Credits

Originator: Matthew Conner
Lead Writer:
Writer:
Developers:

Managing Editor:
Editors:

Art Director:
Graphic Designer:
Cover Illustrator:
Interior Illustrators (in order of appearance):
Cartographer: Matthew Conner

Playtest Coordinator: Matthew Conner

Adowei Studio Team: Nicholas Hefner, Caius Ruscella, Jasmine Gero.
Special Thanks: Myssid#6718, Desert Fox CXVII#0817, Lexiichuu#6895, and Selnus#2965.

Thank you to the many players and Dungeon Masters who helped to create this world and get it to where it is today; we couldn't have gotten this far without you!

Table of Contents

Introduction

In the ancient days of mid-2017, a group of friends sat down to participate in a game of political intrigue, godly horrors, and devastating repercussions with each decision made. That group was comprised of nine players and one Dungeon Master, and the game barely lasted three months, if that. It's a wonder anyone even wanted to continue playing Dungeons & Dragons after that experience. And not only did mostly everyone keep playing, but they created whole new games within the same world that the old campaign was set in. Not in the Forgotten Realms, not in Eberron, but in a wholly unique world to them and their table: Adowei.

A large world of intrigue, adventure, and power that they have every opportunity to explore how they see fit! Whether there be a desire to change the world, a hunger for power, or a need to help others in need, Adowei offers an opportunity for all beings who live in these lands.

Growing up, Dungeons & Dragons was one of my favorite games in high school and still is to this day. A storytelling game set in a world of swords and sorcery? What teenager wouldn't be intrigued by the idea? But it's also so much more than that! D&D is driven by imagination. It’s about picturing the towering castle beneath the stormy night sky and imagining how a fantasy adventurer might react to the challenges that scene presents. And that, above all else, was probably what attracted me to Dungeons & Dragons.

The only problem for me was the lore of the Forgotten Realms or Eberron. Not because it was boring to me, far from it actually, but because I didn't have time to read it all. Not in the detail I would have liked anyway. So I did what any other sane person would do, clearly: I began to create my own world. A world that I could make or break however I wanted. A world to bring to life for myself and my players. It was almost liberating in a sense.

The Characters

Above all else though, as with any tabletop game, the players and their characters are the most important thing to any story you run in Adowei. Perhaps even more so in this world. Writing stories in this world, there should be a more personal element to your players and the important NPCs in your story, something to hook your audience with and to drag them along for the brutal ride as you snap their necks in two. Whether you're telling your story on a scale of a small village or an entire continent, the people who facilitate the world are going to be the things that drive the narrative in almost every aspect.

Perhaps not every NPC should be fleshed out to the same degree as a player character, but to say that no NPC needs to be fleshed out is a horrible mindset. More often than not, NPCs are very important because they supply additional details, explanations, or actions to help advance the narrative.

Birth of the Gods

Around 100,000 BH, Juexzozt, the All-Father, and Kixtos, the Forgotten One were created. The two spent years wandering the empty void, unsure of their purpose in an empty world. Without anything in the darkness, the two eventually decided to fill it with their own images, though both of them have a different idea of what would be best...

10,000 years later, Kixtos decides to leave Juexzotz on his own. He wanders the cosmos alone, doing nothing but that: wandering. Many say that Kixtos still wanders to this day, and that this is the reason why he has been named "the Forgotten One."

Juexzotz, on the other hand, decides to try and stay busy by creating the material plane. Not only that, but he also spends thousands of years creating the New Deities.

Juexzotz would work to create other deities to help him on his journey of creating a paradise of a world for the mortal races that would eventually come. First, Juexzotz created Ehtos, the chaotic neutral God of Fire, to give the mortal race that would soon inhabit the world fire. He would also give the mortal races their passions and created volcanic and fiery places in the world, and is said to be responsible for most wildfires and the development of fire as a source of power. Following him was Neulla, the chaotic good Goddess of Water. She gave further life to the world by adding water. She created the flowing rivers, the raging waterfalls; everywhere you see with water, Nuella is probably responsible for it. She also helped to develop farming amongst the mortal species.

Soon after came Ownir, the chaotic good God of Air, who created the howling winds and gusts of air, as well as the oxygen that the mortals breathe. It is mostly because of Ownir that mortal life can sustain themselves in the world of Adowei. Finally, Ytix, the lawful good Goddess of the Earth, and with her, wildlife and minerals soon came to the world. She developed domesticable animals for the mortals to survive off of, as well as—along with Neulla—developed farming for them as well. Eventually, however, some of her creations would become corrupt.

Orius, the neutral God of Magic, created everything related to magic. He spent eons developing spells, magic items, and creating areas of Adowei strong with magical prowess. He also taught his fellow deities to use his creations to further enhance their abilities. However, he kept the strongest spells for himself and his favored angels and followers, eventually.

The formation of the material plane was underway, and rather than leaving the sky open to the void, Juexzotz created two deities of night and day, creating the twin Gods of Night and Day, Ivemis and Yaris along with the cycle of day and night. Eventually, Ivemis would create the concept of dark magic as well, and Orius would develop more holy magic, and the two would form a rivalry that would last eons, eventually creating two more deities from the chaos of the conflict...

The Unholy Uprising

Sometime afterwards, with the formation of the material plane, the deities began to fill it with life. The first race of beings to ever inhabit Adowei: the Zenit. As such, two new deities were created in order to give life to such creatures, but also ensure that their lives were not to last forever. Guhena, the lawful good Goddess of Life created the Zenit, and eventually the other races of Adowei as well. Little did she know that her first creation would ultimately betray her and her siblings. After her, Sidros, the lawful evil God of Death emerged, ready to claim the lives of the Zenit when their time came. He leads the dead through to their place in the afterlife and claims their souls to be sealed there.

The Zenit were an ambitious race that took the tools and world the deities gave them and began to revolt. When the deities created humans, elves, and dwarfs to live alongside them, all the Zenit did was take to enslaving them: forcing them to mine for Ytix's resources, build powerful devices, and serve their wishes. The deities were initially skeptical of their nature, but did nothing to prevent such things from happening. However, when they began to make powerful relics of divine power, they knew that they had created a failing race; one that could eventually overthrow them if given enough power.

However, indecision spread amongst the deities on this, which spawned Fevher, the lawful neutrak God of Judgment. With his power and wisdom, Fevher gazed upon the Zenit and walked amongst them, validating the deities' fears about the Zenit, which would lead to the war that they would have to fight against their own creations.

The Unholy Uprising was the war the gods and the zenit took part in for control of the world of Adowei. The deities created their angels to fight their wars with the zenit, and rarely actually fought in battles themselves. Eventually though, after years of war, the gods had enough of the war...

The Twilight Conflict

Soon after, the rivalry between Ivemis and Yaris were boiling over, but tipped over once Ivemis created a dark ritual to elongate the night. What would become known as the Twilight Conflict, the two would use their angels and mortal followers to war against one another in a hope to either enact the ritual to let the night last longer or destroy it to ensure that no being can use it ever again. It was a short string of battles, and a winner was never determined, as it was interrupted by the creation of two new deities, introducing similar elements to the world, though strongly separated from their "parents".

Bethys, the lawful good Goddess of Light was created alongside Jenos, the chaotic evil God of Darkness. As a result, the gods of night and day resolved their issues. However, their children would later carry out their work. Jenos created the monsters that inhabit the night while Bethys created the paladins to fight against them, among other things for the both of them.

    With the help of the gods, the mortals were given the chance to live for themselves. It was during this time when Adowei was most peaceful. Without the Zenit enslaving the other races or the Gods directly meddling in the affairs of the mortals, they were left alone in a time of peace. Perhaps this was the most peaceful the world had ever been. Unfortunately, peace never lasts in Adowei.

The Thousand Year Darkness

Soon after peace had been achieved, Jenos had reemerged from hiding, creating monsters and beasts to destroy the mortal races against the wishes of the Gods. This sparks the Thousand Year Darkness, which put the mortal races of Adowei against the monsters created by Jenos in a bloody conflict that seemed would never end. As the war went on, a number of mortals were able to ascend to godhood, creating gods in their own rights.

Madther, a great human warrior, was one tale that was never forgotten. He single-handedly led charges against scourges of beasts and seemed almost unstoppable. Many assume he had divine assistance, and that is perhaps why, upon his death, he ascended to the Heavens to be formed into the chaotic neutral God of Warriors.

Suris, a human woman, however, took advantage of the chaos that distracted the Gods and stole a magical harp from them. While initially frustrated and angry with the mortal woman, they were also impressed beyond all belief, many say. To think that a mortal could steal anything from the Gods. They allowed her to keep the harp in exchange for her services as the chaotic neutral Goddess of Thieves. Perhaps they were also trying to make up for their mistakes with the Zenit as well?

Terminus

As the mortals lived in peace, the gods would soon have their own problems to solve. Millenia after his departure, sometime around 30,000 BH, Kixtos returned to Elysium and revealed his own children: a group of eldritch abominations known as the Elder Wickeds. Kixtos and his brother, Juexzotz, would engage in a conflict that would last eons for their children to fight against one another. Kixtos created six children against Juexzotz's eighteen. Kaovha the Giant, who walked through the planes of the gods and demolished everything in sight; Inombra the Creator, who made powerful devices and spells that nearly erased the deities,; Xaagged the Conqueror, who fought armies at a time to slaughter his foes; Aiugithren the Terror, who slipped into the minds of thousands, forcing many to end their own existences to escape his torture; Trogd'xe the Manipulator, who took the form of angels and gods alike to sew chaos amongst their armies; and Shuthri the Seeker, whose unpredictable nature caused the death of thousands on both sides, but whose powers rivaled that of even the gods.

Kaovah the Giant used his indestructible body and towering height to split the continent of Altaenia into three lands, and stomped through the civilizations that stood in his way. However, due to the combined efforts of Ahius, Ehtos, and Yaris, the giant was fell, and sealed away within one of the Elder Vaults: the Vault of the Giant.

Inombra the Creator was a master with the arcane and eldritch powers, and even utilized technology in a similar way to the zenit. She created spells, machines, plagues, and more so that she could not only exterminate the gods, but all life on the world. But, thanks to Badum, Orius, and Guhena working to stop her, Inombra was sealed in the Vault of the Creator deep within the Abyss.

Xaagged the Conqueror was a powerful warrior that killed scores of men on his way to Elysium, and many angels as well. He had even raised an army of lesser eldritch beings to fight. Eventually, Madther, Neulla, and Vizzotz had to band together to defeat him, as he had almost crossed the threshold to Elysium. Ever since, the Vault of the Conqueror has been filled with Xaagged and his warriors.

Aiugithren the Terror sowed fear and despair among the mortal races, torturing and killing them in order to empower himself. This could not continue, so Sidros, Bethys, and Jenos put their rivalries and hatred for one another aside to best this creature of terror, locking him away in the Vault of Terror.

Trogd'xe the Manipulator used his skills to misdirect not only the mortal armies, but the forces of the divine. He turned brother against brother, family against family, and nearly turned the gods against one another. However, Ownir, Ivemis, and Suris tore through his web of lies and managed to best the creature. Now housed within the Vault of the Manipulator, his lies can do no more harm.

Altaenia After Terminus

After the destruction of the world that was Terminus, and the Elder Wickeds were sent to be locked away deep within the Abyss, the gods retreated to Elysium, letting the mortal races attempt to survive on their own now. Across the continents, men and women build and rebuild cities and lost ties, reconnecting with one another. But more so than anywhere else, Altaenia seemed to be the center of the world's cultures and its development. Most of the history of this world is buried under the dirt and stone of Altaenia, only to be discovered by the bravest scholars, heroes, and adventurers that the world has to offer.

Following the founding and colonization of Altaenia, many took to making it their home, and took to development in its own way. Whether that be the classifications of the various races or the founding of the Scholars of the Vale, Altaenia alone is rich with its own history and lore. From here on, Altaenia will be the focus of the remainder of the histories. To begin, we must first look at what happened after Altaenia was colonized.

Formation of the Feldawn and Brightforge Empires

By 10,500 BH, the monstrous races in Zoudrurg were becoming restless and jealous. Having grown from more than just Orc and Goblin, races like the Brain Eaters, Gnolls, and—most importantly—the Darklings have also joined their ranks over thousands of years. They were outcasted for their years of wrongdoings in the eyes of the human races, and were sent to Zoudrurg for the safety of mankind. However, they would never be content enough to anguish in that dark and corrupted land forever. They would soon seek a way of breaking through. And finally, with the brilliant mind of King Saersesh, the leader of the Darklings, and of Zoudrurg, they would have their way.

Rhagi Saersesh knew his subjects well; their strengths, weaknesses, and uses had served him well in his short rule. Soon, they would serve him even better. He first approached the Orcs, as their strong arms and thick skin would prove more than useful in attacking the human races. They were skeptical of the Darklings, of course, but Saersesh was convincing. He simply needed to appeal to the base desires of the Orcs, and they were putty in his hands. The Brain Eaters would prove more difficult. They were a proud race who had almost conquered the known world, after all. However, their desire for knowledge would be their undoing. He promised the Brain Eaters the libraries of the cities they fell, and the smartest slaves would be given to them as gifts. With such generosity, how could they not refuse?

The Goblins and Gnolls required no persuasion, other than the promise of revenge. Easily satisfied with the word of their king, the two joined his army. Over the course of many years, Rhagi Saersesh had enlisted the powers of every race in Zoudrurg. His empire was complete, and he was ready to set them forth against the humans. Finally, in 10,000 BH, the War of the Beasts had begun. They would launch attack after attack, failure after failure, until they eventually became nothing but a myth by 753 BH.

Lingering Demons

After the War of the Abyss in 533 BH, some demons were able to slip through the cracks and remain in the material plane with the mortals they had been bringing terror to. Whether this was on purpose or an accident is not known, but scholars suggest that the demons were supposed to return to their world before the rifts were sealed. Of course, this isn't what happened.

Now, Demons walk the earth, but they tend to keep themselves in a humanoid form, very similar to angels. They are very often mistrusted, and are often seen as the worst beings to ever exist. It is because of this that many have decided it would be for the betterment of all to kill any demon on-sight. However, not all demons live like this. Some who come to the mortal plane do so with an intention to live honest lives, or a life of an adventurer. Other demons who have made deals do so with dastardly intentions, with the soul focus on furthering the agenda of their evil entity.

To this day, debates rage on about whether demons should deserve to exist on the same plane as the human races at all, or whether they should all be exterminated. However, Sylvaris suggested that there may be a way to co-exist with some demons before she died, and many cling to that as their argument for trying to exist with these demons. However, this still doesn't sit right for some, and some even have the gall to take things into their own hands on the matter.

The First Zenit Ruins

Thousands of years ago, the Zenit ruled over this world as gods. They created grand technological wonders that still seem to be years ahead of what any scientist can create. Every theory about the Zenit is crazier than the last as well. Unfortunately, nobody knows how to recreate what they once had. It seemed to be that they had left no trace of their existence, and no way for the people of Adowei to create what they once had. However, deep in the mountains, one brave explorer managed to find an ancient ruin dedicated to the Zenit.

It was a small temple, but one filled with history and lore... if anybody could decode it. It seemed that the Zenit talked and wrote in their own language, making it nearly impossible for anyone without their heritage to decode what these temples read. Regardless, it still held secrets to be explored. However, upon trying to explore, the scientists were set upon by golems of sorts. A security system of sorts, keeping out unwanted visitors, and barring anyone but the strongest warriors from entering. To this day, these tombs lay untouched by man, and will continue to stay as such until someone strong enough to defeat these sentries can do so without destroying thousands of years worth of history.

Running an Altaenia Campaign

How you run a campaign set in this large, open world is completely up to you and your personal style and interests. There is so much more to this world, but do not feel trapped by it. Dungeons & Dragons is a game about creativity, after all! You shouldn't feel limited by what's in front of you. You should feel inspired to create! Put your own spin on things and let your creativity run wild! Like with anything in Dungeons & Dragons, consider everything presented here as guidelines rather than rules. Just so long as you use those guidelines to create something new! Something you!

Unsettling Politics

With several guilds and factions populating the world of Adowei, it's no surprise that the world is so steeped in politics and power houses. These are not the only ones who engage in such things, however. Noble houses and crime syndicates also play a role in the politics of the world, and often make large decisions in settlements they're stationed in. The Council of Altaenia would enact the will of the people and protect them from the dangers of the world, but more selfish politicians may seek to claim a spot on the top of the food chain. The Council of Adowei itself is the biggest body of government the world has seen, yet there are those who would seek to tear it down and replace it with their own government, ruling through their own means as well.

While fantasy politics aren’t every gamer’s cup of tea, the ever changing political climate of Adowei should be able to bring across and accomplish several things. Players looking for fantasy intrigue can meddle in the internal politics of cities and such. Such things can happen on a small or large scale, which should be dictated by the Dungeon Master. However, if there's one thing that is certain, it's that the politics of Dastrath, and all of Adowei itself, should provide some interesting things for your players.

A War-Torn Land

War is a common theme in Altaenia; in the entirety of Adowei itself. This doesn't mean your game has to be run during a time of war, and it doesn't mean that it should. Like with any adventure, feel free to play with the timeline as you see fit. Would your game take place during the formation of the Council of Altaenia; helping choose the Exarchs who would stay on the council? Or could it be during the time of the Cursed Lands, where your players seek to survive in the city? Whatever you decide, it doesn't make it any less interesting! When using war as a theme, however, don't be afraid to touch on some other aspects of it.

Don't forget that Altaenia is littered with secrets and ruins that have yet to be explored! What could they hold? Ancient Zenit technology? Magic items? An obscene amount of gold? Whatever the case, make it interesting and fun for your players to explore such a place. Don't restrict them too much on where they can and cannot travel to, and make sure that everyone is having fun at the table as you throw that giant construct their way so that they can reach the magic item that it holds in its chest.

Innovations & Development

Firearms and similar technology has been around for quite some time: almost since the founding of Dastrath. Clockwork devices are present as well, making a fairly high-fantasy and Renaissance-tech-based world. But is it possible to run a campaign in Adowei without such technology, or with technology more advanced? Yes! Of course! As stated before, you do what you will with your version of Adowei! Add assault rifles if you think they'll be interesting. Submarines? Why not!? Some of these modern marvels will no doubt help the people of the world—but others, in the wrong hands, are sure to cause the deaths of thousands.

What if a player wants to introduce new technology and innovations to the world? If it makes sense, let them! I didn't always allow firearms in Adowei until one of my players brought up the idea for it. If you find something interesting, experiment with it. Build on it, and introduce it to the world in an organic way: One that doesn't make it seem like the technological curve just skyrocketed, but one that gives it a gradual increase. And, of course, feel free to play with the lore as you see fit as well.

Neulla, the Reflective Sea

Neulla believes travel across the sea is not only necessary for exploration, but necessary for humanity to continue to evolve as it has. While dangerous, her domain of the sea is rich with wonders for those with the stomach to find them. However, she is also a firm believer of the ideal that one should never receive anything without due effort being put into it. As such, she can sometimes be seen as one of the more unforgiving deities, but this is rarely the case. Neulla is often worshiped by sailors, and often in tavern cheers by sailors who have conquered her storms.

Depiction. Neulla appears as a young woman with short blue hair, seemingly made of the ocean itself, and little to no armor; her body simply covered by the water around her. Her skin holds no blemishes, wounds, or anything of the sort, and she is almost never without any water near her. She views it as essential to all life, and would never appear without this divine, liquid salvation she holds control over. Even her domain in Elysium is full of almost nothing but holy springs and pure water.

Holy Day. Neulla has a number of holidays dedicated to her domain among cultures, mostly involving the tide or the irrigation of crops. However, she does have a holiday associated with her: the Festival of the Reflective Sea. Mostly done in coastal towns or cities, they hold a festival to give thanks to Neulla's bounty of the sea, which involves fishing, games, and drinking, though it is only celebrated for three days.

Ytix, the Foremother

Ytix seeks the greatest good for the greatest number of her children through an ordered and structured society. Venerable Ytix always teaches: "You never cast your seeds to the wind and hope that they grow. You must plan, and plan well." Her worshipers are almost always druids, or otherwise live within forests and natural places. Ytix can either reside in Elysium, the pillar of earth, or even the Mortal Plane on rare occurrences.

Depiction. Most depictions of Ytix generally portray her as an elderly woman with the skin of bark. Her hair is grey, bordering on silver, and in her face lies thousands of wrinkles like the furrows of the earth and the farm. She is generally also seen as being one with the Charch tree, only her face being visible outside the holy tree, to remain forever in contact with the world she loves so much. Her eyes are a bright blue and shine with the magical hue of the natural world.

Holy Day. There are three main holy days of the Church of Ytix: The Fertility Festival, the Sowing of Seeds, and the Harvest Festival. Depending on the church and its locale, each holy day or period takes on more or less significance. For example, the Sowing of Seeds and the Harvest Festival are very important to farmers, while the Fertility Festival might have a greater significance in cities.

Ehtos, the Ashen Prince

Ehtos promotes the idea of power in its absolute. He proclaims power as the most important force in the world, rather than good or evil, and observe fire as the natural symbol of power. His goal is to promote the importance of power and the strength that comes from his flames. The followers of Ehtos believe that power and might brings true authority with it. They seek to spread this message to others and bring out the true potential of all living creatures. Those that worship Ehtos do so by a rite of burning called "Branding." Those that are truly devoted to him, mostly priests, brand themselves by burning half of their face with the holy symbol of Ehtos.

Depiction. Ehtos appears a strong, muscular man of intermediate age with short red, almost flaming hair and donning crimson red armor with orange outlines, as well as a red pauldron cape with his symbol on it. Strangely enough, his portrayal rarely includes any scars, but this could be related to his "Eternal Flame," which supposedly heals his wounds when he stands within it.

Holy Day. Ehtos' holy day is called Arvendon, and is celebrated on the last day of Gerilnisi. It involves a series of competitions to promote strength and power in any aspect possible.

Ownir, the Windwalker

Ownir thinks that mortals are deserving of freedom, even more deserving than the Gods that created them. This makes him a favored deity among slaves and more beings with a desire for any type of "freedom." He seeks to allow people, no matter who they may be, to live their lives how they choose to do so; without influence, and without inhibition. However, this also makes him a dangerous deity in the eyes of his brothers and sisters, and—despite his ideals and beliefs—he holds very little mortal followers. Ownir can either be found in the pillar of wind or even the Mortal Plane when helping others.

Depiction. Ownir is portrayed as a young man -- perhaps in his teens -- with long brown hair; a plain dark green jumper, accompanied by a lighter, long-sleeved shade of green shirt; and a large burn scar on the left side of his face. He keeps himself in simple attire as not to alarm those who believe he seeks to free the mortal beings for his own benefit. However, the scar also serves a permanent reminder to him that he is not the only deity among Elysium.

Holy Day. Ownir's followers celebrate the Festival of the Free on the the twenty-fifth of Aralchi, and is dedicated to celebrating the freedom of man with feasts, sports, and music.

Commandments of Ownir

• Free slaves, and free the minds of those who lost theirs.
• Never force your ideals onto anyone. It would only be a true victory if you could convince them.
• Never show subservience to those who do not deserve it.

Orius, the Spell Weaver

Orius holds fast to the idea that magic is not inherently good or evil, and that its "alignment" is classified by who wields its power. He doesn't deny practice of the dark arts, and he actively encourages mages around the world to create something new. To innovate the world of the arcane through their own genius and ambition. This has led to the development of much of the modern day's most powerful magic. However, Orius seeks to bring his knowledge to the mortals of the world. To enlighten them and bring them the knowledge and power that Orius has honed over the eons in order to test them.

Depiction. Orius appears as charismatic young man who dons light, unarmored purple robes. He is also clad in several golden jewelry and runes across his robes that are said to control the magic in the world. His white raven is also generally rested upon his shoulder, and he often holds a wooden self-carved staff with a blue crystal wrapped within the staff at the top.

Holy Day. Orius' holy day is the Fest of Magic. It is often celebrated on the thirtieth of Télion, and celebrates the beauty of magic, conducting rituals, and learning.

Ivemis, the Nightmother

Ivemis loves the beauty of the night. She believes it to be the most peaceful time of any day. Her brother Yaris, however, disagreed and saw the time of darkness as an effective time-waster. As a type of revenge, she created the dark magic of the world, and became a Goddess who saw great amounts of worship from psykers. However, she warns her followers of such magic but does not prevent the use of it, likely due to regret for creating such things.

She often finds herself in Elysium with the other gods, and she is often worshiped by more responsible users of dark magic.

Depiction. Ivemis is a woman clad in an ink-black and elegant dress with long black hair. Her skin is pale white, but dons red lips and holds blue eyes. However, she is also noted to have appeared as a large spider in many tales, yet doesn't quite prefer this form. Many tales hold her beauty in high regard when under the light of a full moon.

Holy Day. Ivemis' followers celebrate the Midwinter Night, celebrated at midnight on the tenth of Kórasma, and focusing on beauty, life, and often ended with a masquerade ball of some sort.

Yaris, the Sunsoul

Yaris sees the world, and the universe itself, as a place of radiant potential in most all things, save for one thing: the night. Yaris and his sister, Ivemis, had always disagreed about the night, and he always sought to undermine any authority she supposedly had. He's mostly seen as a fairly petty God as a result of this, and he does have a bit of a temper when someone points this out. However, he did truly care for the people of Adowei, and he showed no restraint in demonstrating such feelings.

He resides in Elysium, almost never leaving it for anything. Yaris is mostly praised by farmers, adventurers, and guards who dislike the creatures of the night.

Depiction. When portrayed, Yaris is a fairly young man clad in a white robe, a sort of himation, but with a symbol of the sun placed in the center of the cloak. He also wears a wreath of flames, which doesn't seem to burn his long, blonde hair. His skin is very tanned, and his yellow eyes resemble that of the sun itself. He also brandishes a golden staff that is said to be able to conjure the sun itself from the top of it.

Holy Day. The Feast of the New Sunrise is a day of drinking, singing, and sports; celebrated on the eighteenth of Misaían.

Guhena, the Lifebringer

From Guhena comes charitable instincts and acts of contrition, mercy, and redemption. She is the Lifebringer, and her name is usually invoked first when it has anything to do with mortal lives. Her domain is respected by most of the deities, but there are those who believe her to be useless in what she does. However, she never resorts to forcing such views unto any being, mortal or God. Rather, she seeks to teach and enlighten.

Depiction. Guhena is shown as a tall woman with long golden hair and olive skin. Coupled with her attire of flowing white robes, she shines as a Goddess should Their is often a silver circlet on her brow, with a single gem in its center. She has a motherly nobility in all representations, for she was the first ever to bear a life in her womb. She is usually shown with a warm smile, though sometimes she has the regal bearings of a queen. She nearly always bears a deep resemblance to Ytix, and seems to be a younger version of the Foremother.

Holy Day. Guhena's followes celebrate the Mother's Fest, relating to how they see her as a mother. Celebrated just before Guhena's Festival, it puts emphasis on family bonds, peaceful unions, and helping others.

Commandments of Guhena

• Protect allies. Those who treat you as a friend deserve to be treated as such as well.
• Provide aid to the sick and wounded, and never turn a blind eye to suffering.
• No being is beyond redemption. Always seek and allow redemption in yourself and others.

Sidros, the Eversoul

He understands the importance of death, and why not being should truly be allowed to live forever, save or the Gods themselves. As such, he'll often have his servants bring death to those who would break this code, but they would not always succeed. Sometimes, a subtle nudge of adventurers toward such a being will cause the problem to, eventually, sort itself out. Unlike most Gods, he doesn't hold any strong feelings toward the subject of the undead. To him, it's one less soul for him to deal with.

Sidros is always in the Land of the Dead, never leaving for anything, and Sidros is always called upon at funerals to guide them to Elysium or to protect them from the Abyss.

Depiction. Sidros is a man with very pale and smooth skin, and eyes as red as blood. Surprisingly enough, he keeps his body rather maintained, at least to the same degree as an average human's body. He dons pure black armor with parts of his pauldron and helmet glowing a bright red, seemingly by some form of energy. He also holds a scythe with a black handle—made up of sharp bones sticking out at key points, and a skull on each end—and two silver blades, a large one on the top, and a small one at the bottom; each one coated with a fiery red, almost molten, substance on the edges of each of the blades.

Holy Day. Sidros' holy day, celebrated on the thirteenth day of Nilchita, is called the Celebration of the End. Here, the dead are remembered and celebrated with stories, songs, and feasts.

Fevher, the Divine Scale

Fevher is a god who only believes in the true, unbiased eyes of justice. Often, he watches the material plane with almost disgust as criminals go free and innocent men and women rot in a jail. As such, he is a deity that does whatever he can to assist with the mortals' justice system. If an innocent man is dueling to prove his innocence, it is likely that Fevher will bless him for the duel. All in an attempt to create a true justice system.

Fevher is always called upon within lawful areas of the world, especially the courts, and always resides within Elysium.

Depiction. Fevher is often described as a tall, fairly old man, though with few wrinkles invading his face. However, one notable feature is that many depictions of him also have his eyes either covered with a blindfold or his eyes removed entirely, but everything seems to show Fevher with his signature scales of justice.

Holy Day. Fevher's followers don't have a specific holy day for him.

Vizzotz, the Plaguebringer

Vizzotz is a god of plagues and destruction, but seems to take a sadistic joy in his job. He's responsible for disease, natural disasters, and more, though he does this when he feels the population is growing too big, which is often. Many of the gods dislike Vizzotz for this reason, but he pays little attention to them, and rarely cares what others think of him.

His followers are often doctors who study viruses and diseases, either in hopes to cure them or recreate them. He is also often called on to bring pestilence to warring nations and cities.

Commandments of Vizzotz

• Work to understand disease and plague, and never suppress what you know of it.
• Oppose those who seek to eradicate plague. Curing and eradication is not the same.
• Take every advantage in a fight, whatever that advantage may be.

Ahius, the Forgesoul

Ahius is the deity of the forge, and is responsible for many of the god's deitic items being created, as well as the powerful "Overseers of Adowei." He's responsible for delivering masterwork creations to the mortals, and seeks only to improve the craft of... well, any craft. Many pray for new innovation when working on a project, and Ahius is always hard-pressed to refuse. He cares little of the material plane, save for their crafters and innovators.

Depiction. Ahius is shown as a young man with a strongly built body, often slaving away over an anvil or forge of some kind, with short blond hair and furrowed brows.

Holy Day. The Heroes Festival is a common holy day of Ahius, where the smithies and other crafters who worship Ahius often create powerful tools for adventurers at a lower cost, followed by drinking and feasting in their honor.

Jenos, the Dark Signer

Jenos, the brother to Bethys, and the god of darkness and ruin, is a powerful user of dark magic, and is sourced as the creator of the monstrous races. Jenos despises his sister, and works to destroy everything she builds, no matter the consequences. Jenos rarely associates with the other gods, opting to work as his own separate entity. He desires the throne of the gods, however, and uses his creatures to drain the deaths of mortals to empower himself to fight Juexzotz.

Many assume Jenos lives in the Abyss, and his followers mostly make up monstrous races, especially those within the Feldawn Empire.

Depiction. Jenos generally appears as a tall man with gray skin, devoid of life, and two sharp ram horns on his head, growing from his scalp alongside his dark hair. He generally only keeps his lower half clothed in dark robes, leaving his scars on his torso exposed.

Holy Day. Jenos' followers celebrate the Day of Shadows, which is mostly affiliated with sacrificing prisoners or those defeated in combat, held at religious strongholds on the twenty-ninth of Télion.

Bethys, the Lightchild

Bethys is the sister to Jenos, and the goddess of light and creation. Despite the monstrous races likely coming from her brother, Bethys preaches that they are no different from the human or natural races. The two were created after a long war between Ivemis and Yaris, which created both gods. While Jenos was created from the chaos and death of the war, Bethys was created from the hope and lives of the war. Now, she only seeks to bring all people together, regardless of their race.

Bethys is often said to be in Elysium, and is worshiped and called upon by those seeking to protect their homes from the dark forces or the corruption of the Void.

Commandments of Bethys

• Be peaceful. Never be the aggressor in a conflict, but be the defender instead.
• See the beauty in all things. Including in the monstrous races, so never engage in bigoted behavior.
• Lead by example. Show mercy, demonstrate peace, and never abandon another.

Madther, Minister of War

Madther is a powerful god of war, and leads the army of the gods in Elysium, ready to fight if the Elder Wickeds managed to free themselves. He's an honorable warrior, and actually despises any non-combat magic, leading to a tense relationship between him and Orius. He views the mortals' armies with a sort of humor, knowing that if he could train those soldiers, no man, or even god, could stand up to them. But he tends to stay out of mortal affairs, not truly caring for them.

Madther resides in Elysium, but makes occasional visits to the Mortal Plane and the Abyss to test himself. His worshipers are mostly mercenaries, barbarians, and other warrior types.

Depiction. Clad in a heavy red suit of armor, and donned with several weapons on his back, this muscular man rides into battle with short black hair and often several scars across his face; marks of his power and experience.

Holy Day. Warriors of Madther celebrate the Day of the Martyr. On this day, soldiers are given their time off to be merry in any ways they desire; a chance to live before falling in battle.

Annja, the Lovebringer

Annja is the goddess of love and lust, and generally cares little about the going-ons of the mortal plane in other ways. She is one of the few gods that actively roams the material plane, but she is often only motivated by hedonistic activities: parties, sex, and more. The other deities often see her as immature, and she has few aspirations for the mortals, save for to have fun with them as much as she can. She doesn't like how the other gods tend to ignore them, and often chooses to live among mortals rather than gods.

Surprisingly, Annja prefers to live amongst mortals in the Mortal Plane. Her worshipers often include couples, sex workers, and spectrums of beings in-between.

Depiction. Annja is often portrayed as a woman of unparalleled beauty, which can mean many things depending on the society viewing her. However, in human cases, this involves long hair and bright eyes, and of course the body worthy of a goddess.

Holy Day. The Celebration of Birth gives honor to life itself, but it also involves stories of love, lust, and everything in-between. This day is often celebrated once a month, and the day is sporadic, so only a church official or brothel owner might know specifics.

Suris, Stealer of the Harp

Suris is the goddess of thieves and trickery, and was a mortal before becoming a god. She managed to infiltrate Elysium to steal a harp from the gods. Afterwards, rather than scorn or kill her, the gods rewarded her trickery and stealth to make her a god. She has little plans for the mortals, not wanting to interfere much, but she does enjoy traveling to the material plane to prank them. She also serves as a sort of spy for the gods, keeping an eye on the mortals and the Elder Wickeds.

Suris tends to reside in the Mortal Plane for this reason, occasionally Elysium, and rarely the Abyss.

Depiction. Suris is a young elven woman of some kind with short brown hair and a freckled face. Including a short stature and light dark clothes, she seems fit to be a thief and prankster of sorts.

Holy Day. Suris' followers don't believe in dedicating a single day to her, but give thanks to her for stolen treasures or well-laid traps and pranks.

Badum, the Stalker of Gods

After losing his family to Vizzotz's plagues, Badum trained himself in combat unlike any mortal before. Eventually, he sought out revenge against the god that killed his family, slaughtering angels, demons, and even a former god. After watching this go on for years, Juexzotz invited Badum to join them as a god himself, so long as he stopped his rampage. Badum accepted, but still holds a grudge with Juexzotz, and thwarts him as much as possible.

Badum chooses to remain in the Nexus to test himself, training himself for revenge. His worshipers are often collections of people who feel wronged by the gods.

    Depiction. Badum is often displayed as a muscular man with a bald head and a long red streak of paint across his eyes; a symbol of his blinding rage. He often carries many weapons and magic items with him as well in many depictions.

Holy Day. Badum's followers celebrate on the Day of the Plague. However, it is more like a mourning for those who were wronged by the gods, and often includes protests, solemn stories, and sometimes riots against official churches. Days are often sporadic, but they generally settle on the fifth of Gerilnisi.

The Elder Wickeds

As the mortals lived in peace, the gods would soon have their own problems to solve. Millenia after his departure, Kixtos returned to Elysium and revealed his own children: a group of eldritch abominations known as the Elder Wickeds. Kixtos and his brother, Juexzotz, would engage in a conflict that would last eons for their children to fight against one another. Kixtos created six children against Juexzotz's eighteen. Kaovha the Giant, who walked through the planes of the gods and demolished everything in sight; Inombra the Creator, who made powerful devices and spells that nearly erased the deities,; Xaagged the Conqueror, who fought armies at a time to slaughter his foes; Aiugithren the Terror, who slipped into the minds of thousands, forcing many to end their own existences to escape his torture; Trogd'xe the Manipulator, who took the form of angels and gods alike to sew chaos amongst their armies; and Shuthri the Seeker, whose unpredictable nature caused the death of thousands on both sides, but whose powers rivaled that of even the gods.

Kaovha the Giant

Kaovha is a powerful destroyer among the Elder Wickeds; rumored to be indestructible, massive in size, and powerful in strength. He is best known for the stories where he stomps through the realm of Elysium, wreaking destruction without being able to stop. His body is portrayed as indestructible, not able to be pierced even by most magic weapons. Being locked in the Vaults of the Wicked likely has little effect on him as well, as his body is made of machinery and metal, unable to rust or decay.

Depiction. Kaovha is often shown as a tall, imposing giant construct, standing taller than any building that mortals could hope to create. He often isn't portrayed with any weapons, but some choose to give him a club, sword, or built in cannons. More times than not, there are usually three towers on its back and shoulders.

Enemies. Kaovha was sealed away by Ahius, Ehtos, and Yaris, though many think he is incapable of hatred due to his nature as a construct. He also has no allies or enemies among his brothers, perhaps for the same reason: he cannot know love or hatred.

Inombra the Creator

Creator of spells and magic devices made to eradicate the gods of Adowei, Inombra is often viewed as the most powerful of the Elder Wickeds. Her power is written as a terrifying force that, if unleashed, could eradicate all life in a matter of months, perhaps even weeks. Not to mention the spells she has made... She is often portrayed as a leviathan-like creature with several tentacles to help in her spellcasting, or as a young woman with long dark hair and a powerful amulet around her neck.

Depiction. More often than not, Inombra is shown as a leviathan: a terror of the sea with powerful tentacles that she uses to cast her spells or build her devices. Alternatively, some draw her as a young, dark woman with long black hair, somewhat fair skin, and long claws replacing her fingernails.

Enemies. Badum, Orius, and Guhena sealed Inombra away in the Vault of the Wickeds, where she toils in agony, unable to create. She is also rivals with Trogd'xe, but enemies with none. However, she often allies herself with Xaagged.

Xaagged the Conqueror

A warrior of unprecedented power, Xaagged the Conqueror was made to fight the armies of Elysium alone; forged to kill any who stood in his path. His power unrivaled by any but the gods who sealed him away, none could stand against this armored warrior, even if he stood alone on the battlefield. Even sealed in the Vaults of the Wicked, he makes time to practice and train, growing stronger with every century that passes, just for another chance to eradicate the deities who sealed him away, and serve his master Kixtos again.

Depiction. A dark suit of armor, scarred, but unpenetrated; an armory of weapons at his side; and a helmet with a gaze to make any mortal drop to their knees and quiver with fear. Nobody has seen Xaagged without his armor, and he works to ensure that none shall see him without this suit.

Enemies. Madther. Neulla. Vizzotz. The only three beings in the universe who could best him. The only reasons he was locked away. All he desires is their throats on the edge of his blade. He keeps no enemies among his brothers and sisters as well, but often allies with none.

Aiugithren the Terror

Creatures who know the value of fear and terror often look to Aiugithren, the embodiment of terror, for guidance. To serve him is to welcome fear into your own body. To acknowledge that the only truth to the universe is madness and insanity. He himself never sullies his hands with trifling matters, but often looks to those he has already driven to insanity to bring his message to the mortals and, more importantly, the gods of the realm. As the embodiment of fear, he looks for his followers to embody such things as well.

Depiction. Aiugithren has no physical form, as he has no need of one. Many only see him as a floating eye while others see him as an abomination of unseen scope, one that mortals have no earthly chance of even gazing at without insanity taking hold.

Enemies. The only beings to resist his terror, and the ones who locked them away, will suffer the ultimate punishment when he is freed: Bethys, Sidros, and Jenos. He very much despises Kaovha for his inability to feel terror, but loves his brother Xaagged for his ability to spread terror.

Trogd'xe the Manipulator

Truth is buried under layers of lies, only be to be seen by the one who will pull the strings of events to come. Trogd'xe preaches such things, and encourages lying, stealing, cheating, anything that will give his followers an edge in preparing for the Wicked Release. He himself also whispers a number of things into the ears of those with power; mostly political, but also to those who have strengths in other aspects of life. His tongue is silver, smells of honey, and tastes of poison. He never shows his hand to any who ask, and will likely only steer others in the direction his master requires.

Depiction. Trogd'xe is often seen as an abomination of veins and flesh, culminating into a being with two heads; a showcase of the face he wants those to see and the one he wants to keep hidden.

Enemies. Ownir, Ivemis, and Suris are responsible for the Manipulator to reside within the Vault of the Wicked that restricts him, but he has no problem detaching parts of his body to slither out and whisper into the ears of others.

Shuthri the Seeker

Shuthri is a being of curiosity, one which is not easily satisfied. However, she is also what many might consider a living embodiment of contradictions, as she often switches from one personality to another on the fly. Whether she'll send spies, and army, or just eradicate mortal men herself, many infer that not even she knows what she will do until she does it. This makes her especially dangerous, as nobody knows what she will do or when she'll do it.

Depiction. When being drawn as an Elder Wicked, she is a tall creature with an elongated body to hold many appendages and many faces. When showcased as a living creature, however, she is a middle-aged woman with many features that can be changed. A snake-like tongue, reptilian eyes, or maybe she'd look just like another mortal being.

Enemies. On a good day, Fevher, Ytix, and Annja are simply names to this Elder Wicked. On any other day, however, they invoke rages in her that she spreads throughout the realm. If she could, in any case. Her allies and enemies are constantly in flux, at least with her siblings.

Cultural Deities

Many cultures and races have their own deities that they choose to worship over the main pantheon or the Elder Wickeds, and each of them take on different faces depending on what sect worships them most. These are considered as lesser deities to those outside of the culture, or those who choose to worship other gods, but the ones who worship these deities see them as the true divine, unswayable by most.

Envoy

As an envoy, you were designed with a certain specialized function in mind. You might be an assassin, a healer, or an entertainer, to name a few possibilities. Envoys are the most common of the construct subraces, but yours could be a unique design.

Ability Score Increase. Two different ability scores of your choice increase by 1.

Specialized Design. You gain one skill proficiency of your choice, one tool proficiency of your choice, and fluency in one language of your choice.

Integrated Tool. Choose one tool you’re proficient with. This tool is integrated into your body, and you double your prodifiency bonus for any ability checks you make with it. You must have your hands free to use this integrated tool.

Juggernaut

You’re an imposing war machine built for close combat and raw might. You tower over your comrades; juggernaut constructs stand between 6 and 7 feet in height and can weigh up to 450 pounds.

Ability Score Increase. Your Strength score increases by 2.

Iron Fists. When you make an unarmed strike, you can deal 1d4 bludgeoning damage instead of the normal damage.

Powerful Build. You count as one size larger when determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can push, drag, or lift.

Skirmisher

You were built to scout the edges of battle and outmaneuver your enemies. You are lean and designed for speed.

Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score increases by 2.

Swift. Your base walking speed increases by 5 feet.

Light Step. When you are traveling alone for an extended period of time (one hour or more), you can move stealthily at a normal pace. (See chapter 8 of the Player's Handbook for more information about travel pace.)

Darkling

Ancient legends speak of a seelie creature who betrayed Adowei. His true name has been stricken from history, but the stories call him Mori Dhaeraow (“Dark Traitor” in common). The creatures bred from him would be called “darklings.” They are powerful, beautiful creatures that honor power above all else and will be willing to risk almost anything to achieve it. They have a strong feudal system where every darkling serves the king of the darklings, lest they suffer a terrible fate befitting their deed. Darklings tend to reside within the dark reaches of Zoudrurg, espcecially since it's always dark there. When not within their home country, they tend to make refuge in caves. Truly unfitting for such powerful creatures, but they must make do with what they have.

Darklings believe themselves to be the top of the food chain among all of the mortal races. They rule over the Feldawn Empire, they've conquered Zoudrurg for their own. To them, nobody can defeat them. To Darklings, art and anything beautiful, not unlike elves, often catches the eye of any Darkling. Some even spend their years collecting such items. However, they also have a tendency to collect powerful relics and tools. This is because of the Darkling obsession with power over others and the ability and desire to control everything. The ruling power of the Darkling people comes from those with the strongest power base, and from those who know how to control others. However, it is easier said than done, as almost every Darkling tends to have an obsession with controlling others. In a way of running for the right to rule, Darklings that run must engage in a sport of mutual destruction pitting power base against power base. Last one standing rules.

Ability Score Increase: Your Dexterity score increases by 2, and your Wisdom score increases by 1.

Age: Darkling reach adulthood at around 20 years and live up to three centuries.

Alignment: Most darklings tend to follow the path of neutral evil.

Size: Darklings stand between 4’5’’ and 6 feet tall, and average about 170 pounds. Your size is Medium.

Speed: Your base walking speed is 30 ft.

Fey Ancestry: You have advantage on saving throws against being charmed, and magic can’t put you to sleep.

Superior Darkvision: Accustomed to life in the dark, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 120 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.

Dragonborn

Born of dragons, as their name proclaims, the dragonborn walk proudly through a world that greets them with fearful incomprehension. Shaped by draconic gods or the dragons themselves, dragonborn originally hatched from dragon eggs as a unique race, combining the best attributes of dragons and humanoids. Some dragonborn are faithful servants to true dragons, others form the ranks of soldiers in great wars, and still others find themselves adrift, with no clear calling in life.

To any dragonborn, the clan is more important than life itself. Dragonborn owe their devotion and respect to their clan above all else, even the gods. Each dragonborn’s conduct reflects on the honor of his or her clan, and bringing dishonor to the clan can result in expulsion and exile. Each dragonborn knows his or her station and duties within the clan, and honor demands maintaining the bounds of that position.

A continual drive for self-improvement reflects the self-sufficiency of the race as a whole. Dragonborn value skill and excellence in all endeavors. They hate to fail, and they push themselves to extreme efforts before they give up on something. A dragonborn holds mastery of a particular skill as a lifetime goal. Members of other races who share the same commitment find it easy to earn the respect of a dragonborn.

Ability Score Increase. Your Strength score increases by 2, and your Charisma score increases by 1.

Age. Young dragonborn grow quickly. They walk hours after hatching, attain the size and development of a 10-year-old human child by the age of 3, and reach adulthood by 15. They live to be around 80.

Alignment. Dragonborn tend to extremes, making a conscious choice for one side or the other in the cosmic war between good and evil (represented by Bahamut and Tiamat, respectively). Most dragonborn are good, but those who side with Tiamat can be terrible villains.

Size. Dragonborn are taller and heavier than humans, standing well over 6 feet tall and averaging almost 250 pounds. Your size is Medium.

Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Dragon Ancestry. You have draconic ancestry. Choose one type of dragon from the Draconic Ancestry table. Your breath weapon and damage resistance are determined by the dragon type, as shown in the table.

Breath Weapon. You can use your action to exhale destructive energy. Your draconic ancestry determines the size, shape, and damage type of the exhalation. When you use your breath weapon, each creature in the area of the exhalation must make a saving throw, the type of which is determined by your draconic ancestry. The DC for this saving throw equals 8 + your Constitution modifier + your proficiency bonus. A creature takes 2d6 damage on a failed save, and half as much damage on a successful one. The damage increases to 3d6 at 6th level, 4d6 at 11th level, and 5d6 at 16th level. After you use your breath weapon, you can’t use it again until you complete a short or long rest.

Damage Resistance. You have resistance to the damage type associated with your draconic ancestry.

Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and Draconic.

Racial Ranking. 7 - While many races see dragons as holy beings, many more see them as forces for destruction instead.

Dwarf

Kingdoms rich in ancient grandeur, halls carved into the tools of mountains, the echoing of picks and hammers in deep mines and blazing forges, a commitment to clan and tradition, and a burning hatred of goblins and orcs-these common threads unite all dwarfs. Bold and hardy, dwarfs are known as skilled warriors, miners, and workers of stone and metal. Though they stand well under 5 feet tall, dwarfs are so broad and compact that they can weigh as much as a human standing nearly two feet taller. Their courage and endurance are also easily a match for any of the larger folk.

Hill dwarfs

Hill dwarfs are the most hardy of the dwarven races, and the most likely type of dwarf one will find in the back of the tavern drinking themselves to death. They have keen senses, deep intuition, and remarkable resilience, which makes them valuable miners and soldiers, as well as strong drinkers.

Ability Score Increase: Your Wisdom score increases by 1

Dwarven Toughness: Your hit point maximum increases by 1, and it increases by 1 every time you gain a level.

Mountain dwarfs

Mountain dwarfs are the more sophisticated subspecies of dwarf. These are more the type you'll find in a shop or a blacksmith's forge. They are also strong and hardy, and accustomed to a difficult life in rugged terrain, which makes these dwarfs more likely the ones seeking a thrilling adventure.

Ability Score Increase: Your Strength score increases by 2.

Dwarven Armor Training: You have proficiency with light and medium armor.

Elves

Elves are a species of unmatched grace and are rumored to have a natural affinity for magic. They tend to live in places of great beauty, and also tend to favor forests and other natural beauties. Elves lave nature and magic, art and artistry, music and poetry, and the good things of the world. With their unearthly grace and fine features, elves appear hauntingly beautiful to humans and members of many other races.

Like the branches of a young tree, elves are flexible in the face of danger. They trust in diplomacy and compromise to resolve differences before they escalate to violence. They have been known to retreat from intrusions into their woodland homes, confident that they can simply wait the invaders out. But when the need arises, elves reveal a stern martial side, demonstrating skill with sword, bow, and strategy. Most elves dwell in small forest villages hidden among the trees. Elves hunt game, gather food, and grow vegetables, and their skill and magic allow them to support themselves without the need for clearing and plowing land.

Ability Score Increase: Your Dexterity score increases by 2.

Age: Although elves reach physical maturity at about the same age as humans, the elven understanding of adulthood goes beyond physical growth to encompass worldly experience. An elf typically c1aims adulthood and an adult name around the age of 100 and can live to be 750 years old.

Alignment: Elves love freedom, variety, and self-expression, so they lean strongly toward the gentler aspects of chaos. They value and protect others' freedom as well as their own, and they are more often good than not. The drow are an exception; their exile into the Underdark has made them vicious and dangerous. Drow are more often evil than not.

Size: Elves range from under 5 to over 6 feet tall and have slender builds. Your size is Medium.

Speed: Your base walking speed is 30 ft.

Language: You can speak, read, and write Common and Elvish.

Darkvision: Accustomed to twilit forests and the night sky, you 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.

Keen Senses: You have proficiency in the Perception skill.

Fey Ancestry: You have advantage on saving throws against being charmed, and magic can't put you to sleep.

High Elves

High elves have a innate pull to the arcane ways. They are often born with an excess source of mana, which they can draw from at a young age. This gives high elves a high opinion of themselves. These are the types of elves you're more likely to see in a large city.

Ability Score Increase: Your Intelligence score increases by 1

Elf Weapon Training: You have proficiency with the longsword, shortsword, shortbow, and longbow.

Cantrip: You know one Cantrip of your choice from the wizard spell list. Intelligence is your spellcasting ability for it.

Extra Language: You can speak, read, and write one extra language of your choice.

Wood Elves

Wood elves are one with nature, and often work to protect its beauty. They have keen senses and intuition, and their fleet feet can carry them quickly and quietly through the dense forests in which they tend to reside.

Ability Score Increase: Your Wisdom score increases by 1

Elf Weapon Training: You have proficiency with the longsword, shortsword, shortbow, and longbow.

Fleet of Foot: Your base walking speed increases the 35 feet.

Mask of the Wild: You can attempt to hide even when you are only lightly obscured by foliage, heavy rain, falling snow, mist, and other natural phenomena.

Sea Elves

Sea elves are a reclusive and deeply territorial people who have much in common with merfolk as they do with other elves. Most sea elves often help merfolk with helping others, and are fairly trusting.

Ability Score Increase. Your Constitution score increases by 1.

Sea Elf Training. You have proficiency with the spear, trident, light crossbow, and net.

Child of the Sea. You have a swimming speed of 30 feet, and you can breathe air and water.

Friend of the Sea. Using gestures and sounds, you can communicate simple ideas with any beast that has an innate swimming speed.

Languages. You can speak, read, and write Aquan.

Ice Elves

Ice elves are nomadic groups of elves with skin as fair as the moon in the sky. They often only reside in the snowy regions, such as Frayh Ska, but occasionally venture outward to help their tribe.

Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score increases by 1.

Blessing of the Snow. You are immune to cold damage.

Ice Skating. While in snowy or icy terrain, your base walking speed increases by 10.

Drow

Drow are elves that have become reclusive; living in the underdark or in otherwise dark places. They are fairly reclusive, and can even be considered a cruel race by those who have no engaged with one.

Ability Score Increase. Your Charisma score increases by 1.

Drow Magic. You know the Dancing Lights cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast Faerie Fire once, and it recharges after a long rest. When you reach 5th level, you can cast Darkness once, and it recharges after a long rest. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.

Drow Weapon Training. You have proficiency with rapiers, shortswords, and hand crossbows.

Superior Darkvision. Your darkvision has a range of 120 feet, instead of 60.

Sunlight Sensitivity. You have disadvantage on attack rolls and Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight when you, the target of the attack, or whatever you are trying to perceive is in direct sunlight.

Racial Ranking. 5 - You're still an elf, but prejudice and preconceived notions of drow make others somewhat wary.

Gnome

A constant hum of busy activity pervades the warrens and neighborhoods where gnomes form their close-knit communities. Louder sounds punctuate the hum: a crunch of grinding gears here, a minor explosion there, a yelp of surprise or triumph, and especially bursts of laughter. Gnomes take de!ight in !ife, enjoying every moment of invention, exploration, investigation, creation, and play.

As far as gnomes are concerned, being a!ive is a wonderful thing, and they squeeze every ounce of enjoyment out of their three to tive centuries of !ife. Humans might wonder about getting bored over the course of such a long tife, and elves take plenty of time to savor the beauties of the world in their long years, but gnomes seem to worry that even with all that time, they can't get in enough of the things they want to do and see.

Ability Score Increase: Your Intelligence score increases by 2.

Age: Gnomes mature at the same rate Humans do, and most are expected to settle down into an adult life by around age 40. They can live 350 to almost 500 years.

Alignment: Gnomes are most often good. Those who tend toward law are sages, engineers, researchers, scholars, investigators, or inventors. Those who tend toward chaos are minstrels, tricksters, wanderers, or fanciful jewelers. Gnomes are good-hearted, and even the tricksters among them are more playful than Vicious.

Size: Gnomes are between 3 and 4 feet tall and average about 40 pounds. Your size is Small.

Speed: Your base walking speed is 25 ft.

Language: You can speak, read, and write Common and Gnomish.

Forest Gnomes

Forest gnomes are a rare sight, and many even believe that they are extinct. This is because they use their innate illusion abilities to hide themselves in the forests. However, when found, they tend to be kind and warm-hearted.

Ability Score Increase: Your Dexterity score increases by 1.

Natural Illusionist: You know the minor illusion cantrip. lntelligence is your spellcasting ability for it.

Speak with Small Beasts: Through sounds and gestures, you can communicate simple ideas with Small or smaller beasts.

Rock Gnomes

Rock gnomes are inventive and creative geniuses. These gnomes can be found almost anywhere, and are often seen as the only type of gnome left in existence.

Ability Score Increase: Your Constitution score increases by 1.

Artificer's Lore: Whenever you make an Intelligence (History) check related to Magic Items, alchemical Objects, or technological devices, you can add twice your Proficiency Bonus, instead of any Proficiency Bonus you normally apply.

Tinkerer: You have proficiency with artisan’s tools (tinker’s tools). Using those tools, you can spend 1 hour and 10 gp worth of materials to Construct a Tiny clockwork device (AC 5, 1 hp). The device ceases to function after 24 hours (unless you spend 1 hour repairing it to keep the device functioning), or when you use your action to dismantle it; at that time, you can reclaim the materials used to create it. You can have up to three such devices active at a time. When you create a device, choose one of the following options:

Clockwork Toy: This toy is a clockwork animal, monster, or person, such as a frog, mouse, bird, dragon, or soldier. When placed on the ground, the toy moves 5 feet across the ground on each of your turns in a random direction. It makes noises as appropriate to the creature it represents.

Fire Starter: The device produces a miniature flame, which you can use to light a Candle, torch, or campfire. Using the device requires your action.

Music Box: When opened, this music box plays a single song at a moderate volume. The box stops playing when it reaches the song’s end or when it is closed.

Goblin

Goblins occupy an uneasy place in a dangerous world, and they react by lashing out at any creatures they believe they can bully. Cunning in battle and cruel in victory, goblins are fawning and servile in defeat. Goblins primarily haunt the frontier lands where the military doesn't have a strong presence. Individually they are not very threatening and are considered the weakest of monsters. However, their numbers grow fairly quickly due to their ability to come into maturity at an accelerated rate, making them a rapidly increasing threat if not dealt with quickly.

Goblins are commonly found in caves and rely on attacking or stealing from settlements to sustain themselves. They have an excellent sense of smell, especially when it comes to prey. They can even smell metal, making them dangerous to anyone wearing metal armor. They also have excellent night vision; if they detect any light in their nest, they know there are intruders.

Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score increases by 2, and your Constitution score increases by 1.

Age. Goblins reach adulthood at age 8 and live up to 60 years.

Alignment. Goblins are typically neutral evil, as they care only for their own needs. A few goblins might tend toward good or neutrality, but only rarely.

Size. Goblins are between 3 and 4 feet tall and weigh between 40 and 80 pounds. Your size is Small.

Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Darkvision. 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.

Fury of the Small. When you damage a creature with an attack or a spell and the creature's size is larger than yours, you can cause the attack or spell to deal extra damage to the creature. The extra damage equals your level. Once you use this trait, you can't use it again until you finish a short or long rest.

Nimble Escape. You can take the Disengage or Hide action as a bonus action on each of your turns.

Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and Goblin.

Racial Ranking. 7 - As Goblins make frequent raids and kidnappings, they are seen as a blight.

Half-Angel (Aasimar reskin)

Half-Angels bear within their souls the light of the heavens. They are descended from the union of humans and angels, a rare and often forbidden union. More often than not, the human parent of the half-angel will be instructed to care for it as the angel ascends back to their deity, and they are left to grow up in an unfamiliar world. While they have the same physical description as humans for the most part, they also have some of the traits that can display their special heritage, though many parents try to keep them a secret.

Protector Half-Angel

Protector half-angels are charged and energised with the powers of good to safeguard the weaker races. They strike the evil and stand like a wall against the darkness. They have the best relationship with their celestial parents, and work to please them as best they can.

Ability Score Increase: Your Wisdom score increases by 1.

Radiant Soul: Starting at 3rd level, you can use your action to unleash the divine energy within yourself, causing your eyes to glimmer and two luminous, incorporeal wings to sprout from your back.

Your transformation lasts for 1 minute or until you end it as a bonus action. During it, you have a flying speed of 30 feet, and once on each of your turns, you can deal extra radiant damage to one target when you deal damage to it with an attack or a spell. The extra radiant damage equals your level.

Once you use this trait, you can't use it again until you finish a long rest.

Scourge Half-Angel

Scourge half-angel have one of the worst relationships with their celestial parents, and sometimes actively oppose them. Most of the time, this is because of how they abandoned them at such a young age, other times it is simply rebelling the deity they worship. Nevertheless, the celestials have almost turned their backs on this one.

Ability Score Increase: Your Constitution score increases by 1.

Radiant Consumption: Starting at 3rd level, you can use your action to unleash the divine energy within yourself, causing a searing light to radiate from you, pour out of your eyes and mouth, and threaten to char you.

Your transformation lasts for 1 minute or until you end it as a bonus action. During it, you shed bright light in a 10-foot radius and dim light for an additional 10 feet, and at the end of each of your turns, you and each creature within 10 feet of you take radiant damage equal to half your level (rounded up). In addition, once on each of your turns, you can deal extra radiant damage to one target when you deal damage to it with an attack or a spell. The extra radiant damage equals your level.

Once you use this trait, you can't use it again until you finish a long rest.

Half-Demon (Tiefling reskin)

Half-demons are derived from human bloodlines, and in the broadest possible sense, they still look human. However, their infernal heritage has left a clear imprint on their appearance. half-demons have large horns that take any of a variety of shapes: some have curling horns like a ram, others have straight and tall horns like a gazelle’s, and some spiral upward like an antelopes’ horns. They have thick tails, four to five feet long, which lash or coil around their legs when they get upset or nervous. Their canine teeth are sharply pointed, and their eyes are solid colors—black, red, white, silver, or gold—with no visible sclera or pupil. Their skin tones cover the full range of human coloration, but also include various shades of red. Their hair, cascading down from behind their horns, is usually dark, from black or brown to dark red, blue, or purple.

Ability Score Increase: Your Intelligence score increases by 1, and your Charisma score increases by 2.

Age: Tieflings mature at the same rate as humans but live a few years longer.

Alignment: Tieflings might not have an innate tendency toward evil, but many of them end up there. Evil or not, an independent nature inclines many tieflings toward a chaotic alignment.

Size: Tieflings are about the same size and build as humans. Your size is Medium.

Speed: Your base walking speed is 30 ft.

Language: You can speak, read, and write Common and Infernal.

Darkvision: Thanks to your infernal heritage, you 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.

Half-Elves

Walking in two worlds but truly belonging to neither, half-elves combine what some say are the best qualities of their elf and human parents: human curiosity, inventiveness, and ambition tempered by the refined senses, love of nature, and artistic tastes of the elves. Some half-elves live among humans, set apart by their emotional and physical differences, watching friends and loved ones age while time barely touches them. Others live with the elves, growing restless as they reach adulthood in the timeless elven realms, while their peers continue to live as children. Many half-elves, unable to fit into either society, choose lives of solitary wandering or join with other misfits and outcasts in the adventuring life.

Half-elves have no lands of their own, though they are welcome in human cities and somewhat less welcome in elven forests. In large cities in regions where elves and humans interact often, half-elves are sometimes numerous enough to form small communities of their own. They enjoy the company of other half-elves, the only people who truly understand what it is to live between these two worlds.

Ability Score Increase: Your Charisma score increases by 2, and two other ability scores of your choice increase by 1.

Age: Half-elves mature at the same rate humans do and reach adulthood around the age of 20. They live much longer than humans, however, often exceeding 180 years.

Alignment: Half-elves share the chaotic bent of their elven heritage. They value both personal freedom and creative expression, demonstrating neither love of leaders nor desire for followers. They chafe at rules, resent others’ demands, and sometimes prove unreliable, or at least unpredictable.

Size: Half-elves are about the same size as humans, ranging from 5 to 6 feet tall. Your size is Medium.

Speed: Your base walking speed is 30 ft.

Language: You can speak, read, and write Common, Elvish, and one extra language of your choice.

Darkvision: Thanks to your elf blood, you 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.

Fey Ancestry: You have advantage on saving throws against being charmed, and magic can’t put you to sleep.

Skill Versatility: You gain proficiency in two skills of your choice.

Racial Ranking: 3 - A mixture of elf and man, you aren't quite on their rank.

Half-Orcs

Whether united under the leadership of a mighty warlock or having fought to a standstill after years of conflict, orc and human tribes sometimes form alliances, joining forces into a larger horde to the terror of civilized lands nearby. When these alliances are sealed by marriages, half-orcs are born. Some half-orcs rise to become proud chiefs of orc tribes, their human blood giving them an edge over their full-blooded orc rivals. Some venture into the world to prove their worth among humans and other more civilized races. Many of these become adventurers, achieving greatness for their mighty deeds and notoriety for their barbaric customs and savage fury.

Orcs regard battle scars as tokens of pride and ornamental scars as things of beauty. Other scars, though, mark an orc or half-orc as a former slave or a disgraced exile. Any half-orc who has lived among or near orcs has scars, whether they are marks of humiliation or of pride, recounting their past exploits and injuries. Such a half-orc living among humans might display these scars proudly or hide them in shame.

Ability Score Increase: Your Strength score increases by 2, and your Constitution score increases by 1.

Age: Half-orcs mature a little faster than humans, reaching adulthood around age 14. They age noticeably faster and rarely live longer than 75 years.

Alignment: Half-orcs inherit a tendency toward chaos from their orc parents and are not strongly inclined toward good. Half-orcs raised among orcs and willing to live out their lives among them are usually evil.

Size: Half-orcs are somewhat larger and bulkier than humans, and they range from 5 to well over 6 feet tall. Your size is Medium.

Speed: Your base walking speed is 30 ft.

Language: You can speak, read, and write Common and Orc.

Darkvision: Thanks to your orc blood, you 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.

Menacing: You gain proficiency in the Intimidation skill.

Relentless Endurance: When you are reduced to 0 hit points but not killed outright, you can drop to 1 hit point instead. You can’t use this feature again until you finish a long rest.

Savage Attacks: When you score a critical hit with a melee weapon attack, you can roll one of the weapon’s damage dice one additional time and add it to the extra damage of the critical hit.

Racial Ranking: 6 - The child of an orc, you're likely to be ridiculed, but not as much.

Halflings

The comforts of home are the goals of most halflings’ lives: a place to settle in peace and quiet, far from marauding monsters and clashing armies; a blazing fire and a generous meal; fine drink and fine conversation. Though some halflings live out their days in remote agricultural communities, others form nomadic bands that travel constantly, lured by the open road and the wide horizon to discover the wonders of new lands and peoples. But even these wanderers love peace, food, hearth, and home, though home might be a wagon jostling along a dirt road or a raft floating downriver. Halflings are an affable and cheerful people. They cherish the bonds of family and friendship as well as the comforts of hearth and home, harboring few dreams of gold or glory.

Ability Score Increase: Your Dexterity score increases by 2.

Age: A halfling reaches adulthood at the age of 20 and generally lives into the middle of his or her second century.

Alignment: Most halflings are lawful good. As a rule, they are good-hearted and kind, hate to see others in pain, and have no tolerance for oppression. They are also very orderly and traditional, leaning heavily on the support of their community and the comfort of their old ways.

Size: Halflings average about 3 feet tall and weigh about 40 pounds. Your size is Small.

Speed: Your base walking speed is 25 ft.

Language: You can speak, read, and write Common and Halfling.

Lucky: When you roll a 1 on the d20 for an attack roll, ability check, or saving throw, you can reroll the die and must use the new roll.

Brave: You have advantage on saving throws against being frightened.

Halfling Nimbleness: You can move through the space of any creature that is of a size larger than yours.

Racial Ranking: 2

Subrace: The two main kinds of halfling, lightfoot and stout, are more like closely related families than true subraces.

Humans

In the reckonings of Adowei, humans are amongst the oldest of the common races. Early to arrive on the world scene and short-lived in comparison to dwarfs, elves, and dragons. Perhaps it is because of their shorter lives that they strive to achieve as much as they can in the years they are given. Or maybe they feel they have something to prove to the longer-lived races, and that's why they build their mighty empires on the foundation of conquest and trade. Whatever drives them, humans are the innovators, the achievers, and the pioneers of the worlds.

Humans are, quite possibly, the most widespread civilization in Adowei. The Elves and dwarfs may live much longer than the humans, but the humans make up for it with their limitless ambitions. Humans live fully in the present-making them well suited to the adventuring life-but also plan for the future, striving to leave a lasting legacy. Individually and as a group, humans are adaptable opportunists, and they stay alert to changing political and social dynamics. Humans can be found all over the world, no matter where one may find themselves. They tend to build grand cities to leave their marks on the worlds, and to live comfortable lives.

Ability Score Increase: Your ability scores each increase by 1.

Age: Humans reach adulthood in their late teens and live less than a century.

Alignment: Humans trend toward no particular alignment.

Size: Humans vary widely in height and build, from barely 5 feet to well over 6 feet tall. Regardless of your position in that range. your size is Medium.

Speed: Your base walking speed is 30 ft.

Language: You can speak, read, and write Common and one extra language of your choice.

Racial Ranking: 2

Kemonomimi

Kemonomimi fit in almost anywhere due to their striking similarities to humans so they are known for living in most places. Some of them prefer their more animalistic tendencies and live out in the wilds while others stick to the big cities. However due to their lack of structure and their cuteness causing others to look down on their race as a whole the Kemonomimi race has run into one big problem in their society as a whole: Slavery. Many Kemonomimi run the risk of being sold as slaves for various purposes due to their utility and cute appearance.

All subraces of Kemonomimi have vastly different views. Cats/Nekos tend to be lazy but are usually quick to get things done. Wolf/Okami are fierce fighters and hunters but tend to be a bit on the harsh side. Fox/Kitsune are smart and cunning while also being notorious flirts. Horses/Uma are the hardest workers you can find but tend to be pretty dim. Finally Rabbit/Usagi are happy and peppy but get scared easily. All races tend lean towards neutral alignments, though some are known to be chaotic and almost never lawful. The only thing that all Kemonomimi have in common is that they all value companionship and relationships over all. Despite this, many Kemonomimi can have trouble opening up to members of specific races in fear of being caught and sold as a slave.

Ability Score Increase. Your Charisma score increases by 1.

Age. Kemonomimi reach maturity at 10 and are known to live up to 100-130 years old.

Alignment. While the Kemonomimi don’t gravitate towards any alignment, in particular, most do lean towards good.

Size. Kemonomimi very rarely weigh more than 160 pounds(Unless they are a Horse) and stand anywhere from 4’5 to 5’10, your size is Medium.

Speed. Your base walking speed is 35 feet.

Animal Connection. You gain proficiency with Animal Handling.

Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and one language of your choice.

Racial Ranking. 4 - They make good slaves, and many tend to accept them as at least part human.

Subraces. You must pick a subrace that refers to the type of animal that your character references: wolf, fox, horse, rabbit, or cat.

Rabbit

Happy and outgoing, but they have a tendency to be scared quite easily. They make their homes by digging into the ground and forming small groves for themselves.

Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity or Wisdom score increases by 2.

Prey Instincts. You have advantage on Perception checks made to detect murderous intent.

Natural Prey. You gain proficiency in the Stealth and Nature skills.

Cower in Hiding. You have advantage on Stealth checks when hiding from someone who is currently looking to kill you, and can take the Hide action as a bonus action instead.

Weak Frame. You have disadvantage on Athletics checks.

High Jump. Once per turn instead of moving normally you may jump up to twice your current movement speed vertically or horizontally. If you go horizontally it counts as a dash. This does not provoke attacks of opportunity.

Soft Ears. Your ears are extremely soft and sensitive to touch, whenever anyone softly grabs or strokes your ears you must make a con save (DC 8+target’s Dexterity modifier) or become incapacitated.

Cat

Cat kemonomimi are quick, agile, but also quite lazy. However, many do consider them to most appealing, so many fall into slavery as well.

Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity or your Intelligence score increases by 2.

Darkvision. Your keen, catlike eyes allow you to see in dark and dim conditions up to 60ft.

Catlike Skills. You gain proficiency in Acrobatics and Perception skills.

Kitty Claws. You gain natural claw weapons that do 1d4 slashing damage. You can use your Strength or Dexterity modifiers for this attack.

Cat Naps. You have disadvantage against sleep-related saving throws.

Catlike Reflexes. You get advantage on Dexterity saves against traps.

Head Pats. When pat or rubbed on the head for an extended period of time you must make a con save (DC = 8+target’s Dexterity modifier) or become incapacitated, you may remake the con save every round(Or minute outside of battle), also the longer you are pet the better it feels.

Merfolk

Merfolk guard the ocean depths, building small settlements beside deep trenches and other dangers of the sea. They have existed for generations, but rarely have any come to the surface for any reason. Despite their off-putting manners, merfolk are benevolent creatures at heart, convinced that other civilized races deserve their protection. Their attitude might grate, but when pirate fleets prowl the waves or a kraken awakens from its slumber, they are among the first to take up arms to protect others. Given their isolation, most merfolk have never been to the surface world. They struggle with the idea that they can't easily move up and down out of water, and the changing of the seasons mystifies them.

Ability Score Increase: Your Strength, Constitution, and Charisma scores each increase by 1.

Age: Tritons reach maturity around age 15 and can live up to 200 years.

Alignment: Tritons tend toward lawful good. As guardians of the darkest reaches of the sea, their culture pushes them toward order and benevolence.

Size: Tritons are slightly shorter than humans, averaging about 5 feet tall. Your size is Medium.

Speed: Your base walking speed is 30 feet, and you have a swimming speed of 30 feet.

Language: You can speak, read, and write Common and Primordial.

Amphibious: You can breathe air and water.

Control Air and Water: A child of the sea, you can call on the magic of elemental air and water. You can cast Fog Cloud with this trait. Starting at 3rd level, you can cast Gust of Wind with it, and starting at 5th level, you can also cast Wall of Water with it. Once you cast a spell with this trait, you can't do so again until you finish a long rest. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.

Emissary of the Sea: Aquatic beasts have an extraordinary affinity with your people. You can communicate simple ideas with beasts that can breathe water. They can understand the meaning of your words, though you have no special ability to understand them in return.

Guardians of the Depths: Adapted to even the most extreme ocean depths, you have resistance to cold damage, and you ignore any of the drawbacks caused by a deep, underwater environment.

Racial Ranking: 4 - These beings are known for helping others, though their ability to talk to monsters is a bit unnerving.

Mousefolk

Never to be looked down upon, the slight, unassuming mousefolk are kind hearted to a fault, and possess courage greater than most giants. Though the tiny, big-eared mousefolk are often overlooked by larger creatures, history is brimming with stories of gallant mouse-knights staring down dragons, crossing blades with warlords, and charging into grand battles. It happens that few histories are written about the valor of mousefolk – and many more should be – yet they make appearances in legend all the same, their bravery cementing their place in history. The mousefolk language, Rodentia, has no written form, thus mousefolk preserve their history in story and in song, passed from elders to children through the generations. Their oral tradition is rich, filled with stories of grand heroics, shrewd tricks, and swooning romance. Indeed, many mousefolk live to see themselves preserved in the legends of their people, their deeds remembered in a grand epic for the ages.

Ability Score Increase: Your Dexterity score increases by 2.

Age: Mousefolk mature in their teens and live around 80 years.

Alignment: Most mousefolk are neutral good. They tend to be kind-hearted and have deeply-rooted values.

Size: Mouselings stand around 3 feet tall, but appear slightly taller with their large ears, and normally weigh no more than 40 pounds. Ratlings, by contrast, stand almost 4 feet tall, but have much smaller ears. Your size is Small.

Speed: Your base walking speed is 25 ft.

Mouseling

Mouselings are smaller than their ratling cousins, but all the more daring. They sport a wide variety of coats, from grey to brown, to very rare whites, but all possess large ears and round, black eyes. Though these features often make them look adorable to big folk, most mouselings want nothing more than to be taken seriously. They fancy themselves knights, merchants, minstrels, explorers, and a wide variety of other occupations; mouselings rival even humans for ambition.

Ability Score Increase: Your Charisma score increases by 1.

Brave: You have advantage on saving throws you make against being frightened.

Nimble Escape: When a creature you can see makes an opportunity attack against you, you can use your reaction to impose disadvantage on the attack roll. You can't use this trait when wearing medium or heavy armor.

Ratling

Often, ratlings stand a full foot taller than their mousling relatives, with longer tails and more pointed ears. They are tougher, more resistant to poison, and far more stubborn than other mousefolk, but are unquestionably resourceful. When needed, a ratling can escape just about any enclosure that isn't constructed entirely from metal and stone, a fact which many jailers hold in contempt.

Ability Score Increase: Your Strength score increases by 1.

Gnaw: You can use your action to crew through and break a small nonmagical object that isn't being worn or carried, like a rope, a wooden rod or handle, or a length of fabric. If you chew on a wooden wall or floor for 1 minute, you can gnaw a hole large enough for a Tiny creature. You can't chew through materials that are harder than your teeth, like metal, stone, or crystals.

Rat Resilience: You have advantage on saving throws against poison, and you have resistance against poison damage.

Necrolyte

Not all undead that are revived become mindless servants to their necromancers. Those with a powerful soul can gain sentience over their undead body for a second chance at life. Other races usually don't notice the fact that young necrolytes are indeed a different race, but once a Necrolyte is first slain, their appearance becomes less convincing, as they continue to bear the wounds from the blow that killed them, which never fully heal. As a necrolyte ages and is slain again and again over the centuries, their appearance becomes less and less convincing, and they usually spend more time among their own kind or in service to more powerful undead. For this reason, many must wear a mask to avoid being attacked by the mortals.

Ability Score Increase. Your Wisdom score increases by 2, and your Constitution score increases by 1.

Age. Necrolyte children age to adulthood twice as fast as humans, and they then appear to cease aging. They can survive indefinitely, but tend to become more decrepit as their bodies slowly decay over centuries. Few necrolytes are able to still function after four centuries.

Alignment. Due to their undead nature, necrolytes are generally of evil alignment.

Size. Most necrolytes have human ancestry, and share their general build. A few originate from smaller races. Your size is Medium or Small.

Speed. Your base walking speed is 25 feet.

Darkvision. 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.

Undead Nature. You do not need to eat, sleep or breathe to survive, although you still require rest to stave off exhaustion. You advantage on saving throws against poison, and are resistant to poison damage. You have advantage on Wisdom (Insight) checks made against undead creatures.

Undead Fortitude. If you are reduced to 0 hit points, you return to your undead state in 5 rounds. When you do, you can elect to return with 1 hit point, or immediately heal for a number of hit dice up to your proficiency bonus. Once you use this trait, you can’t use it again until you finish a long rest.

Chilling Touch. You know the chill touch cantrip.

Hybrid Nature. Your creature type is undead in addition to humanoid. You can become the target of any ability, spell or effect that affects either of your creature types.

Languages. You can speak, read and write, Common and one other language of your choice.

Racial Ranking. 8 - Undead have a tendency to frighten most races, even if they are sentient.

Orc

Orcs are a powerful race of warriors that, most commonly at least, make up the bulk of the armies of the Feldawn Empire, feared across the world for the strength and uncompromising rage. Motivated by their hatred of the civilized races of the world and their need to satisfy the demands of their warlord, the orcs know that if they fight well and bring glory to their tribe, their king will bring plenty of rewards.

Orcs are known for their bloodlust and brute strength, and their entire society is revolved around war and combat, with every Orc serving their Overlord, which serves the king of the Feldawn Empire. Whether they serve as warriors, archers, savages, defenders, or hunters during wartime, they also have jobs outside of wartime: executioners, slavers, beastmasters, and sawbones. More so, each Orc is born into a tribe, and some of the greatest warriors from that tribe emerge from the slave pins or from being an army grunt to becoming a captain, or even a warlord.

Ability Score Increase. Your Constitution score increases by 2.

Age. Orcs reach adulthood at age 12 and live up to 100 years.

Alignment. Orcs are usually evil raiders and warriors.

Size. Your size is Medium.

Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Darkvision: 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.

Powerful Build: You count as one size larger when determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can push, drag, or lift.

Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and Orc.

Racial Ranking. 8 - A warmongering species, orcs generally aren't welcome outside of Zoudrurg.

Subraces. Orcs can be from a multitude of tribes: dark, feral, machine, marauder, mystic, outlaw, terror, warmonger, or slaughter. Choose your subrace from these options.

Terror Tribe

Members of the Terror Tribe worship Seifer and his terrifying visage, and prefer the value of shock tactics and unflinching violence to make their foes cower in fear.

Ability Score Increase. Your Charisma score increases by 1.

Terrifying. You are proficient in the Intimidation skill. If you are already proficient in that skill, you instead gain Expertise in it.

Terror Chains. Your weapons are attached to a chain so that they can be thrown and retrieved with ease. On your turn, as a full-round action, you can target one creature within 30 feet of you. You can attack that target from your current distance for that turn by throwing your weapon at them, then pulling the chain to retrieve your weapon.

Warmonger Tribe

Members of the Warmonger Tribe are militant and fierce. They endlessly train for battle. They can be found practicing weapon drills throughout their fortresses. Warmonger warriors are fearsome, bold, disciplined, and value combat prowess above all else.

Ability Score Increase. Your Strength score increases by 1.

Aggressive. As a bonus action, you can move up to your speed toward an enemy of your choice that you can see or hear. You must end this move closer to the enemy than you started.

Warmonger Clash. Whenever you roll an attack roll, you can choose to roll your attack roll with advantage. You can only use this ability once per long rest.

Slaughter Tribe

The Slaughter tribe are the most bloodthirsty of the orcs. Their bloodlust goes beyond any interest in war, conquest, or even torture. They are obsessed with viscera, with blood and guts, with the splatter of warm gore o​n their ecstatic faces.

Ability Score Increase. Your Wisdom score increases by 1.

Cannibalism. Whenever you reduce an opponent to 0 HP, you can spend a bonus action to consume them, regaining one hit die worth of HP.

Slaughter Cleavers. Whenever you roll a 1 on a damage roll, you can reroll that die and must take the new result. You regain use of this feature after a short or long rest.

Revonac

Revonacs are master craftspeople. Their skill and inventiveness are legendary, as is their bitter cynicism. They dislike dealing with imperfect things, especially people, and instead prefer to surround themselves with mechanical wonder and ingenuity. Fiercely individualistic, once a Revonac selects their tastes in artwork and craft, they condemn all others. Their creations are an expression of identity: most Revonacs think if their work is no good,then they’re no good.

They have vices and weaknesses, but never admit to them. Eventually they yearn for an escape from their routine: music, adventure and even love occasionally manage to get them out of their workshop. Despite their surly reputation, Revonacs are sought after engineers, inventors, and architects. Their inventions often end up dying with them, as few Revonacs write anything down that is not in a cipher anyone other than themselves can understand.

Ability Score Increase. Your Intelligence score increases by 2, and your Dexterity score increases by 1.

Age. Revonacs enter adulthood in their early twenties and live up to 130 years.

Alignment. Revonacs are contentious and tend toward chaotic behavior, but their understanding of how things work helps them get by in even the most lawful societies.

Size. Revonacs stand between four to five and a half feet tall and weigh between 85 to 150 pounds. Your size is Medium.

Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Welder's Eyes. You are proficient in the Perception skill, and have advantage on saving throws to avoid blindness, and when you would have disadvantage to see objects and creatures that are only lightly obscured by smoke or fog, you do not take disadvantage instead.

Favored Tools. You have proficiency with one type of artisan’s tools, and can double your proficiency bonus to checks made with it.

Operational Ingenuity. When you make an Intelligence (History) check related to magical, alchemical, or technological items, you may add your proficiency bonus twice if you are proficient in the skill.

Clever Magic. At 1st Level, you can cast the Identify spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest.

Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and a personal cipher that only you can read and write called “Revonac”.

Racial Ranking. 3 - Not a founding race, but one responsible for many innovations.

Zern

Zern are prolific experimenters in biological and psionic augmentations. Mostly on other species, as experimenting on Zern other than one’s self is considered taboo to the Zern. The Zern are feared across Altaenia, and known mostly by their nicknames: Collectors. Experimenters. Tormentors. So on and so forth.

Zern society is all about change. There is nothing they worship more than their own experiments, augmentations, and the changes they make to themselves and other races in the world. Their society holds no restrictions on what can be used or how it is used for their experiments, which provides many zern with a large expression of “creativity,” and they even encourage sharing what results are discovered with other zern.

However, they do have some rules that every zern anywhere must follow. The first and most important rule is that no zern can experiment on another zern other than themselves. It is seen as disrespectful and an affront to the very research and nature of the zern.

Corrupted Races

Many races are susceptible to the corruption of the Void, which can mostly be found around Zoudrurg or the Old Corruption in Eskary. For more information on Corruption, check the optional campaign rules in Chapter 3.

Shadow Gnome

Gnomes corrupted by the void become cunning and devious, plotting the death of any who defy the will of the Void, though more so acting as assassins or spies while living in the rocky terrain.

This is a subrace for the gnome race.

Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score increases by 1.

Superior Darkvision. Your darkvision has a radius of 120 feet.

Stone Camouflage. You have advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks to hide in rocky terrain.

Corrupted Half-Elf

Corrupted half-elves become more devious and manipulative, reflected in their crimson eyes, pale skin, and jagged ears.

A corrupted half-elf uses the half-elf traits in the Player’s Handbook, with the following traits replacing the Ability Score Increase and Fey Ancestry traits.

Ability Score Increase. Your Charisma score increases by two, and your Strength and Dexterity score increases by 1.

Void Corruption. Once per long rest, you can target one enemy within 30 feet of you. That target must make a DC 13 Wisdom saving throw or take 3d6 necrotic damage, or half as much on a successful save.

Cryptic Halfling

Cryptic halflings are always whispering in the dark, twisting the truth and thrusting lies to prepare for the Wicked Release, or for the land to be corrupted in Void.

This is a subrace for the halfling race.

Ability Score Increase. Your Wisdom score increases by 2.

Adept Liar. You gain proficiency in the Deception skill.

Dark Human

Rarely do humans find themselves corrupted by the Void, but when they do, their skin turns pale and their eyes go red. Their ambition becomes one of darker intent, either ruling the world, finding immortality, or something else equally as devastating.

Similar to that of a variant human, you can choose to take these traits instead.

Ability Score Increase. Your Charisma score increases by 2.

Void Proficiency. You gain proficiency in the Intimidation skill.

Shadowed Mind. You cannot be magically tracked or have your thoughts read against your will. Additionally, you gain advantage on saving throws versus magical charm effects.

Ferocious Kemonomimi

Kemonomimi that are corrupted by the Void go berserk, and tend to attack any creatures that do not serve their master: the Void.

A ferocious kemonomimi uses the kemonomimi traits in this book, with the following traits replacing the Animal Connection trait.

Void Blast. You can learn the fire bolt cantrip. Except you can make the spell deal necrotic damage instead of fire.

Destroyer Merfolk

Not even the sea is safe from the Void when a Merfolk is Corrupted. Their skin turns black or red as their weapons are turned toward their brothers and sisters.

A destroyer merfolk uses the merfolk traits in this book, with the following traits replacing the Ability Score Increase and Emissary of the Sea traits.

Ability Score Increase. Your Strength score increases by 2 and your Dexterity score increases by 1.

Voidling Blade. At 3rd level, as a bonus action, you can weave together threads of the void to create a melee weapon of the solidified void in your hands. This void weapon lasts for 1 minute or until it leaves the casters hand. This weapon is longsword that deals necrotic damage instead of slashing damage. You regain use of this trait once you complete a short or long rest.

Voidfolk

Corrupted Mousefolk become like feral monsters that just wish to sink their teeth into anything, or anyone, they can get their hands on. Their teeth and claws are more pronounced as they wander as feral monsters.

This is a subrace for the Mousefolk race.

Ability Score Increase. Your Constitution score increases by 1.

Cannibalism. Whenever you reduce an opponent to 0 HP, you can spend a bonus action to consume them, regaining one hit die worth of HP.

Corrupted Revonac

The corrupted revonac's skin gets paler, but still a light shade of white, and they dedicate their abilities to crafting and slaving away for the Void, even creating some of the darkest items in the world.

A corrupted revonac uses the revonac traits in this book, with the following traits replacing the Ability Score Increase and Clever Magic traits.

Ability Score Increase. Your Intelligence score increases by 2, and your Charisma score increases by 1.

Void Magic. You may cast the conjure animals spell, requiring no material components, and you regain the ability to cast it this way when you finish a long rest. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for this spell. The animals summoned have a dark twisted appearance and are black with void energy. Once you use this feat, you can't use it again until you finish a long rest.

Kingdoms

There are seven main kingdoms that populate the world of Adowei, and each of them can be felt across the continent of Altaenia. There's the mighty Brightforge Empire, the split group of the Sunvale Regime, the mythical Dragonic Empire, the oppressive Eternal Confederacy, the free-sailing Tirmor Alliance, the dark and ruthless Feldawn Empire, and the mysterious and strange Hollowfel. This land is writhe with potential for adventurers and conquerors alike!

Goals

The empire uses the resources it has conquered, as well as its ingenuity to create powerful weapons of war that they use to keep control over their territories. They seek to eventually conquer the world, but is more so focused on gaining land with large amounts of metal ore or coal.

The religious restrictions that the empire enforces is getting harder to maintain as the war rages on, especially as long as the Sunvale Regime continues to fight. And with the intent to incarcerate or execute the heretics or those who use magic against the wishes of the emperor, it seems difficult to shake the discontent of the populace against these laws.

Fighting against the Sunvale Regime and their allies, the Brightforge Empire seeks to gain as many supporters as possible, or to otherwise create greater weapons so that they might be able to fight against the magical supremacy of their foes with industrial power.

Relationships

Though there are some exceptions, many civilians have become accustomed to the comfortable life within imperial walls. Fear of what lurks in the wild, as well as propaganda, generally outweighs the frustrations of having to pay taxes and restrict one's religious beliefs. However, dissidents are quite loud during this time of war, which only seems to irritate the emperor further.

    The Sunvale Regime and the Brightforge Empire are sworn enemies, as the Sunvale Regime was founded not only on the basis of religious freedom, but also on the basis of power through faith. As such, the two see one another not only as heretics, but as blights on the land that must be eradicated by any means necessary. While the Brightforge is more powerful in their industry, the Sunvale Regime has the advantage in all things magic, which can be quite worrying sometimes, though their army is usually inferior, with the exception of the Holy Knights.

The Dragonic Empire is more neutral in the war, at least against the Brightforge Empire, but the two have a tense relationship with one another. The empire respects the symbol of power that the dragons boast within their rival, but they also fear it heavily. As such, they tend to rush their industry in hopes of creating machines that can take down dragons.

The Brightforge Empire absolutely despises the Tirmor Alliance's pirates, and constantly works to exterminate the "vermin." Their iron ships, however, make it difficult to find a naval victory against them. However, the empire is also working to expand its naval power as well, though it is clear the Tirmor Alliance has the advantage in naval production and expansion.

The Eternal Confederacy is a close ally with the Brightforge Empire, though mostly for similar reasons: they want to destroy the Sunvale Regime, and they more agree with the imperialist nations of the Brightforge Empire. However, neither side trusts the others, as the Confederacy has made it clear they view non-elves as inferior. As such, a secret world of subterfuge is alive, well, and almost booming more due to the war.

Figures of Interest

A number of people go into maintaining order, power, and influence in this industrious nation; some seeking to expand their own power, others working to mend the damage done by the religious uprising.

Prime Minster Nilson Goran

Lawful evil, human male

Nilson Goran was a childhood friend of Tardig Zyrgos, so when he rose to power, Goran did as well. Serving as the emperor's top advisor alongside his court mage. His disdain for religion goes far deeper than most, and will often execute religious figureheads he suspects of treason without due process. However, he also has a far more greedy side to him. He certainly enjoys fine meals, even at the expense of civilians, and will often have people killed for not giving him what he wants. Whether that be farmers not giving him the best cut of beef, men refusing to let him bed their wives, and other such despicable acts. It is suspected that Goran not only has a strong relationship with the Assassin's Guild, but that he has formed his own personal group of assassins.

Court Mage Borus Feran

Neutral, human male

A powerful mage born in Kholk, Borus Feran serves as one of the few high-ranking officials authorized by the emperor to conduct magic, much to Goran's dissatisfaction. Borus serves to help speed up the industrialization of the nation, and to offer advisement on arcane issues. However, he also has a deal where he can pursue his own arcane ambitions as well, so long as they do not endanger the empire, and that it will only be used to its benefit. Which, in the Brightforge Empire, is a pretty great deal.

Councilor Morryft Sean

Lawful neutral, human male

Influence and propaganda are two of the most important things to the success of a major world power, and few understand this concept better than Morryft Sean. He is generally held in charge of the influence of the Empire across the world. He makes sure all know the name of the Brightforge Empire and ensures that none plot against them. In addition, he is generally the one to spread propaganda to all corners of the world. He is extremely patriotic and wants to see the Brightforge Empire thrive.

Councilor Annene Julee

Chaotic neutral, elf female

Annene Julee is a female Elf that handles the diplomatic side of the Empire. She is who interacts with other factions and guilds inside and outside the Empire's borders. Of course, that isn't her only role. She also helps to coordinate the policing forces across the empire, though has very little sway in military matters, if any. However, she is still somewhat loyal to the empire, but secretly desires the throne for herself...

Councilor Churr Zavier

Neutral, human male

A somewhat strange addition to the council, Churr Zavier is a human male that used to oversee the religious elements of the Empire. However, he now works as a sort of police authority against mages and priests, although he himself cannot fight and uses magic instead. He is also the head of the Fire Sages, the head religious body of the empire. Whether he truly believes in it or not is another story.

Councilor Orkic Marakan

Lawful evil, half-orc male

Perhaps the most controversial addition to the emperor's council, Orkic Marakan is a Half-Orc male that oversees the military might of the Empire, as well as its applications. He knows every warship, every army, and every fortress that lays at the heart of the Brightforge Empire, and he is the only warrior among the council. He also has a title of Grand General, which is only given to four generals, himself included.

Councilor Zeah Daesys

Neutral good, revonac female

Zeah Daesys is perhaps one of the most important members of the emperor's council for her knowledge in technology and magic. She helps to create more powerful weapons and utilitarian constructions that will help the Empire in times of war and times of peace, if those are even possible to achieve in this day and age. Still, she dislikes building war machines, and wants to find an end to this war so that all members of the world might thrive.

Prince Stram Zyrgos

Neutral good, human male

Prince Stram Zyrgos is a fairly peaceful man who despises the war, and is heir to the throne of the Brightforge Empire. While he always sought the approval of others, the pressure to ascend to the throne once his father died, as well as to produce an heir with a woman he might not even love, it has been quite the strain on the young boy. What's more, he and his sister, Kasey, have entered a bitter rivalry with the disinterest in producing an heir, leaving him somewhat bitter and angry.

Princess Kasey Zyrgos

Lawful evil, human female

Kasey is the younger sister of Stram Zyrgos, and has begun in engaging in a rivalry for the throne of sorts. Since Stram cannot produce an heir, Kasey believes that it is her duty to produce one, and that she deserves to ascend to the throne instead of her brother. Tardig, of course, is skeptical, but Kasey has always been a master manipulator and expert duelist. One way or another, Kasey is determined to be the one to sit on that throne; by any means necessary.

Commander Hayden

Lawful evil, human male

Commander Hayden was a highly ambitious, power-hungry narcissist, noted for his arrogance and bad temper. While serving as a loyal member of the Brightforge Empire's army, even holding one of the highest military positions, his ultimate goal was to climb the ladder and earn the respect of the emperor, though he would never sacrifice a victory for such ambitions. Although repeatedly deceptive and cunning, Hayden was rather egotistical and selfish, bordering on narcissistic, implying a deep-seated self-worship, as all of his actions seemed to fulfill purposes of grandiosity or overwhelming display: his hate-driven, uncontrollable fighting style, his hatred toward traitors, and more.

Grand General Smythe

Lawful neutral, human male

Grand General Smythe leads his own army of highly-trained warriors called the Marauders. One of the Brightforge Empire's secret weapons, these warriors were trained to fight in almost all conditions, and were even taught a small amount of magic as well. However, nothing truly dangerous outside of the occasional fire spell. Smythe was an experienced and hard-bitten soldier of the Brightforge Empire, and often holds a grudge against those with a higher position than him, especially Commander Hayden and Grand General Orkic Marakan.

Grand General Adlam

Chaotic good, human male

Easygoing, open-minded, wise, comforting, generous, advising, kind, and humorous, Grand General Adlam is perhaps one of the kindest and most honorable soldiers in the Brightforge Empire. However, beneath his easygoing attitude lays a wise man experienced in the ways of the world, a seasoned and wily strategist, and an incredibly strong and powerful sword fighting master. He was initially charged with attacking the capital of the Sunvale Regime, Aegimore, but even he could not bring them down due to their magical prowess.

Grand General Whitley

Chaotic neutral, human female

Whitlety, a general in the Brightforge army, was the ruthless overseer of the factory built on the shores of the Xikgan river. An expert at martial combat and strategy, she was a cold woman who believed that military needs always outweighed those of civilians. He held great contempt for the civilians of Xikgan, and often ordered her soldiers to steal their food and medicine, referring to it as a "patriotic donation". The general took great pride in being part of the empire's war effort and hoped to serve on the front lines in the war against the Sunvale Regime.

Dragonic Empire

The Dragonic Empire rules over very little territory, more so looking to consolidate their power or live in solitude from the rest of the warring world. Perhaps both. However, what sets it apart from others is the factions of the world is that this is one of the only groups of people left alive that have passed on the secrets of breeding the dragons of old. Not the wise, intelligent creatures that are heralded in the myth, but the destructive forces that once ravaged the world of Adowei; now tamed mounts for the Dragon Knights.

Emperor Odrog claims to have been alive for centuries, though not quite as long as the Brightforge Empire has been around. He is always portrayed as a wise, benevolent being, with many civilians comparing him to the wise dragons that resided on the eastern borders before their extinction. He embraces the idea of isolating themselves from the world, not wanting the world to hunt their dragons, and not wanting their dragons to bring the world to heel again, as they did after the time of King Rorgon's rule in Dastrath. Many within the walls of the Dragonic Empire believe in their emperor, and their way of life, so uprisings are almost non-existent in their capital cities. However, due to the dangers of dragons, their colonies are almost always seeking a way out.

The Dragonic Empire is run by a monarch: the Dragonic Emperor, but there doesn't seem to be any other sight of a caste system than that. Citizens are citizens, soldiers are soldiers, and the emperor rules alone without a council. They allow colonies to continue worshiping their gods, but the main religion of the Dragonic Empire seems to be a pantheon of dragons, quite similar to the Dragonborn list of deities. There are Dragon Priests who rule over the religion, and they even seem to be a nobility of sorts with the amount of power they have in the Dragonic Empire.

Goals

The Dragonic Empire sees the dragons as the most supreme beings in the entirety of Adowei, and seeks to return them to their former glory. As such, the truly devout desire nothing more than to see the dragons ascend to the height of power, just as they did thousands of years ago. How do they seek such a strong ideal? Through isolationism, it seems. However, if they must fight, then it will be to protect their homes, and their enemies will burn under the flames of the dragons. Other than that, all they wish for is to live in peace.

Relationships

The Dragonic Empire is neutral in this war, and often never gets involved unless their land is in danger. Few of the citizens even know that a war is being waged at the moment, and few would likely care behind their walls and dragons. However, because of those dragons, there are a frequent number of shortages, which force the empire to expand their territory out of necessity.

More than most, the Dragonic Empire has somewhat made a friend of the Sunvale Regime. Their religious ways and the way they seemingly do not mind their dragons makes them somewhat appealing to the empire of the scaled creatures. Still, they rarely help militarily, but are more than happy to trade in exchange for food and services.

The Brightforge Empire is one of the Dragonic Empire's true enemies, as they were the ones who started a tradition of dragon hunting. Even so, they do not seem to attack them, and only ever interact to do trade. They also seem to dislike the industrious ways of the Brightforge Empire, worrying that they might become even more dangerous to their dragons. As a result, relationships between these two factions are tense.

The Dragonic Empire cares not for the Eternal Confederacy or the Tirmor Alliance, and only see both as nuisances. However, they seem to share a disliking from the Dragonic Empire, as the elves openly proclaim that they are "the superior race," and the Tirmor Alliance has a tendency to raid cities and villages alike, forcing them on edge about both, but still neutral.

Figures of Interest

The empire of dragons has more than just its emperor to flaunt to the world, though maybe not as many individuals as other nations and kingdoms.

The Dragon's Voice, Krisdi

Neutra good, high elf female

Krisdi is one of the few high elves within the Dragonic Empire capital, but she serves as the right hand to the emperor because of her strange abilities to have visions of the future. She's kind, intelligent, and seemingly wants to do what is best for the citizens of the empire. She uses her visions to steer Odrog in the direction of prosperity and peace. Most times, he listens; others, not so well.

Eternal Confederacy

The Eternal Confederacy has not been a kingdom that has stood for long, but it is a powerful force nonetheless. It was founded after several elven artifacts were discovered in undiscovered regions, which gave them the idea of a "natural right to rule." It seems to consist mostly of Elves, but many other species fill their ranks as well. Rather than being led by an Emperor or a King, instead they are led by the Eternal Authority; a King in all but name. However, the Eternal Authority itself doesn't hold as much control over each of its cities and mostly focuses on the bigger picture of this war.

Bizana is the young leader of the Eternal Confederacy, only 180 years old, or around 24 years old compared to human years. Supposedly, she is kind to the elves of her nation, but cruel and mistrustful toward other races that live in her borders. However, while they do have a ruler, she also has a small council that is used to advise her in all cases, which formed of four members, including the Justicar head, and in addition to an Authority's Hand. These people are often addicted to the idea of subjugating the other races of the world, and heightening the power of elves.

Overall, while the head of the government is run by a monarch, the small council is run by a meritocracy of intelligent and powerful men that the Eternal Authority herself has chosen to stand beside her. The government, being comprised entirely of elves, often speak in private on most things, only to be discussed in those meetings or announced in the royal court. The pantheon only seems to be made up of a single deity: Ilhel, the goddess of the high elf people. Many of the other types of elves do not align themselves with the Eternal Confederacy, so is mostly only made up of the high elves.

The army is made up of elves, like everything else, though the army is where many would see other types of elves than high elves, though not always. However, their military is often seen as one of the largest in Adowei, though more so because elves have longer lifespans, so can occupy military positions longer, and the government can conscript from a larger population because of their long lifespans. So more so than anything, the Eternal Confederacy is a militaristic nation made to conquer the world.

Relationships

Many elven civilians live like normal citizens, and most seem to support the Eternal Authority's bid for power, with a few exceptions of course. However, non-elven citizens are almost always either enslaved, degraded, or in open rebellion. However, with their superior military might, especially among the disarmed populace, they have little to no trouble stomping insurrections.

The Brightforge Empire and the Eternal Confederacy have a common enemy with one another: the Sunvale Regime and the gods they worship. Because of this, and the similarities between the two nations, the two global powers have become allies in the Great War against the Sunvale Regime. Of course, because the Eternal Confederacy still sees humans as lesser beings, they are still ultimately plotting the downfall of the Brightforge Empire as well.

They also view the Dragonic Empire with the same sort of disdain that they do the Sunvale Regime, believing that the dragons might make it appear that their claims of a superior elven race were illegitimate. As such, they constantly attack Dragonic Empire settlements, cutting supply and trying to starve the dragons. Of course, with dragons being the ultimate aerial force, and with the elven armies perhaps the most numerous, it seems impossible to tell who might defeat who in this war.

Figures of Interest

There are several men and women, mostly elves, that rule the Eternal Confederacy, or that at least hold positions of power high enough to make some change in their nation.

Sunvale Regime

The Sunvale Regime is a sect of the Brightforge Empire that broke off after their ban on magic and religion. They are known for their leaders’ near-obsession with religion, especially regarding their “Arbiter,” so much so that the leading body, the Chantry, are filled with the most pious men regarding to one of the twenty main deities. Well, nineteen, as even the Sunvale Regime views Kixtos as a dangerous being, too evil to worship.

The governing, theocratic body and religious figureheads of the Sunvale Regime, the Chantry are the first nineteen men and women to stand against the Brightforge Empire. These people are the most powerful people in the Sunvale Regime and their words are hailed as divine law. They run as a democratic senate, but one member is seen as the “head” of the Chantry. Each member of the Chantry is overseen by their chosen deity and are even rumored to be able to call upon special spells as a result.

The government is run as a theocracy, and is made up of nineteen powerful beings, both in terms of their religious zealotry toward their deity and their powers with magic. Their nation worships the main twenty deities of Adowei, excluding Kixtos, but allow for religious freedom among their lands. As such, this gives many nations the impression that life in the Sunvale Regime is far more preferable. However, some settlements are so pious, especially in the capital of Aegimore, that daily worship is mandatory, and punishable with a fine.

The armies of the Sunvale Regime are mostly made up of mages, with the occasional footsoldier. This gives them a powerful advantage in the arcane and divine aspects of war, which few can compete with. Even the industrious Brightforge Empire has their problems combating magic without magic of their own, which they tend to view as unholy and evil. However, they also have a small sect of warriors called the Holy Knights, which are warriors blessed by the Chantry, the Arbiter, and the gods with divine weapons and strength.

Important Figures

The Chantry and Arbiter are the two forces that hold together the Sunvale Regime, and their Holy Knights are the warriors that continue to serve and protect the pious ways of the Sunvale Regime.

Guhena Cleric Brinora

Lawful good, mousefolk female

Brinora is a female agent with Guhena, goddess of life, as her patron deity. She became obsessed with finding a way to allow mortals to survive any disaster, and will often be in charge of medicinal and natural-disaster-resistance developments. She is kind and caring, much like her patron, but will often engage in strange rites to help progress her pyramids of development.

Sidros Cleric Kythor

Lawful evil, orc male

Kythor serves Sidros, the god of death, and he is the only monstrous race to ever serve in the Chantry. Being an Orc, he casted aside his title to preach the importance and power of his patron, and often acts as a reaper of souls of sorts, acting as warrior, assassin, and diplomat when he must for other nations. He is resourceful and zealous, but has a rare case of letting his pride show.

Fevher Cleric Daeren Erlamin

Neutral, high elf male

Daeren Erlamin serves the god of judgment, Fevher. Despite being an Elf, he seems to have little pride in such a heritage and seeks only that which his patron seeks: justice. He is in charge of the judicial system of the Sunvale Regime, and is often responsible for the laws upheld in the capital and the prisoners sent to the jails or the Holy Tower.

Vizzotz Cleric Adjasz

Lawful evil, revonac female

Adjasz is a female Revonac that specializes in poison. That being said, it surprises nobody that she serves the god of plague, Vizzotz. She is passionate about her work, and even more so in its applications; so much so that many have started to call her the "Sunvale's Black Witch."

Ahius Cleric Gin Serkusk

Neutral, mountain dwarf male

Gin Serkusk is a dwarven male that worships Ahius, the god of the forge and crafting, who makes many of the holy items that the Holy Knights utilize. He cares not for who wields his weapons, so long as they serve the Sunvale Regime. Otherwise, he is known for his rationalization and his physical strength, which he either uses to craft his items or defend others with them.

Jenos Cleric Viconia

Chaotic evil, blood elf female

Viconia is a blood elf that worships the god of darkness, Jenos, as her patron deity. Similar to her deity, she is ambitious and takes a liking to the monsters of Adowei, studying them in all aspects of their life. Her passion seems to be to tame them and use them against the enemies of the Sunvale Regime, no matter how dangerous or amoral the creature might be.

Bethys Cleric Ydimin

Lawful good, high elf

Ydimin is an elven male who worships the goddess of light, Bethys, and leads the Chantry in the fight against evil and darkness. Much like his patron, he enjoys saving innocents and destroying monsters, never leaving anyone behind in a battle, whether they fight for him or not. Still, even though the Sunvale fights with the Brightforge Empire, he has no problems with leaving survivors and letting prisoners go free.

Madther Cleric Rekinar

Chaotic neutral, half-orc male

Rekinar, the counterpart of Gin, is a powerful Half-Orc male who serves Madther, the god of warriors. As you’d expect, he is the one of the strongest warriors in the Chantry, even in the entirety Sunvale Regime. He and Gin are almost constantly sparring and training to improve themselves and their weapons.

Annja Cleric Maiko Gese

Chaotic neutral, fox kemonomimi female

Maiko Gese is a Kemonomimi of the fox variety devoutly serving the goddess of love, Annja. While she herself does not have anybody to love, she often oversees any weddings she can and will often go out on the streets to help young couples along their way. Even though she has nobody to love, that does not mean she does not try, nor does it mean that she doesn't try to help others find their true love.

Suris Cleric Mukio Kisa

Chaotic neutral, cat kemonomimi female

Mukio Kisa is a Kemonomimi female of the cat variety who worship the goddess of thieves, Suris. Despite her mostly skimpy attire, her devotion to her patron deity is unreal. Like a shadow in the night, she acts as the assassin and lead spy in the Sunvale Regime, working to further promote religious freedom across the world.

Badum Cleric Xyrrila Arlynn

Chaotic neutral, half-elf female

Xyrrila Arlynn, a female Half-Elf, serves the god of vengeance, Badum. Not for any personal reason, but to help aid those that do follow his path. She does not want any to fall into the blind path that Badum fell down, so advises those who come to her as to how they should pursue their justice, which she is more than happy to assist with.

Tirmor Alliance

The Tirmor Alliance, to sum them up, are pirates who created their own alliance to play by nobody else’s rules. They value freedom above all else, but also hold a sweet tooth for gold and treasure. In the beginning, the other factions merely disregarded these brigands. However, as of late, they have developed a naval armada that dwarfs the other factions, making them the rulers of the sea, and one of the most powerful kingdoms still alive in this day and age.

The Tirmor Alliance is not led by a single man. No kings, no gods, only the collective minds of like-minded individuals. It is made up of four of the most feared captains of the ocean: Johnny Stanley, Ami Swale, Kraga, and Ieg. These men and women have their own armada of ships that they use to pirate and plunder to their hearts content, as well as to defend their home of the Tirmor Isle. Overall, however, they seem to make decisions based on the greater good of their "community," which they choose to consider their faction as rather than a Kingdom or an Empire.

Their army is disorganized compared to the other kingdoms of Adowei, but their naval powers still make them a force to be reckoned with. Their infinite fleet of ships make them the undisputed rulers of the oceans, but their armies of pirates aren't disciplined enough to fully capitalize on their advantage.

Feldawn Empire

The Feldawn Empire has been around since the monstrous races of Adowei had been pushed to the edges of Altaenia, and is similar to Hollowfel in the sense that they have both been forgotten yet still remain to carry out their deeds in secret. However, in contrast to Hollowfel, the Feldawn Empire simply wishes to eradicate or enslave every non-monstrous races in Adowei as revenge for the torment they’ve endured over the years. However, not every monstrous race agrees with them.

King Seifer Gnash is a powerful darkling male that has spent years learning the Dark Arts from such guilds and cults as the "Court of the Forgotten One," "The Platinum Wrath," and more. With his new magic, he took the throne by force and established his own reign, and created a new Dark Age for Zoudrurg, where military might and power was the supreme overlord of an inhabitant's life. The darklings as a whole rose to power, alongside the orcs for their monstrous might, the zern for their scientific genius, and the brain eaters for their superior magical prowess.

Ruled by a monarch, the government would seem to be run as a monarchic system. However, the leader is not determined through birthright, but through strength; either physical or magical, the ruler is decided through a rite of combat known as the "Bloodening." The Feldawn Empire follows their own pantheon of gods in addition to Kixtos and his Elder Wickeds. Known in the world as "the Dark Gods," many fear their powers and teachings, and are outlawed in even the most devout regions of the Sunvale Regime.

The army is comprised mostly of brutish orcs and powerful brain eaters, along with powerful monsters that they use to wreak havoc on their enemies. But more than that, they have the corruption of the Void, which they spread through the use of their Dark Arts and special weapons and equipment. Nobody knows how the Void is powered, if it is powered at all, but many know that allowing the Void to corrupt you is sure to be an instant defeat, both physically and mentally.

Borzan the Merciless, Overlord of the Orc Armies

Chaotic evil, marauder orc male

In battle, Borzan is known for his savagery, brutality, and lack of relent or remorse to his opponents. Indeed, Borzan was ruthless in battle and highly skilled, able to kill an armed man in seconds flat with just his bare hands, or so many claim. He quickly rose to the top of the orc armies with this skill, ending up as the king's right-hand man and leader of the armies of orcs he has at his disposal. He fights with vigor and passion, and dislikes taking prisoners, save for the men who could work and the women who could please him.

Kravun, Chief Scientist of the Void

Lawful evil, zern male

Externally, Kravun appears to be an extremely harmless, polite and serene old man - he behaves calmly and patiently around everyone he meets, even if they do not have a good impression of him. He is also extremely secretive, not revealing any of his experiments' results to anybody except for the king himself. However, his ruthless and "unethical" methods of experimentation make any who descend down to his lair tremble with fear, and eventually exclaim in pain and agony. He is a great scientist, and he is rumored to have studied and practiced the Dark Arts to make his experiments more potent.

Prince Gelien Gnash

Lawful evil, darkling male

Gelien is a calculating, shrewd, patient and ruthless young man. He was also a fierce frontline warrior that led armies of orcs against enemies, all to earn his father's approval. However, Seifer never took an interest in him, which led to a resentment for his father. Now, as he grows stronger, all he can imagine is himself on the throne of the Feldawn Empire, standing over his father's corpse.

Prince Halan Gnash

Chaotic neutral, darkling male

Of the two princes, Halan was more forgiving and less ruthless than his brother. He cared not for the opinion of his father, but only wanted to keep the family of siblings together for as long as he could. Like his brother, however, he also became skilled with a weapon, but even more so with the arcane ways. As the older brother, he has the true right to rule when his father dies, but he does not seem interested in such a task.

Princess Haridel Gnash

Chaotic evil, darkling female

The princess of the Feldawn Empire is not skilled with a sword like her brothers, but she has an extreme aptitude in the dark arts. Many even believe that she is stronger than her father, which he took notice of. Unlike all of his other children, Seifer became fascinated with his daughter, and even trained her in some ways, which made her brothers quite jealous. She is a ruthless, sadistic, and powerful young woman that is trained by the Dark Lord himself.

Hollowfel

The Hollowfel are a group of beings from across Adowei who seek to make the world a better place. They are rumored to be the strongest warriors in the realm and have even earned the hatred of many factions over the course of their life. However, as of now, they seem to have vanished from the history books. Little to nothing is known of them, or even their existence. They somehow still operate under a guise and strike from the shadows to try to help the people from another invisible foe: the Feldawn Empire.

The kingdom of Hollowfel is run by a council of wise men and women, seasoned adventurers that have taken all the world has to offer. They rarely do field work anymore because of their old age, but they are still among the strongest members of Hollowfel. Still, they choose to instead reside in the Hollowfel Castle in Zloudale, teaching new members of all ages and races. They preach that all creatures are equal in their society, and never refuse any type of creature that wishes to join them, provided they can pass the Hollowfication.

Hollowfel has no official army, only made up of heroes and adventurers, with many calling them the "Guild of Heroes." Still, many would say that one adventurer is worth more than a single army, though whether that is true is dependent on the skill of the adventurer. Still, no hero that leaves Hollowfel does so with the same level of skill as many would, growing stronger each day they serve the council.

After the tragedy of the oldest wars, the first faction to defend Adowei from this form of darkness was founded on the basis of the defense of others and the world: Hollowfel. Now an ancient memory, they were a very inclusive and powerful power in the world, yet never used it for themselves, and even hid themselves away to the point of irrelevance in later years. But always they have watched, and always will they be there to defend Adowei from the dark evils that lurk out of sight and out of mind by the other powers.

Mentor Morsk

Chaotic neutral, gnoll female

Morsk appears to be responsible and extremely powerful for her young age. Despite her high ranking position within the kingdom, she was friendly towards the pupils left in her care. Among other members of the Guild of Heroes, she is known to be cunning, shrewd, and calculating, able to formulate an efficient plan in a brief period of time and apply it with efficiency.

Mentor Zokom

Lawful good, dryad male

Zokom has a strong moral compass, even compared to many members of the Hollowfel Council, acting as a sort of guide for the morals of the kingdom. However, he is prone to acting impulsively, which has led to unfavorable outcomes more times than not. As such, he's resolved himself to stay within the boundaries of the Hollowfel castle, serving as a councilor so that he may guide others where he once failed.

Mentor Panolya

Neutral, wood elf female

Having grown up close to nature, Panolya was a stoic individual, keeping a calm demeanor at most times and rarely speaking much. Because of her figurative roots to nature, Panolya also held a deep respect for nature, teaching recruits to never let a kill be wasted. However, she is also seen to be cunning and ruthless against those who would attack Hollowfel or the beauty of nature. Many even seem to believe that she is a dryad in disguise, but Zokom actively denies this rumor amongst his recruits.

Mentor Khenim

Chaotic good, red dragonborn male

Khenim appeared to be a patient, pensive, and respectful man. He did not hesitate to intervene between arguing allies or even warring nations. His character was mostly peaceful and calm, but he would not hesitate to forego friendship for the sake of fulfilling his duty to the Brotherhood. Khenim was not a man for small talk, being far more serious and driven than even some on the Hollowfel Council.

Guilds

Rather than a powerful army standing tall and strong behind great leaders, guilds have a trade they offer to the common people, nobles, even entire kingdoms can seek their trade. Whether it be mercenaries, visions of the future, or a powerful spy network, those who pay a good price will often win great rewards. Guilds are a prime example of smaller operations becoming sometimes even more powerful than some of the greatest empires in history.

Initiate

The most inexperienced killers fall into this category, and they're the more likely ones to take the lowest jobs, at least until they can prove themselves. Members of the guild usually pay these men and women no interest, but they know that they will either succeed, flee, or die.

Assassin

These members have some of the most experience with daggers, poisons, and all sorts of ways to kill. While not the strongest, they take on plenty of harsh tasks for the guild's coffers. They usually get some of the more mid-tier to high-tier jobs, but are still no match for their masters.

Master Assassin

Those who have taken many lives know the dangers and rewards of being a master assassin. More often than not, master assassins get their pick of the jobs, and only have to donate 20% of their earnings, though many choose to donate much more. Their knowledge on all things killing is second only to the grand master and his shadows.

Shadow

Much more than just killers, shadows are trained assassins and spies, able to blend in anywhere. Many call them "faceless" for this ability, and everyone in the guild, and even many outside of it, know that once a shadow has his eyes on a prey, they're as good as dead.

In addition, the grand master grants a shadow's dagger or armor with special powers. Work with your DM to determine the nature of this upgrade.

The Requiem

Based in the city of Plustok in Theysis, the Requiem is buried underground in one of the abandoned buildings, with only members of the guild given access and the ability to find the hidden entrance. Complete with bunks, mess halls, armories, alchemist stations, the Requiem has everything an assassin might need for their tasks.

Any contracts made for the Assassin's Guild eventually wind up in the hands of an assassin, one way or another, but very rarely are they ever directly delivered to their doorstep.

The Grand Master

Only one being in the Assassin's Guild can hold the title of "Grand Master," a title that comes with the most dangerous and lucrative jobs in Adowei. They are rarely out on the field, however, and mostly works to ensure that the rules are being followed and that the other assassins don't get any funny ideas.

Banking Clan

The Banking Clan is arguably the most powerful financial institution in the known world of Adowei, with clients from all over the world, from peasants and kings alike. Everyone knows that "the Banking Clan always gets its due," and none dare to oppose them for fear of being without their funding, or worse, that they start funding their enemies in this time of war and strife. All factions, even the mightiest kingdoms, are somewhat at the mercy of the Banking Clan of Exhosa.

Benefits

A character who joins the Banking Clan gains the following benefits:

Ranks

The Banking Clan promotes their workers depending on how well they can earn their guild money, and how well they can keep to their philosophy of always getting their money back.

To rank from recruit to assistant manager, you have to earn the Banking Clan 25,000 gp.

To rank from assistant manager to manager, you have to earn the Banking Clan 50,000 gp.

To rank from manager to president, you have to earn the Banking Clan 100,000 gp.

The Golden Castle

While not a literal castle, this large, almost cathedral-like building houses the vaults of gold that the Banking Clan has acquired over the years, as well as many services for those seeking anything from loans to business partners.

Seemingly everyone in Adowei knows about the Golden Castle of the Banking Clan, which is located in the center of Exhosa. They openly advertise their business for all, and warn about debt that they might incur, warning them that they will get their money back in any ways they must.

Banking Clan's CEO

The CEO runs every branch of the Banking Clan in the known world, and is perhaps the richest man in all of Adowei, with more money than most kingdom coffers. In some ways, this makes him the most powerful man in the world. CEOs are chosen by the current CEO for training, almost like an heir for a meritocracy, spending years teaching their replacement everything they'd need to know.

Fighters Guild

The Fighters Guild is a group of warriors, mercenaries, and even heroes to some extent. The Fighters Guild will accept almost any contract. Contracts pertaining to the killing of infestations of rats, eliminating troublesome bandits, delivering packages, and escorting high-ranking nobles are all suitable jobs for a member of the Fighters Guild. All potential warriors and mercenaries are welcome, from all walks of life. So long as you have the drive to learn and fight, you have a place in the Fighters Guild.

Being Part of the Fighters Guild

Anyone interested in combat that is focused on either an honest living or exciting combat can join the guild. Like with any other guild, there are rules to be followed, and the Fighters Guild has its own code of honor. For one, members of this guild are part of a family. Killing a member of the family is unforgivable, and will often get you immediately expelled from the guild. Beyond that, however, members of the guild tend to play in more gray areas of morality.

Benefits

A character who joins the Fighters Guild gains the following benefits:

Ranks

Ranks in the guild are mostly determined by how many contracts a member of this guild completes, and how well they prove themselves in their fighting pits.

To rank up from apprentice to journeyman, you must complete five contracts and win three fights in the pit.

To rank up from journeyman to guardian, you must complete ten contracts and win five fights in the pit.

To rank up from guardian to champion, you must complete fifteen contracts and win eight fights in the pit.

Basilisk Garrison

Built overtop an underground garrison, the Basilisk Garrison serves as the headquarters of the Fighters Guild as a tavern, serving as a front for their other activities. This building has mess halls, bunks, smithies, tinkerers, and many more tools that any warrior may use, so long as they're part of the family.

Many who aren't aware of the Fighters Guild might assume that their base is simply a tavern that hosts special guests, but there are few who don't know the truth about this building. People with a contract are allowed to nail their offer to the bounty board, but aren't allowed to stay for a drink.

The Master

The guild master is rumored to be the strongest man in the world of Adowei: a being so powerful that not even an adventurer could best him. There was no task he could not do, and always put his family first before anything else.

Golden Dust

One of the few factions in all of Adowei that have any idea on the creation of magic items. While many mages are able to form their own items with their mana, Golden Dust has found some way to produce magic items not only at a higher quality, but also in a way that they seemingly don't have to sacrifice any of their mana. Their secrets are closely guarded, not even known to some of the highest levels of the beings that make up the guild's rank.

Minas Logeas

Chaotic neutral, human male

While Minas is a cautious and stingy person, he will always try to plan ahead and control details beforehand in order to avoid any haphazard actions that can endanger Golden Dust. Being the collector and hoarder that he is, he spends most of his funds and time amassing a formidable amount of items regardless of its actual value or his ability to use them. However, he seems to have a particular taste in jewelry, which he covers his bodies with in the forms of rings, amulets, and more.

Mages' Association

The Mages' Association is an international, self-preservative, and self-defense organization formed by practitioners of spellcasting for the purpose of controlling and developing magecraft. It has many strongholds and academies under it, but it also has several rules that all mages must abide by, or they will be marked as "Psykers," and barred from the Mages' Association in all ways possible. The first rule, of course, is preventing the use of Dark Magic, or magic of evil nature or origin.

Murmurs

The walls listen and the birds sing when in the presence of those of the Murmurs guild. Many think of the Murmurs as just spies, but their abilities and knowledge span far greater than any spy network in the known world. Even if an event were to occur on the other side of the world, it is likely that the Murmurs will hear about it the day of. With fingers, eyes, and ears everywhere, there is nowhere to hide from the perceptive ears of the walls, the sharp tongue of the raven, and the glaring eyes of the stars.

Scions

A guild from a secret society of men and women who claim they can see the future. The specifics of their abilities are not known, but many people pay plenty of money for the chance to learn more about the future. Strangely enough, this is because most Scion visions come true within a year at latest. This makes them a valuable resource in any war or conflict, but they are adamant about remaining neutral because of the values they hold so dear. Many believe that they make deals with the gods themselves to grant visions of the future, although they guard their secrets quite closely.

Benefits

A character who joins the Scions gain the following benefits.

Proficiencies

You gain proficiency in the History and Insight skills. If you're already proficient in either skill, your proficiency bonus is doubled for any check you make with that skill.

Scion Mask

A cloth piece that has the symbol of the guild painted onto it that is wrapped around the wearer's eyes, blinding them and covering their eyes, symbolizing their reliance and reverence of fate and destiny. It allows those to see their visions more clearly, supposedly, while blocking out the material world from mystics and seers that are "easily distracted."

In addition, the blindfold is enchanted with magic, providing the user with various abilities based on their rank within the guild. As the user ranks up, the cloth is enchanted with the new ability and retains all previous abilities.

Recruit - First Visions

While wearing the mask, you gain blindsight up to 30 feet. In addition, after every short or long rest, you have a 20% chance to gain the effects of the Prophetic Dream cantrip.

Seer - Fate-Born

While wearing the mask, you gain blindsight up to an additional 30 feet (60 feet in total). In addition, whenever you see a vision come to fruition, you recover one spent spell slot up to fifth-level. In addition, after every short or long rest, you have a 35% chance to gain the effects of the Prophetic Dream cantrip.

Mystic - Choice is an illusion

While wearing the mask, you gain truesight up to 15 feet, In addition, whenever you see a vision come to fruition, you can recover one spent spell slot up to seventh-level, and you gain two luck points. In addition, after every short or long rest, you have a 50% chance to gain the effects of the Prophetic Dream cantrip.

Ranks

The Scions have a rank system to determine the more powerful visions and more devout followers of fate, and members can rank up after proving their devotion to fate and the Three.

To rank from Recruit to Seer, the member must see one of their own visions come true.

To recruit from Seer to Mystic, the member must see five of their own visions come true.

To recruit from Mystic to Prophet, the member must see ten of their own visions come true.

Recruit

The freshest members of the guild, they have yet to come into their own, and have yet to prove their abilities as a Scion. However, the Three still holds hope that they will have their first visions.

Seer

Seers are those who have had their first visions and seen them proven by fate, validated by the Three. They still have not truly embraced the powers of fate and destiny yet, but they are well on their way, considering many give up before getting to this stage.

Mystic

Mystics have fully embraced the powers and wisdom of fate, and have seen more than their fair share of futuristic visions. As such, these are the ones many come to in order to purchase their own visions, and Mystics are always happy to oblige in order to provide for the guild.

Prophet

Prophets are the most powerful Scions because of the frequency of their visions, and the validity of them. Prophets sit just below the Three in terms of rank, and often work with them in interpretations of large, seemingly world-changing visions granted by the fates.

In addition, the Three grant a Phrophet's mask with special powers seemingly unique to them, in addition to a 70% chance of gaining the effects of the Prophetic Dream cantrip. Work with your DM to determing the nature of this upgrade.

The Stronghold of Fate

Down in Sharion, an inconspicuous building hides in plain sight, which leads deep underground into the lair of the Scions. Complete with plenty of bunk rooms, mess halls, and more, it has just the bare minimum for the Scions to live in peace away from the world above them.

Only a select few know of the stronghold, and those people often tell others if they feel they need guidance from the fates, just as they did. As such, it seems that very few know of the Scions, but they still have a functioning customer base.

In addition, once every month, a Scion ventures around the city, offering readings and visions to those who pay, although these are not as strong as their visions, or reliable.

The Three

The Three are a group of three individuals that run the Scions as their leader. Normally, in any case. However, as of late, one man seems to be in control of the other two, or perhaps they simply wish for him to take charge.

Sovereign Knights

Knights and mages who swear allegiance to no flag, but fight much like an actual army. That is the Sovereign Knight. "Strength is Power" is a common slogan associated with them, as they have a strange way of recruiting people. They storm military fortresses and capture as many people as possible. Those who surrender are killed, and those who fight back and recruited to their ranks. All factions actively denounce them, but they don't seem to care about the war, only growing their army.

Sergeant - Specially Made

You have a +1 bonus to AC while wearing this armor. In addition, the armor coat has 3 charges. When you hit a creature with an attack and that creature doesn’t have all its hit points, you can expend 1 charge to deal an extra 1d10 necrotic damage to the target. The armor regains 1d3 expended charges daily at dawn.

Knight - The Black Hand

You have resistance to nonmagical damage while you wear this armor.

Ranks

The ranks of this guild are based on how much the Black Blade trusts their members, and often hands out ranks based on the skill and power of their warriors. While some members do have more authority over others, it is nothing that a sparring match or their superior couldn't handle.

To rank from private to sergeant, you must defeat a sergeant in a duel while witnessed by the Black Blade or the entire company.

To rank from sergeant to knight, you must defeat a knight in a duel while witnessed by the Black Blade or the entire company.

To rank from knight to general, you must defeat a general in a duel while witnessed by the Black Blade or the entire company.

The Black Blade

The undisputed warlord of the Sovereign Knights, the Black Blade is a being of unknown origin that seems to love war with a fiery passion, leading many to believe that they are a celestial servant of Madther. They admire the warriors and mages of all factions, but cites that they could be so much more. So, they have settled on trying to revitalize the conflict with greater war and death, ushering in the next Age of Warfare, viewing the groups that are willing to go to war as wolves who will fight for survival and the ones who favor peace are sheep waiting to be slaughtered.

Thieves' Guild

The Thieves Guild is an organization of professional thieves that provides mutual support for the illegal endeavors of its members and their clients. Based mainly in Sacaster, members of the Thieves Guild are renowned for causing trouble in the city and are held largely responsible for the corruption of the city's markets. Members of the guild specialize in stealing objects of varying value or loaning gold to potential entrepreneurs or to help someone pay off their debts, in hopes of a payback. Many in the world view them unfavorably, and for good reason. The guild has a strong hold in politics and law enforcement due to their ability to bribe, intimidate and extort the officials and guards of any hold by exploiting their greed or by threatening to reveal embarrassing and potentially damning secrets to the public.

Joining the Guild

Anyone can join the Thieves Guild, but only if a member of the guild can vouch for them. They usually do this after testing them to see how well they can steal without getting caught, but it depends on who is doing the recruiting. But more often than not, they will test the ability to steal above all else.

Being Part of the Thieves Guild

The only real stipulation about being in the Thieves Guild is that you cannot snitch. Betraying the Thieves Guild in any capacity is a horrible offense, and they will endeavor to make your life as difficult as possible for crossing them.

Benefits

A character who joins the Thieves Guild gains the following benefits:

Proficiencies

You gain proficiency in the Sleight of Hand skill. If you're already proficient in that skill, your proficiency bonus is doubled for any check you make with that skill. In addition, you also become fluent in Thieves' Cant.

Deft Hands

These pairs of gloves are imbued with the blessings of Suris, and work with a special power to help the Thieves Guild member consistently succeed on any task they might have. And, of course, it gets stronger the more you improve in the guild's hierarchy.

Ranks

There are no ranks in the Thieves Guild, only experience. However, for the sake of the Deft Hands benefit, ranks will be listed as such:

To rank from initiate to shadowhand, you must complete three Thieves Guild missions.

To rank from shadowhand to nightingale, you must complete seven Thieves Guild missions.

To rank from nightingale to silent one, you must complete fifteen Thieves Guild missions. Once you become a Silent One, work with your DM to determine the nature of your final upgrade.

Strangely enough, there seems to be no leadership role in the Thieves' Guild, as it is run more like a community of like-minded people rather than a group fighting for a cause.

The Moongazer

More like a den than anything else, it seems to be built underground in the sewers of Sacaster, but is notable in that the ceilings are painted with a large moon where the manhole cover would be. The den serves as living quarters and storage areas for stolen goods, and as an area to plot out the next big heist, whatever that may be.

The Calendar and the Passage of Time

Most games tend to brush aside the element of a calendar and world-centric days. Many games that I've been in have simply used the calendar from our real world: Twelve months in a year, seven days in a week, 24 hours in a day, and so on. However, doesn't that seem a tad bit generic and boring for a fantasy world? Shouldn't there be an extra level of immersion in there for those that want it?

In Adowei, there are 266 days in a single year. This is because it only has nine months that fill its calendars, and the days for each month range anywhere from 27 to 32. However, there are still 7 days in a week, and days still last for only 24 hours. The months are outlined, along with the number of days and their holidays, below.

The days of the week no longer range from Sunday to Saturday as well. Instead, they are labeled as follows, and in the same format as a standard week: Untere (Sunday), Deurenix (Monday), Troxin (Tuesday), Quantere (Wednesday), Cinicix (Thursday), Hantaya (Friday), and Dolorin (Saturday).

Holidays

Below are the holidays listed above and their significance. Keep in mind that these are not the only holidays or traditions present, but ones that are the most widely celebrated. Similarly, some holidays may only occur during Ahtho years, and may not even exist during the years of Barint.

Events in Adowei are unique to the city you're in. Many times, there is no set day that it is celebrated, but some do have strict dates that the cities and towns adhere to when preparing the events. But, as always, it depends on where in the world you are with your party.

There is nothing more sacred to many cultures than the traditions that their ancestors celebrated and keeping said traditions alive. While many may seem strange to outsiders, these ancient traditions are generally the backbone of many races and societies in the world of Adowei, and should be treated with the utmost respect, lest you suffer the wrath of those who celebrate such traditions.

For clarity, holidays will be marked with maroon, events will be marked in blue, and traditions will be marked in green. Also, there will be options for the dungeon master to grant benefits on such joyous days.

Guild Admiration Day

The day where most of the guilds in the land gather together and work to discuss the current situations in Adowei and to find any ways to help resolve them. Some guilds are exempt from this meeting, however, and they are by no means a subsitute for the Councils in the world. Their prices can either go up or down because of it, however. It also becomes slightly cheaper to start your own guild as well.

Golden Day

The greatest period of happiness in Adowei, Golden Day is mostly associated with the creation of art, love and romance, hot beverages and fireworks. This holiday is a reminder to the enlightenment eras of the history of Adowei. Often the greatest minds and creative geniuses are gathered together on the same night, and often hold events to flaunt their genius and answer questions from their peers or some of the "lesser minds."

At your DM's discretion, they can increase one of your mental Ability Scores by 1 for either the day or permanently (DM's discretion).

The Fast of Last Light

At night time until midnight, the Fast of Last Light is celebrated with much gratification. It's a holiday with mystical roots, but this day is mostly associated with traditional clothing, humility, holiday-themed sports games, and love and romance. It is the to celebrate Besk and Faralei, a Lizardfolk man and Elf woman who bore a secret love for each other and were murdered at midnight after running away for six hours. It is a reminder that love can be found anywhere and that we cannot forbid the love of others simply because of their race.

Ring Day

The Ring of Altaenia is an ancient magic item, one that is rumored to be the strongest magical item in all of the continent. It is on this day that the ring is paraded around the continent and the priests of Orius offer the chance to wear the ring to all who dare. But be warned: If the ring sees you as unworthy, you will be killed. Few attempt the challenge anymore. Replace the blank space with the continent you currently reside in.

The Tournament of Madther

The largest tournament in all of the realm in honor of Madther. Only the most skilled warriors compete in front of the leaders of the leading factions, and the ruling heads of Madther’s church. The winner is bestowed one favor from the factions (within reason) in addition to money, magic items, and a symbol of their victory (a wreath or a crown). There are three different variations of the tournament: The Hard Hands, where all participants are stripped of their armor and weapons, and fight with their hands. The Tough Blades, where the participants follow the standard tournament rules, described below. And finally, the Soft Mage, where the normal rules apply, but the participants are allowed to cast spells during the match. Betting is allowed during this tournament, and encouraged.

There are six standard rules that most every tournament in the world of Adowei follows:

1. No magic before, during, or after.
2. Don't aim to kill, but death happens.
3. The match is over when only one is left standing or three minutes pass.
4. You leave the circle, you lose.
5. No hidden weapons.
6. Keep everything in the circle.

Supreme One's Day

A day of religion, everyone in Adowei takes a day to worship the Gods that helped shape their world and often have cosplay tournaments, where warriors and mages dress as their deity and fight in a tournament for that God’s honor. It's even rumored that the Gods themselves may even descend unto the world, granting miracles and boons to those in need, or grants their churches further insight; hindering other churches in the process, if it's in their nature.

At your DM's discretion, deities could respond to prayers much more easily, and their boons could be much more powerful.

Crown Day

A day in honor of the crowning of the emperor of the Brightforge Empire. Generally, a feast is held that honors the emperor and all he has accomplished in his time on the throne. Or, if it is the heir’s 16th birthday, the heir will be crowned as the future emperor for when his father dies. A perfect opportunity to speak with the emperor and the future heir most would say... at least for those who can afford the fee needed to attend.

Harvest Fall

The day of the harvest festival: A joyous time for farmers and merchants alike. Special food and items are usually sold today, and the food usually has twice the properties it normally would if bought on this day. It also becomes easier, most say, to grow food and hunt for materials.

At your DM's discretion, they can halve the time it takes to grow and harvest grown foods and plants, find and mine certain materials, and hunt and harvest creatures.

The Celebration of Wisdom

For this day, and this day only, every part of any library/place of learning is not considered off-limits. Those who were once banned are given a second chance, and those who used dark magic in the past could be brought back to the Mage's Association. However, a clerk can still choose books that people cannot read and private areas of a certain room off-limits in a library.

At your DM's discretion, you may increase either Intelligence or Wisdom by 1 for that day or permanently at your DM's discretion.

The Praising of Virtue

Another day where the Gods are worshipped. Many make pilgrimages on this day to prove their loyalty to their deity; seeking their favor or to have their wish granted. On this day, the Gods are also very merciful and generous, at least some are, granting a boost to religious boons as well, but only for those who can make the pilgrimage and survive.

At your DM's discretion, you can take advantage on three rolls for this day (must be decided before the roll is made).

The Festival of Swords

The few days in where the war is put on hold. Soldiers return home to their families and very few military tactics are planned. Mostly reconstructions that are put into action for a week. Guards are less lenient and soldiers are more prominent in cities, but less so in the world. This is only celebrated during Ahtho years, however. During this time, the DM is recommended to figure out which buildings are more easily accessible because of the temprorary week of peace.

Emperor's Feast

Once a year, the emperor holds a feast that any may attend (so long as you have the coin [~500 gp]). You’ll be treated to an all-you-can-eat feast and will even be able to speak with the emperor directly! Truly a night to attend if you can. Perhaps a chance to gain reputation with the Brightforge Empire and the emperor himself. However, the entire event is litered with elite guards and powerful beings.

Guhena's Festival

A celebration of life itself! All-you-can-eat feasts, fun sports and events, beautiful time-honored traditions, you can find anything in the celebration of the Goddess of life herself. Presents are handed down to loved ones, and more generous actions are taken by nobility; perhaps in an attempt to have people hate them less for this one night. It’s basically Christmas, if you're comparing it to our world.

At your DM's discretion, you may even get gifts from your loved ones or someone important to you from your past.

Ascension Day

The last day of the year, Ascension Day is when the Gods rested their heads and finished creating the world of Adowei. It's a time for acceptance, joy, and new beginnings for all who would participate. Mostly everything is closed on this day, so good luck finding a good store. Basically New Year’s Eve, if you're comparing it to our world. This is the last day of the year, and is generally celebrated by all, regardless of race, society, faction, and pretty much every other factor.

Government

Phisis is a fairly young high elf female, at least comparably, and rules with the help of her council. Top amongst them is her father, Elan, but also has two more beside her: her bodyguard and retainer, a human male named Treves Snowdon; and an archaeologist that claims to be quite knowledgeable on the Zenit, a very old human male named Arber Nash.

However, Phisis has the finally call in most all things in Blane, and will often green light many operations to uncover Zenit ruins and artifacts. She also keeps the well-being of her citizens in mind as well, and will never knowingly put them in danger unless there is no choice. Thankfully though, Treves does a decent job leading the local militia, ensuring that they can rebel any monstrous invasion, and thankfully any military incursion.

Crime

Many people have become disillusioned with how Phisis runs the city, and have even taken to rebellion against her; trying to sabotage many excavation projects. Other than that, there are charlatans and thieves spread out, if rarely, amongst the city, leaving plenty for the local city guards to do in order to quell any sort of rebellion or crime.

The Eye of the Zenit

The Eye of the Zenit is said to be a giant, eye-like structure constructed by the Zenit in order to gaze into the future and control their own destiny. Phisis keeps the relic under lock and key, hidden deep within the basement of the city's theatre, concealed by a labyrinth built by the city's most gifted maze designers. Rumor has it that most go mad trying to gaze into the eye, only to be met with horrific visions.

Only Phisis and her council know the correct direction of how to get to the artifact, and they trust no person, certainly not outsiders, with such knowledge. However, at least according to their official word, nobody from that council has ever gazed into that orb, but many citizens have their doubts about that.

Braedon

Population: 329 (78% dragonborn, 20% human, 2% other

races)
Government: Sterling Padley is a noble in the Brightforge

Empire, who runs the village in its mining aspects.
Defense: With how small the village is, this settlement relies

on Vlodon's forces to defend them.
Commerce: Little to no resources are available in this village,

but there is a trading post and tavern, which is where most

shopping would be done.
Organizations: The Brightforge Empire has taken a strong

hand in ruling over the village, but there appears to be a

growing rebellion amongst the dragonborn.
Habitat: Mountain.

After conquering Vlodon and turning it into more of a mining settlement, some of the dragonborn were moved to a smaller makeshift village just outside of the city. It has the bare essentials to it: a farm and trading post, as well as a tavern, just so the Brightforge Empire did not have to bother with the logistics of feeding another village of conquered people, but would leave that task to traders who passed by.

Clona

Population: 20,022 (40% elf, 20% human, 15% dwarf, 10%

gnome, 15% other races)
Government: The ruler of this city is an elven male named

Cardis who actually appears to be somewhat sympathetic

to the Eternal Confederacy.
Defenses: Anything outside the wall is poorly defended, but

the artifacts and people inside the wall are protected by

guards and powerful mages.
Commerce: Unless they are offered historical artifacts or

one proves their worth, it is unlikely anyone will get inside

the city, but the outside does have some lesser stores,

taverns, and inns.
Organizations: The Defenders of History are the leading

protecting forces for the city, and it is rumored that the

Eternal Confederacy has some hand here as well.
Habitat: Grassland.

Clona is the city to the protectors of history. They live within the walls of Clona, while everyone else must reside outside the walls to ensure “public safety.” These protectors are often referred to as “mercenaries,” as they lack any formal training, and many assume they work simply for the monetary value of these historical artifacts. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. While most may not actually have formal training, they all gather in Clona because of their love of history and their desire to protect it. Or so they say.

Doonatel

Population: 770 (20% humans, 20% elves, 15% dwarfs, 45%

other races)
Government: This small village is run by a human male

named Shen, who built the city on the outskirts away from

other people so that others may live in peace.
Defense: The village has little ways in defense, and little

coin to buy it.
Commerce: Doonatel offers little for outsiders other than a

hot meal and a bed for those willing to help them.
Organizations: No guilds or groups have set up in this

village.
Habitat: Coast.

Doonatel was built on the idea that the war is only a source of death and destruction; one that others should be free to flee from. Many of those who would be conscripted would flee to Doonatel, as it is so far out of the way of the war. Many refugees come here as well, but the small village can barely accommodate for many who come to them. Still, Shen is regarded as a man of great integrity and bountiful luck and resources, seemingly always able to provide for those who enter his village. Many suspect him of strange otherworldly dealings, but the village is more than willing to vouch for his honesty.

Dunwich

Population: 2,890 (30% wood elves, 20% humans, 18%

gnomes, 10% halflings, 10% half-elves, 12% other races)
Government: The town is led by a mysterious leader that

claims to speak for the Foremother's Forest. Only a select

few have ever seen the leader, and all of them are reluctant

to describe her.
Defense: The town uses town guards to protect them from

crime, but also use the forest as a natural defense from

attacks.
Commerce: Basic supplies are mostly available to others,

and taverns and inns are willing to support travelers,

especially those who worship Ytix.
Organizations: Shrines dedicated to Ytix have been set up

across the town for ease of worship.
Habitat: Forest.

Dunwich is a town built just within the Foremother's Forest, built atop and within the trees even, by devout followers of Ytix who believe this forest to be a holy site for them. They defend the forest with help from a nearby chapel of Ytix warriors from invaders with religious zealotry. Sometimes, they are even able to convince the natural races of that forest to assist in the defense of their home and the forest, and even live in harmony with them.

Foremother's Forest

The Foremother's Forest is a large woodland forest that is seen as a holy site for many who worship Ytix, hence the name. Worshipers of Ytix will often make pilgrimages, and some even choose to stay; whether that be as a citizen of Dunwich or as a hermit living in the forest. However, this forest houses creatures of many kinds that are willing to defend the forest with zealous fury, including Dryads, Death Vines, and more.

Gormsey

Population: 4,741 (42% gnomes, 20% dwarfs, 17%

humans, 15% halflings, 6% other races)
Government: The town of Gormsey is ruled over by an adult

blue dragon that lives within the mountainside, but often

cares very little for the town itself.
Defense: Seeing no need for a guard station, the town has

opted to revere the dragon as a god in hopes that it will

defend them. And it does, most of the time, in exchange for

food and gold.
Commerce: The town is hesitant of travelers, especially

knights, but will often offer a bed and food to those who

pay their respects to Valmigos the Glass Maker.
Organizations: Many believe this town to be run by the

Dragonic Empire, but none are able to confirm this.

Otherwise, no other guild or faction has dared claim this

town of glass.
Habitats: Mountain.

Gormsey is often referred to as "the town of glass" because of the dragon's ability to turn others to glass, which the townspeople do not move once they are turned out of fear and respect. As such, many who walk into the city will see glass statues that look like people, and they will know that they stand in the presence of Valmigos the Glass Maker. This has even made it somewhat of a town for tourists who wish to see the strange statues, and knights who wish to slay the dragon. However, thanks in part to the town, this ancient dragon is left to rest in peace.

Crime

With the dragon living in the mountain, crime is almost at zero, as many fear the wrath of the dragon. A common punishment for most crimes within this town is the trial by glass, where the criminal is presented to Valmigos the Glass Maker, who will judge you. Should the dragon judge you guilty, you will join his collection of glass. Should you be proven innocent however, which is very unlikely in most cases, you will be returned to your home as somewhat of a folk hero, regardless of the crime you may once have been accused of.

Grimsby

Population: 724 (30% kemonomimi, 22% human, 20% elves,

8% dwarfs, 20% other races.)
Government: A high elf male named Atmet runs the village,

and is often more kind than most other high elves that are

seen, even toward non-elves.
Defense: The village has a meek defense, only with volunteer

guards and a small fence around the village.
Commerce: The village is ready and able to use their inns to

house travelers, or even willing to let people stay for a

modest sum.
Organizations: To many's surprise, the Scholars of the Vale

have actually set up a small base in the village because of

the strange Starfall phenomenon, as have many other

guilds.
Habitat: Grassland.

Grimsby is best known for the Starfall phenomenon, where a strange magnetic pull causes shooting stars and other meteorites to be drawn to the surrounding field. Many factions will often race to whenever a new star crashes in order to harness its resources, though the occasional monster will crash as well, forcing kingdoms to send armies or guilds to send adventurers. Thanks to this, the village sees much business, and often capitalizes on this in order to curry favor with other guilds and kingdoms.

Hadleigh

Population: 690 (78% ravenfolk, 10% humans, 7% elves,

5% other races)
Government: Many believe that the wizard in the tower rules

the village, but few have heard from him in years, only ever

having his message carried by the ravenfolk from the

tower.
Defense: The ravenfolk are zealous defenders of the tower

and, to a lesser extent, the town.
Commerce: This village offers little to any travelers, unless

they wish to trade or work in the village.
Organizations: The Mages' Association has been

investigating this village, but the ravenfolk have often

proved themselves to be quite the nuisance in the tower's

investigation.
Habitat: Grassland.

The village is built around an old wizard tower that belonged to an unknown mage, who wanted to build a city of worshipers. The mage has since left or died, unknown to the populace, but his ravenfolk followers still serve his will. They’ve been there for generations, creating several family lineages within the giant tower. Many are curious as to who the mage was, but no one other than the ravenfolk know for sure, as they let nobody enter the tower, or let anyone leave it alive.

Kamamba Zaghouna

Population: 1,021 (22% revonac, 21% half-orcs, 20% dwarfs,

20% drow, 10% myconid, 7% other races)
Government: The city is run in part by the Elder of Aether

and Void in Stathmore, but is primarily run by a revonac

male named Antonis Manakis.
Defense: Living deep underground, the city has very little

emphasis on defense or offense.
Commerce: The city very rarely gets visitors, so can be very

happy to provide services at their inns and taverns

depending on their disposition.
Organizations: No guilds or factions dare attack or set up

a sphere of power in the underdark.
Habitat: Underdark.

Kamamba Zaghouna was originally a den of dragons before a brave knight cleared it of its gold and corpse. Afterwards, refugees fleeing from the Iron War came to this deserted mountain and decided to make it their home. They built defenses and buildings into the mountain, and made the city as one of free creativity, where anyone can make anything they desire, though with certain restrictions, of course. Now it almost serves as an escapist's dream world, free from the anxieties of the Great War that rages above them.

Lancaster

Population: 5,803 (37% dwarfs, 22% humans, 20% gnomes,

10% elves, 11% other races)
Government: The priests of the temple of Orius lead the

town in most aspects, but also has a rivalry with the temple

of Madther.
Defense: The priests of Orius keep a magical barrier around

the town, and the church of Madther constructs tall and

thick walls.
Commerce: The town keeps taverns and inns for travelers,

and keeps supplies for arcane spells and construction in

reserve, making them a key provider in some cases, at least

in Eskary.
Organizations: The churches of Orius and Madther have a

sort of rivalry with one another, and constantly fight each

other over control of the town.
Habitat: Grassland.

Lancaster was once the site of a brutal battle between the warlord Seren and the people of Lancaster. It was a mage that would eventually bring him down, leading to this sort of deification of mages within the town, especially back when Seren was first defeated. Now the church of Orius has kept relevance and power within the town, but the church of Madther has turned up as well, creating religious and political tension within.

Laughing Summit

The Laughing Summit is a group of mountains named after the jester god of the Void, Kixtos, and the paragon god of balance, Juexzotz, did battle atop its sharp peaks. The Elder of Aether and Void is rumored to live at the top of this summit, waiting for a being worthy of his power to bring balance to the world. However, only a select few have ever been able to climb its steep mountains, and many more die trying than they do succeed. As such, many choose to leave the Herald to his own devices, save for some who occasionally make the trek to bring him food and offerings for his wisdom and kindess.

Leeside

Population: 4,545 (50% humans, 30% kemonomimi, 20%

other races)
Government: After the unfortunate death of her father, Gina

Leighton leads as the head noblewoman of this agricultural

town.
Defense: The town is guarded by a wooden fence of a wall

and town guards, though with a focus on agriculture, it isn't

as strong as many other guards.
Commerce: Leeside is more than willing to hold adventurers

for meals and a nice bed, so long as they can pay with gold

or labor.
Organizations: Hollowfel allows Leeside to stand on its own,

only requesting food from it in dire times.
Habitat: Grassland.

Leeside is an agricultural town, fairly large, but nothing huge. It serves largely as a stopping point and rural community along the road to and from Zloudale, though it also serves as a major food supplier for Hollowfel. And while the town is walled, it is largely defenseless, or would be if not for their relationship with the kingdom of Hollowfel. However, because of Hollowfel's secret existence, the road to Leeside is frequented by bandits.

Lost Retisence Library

The Lost Retisence Library is an ancient library that is only spoken of in rumors now. Legends say that the library sunk into the ground after an epic battle within its walls, and sending all of the knowledge that it held within to the underground. Thousands of years of knowledge lost in a series of battles. It was the largest and most significant libraries of the ancient world, built as a tall tower that housed tens of floors of knowledge and tools that none may access now.

Or so many thought. In recent history, the Scholars of the Vale discovered the library and set themselves up within, keeping its bountiful knowledge to themselves and their allies. This decision has become controversial in the world, and many are calling for them to open the doors of the library to the public, but to no avail.

Lunar Reliquary

Also known as the Black Vault, the Lunar Reliquary is a storehouse of powerful magical items and artifacts that have been locked away for one reason or another. Perhaps due to their power, or perhaps due to the personalities that created them. Regardless, Hollowfel ensures that any item of power that they deem as too dangerous ends up in here by any means necessary. Security is airtight, and the guards will often let nobody inside or allow any gear within to be requisitioned for any reason. This upsets most of the factions of Adowei as a whole, especially Golden Dust, though Hollowfel seems generally uncaring when it comes to such trivial matters.

Mount of the Dragon

These mountains surround a great volcano that was said to be a nesting spot for dragons according to the dragonborn of Vlodon. However, they are also rich in metals, specifically lead, gold, and iron. As such, the Brightforge Empire is quick to mine into it and take whatever resources it can. However, unbeknownst to them perhaps, a dragon sleeps deep within its dark caves, one that does not wish to be disturbed.

Old Corruption

The Old Corruption, as many might guess, is the oldest known Void corruption in the world, where Kixtos first touched down onto the world with his dark powers. Thankfully, after Terminus and the splitting of Altaenia, the corruption was only able to spread to Zoudrurg. However, many worry that the Old Corruption might begin to spread further, but Hollowfel seems to be doing everything they can in order to prevent such a disaster from occurring.

Petol

Population: 21,473 (40% humans, 20% elves, 20% dwarves,

10% halflings, 5% gnomes, 5% other races)
Government: Praetor Shih is the oldest of the Praetors,

at least in terms of common aging, as he is a human.
Defense: A tall, thick wall surrounds the city, and the guards

are fairly strict and powerful.
Commerce: Petol holds many shops of all kinds, but

specializes in metals they dig up in their pursuit of relics.
Organizations: The Scholars of the Vale keep an interesting

eye on this city for its curse, as does the Mage's

Association.
Habitat: Coastal.

Petol is one of the oldest cities in Eskary. People flock from all over Altaenia to view the wondrous historical sites and museums. Petol has probably seen more history than the rest of Altaenia, and it consists of the largest museum in all of Altaenia to show for it, among other things. Many historians, if they need to find anything about history, come here before any other region.

However, a dark secret runs deep in this city. The Curse of Prexius causes the citizens to go mad at night, causing unnecessary death and destruction for all. However, it only seems to affect those within the city's walls, not those outside, and the Scholars of the Vale and Mages' Association are working together to solve it.

Rotherham

Population: 5,824 (40% dwarfs, 37% gnomes, 20% humans,

3% other races)
Government: Rotherham is led by a council of dwarfs,

gnomes, and humans that work to create innovations in

technology, no matter the cost.
Defense: Since Rotherham is one of the most

technologically-advanced settlements, their town is

protected with walls, cannons, and even constructs.
Commerce: The town has more taverns than most, likely

from the dwarven side of the city, but it also makes quite

a lot of money from selling their creations.
Organizations: The Brightforge Empire has taken a keen

interest in Rotherham, but Hollowfel ensures that they can

work freely and safely.
Habitat: Mountain.

Dwarfs are known to have created thousands of mechanical apparatuses of varying complexity, and gnomes are best known in their creativity. Combining both into one town is a recipe for technological marvels. That was the inspiration for the creation Rotherham all those years ago, and that is what they continue to do today: build and create.

Even many of the world powers fear Rotherham's abilities, and believe them to be poised to growing their own empire as well. In truth though, the members of the council have no interest in conquering the world. Well, not all of them anyways. Instead, all they desire is to build whatever they wish.

Government

Three dwarves, three gnomes, and three humans all make up the council of Rotherham, which is in charge of leading the city and its creative minds. Every three members are paired together and work with one another on various things.

The three dwarves, known as the Techies, are responsible for transferring imagination into reality. The imagination and creativity, however, comes from the gnome group known as the Thinkers. Not only do they come up with some of the idea for the creations, but they also use their tinkering talents to tweak and perfect the designs. Finally, the humans work together to create the funds and resources for these designs known as the

Crime

All things considered, crime is somewhere from low to moderate in terms of both frequency and extremity. The most common crime, obviously, is theft, but in this settlement, the punishment can vary greatly depending on what someone steals. If they stole an apple, then likely only a small fine. However, stealing technological secrets is considered a capital offense, with some cases even calling for death.

Scrabster

Population: 751 (37% humans, 22% elves, 19% dwarves,

12% halflings, 5% gnomes, 5% other races)
Government: This small village is run by the Praetor of

Petol as well, though there is officially a noble in charge,

a human male named Langley Reeve, but he is mostly just

a stand in.
Defense: Scrabster is defended mostly by Petol's forces, and

only has a meek force of city guards for itself.
Commerce: Scrabster, while under the thumb of Petol, has

little to offer since they are only a small village, but will give

adventurers a place to stay if they desire.
Organizations: No organizations have set up in Scrabster.
Habitat: Coastal

Scrabster is a small village just outside of Petol that was set up to avoid the lingering Curse of Prexius that was plaguing the city. However, it also serves as a base for some members who are researching a way to break the curse. However, without access to Prexius' castle, it seems unlikely any progress might be made without some outside assistance.

Stathmore

Population: 1,281 (32% humans, 20% gnomes, 20%

halflings, 10% half-elves, 9% dwarfs, 3% elves, 6% other

races)
Government: Stathmore is led by a being known as the

Herald of Aether and Void, who is said to be older than

even the oldest of elves.
Defense: The Herald also serves as the defender of the

village, as does his acolytes.
Commerce: This village gladly offers a meal and bed for

most travelers, if not all, but offers little in terms of unique

shops.
Organizations: Hollowfel has made it somewhat of a ritual to

make pilgrimages to Stathmore to visit the Herald.
Habitat: Mountain

Stathmore is nothing more than a recluse village to most outsiders, but to those who know of the Herald of Aether and Void, the village has either become a religious site or a target to raid depending on who you are. Thankfully, Hollowfel offers ample protection to the village in order to protect the Herald, who has chosen to remain within Stathmore for reasons unknown, though many suspect it is because his house resides on the Laughing Summit.

The citizens of Stathmore are mostly all kind people, who have learned from the wisdom of the Herald to be kind to others, even outsiders. Strangely enough as well, they boast no town guards or village militia, relying on the Herald's acolytes and Hollowfel's heroes to protect them all from harm.

Swindmor

Population: 2,455 (67% halflings, 15% humans, 7% gnomes,

11% other races)
Government: Swindmor has no official leader, and instead

relies on morning meetings to get through the days.
Defenses: Most of the halflings choose not to fight, but the

humans make up most of the town guard.
Commerce: The town has plenty of stores available, and of

course and tavern and inn for adventurers and travelers.
Organizations: The Fighters Guild has moved some of its

people in to protect the town, for a modest sum of course.
Habitat: Hill.

Being surrounded by hills, the town's buildings and shops are mostly built into those hills to provide better coverage and less wasted resources. Overall, the town is also very closely tied to one another as well, even to the point where they work through problems together rather than having a local lord do it for them. This sort of individuality stands as a shining example that not all settlements need the feudal leadership of the other kingdoms, but their lack of proper guards and use of mercenaries leaves them quite exposed.

Vlodon

Population: 8,238 (72% dragonborn, 13% humans, 15%

other races)
Government: Since the Brightforge Empire took control, lord

Leandro Graham commands the settlement, but the

rightful leader is Chief Toqrin.
Defense: The Brightforge Empire has stationed a strong

army to protect the city, but more importantly, its

resources.
Commerce: Believe it or not, the city actually has very little

to offer most people, save for the blacksmith, tavern, and

inn, but they do sell dragon scales and hearts some places.
Organizations: The Brightforge Empire currently controls

this city, but the Dragonhearts still make pilgrimages to

this ancient city.
Habitat: Mountain.

Vlodon, the city of dragons! If there’s anything to know about the powerful beasts, you’ll learn it here, as the settlers have been guarding the Mount of the Dragon for centuries, perhaps even millennia. The people are quite proud of what they are, even if most of the world is not, and have no problems bringing others in to join their traditions within their glorious city.

However, when it was discovered that the mountain was rich in metals, the Brightforge Empire laid siege to the city, taking it for themselves, and setting the Dragonborn to work in the mines. While there is a growing rebellion, the Brightforge Empire has put a choke hold on the city until it gets what it wants.

Xeokhore

Population: 24,329 (30% humans, 25% dwarfs, 15% half-

elves, 10% elves, 5% gnomes, 5% halflings, 10% other

races)
Government: Praetor Brannir is the ruler of the city, but he

is being controlled by a council of the city's best artisans.
Defense: The city has plenty of guards to protect them, as

well as mercenaries and a large and thick wall that even

most cannons may not penetrate in its first shot.
Commerce: Xeokhore offers a plethora of different shops

and wears; whether they be enchanters, blacksmiths,

alchemists, or anything in-between.
Organizations: Golden Dust has set up their main base

here, and many of the other guilds and kingdoms prefer to

get their wares here.
Habitat: Forest.

Xeokhore is one of the only cities in the entirety of Altaenia that focuses entirely on manufacturing, selling, and trading of various goods, services, and needs. Most of the citizens in Xeokhore can be classified under the “artisan” role. Whether it be blacksmiths, alchemists, or whatever, Xeokhore is the place to go for quality equipment.

The people of Xeokhore are generally very welcoming of travelers, but more so because of the potential coin in their pocket, but also for potential apprentices for certain businesses. And while many believe the Praetor runs the city, it is actually a kleptocracy of artisans who run the city in secret, whispering into the dwarf's ear about what to do, how to do it, and when.

Yivale

Population: 11,203 (various races)
Government: Praetor Osir is a man of unknown race, as he

is always seen wearing a mask outside his palace.
Defense: Yivale is mostly defended by clerics, but they do

have a somewhat weak guard station.
Commerce: This city is dedicated to the fallen, and has little

to offer other than a warm bed for travelers.
Organizations: Currently, no organizations have made their

claim here as of yet.
Habitat: Grassland.

Yivale: “the city of fallen heroes,” as many like to call it. Honorable warriors, powerful mages, and other significant fallen heroes and warriors are often buried here as a type of “final respect.” However, the city is known for its frequent undead attacks as well, and is mostly defended by clerics, as the guards are often untrained and drunk most of their shifts, likely due to the oppressive atmosphere.

Yrada

Population: 19,238 (various races)
Government: Being a half-orc, Praetor Nobur has always

wanted to help both the human and monstrous races reach

a peaceful relationship.
Defense: The city has several guards stationed, but while

organized, tensions between the races leads to several

cases of increased crime, even among guards.
Commerce: This city has plenty of shops run by different

owners of various races and cultures, and are more than

willing to sell beds and foods to passerbys.
Organizations: The Church of All resides within Yrada as

well, most likely because of the various cultures stationed

here.
Habitat: Grassland.

Yrada is a city littered with culture. It is one of the few human cities that offer a large amount of different races, including monsterous races. Yrada is where culture is truly appreciated, as well as the history of almost every race in Altaenia. For this reason, the city might be considered controvertial, and many kingdoms even seek to bring the city down for this reason.

Zepool

Population: 10,711 (30% humans, 27% dwarfs, 16% half-

elves, 10% elves, 7% revonac, 7% half-orcs, 7% other races)
Government: Due to the dungeon located in the city, the

military has a stronger presence than the Praetor.
Defense: A large wall has been constructed around the

city, though it seems made to keep something in rather

than anything out.
Commerce: Few people decide to visit Zepool other than

adventurers, which are kindly offered beds and food for

any help they can give.
Organizations: The Order of the Doomed Blood can be

found here as one of the groups trying to clear the endless

dungeon.
Habitat: Mountains.

Zepool is a city built into a mountainside with a dungeon stationed within it. Despite the presence of said dungeon, the city is relatively safe, as the creatures from the dungeons tend to stay within its confines. Whether that’s due to the magical seal on its door, however, is up for debate.

Zloudale

Population: 19,455 (various races)
Government: Unbeknownst to many, Hollowfel as a whole

runs this city, though their council is usually the one to

make the decisions.
Defense: This city is built with a large wall and defended by

adventurers of all kinds.
Commerce: Zloudale is filled with a variety of shops that is

open for anyone to shop in.
Organization: This is Hollowfel's capital, and has a powerful

presence here, if hidden from the general public.
Habitat: Coastal.

Zloudale, the secret home to the Hollowfel. Many assume that this large city is home to an order of monks, running and seeking shelter and peace from the war, and offering it to any who require their protection. However, few outside of the order know that Hollowfel even exists, and even fewer know that they reside in this city.

Death Master

Eidolon

Jester

Barbarian

Bard

Druid

Monk

Paladin

Sorcerer

Wizard

Existing Backgrounds

The following backgrounds are from the Player's Handbook and have been edited so that they might better fit within the Altaenia setting, as well as within the whole of Adowei. The actual statistics and features of the background have not been changed, only the way in which they interact with the world, but they are by no means necessary in order to enjoy an Altaenia experience.

New Backgrounds

There are five new backgrounds introduced in this section: the Cultist, the Exile, the Hunter, the Servant, and the Tribalist. All of these options add new depth of character to what one might have done with previous backgrounds, but now they are revised with a more personal element to help them blend with the world of Adowei for you to run or play with in an Altaenia campaign.

Suggested Characteristics

Cultists are very much molded by the experiences they've faced within their own cult. Although many such cults are secretive and adherents don't speak publicly of their strange faith, cults tend to snake their way into all areas of a cultist's life. This influence, and the kind of personality it breeds, tends to linger long after a person has left the fold. Not all cultists are bad people, just as not all cults are inherently bad - but they do tend to be secretive, suspicious and even paranoid.

Exile

You have been thrown out of your home and may never return. Where were you before you were exiled? What did you do to deserve the exile? Were you falsely accused and if so why? What are the conditions of your return if there are any? Are you over your exile, or are you still torn by it? Do you still have contacts with your old life, or have you been fully cut off? Do you carry something with you to remember and if so to remember what? Your home? Your crime? Revenge? These are all questions you must ask yourself as you leave your home and, perhaps, find your way back to it.

Skill Proficiencies: Survival, Perception
Tool Proficiencies: One type of Artisan's tools of your choice.
Languages: One of your choice.
Equipment: Travelers clothes, a winter blanket, a pouch

containing 5 gp, and a reminder of home (a drawing, a leaf,

a ring...).

Origin

You've had to have been exiled from somewhere. Consider what your home was like and what it meant to you. You may roll on the following table to find your home setting, or simply choose one that fits your character.

Feature: Echoes of the Past

You may have been forced to leave your previous life, but it hasn't left you. You have knowledge about the ways people treat one another and therefore have been gifted with skills revolving around a quick-witted nature. Odds are you can talk someone into giving you a hot meal for the evening or perhaps even a warm bed.

Suggested Characteristics

Some exiles take time to adjust to their new life, others adapt fairly quickly and try to drown out their memories of home. Exiles may be slow to trust others, but they are eager to make allies. Some exiles seek only to return home no matter the cost. Are you one of them?

Hunter

You are a hunter. Whether you hunt oddities, normal animals or even people, you have become adept at tracking, predicting, and killing your chosen prey. Are you a hunter for coin, or are you a protector of your home and family? Do you believe yourself a hero? A villain? What are you if not those things? Every job finished brought the clink of coin between your purse strings at the expense of another poor soul fated to endure consequences dire, and often foul. Do you feel bad for such things? Or only in particular interests?

Skill Proficiencies: Choose two from Nature, Stealth,

Intimidation, and Survival.
Tool Proficiencies: Choose from Herbalism Kit or

Poisoner's kit.
Languages: One of your choice.
Equipment: A set of traveler's clothes, a cloth sack, a trinket

from your best hunt, and a pouch containing 10 gp.

Suggested Characteristics

Spending as much time as they do among traders and eclectics, along with the isolation and duration of their forays into the deeper, darker parts of the wilds, many hunters bear a skewed outlook on life that is as much akin to the traits of wild animals as it is to the single-minded drive of profiteers. At the same time, many are attracted to the job, blending that rare mix of muscle and shrewd intellect that form the best (and wealthiest) of their profession.

Servant

You have lived much of your life in the service of a lord, noble, merchant, or someone else with much wealth or power. You fetched their coats, drove their chariots, pressed their clothes; and generally did what they asked you to do. Were you a highly respected butler? A simple scullery maid? Were you born into service, or did you join later? Were you close to your master or masters, or were they distant and cold? Did they treat you well, or beat you at the drop of a hat?

Skill Proficiencies: Choose two from Insight, Lore,

Performance, and Persuasion.
Tool Proficiencies: One of your choice.
Languages: One of your choice.
Equipment: A symbol representing your employer or master,

a set of artisan's tools (one of your choice), a set of common

clothes, and a belt pouch containing 5 gp.

Suggested Characteristics

A servant, for better or worse, will have their personality affected by their years of servitude.

Tribalist

You come from a primitive tribe that has had little interaction with 'modern' civilization. Nearly everything is new to you. Things that everyone else takes for granted are fascinating to you, at least at first. You ask dumb questions, though sometimes these questions are actually very smart because they ask about things that no one else questions. You generally do things the wrong way until someone shows you how to do them. However you are also attuned to things of nature that other people don't notice.

Skill Proficiencies: Survival, Nature.
Tool Proficiencies: Woodcarver’s tools.
Languages: One of your choice.
Equipment: A set of common clothes, Woodcarver’s tools,

a reminder of your tribe, and a belt pouch containing 5 gp.

Suggested Characteristics

Often considered rude and uncouth among civilized folk, tribalists have little respect or for the niceties of life in the cities, at least at first. The ties of tribe, clan, family, and the natural world of which they are a part are the most important bonds to most outlanders.

World Rules

The rules depicted here are rules that are fundamental to how this world works. However, as with anything else, one can choose to omit these rules for the sake of having a good time or the sake of ease. Whatever the case, make sure that everybody at the table is set on these rules so that nobody holds any hard feelings about a rule change.

Corrupted

Many places in Adowei hold a deep evil within them: Places or artifacts that corrupt the very nature of a person should they spend too much time around them. Such places can slowly infect and twist the physical and mental forms of even the most guarded or most holy creatures. When sleep comes to those that stay, it's this state of vulnerability that allows such evil to creep its way in. This influencial mechanic is heavily inspired by Critical Role's Corruption Rules, and borrows heavily from it.

Destiny

Destiny plays a large role for many heroes, at least that is what many great authors write about. The Aetherborn is destined to save the world, the Forgotten One is destined to spread his corruption to all corners of the globe, and so many more. The rules presented below are optional. A DM may decide to use Destiny Points or not; however, the decision to use them should be made before the campaign gets underway, so that each player can decide whether or not to embrace a destiny for their character from the outset. Please take note that this is a variant rule from Star Wars 5e.

Destiny Points

Destiny Points are a resource that a player can use to help fulfil whatever destiny has been set before their character. You either have a Destiny Point or you don’t - you can’t stockpile multiple Destiny Points for later use.

House Rules

House rules can be a way to add value to a game, and fix rules that have previously been broken or have never seen much use in a game. Here are the house rules that I follow when I run games, and I encourage you to give these a try at your next session!

Speeding Up Combat

There's nothing worse than combat encounters that take entire game sessions nobody enjoys those, after all. So, here's some ways that you can speed up combat at your table.

For starters, in-between combat rounds, allow players 1 minute to discuss tactics. After that 1 minute, however, the players are not allowed to discuss tactics any further, as that would defeat the purpose of this rules.

Next, we want to make sure that the player does not spend ten minutes deciding on what move they want to make. This problem is especially apparent with spellcasters. When it’s the player’s turn, they have 10-15 seconds to declare their action, or they simply Dodge for their turn.

Secret Death Saves

There's nothing worse than having your immersion broken by seeing the results of a dice and just not worrying the whole encounter. So, why not up the stakes a bit? When a player needs to roll a Death Saving Throw, the Dungeon Master rolls this instead. When they do, they are not allowed to tell players the results. This creates a sense of urgency among the players to help their fallen comrade!

Random Encounters

When playing in my games, I want my players to be involved, and I want them to feel like they play a role in this world. So, why not let them lend a hand when determining random encounters. Random encounters are determined by a d12, and can happen at any point. Whenever the player rolls a d12, the Dungeon Master should roll one as well. When the Dungeon Master and a player rolls the same number, a random encounter occurs! But when should a player roll a d12?

During a short rest, have 1 player roll a d12. During a long rest, have 2 players roll a d12. For each hour of travel, have a player roll a d12. If they are moving at a fast pace, have two players roll a d12 for each hour of travel.

Settling Rule Discussions

Let's be honest, not everybody knows every rule of the game, and mistakes can happen, especially on the Dungeon Master's part. Sometimes they'll get a rule wrong, and that's okay! It's part of being human! But what should they do if they get a rule wrong and it causes a heated discussion at the table?

First, discuss with the players about the rule. See what they think about it, how they think it works. If the group as a whole comes to a decision, then the Dungeon Master knows how to run that rule now for their players. But what should they do if they can't come to a consensus. Then the DM and one player who voices an objection, only one, both roll a d20. The one who rolls the highest decides how that rule works for the session.

After the session, set some time aside to do some research on how that particular rule actually works. At the next session, talk with your players about how that particular rule will be run from here on out, or even discuss it before the next session!

Exceptional Success

Any noncritical Attack Roll that beats AC by 10 or any Skill Roll that beats DC by 10 is considered Exceptional Success.

If your Attack is an Exceptional Success, you may reroll one weapon die before calculating the damage. You must use the new value even if it is lower.

If your Skill check is an Exceptional Success and is part of a task that involves another Skill check by the same or another character, that Skill check is rolled with advantage.

Skill Retries

When another player attempts a Skill check roll to gain new information (Perception, History, Arcana, etc.) from the DM and fails, you may attempt the same check only if you have a higher Skill modifier than theirs or if something happens that would warrant another attempt.

Ingenious Proficiency

Unless you are a spellcaster, Intelligence can be one of the least useful scores in Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition. To remedy that, your cunning mind unlocks the potential to learn more skills and knowledge than others.

When creating a character, you gain a number of points equal to your Intelligence modifier (minimum of 0). Subtract 2 if your class is capable of casting spells based on your Intelligence. These points can be spent on the table below.

Personality Profile

A Personality Profile is a tool for players who are uncertain about what action their character should take. Whenever you aren't sure how your character would act or react, you can decide with a die roll plus a modifier based on your character's personality traits.

You do not have to follow the result of a personality check if you don't like it. The DM may suggest a Personality check, but can't make you roll or abide to the result.

Creating a Personality Profile

To fully sketch your character's personality, you may assign an advantage or disadvantage to any trait. You may assign double advantage or double disadvantage when certain traits are incredibly strong or devastatingly weak. As characters develop with time, you can change your profile at any point.

Personality Check

When you want to check a certain personality trait, make an Intelligence, Wisdom or Charisma check using the advantage or disadvantage (normal or double) assigned to the chosen trait. Then compare with DC in the Difficulty table.

• Intelligence. Making a calm decision based on clearly understanding how your personality affects you and others, and whether the outcome benefits you.

• Wisdom. Resisting giving in to your emotions and personal urges, or making a choice between options while clouded by emotion, conflict, beliefs, or delusions.

• Charisma. Expressing your personality and emotions in a way that satisfies your urges, or affects others in a profoundly dramatic way.

Recommended Homebrew Rules

In this section, we outline various rules and supplements that we tend to use in our homebrew campaign. However, we did not make most these mechanics, and these are available right now on the DMs Guild, and we highly recommend that you support these creators in any way you can!

Heroic Chronicle

The heroic chronicle is a system that allows players and Dungeon Masters to work together to build a compelling character story. It even allows characters to gain additional proficiencies, magic items, spells, or feats before the campaign begins. This section assumes that the player is starting from scratch—without having chosen a race, class, or background for their character. The events that occur as a result of these random rolls inform what kind of character the player has. A player who already has a character concept in mind can choose options from the tables instead of rolling randomly, ignoring anything that doesn’t fit their character concept. If you’re a player using these tables, don’t be surprised if creating a backstory inspires you to change some aspect of your character concept. Let this tool inspire your imagination rather than limit it.

The “Backstory” section of the chronicle roots a character’s history in the land of Altaenia by helping the player determine the character’s nation, home settlement, and relationships with family members, allies, and rivals. It helps establish major events that happened to the character before the campaign began. Options for determining a character’s favorite food and mysterious secrets can help further define a character’s relationship to their homeland and the other party members.

The “Prophecy” section of the chronicle sets out three aspirations or goals that the player has for their character. Prophecy goals can help players and DMs create engaging stories that make the game more interesting. Each time a goal is met, it takes on a prophetic tone as a character achieves something they were driven or destined to do. Completing a prophecy goal grants the character a mechanical benefit as a reward.

Social Status

Your background determines your place in the world. Whether you live in the Brightforge Empire as a noble or slave, whether you live in the Sunvale Regime as a priest, or whether you live in the Feldawn Empire as a warrior, you are more likely to remain in whatever social position you are currently in. Unfortunately, that is just how things go.

You, however, are an adventurer. Though your social status is determined by your background and your country of origin, you have the power to rebel against the hierarchies of your land and change your fate. Your background doesn’t change, nor do the proficiencies and other benefits you gain because of it. But the social status associated with your background might shift over the course of your backstory—and over the course of your adventures.

Home Settlement

Once you’ve determined your nation and considered your social status within that realm, roll on the appropriate table in this section to determine which settlement you grew up in. If your character is a traveler—a child of soldiers, a nomad, a traveling performer, and so forth—you can roll for up to three settlements that you’ve visited often and have some connections in.

The settlements of each realm are described in chapter 2 of this book. You can select a settlement from your homeland or roll on your homeland’s table to randomly determine your home settlement.

If your home settlement doesn’t make sense for your social status, you can either roll for a different settlement or think about ways to make a contradiction work for your backstory. For example, if you have the Noble background but rolled a village as a home settlement, perhaps you were raised there to protect you from your family’s enemies.

Frayh Ska Settlements

Nascait Settlements

Theysis Settlements

Paspos Settlements

Oshana Settlements

Ladrania Settlements

Iufrad Settlements

Atrya Settlements

Bloycor Settlements

Zoudrurg Settlements

Race

You can determine your character’s race by consulting the section for your home settlement in chapter 2. Each settlement’s description includes a percentile breakdown of its racial demographics. You can roll a d100 to determine your character’s race, or simply choose whichever race you wish to play. If your roll indicates “other races,” you can choose any race that isn’t already represented in the settlement’s demographics.

Family

The size of your home settlement plays a part in the size of your family. Villages in Altaenia are predominantly rural, and families need children to tend their farms and perform household duties. By contrast, land and commodities are expensive in the cities, making it difficult for many people to afford a large family.

Families with at least three children often encourage one child, typically the eldest, to continue the family trade. The other children are encouraged to travel so as to learn a new trade, become a scholar, become apprenticed to a master guild artisan, or similar activities.

Roll twice on the appropriate Family Size table—once to determine how many living parents you have, and once to determine your living siblings. The state of your family might change over the course of your backstory, just as it might change over the course of the campaign.

Family Size (Village)

Family Size (Town)

Family Size (City)

Parents. You might have been blessed with two loving parents, or you might have helped your single parent take care of the rest of your family. You might have been raised by three or more parents, whether because those parents engage in a polyamorous relationship, one or both parents had multiple spouses, or you were raised communally. Or you might have no parents, whether you were orphaned early in life or have outlived the parents you did have.

Siblings. Your siblings can include your parents’ other children, half-siblings from your parents’ other marriages or affairs, cousins who are as close as siblings, or beloved friends who became siblings by bond rather than by blood.

Family Member Traits

Once you’ve determined the size of your family, choose the gender and age of each family member.

Powerful Family Relationships

Even before your adventuring career began, you had allies who supported you and rivals who sought to thwart your success. In some cases, your allies might be so devoted that they are indispensable companions, while your rivals are hateful enough to make them nothing short of mortal enemies.

Your first allies and rivals are your family. Sometimes your family members are your closest friends. Sometimes you hate their guts. Roll a d3. This is the number of powerful relationships you have within your family.

Roll once on the Family Relationships table for each powerful relationship you have within your family, to determine the setup of your friendship or rivalry.

Acquired Allies and Rivals

If you gained allies or rivals based on your background and your homeland, this section allows you to establish your relationship with those allies and rivals, as well as the broad strokes of their identities. Start by rolling once on the Ally Relationships or Rival Relationships table for each of those allies and rivals. Alternatively, you and your DM can work together to create ally or rival relationships that enhance your character’s story.

When you’ve determined the relationships between you and your acquired allies and rivals, roll for each one on the Ally and Rival Identities table to determine their game statistics.

If you roll a particularly powerful ally or rival on this table, their involvement in your life causes a fateful moment to occur in your backstory, as determined in the next section.

Ally Relationships

Rival Relationships

Secret Identities. Some of these allies and rivals might keep their true identity secret from your character. The DM can decide to make one or more of the rolls on the Ally and Rival Identities table to keep the secret intact. Stat blocks appear in appendix B of the Monster Manual.

Ally and Rival Identities

Fateful Moments

No one decides to go adventuring without a reason. Some might set out from home in the name of vengeance, seeking retribution for themselves or their kin. Some might be looking for wealth or glory. Others might seek only a change from their dreary lives, never realizing that they’ll soon be caught up in events beyond their understanding along the open road.

Fateful moments are the turning points in your character’s life. The weight of these joyous or destructive occasions provided some of the talents, skills, and equipment you bring into your life as an adventurer. Roll once on the Fateful Moments table for each such moment you accrued in the previous section, courtesy of the allies and rivals that are part of your backstory.

If a fateful moment grants you a proficiency that you already had, choose any proficiency of the same type (armor, skill, language, tool, or weapon). If a fateful moment doesn’t make sense for your character (for example, if your siblings perished but you don’t have any siblings), roll a new event or work with your DM to change up the details. It is recommended that you forego rolling for fateful moments entirely, instead working with your DM to create moments specifically attuned to your character’s story.

Mysterious Secrets

You saw something you weren’t supposed to. A note came into your possession by mysterious means. A childhood friend spoke to you of a cryptic message. Whatever its source, a secret has haunted you your entire life. What is it? You can roll on the Mysterious Secrets table or work with your DM to create a secret.

Prophecies

A prophecy influences your character’s future.

Write down three aspirations or goals you have for your character, and which you want to achieve over the course of the campaign. A prophecy goal should have two parts. First is the goal that your character wants to attain. Second is a sense of what complication might ensue once the goal is met—for good or for ill.

One of your prophecy goals should be an immediate goal, one should be long term, and one should be a goal that concludes your character arc at the end of the campaign. You don’t have to decide on all three goals at the start. You can choose your immediate goal now and think about the other two while you get a feel for the tone of the campaign.

These prophecy goals can help your character stay motivated, but they’ll also help your Dungeon Master create interesting stories that relate directly to your character. Your three prophecy goals can help the DM shape the campaign by determining what challenges or rewards to put in your character’s way. (If you rolled for a mysterious secret in the last section, that secret is a great thing to link to a goal.) Alternatively, you and your DM can work together to create goals that help link your character goals to an existing story the DM wants to tell.

Each time you complete a prophecy goal, your character gains a mechanical benefit as a reward.

Examples. I will save my village from the gnoll tribe that has raided us for the past year. Their defeat will inspire me to perform even greater feats of heroism.

For the Dungeon Master

If you’re the Dungeon Master for your group, think about how long you want your campaign to run. Each of the players will have three goals set down for their character, each of which needs to be achieved by the end of the campaign. If you take the number of game sessions you anticipate your campaign lasting and divide it by the number of prophecy goals laid down by all your players, you’ll have the average number of sessions it should take for one player to complete one goal.

If the characters are completing their goals too quickly, remember that it’s more interesting for the players if events that are important to them happen more frequently than if they have to slog through a story that has nothing to do with them. Use your best judgment and find the pacing that works for you.

Prophecy Rewards

Each time a character completes one of their three prophecy goals, they gain a reward of the DM’s determination. Any of the following rewards are suitable for completing a goal, or the DM might decide on unique rewards of the same general level:

• For the next 1d10 days, the character gains inspiration whenever they finish a long rest.
• For the next 1d10 days, the character has advantage on saving throws to avoid being frightened.
• For the next 1d4 days, the character’s weapon attacks deal an extra 1d6 damage of the weapon’s type.