPTER SIX: NATIONS AND DANGEROUS PLACES –
ADVENTURE:
BURIED, BUT
NOT FORGOTTEN
Bellamira, a skilled young crafter, and
descendant of one of the residents of the Isle of
Ardonous, has settled in Vesta. They spent their
entire life seeing the dark shadows of the Isle
of Ardonous on the southern horizon. Family
legend claims they are descended from an artist
of Ardonous who sculpted and painted pottery
that featured the imagery of Othaaris, and that
some of the clay vessels even bore the hand prints
of the goddess on them.
Believing such holy relics mustn’t be allowed
to become tainted under Terrorek’s plagues,
Bellamira wishes for you to venture to their ancestral
home, now buried under mud, in search of a hidden
cellar to retrieve these priceless artifacts. If such
treasures were to come to light, it could bolster the
powers of Othaaris among the people.
of the fallen and a horde of vicious, half-bestial night
creatures who slake their thirst on those unfortunate
enough to be captured or foolish enough to wander into
this domain. From his dark tower, Thoragg rules over
a land he shattered out of desperation. For many years,
he has waited to take revenge. Now, he hears the call of
Terrorek, and soon the armies of Thorin will march the
Great Field of A’zoth once more.
History
Thorin was one of the early human nations, which rose
out of the chaos of the war against the elves. Its people
never shed their warlike culture, and this served them well
after Darkoth rose to conquer Drohm, as it wasn’t long
before he set his sights elsewhere. Though other nations
fell (and some rose) during the Forever War, Thorin stood
firm, protected by the thick forest that came to symbolize
the kingdom to all who marched upon it. For centuries,
none could pierce its shadows, and so the kingdom itself
enjoyed relative peace even as its children marched to
war elsewhere.
Thorin’s finest hour came during the Orc War, when its
armies led the charge on the Field of A’zoth, but that great-
ness also spelled the kingdom’s doom. Whether through
superior planning or scheming on the part of Drohm,
Thorin’s armies bore the brunt of the heaviest fighting.
When the dust settled and an accounting was taken, it
was Thorin that had suffered by far the worst casualties.
Though many hoped for peace, if only for long enough to
rebuild, Darkoth had other ideas.
For the first time, Thorin Forest was felled, with armies
marching only steps behind legions of foresters and wizards
hacking and burning away the thick, thorny brush. Thorin
itself was under siege for the first time, farms pillaged and
destroyed, towns and cities razed. Thoragg, the young
king of Thorin who only succeeded to the throne after his
father had fallen against the orcs, was as unprepared as
the broken army he theoretically commanded. His study
of dark magic, born of curiosity, turned to deadly serious
desperation as he scoured every book and scroll he could
find. As the armies of Drohm marched on his capital, fear
drove Thoragg to blasphemy. He conducted a great ritual,
sacrificing hundreds to prepare the way for the dread
demon Terrorek to enter the Realm.
THE PLAGUE WAR
It began with a sickness among the armies of Drohm, one
that enfeebled and tortured the victims until they finally
succumbed to a slow, lingering death. Worse, the fallen
soon rose, commanded by dark magic to turn against their
former allies, and soon Drohm was forced to retreat. Thick
clouds swirled around the capital, blotting out the sunlight
and leaving the land filled with shadow and mist. Seemingly
from nowhere, a pestilence spread without mercy, felling
even the healthy and tainting the land irretrievably. Survi-
vors from the isle of Ardonous, now united in the nation of
Ardonia, recognized the illness for the same one that had
forced them to the mainland: the black plague of Terrorek.
None were prepared for the horrors that emerged from
Thorin Forest. Under cover of darkness, armies of the dead
marched tirelessly, burying themselves to avoid the sun’s
light by day. Led by Thoragg, himself transformed into a
terrible undead creature by his pact with Terrorek, this
army was virtually unstoppable — the full might of Drohm
was only just enough to hold it back, until Ardonia offered
them an alliance to defeat Terrorek. Together, the two na-
tions turned the tide, binding Terrorek in the cathedral on
the Isle of Ardonous, and Thoragg’s army was seared and
driven back by the sacred light of Othaaris. Thoragg fled,
humiliated and furious, back to the Kingdom of Thorin.
Still monstrously powerful, he descended even further
into blasphemy, creating legions of creatures like himself
to dominate the surviving mortal population. Immortal, he
bided his time, building a terrible army with which he will
strike out at Azoth when next his master calls.
The Land of Thorin
The sun only rarely shines in Thorin, and then only
through thick clouds and mist. By night, darkness swallows
everything: neither of the moons shine in the sky, and the
light of a torch carries only a few feet. Rarely, one finds a
town — none of the cities have survived war, plague, and
Thoragg’s ambitions. Cobbled streets and stone walls don’t
hold back the chill of night as they ought to, and people
– Kingdom of Thorin –
huddle together to sleep in common, sharing warmth and
the illusion of security. They are suspicious of strangers,
fearing either that they will be charged with treason for
aiding Thoragg’s enemies or that these travelers are merely
night creatures toying with them before the kill.
THE TOWER OF NIGHT
The fortress that is the Tower of Night rises high above the
ruins of the capital it was built from, a tall and foreboding
edifice of stone supported by a foundation built into the
former royal palace. The only mortals who live here are
prisoners, stock to be spent on necromantic rituals or to
feed Thoragg’s bloody thirst, or supplicants hoping against
hope for his favor. Each of the tower’s levels contains new
horrors, from necromantic experiments to blasphemous
altars to unholy machines. Night creatures and other mon-
sters wait to do Thoragg’s bidding day and night, not that
there’s much difference between the two here at the heart
of Thoragg’s power. Half-buried within alcoves throughout
are corpses, deathmasks stitched to their faces, compelled
by magic to play musical instruments for eternity — some-
times, though, rot catches up, and the music falters ever so
slightly. The scent of death is omnipresent, overwhelming
within the tower itself but detectable for miles around.
The remains of the old capital surround the Tower. Most
of the buildings have been thoroughly denuded of any stone
useful in the Tower’s construction, but enough remains that
the general plan of the city is still discernible. A wall here,
a cellar there, market squares where merchants once sold
their goods — all of it broken beneath Thoragg’s heel, its
people dispersed, enslaved, or sacrificed. Only a few des-
perate squatters still remain here, hiding from Thoragg’s
minions and eking out a scant existence, too terrified to
flee the city for fear they’ll be captured.
THE OUTER REACHES
Once prosperous and fertile, the Outer Reaches are now
a barren wasteland. The few people who survive here do
so at the mercy of Thoragg’s minions, many of them night
creatures. Herded like cattle, they’re forced to till the dry
and cracked ground for enough food to feed themselves.
In turn, the night creatures feed on them, turning their
corpses over to Thoragg’s necromancers.
Beyond these villages and towns, the empty fields stretch
away out to the horizon, and thence to the Forest of Thorin.
Virtually every inch of this territory has been given over
to Thoragg’s military ambitions, and is rife with traps,
fortifications, and caches meant to be used by his terrible
army should Drohm or Ardonia invade once more. Buried
beneath the surface are preserved corpses, ready to be
called back to unlife should an unwary traveler disturb
them. Many trees within the forest, seemingly dead, are
cunningly worked effigies of bone and dry flesh, and will
attack without warning should any living creature tread
within range.
155
 Night Land
B etween Thorin and the Enchanted Forest lies a land
that is spoken of only in whispers and half-believed
myth, a land that is found on no map save as a warning
not to venture there. The Night Land itself is as elusive
as the night creatures who call it home, changing its
face and slipping away into shadow beneath the light of
the sun. Only by night can one enter the Night Land and
behold its face, which waxes and wanes as do the twin
moons. When the moons are full, the Night Land seems
almost normal, with homely villages to lure travelers
to their doom. When dim, the Night Land is a lightless
nightmare where the darkness seems almost alive, able
to snuff out a weak torch of its own accord.
Scholars of the Realm know little of the Night Land, for
few who venture there return to tell the tale. Those who
do have invariably only seen a small part of the vast horror
that is the Night Land, for the longer one remains within,
the harder it is to find one’s way out. The lands shift with
the phases of the moons, and what was once an easily nav-
igable pass might in three days’ time become a dangerous
and unstable slope, and in three more a treacherous cliff.
Adventurers attempting to navigate this haunted land suf-
fer disadvantage on Wisdom (Survival) checks to navigate
after a number of days equal to their Wisdom modifier.
Only a few landmarks stay relatively unchanged, bastions
of terror that the land itself seems to be anchored around,
and these are the features most often spoken of by the
lucky few to escape.
The Sanguine Marches
The first notable feature most travelers in the Night
Land encounter is the Sanguine Marches, a stretch of low
hills dotted with stands of foreboding and leafless trees.
Wreathed in mist by day and night, night creatures and
their mortal slaves patrol the Marches, capturing travelers
to offer up in their place. A few villages, consisting of little
more than a few clustered hovels, host the closest thing
to a free mortal population in the Night Land, one that
survives indirectly (and, in sparse times, directly) on the
flesh of their fellow people. Night creatures watch these
settlements carefully, ever wary of their mortal cattle daring
to rise above their decreed station.
The Well of Night
Utterly abandoned even by the night creatures who call
this accursed land home, the Well of Night is a low structure,
resembling a modest church fallen into disrepair. Within,
there are no pews and no altar, but simply an enormous
and perfectly circular hole in the ground, plunging so deep
into the earth that its bottom is obscured by shadow. Steps
are chiseled into its sides, allowing one to descend. What
little light leaks in from above quickly vanishes, and any
156 – CHAPTER SIX: NATIONS AND DANGEROUS PLACES –
light carried into the depths struggles to illuminate even
the next few steps. This terrifying descent never truly ends,
though betimes the steps lead to new chambers of stone
with cyclopean walls emblazoned with blasphemous sigils
and paeans. No one has ever reached the bottom, if indeed
there is one, but the Well itself seems to promise power
and riches to those who look upon it.
Amaranth Hall
At the heart of the Night Land lies a great citadel, built
on the skeleton of a nameless and forgotten castle, its tall
spires reaching into a starless sky. Bells toll the hours,
their low and mournful peals ringing out across the land.
The queen of the Night Land, Carmilla, holds court here,
surrounded by bloodthirsty courtiers; her vast throne room
echoes with the screams of the mortals on whom they feed.
Beneath this abattoir, catacombs stretch for miles, where
mortals are held prisoner alongside the remains of their
dead, ever chiseling out new chambers to make space for
those Carmilla has slaked her thirst on that day. Gardens
radiate out from the palace for miles, immaculately tended,
seemingly ordinary until one sees the living statuary —
mortals bound in place and fed upon slowly enough that
death takes weeks to come.
The only tie Carmilla’s court has to the outside world is
the embassy of Thorin, part of Amaranth Hall’s grounds,
where cloaked officials from Thoragg’s own court parley
with the night creatures. Most of these ambassadors are
night creatures themselves, or souls bound to corpses
with necromancy — mortals who are sent to serve in the
Thorin embassy rarely survive the posting, and many of
them believe that Thoragg sends them not as ambassadors
but as tribute. The embassy contains an enormous altar in
Terrorek’s honor, spattered in blood and decorated with
skeletal remains.
Orc Lands
O rcs were once the most talented people at the
agrarian arts, but this changed after humans drove
them from their fertile lands. Pushed to the desolate
barrens, the orcs survived using all of their farming talent
to yield food from dry, acidic soils. During the Forever
War, the orcs amassed an unprecedented army under their
leader, General Kron, in an effort to take back their land.
They failed, as the people of east Azoth came together and
defeated them on the Great Field. General Kron fought
valiantly to the end, but the orc army was decimated and
driven into the Black Mountains, the range dividing East
and West Azoth, and the Bloody Hills in Drohm.
The Orc Lands themselves are not very valuable, mostly
foothills which can only support a handful of farmers. This
forced most orcs to adopt a nomadic lifestyle, herding
livestock or raiding to survive. Since no one else is very
interested in this land though, the orcs have been able to
exist mostly unmolested by the other nations.
In recent times, a group of orcs calling themselves the
Boarelli rose to leadership in the Orc Lands. The Boarelli
have since carved out a stretch of the Black Mountains
that extends from Grey Hills to the Great Field of A’zoth.
They’ve even navigated the passages under the mountains,
ranging from East Azoth into the West. None of this, how-
ever, means anything if the other peoples stand poised
to take their hard-earned gains. Thus, the Boarelli have
encouraged their smaller cousins to return to Bloody Hills,
the orcs’ ancestral land, and petition the other nations to
recognize their sovereignty. If this goes well, the Boarelli
might try the same with the Orc Lands, or perhaps all orcs
will finally abandon the mountains and return home. They
have not yet decided what they’ll do if it does not go well.
The Boarelli
The Boarelli are almost twice as tall as other orcs, with
tusks that jut out from their lower lips. The Boarelli are
also smarter and more skilled in crafting than most orcs.
With the help of some other orcish bands, the Boarelli
partially mapped the maze-like passages of the Black Moun-
tains, enabling them to establish tentative trade routes into
West Azoth. The Boarelli also have a fragile commercial
relationship with the Children of the Highland, who live
in the Black Mountains. Last but not least, they have found
an important trade partner, if through several degrees of
separation, in the library of Isliadril due to their trading of
Strange Things found in the Black Mountains.
NA’IER OF THE BOARELLI
The orcs haven’t had a queen since the Orc War but
admiring whispers among the Boarelli increasingly name
Na’ier as worthy of the position. Na’ier was the first Boarelli
to negotiate trade with the library of Isliadril, bringing with
her the secrets of orc farming techniques as well as Strange
Things. In exchange, she uses the library to advance her
own education. Na’ier seeks the Crown of the Orcs, which
would force all orcs to follow her. She supports the Bloody
Hills’ ambassadors but has made it clear she intends to lead
her people home one way or the other.
– Night Land - Orc Lands - Lost Places –
Lost Places
T
hroughout history, people and objects from Earth
have Crossed into the Realm. On even rarer occasions,
whole sections of Earth Crossed. These lost pieces of Earth
bring with them a slice of the civilizations occupying
them at the time.
Some places are as large as the lost Tibetan kingdom of
Shambala, while others are a single monument such as the
statue of Zeus at Olympia. Other mysterious Lost Places
seem to come and go from the Realm and much has yet to
be discovered about them outside of their names, such as
the island of Avalon. A few lost places stem from people
Crossing from Earth en masse and founding pockets of
civilization in the Realm.
The Library of Alexandria
Of all the lost wonders that Crossed into the Realm, the
Library of Alexandria is the most well-known and acces-
sible. It sits at the top of the Great Field, at the trident of
the Great River. The library was one of the largest and
most significant repositories of knowledge in the ancient
world, and part of a larger research institution called the
Mouseion. Earth legend claims the Great Library was lost
in a fierce battle. There is much speculation about what
happened during the ensuing blaze, but the more supersti-
tious tell the story of how the Egyptian god Thoth, a beloved
patron of the library, could not bear for it to burn away. He
transported a portion of the library, the Mouseion, and a
bit of the surrounding town to the Realm, thus saving those
within from the total destruction of Alexandria.
At first, when the library Crossed to the Realm, most of
it appeared buried near the trident. It took several gener-
ations of digging, and even then, only a third of the library
has been recovered, with more chambers being discovered
and excavated every year. Other rooms and parts of the
library Crossed to other parts of the Realm, where they’re
discovered every few years. These new discoveries often
cause great excitement amongst the scholars, library re-
searchers, and artificers who currently occupy the library
and the surrounding town.
157
 THE TOWN OF ALEXANDRIA
Those who visit the Great Library marvel at the architecture
of the town, and most who come from Earth instantly recog-
nize the blending of Greek, Roman, and Egyptian iconography
that the rest of the Realm calls Alexandrian style. The town
itself is much like it was on Earth, with people coming from
all over the Realm to study at the library and the Mouseion
institute. The town is run by a mayor and city council, who
take their orders from the Chair of the Library. Adventurers
and merchants who have excavated or found artifacts from
the Great Library elsewhere in East Azoth do brisk trade with
the library, the sub-market, and the rat market.

THE LIBRARY
The Chair runs the library itself and is always an elected
scholar. The position is held for 10 years. The rest of the
library sees a hierarchy of librarians and researchers. The
institute is officially under the authority of the Chair but
has functioned under its own autonomy for the last couple
of centuries. There is an ongoing, yet non-violent — outside
of a few bar skirmishes — dispute between the librarians,
artificers, and alchemists of the Mouseion Institute. Any
object brought to the library goes through a rigorous as-
sessment process by an alchemist, artificer, and librarian
to decide which faction should research it, with the most
valuable objects or knowledge sometimes being claimed
by all three. If the three cannot reach consensus, the topic
is presented and voted on by the heads of the three depart-
ments. If there is still no consensus, it goes up to the Chair
for a final decision or a decree of joint claim with terms for
sharing laid out between the departments.

THE SUB-MARKET
When the library declines to buy items on offer, adventur-
ers can sell them in the sub-market district of Alexandria.
In some cases, this can be more profitable too, as nobles
and the wealthy are always looking for the next rare oddity.
Many of the sub-market’s parlors serve as gathering places
for the cream of society, complete with performances by
famous musicians, orators, and the occasional retired ad-
venturer. The most notorious of these sub-market parlors
is run by the scholar gentlewoman Nitocris.

THE RAT MARKET

Alexandria sees its own underground trade in the rat
market. More than one artifact has been “discovered” in
rat market’s stalls. Forgers, thieves, and smugglers also
do a lively business here, and those who deal with the rat
market must be cautious.

The Mansa’s Sea

The Epicians may be masters of the sea, but they are
far from the only power to sail upon Azoth’s oceans. In
the oceans of West Azoth, beyond Onyz Sea, lies another
kingdom, one that exists almost entirely upon open water

158 – CHAPTER SIX: NATIONS AND DANGEROUS PLACES –

— hence why none have ever found it, for it moves with
the currents and the winds. Lashed together with rope
and woven kelp, maintained by an army of carpenters
who replace its components plank by plank, New Niani is
a capital built of ships that once set out from the western
coast of Africa. Commanded by the former Mansa of Mali
himself, Abu Bakr II, who gave up his throne for the sake
of exploration, this fleet sailed outward to seek the furthest
reaches of the ocean, and to brave what a previous expe-
dition had called an impassable whirlpool that destroyed
any ship that fell into it.
History records that no ship ever returned from that
expedition. This is true enough, but those ships were not
lost. Instead, they made a Crossing, and emerged near
Skragg Reef. To date, these are the only ships that have
successfully navigated the Whirlpool, but the way to Earth
seems to have closed since, for none of the Mansa’s ships
which attempted to navigate home survived. Faced with a
new world to explore, Abu Bakr chose to continue sailing,
and though he took lovers and had children to continue his
line, he never truly settled down. His descendants continued
the tradition even unto the modern day, with sleek ships
darting to and fro amidst the archipelago of their home
waters, where they practice agriculture to support their
sea-centric lifestyle. They raise staple crops like dates and
sorghum, but they also grow kola and coffee, which are given
freely to sailors serving night watches to keep them alert.
Interactions between the Niani fleet and the rest of Azoth
have been few and far between, and mainly between the
Niani and Epicians, who typically regard the few isolated
ships they’ve sighted as natives or pirates rather than a
sophisticated sailing culture. The Niani, for their part, have
no desire to let on just how many of them there are, and
so the Epicians’ tales have only a limited penetration into
the wider cultural knowledge of East Azoth.
Mansa Fatimatou intends to change all that. New to her
office, she is a passionate and fiery young woman with an
expert sea-sense and a strong desire to push outward and
force the rest of the world to acknowledge her as rightful
ruler of the high seas. She commands great respect from
her common crew, with whom she dines on the same fare.
She’s busy making preparations to unbind New Niani for
the first time in decades, but for now her advance scouts
are sailing east over the Onyz Sea in numbers unlike ever
before, and even folk who never look upon the ocean have
heard rumors of strange things afoot in the south.
Her viziers, however, privately question her decision.
Breaking up the fleet to sail to new waters would disrupt
established patterns of patronage, and they have no desire
to lose those networks and the privileges that come of ex-
ploiting them. None have yet openly moved against Mansa
Fatimatou, but two — Seydou and Amadou, both more than
a decade Fatimatou’s senior — are in accord that something
must be done to disrupt the Mansa’s plans. They are ever on
the lookout for opportunities to subvert or suborn others
into performing the dangerous task of openly challenging
– Lost Places –
the Mansa, for they are far too addicted to their own comfort
to take such a risk themselves.
Shambala
No records reveal when Shambala appeared in the Realm.
A contingent of White Unicorns found this beautiful king-
dom in the mountains in Ardonia, nestled in a valley shaped
like a perfect eight-petaled lotus blossom. At the center of
this blossom exists the holy city of Kalapa.
Shambala is ruled by a tsenpo whose influence and con-
trol extends only to the tiny kingdom itself, as part of the
agreement under which the monarchy of Ardonia agreed to
let Shambala maintain its autonomy. This is in part because
Kalapa, which sees both Hindu and Buddhist inhabitants,
shares many religious practices — specifically a dedication
to pacifism — also upheld by the religion of Othaaris.
Most people of Shambala still claim to trace their heritage
all the way back to the Crossing, though many followers
of Othaaris have immigrated to join them since. While the
Othaarians of Shambala adopt elements from both Bud-
dhism and Hinduism, descendants of the original people
still practice the religions separate as they were on Earth.
SOCIAL STRUCTURE
Shambala conducts itself as an enlightened society. While
there is a tsenpo, nobility and other roles in the government
and society are based on merit, worth, and need. Children
do not inherent their parents’ position or title.
Economically, very little money is exchanged within
Shambala. Instead, a citizen’s reputation and contributions
to society determine the goods and services available to
them. Shambala also ensures all people have their basic
needs met, which makes citizenship in Shambala highly
sought after.
CITIZENSHIP
Children born in Shambala or to Shambala citizens are
automatically considered citizens themselves. Others who
wish to join Shambala must demonstrate how they can
contribute to Shambalan society or must be able to demon-
strate Shambalan ancestry beyond a reasonable doubt. The
third way to gain citizenhip in Shambala is a Devotion of
Time. Disciples who have permission to visit Shambala can
swear a Dedication of Time to work as servant to a citizen of
Shambala. After ten years of service, the Disciple is granted
citizenship. Those who swear a Dedication may leave at any
time, but once they do, if they wish to go this route again,
must swear a new Dedication and completely start over.
The Disciples are provided for as if they were citizens, but
they cannot marry, have children, or own anything of value
unless it is permitted by their sworn Master.
FESTIVAL OF LOTUSES
The Festival of Lotuses is held annually to commemorate the
appearance of Shambala in Ardonia. It takes place over eight
159
 days, one day for each petal of the lotus. As part of the final
celebration, a designated party, usually a White Unicorn or
Eye of Othaaris, receives a crystal lotus from Ardonia’s queen
mother. They must carry the lotus to the palace of Shambala
after passing through eight shrines in each of the eight “petals”
of the kingdom and place it into the tsenpo’s hand. They are
then granted one boon from the tsenpo, which is only limited
by the tsenpo’s power to grant it. Very few requests have ever
been outside the tsenpo’s power. Adventurers are known to
compete for the honor, and reward, and this competition is
encouraged as part of the ceremony to signify the trials and
tribulations that Shambala has survived.
The Skies Above
On July 2nd, 1937, Amelia Earhart and Fred Noonan
departed from Lae in Papua New Guinea in a Lockheed
Electra 10E, on course for Howland Island in the South
Pacific, 2,500 miles distant. They never arrived. Only 7,000
miles remained in Earhart’s planned circumnavigation of
the globe, and though speculation and wild theories have
abounded since Earhart’s disappearance, numerous expe-
ditions and searches failed to find convincing evidence of
a crash. Most simply believe that the Electra ran out of gas
and ditched at sea, unable to locate Howland Island due to
poor planning and radio problems.
While the Electra did run out of gas not far from Howland,
it came down not at sea but in another world altogether,
having made the Crossing. It came down in the Ardonian
hinterlands, battered by a rough landing, its engines
cracked and its electronics burned out — but Earhart was
no slouch as a pilot, and despite it all she put the Electra
down smoothly enough that she and Noonan survived with
only a few minor injuries and broken bones. Discovered
by O’koth rangers and nursed back to health in Abaroxas,
Earhart made a quick recovery and was soon the delight
of the local scholars and engineers, who marveled at the
concept of aerodynamic lift.
Though they were unable to rebuild or replicate the Pratt
& Whitney engines, enough of the Electra’s wing structure
had survived the crash that within a few years, Ardonian en-
gineers could (with Earhart’s guidance) construct a reliable
airfoil light enough to serve as a gliding surface for soaring
flight. While this hasn’t replaced aerostatic lift (buoyancy)
as the most common method of flight in Ardonia, it has
significant synergy with it — hot-air balloons can lift gliders
into the sky, where they can be dropped and begin gliding
of their own accord. Such glideplanes are still uncommon
enough that they’re an unusual sight in Ardonian skies.
Most independent glideplane flight in Ardonia takes place
in the south, near Vesta, where Ardonia’s best pilots ride
thermals and test new designs. New Kitty Hawk, a hamlet
established and named by Earhart herself, is still populated
with many of her descendants and their families. The site
is dedicated to perfecting the craft of flight and, one day,
reinventing the internal combustion engine and bringing
powered flight to Azoth for the first time. The project is
160 – CHAPTER SIX: NATIONS AND DANGEROUS PLACES –
currently headed by the twins Edward and Abigail Earhart,
Amelia’s grandchildren, who were practically raised as
much in the air as they were on the ground. Abigail dabbles
in magic and is considering how it might be used to bridge
the technology gap. Edward, meanwhile, internalized the
Ardonian sentiment against the use of magic and considers
it cheating. This issue, one of the few things the twins dis-
agree upon, is a perennial one, and much of the extended
Earhart family has already staked out a side to support.
Statue of Zeus at Olympia
This enormous statue of Zeus at Olympia was one of
the Seven Ancient Wonders of Earth. The statue, created
from ivory and gold, attracted worshiping pilgrims from
across the Mediterranean. It mysteriously disappeared
some time during the 5th century, though accounts vary
from destruction in a fire, to pillaging by Constantinople
as to its final fate.
The statue now sits buried up to mid-chest in Grey Hills.
The dwarves of Grey Hills claim it is a legacy of the legendary
dwarven queen Ironshield. The Grey Hills dwarves take a
great deal of pride in this claim and take grave offense at
anyone who says otherwise.
Those who visit the statue are moved emotionally at
viewing the work of art and receive one point of Legend.
Those who attempt to steal any of the statue’s gold or ivory
are cursed by a spectral laugh — which would-be thieves
insist emanated from the statue. This terrible laughter
haunts the thief every time they touch anything made of
gold or ivory, causing them to take disadvantage on their
next roll, and lasts for a Realm year, or until the trespasser
returns to the statue, falls on their knees and begs for for-
giveness. The statue will give them three tasks to complete
as atonement. Once the tasks are completed, the redeemed
person gains a point of Legend and may immediately grant
a Legend point to one other person who aided them.
Thule
The story of the land of Thule predates the formation
of the Thule society, but it was these servants of the Third
Reich who gave its history a sinister bent. The Thule So-
ciety spent countless resources to finance expeditions to
find and prove the existence of the country, not knowing
Thule had Crossed into the Realm ages ago. Each of these
expeditions succeeded in their goals — they found the dead
city of Thule in the Black Mountains — but not one could
find a Crossing back to Earth to report their findings.
Thule is a land of monsters. Those Nazis who survived
to reach Thule banded together in a survivalist compound.
Any and all peoples who appear in the lands of Thule, and
who are not human, are treated with immediate hostility.
SOCIAL STRUCTURE
Thule is a grossly patriarchal society. Strength, fighting
ability, and aggressiveness are hailed as the only virtues.
This leaves no time and little esteem for cultural pursuits.
Status is determined by one’s ability to hunt and acquire
trophies. Resources only go to the most powerful.
Thule is ruled by a dictator, believing might makes right,
and between three and five of his lieutenants. Everyone else
is left scrabbling for status and resources among themselves.
More charismatic leaders build a cult of personality among
the Thulians, maintaining control through a toxic sense of
brotherhood. Anything not human is killed on sight with
the exception of the occasional captives the Thulians use
as short-lived slave labor.
THE THULIAN COMPOUND
The compound itself is approximately a mile long and
wide, with its back against a rough cliff face riddled with
tunneled-out caves. When the original expedition Crossed
to the Realm, these caves were the only refuge they had
against the night creatures of the nearby Tower of Thor-
agg. This story is etched into the walls of the caves, along
with symbols of every soldier who died in the fight against
the darkness. The complex also holds a shrine created by
the last survivor of the Nazi expedition to come to Thule,
which tells a mythologized story of the Third Reich and
the prophesied coming of the Führer to at last claim Thule.
Based on these teachings, each soldier believes it their duty
to continue their march of conquest.
Between the compound and the rest of East Azoth stand the
Tower of Thoragg and, beyond that, Thorin Forest filled with
night creatures. If these evil undead have ever done anything
good, it’s been to keep the Nazis firmly hemmed in. The Disc
of Mylon may visit Thule if heroes desire to punch Nazis.
A Legion Forgotten
Stationed in Britain after the Roman invasion of 43 CE, the
Ninth Legion vanished from history sometime during the next
century. While divisions or detachments of that legion seem
to have made appearances elsewhere, the legion as a whole
does not exist in any surviving records beyond about 100 CE.
Sometime around then, the main force of the legion set out to
deal with an uprising fixated on rumors of Boudica’s return. She
was said to be somewhat aged, but still hale and firm. Indeed,
the rumors of her death had been greatly exaggerated, as she
has Crossed to Azoth with a handful of her followers, finding
themselves on an island just off the south-east coast of the Isle
of Fantasia. She returned, hoping to drive the Romans from
her native land, only to find that decades had passed instead
of mere years. She lured the Ninth Legion into what they
believed was a blind valley, and together they made another
Crossing, where her reinforcements lay waiting. The battle
was fierce and ground to a stalemate, but when the legion
attempted a retreat, they found the way behind them closed.
Both sides were now trapped in Azoth.
– Lost Places –
The two sides were at odds for several years afterward. It
was only in the wake of a terrible storm that all but wiped
out both Boudica’s fortress and the legion’s encampment
that the two sides put down their weapons and began to
aid one another. This brief truce grew into a lasting peace,
which eventually gave way to the two camps slowly merging
as legionnaires took spouses from among Boudica’s troupe.
Leadership was shared at first, but Boudica quickly became
the focal point of influence, and within her lifetime, the two
sides were practically inseparable, with children unable to
believe that their parents had once been at odds. When Bou-
dica passed, her child, who had taken as their husband the
son of the legion’s general, was chosen to succeed her. This
marked the beginning of the settlement’s practice of elective
leadership — when one passes or is otherwise deemed unfit
to rule, the people come together to choose another.
Over the centuries, the descendants of Boudica’s people
and the legion have built a society together, and the two
have blended into a syncretic culture that harmoniously
combines Celtic and Roman traits. While their architec-
ture is almost universally derived from Roman sources,
deities from both cultures are represented in statuary and
cult practice — a deified Boudica is considered the patron
ancestress and guardian of Perditum, the initial settlement
which has since grown into a small city and which serves
as a capital. Locals speak a language that began as a patois
of Brythonic and Latin, and while it still has recognizable
traits of each, it’s developed in novel ways.
Perditum retains many Roman techniques, such as the
formula for concrete and the knowledge of smelting iron
and steel. Unlike Rome, however, the culture is thoroughly
egalitarian, with people of all genders serving as leaders,
advisors, and military commanders. All genders serve in the
legion, which conscripts all Perditans between the ages of
20 and 25. Those who choose to seek officer rank remain
with the legion thereafter — everyone who commands has
dug latrines and built earthworks, just like everyone else.
Despite their policy of universal military service, the
Legion of Perditum has only rarely gone to war. They long
since cemented their hold on the island, either driving off or
absorbing the few locals who remained, but do not have the
numbers or resources to expand beyond that. They do have
a small navy, one just able to transport the legion, but the
few times they’ve attempted landings on the Isle of Fantasia,
they’ve been thoroughly rebuffed by the druids. The last
attempt, made some 100 years ago, was such a catastrophe
that Perditum has spent the interval rebuilding their navy and
preparing the legion in military and magical tactics designed
to overcome the enemy. The current consul, who remembers
well the warnings of the elders who were there, is aged and
approaching infirmity, and the youth of Perditum are champ-
ing at the bit to prove themselves. Someday soon, there’ll be
an election, and a wild young consul may seek to rectify the
failures of the past — Fantasia delenda est!
161
E ast Azoth is home to a wide variety of people, who might
aid, hinder, or even attack the adventurers. These people
all come in a variety of skin colors similar to those of humans
on Earth, with the exception of the goblins whose coloration
is more uniformly suited for camouflage in forests or caves.
and similar artistic renderings of events that shaped
their culture.
Any dwarf worth their salt knows a couple songs and
stories about something important to them, or their family.
Dwarves eagerly craft their own legend and lore, as it’s not
enough to seek out adventure and accomplishment — you

Dwarves must also tell others about it, otherwise it might as well
have never happened! Regardless of background, upbring-
ing, and class, all dwarves craft songs and stories about

D warves are usually good-natured and well-

intentioned glory hounds, ready to lend aid to
others when it might serve their own quest for renown
their greatest deeds, so that their names are remembered
by their fellows.

and recognition. This makes them a tightly woven and BEAR RIDERS
cooperative people, with a selfish streak that is sometimes If anyone was going to slap a saddle and reins on a moun-
at odds with their desire to do right by their fellows. tain bear and ride it into battle, it was going to be a dwarf.
Dwarves take their oaths and commitments seriously, if The taming of bears as mounts was not a decision made out
only because to do otherwise would harm their good name. of practicality, but because someone thought it’d make a
These bonds are not unbreakable however, as a dwarf will good story. It was. Bear riders are not common, but they are
turn their back on old allies to do what they feel is right always among the most brazen and fearless of the dwarves.
at the time. It wasn’t so long ago that the previous king of
the Grey Hills chose to break off lucrative peacetime trade
with Drohm to stop its campaign to eradicate the elves. 5 DWARVEN BEAR RIDER
Medium people (dwarf), chaotic good
SHORT, ROBUST, AND DEADLY
Standing less than 5 feet on average, dwarves are broad Armor Class 15 (breastplate)
and stocky, weighing almost as much as a human despite Hit Points 58 (9d8 + 18)
being quite a bit shorter. Their dense, muscular builds lend Speed 20 ft. (40 ft., climb 30 ft. while mounted)
them an unparalleled hardiness that lets them shrug off
blows that would kill most other people. STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
Their hair is typically thick and wavy and grows excep-
16 (+3) 16 (+3) 14 (+2) 10 (+0 11 (+0 10 (+0)
tionally fast. Dwarves are hairy by nature, a protection
against the cold of the higher altitudes and piercing winds Skills Animal Handling +2, Perception +2
of the Grey Hills, and a dedicated dwarf can easily grow a Senses passive Perception 12
beard that’s almost as long as they are tall. Languages Hillspeak
A HARD-FOUGHT LEGACY Challenge 3 (700 XP)

Dwarves grow up surrounded by grand epics, music, ACTIONS

and songs about their history. There are few history Multiattack. The bear rider makes one pike attack,
books that dryly cover the origins of the dwarves; preferring to charge first if mounted. Their bear can also
instead they have songbooks, paintings, tapestries, make a claw attack if it’s being ridden.

– Adversaries and Allies – 163

 Pike. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 10 ft.,
one target. Hit: 8 (1d10 + 3) piercing. If the bear rider
is mounted and moves at least 10 feet in a straight line
immediately before attacking they gain a +5 bonus to the
attack’s damage roll.
Bear Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5
ft., one target. Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4) slashing damage.
Dismount. As a bonus action the bear rider can
dismount their bear. While dismounted, the bear acts as a
normal combatant, sharing initiative with the bear rider,
and using the stats for a brown bear. The bear rider may
mount up again as an action.
Elves
T he elves divide into two separate peoples, the martially
minded rainbow elves and the more reclusive forest
elves. Despite each maintaining their own governance,
the two cultures value many of the same things, which
is how they’ve been able to share the Enchanted Forest
so peacefully between them.
NAMES AND CEREMONIES
Elves go by several names, though they don’t share them
all with outsiders. At birth, caretakers or parents gift the
child with a child-name. No kind of toy, clothing style, or
hair style is kept from these children, and their curiosity
about various occupations is freely indulged. As these
children age, they learn more about their history, society,
and values, and can explore the different roles and jobs that
are available to them: from scouting hunting and gathering
grounds, to serving as a lorekeeper, warrior, or tree speaker.
Adults may change occupations based on interest or need:
no vocation is considered lesser than another, each has its
own place in the web of elven society.
Elves hold various ceremonies to mark occasions such
as the passing of the seasons, reaching maturity, assuming
a gender, and other personal and communal milestones. At
approximately thirty years of age, an elf starts being considered
an adult, and so might mark the transition with another ritual
name to signify their experiences. Some occupations take
on additional names or nicknames only used in ritual, be it a
secret name whispered to the trees to commune with the air
and soil, a name intoned over the tempering of a blade, or a
name of power intimated in carvings on a bow.
FAMILY PEOPLE
Elves consider family ties a major virtue. However, family
does not strictly mean biological relations, as some elves
cannot, or choose not to, have children. Family can also mean
adult members or youths who choose to live as siblings, form-
ing a chosen family. Likewise, while elven society is prone
to making alliances between households via marriages and
promises, the elves also acknowledge that as children grow
164 – CHAPTER SEVEN: ALLIES, ADVERSARIES, & CREATURES –
and adults change over time, these arrangements may hold
no love or affection. Marriages serve to bond households,
not necessarily hearts — and to bind hearts, the hearts must
be willing. Thus, elves practice polyamory, recognizing
that a heart may feel multiple bonds, or just one, but each
relationship is valued for its own sake.
Elven society recognizes all genders and consenting attrac-
tions. Family households may encompass multiple parents,
children from any of them, as well as live-in grandparents. A
single elf raising children, co-parenting elves, and elves living
in large chosen families are all accepted as family among
the elves. Each household develops a unique song, much
like an epic poem. These songs recount the histories and
relationships of the household’s members, and sometimes a
member might hire a scribe to write verses to preserve spe-
cific memories. Due to the importance of these songs, elves
may volunteer to scribe for members of other households in
order to learn their songs, considering the knowledge and
preservation of these verses a great honor. The names for
these songs vary, but a gloss in the common tongue renders
them as “maps of the heart.”
5 ELVEN BARD
Medium people (forest elf), chaotic good
Armor Class 13 (leather)
Hit Points 18 (4d8)
Speed 35 feet
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
10 (+0) 14 (+2) 10 (+0) 14 (+2) 14 (+2) 16 (+3)
Skills Performance +5, Perception +4
Condition Immunities Advantage against being
charmed, immune to magical sleep effects
Senses darkvision 30 ft., passive Perception 14
Languages Cant, Forestspeak (forest elf dialect)
Special Abilities Fey Ancestry, Trance, Keen Mind
Challenge Rating 1/8 (25 XP)
ACTIONS
Rapier. Melee Weapon Attack: +2 to hit, Reach 5 ft. Hit:
4 (1d8) piercing damage.
Vicious Mockery. Range 60 ft., Spell DC 12, 2 (1d4)
psychic damage.
Grey Hills Giants
T
he giants in Grey Hills aren’t usually openly hostile,
but their selfish nature means that anything that
might be food will eventually be eaten if it sits still long
enough to be grabbed. Giants have been observed to eat
bears, sheep, dwarves, even whole trees, and as such
most believe they are like goats in that they can consume
nearly anything.
Despite their legend, these creatures are surprisingly rare,
turning up infrequently to menace and attack communities
or travelers, but otherwise remain in the most remote areas
of the region. When they do turn up in settled lands the
communities take all reasonable action to encourage the
giants to wander elsewhere, short of picking fights for fear
of being eaten by the fistful.
STONE GIANT MARAUDERS
With little care for the people and lands around them, the
marauder wanders down from the hills seeking livestock,
people, and plant life to consume. What they don’t eat on
the spot they may steal for later consumption.
STONE TITANS
The eldest of the stone giants become more stone than
flesh, attaining a natural camouflage when sitting still. These
ancient titans are lethargic, and do not brazenly wander
like the younger giants. Most ancient stone giants seem to
be the anchors of their community, serving as leaders, and
recipients of excess food taken by marauders.
When ancient stone giants are seen traveling the lands, it
is often with other giants in tow, and though they are hard
to provoke, they are substantially more potent than their
smaller, younger brethren. These ancient giants are even
capable of serving as walking siege engines, laying waste
to whole towns from afar.
5 STONE GIANT MARAUDER
Large giant (Grey Hills giant), chaotic evil
Armor Class 13 (natural armor)
Hit Points 85 (10d10 + 30)
Speed 40 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
21 (+5) 8 (-1) 17 (+3) 6 (-2) 10 (+0) 8 (-1)
Skills Perception +3
Senses passive Perception 13
Languages Black Mountainspeak
Challenge 5 (1,800 XP)
ACTIONS
Multiattack. The marauder makes two attacks: smashing
offending creatures with its fists or throwing any heavy
objects at hand.
Palm Smash. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach
5 ft., one target. Hit: 14 (2d8 + 5) bludgeoning damage.
If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 12
Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.
– Adversaries and Allies –
Stone. Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, range 60/150
ft., one target. Hit: 14 (2d8 + 5) bludgeoning damage.
5 STONE TITAN
Huge giant (Grey Hills giant), neutral
Armor Class 17 (natural armor)
Hit Points 126 (11d12 + 55)
Speed 40 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
23 (+6) 15 (+2) 20 (+5) 10 (+0) 12 (+1) 9 (-1)
Saving Throws Dex +5, Con +8, Wis +4
Skills Perception +4
Senses passive Perception 14
Languages Black Mountainspeak
Challenge 8 (5,000 XP)
Stone Camouflage. The giant has advantage on
Dexterity (Stealth) checks made to hide in rocky terrain.
Sleeping Giant. The giant can remain perfectly
motionless to become undetectable. While in this state it
can’t attack or move, but it also can’t be detected without
magical means, appearing to be part of the surrounding
stone.
ACTIONS
Multiattack. The giant can make two melee attacks, or
one ranged attack per turn.
Overhand Smash. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit,
reach 15 ft., up to four adjacent targets in a 2x2 square.
Hit: 19 (3d8 + 6) bludgeoning damage. If the target is
a creature, it must succeed on a DC 17 Strength saving
throw or be knocked prone.
Rock. Ranged Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, range 60/240
ft., one target. Hit: 28 (4d10 + 6) bludgeoning damage.
This attack deals double damage to structures. If the target
is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 17 Strength saving
throw or be knocked prone.
Goblins
G
oblins have hairless, mottled green skin pulled tightly
over short, skinny frames with stringy muscles, little
fat, and a bulbous belly. Their faces are similarly gaunt,
with skin pulled tight enough to give them eternal, toothy
grins. Their eyes are black, with small glittering pinpricks
at their centers.
Goblins are highly adaptable, cropping up in various
regions around the world, though they’re predominantly
seen in the Darklands of Drohm. Everywhere they appear
they hunt and raid, gaining a taste for the blood, meat, and
bone of the beasts and people in the region.
165
 There are rumors of goblins that trade with communities STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
peacefully, asking for their dead to eat, and in exchange
the living are left alone, or even protected by the goblins. 16 (+3) 14 (+2) 16(+3) 7 (-2) 11 (+0) 10 (+0)
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 10
CAVE GOBLINS Languages Drohm
With pale, almost translucent skin, and large glittering white Challenge 1/2 (100 XP)
pupils, cave goblins are often mistaken for undead risen to attack
or punish a community. In truth they are a subset of the goblin Aggressive. As a bonus action, the goblin can move up
genus that has taken refuge in the dank darkness of caves. to its speed toward a hostile creature that it can see.
They never fight alone and prefer to attack at night. When Rampage. When the goblin reduces a creature to 0 hit points
engaged they don’t show mercy and believe that anything with a melee attack on its turn, it can take a bonus action to
they kill is theirs to eat, which sometimes leads to internal move up to half its speed and make a spear attack.
fights over who got the killing blow on a victim. ACTIONS
FOREST GOBLINS
Spear. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
target. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) piercing damage.
Their mottled green skin and thin, lanky limbs allow
Javelin. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +5 to hit,
forest goblins to blend in among saplings and ground cov-
reach 5 ft. or range 30/120 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d6 +
er in forests with worrying ease. The forest goblins are a
3) piercing damage.
growing population in the O’koth forests but live in almost
any wooded region of Azoth. 5 FOREST GOBLIN
Forest goblins prefer to lay traps for unsuspecting trav- Medium people (forest goblin), chaotic neutral
elers, attacking them all at once with spears and swords,
hoping to immediately weaken their victims and make the Armor Class 14 (leather)
following fight all the easier.
Hit Points 27 (5d8 + 5)
GOBLIN SKULL BREAKERS Speed 30 ft.
The skull breakers are the largest, meanest, and smartest
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
of the goblins, and count among them the goblin generals
that serve Darkoth, such as General Bonecrack and his 16 (+3) 16 (+3) 13 (+1) 8 (-1) 11 (+0) 9 (-1)
successor Skullcraze. Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 10
Skull Breakers rarely travel without their cadre of chosen Languages Drohm
fighters picked from the strongest and most cunning in
Challenge 1 (200 XP)
their number. In combat the skull breakers fight smartly,
calling out priority targets to their minions while picking Natural Camouflage. The forest goblin has advantage
the best victims for their next attack. on stealth checks when in forests.
Cunning Action. The forest goblin can use a bonus
5 CAVE GOBLIN action to take the Dash, Disengage, or Hide action.
Medium people (cave goblin), chaotic evil Ambush Attack. If the forest goblin surprises a creature
and hits it with an attack during the first round of combat, the
Armor Class 12 (unarmored) target takes an additional 7 (2d6) damage from the attack.
Hit Points 22 (3d8 + 9) Sneak Attack (1/Turn). The forest goblin’s weapon
Speed 30 ft. attacks deal 7 (2d6) extra damage if that attack was

166 – CHAPTER SEVEN: ALLIES, ADVERSARIES, & CREATURES –

made with advantage, or if the goblin had an ally within 5
ft. of the target and that ally is not incapacitated.
ACTIONS
Hairfeet
Javelin. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +5 to hit,
reach 5 ft. or range 30/120 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d6
+ 2) piercing damage in melee or 6 (1d6 + 3) piercing
T here are few peoples in the world that understand
the chaos of life as well as the hairfeet, and few that
can capitalize on it so well. Even the smallest hairfoot
damage at range. communities boast large numbers, partially because they
Longsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 are a boisterous and loving people, and also because hairfeet
ft., one target. Hit: 8 (1d10 + 3) slashing damage. tend to have twins and triplets with unexpected regularity.
Nearly every hairfoot is born to a large family, with
5 SKULL BREAKER more siblings than they know what to do with. These huge
Medium people (goblin), chaotic evil households create environments where natural leaders
and diplomats will be discovered just as quickly as trou-
Armor Class 14 (leather) blemakers and rogues.
Hit Points 75 (10d8 + 30)
OPEN YET INSULAR
Speed 30 ft.
In a society with so many competitors and rivals it rarely
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA pays to give away an edge, and so a hairfoot is not quick to
share their secrets, but they happily put what they know
16 (+3) 16 (+3) 16 (+3) 10 (+0) 12 (+1) 15 (+2)
to use for you if asked (and properly paid).
Saving Throws Str +5, Dex +5, Con +5 Hairfeet tend to collect friends with skills and unique knowl-
Senses passive Perception 11 edge that they can call on when needed, trading favors and coin
Languages Drohm, Cant to get things done. With so many potential friends and allies
Challenge 4 (1,100 XP) in their lives hairfeet are open and welcoming to strangers.

Aggressive. As a bonus action, the skull breaker can

move up to its speed toward a hostile creature that it can 5 TRACKER
see. Small people (hairfoot), any alignment
Brute. A melee weapon deals one extra die of its
Armor Class 13 (leather)
damage when the skull breaker hits with it (included in the
attack). Hit Points 18 (4d6 + 4)
ACTIONS Speed 20 ft.
Multiattack. The skull breaker makes two melee attacks
or two ranged attacks. STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
Longsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 11 (+0) 14 (+2) 12 (+1) 11 (+0) 13 (+1) 11 (+0)
ft., one target. Hit: 11 (2d8 + 3) slashing damage, or 13 Skills Survival +3, Perception +3
(2d10 + 3) slashing damage if used with two hands to Senses passive Perception 13
make a melee attack.
Languages Olardian
Javelin. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +6 to hit,
reach 5 ft. or range 30/120 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (2d6 + Challenge 1/2 (100 XP)
3) piercing damage.
Skirmisher. On each of its turns, the tracker can use a
Call Target. As a bonus action, the skull breaker can bonus action to take the Dash, Disengage, or Hide action.
designate a hostile creature that it can see as a priority
ACTIONS
target. All other goblins fighting with the skull breaker will
Multiattack. The tracker makes two melee attacks or two
gain advantage on their attacks against this enemy until
ranged attacks.
a new one is called. The skull breaker can only have one
priority target called at a time. Shortbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, range
REACTIONS 150/600 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) piercing damage.
Overpower. If the creature that attacked the skull Shortsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +2 to hit, reach 5
breaker is Medium or smaller, they must succeed on a DC ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) piercing damage.
14 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone as the skull REACTIONS
breaker retaliates, attempting to throw them off their feet. Sidestep. As reaction to being attacked the tracker adds
+2 to their AC. If the attack misses, they can move 10 feet
without provoking opportunity attacks.
– Adversaries and Allies – 167

5 CUTPURSE
Small people (hairfoot), chaotic neutral
Armor Class 14 (leather armor)
Hit Points 29 (8d6)
Speed 30 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
10 (+0) 16 (+3) 10 (+0) 12 (+1) 14 (+2) 16 (+3)
Skills Sleight of Hand +7, Stealth +7, Perception +6
Senses passive Perception 16
Languages Cant, Olardian
Challenge 1 (200 XP)
Cunning Action. On each of its turns, the cutpurse can
use a bonus action to take the Dash, Disengage, or Hide
action.
Pilfer (1/Turn). If the cutpurse has advantage
on an attack roll or has an ally within 5 ft. that isn’t
incapacitated, and hits their target with a weapon attack
they can take a single item from that target’s carried
belongings. The target can make a Wisdom saving
throw with a DC of 10 or half the cutpurse’s attack roll,
whichever is higher, to notice the item being taken.
ACTIONS
Multiattack. The cutpurse makes two melee attacks.
Sling. Ranged Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, range 30/120
ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d4 + 3) bludgeoning damage.
168 – CHAPTER SEVEN: ALLIES, ADVERSARIES, & CREATURES –
Dagger. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
one target. Hit: 5 (1d4 + 3) piercing damage.
REACTIONS
Sidestep. As reaction to being attacked the cutpurse
adds +2 to their AC. If the attack misses, they can move
10 feet without provoking opportunity attacks.
Hobgoblins
T hough they share the same origins as their goblin
brethren, they were transformed by the will and
might of Lord Darkoth into brutal, cunning warriors that
are among the most fearsome enemies known to Azoth.
Hobgoblins stand straighter and taller than normal goblins,
with a yellowish cast to their mottled skin instead of a sickly green.
Their ropy muscles are lashed to lanky frames with almost no
fat to speak of. Their skull-like faces are often adorned with dark
markings and streaks of pigment around the eyes and temples.
FAVORED WARRIORS
The hobgoblin ranks serve under General Kor, a highly
prized military advisor to Lord Darkoth directly. Her keen
tactical mind and desire for near perfection in battle has not
only earned her a place of respect among her human peers
but has resulted in the hobgoblin forces becoming an elite
army of deadly fighters. Fearless, brutal, and efficient, they
are rarely seen beyond the borders of Drohm, but within
that nation they are viewed with awe and given a wide berth.
Shadow Blades
Equipped with light armor, and long, single-edged
swords, the elite hobgoblin shadow blades prefer mobility
and aggressive fighting styles over a more balanced ap-
proach to combat. Each shadow blade trains with the same
sword from the moment they are able to hold one and must
be capable of killing a target in no more than two strikes
to be considered for active duty in General Kor’s ranks.
QUIET DISSENT
A small but growing faction of hobgoblins rebel against
Darkoth’s brutal rule, and undertake secret work to sow
dissent and a desire for freedom among their kin. These
disloyal hobgoblins trade in stories of the lands glimpsed by
agents sent beyond the borders of Drohm, and actively seek
out others who dream of being more than soldiers. Such a
cause is often fatal when discovered, but no punishment is so
severe that it can quell the desire to be free of Darkoth’s evil.
5 SHADOW BLADE
Medium people (hobgoblin), lawful evil
Armor Class 16 (studded leather)
Hit Points 112 (15d8 + 45)
Speed 30 ft.
 or launch a navy as quickly as the humans. This coupled with
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA their capacity to exploit a region for resources makes them an
often-worrying force for change in the world.
18 (+4) 16 (+3) 16 (+3) 12 (+2) 12 (+2) 10 (+0)
Humans may be second best to many of the most talented
Saving Throws Str +7, Dex +7, Con +6 artisans of the world but being second best at twice the pace
Skills Acrobatics +7, Athletics +7 has certainly had its uses, and contributed to the dominance
Senses passive Perception 11 of nations like Drohm. It is fortunate that they make good
neighbors and stalwart allies under most circumstances.
Languages Cant, Drohm
Challenge 6 (2,300 XP) FIGHT ONE, FIGHT THEM ALL

Improved Criticals. The shadow blade’s weapon Humans are deeply social creatures that are strongest
attacks score a critical hit on a roll of 19 or 20. when working together. One need look no further than
the militaries of Brachmon and Drohm to see how brutally
Overhead Lunge (1/turn). The shadow blade can
effective humans can be when united against an enemy.
extend the range of their weapon, gaining the Reach
No matter how cruel and callous a human can get there
property for one attack.
will always be another with the unwavering dedication to
ACTIONS triumph over the evil their people are capable of.
Multiattack. The shadow blade makes three melee
attacks.
Longsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 5 EPICIAN SEA RAIDER
ft., one target. Hit: 12 (2d8 + 4) slashing damage, or 14 Medium people (human), any chaotic alignment
(2d10 + 4) slashing damage if used with two hands to
make a melee attack. Armor Class 14 (unarmored)
REACTIONS Hit Points 67 (9d8 + 27)
Riposte. When a creature misses the shadow blade with Speed 30 ft., swim 30ft.
a melee attack, the shadow blade can make a melee
weapon attack against the creature. To do so they must be STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
able to see the attacker and be wielding a melee weapon.
16 (+3) 12 (+1) 17 (+3) 9 (-1) 11 (+0) 9 (-1)

Humans Skills Athletics +5, Survival +2

Senses passive Perception 10

F
Languages Epician, Brachmon, Cant
rom Brachmon to Ardonia, humans dominate the eastern
Challenge 3 (700 XP)
shores of Azoth. Their tendency to travel and explore
means they can be found living in almost every nation of Azoth. Rain of Axes. If the sea raider attacks a creature while
they are prone the attack is an automatic critical hit.
REMARKABLY INDUSTRIOUS
Reckless. At the start of their turn, the sea raider can gain
None of the other peoples can match the raw output of human advantage on all melee weapon attack rolls during that
production. No people on Azoth can raise a city, equip an army,

– Adversaries and Allies – 169

 turn, but attack rolls against them have advantage until the Longsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach
start of their next turn. 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) slashing damage, or 8
Resilient. The sea raider adds their Con modifier to their (1d10 + 3) slashing damage if used with two hands.
armor class (already included). Shortsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5
ACTIONS ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d6 + 3) piercing damage.
Multiattack. The sea raider can make two attacks per
5 ROADSIDE BANDIT
turn.
Medium people (human), chaotic evil
Hand Axes. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5
ft., one target. Hit: 9 (2d6 + 3) slashing damage. Armor Class 12 (leather)
Sweeping Strike. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, Hit Points 13 (2d8 + 4)
reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d6 + 3) slashing damage.
Speed 30 ft.
The targeted creature must make a DC 12 Strength saving
throw or be knocked prone.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
5 RANGER OF O’KOTH 13 (+1) 12 (+1) 14 (+2) 12 (+1) 10 (+0) 12 (+1)
Medium people (human), lawful good Skills Intimidation +3, Stealth +3
Armor Class 15 (banded mail) Senses passive Perception 10
Hit Points 58 (8d8 + 18) Languages Cant, plus 1 local language
Speed 30 ft. Challenge 1/8 (25 XP)

ACTIONS
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
Short Sword. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, one
16 (+3) 14 (+2) 14 (+2) 10 (+0) 14 (+2) 10 (+0) target. Hit: 4 (1d6 + 1) slashing damage.
Skills Investigation +2, Perception +4, Stealth +4
5 VILE CULTIST
Senses passive Perception 14
Medium people (human), any evil
Languages O’koth, Cant
Challenge 3 (700 XP) Armor Class 11
Hit Points 9 (2d8)
ACTIONS
Speed 30 ft.
Multiattack. The ranger makes two longsword attacks. If
it has a shortsword drawn, it can also make a shortsword
attack. STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
11 (+0) 12 (+1) 10 (+0) 12 (+1) 11 (+0) 10 (+0)

170 – CHAPTER SEVEN: ALLIES, ADVERSARIES, & CREATURES –

Skills Investigation +3, Perception +2, Stealth +3
Senses passive Perception 10
Languages Carahall, Cant
Challenge 1/8 (25 XP)
ACTIONS
Dagger. Melee Weapon Attack: +2 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
one target. Hit: 3 (1d4 + 1) piercing damage.
Chill Touch. Ranged Spell Attack: +3 to hit, range 120
ft., one target. Hit: 4 (1d8) necrotic damage, and the
target can’t regain hit points until the start of the cultist’s
next turn.
Shocking Grasp. Melee Spell Attack: +3 to hit, reach
5 ft., one target. Hit: 4 (1d8) lightning damage, and the
target can’t take reactions until the start of its next turn.
Minotaurs
W
hile people of East Azoth are quick to call the
minotaurs monsters, this grossly oversimplifies
the long and complicated history of these bovine people.
While many other people of East Azoth associate
minotaurs with slavers, few spare a thought to how this
came to be.
Early in the history of the slaving city of Drakhol in
Drohm, various minotaur communities were prime tar-
gets for parties of slavers, decimating whole villages at a
time. Prior to this, the minotaurs were a diverse people
that ranged in appearance and attributes, from the long-
haired, woolly minotaurs who inhabited the mountains to
the short-haired, long-horned minotaurs of the plains. Yet,
the demand for the sturdy, docile, and plentiful workforce
was so great that all minotaurs were targeted by slavers,
then mixed together with no care for their differences or
individual cultures. Because of this, many of the individ-
ual communities’ cultures and languages were lost as the
generations passed, with only a few traditions passed down
in syncretic forms as the minotaurs were forced to create
new families at their masters’ whim.
In the decades since, the minotaurs have worked their
way up in their masters’ ranks as capable laborers, claiming
power and status in the city of Drakhol. These changes
have allowed many to gain, or take, their freedom back.
This has resulted in some minotaurs who were once slaves
becoming slavers themselves.
THE FREE PEOPLE OF THE PLAINS
A few minotaur families chose to leave Drakhol altogether
once they claimed freedom, returning to the plains or the
mountains to reform their old communities. The most suc-
cessful of these are the People of the Plains, a diverse group
of minotaur warriors and artisans that managed to claim
and hold enough territory to sustain themselves. Slaves of
– Adversaries and Allies –
other peoples have joined the People of the Plains and often
symbolize their affiliation by wearing horns themselves.
Ironically, the new communities are often targets for
slavers, sometimes pitting minotaur against minotaur as
these refuges become an increasingly popular destination
for escaped slaves. While these communities are willing to
aid any slave in need, they are very suspicious of strangers
in general. Minotaurs also have a difficult time escaping the
association with slavers, despite numbering fewer slavers
among them than the humans of Drohm, which has led
them to face discrimination whenever they go into villages
other than Drakhol to trade their goods or services.
5 PEOPLE OF THE PLAINS
Large people (minotaur), lawful good
Armor Class 14 (studded leather)
Hit Points 52 (7d10 +14)
Speed 40 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
14 (+2) 16 (+3) 14 (+2) 8 (-1) 10 (+0) 10 (+0)
Saving Throws Str +5, Dex +6, Con +5
Skills Perception +3
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 13
Languages Cant, Plainspeak
Challenge 2 (450 XP)
Herd sense. Minotaurs fighting in a group of four or
more allies within 10 ft. gain advantage on attack rolls.
Perception increases by +2 when Herd Sense is active.
ACTIONS
Multi-shot. As an action, the minotaur may fire up to
three arrows at a single opponent at a –2 penalty to hit.
All arrows use the same attack roll.
For a full-round action, the minotaur can time their shots in
such a way as to hit up to three separate targets at the same
–2 penalty to hit. Targets can be no more than 30 ft. apart.
Shortbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, range
80/320 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) piercing damage.
5 MINOTAUR SLAVER
Large people (minotaur), lawful evil
Armor Class 16 (chain mail)
Hit Points 112 (15d10 + 30)
Speed 40 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
18 (+4) 12 (+1) 14 (+2) 10 (+0) 14 (+2) 13 (+1)
171
 Saving Throws Str +7, Dex +4, Con +5
Skills Perception +5, Intimidation +4
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 15
Languages Drohm, Cant
Challenge 6 (2,300 XP)
Herd sense. Minotaurs fighting in a group of four or
more allies within 10 ft. gain advantage on attack rolls.
Perception increases by +2 when Herd Sense is active.
ACTIONS
Multiattack. The minotaur makes two axe attacks per
turn. When using a bonus action to make an attack, the
minotaur may use the Gore ability.
Hand axe. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, 5 ft. reach,
one target. Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4) slashing.
Gore. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, 5 ft. reach,
one target, Hit: 8 (1d8 + 4) piercing. Can be made as a
second attack in a turn with disadvantage.
Ogres
O
gres stand over ten feet fall, with broad shoulders,
and hugely muscular bodies layered with dense fat.
They bear curiously similar features to dwarves, and some
scholars believe they may be distantly related with some
shared heritage in Azoth’s long history.
Were it not for their lack of foresight and planning,
the ogre might be the most dominant creature on Azoth.
172 – CHAPTER SEVEN: ALLIES, ADVERSARIES, & CREATURES –
Their immense size, strength, and tendency to travel in
groups create a formidable force, even if taken by surprise.
Ogres live in roaming communities, utilizing their size
and numbers to ward off dangers. While it might seem
strange that such a formidable creature needs numbers
to keep their predators at bay, their general lack of
cleverness means that they are quite easily tricked and
captured.
NEVER UNDERESTIMATE AN OGRE
Despite their profound lack of subtlety they aren’t to
be written off as unthreatening. Ogres know their own
weaknesses quite well and are smart enough to only pick
fights they can win.
It’s not uncommon to see remote towns tested by probing
attacks from ogres who are sizing up their future victims,
and their chances of victory. In battle ogres are quite fond
of working together and will quickly abandon a fight if it
isn’t going their way.
GREAT OGRES
What the great ogre lacks in intelligence they make up
for in strength and resilience over their more common
brethren. They wield a club made from a small tree ripped
out of the ground, and carry a collection of large rocks in
a deer hide tied to their waist. The great ogre is often the
head of a wandering troupe of ogres, and rarely travels
without a few of them in tow.
 5 GREAT OGRE women shepherd and protect their young, put them to work,
and teach them all they are meant to know as adults. Men
Large giant (ogre), chaotic evil
travel in bachelor groups, raiding, hunting, and patrolling
Armor Class 10 (leather) the lands, taking on young men to teach them their role in
society. Non-binary orcs join either group as they desire,
Hit Points 73 (7d10 + 35)
or as they believe their aid is needed.
Speed 40 ft.
AN EMPIRE BROKEN
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA Long before the orcs rose up to war against the humans,
20 (+5) 8 (-1) 20 (+5) 5 (-3) 7 (-2) 7 (-2) the largely nomadic people lived in relative harmony with
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 8 their neighbors. They traded, farmed, and hunted through-
out East Azoth without issue. When the humans arrived
Languages Black Mountainspeak
in East Azoth the orcs were caught off guard by a new foe
Challenge 4 (1,100 XP) they didn’t understand, who wanted their fertile lands to
hunt and farm for themselves and were expanding far more
ACTIONS
quickly than the orcs could handle.
Tree Swipe. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach
They were driven out of their homes, and many became
10 ft., up to two adjacent targets. Hit: 18 (3d8 + 5)
raiders preying on settlements just to get by, while others
bludgeoning damage. The great ogre sweeps its tree-club
collected in the Bloody Hills.
in a wide arc, hitting up to two creatures that are within
5ft. of each other. It was only natural that they would one day rise up and
make a final push back against the people that had claimed
Rock. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach their homelands. The orcs waited until the humans were
5 ft. or range 30/120 ft., one target. Hit: 12 (2d6 + 5) weakened by the Forever War to launch this campaign,
bludgeoning damage. and for a brief moment they enjoyed great success, before

Orcs a coalition of other nations drove them off.

The allied armies shattered the orcs and drove them to
the Black Mountains. Despite all this, the orc people are

T he orc nation is a broken one, long vilified by history not defeated. Now they strive to return to their old ways
of peace and prosperity in the Bloody Hills. They have no
and twice driven to the verge of collapse. Their
taste for war, and certainly no interest in being ruled by
homelands in the Bloody Hills are under the rule of
humans, but they also know that conquest is not an answer.
Drohm, and orcs not content to struggle in that harsh
Orc Ambassadors
land instead roam East Azoth preying upon people or
serve the interests of Lord Darkoth. The orcs are attempting to get their native lands in the
Bloody Hills returned to them as sovereign land, and their
In Azoth most people take a dim view of orcs, remem-
communities send out ambassadors to win over the other
bering only the time when they were marauding across the
nations. It is their hope to restore their crumbled nation,
lands, sacking villages and burning fields. The reputation
and to rebuild trust in the orcs, to make it clear that a
and image of the orcs is one they earned, but not one they
unified orc people will not simply give rise to another war.
truly deserve, as they were once the victims of aggressive
expansion which nearly ended them as a people. The orcs recognize this will be a slow process, and that
the wounds of the past will take many years to heal, if they
Now the orcs are a fractured, disparate people caught in
even can be. As such, orc ambassadors are chosen for their
the shadow of their own history.
wisdom, charisma, and patience more than their martial
POWERFUL PIGMEN ability, though they rarely travel without at least one pro-
tector to safeguard them and their mission.
Orcs are tall, muscular pigmen with skin of brown, black
or pink color, though they are often covered with splotches SOULS TO GRAAKAHORDA
of other hues. They have beady eyes, thin bristly hair, and
There is not much in the way of orc religion, though one
large snouts.
belief does persist in most every community of them, and
They are naturally organized and social creatures, which
that is Graakahorda, orc hell. When a non-orc is slain by
is what has made them so effective at adapting and conquer-
an orc, this is where they are said to go, cast into a realm
ing in the past. They are not territorial or selfish by nature,
of blackness and shame.
except in mating season when the men compete with each
For many orcs, belief in this hell is not a serious one and the
other fiercely to win the approval of their women, who
curse of damnation to Graakahorda is merely meant to express
control the homes and families of orc society.
their hatred or contempt for a particular foe. There are small
Orcs are frequently born in multiples, often three at
numbers of orcs that truly believe in this place, however, and only
a time, but six or more children are not unheard of. Orc
– Adversaries and Allies – 173
 damn others to the eternal shame of this hell if they are deemed 5 RAID MASTER
truly deserving. Of course, to curse someone to Graakahorda is
Medium people (orc), any chaotic alignment
only the first step, as an orc must then kill them.
Strangely, the orcs have no hell or plane of damnation of Armor Class 13 (hide armor)
their own, death itself being shame enough under the right Hit Points 30 (4d8 + 12)
circumstances. When an orc dies naturally of age or illness
they are mourned quite deeply, but warriors and soldiers Speed 30 ft.
that die in battle are never openly mourned or honored,
as their death is seen as a fundamental failure to execute STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
their very purpose as fighters and protectors. 16 (+3) 12 (+1) 16 (+3) 10 (+0) 12 (+1) 12 (+1)
Skills Intimidation +3, Perception +3
5 AMBASSADOR Senses passive Perception 10
Medium people (orc), chaotic good Languages Cant, Drohm
Challenge 1 (100 XP)
Armor Class 11 (unarmored)
Hit Points 13 (2d8 + 4) Aggressive. As a bonus action, the raid master can
move up to their speed toward a hostile creature that they
Speed 30 ft.
can see.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA Call the Charge. If the raid master uses their Aggressive
feature, any orc that can see them gains +10 ft. of
15 (+2) 12 (+1) 12 (+1) 14 (+2) 12 (+1) 12 (+1) movement on their next turn.
Skills Insight +3, Persuasion +3 ACTIONS
Senses passive Perception 11 Greataxe. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
Languages Cant, Drohm, O’koth one target. Hit: 9 (1d12 + 3) slashing damage.
Challenge 1/4 (50 XP) Javelin. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +5 to hit,
reach 5 ft. or range 30/120 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d6 +
ACTIONS 3) piercing damage.
Long Sword. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5
ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d8 + 2) slashing damage.

174 – CHAPTER SEVEN: ALLIES, ADVERSARIES, & CREATURES –

Pixies
P ixies are small fey creatures native to the Enchanted
Forest. They love nothing more than to play pranks
on hapless adventurers, especially those who do not
respect the forest or its inhabitants. Pixie pranks take a
deadly turn when a creature is overtly evil or destructive,
but these tiny creatures are not above mercy and will
negotiate with any intelligent creature.
Within the Enchanted Forest pixie society is communal.
Each pixie contributes to the collective and takes what they
need from the shared resources they contribute to. There’s
nothing a pixie enjoys more than to laugh at a good story,
surrounded by good friends and delicious treats. Anyone
overly greedy or selfish finds themself ostracised from
pixie society until they find a way to make amends. Mak-
ing amends can entail anything from bringing something
of high value back to the community, to returning home,
antenna bowed, with a hilarious story about how you just
can’t cut it in the big folk’s world.
Pixies are born asexual with a small antenna on their
head. If a pixie decides on a gender, they grow sex char-
acteristics similar to those of humans and male pixies lose
their antenna. Most pixies decide on a gender when they
wish to procreate with a partner but may switch during
their lifetime. The transition from one gender to another
takes roughly a season.
5 PRANKSTER
Tiny fey (pixie), any chaotic alignment
Armor Class 13 (leather)
Hit Points 28 (8d4+8)
Speed 30 ft., flying
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
4 (-3) 14 (+2) 12 (+1) 11 (+1) 14 (+2) 14 (+2)
Saving Throws Dexterity +4, Wisdom +4
Skills Acrobatics +4, Deception +4, Perception +4,
Persuasion +4
Condition Immunities charmed
Senses passive Perception 13
Languages Cant, Pixie, Forestspeak
Challenge 1/2 (100 xp)
Disappear. As a bonus action the pixie may disappear
and become invisible. They may reappear at will, and the
invisibility ends if they make any overt actions which give
away their position.
Innate Spellcasting. The pixie may use the cantrip
mage hand at will.
– Adversaries and Allies –
Stop Hitting Yourself. As an action the pixie targets someone
within 30 ft. The target must make a DC 11 Wisdom saving
throw or attack themself with their weapon (or fists if they have
no weapon). The pixie may do this once per target, per day.
ACTIONS
Tiny bow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, range 30
ft., one target. Hit: 1 (1d4–2) piercing damage, 4 poison
damage. Pixie arrows are no larger than a toothpick, and
in order to take down larger opponents they dip them
in poison. Enemies hit by the arrows must make a DC 11
Constitution saving throw or fall asleep. Victims who’ve
fallen asleep may be woken by allies with the equivalent
of a good nudge. Once a person has fallen prey to the
poison’s sleep effects, they’re immune, but still take the
additional poison damage each time they’re hit.
5 SWARM OF PIXIES
Large swarm of Tiny fey (pixies), chaotic neutral
Armor Class 13 (leather)
Hit Points 75 (10d10 + 20)
Speed 30 ft., flying
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
9 (-1) 15 (+2) 12 (+1) 14 (+2) 11 (+0) 12 (+1)
Skills Acrobatics +4, Deception +4, Insight +2
Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing, slashing
Condition Immunities charmed, grappled
Senses passive Perception 10
Languages Cant, Pixie
Challenge 2 (450 XP)
Innate Spellcasting (Fey Magik). The swarm’s innate
spellcasting ability is Intelligence (spell save DC 13). The swarm
can innately cast the following spells, requiring no components:
At will: minor illusion, 1/day each: dispel magic, dancing
lights, major image
Split. As a bonus action the swarm can split into two
Medium sized swarms. Each new swarm has hit points
equal to half the original swarm’s, rounded up. Each swarm
maintains the rest of its stats including AC, attack bonus, etc.
The 1/day spells of the swarm’s innate spellcasting may
only be used once by either swarm, not by both.
Swarm of Chaos. The swarm can occupy another creature’s
space and vice versa, and the swarm can move through
any space large enough for a Tiny pixie. It is impossible to
Disengage within the cloud and anyone trying to leave it
provokes an opportunity attack. Standing adjacent or within
the pixie cloud negates the rogue’s Sneak Attack feature.
ACTIONS
Sting. Ranged weapon attack: +4 to hit, reach 0 ft.,
every target in the swarm’s space. Hit: 5 (2d4) piercing
damage.
175
 Trolls
T rolls inhabit many different places within Azoth. Most
prefer life in nuclear groups with a few other trolls of
the same people whom they can stand being around. Larger
groups of trolls are almost always exclusively mine trolls
who work together to mine valuable resources, or Bryzine
trolls, the smaller, more amicable members of the troll family.
MINE TROLLS
Mine trolls are hairless, virtually blind, and lack regenerative
abilities. They spend most of their days digging the hideous
eyesores of glittering ore and gems out of the caves they live
in. Mine trolls detest anything that reflects light and as such
have a natural tendency to mine for precious ore and gems, to
clear out their otherwise beautifully dank living quarters. Smart
enough to know how much other people value ore and gems,
mine trolls work with their Bryzine cousins who sell off the ore
for a good price and relay shared profits back to the mine trolls.
Mine trolls are peaceful insofar as they’d never take offensive
actions against other creatures but are fiercely territorial. If
an uninvited guest enters their mines, they make short work
of them, desperately wanting to be left alone.
RIVER TROLLS
River trolls are the largest and most aggressive of trolls.
They live in small groups of two or three and make riv-
erbanks their home. Their motivation is simple, wanton
destruction. River trolls love nothing more than to destroy
someone’s good day, take their valuables, and most often,
take their lives. They despise fair fights and will do anything
in their power to pick off weaker targets and leave stronger
foes without support. Luckily, river trolls are a short-lived,
cowardly lot who, facing insurmountable odds, will always
run away to fight another day.
ROCK TROLLS
Rock trolls are the most populous trolls in Azoth. A nat-
ural stony hide covers their bodies, with dense patches of
fur sprouting through the cracks in their flesh like grass
between cobble stones. They make their homes around
rocky outcroppings or mountainous regions. Their favoured
dwellings are caves, and each rock troll marks their home
with a unique stacking of stones only legible to other trolls.
The way in which a rock troll stacks their rocks details
their lineage, victories, and also whether they’re amicable
to receiving visitors or not. The other people of Azoth,
ignorant of this trollish tradition, tend to misread these
signposts and anger the rock trolls who happily punish
intruders for their rudeness.
SWAMP TROLLS
While populous in the Fetid Swamps of West Azoth, little is
known about the enigmatic swamp trolls in East Azoth. Most
176 – CHAPTER SEVEN: ALLIES, ADVERSARIES, & CREATURES –
stories of these creatures say they live in sizeable communities
and see themselves as protectors of the swamps. Some reports
say swamp trolls are able to speak with all animals and even
plants, but that has never been substantiated.
5 TROLL
Large giant (troll), chaotic neutral
Armor Class 15 (Natural Armor)
Hit Points 105 (10d10+50)
Speed 30 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
18 (+4) 13 (+1) 20 (+5) 7 (-2) 9 (-1) 7 (-2)
Skills Perception +2
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 12
Languages Bryzine, Cant, Rock Stacks
Challenge 5 (1,800 XP)
Keen Smell. The troll has advantage on Wisdom
(Perception) checks that rely on smell.
Regeneration. Prerequisite: river, rock, or swamp troll.
The troll regains 10 hit points at the start of its turn. If the
troll takes fire damage, this trait doesn’t function at the
start of the troll’s next turn. The troll dies only if it starts its
turn with 0 hit points and doesn’t regenerate.
Mine Senses. Prerequisite: mine troll. The mine troll does
not regenerate, it has tremorsense, and can live up to a
month eating nothing but mineral ore. Bright flashes of
light stun mine trolls for 1 round.
River’s Might. Prerequisite: river troll. River trolls
regenerate 20 hit points per round rather than 10. As an
action the river troll may double in size gaining +40 hit
points, +15 ft. speed, and +1d6 (3) damage. River trolls
are considered Challenge 7 (2,900 XP).
Rocky Hide. Prerequisite: rock troll. If the rock troll suffers
a critical hit, the attacker must roll a d20. On a result of
1-2 their weapon, whether axe or fist, breaks on the troll’s
rocky hide. If the attack was a spell, the spell bounces off
the troll’s hide and hits the caster instead.
Swamp Walk. Prerequisite: swamp troll. The swamp troll
ignores difficult terrain in its natural habitat – the swamp. If the
swamp troll is standing in water, on dirt, or any combination
of the two, rather than moving on its turn the swamp troll may
melt into the ground and reappear anywhere within 30 ft.
ACTIONS
Multiattack. The troll makes three attacks: one with its
bite and two with its claws.
Bite. Melee weapon attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
target. Hit: 7 (1d6+4) piercing damage.
Claw. Melee weapon attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
target. Hit: 11 (2d6+4) slashing damage.
 Creatures
E ast Azoth is full of creatures, both natural and created
through magic or alchemy. Some live in dungeons
or forests, some on the dead shores of Ardonous, and
J BAT PERSON
Large beast, evil alignments generally

others exist only in legend. Those who adventure into Armor Class 13 (natural armor)
the wilds of the Realm must be aware of the dangers and Hit Points 42 (5d10 + 15)
beauties that lie in wait. Here is a small compendium of
Speed 20 ft., fly 90 ft.
possible creatures encountered in East Azoth. Groups gain
experience points fitting the creature’s challenge rating if
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
they overcome it as an obstacle, whether that’s through
combat, negotiations, trickery or general cleverness. 15 (+2) 16 (+3) 16 (+3) 11 (+0) 12 (+1) 7 (-2)
Legendlore encourages avoiding combat by talking to Skills Intimidate +0, Perception +3, Stealth +4
creatures or going around them. Damage Resistances cold
You can also add any creatures from the 5th edition Condition Immunities poisoned
fantasy roleplaying game, though beware demons and devils
Senses blindsight 120 ft., darkvision 60 ft., passive
in the Realm hail from the Shadow Lands, and Azoth has
Perception 11
its own dragons.
Languages Bat Speak, Cant

Bat People Challenge 2 (450 XP)

From the Darkness. Bat people attack at night and

E very child in East Azoth heard the same threat from

their parents: “Behave or the bat people will get you.”
Every child knows this could be true. The creatures, very
large bats rather than people despite the name, come in
the night. As large as an average person, they fly on silent
wings, capturing their prey before it is aware of the danger.
There’s never just one either. If anything remains of their
prey, it is a bloodless corpse with very little left to identify
the victim. To see a bat person and live is a rare thing, to
kill a bat person an even rarer thing. A few adventurers
tell tales of seeing the creatures being ridden by favored
servants of Lord Darkoth, though no one knows how he
controls them. Everyone else is potential food as far as
most bat people are concerned.
USED AS MOUNT
Bat people still act independently as mounts and retain
their own place in the initiative order. Bearing a rider
puts no restrictions on the actions bat people can take
unless Lord Darkoth ordered specifically to the contrary.
Otherwise, they move and act as they wish. They might flee
from combat, rush to attack and devour a badly injured foe,
or otherwise act against the rider’s wishes. If so inclined,
a bat person can attempt to throw their rider, in which
case they must make an Acrobatics (Dexterity) check vs.
the rider’s Dexterity.
In either case, if a bat person provokes an opportunity
attack while bearing a rider, the attacker chooses whether
to target the rider or the bat person.
always in groups.
Limited Speech. They squeak and pip to each other in
their own language, but can imitate spoken words when
discoursing with Darkoth, or Darkoth’s servants.
Silent Wings. Bat people use their gliding flight to their
advantage. Their favored tactic is to pick up prey and
drop it to its death.
Echolocation. Bat people cannot use blindsight if
deafened.
Keen Hearing. Bat people have advantage on
Perception checks that rely on hearing.
Scent of Magic. Their heightened senses allow them to
smell arcane magic, making them especially deadly to
arcane practitioners.
Night Prowler. Bat people have advantage on Stealth
checks in dim light or darkness.
ACTIONS
Multi-attack. Bat people make two attacks: one with
their bite and one with their claws.
Coordinated attack. Bat people gain advantage when
attacking from the sky with one or more others of their
kind.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
target. Hit: 6 (1d8 + 2) piercing damage.
Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
target. Hit: 9 (2d6 + 2) slashing damage.

– Creatures – 177
 Demons
S cholars of Azoth refer to the Shadow Lands as “the gap
which is neither reality nor thought.” Only demons
can exist in this anti-world of cold, dark mist. Time has
no meaning here, and every moment lasts an eternity.
The Shadow Lands’ three rulers — they style themselves
two kings and a queen — crave reality and this fuels their
desire to conquer the Realm.
Demons can be summoned by a mage or a group of mages
(see Chapter Four: Magic, Spells, and Rituals, p. 109),
often at peril to the arcanists’ own lives. There is never a
good reason to summon a demon.
RULERS OF THE SHADOW LANDS:
DRAWAS, EOPHON, KI’OAJA
Of the illusive rulers of the Shadow Lands, Drawas is the
most vicious. Those that perceive this demon sense a being
made entirely of shadows, except for the sharp-toothed
smile that cuts across his black, formless face — that is,
until he moves out of his shadow, revealing a skeletal torso
that seems to float above his shadowy lower half, and the
vicious scythe he wields. Like the other sovereigns of the
178 – CHAPTER SEVEN: ALLIES, ADVERSARIES, & CREATURES –
Shadow Lands, he desires to conquer reality, yet has failed
in all of his previous attempts.
With a bulbous and rotting body and a skull for a face,
Eophon is one of the most vile demon sovereigns ever to
emerge from the Shadow Lands. Where there is life, she
brings death, and a smell of toxic decay follows her wherever
she goes. She made previous attempts to conquer and claim
reality, only to be vanquished back into the Shadow Lands.
The most stoic of the rulers of the Shadow Lands, Ki’oaja
stands like a tall, imposing statue of living brass. Their evil
is clinical and calculating, their actions often expressing
little emotion. Ki’oaja came closest to conquering reality
with their precise, methodical strategy and it is hard to
determine where Ki’oaja stands with Terrorek now.
THE ELVEN SLAYER: SHINDE IMAS
Shinde Imas, also known as the Elven Slayer, is a great beast of
pure evil. It was brought forth with black magic and is considered
the greatest of the human’s’ sins. Raised from the fringes of exis-
tence, Shinde Imas almost succeeded in its dark purpose to wipe
all elvenkind from existence. It only failed when vanquished by a
great elven hero wielding the Yu’lldian Blade. With the sword’s
magic, Shinde Imas was banished from the Realm. The rainbow
elves hold the Yu’lldian Blade in trust against the day Shinde Imas
should be summoned to fulfill its purpose once more.
THE PLAGUE BRINGER: TERROREK J EOPHON
Cruel, selfish, and incapable of compassion, Terrorek is Large fiend, neutral evil
the very embodiment of death and decay. While he is near
impossible to destroy, he can be beaten back, and has been by Armor Class 19 (natural armor)
champions of the light, forcing him to rebuild his army anew. Hit Points 210 (20d10+100)
TerrorekhailsfromtheNetherworld,whereonlythedeaddwell, Speed 40 ft.
and East Azothian scholars have been unable to determine if
the Netherworld is part of, or separate from, the Shadow Lands.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
Terrorek looks like the skeleton of a bipedal dragon. He
considers himself a god and believes it his divine right to
18 (+4) 20 (+5) 20 (+5) 20 (+5) 18 (+4) 16 (+3)
conquer and destroy all of the Realm, starting with the kingdom Saving Throws Con +10, Wis +9, Cha +8
of Ardonous where his reign of carnage and destruction began Skills Deception +8, Intimidation +8
so long ago. Were it not for the uneasy alliance between Ardonia Damage Resistances All non-magical attacks; cold,
and Drohm, Terrorek might have succeeded in his dark plans electricity and fire damage
back then. For now, he is imprisoned on the ruined island of
Ardonous, limited by the holiness of the Cathedral of Othaaris
Condition Immunities charmed, frightened
that was used to bind him and his power. All bindings decay in Senses truesight 50 ft., passive Perception 14
time though, and darkness stirs anew. Languages Telepathy (120 ft.), Cant
Challenge 14 (11,500)
J DRAWAS ACTIONS
Large fiend, chaotic evil Heed unto me (recharge 5-6). Eophon possesses the
ability to summon forth 2d10 tormented souls to fight for
Armor Class 18 (natural armor) her. Each soul has the statistics of a zombie.
Hit Points 200 (16d10+112) Necromancer. Eophon is a 20th-level necromancer.
Speed 40 ft. As an action, she can cast any necromantic spell by
sacrificing summoned souls equal to the level of the
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA necromancer spell she wishes to cast. The save DC for
24 (+7) 20 (+5) 24 (+7) 22 (+6) 22 (+6) 16 (+3) Eophon’s spells is 19.
REACTIONS
Saving Throws Con +12, Wis +11, Cha +8
Eophon may cast counterspell by sacrificing summoned
Skills Deception +8, Intimidation +8 souls equal to the level at which she wishes to cast it.
Damage Resistances All non-magical attacks; cold,
electricity, and fire damage J KI’OAJA
Condition Immunities charmed, frightened Large fiend, lawful evil
Senses truesight 50 ft., passive Perception 16
Armor Class 20 (natural armor)
Languages Telepathy (120 ft.), Cant
Hit Points 243 (18d10 +144)
Challenge 14 (11,500)
Speed 30 ft.
From the Shadows. When Drawas is in his shadow
form, he adds +11 to his AC, but he cannot attack. When STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
he transitions from this shadow form to his more skeletal 24 (+7) 18 (+4) 26 (+8) 22 (+6) 20 (+5) 16 (+3)
form, he loses this AC bonus but can attack.
Saving Throws Con +14, Wis +11, Cha +9
ACTIONS
Skills Deception +9, Intimidation +9
Multiattack. Drawas can make three attacks per turn.
Damage Resistances All non-magical attacks; cold,
Deadly Harvest. Drawas, when in skeletal form, is armed electricity and fire damage
with a giant scythe. This is treated as a two-handed slashing
weapon. Melee Weapon Attack: +12 to hit, reach 15 ft., one Condition Immunities charmed, frightened
target. Hit: 20 (2d12 + 7) slashing damage. If the initial target Senses truesight 50 ft., passive Perception 15
is hit, the slash attack continues through to strike an adjacent Languages Telepathy (120 ft.), Cant
second target for half damage. Challenge 17 (18,000)
REACTIONS
Reactive. Drawas can take one reaction on every turn in Endless Darkness. Ki’oaja has the natural ability to
a combat. grow or shrink using the enlarge/reduce spell at will.

– Creatures – 179
 When they shrink, they do not take disadvantage or any
other penalties from being smaller.
ACTIONS
Multiattack. Ki’oaja can make 3 attacks per turn.
Brutal Smash. Melee Weapon Attack: +13 to hit, reach
15 ft., up to three adjacent targets. Hit: 17 (2d8 + 8)
bludgeoning damage plus 11 (2d10) necrotic damage.
REACTIONS
Reactive. Ki’oaja can take one action on every turn in a
combat.
J SHINDE IMAS
Large fiend, chaotic evil
Armor Class 18 (natural armor)
Hit Points 230 (20d10 +120)
Speed 30 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
20 (+5) 10 (+0) 20 (+5) 19 (+4) 12 (+1) 15 (+2)
Saving Throws Con +12, Int +10, Wis +7, Cha +8
Skills Intimidation +8 (Additional +4 Intimidation against
elves)
Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing, and
slashing from non-magical attacks
Condition Immunities charmed, frightened
Senses blindsight 120 ft., passive Perception 11
Languages Cant, Telepathy
Challenge 15 (13,000 XP)
Elf Scent. Shinde Imas can scent an elf clearly from 180
ft. away and can track by that scent alone. It can also
sense how many elves it’s hunting by scent. Spells that
obscure all senses, such as pass without trace, allow for
Shinde Imas to make a Wisdom (Survival) check against
the spell’s save DC.
ACTIONS
Multiattack. Shinde Imas has four arms and can make
an attack with each arm, though it prefers to only wield
two swords. If it only makes two attacks, those attacks do
twice the damage as it uses both hands on each side to
give the attack more power.
Longswords. Shinde Imas fights with two +1
longswords. Melee Weapon Attack: +12 to hit, reach 10
ft., one target. Hit: 30 (2 × (2d8 + 6)) slashing damage. If
Shinde Imas scores a critical hit, it rolls damage dice three
times, instead of twice. Shinde Imas preferentially targets
elves.
REACTIONS
Reactive. Shinde Imas can take one reaction on every
turn in a combat.
180 – CHAPTER SEVEN: ALLIES, ADVERSARIES, & CREATURES –
J TERROREK
Huge fiend, lawful evil
Armor Class 19 (natural armor)
Hit Points 304 (21d12 +168)
Speed 40 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
22 (+6) 15 (+2) 26 (+8) 22 (+6) 20 (+5) 18 (+4)
Saving Throws Str +12, Con +14, Wis +11, Cha +10
Skills Deception +10, Intimidation +10
Damage Resistances All forms of non-magical
damage, and all damage from magical weapons.
Condition Immunities charmed, frightened, poisoned,
stunned
Senses truesight 50 ft., passive Perception 15
Languages Telepathy (120 ft), Cant
Challenge 20 (25,000)
Orb of Death. Terrorek wields the Orb of Death and can
also give the artifact to his loyal servants. See Chapter
Eight: Magic Items and Strange Things, p. 208, for
details.
Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If Terrorek fails a
saving throw, he can choose to succeed instead.
Rejuvenation. If Terrorek is destroyed in the Realm, he
reforms in the Plague Cathedral on Ardonous in 1d10
years, regaining all hit points and becoming active again.
ACTIONS
Disease Cloud. When he first appears, Terrorek
emanates a plague cloud with an 80-ft. radius. A creature
that ends its turn completely within the cloud must succeed
on a DC 18 Constitution saving throw or take 14 (4d6)
necrotic damage and become stunned until the start
of its next turn, unless they hold a plague ward (see
Chapter Eight). Constructs and undead are unaffected.
This cloud remains until Terrorek is banished back to the
Netherworld.
Disintegrate. As an action, Terrorek can shoot black
rays to disintegrate a target he can sense within 60 ft.
If he targets a creature who is able to dodge, the target
may attempt a DC 19 Dexterity saving throw. If they fail,
they take 75 (10d6+40) damage. If this brings them
to 0 hit points, the target is disintegrated into a pile of
dust, including anything they were wearing or holding.
Terrorek’s disintegrate can chain to another creature
who is touching the first and also fails the save, for half
damage. All non-magical objects are immediately
disintegrated.
Multiattack. Terrorek can attack with two claws.
Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +12 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
target. Hit: 13 (2d6+6) slashing damage.
 LAIR ACTIONS J ADULT DRAGON
Plague Cathedral on Ardonous Huge dragon, any alignment
Summoning (recharges on 6). Terrorek can summon a horde
of zombies to his aid. Alternatively, he can summon eight skeleton Armor Class 19 (natural armor)
knights. The undead fall inert if Terrorek is banished or destroyed. Hit Points 256 (19d12 +133)
Speed 40 ft., climb 40 ft., fly 80 ft.
Dragons STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA

D ragons are mythical beings, in that none of the
people of East Azoth have ever seen one. They are
commonly thought to be extinct, though rumors persist of
a dragon’s lair in the Black Mountains as well as dragons
still dominating the sky in West Azoth. Bards worth their
salt can recount that dragons are long serpentine creatures
with wings and four limbs. Dragons are also rumored to
be multi-colored, but most historians and magicians know
the truth: true dragon scales were photo-adaptive, taking
on the colors of the environments they lived in or changing
at the dragon’s will. An ancient song describes a dragon
dance, reporting that such performances were considered
the most beautiful expressions of art in ancient times.
All dragons breathe fire, are natural-born shapeshifters
(though legend claims artifacts and trickery can trap them
in person form) and possess telepathic powers. Young
dragons are called wormlings, which is still used as a term
of endearment for small children throughout East Azoth.
Dragons are neither inherently good nor evil, though tales
do often revolve around a few who became incredibly self-
centered and eventually evil as a result.
DRAGON MAGIC
Based on their environment, all dragons have the ability
to access natural magic or abilities per the table below. If
a dragon spends a year in a new environment, they can
switch their current dragon magic for the dragon magic
of the new environment.
Environment Additional abilities
Cave Can cast darkness at will. Is blind
itself and has blindsight
River As an action, water magic drowns a target,
Strength (Athletics) DC 15 to break free
Desert Can cast confusion at will
Forest As an action, self-heals 4d6+3 hp
Plains +4 Constitution bonus
Swamp Can cast pass without trace at will
Urban +4 Dexterity bonus
Ocean As an action, gravity magiccrushes a
target, Constitution DC 13 to endure
the deadly weight
Mountain As an action, ice magic freezes a target,
Wisdom (Survival) DC 15 to survive
27 (+8) 10 (+0) 25 (+7) 16 (+3) 13 (+1) 21 (+5)
Saving Throws Dex +6, Con +13, Wis +7, Cha +11
Skills Perception +7, Stealth +6, Deception +11
Damage Immunities Fire
Senses blindsight 60 ft., darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 17
Languages Cant, Draconic, Telepathy
Challenge 17 (18,000 XP)
Shapechange. All dragons can shapechange into any
living form they choose indefinitely.
ACTIONS
Multiattack. In dragon form, dragon’s get three possible
attacks, only one of which may be a bite attack. When in
an alternative form, adult dragons can form dragon claws
on their hands and get one attack with each.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +14 to hit, reach 10 ft., one
target. Hit: 19 (2d10+8) piercing damage.
Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +14 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
target. Hit: 15 (2d6+8) slashing damage.
Tail. Melee Weapon Attack: +14 to hit, reach 15 ft., one
target. Hit: 17 (2d8+8) bludgeoning damage.
Fire Breath (Recharge 5-6). The dragon exhales fire in a
60-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make a DC 21
Dexterity saving throw, taking 63 (18d6) fire damage on a
failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
J YOUNG DRAGON
Large dragon, any alignment
Armor Class 18 (natural armor)
Hit Points 136 (16d10 +48)
Speed 40 ft., climb 40 ft., fly 80 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
19 (+4) 12 (+1) 17 (+3) 16 (+3) 13 (+1) 15 (+2)
Saving Throws Dex +4, Con +6, Wis +4, Cha +5
Skills Perception +4, Stealth +4, Deception +5
Damage Immunities Fire
Senses blindsight 30 ft., darkvision 120 ft., passive
Perception 14
Languages Cant, Draconic, Telepathy
Challenge 10 (5,900 XP)

– Creatures – 181
 Shapeshifting. All dragons can shapechange into
any living form they choose indefinitely. Young dragons
appear as an adolescent of whatever people they’re
imitating.
ACTIONS
Multiattack. In dragon form, dragon’s get three possible
attacks, only one of which may be a bite attack. When
in an alternative form, young dragons can form dragon
claws on their hands and get one attack with each.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 10 ft., one
target. Hit: 15 (2d10+4) piercing damage.
Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
target. Hit: 11 (2d6+4) slashing damage.
Tail. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 15 ft., one
target. Hit: 13 (2d8+4) bludgeoning damage.
Fire Breath (Recharge 5-6). The dragon exhales fire
in a 30-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make
a DC 17 Dexterity saving throw, taking 56 (l6d6) fire
damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a
successful one.
J WORMLING DRAGON
Medium dragon, any alignment
Armor Class 15 (natural armor)
Hit Points 65 (10d8 + 10)
Speed 15 ft., climb 15 ft., cannot fly yet
182 – CHAPTER SEVEN: ALLIES, ADVERSARIES, & CREATURES –
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
14 (+2) 10 (+0) 12 (+1) 12 (+1) 12 (+1) 16 (+3)
Saving Throws Dex +2, Con +2, Wis +3, Cha +5
Skills Perception +3, Stealth +2
Damage Immunities Fire
Senses blindsight 60 ft., darkvision 120 ft., passive
Perception 13
Languages Telepathy
Challenge 3 (700 XP)
Dragon Magic. Wormlings do not have access to dragon
magic yet, but Detect Magic reveals their magical potential.
Shapeshift. All Dragons can shapechange into any living
form they choose indefinitely. Wormlings always shapechange
into a child of whatever people they are imitating.
ACTIONS
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
target. Hit: 11 (2d6+4) piercing damage.
Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
target. Hit: 9 (2d4+4) slashing damage.
Tail. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 10 ft., one
target. Hit: 11 (2d6+4) bludgeoning damage.
Fire Breath (Recharge 5-6). The dragon exhales fire
in a 15-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make
a DC l3 Dexterity saving throw, taking 24 (7d6) fire
damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a
successful one.
Drakes
T hese dragonkin are wingless four-legged creatures
resembling, to people from Earth, car-sized Komodo
dragons.Inthewild,underoptimalconditions,drakescangrow
even larger. Like their more mythical dragon cousins, their
scales are photo-adaptive and take on the colors of whatever
environment they inhabit. When changing environments, it
may take from a few hours to a few days for their scales to adjust.
Unlike their cousins the dragons, drakes do not breathe fire
and they do not fly, though they have vestigial wings. Drakes
are not very intelligent, and people of Azoth consider them
animals. In the wild, they are territorial, dangerous, and found
throughout East Azoth. Merchant caravans use a domesticated
variety, called desert drakes, to carry goods and some nobles
think it fashionable to ride in palanquins on their back.
DESERT DRAKES
These common drakes are a livestock breed. They tend to
be smaller and squatter than their riding or wild cousins and
are only as dangerous as any livestock animal. These drakes
are not magical and have no special abilities, but do have
photo-adaptive scales. Drake stables are colorfully painted in
order to promote the colors the stable owner wants to offer
to clients. This is purely for vanity’s sake and some festivals
even have competitions for the most colorful desert drakes
shown. They are omnivores, eating dragongrass mostly, but
occasionally snack on a barnyard cat that’s not quick enough.
WILD DRAKES
Most encounters with wild drakes are dangerous, though
the smaller forest drakes often ignore other creatures
or people unless attacked. Drakes in the wild are often
solo predators, but it is not uncommon — and far more
dangerous — to encounter a mated pair in the spring month
during laying time. Contrarily, domesticated drakes cluster
together in herds of about six to eight. Unless protecting
their eggs, drakes do not fight to the death, but are not
squeamish about eating the adventurers they kill.
J DRAKE
Large dragonkin, any alignment
Armor Class 15 (natural armor)
Hit Points 93 (11d10 +33)
Speed 30 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
17 (+3) 10 (+0) 16 (+3) 8 (-1) 11 (+0) 12 (+1)
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 11
Challenge 5 (1,800 XP)
– Creatures –
Camouflage. Drake coloration changes over the course of
a few hours to match the background of any new environment
they enter, with no conscious effort on their part. This effect
grants them advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks.
ACTIONS
Multiattack. Drakes can make either a tongue and a
wing attack, or a bite and a wing attack.
Tongue. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 15 ft.,
one target. The drake shoots out it’s sticky tongue and
tries to grab the target. Hit: The target must make a DC
13 Dexterity saving throw to dodge. On a failed roll, the
drake draws them within melee range for a bite attack.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
target. Hit: 14 (2d10 + 3) piercing damage.
Wing Attack. The Drake can attack with its vestigial
wings. Each creature within 10 feet of the drake must
succeed on a DC 20 Dexterity saving throw or take 13
(2d6 + 4) bludgeoning damage and be knocked prone.
Gol-thim
G ol-thim are huge creations of stone, guarding ruins of
long forgotten civilizations or a particularly wealthy
noble’s vacation home. They are also named Column Born
since in their dormant state they reside within columns
and walls. No one knows exactly where most of the gol-
thim come from. The gol-thim themselves can’t reveal
this either, as they do not seem to have anything more
than a rudimentary intelligence. When destroyed they
eventually regenerate in the same spot, even if their pieces
are scattered or crushed. Some alchemists have managed
to create their own gol-thim, but closely guard the secret
of how to make them. Gol-thim are especially prevalent
in old Abraxas under Castle Shamir.
J GOL-THIM GUARDIAN
Huge construct, same alignment as its creator
Armor Class 17 (natural armor)
Hit Points 121 (12d12 +55)
Speed 30 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
20 (+5) 9 (-1) 20 (+5) 3 (-4) 11 (+0) 1 (-5)
Damage Immunities poison; bludgeoning, piercing,
and slashing from non-magical attacks
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion,
frightened, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned
Senses darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 10
Languages Can understand any language of creator,
telepathic communication only with creator
183
 Challenge 9 (5,000 XP)
Telepathic Bond. The gol-thim can magically convey
what they sense to their master, and the two can
communicate telepathically.
Immutable Form. The gol-thim is immune to any spell or
effect that would alter its form and can only be reshaped
by its creator.
Magic Resistance. The gol-thim has advantage on
saving throws against spells and other magical effects.
Magic Weapons. The gol-thim’s fists are magical
attacks.
Cutting the Stone. Gol-thim are only defeated, albeit
temporarily, when their glowing eyes are destroyed.
Taking out one eye weakens a gol-thim by half its total hit
points. Even if both eyes are destroyed though, the gol-
thim regenerates in approximately three days.
Disturbing the Rock. Gol-thim step out of their column
when a certain trigger is met, such as saying an ancient
phrase, or trespassing somewhere.
ACTIONS
Multiattack. Gol-thim make two attacks per round.
Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
target. Hit: 21 (3d10 + 5) bludgeoning damage.
Standing Sentinel. If a gol-thim’s creator dies, the gol-
thim attempts to merge into the nearest wall or column and
then goes inert. It does not move again unless attacked
or disturbed, in which case it automatically attacks until
the gol-thim is destroyed, or the threat neutralized. It then
returns to its inert state. If the creator should come back for
any reason, they can reclaim their gol-thim.
Griffons
“Luck follows a friend of a griffon,” is a well-known
proverb in the villages and towns near the Enchanted
Forest, and there is much truth in the saying. Griffons are
friends to the elves of the Enchanted Forest, which the two
share as their home. Toward the end of the Forever War,
the leader of the griffons even gave the elves a mystical egg
that could summon them if the elves were in need. This
egg is enshrined in the Temple of the Griffon in Hyljardin.
Griffons can serve as riding mounts but are more like
partners or companions than obedient animals. To ride
a griffon without consent is akin to assault. When they
consent to be ridden, they usually refuse to leave the forest
for long, as it is harder for them to find safety or hunt outside
their natural habitat. Griffons hunt for small prey but are
also partial to fruit.
GRIFFON FRIENDSHIP
Griffons form life-long friendships with people. This
friendship usually begins with an act of service to the
griffons, such as protecting a young griffon from danger,
184 – CHAPTER SEVEN: ALLIES, ADVERSARIES, & CREATURES –
reconciling an exiled griffon with their nestmates, or
composing a particularly amazing ballad. The griffon grants
their new friend a feather when the deed is done. Those
who hold feathers may be able to beg a ride from a griffon
from the same nest. If the feather is ever destroyed, lost,
or sullied the griffon is likely to take offense and end the
friendship. Griffons greet thieves who pass stolen feathers
off as earned with beak and talon.
FORCE OF THE FLOCK
Griffons tend to be defensive fighters and work in
coordination with other griffons and their riders. Rarely
does a griffon outright attack unprovoked and they even
refrain from engaging in a fight if they do not deem it
necessary.
USED AS MOUNT
Ridden griffons act independently. Griffons retain their
own place in the initiative order, and bearing a rider puts
no restrictions on their actions. They work in coordination
with their riders, but otherwise move and act as they
wish. They might flee from combat, rush to attack a foe,
or otherwise act against the rider’s wishes.
Attacking a griffon bearing a rider provokes an
opportunity attack. After that attack of opportunity is
resolved, the attacker can target the rider or the griffon.
If so inclined, a griffon can attempt to throw their rider,
in which case they must make an Acrobatics (Dexterity)
check vs. the rider’s Dexterity.
J GRIFFON
Large beast, good alignments
Armor Class 12 (natural armor)
Hit Points 59 (7d10+21)
Speed 30 ft., fly 80 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
18 (+4) 15 (+2) 16 (+3) 13 (+1) 14 (+2) 12 (+1)
Skills Perception +4
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 14
Languages Cant, Forestspeak, Griffon
Challenge 3 (700 XP)
Forest Symbiosis. Griffons have a deep connection to
the forest, and have an additional +4 AC, +2 Wisdom
(Perception), and heal 2d6 hit points after a long rest,
within forests. Forests with griffons in them are lusher and
more vibrant.
Forest Magic. Griffons have access to druidic magic and can
cast any cantrips, plus three 1st-level druid spells per day.
Keen Sight. Griffons have advantage on Wisdom
(Perception) checks that rely on sight.
 ACTIONS
Multiattack. The griffon makes two attacks: one with its
beak and one with its claws.
Beak. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
target. Hit: 8 (1d8 + 4) piercing damage.
Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
target. Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4) slashing damage.
Night Creatures
N ight creatures have not been seen since the Forever
War, over 800 years ago, but the dark-dwelling
creatures that once terrorized all of East Azoth now
slowly return to stalk the shadows. Night creatures can
disguise themselves as one of the living, but their true
form is that of a walking corpse with parchment skin
and white hair. They have fangs, and can turn into bats,
wolves, and mist. They feed on the blood of the living.
Night creatures are led by their elders, who are very
alluring creatures, often surrounded by followers eager to
serve or be turned into another undead. Night creatures are
resistant to most damage, save a stake through the heart
and fire. They cannot cross running water, and the light of
day weakens them dramatically regardless of what form
they’re in. Common night creatures need not sleep during
the day — though their elders do — but strong sunlight
does burn them.
Night creatures tend to gravitate where the living collect,
usually villages or towns.
J NIGHT CREATURE
Medium undead, evil alignments
Armor Class 15 (natural armor)
Hit Points 60 (8d8+24)
Speed 30 ft., climb 30 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
18 (+4) 18 (+4) 19 (+4) 16 (+3) 15 (+2) 18 (+4)
Saving Throws Dex +6
Skills Perception +4, Stealth +6, Deception +4
Damage Vulnerabilities piercing, fire
Damage Resistances slashing and bludgeoning from
non-magical weapons
Damage Immunities cold
Condition Immunities poisoned
Senses darkvision 120 ft., passive perception 15
Languages whatever language they spoke before
becoming a night creature
Challenge 3 (700 XP)
– Creatures –
Polymorph. Night creatures can transform into a small
bat, wolf, mist, or a member of the people they were
before their death. While in bat form, the night creature
can’t speak, its walking speed is 5 feet, and it has a
flying speed of 30 feet. Its statistics, other than its size
and speed, are unchanged. Anything it was wearing
transforms with it, but nothing carried does. It reverts to its
true form if it dies.
While in mist form, the night creature can’t take any
actions, speak, or manipulate objects. It is weightless,
has a flying speed of 20 feet, can hover, and can enter
a hostile creature’s space and stop there. In addition, if
air can pass through a space, the mist can do so without
squeezing, though it can’t pass through water. It has
advantage on Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution saving
throws, and is immune to all non-magical damage, except
the damage it takes from sunlight.
Spider Climb. The night creature can climb difficult
surfaces, including upside down on ceilings, without
needing to make an ability check.
Haste. For a total of one minute per day, the night
creature’s speed is doubled, it gains a +2 bonus to AC,
has advantage on Dexterity saving throws, and gains
an additional action on each of its turns. The action can
be used to attack (one weapon attack only), Dash,
Disengage, Hide, or Use an Object. The minute does not
have to be continuous.
Weaknesses. The night creature takes 20 acid damage
if it ends its turn in running water. If the night creature
passes through running water, it takes 10 acid damage
and can make a DC 19 Dexterity saving throw to halve
this. A stake to the heart immediately paralyzes a night
creature until removed. If a night creature begins its turn
in direct sunlight, it takes 20 radiant damage. While in
sunlight, it has disadvantage on attack rolls and ability
checks. Each round it is in indirect sunlight the night
creature must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw, or
take 1 radiant damage.
ACTIONS
Multiattack. Night creatures can make two attacks, only
one of which can be a bite attack.
Unarmed Strike. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit,
reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (1d8 + 4) bludgeoning
damage. Instead of dealing damage, the night creature
can grapple the target to facilitate a bite attack (escape
DC 14).
Claws. Night creatures can form retractable claws at the
ends of their fingers. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit,
reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (2d4 + 2) slashing damage.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
creature that is grappled by the night creature, incapacitated,
or restrained. Hit: 7 (1d6 + 4) piercing damage plus 10
(3d6) necrotic damage. The target’s hit point maximum is
reduced by an amount equal to the necrotic damage taken,
185
 and the night creature regains hit points equal to that amount.
The reduction lasts until the target finishes a long rest. A
person slain in this way and then buried in the ground rises
the following night as a night creature.
J ELDER NIGHT CREATURE
Large undead, evil alignments
Armor Class 16 (natural armor)
Hit Points 114 (12d10 +48)
Speed 30 ft., climb 30 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
18 (+4) 18 (+4) 19 (+4) 17 (+3) 15 (+2) 18 (+4)
Saving Throws Dex +7, Wis +5, Cha +7
Skills Perception +5, Stealth +7, Deception +7
Damage Vulnerabilities piercing, fire
Damage Resistances slashing and bludgeoning from
non-magical weapons
Damage Immunities cold
Condition Immunities poisoned
Senses darkvision 120 ft., passive perception 17
Languages whatever language they spoke before
becoming a night creature
Challenge 7 (2,900 XP)
Polymorph. Night creatures can transform into a small
bat, wolf, mist, or a member of the people they were
before their death. While in bat form, the night creature
can’t speak, its walking speed is 5 feet, and it has a
flying speed of 30 feet. Its statistics, other than its size
and speed, are unchanged. Anything it was wearing
transforms with it, but nothing carried does. It reverts to its
true form if it dies.
While in mist form, the night creature can’t take any
actions, speak, or manipulate objects. It is weightless,
has a flying speed of 20 feet, can hover, and can enter
a hostile creature’s space and stop there. In addition, if
air can pass through a space, the mist can do so without
squeezing, though it can’t pass through water. It has
advantage on Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution saving
throws, and is immune to all non-magical damage, except
the damage it takes from sunlight.
Spider Climb. The night creature can climb difficult
surfaces, including upside down on ceilings, without
needing to make an ability check.
Haste. For a total of one minute per day, the night
creature’s speed is doubled, it gains a +2 bonus to AC,
has advantage on Dexterity saving throws, and gains
an additional action on each of its turns. The action can
be used to attack (one weapon attack only), Dash,
Disengage, Hide, or Use an Object. The minute does not
have to be continuous.
186 – CHAPTER SEVEN: ALLIES, ADVERSARIES, & CREATURES –
Weaknesses. The night creature takes 20 acid damage
if it ends its turn in running water. If the night creature
passes through running water, it takes 10 acid damage
and can make a DC 19 Dexterity saving throw to halve
this. A stake to the heart immediately paralyzes a night
creature until removed. If a night creature begins its turn
in direct sunlight, it takes 20 radiant damage. While in
sunlight, it has disadvantage on attack rolls and ability
checks. Each round it is in indirect sunlight the night
creature must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw, or
take 1 radiant damage.
ACTIONS
Multiattack. Elder night creatures can make three
attacks, only one of which can be a bite attack.
Unarmed Strike. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit,
reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (1d8 + 4) bludgeoning
damage. Instead of dealing damage, the night creature
can grapple the target to facilitate a bite attack (escape
DC 14).
Claws. Night creatures can form retractable claws at the
ends of their fingers. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit,
reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (2d4 + 2) slashing damage.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
one creature that is grappled by the night creature,
incapacitated, or restrained. Hit: 7 (1d6 + 4) piercing
damage plus 20 (6d6) necrotic damage. The target’s hit
point maximum is reduced by an amount equal to the
necrotic damage taken, and the night creature regains hit
points equal to that amount. The reduction lasts until the
target finishes a long rest. A person slain in this way and
then buried in the ground rises the following night as a
night creature.
Rocs
T he majestic rocs inhabit the Black Mountains, though
they venture into East Azoth on the summer winds.
They look and behave like pterodactyls to Earthborn.
Legend speaks of a singular and huge King Roc, but no
one has seen it in recent times.
Roc eggs go for a fair price, as people try to tame them,
but the danger inherent to collecting eggs often leaves a
dead egg thief. Rocs can serve as flying mounts, and some
royal households have attempted to create roc rookeries,
but the creatures usually refuse to lay eggs in captivity.
CREATURES FROM THE BLACK MOUNTAINS
Rocs are symbolically associated with the Black Mountains
and some see them as a totem for the wizard Anomalin who
dwells there. They make their nests in the upper crags of the
Black Mountains, which make them very precarious to reach.
While the rocs principally remain in the mountains, it is not
unheard of for a roc to fly 50 miles to farmlands in search of
easy prey, harrowing a farmer’s flock. Some nearby villages
solved this by making regular offerings of meat to the rocs,
and one village even extended this to a yearly roc festival.
DEATH FROM ABOVE
Rocs are vicious hunters, often attacking creatures larger
than themselves or even people. Rocs are solo hunters and
it is rare outside of their mating season to see more than
one in the wild at a time. People who ride rocs always have
to be wary of letting the rocs get too close to one another
for fear that the creatures will attack each other because
of their territorial nature.
USED AS MOUNT
Ridden rocs do not act independently but are treated like
any other mount. However, if a roc is too close to another
of its kind there is a 10% chance it will attack the other bird
despite its rider’s wishes. If so inclined, a roc can attempt
throw its rider, in which case it must make an Acrobatics
(Dexterity) check vs. the rider’s Dexterity.
J ROC
Large beast, neutral
Armor Class 15 (natural armor)
Hit Points 114 (12d10 +48)
Speed 20 ft., fly 160 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
16 (+3) 12 (+1) 19 (+4) 7 (-2) 10 (+0) 9 (-1)
Saving Throws Dex +4, Con +8, Wis +3
Skills Perception +3
Senses passive Perception 13
Challenge 8 (3,900 XP)
Keen Sight. The roc has advantage on Wisdom
(Perception) checks that rely on sight.
ACTIONS
Multiattack. The roc makes two attacks: one with its
beak and one with its talons.
Beak. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 10 ft., one
target. Hit: 21 (4d8 + 3) piercing damage.
Talons. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
target. Hit: 17 (4d6 + 3) slashing damage.
Sacred Beasts of
the Seasons
T he five Beasts of the Seasons exist throughout East
Azoth and appear only during their designated
season. No one knows why this is, but it has always been
thus, and everyone takes it as a matter of course except
– Creatures –
Visitors from Earth. The Seasonal Beasts are considered
holy, sacred creatures and most people — good and evil
— tend to leave them be. Bards tell stories of four unholy
beasts too, but only a few and unconfirmed sightings of
them have been reported in centuries.
BIRD OF SPRING
The Primavera Pájara is a bird only seen during the spring
month. It is a large bird of prey that sports a brilliant rainbow
of feathers. Often as large as a horse, they are considered
a sacred symbol of spring and to find one of their feathers
is considered a sign of good luck.
Primavera Pájara leaves spring in the shadow of its wings.
The lushest forests and meadows are often a riot of plants
and flowers, with the Primavera Pájara singing in the midst
of it all. The Primavera Pájara is considered a sacred animal
and those who have a dead or captured bird as a trophy are
considered abhorrent, but to have one of their feathers on
display is considered a blessing.
Each spring sees only one Primavera Pájara, yet each
year may see a different one. To see a black and gold bird is
extremely rare. This sacred bird almost never fights when
it can run or hide. It will bite or claw in order to escape.
DEER OF SUMMER
Contrary to their name, the giant “Elvish Deer” seen in
the summer month do not have any direct associations with
the elvish people. There is, however, a legend of giant elves
who rode upon their backs — a feat best not emulated as
the majority of Elvish Deer do not tolerate riders and try
to kill whomever they can throw from their backs. Some
noble people have attempted at various times to hunt or
ride Elvish Deer for sport, usually with disastrous results.
Elvish Deer are sacred animals seen only in the summer
month. Those who keep one as a mount or trophy are
considered abhorrent by other people. To see a golden deer
is extremely rare and considered a blessing.
Elvish Deer move in herds of eight to fifteen, and when
attacked they tend to flee as a group. Herds have been known
to befriend people, or even whole villages that spend a lot
of time interacting with the herd, and often extend their
blessings more frequently upon them. No one knows where
the herd disappears to during the other seasons.
CHIPMUNKS OF FALL
As large as a raccoon, Dire Chipmunks are the sacred
creatures of fall. Though they run around in the spring and
summer months, they are only the size of ordinary chipmunks
then. Once the fall month comes, they grow in size seemingly
overnight. Dire Chipmunks are not particularly dangerous,
but they are fearless and will pillage garbage bins and sheds
with no care for the dangers. They create large stockpiles of
food and stolen shiny objects. Some of the greatest treasures
are found in Dire Chipmunk stockpiles. Many villages hold
harvest festivals that center around that theme.
187
 Unlike the other seasonal beasts, Dire Chipmunks are
not rare to see, but are still considered lucky when they are
around. There is usually a dozen in any one place, gobbling
up nuts and fruits. Despite their abundance, to see a black
and white one is quite rare and is considered a sacred
experience. No one hunts Dire Chipmunks unless they are a
true monster or an idiot. They are semi-intelligent, probably.
All Dire Chipmunks in an area bring their treasures to the
same hidden stockpile. Anyone who finds it is considered
very lucky, and could make a fortune off the valuable items
in the pile. However, people who try to take more than
one thing from the stockpile are quickly overrun by Dire
Chipmunks seemingly appearing from everywhere. Most
would-be thieves wake up far away, without their own
possessions, and a Dire Chipmunk’s claw mark on their
face. These greedy transgressors never find the stockpile
a second time.
BEAST OF WINTER
The Snow Beasts are seen only during winter in East
Azoth, though they appear year-round at the top of the
Black Mountains. Snow Beasts group together in families
of three to eight. They are large and roughly bear-like in
appearance but have curved horns curling around their
broad flat faces. Their coat is white like pristine snow.
Snow Beasts are a sacred animal. That doesn’t mean there
aren’t those who seek to hunt one, but doing so comes at
great peril, as killing one can result in permanent damage to
the hunter. Those that have a Snow Beast trophy are usually
188 – CHAPTER SEVEN: ALLIES, ADVERSARIES, & CREATURES –
treated with abhorrence for having defiled a sacred animal.
Snow Beasts live in small, mobile families, often consisting
of a mated pair and smaller Snow Beasts that may or may
not be related to them. It is rare to see a Snow Beast calf, and
to do so is considered a blessing. Even rarer is to see a blue
Snow Beast, which hasn’t been sighted in over a hundred
years. Snow Beasts fight and survive in groups, banding
together if anyone goes after one of their family. They are
semi-intelligent and never seek out conflict.
SPHINX OF ALL SEASONS
The Sphinx is an odd beast that seemingly only appears
at the turning of the seasons. Every Realmborn sees at
least one in their lifetime, and many Earthborn tell tales of
similar meetings. The Sphinx is a creature with a leonine
body and wings, though its head is always that of a person.
A Sphinx can take on any gender they like. Male Sphinxes
prefer to set a physical challenge, female Sphinxes like
riddles, two-gender Sphinxes offer challenges that play
to the mortal’s strength, and no-gender Sphinxes choose
something that pushes the mortal’s skills. Adventurers that
succeed in these challenges are rewarded with something
they are desperately looking for, be it knowledge, an item,
or directions to lead them on a great quest.
The Pfixer Theory of the Sphinx
When one encounters a Sphinx, it’s always during the day
on which the season changes. Something always feels off. The
world seems brighter, the edges sharper. There is no sound.
Those in the middle of a fight suddenly find themselves
alone. Those on a journey find themselves losing the path. target is restrained, and the Primavera Pájara can’t use its
The encounter can be no more than a sighting that lasts talons on another target.
moments, or a conversation that strings out for days. If the
Sphinx talks to the adventurer, there is always a test, either J ELVISH DEER
physical or mental, required to end the strange rendezvous. Huge celestial, good alignments
Librarian Pfixer of the Great Library, who is the foremost
expert on the Sphinx, theorizes that these challenges have Armor Class 15 (natural armor)
something to do with the changing of the seasons, like a Hit Points 95 (10d12 +80)
rite of passage worked through sympathetic magic. Their Speed 60 ft.
theory also speculates that the people who fail the Sphinx
tests are erased from memory and forgotten, but no one has STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
ever been able to confirm this. People adhering to Pfixer’s
theory view Sphinx meetings as something that inevitably 19 (+4) 16 (+3) 14 (+2) 10 (+0) 14 (+2) 14 (+2)
happens to everyone, eventually. No one knows if anyone has Skills Perception +5, Stealth +6, Insight +5
ever failed the test, as there are no such stories forthcoming. Damage Immunities fire
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 15
J PRIMAVERA PÁJARA Languages telepathy
Large celestial, good alignments Challenge 5 (1,800 XP)

Armor Class 15 (natural armor)
Hit Points 65 (10d10 +10)
Speed 10 ft., fly 120 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
20 (+5) 17 (+3) 13 (+1) 10 (+0) 14 (+2) 14 (+2)
Skills Stealth +5, Insight +4, Perception +4
Damage Immunities lightning
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 14
Languages telepathy
Challenge 4 (1,100 XP)
Blessing of Spring. Primavera Pájara can bestow a
blessing upon those it chooses, be it for a good deed
done or reasons indiscernible to others. The Primavera
Pájara seems to breathe a perfumed fog over the person.
Those blessed receive a temporary +2 Dexterity bonus,
become immune to lightning and poison damage, have
all hit points restored, and all spells reset as if the target
had taken a long rest. The Dexterity bonus and immunity
last for a day.
Curse of Spring. When a Primavera Pájara is killed, a
burst of rotten-smelling fog erupts from its body across a
50-ft. radius. Those hit by this fog receive a permanent –2
to Dexterity and take 1d10 poison and 2d10 lightning
damage. The Primavera Pájara’s killer’s alignment shifts to
either evil, or unlawful (player’s choice).
ACTIONS
Beak. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 10 ft., one
target. Hit: 23 (4d8 + 5) piercing damage.
Talons. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
one target. Hit: 19 (4d6 + 5) slashing damage. The target
is grappled (escape DC 15). Until this grapple ends, the
Summer’s Bounty. Elvish Deer can bestow a blessing
upon those they choose, be it for a good deed done or
reasons indiscernible to others. The Elvish Deer seems to
breathe a grass- and loam-scented fog over the person.
Those blessed receive a temporary +2 Strength bonus,
become immune to fire damage, have all hit points
restored, and all spells they cast do maximum damage or
cure maximum health. The Strength bonus, immunity, and
spell effect last for a day.
Summer’s Curse. When an Elvish Deer is killed, a burst
of fiery heat erupts from its body across a 50-ft. radius.
Those hit by this fog receive a permanent –2 to Strength
and take 3d10 fire damage. The Elvish Deer’s killer’s
alignment shifts to either evil, or unlawful (player’s choice).
ACTIONS
Multiattack. The Elvish Deer can make two attacks per
turn.
Ram. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 10 ft., one
target. Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4) bludgeoning damage.
Kick. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
prone creature. Hit: 22 (4d8 + 4) bludgeoning damage.
J DIRE CHIPMUNKS
Small celestial, good alignments
Armor Class 12 (natural armor)
Hit Points 54 (12d6 +12)
Speed 30 ft., climb 30 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
12 (+2) 15 (+2) 12 (+1) 10 (+0) 12 (+1) 13 (+1)
Skills Perception +3, Stealth +3, Insight +3
Damage Immunities bludgeoning
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 13

– Creatures – 189
 Languages telepathy
Challenge 3 (700 XP)
Fall’s Cornucopia. Dire Chipmunks bestow a blessing
upon those they choose, be it for a good deed done or
reasons indiscernible to others. The Dire Chipmunk leads
the person to their stockpile. Upon touching the pile they
are blessed and receive a temporary +2 Charisma bonus,
become immune to bludgeoning damage, have all hit
points restored, and may pull the exact item they most
desire from the stockpile. The Charisma bonus and damage
immunity lasts for a day, and the item lasts forever.
Fall’s Scarcity. When someone pillages a Dire
Chipmunk stockpile, or kills a Dire Chipmunk, an
overwhelming horde of Dire Chipmunks bursts from
everywhere to attack the transgressor. The villain receives
a permanent –2 to Charisma, takes 3d10 slashing
damage, and loses one item of the GM’s choice. Their
alignment shifts to either evil or unlawful (player’s choice).
ACTIONS
Multiattack. Dire Chipmunks can make one claw and
one bite attack per turn.
Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
target. Hit: 8 (2d4 + 3) piercing damage.
Bite: Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
target. Hit: 10 (2d6 + 3) piercing damage.
J SNOW BEAST
Large celestial, good alignments
Armor Class 16 (natural armor)
Hit Points 105 (10d10 +50)
Speed 40 ft., 40 ft. climb
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
22 (+6) 13 (+1) 20 (+5) 10 (+0) 12 (+1) 7 (-2)
Skills Perception +4, Stealth +4, Insight +4
Damage Immunities cold
Senses darkvision 60 ft., blindsight 30 ft., passive
perception 14
Languages telepathy
Challenge 6 (2,300 XP)
Winter’s Blessing. Snow Beasts can bestow a blessing
upon those they choose, be it for a good deed done or
reasons indiscernible to others. The Snow Beast seems to
breathe an icy crystal fog over the person. Those blessed
receive a temporary +2 Constitution bonus, become
immune to cold damage, have all hit points restored, and
any existing ailments or conditions cured. The Constitution
bonus and immunity last for a day.
Winter’s Curse. When a Snow Beast is killed, a burst of
icy fog erupts from its body across a 50-ft. radius. Those
hit by this fog receive a permanent –2 to Constitution
190 – CHAPTER SEVEN: ALLIES, ADVERSARIES, & CREATURES –
and take 3d10 cold damage. The Snow Beast’s killer’s
alignment shifts to either evil, or unlawful (player’s choice).
ACTIONS
Multiattack. The Snow Beast can make two gore
attacks, or one trample attack per round.
Gore. Snow Beasts can charge with their horns. Melee attack:
+8 to hit, one target. Hit: 17 (2d10+6) piercing damage.
Trample. Snow Beasts can attempt to trample a target in
their path as a full round action. The target can either make
a DC 17 Dexterity saving throw to dodge out of the way
or make an attack of opportunity before getting trampled.
Those trampled take 30 (4d10+8) bludgeoning damage.
J SPHINX
Large celestial, neutral
Armor Class 15 (natural armor)
Hit Points 85 (10d10 +30)
Speed 30 ft., climb 30 ft., fly 60 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
18 (+4) 15 (+2) 16 (+3) 18 (+4) 19 (+4) 18 (+4)
Skills Perception +7, Stealth +5, plus any 2 knowledges +7
Damage Resistance bludgeoning, piercing, and
slashing from non-magical weapons
Damage Immunities psychic
Condition Immunities charmed, frightened
Senses truesight 120 ft., passive Perception 17
Languages All
Challenge 5 (1,800 XP)
ACTIONS
Multiattack. The sphinx makes two claw attacks per turn.
Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
target. Hit: 13 (2d8 + 4) slashing damage.
Spellcasting. The sphinx can cast one spell per turn. Its
spellcasting ability is Intelligence (spell save DC 15, +7 to
hit with spell attacks). It requires no material components
to cast its spells. The sphinx has the following wizard spells
prepared:
• Cantrips (at will): mage hand, minor illusion,
prestidigitation
• 1st level (4 slots): detect magic, identify, shield
• 2nd level (3 slots): darkness, locate object,
suggestion
• 3rd level (3 slots): dispel magic, remove curse,
tongues
• 4th level (3 slots): banishment, greater invisibility
• 5th level (1 slot): legend lore
Serpents
T o those who fear snakes, the serpents of East Azoth
are truly terrifying. Serpents come in just as many
varieties as Earth snakes, but range in size from no bigger
than a branch to as thick as a tree. Serpents are semi-
intelligent and use deliberate tactics to capture prey.
Brave — and foolhardy — adventurers may try to train
them, but serpents know no loyalty and it is not unheard
of for a trainer to end up in their pet’s belly. That same
quality makes serpents excellent treasure guards though,
and the flashier of the rich merchants and rulers tend to
prefer them over complicated booby traps.
Serpents vary in length from 20 to 50 feet. There is one docile,
non-venomous variety which may serve as a mount, typically
only found in the desert. Most serpents are solitary, but they
have been known to hunt in groups, and rattlers they tend to
congregate in the same spaces to stay warm. In caves, constrictor
serpents can hang from the ceiling to catch their prey.
USED AS MOUNT
Ridden serpents do not act independently but are treated
like any other mount.
J SERPENT
Large beast, neutral
Armor Class 15 (natural armor)
Hit Points 84 (8d10 +40)
Speed 30 ft., climb 30 ft., swim 30 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
18 (+4) 18 (+4) 20 (+5) 7 (-2) 10 (+0) 3 (-4)
Saving Throws Dex +6, Con +7
Senses blindsight 10 ft., darkvision 120 ft., passive
Perception 11
Challenge 4 (1,100 XP)
ACTIONS
Multiattack. The serpent makes two attacks per turn,
only one of which may be a constrict attack.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 10 ft.,
one target. Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4) piercing damage, plus 3d6
poison damage if the serpent is poisonous.
Constrict. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
one creature. Hit: 13 (2d8 + 4) bludgeoning damage,
and the target is grappled (escape DC 16). Until this
grapple ends, the creature is restrained, and the serpent
can’t constrict another target.
– Creatures –
Shrieker Mushrooms
These annoying creatures come in a variety of types, and
shriek when disturbed. Though they look like mushrooms,
they are in fact a symbiotic insect that lives on cave walls,
warning a larger predator of potential prey and then
scavenging off the remains. When a creature nears them,
they emit a very nasty scream at ear-piercing volume to
herd victims toward the greater threat. People living outside
cities and villages sometimes cultivate these mushrooms as
alarm systems for homes or shops. There are even unverified
rumors of one old orc who is trying to cultivate them into
a singing variety.
KEEPING SHRIEKER MUSHROOMS
Shriekers can be cultivated as an early warning system,
but there are a few rules to remember. Always plant
shriekers in a place with 24-hour shadowy conditions;
they shriek when exposed to light. Best if fed daily, meat
paté is preferred. Starving shriekers become violent and
scream at a frequency that induces seizures, aneurysms,
and sometimes insanity, in order to seize whatever meat
is available to feed.
J SHRIEKER MUSHROOM
Small annoying mushroom (beast). Definitely evil.
Armor Class 11 (unarmored)
Hit Points 10 (3d6)
Speed 0
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
1 (-5) 1 (-5) 10 (+0) 1 (-5) 3 (-4) 1 (-5)
Condition Immunities blind, deafened, frightened,
paralyzed
Senses blindsight 30 ft. (totally blind beyond this radius)
Challenge 1/8 (25 XP)
Camouflage. When shrieker mushrooms are still, they
look like everyday fungi and sometimes hide among
normal mushrooms.
Mircomovements. Shrieker mushrooms can move, but
’too slowly to register as having a speed. They move about
on millions of little legs, shifting one at a time to position
themselves in the best spot to alert the larger creatures with
whom they cohabit of the presence of something tasty. It
is not unheard of for adventurers to pass through a cave
of shriekers one week and then find the same shrieker
mushrooms in another spot the next week, especially if the
creatures they are symbiotic with have been slain. This limited
motility also enables the shriekers to move and consume the
remains of whatever was killed by their symbiotic partners.
191
 ACTIONS STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
Shriek Symbiosis. Shriekers try to position themselves in 12 (+1) 14 (+2) 15 (+2) 6 (-2) 8 (-1) 5 (-3)
such a way as to help herd victims toward a killing zone,
where the creature they have a symbiotic relationship with Damage Vulnerabilities bludgeoning
dispatches the prey. When something comes into range, Damage Resistance piercing, slashing damage
they scream and screech at a frequency painful for most Damage Immunities poison
hearing creatures within 30 ft. The shriek itself is audible Condition Immunities poisoned, exhaustion
from 300 ft. away. The mushrooms continue to shriek until
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive perception 9
whatever disturbed them has moved out of their 30-ft.
range. Languages none, but they understand the language of
their controller
Eardrum Bursting. After three rounds, anyone still within
30 ft. of the shrieker mushrooms starts taking 1d4+1 damage Challenge 1/4 (50 XP)
every round they remain within the radius. Deaf people with
intact eardrums do not perceive the shrieking as auditorily Undead Nature. A skeleton doesn’t require air, food,
painful but do still suffer damage from bursting and bleeding drink, or sleep.
eardrums. Normal ear protections do not help to counter the ACTIONS
effects. Shortsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5
ft., one target. Hit: 4 (1d6 + 1) piercing damage.

Skeletons Shortbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach

80/320 ft., one target. Hit: 4 (1d6 + 1) piercing damage.

O ften roaming battlefields, skeletons haunt the bravest

soldiers’ dreams. These creatures are of limited
intelligence, only retaining whatever skills and classes the
J SKELETON KNIGHT
Large undead, alignment of controller

skeleton possessed in life. They strictly obey orders and will Armor Class 15 (breastplate)
not act without them. Popular with necromancers, they are Hit Points 68 (8d10 +24)
primarily used as guards and servants. They cannot perceive
Speed 30 ft.
other undead, and never respond to them as a threat.

HENCHMEN STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA

Skeletons must be summoned via necromantic sorcery, often
from the corpses of fallen warriors. When summoned, the
skeletons slough off whatever flesh still clings to them until
only bones remain. Like constructs, skeletons obey commands
to the best of their abilities and can follow complicated
instructions if ’the orders are something they would have
understood in life. They cannot communicate in any way.
BONE DEEP
Skeletons are used for the most menial of household labor,
as standing guards, or as a personal army of undead. They
only perform these tasks with the skill level the skeleton
possessed in life. Therefore, the necromancer who controls
them can order warrior skeletons to cook and clean, and
peasant skeletons to fight, but they will function poorly
because they do not possess those skills.
J SKELETON MINION
Medium undead, alignment of controller
Armor Class 13 (leather)
Hit Points 13 (2d8+4)
Speed 30 ft.
15 (+2) 12 (+2) 16 (+3) 6 (-2) 8 (-1) 5 (-3)
Damage Vulnerabilities bludgeoning
Damage Resistance piercing, slashing damage
Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities poisoned, exhaustion
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive perception 9
Languages none, but they understand the language of
their controller
Challenge 3 (700 XP)
Command Undead. If the skeleton knight leads a contingent
of skeleton minions, the minions seem to take commands and
fight in a more organized fashion. All skeleton minions have an
additional +2 AC, and +2 to hit doing 1d6 additional damage
(which also raises their CR to 2).
Warriors in Arms. When two or more knights fight
together, they get advantage on saving throws vs.
Channel Divinity.
Undead Nature. A skeleton knight doesn’t require air,
food, drink, or sleep.
ACTIONS
Multiattack. The skeleton knight makes two attacks per turn.

192 – CHAPTER SEVEN: ALLIES, ADVERSARIES, & CREATURES –

Greatsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach Light Crossbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit,
5 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (2d6 + 2) slashing damage. If this range 80/320 ft., one target. Hit: 4 (1d8 + 0) piercing
attack brings a creature down to 0 hp, the skeleton knight damage, and the target must make a DC 15 Constitution
may automatically make an attack against an adjacent saving throw, taking 24 (7d6) poison damage on a failed
creature. save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
Heavy Crossbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +3 to hit,
reach 100/400 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d10 + 1) piercing
damage.
Spawn
Created from a magical seed, spawn grow when planted
J SKELETON ASSASSIN
into an element. There are four common types of spawn;
Medium undead, alignment of controller terraspawn, cryospawn, infernospawn, and aetherspawn,
though some legends speak of shadowspawn, lightspawn,
Armor Class 14 (leather)
and deathspawn as well.
Hit Points 42 (8d8 +16)
Speed 30 ft. Where to bury the
Element Spawn seed
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA Air Aetherspawn In a person’s last
breath
11 (+0) 16 (+3) 14 (+2) 6 (-2) 8 (-1) 5 (-3)
Earth Terraspawn In a precious gemstone
Skills Perception +3, Stealth +7
Fire Infernospawn In a burning coal
Damage Vulnerabilities bludgeoning
Damage Resistance piercing, slashing damage Ice Cryospawn In a solid icicle
Damage Immunities poison
COME FORTH
Condition Immunities poisond, exhaustion
A spawn is created by planting its seed, and reciting the
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive perception 13
following incantation within one minute:
Languages none, but they understand the language of “First we plant them in the (element) / so the magic gives
their controller them birth. / Then we wait and watch them grow, / show
Challenge 2 (450 XP) them whose blood to make flow.”
Spawn are under the control of the one who planted
Assassinate. During its first turn, the skeleton assassin them and invoked the spell. One elemental rises for each
has advantage on attack rolls against any creature that seed planted and they act collectively on the invoker’s
hasn’t taken a turn. Any hit the assassin scores against a initiative. They revert back to seeds after ten minutes, or
surprised creature is a critical hit. upon reaching 0 hit points. The spawn can be invoked again
Evasion. If the skeleton assassin is subjected to an effect that a day later, if the seed was not destroyed.
allows it to make a Dexterity saving throw to take only half
damage, the assassin instead takes no damage if it succeeds
on the saving throw, and only half damage if it fails. J AETHERSPAWN
Sneak Attack. Once per turn, the skeleton assassin Large elemental, alignment of its creator
deals an extra 14 (4d6) damage when it hits a target with
a weapon attack and has advantage on the attack roll, or Armor Class 14 (natural armor)
when the target is within 5 feet of an ally of the assassin Hit Points 85 (10d10 +30)
that isn’t incapacitated so long as the assassin doesn’t Speed 60 ft.
have disadvantage on the attack roll.
Undead Nature. A skeleton assassin doesn’t require air, STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
food, drink, or sleep.
16 (+3) 18 (+4) 16 (+3) 7 (-2) 10 (+0) 7 (-2)
ACTIONS
Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing, and
Multiattack. The skeleton assassin can make two attacks
slashing from non-magical weapons
per turn.
Damage Immunities lightning, poison
Rapier. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
target. Hit: 4 (1d8 + 0) piercing damage, and the target Condition Immunities exhaustion, grappled,
must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw, taking 24 paralyzed, petrified, poisoned, prone, restrained,
(7d6) poison damage on a failed save, or half as much unconscious, blind
damage on a successful one. Senses darkvision 60 ft., tremorsense 60 ft., passive
Perception 10
– Creatures – 193
 Challenge 5 (1,800 XP) Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing, and
slashing from non-magical weapons
Electric Body. The aetherspawn is an air elemental, Damage Immunities poison
wreathing the air within 5 ft. around itself with electricity.
Anyone who comes within 5 ft. of an aetherspawn takes Condition Immunities exhaustion, paralyzed, petrified,
5 (1d10) lightning damage. Anyone who makes contact poisoned, unconscious, blind
with or attacks the aetherspawn in melee suffers an Senses darkvision 60 ft., tremorsense 60 ft., passive
additional 5 (1d10) lightning damage. Perception 10
Weaknesses. The aetherspawn is susceptible to tremors Challenge 6 (2,300 XP)
that disturb the air around it. When hit with an earthquake
or shifting terrain, they dissolve for three rounds and Earth Body. The terraspawn is made of earth and
cannot act until they reform. disturbs the terrain around it within 5 ft., making this
difficult terrain. Anyone who comes within 5 ft. of a
ACTIONS
terraspawn must make a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw or
Multiattack. The spawn makes two attacks per round. become prone. They must make this saving throw every
Whirlwind. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., round they are within 5 ft. of the terraspawn. Instead of
one target. Hit: 12 (2d8 + 3) bludgeoning damage. If the attacking, terraspawn can cause an earthquake within a
target is prone, they take double damage. 30-ft. radius that knocks prone all creatures touching the
ground who fail a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw.
J TERRASPAWN Weaknesses. The terraspawn is susceptible to lightning.
Huge elemental, alignment of its creator When hit with a lightning attack they take an additional 5
lightning damage.
Armor Class 15 (natural armor)
ACTIONS
Hit Points 114 (12d12 +36)
Multiattack. The spawn makes two attacks per round.
Speed 60 ft.
Knock. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
target. Hit: 16 (2d10 + 5) bludgeoning damage. If the
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA target is prone, they take double damage.
20 (+5) 10 (+0) 16 (+3) 7 (-2) 10 (+0) 7 (-2)

194 – CHAPTER SEVEN: ALLIES, ADVERSARIES, & CREATURES –

 J INFERNOSPAWN Ice Body. The cryospawn is made of ice crystals and
Large elemental, alignment of its creator freezes whoever is within 5 ft., doing 5 (1d10) cold
damage per turn. Anyone who makes contact with or
Armor Class 14 (natural armor) attacks the cryospawn in melee suffers an additional 5
(1d10) cold damage. The cryospawn can form its body
Hit Points 85 (10d10 +30)
into a wall up to 10 ft. in length.
Speed 60 ft.
Weaknesses. The cryospawn is susceptible to fire. For
every 5 ft. the spawn moves in fire, or if it is hit with a
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA torch-sized or larger flame, it takes 1 fire damage (in
16 (+3) 18 (+4) 16 (+3) 7 (-2) 10 (+0) 7 (-2) addition to any damage a creature would normally take
Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing, and from the environment or an attack).
slashing from non-magical weapons ACTIONS
Damage Immunities fire, poison Multiattack. The spawn makes two attacks per round.
Condition Immunities exhaustion, grappled, Freeze. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
paralyzed, petrified, poisoned, prone, restrained, one target. Hit: 14 (2d10 + 3) cold damage. If the target
unconscious is a creature or a freezable object, it acquires a layer of
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 10 ice and is stunned from cold shock for one round. Until a
creature takes an action to break off the ice, they will take
Challenge 4 (1,100 XP) 5 (1d10) cold damage at the start of each turn.
Fire Body. The infernospawn is made of fire and burns
whomever is within 5 ft. of it, doing 5 (1d10) fire damage
per turn. Anyone who makes contact with or attacks the
Werewolves
L
infernospawn in melee suffers an additional 5 (1d10) fire
egend claims that the werewolves of O’koth were
damage. It can compress its body through spaces as small
originally simply wolves, but some great magic
as one inch.
enabled them to shift into people. Other legends tell of a
Weaknesses. The infernospawn is susceptible to water. Great Wolf who was so old and so wise that they achieved
For every 5 ft. the elemental moves in water, or for every true sentience, and the werewolves of O’koth are their
gallon of water splashed on it, it takes 1 cold damage. descendants. As mysterious as the forests they reside in,
ACTIONS and despite what the stories may say, werewolves keep
Multiattack. The spawn makes two attacks per round. mostly to themselves. What little people know of them
Ignite. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one is sparse. Some say that while young werewolves cannot
target. Hit: 14 (2d10 + 3) fire damage. If the target is a control their shifting, the Great Wolf and their Council
creature or a flammable object, it ignites. Until a creature of Elders can shift at will.
takes an action to douse the fire, the target takes 5 (1d10) The werewolves of O’koth view themselves as wolves,
fire damage at the start of each of its turns. not people, and will attack if angry, threatened, or hungry
enough. Hence venturing into O’koth Forest is strongly
J CRYOSPAWN discouraged by those who live nearby, and the O’koth
Large elemental, alignment of its creator rangers have special patrols to keep unsuspecting people
out. Rumors persist of other shapeshifters, such as
Armor Class 13 (natural armor) werebears or weredeer, but no one can confirm having
Hit Points 95 (10d10 +40) seen these.
Speed 60 ft.
THE PACK
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA Werewolves are social creatures. They have a high
16 (+3) 18 (+4) 19 (+4) 7 (-2) 10 (+0) 7 (-2) intelligence, though they identify as wolves rather than
people. It is not unheard of for people to disappear in O’koth
Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing, and Forest, though rumors and stories vary as to whether they
slashing from non-magical weapons were eaten or joined the wolves themselves.
Damage Immunities cold, poison Those who venture into O’koth Forest may eventually
Condition Immunities exhaustion, paralyzed, petrified, find their way to the moving village of the werewolves,
poisoned, unconscious called the Pack. The Pack is ruled by a mated poly pair
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 10 and serves as the first line of defense protecting a deeper
secret inside O’koth Forest.
Challenge 5 (1,800 XP)
Werewolves always fight in packs, encircling their prey

– Creatures – 195

THE SECRET
OF O’KOTH FOREST
With the werewolves clearly protecting
something, whispers abound as to what it might
be. If the characters investigate, they might hear
any of the following: that a lost bejeweled city
sits at the heart of the forest (false), the forest
holds a Crossing to Earth (false), or that a secret
community of were-creatures of all kinds live in
the forest (true).
before killing. When confronting a group, they try to
separate party members from each other and take them
down in twos or threes.
J WEREWOLF
Medium beast, any alignment
Armor Class 11 in person form, 14 in hybrid or wolf form
(natural armor)
Hit Points 65 (10d8 +20)
Speed 30 ft. in person form, 40 ft. in wolf or hybrid form
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
15 (+2) 13 (+1) 14 (+2) 15 (+2) 14 (+2) 12 (+1)
Saving Throws Con +4
Skills Perception +4, Stealth +3, Survival +4
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 14
Languages Werespeak, Wolf
Challenge 3 (700 XP)
Shapechanger. The werewolf can use its action to
polymorph into a wolf, a person, or a hybrid form. The
hybrid always appears as an upright creature with a
wolf’s head, claws and tail, but the arms, legs and torso of
a person. Their statistics, other than their AC, are the same
in each form. Any equipment they are wearing or carrying
isn’t transformed. When they die, they remain in whatever
form they died in, which has made them an exotic hunting
target for pompous nobles and hunters.
Shifting Heal. When a werewolf shifts forms, they
automatically heal themself to full without a rest. However,
if they are attacked before the beginning of their next turn
after shifting they receive double damage, and they are
at disadvantage for all other rolls during the transition
interval.
Keen Hearing and Smell. The werewolf has advantage
on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing or
smell.
196 – CHAPTER SEVEN: ALLIES, ADVERSARIES, & CREATURES –
ACTIONS
Multiattack (person or hybrid form only). The
werewolf makes two attacks, only one of which may be a
bite attack.
Bite (wolf or hybrid form only). Melee Weapon
Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d8 +
3) piercing damage. If the target is a person, they must
succeed on a DC 12 Constitution saving throw or be
cursed with werewolf lycanthropy.
Claws (hybrid form only). Melee Weapon Attack: +5
to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (2d6 + 3) slashing
damage.
Spear (person form only). Melee Weapon Attack:
+5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d6 + 4) piercing
damage.
Wyrms
W
yrms are often mistaken for their true dragon
cousins, especially as true dragons have not
been seen in centuries and even wyrms are rare. Semi-
intelligent, they are less clever than a proper dragon or
person, but certainly smarter than a dog. Wyrms also
differ from true dragons in their lack of photo-adaptive
scales, but rather come in variations on green, red, or
blue coloring. They cannot breathe fire, which is the
surest sign the adventurer is not dealing with a dragon.
They have vestigial wings that can’t carry their weight,
and no access to magic.
Wyrms are solitary except during mating time. A mated
pair of wyrms raises their young to independence, before
going their separate ways again.
SCAMMED BY WYRMS
Wyrms are not intelligent in the traditional sense, but
they are clever and conniving. Natural swindlers, they
tend to use their dragon-like appearance to trick, rob,
or scare off people. They almost never engage in a fight,
preferring to run away, hide or deflect. This does not make
them inherently evil, but many of them tend to become so.
J WYRM
Large dragonkin, any alignment
Armor Class 13 (natural armor)
Hit Points 65 (5d10 +10)
Speed 30 ft., climb 30 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
14 (+2) 12 (+1) 14 (+2) 10 (+0) 11 (+0) 10 (+0)
Skills Perception +2, Stealth +3, Deception +2
Senses blindsight 30 ft., darkvision 120 ft., passive
Perception 12
Languages Cant, Draconic
Challenge 3 (700 XP)

Snake Eyes. Wyrms are masters of manipulation and

subterfuge. They can hypnotize a target if they hold eye
contact, gaining advantage on all Charisma (Deception)
checks. This hypnotism lasts 1 minute after eye contact
is broken, or immediately if the target is attacked. This
is often the most effective tool the Wyrm uses to escape
violent encounters.
ACTIONS
Multiattack. The wyrm makes two attacks: one with its
bite and one with its claws.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
target. Hit: 7 (1d10 + 2) piercing damage.
Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
creature. Hit: 11 (2d8 + 2) slashing damage.

Zombies
Zombies are the lowest form of undead, and the most
common. Popular with necromancers as guards and
servants, they are mindless creatures with no skills retained
from their previous existence. Zombies can obey simple
commands and are as much cannon fodder as they are the
most menial of workers. STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
13 (+1) 6 (-2) 16 (+3) 3 (-4) 6 (-2) 3 (-4)
ZOMBIE ROT
Damage Immunities poison
Any living creature can become a zombie in theory, though
Condition Immunities poisoned
very small or very large creatures seem more resistant to
zombie infection. If a person dies at the hands of a zombie, Senses darkvision 80 ft., lone zombie passive Perception
and there’s anything of them left, the Game Master rolls 8, horde passive Perception 9
a d100 to see if they become a zombie: the chance is 20% Languages Understands its controller, mostly.
for Tiny people, 30% for Small or Large people, and 50% Challenge lone zombie: 1/4 (50 XP); horde: 5 (1,800
for Medium people. If the deceased is a player’s character, XP)
they may veto the roll.
Fear of the Horde. Prerequisite: horde. People seeing
LIKE HERDING ZOMBIES a zombie horde for the first time in a scene must make a
Unlike skeletons, zombies are completely mindless. They DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or become frightened. They
can follow simple commands, but only for a few minutes may repeat this saving throw at the beginning of every
before they need to be ordered again. The only time they act round until successful, or until they can no longer see the
of their own volition is if there is something for them to eat. zombies.
ACTIONS
J ZOMBIE Multiattack. Prerequisite: horde. The horde makes a bite
Medium undead, evil alignments attack against everyone within a 30-ft. radius of its center.
Bite, lone zombie. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit,
Armor Class 13 (remains of armor)
reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 4 (1d6 + 1) plus zombie rot.
Hit Points lone zombie: 18 (2d8 +9); horde: 90 (12d8
Bite, horde. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5
+ 36)
ft., one target. Hit: 8 (2d6 + 1) damage plus zombie rot.
Speed 20 ft.

– Creatures – 197
 “So this is it? The end of the line?”
“The moment of truth?”
“The time of cliché questions?”
Everyone looked at Terra, who only smiled and
shrugged. “Come on guys, I’m not going to see most of
you again, gotta give you all one more joke for the road.”
Nichelle hugged Terra, tears dripping down her face.
“You will always be in my heart,” she whispered to the
young woman who had become a closer friend than she
ever thought possible.
“You’ve decided to stay then?” Terra asked, tears
pooling in her own eyes.
“When it comes to any decision, you can gather all the
data you want and think it over, calculate thoughtfully,
and it will all be useless. You will never have enough
data to make a decision,” Anomalin, the Wizard of the
Black Mountains interjected before Nichelle could answer.
“Why is that?” Nichelle asked.
“Because when it comes to the moment of choice, you’re
going to make a snap judgment, whatever you do.” He
smiled and walked away from the two now-pensive women.
“I’m still not sure he’s a wizard,” Terra said to his
retreating back.
“That’s what everyone says he is,” Nichelle countered,
and not for the first time since they met the strange man
in the Black Mountains.
“Look at his clothes! The modern glasses alone make
him seem more like an old hippie who wandered into
a ren faire than the kindly, portly wizard I pictured in
my mind.”
“I would still recommend you all say good-bye now just
the same,” the wizard called back, leaving both women
wondering if he’d heard them.
Anomalin stopped in front of a cave entrance, and
turned dramatically to look at each of the group.
“Congratulations all. You have reached the end of your
quest. Probably,” he added with a shrug.
“Probably?” Connor asked, sharing a glance with Riku
as he crossed his arms, the proper beard on his face mak-
ing him look imperious. “What’s going to jump out at
us now? Goblins and trolls, or more librarians? Because
I’ve definitely had enough of librarians to last a lifetime.”
198 – ALWAYS THE PALADIN THAT BLOWS THE STEALTH CHECK –
The wizard chuckled and shrugged.
“So that’s the way home?” Terra asked, pointing at the
cave behind the wizard.
“Right now it’s just a cave,” Anomalin answered.
Terra narrowed her eyes. “And what will it be later?”
At that the wizard laughed, “I forgot. You did say
you ran into my brother Malinon. That one does love
his tricky questions.”
He moved to stand in front of Riku, and Terra realized
he wasn’t going to answer her question. “Wait, you didn’t
answer me. You’re just deflecting...”
“Riku Kobayashi, elf of Earth and adopted son of the
rainbow elves. The oldest and possibly wisest of your
group,” Anomalin declared.
Riku shrugged with a smile, “That’s debatable.”
“See, elf,” Anomalin smiled. “And you are certainly
wiser now than when you began. The tatters and tears
of your cloak support the story of your travels.”
“I suppose,” Riku said warily.
“Anything else you would like to add?” Anomalin
prompted.
“What is this? An after-school special?” Terra asked.
“No idea what that is, but probably.” The wizard
readjusted his glasses. “Riku?”
The elf knit his eyebrows. “I didn’t find wisdom in
my time here, master wizard,” Riku said firmly, but not
disrespectfully. “But I found peace, a kinship I had never
really known before.” Riku looked at each of his compan-
ions. “I learned so much from each of you. Thank you for
that. I need to take that back to my life on Earth. There
is too much I left undone. I need to be a better father to
my kids and a better friend to my ex-wife.”
“That sounds like great wisdom to me,” Anomalin nod-
ded, and moved on to Terra before Riku could say more.
“And you, hairfoot? Feisty and funny, and always
straightforward. You’ve unlocked the secrets of artifice
and your own potential.”
Terra shrugged, “I learned a few tricks, but you know
what, old man? There’s a lot more I want to learn and I
can’t do it here. Playing with old technology is fun, but
limited.”
 “Indeed it is,” Anomalin nodded. “You understand
that once you return to Earth, it will be like starting over
again. A good portion of what you learned here will be
useless.”
Terra blinked, “Are you trying to talk me into staying?”
“There are no guaranteed doors between your world
and the Realm. Once you leave, you may never be able
to return. I’m just making sure you understand the im-
plications of your choice.”
“What’s the point of telling me, if it doesn’t matter
anyway? Since I’m going to make a snap judgment no
matter what, right?”
That stopped the wizard for a moment. Chuckling a
laugh, he bowed his head to the young woman: “And
very clever indeed.” He winked and moved on to Connor.
“Sir paladin. Resplendent in your fine armor. You have
harnessed the strength within yourself and brought it out
to defend that which you love.”
“Well, yeah. I mean, I try,” Connor shrugged.
“Is it enough for you?” the wizard asked.
Connor blinked at the question, then furrowed his brow
as he thought about it. The wizard offered no further
help. Cardinal looked away.
“Love is always enough,” Connor concluded suddenly,
before turning away from Anomalin to stand by Cardinal.
“Connor, what are you doing?” ze said, looking ner-
vously at everyone but Connor.
“I’m not truly a paladin,” Connor declared.
“Connor, what are you talking about?” Nichelle asked.
“A paladin dedicates themself to something higher, and
while I’ve practiced the formalities, I could never dedicate
myself to something like that. There never seemed to be
anything that truly called to me.”
“Darkoth called to you,” Cardinal spat, finally looking
at Connor’s pained face.
“Cardinal, we all agreed to forgive him for that,” Terra
started, but Connor cut her off.
“I lost my way, and I made a stupid decision that hurt
you. My best friend. My best love.”
He looked at Cardinal, his eyes caught between hope
and uncertainty. Behind him, his sister squealed.
Cardinal looked at the wizard for help, but Anomalin’s
face remained a cross between stoic and high-as-a-kite.
No help there. “What do you expect me to say to that?”
ze answered Connor.
The silence lasted an eternity.
“You don’t have to say anything. I intend to stay by
your side if you allow me, no matter where you go. And
if you won’t let me, I’ll still love you, but I’ll go.”
“Connor,” Cardinal’s eyes filled with tears.
“Cardinal Cohen-Abrigo, the child who stands between
two families, and now two worlds. Singularly talented at
enduring the shifts and complications of life,” Anomalin
cut in. “Which world do you choose?”
– ALWAYS THE PALADIN THAT BLOWS THE STEALTH CHECK –
“I can’t choose. I don’t want to,” Cardinal turned away,
and Connor wilted visibly as he accepted zir rejection.
“But wherever I go, I want Connor to be there.”
Ze turned around, wrapping zir arms around Con-
nor’s neck. Connor only realized what was happening
a moment later, before crowing with joy as he spun his
love around. The others cheered as they rushed to hug
the reunited couple.
At last they settled, and everyone realized Anomalin
was staring fixedly at Nichelle.
Discomfited, she looked to her brother, who squeezed
her hand reassuringly.
“I suppose that leaves me,” she said.
“And what about you, Nichelle?” Anomalin asked.
“Well, I don’t know, you tell me,” she sassed, crossing
her arms defensively.
That made him laugh. “No one tells you anything, O
Queen of the Shadows, Duchess of the Streets, Hero of
the People. You took on so much, and with such speed
and urgency. This world was moved by you. You shook
it into action in a way I have not seen since I became a
mover and shaker myself. The rogue who has been the
heart of this group.”
Nichelle blushed as the others murmured their agree-
ment.
“Wherever you choose to go, you will bring that heart
with you. It was what you brought with you, and what
you take with you,” the wizard intoned.
Nichelle nodded, laying her hand over her heart.
“Yeah, it is.”
“And maybe that will do it,” Anomalin broke the
figurative spell that had enveloped the group, to turn to
the actual one he had been casting.
“The cave!” Terra declared in surprise.
Around the entrance of the cave, five glyphs had ap-
peared, each glowing its own color. With an imperious
finger, Anomalin pointed to each. “Wisdom. Intelligence.
Strength. Constitution. Dexterity. And,” now Anomalin
grinned a smile of a much younger and more devious man
as he laid a hand on his own chest, “Charisma, obviously.”
A sixth glyph appeared, completing the arch around the
cave entrance. A shimmer of light came into being, with
sparks and sparkles drifting down like falling stardust.
“Is it really a door home?” Riku asked, stepping closer
to examine the shimmering.
“Probably,” Anomalin answered.
“You say that a lot,” Terra said sharply.
“I’ve never walked through this doorway. In fact, this
is the first time I’ve managed to open it.”
“So why did it open now?” Nichelle asked.
“No idea. I suppose it opens only when the circum-
stances are right.” Anomalin replied. “Now, my final
question! Do you stay, or do you go?”
199
T he world of Legendlore is compatible with all magic
items from the 5th edition fantasy roleplaying game,
save those that allow travel between planes. This chapter
introduces additional magic items and Strange Things,
as well as cursed items, unique to the Realm.
` AMULET OF THE SKY CAPTAIN
Wondrous item, common
Mostly used by the navigators of air ships, though the
occasional maritime navigator may possess one too, this
amulet allows the wearer to navigate without visible land-
marks of any sort. The wearer fixes a point in their mind
and the amulet gives a sharp tug in the correct direction.
It must be on their person at all times to work, and remov-
ing the amulet negates the most recent destination and
necessitates recalibrating. The amulet does not account
for roads or walls, which makes it difficult to use on land,
although it can still provide at least a general direction.
In order to work, the location must be one known to the
wearer, such as a town or castle or landmark; they must
either have visited it before, or it must be a location
known to the general populace. The amulet cannot be
used to locate an item or person, nor can it be used to find
a lost location (such as a forgotten city or altar) unless
the wearer has been there previously. The amulet can be
used to bypass locational wards that would prevent the
place from being found by any normal means, although it
does not allow the wearer to cross any wards that prevent
them from entering.
` AMULET OF WEAKNESS
Wondrous item, rare, cursed
A small but ornate gold necklace, to all outward ap-
pearances this is clearly an amulet of health. However,
this amulet crafted by Darkoth’s sorcerers is masked by
powerful illusion magic and hides an insidious curse. The
illusion woven into the amulet extends to the wearer,
disguising the curse as a more mundane illness, often
making the true source difficult to ascertain. Upon closer
examination with the use of an identify spell, the healing
– Magic Items and Strange Things –
sigils across its face become warped and backwards, and
its true nature is revealed.
The wearer becomes easily fatigued and sickly, reducing
their’ Constitution score by 4 points to a minimum of 8.
If their Constitution score is already at 8 or lower, the
amulet has no mechanical effect but still remains stuck to
the unfortunate wearer. Removing the amulet is difficult,
as its curse causes it to fuse to the wearer, requiring it to
be countered with a remove curse or destroyed through
otherwise extraordinary means in order to be removed.
Once removed or destroyed, the penalized Constitution
score persists for a further 2d6 rounds before returning
to its previous level.
` ARDONIAN AIR SHIP
Strange thing (vehicle), rare (must be proficient in aero-
nautics tools to pilot)
A non-magical vessel built exclusively in Ardonia, these
air ships are rare in other nations. The air ship ignores all
ground-based hazards such as mud or deep snow. However,
it’ is still beholden to the weather conditions in the air or
at sea. To convert the ship from flight to sea-faring mode
requires at least four \Medium-sized creatures and 10
rounds focused on hauling in and deflating the air balloon
before raising the mast and sails. For every two people
over the minimum, decrease conversion time by 1 round.
The ship can hold up to 20 Medium people with enough
provisions (both food and water) for two weeks. It travels
at an average rate of 4 miles per hour or 30 miles per day,
however a skilled pilot can push the ship to higher speeds
for short durations. This requires a DC 10 Intelligence
check by a character proficient with aeronautics tools,
which can push the ship to a speed of 6 miles per hour
for a number of hours equal to their Intelligence modifier.
Augments of both magical and mundane origin, such
as canons and magically tacking sails, can be added onto
the basic ship for increased cost. However, it is difficult
to find anyone skilled in working on such vessels outside
Ardonia, and proper augments would be difficult to install
for an amateur. Any attempts to repair or augment the
201
 ship requires a craftsperson proficient with aeronautics
tools to succeed on a DC 25 Intelligence check unless
they possess the Ardonia background, in which case the
DC is reduced to 10.
` ARMOR OF THE GOLDEN WARRIOR
Armor, artifact
Crafted for a great warrior in the far reaches of history,
this armor confers a powerful blessing upon the wearer.
Appearing as a suit of golden plate armor, the suit provides
a +4 to all Constitution saving throws, as well as a +4 to
Strength checks. In order to benefit from its blessing, the
intended wearer cannot be of any evil alignment. If worn
by an evil being, it loses all benefits.
All creatures, after wearing the suit for 1 round, fall
under the effect of dominate person as though cast as an
8th-level spell (DC 13 Wisdom saving throw to resist). If
the subject fails their saving throw, they are compelled to
render aid to any individual they perceive to be in need. If
successful at resisting the spell, the wearer must repeat the
roll after every 12 hours they continuously wear the armor.
` BEACON OF THE UNDEAD
Wondrous item, very rare
This fist-sized gold orb acts as a beacon to any undead
within a half mile of it. It does not require activation and
has a constant passive effect, and can be dampened or
202 – CHAPTER EIGHT: MAGICAL ITEMS AND STRANGE THINGS –
hidden away only through magical means such as a bag
of holding or other ensorcelled container.
Crafted by a spy of Terrorek in centuries past, the orb
was designed to call the night creatures and other undead
down upon an unsuspecting army. The orb does not make
the undead more ferocious or more inclined to attack the
unlucky bearer than they already might be. Dispelling
the orb will temporarily quiet the malignant magics that
swirl within, but all attempts to destroy such items have
so far failed. Dozens, if not hundreds, were produced but
most were lost to the sands of time. Every so often one
shows up in the hands of a merchant who doesn’t know
what they have found, assuming it to be worth no more
than the gold from which it was cast, but more commonly
they’re found in abandoned places long since overrun by
the undead. Legends speak of a lich queen notable for
wearing one as a necklace.
` BOOK OF MENA-RAN
Wondrous item, artifact (requires attunement by any
arcane spellcaster)
A leather-bound tome that feels heavier than its size
would suggest, this tome is filled with dark and powerful
spells. It can function as a spellbook for a wizard with-
out the need to transcribe its spells into their personal
spellbook. Only those of evil alignment can use the book
and its contents without suffering dire consequences. If
someone of a non-evil alignment uses the book to cast or
prepare a spell, they must succeed on a DC 13 Wisdom
saving throw to avoid having their alignment shifted (good
moves to neutral, and neutral moves to evil, though it does
not alter lawful or chaotic alignment). If successful, the
user repeats the saving throw every time they attempt to
use the book again.
In order to prepare a spell from the book a wizard must
have a spell slot of the appropriate level available, howev-
er the time to memorize the spell is halved as compared
to other sources. The book only shows the reader spells
within their class limits. For those incapable of using
magic, the text appears to shift and move under their
gaze, forcing them to make a DC 13 Constitution saving
throw to avoid becoming dazed for 2d6 rounds. The only
constant spell contained within the tome, regardless of the
reader’s class, is power word kill. Preparing power word
kill from the tome reduces the spell slot level required
from level 9 to level 8. The book holds nine other spells
of the GM’s choice.
` BOOK OF S’AI HORTHUS
Wondrous item, artifact
This small, battered black tome holds a single level 9 spell
effect within its pages: Summon Shinde Imas. This is one
of only two ways to summon Shinde Imas, the other being
an ancient Azothian ritual (see Chapter 4: Magic, Spells,
and Rituals, p. 109). Unlike the ritual, which offers a slim
chance at survival, the Book of S’ai Horthus holds certain
death for the caster. The demon known as the Elf-Slayer
was imprisoned by the ancient Y’lldian elves before they
were lost to history, binding it from returning to wreak
havoc upon the material plane. The summoning requires
immense power and not one but two blood sacrifices: that
of a white dove, and that of the caster themself. When cast,
the spell turns the caster into a portal through which the
demon can move from its prison dimension into the same
plane as the caster, regardless of which plane that may be.
Once the ritual is complete, the caster is dealt 100 points
of force damage. If this is enough to reduce their health
to 0, they die outright. If it is not enough to drop them to
0, they instead falling unconscious for 1d6 rounds.
Upon entering this plane of existence, the demon is
stunned for 1 round before it begins laying waste to every
living creature it comes across, including its summoner
if still alive. The demon attempts to secure the book if
possible, as it can also be used to banish the demon back
to whence it came. It has a special hatred for elves.
` BOOK OF WYRTH
Wondrous item, artifact (requires attunement by a divine
spellcaster)
Written by Tindiani, a pupil of Othaaris, this ancient text
is a powerful artifact of good. The text functions as both
history book and spellbook, containing a mix of healing
– Magic Items and Strange Things –
and offensive spells usable only by divine spellcasters.
To activate the book, the caster must spend 2d6 rounds
mediating on its contents, during which time they may
take no actions, including speaking, signing, or otherwise
communicating. If interrupted, they must start over. While
the book is in their possession, the caster is granted 2
additional dice (of the same type as the other dice) to
roll on every healing or fire-based spell they cast. The
benefit is lost if the caster and book separate more than
10 feet from each other. Any creature capable of reading
Ardonian can use the book as a research tool, though the
contents of the book are always shifting. The reader must
make a successful DC 13 Intelligence (History) check to
locate the desired information. A failed roll results in
ancient cooking recipes or dry, long-winded descriptions
of farming harvests.
` BRACHMON TRAVEL BAG
Wondrous item, uncommon
An army marches on its stomach and this sack is a major
boon for larger groups striking out into the unforgiving
wilds, especially in locales where the harsh climate means
game and foraging are scarce at best. Three times per day,
reaching into the bag will produce food or water as desired
by the user. The food is plain and bland but nourishing and
will always be of a type that the user can consume. It can
also produce feed for up to 6 mounts. The water comes
out in a waterskin holding up to 4 pints of water. Once
removed from the sack, the food cannot be put back in and
must be eaten within 24 hours or it will spoil. No items
can be stored inside the bag without destroying the bag.
` CAN OF REFINED ACID
Strange thing, uncommon
An enchanted metal can filled with a potent acid orig-
inally distilled from a particular tree once found in the
Enchanted Forest, now produced by highly skilled alche-
mists. Although the acid itself is not magical in nature,
spells are carved into the metal to contain the potent
substance within. When the top is depressed, a 10-ft.
stream of acid is released, lasting for one round during
which the user cannot use that hand for anything else.
The acid deals 2d6 damage per round for 4 rounds or until
washed off the target. The acid can destroy some locks and
small items. Using it to open a lock does not negate any
traps attached to the lock, only the locking mechanism
itself, and all traps must be dealt with normally. If the
canister is punctured, a cloud of acid spreads over a 30-ft.
diameter circle, lingering for 6 rounds and dealing 2d6
acid damage per round to all creatures within the area. It
can serve as an improvised throwing weapon, exploding
on a successful DC 13 Strength check and expending all
remaining uses. The canister comes loaded with 5 uses,
or 1+1d4 uses if found as loot.
203
 ` CHEST OF AZOTH
Wondrous item, artifact
This plain and worn steamer chest is one of the few
items that exists on multiple planes at once, specifically on
Earth and in the Realm. Upon opening the Chest, all living
creatures within 10 feet are immediately transported from
Earth to the Realm or vice versa. The Chest transports any
non-living items touched by the targets as well, as evidenced
by the existence of the Iron Mustang. It is the most reliable
method for transitioning between the two worlds, if one
of the more difficult to locate. The Chest cannot be sensed
or located by any magical means, requiring the seekers
to physically find the Chest if they wish to make use of
it. When used from the Earth side, the Realm landing is
random and rarely if ever corresponds with the location of
that plane’s Chest — the GM can choose a location based on
the needs of their story, or roll on the table below. If found
and entered in the Realm, the Chest transports the targets
back to the location of the Chest on Earth. While the Chest
is not sentient, it seems to have a knack for showing up
in the right place at the right time — or at the worst time.
Die Roll(d10) Result
1 Ardonia
2 Brachmon
3 O’koth
4 Bryzine
5 Enchanted Forest
6 Grey Hills
7 Isle of Fantasia
8 Olardell
9 Carahill
10 Drohm
` CLOAK OF NECROMANTIC AURA
Wondrous item, very rare (requires attunement)
Stitched together from funeral shrouds, this ragged
cloak casts a deathly pall over the wearer. The wearer
becomes pale and drawn in appearance, their skin cold
to the touch. While worn, all undead treat the wearer as
one of their own and do not react aggressively to their
presence, even if commanded to attack them. Powerful
undead, such as a lich or a mummy lord, may make a DC
20 Wisdom saving throw to resist this effect.
The wearer does not need to sleep for a full night to
regain any spells, instead gaining this benefit of a long rest
after only 4 hours. However, the wearer becomes sensitive
to all effects to which the undead are susceptible, such as
Turn Undead, forbiddance cast against undead, and radiant
damage. Detect evil and good and similar effects used on
the wearer will likewise indicate the target’ is undead. Any
spells or equipment that are explicitly prohibited from
204 – CHAPTER EIGHT: MAGICAL ITEMS AND STRANGE THINGS –
use by or upon an undead, such as cure wounds and some
magic weapons, also treat the cloak’s wearer as undead.
If worn by a cleric of good alignment, they are unable to
use any class features until the shroud is removed.
Although the cloak is tougher than its gauzy appear-
ance would suggest — resisting all attempts to cut, tear,
or otherwise destroy it — it is highly flammable and will
burn rapidly if set ablaze.
` COLLAPSIBLE BOAT
Strange thing (vehicle), uncommon in Epicurus, rare in the
rest of East Azoth
A good adventurer is always ready to take on any chal-
lenge no matter the weather or terrain. This non-magical
boat is made of a waterproofed wood and fabric composite.
The boat folds down into a square packet that can be stored
inside a standard backpack. Assembling the boat takes 1
round and a successful DC 15 Strength (Athletics) check.
The boat unfolds into a roughly 10 ft. long, shallow-hulled
rowboat capable of holding 4 Medium creatures at a
combined weight of up to 800 lbs. It does not come with
oars, and those must be acquired and stored separately.
The boat has a speed of 3 miles per hour, or 24 miles per
day on calm water.
While mainly used for crossing rivers and lakes, in a
pinch the boat can be used for short coastal trips. Oper-
ating it during a storm or otherwise rough waters instills
disadvantage on Wisdom (Survival) rolls to navigate, as
the boat is not as stable as a normal vessel of the same
size would be. The hull has an AC of 3 against attackers
and cannot be repaired if punctured except by an excep-
tionally skilled craftsperson, requiring a successful DC
25 Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) check. If the weight limit
is exceeded by more than 40 lbs., the boat is destroyed.
` NECKLACE OF TRUTH
Wondrous item, rare, cursed
This amulet creates a personal zone of truth upon on
the wearer. While wearing it, they cannot tell a deliberate
lie, nor can they lie by omission, but must tell the whole
truth as they know it. If the wearer is misinformed on a
particular subject, they give incorrect information. Addi-
tionally, any use of a discern truth spell will always show
the target’s words as truth, even if they’re not. Appropriate
divination spells still reveal unwitting lies.
Creatures touching the wearer with either bare skin or
through thin cloth must make a DC 20 Charisma saving
throw or become afflicted with the same effect for 2 rounds.
Any material thicker than canvas protects against the curse
jumping to other targets, so it cannot be transferred through
armor or even a pair of modest leather gloves. The necklace
itself can only be removed from the wearer with successful
use of remove curse. If the target dies, the necklace can be
removed, although it attaches itself to the next person who
makes the mistake of touching it.
 ` DELAYED SPELL BOX
Strange thing, very rare
This mechanized box of Carahillian origin functions
as a spell bomb. The interior of the box is outfitted with
several focusing crystals and lined with runes to protect
and shield its contents. A spell is cast into the box, where it
is held in stasis until activated by the code word set by the
creator. Once the word is spoken or signed, the ensorcelled
locking mechanism releases as the box opens and deploys
the spell. The caster does not have to be present when
the box is activated but they must be on the same plane.
All normal costs and components must be expended to
cast the spell. Once used, the box is drained and cannot be
re-enchanted, becoming a useless wooden box filled with
dead parts. The spell cast into the box does not need to be
offensive in nature, and the box can contain spells such as
circle of death or any spell that targets an area rather than
a singular target. The box can only enclose arcane spells,
as the enchanted mechanism cannot capture the divine.
` DAEMON STORM
Wondrous item, artifact
This large wooden box is carved with ornate designs
that shift and flicker across the wood. The box features no
lock, keyhole, or obvious hinges. In order to open it, the
character must cast knock using an 8th-level spell slot. If
successful, the box opens, spewing forth 1d8 demons per
round until someone closes it with an arcane lock spell
using an 8th-level spell slot.
While the box is open, a 20-foot radius surrounding it is
under the effects of a secondary spell (see table), though
the box itself is immune and remains stuck in the spot
where it was opened.
If arcane lock closes the box, any demons that escaped
remain until killed. Any area effects caused by the box end
once the box closes, regardless of normal duration for the
given spell. The box cannot be destroyed or dispelled by
any means outside the successful use of a cleric’s Divine
Intervention.
Die Roll(d10) Result
1 Reverse Gravity
2 Black Tentacles
3 Fog Cloud
4 Incendiary Cloud
5 Plane Shift
6 Confusion
7 Earthquake
8 Fire Storm
9 Ice Storm
10 Time Stop
– Magic Items and Strange Things –
` DAYDREAM ORB
Wondrous item, very rare
The daydream orb is, to all appearances, a common scry-
ing orb. To activate it, the user holds it in their hands and
speaks or signs the name of the person they wish to view.
Each successful activation appears to show a moving image
of the target, complete with sound and scent, at the exact
moment of activation wherever they are in the world. After
activating, the orb cannot be activated again for 5 rounds.
The orb does not work across planes and cannot be used to
view people back on Earth. A successful DC 20 Intelligence
(Arcana) check reveals the true nature of the orb. All images
shown in the orb’s surface are false, showcasing an elaborate
illusion of the requested targets. This illusion shows what
the user hopes to see. Once the orb is proven false to a user,
it no longer functions for them and they can never reacti-
vate the orb, but that doesn’t prevent others from using it.
If more than one person lays hands on it at a time, they roll
opposing Wisdom checks for control of the orb. In the event
of a tie, the orb is thrown into chaos and shows a series of
rapidly changing illusions for 2 rounds before going dark
and becoming inert for a full day.
` ENERGETIC LAMP
Strange thing, uncommon
A gas-powered lamp, commonly used in the gem mines
of Bryzine. Once lit, the lamp is immune to all but the most
powerful wind and stays lit even when tipped over. The
lamp emits bright light in a 10- to 100-foot radius, and dim
light to twice that distance, depending on how the hood is
adjusted. The illuminated area is cast in a circle centered on
the lamp, although it can be outfitted as a bullseye lantern
in order to focus the light into a 150-foot cone. Most often
these lanterns are used underground, where their light is
more easily contained; using one outside often brings un-
wanted attention down upon a party. The added benefit to
these lamps is that mine trolls and some other subterranean
creatures tend to shy away from the brilliance, providing
safer travel when venturing into such territory. Occasionally
mine trolls will still brave the light in instances of extreme
hunger or if the adventurers encroach too close to their
dens, but reports of such instances are rare, although that
could be due to a lack of survivors.
` ENSORCELLED TYPEWRITER
Strange thing, rare
Occasionally Azoth’s inventors branch into ventures that
combine their brand of strange science with the wizardly
arts. This magically enhanced typewriter is used to create
or copy spell scrolls. Making a scroll in this way reduces the
crafting time, and associated gp cost, by half. The spell being
transcribed must be known by the user, as per normal scroll
creation. Any scrolls created in this way are imperfect and
less durable due to the rushed nature of their creation. This
205
 imperfection can manifest in retail price, an increased risk
of spell failure, or the scroll disintegrating after a number
of days as determined by the GM. The typewriter itself is
bulky and difficult to travel with, unless using a wagon or if
placed inside a bag of holding or similar container. Despite
its drawbacks, the typewriter can be useful for disseminating
spells among a larger network at a cheaper overall cost.
` FLASK OF UNEXPECTED FORTITUDE
Wondrous item, rare
Sometimes magical items are worth taking a risk, and
sometimes they backfire in unexpected and spectacular
ways. Often known as the Trickster’s Flask, this simple
metal flask is filled with an everchanging supply of a
random potion or elixir. Upon their character uncorking
and drinking the entire contents, the player rolls for the
result. Drinking from the flask is a free action.
The flask can only be used twice per day, and only once
per day by any given person. The potion cannot be poured
into another vessel but must be drunk directly from the
flask. If poured into a cup or another flask, the potion is
rendered into brackish water. All effects gained from this
flask last for 30 minutes instead of their normal duration
but cannot be dismissed even if they normally could.
Roll(d10) Result
1 Elixir of Health
2 Potion of Diminution
3 Philter of Clairvoyance
4 Potion of Animal Friendship
5 Potion of Storm Giant Strength
6 Potion of Gaseous Form (flask is
immediately dropped, but all other items
are carried over)
7 Potion of Mind Reading
8 Potion of Poison
9 Potion of Climbing
10 Potion of Supreme Healing
` FOOD WAVE MACHINE
Strange thing, uncommon in Ardonia
Visitors might recognize the “food wave machine” as
a microwave under all the crystals and copper coils. It’s
a new arrival to the Realm, brought by a very confused
college student looking for Sam’s Repair Shop. The youth
eventually found their way home, leaving the microwave
behind. The machine has since been taken apart, reassem-
bled, redesigned, and copied by several Ardonian artificers.
Despite the food wave machine’s tendency to catch
fire, the convenience (and novelty) is enough for them
to be found in several inns and taverns across Ardonia.
The Smoky Dragon Inn in Olardell and the Purple Glyph
206 – CHAPTER EIGHT: MAGICAL ITEMS AND STRANGE THINGS –
Eatery in Carahill also have one. Enterprising adventur-
ers can barter for one — even novelty doesn’t outweigh
impromptu fires very long.
The food wave machine is the size of a small microwave,
and surprisingly light owing to wood bark, crystals, and
copper wire replacing most of the traditional Earth design.
Activate the machine and open the door after 60 seconds
(a loud ping will alert you) to find one of the following
dinners, which can theoretically serve up to four people:
Roll(d10) Result
1 Vegan Mac and Cheese
2 Chicken Dinner
3 Indian Curry
4 Baked Potato Wedges
5 Lasagne
6 Beef Fajitas
7 Instant Noodles
8 Chocolate Pudding
9 Unidentifiable (but edible) Mulch
10 The machine catches fire. It still works if
you put it out, though the next meal has a
distinctly smoky flavor.
` GAUNTLETS OF PRECISION
Strange thing, rare (requires attunement)
Precisely balanced and calibrated, these gauntlets are a
gorgeous marriage of science and art. Constructed from
hardened steel and precious metals, delicate-looking
filigree hides a system of whirring gears and cogs, and
each pair is utterly unique in appearance. The gauntlets
provide advantage on all Dexterity-based attacks. Addi-
tionally, the wearer can use their Dexterity in place of
Strength on melee attacks. Any electrical damage suffered
by the wearer removes the attunement, rendering them
inoperable.
` GLYPH OF STEALTH
Wondrous item, rare
Sometimes the best fight is the one avoided altogether,
but not all people are so equipped for sneaking past their
enemies. Invented by the people of Olardell, the glyph of
stealth envelops a group of up to 4 people with the pass
without trace spell so long as they do not speak (though
they can sign), and do not move more than 3 feet from the
person carrying the glyph. The bearer must make a DC
15 Charisma (Deception) or Dexterity (Stealth) check to
activate the glyph for one scene. Any interactions with
their environment such as opening a door, attacking an
enemy, or picking something up off of a table immediately
ends the glyph’s effect for the person who performed the
action. If the bearer of the glyph performs one of these
actions, the entire effect immediately ceases. The glyph
cannot be used again until after a long rest.
` GOGGLES OF TRUE SIGHT
Strange thing, rare
This pair of brass and leather goggles bear crystal lenses,
which are etched with numerous layers of spellcraft and
secretive concoctions meant to bind spells to the crystal.
Wearing them allows the user to see the unseen within
50 feet as per the spell true seeing. The goggles do not see
through walls or extensive cover, and the wearer must
have a direct “line of sight” in order for the goggles to
work. The goggles work for blind wearers.
While wearing them, the wearer is incredibly sensitive
to bright light, particularly from unexpected flashes, and
the goggles are entirely useless in full sunlight. If the area
within 50 feet of the wearer rapidly brightens, such as from
a fireball or wall of light spell, or moving into full sunlight,
the wearer is immediately blinded for 1d6 rounds.
The goggles are fitted for creatures with two eyes in a
horizontal line, though it’s easy to remove a lens to accom-
modate a person with one eye. Eyes that are significantly
different (such as more than two, or not in a horizontal line)
can’t make use of the goggles unless specifically modified.
` GRANITE ARMOR
Armor, very rare
Carved from a special magic-dampening stone found
in isolated pockets around East Azoth, this unusual suit
of armor is dull gray and provides immense protection
from both physical and magical attack. Its origins are
hotly disputed, with both dwarves and trolls laying claim
to its creation. Both favor the armor over metal given the
freezing climate in Grey Hills.
The armor requires Strength 14 to wear and reduces
speed by half, rounded down. The armor provides an AC
of +1 and halves all force and radiant damage, rounded
up. Due to its design the wearer needs to use an exotic
saddle, regardless of mount type, or suffer disadvantage
on riding checks. The wearer cannot cast any arcane
spells while wearing the armor, owing to its natural magic
resistance, though the armor offers no protection against
being targeted by a spell.
` HYDRAULIC EXOSKELETON
Armor, very rare
Crafted from heavy plates of a secretive blend of met-
als, these massive suits of mechanized armor provide
increased protection as well as strength. Often used in
large-scale construction projects, such as building castles
and forts, they can be found in mines around the Realm
and particularly Grey Hills. The entire suit weighs 300
– Magic Items and Strange Things –
lbs., but to compensate for the immense weight the armor
is equipped with a hydraulics system that artificially as-
sists the wearer’s movement. Although speed in the suit
is reduced by 1/3, rounded up, the wearer takes twice as
long to reach exhaustion. The suit takes 2 rounds to don
and 2 rounds to remove, though each can be reduced by
1 round if assisted by another Medium or Large person.
While wearing it, the wearer gains a +4 Strength bonus
(maximum 22) and +1 bonus to AC. The system requires no
power source, as it runs entirely on magic. If the wearer is
targeted by any magic-dispelling effects, they are unable to
walk or attack until the effect ends, although they can still
exit the suit. The suit is equipped with manual controls
in order to escape the suit in the event of a malfunction.
` IRON MUSTANG
Sentient strange thing (vehicle), artifact (requires attune-
ment)
The Iron Mustang is a strange horseless carriage from
parts unknown, bearing a rusted and pitted metal skin.
Beneath the hood, however, still rumbles the heart of a true
champion. Once, it had been a simple car, one of thousands
to roll off the assembly line. Owned by a young woman
who accidentally found a gap between worlds, the car
Crossed with her. It served her faithfully for many years,
the magic of the world slowly infusing its very being. But
as none had seen such a machine before, the car began
to die as its mundane parts degraded and replacements
were impossible to come by. As a final resort, her cham-
pion brought her to the scientists of Ardonia, who had
never seen its like before. They took to tinkering with it,
magically enhancing its engine and converting it to run off
magic. Years passed and stories fell into legend until the
car was forgotten and it drove itself away. Now it waits for
a new driver, a new champion to serve, in the Enchanted
forest. This sentient muscle car requires no fuel to run.
The car is chaotic good and will fight the attempts of any
evil creature to attune to it, giving them disadvantage on
all checks to drive the car.
` KEY OF INFINITE LOCKS
Wondrous item, uncommon
The ultimate thief’s tool, this key resembles a long, thin
metal rod with a series of small dials set into the handle.
Once inserted into a lock, the dials can be turned to ma-
nipulate the tumblers of the lock, each dial controlling a
section of the tool’s teeth. The thief gains advantage on all
checks to open a mundane lock. The key does not allow
the bypass of any magically triggered traps or spells, which
must be dealt with separately. It does allow for the bypass
of any mundane traps that using the correct key would
normally circumvent. The key counts as a set of thieves’
tools for the purpose of determining proficiencies.
207
 ` LIGHTNING CONCENTRATOR
Strange thing (weapon), very rare
The lightning concentrator is a combined backpack and
blaster unit consisting of a back-mounted lightning rod,
storage cells, and an electricity extruder.
When placed outside during a thunderstorm, the con-
centrator has a 70% chance to be struck by lightning. If
successfully struck, it gains 2d10 electricity charges. The
battery pack can hold a maximum of 8 charges, and any
attempt to store additional charges results in an overload
and renders the unit unusable for 10 rounds while it re-
calibrates. The charges remain stored until used, or the
unit is destroyed.
Once per round, the wearer can make a ranged attack
against any target within 30 feet, dealing 2d6 lightning
damage on a successful attack. On a critical hit, the tar-
get becomes dazed and unable to take any action for 1d6
rounds. All creatures adjacent to the target must make a DC
15 Dexterity saving throw in order to avoid being caught
in the blast and taking half damage rounded down, how-
ever they are not impacted by the daze effect on a critical.
If the unit is destroyed, all creatures (including the
wearer) within a 10-foot radius are dealt (x)d10 lightning
damage, X being the number of charges remaining within
the unit.
` MECHANICAL LIMB
Strange thing, rare (requires attunement)
This is a magically augmented metal arm or leg that can
be surgically installed onto a willing or unconscious target,
either in the place of a missing limb or as an additional
limb. These augments are fairly rarely seen, though most
people know of their existence.
If attached as an additional limb, all armor and clothing
must be modified to fit around the new extremity. The
bearer of an additional arm can use an additional weapon
and gains one additional attack per round. The new arm
cannot be used for spellcasting or any skills that require
fine manual dexterity such as lock picking.
A Medium person can support up to two additional
arms, not including ones used to replace missing arms but
can only support legs that replace missing ones of their
own. The arms are waterproof and protected by their
enchantments, but in the event they are broken can be
repaired by an artificer (see Chapter Four).
` MIGHTY BOW
Weapon (longbow), rare, requires attunement
This bow is crafted from ironwood mined in Brachmon.
The nations of Brachmon keep most of these bows them-
selves, though they trade some to trolls in Bryzine — who
usually sell them as bows are useless in their underground
habitats — and happily wager them with friends and rivals
in contests of strength.
208 – CHAPTER EIGHT: MAGICAL ITEMS AND STRANGE THINGS –
The wielder of this bow gains a +2 bonus to attack and
damage rolls and may substitute Strength for Dexterity on
the damage roll if they choose. Furthermore, a critical hit
from this bow knocks the target prone. The wielder may
expend a charge from the bow, declared before the attack
roll, to deal an additional 1d6 force damage on a hit. The
bow regains all lost charges after a long rest.
` MIRROR OF ECHOES
Wondrous item, rare in the Enchanted Forest, very rare
elsewhere in Azoth
Crafted from pure silver, this palm-sized mirror was
created to investigate crimes and can be used to scry into
the past. When used in a location, the mirror can show an
event that had previously occurred there. The user makes
an Intelligence (Arcana) check, with difficulty depending
on how old and strong the event’s temporal echo is. If suc-
cessful the mirror will show exactly the event the caster
wishes to see, provided they are in the correct location.
The difficulty of the roll increases depending on how
long ago the event was, but decreases based on how
powerful the imprint it left on the surrounding area was,
with death and birth providing the deepest imprint. The
GM should set this difficulty as 10 (easy), 15 (medium),
20 (hard), 25 (very hard), or 30 (impossible).
The mirror can only show the truth, when it shows
anything at all, even if an illusion was used during the
recounted event — e.g. a person using disguise self at the
time is now shown in their true form. The user must catch
the reflection of the area in the mirror and can only see
what happened in the area reflected back, though they are
free to move around the scene in order to get a better view.
The mirror can only be used once per long rest and
functions for 10 minutes before going dark.
` ORB OF DEATH
Wondrous item, artifact
Forged by the demon Terrorek from solidified hate and
darkness, this orb appears as a perfect obsidian sphere. It
requires the sacrifice of a sentient creature, willing or oth-
erwise, in order to function. The orb draws in their life force
and corrupts it beyond repair, spewing the transformed
life force back into the world as a necromantic plague.
The first victim is the sacrifice itself, immediately raised
again as a night creature, before spreading to any dead
within a 50-foot radius. This includes previously animated
undead, such as liches or zombies, as well as corpses in
various states of decay. Usually the orb is activated inside
a cemetery for maximum effect.
Once it has infected the dead and converted them into
night creatures, the plague begins to spread among the
living. All living people within the area must make a DC
20 Constitution saving throw to avoid contracting the ne-
crotic infection. If they contract the disease, they become
carriers forcing a DC 20 Constitution saving throw from
all living people they encounter. An unarmed attack by a
night creature also has the ability to pass on the plague;
the target must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving
throw for every successful attack or become infected.
While the disease itself doesn’t kill, the infected rise
after their death (which, if they’re near any night crea-
tures, might be very imminent) to become a night creature
controlled by whomever holds the Orb of Death.
` ORB OF TURNING
Wondrous item (orb), uncommon
A fist-sized lump of clay covered in dimly glowing runes;
this crude throwing weapon has a range of 20 feet. Cre-
ated from divine magic and housed within a sturdy hull,
orbs of turning are designed to fight undead, and are often
carried by patrols in known hot spots of undead activity.
While they can’t be used to kill any but the weakest of
the undead, they are incredibly useful for regrouping or
securing a retreat.
Once thrown, the orb shatters upon impact, repelling all
undead within 20 feet of the impact point as per a cleric’s
Turn Undead feature. All undead must succeed on a DC
20 Wisdom saving throw or be forced to flee for 1 minute.
Additionally, the user’s player rolls from the table below
to determine additional effects. If the undead failed their
saving throw, the turning does not break upon damage
being dealt to the undead, but will immediately end if the
user falls to 0 hp or loses consciousness.
– Magic Items and Strange Things –
Roll(d10) Result
1-4 No additional effect
5-7 Destroy Undead (maximum CR 1)
8-10 Command Undead for 1 minute
` PHANTOMSONG
Wondrous item, artifact
Sometimes it is better to turn your enemies against
each other than it is to destroy them. Made for a bard who
fought in the Forever War, Phantomsong is a magical zither
that entrances all undead who hear it. A successful DC 20
Charisma (Performance) check causes all undead to fall
under the command of the performer as per the cleric’s
Turn Undead feature. Phantomsong cannot be used to
destroy the undead, nor does it repulse them.
The GM may grant major undead a Constitution saving
throw against the bard’s rolled Charisma (Performance).
If they successfully save, they immediately recognize
Phantomsong’s effect and act accordingly.
The turning lasts for as long as the bard continues to
play, after which the affected undead are dazed for 1d4
rounds before resuming their previous actions. If the
zither is destroyed, the effect immediately comes to an
end with a piercing shriek, and the affected undead skip
the usual dazed rounds.
209
 ` PLAGUE WARD
Wondrous item, very rare
Dedicated to Othaaris, this silver amulet with lily motif pro-
vides a powerful protection against the effects of Terrorek’s
death plague (see the Orb of Death) and his night creatures.
When worn, it prevents the wearer from being infected by
the death plague, even if the wearer is already dead, in which
case it prevents them from being raised as a night creature.
The wearer cannot be infected by either the initial wave of
plague emanating from the orb, nor the infected claws of the
night creatures themselves. Although this does not protect
against night creatures outright killing the target through
normal damage, it does nullify the plague from their claws.
An item of purification and light, the amulet provides
advantage on Constitution rolls against other magical and
mundane diseases.
The ward can be worn by anyone regardless of class,
alignment, type, or size. Reportedly, the ward once pre-
vented a lich from being turned into a night creature. Much
as the Orb of Death itself was eventually lost to history
and thought to be nothing more than a myth, so was the
secret of making the plague wards. The queen of Ardonia
holds the last known plague wards among her personal
possessions. Should Terrorek rise again, rediscovering
how to make the amulets should become high priority,
dropping their rarity as time passes.
` RING OF SAFE PASSAGE
Ring, very rare (requires attunement)
This ring so perfectly matches the wearer’s body tem-
perature it hardly feels like metal, and the wearer often
forgets they even have it on. The wearer leaves no trace
of their passage. Footprints blur into nothing, twigs only
bend and do not break, the sound of their armor is muf-
fled as if someone wrapped them in wool, and even the
thickest mud seems to slide off them without a stain. This
masking does not prevent them from being seen or heard,
nor does it hide the signs of their camp.
The ring masks only accidental traces, and the wearer
can still leave deliberate signs of passing by purposefully
breaking twigs or writing words in the dust as they go.
The protection will extend to a mount and its equipment
as long as the wearer is riding it but fades once the rider
dismounts.
` ROD OF THE HEAVENS
Wand, legendary (requires attunement by a good creature)
A powerful weapon against evil beings, this rod is nearly
2 feet of pure silver inlaid with gold sigils. Once per long
rest, the rod can deliver 3d10 radiant damage to any evil
target within 30 feet to which it has line of effect. The target
may make a Dexterity saving throw against DC 20 for half
damage. The attack leaves the target stunned for 1d4 rounds.
210 – CHAPTER EIGHT: MAGICAL ITEMS AND STRANGE THINGS –
The rod can only be used with a clear view of the sky:
outside, through a hole in a roof, or through a glass or
crystal ceiling. The blast does not emanate from the rod
itself but is rather a bolt from the heavens. While the rod
does not automatically give the user the ability to detect
the alignment of their target, it won’t work if the target
is of good or neutral alignment. If the target is currently
using an item that would impact how their alignment is
perceived, the rod functions on their apparent alignment.
If an evil individual attempts to attune the item, the rod
explodes in their hands with the effects above.
` SCOPE OF FAR SIGHT
Strange thing, uncommon
Most commonly a magically enhanced telescope, these
are invaluable to any adventurer who happens to get their
hands on one. Although not rare, they are difficult to make
and tricky to maintain as they are delicate and require
constant care. The scope functions as a normal, albeit
high quality, spyglass, magnifying targets to 3 times their
apparent size. Each scope comes with three crystal filters
that can be inserted into a slot right behind the front lens,
each one bespelled with one of the three following spells:
locate animals or plants, locate creature, locate object.
The user may insert a lens and automatically activate
the spell inlaid into its face. The spell remains active for
the next 10 minutes and can be used by any creature with
eyes even if they are blind. The lens cannot be switched
out or re-activated until after a short rest. If purchased,
most scopes will come with all three lenses, but if found
as loot will usually only contain a single lens — the player
can choose one or roll 1d3 to determine a lens randomly.
It is possible to buy new lenses from an artificer.
` SHARD OF ABRAXAS
Cursed item, very rare
Once part of a building built of pure evil, all that remains
now is a palm-sized fragment of stone imbued with an
ancient malevolence. The people of Carahill believe the
curse carried by the stone is the result of living sacrifices
being mixed into the malefic edifice’s foundations. Upon
touching the stone, the bearer is stricken with ill fate, and
all their saving throws suffer disadvantage. They are unable
to rid themself of the stone, casting it into a nearby river
only to find it in their pocket within 1d2 hours.
The stone acts as a homing beacon for evil. Although
it does not exert any control over evil beings and they
are still free to go about their business, anyone with an
evil alignment within a half mile of the shard senses its
general location. They do not know who or what has it,
or even what the shard is (unless they have encountered
it previously), only that it calls to them. The siren call can
be silenced by placing the stone inside a bag of holding or
other pocket dimensions. Remove curse allows the victim
to finally discard the stone.
 ` SIGILS OF THE GATEKEEPER granted by metal armor (banded mail, due to its backing,
does not fall under this category). The sling can only be
Wondrous item, very rare
used to full effect with metal ammunition of any kind,
The Realm holds doors to many different worlds, most including silver and mithral. If used with non-metal
older than the mortal kingdoms, and not all these doors ammunition, the sling deals 1d4 damage as normal.
are left unguarded. Some of the more volatile portals Set into the hilt of the sling is a battery pack, charged
are sealed with a sigil, carved onto a smooth palm-sized by the kinetic energy generated by the motion of spinning
stone set near or on the portal. Who created the sigils is a the sling before releasing it. Each battery pack lasts for 1
mystery lost to the eons. Over the years, treasure hunters year before it needs to be replaced by an artificer. In the
have located and removed the majority of them, selling event the battery goes bad or is destroyed, the sling works
them for extravagant prices on the black markets. Although as a perfectly functional mundane sling.
there were once rumored to be hundreds, today they are The sling should not be used if the wielder is standing
incredibly rare outside of the shadier circles. in water, as this will cause them to be shocked, taking
These sigils can be used to lock any door, magical or 2d4 damage as well as burning out the battery. If de-
mundane, and once in place are difficult to remove short stroyed by water, the sling is not fixable and becomes
of destroying the sigil itself. Each sigil is unique, and a an ordinary sling, albeit a strange looking one. The
successful DC 13 Intelligence (Arcana) or Intelligence standard sling is sized for a Medium person, but they
(History) check will reveal which portal the sigil came can be found in larger or smaller sizes and the damage
from. Once the sigil is removed from its portal of origin, is adjusted accordingly.
the portal becomes unstable and will open at random,
often spewing forth unimaginable horrors. As such, it Size Damage
is considered a crime in every kingdom to remove or be Fine n/a
caught trafficking in these sigils, although that doesn’t Diminutive 2
stop determined thieves or rich buyers with things they
would rather keep hidden.
Tiny 2d2
Small 2d3
` SLING OF VOLTAGE Medium 2d4
Strange thing (weapon), uncommon Large 2d6
This sling is composed of metal alloys and insulated Huge 2d8
wires and requires metal ammunition in order to conduct
Gargantuan 4d6
a powerful electric shock. The sling deals 2d4 lightning
damage with each successful attack, and bypasses any AC Colossal 6d6

– Magic Items and Strange Things – 211

 ` SONIC CANNON
Strange thing (weapon), rare
Often found mounted on Ardonian air ships to be used
in aerial battles, a sonic cannon can be mounted to wagons
and carts in a pinch. It is generally a bad idea to use it from
a wagon drawn by most beasts of burden however, as they
tend to bolt when the cannon is fired.
Once every ten minutes, the cannon can produce a thun-
derwave as per the spell. The operator is mostly protected
at their post, only taking 1d4 damage. When used against
an air ship, the navigator of the targeted ship, who must
be proficient with aeronautics tools, must make a DC
13 Intelligence check to avoid being knocked off course
by the sound wave. If struck by the sonic pulse, the air
ship is knocked back 40 feet away from the cannon and
all unsecured passengers on the deck of the ship must
make a Wisdom (Survival) check at DC 15 to avoid being
tossed overboard.
` SWORD OF DROHM
Weapon, legendary
Before the coming of Darkoth, Drohm was a nation of
artisans who took great pride in all their creations, from
its beautifully roofed houses to these unbreakable swords.
Each sword of Drohm acts as a +1 sword of defending,
enabling the wielder to confer the blade’s bonus to their
AC at the start of their turn. Additionally, some of these
swords (30%) have a secondary effect on a successful hit.
Die Roll (d10) Result
1-2 Axiomatic, deals +2d6 damage
against chaotic creatures
3-4 Disruption, deals +2d6 damage
against creatures not native to the
Realm
5-6 Flaming, deals +1d6 fire damage
7-8 Shocking, deals +1d6 lightning
damage
9-10 Wounding, deals 1 point of
Constitution damage
` SWORD OF GOLZIM-RA
Sentient weapon, artifact (requires attunement)
This +3 blade is a weapon possessed by an immortal
mind of pure hate and malice. Immediately after attuning
to the sword, the wielder must succeed on a DC 5 Charisma
saving throw. This save repeats with the DC increasing
by 5 every week they possess the sword. If they kill any-
one with the sword, the wielder must immediately make
another saving throw with the DC increased by another
increment of 5. De-attuning does not reset the save DC, so
212 – CHAPTER EIGHT: MAGICAL ITEMS AND STRANGE THINGS –
if the bearer’s last save was at DC 15 re-attuning the sword
invokes an immediate DC 20 save. Upon succumbing to
the sword’s influence, the wielder’s alignment changes to
chaotic evil. De-attuning the sword at this point does not
change their alignment back.
Some experience the blade’s influence as a voice within
their mind, egging them on to worse ends. Others don’t
even realize the blade is intelligent, not recognizing the
poison it drips into their heart. The sword adjusts its
method of attack to best take advantage of the wielder’s
own inner weaknesses. Many have wielded the blade
thinking to prove themselves it’s master, but in the end,
all succumb to its evil.
The blade has a particular hatred toward elves of any
type, pressing its wielder to hunt and kill any that cross
its path. All attacks with the sword against elves are made
with advantage, and any successful strike immediately
forces a death saving throw.
` VAMPIRIC ROD
Wand, rare (requires evil alignment to use)
A blackened and sickly-looking wand dripping black
ichor, this rod stains the hands of anyone who touches it.
The rod produces a ray of enfeeblement, which unlike the
regular spell lets the wielder leech their victim’s strength.
If the spell is successful, the user gains a Strength bonus
equal to one half of the target’s normal Strength modifier,
rounded up. The benefit lasts for 1d6 rounds.
` WARD OF SANCTIFICATION
Wondrous item (pillar), legendary
The ward of sanctification is enspelled into a one-foot-
tall marble pillar engraved with runes and emanating
divine energy. Once per day the pillar can be activated by
any non-evil creature by laying hands on the pillar and
passing a DC 10 Intelligence (Religion) check. Activating
the pillar takes a full round and creates a 20-foot-radius
zone into which no undead can enter. The zone lasts
for 8 hours, or until the activator leaves the zone. Once
deactivated, either through its duration elapsing or the
user leaving the circle, the ward cannot be activated again
until the sun next rises.
The ward is powerful enough to keep out even the most
potent undead, but the barrier does not prevent them from
sending magic or projectiles through the barrier. The pillar
can be activated with undead inside the affected area, and
all undead within the area take 6d6 radiant damage and
must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or flee.
Wards of sanctification dot East Azoth, presumably as
a relic of Terrorek’s war on the living. While the pillars
are rare, libraries and temples of Othaaris keep a record
of all known pillars and pay handsomely for knowledge
of new locations.
 ` WATCH OF PRECISION with their new shape and are not usable until they shift
back, unless otherwise stated in the item description. The
Strange thing, very rare (requires attunement)
cloak, due to its material, makes a perfectly serviceable
The face of this pocket watch lacks any numbers, instead cloak for keeping the weather off.WOODLAND BOW
slowly swirling with the depth of the cosmos — one could
get lost staring into this infinite universe. The watch of ` WOODLAND BOW
precision reduces the casting time of 1st- and 2nd-level Weapon (shortbow), rare, requires attunement
spells from an action to a bonus action; spells with a casting
This bow is grown from living wood from the Enchanted
time of less than 1 action are unaffected. Additionally, it
Forest, branches twining around each other with green leaves
halves the casting time of any spell that takes longer than
and white blooms still sprouting — an Intelligence (Nature)
a minute to cast normally. In order to use the watch, the
DC13 check identifies these as the poisonous night flowers.
caster must keep it open and within arm’s reach. A sighted
Several woodland bows made their way to other people,
caster must be able to see the watch, while a blind caster
some as a reward for aiding the elven kingdoms and others
must know its exact location.
stolen by thieves. The Blood Bow, named for its scarlet rather
The watch must be wound on every full moon, when
than white flowers, was stolen during the first human war.
the moon is at its peak. Winding takes 5 rounds, during
Returning the bow, which rests on the Isle of Ardonous — now
which the winder can do nothing else including speak-
occupied by Terrorek — immediately earns the elves’ favor.
ing or signing. If interrupted, even by conversation, the
The wielder of this finely made bow gains a +2 bonus
process must be started over. The character must make
to attack and damage rolls. If the elven nations officially
a successful DC 15 Intelligence (Arcana) check in order
declare war, the bow deals an additional 1d6 poison dam-
to reset the watch for another month. The roll can be
age against the enemy. The bow also grants the wielder
repeated until the hour of the moon’s peak has ended,
the ability to cast pass without trace once per long rest.
though if unsuccessful the watch is rendered useless until
the next full moon. ` YU’LLDIAN BLADE
` WERE-HIDE CLOAK Weapon, artifact (requires attunement)
Wondrous item, uncommon (normal animals), rare (swim- This blade is the only weapon capable of killing Shinde
ming), or very rare (flight) (requires attunement) Imas, the Elf-slayer. This +3 bastard sword deals an addi-
tional 3d6 radiant damage against demons. When wielded
Different pelts stitch together to form this cloak, the
by an elf, the blade also grants advantage on attack rolls.
colors of its fur shifting and changing beneath the eye.
Wielded by an elf, any critical hit against the demon Shin-
Once per long rest, the wearer may use Wild Shape as
de Imas immediately kills its corporeal form and trap its
though they were a druid. The limitations of the forms
essence within the blade. It is possible to destroy Shinde
they may adopt depend upon the cloak’s specific type. They
Imas fully, even trapped within the Yu’lldian Blade, with
can remain in this shape for up to 2 hours, until they lose
the help of the Book of S’ai Horthus, but to do so would
consciousness, or until they decide to shift back. To shift
require immense sacrifice from all involved and has never
back before the time limit has elapsed requires the use of
been successfully performed.
a bonus action. All items on the wearer’s body are merged

– Magic Items and Strange Things – 213

W elcome, Game Master. This is your chapter,
where we’ll talk about the ins and outs of running
Legendlore for your players. While this chapter is
invaluable to starting Game Masters, even experienced
ones should read it to capture the experiences that set
Legendlore apart from other games. We’ve also included
a starting adventure, named Voices from Afar.
Session Zero
A s the Game Master of a new campaign, it’s both
exciting and intimidating to take on the challenges
of telling a story within the Realm. A world of endless
possibilities lies before you, with a million stories just
waiting to be told. You likely already have some ideas of
the stories you want to tell, and your players will have
their own ideas of the adventures they want to go on.
Sometimes these ideas may come into conflict.
The term session zero refers to a “planning meeting”
prior to the start of a Legendlore campaign. This is a time
for you, the Game Master, to sit down with your players
and make sure you’re all on the same page as far as what
you plan to put into the campaign, and what you hope
to get out of it. This is a wonderful opportunity not only
to make sure that everyone’s schedules mesh with one
another, but also their expectations of the game. How
much political intrigue or interpersonal drama do your
players expect, as opposed to smashing monsters and
gathering loot? How do they feel about conflict between
party members? These are important subjects to cover
before you begin rolling dice.
This is also the time to figure out the type of content
your players are comfortable with, including how vio-
lently you describe combat outcomes. Rather than just
approaching an individual player whom you think may
have concerns with certain content, broach the subject
with every player on a level playing field. Not only does this
reduce the anxiety of being singled out, but you may find
that players have personal needs and concerns they may
– Session Zero –
not have voiced if they hadn’t been asked. If you decide
to speak with your group of players in an open, public
forum, make sure they know that they’re also welcome to
come to you privately if they would be more comfortable.
It’s important to remember that the Realm is a diverse
and welcoming place, where sexism, racism, homophobia,
ableism, and such are considered cruel abnormalities. That
being said, you still want to make sure that you’re working
within the comfort zones of your players. During your
session zero, you may want to discuss with your players
two elements known as lines and veils. Roleplaying au-
thor Ron Edwards coined these phrases in 2003, and in
Legendlore, these terms are used to signify elements of
storytelling that a player is uncomfortable with; a veil is a
“soft limit,” an element they can tolerate as long as they’re
not having to deal with it explicitly or directly, while a line
is a “hard limit,” an element they prefer to avoid entirely.
For example, if a player is terrified of insects, he may
consider bugs to be a line. In this situation, there will be no
roaches skittering across the cellar floor, and no maggot-in-
fested carrion lying on the roadside. If you had plans for a
giant centipede enemy, axe it now; your player’s comfort
is your top priority. Likewise, an arachnophobic player
may consider spiders to be a veil, in which case they’re
okay with walking into a cobweb-lined hall, as long as they
won’t be dealing with a direct focus on spiders. If a veil
seems vague to you, ask for further detail or clarification;
you’re always better off discussing these things up front,
rather than tripping over a raw nerve during the game.
Another useful safety tool while playing is the “X
card” originally designed by John Stavropoulos. Placing
a piece of paper or index card with an X in the middle
of the table grants a “bailout button” for players, and if
at any time they feel uncomfortable with the content of
a scene, they can tap the X to nonverbally signal to the
Game Master that they aren’t okay with it. This allows
you to alter your content, dial back your descriptions, or
skip a scene on the fly.
Because players are playing themselves in Legendlore,
session zero is a good time to figure out how they view
215
 themselves in the Crossing. While in Chapter One we
discussed how the Crossing brings out the You in you,
it’s important for Game Masters to fully grasp how play-
ers want differences in their characters to be handled.
For example, a wheelchair-bound player may choose to
play an able-bodied character, or they may feel that their
chair is a part of their identity and will preserve it in their
adventurer. This is the time for you to figure out with
the player how they want it addressed. They may prefer
having regular obstacles to overcome, such as rough ter-
rain or stairs, or they might appreciate having access to
levitation magic or other tricks to give them mobility in
spite of their unique situation. This is the player’s choice
to make, and as the Game Master, it is your obligation to
craft your storytelling around it.
That being said, not all of the stories that you tell will
always make your players happy or comfortable. They
may face challenges that will frustrate them, they may
endure tragedy, lose party members, or fail to achieve
their goals. The key difference is whether you’re drawing
drama from the personal discomfort of your players, or
from the adventure itself.
Building Your Story
W
ith the interests and feelings of your players in
mind, you can now craft your adventure. If you
already had a story in mind before session zero, you should
take time to look over your notes and see if anything should
be modified with the knowledge that you’ve now gained.
Knowing what classes your party will comprise can help
you tailor experiences and NPC interactions, such as
providing mentors for the inexperienced adventurers.
In fact, as brand-new arrivals in a world they’d never
even heard of, the characters may rely on mentors to
get them started.
The tools of storytelling can be as simple or as complex
as you choose. Some Game Masters may utilize props,
images, music, miniatures, maps, and other aides. Others
may confine their game entirely to the theatre of the mind.
All that your players need to bring to the table are their
character sheets, pencils, dice, and a willing suspension
of disbelief.
Suspension of disbelief refers to a person’s willingness
to accept things that may not be realistic, in favor of the
narrative. Most people who consume any form of media,
including books, movies, and TV shows, are willing to sus-
pend disbelief in order to enjoy the presented story without
question. When the hero of a story survives a shipwreck
and washes up on the shore of a deserted island, no one
balks at how unrealistic his survival was; they accept that
this unlikely event is necessary for the story to be told.
That being said, suspension of disbelief can be stretched
too far. Most people who sit at your table will be willing
to accept magic, dragons, and mysticism with an open
216 – CHAPTER NINE: RUNNING THE GAME –
mind. They might not be willing to accept more familiar
things, like unrealistic social interactions. If a seemingly
strong-willed and independent NPC suddenly becomes
helpless and in need of the party’s rescue, your players
may look for more depth (a trick, an impostor, etc.) than
you intended. Consistency is key in storytelling, and when
you establish facts and rules in your world, you need to
follow them more often than you break them, in order to
build a cohesive storyline that your players can follow.
Try to remember that at the heart of your campaign is a
story, and it should follow the same basic flow of a written
story. There must always be some form of conflict for the
party to seek a resolution to.
Exposition
In the beginning of every campaign, you should intro-
duce characters to the setting and situation. For most
parties in Legendlore, this involves their Crossing. The
new party may be surprised by their situation, and shocked
by the changes they see in themselves. A budding adven-
turer may also be pleased with the changes in their new
form, reflecting the “self” they have always known. Give
them time to come to grips with the new development,
but not so much time that they begin to meander.
Keep in mind that the starting equipment associated with
an adventurer’s class does not simply materialize on their
bodies in the realm after the Crossing. As the Game Master,
it’s your duty to see that whatever equipment a character
is owed is delivered into their hands in relatively short
order. They might be confronted with a minor conflict and
conveniently discover their starting equipment among the
loot of the battle. It could be discovered in a cache hidden
by a thieves’ guild. Equipment might be given to them by
a more experienced Visitor who came to the Realm long
ago and recognizes the confusion in the eyes of the party.
For more experienced parties who have already estab-
lished themselves in the Realm, the exposition phase will
involve meeting new people, visiting new lands, or being
introduced to a newly developing situation.
Inciting Incident
When crafting a story, you should ask yourself, “Why
would my players care?” The inciting incident is your
answer. This event functions as a sort of “call to action,”
which will drive the party forward. Though mere curiosity
may sometimes be enough (causing a commotion in the
street, under the assumption that they will investigate),
you can craft a more predictable story by bringing the
conflict directly to the party, such as a pickpocket lifting a
party member’s belongings, or a tense visit from the local
guard. This incident will bring the party’s attention to the
overall conflict of the story.
This is also a great time to utilize the information you
learned in your session zero. If your players seem driven to
become heroes, give them an opportunity to do something
heroic, like saving kidnapped children or defending a helpless
village. If they’re more driven by coin and glory, provide them
with an irresistible opportunity to pursue riches and fame.
You never want your players to feel as if they’re being led
by the nose and giving them motivation to get involved on
their own is preferable to strong-arming them into the story.
Rising Action
Now that the party has become involved in the story,
it’s time to raise the stakes. If the party previously learned
that the queen’s advisor was unhappy, now is the time
to reveal the fact that the advisor is actively planning a
coup d’état. This is also the time to involve the personal
storylines and interests of the party with the overall plot.
This may take some planning and careful navigation, but
the rising action phase of storytelling allows you to secure
the party’s investment in the adventure.
Crisis
The clock is ticking, and the party can no longer afford
to dawdle in the tavern. The “do or die” moment propels
the party to action, giving them a sense of urgency — per-
haps the advisor’s co-conspirator has arrived with their
troops. Though a moment of crisis is not always neces-
sary to a story, it can help focus the party on what needs
to be done if they’ve begun to meander. Take care to not
introduce the crisis element too early in the story, or your
party may feel unnecessarily rushed, and will press on
toward the climax of the story without interacting with
other important NPCs or elements, properly preparing
or gearing up, etc.
Climax
Not every story climaxes with the beheading of the evil
monster. Depending on the story you’re crafting, the cli-
max might involve the public presentation of undeniable
proof of political treachery. Or, the story might climax at
the height of an epic battle. Take cues from your players
here and give the characters a chance at reaching the
solution they want. If they seek a peaceful resolution,
you needn’t hand it to them on a platter, but you should
give them a fair shot at it. Everything the party has done
throughout their adventure has led them to this point,
and it functions as a sort of payoff for their labors. For
many players, the satisfaction of the story’s climax may
be more valuable than any loot or experience points the
adventurers may accrue.
Denouement
Most epics don’t end with “and then she stabbed the
demon king in the heart. The End.” The denouement phase
– Building Your Story – Running the Game –
GAINING EXPERIENCE
Legendlore encourages creativity and
cooperation, and that holds for the characters’
problem solving. Negotiating a treaty with a
hostile creature or sneaking around their territory
instead of confronting them head-on, should net
full experience points for that encounter. Likewise,
encounters shouldn’t all be based on overcoming
other creatures. Designing an aquaculture system
to combat drought, guiding a merchant across
the Great Field, or setting up a trade agreement
between two villages are all reasons for character
advancement. You can reward a big accom-
plishment as you would a hard encounter, and
smaller accomplishments as easy encounters.
lets the story wind down at a more natural pace, giving
time to tie up loose ends of the plot. This is also a time to
reward the adventurers for their victory. Depending on
the scope of their success, they may be awarded treasures
or gold, be granted titles or property, or win less tangible
prizes, like the favor of a prince or the admiration of a town.
End
Once everything is wrapped up, you and your players
can decide if their story has ended, or if it’s simply “to be
continued” until the next adventure comes their way. In
Legendlore, the ending may involve the party finding a
Crossing back to Earth, or that may be relegated to a tale
for another day. Even if the party does return home after
the end of the adventure, this does not necessarily mean
that their story is finished; dreams, omens, or other phe-
nomena may draw them to return to the Realm.
Running the Game
T
here is no single correct way to be a Game
Master. Some Game Masters may eschew detailed
descriptions of scenery in order to jump to the “meat and
potatoes” of their story, while others may invest great
time and detail into describing the party’s surroundings.
Likewise, some Game Masters may flex their dramatic
muscle by acting out every NPC the party encounters,
while others may prefer to simply describe the gist of
the information an NPC delivers. The best style for you
will be influenced by what your players enjoy most, but
in the end, your personal tastes and comfort must prevail
in order for you to deliver consistent content from session
to session.
217
 Note-taking is one of the most valuable skills a Game
Master can hone. Whether you utilize digital aids like a
laptop or tablet or prefer the classic tactile experience
of a pen scratching on a ruled notebook, you’ll find that
you benefit from writing quick notes before, during, and
after the session.
Pre-session notes allow you to create reminders of im-
portant details in your story, statistics for monsters that
you know will appear during the session, and mechanics
or rules that you find yourself frequently referencing in
the books. During a session, you’ll want to write reminders
for yourself of character actions that will impact the story
later, such as adventurers making positive or negative
impressions on important NPCs. After the session, be sure
to write down reminders while they’re fresh in your mind.
Make notes as to how easy or hard combat was, when
you felt player attention or enthusiasm may have lulled,
and any elements of the story that your players seemed
to have really grabbed onto.
The Rule of Cool
Because the Crossing brings out the You of the players
in the Realm, players are encouraged to play the version
of themselves that they are most happy with. If a player
imagines themself as a powerful wizard or a mighty
warrior, that is how they will be portrayed. In the end,
people generally like to perform epic feats, overcome great
obstacles, and generally just feel cool.
The “rule of cool” dictates that the Game Master may
sometimes allow for minor breaches of the rules in order
to allow for a particularly epic moment. These situations
need to be handled with care, not only because they can
lose their spark if overused, but also because too much
wiggle room in the rules can create the sense that the game
is not properly governed. However, if your rogue wants
to cut the rope holding the chandelier and ride it to the
rafters as the chandelier crashes down, this may not be
the time to calculate the character’s weight, the weight
of the chandelier, and other matters of physics. Instead,
think of whether or not it would cause any damage to the
integrity of your game to just let something cool happen.
Laying Down the Law
As the Game Master, you are the first and final word on
the rules of the world. Not only is your interpretation of the
Realm and its culture the primary source for your players,
but you will also be called upon to make determinations
on rules, skills, and abilities. It is important for the Game
Master to be comfortable with the rules of the 5th edition
fantasy roleplaying system, and also become familiar with
the classes your players have chosen.
When there is a dispute at the table over how an ability
functions, or how a rule should be interpreted, the Game
Master’s decision is final. More importantly, the Game
218 – CHAPTER NINE: RUNNING THE GAME –
Master controls the pace of the game and discussion. There
are times when the Game Master has to make a quick
ruling in the interests of not slowing down the game, and
then discuss or research the matter in greater detail later.
You may find that there are certain rules that simply
don’t work well with your group. For example, your
group may decide that resetting death saves every time a
character is stabilized is too easy. In a situation like this,
you’re welcome to create a house rule that says death
saves only reset after a long rest. Consistency is key in any
rulings, and it’s important that you make your preferred
house rules known to the party from the beginning (or as
soon as they’re established) so that no one is unpleasantly
surprised by a rule being different from what they expect.
Off the Rails
Rolling with the punches is the true challenge in run-
ning an adventure. While you’re in control of the world,
the situations, and the NPCs, you are not in control of the
players and they will often behave in ways you might not
have expected.
This can happen a variety of ways. Sometimes, adventur-
ers may become fascinated with an unimportant side-NPC
because you attached a clever personality or a funny voice
to them, and will align themselves with that NPC, even
if they have nothing to do with the plot. At other times,
they’ll follow an unintended red herring and be convinced
that something you mentioned offhandedly two sessions
ago is the key to the plot, no matter how many other clues
and plot threads you put in front of them. Or sometimes,
they may even decide that, for whatever reason, a vital
NPC needs to die.
INDULGE AND REDIRECT
If your players are having a good time, there’s nothing
wrong with indulging them. After all, the whole point of
the game is to be entertained. If the party is having more
fun chatting with the town drunkard than they are with
the bartender who holds all of the valuable information,
you don’t need to shut down the drunkard’s dialogue en-
tirely. Find a way to bring the conversation and focus back
around to the important plot threads without throwing
roadblocks.
CREATE CONSEQUENCES
Because the party is composed of people playing a
version of themselves, you generally hope that this means
they’re reticent to kill, steal, or harm innocent people.
However, some players may treat the game as a sort of
catharsis, allowing them to behave in ways that would
not be socially acceptable in the real world. The problem
is, these behaviors aren’t socially acceptable in the Realm
either, and can be highly disruptive to an adventure or
campaign.
If your party is behaving badly, killing and stealing from
whomever they please, you need to make it clear that there
will be consequences for their actions. Seeing their faces
on wanted posters may sufficiently impress upon them that
their behavior won’t be tolerated. An overnight stay in a
local jail may also straighten them up. Be sure to provide
adequate warning before bringing a strict punishment
crashing down on their heads; they need to know that their
actions are not compatible with the story you’re telling,
before their heads are on chopping blocks.
OPEN A DIALOGUE
Not every in-character issue needs to be addressed
in-character. If one or more of your players are being ac-
tively disruptive to your game, take the time to approach
them between sessions to talk about their behavior. In-
stead of being accusatory, instead ask if they feel they’re
avoiding the thread of the story, and why. It’s possible
that they’re simply not able to see the direction the story
is taking and need a little extra guidance to get back on
track. However, they may also simply not be enjoying
the story, and losing interest. If players lose interest, it’s
time to determine whether you should alter your plot to
be more entertaining to them, or if they’re simply not a
good fit for the style of game you’re trying to run.
GUESS WE’RE DOING THAT NOW
If your party is uncooperative and seems resistant to
following the story, maybe it’s time to write a new story.
Not every party is suited to every campaign. There’s noth-
ing wrong with shelving your previous idea and writing
a new adventure that will better suit the tastes of your
players. If they’d rather get drunk in the tavern than solve
– Running the Game –
the mystery, there are plenty of entertaining tavern events
you can throw at them.
Dealing with Death
Death comes for everyone eventually, and the more
characters throw themselves into dark dungeons and
tense political climates, the more likely it will come to
them. Death is an ever-present threat in most roleplaying
games, and can add a sense of tension to every encounter;
conversely, if the players have a sense that their characters
won’t be killed no matter what they do, they can become
more reckless, or simply less invested. When death does
darken the door of the party, there are several ways of
dealing with it.
WHOOPS, DIDN’T MEAN TO
ANNIHILATE YOU THERE
Learning to balance difficulty is a complicated subject.
While the 5th edition fantasy roleplaying system does
provide tools such as challenge ratings (CR) to help
determine what your party can handle, it can’t take into
account variables such as how well equipped the party is,
or how skilled the players may be. It can be frustrating to
watch your players easily tear through every challenge you
place in front of them, but it can be even worse to realize
that you may be about to accidentally kill the entire party.
One method of mid-game re-balancing can be to adjust
the total hit points of a monster, lowering the threshold
the party must reach to succeed. You may also choose to
make the monster’s dice rolls in secret (behind a screen) in
order to fudge the rolls. If a critical hit will instantly kill a
219
 party member when you don’t want to, you don’t actually
have to tell the players that you rolled a 20.
It can be tempting to bring in additional help in the
form of NPCs to bolster the party or heal fallen allies.
Tread carefully here though, because it quickly becomes
obvious to the players that they’re being saved, and the
attention and glory will fall to an NPC rather than their
own characters.
RESURRECTION
Dying and coming back from the dead is not a journey
for the faint of heart. In Legendlore, characters who have
been resurrected often return changed in some way; the
revival of the body does not necessarily imply that their
memories and personality will remain intact. Resurrection
is seldom as incidental as casting a spell; instead, it is a
narrative journey that may involve the recovery of one’s
remains, the preservation of their soul, and perhaps even
the search for the memories and fragments of their per-
sonality that made them who they were in their previous
life, before restoring them into a new one.
That being said, you may choose to make resurrection
as painstaking or as nonchalant an endeavor as you like.
If you feel that a complex quest for resurrection would be
an unnecessary speed bump in the story you’re telling and
you’d rather just get things back on track, you’re welcome
to gloss over the trials in favor of expediency. That being
said, try to keep your handling of death and resurrection
consistent; if one character’s death is hand-waved and
quickly reversed, but another is turned into a complicated
ordeal, it can be disruptive to your story and quickly throw
players out of their suspension of disbelief.
If the party must embark on a series of trials to restore
their deceased friend, consider ways you can continue
to involve the player of the dead character. By allowing
them to play accompanying NPCs, rolling for monsters
along the way, or involving them in the creation of their
resurrection quest, you can make sure that death isn’t
punishing the player.
NEW CHARACTER
If resurrection seems unreasonable, is too difficult for the
party to manage, or isn’t desired by the player for whatever
reason, you can always allow a player to introduce a new
character via the Other You method of character creation.
Essentially, this is a version of the same person who comes
from an alternate dimension, or an earlier or later point
in their life. They may be just like the previous version
of themself, or they may have distinct differences, some
of which may not be apparent at first. The new version
who arrives will lack any of the knowledge or experiences
the previous one had acquired since Crossing and may
have differing impressions of their friends from Earth.
In cases where a newcomer to the Realm would have a
significant level gap separating them from the rest of the
party, you might establish that they’ve been in the Realm
220 – CHAPTER NINE: RUNNING THE GAME –
for some time now, and only now are crossing paths with
the rest of the party.
TOTAL WIPE-OUT
In situations in which the party suffers a “total party
kill,” it may be difficult to pick up and carry on. First, you
need to decide if you want to carry on; for most campaigns,
the death of all of the involved characters is an end to the
story. However, if you as the GM and your players all wish
to proceed with the story, you have some options.
Consider whether an interested third party has a reason
to want to resurrect the adventurers and has the means
to arrange for the resurrection of that many people. This
third party may do so for entirely benevolent reasons
(not wanting the party to fail in their important mission),
or they may have a more selfish drive (wanting to have
control over the would-be heroes).
If a full-party resurrection simply isn’t feasible, you
might consider introducing an entirely new party of ad-
venturers via the Other You mode of character creation.
These new characters may closely resemble the old ones
or have some significant differences. What’s important
is that they arrive in a world that has been significantly
altered by the failures of the previous party and are given
sufficient motivation to try to fix the damage done. This
allows players to see what sort of impact their previous
characters had on the world (and the devastation wrought
in their absence), and may also give the new party the
opportunity to come across abandoned gear left behind
by the old party, or meet NPCs who they once knew in a
different light.
Getting Home
People will have varying reactions to suddenly being
dropped into a world of fantasy, and this will be influ-
enced by how positive their new lives in the Realm are
compared to the mundane lives they left behind. It’s not
unreasonable for inexperienced adventurers to react to
the Crossing with a distinct cry of “I want to go home!”
Of course, there is no drama without conflict, and your
job as the Game Master is to provide them with reasons
to stay in the Realm, or significant barriers to returning
home. While there are many Crossings into the Realm,
there are far fewer leading out, and those that do won’t
always send someone back to Earth.
How you handle your party’s desires to return home
will be determined by the kind of story you want to tell.
If you want the Crossing to be a pivotal plot point and
finding another Crossing home to serve as the end goal,
then you’ll want to provide additional trials for the party
to overcome in pursuit of their homecoming. However, if
you want to run a more lighthearted campaign, you may
want to provide a more quick and reliable Crossing home,
thus encouraging your adventurers to come back to the
Realm in-between their “ordinary world” obligations.
PASSAGE OF TIME
Though the sands never stop flowing through the hour-
glass, there is nothing to say that time passes in the Realm
and on Earth at the same rate. If the goal of your story is
for the adventurers to return home, your story will likely
benefit from a 1:1 ratio where time passes on Earth and in
the Realm at the same rate. This introduces a heightened
sense of pressure, in that the adventurers know that the
weeks or months they’re spending in the Realm will be
weeks or months that their friends and family on Earth
are worrying about their disappearance, not knowing if
they’re alive or dead.
However, if you’re looking to run adventures in the
Realm in which your party Crosses regularly without a
high degree of tension associated, your story may benefit
from an asymmetric flow of time. If a month’s journey in
the Realm can be completed over one weekend on Earth,
it can encourage players to pursue more in-depth stories
without the need to return to one’s career, education, or
social obligations. An asymmetric timeline can also benefit
the party in terms of large-scale political developments;
the adventuring party may return to the Realm after a
work-week to discover that in the two months of their
absence, there was a massive attack that changed the
territorial lines of the map.
Good and Evil, Law and Chaos
In both Earth and the Realm, there are obvious examples
of good and evil almost everywhere you look. Charity and
selfishness, love and hatred, kindness and cruelty, and
countless other dichotomies sway the hearts of people
– Running the Game –
and impact the world around them. That being said, most
people are not wholly good or evil, and while nearly all
living beings have the capacity for goodness within them,
it can be shocking to realize the potential for evil they
possess as well.
No one is inherently good or evil in the Realm. No peo-
ple are predisposed to evil or goodness, and there are no
deities that predetermine the actions of people. Everyone
is responsible for their own choices. Not only will good
people do bad things, or bad people do good things, but
often times one person’s hero is another’s villain.
If you’re seeking some form of designation or alignment,
consider the ideas of law and chaos instead. While “good”
and “evil” are highly subjective, a person who is lawful is
generally one who obeys the orders of their society, while
one who is chaotic shirks these guidances in favor of the
freedom of anarchy. The actions of a lawful individual may
be more predictable, while a chaotic person is more prone
to listening to their intuition and behaving in unexpected
ways. In Legendlore, we even see this on a large scale
with Ardonia and Drohm both being lawful (the former
having strict laws, the latter an unrelenting dictator). The
dichotomy presented by the most “good” and the “evilest”
nation both being lawful could be interesting to explore.
Try not to impose ideas of good, evil, law, or chaos upon
your party. People are multi-faceted and may behave in
unexpected ways when under duress. It is not your place
to tell a player they are playing their character wrong,
but instead, to provide guidance if they’re behaving in a
way that’s harmful to their fellow players’ enjoyment of
the game.
221
 Voices from Afar is an adventure for four to six charac-
ters of 1st level.
The adventure begins on Earth when a Crossing trans-
ports characters to the trident of Azoth’s Great River,
allowing the characters to forge their own path. From
here, they’ll explore several places in the Realm, embark
on an epic quest, and become heroes of Azoth as they find
a way back to Earth.
The world of Legendlore is vast. There are infinite paths
to explore and a multitude of places to visit, each seeding
its own campaign. This adventure is designed to acquaint
characters with the world of Azoth. There is a little bit of
everything in this introductory adventure: exploration,
intrigue, combat, and more. Characters will visit some
of the Realm’s most notable locations and help uncover a
lost relic that has curious ties to Earth.
Background
Azoth has seen its fair share of threats in its rich and
varied history. More than 800 years ago, night creatures
from the darkest reaches of the Realm spread across Azoth.
The Plague War is but a memory to most of Azoth, but
some of its older inhabitants remember the threat of the
demon Terrorek and the darkness he brought to the Realm.
After centuries of relative peace, a new cult has arisen
around Terrorek, seeking to complete his mission. The
cult has been infiltrated by spies who serve the council of
Abaroxas, Azoth’s trade city and academic hotspot. The
spies, and the cult, have learned of a strange artifact: an
arcane device that speaks the language of demons. The
scholars in Abaroxas fear the cultists will use the artifact
in a dark ritual to expand the borders of the sinister and
mystical Night Lands, letting the vicious night creatures
loose upon Azoth, wreaking havoc while the cultists work
to resurrect Terrorek himself. The strange artifact is cur-
rently found in an abandoned mine in the Black Mountains.
The device is, in fact, a radio. Objects from Earth oc-
casionally Cross to East Azoth, and the Realm refers to
these items as Strange Things. This is in part what made
Ardonia a nation that prizes science.
A teleportation circle called the Disc of Mylnon roams
across Azoth and allows its inhabitants to quickly travel
across the continent. When the disc passes near the radio,
a portal between Earth and Azoth temporarily opens, and
the radio waves pull in a broadcast from Earth. To people
who have no knowledge of radios, these unknown voices
talk of war and violence and sound like they are speaking
222 – CHAPTER NINE: RUNNING THE GAME –
from another realm. Whether or not the radio can be used
in the ritual remains to be seen, for magic in Azoth defies
the laws of science.
Will the characters find the artifact in time and find
their way back to Earth — or remain in Azoth forever?
Overview
Voices from Afar is an adventure told in three chapters.
Here is a general breakdown of the main events.
Chapter 1:
Chapter 1 begins with a Crossing and introduces char-
acters to Azoth through several short encounters in some
of the Realm’s most notable locations. While there, the
characters are given a quest which leads into Chapter 2.
Chapter 2:
In Chapter 2, characters travel to Ardonia to find out
how to get back to Earth and are enlisted by the Library of
Isliadril in Abaroxas to help thwart an evil plot concocted
by cultists of Terrorek.
Chapter 3:
Chapter 3 transports characters from Ardonia to the
Black Mountains via an interesting mode of teleportation
called the Disc of Mylnon. A dungeon crawl through the
mountains results in an exciting chase, and the chance
to return to Earth.
Adventure Hook
The adventure begins with a Crossing, which transports
the characters from Earth to Azoth, where they remain
for the duration of the adventure. Players can come up
with their own motivations for embarking on the main
quest. The classes they choose to play may also provide
them with insight and motivations.
Upon arrival in Azoth, characters have a choice in where
they travel first, although all of the encounters eventually
lead them to Ardonia, where they receive the main quest,
and then to the Black Mountains. Although the adventure
is designed to be completed in a few hours, the in-game
time will likely span days or even weeks. At the end of the
adventure, the characters have a chance to return to Earth.
Chapter 1 —
Strange New World
T he adventure begins in an unidentified city on
present-day Earth. If the players are physically
meeting to play, this is their city and you should adapt the
opening scene as needed. Otherwise, the city is the very
picture of modernity; tall skyscrapers cast long shadows
over the streets below. Sounds of buses, cars, and trains
intermingle with the noises of human life: doors opening
and closing, espresso machines brewing coffee in cafes,
and people having conversations with one another in
person or via telephones.
The characters are walking down the street when they
pass an abandoned lot which, curiously, has a large, ancient
tree in the center of it. The tree has a door embedded in
the trunk, and it is partially open. Through it, they see a
beautiful forest. A child’s voice calls for help; the sound
emanates from beyond the door.
They approach the door — as it opens for them, a grav-
itational pull tugs them through.
Read or paraphrase the following:
Sounds and colors swirl around you in this chaotic
tumble through space and time. You fall hard through
the door into plush underbrush, and the world around
you is suddenly much quieter. You’re surrounded by trees
and not skyscrapers; the pleasant aroma of damp foliage
overwhelms the scent of gasoline that, until a moment
ago, had permeated the atmosphere. You hear the click of
a latch as the ornate wooden door shuts behind you, and
the handle disappears. You stand in an unknown forest.
The characters arrive at a nexus on the Great River,
on the trident bordered by the Enchanted Forest (their
current location), the Great Field of A’zoth, Drohm, and
Brachmon. At this time, players can consult their char-
acter sheets — we’ve provided pregenerated characters
on pp.234-246.
Stampede!
The party has little time to act as a dozen deer come
charging through the forest. The rumbling gives the char-
acters just enough warning; a successful DC 10 Dexterity
saving throw ensures they jump out of the way. A failure
results in the character tripping over a branch and taking
1 point of bludgeoning damage.
On the deer’s tails is a young elven boy named Laeren
Everfall — his voice is what the characters heard com-
ing through the portal. He shouts and waves his arms,
– Starting Adventure: Voices From Afar –
telling the characters to run, for two goblins are chasing
him. He beckons the characters to a hiding area below a
large dead tree that has fallen sideways. The roots form
a woven canopy, and the hollow tree is large enough to
successfully hide in.
Characters may want to fight the goblins (use stats for
cave goblins, Chapter Seven, p. 166) and can do so, but
the battle is challenging for brand new characters who
do not even possess weapons yet. Laeren encourages the
party to hide rather than confront the goblins. Once the
threat passed, Laeren introduces himself.
Roleplaying Laeren
• Laeren is a young rainbow elf. His voluminous hair,
which many of his people share, is wrapped into
natural dreadlocks. He has small, pointed ears.
• He is dressed in simple clothing — a tunic and trou-
sers, with sandals strapped to his feet — and carries
a child-sized bow and arrow.
• He is cheeky, precocious, and curious. Laeren knows
nothing about Earth and eagerly interrogates the
characters.
• He possesses basic knowledge about East Azoth and
has a simple map that he swiped from his parents
back in Hulsing. If asked, Laeren gladly shows them
the map.
• Laeren tells the characters that they are in the En-
chanted Forest, near the Great River, which runs
through the continent of Azoth. From their hiding
place, the characters can hear the rushing river.
• The nearest village is Hulsing, which is in the En-
chanted Forest.
• Laeren can name several nations in East Azoth but
has only elementary knowledge about each one.
• He reluctantly admits his parents are probably
worried about him, and asks the characters to escort
him back to Hulsing.
DEVELOPMENT
Show the characters an unmarked map of this location
and allow them to make a choice of where they would like
to venture. Encourage them to make a choice based on what
they want to do; they don’t have to fulfill Laeren’s request.
Depending on where they go, there is a unique encounter
in each location. Whomever they meet upon completion
of the side mission eventually directs them to Ardonia.
The letters on the Map for Game Masters correspond with
the following encounters. The characters won’t know the
names of the cities to which they want to travel, and Laer-
en’s map is unmarked, so skip to the numbered section.
223
 A. The Enchanted Forest:
Faerie Lights
Laeren leads the party to Hulsing, which is about a
half mile from their starting point. Read or paraphrase
the following:
The forest is cool, pleasant, and quiet. Other than the
strange boy you’ve befriended, and the stranger creatures
that chased you into hiding, the forest feels mostly familiar
and not unlike Earth.
This feeling is short-lived, as you come upon a large village
that looks like it came straight from the Middle Ages — except
that most of the inhabitants sport the same pointed-tipped
ears as Laeren. On the outskirts of the village is a ring of
rustic homes with ornately carved white doors and window
frames. The forest continues through the village, with various
buildings constructed in-between the pines.
ARRIVAL IN HULSING
Although Hulsing is not the largest city in the Enchanted
Forest, it’s a decent sized village and home to many elves,
including the legendary Serene Silverfawn. It’s pictur-
esque, and the weather is pleasantly cool.
LAYOUT OF HULSING
The village is designed in a circle. The residential area
surrounds the interior, which contains a market district
and a temple.
MEETING THE EVERFALLS
Laeren’s parents, Liyara and Mikrael, own an alchemy
shop in Hulsing called The Rose Vial. Laeren leads the
party to it, or the characters can roll a DC 12 Wisdom
(Perception) check to find it in the market district.
Laeren’s parents are elated to see him, though Mikrael
reprimands her child for running off into the forest. The
Everfalls are friendly and hospitable to the characters, al-
though curious about their dress and any signs they exhibit
from Earth. If asked about how to return to Earth, Mikrael
has no knowledge of this. Liyara, however, suggests that the
characters go to Ardonia and speak with the scholars at the
Library of Isliadril in Abaroxas — Liyara has traveled there
herself and heard word about a scientific device that can
transport people across realms. She calls it the Disc of Mylnon.
This information is mostly correct, although Liyara is
missing some details: the Disc is a translocation device
that roams around Azoth and can transport people around
the Realm. Even the scholars at the Library of Isliadril
are unsure if it can be used to travel beyond the Realm.
The Everfalls offer to organize and pay for the characters’
passage to Ardonia if they can retrieve an item they need
for an alchemical experiment: a lightning bug. Depending
224 – CHAPTER NINE: RUNNING THE GAME –
THE ENCHANTED FOREST
The Enchanted Forest is home to rainbow
elves, who rule over the forest elves and other
fey creatures that share their lands. The rainbow
elves are among Azoth’s oldest populations; their
history is ingrained in Azoth itself. The Enchanted
Forest is not unlike Earthen forests — tall alpine
trees tower over the villages down below. The
buildings are beautifully crafted and constructed
mostly of wood. Life in the Enchanted Forest is
mostly peaceful, but there are threats in the more
remote areas.
on where the characters are from on Earth, they may be
familiar with lightning bugs.
In the Enchanted Forest, lightning bugs tend to cluster
near Pixiegrove, named after the creatures who also reside
there: pixies! Pixiegrove is located about two miles west
of Hulsing. The grove is signified by a ring of violets and
lilies. The Everfalls provide the characters with a glass
bottle and request that the lightning bug is returned alive.
Finding Pixiegrove
The western gate out of Hulsing leads back into the for-
est. After a half mile, the trail peters out. A DC 13 Wisdom
(Survival) check ensures that the party continues in the
right direction. Otherwise, the characters become lost. If
this occurs, the pixies find the characters first.
If the party gets lost in the forest:
Five pixies begin following the party, who can spot these
trickster creatures with a DC 14 Wisdom (Perception)
check. If the pixies remain unseen, they taunt and tease
the characters, tossing pinecones at their heads (which
don’t cause damage, but do hurt), poking their ears, and
tugging on their hair or clothing. The pixies are not hostile,
merely mischievous.
If the party stays on track:
A DC 13 Wisdom (Perception) OR (Survival) check
draws the party’s attention to a ten-foot-wide circle of
violets and lilies, surrounded by a copse of densely clus-
tered pine trees.
The lightning bugs are aplenty in the copse and the
golden light they emit provides an additional light source
in the shaded grove.
A DC 12 Wisdom (Perception) check hears the giggling
and rustling of pixies flitting around the copse.
Capturing a lightning bug requires a successful DC 14
Stealth (Dexterity) check. The pixies do what they can to
thwart this effort, swatting at the lightning bugs and trying
to distract the characters; characters roll with disadvantage
unless they can somehow keep the pixies at bay. Give the
characters three chances to try to catch a lightning bug; if they
are unsuccessful, a DC 11 Intelligence (Nature) check suggests
that they can use a violet to lure the bug into the bottle — the
bugs are attracted to the violet pollen. Additionally, a DC 11
Wisdom (Perception) check notices a pixie pluck a violet and
use it to lure a lightning bug toward it. If the characters try
this approach, they can roll again with advantage.
PASSAGE TO ARDONIA
Returning to the Everfalls with the lightning bug earns
the party passage to Ardonia. The family furnishes them
with a guide — an elf named Emriel, who is a traveling
merchant — a cart, and some food.
DEVELOPMENT
Proceed to Chapter 2 to facilitate travel and arrival in
Ardonia.
B: The Great Field of A’zoth:
Where the Ghosts Roam
Heading southeast means crossing the river. Small
docks on each side offer two canoes and two rafts; two
Medium humanoids fit in a canoe, and four fit on a raft.
The river current is steady but not swift and crossing here
is relatively simple. The party can travel by river for quite
a ways, although they should disembark before it takes
them toward the west. This travel eventually leads them
to the Great Field of A’zoth.
ARRIVAL IN THE GREAT FIELD OF A’ZOTH
The Great Field of A’zoth is a stark change from the
lush forest. The expansive grasslands ripple in the breeze
– Starting Adventure: Voices From Afar –
beneath a wide, blue sky. The party may find it a familiar
sight; it resembles the sprawling fields found in Mongo-
lia and China. The fields are sparsely populated — most
people encountered in the fields are passing through on
trade routes, and several well-trodden trails lead across
the grasslands, leading toward each of the major regions.
A DC 13 Wisdom (Perception) check spots a figure — a
rather imposing orc woman named Kig’ara D’Marko —
crossing the fields. Kig’ara approaches them warily but
is not hostile unless provoked. She needs assistance to
complete a project.
Roleplaying Kig’ara
• Kig’ara is an orc and an archaeologist who works
out of an academy in Abaroxas.
• She is somewhat gruff but not unkind.
• She often travels alone and is quite capable of de-
fending herself, although she prefers to abstain from
fighting.
• Orcs are relatively rare now in the plains East Azoth,
though many reside in the Black Mountains. Her people
live in small, tight-knit communities after the orcs were
almost thoroughly defeated during the Orc Wars.
• The rest of her family are ambassadors working
to claim the Bloody Hills for the orc people. This
takes them all over East Azoth, pleading their case
to leaders of other nations.
• Kig’ara knows nothing about “Earth” but suggests
going to the Library of Isliadril in Ardonia, which
225

THE GREAT WARS
Several notable wars took place in this region:
The Forever War; the Plague War in which the
nations of Drohm, Ardonia and Thorin collided
over good and evil; the Great War between
humans and elves; and the Orc War, which
eradicated much of the Realm’s orc population.
Because the fields are not within the borders of
any one nation, this makes it a natural place for
armies to meet. It is difficult to fortify because of
its openness.
is a place that embraces science and the pursuit of
knowledge. The scholars there may be able to help.
This is a different academy than the one she works
for — Abaroxas is home to many institutions that
each have their own scholarly focus.
• Kig’ara plans to return to Ardonia after she com-
pletes her mission and asks the characters to help.
In exchange, she will escort them to Abaroxas and
serve as an ally until they get there.
KIG’ARA’S QUEST
She is on a mission to find a special artifact, a dagger,
that belonged to her family but was lost during the Great
Orc War. The final battle between humans and orcs raged
in the Great Field, and the orcs were defeated. However,
many of the battle sites remain identifiable many years
later. Because the plains remain open and wild and mostly
absent of settlements and villages, save for a few nomadic
populations that occasionally settle on the fields, the war
grounds are mostly untouched and serve as stark reminders
of this history. She asks the characters to remain on alert
while traversing the battlegrounds. The dagger itself lacks
much value, but to Kig’ara it is special and one of the few
relics that belong to her family. A Wisdom (Insight) check
at DC 11 confirms this to be genuine.
She describes the dagger as a 9-inch-long blade with a
short wooden handle. A spiral is engraved onto the heel
of the dagger, right above the guard.
THE BATTLEGROUNDS
To the southeast, near the O’koth border, lies one of
the grimmest of the remaining battlefields. The grass that
grows here is slightly red from the dry soil still saturated
with blood — that’s how gruesome the battle was in this
region. Over the years, many have created make-shift
tombstones and markers that hint at the various religions
practiced in the Realm.
The golden grasslands fade into a somber gray as the
battlegrounds come into view. Even without prior knowl-
226 – CHAPTER NINE: RUNNING THE GAME –
edge, it is not hard to guess what transpired here despite
the decades that have passed. Patches of the earth are
devoid of grass and remain bare, the enduring scars of
magical damage.
A DC 13 Wisdom (Perception) check spots three zom-
bies lurking on the battleground. The zombies can sense
the party’s presence and attack the characters. Kig’ara
can serve as an ally if the party needs aid (she uses the
Orc Ambassador stats from Chapter Seven p. 174) al-
though you should ensure she remains alive to escort
the characters. A DC 16 Wisdom (Investigation) check
spots something shiny protruding from the loamy soil:
Kig’ara’s family dagger. The blade bears the symbol of a
spiral, which Kig’ara confirms is linked to her family. The
party gains advantage on this roll if they employ some
systematic method of searching.
DEVELOPMENT
Helping Kig’ara earns the characters passage to Ardo-
nia. Proceed to Chapter 2 to facilitate travel and arrival
in Ardonia.
C. Drohm: Bet on It
Traveling east brings the party to the widest crossing
point in the Great River. A small dock has three canoes
and two rafts tied to it. Give characters the chance to
figure out how to cross. The boats are easiest to control
but only hold two Medium humanoids in each; the rafts
can hold up to four Medium humanoid creatures but are
more difficult to steer.
The river runs with tenacity — each canoe has a 20%
chance of tipping over, and the rafts each have a 50%
chance. If the canoes or rafts tip over, the characters
fall into the river. A DC 13 Strength saving throw lets
the character grip a rock to avoid being pulled further
down the river; an additional DC 15 Strength check lets
them swim and climb onto the shore. Failing this check
results in the current carrying them down the Orus River
until they are tossed upon the bank, suffering 1 point of
bludgeoning damage.
ARRIVAL IN ADORN
Upon crossing the river, and after a day’s worth of travel
through wild lands, the characters arrive in the city of
Adorn in Drohm. This is a curious city that differs from
the rest of the nation. It’s a common traveling depot, so
many of the people here are from around the Realm. Most
who travel to Adorn and live here are miners, which is a
common profession for many people across East Azoth
thanks to its rich ore deposits. This is a good place for char-
acters to learn more about Azoth. Speaking with people in
Adorn (most of whom are human, but the characters can
spot members of any other people if they look for them)
learns the following information:
 • The city is built upon a rich vein of iron. Mining
is lucrative, but unlike other mining communities,
those who mine here come for short periods of time.
They leave when they’ve mined enough iron to sell
for a hefty sum.
• Few here are familiar with Earth and have no
idea how to get back there. Most are unaware that
there are other such realms that can be traveled to.
Speaking openly about Earth generates suspicion,
and Drohm is filled with many spies working for
Darkoth.
• Whomever the characters speak to suggests that
they go to Abaroxas, which is in Ardonia. Abaroxas
is quite far — about a week’s journey south. They can
earn some coin to rent a cart that can take them to
Carahill, whence they can then go on horseback or
foot to Abaroxas.
• A quick way to earn coin is by mining, which requires
a hefty initial investment in supplies and equipment
and can be quite dangerous for inexperienced min-
ers. Another way is by visiting the horse races and
making bets. The right bet can result in a big payoff.
THE RACES
A popular activity in Adorn is attending the horse races.
Placing Bets
Betting on horses works similarly to a derby on Earth.
There are 20 horses total, and each character can bet on
one horse to win.
• Make up names for the horses or have the characters
make up a name for their chosen horse.
• Use straight wagers only, although if your party
enjoy betting, you can add more complicated bets.
• Each character who wants to make a bet contributes
coin to the pool.
• To determine how large the total pool is, roll a d4 and
multiply by 100. Be sure to then add the character’s’
contributions.
• To determine which horse wins, roll a d20 for each
horse that the characters bet on. Once a number is
rolled, it can’t be rolled again — meaning, if you roll
a 15 for one horse, that is that horse’s placement;
reroll any duplicate results. Whichever horse rolls
the lowest number wins (since a low number equals
a higher placement), and the character wins half of
the total pool. The other 50% is split among the two
runner-ups.
Another Offer
Before the race begins, a cloaked figure approaches the
party who offers them a substantial sum if they can help
– Starting Adventure: Voices From Afar –
kidnap one of the horses before it participates in the race.
The figure is a ranger named Alia Roan who hails from
O’koth. Alia witnessed one of the horses, a black stallion
named Nightingale, being mistreated. If Alia can get him
to the Carahill border, he can be set free among the other
wild horses who are native to the open area that straddles
O’koth and Carahill.
Alia offers the party 500 gp and passage to Ardonia if
they can successfully sneak Nightingale out of the stables
before the race. Should the characters succeed on a DC
10 Wisdom (Insight) check, they find that ’Alia is genuine
in their offer and desires to see Nightingale freed. They
agree to meet the party behind a local tavern called The
Horseshoe that night with travel supplies and rations for
their journey.
FREEING NIGHTINGALE
Nightingale is housed in a stable near the racetrack. A
DC 13 Stealth check is enough to sneak into the stable,
where there are two stable assistants (both goblins).
Nightingale is a black horse whose stall is just inside the
stable — characters can identify him with a DC 11 Wisdom
(Perception) check.
The horse is distrustful at first but can be softened with
a DC 10 Wisdom (Animal Handling) check. Nightingale
isn’t hostile, so even with an unsuccessful roll he still lets a
character steer him, but makes more noise, which can alert
the goblins. Should the goblins take notice, they confront
the characters with hostility. In addition to combat, the
goblins are easily bribed and coerced.
Upon Nightingale’s successful release, the party can
meet up with Alia at The Horseshoe, which is about a
half-mile away from the racetracks. They’re out back and
delighted to see Nightingale.
DEVELOPMENT
Alia and Nightingale lead the party to Carahill, where
Alia delivers Nightingale to the plains outside of Denda-
ra, where he joins the other roaming horses. Proceed to
Chapter 2 to facilitate travel and arrival in Ardonia.
D. Brachmon: Wrong End of a Sword
Crossing the river and heading to the northeast takes
the characters to Ormuzd in the nation of Brachmon. Ven-
turing into Brachmon is dangerous and its environment,
like much of northern Azoth, is cold and harsh. The vast
area is divided across various borders that are hard to
distinguish for those who are not from Brachmon. Read
or paraphrase the following:
The river behind you rushes to the east; where it deltas
remains unclear. The sound of its rushing is punctuated
with the occasional tap, like a hammer on stone, that
echoes in the air. The tap is consistent and rhythmic.
227
 Following the noise brings the party to a crumbling
ruin of a stone structure — a DC 13 Intelligence (Reli-
gion) check discerns it was once a temple. It’s not unlike
ancient Persian temples that characters may recognize
from museums on Earth, with remains of pillars and two
Persian-style manticore statues flanking the door. The
roof is gone, and the interior is open to the elements, but
the temple is not unoccupied — several people sit around
a huge forge set up in the middle of the structure. The
plume of smoke billows into the bleak sky above. The
metronomic tapping ceases as the characters approach
and interrupt the forging.
The Brachmon are dressed in furs and thick coats. The
oldest is a human woman named Arban, who is currently
hammering a molten sword; another woman beside her
prepares a bucket of water for the sword to be plunged
into. Three additional Brachmon people, including an orc,
are busy stoking the forge and stacking ingots. Another
comes up behind the party and brandishes a greatsword
threateningly. Arban demands to know who the characters
are and what they are doing in Ormuzd.
Roleplaying Arban
• Arban speaks in short sentences. She avoids eye
contact, and any character insistent on seeking eye
contact makes her deeply uncomfortable. If this
happens, Huthar, the woman preparing the bucket,
steps in and asks the character to stop.
• If the party says they are from Earth, Arban’s de-
meanor changes — while still gruff, she wants to know
all about weapons from Earth. The more characters
can tell Arban, the more she warms to them.
• Arban and her compatriots are from Cha’Tak, which
is about a day’s journey to the east, through the
forest. Cha’Tak is a different nation from Ormuzd,
where the characters currently are. Ormuzd and
Cha’Tak are under attack by Drohm and the nations
temporarily forged an alliance.
• Cha’k are expert weaponsmiths.
• Arban has made another curious discovery: forging
weapons in temples occasionally imbues the weap-
ons with magical properties. She recently made a
weapon that heals the wielder when it harms the
target.
• Arban suggests the party go to Abaroxas in Ardonia
to find out how to return to Earth. She was planning
to venture there anyway to deliver her experimental
weapon to an academy in Abaroxas for further study.
The scholars in Abaroxas study all topics pertaining
to science and magic, and that’s the characters’ best
bet for returning home.
228 – CHAPTER NINE: RUNNING THE GAME –
BRACHMON
This expansive region is divided into twelve
nations, which remain allied mostly because of
their proximity to one another. The culture varies
wildly between the nations — some, like Cha’Tak,
are artisans who forge beautiful weapons and
jewelry, whereas others like Ashmedai prioritize
fighting. This encounter centers on the nation of
Ormuzd, which is home to several ancient tem-
ples, including the one the characters discover.
• Arban will accompany them on their journey south
if the characters help her with a project.
TRIAL BY FIRE
Arban wants to create another experimental weapon but
is uncertain how the forge will react. She wonders if the
character’s’ relationship to Earth will result in something
new. She gives them each the chance to forge a simple
weapon — a shortsword. They can keep the weapons they
create if she can document the findings.
She gives them each the materials necessary to make
a shortsword and teaches them the basics. Successfully
forging a sword requires a DC 12 Strength check — failure
results in a broken weapon.
Each character has a 20% chance of creating a magical
weapon, which results in a +1 iron shortsword.
DEVELOPMENT
Regardless of the outcome, the characters now possess a
weapon and an ally who takes them to Abaroxas. Proceed
to Chapter 2 to facilitate travel and arrival in Ardonia.
Chapter 2 —
Where Worlds Collide
I
n this chapter, the party arrives in Abaroxas, Ardonia’s
academic city. The characters travel by foot or by cart and are
accompanied by the ally they met during their first encounter.
Depending on their starting location, this journey takes
the following number of days:
Starting Location Travel to Ardonia
Brachmon Eighteen Days
Enchanted Forest Fifteen Days
Great Field Twelve Days
Drohm Twelve Days
 You should ask whether the characters take turns
keeping watch and roll for a random encounter every
third night. Each has a 20% chance of an encounter or
attack; this is increased to 50% if the characters choose
not to keep watch.
If the group has an encounter on their journey, you can
roll a d6 on the Random Travel Encounters table below:
RANDOM ENCOUNTERS TABLE
d6 Encounter
1 A Bryzine troll on a trading route (Not hostile,
Chapter Two p. 42)
2 A cave goblin (Hostile, Chapter Seven p.166)
3 Swarm of pixies (Not hostile unless provoked,
Chapter Seven p. 175)
4 2 orc ambassadors (Not hostile unless
provoked, Chapter Seven p.174)
5 A zombie (Hostile, Chapter Seven, p. 197)
6 2 bandits (Hostile, Chapter Seven p. 170)
Depending on their travel route south, the party may
pass through other regions, including the following:
• Drohm: Characters who start in Brachmon pass
through Drohm and Carahill during their journey
south. Depending on the pacing of the adventure,
you can adapt the Drohm encounter outlined in
Chapter 1.
• The Great Field of A’zoth: Characters who start in the
Enchanted Forest pass through the Field of A’zoth.
You can adapt that encounter, outlines in Chapter
1, for the journey.
ARRIVAL IN ARDONIA
Passage into Ardonia means crossing a river, either the
Dendara river from the north or the Sirilian River from
the west. Abaroxas is located just past these rivers — the
city rises up from the lowlands, a fantastical metropolis
comprising towers, spired buildings, and air ships flying
overhead.
The city is surrounded by a wall; guards are posted on the
parapets above. Several gates serve as points of entry. The
party is stopped by guards but are permitted entry if they
don’t seem overtly suspicious or violent. Characters with
spellcasting abilities are regarded with suspicion but are
still allowed in the city with a warning. The guards record
the characters’ names and reasons for being in the city.
Upon arrival, the party’s friend leads them to the intel-
lectual district, which is filled with towered structures
built in close proximity. The Library of Isliadril is marked
by a large symbol of an eye emblazoned on the top of the
building. The party’s ally bids farewell and departs to
conduct their own business in the city.
– Starting Adventure: Voices From Afar –
ARDONIA
The nation of Ardonia is unique — it has openly
embraced science more than anywhere else in
Azoth. Ardonians have the most understanding
of science and technology, and to visitors from
Earth, visiting this region is almost like seeing
what Earth could have been in an alternate uni-
verse where airships still roamed the skies and
the skyscrapers sported a fantastical, almost Art
Deco-esque aesthetic. Because of this commit-
ment to science, it’s rare to encounter spellcasters
and mages. However, a few of Ardonia’s many
academies and institutions are dedicated to
studying the arcane arts. The arcanists approach
it like any other scientific study. The vast majority
of these academies are in Abaroxas, which is
the intellectual heart of Ardonia — and Azoth.
The building before you is so tall that it punctuates the
clouds that hang overhead. The brick structure is built in
the shape of a helix, spiraling upward. Scholars wearing
midnight blue robes filter in and out of the building,
engrossed in conversation. The scholars are of varying
species you’ve seen so far in this strange Realm — many
are human, but the occasional elf and hairfoot remind
you how far you are from home.
THE LIBRARY OF ISLIADRIL IN ABAROXAS
This institution is home to a hallowed group of schol-
ars and historians — if anyone knows about the Disc of
Mylnon, it’s these people. The library has a reception area
where an elven person named Remla sits at the desk and
greets the party pleasantly, inquiring about their visit. If
they share that they are from Earth, Remla immediately
takes them upstairs to meet the head of Teleportation and
Interplanar Studies (TAIS).
TAIS is headed by a human woman named Draya
Muralis. Draya is an older woman whose auburn hair is
streaked with gray and pulled into a tight braid. She is
keen and highly educated and oversees the goings-on of
the academy. Draya works with Ardonia’s Minister of In-
formation to track the whereabouts of the Disc of Mylnon.
Theories about the Disc of Mylnon
There are three main theories about how the Disc works.
• Some scientists claim the force is magnetic and that’s
what keeps it circulating — the metallic ore veins
found around the Realm repel and attract the aura.
• Another theory is that the pull is gravitational —
Ardonian scientists have a vague understanding of
how gravity works, thanks to books given to them by
229

THE DISC OF MYLNON
This strange arcane phenomenon is less of
an object and more of a disc-shaped aura.
The 8-foot-wide disc traverses the Realm in a
semi-predictable pattern. When a creature steps
into the aura, they are instantly transported to
another area of the Realm. Most of the time, this
takes people to the entrance of Na Laetha Gael
in the Black Mountains.
travelers from Earth. The disc’s orbit is predictable,
not unlike the orbit of Earth around the sun.
• The third theory is more in the spirit of a legend —
they muse that the Disc is composed of moonlight,
and the Realm’s two moons tug and toss the disc
around, a predictable ebb and flow that mirrors the
tides.
Draya’s workspace is a large chamber with huge win-
dows looking out onto the city; occasionally, an air ship
floats by. The walls are lined with books. In the middle of
the chamber is a device called an Orrery — it resembles
a model of the solar system that the characters may have
seen in a science class back on Earth. Draya’s Orrery has
fragments of ore that each represent a region of Azoth,
along with a piece of gold that represents the Disc. With
this tool, ’Ardonia’s scholars able to track their where-
abouts of the Disc in the Realm.
Roleplaying Draya
• Draya is warm but not very chatty. ’She’s articulate
and has a pleasant, low voice.
• She’s met Earthborn before — she suspects her own
ancestors may have come to Azoth from Earth. Most
Earthborn who come to Azoth eventually visit Draya
to find a way home.
Draya is happy to help them return to Earth but requests
their aid with a pressing matter in return. She tells the
characters the following information:
• Draya works with the Rangers of O’koth to sleuth
out potential threats to the Realm. One ranger infil-
trated a cult and learned of a potentially dangerous
artifact located within the Black Mountains. The
cultists plan to use the artifact in a ritual that would
expand the borders of the Night Lands — a shadowy
region of the Realm that is home to vicious creatures,
including the night creatures.
• By doing this, the cultists can work to summon the
demon Terrorek back to the Realm while the night
creatures spread like a plague across Azoth.
230 – CHAPTER NINE: RUNNING THE GAME –
• Draya is extremely concerned about the threat of
Terrorek returning to Azoth. If this is the first the
characters have heard of Terrorek, Draya conveys
that the demon’s influence on the Realm was devas-
tating and she will do anything to prevent him from
returning.
• Draya has a theory that the item the cultists dis-
covered was a Strange Thing — this is what people
in Azoth call items that have come from Earth.
Such items are brought to Abaroxas for study and
safekeeping. Since the characters are from Earth,
Draya hopes that they can find the artifact before
the cultists can get to it.
• All she knows about the artifact is that it is a box
through which demonic voices can be heard.
• The Disc of Mylnon can transport the characters to
the abandoned mine in the Black Mountains — if they
can get in and retrieve the artifact quickly enough,
the Disc of Mylnon can also transport them back to
Abaroxas. Meanwhile, while they are on this quest,
Draya will locate a portal back to Earth.
• Draya does not know what else they may find in
the mines but urges caution in case they encounter
creatures like mine trolls. She suggests the charac-
ters prioritize speed over combat — she has no idea
how powerful the cultists are and doesn’t want the
characters to get killed in a fight against them.
• Upon accepting this deal, Draya gives the charac-
ters rations and any additional items they require
before they depart. The Disc of Mylnon is currently
in Abaroxas. In two days, it will be near the Black
Mountains again, and the characters can use it to
get back to the Academy.
DEVELOPMENT
Stepping onto the disc immediately transports the char-
acters to the Black Mountains. The sensation is similar
to that of a Crossing, but slightly less chaotic since the
party remains in the same plane. Proceed to Chapter 3.
Chapter 3 — A World Apart
In this chapter, characters travel into the Black Moun-
tains to find the artifact, which Draya Muralis calls a
“Strange Thing.”
ARRIVAL IN THE BLACK MOUNTAINS
The Black Mountains serve as the natural border be-
tween West and East Azoth. This region is dangerous
and home to mine trolls, among other enemies. The
atmosphere is blustery and cold. Wind whistles through
the narrow valleys between the mountains.
 Regional Information
Although the foothills of the Black Mountains are harsh,
they are not desolate. Trickling creeks and bushes laden
with berries abound, and the party should be able to
subsist on foraging to sustain themselves if they choose
to camp nearby. Deer and goats also roam this area and
can be hunted for food. However, the rations provided by
Draya are enough for three days.
WHAT THE PARTY KNOWS
Before the characters enter the mountains, recap the
mission and what they have learned.
• The cultists hope that using the strange artifact
in proximity to the Disc, along with an additional
arcane ritual, will let them expand the borders of
the Night Lands.
• With a plague of night creatures set upon Azoth, the
cultists can work to bring back Terrorek.
• Draya suspects the artifact is from Earth and has
requested the characters return it to her.
• In two days’ time, the Disc will return to the Black
Mountains. If the party remains in the mountains
longer than that, the Disc will have moved on and
they’ll have to travel back to Ardonia by foot, which
is a journey of roughly three weeks.
THE GATES OF THE BLACK MOUNTAINS
The Disc transports the party to the entrance of Na
Laetha Gael. This happens immediately, so the time of
day is the same as it was in Ardonia. Read or paraphrase
the following:
Colossal stone doors cast a long shadow over the valley
below, marking the entrance into the mountain. They
loom over you like stone giants. Curiously, one of the
doors is already partially open.
A group of five cultists (see Chapter Seven p. 176) are
already in the mountain and have gotten about three
hours’ head start. A roc flies overhead — a DC 12 Stealth
check ensures the party remains undetected. If they are
spotted by the roc, they can seek shelter in the mountain
as the roc won’t follow them inside. See Chapter Seven,
p. 186, for rocs.
LAYOUT OF THE MINE
The mine is three levels deep, and the radio is located
in the lowest level.
Entry Level
The entry level continues for about 100 feet past the
entrance. This area is relatively flat, and a mine cart track
– Starting Adventure: Voices From Afar –
begins after about 50 feet and slopes down into the second
level. This area is uneventful if the characters can get past
the shrieker mushroom.
Shrieker Mushrooms. The mine trolls have set up a
trap that alerts them to intruders. A singular shrieker
mushroom sits 10 feet from the door — when exposed to
light, it emits an ear-splitting shriek, which then triggers
an additional row of four shrieker mushrooms to follow
suit. The party must make a DC 13 Constitution saving
throw or be deafened for one hour. For characters unac-
customed to deafness, this causes temporary disadvantage
on Wisdom (Perception) checks.
In the second row of shrieker mushrooms, the fifth has
been trampled. A DC 12 Wisdom (Investigation) check
spots the shape of a boot on the mushroom debris, sug-
gesting the presence of other people hastily traversing
the mine.
Mine Carts. The track has three carts that can each
hold up to three Medium people. The mine carts each
have a lever, which can be used to move the cart forward.
The track slopes downward beginning 100 feet from the
entrance, leading into the second level.
Lighting. The doors let in light for about 20 feet. After
that, the area is dark. Sconces with torches still remain
on the walls and can be ignited to provide light.
Second Level: Mining Area
Three mine trolls have been alerted to the characters’
arrival. When the party enters this area, the trolls attack.
Lighting. This area already sports lit torches on the walls,
hinting at the cultists’ activity through here. However, the
cultists themselves are not in this area.
The second level serves as the primary mining level in
this mountain. There are several rich ore veins that run
parallel — namely, gold and iron. Additionally, there are
several pockets of crystals and gemstones. A few pickaxes
remain in this room. Mining is a noisy activity, but the party
can partake if they so choose. It takes an hour, along with
a successful DC 15 Strength check, to dislodge a sizable
chunk of ore or gemstone.
Terraspawn. One wall of the mine glitters with beauti-
ful, sparkling sapphires. A DC 14 Wisdom (Investigation)
check spots something very curious: some of the gem-
stones appears to be growing appendages that look oddly
humanoid. A DC 16 Intelligence (Nature) OR (Arcana)
check discerns that these gems are terraspawn, which
are gemstones that, when planted, grow earth elementals
(see Chapter Seven p. 194).
Part of the mine floor has caved in, forming a natural
ramp that leads into a lower area of the mines. It is a pre-
carious floor that wobbles a bit when walked on. If the
party walks on it all at once, the floor has a 50% chance
of completely crumbling. Characters must make a DC 14
Dexterity saving throw or suffer 1 point of bludgeoning
damage from the fall.
231
 Third Level
The third level of the mountain remains cavernous. It is pre-
carious to mine down here — groundwater seeps up through
the soil and the walls can be prone to rockslides. Veins of ore
serve as natural scaffolds that keep the cavern from caving in.
When the characters enter, they quickly see that they
are not alone.
The Ritual. A group of five robed cultists surround a
glowing artifact in the center of the 50-foot-wide chamber.
Although they are cloaked, a DC 12 Wisdom (Perception)
check perceives they are human based on their height. The
cultists clasp hands and chant something sinister — if a
character speaks Latin, they can translate it as: “We call
upon the darkness / Release the shadows.” Even from a
distance, characters can easily discern that the artifact
in the middle of the circle is a transmitter radio. A DC 13
Intelligence (History) check suggests it might be from the
1940s. How and why it is here is a mystery for another day.
Give the party a chance to plan. Tactics may include:
Breaking the ritual by causing a distraction. Making
any noise alerts the cultists, who have a contingency plan
— detonating an explosion while they make a getaway.
Proceed to Earthquake!
Sneaking into the circle, grabbing the radio, and fleeing.
The cultists have their eyes closed during their ritual,
although the characters won’t be able to see this unless
they sneak very close to them. A DC 15 Stealth check
allows the characters to near the cultists without being
detected — an additional DC 17 Stealth check is enough
to grab the radio and leave the circle without being seen.
Attacking the cultists. The party may decide to ambush
the cultists. Three of the five are able to use a spell scroll to
immediately vanish. Two remain behind to fight the party.
Reward creativity as you see fit.

EARTHQUAKE!
Two of the cultists mutter something strange and
move their hands — they cast an earthquake spell which
threatens to bring down the mountain. This becomes a
timed challenge for the party, who need to find a way out
before the mine collapses. This happens in three phases.
This should be an adrenaline-inducing scene for the
characters — that said, reward creativity and quick think-
ing. Suggested DCs are included, and depending on the
party’s choices, rolls can and should receive advantage or
disadvantage. Encourage urgency; give players 30 seconds
in real time to make a decision for each phase. Dawdling
too long in the collapsing mine most certainly ends badly.
Phase 1: Quaking
The ground begins to rumble and tremble. A successful
DC 12 Dexterity saving throw ensures that the characters
don’t fall. If they fall, they are knocked prone. This makes
them more vulnerable to the rocks that start to fall a mo-
ment later, and they’ll make the Dexterity saving throw
with disadvantage.

232 – CHAPTER NINE: RUNNING THE GAME –

 Phase 2: Rocks Fall
The falling rocks cause 1d4 bludgeoning damage, which
is avoided with a DC 11 Dexterity saving throw.
Phase 3: Collapse
The mine begins to crumble and it should be an all-
out sprint to the second level of the mine. After three
minutes in-game, the bottom level completely collapses.
After an additional minute, the second level collapses.
Once the characters reach the first level near the shrieker
mushrooms, they are safe, for the ground here is tightly
compacted. However, there is now a 100-foot drop where
the second and third levels once were and falling down
into it means instant death.
Depending on the party’s choices, they can make their
way out of the mountain with or without the radio. The
information they gleaned is still valuable.
DEVELOPMENT
If the party completed the mission within two days’ time,
a DC 13 Wisdom (Survival) check finds the Disc of Mylnon
hovering about a half mile away from Na Laetha Gael.
If they spent more than two days in the mines, the Disc
is long gone. The party can travel north, which brings them
to the mining region called Bryzine. Although Bryzine is
settled by trolls, Bryzine trolls are very hospitable and
used to meeting visitors who come to Bryzine to trade.
The trolls tell the party that the Disc was recently spotted
near the border of the Grey Hills, which is about a day
away. If they hurry, they can catch it before it moves on.
If the party makes an effort to catch the Disc, reward
them accordingly.
Regardless of how the characters find the Disc, it
transports them back to Abaroxas. The party arrives in
Draya’s office. If they do not possess the radio, they can
still communicate everything they’ve learned. Draya is
grateful for their help and can help them return home.
Conclusion
The academy identified a portal back to Earth, which
lies in the heart of the Isle of Fantasia, an island off the
coast of Ardonia where druids live. Although the druids
are not friendly to outsiders, Draya is able to arrange for
safe transport as the druids agreed to let the characters
pass if they do not dawdle on the island.
Travel from Ardonia to Fantasia takes three days
overland, with no chance for random encounters as
Ardonia is the safest nation in East Azoth. Characters
then depart on an Olardell trading vessel named Golden
Gull, crewed predominantly by hairfeet, to the Isle of
Fantasia. After this week-long journey, the Golden Gull
drops them off on Fantasia’s shore before continuing to
Olardell proper. The Golden Gull is captained by Rosa
Waterborn, who’s eager to get back home to her extended
family in Oldardell.
– Starting Adventure: Voices From Afar –
Roleplaying Rosa Waterborn:
• Rosa is friendly and talkative when the sea is calm,
but all business and commands when bad weather
brews. Her crew thinks she makes a good captain.
• She has two fiancés back in Olardell but has been
putting off marriage because she thinks herself too
young. She also has six sisters, five brothers, and
seven other siblings.
• She has a crystal embedded behind one ear. If asked,
she says it aids her hearing.
• Rosa is new to captaining, but she worked as crew
member to other Olardell tradeships. She can tell
the characters the following about East Azoth: The
nation of O’koth is bad for trade as they’re largely
self-sufficient; Ardonia’s scientists pay well for
Strange Things to take apart, but Rosa never had one
to sell; Carahill is great for wine business; Drohm
makes excellent silks, but has grown increasingly
isolationist lately; Brachmon’s twelve nations offer
a wide variety of imports and exports, if you can
strike a deal with the Epician raiders to let you pass.
Upon arrival on Fantasia’s shore, read or paraphrase
the following:
You are submerged into mist, so dense it chokes the shore
of the island onto which you have just arrived. At first,
everything around you appears gray in the shroud of fog,
but then the green begins to show as the treeline comes
into view. The island is a deep, emerald green, dotted with
golden lights emitting from an unknown source. It is a
breathtaking view that pulls at you, luring you closer.
A figure emerges from the forest, an old druid named
Hyrek. He rests heavily on his staff and occasional strokes
his long, black beard. Hyrek doesn’t speak to the characters
but beckons them to follow.
THE VALE
Hyrek leads the party through the forest. He leads them
through a lush vale and eventually they come upon an
ancient tree that resembles the one that first led them to
Azoth. In its trunk is a beautiful door. As the characters
approach the door, read or paraphrase the following:
A tree, not unlike the one through which you first entered,
stands before you. Embedded in its ancient trunk is an
arched, ornately carved wooden door. It cracks open just
enough to let in the familiar sounds and scents from the
city you departed weeks prior. The aroma washes over
you and tugs at your viscera, similar to the pull that first
tugged you through the door.
233
 At this point, ask the players what they want to do. • A war is brewing between Brachmon and Drohm
Two choices, two paths, and two futures lie before them — why is Drohm attacking some of the Brachmon
— what do they choose? nations?
The end…or just the beginning for new adventures in
• The orc ambassadors in Azoth want to claim the
Azoth!
Bloody Hills. What issues may arise around this

Continuing Adventures effort?

in Azoth Pregenerated Characters

T his adventure can serve as starting point for further
adventures. Based on the party’s interactions and
encounters, use these story points as seeds for your own
T he following pregenerated characters are for use in
the starter adventure. We excluded backgrounds so
that players can select two more proficiency skills and
campaign: one group of contacts to represent their own background.
While Legends (see Chapter One: Crossing) aren’t
• A cult has arisen around the demon Terrorek. Who
needed for the starter adventure, we encourage you to
started the cult and why?
design them for a larger campaign.
• How did a radio from the 1940’s end up in the Black The adventure is suited to first-level adventurers, but
Mountains? we’ve also presented third-level characters for groups
who prefer starting at a higher power level.
• If the Night Lands, where the night creatures and
other undead reside, can be expanded, can they also
be closed? Is there anything worth saving in this
region?

234 – CHAPTER NINE: RUNNING THE GAME –

 CHARACTER NAME:
CLASS : PRONOUNS:
PEOPLE: LEVEL:
BACKGROUND: EXPERIENCE POINTS:
ALIGNMENT: LEGEND:

PROFICIENCY BONUS

ARMOR
INSPIRATION
CLASS INITIATIVE SPEED
PERSONALITY TRAITS
HIT POINT MAXIMUM
SAVING THROWS
ATHLETICS

CURRENT HIT POINTS IDEALS

STRENGTH

SAVING THROWS
ACROBATICS
TEMPORARY HIT POINTS
SLEIGHT OF HAND BONDS
STEALTH
DEXTERITY TOTAL SUCCESSES
FAILURES
SAVING THROWS
HIT DICE DEATH SAVES FLAWS

CONSTITUTION
NAME ATK BONUS DAMAGE/TYPE

SAVING THROWS
ARCANA
HISTORY
INVESTIGATION
NATURE
INTELLIGENCE RELIGION

SAVING THROWS
ANIMAL HANDLING
INSIGHT
MEDICINE
PERCEPTION
WISDOM SURVIVAL

SAVING THROWS
DECEPTION
INTIMIDATION
PERFORMANCE
CHARISMA PERSUASION

PASSIVE WISDOM (PERCEPTION)

ATTACKS AND SPELLCASTING FEATURES & TRAITS

OTHER PROFICIENCIES & LANGUAGES EQUIPMENT & CHARACTER NOTES

 OPEN GAME LICENSE Version 1.0a
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2. The License: This License applies to any Open Game
Content that contains a notice indicating that the Open Game
Content may only be Used under and in terms of this License.
You must affix such a notice to any Open Game Content that
you Use. No terms may be added to or subtracted from this
License except as described by the License itself. No other
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15. COPYRIGHT NOTICE
Open Game License v 1.0a Copyright 2000, Wizards of the
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System Reference Document 5.1 Copyright 2016, Wizards of
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based on original material by E. Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson.
 “You are a healer, Marjorie. One of the gods is with you.”

— Silverfawn to Marjorie after her first healing spell

T he Realm of Legendlore sits on an unstable nexus of reality and sees many visitors
from other worlds. You are such a visitor. In Legendlore, you have Crossed from
Earth into East Azoth and become a changed version of yourself — a songwriter finds
themself a bard, a scientist a wizard. You might find yourself in a whole new body to
better match your true self, including adopting a new fantasy race.

Legendlore offers a diverse and inclusive world filled with adventure and mystery.
Fight megalomaniacal dictators, explore magic and strange science, and claim your
Legend as you find a way back home.

In this book you’ll find:

• 18 backgrounds to play as yourself in Legendlore, such as activist or scientist

• Legend mechanics to represent your destiny, plus 5 sample Legends

• Seven player races, including pixies and orcs

• Two new classes, the alchemist and gunslinger, and 15 sub-classes

• A starting adventure with five pregenerated characters

LL001