I.

Introduction

II.

WorldHistory

III.

TheGods

IV.

Nations

V.

Races

VI.

Geography

VII.

GameSystemChanges

I.Introduction

WelcometotheErebusPlayersGuidefortheworldofFallfromHeavenII!This
guideisintendedtobeacomprehensive,andcanonicallycorrectintroductionforplayers
newtotheworldorwellversedinthesettingofthepopularCivilization4modwhowish
toadaptitforanRPGcampaign,thoughitisnotnecessarilyofficial,anditcertainlyisnt
bindingifaparticulargroupwishedtoembellish,change,orremoveaspects.Emphasisis
placedondescriptionsofthepeopleandplacesthatmakeuptheworld,ratherthan
mechanicalgameplayadaptations,foreaseofusewithothersettings,butconverting
th
elementsofD&D5
editionspecificallywillbediscussed.

Somemajorsecretsofparticularcharactersorplaceshavebeenomitted,
however
DMswhohaveplayersnewtotheworldmaywishtoexciseportionsoralteritfortheir
groupsuse.Perhapsanationssectionisonlygivenafterthatnationisvisited,for
example,orplayersarecompletelyinthedarkabouttheidentities,personalities,and
agendasofthegods.Additionally,groupsmaydecidetoaltertheworld,forinstanceto
addracesorclassesnotmentionedtothesettingshouldtheydesirethoseoptions
perhapsthereisaraceoflittlepeoplewithasmallnationorcommunitiesinsidemany
nations,descendedfromthechosenofTali,orexperimentsofmages,apowerfulwarlord
warpedbyevildeeds.Inthisversion,anythinginitalicsasidefromthenationintrosis
secretinformationnotincludedintheregularplayersguide.

Finally,creditfortheideashereinbelongslargelytoDerekKaelPaxton,the
originalcreator,andthentotheotherwritersaswellasmyselfwhohelpedcrafthisold
storiesintoacoherentworld,andalsotothemanypostersatCivfanaticswholoved
exploringitwithus.

OriginalbyNikisKnight
EditedbyB.Chaos

II
.
WorldHistory

Therewasatimewhenthecosmoswasatpeacewhencooperationreignedand
hopehadachampion.ThesewerethedayswhenmanwascreateduponErebus.Eachof
thetwentyonegodscontributedtheirwisdom,imbuingmanwithanelementoftheir
precept.Forabrieftime,asmanmultipliedonErebus,allwasgoodintheworld.Thenthe
daysofpeaceendedforreasonsunknown,sevenofthegodsturnedontheothers,seeking
theirownaggrandizementoverthegoodoftheworldthattheyhadshared.Notonlydid
thisbreakthepeaceoftherealmsmortalandcosmic,thedomainofeachofthesefallen
godswaswarpedtoreflecttheirnewnature.Hopebecamedespairandwinteroppressive.
ThegrandpotentialofErebuswaslost.

Thegodsclashedacrossthefaceoftheyoungworld,bringinghumancivilization
toitskneeswithcataclysmsandgreatbeastsbroughtforthtoclaimdominionfortheir
gods.ThistimebecameknownastheAgeofDragons.Mankindstruggledforsurvivaland
theworldwasrentasunder.Thegodseachcreatedtheirownarmies,frommighty
Archangelsanddragonstolesserdemonsandgiants.Whilethesearmiesclashed,some
godsretiredfromdirectwarfaresometriedtoremainneutral,tendingtothenaturalworld
closely,fewsucceeded.

Finallyitbecamecleartoeventhemostzealousofthetwentyonethatthe
Gods'warhadtoend.AllofthegodsmetandaCompactwasmade,anagreementthatthe
godswouldwithdrawandonlyinterferewiththeworldthroughlimitedmeans,lestthey
destroyit.TheGodslayerwasformedasaphysicalmanifestationofthatagreement,
capableofkillinganygodwhoenterscreation.TherewouldneverbepeaceonErebus,but
therewasnowenoughstabilitythatcivilizationcouldarise.

Thescatteredandprimitivetribesoftheworldcouldlivewithoutfearofthe
Godswar.Kingdomsgrewandempiresformed.Thestrongestofthesewasanempireof
mencalledPatria,anditmadecontactwiththenationsofotherraces,theAifons,Elves,
andDwarves.Patriagrewinpower,eventuallybecomingunrivaledinscopeandauthority
withinfluencewherevermendwelt.Kylorinwasawiserulerofthisnation,buthewas
betrayed.Heconsideredkillinghimself,settlinginsteadforabargainwiththemysterious
fallengoddessCeridwen.Hegainseternalyouthandameasureofthepowerthatthe
creatorgodsthemselveshave,calledmagic.Asthegenerationspass,hispowergrows
whiletheworshipofCeridwencorruptsthenation.ThistimebecomesknownastheAge
ofMagic.WizardsandSorcererspracticebizarreexperiments,creatingcreatureslike
manticores,chimera,andtrolls.Theyruletheirfiefdomsasgods
,andKylorineventually
becomesregretfulofwhathehasdonetotheempireofmen.Hepraysforhelp
.

Nantosueltaanswersthoseprayersandteacheshimhowtobeanevenmore
powerfulmage.Kylorinusesthatpowertoleadarebellioninhisownempire.Hesets
aboutsubduingorkillingthosesorcererswhorefusetorepent,thoughsomeescapehis
purge.ThewarsplinterstheempirewithKylorinleadingarebellion,
withgoodreligious
forcesagainstthecreationsandunholymagicofthesorcerers.Bytheendmanyhuman
2

nationshavebeenformed.Fire,giftedbythegoodgoddessBhall,becamethegreatest
weaponagainstsorcerersthepridethisbroughttohermayhavemadehersusceptibleto
thetemptationsofAgares,godofdespair,forshefell,rainingfireonthenewkingdomsof
menandtwistingherfollowers.

ThegodofWinterexploitedthisopening,andenteredcreation.Unwillingtorestart
theGodswar,theotherschoseSucellus,godofnature,tofightMulcarn,andhewasslain
intheattempt.Apermanentwintersetinacrosstheworld,crushingcivilizationfor
centuries,untilaremnanttribe
,gatheredbyKylorin,
wasabletofindtheGodslayerand
killMulcarn.
Theimmortalsorcererhasnotbeenseensincethatday.

Winterendedandtimepassed.Sincethatdaymen,elves,anddwarveshave
emergedfromtheirhovelsandcavesthatshelteredthemtoonceagainraiseempires,and
onceagainempiresarebeginningtocollide.Further,thewarmingclimateallowsancient
beastsandnewtribessuchastheOrcsandLizardmentothrive,competingwithfractured
humanity.ThegreatestsecretsofPatriaarelost,butmagicisstillapotentforce,more
widelyavailablethanwhenKylorinandhispupilsheldswayoverthegreatwizardcourts.
Armiesofeverynationarebeingraised,andwarbandsthatoweallegiancetononeare
flexingtheirownmartialpower.TheGodswarisagrimmemoryineachgodsheaven,
buttheirmyriadagendasremain,andsomortalsareempoweredwithdivineblessingsto
advancethosemanycauses.TheworldofErebusisonceagaincaughtbetweenthese
forces,andnoteventhegodsknowwhatwillcomeinthisAgeofRebirth.

III.TheGods

Thereare21godswhoinfluenceErebus,eachofwhomgovernsaparticular
preceptordomain.Thegodspersonalityisreflectedinthepreceptheorshegoverns,and
viceversa.Whiletheydohavefreewillandarenotsimplymanifestationsofwhatthey
wield,theyareinfluencedandinreturninfluencethespherethattheycommand.Thereis
muchmoreworshipedbeyondthesegods,andmostmortalsdonothavedetailed
informationonthegoalsandactionsofthegods.Eachgodandtheirdomainarebriefly
describedbelow.


TheGoodGods:

Amatheon
:GodofCreation.Hisdomainisthatofnovelconceptsandideas,and
hisArchangelisMaponostheYoung.Amatheondoesnthaveapriesthood,butisrevered
byartists,architects,inventors,andotherswhoseekhisinspiration.
FollowersofAmatheoncelebratenewlife,butlesssoforitsownsakeasforthe
creationofanewpersonalitycapableofnovelthoughtsandideas.Whilesageswilltendto
followOghma,teacherswillrevereAmatheon.UnlikeNantosuelta,Amatheonisnt
concernedwithperfectthings,butwithnovelthingsthatfillinadistinctnicheinthe
world.Thosewhoreverehimareexpectedtobepushingthemselvesinnewways.They
prizefreeexchangeofideasandbeingopenandhonest,especiallywiththemselves.There
issometimestensionbetweenAmatheonsfollowersandthatofKilmorph,whoteaches
holdingfasttowhathasproventoworkoverthegenerations.

Junil
:GodofLaw.Junilsdomainisthatofloyalty,obedience,andjustice.His
ArchangelisSabathielwhoissaidtoleadtheBannorEmpirefromasealedvaultbetween
JunilsheavenandErebus.
ThechurchofJuniliswidespreadintheBannorEmpire,andhasbranchesinmany
nations.ItisknownasTheOrder,andemphasizesjusticeanddiscipline.Junilisthemost
rigidinhisinterpretationoftheCompact.
Infact,hehasneversetfootuponorspokentoa
mortalinErebussincetheendofthegodswar,anditwasonlyoncetheBannorpeoplehad
becometrappedinAgaresHellthathesenthisArchangelSabathieltointerveneontheir
behalf.WhenSabathielfollowedthembackthroughtheportaltoErebus,Junilintervened
andcreatedavaultjustadjacenttoErebusforhisservanttoadvisehispeoplefrom,
keepingtheirvoicesfromimpactingcreationdirectly.Ifnotforthedevotionoftheir
priesthood,whomeetwithSabathielinthisvault,thecommandsofJunilwouldhaveno
waytospreadintotheworld.
Junilandhisfollowersarerelentlessinpreachingjusticeaproperconsequence
foreveryaction,beitrewardorpunishmentnotbecausetheylackcompassion,but
becausetheyseelawasthegluethatallowsasocietyofanysizetofunction,andany
specialdispensationabrogatingthatlawasasteptowardsentropyandchaos,inwhichman
perpetuallymustbeonguard.Inthiswaytheorderseesitselfasallowingcivilizationto
standinaworldwheretrust,hope,andforesightarebrokenbeyondrepair.

Lugus
:GodoftheSun.LugusArchangelisBaelious,orFortune.Hisdomainis
light,revelation,andredemption.
Lugusisworshipedwidely,especiallyamongtheMalakim.Hisfollowersare
knownastheEmpyrean.Theyemphasizemercyandconsensus.Lugusfollowers
sometimeshavetroublediscerningthedetailsofhisrevelationshecommunicatesmorein
overwhelminginsights
,ratherthancarefullyspelledoutinstructionsasSabathielgivesin
Junilsname
,andtheEmpyreanprophetsareusuallymoremysticalinoutlookthanthose
oftheothergoodgods.Thisinfluencestheircouncils,asonevisionmaybegiventoallthe
templepriests,buttheymustdiscussandcontemplateittounderstandbeyondthe
immediateimplications.
5

Lugusdespisesvampires,asthefirstvampiresslewanearlyprophetofhistogain
theirpowers.Heistheenemyofdeceptionsandlies,andEsusfollowersmustsueevery
tricktheyhavetoavoidbeingfoundandrevealedbyEmpyreanpriests.Butfewenemiesof
truthandlightwillnotbegivenasecondchancebytheEmpyrean.Redemptionisntan
easypathtowalk,andfulltrustisnotgiveneasily,butsomeofthemostardentsupporters
ofLuguscomefromthoseonceenthralledbyhisadversaries.

Nantosuelta:
GoddessofEnchantment.Herdomainisthatofbringingoutthe
truestessenceofthingsandpeople.HerarchangelisSplendorandisalwayscladinblue
andyellow,typicallycarryingagoldenlantern.
Hepursueshisownagendaandisrarely
onmissionsforNantosuelta.UnliketheotherAngelswhohavesplitfromtheirlords
Nantosueltahasnoproblemwithhisindependence.Nantosueltawasthegoodgoddess
KylorinbetrayedCeridwentofollow.
NantosueltaissaidtobetheloverofSucellusand
shewastheonewhohelpedmakesureallthepiecesweregatheredinplacesothatthe
Godslayercouldbereforged,aswellasgatheringhisbodysohecouldberebornafter
beingslainbyMulcarn.
Nantosueltaisworshippedinmanylands,oftenalongsideKilmorphamong
craftsmenandalongsideOghmaamongwizardsandalongsideLugusamongthe
Empyrean,duetoherfocusonperfection.

Sirona
:Goddessofspiritandwisdom.HerArchangelisPeliantheSuffering.
WhereOghmasfollowersseekinformationforitsownsakeandLugusfollowers
eliminatesecretswhichcausediscordincommunities,Sironaspreserveancient
knowledgetobringtothosewhowouldneeditmost.Sironahasmanydifferentordersthat
cooperatetoeasethesufferingofbrokenpeopleandspreadwisdom.TherearetheSisters
ofSirona,priestesseswhotendtowidowsandorphansandtheOrderoftheElohim,a
monasticorderthatguardssacredsitesandprovideshealing,amongothers.
Sironaisagentleandempatheticgoddess,andevenamongherownfollowersshe
triestoconvinceratherthancommand.Herpriestsarededicatedtoleadingbyexample,
andevencitiesorprovincesrunbydespotshaveletinorganizationsofherfollowersto
ministertotheirpeople,onlytolaterhavetheirarmyconvertedanddesertratherthan
conquered.

Sucellus
:GodofLife.Sucelluswasformerlythegodofnature.Hewaschosento
battleMulcarnsinglehandedlywhenMulcarnbrokethecompact,inordertopreventafull
scalerenewaloftheGodswar.
WhenSucelluswasdeadhetraveledtheunderworldwith
ArawnandconvincedhimtoallowhimtoreturntocreationwiththepowerofLife.This
allowedhimtoberesurrectedandtorevitalizetheworld.Intheprocess,hechangedfrom
aneutralgodtoagoodgod.
BasiumwastheArchangelofLifeunderArawn,butherebelledwiththesigningof
thecompacttocontinuewagingwaragainstthedemonsoftheevilgodswhereverthey
wouldgo.
SucelluschurchisknownastheUnblemished.Amongthemarethemostpowerful
healersandscholarsofmedicine.Theyteachareverenceforalllife,especiallyyoung,but
arenotstrictlypacifists.
6


TheNeutralGods:

Arawn
:GodofDeath.UntiltheAgeofRebirthhepresidedovertheLifeand
Deathspheresandwasuncontestedinhisrealms.Evennowheignorescreationand
consumeshimselfonlywithtendingsoulsofthosewhohavediedorwhohavenotyet
beenborn.GyraishisArchangel,thetwinofBasiumwhowasanotherofArawns
Archangelswhenhehadbothspheres.BothwerecreatedinthesameinstantbyArawnto
guardoverhistwodominionsatthetime.Basiumwasdirectedtoguardthegateway
throughwhichalllifecomesintocreation,andGyrathegatewaythatsoulstakepassing
betweencreationandthenetherworld.Thetwinsweregivendifferentgiftsanditissaid
thatArawnremovedallcompassionfromBasium,asheneverwantedanysoultoreturnto
thesourceoflifenomatterthecause.ThatcompassionwasinsteadgiftedtoGyraand
storiesaboundofthelivingenteringthenetherworldorsoulsreturningforpoeticcauses.
TherearemanywhoworshipArawn,butsincehepaysthemnoheeduntiltheydie,
andgrantsnospecialfavorsthen,anorganizedpriesthoodhasneverdeveloped.

Cernunnos
:Godofnature.HewasformerlytheArchangelofthissphere,butwas
promotedafterSucelluswaskilledbyMulcarn.HeisknownastheGreatHornedOne,and
isreveredbyelvesandsatyrsespecially.
Hisreligion,theFellowshipofLeaves,iswidespreadinhumanlandsaswell,
thoughverydiverse,withnounifiedcreedsavereverenceandstudyofthenaturalworld.
Somesectsaretenderandcaring,somedeviousandvicious.Forexample,theFellowship
inElohimlandsworkstoguideandprotectalongsidethemonkswhotendtothesacred
sitesintheworld,whiletheFellowshipamongtheCalabimisagroupofsavagehunters
whorundowntheirownpeopleinthedensetangleofwoodsaroundtheircities.Neither
groupwouldcaremuchfortheother,butbothwouldrecognizetheaspectofnaturethe
otherwasemulatingandwouldacceptthemasfellowpriests.

Dagda
:GodofBalance.HisArchangelwasCassiel,whogrewdisillusionedwith
thelevelofmanipulationthattheCompactallowed.HeabandonedDagdaandtravels
creationtryingtoprotecthumanityfromthewarsofthegods.
ItwasDagdawhoconvincedthegodstocooperateonthecreationofErebus,
ratherfillingthecosmoswithworldsdesignedandcreatedindependently,andDagdawho
broughtthemtothetabletodiscussaceasefire.Heisthemosttrustedamongthegods,
seeminglywithoutanagendaofhisown.HeregretsCassielsdesertion,butdidnot
disagreeonprinciple.Thecompactdidntgoasfarashewished,butheknowsthatitis
thestrongestcodethatwouldbelikelytobefollowed,Mulcarnsbreakingofitnot
withstanding.
Goodgods,wishingtoseeevilsinfluenceminimized,oftenresentDagdassupport
ofevilunderdogs,ofkeepingbalanceintheaffairsofmenaswellastheuniverse.Dagda
realizesthatevilgodshaveinfluencebeyondtheirconsciousactionsandtheworkoftheir
followerstheyhavetwistedtheirdomains,corruptingthedivinesparkinsidemanhimself
slightly.Evilnationsandreligionsarerequiredasanexampleforgoodonestorecoil
awayfrom,lesttheyintheirpowerslideintothesameposition.
7

Danalin
:GodofWater.ArchangelisCondatis.Danalinwasformerlyapeaceful
patronofsailorsandfarmers,butrecently,sincelateintheAgeofMagic,theseashave
beenlargelyunresponsivetothecriesofhispriests,andhavebroughtforthgreatbeasts.
DanalinisworshippedbytwogroupstheUndertow,whoworshipDanalinsnew
moreviolentsidethroughtheintermediariesofthegreatunderseakraken.Theyhave
strangedreamsintheirseawaterfilledtemples,andsearchthesepropheciesforhidden
meanings.ManyoftheUndertowdenyDanalinsexistenceatall,proclaimingthemyriad
LordsoftheDeepasthetruegodsofwater.AnothergroupiscalledtheChildrenof
Condatis,whopetitionhisarchangelandseekthetranquilityDanalinisallegedtohave
providedinancienttimes.Thesegroupsareverymuchinconflict,withtheUndertowin
ascendancysinceearlyintheAgeofRebirth.Theyareabletodrawmorepower,andsome
suspectthatDanalinhasfollowedBhallandfallenintoAgarescohort,leavingtheseasto
beforeverinthegripofthetempest.

Kilmorph
:GoddessofEarth.HerArchangelisGoibniu.Herdomainisstability,
thoughnotthestasisofMulcarn,butanurturingstabilityfoundinsoilorahealthy
traditionpassedongenerationtogeneration.ItissaidKilmorphcreatedtheDwarves,
whenshegavelifetothecreationsofanunjustlyimprisonedsculptor.Theyrevereherthe
most,butmanyhumanlandsfollowtheteachingsofherpriests,scripturesknownasthe
RunesofKilmorph.Itstressesfidelitytotradition,hardworkandexcellenceincraft,and
steadfasthonesty,butisusuallyunconcernedwiththoseoutsidetheparticularcommunity
ornation.

Oghma
:Godofmetamagicandknowledge.HisArchangelisEmbarr,imagination.
Hisdomainemphasizesesotericknowledgeandstudy.Hischurchfocuseslittleon
behavioralcodesandmoreonresearchmethodologyandassistance,buttheystress
honesty,thoughnotcompleteopenness.
OghmadoesntgrantinspirationthewaythatAmatheondoes,newconceptsor
approachestoproblems.Herewardscarefulresearchandsynthesis,collaboration,and
dedicationwithinsightfulconnectionsthatadvanceafieldofknowledgefurtherasa
whole,ratherthanshowingofftheworkofaparticulargenius.

Tali
:GoddessofAir.HisArchangelisLeucetious(BringerofStorms).Taliis
impulsiveandoftenwild.
HischurchistheFoxmen.Theyfavorselfsufficiency,thoughnottotheextentof
theagnosticGrigori.Theyseektopushtheboundsofhumanexperiencenotinsearchof
philosophicalenrichment,butoutofanimpulsivejoyoflife.

TheEvilGods:

Aeron
:GodofRage.Aeronsdomainisstrength,rage,anddesiresoftheflesh.
HisArchangelwasOdio,whorefusedthetruceoftheCompact,andsowastrappedinthe
earthbyKilmorph.
8

Aeronisworshippedwidelyinhighlysexualizedcults,andwhisperssayinamuch
moresecretiveguildofassassinsknownasAeronsBounty.

Agares
:GodofDespair.Theformergodofhopeisnowthelordofentropyand
despair.HisArchangelisHyborem
,adarkcopyofCernunnosfromatimewhenhe
attackedAgaresdirectlyasanArchangel
.
AgaresisworshippedbytheAshenVeil,asecretiveandsomewhatrarecult.
The
initiateseekspower,morequicklythanthroughthecouncil,andofcoursewithfewer
restrictionsthananygoodreligion.Later,theyhavegottentheirpower,takentheir
revenge,butitisquicklycomingtimetopaythepiper,andlesttheybetakenbythe
demonstheybargainedwith,theyneedtofindotherstofilltheranks.Finally,thevery
upperechelonservethesamecauseastheirgodcorruptingtheworld.Sotheyseekto
justifythemselvesbydamningtherestofcreation.
Needlesstosay,theyarentverynicetobearound,
feelingnoremorseforanysortof
crueltyorcoercionbutthisisnttosaythattheycantworktogethertowardstheirgoals,
evencivilly.Mostdonotpursuecrueltyforitsownsake,thoughitwouldcertainlynot
offendthemiftheirpeerswere.

Bhall
:GoddessofFire.Bhallwasthemostrecentgodtofalltoevilattheendof
theAgeofMagic.Herdomainisthatofrapidchangeandpassionateemotions,epitomized
byfire.Herfalltwistedherclosestfollowers,ofwhichthereweremanythroughoutPatria
battlingwickedmages,intoorcsandgoblins.HerArchangel,BrigittheShining,remained
holyandleadasmallgroupagainstBhallwhenshefell.Bhallcouldn'tbringherselftokill
hermostbeautifulcreation.InsteadshetrappedBrigitwithinthenorthernwastes,farfrom
whereanycreatureoffirecouldreachher.Thestrangecolorsinthenorthernskyaresaid
tobethereflectionofBrigit'slight.
Bhallislittleworshippedoutsidetheorclands.Herworshipersareknownasthe
EmberLegion,andhavebeenknowntosacrificepeoplebyburningthemalive.

Camulos
:GodofChaos.ArchangelisWrath.Hisdomainiswaranddiscord,
formerlypeace.
HischurchistheHarbingers,whichonlypromotefrombattlehardenedwarriors
whohavelostbodypartsinbattle.Hisworshippersarescarceinpeacetime,butmost
armieswillhavesoldiersmutteringprayerstohimbeforebattles.Camulosisseeminglya
simplegodwithsimplegoals,similartoathoseofasmallchildbuildthingsupjustto
watchthemcollapsespectacularly.

Ceridwen
:GoddessofMagic,dimensionsandconnectionsbetweenpeople.The
godshadagreednottoteachmanhowtousemagic.Thatwastobetheprovinceofthe
godsalone.AndthroughalloftheAgeofDragonsthiswastrue.Butthedefiningmoment
oftheAgeofMagicwaswhenshebrokethatagreementandtaughtKylorinhowtouse
magic.Ceridwenalonehasnoheavenorvault,butexistsinthespacesbetweenworlds
withherangels.HerArchangelisKanna,MistressofPain.
HerworshippersareknownastheEmyrs,whofocusonmanipulatingothersand
fomentingpettymisery.
9


Esus
:GodofShadowanddeception,formerlyoftrust.ArchangelisIaegus.
Esus
vaultisashadowycopyofErebus.Thosetryingtoescapethelowerhellsoftengettrapped
here,andbrokendownbyitscruellies.
Esushasnotemplesandnoknownpriests.Itisunknownifhehasspokenoracted
onErebussincetheCompactwhatsoever,
buttheCouncilofEsusactsinhisnameitisa
shadowyorganizationoftheambitiousandtheshamefulwhoseekacoverofdarknessto
theiractions.TheyemployassassinsandoftenworkwithAeronsbounty.

Mammon
:Godofmind.Mammonsdomainisforesightandgreed.HisArchangel
isHastur,lordofnightmares.
Mammonisworshipedbymerchantsandcorruptrulers,buthasfewpriestsor
church.Hewishestoencourageselfishness,notcommunity.
Still,afewgatherinhisname
toplotandschemeunderthenameStewardsofInequity.Manycommercialguildsare
infiltratedbythesemerchantpriests,whouseunderhandedtacticstodriveaway
competition,oftenemployingthugsandassassins.Afterafewyears,thecartelstendto
turnonthemselvesinbloodyfeuds,withsurvivorsfleeingtostartthedestructiveprocess
elsewhere.
ThereisnoformalordinationforpriestsofMammonafteraparticularlyselfish
andshortsightedact,hemaybestowhisblessinguponachoseninstrumentofavarice,
usuallyviamaterialgainsthatcomeatgreatcosttoclosefriendsorfamily,suchasan
opportunitytosellasonordaughterintoslavery.Oncethemanorwomanhasstarted
downthispaththeyfinditveryhardtoturnaway,andtheblessingMammonsendstheir
wayensurethat.FollowersofMammonwilloftendonatetootherevilgodstemplesfor
protectionafterbeinghuntedforcheatingorswindling.

Mulcarn:
GodofWinter.Hisdomainwasstasisandcold.Hewasslainattheclose
oftheAgeofIcebytheGodslayer.HisArchangelisTaranistheUnchanging,whowas
alsoslainintheAgeofIce
byoneofKylorinschildren
.
MulcarnsworshiperswereknownastheWhiteHand.Theyemphasizedstasis,
abhorringchangeandnewtechnology.Thereareafewsuchpriestsstillaroundthelands
oftheoldIllianempire,buttheyarereputedtohavenodivinepowers.

10

IV.TheNations

Amurites
Manypeoplesclaimthebloodofheroesorevengodsamongsttheirancestors
theAmuritesarealoneinbelievingthemselveschildrenoftheoneherotohaveslaina
god.Kylorin,theagelesssorcerer,adoptedthispeopleduringtheharshAgeofIce,
andwiththeirhelpoverthrewthedreadgodkingMulcarn.Heleftbehindthegiftof
unparalleledmagicaltalentsaswellaninsatiablecuriosityforallthingsmystical.
Theirpowersearnsuspicionformtheuprightandenvyfromthefallen,andsothat
VallediatheEvenandDaintheCaswallanmustwalkacarefulpathinthisnewage.
Theirskillsandtheirsecretsmakethemadangeroustarget,butaninvitingone
nonetheless.

AncientHistory
TheAmuritesarethepeoplethatKyloringatheredfromthescatteredremnantsof
hisfallenempireintheAgeofIcetostandagainstMulcarn.Overtheyearsofhis
leadershipheleftthemtwogiftshislegacy,whichinspiresthemevenaftertheseyears
laterbutmoreimportantlyhischildren.Kylorinsdescendantsareamongthegreatest
mastersofarcanemagiconErebus.

RecentHistory
VallediatheEvenhasbeenelectedasMinisteroftheAmuritesbytheHighWizard
council.Itisapositiontraditionallygiventoanonmage,tohaveoversightoverthewizard
guilds,andalsoapositiontypicallywithoutmuchauthority,thoughVallediabringsan
unprecedentedcunningandcharismatotheposition.

Culture
Evennonarcaniststypicallyknowsomeminorcharmorcantrip.TheAmuritesare
aproudpeople,generallycontenttoturninward,believingthattheirgreatestachievements
arecontributiontotheworldisbehindthemandtheyshouldbefreetopursueknowledge
unhindered.Theircities,especiallythecapitalofCevedes,aremarvelstobehold,with
climbingspiresandtowersthatblazewithenergyinthenight.

Language
11

OldPatrianisused,notjustbyscholarsandarcanists,butineveryday
conversation.Amuritediplomatsoftenmakeashowofcondescendingtospeakthemodern
versionamongothernations.ElvenandHighElvenarealsousedinsomerituals,andtheir
scholarshaveaccesstotomesinAngelicandRunicDwarven.

Religion
ReligionisntafocusoftheAmurites,buttheydohaveafairshareofpriestsand
theSeekers,Oghmasfollowers,havetheirheadquartersintheAmuritecapital.Boththe
EmpyreanandtheFellowshipofLeaveshassomeinfluenceaswell,somesaybecauseof
itslaxstrictures.AfewworshipCeridwen,thegoddesswhofirstgiftedmanwithmagic,
thoughmorepraytoNantosuelta,whohelpedhimperfectit,orDagda.

Classes
Allarcaneclasses.Nonarcaneclasseswilltendtodabbleinthemforsupport.

Region
TheAmuritessettledaftertheAgeofIcenotfarfromwheretheylivedasKylorin
ledthem,alongsidetheSeaofStars,onthewesternshore.TheDovielloaretotheirnorth,
theBannoracrossthesea,andtheLanuntothesouth.NotfaracrosstheGreatOceanto
thewestlietheCalabimandtheSvartalfar.TheremnantsoftheIllianstirfartothenorth.

PlayerCharacters
:
Amuritesocietytendstobeisolationist,buttheirpeopleareinquisitive,andwill
seeksecretsacrosstheglobe.Mostarehuman,buttherehasbeensomemixingofelven
blood,andsomerenegadeDoviellowildmen,seekingamorecivilizedlife,havesettledin
theoutskirtsofAmuritelands,andliveasfarmersandlaborers.

12

Balseraphs
Itsanationofliesandillusionsledbyamadmanandhisdaughter.Allthose
stillclingingtosanityfledlongago,andnowtheBalseraphssharePerpentachs
madness,livingtoamusehim.Hegoestowaronawhimandfightsunpredictably,
butisnolessathreatforit.Despitethecapriciousnessoftheirruler,theBalseraph
citiesaremarvelstobehold,dizzyingcarnivalsfilledwithendlessamusementand
captivatinghorrors.ShouldtheFoolKingstepoutforabit,hisyoungdaughter
Keelynwillemergefromtheshadowstoholdanelaboratecourtfilledentirelywith
otherworldlycreaturesboundtoherwill.

AncientHistory
Kylorinwasthegreatestmagewhoeverlived,unrivaledinversatilityorinsight.
Thereweresomeindividuals,though,whosurpassedhiminrawtalent.Jealousywasnever
afaultofKylorin,evenathismostdepraved,andhesoughtoutthosewithparticular
aptitudetotakeashispersonalpupils.Perpentachwasoneofhisstudents,amasterof
mindmagicbeforeheevenknewit.Hecouldcontrolmindswithouteventrying.Doingso
frequentlyatayoungagetookatollonhissanity.Kylorinhealedhismindwhenhefound
him,andwithPerpentach'sunrivaledpowersathisdisposal,hisincreasinglydarkempire
neveroncefacedthethreatofrevolt.
UntilKylorinhimselfsawwhathe,andbyhishand
mostofmankind,hadsunkto.KylorintriedtoreformPatria,butdoingsobroughtitsruin,
forthemostpowerfulpeopleontheplanet,hispupils,hadbeenmoldedbyhiminto
coldheartedinstrumentsofcontrolandoppression,andfewofthemwantedtotakethe
limitstheirmasterthentriedtoimpose.WhenKylorinwenttostopPerpentach,healmost
losthislifeforit.Hedidtheonlythinghecoulddotosurvive,stunningPerpentachby
undoinghispreviousaidtotheyoungmanspsyche,andPerpentach'smindwasflooded
withallthethoughtsandpersonalitieshehadacquiredwithhismagic.
Unwillingtokillthemanhehadcorruptedasaboy,KylorinlockedPerpentachin
theTowerofEyes,adungeondeepinthewastelandsguardedbymindlessgolems.There
hewouldhavespenttherestofhismaddayshaditnotbeenhadforacircuscaravanthat
wanderedcloseenoughforPerpentachtogaincontrol.ThiswasthestartoftheBalseraph
nation,asPerpentachusedthecircuspeopletocarryhismindtoanearbyvillageand
broughtthemunderhiscontroltofreehimfromhisprison.Thiswouldsurelyhaveledto
anotherconfrontationwithhismaster,hadnottheAgeofIceintervened.Perpentach
lastedtheagebytakingoverthebodyofayoungmanwhenheaged,andheandthecircus
peopleandtheirdescendants,eithercontrolledbyhismagicorsubduedbyit,survived
thatdiretimebyhidingfromtheIllianWhiteHand.Whenhisoldmasterfreedtheworld
13

fromMulcarn'sgraspandwarmthandprosperityreturnedtoErebus,Perpentachemerged
fromhiding.Hismadnessdoesnotcripplehim,buthisrealmislikenoother,whimsyand
deadlyatonce.

RecentHistory
Itisnoteasytofoolthemasterofmindmagic,buttheSheaimarenotstrangersto
thearcane,andaspyfromtheirrealmwasabletoposeasacourtesaninPerpentach's
madcourt.Shewasfound,thoughnotbeforeconceivingachildwithPerpentach,agirl
whichwaskeptandraisedbypuppets,imps,djinnandothersummonedcreatures.Keelyn
haslittleconceptofmortalityormorality,butshedoeshavepowerfulsummoningather
disposal,makingheradangerouswildcardinthepoliticsofErebus.Perpentachhasnever
publiclyacknowledgedher,duetomadnessorperhapssomescheme,butshehastherun
oftherealmandpowerfulmagicatherdisposal.

Culture
TheBalseraphsocietyiscenteredinonecity,Jubilee,andasmuchofsurrounding
fieldsandvillagesasareaffectedbyPerpentachsmind.Hedoesntneedtoexertdirect
controloften,andtraveltoandfromitisfrequent,butrebellionsareabsentandmost
peoplearestrangelyloyaldespitetheutterunpredictabilityoftheland.Manypeopleare
keptasslavesondisplayforPerpentachspleasure,freaksorforeignersofallsorts.Butthe
cityisawonderofrevelryevenstrangershaveahardtimenotbeingcaptivatedby,until
theyseethedarkjokeunderneath,usuallyattheirexpense.
Peoplehaveafatalisticattitudeandgenerallyasadisticsenseofhumor.The
Balseraphexistinastrangesocietythatupholdspleasureasthehighestgoaltostrivefor.
Forexample,fewhavesurnames,asprovingwhoyourfatheriswouldtakeanactofthe
Gods.

Language
OldPatrian,withabiteverythingelseduetothemanytravelers.TheBalseraph
tongueisderivedfromPatrian,buthasovertimetakenonasingsonglilttoit.The
BalseraphdialectisreminiscentofCockneyrhymingslangitismusicaland
quickflowing,playful,inventive,constantlyevolving,andpurposelyobscuretooutsiders,
eventhoughthewordsusedappeartobethesameonthesurface.Inanefforttoemulate
theirleader,manyoftherichandpowerfulalwaysspeakinrhymewhengivingapubic
speech.ABannortravelingthroughJubileewouldunderstandwhatwasbeingsaid,but
wouldhavetroublerespondingwiththeuniqueinflectionsused.Andwouldbemocked
mercilesslyfortrying.

Religion
TheBalseraphsworshipMammonopenly,butalsotheUndertowtheythinkthe
maddreamsthecultistshaveisabitofalark,ratherthanominousandcommandingasthe
cultiststendtoseetheminotherlands.Esusisworshippedmoreasatricksteraspectthan
anythingsinisterasheisseeninotherlands,butthenagainBalseraphtrickscanbedeadly
amusing.Camulosisworshipped,especiallybythosefightinginarenas,andtheBalseraph
brothelsmayaskAerontobringthemtheirshareofrichhedonists.Amatheonisglorified
14

bysome,astheBalseraphsadoreawellwrittenperformanceormusicalscore.Overallthey
petitionmanygodsbutarerarelydevotedtoany.

Classes
Bardsarecommon,asexpected,butsoarewizardsyetmoresosorcerersfortheir
magicaldisplaysandfreeformmagic.Fightersandroguescomefromthearenapits,and
theoccasionalprimalclass.Paladinsarenonexistent,unlessinsaneandonaquixoticquest
ofsomesort.CharismaticBalseraphperformerscouldtransitiontoinspiringclasseson
occasion.AcrobaticRoguesareprizedHarlequinperformersandfindtheirskillsworkwell
inskirmishes.

Region
OnthewestcoastoftheGreatOcean,betweenthetwoDwarvennationsandnear
theHippus.JubileeisacrosstheAegeanseafromInnsmouthandsitsneartheHippus
landsandLuchiurpterritory.

PlayerCharacters
:
PlentyfleetheBalseraphs,seekinganendtothemadnessplentymoreare
enthralledbyitbuttraveltoseemoreortheworldoronsomearbitraryquestgivenby
Perpentach.

15

Bannor
TheBannorEmpireisapeopleforgedbyunbelievablehardshipintoaweapon
ofunrelentingjustice.TheyareledbySabathiel,anangelheldtothestrictest
interpretationoftheCompact,andCapria,awomanofboundlesscourage.Witha
sprawlingbutwellorderedempire,theBannorpeopletakegreatprideinhowmuch
theyhaveaccomplished.Theyhavethewilltotakethefighttotheenemynomatter
thepricetheonlyquestionisiftheywilltakeittoofar,buttheydidnotfighttheir
waythroughfireandiceonlytolettheworldfalltodarkness.

AncientHistory
LateintotheAgeofMagic,theBannorwerethewieldersofthesacredflamesof
Bhallastheyhunteddownwickedrenegadesorcerers.WhenthegoddessBhallfell,she
broughtaportionofthesepeopleintothedeepesthellwithher.Theyfacedaconstant
struggletosurvivetheminionsofAgaresandBhall,andweresavedbytheArchangel
Sabathiel.Theyeventuallyemerged,duringtheAgeofIce,intowhatwerenoworc
controlledlands,andhavebeencontinuingtheirdailystruggleforsurvivaleversince.

RecentHistory
TheBannorEmpireisoneofthelargestandmostpowerful,duetotheirdiscipline
andloyalty.TheyaresteadfastfollowersofthepriesthoodofJunil,whicharegainingin
authorityovertheEmpire,andarenowtheonlyoneswhospeaktoSabathielinhisvaultin
adimensionadjacenttothepalaceinTorrolerial.

Culture
Bannormennevergiveup.Theyareloyalanddedicatedallies,butgettingonto
changetheirmindisnotevereasy.Despitetheirloyaltyasanation,theyarenotalwaysof
thesamemind,anddecisionsatthehighestlevelcouldbequitefractious,ifnotforCapria,
nowanoldwoman,buthonoredbyallasthebravestwarrioroftheorccampaign.
TheBannorhavetheusualarrayoffarmers,crafters,huntsmen,merchants,clerks,
etc.thedistinguishingfeatureoftheirsocietyisthateveryoneistrainedincombatinsome
capacity.Thereissomegrumblingaboutthisfromtheyoungergeneration,buttheoldest
ones,thosewhoknowsomeonewhowentthroughthegreattrialsofthelastAge,willnot
letthemgosoft.

16

Language
TheBannorspeakaversionofCommonPatriananduseOldPatrianintheir
religiousrites.Elvenisalsowellknown,asisOrcish,alanguagesimilartoCommon
Patrian,butgenerallylouder.

Religion
Whileothergoodpriestsareallowedintheempire,Junilisalmostexclusively
worshiped.

Classes
AmongheroesoftheBannor,divineandmartialclassesdominant,andeven
peasantsusuallyhavesomerudimentarymilitarytraining.Paladinsarethemostrespected
inthesocietysavetheClericswhoserveinSabathielspalace.Arcaneclasses,thoughfew,
tendtowardsWizards,asthoseofmagicaltalentsareidentifiedearlyandconscriptedinto
Academiesfortraining.

Region
TheBannorsettledalongaseatotheeastoftheirancienthomelandofBraduk,
nowheldbytheClanofEmbersOrcempire.ThecurrentBannorcapitalisTorrolerial.The
AmuritesandLanunlieacrossthisSeaofStarstothewestandsouthwest,theKuriotates
tothesouthandtheDoviellototheNorthwest.

PlayerCharacters
:
Bannorareexclusivelyhuman.Otherracesarenotharassediftheyserveagood
god,butnotentirelytrusted,either.Bannoroftentravelasscouts,diplomats,and
sometimesevenasmissionaries.

17

Calabim
Isolatedandoppressed,thepeasantsoftheCalabimareruledbyadecadent
butaristocracy.Somedarkpowergrantsthemtheirrule,someritualthatwould
surelyoffendthemoralsenseofostensiblygoodnations.Perhapstheirenemiesare
willingtodismisstheuglyrumorsasjustthat,toavoidthedangerofsharingthefate
ofthesadCalabimhumans.

AncientHistory
AlexisandherbrotherFlaurosaresupposedlyimmortal,andjudgingbytheirassets
andarcanepowerthatisnthardtobelieve.IntheAgeofIcetheyandtheirkinofferedto
helpagroupofpeople,inreturnforshelterandobedience.
Whenthehumansfinallyrealizedwhatwashappening,itwastoolate.Theywere
trappedinahellishsituation,littlemorethancattleforagrowingclassofparasiticnobility,
andtheyhadbeentrappedthereoftheirownfreewill.

RecentHistory
Now,FlaurosandAlexisaretheGrandPrinceandPrincessofadepravedand
hopelesssocietyofsycophantsandslaves.Theyhaveshownlittleinclinationtogo
conqueringothernations,however.

Culture
MostpeopletrappedunderAlexisandFlaurosrulearepowerless,andtoilfortheir
masterspleasure.Occasionallysomewillgomissinginthenight,forwhatdarkhorrors
theirfamiliescanonlyguess.Theambitious,though,candemonstratetheirworthonthe
battlefield,andmanyhaverisenthroughtherankstobecomedepravedrulersthemselves.

Language
TheCalabimspeaktwodifferentlanguages.ThearistocracyspeakOldPatrian,a
farmoreelaborateandelegantdialect,withastronginfluencefromtheoriginallanguage.
Thepeoplespeakaweakandsimpledialect,soatrophiedbylackofeducationthatitis
hardlyunderstandabletooutsiders.ScholarscallitFallenPatrian.Elohimisspokenby
someofthenobility,andsomeDwarveniscommonlyknownbythemerchantclass.

Religion
Aeronisveneratedamongtherulers,asisCeridwen.Cernnunosandthe
FellowshipoftheLeavesreligionisnotuncommon,buttheCalabimrulershaveadarker
18

take,embracingthehuntersrole.TheunderclasscalluponSucellus,orLugus,orSirona,
andstoriescirculateofthepiousbeingtakenunseenbygentleangelstosaferlands.Priests
ofthesegodswithactualdivinepowerarehunted,thoughpreachersaretolerated,asthe
Calabimleavetheirchatteltopraytowhomevertheywish.

Classes
Martialandarcaneespecially,thoughthearistocratsarefreetodabbleinwhatever
theyplease.

Region
TheyliveintemperateforestsonhillsonthecoastoftheGreatOcean,acrossfrom
theLanun,andoverlookingthedesertofMyrhwheretheMalakimarescattered.

PlayerCharacters
:
Mostplayercharactersfromhererepresentrefugeesstrongenoughtoescapeand
eagertoseetheirpeoplefreed.Thesewouldtendtobehumanbutcouldplausiblybefrom
severalotherraces.

19

ClanofEmbers
ArethenumberlessorcsofErebusshunnedbecauseoftheirviciousnessand
cruelty,oraretheycruelandviciousbecausetheyareshunned?Ariddlewhich
troublessagesandpriests,perhaps,butbattlefieldcommandershavelittletimefor
suchthoughtswhentheClanofEmbersisuponthem.Quickandharshlikethefallen
goddesstheyserve,orcsandgoblinshavemenacedcivilizationssincetheendofthe
AgeofMagic.IntheAgeofRebirth,however,theyposeamoredirethreatas
uncontrolledhordeshavebeenshapedintoonemightyclanunderJonasthe
WarPriest.Sheelba,theirqueen,bringstheadvancesofcivilizationbutnoneofits
civility.

AncientHistory
FirewasthetoolKylorinusedtocleansetherotfromPatria,for
Bhallhadgiven
herrighteousfollowersgiftstorivalthosesorcerouspowersgainedfirstfromCeridwen.
Thepassionatefiregoddesswasaforceforgood.Thosewholovedjusticeandmercy
coulduseherpowertocounterthewickedmagesKylorinhadtrained.Butshefelltothe
wilywhispersofAgares,godofdespair,rainingfireonthejustandunjustalikeina
terribledayheraldingtheendoftheAgeofMagic.Oncedevoutmenofmanynations,the
orcsweretransformed,cursedandenragedwhenBhallfell.TheholycityofBradukhad
thegoddesspassthroughasshefellfromtheHeavens,takingmanyofthosewholoved
goodnessandtrappingtheminHell.Halfthecitywasrenderedaflamingpit,butthose
peoplewhoremained,intouchwiththefieryspiritofBhall,weretwistedintotheOrcs.
Mulcarn,Bhall'sformernemesis,tookthischancetoclaimdominionoverErebus,andthe
orcs,alongwiththerestoftheworld,wereusheredintotheAgeofIce.
Theysurvived,huddledaroundthefiresofBraduktheBurning,anddeveloped
barbarousritualsandasavagewarriorculture,raidingstrugglinghumansettlements.The
holyscepteroftheHighPriestofBhallwasaffixedwithabrutalaxeheadbytheOrc
warlordOrthus,andmanynascenttribesfelltoitspower.OnepeoplestooduptotheOrcs,
though.ThosewhohadbeentakentoHellwithBhallwerefreedbySabathiel,the
ArchangelofJunillateintheAgeofIce,
asMulcarn'scontestwithKylorindrewnear.
Thesebattlehardenedwarriorswereatruetestforthesavageorcs,buttheorcsweretoo
numerousfortheBannortodefeat,livingintherelativeluxuryadmidstthefiresof
Braduk.Jonaswasafiercewarlordofgreatrenownamongtheorcs,whoresentedbeing
subordinatetothematriarchalpriesthoodofBhall.Hestagedacoupagainstthehigh
priestess,butBhalltooknoticeofherpeopleagain,andhumbledJonas,makinghimher
priest.Capturedasababe,theOrcSheelbawasraisedamongtheBannorasahumangirl
20

butwasspurnedandtakeninbytheOrcClans,unitedunderJonas'EmberBanner.Her
insightsintocivilizationhavethepotentialtoallowtheseclanstoriseabovethepetty
barbarousorctribesledbythelikesofOrthus,evenastheirsheerstrengthandJonas
cunningallowsthemtoteardownthehumancivilizations.

RecentHistory
TheClanhasclashedwiththeBannoraswellastheothernearbytribes.

Culture
TheClanrevereBhall,andherpriestssuchasJonasholdgreatsway.Theyare
shorterlivedthanmen,duetotheirpassions,andbecauseoftheircreationatthedawnof
theAgeofIcehavenorecordsoftheiroriginsotherthanoraltales.Mostorcsare
uneducatedandbelievetheworldwasformedjustafewlifetimesago,andtheywere
placedtheretoruleitfortheirgoddess.Themoresophisticatedrealizethatthetechnology
leveloftheirneighborssurelyputsalietothis.ThemostimportantcityisBradukthe
burning,whichholdsaneternalflameintowhichtheClanwilloftenrituallysacrifice
captives,althoughthispracticewaxesandwanes.

Language
TheOrcishlanguageisacommonderivativeofOldPatrianwithshorterwordsand
moregutturalinflection,plussomedraconicinfluencefromtheirLizardmanalliance.Itis
spokenbytheorcsandgoblinsoftheClan,althoughtheirspies,scholars,andmerchants,
whatveryfewthereare,willspeakcommonPatrianwell.Draconicishardfor
nonlizardmentospeak,butitiswidelyunderstoodintheEmberlands.
Orcshavenoillusionsabouttheperfectionoftheirlanguage,stealinglikecrows,
andbreakingthestolenwords,cadencesandothertraitsofthosetheyencounterandbattle
intoaverbalshapethattheyarecapableofpronouncing,renderingmostofitpractically
unrecognisable.

Religion
TheClanfocusesontheworshipofBhall.HerinfluenceisalsofeltintheAshen
Veil,andlatelyitsinfluencehasgrownintheirlands,somethingnotallofthemareproud
of.AswiththeDoviello,therearenumerousspiritsthattheyworshipaswellinsome
casesasorcerermightbeareligiousleaderinthenameofsomeimaginarygod.

Classes
Primalandmartialclassesarecommon,withdivineleaders.

Region
EastoftheBannor,northeastoftheGrigori,andsouthwestoftheLjosalfar,north
oftheSeaofSorrowsistheLabsrcum,andtropicalregionwheretheClanlive.

PlayerCharacters
:
ReformedhalforcsorDragonbornwhowishtotestcivilizationwouldbeplausible
travelers,thoughtheywouldbeuntrustedinmostnations.
21

Doviello
ThegreatestshocktothosewhostudytheDovielloisthisthattheyare
indeedhuman.Thisisatribesosavageandferalthatmostsanepeopleassumethem
tobemonstersalassuchbarbarismisindeedrootedinthedeepestreachesofthe
humansoul.TheunendingwinteroftheAgeofIcewinnowedawaycompassionand
trustfromtheDoviello,strippedthembareofeverythingbutwillandstrength.
Charadonleadsthemlikeawolfpack,constantlyinsearchoftheeasiestandweakest
prey.EvenorcsandbeastsfearthealphawolfoftheDoviello.Mahalaissubtler,but
nolessdangerousforhertendencytostrikequickandvanishbackintothesnowy
night.

AncientHistory
CharadonwasayoungboyraisedintheharshAgeofIce.Whetherthisaccounts
forhissavageryorsomeotherworldlytaintdoesisaquestionfortheages,butitdidallow
himandhistribetosurvive.Hecopiedthetacticsofthewolfpackspreyingonhispeople,
takingthestrongestunderhiswing,sharingwiththosewhohelpedhistribesurvivebut
abandoningthosethatsloweditdown.Othermenandwomenjoinedthistribe,their
alternativesbeingsubmissiontoMulcarn'sWhiteHandpriesthoodoracoldlonelydeath.
OnlytheDoviellowerefreeandthrivingintheheartofthewinter,butthecostofthiswas
anynobleaspectsoftheirhumanity.TherulingIllianslefttheDovielloalonetopreyon
thosetribesthatgainedMulcarn'senmity.
EventuallytheDovielloclashedwithKylorin's
Amurites,andthesavagewolfwasforcedtoheel.Kylorinbestedthem,turningthem
againsttheirformermaster.
AstheAgeofRebirthdawns,theDoviellowonderifthey
madeamistake.Theydidwhattheyfelttheyhadtodotosurvive,butbyallowingtheAge
ofIcetoendtheyhaveendangeredtheirwayoflife.
Thewolfisadaptable,butalso
cunning,andshouldtheysniffoutAuricUlvin'splans,apathtotheirolddominancemay
arise.

RecentHistory
Mahalaseekstoreawakenthespiritoftheirfounder,Charadon,whoseleadership
wouldrenewtheDoviello'ssavageties,thoughapathofstrengththroughcivilizationis
alsoopentotheDoviello'scurrentpackleader.TheDovielloseemtobeleaningtowards
sidingwiththeIllians,andtribesoftheDoviellowildmenhavebeenseenprotectingIllian
prophets.

22

Culture
TheDoviellobrutalityandbarbarismiswellamatchforeventheClanofEmbers,
andatleasttheOrcshaveanexcuse.TheDovielloadoptedthiswayoflifeasacoping
mechanismtosurviveandthriveintheAgeofIce,andretainitintotheAgeorRebirthfor
theyknownootherwaytolive.Theyhavesomesmallcitiesofasort,ruledbythe
strongestmanthereatthetime,thatareusuallyabletodirectthelaborofthetribe,butany
advancementisslow.

Language
MostjustspeaktheWintertonguethattheysharewiththeIllians.Theyarecapable
oflearningmore,andsomespeakcommon,butitisuncommonforthemtohavemuch
interactionwithforeigners.

Religion
TheyworshipCamulosandAeronastheirwargods,andavarietyofspiritsand
ancestorsarealsoreveredbytheirtribalshamans.

Classes
ClassestendtowardsPrimalandMartial,withnearlyeveryonebeingacompetent
fighterbynormalstandards.Arcanearerare,exceptforsomesorcerers.

Region
InthesouthoftheAquillTundra,neartheAmuritesandtheIllians.

PlayerCharacters
:
ThebestialDoviellowildmenarehuman,thoughcanberepresentedbyhalforcs
throughbreeding,closeattunementwithCamulos,andconstantinfightingtheyhave
becomebigger,stronger,andheartierthannormalhumans.Theirsavagerymakesthem
poorchoicesforPCs,althoughareformedorrepentantDoviellosearchingforanewway
forhimselforhistribebeyondCharadonssavagerywouldmakeagoodhook.

23

Elohim
TheElohimaretheheirstoanhonoredandselflesslegacy.Throughoutthe
agestheyhaveguardedsacredshrines,givencomforttothebroken,andbrokered
peaceamongbetweendeadlyrivals.TheroletheElohimhavechosenearnsthemthe
adorationofthehumbleman,butrulersoftenresenttheirmeddlingandseekthe
mysteriestheyguard.Thoughheprizespeaceaboveall,EinionLogoswillnotlethis
followersbeslaughteredlikelambs.Andthoughsheiswillingtosacrificeall,Ethne
theWhitewillnotstandbyastheirgoodworksareundonebythegrowingevilthat
seeskindnessasvulnerability.

AncientHistory
TheElohimareoneoftheoldestcivilizations,beingdescendedfromanancient
orderfoundedbyoneofSironasfirstprophets,ImmanuelLogos.Theyhaveservedas
mediators,guardedsacredsites,andprovidedhealingandlorethroughouttheages.

RecentHistory
EthnetheWhiteisthemonarchofthenation,whileEinonLogosistheheadofthe
orderthatthenationshelters.TheyhaverecentlybeentryingtoquietlyaidtheLjosalfarin
theElvencivilwarandhavebeeninvestigatingtheSheaim,whoapparentlyattackedthe
smallElohimgarrisonattheWellofSouls.

Culture
TheElohimarepacifistsbynature,butnotuniversallyso.Theywouldratheraid
theinjuredthanpickupaswordtodefendthem,butarenotstrangerstoeitherrole.Most
Elohimarealtruistic,andvalueaclosefriendallthemostbecausetheyneedsomeoneto
relyon.Theirknowledgeofhealingandmedicineareunmatched,andtheyhavediplomats
aroundtheglobe.

TheElohimhavefertilefields,forests,andseasintheirnation,andhauntingly
beautifulpoetsandartists.Muchoftheirincomeisdonatedtotheholyorders,andusedto
supportmissionsinfarofflands,preservingasacredsiteorministeringtoacommunity.

Language
TheElohimlanguageisCommonPatrian,theRebirthtonguethatisclosesttothe
universaltonguespokenintheAgeofMagic.Thisiscloselyconnectedtothewaythe
ElohimsurvivedtheAgeofIce,asbothanorganisationwithaconstantinfluxofnew
24

people,allowingtheoddityofdialectstobebalancedout,butalsotheirroleasthe
traditionbearersandprotectorsoftheoldknowledge.Theirscholarsandnoblesalsospeak
OldPatrian,Elven,andDwarven.

Religion
TheordersofSironaallhavetheoriginsandgreatestsupportinElohimlands.
Nantosuelta,Dagda,andSucellusarealsowidelyreveredhere.

Classes
Divineclasses,suchasClericsandPaladins,predominate,withWizards
uncommonbutnotrareduetotheirscholarlyorientationwithancienthistoryandmagic.
AmongmartialarchetypesMonksaremostcommon,andotheraggressiveclassescanbe
foundamongthenation,butarenotheldinthesameesteemasMonks.

Region
TheElohimoccupyatemperatecoastalregioneastoftheSheaim,southofthe
greatTempusMormountainrangebetweentheElvenforest.Somewheretothesoutheast
liethehiddenvalleysoftheSidar.

PlayerCharacters
:
TheElohimhealersandteachersareoftenfoundtravellingforeignlands,aspartof
theOrderorindependently.Theytendtobehumanbutoccasionallyofotherraces,
typicallyconvertstotheirways.

25

Grigori
Agares,thegodofhope,fellfromheavenforlustofpower.Cassiel,leaderof
theGrigori,fellfromcontemptofit.TheracesofErebusaredivineenoughtochoose
theirownfate,andanyinterventioninitbythesocalledgodsistoomuchforhim.In
hislandshesheltersrefugeesfromtheideologicalwarsthatmarktheAgeofRebirth,
aswelltheLuonnotar,areclusivesectstrangelyimmunetothedivinepowerof
priests.Cassielhaswageredmorethanmortalscoulddreamofonhisstandfor
humandeterminism,andsoneitherforcenorpersuasionwillbringhimtosidefully
withtheagendaofanygodorreligion.Willhisfollowershavethecouragetodefend
thisboldvisionforErebus?

AncientHistory
CassielwasanangelintheserviceofDagda.HespenttheAgeofDragons
protectingthemenwhohidfromthemightofthewarringgodsaroundthem.Itwashis
counselthatledDagdatocreateandsigntheCompact,butCassielfelttheCompactdid
notgofarenough.Hewantedthegodstoretreatentirely,toletthemenformtheirown
world.WhentheCompactallowedthegodstobattlethroughmen,Cassielabandoned
Dagda'sserviceandbeganhisowncrusadetoleadmenawayfromawarthathaslittleto
dowiththem.Thisactiongainedhimfewalliesamongthegodsorthehumanswhoserve
them.AfewbravesoulswereattractedtoCassiel'screed,thoughherefusedtoofferany
divineboonsorevendirectleadershiptothem.Hisfollowersmustadheretohisideasand
leadthemselves.ThroughouttheagesthecitiesoftheGrigoriofferedsafehavenforthose
whowantedtoleadtheirownlives.ThewarsoftheAgeofMagicandthescarcityofthe
AgeofIcetookitstollonthemlikeeveryotherland,butthesoughthelpnotfromthe
heavensbutfromthemselves.

RecentHistory
IntheAgeofRebirthCassielstillstands,offeringothersideasandguidancebut
littlemore,andsomebravefewarestilldrawntohisideas.Amongthosewhoseekasylum
inhislandsaretheLuonnotar,whoteachthatnoneofthegodsactingonErebusisworthy
ofworship,butonlyonegreatergodwhomadethem.Cassielcertainlyagreeswiththefirst
partofthis,thoughheisn'tforthcomingonthesecond.

Culture
TheGrigoriculturevariesthemostfromcitytocity.Mostcitiesareentirely
indifferenttothemachinationsofthegods,whilesomearedevotedtoobscurecults
persecutedelsewhere.Citiesandtownsarelargelyselfgoverned,andthereisverylittle
nationalarmy.Cassielexpectshispeopletobewiseenoughtobeabletoorganizetheir
26

ownaffairs,defenseincluded,andactivelyworksonlytostymietheauthorityofhisown
government.Thishasworkedsofar,butshouldamajorwararise,itisquiteuncertainhow
theywillfare.Fornow,adventuringguildshavesteppedintothegapthatothernationsfill
witharmiespartfraternalorder,partmilitia,andpartmerchantguild,thesegroupsare
formedwiththebackingofcommunitiesorwealthyindividuals,andareexpectedtoband
togethertodefendthenationshouldtheneedarise.

Language
CommonPatrianistheprimarylanguage.TheGrigori,morethananyother,are
stronglyaffectedbythemanynewcomers,whofleetheoppressivereignofthepriests,
godsandreligions.Grigoridialectisconstantlyundergoingchangethroughtheadoptionof
newwords,alteringthemtomakeaseamless,flowingandevolvinglanguage.TheGrigori
areparticularlynoteworthyfortheirveryinterestingswearing,whichisdevoidofreligious
connotations.

Religion
ReligionplayslittleroleinthelivesofmostGrigori.

Classes
Martial&Arcaneclasses,withsomePrimal,withequallikelihoodofanytherein.

Region
TheGrigoriareonthewestcoastoftheseaofsorrows,eastoftheBannorand
Kuriotates,SouthoftheClanofEmbers,andNorthoftheSheaim.

PlayerCharacters
:
Mainlyhuman,butothersracescouldbetoleratedinsomevillagesandcities.
AdventuringisaGrigorioccupation,butadventurersareexpectedtodefendtheircitiesand
nationincaseoftroubleduetothesmallnationalarmy.

27

Hippus
Howdoyousurvivewhenallyouhaveistradition?Howdoyoufeedyour
tribeifhonorisallyoupossess?TheenterprisingRhoannafoundasolution.Rather
thanspendtheirmartialprowessinfruitlessraidsagainsteachother,theirvigoris
soldtothehighestbidder.TheHippushavebecomethemostfamousmercenaries.
LedbyTasunkeinthefieldandRhoannaatthebargainingtable,thesehorsebound
warriorswillturnonoldfriendsassoonastheircontractisfinishediftheirnewallies
demandit.OtherleaderswonderiftheHippustrulyhavenoagendabeyondwealth,
theclankofcoinspaidforabattlewaged.TheHippusclansknowtheirsurvivalis
assuredsolongaseveryrivalseesthemasapotentialasset.

AncientHistory
TheHippuswerealwaysjustlyproudoftheiranimalhusbandry.Theirlands,even
intheAgeofMagic,hadfertilehillsthatteemedwithsheepandwideplainswithvast
herdsofhorsesthattheytamedveryshortlyaftertheCompact,passingthistradedownin
theirtribessincetimeimmemorial.HoweverinPatriamagicsurpassedtheuseofhorses
formostpurposes.Greatcreatureswereconjuredforwar,portalsallowedrapidtravel,and
golemstoiledendlesslyinthefields.ThencamethegreatUpheavalofPatria,when
magiciansturnedagainsteachother,battlingforthesouloftheempireofman.Kylorin
calledupontheHippuspeopletohelphimhuntdownhiswaywardservantsastheportals
acrossErebuswereclosed,andwhenDemonsandElementalswerebanishedthewild
Hippusraiderswerestilltheretochargedownenemywarriormages.Theseexploits
broughtgreatrenowntoapeopleformerlyignoredinthegreatempire,evenastheempire
crumbled.ThisnewfoundpridecrippledtheHippus,breedingafiercemartial
competitiveness.Theirclans,evenwhilenominallyaligned,wouldrefuseeachother'shelp
andevenraideachother.Theywereabletoholdbacktheadvancesofthefrostlinghordes
oftheAgeofIce,thoughmanyHippuscommunitieswerewipedoutbyafrostgolem
assaultratherthanseektheaidoftheircohorts.

RecentHistory
AstheothergreatnationsemergedintotheAgeofRebirth,theHippusturnedto
raidthem,aswellaseachother,untilthisproudpeoplelookedtobeeclipsedbypeoples
moreunitedanddisciplined.Rhoanna,whoinheritedleadershipofasmallHippustribe,
madeithermissiontouniteherpeoplewithoutlosingtheirculture.SheformedtheHippus
mercenarycompanies,andmadetheirmartialprowessandcompetitivenessservethem
28

ratherthenconsumethem.TasunkewasthemostfamousraideramongsttheHippusit
wasexpectedthathewouldchallengeherforleadership,butheembracedheridea,seeing
foreigngoldabettermeasureofatribe'sprowessthanslainkinsmen.

Culture
Hippustendtobeverycompetitiveandmorefocusedonclanthannation.Meand
mybrotheragainstmycousin,meandmycousinagainstthestrangerisasayingthat
mightdescribemuchoftheiroutlook,thoughtheyclingtohonorfiercelyandwontback
downoncetheyvegiventheirwordor,moreoften,boastedofanaccomplishment.Their
cities,eventheimportantones,tendtohavemuchopenpastureforgrazingandriding.

Language
HippusspeakCommonPatrianalmostexclusively.Theirdialectisheavily
influencedbythepreferredgeographicalenvironmentandtheculturalpeculiarities,and
thereisanenormousvarietyofsubdialects,understandabletoeachother,butoftenquite
remarkablydifferent.

Religion
HippusoftenrevereTali,occasionallyAeron,andthoughtheyaredistrustedby
Dwarves,respecttheRunesofKilmorphemphasisontradition.

Classes
Therearemanyrangersanddruids,withothermartialandprimalclassesbeing
common.ClericsofTaliareinnowaypartofanyorganizedreligion,asthefreedomand
whimsyofTaliswaysdonotencouragethis.

Region
TheHippusridetheplainsbetweentheGreatOceanandtheBayofDreams.Tothe
SouthlivetheLuchuirp,northeastlivetheBalseraphandtothenortharetheKhazad.
WestaretheElohimlands.

PlayerCharacters
:
HippusmercenariescanbefoundthroughoutErebus,almostalwayshuman.Those
thattakeworshipofTalitoheartaretrulyfreespirits,andalwayswanderfromhome.

29

Illians
ThesearetheremnantsofthoseservedthedespotgodMulcarnintheprevious
Age.ThefearsomesupernaturalwinteroftheAgeofIceshapedthissociety,butthe
voidleftwhenMulcarnwasslainleftthembrokenanddisparaged.Thewandering
AuricUlvinheardtheirwhispers,andnowleadstheIlliansinsearchoftheirlost
glory.WilltheAgeofRebirthbeprovenanaberrationashistoryrepeatsitself?

AncientHistory
TheAgeofMagicwasatumultuoustime,andasPatriadisintegrated,manypeople
wereleftunderstandablydisillusionedbytherapidchangeswhichoftenputtheirlivesand
propertyatrisk.ThesepeopleweredrawntothepriestsofMulcarn,thegodofwinterand
stasis,andtheirisolatedtemplesinthetundraandice.SomehowtheIllianprophets
acquiredameansofopeningawayforMulcarntoentercreation,someritualthatbypassed
thelawsthatenforcedthecompact.Whensagesacrossthefracturedworldrealizedwhat
theyweredoing,itwastoolate.Thedayoffire,whenBhallfell,hadlefttoomanylands
starving,andonlytheLuchuirpandtheirgolemarmiescouldsustainamarchontheIllian
capital.Intheend,thefollowersofMulcarnheldoutandsawthedayoftheirgod,ashe
usheredintheAgeofIce.TheywereprotectedfromtheworstdepravationsoftheAgeof
Ice,livingincitiesblessedbyMulcarnsprieststheWhiteHand,butitwasnotaneasy
existence.
Theydidhavestability,however,andfoughtKylorinsarmiesuntilheslewtheir
patron,strippingthemoftheirpower.

RecentHistory
TheremnantsoftheIlliansarehatedbyalmostallthecreaturesofErebus,andthey
dwellintheircavernsandhovelsinthefrozenlandslefttothem,cryingouttotheir
departedgod.Except,latelytheyhavebegunemerging,ledbyamannamedAuricUlvin.

Culture
TheIlliansdeploreinnovation,andthefewofthemleftliveinsmallsettlementsat
theedgesofsurvivablelands.Theyareusuallyquietandtaciturn,butwilllamentwhat
theyhavelost.

Language
TheyspeakOldPatrian,largelyintheoriginal,andthewintertonguetheyshare
withtheDoviello.

30


Religion
TheyaredevotedtotheWhiteHandandwillnotturnbackevenindefeat.All
IllianswhoregrettheirdedicationtoMulcarnhavelongsincefled.

Classes
TherearemanypriestsamongtheIllians,buttheirprayershavebeenunheeded,
andsodivineclassesarepowerless,exceptforthefewwhoworshipEsusandAeron.
Therearemanymartialclasses,andsomearcanewhoaccessthepowersofwinterthat
remainviaarcanemethods.Therearenodruids,astheirprimalnatureistheenemyofthe
frozenwintertheywouldchampion,thoughtherearesomebarbarianswhoutilizethese
naturespiritsbyforceofwill.

Region
TheAquilloTundraisnortheast,viaatortuousicyisthmusoftheUmbrawood
wheretheSvartalfardwell,andnorthwestofthelandstheAmuritessettledinaftertheir
victory.

PlayerCharacters
:
CharactersdevotedtotheprincipalsoftheIllianswouldhaveahardtimetraveling
withthosefromothernations,andarentrecommended.Though,Illianswhohave
committedcrimesnotwarrantingdeathmaybeexiled,andpossiblereasontobe
wanderingErebus.

31

Khazad
Sturdydwarves,theKhazadhavefinallysteppedouttoembracetheirdestiny
asoneofErebuspowers.Traditionholdstheminafirmgrip,butambitiondraws
themawayfromtheirundergroundhomes.Steadfastinbattle,infaith,andin
friendship,theybuildtheirempireslowlybutgivenotaninchintradenorwarfare.
ArturusThroneandKandrosFirbeareachotheranoldgrudge,butanolderdebt,
andwhileneitherwouldaskhelp,eachwouldgladlydiefortheother.

AncientHistory
DuringtheAgeofMagicthedwarveswerenottheunitednationthattheywould
becomeintheAgeofWinter.Scatteredtribesofmountainpeoples,theywereskilled
craftsmenandengineersbuthadlittleinterestintheareasbeyondtheirlands.Amiableand
welcoming,theymadeperfecttargetsfortheconmenandtrickstersofotherkingdoms.
Thegreatestworksoftheirsmithsandtheirshapersweretradedfortrinketsandbaubles,or
worse,mereillusionsthatvanishedwhentheircreatorsweregone.Thedwarvescouldn't
winredressfromthelocallordsthroughstrengthofarmsorforceofargument.Theyhad
nogreatarmies,andtheneighboringrulerspointedoutthatthedwarveshad,afterall,
agreedtothebargains.
Thisabusebreddistrustofbothforeignersandallformsofillusionandmagic.It
alsopushedthemunderground.Theirformerlywelcomingcitiesbuiltalongmountain
passeswereslowlyabandonedforsaferunderhillcommunities.Thetribesgrewcloser,
andgraduallyoutofmanyasingleunifiedcivilizationwasformed,theKhazad.The
Dwarvesbegantoaskthemselveswhytheyeverevenbotheredwithoutsiders.
TowardstheendoftheAgeofMagic,fewDwarveswereseenbyotherraces,and
itwaslatersaidthatdeepintheirunderhillholds,theydidn'tnoticetheAgeofWinterfor
threegenerations.Thoughthisisalmostcertainlyanexaggeration,whilethekingdomsof
menandelveswitheredunderMulcarn'sonslaughtthedwarvesgrewslowlybutsteadily.
Thenonedaytheirgatherersreturnedfromthesurfacewithreportsoflushvegetation
returning,andsnowmelting.

RecentHistory
KandrosFirledonegroupofKhazadoutoftheircavernoushomes,toformcities
andtradewiththenewkingdomsofmenandofelves.Hedoesnotreveretraditionasmost
Dwarvesdorather,hepioneeredartsnewtohispeople:negotiation,appraisal,marketing.
Hepursuestradingpartnerswithzeal,byforceifnecessary,alwaysdeterminedtoadvance
theKhazad'sfortunes.Rememberingtheinsultstheyweresubjectedtoingenerationspast
32

theKhazadaredeterminedthattheybesecureastheyventureoutintotheworld.Notjust
thesecurityofhighwallsandstouthammers,butofbrimmingcoffersandjudicious
merchants.
Whilehisgoalsdrawhimoutward,whatisunknownoutsideofafewDwarven
circlesisthatinternecineconflicthelpedpushhimandhisfollowerstothesurface.Bothhe
andArturusThornewantthebestfortheirpeople,buttheyarecommittedtodifferent
visionsofachievingit.Thelimitsofundergroundexpansionwerereachedinagespast,
andsobothleadersmustusethewiderworldtoprovetheirvisionfortheKhazadinthe
ageofrebirth.

Culture
TheKhazadaredevoutintheirworshipoftheirpatronKilmorphandtheRunesof
Kilmorphhaveshapedtheirsociety.Theyvaluetradition,hardwork,andhonestyand
theyloveaccumulatingtherewardsofhardworkandhonesty.Khazadmaytendtowards
greed,buttheydespiseillgottengains,andangrymobschasingawayswindlersorlazy
craftsmenistheclosesttoariotonemightfindinanordinarilywellmanneredKhazad
city.EveryKhazadcityotherthantradingpostshasaconnectiontotheUnderhome,the
traditionalhomeoftheDwarvenpeopleforgenerationshowever,theleadersofthe
Khazadnationsarerumoredtohaveneversetfootunderground.

Language
TheDwarventongueoftheAgeofMagicremainsratherwellpreservedamongthe
Khazad.Ithasundergonesomeofthechangesonemightnormallyexpectfromalanguage
incontinualuseforcenturies,butduetobothrelativeisolationandtheratherconservative
natureofKhazadculture,ithasbeenchangedfarlessthanonemightexpect.AKhazadof
theAgeofMagicandaKhazadoftheAgeofRebirthwouldbeperfectlycapableof
conductingasimpleconversation.TheyhavealsolearnedenoughCommonPatriansince
theAgeofIceendedtobesuccessfulmerchants.

Religion
TheRunesofKilmorpharetheheartandsouloftheKhazad,butNanotsuelta,
Dagda,Aeron,andMammonalsocountworshipersamongtheKhazad,albeitinsmall
numbers.

Classes
Khazadspecializeindivineandmartialclassesarcaneandprimalarealmost
unheardof.

Region
TheKhazadhavetwonationsthatarecloselyaligned,situatedontheisthmus
betweenthedesertofMyrhwheretheMalakimandCalabimdwellandthepeninsula
wheretheHippus,Balseraph,andLuchuirplivetotheirsoutheast.

33

PlayerCharacters
:
TheKhazadaretraditionminded,buttheyhavelefttheirUnderhometomakea
placefortheDwarvesinthewiderworld,determinednottoletthemselvesbemarginalized
inthisAge.AssuchDwarvenadventurersofalltypesarenotuncommoninanycivilized
land.

34

Kuriotates
CardithLordaisamysteriousyoungboywithasupernaturalwisdomand
unmatchedcharisma.Hisdreamsofbuildingapeaceandprosperitythatcanstand
theassaultoftimeandcalamitiesdrawmenandwomenofallracestohisteeming
cities,marvelswhichputeventhehallsoftheBannortoshame.Willtheirunitybe
enoughofashieldastheKuriotatescreatealastinghaven,orwillthesavageryof
theirfoesrequireferocityinreturn?

AncientHistory
BeforetheAgeofIce,theareawheretheKuriotatesnowlivewasinhabitedbya
fewtownsofPatriansandseveraltribesofmoresavagespecies,suchasCentaursand
Lamias.DuringtheAgeofIce,thesepeoplewereharriedbyorcs,wildmen,andthe
frostlingsofMulcarnlikeallothers.Theyhadnotimetosquabbleamongstthemselves,
anddevelopedasenseofunityforabrieftime.Thiswouldlikelyhavefallenapart,ifnot
forayoungman,CardithLorda,whounitedthesepeopleastheIcethawed,bringingthem
togetherintoanewnationcenteredonthegreatcityofKwythellar.

RecentHistory
CardithLorda,theagelessboy,hasgatheredagreatnumberoftribesintohis
empire,creatingacenteroffabulouscultureandwonder.Thereisenmitybetweenthe
disparategroupsattimes,butCardithswisdomandingenuityhaveheldthisunlikely
confederationtogethersofar,anditiswhisperedthatheisanavatarofAmatheonhimself.
TheKuriotatesfavorpeace,butdespiseneedlesscrueltyandoppression.Thereisa
stateofundeclaredwarbetweenthemandtheSheaim,Calabim,Svartalfar,andBalseraph
civilizations,fortheymakeitknownthattheywilltakeinanyrefugeefromtheselands.

Culture
TheKuriotatestendtobeeasypeopletogetalongwith,althoughtheyarevery
proudoftheiryoungcivilization.Theytendtobegreatbardsandartisans,althoughthere
aremanyskilledengineersintheirgreatcity,thelargestintheworld,withaseaoffarms
aroundittendedtobyfarmersofmanyraces.

Language
TheKuriotatesareaverylargeandsprawlingnation,butwithcentralisedrule.
Theirlanguage,Kurios,isoneofthemainthingsthatbindthenationtogether.Thus,there
isaverystrongadherencetoit,andafirm,butkind,drivetokeepitaspureanduniformas
possible.ThelanguageisuniqueinthatithasstrongeffectsfromCentaur,alanguage
35

dissimilartotheotherlanguagesofErebus,andinaninexplicablehissingintonationonthe
Ssounds.Elvenisalsocommon,withDraconicspokenbythoseofreptiliandescent.

Religion
KuriotatestendtorevereAmatheon,Sirona,andDagda,withsomeworshipersof
JunilandCeridwenholdinglargeminorities.Mostfaithscanbefoundinthegreatcity,
coexistingatleastonthesurface,occasionallytothedismayofvisitingpriestswhofind
theircoreligionistssharingneighborhoodswithswornenemiesoftheirfaith.

Classes
BardsarecommonamongtravelingKuriotates,aswellasmartialclasses,though
anyclasscouldreasonablybefoundintheirlands.

Region
Kwythellarisonthecoast,withtheLanunlandstothewest,theBannornorthwest,
andtheSheaimacrossthePristinusPasstotheeast.TheGrigoriaretheirclosestneighbor
tothenortheast.

PlayerCharacters
:
PCsofanyKuriotateorigincouldreasonablybeofanyrace,settingoutfromtheir
famouscitiestoseewhatliesinotherlands,likelynaveofthedangertheyfaceindoing
so.

36

Lanun
TheoceansandseasofErebusarehometotheLanun,anuntamablepeopleas
comfortableondeckasonland.Everycaptainisanationuntohimself,andthetwo
mostpowerfulareFalamarandHannahtheIrin.Falamarisasdauntlessasthe
waves,withanallurethatdrawsinwomenfromanyport,whileHannahisasfickle
asthewind,andatempestwhencrossed.Theyareunrivaledonthewaves,butasthe
conflictsofErebusdrawsthemintheywillbeforcedtofightonbattlegroundsof
everytype,andmuststandfirmorbeburiedinthesandsoftime.

AncientHistory
Astheferociousmonsterswereremovedfromtheseaswiththesigningofthe
Compact,manexpandedintothem,andthesefirstexplorersweretheancestorsofthe
Lanun.TherewerestillbeastssuchasLeviathansandgiantturtlestocontendwith,but
thesewerenotinsurmountableobstaclestothebravemenonthoseearly,leakygalleysand
latertriremes.Danalinofferedthesemenhisguidance,andtheyformedfriendshipswith
theotherwiseelusiveAifons,thosemenmostclosetotheseagodwholivedinunderwater
cities.IslandcommunitiesofLanundeveloped,eachwiththeirowncustoms,butsharing
mostofthevaluesofthemainlandcoastalLanuncities,aloveoffreedomandadventure,
guile,andaflexiblesenseofhonor.WhenKylorinsolidifiedhisruleofPatriaandbeganto
incorporateneighboringkingdomsintohisempire,byforceifneeded,thedistantLanun
freelypledged.Theyonlybotheredtoenforcethoselawstheyagreedwith,however,and
allowedfugitivestofleeaboardshipandseektheirfortunesonthewaves.Occasionallya
Lanuncitywouldbepunishedforthis,thoughtheirtraderoutesmadethemtoovaluableto
makeanexampleof.
Patriasooncollapsed,aswarsbrokeoutbetweenthewickedmagesandthose
seekingredemptionfortheworldofmen.TheLanunhappilyaidedbothsides,taking
fleeingmagesacrossthewavesandthensellingshipstothePatrianfirepriestsseeking
themdown.Thentheirworldwasshakenbythegods,asBhall'srainoffireandMulcarn's
conquestbroughtcivilizationscrashingdown.Theseasweremademorehazardousby
hugeicebergsthatcouldtearashiptopiecesbeforebeingseen,andsomeLanun
communitieswereinfactcompletelyisolatedbyencroachingice.Furtherimperiling
Lanunseafarersduringthistime,theirpriestslostallcontactwithDanalin,andtheirrituals
begantobehaveinunexpectedways.ThoseLanuncrewswhowerestillwillingtobrave
theseasfoundgreatfameandwealthtradingbetweendistanttribes,thoughthisoftenmade

37

thematargetoftheblizzardsandmanycrewswereneverheardfromagain,includingthe
shipcaptainedbyMaluswhichcarriedanartifactfromCassielintoAmuritelands.

RecentHistory
Eventuallytheicereceded,andtheLanunwerereunited.Theyfoundtheybarely
knewtheirkin,ascrewindifferentlocationshadevolvedquitedifferentoutlooksand
values.Thiswasn'taproblemfortheLanun,though,foreachcaptainruleshisownshipin
themanorheseesfit.Theirbiggestproblemnowisthattheoceanisnolongerquiteas
welcomingasitoncewas,andwhereastheycouldbeforeseektheaidthegodofwater,
thosepetitionsareunheedednow,orworse,answeredbystrangecreatureswhichemerge
fromthedepths.
SomeLanuncaptainsretainthecarefreespiritoftheirpeopledespitethisnew
challenge,whileothers,likeHannahtheIrin,empracethedarkernaturetheseashave
taken.Falamarseeshimselfasadashingrogue.Hetendsnottokillthevictimsofhisraids
(claimingthatwouldkeepthemfrombringinghimmoreloot),andheisanexcellent
swordsmanandcharmingleader.Hannaiseverythingheisn't.Sheisthestormpersonified,
temperamentalandpowerful.Shehashadentirecitiesrazedforaperceivedinsult,and
rulesnotbycharm,butbyfear.WhichviewwillprovemoreeffectiveinthenewAgeis
yettobeseen,butasalwaysthereisroomintheLanunforeachCaptaintochoosehisor
herownpath.

Culture
TheLanuntendtobecarefree,althoughasapeopletheyvaryasmuchfromcrew
tocrewastheGrigoridofromtowntotown.Theseacaptainsarewheretherealpowerin
Lanunterritorylies,forCaptain'soutrankprovincialgovernorsandcanconscriptany
personforanyreason.TheonlyauthorityaLanunCaptainacknowledgesoverhimis
anothercaptaintowhomhehasgivenhisword,thoughasalwaysthewordofaLanunis
somewhatfleeting.

Language
TheLanunspeakaversionofCommonPatrian,infacttheirsailorsareoneofthe
forceskeepingthisdialectunifiedlinguisticallyacrossthePatrianbornnations.Their
dialectisheavilyinfluencedbythepreferredgeographicalenvironmentandthecultural
peculiarities,andthereisanenormousvarietyofsubdialects,understandabletoeach
other,butoftenquiteremarkablydifferent.

Religion
BothsectsofthereligionofDanalin,theUndertowandtheChildrenofCondatis
areheavilyinfluentialamongsttheLanun.TaliandArawnreceiveprayersduringastorm
atsea,ortoheadoneoff,andtheirpiratesofteninvokeEsussecrecy.

Classes
Roguesarecommonamongtheswashbucklingpirates,andbards,astheyseemore
oftheworldthanmost.Heartyfightersarealwayswelcomeatsea,providedtheycanlend
38

ahandatsailsoroars,andpriestsorwizardsarehighlyprized,thoughrequiremorefocus
thanthetypicalcarefreeLanunbringstobearifhecanhelpit.

Region
TheLanunhomeintheAgeofRebirthisaroundthelargebayknownasthe
AegeanSea,whichadjoinstheGreatOceanandisneartheseaofsorrows.Innsmouthis
thecapital,andhereareboththegreattempleofDanalinandthefamousLanunshipyards.
TotheirnortharetheAmuritesandtheDoviello,totheireastaretheBannor,andsouthare
theHippusandBalseraph.Westlieseveryoneelse,viathewavesthattheLanun
unquestioninglyrule.

PlayerCharacters
:
Lanunarelikelytobefoundinanyport,livingoffthewagesofonevoyagewhile
waitingforthenext.MoreambitiousLanunoftendisembarkinforeignportsandsetoffto
maketheirfortune.Themajorityarehuman,althoughotherraceshavebeentakeninas
sailors,sometimeswillingly,sometimesnot.

39

Ljosalfar
Oncethesummercourtspentitsdaysinsongandharmonywithnature,but
thosedaysarelongpast.Thedeathoftheirgodsetoffabloodycivilwarwhichwas
onlystoppedbecausethefrozenworldmadetravelimpossible.NowthattheAgeof
IceisendedthesurvivingLjosalfararebandingbacktogetherandthecivilwarwill
beginanew.

AncientHistory
TheElvesaredescendedfromthefavoredpeopleofSucellus,whogrewmorein
tunewiththenaturalworld.Theyarelonglivedandlithe,whimsicalinnature.Theywere
ruledbytwoimmortalqueens,FaerylViconia,whoruledinthewinter,andArendal
Phaedrawhoruledinthesummer.WhenMulcarnenteredErebusandbroughtaneternal
winter,Faerylrefusedtostepdownattheappointedtime,sparkingacivilwarand
effectivelycreatingtheSvartalfarempirefromthosethatsidedwiththeWinterQueen.
Sucellus,theelvenpatrondiedatMulcarnshand,dealingafurtherblowtotheLjosalfar,
orlightelves,buttheharshwinterforcedalullinthewar.

RecentHistory
WiththeendofWintertheElvenCivilWarhasresumed.TheLjosalfarnowfollow
Cernunnos,whotheyreveredasSucellusArchangel.

Culture
TheSummerElvesusedtodelightinthewildlands,frolickinginsacredglens.
Theyhavebecomegrimguerrillawarriors,fightingthetricksterdarkelves.Atceremonies
andreligiousritestheirolddemeanorshowsthrough.Elvenvillagesareusuallyinand
amongforests.

Language
Elvenistheirmainlanguage.BoththeSvartalfarandtheLjosalfarspeaktheexact
samelanguage.Therearenodifferencesatall.Elveniswhatyoumightcalla"strong"
language.Iteffectsotherlanguagesquicklyandheavily,butElves,beingratherchauvinist,
aloofandelitistbynature,never,everfeeltheurgetoadopthumanlinguistictraitsor
wording.Theyfeeltheirlanguageisperfect,andasaresult,itdoesn'tchangejustbecause
40

itisusedbyoneortheotherfaction.Naturally,itdidn'thaveanymoretroublesurviving
theAgeofIcethantheElvesdid(meaningalotoftrouble,really,butnotasalanguage).

Religion
TheFellowshipoftheLeaveshasitsgreatestchampionsintheLjosalfar,and
priestsofCernunnosarehighlyrespectedamongthelightelves.OghmaandSucellusthe
rebornarealsowidelyrepresented.

Classes
Primalclassesarethemostcommon,lesssobarbarians.Druids,Rangers,and
WizardsaretheLjosalfarsgreatestassets.LjosalfarClericstendnottoleavehome,except
toconvertotherraces.

Region
TheLjosalfaroccupythewesternhalfoftheUmbrawood,northeastoftheOrc
lands,borderingtheIcySeatothesouthandtheTempusMormountainstothenorth.

PlayerCharacters
:
MostElvesonErebuscomefromtheLjosalfar,withtheirbeingnorealsubraces.
However,HighElvescanbecreatedtorepresentthoseelveswholiveinthecity,and
WoodElvesforthosewhoprefersmalltownsorthewilderness.Theyusuallylovetheir
homeforests,butcanbefoundtravelingabroadasdiplomatsandscouts,orjustunaligned
adventurersseekingtoleavethelongwarbehind.

41

Luchuirp
ThecitiesoftheLuchuirparebeautifultobehold.Enchantedliftscarrypeople
throughoutthecityandpowerfulgolemsserveandguardthedwarves.Although
mostgolemsareunabletolearnBarnaxusisanoddityevenamongtheLuchuirp.
Abletolearn,hepassesonwhathehaslearnedalongtotherestoftheLuchuirps
golemarmy.

AncientHistory
:
TheLuchuirpseparatedfromtheKhazadinmidAgeofMagic,whentheKhazad
retreatedintoundergroundhomes,andtheLuchuirpturnedthecraftsmanshiptogolem
making.TheirmostnotableachievementwassendingagreatarmytoopposetheIllians
whenthebegantheritualtobringMulcarnintotheworld,alas,toolate,itwasdestroyed,
leavingtheLuchuirpwithoutprotectionintheAgeofIce.Kilmorphhadcompassionfor
themshecametotheleader,thenowlegendaryGraointheDelver,andtaughthimthe
thingshispeoplehadforgotten:howtodig,howtobuildhomesunderthemountains.But
theyretainedtheirlovefortheopensky.

RecentHistory
:
BeeriBrawlistheircurrentleader,andGarrimGeartheirheadArchmage.After
theAgeofIcetheysettledafewcities,andhaverelearnedtheancientcraftsofgolem
construction.Themostnotableeventwasabout10yearsintotheAgeofRebirth:
Barnaxus,thesolesurvivinggolemoftheAgeofMagic,returnedtothem,havinggained
sentience.Heisabletoimbuethefinestgolemswithsomemeasureofthoughtand
learning,slowlytransformingLuchuirpculture.

Culture
:
Luchuirpdwarvesareveryfocusedwiththeirworktheyfocusonperfectingtheir
craftseventothepointofneglectingrelationships,thoughtheydocaregreatlyforkinand
clanlikemostdwarves.Theircitiesandfieldsarefilledwithhearty,automatedworkers,
butmostLuchuirparehardworkersforthejoyofaccomplishingratherthanoutof
necessity.GolemsawakenedbyBarnaxusareknownaswarforged,astheyarethefinest
frontlinefighterstheLuchuirpcanfield.
LuchuirpDwarvesofcourseproduceplentybeyondwargolemsthereexport
sculpturesandsmallclockworkormagicalfigures,toysandtools.

42


Language
:
Gnomishistheirlanguage.TheOpenSkierswereheavilyeffectedbyhumaninthe
AgeofMagic.InthecourseoftheirisolationintheAgeofIce,theDwarvenandHuman
tonguesmergedintoalanguagethatwasentirelyLuichurpspecific.Butitisnotinthe
Luichurp'snaturetostickstoicallytotheirguns.Extensivetradingwithothernationsinthe
AgeofRebirthhastemperedtheLuichurpcreolewithastrongtintofthenewlingua
franca,somethingthatsetsthemapartfrommostothers,whoexclusivelyuseitinforeign
relations.OldPatrianisalsocommonamongenchantersduetoitsconnectiontoearly
magic.Whentheyneedtocommunicatewithhumannations,thereareplentywhospeak
Common.

Religion
:
Nantosuelta,Kilmorph,andAmatheonarethemosthighlyhonored.Oghmahas
someworshippersaswell.TheLuchuirp,likemostDwarves,areshapedbytheRunesof
Kilmorphscriptures,buttheywishtoemulateNantosueltasdomainmoreso.

Classes
:
Amongthosewholeavetheirhometoadventure,manyareEnchanterslookingto
exploretheworldfornovelwaystousemagic.Martialclassesarerare,exceptamongthe
fewsentientgolems.SomeworshipersofKilmorphandNantosueltahavetakenDivine
classes.

Region
:
TheLuchuirpliveontheplainsinthepeninsulasouthoftheGreatOcean,withthe
Hippustothenorthwest,theBalseraphstothenortheast,andtheSidartothewest.

PlayerCharacters
:
DespitebeingcalledDwarves,LuchuirpareinessenceGnomes.In5etheRock
GnomesarethebestrepresentationofaLuchuirp.Wizardsadventuringtolearnmoreof
theworldand/ortheirgolemcreationsarecommonsourcesofLuchuirpadventurersthey
mightwanttoimprovetheircraft,ortofindoutwhatlifeislikeinlandswherepeople
mustdigwiththeirownhands.ButofcoursenoteveryLuchuirpisanenchanteror
sculptor,andplentyleavehomefortheirownpersonalreasons.

43

Malakim
TheMalakimwereasimpletribeofdesertnomadsuntilVarnGosamfound
them.ASvartalfarwhohadbeenchangedbycontactwiththesungodLugus,hein
turnchangedtheirsocietyprofoundly.TheMalakimwillabidenodarknesstodwell
amongstthem,andthievesandspiesfinditimpossibletosneakthroughaMalakim
cityunnoticed.Theirpietyearnsthemforesightandprowessintheirnativesands,
butwilltheirunwaveringprinciplesearnthemmoreenmitythantheycansurvive?

AncientHistory
TheMalakimweretraderswholivedinandaroundthegreatdesertofMyrhduring
theageofMagic.Inthepurge,theirpriestsofLugus,thesungod,werespecialistsat
trackingdownsorcerersinhiding.TheAgeofIcehitthemlikemostnations,forcingthem
intohidingandbaresubsistence.Butthethawingicehasswelledthegreatriversand
oases,makingthedesertbloom.

RecentHistory
ThecurrentleaderoftheMalakimisanelfnamedVarnGosam,whowasgiven
visionsbyLugusandledtothedesert.HehasrevivedtheancientEmpyreanreligionandis
unitingthescatteredtribes,withthecapitalinGoldenLeane.

Culture
TheMalakimareaveryopenpeople,andveryhospitabletostrangers,dueto
inhospitabledesertregionthattheylivein.However,theyarentyetasingleunitedpeople,
andtheyarentverydisciplinedorrather,theyknowtherearerulesthatmustbeobeyed
aboveacommanders,andwillnotmarchinthenoontime,forinstance.
MostMalakimareguidesormerchantcaravanerstheirpopulationcentersare
smallandclusteredaroundoasisorfertilerivervalleysthatprovideenoughfoodingood
times.

Language
TheDesertTongue,heavilyinfluencedbyelven.Fluid,easilyshifting,likethe
sandtheycomefrom.TheMalakimareveryopenanddirect,nottomentiondeeplypious,
aspectswhicharereflectedinthelanguage,withconstantinvocationsofLugus.

Religion
44

LugusEmpyreanreligiondominatestheirsocietyDanalin,Tali,andCernunnos
areturnedtoforsuccorattimesaswell.

Classes
Manydivineclassessuchasclericsandpaladins,andsomeprimalsuchasdruids.
Theirarcaneclassestendtowardssorcerers,asthereisnowizardingtraditionamongstthe
Malakim.Roguesarealmostunheardof,butrangersofthedesertdoexist.

Region
TheydesertofMyrhisthelargestinErebus,andinthecenter,atamassiveOasis
neartheMirrorofHeavenshrineisGoldenLeane,theMalakimtribeVarnGosamrules.
Totheeast,inamoretemperatecoastalregionalongsidetheGreatOcean,aretheCalabim,
theSvartalfarareacrossthesavannahtothenorth,theElohimtothewestneartheTempus
Mormountains,andtheKhazadtothesoutheast.

PlayerCharacters
:
OnlyhumansbyandlargeliveintheMalakimtribes.WiththeEmpyreanreligion
gainingstrengthinthetribesthatfollowVarnGosam,theyarebecomingmoreopening,
andconvertsofotherracesareformingsmallcommunities,usuallysomewhatapartfrom
thehumans.

45

Sheaim
AnewcivilizationintheAgeofRebirth,theSheaimattractthoseexiledor
runningfromothercivilizations.Theyarepromisedpowerintradeforservice,but
fewachieveit.OnlythehighestranksareawarethattherealgoaloftheSheaimisthe
destructionoftheworld.

AncientHistory
ThereisnohistoryoftheSheaimasapeoplebeforetheAgeofRebirth.Asthe
AgeofIceended,theywereapeoplefromallcivilizationsgatheredtowardonepurpose:
endingcreationthroughthefellmagicofArmageddonspells.Mostpursuethisfocusto
increasetheirarcaneknowledge,somebelievetheywillreceiveaneternalrewardfor
destroyingcreation,whileafewjustwanttheworldtoend.

RecentHistory
Tebrynisapowerfulsorcerer,allegedlyreturnedfromHellbyCeridwenherself.
OsGabellaisanancientwoman,supposedlyimpossibletokillorevenharm.Sherulesthe
Sheaim,andcooperateswithTebryntounearthmorepowerfulanddestructivemagic.

Culture
TheSheaimcitiesarefewandsecret,focusedontheirdarkresearch.Thereisa
rigidhierarchy,withOsGabellabeingtheunquestionedruler,andthoseactinginher
nameharasswhomevertheylikesavethosefollowingtheSheaimsresearch.Demons
andcreaturesfrombeyondtheworldsedgearesaidtopatroltheirborders,andfewarmies
arebraveenoughtotesttheserumors.TheaverageSheaimisselfabsorbedandbitter,
feelinglittlejoyinlife.

Language
TheSheaimspeaktheirownlanguagecalledShedim,withthosehavingarcane
knowledgespeakingOldPatrianfluently.
TheSheaimlanguageis,infact,engineeredby
theSheaimleadersinsuchawaythatthesumofallpeoplespeakingSheaimacrossthe
globeisaritual,thechantingforaspellwhosepurposeisunknowntoallbutaveryfewin
theclosestcirclearoundOsGabella.Asaresultofthiscarefulbalance,theSheaim
languageneedstobeconstantlytweakedandchangedinsubtleways,totakeintoaccount
theconstantheadachescausedbyotherlanguagesaffectingSheaim,anincreasein
speakers,andnotleastSheaimwordsbeingadoptedbyotherlanguages.Evenasurfeitof
46

incorrectpronounciationscancauseproblems,socorrectlanguageisratherstrictly
enforced,bothphysically,magicallyandpsychologically.

Religion
Ceridwenisreveredastheirpatron,anditissaidshecommuneswithOsGabella
directly.Agaresisalsoworshipedwidely,andtheAshenVeilreligionoriginatedinthese
lands.Oghmaisoccasionallyinvoked.

Classes
Themostcommonclassesarearcaneanddivine,withsomeRoguesleadingthe
Queensinternalarmy.Theyhavethegreatestnumberofwarlocksaswell.

Region
TheSheaimlandsareacrossthePristinusmountainsfromtheKuriotatestotheir
west,andsouthoftheSeaofSorrows.TheElohimlivetotheireastpastsomelargely
uninhabitedplains.

PlayerCharacters
:
Again,servantsoftheSheaimareapoormatchforplayercharacters,butexiled
onesworkverywell.Notonlyhumanandelvenmageswhoflee,uponrealizingjustwhat
theSheaimintend,buttheTieflingsarederivedfromtheinfluencetheAshenVeilhad
upontheunbornwhenitwasfoundedinSheaimlands.Somesuccumbtothepressureto
advancethecauseofdestruction,butmostfleetosafer,ifsuspicious,lands.

47

Sidar
TheGreyarerarelyseenoutsidetheirborders.Partlybecausetheyseelittle
reasontoleavetheirempireandpartlybecausewhentheydotheytravelinvisibly.
ThetruestrengthoftheSidaristhattheiragedspecialistsaremoretalentedthan
othercivilizations.

AncientHistory
LateintheAgeofIce,theSidarrulerSandalphonacquiredameanstoimmortality.
Thisritualofspiritmagic,
takenfromanElventribeescapedfromArawnsvault,
delays
deathbyconsumingthecastersownsoul,graduallyovertime.Thereisnoimmediate
effect,butovertimetheylosetheirconnectiontotheworld,andlikewisebecomeharderto
perceiveformortals.

RecentHistory
TheSidarhavelittlecontactwiththeoutsideworld,butkeepveryclosetabsonit
viaspiessenttonationsnearandfar.Sandalphonstillrulesthem,andhischiefconcernis
tokeepknowledgeoftheSidarfromoutsiders.

Culture
TheSidararedetachedfromtheworld,andincreasinglydetachedfromtimeitself.
Theyhavescholarsandcrafterswhodedicatedecadestoasinglework.Spiesandassassins
arelargelyreliedupontokeeptheirnation,andtheirsecrets,safe.

Language
TheSidarspeakOldPatrian,andhaveenoughcontactwiththeoutsideworldand
theKhazadtospeakCommonPatrianandDwarven,respectively.TheSidarareextremely
goodatpickinguptinychangesinpronounciation,inflection,intonation,bodylanguage
andahostofotherelementsofcommunication.ManyoftheSidarbeginasartistsand
sagesandareslowlychangedfromtheintellectuallanguageoftheircrafttomoreconsise
andlessemotionalspeakingpatterns.Thus,theirspokenlanguagehasnoneedofbeing
verycomplicated,beautiful,orexpressive.Afewwordswillgenerallysuffice.Atafew
hundredyearsofagemostoftheSidarhavereducedtheirspeechtoafewwords,which
aren'tsharedeasily.BeyondthatthemeaningoftheSidarisusuallyinscrutabletothose
fromotherempires,buttheycarrygreatwisdomandimportanceiftheyareunderstood.
ThosefewwordsthatareusedtoaverylargeextentthesameasthoseoftheAgeof
48

Magic'sPatrianhowever,theydonothesitatetopickupotherwordsthatsuittheirstyle
ofcommunicationparticularlywell.Asarule,thesewordsspreadlikewildfire,almost
instantaneouslyadoptedbyallSidar.

Religion
Arawnisreveredandworshipped,thoughhegrantsthemnomoreboonsthan
anyoneelse.ReligionisonthewholeverymutedamongsttheSidar,althoughoccasionally
anancientShadewilldevotethemselvestoadeityinafitofpenitence.

Classes
Divineclassesarealmostunheardof.Therearemanyexcellentroguesandwizards,
withtheoccasionalwarlockorotherarcaneclass,thoughdedicationtothemasteryand
perfectionofanyskillisnotdiscouraged.

Region
TheSidarliveinsecluded,mistfilledvalleysbetweenswamps,eastoftheElohim
andwestoftheKhazad.

PlayerCharacters
:
TheSidararehuman.Leavingtheirhomeisabigstep,andinvolvesalengthyritual
wheretheysweartokeeptheirpeoplessecretsfromalloutsiders.Itisunheardoffora
SidarwhohasperformedtheWaningritualtoleavetheirhome,howeveradventurerswho
havesurvivedlongenoughtoretireoftenreturnhometobecomeShades.

49

Svartalfar
Oncethewintercourtdancedbeneaththestarsbuttheyabandonedtheirfaith
afterthedeathofSucellusandchoosetorevereEsus,thegodofdeception,instead.
Nowtheirmidnightprankshaveturneddeadlyandtheillusionsandgamesofformer
agesareusedinwar.

AncientHistory
DuringtheAgeofMagic,theelveswereruledbytwoseparatecourts.TheSeelie
court(thefairerandmorespiritual)ruledduringthespringandsummer,andtheUnseelie
court(themorearcaneandmalevolent)ruledduringtheautumnandwinter.When
Sucellusdied,theelvenprayerswentunanswered.BecausetheUnseeliecourtwasin
powerwhenithappened,theydecreedthattheelvendeitywasgoneandthatEsuswould
beadoptedinhisplace.Normally,theSeeliecourtwouldwaitforspringandthenreverse
theruling,butspringnevercameastheAgeofIcebegan.TheUnseeliecourtsawthisasa
symboloftheirdominanceandbegantopunishelvesthatrefusedtostopworshipping
Sucellus.Thiscausedabloodycivilwarwithintheelvennationduringatimewhentheir
numberswerealreadyhardhit.TheAgeofIceeventuallystoppedthewarasbandswere
separatedbyexpansestheycouldn'tcross.NowthattheAgeofIceisover,theyarefreeto
reachoutandbegintheirwaranew.

RecentHistory
TheSvartalfarhaverenewedthewarwiththeLjosalfar,buthavingfailedto
achievetheupperhandtheyarereachingouttoallies,suchastheCalabimandtheSheaim.
ItisararemoveforthehaughtyFaerylViconia,butshewilldoanythingtoseeherhated
sisterbested.

Culture
TherearemanyElvencitiesandvillagesinthegreatforesttothenorthofTempus
MorknownastheUmbrawood.MostofthoseintheeastarealignedwiththeWinter
Queen,othersoccupiedwithhertroopskeepingtheirkininline.TheSvartalfartendtobe
cruelandhaughtytheymightsaythattheintransigenceoftheirfoeshaveforcedthisrole
ontothem.Inunguardedmomentstheyshowabitoftheiroldwhimsicalside.Elvesare
longlived,andtheSvartalfarremembergrudgesforlongperiodsoftime,especiallyopen
humiliation.Theyplotandschemeevenagainsteachother,ultimatelyseekingtoshame
theiropponentsanddrivethemfrompower.

50

Language
Elvenistheirmainlanguage.BoththeSvartalfarandtheLjosalfarspeaktheexact
samelanguage.Therearenodifferencesatall.Elveniswhatyoumightcalla"strong"
language.Iteffectsotherlanguagesquicklyandheavily,butElves,beingratherchauvinist,
aloofandelitistbynature,never,everfeeltheurgetoadopthumanlinguistictraitsor
wording.Theyfeeltheirlanguageisperfect,andasaresult,itdoesn'tchangejustbecause
itisusedbyoneortheotherfaction.Naturally,itdidn'thaveanymoretroublesurviving
theAgeofIcethantheElvesdid(meaningalotoftrouble,really,butnotasalanguage).
TheyalsouseavarietyofsecretcodescommontotheCouncilofEsus.

Religion
TheCouncilofEsusisintheirlands,andmanysuspectthatEsusspeakstothem,
someevensaythattheycanenterhisVaultandreturn.AfewworshipCernnunos,the
elvenancestralgod,thoughSvartalfarofinfluencedisdainandsuspecthispriests.Talihas
followersamongfartravelingSvartalfarrangers,andtheirwizardsrevereCeridwenand
Oghma.

Classes
MostElvesshyawayfromdefenderroles,thoughsometendtowardsRangersand
RoguesareverycommonamongtheSvartalfar,asareIllusionists.Arcaneclassesofany
typecanbefound.Beinginthemidstofalongwar,anyclassesthatofferanadvantage
willbeutilized.

Region
TheUmbrawoodstretchesacrossmuchofthenorthoftheGreatLand,withtheIcy
SeatoitsnorthandTempusMormountainrangetothesouth.Ontheeasterncoastarethe
Calabim,withtheMalakimjustsouthwestofthem,acrossasavannafromtheSvartalfar.

PlayerCharacters
:
SvartalfarElvestiredoffightingtheirkinwouldbegoodPCs.ConnivingZealots
dedicatedtoeliminatingtheLjosalfarwouldnot,butascoutservingherhomewhogrows
disillusionedwiththewarcouldbeaninterestinghook.Halfelvesornonelvesare
generallyshunnedinSvartalfarlands.WhiletherearenosubraceswithintheSvartalfar,as
theyalreadyareasubrace,PlayerCharacterscanchooseany5esubracetorepresentthem.

51

V.Races

Inadditiontonationoforigin,racecanaffectacharactersoutlookandabilities.
Thefollowingaredescriptionsofthecharacteristicsandhistoryofeachavailablerace,in
orderofpopulation.Noteveryraceiswidelyfoundineveryregion,andgroupscouldlimit
theracesaccordingtotaste.Infact,thesettingcouldbelimitedtothefirstfourraceslisted
ifsodesiredbygroupsseekingamorehomogenousworldwithoutinvalidatingtheworlds
history,butmostwillprobablyappreciatethediversitythatagamebeginningintheAgeof
Rebirthwithallthesemyriadcreaturesplayableoffers.

Humans:
OnemightexpectthelonglivedElvesortheDwaveswiththeirancient
traditionstobethefirstrace,buttheadaptableandcommonhumanslayclaimtothattitle,
thoughthecommonmanisunawareofthisdistinction.
Humanswerecreatedbythegodsinconcert,andcontainblessingsfromevery
divinesphere.Itissaidthatthegodsoriginalplanwastogivehumansimmortalbodiesto
matchtheirimmortalsouls,buttheythoughtbetterofitatthelastmoment.Whateverthe
reason,mortalityisabigfactorinhumanlivesonErebusnooneisuntouchedbythe
specterofdeath,whetherfromdisease,war,accident,ortheentropyofage.Thisinspires
muchofhumanachievement,fromworksofscienceandarttobuildingfamiliesand
nations.Atthesametime,fearofdeathwilloftenallowonestrongmantotakepower
fromotherwisefreemen,andlonghavemenhadtheirkingstoruleoverthem.
AfterbeinglargelyunitedinthegreatnationofPatriabythesorcererKylorininthe
AgeofMagic,humanshavespreadaroundtheglobeformingmanysmallerkingdomsand
citystates.IntheAgeofRebirththeytendedtodominateanyregionthattheysettledinas
theicethawed.Individualhumansvarygreatly,fromthetalentedtothepitifulinany
measure,butasaracetheyexcelinallrolesinsocietyandonthebattlefield.Butafter
livingthroughthetumultuoustimesofthecollapseofPatria,fewtribeshaveawishtobe
unitedunderonebanneragain,althoughsomemaytryprovidedtheygettobethetribeon
top.HumansatthispointintheAgeofRebirthhaveverylittleracialloyalty,andalthough
likemosttheyfavortheirfamiliesandkinabovestrangers,mostofthetimeitmatterslittle
whetherthatstrangerisahumanfromanothertribeoranotherraceentirely.

Elves:
Sucellusstayedoutofthegodswar,untilgoadedintoitbyAgaresshortlybefore
theCompactwasproposed.Helimitedhisinfluencetoprotectingagroupofhumansthat
dwelledwherehissphereofnaturemostflourished,thegreatforest.Overtime,asthey
grewinfellowshipwiththeirpatron,changingsubtly,theybecamemoreslender,quick,
andfulloflife.Ultimately,theybecamelongerlivedandquicktodelightinnaturethey
becametheelves.
Elvesaretallandslender,byandlarge,andliveabouttwohundredyears.Theylike
tomaketheirhomesinforestsandthetwoelvenempiressharebordersinthelargestforest
onErebus.Elvestendtotakealongerviewthanhumans,butthecivilwarhaschanged
theirlesshurriedperspective.Theyseethetollthewaristakingontheirpeople,andboth
sideswishittobeoverdefeatandsurrenderareworsethanthestalemate,sotheyare
seekingotheroptions.Notallelvesareconsumedbythecivilwar,thoughallpayattention
toit.Somehavefledthebloodshedtohumanlands,othersliveinunalignedtribes.
52

LjosalfarandSvartalfarhavesomesuperficialbiologicaldifferencesSvartalfar
tendtobepaler,whileLjosalfarmorefair.Butbothwarestillthesameraceandcan,and
do,interbreedeasily.Foreithergroup,highelvesarerecommendedforthosethatdwellin
thecityorwitharcaneleanings,andwoodelvesforthosewholiveinmoreruralsettings.
ThedarkelfsubraceisalsoanoptionforSvartalfar,thoughskintoneswouldbepale
insteadofebony.

Orcs: ManyhumansacrosstheworldworshippedBhallduringthecloseoftheAgeof
Magic.Perhapsprideinthisledtoherfallwhateverthecase,manyofherfollowerswere
twistedbytheirtiestoherasshefell,beingwarpedofbodyandmind.Orcssincethen
haveshorterlifespans,dyingnaturallyafterabout50years.Theyalsohaveamuchmore
aggressiveanddifficultnature,leadingtomanydeathsfaryounger.Theyenjoyconquest,
andseeothernationsastheirbirthright,clashingagainstthenewlyformingempiresinthe
AgeofRebirthinorganizedranksamongtheClan,aswellasbarelycontrolledwavesin
warbandsandindependenttribes.
Orcsarestrongandhavepronouncedfangs,andoccasionallyboneswillprotrude
fromtheirskinasaresultoftoorapidgrowth.Theyhavelesshairthanmosthumansand
varyincolorationfromgraytogreen.

Dwarves:
Asculptor,saytheRunesofKilmorph,wasimprisonedforaworkofarthedid
foravainhumankingshortlyaftertheCompact.Thesculptor,KeldonKi,socapturedthe
kingsvanityandselfimportancethatitbroughthimridiculefromallwhosawit.As
Keldonlanguishedinprison,hecreatedfiguresfromthestonetokeephimcompany.As
helaydying,Kilmorphappearedinthestoneandofferedtogranthimonewish.Heasked
tohavehiscreationsspeaktohimbeforehedied,andKilmorph,impressedathis
forgivenessandhumility,grantedit.Arawnallowedsoulstoenterthestatues,andthey
becametheforbearoftheDwarves.
Dwarvesarelonglived,buteachgenerationisalittleshorterlivedthanthe
predecessor.ThereareDwarveswhohaveclaimedtohaveseenthefirstgeneration,given
breaththousandsofyearsago,inperson.However,Dwarvesborntodaytendnottolive
beyondanelvespan,or200years.Theyarestoutandsturdy,shorterandabitwiderthan
humans.Mostofitismuscle,buttheLuchuirpartisansandenchanterstendtowardsthe
plumpsideastheyspendmoretimewithfinechiselorscholarlybooksthanpickoraxeor
plow.Dwarveshavelivedundergroundforalongtime,andwhilethatwilllikelyalways
beaplaceofrefugeforKhazadandLuchirpalike,theynowseekaplaceonthesurface
amongstthehumansandelves.
ForKhazad,eitherdwarvensubraceworkswell.ForLuchuirp,RockGnomesare
suggested.

HalfElves:
AsElvesreignitedtheircivilwarintheAgeofRebirth,theyalsocausedlarge
intermixingwithhumans.Thiswasavarietyofsituations,fromElvesfleeingthe
destructionoftheirhomevillage,tohumanmercenariesfightingalongsideelvenpriests
andwizards,todiplomatstravelingabroadinsearchofallies.Elvesarenotsoremoved
fromhumansthattheycannotinterbreed,andnotsofarremovedastoavoidfindingthem
53

attractivemates,especiallyinstressfulsituations.Thesearentalwayslifelongmarriages,
althoughtherehavebeensome.
HalfElvesareoftentheproductofthesepairings.Wheretheylivedependsonthe
circumstancesoftheirbirthchildrenofmercenariesfightingtheelvenwarwilllivein
elvenlandschildrenofelvenrefugeeswillliveinhumanlands.Ineithercase,theHalfElf
willhaveaslightlydistinctviewpoint,andthegrowingpresenceofthisraceissubtly
changingthesocietaloutlookofseveralnationsobviouslytheLjosalfarandSvartalfar,but
alsotheneighboringnationsortheBannor,Kuriotates,Grigori,Elohim,andMalakim.
HalfElvescanbefoundamongtheSheaim,Calabim,andLanunaswell,thoughthese
societiesarelessopentochangeforvariousreasons.

Dragonborn:
DragonbornareadistinctformofLizardmen,asuperiorspecimeninalmost
everyway.TheLizardmenstruggletoexplaintheserarebirths.Sometalestellofdragons
matingwithhumans,leavingthedetailsuptotheimaginationothersplaceDragonbornas
elitelizardmanwarriorswhoservedintheGodswar.Thetruthisa
bitmoretragic.
WhenthemagesofancientPatriaexperimentedonvariousracesintheirquestfor
evermorepowerandknowledge,thelizardmenwereoneofthemanyproductsoftheir
experimentation.Themageswereunhappywithlizardmen,findingthemtobeinferior
specimensthanthesuperhumanwarriorracetheyoriginallyintendedthemtobe.After
furtherrefinementofthelizardmenstock,theancientmagessucceeded.Thedragonborn
werecreated,superiorspecimensbredforbattle,embodyingsomeofthebesttraitsofthe
weaponsofthegods.However,therewasoneflawthemagescouldnotpurge.
Dragonbornwerenottruebreeding.Notaonecouldreproduce,significantlyreducingthe
sizeofthearmythosepatrianmagessoughttobuild.Eventuallytheprojectwas
abandoned,andrarelyeveryfewgenerationsadragonbornisspawned.Withsuperior
strengthandintelligence,theyoftenenduprulingtheirtribes,whilesomeenduprejecting
theirheritageandemigratingtomorecivilizednations.
Dragonborntodayareslightlytallerthanhumansonaverage,andtheirmost
distinguishingfeaturesaretheirscaly,lizardlikeheadsandtails.Somedragonbornfind
theirbestialcommunitiestobeabhorrentandhaveformedcommunitiesintoleranthuman
nations,whileothersembracetheirbestialside,embracingtheirlizardmenheritageand
ravagehumansettlementsontheoutskirtsofjunglesalongsideOrcsandgoblins.Generally
thesetwotypesofDragonbornarequickenemies.

HalfOrcs:
OftenduringOrcraidsonhumanvillages,HalfOrcsarebornofrape,andnot
allareraisedintheClanoramongbarbarianwartribes.Somefewhavebeencapturedby
humanattackandletlive,raisedbyadoptiveparents.Theyseemtohavequalitiesbetween
humanandorc,lackingthepainfulbonyprotrusionsandwithdiminishedfangsmaking
humanspeecheasier.
HalfOrcsarelongerlivedthanorcs,aslongassixtyyearsonaverage,and
HalfOrcstendtohaveaneasiertimecontrollingtheirtemperamentandadjustingto
societythanorcsdo,butthatdoesntmeanthattheyareacceptedintoeveryhumannation.
OftentheyarejustasfearedasOrcs,forexampleintheBannornation,althoughthemost
famoushalforcistheClanQueenSheelbawhoisrumoredtohavebeenraisedamongthe
Bannorasachild.
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Orcs,halforcs,andhumanscanallinterbreedequally,buttheoffspringseemto
beuniversallyhalforcs.

Tieflings:
Intheyear28oftheAgeofRebirth,theAshenVeilwasfoundedinSheaim
lands,asAgaresangelswhisperedsecretstoSheaimritualists.Foroneyearthereafter,
everybabyborntowomenhaddemonicfeaturestinylittlehorns,pinkshadedskin,short
tails,andfangs.ThedarkwizardsoftheSheaimrejoicedatthissignoftheirbargain,and
raisethesechildrentobepowerfulritualistsorwarlocks,orasvesselsfordemon
possession.
However,theseTieflings,astheyareknown,havelargelyhumantemperament.
Theyarenotevilbynature,atleastnomorethanman,andoftenresentthedarkbehavior
expectedofthem.Manyhavefled,seekingrefugeamongtheGrigori,Kuriotates,Elohim,
orMalakimlands,oraboardaLanunship.

Wildmen:
ThebestialDoviellowildmencanberepresentedbyHalfOrcsorGoliaths
mechanicallyasthroughbreeding,closeattunementwithCamulos,andconstantinfighting
theyhavebecomebigger,stronger,andheartierthannormalhumans.Itisntthatweaker
individualsareneverseenamongtheDoviello,theyjustrarelysurvivetomaturity.Brutal
combatisseenasanormalwaytosolveconflictevenamongtheyoung,andtheseare
rarelyoneononeencounters.DovielloWildmenarequicktoallywithothersstronger,and
quicktoturnontheleaderswhentheyshowweakness,likeanyferalpack.Theywill
protecttheirownorotherschildrenfromstrongerbullies,butonceachildbeginsgrowing
intoanadult,theyareexpectedtopulltheirownweightinworkandinafight.
Charadonisthenameofthemanwhofoundedthistribeasayoungmanearlyin
theAgeofIce,emulatingawolfpackforsurvivalanddrawingtohimotherswiththe
strengthtosurviveinsuchasociety.Theyfacedtheworstofwinterandthrived,butwhile
athawingagemakesfoodandsheltereasiertofind,socialchallengesthatitallowsleaves
themfallingbehindothernations.SomeWildmenraisedamongtheDovielloatthistime
abandontheirtribesforstrongernations,thoughrelearninghumaninteractionisnoteasy.
Wildmenarebiggerandstrongerthannormalhumans,withpale,almostgraycomplexion
andgrayorwhitehairatayoungage.Theyarerarelyseenunscarredaswell.

Halfings:
TherearenohalflingsintheworldofErebus.However,forplayerswhowishto
playhalflings,theycanbeeitheramutatedhumanaffectedbychaosmagicorsome
strangearcaneexperiment,orforthosewishingtohaveahalflingcommunitytohailfrom
theKuriotateswouldbeanidealstartingnation,astheircivilizationisatruemeltingpot.

55

VIGeography

CityofAylesbury,aLanunSeaHaven

CityofCiriail,fallentotheInfernal,&Cevedes,capitaloftheAmuriteRepublic

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VII.GameSystemChanges

WhilethesettingofErebusnaturallytranslatesveryeasilytodefaultD&D
assumptions,therearesomeconflicts,suchasdivinitygrantedpowersorbackgrounds.
Suggestedchangesarepresentedinthissection.

PrimalCharacters
Oftenreverethegods,suchasSucellusorCernunnosorevenArawn,butdonot
worshipordrawpowerfromthem.Itismoreofrespectandappreciationforgivingand
guidingthatwhichtheydodrawpowerfrom,theearthandthelivingrealmitself.
Ancientpaganreligionsbelievedthateverycreatureisgivenaspirit,althoughthe
spiritsofplantsandlesseranimalsareusuallyquiteweakwilled,andonlythespiritsof
peoplearetakentotheafterlife.Naturespiritsareusuallyreincarnated,veryrarelyas
people.Thisideaisseenassacrilegiousbysomepriests,butisvalidatedbythepowers
thatthepractitionersofthedescendantsofthesepaganbeliefswield.Druidsand
Barbarianstakepowerfromthesenaturespiritsthatarelostinthecycleofrebirth.
Primalcharactersareusuallyveryclosetothenaturalworld,butthatdoesntmean
thattheyshunallthetrappingsofcivilization,either,andtheycanfitinjustfineintowns
orevenattheoutskirtsofcities,althoughthereareasmanyschoolsofthoughtamong
primalpowerusersasthereareamongdevotedfollowersofthegods,ifnotmore,since
naturespiritsarenotusuallyconcernedwithdoctrinalorthodoxy.
Primalcharacterstendtogetalongwellwithmartialcharacters,butareabitputoff
bythestudiousaspectofarcaneusers.Thespiritsthattheycommunewithhavenot
forgottenthemanyyearsofharmthegodswarcausedthem,andsoprimalcharactersmay
beuncomfortablearoundfollowersofgoodorevilgods,eventhoughtheymaybeworking
togethertowardsthesamegoals.Itisexceedinglyraretofindprimalspiritswillingtoaid
MulcarnsorAgaresfollowers.

ArcaneCharacters
Magicisrelatedtothepowersofcreationthatthegodsthemselveswield,butit
shortcircuitsthemasaconduitandtwiststhespheretothecastersownpurpose.People
cannotaccesstheinfinitesourceofthesepowersthatthegodsmusthaveusedtocreatethis
andotherworlds,butalterationofwhatalreadyexistsisavailableandwillusuallyhavethe
sameeffectinpractice.
ThefirstuseofmagicwasbyKylorin,whowasgiftedsorcerybyCerdiwen,and
later,afterreforming,hewastaughthowtoperfectitbyNantosuelta.Hetrainedothers,
takingseveralapprentices,andsoonthesecretwaswidespread,althoughmuchwaslost
sincetheAgeofMagic,andnonenowareaspowerfulasKylorinorhisstudentsaresaid
tohavebeen.
AlthoughMulcarnisdeadandhispriestsnowhavenomiraclestoperform,thereis
enoughambientarcaneenergyoftheicespheretopowersomepopularwizardspells,but
manysagesworrythatthismaychangeastheuseofitgrowsmorewidespread.
WarlocksaredifferentfromWizardsandSorcerersinthattheydonotgaintheir
powersfromstudyoraccidentofbirthbutratherabargainwithapowerfulentity.
However,unlikepriests,oncetheyhavethesepowerstheycannotberevoked,andsome
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warlockswhoareintelligentenoughlaterturnontheirpatrons,findingloopholesintheir
pacts.Thespecificbenefactorsthatgrantwarlockpactsarenothardtofindintheworld
description,andcanfitwellasmembersofsomeofthebetterknownreligions.Pactswith
GreatOldOnescancomefromeitherCeridwensservantsfromfaroffworlds,through
pathshiddentoallbutthegoddessofspaceandconnections,orelsefromthenightmarish
creaturesthatnowactinDanalinsnameandspeakthroughdreamsandprophecy:the
LordsoftheDeepineithercasethereasoningforthesegiftsareusuallyimpenetrable,and
theycouldbebestoweduponunalignedorevengoodindividuals,thoughtheyoftenendup
drivingsuchmad.PactsfromFiendsaregivenbydemonslordsofAgaresorBhall,the
masterandmistressofthedeepesthellthesepowerstendtotempttherecipienttohunger
forevermorepower,anddrawnmanyoftheAshenVeilRitualistsintothefold.Afew
haveacrisisofconscienceandrebel,usingtheirinfernalpowersagainsthell.Feypactsare
sometimesgivenbyCernunnosangels,andothersbyprimalspiritsregardlessthe
recipientisdrawntowardspreservingthenaturalcycleandfightingcorruption.Such
charactersoftenembracetheFellowshipofLeaves.
Arcanecharactersarecuriousaboutpowerandthenatureoftheuniverse,butthey
arentuniformlyscholarlytypes.Primitivesocietieshavelessarcanecharactersofall
types,however,andwizardsareusuallyhonoredfortheircontributiontotheirculture.

DivineCharacters
PaladinsandClericsbothrelyontheirchosengodforbothguidanceandpower.
Thegodshavetheirownagendaswhichtheyexpecttheirfollowerstofurther,butthegods
arenotomniscientanddonotmicromanageeverydetailofapriestsadventures,andmany
prayersareattendedtobylesserangels.ThegodsareboundtotheCompact,mostlyby
fearofwhatwillhappenshouldtheyrestartthegodswar,butalsobyfearofthegodslayer
andsharingMulcarnsfate.Forthisreasontheydonotsetfootpersonallyintocreationand
theirArchangelsareseennearlyasrarely,thoughtheirseemstobeagreementthatservants
oflesserpowermayaccessErebusasmessengersorevencombatants.Still,mortalsarethe
toolsinthegodsplans,andwhiledirectworshipdoesnotpoweragod,havingmany
followersgivesthemmoreinfluenceoverthecourseofcivilizations.
Thegodsarenotdividedintogood,evil,andneutralteams.Theyhavetheirown
agendas,buttheydotendtoactwiththoseoflikealignmentordisposition,andinspecial
circumstancesadivinecharactermaybegrantedextrapowerbyanallyoftheirpatron,or
honoredbypriestsoflikegoalsandbeliefs.

MartialCharacters
Martialcharactersareeasytointroducetotheworld.Allnationsseekarmiesto
guardtheirbordersandfurthertheirinterests,andwhiletheyprizearcane,divine,and
primalpoweredcharacters,thesesortsusuallyrequireuniquedispositions,whilenearly
everyonecanstartdownthepathofamartialwarrior.
Thisisnttosaythatmartialcharactersneedbestupidorcommonersittakes
dedicationandinsighttoadvancethroughtheranksofwarriors,andskillsherearevalued
bytheirtownsandnations.Martialcharacterstendtobepragmaticandselfreliant,butcan
befoundservinganyornocause.JustbecauseafighterisnotblessedbyJunil,doesnt
meanthathecantholdhiscausedearandchampionitjustbecausearangerisntpowered
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byprimalspiritsdoesntmeanhewontreverethenaturalworldandtakepainatits
wantondestruction.

PlayerDeath
Thiscampaignisnotfortheunthinkingplayer.Kickingineverydoorandblindly
walkingthroughdangerousplacesisasurepathtoadeadcharacter.Thatsaid,intelligent
playwillberewarded.Inthoserarecaseswhenacharacterdoesendupdying,andsome
kindofresurrectionisunavailableorunaffordable,theplayermaycontinueinthe
campaignwithanewcharacter.PCdeathisnotriskfree.Whenaplayerscharacterdies,
andheoptstomakeanewcharacter,thenextcharactermadewillenterplayonelevel
lowerthanhispreviouscharacter,andthatcharactercannotbeofthesamerace/class
combinationasthepreviousone.Asidefromthosecaveats,playersarefreetouseany
charactercreationoptionswithintheD&Dadventurersleagueguidelinesandexpanded
optionspresentedinthisguide.

MoreOptions
Seethe
ErebusPlayersOption:MagicoftheGods
fornewdomains,feats,andthe
Affinitysystemwheretheamountandtypeofspellsknowncanaffectacasterssoulfor
newpersonalitytraits,drawbacksandbenefits!Justsubscribetothemailinglistat
Offthe
Rails
.

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