Professional Documents
Culture Documents
The Great Dale
The Great Dale
Internal Art - Public Domain: Albert Bierstadt, Carl Bruce R. Cordell, Ed Greenwood, and Chris Sims. Forgot-
ten Realms Campaign Guide. 2008.
Eduard Ferdinand Blechen, Sidney Richard Percy
Wizard’s RPG Team. Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide.
Final Proofing: Bob Anger, Cory Repta, Dave 2015.
Caughlin, Mark Vickers, Mike VanHooydonk, Stuart
Teather
DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, D&D, Wizards of the Coast, Forgotten Realms, Ravenloft, Eberron, the dragon ampersand, Ravnica and all other Wizards of the Coast product names, and their respective
logos are trademarks of Wizards of the Coast in the USA and other countries.
This work contains material that is copyright Wizards of the Coast and/or other authors. Such material is used with permission under the Community Content Agreement for Dungeon Masters Guild.
All other original material in this work is copyright 2019 by Joe Raso and published under the Community Content Agreement for Dungeon Masters Guild.
Some artwork by © Adela Quiles, © Critical Hit at www.critical-hit.biz, © 2011 Dave Allsop, © Dean Spencer, © Daniel Comerci–danielcomerci.com, © Daniel F. Walthall, Elite Design Elements © Ris-
ing Phoenix Games, © Eric Pommer–[email protected], © Forrest Imel, © Jeremy Hart, © Matt Richmond, Publisher’s Choice Quality Stock Art © Rick Hershey / Fat Goblin Games, Purple Duck
Games © Gary Dupuis, © Vagelio Kaliva, and ©William McAusland, used with permission. All rights reserved.
Credits 1
FOREWORD SPECIAL THANKS
This book is Jeff and Karl’s fault, though I should also I would be remiss if I didn’t thank the many folks
lay some blame on R P Davis. who’ve had a hand in creating this product.
Jeff Stevens, Karl Resch and I had begun an effort Firstly, thank you to all the artists who have made
to create a new 5e adventure to be published on their stock art affordably accessible on the DM’s Guild
the DM’s Guild. I began to comb through Forgotten and Drivethru RPG. Your creativity has helped to
Realms lore for a place to locate our adventure when I breath life into the words of this book.
stumbled across the “Unapproachable East” . Next, I feel lucky to have commissioned new art from
This WOTC publication detailed lands in eastern some very talented individuals who were great to
Faerûn that I hadn’t previously read much about. I work with. Nastya, Daniel, Fez, John and Petar were
immediately grew infatuated with this part of Faerûn. all fantastic artists to collaborate with. Thanks for
The Great Dale was particularly interesting to me, allowing me to share your vision in this publication.
as it seemed a perfect fit for the story we intended to Alex, Anne, Derek, Elise, Emily, Glenn, Oliver, Robert
write. Having decided to place our nascent adventure and Scott were all great writers to collaborate with. I
in the Great Dale, I began scouring publications for hope to work with you folks again soon.
more recent material that updated the region’s lore to
the current 5th edition game year. To Christopher and Travis, you both were
instrumental in helping me bring this book to
I soon became frustrated. Try as I might, I found very completion. Your coaching and words of reassurance,
little published material describing events occuring not to mention your hard work, made me believe we
between the years covered in the Unapproachable could finish this seemingly daunting task.
East and the current edition of the game. In game
terms, roughly 100 years had advanced, yet very little I can’t forget to shout out to the many gamers I’ve
was written on what happened in the Great Dale had the pleasure of playing with over the years.
during that time. Particularly I need to express my gratitude to my
current home group. I feel lucky to be able to game
I then had a series of online conversations with with them and always look forward to whenever we
R P Davis. He’d already published “Timbertown”, can get together. It is because of them that my love for
describing a region in nearby Impiltur. He was this game continues to grow, year by year.
enthused to help with creating an update for regions
covered by the Unapproachable East but he himself And finally, I must thank my wife Lorraine and my
was too busy with other commitments to lead it. He daughters Claire and Sophie. It’s only because of their
encouraged me to pursue the update, and so I did. continued love, support and tolerance of my D&D
Now a good four months later, I am finishing up the gaming obsession that I’ve been able to complete this
final details for this book. work. I am forever grateful.
I do not doubt that scholars of realms lore will find Joe Raso
errors I have made, or question some of the liberties
we’ve taken to describe characters and events in
the Dale. However, I’ve tried my best to treat Ed
Greenwood’s world with the respect it deserves, and
also to honour the countless hours of work done by
the numerous talented writers who have expanded on
it since.
My only hope is that you, the reader, will find
inspiration in these pages to help you craft your own
adventures in this exciting part of the Realms.
Enjoy!
Chapter 3 – Backgrounds 31
Chapter 4 – Feats 39
Chapter 5 – Spells 41
Spell Lists 41
Spell Descriptions 43
Table of Contents 3
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the Great Dale!
T
his volume details many aspects of a In the western edge of the Great Dale, the large
wondrous region located in a remote corner settlement of Uthmere rises expectantly beside the
of Faerûn—a land many refer to as the waters of the Easting Reach, rejuvenated from the
Unapproachable East. ravages of the Second Sundering. Dockyards that had
lain useless for a century now bustle with life as its
The Great Dale is an ancient place. It is still
piers once again kiss the waters. This has not gone
afflicted with the fiendish horrors left behind by
unnoticed, however, as enterprising individuals now
the once-mighty Narfell Empire. Terrible secrets
descended on Uthmere hoping to win some fortune in
lie hidden within ruins of broken stone or buried
this growing frontier town.
beneath the earth.
For those who dislike the bustle of city life, isolated
A powerful council of druids now act as caretakers
farmsteads dot the Great Dale’s interior. Their
for much of its sparsely populated territory. They
residents live a simple existence dealing with the
seek to purge the demonic evils that still infest the
persistent dangers that threaten any seeking to survive
Dale and the great forests that surround it. These old
here.
woods stand on ground where the veil that hides the
Feywild is thin and its influence is still felt.
Introduction 5
CHAPTER 1 – PEOPLES Woody and Tough
Tall and wiry, the volodni appear human-like but with
tough woody flesh colored the browns and greens of
New Race – Volodni pine trees. They grow long, bark-like hair and view the
world through shimmering black eyes. They tend to
Never cut down a live tree in the forest. If the Nenty-
use wooden weapons and wear leather armor dyed in
ach’s druid’s don’t get ya, the pine folk will.
the colors of their forest home.
Stedd from Sarshal — Impilturan settler
Sylvan Sentinels
Many treefolk tend to be cold and dispassionate,
remorseless and relentless in pursuit of any means
which serves their ends. They remember every injury and
have the patience of the bones of the earth when seeking
revenge.
Most tend to be disinterested in material possessions,
as they have little need for them.
Forest Protectors
The woods bordering the Great Dale are the volodni’s
home. They ferociously protect their forest from any
who dare cut fresh wood or despoil their natural
homes. They seek to regrow the ancient forests to
their past expansiveness. The volodni have no love of
civilization’s growth or anything else that threatens the
forests they call home.
Volodni Names
The pine folk frequently use a human name combined
with a cherished forested location such as Dasha of
Pineridge, Malark of the Silverbrook, or Navarra of
Mauberg’s Oak
First Names: (Male) Avan, Evendur, Gorstag, Petro,
Randall, Stor, Urth; (Female) Anva, Esvele, Miri, Olma,
Tana, Zlatara; (Gender Neutral) Baum, Jalon, Naury,
Preed, Vancer
Favored Locations: Bright Creek, Dancing Falls,
Deep Limb, Goldmarsh, Sharpridge, Whiteoaks
Chapter 1 - Peoples 7
Common Peoples
The Great Dale is a wild frontier land providing plenty
of opportunity for people of all backgrounds to find
adventure.
Dragonborn
Dragonborn are still a rare sight in the Great Dale.
Their homeland of Tymanther lies far to the south,
where the dragonborn struggle to maintain their
lands against the forces of Unther. The Great Dale
may be home to dragonborn who have a strong urge
for exploration and independence, or who have found
work as mercenaries in any of the larger cities around
the Easting Reach.
Dwarves
A few dwarven strongholds are still found in the
lands around the Great Dale. Beneath the Firward
Mountains old shield dwarf communities still
exist. Their dwindling numbers constantly resist
the threats of bugbears from the mountain slopes
above and demonic trolls lurking in the Underdark’s
depths below. Many of the younger dwarves have left
seeking opportunities around the Easting Reach. A
small community of shield dwarves has developed
in Uthmere, supporting the reconstruction of the the Dale supported a number of high elf settlements.
boomtown. However, with the rise of Narfell, and its wars with the
Rauthmari, most high elves departed for safer lands.
Impiltur is home to larger numbers of shield Any high elves found today are likely those who have
dwarves scattered throughout the country. A few arrived from abroad.
isolated dwarfholds still survive in the Giantspire
Mountains in the nation’s northern extent. Other The only remaining communities of elves in the
dwarves likely came from beyond the Great Dale. Great Dale are wood elves. They primarily reside in
well-hidden villages that still dot the Forest of Lethyr.
In western Dunwood, the Elagieros clan of wood elves
Elves dwell in a section of the forest between Timbertown
and the Giantspire Mountains.
At one time, when the Great Dale was covered by a
single great forest, the land was home to tribes of A small faction of elves resent the continued human
elves. presence in the land. They blame humans for the
continued fiendish threats that taint the Great Dale.
During the elven Crown Wars, dark elves arrived
What few know is that a number of these disgruntled
following fiendish advice. Their demonic guidance
elves now work with Eldreth Veluuthra, a militant sect
led them to an ancient node of evil that would one day
of elves actively seeking to remove all of humanity
become Dun-Tharos. However, their time in the Great
from Faerûn.
Dale was cut short when the combined powers of the
Seldarine transformed the dark elves into the drow
and fled southward. Today, a drow in the Great Dale Gnomes
would be an unusual sight that would surely draw the
attention of local residents. At one time Dunwood supported a large population
of rock gnomes. They crafted many mining tunnels
Shortly after the dark elves departed, gold and traversing vast tracts of the now fiend-filled forest.
moon elves arrived from faraway lands. For a time, The destruction of Narfell and the incursions of
Chapter 1 - Peoples 9
Tieflings
The Dale has a long history of mortals courting with
demons since the days of ancient Narfell. As such, it is
not uncommon to find tieflings within the region. Most
are found in larger settlements around the Easting
Reach. They are usually looked upon with suspicion
because their appearance reminds most of the
ongoing fiendish threats that still plague the land.
Others
A scattering of other people are found in the Dale,
though their numbers are very small. Any other races
not covered here likely arrived to the Great Dale from
distant lands.
Aarakocra. A small tribe of aarakocra live atop
Mauberg’s Oak in the Forest of Lethyr. They help
support the druid’s school located within the huge tree
below.
Firbolg. A smattering of firbolg villages can be
found within the Forest of Lethyr, where they actively
support the Circle of Leth.
Goblinoids. Goblins of all sorts live in scattered
settlements around the periphery of the Great Dale.
Powerful clans of hobgoblins control much of the
mountains north of Dunwood, while bugbear tribes
live atop the slopes of the Firward Mountains.
Lizardfolk. A community of lizardfolk live in the
fens near Timbertown, where the Rawlin River
empties into the Easting Reach. Another community
is believed to exist in the southern reaches of the
Forest of Lethyr near neighboring Thesk.
Orcs. Thesk is home to communities of orcs who
are descendants of the Zhentarim forces that helped
defeat the Tuigan Horde. The northern slopes of the
Giantspire Mountains also support a handful of orc
tribes.
Bard
Bards are always a welcome sight in the cold lands
of the Great Dale. Many of the isolated farmsteads
throughout the Great Dale celebrate the arrival of
any entertainer as it provides a brief respite from the
challenge of surviving in this difficult land.
Bards arriving from Thesk might follow the
traditions of the College of SwordsXGtE while a
minstrel from Rashemen might have the skills of the
College of Valor to fight alongside the berserkers of
that land. Wood elves within the Circle of Leth might
be of the College of Lore, using their magical secrets
to protect the lands of the Great Dale. The College
of GlamourXGtE is also a good fit given the heavy fey
influence of the land.
Chapter 2 - Classes 11
It is common when sickness and disease strikes a feet of you. Any creature standing within the mist
village or township for people to cower away from it. immediately starts having a coughing fit and must
They fear the touch of the illness, fear that it might make a Constitution saving throw. The creature takes
affect them too. Clerics following the Plague Domain necrotic damage equal to 2d10 + your cleric level on a
have no such fear. They live to study the morbid steps failed save, and half as much damage on a successful
of deadly diseases, combating them when they know one. In addition, if it fails the saving throw, it must use
how to, or perhaps letting the infection run its course its reaction to step out of the mist by the safest, most
with little hindrance. For some Plague Clerics, direct route, as it attempts to stagger away from the
the information gained from the painful decay of a deadly gas. If there is no room for it to get out, it will
subject is sweeter than the blessed administration of remain in the mist even if it failed the save.
a divine cure. The mist disperses at the end of your turn.
Plague Domain Features Constructs are unaffected by the mist.
Monk Level Feature
1st Domain Spells, Bonus Cantrip,
Protection of Body
Hardened Survivor Beginning at 6th level, you can lessen some of the
2nd Channel Divinity, Mist of Disease destructive elements that exist in the world. When
6th Protection of Body you or a creature within 30 feet of you takes poison or
necrotic damage, you can use your reaction to grant
8th Divine Strike
resistance to the creature against that instance of the
17th Death Bringer damage.
Domain Spells Divine Strike
You gain domain spells at the cleric levels listed in At 8th level, you gain the ability to infuse your weapon
the Plague Domain Spells table. See the Divine strikes with divine energy. Once on each of your turns
Domain class feature in the Player’s Handbook for when you hit a creature with a weapon attack, you
how domain spells work. can cause the attack to deal an extra 1d8 necrotic
Plague Domain Spells damage to the target. When you reach 14th level, the
Monk Level Feature extra damage increases to 2d8.
1st detect poison and disease, fog
cloud Death Bringer
3rd lesser restoration, ray of At 17th level, you may create three instances of the
enfeeblement mist instead of one when you use Mist of Disease and
5th remove curse, stinking cloud the range of where you can place them increases to
7th blight, death ward
60 feet. These instances of the mist cannot overlap.
9th contagion, insect plague
Hardened Survivor
Also at 1st level, the blessing of your deity allows you
to shrug off the effects of illness, making you immune
to diseases.
Circle of Blight
We shall scourge the land and raise an army of the
blighted to reclaim Dun-Tharos once again!
Imred Dalesbane, Blightlord
Talontar Blightlord
The Circle of Blight is made up of devotees of Talona
and the Rotting Man. Feared and reviled throughout
the Great Dale, they revel in decay. Their plagues have
transformed the Dunwood into a nightmarish swamp,
and they seek to infect the healthy forests and tilled
lands nearby.
Greatly reduced in number after the Rotting
Man was driven out of Dun-Tharos a century ago,
Blightlords remain individually powerful thanks to
his legacy, and still walk the Great Dale and beyond, gain access to a spell that doesn’t appear on the druid
bringing degeneration and putrefaction wherever they spell list, the spell is nonetheless a druid spell for you.
step. Circle of Blight Spells
Circle of Blight Features Druid Level Circle Spells
Druid Level Feature 3rd ray of enfeeblement, Snilloc’s snowball
2nd Circle Spells, Blightblood, Blight Touch swarmXGtE
5th animate dead, erupting filth (see Spells)
6th Black Glaive
7th blight, shadow of MoilXGtE
10th Corrupting Blow
9th contagion, enervationXGtE
14th Winterheart
Chapter 2 - Classes 13
Blight Touch Winterheart
Also at 2nd level, you can use your Blight Touch to By 14th level, your infected blood has caused a
infect a living creature with Talona’s Blight. terrible transformation in your flesh. Your skin splits
A creature you touch must make a Constitution and oozes sticky fluid. In addition, you gain the plant
saving throw against your druid spell save DC or creature type. You are immune to poison damage
become infected. It takes 1d4 days for Talona’s and you can’t be poisoned. You can’t be charmed,
Blight symptoms to manifest in an infected creature. paralyzed, or polymorphed, and you have advantage
Symptoms include fatigue and nausea. The infected on saving throws against enchantment and illusion
creature suffers 1 level of exhaustion, and it does not spells and effects.
regain hit points from spending Hit Dice during a
rest. Circle of Leth
At the end of each long rest, an infected creature
By the sun and snow. By the leaf and wind. Our roots
must repeat the Constitution saving throw. On
shall grow to protect all who shelter within.
a failed save, the character gains one level of
An old Volodni pledge to the Circle of Leth
exhaustion. On a successful save, the character’s
exhaustion level decreases by 1. If a successful The Circle of Leth is an order of druids formed in
saving throw reduces the infected creature’s level of the Year of the Last Hunt (722 DR). In that year, The
exhaustion below 1, the creature recovers from the Great Druid of Leth claimed the title of Nentyarch and
disease. grew a living fortress of trees atop the fiend-corrupted
If a creature dies from Talona’s Blight, it arises as a ruins of Dun-Tharos. This druid circle protected
blightspawned creature (see Chapter 10) under your the Great Dale from all threats until the Year of the
control.
Once you use this ability you can’t use it
again until you finish a short or long rest.
Black Glaive
When you reach 6th level, you gain proficiency
with glaives, if you didn’t have it already.
A glaive you wield deals an extra 1d8 cold
damage on a hit. In addition, your spells with a
range of touch may now have a range equal to
your weapon’s reach.
Corrupting Blow
Starting at 10th level, your Black Glaive
attacks become even more horrible and
difficult to heal. A creature you hit with your
glaive takes an extra 1d8 necrotic damage
at the start of each of its turns for every
successful attack you make against it. This
damage persists until another creature within
5 feet of the creature uses its action to make
a Wisdom (Medicine) check against your spell
save DC or the creature receives magical
healing. A creature reduced to 0 hit points
in this way dies immediately and rises at
the start of its next turn as a blightspawned
zombie under your control. The blightspawned
zombine template is found in Chapter 10.
Chapter 2 - Classes 15
Fighter
There is a constant need in the Dale for those who are
skilled in combat. All of the fighter archetypes are well
suited to campaigns in the Great Dale.
Traders and travellers seek the protection of
mercenaries as they cross the dangerous roads of the
Dale; the Champion and Battle Master archetypes are
good fits. Arcane ArchersXGtE in the Forest of Lethyr
lend their might to the Nentyarch in protection of the
land. Shou who have settled in the region brought
SamuraiXGtE traditions from Kara-Tur. Impilturan
nobility have introduced CavaliersXGtE as they seek
to “civilize” the frontier. Others search out secrets of
ancient Raumathar and become Eldritch Knights.
Monk
The Great Dale does not have a strong monastic
tradition, however the nearby lands of Impiltur and
Thesk do. Monk player characters likely came from
either of these regions or even farther way, such as the
Monastery of the Yellow Rose in Damara.
Below is a new Monastic Tradition, the Shou
Disciple, brought to Faerûn by peoples from Kara-Tur,
who arrived when the Tuigan Horde threatened the
region more than a hundred years ago.
Shou Disciple
Shou Disciple Features
The master spoke of finding transcendence by know-
Monk Level Feature
ing one’s true self. I just want to survive to see
tomorrow. 3rd Inner Strength, Pragmatic Defense
Bo Han - Shou Refugee 6th Warding Senses
11th Combat Discipline
The varied peoples of Kara-Tur have a long and
17th Focused Fury
storied history of using the study of martial arts
to attain enlightenment. Monasteries exist where
students spend their lives trying to achieve spiritual
perfection. Inner Strength
But not all are so dedicated to enlightenment. Some Your training and discipline enable you to shrug off
seek to focus on the practical aspects of martial injuries in the midst of combat. On your turn, you can
combat. This is particularly evident by those who have use a bonus action to regain hit points equal to 1d8 +
left monasteries or never fully dedicated themselves your monk level.
to a teacher or their ideas. Many of the Shou refugees Once you use this feature, you must finish a short or
who settled in Thesk after fleeing the Tuigan Horde long rest before you can use it again.
fall into this category. These individuals care less
about self-actualization and more about surviving the Pragmatic Combat
attacks of thugs from the Nine Golden Swords.
Although you have studied the unarmored defense
techniques of the fighting monks of Kara-Tur, you
recognize the value of armor and weapons.
Chapter 2 - Classes 17
Oath Spells Relentless Spirit
You gain oath spells at the paladin levels listed in the Starting at 15th level, your relentless crusade against
Oath of Sarshel Spells table. See the Sacred Oath class the profane now grants you remarkable vigor when
feature in the Player’s Handbook for how oath spells in combat with these foes. When a fiend or undead
work. creature within 10 feet of you makes an attack that
you can see, you may use your reaction to make a
Oath of Sarshel Spells
melee weapon attack against that creature if it is
Paladin
within reach.
Level Feature
3rd heroism, protection from evil and good Champion of Sarshel
5th spiritual weapon, zone of truth
At 20th level, you become a terrifying foe to any fiend
9th beacon of hope, crusader’s mantle that opposes you. As an action, you can magically
13th banishment, guardian of faith channel the fighting spirit of Sharshel to gain the
17th dispel evil and good, hallow following benefits for 1 minute:
• On your turn, you can choose to have one of your
Channel Divinity weapon attacks ignore any damage resistance the
When you take this oath at 3rd level, you gain the target may have. If the target is normally immune to
following two Channel Divinity options. the damage type inflicted by this weapon attack, that
creature is instead only resistant to that damage. You
Blessed Weapon. As an action you can use your may choose to apply this effect after you determine if
Channel Divinity to enchant a weapon you carry with your attack hits or misses.
divine power. For 1 minute this weapon deals an
additional 1d6 radiant damage on a successful attack • You have advantage on all saving throws against the
harmful effects of fiends or undead (their attacks,
and is considered a magical weapon. The enchanted
spells, and other effects), and you are resistant to any
weapon glows, providing bright light out to a 20-foot damage they inflict.
radius and dim light a further 20 feet beyond.
Once you use this feature, you can’t use it again until
You can end this effect on your turn as part of any you finish a long rest.
other action. If you are no longer holding or carrying
this weapon, or if you fall unconscious, this effect ends.
Inspire the Faithful. You can use your Channel
Divinity to encourage an ally to resist the foes who
assail them. As a bonus action, you may inspire one
creature other than yourself who is within 60 feet of
you for one minute to make all saving throws with
advantage.
Rampart of Strength
Beginning at 7th level, you now have a force of
will that allows you to resist the attacks of fiends
and undead. As a reaction you may choose to gain
resistance to a single attack from either a fiend or
an undead creature.
At 18th level you gain an extra reaction that can only
be used with this feature.
Nentyar Hunter
The Nentyar archdruid of the Circle of Leth grants
unique primal abilities to a special conclave of rangers
in their employ. These rangers master a greater
command of druidic and totemic powers. Using these
gifts, the Nentyar Hunters, as they are called, root
out evil that would threaten the forest and the natural
order.
In Other Settings
Outside the Forgotten Realms, these rangers are
referred to as Wildheart Striders, named for their
greater connection to the natural world. In worlds
such as Eberron, these rangers serve the druids in the
Eldeen Reaches. In Ravnica, these rangers might be
guardians of the Selesnya Conclave’s guildhall, Vitu-
Ghazi, or gifted scouts of the Gruul Clans. However
you might choose to use them, these rangers are often
considered champions of the primeval. Nature's Grace
Nentyar Hunter Features You can leap, bound, dive, and swim gracefully
through any environment. At 3rd level, you gain
Ranger
proficiency in Acrobatics, if you aren’t already
Level Feature
proficient, and as long as you are not wearing armor
3rd Nentyar Hunter Magic, Navigator of heavier than light armor, and have at least one hand
the Wilds, Nature’s Fury
free, you have a climb and swim speed equal to your
7th Agility of the Wild movement speed.
11th Master of the Hunt
15th Untamed Ferocity Nature’s Fury
When you access the primal powers granted to you
Nentyar Hunter Magic through your spells, it invigorates your inner hunter.
Starting at 3rd level, you learn an additional spell Starting at 3rd level, while you concentrate on a
when you reach certain levels in this class, as shown ranger spell, your movement speed increases by 10
in the Nentyar Hunter Spells table. The spell counts feet, and you gain a bonus to weapon damage rolls
as a ranger spell for you, but it doesn’t count against equal to your proficiency bonus. Additionally, once per
the number of ranger spells you know. long rest you may change a normal hit from a weapon
Nentyar Hunter Spells attack into a critical hit.
Ranger
Level Feature Agility of the Wild
3rd entangle Starting at 7th level, you have resistance to the
5th enhance ability damage dealt by opportunity attacks. Also, when
9th dispel magic you provoke an opportunity attack, you can use your
reaction to cause the opportunity attack to miss you,
13th dominate beast
but you must choose to do so before the attack roll is
17th hold monster made against you.
Chapter 2 - Classes 19
You can use this reaction a number of times equal to
your Dexterity modifier (minimum of 1). You regain all
expended uses of this feature when you finish a long
Rogue
As with any land where civilization has grown, rogues
rest.
are sure to be found aplenty in the Great Dale.
Prevalent in Uthmere and the larger settlements
Master of the Hunt around the Easting Reach, highway robbers and other
You swiftly coordinate hunts to the utmost efficiency, bandits also prey upon unwary merchants traveling
ending them faster than they began. Beginning at the dangerous roads of the land.
11th level , you have advantage on initiative rolls. Also,
Presented below are two new roguish archetypes.
when you roll for initiative, every allied creature within
The first—the Black Flame Zealot—is a tradition
30 feet of you gains a bonus to their initiative rolls and
that arrived from Thay. They are thieves infused with
weapon damage rolls during the first round of combat
divine might.
equal to your Wisdom modifier.
A second archetype, the Thug, uses intimidation
Untamed Ferocity and brute force to great effect.
When challenged, you fearlessly strike back at all that
would oppose you. Starting at 15th level, you can no
longer be frightened.
Black Flame Zealot
Do not test me. I will happily burn you in the name of
Additionally, when a creature misses you with an
the Lord of Flame.
attack, you can use your reaction to make an attack
Krillak, Black Flame Zealot
against the creature as long as it is within range of
your weapon. In Thay, there is a secret society of holy slayers
devoted to Kossuth, the Firelord: The Order of the
Black Flame.
Raised from youth in stealth, secrecy, and
infiltration—and trained in the rites of Kossuth’s
clergy—Black Flame Zealots use stealth, divine
magic, and their fanatical zeal to further the interests
of the Lord of Flames. Not even the exalted Zulkirs of
Thay are immune from the machinations of Kossuth’s
servants, for the Order is respected in Thayan society
and often used by the privileged as assassins.
Black Flame Zealots often accompany Thayan
embassies on their missions to others of the
Forgotten Realms, and more often than not the Red
Wizards acting as emissaries don’t know they are
being watched.
In Other Settings
Black Flame Zealots fit nicely in other settings
wherever you have deities that use roguish servants to
enact their shadowy agendas. Any deity that includes
Fire or Stealth in their portfolio may make use of
these zealots.
Black Flame Zealot Features
Rogue Level Feature
3rd Spellcasting, Servant of the Black
Flame
9th Fateful Strike
13th Zealous Heart
17th Unholy Immolation
Chapter 2 - Classes 21
Thug
Seems you’re late paying again. Harash don’t like
people being late. I’m here to make sure you ain’t
gonna be late again.
Perric the Cruel
Brutal Bludgeoning
In addition to finesse and ranged weapons, you
may also use a club or a mace to deal Sneak Attack
damage.
Incite Fear
While you choose this archetype at 3rd level, you
become skilled at inciting fear in your opponents. You Beat Down
gain the ability to use a bonus action to use a threat Beginning at 9th level, when you deal bludgeoning
of violence to attempt to frighten one creature within damage with a weapon attack, the target of the attack
30 feet of you that can see or hear you. The target of must make a Constitution saving throw (DC 8 + your
this ability must make a Wisdom saving throw (DC 8 + Strength modifier + your proficiency bonus). On a
your Charisma modifier + your proficiency bonus). On failed save, the creature falls prone and its movement
a failed save, the creature is frightened of you until the speed is reduced to half of its normal speed until the
end of your next turn. end of your next turn. If the creature is frightened of
You also gain proficiency and have Expertise in the you, its saving throw is at disadvantage against this
Intimidate skill if you don’t already have it. feature.
Nature Magic
Your link to the forest and its natural spirits allow
you to learn spells from the druid class. When
your Spellcasting feature lets you learn or replace a
sorcerer cantrip or sorcerer spell of 1st level or higher,
you can choose the new spell from the druid spell list
or the sorcerer spell list. You must otherwise obey all
the restrictions for selecting the spell, and it becomes
a sorcerer spell for you.
In addition, you learn the entangle spell. It is a
sorcerer spell for you, but it doesn’t count against your
number of sorcerer spells known. If you later replace
Chapter 2 - Classes 23
this spell, you must replace it with a spell from the
druid spell list.
Tree Form
Starting at 18th level, you can spend 6 sorcery points
Starting at 2nd level, you may use a bonus action
as a bonus action to magically transform yourself
to create a spell slot using half the number of sorcery
into a Huge-sized animated tree similar to a treant.
points normally required, to cast a spell you know
Any equipment you wear or hold molds into your new
from the druid spell list. This spell must be cast
form.
during that same turn as your bonus action. This spell
slot is lost if you do not cast the spell by the end of You gain the following benefits when you take on
your turn. this tree form:
Once you use this feature, you cannot use it again You gain 138 temporary hit points
until you finish a short or a long rest. Your Strength score becomes 23 and your Dexterity
score becomes 8. All other ability scores remain
Fey Friend unchanged.
Fey creatures of the forest appreciate your If you remain motionless, you are indistinguishable
attunement with nature and are hesitant to anger from a normal tree
you. You gain advantage on any Charisma checks you You deal double damage to objects and structures with
make when interacting with non-evil fey creatures. your weapon attacks.
Additionally, you can speak, read, and write Sylvan. You gain the following actions:
Sword Focus
Starting at 1st level, you can create a magical bond
between yourself and one melee weapon allowing you
to transform the weapon into an extension of yourself.
During a long rest, you can spend 1 hour performing
this ritual. The weapon must be within your reach
throughout the ritual, at the conclusion of which you
touch the weapon and forge the bond.
While bonded to this weapon, when you attack
with that weapon, you are proficient with it and you
can use it as a spellcasting focus. When you make an
attack using this weapon, you can use your Charisma
modifier, instead of Strength or Dexterity, for the
attack and damage rolls, and the weapon counts
as magical for the purpose of overcoming damage
immunities and resistances.
You can only bond to one weapon at a time this way.
If you attempt bond yourself to a new weapon, you
must end your bond with the previous one.
Sorcerous Combat
By channeling your magical abilities through your
bonded weapon, you convert your innate magical
prowess into martial mastery. Starting at 1st level,
as long as you hold your bonded weapon, you gain a
bonus to your AC equal to your Charisma modifier as
long as you aren’t wearing armor.
Once you reach 3rd level, you can spend 2 sorcery
points to envelop your bonded weapon in magical
energy. Choose one damage type: acid, cold, fire,
lightning, poison, or thunder. For the next minute,
your bonded weapon deals an additional 1d6 damage
of the chosen type to any target you hit with the
weapon. As a bonus action, you can change the
damage type, choosing from the options above.
Chapter 2 - Classes 25
Extra Attack
Starting at 6th level, you can attack twice, instead of
Warlock
once, whenever you take the Attack action on your Warlocks are those who have gained their powers
turn. through pacts with powerful entities. The Great Dale
is filled with stories of those who have bargained with
Warrior’s Soul powerful beings from beyond.
You have the heart of a warrior, and that dauntless The ancient civilization of Narfell was fueled by the
spirit spurs you to overcome any trial. pacts it made with all manner of fiends. The Forest of
Lethyr have strong ties to the Feywild; Many warlocks
Starting at 14th level, you can no longer be from these woods may find themselves with Archfey
frightened. Additionally, when you roll a Strength, patrons.
Dexterity, or Constitution saving throw, you can spend
3 sorcery points to give yourself advantage on the The following sections provide details of fey and
saving throw. fiendish patrons that warlock characters within the
Great Dale could easily align with. Also included are
Wardbreaker’s Strike additional Eldritch Invocations to consider for warlock
characters.
You can sever your foe’s strength with a simple swing
of your weapon. Starting at 18th level, when you hit
a creature with your bonded weapon, you can spend Archfey Patrons
6 sorcery points to weaken the creature’s resistance
against your spells. If you do, the next time you The forests of the Great Dale have always had very
damage that creature with a spell, the creature has strong ties to the fey, particularly what remains of
vulnerability to all of that spell’s damage. the Forest of Lethyr. Two Archfey patrons that work
well within the Great Dale include the Faerie Queen
Titania and her rival, the Queen of Air and Darkness.
Titania
Faerie Queen of the Seelie Court, Titania is the
opposite of her sister, the Queen of Air and Darkness.
She is a ruler of the fey and is especially revered by
pixies and sprites, who see her as their deity.
As a patron. Titania is a creature of good, though
she is capable of great wrath when battling against
true evil or when defending fey lands. Though one of
the most powerful fey, and a likely patron to numerous
warlocks, her constant duties as ruler of the Summer
Court make her personal involvement in a warlock’s
Chapter 2 - Classes 27
without counting against the number of targets. If
Eldritch Invocations you do, you remain aware of your surroundings using
your passive Perception score and can end the spell
This section provides additional warlock invocations
on yourself early at will; you are otherwise treated as
that are well suited to warlocks of the Archfey or
unconscious.
fiends.
Chapter 2 - Classes 29
Symbol of Protection Master Demon Summoner
At 2nd level, you can spend 24 hours to craft an At 10th level, you add the planar binding and summon
amulet using 50 gold pieces worth of materials greater demonXGtE spells to your spellbook in addition
that bolsters your protection against certain types to the usual spells gained at a new level. A demon
of creatures and substitutes for the material you summon with the summon greater demon spell
components of the protection from evil and good has disadvantage on its saving throws to break your
spell. While you’re affected by that spell, creatures control over it if you’re wearing your Symbol of
you’re protected against must make a Charisma Protection and it can see you; the demon doesn’t get
saving throw against your wizard spellcasting DC if a saving throw if you also say its true name. Likewise,
they wish to attack you or target you with a hostile a demon you attempt to bind with the planar binding
action while you’re wearing the amulet. On a failed spell that can see you while you’re wearing the amulet
save, they must select a different target. You can only has disadvantage on its saving throw to resist the
benefit from one enchanted amulet you have crafted spell, or it doesn’t get a saving throw if you also say its
at a time, and it only works for you. true name.
In addition, the dispel evil and good spell is
Demon Summoner considered a wizard spell for you, and you can choose
At 6th level, you may add the summon lesser to add it to your spellbook when you gain a level,
demonsXGtE spell to your spellbook in addition to the including when you gain this feature at 10th level.
usual spells gained at a new level. When you cast
this spell, the summoned demons have disadvantage Baleful Energy
on attack rolls against you and allies within 30 feet Beginning at 14th level, you can have the destructive
of you if the demons can see you and you’re wearing energy of your spells draw from the Abyss. Whenever
your Symbol of Protection. you cast a spell that deals damage, you can choose
to deal necrotic damage instead of the spell’s usual
damage type.
T
with a criminal background could prove useful to this
he Great Dale is a diverse setting where powerful group.
characters of nearly any background can
find their place. This chapter provides
a few ideas for fitting the standard Player’s NEW BACKGROUND
Handbook backgrounds into the Dale, while also
showcasing three new backgrounds for players to
consider—demon tainted, Nentyarch follower, and
Demon Tainted
Shadowmaster’s agent. At some point, you were corrupted by the powers of
the Abyss, and your very being was pierced to the
Acolyte core by dark energies. Now you wander as a pariah,
haunted by the event that made you this way. Now
Characters with the acolyte background likely come you have turned to adventuring to either win the favor
from one of the larger settlements such as Uthmere or of the people through deed, or find enough coin to
Yeshelmar. sway anyone that might judge you for what you have
become. You might flinch at what they call you, or
Within Uthmere, the Hall of the Just is the largest embrace it. Either way, it is difficult to hide that you
temple and is dedicated to Tyr though it also contains are “demon tainted.”
shrines to Torm and Ilmater. A new Hidden House of
Shadow dedicated to Mask has been set up by recent Skill Proficiencies: Religion, Survival
arrivals from Telflamm. Tool Proficiency: any one tool proficiency
The Nentyarch’s stronghold in Yeshelmar includes a Languages: Abyssal
well-tended temple to Silvanus and Mielikki. Equipment: Traveler’s clothes, a hooded cloak, a
Player characters serving other deities may have staff, a small memento from your previous life, and a
arrived from other lands, or perhaps are helping to set leather pouch containing 10 gp.
up a new shrine in Uthmere, Bezentile, or Kront.
Charlatan
The frontier of the Great Dale provides plenty of
opportunity for grifters to con the unsuspecting and
then disappear. Charlatan characters will likely spend
time their time wherever significant merchant traffic
flows, such as Uthmere, Bezentil, or Kront. Of course,
a small backwater farmstead may be just the place for
a charlatan to con some unsuspecting Dalesfolk out of
their coin.
Criminal
The general lawless nature of the Great Dale is
well suited for characters of a criminal bent. The
Shadowmasters of Telflamm are making a concerted
effort to establish a strong thieves’ guild in rapidly-
expanding Uthmere.
Shou criminal groups from Thesk, such as the Nine
Golden Swords, also have their eye on coin flowing
through this growing frontier. They may look for
Chapter 3 - Backgrounds 31
Dark Origin Demonic Mark
The moment when your life force was corrupted by The tainted nature of your being has its own physical
demonic powers is what made you who you are today. manifestation that gives away what you are. You can
That moment changed you forever, maybe through choose one of the following from the Demonic Marks
your own doing, or someone else’s. Choose a dark table, or roll for one. Alternatively, you might choose to
origin, or roll on the Dark Origin table to determine create your own.
the event that changed you. d8 Demonic Mark
d10 Dark Origin 1 One or more of your limbs turned red and demon-like.
1 You tried to bargain for power, and in turn the 2 Your eyes resemble that of a goat’s and glow red in the
demon you bargained with took a few liberties with dark.
the idea of granting you power. 3 You have a second mouth somewhere on your body
2 You were intended as a sacrifice to a Demon Prince, that incessantly mumbles and whispers words of
but instead became their champion. disaster in Abyssal.
3 In a moment of trauma, the demonic ancestry in 4 Long curled horns sprout from your forehead and a
your bloodline manifested. spaded tail extends from your lower back.
4 You were born this way, and were raised far away 5 Parts of your body look charred and ashen and you
from society’s judgemental eyes. always smell of smoke.
5 You took an unexpected trip to the Abyss, and did 6 A ghastly unblinking eye sits in the middle of your
not return the same person. forehead. Although you can’t see through it, you get
the sinking feeling someone or something else can.
6 After stealing a dark tome belonging to your master,
you attempted to cast a spell from it, and things 7 Your body is covered in Abyssal runes that glow faintly
went horribly awry. in the presence of divine magic.
7 Little did you know, your past lover had actually 8 Your tongue is forked and vestigial wings sprout from
been a demon, and their presence slowly changed your shoulder blades.
you.
8 After having scorned a powerful spellcaster, this
cursed form manifested over time. Feature: Dark One’s Reputation
9 You made a bet with a demon and lost. When you encounter a demon, they immediately
10 After a night of debauchery, you woke up to find recognize you for what you are and treat you as
yourself like this. though you are a fiend yourself. Though they might
not necessarily act friendly towards you, they treat you
with more respect and esteem than other mortals and
readily parley with you as long as you have not already
met them with open hostility.
Spell List
If you are a spellcaster, the spells on the Demon
Tainted Spells table are added to the spell list of your
spellcasting class. (If you are a multiclass character
with multiple spell lists, these spells are added to all of
them.)
Demon Tainted Spells Table
Spell Level Spells
Cantrip chill touch, produce flame, thaumaturgy
1st burning hands, hellish rebuke, inflict wounds
2nd crown of madness, darkness, flaming sphere
3rd fear, fireball, summon lesser demon*
4th summon greater demon*, wall of fire
5th destructive wave
* Found in Xanathar’s Guide to Everything
Chapter 3 - Backgrounds 33
Folk Hero Guild Artisan
The people of the Dale are a hale and hearty folk. The Most goods within the Great Dale are imported from
land’s harsh winters and the ever-present dangers other lands. The few products the land is known
lurking in the wilderness provide ample opportunity for included woodcrafts, specialized herbs, and
for new heroes to arise. Are you descended from alchemical ingredients. A character with the guild
families who have lived in the Dale for generations, or artisan background likely comes from Uthmere, or
are you a recent settler from Impiltur? What elevated could be a guild member from Thesk or Impiltur.
your character to be seen as a hero by those in the
Great Dale?
Great Dale Defining Event
D4 Defining Event
Hermit
1 Blizzard. During the Great Dale’s harsh The wild frontier of the Great Dale is perfect for those
winters, you trudged through blowing who wish to escape civilization, provided they can
snow and freezing temperatures to bring survive its dangers. What is the secret that drove your
supplies desperately needed to a remote character from their life of quiet solitude into one of
farmstead. adventure?
2 Beasts. There is an ever-present danger in
D4 Secret
the Great Dale from hungry beasts in the
wild. You fought off one of these beasts 1 You lived for many years in the wild, but
protecting yourself, or someone else from recently incursions of demons forced you to
certain death. flee from your home.
3 Nar Barbarians. Fierce barbarians from 2 You witnessed a woman wearing markings
Narfell occasionally charge into the Great of the Plague-Crone walk through the forest,
Dale hoping to pillage anything they find. leaving a trail of rotting vegetation behind her.
You warned a farmstead of an impending You fear she may be a disciple of the Rotting
attack and helped rebuff their ferocious Man returned to haunt the realms.
onslaught. 3 A strange creature that looked like a blue-
4 Demon Attack. Since the fall of Narfell, skinned elf but with its eyes replaced by
demons have haunted the Great Dale and glowing cold pin-pricks of light floated across
you were lucky enough to have survived the Dale. You fear this undead-looking figure
an attack from one of these fiends. can only portent a terrible evil to come.
5 Voice from Afar. A power from beyond 4 You overheard a pair of Nar hunters speak of
has anointed you with a greater destiny. a mustering led by a new Demon Binder who
Perhaps someone from the Seelie court is bent on recreating the ancient empire of
has called upon your service, a celestial Narfell.
power charged you with a quest, or a
being of unknown origin has pushed you
along the path to adventure.
6 Leader’s Call. Someone in a position
of power saw the spark of greatness
in you. Was it the head of the village, a
representative of Uthmere, or perhaps
the great Nentyarch itself?
Chapter 3 - Backgrounds 35
d6 Flaw d8 How you came to the Great Dale
1 I’m a fraud. There’s no way I can live up to 1 Restless Wanderer. You have always been a nomad,
people’s expectations. eager to follow whatever trail your feet fell upon.
2 I’d prefer to stay alone in the woods then to Somehow your path has led you to the Great Dale,
deal with people. and you are intrigued to explore its landscape.
3 I don’t understand the value of money. 2 Personal Quest. It is a tradition in your culture that
when you come of age, you explore lands outside of
4 I believe that the ends justify the means.
your home for a period of time. As an example, the
5 I cannot resist the temptations of civilization youth of Rashemen must undertake a journey of self-
and overindulge in its pleasures. discovery before they are considered adults.
6 I don’t trust anyone, not even my closest 3 Accidental Arrival. You did not intend to arrive in
friends. the Great Dale but found yourself here after an
unexpected event. Perhaps you fell off a ship at sea
and washed ashore in Uthmere or were transported
through a gate from a faraway land.
Noble 4 Escape. Something or someone took you from your
home. Eventually you escaped, but you now find
The greatest source of noble families along the yourself in unfamiliar lands. Perhaps you were slave
Eastern Reach is Implitur. Over the last thousand being brought to market from a far away land or
years, noble houses have founded many nearby bounty hunters had captured you for a price on your
settlements including Teflamm and Uthmere. head.
The Ruling Council in Implitur sees the rise of the
Great Dale as an opportunity to grow the nation’s
economic power. They may sponsor noble families
to settle portions of the Dale and extend Impiltur’s
Sage
control. The Great Dale is sparsely populated when compared
You may be from a noble family sent to bring to other regions of Faerûn so places of learning where
civilization to the land, or perhaps you are from an old you might study are few and far between. Where was
royal family with estates nearby Uthmere or one of the it that you spent your formative years and gathered the
larger settlements. lore you now possess?
D6 Source of learning
1 Uthmere. You spent many of your formative years
Outlander studying beneath a mentor in the growing frontier
town of Uthmere.
You arrived in the Great Dale from another land. 2 Mauberg’s Oak. You studied at the remarkable druid’s
The Dalesfolk and their way of life is unfamiliar to place of learning in the Forest of Lethyr.
you. Perhaps you have never lived in such a cool 3 Yeshelmaar. You learned much of your knowledge at
climate before, or been forced to survive in a frontier the ancient wood elf stronghold where the Nentyarch
wilderness. Whatever the case, the land is strange and now holds court.
unfamiliar as you adventure across the Great Dale. 4 Small Settlement. Your mentor preferred the quiet
contemplation available in one of the Great Dale’s
small villages or simple farmsteads.
5 Isolated Study. Your mentor chose a remote location
to set up their place of study. They wanted none of
civilization’s distractions to impede their studies.
6 Come From Away. You completed your studies outside
the Great Dale. Perhaps you came from somewhere
relatively nearby such as Implitur, Rashemen, or
Thesk, or, perhaps you are from a far away land such
as Chult, the Moonshaes, or Kara-Tur.
Chapter 3 - Backgrounds 37
d8 Personality Trait
d6 Flaw
1 Why tell the truth when I can get by only telling half of
1 I am quick to betray if it means my own gain.
it?
2 I don’t have allies, only pawns and tools.
2 I know more than people think, and I can’t resist
hinting at it. 3 Everywhere I go, I seem to make only enemies.
3 Insults and intrigue are my specialty. Words can do just 4 I don’t trust anyone that says they want what is “good
as much, if not more, damage than a knife. for everybody.”
4 I enjoy basking in shadows and darkness; The closer to 5 The first one to run is the last one to die, and I don’t
our Mistress I am, the better. plan on dying.
5 I’m quick to start a fight, and quicker to end one. 6 My sharp tongue regularly creates trouble for me and
my allies.
6 I am, what you might call, “a control freak.” I become
nervous and irritated when things are out of my power.
7 I always look for anything to get me ahead or leverage
8
over my enemies.
Fast-talk and doublespeak are my preferred styles of
Soldier
communication. If you can’t keep up, that’s not my The growing prosperity of Uthmere has beckoned
problem. to many a strong sword arm to come to the frontier
town. You may have served in Uthmere’s town
d6 Ideal guard, attempting to keep the peace in this frontier
1 Influence. By manipulating the world through the town. Perhaps you were one of the town of Solin’s
shadows, I can reshape it to my liking. (Evil) Dunwards, who helped protect it from a fiendish
2 Anarchy. There are few rules we actually need, and if incursion. Perhaps you came from farther afield
the rest of the world were to see that, we would be truly and were a soldier from Implitur or a mercenary
free. (Chaotic) employed by a rich merchant house in Thesk. Plenty
3 Greed. The Shadowmasters are a means to an end, of opportunities exist for trained soldiers in the Dale.
and that end sees me with all the gold. (Neutral)
4 Devotion. The will of Shar brings many blessings, by
walking through shadow, I will be blessed. (Any)
5 Control. Through our schemes, we can control the Urchin
masses. (Lawful)
Life in the Great Dale is hard and provides far too
6 Punishment. Those that stand against us will be many opportunities for children to become orphans,
consumed by the darkness. (Evil)
particularly in the wilder regions of the Dale. Did
d6 Bond you lose your family when your farmstead fell to a
barbarian attack, a demonic onslaught, or was it
1 One of the shadowlords has taken a keen interest in
me, and I would do anything to impress them.
simply the cold and hunger of a harsh winter that
forced you from your home? Presumably you arrived
2 Shar has spoken to me directly, and I fear nothing
in Uthmere and lived in its streets. Did you survive
more than losing her favor.
on your own, or did a kindly priest of Chauntea or Tyr
3 My family knows nothing of my role in the help you to survive? Or maybe you come from farther
Shadowmasters and I would prefer to keep it that way.
away such as Thesk or Implitur, and the allure of
4 I spared someone during a mission once. If the guild starting a new life brought you to the Dale?
were to find out, it would be the end of me.
5 I am in love with a member of one of our rival guilds.
6 I will stop at nothing to achieve the rank of
Shadowlord.
Chapter 4 - Feats 39
affect ethereal creatures, creatures under the effects
of a blink spell, creatures within the extradimensional
Fiend Hunter space of a rope trick spell, or portable hole, or other
similar extra dimensional effects.
You are exceptionally skilled at fighting fiends. You When you cast a spell, you may choose to cast it
gain the following benefits: using a higher level spell slot in order for that spell to
Increase one ability score of your choice by 1, to a affect targets on coexistent planes. You do not receive
maximum of 20. the normal benefits gained from casting that spell
You gain advantage on initiative checks when fighting using the higher level spell slot.
fiends. As an example, if you cast magic missile with four
When making a weapon attack against a fiend, you deal darts of magical force at an ethereal creature, you
an extra 1d4 damage of your weapon’s damage type. would have to use a 3rd-level spell slot—one spell slot
level higher than would normally be required to create
Long Reach four darts of force.
In order to target a creature, you must still be able to
You know how to extend your reach to target see that creature. You do not have to see a creature if
opponents with spear-like weapons. You gain the it is within the area of effect of a spell.
following benefits:
Increase your Strength score by 1, to a maximum of 20.
Your weapon attacks with a javelin, pike, spear, or
Woodwise
trident score a critical hit on a roll of 19 or 20. You are exceedingly dangerous when fighting in
On your turn, when you attack with a javelin, pike, wooded areas, where you gain the following benefits:
spear, or trident, your reach increases by 5 feet. The Increase your Dexterity or Wisdom score by 1, to a
reach for your opportunity attacks with these weapons maximum of 20.
remains unchanged.
You have advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks in
wooded areas..
Smooth Talker If your speed is not zero, then it increases by 5 feet,
even when moving through difficult terrain in wooded
You are accustomed to using words to get out of areas.
difficult situations and know just the right thing to
say in most circumstances. You gain the following
benefits:
Increase your Charisma score by 1, to a maximum of
20.
You have advantage on Wisdom (Insight) and Charisma
(Persuasion) checks with individuals you have never
met before.
If you are in combat with a creature and are able to
speak a language that creature understands, you may
use your action to try to convince the creature to hold
their attack.
The creature must make a Wisdom saving throw (DC
equal to 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Charisma
modifier). On a failed saving throw the target does not
attack you or your allies until the start of your next
turn, or until another creature makes an attack
against it.
Transdimensional Spell
You know how to cast your spells so they affect targets
on coexistent planes, such as the Ethereal Plane or
the Shadow Plane. You may choose to have your spells
40 THE GREAT DALE
CHAPTER 5 – SPELLS
S
pellcasters in the Great Dale have a history
of weaving intriguing magical powers seldom
seen in other parts of Faerûn. The spells within
this chapter showcase forgotten lore that is waiting
to be found within these lands, or that represents the
unique traditions of the people of the Dale.
Of course, new spells are not the only way to give
characters a taste of the Great Dale. The land has long
been closely tied to elves and the fey — for good and
for ill. The Empire of Narfell and its fiendish traditions
still taint the land. Spells unleased by casters of the
Great Dale could look very different than those cast by
someone from the Sword Coast.
A magic missile invoked by a wizard following the
traditions of the first elves of Riildath might erupt in
shades of green and throw off ephemeral sparks that
seem alive as they strike their target.
The same spell cast using arcane formulae found
within a Nar demonbinder’s spellbook might appear
very different. Their magic missile could unlease orbs
of screaming blackness that spiral wickedly towards
their victims.
Chapter 5 - Spells 41
Sorcerer Spells
Cantrip
Infestation (conjuration)
1st level
Nybor’s Gentle Reminder (enchantment)
2nd Level
Decastave (conjuration)
Snilloc’s Snowball Swarm (evocation)
Toothed Tentacle (evocation)
3rd Level
Bladebane (transmutation)
Catnap (enchantment)
Clearstone (alteration)
Erupting Filth (transmutation)
Hail Blast (conjuration)
4th Level
Bloodbriars (evocation)
Beltyn’s Burning Blood (necromancy)
Force Orb (evocation)
5th Level
Ball Lightning (evocation)
Enervation (necromancy) Wizard Spells
6 Level
th
Cantrip
Crushing Sphere (evocation) Infestation (conjuration)
Demon Form (transmutation)
Shalantha’s Delicate Disk (conjuration) 1st level
7th Level Nybor’s Gentle Reminder (enchantment)
Nybor’s Stern Reproof (enchantment) 2nd Level
Decastave (conjuration)
Warlock Spells Toothed Tentacle (evocation)
Snilloc’s Snowball Swarm (evocation)
Cantrip
Infestation (conjuration) 3rd Level
Bladebane (transmutation)
1st level Catnap (enchantment)
Nybor’s Gentle Reminder (enchantment) Clearstone (transmutation)
2nd Level Erupting Filth (transmutation)
Toothed Tentacle (evocation) Hail Blast (conjuration)
Summon Lesser Demon (conjuration)
3rd Level
Erupting Filth (transmutation) 4th Level
Summon Lesser Demon (conjuration) Bloodbriars (evocation)
Beltyn’s Burning Blood (necromancy)
4th Level Force Orb (evocation)
Beltyn’s Burning Blood (necromancy) Summon Greater Demon (conjuration)
Shadow of Moil (necromancy)
Summon greater demon (conjuration) 5th Level
Ball Lightning (evocation)
5th Level Enervation (necromancy)
Enervation (necromancy)
Summon Greater Demon (conjuration) 6th Level
Crushing Sphere (evocation)
6th Level Demon Form (transmutation)
Demon Form (transmutation) Shalantha’s Delicate Disk (conjuration)
7th Level 7th Level
Nybor’s Stern Reproof (enchantment) Nybor’s Stern Reproof (enchantment)
Bladebane
3rd-level transmutation
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 120 ft.
Components: V, S, M (a drop of blood and ruby dust
worth 500gp)
Duration: 10 minutes
You touch a single slashing weapon and make it more
deadly for a short period of time. Choose a creature
type, and if humanoids are the chosen creature type
select two humanoid subtypes that this spell will
Ball Lightning affect. The weapon becomes a magical weapon for the
5th-level evocation purposes of overcoming resistances, and creatures of
that type are vulnerable to damage from the weapon.
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 120 ft.
Components: V, S, M (a handful of copper pellets)
Bloodbriars
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute 4th-level evocation
You create one to four 3-foot diameter spheres of Casting Time: 1 action
lightning. The more spheres you create, the weaker Range: 90 ft.
each sphere is individually. Each sphere appears in Components: V, S, M (a drop of blood)
an unoccupied space you can see within range. Each Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute
sphere sheds dim light in a 30-foot radius. This spell snares a creature within range in a tangle of
As a bonus action, you can move each sphere up invisible, razor-sharp briars made of mystical energy.
to 30 feet, but no farther than 120 feet away from The affected creature suffers no ill effects as long as
you. When a creature other than you comes within it does not attempt to move, attack, cast a spell with
5 feet of a sphere, the sphere discharges lightning material or somatic components, or perform any other
at that creature and disappears. That creature must action that requires movement. If the target moves in
make a Dexterity saving throw. On a failed save, the any fashion, it takes 2d8 piercing damage. Damage
creature takes lightning damage based on the number from the spell disrupts spellcasting; a subject that
of spheres you created. (4 spheres = 2d4, 3 spheres = attempts to cast a spell with a material or somatic
2d6, 2 spheres = 5d4, 1 sphere = 4d12). component must make a concentration check, with
a DC equal to 10 + spell level + damage dealt); on a
failure the spell is not cast and the spell slot is still
expended.
Chapter 5 - Spells 43
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a
spell slot of 5th level or higher, the damage increases
Crushing Sphere
by 1d8 and it’s range increases by 10 feet for every slot 6th-level evocation
above 4th. Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 60 ft.
Catnap Components: V, S, M (an eggshell, which is crushed
Originally published in Xanathar’s Guide to Everything as the spell is cast)
3rd-level enchantment Duration: 1 minute
Casting Time: 1 action Crushing sphere has all the characteristics of Otiluke’s
Range: 30 ft. resilient sphere, except that the target takes 3d8
Components: S, M (a pinch of sand) bludgeoning damage at the start of each of its turns as
Duration: 10 minutes the sphere squeezes it.
You make a calming gesture, and up to three willing
creatures of your choice that you can see within range
Decastave
fall unconscious for the spell’s duration. The spell 2nd-level conjuration
ends on a target early if it takes damage or someone Casting Time: 1 bonus action
uses an action to shake or slap it awake. If a target Range: Self
remains unconscious for the full duration, that target Components: V, S, M (slender wand of duskwood)
gains the benefit of a short rest, and it can’t be affected Duration: Concentration, up to 10 minutes
by this spell again until it finishes a long rest.
You conjure a shimmering staff of force that is 8 feet
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using long and 2 inches thick and lasts for the duration of
a spell slot of 4th level or higher, you can target one the spell. If you let go of the stave, it disappears, but
additional willing creature for each slot level above you can re-summon it again as a bonus action.
3rd.
You can use your action to make a melee spell attack
with this force weapon. On a hit, the decastave deals
Clearstone 2d8 force damage. On a critical hit, a thunderous blast
3rd-level transmutation of force targets the creature, requiring it to succeed on
Casting Time: 1 action a Constitution saving throw or be pushed 10 feet away
Range: Self from you and be stunned until the end of its next turn.
Components: V, S, M (a small, flat piece of glass) Because of the decastave is made of force, it can
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute affect ethereal or incorporeal creatures.
You cause a stone or section of stone wall to become At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a
transparent. You can affect up to 5 cubic feet of stone. spell slot of 4th level or higher, the damage increases
Visibility through the stone is perfectly clear, though by 1d8 for every two slots levels above 2nd.
it’s limited by the available light or by objects and
creatures embedded in the stone. Demon Form
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a 6th-level transmutation
spell slot of 3rd level or higher, the cubic feet of stone
Casting Time: 1 action
affected increases 5 cubic feet for every slot above
Range: Self
2nd.
Components: V, M (the bone of a demon)
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 hour
You assume the form of a demon with a challenge
rating equal to half your level (rounded down). You
must have seen the type of demon at least once
before or the spell fails. You transform into an average
example of the demon you chose for the duration.
Your game statistics are replaced by the statistics
of the demon you chose, but you don’t gain any of its
spellcasting abilities. You retain your own alignment,
Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma scores. You also
retain your skill and saving throw proficiencies in
44 THE GREAT DALE
addition to gaining those of the creature. You can’t use
any of the creature’s legendary or lair actions.
Erupting Filth
3rd-level transmutation
You assume the hit points and Hit Dice of the new
form. When you revert to your normal form, you Casting Time: 1 action
return to the number of hit points you had before Range: 120 ft.
you transformed. If you revert due to dropping to 0 Components: V, S, M (a piece of rotting flesh)
hit points, any excess damage carries over to your Duration: Instantaneous
normal form. If the excess damage doesn’t reduce Choose a point you can see on the ground within
your normal form to 0 hit points, you aren’t knocked range. This spell’s transformative energies cause a
unconscious. fountain of rotting flesh and vegetable matter to erupt
You retain the benefit of any features of your class, in a 20-foot cube centered on that point. Each creature
race, or other source and can use them, provided your in that area must make a Dexterity saving throw.
new form can also use them. However, you can’t use A creature takes 3d12 necrotic damage on a failed
any special senses of your normal form unless your save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
new form also possesses them. You can only speak if Additionally, a creature which fails the saving throw
the creature can also speak. automatically contracts sewer plague (see chapter 8,
Diseases, DMG).
When you transform, you choose whether your
equipment falls to the ground, merges into your new At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a
form, or is worn by it. Worn equipment functions as spell slot of 4th level or higher, the damage increases
normal. The DM determines whether it is practical by 1d12 for each slot level above 3rd.
for the new form to wear any equipment based on its
shape and size. Your equipment doesn’t change shape
or size to match the new form and must fall to the
ground or merge if it can’t be worn. Equipment that
merges with the new form doesn’t have an effect in
that state.
Enervation
Originally published in Xanathar’s Guide to Everything
5th-level necromancy
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 60 ft.
Components: V, S
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute
A tendril of inky darkness reaches out from you,
touching a creature you can see within range to drain
life from it. The target must make a Dexterity saving
throw. On a successful save, the target takes 2d8
necrotic damage, and the spell ends. On a failed save,
the target takes 4d8 necrotic damage, and until the
spell ends, you can use your action on each of your
turns to automatically deal 4d8 necrotic damage to
the target. The spell ends if you use your action to do
anything else, if the target is ever outside the spell’s
range, or if the target has total cover from you.
Whenever the spell deals damage to a target, you
regain hit points equal to half the amount of necrotic
damage the target takes.
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a
spell slot of 6th level or higher, the damage increases
by 1d8 for each slot level above 5th.
Chapter 5 - Spells 45
Force Orb Hail Blast
4th-level evocation 3rd-level conjuration
Casting Time: 1 action Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 60 ft. Range: Self (60-foot cone)
Components: V, S Components: V, S, M (a pinch of rock salt)
Duration: Instantaneous Duration: Instantaneous
You create four hand-sized glowing orbs of force. A blast of wind, sleet, and hail bursts from your
Make a ranged spell attack for each force orb against outstretched hands. Each creature in a 60-foot cone
a creature of your choice that you can see within must succeed on a Constitution saving throw. A
range. Each orb deals 2d8 points of force damage on creature takes 3d6 cold damage and on a failed save
a hit. On a miss the orb explodes in a 10-foot burst or half as much on a successful save. In addition,
dealing 1d4 points of force damage to each target in all creatures within the blast must make a Strength
the area, or half as much if the creature succeeds on a saving throw or be pushed 10 feet away from you and
Constitution saving throw. knocked prone.
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using
a spell slot of 5th level or higher you can create an
additional force orb for each slot level above 4th. Infestation
Originally published in Xanathar’s Guide to Everything
Ghostpipes Cantrip conjuration
1st-level transmutation
Casting Time: 1 action
Casting Time: 1 action Range: 30 ft.
Range: Touch Components: V, S, M (a living flea)
Components: V, M (a musical instrument) Duration: Instantaneous
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 hour
You cause a cloud of mites, fleas, and other parasites
You cause one musical instrument that is in good to appear momentarily on one creature you can
working order to float a few feet above the ground and see within range. The target must succeed on a
begin to play itself. Constitution saving throw, or it takes 1d6 poison
You make skill checks for the music created by damage and moves 5 feet in a random direction if it
the instrument as if you had proficiency with the can move and its speed is at least 5 feet. Roll a d4 for
instrument and your proficiency bonus is doubled if the direction: 1, north; 2, south; 3, east; or 4, west.
you are already proficient with the instrument. Skill This movement doesn’t provoke opportunity attacks,
checks associated with the music coming from your and if the direction rolled is blocked, the target doesn’t
enchanted instrument are made at advantage and use move.
your spell casting ability modifier. The spell’s damage increases by 1d6 when you
reach 5th level (2d6), 11th level (3d6), and 17th level
Greenfire (4d6)
3rd-level evocation
Casting Time: 1 action Nybor’s Gentle Reminder
Range: 120 ft 1st-level enchantment
Components: V, S
Duration: 1 round Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 30 ft.
Choose a point you can see on the ground within Components: V, S, M (a thin wooden switch at least 2
range. You call forth a virulent blast of green energy ft. long)
from the ground in a 20-foot cube centered on that Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute
point. Each creature in that area when the spell is
cast must make a Dexterity saving throw or take 3d12 Choose a target creature within range. That target
points of acid damage, or half as much damage on a must make a successful Constitution saving throw or
successful one. Creatures entering the greenfire while suffer excruciating pain for the duration of the spell.
it is still active automatically fail their saving throw. The target has disadvantage on all ability checks,
You may choose to have natural vegetation, ground attack rolls, and saving throws. If the affected target is
cover, and plant creatures remain unharmed by the concentrating on a spell, it must immediately make a
greenfire. concentration check against the spellcaster’s DC.
Chapter 5 - Spells 47
Snilloc’s Snowball Swarm Summon Lesser Demon
Originally published in Xanathar’s Guide to Everything Originally published in Xanathar’s Guide to Everything
2nd-level evocation 3rd-level conjuration
Casting Time: 1 action Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 90 ft. Range: 60 ft.
Components: V, S, M (a piece of ice or a small white Components: V, S, M (a vial of blood from a
rock chip) humanoid killed within the past 24 hours)
Duration: Instantaneous Duration: Concentration, up to 1 hour
A flurry of magic snowballs erupts from a point you You utter foul words, summoning demons from the
choose within range. Each creature in a 5-foot-radius chaos of the Abyss. Roll on the following table to
sphere centered on that point must make a Dexterity determine what appears.
saving throw. A creature takes 3d6 cold damage on a
d6 Demons Summoned
failed save, or half as much damage on a successful
one. 1-2 Two demons of challenge rating 1 or lower
3-4 Four demons of challenge rating ½ or lower
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a
spell slot of 3rd level or higher, the damage increases 5-6 Eight demons of challenge rating ¼ or lower
by 1d6 for each slot level above 2nd.
The DM chooses the demons, such as manes or
dretches, and you choose the unoccupied spaces you
can see within range where they appear. A summoned
demon disappears when it drops to 0 hit points or
when the spell ends.
The demons are hostile to all creatures, including
you. Roll initiative for the summoned demons as a
group, which has its own turns. The demons pursue
and attack the nearest non-demons to the best of their
ability.
As part of casting the spell, you can form a circle
on the ground with the blood used as a material
component. The circle is large enough to encompass
your space. While the spell lasts, the summoned
demons can’t cross the circle or harm it, and they can’t
target anyone within it. Using the material component
in this manner consumes it when the spell ends.
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using
a spell slot of 6th or 7th level, you summon twice as
many demons. If you cast it using a spell slot of 8th or
9th level, you summon three times as many demons.
Chapter 5 - Spells 49
CHAPTER 6 – ITEMS OF Crown of Whispers
Wondrous item, very rare (requires attunement)
In the Year of the Fearless Peasant (926 DR), a pair of
E
vents around the Great Dale have been However, the ship carrying the princess and her
affected by a number of powerful magic items. crowns were lost to the depths of the Inner Sea due
It’s likely that the ultimate fate of this land may to the scheming of Soneillon, a succubus known as
necessitate a hero to pursue a quest for one of these the Queen of Whispers. The succubus later recovered
rare relics so they may vanquish a terrible evil. these crowns and used them to cement her rule within
The following chapter provides a selection of both the Giantspire Mountains by periodically lending them
powerful and mundane items that can be added to to the hobgoblin tribes who pledged their fealty to her.
your campaign. Soneillon is now gone, banished to the Abyss, but it
is believed these two crowns are still are worn by the
Bluewood hobgoblin leaders who once served the demon.
Mundane Item, rare While wearing one of these crowns, your Charisma
The Forest of Lethyr and Dunwood both support small score increases by 2, to a maximum of 20. You have
populations of blueleaf trees scattered within. The advantage on any opposed Charisma checks made
volodni have mastered the ability to craft bluewood with creatures who are not hostile towards you.
weapons and armor from these trees through the
careful application of natural and arcane magic. The Crowsinger’s Locket
items crafted from bluewood are effectively as strong Wondrous item, rare (requires attunement)
as their metal equivalents, but at half the weight. The This black locket in the shape of a crow’s skull has
volodni are exceptionally protective of the secrets been in the possession of the Crow Witch for as
to crafting these bluewood items and are greatly long as anyone can remember. It is made out of pure
suspicious of any outsiders possessing them. In most obsidian, and when it is shaken something can be
commercial markets, bluewood items sell at double heard rattling inside.
the cost of a similar weapon or piece of armor.
While wearing the locket, you can use an action to
target one flying beast with a challenge rating of 0
and enter into its mind. The beast must succeed on
a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or you partially seize
its mind. If the creature succeeds on a saving throw
against this effect, they are immune to this ability for
the next 24 hours.
While its mind is seized and it is within 8 miles of you,
you can see through the creature’s eyes and hear what
it hears, gaining the benefits of any special senses that
the creature has. You can also control its movement.
During this time, you are deaf and blind with regard to
your own senses. This effect lasts for 8 hours, and you
can end it early at any point using a bonus action.
Fiend Ring
Ring, very rare (requires attunement)
Nar Demonbinders of the ancient Empire of Narfell
are said to have fashioned these small rusty bands of
jagged iron. They are believed to have been used to
fight alongside the demons they summoned, and to
take more durable forms in order to mate with these
fiends.
Legendary Purpose. Hadryllis is believed to be the At the end of this hour, your Strength returns to
only item that can destroy the Adamantine Binding normal, but you must immediately succeed on a DC
that was crafted by the Narfelli Demonbinders when 20 Constitution saving throw or fall unconscious for
they summoned Eltab into the Realms. The binding 2d4 hours. Regardless of the result of your saving
is found within the lower dungeons of the Citadel of throw, your Wisdom score remains reduced and you
Conjurers in Impiltur. suffer disadvantage on all ability checks, attack rolls,
and saving throws until you finish a long rest.
Hathran Mask Drinking firewine that has been diluted with ale does
The Hathrans of Rashemen normally wear masks not provide any of these effects.
that hide their faces when treating with outsiders or
traveling outside of Rashemen. Most are nonmagical,
however some honored Hathrans receive special
masks that are enchanted with various effects. A few
of these enchanted masks are detailed below, though
many other forms are believed to exist.
Witchboat
Wondrous item, uncommon
Witchboats are a common sight on the waterways of
Rashemen. They are typically small wooden boats
that can hold three to four people (as per a rowboat),
though larger warboats (equivalent to longships) are
known to exist as well. These boats are crafted by
Rashemani spellcasters who call upon the spirits
of the land to enchant the watercraft. No working
versions of these vessels have been seen outside of
Rashemen.
If the witchboat is floating in a body of water, and
you are within 5 feet of the vessel, you may speak the
command word as a bonus action to cause the boat to
perform one of the following:
Move. The vessel moves at a rate of 30 feet per turn
across water in any direction. This movement speed is
unaffected by water currents.
Stop. The vessel stops any movement and remains
stationary regardless of current.
Return. The vessel returns to its most recent previous
location even if empty.
T
can be found within the Great Dale, but generally their
he Great Dale lies in the northeastern end of numbers are quite small.
Faerûn. It extends north from Thesk until the
cold lands of Narfell. It borders Rashemen
in the east and extends to the waters of the Easting
Reach in the west. The lands of the Great Dale consist
The Dunwood
This ancient wood was once joined with its sister,
of Dunwood in the north, the Dale itself, and the
Lethyr, in a single vast forest called Riildath. Some
Forest of Lethyr in the south.
three-thousand years ago a glacier spread southward,
It is a cold land, with frigid snow-filled winters and carving a path through Riildath to create the Great
short cool summers. In general, the land is sparsely Dale. The remaining northern forest was often
populated, with most living either on its eastern edge referred to as Rawlinswood after the Rawlin River that
near the Easting Reach, or along its southern border flowed out of its western end.
with Thesk.
The forest is boreal, containing a mix of spruce,
Most of the people of this land are humans, living pine, and birch trees. The land grows progressively
in towns, villages, and farmsteads that dot the land. wetter the closer one comes to the Giantspire
In Lethyr, a few wood-elf villages still hide beneath Mountains, as the wet winds from the south drop
the trees. An assortment of dwarves, halflings, their moisture on the southern slopes in the north.
and gnomes have settled alongside their human Mosquito-infested bogs surround the northern
counterparts. The depredations of the Rotting Man highlands, making the region’s short summers
over a hundred years ago forced most of the volodni unbearable for most.
to flee fiend-infested Dunwood for Lethyr in the south.
Denderdale
Village Ruin
Located in the north-central portion of Dunwood,
Denderdale was a modest village that had some
success trading goods with the nomadic Nar tribes
of Narfell. However, in the fall of 1372, the village fell
beneath an onslaught of blightspawned volodni led
by a terrible trio of blightlords—Ghezash the Burnt,
Imred Brightongue, and Calipo Deadeye. Few escaped
and the village was left in ruins.
In recent years the Nar tribes whisper that a hag
they call the Crow Witch has taken up residence in
this accursed place. The hag is said to grant boons to
any who bring her silk or other fine cloth, though her
reasons for doing so remain a mystery.
The Nentyarch
Centuries after the fall of Narfell, an order of druids
and rangers eventually arose to protect the land and
heal it of its demonic taint. They called themselves the
Circle of Leth.
In 722 DR , the Great Druid of Leth claimed the
old Narfell title, Nentyarch, thereby declaring that the
circle now ruled over all the lands that Narfell once
claimed.
The new Nentyarch raised a mighty tree fortress on
top of the ruins of Dun-Tharos. This living bulwark of
trees buried Narfell’s tainted black stones beneath its
roots.
Dun-Tharos The Blightlords
Ancient City Ruin In 1371 DR (Year of the Unstrung Harp), a half-fiend
This ruin rests on a place of ancient evil. Over ten- Chosen of Talona known as the Rotting Man led
thousand years ago, during the time of the Crown an army of blightspawn against Dun-Tharos. The
Wars, dark elves from Ilythiir came to this place, onslaught of these corrupted creatures forced the
guided to this node of evil power by a great demon. Nentyarch and his druidic circle to flee south and take
Under the fiend’s direction, the elves carved a terrible refuge in the Forest of Lethyr.
fortress into the earth and called it Narathmault— The Rotting Man’s control of Dun-Tharos lasted for
“The Dark Pit.” Here, the elves studied beneath their only two years. He died beneath a horde of demons
fiendish tutors, uncovering many dark and terrible unleashed after a failed magical ritual. The released
secrets. Ultimately, the elves abandoned Narathmault fiends streamed out of the ruins of Dun-Tharos to
when the combined divine might of the Seladrine further infect the surrounding woods.
transformed them into the drow and they fled to the
Underdark through openings in the south.
Fortress Clymph
Castle Ruin
In 888 DR (Year of the Twelve Teeth), Clymph, a
powerful spellcaster, raised up this walled keep using
fiendish magics recovered from ancient Narfell. The
fortifications are embedded with intricate magical
sigils, causing its walls to act as a powerful magic
circle. Within the main tower, Clymph created a
sealed portal to Tower Threespires, a second keep he
constructed farther to the east.
The Present Once construction was finished, Clymph opened
a permanent gate to the Abyss and summoned
Dun-Tharos remains a wicked and dangerous place.
forth a torrent of fiends from the lower planes. His
The once-majestic trees raised by the Nentyarch
structure worked perfectly as the demons remained
above the ancient ruin are now corrupted undead
trapped within the tower. Unfortunately, Clymph was
guardians who watch over its ancient stones. Fell
not strong enough to control the flood of fiends and
secrets still lie within, protected by an infestation of
perished shortly after the gate was opened.
fiendish creatures.
To this day the walls of the tower glow red with heat
Scouts from the Circle of Leth continue to watch
and the crackling of fires can be heard coming from
the ruin closely. They report that at least two powerful
within the tower.
beings appear to fight for control of the ancient ruin
and have identified them as:
An Oracle
Eschar – An ogre-shaped demon upon whose head
Arcane scholars inspecting the site after the
grows a crown of horns that glow with a sickly evil
Spellplague suspected the tower’s Abyssal gates were
fire.
severed. This may have removed many of the fiends
The Queen Abiding – A chilling orb of blackness that that once resided within. Yet the site was still haunted
floats through the ruins, surrounded by an aura of fear by a strange presence. Any who were brave enough
and dread. to knock on the fortress gates were greeted by a
booming voice that would answer questions posed to
Forest Blood River it. Most left satisfied with the answers they received,
but stories persist of a few unfortunate souls pulled
The Forest Blood River is viewed by many as the into the gate, never to be seen again.
northwestern edge of the Great Dale. Beyond the river
lies a minor fiefdom under the protection of Impiltur Current Plight
and overseen by Ferrand the Vigilant at Timbertown. Sometime after the Second Sundering, the Oracle
The river is sourced at the northern edge of of Fortress Clymph grew silent. Visitors suspect that
Dunwood in the foothills of the Giantspire mountains. something sinister may still lie within. Those traveling
The waters carve a path through dangerous Dunwood to the ancient ruin have reported that the ground
before exiting into a dale carved from the wood a few slowly throbbed on their approach. For weeks after
hundred years ago. The dale contains empty villages leaving the fortress, visitors have described a feeling of
abandoned after the Rotting Man unleashed waves of dread and dark feverish dreams that keep them awake
demons from beneath Dun-Tharos. at night.
Treed Platforms
The Dale
The strip of treeless land between the forests of
The structure is not a tower in a traditional sense. It Dunwood and Lethyr is called “the Dale” by its
consists of a mighty oak tree that holds up a series inhabitants. It runs 250 miles from Kront in the east
of wooden platforms securely lashed together with to Uthmere in the west.
thick bundles of hempen rope. Hensoi is buried near
the base of the great tree beneath a stone cairn. All Thousands of years ago, the land was carved out
manner of birds still congregate above his final resting of a single expansive forest by a great glacier that
place, which is now covered in a thick layer of bird descended from the north. After the ice retreated, it
excrement. left behind a thin rocky soil atop the slowly undulating
landscape.
New Caretaker The glacier’s soil scrapings were deposited in
The Dalesfolk still fondly recall Hensoi and have the western end of the Dale, near Uthmere and the
grown to respect his adopted daughter despite her Easting Reach. There the soil is rich and supports
orcish heritage. She continues to keep watch on the robust farming, but production is limited by the land’s
land and occasionally relays what she has seen to short summers.
Nentyar hunters and druids of the Circle of Leth. The people in the sparsely populated eastern end
Many have questioned Bresh’s state of mind as she of the Dale have poor soil that can grow only a few
often talks to herself, sounding as if she is responding hardy crops. Here they make due with goat and sheep
to being scolded by her deceased father for not being farming, augmented with the few vegetables they farm
friendly enough to those she meets. in tiny plots.
Bezentil
Trade Village – population 150
The village of Bezentil fell on hard times with the
devastation that occurred in Uthmere after the
Spellplague. A precipitous drop in merchant traffic
along the Great Road forced many of the merchants
to move elsewhere. Later, the tiny trading village was
nearly wiped out in a series of fiendish attacks some
twenty years ago. The village barely survived thanks
to a small band of heroes who helped the village drive
away the fiends before all was lost. The stones are enchanted; a detect magic spell
reveals a lingering aura of conjuration magic. During
Renewed Trade each year’s equinox, the magic of the stones becomes
With the renewal in Uthmere, Bezentil is also fully functional. Anyone who touches the ten stones
experiencing a rebirth. Traffic along the Road is in sequence at that time will be transported to the
returning and a few shops have reopened. Strick’s distant land of Kara-Tur.
Trading Post is one of the few hardy businesses The Circle of Leth are fully aware of the
that were able to survive the village’s difficult years. enchantment, but closely guard this secret. They
This store has been run by the Strick family for over recognize that if merchants caught wind of the stones’
a century. Pehrdal and his wife Lisel (NG human powers, there would be a surge of traffic within the
commonersMM) now manage the store. They are Dale, which they would rather not see.
shrewd business people but offer fair trade for most
who visit the establishment.
One of the sad losses to the fiendish onslaught
Eastwatch
was the Windblown Goat. It had been a popular inn Trade Village – Population 200
and taphouse, but much of it burned down during Little remains of once-bustling Eastwatch. The dual
the demon attacks. A new innkeeper, Evalyn Dugan effects of a declining Uthmere and demon attacks
(NG human female commonerMM) has arrived and is from Dunwood obliterated much of the farming and
reconstructing the inn. The taproom has reopened, herding village. A few hardy souls have recently
and a pair of rooms are available for weary travelers, returned and are attempting to reclaim the hamlet.
but it may be a few years before the structure is fully They are pleased to accept the support of Lord Berold
functional again. and his push to rebuild the Dale.
Mauberg’s Oak
Druid School
Found deep within Lethyr is an oak tree of incredible
size. It towers over the surrounding woods, reaching
over 300 feet in height and over 50 feet across at its Mucklestones
base. The leaves of the enchanted tree are always Location of Interest
green, even in the coldest winters.
In the northeastern end of Lethyr sits an unusual
The great druid Mauberg fashioned a tower inside clearing considered an ancient holy site by the druids
the tree’s trunk, creating a school for druids. The of the forest. The trees surrounding this place form a
interior of the tree has been magically hollowed out, leafy dome over the clearing.
allowing the druids to reside within. The internal
structure is said to contain over a dozen levels, both in Scattered around the clearing are a dozen or more
the tree itself and underground. roughly human-sized blocks of carved stone. Most of
the carvings are difficult to read because of millennia
Mauberg died over two centuries ago, but the of weathering. They are written in an ancient form of
school still thrives. Its current headmaster is Jalon Druidic script that few still understand.
Sunbranch, a volodni high druid (see Chapter 10)
with the following adjustments: An ancient enchantment infuses the sheltered
glade, causing the standing stones to shift through
Jalon is neutral.
intricate patterns. A few scholars have suggested that
Jalon has the following racial features: darkvision out these patterns may foretell coming events, though
to a radius of 60 ft., resistance to poison and piercing no one has claimed any success interpreting them.
damage and advantage on saving throws against sleep Occasionally, even the location of the clearing itself
and charm effects.
shifts within the forest.
Disadvantage on saving throws against magical fire.
Jalon is a strict teacher. He only allows those whom Under The Circle’s Protection
he has deemed worthy to enter the tree, using a series The Circle of Leth takes great care to watch this
of tests to determine worthiness. The school does sacred space; they guard the secret that the stones
allow people to take shelter at the base of the tree. are portals to points across Faerûn. Not all the stone
portals appear to function, or perhaps the druids have
A tribe of aarakocra live in the upper branches of
lost the secrets to using them. However, a few are
the tree. Sha-a-akosh (CG female aarakocra druidMM)
actively used to travel to Yuirwood, where the druids
leads the tribe. She regularly confers with Jalon,
commune with the half-elves in that far southern land.
and directs her tribe to patrol the skies above the
surrounding woods.
Recent Damage
Mohgahdah, a treantMM of great age, shepherds a The Second Sundering appears to have damaged a
community of treants, animated trees, and shrubs number of these magical gates, causing a few to stop
beneath the shelter of the massive oak. functioning, while others are now corrupted and lead
to new and dangerous locations.
Firward Mountains
The Firward Mountains stand solemnly at the far
northeastern edge of the Great Dale. The heavily
forested mountains also touch the borders of Narfell,
Ashanth, and Rashemen, but because they are
sparsely populated, they have generally been left
alone.
These mountains are home to vicious bands of
bugbears, roughly organized into two tribes. The
Horned Skulls have historically been the dominant
group, occupying a pair of keeps dating back to the
Narfell-Raumathar wars. A younger tribe, the Black
Giantspire Mountains
The tall, snow-covered peaks of the Giantspire
Mountains rise from the northern edge of Dunwood
and form a barrier between the lands of Damara and
Narfell.
Few humans are found in this mountain
range. It gets its name from several resident
giant clans, particularly in its northern
reaches. Ogres, hill giants, stone giants,
and even some evil cloud giants can
be found across this region.
Goblin Tribes
More numerous than giants,
however, are the tribes of
goblinoids. Bugbears and
hobgoblins control much of
the Giantspires. The Blackwolf
bugbear clan once held much of the
southern end of the Giantspires
but is now primarily found in
northern Dunwood, having aligned
with worgs that rule the wood’s
northern extent.
Razorheart hobgoblins were the
ones who drove the Blackwolf tribe out
of the mountains. They were once led
by the powerful succubus, Soneillon, but
she is now gone, banished back to the Abyss.
Taking her place is the charismatic hobgoblin queen,
Maaqua, who has inherited powerful magic items
72 THE GREAT DALE
the succubus left behind. If Maaqua can organize the
remaining tribes of the Giantspires, the lands to the
Kingless Monarchy
south could be in grave danger. Although Impiltur is officially a kingdom, it has been
without its monarch for over 100 years. Implitur’s heir,
New Dangers From Below Lord Delimbrar, fled the realm in fear for his life after
the death of the previous king. He and his descendants
Recently, some tribes of hobgoblins have come into
have lived in secret outside of Impiltur hoping to
conflict with duergar who have come to the surface,
return from exile when the time was right. During this
fleeing their Underdark homes. What or who has
time the Impiltur has been ruled by a council of the
driven the duergar to the surface is unclear.
most powerful nobles and merchant leaders.
The common people look with hope to a future
Impiltur where the king returns, but it is doubtful such an
Impiltur lies on the western shore of the Easting occurrence will come easily. The current council
Reach and touches the Great Dale in the north by aggressively resists any attempt to remove them
Dunwood. This land has existed as a nation for over from power. Although the council is divided, with its
a thousand years with many of its people settling the members constantly scheming amongst one another,
lands of Thesk and the Great Dale since its founding. the return of the king might be enough to get them
to work together to eliminate the threat to their
With waters of the Easting Reach returning to continued rule.
pre-Spellplague levels, the seafaring nation is again
on the rise. Merchants from Implitur regularly cross Holy Warriors
the Easting’s waters to trade with the Great Dale
and Thesk. This increase in trade has also attracted Impiltur has been protected by warriors of faith and
pirates. Thus far Impliltur’s Royal Navy has had little conviction since the nation’s inception. The legendary
success stopping this piracy. paladin Sarshel led a crusade against demons in
Wychlaren
As significant as their warrior culture is, the true
leaders in Rashemen are the Wychlaran. This order Ashanath
of female magic users, more commonly referred to as Wilderness (Plain) - Unpopulated
the Witches of Rashemen, are the ones who actually Just south of the Firward Mountains, between the
rule the land. They choose each Iron Lord to oversee Cold Road and Lake Ashane, lies the fertile plain
Rashemen, but they can also remove him from power of Ashanth. The land remains empty of settlements
as they see fit. despite its fine soil due to the frequent storms and
The Wychlaran (“old wise woman”) are highly tornadoes that ravage it throughout the summer.
respected. All children are tested at an early age Some scholars have suggested the destructive
for magical gifts, and those with talent are sent for weather is the consequence of Red Wizards using
training in hopes they may become new Hathrans, the weather-controlling magic in the lands to the south.
leaders of the Wychlaren. Druids from Thesk have enchanted a series of giant
Only the female spellcasters can become Wychlaren. stones on the western side of Ashanth to provide
While within Rashemen, the witches always cover them with advanced warning of impending storms
their faces with masks and are believed to commune threatening the lands farther east.
with the spirits of the land.
Male spellcasters must join the Old Ones, who are
Shandaular – City of Weeping Ghosts
Ancient City Ruin
limited to teaching children about magic, or crafting
magical items for use by others. Males who cast magic Shandaular was the ancient capital of Ashanth, a petty
publicly are either executed for heresy or exiled from Nar kingdom destroyed by the Nenyarch of the Narfell
Rashemen forever. Empire in -946 DR. This was the final step in securing
all the Nar tribes beneath the Nentyarch’s rule.
External Relations Ruins are still filled with restless undead. Some
The country is typically inward looking and highly scholars claim the spirit of Arkaius, the leader of the
defensive. In general they distrust foreigners, having Shandualar, who sacrificed himself to save his nation
had to repel a series of invasion attempts over the still lies beneath the ruins of the destroyed city.
centuries.
The land has few exports, known primarily for sjorl,
a heavy smokey cheese, and jhuild, an incredibly
strong drink that at full effect can enhance a warriors
will to fight (see Chapter 5).
HISTORICAL OVERVIEW
This land has suffered more bloodshed and destruc-
later this site would become Dun-Tharos, the capital
of the Narfell empire.
The dark elves of Narathmault worked terrible
tion at the hands of fiends then any should bear. One magics at this site, summoning a host of fiendish
day we shall rid this land of the wickedness that taints servants. The elves grew in power for four centuries
its bones. until the fall of the drow, when the Seldarine
transformed all dark elves into the drow. The
Melinde the Just, Paladin of Tyr and Triadic Knight
transformation also caused the dark elves’ fiendish
bindings to fail, unleashing all manner of devils and
Age of the Crown Wars demons from their bondage. These new drow fled the
fiendish assault to ultimately find shelter in caverns
L ittle written knowledge exists of the events that beneath what is now the plateau of Thay.
transpired in the Great Dale before the elvish Two and a half centuries later (approximately -9,750
Crown Wars that started around -12,000 DR. DR), the Riildath was settled by elves from Shantel
Othreier. They consisted of both moon and gold elves
Narathmault who fled persecution in the Vyshantaar Empire. The
arriving elves created the Realm of Lethyr, and set to
The first acknowledged scholarly article referencing the task of purging the lands of the evils that had been
the history of the Great Dale relates to a clan of unleashed from Narathmault centuries before.
Sethomiir dark elves arriving in Riildath around the
year of -10,400 DR. Riildath was the name of the
singular large forest that would eventually be split into
Carving the Great Dale
Dunwood and the Forest of Lethyr. After the founding of Lethyr, few records exist of the
elvish nation’s exploits until many centuries later.
The Master’s Library of Denir speaks of great magics
being performed in Lethyr to hinder the advance of
the Great Glacier around -2465 DR. The Realm of
Lethyr was saved by these great magics, though the
Riidath was cut in two by the advancing ice. This
formed the Forest of Lethyr and Rawlinswood (later to
be known as Dunwood). The retreating ice carved out
a wide treeless plain—the Great Dale. The land has
remained unforested ever since.
This great feat of magic has largely been forgotten
by most save a few learned sages. The Dalesfolk have
dozens of folktales to explain their treeless plain.
Some of these tales include:
• Sahundakul and Silvanus bickered over who
would rule the land, only to be shamed when
Auril, the Cold Goddess, claimed it all for
herself.
• A child of Tiamat, a terrible wyrm of incredible
size, came from the far east and burned a path
through the forests that covered the Dale.
It flew from Rashemen to the waters of the
Easting Reach and then disappeared forever
into the west.
Age of Humanity
The Age of Humanity refers to an age that started
around -3,000 DR when ancient elvish and dwarvish
kingdoms began to decline. Humanity arose around
this time and began to be the primary drivers for many
events in the Realms.
Narfell, having overextended itself in its southern It was during this time that Raumvari witches
push, was suddenly forced to increase its dependence organized to keep alive the magical legacy of the
on fiendish aid to defend against the unexpected Raumathar Empire, creating the elite sisterhood
Raumathari attack. Entire legions of demons were commonly known as the Witches of Rashemen.
summoned to march alongside Nar armies to defend Also during this time the Rus, a human tribe from
Narfell from their foes to the east. Illuskan, appeared at the edge of Lake Ashane,
The two empires were in a state of war for hundreds deposited there by a magical portal.
of years, with the battles ever escalating as the years It wasn’t until the Year of the Leather Shields (-75
progressed. DR), that Rashemi, Rus, and Raumviran witches
The beginning of the end was the Year of the Stone collectively defeated the Demon Lord Eltab to free the
Giant (-160 DR), wherein the Narfelli Demonbinders land of its demonic rule.
summoned forth the demonlord Eltab, Lord of the In the Great Dale, fiends run amok once again,
Hidden Layer. Eltab drove armies of Nars and fiendish having been unleashed upon the land by the Empire
servants into the lands of present day Rashemen. of Narfell. Most of the elves that once filled its forests
Meanwhile, the Rauthmari called forth an avatar have long since fled to safer lands, leaving only a few
of Kossuth, the god of elemental fire. This rapid small tribes of hardy wood elves standing fast in the
escalation ended with the Great Conflagration, during great wood.
which Kossuth unleashed his blaze upon both the The volodni race was created as a direct result of
Narfell enemies and the Raumathmari who dared to the fall of Narfell. A tribe of Nars desperately sought
summon him. His divine fires burned for a decade shelter in the ancient southern forests, hoping
after the fighting had ceased. for refuge from the hordes of demons unleashed
Both Narfell and Raumathar were destroyed with with the fall of Narfell. They were confronted by a
few places surviving the destruction. great sylvan power, the identity of which remains a
mystery. The tribe would be allowed refuge within the
ancient forest but only if they rejected their demon-
summoning past, and consented to become part of
the woods themselves. They readily agreed and were
transformed into the human-like race of treefolk.
Untamed Lands
The Lands of the Great Dale were a wild, untamed
land besieged by demons for centuries. Little of
significance is recorded until the founding of Uthmere
in the Year of the Lyre (543 DR). Lord Uthmere, a
renowned sea captain, decided the site would be the
perfect starting point for a new route to Kara-Tur. His
rule created a hereditary monarchy that tenuously
ruled the Great Dale for hundreds of years.
Lord Uthmere began construction of the Great
Road, which was ultimately finished under his
grandson’s rule.
The waters of the Easting Reach rose following the The following winter that rans into the Year of
incessant rains that ended in the Year of the Nether Dwarvenkind Reborn (1488 DR) is particularly harsh.
Mountain Scrolls (1486 DR). In Uthmere, the waters Scores of new settlers ill-prepared for the harshness
are still below their pre-Spellplague depths, but deep of the Great Dale died of the frigid cold.
enough that enterprising merchants in Impiltur see an In the Year of the Warrior Princess (1489 DR), new
opportunity to grow again the trade village. Implituran settlers south of Lethgate inadvertently
The incessant rains caused the Dalestream to flood. started a forest fire while clearing farmland. The
Portions of Uthmere were washed away uncovering Circle of Leth arrived to stop the fire. Tensions
previously unknown passages beneath the city. became strained between the druids and new settlers
Clerics from the temple of Tyr fought back waves of in the Great Dale.
strange creatures that emerged from passages below.
Once the flood waters subsided, the entrances to the
underground are blocked, though the extent of the
mysterious passages below Uthmere is still unknown.
E
of the Circle during times of war. Many are skilled
ven though the Great Dale is sparsely rangers who regularly scout the dangerous Dunwood
populated when compared with other and surrounding lands.
regions of Faerûn, it supports many
influential organizations that characters in the Dale External Relations
may interact with.
The Circle maintains relations with a few external
groups. They often communicate with the Emerald
Circle of Leth Enclave but consider themselves independent of that
organization. The circle regularly communes with
The Circle of Leth is a druidic circle based in the
the half-elves of Aglarond, and exchange talented
Forest of Lethyr. It is arguably one of the most
individuals to train with their counterparts outside of
powerful orders of druids in all of Faerûn, and
Lethyr.
is overseen by the Nentyarch, an archdruid of
remarkable power.
Organizational Objectives
Founding At present, the Circle’s primary focus continues
to be the eradication of fiends from Dunwood and
The founding of the circle occurred sometime in
Lethyr. Troubling reports of a group calling itself
the 700s DR. In the Year of the Last Hunt (722 DR),
the Fellowship of Tharos have been brought to the
the Great Druid of Leth first called themselves the
attention of the Circle. They rightly fear that nothing
“Nentyarch,” claiming an ancient title used by the
good can come of a group delving into the fiendish
rulers of Narfell. This new Nentyarch raised a mighty
secrets left from the Narfell Empire. They are
tree fortress atop the fiend-cursed ruins of Dun-
strongly allied with the Order of the Triad against the
Tharos, symbolically claiming stewardship over the
Fellowship of Tharos.
ancient lands of Narfell.
Of secondary importance to the Circle of Leth
For centuries the Circle battled against the fiends
is keeping a check on human expansion into
that infest the lands surrounding the Dale. The Circle
the forests of the Dale. Tensions have recently
grew to be revered by the Dalesfolk and are seen
escalated due to a forest fire that new settlers
as the de facto rulers of the land, which has caused
started on the western edge of Lethyr while
tension with Uthmere, whose nobility view themselves
attempting to clear new farmland.
as the rightful rulers.
External Relations
The Fellowship is strongly opposed by the Circle
of Leth and the Order of the Triad. The Grand
Council of Impiltur has publicly condemned
Absent King
these cultists, but there are suspicions that the The nation continues to be run by a Grand Council,
council may still be infiltrated by them. as it has since the fall of King Imbrar II in the Year
The Shadowmasters of Telflamm have of Blue Fire (1385 DR). The heir to the throne was
cautiously reached out to the Fellowship, the King’s cousin, Delimbrar, who was spirited away
believing they may be a tool to be used to for fear of his life. Threats and intrigue continued
further their grip on crime in the region. to threaten the royal line, and so Delimbrar and his
It is believed that the Fellowship includes descendants have remained in exile.
Red Wizards of Thay among their Rumors speak of Delimbrar’s grandson claiming
number. the title of King Imphras IV and leading a secretive
government-in-exile. No coronation has yet occurred,
Grand Council of Impiltur and no sign of the absent royal line has been seen in
Impiltur. Though the common folk are ever hopeful
The Nation of Impiltur has always played that a monarch will return and set things right, the
a significant role in the Great Dale. current ruling council would not be welcoming. They
Impiltur’s influence is on the rise with the enjoy their power and control, and would no doubt
return of the Sea of Fallen Stars to resist any attempts to restore the monarchy.
previous levels, thereby giving
coastal cities access to the sea Rich and Powerful
once more. The Grand Council is comprised of powerful
merchants and heads of noble families from various
cities in Impiltur. Despite renewed merchant traffic to
some of the depressed coastal cities, the council must
still contend with a nation in disarray.
some on the Council may question the veracity of
Ongoing Threats Lord Berold’s hereditary claim, they do so quietly as
The Fraternity of Tharos, a demon-worshiping cult, he provides a convenient means to gain control of the
recently suffered a major purge in Impiltur. However, Great Dale.
the cult has not been destroyed and still schemes in
To date, Lord Berold has had some success in
secret. Some members of the Grand Council were
rebuilding Uthmere. People from Impiltur and
culled during this purge. Whispers suggest that at
Thesk have started to arrive in Uthmere. This has
least one council member is still secretly a part of the
swelled the town’s population in the course of a few
cult.
years. Unfortunately, it has also attracted less-savory
groups, as evidenced by the Shadowmasters gaining a
Growth of Uthmere foothold in the town.
Ultimately however, the Council is interested in
growing its power and increasing the gold in its Obstacles
coffers. They are focused on expanding their grip on
Lord Berold knows his growing city needs a steady
mercantile trade. With the rejuvenation of shipping
flow of resources to continue its growth. He is stymied
within the Easting Reach, they view the Great Dale as
by the power of the Circle of Leth and their “over-
a vast frontier they can exploit.
protection” of the Dale’s forests. He has attempted
A number of merchants on the council brought diplomatic forays with the Nentyarch, hoping to
forth Lord Berold as having a claim to become Lord receive a blessing to increase logging in Lethyr, but so
of Uthmere. They have provided him with plenty of far, the enigmatic archdruid has not responded.
funding to help revitalize Uthmere and expand their
To compensate, Lord Berold has established
economic reach farther into the Great Dale. Although
stronger relations with Baron Ferrand of Timbertown.
Regular logging barges now float down the Easting
Reach to support the town’s rebuilding efforts. So far,
the Council is pleased with Lord Berold’s results.
Some cynically suggest the push to settle the Great
Dale is just a diversion tactic by the Grand Council to
distract the populace from the continuing demonic
problem in Impiltur. While there may be some truth to
this, Lord Berold’s success to date has quieted some
of these claims.
Shadowmasters
In the merchant-run land of Thesk, the ones who
truly control what happens in the region are the
Shadowmasters of Telflamm. This Telflamm thieves’
guild directs the Merchants’ Council in the de facto
capital of Thesk. Guild members are servants of Shar,
using the powers of shadow to great effect. There is
some tension with the followers of Mask but for now
the guild appears firmly entrenched in the worship of
the Dark Lady.
Organization’s Reach
The Shadowmasters have a long reach, controlling
illicit activities in Thesk and throughout the nations
bordering the eastern end of the Sea of Fallen Stars.
Despite their geographic reach, the Shadowmasters
struggle within Thesk due to gang wars against rival
Shou criminal organizations. They compete against
Chapter 9 - Factions 87
the Nine Golden Swords and the Black Dragons in
east and central Thesk, where the three opposing
External Relations
groups are locked in a delicate stalemate. The Shadowmasters have reached out to the newly
formed Fellowship of Tharos. Though they do not
Growth of Uthmere trust their demonic influence, they see an opportunity
to use the group’s power to further enhance their
With the rise of waters in the Easting Reach, and
control of the region.
a return of trade to Uthmere, the Shadowmasters
have again established a thieves’ guild in the growing The Shadowmasters generally try to keep out of
frontier town. Recently however, Maximus (see sight of both the Circle of Leth and the Order of the
chapter 10), has claimed control of Uthmere’s guild. Triad. They look for ways to keep the druids focused
He is an enigma to the Shadowmasters, who are on fiendish threats, allowing their criminal activities to
uncertain where his loyalties lie. They grow concerned continue in the shadows.
he may be an uncontrollable asset in a town that is
starting to flow with coin. Eldreth Veluuthra
For now, the Shadowmasters tolerate his presence
provided he continues to pay the tithes due to The Eldreth Veluuthra is a secretive organization that
Telflamm. This could quickly change if problems arise has existed since the creation of Myth Drannor. A
in the Great Dale. year after the opening of the unified city, in the Year of
Pages Perilous (262 DR), the leaders of a few noble
houses opposed the welcome the elven city gave to
human settlers. These elven nobles abandoned Myth
Drannor. Later, when Myth Drannor fell at the end
of the Weeping War (714 DR), Eldreth Veluuthra
formally organized from the remains of Myth
Drannor’s outcast nobility.
Core Belief
Eldreth Veluuthra, “The Victorious Blade of the
People,” aims to eradicate all of humanity from
Faerûn. They believe they must act so harshly due to
the corrupting nature of humankind. They believe it is
their duty to cleanse the land of humanity’s taint if the
ideals of elvenkind are to persist.
Most elves who are aware of Eldreth Veluuthra find
their perspective embarrassing and wish the group to
disband. However, a few nobles secretly support the
fanatical cult by funneling gold and arms to aid their
activities.
Within Lethyr
Recently, a group of wood elves from Lethyr were
accepted into the Realms-spanning Eldreth Veluuthra.
Led by Ivellios the Dark (NE male wood elf mage),
the group has expressed disappointment with the new
Nentyarch’s continued protection of the Dalesfolk.
The Nentyarch is the first elf to lead the Circle of Leth
in centuries, and some elves had hoped this would
end humanity’s encroachment into what they view as
traditional elven lands.
Mercantile Enclaves
In recent years the Red Wizards have set up
mercantile enclaves around the Sea of Fallen Stars.
Although most view the Red Wizards with suspicion,
the lure of the magic item trade results in large
numbers doing business with the Red Wizards. The
Red Wizards have recently set up a small enclave
within Uthmere, hoping to benefit from the region’s
revitalization.
Chapter 9 - Factions 89
rejuvenated. Clerics and paladins calling themselves
the “Order of the Triad” have based their order within Wychlaren
the temple. The Order, comprised of followers of all
Rashemen is the land directly east of the Dale, on
three gods, seek to be a beacon of hope and goodness
the far side of Lake Ashan. This land calls the Iron
for the Great Dale. Their goal is to help the city, and
Lord its supreme commander, but it is the Witches of
the Great Dale as a whole, grow to become a bastion
Rashemen who truly rule.
of goodly might, and to overturn the fiendish forces
that have plagued the land for too long. This group of female spellcasters has existed since
the days when Narfell and Raumathar destroyed each
Relations other. The Wychlaren swore to preserve the magical
lore and secrets of Raumathar before the nation’s
The Order generally has good relations with the Circle
downfall.
of Leth as both strongly support cleansing the land of
fiends. The Order of the Triad is less appreciative of
the Circle’s over-protective stance regarding expansion
Witches of Rashemen
into the woodlands of the Dale. The Order of the Triad The Wychlaren are more commonly referred to in
is also in good standing with the Grand Council of other lands as the Witches of Rashemen. They are
Impiltur as they see Impiltur’s investment in the Dale all female, led by a group called Hathrans. They are
as support toward creating a safe and just society. highly revered in Rashemen and easily recognizable
by the unique masks that cover their entire face.
Male Spellcasters
Males who display spellcasting talent must join the
Old Ones when they come of age, others keep secret
their spellcasting talents. The Old Ones are limited
to serving the Hathrans by teaching children arcane
magic and enchanting magical items. Males who
attempt to use magic outside of these limitations are
either put to death or exiled from Rashemen forever.
Internal Focus
The nation has been resilient in the face of persistent
assaults on their nation. They have thrown back
invasions from ancient Mulhorand, the Tuigan
Horde, and Thay numerous times. This has led to
an isolationist society where most are suspicious of
foreigners in their lands.
However, as youth come of age, they are sent on a
dajemma. This is a journey of self discovery, where
the pilgrims are encouraged to see the wider world
before returning home as full adults. The Wychlaren
use these youthful expeditions to gather information
of recent events from the outside world. It also helps
the reclusive nation find trading partners in the
neighboring lands.
Relations
In the Dale, the Wychlaran have limited contact with
the Circle of Leth and the Nentyar Hunters. Their
interactions are usually limited to discussing any new
threats that may require joint intervention.
Chapter 9 - Factions 91
Across the rest of the Dale, Eldath is well revered, shrines refer to each other as Forestarms and seek to
particularly in locations near the many streams that find ways for all beings to live in harmony with forests
eventually flows into the Easting Reach. and nature.
Ilmater Shar
Ilmater, the Broken Lord, along with Tyr and Torm, Shar, the Mistress of the Night, is the patron of the
forms the Triad, an allegiance of gods that have greatly Shadowmasters of Telflamm. Wherever this thieves’
affected the lands around the Great Dale. The peoples guild goes, they established a well-hidden temple to
of the Dale have repeatedly endured great suffering, the Dark Lady. The Shadowhaunt is a new shrine
be it from the depredations of fiends, the blight of to Shar that has been constructed by the guild in
the Rotting Man or the harsh winters that regularly Uthmere.
blanket the lands. Worshippers of Shar look to her to help them in
Despite this, Ilmater’s ordained clergy in the Great places of darkness, hoping for her protection while
Dale is relatively small. The few that exist in the Dale they endure the darkness. She is also looked to by
spend most of their time traveling on foot, ministering people in distress and those who hope Shar will help
to the needs of its many farmsteads. A small enclave of them forget the difficulties they have endured.
disciples dedicated to St. Sollars, the Twice-Martyred,
are afforded space within Uthmere’s Hall of Brilliant
Justice. Every ten-year, a monk from the Monastery of
Silvanus
the Yellow Rose makes a pilgrimage to this temple to Silvanus is strongly venerated in the wild lands of the
consult with the priests therein. Great Dale. The Oak Father is looked to by all those
who live beneath the boughs of the great forests on
Mask either side of the Dale. The Circle of Leth have many
who are ordained in the rites of Silvanus. Followers
Mask is predominately worshiped in Uthmere, though of Silvanus in the Great Dale are passionate in the
no formal temple yet exists to him. The recent return desire to cleanse Lethyr and Dunwood of the fiends
of Mask to the realms, and the resurgence of trade in that infest it. The corruption and decay found around
Uthmere has brought followers of the Master of All Dun-Tharos is particularly distressing to the faithful.
Thieves back to the town.
The Shadowmasters of Telflamm were at one
time dedicated to Mask, but with the turmoil of
Talona
the Spellplague and Mask’s death, the criminal Talona, the Mistress of Disease, has a long and
organization began to follow Shar. A few high-ranking terrible legacy within the Great Dale. She is often
individuals within the guild have suggested they beseeched to keep away diseases, particularly if the
should return to following Mask. This has not gone fear of plague is upon the land.
over well with the Shar clergy but not retributive In the 1360s DR, Talona invested the Rotting Man
actions have taken place. However, should a proposed with her divine powers and he used these powers
new shrine to Mask appear in Uthmere, there is a to create an army of blightspawn that ultimately
good chance that infighting within the guild may drove the Circle of Leth from Dun-Tharos. Though
result. the Rotting Man fell victim to the demons he had
unleashed, his legacy is still found within the Dale.
Mielikki The Circle of Leth is ever vigilant for followers of
Talona who hope to gather the powers once held
Mielikki, along with the other nature gods of by the Rotting Man. Blightspawn still haunt the
Chauntea, Silvanus and Eldath, is held in high regard forests and threaten the goodly Dalesfolk with their
throughout the Dale. Women of the dale who are in corruption.
need often pray to Mielikki for assistance.
The faith is loosely organized. Simple but well-
tended shrines to the Lady of the Forest are scattered
across the Dale. They usually consist of a dead tree
carved with Mielikki’s symbol – the head of a unicorn.
The clerics, druids and rangers who attend to these
92 THE GREAT DALE
Torm Tyr
Torm, the Loyal Fury, is the god of duty and loyalty. He Tyr has a strong presence in Uthmere. Tyr’s temple
is one of the three gods that form the Triad and whose in the town, The Hall of Brilliant Justice, became
followers have engaged in many holy crusades to the town's authority after the death of Lord Uthlain.
eradicate demons from Impiltur. For the past hundred years the clergy of the temple
Within the Dale, Torm’s followers are mainly diligently oversaw the town's governance.
found in Uthmere. There they kept the Hall of Today, the priests and paladins of Tyr have yielded
Brilliant Justice alive and helped run the town after their governing duties to Lord Berold who they
the devastation that arrived after the Spellplague. acknowledge to be the rightful ruler. However, Tyr
Currently a small order of knights is stationed in the clergy are still active dispensing justice in accordance
Hall and dutifully embark on excursions to Dunwood, with the new Lord’s direction.
hoping to push back the fiends that fect the ancient There are some grumblings within the clergy that
forest. they were too quick to give up their control of the
growing town. The rapid growth of Uthmere has
brought scores of lawless people to the town. Some
believe that if the town was run by Tyr’s faithful, much
of this lawlessness would be better dealt with.
Chapter 9 - Factions 93
CHAPTER 10 – FRIENDS, Aidan
Tabaxi Rogue Recruiter
FOES, AND CREATURES Aidan is a roguish thieves' guild recruiter for the
Shadowmasters and has worked in multiple locations,
helping Guild members to maintain anonymity. He
T
Guild. He builds campsites with minor loot to lure in
his chapter provides games statistics and
thieves and the desperate. Once travelers pass the
lore for people and creatures to include in
test, Aidan visits them in their sleep to recruit them.
your Great Dale campaign. The chapter is
The willing are blindfolded and taken away to the
divided into three sections:
thieves' guild hideout to start their new lives in the
Personalities. This section includes a diverse Dale.
selection of NPCs that can be dropped into your game.
Aiden is charismatic and manipulative in order to
These NPCs could be allies to support the heroes or
steal loot for high-paying clients. He refuses jobs that
mentors who send them on quests across the Dale.
require harming creatures or people. He also secretly
Perhaps instead they are villains who hinder the
leaves food he has stolen to homeless mothers and
players or who seek to destroy them.
children in the forest.
New Monsters. This section details new creatures
that may be found within the Great Dale.
Previously Published Monsters. This book
references a number of published official D&D
monsters that are not found in the Monster Manual.
The game statistics for these monsters are included in
this section.
Personalities
This section details a colorful mixture of individuals
who may be found in the Great Dale.
Aidan
Medium humanoid (tabaxi), chaotic neutral
Armor Class 15 (studded leather)
Hit Points 65 (10d8 + 20)
Speed 30 ft., climb 30 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
10 (+0) 16 (+3) 14 (+2) 16 (+3) 12 (+1) 12 (+1)
Saving Throws Dex +5, Int +5
Skills Acrobatics +5, Deception +3, Investigation +5,
Perception +3, Sleight of Hand +5, Stealth +5
Senses darkvision 60 ft, passive Perception 13
Languages Common, Thieves' Cant, plus one additional
language of your choice.
Challenge 4 (1,100 XP)
Cunning Action. During each turn in combat, Aidan can
Hide, Disengage, or Dash as a bonus action.
Evasion. If Aidan is subjected to an effect that allows
him to make a Dexterity saving throw to take only half
damage, Aidan instead takes no damage if he succeeds
on the saving throw, and only half damage if he fails.
Feline Agility. Aidan is able to sprint and double his
Alyssa
movement speed during a turn. He must have a turn with Changeling Spy
0 movement before using this ability again.
Alyssa Queelor assumed she was a half-elf growing
Sneak Attack (1/Turn). Aiden deals an extra 10 (3d6) up. She grew up in a strong and loving family, being
damage when he hits a target with a weapon attack and raised by two male half-elf fathers, Lorimar and
has advantage on the attack roll, or when the target is
Vanovar. She knew they had adopted her after Alyssa’s
within 5 feet of an ally of Aidan that isn’t incapacitated
and Aidan doesn’t have disadvantage on the attack roll. mother died of a plague when she was very young.
Despite her happy upbringing, Alyssa felt she was
Actions different from everyone else. The discovery that she
Multiattack. Aidan can make two claw attacks and one could shapeshift came in her early teens when she fell
frost dagger attack. in love with a human girl named Julia.
Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +2 to hit, reach 5 ft., one For a time they were inseparable. They loved
target. Hit: 2 (1d4) slashing damage
exploring their small town together, which was close
Frost Dagger. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, enough to trade routes that strange travelers would
reach 5 ft. or range 20/60 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d4 + 3) occasionally pass through. One day a drunk visitor
piercing damage plus 4 (1d8) cold damage. followed the two girls as they explored, hoping to rob
Reactions them. Alyssa somehow knew his intentions and told
Julia to run.
Uncanny Dodge. When Aiden is hit by an attack he can
see, he can use his reaction to halve the attack’s damage. Alyssa stood fast as the man demanded her
necklace. It was precious to her—it had once belonged
to her mother. She was furious that he would demand
something that wasn’t his. Her mind was a storm of
anger and fear; she feared for hers and Julia’s safety.
Game Statistics
Ivellios is a neutral evil wood elf conjurerVGtM with the
following adjustments:
Ivellios has these racial traits: darkvision 60 out to a
range of 60 feet, advantage on saving throws against
being charmed and magic can’t put him to sleep, his
base movement speed is 35 ft, and he can attempt
to hide even if he is only lightly obscured by natural
phenomena.
He has a Perception of +4 and a passive Perception of
14.
He has the following spells prepared:
At will: acid splash, mage hand, poison spray,
prestidigitation
1st level (4 slots): fog cloud, mage armor, magic missile
2nd level (3 slots): misty step, Snilloc’s snowball
swarm*, web
3rd level (3 slots): hail blast*, stinking cloud
4th level (3 slots): ice storm, stoneskin
5th level (2 slots): cloudkill, cone of cold
* New Spell – see chapter 5
Lord Berold
Lord of Uthmere
Lord Berold’s Background
Is Lord Berold truly an heir of Lord Uthlain and
Lord Berold is the recently arrived leader of Uthmere. deserving to govern the Dale? The people of the Dale
He came bearing papers issued by the Grand Council don’t care. As long as Uthmere is rebuilt, trade grows,
of Impiltur certifying him to be a direct descendent and their lives improve, they will happily overlook
of Lord Uthlain and rightful heir to rule the Great questions about his background. However, should
Dale. More importantly, Lord Berold brought with him trouble arrive and unpleasant rumors spread, the new
plenty of coin to fund the rebuilding of the town. lord’s favor in the town could quickly plummet.
So far Berold has done a fine job of initiating a
great deal of activity within the town. New docks Roleplaying Lord Berold
are being built for the rising waters of the Easting Audiences with Lord Berold are usually short and
Reach, city walls are being repaired, and the streets to the point. He speaks little, preferring one of his
near the Dalestream that were washed away during councillors to ask questions and respond to requests.
the Great Rains are being re-cobbled. Berold relies If pressed, he tends to be noncommittal on any item
on a council made up of various notable townsfolk to unrelated to rebuilding the town or driving additional
help administer Uthmere. All in all the town and the merchant traffic through the Dale.
surrounding villages are pleased with his arrival.
A few in the town are suspicious of Lord Berold’s Game Statistics
background, including the Shadowmasters. They Lord Berold is a neutral male human veteranMM with
have begun discrete investigations in Impiltur hoping the following adjustments:
to uncover a secret from his past they can use as
He has a Charisma score of 16 (+3).
leverage to influence his actions.
He is proficient in Deception +5 and Persuasion +5.
Lord Berold is a barrel-chested man, with thick
black hair and a well-trimmed beard.
Game Statistics
Lossarwyn is a wood elf lichMM with the following
additional traits:
Lossarwyn has Intelligence of 14 (+2) and a Wisdom of
20 (+5).
Fey Ancestry. Lossarwyn has advantage on saving
throws against being charmed and magic can’t put him
to sleep.
Fear Aura. Each creature of Lossarwyn’s choice that is
within 60 feet of him must succeed on a DC 18 Wisdom
saving throw or become frightened for 1 minute. A
Lossarwyn creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each
of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. If a
Ice Lich creature’s saving throw is successful or the effect ends
for it, the creature is immune to this effect for the next
When Myth Drannor was first constructed, 24 hours.
Lossarwyn was a powerful elf druid who viewed the
Change Shape (2/Day). Lossarwyn magically
spread of humanity as an evil taint upon Faerûn. He polymorphs into a beast or elemental with a challenge
traveled the Realms seeking out places afflicted with rating of 6 or less, and can remain in this form for up to
the plague, where his vast knowledge and medical 9 hours. Lossarwyn can choose whether his equipment
expertise helped save many lives. Secretly, his true falls to the ground, melds with its new form, or is worn
aim was not to cure the sick, but to find a virulent by the new form. He reverts to his true form if he dies
plague that would cleanse the land of humanity. or falls unconscious. He can revert to his true form
using a bonus action on his turn.
After years of research he appeared to be nearing
a breakthrough that would create a deadly disease, While in a new form, Lossarwyn retains his game
statistics and ability to speak, but his AC, movement
finally eradicating humankind. However, a jealous
modes, Strength, and Dexterity are replaced by those
rival discovered his secret and Lossarwyn was forced
of the new form, and he gains any special senses,
to flee from a trio of powerful druids who sought proficiencies, traits, actions and reactions (except class
to end his madness. His pursuers finally trapped features, legendary actions, and lair actions) that the
Lossarwyn within the icy caverns of a glacier. After new form has but that he lacks. He can cast spells with
a terrible battle, they killed Lossarwyn trapping him verbal or somatic components in his new form.
beneath impenetrable ice. Before Lossarwyn died, he The new form’s attacks count as magical for the
whispered a dread pact with fiendish forces and was purpose of overcoming resistances and immunity to
transformed into an undead creature. nonmagical attacks.
Centuries later, Lossarwyn was freed from his icy
prison within the glacier. He continued his quest to
find the plague. After joining with an evil cabal of
wizards, they too discovered his secret, and though
they could not defeat the elvish lich, they trapped him
within the confines of the Dire Wood, free to travel
within, but never to escape to the rest of Faerûn.
Personality Traits
Ideal. I would die before I knowingly bring harm to
another creature.
Bond. Everything that walks this world has a purpose,
and deserves a chance to see it done.
Flaw. If Mrs. Pleasant were harmed, I would dedicate
my life to vengeance.
Game Statistics
Master Bumpkin uses the stats of an archdruidVGtM
with an additional trait:
Chosen of Eldath. Creatures cannot attack Master
Bumpkin, or target him with hostile effects. If Master
Bumpkin knowingly causes harm to another creature,
he loses this feature until he atones for his crimes.
Personality
Maximus is unlike any other guild leader. He is strict,
compassionate, and careful. If you meet him and talk
about the arts, you will win his attention. He is quiet
and only builds a relationship with those whom he can
depend on to help him when he can’t help himself.
Maximus is well read and has the air of being highly
intelligent. He speaks softly, with a kindness in his
voice.
The thief believes every life is important. Until it
jeopardizes his personal wants and needs and his
own well-being. Will he kill you? Yes, if he believes you
should die. But you won’t see it happen, and it won’t be
done without careful planning. You will die of poison
or the pointy end of a dagger.
Roleplaying Maximus
Few people will ever see Maximus. He is a master of
Maximus disguise and ventures into public as a commoner. He
loves the finer things, but does not flash his wealth
Thieves Guildmaster of Uthmere and power; he only trusts himself for complicated
The move to Uthmere was an easy one for Maximus. heists or assassinations. If Maximus is confronted and
He and his street name, Dagger, were easily feels threatened, he attacks with cool precision.
recognized in Tantras, after his thieves' guild, Shadow
Grudge, was broken up and its members arrested. Game Statistics
The whole network of thieves was betrayed by an Maximus is a male human assassinMM with the
informant with ties to nobles and money. Maximus’s following adjustments:
contacts within the guild were all either killed or Mobile. Maximus has a speed of 40 ft. If he uses the
thrown behind bars. He used up the litany of favors he Dash action, difficult terrain doesn’t cost him extra
had amassed during his time with the guild to escape movement on that turn. When Maximus makes a
melee attack against a creature, he doesn’t provoke
captivity and punishment. Known now as the Man
opportunity attacks from that creature for the rest of
with the Scar, Maximus had to disappear from Tantras the turn, whether he hits or not.
forever.
Multiattack. Maximus makes two short sword attacks
and one ranged dagger attack.
Thieves' Guild of Uthmere
Dagger. Melee or Ranged Wweapon Attack: +7 to hit,
Opportunistic thieves from Telflamm had already set reach 5 ft. or range 20/60 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d4 +
up operations in Uthmere when rumors of an assassin 3) piercing damage, and the target must make a DC
infiltrating their guild spread. The story went that this 15 Constitution saving throw, taking 24 (7d6) poison
assassin infiltrated the thieves guild to release a thief damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a
being punished by the guild. It is said the assassin successful one.
defeated scores of guards before ultimately killing Maximus wears a cloak of invisibilityDMG
its leader and releasing the imprisoned thief. Word
spread of the massacre by a man with a scar. This
man was Maximus.
Maximus quickly took control in Uthmere’s
burgeoning thieves guild, organizing a loyal band
of rogues and motivating them with a firm but fair
hand. Each guild member had one thing in common:
106 THE GREAT DALE
Nentyarch Game Statistics
The Nentyarch is a neutral androgynous wood elf
Circle of Leth Archdruid archdruidVGtE with the following adjustments and
The Nentyarch is the title of the leader of the Circle of additional traits:
Leth. They are elected to this position by the members The Nentyarch has all standard wood elf traits
of the First Ring, and typically serve for life. When including darkvision out to a range of 60’, Keen Senses,
they accept this position, they symbolically leave Fey Ancestry, Trance, Elf Weapon Training, Fleet of
their past life behind and are then only known as the Foot, and Mask of the Wild
Nentyarch. The Nentyarch’s archdruid Change Shape action
is expanded to allow them to transform into plant
The current Nentyarch is a wood elf from Lethyr, creatures in addition to beasts and elementals.
who was elected to their role in the Year of the Second
Circle (1470 DR). They are the first elf to hold this Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If the Nentyarch fails a
saving throw, they can choose to succeed instead.
position since the founding the Circle of Leth.
Mutable Form. The Nentyarch can use a bonus action
Since becoming the new Nentyarch, they have been to cast alter self as a druid spell, requiring no material
reticent toward Lord Berold of Uthmere’s diplomatic components.
advances, seeking to expand settlement further into
Tree Stride. Once on their turn, the Nentyarch can use
the great woods of the Dale. Instead, the Nentyarch
10 feet of their movement to step magically into one
has focused much of the Circle’s efforts on battling the living tree within their reach and emerge from a second
continuing fiend menace. Demon raids on the outlying living tree within 60 feet of the first tree, appearing in
farmsteads of the Dale have diminished in recent an unoccupied space within 5 feet of the second tree.
years, so the Nentyarch is cautiously optimistic that Both trees must be Large or bigger.
their efforts are beginning to show progress. Challenge 13 (10,000 XP)
Of late, the Nentyarch can be found meditating for
extended periods of time. They sit unmoving for days
atop a floating earth moat that still hovers above Lake
Yeshelmaar. The first circle suspects the Nentyarch is
communing with a great power during these periods
of silent contemplation. The First Ring is growing
concerned with the increased frequency of these
meditations and the Nentyarch’s refusal to discuss any
insights gained from them.
Appearance
The Nentyarch’s shapechanging powers are now so
innate, they have trouble recalling their original form.
This can be disconcerting for those who meet them
for the first time, as the Nentyarch sometimes changes
gender while speaking. Most often they present as an
androgynous elf of indeterminant age.
Appearance
Vosthor is the height of a typical human male, but
with long gangly arms ending in vicious clawed hands.
Since his undead transformation, Vosthor’s skin is
ashen grey and his eyes glare with a wild intensity.
Game Statistics
Vosthor is a deathlock mastermindMToF.
Battle Horror
Near the end of the war with Narfell, Rauthmari
mages created a remarkable array of elemental-
infused creatures to fight in battle. The battle horror
is a Helmed Horror that has been infused with an evil
elemental spirit. The animated suite of plate armor is
wreathed in the power of the elemental bound within.
Battle Horror
Medium construct, usually lawful evil
Armor Class 19 (plate)
Hit Points 153 (18d8 + 72)
Speed 30 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
20 (+5) 13 (+1) 18 (+4) 10 (+0) 12 (+1) 10 (+0)
Skills Perception +7
Damage Immunities force, necrotic, poison
Condition Immunities blinded, charmed, deafened,
frightened, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned, stunned
Senses blindsight 120 ft. (blind beyond this radius),
passive Perception 17
Languages understands the languages of its creator but
can’t speak
Challenge 8 (3,900 XP)
Magic Resistance. The battle horror has advantage on
saving throws against spells and other magical effects.
Magic Weapons and Armor. Any weapon wielded or armor
worn by a battle horror is treated as magical.
Spell Immunity. The battle horror is immune to three
spells chosen by its creator. Typical immunities include
fireball, heat metal, and lightning bolt. Actions
Innate Spellcasting. The battle horror’s spellcasting ability Multiattack. The battle horror makes three attacks with
is Intelligence (spell save DC 11). The battle horror can its greatsword.
innately cast the following spells, requiring no material
Greatsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft,
components:
one target. Hit: 12 (2d6 + 5) slashing damage.
At will: magic missile
3/day: blink
1/day: dimension door
Blightlord Druid
Medium humanoid (any race), neutral evil Actions
Armor Class 14 (hide armor) Glaive. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 10 ft, one
Hit Points 83 (11d8 + 33) target. Hit: 7 (1d10 + 2) slashing damage plus 4 (1d8)
Speed 30 ft. cold damage and 4 (1d8) necrotic damage. The target
must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or become
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA poisoned. The creature may attempt another saving throw
14 (+2) 14 (+2) 16 (+3) 12 (+1) 18 (+4) 8 (-1) at the end of each of its turns to end the effect on itself.
Each failed saving throw results in the creature taking
Saving Throws Int +4, Wis +7 another 4 (1d8) points of necrotic damage.
Skills Nature +4, Perception +7, Stealth +5
Any beast, fey, giant, humanoid, monstrosity, or plant
Damage Immunities poison creature who falls to 0 hit points while under this
Condition Immunities poisoned poison effect immediately dies and transforms into a
Senses passive Perception 17 blightspawned creature under the control of the blightlord
Languages Common, Druidic druid whose effect killed it.
Challenge 7 (2,900 XP)
Blightblood. Blightlord druids are immune to disease
and blightspawned creatures ignore them unless they are
attacked by the blightlord.
Black Glaive. If the blightlord is wielding their glaive, they
may cast spells with a range of touch out to a range of 10
feet.
Spellcasting. The blightlord druid is an 11th-level
spellcaster. Its spellcasting ability is Wisdom (spell save
DC 15, +7 to hit with spell attacks). The blightlord druid
has the following spells prepared:
At will: druidcraft, infestationXGtE, mending, poison spray,
thornwhip
1st level (4 slots): entangle, faerie fire, healing word,
thunderwave
2nd level (3 slots): hold person, ray of enfeeblement,
Snilloc’s snowball swarmXGtE
3rd level (3 slots): animate dead, erupting filthNEW, meld
into stone
4th level (3 slots): blight, stoneskin
5th level (2 slots): contagion, treestride
6th level (1 slot): wall of thorns
Blightspawned Treant
Medium plant, neutral evil
Armor Class 18 (natural armor)
Hit Points 138 (12d12 + 60)
Speed 30 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
23 (+6) 8 (-1) 21 (+5) 3 (-4) 14 (+2) 10 (+0)
Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing, poison
Damage Vulnerabilities fire
Condition Immunities charmed, paralyzed, poisoned,
stunned
Senses passive Perception 12
Languages Common, Druidic, Elvish, Sylvan
Challenge 11 (7,200 XP)
Deathly Nature. A blightspawned treant is considered to
be both a plant and undead creature type.
False Appearance. While a blightspawned treant remains
motionless, it is indistinguishable from a normal tree.
Hardened Mind. A blightspawned treant has advantage
on saving throws it makes to resist the effects of
enchantment and illusion spells and effects.
Siege Monster. A blightspawned treant deals double
damage to objects and structures.
Actions
Multiattack. The blightspawned treant makes two slam Reactions
attacks. Blight Touch (Recharge 5-6). When the blightspawned
Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 5 ft., one treant makes a successful melee weapon attack, the
target. Hit: 16 (3d6 + 6) bludgeoning damage. target must make a DC 13 Constitution saving throw or
become infected with the disease, Talona’s Blight. 1d4
Rock. Ranged Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, range 60/180 ft., days after becoming infected, the creature suffers one
one target. Hit: 28 (4d10 + 6) bludgeoning damage. level of exhaustion and may no longer regain hit points
Animate Trees (1/Day). The blightspawned treant from spending Hit Dice, nor gain any hit points from
magically animates one or two trees it can see within finishing a long rest. At the end of each long rest, an
60 feet of it. These trees have the same statistics as a infected creature must repeat the Constitution saving
blightspawned treant, except they have Intelligence and throw. On a failed save, the character gains one level
Charisma scores of 1, they can’t speak, and they have only of exhaustion. On a successful save, the character’s
the Slam action option. An animated tree acts as an ally exhaustion level decreases by one level. If a successful
of the blightspawned treant. The tree remains animated saving throw reduces the infected creature’s level of
for 1 day or until it dies; until the blightspawned treant exhaustion to 0, the creature is cured of the disease. Any
dies or is more than 120 feet from the tree; or until the beast, fey, giant, humanoid, monstrosity or plant creature
blightspawned treant takes a bonus action to turn it that dies from Talona’s Blight, arises as a blightspawned
back into an inanimate tree. The tree then takes root if
possible. zombie.
Blightspawned Zombie
Medium plant, neutral evil
Armor Class 12 (natural armor)
Hit Points 22 (3d8 + 9)
Speed 30 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
14 (+2) 10 (+0) 16 (+3) 3 (-4) 6 (-2) 5 (-3)
Saving Throws Wisdom +0
Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities charmed, paralyzed, poisoned,
stunned
Senses passive Perception 8
Languages understands the languages it knew in life but
can’t speak
Challenge 1/2 (100 XP)
Deathly Nature. A blightspawned creature is considered
to be both a plant and undead creature type.
Hardened Mind. A blightspawned zombie has advantage
on saving throws it makes to resist the effects of
enchantment and illusion spells and effects.
Undead Fortitude. If damage reduces the blightspawned
zombie to 0 hit points, it must make a Constitution
saving throw with a DC of 5 + the damage taken, unless
the damage is radiant or from a critical hit. On a success,
the zombie drops to 1 hit point instead.
Actions
Multiattack. The blightspawned zombie makes two slam
attacks.
Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft, one
target. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) bludgeoning damage.
Eltab Cultists
Those who fall under Eltab’s influence often feel
wronged by a powerful organization and they
ultimately wish to betray, either for revenge or
personal gain. They believe they will receive the power
needed to enact their dreams of revenge by serving
the Lord of the Hidden Layer.
Demonic Boons
As a powerful Demon Lord, Eltab bestows fiendish
leaders also receiving the Bone Spurs trait. Only the
power to those it favors. Acceptance of such a gift is
most powerful servants are granted Fearful Gaze.
an evil act, driving the receiver further into chaos, evil,
and madness. However, mortals who reject Eltab’s Scaly Flesh. This creature has visibly rough, scaly
boon will surely become a target of its boundless skin. It receives a +2 bonus to its armor class and
wrath. has resistance to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing
damage from nonmagical attacks.
The following items outline boons that a DM may
grant to monsters and NPCs dedicated to Eltab. Bone Spurs. This creature gains a profusion of
sharp bone spurs growing from its skull. These bone
Ability Score Adjustment: Up to a +4 bonus to
spurs provide a gore attack with damage dependant
Strength or Charisma.
on the size of the creature: (Tiny = 1d2, Small = 1d4,
Signature Spells: The following spells may replace Medium = 1d6, Large = 1d8, Huge = 2d6, Gargantuan
existing spells of the appropriate level that the = 2d8)
creature is able to cast: wrathful smite (1stt level),
Fearful Gaze (Recharges after a Short or Long
flame blade (2nd level), fear (3rd level).
Rest). As an action, this creature can innately cast
Eltab attracts followers who wish to discover the cause fearXGtE spell, requiring no material
Narfell’s fiendish secrets. These followers hope components.
to achieve power by helping their lord achieve
domination over the ancient empire’s lands. Eltab
also seduces traitors belonging to groups it has sworn
vengeance against for their acts against it. The Red
Wizards of Thay, the god-kings of Mulhorand and the
Wychlaren of Rashemen are all targets of its ire. Many
of its cultists receive the Scaly Flesh trait with cult
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
24 (+7) 9 (-1) 21 (+5) 3 (-4) 11 (+0) 6 (-2) 19 (+4) 10 (+0) 16 (+3) 3 (-4) 11 (+0) 5 (-3)
Damage Resistances bludgeoning, cold, fire, lightning,
Damage Resistances bludgeoning, cold, fire, lightning, piercing, poison
piercing, poison
Damage Immunities poison
Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities poisoned
Condition Immunities poisoned
Senses passive Perception 10
Senses passive Perception 10
Languages –
Languages –
Challenge 4 (1,100 XP)
Challenge 6 (2,300 XP)
False Appearance. While the whipwood remains
False Appearance. While the direwood remains motionless, it is indistinguishable from a normal tree.
motionless, it is indistinguishable from a normal tree.
Grasping Branches. The whipwood can have up to four
Stomping Fury. The direwood may use a bonus action to branches grappling one or more targets. Each branch
make a stomp attack against a prone target. can be attacked (AC 13; 8 hit points; uses the whipwood’s
resistances and immunities). Destroying a branch deals
Actions no damage to the whipwood, which can regenerate a
Multiattack. The direwood makes two slam attacks. replacement branch on its next turn. A branch can also be
Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 10 ft., one broken if a creature takes an action and succeeds on a DC
target. Hit: 20 (2d6 + 7) bludgeoning damage and the 14 Strength check against it.
target must succeed on a DC 18 Strength saving throw or Crushing Embrace. If a creature is grappled by one or
be knocked prone. more branches at the end of its turn, that creature takes
Stomp. Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 10 ft., one 1d4 + 4 bludgeoning damage.
target. Hit: 29 (4d10+7) bludgeoning damage.
Actions
Multiattack. The whipwood makes up to four lashing
attacks. Every branch that is grappling a target reduces
the number of lashing attacks by one.
Lash. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 10 ft., one
target. Hit: 6 (1d4 + 4) slashing damage and the target
is grappled (escape DC 14). Until the grapple ends, the
target is restrained and the whipwood can’t use the same
branch on another target.
Squeeze. Every target grappled by 1 or more branches
takes 1d4+4 bludgeoning damage.
Troll, Mur-Zhagul
Large giant, chaotic evil
Armor Class 18 (natural armor)
Hit Points 150 (12d10 + 84)
Speed 30 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
20 (+5) 16 (+3) 24 (+7) 10 (+0) 13 (+1) 12 (+1)
Damage Resistances acid, fire
Senses Darkvision 90 ft., passive Perception 11
Languages Abyssal, Giant
Challenge 11 (7,200 XP)
Fiendish Nature. The mur-zhagul’s is
considered both a giant and fiend
creature type.
Innate Spellcasting. The mur-
zhagul’s innate spellcasting ability
is Charisma (spell save DC 13). It
can innately cast the following
spells, requiring no material
components:
At will: burning hands,
darkness, detect evil and
good, jump
3/day: invisibility, shield
1/day: haste
Volodni
Medium plant, chaotic neutral
Armor Class 13 (hide armor)
Hit Points 11 (2d8 + 2)
Speed 30 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
12 (+1) 12 (+1) 12 (+1) 9 (-1) 12 (+1) 9 (-1)
Damage Resistances piercing, poison
Damage Vulnerability fire
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 11
Languages Common, Sylvan
Challenge 1/4 (50 XP)
Plant Mind. Volodni have advantage on saving throws
against being charmed and against being magically put to
sleep.
Cold Iron Anatema. Volodni have disadvantage on attack
rolls with metal weapons and they cannot regain hit
points while wearing metal armor.
Forest Hunter. Volodni can move stealthily through
woodland terrain at normal speed. They may attempt to
hide when in woodland terrain even if they are only lightly
obscured by foliage, rain, snow, or mist.
Innate Spellcasting. The volodni’s innate spellcasting
ability is Wisdom (spell save DC 11). It can innately cast
the following spells, requiring no material components:
At will: druidcraft
1/day: entangle, speak with animals
Actions
Spear. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5
ft. or range 20/60 ft., one target. Hit: 4 (1d6 + 1) piercing
damage.
Shortbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, range 80/320
ft., one target. Hit: 4 (1d6 + 1) piercing damage.
Archdruid
Originally published in Volo’s Guide to Monsters
Archdruid
Medium humanoid (any race), any alignment Actions
Armor Class 16 (hide armor, shield) Scimitar. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
target. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) slashing damage.
Hit Points 132 (24d8 + 24)
Change Shape (2/Day). The archdruid magically
Speed 30 ft.
polymorphs into a beast or elemental with a challenge
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA rating of 6 or less, and can remain in this form for up to 9
hours. The archdruid can choose whether its equipment
10 (+0) 14 (+2) 12 (+1) 12 (+1) 20 (+5) 11 (+0)
falls to the ground, melds with its new form, or is worn by
Saving Throws Int +5, Wis +9 the new form. The archdruid reverts to its true form if it
Skills Medicine +9, Nature +5, Perception +9 dies or falls unconscious. The archdruid can revert to its
true form using a bonus action on its turn.
Senses passive Perception 19
While in a new form, the archdruid retains its game
Languages Druidic plus any two languages statistics and ability to speak, but its AC, movement
Challenge 12 (8,400 XP) modes, Strength, and Dexterity are replaced by those
Spellcasting. The archdruid is an 18th-level spellcaster. of the new form, and it gains any special senses,
Its spellcasting ability is Wisdom (spell save DC 17, +9 proficiencies, traits, actions, and reactions (except class
to hit with spell attacks). It has the following druid spells features, legendary actions, and lair actions) that the new
prepared: form has but that it lacks. It can cast its spells with verbal
or somatic components in its new form.
At will: druidcraft, mending, poison spray, produce flame
The new form’s attacks count as magical for the purpose
1st level (4 slots): cure wounds, entangle, faerie fire, speak
of overcoming resistances and immunity to nonmagical
with animals attacks.
2nd level (3 slots): animal messenger, beast sense, hold
person
3rd level (3 slots): conjure animals, meld into stone, water
breathing
4th level (3 slots): dominate beast, locate creature,
stoneskin, wall of fire
5th level (3 slots): commune with nature, mass cure
wounds, tree stride
6th level (1 slot): heal, heroes’ feast, sunbeam
7th level (1 slot): fire storm
8th level (1 slot): animal shapes
9th level (1 slot): foresight
Bard Conjurer
Medium humanoid (any race), any alignment Medium humanoid (any race), any alignment
Armor Class 15 (chain shirt) Armor Class 12 (15 with mage armor)
Hit Points 44 (8d8 + 8) Hit Points 40 (9d8)
Speed 30 ft. Speed 30 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
11 (+0) 14 (+2) 12 (+1) 10 (+0) 13 (+1) 14 (+2) 9 (-1) 14 (+2) 11 (+0) 17 (+3) 12 (+1) 11 (+0)
Saving Throws Dex +4, Wis +3 Saving Throws Int +6, Wis +4
Skills Acrobatics +4, Perception +5, Performance +6 Skills Arcana +6, History +6
Senses passive Perception 15 Senses passive Perception 11
Languages any two languages Languages any four languages
Challenge 2 (450 XP) Challenge 6 (2,300 XP)
Spellcasting. The bard is a 4th-level spellcaster. Its Spellcasting. The conjurer is an 9th-level spellcaster. Its
spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 12, +4 to spellcasting ability is Intelligence (spell save DC 14, +6
hit with spell attacks). It has the following bard spells to hit with spell attacks). The conjurer has the following
prepared: wizard spells prepared:
At will: friends, mage hand, vicious mockery At will: acid splash, mage hand, poison spray, prestidigitation
1st level (4 slots): charm person, healing word, heroism, 1st level (4 slots): mage armor, magic missile, unseen
sleep, thunderwave servant*
2nd level (3 slots): invisibility, shatter 2nd level (3 slots): cloud of daggers*, misty step*, web*
3rd level (3 slots): fireball, stinking cloud*
Song of Rest The bard can perform a song while taking a 4th level (3 slots): Evard’s black tentacles*, stoneskin
short rest. Any ally who hears the song regains an extra
1d6 hit points if it spends any Hit Dice to regain hit points 5th level (2 slots): cloudkill*, conjure elemental*
at the end of that rest. The bard can confer this benefit on Benign Transportation (Recharges after the Conjurer
itself as well. Casts a Conjuration Spell of 1st Level or Higher). As a
Taunt (2/day) The bard can use a bonus action on its turn bonus action, the conjurer teleports up to 30 feet to an
to target one creature within 30 feet of it. If the target unoccupied space that it can see. If it instead chooses a
can hear the bard, the target must succeed on a DC 12 space within range that is occupied by a willing Small or
Charisma saving throw or have disadvantage on ability Medium creature, they both teleport, swapping places.
checks, attack rolls, and saving throws until the start of Actions
the bard’s next turn.
Dagger. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5
Actions ft. or range 20/60 ft., one target. Hit: 4 (1d4 + 2) piercing
Shortsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., damage.
one target. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) piercing damage.
Shortbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, range 80/320
ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) piercing damage.
Orcus Rising
The dales in southern Lethyr have suffered beneath
the rule of a series of tyrant lords for over a century.
Secretly, each of these tyrants have been commanded
by Vosthor, a hidden undead thrall beholden to Orcus,
Demon Lord of the Undead.
The heroes could be brought to Mettledale by a plea
for aid against the oppressive gangs of thugs used by
the current tyrant lord and learn of a cult dedicated
to Orcus. Progressive challenges ultimately bring the
heroes face-to-face with the deathlock, Vosthor. There
they discover Vosthor is nearing completion of a ritual
to summon Orcus to the Realms using a gate found
in Pholzubbalt, the ancient Mulhorandi necropolis
buried beneath Lethyr. The heroes must race to the
fell place, battle terrible undead, and potentially defeat
Orcus as he steps through the gate.
Christopher Walz
• Editing Joe Raso
• All content not attributed to other authors
Derek Nekritz
Chapter 2 – Classes Oliver Clegg
• Nentyar Hunter, Rauthmari Battlemage Chapter 10 – Monster’s & NPCs
Chapter 3 –Backgrounds • Master Bumpkin
• Demon Tainted, Shadowmaster’s Agent
Chapter 2 - CLASSES
• Druid Archetype - Talontar Blightlord
• Rogue Archetype – Black Flame Zealot
Chapter 5 - SPELLS
• ball lighting, bladebane, clearstone, crushing
sphere, erupting filth, nybor’s gentle reminder,
nybor’s stern reproof
Scott Bean
Chapter 2 – CLASSES
• Druid Archetype – Circle of Leth
• Wizard Archetype - Nar Demon Binder
Chapter 5 - SPELLS
• Beltyn’s burning blood, demon form
Travis Legge
• Layout Design and Development
Apppendices 135
APPENDIX –ART LISTING
Image Source Description Credit
Cover Image Commission Chosen of Talona Nastya Lehn
Introduction Stock Art market scene Dean Spencer
Chapter 1 - Peoples
# Source Description Credit
1 Stock Art Volodni Ranger WOTC DMsGuild Creator Resources
2 Commision Leaf Joe Raso
3 Stock Art Dragonborn Druid Daniel Comerci
4 Stock Art Tiefling Wizard Vagelio Kaliva
Chapter 2 - Classes
# Source Description Credit
1 Commission Plague Domain Petar Penev
2 Stock Art Circle of Blight Daniel Comerci
3 Commission Circle of Leth Petar Penev
4 Stock Art Shou Disciple Publisher’s Choice - Black & White Iconic Heroes
5 Commission Oath of Sarshel Petar Penev
6 Stock Art Nentyar Hunter Daniel Comerci
7 Commission Black Flame Zealot Petar Penev
8 Commission Thug Petar Penev
9 Stock Art Forest Soul Vagelio Kaliva
10 Commission Rauthmari Battlemage Petar Penev
11 Stock Art Satyr playing panflute Public Domain: The Cap And Gown (1900)
12 Stock Art Warlock Indian Fairy tales (1892)
13 Commission Nar Demonbinder Petar Penev
14 Stock Art Homunculas Rick Hershey, Empty Room Studios
Chapter 3 - Backgrounds
# Source Description Credit
1 Stock Art Demontainted Dean Spencer
2 Stock Art Nentyarch Follower Publisher’s Choice - Fantasy Characters: Dryad Druid
3 Stock Art Shadowmaster Agent Dean Spencer
Chapter 4 - Feats
# Source Description Credit
1 Stock Art Empowered Caster Jeremy Hart
2 Stock Art Woodwise Ranger Eric Pommer
Apppendices 137
Chapter 8 – Historical Overview
# Source Description Credit
1 Stock Art demon balor WOTC DMsGuild Creator Resources
2 Stock Art evil sorcerer WOTC DMsGuild Creator Resources
3 Stock Art line drawing face William McAusland, Outland Arts
4 Stock Art shield mace warrior Dean Spencer
5 Stock Art evil looking sorcerer Daniel Comerci
6 Stock Art red demon atop skulls WOTC DMsGuild Creator Resources
7 Stock Art b/w line drawing of street Dean Spencer
Chapter 9 - Factions
# Source Description Credit
1 Commission page corner with oakleaf shield Fez Inkwright
2 Commission page corner with poison and skull Fez Inkwright
3 Stock Art male merchant b/w line art Fat Goblin Games, Publisher’s Choice - Black & White Merchants
4 Stock Art rogue with bow Fat Goblin Games, Publisher’s Choice - basic fanasty classes (rogue)
5 Stock Art line art - elf with sword Daniel Comerci
6 Stock Art knight with sword Mathew Richmond
7 Commission line drawing of witch of rashemen Petar Penev
8 Stock Art old healer mending injured Critical Hit
Appendicies
# Source Description Credit
1 Stock Art book and lecturn Fat Goblin Games, Publisher’s Choice - Black & White Filler Art,
2 Stock Art treasure William McAusland, Outland Arts
Apppendices 139
140 THE GREAT DALE
Apppendices 141
142 THE GREAT DALE
Welcome to the
Great Dale
A region of the Forgotten Realms, the Great
Dale is found in the Unapproachable East.
The land lies far from the Sword Coast and is
filled with ancient and terrible secrets waiting
to be discovered. It is where powerful druids
clash with the fiendish taint left behind by
an ancient empire. It is a land of opportunity
and intrigue where factions rush to control
a rejuvenated city by the sea. Above all, the
Great Dale is a land of adventure.