5E Fateforge - Corebook - Adventurers (2019)
5E Fateforge - Corebook - Adventurers (2019)
Credits
Fateforge is a role-playing game designed by Studio Agate and based on the original ideas of Joëlle ‘Iris’ Deschamp and
Nelyhann
The Adventurers core rulebook for the Fateforge role-playing game is published by Studio Agate under the Open Game License version 1.0a Copyright
2000 Wizards of the Coast. A copy of the Open Game License is provided on the last page of this book.
Product Identity: The following items are hereby identified as Product Identity, as defined in the Open Game License version 1.0a, Section 1(e), and are
not Open Content: All trademarks, registered trademarks, proper names (characters, deities, etc.), the modular system and its icons, all new subspecies,
archetypes and feats, the scholar class, and all new rules (background creation, handicaps, incite, choosing your victory, Wounds, etc.), dialogue, plots,
storylines, locations, characters, artwork, and trade dress.
Open Content: Except for material designated as Product Identity (see above), the game mechanics of this Studio Agate product are Open Game Content,
as defined in the Open Gaming License version 1.0a Section 1(d). No portion of this work other than the material designated as Open Game Content may
be reproduced in any form without written permission of Studio Agate.
Copyright: The illustrations, texts and logo are registered trademarks of Studio Agate. – ISBN: 978-2-919256-46-4 – First printing, 2019. All contents are
protected by the World Intellectual Property Organization and the laws on Intellectual Property. Any reproduction or unauthorized use of the material or
artwork presented herein is prohibited without the express written consent of Studio Agate.
Table of Contents
Credits 4 Eolian Isles 36
Free City 36
Table of Contents 5 Kaan39
Lothrienne39
Foreword 9
Mibu39
An Introduction to Role-Playing Games 9 Netherworld40
An Example of a Scene 10
Rachamangekr40
The Modular System 11 Sand Kingdoms 40
Step by Step 14
Species 42
Choosing a Species 42
Ted14
Species Traits 42
1. Choose Their Civilization 15
Hybrids43
2. Choose Their Species 15
The Origin of Eana’s Core Peoples 43
3. Choose Their Background 16
4. Choose Their Class 17 Dragonborn 44
5. Determine Whether They Have Dragonborn Traits 46
Awakened to Magic 18 Dvaergen, the Dwarves 47
6. Determine Their Ability Scores 19 Dwarf Traits 49
7. Choose Their Equipment 22 Elves 51
8. Take Note of Their Skills and Elf Traits 54
Technical Details 22 Gnomes 56
9. Describe Them and Gnome Traits 58
Choose Their Alignment 22 Halflings 60
Halfling Traits 62
The Fateforge 24 Humans 63
Human Traits 65
The World of Eana 28
Cosmology of Eana 29
Melessë, the Half-Elves 66
Melessë Traits 68
Eana’s Moons 29
Journey to the Heart of Eana 29 Merosi, the Half-Orcs 69
The Dawn War 31 Merosi Traits 71
The Age of the Fated Kings 31 Tieflings 72
The Horde and Tamerakh’s Apotheosis 31 Tiefling Traits 75
Civilizations of Eana 32 Character’s History 76
Acoatl33
Background 76
Ajagar34
Background Creation Steps 76
Arolavia34
Step 1: Identity 77
Barbary Islands 34
Step 2: Skill Proficiencies 79
Cyrillane35
Step 3: Additional Proficiencies 84
Drakenbergen35
Step 4: Equipment 88
Ellerìna35
Step 5: Feature 90 Class Features 212
Step 6: Characteristics 92 Pursuits218
Handicap96 Sorcerer 222
Ready-Made Backgrounds 97 Class Features 224
Acolyte97 Sorcerous Origins 229
Animist99 Warlock 232
Bohemian100 Class Features 234
Condottiere101 Eldritch Invocations 237
Explorer of Wild Lands 103 Otherworldly Patrons 240
Notable105 Wizard 244
Recluse107 Class Features 246
Savant108 Arcane Traditions 250
Scoundrel110
Survivor112 Languages 254
Personality 114 Common, a Vehicular Language 254
Alignment114 Standard Languages 254
Inspiration115 Scripts in Use 255
Exotic Languages 257
Classes 116 How the Exotic Languages Sound 257
A Heroic Fate 116 Secret Languages 259
Choosing One’s Class 116 Reading and Writing 259
Barbarian 118
Class Features 120 Customization Options 260
Primal Paths 124 Multiclassing 260
Bard 126 Prerequisites261
Class Features 128 Experience Points 261
Bard Colleges 132 Hit Points and Hit Dice 261
Proficiency Bonus 262
Cleric 134
Proficiencies 262
Class Features 140
Class Features 262
Divine Domains 144
Druid 152
Feats 264
Ambidextrous265
Class Features 154
Animal Companion 265
Druid Circles 159
Archivist265
Fighter 162
Barfly 266
Class Features 164
Breather266
Martial Archetypes 167
Devastating Criticals 266
Monk 172
Elemental Inurement 266
Class Features 174
Fast as Lightning 267
Monastic Traditions 178
Fate Nudge 267
Paladin 180
Ghastly Vigor 267
Class Features 182
Gladiator267
Sacred Oaths 188
Hardy267
Ranger 192 Harpooner267
Class Features 194 Herbalist267
Ranger Archetypes 199 Heroic268
Rogue 202 Invigorating Abjuration 268
Class Features 204 Irrepressible268
Roguish Archetypes 206 Knife Thrower 269
Scholar 210 Magical Reminiscence 269
Magic Catalyst 269 Equipment 294
Magic Collector 269 Starting Equipment 294
Marksman269 Equipment Packs 295
Master Poisoner 269 Objects 296
Mixed Success 270 Statistics for Objects 296
Nimble Fingers 270 Quality, Availability, and Price 297
Ogre Grip 270 Armory 298
Opportunist270 Rare Materials and Forging Techniques 298
Paragon270 Damaged Weapons and Armor 299
Pincer Attack 270
Weapons 300
Protective Transmutation 270
Weapon Proficiency 300
Rampage271
Weapon Properties 302
Rescuer271
Special Weapons 303
Scorching Sun Warrior 271
Weapons Tables 303
Shield Bearer 271
Armor 306
Slippery271
Getting Into and Out of Armor 306
Smooth Grappler 271
Armor Table 308
Staggering Strikes 272
Tools 312
Steadfast272
Swift272
Provisions 316
General Store 316
Talent272
Tailor’s Shop 321
Unrelenting Caster 272
Apothecary322
Valiant273
Bookseller and Papermaker 324
Weapon Breaker 273
Temple and Druidic Circle 325
Part Two: Traveling
Inn326
326
There are three main categories for such rolls: In any of these cases, the participant who controls the
player character (PC), or the leader if the character
Attack rolls, which are used in combat, to in question is a nonplayer character (NPC), does the
establish whether the attacker hits their target. following:
Saving throws, which are generally used to
resist or avoid a threat or danger. Rolls a d20.
Ability checks, which are used when a character Adds the modifier of the relevant ability.
calls upon their skills to overcome a challenge. Adds the character’s proficiency bonus, if applicable
Note that although it might seem like attack rolls (in specific cases, it may be halved or doubled).
are a type of ability check, the two belong to Adds other possible modifiers (bonuses or
explicitly distinct categories. penalties) related to the circumstances.
The result is then compared to a target number. In the case of an attack, it will be the opponent’s Armor Class
(AC). In the case of saving throws and most ability checks, it will be a Difficulty Class (DC) determined in
advance. If several characters are competing, the target number will be the result of the ability check of one
or several opposing characters.
If the final result is equal to or above the target number, the attempt is a success. Otherwise, it is a failure.
In certain circumstances, the character may have advantage or disadvantage, in which case the player rolls
the d20 twice and only keeps one of the rolls—the highest in the case of advantage, the lowest in the case
of disadvantage
9
An Example of a Scene
T he players: Étienne plays Yardan, a human monk; Cindy plays Jasna, a human cleric
and the sister of Ludmilla, a human fighter played by William, aka Will; Édouard,
aka Ed, plays Terdéric, a no-holds-barred barbarian gnome; Joëlle, aka Iris, is the game’s
leader. The action takes place in a border region between Arolavia and Lothrienne.
- Leader: You venture into the fault, walking into a narrow corridor. You know that it is
a dangerous venture, but better to face the dangers of the Netherworld head-on than to
die in this mine. Under the light of your oil lamps, you see an opening. The flames flicker
under a faint gust. Who goes first?
- Étienne: I lead the way, such as it is. What do I see?
- Leader: You reach a promontory that’s about six feet wide and nine feet long. It
overlooks a steep slope whose exact elevation is difficult to determine due to the very
weak light.
- Étienne: I signal my companions to join me, but keep quiet. I’m on the lookout for any
suspicious noises.
- Leader: All is quiet. There is just the wheezing gust of air.
- Will: If there’s wind, maybe this leads outside?
- Leader: There is nothing to either confirm or deny this hypothesis.
- Cindy: We join Yardan. I look for a rock or anything to drop in the chasm to get an idea
of how deep it is.
- Leader: Make a Wisdom (Survival) check, or an Intelligence one with no associated
skill. Whichever is best.
Cindy grabs a 20-sided die and rolls.
- Cindy: 18! And with my Wisdom modifier, the total is 20!
- Leader: You would say it’s about sixty feet deep. Taking a closer look at the wall, you
notice that it is uneven enough to offer practicable handholds on the way down… at
least, as far as you can see.
- Ed: I stay behind and watch the tunnel. I don’t want us to be followed. I also take care
not to let my lamp go out!
The players see the leader make several rolls behind her gaming screen. She flashes a
mischievous smile and tells Ed:
- Leader: The rock near Terdéric just moved.
- Ed: Huh!? I get away! I leap aside… I mean, not in the hole, of course!
- Leader: First, all of you roll for initiative. Ed, you are the only one not surprised, though
that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll react faster than the “rock”!
- Will: What is it? What do we see?
- Leader: Hearing Terdéric swear and turning your heads toward him, you see that
what had looked like a stone is shifting, taking the appearance of some sort of fat snake,
roughly your size. The worst part is certainly its head: some sort of repulsive flower-like
organ with tentacles instead of petals, and in place of a corolla, a sharp, hungry-looking
beak that snaps toward you!
The players stare at each other. Their characters have never met such a creature, but
then again, they have never been in the Netherworld before! They get ready for a fight,
looking through their abilities and powers.
10
The Modular System
ateforge makes use of a modular system that lets each leader define the atmosphere they wish to
create for their stories through five categories: Action, Dark, Gritty, Intrigue, and Mystery. Each
of the symbols listed below indicates related optional rules. In addition to these symbols, others
are included throughout the book: Awakening, Dragon, and Elusive Magic. They cover a variety of
optional playstyles and variant game mechanics. Before you apply them to your character, ask your
leader if they intend to use them.
Action
Straight from heroic fantasy, this icon indicates all the rules that offer epic options and put the character’s feats
and achievements at the forefront.
Awakening
Whatever your character’s class is, in order to be able to call upon their spells and magical abilities, they must have
experienced the Awakening. So that you can spot them easily, all powers and abilities related to the Awakening are
preceded by this icon. Character creation (which is detailed in the following pages) provides more information
about the Awakening.
Dark
The optional rules indicated by this icon are all related to horror, madness, or corruption, making for a dark
fantasy atmosphere.
Gritty
Use these options if you want harsher and generally more realistic gameplay, resulting in a tough playstyle where
nothing will be made easy for the PCs—quite the opposite!
Intrigue
Optional rules bearing this icon focus on the interactions between the characters, on the schemes and plots between
the factions, and on anything that accentuates the roles of the characters and encourages their interpretation.
Mystery
This icon designates rules dealing with mysteries, supernatural elements, and anything related to secrets and arcana.
Elusive Magic
If the leader makes use of this optional rule, the players will not get to handpick their spells during the creation and
evolution of their characters. Learning new powers may require finding a mentor. More information is provided
about Elusive Magic in the introduction to the Classes chapter.
Dragon
This last icon is not actually part of the modular system. It is there to highlight particularly important information
that should not be skipped.
11
Part One
Character Creation
efore your great adventure can begin, you need
to create your character. This section sums up
all the steps during which you will define their
background, determine their abilities, and include
all the other required information to shape them
into full-fledged heroes.
Ted
T hroughout this chapter, so as to illustrate the character creation steps, we will follow Zoë, a
player who is getting started with Fateforge, as she creates her character, Ted. So far, only the
character’s name has been decided, but in the course of the following pages and asides, he will take
on both shape and life.
14
1. Choose Their Civilization
T he choice of your character’s species may influence the choice of the civilization where they
spent most of their life. For example, the vast majority of the kingdom of Ellerìna’s population
is made up of elenion elves, whereas the Free City is a melting pot of species. For an introduction to
the eighteen cultures of Eana, their particularities, and their lifestyles, see the dedicated chapter:
World of Eana.
Strictly speaking, your character’s civilization will only determine which languages they
speak. This step is mainly to be taken as a part of your character’s backstory and as a source
of potential adventures.
Ted, Denizen of
the Free City
The leader informs Zoë that the campaign
will start in the Free City. This metropolis is
a crossroads where one can depart toward
faraway horizons simply by boarding a boat. Ted
will be a Cyfand halfling citizen who has grown
up inside the world-city and, from his earliest
years, has heard tales of wondrous treasures
unearthed in exotic countries.
15
3. Choose Their Background
W hat makes your character one of a kind is also their past. Not all dwarven clerics have the same
history, and the same goes for elven wizards. Fateforge lets you tailor-make your character’s
background, but if you are in a hurry or would rather follow ready-made examples, ten predefined
backgrounds are available in the Character’s History chapter. As with species, some backgrounds
will seem to fit certain classes like a glove, such as a recluse druid or an acolyte cleric, but any
combination is possible. Each background will grant your character specific aptitudes, namely
proficiencies in skills or tools, additional languages, and a particular talent that you can make use
of in certain circumstances.
Take a moment to consider your character’s background. It may be that you have a clear notion of
what kind of career your hero will pursue (warrior, spellcaster, rover, etc.), what they will strive for,
and what they will become, but have no idea of what their past was like. In this case, feel free to skip
to the next step (Choose Their Class), which concerns your character’s present and future life. You
can then go back to choosing their background at a later stage.
Along with a background, you must also choose a personality trait, an ideal, an obligation, and a
fault, which will be part of your character’s description and will help to flesh them out, making them
a well-rounded individual. You can also focus on these questions at a later time, once you have a
better picture of your adventurer and have chosen their alignment.
16
4. Choose Their Class
W e are now getting to your character’s backbone. Most of what they will be able to do in the
game will depend on their class and its associated features. Thirteen classes, each with their
own variants, are available in Fateforge and detailed in the Classes chapter. Usually, the mere
name of the class will let you know what it is about: fighter, wizard, cleric, druid, barbarian, etc.
Every class has a dedicated profile, prefaced with an introduction covering its role, philosophy,
variants, and perspectives. Then comes a more technical section going over the proficiencies and
health points that it provides, the starting equipment associated with it, and the aptitudes it grants
through various levels of progression.
Concerning the roles they fill, exploration-wise, all classes are suitable, but rogues, bards, and
rangers are the most skilled. As for combat, some classes focus on fighting with weapons, like the
fighter or barbarian. Some, like the sorcerer or wizard, call upon their mastery of magic. Others, like
the bard, paladin, or sorcerer are more versatile. And others, like the monk and or scholar, wield
more unique powers. Finally, as far as social interaction is concerned, every class can have an edge,
but clerics, bards, sorcerers, paladins, warlocks, and rogues are especially suited. Barring specific
restrictions, which your leader will inform you of, whatever class you choose will be suitable for the
campaign you will play. Fateforge has been designed in such a way that all classes can shine, each
in their own way. Thus, it is primarily a matter of affinity, particularly if this is your first adventure.
17
5. Determine Whether They Have
Awakened to Magic
I n Fateforge’s universe, some individuals experience what sages call the Awakening, thus
becoming attuned to the tides of magic. Is it a gift? The influence of the moon Eternity, which
dictates the fates of heroes? Holy favor from the gods? Theories abound and mystery remains.
At creation, a character has not necessarily Awakened. A non-Awakened character is said to be
Dormant. Ask the leader what they have decided for their campaign. They can either decide your
character’s connection with magic from the list below, or roll a d20 to determine it randomly:
Dormant (1-9): At creation, your character has not Awakened yet. But maybe it will happen
one day?
Close to Awakening (10-15): Your character might Awaken in the course of their first adventures
(between levels 1 and 3).
Awakened (16-20): At creation, your character has already Awakened to magic. Determine when
and how this happened. Is it a gift from birth? Did they experience something extraordinary that
triggered their Awakening?
An Awakened character is able to use magic. If they have chosen a spellcasting class, they can cast
spells, and if they are an elf or a tiefling, they can use the innate powers unique to their species.
A character who has not Awakened to magic cannot make use of magic powers, whatever their
nature. Of course, they may still Awaken at a later time.
The book Grimoire covers the Awakening and the workings of magic in more detail. If your
character is Awakened from creation, the leader can let you read Grimoire, which includes
the descriptions of all available spells.
18
6. Determine Their Ability Scores
I n Fateforge, each creature’s basic stat block includes six scores called abilities: Strength, Dexterity,
Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma. The first three are physical abilities, while the
last three are mental abilities. The Abilities chapter includes more information about them but, for
the time being, a value must be attributed to each.
Several methods can be used to determine your character’s abilities. Some are based on chance,
others let you directly choose them. In any case, the first step will be to come up with basic values
that you can then attribute to each of your character’s abilities, before applying the increases related
to your character’s species and subspecies.
For starters, the average ability score of the common person is 10 or 11, the minimum is 3, and the
maximum is 18. This can be simulated for each ability by rolling three six-sided dice (3d6) and adding
the results. However, your hero is meant to be someone extraordinary, with ability scores above the
average, so the usual method is to roll 4d6 and keep the total of the best three.
If your leader chooses to randomly determine ability scores, they can let you re-roll the dice if the
resulting numbers are too low, on the basis that such a character might be no fun to play. In this case,
add up your ability modifiers (see the Ability Scores and Modifiers table in the Abilities chapter)
before the inclusion of species-related increases, and if the total sum is less than +4, the leader may
consider re-rolling justified on the grounds that the character is too ordinary or vulnerable. They are
under no obligation to do so, however.
If your leader does not want to leave things to chance, however, the players can “buy” their ability
scores. Starting from a pool of 15 points, you can acquire your ability scores in accordance with the
following table:
* If your leader uses the optional rule of handicaps (see the Character’s History chapter), an ability score
of that level (below 8) counts as a handicap.
** If your leader follows the Gritty playstyle (see the aside below), ability scores of that level (above 15)
are off-limits.
Taking an ability score below 10 adds points instead of subtracting them. You can set scores below 6 if you
wish, but they will still only bring you 3 points. If the leader wants to go for a more realistic campaign with
less extraordinary protagonists, they can restrict the pool, for example to 10 points. Conversely, if they
want the players to play epic characters, they can grant 20 points or more. Keep in mind, however, that a
character’s potential and heroism are by no means restricted to their abilities!
19
Now, you must attribute each number to one of your character’s six ability scores. This should
reflect your character’s intrinsic qualities. In that regard, your class should help you decide. Most
barbarians will benefit from a high Strength, just like priests should have high Wisdom and wizards
high Intelligence. Thus, if you want to make the most of your character’s class features, you should
attribute your highest number to your class’s primary ability. In the case of spellcasters, it will be
their spellcasting ability, and for warrior-type classes, it will be Strength or Dexterity, depending
on their weapon(s) of choice. Your class’s description includes information in that regard. It is
highly advised to give your character a decent score in Constitution, since this ability will influence
their total hit points. Once you have attributed your scores, add your species-related ability score
increases. Each species and subspecies has one or two.
Finally, note that although the attribution of ability scores is among the later steps of character
creation, you can instead make it the very first step, especially if the scores are decided randomly.
Some players prefer to know what they can work with before thinking about their character’s
species, class, or other aspects.
A Well-Rounded Party
Character creation is one of the thrilling first steps of a campaign’s genesis.
Through it, your hero is born, ready to venture into the world. However, barring
solo adventures (which are exceptions rather than the rule), your character will
not be alone. They will journey alongside equally heroic adventurers, with whom
they must cooperate in order to complete the many quests they will undertake
in the course of their career, overcome whatever dangers and ordeals stand in
their path, and unravel the many plots the leader will concoct. As such, a versatile
party is preferable to a band of mismatched characters who will only get in each
other’s way.
Therefore, it is generally better to talk about character creation with your leader
and fellow players and to attribute roles. Most campaigns are better suited to
varied parties made of adventurers that complement each other. Unless the
leader, for campaign-related reasons, decides to put restrictions on some classes
(no spellcasters, only rogues/clerics/paladins/etc.), go with the assumption that
a well-rounded party should include at least a melee fighter, a healer, a sneak,
and a spellcaster. The classic composition is: fighter, cleric, rogue, and wizard, but
obviously, this is by no means the only—or even the best—possible configuration.
Also, your party may include as little as two or three members, which will require
some working around (remember that certain classes, like the paladin or bard,
are fundamentally versatile). Or it may be five or six strong, if not more, which
will give you more latitude.
In addition, your leader can decide how much your party is free to synchronize
before the beginning of the campaign. Ideally, your merry group will be proficient
in all skills and tools, and will speak all languages, but it might feel like an
artificial coincidence that these perfectly matched adventurers happen to meet
right as the adventure begins. Then again, you may have no problem with such
a plot convenience and go with the idea that it is precisely because the party
members are so suited to each other that they naturally banded together for
better and for worse!
Some gaming groups like to deliberate before starting the campaign, in order
to set up the group’s meeting and find good reasons for their characters to be
together before the game has even begun. To that effect, the leader can give
them some information regarding their initial environment and set restrictions
concerning the characters’ classes, species, or alignments.
20
Ted the Deft Charmer
The leader decides to have their players roll their ability
scores, which suits Zoë, as she enjoys chance.
She rolls the following (with the total in bold and the lowest
die in italics): 9 (3, 4, 2, 1), 13 (2, 3, 6, 4), 16 (6, 1, 5, 5), 10
(2, 1, 4, 4), 12 (4, 5, 2, 3) et 14 (5, 3, 5, 4).
Strength 9 (-1)
Dexterity 18 (+4)
Constitution 14 (+2)
Intelligence 12 (+1)
Wisdom 10 (-)
Charisma 14 (+2)
21
7. Choose Their Equipment
I t is now time to equip your character. Even the greatest adventurer needs their tools of the
trade to perform to the best of their abilities. Some classes will require more specialized (and
sometimes heavier) material than others, especially warrior types. It is thus time to choose and
take note of the starting equipment granted by your background and class.
To begin with, you own all the possessions related to your background. Then you receive
equipment according to your class, which will require you to make choices. When a line shows
multiple options in the form of (a), (b), (c), etc., you can only pick the items associated with one of
these letters. However, you do not have to stick to the same letter from one line to another, and can
for example choose the (b) items on the first line, then the (a) items on the second line.
Ted’s Trappings
First, Zoë takes note of all of Ted’s
background-related equipment: a set of
common clothes, various forged documents,
a disguise kit (which Ted is proficient in),
and a belt pouch containing 15 gp. Then
she chooses her class-related equipment:
a shortsword, a shortbow and arrows, a
burglar’s pack, leather armor, two daggers,
and a set of thieves’ tools.
23
The Fateforge
he Fateforge is integral to
Eana’s mythology. Some
say it is located within
the magmatic depths of
the world, others that it
was built on the hidden
face of Eternity. Many shamans of
Bandiko-Mibu believe that it can only
be reached in dreams. The Forge exists
under many names in the folklore of
civilizations: Stor Smedja in Arolavia,
Bengkel Pandaï Besi in the draconic
lands of Rachamangekr, Ukhaantai in
Kaani territory, etc.
Multiple Theories
The Fateforge is said to have many powers,
including the one to birth gods. Is this the
reason why any who reach it never come
back? Do these chosen few die or turn
into divine beings, becoming capable of
transforming reality at the cost of their
terrestrial existence?
Many scriptures and legends make
references to this mythical place and
the transfigurations that occur there.
Here are excerpts from one of the most
famous of these works, where the author,
whose identity is lost to the fog of ages,
hypothesizes that the Fateforge is a
means through which individuals may
achieve emancipation from the gods. The
original text, hidden in the heart of one
of the libraries of the Free City, is written
in a tongue resembling Cyrillan. In other
versions, the Fateforge is conversely
described as a divine instrument designed
by the gods to assert their dominance and
handpick the most deserving of mortals to
join their pantheon.
Your leader decides whether the Fateforge
exists in your campaign or not. Getting to
the bottom of such a mystery will no doubt
test your adventurer’s grit and bravery.
How many have died on a quest to find
what some consider to be a myth that only
exists in old children’s tales?
24
The Fate-Chosen
All living beings are subjected to the whims of the gods, ordeals and expose themselves to danger. They are capable
who arbitrarily decide their fate. A sage may study for of mastering a repertoire of techniques and spells much
decades to perfect their mastery of a field of knowledge, but larger than what any other denizen of Eana may dream of.
they will easily be outclassed by a young prodigy chosen They may perish before they get to change the destiny of
by Eternity, the divine moon. Since the dawn of time, the nations—if not of entire worlds—but whatever path they
Fateforge has appeared as an exception in this system of follow, they hold within themselves exceptional potential.
cosmological laws, offering each individual a chance, as In that, they are also the most suited to overcome the
remote as it may be, to thwart the overwhelming power of prodigious challenges presented to those who reach the
the gods and reject the fate that has been chosen for them. Fateforge and, in doing so, to escape the gods’ yoke. The
The Fate-chosen, designated by the gods, stand out from irony of this arouses one’s curiosity concerning the origin
ordinary people, coming into their own as they go through of the Fateforge and of the forces that oversaw its creation.
25
Theories on the Fate-Chosen
For as long as Eternity has existed, mortals have wondered for what reason some of them
are chosen. Why do some individuals become heroes while so many others toil in vain and die
hopelessly? No one can claim to know for sure, but philosophies and religions offer models to those
who seek answers to these questions. Here are a few of the prevalent theories.
26
Perception of the Fate-Chosen in the Campaign
This section covers several possible ways the truly have friends when they are surrounded by
people of Eana can behave toward the Fate-chosen, people who only see their power and achievements?
those individuals who can take levels in character Is being adulated truly being loved? By choosing
classes and obtain related powers—basically you, this approach, the leader will give the PCs a place
the adventurers. Your leader will let you know how of choice in the world. Simply being an adventurer,
Fate-chosen are generally perceived in the campaign even a low-level one, will grant them a unique aura.
you will be playing. Obviously, several options can
be used during the same campaign to fit different
regions of the world or individual beliefs. Envy
By default, denizens of Eana who are not Fate-chosen
face it with something resembling resignation. They As the chosen ones, the heroes-to-be, you are a
behave similarly to how a commoner destined to a minority. Those who haven’t been chosen by Eternity
humble life would look upon a prince born amidst are the great majority of Eana’s population and foster
opulence and promised to a life of luxury in the envy, if not hatred, toward those who have been
course of which he will never want for anything. arbitrarily granted decisive advantages. By choosing
Mortals who are aware of having been denied the this option, the leader will make the common man’s
blessing of Fate nurture some bitterness deep perception of the Fate-chosen ambivalent at best,
within them, but they know that such is life: the and blatantly hostile at worst. As soon as your
world is unfair, and the only thing they can do is stay adventurer is revealed to be a Fate-chosen, their
in their league, without entertaining lofty ambitions adversaries and rivals will do everything to oppose
that would surely lead them to a tragic end. They them, hinder them, or even kill them before it is
know that no one will bring them back to life should too late and the power gap becomes such that they
they succumb. Even those who serve under heroes can only acknowledge their inferiority. Meanwhile,
usually do not let it go to their head. They know the mighty will attempt to seduce and manipulate
that they are the anonymous ones who die during them. This approach suits a dark fantasy playstyle
the battles of the mighty and that they will have to in particular, portraying a cruel, cynical world where
struggle, to be crafty and resourceful in order to the relationships with the characters are fraught
survive and protect what little they have. with deceit and duplicity.
However, the people of Eana may have a more
extreme opinion of the Fate-chosen, especially if the
leader wishes to make the Fateforge particularly Fear
prevalent in their campaign, stressing how Fate-
chosen can potentially become gods. At the start, Rulers and guild leaders may initially be happy to
adventurers simply seem to be particularly skilled find hardy adventurers to solve their problems,
people. However, the speed at which they improve but they will be quick to realize that their helpers
and master rare abilities quickly leaves little doubt may threaten their power. Why would these mighty
as to their nature. Reactions toward them will change warriors and mages be satisfied with a life of
accordingly, and even the behavior of those who adventuring? Why would they obey? Why wouldn’t
have known them for years may change. Just like they kill the elites of this world to sit on the throne
Awakened ones, adventurers may arouse reactions in their place? When someone starts nurturing such
ranging from admiration to hatred, including fear suspicions, they see potential enemies everywhere.
and envy. Things are never simple. What used to be taken as
a bad joke from the mouth of a 1st-level barbarian
may be considered a serious threat from the same
Admiration barbarian at 10th level. Fear might lead to seemingly
unnatural alliances for the purpose of keeping a
Those protected and assisted by the Fate-chosen growing menace in check, following the maxim, “the
may develop a deep admiration that will, in time, enemy of my enemy is my friend.” Some might also be
grow into worship given the gulf that separates tempted to hit the adventurers when they’re weak.
a commoner from a 5th, 10th, or 15th-level After all, “will such an opportunity ever arise again?”
adventurer. For the common man, heroes above 15th By going for this option, the leader will give your
level are nothing less than demigods, characters character an aura attracting fear and distrust, which
of legend that may one day climb the steps leading will grow stronger as they gain levels. At high levels,
to the Fateforge. No one can remain unaffected by your character may arouse mystic terror, similarly to
praise that portrays them as the equal of the kings how a believer may feel toward a vengeful divinity
of yore, a being worthy of leading empires. Can one possessed of immense powers.
27
The World of Eana
raveling across Eana, from the wild lands of Kaan to the millennial jungles
of Acoatl, you will explore breath-catching countries and discover amazing
civilizations.
The first part of this chapter provides a rundown of Eana, which any
character born in one of this world’s kingdoms can be expected to know
about. Part two is an overview of the various civilizations of Eana.
28
Cosmology of Eana
Eana’s Moons
S ince the dawn of time, every civilization has sought to
give meaning to history, to the creatures present in the
world, and to the vestiges found on land, underwater, and
Piercing Secrets
sometimes even in the skies, such as in the region of the Finally! The new telescope was ready, and with it,
flying Eolian Isles. Even as Eana itself is a long way from the academy would unveil the secrets of the universe,
being entirely mapped, people look up to the stars and like the Travelers had done. Little was known of this
wonder. Many questions remain unanswered concerning people except that they purportedly transcended
the influence of planets or fate. the boundaries of magic and built reason-defying
Eana is the name commonly given to the world by the structures on Eana’s moons. For that matter, wizards
various peoples that inhabit it. Among druidic circles, this and scholars called them “Travelers,” but no one knew
word also designates the spirit of the world, conceived as of their true name and their culture mostly remained
a living entity at the origin of all life. Many civilizations a subject of speculation. But the new generation of
include in their folklore the two moons that orbit Eana: researchers was confident that these mysteries would
Melancholia and Eternity. The former is closest to Eana soon be solved and would shine a new light on the
and many legends associate it with demons. It shines with history of Eana!
a blueish glow, and one of its main characteristics is that “The cloud layer over Melancholia is really thick, but
both its size and distance from Eana vary. Sometimes, it the patterns are representative of storms… Powerful
seems to be about to crash into the planet; at other times, ones, too. Have you seen how quickly the masses are
it watches from afar like a sentinel of the skies. Eternity moving?”
is the furthest one and its light is golden brown. It is said “It’s magnificent!”
to influence fate and the development of heroic abilities. “How can something this beautiful be so dangerous?
According to legend, it is there that the mythical Fateforge How can such a wonder house demons?”
is located. “Did you take a look at Eternity?”
Eana’s solar system as a whole is called the “Material “Let me adjust the telescope… Hmm… Ah, there we
Plane” by mages and arcanists. Other dimensions exist, go. Yes, you can see the shape of what seems to be the
like the Astral Plane where magical currents flow, or the Maze. It is immense! It looks like the convolutions of
Ethereal Plane where the souls of the dead wander. Some a brain, or a fine network of… veins. I believe copying
theorists say that these planes are superposed like layers it will take hundreds of hours. Just staring at it is
of reality, while others claim that they exist in different making me dizzy.”
places, contiguous like so many galaxies. It was the first time the young academic looked at
Eana’s moons with the telescope. She felt indescribable
joy before this amazing spectacle.
“How about Gemoniae?”
Journey to the Heart “It’s not visible. Not tonight. It’s too distant to get a
good picture of anyway.”
of Eana “We won’t know whether there’s an Ateak out there…”
“Not with the telescope, at least.”
29
The Horizon of the Ateak Portals and the Fall of the Travelers
Talking about the origin of our world is extremely one, they were originally people who revolted against
difficult, with theories being as intermixed with the oppressive might of the Travelers and, through
ideologies and wishful thinking as they are. My research this transformation, sought the power to oppose them,
bore on ancient chronicles, but I also looked into the oral but ultimately lost themselves to the violence of their
traditions of major religions. fiendish forms. As such, the denizens of Melancholia are
According to the druids, in the beginning was Eana, who said to embody the dark side of our soul.
gave birth to the Travelers. They were an exceptional In the middle of what appears to have been an unopposed
people who brought the science of arcana to a degree rule, the Travelers experienced a brutal end, through a
we can barely imagine. It is said that they were capable cataclysm that almost brought about the end of Eana
of manipulating reality, space, time, and fate. itself. According to the druids, they sought to master
The planets we know as Melancholia and Eternity forces and creatures over which they had no control, and
already existed, and were actually created during that were annihilated as a result.
time. The Travelers designed the Ateaks, which make Today still, remains can be found of these distant times.
it possible to travel between worlds, and the Fateforge, Extraordinary creatures like the basilisk—which can turn
which can be used to alter reality and rise to godhood. living creatures to stone—are said to have been brought
The god we call Blacksmith was the first one to be. back to Eana as pets by these beings who could travel
Some believe that he is the “smith” at the center of the between worlds. Aside from these monstrosities, traces of
Fateforge on Eternity, others consider the two to be destruction also persist. The flying Eolian Isles apparently
distinct entities. Soon after came Maker, whom it seems stood at the heart of the catastrophe, and the physical
was a giant. He is often credited with the creation of most and magical anomalies that still manifest there are the
of the humanoid peoples, which he shaped as miniature result. There is also mention of sites in unknown lands,
versions of himself. It is largely admitted that these two in the heart of Ellerìna, in the seas around the Barbary
divinities played the roles of creators and overlords, Islands, and in the frozen forests of northern Kaan.
favoring the development of civilization.
The origin of the demons on Melancholia is the subject of Excerpt from the treatise Of the History of the Peoples,
various theories. According to the most widely accepted by Brii’dtk’Acâni, dragonborn scholar of Rachamangekr
30
The Dawn War
O n the embers of the ancient world, Death
gave peace to the countless tormented The Age of the
souls. On the ashes of late civilizations, Frostelle
gave winter and convalescence. On these lands, Fated Kings
Flora rebirthed a life free to bloom. The triad
of renewal gave people a new land in which
to thrive. Several legends say that these three
divinities came into their own in the wake of
I wish to sing the glorious and tragic time of the Fated Kings.
You whose history is written in blood and whose sumptuous
tombs speak of your lost magnificence.
the Travelers’ fall, but their origin remains You rose under the rays of Eternity and built short-lived
unclear. empires.
A new world was emerging. For a long time, Your power grew like the waxing moon.
the fledgling clans, tribes, families, and nations You were the focus of every gaze, but as you lost the favor of
traveled this unknown world as nomads. They the Fateforge and old age sapped your strength, another hero
discovered immense forests, boundless steppes, rose, fated to take your throne.
and turquoise seas. You watched the flight of the dragons born from stone eggs,
In that time, only the elves of Cyfandir built hidden in the four corners of Eana.
cities, their art combining magic, poetry, and They founded the Draconic Kingdoms at the peak of their
architectural techniques. They were the light glory, revered as God-Dragons by their devoted dragonborn
guiding the peoples with the blessing of the fey servants.
and under the guidance of the god whose very You witnessed the destruction of Paradise and the triumph of
name was devoured by Nightmare. the diabolic fiends.
No elf was yet trained in the trance, and the Corrupters grew in power, promising a better fate to those
Enemy wormed its way into our dreams, Eternity denied its blessings to.
denying us rest, pushing some into the horrors A golden age passed in the clash of battle.
of madness and corruption. From the depths How many the forgotten gods whose names only remain on
of the earth, Canker stirred, expanding and mute statues?
sending forth its repulsive spawn to the surface.
A war like no one could imagine was about to Anonymous, broken epitaph carved into the Drakenbergen
tear through the young world. Nothing would
ever be like it used to. The elves would leave
Cyfandir, entire peoples would get lost and
cursed in the Netherworld, and the guardian
dwarves would be forevermore tasked with
watching the tunnels to fight off the tireless
incursions of the ravagers.
31
Civilizations of Eana
etermine where your character has spent most of their life. This will give you an idea of the
languages they know and the people they have met and spent time with.
Your leader will tell you where your party’s adventure will start. How did your character get here?
Are they a consummate traveler? Did they have to flee? Are they on a mission? If they come from afar,
their clothing, demeanor, and accent will probably make them a curiosity for locals who have never
left home.
This step is also the moment to think about the salient elements of your character’s history.
32
Acoatl
Peoples: Humans; a few aldaron and surefoot halflings. The trading posts on the coastline harbor merchants
and mercenaries from all over the world.
Languages: Runasimi.
Acoatl is still largely unknown and uncharted territory (who knows what lies behind its volcanic mountains far
to the west?), accessible via trading posts established on its fetid shores, infested with mosquitoes and caimans.
Foreigners come here in search of adventure, dreaming of gold and of the magic of the ruined cities found in the
highlands. The local tribes dwelling in the immense emerald-colored forests are wary; they know the legends
of the cruel tyrants who used to rule this land, fighting and tearing each other apart in their relentless bids for
absolute power and immortality. And that is not all, for it is said that the cenotes hold portals to other worlds…
The name of this country means “dragon” in the tongue of the local surefoot tribes, and pioneers say that these
creatures are particularly plentiful in this region.
33
Ajagar
Peoples: Humans, aldaron (in the
jungles), and members of every
species in the big coastal cities.
Languages: Baashan.
Arolavia
Peoples: Humans, guardian dwarves, aldaron (in the forests). Other species are rare, but foreigners
can easily reach the country via the trade roads.
Languages: Arolavian.
Located in the northeast of Cyfandir, Arolavia and its vast forests remain mysterious in many respects.
Widely untamed, this country is bordered to the north by sacred or off-limits forests, inhabited by fierce
fairies who only pay heed to the druids who know the secrets of the ancient pact that binds them.
The kingdom is led by a dynasty of queens, the karalievae. These fearsome women defend their lands
against the lightning attacks from Lothrienne or the Septentrion, the incursions of Canker crawling from
the Drakenbergen, and the pirate raids from the Usvalia Sea. In addition, they keep watch on the shadows
squirming about the colonies on the shores of the Golostarogo River, as well as on the underbelly of the
teeming city of Moromiek, taken back from the enemy after a mighty struggle. To these ends, they can
rely on the Moon Guard, a legion of volunteers who, at the time of their enlistment, formulate a wish that
Arolavia will grant at the end of their service. The duration of this service and its perils are contingent on
the nature of the wish.
Barbary Islands
Peoples: All. The population is composed of immigrants from all corners of the world.
Languages: Kalam is the dominant tongue, but many others are spoken.
Pirates! Privateers! Buccaneers! For the outsider, the Barbary Isles seem solely populated with these
misfits and their (far too many) accomplices. In reality, the first pirate lords have become the de facto
leaders of ports and cities, founders of city-states—for lack of a better word—whose economies are
largely predatory. The sale of sugar and cacao from their islands is rarely enough for them, and they earn
much more money much more quickly through other means: piracy, slave trade, mercenary work, etc.
The current population of the Barbary Islands is very, if not wholly, unfamiliar with the past of their land.
Should they not be worried about the strange rites some perform at nightfall?
34
Cyrillane
Peoples: Mainly humans, builder dwarves, and rock gnomes. However, all other species are
represented in its largest cities.
Languages: Cyrillan.
Until recently, the Cyrillan Empire was the main rival of the Free City. Led for centuries by an
enlightened dynasty, but undermined by severe inequalities and rampant corruption, it crumbled
like a house of cards. Today, the country is torn between the many factions fighting over its remains:
self-styled liberating sects and adepts of Tamerakh the Destroyer, loyalist generals, opportunistic
warlords closely associated with thieves’ guilds, black dragons… And in the shadows, an evil,
calculating being bides her time: the lich Megare of Cyrillane, a former princess disowned for her
unspeakable crimes.
Drakenbergen
Peoples: The surface is mainly populated with humans, builder dwarves, rock gnomes, and
lightfoot halflings, while the mines are dominated by guardian dwarves. The region also has
trade roads traveled by people of every species.
The Dragon Mountains, or Drakenbergen, are a massive mountain range split into countless
communities. It is a place of deep history, as reflected in its majestic ruins. Here, you can find
tiny feudal kingdoms and bold communities nestled in wild valleys. But everywhere, underground,
dwarves have built mines, towns, and fortresses for thousands of years. Responsible for the
maintenance of the roads and for the safety of the trade routes, they make it possible for life to
thrive in spite of the dangers, and allow the civilization of the Free City to reach remote regions.
But despite their untiring efforts, Canker too often slithers up to the surface to wreak havoc and
pave the way for its conquests. And this abomination is not the only threat: raids from drow and
duergar slave merchants are equally feared. Meanwhile, on the surface, sparse communities of
kobolds, goblins, and bugbears live off plunder, and mighty flying predators (hippogriffs, griffins,
young dragons…) hunt for tasty prey.
Ellerìna
Peoples: Elenion make up the vast majority of the inhabitants of the elvish kingdom. Most of the
remaining permanent population is made of melessë and aldaron. Representatives from other
peoples are confined to the great port city of Varnaïrello and only come for trade or studies.
Languages: Elvish.
Elenion allow only those of their blood to travel their lands. Their kingdom is immense and entirely
forbidden to outsiders. Strangers only know that it contains great riches and powerful sources of
magic. It is also said that the land of the storm giants is located on the other side of the elves’ vast
island and that everything there is in proportion to these huge beings: forests, fortresses, cattle…
The only thing most people know of Ellerìna is its capital: Varnaïrello the white city, the epitome
of perfection in every respect. The secrets of the elves are well-kept, but where there is much light,
there are also many shadows.
35
Eolian Isles
Peoples: Rock gnomes and humans. Other species are less common,
but individuals sometimes settle here out of curiosity or taste.
Languages: Gnomish.
Free City
Peoples: All, with a majority of humans, builder dwarves, lightfoot halflings, and rock gnomes.
Languages: Cyfand is the official tongue of the Free City, but countless other languages and dialects are
spoken in this multicultural city.
The Free City is probably the largest metropolis in Eana. This port, located at the mouth of the Dispende
River, opens into the western, southern, and eastern seas. A commercial powerhouse, it has established
trading posts and forged alliances in most countries, and its standards (currency, alphabet, etc.) have become
widespread. The city itself, led by a council of citizens, is split into districts where different communities
predominate: elves from Ellerìna, halflings from Myetea, etc. Rich, contrasted, inegalitarian, loud, spicy,
unpredictable, violent, and multicultural, the Free City is the default starting point of adventures.
36
Organization of the Free City
The Free City is a republic that values both entrepreneurship and the sovereignty of its inhabitants. Due to its geographical
location and to its cosmopolitan nature, it is the rallying point of many adventurers. Aware—certain, even—of its worth,
it safeguards its interests through negotiation and intrigue. Most of its military strength, however, is comprised of
mercenaries. The city is led by a gathering of institutions that must discuss any decision at length, each of them only
having limited powers. Every district has its own militia and its own decision-making body. The various militias all bear
the common name of Vigent Watch, or simply “Vigent.” They are usually active on a local scale or under the direction of an
institution, but the city also has coordinating bodies tasked with ensuring the harmony of the disparate whole.
At the municipal level, power is shared between the following councils:
The Council of Strategists is composed of nine magistrates procedures suit them. This institution issues trade-
skilled in diplomacy and warfare. They can decree martial related rules and arbitrates disputes related to its field
law, mobilize troops, order conscription, send ambassadors of jurisdiction. The officials, bureaucrats, and guards of
to foreign countries and dictate what powers those the Council of the Guilds wear emerald green clothes.
emissaries are invested with, in particular whether they can The Council of the Dragons gathers the representatives
sign peace treaties in the name of the Free City. The officials of the city’s legally accepted religious groups. It organizes
of the Council of Strategists wear crimson clothing. the major religious festivals and has jurisdiction to judge
At the Assembly, citizens can gather and discuss the future offenses or crimes committed within the holy confines of
of the Free City, or the measures to be taken to address a temples. A sanctuary’s territory is that of a god’s, and
particular issue. They decide the laws. Bureaucrats and even the Vigent Watch is not allowed to intervene
soldiers working for the Assembly are clad in lapis blue. without the explicit request of the priests. For example, if
The Council of the Guilds is open to all trading and a thief is granted asylum in a sanctuary, they will remain
manufacturing organizations, meaning that non- untouchable as long as they remain within its boundaries.
citizens can have a seat there. Every group is free to Bureaucrats and soldiers in the service of the Council of
appoint their leader according to whatever criteria and the Dragons wear black and white.
The Region
and its banks have been redesigned for centuries by
River Dispende builder dwarves who use it as the main route for the transit
of goods from the mountains. All along its course, hamlets
The Dispende originates from the Drakenbergen and pours and towns have settled at the stops of boatmen, sometimes
into the sea near the Free City. Most of its flow is channeled, building great bridges for easier land circulation.
37
Histe’s Woods The Old Pass
Most of the border with Cyrillane is made of a mid-altitude A memento of a time when elves and dwarves were
mountain range covered with dark forests called Histe’s close allies, the Old Pass is a road that goes through the
Woods. This region supplies the city with construction Drakenbergen and connects eastern Taurëlma (now
timber for its buildings and docks. Logging is intense but Meanderise) with Arataurë (now Cyrillane’s cursed White
harmoniously spread, with selections of trees to cut down Forest). The path is large and passable for vehicles, but
and the constant planting of young specimens in clearings. few travel it because several segments are rumored to
Since the powers of Cyrillane have crumbled, the part be haunted. The enterprising gnomes who have started
of the area located in this country is sparsely patrolled. settling in Meanderise seem interested in reopening this
Smugglers, traffickers, and brigands have replaced the road in order to develop the region’s economy. It is also
soldiers. Refugees passing through these forested paths on said that there used to be a path that ran from the port of
their way to the lands of the Free City are often the victims Issure (located at the mouth of the Vaquensirë) to the Free
of extortion and violence. City, passing through Meanderise, the dwarf centers of the
Drakenbergen, and the river Dispende.
The Great Plain of Cys
Myetea
The Great Plain of Cys spreads from the foothills of the
Dragon Mountains. Crossed by the River Dispende, it is a The Myetea Marches, also called Myetea, are a border
wetland with an abundance of lakes, rivers, and canals. region between the northwest of the Free City lands and
Birds are plentiful, some of them arriving in winter, away an ancient forest guarded by aldaron. These two territories
from the rigors of the cold season in the far north, while are separated by a river, the Vaquensirë. Halflings make up
others only remain during spring and summer. Population most of Myetea’s population and live autonomously, as a
is less numerous than near the banks of the Dispende, and reward for their founder succeeding in negotiating a peace
ranching is more common. treaty between elves and humans. They now act as a buffer
region that is officially part of the lands of the Free City,
Meanderise but with their own law and exemption from conscription
in times of war.
Meanderise is a country located northeast of Myetea, east
of Taurëlma, and southeast of the Fjordkungden. It shares Issure
a large border with the Drakenbergen, and it is actually
hard to draw a clear separation line between the two. The Located at the mouth of the Vaquensirë, Issure is a town
region is mostly characterized by wet woodland, crossed split in two, full of life on Myetea’s side (to the south) and
by several rivers that flow into the Vaquensirë—the river empty on Taurëlma’s side (to the north). Boats moor at
that makes up the border of Taurëlma. During spring, most its stone docks. There is a distance of about a hundred
of the land is susceptible to floods, so the habitations are feet between the river and the walls that circle the town,
either built on stilts or on higher ground. and this space is generally filled with dockworkers and
Meanderise used to be densely populated, but is now peddlers. The town’s merchant fairs also take place on the
only a shadow of its former self. There used to be fortified docks, with a profusion of booths made of wooden planks.
burgs every 15 to 20 miles, but several towns have been In addition to these festive times, the area also enjoys an
abandoned, while others cling to life with practically ideal position for the exportation of Myetea’s products.
deserted districts. This extinction is essentially the result On the other side, the forbidden ruins appear as Issure’s
of three successive crises: a surge of Cankerous activity grim mirror, a perpetual threat, a reminder that prosperity
quickly followed by a war against the elves of Taurëlma, can at any time cease brutally and give way to death. Since the
then by a frightening epidemic and the massive appearance war against the elves, everything has remained as it was—
of undead that dealt the final blow to many communities. with the exception of the many poplars that grew. Some
Those who live here today are either the children of buildings still bear the mark of fires and destruction from
survivors or adventurers looking for freedom. Sailing up the war machines, while others seem strangely undamaged
Vaquensirë, gnome adventurers from the Eolian have come from afar, looking like revenants. For that matter, those
to settle in—relatively—large numbers in several towns. who go to Issure’s docks after nightfall sometimes claim
They have undertaken modern renovations (streetlights, to have seen moving shapes on the other side of the river.
machines…), resulting in a strange environment where These may simply be animals, or elf sentinels making sure
ruins alternate with state-of-the-art installments. A that the interdiction of crossing the river is duly respected.
district’s street may be as animated, orderly, and clean as Despite these reassuring and sensible explanations, the
those of the high-class portions of the Free City, where the rumor of undead haunting the ruins lives on. The most
next alley will lead into a gloomy dumping ground. hardened criminals of Issure know that hiding one’s loot or
shelter in the dead part of the town is a good way of making
sure that nosy people and guards won’t be a problem.
38
Kaan
Peoples: Humans, merosi, orcs, hobgoblins. Other species are mostly found in coastal cities.
The heart of the Kaani empire is an immense steppe where clans of herdsmen and warriors live.
Sometimes, a chief rises above the rest and gathers a horde of humans, merosi, orcs, hobgoblins,
goblins, hill giants, and many other species, then goes on a bid for world conquest. The first and
most famous of such chiefs was the terrible Tamerakh, who is said to have sacrificed his entire
capital to become a god. The glory of the Kaani has ebbed and flowed through the centuries. The
current capital is a coastal town, and the ruling dynasty is most probably preparing for their next
glorious wars.
Lothrienne
Peoples: Mostly humans and builder dwarves; a few aldaron and sidh (see Bestiary). Other species
are rare and usually foreigners.
Languages: Lothrian.
Tucked between the Drakenbergen and the Septentrion, Lothrienne is a harsh feudal kingdom in
which each lord fights bitterly for the survival of their domain. Magic in this country is very weak
outside of the local faerie kingdoms led by a short-tempered fey king known to usually take the
shape of a bear when he interacts with other species. Threats here are mostly human: pirates sailing
upstream, ambitious noble houses, obscurantist communities that fear magic and druids, barbarian
raiders, etc. However, lately, a supernatural disease has been insidiously spreading: desveria, a
sickness that affects sleep and dreams and portends greater evils.
Mibu
Peoples: Humans and surefoot halflings. Large trading posts are visited by all species.
Languages: Inkulomo.
39
Netherworld
Peoples: Guardian dwarves, builder dwarves, drow, duergar, svirfneblin. The only specimens of other
species who live down there are enslaved ones.
Languages: Undercommon is the dominant language, but many others are in use.
The Netherworld is a largely ill-known place, even by those who are used to traveling it. Within close proximity
to the surface, mines, fortresses, prisons, and temples can be found. Deeper are the cities of drow, duergar, and
svirfneblin, each seeking to survive and spread in this highly dangerous environment. They often go as far as
to call upon infernal powers or unsettling divinities to gain an edge. In the deepest abysses rest the oldest and
mightiest Cankerous nests, a threat for all Eana.
Rachamangekr
Peoples: Mostly dragonborn and humans, but specimens of every species can be found in large cities.
Languages: Karphûd.
Rachamangekr is the largest and most powerful of the kingdoms still ruled by dragonborn nobility. Here, the
laws of dragons are enforced in the most traditional sense. This country boasts plentiful agricultural tropical
resources, a refined culture, and gorgeous landscapes. Adventurers here fight Barbary pirates
and work to curb the constant threat posed by dragon turtles. In the deep jungles, hermits
and dragon-blooded sorcerers study vestiges, usually searching for
remains of the Travelers’ civilization.
Sand Kingdoms
Peoples: Mainly humans, but the cosmopolitan coastal cities are visited and inhabited by every species.
Languages : Kalam.
The Sand Kingdoms are many: city-states, djinni oases, desert nomads, powerful rivaling kingdoms, etc. Though
their political organization varies, they share a lot from a cultural standpoint, most importantly a language,
writing system, currency, and mythology. In these countries, the stark injustice of towns exists side by side
with the wonders of a merciless desert, plentiful both in treasures and in monsters ready to devour the unwary.
Adventures here involve caravans, lost temples, blue dragons, slaves, djinn, lamias, conquests, betrayals, and
impossible loves.
40
Septentrion
Peoples: Mostly humans, a few aldaron.
Languages: Nordic.
A harsh but free life: this is how existence can be described in the Septentrion, a large, sparsely populated
territory in northern Cyfandir. Between the tundra, taiga, mountains, sheltered valleys, and marshes, the
landscapes, flora, and fauna are very diverse, and so are the customs. Certain tribes live in accordance with
the wise precepts of their druids, while others lead a brutal existence, usually taking whatever they lack by
force. But first and foremost, living in the Septentrion means learning to resist an environment among the most
dangerous of Eana. It also means defending oneself against other tribes, big cats, remorhaz, frost giants, white
dragons, etc. Out of caution, almost everyone stays away from the Boreal ruins, lest they unleash new perils
upon the world.
Shi-huang
Peoples: Mostly humans. Other species can be found in the cities. In the past, dragonborn ruled the country,
and the nobles that survived the revolution had to flee.
Languages: Shi-huang.
A rich millennial culture, Shi-huang was first ruled by giants, then later by dragonborn. Then these dynasties
crumbled and made way for refined human kingdoms. It was in this culture that the first warrior-monks
appeared and theorized the use of ki. The inhabitants of Shi-huang must exercise caution: in addition to the
warring between kingdoms, the mountainous borders teem with monsters. For the time being, the seal over
the deep Netherworld protects them from Canker, but the Ethereal Plane, however, is curiously close, allowing
ghosts to prosper.
Torea
Peoples: Mostly humans. Merchants from other species live in the main trading posts.
Languages: Aupuniwi.
Torea is a heavenly country: seeing its atolls of white sand and its coral reefs makes an indelible impression on
the traveler’s mind. Its name is also that of a sacred multicolored bird typical of this region. On the surface of
its waters and lands, human navigators, merchants, and cultivators are spread into a multitude of communities,
tribes, and civilizations. Below the surface is the territory of seans, a mysterious people capable of breathing
underwater and swimming with ease thanks to their fishlike tails, who build luxurious cities of coral and pearl.
Yet this idyllic land is under threat from many perils, and terrible dangers hide just under its paradisaical
aspect. From the abyssal depths, Cankerous ravagers attack, led by the Drowned Queen, while the hateful
merrows work tirelessly to turn the nightmare of the demon prince Ouxounouël into a reality. Pirates and slave
traders from the Barbary Islands come to plunder riches and lives, sometimes emptying entire communities.
Out of desperation, some of the locals take refuge in monstrous cults that bring them closer to the wicked
sahuagins, providing them with the means to defend themselves through the use of dark powers.
41
Species
or more than 560 years, I have sailed Eana aboard the ships of the Ellerìnion navy,
tying my fate to the Albatross, the ship that carried me through the harshest of storms.
I have witnessed the drift of the boreal ice islands, between which the Northmen hunt
for seals and belugas; I have been burned by the merciless sun that scorches the pirate-
infested coasts of the Sand Kingdoms; I have escaped the dragon-turtles that lurk in the
tropical mangroves of Rachamangekr… and in the course of these years, I have learned
the languages and customs of many more cultures. I left the harbor of Varnaïrello as a
young man steeped in prejudice against other humanoids, and I discovered how wrong I was about a
world whose diversity still astonishes me.
Each species has their good, their bad, and their ambivalent elements: though influenced by one’s
origins, one is always free to rise, as one is to sink into darkness. Adventurers, due to their lives
of tribulations, have even more occasions to question themselves and to learn, be it about their
companions, the treacherous intrigues of various factions, or supernatural mysteries.
Choosing a Species
Y our character is a member of a humanoid species, the most common of which are described in the following pages, in
alphabetical order: dragonborn, dvaergen (dwarves), elves, gnomes, halflings, humans, melessë (half-elves), merosi
(half-orcs), and tieflings (half-fiends). Other, rarer species, like the ulkani, are included in Bestiary. Humans are the most
numerous, but they can be a minority, or even entirely absent, in some lands. For example, in the marine depths, seans
thrive due to the simple fact that they can breathe underwater.
The Species Traits section below goes over the technical information included in the description of each species and
subspecies. A species has (physical and magical) traits common to all members of that species, and a subspecies has all
the traits of its parent species in addition to traits that are particular to it. For example, all elves have higher Dexterity than
average, and one of the distinctive traits of elenion is that they have higher Intelligence.
The leader decides which species and subspecies they want in their campaign. For example,
they might intend to play a campaign where the PCs are dwarves who will defend the bowels of
the Dragon Mountains against Canker. Or, conversely, they might ban a species for story-related
reasons, for example in the case of an adventure about a rebellion against the dragonborn nobility of a
tyrannical Draconic Kingdom.
Species Traits
T he description of each species includes racial traits that are common to members of that species. The following entries
appear among the traits of most species. Unless otherwise noted, all species traits stack.
42
Ability Score Increase Speed
Every species increases one or more of a character’s ability Your speed determines how far you can move when traveling
scores. and fighting.
Age Languages
The age entry notes the age when a member of the species By virtue of your species, your character can speak, read, and
is considered an adult, as well as the species’ expected write certain languages. “Common” indicates the dominant
lifespan. This information can help you decide how old your language in your adventure’s starting region, which is at
character is at the start of the game. You can choose any age the leader’s discretion. All the PCs speak Common. Many
for your character, which could provide an explanation for species have their own tongue, or even a specific alphabet.
some of your ability scores. For example, if you play a young
or very old character, your age could explain a particularly
low Strength or Constitution score, while advanced age Subspecies
could account for a high Intelligence or Wisdom.
Some species have subspecies. Members of a subspecies have
the traits of the parent species in addition to the traits specified
Alignment for their subspecies. Relationships among subspecies vary
significantly from species to species and world to world.
Most species have tendencies toward certain alignments,
described in this entry. These are not binding for player
characters, but considering why your dwarf is chaotic, for
example, in defiance of lawful dwarf society, can help you
Hybrids
better define your character.
I n most cases, members of two different species cannot
interbreed. There are many exceptions in the case of
humanoid species, but the resulting hybrid is usually
Size sterile. However, when fertile, hybrids can make up an
entirely distinct species. Melessë (half-elves) and merosi
Characters of most species are Medium, a size category (half-orcs) are typical examples. Many other kinds of
including creatures that are roughly 4 to 8 feet tall. Members hybrids may exist, which you may meet in the course of
of a few species are Small (between 2 and 4 feet tall), which your adventures. If your character is a hybrid, ask yourself
means that certain rules of the game affect them differently. if they were born from a pair of hybrids (melessë parents,
The most important of these rules is that Small characters for example) or are a first-generation hybrid (human
have trouble wielding heavy weapons. father and elf mother, for example).
enjoyed my meetings with sweet Brii’dtk’Acâni—“Dawn Beauty” in Draconic—in the garden of the Palace
of Perfumes. The august scholar was grateful that I could call her in the noble tongue of Rachamangekr
without butchering her name. In this kingdom dominated by a dragonborn elite, it is customary for nobles
to have one name in the local Common and another in Draconic. For the common people, the princess’s
name was “Damsel Cahaya,” but for the tireless traveler I was, Draconic, though difficult to pronounce,
was a language I had been taught a long time ago, and one that I was still fluent in. My friend died more
than three centuries ago, but I still remember our endless conversations about her people’s millennia long history.
I recently learned that one of her descendants, an adventuress, bears the same name as her. I hope she will prove
worthy of it.
Excerpt from the memoirs of Mirë Lelyen, elenion explorer
Covered in scales showing their relationship to one of the ten species of true dragons, dragonborn are powerful
and charismatic. Born from eggs after a year of maturation, they then grow at a rapid pace. Proud of everything
that distinguishes them, they give off the aura of an ancient culture that has survived many changes, experiencing
in turn shame and glory, darkness and light.
Dragonborn Cultures
Whatever the truth is, dragonborn have a strong affinity with the dragons whom they emulate or even worship.
Currently, there are two types of dragonborn societies:
Some live in remote areas (faults, caves, jungles, volcanoes…) and act as guardians of ancient knowledge.
Such a duty implies total dedication and may take some dragonborn to faraway countries, to fight an evil they
have foreseen the coming of.
Others, proud of their origins, consider the dragonborn to be a chosen people, destined to rule the other
species. Many civilizations, grouped under the common name “Draconic Kingdoms,” give a very important
role to dragons, and are sometimes even ruled by dragon-kings. Some subjugated peoples revolted and
overthrew these tyrants, but dragonborn are still nobility in many insular lands of varying sizes, in regions
where the climate can go from tropical to equatorial. Their elite is made up of fighters and sorcerers. For the
time being, these kingdoms are still prosperous, bejeweled with gorgeous, complex palaces, but they are
threatened by the encroaching jungle and gradually lose their splendor, or sometimes even disappear entirely.
It is now time for the get of dragons to stand tall: they must choose between reconquering the world through
strength or adapting to it.
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The Disappearance of White and Silver Dragonborn
All known dragonborn live in the warm regions of Eana and include neither white nor silver dragonborn. This
anomaly could be due to the fall of boreal civilization, which is said to have ended with a fratricidal war. Some
believe that there may be survivors, perhaps in stasis in some lost city, or living as reclusive tribes, protecting
secrets related to the collapse of their world.
Dragonborn Traits
Y our draconic heritage manifests in a variety of traits you
share with other dragonborn.
Ability Score Increase. Your Strength score increases Breath Weapon. You can use your action to exhale
by 2, and your Charisma score increases by 1. destructive energy. Your draconic ancestry determines
the size, shape, and damage type of the exhalation.
Age. Young dragonborn grow quickly. They walk When you use your breath weapon, each creature in
hours after hatching, attain the size and development the area of the exhalation must make a saving throw,
of a 10-year-old human child by the age of 3, and the type of which is determined by your draconic
reach adulthood by 15. They live to be around 80. ancestry. The DC for this saving throw equals 8 + your
Constitution modifier + your proficiency bonus. A
Alignment. Dragonborn are usually lawful, reflecting creature takes 2d6 damage on a failed save, and half as
their adherence to traditions, in particular to the much damage on a successful one. The damage
perpetuation of the laws of dragons. Chromatic increases to 3d6 at 6th level, 4d6 at 11th level, and 5d6
dragonborn (black, blue, green, red, and white) have at 16th level.
a greater tendency toward evil and tyranny than After you use your breath weapon, you can’t use it
metallic dragonborn (brass, bronze, copper, gold, again until you complete a short or long rest.
and silver), who tend to be good.
Damage Resistance. You have resistance to the
Size. Dragonborn are taller and heavier than humans, damage type associated with your draconic ancestry.
standing well over 6 feet tall and averaging almost
250 pounds. Your size is Medium. Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common
and Draconic. Draconic is thought to be one of the
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet. oldest languages and is often used in the study of
magic. The language sounds harsh to most other
Draconic Ancestry. You have draconic ancestry. creatures and includes numerous hard consonants
Choose one type of dragon from the table on this page. and sibilants.
Your breath weapon and damage resistance are
determined by the dragon type, as shown in the table.
46
Dvaergen, the Dwarves
o far, my journey through the Drakenbergen had proceeded so well that I began
to think the region safe. Unfortunately, that day, we were attacked by a murder
of harpies roosting in unreachable cliffs. The accursed creatures outnumbered us
and quickly overpowered our archers. Soon, the battle became a frantic melee.
They were bent on killing and destroying, but also on kidnapping live prey to carry
back to their lair. What fate awaited their quarry? We had families among us and
fought fiercely to protect the children, who seemed to be their targets of choice. I pierced one of
the monsters with my sword, but another caught a boy and flapped away. I grabbed the monster’s
ankle and we traded blows between land and sky. The harpy parried my attacks with a weapon
forged from some unknown material.
It was then that dwarves on a patrol from a nearby guesthouse intervened. These welcomed
reinforcements drove the harpies back, and my opponent dropped its victim to fly away. The child
was in tears, but unharmed. Assessing our situation, we numbered at least three unfortunate
souls carried off by the winged monsters. When I cleaned my blade, I realized that it been
strangely damaged and was actually in danger of breaking. The attention of a smith would be
required. Fortunately, dwarven guesthouses—guesthusid in their language—usually have one.
We had been spending every night in such establishments, which were akin to fortified inns,
where we could be certain to sleep safe and sound. I had been warned that dwarves had deep-
seated grudges against elenion dating back to the Dawn War, but overall, I found them courteous
and very businesslike.
Senjall, a crafty and talented smith, was among the most eminent personalities of that night’s
resting place. I went to her with little hope, however. What would she know of elven alloys?
And what of the metal the harpy’s weapon was made of? She examined my sword and quickly
understood that the corrosion was an effect related to Canker. Guardian dwarves were often
faced with it, and thus treated their metals in a way that protected them from it. I was already
blanching at the idea of writing to my family to inform them that my grandfather’s sword had
been destroyed. Senjall quieted my fears and assured me that she could restore the weapon, but
that it would require considerable time and effort.
I was now faced with the decision of either giving up on my heritage for a new and certainly good
blade, or staying here for several weeks, maybe even months, in the hopes that the dwarven smith
could repair this prized possession of mine. I decided to settle in the guesthouse for however long
would be necessary and was not disappointed.
The dwarves are an emblematic people of the continent of Cyfandir. Stocky, sturdy, and strong-
minded, they can endure many things and are not easily impressed. History remembers many
of their achievements, and plenty of mountains have mine-citadels dug into them. Dwarves are
in equal measure staunch warriors, protectors of the surface world against the horrors below,
talented craftsmen, and cunning merchants, capable of thriving in the largest cities.
Dvaerg or Dwarf?
The word “dvaerg” (plural: dvaergen) simply means “dwarf” in Dwarvish.
Using this endonym to designate a member of this people is generally
taken as a sign of respect. However, non-dwarves often have much trouble
accentuating the word correctly, which can result in accidental insults
like “dhuergh” (deceiver, traitor, with the same root as the name of
the duergar people), “dveorg” (a cramp), or “dwaerck” (crooked,
bent). For this reason, dvaergen prefer to be commonly called
“dwarves” by those who do not master their tongue.
47
Unfortunately, dwarven history is a succession of expansion
phases, with the foundation of many cities and colonies,
followed by mass exterminations. Canker is the highest
threat in Cyfandir, constantly seeking to pierce through the
The Last Bulwark Against the Drakenbergen (the Dragon Mountains), and dwarves are
the first line of defense against this evil brood. On top of
Ravagers of Canker that, they must stay ever vigilant against drow, duergar, and
the ravenous creatures of Furnace that sometimes manage
Guardian dwarves live halfway between the Netherworld to reach Eana through volcanic portals.
and the surface. They dig for precious minerals with In dark times, dwarves lose fortresses as they fall into
a perseverance that sometimes borders on obsession. enemy hands or to evil opportunists. When the time for
Afterward, the mines are progressively transformed into reconquest comes, dwarf troops and adventurers spring
underground cities built inside the hollowed mountains. to action, cleansing the great halls through the strength of
It takes all the dwarves’ stonecunning to shape these their axes, then become the founders of new clans bearing
constructions capable of enduring the passing of centuries. their names. It is only thanks to their unmatched resilience
During quiet times, the young learn to face danger and that this people can fight the abominations crawling up
battle by escorting caravans, hunting evil creatures, or even from the Netherworld time and again, without ever giving
working as mercenaries. in or giving up.
48
hard bargain. Dwarves are also often hidden players in
Guild Masters the political scene, which can lead to them knowing much
and sometimes taking part in intrigues.
Builder dwarves have spread far beyond the Dvaergejord, Young craftsmen often go on adventures for several
the domain of dwarves. One can find these renowned years, in the course of which they discover the world,
craftsmen in every large city. They gather in guilds, hone their techniques and learn new ones, establish
brotherhoods, and corporations to protect their interests. their reputation, and build a network of clients. They
Some have quit manual labor for large-scale trading, and may also be sent by their masters to evaluate the
others work in banking. Whatever their domain, they business potential of a region or to build a subsidiary in
have a reputation for being meticulous and for driving a order to expand their reach.
Dwarf Traits
Y our dwarf character has an assortment of inborn abilities, part and parcel of dwarven nature.
Ability Score Increase. Your Constitution score Dwarven Resilience You have advantage on saving
increases by 2. throws against poison, and you have resistance
against poison damage.
Age. Dwarves mature at the same rate as humans,
but they are considered young until they reach the Dwarven Combat Training. You have proficiency
age of 50. A dwarf’s youth is the time to complete with the battleaxe, handaxe, light hammer, and
their training and acquire the experience that will warhammer.
later make them skilled and respected family
leaders, or even clan heads. On average, they live Tool Proficiency. You gain proficiency with the
about 350 years. artisan’s tools of your choice: smith’s tools, brewer’s
supplies, or mason’s tools.
Alignment. Most dwarves are lawful, believing
firmly in the benefits of a well-ordered society. Stonecunning. Whenever you make an Intelligence
They tend toward good as well, with a strong sense (History) check related to the origin of stonework,
of fair play and a belief that everyone deserves to you are considered proficient in the History skill
share in the benefits of a just order. and add double your proficiency bonus to the
check, instead of your normal proficiency bonus.
Size. Dwarves stand between 4 and 5 feet tall and
average about 150 pounds. Your size is Medium. Languages. You can speak, read, and write
Dwarvish. Dwarvish is full of hard consonants and
Speed. Your base walking speed is 25 feet. Your speed guttural sounds, and those characteristics spill over
is not reduced by wearing heavy armor. into whatever other language a dwarf might speak.
If you live on the surface, you speak Common, and if
Darkvision. Accustomed to life underground, you you live in the Netherworld, you speak
have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. Undercommon.
You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it
were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim
light. You cannot discern color in darkness, only
shades of gray.
Guardian Dwarves
Guardian dwarves are the front line against the dangers of the Netherworld, and they
are better suited to fight them than any other people. Due to sunlight deprivation, their
skin is fair, sometimes even pale, but their eyes burn with the fierce fire of determination.
They grow thick, luxuriant hair—and beards—of colors reminiscent of minerals and
metals: copper, bronze, obsidian… Incidentally, dwarves commonly use such adjectives
to describe colors.
Builder Dwarves
Builder dwarves are remarkably resistant and gifted with great intelligence, which
they usually dedicate to craftsmanship. Compared to guardian dwarves, their skin is
darker, with pink, golden, or tanned colors. Their hair and beards tend to be straighter,
to such an extent that they can be fashioned into structured shapes of striking aspect
Duergar
Duergar are the evil cousins of dwarves. Their skin is usually gray, sometimes even
black. They are said to have willingly devoted themselves to evil in exchange for
extraordinary supernatural abilities, but at the price of becoming dependent on
darkness. Thus, duergar are—at least, according to legend—unable to leave the
Netherworld where they live. Duergar appeared after the Dawn War and are not part
of the core peoples.
50
Elves
It is generally agreed that elves are the most graceful and dignified species. Most of them live in
the northern hemisphere, and though the majority are attached to their ancestral lands and to the
perpetuation of their lifestyle, their young are encouraged to follow their inclinations and to discover
the world in faraway trading posts, enclaves, cities, and kingdoms.
51
The Learning of Trance by Young Elves
One of the most unique evolutions of elves takes place during childhood. As everyone knows, instead of sleeping, this
species performs a deep meditation known as “trance.” Many consider this aptitude with envy, thinking about everything
they could do with four or five extra hours every day, having no idea of the truth.
Elves of less than five sleep just like infants of any other species—that is, more than ten hours every day. But between
the age of five and seven, elf children start suffering from increasingly dreadful nightmares. This is a very difficult period
of life for the whole family. According to elf physicians, it even used to happen that children died in their sleep. It is
presumed that they were prey to predators lurking in the nightmarish regions of the Astral Plane. Against this, the elves
created trance, which is taught to children as soon as possible. However, to learn it and exercise it, the child must be
capable of some degree of rationality and self-discipline, which only comes slowly.
This strange curse, whose exact nature is unclear, also explains why an elf baby could and should never be raised by a
people other than their own: their life depends on it.
Excerpt from The Dust of Ages, Vol. 2
Scouts
Most aldaron live in forests, sometimes following a semi-nomadic organization that allows them to draw from
various resources throughout the seasons: salmon fishing when these fish come to spawn, berry picking in
summer and fall, hunting of different species depending on the season to respect reproductive cycles, etc.
However, their clans still need foreign products, in particular cereals and metal. They must also take care
not to become too secluded. To that effect, they appoint scouts: clan members who leave for several months,
sometimes years. They learn the languages of other people and, depending on the clan’s needs, they gather
information about the best fishing and hunting spots, negotiate with humans or dwarves, etc. It happens that
some aldaron exiles pretend to be scouts so as not to reveal their shame, but they know that should they go
back to their forest, they may be summarily executed.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet. Languages. You can speak, read, and write
Common and Elvish. Elvish is fluid, with subtle
Darkvision. As a watcher in the night used to fighting in intonations and intricate grammar. Elven
darkness, you have superior vision in dark and dim literature is very appreciated among scholars and
conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if nobles, to the point that this language is sometimes
it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. used as a lingua franca (a common tongue) in the
You cannot discern color in darkness, only shades of gray. courts and academies of many kingdoms. Surface
elves speak, read, and write Common, while drow
Keen Senses. You have proficiency in the Perception skill. are trained in Undercommon.
54
Light Elves or Elenion
Elenion can be identified by their light, milk-white, or pinkish skin, forming a colorful harmony
with their hair, which can be silver, gold, platinum or off-blond, sometimes with reddish or ashy
tones. They have large eyes with irises in cold colors like gray, blue, green, or lilac. Elenion are often
fighters or wizards, since these careers are culturally well-considered among their civilization.
Drow
Drow are recognizable at first glance. Their skin ranges from dark blue to black, their hair from
white to silvery, and their eyes are usually red, sometimes purple or gold. Surface-dwellers know
very little about this people, and whoever is aware of their existence fears them. The drow appeared
after the Dawn War and are not part of the core peoples.
By default, the drow are enemies of the PCs, a threat from deep beneath the earth.
Adventurers of this subspecies who freely roam the surface are even rarer than aldaron
ones. Depending on their campaign style, however, the leader can accept drow PCs, or even
an entire party of drow. A drow PC on the surface will be the target of much prejudice and hostility.
The traits of drow characters are included in the Bestiary.
55
Gnomes
56
The Artificers of the Dawn War
As good-natured as gnomes may be, one must not forget how dangerous their inventions can be. Some
of their contraptions do not explode by accident, and they can give off deadly smoke. Not all of them
are toys that only pose a danger from unfortunate happenstance, for gnomes can create dreadfully
destructive weapons.
During the Dawn War, for example, many brave inventors and servants ventured into underground
galleries to set explosives to crush the Cankerous troops beneath rubble. They made use of machines
and potions whose plans and recipes were lost… unless they were destroyed so that they may never
be used again?
These sappers, ill-known battle heroes, were exposed to the subterranean abominations and to
magical emanations. Many never came back, but others, who were reported missing in action, actually
survived, and experienced a harrowing underground journey. Where elves became drow, these gnomes
transformed into svirfneblins, doomed never to leave the darkness. However, unlike the drow, the
duergar, and the grimlock, they resisted the temptation of evil. Their legends say they were helped by
angels of unexpected aspects.
Today, the secrets of the past fascinate both candid scholars and criminal minds with delusions of
grandeur who seek the methods to craft such bombs, or unused specimens ready to release their
explosive wrath.
Bold Merchants
Gnomes gather in corporations and seek to make their mark on what they call “new markets.” They
attempt to entice the mighty with automatons, clever mechanisms, cosmetic potions, or gracious
luminaires. Where builder dwarves offer durable, sturdy, reliable, traditional know-how, gnomes
make inventions that often require special maintenance, but which possess the charm of novelty
and unexpectedness. It happens that these two crafty peoples work side by side in harmony, with
the dwarves making fortifications and swords while the gnomes design siege engines. Business is
business, and from their flying isles high above, gnomes do not fear the repercussions of war, which
can make them unscrupulous with their clientele.
Gnome Traits
Y our gnome character has certain characteristics in common with all other gnomes.
Ability Score Increase. Your Intelligence Darkvision. Born from the earth, you have
score increases by 2. superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You
can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it
Age. Gnomes mature at the same rate humans were bright light, and in darkness as if it were
do, and most are expected to settle down into dim light. You cannot discern color in darkness,
an adult life by around age 40. They can live only shades of gray.
350 to almost 500 years.
Gnome Cunning. You have advantage on all
Alignment. Gnomes are most often good. Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma saving
Those who tend toward law are sages, throws against magic.
engineers, researchers, scholars, investigators,
or inventors. Those who tend toward chaos are Languages. You can speak, read, and write
minstrels, tricksters, wanderers, or fanciful Common and Gnomish. Gnomish uses the
jewelers. Dwarvish script. Gnomish literature is known
for its technical manuals on the construction of
Size. Gnomes are between 3 and 4 feet tall and engines, and for its practical and illusion spells.
average about 40 pounds. Your size is Small. Surface gnomes speak, read, and write Common,
while those who live in the Netherworld are
Speed. Your base walking speed is 25 feet. taught Undercommon.
58
Rock Gnomes
Rock gnomes are inventive and dexterous. Other species often see them as “cute.” They
have fair skin and clear eyes running the gamut of blues and grays, including purple, which
sometimes take on strange iridescent hues. Their hair is also light, ranging from silvery to
pale blond, occasionally with hints of rose or other pastel colors.
Artificer’s Lore. Whenever you make an Intelligence (History) check related to magic
items, alchemical objects, or technological devices, you can add twice your proficiency
bonus, instead of any proficiency bonus you normally apply.
Pilot. You gain proficiency with one of the following tools: vehicles (air), vehicles
(land), vehicles (water).
Tinker. You have proficiency with artisan’s tools (tinker’s tools). Using those tools, you
can spend 1 hour and 10 gp worth of materials to construct a Tiny clockwork device
(AC 5, 1 hp). The device ceases to function after 24 hours (unless you spend 1 hour
repairing it to keep the device functioning), or when you use your action to dismantle
it; at that time, you can reclaim the materials used to create it. When you are on the
move, you can only have a maximum number of working devices equal to your
Intelligence modifier.
Clockwork Toy. This toy is a clockwork animal, monster, or person, such as a frog,
mouse, bird, dragon, or soldier. When placed on the ground, the toy moves 5
feet across the ground on each of your turns in a random direction. It makes
noises as appropriate to the creature it represents.
Fire Starter. The device produces a miniature flame, which you can use
to light a candle, torch, or campfire. Using the device requires an action.
Music Box. When opened, this music box plays a single song at a
moderate volume. The box stops playing when it reaches the
song’s end or when it is closed.
Svirfneblin
The svirfneblin are the Netherworld cousins of the rock gnomes.
They have grown used to living underground and only venture to the
subterranean cities of dwarves on occasion. Their skin ranges from gray to
night blue, or even black, and their hair is usually gray or white. Unlike the other
peoples of the Netherworld—like the drow or duergar—svirfneblin have no inclination
toward evil. This species appeared after the Dawn War and is not part of the core peoples.
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Halflings
60
Short, generally barefooted and clad in comfortable clothes, halflings are sometimes mistaken for children from afar.
Usually gifted with solid common sense, they are not easily discouraged and know how to enjoy the many small pleasures
of life. Though most halflings live on the periphery of human kingdoms, they have developed a culture of their own, which
includes their iconic half-buried houses with grass-covered roofs, as well as many songs and games. They are outstanding
agriculturists, seemingly capable of turning a desert into an oasis. They may not build empires or palaces, but they have
mastered the art of living in harmony with their environment, as regards both to nature and to other civilizations.
Skillful Mediators
As a reward for their role as mediators during the conflicts between humans and elves, the lightfoot were given Myetea, a
region northwest of the Free City. Today, these lush farmlands are autonomous, and their existence is guaranteed by their
human and elven neighbors, who are equally interested in keeping this buffer country between them.
In its quiet way, halfling politics bears fruit thanks to its reliability and constancy. Its arguments could be summed up thus:
“Allow us to be the go-between for you. You know that we have never instigated a war. Should we make any sort of trouble,
we would be the first to suffer from it, and you would have no problem dealing with us. We will guarantee you access to
quality produce. We can look after ourselves: we will be an autonomous community that will cause no disturbance, and
we will pay you appropriate taxes.”
Every generation, out of a taste for adventure, some lightfoot set out to experience the world and venture into dangerous
regions. Sometimes, they happen to solve problems and may even found an agricultural settlement including a burgh
bearing their name…
City Halflings
Although this species is commonly associated with the countryside,
they are also very present in urban areas, where they form a minority
regarded with feelings ranging from neutrality to condescension. Too
often, halflings are given menial, unglamorous jobs while the other
peoples keep the best positions. Driven by poverty, they must live
in filthy lodgings where several families live on top of each other
in makeshift half-floors for extra space. In reaction to these
hardships, some become cutpurses, robbers, or smugglers,
while others strive to show that halflings can be something
other than farmers and thieves.
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The Ill-Known Surefoot
Dark-skinned, with curly or frizzy hair, surefoot halflings inhabit tropical and equatorial forests. They live as
nomads, building spherical nests or huts from leaves and vines. Familiar with their environment, they also sail
rivers and seas on logboats or outriggers. Their customs vary enormously from one group to another and their
tribes are easily distinguishable—at least, to the trained eye—from their jewels and accessories. Some surefoot are
well-disposed toward stray travelers, but others are merciless cannibals.
Regarded with curiosity in large cities, surefoot are sometimes captured by merchants who sell them far from their
homes as slaves, jesters, or prizes. Their lives as adventurers then begin with them gaining their freedom, though
with perhaps no idea of where their native forest is, or even if their family still lives there. Having literally lost their
roots, they seek their place in this new country, discovering a world radically different from what they knew.
Surefoot halflings, regardless of their origins or experiences, are known for always paying their debts, both in
revenge and in gratitude. If someone saves their life or frees them, they may follow their benefactor until they get
an opportunity to repay them.
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Humans
63
The Mettle of Humankind
Capable of thriving on water, on land, and in cities, humans are
irresistibly drawn to challenges. Describing a task as impossible or
unrealistic will spur them to find a way to prove you wrong. Nations
compete to build the most extraordinary edifices, to plant their flag in
unknown lands, or to lead the strongest empire, while individuals
seek recognition through their achievements or sacrifices. A
human adventurer is the embodiment of the taste for
risk-taking and of the quest to surpass oneself.
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Glory or Happiness
Humans are often split between a thirst for greatness, an ambition
that leads them to chase glory, and a desire for simple pleasures, for
the humble happiness of living peacefully with those they hold dear.
Thus, some adventurers leave a content existence to make a name for
themselves, then eventually return home richer, more experienced,
and now yearning for a quiet life.
Idealists
More than any other species, humans are attached to great ideals that
they uphold no matter the circumstances. These beliefs give meaning
to their lives and allow them to find the courage to face any danger to
make their mark in the world. In the name of justice, a hero leads slaves
to revolt, toppling a corrupt government. To seek illumination, monks
build a monastery in the wilderness, cut off from the world, turning
it, in time, into a beacon for worship and piety. The conviction of an
adventurer is a flame that animates them and guides them through the
darkest hours of their existence.
Human Traits
I t is hard to make generalizations about humans, but your human character has these traits.
Ability Score Increase. Your ability scores the training time is modified: you must still
each increase by 1. spend as much money to finance your studies
(books, materials for your experiments, etc.)
Age. Humans reach adulthood in their late Languages. You can speak, read, and write
teens and live less than a century. Common and two extra languages of your
choice.
Alignment. Humans tend toward no particular
alignment. The best and the worst are found
among them.
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Melessë, the Half-Elves
t had been years since I had last been in Dvâryatree, one of the great ports of
Ajagar. I walked off the Albatross, my mind filled with dreams nurtured by the
wonderful memories I had of the city, but also and mostly of Nidari. We had
separated abruptly, but she still held a special place in my heart. This blond
human adventuress had chosen her moniker—the Fearless—in the tongue
of her adoptive country. Together, we had sailed toward Bandiko-Mibu and
through the whole maritime empire of Gardhat. I remembered how she had allowed us
to escape a rukh—a gigantic, voracious bird—and how, in turn, I had saved her from
the hungry maw of a young dragon turtle…
Nearly thirty years had come and gone. I had returned home to share the last moments
of my dying father, and then, because of one thing or another, I kept putting off my
journey back to Dvâryatree, so that Nidari and I remained apart for far too long. After
so much time, I knew that the beauty of the proud young woman had certainly wilted,
but I resolved not to let it trouble me. In my mind, Nidari was a delicate chrysanthemum
in autumn. I pictured her fragile, wrinkled skin, weathered by experience, but still
holding the same valiant soul.
After a few inquiries, I learned that she lived in an upper middle-class house, which
made me happy for her, as I took it as proof that she could comfortably live off the fruits
of her adventures. Welcomed onto the patio, I waited for the mistress of the house to
greet me. As I lost myself in the contemplation of some sprawling ivy, my reverie was
interrupted by the firm baritone of a man:
“Mother will not see you today, nor another day,” he said coolly. “She does not wish to
tarnish your memory of her. I, however, am curious to make your acquaintance, father.”
My heart skipped a beat. Stunned, I sought the face of the unknown man who slowly
walked out of the shadows: Amarkhoon, my son. He seemed full of confidence for his
age, a trait he obviously inherited from his mother. A half-elf, a being halfway between
two worlds; between the fleeting lives of humans and the patient centuries of elves.
Charismatic and astute, he was a rising member of society, and I soon learned that
their current wealth was entirely his doing. He had taken upon himself what should
have been my duty: to look after Nidari as she grew weaker. I was torn between pride
and shame, but also between curiosity and reluctance at the idea of learning too much.
No one gets that rich that fast without some dangerous compromises.
Born from elven and human parents, melessë, or half-elves, are known to be typically
graceful and willful. In spite—or because—of their mixed blood, these hybrids know
how to make their way in unexpected fashions, free from the yoke of traditions and
deeply rooted habits.
66
Shrewd Intermediaries
Half-Elf or Melessë?
Omnipresent among navies and as agents in noble courts, melessë
are seen as natural intermediaries between two worlds: civilization In Eana, the denomination “half-elf” is common,
and wilderness, light and shadow, etc. Due to their ease in society, but sometimes perceived as derogatory, as if the
they are often entrusted with important missions, and thus rise concerned individual were an incomplete being.
quickly in the service of powerful protectors or patrons. With Thus, the term “melessë” is usually preferred. It
time, they become privy to so many secrets that they may become is derived from an Elvish word expressing love,
indispensable, inconspicuous holders of great influence. as it is commonly said that half-elves are born
from passion.
Ambivalent Liberty
Propelled by their natural charisma, melessë freely travel the one day having a country, a kingdom, a land governed by
world. They fit in easily, but have a hard time settling down. their kind that they could call their own. The yet uncertain
Some are fine with this, feeling that existence is fleeting future of melessë will depend on whether they can develop
and that any attachment is illusory, but others dream of a common identity.
Melessë Traits
Y our melessë character has some qualities in common
with elves and some that are unique to their species. In
particular, half-elves are reputed for their open-mindedness
and curiosity. Every melessë sports unique features that
also highlight their mixed heritage. However, nearly all of
them have in common delicately chiseled faces and pointed
ears. Their hair is frequently described as silky and can be Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
of any color found among elves and humans, though with
sometimes varying hues: black becomes deep blue, red Darkvision Thanks to your elf blood, you have superior
becomes crimson, and even brown can have tints of pink. vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim
The same goes for the eyes: sapphire blue, jade green, light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in
amethyst, garnet pink, pearl gray, etc. darkness as if it were dim light. You cannot discern color
in darkness, only shades of gray.
Ability Score Increase. Your Charisma score increases
by 2, and two other ability scores of your choice increase Fey Ancestry. You have advantage on saving throws
by 1. against being charmed, and magic cannot put you to
sleep.
Age. Half-elves mature at the same rate humans do and
reach adulthood around the age of 20. They live much Skill Versatility. You gain proficiency in two skills of
longer than humans, however, often exceeding 180 your choice and in one of the following tools: a type of
years. musical instrument (any one), navigator’s tools, a type of
artisan’s tools (any one), vehicles (land, water, or air).
Alignment. Due to their ancestry, melessë often have the These proficiencies should reflect your background, of
sense of standing between two worlds. As such, they are the encounters you have had, of the adventures you have
usually at odds with the idea of a ruling norm, and are experienced in the course of your youth, etc. You can pick
rarely of lawful alignment, preferring to adapt their them after you have chosen your background, which
behavior to the circumstances. comes next during character creation.
Size. Melessë are about the same size as humans, ranging Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common,
from 5 to 6 feet tall. Your size is Medium. Elvish, and two extra languages of your choice.
68
Merosi, the Half-Orcs
y guide had led me to the steppe, into the lands of clan Shuurga, led
by the fierce Saikhan, a half-human, half-orc hybrid. She was none too
pleased about my plans to explore the ruins of Mangulik, capital of the
Horde’s great warlord, founder of the spirit of Kaan, favored son of the
Lady of the Night, bloodthirsty liberator ruling from atop a pyramid of
skulls—in short, the last vestiges left by the one who would become the
terrible god Tamerakh. Rumor of my intent had spread through the whole camp, and I
was regarded as foolhardy, mad, or dangerous, sometimes all three. I considered myself a
witness; someone who could bring back reliable information to modern minds instead of
fanciful, contradictory tales. To me, such fear was mostly born from the ignorance of what
had truly transpired in Mangulik. I wished to know the truth.
Hearing my motives, Saikhan judged them to be worthy and declared that she would guide
me into the Khoosrol, the desolate lands whose ancient capital stood at their center. I was
rather taken aback by this arrangement, but since she did not seem to be the treacherous
type, I accepted her offer.
After two days of taxing riding through the steppe, our mounts started to get skittish. We
were making for a mountaintop from which we could get a good view of the region. At
nightfall, we set camp in a spot sheltered from the increasingly strong wind. In addition
to the roaring gusts and the constant, panicked whickering of our mounts, it seemed to
me that I could hear a high-pitched shrieking in the distance; a sort of distorted crying
or yelling. Had I been human, I might have salvaged a few hours of fitful sleep from this
harrowing night, but as it was, I found it impossible to stay in trance for the four straight
hours I required.
At dawn, Saikhan took me to the summit. In front of me spread a cursed land, the dilapidated
crossroads of which were dotted with the burial mounds of warriors fallen in the course of
the tyrant’s relentless conquests. I saw short-lived rivers that took shape when rain fell on
the mountains, only to evaporate before they could reach the sea. The merosi described
to me the reprobates that haunted the warrens, the specters that made every night a
nightmare, and the demons that, according to rumor, lurked in the ruins to this day. With
visible irony, she insisted that she had no idea whether all these stories were true. However,
she could certify that specters were common and that horses were reluctant to venture into
this forsaken country. Its whole population had been sacrificed so that Tamerakh could
rise to godhood, unless it was as revenge for some forgotten offense… Either way, it was
abundantly clear that many of these unfortunate souls had never found peace.
To me, the world of Saikhan seemed as vast as an ocean, with the Khoosrol as its abyss.
I thanked the leader of the Shuurga for opening my eyes and turning me away from my
suicidal project by demonstration rather than by force.
Gifted with the boundless strength of orcs and with the creativity of humans, merosi, or half-orcs, are surprisingly versatile,
capable of brutality and impulsiveness as much as of cleverness and subtlety. Their instinctive reactions, stamina, and
combativeness are generally considered fearsome, but also sometimes fascinating, in the same way a big cat can be.
Most merosi live in the Kaani Empire or in the lands that it ruled in the past. There, they are so common that you can meet
entire clans of these hybrids, well integrated into society. In Cyfandir, half-orcs are persistently labeled as descendants of
invaders. Elsewhere, for example in the Draconic Kingdoms, they are so rare and ill-known that they only arouse curiosity.
69
A Short but
Half-Orc or Merosi? Intense Life
The term “half-orc” is commonly derogatory, as orcs Merosi have a shorter lifespan than most
are known to have been involved in many bloody raids humanoid species: they rarely live more
and conquests. As such, this term is usually perceived than seventy years. What could have been
as referring to the presumed violence or stupidity of taken as a curse or a tragedy is instead
these half-bloods. In the Kaani Empire, they are called accepted with stoicism. A half-orc reaches
“merosi,” referring to their double parentage, the two adulthood at fourteen, at which point they
being considered with equal pride. are encouraged to pursue their calling or
to seek what will give meaning to their
existence. Better to die after a life fully
realized than to experience centuries of
tedium and listlessness.
Earning Respect
The clannish Kaani culture influences many
merosi who seek to distinguish themselves
through great deeds in order to prove their
worth. Some promise themselves that they
will come back to their native land to
vanquish the greatest warriors
and join the ruling council,
or even become tribal
chieftains. This drive
to test one’s mettle
can take the form of
a heightened taste for
risks and extraordinary
challenges. Making a
name for oneself, no matter
in what domain, being talked
and written about in legends
and history books, is an
apotheosis that many
dream of.
Half-Orc Philosophies Merosi Traits
Merosi philosophies have made their mark on the history
of Eana. They have developed concepts close to what we
know as Epicureanism—or even hedonism—and Stoicism.
Y our half-orc character has certain traits deriving
from your orc ancestry. Other species are quick to
associate merosi with ugliness, but their mixed blood
The violent, unrelenting dogma of Tamerakh, god of can actually result in harmonious beauty, with bark-
freedom and destruction, is studied by scholars, side by colored hair, tanned skin, and tawny eyes.
side with the texts of the most famous authors.
Lady Khutga
Ability Score Increase. Your Strength score
An imperial princess, Khutga lived during a period of great increases by 2, and your Constitution score increases
disasters for the Kaani and was one of the last survivors of by 1.
her family. From a situation of great wealth, she sunk into
the depths of poverty, and took refuge in foreign lands Age. Half-orcs mature a little faster than humans,
where she spent her elder years. She left behind her a reaching adulthood around age 14. They age
corpus of stoic writings, recommending never to let oneself noticeably faster and rarely live longer than 75
be affected by what one has no control over, all the while years.
never sinking into inactivity and passivity, always remaining
poised to seize whatever opportunity may arise, even in the Alignment. Half-orcs inherit a tendency toward
worst circumstances. chaos from their orc parents, as well as a thirst for
freedom and for experiencing life as it goes, candidly
Lord Tsunsny enjoying the pleasures it offers. Such an attitude is
not incompatible with a strong sense of honor and
This merosi was among those who spearheaded the rebirth with sticking to one’s word. However, their strong
of the Horde. He fitted the ideal of a Kaani conqueror, but attachment to their community can make them
was also a shrewd administrator and one of the great indifferent to the fate of outsiders.
builders of the port of Khaalgany. His treatises focus on
the question of chance, and he theorized the necessity of Size. Half-orcs are somewhat larger and bulkier
giving deep consideration to trivial matters while dealing than humans, and they range from 5 to well over 6
lightly with serious ones, so as to be equal in all things, in feet tall. Your size is Medium.
peace as in war.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Poetess Yulduz
Darkvision. Thanks to your orc blood, you have
A writer of artistic collections and songs of great superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can
refinement, Yulduz is known to be a philosopher whose see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were
work celebrates present life and the importance of bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light.
enjoying every experience to the fullest. According to You cannot discern color in darkness, only shades of
her philosophy, “good” is synonymous with the quest gray.
for pleasure, and her conviction is that everything that
arouses fascination and attraction can therefore be good. Menacing. You gain proficiency in the Intimidation
Her writings, inflammatory in some respects, celebrate the skill.
grandeur of certain demon princes and the passion for the
violence of bloody fights, those that stir up the feeling of Relentless Endurance. When damage reduces you
being alive by confronting one with the fear of death. to 0 hit points but does not kill you outright, you can
drop to 1 hit point instead. You cannot use this
feature again until you finish a long rest.
If the leader makes use of the Wound rules, they can decide to apply this optional rule: making use of Relentless
Endurance immediately and automatically brings you to the “dying” state with 1 hit point and 5 levels of exhaustion,
all the while retaining consciousness. Due to adrenaline, you can ignore the pain of your Wounds and all exhaustion-
related effects for a number of rounds equal to your Constitution modifier (with a minimum of one). You cannot use this
feature again until you finish a short or long rest.
Savage Attacks. When you score a critical hit with a melee weapon attack, you can roll one of the weapon’s damage
dice one additional time and add it to the extra damage of the critical hit.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and Kaani.
71
Tieflings
Tieflings seem to be born exclusively from human women, as if this species had an innate
connection with evil powers. This may be yet one more example of the adaptability of
humans, which can result in both the best and the worst. Tieflings themselves are usually
sterile, and seemingly only capable of reproducing in very particular circumstances.
72
The Curse
Not all tieflings are born from the direct intervention of a fiend. Sometimes, a pregnant
woman can be exposed to black magic, thus marking the child. It can be the result of
a curse, the pernicious influence of an evil item, the consequence of the pregnant
mother fighting a sorcerer, etc. The appearance of the resulting child is not
necessarily monstrous: they may simply have feline eyes (golden, with slit
pupils), abnormally colored hair (white from infancy, for example), and more
pronounced canines than normal. The young tiefling’s nature may then
only be revealed through spontaneous supernatural abilities, such as
speaking the tongue of demons (or devils) without having ever heard
it, being impervious to fire, casting an eerie cantrip, etc. The child and
mother may be rejected, or even hunted down. Consumed by rage,
will the cursed young one turn toward evil? Or will they dedicate
themselves to the service of good, considering themselves best
suited to fighting fire with fire? Or will they consider themselves an
expression of the world’s corruption, perceiving their stigmas
as the mark of an inescapable fate they would rather not
think about?
An Agent in Eana
Witches who regularly deal with devils or
demons are often offered or forced to have
intercourse with their fiendish partners.
The aside “Fiendish parentage” covers the
usual situations. In any case, the tiefling’s
mother will be deeply marked by the
experience and may even become sterile
as a result of the pregnancy. Her child can
be a treasure, the fruit of years of tireless
work, or a shameful curse. Tieflings
born in such circumstances are often
seen by one or both of their parents as
tools in the service of a dark end. Will
they lend themselves to it? Will they
try to break free?
Xonim’s Ambiguous Benevolence
Xonim is the ambivalent Lady of the Night; the unsettling, manipulative wizard goddess. She is widely known to be fond of
tieflings and is even said to be inclined to answer their prayers, for example allowing them to elude their pursuers. But are
her favors truly disinterested?
A Sense of Evil
Tieflings can intuitively speak the language of their fiendish parent, sometimes even before that of their human mother. During
their childhood, they become spontaneously able to cast the thaumaturgy cantrip. It also seems that they are sometimes
warned of evil intent through dreams and even fleeting visions. What is the meaning of this sense of evil? Is it a call, beckoning
the tiefling to join the armies of evil? Could this sense be taken advantage of to foresee disaster?
Fiendish Parentage
Fiendish parents, even those of female aspects, are capable of inseminating those they have chosen to bear their children.
The player chooses whether their character will be of devil or demon blood, and the leader decides the exact nature
of the parent. More information can be found about devils and demons in Arcana and Bestiary.
Here are the most commonly involved devils and the status Due to the chaotic nature of demons, their behavior toward
of the resulting tiefling: tieflings of their blood are more unpredictable. Here are the
most common demonic parents:
Hospodar. Devil leaders, like other beings of great power,
can decide to manifest under the form of a hypostasis—a Prince. Just like hospodar, princes can sire through
short-lived embodiment of part of their essence— hypostasis. Their motivations, however, are less clear.
adopting a shape suited to a momentary intervention in They may simply wish to have a pawn in Eana or may
Eana. They always do so with a plan in mind, and the child actually feel attachment toward certain mortals despite
will be a privileged object of their fiendish parent’s their destructive projects.
attention, intent on making full use of their offspring to
further their diabolical ends. In the eyes of cultists, the Marilith. Snake-like demons in the service of Liridem the
child of a hospodar is a messiah-like figure. Bitter or Akhlitôl the Vengeful. When they sire tieflings,
mariliths usually offer them to their prince so that they
Turtânu (pit fiend). These devils only sire during rare may make use of them as devoted agents. Sometimes, a
rituals that require a great expenditure of power. For marilith keeps its child, when it can use them to further its
many cultists, the scion of a pit fiend is a precious gift, own ambitions, related to its existence in Melancholia or
the equivalent of a prince. How much the fiendish to its past life, of which it keeps tormented memories. The
parent is respected by devils will also be reflected on tiefling will usually sport serpent scales on part of their
the tiefling. body, and sometimes a forked tongue.
Qarnu (horned devil). Horned devils are the most Glabrezu. This perfidious, subtle adviser of the mighty
common parents of tieflings, to the point of being at the uses its offspring as agents in the game of thrones. Its
origin of the stereotypical depiction of tieflings as tieflings may count on continual help and sage advice…
horned and tailed. Any witch, even an occasional one, until the time comes for them to be mercilessly sacrificed to
has a chance of being offered such an arrangement. The serve the ambitions of a promising mortal under the
motivations of horned devils, however, are unclear: demon’s tutelage, or when the glabrezu deems the situation
establishing their psychological sway over the mortal interesting enough to satisfy its sense of tragedy. Due to
that gives them her soul? Spreading evil by siring them both having horns as part of their fiendish heritage,
children? They do not seem to pay much attention to glabrezu tieflings are sometimes confused with qarnu ones.
the resulting offspring, which gives them much more
liberty than most tieflings. Incubus and succubus. These demons are known to sow
tieflings by accident. Their scions are reputed for their
Harharru (chain devil). Chain devils are the diabolic beauty and can often pass for humans without effort. In
tutors of torturers and jailers. It happens that they certain lands where the crimes of these fiends have
torment their pupils’ prisoners, sometimes with rape. As attracted notice, striking looks are considered to be
might be expected, harharru tieflings are not well- suspicious and can lead to an investigation, or even a trial
considered among the denizens of Furnace and are easily for sorcery. According to certain legends, such tieflings
looked down on as sons and daughters of slaves. are doomed to misfortune in love.
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Tiefling Traits Below, you will find optional rules to make tieflings more
unsettling and surprising.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 Plea to Xonim. With an action, you can make a plea to
feet. the goddess Xonim, the dangerous protector of tieflings.
Depending on the circumstances, this ability can have
Darkvision. Thanks to your fiendish one or several of the following effects: erasing your
heritage, you have superior vision in tracks, masking your scent, misleading your pursuers,
dark and dim conditions. You can see in triggering a happy accident (a door opportunely opens,
dim light within 60 feet of you as if it someone drops a key, etc.), attracting an enemy’s
were bright light, and in darkness as if it attention away from you, etc. In game terms, you have
were dim light. You cannot discern color advantage on your next Dexterity (Stealth) check and
in darkness, only shades of gray. your enemies have disadvantage on their next Wisdom
(Perception) check. The result is always subtle and
Fiendish Resistance. You have coincidental, and only you will be aware of the divine
resistance to fire damage. intervention. You regain this ability after a long rest.
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Character’s History
y picking your character’s species and civilization, you have laid the
first steps of their history. Now, you will get to flesh it out by defining
the most memorable moments of their existence, by selecting the
skills and knowledge they are proficient in, and by choosing their
equipment, their defining features, and a particular talent or network
they can rely on.
Background
very story has a beginning. Your character’s background reveals where you came from,
how you became an adventurer, and your place in the world. Your fighter might have been
a courageous knight or a grizzled soldier. Your wizard could have been a sage or an artisan.
Your rogue might have gotten by as a guild thief or commanded audiences as a jester.
Choosing a background provides you with important story cues about your character’s
identity. The most important question to ask about your background is what changed? Why did you
stop doing whatever your background describes and start adventuring? Where did you get the money to
purchase your starting gear, or, if you come from a wealthy background, why don’t you have more money?
How did you learn the skills of your class?
In the following pages, you will be guided through several steps to design a background of your own. At
the end of every step, three examples are included to provide an illustration: the artisan, the pirate, and the
slave.
If you are in a hurry or seek inspiration, take a look at the ten ready-made backgrounds provided at the end
of this chapter.
Step 2: Skill Proficiencies. Choose two skills you are proficient in.
Step 3: Additional Proficiencies. Choose two proficiencies among tools, vehicles, or languages.
Step 5: Feature. Your feature is that little something you have mastered that gives you an edge of your own.
Step 6: Characteristics. Define the core of your personality and connection to the story.
Bonus step: Handicap. If you wish, you can pick two handicaps to gain a feat.
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Step 1: Identity
T he first step consists of summing up what best defines your identity, the kind of person you
were before you decided to become an adventurer. This can be related to your social origin, your
profession, or a dramatic event. In certain cases, your background can combine two or all three of
these aspects.
Social Origin
You have grown up in an environment whose codes and values you have become familiar with.
It can be a social group whose place is recognized in society (a noble house, a village, a religious
community, etc.) or, conversely, one characterized by its marginality (bastards, foreigners, street
urchins, vagabonds, etc.). People who belong to your group will have an opinion about you taking the
life-changing decision of becoming an adventurer. They may be proud of you or see you as a traitor,
but your decision will certainly not leave them indifferent. Are you in tune with your origins or do
you reject your roots? Who are the people who matter above all else among your relatives and close
friends? The answers to these questions will be useful for step 6: Characteristics.
Profession
What defines you first and foremost is your professional activity. You may be famous for it or practice
it in private, almost as a hobby. Either way, you are proud of your mastery in this domain, to the point
of considering it an important part of your identity. Whatever your art is, you surely spend a lot of
time refining it. So with that said, what is your profession? Take note of it, as it will have an impact
on step 2: Skill Proficiencies and step 3: Additional Proficiencies.
Dramatic Event
Something changed your life radically, something so profound you’ve built your identity around it. Was
it a positive or negative change? Here are a few possibilities:
Negative: Mourning, being kidnapped or captured by bandits, getting caught in a fire, being
violently attacked, suffering a betrayal, going on trial, etc.
Your view of the world was probably flipped upside down by what happened to you. Take note of how
your character feels about it. If a friend or enemy was closely involved in this experience, mention it.
This information will come up during step 6: Characteristics.
Concept
name Summary of the Concept
Acolyte* You have spent your life in the service of a temple to a specific god or pantheon of gods.
Animist* Not everyone may believe you, but for you there is no doubt about it: you are able to
communicate with spirits.
Artisan** Before you became an adventurer and embraced a life of questing, you worked as an
artisan and were perhaps considered an artist.
Bohemian* You are from an itinerant, nomadic community organized around colorful wagons and
dazzling shows.
Condottiere* You know how to fight, that is certain, but you have always done so with manners, and your
feats of arms are the talk of the local inns.
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Convict For some reason or another, you have spent many years in jail.
Executioner In many kingdoms, torture and the death penalty are legal, and you were one of the sinister
agents who carried them out.
Explorer of You have lost count of the miles you have walked, the forests you have crossed, and the
Wild Lands* mountains you have scaled, but you keep a vivid memory of each land you have traveled.
Fugitive You fled someone or something, running away from it for years… perhaps you still are!
Judge You delivered justice in the name of your lord or king.
Mercenary Before you became an adventurer, you fought for the highest bidder. Maybe you still do?
Notable* Many people would have liked to grow up in such a comfortable environment as yours.
Pauper You have experienced misery, and it is probably what drove you to become an adventurer.
Peasant You are connected to your land and tilled it for many years before you took another path.
Pirate** Commanding a fearsome ship, you were the scourge of the seas… unless you were but a
lowly cabin boy, swabbing the deck for months on end.
Recluse* You spent a good part of your life in the middle of nature or in a remote place of
contemplation.
Sailor You have spent most of your life at sea.
Savant* To many, you are a font of knowledge. You know, however, that said font does not fill itself.
Schemer Crafty politician, courtier among a lord’s entourage, or high-ranking member of a guild,
you are accustomed to power and its underhanded dangers.
Scoundrel* You have taken part in less-than-legal businesses for quite some time.
Slave** During a more or less extended period, you were a slave, exploited either as a worker or
as an indentured servant.
Soldier You served in the army, whether as a simple soldier or as a high-ranking knight.
Survivor* For as long as you can remember, you have always been surrounded by blood and death.
* Concepts with an asterisk are developed at the end of this chapter. You can use these backgrounds as such
or draw inspiration from them to create your own.
** Concepts with two asterisks are used as detailed examples throughout the background creation steps, as
below:
Artisan
Before he became an adventurer, your character was an are as common as brigands. They seek to become rich
artisan. Peasants aside, artisans make up most of the or, sometimes, simply to survive, forming a free, proud
population. In addition to the many types of artisans, society in which rank is in direct proportion to one’s
there are also typical cultural specialties, such as the daring and talent.
renowned Kaani carpetmakers, elenion jewelers,
and dwarven smiths. There is no clear-cut difference
between a talented creative artisan and an artist. Slave
Artisans commonly gather in guilds, brotherhoods,
and corporations according to their trade. They usually Your character is a former slave. Slavery is quite
show solidarity, but this does not preclude competition common in Eana, and there are many reasons one might
and, sometimes, treachery. have become a slave. Most war prisoners become the
victor’s slaves. Pirates often capture people to ransom
them or sell them as slaves in other countries. Poverty-
Pirate stricken people may willingly become slaves, selling
themselves to provide for their family or becoming
Maybe you roamed the Barbary Islands or, further thralls to erase a debt. In many countries, children
north, the Septentrion, riding your longship? Pirates born from slaves are considered slaves as well.
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Step 2: Skill Proficiencies
A ll backgrounds grant proficiency in two skills, each of which can be used as a basis to imagine the iconic
moments of your character’s past. How did they become such a smooth talker? Or such a good rider?
Below, you will find a list of the available skills, along with suggestions on how your character might have
learned them, be it by being taught or on their own. Determine how your character became proficient in
these two skills, in relation to the background concept you chose during the previous step.
Acrobatics
You are trained in keeping your balance and tumbling.
You have been raised by an entertainer and journeyed with her on the many roads of Cyfandir. Every day,
you trained rigorously to perform the tricks that would captivate your audience and provide both of you
with enough money to eat your fill.
For many years, you were a sailor. You often had to climb the masts to work the rigging, even
during foul weather. You have developed a solid sense of balance and steady nerves.
Animal Handling
You are comfortable around domestic animals and are capable of
taming wild animals. You can ride horses, care for them, raise them,
and train them.
Athletics
You can swim, jump far and high, and climb skillfully. Insight
In the region where you grew up, every year villages You can identify an emotion from the tone of someone’s
hold a friendly competition with running, jumping, voice, catch telling flashes of expression, and read body
and swimming events. You trained hard to proudly language. You can tell when someone is lying to you or
wear the colors of your village, and it paid off! is up to no good.
In the duergar’s mines, slaves work tirelessly, Living surrounded by short-tempered, violent people
performing mind-numbing, body-breaking tasks in trained your social awareness and, above all, your
dark tunnels. You were among the few who did not ability to spot the cues that foretell conflict. This left
give up. You found the strength to escape and ran for you with just enough time to disarm the crisis or
hours, for days, to evade your pursuers. scram before it blew up.
You are learned in anatomy and physiology, and capable At the monastery, one of the exercises consisted of
of diagnosing a poison or sickness. You can also stitch spending the day blindfolded for as long as possible.
someone up or remove a projectile from a wound. Not an easy task, and one that earned you many
Preparing remedies, however, requires proficiency bruises. In the end, you could not make it through
with the herbalism kit or alchemist’s supplies. the day without the use of your eyes, but it did teach
you to harness all five of your senses.
Conscripted by your lord, you experienced battle
and were wounded. Fortunately, you fared much
better than others and volunteered to help the
medics who took care of your comrades. Every day, Performance
you learned a little more about dressing a wound,
identifying symptoms, and delivering the You know how to attract attention and tug at the
appropriate treatment. Afterward, you kept heartstrings of people, whether to make them laugh or
studying until you became a healer yourself. cry. You can strut with grace, sing, dance, and narrate
both humorous anecdotes and inspiring epics.
As the youngest son of a highborn family in a big
town, you thought about your future and decided Your mother, a courtier, wanted you to have a
to embrace the career of doctor rather than that of proper education so that, like her, you could charm
jurist or merchant. You followed an academic and make your way into high society. Hours spent
course of an essentially theoretical nature, but of standing straight, training your voice, and working
great quality. on your eloquence to turn your stories into gripping
tales have made you an able performer.
Stealth
Religion
You can walk quietly, tuck yourself into a corner at
You are familiar with the principles that regulate the the right time, make yourself inconspicuous among a
metaphysics of the world of Eana. You know about the crowd, or shadow a mark.
main religions, the gods, the demon princes, and the
diabolic hospodar. You were taught about religious For a long time, you suffered mistreatment from
doctrine, rites, hymns, and prayers. your parents or an abusive master. Out of an instinct
for survival, you learned to make yourself scarce.
Enrolled at a temple as a novice when you were a
child, you grew up in a religious environment. Every Growing up in the slums, you worked as an informant
day, you had to follow the strict discipline of the for the town guards and developed a reliable talent
place and the tight schedule of prayers, meals, for eavesdropping and quietly keeping watch on
hymns, studies… Even if you had wished to, you dangerous people.
could not have escaped these lessons in religion.
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As an aldaron, you spent most of your life in the When you were still young, you fled a violent home—
forest. Alongside the hunters, gatherers, and fishers unless it was destroyed by marauders or monsters.
of your clan, you learned about the basics of living in You found your salvation in an isolated, uninhabited
untamed lands. valley where you took shelter in a ruin. In time, you
made a dwelling of sorts out of it and learned to
survive by your own means, the hard way.
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Step 3: Additional Proficiencies
Y our background gives you access to a total of two additional proficiencies chosen from tools, languages,
or vehicles (see the Equipment and Languages chapters). You can be proficient in a combination of two
languages, or two types of tools, or one language and one type of vehicle, etc. These additional proficiencies
should be related to your profession or way of life. How did you acquire them? Below, you will find descriptions
of the most common tools and vehicles, as well as suggestions on how you might have learned about their use.
For each additional proficiency, imagine how your character acquired it.
Language
Herbalism Kit
You speak a Standard or Exotic language, and can also
You have learned to gather, dry, and store plants and read and write it, provided you are learned (see the
other natural substances used to prepare remedies and Languages chapter).
healing brews.
You were taught the sacred tongue of your people, in
At home, one of your elder siblings was particularly which your ancestors wrote their psalms, hymns, and
good with salves. People came from afar to get their legends.
medicines from him. From your earliest years, you
learned at his side. Uprooted, a stranger thrown into a land you knew
nothing about, you had no choice but to make do and
learn as you went.
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Vehicles (Air)
You know how to drive and maintain air vehicles. Such
contraptions are in use almost exclusively in the Eolian
Isles, though some go as far as the Free City.
Artisan
Vehicles (Land) Obviously, your portraitist needs to be
proficient in the appropriate artisan’s
You know how to drive and maintain land vehicles, that is tools (painter’s supplies). You also decide
to say carriages for the most part. that through his habit of frequenting
a cosmopolitan clientele, he learned
As a mail-delivering stagecoach driver in the another language, the exact nature of
Drakenbergen, you rode through the mountains, which depends on what kinds of people
carrying letters, packages, and travelers. Thanks to you, he met.
communities could keep a living connection between
each other.
Pirate
The chariot drivers of Cyrillane compete in heated races
of great violence that stir up the enthusiasm of the As a scourge of the sea and part of a crew,
crowd. Today still, despite the civil war, these you contributed to the maneuvers and, as
competitions continue to take place, though irregularly such, are proficient in vehicles (sea). How
and in an explosive atmosphere. you picture your character will dictate your
second choice. Were you the navigator, in
charge of assisting the captain (navigator’s
tools)? Or a gambler who spent her time in
Vehicles (Sea) seedy joints (gaming set)? Or maybe you
learned another language in the course of
You know how to drive and maintain sea vehicles, most of your many voyages?
which are sailing vessels. Some of these include rowers,
such as galleys or longships.
Esclave
You grew up in a small fishing port, where your modest
sailboat was your and your siblings’ main source of Your character being a noble’s house slave,
sustenance. By dint of perseverance and adaptability, the most logical thing would be for him
you became a remarkable mariner. to be proficient in the tools related to his
position. You peg him down as a cook, and
Ellerìna’s navy, which is exclusively comprised of melessë thus give him proficiency in artisan’s tools
and elenion, is one of the most famed of Eana. You were (cook’s utensils) and farmer’s tools.
very proud to be accepted into it. After several years
climbing the ranks, you can now handle most any ship.
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Step 4: Equipment
E ach background provides a package of starting equipment. This package is a set of items representing
your character’s trappings and serendipitous findings. This does not necessarily represent the entirety
of your character’s possessions (they may, for example, have a house), but it is part of your character’s
personal belongings. Your background equipment is divided into four types: tools, mementos, clothes, and
money. Once more, take a few moments to define these four elements of your character.
Tools
You always carry with you a pendant, gifted to
You own the tools you have acquired proficiency in, you by a beloved one. The leader decides in secret
either during step 3: Additional Proficiencies of whether it is part of an ancient treasure related
background creation, or by virtue of belonging to a to their campaign, if it might show magic powers
given species or subspecies. in time, or if it will be used as a token of
If the tools in question are too expensive, too heavy, recognition.
or too cumbersome to be part of your equipment,
you can instead get 1d20 gp. Being of noble birth, you wear a signet ring
bearing the arms of your house, which you can use
As a dwarf, you have proficiency in smith’s tools, to sign documents.
and own these tools as part of your starting
equipment. During background creation, you also
chose proficiency in a musical instrument, which
you are likewise granted. Clothes
As a sailor, you became proficient in sea vehicles You own clothes related to your background.
by working aboard huge sailing ships. However,
such a vessel cannot be part of your starting As a noble from Ajagar, you own clothes and
equipment. At most, you can own a small sailboat accessories (jewels, scarf, etc.) that show your
with a maximum capacity of six people. Should birth and rank.
such a possession be of no use—for example, if
your adventure takes place inland—you will You are a Cyrillan refugee who lost everything
instead be given 1d20 gp. when you fled the civil war tearing your country
apart. You own the clothes you have traveled in,
which bear the mark of bad weather and the
misadventures you have been through.
Mementos
You own a memento (a trinket, a recommendation
letter, a lock of hair from a beloved person, etc.) Money
related to a person (relative, fiancé, mentor, sworn
enemy, etc.) or group (guild, noble house, evil tyrant, The amount of gold pieces (gp) you have on you on
etc.) that matters to you. the first day of your adventures. It is what remains of
This item, connected to your past (in particular to your past misfortunes or recent successes.
step 1: Identity of background creation), could If your background is steeped in poverty (street
become important in the future. It can also be proof urchin, slave, hermit, etc.), you get 5 gp. If you have
of your identity or a token of your feature (see step a middle-class lifestyle (legally or not), your starting
5: Feature). Talk with your leader about the nature money is 15 gp. And if you are from the richer strata
of this memento and what it means to you. of society, you start with 25 gp.
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Artisan
Your artisan owns painter’s money from your boat’s sale—for
supplies, which are the tools of his a total of 25 gp.
trade, as well as quality clothes, Your leader tells you that some time
complete with a large apron. As a after you left your brotherhood of
memento, he carries a small portrait pirates, a former colleague informed
of a woman that his mentor painted, you of a looming menace: those
a masterful piece he intends to involved in your first boarding are
surpass one day. He owns 15 gp. starting to disappear under strange
Your leader tells you that recently, circumstances.
your artisan thinks he saw a woman
who was the spitting image of the
portrait… which is more than thirty Slave
years old! How is it possible? Could
this beautiful stranger be the same Your former slave may own cook’s
person? Or maybe a relative? utensils and farmer’s tools, but you
might also see no point in lugging
around a hoe and a bag of seeds,
Pirate in which case you can get an extra
1d20 gp instead of the farmer’s
You opted to give your pirate an tools. You own common, worn down
additional language. Since your clothes. As a memento, you choose a
adventure will take place inland, scarf that your mother knitted a long
owning a boat would be pointless, time ago. You have no idea where
so you roll 1d20. You get a 10, she is now, only that merchants sold
which means an addition of 10 gp her several years ago in a faraway
to your starting money. As your country. Finally, you own the grand
memento, you choose an old key, sum of 5 gp—after all, you were not
a lucky charm of yours that you paid for your work!
earned on your first boarding and Your leader establishes that you were
which you have worn around your separated from your mother during
neck ever since. You own 15 gp childhood and warns you that it was
from your illegal activities, as well such a long time ago that you might
as an extra 10 gp—the leftover not even recognize each other now.
Step 5: Feature
E ach background grants you a unique feature. It is an ace up your character’s sleeve that they can make use
of in specific circumstances, either by virtue of a particular talent or by calling upon their connections.
In any case, your feature is not meant to provide a significant power boost, but to be used as a storytelling
device and as an expression of your character’s distinctiveness.
Your leader, not you, determines your feature, of which there are three types: access to a network, rare
talent, or revelation. The decision should be made in accordance with the campaign’s style.
Network
Knowing about a rare or almost extinct language.
You belong to a particular social group: nobility, This tongue should be closely associated with the
underworld, nomads, etc. You are familiar with campaign’s stakes, such as Old Boreal for
their codes and are in good standing with them. adventures in the far northern reaches of
If there are members of your network where you Septentrion.
are, you can contact them for help: shelter, food,
information, etc. Advantage or negated disadvantage when using
a skill, tool, or vehicle in a very particular type of
Rare Talent circumstances. For example, you may suffer no
disadvantage when navigating through fog.
You have developed a little knack of
your own: a rare talent, maybe even Revelation
a unique one. The usefulness of your
talent should always be inferior You have learned a rare piece of information that
to that of a feat (see the your leader will impart to you. Through your
Customization Options revelation, you will be directly involved in one of the
chapter). Here are key elements of the campaign’s plot. For example,
general guidelines you might be related to a future victim or to a
for rare talents: lieutenant of the main enemy faction.
Rare talent. Your pirate may have learned
Artisan thieves’ cant from hanging around
smugglers and assorted criminals.
For your artisan, your leader might choose
between: Revelation. Right before she left her
brotherhood, your pirate may have
Network. Your artisan is a guild member, learned about a secret piece of information.
making him part of an extended network. This might even be a way to include her in
This implies constraints, but also the campaign’s first scenario and provide
protections, as well as accessible help her with a good reason to stick with the
within almost any town of importance rest of the party.
that does trade with the Free City.
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Step 6: Characteristics
Y our characteristics serve two purposes: giving color to the story and getting your character involved in
the adventure. With the inclusion and portrayal of such individual details, a simple mission can become
a picaresque or tragic epic. By coming up with amusing, unsettling, unexpected, or admirable characteristics
for their hero, every player can contribute to nurturing a mood that everyone will enjoy. Think about your
favorite sagas: what would they be without the memorable, quirky characters who experience them? The
choice of your class will grant you mighty powers that will give you the means to forge a fate like no other,
but characteristics are the spices that will give flavor to your quest.
Each of your characteristics can be described with a sentence starting with “I,” as if the character were
introducing and talking about themselves.
Personality Traits
Horizon and Home. You love your native land
Choose two notable traits typical of your character’s but feel a burning thirst for faraway countries.
behavior. It can be a verbal quirk, a specific attitude, When you are home, you are drawn to foreign
a way of reacting to problems, or a line of conduct. regions, and when you are away, homesickness
The effect can be humorous, stylish, flashy, or seizes you.
disturbing.
It may be difficult to pick traits for a character you Laughter and Seriousness. You jest in dire
have never played, since it is often by portraying your circumstances and take your hobbies with the
hero that you get a feeling of what kind of behavior utmost seriousness, as if deliberately acting in
would suit them. For the time being, you can take note reverse.
of traits that sound like a good match for them, then
alter them after the first adventure if you wish. Speech and Silence. You like to sing and talk,
but bear the weight of a heavy secret. In society,
Choosing Paradoxical Traits you alternate between rapid chatter and
speechlessness.
A paradox is an unexpected assertion that flies in the
face of logical certitudes and verisimilitude. People Ideal
can be complicated, with personality traits that
might seem contradictory but are nevertheless part Your ideal expresses what you believe in. It is what
of the same individual. pushes you forward, your core values, what matters
Creating a character on the basis of a paradox can most to you, what gives meaning to your existence
encourage you to go for a poetic, metaphorical and, as such, influences your alignment. Events
concept that will make your character all the that threaten your ideal or, conversely, provide
more unforgettable. Two traits that may appear opportunities to reach for it, are typical plot hooks.
mutually exclusive can be two poles of a character’s Below are examples of what you may defend or
personality, between which they must find balance. strive for:
Choosing paradoxical traits can set your character
on firmer ground before you begin playing them. You Freedom. All forms of censorship, restriction,
can also start with a paradox, then make traits out of and determinism are the bane of your existence.
it once you have gotten the hang of your character. Slavery is the embodiment of one of your worst
Here are a few examples: nightmares. To you, everyone should be free and
allowed to express their potential, even if this
Body and Soul. You wholly and sincerely seek implies getting rid of the codes and laws that
spiritual elevation, but your body has carnal hold people back.
needs that often get the better of you or that you
find very hard to repress. Glory. Life is short. You must make your mark by
performing exploits worthy of going down in
Childhood and Adulthood. Even though you history. Your great deeds will lead you to glory
endeavor to behave like an adult, you cannot and spread your legend far and wide. You may
help but have childlike tastes. However, you also seek glory for the sake of recognition:
have an undeniable sense of responsibility becoming famous and being under the spotlight
toward the weak. is your obsession.
Fire and Ice. You are unpredictably sensitive: now Justice. Having justice as your ideal drives you
fiery and passionate; then stern and restrained. to uphold equity and fight arbitrariness, the
abuse of power, nepotism, and all other forms of
Freedom and Honor. You wish to act in strict inequality. This ideal can make you someone
accordance with the rules of honor, but those of benevolent and generous, or cold and rational if
your social group are very restrictive and you all that matters to you is the strict application of
find them stifling. the law.
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Bond
Knowledge. Your conviction is that knowledge
must be shared without restrictions, that culture Your bond describes a duty that you must perform
and education must be spread for the benefit of no matter the cost. It can concern a person, a
all. To achieve this, you are prepared to venture all community, a faction, or a religion. Here are general
over the world. Alternatively, you might want to categories of bonds:
gather as much knowledge as possible in a given
domain in order to become its ultimate expert. Ambition. You have an ambition (reaching a high
political office, becoming the best in a field,
Love. In a violent, chaotic world, you wish for fulfilling an incredible quest, etc.) and will do
love to prevail and for millennial wars to give everything to achieve it.
way to fraternity between peoples and species.
Attachment. You would do everything in your
Perfection. You aim for perfection, be it in your power to help, protect, or defend the one (or
art, your trade, or a particular technique. those) you hold dear: child, parent, spouse,
friend, family, village, etc.
Power. You look up to those who can change the
tide of events and aspire to become one of them. Debt. Whether due to blackmail or to a debt of
To do so, you aim to rise to the top of your social honor, you owe a favor to someone who will call
ladder. If you are particularly prideful, you might it in at some point.
even want to become a god. Alternatively, you
could consider that might makes right and thus Discovery. You want to learn everything there is
support those who hold power. to know about a given subject.
Sainthood. This ideal leads you to live in Redemption. You will stop at nothing to right a
accordance with stringent principles, strictly wrong that has been committed, whether by you
adhering to what is considered saintly by your or by a close person.
doctrine. Or you might ardently protect what is
holy and sacred in your eyes, generally in regard Secret. You have a secret (your real identity,
to your religious beliefs. crimes formerly committed, the location of a
treasure or holy place, etc.) that others actively
Wealth. Whether said wealth is material or seek to unveil and that you must keep safe.
spiritual, you seek abundance and splendor at
every turn. You flee or struggle against poverty, Vengeance. You have sworn to bring down a
misery, and mediocrity. powerful enemy or are on the track of a criminal.
Inform your leader of your character’s ideal, so that Talk about your bond with your leader and choose
they may create plot hooks that will make your hero it carefully. Your leader will give you opportunities
all the more invested in the adventures that await to make good on your bond in the course or at the
them. Talk about your ideal with your leader and conclusion of the campaign. As for you, you will know
give them examples of situations that would spur that when your bond comes up during the story, it is a
your character to action. sign that adventure beckons!
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Flaw Blunt. You are incapable of hiding your emotions, and
when you do not like someone or something, it is
Heroes with flaws have more substance than perfect beings painfully obvious. You share your feelings and opinions
who are guaranteed to succeed in every endeavor they with the subtlety of a ballista.
undertake. Your character’s flaw is a particular shortcoming Bullheaded. You never go back on what you have said or
of theirs that will frequently hinder them and act as a source done, even if it turns out that it was a bad decision or
of twists. It is a fault that you have a very hard time keeping that you got things all wrong.
in check: you cannot help being this way, even when you Call of the Abyss. You have a fascination for highly
know it often results in trouble. dangerous or even life-or-death situations. You cannot
Every time that you portray your weakness should be a resist an opportunity to get close to a perilous situation,
potential source of colorful complications. Your leader can see it, feel it, and maybe even face it head-on.
reward this by granting your character inspiration. Cowardly. You are morbidly afraid of getting hurt,
Here are a few suggestions for flaws: suffering, and dying. Fighting is no problem… as long as
you are not seriously in danger, in which case you hide
Authoritarian. You brook no contradiction and are or run away.
quick to remind others of it. Foolhardy. You are convinced that where there is a will,
Betting. You cannot resist the temptation of a bet, there is a way, no matter the danger, the number of
even—particularly—a reckless one. enemies, or the complexity of the task.
Garrulous. You cannot bear silence: you love to talk and
are very bad at keeping secrets.
Greedy. You never have enough. If there is the slightest
chance of getting more, you take it. Your specific greed
can take one of many different forms: hunger for material
riches, insatiable curiosity, relentless gluttony, etc.
Impulsive. Stopping and thinking is not your style: the Perfectionist. You never undertake something unless
first plan is certainly the right one. If there are several you are absolutely ready and have taken care of every
available, you favor the most direct solution. little detail. Unfortunately, such meticulousness is
Irresponsible. You like to take it easy, focusing on what time-consuming.
you enjoy to the likely exclusion of other things, in Showoff. You have an irresistible need to show everyone
particular lowly material necessities. that you are the best.
Last Word. You want to have the last word, no matter Shy. You are afraid of being the center of attention and
the circumstances or power relationship. do everything to avoid it, for example by crediting
Naive. You spontaneously believe that people are sincere someone else with your achievements.
and always give them the benefit of the doubt. Only the Softhearted. You are powerless before a sweet smile or
most damnable evidence can convince you of the a supplicating stare. You let thieves off the hook, refrain
existence of a lie. from asking inquisitive questions, and acquiesce to
Overcompensation. You seek to hide any sign of doing unpleasant favors.
weakness, such as being afraid or being of humble birth. Untrusting. You see enemies everywhere. You do not
To that effect, you overcompensate, always behaving as if trust people easily, and anyone who betrays you deserves
you know what you are doing, never showing when you death.
are in pain, and never asking for help.
Party Animal. You cannot resist the call of a good party.
Every time, you drink, dance, sing, and make merry as if
this day was the last, heedless of the circumstances.
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Handicap
U se this optional rule if you want to give your character one or several handicaps related to aspects of their
identity. To survive despite these disadvantages, your character had to be both resourceful and stalwart.
You can only give your character handicaps at creation.
Characteristics of a Handicap
Having a handicap should result in serious or even severe complications. As such, a weakness that might never
cause problems could not be considered a valid handicap. As only your leader knows what types of scenarios they
are going to run, they decide whether your suggested handicap qualifies as one. Your suggestion might be rejected
on the basis that it is too trivial to deserve compensation or, conversely, that it is too severe and will be difficult to
work into the game.
Examples of Handicaps
Corrupted Suggestible
You have been exposed to Canker. You start with 3 You are very susceptible to the opinion of others
permanent corruption points. Somewhere on your and often let yourself be influenced. Other people
body, you bear a visible mark of this corruption. have advantage on Charisma (Deception) checks
Corruption does not change your character’s against you. You also have disadvantage on saving
personality, but if it reaches a critical level, you may throws against enchantment spells, as well as against
turn into a monster (see Grimoire). attempts to charm or frighten you.
Frail Unbalanced
You are of fragile health. You have disadvantage on You have been scarred by an unbearable event.
Constitution saving throws against disease, poison, You have disadvantage on all saving throws against
and exhaustion. madness and suffer from one indefinite madness (see
Grimoire). Define this madness with your leader.
Lame Note that your fellow adventurers may not know
about this and discover it in the course of the game.
Your speed is reduced by ten feet. You have
disadvantage on checks to climb surfaces, as well Vertigo
as on checks to endure forced marches (see the
Adventuring chapter). When you face a sheer drop, your vision blurs and your
sense of balance falters. Whenever you stand within 10
One-Eyed feet of a drop of at least 10 feet, you must succeed on a DC
11 Wisdom saving throw or be restrained for 1 round.
You lost one of your eyes in dramatic circumstances. You
have disadvantage on all sight-based checks (essentially Vulnerable
Investigation, Perception, and Survival).
Whether innately or as a consequence of dramatic
events, you are vulnerable to one type of damage (see
the Combat chapter) of your choice from the following:
acid, cold, fire, lightning, poison, or thunder.
Compensation
If your leader accepts your handicap, they can give you either of the following as compensation:
+1 in an ability score
Two additional proficiencies (refer to step 3: Additional Proficiencies)
If you pick two handicaps and your leader accepts them, Note that compensations are not meant to completely
you can instead choose one feat (see the Customization outweigh the disadvantages posed by handicaps. The
Options chapter), on the condition that you meet its aim of this optional rule is to deliberately make your
prerequisites. Your leader can limit the list of feats from character’s life harder, for the purpose of opening new,
which you can pick the compensation for your handicaps. unexpected, and interesting gaming perspectives.
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Ready-Made Backgrounds
n the following pages, you will find ten ready-made
backgrounds, each based on a general theme: birth Your character was taken away as a child and
among high society, long studies, life in the wilds, remembers almost nothing about her biological
criminal past, etc. Feel free to use them as written family. She grew up among other street urchins who
or to alter them to your taste. If a character would got by through pickpocketing. One day, in the stash
gain the same proficiency from two different of the brute that passed for their guardian, she found
sources, they can choose a different proficiency of the same a box containing personal belongings and written
kind (skill, tool, vehicle, or language) instead. documents. To her great surprise, she realized that
she could read and understand this exotic language.
A background contains suggested personal characteristics In which circumstances did she learn this tongue?
based on your background. You can pick characteristics, roll Who is she really?
dice to determine them randomly, or use the suggestions as For such a character, the premade background closest
inspiration for characteristics of your own creation. to her experience would be “scoundrel.” The main
adjustment will be to replace one of the tool proficiencies
with proficiency in the mysterious language.
Acolyte
Y ou have spent your life in the service of a temple
to a specific god or pantheon of gods. You act
as an intermediary between the realm of the holy
Or were you a high priest who suddenly experienced a
call to serve your god in a different way? Perhaps you
were the leader of a small cult outside of any established
and the mortal world, performing sacred rites and temple structure, or even an occult group that served a
offering sacrifices in order to conduct worshipers into fiendish master that you now deny.
the presence of the divine. You are not necessarily a
cleric—performing sacred rites is not the same thing as Skill Proficiencies: Insight, Religion
channeling divine power. Languages: Two of your choice
Choose a god from among those specified by your leader Equipment: A holy symbol (a gift to you when you
and work with them to detail the nature of your religious entered the priesthood), a prayer book or prayer
service. Were you a lesser functionary in a temple, raised wheel, 5 sticks of incense, vestments, a set of common
from childhood to assist the priests in the sacred rites? clothes, and a belt pouch containing 15 gp
Feature: Shelter of the Faithful
As an acolyte, you command the respect of those who share your faith, and you can perform the religious
ceremonies of your deity. You and your adventuring companions can expect to receive free healing and care at a
temple, shrine, or other established presence of your faith, though you must provide any material components
needed for spells. Those who share your religion will support you (but only you) at a modest lifestyle.
You might also have ties to a specific temple dedicated to your chosen deity or pantheon, and you have a
residence there. This could be the temple where you used to serve, if you remain on good terms with it, or a
temple where you have found a new home. While near your temple, you can call upon the priests for assistance,
provided the assistance you ask for is not hazardous and you remain in good standing with your temple.
Suggested Characteristics
Acolytes are shaped by their experience in temples or other religious communities. Their study of the history
and tenets of their faith and their relationships to temples, shrines, or hierarchies affect their mannerisms and
ideals. Their flaws might be some hidden hypocrisy or heretical idea, or an ideal or bond taken to an extreme.
d6 Bond d6 Flaw
1 I would die to recover an ancient relic of my 1 I judge others harshly, and myself even more
faith that was lost long ago. severely.
2 I will someday get revenge on the corrupt 2 I put too much trust in those who wield power
temple hierarchy who branded me a heretic. within my temple’s hierarchy.
3 I owe my life to the priest who took me in 3 My piety sometimes leads me to blindly trust
when my parents died. those that profess faith in my god.
4 Everything I do is for the common people. 4 I am inflexible in my thinking.
5 I will do anything to protect the temple where 5 I am suspicious of strangers and expect the
I served. worst of them.
6 I seek to preserve a sacred text that my enemies 6 Once I pick a goal, I become obsessed with it
consider heretical and seek to destroy. to the detriment of everything else in my life.
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Animist
N ot everyone may believe you, but for you there is no doubt about it: you are able to communicate with
spirits. The spirits of animals, the spirit of every object, the spirits of storms and rivers… maybe even the
spirits of the dead. You may not have complete mastery over your talent, but you feel the auras, hear the voices,
and receive the visions. Were you born with this gift, or did it strike you at a momentous time?
If your culture of origin traditionally accepts gifted people such as you, your condition probably did not bring
you any trouble, but if you were part of a more skeptical or superstitious society, you most likely had to deal
with bullying, slander, and perhaps even the threat of being burned at the stake. Fortunately, whatever your
community was like, you received help from people who see in you an intermediary with the afterlife.
Skill Proficiencies: Choose two from Insight, Perception, Persuasion, and Religion
Tool Proficiencies: Herbalism kit or alchemist’s supplies
Languages: One of your choice
Equipment: A set of traveler’s clothes, various knick-knacks (of an essentially ornamental nature), and a belt
pouch containing 15 gp
Suggested Characteristics
All animists are aware of their uniqueness. Some take advantage of the influence it grants them while others
genuinely seek to help other people. However, all are aware that their talent is not universally recognized and
that they are often taken for madmen or charlatans. Among groups of adventurers, it is rare for every party
member to be amenable to what might pass for hocus-pocus, but as long as the animist does not overstep any
boundaries, they should, at worst, only suffer bemused smiles from the more incredulous of their companions.
Communion with souls is not always the main subject of preoccupation for a hero with this background, but it
is generally a recurring theme.
d8 Personality Trait
1 I often open my eyes wide, the better to see the spirits that wander about.
2 My resounding peals of laughter sometimes startle people, even those who are familiar with me.
3 Sometimes, I get carried away and go into speeches about entities or concepts, then remember that I am
the only one able to wholly understand these truths.
4 A metaphor is better than a long speech, and not all sentences deserve to be finished.
5 People think I am full of quirks and odd habits, when I am actually communicating with the afterlife and
exorcising demons.
6 When others give in to panic and adversity is overwhelming, I feel great serenity.
7 Most people are surprised, or even repulsed by my dietary or hygienic habits.
8 This being refers to himself in the third person, just like he does with other people.
d6 Ideal
1 Sway. The spirits allow me to influence other people and dominate the weak. (Evil)
2 Protection. Every thing has a spirit, but some of them are ill-intentioned, and I must protect the
innocent against them. (Good)
3 Harmony. The balance and hierarchy of souls and spirits must be reestablished for the universe to
thrive. (Lawful)
4 Flame. Certain entities seek to silence the more creative souls, which must be freed at any cost. (Chaotic)
5 Compromise. I must take care that no form of conscience becomes ascendant to the detriment of
others. The future of the world depends on it. (Neutral)
6 Enlightenment. The gift of communing with spirits is sometimes a burden, but one I bear in the pursuit
of revelation. (Any)
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d6 Bond
1 An entity regularly comes to haunt me. As long as it is more powerful than me, I cannot defy it.
2 I must restore the honor of my ancestors through an exemplary existence.
3 The spirit of my tribe has been unresponsive, and I must understand why.
4 When I was younger, I made a secret promise that I know I will regret one day.
5 One person at least is convinced that I am the cause of her troubles and intends to make me pay.
6 I must find a relic related to a spirit, for I am certain that the future of the world depends on it.
d6 Flaw
1 I have become addicted to a substance supposed to facilitate my communion with souls.
2 Sometimes, I feel tempted to destroy the bodies of those who doubt the existence of spiritual energy, if
only to prove to them that the soul is immortal.
3 The spirits appear more real to me than the “living,” with whom I grow increasingly disinterested.
4 I frequently overplay my bond with the spiritual to impress other people and am starting to doubt my
own talent: am I just a fraud?
5 It is said that a dark fate awaits those with my gift. Indeed, I have seen some get lost on this winding path,
and I sometimes feel I am not myself any longer. The worst thing is, it does not even frighten me.
6 I have performed unspeakable acts in the service of things no one can understand, and I am willing to
do more.
Bohemian
A lways on the road, from one town to another, from festival to gathering, you have journeyed thousands of
miles. You are from an itinerant, nomadic community organized around colorful wagons and dazzling shows.
You grew up in this seemingly frivolous environment, steeped in a disregard for the conventions of civilization
that others find both fascinating and disturbing. But let them slander and sneer; the caravan proudly travels the
roads to the sound of music and to the perfume of exoticism… but also sometimes to the smell of scandal.
You cannot imagine life without art, without distraction, without embellishment. Soothsayers, fire breathers,
jugglers, storytellers, dancers, and musicians have always been part of your days and nights. And now, they
captivate their audiences with tales of your deeds.
Skill Proficiencies: Choose two from Animal Handling, Performance, Sleight of Hand, and Survival
Tool Proficiencies: One type of artisan’s tools, musical instrument, or gaming set
Languages: One of your choice
Equipment: A costume, a set of traveler’s clothes, a safe-conduct to perform before a lord, the tool, instrument,
or gaming set you are proficient in, and a belt pouch containing 5 gp
Suggested Characteristics
Since bohemians are used to traveling and exercising self-reliance from birth, their transition to adventurers
requires almost no change. In addition, their love of a good show gives them an inclination toward heroism. The
key to their success essentially rests upon them collaborating with companions from other cultures, and not
remaining stuck in prejudicial pride.
100
d8 Personality Traits d6 Ideal
1 I do my best to make a good impression 1 Party. The purpose of life is to enjoy all the
wherever I go. pleasures it can offer. (Chaotic)
2 My days are split between intense periods of 2 Laxity. Negotiating, avoiding commitments,
activity and relaxation. bending the rules are all fair play. (Chaotic)
3 I rarely spend more than a few minutes without 3 Curiosity. My wanderlust is fed by a thirst
singing, telling tales, dancing, or playing. for knowledge. (Any)
4 I always dedicate some of my time to helping 4 Benevolence. Life is harsh for everyone
other people—or at least, my companions. and I devote mine to making those of others
5 I easily get along with other people, without easier. (Good)
necessarily developing attachments. 5 Immorality. The masses bend to
6 Any public space is an opportunity for me to conventions, leaving sharper minds like
perform and show off my talents. mine free to exploit them. The weak have it
coming. (Evil)
7 Whatever must be done, I am game, no matter
the danger. 6 Detachment. I keep walking because I do
not want to suffer after getting attached to
8 It is not a disservice to truth to embellish and places, rules, people, or the past. (Neutral)
enliven it.
d6 Bond d6 Flaw
1 My people are spread far and wide, but our 1 I may not look like it, but I find it difficult
mutual loyalty is stronger than anything. to respect the opinions of those who share
2 I am the pride of my clan, who trust me to bring neither my roots nor my path.
them fame and to get rid of the prejudices they 2 I like to take risks, but more than that, I like
are the victims of. to make others take risks.
3 My beloved made me promise something that 3 I keep making commitments when I should
goes against my convictions. know that I never hold to them.
4 More and more want to catch me. One day, they 4 Better anything than to lose face.
may well succeed. 5 I am often told I am thin-skinned and
5 The reason I am still free is because I do small irritable, which infuriates me.
favors for powerful people. 6 I always have a hard time believing anyone
6 A member of my family betrayed the clan. I have might want to help me without an ulterior
been tasked with finding them and enacting motive.
justice.
Condottiere
Y ou are not the kind who goes unnoticed. The gleam in your eye and the smirk at the corner of your mouth
show everyone that you are not to be messed with. After all, you have already proven yourself, and people
love to spread word of these kinds of exploits. You know how to fight, that is certain, but you have always done
so with manners, and your feats of arms are the talk of the local inns.
101
Suggested Characteristics
A condottiere wins most of their fights without having to deal a single strike: it only takes their opponents a
good, long glance to think better of it. Their companions are glad to have such a seasoned combatant by their
side. And when push comes to shove, a condottiere is not afraid to uphold and even reinforce their reputation.
They are probably not indifferent to the glory they reap, but it does not make their intentions any less noble.
Deep down, they know their limits better than anyone else.
d8 Personality Traits
1 My humor is often cringeworthy.
2 Nothing upsets me more than those who abuse a position of strength.
3 A good brawl is generally a nice way to resolve tension.
4 I systematically assess the people I get acquainted with. Should I have to fight or even kill them one
day, I would prefer to know why.
5 I cannot hold my tongue, which has landed me in trouble more than once.
6 Those who think me a savage understand nothing of the artfulness of my feats of strength.
7 My relaxed mien is only a facade, I am ever-vigilant.
8 There is no way I would let anyone order me around, particularly someone who does not know how
to fight.
d6 Ideal
1 Protection. Strength is a virtue, but only when put to the service of the weak. (Good)
2 Order. Without discipline, violence is nothing but savagery. (Lawful)
3 Terror. Cow the weak, dominate them. (Evil)
4 Liberation. Show people that the mighty and their tyrannical traditions are not invincible. (Chaotic)
5 Panache. There is nothing sadder than mediocrity. Everything is a matter of style. (Any)
6 Honor. Those with nothing to defend and no convictions have lost the fight before it has even begun.
(Any)
d6 Bond
1 Now that I have started defending the weak and the oppressed, I would look like the scum of the
earth if I betrayed my reputation.
2 I would rather suffer a thousand deaths than dishonor my ancestors.
3 Now, I fight for a cause or, at least, for something. Before that, I was simply violent.
4 I am not yet ready to take on the villain who destroyed what I held dear, but every day, I hone my skills.
5 I fight tirelessly to forget, but some memories never go away.
6 One day, the gold I am gathering through campaigns and adventures will allow me to fulfill my dream.
d6 Flaw
1 Better not look at me the wrong way when I have had a drink.
2 I have a soft heart, and some people take advantage of it.
3 People think me fearless, but no one saw me fight and flee from that one opponent I hope never to
meet again.
4 So long as I am healthy, everything is fine, but when my stamina falters, I fall apart.
5 The memory of a past battle haunts me every night.
6 I know that my daredevil instincts can put innocents in danger, but I cannot always keep myself in
check.
102
Explorer of Wild Lands
S ome spend their lives sheltered from the perils of the untamed world, but without these dangers, your
existence would be absolutely devoid of interest. This merciless nature that so many fear, you love it for its
serenity, its majesty, and its impartiality—qualities that towns and their denizens too often lack. You have lost
count of the miles you have walked, the forests you have crossed, and the mountains you have scaled, but you
keep a vivid memory of each land you have traveled. Sometimes, you feel tired and weary, but at every dawn, the
horizon shows you a new face, more resplendent than that of the previous day.
Before you became an adventurer for good, you may have worked as a guide, poacher, lumberjack, or huntsman,
but your hunger for gold or for faraway lands took your wanderlust to another level.
Skill Proficiencies: Choose two from Animal Handling, Athletics, Nature, and Survival
Tool Proficiencies: Vehicles (land)
Languages: One of your choice
Equipment: A quarterstaff, a set of traveler’s clothes, a hunting trap, a worthless but cherished item (lucky
charm, memento of a hunt, etc.), and a belt pouch containing 5 gp
Suggested Characteristics
Most explorers have always had a taste for adventure. Never able to stay put, they spontaneously found an outlet
for their restlessness in exploration. Casting their lot with people from other walks of life, however, is a novelty
for a good part of them. They have to adapt to people who are not necessarily used to hoofing ten miles a day or
to venturing into unexplored regions. They also must accept their companions and, eventually, recognize that
they are not just burdens and have worthwhile skills that the explorer could learn from.
d8 Personality Traits
1 I spontaneously take the lead whenever we go from one place to another.
2 It goes against my nature to take a path I have already walked.
3 Prissy people make me laugh. To their faces.
4 I love a physical challenge, no matter how daunting.
5 I always feel like my traveling companions would be lost without me babysitting them.
6 I speak with gestures and sounds more often than with words.
7 I hate warm water, beds, chairs, benches, and what city dwellers call perfume.
8 I am an unrepentant trickster.
d6 Ideal
1 Balance. Prevent those ambitious and uncaring people from ravaging the land that bears and feeds
them. (Neutral)
2 Back to the roots. The more I think about it, the more the gifts of civilization seem paltry to me, and its
evils considerable. (Neutral)
3 Bellicosity. Being able to give in to one’s most brutal instincts without fear of authorities. (Evil)
4 Solidarity. Discover new places to house those who need it and make them understand that their condition
is not irremediable. (Good)
5 Renewal. Every now and then, things must be shaken up to bring some life back into them. (Chaotic)
6 Self-sufficiency. Never depend on other people’s help, whether it comes with strings attached or not. (Any)
103
d6 Bond
1 My village is counting on me to save it from the misfortune that struck it.
2 Generous souls have helped me out of a bind more than once, and I intend to do the same for others.
3 I get bored whenever I remain in the same place for more than a few days.
4 I am spurred by the hope of one day finding the land of my dreams.
5 I am from a well-respected family and I take care not to bring them shame through my actions.
6 Faith guides my steps.
d6 Flaw
1 I readily believe in the silliest superstitions.
2 I hide a phobia that conflicts with my character.
3 When things do not go my way, I can easily get violent, particularly if I am out of my element.
4 I like to talk big about my outdoorsman abilities, sometimes even faking ones I do not have.
5 I cannot bear people who talk loudly even outside of cities.
6 I absolutely cannot stay awake beyond a certain hour.
Notable
M any people would have liked to grow up in such a comfortable environment as yours. Whether you are from
the nobility, from the upper middle class, or from an influential family of notables of the Free City, you have
never wanted for anything. You have been spared most of the turmoil and trouble that plague the common man…
but does that make you a happier person? What you cannot ignore, however, is that you are widely respected—
at least, seemingly—sometimes feared, often envied, and occasionally hated. But whatever the opinion others
have of you, your words are almost always heeded. Whether it seems natural to you or keeps puzzling you, the
fact is that your voice carries more weight than most.
Feature: Clout
In most civilized environments, you have no trouble making your opinion respected, or at least voicing it. Even if
your parentage is not known locally, people can easily see that you have the bearing of a well-to-do. Provided a
community is not overtly hostile to you, you can get an audience with the local authorities within a shorter time
than normal. However, be careful not to boast too loudly about your prerogatives, lest you start attracting other
people’s contempt or jealousy.
Suggested Characteristics
Nobles, burghers, and other members of the privileged castes of Eana who take up the mantle of an adventurer
must usually learn to live in less comfortable conditions that those they have been used to. Such a transition is
a lesson of humility for the haughtiest of them. This can result in tensions, but notables are usually able to get
along with their less fortunate companions in time.
d8 Personality Traits
1 As high-society as I may be, I endeavor to be courteous toward commoners.
2 I only let out my breath once success has been secured. I have seen too many people fail due to celebrating
too early.
3 I like to share my wisdom with others, so that they may profit from the experience of the mighty.
4 I drive a hard bargain. Otherwise, I would not enjoy a position like mine.
5 I remain cheerful in every circumstance. It is the best cure against hardships.
6 Paupers and boors make me uneasy. I would rather not mingle with them lest I prove myself unpleasant.
7 I tend to be very controlling, if only to avoid the incompetence of others compromising our goals.
8 No, I do not think I know better. But I would be remiss not to remind others of proper behavior.
d6 Ideal
1 Civilization. Our traditions and culture must be preserved from the ravages of barbarism. (Lawful)
2 Charity. If I have more than I need, it is to share it with the underprivileged. (Good)
3 Troublemaking. Secular authority has no reason to be anymore. Letting me prosper was its mistake,
as I will now work to overthrow it. (Chaotic)
4 Power. To contribute to the stability of the social structure, I must first rise in its hierarchy. (Lawful)
5 Greed. There are no haves without have-nots, and I have chosen my side. (Evil)
6 Notoriety. The respect shown to me by the community is proof of my worth and a bulwark for those I hold
dear. (Any)
105
d6 Bond
1 I had to make a deal with an individual or group, and this alliance would spell infamy for my family
should it become public knowledge.
2 I have lost sight of the love of my younger years, but my flame still burns hot.
3 I will relentlessly hunt down those who have ruined my family.
4 When someone recognizes my origins, which happens more often than I would like, I must honor them.
5 I owe everything or almost everything to a notable not from my family.
6 My people have sacrificed much to support me in the path I have chosen, and I intend to repay them.
d6 Flaw
1 I am an unrepentant seducer.
2 I irresistibly spend whatever money I have.
3 I easily tend to treat others like my lackeys.
4 When I speak about someone else, I cannot help badmouthing them, especially if they are not there.
5 I get tetchy when things drag on.
6 I am growing increasingly frustrated with rich people, and I feel it is starting to show.
Recluse
Y ou spent a good part of your life in the middle of nature or in a remote place of contemplation, either alone
or with little company. Whether such isolation was imposed or voluntary, whether it was motivated by faith
or by a need to go back to your roots, it had a profound influence on your outlook on life. People respect your
abnegation, but rarely understand it. You have been through trials that many would have balked at. These inner
tribulations have made you stronger and more self-assured, but you are not necessarily prideful about it.
Since then, you have given up on this way of life. Whether it was willingly or not, you must now adapt to life in
society and face the outside world.
Skill Proficiencies: Choose two from Athletics, Insight, Medicine, Religion, and Survival
Tool Proficiencies: Choose one from herbalism kit, alchemist’s supplies, or a type of artisan’s tools
Languages: One of your choice
Equipment: A quarterstaff, a blanket, a set of common clothes, a sheaf of notes and writing utensils, the tools
you are proficient in, and a belt pouch containing 5 gp
Suggested Characteristics
Most recluses remain so. Leaving on an adventure is a huge change for such an individual. Parties who include a
recluse usually respect their privacy and value the necessary sense of perspective they bring. The reserve shown
by such characters makes the times they slip out of it all the more noteworthy.
d8 Personality Traits
1 I am infinitely patient, so long as I am left to my reflections.
2 I keep my body fully shaved.
3 Life in society and its constraints seem absurd to me, and I have a hard time conforming to them.
4 When talked to, I only react after a few seconds.
5 I always keep my voice level and my movements composed.
6 I let nature run its course on my body without seeking to alter it: I have been keeping my hair uncut and
my nails untrimmed for years.
7 I am often early or late, as I have obviously little notion of time.
8 My days are punctuated with various rituals.
d6 Ideal
1 Salvation. Wisdom and compassion will save the world. (Good)
2 Enlightenment. I have set myself on the right path and will soon be ready for the ultimate step. (Any)
3 Reason. Contemplation is the only way to stave off feelings, lies, and outside influences that sow
confusion in the mind. (Lawful)
4 Refuge. The preoccupations of the world are but a source of suffering. Deliverance will come from
seclusion. (Neutral)
5 Cynicism. Moral and social conventions are but tools to enslave the weak. Whoever understands this is
that much closer to the truth. (Evil)
6 Maturity. Amidst the depths of solitude, I have learned that company is necessary. (Any)
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d6 Bond d6 Flaw
1 My mentor, to whom I owe everything, expects 1 I usually appear to listen to people, but their
great things from me. opinion is of little importance to me.
2 My seclusion was ordered against my will, and 2 Every day, I find it increasingly difficult to
I never accepted it. convince myself not to leave my companions and
3 I went into isolation after a love story that go back to my secluded life.
went wrong. 3 Through years of meditation, I have been able to
4 My long retirement has brought me closer to repress a terrible vice of mine, but not overcome it.
values that were originally not mine or my 4 I still do not understand why people are so
people’s. attached to their paltry existences.
5 I must at all costs preserve the secret of the 5 In consumption as in privation, I know only excess.
order who has housed me.
6 People think I meditate when I stare into space,
6 My isolation has allowed me to lie low long but they have no idea of the sinister ideas that
enough to be forgotten. At least, I hope so. sometimes flow through my mind.
Savant
T o many, you are a font of knowledge. You know, however, that said font does not fill itself. You have spent so
many hours poring over manuscripts and scrolls, attentively listening to your teachers’ lectures, and reflecting
upon the mysteries of the mind and the most complex theories that one might think you unfit for more pragmatic
activities. You, however, beg to differ: the more you know, the better you can handle yourself.
Skill Proficiencies: History and choose one from Arcana, Nature, or Religion
Languages: Two of your choice
Equipment: A set of common clothes, a quill, an ink bottle, two bedside books, and a belt pouch containing 15 gp
2 I cannot help correcting the linguistic and semantic 2 Reason. Do not give in to anger or
mistakes of other people. pity, always rely on logic. (Lawful)
3 I like to share my knowledge, but oddly, it sometimes seems 3 Influence. Knowledge is only a
to get on other people’s nerves. gateway to power. (Evil)
4 My curiosity is insatiable: I must learn everything, particularly 4 Infinity. I lose myself in the
about subjects I have just become acquainted with. inexhaustible bubbling of the flow
of knowledge. (Chaotic)
5 I frown upon those who rely on their “intuition.” Only
reason can prevail. 5 Sharing. When other people know
as much as I do, the world will be a
6 I am extremely patient with the unlearned, and yet, they get better place. (Good)
cross.
6 Enlightenment. One day, the
7 I get easily distracted when practical matters are discussed. knowledge we will have gathered
8 I am always surprised when people are not familiar with the will allow us to transcend our
most elementary notions, and I make it a point to let them know. condition. (Any)
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d6 Bond d6 Flaw
1 I belong to a secret faction that makes use 1 I cannot bear to hear fallacies about a
of my knowledge to provide its members subject I am proficient in.
throughout the world with information. 2 They tell me that I can never accept being
2 I was able to learn all I know thanks to the wrong, but they forget that I am always right.
support of an individual or group I admire 3 I am too forgiving toward anyone who can
or despise. teach me.
3 My field of expertise is still considered a 4 Sometimes, very rarely, I do not know… so
minor one. It must not remain so. I fib.
4 A question obsesses me and I put myself 5 When a consensus is reached too quickly,
in the most inconvenient situations in my I cannot help but play the devil’s advocate.
attempts to answer it.
6 I am horribly afraid of death and I intend
5 My master expects a lot from me; I could to delay it for as long as possible… perhaps
not bear to disappoint them. even indefinitely.
6 Some truths are dangerous and I must make
sure that they are not spread.
Scoundrel
Y ou have taken part in less-than-legal businesses for quite some time. You are a person of the world, oh yes.
The underworld offers many career opportunities, and you may have tried your hand at several of them. In
the eyes of many, it is a perverse, rotten universe, but to you, it is a complicated, turbulent family among which
both camaraderie and treachery can be found at every turn.
Skill Proficiencies: Choose two from Deception, Investigation, Sleight of Hand, and Stealth
Tool Proficiencies: Choose one from thieves’ tools, disguise kit, or forgery kit
Languages: One of your choice
Equipment: A set of common clothes, various forged documents, the tools you are proficient in, and a belt
pouch containing 15 gp
Suggested Characteristics
Adventurers with a criminal background are plentiful. Most, but not all, take this path out of greed. Some see in it a
way to make a name for themselves, to perform beyond the uneasy tedium of their questionable activities. When
their traveling companions are aware of their origins, they tend to be wary of such a disreputable individual, but
such suspicion rapidly fades if there is nothing on which to ground it. Characters with this background tend to
have particularly troublesome bonds.
d8 Personality Traits
1 When I meet someone, I like to make them squirm, to make them feel I am a threat to them, particularly
if they think themselves better than me.
2 I need to probe people, to get a good idea of their intentions through a few well-chosen remarks and
questions.
3 I am very ill-tempered. And I hold a mean grudge.
4 Nice people bore me, I enjoy the company of rascals.
5 Baubles, gaudy clothes, swaggering stride; I make a display of my wealth, whether my pockets are full
or empty.
6 Few know who I truly am. I am always playing a role.
7 I like looking for trouble, and trouble seems to like me.
8 Scornful tone, cocked eyebrow; I always look like I am making fun of other people, even when I have no
ill intent.
d6 Ideal
1 Freedom. Rules are made to be broken. (Chaotic)
2 Charity. One way or another, wealth must be redistributed. (Good)
3 Power. Accumulate wealth and influence by any means possible. (Evil)
4 Structure. Hierarchy and honor ensure the prosperity of the underworld. (Lawful)
5 Hellraising. Too many castes, too many prejudices; only a good kick to the anthill can bring some vigor
back into this moribund world. (Chaos)
6 Pragmatism. Expect nothing from doctrines, people, organizations, and other such facades. Only rely
on yourself and, at most, a few trustworthy comrades. (Neutral)
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d6 Bond
1 A criminal organization blackmails me by
threatening a loved one I cannot protect.
2 I am on the run and must rely on the assistance
of local contacts to ensure my freedom.
3 I have ended up on the bad side of a crime
lord and they intend to make me pay.
4 I gave up on my real identity long ago, but I
know I will have to assume it again one day.
5 Some criminal big shot double-crossed me in
the past. They do not know that I am plotting
their downfall.
6 My family would be ashamed if they knew
better about my past.
d6 Flaw
1 When I get bored, I try to inject a little chaos
into the situation.
2 I cannot rest easy if I have not lied through my
teeth at least once during the day.
3 I do not always think about the safety of
others.
4 I have a troublesome tendency to fall in love
with agents of the official authority.
5 I find it hard to resist the call of a good drink
when I am at a tavern or party.
6 A soothsayer told me that all my wishes would
come true once I had killed a certain number
of innocents. Sometimes, I believe it.
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Survivor
F or as long as you can remember, you have always been surrounded by blood and death. War took many
of your loved ones, mercilessly drove you from one country to another, stripped you bare more than
once, but finally spat you out. Now, you see war as something of a dreadful parent.
Alternatively, your community may have been the victim of natural disasters, epidemics, or any other series
of calamities through which you made it out alive.
Skill Proficiencies: Choose two from Athletics, Investigation, Perception, and Survival
Tool Proficiencies: Choose one from herbalism kit, a type of vehicle (air, land, or sea), or a type of
artisan’s tools
Languages: One of your choice
Equipment: A set of common clothes, a memento of your community of origin (a worthless but
cherished item), a herbalism kit (if you are proficient in it), and a belt
pouch containing 5 gp
Suggested Characteristics
By definition, survivors are hurt people, usually
psychologically more than physically. They
are more hardened than most fledgling
adventurers and can pass as more
experienced. They are often protective
toward their companions, which
makes them an appreciated presence.
The biggest problems surface
when badly healed scars
reopen under the pressure
of stress or a trying event.
d8 Personality Traits
1 I never show optimism. Actually, I am rather more inclined to pessimism.
2 My best weapon against horror? Derision.
3 I endeavor to disarm any fruitless conflict, being all too aware that most are.
4 I am very touchy-feely: I hug others, slap them on the back, pat their heads, etc. to bring them
comfort… or to reassure myself.
5 I am very hygienic. Excessively so, some might say.
6 I am pretty shy, but when people start spouting nonsense about something I know all too
well, I often lose it.
7 I am ever alert and only relax on exceptional occasions.
8 I frequently isolate myself, because I feel even more alone among others.
d6 Ideal
1 Fate. I made it more or less unscathed through everything I suffered. It is a miracle, but there
is surely a meaning to all of this. (Any)
2 Sharing. Life has taught me many things, particularly that you cannot survive without the
help of others. (Good)
3 Culling. Life has taught me many things, particularly that only the strongest deserve to
survive. (Evil)
4 Disillusionment. One fights in the name of one’s lord, country, faith, or ideals, but mostly,
one dies at the whims of a few selfish monsters. (Chaotic)
5 Anticipation. War is inevitable. Sooner or later, it strikes. Only those who prepare for it can
hope to be spared. (Lawful)
6 Indifference. The one thing I have understood is that the more people a cause involves, the
more it is beyond them. Maybe, in the end, they are all equally worthwhile… or worthless.
(Neutral)
d6 Bond
1 Faith has allowed me to overcome my ordeals. I am now its servant.
2 I ran away from my disaster-ridden country, but I will go back one day.
3 I know the identity of those who persecuted my loved ones, and I intend to pay them a visit.
4 I have lost track of the person who saved my life, but I am certain they are still alive.
5 A monstrous creature saved me in the past, which made me understand that all that is gold
does not glitter. Ever since that day, I have made sure not to judge anything or anyone based
on appearances.
6 Without an impetus, things will never change. I will not be a pawn all my life.
d6 Flaw
1 I often feel like I am a ghost among the living.
2 I have not become attached to anyone for a long time, since all those I love die horribly.
3 In some circumstances, I sink to what I abhor the most: blind violence.
4 I hate the gods for taking away all those I held dear. It would not have been as bad had they
not decided to spare me.
5 I often feel pity toward my opponents, and I have had cause to regret it.
6 I have survived so many things that I sometimes feel immortal.
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Personality
escribing the personality of an individual is always difficult. Often, when you start playing a
character, between one and three gaming sessions are needed to get a reliable, in-depth idea of their
psychology. Your choice of their species and background gives you an idea of their experience, of
their beliefs, and of what matters to them. Then comes alignment, which represents their general
outlook on the world.
As for inspiration, it is an expression of what spurs you: in a moment of inspiration, your character is stronger and
more determined to fight for what truly matters to them.
Alignment
A typical creature has an alignment, which broadly describes their moral and personal attitudes. Alignment
is a combination of two factors: one identifies morality (good, evil, or neutral), and the other describes
attitudes toward society and order (lawful, chaotic, or neutral). Thus, nine distinct alignments define the
possible combinations.
These brief summaries of the nine alignments describe the typical behavior of a creature with that alignment.
Individuals might vary significantly from that typical behavior, and few people are perfectly and consistently
faithful to the precepts of their alignment.
Lawful good (LG) creatures can be counted on to Chaotic neutral (CN) creatures follow their
do the right thing as expected by society. whims, holding their personal freedom above all
else.
Neutral good (NG) folk do the best they can to help
others according to their needs. Lawful evil (LE) creatures methodically take what
they want, within the limits of a code of tradition,
Chaotic good (CG) creatures act as their conscience loyalty, or order.
directs, with little regard for what others expect.
Neutral evil (NE) is the alignment of those who do
Lawful neutral (LN) individuals act in accordance whatever they can get away with, without
with law, tradition, or personal codes. compassion or qualms.
Neutral (N) is the alignment of those who prefer to Chaotic evil (CE) creatures act with arbitrary
steer clear of moral questions and do not take violence, spurred by their greed, hatred, or
sides, doing what seems best at the time. bloodlust.
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Inspiration
I nspiration is a rule the leader can use to reward you for playing your character in a way that is true to their
personality traits, ideal, bond, and flaw. By using inspiration, you can call on your bond to the defense of your
home village to push past the effect of a spell that has been laid on you.
Gaining Inspiration
Your leader can choose to give you inspiration for a variety of reasons. Typically, it is awarded when you play
out your personality traits, give in to the drawbacks presented by a flaw or bond, and otherwise portray your
character in a compelling way. Your leader will tell you how you can earn inspiration in the game.
You either have inspiration or you don’t—you cannot stockpile multiple “inspirations” for later use.
Using Inspiration
If you have inspiration, you can expend it when you make an attack roll, saving throw, or ability check. Spending
your inspiration gives you advantage on that roll.
Additionally, if you have inspiration, you can reward another player for good role-playing, clever thinking,
or simply doing something exciting in the game. When another player character does something that really
contributes to the story in a fun and interesting way, you can give up your inspiration to give that character
inspiration.
To represent inspiration and ensure you do not forget about it, you can keep a die, miniature, or any other token
in front of your character sheet. When you spend your inspiration, move the token aside or give it to the leader.
Later, if you get inspiration again, take your token back.
115
Classes
A Heroic Fate
A class is a heroic path. In Eana, it is said that only individuals born under the sign of the moon Eternity
can truly embrace such a way. The players will get to embody such characters. The rest of the population
may become specialists in one or several domains, rising to the status of famous, influential personalities,
but they will never be able to go beyond certain limitations.
However, the blessing of Eternity has a price: those who take a heroic path will face dramatic stakes. Whether
they are agents of good or evil, whether they dedicate their lives to themselves or to others, they will be
involved in dangerous adventures. On many occasions, their lives will be endangered and they will have to
show mettle, imagination, and adaptability to prevail. At character creation, a hero has just taken their first
step on a career that will require much effort and courage to one day reach its full potential.
By default, your character has already Awakened at creation. If your leader decides to have you roll to see
if your character has Awakened, or if they plan to depict the characters’ Awakening at a later stage of the
campaign, keep this in mind when you choose your class. As long as this particular moment has not taken
place, your character cannot use any of the magic powers related to their class. This will make their early
career more difficult than that of their non-magic-user companions, but in a world where magic is rare and
mysterious, the power bump they will one day experience will be all the more spectacular!
Elusive Magic
By default, bards, sorcerers, warlocks, and wizards are free to choose the spells they have access to. If the
leader wants to make magic more mysterious, rare, and wild, they can use the Elusive Magic rule instead.
This rule dictates that at creation, players do not pick their spells themselves, but obtain random ones by
rolling on the spell tables included in Grimoire. Depending on the nature of the campaign, the leader can
also arbitrarily choose one or several of the newly created character’s spells.
Additionally, as they level up, the character will earn new spell slots, but not necessarily new spells, in which
case they must discover them in the course of their adventures or find a mentor who will agree to teach them.
So that you can easily spot them, all the powers and abilities related to Elusive Magic are indicated with
this symbol:
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Teamwork and Complementarity
A character’s species grants them particular bonuses and abilities, but it is their class that determines most of
their aptitudes. It is advised that you take some time to discuss the following points with your companions:
Healer. A party of adventurers always needs at least one healer, maybe even two, in case the main healer
needs to be healed! Bards, clerics, druids, and paladins are the most suitable in that regard.
Front-Liner. It takes a robust warrior to survive on the front line, soak (and dish out) damage, and hold
out long enough. Barbarians, clerics, fighters, and paladins are fit for such a role.
Damage Dealer and Support. All classes have abilities to weaken and strike down opponents, but some
of them are particularly good at it, especially when supported by their allies. Rogues, for example,
perform at their best when they have a companion to assist them.
Skills. You can choose your skills as soon as you have picked your class, or take some time to think about
which ones you want or need the most. Refer to the Abilities chapter: Skills and In-Game Actions to
get a more detailed idea of the applications of a given skill and of what your party might lack if no one is
proficient in certain skills.
In the case of most fights, the key to victory is to assign tasks, so that everyone may do what they excel at and
compensate for the weaknesses of others. During the game, the handicaps and strengths of each character
will come up, giving the story its spice and illustrating the advantage of team dynamics. If it turns out that
a skill, tool proficiency, or language you do not have is too important a gap in your abilities, you can learn it
with feats (see the Customization Options chapter) or study them between adventures (see the Lifestyle
chapter: Long-Term Activities Influencing Lifestyle).
Recruiting Berserkers
Many sects and organizations have attempted to employ barbarians in the hope of putting their
destructive rage to use, but they were forced to conclude that these fierce warriors could very seldom
be relied upon. Most of them only follow orders when it suits them and desert as soon as they start
getting bored or feel like they are being manipulated. Not to mention that there is always a risk of
them seeking revenge against their former masters.
Thus, some fighters and assassins are trained to go into a battle trance, usually with the use of
indoctrination methods or psychotropics. However, though they are capable of the same feats of
strength and arms, they are not acknowledged as true barbarians as they lack the inner fire and
freedom of mind of a true berserker.
An Ambivalent Perception
Primitive tribes respect barbarians and see in their path a communion with one’s primal instincts,
but not all of them are from such an environment. Most of them are outcasts, ill-suited to life in
society because of their brutal nature. Some of them are individuals with fiery mindsets and explosive
tempers, others are murderers driven by their lowest instincts, and others are tortured persons who
can only free themselves of their frustrations by letting go of them in a torrent of rage. To a civilized
mind, the idea of reveling in such orgies of violence without even the pretext of having been raised
by savages is a frightening, disturbing one. Barbarians know this, and they make use of the aura
of danger and fury they give off to get out of many a predicament: they are feared, but they are
also left alone. Honest, sane citizens stay away from them, and both outlaws and official authorities
think twice before accosting them. Many barbarians enjoy this reputation for savagery, seeing it as
insurance against meddlers and as a perpetual source of amusement at the expense of city dwellers.
Fighting Instinct
Though few barbarians are formally trained in martial arts, it would be a dire mistake to
underestimate their fighting prowess. What they lack in technique and discipline, they
make up for with brutality and inhuman instincts. They are survivors adapted to
punishing environments and no-holds-barred combat. This harsh existence
makes them constantly alert, extremely swift and athletic holders of a
primal, brutal wisdom acquired through the experience of a life that
is nothing but a long battle.
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“I will die like I was born! Covered in blood and screaming at the top of my lungs!”
Quote attributed to Izold, known under the moniker “Trollslayer.” One of the most famous berserkers of the world of Eana, Izold
travels the world, following her instincts and a quest only she knows about.
119
Class Features
A s a barbarian, you gain the following
class features.
1st Level
The Barbarian
Hit Points Proficiency Rage
Level Bonus Features Rages Damage
Hit Dice: 1d12 per barbarian level 1st +2 Rage, Unarmored 2 +2
Hit Points at 1st Level: 12 + your Constitution Defense
modifier
2nd +2 Reckless Attack, 2 +2
Hit Points at Higher Levels: 1d12 (or 7) + your Danger Sense
Constitution modifier per barbarian level after
1st 3rd +2 Primal Path 3 +2
4th +2 Ability Score 3 +2
Improvement
Proficiencies 5th +3 Extra Attack, 3 +2
Fast Movement
Armor: Light armor, medium armor, shields 6th +3 Path Feature 4 +2
Weapons: Simple weapons, martial weapons
7th +3 Feral Instinct 4 +2
Tools: None
Saving Throws: Strength, Constitution 8th +3 Ability Score 4 +2
Improvement
Skills: Choose two from Animal Handling,
Athletics, Insight, Intimidation, Perception, and 9th +4 Brutal Critical 4 +3
Survival (1 die)
10th +4 Path Feature 4 +3
11th +4 Relentless Rage 4 +3
Equipment 12th +4 Ability Score 5 +3
Improvement
You start with the following equipment, in
addition to the equipment granted by your 13th +5 Brutal Critical 5 +3
(2 dice)
background:
(a) a greataxe or (b) any martial melee 14th +5 Path Feature 5 +3
weapon 15th +5 Persistent Rage 5 +3
(a) two handaxes or (b) any simple weapon 16th +5 Ability Score 5 +4
(a) four javelins or (b) a blowgun and Improvement
10 darts or (c) a shortbow and a quiver of
17th +6 Brutal Critical 6 +4
20 arrows (3 dice)
An explorer’s pack
18th +6 Indomitable 6 +4
Might
19th +6 Ability Score 6 +4
Improvement
20th +6 Primal Champion Unlimited +4
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Rage
In battle, you fight with primal ferocity. On your turn, you can enter a rage as a bonus action.
While raging, you gain the following benefits if you aren’t wearing heavy armor:
If you are able to cast spells, you can’t cast them or concentrate on them while raging.
Your rage lasts for 1 minute. It ends early if you are knocked unconscious or if your turn ends
and you haven’t attacked a hostile creature since your last turn or taken damage since then.
You can also end your rage on your turn as a bonus action.
Once you have raged the number of times shown for your barbarian level in the Rages column
of the Barbarian table, you must finish a long rest before you can rage again.
Unarmored Defense
While you are not wearing any armor, your Armor Class equals 10 + your Dexterity modifier +
your Constitution modifier. You can use a shield and still gain this benefit.
Reckless Attack
Starting at 2nd level, you can throw aside all concern for defense to attack with fierce
desperation. When you make your first attack on your turn, you can decide to attack recklessly.
Doing so gives you advantage on melee weapon attack rolls using Strength during this turn,
but attack rolls against you have advantage until your next turn.
Danger Sense
At 2nd level, you gain an uncanny sense of when things nearby aren’t as they should be, giving
you an edge when you dodge away from danger.
You have advantage on Dexterity saving throws against effects that you can see, such as traps
and spells. To gain this benefit, you can’t be blinded, deafened, or incapacitated.
Primal Path
At 3rd level, you choose a path that shapes the nature of your rage. Choose the Path of the
Berserker or the Path of the Wizard Slayer, both detailed at the end of the class description.
Your choice grants you features at 3rd level and again at 6th, 10th, and 14th levels.
Extra Attack
Beginning at 5th level, you can attack twice, instead of once, whenever you take the Attack
action on your turn.
121
Fast Movement
Starting at 5th level, your speed increases by 10 feet while you aren’t wearing heavy armor.
Feral Instinct
By 7th level, your instincts are so honed that you have advantage on initiative rolls.
Additionally, if you are surprised at the beginning of combat and aren’t incapacitated, you can
act normally on your first turn, but only if you enter your rage before doing anything else on
that turn.
Brutal Critical
Beginning at 9th level, you can roll one additional weapon damage die when determining the
extra damage for a critical hit with a melee attack.
This increases to two additional dice at 13th level and three additional dice at 17th level.
Relentless Rage
Starting at 11th level, your rage can keep you fighting despite grievous wounds. If you drop to 0
hit points while you’re raging and don’t die outright, you can make a DC 10 Constitution saving
throw. If you succeed, you drop to 1 hit point instead.
Each time you use this feature after the first, the DC increases by 5. When you finish a short or
long rest, the DC resets to 10.
Persistent Rage
Beginning at 15th level, your rage is so fierce that it ends early only if you fall unconscious or
if you choose to end it.
Indomitable Might
Beginning at 18th level, if your total for a Strength check is less than your Strength score, you
can use that score in place of the total.
Primal Champion
At 20th level, you embody the power of the wilds. Your Strength and Constitution scores
increase by 4. Your maximum for those scores is now 24.
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Barbarian Stories…
A large woman with vermilion hair and bloodshot eyes charges through a horde of skeletons, her mouth
frothing. She is bleeding from a dozen wounds and her vision is reduced to a tunnel, her gaze fixed on the
necromancer at the other end of the hall. In a few seconds, she closes the distance between them and pounces.
Before he can finish his incantation, she pins him and shatters his hand under her fist. As he flails and screams,
she bites into his throat. After a few moments of frantic convulsions, the mage lies still and the skeletons fall to
pieces. Trollslayer spits out a large chunk of flesh, her head pounding. Her sight blurs and she falls flat on the
ground, a blissful smile stuck on her blood-covered face.
In a tavern, a group of drunken elf students invade the table of a lone half-orc silently nursing a mug. “Make
room, mule!” one of the students sneers. The hulk finishes his drink in one gulp and stands up, toppling the table
in a great din. He leans forward and stares into the elf’s eyes. The whole room is holding their breath. “I am
done. You can have my table,” he growls, his eyes glowing with barely contained hatred. “And you should get
some fresh pants,” the merosi spits as he strides away. The elf looks down at the dark spot growing on the front
of his white linen breeches.
His legs slightly spread in a balanced stance, a green-scaled dragonborn bedecked in tribal adornments of
black and white feathers faces a knight charging at him full tilt, lance forward. A split-second before the point
skewers him, he grabs the weapon’s shaft with both hands and, in a swift twisting motion, unhorses his attacker
with his own spear, throwing him several feet away. Then he turns toward the second horseman charging from
his right and, grunting under the effort, throws the lance as if it were a javelin, impaling both the mount and
its rider.
Primal Paths
B arbarians express their rage in different ways depending on the path they pursue, becoming either berserkers or
wizard slayers.
Frenzy
Starting when you choose this path at 3rd level, you can go Various Berserkers
into a frenzy when you rage. If you do so, for the duration
of your rage you can make a single melee weapon attack According to the scholars of the Free City, the
as a bonus action on each of your turns after this one. word “berserker” is derived from the Nordic
When your rage ends, you suffer one level of exhaustion. word for “bear,” an animal feared for its strength
and endurance. Young men and women from
Mindless Rage the tribes of Septentrion are encouraged to kill a
mighty predator by their own means in order to
Beginning at 6th level, you can’t be charmed or prove their worth and enter adulthood. However,
frightened while raging. If you are charmed or frightened berserker barbarians can be found in many other
when you enter your rage, the effect is suspended for the civilizations of Eana:
duration of the rage.
Kaani shock cavalry. Fearsome archers and
Intimidating Presence talented riders, the Kaani have among their
ranks berserkers who shoot from afar, bear
Beginning at 10th level, you can use your action to down on their enemies, trample them, and
frighten someone with your menacing presence. When dismount to finish them if needed.
you do so, choose one creature that you can see within
30 feet of you. If the creature can see or hear you, it Surefoot elite. Surefoot halflings inhabit the
must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw (DC equal to 8 equatorial forest of Bandiko-Mibu. Stealthy and
+ your proficiency bonus + your Charisma modifier) or armed with blowguns that shoot typically-
be frightened of you until the end of your next turn. On poisoned darts, they favor surprise attacks but
subsequent turns, you can use your action to extend the are not afraid to deal with their opponents at
duration of this effect on the frightened creature until the close quarters, bashing skulls with sturdy clubs.
end of your next turn. This effect ends if the creature ends
its turn out of line of sight or more than 60 feet away from Infuriated commoners. Under the crushing
you. weight of despair, misery, and humiliation,
If the creature succeeds on its saving throw, you can’t use certain unfortunate souls can grow so frustrated,
this feature on that creature again for 24 hours. irritated, and hateful that they end up going into
a rage almost by accident. It may happen that a
Retaliation usually docile prostitute or impassive servant
snaps and tears into their tormenters. Having
Starting at 14th level, when you take damage from a been pushed around one too many times, they
creature that is within 5 feet of you. you can use your unleash all their pent-up anger in one great bout
reaction to make a melee weapon attack against that of violence and destruction. And when they come
creature. back to their senses, the surprise is all theirs.
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History of the Wizard Slayers
Wizard slayers seem to have originated during the Age of the Fated Kings. At that time, sovereigns
were heroes, raised to the status of quasi-divinities. As such, a barbarian hero could succeed a
cleric hero, as dynasties were based on merit and on the blessing of the moon Eternity. But some
spellcasters, unsatisfied with their privileges, decided to increase the control they had over their
population to eliminate any risk of being one day replaced. Revolts rose against these tyrants, led by
wizard slayers.
Thereafter, wizard slayers became the protectors of isolated communities, fearful of the war mages
of the powerful conquering armies. However, wizard slayers can also be found in big cities, working
as investigators and bounty hunters specialized in hunting down magic-using criminals. Such
barbarians are a far cry from the stereotypical backward savage. They do use rage, but outside of
battle they can prove methodical and patient.
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Bard
ver since beings gifted with conscience invented
language, they have been telling each other stories.
The bard is a storyteller, an artist whose sensitivity
allows them to draw upon the power of stories, of the
universal myths that speak to all creatures and evoke
the substance of creation.
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“I hear the music of creation. I see beauty in everything and can paint not the picture but the truth of my subject.
This ecstasy of the beautiful and the good, I want everyone to experience it. And should I fade chasing after a star
brighter than mine, so be it.” Laila Ollagar, famous adventuress and troubadour of Ghardat, and notably
the author of the Unjust Suzerain, a compendium relating the life and work of Tamerakh the Destroyer.
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Class Features The Importance of
Performance
A s a bard, you gain the following class
features. Bards are proficient in any three skills of their
choosing, depending on their experiences and
interests. However, nearly all bards are proficient
1st Level in Performance, since this skill covers singing,
expressing oneself loudly and clearly, telling
a captivating story, and drawing the attention
Hit Points and benevolence of an audience in general.
Whenever a bard, musician, dancer, acrobat, or
Hit Dice: 1d8 per bard level street artist delivers a performance, how much
Hit Points at 1st Level: 8 + your Constitution modifier money they make is in direct proportion to their
Hit Points at Higher Levels: 1d8 (or 5) + your Constitution skill in Performance. A bard snubbing this skill
modifier per bard level after 1st would be doomed to be an extra in theater plays
or second fiddle among groups of musicians,
Proficiencies since regardless of their technical abilities, they
would essentially lack an artistic aura.
Armor: Light armor
Weapons: Simple weapons, hand crossbows, longswords,
rapiers, scimitars, shortswords
Tools: Three musical instruments of your choice Equipment
Languages: Two common languages of your choice
Saving Throws: Dexterity, Charisma You start with the following equipment, in addition to the
Skills: Choose any three equipment granted by your background:
(a) a rapier, (b) a longsword, (c) a scimitar, or (c) any
simple weapon
(a) a diplomat’s pack or (b) an entertainer’s pack
(a) a lute or (b) any other musical instrument
The Bard Leather armor and a dagger
Proficiency Cantrips Spells Spell Slots per Spell Level
Level Bonus Features known Known 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th
1st +2 Spellcasting, Bardic Inspiration (d6) 2 4 2
2nd +2 Jack of All Trades, Song of Rest (d6) 2 5 3
3rd +2 Bard College, Expertise 2 6 4 2
4th +2 Ability Score Improvement 3 7 4 3
5th +3 Bardic Inspiration (d8), Font of 3 8 4 3 2
Inspiration
6th +3 Countercharm, Bard College feature 3 9 4 3 3
7th +3 - 3 10 4 3 3 1
8th +3 Ability Score Improvement 3 11 4 3 3 2
9th +4 Song of Rest (d8) 3 12 4 3 3 3 1
10th +4 Bardic Inspiration (d10), Expertise, 4 14 4 3 3 3 2
Magical Secrets
11th +4 - 4 15 4 3 3 3 2 1
12th +4 Ability Score Improvement 4 15 4 3 3 3 2 1
13th +5 Song of Rest (d10) 4 16 4 3 3 3 2 1 1
14th +5 Magical Secrets, Bard College feature 4 18 4 3 3 3 2 1 1
15th +5 Bardic Inspiration (d12) 4 19 4 3 3 3 2 1 1 1
16th +5 Ability Score Improvement 4 19 4 3 3 3 2 1 1 1
17th +6 Song of Rest (d12) 4 20 4 3 3 3 2 1 1 1 1
18th +6 Magical Secrets 4 22 4 3 3 3 3 1 1 1 1
19th +6 Ability Score Improvement 4 22 4 3 3 3 3 2 1 1 1
20th +6 Superior Inspiration 4 22 4 3 3 3 3 2 2 1 1
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Spellcasting
You have learned to untangle and reshape the fabric of reality in harmony with your wishes and music. Your spells
are part of your vast repertoire, magic that you can tune to different situations.
You know four 1st-level spells of your choice from the bard spell list.
The Spells Known column of the Bard table shows when you learn Ritual Casting
more bard spells of your choice. Each of these spells must be of a level
for which you have spell slots, as shown on the table. For instance, You can cast any bard spell you know as a
when you reach 3rd level in this class, you can learn one new spell of ritual if that spell has the ritual tag.
1st or 2nd level.
Additionally, when you gain a level in this class, you can choose one of Spellcasting Focus
the bard spells you know and replace it with another spell from the
bard spell list, which also must be of a level for which you have spell You can use a musical instrument as a
slots. This spell list can be found in Grimoire. spellcasting focus for your bard spells.
Bardic Inspiration
You can inspire others through stirring words or music. To do so, you use a bonus action on your turn to
choose one creature other than yourself within 60 feet of you who can hear you. That creature gains one
Bardic Inspiration die, a d6.
Once within the next 10 minutes, the creature can roll the die and add the number rolled to one ability check,
attack roll, or saving throw it makes. The creature can wait until after it rolls the d20 before deciding to use
the Bardic Inspiration die, but must decide before the leader says whether the roll succeeds or fails. Once the
Bardic Inspiration die is rolled, it is lost. A creature can have only one Bardic Inspiration die at a time.
You can use this feature a number of times equal to your Charisma modifier (a minimum of once). You regain
any expended uses when you finish a long rest.
Your Bardic Inspiration die changes when you reach certain levels in this class. The die becomes a d8 at 5th
level, a d10 at 10th level, and a d12 at 15th level.
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Song of Rest
Beginning at 2nd level, you can use soothing music or oration to help revitalize your wounded allies during
a short rest. If you or any friendly creatures who can hear your performance spend one or more Hit Dice to
regain hit points at the end of the short rest, each of those creatures regains an extra 1d6 hit points.
The extra hit points increase when you reach certain levels in this class: to 1d8 at 9th level, to 1d10 at 13th
level, and to 1d12 at 17th level.
Bard College
At 3rd level, you delve into the advanced techniques of a bard college of your choice: the College of Lore or
the College of Grace, both detailed at the end of the class description. Your choice grants you features at 3rd
level and again at 6th and 14th level.
Expertise
At 3rd level, choose two of your skill proficiencies. Your proficiency bonus is doubled for any ability check
you make that uses either of the chosen proficiencies.
At 10th level, you can choose another two skill proficiencies to gain this benefit.
Font of Inspiration
Beginning when you reach 5th level, you regain all of your expended uses of Bardic Inspiration when you
finish a short or long rest.
Countercharm
At 6th level, you gain the ability to use musical notes or words of power to disrupt mind-influencing effects.
As an action, you can start a performance that lasts until the end of your next turn. During that time, you
and any friendly creatures within 30 feet of you have advantage on saving throws against being frightened
or charmed. A creature must be able to hear you to gain this benefit. The performance ends early if you are
incapacitated or silenced or if you voluntarily end it (no action required).
Magical Secrets
By 10th level, you have plundered magical knowledge from a wide spectrum of disciplines. Choose two spells
from any classes, including this one. A spell you choose must be of a level you can cast, as shown on the Bard
table, or a cantrip. The chosen spells count as bard spells for you and are included in the number in the Spells
Known column of the Bard table.
You learn two additional spells from any class at 14th level and again at 18th level.
Superior Inspiration
At 20th level, when you roll initiative and have no uses of Bardic Inspiration left, you regain one use.
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Bard Stories…
A beautiful copper-skinned young woman dressed in colorful
clothes plucks the strings of her oud in front of a gathering
of onlookers. Her fingers, painted with henna, draw an
enchanting tune from her instrument as her warm voice rises,
singing the story of a commoner who became a queen. The
dust at her feet stirs into shifting clouds taking the shape of
courtiers, bandits, and dragons acting out the scenes of her
tale under the mesmerized stares of the children. The epic
ends and she bows before her audience as deafening cheers
erupt and the crowd throws copper and even silver pieces into
the bag she holds in front of her. Such were the beginnings of
Laila Ollagar before she went on to become one of the most
influential bards of Ghardat.
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Bard Colleges
B ards hone their knowledge and skills by enrolling at a bard college. Such a college is not
necessarily an actual teaching establishment. Rather, it encompasses adhering to a school of
thought, meeting one’s peers, and sharing discoveries. The main colleges are the College of Lore
and the College of Grace.
College of Lore
Bards of the College of Lore know something about most things, collecting bits of knowledge from
sources as diverse as scholarly tomes and peasant tales. Whether singing folk ballads in taverns or
elaborate compositions in royal courts, these bards use their gifts to hold audiences spellbound.
When the applause dies down, the audience members might find themselves questioning
everything they held to be true, from their faith in the priesthood of the local temple to their loyalty
to the king.
The loyalty of these bards lies in the pursuit of beauty and truth, not in fealty to a monarch or
following the tenets of a deity. A noble who keeps such a bard as a herald or advisor knows that the
bard would rather be honest than politic.
The college’s members gather in libraries and sometimes in actual colleges, complete with
classrooms and dormitories, to share their lore with one another. They also meet at festivals or
affairs of state, where they can expose corruption, unravel lies, and poke fun at self-important
figures of authority.
Bonus Proficiencies
When you join the College of Lore at 3rd level,
you gain proficiency with three skills of your
choice. Additional Magical
Cutting Words Secrets
Also at 3rd level, you learn how to use your At 6th level, you learn two spells of your choice
wit to distract, confuse, and otherwise sap from any class. A spell you choose must be of
the confidence and competence of others. a level you can cast, as shown on the Bard
When a creature that you can see within 60 table, or a cantrip. The chosen spells count as
feet of you makes an attack roll, an ability bard spells for you but don’t count against the
check, or a damage roll, you can use your number of bard spells you know.
reaction to expend one of your uses of Bardic
Inspiration, rolling a Bardic Inspiration die Peerless Skill
and subtracting the number rolled from the
creature’s roll. You can choose to use this Starting at 14th level, when you make an
feature after the creature makes its roll, but ability check, you can expend one use of
before the leader determines whether the Bardic Inspiration. Roll a Bardic Inspiration
attack roll or ability check succeeds or fails, die and add the number rolled to your ability
or before the creature deals its damage. The check. You can choose to do so after you roll
creature is immune if it can’t hear you or if it’s the die for the ability check, but before the
immune to being charmed. leader tells you whether you succeed or fail.
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College of Grace
Epic tales, dazzling feats, and perilous stunts make up the daily lives of students of the College of Grace. These
wondrous acrobats can narrate tales of battle like no one else. Concomitantly with their artistic skills, they
develop an original fighting style capable of vexing and disorienting even the most seasoned opponents.
Such bards will be found on many improvised stages: village festivals, the periphery of a battlefield, the
funeral of a warlord… Their gymnastics attract dozens of onlookers for whom they remain mysterious
individuals, at the same time fascinating and formidable.
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Cleric
he gods need a connection with the mortal world, just like many mortals need
the gods to give meaning to their lives. Clerics take up the role of intermediary
between the Astral world and the material one. Such individuals show great
devotion in their search for truth through the worship and study of a god and
its mysteries. When the actions and beliefs of a cleric serve the purposes of
the celestial entity they venerate, and when the divinity deems them worthy
of such a mission, it can designate them as a receptacle for its divine power. The deity sees
to it that the cleric is duly invested in spreading its word and dogma, and grants them the
ability to channel divine energy through the exercise of their faith. How rigorously faithful
the cleric must be in the execution of their rites and duties varies depending on the god and
religious group, but if the cleric is remiss, they may be deprived of their powers. Most clerics
were devotees of a god before they were elevated by the entity they worship, but there is
no guarantee for any believer to be granted such abilities: only exceptional individuals are
worthy of such special status.
134 134
“I have accepted the glory of the stars in my heart, and as heavy a burden as it may sometimes be, there is nothing in the world I would
exchange it for.” Suor Matia, prophetess of the divinity Death
Divinities and Affinities with Domains
Divinities are immortal in the sense that time no longer has a hold on them, but they are also mortal,
susceptible to being harmed and even destroyed in the Astral Plane where they dwell. However, the
divinity World is an exception: according to druidic mythology, its essential energy is not located in the
Astral Plane but in the heart of Eana. The eight gods detailed in the following pages are known among
every civilization, though under different names and titles. There may exist many other divinities,
connected to other planes of existence and perhaps supported by powerful clergies. For example,
this is the case of the strange Blackwater, the deity seemingly worshiped by the mysterious aboleths.
There are in Eana a great many churches, sects, and ways of venerating each divinity and its various
aspects. Depending on the region, Blacksmith may be worshiped as a god of craftsmanship and
protection, or as a solar god who makes light and drives away darkness. Finally, some religious
groups collectively honor several gods, which puzzles scholars: do these believers draw a fraction of
their power from each of the worshiped divinities, or are they actually able to directly draw from a
source of divine magic in the Astral Plane?
Such stakes are very remote from the moral and ethical preoccupations of the faithful who believe
in them. This is the reason why a divinity can be worshiped by very different people with equally
different aspirations. Depending on the community, good or evil intentions may be attributed to
the same entity: Xonim is sometimes the protector of cities, sometimes the gnawing corruption;
Tamerakh is sometimes the liberator of the oppressed, sometimes the destroyer; Blacksmith can be a
protective guide or an unbending tyrant.
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Harmonic Divinities
World
Other names: Eana (elves, druids, and rangers of Cyfandir), Starstag (Lothrienne,
Arolavia), Great Tree (Lands of Mibu)
World is said to be the first divinity, the one who gave birth to the world that
bears its name: Eana. World is honored by populations with a close relationship
to nature, particularly societies of hunters, gatherers, small cultivators, and fishers. However, no one
has ever heard of Eana granting wishes or prayers: this primordial divinity only lends powers to
druids and rangers. In the eyes of druids, Eana embodies the balance required for the very existence
of all forms of life.
Maker
Other names: the Fool (Sand Kingdoms), the Potter (dwarven peoples), the Father
of Plenty (Kaani Empire)
Maker is the very spirit of creation, the one who surprises, astonishes, amazes,
and sometimes horrifies. He is always looking for ideas and inspiration, and
gives equal value to perfect beauty and unspeakable monstrosity. In the myths, he is the one
responsible for the incredible variety of species, which he made as he experimented with shapes,
colors, ideas… For this reason, certain clerics of Maker encourage individual experience and
adventure. Others act as the patrons of inventors, those who seek innovative solutions to problems
or face difficulties head on. Another one of Maker’s facets also gives rise to cults that worship
monstrosity.
Blacksmith
Other names: Verndari (“Defender” in Dwarvish), the Lawgiver or the Judge (Shi-
huang), the Warrior (commonly used in northern regions)
Blacksmith is a divinity associated with fire and order. He is the one who settles
disputes and brings the light of the sun, protecting people from savagery.
Blacksmith is the favored god of dwarves and of all of those who act as defenders of society. Though
he is worshiped by good-aligned individuals, Blacksmith also has a rigid and sometimes
unyielding side that can result in religions that pay homage to his callous, tyrannical
aspects.
Flora
Other names: Coirë (elves), Lif-edlish (Septentrion),
Belle (Cyrillane, Sand Kingdoms)
Frostelle
Other names: the Crone (Lands
of Mibu), Nolwë (“Wise” in
Elvish), the Bite (Kaani Empire)
138
Night
Other names: Xonim (Kaani Empire), the Magician (Cyrillane, Sand Kingdoms),
the Watcher (Barbary Islands)
During her mortal life, Xonim was a shrewd wizard and politically gifted
woman, the mother of Tamerakh the conqueror. She reached godhood thanks
to her son who came and freed her from the world of the dead. She has since been the goddess of
magic, darkness, intrigue, beauty, and wealth. She is known for her ambivalence and for her sympathy
for tieflings, whom she protects no matter their actions. A cunning schemer, she made her clergy
indispensable by teaching them how to craft the infamous Xonim’s Bonds, chains that neutralize the
capabilities of magic users. Xonim’s clerics, feared and envied, often become the advisors of guilds,
factions, or kings. Their dogma leads them to uphold the interests of the side they have chosen to the
best of their abilities, even should it lead them to conflict with other clerics of Xonim. In this lifelong
competition, they are expected to display their talents and intelligence.
Storm
Other names: Tamerakh (Kaani Empire), the Destroyer (most of Cyfandir), the
Liberator (many sects, mainly in Cyrillane)
Before he reached the status of god and became Storm, proud Tamerakh was a
warlord and a brutal conqueror. To him, the word “impossible” had no meaning:
limits were there to be overcome. Unrestrained and madly bold, but also gifted with a sharp mind that
allowed him to seize any opportunity within his reach, Tamerakh made it his goal to surmount the
final frontier: death. However, he refused to become something like a mummy or a vampire: godhood
was the only acceptable end. Ultimately, he triumphed over fate and became a god. More impressive
still, he freed his mother Xonim from death and deified her as well. Tamerakh is worshiped by rebels,
by all of those who want to rise against a system. He is the god of turmoil, the one who gives a chance to
those who are brave enough to stray from the beaten path and forge their own destiny. The instability
that Tamerakh revels in is very often at odds with authorities who see his believers as dangerous and
seditious elements.
Certain heretics venerate the seven-pointed Star, including Niflhel and Varanid as true
divinities to the initial pantheon. These believers claim that their message is more enlightened
and have attracted the wrath of the orthodox Star church. According to these believers, the
world of Eana is influenced by seven divinities, and rejecting two of them because they are
ambivalent or dangerous is childlike. Divine reality must be accepted as it is.
139
Class Features
A s a cleric, you gain the following class features.
1st Level
Hit Points Proficiencies
Hit Dice: 1d8 per cleric level Armor: Light armor, medium armor, shields
Hit Points at 1st Level: 8 + your Constitution Weapons: All simple weapons
modifier Tools: None
Hit Points at Higher Levels: 1d8 (or 5) + your Languages: One Exotic language of your choice
Constitution modifier per cleric level after 1st Saving Throws: Wisdom, Charisma
Skills: Choose two from History, Insight, Medicine,
Persuasion, and Religion
Equipment
You start with the following equipment, in addition to the equipment granted by your background:
(a) a mace or (b) a warhammer (if proficient)
(a) scale mail, (b) leather armor, or (c) chain mail (if proficient)
(a) a light crossbow and 20 bolts or (b) any simple weapon
(a) a priest’s pack or (b) an explorer’s pack
A shield and a holy symbol
The Cleric
Proficiency Cantrips Spell Slots per Spell Level
Level Bonus Features Known 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th
1st +2 Spellcasting, Divine Domain 3 2
2nd +2 Channel Divinity (1/rest), Divine 3 3
Domain feature
3rd +2 - 3 4 2
4th +2 Ability Score Improvement 4 4 3
5th +3 Destroy Undead (CR 1/2) 4 4 3 2
6th +3 Channel Divinity (2/rest), Divine 4 4 3 3
Domain feature
7th +3 - 4 4 3 3 1
8th +3 Ability Score Improvement, Destroy 4 4 3 3 2
Undead (CR 1), Divine Domain
feature
9th +4 - 4 4 3 3 3 1
10th +4 Divine Intervention 5 4 3 3 3 2
11th +4 Destroy Undead (CR 2) 5 4 3 3 3 2 1
12th +4 Ability Score Improvement 5 4 3 3 3 2 1
13th +5 - 5 4 3 3 3 2 1 1
14th +5 Destroy Undead (CR 3) 5 4 3 3 3 2 1 1
15th +5 - 5 4 3 3 3 2 1 1 1
16th +5 Ability Score Improvement 5 4 3 3 3 2 1 1 1
17th +6 Destroy Undead (CR 4), Divine 5 4 3 3 3 2 1 1 1 1
Domain feature
18th +6 Channel Divinity (3/rest) 5 4 3 3 3 3 1 1 1 1
19th +6 Ability Score Improvement 5 4 3 3 3 3 2 1 1 1
20th +6 Divine Intervention improvement 5 4 3 3 3 3 2 2 1 1
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Spellcasting
As a conduit for divine power, you can cast cleric spells.
Divine Domain
Choose one domain related to your deity: Aberrance, Enigma, Force, Life, Sharing, Time, and
Travel. Each domain is detailed at the end of the class description, and each one provides
examples of gods associated with it. Your choice grants you domain spells and other features
when you choose it at 1st level. It also grants you additional ways to use Channel Divinity
when you gain that feature at 2nd level, and additional benefits at 6th, 8th, and 17th levels.
Domain Spells
Each domain has a list of spells—its domain spells—that you gain at the cleric levels noted
in the domain description. Once you gain a domain spell, you always have it prepared, and it
doesn’t count against the number of spells you can prepare each day.
If you have a domain spell that doesn’t appear on the cleric spell list, the spell is nonetheless
a cleric spell for you.
141
Channel Divinity
At 2nd level, you gain the ability to channel divine energy directly from your deity, using that energy
to fuel magical effects. You start with two such effects: Turn Undead and an effect determined by your
domain. Some domains grant you additional effects as you advance in levels, as noted in the domain
description.
When you use your Channel Divinity, you choose which effect to create. You must then finish a short or
long rest to use your Channel Divinity again.
Some Channel Divinity effects require saving throws. When you use such an effect from this class, the
DC equals your cleric spell save DC.
Beginning at 6th level, you can use your Channel Divinity twice between rests, and beginning at 18th
level, you can use it three times between rests. When you finish a short or long rest, you regain your
expended uses.
Beginning at 10th level, you can call on your deity to intervene on your behalf when your need is great.
Imploring your deity’s aid requires you to use your action. Describe the assistance you seek, and roll
percentile dice. If you roll a number equal to or lower than your cleric level, your deity intervenes. The
leader chooses the nature of the intervention; the effect of any cleric spell or cleric domain spell would
be appropriate.
If your deity intervenes, you can’t use this feature again for 7 days. Otherwise, you can use it again after
you finish a long rest.
At 20th level, your call for intervention succeeds automatically, no roll required.
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Cleric Stories…
A melessë lurks between the slabs of a defiled graveyard infested with
zombies. Her face is painted with kohl and white clay in the shape of a skull,
and her lamellar bamboo armor is laden with trinkets. The shrunken head
she brandishes in front of her gives off a pearly glow that leaves the undead
powerless. She looks at them with sadness in her eyes, chanting prayers to
Death and to her ancestors. One after the other, the abominations are driven
back to their resting places. Once they are properly lying down, she touches
them, ripping away the evil energy that cursed them in a torrent of dark
miasma, freeing them from the plight of undeath.
Blacksmith: Force, Sharing If you are a cleric who worships Maker, you can choose a domain
between Aberrance and Travel. The choice of your domain will
Death: Enigma, Time
give you an idea of what kind of religious group you belong to,
Flora: Life, Sharing since a clergy of Maker that exalts Aberrance will certainly be very
Frostelle: Life, Time different from one that proselytizes Travel. Theological principles,
Maker: Aberrance, Travel life rules, and even the name given to Maker can vary greatly.
Night: Aberrance, Enigma
Storm: Force, Travel
Other Domains
There certainly exist other domains that the gods can give their followers access to. The leader can
let a cleric take an unconventional domain, keeping in mind that such an exception will go down in
history. Is the cleric the last member of a school of thought about to become extinct? Conversely, are
they a prophet fated to bring a new message to the world? Could it actually be an unknown god (or
one wanting to hide its identity) offering powers to the cleric with particular expectations?
144
Aberrance Domain
The domain of Aberrance is related to everything that disturbs, unsettles, and surprises. It embodies entropy,
dissymmetry, and chance. A good number of this domain’s clerics take particular pride and enjoyment in beating the
odds, punishing excesses of confidence, and achieving unhoped-for success at a crucial moment. Others have learned
to accept the random nature of existence, drawing from this realization the quintessence of what makes them feared,
respected individuals. And others encourage a fascination for the monstrous and the grotesque, which they regard as
sacred attributes. Clerics of this domain are often found among armies, where most of their strategy is based on terror.
Aberrance Domain Spells
Cleric Level Spells
1st false life, inflict wounds
3rd blindness/deafness, ray of enfeeblement
5th bestow curse, vampiric touch
7th blight, confusion
9th contagion, dominate person
146
Force Domain
The domain of Force gathers several major notions related to the workings of the world, such as space and
gravity, but also mental and physical strength. Gods associated with this domain may be warlike, violent
entities, but also embodiments of creative impetus.
Force Domain Spells
Cleric Level Spells
1st expeditious retreat, jump
3rd barkskin, enhance ability
5th haste, protection from energy
7th freedom of movement, stoneskin
9th greater restoration, hold monster
You can use this feature a number of times equal to Brass Body
your Wisdom modifier. You regain all expended uses
when you finish a long rest. When you reach 17th level, your inner strength has
reached such a degree that you can make your flesh
Channel Divinity: Strong as an Ox harder than bronze by contracting your muscles.
As a bonus action on your turn, you can clench your
At 2nd level, you can call upon your divinity to strike muscles to gain a +5 bonus to your AC for a number
with tremendous force. of rounds equal to your Wisdom modifier (minimum
When you make a successful melee weapon attack of 1). Until this effect ends, whenever a creature hits
against a creature, you can use your reaction to deal you with a melee attack, it must make a Constitution
extra force damage equal to twice your proficiency saving throw or be stunned until the start of its next
bonus. In addition, you can immediately attempt turn.
to shove the creature (no action required) with Once you use this feature, you can’t use it again until
advantage on the corresponding Strength (Athletics) you finish a long rest.
check (see the Combat chapter).
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Life Domain
The Life domain focuses on the vibrant positive energy—one of the fundamental forces of the
universe—that sustains all life. The gods of life promote vitality and health through healing the
sick and wounded, caring for those in need, and driving away the forces of death and undeath.
Life Domain Spells
Cleric Level Spells
1st bless, cure wounds
3rd lesser restoration, spiritual weapon
5th beacon of hope, revivify
7th death ward, guardian of faith
9th mass cure wounds, raise dead
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Sharing Domain
The domain of Sharing represents exchange, self-sacrifice, dialog, communion, and symbiosis. Skilled
mediators, guardians, and pedagogues, clerics of this domain are not solely active as caretakers or at the
courts of kings. Many of them are great travelers, and some join groups of adventurers among which they
are an appreciated presence, capable of keeping the party going even in the worst circumstances. Many
religious groups who do charity work or support the destitute follow this domain. On a darker note, some
organizations put a great emphasis on sacrifice, in particular through rituals or within the context of wars.
These zealots are sometimes regarded as dangerous sects that must be shunned or brought down, and
sometimes as saints worthy of admiration.
Sharing Domain Spells
Also at 1st level, you can speak, read, and write three Summon Avatar
additional languages, including an Exotic one.
When you reach 17th level, you can directly call
Channel Divinity: Divine Grace an avatar of your deity to your side. As an action,
you summon a physical manifestation of your god,
Starting at 2nd level, you can find the divine which remains for a number of rounds equal to your
inspiration to excel in a discipline even if you know Wisdom modifier. The avatar’s stat block is the same
nothing about it. As an action, you become proficient as yours, except that its hit points are equal to your
in a skill, tool, weapon, or armor for 10 minutes. maximum hit points, your conditions do not carry
over to it, and it is always visible and glowing (it
Channel Divinity: Miracle provides as much light as a torch). Any creature that
hits it with a melee weapon attack immediately takes
Beginning at 6th level, you can make use of your radiant damage equal to your level. In combat, the
divine sharing abilities to grant another the ability avatar fights your enemies to the best of its abilities
to cast one of your spells. As a bonus action, choose (you can control it if your leader authorizes it). If you
one of your prepared spells and designate a creature ask it questions, it replies as if you had contacted it
that you can see. You must expend a spell slot of a through a contact other plane spell (you do not make
level appropriate to the chosen spell. The targeted the Intelligence saving throw related to casting this
creature becomes able to cast the chosen spell once, spell). Once you use this feature, you can’t use it
on the conditions detailed in the spell’s description, again until you finish a long rest. In addition, if less
using your proficiency bonus and spellcasting ability than seven days have elapsed since the last time you
modifier instead of the creature’s own. used it, there is a 50% chance that your deity will
When you finish a long rest, this effect ends and you remain deaf to any attempt to summon it through
recover the expended spell slot as normal. this feature for the next year.
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Time Domain
Clerics of this domain know that the flow of time is a very relative concept, like many other aspects of
reality. Nevertheless, time is a sovereign as powerful as it is capricious, and even the gods must abide
by its rules. It allows few concessions and remains inscrutable for all. But some mortals have learned
to coax something out of time, to develop a privileged connection with it, granting them a clearer
outlook—if not an understanding—on history and truth. Such clerics are capable of imperceptibly
altering their environment to surprise their opponents and stay one step ahead.
Time Domain Spells
Cleric Level Spells
1st expeditious retreat, sanctuary
3rd hold person, misty step
5th haste, slow
7th dimension door, freedom of movement
9th hold monster, legend lore
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Travel Domain
This domain comprises movement, space, and dynamic forces with occasionally destructive effects.
Unsurprisingly, clerics of this domain are often consummate journeyers who do not fear undertaking
expeditions into the unknown. Their gods know that they can count on such enterprising emissaries,
always willing to venture to the other side of the world, to another plane, or to any other remote,
uncharted, or dangerous location. Many religious groups include clerics of this domain, and their
mastery of space makes them valuable assets.
Travel Domain Spells
Cleric Level Spells
1st floating disk, longstrider
3rd animal messenger, pass without trace
5th fly, water walk
7th banishment, conjure minor elementals
9th telekinesis, tree stride
From 1st level, you are a tireless walker, capable Divine Impact
of crossing long distances at a quick pace and of
imbuing your traveling companions with your At 8th level, you gain the ability to infuse your
divine endurance. Your speed increases by 10 weapon strikes with elemental energy. Once on
feet. In addition, when you take a forced march, each of your turns when you hit a creature with
you and up to six allies must only start making a weapon attack, you can cause the attack to deal
Constitution saving throws against exhaustion an extra 1d8 cold, fire, or lightning damage (your
after 10 hours, and you have advantage on these choice) to the target. When you reach 14th level,
saving throws. the extra damage increases to 2d8.
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Druid
ruids protect their land, for they
know better than anyone that it is
their mother and that its children are
all brothers and sisters. And those
who betray their family deserve to be
most harshly punished.
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“Take time to listen to the whisper of the wind and feel the heart of the earth beat under your feet. If you forget nature, it will force you to
pay attention sooner or later.” Kaeg the merosi, keeper of the wood of Arno, one of the most respected druids of Cyfandir.
Traditional Druidic Lore
Class Features Druids are the keepers of the memory of ages past. They
remember the legends of the fey lands and the tragic
A s a druid, you gain the following class features. battles against Canker. Thanks to this knowledge, they
can act as guides for their people, both in peaceful times
and in hard ones.
1st Level Of course, you can play an unorthodox druid, with an
uncommon behavior and philosophy that go against
the typical idea of such a character. But if you want the
Hit Points full respect of your peers, you should be proficient in at
least one of the following skills:
Hit Dice: 1d8 per druid level
Hit Points at 1st Level: 8 + your Constitution Religion covers knowledge of rituals and prayers.
modifier Arcana allows you to identify supernatural pheno-
Hit Points at Higher Levels: 1d8 (or 5) + your mena and tracks left by monsters.
Constitution modifier per druid level after 1st History gives you access to a vast repertoire of tales
and legends, some of them dating back to the
Proficiencies Travelers’ era.
Nature provides you with an accurate, in-depth
Armor: Light armor, medium armor, shields understanding of your environment, from astro-
(druids will not wear armor or use shields made nomic cycles to interactions between savage species.
of metal) With this skill, you can more easily foretell upcoming
Weapons: Clubs, daggers, darts, javelins, maces, perils from inconspicuous signs
quarterstaffs, scimitars, sickles, slings, spears
Tools: Herbalism kit
Language: One Exotic language of your choice Equipment
Saving Throws: Intelligence, Wisdom
Skills: Choose two from Animal Handling, Arcana, You start with the following equipment, in addition to the
History, Insight, Medicine, Nature, Perception, equipment granted by your background:
Religion, and Survival (a) a wooden shield or (b) any simple weapon
(a) a scimitar or (b) any simple melee weapon
Leather armor, an explorer’s pack, and a druidic focus
The Druid
Proficiency Cantrips Spell Slots per Spell Level
Level Bonus Features Known 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th
1st +2 Druidic, Spellcasting 2 2
2nd +2 Wild Shape, Druid Circle 2 3
3rd +2 - 2 4 2
4th +2 Wild Shape improvement, Ability Score 3 4 3
Improvement
5th +3 - 3 4 3 2
6th +3 Druid Circle Feature 3 4 3 3
7th +3 - 3 4 3 3 1
8th +3 Wild Shape improvement, Ability Score 3 4 3 3 2
Improvement
9th +4 - 3 4 3 3 3 1
10th +4 Druid Circle Feature 4 4 3 3 3 2
11th +4 - 4 4 3 3 3 2 1
12th +4 Ability Score Improvement 4 4 3 3 3 2 1
13th +5 - 4 4 3 3 3 2 1 1
14th +5 Druid Circle Feature 4 4 3 3 3 2 1 1
15th +5 - 4 4 3 3 3 2 1 1 1
16th +5 Ability Score Improvement 4 4 3 3 3 2 1 1 1
17th +6 4 4 3 3 3 2 1 1 1 1
18th +6 Timeless Body, Beast Spells 4 4 3 3 3 3 1 1 1 1
19th +6 Ability Score Improvement 4 4 3 3 3 3 2 1 1 1
20th +6 Archdruid 4 4 3 3 3 3 2 2 1 1
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Druidic
You know Druidic, the secret language of druids. The features of this secret language are described in the
Languages chapter.
Spellcasting
The divinity Eana grants you powers, allowing you to tap into the divine essence of nature itself and shape
it into spells.
How Does One Become Corrupted? Meditation in sacred places dedicated to Eana is
replaced with praying in Cankerous nests.
Druids are most commonly exposed to corruption
through the use of corrupt spells and powers, or The connection with animals and fey creatures is
after neglecting to purify themselves following a replaced with a bond with the ravagers of Canker.
contamination by Canker.
Using objects dealing radiant damage is no longer
What Is Corruption? possible.
Corrupted beings themselves do not always Radiant damage dealt through spells, class
understand precisely what is happening to them. The features, etc. is replaced with necrotic damage.
symptoms are an increased frequency of nightmares
and the progressive appearance of cankerous Natural Recovery, the 2nd level feature of the Circle of
blemishes on the creature’s skin as corruption the Land, normally requires the druid to commune with
invades it, consuming its body and mind. Eventually, nature. A corrupt druid, however, may only use it within
the corrupt creature turns into a Cankerous ravager proximity of a Cankerous nest.
or prince. Corruption is detailed in Grimore.
Eana’s Sanctuary, the 14th level feature of the Circle of
What Influence Does Corruption the Land, normally protects the druid against animals
and forces of nature. A corrupted druid may be spared
Have on a Druid’s Powers? or even protected by the ravagers of Canker.
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Cantrips Spellcasting Ability
At 1st level, you know two cantrips of your choice from the Wisdom is your spellcasting ability for your druid
druid spell list. You learn additional druid cantrips of your spells, since your magic draws upon your devotion and
choice at higher levels, as shown in the Cantrips Known attunement to nature. You use your Wisdom whenever a
column of the Druid table. spell refers to your spellcasting ability. In addition, you
use your Wisdom modifier when setting the saving throw
DC for a druid spell you cast and when making an attack
Preparing and Casting Spells roll with one.
The Druid table shows how many spell slots you have to Spell save DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Wisdom
cast your spells of 1st level and higher. To cast one of these modifier
druid spells, you must expend a slot of the spell’s level or Spell attack modifier = your proficiency bonus + your
higher. You regain all expended spell slots when you finish Wisdom modifier
a long rest.
You prepare the list of druid spells that are available for
you to cast, choosing from the druid spell list. When you do Ritual Casting
so, choose a number of druid spells equal to your Wisdom
modifier + your druid level (minimum of one spell). The You can cast a druid spell as a ritual if that spell has the
spells must be of a level for which you have spell slots. ritual tag and you have the spell prepared.
For example, if you are a 3rd-level druid, you have four 1st-level Spellcasting Focus
and two 2nd-level spell slots. With a Wisdom of 16, your list of
prepared spells can include six spells of 1st or 2nd level, in any You can use a druidic focus (see the Equipment chapter)
combination. If you prepare the 1st-level spell cure wounds, as a spellcasting focus for your druid spells.
you can cast it using a 1st-level or 2nd-level slot. Casting the
spell doesn’t remove it from your list of prepared spells.
Wild Shape
Starting at 2nd level, you can use your action to magically assume the shape of a beast (see Bestiary) that you have seen
before. You can use this feature twice. You regain expended uses when you finish a short or long rest.
Your druid level determines the beasts you can transform into, as shown in the Beast Shapes table. At 2nd level,
for example, you can transform into any beast that has a challenge rating of 1/4 or lower that doesn’t have a flying or
swimming speed.
Beast Shapes
Level Max. CR Limitations Example
2nd ¼ No flying or swimming Wolf You can stay in a beast shape for a number of hours equal
speed to half your druid level (rounded down). You then revert
to your normal form unless you expend another use of this
4th ½ No flying speed Crocodile feature. You can revert to your normal form earlier by using
a bonus action on your turn. You automatically revert if you
8th 1 Giant eagle fall unconscious, drop to 0 hit points, or die.
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While you are transformed, the following rules apply:
Your game statistics are replaced by the statistics of You can’t cast spells, and your ability to speak or
the beast, but you retain your alignment, personality, take any action that requires hands is limited to the
and Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma scores. You capabilities of your beast form. Transforming
also retain all of your skill and saving throw doesn’t break your concentration on a spell you’ve
proficiencies, in addition to gaining those of the already cast, however, or prevent you from taking
creature. If the creature has the same proficiency as actions that are part of a spell, such as call lightning,
you and the bonus in its stat block is higher than that you’ve already cast.
yours, use the creature’s bonus instead of yours. If
the creature has any legendary or lair actions, you You retain the benefit of any features from your class,
can’t use them. race, or other source and can use them if the new
form is physically capable of doing so. However, you
When you transform, you assume the beast’s hit can’t use any of your special senses, such as
points and Hit Dice. When you revert to your normal darkvision, unless your new form also has that sense.
form, you return to the number of hit points you
had before you transformed. However, if you revert You choose whether your equipment falls to the
as a result of dropping to 0 hit points, any excess ground in your space, merges into your new form,
damage carries over to your normal form. For or is worn by it. Worn equipment functions as
example, if you take 10 damage in animal form and normal, but the leader decides whether it is practical
have only 1 hit point left, you revert and take 9 for the new form to wear a piece of equipment,
damage. As long as the excess damage doesn’t based on the creature’s shape and size. Your
reduce your normal form to 0 hit points, you aren’t equipment doesn’t change size or shape to match
knocked unconscious. the new form, and any equipment that the new form
can’t wear must either fall to the ground or merge
with it. Equipment that merges with the form has
no effect until you leave the form.
Druid Circle
At 2nd level, you choose to identify with a circle of druids: the Circle of the Land or the Circle of the Spirits, both
detailed at the end of the class description. Your choice grants you features at 2nd level and again at 6th, 10th,
and 14th level.
Timeless Body
Starting at 18th level, the primal magic that you wield causes you to age more slowly. For every 10 years that pass,
your body ages only 1 year.
Beast Spells
Beginning at 18th level, you can cast many of your druid spells in any shape you assume using Wild Shape. You
can perform the somatic and verbal components of a druid spell while in a beast shape, but you aren’t able to
provide material components.
Archdruid
At 20th level, you can use your Wild Shape an unlimited number of times.
Additionally, you can ignore the verbal and somatic components of your druid spells, as well as any material
components that lack a cost and aren’t consumed by a spell. You gain this benefit in both your normal shape and
your beast shape from Wild Shape.
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Druid Stories…
Inside her home carved into the trunk of a centennial tree felled during a storm, an old disheveled
hermit is busying herself. She walks to a table covered with bundles of herbs and terracotta pots,
then comes back to the wounded young peasant who lies on a straw bed, pale and unconscious.
Muttering orisons, she applies an unguent on his blackened wound, and her eyes light up when she
hears the young man’s breathing grow quieter and sees his cheeks flush with life.
Under the cover of night, an elf in the shape of a large snake slides through an opening under the
palisade of a camp of lumberjacks who have been cutting down the surrounding jungle for weeks.
She creeps up to the river that feeds the sawmill and hisses at the edge of the water. The following
morning, the sun rises over a deserted camp, save for a few satiated crocodiles. Soon, the jungle will
reclaim this place.
A merosi stands on a rocky outcrop above a narrow canyon, along the bottom of which a horde of
zombies stumbles onward. Kaeg raises his staff toward the skies and, in a deafening thunderclap, a
lightning bolt strikes the undead below. The clouds darken visibly and rain pours down, changing
the dusty ground into mud. Mired, the abominations are powerless in the face of the bear that
charges through the narrow passage.
A young, barefoot half-elf crosses the desolate ground of a deserted battlefield. The war has been
over for a long time, the earth soaked with blood and studded with the heads of hundreds of broken
spears. As he walks, he reaches into the bag he wears around his neck, pulling out handfuls of
seeds that he sows around him. In his path, green shoots can already be seen piercing through the
blackish mud.
Druid Circles
D ruids gather in circles among which they can share knowledge, hand down traditions to the new
generation, and honor Eana. Druids of the Circle of the Land revere it through symbiosis with various
natural environments, while those of the Circle of the Spirits commune with it through the spirit world, which
is a direct emanation of Eana.
Ideological Divergences
Like all communities, druid circles experience dissensions, which become all the stronger with
geographical distance. Druids of the Circle of the Land usually adopt one of two contrasting attitudes.
Some are recluses, exclusively devoted to Eana and its primal aspects, and advocate restricted contact
with civilization. Others are rather similar to clerics, guiding people and sometimes acting as the
advisors of local leaders. Like anyone else involved in politics, the latter tend to get dragged into power
struggles and ideological disputes.
In certain countries, the competition between druids and clerics is very fierce. Such is the case in
Lothrienne, a cold feudal land tucked between the barbarian clans of Septentrion and the vast mountain
range of the Drakenbergen. The druids of this kingdom took very uncompromising stances in the past
and they now pay the price, being marginalized, feared, or hunted down.
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Circle Spells
Arctic Forest
Druid Level Circle Spells Druid Level Circle Spells
3rd hold person, spike growth 3rd barkskin, spider climb
5th sleet storm, slow 5th call lightning, plant growth
7th freedom of movement, ice storm 7th divination, freedom of movement
9th commune with nature, cone of cold 9th commune with nature, tree stride
Coast Grassland
Druid Level Circle Spells Druid Level Circle Spells
3rd mirror image, misty step 3rd invisibility, pass without trace
5th water breathing, water walk 5th daylight, haste
7th control water, freedom of movement 7th divination, freedom of movement
9th conjure elemental, scrying 9th dream, insect plague
Desert Mountain
Druid Level Circle Spells Druid Level Circle Spells
3rd blur, silence 3rd spider climb, spike growth
5th create food and water, protection from 5th lightning bolt, meld into stone
energy 7th stone shape, stoneskin
7th blight, hallucinatory terrain 9th passwall, wall of stone
9th insect plague, wall of stone
Swamp
Eana’s Sanctuary Druid Level Circle Spells
When you reach 14th level, creatures of the natural 3rd acid arrow, darkness
world sense your connection to nature and become 5th water walk, stinking cloud
hesitant to attack you. When a beast or plant creature 7th freedom of movement, locate creature
attacks you, that creature must make a Wisdom saving
throw against your druid spell save DC. On a failed save, 9th insect plague, scrying
the creature must choose a different target, or the attack
automatically misses. On a successful save, the creature
is immune to this effect for 24 hours.
The creature is aware of this effect before it makes its
attack against you.
Totem Animal
When you choose this circle at 2nd level, choose a totem druid, typically taking the form of a downtime activity (see
animal that will act as your guide and protector in the spirit the Adventuring chapter: Between Adventures).
world. You can communicate with specimens of your totem
The chosen animal must follow the limitations indicated animal as if you were under a speak with animals spell, and
in the Beast Shapes table of the Wild Shape feature. At they behave toward you as if they were under the animal
4th and 8th level, if you wish, you can change your totem friendship spell.
animal for another one matching the new limitations of the Additionally, when you use Wild Shape to change into
Beast Shapes table. However, your leader may require you your totem animal, your Strength and Constitution scores
to justify this replacement with a deep change from your increase by 4 (change the animal’s stat block accordingly).
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“First, do not seek to fight the strength within you, but to control it. Only then will you be capable of defeating your opponent.”Teaching of
Saah’Urd, pupil of the first Yatagan, a mythic warrior of Cyfandir whom some say is still alive.
Class Features
A s a fighter, you gain the following class features.
Unarmored Defense
While you are not wearing any armor, your Armor Class equals 10 + your Dexterity modifier + your Constitution
modifier. You can use a shield and still gain this benefit.
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Fighting Style
You adopt a particular style of fighting as your specialty. Choose one of the following options. You can’t take a
Fighting Style option more than once, even if you later get to choose again.
When you are wielding a melee weapon in one hand Two-Weapon Fighting
and no other weapons, you gain a +2 bonus to damage
rolls with that weapon. When you engage in two-weapon fighting, you can
add your ability modifier to the damage of the second
Great Weapon Fighting attack.
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Fighter Stories…
His cutlass clenched between his teeth, a black-bearded dwarf pirate
swings on a rope from one ship to another. He drops onto the bridge,
dodges the clumsy attack of a sailor, and throws him overboard before
challenging the enemy captain, the tip of his sword pointed at her. A
few swings later, he climbs the quarterdeck’s railing, flourishing his
opponent’s head. The crew drop their weapons at his feet.
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Martial Archetypes
D ifferent fighters choose different approaches to perfecting their fighting prowess. The martial archetype
you choose to emulate reflects your approach.
Champion
The archetypal Champion focuses on the development of raw physical power honed to deadly perfection.
Those who model themselves on this archetype combine rigorous training with physical excellence to deal
devastating blows.
Superior Critical
Remarkable Athlete
Starting at 15th level, your weapon attacks score a
Starting at 7th level, you can add half your proficiency critical hit on a roll of 18-20.
bonus (round up) to any Strength, Dexterity, or
Constitution check you make that doesn’t already
use your proficiency bonus. Survivor
In addition, when you make a running long jump,
the distance you can cover increases by a number of At 18th level, you attain the pinnacle of resilience in
feet equal to your Strength modifier. battle. At the start of each of your turns, you regain
hit points equal to 5 + your Constitution modifier if
you have no more than half of your hit points left.
You don’t gain this benefit if you have 0 hit points.
Bladebonded
Sometimes, people who have never sought to develop their magic talents Awaken spontaneously and in
unique ways. To this day, scholars have been unable to shed light on this mystery, but through the ages,
they were able to identify fighters whose instrument of war accumulated occult energies until it became
a true extension of its bearer. These warriors are called Bladebonded or sometimes Yatagans, referring
to the mythical weapon of the first of them. Some sages see in this power a sign of divine favor, but then,
what entity would grant it? Is it rather some sort of magic anomaly? Whatever the truth is, the aptitudes
unlocked by such a connection are such that those who develop them usually become legends.
Being Awakened is a prerequisite for using the features of this archetype. If your character has not
Awakened yet, you can still choose this archetype, but you will only be able to use its features (related to
your Steelmate) once your character has Awakened.
Steelmate
When you choose this archetype at 3rd level, one of matches yours, and for the time being, it has no
your weapons becomes magical. Every Yatagan has purpose and cannot conflict with you. Initially, it
a Steelmate. This item is intimately bound to you can only communicate with you by transmitting
and will remain so throughout your adventuring emotions, and its senses are limited to normal
career. Except for powers that can be used at a hearing and vision in a 30-foot radius. At the
distance (Arcane Rebirth and Call Steelmate), start, your Steelmate has the following ability
features related to your Steelmate can only be used scores: Intelligence 12, Wisdom 12, and
when you hold it. Charisma 12, in addition to 3 points which you
can distribute as you wish. You get 2 additional
Sentient weapon. Your Steelmate is considered points to distribute at 7th, 10th, and 15th level,
a sentient magic item (see Arcana). Its alignment and 1 additional point at 18th level.
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Throughout your progression, your Steelmate’s ability scores, means of communication, and senses evolve as
detailed in the Steelmate table. Finally, if you die permanently, your spirit fuses with your Steelmate, which
becomes a full-fledged sentient weapon and embraces your purpose. Should this occur, your leader will assist
you in handling this conversion. According to certain sages of Eana, this phenomenon is the origin of all sentient
weapons, which contain the souls of the Bladebonded that wielded them.
Steelmate
13-14 +1 1st-level spell slot, skill Normal sight and hearing (120 feet), Speech4, skill proficiency5
proficiency1 skill proficiency2
15-16 +1 2nd-level spell slot, skill Darkvision (60 feet), skill proficiency2 Telepathy6, skill
proficiency1 proficiency5
17-18 +1 3rd-level spell slot, skill Darkvision (120 feet), skill proficiency2 Telepathy with others (60
proficiency1 feet), skill proficiency5
19-20 +1 4th-level spell slot, skill Blindsense (120 feet) Dominate person (1/
proficiency1 short or long rest)
Bonus. At 3rd level, your Steelmate has a bonus of +1 to attack and damage rolls. This bonus grows to +2 at
10th level, and +3 at 18th level.
Spells. At 3rd level, your Steelmate holds a cantrip of your choice from the wizard spell list. You can cast this
spell through your Steelmate once. You must then finish a short or long rest before you can use it again.
When you finish a long rest, you can commune with your Steelmate for at least 1 minute to change the
cantrip for another wizard cantrip.
Also at 3rd level, you must choose the spellcasting ability of your Steelmate between Intelligence and
Charisma. The spell save DC of its spells is equal to 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Steelmate’s spellcasting
ability modifier, and its spell attack modifier is equal to your proficiency bonus + your Steelmate’s spellcasting
ability modifier.
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As you gain levels, your Steelmate can cast other spells: a 1st-level spell at 7th level, a 2nd-level spell at 10th
level, a 3rd-level spell at 15th level, and a 4th-level spell at 18th level. Just like your Steelmate’s cantrip, each of
these spells can be cast only once until you finish a rest, unless your Steelmate has extra spell slots due to a high
Intelligence, in which case it can cast the same spell twice between rests.
When you finish a long rest, roll on the table below to determine which spells your Steelmate can cast:
Your Steelmate takes care of the somatic, verbal, and material components, except in the case of material
components with a cost. However, you must spend the casting time.
You are about to be hit by an attack and decide to cast your Steelmate’s shield spell. Your Steelmate takes care of the
verbal and somatic components: a voice rings out from it and it moves on its own in an arcane pattern. However, you
must provide the casting time, which means you must expend your reaction and therefore will not be able to make
an opportunity attack on this turn, for example.
Arcane Rebirth. If your Steelmate is lost, stolen, or broken, it comes back to you intact after you finish a long
rest. Additionally, you are impervious to disarming attempts on your Steelmate. Finally, only you can use the
features of your Steelmate. For whoever else uses it, it is just an ordinary weapon of its kind.
Arcane Aegis
Beginning at 7th level, your Steelmate can react to threats and help you deal with adversity, moving, reacting,
and striking back on its own. When you are targeted by an attack or must make a Dexterity saving throw, you
can use your reaction to apply your Steelmate’s bonus to your AC and Dexterity saving throws for 1 minute.
Additionally, for this duration, every time a creature misses you with a melee attack, it immediately takes force
damage equal to twice your Steelmate’s bonus. You can’t use this feature again until you finish a long rest.
Call Steelmate
Starting at 10th level, you can call your Steelmate as a bonus action. It immediately materializes in your hand, no
matter the distance and obstacles between you. If your Steelmate is on another plane, there is a 20% chance this
feature does not work, in which case you can’t use it again until you finish a long rest.
Arcane Bulwark
Beginning at 15th level, your Steelmate gives you advantage on saving throws against spells and magical effects.
Legendary Arcana
Starting at 18th level, whenever you succeed a saving throw against a spell, you can use your reaction to make
your Steelmate store a copy of this spell, which can be subsequently cast and expended. The conditions for
casting the copied spell are identical to the original spell’s, with the exception that the Steelmate’s spellcasting
ability is used instead of the spellcaster’s. Your Steelmate can store a maximum number of spell slots equal to
your proficiency bonus.
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Thug
Some fighters pride themselves on having been trained in some highbrow institution or by some big
shot weapon master, but you know that these prestigious teachers have nothing on the school of hard
knocks. The prime lesson it taught you is that when your life is on the line, honor sometimes has to
take a step back.
Sharp Tongue
detailed below. You also learn two additional
When you choose this archetype at 3rd level, cheap shots of your choice at 7th, 10th, and 15th
you gain proficiency with the Intimidation skill. level. Some cheap shots require you to use your
If you were already proficient in this skill, your reaction, in which case it is mentioned in their
proficiency bonus is doubled for any ability description. Otherwise, cheap shots have no cost
check you make that uses it. in terms of action, as they usually enhance an
attack or similar action in some way.
Staredown
At 3rd level, you can only target a creature
Starting at 3rd level, you can use threats and you can see within 5 feet of you.
taunts to shake up your enemies. As a bonus
action, you can make a Charisma (Intimidation) Some of your cheap shots (like Conk, Finisher,
check contested by the targeted creature’s or Lights Out) require your target to make a
Wisdom saving throw. The creature must be saving throw to resist the cheap shot’s effects.
within 20 feet of you. If you succeed, the creature In such cases, the saving throw DC is equal to
is frightened of you until the end of its next turn. 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Charisma
You can use this feature a number of times equal modifier. Additionally, if the creature fails the
to your Charisma modifier (a minimum of once). saving throw, it takes 1d6 extra damage from
You regain all expended uses when you finish a your attack. The extra damage increases to
short or long rest. 1d8 at 7th level, 1d10 at 10th level, 2d6 at
15th level, and 2d8 at 18th level.
Cheap Shots
Unless otherwise noted, when the cheap shot
Also at 3rd level, you can use your experience results in the creature suffering a condition, it
in dirty fighting to mercilessly exploit your must repeat the saving throw at the end of
opponents’ weaknesses and mistakes. You learn each of its turns until it succeeds, at which
three cheap shots of your choice, which are point the condition ends.
Note that the cheap shots’ names are not literal requirements. For example, Sting does not require a
piercing weapon.
Break a Leg. When a creature moves, you can Double-Trouble. When a creature takes
expend your reaction to use this cheap shot damage from a weapon attack you did not
against it. The creature must succeed on a make, you can expend your reaction to use
Dexterity saving throw or have its speed this cheap shot. The creature must succeed
halved and give you advantage on all your on a Wisdom saving throw or be unbalanced
attack rolls against it. These effects last until (apply the poisoned condition).
the end of your next turn.
Finisher. When you take the Attack action
Bully. When you take the Attack action against an incapacitated creature, it must
against a creature that currently has make a Strength saving throw. If it fails, your
disadvantage on attack rolls against you, it next successful melee attack made against it
must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or before the end of your next turn is considered
be frightened. a critical hit.
Conk. When you take the Attack action Grab. When you make a successful melee
against an incapacitated creature, it must attack against a creature, it must succeed on a
succeed on a Constitution saving throw or be Strength or Dexterity saving throw (creature’s
stunned. choice) or be grappled by you. Instead of
repeating the saving throw at the end of each
of its next turns, the creature must escape the
grapple according to the normal rules.
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Ground and Pound. When you take the Rub it in. When a creature misses you with a
Attack action against a prone creature, it melee attack, you can expend your reaction to
must succeed on a Constitution saving throw use this cheap shot. The creature must
or be incapacitated. succeed on a Charisma saving throw or have
disadvantage on its next attack roll made
Hanky-Panky. When you take the Attack before the end of its next turn.
action against a charmed creature, it must
succeed on an Intelligence saving throw or Sting. When you make a successful attack
remain charmed even if you deal it damage. against a concentrating creature, you can give
it disadvantage on the resulting Constitution
Lights Out. When you take the Attack action saving throw to maintain concentration.
against a grappled creature, it must succeed
on a Constitution saving throw or be blinded. Sweep. When you score a critical hit against a
creature, it must succeed on a Dexterity
Nail Down. When you make an opportunity saving throw or be knocked prone. The
attack against a creature, you can immediately creature can subsequently stand up, as
perform this cheap shot in addition to the normal.
opportunity attack. The creature must
succeed on a Dexterity saving throw or have Throat Punch. When a creature casts a spell,
its speed reduced to 0 until the start of its you can expend your reaction to use this
next turn. cheap shot. The creature must succeed on a
Charisma saving throw or become unable to
Razzle-Dazzle. When a creature takes talk.
damage from a spell, you can expend your
reaction to use this cheap shot. The creature Whiplash. When you make a successful
must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or melee attack against a stunned creature, it
be knocked prone. The creature can must succeed on a saving throw of its choice
subsequently stand up, as normal. or be paralyzed.
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Monk
hen one is witness to the physical
feats that monks are capable of, one
can easily forget that their life is first
and foremost one of balance and
quietude. Inner peace and harmony
grant them superhuman capabilities.
Life Philosophy
Originally, the fighting techniques of monks were used by peasants and commoners who
were forbidden from carrying weapons, or lacked the money to buy them and thus protect
themselves against much better equipped enemies. In addition to giving birth to unparalleled
unarmed fighters, these lowly origins have left their mark on many monastic traditions.
To reach the state of transcendence that allows them to focus and intensify their ki, monks
must often forsake superfluous material things. This does not mean, however, that all monks
lead a life of asceticism: many of them encourage an existence of simple pleasures and
compassion, and others allow themselves to fully bask in the glory that their feats earn them.
Still, a monk should be careful not to rest on their laurels and let themselves go, lest they
lose the benefits of their rigorous training. Monks usually strive to protect the weak and the
innocent, but monasteries also attract martial artists with less noble intentions, or for whom
physical perfection and inner harmony are an end in themselves. Most monks found outside
of monasteries are either hermits or wanderers seeking the illumination who take up a life of
adventure to perfect their mastery of the martial arts or to attain a better understanding of
the world.
Legendary Destinies
A monk who has perfected their techniques is capable of performing outstanding physical
feats by controlling the inner energy that flows through their body. To them, catching an arrow
in midair or running along vertical surfaces over several yards is child’s play, but they can
also shatter stone with their bare hands, move and strike so fast that their enemies cannot
keep up with them, or project their ki outside of their body in the form of raw energy. These
individuals’ ability to withstand ailments and privations is legendary, and their clarity of mind
allows them to notice the slightest details and uncover deceptions. Using these gifts, some
unscrupulous monks become talented spies and assassins, while those who uphold justice are
excellent judges and investigators, or advisors prized for their wisdom and impartiality.
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“The body acts upon the world, but the body is weak. The soul is limitless, but the soul is immaterial. When body and soul are one, they
become more than the sum of their parts, giving birth to a being that is whole.” Jeet Kune, Initiate of the Way of the Open Hand
Class Features
A s a monk, you gain the following class features.
Equipment
You start with the following equipment, in addition to the equipment granted by your background:
(a) a shortsword, (b) a scimitar, (c) a pair of cestuses, or (d) any simple weapon
(a) a dungeoneer’s pack or (b) an explorer’s pack
10 darts
The Monk
Proficiency Martial Unarmored
Level Bonus Arts Ki Points Movement Features
1st +2 1d4 — — Unarmored Defense, Martial Arts
2nd +2 1d4 2 +10 ft Ki, Unarmored Movement
3rd +2 1d4 3 +10 ft Monastic Tradition, Deflect Missiles
4th +2 1d4 4 +10 ft Ability Score Improvement, Slow Fall
5th +3 1d6 5 +10 ft Extra Attack, Stunning Strike
6th +3 1d6 6 +15 ft Ki-Empowered Strikes, Monastic Tradition feature
7th +3 1d6 7 +15 ft Evasion, Stillness of Mind
8th +3 1d6 8 +15 ft Ability Score Improvement
9th +4 1d6 9 +15 ft Unarmored Movement improvement
10th +4 1d6 10 +20 ft Purity of Body
11th +4 1d8 11 +20 ft Monastic Tradition feature
12th +4 1d8 12 +20 ft Ability Score Improvement
13th +5 1d8 13 +20 ft Tongue of the Sun and Moon
14th +5 1d8 14 +25 ft Diamond Soul
15th +5 1d8 15 +25 ft Timeless Body
16th +5 1d8 16 +25 ft Ability Score Improvement
17th +6 1d10 17 +25 ft Monastic Tradition feature
18th +6 1d10 18 +30 ft Empty Body
19th +6 1d10 19 +30 ft Ability Score Improvement
20th +6 1d10 20 +30 ft Perfect Self
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Unarmored Defense
Beginning at 1st level, while you are wearing no armor and not
wielding a shield, your AC equals 10 + your Dexterity modifier
+ your Wisdom modifier.
Reasons for
Traveling the World
Martial Arts As a monk, provided you did not break ties
with your order, you were probably given
At 1st level, your practice of martial arts gives you mastery of a mission. Define it with your leader’s
combat styles that use unarmed strikes and monk weapons, approval, either by choosing from the list
which are cestuses, scimitars, shortswords and any simple below or by coming up with one of your
melee weapons that don’t have the two-handed or heavy own.
property.
Self-discovery. The purpose of your
Note: Even though an unarmed strike does not involve a journey is to earn experience and
weapon, it is considered a melee weapon attack (see the reach a higher degree of mastery. This
Combat chapter). goal may be an end of its own or be the
key to a high-ranking position within
You gain the following benefits while you are unarmed or your order.
wielding only monk weapons and you aren’t wearing armor
or wielding a shield: Founding. You were tasked with
spreading word of your order. To do so,
You can use Dexterity instead of Strength for the attack and you must found a new monastery in a
damage rolls of your unarmed strikes and monk weapons. faraway country. You will have to make
a name for yourself through your
You can roll a d4 in place of the normal damage of your heroics to be granted the necessary
unarmed strike or monk weapon. This die changes as you authorizations and attract the
gain monk levels, as shown in the Martial Arts column of prospective monks you will train.
the Monk table.
Research. Being a scholar, you were
When you use the Attack action with an unarmed strike or sent on a mission to obtain rare books
a monk weapon on your turn, you can make one unarmed (either by buying them or by copying
strike as a bonus action. For example, if you take the Attack them) and bring them back to your
action and attack with a quarterstaff, you can also make an monastery’s library.
unarmed strike as a bonus action, assuming you haven’t
already taken a bonus action this turn. Vision. Someone in your monastery
had a most alarming vision and you
Certain monasteries use specialized forms of the monk were sent to investigate it. You may be
weapons. For example, you might use a club that is two lengths at the forefront of a battle against a
of wood connected by a short chain (called a nunchaku) terrible evil.
or a sickle with a shorter, straighter blade (called a kama).
Whatever name you use for a monk weapon, refer to the Protection. Your order is famed for
Equipment chapter and use the game statistics of the weapon the bravery, the devotion, and the
it is closest to. worth of its warrior monks. You were
tasked with escorting and protecting a
prince, an heir apparent, or a priest on
a diplomatic or holy mission. Your
ward may be another adventurer.
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Ki
Starting at 2nd level, your training allows you to harness the mystic energy of ki. Your access to this
energy is represented by a number of ki points. Your monk level determines the number of points you
have, as shown in the Ki Points column of the Monk table.
You can spend these points to fuel various ki features. You start knowing three such features: Flurry
of Blows, Patient Defense, and Step of the Wind. You learn more ki features as you gain levels in this
class.
When you spend a ki point, it is unavailable until you finish a short or long rest, at the end of which
you draw all of your expended ki back into yourself. You must spend at least 30 minutes of the rest
meditating to regain your ki points.
Some of your ki features require your target to make a saving throw to resist the feature’s effects. The
saving throw DC is calculated as follows:
Flurry of Blows
Immediately after you take the Attack action on your turn, you can spend 1 ki point to make two
unarmed strikes as a bonus action.
Patient Defense
You can spend 1 ki point to take the Dodge action as a bonus action on your turn.
Unarmored Movement
Starting at 2nd level, your speed increases by 10 feet while you are not wearing armor or wielding a
shield. This bonus increases when you reach certain monk levels, as shown in the Monk table.
At 9th level, you gain the ability to move along vertical surfaces and across liquids on your turn
without falling during the move.
Monastic Tradition
When you reach 3rd level, you commit yourself to a monastic tradition: the Way of the Open Hand or
the Way of Pain, all detailed at the end of the class description. Your tradition grants you features at
3rd level and again at 6th, 11th, and 17th level.
Deflect Missiles
Starting at 3rd level, you can use your reaction to deflect or catch the missile when you are hit by a
ranged weapon attack. When you do so, the damage you take from the attack is reduced by 1d10 +
your Dexterity modifier + your monk level.
If you reduce the damage to 0, you can catch the missile if it is small enough for you to hold in one
hand and you have at least one hand free. If you catch a missile in this way, you can spend 1 ki point
to make a ranged attack with the weapon or piece of ammunition you just caught, as part of the same
reaction. The range of this attack is 20/60 feet. You make this attack with proficiency, regardless of
your weapon proficiencies, and the missile counts as a monk weapon for the attack.
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Ability Score
Purity of Body
Improvement
At 10th level, your mastery of the ki flowing through
When you reach 4th level, and again at 8th, 12th, you makes you immune to disease and poison.
16th, and 19th level, you can increase one ability
score of your choice by 2, or you can increase two
ability scores of your choice by 1. As normal, you can’t
Tongue of the Sun and
increase an ability score above 20 using this feature. Moon
Starting at 13th level, you learn to touch the ki of
Slow Fall other minds so that you understand all spoken
languages. Moreover, you can make it so that
Beginning at 4th level, you can use your reaction any creature that can understand a language can
when you fall to reduce any falling damage you take understand what you say.
by an amount equal to five times your monk level.
Diamond Soul
Extra Attack
Beginning at 14th level, your mastery of ki grants
Beginning at 5th level, you can attack twice, instead you proficiency in all saving throws.
of once, whenever you take the Attack action on Additionally, whenever you make a saving throw
your turn. and fail, you can spend 1 ki point to reroll it and take
the second result.
Stunning Strike
Timeless Body
Starting at 5th level, you can interfere with the flow
of ki in an opponent’s body. When you hit another At 15th level, your ki sustains you so that you suffer
creature with a melee weapon attack (which includes none of the frailty of old age, and you can’t be aged
your unarmed strikes), you can spend 1 ki point to magically. You can still die of old age, however. In
attempt a stunning strike. The target must succeed addition, you no longer need food or water.
on a Constitution saving throw or be stunned until
the end of your next turn.
Empty Body
Ki-Empowered Strikes Beginning at 18th level, you can use your action to
spend 4 ki points to become invisible for 1 minute.
Starting at 6th level, your unarmed strikes count as During that time, you also have resistance to all
magical for the purpose of overcoming resistance damage but force damage.
and immunity to nonmagical attacks and damage. Additionally, you can spend 8 ki points to cast the
astral projection spell, without needing material
components. When you do so, you can’t take any
Evasion other creatures with you.
Stillness of Mind
Starting at 7th level, you can use your action to
end one effect on yourself that is causing you to be
charmed or frightened.
Monk Stories…
On a beach of gray sand, a young halfling
dressed in a kimono is facing a sahuagin
wielding a long trident. When the amphibian
stabs at her, she dodges in a gravity-defying
leap, landing on the pole of the thrust
weapon with perfect balance. The monster
tries to shake off the perched halfling but
she moves along, vaulting and spinning with
aerial grace, never touching the ground.
As the fishlike being raises its weapon, the
halfling drops on the creature and kicks it
squarely in the face. With a wet cracking
noise of broken cartilage, the sahuagin is
thrown to the ground.
Monastic Traditions
M any traditions of monastic pursuit are followed in the monasteries scattered across Eana. This section goes over
two of the most famous of them. Monastic traditions rely on the same basic techniques, diverging as the student
grows more adept. Thus, a monk need choose a tradition only upon reaching 3rd level.
Way of Pain
Most people seek to avoid it. Some try to ignore it. And others choose to embrace it, not out of perversion or because they
enjoy it, but simply because they understand that it is inevitable and perhaps usable. According to certain sages, pain is
even one of the components of ki. Monks of the Way of Pain look upon physical suffering as an inexhaustible resource,
particularly on the battlefield, and learn to receive it to fuel their martial feats.
Gratitude Sublimation
Starting when you choose this tradition at 3rd level, you Starting at 6th level, as a reaction, when you take damage
learn to thank your opponents in accordance with the from any source, you can gain a number of ki points equal
tenets of the Way of Pain. When a creature makes you lose to one tenth of the hit points (not temporary hit points) lost,
a number of hit points (not temporary hit points) at least rounded down.
equal to your monk level through a weapon attack, you
can immediately use your reaction to make a melee attack
against any creature within range. When you reach 6th Abnegation
level, you can also use this feature when you lose hit points
because of a spell, whether the spell targeted you directly or Starting at 11th level, pain focuses your senses, sharpens
included you in an area effect. In this case, the damage you your reflexes, and stirs your fighting spirit. As long as
deal through your attack is of the same type as the damage your current hit points are less than or equal to half your
you just took. Beginning at 11th level, you can also move maximum hit points, you have advantage on your weapon
up to your speed as part of your reaction, before or after attacks (which includes your unarmed strikes) and a +2
attacking. bonus to your saving throws.
Moreover, if you use the optional rule on Wounds (see the
Wounds section of the Health chapter), beginning at 3rd
level, you can expend 1 ki point to ignore the effects of all The Last Dance
your Wounds (exhaustion levels and penalties) until the
start of your next turn. This costs you no action. When you reach 17th level, being at death’s door liberates
within you a whirlwind of death. When you are reduced to 0
hit points but not killed outright, you can spend 3 ki points
to drop to 1 hit point instead. If you do so, until the end of
your next turn, all your successful weapon attacks (which
includes your unarmed strikes) are considered critical hits.
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Paladin
he lives of all paladins are dictated by a solemn oath, a vow they take to
champion a cause, not because they have no choice or because it is their duty,
but because they believe wholeheartedly in the righteousness of their ideal.
Souls so pure and determined shine in the Astral like a beacon. Gods and their
agents seek such individuals whose beliefs match theirs, as their faith makes
them outstanding conduits for divine energy. However, before being a covenant
made with a god, a paladin’s oath is a contract they make with themselves. If a paladin violates
their oath or doubts their cause, they may be stripped of their powers, temporarily or even
permanently if they cannot make amends or renew their bond with their faith.
Divine Contact
Some paladins are directly contacted and commissioned by gods or by powerful angels acting
as intermediaries between the deity and its servants. It even happens that individuals wholly
devoted to their personal ideal are spontaneously imbued with divine powers, without even
being aware of the reason, because their staunch determination resonated with the essential
nature of a celestial entity.
Upholding an Ideal
Though there are rumors of dark knights devoted to evil gods who spread chaos and suffering,
paladins are by and large deeply good figures. To be worthy of the powers they have been
granted, they must strive to be virtuous, use their gifts for the benefit of others, and do
everything they can to make the world a better place. Paladins usually dedicate their lives to
justice, compassion, or defending the innocent, but some of them commit themselves to more
eccentric goals like vengeance, spreading joy and love, or even revolution and putting power
into the hands of the people.
Battling Corruption
The purity of paladins’ souls and their connection with their gods make them the bane of
fundamentally evil creatures like the undead, fiends, and the ravagers of Canker. Paladins
are capable of instinctively detecting such creatures, but also of driving them back and
crippling them simply by exerting their will. When the armies of infernal princes or powerful
necromancers threaten the lands of mortals, they are sure to stand at the forefront of the
battles. They are valorous, charismatic fighters who lead through example, though some of
them may choose to fight the servants of evil from the shadows, using stealth and guerrilla
warfare to bring down despots and criminals. Paladins who live under the yoke of tyranny
frequently take this path, and as unglamorous as it may be, it is no less guided by noble
intentions.
Paladin Orders
Paladins often gather in orders who worship the same god or champion similar causes. Such
orders run the gamut from simple militias to full-fledged religious hierarchies, and sometimes
undertake crusades or similar wide-scale operations. For example, many paladins decide to
commit themselves to fighting Canker and enlist in the famous Order of the Edelweiss. Still,
most of the time, these holy fighters are encouraged to travel the world as vigilantes or to take
up charity work.
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“You cannot change the world with
tears. I will mourn for all the persecuted
innocents, all the injustices, and all the
misfortunes when my task is complete.
Canker and its abominations must be
fought tirelessly. I have no time for
tears. There is too much to be done.”
Sir Pelinal, Holy Leader of the
Order of the Edelweiss
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Class Features
A s a paladin, you gain the following class features.
1st Level
Hit Points
Hit Dice: 1d10 per paladin level
Hit Points at 1st Level: 10 + your Constitution modifier
Hit Points at Higher Levels: 1d10 (or 6) + your Constitution modifier per paladin level after 1st
Proficiencies
Armor: All armor, shields
Weapons: Simple weapons, martial weapons
Tools: None
Saving Throws: Wisdom, Charisma
Skills: Choose two from Animal Handling, Athletics, Insight, Intimidation, Investigation, Medicine,
Persuasion, Religion, and Stealth.
Equipment
You start with the following equipment, in addition to the equipment granted by your background:
(a) a martial weapon and a shield or (b) two martial weapons
(a) five javelins or (b) any simple melee weapon
(a) a priest’s pack or (b) an explorer’s pack
Chain mail and a holy symbol
The Paladin
Proficiency Spell Slots per Spell Level
Level Bonus Features 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th
1st +2 Divine Sense, Lay on Hands
2nd +2 Fighting Style, Spellcasting, Divine Smite 2
3rd +2 Divine Health, Sacred Oath 3
4th +2 Ability Score Improvement 3
5th +3 Extra Attack 4 2
6th +3 Aura of Protection 4 2
7th +3 Sacred Oath feature 4 3
8th +3 Ability Score Improvement 4 3
9th +4 - 4 3 2
10th +4 Aura of Courage 4 3 2
11th +4 Improved Divine Smite 4 3 3
12th +4 Ability Score Improvement 4 3 3
13th +5 - 4 3 3 1
14th +5 Cleansing Touch 4 3 3 1
15th +5 Sacred Oath feature 4 3 3 2
16th +5 Ability Score Improvement 4 3 3 2
17th +6 - 4 3 3 3 1
18th +6 Aura improvements 4 3 3 3 1
19th +6 Ability Score Improvement 4 3 3 3 2
20th +6 Sacred Oath feature 4 3 3 3 2
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Divine Sense
The presence of strong evil registers on your senses like a noxious odor, and powerful
good rings like heavenly music in your ears. As an action, you can open your awareness
to detect such forces. Until the end of your next turn, you know the location of any
celestial, fiend, ravager of Canker, or undead within 60 feet of you that is not behind total
cover. You know the type (celestial, fiend, ravager of Canker, or undead) of any being
whose presence you sense, but not its precise nature (for example, you may detect the
presence of an undead but won’t know that it is a vampire). Within the same radius, you
also detect the presence of any place or object that has been consecrated or desecrated,
as with the hallow spell.
You can use this feature a number of times equal to 1 + your Charisma modifier. When
you finish a long rest, you regain all expended uses.
Lay on Hands
Your blessed touch can heal wounds. You have a pool of healing power that replenishes
when you take a long rest. With that pool, you can restore a total number of hit points
equal to your paladin level × 5.
As an action, you can touch a creature and draw power from the pool to restore a number
of hit points to that creature, up to the maximum amount remaining in your pool.
Alternatively, you can expend 5 hit points from your pool of healing to cure the target
of one disease or neutralize one poison affecting it. You can cure multiple diseases and
neutralize multiple poisons with a single use of Lay on Hands, expending hit points
separately for each one.
This feature has no effect on undead and constructs.
Fighting Style
At 2nd level, you adopt a style of fighting as your specialty. Choose one of the following
options. You can’t take a Fighting Style option more than once, even if you later get to
choose again.
Defense
While you are wearing armor, you gain a +1 bonus to AC.
Dueling
When you are wielding a melee weapon in one hand and no
other weapons, you gain a +2 bonus to damage rolls with
that weapon.
Protection
When a creature you can see attacks a
target other than you that is within 5 feet
of you, you can use your reaction to impose
disadvantage on the attack roll. You must
be wielding a shield.
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Spellcasting
By 2nd level, you have learned to draw on divine magic through meditation and prayer to cast
spells as a cleric does.
For example, if you are a 5th-level paladin, you Spell attack modifier = your proficiency bonus
have four 1st-level and two 2nd-level spell slots. + your Charisma modifier
With a Charisma of 14, your list of prepared
spells can include four spells of 1st or 2nd level, Spellcasting Focus
in any combination. If you prepare the 1st-level
spell cure wounds, you can cast it using a 1st- You can use a holy symbol (see the Equipment
level or a 2nd-level slot. Casting the spell doesn’t chapter) as a spellcasting focus for your
remove it from your list of prepared spells. paladin spells.
Divine Smite
Starting at 2nd level, when you hit a creature with a melee weapon attack, you can expend one spell
slot to deal radiant damage to the target, in addition to the weapon’s damage. The extra damage is
2d8 for a 1st-level spell slot, plus 1d8 for each spell level higher than 1st, to a maximum of 5d8. The
damage increases by 1d8 if the target is an undead, a creature of Canker, or a fiend.
184
Divine Health
By 3rd level, the divine magic flowing through you makes you immune to disease. Additionally, you have
advantage on saving throws against corruption and madness.
Sacred Oath
When you reach 3rd level, you swear the oath that binds you as a paladin forever. Up to this time you have
been in a preparatory stage, committed to the path but not yet sworn to it. Now you choose the Oath of
Devotion, the Oath of the Raven, or the Oath of the Errant, all detailed at the end of the class description.
Your choice grants you features at 3rd level and again at 7th, 15th, and 20th level. Those features include
oath spells and the Channel Divinity feature.
Penance
are an increased frequency of nightmares
A paladin who has broken a vow typically and the progressive appearance of
seeks absolution from a cleric who shares cankerous blemishes on the creature’s
their faith or from another paladin of the skin as corruption invades it, consuming
same order. The paladin might spend its body and mind. Eventually, the
an all-night vigil in prayer as a sign of corrupt creature turns into a Cankerous
penitence, or undertake a fast or similar ravager or prince. Corruption is detailed
act of self-denial. After a rite of confession in Grimoire.
and forgiveness, the paladin starts fresh. Corruption has very few visible effects
If a paladin willfully violates their oath and only marginally affects the way a
and shows no sign of repentance, the paladin’s powers work. The following
consequences can be more serious. At changes apply to a corrupted paladin:
the leader’s discretion, an impenitent
paladin might be forced to abandon You lose advantage on saving throws
this class and adopt another, in which against madness and corruption
case the fallen paladin loses all of their granted by your Divine Health feature.
magical paladin features. Instead of turning or frightening
ravagers of Canker, your powers apply
to fey.
Corruption by Canker Using objects dealing radiant damage
is no longer possible.
Oath-breaking paladins are troubled, Radiant damage dealt through spells,
tormented beings. They can still use class features, etc. is replaced with
divine magic, but it is gradually defiled by necrotic damage.
Canker. Corrupted beings themselves do Meditation or prayer in sacred places
not always understand precisely what must now take place in Cankerous
is happening to them. The symptoms nests.
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Oath Spells Channel Divinity
Each oath has a list of associated spells. You gain Your oath allows you to channel divine energy to
access to these spells at the levels specified in the fuel magical effects. Each Channel Divinity option
oath description. Once you gain access to an oath provided by your oath explains how to use it.
spell, you always have it prepared. Oath spells When you use your Channel Divinity, you choose
don’t count against the number of spells you can which option to use. You must then finish a short
prepare each day. or long rest to use your Channel Divinity again.
If you gain an oath spell that doesn’t appear on Some Channel Divinity effects require saving
the paladin spell list, the spell is nonetheless a throws. When you use such an effect from this
paladin spell for you. class, the DC equals your paladin spell save DC.
Extra Attack
Beginning at 5th level, you can attack twice, instead of once, whenever you take the Attack action on
your turn.
Aura of Protection
Starting at 6th level, whenever you or a friendly creature within 10 feet of you must make a saving
throw, the creature gains a bonus to the saving throw equal to your Charisma modifier (with a
minimum bonus of +1). You must be conscious to grant this bonus.
At 18th level, the range of this aura increases to 30 feet.
Aura of Courage
Starting at 10th level, you and friendly creatures within 10 feet of you can’t be frightened while you
are conscious.
At 18th level, the range of this aura increases to 30 feet.
Cleansing Touch
Beginning at 14th level, you can use your action to end one spell on yourself or on one willing creature
that you touch.
You can use this feature a number of times equal to your Charisma modifier (a minimum of once). You
regain expended uses when you finish a long rest.
186
Paladin Stories…
Spearheading a charge against a horde
of undead massed against the walls of an
underground fortress, an armored dwarf
knight brandishes his warhammer high. He is
surrounded by a silvery light that dazzles and
wounds the abominations while his weapon,
wreathed in white flames, smashes the bones
of the skeletons that try to grab him. Bolstered
by the fervor of their leader, the last defenders
of the fort cut their way through the melee,
protected by the aura of purifying light.
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Sacred Oaths
B ecoming a paladin involves taking vows that commit the paladin to the cause of righteousness, an active
path of fighting wickedness. The final oath, taken when they reach 3rd level, is the culmination of all the
paladin’s training. Some characters with this class don’t consider themselves true paladins until they have
reached 3rd level and made this oath. For others, the actual swearing of the oath is a formality, an official
stamp on what has always been true in the paladin’s heart.
Oath of Devotion
The Oath of Devotion binds a paladin to the loftiest ideals of justice, virtue, and order. Sometimes called
cavaliers, white knights, or holy warriors, these paladins meet the ideal of the knight in shining armor, acting
with honor in pursuit of justice and the greater good. They hold themselves to the highest standards of
conduct, and some, for better or worse, hold the rest of the world to the same standards. Many who swear
this oath are devoted to gods of law and good and use their gods’ tenets as the measure of their devotion.
They hold angels—the perfect servants of good—as their ideals, and incorporate images of angelic wings
into their helmets or coats of arms.
Channel Divinity
When you take this oath at 3rd level, you gain the Turn the Unholy. As an action, you present
following two Channel Divinity options. your holy symbol and speak a prayer censuring
fiends and undead, using your Channel
Sacred Weapon. As an action, you can imbue Divinity. Each fiend or undead that can see or
one weapon that you are holding with positive hear you within 30 feet of you must make a
energy, using your Channel Divinity. For 1 Wisdom saving throw. If the creature fails its
minute, you add your Charisma modifier to saving throw, it is turned for 1 minute or until
attack rolls made with that weapon (with a it takes damage.
minimum bonus of +1). The weapon also emits A turned creature must spend its turns trying
bright light in a 20-foot radius and dim light 20 to move as far away from you as it can, and it
feet beyond that. If the weapon is not already can’t willingly move to a space within 30 feet of
magical, it becomes magical for the duration. you. It also can’t take reactions. For its action,
You can end this effect on your turn as part it can use only the Dash action or try to escape
of any other action. If you are no longer from an effect that prevents it from moving. If
holding or carrying this weapon, or if you fall there’s nowhere to move, the creature can use
unconscious, this effect ends. the Dodge action.
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Aura of Devotion Holy Nimbus
Starting at 7th level, you and friendly creatures At 20th level, as an action, you can emanate an aura
within 10 feet of you can’t be charmed while you of sunlight. For 1 minute, bright light shines from
are conscious. you in a 30-foot radius, and dim light shines 30 feet
At 18th level, the range of this aura increases to 30 beyond that.
feet. Whenever an enemy creature starts its turn in the
bright light, the creature takes 10 radiant damage.
In addition, for the duration, you have advantage on
Purity of Spirit saving throws against spells cast by fiends, ravagers
of Canker, or undead.
Beginning at 15th level, you are always under the Once you use this feature, you can’t use it again until
effects of a protection from evil and good spell. you finish a long rest.
Strike as lightning. Do not warn your enemies 5th darkvision, raven’s claws
of an upcoming fight. Put them down before they
have the time to react. 9th haste, nondetection
The end justifies the means. … as long as the 13th confusion, hallucinatory terrain
end is just and the means do not involve even
worse actions than those you are rising against. 17th commune, teleportation circle
189
another creature of your choice within 5 feet of
Channel Divinity the initial attacker. The initial attacker rerolls
the attack against the designated creature with
When you take this oath at 3rd level, you gain the disadvantage.
following two Channel Divinity options.
Exploit Weakness
Furtive Aura. You can use your Channel
Divinity to escape others’ notice. As a bonus Beginning at 15th level, you can analyze an
action, you make your opponents forget about opponent’s fighting style by watching it fight for
you until the end of your turn. You do not at least two rounds. This requires no action on
actually become invisible, but your enemies your part, but you can only analyze one creature
stop paying attention to you and you are at a time. Once the two rounds have elapsed, at
considered to be hidden (see the Combat the start of each of your subsequent turns, you
chapter). Creatures who can see the invisible can choose either to have advantage on your
can make a Wisdom saving throw to resist attacks against the analyzed creature or to give it
this effect. disadvantage on its attacks against you. You can’t
use this feature again until you finish a short or
Repel Evil. You can use your Channel Divinity long rest.
to throw fear into the hearts of evil creatures.
As an action, you present your holy symbol
and each enemy humanoid, fey, or fiend of Absolution in Darkness
Medium size or less and of evil alignment that
can see you within 30 feet of you must make a At 20th level, you can generate an aura of
Wisdom saving throw or be frightened of darkness as an action. For 1 minute, the area
you for 1 minute. within 30 feet of you is heavily obscured. A
The leader makes the saving throws in secret, creature with darkvision can’t see through this
and may even pretend to roll for enemies that darkness, and nonmagical light can’t illuminate
are not evil, so as to nurture doubt concerning it. You and up to four creatures that you designate
the alignment of unaffected creatures. can see normally in the darkness. Creatures of
evil alignment inside the darkened area have
Shadow Vigilante disadvantage on Wisdom and Charisma saving
throws. Once you use this feature, you can’t use
When you choose this archetype at 3rd level, it again until you finish a long rest.
you gain proficiency with the Investigation skill Also at 20th level, as a bonus action, you can
or with the Stealth skill. If you were already make black wings sprout from your back, with
proficient in both of these skills, choose one: no hindrance from your equipment. You gain a
your proficiency bonus is doubled for any ability flying speed equal to your walking speed. The
check you make that uses it. wings remain for an hour or until you dismiss
them with a bonus action. You can use this
Redirected Strike feature even if you are wearing armor: though
tangible and raven-like, these wings are magical.
Starting at 7th level, when a creature misses a Once you use this feature, you can’t use it again
melee attack against you, you can immediately until you finish a short or long rest.
use your reaction to redirect this attack against
Oath Spells You can cast the spell find steed with a casting time
of 1 action (instead of 10 minutes). In addition, the
You gain oath spells at the paladin levels listed. summoned mount has a number of hit points equal
to the maximum amount possible for its Hit Dice, to
Oath of the Errant Spells which you add a number of additional hit points
equal to your paladin level. The mount comes
Paladin equipped with chainmail barding that grants it an
Level Spells AC of 16. When you reach 14th level, the barding
becomes plate for an AC of 18. Finally, when you
3rd heroism, shield of faith ride it, your steed can make an attack on your turn
(this takes its action, however) and it adds your
5th branding smite, find steed proficiency bonus to its attack rolls.
192
“You must know every inch of the
land you fight in, and your enemy
better still. But first and foremost,
you must learn to respect them.
Both can bring you victory or death,
and neither will go easy on you.”
Boris Taekk, Explorer of the
Netherworld and slayer of the
abominations of Canker
Class Features
A s a ranger, you gain the following class features.
1st Level
Proficiencies
Hit Points
Armor: Light armor, medium armor, shields
Hit Dice: 1d10 per ranger level Weapons: Simple weapons, martial weapons
Hit Points at 1st Level: 10 + your Constitution modifier Tools: Herbalism kit
Hit Points at Higher Levels: 1d10 (or 6) + your Saving Throws: Strength, Dexterity
Constitution modifier per ranger level after 1st Skills: Choose three from Animal Handling,
Athletics, Insight, Investigation, Nature,
Perception, Stealth, and Survival
Equipment
You start with the following equipment, in addition to the equipment granted by your background:
(a) scale mail or (b) leather armor
(a) two shortswords or (b) two simple melee weapons
(a) a dungeoneer’s pack or (b) an explorer’s pack
A longbow and a quiver of 20 arrows
The Ranger
Proficiency Spells Spell Slots per Spell Level
Level Bonus Features Known 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th
1st +2 Favored Enemy, Seasoned Explorer - -
2nd +2 Fighting Style, Spellcasting 2 2
3rd +2 Ranger Archetype, Animal Bond, Primeval Awareness 3 3
4th +2 Ability Score Improvement 3 3
5th +3 Extra Attack, Seasoned Explorer improvement 4 4 2
6th +3 Favored Enemy improvement 4 4 2
7th +3 Ranger Archetype feature 5 4 3
8th +3 Ability Score Improvement, Land’s Stride 5 4 3
9th +4 Precision Attack, Seasoned Explorer improvement 6 4 3 2
10th +4 Hide in Plain Sight 6 4 3 2
11th +4 Ranger Archetype feature 7 4 3 3
12th +4 Ability Score Improvement 7 4 3 3
13th +5 Seasoned Explorer improvement 8 4 3 3 1
14th +5 Favored Enemy and Hide in Plain Sight improvements, 8 4 3 3 1
Vanish
15th +5 Ranger Archetype feature 9 4 3 3 2
16th +5 Ability Score Improvement 9 4 3 3 2
17th +6 Seasoned Explorer improvement 10 4 3 3 3 1
18th +6 Feral Senses 10 4 3 3 3 1
19th +6 Ability Score Improvement 11 4 3 3 3 2
20th +6 Foe Slayer 11 4 3 3 3 2
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Favored Enemy
Beginning at 1st level, you have significant experience studying, tracking, hunting, and even talking to a certain
category of enemy.
Choose a category of favored enemy from the following:
Type Definition
Ancient Very old, legendary beings, such as giants and aberrations (like the aboleths and
their minions)
Astral Celestials and other creatures from the Celestial Plane or from the moon Eternity
Dragons Dragons of any kind and dragonborn
Fey Creatures bound to Eana’s essence (such as dryads and satyrs)
Fiends Demons and devils
Humanoids Choose three. (e.g., 1. goblins, 2. hobgoblins, and 3. orcs)
Magical Creations Constructs, elementals, and artificially created beings (such as chimeras)
Monstrosities Dangerous creatures whose habits follow no known rules
Natural Beings Beasts, plants, oozes
Ravagers of Canker Corrupted beasts and monsters from Cankerous nests
Undead Dead creatures brought to a state of pseudo-life through corrupted means
You have advantage on Wisdom (Survival) checks to demons and devils are both fiends, but they do not use
track your favored enemies, as well as on Intelligence the same tongue), choose one.
checks to recall information about them. You also add You choose one additional favored enemy, as well as
your proficiency bonus to damage rolls against your an associated language, at 6th and 14th level. As you
favored enemies. gain levels, your choices should reflect the types of
When you gain this feature, you also learn one monsters you have encountered on your adventures.
language of your choice that is spoken by your favored
enemies, if they speak one at all. If several languages
are spoken among your favored enemies (for example,
Seasoned Explorer
You are particularly familiar with a type of environment (natural or not), and are adept at traveling and
surviving in such regions. Choose two types of favored terrain from the following: Astral; cold and temperate
forest; equatorial forest; Ethereal; faeries and demiplanes; grassland and savanna; hot desert; littoral and sea;
Melancholia; mountain and canyons; Netherworld; polar region and Gemoniae; swamp and wet areas (lakes,
rivers, etc.); urban areas and ruins; volcanoes and Furnace.
As a prerequisite to choosing an environment, you must have had an opportunity to explore it and get
accustomed to it.
Certain environments can be similar, such as polar regions and Gemoniae, or polar regions and snow-covered
mountains. Your leader can authorize you to use your Seasoned Explorer features in environments that closely
resemble the ones you are familiar with.
When you make an Intelligence or Wisdom check related to your favored terrain, your proficiency bonus is
doubled if you are using a skill that you’re proficient in.
While traveling for an hour or more in your favored terrain, you gain the following benefits:
Difficult terrain doesn’t slow your group’s travel.
Your group can’t become lost except by magical means.
Even when you are engaged in another activity while traveling (such as foraging, navigating, or tracking),
you remain alert to danger.
You have advantage on initiative rolls.
If you are traveling alone, you can move stealthily at a normal pace.
When you forage, you find twice as much food as you normally would.
While tracking other creatures, you also learn their exact number, their sizes, and how long ago they passed
through the area.
You choose an additional favored terrain type at 5th, 9th, 13th, and 17th level.
Fighting Style
At 2nd level, you adopt a particular style of fighting as your specialty. Choose one of the following options. You
can’t take a Fighting Style option more than once, even if you later get to choose again. 195
Archery Dueling
You gain a +2 bonus to attack rolls you make with ranged When you are wielding a melee weapon in one hand and
weapons. no other weapons, you gain a +2 bonus to damage rolls
with that weapon.
Defense
Two-Weapon Fighting
While you are wearing armor, you gain a +1 bonus to AC.
When you engage in two-weapon fighting, you can add
your ability modifier to the damage of the second attack.
Spellcasting
By the time you reach 2nd level, you have learned to use the magical essence of nature to cast spells, much as a druid
does.
Spell Slots Additionally, when you gain a level in this class, you can
choose one of the ranger spells you know and replace it
The Ranger table shows how many spell slots you have with another spell from the ranger spell list, which also
to cast your spells of 1st level and higher. To cast one of must be of a level for which you have spell slots.
these spells, you must expend a slot of the spell’s level
or higher. You regain all expended spell slots when you Spellcasting Ability
finish a long rest.
For example, if you know the 1st-level spell animal Wisdom is your spellcasting ability for your ranger spells,
friendship and have a 1st-level and a 2nd-level spell slot since your magic draws on your attunement to nature.
available, you can cast animal friendship using either slot. You use your Wisdom whenever a spell refers to your
spellcasting ability. In addition, you use your Wisdom
Spells Known of 1st Level and Higher modifier when setting the saving throw DC for a ranger
spell you cast and when making an attack roll with one.
You know two 1st-level spells of your choice from the
ranger spell list. Spell save DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus + your
The Spells Known column of the Ranger table shows Wisdom modifier
when you learn more ranger spells of your choice. Each
of these spells must be of a level for which you have spell Spell attack modifier = your proficiency bonus + your
slots. For instance, when you reach 5th level in this class, Wisdom modifier
you can learn one new spell of 1st or 2nd level.
Vanish
Ability Score
Starting at 14th level, you can use the Hide action
Improvement as a bonus action on your turn. Also, you can’t be
tracked by nonmagical means, unless you choose to
When you reach 4th level, and again at 8th, 12th, leave a trail.
16th, and 19th level, you can increase one ability
score of your choice by 2, or you can increase two
ability scores of your choice by 1. As normal, you Feral Senses
can’t increase an ability score above 20 using this
feature. At 18th level, you gain preternatural senses that help
you fight creatures you can’t see. When you attack a
creature you can’t see, your inability to see it doesn’t
Extra Attack impose disadvantage on your attack rolls against it.
You are also aware of the location of any invisible
Beginning at 5th level, you can attack twice, instead creature within 30 feet of you, provided that the
of once, whenever you take the Attack action on creature isn’t hidden from you and you aren’t
your turn. blinded or deafened.
Precision Attack
Beginning at 9th level, when you hit a creature that
you can see with a weapon attack, you can expend
one spell slot to deal extra damage of the same type
as the weapon. The extra damage is 2d8 for a 1st-level
spell slot, plus 1d8 for each spell level higher than
1st, to a maximum of 5d8. The damage increases by
1d8 if the target is your favored enemy. In addition,
if your weapon is not magical, it is treated as such for
the purpose of this attack only.
197
Ranger Stories…
Lying amidst lush ferns in the undergrowth, his face covered with black mud, a
human is watching half a dozen armored warriors make their way through the
vegetation. In his right hand, he holds his bow, while the left is resting on the
spine of the great puma at his side. His magical trap activates and arrows shoot
from the thicket, killing three of the intruders. As the survivors panic, the feline
stealthily moves toward them. The man rises and nocks an arrow, to which the
fighters react by drawing their swords. The roar of the puma rings out as the
beast pounces on them.
Hunter
Emulating the Hunter archetype means accepting your place as a bulwark between civilization and the terrors
of the wilderness. As you walk the Hunter’s path, you learn specialized techniques for fighting the threats you
face, from rampaging ogres and hordes of orcs to towering giants and terrifying dragons.
Colossus Slayer. Your tenacity can wear down the Volley. You can use your action to make a ranged
most potent foes. When you hit a creature with a attack against any number of creatures within 10
weapon attack, the creature takes an extra 1d8 feet of a point you can see within your weapon’s
damage if it’s below its hit point maximum. You range. You must have ammunition for each target,
can deal this extra damage only once per turn. as normal, and you make a separate attack roll for
Giant Killer. When a Large or larger creature each target.
within 5 feet of you hits or misses you with an Whirlwind Attack. You can use your action to
attack, you can use your reaction to attack that make a melee attack against any number of
creature immediately after its attack, provided creatures within 5 feet of you, with a separate
that you can see the creature. attack roll for each target.
Horde Breaker. Once on each of your turns when
you make a weapon attack, you can make another Superior Hunter’s Defense
attack with the same weapon against a different
creature that is within 5 feet of the original target At 15th level, you gain one of the following features of
and within range of your weapon. your choice.
Defensive Tactics Evasion. You can nimbly dodge out of the way of
certain area effects, such as a red dragon’s fiery
At 7th level, you gain one of the following features of breath or a lightning bolt spell. When you are
your choice. subjected to an effect that allows you to make a
Dexterity saving throw to take only half damage,
Escape the Horde. Opportunity attacks against you instead take no damage if you succeed on the
you are made with disadvantage. saving throw, and only half damage if you fail.
Multiattack Defense. When a creature hits you Stand Against the Tide. When a hostile creature
with an attack, you gain a +4 bonus to AC against misses you with a melee attack, you can use your
all subsequent attacks made by that creature for reaction to force that creature to repeat the same
the rest of the turn. attack against another creature (other than itself)
Steel Will. You have advantage on saving throws of your choice.
against being frightened. Uncanny Dodge. When an attacker that you can
see hits you with an attack, you can use your
reaction to halve the attack’s damage against you.
199
Netherworld Explorer
You have decided (some would say “understood”) that the best place for an adventurer to forge their mettle
and fight evil is the ancestral ruins and endless tunnels of the Netherworld, with their eccentric fauna,
countless dangers, immeasurable riches, and inexhaustible mysteries. It is a world much different from the
one that people of the surface know, a universe fraught with peril that filled you with terror at first, but one
you eventually gained familiarity with. Your affinity with the depths has made you a force to be reckoned with
in every circumstance, and your skills draw the interest of many, whether as a guide, a cartographer, or simply
an explorer burning to discover the secrets of the world below.
200
Urban Shadow
When major towns grow, they often do so to the detriment of the traditional habitats of rangers and druids,
which can end up destroyed or reduced to a fraction of their original size. However, these bloated cities have a
wilderness of their own. Among the landfills and slums, at the periphery of respectable districts, a particular
ecosystem takes form, and some rangers make it their domain.
Some of them cling to their former territories, seeking to preserve their traditions as best they can in a changing
environment. They lead a guerrilla war against the rampant expansion of urban areas or the unrestrained
exploitation of natural resources. Others thrive in these hostile places or make it their home, the better to
infiltrate the heart of a system that threatens them and that they abhor. Some rangers even venerate vermin
and filth as indispensable steps of the natural cycle. They live among refuse or subsist in the sewers below
the streets of big cities, befriending the multitude of rats and pests that populate this underground world. As
a result, their magic changes, but it still calls upon the forces of nature, albeit under a different guise.
Thrive in Filth
When you reach 15th level, urban pests become your
guardian angels. You gain the following effects, which
only apply if your animal companion is a swarm of
beasts:
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Rogue
he word “rogue” covers a wide breadth of individuals—usually outlaws—who
use stealth, concealment, and trickery to reach their ends. Among them are
burglars who have mastered the art of breaking and entering, assassins and
spies capable of infiltrating any fortress, conmen and pickpockets with silver
tongues and quick fingers, lockpickers, forgers, poisoners, and all other sorts
of brigands, thieves, and professional swindlers.
202
“To all those who call me a criminal
and a good-for-nothing: I dare you to
do my work for one day and then tell me
I have no merit.” Note purportedly
written by the melessë Tanwen
Drustan, found in a cell of the Free
City, which had been left empty and
locked. Tanwen is an emblematic
figure of the town. Regarded as
a heroine by the people, she is
wanted by the watch who hold her
guilty of many crimes.
203
Class Features
A s a rogue, you have the following class features.
1st Level
Hit Points Proficiencies
Hit Dice: 1d8 per rogue level Armor: Light armor
Hit Points at 1st Level: 8 + your Constitution modifier Weapons: Simple weapons, hand crossbows,
Hit Points at Higher Levels: 1d8 (or 5) + your longswords, rapiers, shortswords
Constitution modifier per rogue level after 1st Tools: Thieves’ tools
Saving Throws: Dexterity, Intelligence
Skills: Choose four from Acrobatics, Athletics,
Deception. Insight, Intimidation, Investigation,
Perception, Performance. Persuasion, Sleight of
Hand, and Stealth
Equipment
You start with the following equipment, in addition to the equipment granted by your background:
(a) a rapier or (b) a shortsword
(a) a shortbow and quiver of 20 arrows or (b) a shortsword
(a) a burglar’s pack, (b) a dungeoneer’s pack, or (c) an explorer’s pack
Leather armor, two daggers, and thieves’ tools
The Rogue
Proficiency
Level Bonus Sneak Attack Features
1st +2 1d6 Expertise, Sneak Attack, Thieves’ Cant
2nd +2 1d6 Cunning Action
3rd +2 2d6 Roguish Archetype
4th +2 2d6 Ability Score Improvement
5th +3 3d6 Uncanny Dodge
6th +3 3d6 Expertise
7th +3 4d6 Evasion
8th +3 4d6 Ability Score Improvement
9th +4 5d6 Roguish Archetype feature
10th +4 5d6 Ability Score Improvement
11th +4 6d6 Reliable Talent
12th +4 6d6 Ability Score Improvement
13th +5 7d6 Roguish Archetype feature
14th +5 7d6 Blindsense
15th +5 8d6 Slippery Mind
16th +5 8d6 Ability Score Improvement
17th +6 9d6 Roguish Archetype feature
18th +6 9d6 Elusive
19th +6 10d6 Ability Score Improvement
20th +6 10d6 Stroke of Luck
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Expertise Ability Score Improvement
At 1st level, choose two of your skill proficiencies, or When you reach 4th level, and again at 8th, 10th, 12th,
one of your skill proficiencies and your proficiency with 16th, and 19th level, you can increase one ability score
thieves’ tools. Your proficiency bonus is doubled for any of your choice by 2, or you can increase two ability
ability check you make that uses either of the chosen scores of your choice by 1. As normal, you can’t increase
proficiencies. an ability score above 20 using this feature.
At 6th level, you can choose two more of your
proficiencies (in skills or with thieves’ tools) to gain this
benefit. Uncanny Dodge
Starting at 5th level, when an attacker that you can see
Sneak Attack hits you with an attack, you can use your reaction to
halve the attack’s damage against you.
Beginning at 1st level, you know how to strike subtly
and exploit a foe’s distraction. Once per turn, you can
deal an extra 1d6 damage to one creature you hit with Evasion
an attack if you have advantage on the attack roll. The
attack must use a finesse or a ranged weapon. Beginning at 7th level, you can nimbly dodge out of the
You don’t need advantage on the attack roll if another way of certain area effects, such as a red dragon’s fiery
enemy of the target is within 5 feet of it, that enemy isn’t breath or an ice storm spell. When you are subjected
incapacitated, and you don’t have disadvantage on the to an effect that allows you to make a Dexterity saving
attack roll. throw to take only half damage, you instead take no
The amount of the extra damage increases as you gain damage if you succeed on the saving throw, and only
levels in this class, as shown in the Sneak Attack column half damage if you fail.
of the Rogue table.
Reliable Talent
Thieves’ Cant
By 11th level, you have refined your chosen skills until
During your rogue training you learned thieves’ cant, a they approach perfection. Whenever you make an
secret mix of dialect, jargon, and code that allows you to ability check that lets you add your proficiency bonus,
hide messages in seemingly normal conversation. Only you can treat a d20 roll of 9 or lower as a 10.
another creature that knows thieves’ cant understands
such messages. It takes four times longer to convey such
a message than it does to speak the same idea plainly. Blindsense
In addition, you understand a set of secret signs and
symbols used to convey short, simple messages, such Starting at 14th level, if you are able to hear, you are
as whether an area is dangerous or the territory of a aware of the location of any hidden or invisible creature
thieves’ guild, whether loot is nearby, or whether the within 10 feet of you.
people in an area are easy marks or will provide a safe
house for thieves on the run.
Thieves’ cant is detailed in the Languages chapter. Slippery Mind
By 15th level, you have acquired greater mental
Cunning Action strength. You gain proficiency in Wisdom saving throws.
Thief
You hone your skills in the larcenous arts. Burglars, bandits, cutpurses, and other criminals
typically follow this archetype, but so do rogues who prefer to think of themselves as
professional treasure seekers, explorers, delvers, and investigators. In addition to improving
your agility and stealth, you learn skills useful for delving into ancient ruins, reading unfamiliar
languages, and using magic items you normally couldn’t employ.
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Rogue Stories…
A blond, curly-haired altar boy dressed in a ceremonial robe sidles away from a procession, a golden
chalice in his hands. He rounds a corner into an alleyway, grabs the hem of his garment and pulls it
over his head, wrapping the goblet into the cloth as he does so. He is not a child but an adult halfling,
a stole of embroidered silk hastily wrapped around his waist and his pockets bulging with precious
religious paraphernalia and ornate icons. He grabs a cloak he had previously stashed in a nook, puts it
on, and disappears into a narrow side street.
A melessë is crouching in the shadows of an observatory, amidst large stacks of grimoires. She is
fiddling with a length of cord, her eyes vacant, but her ears pricked up. She hears a door open and
close, muted footsteps on a thick rug, dry coughing, and the squeaking of a poorly-oiled telescope. She
gets up and stealthily walks up to the wizard bent over the device’s lens, wraps the garrote round his
neck and squeezes firmly, putting the spellcaster at her mercy.
A gnome wearing a valet’s livery is picking a door’s lock in a richly decorated corridor. He takes a look
around, slips inside the office, then locks the door behind him. He immediately heads for a massive,
finely ornamented chest of drawers and kneels down, putting his ear against the wooden panel.
Looking for a trap, he experimentally nudges the drawers and picks up the light
clicking of a mechanism. Sliding his lockpicks into a slit hidden in a
bas-relief, he disarms a poison-spitter, opens the drawer,
and grabs the incriminating documents. Hearing
a key slide into the door’s lock, he hurries
through the window.
Spy
Whether you were specially trained for such a purpose or your natural talents simply match this path,
your mastery of observation and deception makes you a precious asset for any faction. You are able
to steal or trade clues and intelligence like no other, for you know that these resources are as valuable
as a purse full of gold.
Hitman
Whether you are a restless righter of wrongs, a consummate bounty
hunter, or a money-grubbing killer for hire, one thing is for
certain: you never let go of your quarry. One might say you are
determined, but the words “relentless” or “obsessive” could also
apply. Those who are at the top of your hit list are often unaware
of it, not realizing that they only have a few hours left to live.
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Mark Weak Spot
When you choose this archetype at 3rd level, you Also at 3rd level, as a bonus action, you can
can put yourself in a hunter’s mindset to track ignore a creature’s resistance to damage until the
down and eliminate your prey more efficiently. start of your next turn. Once you use this feature,
Designate a specific creature, by name or through you can’t use it again until you finish a short or
certain details that make it unique in your mind long rest. Beginning at 9th level, you can use this
(“Baron Devalis,” “the diamond thief,” “the king feature twice between rests, and beginning at
of the Bonecrusher trolls,” etc.). You must have 13th level, you can use it three times between
a modicum of intelligence about your target: in rests.
addition to a name or designation, you must know
at least one prevalent element of its behavior Hunter’s Instinct
or personality (“Baron Devalis is an impatient
man”), and one important piece of information Beginning at 9th level, you can feel the presence
regarding its past (“Baron Devalis tried to have of the object of your mission when it is near
the queen assassinated”). The leader is the final enough. You can focus for 1 round to know
judge of whether your information is relevant whether your Mark is within 300 feet of you. For
enough. the duration of this round, you are incapacitated.
Once you have designated a creature that If your Mark is present within this radius, you
satisfies these requirements (thereafter referred are immediately stunned for 1 round, overcome
to as your Mark), you must finish a long rest to with an adrenaline rush. This feature does not
gain the effects of this feature. You can only have pinpoint the location of your Mark or provide
one Mark at a time. If you designate a new Mark, you with any other kind of information than
this feature no longer applies to your previous whether it is present. Only a mind blank spell or
Mark. a similar effect can block this feature.
All ability checks related to hunting your Mark Once you use this feature, you can’t use it again
(at the leader’s discretion) have advantage. You until you finish a short or long rest.
also have advantage on all saving throws against
effects dealt by your Mark. Finally, successful Exertion
Sneak Attacks against your Mark are considered
critical hits. Starting at 13th level, you can surpass yourself
Note that what constitutes your Mark is dictated when the circumstances require it, whether to
by your perception: get out of a tight spot or to perform a physical
If you are convinced that Arneba the halfling is the feat. When you are about to make a Strength or
diamond thief, this feature applies to her, even if Dexterity check, you can use your reaction to
she is actually innocent. However, this can change immediately succeed on this check. You cannot
if you discover information that sheds new light use this feature if the check could not conceivably
on your case. For example, if you realize your be successful, even with a 20 on the die roll.
mistake and learn that the thief is none other than Once you use this feature, you can’t use it again
Nalbandiev the melessë, the effects of this feature until you finish a long rest.
immediately switch to him. However,
if you expressly designated Arneba Stay Out of This
as your Mark and not the diamond
thief, this does not apply. When you reach 17th level, you are such a
Starting at 13th level, you only fearsome killer that even your Mark’s allies are
need to finish a short or long discouraged from getting between you and your
rest to designate a Mark. target. Every time you make a successful Sneak
Attack against your Mark, you can designate a
creature that you can see and that can see you
within 60 feet of you. The designated creature
must make a Charisma saving throw (with a DC
of 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Charisma
modifier) or be incapacitated until the start of
your next turn.
209
Scholar
cholars, wise ones, savants, and sages are present
in all societies, from the most primitive to the most
refined. Whether they are healers, inventors of
strange contraptions, or ruin delvers searching for lost
knowledge, their main talent lies in their ability to learn
and adapt to any situation.
1st Level
Hit Points Proficiencies
Hit Dice: 1d8 per scholar level Armor: Light armor
Hit Points at 1st Level: 8 + your Constitution Weapons: Daggers, quarterstaffs, and any two weapons of
modifier your choice
Hit Points at Higher Levels: 1d8 (or 5) + your Tools: Choose any three
Constitution modifier per scholar level after 1st Languages: Choose any two
Saving Throws: Intelligence, Wisdom
Skills: Choose any three
Equipment
You start with the following equipment, in addition to the equipment granted by your background:
(a) a set of tools you are proficient in* or (b) a weapon you are proficient in*
(a) a scholar’s pack, (b) an explorer’s pack, or (c) a diplomat’s pack
a weapon you are proficient in*, a set of tools you are proficient in*, leather armor
* The price of the item cannot be above 25 gp (see the Equipment chapter).
The Scholar
Proficiency Trick Tricks
Level Bonus Points Known Features
1st +2 4 3 Bag of Tricks
2nd +2 5 3 Feat
3rd +2 5 3 Pursuit, Methodical Control (1)
4th +2 6 3 Ability Score Improvement
5th +3 7 4 Trick
6th +3 8 4 Pursuit feature, Feat
7th +3 8 4 Knick-knacks
8th +3 9 4 Ability Score Improvement
9th +4 10 5 Trick, Methodical Control (2)
10th +4 11 5 Pursuit feature, Feat
11th +4 12 6 Trick
12th +4 13 6 Ability Score Improvement
13th +5 14 6 Methodical Control (3)
14th +5 14 6 Feat
15th +5 15 7 Trick
16th +5 16 7 Ability Score Improvement
17th +6 17 7 Pursuit feature
18th +6 18 8 Trick, Feat
19th +6 19 8 Ability Score Improvement
20th +6 20 8 Bag of Plenty
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Bag of Tricks
Beginning at 1st level, you can draw from your honed intellect and font of theoretical knowledge to perform
astounding tricks through the expenditure of trick points. At 1st level, you have 4 trick points, and earn more
as you gain levels, as shown in the Trick Points column of the Scholar table. You can never have more trick
points than the number appropriate to your level. You regain all spent trick points when you finish a short
or long rest.
To perform tricks, you must spend trick points. At 1st level, you know three tricks: Swiftness and two others
from the list below. You gain an additional trick at 5th, 9th, 11th, 15th, and 18th level.
Note that your Pursuit grants you other features that require you to spend trick points.
Some of your tricks require your target to make a saving throw to resist the trick’s effects. The saving throw
DC is calculated as follows:
Tricks
Here is a list of basic tricks. You know Swiftness and two other tricks of your choice at 1st level, and earn
additional ones as you gain scholar levels (see the Scholar table).
Brilliance ability modifier. Note that this does not grant you
proficiency in the saving throw. If the initial ability is
You are so talented that you sometimes appear as Wisdom or Charisma, you must spend 1 trick point.
more of an expert than you actually are. Before you If it is Strength, Dexterity, or Constitution, you must
make an attack roll, saving throw, or ability check, spend 3 trick points.
you can spend 2 trick points to add your proficiency
bonus to your roll. If your proficiency bonus already Gauging
applies, it is doubled for this roll.
You can evaluate adversity, the better to face it. As
Diversion an action, you can spend 1 trick point and choose
a creature you can see within 60 feet. For the next
You know how to distract others and make them lose 10 minutes, you have a +2 bonus on attack rolls
their focus. When a creature within 60 feet of you against this creature, on saving throws against its
that you can see makes an attack roll, ability check, effects, and on ability checks directly aimed at it (for
or damage roll, you can use your reaction and spend example, Deception, Persuasion, etc. in the case of
between 1 and 3 trick points to roll the same number social interaction, or Perception if the creature is
of d4s and subtract the resulting sum from the roll of hiding). You can only use this trick on one creature
the targeted creature. You can use this trick before at a time.
or after the creature’s roll, but before any effects are
applied. This trick requires the targeted creature to Getaway
see and hear you.
When you take damage or are subjected to a
Excellence condition, you can use your reaction and spend
5 trick points to move up to your speed without
You sometimes have strokes of genius that allow provoking opportunity attacks. If your new position
you to outdo yourself in a pinch. When you make an takes you away from the source of the damage or
attack roll, saving throw, ability check, or damage condition, you are unaffected by it.
roll, you can spend between 1 and 3 trick points to
roll the same number of d4s and add the resulting Ingenuity
sum to your roll. You can use this trick before or after
making the roll, but before any effects are applied. You can use your acumen to compensate for your
weaknesses in other domains. When you make
Fortitude an ability check related to an ability other than
Intelligence, you can spend trick points to use
Thanks to your quick wits and sharp mind, you your Intelligence modifier instead of the normal
can efficiently react to danger. When you must ability modifier. If the normal ability is Wisdom
make a saving throw related to an ability other or Charisma, you must spend 1 trick point. If it is
than Intelligence, you can spend trick points to use Strength, Dexterity, or Constitution, you must spend
your Intelligence modifier instead of the normal 3 trick points.
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Moxie Swiftness
It takes a lot to impress a mind as brilliant as yours. In the middle of battle, you are able to act efficiently
When you fail a saving throw that results in you and without losing a second. On your turn, you can
being frightened or charmed, you can immediately spend 1 trick point to take the Dash, Help, or Search
use your reaction and spend 1 trick point to remove action as a bonus action.
the condition. Alternatively, when you use the Help action to aid
a friendly creature in attacking a creature, you can
Overdrive spend 1 trick point to extend the range of this action
to 30 feet (instead of the normal 5 feet). You can also
You can push yourself beyond your limits. On your do this as a bonus action for a total of 2 trick points.
turn, you can spend 2 trick points to take one
additional action (note that this does not grant Warning
you an additional bonus action or reaction). This
trick cannot be used to take the same type of action You can anticipate danger and help your allies face
twice on the same turn. Additionally, it cannot be it. When a creature within 60 feet of you that you
combined with other effects granting additional can see makes an attack or casts a spell including an
actions, such as this feature, a fighter’s Action Surge, attack roll or saving throw, you can use your reaction
or a haste spell. and spend 1 trick point to warn another creature
within 60 feet of you that you can see and that can
Redirection see you. The warned creature gets a bonus equal to
your Intelligence modifier to its AC or saving throw
You can make yourself scarce when you are in a bad against the attack or spell, whichever applies. The
spot. When a creature targets you with an attack or a effect ends as soon as the attack roll or saving throw
harmful spell, you can use your reaction and spend 2 has been resolved.
trick points to divert its attention. The creature must
then make a Wisdom saving throw. On a failure, it
must change its target or lose its attack or spell. This
trick does not protect you from area effects like the
explosion of a fireball spell.
Respite
You can draw newfound vigor from your mental
resilience. As a bonus action on your turn, you can
spend as many trick points as you wish to gain
temporary hit points equal to the number of trick
points spent multiplied by your proficiency bonus.
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Feat Pursuit
When you reach 2nd level, and again at 6th, 10th, 14th, and At 3rd level, you dedicate your mind to a particular
18th level, you gain a feat. You can find the list of feats in intellectual pursuit. Choose Alchemy or Mind-delving, both
the Customization Options chapter. As normal, you must detailed at the end of the class description. The archetype
meet the prerequisites detailed in the feat’s description. you choose grants you features at 3rd level and again at
6th, 10th, and 17th level.
Methodical Control
Beginning at 3rd level, if you spend at least 1 hour in a location studying the area and its immediate surroundings, you can
circumscribe a 30-foot-radius zone. Until you finish a long rest, you are attuned to this zone.
As long as you are attuned to the zone (henceforth called “controlled zone”), you can activate certain effects inside it. You
learn one effect from the list below at 3rd level, another one at 9th level, and a final one at 13th level. Every time, you must
pick the effect from the appropriate level category. Additionally, every time you gain a new effect, you can replace an effect
you already know with another one of the same level.
When you circumscribe a zone, you can apply one effect. Afterward, you can apply additional effects, which takes 10 minutes
for every additional effect. Every effect requires you to use specific costly components, the price of which depends on the
level of the desired effect: 20 gp for a 3rd-level effect, 50 gp for a 9th-level effect, and 100 gp for a 13th-level effect. One zone
can have any number of effects. All your effects disappear once you are no longer attuned to the controlled zone.
Finally, the effects of Methodical Control are not magic. They are simply the result of honed practicality and of an in-depth
knowledge of the workings of the mind and body, as well as of the secrets of nature.
Specialist
Also at 3rd level, you must choose a specialty that reflects your field of study. It must be a knowledge-related skill
(choose from Arcana, History, Investigation, Nature, or Religion), a tool, or a vehicle that you are proficient in. Your
proficiency bonus is doubled for any ability check related to the skill, tool, or vehicle.
Additionally, when you make an ability check related to your specialty, you can spend 2 trick points to have
advantage on the roll.
216
Scholar Stories…
A copper-skinned melessë is thoughtfully running her fingers through
her thin braids. All the clues are there, scattered over the crime
scene. She sorts out the details, evaluates their relevance, goes over
everything she has read and heard. A sly smile appears on her lips.
The monster huntress knows where to find her prey. Tonight, she will
put an end to the terror plaguing the town.
217
Pursuits
S cholars, whether they are occultists, dracologists, or any other type of specialist, are all fascinated with a
particular intellectual subject, usually related to their main field of study. The most common of these pursuits
among adventurers are Alchemy and Mind-Delving.
Adaptability
Scholars are the most flexible of adventurers, capable of learning from any type of situation and from all kinds
of mentors. If your leader uses this optional rule, a scholar can pick a pursuit outside of the ones specific to
the scholar class, and instead follow an archetype from another class, with the following restrictions:
The chosen archetype cannot be one that improves or expands the features of the initial class. For
example, a scholar cannot choose a barbarian primal path, since it would require them to be initially able
to rage. In Adventurers, the archetypes available to the scholar are: Champion (fighter), Chosen Blade
(fighter), Hunter (ranger), Netherworld Explorer (ranger), Ruffian (fighter).
The chosen archetype’s features are acquired at the levels where the scholar gains their pursuit features
(3rd, 6th, 10th, and 17th) instead of the levels of the initial class. To gain an archetype feature, the scholar
must be of a level equal to or higher than the level at which the initial class gains it.
The scholar only gains one archetype feature when they reach a level where they gain a pursuit feature,
except at 17th level where they gain two, if applicable (see the example below).
The Netherworld Explorer ranger archetype can be chosen by a scholar. However, the scholar will acquire the
related features at a slower pace, as shown in the table below:
Alchemy
An alchemist seeks to master the secrets of this occult domain, distinct both from divine powers and from the
established rules of magic. Alchemists may not be able to cast spells, but they are nevertheless capable of coming
up with astonishing effects and extraordinary substances. They are often found in the palaces of sovereigns (though
usually holed up inside their laboratories), and as a complement to the most fearsome armies. Students in arcana,
gnome engineers, and physicians commonly embrace this pursuit.
218
Healer Pharmacist
Also at 3rd level, you gain the ability to heal wounds Beginning from 10th level, you can brew mixtures
with a salve of your concoction. capable of enhancing physical or mental capabilities. In
When you finish a long rest, you prepare a healing salve. certain regions, you may be branded a drug dealer and
This salve can restore an amount of hit points equal to risk sanctions that might go as far as the death penalty.
your scholar level times 10. You can use all or part of this As an action, you can spend 1 trick point to apply one of
supply to heal a creature within touch range as an action. the following effects on a willing creature that you can
When you finish a long rest, your previous salve loses its touch. All the effects last for 1 minute:
potency and can no longer be used to restore hit points.
This feature has no effect on undead and constructs. Repress the charmed and frightened conditions on
the creature and render it immune to them.
Knick-knack. Starting from the moment you gain Grant the creature a number of temporary hit points
the knick-knacks feature, you learn an additional equal to three times your Intelligence modifier.
knick-knack: a special balm you can use to enhance Grant the creature resistance to a type of damage of
your Healer feature. When you use this knick-knack, your choice.
hit points restored on a single use of the salve are Grant the creature advantage on a type of saving
doubled. Trick points are spent when you apply the throws of your choice.
balm, not when you make it. Like any other knick-
knack, the balm can only be used once and loses its Also as an action, you can instead spend 3 trick points to
potency after 24 hours. apply one of the following effects:
Healing. As an action, you can touch a creature with Youth. As long as the philosopher’s stone is in your
the stone to apply the effects of one of the following possession, no magic or supernatural power can age
spells on it: greater restoration, revivify, or mass cure you. Once a week, you can also cure a creature of any
wounds. For the purpose of these effects, your magic or supernatural aging. Moreover, at the end of
Intelligence is used as the spellcasting ability. The every year during which the stone remained on your
spell is used at its lowest possible level (5th level for person without interruption, roll 1d20 to see if you
mass cure wounds, for example). You can use the have aged: if you roll a 1, you age two years; if you
healing properties of the stone twice, and must roll between 2 and 9, you age one year (as normal);
finish a long rest before you can use them again. if you roll between 10 and 19, you do not age; if you
roll a 20, you become younger by one year.
Mind-Delving
Without using any magic, a mind-delver is capable of nigh-superhuman insight, allowing them to read the heart of
both friend and foe. Some pettily take advantage of this talent to manipulate people like puppets, but others use it
to see through the immaculate facade of evildoers. Outside of the strict purview of adventuring, many professions
are available to these psychology enthusiasts: political advisor, investigator, conciliator, agitator, lawyer, and
everything else that requires one to understand and anticipate behaviors.
You can use this feature after the nature of the creature’s
action has been announced, but before any effects are
applied.
220
Spell Disruption 5 trick points to give it an order limited to a sentence or
two. If the creature understands you and the course of
Starting at 6th level, you develop a talent for breaking the action sounds reasonable, it must make a Wisdom saving
efforts of spellcasters. throw or pursue the instructions you give it. The effect
When a creature you can see within 60 feet of you casts a ends once the task has been completed or after 8 hours.
spell, you can use your reaction and spend 2 trick points to 10 trick points to put a geas on it. If the creature
attempt to disrupt it. Make an Intelligence check with a DC understands you and the task is not obviously suicidal,
equal to 10 + the spell’s level. On a success, the creature’s it must make a Wisdom saving throw or do everything
spell fails and has no effect (no spell slot is expended). in its power to follow the geas. The effect ends once the
You can expend additional trick points when using this task has been completed or after 30 days.
feature: every 2 additional trick points give you a bonus
to the Intelligence check equal to your proficiency bonus The DC of these effects is equal to 8 + your proficiency bonus
(no more than 4 additional trick points can be spent in this + your Intelligence modifier. The targeted creature must have
fashion). an Intelligence score of at least 4. If the creature is hostile to
you when you use this feature against it or if it is immune to
Inurement being charmed, it has advantage on the saving throw. If you
or any of your allies damage the creature, the effect ends.
Beginning at 10th level, you have been confronted by so
many twisted minds that your own psyche has steeled Cure
itself against mental alienation.
Whenever you make a saving throw against madness, you Starting at 17th level, your knowledge of psyche is such
have advantage on the roll. In addition, when you roll for that you can cure mental disorders.
madness effects (whether for short-term, long-term, or You can spend 30 minutes with a creature and spend
indefinite madness; see Grimoire), roll twice on the table a certain number of trick points to activate one of the
and keep the result of your choice. following effects:
Finally, you have advantage on all saving throws against
enchantment spells, corruption, and any attempt to charm 1 trick point to repress 1 corruption point (permanent
or frighten you. or not) for 24 hours.
3 trick points to repress a madness for 24 hours.
Influence 5 trick points to end the frightened or charmed
condition on the creature.
Also at 10th level, your understanding of others’ minds 5 trick points to cure the creature of a short-term
and your mastery of mesmerism grant you extraordinary madness.
authority and charm. 10 trick points to cure the creature of a long-term
As an action, you can talk to a creature that can hear you madness.
and spend a certain number of trick points to activate one 10 trick points to attempt to rid the creature of a mind-
of the following effects: affecting curse. Make a DC 20 Intelligence check. On a
success, the curse is removed from the creature.
1 trick point to be able to communicate normally for 1 10 trick points to cure the creature of 1 temporary
minute with a creature you have no language in corruption point. The creature takes one level of
common with. exhaustion.
3 trick points to attempt to charm it. If the creature
understands you, it must make a Wisdom saving throw At your leader’s discretion, you can use these effects on
or be charmed by you for 1 hour. yourself as well.
221
Sorcerer
hether sorcerers are marked by
magic or carry overwhelming
potency in their blood, their
greatest challenge is not so much
to acquire power as to prevent it
from consuming them.
A Unique Gift
From their birth, sorcerers bear within themselves a source of raw magic, a direct
connection to profane energies that allows them to innately wield magic. According
to certain scholars, this phenomenon could be attributed to a prenatal exposure to
powerful emanations of residual magic, in the aftermath of large-scale magic disasters
or conflicts between mighty spellcasters, for example. Some surmise that sorcerers
are the result of babies experiencing the Awakening at the fetal stage, while others
claim that these magically gifted children are born from the forbidden union of fairies,
dragons, and other supernatural beings with humanoid species. And some say that if
this power is indeed hereditary, it must come from gods and heroes. In certain countries,
such an affinity with magic is actually regarded as proof of noble, or even royal, blood.
Regardless of the validity of these theories, what makes a sorcerer is not the origin of
their power but their mastery over it. Between their hands, magic behaves like a wild
beast that they must bend to their will at their own risk, but which, once tamed, can be
a fantastic tool and a terrifying weapon.
Wild Magic
Sorcerers are frequently despised by wizards, who look down on them as amateurs and
loose cannons. In turn, sorcerers usually see this as poorly concealed jealousy on the
part of people who needed years of study to be able to wield magic. However, even the
foolhardiest of them cannot deny that such warnings have a truth to them. A sorcerer’s
magic is a wild thing that can turn against its master, sometimes with disastrous
consequences. Spells may simply fail, but they may also escape their caster’s control or
blow up in their face—sometimes literally. Countless sorcerers have lost themselves in
the ecstasy of battle and injured their own allies, or hurt themselves with an overflow of
energy they were unable to control.
222
Sorcerer and Awakening
By definition, sorcerers have a gift. If the leader authorizes this
class in their campaign, it implies that the concerned character
has Awakened and therefore has access to their powers from
creation. Make sure that you have your leader’s approval before
you consider playing a sorcerer.
1st Level
Proficiencies
Hit Points Armor: None
Weapons: Daggers, darts, slings, quarterstaffs, light crossbows
Hit Dice: 1d6 per sorcerer level Tools: None
Hit Points at 1st Level: 6 + your Constitution modifier Saving Throws: Constitution, Charisma
Hit Points at Higher Levels: 1d6 (or 4) + your Skills: Choose two from Arcana, Deception, Insight,
Constitution modifier per sorcerer level after 1st Intimidation, Persuasion, and Survival
Equipment
You start with the following equipment, in addition to the equipment granted by your background:
(a) a light crossbow and 20 bolts or (b) any simple weapon
(a) a component pouch or (b) an arcane focus
(a) a dungeoneer’s pack or (b) an explorer’s pack
Two daggers
The Sorcerer
Proficiency Sorcery Cantrips Spells Spell Slots per Spell Level
Level Bonus Points Features Known nown 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th
1st +2 - Spellcasting, Sorcerous 4 2 2
Origin
2nd +2 2 Font of Magic 4 3 3
3rd +2 3 Metamagic 4 4 4 2
4th +2 4 Ability Score 5 5 4 3
Improvement
5th +3 5 - 5 6 4 3 2
6th +3 6 Sorcerous Origin feature 5 7 4 3 3
7th +3 7 - 5 8 4 3 3 1
8th +3 8 Ability Score 5 9 4 3 3 2
Improvement
9th +4 9 - 5 10 4 3 3 3 1
10th +4 10 Metamagic 6 11 4 3 3 3 2
11th +4 11 - 6 12 4 3 3 3 2 1
12th +4 12 Ability Score 6 12 4 3 3 3 2 1
Improvement
13th +5 13 - 6 13 4 3 3 3 2 1 1
14th +5 14 Sorcerous Origin feature 6 13 4 3 3 3 2 1 1
15th +5 15 - 6 14 4 3 3 3 2 1 1 1
16th +5 16 Ability Score 6 14 4 3 3 3 2 1 1 1
Improvement
17th +6 17 Metamagic 6 15 4 3 3 3 2 1 1 1 1
18th +6 18 Sorcerous Origin feature 6 15 4 3 3 3 3 1 1 1 1
19th +6 19 Ability Score 6 15 4 3 3 3 3 2 1 1 1
Improvement
20th +6 20 Sorcerous Restoration 6 15 4 3 3 3 3 2 2 1 1
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Spellcasting
An event in your past, or in the life of a parent or ancestor, left an indelible mark on you, infusing you with arcane magic.
This font of magic, whatever its origin, fuels your spells.
Cantrips slots. For instance, when you reach 3rd level in this class,
you can learn one new spell of 1st or 2nd level.
At 1st level, you know four cantrips of your choice from the Additionally, when you gain a level in this class, you can
sorcerer spell list. You learn additional sorcerer cantrips choose one of the sorcerer spells you know and replace it
of your choice at higher levels, as shown in the Cantrips with another spell from the sorcerer spell list, which also
Known column of the Sorcerer table. must be of a level for which you have spell slots. This list
can be found in Grimoire.
Spell Slots
Spellcasting Ability
The Sorcerer table shows how many spell slots you have
to cast your spells of 1st level and higher. To cast one of Charisma is your spellcasting ability for your sorcerer
these sorcerer spells, you must expend a slot of the spell’s spells, since the power of your magic relies on your ability
level or higher. You regain all expended spell slots when to project your will into the world. You use your Charisma
you finish a long rest. whenever a spell refers to your spellcasting ability. In
For example, if you know the 1st-level spell burning hands addition, you use your Charisma modifier when setting
and have a 1st-level and a 2nd-level spell slot available, you the saving throw DC for a sorcerer spell you cast and when
can cast burning hands using either slot. making an attack roll with one.
Sorcerous Origin
Choose a sorcerous origin, which describes the source of your innate magical power: Draconic Bloodline or Psychic
Magic, both detailed at the end of the class description.
Your choice grants you features when you choose it at 1st level and again at 6th, 14th, and 18th level.
Font of Magic
At 2nd level, you tap into a deep wellspring of magic within yourself. This wellspring is represented by sorcery points,
which allow you to create a variety of magical effects.
Sorcery Points
You have 2 sorcery points, and you gain more as you reach higher levels, as shown in the Sorcery Points column of the
Sorcerer table. You can never have more sorcery points than shown on the table for your level. You regain all spent
sorcery points when you finish a long rest.
225
Flexible Casting Creating Spell Slots
You can use your sorcery points to gain additional spell Spell Slot Level Sorcery Point Cost
slots, or sacrifice spell slots to gain additional sorcery 1st 2
points. You learn other ways to use your sorcery points
as you reach higher levels. 2nd 3
3rd 5
Creating Spell Slots. You can transform unexpended 4st 6
sorcery points into one spell slot as a bonus action
on your turn. The Creating Spell Slots table shows 5st 7
the cost of creating a spell slot of a given level. You Converting a Spell Slot to Sorcery Points. As
can create spell slots no higher in level than 5th. Any a bonus Action on your turn, you can expend one
spell slot you create with this feature vanishes when spell slot and gain a number of sorcery points equal
you finish a long rest. to the slot’s level.
Metamagic
At 3rd level, you gain the ability to twist your spells to suit your needs. You gain two of the following Metamagic
options of your choice. You gain another one at 10th and 17th level.
You can use only one Metamagic option on a spell when you cast it, unless otherwise noted.
Careful Spell
Hunger for and Theft of Magic When you cast a spell that forces other
creatures to make a saving throw, you
Many people with a vested interest in arcana are fascinated with the can protect some of those creatures from
spontaneous powers of sorcerers, for whom Awakening to magic seems the spell’s full force. To do so, you spend
so natural. Haunting rumors mention young sorcerers being kidnapped 1 sorcery point and choose a number
and subjected to experiments whose purpose is to steal the essence of of those creatures up to your Charisma
what makes them innate spellcasters. It is said that some cultists sacrifice modifier (minimum of one creature). A
them to Xonim, the eerie Lady of the Night, in the hope of becoming chosen creature automatically succeeds
wizards or priests in the service of the goddess. on its saving throw against the spell.
Distant Spell Quickened Spell
When you cast a spell that has a range of 5 feet or When you cast a spell that has a casting time of 1 action,
greater, you can spend 1 sorcery point to double the you can spend 2 sorcery points to change the casting
range of the spell. time to 1 bonus action for this casting.
When you cast a spell that has a range of touch, you can
spend 1 sorcery point to make the range of the spell 30
feet. Subtle Spell
Empowered Spell When you cast a spell, you can spend 1 sorcery point to
cast it without any somatic or verbal components.
When you roll damage for a spell, you can spend 1
sorcery point to reroll a number of the damage dice up Twinned Spell
to your Charisma modifier (minimum of one). You must
use the new rolls. When you cast a spell that targets only one creature and
You can use Empowered Spell even if you have already doesn’t have a range of self, you can spend a number
used a different Metamagic option during the casting of of sorcery points equal to the spell’s level to target a
the spell. second creature in range with the same spell (1 sorcery
point if the spell is a cantrip). To be eligible for Twinned
Extended Spell Spell, a spell must be incapable of targeting more than
one creature at the spell’s current level. As such, this
When you cast a spell that has a duration of 1 minute Metamagic option cannot apply to magic missile or
or longer, you can spend 1 sorcery point to double its scorching ray, but it can apply to frost ray. Similarly, a fly
duration, to a maximum duration of 24 hours. spell cast at 4th is not eligible for Twinned Spell, since
it can target two creatures—the same spell at 3rd level,
Heightened Spell however, would be eligible.
Sorcerous Restoration
At 20th level, you regain 4 expended sorcery points whenever you finish a short rest.
227
Sorcerer Stories…
A bronze-scaled dragonborn, bedecked with precious necklaces and ceremonial finery, brandishes
an ornate kris toward two tiger-headed fiends. The air around him crackles. Electric waves run
along his arms, embracing the shape of his scales and dancing against the blade’s wave-like
pattern. An earsplitting bang rings out as a lightning bolt arcs between the knife’s point and the
two rakshasas. The monsters are engulfed by a blinding light, vaporized by the power of the spell.
The draconic scion relishes the metallic taste in his mouth, the delightful ache of his pounding
heart, the smell of ozone and ash that pervades the air, and the feeling of invincibility that washes
over him. This is what being a dragon is like.
Sitting on a throne made out of mammoth tusks and furs, a sharp-eyed half-orc of noble bearing
stares down at the powerfully built hunter who has come to challenge her leadership. With
deliberate slowness, the merosi takes a bone-and-steel crown and dons it. “You are a great fighter.
If you want my crown, come and get it,” she taunts. The contender takes a step toward her but,
suddenly, the earth seems to boil about his feet. In a split second, a huge stone hand shoots up
from the ground and envelops the warrior in an unyielding grasp before the fearful, awestruck
gazes of the rest of the tribe. “Now, tell me who is your queen,” she sneers with a predatory smile.
A half-elf runs up the stairs leading to the top of a burning house. Below him, the fire roars like
a portent of his imminent doom. Once he has reached the roof, he raises his hands to the sky,
his entire face a grimace of effort. Long seconds elapse, punctuated by the rumbling of the
furnace, but nothing happens. Furious and terrified, he slaps himself and falls to his
knees, crying. It is then that rain starts falling, turning into a downpour
in mere moments. The melessë’s sobbing mixes with nervous,
relieved laughter as the flash flood drowns
out the fire, turning the streets into a
mire.
228
Sorcerous Origins
D ifferent sorcerers claim different origins for their innate magic. Although many variations exist, most of these
origins fall into two categories: a draconic bloodline and psychic magic.
Draconic Bloodline
Your innate magic comes from draconic magic that was mingled with your blood or that of your ancestors. Most
often, sorcerers with this origin trace their descent back to a mighty sorcerer of ancient times who made a bargain
with a dragon or who might even have claimed a dragon parent. Some of these bloodlines are well established in the
world, but most are obscure. Any given sorcerer could be the first of a new bloodline, as a result of a pact or some
other exceptional circumstance.
At 1st level, you choose one type of dragon as your ancestor. The damage type Black Acid
associated with each dragon is used by features you gain later.
Blue Lightning
You can speak, read, and write Draconic. Additionally, whenever you make a
Charisma check when interacting with dragons, your proficiency bonus is Brass Fire
doubled if it applies to the check.
Bronze Lightning
Copper Acid
Attitudes Toward Dragon-blooded
Gold Fire
Sorcerers
Green Poison
In Eana, dragons are regarded with awe and sometimes adoration
by certain peoples. A dragon-blooded sorcerer whose nature is Red Fire
known is likely to easily impress kobolds, granting them advantage on
Charisma (Intimidation and Persuasion) checks against them. They may Silver Cold
also attract attention—for better or for worse—in kingdoms ruled by
dragonborn nobility like Rachamangekr. White Cold
Starting at 6th level, when you cast a spell that deals Draconic Presence
damage of the type associated with your draconic
ancestry, add your Charisma modifier to that damage. Beginning at 18th level, you can channel the dread
This damage bonus applies to one damage roll of the presence of your dragon ancestor, causing those around
spell, not multiple rolls. At the same time, you can spend you to become awestruck or frightened. As an action,
1 sorcery point to gain resistance to that damage type you can spend 5 sorcery points to draw on this power
for 1 hour. and exude an aura of awe or fear (your choice) to a
distance of 60 feet. For 1 minute or until you lose your
concentration (as if you were casting a concentration
spell), each hostile creature that starts its turn in this
aura must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or be
charmed (if you chose awe) or frightened (if you chose
fear) until the aura ends. A creature that succeeds on
this saving throw is immune to your aura for 24 hours.
229
Psychic Magic
You are what is called a psychurge, a spellcaster gifted with rare and strange powers. Through the sheer power of your
mind, you can unleash psychic energies allowing you to interface and interact with the weave of profane magic and
create effects similar to spells. Obviously, this approach sets you apart from other profane spellcasters, including fellow
sorcerers.
Little is known about the origin of these aptitudes, but certain scholars have noticed similarities with powers found
among aberrations like aboleths (see Bestiary). Proceeding from this, surmising that vestiges of the Netherworld may
have altered the mental abilities of these individuals can appear as the logical conclusion, and it is precisely what some
theorists believe.
Psychic Vicissitudes
Madness Effect
Every time you cast a sorcerer spell, spend sorcery points, or use a psychic magic d20 Madness Effect
feature with limited uses, the leader can have you roll a d20. If you roll a 1, you suffer
a more or less severe madness effect (see the table on the right). If you roll a 20, you 1 Indefinite madness
are granted a psychic boon (see the table below). 2-5 Long-term madness
In the case of madness, roll on the Madness Effect table to determine the severity of 6-20 Short-term madness
your madness:
Whatever madness effect you suffer, roll twice on the corresponding table and keep either of the two rolls (your choice).
If you get the same effect twice, keep the one with the shortest duration. Madness effects are covered in Grimoire.
Deep Memory
When a psychurge focuses to delve for information related to Arcana or History, they close their eyes and
mentally see themselves going down into a vast cavern lit by bioluminescence. They are surrounded by
strange, sinuous carvings, like finger drawings in wet clay. They reach a subterranean lake, which they know
to be the sanctuary of deep memory. Drinking the water, they feel like they experience a living part of the
past. However, when they open their eyes, only the knowledge, not the memories, remains. It is as if they
were waking up from an already partly forgotten dream.
231
Warlock
arlocks play a dangerous game. They pledge allegiance to supernatural beings in exchange
for their instruction in occult arts and access to forbidden or otherwise unattainable
knowledge. As great as the resulting benefits may be, there is a heavy price to pay. The
entities who take warlocks under their tutelage are beings of great power looking for
devoted agents capable of acting in their stead and furthering their plans. The reasons
that motivate them are rarely clear or even fathomable for the common person, and
most of them consider the creatures involved in their machinations as simple pawns. Therefore, warlocks
are both privileged and cursed to act as key pieces in their patrons’ games. These individuals are usually
possessed of a charisma that they make use of to convince gullible or suggestible people to join them in the
service of their master. They are also fighters who spend more time out and about than engaged in studies.
1st Level
Hit Points Proficiencies
Hit Dice: 1d8 per warlock level Armor: Light armor
Hit Points at 1st Level: 8 + your Constitution Weapons: Simple weapons
modifier Tools: None
Hit Points at Higher Levels: 1d8 (or 5) + your Languages: One Exotic language of your choice
Constitution modifier per warlock level after 1st Saving Throws: Wisdom, Charisma
Skills: Choose two skills from Arcana, Deception, History,
Intimidation, Investigation, Nature, and Religion
Equipment
You start with the following equipment, in addition to the equipment granted by your background:
(a) a light crossbow and 20 bolts or (b) any simple weapon
(a) a component pouch or (b) an arcane focus
(a) a scholar’s pack or (b) a dungeoneer’s pack
Leather armor, any simple weapon, and two daggers
The Warlock
Proficiency Cantrips Spells Invocations
Level Bonus Features Known Known Spell Slots Slot Level Known
1st +2 Otherworldly Patron, Pact 2 2 1 1st -
Magic
2nd +2 Eldritch Invocations 2 3 2 1st 2
3rd +2 Pact Boon 2 4 2 2nd 2
4th +2 Ability Score Improvement 3 5 2 2nd 2
5th +3 - 3 6 2 3rd 3
6th +3 Otherworldly Patron 3 7 2 3rd 3
feature
7th +3 - 3 8 2 4th 4
8th +3 Ability Score Improvement 3 9 2 4th 4
9th +4 - 3 10 2 5th 5
10th +4 Otherworldly Patron feature 4 10 2 5th 5
11th +4 Mystic Arcanum (6th level) 4 11 3 5th 5
12th +4 Ability Score Improvement 4 11 3 5th 6
13th +5 Mystic Arcanum (7th level) 4 12 3 5th 6
14th +5 Otherworldly Patron feature 4 12 3 5th 6
15th +5 Mystic Arcanum (8th level) 4 13 3 5th 7
16th +5 Ability Score Improvement 4 13 3 5th 7
17th +6 Mystic Arcanum (9th level) 4 14 4 5th 7
18th +6 - 4 14 4 5th 8
19th +6 Ability Score Improvement 4 15 4 5th 8
20th +6 Eldritch Master 4 15 4 5th 8
234
Otherworldly Patron
At 1st level, you have struck a bargain with an otherworldly being of your choice: the Archfiend or the Primeval
One, both of which are detailed at the end of the class description. Your choice grants you features at 1st level
and again at 6th, 10th, and 14th level.
Pact Magic
Your arcane research and the magic bestowed on you by your patron have given you facility with spells.
The Warlock table shows how many spell slots you Spellcasting Ability
have. The table also shows what the level of those
slots is; all of your spell slots are the same level. To Charisma is your spellcasting ability for your warlock
cast one of your warlock spells of 1st level or higher, spells, so you use your Charisma whenever a spell
you must expend a spell slot. You regain all expended refers to your spellcasting ability. In addition, you
spell slots when you finish a short or long rest. use your Charisma modifier when setting the saving
For example, when you are 5th level, you have two 3rd- throw DC for a warlock spell you cast and when
level spell slots. To cast the 1st-level spell withering making an attack roll with one.
rebuke, you must spend one of those slots, and you cast
it as a 3rd-level spell. Spell save DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus + your
Charisma modifier
Spells Known of 1st Level and Spell attack modifier = your proficiency bonus +
your Charisma modifier
Higher
Spellcasting Focus
At 1st level, you know two 1st-level spells of your
choice from the warlock spell list. You can use an arcane focus (see the Equipment
The Spells Known column of the Warlock table shows chapter) as a spellcasting focus for your warlock
when you learn more warlock spells of your choice spells.
Eldritch Invocations
In your study of occult lore, you have unearthed eldritch invocations, fragments of forbidden knowledge that
imbue you with an abiding magical ability.
At 2nd level, you gain two eldritch invocations of your choice. Your invocation options are detailed at the end
of the class description. When you gain certain warlock levels, you gain additional invocations of your choice,
as shown in the Invocations Known column of the Warlock table.
Additionally, when you gain a level in this class, you can choose one of the invocations you know and replace
it with another invocation that you could learn at that level.
235
Pact Boon
At 3rd level, your otherworldly patron bestows a gift upon you for your loyal service. You gain one of the
following features of your choice.
Pact of the Chain You can then dismiss the weapon, shunting it into an
extradimensional space, and it appears whenever
You learn the find familiar spell and can cast it as a you create your pact weapon thereafter. You can’t
ritual. The spell doesn’t count against your number affect an artifact or a sentient weapon in this way.
of spells known. The weapon ceases being your pact weapon if you
When you cast the spell, you can choose one of the die, if you perform the 1-hour ritual on a different
normal forms for your familiar or one of the following weapon, or if you use a 1-hour ritual to break your
special forms: imp, pseudodragon, quasit, or sprite. bond to it. The weapon appears at your feet if it is in
Additionally, when you take the Attack action, you can the extradimensional space when the bond breaks.
forgo one of your own attacks to allow your familiar
to make one attack of its own by using its reaction. Pact of the Tome
Pact of the Blade Your patron gives you a grimoire called a Book of
Shadows. When you gain this feature, choose three
You can use your action to create a pact weapon in cantrips from any classes’ spell list. While the book
your empty hand. You can choose the form that this is on your person, you can cast those cantrips at will.
melee weapon takes each time you create it. You are They don’t count against your number of cantrips
proficient with it while you wield it. This weapon known. If they don’t appear on the warlock spell list,
counts as magical for the purpose of overcoming they are nonetheless warlock spells for you.
resistance and immunity to nonmagical attacks and If you lose your Book of Shadows, you can perform a
damage. 1-hour ceremony to receive a replacement from your
Your pact weapon disappears if it is more than patron. This ceremony can be performed during a
5 feet away from you for 1 minute or more. It also short or long rest, and it destroys the previous book.
disappears if you use this feature again, if you dismiss The book turns to ash when you die.
the weapon (no action required), or if you die.
You can transform one magic weapon into your pact
weapon by performing a special ritual while you hold
the weapon. You perform the ritual over the course of
1 hour, which can be done during a short rest.
Mystic Arcanum
At 11th level, your patron bestows upon you a magical secret called an arcanum. Choose one 6th-level spell
from the warlock spell list as this arcanum.
You can cast your arcanum spell once without expending a spell slot. You must finish a long rest before you
can do so again.
At higher levels, you gain more warlock spells of your choice that can be cast in this way: one 7th-level spell
at 13th level, one 8th-level spell at 15th level, and one 9th-level spell at 17th level. You regain all uses of your
Mystic Arcanum when you finish a long rest.
Eldritch Master
At 20th level, you can draw on your inner reserve of mystical power while entreating your patron to regain
expended spell slots. You can spend 1 minute entreating your patron for aid to regain all your expended spell
slots from your Pact Magic feature. Once you regain spell slots with this feature, you must finish a long rest
before you can do so again.
236
Eldritch Invocations
If an eldritch invocation has prerequisites, you must meet them to learn it. A level prerequisite refers to your
warlock level. You can learn the invocation at the same time that you meet its prerequisites.
237
Lifedrinker Sculptor of Flesh
Prerequisite: 12th level, Pact of the Blade feature Prerequisite: 7th level
When you hit a creature with your pact weapon, the You can cast polymorph once using a warlock spell
creature takes extra necrotic damage equal to your slot. You can’t do so again until you finish a long rest.
Charisma modifier (minimum 1).
Sign of Ill Omen
Mask of Many Faces
Prerequisite: 5th level
You can cast disguise self at will, without expending a You can cast bestow curse once using a warlock spell
spell slot. slot. You can’t do so again until you finish a long rest.
238
Warlock Stories…
In a crypt decorated with rich draperies, a
sharp-faced witch is chanting incantations
in the dark. She brandishes a curved dagger
and runs the blade over her palm, her hands
held over a brazier. She lets the blood flow and
drip into the flames in a sizzling, hissing noise.
Before her, the shadows seem to coalesce into
a shape darker than night itself. She bows
down as the brazier’s embers start smoking
abundantly and the flames die, as if snuffed
out.
239
Otherworldly Patrons
T he beings that serve as patrons for warlocks are usually mighty inhabitants of other worlds—not gods, but
powers; that is to say, beings capable of granting part of their abilities through an arcane bond. Various
patrons give their warlocks access to different powers and invocations, and expect significant favors in return.
Some patrons collect warlocks, doling out mystic knowledge relatively freely or boasting of their ability to
bind mortals to their will. Other patrons bestow their power only grudgingly, and might make a pact with only
one warlock. Warlocks who serve the same patron might view each other as allies, siblings, or rivals.
The Archfiend
You have made a pact with a fiend from the lower planes of existence, a being whose aims are evil, even if you
strive against those aims. Such beings desire the corruption or destruction of all things, ultimately including you.
Fiends are usually split into two categories: demons and devils. The former are chaotic evil while the latter
are lawful evil. Below, you will find an overview of the most famous dark lords. Demons are commonly called
“princes,” while devils bear the title of hospodar, showing their superior rank in the diabolic hierarchy. These
beings are detailed in Arcana.
Akhlitôl the Vengeful. The snakelike demon Hospodar Askinos the Pain Drinker. The master
princess Akhlitôl supports those who have been of the frozen penitentiary plane of Gemoniae,
the victims of injustice or oppression, and are bound to Frostelle by a pact, Askinos enjoys
determined to take justice into their own hands. nothing more than to receive new prisoners,
preferably of various and powerful essences.
Gegaôr the Furious Beast. A being of pure
bestial fury, Gegaôr advocates the supremacy of Hospodar Ntadadiph the Nightmare. The
the strongest and fittest. He encourages breaking horror of the abyss in its purest state, he is the
free from hypocrisy and acting decisively, frankly, master of dread and illusions. His favored servants
and instinctively. spread terror throughout the world.
Liridem the Bitter. An artist, a creator, and a Hospodar Karathaan the Warlord. This
poet, Liridem is a demon prince of great beauty, conquering general dreams of invading Eana with
but haunted by a yearning for absolutes. Anything armies devoted to his purpose. He is worshiped
that is not perfect deserves to be destroyed. He by hobgoblins and those who aspire to make a
supports those who cannot be satisfied with a name for themselves through strength of arms.
mediocre existence and those who simply take Any warlock bound to Karathaan is likely to get
pleasure in watching the world burn. along with the aforementioned goblinoids.
Nisgriph the Prince of Lies. A sharp-tongued Hospodar Methridanou the Shaper. The
courtier and seducer, Nisgriph the Masked enjoys passion of this devil is creation, but his are always
pointing out flaws and denouncing simple- perverse, cruel, or twisted. He supports
mindedness and laziness. He supports those who unhealthily curious beings, spurring them to keep
wish to gain power amidst a corrupt system, as well going further down this path fraught with
as those who want to sow the seeds of an enjoyable blasphemous experiments, corrupting magic,
discord among a paradise of nice sentiments. domination, and torture.
Expanded Spells for the Archfiends Expanded Spells for the Archfiends
Akhlitôl, Gegaôr, and Karathaan Liridem, Nisgriph, and Ntadadiph
Spell Level Spells Spell Level Spells
1st heroism, hunter’s mark 1st command, disguise self
2nd enlarge/reduce, magic weapon 2nd alter self, detect thoughts
3rd haste, protection from energy 3rd bestow curse, sending
4th giant insect, polymorph 4th confusion, phantasmal killer
5th cloudkill, insect plague 5th dominate person, modify memory
240
Expanded Spells for Askinos Expanded Spells for Methridanou
Spell Level Spells Spell Level Spells
1st command, hideous laughter 1st command, false life
2nd hold person, web 2nd heat metal, spike growth
3rd bestow curse, sleet storm 3rd animate dead, glyph of warding
4th black tentacles, ice storm 4th polymorph, stone shape
5th cone of cold, dominate person 5th animate objects, arcane hand
241
Primeval One
You have made a pact with a wild, impetuous entity. Its violence may be dormant, but it will inexorably
unleash itself one day. Beings of this kind are sometimes tied to elemental forces. They are unpredictable
and generally beyond the reach of mortals. Through unorthodox means, you have forced a bond with the
entity in question and draw from its power… at the risk of being consumed by it or aggravating it. A Primeval
One patron can be of many different types, such as a powerful elemental, a star, a volcano, a tarrasque, or a
lycanthrope lord.
The Primeval One lets you choose from Spell Level Spells
an expanded list of spells when you 1st color spray, thunderwave
learn a warlock spell. The following
2nd blur, gust of wind
spells are added to the warlock spell
list for you. 3rd blink, wind wall
4th conjure minor elementals, freedom of movement
5th conjure elemental, mislead
242
You gain a +2 bonus to your Armor Class and your speed increases by 10 feet.
As long as you are in your primeval shape, you cannot expend spell slots for any purpose.
You can remain metamorphosed for 1 minute. You can also return to your normal
shape sooner as a bonus action on your turn. Once you use this feature, you can’t
use it again until you finish a short or long rest.
Magic Wind
When you reach 14th level, the unpredictability of any spell
targeting you is exacerbated by the influence of your patron.
When you are directly targeted by a spell (this does not apply
to area effects), you can use your reaction to attempt to
disturb it. Roll on the table below:
d20 Effect
1-10 The spell functions
as normal.
11-16 The spell is
canceled, and you
gain the effects of a
false life spell of the
same level as the
original spell.
17-20 The roles are
reversed. The spell’s
caster becomes its
target and you are
considered to be the
spell’s caster: apply
your spell attack
modifier, spell save
DC, and any other of
your spellcasting-
related features.
Wizard
izards are often born without any apparent gift for magic. However, by dint of
perseverance, they learn highly complex theorems and manage to attain the
Awakening, that elusive moment when they attune themselves to the tides
of magic and become capable of bending reality to their will. Most wizards
consider the Awakening to be the quintessence of knowledge and the final step
of a methodical path of learning.
244
Awakening and Intensity of Magic
Arcana can be taught on the same level as history, geography,
theology, or linguistics in any academy of humanities. However, such
establishments can only be found in major cities, like the Free City in
Cyfandir, or Varnaïrello in the Elvish kingdom of Ellerína.
How common Awakened people are in your game will determine
how prevalent magic is. If there are many such potential spellcasters,
there may be faculties of arcana, dedicated training rooms, and
specific courses for every arcane
tradition. When you create a
wizard character, ask your
leader how common they
intend magic to be in
their campaign.
245
Class Features A Wizard’s Essential Knowledge
A s a wizard, you gain the following class features.
A wizard’s training always involves in-depth
reading about the supernatural. You may
know Arcana through your background or
1st level choose this skill among the two this class
gives you access to.
Grimoires and treatises are, for the most part,
Hit Points written in the same languages. This is the
mark of a well-established custom, a token of
Hit Dice: 1d6 per wizard level respect toward the Ancient. Of course, there
Hit Points at 1st Level: 6 + your Constitution modifier is another, more practical reason: scholars all
Hit Points at Higher Levels: 1d6 (or 4) + your over the world communicate through letters,
Constitution modifier per wizard level after 1st and exchange books and test reports. When
doing so, they use either the language of the
Proficiencies major empires, or those of the first authors.
As a wizard, you will benefit from knowing
Armor: None the following languages: Draconic, Elvish,
Weapons: Daggers, darts, slings, quarterstaffs, light and Kaani. As far as black magic is concerned,
crossbows many texts are written in Demonic or
Tools: Choose one from alchemist’s supplies, Diabolic. Celestial, for its part, is mostly used
calligrapher’s supplies, or cartographer’s tools. in a holy context, and has therefore little
Languages: One Exotic language of your choice. relevance to your path.
Saving Throws: Intelligence, Wisdom
Skills: Choose two from Arcana, History, Insight,
Investigation, Medicine, Nature, and Religion
Equipment
You start with the following equipment, in addition to the equipment granted by your background:
(a) a quarterstaff or (b) a dagger
(a) a component pouch or (b) an arcane focus
(a) a scholar’s pack or (b) an explorer’s pack
A spellbook
The Wizard
Proficiency Cantrips Spell Slots per Spell Level
Level Bonus Features Known 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th
1st +2 Spellcasting, Arcane Recovery 3 2
2nd +2 Arcane Tradition 3 3
3rd +2 - 3 4 2
4th +2 Ability Score Improvement 4 4 3
5th +3 - 4 4 3 2
6th +3 Arcane Tradition feature 4 4 3 3
7th +3 - 4 4 3 3 1
8th +3 Ability Score Improvement 4 4 3 3 2
9th +4 - 4 4 3 3 3 1
10th +4 Arcane Tradition feature 5 4 3 3 3 2
11th +4 - 5 4 3 3 3 2 1
12th +4 Ability Score Improvement 5 4 3 3 3 2 1
13th +5 - 5 4 3 3 3 2 1 1
14th +5 Arcane Tradition feature 5 4 3 3 3 2 1 1
15th +5 - 5 4 3 3 3 2 1 1 1
16th +5 Ability Score Improvement 5 4 3 3 3 2 1 1 1
17th +6 - 5 4 3 3 3 2 1 1 1 1
18th +6 Spell Mastery 5 4 3 3 3 3 1 1 1 1
19th +6 Ability Score Improvement 5 4 3 3 3 3 2 1 1 1
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Your Spellbook Arcane Recovery
The spells that you add to your spellbook reflect You have learned to regain some of your magical
the arcane research you conduct on your own, energy by studying your spellbook. When you finish
as well as intellectual breakthroughs you have a short rest, you can choose expended spell slots to
had about the nature of the multiverse. recover. The spell slots can have a combined level that
You might find other spells during your is equal to or less than half your wizard level (rounded
adventures. You could discover a spell up), and none of the slots can be 6th level or higher.
recorded on a scroll in an evil wizard’s chest, For example, if you’re a 4th-level wizard, you can
for example, or in a dusty tome in an ancient recover up to two levels worth of spell slots. You can
library. recover either a 2nd-level spell slot or two 1st-level
spell slots.
Copying a Spell into the Book. When you You cannot use this feature again until you finish a
find a wizard spell of 1st level or higher, you long rest.
can add it to your spellbook if it is of a level
for which you have spell slots and if you can
spare the time to decipher and copy it. Arcane Tradition
Copying a spell into your spellbook
involves reproducing the basic form of When you reach 2nd level, you choose an arcane
the spell, then deciphering the unique tradition from the following: specialist in one of the
system of notation used by the wizard who eight schools of magic, disenchanter, elementalist,
wrote it. You must practice the spell until war mage, and mystifier, all detailed at the end of the
you understand the sounds or gestures class description.
required, then transcribe it into your Your choice grants you features at 2nd level and again
spellbook using your own notation. at 6th, 10th, and 14th level.
For each level of the spell, the process
takes 2 hours and costs 50 gp. The cost
represents material components you Ability Score Improvement
expend as you experiment with the spell to
master it, as well as the fine inks you need When you reach 4th level, and again at 8th, 12th, 16th,
to record it. Once you have spent this time and 19th level, you can increase one ability score of
and money, you can prepare the spell just your choice by 2, or you can increase two ability scores
like your other spells. of your choice by 1. As normal, you can’t increase an
ability score above 20 using this feature.
Replacing the Book. You can copy a spell
from your own spellbook into another
book—for example, if you want to make a Spell Mastery
backup copy of your spellbook. This is just
like copying a new spell into your spellbook, At 18th level, you have achieved such mastery over
but faster and easier, since you understand certain spells that you can cast them at will. Choose
your own notation and already know how a 1st-level wizard spell and a 2nd-level wizard spell
to cast the spell. You need spend only 1 hour that are in your spellbook. You can cast those spells at
and 10 gp for each level of the copied spell. their lowest level without expending a spell slot when
If you lose your spellbook, you can use you have them prepared. If you want to cast either
the same procedure to transcribe the spell at a higher level, you must expend a spell slot as
spells that you have prepared into a new normal.
spellbook. Filling out the remainder of By spending 8 hours in study, you can exchange one
your spellbook requires you to find new or both of the spells you chose for different spells of
spells to do so, as normal. For this reason, the same levels.
many wizards keep backup spellbooks in a
safe place.
Signature Spells
The Book’s Appearance. Your spellbook
is a unique compilation of spells, with its When you reach 20th level, you gain mastery over two
own decorative flourishes and margin powerful spells and can cast them with little effort.
notes. It might be a plain, functional leather Choose two 3rd-level wizard spells in your spellbook
volume that you received as a gift from as your signature spells. You always have these spells
your master, a finely bound gilt-edged prepared, they don’t count against the number of
tome you found in an ancient library, or spells you have prepared, and you can cast each of
even a loose collection of notes scrounged them once at 3rd level without expending a spell slot.
together after you lost your previous When you do so, you can’t do so again until you finish
spellbook in a mishap. a short or long rest.
If you want to cast either spell at a higher level, you
must expend a spell slot as normal.
248
Wizard Stories…
Sitting cross-legged with the wind in her hair, Aria
contemplates the landscape before her. On the other
side of the valley, the monastery looks to her like a gray
dot among the rocks. By foot, it would take several days
to reach it. The gnome closes her eyes and mentally
pictures the inner court of the magic school. One word
later, she finds herself standing amidst her flabbergasted
pupils.
Arcane Specialist
An arcane specialist is a wizard who decides to specialize in one of the eight schools of magic. A 1st-level
wizard is called a Novice. Starting from 2nd level, a wizard acquires a status and carries the name of their
specialty: Abjurer, Conjurer, Diviner, Enchanter, Evoker, Illusionist, Necromancer, or Transmuter. Variations
of these titles may exist depending on the civilization, and usually carry respect and power. High-level
specialists often become the advisors of the mighty, if not powers behind the throne. However, some wizards
have to hide their title or specialty, necromancers being a prime example.
Frugal Casting
Excellent Casting
Beginning at 6th level, when you cast a spell of your
chosen school with a casting time of 1 action, you Beginning at 14th level, when you cast a spell of your
can do so with a spell slot one level below that of chosen school, it is considered to be cast one level
the spell. The spell is still considered to be cast at higher than the spell slot used.
its normal level. You cannot use this feature to cast a If your chosen school is illusion and you cast invisibility
spell at a higher level than its lowest one—this is the with a 2nd-level spell slot, the spell is cast at 3rd level,
purview of the 14th-level feature Excellent Casting. which means that you can target one additional
Once you use this feature, you can’t use it again until creature.
Disenchanter
“The greatest enemy of magic is magic.” Disenchanters have turned this saying into the crux of their
career. These wizards develop an unmatched understanding of the workings of magic and use it to protect
themselves against the spells of others with peak efficiency. Other spellcasters abhor the idea of facing a
disenchanter, dreading to see their spells fizzle before such a master of counterspells and arcane parries,
capable in return of piercing their magic defenses with nary an effort.
Disenchanters have no difficulty finding lucrative positions at the side of sovereigns or high-ranking
personalities with reasons to fear that their enemies might use magic against them. The presence of a
disenchanter is the guarantee of a protection from dangers against which heavily armed guards would be
of little use. They are also called upon when harmful magic is at work or when an evil must be contained
through means beyond the abilities of everyday people.
Elemental Savant
Improved Conjuration
Beginning when you select this tradition at 2nd level,
the gold and time you must spend to copy an evocation Starting at 10th level, you cast the conjure elemental and
or conjuration spell into your spellbook is reduced by a conjure minor elementals spells as if you had spent a
quarter. spell slot one level higher than the one used. Moreover,
the duration of this spell becomes “2 hours” when you
cast it.
Energetic Inurement
Starting at 2nd level, you have advantage on saving Energetic Versatility
throws against spells and magical effects that deal acid,
cold, fire, lightning, or thunder damage. Beginning at 14th level, when you cast a spell that deals
acid, cold, fire, lightning, or thunder damage, you can
use your bonus action to change the damage type into
Energetic Rampage another type from that list.
When you cast a fireball spell, which normally deals fire
Beginning at 6th level, when you roll a 1 or 2 on a damage, you can use your bonus action to instead have
damage die for a wizard spell that deals acid, cold, fire, the fireball deal acid, cold, lightning, or thunder damage.
lightning, or thunder damage, you can reroll the die and Once you use this feature, you can’t use it again until
must use the new roll, even if the new roll is a 1 or a 2. you finish a short or long rest.
War Mage
A sword in one hand and a magic staff in the other, war mages join the fray. Unafraid of the dangers of close quarters,
they strike back with both steel and magic. The training of such wizards is demanding, but effective. Combining
magic arts with martial ones, they harden both their minds and bodies. Hours spent doing field exercises in full
gear and honing their martial skills make them less magically specialized, but no less skilled as spellcasters. Their
fearsome arcane weapons are the quintessence of their hybrid training, the perfect instrument to both strike at
their opponents and serve as a conduit for their esoteric energies.
Martial Training
Beginning when you select this tradition at 2nd level, you
become proficient with three weapons of your choice
and with light armor. If you are already proficient with Arcane Weapon
light armor, you become proficient with medium armor.
Beginning at 6th level, you can spend 8 hours to imbue
Toughness a nonmagical melee weapon with magic. The resulting
arcane weapon is considered a magic weapon when you
Also at 2nd level, all of your wizard Hit Dice become (and only you) wield it. You can only own one arcane
d8s. This also applies to your 1st level Hit Die for 2 weapon at a time. If you imbue another weapon, the
extra hit points. Additionally, you have advantage on previous one is no longer an arcane weapon.
Constitution saving throws that you make to maintain You can use your arcane weapon as a spellcasting focus.
your concentration on a spell when you take damage. Moreover, when you cast a spell with a range of “touch”
or “self” that requires you to make a melee spell attack,
Advanced Martial Training you can use your arcane weapon. If the spell attack is
successful, you deal the normal damage for your arcane
Starting at 6th level, you become proficient with all weapon in addition to the spell’s effects.
simple and martial weapons, as well as with medium Additionally, when you hit with a weapon attack made
armor. If you are already proficient with medium armor, with your arcane weapon on your turn, you can cast a
you become proficient with heavy armor. cantrip on the same turn as a bonus action.
Combat Magic
Arcane Weapon Mastery
Starting at 10th level, when you cast a spell of 1st level
or higher, choose one of the following effects: Beginning at 14th level, when you wield your arcane
gain a +2 bonus to your AC until the start of your weapon, you have resistance to its damage type
next turn. (bludgeoning, piercing, or slashing).
gain a number of temporary hit points equal to twice Additionally, when you make a weapon attack with your
the level of the spell. arcane weapon on your turn, you can use your bonus
if you make a successful attack with your arcane action to cast a spell of 3rd level or lower with a casting
weapon before the end of your next turn, it gains a time of 1 action (you must still spend the corresponding
bonus to damage equal to the level of the spell. spell slot).
Mystifier
Masters in the art of manipulating the minds of others, mystifiers are both illusionists and enchanters. The subtle spells
they weave alter others’ perception of reality, sow confusion among their opponents, and befuddle their enemies. Even
the bravest warriors fear these wizards, capable of getting into their heads and making them see things the way they wish
them to, instead of how they truly are. Such magic has the potential of depriving a creature of its senses and willpower,
making it a very fearsome weapon, particularly in the hands of a cold-blooded, amoral manipulator.
This arcane tradition is usually associated with deception and sorcery, to the extent that teaching it is forbidden in
certain regions. Mystifiers are often renegades or unrepentant enchanters who only serve their own interests. Of
course, there are exceptions, and some mystifiers are well-intentioned beings who use their powers in the service
of the common good.
Silver Tongue
At 2nd level, you gain proficiency with the Deception Wary Mind
skill. If you were already proficient in this skill, your
proficiency bonus is doubled for any ability check you Starting at 10th level, your mastery of enchantments
make that uses it. and illusions protects you against those who would
use these same tricks against you. You have advantage
on saving throws against spells and magical effects of
Magical Misdirection the enchantment and illusion schools, as well as on
Intelligence (Investigation) checks to identify illusions.
Starting at 2nd level, through a combination of illusion
and mental suggestion, you can drive a creature to
make a tactical blunder. As an action, you can target a Imaginary Ally
creature that you can see within 60 feet. The creature
must make a Wisdom saving throw. If it fails, at the start Beginning at 14th level, you can create an illusion
of its next turn, before it takes any other action, the capable of protecting you. When a creature makes a
creature must move up to its speed to a location of your melee attack against you, you can use your reaction
choice. The movement cannot be fatal (for example, you to create an illusion of a humanoid warrior (its exact
cannot drive the creature to run off a cliff), but it can appearance is at your discretion) who appears out of
result in opportunity attacks. At the end of this forced nowhere and joins the fight. The targeted creature must
movement, the creature can spend the rest of its turn make an Intelligence saving throw. If it fails, it believes
normally and move wherever it wants (provided it has the illusion is real and its attack fails automatically,
any movement left). deflected by the intervention of your imaginary ally.
This feature cannot affect creatures that cannot be Your imaginary ally lasts a number of rounds equal to
charmed or are immune to psychic damage. 1 + your Intelligence modifier. For the duration of the
Once you use this feature, you can’t use it again until imaginary ally, the targeted creature has disadvantage
you finish a short or long rest. on attack rolls against you. As a bonus action on
your turn, you can direct the imaginary ally to attack
the targeted creature (and only this creature). The
Superior Enchantments imaginary ally can only move toward the targeted
creature (it has a speed of 30 feet) and make one melee
Beginning at 6th level, when you prepare your attack against it, which is resolved as you making a spell
spells after you finish a long rest, you can select one attack dealing 1d8 + your Intelligence modifier psychic
enchantment or illusion spell for each spell level you damage.
have spell slots in. Until you finish a long rest, you apply Only the targeted creature can see the imaginary ally. It
your proficiency bonus twice for the calculation of the cannot be destroyed, except by spells and abilities that
selected spells’ save DC. This also applies to the DC of dispel or cancel magic.
Intelligence (Investigation) checks related to the chosen Once you use this feature, you can’t use it again until
spells, if applicable. you finish a long rest.
Languages
our species indicates the languages you were
taught in the course of your childhood, and your
background gives you access to others, which you
learned during the key moments of your existence.
Certain classes also grant you one or two additional
languages. Note all of these languages on your
character sheet.
Choose your languages from the Standard Languages table, or
choose one that is common in your campaign. With your leader’s
permission, you can instead choose a language from the Exotic
Languages table or a secret language, such as thieves’ cant or the
tongue of druids.
Some of these languages are actually families of languages with
many dialects. For example, the Primordial language includes the
Auran, Aquan, Ignan, and Terran dialects, one for each of the four
elemental planes. Creatures that speak different dialects of the
same language can communicate with one another.
Standard Languages
C ommon in your game will most likely be one of these standard languages, which are all related to major
civilizations and peoples of Eana.
254
Inkulomo Continents and islands of the Bandiko-Mibu culture; surefoot Oral culture, Abjad
halflings. Kalam (alphabet),
Cyfand (alphabet),
Tumiit (syllabary).
Kaani Anywhere the Kaani Empire once ruled. Orcs speak Kaani. Santak (cuneiform)
Kalam Dominant language in the Sand Kingdoms, the Barbary, and Abjad Kalam
Ghardat. Many isolated tribes also speak dialects that may be (alphabet)
difficult to understand.
Karphûd Rachamangekr (Draconic Kingdoms). Draconic and Elvish
(adapted)
Lothrian Lothrienne (on the continent of Cyfandir). Cyfand (alphabet)
Nordic Septentrion (on the continent of Cyfandir). Oral culture
Runasimi Acoatl, the emerald forest. Runasimi has many different dialects, Oral culture
spoken by the forest tribes and Saurians of this land.
Shi-huang Shi-huang (Draconic Kingdoms). Draconic (adapted
into a syllabary)
Scripts in Use
U nfamiliar scripts can present a challenge even for scholars. Merely understanding
some of them can prove fiendishly complex.
255
Alphabet. A script that uses an alphabet requires Ideogram. In a script with ideograms, each sign
between 20 and 30 signs. The letters are represents a word. One must know between
combined to form syllables and words. The most 2,000 and 3,000 symbols to write fluently, and as
common alphabets are Abjad Kalam, Cyfand, many as 10,000 to be erudite. In the case of such
Elvish, and Runic. A peculiarity of Abjad Kalam a language, knowing ideograms that represent
and Elvish is that they have no letters for vowels, uncommon words can require a DC 15
which are—sometimes—represented with Intelligence (History) check. The Santak
accents. Abjad Kalam is written from right to left. cuneiform is halfway between ideograms and a
syllabary: in its simplified form—which is used
Syllabary. A syllabary requires more signs than in everyday life—it is a syllabary, but it can also
an alphabet: usually between 100 and 300. Each include ideograms.
sign represents a syllable: ba, da, fa, ji, mo, ne, tu,
etc. Tumiit is a basic syllabary in which Hieroglyphs. Such scripts are highly complex.
consonants are written upright, or rotated on the Each sound can be represented with a symbol or
left or right depending on the vowel they are combination of syllables, themselves depicted as
associated with. For example, the sounds “ga,” a picture or symbol. How the components of a
“gi,” and “gu” will be written as the letter “g,” word are drawn inside a cartouche or line can be
respectively upright, rotated on the left, and dictated by aesthetic considerations. Thus, in
rotated on the right. A double vowel (aa, ii, etc.) is addition to alternating between ideograms and
represented by a small sign above. syllabary, certain languages can have several
ways to express the same word. Successfully
understanding particularly obscure parts may
require a DC 20 Intelligence (History) check.
Obviously, being able to read the words is not enough: one must be able to understand their meaning as
well. Every tongue has its own metaphors, metonymies, and assorted typical abbreviations that obscure its
meaning. Deciphering such intricacies may require an Intelligence (History) check with a DC ranging from
15 to 25, in the case of deliberately complex or hermetic texts.
Certain mysterious creatures have developed other scripts, mandalas and traces being two examples.
Mandalas. The text takes the form of an ornate Traces. To those unfamiliar with Deep Speech,
circle, which can be made of sticks, stones, flower items bearing “traced texts” might not seem
petals, or, in a grim variant, body parts. The worthy of a second glance. Traces can look like the
geometrical shapes, the motifs’ patterns, the sinuous lines made by fingers drawn through
nature of the components, their color… anything clay—like the stone memory of the Netherworld’s
can potentially have meaning. Fey peoples make grimlocks—or like the shapes left by waves on the
use of this form of communication, though their shore of an underground lake. Sometimes, light
mandalas are reminiscent of ideograms or syllabic shining through a crystal or piece of bent glass can
writing. Their texts look like dancing figures, in also be a message. The common point between all
the shape of circles or spiraling patterns. traces is that they are deliberate alterations of a
material: cut wood or jewels, diffraction, etc. This
script was not designed for humanoid minds: it is
an invention of the aboleths that progressively
saw use by other species.
256
Exotic Languages
E xotic languages are spoken by rare, extraordinary creatures described in Bestiary. The table below
provides an overview of these idioms, their common speakers, and their favored script.
Similar Language. Ancient languages rarely Same Text in Several Languages. When making
disappear without a trace. It is generally possible important addresses, the emperors of old did not
to find speakers who use a similar dialect. Studying communicate them solely to their subjects, usually
their grammar, their syntax, and their lexicon can keeping written records of such announcements in
be the key to distinguishing simple and un several languages. By picking out recurring words
ambiguous words (man, woman, water, sun, etc.), (proper nouns, for example), it can be possible to
as well as numbers. put together the grammar of the studied tongue.
In either case, the best way to decode an unknown tongue is to have a large number of texts at one’s disposal,
so as to deduce the meaning of as many words as possible.
257
Celestial Primordial
This language designates itself as mdw-ntr The primeval language of the spirits of the wild
(pronounced meh-dou net-chair), meaning “the has soft, heady sonorities with mineral accents,
godly words.” Celestial is warm, soft, and alluring. It reminiscent of wind, echoes, vibrations, and
takes a certain mastery to be able to pronounce it resonances. Each elemental expresses itself in
correctly and to succeed in giving one’s words both accordance with its nature, be it with the sounds of
the lightness of a feather and the majestic strength lapping water or the roaring of flame. However, no
of a great raptor. matter their mode of vocalization, the breath of life
that animates them and connects them with Eana
manifests itself in the same way. Learning to speak
Deep Speech Primordial means learning to listen to the world.
258
Secret Languages
C ertain social groups make use of particular intricacies of communication to exchange messages
whose meaning remains hidden to the uninitiated. Thieves and druids are the prime examples.
Their Secret Languages are not actually languages proper, but rather jargons: they use the grammatical
structure and part of the lexicon of a language, replacing words and expressions. As such, users of a
Secret Language still need a common language to communicate with each other.
A thief of the Free City who exclusively speaks Cyfand will not be able to make herself understood by a
foreign thief who only knows Kaani, even if both have mastered thieves’ cant.
Thieves’ Cant
The lexicon of thieves’ cant includes verbs, nouns, and expressions whose purpose is to describe
civilized society (guards, burghers, commoners, etc.), dangers (traps, guard dogs, lookouts, etc.),
methods of thievery and swindling (with details aplenty), the splitting of loot, and legal punishments.
Therefore, one could organize a heist with thieves’ cant, but not discuss the finer points of philosophy,
for example.
Druidic
The language of druids is more of a poetic technique of expression. It makes use of archaic terms,
metaphors, similes, and allegories that refer to a complex cultural body. Apprentices are frequently
encouraged to meditate upon myths with several layers of interpretation: historical events, references
to the cycles of nature, teachings about Eana, etc. Some of the greatest secrets of druids are hidden
inside legends that many bards know and sing to whoever wants to hear them. However, whoever
hasn’t mastered Druidic will be unable to grasp their full meaning.
To understand the secrets of a myth, poem, or tale newly created in accordance with the codes of
druids, someone who speaks Druidic can make an Intelligence (Religion) check. The DC depends on
how concentrated and concealed the information is, and can range from 15 to 30.
You can speak, but not write in the languages you are proficient in, unless you are learned.
You are considered to be learned if you are proficient in at least one of the following skills or tools:
Arcana, History, Investigation, Nature, Religion, calligrapher’s supplies, forgery kit.
If you are learned, write “Learned” next to the list of languages you are proficient in.
If you are learned and proficient in the Performance skill or in a musical instrument, you can read
sheet music. Otherwise, you can only learn a tune if you hear it. Write “Sheet music” next to your list
of languages if you can read and write music.
Your character can be learned from 1st level or acquire it later by becoming proficient in one of the
relevant skills. The phase of your life during which you became learned (whether due to your species,
background, or class) will give you an idea of how old you were when you learned to read and write. The
skill or tool through which you became learned will also provide context and background information:
learning the alphabet from a master forger is not the same as learning it in the course of studious
religious classes in a monastery. You can draw from these elements to imagine snippets of your past.
259
Customization Options
Character Advancement
Experience Proficiency
s your character goes on adventures and Points Level Bonus
overcomes challenges, they gain experience, 0 1 +2
represented by experience points. A character
who reaches a specified experience point total 300 2 +2
advances in capability. This advancement is 900 3 +2
called gaining a level.
When your character gains a level, their class often grants 2,700 4 +2
additional features, as detailed in the class description. Some 6,500 5 +3
of these features allow you to increase your ability scores,
either increasing two scores by 1 each or increasing one score 14,000 6 +3
by 2. You can’t increase an ability score above 20. In addition, 23,000 7 +3
every character’s proficiency bonus increases at certain levels.
Each time you gain a level, you gain 1 additional Hit Die. Roll 34,000 8 +3
that Hit Die, add your Constitution modifier to the roll, and
48,000 9 +4
add the total (minimum of 1) to your hit point maximum.
Alternatively, you can use the fixed value shown in your class 64,000 10 +4
entry, which is the average result of the die roll (rounded up).
85,000 11 +4
When your Constitution modifier increases by 1, your hit
point maximum increases by 1 for each level you have 100,000 12 +4
attained. For example, when an 8th-level character increases
their Constitution score from 17 to 18, their Constitution 120,000 13 +5
modifier increases from +3 to +4. As a consequence, their hit 140,000 14 +5
point maximum increases by 8.
The Character Advancement table summarizes the XP you 165,000 15 +5
need to advance in levels from level 1 through level 20, and 195,000 16 +5
the proficiency bonus for a character of that level. Consult the
information in your character’s class description to see what 225,000 17 +6
other improvements you gain at each level. 265,000 18 +6
305,000 19 +6
355,000 20 +6
Multiclassing
ulticlassing allows you to gain levels in multiple classes. Doing so lets you mix the abilities of those
classes to realize a character concept that might not be reflected in one of the standard class options.
With this rule, you have the option of gaining a level in a new class whenever you advance in level,
instead of gaining a level in your current class. Your levels in all your classes are added together to
determine your character level. For example, if you have three levels in wizard and two in fighter,
you’re a 5th-level character.
As you advance in levels, you might primarily remain a member of your original class with just a few levels in another
class, or you might change course entirely, never looking back at the class you left behind. You might even start
progressing in a third or fourth class. Compared to a single-class character of the same level, you’ll sacrifice some
focus in exchange for versatility.
If your new class gives you access to magic powers, keep in mind that you will only be able to use them if your
character has Awakened. Make sure you know what your leader has decided concerning magic and Awakening in
their campaign.
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Prerequisites Multiclassing Prerequisites
Class Ability Score Minimum
T o qualify for a new class, you must meet the ability score
prerequisites for both your current class and your new
one, as shown in the Multiclassing Prerequisites table.
Barbarian Strength 13
For example, a barbarian who decides to multiclass into the Bard Charisma 13
druid class must have both Strength and Wisdom scores
of 13 or higher. Without the full training that a beginning Cleric Wisdom 13
character receives, you must be a quick study in your new
class, having a natural aptitude that is reflected by higher- Druid Wisdom 13
than-average ability scores.
Fighter Strength 13 or Dexterity 13
Rogue
Dexterity 13 and Wisdom 13
Dexterity 13
advance of your plans for your character’s next level. This
will determine what your character will train for and what Scholar Intelligence 13
they will dedicate themselves to. Accordingly, your leader
Sorcerer Charisma 13
will be able to make your projects part of your party’s overall
adventure, in the form of dramatic events that will contribute Warlock Charisma 13
to the atmosphere of the game.
Wizard Intelligence 13
Jasna is a 1st-level fighter. For Jasna’s 2nd level, her player wishes for her to become a 1st-level cleric of Blacksmith,
Awakening to newfound divine powers. From Jasna’s creation, her player tells the leader about her intent. She does so
secretly, as she wants to keep it a surprise for her fellow players.
The player and leader review the prerequisites for multiclassing into a cleric and agree on a setup for the adventuress’s
epiphany. Jasna having a Wisdom of 14, she qualifies for multiclassing into a cleric. Every day, the fighter prays to
Blacksmith, dedicating her battles to him and striving to abide by his tenets. Finally, the player prepares her list of cleric
spells in advance, for convenience.
Meanwhile, the leader is planning the next steps of her players’ adventures, taking into account the upcoming divine
intervention. The goal here is to surprise the other players with the sudden revelation that Jasna is able to use magic.
Since the leader has opted to have the PCs be Awakened from creation, Jasna will be able to use her powers as soon as
she gains her first cleric level.
During a particularly dangerous fight, the leader describes the fighter’s sudden exalted look, the powerful aura that
seems to surround her like the blast of a furnace… The player casts her first spell, striking down a powerful monster in
front of her puzzled comrades who immediately start conjecturing about what has happened. Has she multiclassed into
a wizard? A cleric? Most likely a cleric, but of which divinity and which domain? All these questions and guesses highlight
Jasna’s multiclassing and give her some time in the spotlight, stressing the importance of her vocation.
Experience Points
A s shown in the Character Advancement table at the beginning of this chapter, the experience point cost to gain
a level is always based on your total character level, not your level in a particular class. So, if you are a cleric
6/fighter 1, you must gain enough XP to reach 8th level before you can take your second level as a fighter or your
seventh level as a cleric.
261
Proficiency Bonus
A s shown in the Character Advancement table at the beginning of this chapter, your proficiency bonus is always
based on your total character level, not your level in a particular class. For example, if you are a fighter 3/rogue
2, you have the proficiency bonus of a 5th-level character, which is +3.
Proficiencies
W hen you gain a level in a class other than your first, you gain only some of that class’s starting proficiencies, as
shown in the Multiclassing Proficiencies table.
Multiclassing Proficiencies
Class Features
W hen you gain a new level in a class, you get its features for that level. You don’t, however, receive the class’s
starting equipment, and a few features have additional rules when you’re multiclassing: Channel Divinity, Extra
Attack, Unarmored Defense, and Spellcasting.
Channel Divinity
Extra Attack
If you already have the Channel Divinity feature and gain
a level in a class that also grants the feature, you gain the If you gain the Extra Attack class feature from more than
Channel Divinity effects granted by that class, but getting one class, the features don’t add together. You can’t make
the feature again doesn’t give you an additional use of more than two attacks with this feature unless it says
it. You gain additional uses only when you reach a class you do (as the fighter’s version of Extra Attack does).
level that explicitly grants them to you. For example, if Similarly, the warlock’s eldritch invocation Thirsting
you are a cleric 6/paladin 4, you can use Channel Divinity Blade doesn’t give you additional attacks if you also have
twice between rests because you are high enough level Extra Attack.
in the cleric class to have more uses. Whenever you use
the feature, you can choose any of the Channel Divinity
effects available to you from your two classes. Unarmored Defense
If you already have the Unarmored Defense feature, you
can’t gain it again from another class.
262
Spellcasting
Your capacity for spellcasting depends partly on your combined levels in all your spellcasting classes and
partly on your individual levels in those classes. It also depends on whether your character is Awakened.
Once you have the Spellcasting feature from more than one class, use the rules below. If you multiclass but
have the Spellcasting feature from only one class, you follow the rules as described in that class.
Spells Known and Prepared. You determine what spells you know and can prepare for each class
individually, as if you were a single-classed member of that class. If you are a ranger 4/wizard 3, for
example, you know three 1st-level ranger spells based on your levels in the ranger class. As 3rd-level
wizard, you know three wizard cantrips, and your spellbook contains ten wizard spells, two of which
(the two you gained when you reached 3rd level as a wizard) can be 2nd-level spells. If your Intelligence
is 16, you can prepare six wizard spells from your spellbook.
Each spell you know and prepare is associated with one of your classes, and you use the spellcasting
ability of that class when you cast the spell. Similarly, a spellcasting focus, such as a holy symbol, can be
used only for the spells from the class associated with that focus.
Cantrips become more powerful at certain levels. This progression is based on your total character level,
not your level in a particular class.
Spell Slots. You determine your available Multiclass Spellcaster: Spell Slots per Spell Level
spell slots by adding together all your levels
in the bard, cleric, druid, sorcerer, and wizard Level 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th
classes, and half your levels (rounded down)
1st 2 — — — — — — — —
in the paladin and ranger classes. Use this
total to determine your spell slots by 2nd 3 — — — — — — — —
consulting the Multiclass Spellcaster table. 3rd 4 2 — — — — — — —
If you have more than one spellcasting class,
4th 4 3 — — — — — — —
this table might give you spell slots of a level
that is higher than the spells you know or can 5th 4 3 2 — — — — — —
prepare. You can use those slots, but only to 6th 4 3 3 — — — — — —
cast your lower-level spells. If a lower level 7th 4 3 3 1 — — — — —
spell that you cast, like burning hands, has
an enhanced effect when cast using a higher- 8th 4 3 3 2 — — — — —
level slot, you can use the enhanced effect, 9th 4 3 3 3 1 — — — —
even though you don’t have any spells of that 10th 4 3 3 3 2 — — — —
higher level.
For example, if you are the aforementioned 11th 4 3 3 3 2 1 — — —
ranger 4/ wizard 3, you count as a 5th-level 12th 4 3 3 3 2 1 — — —
character when determining your spell slots: 13th 4 3 3 3 2 1 1 — —
you have four 1st-level slots, three 2nd-level
14th 4 3 3 3 2 1 1 — —
slots, and two 3rd-level slots. However, you
don’t know any 3rd-level spells, nor do you 15th 4 3 3 3 2 1 1 1 —
know any 2nd-level ranger spells. You can 16th 4 3 3 3 2 1 1 1 —
use the spell slots of those levels to cast
17th 4 3 3 3 2 1 1 1 1
the spells you do know—and potentially
enhance their effects. 18th 4 3 3 3 3 1 1 1 1
19th 4 3 3 3 3 2 1 1 1
20th 4 3 3 3 3 2 2 1 1
Pact Magic. If you have both the Spellcasting class feature and the Pact Magic class feature from the
warlock class, you can use the spell slots you gain from the Pact Magic feature to cast spells you know or
have prepared from classes with the Spellcasting class feature, and you can use the spell slots you gain
from the Spellcasting class feature to cast warlock spells you know.
263
Feats
feat represents a talent or an area of expertise that gives a character special capabilities.
It embodies training, experience, and abilities beyond what a class provides.
At certain levels, your class gives you the Ability Score Improvement feature. Using
the optional feats rule, you can forgo taking that feature to take a feat of your choice
instead. You can take each feat only once, unless the feat’s description says otherwise.
You must meet any prerequisite specified in a feat to take that feat. If you ever lose a
feat’s prerequisite, you can’t use that feat until you regain the prerequisite. For example, the Gladiator
feat requires you to have a Constitution of 13 or higher. If your Constitution is reduced below 13
somehow—perhaps by a withering curse—you can’t benefit from the Gladiator feat until your
Constitution is restored.
Certain feats require your character to be Awakened to use them. Such feats are prefaced with the
following symbol:
Planning Your Feats
The optional rule on Planning Your Next Level can also apply to feats: you can take note
of the feats you are most likely to acquire and give the resulting list to your leader. Then,
as you portray your character, you can give them habits and attitudes that will match the
feat’s description and will justify your character acquiring it. This will put the gained feat in
a particular light, tying it all the more strongly to your character and resulting in engaging
scenes in the course of the game.
If you want to gain the Talent feat to become proficient in social skills like Deception, Insight,
and Persuasion, you might show your character’s interest in these domains by having them
spend time in taverns or by portraying them attempting to seduce NPCs that you meet. As such,
the Talent feat becomes related to societal ease, making it a sort of “Smooth Talker” variant
feat, which will certainly be very different from another version of the Talent feat taken by
another character.
Ambidextrous treat it well for one week, it draws closer to you, faithfully
accompanying you and obeying your instructions like a very
well trained dog.
Prerequisite: Extra Attack class feature Your contact with your animal companion makes it better,
Elemental Inurement
Prerequisite: Constitution or Charisma 13 or higher
Fate Nudge thrown property and without the finesse property, you can
add your Dexterity modifier to the damage roll in addition
to your Strength modifier. Moreover, as a bonus action, you
Ghastly Vigor the weapon’s rope, you can automatically make a successful
harpoon attack as an action. Finally, instead of using the
normal rules for moving a grappled creature, you can forsake
Prerequisite: The ability to cast at least one spell your movement to draw a harpooned creature toward you
* You must decide the type of damage the potion will grant resistance to (see the description
of this potion in Arcana) from the moment you start gathering the necessary ingredients.
Ask your leader for more information concerning the listed potions. In addition, your leader
may allow you to prepare other brews replicating the effects of other potions. The associated
DC can be determined with the following scale as a basis: common potions: 10 to find and 12
to prepare; uncommon potions: 12 and 15; rare potions: 15 and 20; very rare potions: 18 and
25; legendary potions: 20 and 30.
Heroic
W hen push comes to shove, you can draw from your
innermost resources, pushing yourself beyond your
ordinary limits.
You have 3 heroism points. You can spend them at any time
to gain the following benefits:
When you make an ability check, saving throw, or attack
Invigorating Abjuration
roll, instead of rolling the d20, spend 1 heroism point to Prerequisite: The ability to cast at least one spell
resolve the roll as if you had rolled a 12. Alternately,
spend 2 heroism points to resolve the roll as if you had
rolled a 15. At an additional cost of 1 heroism point, you
Y ou are able to mold the essence of your protective spells
to fill yourself with vigor.
Increase the score of your spellcasting ability by 1, to a
can use either of these benefits after you have rolled the maximum of 20.
d20, thus replacing your initial roll. Whenever you cast an abjuration spell of 1st level or
Spend 2 heroism points to turn a successful attack roll higher, you gain a number of temporary hit points equal
into a critical hit. to twice the level of the spell slot used.
Spend 1 heroism point to give disadvantage to all attacks
against you for 1 round.
Spend 1 heroism point to make a creature reroll an
attack against you, then choose which roll applies.
Irrepressible
Spend 1 heroism point to double your speed for 1 round.
Spend 1 heroism point to gain proficiency in a skill or
tool for 1 round. You can spend 1 additional point to
Y ou are not one to be deterred by adversity. On the
contrary, ordeals steel your resolve.
Increase your Wisdom score by 1, to a maximum of 20.
extend that duration to 1 minute. Whenever you roll a 1 on an attack roll or saving throw,
Spend 1 heroism point to immediately spend 1 Hit Die and whenever a creature scores a critical hit against you,
and regain hit points in accordance with the short rest you immediately gain a number of temporary hit points
rules (see the Adventuring chapter). equal to your level. This can only apply in stressful
Spend 2 heroism points to remove a level of exhaustion. situations. If this occurs when you are in absolutely no
You regain your expended heroism points when you danger (such as when training or partaking in friendly
finish a long rest. competition), the leader can veto the use of this benefit.
268
Knife Thrower Marksman
Y our ease and accuracy with small projectiles is such
that you gain the following benefits when you make a
ranged attack using a weapon with the finesse and thrown
A s a condition for making use of this feat, you must
forsake your movement on this turn. Whenever you
take the Attack action with a ranged weapon against a
properties: target that you can see, you can use a bonus action to gain
As a bonus action, you can make another ranged attack one of the following benefits:
using a weapon with the finesse and thrown properties. Focus: You cannot have disadvantage to your attack,
Your attacks ignore half cover and three-quarters cover. unless you have disadvantage from multiple sources at
Being within 5 feet of a hostile creature doesn’t impose the same time. Additionally, your attack ignores half
disadvantage on your ranged attack rolls. cover and three-quarters cover.
Take Aim: If your attack is successful, add a +2 bonus to
Magical Reminiscence the damage. In addition, your attack scores a critical hit
on a roll of 19 or 20.
Magic Collector
Y ou can attune to a maximum
of five magic items instead
of three. In addition, you
are not restricted by the
conditions of magic items in
regard to class, species, and
level.
Mixed Success Whenever you wield a weapon with the two-
handed or versatile property in two hands, you
add a bonus equal to half your Strength modifier
2
target.
All creatures within 5 feet of you can make
Paragon
3
an opportunity attack against you.
You take a level of exhaustion. Y ou are a source of inspiration to your comrades
in arms.
Increase an ability score of your choice by 1, to a
4 Your weapon drops from your hands, maximum of 20.
falling in a randomly determined space When you score a critical hit or reduce a creature
within 10 feet of you. to 0 hit points, all friendly creatures who can see
5 You fall prone. you within 30 feet of you immediately gain
6 You are restrained for 1 round. temporary hit points equal to your proficiency
bonus + your Charisma modifier (minimum of 1).
7 You are incapacitated for 1 round.
8
9
You lose your concentration.
You cry out. Pincer Attack
10
Y
No consequence this time! ou know how to take advantage of your allies’
presence to hit your enemies where they least
Rescuer until the start of your next turn. This benefit does
not apply if you are incapacitated.
Whenever a creature misses you with a melee
271
1-point benefits:
Staggering Strikes Proficiency in 1 skill.
Proficiency in 1 tool.
272
Valiant
S pirited, intrepid, and prepared to rise to any challenge, you make a
formidable combatant.
You gain the following benefits:
Whenever you fail a saving throw against being frightened, you can
immediately use your reaction to reroll this saving throw. The result of the
second roll replaces the first.
You have a bonus to the attack and damage rolls of your melee weapon
attacks against larger creatures. The bonus is equal to +1 for each size
category between you and the creature.
Whenever a creature scores a critical hit against you, you can use your
reaction to make a melee attack against a creature within range.
Weapon Breaker
C hoose a category of weapons between slashing and
bludgeoning. Whenever you make a melee attack with a
weapon of your chosen category, you gain the following benefits:
+1 bonus to your attack rolls.
Whenever you make an attack roll with advantage, if the
result of the lower die would have been sufficient to hit your
target, you can disarm it in addition to the normal effects of
your attack. If you disarm your target, designate one of the
weapons it wields, which lands in a space of your choice
within 5 feet of it.
Whenever you score a critical hit against a creature, in
addition to the normal effects, you can break a
nonmagical weapon held by the
creature, making it unusable.
Part Two
Daily Life
Bartering
n regions where coin is uncommon, the dominant trade system is barter, which can take two
forms:
Systematic Negotiation. The law of supply and demand in its purest expression: “I have an
earthenware set and you have fox pelts. How much do I need your furs? How much do you need
my crockery?” The value of the goods varies depending on the buyer’s need and urgency. Natives
from uncivilized lands sometimes get swindled by adventurers, but most often, the latter find
themselves dealing with patient negotiators who know what their wares are worth and drive a
hard bargain.
The Equipment chapter provides indicative prices for common commodities (see the Overview
of the Price of Trade Goods section). The listed prices are those in use in the region of the Free
City. Keep in mind that these numbers can vary greatly from one region to another, depending on
how rare the merchandise is and on how much value the local populations give it.
276
Setting Foot in the World-City
A group of armed young ones walked into the Free City, entering from the Great Wyrm’s
Gate located at the north of the town. They could not help but look everywhere above
and around them, turning their heads this way and that and, on more than one occasion,
coming close to colliding with the denizens of the suburbs who had no time to squander
marveling at things they were already familiar with. The Drakenbergen’s highway
connected the World-City with the dwarven kingdoms, and the bustling metropolis stood
in stark contrast to the quiet countryside.
Travelers who had ventured into the mountains usually came back this way. They could
have piled into the heavy flat-bottomed barges that floated in from the Oozing Gate, but
most of them didn’t, which suited Baldine perfectly, as this location was a much more
pleasant one to wait for clients. She left a copper on the counter, waved the other patrons
goodbye, and promptly hailed her clients—even if they didn’t know it yet.
“Greetings, adventurers! I am Baldine, guide to the Free City, at your service! I can see that
you are in need of skilled assistance. Allow me to introduce you to the secrets of our fair
capital, filled with good folks, rumors, and treasures!” she finished with a stylish bow.
The halfling clad in red did not falter in the face of the newcomers’ reluctance. A glance at
their equipment was enough to give her an idea of the kind of people they were. Towering
above the rest of the group stood a hulking barbarian from the Septentrion, sporting a
fur cloak that she had most probably earned herself. She was watching the others, as if
to communicate that situations like this were outside her skill set. Their guide through
the wild lands was a brown-haired human, not unpleasant to look at, but obviously as
untalkative as most rangers. Then there was a very dignified red-haired dwarf with a clasp
bearing the symbol of Maker. A cleric? A paladin? Either way, as long as he didn’t get it into
his head that Baldine was a thief, this wouldn’t be a problem. And hey, to be fair, without
the help of shrewd, well-informed rogues, how would honorable adventurers manage, hm?
That left a gnome wizard, identifiable from the wand she used as an arcane focus and the
small bag in which she had carefully packed her spellbook. The dwarf opened his mouth,
but the spellcaster interjected:
“We come from the Dragon Mountains and we have business in the Free City. For starters,
we are looking for a room in a good inn. We also have a few items to sell and errands to
run…”
The barbarian sighed, clearly wondering if it was really necessary to have someone lead
them around… and of course, they would have to pay the halfling girl, since you had to pay
for everything in “civilization.”
Baldine smiled. “I hear you and I know exactly where you’ll find everything you need.
Follow me!”
Onward to her brother-in-law’s cousin’s inn, The Merry Countess, with the perspective of
a cut of the bill the adventurers would pay for their stay.
277
Coinage
ommon coins come in several different denominations based on the relative worth of the
metal from which they are made. This norm was gradually enforced by the merchants
of the Free City and dwarven kingdoms. Today, it is widely and internationally followed.
Regions that are not part of the related trade network may refuse foreign coin or only
accept barter—to their advantage.
The three most common coins are the gold piece (gp), the silver piece (sp), and the
copper piece (cp). A standard coin weighs a little less than a fifth of an ounce for a diameter of about
an inch, so a hundred coins weigh approximately a pound.
The gold piece is the standard unit of measure for wealth, even if the coin itself is not commonly used.
When merchants discuss deals that involve goods or services worth hundreds or thousands of gold
pieces, the transactions don’t usually involve the exchange of individual coins. Rather, the gold piece
is a standard measure of value, and the actual exchange is in gold bars, letters of credit, or valuable
goods.
One gold piece is worth ten silver pieces, the most prevalent coin among commoners. A laborer
(representative of a “poor” lifestyle) earns between two and three silver pieces for a day’s work. One
silver piece is worth ten copper pieces, the lowest coin in use, common among laborers and beggars.
In addition, unusual coins made of other precious metals sometimes appear in ancient treasure
hoards. The electrum piece (ep) and the platinum piece (pp) originate from fallen empires and lost
kingdoms, and they sometimes arouse suspicion and skepticism when used in transactions. An
electrum piece is worth five silver pieces, and a platinum piece is worth ten gold pieces.
278
Coinage and Politics
The terminology “gold piece,” “silver piece,” and “copper
piece” is partially symbolic, since these pieces are actually
composed of alloys. Coins made of pure precious metal
would be wholly impractical for several reasons.
This section details several optional rules to make
the management of the value of the adventurers’ loot
more realistic, all the while confronting them with a
few complications specific to conversion rates and
variations in the worth of coin.
Trading Posts
Dwarves have trading posts in every large city doing business with the Free City. Visitors can expect a chilly
welcome, the bankers there being infamous for their complete lack of sense of humor. Nevertheless, they are
the only ones who can guarantee a working system of letters of credit no matter the place, even in troubled
regions like Cyrillane, currently in the throes of civil war.
Letters of Credit
To avoid transporting large quantities of gold and attracting unwanted attention, merchants regularly
make use of letters of credit. They entrust an amount of gold to a bank, pay a transaction fee, and obtain in
exchange a document that entitles them to withdraw the same sum from any bank belonging to the same
network. Said banks can deliver the withdrawn sum in several forms: Free City coin, local coin, jewels, etc.
Of course, the choices available depend on what the concerned bank has in stock.
Transaction Fee
All transactions at steinbanken levy a steep 5% fee, but seasoned travelers know that it is a small price to
pay for the safety these establishments offer.
281
Gemstones
everal regions of the world make partial or exclusive use
Type of stone Base value
of gemstones as a currency. The elven kingdoms, Shi-
huang, and Rachamangekr are the most notable regions Ornamental 1 sp
in this regard. Almost everywhere in Eana, gemstones (centime)
are considered with as much regard as coin minted in the Ornamental 1 gp
Free City or in the dwarven kingdoms. (decime)
As several issues with the use of coin made themselves apparent in the
Ornamental 10 gp
course of the latest decades (counterfeiting, clipping, fraudulent alloys,
(full)
etc.) gemstones have enjoyed renewed popularity among prosperous
merchants and wealthy people. This evolution has led the masters of Semi-precious 100 to 500 gp
the Free City to establish reference values for each gemstone, in order Organic 100 to 500 gp
to facilitate exchanges.
Gemstone 1,000 gp and +
Ornamental Stones
O rnamental stones are the ones most commonly used in everyday trade and jewelry. Opaque
or translucent, they are divided into three categories of size: full, decime, and centime. Full
ornamental stones usually fit in the palm of the hand while centime stones are the size of a large
pinhead. The hue or purity of an ornamental stone can also influence its value.
Moonstone. These crystals of silvery or blueish hues are reminiscent of the shine of the moon
Eternity. Jewelers commonly cut them in the shape of spheres to give them a pearl-like
aspect.
Quartz. A rather common mineral. Only its purest form, known under the
name “rock crystal” or “dragonite,” which is transparent and can be of
different colors, is used as a currency. A dragonite is usually worth about
10 gp, while a quartz crystal is worth 1 gp, and a quartz shard 1 sp.
Turquoise. With its characteristic blue hue, this stone is quite common, but
widely appreciated.
Semiprecious Stones
F ine stones, also called semiprecious stones, are a category incorporating
several dozen different stones. Their value can range from 100 gp to 500 gp.
Here are four of the most common semiprecious stones in Eana:
Agate. A translucent stone, the agate can be of different colors. Legend has it
that this stone comes from the River Agata, where it can be found in
abundance. Today, this river has dried up, and agates have become rarities.
The purest and largest of them can fetch as much as 500 gp.
Amethyst. Translucent mythic stones of mauve or purple hue, amethysts
can only be found in the depths of the Netherworld. This precious stone is
particularly popular among the civilizations of the world below.
282
Jade. A splendid stone with a subtle green hue, this stone originates from the region of Shi-huang.
Considered to be holy, it is said to repel evil spirits. White jades are regarded as the purest and can
be worth 500 gp.
Obsidian. These black stones are generally opaque, but can sometimes be translucent. Obsidians
are the result of volcanic activity and are said to be infused with the essence of Blacksmith.
Regarded as sacred by worshipers of this divinity, they are also highly sought-after among dwarves.
Organic Stones
O rganic stones include all precious stones issued from organic and non-mineral
matter.
Amber. Gold-colored and translucent, these precious stones are the result of the
fossilization of several resinous bodies. A single amber can easily be
worth 100 gp. The purest of these stones, called elenion ambers, come
from the essence of the millennial trees of the elven forests, and reach
prices up to 500 gp.
Coral. Corals are marine animals with a color ranging between red
and white and a value from 100 to 500 gp. Most of them are from
the region of Torea, where they are rarities due to their sacred
nature.
Jet. This opaque, black precious stone is the result of the action of oceanic
forces on fossilized trees. Jet stones are usually worth about 100 gp.
Gemstones
M ythic, highly-prized precious stones, often associated with legendary tales, gemstones can be
classified into four main families: diamonds, emeralds, rubies, and sapphires. Of an extreme
rarity, every specimen of these gemstones has a minimum value of 1,000 gp. The term “jewel” usually
describes an exceptional gemstone, whose value will never go below 5,000 gp. Some of them are even
considered priceless. Gemstones and jewels are often used to craft powerful magic items.
Diamond. A mythical precious stone called “gods’ tear,” diamond is the hardest material that
exists in Eana. Diamonds are most often colorless and transparent, more rarely golden
or blue. Mauve diamonds are extremely rare and prized by the lords
of the Netherworld.
Ruby. Dazzlingly red and transparent, the ruby is called the “stone heart.” Used in
clockmaking, rubies are highly esteemed by the inventors of the Eolian Isles, and are
said to be part of the secret of their creations.
Sapphire. A sapphire is usually of an intense blue, but its orange-colored variant, called “lotus
blossom,” is certainly the rarest and most prized. An unscratchable material, sapphire is
appreciated by the mighty of Eana as much as by wizards and gnome engineers who make great
use of its extraordinary natural properties.
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Lifestyle
ow much money your character spends on a
daily basis will define their lifestyle (ranging Making a Good Impression
from wretched to aristocratic), which will
influence both their comfort level and how Baldine had taken the adventurers to The Merry
they are perceived by other people. Lifestyle Countess, a decent establishment with three types
expenses provide you with a simple way to of rooms. The dormitories were for the more modest
account for the cost of living in a fantasy world. They clients, most of whom were laborers who needed a
cover your accommodations, food and drink, and all your place to stay between days of working. Travelers,
other necessities. Furthermore, expenses cover the cost for their part, usually rented one of the rooms with
of maintaining your equipment so you can be ready when a large bed, which two or three people could share.
adventure next calls. Finally, there was one bedroom for the wealthier
visitors, with fresh sheets and complementary baths.
When she heard the prices, the barbarian
complained, claiming that she would rather pick
a vacant lot on the outskirts of the city and sleep
under their tent. Baldine held back a sigh. There was
always an adventurer to say that they would prefer
Lifestyle Expenses being damp, cold, and exposed over paying a fair
price for comfort. Listening in on their exchanges,
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Self-Sufficient
Price per day: free
You have renounced civilized life, preferring to eke out a living in wild lands. This means that you cannot rely
on shops and services to get what you need, but also that you don’t need to spend money on food or lodging. In
contrast to the other lifestyles, the quality of a self-sufficient life is not dependent on your financial means, but
essentially on your proficiencies in skills and tools. To solve problems related to a skill or tool you are not proficient
in, you may need to seek help from civilization.
The following list provides examples of useful proficiencies for a self-sufficient life:
Animal Handling. This skill also covers animal Leatherworker’s Tools. With such know-how, you
husbandry and livestock farming. You can use it to can live like a trapper, hunting furry animals and
shear sheep, milk cows, direct a plowhorse, or curing their pelts to sell or exchange them. Keep in
manage a chicken coop or rabbit hutch. mind that an untanned skin is likely to quickly rot
and become unusable.
Carpenter’s Tools. As an able woodworker, you can
build a sturdier, larger, safer, and more comfortable Smith’s Tools. The repair and maintenance of
home than a simple shack or hut, along with actual weapons and armor requires specialized knowledge.
furniture. Without it, you will occasionally have to rely upon
the services of an artisan to sharpen your weapons
Cook’s Utensils. Knowing how to cook is a very or fix them.
valuable asset in the wild, not only to make your fare
more pleasant, but also to make full use of what your Survival. This skill enables you to track, hunt, trap,
environment has to offer. fish, forage, make fire, and build a makeshift shelter.
You can also make crude repairs and patch-ups.
Farmer’s Tools. Even hermits usually maintain a
vegetable garden, or even a small orchard for easier Weaver’s Tools. With this proficiency, you can spin
and more reliable access to food. If you are not wool (or hemp or nettle fiber), weave it, sew it, and
proficient with farmer’s tools, you will be unable to embroider it, which means that you can make your
efficiently cultivate a patch of land. own clothes and bedding.
Wretched Poor
Price per day: 1 cp Price per day: 2 sp
You live in inhumane conditions. With no place to call A poor lifestyle means going without the
home, you shelter wherever you can, sneaking into barns, comforts available in a stable community.
huddling in old crates, and relying on the good graces of Simple food and lodgings, threadbare
people better off than you. A wretched lifestyle presents clothing, and unpredictable conditions result
abundant dangers. Violence, disease, and hunger follow in a sufficient, though probably unpleasant,
you wherever you go. Other wretched people covet your experience. Your accommodations might be a
armor, weapons, and adventuring gear, which represent a room in a flophouse or in the common room
fortune by their standards. You are beneath the notice of above a tavern. You benefit from some legal
most people. protections, but you still have to contend with
violence, crime, and disease. People at this
lifestyle level tend to be unskilled laborers,
Squalid costermongers, peddlers, thieves, mercenaries,
and other disreputable types.
Price per day: 1 sp
You live in a leaky stable, a mud-floored hut just outside
town, or a vermin-infested boarding house in the worst
part of town. You have shelter from the elements, but
you live in a desperate and often violent environment,
in places rife with disease, hunger, and misfortune. You
are beneath the notice of most people, and you have few
legal protections. Most people at this lifestyle level have
suffered some terrible setback. They might be disturbed,
marked as exiles, or suffer from disease.
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Modest Wealthy
Price per day: 1 gp Price per day: 5 gp
A modest lifestyle keeps you out of the slums and Choosing a wealthy lifestyle means living a life of luxury,
ensures that you can maintain your equipment. though you might not have achieved the social status
You live in an older part of town, renting a room associated with the old money of nobility or royalty. You
in a boarding house, inn, or temple. You don’t go live a lifestyle comparable to that of a highly successful
hungry or thirsty, and your living conditions are merchant, a favored servant of the royalty, or the owner of a
clean, if simple. Ordinary people living modest few small businesses. You have respectable lodgings, usually
lifestyles include soldiers with families, laborers, a spacious home in a good part of town or a comfortable
students, priests, hedge wizards, and the like. suite at a fine inn. You likely have a small staff of servants.
Comfortable
Aristocratic
Price per day: 2 gp
Choosing a comfortable lifestyle means that you Price per day: 15 gp or more
can afford nicer clothing and can easily maintain You live a life of plenty and comfort. You move in circles
your equipment. You live in a small cottage in a populated by the most powerful people in the community.
middle-class neighborhood or in a private room You have excellent lodgings, perhaps a townhouse in the
at a fine inn. You associate with merchants, skilled nicest part of town or rooms in the finest inn. You dine at
tradespeople, and petty military officers. the best restaurants, retain the most skilled and fashionable
tailor, and have servants attending to your every need. You
receive invitations to the social gatherings of the rich and
powerful, and spend evenings in the company of politicians,
guild leaders, high priests, and nobility. You must also
contend with the highest levels of deceit and treachery. The
wealthier you are, the greater the chance you will be drawn
into political intrigue as a pawn or participant.
Long-Term Activities
Influencing Lifestyle Also refer
Adventuring
to the
chapter:
Between Adventures to
Dependent
You have close friends or relatives that you must support. They are vulnerable and cannot survive without your
attention. You must run errands for them, feed them, care for them, and help them when they need it. Your reason
for becoming an adventurer might actually be to earn the necessary money to pay for the studies or training of a
younger sibling, or the medical fees of aging parents.
For each dependent in your care, you must pay a daily fee equal to half that of the lifestyle you want to provide for
them. This is added to your regular lifestyle expenses.
If you have a child, you can provide them with a poor lifestyle for 1 sp per day, a modest one for 5 sp per day, a
comfortable one for 1 gp per day, etc. As a point of reference, studies in a prestigious academy will require additional
daily expenses of 2 or 3 gp.
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Information Network
You dedicate part of your time to keeping yourself informed about what is happening in the region or in a particular
environment. For this purpose, you pay drinks to the right people, give generous tips to waiters and grooms, or give
alms to beggars who keep an eye out and tell you about what they notice. Your network of informants is neither
as efficient nor as loyal as a firmly implanted and structured network of spies. In particular, your contacts will not
take big risks for you.
Maintaining an information network gives you advantage on Charisma checks to know about the latest local rumors
and events. Your leader may also have one of your agents contact you spontaneously to tell you about news that
might be of interest to you.
Every day of maintaining an information network costs you 1 gp, in addition to your regular lifestyle expenses.
Studying
You are looking for an obscure piece of information, for rare and forgotten knowledge (such as deciphering an
ancient language), or seek to invent a new alchemical recipe or spell. Unlike an apprentice or student (see Training
below), you work autonomously.
Your leader determines how much time your study requires. They may also ask for ability checks or set up particular
challenges. At the end of your study, you reap the fruits of your labor.
Every day of studying costs you 1 gp, in addition to your regular lifestyle expenses. Studying also requires suitable
accommodation and working material, equivalent to an at least modest lifestyle
Taming
You have adopted an animal or monstrosity, and wish to tame and train it. The creature can be a baby wyvern, wolf
pup, bear cub, etc. You need a budget for food, toys, and repairs, and must spend time with your pet to make it used
to your presence and teach it tricks.
Every day spent taming a creature costs you 1 gp, in addition to your regular lifestyle expenses.
Therapy
You have contracted a serious disease, or worse, have been corrupted by Canker. Or maybe you are plagued by
horrific nightmares? In any case, such a situation saps your strength and causes you trouble: damaged belongings,
regular purchases of medicine or drugs to soothe the pain, etc.
Every day spent undergoing a therapy for severe ailments costs you 1 gp, in addition to your regular lifestyle
expenses. This covers professional help, the price of the various treatments you must acquire (medicine or drugs),
as well as compensation for damages (such as broken or destroyed objects during your crises).
Training
You can enroll at an academy, be apprenticed to a master craftsman, tutored by a wyvern-rider, etc. Under the
guidance of your mentor, you spend time learning, experimenting, and practicing on your own to perfect your skills
in a domain.
The standard training duration is 250 days. At the end of this period, you become proficient in a new language, tool,
vehicle, or rare technique (like wyvern-riding, for example).
Every day of training costs you 1 gp, in addition to your regular lifestyle expenses.
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Resources
o prepare a costly expedition
or purchase quality equipment,
you must secure the necessary
resources. Will you work, sell
loot, or borrow?
Working
Y ou can seek and pursue a professional occupation between adventures. The tools and skills you are
proficient in will give you an idea of your qualifications.
Crafting
You can craft nonmagical objects, including adventuring equipment and works of art.
You must be proficient with tools related to the object you are trying to create (typically
artisan’s tools). You might also need access to special materials or locations necessary
to create it. For example, someone proficient with smith’s tools needs a forge in order to
craft a sword or suit of armor.
For every day of downtime you spend crafting, you can craft one or more items with a
total market value not exceeding 5 gp, and you must expend raw materials worth half
the total market value. If something you want to craft has a market value greater than
5 gp, you make progress every day in 5-gp increments until you reach the market value
of the item. For example, a suit of plate armor (market value 1,500 gp) takes 300 days
to craft by yourself.
Multiple characters can combine their efforts toward the crafting of a single item,
provided that the characters all have proficiency with the requisite tools and are
working together in the same place. Each character contributes 5 gp worth of effort
for every day spent helping to craft the item. For example, three characters with the
requisite tool proficiency and the proper facilities can craft a suit of plate armor in 100
days, at a total cost of 750 gp.
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Guild Control
In many towns, guilds and corporations regulate the market. Thieves’ guilds, orders
of physicians, societies of alchemists, etc. follow approximately the same principles,
resulting in a system that is both protective and restrictive.
Right to Exercise. Every artisan must obtain the authorization of the appropriate
guild to exercise their profession and must pay a tax on their benefits. Attempting to
evade these regulations exposes the culprit to punishment: fine, confiscation,
banishment, etc. Obviously, crossing a guild of thieves or assassins will have much
more brutal consequences than engaging in a conflict with the local bakers’ guild.
Protection of Local Interests. Guilds are associations that uphold the interests of a
group of people who pursue a common activity. Such professions are passed down
among families, sometimes forming veritable dynasties. Their members seek
personal enrichment, but most are also aware of the merits of strength in numbers
and playing the long game. As a result, guilds prioritize the protection of established
members, and frown upon newcomers and on the importation of low-cost
merchandise, such as objects made by slaves. This can pit importing merchants
against local craftsmen, due to divergent interests.
Judges. Guilds always include some kind of internal tribunal tasked with judging
offenders. Thieves’ guilds, for example, may arbitrate cases of unfairly shared loot,
or pass judgment on the violation of certain local taboos, such as the interdiction by
guild leaders to harm pregnant women, children, and old people.
Employment
The wage you earn depends on your experience, of course, but also on the local economical context. Note that some
professions include room and board. For example, apprentice artisans and laborers are fed, respectively by their
master or employer.
289
An Artist’s Life
If you have proficiency in the Performance skill and put your performance skill to use during your
downtime, you can make a Charisma (Performance) check every week. In impoverished or troubled
regions, this check may receive a penalty ranging from 5 to 10.
Unlike wage-earning employment, you are paid irregularly, with dry spells, windfalls, and unplanned
expenses.
Weekly check Earnings Weekly gains (average value)
Less than 5 Nothing Nothing
5-9 Squalid fee 3d4 sp (8 sp)
10-14 Poor fee 3d8 + 2 sp (16 sp)
15-19 Modest fee 3d4 gp (8 gp)
20-24 Comfortable fee 3d8 + 2 gp (16 gp)
25-29 Wealthy fee 3d20 + 10 gp (42 gp)
30 and more Aristocratic fee 5d20 + 70 gp (123 gp)
Selling Loot
O pportunities abound to find treasure, equipment, weapons, armor, and more in the dungeons you
explore. Normally, you can sell your treasures and trinkets when you return to a town or other
settlement, provided that you can find buyers and merchants interested in your loot.
Magic Items
Selling magic items is problematic. Finding someone to buy a potion or a scroll isn’t too hard, but
other items are out of the realm of most but the wealthiest nobles. Likewise, aside from a few common
magic items, you won’t normally come across magic items or spells to purchase. The value of magic is
far beyond simple gold and should always be treated as such.
Trade Goods
On the borderlands, many people conduct transactions through barter. Like gems and art objects,
trade goods—bars of iron, bags of salt, livestock, and so on—retain their full value in the market and
can be used as currency.
290
Borrowing
Y ou may have a project, but not the necessary funds to perform the exploits that will make you
rich or allow you to help someone dear, in which case you may have to borrow money. There are
three types of moneylending individuals and institutions: patrons, banks, and usurers. Only in large
towns are all three of these options available. In other places, you will have to make do with a patron
or usurer, depending on the type of lender available.
Rates. Interest rates are high. In the best cases, the rate is 10% per year, but they can be as high as
10% per month if the person you have to borrow from is a loan shark. This means that if you
borrow 1,000 gp, after one month, you will have to pay back 1,100 gp. If, after two months, you
still haven’t made good on your debt, it rises to 1,100 + 110 = 1,210 gp, then 1,210 + 121 = 1,331
gp after three months, and so on. Delays can therefore quickly result in ruinous fees.
Non-Payment. All moneylenders have their own methods to recover their money, and they can be
very persuasive. It is in the interest of lenders that their clients do not get the idea to borrow
money and make a run for it. In the case of particularly reluctant or elusive clients, lenders sell
back the debt to individuals who make a specialty of tracking down deadbeats. In exceptional
cases, assassins’ guilds may be called upon. The ensuing death is generally advertised to ensure
that other borrowers get the message.
My Cousin
The adventurers were starting to get used to their new environment.
At one point, the gnome wizard mentioned that she would be better
prepared for their next mission if she had specific—and highly
expensive—reagents and components at her disposal. A few calculations
quickly led the party to realize that acquiring these would get in the
way of other purchases. It was then that the question of borrowing was
raised.
“Borrowing?” Baldine repeated, perplexed. “Not sure that’s such a great
idea. Quite the opposite, actually.”
All eyes were on her, waiting for an explanation.
“If you want to borrow, there’s three solutions: the big guy, the
steinbank, and my cousin. The big guy, that means a guild leader, a lord,
or any other sort of bigwig. Basically, a fellow who’s on top and only
lends money if there’s something in it for them… and no offense, but you
don’t really fit the bill.
“The steinbank, well, it’s not a charity, y’see. They lend money as an…
investment of sorts. They’ll only bring out the cheddar if they think they
can trust you. Like, if you look like you’re about to make it big. And, er,
again, I don’t mean no disrespect, but I don’t think they’ll take a shine
to you.
“Then there’s my cousin… well, they’re not actually my cousin. It’s just a
name for usurers. They’re usually willing to lend money, but that’s only
because they count on the fact that most of their clients will never be
able to pay them back. They often have contacts among the underworld,
and they like to make it a point that they have you under their thumb.
If you can’t or won’t pay, there’s three possibilities. They can make an
example out of you, like by sending thugs to bust your kneecaps or
something of the sort. Or they think you might be useful and then you’d
better do what they tell you, even if that means turning on your father
and mother! And finally, they might just sell you to slave merchants, and
that’s the beginning of a long journey…”
291
Services
dventurers can pay nonplayer characters to assist them or act on their
behalf in a variety of circumstances. Most such hirelings have fairly
ordinary skills, while others are masters of a craft or art, and a few are
experts with specialized adventuring skills.
Some of the most basic types of hirelings appear on the Services table.
Other common hirelings include any of the wide variety of people who
inhabit a typical town or city, when the adventurers pay them to perform a specific
task. For example, a wizard might pay a carpenter to construct an elaborate chest (and
its miniature replica) for use in the secret chest spell. A fighter might commission a
blacksmith to forge a special sword. A bard might pay a tailor to make exquisite clothing
for an upcoming performance in front of the duke.
Other hirelings provide more expert or dangerous services. Mercenary soldiers paid
to help the adventurers take on a hobgoblin army are hirelings, as are sages hired to
research ancient or esoteric lore. If a high-level adventurer establishes a stronghold of
some kind, he or she might hire a whole staff of servants and agents to run the place,
from a castellan or steward to menial laborers to keep the stables clean. These hirelings
often enjoy a long-term contract that includes a place to live within the stronghold as
part of the offered compensation.
Untrained hirelings are hired for menial work that requires no particular skill and
can include laborers, porters, maids, and similar workers.
292
Spellcasting Services
eople who are able to cast spells don’t fall into the category of
ordinary hirelings. Whether such services are even available
to begin with depends on the leader’s choice regarding how
common magic and the Awakening are. Depending on this
premise, spellcasting services can range from wholly nonexistent
to readily available. Here is an overview of three possible levels.
293
Equipment
ll adventurers own starting equipment that they
will make ample use of as they perform memorable
deeds and fight the many dangers they will certainly
face in the course of their undertakings. Equipment
is classified into four major categories: armory,
tools, provisions, and traveling.
Starting Equipment
he starting equipment you get from your class includes
a collection of useful adventuring gear, put together
in a pack. The contents of these packs are listed here.
If you are buying your starting equipment, you can
purchase a pack for the price shown, which might be
cheaper than buying the items individually.
Hucksters
Baldine had taken her clients to a terrace from which they could see the channeled
river flow through the entire lower city and out past the docks to the sea. There was
a pleasant breeze from the sea, which tousled the guide’s curly mahogany hair. Ships
laden with wares came and went from the sea and river, while caravans crisscrossed
the roads and a few balloon-like bloatships landed and floated away throughout
the day. In the Free City, one could find the best wares from all of Eana. The halfling
showed them the various districts and their specialties, then asked:
“So, my pretties, what shall we start with? First things first: what’s your budget?”
“Well… That is to say…”
Of course. After all, it was newcomers to the world-city she was dealing with. What did
she expect?
“Alright, alright. Let’s do this the usual way, then. First weapons and armor, then tools.
We’ll take care of the rest as we go.”
“What about getting secondhand goods?” one of them suggested.
“Going to a huckster?” Baldine replied incredulously. “No way! Sure, it’s half as
expensive, sometimes even less, but that’s a fool’s bargain. The weapons and armor
there are almost always rubbish, no matter what they tell you. Believe me, you don’t
want a sword that’ll snap in half as soon as you swing it a little too hard! Not to mention
that half the hucksters sell smuggled or stolen items. And as if that wasn’t bad enough,
the other half will try to palm off cursed stuff found in Canker-infested ruins. Hah, of
course, you’ll always find someone who’ll claim they made the deal of the century, but
buying ten things at half-price and ending up with only one in working condition, that
just means paying five times the price for decent material, and spending ten times
as much time on it. Got it? No? Then don’t worry and just trust me: let’s go to real
professionals.”
294
Equipment Packs
Burglar’s Pack
Price: 20 gp. Total weight: 60 lb. Availability: Uncommon.
A backpack, a bag of 1,000 ball bearings, 10 feet of string, a bell, 5 candles, a crowbar, a hammer, 10 pitons,
a hooded lantern, 2 flasks of oil, 5 days rations, a tinderbox, and a waterskin. The pack also has 50 feet of
hempen rope strapped to the side of it.
Diplomat’s Pack
Price: 39 gp. Total weight: 36 lb. Availability: Uncommon.
A chest, 2 cases for maps and scrolls, a set of fine clothes, a bottle of ink, an ink pen, a lamp, 2 flasks of oil, 5
sheets of paper, a vial of perfume, sealing wax, and soap.
Dungeoneer’s Pack
Price: 12 gp. Total weight: 47 lb. Availability: Common.
A backpack, a crowbar, a hammer, 10 pitons, 10 torches, a tinderbox, 10 days of rations, and a waterskin. The
pack also has 50 feet of hempen rope strapped to the side of it.
Entertainer’s Pack
Price: 40 gp. Total weight: 27 lb. Availability: Uncommon.
A backpack, a bedroll, 2 costumes, 5 candles, 5 days of rations, a waterskin, and a disguise kit.
Explorer’s Pack
Price: 12 gp. Total weight: 47 lb. Availability: Common.
A backpack, a bedroll, a mess kit, a tinderbox, 10 torches, 10 days of rations, and a waterskin. The pack also
has 50 feet of hempen rope strapped to the side of it.
Priest’s Pack
Price: 22 gp. Total weight: 20 lb. Availability: Uncommon.
A backpack, a blanket, 10 candles, a tinderbox, an alms box, 2 blocks of incense, a censer, vestments, 2 days
of rations, and a waterskin.
Scholar’s Pack
Price: 40 gp. Total weight: 6 lb. Availability: Uncommon.
A backpack, a book of lore, a bottle of ink, an ink pen, 10 sheets of parchment,
a little bag of sand, and a small knife.
295
Objects
Huge and Gargantuan Objects. Normal weapons are of little use against many Huge and Gargantuan objects,
such as a colossal statue, towering column of stone, or massive boulder. That said, one torch can burn a Huge
tapestry, and an earthquake spell can reduce a colossus to rubble. You can track a Huge or Gargantuan object’s
hit points if you like, or you can simply decide how long the object can withstand whatever weapon or force is
acting against it. If you track hit points for the object, divide it into Large or smaller sections, and track each
section’s hit points separately. Destroying one of those sections could ruin the entire object. For example, a
Gargantuan statue of a human might topple over when one of its Large legs is reduced to 0 hit points.
Objects and Damage Types. Objects are immune to poison and psychic damage. You might decide that some
damage types are more effective against a particular object or substance than others. For example, bludgeoning
damage works well for smashing things but not for cutting through rope or leather. Paper or cloth objects might
be vulnerable to fire and lightning damage. A pick can chip away stone but can’t effectively cut down a tree. As
always, use your best judgment.
296
Damage Threshold. Big objects such as castle walls often have extra resilience represented by a damage
threshold. An object with a damage threshold has immunity to all damage unless it takes an amount of damage
from a single attack or effect equal to or greater than its damage threshold, in which case it takes damage as
normal. Any damage that fails to meet or exceed the object’s damage threshold is considered superficial and
doesn’t reduce the object’s hit points.
Item’s Availability
Shops will not always have what the PCs need in stock. The table below details various degrees of availability. All
the items listed in this chapter come with an indication of their standard availability.
Availability Description
Very Common This concerns vital goods, which can be expected to be available among any humanoid
community, including hamlets, isolated farmsteads, and nomad caravans.
Common Items used in daily life, readily available in villages or fortified places.
Uncommon Items only available at specialized craftsmen or providers, as well as those exclusively
used by experts in a profession or by notables, such as certain spices and perfumes.
Can only be found in towns or in the castles of powerful families.
Rare Highly refined products or unique pieces that require very specific know-how. Only
available in world-cities (like the Free City) or dedicated sites (like a dwarven forge).
A commodity can be Common in certain regions and Rare elsewhere, in which case your leader
will let you know.
Indicative Prices
The listed prices are representative of an item
of average quality sold at a shop in the Free City. Factor Influence on the Cost
The cost and availability of merchandise can vary Secondhand, damaged, used Divide by 2 to 10
depending on which country the adventurers go to. Artistic embellishments Multiply by 2 to 10
Additionally, the quality of the item (poor or, on the
contrary, excellent) can influence its value. Here are Import, order At least +20%
examples of such considerations:
Orders are frequent. Customers of general stores in the countryside make them for all sorts of Uncommon or Rare
commodities. In Cyfandir, goods are usually imported from the Free City or from one of the major merchant ports,
and the transportation fee depends on how long the journey is from the location in question.
297
Armory
he armory details the characteristics of
the core equipment of most adventurers:
weapons and armor.
Weapon Proficiency
Y our species, class, and feats can grant you proficiency with certain weapons or categories of
weapons. The two categories are simple and martial. Most people can use simple weapons with
proficiency. These weapons include clubs, maces, and other weapons often found in the hands
of commoners. Martial weapons, including swords, axes, and polearms, require
more specialized training to use effectively. Most warriors use martial
weapons because these weapons put their fighting style and training to
best use.
Proficiency with a weapon allows you to add your proficiency bonus to
the attack roll for any attack you make with that weapon. If you make
an attack roll using a weapon with which you lack proficiency, you do
not add your proficiency bonus to the attack roll.
Improvised Weapons
Sometimes characters don’t have their weapons and have to
attack with whatever is close at hand. An improvised weapon
includes any object you can wield in one or two hands, such
as broken glass, a table leg, a frying pan, a wagon wheel, or a
dead goblin.
300
Damage Properties of an Improvised Weapon
An object that bears no resemblance to a weapon Improvised weapons can also have properties (see
deals 1d4 damage (the leader assigns a damage type Weapon Properties on the following page), which the
appropriate to the object). If a character uses a ranged leader can assign on a case-by-case basis.
weapon to make a melee attack, or throws a melee
weapon that does not have the thrown property, it also A scythe is a farming tool designed to mow grass and grain,
deals 1d4 damage. An improvised thrown weapon has a made of a large blade affixed to a long handle. It is usually
normal range of 20 feet and a long range of 60 feet. kept very sharp, meaning that it can prove as dangerous
If the improvised weapon you’re using is an objectively as a weapon, as unwieldy as it may be. Its properties are:
dangerous tool (like a pickaxe or burning torch), or fragile (since it is not designed to strike at bodies), heavy,
even a very dangerous one (such as a sharp scythe), the reach, two-handed. A scythe deals 1d8 slashing damage.
leader may up the damage to 1d6 or 1d8 respectively. Should a character decide to design a war scythe, it might
lose its fragile property and its damage might rise to
1d10, making it equivalent to a halberd.
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Weapon Properties
M any weapons have special properties related to their use, as shown in the Weapons table.
Ammunition Range
You can use a weapon that has the ammunition property to A weapon that can be used to make a ranged attack has
make a ranged attack only if you have ammunition to fire a range shown in parentheses after the ammunition or
from the weapon. Each time you attack with the weapon, you thrown property. The range lists two numbers. The first
expend one piece of ammunition. Drawing the ammunition is the weapon’s normal range in feet, and the second
from a quiver, case, or other container is part of the attack indicates the weapon’s maximum range. When attacking a
(you need a free hand to load a one-handed weapon). At target beyond normal range, you have disadvantage on the
the end of the battle, you can recover half your expended attack roll. You can’t attack a target beyond the weapon’s
ammunition by taking a minute to search the battlefield. long range.
If you use a weapon that has the ammunition property to
make a melee attack, you treat the weapon as an improvised Reach
weapon (see Improvised Weapons on the previous two
pages). A sling must be loaded to deal any damage when This weapon adds 5 feet to your reach when you attack
used in this way. with it, as well as when determining your reach for
opportunity attacks with it.
Finesse
Special
When making an attack with a finesse weapon, you use
your choice of your Strength or Dexterity modifier for the A weapon with the special property has unusual rules
attack and damage rolls. You must use the same modifier governing its use, explained in the weapon’s description
for both rolls. (see Special Weapons on the next page).
Fragile Thrown
This weapon has been damaged or isn’t designed for If a weapon has the thrown property, you can throw
combat, making it less efficient (see the Damaged the weapon to make a ranged attack. If the weapon is a
Weapons and Armor section of this chapter). melee weapon, you use the same ability modifier for
This property isn’t always obvious, requiring a DC that attack roll and damage roll that you would use
13 Intelligence (smith’s tools) check to become for a melee attack with the weapon. For example, if
apparent. you throw a handaxe, you use your Strength, but if you
throw a dagger, you can use either your Strength or your
Heavy Dexterity, since the dagger has the finesse property.
Quarterstaff
302
Net. A Large or smaller crea-
Special Weapons ture hit by a net is restrained
until it is freed. A net has no
Cestus. A cestus is affixed to your fist, meaning that effect on creatures that are
you cannot be disarmed. When you wear a cestus, you formless, or creatures that are
get a +1 bonus to the damage of your unarmed strikes. Huge or larger. A creature can use its
However, as long as you wear it, a cestus hinders you action to make a DC 10 Strength check,
when undertaking actions that require manual freeing itself or another creature
precision, resulting in disadvantage to such actions. within its reach on a success. Dealing 5
slashing damage to the net (AC 10)
Lance. You have disadvantage when you use a lance to also frees the creature without
attack a target within 5 feet of you. Also, a lance harming it, ending the effect and
requires two hands to wield when you aren’t mounted. destroying the net.
When you use an action, bonus action,
Spear-Thrower. You can use a spear-thrower to throw or reaction to attack with a net, you
javelins with greater strength and accuracy, increasing can make only one attack regardless
the base range and damage of the javelin, as shown in of the number of attacks you can
the table on the following page. normally make.
Light hammer
Handaxe
Weapons Tables
T he tables below show the most common weapons, their price
and weight, the damage they deal when they hit, and any
special properties they possess.
Net Blowgun
304
Accessories
Weapons and Civilizations
Owning weapons is one thing, but accessories are
People make a display of their cultural roots through often necessary to use them, maintain them, or
their mores, clothing, and language, but also through transport them in proper conditions.
their weaponry. All the weapons listed in the previous
pages are on sale in the cosmopolitan Free City, but Item Cost Weight
such is not the case everywhere else. If you elect to Arrows (20) 1 gp 1 lb.
take a culturally marked weapon, you will have a hard Blowgun needles (50) 1 gp 1 lb.
time finding skilled smiths to repair it if you move away
from the related civilization. In the case of specific Crossbow bolt case (20) 1 gp 1 lb.
ammunition, being able to craft it yourself will probably Crossbow bolts (20) 1 gp 1½ lb.
be a necessity. Quiver (20) 1 gp 1 lb.
Below are a few examples of such situations. Keep in
mind that this list is non-exhaustive and that you may Scabbard 5 gp 1 lb.
face other unexpected complications of this nature: Sling bullets (20) 4 cp 1½ lb.
Whetstone 1 cp 1 lb.
Blowgun. The blowgun finds its origin in dense
equatorial forests and is designed to shoot darts
accurately and stealthily in this environment.
Outside of these regions, it is practically unknown.
Among surefoot tribes, blowguns are Common
weapons and almost everyone knows how to use
one and, usually, how to make one, this being the
consequence of small communities never having
specialized weapon-makers.
305
Armor
he Armor table collects the most
commonly available types of armor found
in the game and separates them into
three categories: light armor, medium
armor, and heavy armor. Many warriors
supplement their armor with a shield.
Half plate
306
Breastplate
Leather
Chain shirt
307
Armor Table
T he Armor table shows the cost, weight, and other
properties of the common types of armor.
Plate
308
Armor
Armor Cost Armor Class (AC) Strength Disadvantage: Disadvantage: Weight
Stealth Athletics
(swimming) and
Acrobatics
Light Armor
Padded 5 gp 11 + Dex modifier — X — 8 lb.
Leather 10 gp 11 + Dex modifier — — — 10 lb.
Studded leather 45 gp 12 + Dex modifier — — — 13 lb.
Medium Armor
Hide 10 gp 12 + Dex modifier — — — 12 lb.
(max 2)
Chain shirt 50 gp 13 + Dex modifier — — X 20 lb.
(max 2)
Scale mail 50 gp 14 + Dex modifier Str 11 X X 45 lb.
(max 2)
Breastplate 400 gp 14 + Dex modifier — — X 20 lb.
(max 2)
Half plate 750 gp 15 + Dex modifier Str 11 X X 40 lb.
(max 2)
Heavy Armor
Ring mail 30 gp 14 Str 11 X X 40 lb.
Chain mail 75 gp 16 Str 13 X X 55 lb.
Splint 200 gp 17 Str 15 X X 60 lb.
Plate 1 500 gp 18 Str 15 X X 65 lb.
Shield
Shield 10 gp +2 — — X 6 lb.
Padded
309
Light Armor
Made from supple and thin materials, light armor favors
agile adventurers since it offers some protection
without sacrificing mobility. If you wear light armor,
you add your Dexterity modifier to the base number
from your armor type to determine your Armor Class.
Padded
Padded armor consists of quilted layers of cloth and batting.
Leather
The breastplate and shoulder protectors of this armor are
made of leather that has been stiffened by being boiled in
oil. The rest of the armor is made of softer and more flexible
materials.
Studded Leather
Made from tough but flexible leather, studded leather is
reinforced with close-set rivets or spikes.
Medium Armor
Medium armor offers more protection than light armor,
but it also impairs movement more. If you wear medium
armor, you add your Dexterity modifier, to a maximum of +2,
to the base number from your armor type to determine your
Armor Class.
Hide
This crude armor consists of thick furs and pelts. It is commonly
worn by barbarian tribes, evil humanoids, and other folk who lack
access to the tools and materials needed to create better armor.
Chain Shirt
Made of interlocking metal rings, a chain shirt is worn
between layers of clothing or leather. This armor offers
modest protection to the wearer’s upper body and allows the
sound of the rings rubbing against one another to be muffled
by outer layers.
Hide
Scale Mail
This armor consists of a coat and leggings (and perhaps a separate
skirt) of leather covered with overlapping pieces of metal, much
like the scales of a fish. The suit includes gauntlets.
Breastplate
This armor consists of a fitted metal chest piece worn
with supple leather. Although it leaves the legs and
arms relatively unprotected, this armor provides good
protection for the wearer’s vital organs while leaving
the wearer relatively unencumbered.
Half Plate
Half plate consists of shaped metal plates that
cover most of the wearer’s body. It does not
include leg protection beyond simple greaves that
are attached with leather straps.
Scale mail
Heavy Armor
Of all the armor categories, heavy armor offers the best
protection. These suits of armor cover the entire body
and are designed to stop a wide range of attacks. Only
proficient warriors can manage their weight and bulk.
Heavy armor doesn’t let you add your Dexterity
modifier to your Armor Class, but it also doesn’t
penalize you if your Dexterity modifier is negative.
Ring Mail
This armor is leather armor with heavy rings
sewn into it. The rings help reinforce the armor
against blows from swords and axes. Ring mail
is inferior to chain mail, and it’s usually worn
only by those who can’t afford better armor.
Chain Mail
Splint
Made of interlocking metal rings, chain mail includes a
layer of quilted fabric worn underneath the mail to prevent
chafing and to cushion the impact of blows. The suit includes
gauntlets. Plate
Splint Plate consists of shaped, interlocking metal plates to cover
the entire body. A suit of plate includes gauntlets, heavy
This armor is made of narrow vertical strips of metal riveted leather boots, a visored helmet, and thick layers of padding
to a backing of leather that is worn over cloth padding. underneath the armor. Buckles and straps distribute the
Flexible chain mail protects the joints. weight over the body.
311
Tools
Artisan’s Tools
Artisan’s tools include the items needed to pursue a craft or trade. The Artisan’s Tools table shows
examples of the most common types of tools in the Free City. Proficiency with a set of artisan’s tools
lets you add your proficiency bonus to any ability checks you make using the tools in your craft. Each
type of artisan’s tools requires a separate proficiency.
Due to how similar certain techniques can be, several professions have larger applications than
their names might lead one to believe. The leader is advised to be liberal concerning the limits of a
profession. The table below provides examples of comparable professions.
312
Artisan’s tools Similar professions Cost Weight Availability
Alchemist’s supplies Apothecary 50 gp 8 lb. Rare
Brewer’s supplies Distiller, winemaker 20 gp 9 lb. Uncommon
Calligrapher’s supplies Copier, scribe 10 gp 5 lb. Uncommon
Carpenter’s tools Cabinetmaker, joiner 8 gp 6 lb. Common
Cartographer’s tools Architect, mapmaker 15 gp 6 lb. Uncommon
Cobbler’s tools Bootmaker, shoemaker 5 gp 5 lb. Uncommon
Cook’s utensils Baker, piemaker, roaster, saucier, etc. 1 gp 8 lb. Common
Glassblower’s tools Glassmaker, glazier 30 gp 5 lb. Uncommon
Jeweler’s tools Goldsmith 25 gp 2 lb. Uncommon
Leatherworker’s tools Furrier, tanner 5 gp 5 lb. Common
Mason’s tools Architect, builder, engineer 10 gp 8 lb. Uncommon
Painter’s supplies Illustrator, portraitist 10 gp 5 lb. Uncommon
Potter’s tools Ceramist, enameler 10 gp 3 lb. Common
Smith’s tools Armorer 20 gp 8 lb. Common
Tinker’s tools Inventor, mender 50 gp 10 lb. Uncommon
Weaver’s tools Embroiderer, lacemaker, tailor 1 gp 5 lb. Common
Woodcarver’s tools Several variants: bone-sculpting, ivory- 1 gp 5 lb. Common
sculpting, etc., bas-reliefs
Gaming Set
Gaming Set Cost Weight Availability
This item encompasses a wide range of game pieces, including
dice and decks of cards. A few common examples appear on the Chess set 1 gp 1/2 lb. Uncommon
Gaming Set table, but other kinds of gaming sets exist. Strategy Dice set 1 sp — Common
games like chess or go are often part of a noble’s education.
Knucklebones, dice games, and card games are very commonly Go set 1 gp 1/2 lb. Uncommon
played in taverns and military camps, and often involve gambling. Knucklebones 1 cp — Common
If you are proficient with a gaming set, you can add your proficiency set
bonus to ability checks you make to play a game with that set. Each Playing card 5 sp — Uncommon
type of gaming set requires a separate proficiency. set
313
Playing and Cheating
Here are a few possibilities and suggestions if you want to simulate the PCs playing card
or dice games in the course of a session.
314
Musical instrument Cost Weight Availability
Bagpipes 30 gp 6 lb. Uncommon
Drum 6 gp 3 lb. Common
Dulcimer 25 gp 10 lb. Uncommon
Flute 2 gp 1 lb. Uncommon
Horn 3 gp 2 lb. Uncommon
Lute 35 gp 2 lb. Uncommon
Lyre 30 gp 2 lb. Uncommon
Pan flute 12 gp 2 lb. Common
Shawm 2 gp 1 lb. Uncommon
Viol 30 gp 1 lb. Uncommon
Navigator’s Tools
Cost: 25 gp. Weight : 2 lb. Availability: Uncommon.
This set of instruments is used for navigation at sea. Proficiency with navigator’s tools lets you chart
a ship’s course and follow navigation charts. In addition, these tools allow you to add your proficiency
bonus to any ability check you make to avoid getting lost at sea.
Poisoner’s Kit
Cost: 50 gp. Weight: 4 lb. Availability: Uncommon (illegal).
A poisoner’s kit includes the vials, chemicals, and other equipment necessary for the creation of
poisons. Proficiency with this kit lets you add your proficiency bonus to any ability checks you make
to craft or use poisons. A list of poisons and ways to procure illegal ingredients through guilds of
thieves or poisoners are included in Bestiary.
A poisoner’s kit has many similarities with a herbalism kit or alchemist’s supplies. Indeed, only the
user’s knowledge and its application are truly different.
Thieves’ Tools
Cost: 25 gp. Weight: 1 lb. Availability: Rare (illegal).
This set of tools includes a small file, a set of lock picks, a small mirror mounted on a metal handle,
a set of narrow-bladed scissors, and a pair of pliers. Proficiency with these tools lets you add your
proficiency bonus to any ability checks you make to disarm traps or open locks.
Vehicles
There are three different types of vehicles: air, land, and sea. All three are listed in the Mounts and
Vehicles section of this chapter.
315
Provisions
he items listed below are commonly used by adventurers. As before, the
tables in the following pages include the items’ average cost in the Free City,
their standard weight, their availability, and where to find them.
Items are categorized into shops, so that the leader can easily adjudicate
if an item is available depending on whether the associated type of shop
is present or not. Each type of shop has its own particularities.
General Store
A general store is the first type of business that appears in a community, and may be the only trading
location within several dozens of miles. It can double as an inn, guesthouse, tavern, farm, or workshop.
It essentially sells basic necessities, which are imported or made locally. In stores located on busy roads,
local specialties are certain to be largely present among the wares. General store managers also take orders
and can thus obtain rarer commodities in a matter of weeks or months, the delivery speed depending on the
isolation of the store and the skillfulness of its manager.
Certain shopkeepers are former thieves or smugglers who have decided to retire peacefully. However, they
still have their old contacts and may agree to procure illegal merchandise such as poison or thieves’ tools.
Cost Goods
1 cp 1 lb. of wheat
2 cp 1 lb. of flour
5 cp 1 lb. of salt or 1 salt block
1 sp 1 lb. of iron or 1 sq. yd. of canvas
5 sp 1 lb. of copper or 1 sq. yd. of cotton cloth
1 gp 1 lb. of ginger or one goat or 1 precious seashell
2 gp 1 lb. of cinnamon or pepper, or one sheep
3 gp 1 lb. of cloves or one pig
5 gp 1 lb. of silver or 1 sq. yd. of linen
10 gp 1 sq. yd. of silk or one cow
15 gp 1 lb. of saffron or one ox
50 gp 1 lb. of gold
500 gp 1 lb. of platinum
316
The table below lists all kinds of commodities one may acquire at a general store. If it is located in a village, all Very
Common and Common wares will be available, while a general store in a town will also include Uncommon items. If you
wish to acquire an Uncommon or Rare item in a village, you will have to order it, which will involve paying half the price
in advance. Remember that the prices are only indicative, representing the average costs in the Free City.
For more specialized goods, you will need to go to an apothecary, tailor, or temple.
317
Ball Bearings Containers
Cost: 7 gp (bag of 1,000). Weight: 14 lb. Availability: Below, you will find the characteristics of common
Uncommon. receptacles in the region of the Free City. The Capacity
As an action, you can spill these tiny metal balls from their column shows how much liquid volume they can hold
pouch to cover a level area 10 feet square. A creature moving and how much weight they can bear without suffering
across the covered area must succeed on a DC 10 Dexterity damage.
saving throw or fall prone. A creature moving through the
area at half speed doesn’t need to make the saving throw. Container Capacity Cost Weight Availability
Backpack 1 cubic foot/30 2 gp 5 lb. Uncommon
pounds of gear
Block and Tackle Barrel 40 gallons liquid, 2 gp 70 lb. Common
Cost: 1 gp. Weight: 5 lb. Availability: Uncommon. 4 cubic feet solid
A set of pulleys with a cable threaded through them and Basket 2 cubic feet/40 4 sp 2 lb. Common
a hook to attach to objects, a block and tackle allows you pounds of gear
to hoist up to four times the weight you can normally lift. Bottle, glass 1 1/2 pints liquid 2 gp 2 lb. Uncommon
Bucket 3 gallons liquid, 5 cp 2 lb. Very
Caltrops (20) 1/2 cubic foot
solid
Common
Cost: 1 gp. Weight: 2 lb. Availability: Uncommon. Chest 12 cubic 5 gp 25 lb. Common
As an action, you can spread a single bag of caltrops to feet/300 pounds
cover a 5-foot-square area. Any creature that enters the of gear
area must succeed on a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw
Flask or 1 pint liquid 2 cp 1 lb. Very
or stop moving and take 1 piercing damage. Until the
tankard Common
creature regains at least 1 hit point, its walking speed is
reduced by 10 feet. A creature moving through the area at Jug or 1 gallon liquid 2 cp 4 lb. Very
half speed doesn’t need to make the saving throw. pitcher Common
Pot, 1 gallon liquid 5 gp 10 lb. Uncommon
copper
Chain (10 feet) Pouch** 1/5 cubic foot/6 5 sp 1 lb. Common
pounds of gear
Cost: 5 gp. Weight: 10 lb. Availability: Uncommon.
A chain has 10 hit points. It can be burst with a successful Sack 1 cubic foot/30 1 cp 1/2 lb. Common
DC 20 Strength check. pounds of gear
Vial 4 ounces liquid 1 gp — Uncommon
Waterskin 4 pints liquid 2 sp 5 lb. Very
Climber’s Kit (full) Common
Cost: 2 gp. Weight: 12 lb. Availability: Uncommon.
A climber’s kit includes special pitons, boot tips, gloves, * You can also strap items, such as a bedroll or a coil of
and a harness. You can use the climber’s kit as an action rope, to the outside of a backpack.
to anchor yourself; when you do, you can’t fall more than ** A cloth or leather pouch can hold up to 20 sling
25 feet from the point where you anchored yourself, and bullets or 50 blowgun needles, among other things. A
you can’t climb more than 25 feet away from that point compartmentalized pouch for holding spell components is
without undoing the anchor. called a component pouch (described later in this section).
Crowbar
Cost: 2 gp. Weight: 5 lb. Availability: Uncommon.
Using a crowbar grants advantage to Strength checks where the crowbar’s leverage can be applied.
Fishing Tackle
Cost: 1 gp. Weight: 4 lb. Availability: Common.
This kit includes a wooden rod, silken line, corkwood bobbers, steel hooks, lead sinkers, lures, and narrow netting.
Fishing tackle is Common or even Very Common among seaside, lakeside, or riverside populations. Rangers and
inhabitants of wild lands are usually capable of putting together everything they need, adapting their gear to the local
318 fish species. Designing and crafting a creel requires a day’s work and a successful DC 15 Wisdom (Survival) check.
Hunting Trap
creature breaks free of the trap, its movement is limited by
Cost: 5 gp. Weight: 25 lb. Availability: Uncommon. the length of the chain (typically 3 feet long). A creature can
When you use your action to set it, this trap forms a saw- use its action to make a DC 13 Strength check, freeing itself
toothed steel ring that snaps shut when a creature steps or another creature within its reach on a success. Each failed
on a pressure plate in the center. The trap is affixed by a check deals 1 piercing damage to the trapped creature.
heavy chain to an immobile object, such as a tree or a spike Hunting traps are used to catch foxes, wolves, lynxes, bears,
driven into the ground. A creature that steps on the plate and other dangerous animals. Druids, aldaron, and most
must succeed on a DC 13 Dexterity saving throw or take rangers disapprove of such contraptions and may seek to
1d4 piercing damage and stop moving. Thereafter, until the punish whoever makes use of them.
Lock
Cost: 10 gp. Weight: 1 lb. Availability: Uncommon.
A key is provided with the lock. Without the key, a creature proficient with thieves’ tools can pick this lock with a
successful DC 15 Dexterity check. Your leader may decide that better locks are available for higher prices. 319
Manacles
Making Spider Silk Rope
Cost: 2 gp. Weight: 6 lb. Availability: Uncommon.
These metal restraints can bind a Small or Medium What’s this, then? You shop at my competitors, with
creature. Escaping the manacles requires a their heavy hempen rope, and turn up your nose at
successful DC 20 Dexterity check. Breaking them my silk ones? I say, look at this splendid material, feel
requires a successful DC 20 Strength check. Each set this exquisite softness! The cost, you say? It is costly,
of manacles comes with one key. Without the key, a that I cannot deny… but let me explain.
creature proficient with thieves’ tools can pick the The silk you hold in your hands is not that of a
manacles’ lock with a successful DC 15 Dexterity silkworm, no sir! This is spider silk, yes sir. Giant
check. Manacles have 15 hit points. spider silk, to be more precise. Only these particular
specimens produce enough silk. And as you won’t
be surprised to learn, sir, these nasty creatures are
Mess Kit ferocious as you wouldn’t believe, so you can’t just
milk them like cows, if you’ll permit me the simile,
Cost: 2 sp. Weight: 1 lb. Availability: Common. sir.
This tin box contains a cup and simple cutlery. The box Brave adventurers venture into foreboding forests,
clamps together, and one side can be used as a cooking hunting down the ettercaps who raise spiders of all
pan and the other as a plate or shallow bowl. sizes. Every corner of their lair is filled with silk… But
In certain countries, for example in Lothrienne or finding the stuff is only the first step; then you have
Arolavia, it is customary to bring your to gather the thread. And as you certainly know, sir,
cutlery with you and to use it spiders capture their prey with their sticky web, so
even in inns. Spoons, knifes, spider silk must be promptly treated to rid it of its
and forks then have the adhesiveness. Even then, you are far from done, very
status of personal effects far indeed!
and can be the object You have to wind the silk into nice, proper spools,
of special care and which takes a looong time! Only then can you finally
monetary investment, braid the thread into rope, guaranteed finer, lighter,
with handles made of and sturdier than common hempen rope!
carved bone, enamel, … Come again? Oh yes, I’ve heard the rumors of
or semiprecious Netherworld craftsmen and spider breeders… But
stone. Of course, first, if I may speak frankly, sir, you would do well
the cost of such not to take such stories for granted… And second,
luxury items rises if you want a merchant who deals with the depths,
accordingly. look elsewhere, for I only sell good, clean, reliable
wares from the surface!
321
Apothecary Item Cost Weight Availability
Abacus 2 gp 1 lb. Uncommon
Gnomish Acids
Antitoxin
Gnomish acids are rare, but highly esteemed. Indeed,
gnomish alchemists and artificers have made a Cost: 50 gp (vial). Weight: Negligible. Availability: Uncommon.
specialty of concocting particularly strong acids, Also known under the name of universal antidote,
with unique and devastating effects. The following antitoxins are imbibed preemptively during epidemics.
modifiers can be added to the basic acid vial, each Popular suspicion has it that in such times, instead of taking
representing an extra cost of 15 gp: measures against the disease, elites would rather hole up
Highly Concentrated. Such powerful acid deals inside their homes with stores of antitoxin and wait for the
an extra 1d6 acid damage, for a total of 3d6 acid destitute to die.
damage. Some expert chemists are even capable A creature that drinks this vial of liquid gains advantage
of making acid dealing 4d6 acid damage. on saving throws against poison and disease for 1 hour. It
Throwing Vial. The acid’s container is designed confers no benefit to undead or constructs.
to be thrown, increasing its range to 40 feet.
Adhesive. The acid is mixed with a sticky substance,
so that the mixture adheres to tissues and metal, Arcane Focus
gnawing at the victim’s equipment. The AC bonus of
the target’s armor drops by one point, and it gains An arcane focus is a special item—an orb, a crystal, a rod,
the fragile property at the conclusion of the fight. a specially constructed staff, a wand-like length of wood,
or some similar item—designed to channel the power of
arcane spells. A sorcerer, warlock, or wizard can use such
an item as a spellcasting focus.
Alchemist’s Fire Arcane Focus Cost Weight Availability
Crystal 10 gp 1 lb. Rare
Cost: 50 gp. Weight: 1 lb. Availability: Uncommon.
This sticky, adhesive fluid ignites when exposed to Orb 20 gp 3 lb. Rare
air. As an action, you can throw this flask up to 20 Rod 10 gp 2 lb. Rare
feet, shattering it on impact. Make a ranged attack
Staff 5 gp 4 lb. Rare
against a creature or object, treating the alchemist’s
fire as an improvised weapon. On a hit, the target Wand 10 gp 1 lb. Rare
322
Component Pouch Poison, Basic
Cost: 25 gp. Weight: 2 lb. Availability: Uncommon. Cost: 80 gp (vial). Weight: Negligible. Availability:
A component pouch is a small, watertight leather Uncommon (illegal).
belt pouch that has compartments to hold all You can use the poison in this vial to coat one
the material components and other special slashing or piercing weapon or up to three pieces
items you need to cast your spells, except for of ammunition. Applying the poison takes an
those components that have a specific cost (as action. A creature hit by the poisoned weapon
indicated in a spell’s description). or ammunition must make a DC 10 Constitution
saving throw or take 1d4 poison damage. Once
applied, the poison retains potency for 1 minute
Healer’s Kit (10 uses) before drying.
The excessively high cost of basic poison in
Cost: 5 gp. Weight: 3 lb. Availability: Uncommon. the Free City is mostly due to its illegal nature.
This kit is a leather pouch containing bandages, Objectively speaking, the ingredients and
salves, and splints. The kit has ten uses. As an processes involved in its making do not justify
action, you can expend one use of the kit to more than a tenth of its price. In certain regions
stabilize a creature that has 0 hit points, without of Eana, deadly poisons (the venom of certain
needing to make a Wisdom (Medicine) check. frogs, for example) are so easily
available that such a comparatively
harmless substance would be
Magnifying Glass worthless.
Perfume Scale,
Cost: 5 gp (minimum). Weight: Negligible. Merchant’s
Availability: Uncommon.
Perfumes are luxuries, with some of them Cost: 5 gp. Weight: 3 lb. Availability: Uncommon.
fetching astronomical prices. There are two A scale includes a small balance, pans, and a
major categories of perfumes: those with an suitable assortment of weights up to 2 pounds.
oily or greasy base, and those with an alcoholic With it, you can measure the exact weight of
base, the latter being the more complex to small objects, such as raw precious metals or
make. To create delicate scents, trade goods, to help determine their worth.
perfumers mix essences of
spices, flowers, and fruits
from faraway countries. Spyglass
The most sought-
after of perfumes Cost: 1,000 gp. Weight: 1
include more than lb. Availability: Rare.
twenty components, Objects viewed through a
including exotic—and spyglass are magnified to
therefore staggeringly twice their size.
expensive—ones.
The most affordable perfumes are
made of sweet almond oil perfumed
with drops of essential oil from plants
cultivated near the Free City, such as citruses.
323
Bookseller and Papermaker
M ost written works are manuscripts, painstakingly made by copyists employed in workshops.
Recently, however, the gnomes of the Eolian Isles have come up with a revolutionary invention:
the printing press. It has begun to spread in forward-thinking towns
like the Free City and allows for the production of books at lower
prices.
Depending on the region, different materials are used:
Paper. It is made from pulped rags in factories that look like watermills.
Parchment. Vellum is obtained from calf skin. One of its most notable advantages is
that it is very resistant to humidity, which is the reason why spellbooks are made of parchment
instead of paper.
Papyrus. This type of sheet is obtained from a species of plant that grows in warm, shallow water.
Wax Tablet. A wooden support is covered with a layer of wax on which the text is carved. It is very
popular in northern regions (Arolavia and Lothrienne) for written communication, one of its
advantages being that an obsolete message can be erased, leaving room for a new one.
Bark Sheets. Paper and papyrus are uncommon in the north. Instead, the locals commonly make
use of sheets crafted from tree bark following a local artisanal process.
Overview of the Prices in the Free City
Item Cost Weight Availability
Book 1 gp (min) 1/2 lb. (min) Uncommon
Case, map or scroll 1 gp 1 lb. Uncommon
Chalk (box of 10) 1 cp — Common
Ink (2 ounce bottle) 1 gp — Uncommon
Notebook (120 pages, good quality paper) 5 sp 1/2 lb. Uncommon
Paper (20 sheets, good quality) 1 sp — Uncommon
Parchment (5 sheets) 1 sp — Uncommon
Quill 2 cp — Uncommon
Sealing wax 5 sp — Uncommon
Signet ring (or any other sealing item) 5 gp — Uncommon
Spellbook (350 vellum pages) 50 gp 2 lb. Uncommon
Book Spellbook
Cost: 1 gp (minimum). Weight: 1/2 lb (minimum). Cost: 50 gp. Weight: 2 lb. Availability: Uncommon.
Availability: Uncommon. Essential for wizards, a spellbook is a leather-
A book might contain poetry, historical accounts, bound tome with 100 blank vellum pages
information pertaining to a particular field of lore, suitable for recording spells.
diagrams and notes on gnomish contraptions, or
just about anything else that can be represented
using text or pictures. A book of spells is a
spellbook.
325
Traveling
Inn Food
Item Cost
327
Mounts and Vehicles
A good mount can help you move more quickly through the wilderness, but its primary purpose is
to carry the gear that would otherwise slow you down. The Mounts and Other Animals table
shows each animal’s speed and base carrying capacity.
An animal pulling a carriage, cart, chariot, sled, or wagon can move weight up to five times its base
carrying capacity, including the weight of the vehicle. If multiple animals pull the same vehicle, they
can add their carrying capacity together.
Mounts other than those listed here are available in Eana, but they are rare and not normally available
for purchase. These include flying mounts (pegasi, griffons, hippogriffs, and similar animals) and
even aquatic mounts (giant sea horses, for example). Acquiring such a mount often means securing
an egg and raising the creature yourself, making a bargain with a powerful entity, or negotiating with
the mount itself.
Barding. Barding is armor designed to protect an animal’s head, neck, chest, and body. Any type
of armor shown on the Armor table in this chapter can be purchased as barding. The cost is four
times the equivalent armor made for humanoids, and it weighs twice as much.
Saddles. A military saddle braces the rider, helping you keep your seat on an active mount in
battle. It gives you advantage on any check you make to remain mounted. An exotic saddle is
required for riding any aquatic or flying mount.
Vehicle Proficiency. If you have proficiency with a certain kind of vehicle (land or water), you can
add your proficiency bonus to any check you make to control that kind of vehicle in difficult
circumstances.
Rowed Vessels. Keelboats and rowboats are used on lakes and rivers. If going downstream, add
the speed of the current (typically 3 miles per hour) to the speed of the vehicle. These vehicles
can’t be rowed against any significant current, but they can be pulled upstream by draft animals
on the shores. A rowboat weighs 100 pounds, in case adventurers carry it over land.
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Tack, Harness, and Waterborne Vehicles
Drawn Vehicles Vehicle Cost Speed
Item Cost Weight Galley 30,000 gp 4 mph
Barding x4 x2 Keelboat 3,000 gp 1 mph
Bit and bridle 2 gp 1 lb. Longship 10,000 gp 3 mph
Carriage 100 gp 600 lb. Rowboat 50 gp 1 1/2 mph
Cart 15 gp 200 lb. Sailing ship 10,000 gp 2 mph
Chariot 250 gp 100 lb. Warship 25,000 gp 2 1/2 mph
Feed (per day) 5 cp 10 lb.
Saddle
Exotic 60 gp 40 lb.
Military 20 gp 30 lb.
Airborne Vehicles
Pack 5 gp 15 lb. Airborne vehicles are creations of the gnomes of
Riding 10 gp 25 lb. the Eolian Isles. Some are also seen in the Free
City, though more rarely.
Saddlebags 4 gp 8 lb.
Sled 20 gp 300 lb. Vehicle Cost Speed
Stabling (per day) 5 sp — Bloatship 10,000 gp 10 mph
Wagon 35 gp 400 lb. Nefelytron 3,000 gp 20 mph
Part Three
Game Rules
331
Abilities
ix abilities provide a quick description of every creature’s physical and mental
characteristics:
Strength, measuring physical power
Dexterity, measuring agility
Constitution, measuring endurance
Intelligence, measuring reasoning and memory
Wisdom, measuring perception and insight
Charisma, measuring force of personality
The three main rolls of the game—the ability check, the saving throw, and the attack roll—rely on
the six ability scores.
This chapter is split into two parts. The first describes how to resolve actions based on these ability
scores, while the second provides an overview of the game’s sixteen skills, including examples of what
these abilities and skills can be used for.
This chapter also includes several optional rules to orient your game toward the atmosphere and
playstyle you favor.
Resolution
ne of the most basic mechanics of role-playing is to determine what happens when
the protagonists attempt something, whether it is to attack an opponent, pick a lock,
climb a wall, dodge a triggered trap, or resist a mind-bending spell. When the result of
the attempt is uncertain, the players roll a 20-sided die (abbreviated as “d20”), add the
appropriate modifiers to the result, and compare the total to a target number in order
to determine whether the attempt is a failure or a success.
There are three main categories for such rolls: In any of these cases, the participant who controls
the player character (PC), or the leader if the
Attack rolls, which are used in combat, to character in question is a nonplayer character
establish whether the attacker hits their (NPC), does the following:
target.
Saving throws, which are generally used to Rolls a d20.
resist or avoid a threat or danger. Adds the modifier of the relevant ability.
Ability checks, which are used when a Adds the character’s proficiency bonus, if
character calls upon their skills to overcome a applicable (in specific cases, it may be halved
challenge. Note that although it might seem or doubled).
like attack rolls are a type of ability check, the Adds other possible modifiers (bonuses or
two belong to explicitly distinct categories. penalties) related to the circumstances.
The result is then compared to a target number. In the case of an attack, it will be the opponent’s
Armor Class (AC). In the case of saving throws and most ability checks, it will be a Difficulty Class
(DC) determined in advance. If several characters are competing, the target number will be the result
of the ability check of one or several opposing characters.
If the final result is equal to or above the target number, the attempt is a success. Otherwise, it is a
failure. The rule is slightly different in the case of contests. Within this context, a tie means a status
quo: things remain how they were. The rules for contests are detailed in the Ability Checks section
of the present chapter.
In certain circumstances, the character may have advantage or disadvantage, in which case the player
rolls the d20 twice and only keeps one of the rolls—the highest in the case of advantage, the lowest in
the case of disadvantage. Advantage and disadvantage are also expanded upon further into this chapter.
332
Optional Rules for d20 Rolls
If you want to make the action more dramatic and colorful, you can give additional effects to rolling a
1 or 20 on a d20. Here are three optional rules in that regard:
333
Tiebreak
the deleterious effects of the spell and Aleksandr
If you use this optional rule, any tie will become a bids 3 hp as well. A tie again! They both lose 3 hp
struggle to gain the upper hand. This modifies the and must bid anew. The two opponents grimace
standard rule and may influence the balance of painfully under the effort, connected by a thread
the game, both in your favor and in your disfavor. of fluctuating magic. The brigand bids 3 hp again,
This rule applies to all ties: attack (against the whereas Aleksandr bids 4 hp this time. The wizard
AC), saving throw (against the DC), and ability gains the upper hand and the brigand suffers the
checks (against the contested check). damage of the spell, in addition to a loss of 3 hp (3
+ 0), dropping him below 0 hp. Aleksandr exults,
The tied opponents secretly take note of how but the exertion has taken its toll on him, resulting
many hit points they are ready to sacrifice to in a loss of 7 hp (3 + 4).
prevail. They can bid 0. The bidden hit points
represent the creature’s survival instinct,
vital energy, grit, and willpower. Critical Success on a
The bids are revealed and compared. The
highest bidder wins and spends the bidden Natural 20
hit points. The lowest bidder does not spend
the bidden hit points. The effect of rolling a natural 20 when making
In case of a tie, both bidders spend the bidden an attack is detailed in the Combat chapter.
hit points and a new bid takes place. Normally, this only applies to attack rolls, but
The loss of hit points is immediately by using this optional rule, you can give special
incorporated to the action. Lost hit points are effects to natural 20s on any kind of roll.
interpreted as the result of overexertion, or the Rolling a natural 20 on a saving throw or ability
damage is simply added to a previous attack. check reveals the adventurer’s talent, heroism,
and panache. The player is invited to describe
Aleksandr the wizard casts a spell on a brigand, their character’s spectacular action. In addition,
but his attack roll reaches exactly the bandit’s the leader can grant the character inspiration or
AC. It’s a tie! The brigand bids 3 hp not to suffer advantage on their next action.
Modifiers 2-3
4-5
-4
-3
E ach of a creature’s abilities has a score, a number
that defines the magnitude of that ability. An ability
score is not just a measure of innate capabilities,
6-7
8-9
-2
-1
but also encompasses a creature’s training and 10-11 +0
competence in activities related to that ability.
A score of 10 or 11 is the normal human average, 12-13 +1
but adventurers and many monsters are a cut above 14-15 +2
average in most abilities. A score of 18 is the highest 16-17 +3
that a person usually reaches. Adventurers can have
scores as high as 20, and monsters and divine beings 18-19 +4
can have scores as high as 30. 20-21 +5
Each ability also has a modifier, derived from the 22-23 +6
score and ranging from -5 (for an ability score of 1)
24-25 +7
to +10 (for a score of 30). The Ability Scores and
Modifiers table notes the ability modifiers for the 26-27 +8
range of possible ability scores, from 1 to 30. 28-29 +9
30 +10
To determine an ability modifier without Because ability modifiers affect almost every
consulting the table, subtract 10 from the attack roll, ability check, and saving throw,
ability score and then divide the total by 2 ability modifiers come up in play more often
(round down). than their associated scores.
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Advantage and Disadvantage
S ometimes a special ability or spell tells you
that you have advantage or disadvantage on
an ability check, a saving throw, or an attack roll.
You usually gain advantage or disadvantage
through the use of special abilities, actions,
or spells. Inspiration can also give a character
When that happens, you roll a second d20 when advantage on checks related to the character’s
you make the roll. Use the higher of the two rolls personality, ideals, or bonds. The leader can also
if you have advantage, and use the lower roll if decide that circumstances influence a roll in one
you have disadvantage. direction or the other and grant advantage or
If you have disadvantage and roll a 17 and a 5, you impose disadvantage as a result.
use the 5. If you instead have advantage and roll
those numbers, you use the 17. Having lived in a location for a long time, you
have developed in-depth knowledge of the local
If multiple situations affect a roll and each anecdotes, rumors, historical facts, and geography.
one grants advantage or imposes disadvantage Accordingly, the leader may grant you advantage
on it, you don’t roll more than one additional on Intelligence (History) or Wisdom (Survival)
d20. If two favorable situations grant checks related to that location. Your comrades
advantage, for example, you still roll only one will certainly rely on you to guide them and help
additional d20. them uncover the truth about the mysteries of this
region!
If circumstances cause a roll to have both
advantage and disadvantage, you are Traditionally, dragonborn are the devoted servants
considered to have neither of them, and you of dragons, in particular those of the same color
roll one d20. This is true even if multiple as themselves. This may grant them advantage on
circumstances impose disadvantage and only Charisma (Deception and Persuasion) checks to
one grants advantage or vice versa. In such a interact with these powerful creatures.
situation, you have neither advantage nor
disadvantage. Tieflings are infamous for colluding with fiends
and warlocks and for being wholly untrustworthy.
When you have advantage or disadvantage This may give them disadvantage on Charisma
and something in the game, such as the (Persuasion) checks to convince superstitious
halfling’s Lucky trait, lets you reroll or replace villagers that their intentions are good.
the d20, you can reroll or replace only one of
the dice. You choose which one. For example,
if a halfling has advantage on an ability check
and rolls a 1 and a 13, the halfling could use
the Lucky trait to reroll the 1.
Proficiency Bonus
C haracters have a proficiency bonus
determined by level. Monsters also have this
bonus, which is incorporated in their stat blocks.
By the same token, if a feature or effect allows
you to multiply your proficiency bonus when
making an ability check that wouldn’t
The bonus is used in the rules on ability checks, normally benefit from your proficiency
saving throws, and attack rolls. bonus, you still don’t add the bonus to the
check. For that check your proficiency bonus
Your proficiency bonus can’t be added to a is 0, given the fact that multiplying 0 by any
single die roll or other number more than number is still 0.
once. For example, if two different rules say
you can add your proficiency bonus to a A character who is not proficient in the History
Wisdom saving throw, you nevertheless add skill will gain no benefit from a feature that
the bonus only once when you make the save. doubles their proficiency bonus for Intelligence
(History) checks.
Occasionally, your proficiency bonus might be
multiplied or divided (doubled or halved, for In general, you don’t multiply your proficiency
example) before you apply it. For example, bonus for attack rolls or saving throws. If a
the rogue’s Expertise feature doubles the feature or effect allows you to do so, these same
proficiency bonus for certain ability checks. If rules apply.
a circumstance suggests that your proficiency
bonus applies more than once to the same
roll, you still add it only once and multiply or
divide it only once.
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Saving Throws
A saving throw—also called a save—
represents an attempt to resist a spell, a trap,
a poison, a disease, or a similar threat. You don’t
in Intelligence and Wisdom saves. As with skill
proficiencies, proficiency in a saving throw lets
a character add their proficiency bonus to saving
normally decide to make a saving throw; you are throws made using a particular ability score.
forced to make one because your character or Some monsters have saving throw proficiencies
monster is at risk of harm. as well.
To make a saving throw, roll a d20 and add the The Difficulty Class for a saving throw is
appropriate ability modifier. For example, you determined by the effect that causes it. For
use your Dexterity modifier for a Dexterity example, the DC for a saving throw allowed by
saving throw. a spell is determined by the caster’s spellcasting
A saving throw can be modified by a situational ability and proficiency bonus.
bonus or penalty and can be affected by advantage The result of a successful or failed saving throw
and disadvantage, as determined by the leader. is also detailed in the effect that allows the save.
Each class gives proficiency in at least two saving Usually, a successful save means that a creature
throws. The wizard, for example, is proficient suffers no harm, or reduced harm, from an effect.
Ability Checks
A n ability check tests a character’s or
monster’s innate talent and training in an
effort to overcome a challenge. The leader calls
For every ability check, the leader decides which
of the six abilities is relevant to the task at hand
and the difficulty of the task, represented by
for an ability check when a character or monster a Difficulty Class. The more difficult a task, the
attempts an action (other than an attack) that higher its DC. The Typical Difficulty Classes
has a chance of failure. When the outcome is table shows the most common DCs.
uncertain, the dice determine the results.
Sometimes, the leader might ask for an ability check using a specific skill—for example, “Make a Wisdom
(Perception) check.” At other times, a player might ask the leader if proficiency in a particular skill applies
to a check. In either case, proficiency in a skill means an individual can add their proficiency bonus to ability
checks that involve that skill. Without proficiency in the skill, the individual makes a normal
ability check.
If a character attempts to climb up a dangerous cliff, the leader might ask for a Strength
(Athletics) check. If the character is proficient in Athletics, the character’s proficiency
bonus is added to the Strength check. If the character lacks that proficiency, they just
makes a Strength check.
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Passive Checks
A passive check is a special kind of ability check If the character has advantage on the check, add 5.
that doesn’t involve any die rolls. Such a check For disadvantage, subtract 5. The game refers to a
can represent the average result for a task done passive check total as a score.
repeatedly, such as searching for secret doors
over and over again, or can be used when the For example, if a 1st-level character (with a
leader wants to secretly determine whether the proficiency bonus of +2) has a Wisdom of 15 (a +2
characters succeed at something without rolling modifier) and proficiency in Perception, they have a
dice, such as noticing a hidden monster. passive Wisdom (Perception) of 14.
Here’s how to determine a character’s total for a
passive check: The rules on hiding, found in the Dexterity
section further into this chapter, rely on passive
10 + all modifiers that normally apply to the check checks, as do the exploration rules.
Working Together
Sometimes two or more characters team up to attempt a task. The character who’s leading the effort—
or the one with the highest ability modifier—can make an ability check with advantage, reflecting the
help provided by the other characters. In combat, this requires the Help action.
A character can only provide help if the task is one that they could attempt alone. For example, trying
to open a lock requires proficiency with thieves’ tools, so a character who lacks that proficiency
can’t help another character in that task. Moreover, a character can help only when two or m ore
individuals working together would actually be productive. Some tasks, such as threading a needle,
are no easier with help.
Group Checks
When a number of individuals are trying to When adventurers are navigating a swamp, the
accomplish something as a group, the leader might leader might call for a group Wisdom (Survival)
ask for a group ability check. In such a situation, check to see if the characters can avoid the
the characters who are skilled at a particular task quicksand, sinkholes, and other natural hazards of
help cover those who aren’t. the environment. If at least half the group succeeds,
To make a group ability check, everyone in the the successful characters are able to guide their
group makes the ability check. If at least half companions out of danger. Otherwise, the group
the group succeeds, the whole group succeeds. stumbles into one of these hazards.
Otherwise, the group fails.
Group checks don’t come up very often, and they’re
most useful when all the characters succeed or fail
as a group.
Using Each Ability
very task that a character or monster might
attempt in the game is covered by one of the
six abilities. This section explains in more
detail what those abilities mean and the ways
they are used in the game.
Improve the Odds. The Deception, Intimidation, and Take Unexpected Routes. One may not wish to
Persuasion skills will help in influencing other people, enter through the front door, particularly if it is well
whether to secure precious information or to avoid guarded. Acrobatics, Athletics, and Stealth will allow
serious trouble. A character proficient in Intimidation a character entry through unorthodox methods and
can use it to drive away cowardly opponents and thus paths, whether by climbing, swimming, or sneaking
reduce the difficulty of a fight. Should the adventurers in. Additionally, magic, proficiency with thieves’
get overwhelmed, flattery or bluff can lead to them tools, and information regarding the layout of the
being taken prisoner instead of summarily executed. location will serve an enterprising infiltrator well.
A group entirely devoid of social skills will (too) often
have to resort to solving problems by strength of Know Your Enemy. By collecting intelligence
arms, thereby multiplying risks and probably rushing concerning their opponents’ resources (number and
toward a premature end, whether at the hand of an nature of the troops, spellcasting abilities, etc.) and
opponent or that of the law. strategy (terrain, maneuvers, covert action, etc.),
adventurers will dramatically increase their chances
Obtain Clues. To unravel dastardly schemes, of success. To this end, Arcana, Insight, Nature, and
adventurers must often gather information to identify Perception will be the most appropriate skills.
the source of the problem and track it down. Arcana,
History, Investigation, and Religion are the most Rest and Recovery. Getting wounded, ill, poisoned,
relevant skills in that regard. A group unskilled in these drenched, frozen, hungry, or lost in unknown regions
domains will constantly be forced to request the help is part of the dangers of being an adventurer. In such
of expert NPCs, resulting in loss of precious time, not to situations, the Medicine, Nature, and Survival skills
mention the compensation these NPCs may ask for. will be invaluable assets.
339
Strength
S trength measures bodily power, athletic training, and the extent to which you can exert raw physical
force.
Strength Checks
A Strength check can model any attempt to lift, push, pull, or break something, to force your body through
a space, or to otherwise apply brute force to a situation. The Athletics skill reflects aptitude in certain kinds
of Strength checks.
340
Encumbrance
The rules for lifting and carrying are intentionally simple. Here is an optional rule if you are looking for more
detailed rules for determining how a character is hindered by the weight of equipment. When you use this
variant, ignore the Strength column of the Armor table.
If you carry weight in excess of 5 times your Strength score, you are encumbered, which means your speed
drops by 10 feet.
If you carry weight in excess of 10 times your Strength score, up to your maximum carrying capacity, you
are instead heavily encumbered, which means your speed drops by 20 feet and you have disadvantage on
ability checks, attack rolls, and saving throws that use Strength, Dexterity, or Constitution.
Dexterity
D exterity measures agility, reflexes, and balance.
Dexterity Checks
A Dexterity check can model any attempt to move nimbly, quickly, or quietly, or to keep from falling on
tricky footing. The Acrobatics, Sleight of Hand, and Stealth skills reflect aptitude in certain kinds of Dexterity
checks.
Acrobatics Stealth
Your Dexterity (Acrobatics) check covers your Make a Dexterity (Stealth) check when you attempt
attempt to stay on your feet in a tricky situation, such to conceal yourself from enemies, slink past guards,
as when you’re trying to run across a sheet of ice, slip away without being noticed, or sneak up on
balance on a tightrope, or stay upright on a rocking someone without being seen or heard.
ship’s deck. The leader might also call for a Dexterity
(Acrobatics) check to see if you can perform acrobatic Other Dexterity Checks
stunts, including dives, rolls, somersaults, and flips.
The leader might call for a Dexterity check when you
Sleight of Hand try to accomplish tasks like the following:
Whenever you attempt an act of legerdemain or Control a heavily laden cart on a steep descent
manual trickery, such as planting something on Steer a chariot around a tight turn
someone else or concealing an object on your Pick a lock
person, make a Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) check. Disable a trap
The leader might also call for a Dexterity (Sleight Securely tie up a prisoner
of Hand) check to determine whether you can lift a Wriggle free of bonds
coin purse off another person or slip something out Play a stringed instrument
of another person’s pocket. Craft a small or detailed object
Armor Class
Depending on the armor you wear, you might add some or all of your Dexterity modifier to your Armor Class.
341
Initiative
At the beginning of every combat, you roll initiative by making a Dexterity check. Initiative determines
the order of creatures’ turns in combat.
Hiding
The leader decides when circumstances are appropriate for hiding. When you try to hide,
make a Dexterity (Stealth) check. Until you are discovered or you stop hiding, that check’s total
is contested by the Wisdom (Perception) check of any creature that actively searches for signs
of your presence.
You can’t hide from a creature that can see you clearly, and you give away your position if you make
noise, such as shouting a warning or knocking over a vase.
An invisible creature can always try to hide. Signs of its passage might still be noticed, and it does
have to stay quiet.
In combat, most creatures stay alert for signs of danger all around, so if you come out of hiding and
approach a creature, it usually sees you. However, under certain circumstances, the leader might
allow you to stay hidden as you approach a creature that is distracted, allowing you to gain advantage
on an attack roll before you are seen.
Constitution
C onstitution measures health, stamina, and vital force.
Intelligence Checks
An Intelligence check comes into play when you need to draw on logic, education, memory, or
deductive reasoning. The Arcana, History, Investigation, Nature, and Religion skills reflect aptitude in
certain kinds of Intelligence checks.
Arcana Nature
Your Intelligence (Arcana) check measures your Your Intelligence (Nature) check measures
ability to recall lore about spells, magic items, your ability to recall lore about terrain,
eldritch symbols, magical traditions, the planes of plants and animals, the weather, and natural
existence, and the inhabitants of those planes. If cycles. Compared to Survival, Nature is more
you are not proficient in Arcana, you will struggle scientifically inclined: it relates to natural
with esoteric texts, which are often fraught with sciences and can be used for everything related
metaphoric turns of phrase and allusions. to astronomy (celestial navigation, predicting
an eclipse…), geology (evaluating the risk of
History volcanic or seismic activity…), meteorology
(forecasting weather, spotting the clues that
In addition to history, this skill covers knowledge signal the imminence of a storm…), etc.
of similar disciplines: diplomacy, economics,
geography, geopolitics, law, literature, and Religion
politics. Your Intelligence (History) check
measures your ability to recall lore about Your Intelligence (Religion) check measures
historical events, legendary people, ancient your ability to recall lore about deities, rites
kingdoms, past disputes, recent wars, and lost and prayers, religious hierarchies, holy symbols,
civilizations. You can use History to know and and the practices of secret cults. Metaphysics
understand the rules of a judicial system as well is another application of this skill, providing
as its limits, or gauge the power relationship insight into the cycle of souls, the motivations
between noble houses, guilds, churches, etc. and methods of action of fiends, the conditions
for the appearance of undead, etc.
Investigation
Other Intelligence Checks
When you look around for clues and make
deductions based on those clues, you make an The leader might call for an Intelligence check
Intelligence (Investigation) check. This skill when you try to accomplish tasks like the
also enables you to notice anomalies or connect following:
pieces of information to see the big picture. You
might deduce the location of a hidden object, Communicate with a creature without using
discern from the appearance of a wound what words
kind of weapon dealt it, or determine the weakest Estimate the value of a precious item
point in a tunnel that could cause it to collapse. Pull together a disguise to pass as a city guard
Poring through ancient scrolls in search of a Forge a document
hidden fragment of knowledge might also call for Recall lore about a craft or trade
an Intelligence (Investigation) check. Win a game of skill
343
Spellcasting Ability
Wizards use Intelligence as their spellcasting ability, which helps determine the saving throw DCs of
spells they cast.
Wisdom
W isdom reflects how attuned you are to the world around you and represents perceptiveness
and intuition.
Wisdom Checks
A Wisdom check might reflect an effort to read body language, understand someone’s feelings, notice
things about the environment, or care for an injured person. The Animal Handling, Insight, Medicine,
Perception, and Survival skills reflect aptitude in certain kinds of Wisdom checks.
Survival
The leader might ask you to make a Wisdom
(Survival) check to follow tracks, hunt wild game,
guide your group through frozen wastelands,
identify signs that owlbears live nearby, predict
the weather, or avoid quicksand and other natural
hazards. You can also use Survival for small DIY
tasks and patch-up jobs, or to put together basic
tools or shelter.
344
Spellcasting Ability
Clerics, druids, and rangers use Wisdom as their spellcasting ability, which helps determine the
saving throw DCs of spells they cast.
Charisma
C harisma measures your ability to interact effectively with others. It includes such factors as
confidence and eloquence, and it can represent a charming or commanding personality.
Charisma Checks
A Charisma check might arise when you try to influence or entertain others, when you try to
make an impression or tell a convincing lie, or when you are navigating a tricky social situation.
The Deception, Intimidation, Performance, and Persuasion skills reflect aptitude in certain kinds of
Charisma checks. For players who wish to perform an investigation or partake in intrigue, Charisma
is of prime importance (see the Adventuring chapter).
Charisma is paramount in investigation and intrigue (see the Adventuring chapter).
Deception Persuasion
Your Charisma (Deception) check determines When you attempt to influence someone or
whether you can convincingly hide the truth, a group of people with tact, social graces, or
either verbally or through your actions. This good nature, the leader might ask you to make a
deception can encompass everything from Charisma (Persuasion) check. Typically, you use
misleading others through ambiguity to telling persuasion when acting in good faith, to foster
outright lies. Typical situations include trying friendships, make cordial requests, or exhibit
to fast-talk a guard, con a merchant, earn proper etiquette. Examples of persuading
money through gambling, pass yourself off in a others include convincing a chamberlain to
disguise, dull someone’s suspicions with false let your party see the king, negotiating peace
assurances, or maintain a straight face while between warring tribes, or inspiring a crowd of
telling a blatant lie. townsfolk.
Performance
Your Charisma (Performance) check determines
how well you can delight an audience with music,
dance, acting, storytelling, or some other form of
entertainment.
Spellcasting Ability
Bards, paladins, sorcerers, and warlocks use Charisma as their spellcasting ability, which helps determine
the saving throw DCs of spells they cast.
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Adventuring
dventure awaits in thriving towns and noble courts as
much as in the depths of the wilderness. Whether you
seek to unmask a conniving politician in the Free City
or to unearth a powerful relic in a lost temple, reaching
your objective will require much effort and invite much
danger. The life of your character will involve both times
of intense action and quieter periods focused on long-term projects.
Time
n situations where keeping track of the passage of time is important, the leader determines the time
a task requires. The leader might use a different time scale depending on the context of the situation
at hand. In a dungeon environment, the adventurers’ movement happens on a scale of minutes.
It takes them about a minute to creep down a long hallway, another minute to check for traps on
the door at the end of the hall, and a good ten minutes to search the chamber beyond for anything
interesting or valuable.
In a city or wilderness, a scale of hours is often more appropriate. Adventurers eager to reach the
lonely tower at the heart of the forest hurry across those fifteen miles in just under four hours’ time.
For long journeys, a scale of days works best. Following the road from the Free City to the foothills of the
Drakenbergen, the adventurers spend four uneventful days before a goblin ambush interrupts their journey.
In combat and other fast-paced situations, the game relies on rounds, a 6-second span of time.
Movement
wimming across a rushing river, sneaking down a dungeon corridor, scaling a treacherous
mountain slope—all sorts of movement play a key role in fantasy adventures.
The leader can summarize the adventurers’ movement without calculating exact distances or
travel times: “You travel through the forest and find the dungeon entrance late in the evening
of the third day.” Even in a dungeon, particularly a large dungeon or a cave network, the leader
can summarize movement between encounters: “After killing the guardian at the entrance to
the ancient dwarven stronghold, you consult your map, which leads you through miles of echoing corridors
to a chasm bridged by a narrow stone arch.”
Sometimes it’s important, though, to know how long it takes to get from one spot to another, whether the
answer is in days, hours, or minutes. The rules for determining travel time depend on two factors: the speed
and travel pace of the creatures moving and the terrain they’re moving over.
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Speed
E very character and monster has a speed, which is the distance in feet that the character or monster
can walk in 1 round. This number assumes short bursts of energetic movement in the midst of a
life-threatening situation.
The following rules determine how far a character or monster can move in a minute, an hour, or a day.
Travel Pace
While traveling, a group of adventurers can move at a normal, fast, or slow pace, as shown on the
Travel Pace table. The table states how far the party can move in a period of time and whether the
pace has any effect. A fast pace makes characters less perceptive, while a slow pace makes it possible
to sneak around and to search an area more carefully.
Forced March. The Travel Pace table assumes that characters travel for 8 hours in a day. They
can push on beyond that limit, at the risk of exhaustion.
For each additional hour of travel beyond 8 hours, the characters cover the distance shown in
the Hour column for their pace, and each character must make a Constitution saving throw at the
end of the hour. The DC is 10 + 1 for each hour past 8 hours. On a failed saving throw, a character
suffers one level of exhaustion (see the Conditions chapter).
Mounts and Vehicles. For short spans of time (up to an hour), many animals move much faster
than humanoids. A mounted character can ride at a gallop for about an hour, covering twice the
usual distance for a fast pace. If fresh mounts are available every 8 to 10 miles, characters can
cover larger distances at this pace, but this is very rare except in densely populated areas.
Characters in wagons, carriages, or other land vehicles choose a pace as normal.
Characters in a waterborne vessel are limited to the speed of the vessel, and they don’t suffer
penalties for a fast pace or gain benefits from a slow pace. Depending on the vessel and the size of
the crew, ships might be able to travel for up to 24 hours per day.
Certain special mounts, such as a pegasus or griffon, or special vehicles, such as a carpet of flying,
allow you to travel more swiftly.
Travel Pace
Distance per…
Pace Minute Hour Day Effect
Fast 400 feet 4 miles 30 miles -5 penalty to passive
Wisdom (Perception) scores
Normal 300 feet 3 miles 24 miles —
Slow 200 feet 2 miles 18 miles Able to use stealth
Difficult Terrain
The travel speeds given in the Travel Pace table assume
relatively simple terrain: roads, open plains, or clear
dungeon corridors. But adventurers often face dense
forests, deep swamps, rubble-filled ruins, steep
mountains, and ice-covered ground—all considered
difficult terrain.
You move at half speed in difficult terrain—moving
1 foot in difficult terrain costs 2 feet of speed—so
you can cover only half the normal distance in a
minute, an hour, or a day.
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Special Types of Movement
M ovement through dangerous dungeons or wilderness areas often involves more than simply
walking. Adventurers might have to climb, crawl, swim, or jump to get where they need to go.
Jumping
Your Strength determines how far you can jump.
Long Jump. When you make a long jump, you High Jump. When you make a high jump, you
cover a number of feet up to your Strength score leap into the air a number of feet equal to 3 +
if you move at least 10 feet on foot immediately your Strength modifier (minimum of 0 feet) if
before the jump. When you make a standing long you move at least 10 feet on foot immediately
jump, you can leap only half that distance. Either before the jump. When you make a standing
way, each foot you clear on the jump costs a foot high jump, you can jump only half that dis-
of movement. tance. Either way, each foot you clear on the
This rule assumes that the height of your jump jump costs a foot of movement. In some cir-
doesn’t matter, such as a jump across a stream cumstances, your leader might allow you to
or chasm. At your leader’s option, you must make a Strength (Athletics) check to jump
succeed on a DC 10 Strength (Athletics) check to higher than you normally can.
clear a low obstacle (no taller than a quarter of You can extend your arms half your height
the jump’s distance), such as a hedge or low wall. above yourself during the jump. Thus, you can
Otherwise, you hit it. reach above you a distance equal to the height
When you land in difficult terrain, you must of the jump plus 1 1/2 times your height.
succeed on a DC 10 Dexterity (Acrobatics) check
to land on your feet. Otherwise, you land prone.
348
Interacting with Objects
character’s interaction with objects in an Characters can also damage objects with their weapons
environment is often simple to resolve and spells. Objects are immune to poison and psychic
in the game. The player tells the leader damage, but otherwise they can be affected by physical
that their character is doing something, and magical attacks much like creatures can. The leader
such as moving a lever, and the leader determines an object’s Armor Class and hit points, and
describes what, if anything, happens. might decide that certain objects have resistance or
For example, a character might decide to pull a lever, immunity to certain kinds of attacks. (It’s hard to cut
which might, in turn, raise a portcullis, cause a room to a rope with a club, for example, see the Equipment
flood with water, or open a secret door in a nearby wall. If chapter: Objects, Statistics for Objects) Objects
the lever is rusted in position, though, a character might always fail Strength and Dexterity saving throws,
need to force it. In such a situation, the leader might call and they are immune to effects that require other
for a Strength check to see whether the character can saves. When an object drops to 0 hit points, it breaks.
wrench the lever into place. The leader sets the DC for A character can also attempt a Strength check to break
any such check based on the difficulty of the task. an object. The leader sets the DC for any such check.
In a lightly obscured area, such as dim light, patchy Bright light lets most creatures see normally. Even
fog, or moderate foliage, creatures have disadvantage gloomy days provide bright light, as do torches,
on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight. lanterns, fires, and other sources of illumination
A heavily obscured area—such as darkness, opaque within a specific radius.
fog, or dense foliage—blocks vision entirely. A Dim light, also called shadows, creates a lightly
creature effectively suffers from the blinded condition obscured area. An area of dim light is usually a
(see the Conditions chapter) when trying to see boundary between a source of bright light, such as a
something in that area. torch, and surrounding darkness. The soft light of
twilight and dawn also counts as dim light. A
particularly brilliant full moon might bathe the land in
dim light.
Darkness creates a heavily obscured area. Characters
The presence or absence of light in an environment face darkness outdoors at night (even most moonlit
creates three categories of illumination: bright light, nights), within the confines of an unlit dungeon or a
dim light, and darkness. subterranean vault, or in an area of magical darkness.
Food
A character needs one pound of food per day and can make food last longer by subsisting on half
rations. Eating half a pound of food in a day counts as half a day without food.
A character can go without food for a number of days equal to 3 + their Constitution modifier
(minimum 1). This is known as the character’s fasting limit. When they reach that limit, the character
automatically suffers one level of exhaustion, then the days are counted down anew until the character
reaches their fasting limit again or satiates their hunger.
Your Constitution modifier is +3 and your companion’s is +0. Therefore, your fasting limit is 3 + 3 = 6
days whereas your companion’s is 3 + 0 = 3 days. You take a level of exhaustion every 6 days and they
take one every 3 days.
To recover from lack of food, you must eat properly for a number of days depending on your situation.
The rule of thumb is that it takes an entire day of resting and eating in good conditions to remove a
food-related level of exhaustion.
Water
A character needs one gallon of water per day, or two gallons per day if the weather is hot. In general,
most of one’s daily water absorption comes from food (fruits, soups, and pretty much any other
food). A character who drinks only half that much water must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving
throw or suffer one level of exhaustion at the end of the day. A character with access to even less
water automatically suffers one level of exhaustion at the end of the day. If the character already has
one or more levels of exhaustion, the character takes two levels in either case.
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Resting
eroic though they might be,
adventurers can’t spend every
hour of the day in the thick of
exploration, social interaction,
and combat. They need rest—
time to sleep and eat, tend
their wounds, refresh their minds and spirits for
spellcasting, and brace themselves for further
adventure.
Adventurers, as well as other creatures, can take
short rests in the midst of an adventuring day and a
long rest to end the day.
Short Rest
A short rest is a period of downtime, at least 1 hour
long, during which a character does nothing more
strenuous than eating, drinking, reading, and tending
to wounds.
A character can spend one or more Hit Dice at the end
of a short rest, up to the character’s maximum number
of Hit Dice, which is equal to the character’s level. For
each Hit Die spent in this way, the player rolls the die
and adds the character’s Constitution modifier to it. The
character regains hit points equal to the total (a minimum
of 0). The player can decide to spend an additional Hit Die
after each roll. A character regains some spent Hit Dice upon
finishing a long rest, as explained below.
Long Rest
A long rest is a period of extended downtime, at least 8 hours
long, during which a character sleeps for at least 6 hours
and otherwise only performs light activity: reading, talking,
eating, or standing watch for no more than 2 hours. If the rest
is interrupted by a period of strenuous activity—at least 1
hour of walking, fighting, casting spells, or similar adventuring
activity—the characters must begin the rest again to gain any
benefit from it.
At the end of a long rest, a character regains all lost hit
points. The character also regains spent Hit Dice, up
to a number of dice equal to half of the character’s
total number of them (minimum of one die). For
example, if a character has eight Hit Dice, they can
regain four spent Hit Dice upon finishing a long rest.
A character can’t benefit from more than one long rest in
a 24-hour period, and a character must have at least 1 hit
point at the start of the rest to gain its benefits.
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Resting Hardships
I mplementing these optional rules will make it much harder for adventurers to enjoy a long rest in the middle of
an expedition. As a result, using limited powers, losing hp, and accumulating levels of exhaustion will have much
more severe consequences. Making use of all three of the rules below will tremendously increase the difficulty of
adventures and will make the players think twice before expending any of their limited-use features.
Between Adventures
etween trips to dungeons and battles against ancient evils, adventurers need time to
rest, recuperate, and prepare for their next adventure. Many adventurers also use this
time to perform other tasks, such as crafting arms and armor, performing research, or
spending their hard-earned gold.
In some cases, the passage of time is something that occurs with little fanfare or
description. When starting a new adventure, the leader might simply declare that a
certain amount of time has passed and allow you to describe in general terms what your character
has been doing. At other times, the leader might want to keep track of just how much time is passing
as events beyond your perception stay in motion.
Recuperating
You can use downtime between adventures to recover
from a debilitating injury, disease, or poison. After three
days of downtime spent recuperating, you can make a DC
15 Constitution saving throw. On a successful save, you
can choose one of the following results:
End one effect on you that prevents you from
regaining hit points.
For the next 24 hours, gain advantage on saving
throws against one disease or poison currently
affecting you.
Researching
The time between adventures is a great
chance to perform research, gaining
insight into mysteries that have
unfurled over the course of the
campaign. Research can include
poring over dusty tomes and
crumbling scrolls in a library or
buying drinks for the locals to
pry rumors and gossip from
their lips.
When you begin your research,
the leader determines
whether the information is
available, how many days
of downtime it will take
to find it, and whether
there are any restrictions
on your research (such
as needing to seek out a
specific individual, tome, or
location). The leader might
also require you to make one
or more ability checks, such as
an Intelligence (Investigation)
check to find clues pointing
toward the information
you seek, or a Charisma
(Persuasion) check to secure
someone’s aid. Once those
conditions are met, you
learn the information if
it is available.
Combat
The Order of Combat
typical combat encounter is a clash between two sides, a flurry of weapon
swings, feints, parries, footwork, and spellcasting. The game organizes
the chaos of combat into a cycle of rounds and turns. A round represents
about 6 seconds in the game world. During a round, each participant in a
battle takes a turn. The order of turns is determined at the beginning of
a combat encounter, when everyone rolls initiative. Once everyone has taken a turn, the
fight continues to the next round if neither side has defeated the other.
2. Establish positions. The leader decides where all the characters and monsters
are located. Given the adventurers’ marching order or their stated positions in the
room or other location, the leader figures out where the adversaries are—how far
away and in what direction.
4. Take turns. Each participant in the battle takes a turn in initiative order.
5. Begin the next round. When everyone involved in the combat has had a turn,
the round ends. Repeat step 4 until the fighting stops.
Surprise
A band of adventurers sneaks up on a bandit camp, springing from the trees to attack them. A
gelatinous cube glides down a dungeon passage, unnoticed by the adventurers until the cube
engulfs one of them. In these situations, one side of the battle gains surprise over the other.
The leader determines who might be surprised. If neither side tries to be stealthy, they automatically
notice each other. Otherwise, the leader compares the Dexterity (Stealth) checks of anyone hiding
with the passive Wisdom (Perception) score of each creature on the opposing side. Any character or
monster that doesn’t notice a threat is surprised at the start of the encounter.
If you’re surprised, you can’t move or take an action on your first turn of the combat, and you can’t take
a reaction until that turn ends. A member of a group can be surprised even if the other members aren’t.
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Initiative
I nitiative determines the order of turns during combat. When combat starts, every participant
makes a Dexterity check to determine their place in the initiative order. The leader makes one roll
for an entire group of identical creatures, so each member of the group acts at the same time.
The leader ranks the combatants in order from the one with the highest Dexterity check total to
the one with the lowest. This is the order (called the initiative order) in which they act during each
round. The initiative order remains the same from round to round.
If a tie occurs, the leader decides the order among tied leader-controlled creatures, and the players
decide the order among their tied characters. The leader can decide the order if the tie is between
a monster and a player character. Optionally, the leader can have the tied characters and monsters
each roll a d20 to determine the order, highest roll going first.
Your Turn
O n your turn, you can move a distance up to your speed and take one action. You decide whether
to move first or take your action first. Your speed—sometimes called your walking speed—is
noted on your character sheet.
The most common actions you can take are described in the Actions in Combat section later in this
chapter. Many class features and other abilities provide additional options for your action.
The Movement and Position section later in this chapter gives the rules for your move.
You can forgo moving, taking an action, or doing anything at all on your turn. If you can’t decide
what to do on your turn, consider taking the Dodge or Ready action, as described in the Actions in
Combat section.
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Interacting with Objects Around You
H ere are a few examples of the sorts of thing you can do in tandem with your movement and action:
Reactions
C ertain special abilities, spells, and situations allow you to take a special action called a reaction.
A reaction is an instant response to a trigger of some kind, which can occur on your turn or on
someone else’s. The opportunity attack, described later in this chapter, is the most common type of
reaction.
When you take a reaction, you can’t take another one until the start of your next turn. If the reaction
interrupts another creature’s turn, that creature can continue its turn right after the reaction.
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Moving between Attacks Using Different Speeds
If you take an action that includes more than one If you have more than one speed, such as your
weapon attack, you can break up your movement walking speed and a flying speed, you can switch
even further by moving between those attacks. back and forth between your speeds during
For example, a fighter who can make two attacks your move. Whenever you switch, subtract the
with the Extra Attack feature and who has a distance you’ve already moved from the new
speed of 25 feet could move 10 feet, make an speed. The result determines how much farther
attack, move 15 feet, and then attack again. you can move. If the result is 0 or less, you can’t
use the new speed during the current move.
Difficult Terrain
C ombat rarely takes place in bare rooms or on featureless plains. Boulder-strewn caverns, briar-
choked forests, treacherous staircases—the setting of a typical fight contains difficult terrain.
Every foot of movement in difficult terrain costs 1 extra foot. This rule is true even if multiple things
in a space count as difficult terrain.
Low furniture, rubble, undergrowth, steep stairs, snow, and shallow bogs are examples of difficult
terrain. The space of another creature, whether hostile or not, also counts as difficult terrain.
Being Prone
C ombatants often find themselves lying on the ground, either because they are knocked down or
because they throw themselves down. In the game, they are prone, a condition described in the
Conditions chapter.
You can drop prone without using any of your speed. Standing up takes more effort; doing so
costs an amount of movement equal to half your speed. For example, if your speed is 30 feet, you
must spend 15 feet of movement to stand up. You can’t stand up if you don’t have enough movement
left or if your speed is 0.
To move while prone, you must crawl or use magic such as teleportation. Every foot of movement
while crawling costs 1 extra foot. Crawling 1 foot in difficult terrain, therefore, costs 3 feet of
movement.
Moving Around
Other Creatures
Y ou can move through a nonhostile
creature’s space. In contrast, you can
move through a hostile creature’s space
only if the creature is at least two
sizes larger or smaller than you.
Remember that another creature’s
space is difficult terrain for you.
Whether a creature is a friend or an
enemy, you can’t willingly end your
move in its space.
If you leave a hostile creature’s
reach during your move, you
provoke an opportunity attack, as
explained later in the chapter.
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Flying Movement
F lying creatures enjoy many benefits of mobility, but they must also deal with the danger of falling.
If a flying creature is knocked prone, has its speed reduced to 0, or is otherwise deprived of the
ability to move, the creature falls, unless it has the ability to hover or it is being held aloft by magic,
such as by the fly spell.
Creature Size
E ach creature takes up a different amount of space. The Size Categories table shows how much
space a creature of a particular size controls in combat. Objects sometimes use the same size
categories.
Size Categories
Size Space
Tiny 2 1/2 by 2 1/2 ft.
Small 5 by 5 ft.
Medium 5 by 5 ft.
Large 10 by 10 ft.
Huge 15 by 15 ft.
Gargantuan 20 by 20 ft. or larger
Space
A creature’s space is the area in feet that it effectively controls in combat, not an expression of its
physical dimensions. A typical Medium creature isn’t 5 feet wide, for example, but it does control a
space that wide. If a Medium hobgoblin stands in a 5‐foot-wide doorway, other creatures can’t get
through unless the hobgoblin lets them.
A creature’s space also reflects the area it needs to fight effectively. For that reason, there’s a limit to the
number of creatures that can surround another creature in combat. Assuming Medium combatants,
eight creatures can fit in a 5-foot radius around another one.
Because larger creatures take up more space, fewer of them can surround a creature. If four Large
creatures crowd around a Medium or smaller one, there’s little room for anyone else. In contrast, as
many as twenty Medium creatures can surround a Gargantuan one.
358
Actions in Combat
our action is what you dedicate most of your turn to. It can be swinging
your sword, activating a magic item, rushing toward an enemy, or
helping an ally.
When you take your action on your turn, you can take one of the actions
presented here, an action you gained from your class or a special feature,
or an action that you improvise. Many monsters have action options of
their own in their stat blocks.
When you describe an action not detailed elsewhere in the rules, the leader tells
you whether that action is possible and what kind of roll you need to make, if any, to
determine success or failure.
Attack
T he most common action to take in combat is the Attack action, whether you are swinging a
sword, firing an arrow from a bow, or brawling with your fists.
With this action, you make one melee or ranged attack. See the Making an Attack section for
the rules that govern attacks.
Certain features, such as the Extra Attack feature of the fighter, allow you to make more than
one attack with this action.
Cast a Spell
S pellcasters such as wizards and clerics, as well as many monsters, have access to spells
and can use them to great effect in combat. Each spell has a casting time, which specifies
whether the caster must use an action, a reaction, minutes, or even hours to cast the spell.
Casting a spell is, therefore, not necessarily an action. Most spells do have a casting time of 1
action, so a spellcaster often uses their action in combat to cast such a spell.
Dash
W hen you take the Dash action, you gain extra movement for the current turn. The increase
equals your speed, after applying any modifiers. With a speed of 30 feet, for example,
you can move up to 60 feet on your turn if you dash.
Any increase or decrease to your speed changes this additional movement by the same amount.
If your speed of 30 feet is reduced to 15 feet, for instance, you can move up to 30 feet this turn
if you dash.
Disengage
I f you take the Disengage action, your movement doesn’t provoke opportunity attacks for the
rest of the turn.
Dodge
W hen you take the Dodge action, you focus entirely on avoiding attacks. Until the start
of your next turn, any attack roll made against you has disadvantage if you can see the
attacker, and you make Dexterity saving throws with advantage. You lose this benefit if you are
incapacitated (see the Conditions chapter) or if your speed drops to 0.
360
Help
Y ou can lend your aid to another creature in the completion of a task. When you take the
Help action, the creature you aid gains advantage on the next ability check it makes to
perform the task you are helping with, provided that it makes the check before the start of
your next turn.
Alternatively, you can aid a friendly creature in attacking a creature within 5 feet of you. You
feint, distract the target, or in some other way team up to make your ally’s attack more effective.
If your ally attacks the target before your next turn, the first attack roll is made with advantage.
Hide
W hen you take the Hide action, you make a Dexterity (Stealth) check in an attempt to hide,
following the rules for hiding. If you succeed, you gain certain benefits, as described in
the Unseen Attackers and Targets section later in this chapter.
Incite
W hen you take the Incite action, you attempt to influence any number of creatures that you
designate within 30 feet of you. The creatures must be able to hear you and understand you.
This action has many possible applications, such as deterring a discouraged opponent from
fighting on, convincing indecisive creatures to join your side, unsettling enemies after a
particularly impressive feat of arms, befuddling a suggestible person, pleading for mercy, etc.
The incitement must be phrased in such a way that the course of action sounds reasonable
within the current context. Asking a creature to stab itself, jump off a cliff, throw itself into a
fire, or harm itself in any other way is not possible.
Each targeted creature must make a Wisdom saving throw with a DC of 8 + your Charisma
modifier. In addition, the leader associates a skill with your incitement, choosing from
Deception, Intimidation, or Persuasion in accordance with the purpose of your attempt. If you
are proficient in the skill at hand, your proficiency bonus is added to the DC. Targeted creatures
have advantage on the saving throw if they are immune to being charmed, if you have targeted
several creatures, or if the circumstances make it very unlikely that you can influence them
(for example if they are fanatics or have been put in a trance), at the leader’s option.
Conversely, the leader can give disadvantage to the creature if they deem it fitting, for example
if you attempt to discourage a creature whose leader has just been defeated.
If the target fails the saving throw, it has disadvantage on any action that goes against your
incitement until the start of your next turn. If the target fails the saving throw with a margin
of 5 or more, it cannot take any action that goes against your incitement until the start of your
next turn. A target that succeeds on the saving throw is immune to your incitement attempts
for 10 minutes.
Note: The Incite action is intended to be used in the heat of combat, hence the brevity of its
effects. A character who wishes to deceive, intimidate, or persuade other creatures in the
long term will have to make use of Charisma checks related to the appropriate skills (see the
Contests and Charisma sections of the Abilities chapter), class features, or spells.
361
Ready Search
S ometimes you want to get the jump on a foe or
wait for a particular circumstance before you act.
To do so, you can take the Ready action on your turn,
W hen you take the Search action, you devote
your attention to finding something.
Depending on the nature of your search, the leader
which lets you act using your reaction before the might have you make a Wisdom (Perception) check
start of your next turn. or an Intelligence (Investigation) check.
362
Making an Attack
hether you’re striking with a melee weapon, firing a weapon at range, or
making an attack roll as part of a spell, an attack has a simple structure.
Attack Rolls
W hen you make an attack, your attack roll determines whether the attack hits or misses. To make
an attack roll, roll a d20 and add the appropriate modifiers. If the total of the roll plus modifiers
equals or exceeds the target’s Armor Class (AC), the attack hits. The AC of a character is determined
at character creation, whereas the AC of a monster is in its stat block.
Ranged Attacks
W hen you make a ranged attack, you fire a bow or a crossbow, hurl a handaxe, or otherwise send
projectiles to strike a foe at a distance. A monster might shoot spines from its tail. Many spells
also involve making a ranged attack.
Melee Attacks
U sed in hand-to-hand combat, a melee attack allows you to attack a foe within your reach. A melee
attack typically uses a handheld weapon such as a sword, a warhammer, or an axe. A typical
monster makes a melee attack when it strikes with its claws, horns, teeth, tentacles, or other body
part. A few spells also involve making a melee attack.
Most creatures have a 5-foot reach and can thus attack targets within 5 feet of them when making
a melee attack. Certain creatures (typically those larger than Medium) have melee attacks with a
greater reach than 5 feet, as noted in their descriptions.
Instead of using a weapon to make a melee weapon attack, you can use an unarmed strike: a punch,
kick, head-butt, or similar forceful blow (none of which count as weapons). On a hit, an unarmed
strike deals bludgeoning damage equal to 1 + your Strength modifier. You are proficient with your
unarmed strikes.
364
Opportunity Attacks
In a fight, everyone is constantly watching for a chance to strike an enemy who is fleeing or passing by.
Such a strike is called an opportunity attack.
You can make an opportunity attack when a hostile creature that you can see moves out of your reach.
To make the opportunity attack, you use your reaction to make one melee attack against the provoking
creature. The attack occurs right before the creature leaves your reach.
You can avoid provoking an opportunity attack by taking the Disengage action. You also don’t provoke
an opportunity attack when you teleport or when someone or something moves you without using your
movement, action, or reaction. For example, you don’t provoke an opportunity attack if an explosion hurls
you out of a foe’s reach or if gravity causes you to fall past an enemy.
Two-Weapon Fighting
When you take the Attack action and attack with a light melee weapon that you’re holding in one hand, you
can use a bonus action to attack with a different light melee weapon that you’re holding in the other hand.
You don’t add your ability modifier to the damage of the bonus attack, unless that modifier is negative.
If either weapon has the thrown property, you can throw the weapon, instead of making a melee attack
with it.
Grappling
When you want to grab a creature or wrestle with it, you can use the Attack action to make a special melee
attack, a grapple. If you’re able to make multiple attacks with the Attack action, this attack replaces one
of them.
The target of your grapple must be no more than one size larger than you and must be within your reach.
Using at least one free hand, you try to seize the target by making a grapple check instead of an attack roll:
a Strength (Athletics) check contested by the target’s Strength (Athletics) or Dexterity (Acrobatics) check
(the target chooses the ability to use). If you succeed, you subject the target to the grappled condition
(see the Conditions chapter). The condition specifies the things that end it, and you can release the
target whenever you like (no action required).
Escaping a Grapple. A grappled creature can use its action to escape. To do so, it must succeed on a
Strength (Athletics) or Dexterity (Acrobatics) check contested by your Strength (Athletics) check.
Moving a Grappled Creature. When you move, you can drag or carry the grappled creature with you,
but your speed is halved, unless the creature is two or more sizes smaller than you.
Contests in Combat
B attle often involves pitting your prowess against that of your foe. Such a challenge
is represented by a contest. This section includes the most common contests that
require an action in combat: grappling and shoving a creature. The leader can use these
contests as models for improvising others.
Shoving a Creature
Using the Attack action, you can make a special melee attack to shove a creature, either to knock it prone
or push it away from you. If you’re able to make multiple attacks with the Attack action, this attack
replaces one of them.
The target must be no more than one size larger than you and must be within your reach. Instead of
making an attack roll, you make a Strength (Athletics) check contested by the target’s Strength (Athletics)
or Dexterity (Acrobatics) check (the target chooses the ability to use). If you win the contest, you either
knock the target prone or push it 5 feet away from you.
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Cover
alls, trees, creatures, and other obstacles
can provide cover during combat, making
a target more difficult to harm. A target can
benefit from cover only when an attack or
other effect originates on the opposite side
of the cover.
There are three degrees of cover. If a target is behind multiple
sources of cover, only the most protective degree of cover
applies; the degrees aren’t added together. For example, if a
target is behind a creature that gives half cover and a tree trunk
that gives three-quarters cover, the target has three-quarters
cover.
Damage
njury and the risk of death are constant companions of
those who explore fantasy gaming worlds. The thrust
of a sword, a well-placed arrow, or a blast of flame
from a fireball spell all have the potential to damage,
or even kill, the hardiest of creatures.
Hit Points
H it points represent a combination of physical and mental durability, the will to live, and luck.
Creatures with more hit points are more difficult to kill. Those with fewer hit points are more
fragile.
A creature’s current hit points (usually just called hit points) can be any number from the creature’s
hit point maximum down to 0. This number changes frequently as a creature takes damage or receives
healing.
Whenever a creature takes damage, that damage is subtracted from its hit points. The loss of hit
points has no effect on a creature’s capabilities until the creature drops to 0 hit points (see Monsters
and Death later in this chapter for NPCs, and the Health chapter for PCs).
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Damage Rolls
E ach weapon, spell, and harmful monster ability specifies the damage it deals. You roll the damage
die or dice, add any modifiers, and apply the damage to your target. Magic weapons, special
abilities, and other factors can grant a bonus to damage. With a penalty, it is possible to deal 0 damage,
but never negative damage.
When attacking with a weapon, you add your ability modifier—the same modifier used for the
attack roll—to the damage. A spell tells you which dice to roll for damage and whether to add any
modifiers.
If a spell or other effect deals damage to more than one target at the same time, roll the damage
once for all of them. For example, when a wizard casts fireball or a cleric casts flame strike, the
spell’s damage is rolled once for all creatures caught in the blast.
Critical Hits
When you score a critical hit, you get to roll extra dice for the attack’s damage against the target.
Roll all of the attack’s damage dice twice and add them together. Then add any relevant modifiers
as normal. To speed up play, you can roll all the damage dice at once.
For example, if you score a critical hit with a dagger, roll 2d4 for the damage, rather than 1d4, and
then add your relevant ability modifier. If the attack involves other damage dice, such as from the
rogue’s Sneak Attack feature, you roll those dice twice as well.
Damage Types
Different attacks, damaging spells, and other harmful effects deal different types of damage.
Damage types have no rules of their own, but other rules, such as damage resistance, rely on the
types.
The damage types follow, with examples to help the leader assign a damage type to a new effect.
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Capturing
Situation. The creature reduced to 0 hp is unable to keep fighting or flee. You can choose
between knocking it out (see Knocking a Creature Out below) or putting it at your mercy.
If you put the creature at your mercy, it is brought to 1 hp and is stunned for 1 minute,
leaving you the time to put a blade to its throat and make it understand that it had better
obey your orders, for example.
Consequences. A captive creature can be used as a human shield during combat. Capturing
an opponent can also have its uses in extracting information out of it or ransoming it.
However, a feisty prisoner can also be a liability, whether it constantly seeks to escape or
has friends willing to rescue it. Having a reputation for taking prisoners and treating them
well will make the adventurers’ enemies more inclined to surrender, or more likely to show
them mercy if the adventurers are on the losing end.
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Mounted Combat
A knight charging into battle on a warhorse, a wizard
casting spells from the back of a griffon, or a cleric
soaring through the sky on a pegasus all enjoy the
benefits of speed and mobility that a mount can provide.
A willing creature that is at least one size larger than
you and that has an appropriate anatomy can serve as a
mount, using the following rules:
If an effect moves your mount against its will while you’re on it, you must succeed on a DC
10 Dexterity saving throw or fall off the mount, landing prone in a space within 5 feet of it.
If you’re knocked prone while mounted, you must make the same saving throw.
If your mount is knocked prone, you can use your reaction to dismount it as it falls and land
on your feet. Otherwise, you are dismounted and fall prone in a space within 5 feet of it.
Controlling a Mount
While you’re mounted, you have two options. You can either control the mount or allow it to
act independently. Intelligent creatures, such as dragons, act independently.
You can control a mount only if it has been trained to accept a rider. Domesticated horses,
donkeys, and similar creatures are assumed to have such training. The initiative of a
controlled mount changes to match yours when you mount it. It moves as you direct it, and
it has only three action options: Dash, Disengage, and Dodge. A controlled mount can move
and act even on the turn that you mount it.
An independent mount retains its place in the initiative order. Bearing a rider puts no
restrictions on the actions the mount can take, and it moves and acts as it wishes. It might
flee from combat, rush to attack and devour a badly injured foe, or otherwise act against
your wishes.
In either case, if the mount provokes an opportunity attack while you’re on it, the attacker can
target you or the mount.
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Underwater Combat
hen adventurers pursue sahuagin back to their undersea homes, fight off sharks
in an ancient shipwreck, or find themselves in a flooded dungeon room, they must
fight in a challenging environment. Underwater the following rules apply.
When making a melee weapon attack, a creature that doesn’t have a swimming
speed (either natural or granted by magic) has disadvantage on the attack roll
unless the weapon is a dagger, javelin, shortsword, spear, or trident.
A ranged weapon attack automatically misses a target beyond the weapon’s normal range. Even
against a target within normal range, the attack roll has disadvantage unless the weapon is a crossbow,
a net, or a weapon that is thrown like a javelin (including a spear, trident, or dart).
Creatures and objects that are fully immersed in water have resistance to fire damage.
Health
his chapter outlines the situations
in which adventurers become
diminished, weakened and, as a
result, more dependent on the
support of others.
When a character finishes a long rest, they recover the entirety of their hit points.
Magical methods such as a cure wounds spell or a potion of healing can remove damage in an
instant. When a creature receives healing of any kind, hit points regained are added to its current
hit points.
A creature’s hit points can’t exceed its hit point maximum, so any hit points regained in excess of
this number are lost. For example, a druid grants a ranger 8 hit points of healing. If the ranger has
14 current hit points and has a hit point maximum of 20, the ranger regains 6 hit points from the
druid, not 8.
A creature that has died can’t regain hit points until magic such as the revivify spell has restored it
to life.
Exhaustion
xhaustion is a condition that is accrued and cured over time. The leader can use it
to reflect a variety of situations, ailments, and hardships in the course of the game.
Exhaustion is measured in six levels. An effect (illness, cold, thirst, exertion, etc.) can
give a creature one or more levels of exhaustion, as specified in the effect’s description.
The effects of exhaustion are gradual and cumulative. If an already exhausted creature
suffers another effect that causes exhaustion, its current level of exhaustion increases
by the amount specified in the effect’s description.
Level Effect
1 Disadvantage on ability checks
2 Speed halved
3 Disadvantage on attack rolls and saving throws
4 Hit point maximum halved (rounded up)
5 Speed reduced to 0
6 Death—the character drops to 0 hit points (see Death later in this chapter)
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Causes of Exhaustion
It would be impossible to list all possible causes of exhaustion, given how varied and circumstantial
they can be. However, here are a few examples:
A person trapped inside a burning building might take a level of exhaustion every 5 minutes from
inhaling smoke.
Someone shipwrecked in northern seas, drenched and caught in a freezing blizzard, might take a
level of exhaustion every 15 minutes.
A desert traveler directly exposed to the sun, without water or protective clothes, might take a
level of exhaustion every hour.
A hapless soul lost in the Netherworld without water might take a level of exhaustion every 6
hours.
A tortured, mistreated prisoner might take a level of exhaustion every day.
Soldiers who have to fight right after a forced march might take a level of exhaustion.
Miners are trapped in underground tunnels. They can find water, but have no food, which might
result in them taking a level of exhaustion every 3 days.
Removing Exhaustion
An effect that removes exhaustion reduces its level as specified in the effect’s description, with all
exhaustion effects ending if a creature’s exhaustion level is reduced below 1.
As a general rule, to recover from exhaustion, one must remedy its cause: curing the disease, ending
the mistreatment, sleeping soundly, eating and drinking one’s fill, etc. In these conditions only, a long
rest reduces a creature’s exhaustion level by 1.
Illnesses require specific treatment to be cured: without appropriate medical care, one cannot
recover from the associated level of exhaustion.
Undergoing Ordeals and Overcoming Pain
Your character is a hero, a chosen one blessed by the moon Eternity. Should your leader decide to make use
of some of this chapter’s optional rules, your character’s universe will be a violent, merciless one where
arrogance and overconfidence can easily spell a cocky adventurer’s doom.
Overcoming exceptional ordeals is an opportunity to go beyond one’s limits. Such scenes will create unique
challenges and serve the growth of your character, bringing forth new aspects of their personality. Illnesses
and grievous wounds will complicate your adventures, forcing you to seek remedies and assistance, possibly
entrusting your life and safety to strangers. Situations of this kind will be rich in tension and suspense,
testing your character’s mettle and willpower. Such is the path of true heroes.
Below, you will find food for thought related to the context of a character in danger of death due to injury,
sickness, or poison. The aim here is to make these in-between moments as narratively meaningful and
gripping as the fiercest fights. Some of the scenes described below can segue to the PC gaining a level in a
different class, such as druid or warlock. Letting the leader know about such wishes in advance will allow
them to better introduce the transition.
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Wounds
sing the rules on Wounds will make hazards and combat more dangerous. Combining these optional rules
with the ones on short and long rests (see the Adventuring chapter) will make the game more dangerous
than ever, meaning that you will have to think twice before getting into a fight. Leaders who wish for a
realistic, dark fantasy-like style can use all of these rules together.
Wound Location
The exact nature of the Wound is at the leader and player’s
Determining the location of Wounds is optional. It adds discretion, in accordance with the context (source of the
more negative effects to the Wounds characters may incur. damage, weapon used, anatomy of the victim, etc.) If the
Whenever you take a Wound, you roll a corresponding result rolled does not make sense (for example, if you roll
disability whose effects can only be healed with time or a lower limb when only your upper body was sticking out
through the use of magic. from behind a wall), you can roll again or simply be winded
Roll 1d10 to determine which part of the body has been hit (equivalent to the poisoned condition). In any case, the
and what penalties the character thus suffers from. effect remains until you return to your hit point maximum.
d10 Localization and effects
1 Face. You are blinded for 1 minute. Afterward, you have disadvantage on ability checks based on sight and on
attack rolls.
2-3 Back. You are paralyzed for 1d4 rounds. Afterward, you have disadvantage on ability checks and on attack rolls
based on Strength or Dexterity.
4-5 Lower Limb. Your speed is halved and you have disadvantage on ability checks and attack rolls that require the use
of the Wounded limb (at the leader’s discretion).
6-7 Upper Limb. You cannot hold two-handed items and have disadvantage on ability checks and attack rolls that
require the use of the Wounded limb (at the leader’s discretion).
8-9 Torso. You are winded (equivalent to the poisoned condition).
10 Head. You are stunned for 1d4 rounds. Afterward, you have disadvantage on ability checks and attack rolls based
on Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma.
Disease Rules
In the following pages, you will find a list of the most infamous diseases in Eana. However, these are
not the only ones adventurers will face: they may be exposed to many other afflictions in the course of
their journeys. Diseases can affect any creature, and a given illness might or might not pass from one
race or kind of creature to another. A plague might affect only constructs or undead, or sweep through
a halfling neighborhood but leave other races untouched. It all depends on the story you want to tell.
Disease-Related Exhaustion
As the disease progresses, the patient grows increasingly weaker. To recover, the character must
succeed on Constitution saving throws to remove the disease-related levels of exhaustion and fight
off the affliction. The assistance of someone proficient in Medicine can grant advantage on these
saving throws. If the patient’s current exhaustion level gives them disadvantage on saving throws,
this applies to the Constitution saving throws to fight off the disease.
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The Powerlessness of Heroes Before Epidemics
Some adventurers are powerful spellcasters capable of using their magic to protect
their companions or heal them. They may be inclined to extend this benevolence to
others, curing afflicted souls here and there… But what happens when a disease affects
an entire region and people hear about the heroes’ powers? Soon, they are harassed by
unceasing pleas for help.
Countless suppliants come to them, begging them to heal their loved ones. To set
themselves apart from the rest of the petitioners, some bring money and presents,
hoping to curry favor with the gods. Notables take it a step further, as only they can
make high-stake promises, such as ennoblement or far-reaching support on a quest.
In such an explosive context, rumors spread quickly. Anger brews against the wealthy
and all the preexisting, repressed resentment erupts in full force. Riots may occur.
To make things even worse, disease-carriers are among the crowds, facilitating the
contagion and causing the epidemic to spread even more quickly than before.
Even a devoted cleric can only cure so many people every day. No matter what choices
they make, they will suffer the blame of those they had to turn down. And in
a scathingly ironic twist, the adventurers may be perceived as responsible
for the accelerated propagation of the disease. All it would take then is a
little push from charlatans, rabble-rousers, or demonic agents for the
bearers of hope to become scapegoats.
Blacking
Knowledge. How many victorious warriors
have laughed at their deceased victims on
the battlefield before limping back to their
camp to tend to their wounds, nursing a
birthing fever with wine, and then collapsing
in a state of absolute weakness, their limbs
bloated and blackened, wracked by terrible
pain? Blacking, also called black blood, is an infection of
poorly dressed wounds, though many see in it a form of
revenge from the dead, who seek to drag their killer into the grave. Burning and delirious, the
victims are sometimes plagued with hallucinations and complain of grim specters watching them,
waiting for their passing. Blacking is the most common form of infection caused by poorly tended
wounds. This disease is particularly prevalent and devastating in times of war, rife after grueling
battles or during long sieges, but it can also be caught in swamps or sewers.
Incubation Period. 1 day.
Exhaustion. 1 level of exhaustion.
Symptoms. Blackened blood, high fever, increased exhaustion leading to death.
Contamination. Caused when suffering a wound in conditions of poor hygiene. The creature
must succeed on a DC 13 Constitution saving throw or become infected.
Recovery. Whenever they finish a long rest, the patient must make a DC 13 Constitution saving
throw. On a failure, they take one level of exhaustion. On a success, their exhaustion level decreases
by 1. If the patient has no levels of exhaustion left, they recover from blacking.
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Cankering Confusion with Leprosy
Knowledge. Cankering is a grievous disease that The term leprosy is actually a broad designation
afflicts people who have been in close contact with for a variety of skin diseases. Some are benign
Canker, for example when fighting its minions or and generally noncontagious, while others
when venturing into a Cankerous nest. For this are extremely severe, causing deformities,
reason, people nurture a healthy fear of such places mutilations, and ultimately, death. Cankering is
of corruption, and few are willing to set foot inside often confused with leprosy, resulting in tragic
them. The inherent resistance of guardian dwarves situations:
against the evils of Canker extends to cankering, this
subspecies being apparently immune to it. Leper Hunt. When lepers are mistaken for
Incubation Period. 1d12 days following exposure. agents of Canker, they are often accused of
Contamination. Exploring a Cankerous nest, being poisoning wells and fountains, hunted
wounded by a weapon infected with Canker, eating down as members of evil sects, and burned
contaminated flesh. The creature must succeed on a alive.
DC 15 Charisma saving throw or become infected.
Exhaustion. You suffer from 1 level of exhaustion Hidden Evil. Agents of Canker, bent on
that remains as long as you resist the call of Canker. If working toward their master’s corrupting
you give in, you take 3 temporary corruption points. ends, sometimes hide among leper colonies
Symptoms. Critical degree: hideous deformities, 3 and take advantage of the kindness they are
temporary corruption points, an indefinite madness shown to act covertly. The revelation of
(see Grimoire). Serious degree: 1 temporary crimes committed by a single patient can
corruption point, leprous growths on the skin. Simple bring infamy upon the rest of these outcasts
degree: a leprous-like aspect on parts of the skin, which who subsist on charity.
may be concealable depending on their location.
Recovery. No known cure.
Gutroar
Exhaustion. 1 level of exhaustion.
Knowledge. This disease is caught by eating poor Symptoms. Critical degree: pains, vomiting,
quality food and causes great abdominal pains. diarrhea; you take 1 addition level of exhaustion and
Several types exist, meaning that one can only are incapacitated. Serious degree: pains, vomiting;
develop an immunity to the local variant of gutroar. you take 1 additional level of exhaustion. Simple
Incubation Period. The pains appear 1d6 hours degree: nausea, diarrhea (equivalent to the poisoned
after the meal. condition).
Contamination. After eating a contaminated meal, Recovery. A long rest with healthy food is enough to
the creature must succeed on a DC 11 Constitution recover. You are hereafter immune to this variant of
saving throw or become infected. gutroar.
Plague mistaken for the flu (fever and aches). The pain
quickly concentrates on the ganglia (groin, armpits,
Knowledge. Plague is the nightmare of long- neck), which become very sensitive. At a serious
distance navigators. Traders buy precious degree, black buboes appear. At a critical degree, no
merchandise in faraway countries, not realizing that buboes or swelling appear, but the patient violently
it is contaminated with the disease. During the coughs blood and the disease progresses at striking
voyage, one sailor, then another, falls ill and passes speed.
away. The ship finally reaches its destination, its Contamination. Contagion occurs through
hold filled with cloth and spice of wondrous value, exposure to bodily fluids, bloody phlegm, and
yet no one will enjoy them. The plague will spread to contact with contaminated textiles. Lice (carried by
the docks and then the rest of the town, bringing humans or rats) can also be vectors. Exposed
suffering and horror. Wealth and death: to some, the creatures must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution
plague is a divine punishment for greed. saving throw or become infected.
Incubation Period. 1d8 days. The Recovery. Particularly afflicted patients suffer from
exhaustion symptoms then appear severe exhaustion and become unable to eat or
progressively. drink by themselves, which results in their condition
Exhaustion. Levels of exhaustion growing worse due to lack of care. To recover, the
depending on the degree: critical patient must succeed on a DC 10 Constitution saving
degree = 4 levels, serious degree throw two days after the manifestation of the
= 3 levels, simple degree = 2 levels. symptoms. On a success, the evolution of the disease
Symptoms. At a simple or stops and the patient can recover. On a failure, the
serious degree, the disease patient takes 1 additional level of exhaustion. The
starts with symptoms easily same saving throw is repeated every two days.
Scratches
Knowledge. The mildly named scratches is a disease
commonly caught in brothels, seedy joints, and other
houses of ill repute. Some moralists see in it a
righteous punishment for a licentious existence. In the later stages of the disease, patients are
Incubation Period. 1d12 months. afflicted with a form of hemophilia: their wounds fail
Exhaustion. 1 level of exhaustion every year to close and they suffer from blood loss.
following the first manifestation of the symptoms. Contamination. In case of sexual intercourse with a
Symptoms. Scratches starts with unpleasant itching contaminated person, a DC 13 Constitution saving
feelings in the groin. Irritated areas appear and may, throw must be made not to catch the disease.
in time, evolve into small open wounds and purulent Recovery. To recover naturally and spontaneously,
scabs. Despite these discomforts, patients seem to the patient must succeed on a yearly DC 15
initially feel an increased inclination for intimate Constitution saving throw. With a success margin
relationships, making them more promiscuous and of at least 10, the recovery occurs with no side
impulsive. The infection spreads progressively, with effects. In the case of a lower success margin, the
itches and unhealthy wounds appearing on other patient is cured, but sterile—and impotent in the
parts of the body: armpits, neck, joints, breasts, etc. case of male patients.
Sewer Bile
Knowledge. Sewer bile is a
generic term for a broad category Exhaustion. 1 level of exhaustion.
of illnesses that incubate in Symptoms. Fatigue and cramps.
brackish waters (sewers, refuse The patient regains only half the
heaps, stagnant swamps, etc.) normal number of hit points from
and which are sometimes spending Hit Dice and no hit points
transmitted by creatures that from finishing a long rest.
dwell in those areas, such as Recovery. At the end of each long
mosquitoes, rats, and otyughs. rest, an infected creature must make
Incubation Period. It takes a DC 11 Constitution saving throw.
1d4 days for sewer bile’s On a failed save, the character gains
symptoms to manifest in an one level of exhaustion. On a
infected creature. successful save, the character’s
Contamination. When a exhaustion level decreases by one
humanoid creature is bitten or level. If a successful saving throw
stung by a creature that carries reduces the infected creature’s level
the disease, or when it comes of exhaustion below 1, the creature
into contact with filth or offal recovers from the disease.
contaminated by the disease,
the creature must succeed on a
DC 11 Constitution saving
throw or become infected.
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Death
creature that drops to 0 hit points or less is dying. They
are now a hair’s breadth from death. There is no notion of
negative hit points: a dying creature has 0 hit points, and
once it has died, there is no reason to keep track of its hit
points anymore. Death has both a physical and a spiritual
aspect that may result in mystical experiences.
Post Mortem
T he leader can choose to treat death as a dark well from which no memories are kept, or they can make
this experience part of the character’s journey.
Blinded
A blinded creature can’t see and automatically fails any ability check that requires sight.
Attack rolls against the creature have advantage, and the creature’s attack rolls have
disadvantage.
Charmed
A charmed creature can’t attack the charmer or target the charmer with harmful abilities
or magical effects.
The charmer has advantage on any ability check to interact socially with the creature.
Deafened
A deafened creature can’t hear and automatically fails any ability check that requires
hearing.
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Exhaustion
E xhaustion is covered in more detail in the Health chapter.
Some special abilities and environmental hazards, such as starvation and the long-
term effects of freezing or scorching temperatures, can lead to a special condition called
exhaustion. Exhaustion is measured in six levels. An effect can give a creature one or
more levels of exhaustion, as specified in the effect’s description.
Level Effect
1st Disadvantage on ability checks
2nd Speed halved
3rd Disadvantage on attack rolls and saving throws
4th Hit point maximum halved
5th Speed reduced to 0
6th Death
If an already exhausted creature suffers another effect that causes exhaustion, its
current level of exhaustion increases by the amount specified in the effect’s description.
A creature suffers the effect of its current level of exhaustion as well as all lower levels.
For example, a creature suffering level 2 exhaustion has its speed halved and has
disadvantage on ability checks.
An effect that removes exhaustion reduces its level as specified in the effect’s description,
with all exhaustion effects ending if a creature’s exhaustion level is reduced below 1.
Finishing a long rest reduces a creature’s exhaustion level by 1, provided that the
creature has also ingested some food and drink.
Frightened
A frightened creature has disadvantage on ability checks and attack rolls while the source
of its fear is within line of sight.
The creature can’t willingly move closer to the source of its fear.
Grappled
A grappled creature’s speed becomes 0, and it can’t benefit from any bonus to its speed.
The condition also ends if an effect removes the grappled creature from the reach of the
grappler or grappling effect, such as when a creature is hurled away by the thunderwave spell.
Incapacitated
An incapacitated creature can’t take actions or reactions.
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Invisible
An invisible creature is impossible to see without the aid of magic or a special sense. For the
purpose of hiding, the creature is heavily obscured. The creature’s location can be detected
by any noise it makes or any tracks it leaves.
Attack rolls against the creature have disadvantage, and the creature’s attack rolls have
advantage.
Paralyzed
A paralyzed creature is incapacitated (see the condition) and can’t move or speak.
Any attack that hits the creature is a critical hit if the attacker is within 5 feet of the creature.
Petrified
A petrified creature is transformed, along with any nonmagical object it is wearing or
carrying, into a solid inanimate substance (usually stone). Its weight increases by a factor
of ten, and it ceases aging.
The creature is incapacitated (see the condition), can’t move or speak, and is unaware of
its surroundings.
The creature is immune to poison and disease, although a poison or disease already in its
system is suspended, not neutralized.
Poisoned
A poisoned creature has disadvantage on attack rolls and ability checks.
Prone
A prone creature’s only movement option is to crawl, unless it stands up and thereby ends
the condition.
An attack roll against the creature has advantage if the attacker is within 5 feet of the
creature. Otherwise, the attack roll has disadvantage.
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Restrained
A restrained creature’s speed becomes 0, and it can’t benefit from any bonus to its speed.
Attack rolls against the creature have advantage, and the creature’s attack rolls have
disadvantage.
Stunned
A stunned creature is incapacitated (see the condition), can’t move, and can speak only
falteringly.
Unconscious
An unconscious creature is incapacitated (see the condition), can’t move or speak, and is
unaware of its surroundings.
Any attack that hits the creature is a critical hit if the attacker is within 5 feet of the creature.
385
Appendix
Technical Glossary
Abbreviations
AC. Armor Class NPC. Nonplayer character
CR. Challenge rating PC. Player character
DC. Difficulty Class Save. Saving throw
HD. Hit Di(c)e XP. Experience Point(s)
hp. Hit point(s)
Modular System
Modular stamps indicate optional rules and variants associated with a particular atmosphere.
Action. This icon indicates all the rules that offer epic options and put the character’s feats and
achievements at the forefront.
Awakening.To be able to call upon their spells and magical abilities, a character must have
experienced the Awakening. All powers and abilities related to the Awakening are preceded by this
icon. (see page 116)
Dark. The optional rules indicated by this icon are all related to horror, madness, or corruption.
Elusive Magic. If the leader makes use of this optional rule, the players will not get to handpick their
spells during the creation and evolution of their characters. Learning new powers may require
finding a mentor. (see page 116)
Gritty. Use these options if you want harsher and generally more realistic gameplay.
Intrigue. Optional rules bearing this icon focus on the interactions between the characters, on the
schemes and plots between the factions, and on anything that accentuates the roles of the characters
and encourages their interpretation.
Mystery. This icon designates rules dealing with mysteries, supernatural elements, and anything
related to secrets and arcana.
386
Technical Terms
A term that is underlined has its definition included in this glossary.
Ability check. A d20 roll made for actions that are not Background feature. A minor feature associated with your
attacks, such as climbing a wall, remembering a historical character’s background, which may give them an edge in
fact, hiding, or foraging. The roll is adjusted by the relevant social or traveling situations. (see page 90)
ability modifier and may be associated with a skill. For the
attempted action to be successful, the result of the check Bond. A trait associated with a character’s background,
must be equal to or above the DC determined by the leader. usually the mark of a major preoccupation. (see page 93)
(see page 336)
Bonus. (see Modifier)
Ability modifier. A modifier directly derived from an ability
score, and which is used much more often than the ability Bonus action. Certain specific abilities (feature, spell, feat,
score proper. The modifier is added to dice rolls that rely or particular circumstances) can be activated with a bonus
upon the ability in question. action. You can only take a single bonus action per round,
and only on your turn. (see page 355)
Action. In normal conditions, a creature can take a single
action on its turn. A list of possible actions is included in the
Combat chapter. (see page 360)
antrip. A minor spell that can be cast without
Advantage. When you have advantage on a roll, you roll two expending a spell slot.
d20s and keep the higher of the two. (see page 335)
Carrying capacity. The weight (in pounds)
Alignment. A creature’s moral orientation along two axes: that you can carry, equal to your Strength
Good/Evil and Law/Chaos. Creatures that lack the capacity score multiplied by 15. (see page 340)
for rational thought are unaligned. (see page 114)
Challenge rating (CR). A measure of a monster’s might,
Arcane magic. Magic that consists of directly manipulating roughly equivalent to that of a party of characters of the
magical energies in a more or less empirical fashion. same level.
Archetype. One of the possible paths of a class, which the Charisma. One of the six abilities, measuring force of
character must choose at a low level (1st, 2nd, or 3rd depending personality.
on the class). Each archetype gives access to specific features.
Class. A character’s class represents the path they have
Area of effect. The area covered by the effects of a spell or dedicated themselves to. Fateforge includes 13 classes,
feature. It can take many shapes (cone, cube, line, sphere, among which are the fighter, the wizard, the cleric, the
etc.) and spreads from a point of origin. (see Grimoire) druid, the scholar, etc. Your class grants you a range of
features whose number and power depend on your level in
Armor Class (AC). A creature’s degree of physical said class (from 1 to 20).
protection, measured by the armor it wears, its agility,
and its natural defenses (if any). When an attack roll is Combat. A fighting situation in the course of which several
made against a creature, the roll must equal or exceed the creatures trade blows, spells, and other hostile effects.
creature’s armor class to hit and inflict damage. Without Such phases follow specific rules, which are detailed in the
a shield or armor, your AC is equal to 10 + your Dexterity Combat chapter.
modifier. (see pages 309, 341)
Concentration. Some spells and effects require you to
Attack roll. A modified d20 roll compared to the target’s maintain concentration in order to keep them active. If
armor class to determine whether the attack is successful. you lose concentration, the effect ends. Taking damage, for
(see page 363) example, may break your concentration. (see Grimoire)
Condition. A special state affecting a creature. Most Damage type. All damage has a type: slashing for a
conditions are impairments, but a few can be advantageous. longsword, bludgeoning for a club, fire for a scorching ray,
“Unconscious,” “incapacitated,” “poisoned,” “charmed,” poison for a giant spider’s venom, etc. It is possible to have
“blinded,” “paralyzed,” and “prone” are examples of vulnerability, resistance, or immunity against one or several
conditions. (see page 382) types of damage. (see page 367)
Cone. The area of effect of certain spells and powers. A Darkvision. Within a specified range, a creature with darkvision
cone’s width at a given point along its length is equal to that can see in dim light as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if
point’s distance from the point of origin. A cone’s area of the darkness were dim light. However, the creature can’t discern
effect specifies its maximum length. color in darkness, only shades of gray. (see page 349)
Constitution. One of the six abilities, measuring endurance. Death saving throw. A special type of saving throw made
when a character has been reduced to 0 hit points and is
Contest. Certain ability checks have two or more creatures dying. To become stable, the character must receive healing
in direct opposition (arm-wrestling, a character attempting or accumulate three successes on their death saving throws
to sneak past another, etc.) In this case, each creature makes before they accumulate three failures (which results in
an appropriate ability check (Strength in the case of arm- death). (see page 380)
wrestling, for example) and the results are compared, with
the higher roll gaining the upper hand. (see page 336) Dexterity. One of the six abilities, measuring agility.
Corruption. Optional rule: When you take corruption Difficult terrain. Difficult terrain halves movement. Certain
points, you become more exposed to the influence of Canker, features enable their user to move through certain types of
and may ultimately be dominated by it. (see Grimoire) difficult terrain without penalty. (see page 357)
Cover. An obstacle between an attacker and its target. There Difficulty Class (DC). Saving throws and most ability checks
are three degrees of cover, depending on how much of the have an associated Difficulty Class, which is a score between
target the cover protects: half cover, three-quarters cover, 5 and 30 (usually between 10 and 20) that determines how
and total cover. (see page 366) challenging the action is. The roll is a success if the result is
equal to or higher than the DC; otherwise, it is a failure. (see
Creature. A creature is any being with six ability scores, page 336)
as opposed to the environment and inanimate objects.
Monsters, PCs, and NPCs are creatures. Disadvantage. When you have disadvantage on a roll, you
roll two d20s and keep the lower of the two. (see page 335)
Creature type. All creatures in Fateforge have an associated
type, which defines how they interact with certain game Divine magic. Magic granted by a divine entity to some of
mechanics (namely specific spells, magic items, features, and their believers.
other effects). There are 14 creature types, including dragon,
elemental, humanoid, fiend, giant, undead, etc. Dying. When a PC is reduced to 0 hit points, they are dying.
They are now at death’s door and must make death saving
Critical hit. When an attack roll’s die shows a 20, the attack throws. (see page 380)
is automatically successful and all the resulting damage dice
are doubled. Certain features grant a critical hit on a result
of 19 or even 18 on the die. (see pages 363, 367)
xhaustion. Taking levels of exhaustion results in
Cube. The area of effect of certain spells and powers. A penalties that last until the levels are removed.
cube’s size is expressed as the length of each side. The higher your exhaustion level is (from 1 to 6),
the more severe the effects are, ultimately
Cylinder. The area of effect of certain spells and powers. leading to death. Finishing a long rest removes
A cylinder is defined by its radius and height. It is always one level of exhaustion. (see pages 372, 384)
vertical.
Experience points (XP). Experience points represent your
character’s growth and advancement. Throughout your
adventures, you will be awarded XP for defeating monsters,
amage. When a target suffers damage, said completing quests, and overcoming challenges. Once you
damage is subtracted from its hit points (also have earned enough XP, you gain a level, thus becoming
see Damage type). more powerful and acquiring new features. (see page 260)
pportunity attack. A melee attack made when Reaction. A special effect that you can only make use of in
a creature moves out of your reach. It requires response to predefined triggers. Opportunity attacks are
you to use your reaction. (see page 365) an example of reaction, and many spells and features use a
reaction. You only have one reaction: once you have used it,
you cannot use another before the start of your next turn.
(see page 356)
Sphere. The area of effect of certain spells and powers. A Wound. Optional rule: When a creature takes damage that
sphere is defined by its radius. reaches a certain threshold, that creature suffers a Wound,
causing exhaustion and possibly other effects. (see page 375)
Stable. When a character is dying, they can be stabilized
with first aid or an appropriate spell. Barring such help,
they can only become stable with favorable death saving
throws. A stable character remains unconscious, but they
no longer make death saving throws. (see page 381)
391
Appendix
Filling out Your Character Sheet
This appendix reviews the main sections of the character sheet and goes over how to fill them out. Technical terms used
here are defined in the glossary (see the previous pages).
Page 1: Abilities
1
The first page of the character sheet gathers the information you will need most
frequently during play. Here is an explanation for a few of these sections:
1. Inspiration. Tick this box when you have inspiration. Alternatively, you 2
can put a token or die on this spot or in front of you to show that you have
inspiration. You will frequently tick and untick this box.
2. Proficiency bonus. Take note of your proficiency bonus here. It will increase 3
as you gain levels. 4
3. Ability score. Take note of the listed ability score here. 5
4. Ability modifier. Here, take note of the modifier derived from the associated
ability score.
5. Proficiency and expertise. If you are proficient in the listed skill, tick or fill
one of the boxes next to it. If you have expertise (doubled proficiency bonus)
in the listed skill, tick or fill both boxes.
6
6. Protection. Here, indicate what type of armor you are wearing (if any) and
whether you are carrying a shield.
7. Conditions. This space is intended to take note of conditions, in particular 7
long-lasting ones. You can also write down diseases you are afflicted by.
8. Speeds and jumping. Here, take note of your walking, climbing, swimming,
and flying speed, as well as your jumping height and length.
9. Exhaustion. Exhaustion is progressive. As you gain levels of exhaustion, tick
the corresponding boxes, reflecting your worsening condition. A reminder of 8
the effects of each exhaustion level is provided. Keep in mind that these effects
stack.
9
Page 2: Features
This page sums up everything your character is capable of. Features are sorted in accordance with how often they can be
used, in descending order: Unlimited, Regained with a short rest, Regained with a long rest. You can draw boxes indicating
how many times you can use each of your features (rage, ki, sorcery points, etc.), which you will tick as you expend them.
This way, you will have a handy overview of your character’s capabilities and of their current condition. Whether you will
be thrifty or go all-out is up to you.
1. Resistances & immunities. To take note of your resis- 2. Spell slots. Depending on your class, you may earn spell
tances and immunities in a convenient manner, you can slots as you gain levels. When this happens, fill in the
write them down in different colors or draw a vertical dotted circle to draw a box that you can check whenever
line under the ampersand to split this box in two (with you cast a spell of that level.
resistances on the left and immunities on the right).
1 2
392
Page 3: Identity and Secrets
This page is used to record information concerning your character’s
background and psyche. As such, you can keep it private, so that your fellow 1
players do not know about your character’s past and secrets.
2
1. Awakening. You can color or circle this icon if your character is Awakened.
2. Soul. The Soul column lists everything related to your character’s psycho-
logy. The items are listed according to their positivity: the top ones will 3
usually drive your character to greatness, whereas the bottom ones are
likely to lead them to their downfall.
3. Description. What does your character look like?
4. Story. Here you can keep track of your adventures, the places you visit,
the characters you meet, etc.
5. Corruption. Being exposed to the corruption of Canker results in cor- 4
ruption points. Corruption can be permanent (fill the box) or temporary
and curable (tick the box). When you start filling boxes on the 2nd, 3rd,
and 4th lines, you undergo special changes. If you take more corruption
points than there are boxes, you become a ravager of Canker.
5
Page 4: Possessions
On this page, you can record your equipment, which is classified into three categories depending on what you use it for and
where you keep it. You can write down your total load (in pounds) in the box on the upper right corner. Dedicated entries
are also provided to take note of the loads at which you are encumbered and heavily encumbered.
1. Equipment within arm’s reach. During combat, you can 3. At the bottom of the bag, on a mount, etc.
take the Use an Object action to grab any one of the objects Objects belonging to this category are stored in
listed here. To be within arm’s reach, an object must be such a fashion that you cannot take them out at a moment’s
stored in a pocket, belt pouch, quiver, etc. notice. Therefore, it is impossible to make use of them in the
2. Purse, treasure, barter goods. This is the category for middle of combat or in similar rushed situations. However,
objects whose sole purpose is to be traded or sold. provided your pack is sturdy and closed tight, such objects
will be protected from most damage.
1
3
2
Page 5: Spellbook
You can use several copies of this page as your spellbook. A warlock, ranger, paladin, etc. will likely only need one page,
whereas a wizard will require several.
1. Level. Here, write down the level of the spells shown in 3. Name. Record the spell’s name here.
front of this stamp. 4. Effects. Write down a summary of the spell’s effects or
2. Prepared spells. Most spellcasters must prepare their simply take note of its page number in Grimoire.
spells before they can cast them. Tick the box next to a
spell to show that you have prepared it.
2 3 4
1
Name Class(es)
Species
Civilization Experience
Wisdom
Saving throw
Animal Handling Ammunition
Insight
Medicine
Perception
Survival
Weapons
Unlimited use
Tools & vehicles Languages
2nd
3rd
4th
Regained with a long rest 5th
6th
7th
8th
9th
Description
Soul
Awakening
Ideal
Background
Personality traits
Bond
Flaw
Story
Handicaps
Madnesses
Corruption
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
Possessions
Total load
Encumbered
- Speed reduced by 10 feet
Carrying capacity
Character Creation
In conjunction with your game leader, determine
the conditions in which your character may
Awaken to magic, and choose from a plethora
of options: nine playable species, eighteen
civilizations, a step-by-step guide to creating
your very own background, thirteen classes—
including the scholar, a resourceful savant capable
of contributing in every situation, even in regions
devoid of magic—and many more archetypes,
as well as a list of original feats to enhance the
evolution of your hero.
Daily Life
Discover the mythic Free City and a body of
dedicated rules to spice up the daily lives and
journeys of adventurers. Mystery, exploration,
and discovery form the core of the gaming
experience. Answer the call of adventure and
travel to faraway lands, whether by foot, by boat,
or by nefelytron!
Game Rules
The game mechanics are organized into four
categories: abilities, adventuring, combat,
and health. Many optional rules are included,
following a modular system that lets each leader
define their own gaming style.