introduction i

The City

1 Anansi’s tapestry of lives

Brakav Hargrok, scholars of the age. Undeterred Brakav credits
his mother as his greatest motivator and
Professor mentor from the time she taught him to read at
the young age of two, to her constant pride and
Half-orc, Cis Man (He/Him)
encouragement of his studies. His mother’s
influence gave him a deep passion for history
and languages. In fact, a longstanding pool
among his students to find a phrase Brakav
cannot translate has yet to pay out. It’s not
uncommon for students to accost passing
adventurers seeking ever more obscure
dialects to test their professor.
As a firm believer in the power of
education and knowledge shaping the way

Bio
As a scholar of history and languages, Brakav
understands the power of words and learning
from the past. Unlike many of his peers he
believes such knowledge should be shared with
the people and not confined to the lecture halls
of dusty old universities, so he holds open
symposiums in squares, parks, and auditoriums
across the land. Brakav’s self-educated mother
worked hard to earn her university credentials,
despite the naysayer who doubted an orc’s
chances. Her many accolades and degrees
changed their minds and left Brakav to grow
up in the shadow of one of the foremost

5 Anansi’s tapestry of lives

people view the world, Brakav holds his
symposiums in towns to give people the tools
to access the errors of the past in the hopes
they don't repeat them. He also offers his
services as a translator for merchants, diplomats,
tradespeople, refugees, and anyone in need of
such services. As a firm believer in the power
of language, people realize that his translations
convey intent but that he will also inject the
literal meaning if it becomes relevant. His
ability to prevent misunderstandings and
circumvent obfuscations are well-known. It’s
earned him a reputation for fairness, much to
the chagrin of those who use verbal obfuscations
to their advantage. Conversely, his scruples
make him popular, as all parties involved know
Brakav ensures everyone understands what is
said, and when key phrases might have other
interpretations. When not on the streets
speaking on history and language and offering
fun and obscure facts people know they can
find Brakav in his office or classroom, and
people often seek his advice on historical
tidbits or translations of documents from a
range of regions and periods.
Personality
Usually reserved and bookish, Brakav becomes
more animated when discussing his passions,
namely history and language. When not
working Brakav loves reading and spending
time with his partner, Elenin Voss, a human
professor of chemistry. Generally, soft spoken
and gentle, Brakav can handle himself in a
scrap. Having grown up as a half orc child, he
was often bullied for being different. However,
he’d rather fight his battles with logic and
discourse. Having seen and heard his mother’s
struggles firsthand, along with his own, he will
speak out as an advocate for the narratives of
the downtrodden and the overlooked in the
past and present. Despite his preference for
discourse Bakav does not back down from
things he feels passionate about and has been
in more than a few physical altercations, with
colleagues and people who have oppressed
those who don't have the means or position to
city
fight for themselves. He feels his mother
worked too hard for him to allow people like
those who tried to hold her back to oppress
others. Brakav has earned the ire of colleagues
and the admiration of students for the
occasional street brawl or riot he has been
embroiled in. Multiple knowledge seekers have
been shocked to find the man in the middle of
a local tussle was the professor they hoped to
question. Secretly, Brakav chastises himself for
getting into such brawls knowing some will
attribute his action to his ‘savage orc’ blood
Driving Goal
Sharing his love for learning with everyone he
can reach, especially those who might not have
easy access to education, is his passion. Brakav
truly believes that access to knowledge and
lessons on critical thinking can influence the
way people view the world around them and
he works constantly to act as a conduit for
sharing knowledge.
Quirk
Brakav talks to himself to gather his thoughts,
often asking himself questions without
realizing what he is doing. In fact, he
sometimes has entire conversations with
himself, about a wide array of topics, many
unrelated to his expertise. Sometimes random
people get pulled into his conversations when
he asks questions that seem directed at them
and he continues as if he had been speaking to
them all along.
6
Brakav’s Translation and
Tutoring Services
Prof. Hargrok is a polyglot’s polyglot. He reads
and speaks more languages than anyone this
side of the Material Plane. The question isn’t
whether Brakav can translate the glyphs you
found on a fallen star or the words wailed by a
captured spirit, but rather how much time he
has to conduct a thorough examination.
Prof. Hargrok’s knowledge is unparalleled,
but when class is in session, he is not to be
interrupted. Whenever an adventurer asks
Brakav a question pertaining to history, roll
1d6 x 10. The result is how many minutes it
takes Brakav to answer. No check on Brakav’s
behalf is needed, and he never charges for his
services, but at the storyteller’s discretion, the
adventurer who asks may need to roll a save
against falling asleep, becoming distracted, or
losing the thread.
A Quality Education
Use the below table to determine some of the
classes currently being taught by Brakav or
other professors at the institution.

Brakav’s Translation and Tutoring Services

category languages Research time
Humanoid languages Elvish, Dwarvish, Orcish, Gnomish, None
Halfling, Goblin
Primordial langauges Draconic, Primordial, Druidic, Thieves' Ten minutes per page
or cryptolects Cant, Sylvan, Undercommon
Otherworldly Abyssal, Celestial, Infernal, Deep Speech One hour to one week, depending
languages on access to libraries, colleagues,
and extraplanar artifacts

Brakav’s Quality Education

d6 name culture subject
1 The People’s History of Ancient Choose culture from Humanoid Scrollwork and
[Culture] [Subject] Languages Illumination
2 [Culture] [Subject]: A Semantic Choose culture from Humanoid Etiquette
Approach Languages
3 [Culture] Prosody and What It Choose culture from Humanoid Prophecies and
Means for Modern [Subject] Languages Legends
4 A Pragmatic Framework for Choose culture from Primordial Battle Hymns
[Culture] [Subject] Languages or Cryptolects
5 Advanced Psycholinguistics of Choose culture from Primordial Peace Treaties
[Culture] [Subject] Languages or Cryptolects
6 The Social and Antisocial Choose culture from Otherworldly Funereal Customs
Implications of [Culture] [Subject] Languages

7 Anansi’s tapestry of lives

Librallis Nightshade, and developed an interest in forbidden
knowledge. They amassed their own collection
Bookseller of books on banned or scorned topics and
established the Ex Libris Society, a secret book
Elf, Genderqueer (They/Them) club for other like-minded individuals.
As they grew up, Librallis traveled in
search of even more books for their collection.
On their travels, they decided that they wanted
to share what they had found with as many
people who were interested, and resolved to go
home and open a bookshop. Librallis operates
on the grounds that no knowledge is illegal,
and that they cannot control what people do
with the books after they leave the shop.
Personality
Librallis is friendly and open. They are always
happy to meet new people and are eager to
share their views on knowledge and morality.
They believe that knowledge itself is value-
neutral, and simply knowing about
questionable things doesn’t
reflect one’s ethics.
They are willing to
negotiate the prices on all
books in their shop because
what matters most to
Librallis is
helping people
to learn more
about topics that are
difficult to research.
Bio Driving Goal
Librallis Nightshade is the offspring of two Librallis wants to share
academic researchers who spent their lives knowledge with as many
studying magic—specifically, transmutation people as they possibly can,
and conjuration magic. In addition to their which they do through
research careers, Librallis’ parents ran the selling their books.
university bookshop where Librallis spent a lot
of their childhood. Quirk
When Librallis was old enough to read, they Librallis is comfortable
grew curious about topics that weren’t in the discussing disturbing
bookshop. Their parents told them that some concepts and talks about
schools of magic, such as necromancy and grim topics as casually as
enchantment, were inherently evil and should they would discuss the
not be taught. Librallis questioned this opinion weather.

city 24
 Conducting Book Research
Libraries, ancient temples, and modern
bookshops hold a variety of tomes. While
some are journals, some for pleasure reading,
player may come across books containing
useful knowledge and secrets. Consider this
variant rule when players secure access to a
tome of knowledge.
A player may use a Tome to assist in an
appropriate INT Knowledge check.
Appropriate subjects might include: Arcana,
History, Medicine, Religion, Nature, or any
subjects the game master feels are appropriate.
Books have 2 values which effect their
usefulness: Esoteric Score and Quality Score.
The Esoteric Score refers to how easy the
writing is to understand and how practical the
information contained. The Quality Score
refers to how comprehensive or accurate the
author covers the subject.
Esoteric ranges from -1 to +4. In order to
use a book a player's INT bonus must be equal
to or greater than the book's Esoteric Score.
Similarly, Quality ranges from -1 to +4.
Note, that the quality of a book cannot
exceed its Esoteric Score of +2. For example, a
book with an Esoteric Score of -1, has a max
Quality of +1. A book with an Esoteric Score of
+2 has a max Quality Score of +4. A book can
have a high Esoteric Score and a low Quality
Score. It is completely reasonable that a book
can be both incomprehensible and uneducated.
Roll Twice on the following table to
determine first the Esoteric Score and second
the Quality Score. Or select the values.
d6 Esoteric Quality
score score
1 -1 -1
2 0 0
3 1 1
4 2 2
5 3 3
6 4 4
25 Anansi’s tapestry of lives
A player with an INT modifier equal to or
greater than a book's Esoteric Score may
research an answer in a book to get a bonus to
their role on a related INT check.
Someone trained in/skilled in the same
subject, can determine the Quality and Esoteric
Score of a book using 1 hour of study.
Using the Book
Study time description
1 min of Roll a d20 on a 20, add half the
study* quality of the book to the INT
Skill check. If the quality is
negative, add the negative
amount to the roll on anything
other than a 20.
1 hour of Add half the quality of the book
study to the INT Skill Check. If the
quality is negative, add the
negative amount to the roll.
4 hours of Add the full quality of the book
study to the INT Skill Check.
*The 1 min is represents using the book on the fly,
and is meant to support cinematic fiction.
Rules Light Version
Don’t want all the crunch? Drop the Esoteric
Score and allow books to provide a bonus to
roles based on the quality, after 1 hour of study
or on a short rest.
Old Greta (Vivian), powerful acid to eat through the cell.
Even though she escaped prison,Vivian is
High-End Alchemist still trapped by her memories. She does not
know that the chief alchemist poisoned her
Dwarf, Cis Woman (She/Her) potion; she believes her hubris and lack of care
caused the princess's death.
Vivan ran far away, grew back her beard,
and changed her name to Greta. She worked as
a traveling potion seller until she bought her
own small shop, the Winged Alchemist. The
locals respect Old Greta and speak fondly of
her, but all believe she needs to accept some
help and spend more time away from the shop.
Greta believes she has shaken the royal
court spies and bounty hunters, but the queen
has not forgotten the dwarf who killed her
daughter.

Bio
Back before she was known as Old Greta,
Vivian was employed in a royal court. She was
so skilled with potions, that she quickly gained
the queen’s favor. Her meteoric rise made the
court’s chief alchemist jealous, so he plotted to
disgrace Vivian. He tampered with one of her
potions, turning it into poison. The queen’s
youngest daughter, Vivian’s favorite, drank the
potion and died. Vivian was disgraced and
thrown into the dungeon, but escaped by using

city 26
 Personality
After the princess’s death, Greta has become
extremely cautious and meticulous. She double
checks every potion she sells, keeps her
laboratory and shop perfectly clean, and
measures every ingredient with only the most
precise instruments.
Greta prefers to keep everyone at arm’s
length; she refuses to hire apprentices or teach
adventurers, and she never leaves her shop
other than to gather herbs or buy alchemical
reagents.
Driving Goal
Greta wants to live a quiet life helping as many
people as she can in hopes she can atone for
her “mistake.” She keeps her royal alchemist
medallion hidden in a locked chest rigged with
alchemist fire upstairs in her bedroom. Greta is
worried royal spies will find it, but cannot
bring herself to destroy it.
Quirk
Greta’s shop is sparklingly clean and perfectly
organized. She demands that every customer
wash their hands and wipe off their boots
before entering the shop. She will refuse to
serve dirty customers and tell them to come
back after they have bathed.
27 Anansi’s tapestry of lives
Commissioning Greta for
Potions
Adventurers can hire Greta to produce any
common potion (50 gold pieces) or uncommon
potion (250 gold pieces), including standard
healing potions (50 gold pieces). It’s impossible
for Greta to hide her mastery of potioncraft;
potions with magical effects last twice as long,
and her healing potions heal the maximum
amount. Though she will never acknowledge
the difference in effect, she would also never
dilute her handiwork.
If a customer asks for a potion designed to
hurt or destroy, such as poison or alchemist’s
fire, Greta will turn them away angrily and
vow never to sell to them again. And she’ll
keep her word. She still harbors guilt over the
death of the princess, a crime she didn’t
commit. Only solving the mystery of how the
princess died can win her favor back.
If compelled by violence, she will create
either an inert liquid lookalike of the requested
potion or a potion of polymorph (no
concentration checks required)—it depends on
whether she thinks her captors will force her
to prove the lethality of the poison herself. Old
Greta’s not going down without a fight!
Greta’s Potions
Greta is likely to have an array of alchemical
supplies (beakers, bottles, reagents) and a few
common or uncommon potions in stock, such
as potions of animal friendship, resistance, and
water breathing.
In addition to the potions listed below, at
the storyteller’s discretion, Greta may also have
an elixir of health, a potion of longevity, and a
potion of vitality, which she took with her when
she fled the castle.
Experimental Elixirs
Potion & cost description
Polyglot Blot A drop in each eye allows the user to read any written language for one
(50 gp) hour. Once the effect of the drops fade, the user’s vision is temporarily
hindered for ten minutes (disadvantage on skill checks using sight). Two
doses per dropper.
Escape Hatch Spackle When spread over a wall no more than five feet thick, this gray grout
(500 gp + a moderate creates a door as if transmuted by the stone shape spell. Takes ten minutes to
Persuasion check) apply and dry properly. Applying spackle with your hands may cause partial
or full petrification. One application.
Seeing Spritz Sold in an atomizer bottle, this potion creates a powder-blue mist that
(250 gp) reveals creatures and objects hidden by invisibility. It also affects other
magical spells otherwise invisible to the naked eye, such as arcane eye or
scrying. Each dose covers a five-foot cube (four doses per bottle).
Beastmaker Brew Placing the fur, feathers, or scales of a common nonmagical beast into this
(150 gp) jellylike substance will create its clone in one hour. The creature is identical
in demeanor and stature, with the added trait that it is friendly to whom it
imprints after gestation. The clone lasts until it dies. One application.
Bottled Anemone When exposed to air, the contents of this vial congeal into a giant stinging
(1500 gp + a anemone (use the spell black tentacles for details, replacing bludgeoning
difficult Persuasion damage with lightning damage). The creature lasts until the end of its third
check) turn, but its life can be extended until it is destroyed as long as it is kept wet
with salt water. One application.
Potion of Healing Consuming heals 10 hit points. Always has 2d4 + 1 in stock.
(50 gp)
Potion of Greater Consuming heals 20 hit points. Always has 1d4 +1 in stock.
Healing
(100 gp)

city 28
Town & Village

town
city 38
 Belram Wildboot, fine for a visit, but he never imagined he’d
stay—that is, until he met the street children.
Blacksmith and Baker It’s no secret that children are precious to
dwarves. They have fewer of them than the
Dwarf, Cis Man (He/Him) shorter-lived races, and they take longer to
ween and raise. The town had survived orc
and goblin raids in the past, and some families
had been devastated, but how could the
community not take the wee babes into their
homes? An unexpected softness and paternal
need welled up in him.
Belram purchased the local outdoor
smithy. He thought he could earn some coin
and maybe feed the urchins while he bullied
the populace into finding them homes. After
all, the idea of a dwarf raising scurrying bands
of grubby human children was somewhat
horrifying to him. But as days turned into

Bio
Belram Wildfoot’s father got his surname from
all the wandering he did from the mountains of
the homeland, as he sought adventure during
the fires of his youth. So it wasn’t unexpected
when Belram followed in his father’s proverbial
footsteps. What was unexpected was that he’d
settle in a town leagues upon leagues away
from his clan. It was unexpected to Belram as
well. The bustling town of mostly humans was

39 Anansi’s tapestry of lives

weeks, and summer turned to rain, Belram
built an addition “just so they have somewhere
to lay when it rains, not to keep ’em!”
Next thing he knew he was raising half a
dozen rambunctious youngsters, all of whom
seemed to do nothing but eat, yell, and break
things. His heart had never been fuller, and he
had never been happier, not that he’d admit it.
Belram also unexpectedly discovered a second
passion and vocation: baking. He is quite good
at it, and people come from miles around for
his pies. He takes pride in his pies, as much as
any masterwork weapon.
Personality
Belram tries to put on a gruff exterior, but he’s
exceptionally caring. Having the children
around has brought out a fatherly side to him
that bleeds over into many of his interactions
with humans or other short-lived races. He’s
still a proud dwarf, as shrewd and stubborn as
they come. But his heart has a soft spot, and he
often ends up helping when he previously had
no intention of doing so.
He’ll also feed you, whether you need it or
not, and he’s likely to hit you with a reasonable
Belram’s Pies
d6 flavor filling
1 Sweet Apple
2 Tart Rhubarb
3 Mixed (roll two fillings) Peach
4 Sweet Blueberry
5 Tart Cherry
6 Mixed (roll two fillings) Strawberry
town
bill for said victuals as well: “What, you thought
food was free, did ya? Here, now! Pies don’t
grow on trees, ya know.”
Driving Goal
While he’d tell you his dream is to find suitable
homes for the children, nothing could be
further from the truth. What Belram will
never likely admit is that these children are his
home, and more than anything he wants to see
them grown into happy healthy young men
and women.
Quirk
Belram has a tendency to fall asleep when
things quiet down, possibly because raising six,
seven, or eight children (“Who can count
’em?”) is quite exhausting. He has also been
known to give outrageously wild horsey-back
rides to the younglings.
Belram’s Pies
Belram’s bakery always has three pies, one
ready to serve and two in the oven. Roll 3d6 to
reveal what’s on the menu today.
Crust type
Single crust (no top)
Lattice crust
Whole crust (full top)
Crumbly crust
Meringue
Partially eaten (“Darn kids! Half price?”)
40
Marash Grigoryan, Bio
Town Guard Nothing could keep Marash from joining the
war effort. It was his homeland that the
Human, Cis Man (He/Him) Empire so unrightfully occupied. Retired or
not, Marash could not sit idly by and watch as
the land of his youth was ravaged and razed. At
the end of this five-year war, he was already
promoted to general. If not for him, his
homeland would have fallen before the first
year of the conflict was out. Marash managed
to forge a new and unexpected alliance with
the orcs of the Copper Wastes in the south.
Now those allies seem to be threatening the
bordering lands, and the old man can do
nothing but wonder—is bringing the war to
the peaceful rural communities on the fringes
of the empire the right thing to do?
Personality
Spending much of his life in war and seeing
little improvement in the lives of the common
people has turned Marash into a somewhat
bitter man. While he speaks confidently and
with authority, he often second-guesses his
ideas and orders.
Driving Goal
Marash desires the Empire to feel the wrath of
Elandia’s people. The emperor must pay for the
occupation of his homeland and the travesties
inflicted on his people.
Quirk
When he’s unsure of a decision or weighing
options, Marash absentmindedly twirls his
mustache.

town 46
 Marash Grigoryan Not One Step Back. Marash has advantage on any
Medium humanoid (human), chaotic good saving throw he would be forced to make as the
result of an attack or spell that would move him
Armor Class 16 (scale mail) against his will.
Hit Points 45 (7d8 + 14) On Your Feet. Allies of Marash have advantage on
Speed 30 ft. death saving throws made within 5 feet of him.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA Special Equipment. Marash wields the crusader’s
14 (+2) 12 (+1) 14 (+2) 10 (+0) 13 (+1) 11 (+0) greatsword which grants him additional benefits. You
can find out more about this magic item by reading
Skills Perception +3 the item description for the crusader's greatsword.
Senses passive Perception 13 Survivor. Any time Marash starts his turn in combat
Languages Common, Elvish, Orcish with at least 1 hit point, he recovers an amount of hit
Challenge 1 (200 XP) Prof. +2 points equal to his Constitution modifier.
Actions
Horrors of War. Any time an allied creature falls
unconscious as the result of an attack or spell from a Crusader’s Greatsword (+2). Melee Weapon Attack: +6
hostile creature, Marash must make a DC 14 Wisdom to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4)
saving throw. On a failure, his speed is halved and he slashing damage.
can take no reactions until the end of his next turn.

Crusader's Greatsword You gain a +2 bonus to attack and damage

Greatsword (Heavy, Two-Handed)
Rarity: Uncommon, Rare, Very Rare
Requires Attunement: Yes
Value: 900-1,000 GP
This sturdy greatsword has a long and wide
blade that tapers very slowly along its belly.
The handle is tightly wrapped in a braided cord
that elegantly coils its way from pommel to
hilt, and its brilliant sheen never seems to
accrue knicks or scratches, even over the
course of countless battles.
rolls made with this magic weapon. The shield
spell provides no defense against the crusader’s
greatsword, which passes through that spell’s
barrier of magical force unimpeded.
Sacrificial Fury. In addition, when making
an attack with this greatsword, you may choose
to deal an additional 1d8 damage to yourself.
When you do so, the attack's damage is increased
by an amount equal to double the damage you
receive as part of this feature if it hits.

47 Anansi’s tapestry of lives

Armored Regalia
Scale Mail
Rarity: Very Rare
Requires Attunement: Yes
Value: 4,900-5,500 GP
Often provided to knights and warriors following
long and distinguished careers or after uniquely
distinct acts of valor, the scales of this armor
are tightly stitched in a way that the pieces of
steel almost resemble dragon scales. The steel
is then baked and stained, and the polished
result is a glimmering set of armor that typically
bears the colors and insignia of one's homeland. One Charge: blade ward, true strike
When you attune to this armor, your AC Two Charges: command, cure wounds, heroism
becomes 15 plus your Dexterity modifier Three Charges: aid, blur, warding bond
(maximum 2). In addition, when you attune to Four Charges: beacon of hope, haste
this armor it gains 5 charges. As an action, you Five Charges: death ward
can expend any number of charges to cast any The armored regalia regains all expended
of the following spells: charges any time you complete a long rest.

Marash Grigoryan enemy creature, all allies within 30 feet that can see
Medium humanoid (human), chaotic good the attack have a +1 bonus on all attack and damage
rolls they would make against the same creature
Armor Class 16 (armored regalia) until the end of Marash's next turn.
Hit Points 90 (12d8 + 36) Not One Step Back. Marash has advantage on any
Speed 30 ft. saving throw he would be forced to make as the
result of an attack or spell that would move him
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA against his will.
15 (+2) 12 (+1) 16 (+3) 12 (+1) 15 (+2) 12 (+1)
On Your Feet. Allies of Marash have advantage on
Saving Throws Con +6 death saving throws made within 5 feet of him.
Skills Perception +5, Survival +5 Special Equipment. Marash wields the crusader’s
Condition Immunities frightened greatsword and the armored regalia, which grant him
Senses passive Perception 15 additional benefits.
Languages Common, Elvish, Orcish Survivor. Any time Marash starts his turn in combat
Challenge 5 (1,700 XP) Prof. +3 with at least 1 hit point, he recovers an amount of hit
points equal to his Constitution modifier.
Horrors of War. Any time an allied creature falls
unconscious as the result of an attack or spell from a Actions
hostile creature, Marash must make a DC 13 Wisdom Multiattack. Marash makes two greatsword attacks.
saving throw. On a failure, his speed is halved and he Crusader’s Greatsword (+2). Melee Weapon Attack: +7
can take no reactions until the end of his next turn. to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4)
Inspiring Leader. If Marash deals damage to an slashing damage.

town 48
 Marash Grigoryan
Medium humanoid (human), chaotic good
Armor Class 17 (armored regalia)
Hit Points 127 (17d8 + 51)
Speed 30 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
16 (+3) 14 (+2) 17 (+3) 13 (+1) 17 (+3) 14 (+2)
Saving Throws Str +7, Con +7
Skills Perception +7, Persuasion +6, Survival +7
Condition Immunities frightened
Senses passive Perception 17
Languages Common, Elvish, Orcish
Challenge 9 (5,000 XP) Prof. +4
Horrors of War. Any time an allied creature falls
unconscious as the result of an attack or spell from a
hostile creature, Marash must make a DC 12 Wisdom
saving throw. On a failure, his speed is halved and he
can take no reactions until the end of his next turn.
Inspiring Leader. If Marash deals damage to an
enemy creature, all allies within 30 feet that can see
the attack have a +2 bonus on all attack and damage
rolls they would make against the same creature
until the end of Marash's next turn.
In Times of Peace. While not in combat, Marash has
advantage on Wisdom (perception) checks and
cannot be surprised as long as he is conscious.
49 Anansi’s tapestry of lives
Not One Step Back. Marash is immune to any effect
that would move him against his will.
On Your Feet. Allies of Marash have advantage on
death saving throws made within 5 feet of him.
Prepare for War (1/Day). While in combat, Marash
can give himself advantage on an attack roll. This
attack scores a critical hit on a rolled result of 17-20.
Special Equipment. Marash wields the crusader’s
greatsword and the armored regalia, which grant him
additional benefits.
Survivor. Any time Marash starts his turn in combat
with at least 1 hit point, he recovers an amount of hit
points equal to his Constitution modifier.
Actions
Multiattack. Marash makes two greatsword attacks.
Crusader’s Greatsword (+2). Melee Weapon Attack: +7
to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4)
slashing damage.
Bonus Actions
Copper and Steel (8d6/Day). Marash can choose one
allied creature he can see within 120 feet of them and
spend up to 4d6 of his die pool to compel the
creature to use its reaction to make a melee weapon
attack against a creature within range. If the attack
hits, the attack deals an amount of additional damage
equal to the rolled result of the expended dice. The
ally also gains 1 temporary hit point per die spent.
Talia Thibodeaux, amulet contains an invisible bodyguard
(invisible stalker) to rush Talia out of
Tour Guide dangerous situations when she inevitably

(Unofficial)
wanders into one.
Months ago, while Talia was racing down
Half-elf, Cis Woman (She/Her) back alleys, she ran into a burly opportunist
who tried to steal her amulet. Immediately, it
activated, and Talia’s invisible bodyguard
sprang into action, roughing up the ruffian,
whisking him off the ground, and hanging him
by his belt loops from a nearby church steeple -
where almost the entire populace could hear
his cries for help and forgiveness. It was Talia’s
first time experiencing her bodyguard, and has
assumed it is her imaginary friend come to life,
“Mr. Rictor.”
Since the incident with the (now vocally
reformed) ruffian, the townspeople tend to
stay out of Talia’s way. She doesn’t use her

Bio
As wealthy as the Thibodeaux family is, no
amount of money was worth the trouble of
keeping an eye on the slippery and danger-
prone Talia Thibodeaux.
Talia has an affinity for sneaking into
places where no child should venture: the
sewers beneath the city, the rooftops over the
merchant’s district, and even the coffers of the
thieves’ guild. By eight years old, she had
burned through twenty-two chaperones, seven
of whom suffered serious injury because of
Talia’s wanderlust. No deaths (at least not yet).
After the applicant pool dried up, her
parents tried more drastic measures. They
spent a mountain of gold on an enchanted
amulet and had it bound to Talia’s soul. The

town 56
 bodyguard to strongarm anyone. She doesn’t
have to; their reputation precedes them. But
the criminal underbelly hasn’t given up its quest
to relieve her of her amulet anyway they can.
Personality
Talia has an unquenchable curiosity, a child’s
naivete, overflowing exuberant optimism, and
an endless supply of questions about every
little thing. What she lacks in impulse control
Talia makes up for in fearlessness, throwing
herself headlong into situations no child should
find themselves in. With a hunger for adventure
and irrepressible friendliness, no place and no
one is safe from Talia’s well-meaning exploration.
You see, it isn’t that Talia intends to break the
rules. She just doesn’t consider the consequences,
or why someone might not want her to know…
well... everything. And while she’s been cautioned
about strangers, she just can’t understand why,
when everyone is simply a possible bestest
57 Anansi’s tapestry of lives
friend whom she hasn’t met quite yet.
Driving Goal
More than anything else, Talia wants to
explore her hometown from every angle and
show the best spots to her newest friends.
Some would call it trespassing, but that’s not a
word in Talia’s vocabulary.
Quirk
The invisible bodyguard in Talia’s amulet is
assumed to be a mindless elemental entity
bound to the will and life of the wearer, but
Talia speaks about it like it’s a friend. She calls
it Mr. Rictor, and her friendship seems to give
its strange existence meaning.
Farmlands

farmland
town 58
Kathereene Minolta, Personality
Squash Farmer Cold and serious, Kathereene does not mince
words. Once more joyous and fun loving, the
Human, Cis Woman (she/her) traumas of war have her jumpy around people
she doesn’t know. She is curt, but (relatively)
polite to her neighbors, which has left her few
friends. She worries that those around her can
tell that she’s a “monster” because of the
atrocities she’s committed, so tends to push
them away. She is sometimes more irritable
than normal, because of nightmares the
evening before. Although her temper can be
explosive, she abhors violence. Kathereene has
long since gotten rid of her sword, armor, and
any military paraphernalia from the War. That
said, she will use her muscular, intimidating
appearance, and even wield weapons again, if
necessary to defend herself, her land, or those
around her.

Bio
The life of a farmer is not as exciting as that of
a soldier, and Kathereene prefers it that way.
Tilling and harvesting affords her a serenity
that (almost) quells the memories of battle.
Many adversaries fell to her sword during the
War, and though she long washed their blood
from her leathers, she cannot escape the
remorse and regret. She was complicit in the
deaths of commonfolk no different than her.
Why should she live when so many would die?
After seeking counsel from a local priest,
Kathereene has vowed a life of charity. What
she does not sell on her farm, or from her
vegetable stand in town, she gives to the poor
and hungry, as well as a local orphanage that
houses the children of those lost during the War.

farmland 66
 Kathereene Minolta
Medium Humanoid (Human), Neutral
Armor Class 12
Hit Points 32 (5d8 + 10)
Speed 30 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
15 (+2) 13 (+1) 14 (+2) 10 (+0) 11 (+0) 10 (+0)
Skills Athletics +4, Nature +2, Perception +2
Senses passive Perception 12
Languages Common
Challenge 1 (200 XP) Prof. +2
Special Equipment. Kathereene wears a sash of defense,
increasing her AC by 1.
Flashes of War. When a Humanoid within 90 feet of
Kathereene is reduced to 0 hit points, she becomes
poisoned. At the end of each of her turns, Kathereene
can make a DC 10 Wisdom saving throw, ending the
effect on herself on a success.
Actions
Multiattack. Kathereene makes two Hoe attacks.
Hoe. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
target. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) slashing damage damage.
Driving Goal
Above all else, Kathereen seeks redemption for
her involvement in the War. She knows that
she may never find peace or the will to forgive
herself. Regardless, she performs good deeds
and quiet acts of charity in an attempt to
somehow, impossibly right the scales.
Quirk
When Kathereen feels she has especially lost
control of her temper, or is driven to violence,
she is wracked with guilt. To ease her mind,
she may spend the day in prayer, consult a
priest, or even visit an apothecary for a
tincture to numb the pain.
67 Anansi’s tapestry of lives
Old Crossbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +2 to hit, range
80/320 ft., one target. Hit: 3 (1d6) piercing damage.
By Own Blade (Recharge 5-6). Kathereene attempts to
disarm a creature within 5 feet of her holding a
melee weapon. The creature must make a Strength
(Athletics) check or Dexterity (Acrobatics) check
contested by Kathereene’s Hoe attack roll. If
Kathereene wins, she automatically hits the creature
with its own weapon (dealing its damage and
applying its effects, if any) and drops the weapon. If
the creature’s weapon is a magic item and the
creature is attuned to it, By Own Blade fails.
Bonus Actions
Focused Stance (2/Day). Kathereene enters a military
stance. Until the start of her next turn, her attacks
score a critical hit on a roll of 19 and 20.
Grim Determination (2/Day). Kathereene movement
speed increases by 5 x 1d6 feet until the start of her
next turn. For the duration, all creatures make
opportunity attack rolls with disadvantage.
Veteran’s Ploy (2/Day). After hitting with a melee
attack, Kathereene can deal an extra 3 (1d6) damage.
Of War and Monsters
This side quest presents short social encounters
and a possible combat encounter suitable for a
party of 2nd or 3rd-level characters.
Background
Kathereen discovered multiple smashed
pumpkins and torn-up vines scattered across
the edges of her field a few nights in a row.
What she at first attributed to local kids
playing pranks, quickly started raising her
suspicion as the damage kept encroaching
further into her fields. Kathereen thinks one of
the neighbouring farmers might be behind this
but she doesn’t have any proof. The locals
usually treat her with cold reserve, but the
woman believes they secretly hate her for her
bloody past.
 In truth, a small band of half-starved
goblins wandered into the area, driven out of
their warren by ogres several days ago. They
took shelter in an abandoned bear’s den. Afraid
and lost in a territory unknown to them, the
pumpkin patch is a delight to their empty
stomachs. They feast greedily and pay little
attention to the crops, moving from one half-
eaten squash to another.
New Faces
Kathereen asks the party to find the people
responsible for damaging her crops. Since the
characters have recently arrived, she assumes
the local farmers might talk to them more
openly than with her. A successful DC 12
Wisdom (Insight) check reveals that Kathereen
is reluctant to speak to her neighbours. A
character can convince her to open up about
the mutual animosity between her and the
other farmer with a successful DC 14 Charisma
(Persuasion) check.
If the party does not agree to help
Kathereen, she encounters the goblin band on
her own after 1d4 + 1 days. During the conf-
rontation, she is able to take down a few of them
thanks to her military past before she dies.
farmland
Hunt for Clues
Talkin with the local farmers might take the
characters up to several hours, depending on
the time of day. The best moment to do so is in
the afternoon or early evening when people
return homes from the fields and markets.
None of Kathereen’s neighbours admits to
destroying the pumpkins. If a character succeeds
on a DC 14 Wisdom (Insight) check while
talking to one of them, they learn that the local
community feels offended by the veteran’s
behaviour and attitude but no one holds any
resentment against her because of her past.
If the party decides to investigate
Kathereen’s farm, she insists on accompanying
them. This is her farm and she sees the attack
on her property as a personal attack on her.
She can’t be dissuaded.
Kathereen’s crude investigations of the
pumpkin patches ruined most of the tracks and
it is impossible to determine who caused the
damage. A character who succeeds on a DC 13
Intelligence (Investigation or Nature) check
notices that the squashes are not simply
destroyed—most of them are partially eaten.
Only after the characters search the area
further away from the veteran’s land, can they
68
 spot several sets of small footprints going from
the farm towards the nearby forest with a DC
12 Wisdom (Perception) check. Identifying the
goblin tracks requires a successful DC 14
Intelligence (Investigation) or Wisdom
(Survival) check. Otherwise, it may indeed
seem that these are children’s footprints.
Whether the party enters the forest to
follow the tracks or decides to stake it out near
the pumpkins, Kathereen remains with them.
Ragtag Goblins
The band consists of 7 goblins with two levels
of exhaustion each (the goblins suffer
disadvantage on all ability checks and have
their movement speed halved). They are too
weak and preoccupied with their growling
bellies to notice the party and Kathereene if
they attempted to hide. The characters can notice
the goblins are famished with a successful DC
12 Wisdom (Perception) check. Seeing this,
the woman becomes more stern than usual and
a successful DC 12 Wisdom (Insight) check
reveals that the sight has reminded her of the
horrors of war she has seen.
Lay Down Your Weapons
If the party does not attack the goblins out
right, they are scared but ready to be reasoned
with or negotiated with. Offering them food
grants the characters advantage on Charisma
(Persuasion) checks they make while talking
with the starving band. Kathereene, after some
contemplation, says she can take the goblins in
and hire them as farm hands. A successful DC
11 Charisma (Persuasion) check is enough to
convince the band that they will have safety
and plenty of food.
Flames of War Still Burn
In the case the characters attack the starving
goblins, Kathereene’s warrior instincts take
over. She immediately joins the fight with no
remorse, at least at the moment, for the little
invaders’ lives. If half of the goblins are
reduced to 0 hit points, the rest starts fleeing in
terror and scatter.
69 Anansi’s tapestry of lives
Conclusion
Depending on what happens during the
encounter with the goblins, the side quest
concludes in one of the following ways:
• After taking the goblins in, Kathereene
provides them with food and a fair wage for
their work. In the span of the next tenday,
she renovates an old dilapidated barn on the
property, giving them a new and delightful
home. By providing leadership and protection
to the goblins, Kathereene regains some
meaning again, in addition to making her
farm more prosperous. She begins to let go
of her guilt and trauma. The goblins’ lives
improve as they thrive in the new setting.
Kathereene rewards the characters with 40
gp and becomes a friendly contact. She will
provide food and shelter for them for free
anytime they visit.
• Kathereene abandons her farm if she fought
the goblins side by side with the party. She is
unable to live and work in the field of blood
and attempts to start anew somewhere else.
Unfortunately, the bloodshed becomes a living
remainder of the atrocities she committed
during the war and Katheerene can’t find
peace. If any goblins survived, they regroup
after several days and start attacking farmers
and setting fires to fields and houses.
• If the party manages to kill or drive away the
goblins without Kathereene’s involvement,
she thanks them for solving the problem and
offers them a reward of 25 gp. The fate of
the goblins does not sit well with her, but as
long as she does not witness it, she continues
on with her bitter life.
The Coast

farmland
coast 70
 Phirth Guntherson, Bio
Fishmonger Phirth Guntherson or Captain as most the
locals call him. Used to be a fisherman from a
Human, Cis Man (He/Him) long line of sailors - before his boat went up in
flames. He owned his own fishing vessel, the
Bouncing Bass, that was quite successful, in no
small part because of how hard he pushed
himself and his crew. After directing his crew
far out to “less crowded waters” the ship was
stuck in a terrible storm. Lightning struck the
main mast, and set the boat ablaze. Captain
was the sole survivor, swimming and floating
back to the docs using the ship’s figurehead as a
makeshift raft. Phirth’s his heart remained on
the water, so he used his knowledge and keen
negotiation skills to become a successful

79 Anansi’s tapestry of lives

fishmonger. He had just begun putting the
destruction of his ship and death of his crew
behind him when tragedy struck again.
Another fire! One of the local businesses had a
mishap with an oil lamp. It began spreading to
other buildings on the docks.
Phirth was one of the first on scene and
immediately began organizing a bucket
brigade. After battling the flames for hours the
citizens finally defeated their fiery foe. Phirth is
a bit of a local hero, the first on the scene and
last to leave what could have been the
destruction of many livelihoods. Since then
Phirth formalized the bucket brigade. They
train once a month, so they’re prepared for the
next time his foe raises its head. He is the de
facto leader and captain of the bucket brigade.
Hence the nickname Captain.
Personality
Though his face is weathered and worn, Phirth
is a happy and generous man. Though he
hasn’t married nor sired any children he loves
being around children. His other love is
preparing and cooking the bounty of lake and
sea alike. He’s always looking for people to
share meals with. He is just as likely to sell you
one of his battered fish as he is to invite you
over for a fish fry.
Driving Goal
Phirth views fire as his life long foe that he
won’t rest until he’s defeated. He takes fire
safety to another level. Beware any spellcasters
that seem too lax with their use of fire magics.
Pirth may quickly shift from friendly words to
a tongue lashing, or even chasing the offender
out of town.
Quirk
Phirth can’t go more than a few minutes
without using a fishing metaphor or fish puns,
like: Don't play cards with that one they're a
real shark.Sorry about you and the misses but
there is plenty of fish in the sea. Careful don't
take the bait from that one.
Phirth’s Catch of the Day
Phirth always has a selection of local fish for
sale, but for some the real attraction is the one
monstrous catch hanging from a big hook over
his stand:

Catch of the Day

d4 scales fins Special feature
1 Silver and blue Flat, rectangular Dangling bioluminescent lure
2 Red and orange Rounded, fanlike Wide mouth full of crooked teeth
3 Deep purple Thin, wavy Translucent body, milky eyes
4 Pale yellow Spiky, sharp Extra large in size
Phirth’s Menu
name description
Battered Fish Fry A hearty meal, even for a landlubber. Batter contains flecks of seaweed.
(1 sp per serving)
Pickled Pike Heavy on the peppercorn, this tidal treat is, according to Phirth, “best eaten in
(5 cp per jar) a crow’s nest in the early morning. Or over toast.” Regular or extra briney.
Phirth’s Phamous If ingested, Phirth’s Phamous Phish Oil strengthens the mind and loosens the
Phish Oil joints in your sea legs (advantage on the first Intelligence or Dexterity saving
(20 gp per bottle) throw after drinking).
Roe A true delicacy. Phirth says these sumptuous orbs are an aphrodisiac, but they
(50 gp per tin) aren’t. They do, however, make an excellent gift for nobility or those with
refined tastes. Should such a person partake, treat them as if they’ve had
charm person cast on them (3 uses per tin).

coast 80