Foreword

What is a West Marches

A West Marches style campaign is a very specific style of game that involves several DMs and many players all playing the same world. Instead of a regular long running game with the same regular play day, games are put together by different groups of players on different days as they decide to play. The story is less structured, and often built in such a way that the main content is exploring some form of wilderness outside of a hub town that all the players call home. This is how it works in this game, with the D&D sessions involving going out into the wilderness around the safe area, while being able to RP freely in town in between these sessions.

What are the shattered lands

Argonath is in a different dimension than the regular material plane. This place seems to be an endless landscape made up not of normal terrain, but of chunks and sections of other places, stitched together into a patchwork world made up of everywhere else. One might find a volcanic field next to an archipelago of floating islands, or a verdant forest pressed up against a toxic swamp. It’s a world of strange possibility, where one can easily find displaced ruins, and people who’ve been pulled along with these pieces of land to make new homes for themselves.

You are coming here from your original homeworld, Seantala, because the world there is ending. Many different catastrophes plague the world, and it’s no longer viable to stay there. So the remaining people of the world are sending an expedition through the portal they created as a last ditch effort. It has led here, to Argonath. Here, the members of the Expedition must explore this new world, and build a new home for everyone else who will eventually come through the portal as well until this becomes their new home.

Role of the players

As a Character in Argonath, your role is that of a member of the Expeditionary Vanguard. A refugee like everyone else from whatever homeland you hail from in Seantala, you’ve signed up to help the Expedition in their efforts to explore the Shattered Lands and help build up the new settlement. It’s up to you to make this place the home you want it to be.

These are Various rules and modifications to the rules that were used within Argonath. You may find them useful in your own game as well.

New Ravenous Condition

Overwhelmed by maddening hunger, the creature is no longer able to control its appetite. The Ravenous condition can only affect creatures with a stomach capacity who are capable of eating food.

• A ravenous creature does not roll to stuff itself, and instead acts as if they had rolled a Natural 20 on their eating check. When taking the eating action, they consume their entire eating skill in pounds of food instead of half.

• The creature must use its Action or Bonus action to feed themselves by the best and most effective means, this could be food in the area, or by abilities and spells they possess, and can only use its movement to move toward a potential source of food until it has eaten food on its turn. After doing so, they may use their remaining actions and movement normally. If the creature cannot use an action to consume food or move closer to food, they are unable to take any actions on their turn as they are racked with hunger.

• The creature automatically fails any saving throws against effects that would immediately cause them to consume food, but not effects that would have them consume food later, such as Narce's Hypnotic Trance. Attack rolls that would force a ravenous creature to eat food are made with advantage.

• If the creature takes overstuffing damage, it has advantage on any saving throws that would end the ravenous condition.

Fimbulwinter

No one Quite knows how it started, but everyone remembers when the snow started falling and never really stopped. The part of the world you’re from is experiencing a magically enforced ice age, and everything is slowly freezing under its weight. Snow grows deeper, burying the farms. Whole forests of trees have lost their leaves to never regain them again. Those that still survive have to forage for what remains, and hopefully find a way to keep warm.

• Used to surviving frigid temperatures, you’re better at handling the cold for it. As a reaction in response to taking cold damage, you can gain resistance to cold damage until the start of your next turn. After using this ability, you must take a long rest before you can use it again.

• You gain proficiency in Survival Checks due to all your time spent trying to get by in a frozen land. Additionally, you start with a set of winter clothing sized for you, a necessity where you came from.

Gravitronic Void

There is a place in the world where the very fabric of reality has started to fray at the edges, unfortunately you lived there. It started simple one day, with everyone and everything gently floating upwards, just a little into the air, only to collapse back down a few moments later. Then it happened again and again, often longer, or stronger. Sometimes you’re pulled up instead of down. Your old homeland has become a fractured mess of floating islands and scattered rumble. You woke up, sometimes falling and sometimes floating, and you were one of the lucky ones.

• Used to getting battered around by sudden changes in gravity, you’re better at taking a beating. As a reaction in response to taking bludgeoning damage, you can gain resistance to bludgeoning damage until the start of your next turn. After using this ability, you must take a long rest before you can use it again.

• You gain proficiency in Acrobatics due to all the time you spent moving around weightless, but also know how dangerous momentum can be, and tend to stay thinner. You start with a climber’s kit that helped you get around the strange landscape those gravity fluxes created.

Undead Scourge

The dead no longer sleep comfortably in the ground. Instead, they’ve all risen, over and over, in their unending task to force the living to join them in undeath. The cities fell first, then swarms of zombies and skeletons poured across the countryside. No necromancer leads them, only dark purpose. They’ve consumed everything you knew, even as you and others like you resisted the dead. Yet each you slew only rose again, and each you lost became a new enemy.

• Used to dealing with death, you’re better at withstanding their power. As a reaction in response to taking necrotic damage, you can gain resistance to necrotic damage until the start of your next turn. After using this ability, you must take a long rest before you can use it again.

• You gain proficiency in Religion, due to your time spent studying your undying enemy. Additionally, your time fighting against the undead has left you very aware of the strength of the right tools, and have a single flask of holy water just in case.

Everstorm

Roiling storm clouds blanket the skies in a thick permanent gray during the day, while nights are lightless voids filled with rain. Thunder and lightning strike everywhere and Tornadoes rip buildings from their foundations. The place you live has become a land of endless natural fury, and all of it seems determined to erase mortals from the world. You’ve survived though, with cleverness and gumption. This storm will not master you.

• Used to endless hurricanes, you’ve survived plenty. As a reaction in response to taking thunder damage, you can gain resistance to thunder damage until the start of your next turn. After using this ability, you must take a long rest before you can use it again.

• You gain proficiency in Nature, having seen it survive the storms better than any human has, you’ve learned to pay attention to it. Additionally, you’ve found a bit of luck never goes amiss. You have a fortunate rock which can be used once to give you advantage on a roll, after which it breaks.

Racial Fatty Abilities

ED&D of course comes with its own additional themed abilities for non-ED&D races. However there are quite a few races that do not have them yet. Please refer to these abilities below to fill in those gaps or had one of a different subkink. In an instance where two fatty abilities are part of allowed content for the same race, such as for Kobold with Dragon’s Stomach and Stretchy Hide, you must choose only one to take.

Viscogelatin

The most common and sticky variant of Gelatinfolk. These were originally designed to serve as a sort of basic feeding unit.

Sticky. Viscogelatin are not particularly fast or slow. Given that they are quite sticky, however, they are able to scale even sheer walls with ease, albeit slowly. You gain a climbing speed of 10ft and can climb and hang from surfaces as smooth as glass without making an Athletics check.

If you are immobilized, but have bulk equal to less than twice your immobility threshold, you still retain a 10ft movement speed, but cannot dash.

Subsuming Stance. Due to the nature of your form, you can easily morph to occupy an area where someone already is. As part of your movement, you may lower your density a little and occupy and move through spaces that other creatures also occupy. You do not provoke attacks of opportunity this way if you moved into an occupied space. At the end of your turn where you moved this way, you may choose to force any creature whose space you occupy to make a Constitution Saving Throw (DC = 8 + your proficiency + your Constitution Modifier), or be forced to consume pounds of fatty food equal to twice your proficiency modifier and have their speed reduced to zero until the end of their next turn. On a success, they eat half as much food and their speed is unaffected. You slim equal to any food eaten this way.

As long as you maintain the same position, those creatures must remake the save for the same effect again at the end of each of their turns.

You may use this ability a number of times equal to your constitution modifier, regaining all uses on a long rest.

Vivagelatin

Another variant on the original mold. The VivaGelatin were carefully sculpted with strength and density in mind.

Dense. Your body is made of thicker stuff than the average Gelatinfolk. Your unarmored AC is 13 + your Constitution Modifier. If a class ability or spell offers a new way to calculate your AC, such as offered by the Barbarian, Monk, Sorcerer classes, or the Mage Armor spell, you must choose which one you want to use.

This resilience also gives you resistance to piercing damage, but you take 1 additional damage from any source of slashing damage.

Bouncy Body. Wiggly and wobbly, your form gives you unique advantages when something tries to harm you. Whenever you take fall damage, you instead take half as much.

Also, whenever a weapon attack hits you, you may use your reaction to force the creature to reroll the attack, possibly causing it to instead miss. If it does, then you can’t use this part of the feature again until you finish a short rest.

Faithful and Fluffy

Kitsune are the descendants of vulpine creatures who had been awakened in ancient times, though scriptures are unsure if it was a natural awakening or there was divine intervention.

Most, however, will agree that Kitsune are clever people who are just as likely to trick you as to be your stalwart friend. With the powers granted to them, Kitsune are able to blend into the mortal population through their limited ability to shapeshift. Some choose to use this gift to cause mischief, indulging in base trickery. Others use their clever minds to appraise or sway conversations in their favor.

Some choose to remain secluded in quiet settlements or shrines, practicing the proper arts of brewing the finest tea…or spirits. Most, if not all have the same features they evolved with: A lithe and agile humanoid form, displaying vulpine features in the form of ears, sharper claws, teeth and the immutable brush-like tail. While some do choose to reveal this ‘true’ form, others choose to disguise themselves as humanoids local to where they live, blending into the background and indulging in life amongst the people. Though there are many claims that kitsune are not quite mortal, being tied to spiritual realms, that when their time has come, they leave as quietly as they came.

Colourations of fur often seem to vary, often being various shades of browns, oranges, black, gray, reds and sometimes blondes. More exotic shades and colors are a rarity, often associated with magical prowess, an elder’s lineage or just Inari wanting to stand out more often than not.

In recent decades, however, lipomantic energies have rocked this proud or secluded society in sometimes direct or curious ways. Tricks or enchantments wielded seem to fatten or swell their unwitting victims. The once secluded drinkers have grown fat and joyous over their love of brews, willing to push the limits of their stomachs.

Some have even developed horns and the strangest ability to produce milk as easily as cattle while some have developed darker abilities to drain the very essence from foes, vitality and fat alike.

What does the future hold for the Kitsune? What awaits them? Will they display themselves for all to see or hide away in obscurity despite their bulging waistlines.

Kitsune Traits

Ability Score Increase. Your Charisma score increases by 2.

Age. Kitsune reach adulthood at 16, cease physical aging in their early 20s and often live around the venerable age of elves. Age can be denoted by the number of tails one would have, with the most powerful wielders of magic and or the most venerable of elders having nine. It is unknown if they are functionally immortal or merely return to the realm of spirits when their time approaches.

Alignment. Due to their nature of being a bit mischievous, Kitsune are often chaotic. Even the most skilled monks find it difficult to ignore the desire to be a bit mischievous at times, but they tend to approach the trick in a much more planned out and guided manner. Kitsune are known to be both good and evil.

Size. Kitsune are generally on the smaller side of most humanoids ranging from 4’1” to the tallest being just under 6’. Weight-wise, kitsune are as light and agile as they look at around 75 lbs. However, some Kitsune affected by lipomantic energies were often heavier, their base weight being almost double that of their peers. Your base weight is 75 lbs unless otherwise stated.

Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

• Yako and Kumiho.

Cunning Arcana. In tune with their magical nature, Kitsune can call upon clever magics at will. You know Produce Flame cantrip, with the exception that your flame is blue. You also know the Disguise Self spell which you can cast at will, but are limited to a single average humanoid appearance that you choose when you select this race. Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells when you cast them with this trait (choose when you select this race).

Darkvision. Your vulpine ancestry allows you to have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.

Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and either Celestial or Sylvan.

Inari

Inari Kitsune are those who have integrated themselves within settlements and high society, often showing their true selves as a point of pride and sometimes an overinflated ego.

They often become politicians, traders, merchants, diplomats and other occupations where the Inari’s power of words is key. Some claim they have given into decadence and indulgence, having a more hefty form than the ideal, slender figures.

Ability Score Increase. Your Intelligence score increases by 1.

Inari Superiority. Known for the powers of their ego, their voice carries weight when they choose to assert it, but inflating their ego tends to inflate their figure. When you make a Charisma skill check, after you roll but before the outcome is revealed, you may choose to roll an additional d20. You may choose which of the d20s is used for the ability check. You gain Bulk equal to the result of the roll. Once you have used this ability, you must complete a long rest before you can use it again.

Zenko

Zenko Kitsune are known to be more traditional, secluding themselves from the world to practice their fine art of brewing. Many seem a little more than indulgent to push their limits when it comes to consuming fine brews, be it tea or spirits. To learn from a Zenko, is to learn true wisdom…and perhaps end up with quite the belly too!

Ability Score Increase. Your Wisdom score increases by 1.

Brewer’s Belly. Some claim that a Zenko can go toe to toe with a dwarf in a drinking contest, that much is indeed true. A long life of brewing fine drinks and glutting yourselves on them has quite the effect on the body! You have advantage on all rolls related to resisting the effects of alcohol. In addition, if you would make an overstuffing roll while your stomach is filled only with liquids, you can treat the result of the d20 roll as a 20. However, all liquid digested after using this effect has +2 diet points per pint. Once you have used this feature, you cannot use it again until you finish a short or long rest.

Yako

The best trick is the one you never see coming! A Yako Kitsune is clever, cunning and often quick witted. While many claim they fall in with a bad crowd, sometimes it is only natural. A Yako can turn fortune on a dime, for fate is just another cruel trick. Just watch out for the payback~

Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score increases by 1.

Thief of Fortune. When a hostile creature you can see within 30 ft of you rolls a 20 on an attack roll, ability check, or saving throw, you can use your reaction to force that creature to reroll the die. Your target must use the new roll, even if it is worse. The target also loses bulk equal to twice the amount rerolled on the die with you gaining it instead. Once you use this ability, you must complete a short or long rest before using it again.

Kumiho

Rumored to be ‘sinister’ given their ability to sustain themselves on life essence, Kumiho are a more secretive society of Kitsune. Myths paint them as both benevolent and malevolent light, while the truth is often simple: An offshoot who’s powers developed in a manner many would consider a curse.

Ability Score Increase. Your Constitution score increases by 1.

Essence Collection. Kumiho can absorb the lingering essence from the living, dying or recently dead, sustaining themselves without the need for traditional food. Whenever you grapple a creature or when a creature reaches 0 hit points within 10ft of you, you may use your reaction to draw upon their essence. You expend one of your hit dice, restoring hit points equal to the result plus your constitution modifier, gaining the same amount of diet points as well. Once you use this ability, you must complete a short or long rest before using it again.

Kitsunushi

Blessed by divinity, afflicted by a terrible curse or perhaps what happens when an Auðumbla and kitsune bond closely. Kitsunushi are…different, with often floppier ears, wider frames and…a pair of horns? Perhaps more comely, kindly and open than their peers, Kitsunushi develop into motherly or fatherly figures while milk is always on the table.

Note: Most Kitsunushi appear to cease aging around their mid 30s rather than early 20s.

Ability Score Increase. Your Constitution score increases by 1.

Kitsunushi’s Blessing. Be it divinity, curse or being just part cow, you lactate and it seems to have some magical properties too. You are always considered lactating.

You can cast Purify food and drink once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a Long Rest. Any drink you purify this way becomes refreshing milk. In addition, you may grant a blessing to a creature who reaches their regular stomach capacity with your milk alone, giving them the benefits of the bless spell until they complete a short rest. After using this feature, you must complete a long rest before you can use it again.

Diverse and Unique

The Veggians are wholly unique in their appearances, individuals from the same family can be totally different from each other. Being built differently from other races their skin has the texture of various plants, being the soft leaves of trees, rough bark, or the roots of tubers. Their skin can take on a variety of hues, though the most common are Greens and Browns, though rare colourations such as orange and purple can be seen in some individuals. They’re rather slim in their build, by no means undernourished, but having a healthy diet with a variety of nutrients to allow for them to properly grow, even being able to gain energy from simple sun and water. Their heights vary wildly as well, with some being as short or shorter than 4’8, and others towering at 7 foot. Shorter individuals tend to take on features similar to root vegetables, while taller individuals tend to look more like trees.

Their hair has similar attributes unique to them, growing in a variety of textures like mosses, grass, leaves, or shockingly similar to hair. Sometimes they have additional leaves growing out of their hair to absorb more sunlight, and on rare occasions have flowers growing from them. A Veggians flower is very important to them, as it is a symbol of attraction and availability for romance, so never pick a Veggians flower without permission.

Secluded Woodland Tribes

Veggian society is rather hard to know of, with few scholars being allowed to live and engage with the plant folk long enough to record any information on them. While Elves have cities built into and with forests, and Firbolgs have small towns built into the woods, Veggians have even smaller tribes of three to four families living in a vast swath of forest. These families work closely together to raise young, forage for food, tend to crops, and protect their lands.There is great importance in their culture of moderation and taking only what they need, supplementing anything else with sunlight as the trees do. Those who are gluttonous or greedy are often shunned, cast out to the wider world where they may find civilizations that more suit their fancy. They prefer to use simple weapons, such as spears and clubs when it comes to defense, and many are attuned with the natural powers of the forest to assist in their hunts. Some tribes are even known to make alliances with the wiser beasts of their forests, assisting them in exchange for their assistance.

Many often worry that eating plants is taboo for the Veggian, but to them it would be the same as eating a cow or chicken. While yes, it is a bit strange in some sense to eat something so similar to you in a broad sense, they are not fully sentient like them, so it is far more acceptable. Their taste buds don’t have many receptors for savory foods, so they often stick to sweeter foods, or the neutral flavours of leafy plants.

Hesitant Explorers

Due to their natural inclination to stay away from any civilization, it is rare to see a Veggian in a city, town, or village. But rarely due to circumstances they may be forced out. Their home forest burns down, they are sent on a sacred quest, moving to start their own tribe, or banishment are often the reasons for a Veggian to be outside their woods. The majority of society bound Veggians have been banished for having a desire for more in life, delighting in more hedonistic desires than their restrained cultures would prefer. Oftentimes it is rarely done out of malice towards the indulgent, but simply knowing the outside world has what they seek, and they wish not to jeopardize their woods with the inclinations of greed.

Names

Veggians take their names from the natural world and what is around them. Changing names are not unheard of as they change and grow. A child born green may be called Fresh Spring, but turns orange with age, and chooses to change their name accordingly. Natural landmarks, plant names, or other similar aspects are often used as names, with additional descriptors to make it more suitable to their own inclination as well as ensuring there is no confusion from popular names. You’d have no idea how many parents think that Leaf is a good name…

Optional Class Features

The below are optional features that can be taken in addition to other features offered by your class.

Deflect Meal

3rd-level Monk feature

Starting at 3rd level, you can expend 1 ki point and use your reaction to deflect or catch food that is being fed to you. When you do so, the damage you take from the attack is reduced by 1d10 + monk level. If you reduce the feeding to 0, you can make a melee attack against a creature in melee range using the food you just caught, as part of the same reaction, feeding them the same amount of food on a hit. You make this attack with the same bonus as your unarmed strike.

Lay on Waist

2nd-level Paladin feature

You can expend 10 points of your lay on hands healing to remove 1 point of corruption from a creature, or to remove or add a pound of bulk from a creature you are healing at a rate of 1lb for every 2hp of healing, when you use your lay on hands feature.

Fight Food

2nd-level Pugilist feature

By expending your bonus action to eat using the eating action, and consuming the maximum pounds of food you can, you can regain one moxie point. You cannot do this more than once per combat.

Survival of the Fullest

2nd-level Ranger feature

Whenever you fail a saving throw against an ability or spell that would cause you to fatten, eat food, or gain the ravenous condition, you have advantage against the next time you have to make a save against that same effect before your next short or long rest.

Thieves Can

2nd-level Rogue feature

You can use acrobatics instead of athletics when making force feeding attempts. If you use your steady aim feature, you also do not need to be grappling the creature you want to try to force feed.

Lipomantic Metamagics

These metamagic options are additions to the available metamagic options, and are available any time a metamagic option would be for a character to select, such as a feat, or leveling up as a sorcerer. Additionally, when using these Lipomantic metamagic options, when a sorcerer first gains access to metamagics at 3rd level, they may choose a third metamagic that must specifically be from this list.

Balance Spell. When you cast a spell that causes a creature to gain weight, you can spend 2 sorcery points and lose bulk equal to the amount the creature gains.

Bulging Spell. When you cast a spell that requires a ranged attack that you’d make at disadvantage due to being in melee, but are at least over your first bulk limit, you can spend 1 sorcery point to impose your flab between you and the foe and make any attacks as part of casting the spell without disadvantage from being in melee.

Fattening Spell. When you cast a spell that deals a type of damage from the following list, you can spend 1 sorcery point to change that damage type to instead fatten the creature for twice the damage it would have dealt: acid, cold, fire, lightning, poison, thunder.

Feeding Spell. When you force a creature to consume food due to a spell you have cast, you can spend 2 sorcery points to increase the pounds of food eaten by an amount equal to your charisma modifier of the same time.

Hefty Spell. When you cast a spell that targets a creature within 30ft of you that forces them to make a save and they fail, and you weigh more than them, you can spend 1 sorcery point to also have that creature fall prone.

Indulgent Spell. When you cast a Lipomancy spell that requires concentration and only targets yourself, with a spell slot that is equal to or less than your proficiency modifier, you can spend 2 sorcery points to have it last its full duration without needing to concentrate on it. You can only have one such spell active this way at a time, and cannot end the spell until it goes its entire duration.

Jiggly Spell. When you cast a spell and your hands are unable to form somatic components, if you are at least over your first bulk limit you can use a flabby part of your body to form the somatic components, such as your belly.

Stomach of Personality

3rd-level Warlock feature

You may calculate your stomach capacity using your charisma modifier and saving throw instead of your Constitution modifier and saving throw.

Flabby Focus

1rst-level Wizard feature

While at least over your first bulk limit, you can use the magic that suffuses the chunk of your body as an arcane focus by touching your most prominently chunky asset.

Path of The Sanguine Hungerer

Half Vampire, yet still half themselves. Sanguine Hungerers may come from strange interactions with Vampirism, not being completely transformed, or even those that have a vampire’s touch somewhere in their lineage. One way or another, the primal hunger of a Vampire, and the strength of a warrior become one in these barbarians. While still able to sustain themselves with regular food, the hunger for blood calls strongly, giving them the power to enter a bloodlust just as any barbarian, searching for a fresh source to sate their fangs. This unique form of vampirism seeks to fill the Hungerer with more than just blood though, draining mass as well, filling the gluttonous warrior with heft that simply feeds back into their powers. One would do well to fear these gluttonous Vampires.

Order of the Profane Soul

(Additional Content)

Below are additional Patrons, and their effects, for the Profane Soul Order.

Circle Spells

Your Animistic connection empowers your magic, giving access to some spells when you reach certain levels in this class, as shown on the Circle of Aspect Spells table.

Once you gain access to one of these spells, you always have it prepared, and it doesn't count against the number of spells you can prepare each day. If you gain access to a spell that doesn't appear on the Druid Spell List, the spell is nonetheless a druid spell for you.

Invoke Aspect

Starting at 2nd level, you gain the ability to invoke animalistic aspects. You gain proficiency in eating. As an action, you can expend a use of your Wild Shape feature to take on the aspects of either a boar, bear, or wolf. This transformation does not turn you into an animal, and might instead manifest as glowing tattoos across your body, magical energy floating above your skin, a physical change in your form, or some other manner that displays your new animal aspects. This form lasts a number of minutes equal to your druid level, but can be dismissed early at any time during your turn.

When you enter your Aspect Form, you may convert diet points into temporary hit points, requiring two DP for each temporary HP, up to a maximum of 4 times your Druid level. These DP may come from your diet pool, or food currently still in your stomach, but this does not instantly digest that food. These temporary hit points only last as long as your Aspect Form does. Additionally you gain the following benefits, depending on which aspect you choose, while in your Aspect Form:

Boar. You may add a bonus to your AC equal to half your Wisdom Modifier rounded up, and have advantage on any saves or skill checks made against effects that would force you to move, knock you prone, or cause you to become grappled. Additionally, you may eat a number of pounds of food equal to your entire eating skill modifier when using the eating action instead of half.

Bear. You have advantage on checks made to grapple creatures, and gain a Claw attack (1d8 + wisdom mod melee weapon attack) that you can make an attack with as a bonus action. Additionally, your base stomach capacity is doubled.

Wolf. Your move speed is increased by 10ft, and you have advantage on perception checks. Additionally, you may expend your reaction when a creature within 5ft of you would eat food. You eat half of the food they otherwise would have eaten, with the creature still eating the remaining half.

Empowered Aspect

At 6th level, your connection to beasts gives extra strength to your Aspects. When you transform into your Aspect Form, you gain the following additional benefits, depending your chosen Aspect:

Boar. You may use your Wisdom score instead of your Constitution score for any saves, skill checks, or attacks you make. Also, you have resistance to overstuffing damage, and can continue to eat food that would do overstuffing damage to you as long as you eat food again every round. Once you fail to continue to eat, you cannot do this again until you are no longer overstuffed.

Bear. You may use your Wisdom score instead of your Strength score for any saves, skill checks, attacks, and damage. Also, you treat each bulk limit as one lower for any penalties, meaning you have no penalties while Burdened. You also gain an additional Bulk limit equal to 4x your burdened bulk limit, this is the new point where you become immobilized from bulk.

Wolf. You may use your Wisdom score instead of your Dexterity score for any saves, skill checks, attacks, damage, and for calculating AC. Additionally, you have advantage with attacks on any creatures that are made of food or are considered Edible.

Beastkin

At 10th level, your connection to beasts has made it so you are, at least in part, also one of them. You are considered a Beast, in addition to your other creature types. At any given time, you may choose which of your creature types you count as based on what is most convenient at the time, not counting as the others.

Additionally, while in your Aspect Form, you may use an action to convert any diet points into temporary HP at a rate of 2 DP to 1 Temp HP, in the same way you do when you first transform. If your current source of temporary HP is still your Aspect Form transformation, you may add these new temp HP to that total instead of replacing them, up to your normal maximum for the ability.

Circle Spells

Your natural magic is tuned towards abundance and managing its consequences, giving access to some spells when you reach certain levels in this class, as shown on the Circle of Bounty Spells table. Once you gain access to one of these spells, you always have it prepared, and it doesn't count against the number of spells you can prepare each day. If you gain access to a spell that doesn't appear on the Druid Spell List, the spell is nonetheless a druid spell for you.

Practiced Feasting

Starting at 2nd level, you have long practiced enjoying as much bountiful foodstuffs from nature as you can, giving you proficiency in the eating skill, and making it so you cannot roll below a 10 when rolling a stuffing check, treating anything less as a 10 on the die. This training in relaxed eating has even made it easier to handle going too far in your indulges, granting you resistance to all overstuffing damage.

Additionally, your magic infuses into all food that you touch, any food a creature eats that you’d fed them by hand or by spell is considered super fatty food, giving three diet points per pound, unless the food originally had more DP than 3. This also applies to food you feed yourself.

Assisted Stuffing

Also at 2nd Level, the gusto with which you show eating is infectious, and you can direct that gusto towards others. Any time a creature within 30ft of you makes a stuffing check, you may use your reaction to instead make the roll for them, using your own eating skill to make the check. You may use this ability a number of times equal to your proficiency modifier, regaining uses on a long rest.

Gifts of Indulgence

At 6th level, your ability to affect those who eat the bounty you create has grown even stronger. Whenever you cause a creature to make an overstuffing roll, you may choose one of the effects below to apply temporarily to them. Any effect you choose lasts until the creature completes a short or long rest, and cannot be targeted by this ability again until they complete a long rest. The effects you can choose are as follows:

• The creature digests food at their digestion rate every round instead of every hour.
• You may add your Wisdom modifier to their stomach capacity.
• Force the creature to make a Charisma saving throw against your spell save DC. On a failure, they count as being a bulk limit higher than they actually are.
• Force the creature to make a Constitution saving throw against your spell save DC. On a failure, you may use a bonus action each round to magically add food to their stomach equal to your Wisdom modifier. They repeat the save if this would cause them to take overstuffing damage.
• The creature gains resistance to overstuffing damage.
• The creature gains temporary hit points equal to your Druid level.
• You may use this ability a number of times equal to your Wisdom Modifier, regaining expended uses on a long rest.

Grand Excess

Starting at 10th level, your gluttonous power to indulge has only grown stronger. You gain expertise in the eating skill if you did not already have it. In addition, you now add your wisdom score to your strength and constitution scores for determining your bulk limits.

Syrup Tendrils

Also at 10th level, you gain the ability to call forth the power of nature to feed your enemies in the form of a sentient mass of syrup sap filled vines. By expending one of your druid spell slots as an action, you can summon Syrup Tendrils in an unoccupied space within 60ft you can see. You concentrate on this effect as if it were a spell, and the Tendrils disappear when it drops to 0 hit points or if you stop concentrating.

The creature is an ally to you and your companions. In combat, the creature shares your initiative count, but it takes its turn immediately after yours. It obeys your verbal commands (no action required by you). If you don’t issue any, it takes the Dodge action and uses its move to avoid danger.

Any creature that the Syrup Tendrils feed counts as you feeding them for all of your abilities.

Circle Spells

Your connection to lipomantic and Sylvan magic mixes, giving access to some spells when you reach certain levels in this class, as shown on the Circle of the Sylvan Spells table. Once you gain access to one of these spells, you always have it prepared, and it doesn't count against the number of spells you can prepare each day. If you gain access to a spell that doesn't appear on the Druid Spell List, the spell is nonetheless a druid spell for you.

Touch of the Otherworld

At 2nd level, you’ve grown closer to understanding what it is to be one with the fairies. You learn to speak, read, and write Sylvan, as well as gaining proficiency in the Persuasion skill. In addition, your natural understanding makes it more difficult to muddle your mind. You have advantage on saving throws against any effect that would cause you to become charmed.

Charming Allure

Also at 2nd level, you learn to better make use of the fairy magic of manipulation. Whenever you cast a spell that would cause a creature to become charmed, and do not currently have another creature charmed by any means, you may do so as a bonus action. All rules for casting multiple spells in a turn still apply. You may use this ability a number of times equal to your charisma modifier, regaining uses on a long rest.

Fey Form

At 6th level, you gain the ability to harness the feywild to alter your form. As a bonus action, you can expend a use of your Wild Shape feature to take on a demi-fey form, rather than transforming into a beast, lasting 10 minutes per Druid level.

While in your demi-fey form, you retain your game statistics, but your body changes to reflect your change. These differences can be as simple as a changing of eye, skin, and hair color, or something more impactful like a shifting of body shape, plant-like material covering you instead of clothes, or other fairy-like features. You can revert to your normal form earlier by using a bonus action on your turn. You automatically revert if you fall unconscious, drop to 0 hit points, or die.

Whenever you assume your demi-fey form, you gain certain benefits, losing them when you revert to your normal form:

• You may add your Charisma score to your strength and Constitution for calculating your bulk limits.
• You may add your Charisma Modifier to your AC if you are not using a shield, and also add it to your stomach capacity.
• You gain a set of fey wings, allowing you to fly at a speed equal to your move speed and hover.
• You are considered Fey, in addition to your other types.
• You may use your persuasion skill in place of your athletics skill when rolling to force feed a creature, and you also can choose to give a creature advantage on stuffing rolls that you have caused them to make.

In addition to these abilities, you may use an action to Tempt Hunger. When you do so, all creatures within 30 ft of you, aside from the ones you designate, must make a Charisma saving throw against your spell save DC. If they fail, they gain 1 temporary point of exhaustion until they spend an action eating food. A creature that fails more than once can not gain more than 1 point of exhaustion total from this ability. Success on the saving throw negates the effect and gives them immunity to it until they finish a long rest.

Widened Whimsey

Beginning at 10th level, you’ve learned to improve your demi-fey form by increasing your own size. When you assume your demi-fey form, you gain the additional benefits below for each bulk limit you were over before you transformed, in addition to only being considered Fey instead of your other types. They last for the duration of your transformation.

• Burdened. Your softened form is even more alluring, and heavy. Your fleshy curves are better for trapping others, allowing you to use your Persuasion in place of athletics for grapple checks, and also allowing you to use Persuasion to escape grapple.
• Impeded. It is known that larger fey are also more powerful, your grand size makes your magics even more powerful. When you target a creature with a spell or effect that would cause them to become charmed, you negate any resistance to magic or charms that they may have.
• Immobilized. Your enormous size is as protective as it is powerful, giving you spell resistance, which provides advantage on any saving throws made against spells and magical effects.

Falling Forwards

Starting at 3rd level, by manipulating the direction gravity pulls you in, you become able to ‘fall’ as part of your movement to get around easier. Whenever you use your bonus action to dash, the additional movement can be in any direction you wish, even straight up. You ignore any difficult terrain while moving in this way. At the end of your turn, the effect ends and you fall if you’re still in the air. Dash movement used in this way is not reduced if your regular speed is, unless you are restrained or grappled. For example, if your 30ft speed is halved from being impeded, your dash would still be 30ft. Additionally, you do not take falling damage when falling up to your movement speed in feet.

Momentum Strike

Starting at 3rd level, you gain an additional way to use your sneak attack. If you move 15 feet towards a target before attacking them, you do not need advantage in order to use sneak attack, instead using your momentum to pull yourself towards the target. If you weigh more than the creature you are attacking in this way, you have advantage on the attack. Spatial Distortion

Starting at 9th level, your control of local gravity becomes stronger, allowing you to better move around with your foe-crushing weight. Your speed is not halved while impeded, and you are immune to difficult terrain. While Immobile, you move at half speed instead of not at all, though the other penalties still apply. Additionally, you may use your dexterity in place of your strength or Constitution in calculations for your bulk limits. This gravity based control over your movement also gives you advantage to resist and break grapples.

Weighty Slam

Starting at 9th level, you gain the ability to use your body as a weapon, performing a weighty slam. This attack counts as a melee weapon attack with which you are proficient and can use either dexterity or Strength to determine hit bonus and damage. The damage starts at 1d4 and increases 1d4 for each bulk limit you’ve exceeded. Attacks with this ability are not made with disadvantage from being over your bulk limits.

If you use Momentum Strike with this weapon, you do not need to move the required 15 feet. However, you do an additional 1d6 damage when using momentum strike this way for each 30ft you move towards the target this turn before attacking.

Drag In

Starting at 13th level, instead of going towards creatures, you can bring them to you. By using a bonus action, you can force a target you can see up to one size larger than you within 30ft to make a Strength Saving throw (DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Dexterity bonus), dragging them up to 30ft towards you on a failure. If you weigh more than the target, they have disadvantage on the save. This movement counts towards Weighty Slam’s extra damage. You may use this ability a number of times equal to your proficiency modifier until you complete a long rest.

Null Zone

Starting at 17th level, you are able to create a field of non-gravity as a standard action that radiates outwards in a 60ft radius from you. Within this area, gravity is effectively nullified, meaning creatures without a fly speed can move only by pushing or pulling against a fixed object or surface within reach (such as a wall or a ceiling), which allows it to move as if it were climbing. Objects are also left floating in this space. While your Null Zone is active, you gain a fly speed equal to your move speed that is unaffected by bulk. You have advantage on any attacks against creatures who do not have a fly speed in this space.

After one minute, the effect ends and anything still in the air falls if it would normally. You may use this ability once per long Rest.

Subtle Softness

When you adopt this subclass at level 3 you gain proficiency in the eating skill. Additionally, you may conceal weapons in the swells of your body. While over your first bulk limit, you may hide 1 weapon with the light property, or an item up to 2 pounds, on your person, using your fat to obscure it. If you are over your second bulk limit, then any check made to locate such objects or search for them by others is made with disadvantage. You may hide an additional item this way for each bulk limit over burdened you are.

Helplessly Fat

Also at 3rd level, you gain the ability to feign being overwhelmed by your bulk, such as being out of breath or being temporarily stuck, to stop appearing as a threat. As a bonus action, select one creature within 30 feet of you that can see you. Make a Charisma (Deception) check contested by their Wisdom(Insight) check. You must be over your first bulk limit.

If you succeed on the check and the target is hostile to you it gains disadvantage on any attacks directed at you and they can’t make any attacks of opportunity against you. This effect lasts for one minute or until you attack the target. You don't need advantage on the attack roll to use your Sneak Attack against this creature. All the other rules for Sneak Attack still apply to you.

If you succeed on the check and the target isn't already hostile to you, it regards you as seemingly harmless and no threat until you take hostile action against them. Any hostile action you take is made as if the creature is surprised by you, even if they know you’re there.

Suffocating Size

At 9th level, you’ve learned to take care of your enemies with your weight alone. If you are not already grappling a creature, you may use your action to ‘Flop’ onto an enemy that weighs less than half of your own weight. The target can make a strength saving throw (DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus + your constitution bonus + the amount of bulk limits you are over), avoiding your flop on a success (A creature makes this roll with disadvantage if surprised by you).

On a failure, the target is considered grappled, restrained, prone, and suffocating. Your speed is reduced to zero until you break the grapple. On subsequent turns, you may use your action to deal non-lethal bludgeoning damage to the creature equal to your sneak attack dice, plus an additional 1d6 for each bulk limit you are over. The creature is unable to make any sound that might alert someone while you are ‘Flopped’ on top of them.

Also, Your natural predisposition for being flabby has also made you better at handling it. You treat each bulk limit as one lower for any penalties, meaning you have no penalties while Burdened. You also gain an additional Bulk limit equal to 4x your burdened bulk limit, this is the new point where you become immobilized from bulk.

Tubby Trickster

At 13th level, you gain expertise in the eating skill if you did not already have it. Additionally, you gain the following benefits for each bulk limit you are over.

1st bulk limit: You have resistance to all overstuffing damage, and always roll overstuffing rolls with advantage.

2nd bulk limit: Instead of adding your Dexterity modifier to your AC, you may add your Constitution modifier, plus the amount of bulk limits you are over.

3rd bulk limit: You have advantage on any persuasion, deception, and intimidate checks against creatures that find you attractive for your size due to your impressive bulk, and on creatures that weigh less than half of what you do due to how bewildering your size is.

4th bulk limit: You are no longer restrained by your body, but your movement speed is set to 5ft.

Perfect Disguise

At 17th level, your ability to appear helpless due to your immense girth has been perfected. As long as you are over your second bulk limit, you do not need advantage or an adjacent ally to perform a sneak attack, since it’s always surprising how well you can strike. Additionally, your lardy body is perfect for absorbing blows, and you take half damage from any attack made by a creature that weighs less than half of what you do.

Also at 17th level, your pure descent into indulgence has given you a deep resilience to magic that would force it upon you. Any time a spell or ability would cause you to make a saving throw to avoid becoming ravenous, force you to eat food, or put food in your stomach, you may give yourself advantage on the saving throw. If you succeed, you may force the creature that used the spell or ability to make the same saving throw with disadvantage, causing them to take the effect if they fail. Once you use this part of the feature, you must complete a short or long rest before you can use it again.

Lipomantic Magic

Starting at 1st level, the unstable and rampant lipomancy within has gifted unusual powers, most of which ruin the waistlines of you, your foes and your unfortunate allies.

You learn additional spells when you reach certain levels in this class, as shown on the Adiposean Spells table. Each spell counts as a sorcerer spell for you, but it doesn’t count against the number of sorcerer spells you know. These spells can’t be replaced when you gain a level in this class.

Solid Body

At 1st level, your body has begun to adapt to this excess in order to take more blows and bear the impressive weight. You may calculate your AC using your dexterity modifier or constitution modifier, whichever is higher. You may also add twice your Sorcerer level to your strength and constitution when determining your bulk limits.

Arcane Replenishment

At 6th level, you have learned to draw upon your lipomantic nature to make your magic more efficient, though at a weighty cost. When you make use of a metamagic option, you may reduce the cost by 1 sorcery point and fatten a number of d10s equal to your proficiency bonus. You can use this ability a number of times equal to your charisma modifier, regaining spent uses on a long rest.

Lipomantic Wellspring

At 14th, your body’s lipomantic power has become more than just a rampant menace, it has so eagerly suffused you with a degree of control. The fatter you are, the more powerful you become!

Whenever you exceed a bulk limit, you gain the following benefits. Should your bulk go below such a limit, you lose that benefit until you increase your bulk above it once more.

Burdened: You may cast spells granted by your Origin of Adipose feature with Sorcery points at a ratio of 1 sorcery point per spell level.

Impeded: Your vast size gives you resistance to bludgeoning and force damage.

Immobile: When you would gain or lose weight for any reason, you may choose to magnify or weaken that effect. You can choose to either magnify, and have weight gained or lost be 10 times the amount it would have been. Or you can choose to weaken, and have the amount of weight gained or lost be 1/10th the amount it would have been.

Adiposean Ascension

At 18th level, your fat has become one with you, and a source of power that can keep you going even when you would otherwise fall. You Gain a magical flying speed equal to your regular movement speed, this speed cannot be reduced by being over your bulk limits. While flying in this way, you can make spell attacks without disadvantage from being restrained by your bulk. Additionally, when you would drop to 0 hit points, you can choose to convert your body fat directly into life force. You choose to lose an amount of bulk equal to up to 3 times your bulk limit. For each bulk limit worth of weight you lose, you regain 25 hit points and 3 sorcery points. Any creature within 10ft of you at the time must make a constitution saving throw against your spell save DC or gain an amount of bulk equal to your bulk limit. Once you use this ability this way, you cannot use it again until you have completed a long rest.

Corruptive Casting

You learn additional spells when you reach certain levels in this class, as shown on the Corruption Scion Spells table. Each spell counts as a sorcerer spell for you, but it doesn’t count against the number of sorcerer spells you know. These spells can’t be replaced when you gain a level in this class.

Corruption Scion Spells

Body of Debauchery

Starting at 1st level, the corrupted power that flows through your body only truly awakens when your physical strength fails you. When you go over your immobility limit, you have a flying speed equal to your walking speed that is unaffected by your bulk. If you choose to fly this way, you must stay within 5 feet of the surface below your feet, but can hover indefinitely, rotating as you wish as if weightless and cannot be knocked prone. Additionally, while moving this way, attacks against you don’t have advantage due to you being restrained. You can use this ability as long as you are less than your first bulk limit over immobility, and you have a mild corruption.

At fourth level you can use this ability up to twice your bulk limit over immobility if you have a moderate corruption.

At eighth level you can use this ability up to three times your bulk limit over immobility if you have a Severe corruption.

At twelfth level you can use this ability up to four times your bulk limit over immobility if you have a severe corruption.

Rising Corruption

At 1st level, you are constantly in touch with the dark lipomancy within, whenever you finish a long rest and don’t have any points of corruption, you gain 1 point of corruption. When you finish a long or short rest, you gain an amount of temporary hit points equal to twice your points of corruption.

When you reach level two, you can spend 2 sorcery points to gain points of corruption up to half your proficiency modifier rounded up.

Dark Anchor

At level 6, your great mass is suffused with power, giving you greater resistance to arcane attacks. While your Body of Debauchery is active, you may spend your reaction in response to failing a save against a spell or magical effect to reroll the saving throw. When you use this ability, you gain 1 point of corruption, and gain an additional point of corruption when you use it again on the same day (meaning 3 corruption on the third use.) You can use this ability an amount of times equal to your proficiency modifier, regaining all uses on a long rest.

Controlled Chaos

Also when you reach level 6, you’ve begun to gain an understanding of the dark power within, giving you several ways to interact with your corruption. Over a long rest, you may reroll one corrupt effect you have for another of the same level. You also no longer suffer the behavioral effects of corruption, and can remove one point of corruption each time you take a long rest. Also, when using your Body of Debauchery feature, you are not considered restrained by your bulk.

Shared Descent

At level 14, you fall deeper into corruption, and you’ve gained mastery of it. You no longer lose control of your character when you reach 12 points of corruption, but can no longer gain more than twelve points. By spending 1 sorcery points when you cast a spell, you can transfer 1 point of corruption you have to a target of that spell if you hit them with a spell attack or they fail the spell’s saving throw, if they have less corruption than you do. If this would put them at the threshold for another corruption effect, you can spend 1 sorcery point to force them to be affected by it immediately instead of after combat.

Additionally, as an action you can impose your own corruption on others. Each creature within 30 ft of you that you designate must make a Charisma saving throw against your spell save DC. On a failure, they experience any corruptions effects you’re currently affected by immediately as long as you continue to concentrate on it. If they already have any corruption effects on them, these stacks with those effects. This lasts until either you stop concentrating, or ten minutes pass. Once you use this ability this way, you must wait until you take a long rest to use it again.

Adeline Wavecrest

Half-Elf Priestess of Civona (Cleric + Druid)

With the hope of a new safe haven for all reaching far and wide across Seantala, many of the wealthier and more powerful families sought to gain entry there as soon as possible. For Adeline, her spot on the vanguard was earned moreso because of her family's prestige, mixed with tragic circumstances of those whom she was supposed to joined by. Cast alone, feeling the pressure expectant glances, as well as the desire to regain the luxury she once had, would keep her going as she experienced what life was like when people had nothing but each other to rely on. Alongside her companions, Adeline's powers, as well as her wealth, would bloom once more as she sought to divine the chaotic nature of Argonath with the aid of the shining stars.

Adloth Snowshaper

Goliath, Armourer Artificer

Hailing from a budding city of brilliant minds, the settlement was unravelled by a chaotic disruption of gravity, forcing the citizens and Adloth abandon much of their work and dreams. The goliath still holds onto her aspirations however, putting her mind towards tinkering and experimenting on her new suit of armour for the tough times ahead. Intelligent and determined, if a touch quiet in social situations, there's no question that Adloth is devoted to building up Argonath into her new home. Determination or not though, she's an artificer first, and only a warrior by necessity. Leaving her inexperienced and shaky in dangerous combat.

Alei Oak

Fatspawn Wild Walker Ranger/Pugilist

Running from herself, half-human, half-gnoll, Alei joined the vanguard as somewhat of a last gambit. She did genuinely want to help people, almost everyone she met, but never ceasing hunger and conflicting instincts and emotions led her to a lot of turmoil. She made friends in Argonath, and even found a lover in the diminutive kobold Spirit Seeker, and left the vanguard shortly before its end to fix her mistakes on the other side, before they were unfixable.

She still has a ways to go before she fully accepts who and what she is, but she's at least a lot more comfortable with busting belts than she was when she was first hit by the Feast Swarm. Just needs to reign in some of the overindulgence...

Amalthea Olympia

Satyr Cleric of Civona, Hedonism Domain

Among the first batch of the Vanguard project, she escaped from the Feast Swarm that assaulted Pelldea to help pave the road for a feat that would make Civona proud, the development of Holmgard, a city in a new land. The satyr favored indulgence from the day she arrived, and she was a ever helpful, using the gift of Civona for even the most basic of tasks if it would aid the rest of the city. She was always a lover at heart, getting close to a few fellow Vanguard members, but never committing to anyone other than her darling Klea, as well as Euryaeia, the one who didn't make it through the portal.

Crodexstasya

Human Wizard, Bladesinger

A cowardly wizard who hid from the feast swarm. Developing very mixed feelings along the way. Among the first of the Vanguard, She did her best to rise to the occasion, and triumph over her fears and doubts. Deeply Devoutful of Dragons, she was extremely conflicted when the vanguard slain their first. She eventually fell back on old habits, before disappearing entirely.

Cynteiya, of Xipilli

Ticolatta School of Lipomancy Wizard

Cynteiya was much of a typical self-ascribed wizard: bright, eclectic, and eccentric. She had a passion for discovery and an apparent inability to express herself in any way that wasn’t grossly complex, even as she would often explain her passion to any who would listen. After an unending tide of shambling dead brought her home low, she joined the Vanguard not just to continue her study of magic, but to use what she learned in service of those who were left.

Imaren Amalgard

Orc Paladin, Oath of Protection

An optimistic woman with a heart of gold, Imaren was sent from her frozen home as a newly appointed member of her order to be a representative for the Vanguard. Born of a lineage of templars, she grappled with living up to the expectations and hopes of her home and family, along with the newfound weight and magics that altered her frame, but gave her the opportunity to be a bulky bulwark. Standing vigilant through the ever changing times of the camp into a formed haven for those who sought it, Imaren has kept moving forward with those at her side, including love in the form of the wizard Lorekeeper, and a fire inside her to find her answer of what truly made someone a guardian.

Bwomphing Blade

Evocation cantrip

• Classes: Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard.
• Casting Time: 1 action
• Range: Self (5-foot radius)
• Components: S, M (a melee weapon worth at least 1 sp)
• Duration: 1 round

You brandish the weapon used in the spell’s casting and make a melee attack with it against one creature within 5 feet of you. On a hit, the target suffers the weapon attack’s normal effects and then becomes sheathed in lipomantic magic until the start of your next turn. If the target fattens you before then, the target takes 1d8 force damage, fattening for twice the same amount and the spell ends.

At Higher Levels. At 5th level, the melee attack deals an extra 1d8 force damage to the target on a hit, and the damage the target takes for attacking you increases to 2d8. Both damage rolls increase by 1d8 at 11th and 17th level.

Drain Strike

Evocation cantrip

• Classes: Artificer, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard
• Casting Time: 1 action
• Range: self (5-foot radius)
• Components: S, M (a melee weapon worth at least 1sp)
• Duration: 1 round

You brandish the weapon used in the spell’s casting and make a melee attack with it against one creature within 5 feet of you. On a hit, the target suffers the weapon attack’s normal effects and becomes afflicted with draining energy until the start of your next turn. If the target causes itself to lose weight before then, it takes 1d8 necrotic damage and the spell ends. The creature also slims for twice the same amount in bulk while you fatten that amount in return.

At Higher Levels. At 5th level, the melee attack deals an extra 1d8 necrotic damage to the target on a hit, and the damage the target takes for its weight changing increases to 2d8. Both damage rolls increase by 1d8 at 11th level (2d8 and 2d8) and 17th level (3d8 and 3d8).

Conjure Meal

1st level Conjuration

• Classes: Artificer, Bard, Cleric, Sorcerer, Wizard
• Casting Time: 1 minute
• Range: 30 feet
• Components: V, S
• Duration: Instantaneous

You create 1d4 lbs of food of a kind you have seen or tasted before. Based on what you chose, the food is of slimming, normal, or fatty quality. This spell cannot create drinks, and the food is summoned up on plates that disappear after the food is eaten. If the food is not eaten, it dissolves away after 24 hours.

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, you create 1d4 more lbs of food.

Fat Beam

1st-level Evocation

• Classes: Sorcerer, Wizard, Warlock
• Casting Time: 1 action
• Range: 120 feet
• Components: V, S
• Duration: Instantaneous

You create three rays of lipomancy and hurl them at targets within range. You can hurl them at one target or several. Make a ranged spell attack for each ray. On a hit, the target fattens 4d8lbs.

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, each ray fattens an additional 2d8lbs for each level above first.

Make Room

1rst level transmutation

• Classes: Bard, Cleric, Druid, Sorcerer, Wizard
• Casting Time: 1 action
• Range: 30 ft
• Components: V, S
• Duration: Instantaneous

You use lipomantic magic to jolt someone’s stomach into digesting quicker. Choose a target creature within 30 ft that you can see. They instantly digest up to 2d4lbs of food currently in their stomach, adding the diet points to their diet pool as if it had been digested normally. An unwilling creature may make a constitution save to resist the effect.

At Higher Levels. If you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, you increase the amount of digested food by 1d4 for each level of the slot above 1rst.

Sense Hunger

1rst-level Divination

• Classes: Cleric, Druid
• Casting Time: 1 action
• Range: self
• Components: V
• Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute

You focus your magical senses towards the innate hunger of creatures around you. For the duration, you are able to detect any creature within 30 ft of you who is capable of eating food and currently has no food in their stomach. You have advantage on any checks made that would feed such creatures.

At Higher Levels. If you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, the duration is Concentration, up to 10 minutes. If you use a spell slot of 3rd level or higher, the duration is 1 hour. If you use a spell slot of 4th level or higher, the duration is 8 hours. If you use a spell slot of 5th level or higher, the duration is 24 hours. If you use a spell slot of 6th level or higher, the duration is 1 week. If you use a spell slot of 7th level or higher, the duration is 1 month. If you use a spell slot of 8th level or higher, the duration is until dispelled. Using a spell slot of 4th level or higher grants a duration that does not require concentration.

Grazing Gluttony

You have a knack for eating constantly. You may not eat as much in one sitting, but you can always eat a lot.

• Increase your constitution by 1, to a maximum of 20.
• You gain proficiency in the Eating skill. If you are already proficient in the skill, you gain expertise with it, which means your proficiency bonus is doubled for any ability checks you make with it.
• When making rolls for stuffing, instead of taking -8 to the result to determine your additional capacity, you instead divide the result of the roll by 2.

Mind Gains

You’ve learned to use your force of will to push through when stuffing yourself silly.

• Increase your Wisdom by 1, to a maximum of 20.
• When calculating your stomach capacity, or rolling an eating roll for overstuffing, you use your Wisdom instead of Constitution.
• If you would go unconscious from overstuffing damage, you are instead reduced to 1 hitpoint. After using this part of the feat, you must finish a long rest before you can do so again.

Fast Metabolism

More so than others, your stomach is always able to digest food at an incredible rate.

• Increase your Constitution or Strength by 1, to a maximum of 20.
• The amount of food you digest per hour is doubled.
• When you would take overstuffing damage, as a reaction you may expend a hit die, and roll it. You instantly digest a number of pounds of food equal to the roll plus your constitution modifier, adding the diet points to your pool. After using this part of the feat, you must finish a long rest before you can do so again.

Bottom Heavy

Your bottom heavy build lends certain benefits as your weight climbs higher. Most weight you gain goes to your lower half from now on.

• Increase your constitution by 1, to a maximum of 20.
• While over at least your first bulk limit, you have advantage against anything that would knock you prone or push you.
• While over at least your first bulk limit, due to always having a soft spot to land, you have resistance to falling damage.

Big Belly

All the weight keeps going to your middle, bursting buttons, and granting some perks. Most weight you gain goes to your torso from now on.

• Increase your constitution by 1, to a maximum of 20.
• While over at least your first bulk limit, you gain resistance to poison damage, and anything that would give you the poisoned condition.
• While over at least your first bulk limit, if the extra capacity granted by an overeating roll would be less than your eating skill, you may roll again, and keep the new result.

Chesty

No matter how much you eat, it seems to simply make your bras harder to wear. Most weight you gain goes to your chest area from now on.

• Increase your constitution by 1, to a maximum of 20.
• While over at least your first bulk limit, you can store a single item of 5 or less pounds in your cleavage (Within reason), being able to withdraw or store the item without expending an object interaction once per turn. You may store an additional item this way for every additional bulk limit you are over. You may not store unsheathed weapons this way.
• While over at least your impeded bulk limit, you only have your speed reduced by -10 instead of half, due to most of your weight not being around your legs.

Hourglass

Your body is quite shapely, regardless of heft, and your weight tends to distribute to your chest and bottom instead of your middle from now on.

• Increase your constitution by 1, to a maximum of 20.
• While over at least your first bulk limit, you can display your assets as a bonus action, giving a target creature disadvantage on their next attack roll. You may do this a number of times per day equal to your proficiency modifier.
• While over your impeded bulk limit, your balanced assets mean you do not have disadvantage on Athletics and Acrobatics from bulk.

Adjusting Chair

Wondrous Item, Uncommon

Built around the stabilized portal, this fortified camp serves as the base of operations for the Expeditionary forces and home to the player characters. It’s here that you rest between missions, carousing with your comrades, and spend your time improving your skills. It’s also the settlement that, over time, will grow into a grand new home for all the displaced peoples of Seantala. It’s not much to look at starting out, but over time the small tent city will include new homes, shops, and even grand magical buildings all created through your combined efforts.

The Mission

once settled in, Vanguard are organized into small teams and sent out in all directions to explore what's around Holmgard in larger and larger journeys. Whatever they find, follow up missions are made to explore further, investigate, perform diplomacy, or quell threats that rear up. They should be doing everything from marking resources that are safe for extraction by common workers, to settling disputes in local settlements they stumble onto. If they survive long enough, some Vanguard may even find themselves measuring up the mighty feats of the heroes trying to defend their doomed home, such as slaying dragons and stopping mighty evils present in this new world.

Joining Up

Those that wish to join the Vanguard show up at the refugee camp back on Seantala, and simply report themselves to Expedition Command to be checked over for the basics. This is mostly to make sure that hopeful recruits have some concrete skills to offer in combat, are capable of working as part of a team, and don't seem to be some kind of ticking time bomb waiting to blow. Everything from kobolds, to dwarves, to elves, and even halflings have been admitted to join the cause.

Vanguard can expect regular pay, based on the missions they perform, and a place to stay. Of course, the spoils they find on their missions are often theirs to keep, assuming they can be carried back.

Accomodations

Settling into Holmgard includes a place for Vanguard to stay. While space in the newly founded town is limited, they're afforded the luxury of private accommodations as recompense for the particularly dangerous task they're being asked to perform. At first, this is something akin to a tent with a cot and minor furniture. However, as Holmgard grows, so too would these accommodations, to possibly include rooms at an inn, bunks in a barracks, or even perhaps a bed in a newly built castle. Below is an example of the kind of accommodations a Vanguard can expect right near the start.

Tier I Jobs

These jobs paid 1gp per level, per week. They did not require anything from players other than their characters fulfilling some particular base requirement.

Tuatha Goldkeeper

Master Quartermaster

Tuatha serves as the top level Quartermaster for the whole Expedition. Primarily, this means she’s in charge of managing supplies for all the military forces of the Expedition, including the Vanguard. In fact, she’s often the one responsible for managing the more mercenary element that those adventurers represent. Of course, Quartermaster Goldkeeper has a whole platoon of clerks and sub-quartermasters who help her get the job done.

She used to serve as the Supply Master for a huge orcish clan that roved the grassy plains of her homeland, a genius of organization. With that clan largely defunct, Tuatha is more than happy to bring order to chaos in this new home, and make sure that any failure the Expedition faces is not the fault of lacking food or broken armor.

Rex T. Kingsburg

Head Expedition Chef

Brought in from the mainland at the demand of his parents, he was placed among the corps as one of the pioneers. The first few soldiers to cross the portal into Argonath, there to make space for the eventual formation of a camp. A process that lasted comparatively little time, yet still cost him plenty. Despite coming from a family of warfaring nobles, he'd never been one for combat. As a result, he sustained numerous injuries during the setup of the camp. Enough so, he was eventually forced to pull back.

Though initially commanded to return to the mainland, he managed to broker a deal with the Guild's command. In short, he'd be in charge of the mess hall, and kitchen. In exchange, and for as long as he remains useful, he will be allowed to remain in Argonath.

Redanagan

Archdruid and Alchemist

With the influx of druidic influence in town, there needs a voice to speak for them, and Redanagan has been selected to serve as such. While she is not the best at the acts of spellcasting or wild shaping, she has a knack for plants, being able to hear what they say and respond in kind. She excels in knowledge when it comes to plants, and knows the use most of the flora native to her lands and beyond, and can quickly pick up on what strange new plants they find may be capable of doing.

Red is often found enjoying time in the woods, the smell of rather unique herbs being burnt always surrounds her. She is one to take things slow and calm, and always has time to see what folk need and assist them in getting a greater understanding of the natural world and their place within it. Failing anything like that, many say she's a rather relaxing presence around Holmgaurd, which can be helpful to break the tension of the day to day hustle and bustle many find trying to rebuild after the apocalypse.

Gabrielle Caillet

Merchant Boss

You’d think that when the world is broken by apocalypse that the last thing someone would think of are luxuries. Gabrielle begged to differ, driving a caravan full of fine goods out of a burning city as it rioted. Such goods may have been thought frivolous by most, but the Golden eyed woman comes from a long line of merchants and deal makers. On arriving at the Refugee Stronghold, her goods made Gabrielle quite popular with the various lords and ladies who’d had to abandon such fineries when fleeing their own nations. Small wonder they let her be in charge of all the economic ventures of their Expedition after that.

Now coming to Argonath, Madam Caillet looks forward to making sure herself and other merchants get things set up right, and this new settlement fattens off the lucrative bounty such untouched lands offer. She’s always been good at knowing what things are really worth.

Town Statistics

In order to give life to the settlement of Holmgard that players would work so hard to protect, specific mechanics to represent the growth and development are a necessity. Therefor, a two piece system is used in order to both allow the players to impact their settlement home, but also to give them something to work together on as a large group. Progression in the game is measured in the town itself instead of the leveling or gearing of individuals.

Much could be said on the mystery of what, or even why Argonath is. The simplest explanation also raises the most questions. Imagine a vast quilt, made of all different pieces of fabric with all their hues and patterns, laid out across a bed. It'd look disjointed and messy, but it works all the same. If you look long enough you might even see a a method to the madness. Argonath is much the same in it's own way. Shattered refers to the many fragments of disjointed land that are bunched up together, acting as one continuous landmass. Each piece of land, referred to as shards, comes from somewhere else, another material plane, or another reality. They are not all from the same world, and the shards reflect this.

This patchwork nature creates pockets of isolated and interspersed civilization and mystery. There are many settlements, partial cities, and ruins that have been sucked into Argonath from elsewhere, their people brought along for the ride. It is actually unique among the Shattered Lands that the people of Seantala have come here through a portal, to a segment of land that is not from their doomed home world. It is a testament to the skill of their mages maintaining it to have been able to perform such a feat.

There is no known edge to Argonath, at least that has been explored. Nor is it known how long some of these places have been here. Millenia old ruins look no newer for being transported to this strange place as part of a shard. Perhaps there are answers to be discovered in the far flung edges of this land. However, for now Holmgard's goal is to build their new home and give their refugee survivors a fresh start.

Normal Weather

Special Weather

Not all weather in such a place is as normal as rain or snow. With the uniquely magical nature of the Shattered lands, more fantastical events are also possible, often accompanying more normal weather. Perhaps a cloudless day is enhanced by strange flashes of energy in the sky high above, signaling a planar storm, or maybe a heavy rain is accompanied by extra deliciousness in the food enjoyed around the cozy fire, bringing a diet deluge along with it. These events are rarer, but can really change up what's going on. As with regular weather, stepping into a different shard may find a party encountering a special weather event localized entirely to that shard.

Boreal

Also known as Taigas, Boreal Forests are typically located near the arctic regions of most worlds and are as such marked by very cold climates. Aside from a few rare months a year, the ground will be covered by snow, making traversal difficult for unprepared travelers.

Evergreen trees like firs and pines thrive in these biomes. Large, thick-furred creatures and those able to burrow down and hibernate also find great success here. Explorers should beware of stumbling upon the den of a sleeping beast…

In their native worlds, nights in Boreal Forests are illuminated by auroras dancing across the sky. While these biomes may no longer be in their near polar locations, it’s possible that they may have brought some of that magic with them to Argonath.

Example Creatures

CR	Name
1/4	Elk
1/2	Ice Mephit
1	Brown Bear
2	Polar Bear
3	Winter Wolf
6	Mammoth
6	Young White Dragon
8	Frost Giant
12	Everlasting One
20	Ancient White Dragon

Jungle

Jungles and Rainforests are typically located in the tropical regions of their native worlds. The leaves of the Jungle’s massive trees typically obscure the sky above completely, casting shade or even darkness on the forest floor below, greatly limiting visibility.

Plant life here is exceptionally thick with vines, moss, and fungi, all of which can make for precarious navigation. Jungles boast some of the greatest biodiversity of all biomes, and therefore are home to all manner of strange and unique creatures.

Typical Jungles experience Dry and Wet seasons. During wet seasons, torrential rainfall can deposit exceptional quantities of water in very short time spans. Regardless of season, however, the air in the Jungle will usually be hot and humid.

Example Creatures

CR	Name
1/8	Stuffed Stirge
1/8	Poisonous Snake
1/4	Velociraptor
3	Flail Snail
3	Giant Scorpion
4	Yuan-ti Bloatfang
5	Troll
6	Cyclops
7	Giant Ape
8	Tyrannosaurus Rex

Example Creatures

Swamp

Swamps are forests that occur in a low lying, moist environment. The land is largely dominated by rivers, streams, or large pools of stagnant water. Trees with wide sprawling roots and moss covered branches thrive in these wetlands, and many types of fungus can be found on the fallen and decaying plant matter that litters the ground.

Swamps typically have humid and damp climates, with either plentiful rainfall or ample sources of water flowing into the region. The ground will also tend to be soft and spongy, or just outright muddy. Passage through swamps without some means of navigating the waters can be very treacherous.

Swamps with waters that sit stagnant and still will often take on a more rank and unpleasant nature. The air will be more humid as more water vapor lingers at the surface, and creatures that feed or flourish on rot will be more prevalent.

Example Creatures

CR	Name
1/8	Giant Rat
1/4	Giant Frog
1/2	Crocodile
2	Giant Constrictor Snake
3	Green Hag
3	Wight
5	Giant Crocodile
5	Banderhobb
8	Corpse Flower
21	Ancient Black Dragon

Example Creatures

Craglands

Craglands are similar to deserts in that they are hot, arid environments, and the two often share a lot of overlap. Where the two differ, however, is in the terrain. Instead of the shifting sands of the desert, craglands are typically covered by hard packed, stony terrain.

The sedimentary rock that makes up the bulk of the terrain here is subject to rather extreme erosion, causing deep crevasses to be carved into the land. The erosion can be caused either by ancient and long dried streams, or by sheer wind force wearing down the rock over the eons.

Conditions within the deep crevasses may be very different from the rest of the biome. Consider what may lie in a deep, isolated pocket in the craglands. Perhaps moisture has accumulated to form a sort of a rocky oasis, or perhaps a civilization has cropped up using the crags to avoid the hostile conditions above. Caves will also be a very common part of the landscape.

Example Creatures

CR	Name
3	Manticore
5	Bulette
5	Earth Elemental
5	Lode Stone
6	Wyvern
7	Rage Elemental
10	Guardian Naga
11	Efreeti
16	Pheonix
24	Ancient Red Dragon

Example Creatures

Steppes

The rolling grasslands of the steppes are a lush expanse of hilly, green terrain. Typically steppes are devoid of any sort of forestation, and are dominated by grasses. Weather conditions are usually mild, with occasional rain and thunderstorms rolling through the lands to nourish the local plant life.

In areas where there are larger or denser collections of hills, creatures and people can find shelter from the wide open sight lines of the plains. Adventurers should be wary of poking their heads into these pockets of shelter, as there’s no telling what lies within.

Overall, travel through the steppes is quick and efficient, with little in the way of natural barriers to prevent passage. As a result, the use of horses and other riding animals is a fairly common means of rapid traversal of the Steppes.

Example Creatures

CR	Name
1	Harpy
3	Phase Spider
4	Meat Man
4	Ettin
4	Werebear
5	Hill Giant
6	Chimera
7	Stone Giant
13	Dire Troll
24	Ancient Gold Dragon

Example Creatures

Example Creatures

Inland Lake/Sea

The shoreline around these areas are covered in shells and driftwood. They’re brought there by lapping waves cresting on the beaches of the areas surrounding huge bodies of open water. Some are simply large lakes, filled with freshwater fish, often fed into by rivers from other areas and regions. They make for good food gathering. Other times, the zone is much larger, salty, part of an open ocean or sea that runs deep beneath the water’s surface. The waves are stronger too, and often hide monstrous sea creatures just waiting for someone to try to cross in a less sea worthy boat.

Any adventure that goes to this place is likely to be about monster hunting, or trying to dive deep to find sunken ruins in the depths. Either way, even simply trying to cross such a region will require some kind of floating transport to make it to the other side.

Example Creatures

CR	Name
1/8	Dolphin
1	Sea Spawn
2	Plesiosaurus
3	Deep Scion
5	Deluge Elemental
5	Giant Shark
5	Sahaugin Baron
11	Morkoth
17	Dragon Turtle
23	Kraken

Example Creatures

Volcanic

Fragmented sheats of barely cooled obsidian and rock float like massive jutting icebergs over a sea of smoldering magma. Some of the land is cool enough to stand on, but that doesn’t make it comfortable. In some places, the semi cooled earth forms miniature volcanoes, ready to burst with molten lava at any given moment.

Adventures here require travelers to consider how they’ll traverse any gaps in the obsidian landscape, and how they’ll remain at a comfortable temperature amongst terrain hot enough to boil water.

The creatures here are either fiery in nature, or very attuned to fire itself, with some creatures that make nests in melted rock, while others like some devils or demons may simply enjoy the respite given by their immunity to the harsh landscape.

Example Creatures

CR	Name
1	Fire Snake
4	Flameskull
5	Fire Elemental
5	Salamander
7	Fire Elemental Myrmidon
9	Fire Giant
11	Efreeti
11	Fire Giant Pyromancer
16	Hellfire Engine
24	Ancient Gold Dragon

Example Creatures

Ice Fields

The land of an Ice Field isn’t simply cold, but completely frozen through. Instead of dirt underfoot, one is faced with giving snow. If you dig down into the snow, you find ice. Only once you dig through dozens of feet of that might you find rock. The same is true of the mountains and hills that exist here, covered in many layers of hardened ice, long buried. Some places even have completely translucent spires with nothing but frozen water, piercing up towards the sky.

Going any distance here without strong protection from the cold is folly, as even starting a fire could easily melt water that will simply put it out again if you’re not careful. Bring your own food, for it will be rare to find any here. That’s not to say there isn’t any of course. The creatures that make ice fields their home are hearty creatures bound to the frozen world around them.

Example Creatures

CR	Name
1/2	Gnoll Hunter
3	Yeti
5	Revenant
5	Werebear
9	Abominable Yeti
19	Frost Salamander
10	Winter Eladrin
13	Adult White Dragon
14	Cake Goliath
20	Nightwalker

Example Creatures

Overland Sea

Brilliant corals shining in the sun, seagrass swaying in the tide, and fish swimming overhead. All sights that would be found in the ocean, though not a drop of water can be found. An entire sea, full of every creature that could inhabit it, all flying around as if they were swimming.

These lands come from a unique intersection of elemental air and water, which allows for native creatures with an affinity to swim to move freely in the air as if in the water. Creatures' behavior down here seem no different than that of the actual sea, fish school, sharks hunt, and corals soak up the sun.

Adventurers diving into this slice of ocean above the water will find that they can breathe in this fresh air, but cannot swim around like the fish can. Creatures who are from here however cannot leave, as if they try to leave the threshold of the environment, gravity returns to them, as they gasp for breath, if they need water to breathe.

Adventurers beware, as there are still sections of these lands which share the ocean's dangers, where the sun doesn’t reach as well, and many dangers lurk behind the rocks. Even in the sunny reefs hold dangers, as threats can loom overhead all the more readily.

Example Creatures

CR	Name
1/8	Giant Crab
1/8	Merfolk
1/2	Sahuagin
1	Swarm of Quippers
2	Sea Hag
5	Giant Shark
10	Aboleth
13	Storm Giant
20	Leviathan

Example Creatures

Dead Lands

A landscape permeated with Necromancy, negative energy, and death. Dead Lands are areas where undead roam in hordes, ruins of long destroyed towns sit haunted in the middle of husks of woods long since abandoned of life.

The nature of what is here is dependent on where the original piece of land came from. Some are chunks of land permeated with negative energy that trap creatures wandering in from other biomes, turning them into monsters that then stalk the hills. Others may be from worlds that fell to necromancy long ago, bringing with them great works of undead in the form of bone factories and endless graveyards. Of course, the old masters of such places may have come with, and more than one Lich is likely to have a home here.

Example Creatures

CR	Name
1/4	Skelecane
3	Will-o-the-Feast
5	Corruptor Zombie
5	Overweighting Presence
6	Bodak
8	Hungering Revenant
13	Vampire
14	Death Tyrant
17	Death Knight
21	Lich

Example Creatures

Candy Land

Through means of lipomancy, or simply one of the stranger worlds that have been placed into Argonath, the Candy Lands are strange lands filled with sweets. It looks like a typical landscape of fields and forests found in temperate inland environments, save for the fact that every aspect of the area is made entirely of candies and sweets. Trees made from chocolate, plants with a minty glaze, stones that crack open to reveal a nougat center. This edibility extends to every aspect of the land, including its creatures.

Mundane creatures can be found here, except they are wholly made of sweets, such as chocolate bunnies or cake cows. The people who live here seem unbothered by it all, and simply live their lives in symbiosis with the delicious lands. No one quite knows what would happen if a particularly ravenous adventurer would take it upon themselves to devour the lands though…

Example Creatures

CR	Name
1/8	Gumdrop Gremlin
1/4	Skelecane
3	Jumbo Gremlin
4	Chocolate Guard
5	Gummy Wyrm
7	Cake Myrmidon
8	Zombrie Horde
14	Cake Goliath

The Shattered Lands of Argonath are made up of many different pieces of land that come from many different places. Each piece of land is referred to as a 'Shard' since it is effectively a single chunk of somewhere else bigger. They vary wildly in everything from elevation, to climate, to inhabitants, to even size. Each shard is 'plucked' from where it originally came from, bringing with it what land, people, structures, or anything else that was going on with it at the time. Often, when this happens it displaces whatever shards might occupy the place it arrives at, either in part or entirely. This is often accompanied by mighty tremors and rumbling as the very fabric of the shattered lands adjusts and changes with the new addition. Usually, these places are from the material world of wherever they come from, but that doesn't mean stranger things don't also make their way to the shattered lands, as can be seen in the earlier list of biomes.

Open Sea Ruins

In the vast ocean of Argonath, the remains of a collapsed city drifts afloat, its stone houses, castles, and markets defying the notion of density as it is understood, creating unexpected high-sea dangers, with the potential debris that splits from the wreckage and may reach unprepared ships sailing too close. There are still those who dare brave forth, and the potential source of whatever force has altered the floatability of the city’s remains makes it genuinely contested territory, with many trying to uncover the mysteries that lay desolated somewhere in the center of the city’s crumbled structures.

In the city, one may find undead creatures crawling through the floating city aimlessly, awakened by unresolved business as many of them still fought for the city to be preserved until the very end. But along with that, a Sahuagin clan has started trying to loot the remains, even if they often fall to the challenges ahead and constant in-fighting, creating a race for the treasures the adventurers should hope to beat.

Doomed by the Ocean

The past uncovered through the remains of the city is a story told before it began. Aqualin, a city built to encompass its small island completely, was very self-sufficient and advanced beyond its expectations, but the signs of the sea rising were obvious from eons past, indeed, it was the city’s certain doom that gave it its name. Its people were starved for options, too many lived in the city for the ships to be able to carry them to safety and the world abroad was mostly unknown, there simply was no one to help.

Then, the council of mages of Aqualin had a plan, they’d learn to manipulate floatability, and once it was in their control, they would use that to imbue that magic in the whole city, the people would be safe, drifting with the buildings in the floating city. So, ample research was devoted to this and scaling it to the level that it could affect the whole city, but their time was running out, and the roadblocks were making this progress take years to complete.

At the end, the sea was too fast, and inundations became a constant in the life of Aqualin’s residents, they’d build bridges, while hoping the solution would come soon. In desperation, the mages used what they had, and it seemingly had no effect. There was nothing more to do as they were eventually submerged completely. The people that could, fled, the others drowned. It’d be years later that the spells were revealed to have a delayed effect, the magic was working, it just took way longer than they needed to drag the city’s remains up to the sea level. When it was way past destroyed, its piece of the world was shaken off its roots and dropped as a shard in Argonath.

The Battle of the Bulge

The Prosperous Nation of Sillisea is a relatively utopian society that has risen on their homeworld after a long history of strife. This is no secret dystopia, nor a perfect society on the verge of collapse. Crime, homelessness, poverty, have all been effectively eliminated, leaving their people happy, and also quite fat. It turns out that without war or hardship, people tend to relax into a comfortable languidness.

However, that doesn’t mean that all differences have been quelled, or that people disagree less. Instead, such conflicts take a less… important caste, turning towards more inconsequential things that are elevated to grand battles by the lack of more serious problems to fight over.

Such things need to be settled, and words are often not enough. So the solution is clearly to settle things with a battle that threatens no lives, and leads to a minimum of real pain. Enter, the Bulging Battlefield. With more than enough magic to make everyone’s lives easy, it was nothing to set up a battlefield with fake ruins and fortifications to have mock battles between any groups that could pay the entry fee. Except the threat is not sword and axe, but fattening and feeding. The rules tend to be simple, if you fall to being too fat to move, or too stuffed to stand, clearly you’re wrong, and your ante is forfeit.

The Bulging Battlefield was a resounding success, helping to settle all kinds of debates while simultaneously bringing a great form of entertainment for those scrying at home, or even participating. It turns out when it’s super easy to get fat, it becomes something of a standard of beauty in of itself. Even though getting flabbed up is a loss, they aren’t losing in all respects if you know what they mean.

Under New Management

The Bulging Battlefield consists mostly of fields and planes heavily raised on their shard above 'ground level'. There are artificial buildings and other minor features that represent scattered ruins purpose built to serve as focus points for conflict. These ruins are ever changing, providing a wide variety of environments and settings for the combatants to fight against one another. Of course, they construct these with safety in mind, never creating an arena which can be outright harmful to their contestants.

There is also a section with floating islands that each have various transforming arena’s atop them, with teleport pads at the bottom to reach them. Buildings established to house spectators and areas for the combatants to prepare are often designed with even the widest individual in mind, being double or triple wide to anything found just about anywhere else, and constructed in such a way that comfort and durability have been accounted for. Many folk find themselves a bit small in the seats, but who wouldn’t want a near couch all to themselves if they were that small. Means to enjoy oneself in the brief moments before or after combat are available, small stands which can provide cheap fast foods can be found about.

Competition

When the adventurers of Holmgard stumble onto the Battlefield, the Silliseans have initiated one of their biennial Tournament of Settling. Two great peoples battled in ancient times before the Nation of Sillisea became what it is. While they now live together in harmony, these great battles are commemorated with the great blubber games, in which the Mighty Munchifors and the Adept Adicrates play out their differences in battles that end up costing many waistlines to settle who is currently superior.

The Munchifors were a proud warrior people that roamed the plains and seas of their homeworld, crushing all competition and enemies in brutal combat. Their martial skill was always prized, and unquestioned. This history carries over into modern times as people who tend to handle conflicts in head on, forceful ways. Their battleaxes and war armors have been replaced by beer kegs and heavy foods, but their brash culture of celebration has never left. On the Bulging Battlefield, they are seen most often forcing food into their opponent’s gullets to leave them in food comas, flexing their strong capacities over the weak.

The Adicrats were a group of scholars and nobles who worked their ways to the upper echelons of civilization and lived glorious decadent lives. They housed themselves in the mighty shining towers and castles, opulent and proud. They ruled with powerful magic and knowledge. Though with time they settled down somewhat, falling into intense study and boundless despotism. Now their current governance has no need for such corruptible offices, letting these more brainy folk go on with their studying and merriment, despotism turning to endless hedonism. The delights of food can only go so far, as the boundless joys of flesh, flabbening people up through their magical prowess is all the style with them. They seek the quick and simple route, to blast their foes with magic and leave them a boundless blobby mass, to fondle and have as a centerpiece for conversations of course.

Though this contest really only determines who has bragging rights for the next few years, it is the height of importance to everyone in Sillisea. Surely the Vanguard getting involved won’t cause any upsets…

The Chains of Glory

What happens when a good prize fighter is too valuable to lose? For a mighty empire, bloodsport is an easy way to keep the peace amongst a quarrelsome populace. Such an empire also has the power to ensure Gladiators they use for such bloodsport live long enough to ensure a return on their investment. The mighty Carchdun Arena was this very insurance, housing a powerful obelisk artifact that bound souls to it with strong magic. A fighter bound to this Obelisk is marked with chains along their wrists to represent their pact, and if they would fall in the arena, they will rise again the next day.

Of course, it wasn’t merely a prison. The chains were truly powered by glory. And so champions could earn their freedom through glorious deeds, mighty victories, or even well fought defeats. This came from the crowds that saw them battle, ones that are now lost to them.

The arena was the only part of Carchdun transported to this new place, leaving the current champions bound to it until they can earn freedom from glory generated only by the challenges their bound nature allows them to reach near the Arena, and by the same crowd of just their fellow fighters. At this rate, it may well take an eternity.

An Arena for Champions

In between Burning lava, everstorming mountains, rended earth, and shadowy marshes, the grand arena of dark stone perches on a spit of rock in relative safety between it all, Carchdun. It is from another world. The Arena itself is a large, foreboding construction of stone with several subfloors and ready rooms. It is capable of producing traps, holding areas for various beasties, and providing living space for the arena’s fighters and occupants. Bound to the stone before the arena itself vanished from their homeworld, the five champions became marooned in this new place, still bound to the rock below Carchdun.

It’s been centuries since the arena arrived here, but the champions have not earned enough glory to free themselves. They stay youthful despite the years, rising again each time they are killed. Glory is meant to be seen, with a roaring crowd vastly improving its gleam. Yet no audience came through when Carchdun vanished, and the few servants who lived there long ago left or died. Of course there is the matter of the opponent, and with only themselves to fight, the champions quickly learned that the Stone demands novelty, and fighting the same few beasts or bandits that wander by, let alone each other, gives little glory. Yet not all of them are waiting for the same amount. Each joined the arena at a different time, and are different amounts along their journey to freedom.

The Vanguard arriving, with the promise of return trips, can breathe new life into these Champions and their hopes to be free with the offer of loot from Carchdun’s vaults as recompense. However, each champion will offer their own complications.

The Champions

Fenna Foethrower [Minotar Barbarian]: A strong warrior, boisterous and a lover of the thrill of battle. She was the newest champion before Carchdun was pulled away, meaning she has the longest to go to gain her freedom. Fenna hopes to journey around Argonath once she’s free of the curse arm in arm with the champions she’s come to know so well.

Gardener [Warforged Druid]: Ancient even before the centuries spent in Argonath because he often refused to fight, Gardener gained freedom almost immediately after the champions arrived. He’s stayed ever since, a caring presence that also keeps the other Champions fed and hearty.

Lady Lunette Albignon [Human Paladin]: Freed any day now, Lady Lunette vowed to help the others gain freedom once she does, even if she aged and died here. While heartfelt in caring for her fellow prisoners, there is a darker stain. She knows Trouble killed her mentor long ago, before either became champions. Only once Trouble is free can Lunette kill her once and for all.

Trouble [Tiefling Sorcerer]: Abrasive and coy, Trouble is the most sick of this eternal exile and imprisonment. She seeks to be free, but only to finally continue a quest for power. She’ll use whatever means to free herself. However Trouble also has quite the habit of torturing and causing problems for the others, like a cat keeping itself amused. Who knows how being introduced to lipomancy might give them even better ways to play with others.

Tough Nut [Tabaxi Fighter]: Nut is an expert of fighting, and enjoys it not really for glory, but to completely and utterly dominate his foes. In fact, these last few centuries have been like paradise to him. Not only has he been able to hone in his craft, but has been able to explicitly learn his small cast of opponents. It’s comfortable. He’s actually the second closest to freedom at the moment, but actually wants to force them all to stay… somehow.

Ruined Catacombs of Valderban

In a deep section of woods set in a mountain valley, a huge sprawling ruin sits squat in the middle. The world it’s from is likely long forgotten, but it’s far from dead. The surface is not that impressive at all, but exploring into it reveals room after room of traps, guardians, and sometimes treasures to be found. Yet the place seems to have no end, each floor ends in some way to descend further, and even more rooms and floors beyond. With the threats also never ending, would it ever be possible to reach the bottom?

This place looks to be dead on the surface, with a biome much like the deadlands, with nothing but the occasional haunt of an undead creature, bubbles of necromantic power, and dead withered trees to mark it from above. Below this, a great sprawling multi level dungeon descends into the darkness below. Each layer contains some further evidence of the place this used to be, and some new strangeness. There are constructs, undead, and even the occasional extraplanar creature stashed in the winding corridors.

It turns out that these Catacombs used to serve as the heart of some ancient empire long fallen. This remnant has come to Argonath as a shard, serving as a deathtrap to any unfortunate explorer that might expect it to be an easy tomb to plunder. As with all such ruins though, that danger means they're largely untouched, and who knows what great treasures might await anyone able and willing to brave further and further depths.

Ancient Empire

The Ancient Valderban Empire that these ruins correspond to was vast, stretching over much of the world it came to conquer, led by one man who'd grasped at immortality through magic to see his empire through the ages. Unfortunately, it did not last quite as long as he'd hoped. What this empire was, and where it came from matters little in the context of the Shattered Lands. Whatever great territory it possessed is not here, and only the bones of what was are left to see what it was. As one explores though, it becomes clear that this wasn't an empire for the people, but one that took and conquered with brute force and magical power. The ruins reflect that, and the evil it spawned.

The Specter

When someone first approaches the surface portion of the catacombs, they may find themselves approached by a spectral figure, a ghost that haunts the ruins. This Specter will talk falteringly, as ghosts do, to try to explain the follies of the empire, and the various catastrophes that led to it's fall, as well as the various people that led it to that point. It's not that simple though, as each fragment of the story comes with each layer that adventurers can go through, with subsequent visits revealing more and more. Even the catacombs themselves encourage this revisiting nature, as each layer as a protective barrier preventing further travel. It fades in time, once the guardian of the current level has been defeated.

The Heart

The power source, and the cause for the catacombs being the way they are is the Heart of Valderban, as the specter will call it. Really, it's a powerful magical engine that's been corrupted by dark magics. It's what waits at the bottom of the Catacombs, after many tough battles and deep layers are beaten back to reveal it. Through this, certain truths are revealed that weren't immediately clear.

First is that the empire came to rely heavily on constructs and monsters to do their bidding, this led to the elite of the empire growing soft in more ways than one, indulging themselves in vast amounts of lipomancy that still permeates the ruins to this day. Vanguard exploring this place may find being immobilized within becomes as large a threat as the monsters they face as spectral remnants of the debauchery of the empire rise to meet them.

Indeed, spectral is the right word, as that is the second truth to be revealed, as the ruins grow more strange, and more abnormal. These are not physical tombs collected beneath the spacious undercroft of a ruined cathedral, but are real enough constructs and illusions created by the magical heart itself, endlessly playing out these repeat adaptations of the misery inherent to a collapsing nation.

The final trick is revealed when, upon being reunited with the heart, the Specter awakens to his true identity, that of Emperor Valderban himself, with all these trials being creations of his own tortured spirit, kept from true release by the magical artifact he was buried with. Only through his final defeat can the heart be removed, and the nightmare ended. Then one can see that these catacombs are nothing more than a single dusty tomb under a dilapidated church. Valderban is nothing more than its sole corpse.

Hopefully, Holmgard will find a better use for such a powerful magical artifact as this, and prevent repeating the mistakes of Valderban.

Lair Actions

As long as Valderban is empowered by the Heart of the Empire, it's power pulses on initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), the Heart can take a lair action to cause one of the following magical effects; It can’t use the same effect two rounds in a row:

• The heart let's out a shockwave of corruption, forcing each living creature in 100ft of it to make a DC 15 Wisdom Saving throw, with each effected creature gaining 2 points of corruption on a failure, or 1 on a success.

• The Heart fills Valderban with dark power that radiates 15ft outwards from him in a protective cloak of fire and darkness. Each creature that starts it's turn in the area or enters it for the first time on their turn makes a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or takes 2d6 fire and 2d6 necrotic damage, or half as much on a success.

• The Heart vibrates intensely, and all those touched by corruption feel an answering hum in their chest. Creatures with points of corruption make a DC 15 Charisma saving throw or roll and activate any corruptions that have not already.

• The Heart thrums with some of the lipomantic magic that originally gave it strength. All living creatures at 0 hit points immediately heal Hit Points equal to half their maximum health, but fatten equal to their first bulk limit.

Lair Actions

On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), the dragon takes a lair action; the dragon can’t use the same effect two rounds in a row.:

• Fattening fog fills a 20-foot-radius sphere centered on a point the dragon can see within 120 feet of it. The fog spreads around corners, and its area is heavily obscured. Each creature in the fog when it appears must make a DC 10 Constitution saving throw, gaining 17 (5d6) pounds on a failed save, or half as much on a successful one. A creature that ends its turn in the fog gains 17 (5d6) pounds. A wind of at least 20 miles per hour disperses the fog. The fog otherwise lasts until any lair actions are used again or until the dragon dies.

• Pieces of gingerbread fall from the ceiling, striking up to two creatures underneath that the dragon can see within 120 feet of it. The dragon makes one ranged attack roll (+6 to hit) against each target. On a hit, the target is forcefed 7 (2d6) pounds of fatty food.

The Candy Coup

To the south, past the unforgiving wastes of the crags, sits a land that seems idyllic, save for a few details. Large stretches of gentle rolling hills, dotted with farmlands and roads well worn. Great towering mountains dotted around, pillars striking up from the earth to the sky above. Lakes, creeks, and streams all feeding into one great lake, sparkling and blue, perfect for a swim. The perfect place to settle… If the entire lands were not made of candy. Well, it may just prove all the better for that fact.

These Candy Lands stretch out rather far, and encompass three major settlements, spaced out with stretches of tamed farmlands to unknown wilderness. There was likely far more to these lands, before it was pulled away from wherever it once was, and where it is now. The northernmost settlement is a small town of farmers, Twizzelton. To the East lies a fortress town, built around the main barracks of the area, Fort Fondant, with great powerful walls protecting a small fortress. Then the shining jewel of the Kingdom, the sprawling castle and city of Azucker.

All is not well in the kingdom, however, as a wicked usurper has upheaved the order in the kingdom, slaying the former king and has appointed herself as his successor, deeming herself empress with ambitions to squeeze as much as she can out from her people and situate herself as a powerful player in the shattered lands. Yet, rebellion brews in the hearts of many, as the Princess has not been seen in many weeks, but there have been no official accounts of her death. In truth, she lies in solitude in the woods not far from Twizzelton, praying for a miracle to save her Kingdom.

Oddities to The Candy Lands

While made of candy, most materials hold up compared to their otherwise ‘normal’ counterparts, save for the distinct weakness to being eaten. A blade made from hardened sugar glass can cut as well as steel, but given enough time goes down with orange flavouring. Additionally, the only magic that is native to these lands are that of Lipomancy, spells affecting the waistline are what the Candian’s are best known for, with any other schools of magic being rather foreign to them. They denote Lipomancy as the True Magic, while the newer schools are called the New Magic.

Princess Bethmännchen

Visiting the outskirt forests of the region, the party will meet with the princess, who keeps her identity a secret for now, unsure of who may be plotting against her. She isn’t all too subtle, often having unintended slips. Her house also proves to have a few relics that may denote her as royalty; a nearby chest, unfastened, holds her old gown and crown. The tea set she brings to the party is far too fancy for some peasant to have, and is decorated in the same manner as nobility would have back through the portal. Once she is found out, she is to panic, fearing for her life, but should more level heads prevail, she will calm herself, and speak of her plight.

Months ago, as the Kingdom had finally settled into a state of normalcy after being removed from their place in the realities, her Aunt, the Duchess Stavia Sveet, made a jammy coup of the place, slaying those most loyal to the king, and then his majesty with her own blade. Only through the actions of Knight Commander Alexandertorte was she able to escape with her life, though the knight feigns allegiance with the queen. Now her people suffer unreasonable demands from the empress, as well as unconditional capture of those from the outside world for what she assumes to be magical experimentation, fusing the True Magic with the New. She hopes the party may extend their abilities into the Candy Lands, in hopes to provide her people liberation from tyranny.

The Empress herself is not without her own powers, being a skilled mage with a suitable talent and skill with heavy armor and a great candy greataxe. She favors the utilization of Enchantment magics to control those with weak minds, and Evocation for the raw destructive power that the True Magics can’t emulate. When not in battle, she is one to lavish herself in the best things life can provide her. Lavish dresses, fancy jewelry, fine meals, all at the expense of others around her. She abhors any threats to her own power, seeking to scrub the history books of any mention of the previous rulers, as well as her dear niece. A great haul of valuables denoting the old kingdom were unceremoniously dumped into a pit, and any who would raise dissent are thrown into the royal prison. Being a mage, she is one to enjoy study and research into the arcane, and those she captures serve as wonderful subjects for her to peer into the truth of the New Magic, and just how effective the True Magic would be on the outsiders.

The Empress takes stress with less grace than someone of her station should. She has a habit of overeating when faced with setbacks in her greater ambitions or when she is frustrated at issues that crop up. She does gain weight in a way rather befitting of her status, having what many would call an hourglass, though some may call it a more bottom heavy hourglass…

With the town mostly free, some
taxes are to be taken still so as to not
draw the ire and attention of the capital, the
Mayor will offer to house the Princess. She can
ensure she is not identified by masquerading her as a common sodamaid, while still lavishing her in the care a proper princess should have, as well as a hefty heaping of country hospitality. She assures the party she will be safe, and can be a source of idle weight gain from the Princess who now has no worries on food availability and enjoys a far cozier life in the town rather than out in the woods.

Fort Fondant

Fort Fondant is the military heart of the Kingdom, housing many of the troops who train tirelessly in the arts of martial prowess and magic. Seeking out Knight Commander Alexandertorte can prove to be a difficult task, requiring a bit more of a stealthy approach to enter into the fortress. The great walls were designed to withstand just about any siege, but had no wards put up to prevent a group of hungry adventurers from eating through. The wall can be eaten at a rate of lbs per 10 lbs on a person. The higher the weight the wider of a hole they have to eat through the wall. Mundane means of breaking through prove noisy and can alert the whole fortress. Deception can be utilized as well, tricking the guards to allow the group in, though should they reveal themselves as outsiders they will be identified as the group the Empress wants imprisoned. Should the party find themselves imprisoned, they may simply eat their way through the jail and seek out Alexandertorte.

Alexandertorte sits on a throne at the height of the      Fortress, looking rather forlorn as they forsook many of           their oaths as a knight and have been sitting idly by as               the Empress indoctrinates many to her cause while                              they know the true crown still lives. Should                                 the party confront them, they find a rather                                     lackadaisical figure stewing in their own                                          despair, thinking there is no way for                                                        the empress to be defeated.                                                            They hardly believe the                                                               party should they explain                                                                 the lofty goal of restoring                                                                     Beth to the throne.                                                                     They will challenge                                                                         the party to a test of                                                                           martial prowess to                                                                                test their                                                                                convictions and                                                                                 capability. Once                                                                              bested, they                                                                           regain some life in                                                                        their eyes, as they                                                                                 realize that this                                                                          ragtag group of                                                                       outsiders may prove                                                                  hope yet. They swear to                                                            support the party when the                                                           day of the revolution comes,                                                         readying a group of knights                                                 still loyal to the crown to hold off                                          those compelled to serve or otherwise                                        genuinely loyal at bay so they may                                 confront the Empress.

Clouds of War

The chaotic nature of Argonath is something its denizens will quickly familiarise themselves with. It is a place of boundless opportunities, but also a land which could turn against you. Such was to be proven once more in this seemingly endless realm as two factions would become embroiled in a war they did not expect.

But what is such conflict waged over? A land nurtured by great magic and toil of hand to create a paradise in the image of a people who wish to call it home. Known as the Mistvale, this rich and flourishing land had known tranquillity for a long time. This peace, however, would be brought to an end by the shifting currents of Argonath…

As new people became unexpected neighbours, they found themselves falling onto a slippery slope… Before anyone knew it, a struggle for power had begun. One civilisation seeking to defend its secrets and wealth from those who coveted them, both out of need and greed alike. But where did it begin? Few remember, for they have fought for so long… Could the truth ever be uncovered?

What was hoped to be a conflict which would be won with decisive strikes would turn into a war of attrition, with neither side relenting, nor able to back down. Thus, the war has endured for years, with both sides adapting their tactics and arsenal to last. Will the arrival of an unexpected faction put an end to this conflict? Or deepen it?

A gifted civilisation

Rising from the murky depths of Argonath’s tideless sea, a race would emerge which was adept at living both on the land and under the sea. Their origin and history is known only to them and witnessed by the depths, but the ambition of the sea elves would have them reach beyond the comforts of their aquatic homes.

Under the guidance of a great arcanist, Kailene the Shimmering, the sea elves had moved to pioneer a place to call their own beyond the reach of the sea breeze, to shape a land to be a paradise in their own image. For many a decade, they had known prosperity. A land of balance, of peace, in which elven arts and nature’s beauty would flourish. But such tranquillity would soon end, as Argonath’s astral currents would shift once more…

A brilliant mind and a great Arcanist, Kailene had risen to prominence with her research in elemental magic, but her crowning achievement would become the ability to tap and purpose lipomantic energy. And yet, amidst all this chaos, the beloved Arcanist, who had gifted the sea elves this home and for whom they fight proudly, seems to have vanished, leaving the defence of the land in the hands of an elven warrior, tempered in the heat of war… Daeliah the Patient, her name spoken with hope. But would this be enough to defy the ambition and cunning of her foe?

A taste for power

Through mysterious ways, a grey mountain had appeared above the lands of Mistvale, merging with furious rumbling and earthquakes. These peaks, desolate and with ashen winds, were the home of a great dragon. Yrsyth the Greedy, once a great dragoness, fancying herself to be a mistress of magic, had emerged from the mountains, with swats of kobold minions and elemental fury to enact her will.

A dragon of lipomancy, Yrsyth’s name comes from tales which none seem to know of, save her loyal kobold legions. One thing is certain, however. She covets powers, wealth and magic with an unmatched greed and a will to have it all. Her body is a living testament to the opulence she commands, both in riches worn and in the weight she carries imperiously.

Although her reach is greater than her claws, her will is not the only one. For war sharpens minds and hardens hearts in those who are fortunate to survive it. Will such diamonds in the rough be uncovered amongst the many kobolds?

A land shaped by magic and might

The Mistvale is a land of natural beauty to those who are new to it. However, they will quickly learn that this nature is altered by great magic, propagated from the Tower of the Grand Arcanist. Signs will become noticeable the more one ventures in these parts: There is no day or night cycle here. The sky is an ever changing shade of pink and orange, reminding ones of sunsets from other worlds. The sun itself can be seen now and then, faded, but still shining. There is no rain or snow here, only clear skies with barely a cloud in sight. Those not adept to the sunlight will find that their vision is not impaired or harmed by this light, for it is not as bright. The mist itself feels soothing, cool to the touch, with wounds and pain seeming to heal quicker. Flames seem to die out more quickly unless tended to diligently.

The land itself has been shaped for many decades by the sea elves to provide for their people, and by two more decades of war… Despite the conflict, the land bares only a few visible scars of conflict, but one would be careless to think fighting does not continue beneath the verdant canopies and behind hills.

Shifting tides of war

War is messy business. Ever changing, ever shifting… Wills are made and broken in it, lives undeniably changed by it. Such is the experience the Vanguard of Argonath will come to find. Whether they simply bear witness, or seek to be a catalyst in this war, their actions may come to define a war in which moral codes can become ever turbulent.

The conflict in Mistvale has dragged on for years. Hearts have become hardened and for many this conflict has become a central part of their lives and memories. The sea elves fight a desperate battle of attrition against those they perceive as invaders, using their knowledge and crafts to last for as long as they can. Yrsyth’s army is loyal and tested in conflicts unknown to Argonath. Through a combination of enforced fealty and desperation, they stand together, having pushed the sea elves to the brink.

Puratov’s Home for the Incurably Dereganed

The frigid Kingdom of Puratov and the surroundings of white, snow-dappled forests have very recently been displaced and relocated to Argonath. Puratov is a busy, bustling land packed to the brim with primarily humans. Other races also can be found here, but most citizens are of the human variety. Almost all wear large, thick clothes and heavy furs to keep up against the region’s oppressive, below-freezing air. While no official uniform exists, nearly all Puratovians wear almost exclusively dark browns and reds. Because of the weather, most citizens cover their faces, making them all look almost identical. Their houses are sturdy wooden sanctuaries with thick woolen rugs and fireplaces that light up their frozen home. Each house was built with an emphasis on keeping out the cold.

Most buildings around Puratov are humble, but towering above the rest is a massive spectacle of a castle in the kingdom's center. Massive pillars shoot up into the sky with brilliant purples and blues wrapping around each one as they disappear into the clouds above. The castle is a lavish display of wealth and power beyond what most people have seen. The excessive golden monument is a literal shining

beacon that can be seen all throughout the central

capital city of Borovo. In the center of this golden

expanse lives the ruler of this frozen land.

Tsar Malikov II.

Tsar Malikov II

Tsar Malikov is a grand and influential man in his late 60s. With light, pale ivory skin and dark brown hair that has already begun to gray. While no longer in his prime, as a younger man, he was a soldier, and it shows. With broad, muscular shoulders, a presence about him that can only be described as overbearingly structured, and scars from his time as a soldier still visible on his body, it’s clear that even in his old age, his strength and presence on the battlefield haven’t left him. Following in the footsteps of many generations of men before him, he took the throne after his father’s passing. Since then, he has ruled over Puratov with an iron fist. He is strict, decisive, ruthless, and cold, just like the surrounding area. Still, he is a grand symbol of power, and under his rule, he has brought their freezing Kingdom to a new level of prosperity never seen by them before.

A New Home in Argonath

Now, the people of Puratov face a threat they have never encountered: the wilds of Argonath. Tsar Malikov II instructed his citizens to stay inside the Kingdom at all costs. They do not know what lies in the new area surrounding them, and it is safer for everyone if they don’t find out. However, they are now facing a threat from the inside. Something, or someone, has already infiltrated the Kingdom.

You see, not all of Puratov made it to Argonath. Only a sizable chunk of the kingdom, with the rest being left behind on their home continent of Yelgar. Luckily, while most of the capital and the grand, central castle were largely unharmed by the sudden shift of realms, the area around the split wasn’t so lucky. Buildings were cut in half, and many were destroyed by the move here. Including one very significant building. Puratov’s Home for the Incurably Deranged.

This building was a large stone prison that held people too dangerous to be left to roam the Kingdom of Puratov. Whether by magic, weapons, or just their bare fist, they have proven to be a threat to civilians and must be put away for the sake of everyone else. Unfortunately, now that the seal has been broken, the prisoners have been freed to roam and cause havoc. Tsar Malikov II, busy with all the other complications that come with your Kingdom suddenly being picked up and moved elsewhere, has given someone else the task of dealing with the runaways. His own son, Tsarevich Galerkin.

Tsarevich Galerkin

Tsarevich Galerkin is a vapid, arrogant young man in his mid-20s. With light blonde hair and the same pale skin as his father, he lives in the shadow of the Tsar. He’s a small, skinny young thing without the presence and know-how of his father. Everyone in the Kingdom can see that he is a sorry excuse for a ruler to be. Even he can see it. Not that anyone would tell him, of course. After all, he is still the Tsarevich; when his father passes, he’ll be in charge for better or worse.

But now he has a chance to prove himself to the rest of the people of Puratov. Solving the problem given to him by his father would show them that he is, in fact, capable of taking on an immense task and doing what needs to be done. That one day, when he takes over, he’ll make a good ruler and carry on the legacy of his father and ancestors. Tsarevich Galerkin will make his father proud and solve the problem of Puratov’s Home for the Incurably Deranged.

The Arborium

Near the settlement of Holmgard, the forest begins to shift into dappled strange colors, and the air feels energized. One could swear that the sounds of giggling echo from unseen figures among the twisting trunks, beckoning that one explore further. When they do, elements already present in other parts of the forests are more pronounced here in this clearly fey influenced grove.

That influence is of course Lipomancy, present throughout the whole shard, but concentrated here. There is a fey court here, powerful and deeply seated in that lipomantic power. If one survives the calorific slime dripping vines, tricky lesser fairies, and lardening streams of magic water, they would eventually arrive at the center, the court itself. This is the Serene Arborium, a garden-like, sprawling estate of pale white stone and verdant colored accents intermixed among the trees and plant life.

Fey creatures of all kinds walk the pleasant courtyards and play among the boughs above. Yet only one figure commands attention no matter where she is. Lady Pendula is the Queen of this court, a towering nine foot tall fey of extremely feminine curves barely disguised by narrow strips of pale fabric intermixed with shining golden jewelry. Flowing evergreen hair filled with flowers reaches down to a lower half that clearly gives credence to her connection to lipomancy with its width and softness.

In the eaves, and under some overhangs are figures that look much more mortal and fey, and also much fatter. Many don’t even look able to move. Yet on further investigation, this isn’t a cruelty of Pendula, but rather caretaking. These are figures who’ve stumbled into her Arborium over the years, fallen victim to either the intense effects of the fey woods, or the less, if still potent, effects in the woods as a whole. Not merely captives, these fleshy forms are instead people who either thought the cost of losing weight was not worth it, or simply wished to remain in the Lady’s care. She can be rather persuasive after all.

Lady Pendula

Lady Pendula is the Queen of the Serene Arborium Court, a towering nine foot tall fey of extremely feminine curves barely disguised by narrow strips of pale fabric intermixed with shining golden jewelry. Flowing evergreen hair filled with flowers reaches down to a lower half that clearly gives credence to her connection to lipomancy with its width and softness.

Her court has been present in this shard since it was pulled from her homeworld hundreds of years ago. Pendula has been more than happy to stay in Argonath with how unique the mixture of worlds is, an endless line of new experiences. She’s very familiar with Lipomancy, especially in how it expresses itself among the fey, with her mother-like personality, she’s often quite enamored with sharing it with others.

Pendula of course knows of Holmgard, and to some extent has gathered their purpose, seeking to talk to any explorers that wander into her glade. She’s not bothered by their settlement, and is actually rather curious to see how settling in such a lipomantic rich area will affect them in turn. Of course, to encourage cooperation Lady Pendula does have a task for any who'd come to see her.The goblins in another part of the Forest of Holmgard are rather troublesome to Queen of the Arborium. She considers them disruptive to the nature of the shard, and would see them dealt with. If this is done, the Lady will of course be thankful. Perhaps even willing to grace those that'd see her with a fraction of her lipomantic power, either to help... or if they wish, to hinder them.

A wonderful relationship

The Fey court of the Arborium is one of whimsey, wonder, and indulgence. There is little in the way of true problems that need solving, which is likely a good thing for as close as the place is to Holmgard proper. Still, this place would serve as a wonderful source of indulgence for anyone who might want to wander in, or come looking for help with their weight. The Lady of the Arborium, and many of her fey, are more than happy to show anyone who comes a good time.

If Holmgard lasts, and grows to encompass more of the Holmgard Shard, who is to say how that relationship with the close proximity of the fey might deepen. Though there is a danger in the Arborium, hidden deeply within. Lady Pendula is a kind soul, compassionate and always insistent on the comforts of those around her. However, she was not always this way. If something were to try to corrupt the Queenly fey, or feed her darkest impulses again and again, something might just awaken in the court of the Arborium that would be chaotic for anything near her forested home.

Eldritch Feeder

Medium Aberration, Lawful Evil

---

• Armor Class 16 (Natural Armor)
• Hit Points 90 (12d8+36)
• Speed 30 ft, 30 ft Swim
• Bulk Limit 125/250/375, Ave Weight 120 lbs. (100 lbs base), Stomach Capacity 5 lbs.

---

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
9 (-1)	10 (+0)	16 (+3)	19 (+4)	11 (+0)	5 (-3)

---

• Damage Resistances psychic
• Senses passive Perception 10
• Languages Deep Speech
• Challenge 4 (1100 XP)

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• Hunger Sense. The Eldritch Feeder can sense and detect any creature that has not eaten to its stomach capacity up to 120 ft. The Feeder also knows the stomach capacity of any creature within this range.

Actions

Multiattack. The Feeder makes two psionic grab attacks. If the feeder is grappling a creature they can replace a grab attack with a Feeding Tendril

Psionic Grasp. Melee Weapon Attack: +6, reach 10 ft., one target. 14 (4d4+4) psychic damage. The target is grappled (Escape DC 14). The feeder can have two creatures grappled in this way.

Feeding Tendril. The Feeder administers a strange mixture of hormones that cause the target to grow dazed and sluggish, unwilling to fight back. One creature grappled by the Feeder must succeed on a DC 13 constitution saving throw or be poisoned for 1 minute. Until this poison ends, the target has 2d4 lbs of fatty food added to their stomach at the start of their turn. The target may remake the save at the end of its turn, ending on a success or when they fall unconscious from overstuffing damage.

Giga Dodo

Large Beast, Unaligned

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• Armor Class 14 (Natural Armor)
• Hit Points 66 (7d10+28)
• Speed 30 ft.

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STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
16 (+3)	8 (-1)	18 (+4)	1 (-5)	5 (-3)	10 (+0)

---

• Damage Resistances slashing, piercing, and bludgeoning damage from non-magical attacks
• Damage Immunities psychic
• Senses passive Perception 7
• Challenge 3 (700 XP)

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• Regenerative Due to the lipomantic energies they’ve been steeped in, they regenerate at a rapid pace. At the start of their turn they regain 3d10+4 hp.

• Scramble! Whenever the Dodo is hit, it uses its reaction to move up to its movement in a random direction

Actions

Beak Melee Weapon Attack: +5, reach 5 ft., one target. 10 (2d6+3) bludgeoning damage.

Gummy Bat Swarm

Medium swarm of tiny beasts, unaligned

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• Armor Class 12 (Natural Armor)
• Hit Points 26 (6d8)
• Speed 10ft, fly 40ft

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STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
3 (-4)	13 (+1)	10 (+0)	1 (-5)	7 (-2)	1 (-5)

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• Damage Vulnerabilities fire
• Damage Resistances lightning, bludgeoning, piercing, slashing
• Condition Immunities charmed, frightened, grappled, paralyzed, petrified, prone, restrained, stunned
• Senses blindsight 60 ft., passive Perception 8
• Challenge 1 (200 XP)

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• Swarm The swarm can occupy another creature's space and vice versa, and the swarm can move through any opening large enough for a Tiny bat. The swarm can't regain hit points or gain temporary hit points.

• Food Composition The gummy bat swarm is made of a fattening magical substance. Any creature that hits it with a bite attack eats 1d4 pounds of food, doubled on a critical hit.

Actions

Bites. Melee Weapon Attack: +3, reach 0 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (4d4) piercing damage.

Bites (half health). Melee Weapon Attack: +3, reach 0 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (2d4) piercing damage.

Merge. The gummy bats flock against one creature within its space, attempting to merge their fattening substance into them. The target makes a DC 11 Dexterity saving throw, on a failure they fatten 4d10lbs as the little jellies turn into fat. On a success they fatten half as much. In either case the swarm loses 3d4 hitpoints.

Merge (half health). The gummy bats flock against one creature within its space, attempting to merge their fattening substance into them. The target makes a DC 11 Dexterity saving throw, on a failure they fatten 2d10lbs as the little jellies turn into fat. On a success they fatten half as much. In either case the swarm loses 2d4 hitpoints.