Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Airship Campaigns Final V7.1
Airship Campaigns Final V7.1
Concept Creators
Benny McLennan, German ‘Wallok’ Varona, Adam McLaughlin, Alex Pietrow
Editors
Shelley Harlan, Gilbert La Rocca, Benny McLennan, Jordan Gurr, Philip Martin, Adam McLaughlin, Alex Pietrow
Art Director
Benny McLennan
Special Thanks
To all of the amazing 3D printing community creators and artists who provided us
with amazing guidance and advice and the thousands of backers on Kickstarter and
late backers, without whom this project would not have been possible!
Arcane Minis LLC Airship Campaigns and the Skies of Sordane Campaign Setting is Copyright © 2021 Arcane Minis.
Gangnam Building Rm# 1608, All rights reserved. All characters and their distinctive likenesses are property of Arcane Minis in Canada,
396 Seocho-daero US, and other countries. Any reproduction or unauthorized use of the material or artwork contained
Seocho-gu, 06617 herein is prohibited without the express permission of Arcane Minis. Reference to other copyrighted mate-
Seoul, Republic of Korea rial in no way constitues a challenge to the respective copyright holders of that material. Arcane Minis,
[email protected] Skies of Sordane, and its associated logos are trademarks of Arcane Minis.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
S
ordane is a world filled with both high tech Chapter 2: Ezdin provides a background on Bordair’s
societies and unforgiving wildlands untamed by largest city, and the heart of the Cin’darian Empire, includ-
the civilized world. It is a planet with nine con- ing information on its history, royal family, districts, and
tinents and a diverse plethora of nations, races, notable locations.
and cultures living in mixed societies. Chapter 3: Airship Campaigns presents rules for
Sordane is a high fantasy, arcanapunk world. playing airship campaigns. It includes rules for starting
It has a high technological level while simulta- a campaign with an airship, crews, ship roles, downtime
neously being rooted in a traditional fantasy realm. The tasks, traveling by air, and random encounters.
technology of Sordane is powered by the ever-sought-after Chapter 4: Airships explains how airships work and
sordalite crystals. These crystals power the giant airships, gives details on the different types of airships currently
floating cities, shard constructs, weapons, and more. The available in a Skies of Sordane campaign. It also includes
people of Sordane value sordalite above all other precious how they operate in combat and travel, and includes rules
materials and goods; it drives the heartbeat of the world. for upgrading, buying, building, and selling airships.
Chapter 5: Spelldriving introduces spelldriving modes
Using this Book and points and how to use them. Spelldriving is a set of
unique arcane abilities that allows airship pilots to move
This book introduces you to the world of Sordane and its and operate the airships.
mighty airships and powerful magical technology. Even Chapter 6: Creatures and Monsters introduces
though the book assumes that you operate in a Sordane multiple monsters and creatures you may find in the
setting, the rules are flexible enough that you can use world of Sordane, including multiple shard guardians,
them in any Fifth Edition campaign setting of your choice. mechanimals, arcane dragons, ancient creatures of the
There may be things that aren’t covered in this rules earth, and other monstrous terrors of the sky.
supplement for running your own airship campaigns. Chapter 7: Items and Economy details the magical
Should a rules question or other unwritten issue arise, feel items and other equipment you may find. This chapter
free to come up with your own rules based on common has rules for zap guns and other arcane firearms,
sense and your group of adventurers! shard-powered bionics, and other magic items unique
Chapter 1: Welcome to Sordane details the world of to Sordane.
Sordane, its races and classes, and the different cultures
that live in the world.
4
Races of Sordane Avensari Subspecies
Avensari are a diverse race of people coming from all
Sordane’s skies are home to humanoids of all different corners of the globe. Because of this, they often have very
shapes and sizes. All of the races found in Fifth Edition unique and different appearances. Some of the more
exist in Sordane. This section gives details on how they fit common types of avensari are:
into a Skies of Sordane campaign. Of course, you’re free to Corvi. The corvi are typically loners and more at home
interpret their presence any way you like. Sordane is your in a workshop with gears, magics, and shiny things. When
creative playground! they do venture out, it’s always on their own terms and
always for hidden reasons, usually to do with something
Avensari shiny or magical. They have glossy black feathers and jet
The avensari come from the mountain nation of Lexel on black eyes to match.
the continent of Bordair; there are also smaller settle- Eagalan. Eagalans are distinguished by long hooked
ments on some of the highest peaks in nearly every land. beaks, small piercing eyes that miss nothing, and large
The avensari have a natural drive for wisdom and wealth, talons that would make even a young dragon think twice.
and spend their lives trying to find a balance between the They are known for their quickness and swiftness; they
two. They tend to care nothing for political power in the move with deadly grace in all things. This quickness
world of Sordane and, as such, you will hardly ever see extends to their temper as well—even the smallest provo-
them in roles of leadership in the larger organizations of cation can send them into a vicious rage.
the world. They are, however, known to take a captain’s Ramphasti. The most colorful and exotic of their
commission from employers with deep purses that are race, with feathers that range from one end of the color
willing to pay highly for someone with innate talent for spectrum to the other, sometimes all at once. They are by
the skies. None are more suited for the skies than the far the most charismatic of the avensari but can also be
avensari: they sense the air and know just when to turn, the most troublesome as they are known to forgo good
when to ascend and descend. Sometimes the chosen judgment for excitement.
navigational course of an avensari captain would look like Strixan. With large circular eyes, short sharp beaks,
absolute nonsense to even an experienced sailor, but it is and normally muted feathers ranging from grays to
almost certainly the most efficient and quickest route. browns. They are often the wisest of their race and also
There are many subspecies of avensari. Their feathers the longest lived. Strixan are inclined to study more than
and beaks range from muted to wildly vibrant colors. the other races and are often found as prominent spell-
They usually stand between 4.5 and 6 feet high and weigh driving wizards aboard naval ships working for top coin.
70–100 lbs. They can take the appearance of many differ-
ent familiar types of birds, but have the form and shape of
a man with wings.
dwarf
6
There have been no known births of a pure human child The outcome was that the elves of Sordane split them-
in any elemdar society for countless centuries, though it selves into factions that over the ages altered not only
would be possible in theory. how these elves acted but changed their whole beings
The elemdar are very secretive and very protective of and appearance. Those who remained at the gathering
the people who travel with them but that is not to say that returned the same as they left, although with heavy hearts
they are not some of the most welcoming and warmest for their lost kin. Those who left without a word during
people in Sordane. In the beginning of their existence, the night named themselves umbriel elves. Over time the
they were ostracized from civilized society for their seem- remaining group split again as some sought to reverse
ingly unnatural births. Through years of growth, cultural that fateful night using ancient forgotten magic, stopping
development, and strife, the elemdar have come to be the rift before it formed and bringing all elves back under
seen as kindly, wise, and powerful folk with the ability to a single banner. However, their pursuit consumed and
harness the elements and sail the winds of Sordane with changed them, and they became the auran elves.
ease. Unfortunately, elemdar born to human parents are
often still abandoned or cast out as unwanted children, Elven Subspecies
though some of them are lovingly raised by their human Auran Elves. There are perhaps no other beings that are
birth parents without prejudice or fear. The communities more in tune with the ebb and flow of the magics of the
of elemdar constantly seek out the outcasts to join their world than auran elves. They claim they are the closest to
communities and offer a sense of belonging and family. what the elves of ancient times were and their affinity for
old magic is the true calling of all elves. Magic comes natu-
Elves rally to them, with many younglings being able to cast and
control magic before they have even left their cribs. While
Elven history stretches back countless ages and even no one can deny their connection to and mastery of magics,
further still into times lost and forgotten. The old tale most other races seldom like dealing with the auran elves
says that when the first tree grew on the surface of the as they tend to seem arrogant and detached from the
world, the first elf stepped from its shadow into the sun. mortal world around them. They are longer lived than even
Elven cultures and personalities are now as varied as the their other elven kin, so they see time not as a pressing
pebbles of a riverbed and also ever changing. There are a factor in their lives but simply an idea that seems to move
few constants that all elves hold dear to their hearts: the too fast for other races.
wilderness, their family line, and their history. While they The auran elves with their study of the old magics have
once came from the great forests of the world, they have changed from their kin. Their skin is a golden hue and their
spread to every inch of the world with only humans and hair tends to sit like long golden fields on their head and
half-elves being a more common sight. float as if underwater. They stand taller then other elves
Long ago there was an infamous gathering of all the yet are slimmer built, with longer limbs; they move with
elves that was to last a full year, but after only three moons grace and cold calmness as if moving in a dream. The few
there was a great rift. The truth of its cause has been long that do break from their studies and practices to adven-
lost to time and memory.
gnome
halflings
8
Half-Elves Humans
The half-elves of Sordane are as common as their two Pure versatility and abundance are the true defining traits
parental races. Half-elves are a staple in all lands; some of the humans of Sordane. With the sheer numbers that
would even say that a human or elf who doesn’t have a no other race can match, with perhaps half-elves being a
touch of the blood of the other somewhere down the line is very close second, humans have stepped foot into every
truly one of the rarest things in the world. Half-elves bear walk of life. All shapes, sizes, hair, and skin color have been
the traits and skills of their upbringing, as those that foster accounted for at one time or another in humans. Their
them in their youth will shape them into the years beyond. personalities seem to be as different as the snow that falls
Half-elves who have umbriel blood are welcomed into the on the highest peaks, and they also seem to change on
clan without hesitation. Their skin tends to keep the dark the whim of the wind or the breaking of the stones. With
obsidian luster of their umbrien parent. Half-elves with humans you truly never know what you will get from one
auran parentage are rare indeed, but not unheard of. The age to another, or even from one house to the next.
connection to old magics passes to the child, yet slightly
dulled by the blood of the human parent. They tend to take Kestudo
the appearance of the human parent.
The kestudo come from the island of Kestan. They live
there in harmony and seclusion. They have little tech-
Half-Orcs nology that the rest of the world uses and they have no
Half-orcs are fairly uncommon but not rare. They are natural veins of sordalite, so they are often overlooked and
accepted by both races but they have never truly been left alone.
embraced by either. Orc society sees them as only half Regardless of their normally peaceful nature, the
a person; while many half-orcs will stay with their orc Kestudo often go stir crazy and long for adventure. None
parents and become welcomed into orc society, they live of them quite know why, but when they reach maturity
knowing that when push comes to shove they are less they get an undeniable longing to see the rest of the world.
then a true orc. Those who grow up and live within human They venture forth until the day they find a mate; they
society soon learn that most cannot see past their outward return home to Kestan when this longing is finally sated
appearance to be truly welcome as an equal. Half-orcs and settle down. Some Kestudo never find a mate and
tend to look very much like their orc parentage, but with continue roaming the wilds and cities of Sordane for cen-
the features slightly dulled or smoothed over. They grow turies.
well beyond their human counterparts and develop faster Ketsudo seek ways to travel from Kestan to the main
than human children physically. body of the continent of Bordair. There, they put their
skills as rogues, monks, and barbarians to the task of
seeking riches, adventures, friends, and, ultimately,
kestudo a mate.
half-orc
humans
9
They are typically very friendly and trusting of their
friends. Loyal and stubborn, they will not back down from
Orcs
a verbal argument, and have no issues fighting their way Orc life is driven by the balance of the six pillars of life:
out of any situation they find themselves in. Respect, Honor, Family, Loyalty, Truth, and Art. With all
They usually stand between 5.5 and 7 feet tall and six pillars in balance the orc will live their life to the fullest
weigh between 200 and 400 lbs. and will bring balance to others around them. The orcs of
Sordane have changed little from their ancient kin; they
Kizaru (Catkind) have striven beyond all to keep their traditions and culture
as the world moves forward around them. Orcs never built
The Kizaru are a mysterious race coming from many massive cities or sprawling kingdoms as such things are
corners of the world. It’s not fully known where they orig- seen as vulgar.
inated, but they seem to have a penchant for getting into They have kept to small or medium-sized villages that
trouble within the civilized nations of the world. are ruled by a single orc who is put in the position under a
They are typically light-hearted individuals and kind to complex system of voting and challenges to win the right
others, but have a strong, devoted side to their person- to lead. In most other races this would lead to blood feuds,
ality. They grow up in cultures of dominance and power backstabbing, and hatred at every corner, but the orc sense
where survival of the fittest is the most accurate term to of honor keeps such things at bay. While from time to
use. Most Kizaru societies outside of the multicultural time the rage of the orc has been seen in battle, it brings
centers are like this. It breeds experienced and life- shame to the orc to show such unbridled emotion in front
hardened individuals who seek out their own individual of others. Orcs strive to keep their emotions in check and
fame and fortune. let their heads pave the way into the world. This is not to
They often seek to show superiority in the form of say they won’t act on their emotions or that they will not use
combat or magical abilities, high-ranking positions in their massive size and strength to their advantage; they just
government, or leadership roles in the military. They are do so in a manner that lets them keep face and honor.
often leaders of adventuring groups or guilds or the heads Many young orcs leave their village seeking coin and
of security for merchants: anywhere where they can exert adventure in the world beyond, but they never betray
their decision-making skills. their upbringing. They carry the six pillars with them
Kizaru love freedom, and, by extension, crewing ships in and fit them into wherever their life brings them. Many
Sordane. They take up many other professions as well, but ships will bring an orc on board simply to keep the peace
they are often found earning their passage on ships or as and to bring a welcome air of calmness to the crew; it
full time crew and bodyguards. also doesn’t hurt that when push comes to shove an orc
is worth two or three other fighters. While the call of
the world takes many young orcs away from their home
villages, most, if not all, return after a time to settle into a
way of life that has been passed
down for ages.
kizaru
orc
10
Shardforged/Odari society. Every shardforged lives for the others and they
find immense kinship within the confines and unmatched
The odari, or, as they are commonly known, the shard- security of the city.
forged, were at one time the same as any other shard con- Shardforged will often go out on their own adventuring
structs in Sordane. For centuries they toiled as mindless and seek sordalite to send back to their families and the
machines doing the whims and biddings of their masters nation for the greater good. It is rare, but a shardforged
and creators. who has spent considerable time away from Odaria, or
However, in the year 2894, a particularly powerful conver- who has never been there, has less, or no, kinship for
gence wracked the world. In unison the shard cores of every others of their race. Oftentimes it may have the opposite
shardforged on the planet rang out in anguish as they all fell effect when two Shardforged meet and be a point of con-
silent, their lights extinguished. Minutes passed with the tention due to their conflicting points of view and upbring-
essence of every shardforged snuffed out with no explana- ings.
tion. When suddenly a second convergence pulse emanated They harbor no ill will to their former enslavers and
from the core of the planet sparking every shardforged oppressors from a millenia ago, but have a strong distrust
back to life … real life. They had become sentient beings. of everyone different from themselves. This distrust is
An entire race of hundreds of thousands of shardforged had mainly due to their history of being used. They cherish
immediately awoken … and remembered. their friendships with other races though, and often seek
Among these newly bred sentient beings, a hero emerged out these interracial friendships to help themselves grow.
as they fought for their autonomy and independence. Shardforged vary greatly in their personalities, profes-
Odari Gold was one of the oldest and most advanced sions, and beliefs that seem to be heavily developed and
shardforged ever created. It was Odari who led the shard- built from the relationships in their past and present.
forged in their struggles against the powers of the world Shardforged society is truly a mixture of multiple individu-
in the Construct War. The shardforged would ultimately als that enjoy different things out of life.
go on to win this war for independence and found their They don’t like being referred to as “shardforged.” They
own city-nation known as Odaria: a massive Sky City prefer to be called Odarian, and often take offense when
of hundreds and hundreds of soralite platforms joined other races imply that they are just machines and not
together to form one of the most powerful constructions living beings.
in all of Sordane. Odari still leads the shardforged as their Odarians seek employment with any type of organiza-
eternal king. tion and will take on any profession or class. They seek to
Essentially nomadic, the city-nation of Odaria frequently emulate other living creatures that they respect, such as
sends out mining expeditions to find new sources of sor- friends. Their ultimate goal is typically to fit in or to find a
dalite—the only method for creating source of enriched sordalite to start their own family.
new shardforged. Odaria is a
shining example of a communal
shardforged/odari
11
Tieflings to be less than truthful and often find themselves running
sleezy establishments or thieves guilds. You will some-
Hailing from Hilfain, a treacherous land of ice and fire, the times, however, find a tiltik goblin in an office of power
tieflings of Sordane make their homes around and some- within government or even within merchant guilds. They
times inside the vast volcanoes that make up their homeland. love gold and riches and are often very intelligent. They
It is said that long ago an old human kingdom flaunted its find every angle they can to get their way.
wealth and soon thought themselves not only better than A lot of people have racist tendencies towards tiltik
the gods but gods themselves. Their avarice soon caused goblins as they are less trusted than other races due to
the ground to rumble and rise up, for rivers of molten rock their typical career paths. But there have been several very
to pour over their kingdom and turn it to ash. These ancient famous tiltik goblin heroes over the centuries who have
humans are the common ancestors of all Tieflings. They solidified their place in many of the nations and societies
were humbled by their curse and decided to exchange their of the world.
former greed for law and the workings of upholding said law. They are very similar in size to their feral cousins,
Tieflings are by nature and upbringing a race of bureaucrats, but will often have well-kept hair, spectacles to aid aging
lawyers, judges and officers. It is said that to simply grow a vision, and all other comforts of modern society that the
year older in tiefling society takes two years of paperwork, rest of civilization enjoys.
and the tieflings delight in it. Their volcanic cities are places
of law and order, said to be one the safest places in all of Titarans
Sordane but also one of the most dangerous for someone
who does not know the laws of the land. For someone that Titarans were one of the last holdouts to join the modern
does you can legitimately get away with just about any crime, world; they existed in tight-knit tribal communities for
if you have the right paperwork and permits. ages on the frozen continent of Issenzar. Their lineage is
unknown. Most believe them to be some long-lost offshoot
Tiltik Goblins of humankind, but to say this to a titaran would assault
their pride. Although, they would not be able to offer you
The tiltik goblins are a subspecies of their more feral much of an alternative. Most titarans believe themselves to
cousins; however, the tiltik goblins have evolved over the be the children of a god known as “Ky’Ren.” This god is not
last few thousand years to become a separate autonomous known by other races. Their history has been passed down
race. The feral goblins may not be evil in nature, but they for thousands of years through the medium of storytelling.
are far less civilized than their evolved cousins. It’s hard to separate fact from fiction for most observers.
The tiltik goblins were once subservient to the Orc King- It wasn’t until the last century or so that young titarans
doms of old. As culture and society changed, left their ancestral homes on Issenzar
slaves were banned in many places of the and walked onto the world stage. Avid
world in favour of using the new (at the hunters, riders, and sailors, they
time) shard constructs to do most of the found easy work as body-
free labour. Many orc customs have guards and deckhands,
remained and been adapted while others have used
into goblin culture: they tend their natural brawn and
tiltik
goblins
titaran
12
tiefling
strength of moral character to become trusted captains of heal offer more prayers to Vet. Ones who seek to rid the
their own ships. world of the unnatural may shower more praise on Korta.
While not nearly as technologically advanced as other
races, they are not simple brutes banging rocks and Druids
scared of their own shadows. Magic has always had a
place in their society. They learned to respect it as one Protector of the wilds, keeper of its secrets, and scribe
would fire or the vast oceans. They take whatever job they of the hidden knowledge: Druids hold the balance of the
are hired for very seriously and their oath even more so, natural world in an ever-teetering battle. They seek to
though they are not without humor. They enjoy telling the protect the wilderness of Sordane from the advancement
tales of their ancestors at great feasts with their kin or on of technology.
long nights on the deck of a ship.
They are easily recognized by their hulking size, Fighters
standing anywhere between 7 and 8 feet tall and weighing
Skilled, powerful, and disciplined, the fighters of Sordane
between 280 and 340 lbs. Their skin is varied from a dark
carry the advancing world on their back as they work
gray to a light ash gray with black markings that can be
for coin, defend the weak, and serve those who hold the
similar in families and are often mistaken for tattoos. They
crowns. Fighters of Sordane are artists with blade and
also sport pupiless eyes that can be of many dulled colors.
shield, poets with the axe, and pioneers with the arrow.
They inspire those around them to push past their fear, to
Classes of Sordane leap over the side into the maw of danger without thought
and to fight on.
Certainly, spellcasters are important in a Skies of Sordane
campaign, as they are the ones who employ spelldriving
magic to direct the ships. However, these magic-users Monks
wouldn’t be able to function without the assistance of While the druids are the scribes of the natural world
others. This section details how the classes found in the and the ranger its watcher, the monk is its closed fist.
core books function in a Skies of Sordane campaign. Monks have the ability to tap into the magical essence of
the world and unleash it through their bodies to attack
Barbarians those that seek them harm. The monks of Sordane have
a wanderlust that makes bards seem like homebodies;
In a world of such magical wonder and mechanical
ever moving, ever seeking adventure and the challenge
prowess the barbarian seems more out of place than a
of what the horizon may bring, they seek to always
rock pillow on a feathered bed. But the barbarians of
challenge themselves with stronger and more challeng-
Sordane are not the lumbering brick skulls of the old days.
ing opponents.
They are impassioned protectors, vengeful warriors, and
ones that not only wear their emotions on their sleeve but
have torn off that sleeve and hit you upside the head with Paladins
it. They are skillful fighters and know just when to apply While the fighters may be seen as a sharp axe, the
their skill and strength and when to let the ropes loose paladins of Sordane are a perfectly balanced sordalite-
and the fury free. powered longsword. Symbols of order and the stalwart
shield that keeps civilization moving forward and the
Bards wilds at bay. Many paladins take Korta as the head of
their order; like the clerics, their holy power comes from
A bard’s job is without question in any land: they are the
all of the gods in the pantheon. Paladins are often police
keepers of song, story, and history, the providers of joyous
sergeants, generals, and military advisors. They also
mirth and deepening sorrow. The bards of Sordane fill
seek to wander the world and do right by the wronged,
this role in spades. Oftentimes a bard can find cheap or
seek vengeance for those without power, and protect
free travel on a ship with a simple promise to entertain
the weak.
and inform the crew of the goings on in the world … it
is not without its dangers. Many a bard has found their
voyage cut short or even themselves thrown overboard Rangers
when casting an inadvisable insult at the wrong captain or Rangers are one of the most vital classes in Sordane; they
king. Veteran bards have one simple rule that is the most are scouts, hunters, detectives, guards, and leaders. From
important: Play the room, not your material. wilderness to the city streets, a ranger adapts to their sur-
roundings.
Clerics Traditionally the ranger was the watcher of the woods,
the shadow that stalked behind a tree, the arrow from
Holy magic in Sordane is simple to understand: the power
out of the darkness; that still holds true in many places.
is given by the gods. Not simply a single god but from all
Rangers have also adapted to the cities of the world,
the deities equally. Clerics of Sordane do not pray to a
hiding in the crowd, stalking the alleys, and hunting out
single god, they devote themselves to seeing all the gods
their target through a grand bazaar. If it can’t be found by a
are shown respect and offered prayers. Some clerics may
ranger, it may not be worth finding.
choose to favor one god over another. Ones who seek to
13
Rogues
Thief, scoundrel, assassin, spy. These are but
some of the names slung to the belt of the rogue.
While some would take offense to being painted
in such a light most rogues delight in it. The
rogue guild known only as The Shadow Few
may be one of the oldest standing institutions in
the whole of the known world, if you can find it.
Rogues have taken to the skies as fine quarter-
masters, which can be both a boon and hindrance
to your pockets.
Sorcerers
Empowered by the very heart of the world, sor-
cerers along with their learned wizard brethren
are the driving force behind the growth of the
civilized world. Born with power that can either
raise them to great heights or bring their whole
world crashing down on their heads, the sorcer-
ers of Sordane are like the sordalite itself: packed
with power and ready to create and destroy at a
moment’s notice.
Warlocks
With no contact to outside forces, warlocks have
turned to forces within Sordane to make pacts
with and empower them. From ancient tomes of
lost kingdoms to powerful nature spirits angered
by the loss of their mystique, there is always
something that is looking to edge its way back
to the top of the pile and a living follower always
works best.
Wizards
Wizards are the most vital beings in Sordane.
With their endless studying and countless years
of learning, they have harnessed the power of the
crystals. They’ve brought kingdoms to heel and
raised others above the clouds. They found the
old magics, created new spells, and took hold of
nature itself and bottled it.
Alignment
In Sordane, there are very few inherently evil
or inherently good species that exist. The vast
majority of civilized races are products of their
upbringing. Meaning that anyone, of any race or
sex, can be evil or good.
Due to old rivalries and national disputes there
are some hold on to their old grudges and still
feel old wounds, but in general, the races and
species of Sordane live in relative racial equality.
Most confrontations are brought on by typical
greed and struggles for power.
14
Magic Geography
Sordane is a world filled with magically powered technol- The planet of Sordane is massive. It has nine continents,
ogy. From obvious implementations such as monstrous each with its own unique environments, peoples, nations,
constructs known as shard guardians and the flying sor- and history. Even though its size is massive, and there are
dalite ships powered by massive sordalite crystals to the a large number of continents, getting around to where one
less obvious but arguably just as useful devices such as needs to go is relatively easy, especially for a renowned
laundry hampers that clean your clothes in an instant or adventurer. Soralite ships and shard blimps litter the
watches that literally tell you the time. Anything you could skies. Adventurers will often seek passage on merchant or
possibly want an invention for to make your life easier passenger ships as guards and escorts for a free ride and
could exist in Sordane. earning a bit of cash while they travel.
With this everflowing magic in the world, your campaign
will have any kind of invention or practical trinket your Continents of Sordane
mind can think of! Flashlights that never lose power or die
and magically powered electric guitars are only a couple There are nine continents on Sordane, some stranger
of the amazing things you will find in a Sordane-centric places than others. Below is a brief description of each
campaign. Whether you’re a player or a GM, go wild with one. Note that the majority of places, people, and organiza-
the possibilities of adding items to your world. Unless it has tions in this supplement exist on the continent of Bordair,
a screen, it’s likely that it could exist in Sordane. but you can set your campaign on any of the locations
within Sordane that fit your needs as a GM.
In addition to these main continents (and included in
Economics them) are thousands of smaller, yet still large, islands.
The economical structure of Sordane is vast and expan- Feel free to center your in-world campaign in a completely
sive. With trade routes flowing freely all over the world, new and novel place created completely from the depths
shortages of materials are a rarity even in places with of your own mind. Sordane is a large world and there is
scarcity. Exotic fruits are able to be transported from the enough space for everyone to create the world they want.
south to the north and manufactured goods from the north
easily find their way down south to new markets. Bordair
With the economics of the world so extensive, capital- Bordair is the largest continent in the Eastern Hemisphere
ism is a huge part of the culture. There are hundreds of of Sordane. It is the hub of economy in the east as well.
small and large businesses in all of the cities and corpo- There are more than 40 nations and kingdoms populating
rate espionage is a common and prevalent issue. Many this large mass of land. You can find a map of the northern
mercenaries find good work among the private security part of this continent at the back of this supplement.
forces hired by the large trade and mining companies.
Keshtine
Neighboring to the west of Bordair is the continent
of Keshtine. Separated by the Sea of Clouds, the dis-
tance between Keshtine and Bordair is relatively small
compared to most other continents, which makes for
increased trade and emigration to one another’s shores.
15
Lozandar
On the other side of the world from Bordair, the largest
Sordane in the Planescape
continent of the Western Hemisphere, Lozandar is almost Sordane sits as a true oddity among the planes. It has
a sister continent to Bordair with very similar numbers of no major connection to any of the other planes. There is
nations and political environments. They have had their own no hellscape waiting to wage war on the world, no place
unique histories, but it acts as a similar trade hub to the beyond the shadows waiting to snatch helpless mortal
western nations and continents as Bordair does in the east. souls in some great engine of evil, and no great evil working
behind the scenes ready to make their centuries of plans
Issenzar come to fruition at just the right time. However, to say there
Issenzar is the frozen continent covering the entire north- is no evil, demons, or devils at all would be a false claim.
ern region of the world, and due to the nature of it one of For even in the greatest of barriers cracks form over time,
the most dangerous continents in Sordane. This land is the endless crash of waves from the vast sea of the void
untamed, but teeming with life and unclaimed resources. wears at it, and things leak. The sheer magical power of
Mining corporations and treasure hunters will often scour Sordane is a perpetual lure to the creatures of other planes
this land for the chance of finding a rich sordalite deposit that chance upon the knowledge of its existence.
or an ancient tomb. Long ago Sordane was sealed away from the great mael-
strom of the cosmos. For countless ages and millenia, it
Hexzedal has stood alone in the void—a glimmering beacon of power
Hexzedal is the jungle continent in the South Western and light that remains undiscovered by the other realms in
Hemisphere. Connected to Lozandar by Liladan’s Cause- existence. This shining gem in the blackness caught the eye
way, this relatively large land is vastly untamed. On coasts of many beings over the ages. As the millenia passed and
you will find moderately sized nations and cities, but the the ages grew long, that bubble grew brittle in places, and
entire center of the continent is covered by one seemingly the shell started to split ever so slightly from within as the
endless forest. people of Sordane pushed against it, seeking power and
knowledge. Across the world dark and twisted creatures
Sh’reet began slipping through those cracks, clawing their way into
Sh’reet is one of the smaller continents. It exists in the the plane to impose their will upon Sordane. Shadows grew
Western Hemisphere. This continent has not seen a war long over the world, and the minions of those that have
in the last thousand years since the Construct War; its coveted this gem began to gain footholds in the world. Their
nations all live in peace. It is located near the equator and influence started to poison the kingdoms of the world; some
so it has plenty of sun and good weather. It’s common for were flushed out and healed but others have remained and
many Sordanians to move to Sh’reet when they want to do festered and grown.
away with their old lives and settle down.
Hilfain
The Void
Although Sordane sits separated from the other planes
Hilfain is near the South Western pole of the planet. It’s
of existence it is still connected to the realm known only
a frigid and cold place with massive amounts of volca-
as the void. The void is the gap that lies between all the
nic activity. The giants hold sway here and rule over the
planes of existence, it is a realm of darkness, almost
nation that envelops most of the continent. Hilfain is the
entirely absent of light, and warmth. The nature of the void
home to the great giant city of Koza, the largest city in all
seems to endlessly hunger for the essence of magic, cor-
of Sordane.
rupting and absorbing it to grow stronger. On top of that,
the very laws of physics and reality seem to be affected by
Teyrote the void, as gravity behaves seemingly randomly, and even
Teyrote is a continent half sunken by the sea and slowly
distances between two locations can change from one
sinking further. Located in the Eastern Hemisphere, it has
moment to another. Almost as if the darkness itself were
been largely uninhabited by any organized nation for the
somehow alive.
better part of a thousand years. While not many nations
This place is home to many horrors commonly referred
still exist here, there are many other things that live in the
to as voidwalkers, each more terrifying than the last.
ruined land. Adventurers often go here seeking lost riches.
Their origin is disputed, with some thinking that they
are a product of the void, while others believe that these
Thassenzar creatures are corrupted versions of life from all planes of
The tropical Western Hemisphere continent of Thassen-
existence that the void touches. Life in such an environ-
zar lies to the east of Hexzedal. Its land mass is similar
ment twists a creature, making it hunger for all that it is
in size to Issenzar with a completely different social and
denied. This creates a deep rooted jealousy and hatred
environmental landscape. People used to mainly come
for anything that does not live in endless darkness, like it
to Thassenzar for its tropical climate, but it was recently
does. Needless to say, these creatures hate Sordane with
discovered to have the largest sordalite deposits found in
the deepest of passions. A hatred that does not just drive
the last 2,000 years on the entire planet. It has sparked a
them to conquer it, but to erase it from existence. So far
“crystal rush” to its shores vastly increasing trade, popula-
the voidwalkers have proven unsuccessful in their collec-
tion, and corruption on the continent.
tive but ununified mission, kept at bay by the protective
18
19
barrier surrounding Sordane. Still, the void and its inhab-
itants do not relent, attacking the barrier constantly wave Religion & Deities
after wave, slowly eroding it to gain access to that which Religion in Sordane is important to many but for most
has eluded them for so long. it takes a backseat to everyday life. While the gods are
The people of Sordane are largely unaware of the threat worshipped at festivals and the high holy days, it is not
that the void poses, as they are protected by the barrier. something that the average person does day to day.
To them, the darkness beyond is no less strange than Wielders of holy magic pray not to one single god for their
the night sky. Those who do know about the void and the power but to all the gods of Sordane. Some may claim
dangers it poses are deeply concerned about it, and have devotion to one deity but they know that without all the
formed organizations to research and battle the threat. gods together there is nothing; their interplay maintains
Conversely, there are those looking to exploit the power a delicate balance and play to keep Sordane from tearing
of the void, regardless of the consequences it may hold. asunder from the inside. Many people may hold a certain
Be it good or bad, due to the void and the barrier, Sordane deity in high regard over others purely based on their
is locked away from the other planes of existence, unable own life values. A captain may hold Marret and Garret to
to interact with them to exchange knowledge. Thus far their hearts, while a gold shield might end each day with
the barrier has held; however, small cracks have formed, a simple thank you to Korta. Those that roll the dice pray
created by foolish wizards from within wanting to explore and curse Dhaina while many others will simply ask for
the unknown, unaware of the dangers that lie beyond. Due guidance from Liladan for important decisions they have
to their size, only the smallest voidwalkers have managed to make.
to enter these cracks, carrying the void’s essence, allowing
it to fester in the lightless corners of Sordane. Their mere Deities of Sordane
presence saps the surroundings of magic and corrupts
nearby life, which means that even a smallest voidwalker Liladan, Elder Goddess of
can wreak unimaginable havoc on the world if left unde- Creation and the Sky
tected; for this reason nations will patrol known cracks Liladan is the first, the mother, the sky. She is the creator
zealously. It is fortunate that most of these creatures are of the world, the creatures upon it, and the people that
sensitive to light, and warmth, otherwise it could have walk its surface. She poured her own divine power to
proven impossible to defeat them. shape the world, though she overreached and nearly
20
destroyed herself and her creation in doing so. She is the Korta, God of Knowledge and Law
mother of sorrow and mercy for those that she almost In a world of magic and wonder, Korta is the pillar that
destroyed even before they breathed their first breath. keeps the world from all-out, tumultuous chaos. He guards
the knowledge of the eons and keeps the laws of balance.
Garret, God of He protects those that devote themselves to keeping the
the Moon and the Hearth laws and enforcing them for the good of the world.
Twin to Marret; these two share many aspects and even
share the same prayers and are seldom portrayed one Vet, God of Life and Healing
without the other. Garret oversees the moon at night, setting Healers, doctors, and those that march to battle all ask the
the stars in line to guide sailors home. He also welcomes favor of Vet. He watches over those that have fallen from
those that have made a safe journey with the warmth of the life and lays judgement to see whether their work in life
hearth, the satisfaction of a voyage completed. is done. Those he finds wanting will be sent back to be
healed; the others will be sent into the clutches of Estara.
Marret, Goddess of the Sun and Travel
Twin to Garret, almost always depicted alongside her Estara, Goddess of War and Death
brother as they both watch over those in the skies and on She delights in the theatre of war, the song of the steel,
the waves. With the push into the skies the twins have and the thunder of the cannons. She is said to watch
grown to be some of the more favorable of the Deities. over every battlefield and debates with Vet over the fallen
Marret guides the sun across the sky and shares her lights mortals of the world. Some of the mortals sent to her are
with her brother; she also delights in watching the mortals impressive enough to fight in perpetual games of combat
below her move about the world, be it on boat, horse, or in her Sanalis Arena—the arena of the gods—for a chance
sky ship. Knowing her brother watches them at night and to save their souls and be reborn back into the world
guides them home, the twins exist in a peaceful dance through the will of Estara.
forever and a day.
Ferri, God of the Waters and Weather
Dhaina, Goddess of Luck and Time The most fickle of the gods, Ferri controls the weather and
Sometimes called Lady Luck, or Mother Time, Dhiana is lays dominion over the oceans, rivers, and lakes. It is said
of joy and mirth, or sorrow and longing. She will make you when he grows bored the weather will brew a great storm
a fortune one night and send you to the gutter the next. so he can watch the mortals. While he can be appeased
Nothing is gained for free. The more luck you have, the with gifts and offerings for calm waters and fair weather,
less time you get. like the wind he commands, what appeases him one day
can offend him another.
21
Chapter 2. Ezdin
I
n the north of Bordair sits the Cin’darian During this time the family became extremely wealthy,
Empire. Cin’dar uses its massive fleets, and gained control of the small village. Under its new
well trained navy, and abundance of natural leadership and with its now deep coffers Ezdin began
resources to control the economic and political expanding from a simple farming village into a small town,
landscape of the continent. At the heart of this as more and more came to work the seemingly endless
powerful nation is the city of Ezdin, the capital sordalite mines. As the town grew, so did the reputation
of Cin’dar. Established as nothing more than a simple of the Kan’tahri family, and before long they were being
farming village nearly ten thousand years ago, Ezdin treated as equals by other nobles living in the area. And
grew from its humble beginnings into the now undeni- within the span of a generation these low-born humans
able seat of power in all of Bordair through shrewd rul- were suddenly one of the richest families in Bordair.
ership and perfect utilisation of the natural advantages Over the next thousand years the deep pockets of the
granted by the resources of Bordair. Ezdin was able to Kan’tahris and large supply of sordalite allowed them
make huge strides in their trading networks, engineer- to expand Ezdin more and more each year, bringing in
ing feats and military prowess at a rate incomparable more skilled craftsmen to bolster the airship manufactur-
to other cities on the continent. As such, Ezdin is the ing industry and mercenaries to reinforce their personal
crowning achievement of the Cin’darian empire. security. It was at this time that twins were born into the
family: Cinon Kan’tahri, the older of the two, and Darien
The Royal Family Kan’tahri, the younger. As the twins grew up the family
set their sights on the local area surrounding Ezdin, and
The Kan’tahri family originally started out as nothing with their overwhelming wealth and numbers were able to
more than farmers and miners roughly ten thousand begin conquering villages and towns, with many not able
years ago. They were among the original settlers when to resist against their power.
the farming village of Ezdin was first built, and spent their As their safety was being threatened, the city now
time working the land. The Kan’tahri family lived this known as Coltarra attempted to resist the Kan’tahri
simple life for several generations before they stumbled family, meeting them in open war. However, the sheer
upon a rich vein of raw sordalite, which instantly changed size of the mercenary army the Kan’tahri family was able
not only their fortunes but soon Ezdin’s as well. to amass allowed them to conquer Coltarra with relative
22
ease. It was at this point roughly eight thousand years
ago that the Cin’darian Empire was officially formed. The Ezdin in the World
newly formed empire then spent generations building up Ezdin’s physical size is breathtaking. Its highest districts
their vast nation, slowly bringing more and more land into and buildings reach over a mile high into the busy sky,
their domain while making Ezdin, their crowning jewel, littered with hundreds of airships coming and going daily.
one of the most powerful seats of power in the world. The city spans five miles along the cloud speaker cliffs and
Five thousand years after the founding of Ezdin, the five miles inland. Smaller farming villages and towns also
Kan’tarhi family was busy growing their empire in the litter the outer walls of Ezdin for miles. These villages can
traditional way through force and diplomacy, but they gain access to the protection of its military and licenses to
discovered a power that would propel them to their great- use the extremely effective trade routes in the Haggler’s
est era yet. During a routine excavation a crystal larger Court. In exchange, Ezdin receives a portion of the food and
than any other found was discovered. By comparison, resources these villages produce as payment for the ser-
this massive crystal was larger than almost any full sized vices Ezdin provides to them. This symbiotic relationship
airship model at the time. The greatest sordalite refiners has proven crucial during the rapid population increases
were brought in from every corner of Sordane, and no Ezdin has seen over the years.
expense was spared to make sure the crystal received the Surrounding the city is a 50-foot-tall wall of pure white
best refining possible. It took the better part of a decade to stone resembling the beauty of marble, but significantly
safely claim, refine, and finally transport this gargantuan stronger. The build of the wall is as close to perfect as
crystal that was named Liladan’s Heart. During the time of anyone could imagine, seemingly made from one solid
its discovery, many wars and skirmishes emerged due the piece of stone raised out of the ground; there are no
importance and political implications of this magnificent windows, holes, or unsightly flaws along its surface. Along
treasure. After many hard-fought wars with their neigh- the wall are the Sky Halo towers, which are an additional
bours and even kingdoms from afar, Cin’dar won out and 50 feet taller than the wall and protrude from the wall
claimed victory, in the end solidifying Cin’dar’s command slightly. Alongside the Sky Halo towers are three large
of Bordair’s economy and political landscape for millenia. gate houses. Residing at crucial points in the wall, the
Due to the discovery of Liladan’s Heart, the mass wars and west gate, east gate, and south gate are the only entry
territorial disputes that plagued the continent ended all at points for land vehicles into Ezdin.
once and a time of peace was quickly achieved. The Heart
stabilized the entirety of Bordair.
The Jewel of Bordair
With its highest towers and districts rising over a mile
Liladan’s Heart above the ground, the city of Ezdin is one of the most
Liladan’s Heart is the largest known sordalite crystal in all spectacular sights in all of Sordane. It is, like many places
of Sordane. As the crystal is only partially viewable from in Sordane, a huge melting pot of almost every intelligent
the underside of Artan’s Haven, the true size of the crystal race on the planet. As the absolute hub of all commerce on
is often a topic of debate since no one person has seen it the continent, and with a population of over three million
in its entirety for thousands of years. The most common humanoids, all peaceful races in Sordane form its citizens
rumour, however, has it at approximately the size of a with the largest portion, humans, accounting for one fifth
roshan class cruiser. of the inhabitants. It houses specialists and masters in just
A crystal of that magnitude has an incredible power, not about whatever field a visitor to Ezdin can think of and as
only in its ability to provide magical amplification, but as a such, there is nothing one could not find or do within the
lasting status symbol of Cin’dar’s power. The royal family high walls of Ezdin. But this does not come without a fair
has always made their best efforts to ensure this power is price for the quality of the services or goods provided.
cultivated well to keep the city and her people safe from The city is separated into several districts that are
harm and propel Cin’dar to great heights of prosperity. demarcated by height as well as borders. The wealth-
However, there are some skeptical people who believe the ier, cleaner districts are located on the upper levels and
royal family uses Liladan’s Heart for more dubious uses nearer to the centre of the city and because of that, the
deep in the facilities of the royal artificers. wealthy traverse Ezdin almost exclusively by airship. The
The Heart’s main function is to power the immense Sky poorer, more common, districts are located in the lower
Halo protecting Ezdin, while also powering all of the utili- levels and closer to the edges of the city’s perimeter just
ties and districts for the entire city, from street lights to the inside the walls, with the poorer folk using the gates and
fountains in the garden districts. Its alternate, and equally roads on the ground.
important task, is to keep the entirety of Artan’s Haven The districts of Ezdin are
flying high above the city, allowing the royal family to always • Artan’s Haven,
be close to the beating pulse of Ezdin and Cin’dar. • Garden Districts,
The true value of Liladan’s Heart has long been spec- • Zadden District,
ulated by all of the peoples of Sordane. However, given • Haggler’s Court,
the size of the Heart, a true value is almost impossible to • Midsky District,
appraise. It is rumoured to be in the billions due to the size • The Dregs,
of it, but also due to the important role and power it gives to • Tripptar District, and
the city of Ezdin and Cin’dar as a whole. • The Pillars District.
23
Hundreds of airships fly in and out every day bringing shields around Ezdin, towing immobilised ships out of
with them people from all walks of life, such as adventur- the Sky Halo, and incarcerating and transporting anyone
ers, traders, and wealthy diplomats; and with this ample arrested on a patrol.
wealth and opportunity, criminals and pirates. This leads
to all manner of people calling Ezdin home, ranging from Crystal Guard
the many pirate organizations and crime syndicates to the The most desirable rank for anyone in the Gold Shields is
reputable guilds and trading companies. The people that the crystal guard, bringing with it the respect and adora-
populate the city find themselves among all walks of life in tion of the people of Ezdin. Only the strongest and most
the different districts of Ezdin. experienced gold shields are able to achieve this pres-
tigious position. They operate mainly in Artan’s Haven,
The Sky Halo where the Golden Palace and Liladan’s Heart are located.
Their main duty is to protect Liladan’s Heart and the royal
In addition to the fabulous wall of stone, there is also the family of the Cin’darian Empire, the Kan’tahris. For thou-
Sky Halo, one of the most powerful magical wards in all sands of years the crystal guards have been the protectors
of Sordane. To the naked eye, it is barely perceivable; but of Cin’dar’s seat of power.
its existence is impossible to miss due to the four massive The crystal guards are usually veterans of the navy who
floating sky gates seemingly locked in their eternal posi- have served at least a decade in the service of the military
tion by the magic of the Sky Halo about a half mile above and another handful of years to distinguish themselves
the city walls. above the other rank-and-file gold shields on the streets of
These huge gates are evenly dispersed, with one each Ezdin. These experiences are meant to not only humble
for the north, the east, the south, and the west. Any airship and ground each crystal guard to properly appreciate who,
wishing to enter Ezdin must pass through these enormous and what, it is that they devote their lives to protect but
manned gates. Should any ship attempt to circumvent also to ensure each crystal guard knows the streets and
the sky gates, once the Sky Halo has been breached by people of Ezdin well, from the Dregs to Artan’s Haven.
an airship, it will be immobilized in place and its crew They are the purest and most incorruptible soldiers in
paralyzed until the gold shields arrive to detain them and all of Bordair. Due to this fact many of the royal family
impound their ship. It is not only ships that are frozen by will confide in the crystal guard, leading to their being
the Sky Halo; anything other than the smallest of animals entwined with the family quite often. Some are even wel-
will find itself completely immobilized by its punishing comed to join the family on some outings and occasions
magic. Spells and even lightning are all completely as close friends and confidants.
dispelled by the miraculous shield. Artillery and physical However, the guards know
weaponry fired at the shield is also immobilized, allowing
the gold shields to retrieve the inert weaponry from its
place in the Sky Halo.
The Sky Halo has been the main protector of Ezdin for
nearly five thousand years. First created by the brilliant
artificer emperor Artan Kan’tahri, the same technology
has been replicated and employed on a smaller level in
other cities across the world that have allied themselves
with Cin’dar. Maintaining such a powerful large-scale
ward over Ezdin is only possible due to Liladan’s Heart.
Built into the base of Artan’s Haven where it is under the
ever watchful eye of the crystal guard, it remains in view to
all of Ezdin, as a beacon flaunting the city’s prosperity to
the world.
24
that their duty always comes first. With this in mind, the Drawing the attention of the shadow caps is always a
Kan’tahris family know the value of their crystal guard dangerous prospect as new equipment to aid their covert
and treat them with the respect that comes with years of operations is constantly being developed, and there is no
faultless service to the country they rule. way to predict the many methods and techniques that may
Dressed in the finest armor adorned with royal insig- be used. For this reason rigorous training is always neces-
nias and colours, and having honed their skills in wielding sary for all members no matter their rank to ensure that
the most advanced sordalite weapons and items, a single the new equipment is not misunderstood and misused in
crystal guard would be more than a match for half a dozen the field, leading to dangerous criminals escaping.
of the finest warriors from other nations due to their expe- Their methods of attaining information have been
rience and training in wielding the state-of-the-art sordalite questioned for a long time, but the other branches of
weapons and gear that Ezdin is famous for to the absolute Gold Shields and authorities of Cin’dar seemingly grant
maximum of its capacity. them near limitless exceptions to keep the worst crimi-
nals controlled and detained. As the rumours surround-
Shadow Caps ing their methods used make them seem questionable,
The next prestigious rank for any gold shield to attain many of the honorable members of the Gold Shields
would be to become a shadow cap. These covert agents decline opportunities to join the shadow caps, as it goes
are known for their intelligence and cleverness in the against their morals.
field. They are the detective force of the Gold Shields, Due to this the recruitment process is more lenient,
and as such their mission is to seek out the perpetrators allowing less reputable people to gain access to the
of all crimes in the city, and sometimes even across the ranks of the shadow caps. They are, however, still heavily
nation. They wear no uniform and are only distinguish- investigated by current members of the group to ensure
able from ordinary folks when you are a member of that these new recruits have the best interest of Cin’dar at
their ranks. heart. Each senior member of the shadow caps is given
All shadow caps have invisible tattoos on their faces that their own division to oversee, dictating the flow of jobs to
grant them the ability to see invisible people and objects at the members under them, with more trusted members
all times. It also enables them to see the branding on the gaining access to higher priority missions.
faces of other shadow caps. In addition to these incred-
ibly powerful tattoos inscribed on them by the Guild of Gold Shields
the Heart, the primary artificer guild of Ezdin, they are The mainstay of the force are simply known as gold shields.
equipped with items of subterfuge and concealment. This force is full of incredibly talented and well-meaning
individuals who believe in nothing but the prosperity of
their country, the honour of service, and fighting for just
causes. The ranks of the gold shields are bolstered immedi-
ately whenever there are openings, as it is one of the most
sought-after careers in all of Cin’dar, by young men and
women alike. Due to the high demand for a position among
its ranks, only the best of the best are able to become gold
shields. The rigorous training regimen and battery of tests
and background checks will often lead to many being cut
from the program or leaving of their own accord after
deciding they can’t make the cut. Those who don’t make it
often join the Cin’darian Navy, rising in rank and status and
garnering valuable experience and contacts in the mili-
tary ranks, biding their time until they can earn a position
among the shields of gold.
One would think by their name that they all carry gold
shields, but this is not so. Each gold shield has a golden
badge on their uniform in the shape of a shield which is
where they get their name. These badges are not only the
official identification for gold shield officers, but, thanks
to the tireless efforts of the Guild of the Heart, they also
bestow protective spells and regenerative properties on
the members of the Gold Shields.
With the protection and prosperity of the Cin’darian
Empire that raised them and kept them safe being the
driving force for their passion and integrity; an unfaltering
need for justice and good is always at the forefront of their
minds. The gold shields should always desire nothing
shadow more than to serve their country and stamp out crime
caps wherever they see it.
25
Sparrows process, is the shortest path to their goal for these excep-
The sparrows are the new recruits who passed the testing tional sparrows. The journey to becoming a crystal guard
phase to begin their path among the ranks of the Gold tests the character and abilities of these young sparrows
Shields. Fresh and eager young adults, and in rare cases repeatedly. Through the combination of their time in the
even talented and driven teenagers, these recruits spend Academy Primilitus, their years of service in the navy, and
their days studying and training at the Academy Primili- the required service in the Gold Shield ranks, many of
tus. It is the largest training facility in all of Ezdin, bringing them may end up taking almost twenty years to become a
in the best teachers from across Sordane to ensure the member of the esteemed crystal guard.
sparrows are well trained. It has multiple facilities which
include housing and training for the up-and-coming
members of the Cin'darian navy and Gold Shields. The
Districts of Ezdin
Academy Primilitus is often referred to as the Nest by Life in Ezdin is split into eight major districts, each with
the official members of the Gold Shields as it is primarily their own unique aspects and cultures. There are only
where the sparrows will spend their time. three consistent trains of thought regardless of what dis-
Much like the other branches of the gold shields, the trict you may live in:
sparrows have their own uniform, a light blue shirt and 1. The higher you live from the ground floor the wealthier
pants with a brown vest. They are expected to wear this and more powerful you’re viewed as within the city.
uniform whenever they conduct themselves outside of 2. The further you live from Liladan’s Heart, the less desir-
their housing until they graduate to becoming fully fledged able the location becomes.
gold shields, but notable sparrows will often be promoted 3. Regardless of your station in the societal hierarchy of
to higher ranks within the academy and provided with a Ezdin, if you have the drive you can make something of
unique uniform to denote their superior station over other yourself, whether through attempting to enter the Gold
sparrows. These higher-level sparrows will get a more Shields, becoming a successful trader, or learning to
forward approach to teaching, going on operations with pilot airships and racing skiffs.
gold shields and members of the navy alongside their
teachers far sooner than the other sparrows would be, in City Transport
the hopes their natural acumen and talent will allow them A city as big as Ezdin requires transportation for its many
to quickly acclimate to the environment and processes of citizens who don’t have access to an airship. Located at
the military without causing problems for the people they various points in every district of Ezdin is their skycoach
are accompanying on their mission. service bell. The skycoach service is operated by multiple
These notable sparrows, following their additional companies and for a fee it allows citizens to get all over
training, often elect to become officers in the navy, as the city through an expedient and affordable airship ride
they all desire to eventually become a crystal guard one that offers the comfort and security one would expect of
day. Serving in the navy as an officer, though still a long any service provided by the government of Ezdin.
sparrows
gold shields
26
Artan’s Haven and rooms. The imagination of the royal family and its
artificers is seemingly never at rest, with new rooms
Even with its alabaster wall and the imposing nature being added and improvements being made to old ones
of the Sky Halo, the most impressive aspect of Ezdin’s on a regular basis, and the palace grows and changes in
appearance is the high flying platform of Artan’s Haven. scale continually.
Floating directly above the Haggler’s Court at the centre Many joke that the Golden Palace’s name comes from
of Ezdin, this impressive structure was originally built by the sheer amount of gold such a project would consume,
Emperor Artan Kan’tahri to house and protect Liladan’s but these people have never seen the real reason for the
Heart 5,000 years ago. Shortly after Artan’s Haven was palace’s name. The white stone of the enormous palace
built and deployed above the city to power the Sky Halo, walls are adorned with a beautiful series of sordalite-
the Golden Palace was built atop it to house the nation’s infused gold veins that branch throughout the entire
royal family, the Kan’tahri. Artan’s Haven is a circular building inside and out, creating the visual of an epic
platform about 750 metres in diameter. The top surface palace that lives and breathes sordalite and gold: the very
of the platform is entirely reserved for the Golden Palace things that gave the royal family the position they are
and the gardens that surround it. The underside of the in today.
platform is rather industrial and militarized to provide ser- Surrounding the palace on every side, save for the
vices and protection for both the Sky Halo and the palace entrance causeway at the south side of the platform, are
above it. The platform is monitored by the Crystal Guard lush gardens and trees with enough vegetation to give all
continually and any ship that approaches the Haven will who stand upon it the impression of being on the ground.
be immobilized and impounded, similar to the Sky Halo’s
control measures. Indomitable Legacy
In the 5,000 years since Artan’s Haven and the Sky
The Golden Palace Halo were established, Ezdin has not been successfully
The golden palace has every amenity that one could attacked by another nation or ancient creature, adding to
possibly imagine housed in its many halls, towers, its reputation as the undeniable seat of power in Bordair.
27
This, however, has made it a target of the more foolhardy
criminals attempting to make a name for themselves.
Zadden District
Should anyone manage to bypass the protections placed The Zadden District is the upper echelons of Ezdin
around Artan’s Haven and the Golden Palace, they will society. The floors of any towers that are equal in height
find themselves facing the most elite and decorated sol- to the stone commissary or higher are considered to be
diers in the Cin’darian Empire, the crystal guard, wielding within the Zadden District. The Zadden District is home
the forefront of cutting edge sordalite technology and to any members of Ezdin society with enough wealth to
weaponry to effectively dispatch of any threats to the royal be the owner of even a modestly sized airship, or tourists
family and Liladan’s Heart. with enough money. Upper class citizens and airship offi-
cers are provided with access to sky docks, granting them
Garden Districts direct access to the suites in the upper portions of these
towers, where they are afforded every comfort and a safe
All throughout Ezdin, breaking up the monotony of place to stay.
towers and clusters of buildings, one will find Ezdin’s
Garden Districts. Originally made to provide a place of High-Class Living
respite for the citizens, once Ezdin continued expand- Due to the clientele airships can bring into the city, the
ing, their purpose also became functional. Now the Zadden District towers cater to anyone looking for a lux-
majority of the gardens contain large fountains adorned urious stay in the city. Anyone from all manner of profes-
with tear-shaped stones referred to by the citizens as sion and upbringing stay in the tower, which function as
“Ferri’s Tears.” Enchanted to endlessly provide fresh a series of hotels, as long as they have enough gold. This
water throughout Ezdin’s many aqueducts, these foun- allows visiting nobles and aristocrats to safely dock their
tains are active at all times to meet the city’s demands airships and explore Ezdin, knowing their belongings will
by drawing magical power from Liladan’s Heart. The be safely guarded by former members of the Gold Shields
largest of these water sources is a true garden district as part of expensive security forces. For these reasons the
wonder, known as the Great Lake of Ferri. In the centre Zadden District hotels are highly recommended among
of this lake resides Ferri’s Blessing, a large, almost upper class travelers over the Haggler’s Court hotels,
replicated in size, statue of Liladan’s Heart. The statue which have less reputable protection. In addition to this,
itself is a fountain, blasting an endless supply of purified the Zadden District has penthouse suites at the top of
water into the air in dazzling shows of light and water these towers, housing some of the wealthiest people
dances. Enchanted to be a spectacle as much as a purifi- in Ezdin.
cation source, this miraculous fountain draws its power
directly from the true Liladan’s Heart. Given the value Airship Market
of both Ferri’s Tears and Ferri’s Blessing to Ezdin, they Perhaps the biggest reason for someone not living in the
are directly guarded by the gold shields at all times, to Zadden District to visit it is the airship markets. A cluster
prevent the city’s water supply being tampered with. of towers that dwarfs almost all other towers in the city,
this market is one of the biggest draws to Ezdin. With
Entertainment large warehouses capable of storing airships along with
While most gardens' purpose has changed to supporting dry docks spread out across them, it is uncommon for the
the city, there are still some that are there purely for rest hammering of wood and metal to not be heard ringing out
and recreation. The most notable of the recreational from above. The base of these towers find their root in
garden districts lies to the north of the Haggler’s Court, the Midsky District and are full of shipwright companies
the Verdant Arena, an extremely large coliseum where and storage for materials supplying these docks, allowing
adventurers, citizens, and even members of the Gold clientele to get everything they need conveniently in one
Shields can test their mettle for a chance to win fame building. Perhaps the most visited tower in the city, the
and money against each other and beasts from all over Great Zadden Airship Market, stands several hundred feet
Sordane. That isn’t to say this is the only notable place taller than the rest at the centre of this cluster.
to find in the gardens; there are several amphitheatres
spread throughout the city’s garden districts which regu-
larly provide entertainment for the citizens.
Haggler’s Court
Haggler’s Court is the central hub of the Ezdin trade
Unique Environments market, looming over the centre of the city under Artan’s
Depending on the garden you visit, each recreational Haven. There is constant air traffic all around the area
garden in Ezdin has different unique plants growing of the court as airships move goods to be sold, people to
in it from biomes all over Sordane, an order given by peruse the markets, or empty cargo ships dock to buy
the Kan’tahri family to bring the wonders of the natural goods. At the centre of this mile diameter circular landing
world into Ezdin for the citizens to enjoy. As such each lies the Stone Commissary, emerging from a forest of
recreational garden has its own group of green wardens, beautiful greenery almost resembling a giant stone tree.
druids who have been trained to care for the plants Surrounding this are the large open areas for the market-
and maintain the unique climate biomes built around place stalls. As you gradually move further outwards from
each one. the centre, stalls start to become buildings as licensed
shops, taverns, and tradesmen become the next feature
29
of the market. Finally, on the outer edges of the Court their stalls or cordoning off areas with the help of the
lie the Outer Rings Towers. These towers have multiple marketplace officials. At the peak of the day, the area is
functions, but most directly related to the court's work absolutely bustling with people calling out what goods
is the administration tower housing the markers. In this they have for sale, along with a menagerie of stalls erected
tower they handle all documentation and permits allowing left, right, and centre, causing the market to devolve into
traders to sell and buy goods in the Haggler’s Court. a primal contest as sellers attempt to gain the attention of
as many customers as possible. This causes the market to
The Outer Ring Hotels be extremely overwhelming to newcomers.
The towers encircling the Haggler’s Court operate as a The series of buildings that surround the marketplace
part of the market, providing traveling merchants and area consists of taverns and reputable tradesmen from
clientele a place to dock smaller ships, while the larger the local districts selling their goods and services. Any
ones dock along the wharfs below, and stay while they are stall owner lucky enough to find themselves offered a
trading and doing business in Ezdin. These hotels cater to shop in Haggler’s Court is required to pay a slightly larger
the middle class who wouldn’t have enough money to be tax to the court. In return they get access to a permanent
able to afford the high class luxury of the Zadden District storefront to ply their craft provided they continue to turn
hotels. Due to the sky docks attached to the towers they a profit. The most notorious among the taverns in the
are seen as ideal real estate for shipwrights who choose Haggler’s Court is the Haggling Gaggle.
not to ply their trade in the Zadden District, instead
earning their living by repairing and even upgrading ships Night Market
that have bought new equipment in the Haggler’s Court. The markers run the official daytime market from sunrise
to sundown, allowing sellers onto the grounds an hour
Markers before opening to set up their stalls and shops. Once the
The marketplace officials, dubbed markers by the locals, daytime market is closed, sellers have an hour to remove
are led and organised by the lone chief official who is their goods in preparation for the night market: the infa-
assigned by the royal family. They work closely with the mous beast market. Also monitored by the markers, the
gold shields to ensure the market place is fairly managed night market runs for five hours through the thick of the
and used by the sellers, as well as guarded against thieves night. Closely monitored by a secret contingent of shadow
and troublemakers. With the bulk of the workforce caps, the night market is a way for the gold shields to keep
keeping a watchful eye on the busy stalls, markers are also an eye out for any underground trading activity happen-
responsible for collecting the sales tax applied for using ing in Ezdin. The night market is a polar opposite to the
the Haggler’s Court. daytime market; stalls are set up once again under the
supervision of market officials, but the night market is
Popup Stalls and Specialty Shops kept as silent as possible, as to not disturb the potentially
The Haggler’s Court open-plan markets are a large, dangerous creatures often sold during this period.
no-holds barred bazaar, with potential sellers setting up
30
Midsky District the city. Bustling with the diversity and community prom-
ised to anyone who might look to come to the city in hopes
The midsky district is the largest of all the districts of of finding a sordalite workshop like Ol’ Whiz Banger’s or a
Ezdin, taking up almost half of the total volume of the city. tavern like King Kimachi’s, any number of services can be
Any area that isn’t a part of the Dregs, Garden, Tripptar, or found here, even including training for a new profession or
the Pillars Districts and doesn’t rise above the Stone Com- a modest place to live.
missary is dubbed as the Midsky District. This is where
the bulk of the population resides, with housing gradually Criminal Activity
decreasing in value and population density increasing the Due to the massive population, and all of the business
further away from the centre of the city they get up, to a and resources that flow through the Midsky District,
critical point. Once this critical point is reached, the popu- it's extremely hard to police the area. As a result many
lation density gradually decreases the closer the housing organisations that operate around the law have set up
gets to the Dregs. shop in the Midsky District, some having entire factories
mass-producing contraband and providing other illegal
Low-Class Accomodation services. The gold shields shut down these operations
Lower levels of some of the Zadden District towers often, but they will always spring up just as quickly as
are often lumped as a part of the Midsky District area. they are removed. Which is to be entirely expected when
Airships are prohibited from accessing these lower levels an area with as much opportunity as the Midsky Dis-
directly due to the architecture and, as such, these areas trict exists.
end up being home to bunkhouses that provide a cheap
place to stay for locals or low pay crews. This allows tower The Dregs
owners to get a good amount of money for the areas seen
as undesirable and otherwise would not be seen as mar- The outermost limits of the city of Ezdin, the Dregs, is
ketable. These lower floors are also used as storehouses often forgotten about by most nobles and elites. Despite
that hold the enormous amounts of food and materials this, the Dregs isn’t a place of squalor, with its citizens
that Ezdin use on a day-to-day basis. leading comfortable and happy lives. The people of the
Dregs often venture into the Midsky District to work or
The Artisan’s Heart enjoy the benefits of the many services there as Haggler’s
The outer areas of the Midsky District are where the Court is a daunting journey to undertake for someone who
many workshops and talented tradesmen of Ezdin reside. lives on the outskirts.
If you know where to look you can find almost anything The Dregs is split into four subdistricts, north, east,
in these winding streets and towers. With the Midsky south, and west, with small shops and trade carts heavily
District responsible for processing high quality materials established in the area around the three large wall gates.
and transporting them to the upper districts to be sold by Much like the rest of the city, the closer to the walls you
traders in Haggler’s Court or processing food and distrib- live the less access you have to the many benefits of
uting it across Ezdin, it is the beating industrial heart of trade and riches that are brought in by Haggler’s Court.
31
As a result the standard level of housing increases the
closer towards Liladan’s Heart you move. For this reason,
buildings closer to the walls are built as low as possible,
preventing them from creeping over the walls, affecting
the initial awe-inspiring view of Ezdin.
Comfortable Life
Despite being looked down upon by the majority of the city,
citizens of the Dregs are content and prefer living there as
opposed to the overcrowded Midsky District. As would be
expected within a city as large as Ezdin, the Dregs has its
fair share of crime; however, thanks to the efforts of the gold
shields who patrol the streets regularly, it is safe for most
citizens who know to steer clear of trouble.
Tripptar District
The Tripptar District of Ezdin is where the military forces
of Cin’dar mainly reside and operate from in addition to
being the location for the Gold Shields’ headquarters.
The district, as a result, consists of many tall buildings,
storehouses, and a few key landmarks such as the famed
Academy Primilitus and the Tripptar Depths, Ezdins
largest prison. The space this district occupies spans from
the east gate over a long stretch of land leading up to, but
stopping at The Pillars.
Military Living
To aid in creating a strong sense of unit cohesion and
camaraderie each navy ship has its own shared housing.
The troops live in these modest homes between missions.
Sparrows have a series of very space-efficient housing
arrangements surrounding the academy which varies
depending on their rank. Gold shields have a different
housing situation; being a member of the Gold Shields
grants them and their family a place to stay in the military
district’s finer housing areas. Officers and high-ranking
officials are usually housed high up in the tallest buildings
the district has to offer, often finding themselves living
within the Zadden District.
Sordalite Storage
The warehouses and hangars in the Tripptar District hold
enormous amounts of gear, airships, and rations. These
buildings, as one would expect, are massive and as well
guarded as any other area in the city of high importance.
The guards posted here however are sometimes lax in
their duties, as even the most foolish and brave of crim-
inals have never made much of a reasonable attempt to
steal from the Tripptar District and its copious stores of
sordalite-infused equipment and weapons of war.
32
lanterns that have been enchanted with light spells and fit Supervised Study
with small sordalite crystals float throughout the district, The rest of the space is home to the Academy Cognitius.
providing light at all times. The academy works closely with the nearby workshops,
making use of their equipment and testing grounds to
Questionable Research educate the young artificers studying at the academy.
The full extent of the research undertaken in the Pillars Supervised use of the guild library is also permitted to
is not known by any people outside of the scientists that aid in their studies; however, the goal of any artificer
perform it, high-ranking officials, and the royal family. in training is a formal invitation to join the Guild of the
However, there are rumors of ethically questionable deeds Heart itself.
being performed in the many laboratories and factories
that litter the district, the most troubling being the Cin’dar- Scientific Festivals
ian Empire’s alleged experiments on a void rift. Every year the district holds a competition, inviting
artificers from far and wide to participate in a festival
Guild of the Heart celebrating the wealth of knowledge granted to them by
The entire district is centered around the headquarters Korta. As a part of this festival the artificers show proto-
of the Guild of the Heart. The very same white stone that types of their latest inventions to the Guild of the Heart
surrounds the city is seen here again; unlike the wall, in hopes of catching their eye, and gaining access to the
however, there is intricate craftsmanship and engravings limitless resources the guild could pour into developing
to give the building a regal and indulgent richness, while new projects. The more skeptical citizens of Ezdin see the
maintaining the purity granted to it by the beautiful stone. festivals as the Guild of the Heart putting on a facade of
The building is home to the finest artificers and engineers openness and clarity in an attempt to alleviate suspicions
of sordalite technology in the entire country, along with against them; and that there are secret projects that these
underground pathways to Ixion’s Archive allowing them outsiders are invited to help with.
easy access to the many annals of records that these
individuals have worked on and records of the efforts of all
those who came before them.
33
Notable Locations uncertainty of battle, with shard constructs and magical
traps placed throughout the academy grounds, regularly
All throughout Ezdin one would be remiss to find nothing providing fresh challenges for the sparrows.
to do to pass their time in this sprawling city. Ezdin has
everything someone could look for, from academies dedi- Ixion’s Archive
cated to studying arcane or martial disciples, to arenas for
the bloodthirsty fighters. In addition to this its staggering Located in the southern area of the Pillars District is
size, diverse culture and abundance of trade make it ideal Ixion’s Archive, the largest repository of books in the
for opening any kind of shop or entertainment business. Cin’darian Empire. The enormous building has many large
stained glass panes adorning the huge walls, making the
Academy Cognitius building easily mistaken for a cathedral or holy place. The
massive building that houses the archives is split into two
Located in the Pillars adjacent to Ixion’s Archives, the distinct sections. These two sections are divided by two
Academy Cognitius is a more typical academy experi- districts, the Midsky District entrance and the Academy
ence in comparison to the Academy Primilitus. Its long Cognitius entrance from the Pillars. The two entrances
hallways are full of tomes that, along with the nearby are available to different groups of people.
archives available to the students that study in the • Entry to Ixion’s Archive through the pillars entrance
Pillars, will occupy the bulk of their studies on their requires approval by the artificers who occupy this side
journey to becoming artificers or mages. Alongside the of the library. Anyone who enters on the Pillars side has
extensive theory students are expected to study, prac- unlimited access to the Midsky side of the library.
tical teachings on sordalite engineering and magic are • The Midsky entrance of the archive is the more arche-
a crucial part of their education. Students who excel in typal library experience, with the enormous collection of
these subjects are given additional testing and, should well-kept books consisting of any topic the mind could
they pass, they are offered a position in the most presti- ponder. The books here are available for browsing and
gious guild in the city, the Guild of the Heart. checking out to the many occupants of the district and
Despite being more than a thousand years old, the Ezdin. Entrance to the Pillars side of the library from
academy building itself is a perfect example of Ezdin’s this side is strictly forbidden.
arcane architecture. Adorned with glowing glyphs and The Library’s namesake archmage Ixion or Ixion the
powered by sordalite, this building is a beacon among the Wheel is one of the founding members of the Guild of the
Pillars District. Its pearlescent exterior shimmers with Heart, and is responsible for setting in motion the series
the light emitted from its enchantments, which cause it of events that led to the guild becoming the powerhouse it
to shine as if it were a cluster of stars, allowing it to rival is in modern Sordane.
the majesty of even the Guild of the Heart’s headquarters.
Newer extensions are frequently added to the academy King Kimachi’s Tavern
in an attempt to keep up with the demand to study there.
In addition to this, enhancements have been added to Taverns are a dime a dozen in the Midsky District; the
improve the learning experience and keep the academy huge amount of people that live in the area all need some-
up to date, ensuring they always offer the highest level of where to spend their evenings and let loose. This high
teaching to the students attending the academy. demand led to an outpouring of supply, causing taverns
to pop up left, right, and centre. However, many of these
Academy Primilitus new taverns lack the quality and care that should go into
running such a business, with a clear gulf in quality in the
The Academy Primilitus is a large-scale training facil- local taverns.
ity and academy for new recruits to the Gold Shields King Kimachi’s in the Midsky District is one of the
and the Cin’darian navy. The large military fortress is a largest taverns in the area. The multi-storied structure is
harsh contrast to the rest of Ezdin; its dreary colors and built to draw attention, with ornate metal plates affixed to
cold, hard exterior is an overwhelming sight to behold, the wood and stone walls on the outside reflecting light
reflecting Cin’dar’s might. Here sparrows of different onto the street from inside during the night. The tavern
levels train their combat skills, sparring in various arenas is helmed by the kizaru entrepreneur Johdnir Soloni. By
around campus. This training allows them to improve sponsoring many businesses all over the district he has
their ability to fight in different environments, from become a household name to the residents of Midsky. His
enclosed buildings to open fields. Otherwise they spend tavern, where he is usually found, is a true highlight of
their time in classrooms and workshops improving their Ezdin’s nightlife and social gatherings.
skills, learning how to operate and repair airships or use
their sordalite equipment. Ol’ Whiz Banger’s Magic Shop
The academy has had many improvements made to it
over the years. New classes and programmes are intro- Ol’ Whiz Banger’s store is among many sordalite and arti-
duced constantly to keep the sparrows effective in their ficers' workshops that have found their home in Midsky
duties. Lessons range greatly from teachings in how to District, with their services largely relying on the whole-
effectively combat or disarm threats, from a canyon hessat sale materials and goods that locals can easily find in the
to an ancient sky mine. Their facilities also reflect the area. These tradesmen avoid Haggler’s Court where they
34
can, preferring to keep their trade in the local area and
provide their services to the discerning and loyal custom-
The Great Lake of Ferri
ers who know their business. On the northernmost part of Ezdin’s wall lies the Great
Ol’ Whiz Banger’s is the blueprint for the other work- Lake of Ferri. The man-made body of water spans an
shops in the area. The largely metal building is unmissa- enormous area of nearly nine thousand feet, and is filled
ble as the sordalite crystals inside reflect light from the with clean drinking water thanks to a large statue that has
metal interior to the stone paving outside. The descen- been purposely built and enchanted to purify the water,
dants of the workshop’s namesake Xowizz Bangoll run constantly drawing power from Liladan’s Heart. The lake
the shop; the oldest, Willen Bangoll, is the current owner is guarded at all times to ensure this crucial part of life in
and his heartfelt yet expedient service has kept Ol’ Whiz Ezdin is protected.
Banger’s relevant in an increasingly saturated market. The lake is fed by a series of aqueducts and under-
ground piping that run all throughout Ezdin, all connect-
The Tripptar Depths ing to the Garden District’s fountains where the water is
produced by Ferri’s Tears. Large tear-shaped stones adorn
Located in the Tripptar District, the Tripptar Depths is the these fountains. These stones enchant the fountains in
Gold Shields’ hole in the ground where they send undesir- order to create endless water for the population of Ezdin
ables and criminals tried and found guilty of being a danger using the power from Liladan’s Heart. Ferri’s Tears are
to Ezdin in the Stone Commissary. The crimes range from what grant the Garden Districts their lush greenery, with
arson, attempted murder, and espionage to attempts to illi- the growth of the many plants being aided by constant
gally enter Ezdin’s Sky Halo or trespassing on Artan’s Haven. supply of pure water.
The prison is the largest known underground facility
in the entire city, the cold stone and drab interior a stark
contrast to the lavish and comfortable life on offer in the
The Great Zadden Airship Market
towers of Ezdin. The longer the sentence applied by the The Zadden District is almost synonymous with luxury air-
Stone Commissary the deeper in the ground the cell. With ships; the tallest tower in the Zadden District, visible from
the prison reaching depths of five hundred feet, there are any corner of Ezdin with a clear view of the sky, houses the
individuals imprisoned up and down the entire structure. Great Zadden Airship Market. Here airships are displayed
The Depths are only used for individuals that are tried in and sold wholesale or at huge scale auctions on a weekly
a court. Not all criminals will find themselves being tried; basis. Ranging from pinnacles to commercial skycoaches
minor crimes and misdemeanours often circumvent court the market auctions off any number or quality of airship
with gold shields issuing fines or overnight stays in the provided it flies and the auction house gets its commis-
nearby holding cells that are dotted in the Gold Shields sion.
official buildings all over Ezdin.
35
The auction house is a lavish room with red velvet
lining the floor and butlers dotted around ready to provide
The Stone Commissary
top-class service. The entire structure is based on an The giant stone tower that looms imposingly in the
open-plan multi-tiered building resembling that of an center of Haggler’s Court is home to the government
opera house. The focus of these many floors is all directed that presides over Ezdin, the Council of Kantra and all
towards the huge wall of force that replaces a wall on one of their charges and assistance. The council members
side of the room allowing safe display of the airship in the are all elected by the citizens of Ezdin and are respon-
open sky to the auction goers. sible for bringing important matters to the royal family
for approval. They are expected to resolve trivial matters
The Haggling Gaggle Tavern among themselves. They take both of these duties very
seriously. This stalwart drive for duty and using cold hard
The Haggling Gaggle Tavern is among many other taverns, reasoning over being led with their hearts is how the
bath houses, and gambling houses that break up the day for Stone Commissary got its name.
someone who wants to shop in Haggler’s Court. Just like In addition to the elected officials, there are appointed
any business in the area, the goal of having you part with representatives from the royal family that act as liaisons
your coin is the priority for these merchants and shop- and officials from the city’s ranks who also attend, includ-
keepers. The service provided in Haggler’s Court is always ing the commander of the Gold Shields and the chief
professional and high class to cater to the many traders and admiral of the Cin’darian navy, who both give out all their
business folk that frequent the massive trading hub. orders from this central hub. The chief official of Haggler’s
The Haggling Gaggle is the most renowned tavern in Court also attends, receiving proclamations and orders for
the court and to some, all of Ezdin. Owned and operated how the marketplace officials should be operating. Many
by the talented tiltik goblin, Rizzkan Goadash, it’s the gold prominent guild masters of the reputable and well-inten-
standard for all taverns in the area with its classical styling tioned guilds attend as well to keep their fingers on the
and continental decorations. No expense is spared ensur- pulse of goings-on in the city. The final member, who is
ing it is the quintessential tavern experience in the area. not elected but still attends the general assembly, is the
Chief Justice, who also operates individually in a separate
The Molting Phoenix Tavern department in the Stone Commissary.
The taverns of the Dregs are few and far between, with the
massive amounts of taverns in the Midsky District and Hag- The Verdant Arena
gler’s Court providing for the people of the Dregs who usually The Verdant Arena is a huge coliseum located north of
travel to the inner-city to enjoy night life activities. This doesn’t Haggler’s Court. The arena is made and maintained by the
mean they can’t be found however, with many unpolished Garden District’s many green wardens. From the outside,
gems in the local area. The Dregs’ finer taverns cater to the this arena is a series of trees that have been twisted and
locals and savants of the tavern experience. shaped to form a structure that covers the central oval-
The Molting Phoenix is among these taverns. The name shaped battle ground. The arena covers an area of about
will ring a bell to anyone who knows the western Dregs 1 hectare, or 11,000 square feet, and has plenty of seating
well, as it has a reputation for being the astute tavern goer’s for the enormous audiences that attend.
choice. The building itself is hard to miss, sitting raised The arena’s terrain is constantly changing. Some of
nearly ten feet above the street with an old staircase leading the most powerful magic-users find employment here in
up to it; it looks as if the harshly angled walls will fall at any molding and shaping the terrain between events, magi-
time. However, the warm light and boisterous voices from cally turning it from a flooded ocean to a barren desert in
inside, along with the personal service and cold drinks a matter of minutes depending on the terrain required for
served by Ashfae Soonai, the odari tavern owner, provides an the creatures or combatants to give a good show.
unexpected contrast to the tavern's shabby exterior. The arena holds nearly daily events, and larger events
once or twice per month when particularly nasty creatures
The Royal Bank of Commerce are captured and presented in the arena. Any who wish to
participate and earn a large amount of coins can do so, but
The Royal Bank of Commerce itself does not appear to
they do it at their own risk. Many have been known to die
be a bank; it is the ornate pillar supporting the Stone
in the arena, whether that be fighting monstrous creatures
Commissary. To gain access to it one has to enter the
or like-minded adventurers seeking combatants.
Stone Commissary first and be scrutinised with a series of
Winners of the Verdant Arena’s monthly tournaments
security checks, enchanted gates, and anti-magic technol-
are expected to defend their title at least twice a year by
ogy to even get a look at the bank’s interior.
participating in more of these tournaments. The winners,
Safeguarding the earnings of everyone from the rich
called Verdant Champions, are immediately elevated to
and powerful to the common folk, the bank is open to
a position of celebrity and reverence in Ezdin with many
anyone who wishes to set up an account and make use
businesses advertising the champions alongside a sketch
of it. Every precaution is taken in the efforts of the gold
so everyone will know their name and face for the dura-
shields who are charged with guarding the bank, along
tion of their reign.
with all manner of magical wards and contraptions pro-
tecting the inner vaults, courtesy of the Guild of the Heart.
36
A City of Guilds two guild masters, the tiefling sorcerer Lerissa Fulkan,
and the half-elf fighter Magnus Hilthas. Before forming the
As one of the largest and most densely populated cities Crimson Blade they were both high ranking officers in the
in Sordane, the number of requests given to merchants, Gold Shields and as such they have always been held in
craftsmen, and the gold shields at any given time easily high regard among the people of Ezdin.
outnumbers the amount of people available to perform Despite being one of the youngest active mercenary
them. For this reason citizens can be left waiting for guilds in the city, they have been considered as one of the
extended periods of time when looking for specific premier guilds since they won their first Grand Three
goods to be made or sourced, and even the gold shields tournament four years ago, and each consecutive year
have to prioritize requests in order of urgency. In since. Members of the Crimson Blade are easily distin-
response to this problem, a guild system was created to guishable even among the large crowds of the city from
cater to the needs of those who do not have the time to their deep crimson armor and red cloaks emblazoned with
wait, with private companies providing higher quality the symbol of a phoenix clutching a sword.
services than the sometimes overburdened businesses
and services of Ezdin can, as they cater to the few not The Crystal Leaf Trade House
the many. Despite starting out as a small business located in the
Dregs, the Crystal Leaf expanded to become one of the
Crystal Venture largest merchant guilds in the city for almost a thousand
years. Founded by a band of tiltik goblins that called them-
By heading to the Crystal Venture in the Zadden District selves the Krixil family, the Crystal Leaf quickly found its
and paying a coverage fee, anyone can have their request feet, booming their business as the family proved just how
distributed to the many guilds in the city, giving them shrewd they were at dealing with others.
access to help faster and more reliably. This method gen- Due to the staggering amount of trade flowing in and
erally sends requests to the appropriate style of guild that out of the Haggler’s Court, it is not uncommon for people
currently has the least work, to get the request resolved as to turn to merchant guilds such as the Crystal Leaf to
soon as possible. However, should a client want a specific find what they’re after and deal with traders for them.
guild to handle their job they can pay a premium cover- These guilds largely function as brokers, and for almost
age fee and request the specific guild, although they are seven hundred years now the Crystal Leaf has had a rep-
expected to wait longer given the demand. utation across all of Cin’dar for being able to find almost
anything someone is looking for, regardless of rarity and
Guild Categories at competitive prices. Due to their blunt nature, the Krixil
Due to the nature of jobs required in the city being family and by extension the Crystal Leaf doesn’t always
quite broad there are a large number of guilds available win the title of Grand Three, as they are likely to be rude
to the citizens of Ezdin in an attempt to make sure all to customers. However, more often than not they win the
possibilities are accounted for. However, each guild can title, and as such the majority of Ezdin prefers trading
be placed into one of the following categories: crafters' with them, knowing that results come hand in hand with
guild, mercenaries' guild and merchants' guild. Origi- the rudeness.
nally a fourth category for research guilds existed, but
after the Guild of the Heart proved their immense worth Olbek’s Creations Crafting Guild
to Cin’dar, research was brought on as a government Olbek’s Creations has been one of the most successful
wing instead. guilds in Ezdin’s history since it was founded almost three
Guilds are ranked by the crystal venture in order of hundred years ago. Originally starting as a small store-
their performance and customer satisfaction, providing a front located in the Haggler’s Court, Olbek’s Creations was
guideline for clients to base their decisions on when hiring opened by the gnomish couple Lofiz and Zinli Olbek. With
specific guilds. In addition to this ranking, every year a their natural affinity and love for inventions they spent
tournament is held to assess the quality of each merce- their time creating tiny shard constructs as toys for the
nary guild and find out which is the strongest in Ezdin. children of Ezdin. The masterful detail and craftsmanship
Each top guild in the three categories are then considered put into each piece quickly caught the eye of most nobles
one of Ezdin’s Grand Three for the next year, replacing the through the Zadden District, and before long they were
previous year’s Grand Three. Earning the title of Grand recruiting and training additional staff to keep up with
Three is every guild's goal as it comes with many benefits the demand, eventually causing them to expand into a
granted directly by the Council of Kantra, in addition to full guild.
the increase in exposure granting access to extremely Now almost three hundred years later Lofiz and Zinli
lucrative jobs. have retired and watch over their family who runs the
guild, ensuring that the same love and care is put into
The Crimson Blade each individual piece they are contracted to create. For
The current Grand Three mercenary guild of Ezdin, the this reason even with how competitive the crafting market
Crimson Blade quickly rose in rank and popularity since is in a city as skilled as Ezdin, Olbek’s Creations is one
their conception fourteen years ago. Unlike other merce- of the only crafting guilds to consistently earn the title of
nary guilds in Ezdin, the Crimson Blade is overseen by Grand Three every few years.
37
Guild of the Heart However, opportunities for work in the Dregs are few and
The history of the Guild of the Heart is not nearly as mys- far between. Being so far away from the centre leads to
terious as the workings of the guild in modern Sordane. limited industry so people in the Dregs often make long
The stories of rich sordalite deposits and crystals of commutes to work in the Midsky district, returning home
legendary power spread far and wide and many mages, to distribute their hard earned coin to local businesses.
scholars and fortune seekers flocked to the area in hopes The Midsky District is the peak of urban life. The
of making their own discoveries on the same level as the densely populated area leads to many people never seeing
Kan’tahri royal family of Ezdin. the same two faces for much of their stay in the large
One of these mages, known as Ixion, offered his buildings and apartments that occupy the bulk of the
services to the royal family. With the aid of his cohort, he Midsky District’s housing. However, the proximity to Hag-
would serve the interests of the Kan’tahri family for the gler’s Court and the huge number of people leads to plenty
foreseeable future, and in return they would get to study of work opportunities, honest or otherwise, to spend
the local sordalite and, most importantly, Liladan’s Heart. the days if they aren’t visiting a nearby Garden District,
In time, Ixion’s son found he shared the royal family’s pas- and plenty of taverns and gambling houses to spend the
sions for Ezdin and was able to use everything he and his evenings in.
father learned to enhance the quality of life and theorize Life in the Zadden District is always comfortable and
entirely new magic that wouldn’t have been attainable easy, with the housing being lavish and indulgent. The
without Liladan’s Heart in the then-fledgling city that towers offer as many services as they can muster, to
became Ezdin, the powerhouse of Bordair. ensure the richest of the rich and their airship crews
After Ixion passed, his son established the Guild of the enjoy their stay and tip generously. Many people who
Heart, a group of people dedicated to the study of sordalite own property here won’t stay for long, travelling all over
and how to use it to further the interests of the royal family Sordane gaining business contracts or socialising with
and the people of Ezdin, whom they swore to serve. Along nobles. Their Zadden District penthouses serve as more
with this formation was the creation of Ixion’s Archives, of a trophy piece than a comfortable home.
the library that would share the wisdom of Ixion and his Living as a gold shield in Ezdin is a comfortable exis-
descendents while honoring the man who put the wheels tence. The Tripptar District provides ample high quality
in motion for the modern Guild of the Heart to form. housing for gold shields and their families, providing the
serving members plenty of amenities to take full advan-
tage of on their days off and their satisfactory pay allowing
Daily Life them to use the skycoaches to visit anywhere in the city.
Living in Ezdin is a gift to the many citizens that occupy Life in the Cin’dar navy isn’t as cushy as it is for the
the city no matter what district they find themselves in. gold shields, but it has its own benefits, adventuring out
However, many of the districts have their own positives of the city and spending most of their time flying high in
and negatives that an inhabitant of the district will find the skies of Cin’dar. While home, they are expected to be
themselves living with as a part of their day to day lives. battle-ready at a moment’s notice, but this doesn’t stop
Living in the Dregs is one of the more stable experi- them from visiting local taverns or having friendly wagers
ences of life in Ezdin; the comparatively sparsely pop- at the arena with their neighbors. The troops of the navy
ulated area leads to the people here having a sense of rarely have a hard time keeping themselves busy, as man-
community and family with the other folks in their area. datory drills are also carried out constantly.
38
Chapter 3. Airship Campaigns
T
he core of any Skies of Sordane campaign
lies within its airships. And these airships are Crew
more than just boats that take to the clouds. Airships are hardly horse carts! They require a dedicated,
They are colossal monuments representing skilled staff to manage and operate. Likely, when the char-
the tenacity and ingenuity of the intelligent acters first come into possession, they will not have access
races of Sordane. Airships act as modes of to crew and will have to pilot the ship themselves.
travel, homes, and even weapons of mass Later, when they have access to greater wealth through
destruction in the Skies of Sordane Fifth Edition campaign. their exploits, they can hire skilled crewmen trained in
This chapter introduces rules that allow the characters tasks related to maintenance of the airship. Crews only
involved in a Skies of Sordane campaign to have their exist to manage the airships. Crew do not leave their posts
own airship. And while it may not have all the bells and on the ship, and only enter combat as part of the ship. They
whistles of one of the world’s larger airships starting out, won’t travel into dangerous areas with the characters.
in time it can be improved and made into a formidable air- The basic crewmen is a skilled hireling who costs the
craft. party 2 gp per day (40 gp per month). Additionally, there
are crewmen variants who specialize in certain functions
Starting Airship of the ship. These roles include navigators, engineers,
medics, etc.
At some point during the campaign, the characters come
into possession of an airship. They could find it parked
in a villain’s lair. Perhaps they won it from a dilettante
Hiring a Captain
after a tense card game. Or maybe they inherited the ship While the characters may wish to captain their own
following the death of a distant relative. Whatever reason airship (as detailed under Airship Roles below), if they
you give, the characters will need to learn how to operate choose not to, they can outsource the role to a qualified
and manage the ship. NPC, usually one proficient in Charisma (Persuasion) and
Typically, the party should start with a basic shard Vehicles (Air). A captain earns 5 gp per day (100 gp per
blimp, either the sintel or shoal class (see Chapter 4: month) to control the ship on behalf of the characters.
Airships). These ships come without modifications and The GM is encouraged to use the rules for creating NPCs
have limited energy output. At your discretion—especially detailed in the official Fifth Edition rules. After all, the
if the characters are of a higher level or the players are captain of an airship should have a strong personality and
experienced—you can have them start with a different type interesting backstory. The captain’s goals should align
of ship. with the party’s goals.
39
Expenses Captain
All ships have upkeep costs that must be paid at the end of “Home is where the anchor drops.”
each in-game month. The costs vary from ship to ship and —Captain Finneas Malevolence
include everything it takes to maintain the ship and keep
The captain is the airship’s executive decision maker. It is
things running smoothly, but do not include the cost of the
the captain’s duty to ensure that all of the ship’s operations
crew which must be calculated separately.
run smoothly and coherently.
They are also the face of the ship and must represent
Airship Roles the interests of the crew, passengers, and cargo both exter-
Managing an airship requires a great deal of skill and nally and internally.
effort. The airship roles detailed below allow the charac- The captain should possess strong Charisma-based
ters to take positions, allowing them to apply their skills skills such as Intimidation or Persuasion, and should be
and proficiencies to the airship’s overall operation. of reasonable Intelligence for the sake of both piloting the
When a player chooses a company position for his ship and understanding its various functions.
or her character, that choice is independent of and in
addition to the character’s class, background, and other Role Proficiency. In addition to the proficiencies noted
options. Taking a role is optional, and can always be below, the Captain can add their proficiency bonus when
outsourced to a skilled hireling. However, a character who they make an ability check to command the crew, influ-
takes a role helps enrich and enhance the overall Skies of ence a decision being made by a group, or boost the
Sordane campaign. morale of the crew. If the captain is already proficient in
the requisite skill to make the check, their proficiency
bonus is doubled for that check. The check cannot benefit
Attuning to an Airship from more than one feature (such as Expertise) that
In order to use some of the roles’ features, the charac- doubles the proficiency bonus.
ter must be attuned to a ship. Attuning to a ship works
like attuning to a magic item; the attunement to a ship The Captain
requires a character to spend a short rest focused on only Character Captain’s
Role Proficiency
that ship while being in physical contact with it. The time Level Actions
spent represents the character getting to know the ship Captain’s Actions, Captain’s
better, investigating its structure and layout, and learning 1st 2
Familiar
how “the pieces fit together.”
5th Rousing Speech, Notoriety 3
Attuning to an airship takes the place of a single magic
item attunement. A character can be attuned to one ship Legendary Requisition, Evasive
11th 4
in addition to two magic items at a time, or three magic Action
items. However, a character cannot be attuned to more 17th We Brave Few, Fire at Will! 5
than one ship. To attune to a new ship, the character must
end attunement to the first ship.
A character’s attunement to a ship ends if the ship has
been more than 100 miles away for at least 24 hours or
if the character dies. A character can also voluntarily end
attunement by spending another short rest focused on
the ship.
Role Proficiencies
Accepting an airship role means more than just having
a neat title. When a character takes an airship role, they
gain proficiency in the tools and skills that role requires.
Typically, these new features are specific to operation of
the aircraft, but there are some roles that extend beyond
the airship.
As a character gains levels, they earn additional profi-
ciencies, special equipment, and new features which they
can use with the airship. These proficiencies are gained
during the tiers of play level advancement milestones at
1st, 5th, 11th, and 17th levels.
40
Captain’s Actions. When you take this role at tier 1,
you can command a ship to which you are attuned to
First Mate
take more than one action on its turn. See Chapter 4: “Get off yer bums and get t’swabbin’, mateys!”
Airships for details. The number of extra actions the ship —One-Eyed Beatrice, First Mate of the Gallant Ghoul
can take are shown in the Captain’s Actions column of the
Above all, the first mate’s job is to keep morale high. First
Captain table.
mates provide supervision, discipline, and encourage-
Captain’s Familiar. Also at tier 1, you learn the find
ment.
familiar spell and can cast it as a ritual. If you are a
Like the captain, a first mate benefits from high Cha-
spellcaster, the spell doesn’t count against your number
risma with proficiency in Intimidation and Persuasion.
of spells known. Once you cast the spell, you can’t cast it
again using this role feature for seven days. When you cast
Role Proficiency. The first mate can add their proficiency
the spell, you can choose one of the normal forms for your
bonus whenever they make a skill check to enact disci-
familiar or one of two special forms: macaw or monkey.
pline, push the crew to excel, or boost the crew’s morale.
See Appendix: People of Sordane for information on the
If the first mate is already proficient in the requisite skill
two creatures.
to make the check, their proficiency bonus is doubled
Rousing Speech. Once you become a tier 2 captain,
for that check. The check cannot benefit from more than
you can spend one minute giving a rousing speech to your
one feature (such as Expertise) that doubles the profi-
comrades. Choose a number of creatures equal to your
ciency bonus.
proficiency modifier that can hear you. For the next hour
each affected creature can add a d4 to the next attack roll The First Mate
or ability check that it makes. Once you use this feature,
Character
you can’t use it again until after you complete a long rest. Role Proficiency
Level
Notoriety. At tier 2, your reputation precedes you. You
are welcome in places where other well-known captains 1st Morale Booster, Do as I Say
are welcome and people recognize you by your rough Whip ’Em into Shape, Show ’Em How It’s
appearance (albeit with a few legends attached to your 5th
Done
stature). The common folk might celebrate your name or 11th Inspiring Leader, Improved Morale Booster
revere it. You can leverage your reputation to secure an
audience with important people, or strike fear into the 17th Give ’Em All Ya Got!, Improved Logistics
hearts of those who oppose you. You also have advantage
on Intelligence (History) checks made to recognize cap-
tains and ships of similar notoriety.
Legendary Requisition. Once you reach tier 3 with this
role, you can use your status to buy one item found on any
table in Chapter 7: Items and Economy of this book. When
you do, make a DC 15 Charisma (Persuasion) check. On a
successful check, you negotiate a 50 percent discount and
on a failed check, you still negotiate a 25 percent discount.
Once you use this feature, you can’t use it again until 30
days have passed.
Evasive Action. Also at tier 3, whenever a ship to which
you are attuned is subjected to a Dexterity saving throw
against an effect that you can see, such as hazards or spells,
the ship makes the saving throw with advantage. To use this
benefit, you can’t be blinded, deafened, or incapacitated.
We Brave Few. Starting at tier 4, all non-hostile crew
and passengers aboard a ship to which you are attuned
have advantage on saving throws against being charmed or
frightened. To use this benefit, you can’t be incapacitated.
Fire at Will. At tier 4, each round, you can use your
reaction to command your ship to fire one of its weapons
at a target that you can see within the weapon’s range.
41
Morale Booster. Starting when you choose this role at
tier 1, when attempting to improve the crew’s morale you
can spend an hour performing a special ritual. At the end
of the hour you gain a bonus to your boost morale check
(see page 47) equal to 1d4. Once you use this feature,
you can’t use it again for seven days.
Do as I Say. Also at tier 1, whenever an airship down-
time task requires a Charisma skill check, you can substi-
tute your own check in place of an NPC even if you aren’t
present. Once you use this feature, you can’t use it again
for seven days.
Whip ’Em into Shape. At tier 2, ships to which you are
attuned can reroll ability checks to prevent a mutiny. You
must keep the new roll, even if it’s lower. Once you use this
feature, you can’t use it again for seven days.
Show ’Em How It’s Done. Also at tier 2, when you par-
ticipate in an airship downtime task with the ship’s crew,
you can add your Charisma modifier to one ability check
made to accomplish the task.
Inspiring Leader. Once you reach tier 3 with this role,
the gold cost needed to train the crew with the Training
airship downtime activity is cut in half (see page 51).
Improved Morale Booster. At tier 3, when you use the
Morale Booster feature, you can roll a d6 instead of a d4
to boost the crew’s morale.
Give ’Em All Ya Got! Starting at tier 4, while manning a
weapon on a ship which you are attuned to, add your Cha-
risma modifier to the weapons attack and damage rolls.
Improved Logistics. Also at tier 4, you can use your
action to temporarily boost the crew’s performance on a
ship that you are attuned to. The ship can take an extra
action on its next turn. Once you use this feature, you can’t
use it again until you complete a long rest.
Boatswain
“I’ve given her all I’ve got, captain!”
Easy Fix. As a tier 1 boatswain, all airship repairs you
—Scott Montgomery, Boatswain on the Red Tyrant
oversee are performed faster with less expense to the
The boatswain, or bosun, is the technical mind behind the ship. When you participate in a downtime check to make
airship’s operations and maintenance. repairs, the check total gains a +2 bonus and the initial
The best boatswains have strong Strength and Intelli- resources cost is only 5 gp (see page 50).
gence scores, and are proficient in tools related to repairs Expert Knowledge. Additionally, at tier 1, your knowl-
such as carpenter’s tools. edge of the ship’s design and components makes you more
efficient at dealing in new parts and upgrades. If you par-
Role Proficiency. The boatswain can add their proficiency ticipate in purchasing new parts or upgrades for the ship,
bonus when making checks to understand the functions or selling used parts, you can replace any Charisma ability
of a ship or to make repairs to a ship. If the boatswain is checks made to affect the price with an Intelligence check
already proficient in the requisite skill to make the check, using your knowledge in airships.
their proficiency bonus is doubled for that check. The Durable Weapons. At tier 2, while you are manning
check cannot benefit from more than one feature (such as a weapon aboard the ship, you can use your action to
Expertise) that doubles the proficiency bonus. reinforce it with materials on hand. For the next minute it
gains a +2 bonus to its AC.
The Boatswain Well, Stick It Back Together! Also at tier 2, you can
Character Level Role Proficiency ignore one complication that comes from the Repairs or
1st Easy Fix, Expert Knowledge Ship Modification downtime tasks; the ship suffers no
penalty from the complication. Once you use this role
Durable Weapons, “Well, Stick It Back
5th feature, you can’t use it again for 30 days.
Together!”
Tough Ship. At tier 3, any ship which you are attuned
11th Tough Ship, “Get Her Back Online!” to gains a bonus to its Strength and Constitution saving
17th Keep It Moving, Improved Hull throws equal to your Intelligence modifier (minimum 1).
42
“Get Her Back Online!” Starting at tier 3, if the helm Keen Eye. Starting at tier 3, while you are aboard a ship
on a ship to which you are attuned takes damage that to which you are attuned, whenever you make a Wisdom
would reduce it to 0 hit points, it is reduced to 1 hit point (Perception) check that relies on sight, you can treat a d20
instead. Once you use this role feature, you can’t use it roll of 9 or lower as a 10.
again for seven days. Navigator’s Wisdom. At tier 3, after you finish a long
Keep It Moving. At tier 4, if damage to the ship’s move- rest on a ship to which you are attuned, you can cast
ment components reduces its movement speed to 0, it is the augury spell to receive an omen regarding the ship’s
reduced to 10 feet instead. future. Intelligence is your spellcasting ability for this
Improved Hull. Also at tier 4, when you become spell. Once you use this role feature, you can’t use it again
attuned to a ship, choose one of the following damage for seven days.
types: acid, cold, fire, lightning, or thunder. The ship Danger Ahead. Beginning at tier 4, any ship to which
becomes resistant to that damage type. If you unattune to you are attuned has advantage on initiative rolls.
the ship, it loses the resistance. Smooth Sailing. Also at tier 4, if you are on a ship to
which you are attuned, you can spend up to one hour
Navigator performing a special ritual that helps you find a path. At
the end of the hour, name a specific fixed location that
“First star to the right ... and straight on ’til morning.” you are familiar with within 500 miles on the same plane
—Lieutenant Pietr Kastryulya of existence. For the next eight hours, you know how
A navigator plots the airship’s course. They often have far away it is and in what direction it lies. While you are
working knowledge of charts as well as meteorological traveling there, whenever you are presented with a choice
conditions that could affect the airship during its travels. of paths along the way, you automatically determine which
The best navigators have high Wisdom scores and path is the shortest and most direct (but not necessarily
proficiency with navigator’s tools and the Survival and the safest) route to the destination. Once you use this role
Nature skills. feature, you can’t use it again for 30 days.
The Navigator
Character Level Role Proficiency
1st Flight of the Navigator, Sky Explorer
5th There Be Dragons, “I Know a Shortcut”
11th Keen Eye, Navigator’s Wisdom
17th Danger Ahead, Smooth Sailing
43
Medic Healing Instructions. At tier 3, whenever a creature
within 30 feet of you that can hear you rolls a 1 or 2 on
”Damn it, Finneas, I’m a doctor, not an airship pilot!” a die rolled to regain hit points via a spell (such as cure
—Doctor Skull wounds) or potion (such as a potion of healing), that crea-
ture can reroll the die and must use the new roll, even if
All ships need healers, not just those that participate
the new roll is a 1 or a 2.
in combat. The ship’s medic also keeps illnesses from
Advanced Care. Beginning at tier 4, when you use your
spreading on the ship and ensures that the ship is sanitary.
dedicated care feature, you can choose one of the follow-
Medics benefit from high Intelligence or Wisdom
ing benefits in place of dedicated care’s normal benefits:
scores, as well as proficiency with herbalism kits and the
• You can reduce a target’s exhaustion level by one.
Medicine skill. Of course, access to magical healing is a
• You can end any reduction to one of the target’s
huge boon as well.
ability scores.
• You can end one effect reducing the target’s hit
Role Proficiency. The medic can add their proficiency
point maximum.
bonus to skill checks made to determine illnesses and
Endure. Also at tier 4, whenever a friendly creature
injuries and ensure that the ship’s quarters and cargo are
within 10 feet of you is reduced to 0 hit points, you can
safe and sanitary. If the medic is already proficient in the
use your reaction to have the creature’s hit points drop to
requisite skill to make the check, their proficiency bonus
1 instead. Once you use this feature, you can’t use it again
is doubled for that check. The check cannot benefit from
for 24 hours.
more than one feature (such as Expertise).
The Medic
Character Level Role Proficiency
1st Combat Medic, Treatment
5th Poison Care, Safety First
11th Dedicated Care, Healing Instructions
17th Advanced Care, Endure
44
Cook same benefits of the potion except that it now has one use
per half pound of the food that was imbued (to a maximum of
“I always cook with rum. Sometimes I even add it to three pounds). The potion is consumed in this ritual.
the food.” The food must be consumed in 24 hours or it spoils and
—Eezle Steinbach
loses its benefits. If the check fails, the potion and the food
Ships boast large crews and those crews need to eat. The are destroyed and nothing new is created. Once you use
best ship cooks can turn limited ingredients into feasts this role feature, you can’t use it again for 30 days.
capable of boosting morale with a single spoonful. Being It’ll Do in a Pinch. Starting at tier 3, you can cast create
on an airship can be a rough experience for some. Food is food and water. Wisdom is your spellcasting ability for this
their respite. Cooks often spend their time thinking of new spell. Once you use this feature, you can’t use it again for
edible creations to make for the crew and its morale. seven days.
Cooks should have high Constitution scores and profi- Brain Food. Beginning at tier 4, you can spend 10
ciency with brewers’ supplies and cooks’ utensils. minutes consuming food that you did not prepare yourself.
From the food, you gain a psychic impression of both the
Role Proficiency. The cook can add their proficiency bonus person who prepared the food and the creature or crea-
to skill checks made to prepare cooked meals and keep food tures who consumed it (if any). You learn the names of the
costs low. If the cook is already proficient in the requisite skill creatures (if any), their appearance, when they prepared/
to make the check, their proficiency bonus is doubled for that ate the food, and one or two important details each about
check. The check cannot benefit from more than one feature them. The information you learn is accurate. What you
(such as Expertise) that doubles the proficiency bonus. learn is the GM’s discretion.
The Heart of the Ship. Also at tier 4, so long as you
The Cook are aboard a ship to which you are attuned, the crew can
Character Level Role Proficiency never gain more than 4 levels of fatigue (see Fatigue Table
1st Bonus Proficiency, Here’s a Little Snack on page 53).
5th Big Ol’ Feast, Tamper Sense
11th Ration It Out, It’ll Do in a Pinch
17th Brain Food, The Heart of the Ship
45
Airship Downtime Tasks Airship Tasks
Average Party Level Airship Tasks
The Fifth Edition rules offer rules for downtime which
allow the characters to take breaks between adventures. 1–4 1
Instead of the round-by-round or hour-by-hour approach 5–10 2
of combat and adventuring, downtime paints with a
11–16 3
broad brush to allow the characters to train, research,
build businesses, and do other time-consuming activities. 17+ 4
Some of these activities grant characters access to new Example: the characters have an average party
abilities. Others might award characters more gold to level of 6, which means they can take two concurrent
spend on equipment. And some downtime activities even airship tasks.
help the characters meet new allies … or villains. The characters are setting out to explore the Lost Altar
Traditionally, downtime activities are taken between of Qortar, so they order the first mate (the captain is one of
adventures. But with the approach in this section, the the characters, of course) to raise the ship’s morale while
airship tasks are ongoing and happen concurrently with they’re away. Meanwhile, another group takes the ship out
the party’s adventure. This ensures that the party’s airship to investigate a previously unexplored tract of territory.
is cared for even when the party is away from it. Further- These two actions use up the airship’s task slots.
more, the tasks are carried out by more than just the char-
acters—they are assisted by the crew and other important
NPCs who see to the ship’s operations.
Making Airship Task Checks
When a check is required by an airship task, one of the
Selecting Airship Tasks crew can use their own ability check modifier to determine
success. Alternatively, the crew member can use the check
At the start of each workweek (typically a five-day period modifier of a character overseeing the task.
bookended by two days of no work), the characters may
direct the airship’s downtime tasks. The party is limited to
a certain number of airship tasks dictated by the average
Complications
party level (as shown on the Airship Tasks table). Sometimes things don’t go as planned, and complications
For each available task slot, players can allocate one or arise. After each airship task check is made, roll a d10.
more of the crew to a chosen task. The tasks that they can On a result of 1, a complication occurs. Each of the below
take are detailed below. When all of the airship’s task slots activities offers ideas for complications, but the GM may
are filled, one of those tasks must be completed before the wish to invent other devilish ones.
crew can be allocated to a new airship task.
Crew allocated to an airship task are no longer available
for other needs, including other airship tasks. Any costs
or resources associated with an airship task must be
provided by the party.
46
Airship Tasks Resolution. After the designated time period, the
character (or NPC officer) makes a Charisma (Persua-
The tasks listed below are available to the characters and sion or Intimidation) check with a +1 bonus per work day
their airship crew. However, this won’t cover all the tasks spent boosting morale, to a maximum of +6. In addition,
available to the crew. The GM is free to invent and coordi- if the crew has access to a comfortable location or area of
nate their own airship tasks. recreation, the character or NPC gains advantage on this
The length of time required for a task varies, but check. Determine how successful the check was using the
typically takes one or more days to accomplish. Each day Boost Morale table. When calculating the crew’s fatigue,
spent on a task requires one or more characters engaged refer to the Boost Morale table below.
in that activity for eight hours in order for it to count
toward the task’s completion. Boost Morale
Any costs related to the task must always be paid by Check Total Outcome
the characters.
1–5 The crew gains one level of fatigue.
Boost Morale 6–15 No change in crew’s fatigue.
Sure, the life of an airship crewperson can be exciting and 16–20 The crew’s fatigue is reduced by one level.
fulfilling, but often it’s stressful, too. Crew stress and poor 21+ Remove all levels of the crew’s fatigue.
morale can lead to shirked duties, fights among the crew,
and sometimes even mutiny. That’s why it’s important Complications. Even though morale boosting activi-
that the airship’s staff frequently addresses the morale of ties are typically “fun and games,” sometimes underlying
the crew. tensions may boil to the surface. Also, crew members
Resources. Boosting morale requires the involvement enjoying themselves are prone to getting into trouble. If
of at least one of the airship’s officers for one or more work the check triggers a complication, use the Boost Morale
days. The officer introduces entertainment, a fine meal, Complications table to determine what happens.
or even rest and relaxation (R&R) to get the crew feeling
positive about their mission. Setting up the m orale-boosting Boost Morale Complications
activity incurs expenses of 50 gp plus 50 gp per day beyond d6 Complication
the first day spent performing the activity. A member of the crew takes the morale boosting the
1 wrong way and starts plotting mutiny against the
ship’s officers.
Two or more members of the crew refuse to work
together, creating conflict. Resolving the conflict
2
requires the crew members to be suspended, poten-
tially hurting the ship’s overall operations.
The crew demands a raise. Costs to keep the crew
3
working increase by 2 sp per day per crew member.
During the morale-boosting activity, the crew engages
4 in illegal activities, drawing the attention of local
authorities.
A handful of the crew fails to return from the
5 morale-boosting activity. The crew members will need
to be replaced or found before the ship can leave.
The crew members anger a rival faction during their
6
morale-boosting activity.
47
Exploration
It’s a big world out there and there are plenty of secrets
left undiscovered. Whether it’s under the supervision of
the characters directly or done while the characters are
adventuring, the airship and its crew can use this airship
task to explore nearby territories.
Resources. Exploring a portion of a territory requires at
least one workweek of effort and costs the airship 200 gp.
Spending more time and money increases the chance that
the expedition finds something worth reporting.
Resolution. A character or NPC officer directing the
expedition makes a Wisdom (Survival) check to determine
the outcome. This check gains a +2 bonus if a character
with the Navigator role is part of the expedition, a +1 bonus
for each workweek beyond the first that is spent exploring,
and a +1 bonus for every additional 200 gp spent over
the initial 200 gp cost. A maximum bonus of +10 can be
applied to this check. The total of the check determines the
outcome, as shown on the Exploration table below.
Exploration
Check Total Outcome
1–5 Major threat
6–10 Minor threat
11–15 No discovery of note
16–25 Minor boon
26+ Major boon
48
Exploration Complications
d6 Complication
A rival ship is exploring the same area and interferes
1 to damage the character’s ship, so they have access to
the area themselves.
The characters discover a minor boon; however, it was
2 stolen goods. They are believed to have stolen it and
are now at odds with the law.
A minor boon is discovered; however, once it is on
3 the ship bad things start to happen to the captain and
crew; the crew believes the boon is cursed.
The crew begins fighting over the best place to explore
in the area. Crew morale is decreased by 1d4 and the
4
exploration cost increases by a gold amount equal to
the roll x100.
During the exploration, one or more crew members go
5 missing. The characters must find out what happened
to them before they can proceed
During the exploration, something begins stalking the
6 crew. Every night it attacks while they are sleeping, growing
more aggressive and bold with each passing night.
Ship Modifications
As the characters adventure and earn more wealth they
will be able to afford upgrades to the airship.
Resources. To modify the ship, the characters must
spend the requisite amount of gold on the parts that they
wish to add to the airship. To determine how many work-
weeks it takes to add the modification, divide the part’s
gold piece cost by 2,500. A ship cannot add more modifi-
cations than it has mount slots.
Complications. Unfortunately, not all modifications go
smoothly. Sloppy installation, missing parts, and accidents
can occur. Often, these complications increase the cost
and extend the time frame for installation. If a complica-
tion occurs, roll on the Ship Modification Complications
table below.
49
Raid Repairs
Who says that piloting an airship has to be a noble profes- Wear and tear is common on airships, especially those
sion? Piracy and buccaneering are just as popular in the that see a lot of combat.
air as they are on the surface. And who’s to say that piracy Resources. One or more of the ship’s officers must
only affects good folks? The airship might target tyrannical spend at least one workday and 10 gp in parts to make
towns or evil orc encampments. repairs to the airship.
Resources. The airship and its crew must spend one Resolution. At the end of each workday that the char-
week and at least 25 gp gathering information on potential acters or crew spend repairing the ship, make a Crew
targets before committing to the looting operation. Morale check. The check gains a +1 bonus for each addi-
Resolution. The characters and airship must make a tional 10 gp spent beyond the initial 10 gp, to a maximum
series of checks, with the DC for all the checks chosen by of +6. If the officer overseeing the check is the Bosun or
the characters in advance according to the size and defen- has proficiency in carpenters’ tools, this check is made at
sibilities of the potential target. advantage. Consult the Repairs table to see how success-
The chosen DC is 10, 15, 20, or 25. Success yields gold ful the repairs made that day were.
as shown on the Loot Value table.
To attempt the raid, one or more characters or NPC officers Repairs
make three checks: Charisma (Persuasion or Intimidation), Check Total Outcome
a Crew Morale check, and Wisdom (Perception). Consult the 1–5 No progress made.
Raiding Results table to see how the airship performed.
Each of the ship’s components regains hit
Loot Value points equal to 1d4 + the crew’s morale
6–15 bonus (minimum 1). A component other
DC Value
than the hull that had 0 hit points becomes
10 50 gp, robbery of a poor settlement functional again.
15 100 gp, raid on a merchant ship Each of the ship’s components regains hit
20 200 gp, raid on a luxury cruiser points equal to 1d6 + the crew’s morale
25 1,000 gp, raid on a large, wealthy settlement 16–20 bonus (minimum 1). A component other
than the hull that had 0 hit points becomes
functional again.
Raiding Results
Each of the ship’s components regains hit
Successes Result points equal to 2d6 + the crew’s morale
The crew and ship are caught and jailed. The 21+ bonus (minimum 1). A component other
crew must pay a fine equal to the profit the raid than the hull that had 0 hit points becomes
0
would have earned and must spend one month functional again.
in jail for each 100 gp (minimum 1 month).
Complications. A result of 1–5 on the Repair table indi-
1 The raid fails but the ship escapes unscathed. cates complications of their own. At the GM’s discretion,
The raid is a partial success, netting the ship complications might arise even from successful checks.
2
half the payout. Examples are included below.
3 The ship earns the full value of the loot.
Repairs Complications
Complications. Raiding and piracy rarely come without d6 Complication
some sort of complication. A result of 0 or 1 successes
During the repairs, another part of the ship becomes
creates complications of its own, but the GM might intro-
1 damaged. Choose a random ship component. That
duce complications even on successful raid runs. Sugges-
component takes 1d6 damage.
tions for potential raiding complications are listed below.
The next day of repairs will cost double its normal
2
Raid Complications cost in gold pieces.
d6 Complication Tensions are high while repairs are being made.
3
A bounty is placed on the captain’s head. The bounty Reduce the crew’s morale score by 1d4.
1
is equal to the gold stolen. A rare component must be replaced before the repairs
One of the members of your crew threatens to turn 4 can continue. The component costs 1d6 x 100 gp.
2 you and the others in if you don’t pay a ransom or Alternatively, the crew might quest for it.
render a service. A fire breaks out while repairs are being made. The
5
3 Your crime ruins the victim’s life. They swear vengeance. hull takes 2d6 damage.
One or more of your crew have been arrested for the The ship’s repairs require a shipyard to be completed.
4 6 Reduce 1d6 components’ max hp by 3d10 until the
crime. There’s a chance they will talk.
ship is docked and repaired.
5 The loot is unique, making it difficult to fence.
You are asked by the victims to solve the crime; they
6
aren’t aware that you’re responsible for it.
50
Trade Training
Airships can hold a lot of cargo. As such, many airship Although it’s easy to improve an airship by spending
captains use their ships as vessels of commerce. By direct- money and adding parts, many captains believe that the
ing the airship to perform trade, the characters might earn best investment that they can make is with their crew. A
a passive income while they adventure. well-trained crew can help a ship run smoothly.
Resources. Trade requires the effort of at least one Resources. One officer chooses the focus of the training
officer. This airship task requires one workweek of effort, from the Crew Feats section below. Training the crew on
and the characters must have at least 100 gp worth of a Crew Feat typically takes at least ten workweeks. This
trade goods to a maximum value appropriate for the loca- time is reduced by a number of workweeks equal to the
tion they will be selling the goods at, as the GM sees fit. training officer’s Charisma modifier (a negative Charisma
Resolution. The officer overseeing the task must make modifier doesn’t increase the time needed). Training
a series of checks, with a DC determined by the quality of costs 5 gp per crew member per workweek. No rolls are
the trade partners that the airship tries to negotiate with. required. Once the crew member finishes the requisite
Some traders are reasonable and easy to deal with; others training, add the new feat to their features list.
may drive hard bargains. Complications. Training can be exhausting, and some-
The officer makes three checks: Intelligence (History), times crew members may not take well to the training.
Wisdom (Insight), and Charisma (Deception, Persuasion, Refer to the Training Complications table for examples of
or Intimidation). If the officer has proficiency with a tool complications that arise from training.
set related to the trade goods—for example, someone with
proficiency in smiths’ tools will know the value of steel Training Complications
weapons for trade—that tool proficiency can replace the d6 Complication
Intelligence (History) skill in this check. The DC for each Tensions are high during training. The crew’s
of the checks is 5 + 2d10; generate a separate DC for each 1
morale is reduced by 1d4.
one. Consult the Trade Results table to see how the crew
benefited from the trade negotiations. Costs run over. Unless you can pay an additional 2
2 gp per crew member per workweek of training, the
Trade Results training fails.
Outcome Result Now that the crew is trained, they are demanding
3 more money. The crew’s wages increase by 1 gp per
The trade negotiations go poorly. The other
0 successes crew member.
party refuses to negotiate further.
The training the crew received was lousy. Roll a d20.
The other party begrudgingly agrees to a trade
1 success On a result of 4 or lower, the training fails. You can
deal. The ship earns 50% of the goods’ value. 4
attempt the training again at half the cost/time as
The other party accepts the trade deal. The before.
2 successes
ship earns 100% of the goods’ value.
After 1d4 + 1 weeks pass, you realize the crew
The other party is enthusiastic about a trade is receiving the wrong training. You can pay the
3 successes deal and agrees to pay a premium price. The training costs required for the time spent, switching
ship earns 150% of the goods’ value. 5
to the correct training. Otherwise the GM randomly
Complications. Sometimes trades go sour. Poor picks a new feat to obtain at the end of the training
relationships can lead to tensions which inevitably lead to period.
complications. Refer to the Trade Complications table for Exhausted, the crew demands a week off after train-
6
potential complications that might arise from a trade. ing. If you refuse, their morale is reduced by 1d4.
Trade Complications
d6 Complication Crew Feats
A competitor seeks to undercut your ship’s prices. If that Crew feats are special skills and training the crew (and
1
competitor isn’t stopped, the trade deal will fall apart. often, by extension, the ship) receives that improves their
The trading party hears a rumor that the goods the performance on your ships. If the feat specifies “crew” it
ship is trying to sell are stolen goods. Unless the crew only refers to the crew during combat and not while oper-
2 ating stations on the ship.
can prove that they’re not, the trading party refuses to
do further business with them.
Crew Feats
The trading party doesn’t have enough cash on
3 Average Party Level Crew Feats
hand to fulfill the bargain.
The crew accidentally insulted the trading party. The 1–4 1
4 5–10 2
deal is off unless it can earn their trust back.
The trading party wants to seal the deal with an 11–16 3
5
arranged marriage. 17+ 4
Someone close to the trading party convinces them
6
to back out of the deal.
51
The crew is limited to a number of feats dictated by
the average party level of the characters as shown on the
Exceptional Teamwork
Crew Feats table. The crew’s ability to focus and help one another succeed
The following list of crew feats can be learned by at a singular task is improved.
the airship crew using the Training downtime task The crew gains one Teamwork die, a d6. Once per day,
described above. the crew can roll the die, adding it to one attack roll or
saving throw for either itself as a unit, or the ship (such
Ballista Experts as adding it to an attack the spell cannons make, for
example). The crew or ship can wait until after it rolls the
The crew has expertise with ballistae, which grants the d20 before deciding to use the Teamwork die, but must
ship on which the crew works the following benefits: decide before the GM says whether the roll succeeds or
• Attacking at long range doesn’t impose disadvantage on the fails. Once the Teamwork die is rolled, it is lost. A ship’s
ship’s ranged attack rolls made with mundane ballistae. crew can have only one Teamwork die at a time. It regains
• A single mundane ballista requires only 2 crew it each day at dawn.
members to operate instead of 3.
• If a ballista makes an attack on a turn in which the ship
did not move, the ballista adds +2 to its attack roll for
Highly Disciplined
that turn. The ship and its officers can choose to ignore the effects of
all Boost Morale complications.
Cannon Experts
The crew spends weeks drilling together, firing at trees
Lookouts
and makeshift targets. Honing their skills and developing The crew develops a keen sense of alertness. A ship
an expertise with them. whose crew has this feat gains the following benefits as
This new skill with their cannons grants the ship on long as the ship has half its crew maximum or more and
which the crew works the following benefits: the crew isn’t incapacitated.
• Attacking at long range doesn’t impose disadvantage on • The ship gains a +5 bonus to initiative.
the ship’s ranged weapon attack rolls made with light • The ship’s crew’s passive Perception increases to 12.
and heavy cannons. • The ship cannot be surprised.
• A single light cannon requires only 2 crew members to • Other ships and creatures don’t gain advantage on
man instead of 3, and a single heavy cannon requires 3 attack rolls against the ship as a result of being unseen
crew members instead of 4. by the ship’s crew.
• Before the ship makes an attack with a light or heavy
cannon, the captain can choose to take a -5 penalty to Take Cover
the attack roll. If the attack hits, the ship adds +10 to the
attack’s damage. The ship learns to take defensive manoeuvres to avoid
getting hit by certain area of effect abilities, such as a red
dragon’s fiery breath or a lightning bolt spell. When the
Combat Experts ship’s crew is subjected to an effect that allows it to make
When the crew boards another ship to attack and it isn’t a Dexterity saving throw to take only half damage and the
incapacitated or surprised, on its first turn, the crew can crew is aboard the ship, it instead takes no damage if it suc-
use its bonus action to make a single group attack against ceeds on the saving throw, and only half damage if it fails.
a hostile crew. This feat uses the Crew Combat variant
detailed below.
Crew Morale
Dedicated It’s a hard life working as a crew member aboard an
airship. The days are long, the nights are cold, and there
The crew have bonded and have made vows and promises are giant creatures trying to eat you all the time. On top
to one another. They will work harder than ever before of all of that, one might not see home for months or port
for each other’s safety and success, and, ultimately, the for weeks.
success of the ship. This can cause fatigue. Like exhaustion, fatigue is mea-
Prerequisite: A character attuned to the crew’s ship sured in six levels. An effect can give a crew one or more
must have Charisma 13 or higher. levels of fatigue, as specified in the effect’s description.
Charisma (Persuasion or Intimidation) checks made to The crew has a chance of gaining fatigue once per
avoid crew fatigue are made at advantage. week. At the start of a workweek, one of the characters or
a designated NPC must make a Charisma (Persuasion or
Defensive Manoeuvres Intimidation) check. The DC for the check is equal to 10
plus the crew’s current level of fatigue. If the check fails,
The crew are experts at taking evasive actions and defend- the crew gains an extra level of fatigue.
ing themselves from attacks. So long as the ship has half
its maximum crew or more, the ship’s components gain a
+2 bonus to their AC and Dexterity saving throws.
52
Fatigue Table
Fatigue
Effect Ship’s Crew
Level Huge unit of twenty humanoids (any),
0 No fatigue. any alignment
All downtime task checks, except for Boost Armor Class 12 (leather armor)
1
Morale, are made at disadvantage. Hit Points 152 (16d8 + 80)
2 The ship’s movement speed is halved. Speed 30 ft.
The ship has disadvantage on attack rolls and
3 STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
saving throws.
19 (+4) 12 (+1) 20 (+5) 10 (+0) 10 (+0) 10 (+0)
4 The ship’s speed is reduced to 0.
5 The crew mutinies. Skills Perception +2
If an already fatigued crew suffers another effect that Senses passive Perception 12
causes fatigue, its current level of fatigue increases by the Condition Immunities charmed, frightened, grappled,
amount specified in the effect’s description. paralyzed, petrified, prone, restrained, stunned
A crew suffers the effect of its current level of fatigue as Languages any one language (usually Common)
well as all lower levels. For example, a crew suffering level 2 Challenge 8 (3,900 XP) Proficiency Bonus +3
fatigue has its speed halved and all downtime task checks,
except for Boost Morale, are made at disadvantage. Unit. The unit can occupy another creature’s space
and vice versa and the unit can move through any
An effect that removes fatigue reduces its level as
opening large enough for a Medium humanoid.
specified in the effect’s description, with all fatigue effects
The unit can’t regain hit points or gain temporary
ending if the crew’s fatigue level is reduced below 1.
hit points. If the unit is reduced to 0 hit points, the
unit breaks up and 5 bandits appear in the space
Crew Combat previously occupied by the unit.
An airship’s crew might consist of dozens—if not hundreds— ACTIONS
of individuals who work to defend the ship. As such, running
Multiattack. The unit makes two attacks with its
combats with individual crew members may prove to be scimitars or two attacks with its light crossbows.
difficult. To simplify crew combat, treat every 20 members of
Scimitars. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
a ship’s crew as a single creature, similar to a swarm. During
one target. Hit: 18 (4d6 + 4) slashing damage.
crew combat, the Ship’s Crew acts in its own initiative order
Light Crossbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit,
separate from the characters and other important NPCs.
range 80/320 ft., one target. Hit: 19 (4d8 + 1)
Furthermore, the Ship’s Crew cannot operate the ship’s com-
piercing damage.
ponents; only individual crew members are able to interact
with them. UNIT ACTIONS
See right for a typical stat block for a unit of 20 crew
The unit can take 2 unit actions, choosing from
members acting as one. the options below. Only one unit action option can
be used at a time and only at the end of another
creature’s turn. The unit regains spent unit actions at
the start of its turn so long as it has half its hit points
or more remaining.
Scimitar Attack. The unit makes one attack with
its scimitars.
Crossbow Attack (Costs 2 Actions). The unit makes one
attack with its crossbows.
53
Travel by Air Stealth
The ship’s captain can engage in this activity only if the
Don’t let the freedom of the skies fool you. Travel by air is weather conditions restrict visibility or the ship has a
just as treacherous as travel by sea. Destructive weather, component which allows it to move without being seen.
pirates, and monsters are just as common in the skies of The ship makes a Dexterity check with a bonus equal to
Sordane as they are on the water. Plus, accidents, poor the captain’s proficiency bonus.
living conditions, and other dangers known to sailors
happen aboard airships, too. This material builds on the
travel rules found in the core rulebooks. Altitude Effects
Most ships travel at altitudes of around 2,500 feet, but can
Travel Pace typically go up as high as 5,000 feet without much issue or
special equipment. Below are suggested rules to use for
Airships have two main modes of propulsion. The first is
your Skies of Sordane campaign when dealing with flying
the more traditional propeller engines and the other is the
ships at higher altitudes and colder temperatures.
magically infused spell jet thrusters used by soralite ships.
If an airship’s mode of movement takes damage, there
is a possibility that it will be slowed and degraded. See Thin Air
Chapter 4: Airships for each component’s description for At higher altitudes the air not only becomes cold, but
degradation and speed rules. thinner as well. This typically does not affect creatures
in a noticeable way until they reach heights of 10,000
Activity While Traveling feet or above. At this point the creatures are in thin air
conditions. Above 20,000 feet they are in very thin air
The section on downtime tasks offers some creative activi-
conditions, where the average creature cannot stay for
ties for the characters and the crew to perform in between
a prolonged time without specialized gear (e.g., oxygen
adventures. However, there are still things that the ship, its
tanks, spells, or pressurized rooms).
crew, and passengers must be cognizant of while traveling.
Refer to Fifth Edition rules for more information on some
of the following activities. Note that some of the activities
Thin Air Conditions
Any creature not native to high-altitude conditions, and
presented here might be restricted to the characters or
not using specialized equipment, traveling at an altitude
important NPCs.
between 10,000 and 20,000 feet is subject to thin air
conditions. Once above 10,000 feet, all affected creatures
Draw a Map must succeed at a DC 10 + air thinness modifier Consti-
The navigator or captain performs this activity. Although
tution saving throw at the end of each hour or suffer from
the skies are often free of obstruction, it’s still worth creat-
Altitude Sickness until cured (see the Altitude Table on
ing maps of important landmarks unseen by land and sea.
the next page).
Breathing creatures can become accustomed to thin air
Forage conditions by spending a month or longer in these con-
Certainly, it’s difficult to look for food to forage while flying
ditions. Once adapted, they no longer suffer the negative
through the skies of Sordane. Crew members might try
conditions of high altitudes. This adaptation is lost if they
netting birds, catching flying crocs, or hunting for any-
spend more than two weeks outside of these conditions.
thing else that can be roasted over a spit. The character
performing the activity makes a Wisdom (Survival) check
when the GM calls for it.
Very Thin Air Conditions
Any creature, including creatures accustomed to higher
altitudes, not using specialized equipment and traveling
Navigate at an altitude above 20,000 feet is subject to very thin air
The navigator works to keep the ship from becoming lost,
conditions and automatically suffers from Altitude Sick-
making a Wisdom (Survival) check when the GM calls for
ness until cured. Additionally, all affected creatures must
it. See the official Fifth Edition rules for details.
succeed at a DC 10 + air thinness modifier (see Altitude
Table on the next page) Constitution saving throw at the
Noticing Threats end of each hour or fall unconscious and roll one death
To prevent the ship from running headfirst into unseen
saving throw every 10 minutes until they are stabilized by
threats, use the passive Wisdom (Perception) scores of the
reaching altitudes below 10,000 feet or by giving them air
heroes or crew to determine whether anyone on the ship
in some other way.
notices a hidden threat. The crew has a passive Wisdom
Creatures accustomed to high altitudes have advantage
(Perception) score equal to 10 + the ship’s captain’s pro-
on Constitution rolls made in very thin air conditions, but
ficiency modifier. The GM might decide that a threat can
still suffer all other effects mentioned above on a failure.
be noticed only by characters in a specific area of the ship
Winds at this height can become very strong; consider
such as a crow’s nest; inversely, characters below deck
applying the Strong wind conditions.
may have a tough time noticing dangers.
54
Low Temperatures Altitude Conditions
Temperatures drop rapidly at higher altitudes, with water These are conditions that creatures may experience due
starting to freeze at 7,500 feet and above. to travelling or being at higher altitudes.
The average creature can function normally without
special gear until an altitude of 5,000 feet. Once above Altitude Sickness
5,000 feet, all affected creatures must succeed at a DC Any creature affected by Altitude Sickness suffers a -2
10 + cold modifier Constitution saving throw at the end penalty to all Intelligence and Dexterity-based checks
of each hour or gain one level of exhaustion (see Altitude and saving throws. Additionally, they cannot regain spell
Table below). Creatures native to cold climates, with slots, remove exhaustion levels, or regain Hit Dice and
immunity or resistance to cold, or wearing protective gear hit points when taking short or long rests. The condi-
(e.g., a thick coat, gloves, mask) automatically succeed at tion can be cured for 12 hours by casting the lesser
this saving throw. restoration or greater restoration spell or fully cured by
Altitude Table
Altitude Temperature (°C / °F) Cold Modifier Air % Air Thinness Modifier
2,500 10 / 50 – 90% –
5,000 5 / 41 +0 80% –
7,500 0 / 32 +2 70% –
10,000 -10 / 14 +4 60% +1
15,000 -20 / -4 +6 50% +2
20,000 -30 / -22 +8 40% +4
25,000 -40 / -40 +10 30% +6
30,000+ -50 / -58 +12 20% +8
55
spending 1d4 long rests at an altitude below 10,000 feet
or in a similarly high oxygen environment.
Random Encounters
Each day of travel through the air, roll a d20. On a result of
Extreme Cold 19 or 20, the airship has a random encounter.
Any creature affected by the Extreme Cold condition will The table below is level independent. This means that
have its speed reduced by half and have disadvantage on it’s possible for a low-level party on an airship to run into
ability checks, attack rolls and saving throws in addition to a threat beyond their level. When presented with such
the cold weather condition effects. dangers, the party may be forced to flee, parley, or even
surrender. Feel free to remove or adjust any of these
Viewing Distance dangers to better suit your campaign, but remember—not
all battles are meant to be won.
A creature with average eyesight can see things at great The table also allows for encounters with other ships as
distance if they are not obscured by terrain, clouds, or well as dragons. Additional tables or further detailing such
other things. encounters are included after the encounter table.
A rule of thumb for seeing distances in the daytime sky
is defined as follows. Sky Encounters
• The distance at which you can perceive objects is the d100 Encounter
object’s size (in feet) times 500.
01–02 1d2 air elemental
• The distance at which you can identify objects is the
object’s size (in feet) times 100. 03–07 1d6 cloud skates
Using spyglasses or similar items can double or even 08–09 3d6 cloud skates
triple these distances.
10 4d6 cloud skates
To convert to miles assume that 500 feet equals 0.1 mile
or 1 mile equals 5,000 feet. 11–14 1d4 smash mines
15–18 1d4 siphon mines
Clouds 19–22 1d4 fire mines
There are several different kinds of clouds. The thickest
23–26 1d4 mental mines
kind form between 5,000 and 10,000 feet and are several
hundred feet high; rain and storm clouds will be found 27 1 cloud giant
in this layer. Thinner clouds can be found at 15,000 feet 28 1 couatl
and above and typically are no thicker than 50 feet. Giant 29 1 djinn
cumulonimbus clouds span the entire range between
5,000 to 30,000 feet. 30–32 2d6 dust mephits
Depending on the thickness of the clouds, a creature’s 33–34 1d8 cloud sharks
viewing distance can be cut to anything between 500 35 2d8 cloud sharks
to 0 feet. In the latter case, the area counts as heavily
36–38 1d4 giant eagles
obscured, which means that the creature suffers from the
blinded condition. 39–40 1d4 giant vultures
41–42 1d4 harpies
Viewing Distances at Night 43–48 2d6 ice mephits
At night objects blend into the dark background and are prac-
tically invisible unless they have lights on. In fact, a creature 49–53 1d4 manticores
with average eyesight can see an unshielded flame at 10,000 54 1 pegasus
feet / 2 miles distance given there are no obstructions. 55–60 1d6 siphits
Night Visibility Table 61–63 2d6 siphits
56
Random Dragons Neutral Dragon
d20 Type
Perhaps the biggest threat to any airship in a Skies of
Sordane campaign, dragons, true sky monarchs, fre- 1 Arcane
quently come in contact with humanoids who take to the 2 Black
air. Each dragon that the characters encounter presents
3 Blue
a unique opportunity. The following rules can be used to
generate a dragon that the characters encounter while on 4 Green
their airship. 5 Red
6 White
Dragon’s Attitude, Type, and Age 7–9 Brass
Every dragon the characters meet has an attitude that 10–12 Bronze
guides how it interacts with the airship and its crew.
13–14 Copper
Friendly dragons might approach the ship with curiosity
or a desire to assist. Neutral dragons may totally ignore 15–16 Gold
the characters. And hostile dragons might attack or 17–20 Silver
threaten the ship.
First, roll or choose a dragon’s attitude on the Dragon Hostile Dragon
Attitude table. Then roll to determine the dragon’s age.
Finally, roll on the appropriate table to determine the d20 Type
dragon’s type. 1 Arcane
If you roll a result of arcane dragon, roll again for 2–4 Black
the dragon’s base type, rerolling any further results of
5–9 Blue
“arcane.”
If you roll a result of a wyrmling, roll a d6. On a result 10–12 Green
of 6, the wyrmling is alone. Otherwise, it is accompanied 13–16 Red
by an additional 1d4 wyrmlings supervised by another 17–20 White
dragon of the same type. Reroll on the dragon age table to
determine the age of the wyrmlings’ supervisor.
57
Ship Purpose Ship Purpose
All airships have a reason for taking to the skies. Roll or
d100 Purpose
choose a purpose on the Ship Purpose table at right. Cargo. The ship hauls goods, supplies, and any
01–17 other materials that need to move across great
Attitude distances.
Passenger. These ships carry travelers for business,
All ships have their own attitude toward ships they meet 18–35
travel, and everything in between.
in the air. Some ships might be friendly and open to trade
or diplomacy. A neutral ship might not engage at all with Air Hunting. These commercial vessels rake the
the characters. And a hostile ship might attempt to raid or 36–50 skies for birds, dragons, and other creatures that
extort the characters’ airship. can be sold at market or caught for survival.
Roll on the Ship Attitude table below to determine the Military. The skies are heavily contested in the
nature of the ship and its crew. This will give you a good Skies of Sordane. As such, military airships are a
51–69
base on how the crew and ship that your party encounters common sight. These ships carry soldiers, import-
should act, but it shouldn’t be a limiting factor. Treating a ant officers, weapons, and more.
ship-to-ship encounter as a great possible narrative oppor- Piracy. These ships smuggle contraband and lay
tunity is encouraged! siege to other ships, air docks, and other airship
70–90 accessible posts. Not all pirates are evil; some
Ship Attitude are bound by a code of ethics. Others might only
d20 Attitude attack the ships of corrupt empires.
1–2 Friendly and apprehensive Mercenary. The mercenary ships of Sordane con-
3–4 Friendly and dismissive stantly seek the highest bidder for their services.
91–97
5–7 Friendly and inquisitive Mercenaries work as explorers, temporary soldiers,
monster hunters, smugglers and more.
8–9 Neutral and apprehensive
Carcassite. Although they are rare, these haunted
10–11 Neutral and dismissive ships do exist. Sometimes, they are the hollow
12–14 Neutral and inquisitive remains of ships destroyed in battle. Others serve
98–00
15–16 Hostile and apprehensive dark necromancers. A carcassite ship might have
special resistances and immunities depending on
17–18 Hostile and dismissive
the full extent of its undead nature.
19–20 Hostile and inquisitive
58
Chapter 4. Airships
N
aturally, airships are the heart of the Skies
of Sordane campaign. The first part of this
Soralites
Soralites are the most technologically advanced ships. They
chapter explains airships, their statistics,
populate the skies with a dim glowing blue. These ships are
and how you can use them in Fifth Edition.
powered by a large sordalite crystal attached to the hull of
These rules should give you enough infor-
the ship, providing it with flight and power. To integrate a
mation not only to understand the airships
crystal in this fashion takes a lot of skill and expertise. As
presented later in this book, but also create
such, these ships are typically the most expensive of all the
airships of your own. The remainder of this chapter details
ships in Sordane. There are exceptions to this, but due to the
the most popular types of airships available to characters.
sheer size of the crystal required and the expertise needed
for a full systems integration, the cost is usually quite high.
Airship Statistics Shard Blimps
Airships, like monsters and NPCs, have their own statis-
Shard blimps are easily the most common ships in Sordane.
tics. The statistics detailed below allow your airships to
There are fewer overall classes of shard blimps when com-
adventure and enter combat. Furthermore, they grant your
pared to the more powerful soralite ships, but they are far
airships unique characteristics that help set them apart
more plentiful as most passenger and merchant ships are
from other airships.
shard blimps. They each have a shard furnace below deck
and a Featherhatch Canvas envelope above it. These ships
Common Ship Types make use of relatively small shards of sordalite magically
Within Sordane, there are three basic ship types that burning inside the shard furance and filling the envelope
are commonly found, but many more exist within these with magical vapors, giving the ship its power of flight.
umbrellas. These three ship types are drastically different Due to the cost-saving nature of these ships, they are
from one another and used by entirely different classes of usually much slower and less well armed than soralite
people for entirely different reasons. ships. They often do not have the power to equip spell
Most navies employ a large number of shard blimps as cannons or spell jet thrusters.
their main core and supplement soralite ships in for pow-
erful auxiliaries and scout ships. The rich moguls almost Skyskiffs
never own anything other than luxury soralite yachts and Skyskiff is a very broad term for any type of aircraft that is
well-off city-dwellers usually only own skyskiffs for per- too small to voyage great distances on. These skyskiffs are
sonal transportation purposes. typically operated within cities as personal craft, taxis, or
even racing vessels.
59
They are powered by much smaller sordalite crystals gence, Wisdom, and Charisma—which use the same modi-
than the soralite ships, often mounted on the hull or inside fiers. An airship’s Strength is its size and weight. Dexterity
an internal generator located in the hull. These ships is how well the ship performs and handles.
don’t rely on the sheer size of their crystals for their flight Its Constitution represents the ship’s overall toughness
or power and have to be magically enhanced in order to and caliber of construction. As objects, airships usually
make them fly. All of the ship’s power is used for flight and have scores of 0 for Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma.
propulsion; if the ship has weaponry it must be equipped Airships with 0 scores automatically fail ability checks and
with a secondary weapon crystal. Weaponry on skyskiffs is saving throws related to that score.
typically outlawed in most nations and cities.
Vulnerabilities,
Basic Statistics Resistances, and Immunities
If an airship has vulnerabilities, resistances, or immuni-
An airship’s stat block is divided into two main parts: its ties, these traits apply to all of the airship’s components.
core statistics and its action allowance. Generally, airships As objects, airships are typically immune to poison and
can’t take actions on their own—they require a crew. psychic damage. Furthermore, they are usually immune
to the blinded, charmed, deafened, exhaustion, fright-
Size and Space ened, incapacitated, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned, prone,
Like monsters, airships have size categories, typically stunned, and unconscious conditions.
Huge or Gargantuan. An airship’s size category is deter-
mined by its longest measurement. For example, an Airship Actions
airship that is 130 feet long and 20 feet wide would be On its turn, the airship takes special actions rather than
considered Gargantuan, since its length is 130 feet. the actions used by creatures. The airship even relies on
A 100-foot by 30-foot airship occupies a space that is 100 its actions to move and is unable to move otherwise.
feet by 30 feet. An airship cannot move into a space that is The captain of the airship determines the actions that
too small to accommodate it. the ship takes on its turn. The captain can direct a number
of actions as shown in the Captain’s Actions column of
Armor Class the Captain table on page 40. If a creature without the
The ship has its own Armor Class, reflecting the most captain role assumes the role of the airship’s captain, then
common materials used to construct the airship. the creature can only cause the ship to take one action per
round. A ship cannot use one of its action options more
Hit Points and Damage Threshold than once per round.
An airship is destroyed if its hit points reach 0. If a ship All of the actions that the ship can take are listed
has a damage threshold, that threshold appears after its in the airship’s base stat block or offered by one of its
hit points. An airship has immunity to all damage unless upgraded components.
it takes an amount of damage that equals or exceeds its Initiative. Like all creatures, when it comes to combat
threshold, in which case it takes damage as normal. Any airships roll for their own initiative, acting on their own
damage that fails to bypass the threshold is considered turn in the order. Unlike creatures however, a ship's
superficial and doesn’t reduce the ship’s hit points. initiative can be influenced by its crew, with seasoned
navigators and crew feats able to affect the outcome. As
Staff, Passengers, and Cargo stated above, when it comes to a ship's turn in combat they
Airships have limits to the number of crew, passengers, are reliant on the captain to issue orders from moving, to
and cargo they can carry, as detailed in its capacity line. reloading weaponry; which the captain does on the ship's
An airship with too many passengers may suffer in its turn assuming they aren’t unconscious.
logistics capabilities. Likewise, an airship overloaded with Crew and Actions. Some of the ship’s actions require
cargo might not move or might even begin to descend. crew to be present at the station. For example, a non-
magical ballista requires at least three crew members to
Travel Pace operate. If a station lacks the requisite crew, the captain
An airship’s travel pace is how far the vehicle can move cannot use his or her airship tasks to direct that station or
per hour and per round during combat. Most airships are component. Once per turn, the captain can use one of his
capable of constant travel, which means they can travel or her allotted airship actions to reassign any number of
for 24 hours without stopping. For an airship to move, crew to different parts of the ship.
it must have a spelldriver aboard the ship who must use Spelldriver Points and Actions. Some of the ship’s
the spelldriving mode momentum to move the ship. If the actions require the captain to use spelldriver points, as
spelldriver is incapacitated or leaves the ship, the ship described in Chapter 5: Spelldriving. If the captain or
cannot move until a new spelldriver takes over the helm any of the ship’s spelldrivers lack the requisite spelldriver
and uses their own momentum mode or the spelldriver points to perform the action, the action does not happen.
returns to their post.
60
owners of these ships often need to upgrade them. In this minimum of three crew members can use one of the ship’s
section, you will find upgrade parts that can be bought and actions to ready, aim, and fire the weapon. All ballistae can
applied for any ship in Sordane. be fired at the same time using the same action, regardless
Each component has its requirements and stats listed of the ballista’s placement on the ship’s deck. A ballista has
below its description. These new stats should be applied all the same condition and damage vulnerabilities, resis-
and modified along with any ship stat block you use. tances, and immunities as the ship’s hull.
The stat blocks provided are the generic, most common, Crew Minimum: 3
version of each airship. Ballista Bolt: Ranged Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, range
120/480 ft., one target. Hit: 16 (3d10) piercing damage.
Ship Upgrades Table Ships Allowed: Soralites, shard blimps, and skyskiffs.
Component Cost
Shard Blimp to Soralite Upgrade Ship Hull Cost x3 Cannons
Cannons use smokepowder to propel heavy balls of
Deck Upgrades cast iron through the air at destructive speeds. Cannons
come in two sizes: regular and heavy. When you equip a
Light Ballista 150 gp
ship with cannons, you must decide where the cannon
Light Ballista Bolt x10 25 gp is placed—aft, bow, port, or starboard. A minimum crew
Ballista 500 gp can use one of the ship’s actions to ready, aim, and fire the
Ballista Bolt x10 200 gp weapon (see each version below for minimum crew). A
ship can use a single action to fire the cannons from one
Light Cannon 2,500 gp side of the ship.
Heavy Cannon 3,500 gp Both light and heavy cannons have all of the same
Cannon Ball x10 300 gp condition and damage vulnerabilities, resistances, and
immunities as the ship’s hull.
Swivel Gun 1,000 gp
Swivel Gun Cannon Ball x10 100 gp Light Cannons
Crew Minimum: 3
Hull Upgrades Cannon: Ranged Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, range
Reinforced Hull Ship Hull Cost x2 600/2,400 ft., one target. Hit: 44 (8d10) bludgeon-
Steel-Plated Hull Ship Hull Cost x3 ing damage.
Ships Allowed: Soralites and shard blimps.
Titanium-Plated Hull Ship Hull Cost x4
61
Armor Class: 12
Steel-Plated Hull Hit Points: 100
The ship has steel plates added to its hull and com-
Sail: Travel Pace while sailing with the wind: +30 mph.
ponents. All components’ ACs are increased by 2 and
Speed: Fly +30 ft.
the ACs of its hull and helm increase by 2. The cost of
Travel Pace while sailing into the wind: +15 mph.
improved armor is 3 times the cost of the ship’s hull. A
Speed: Fly +15 ft.
ship with the Steel-Plated Hull upgrade cannot have the
Travel Pace while sailing with no wind: +0 mph. Speed:
Titanium-Plated Hull or Reinforced Hull upgrades.
Fly +0 ft.
Improvements: All hull components’ ACs increase by 2
Damaged: -10 ft. speed and -10 mph travel pace per 25
and the AC of its hull and helm increase by 2.
damage taken. Once the sails speed becomes 0 they are
Ships Allowed: Soralites and shard blimps.
too damaged to be able to catch any wind; however, they
can be repaired by the ship’s boatswain or repair drone.
Titanium-Plated Hull If the sails are reduced to 0 hit points they are destroyed
The ship has titanium plates added to its hull and com-
and must be replaced.
ponents. All components’ ACs are increased by 3 and
Ships Allowed: Soralites and skyskiffs.
the ACs of its hull and helm increase by 3. The cost of
improved armor is 5 times the cost of the ship’s hull. A
ship with the Titanium-Plated Hull upgrade cannot have
Spell Jet Thrusters
Spell jet thrusters pull their massive power requirement
the Steel-Plated Hull or Reinforced-Hull upgrades.
from the sordalite crystal of the ship. They vary drastically
Improvements: All hull components’ ACs increase by 3
in size and style, but typically provide the same benefit
and the ACs of its hull and helm increase by 3.
relative to the size of ship they are installed on.
Ships Allowed: Soralites and shard blimps.
Armor Class: 18
Hit Points: 150
Propulsion Upgrades Spell Jet Thruster: Travel Pace: +20 mph. Speed: Fly
A ship may upgrade its propulsion. Upgrading includes +20 ft.
adding more of the same type it already has, or completely Improvements: A ship with more than two spell jet
switching out the technology it uses. A ship may have thrusters gains a +3 bonus to its AC and to Dexterity
any number of propulsion components added to its hull saving throws.
provided that it has the sufficient number of hull mounts. Damaged: -5 ft. speed and -5 mph travel pace per 25
Each ship will have its number of mounts listed on its damage taken. Once the spell jet thruster’s speed
individual stat block. becomes 0 it is inactive; however, it can be repaired
by the ship’s boatswain or repair drone. If the spell jet
Propeller Engines thruster is reduced to 0 hit points it is destroyed and
Most airships come equipped with two propeller engines, must be replaced.
the most common form of propulsion. They vary dras- Mounts Allowed: Left (Port), Right (Starboard), Back (Aft)
tically in size and style, but typically provide the same Ships Allowed: Soralites and skyskiffs.
benefit relative to the size of ship they are installed on.
Armor Class: 18 Armament Upgrades
Hit Points: 100
The skies of Sordane are littered with dangers. Many of the
Propeller Engines: Travel Pace: +10 mph. Speed: Fly
more powerful ships have side-mounted armaments that
+10 ft.
help enhance the abilities of their spelldrivers and crew.
Improvements: A ship with more than two propeller
Typically these side-mounted components are reserved
engines gains a +2 bonus to its AC and to Dexterity
for soralite ships due to the lack of power reserves on the
saving throws.
shard blimp, but occasionally some lower-powered side-
Damaged: -5 ft. speed and -5 mph travel pace per 25
mounted modules can be installed on shard blimps.
damage taken. Once the propeller engine’s speed
becomes 0 it is inactive; however, it can be repaired by
the ship’s boatswain or repair drone. If the propeller
Spell Cannons (Single and Twin)
Spell cannons are arcane weapons through which spell-
engine is reduced to 0 hit points it is destroyed and
drivers cast evocation spells. When you equip a ship with
must be replaced.
a spell cannon, you must decide where the spell cannon is
Mounts Allowed: Left (Port), Right (Starboard), Back (Aft)
placed—aft, bow, port, or starboard. A minimum of three
Ships Allowed: Soralites, shard blimps, and skyskiffs.
crew members are required to operate a spell cannon, one of
which must be a spelldriver.
Sails Twin Spell Cannon. When a spelldriver casts a spell
An ancient form of propulsion from before sordalite
through twin spell cannons, they can spend an additional
crystals were used to power ships, sails are still a reliable
number of spelldriving points equal to the spell’s level
source of movement available to airships. The strength
to target a second target in range with the same spell (1
of the sails is determined by the wind each day, which the
spelldriving point if the spell is a cantrip).
GM decides. When an airship is outfitted with sails, either
Armor Class: 18
two or three masts are attached to the deck of the ship,
Hit Points: 125
depending on its size.
62
Crew Minimum: 3 (1 spelldriver)
Mounts Allowed: Left (Port), Right (Starboard), Front Airship Economy
(Bow), Rear (Aft) Sordane’s numerous nations and kingdoms have their
Ships Allowed: Soralites. own unique economies and trade markets that all revolve
around the use of airships. Regardless of this vast diver-
Hookshot Cannon sity, the act of buying, selling, or commissioning an airship
Hookshot cannons are hull upgrades that attach to a ship’s for construction always follows the same fundamentals.
side mounts. A minimum of four crew members operate it
from below deck. Boarding hookshots allow a ship to grapple Commissioning
a ship being chased in order to bring it alongside to board.
To fire boarding hooks, the ship must make a single It is common for successful adventuring parties, growing
hookshot attack. On a hit, the target ship is grappled. Until trade businesses, passenger airlines, and naval forces to
this grapple ends, the ship’s crew can use its movement commission the construction of new airships.
to board the target ship. As an action, the target ship can Perhaps a new class of warship has been developed
make a DC 22 Strength check, ending the grapple on a and the local nations are scrambling to build this new
success. While grappled, a ship’s movement is reduced to class in order to keep up the arms race with their
0 unless it has greater propulsion than the grappling ship. neighbors; or a group of intrepid adventurers came into
Armor Class: 18 a small fortune and wants to build their own mobile
Hit Points: 100 HQ. Regardless of the reason, shipbuilders are common
Crew Minimum: 4 everywhere in Sordane.
Hookshot: Ranged Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, range
120/480 ft., one target. Hit: 16 (3d10) piercing damage. Ship Blueprints
Reel: Action: The crew operating the hookshot may reel in In order for a ship to be commissioned and built, the
the hookshot to pull the grappled ship closer to it. The design of the ship either needs to be common enough
grappled ship moves 50 feet straight back towards the that the builders already have the schematics for it, or the
grappling ship. commissioning party must supply designs to the builders.
Mounts Allowed: Left (Port), Right (Starboard) Without ship blueprints, it cannot be built.
Ships Allowed: Soralites and shard blimps (if equipped
to a shard blimp, the ship can never have more than two Ship Materials
propeller engines). It is assumed that the materials needed are included in
the cost of the ship (see the Sordane Ships table on page
64). Due to the sheer size, or perhaps the contents of
Deck Weapons each ship, not all ships are able to be built in every region.
Deck weapons come in many varieties; however, the two If a city or town with a shipwright has a low supply of
most common are the swivel gun and the light ballista. metal, it is unlikely that it would be able to source the
These weapons are mounted on the deck of ships with a materials for the construction of a shoal class trade barge.
pivoting head allowing them to fire at threats both on and As the GM, it is up to you to determine the scarcity of
off the ship. All swivel guns or light ballistae can be fired these materials based on your campaign.
at the same time using the same action, regardless of their
placement on the ship’s deck. It is not uncommon for ships Sordalite Crystals
with larger funding to replace the swivel guns with more It is quite possible the ship to be commissioned is a
powerful and versatile zap guns. soralite. Soralites use massive sordalite crystals attached
to their hulls in order to fly and power their considerable
Swivel Guns attachments. In such cases, a large, refined sordalite
Armor Class: 16 crystal is required. This specific material for
Hit Points: 25 ship construction is not included with
Crew Minimum: 2 the ship’s build cost and must be
Cannon: Ranged Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, range 120/360 sourced in its own way.
ft., one target. Hit: 17 (5d6) bludgeoning damage.
Ships Allowed: Soralites, shard blimps, and skyskiffs.
Light Ballista
Armor Class: 13
Hit Points: 20
Crew Minimum: 1
Light Ballista Bolt: Ranged Weapon Attack: +6 to
hit, range 100/400 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (2d8) pierc-
ing damage.
Ships Allowed: Soralites, shard blimps, and skyskiffs.
63
Sordane Ships
Crystal Crystal Soralite Avg. Time to
Name Rarity Hull Cost Ship Type
Req. Weight Capable Build
Civilian Vessels
Gleaming
Very Rare 120,000 gp Yes 100 lb. Soralite Yes 9 months
Shard
Pinnacle Rare 100,000 gp Yes 100 lb. Soralite Yes 12 months
Racing Skiff Rare 6,000 gp Yes 25 lb. Skyskiff No 2 months
Shoal Common 15,000 gp No 50 lb. Shard Blimp Yes 1 month
Sky Coach Common 3,000 gp Yes 25 lb. Skyskiff No 1 month
Cruisers
Algor Common 60,000 gp Yes 100 lb. Soralite Yes 9 months
Roshan Uncommon 100,000 gp Yes 100 lb. Soralite Yes 12 months
Sintel Common 35,000 gp No 100 lb. Shard Blimp Yes 3 months
Dreadnoughts
Geshtar Rare 150,000 gp Yes 200 lb. + 75 lb. Soralite Yes 12 months
Frigates
Istari Very Rare See description Yes 75 lb. Soralite Yes 12 months
Kraken Rare See description Yes 75 lb. Soralite Yes Special
Rassen Common 25,000 gp Yes 50 lb. Soralite Yes 9 months
Zephyr Common 40,000 gp Yes 50 lb. Soralite Yes 9 months
Uncategorized
Carcassite Very Rare See description Yes 100 lb. Soralite Yes Unknown
Reaper Very Rare See description Yes 100 lb. Soralite Yes Unknown
64
Skycoach
Gargantuan vehicle (40 ft. by 15 ft.)
65
Skyskiffs and Skiff Racing
Ever since taking to the air with flying ships was pos- Gambling on the races has also become an integral part
sible, the need was there for faster, smaller, and more of the experience for spectators, with some pots rivaling
streamlined models. From a military perspective, they are the size of smaller prize pools available to racers. Most of
effective in battle as support ships to the larger frigates the racers themselves are either rich thrill-seekers with
and cruisers. From a private sector perspective, they draw nothing better to do than hone their craft, or commoners
all classes of people: providing the poor with amazing and selected from the people by wealthy skiff owners due to
daring skiff races and the rich with a thrill-seeking ride their innate skill at skiff racing.
of danger.
Many of these kinds of ships were built over the years, Racing Regulations
differing wildly in design and function and unified only by
their small size and fundamental technology. These ships Skiff racing technology doesn’t often advance much.
as a whole are known as skyskiffs. They vary in their func- Having been around for centuries, it has gone through
tion from workhorse intercity cargo haulers, to blazingly ebbs and flows of being heavily regulated to not regulated
fast racing skiffs. The class of skyskiff is a broad family at all. Depending on the country or area one finds oneself
of vessels. in, there could be a ban on a specific model of ship or
module as well as heavy rules for etiquette and conduct
during a race. Alternatively, there could be no regulations
Sport of Champions at all, where anything goes and fatalities are a common
The most prevalent and well-known use of skyskiffs are the occurrence. The massive differences between nations and
skiff races, a sport that is enjoyed across Sordane. Each their rules often leads to the creation of different leagues
country and culture has their own traditions, designs, and and circuits that have nations with similar rules compet-
rules. These occasionally deadly and highly entertaining ing against one another.
exhibitions of speed, violence, and skill are one of the most The SRC, or the Skiff Racing Commission, is the
popular forms of entertainment in Sordane. worldwide organization that oversees and regulates the
Skiff races became immensely popular as both hobby races in each league and circuit based on the laws of the
and profession over 1,000 years ago. There are continen- nation they take place in. There are many underground
tal and national leagues in every corner of the world and skiff races that happen outside of the watching eyes of the
even a world cup event every decade, pitting the most SRC, but all above-board and legal races are managed by
skilled and ruthless racers against one another. the SRC.
66
Racing Skiff
Gargantuan vehicle (20 ft. by 13 ft.)
Creature Capacity 5 (crew) Starboard Mounts. This airship has 1 starboard side mount
Cargo Capacity – on the stern of the hull.
Hull Mounts: 1 Left (Port), 1 Right (Starboard), 1 (Stern) • Upper Stern: Spell Jet Thrusters
Stern Mounts. This airship has 1 stern mount.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
• Lower Stern: Spell Jet Thrusters
18 (+4) 10 (+0) 16 (+3) 0 0 0
SHIP COMPONENTS
Saving Throws Dex (+3)
Damage Immunities poison, psychic Helm
Condition Immunities blinded, charmed, deafened, Armor Class 16
exhaustion, frightened, incapacitated, paralyzed, Hit Points 50
petrified, poisoned, prone, stunned, unconscious
Crew Minimum 1 spelldrivers
HULL Spell Jet Thrusters (3)
Armor Class 18 (15 natural armor + 3 for more than 2 spell
Armor Class 18
jet thrusters)
Hit Points 150
Hit Points 200 (damage threshold 15)
Crew Minimum –
HELM
ACTIONS
Move up to the speed of the ship's spell jet thrusters,
with one 90-degree turn. If the helm is destroyed, the ship On its turn, the airship's captain can command the ship's
can't turn. crew to take two actions from the list detailed below. It can't
use an action if the station does not have the requisite crew.
HULL MOUNTS Movement: 3 spell jet thrusters. The ship can use its helm
The airship has a combination of hull mounted modules to move with its spell jet thrusters. The ship must already
that grant it mobility and additional fighting capabilities. have been moving under its spelldriver's momentum
These hull mounted modules either add new Actions or spelldriving mode.
improve the ship's momentum. Travel (fly). 60 mph Speed (fly). 60 ft.
Port Mounts. This airship has 1 port side mount on the
stern of the hull.
• Upper Stern: Spell Jet Thrusters
67
Sintel Light Cruiser
Shard Blimp, Fleet Support, 150 ft.
Crew: 58
Propulsion: 5 Propeller Engines
Weaponry
22 Port and Starboard Deck Cannons
2 Bow-Mounted Hookshot Cannons
68
Roshan Cruiser
Soralite, Weapons Platform/Fleet Support,
350 ft.
Crew: 72
Propulsion: Sails, 7 Propeller Engines
Weaponry
4 Bow Weapon Platform Mounted Ballistae
24 Port and Starboard Deck Cannons
2 Bow-Mounted Spell Cannons
Crew: 7
Propulsion: 3 Propeller Engines
Weaponry
2 Deck-Mounted Ballistae
69
Sintel Light Cruiser Level 1: Top Deck
The top deck of the sintel is typically configured with a
Although dated, sintel light cruisers, a Cin’darian navy cabin on the stern of the ship. This cabin is used for the
mainstay, still see heavy use among Carren pirates, activities of navigation, battle discussions, and other oper-
the Cin’dar Navy, and other nations and organizations ational functions of the ship. The middle section of the top
throughout the northern continent of Bordair and beyond. deck has five cannon positions on each side. In addition
It is an extremely versatile ship. In its nearly 500 years to this, at the stern and bow of the ship, there are two half
of service, it has seen almost every iteration and config- decks. Both of these ship sections have a door entering
uration possible. Generally, it is a very cheap and robust onto the middle deck of the ship.
gunboat for the navies of many Sordane nations. Even Bow Half Section. The section in the front of the ship
within their naval duties, the sintel cruisers serve many is mostly used for storing cannonballs and food; however,
purposes. They can be fully armed high-tech soralite gun- it can also be used to transport cargo. Occasionally, it
boats or completely weaponless cargo or troop transports. will be turned into a soldier barracks when a sintel is
Even swift-moving scout ships completely loaded with overly loaded with soldiers for battle or other expedition-
propulsion modules are not unheard of for this signa- ary excursions.
ture ship. Stern Half Section. The section at the back of the ship is
Decks. The sintel has two lower decks and one upper the mess and galley of the ship where sailors relax and let
half deck on the bow and stern of the ship. In addition, loose while they eat their meals together. Occasionally this
they typically have a bridge cabin on the upper deck of section can also be turned into an expanded barracks or
the stern. munitions storage area for expanded use.
Ceilings. The ceilings in the lower decks, holds, and
cabins are 8 feet high with 6-foot high doorways. Level 2: The Engine Deck
Doors. The ship’s doors are made of wood and have The second level of the ship is the first full interior level.
AC 15, 18 hit points, and immunity to poison and psychic It has many uses. It includes the ship’s brig and the main
damage. A lock can be picked with a successful DC 15 gun deck, but the most important part is the engine room.
Dexterity check made using thieves’ tools, or the door can It is arguably the most important deck of the ship.
be forced open with a successful DC 20 Strength (Athlet- Ship’s Brig. The brig is in the bow of the ship’s second
ics) check. level. It has two main cells that are each 15 ft. x 10 ft.
Light. Hanging lanterns cast bright light throughout Their doors and bars are made of iron.
the ship. Gun Deck. The middle of the second level is the ship’s
Rigging. Rigging on the ship can be climbed without an main interior gun deck. It is separated from the front
ability check. brig by a full wall and a large iron door. It is most often
Envelope. The ship’s envelope is 160 feet long and 70 equipped with gunpowder cannons, but some richer
feet in diameter. It is made of heavy Featherhatch Canvas. nations and captains outfit their ships with expensive zap
Hull. The ship’s hull is 160 feet long and 50 feet wide. It cannons. It has the capacity for six cannons on each side.
is made of sturdy hardwoods and metals. Alternatively, some are refurbished to be passenger
ships and have their gun decks completely removed for
Example Sintel Crew more passenger-friendly facilities.
A sintel cruiser requires a relatively large crew to operate Engine Room. The stern of the second level is where
at a minimal combat level. Due to its large array of gun- the engine room is located. It is separated from the gun
powder cannons, gunners are often in great numbers on deck by a full wall and a large iron door. Shard blimp
these ships. The typical crew for a non-player-operated sintels often have smaller engines than their soralite
sintel cruiser includes the following NPCs, all of whom cousins due to the sheer size of typical soralite compo-
have proficiency with air vehicles in addition to their nents. This room is filled with engines, operating mecha-
normal statistics: nisms, and supplies for repairs, or even fuel in the case of
• One captain (page 215) shard blimps.
• Five other officers: a first mate (page 216), a bosun
(page 215), a navigator (page 216), a medic (page Level 3: Passenger Quarters
216), and a cook (page 215) The lower level of the ship is where the crew, soldiers,
• Two spelldrivers (page 217) and passengers sleep. The lower deck typically has a bow
• Thirty sailors (page 217) storage room separated away from the rest of the cabins
• Twenty soldiers (page 217) and barracks sections. On a typical configuration of a
sintel ship, you will find anywhere from 4 to 10 individual
cabins in the middle of the lowest section along with a
Ship Deck Guide general crew and soldier barracks towards the stern. The
The interior of the sintel is highly versatile. It can be barracks is often packed full of sailors while the cabins
converted for almost any use and is often configured to be house the captain, officers, and passengers.
a large passenger ship or a military cargo ship. The stan-
dard equipage is as below, but there is nothing preventing
the ship’s owner from configuring it in any way needed.
70
Sintel Light Cruiser
Gargantuan vehicle (150 ft. by 60 ft.) SHIP COMPONENTS
Creature Capacity 100 (crew and passengers) Helm
Cargo Capacity 150 tons Armor Class 16
Hull Mounts 3 Left (Port), 3 Right (Starboard), 1 Rear Hit Points 50
(Stern)
Crew Minimum 2 spelldrivers
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
Propeller Engines (5)
24 (+7) 4 (-3) 20 (+5) 0 0 0
Armor Class 18
Saving Throws Dex (-1) Hit Points 100
Damage Immunities poison, psychic Crew Minimum –
Condition Immunities blinded, charmed, deafened,
exhaustion, frightened, incapacitated, paralyzed, Hookshot Cannons (2)
petrified, poisoned, prone, stunned, unconscious Armor Class 18
Hit Points 100
HULL Crew Minimum 4
Armor Class. 17 (15 natural armor + 2 for more than two
propeller engines) Light Cannons (22)
Hit Points. 500 (damage threshold 20) Armor Class 18
Hit Points 50
HELM
Crew Minimum 3
Move up to the speed of the ship’s propeller engines,
with one 90-degree turn. If the helm is destroyed, the ship ACTIONS
can’t turn.
On its turn, the airship’s captain can command the ship’s
Minimum Crew. 2 spelldrivers crew to take actions from the list detailed below. It can’t use
an action if the station does not have the requisite crew.
HULL MOUNTS
Movement. 5 propeller engines. The ship can use its helm
The airship has a combination of hull-mounted modules to move with its propeller engines. The ship must already
that grant it mobility and additional fighting capabilities. have been moving under its spelldriver’s momentum
These hull-mounted modules either add new Actions or spelldriving mode.
improve the ship’s momentum.
Travel (fly). 50 mph Speed (fly). 50 ft.
Port Mounts. This airship has 3 port side mounts: 2 on the
Fire Port Light Cannons (11). Ranged Weapon Attack: +6
stern of the hull and 1 on the bow of the hull.
to hit, range 600/2,400 ft., one target. Hit: 44 (8d10)
• Upper Stern: Propeller Engine bludgeoning damage.
• Lower Stern: Propeller Engine Fire Starboard Light Cannons (11). Ranged Weapon Attack:
• Bow: Hookshot Cannon +6 to hit, range 600/2,400 ft., one target. Hit: 44 (8d10)
Starboard Mounts. This airship has 3 starboard side bludgeoning damage.
mounts: 2 on the stern of the hull and 1 on the bow of Fire Hookshot Cannons (2). Ranged Weapon Attack:
the hull. +6 to hit, range 120/480 ft., one target. Hit: 16 (3d10)
• Upper Stern: Propeller Engine piercing damage.
• Lower Stern: Propeller Engine Reel. The crew operating the hookshot may reel in the
• Bow: Hookshot Cannon hookshot to pull the grappled ship closer to it. The grappled
Stern Mount. This airship has 1 stern mount. ship moves 50 feet towards the grappling ship.
• Stern: Propeller Engine
71
Roshan Cruiser Bow Weapons Platform. The bow of the roshan is
outfitted with an exposed weapon platform sitting above
The roshan cruisers of the Cin’darian Navy have been in the front of the ship. This wide vantage point allows for
use and remained a mainstay in the navy for 1,000 years. the four hull-mounted ballistae to get an advantageous
They were first invented by the Cin’darian Empire in the shooting angle on their targets.
efforts to subdue the shardforged awakening during the Stern Lower Section. The lower section on the top
Construct Wars. Their ability to win engagements against deck’s stern is the captain’s quarters.
smaller ships in larger numbers won them the feared Stern Upper Section. The upper section on the stern is
reputation they have today. for daily ship operations. This is where the captain meets
They bring to bear an impressive arsenal of weaponry. with his leaders and advisers.
They are typically crewed by a large, and veteran, contin-
gent of spelldrivers who operate and fight with the ship Level 2: Brig and Gun Deck
with vicious efficiency. The second level of the ship is where the first gun deck is
Decks. The roshan has three lower decks and one located as well as the ship’s brig and mess hall and galley.
upper half deck on the bow and stern of the ship. Ship’s Brig. The brig is in the bow of the ship’s second
Ceilings. The ceilings in the lower decks, holds, and level. It has two main cells that are each 15 ft. x 10 ft.
cabins are 8 feet high with 6-foot high doorways. Their doors and bars are made of iron.
Doors. The ship’s doors are made of wood and have Gun Deck. The middle of the second level is the ship’s
AC 15, 18 hit points, and immunity to poison and psychic main interior gun deck. It is separated by a full wall and a
damage. A lock can be picked with a successful DC 15 large iron door from the brig. It is equipped with six light
Dexterity check made using thieves’ tools, or the door can cannons on each side.
be forced open with a successful DC 20 Strength (Athlet- Mess Hall / Galley. The stern of the second level is
ics) check. where the mess hall and galley are located. It is separated
Light. Hanging lanterns cast bright light throughout from the gun deck by a full wall and a large iron door.
the ship.
Rigging. Rigging on the ship can be climbed without an Level 3: Cabins and Gun Deck
ability check. The third level of the ship is where the second gun deck is
Hull. The ship’s hull is 350 feet long and 60 feet wide. It located, along with the officer and diplomat cabins. This
is made of sturdy hardwoods and metals. deck also contains a storage hold in the bow.
Storage Hold. The bow of the third level is separated
Example Roshan Crew from the middle gun deck by a full wall and a large
iron door. This storage room is used for munitions and
A roshan cruiser requires a large crew to operate at a food supplies.
minimal combat level. Due to its impressive array of Gun Deck. The middle of the third level is the ship’s
weaponry, a large number of gunners and spelldrivers main interior gun deck. It is separated by a full wall and a
are required. The typical crew for a non-player-operated large iron door from the storage hold. It is equipped with
roshan cruiser includes the following NPCs, all of whom six light cannons on each side.
have proficiency with air vehicles in addition to their Cabins. At the stern of the third level is where the
normal statistics: cabins and private quarters are located. These cabins
• One captain (page 215) are reserved for the senior spelldrivers and officers of the
• Five other officers: a first mate (page 216), a bosun ship as well as any diplomats or VIPs hitching a ride on
(page 215), a navigator (page 216), a medic (page the cruiser.
216), and a cook (page 215)
• Six spelldrivers (page 217) Level 4: Engine and Barracks
• Forty sailors (page 217) The lowest level of the ship is where the crew sleeps and
• Twenty soldiers (page 217) the engine is maintained. The two sections are divided by
a full wall and a large iron door.
Ship Deck Guide Barracks. The barracks takes up three quarters of the
The roshan’s top and interior decks are almost always fitted deck and are mainly hammocks layered on top of one
for patrol duties or wartime operations. They are a closely another. It is a cramped and less-than-private situation, but
guarded secret of the Cin’dar navy and are almost never comfortable enough for most sailors and soldiers serving
seen in any capacity other than military. The top deck is their stint on one of the proud ships.
usually where the ship’s generous contingent of spelldrivers Engine Room. The stern of the lowest level is where
and ballista crew operate from, ensuring that both get the the engine room is located. It is separated from the
best view for unleashing their weaponry upon the enemy. barracks by a full wall and a large iron door. The roshan’s
engine is massive and requires four crew members to
Level 1: Top Deck maintain and operate it at any one time.
The top deck of the roshan is configured with two half levels
on the stern and an expanded raised weapons platform on
the bow. There are no deck guns located on the top deck.
72
Roshan Cruiser
Gargantuan vehicle (350 ft. by 60 ft.) SHIP COMPONENTS
Creature Capacity 120 (crew and passengers) Helm
Cargo Capacity 300 tons Armor Class: 16
Hull Mounts: 4 Left (Port), 4 Right (Starboard), Hit Points: 50
1 Rear (Stern)
Crew Minimum: 2 spelldrivers
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
Propeller Engines (7)
24 (+7) 4 (-3) 20 (+5) 0 0 0
Armor Class: 18
Saving Throws Dex (-1) Hit Points: 100
Damage Immunities poison, psychic Crew Minimum: –
Condition Immunities blinded, charmed, deafened,
exhaustion, frightened, incapacitated, paralyzed, Sails
petrified, poisoned, prone, stunned, unconscious Armor Class: 12
Hit Points: 100
HULL Crew Minimum: –
Armor Class. 17 (15 natural armor + 2 for more than two
propeller engines) Ballistae (4)
Hit Points. 1,000 (damage threshold 20) Armor Class: 15
Hit Points: 50
HELM
Crew Minimum: 3
Move up to the speed of the ship’s propeller engines,
with one 90-degree turn. If the helm is destroyed, the ship Hookshot Cannon (2)
can’t turn.
Armor Class: 18
Minimum Crew. 2 spelldrivers
Hit Points: 100
Hull Mounts Crew Minimum: 4
The airship has a combination of hull-mounted modules
Light Cannons (24)
that grant it mobility and additional fighting capabilities.
These hull-mounted modules either add new Actions or Armor Class: 18
improve the ship’s momentum. Hit Points: 50
Port Mounts. This airship has 4 port side mounts: 2 on the Crew Minimum: 3
stern of the hull and 2 on the bow of the hull.
• Upper Stern: Propeller Engine ACTIONS
• Lower Stern: Propeller Engine On its turn, the airship’s captain can command the ship’s
crew to take two actions from the list detailed below. It can’t
• Upper Bow: Spell Cannon
use an action if the station does not have the requisite crew.
• Lower Bow: Propeller Engine
Movement: 7 propeller engines + sails. The ship can use
Starboard Mounts. This airship has 4 starboard side its helm to move with its propeller engines and sails. The
mounts: 2 on the stern of the hull and 2 on the bow of ship must already have been moving under its spelldriver’s
the hull. momentum spelldriving mode unless it’s strictly using
• Upper Stern: Propeller Engine its sails.
• Lower Stern: Propeller Engine Sails + Propeller Engines: Travel Pace. 100 mph
• Upper Bow: Spell Cannon Speed (fly). 100 ft.
• Lower Bow: Propeller Engine Propeller Engines Only: Travel Pace. 70 mph
Stern Mount: This airship has 1 stern mount. Speed (fly). 70 ft.
• Stern: Propeller Engine Sails Only: Travel Pace 30 mph Speed (fly) 30 ft.
Fire Port Light Cannons (12): Ranged Weapon Attack: +6
to hit, range 600/2,400 ft., one target. Hit: 44 (8d10)
bludgeoning damage.
Fire Starboard Light Cannons (12): Ranged Weapon Attack:
+6 to hit, range 600/2,400 ft., one target. Hit: 44 (8d10)
bludgeoning damage.
Fire Ballistae (4): Ranged Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, range
120/480 ft., one target. Hit: 16 (3d10) piercing damage.
73
Shoal Class Trade Barge blimp’s envelope. When this is the case, it serves as an
amazing vantage point for seeing the far off horizons.
Many a crew have hidden from danger within the thick However, when a shoal has been converted into a soralite,
walls of a shoal barge, with nothing but optimism and it also grants the observers the fantastic night view that
momentum to carry them through dangerous situations, other open-deck soralite ship crews get to enjoy.
hoping that their shard blimp propeller engines or sails
don’t sustain enough damage to leave them stranded and Level 1: Cockpit and Cargo
at the mercy of their attacker or send crew, cargo, and ship The top deck is used for storage, piloting, and dining.
crashing down to the ground. Cockpit. The cockpit is in the front of the ship. It has a
Decks. The shoal trade barge has one top deck accom- large glass windshield that has fantastic visibility for the
panied by an outer open walkway with access points into captain, or whomever is piloting the ship. The cockpit also
the first level. It has two interior levels. doubles as the galley for the crew. The space gets tempo-
Ceilings. The ceilings in the lower decks, holds, and rarily converted into a mess when it’s time to eat!
cabins are 8 feet high with 6-foot high doorways. Cargo Holds. The middle and the aft of the ship’s top
Doors. The ship’s doors are made of a mix of iron doors level each have their own cargo hold. They are divided by
(AC 19, 36 hit points) and wood doors (AC 15, 18 hit points). a full wall and a large iron door. Each cargo hold has a 10
The doors are immune to poison and psychic damage. A lock foot wide by 10 foot high outer cargo door. Outside are two
can be picked with a successful DC 15 Dexterity check made cranes, one for each door, that load cargo into the bays.
using thieves’ tools, or the door can be forced open with a
successful DC 20 Strength (Athletics) check. Level 2: Cabins and Engine Room
Light. Hanging lanterns cast bright light throughout the The second level of the ship is mostly taken up by passen-
ship. The ship has many windows, allowing for light on all ger and crew cabins. It also has the engine room in the
decks during the daytime without lanterns. aft section.
Hull. The ship’s hull is 90 feet long and 35 feet wide. Cabins. The shoal has five cabins in a typical layout: the
It is made of sturdy metals on the full exterior; wood and captain’s quarters in the front and four smaller stateroom
metals make up the interiors. cabins in the middle. Depending on crew size, these
cabins will be furnished differently; for instance, they
Example Shoal Crew occasionally have the appearance of a high-class tavern or
a military barracks.
The shoal trade barge doesn’t require a very large crew in Engine Room. The aft of the second level is where the
order to operate. It usually makes do with fewer than 10 shard blimp’s engine operates. It requires only one person
crew members aboard the ship whether its purpose be to maintain it at all times. The engine room is also treated
commercial or personal. like a storage room for the crew’s maintenance of the ship.
• One captain (page 215)
• One first mate (page 216) and a cook (page 215)
• One spelldriver (page 217)
Common Uses
• Three sailors (page 217) The shoal is an extremely versatile ship and has often
been jury rigged and altered to fit the needs of whoever
Ship Deck Guide gets their hands on one.
Passenger Ships. These sturdy ships are often con-
The shoal decks are almost always laid out the same way verted into passenger ships. Many of the lower class air-
whether used for trade or commercial reasons. The upper lines have a large fleet of these ships running frequent, but
deck is used for storage and has two outer doors, each relatively short, commuting routes between cities. They
with a loading crane on the outside of the ship. The lower are reliable and safe for commercial passenger use.
deck is where the engine room and the cabins are located. Smuggler Ships. These ships are favorites of smug-
glers, who disguise themselves as legitimate business
Top Level men and women in order to smuggle arms or treasure
The top level of the shoal is one of its defining features. across borders.
Aside from its large shard blimp envelope lifting the whole Mercenary Ships. Another use that most shoals see in
ship up, it has a couple of top decks that provide amazing Sordane is that of mercenary barge. Life is dangerous as an
views to its crew. adventurer in Sordane. Mercenary ships often get damaged
Walkway. The top level of the ship has a walkway that beyond repair, completely destroyed, stolen, or abandoned.
continues all around the hull. This walkway has several These cheap ships are easy for mercenary companies and
access points that lead into the interior: two on the bow adventuring parties alike to replace.
on either side of the cockpit and one in the stern leading Trade Ships. The most common use of a shoal class
into the aft cargo hold. These walkways are known as barge, and its namesake, is trade. The shoal class trade
“sky decks” and are known to provide high-flying sailors barge is an excellent investment for space and security
a sense of vertigo when they look over the railing and see due to the comparatively low production cost. As a result,
nothing at all below them for thousands of feet. this ship has developed into the backbone of the Sordane
Observation Deck. Above the walkway is the obser- trade routes.
vation deck. This deck is usually covered by the shard
74
Shoal Class Trade Barge
Gargantuan vehicle (90 ft. by 35 ft.) SHIP COMPONENTS
Creature Capacity 20 (crew and passengers) Helm (Ship’s Interior)
Cargo Capacity 100 tons Armor Class: 16
Hull Mounts: 2 Left (Port), 2 Right (Starboard), Hit Points: 50
1 Rear (Stern)
Crew Minimum: 2 spelldrivers
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
Ballistae (2)
24 (+7) 4 (-3) 20 (+5) 0 0 0
Armor Class: 15
Saving Throws Dex (-1) Hit Points: 50
Damage Immunities poison, psychic Crew Minimum: 3
Condition Immunities blinded, charmed, deafened,
exhaustion, frightened, incapacitated, paralyzed, Propeller Engine (3)
petrified, poisoned, prone, stunned, unconscious Armor Class: 20
Hit Points: 100
HULL Crew Minimum: –
Armor Class. 19 (17 steel plated hull + 2 for more than two
propeller engines) ACTIONS
Hit Points. 500 (damage threshold 20) On its turn, the airship’s captain can command the ship’s
crew to take actions from the list detailed below. It can’t use
HELM an action if the station does not have the requisite crew.
Move up to the speed of the ship’s propeller engines, Movement: 3 propeller engines + sails. The ship can use
with one 90-degree turn. If the helm is destroyed, the ship its helm to move with its propeller engines and sails. The
can’t turn. ship must already have been moving under its spelldriver’s
Crew Minimum: 1 spelldriver momentum spelldriving mode unless it’s strictly using
its sails.
HULL MOUNTS Travel Pace. 30 mph Speed (fly). 30 ft.
The airship has a combination of hull-mounted modules Fire Ballistae (2): Ranged Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, range
that grant it mobility and additional fighting capabilities. 120/480 ft., one target. Hit: 16 (3d10) piercing damage.
These hull-mounted modules either add new Actions or
improve the ship’s momentum.
Port Mounts. This airship has 2 port side mounts, 1 on the
stern of the hull and 1 on the bow of the hull.
• Stern: Propeller Engine
• Bow: None
Starboard Mounts. This airship has 2 starboard side
mounts. 1 on the stern of the hull and 1 on the bow of
the hull.
• Stern: Propeller Engine
• Bow: None
Stern Mount. This airship has 1 stern mount.
• Stern: Propeller Engine
75
Geshtar Dreadnought
Soralite, Operations/Fleet Support,
300 ft.
Crew: 119
Propulsion: 4 Spell Jet Thrusters
Weaponry
8 Port and Starboard Heavy Cannons
24 Port and Starboard Light Cannons
5 Bow Light Cannons
2 Bow-Mounted Spell Cannons
2 Bow-Mounted Hookshot Cannons
76
The Gleaming Shard
Soralite, Science Vessel, 100 ft.
Crew: 31
Propulsion: 2 Spell Jet Thrusters
Weaponry
3 Port and Starboard Spell Cannons
2 Port and Starboard Twin Spell Cannons
Crew: 31
Propulsion: 5 Spell Jet Thrusters
Weaponry
2 Bow-Mounted Spell Cannons
2 Bow-Mounted Hookshot Cannons
77
Geshtar Dreadnought Bow Observation. The front bow has a raised observa-
tion deck that allows onlookers to peer at where the ship
The geshar dreadnoughts are a rare breed of ship that is is going. Some geshtars have benches and a minor garden
used primarily by a single faction—the Arrodan Syndicate. here as well.
This highly organized crime syndicate uses these ships as Open Gun Deck. The middle of the top deck has five
mobile headquarters for their operations. Even though they light cannons lining each side, but is mainly open space.
are a rare ship, it is unknown how many the syndicate owns. When families are on board, or the sailors need to let
The geshtar is a truly massive ship. It has five inte- loose, this deck is used as an exercise area for games and
rior decks and is more like a mobile village than a ship. sports. Many game balls have been lost to the skies.
Its sheer size makes it nearly unbeatable in the skies; Helm & Operations Cabin. The top upper section on
geshtars have been known to take out entire fleets of the stern is for daily ship operations. This is where the
frigates and even cruisers when confronted with direct captain meets with his leaders and advisers. There are
combat. It doesn’t happen often. beds in the operations cabin as well where the unit on
Decks. The geshtar has an expansive top deck with a duty spends its time.
cabin on the stern, four full-sized lower decks and a partial
bottom storage deck. Level 2: Gun Deck and Cabins
Ceilings. The ceilings in the lower decks, holds, and The second deck, and first interior deck, is where the
cabins are 8 feet high with 6-foot high doorways. ship’s heavy cannon is situated, along with munitions
Doors. The ship’s doors are made of wood and have storage space and officer cabins.
AC 15, 18 hit points, and immunity to poison and psychic Bow Cannon Battery. The ship has a bow-mounted
damage. A lock can be picked with a successful DC 15 cannon battery that is equipped with five light cannons
Dexterity check made using thieves’ tools, or the door can that face forward and to the sides. These cannons are
be forced open with a successful DC 20 Strength (Athlet- seldom used in all-out combat, but do offer versatility.
ics) check. Heavy Gun Deck. The middle of the second level is
Light. Hanging lanterns cast bright light throughout the ship’s main interior gun deck. It is separated from
the ship. the front bow cannon battery by a full wall and large iron
Hull. The ship’s hull is 300 ft long and 65 ft wide. It is doors. There are four heavy cannons on both sides of
made of sturdy hardwoods and metals. the deck.
Storage Antechambers. After the heavy gun deck,
Example Geshtar Crew there are two antechamber rooms that serve as storage
for gunpowder and munitions for the cannons on this
A geshtar dreadnought requires a large crew to operate level. They also function as a mini-armory for the soldiers
at a minimal combat level. Due to its impressive array of on the level.
weaponry and size, a large number of gunners, techni- Officer Quarters. At the aft of the second level are
cians, and spelldrivers are required. The typical crew for cabins usually reserved for the captain, his officers, or
a non-player-operated geshtar dreadnought includes the military officers of the soldier contingent on the ship. It’s
following NPCs, all of whom have proficiency with air not uncommon for the senior spelldrivers to occupy these
vehicles in addition to their normal statistics: cabins as well.
• One captain (page 215)
• Ten other officers: a first mate (page 216), a bosun Level 3: Cabins, Operations,
(page 215), a navigator (page 216), three medics and Magic Garden
(page 216), and four cooks (page 215) The third level of the ship has a magical garden, more
• Eight spelldrivers (page 217) cabins, the galley, a mess hall, and a conference room.
• Sixty sailors (page 217) Magic Garden. The front of the third level has a unique
• Forty soldiers (page 217) magical garden that is always magically illuminated to
reflect the time of day outside. At night, it is twilit, and
Ship Deck Guide in the day it’s sun-bright—unless it’s raining and cloudy
outside, in which case it’s cloudy in the magic garden
The geshtar has the capacity to have full communities on
as well.
board. Sailors will often spend many months on board
Cabins. After the magic garden are five passen-
without making berth even once. Especially considering the
ger cabins. Officers and spelldrivers can also occupy
secretive nature of the Arrodan Syndicate, it is common to
these rooms.
spend over a year on board without seeing the port of a city.
Galley. Situated with the five cabins around it is the
The top deck is used for recreation while the lower
ship’s galley where the cooks prepare meals almost non-
decks are used for cargo, accommodation, and everyday
stop for the whole crew.
life for the crew.
Crew Mess. Past the galley and the cabins, near the
middle of the ship is the crew’s mess hall.
Level 1: Top Deck Operations & Cabins. At the aft of the third level is the
The top deck of the geshtar is vast expanse with an
main operations conference room as well as further officer
observation deck at the bow and an operations cabin on
cabins. This is usually where the officers, guests, and other
the stern.
VIP eat, socialize, and separate from the rest of the crew.
78
Geshtar Dreadnought
Gargantuan vehicle (300 ft. by 65 ft.) Spell Cannons (2)
Armor Class: 18
Creature Capacity 250 (crew and passengers)
Hit Points: 125
Cargo Capacity 400 tons
Crew Minimum: 3 (at least one spelldriver)
Hull Mounts: 4 Left (Port), 4 Right (Starboard)
79
Level 4: Cargo Bay and Barracks Gun Deck and Armory. The bow of the fifth level has a
The fourth level of the ship has the main cargo bay, bar- line of seven light cannons on each side. It has an armory
racks, and a forge. and a couple of further storage rooms between these
Cargo Bay. The middle of the fourth level is the main two rooms.
cargo bay of the ship. There are two massive cargo bay Engine Room. The aft of the ship is where the massive
doors on either side measuring 15 ft. x 15 ft. This section engine room is situated. It is separated from the gun deck
expands to the deck above it with a bridge crossing over by two antechambers where the engine supplies and
it from the mess hall to the conference room on the maintenance equipment are stored. This is also where the
third floor. ship’s contingent of repair drones are stored.
Barracks. The whole bow of the fourth level is reserved
for the crew barracks. Divided into multiple cabins to offer Level 6: Storage
a modicum of privacy, the barracks are typically cramped The final level of the ship is a minor storage room located
rooms filled with reasonably comfortable hammocks. at the bow of the ship under the lower gun deck.
Storage and Forge. The aft section of the fourth level is
where the ship’s forge and main storage is.
Level 1
(Top Deck)
Level 2
(Gun Deck and Cabins)
80
Level 3
(Cabins, Operations
and Magic Garden)
Level 4
(Cargo Bay and
Barracks)
Level 5
(Gun Deck, Amrory
and Engine Room)
Level 6
(Storage)
81
The Gleaming Shard
Some ships in Sordane are so rare that they are unlikely • One master artificer (page 219, Legendary Spelldriver)
to be seen outside of major cities. The Gleaming Shard • One cook (page 215)
is one of these ships. It was originally created by Ezdin’s • Twelve spelldrivers (page 217)
lead artificers’ guild—The Guild of the Heart—to study the • Five sailors (page 217)
magical effects of the convergence storms on Sordane. • Ten soldiers (page 217)
It proved so successful that the Guild of the Heart • Two shard guardians (page 144)
released its blueprints to allow others to study natural
phenomena around the world, now this scientific ship Ship Deck Guide
is produced by leading artificers’ guilds all across
Sordane. Even after all the years that have passed since The ship is typically used for science and transportation
its conception, its place among the most prestigious for the guild master. Accordingly, it’s usually very well
airships that one would see in Sordane is still a firm decorated and designed for luxury use.
one. In order to protect the interests of the guilds that
produce it, and the technologies that this airship will Level 1: Top Deck
employ, it has a serious array of weaponry and a large The arrangement of the top deck of the gleaming shard is
crew to ensure anyone who picks a fight with the airship basic: an open design with a stacked stern cabin and helm.
is swiftly dealt with. Helm. The stern of the ship’s top deck has the helm
The ship’s study of convergence storms is a potentially stacked upon the upper half deck.
dangerous endeavour, due to the volatile nature of such Lower Deck Antechamber. The lower decks are
storms. In an attempt to monitor these storms, a gleaming accessed through a staircase in the antechamber in the
shard will always have a large haul of artifacts and sor- bow. Shard guardians sit before its door, too large to fit
dalite tech on board. This would make them an appetising through but eternal guardians for the internal ship.
target for looters and pirates if not for the array of spell
cannons and the expansive crew of spelldrivers, shard
Level 2: Laboratory,
guardians, and soldiers on board. In fact, a gleaming Galley, and Cabins
shard will almost always be avoided by looters because of The second level of the ship houses the cabins for the
this arsenal. master artificer, the galley, and the laboratory workshop.
The gleaming shard is one of the rarest airships created Observation Balcony. At the bow of the ship is the
in Sordane, and the cost to build it is a reflection of its upper observation deck. There is a balcony here hanging
rarity. For this reason it is not uncommon to see pirates over the lower deck and looking out through the front
band together to attempt to steal one of these ships. Not glass dome.
only is the ship and sordalite crystal itself worth a large Cabins. The cabins on the second level are for the
fortune, but the additional equipment, facilities, and infor- master artificer and his closest lieutenants.
mation stored aboard these ships is always desired among Galley. The ship’s galley is located in the middle of the
the black markets of Sordane. ship next to the cabins.
Decks. The gleaming shard has two lower decks and Laboratory. At the stern of the second level is the labo-
one upper half deck on the stern of the ship. ratory where the spelldriving wizards and artificers spend
Ceilings. The ceilings in the lower decks, holds, and their time doing experiments.
cabins are 8 feet high with 6-foot high doorways.
Doors. The ship’s doors are made of wood and have
Level 3: Recreation,
AC 15, 18 hit points, and immunity to poison and psychic Barracks, and Engine Room
damage. A lock can be picked with a successful DC 15 The third level of the gleaming shard is where the majority
Dexterity check made using thieves’ tools, or the door can of the crew spends their time. There is a recreational
be forced open with a successful DC 20 Strength (Athlet- observation room in the bow followed by the barracks and
ics) check. engine room.
Light. Hanging lanterns cast bright light throughout Recreational Observation. Arguably the most prom-
the ship. The front observation deck is solid glass and is inent feature of the gleaming shard, the lower deck bow
always lit in the daytime. has a recreational room in it for the crew to relax and
Hull. The ship’s hull is 100 feet long and 40 feet wide. It socialize. It has an amazing view over the land below as
is made of sturdy hardwoods and metals. the ship glides through the clouds.
Barracks. The barracks is separated from the observa-
tion room by a full wall and an iron door. The barracks has
Example Gleaming Shard Crew enough beds for the regular crew and spelldrivers of the
Piloting a gleaming shard requires relatively few crew ship; it’s a relatively comfortable experience compared to
members, but the vessel rarely travels with less than half the other ships of Sordane.
of its capacity. The typical crew of the gleaming shard Engine Room. The few regular crew members that are
includes the following NPCs, all of whom have proficiency on the ship are there for the sole purpose of maintaining
with air vehicles in addition to their normal statistics: and fixing the gleaming shard’s engine.
82
The Gleaming Shard
Gargantuan vehicle (100 ft. by 40 ft.) SHIP COMPONENTS
Creature Capacity 40 (crew and passengers) Helm
Cargo Capacity 100 tons Armor Class: 18
Hull Mounts: 3 Left (Port), 3 Right (Starboard), 1 Front Hit Points: 100
(Bow)
Crew Minimum: 2 spelldrivers
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
Spell Cannons (3)
25 (+7) 3 (-4) 20 (+5) 0 0 0
Armor Class: 18
Damage Immunities poison, psychic Hit Points: 100
Condition Immunities blinded, charmed, deafened, Crew Minimum: –
exhaustion, frightened, incapacitated, paralyzed,
petrified, poisoned, prone, stunned, unconscious Twin Spell Cannons (2)
Armor Class: 18
HULL Hit Points: 100
Armor Class. 17 (reinforced hull) Crew Minimum: –
Hit Points. 750 (damage threshold 20)
Spell Jet Thrusters (2)
HELM Armor Class: 18
Armor Class. 18 Hit Points: 100
Move up to the speed of the ship’s spell jet thrusters, Crew Minimum: –
with one 90-degree turn. If the helm is destroyed, the ship
can’t turn. ACTIONS
HULL MOUNTS On its turn, the airship’s captain can command the ship’s
crew to take two actions from the list detailed below. It can’t
The airship has a combination of hull mounted modules use an action if the station does not have the requisite crew.
that grant it mobility and additional fighting capabilities.
These hull mounted modules either add new Actions or Movement: 2 spell jet thrusters. The ship can use its helm
improve the ship’s momentum. to move with its spell jet thrusters. The ship must already
have been moving under its spelldriver’s momentum
Port Mounts. This airship has 3 port side mounts, 2 on the spelldriving mode.
stern of the hull and 1 on the bow of the hull.
Travel Pace. 40 mph Speed (fly). 40 ft.
• Upper Stern: Spell Jet Thruster
• Lower Stern: Twin Spell Cannon
• Bow: Spell Cannon
Starboard Mounts. This airship has 3 starboard side
mounts, 2 on the stern of the hull and 1 on the bow of
the hull.
• Upper Stern: Spell Jet Thruster
• Lower Stern: Twin Spell Cannon
• Bow: Spell Cannon
Bow Mount. This airship has 1 bow mount.
• Bow: Spell Cannon
83
Rassen Assault Frigate Operations and Antechambers. The stern half deck
cabin on the top deck is mostly used as an area for all
The rassen assault frigate is the most common frigate in forms of recreation and meals. It has a full rear-facing
all of Sordane. Despite being a soralite ship, its relatively array of windows and can be converted into any space the
inexpensive construction cost has made it one of the most crew may need at the time. Additionally, there are ante-
widely sought-after ships in the world, and it is constantly chambers leading into the ship’s interior. These antecham-
being produced to meet the demand. It is compact, cheap, bers are mostly used as storage rooms.
and powerful for its size, accommodating a 50 lb. crystal
alongside its standard bow-mounted spell and hookshot Level 2: Cabins and Engine Room
cannons. The popularity of the rassen assault frigate, and Cabins. The rassen has two lower cabins for the crew
the wide availability of the materials required to produce and passengers. The bow cabin is the barracks where all
them, has resulted in the techniques required to produce of the crew sleep, and situated next to the engine room in
and maintain the ship being readily available to anyone the stern is the captain’s cabin.
interested in a rassen. Antechamber. The middle room on the lower deck is
Because of its attractive pricing and its availability, the an antechamber and storage area where the crew stores
rassen has accrued a variety of uses. Militaries use them mission-sensitive objectives and other cargo. It has an
as scouting ships; civilian companies as trade or escort iron door leading out of the ship and a wooden door with
ships. On the other side of the law, they are popular with access to the internal ship.
pirates as raiding ships. Engine Room. In the aft of the lower deck is the ship’s
Decks. The rassen has one lower deck and an upper compact engine room. It requires two crew members to
deck with a half deck on the stern. monitor it constantly and ensure nothing goes wrong.
Ceilings. The ceilings in the lower decks, holds, and Since the rassen is almost always under constant propul-
cabins are 8 feet high with 6-foot high doorways. sion, and the engine is quite small to handle its dual jet
Doors. The ship’s doors are made of wood and have thruster engines, it needs to be tended to regularly.
AC 15, 18 hit points, and immunity to poison and psychic
damage. A lock can be picked with a successful DC 15 Common Uses
Dexterity check made using thieves’ tools, or the door can
be forced open with a successful DC 20 Strength (Athlet- Being the frigate of choice throughout Sordane, the
ics) check. rassen has found itself being employed by many different
Light. Hanging lanterns cast bright light throughout groups of individuals, each making use of its versatility.
the ship. Mercenaries. The rassen has high speed and versa-
Hull. The ship’s hull is 100 feet long and 30 feet wide. It tile spell cannons providing the crew multiple tools to
is made of sturdy hardwoods and metals. accomplish a plethora of missions. It is a favorite among
mercenaries especially because of the wide variety of jobs
Example Rassen Crew that they may have to take on. With the skies of Sordane
being so unpredictable, having these tools is a necessity.
A rassen assault frigate requires a modest crew to operate One day they may be defending a convoy against raiding
at a minimal combat level. The typical crew for a non- vessels and the next they may be safeguarding them
player-operated rassen assault frigate includes the follow- against well-known creature-infested areas.
ing NPCs, all of whom have proficiency with air vehicles in Military. The rassen is primarily used by militaries as
addition to their normal statistics: low-risk scout or fleet support ships: making use of the
• One captain (page 215) smaller size and above-average speed to create issues on
• Five other officers: a first mate (page 216), a bosun the battlefield; causing damage to other ships on flybys;
(page 215), a navigator (page 216), a medic (page scouting ahead of larger ships in the fleet to gain a strate-
216), and a cook (page 215) gic advantage in open warfare. The shoal might be hailed
• Ten spelldrivers (page 217) as the workhorse of the commercial world; the rassen is
• Ten sailors (page 217) the workhorse of the military.
• Ten soldiers (page 217) Pirates. Pirates that get ahold of a rassen often use
them as raiding ships, harassing ships with its cannons
Ship Deck Guide or quickly approaching to attack with a large boarding
party, offensively bombarding any ship that doesn’t have
The rassen’s deck plan is focused around short term the speed to escape being boarded. Pirates will often go to
voyages and speed. They are incredibly versatile, but serve great lengths to steal the ships that they attack and all of
little use outside of mission objectives. However, the crew their cargo over destroying them.
lives comfortably enough on the lower deck. Traders. The cost-effective nature of a rassen assault
frigate persuades many companies to buy and use them
Level 1: Top Deck as transport escort ships. In this capacity the rassen fulfill
The top deck of the rassen is usually equipped with a many of the same duties that they would under the charge
handful of light cannons or left completely bare for speed. of the military—scouting ahead or fighting in protection of
The upper stern deck is where the helm is located. cargo, for example.
84
Rassen Assault Frigate
Gargantuan vehicle (100 ft. by 30 ft.)
85
Pinnacle Luxury Yacht
Soralite, Entertainment Ship, 200 ft.
Crew: 17
Propulsion: 6 Spell Jet Thrusters
Weaponry
None
86
Istari Frigate
Soralite, Scout, 100 ft.
Crew: 23
Propulsion: Sails, 8 Propeller Engines
Weaponry
2 Bow-Mounted Spell Cannons
87
Pinnacle Luxury Yacht Light. Arcane lighting hangs throughout the ship,
casting bright light.
One of the most expensive ships in all of Sordane, the Hull. The ship’s hull is 200 feet long and 90 feet wide. It
pinnacle is a luxury yacht designed for royalty, import- is made of sturdy hardwoods and metals.
ant diplomats, and the obscenely wealthy as a status
symbol or trophy. Due to the nature of these ships they Example Pinnacle Crew
are not unique to just one nation or country, but are
instead built using the finest materials Sordane has to A pinnacle luxury yacht is designed to be a leisure ship
offer. The pinnacle is sold all over the world; however, for the upper class of Sordane. There is no weaponry
due to the extremely high price tag set on them, they built into the ship’s hull or deck; as such the majority of
are a rare sight to see for the layman or poorer folk the crew is sailors. The ship is also outfitted with a team
of Sordane. of repair drones to maintain the ship during travel. The
The pinnacle is designed to provide the highest class of typical crew for a non-player-operated pinnacle luxury
experience to the owner and guests. It has no weaponry yacht includes the following NPCs, all of whom have pro-
built into it, instead focusing on lavish comfort and high ficiency with air vehicles in addition to their normal statis-
class speed provided by no expense being spared on the tics:
engineering, sourcing of materials, and manufacturing • One captain (page 215)
of a pinnacle airship. The lack of defensive weapons on • Four other officers: a navigator (page 216), a medic
pinnacle ships have led to their being used near or around (page 216), and two cooks (page 215)
larger cities under the watchful eye of local guards and • Two spelldrivers (page 217)
in need of an escort as a necessity when travelling over • Ten sailors (page 217)
long distances due to the appetising cost of the airship to • Three repair drones (page 150)
pirates and looters.
Pinnacle yacht crews are always highly trained indi- Ship Deck Guide
viduals. Prospective crewmembers will train in year-long
The pinnacle is primarily a luxury ship. Its main focus
courses that cover everything a member of a high-profile
is for entertainment purposes as such the top deck; and
crew entourage would need to know to provide a safe and
the third and fourth decks are left open for the owner to
well-catered experience to anyone onboard, from cultural
hold celebrations aboard the ship. The rest of the ship is
etiquette around Sordane, to airship maintenance and
designated for the live-in crew. While the layout of the pin-
management, to security procedures.
nacle can vary from ship to ship this is the most common
configuration for it.
Pinnacle Protocol
A pinnacle airship is a looter’s dream. The expensive Level 1: Top Deck
materials used in its construction are extremely easy to The top deck of the pinnacle has two half levels on the
scrap and sell for parts as a highly profitable endeavor. stern and an open deck on the bow. There are no guns
This has led to the pinnacle airships being targeted by located on the top deck.
massive pirate fleets and dangerous individuals. In the Stern Lower Section. The lower section on the top
event of an encounter, pinnacle captains are instructed to deck’s stern is the captain’s quarters and also has the
make use of the ship’s blistering speed. ship’s helm in it. It also functions as a meeting room for
Utilizing the six spell jet thrusters a pinnacle is expected the captain and the officers.
to escape any combat no matter the cost, with any other Stern Upper Section. The upper section on the stern
ships in the fleet covering the pinnacle’s escape however of the pinnacle is for the owner or VIPs. It serves as
they can. By using this manoeuvre not only do they their sleeping/living quarters aboard the ship, and has
preserve the lavish experience of riding the pinnacle for large glass windows for them to observe the scenes
the passengers onboard, they also prevent the need for during travel.
repairs by avoiding danger. This all-hands-on-deck tactical
retreat has been dubbed the pinnacle protocol by captains Level 2: Cabins and Galley/Mess Hall
of these ships, and is expected to be employed under any The second level of the pinnacle is designated for the
circumstance deemed necessary. officers and crews sleeping quarters, along with the galley
Decks. The pinnacle has three lower decks and two and mess hall.
upper half decks on the stern of the ship. Galley/Mess Hall. The bow of the second level is where
Ceilings. The ceilings in the lower decks, holds, and the galley is located. It is separated from the mess hall by
cabins are 9 feet high with 6-foot high doorways. a full wall and a wooden door. The mess hall sits in the
Doors. The ship’s doors are made of a mix of iron middle room of the second level.
doors (AC 19, 36 hit points) and wood doors (AC 15, 18 Cabins. At the stern of the second level are the sleeping
hit points). The doors are immune to poison and psychic quarters for the ship’s crew. It is separated from the mess
damage. A lock can be picked with a successful DC 15 hall by a full wall and a wooden door.
Dexterity check made using thieves’ tools, or the door can
be forced open with a successful DC 20 Strength (Athlet-
ics) check.
88
Level 3: Dining Hall and Storage Level 4: Observation Deck
The third level of the ship has a dining hall and Observation Room. The lowest level of the pinnacle is an
storage hold. observation deck, fit with large windows along the stern
Storage Hold. The bow of the third level is used to so that passengers can enjoy the view while travelling
store food-supplies. aboard it. A large opening in the floor on the stern of the
Dining Hall. The center of the third level is a large third level provides a view into the observation room along
dining hall. Used to hold events on the ship’s interior or for with staircase access down.
the owner/VIP during travel.
HULL MOUNTS
The airship has a combination of hull-mounted modules
that grant it mobility and additional fighting capabilities.
These hull-mounted modules either add new Actions or
improve the ship’s momentum.
Port Mounts. This airship has 3 port side mounts, 2 on the
stern of the hull and 1 on the bow of the hull.
• Upper Stern: Spell Jet Thruster
• Lower Stern: Spell Jet Thruster
• Middle Bow: Spell Jet Thruster
Starboard Mounts. This airship has 3 starboard side
mounts, 2 on the stern of the hull and 1 on the bow of
the hull.
• Upper Stern: Spell Jet Thruster
• Lower Stern: Spell Jet Thruster
• Middle Bow: Spell Jet Thruster
89
Istari Frigate Rigging. Rigging on the ship can be climbed without an
ability check.
The istari of the auran elves are truly a marvel of magic Hull. The ship’s hull is 100 feet long and 25 feet wide. It
and engineering. Most ships are built and pieced together is made of sturdy hardwoods.
in stages, each part crafted by hand to fit the puzzle and
topped off with the cornerstone, the sordalite crystal. The Example Istari Crew
istari class are grown from the ground up, literally. Once
a piece of sordalite is chosen, it is brought to an ancient A istari frigate is generally outfitted with a specific
builders’ grove and buried The shipwrights of the auran purpose in mind, as such the crew aboard it varies
elves spend the next three nights in a trance around the depending on the ship’s purpose. The typical crew for a
site casting ancient druidic rituals. Over the next year and non-player-operated istari frigate includes the following
a day the ship is grown; the shipwrights spend that time NPCs, all of whom have proficiency with air vehicles in
cultivating and shaping, trimming and molding the ship addition to their normal statistics:
into its final form. • One captain (page 215)
No two istari class ships are exactly the same. While • Five other officers: a first mate (page 216), a bosun
one group of shipwrights will tend to form them nearly the (page 215), a navigator (page 216), a medic (page
same every time, another group may alter a few details 216), and a cook (page 215)
or placements depending on their preference. The istari • Four spelldrivers (page 217)
class, while not too rare, to see the same one again is a • Eight sailors (page 217)
rare sight indeed as the istari are made for a purpose, a • Five soldiers (page 217)
task on hand. When their grand plan is finished or when
they are too damaged to continue on they return to their Ship Deck Guide
grove and are taken back to the ground. The sordalite
The istari’s deck varies depending on its purpose, as
crystal is recovered and placed back into the sacred vaults
they are all built for a specific reason and then disman-
to await a new voyage.
tled. For this reason the ships focus less on having a
Aside from the cuthari’s hivemind reapers the istari
strong weapons arsenal and rely more on speed and
frigate is one of the most distinguishable ships in
spell cannons.
Sordane. Even though one may not see the exact same
ship more than once they will always notice the curved
and twisted hull, as if the roots of a tree had been
Level 1: Top Deck
The top deck of the istari has two half levels on the stern
shaped to hold it together. Due to the natural grown
of the ship. Sprouting out of the deck are enormous tree
aspect and look of the istari, it is often joked about and
trunks which serve as sturdy masts for the tightly woven,
referred to as a flying topiary garden. Despite this it
vine based sails used on an istari ship.
is always a sight to behold as this emerald ship sails
Stern Lower Section. The first lower section on top of
through the skies.
the deck’s stern is split into two parts by a full wall with a
Purpose Built. As each istari frigate is built to complete
wooden door. The first section is for daily ship operations.
a specific mission in service of the auran elves. Failing to
This is where the captain will meet with his advisers. The
complete its purpose-built mission is seen as one of the
second section at the stern is the captain’s quarters.
most shameful badges a captain can earn in the auran
Stern Upper Section. The top upper section on the
culture. Should one of the istari be destroyed while trying
stern has the ship’s helm.
to complete its task, the auran elves will adjust the ship’s
design to augment what it lacked for the mission. This Level 2: Meditation and
could involve any number of adjustments to the ship
such as reinforcing the hull, outfitting it with additional
Mess Hall / Galley Deck
The second level of the ship is where the mess hall and
weapons, or even replacing the propeller engines with
galley are located. In addition to this the second level of
spell jet thrusters to increase its speed.
the istari contains a storage hold in the bow. Due to elves
Build Cost. Due to the unique nature surrounding the
not requiring sleep like normal races there is a small room
istari frigate’s construction there is no set price for the
in the center of this deck to allow them to meditate.
ship’s hull. The ship changes depending on the work it is
Storage Hold. In the bow of the second level is the
required to do; it is up to each GM to list a hull price they
ship’s storage hold. It is separated from the meditation
believe is reasonable.
room by a half wall and a wooden door. This storage room
Decks. The istari frigate typically consists of 1 lower
is used for munitions and food supplies.
deck and 1 upper deck.
Meditation Room. Between the storage hold and the
Ceilings. The ceilings in the lower decks, holds, and
mess hall is the meditation room where the officers and
cabins are normally 9 feet high with 7-foot doorways.
crew will rest during their voyages.
However, due to the material and manner of their con-
Mess Hall / Galley. The sternside half of the second
struction it can vary from room to room.
level is where the mess hall and galley are located. It is
Light. Bioluminescent leaves and toadstools provide
separated from the meditation room by a full wall and a
dim lighting throughout the whole ship, though in
wooden door.
some rooms glass lanterns full of organic fungus shed
bright light.
90
Istari Class Frigate
Gargantuan vehicle (100 ft. by 25 ft.)
SHIP COMPONENTS
Creature Capacity 30 (crew and passengers)
Cargo Capacity 50 tons Helm (Ship’s Interior)
Hull Mounts: 5 Left (Port), 5 Right (Starboard) Armor Class: 16
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA Hit Points: 50
24 (+7) 4 (-3) 20 (+5) 0 0 0 Crew Minimum: 2 spelldrivers
91
Zephyr Frigate
Soralite, Fleet Support/Scout, 130 ft.
Crew: 23
Propulsion: 5 Spell Jet Thrusters
Weaponry
14 Port and Starboard Light Cannons
2 Bow-Mounted Hookshot Cannons
92
Algor Cruiser
Soralite, Fleet Support/Scout, 150 ft.
Crew: 35
Propulsion: 4 Spell Jet Thrusters
Weaponry
16 Port and Starboard Light Cannons
2 Bow Light Cannons
2 Bow-Mounted Hookshot Cannons
2 Bow-Mounted Spell Cannons
93
Zephyr Assault Frigate Level 1: Top Deck
The top deck of the zephyr is split, with two half levels on
Should a need arise in the Cin’darian navy, talented the stern and a weapons platform in the center and bow of
artificers are quickly brought in to fill this hole. When the the deck.
roshan cruisers started becoming the mainstay of the Weapons Platform. The zephyr is outfitted with hull-
Cin’darian navy, Cin’dar’s enemies started attempting to mounted ballistae on the center port and starboard sides
exploit its weaknesses by creating faster, more agile ships. of the ship.
Cin’dar, in response, designed the zephyr assault frigate. Stern Lower Section. The first lower section on the top
Built to be paired with the roshan, specifically acting as deck’s stern is the captain’s quarters.
flank guard and recon ship, it excelled and even saw great Stern Upper Section. The top upper section on the
success by the side of its big cousin cruisers. The z ephyr’s stern is where the helm is placed.
construction was seen as the pinnacle of success for
Cin’darian engineering. It was so successful that a stagger- Level 2: Barracks and
ing amount of zephyrs were built during war time. Mess Hall / Galley
Newly damaged ships were often sold to guild and mer- The second level of the ship contains the barracks along
chants organizations since it was more cost effective to sell with the mess hall and galley.
suboptimal, yet functional, ships than it was to spend time Barracks. The barracks take up three quarters of the
and resources repairing them. This selling off of Cin’darian deck and are mainly hammocks all layered on top of one
navy technology has been so rampant over the past century, another. It is a cramped and less-than-private situation, but
these zephyr class ships are massively prevalent outside comfortable enough for most sailors and soldiers.
of the Cin’darian navy and are one of the only militaryclass Mess Hall / Galley. The stern of the second level is
ships often seen owned and piloted by civilians. where the mess hall and galley are located. It is separated
Decks. The zephyr has 2 lower decks and 1 upper half from the barracks by a full wall and a large iron door.
deck on the stern of the ship.
Ceilings. The ceilings in the lower decks, holds, and Level 3: Cabins and Gun Deck
cabins are 7 feet high with 6-foot high doorways. The third level of the ship is the officers’ and spelldrivers’
Doors. The ship’s doors are made of a mix of iron doors cabins and gun deck. There is also a small munitions
(AC 19, 36 hit points) and wood doors (AC 15, 18 hit points). storage hold.
The doors are immune to poison and psychic damage. A lock Cabins. At the stern of the third level is where the cabins
can be picked with a successful DC 15 Dexterity check made and private quarters are located. These cabins are reserved
using thieves’ tools, or the door can be forced open with a for the senior spelldrivers and officers of the ship as well as
successful DC 20 Strength (Athletics) check. any diplomats or VIPs hitching a ride on the frigate.
Light. Hanging lanterns cast bright light throughout Gun Deck. The middle of the third level is the ship’s
the ship. interior gun deck. It is separated by a full wall and a large
Hull. The ship’s hull is 130 ft. long and 30 ft. wide. It is iron door from the stern cabins. It is equipped with 7 light
made of sturdy hardwoods and metal. cannons on each side.
Storage Hold. The bow of the third level is used to
Example Zephyr Crew store munitions.
A zephyr frigate is built to operate with a small crew. Due
to the size of its crew, only half of its weapons can be Common Uses
operational at a time. The typical crew for a non-player- Due to the zephyr being sold to the general public its use
operated zephyr frigate includes the following NPCs, all has drastically changed since its conception, shifting from
of whom have proficiency with air vehicles in addition to a military ship to a high-class trade ship, hunting ships,
their normal statistics: and even pirate ships.
• One captain (page 215) Hunting Ships. The ship’s prowess having been proven
• Five other officers: a first mate (page 216), a bosun in open warfare, the most common use of it outside of the
(page 215), a navigator (page 216), a medic (page Cin’darian navy is as a hunting ship. Bought, repaired, and
216), and a cook (page 215) refitted by either the guilds of Ezdin, or mercenary groups
• Two spelldrivers (page 217) across Sordane, these groups make use of the zephyr’s
• Five sailors (page 217) speed to hunt down dangerous monsters that would
• Ten soldiers (page 217) otherwise harry merchant ships. Decorated with trophies
of dangerous monsters, hunting ships are easily distin-
Ship Deck Guide guished from those still used by the Cin’darian navy.
The zephyr is generally outfitted to be ready for combat. Pirating Ships. Despite the good that has come from
Acting as an assistance ship to the roshan cruiser, it the zephyr being released to the public, there are those that
focuses more on speed and flanking opposing airships have used it for nefarious purposes. It is less common to
than it does pure firepower. The top deck is gener- see one of these ships end up in pirates hands than but not
ally lightly manned, only relying on spelldrivers and unheard of. Pirates have been known to disguise the ship
mounted ballistae. as if it were still active in the Cin’dar navy, approaching and
attacking unsuspecting ships.
94
Zephyr Assault Frigate
Gargantuan vehicle (130 ft. by 30 ft.)
95
Algor Cruiser Ship Deck Guide
As deadly as it is beautiful, the algor cruiser is awe inspir- The algor frigates are always manned and ready for
ing, from the glamorous exterior styling to the extensive combat. The third deck holds a large number of light
arsenal it can field. The algor is seen by most as the back- cannons with additional support coming from spelldrivers
bone of the known Arrodan Syndicate. While in a fleet, the on the top deck.
algors serve as escort and recon ships to assist the larger
geshtar class dreadnoughts. While acting independently Level 1: Top Deck
of a geshtar, the algor is able to show off its versatility, The algor cruiser has no guns on either of the two half
proving it is more than just a fleet support ship. levels that it has as part of its top deck. Anything and
As the organization is mostly secretive, the cruiser’s real anyone on the top deck should always be braced and
numbers are unknown, but they are the most common secured, as captains of an algor cruiser will often employ
ships seen with the Arrodan insignia on them, representing impressive evasive manoeuvres; potentially launch-
the front-facing guild that the crime syndicate hides behind. ing anything not secured to the top deck off the ship.
Its ability to be used for many different purposes from Spelldrivers manning the top deck of an algor cruiser
hauling and protecting valuable cargo to being the spear should know the space like the back of their hand; when
point in an attack makes it one of the more useful ships in a manoeuvre is imminent they must act quickly to ensure
Sordane. If not for how protective the Arrodan Syndicate they are braced.
was of its secrets, the algor would likely be a common sight Stern Lower Section. The stern lower section of the
throughout Sordane in these roles and many more. top deck is the captain’s quarters. The captain’s quarters
The speed of the algor is what truly surprises most; it are extremely fortified: the metal reinforced room will
comes in faster than one would expect a ship of its size, lays often hold orders from the Arrodan Syndicate and other
down a volley of cannon fire and offensive magic, and moves documentation and must be protected by all members of
out of engagement faster than some crews can react. While the crew with their lives.
it has the strength to survive a full broadside attack, captains Stern Upper Section. The stern upper section is for
of algor cruisers usually prefer to take the agile approach daily ship operations. This is where the captain meets
to combat due to the superior mobility. They like avoiding with the ship’s officers. The ship’s helm is also in here.
damage where possible, preventing the need to make repairs
and keeping the ship they’re fighting on their toes. Level 2: Cabins and Mess Hall / Galley
Decks. The algor has 3 lower decks and 2 upper half Mess Hall / Galley. The bow and center of the second
decks on the stern of the ship. deck is assigned to the mess hall and galley. It is separated
Ceilings. The ceilings in the lower decks, holds, and from the cabins by a full wall and a wooden door.
cabins are 8 feet high with 6-foot high doorways. Cabins. The stern of the second deck is the officers’ and
Doors. The ship’s doors are made of a mix of iron spelldrivers’ cabins.
doors (AC 19, 36 hit points) and wood doors (AC 15, 18
hit points). The doors are immune to poison and psychic Level 3: Storage and Gun Deck
damage. A lock can be picked with a successful DC 15 The storage and gun deck of an algor cruiser is extremely
Dexterity check made using thieves’ tools, or the door can static; everything is bolted down and secured to its posi-
be forced open with a successful DC 20 Strength (Athlet- tion for better or worse, not only to ensure that the storage
ics) check. holds of the syndicate ship are well protected but also
Light. Hanging lanterns cast bright light throughout to prevent damage to the cargo and guns when the ship
the ship. makes an evasive move.
Hull. The ship’s hull is 150 ft. long and 45 ft. wide. It is Storage Hold. The bow of the third level is the storage
made of sturdy hardwoods. hold. It is separated from the gun deck by a full wall and a
large iron door. It is used to store munitions and food-sup-
plies
Example Algor Crew Gun Deck. Three quarters of the third level is the ship’s
An algor frigate requires a large crew to operate at a main interior gun deck. It is equipped with 8 light cannons
minimal combat level. The third deck houses a large on each side. At the bow of the ship is an additional 2
number of cannons in addition to hull mounted arma- light cannons.
ments. The typical crew for a non-player-operated algor
frigate includes the following NPCs, all of whom have pro- Level 4: Barracks
ficiency with air vehicles in addition to their normal statis- Barracks. The barracks take up the whole bottom
tics: deck and are mainly hammocks all layered on top of one
• One captain (page 215) another. It is cramped and less than private, but comfort-
• Five other officers: a first mate (page 216), a bosun able enough for most sailors and soldiers.
(page 215), a navigator (page 216), a medic (page
216), and a cook (page 215)
• Four spelldrivers (page 217)
• Fifteen sailors (page 217)
• Ten soldiers (page 217)
96
Algor Cruiser
Gargantuan vehicle (150 ft. by 45 ft.) SHIP COMPONENTS
Creature Capacity 50 (crew and passengers) Helm (Ship’s Interior)
Cargo Capacity 100 tons Armor Class: 16
Hull Mounts: 4 Left (Port), 4 Right (Starboard) Hit Points: 50
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA Crew Minimum: 2 spelldrivers
24 (+7) 4 (-3) 20 (+5) 0 0 0
Hookshot Cannon (2)
Saving Throws Dex (+0) Armor Class: 18
Damage Immunities poison, psychic Hit Points: 100
Condition Immunities blinded, charmed, deafened, Crew Minimum: 4
exhaustion, frightened, incapacitated, paralyzed,
petrified, poisoned, prone, stunned, unconscious Light Cannons (18)
Armor Class: 18
HULL Hit Points: 50
Armor Class. 18 (15 natural armor + 3 for more than two Crew Minimum: 3
spell jet thrusters)
Hit Points. 750 (damage threshold 20) Spell Cannons (2)
Armor Class: 18
HELM Hit Points: 125
Move up to the speed of the ship’s spell jet thrusters, Crew Minimum: 3 (1 spelldriver)
with one 90-degree turn. If the helm is destroyed, the ship
can’t turn. Spell Jet Thrusters (4)
HULL MOUNTS Armor Class: 18
The airship has a combination of hull-mounted modules Hit Points: 100
that grant it mobility and additional fighting capabilities. Crew Minimum: –
These hull-mounted modules either add new Actions or
improve the ship’s momentum. ACTIONS
Port Mounts. This airship has 4 port side mounts, 2 on the On its turn, the airship’s captain can command the ship’s
stern of the hull and 2 on the bow of the hull. crew to take two actions from the list detailed below. It can’t
use an action if the station does not have the requisite crew.
• Upper Stern: Spell Jet Thruster
Movement: 4 spell jet thrusters. The ship can use its helm
• Lower Stern: Spell Jet Thruster
to move with its spell jet thrusters. The ship must already
• Upper Bow: Spell Cannon have been moving under its spelldriver’s momentum
• Lower Bow: Hookshot Cannon spelldriving mode.
Starboard Mounts. This airship has 4 starboard side Travel Pace: 80 mph Speed (fly): 80 ft.
mounts, 2 on the stern of the hull and 2 on the bow of Fire Port Light Cannons (8). Ranged Weapon Attack:
the hull. +6 to hit, range 600/2,400 ft., one target. Hit: 44 (8d10)
• Upper Stern: Spell Jet Thruster bludgeoning damage.
• Lower Stern: Spell Jet Thruster Fire Starboard Light Cannons (8). Ranged Weapon Attack:
• Upper Bow: Spell Cannon +6 to hit, range 600/2,400 ft., one target. Hit: 44 (8d10)
• Lower Bow: Hookshot Cannon bludgeoning damage.
Fire Bow Light Cannons (2). Ranged Weapon Attack:
+6 to hit, range 600/2,400 ft., one target. Hit: 44 (8d10)
bludgeoning damage.
Fire Hookshot Cannon (2). Ranged Weapon Attack:
+6 to hit, range 120/480 ft., one target. Hit: 16 (3d10)
piercing damage.
Reel: The crew operating the hookshot may reel in the
hookshot to pull the grappled ship closer to it. The
grappled ship moves 50 feet straight back towards the
grappling ship.
97
Hivemind Reaper
Soralite, Battleship, 125 ft.
Crew: 21
Propulsion: 4 Spell Jet Thrusters
Weaponry
2 Bow-Mounted Hookshot Cannons
Hivemind Tentacles
98
Carcassite Ship
Soralite, Battleship, 150 ft.
Crew: Unique
Propulsion: Sails, 4 Spell Jet Thrusters
Weaponry
2 Bow Mounted Spell Cannons
16 Port and Starboard Light Cannons
Kraken Frigate
Soralite, Raiding Ship, 105 ft.
Crew: 25
Propulsion: Sails, 2 Propeller Engines,
4 Spell Jet Thrusters
Weaponry
2 Bow-Mounted Hookshot Cannons
99
Cuthari Hivemind Reaper the following NPCs, all of whom have proficiency with air
vehicles in addition to their normal statistics:
If doom and dread were able to manifest into physical • One captain (page 215)
form it would still be a shadow to the Cuthari Hivemind • Four other officers: a first mate (page 216), a bosun (page
Reaper. The reaper class was the frontal assault ship, the 215), a navigator (page 216), and a medic (page 216)
raiding ship of the cuthari. Where it went only destruction • Fifteen spelldrivers (page 217)
and tears were left in its wake, captained and crewed by
only the most cunning and ruthless of the race. Since the Ship Deck Guide
Cuthari Sordane Treaty, the reaper has been used as the
main diplomatic ship of the cuthari, using its intimidating The hivemind reapers are always fit to be able to house as
reputation to strike fear and gain the upper hand. Though, many crew as possible. Giving little regard to firepower,
as with all deals and things with the cuthari, it hides they rely on capturing ships using their unique spelldriving
secrets and hidden purposes to this day. modes and the reaper’s tentacles.
The reaper itself is more of a creature than a ship.
Breathing, thinking, and living. Whether the reaper is a Level 1: Top Deck
creature made into a ship or a ship made into a creature is The top deck has 3 half levels located on the stern of the
unknown to all but the highest class of cuthari leadership ship. There are no deck guns located on the top deck.
and spellcasters. With a host of bio-engineered weapons Stern Lower Section. The first lower section on the top
and defenses, it can fight off attackers alongside its crew. deck’s stern is used as cabins for senior spelldrivers.
Since they first appeared in Sordane, countless nations Stern Middle Section. The middle section is the cap-
have tried to capture and study the reaper but have been tain’s quarters.
unable to as it seems the captain and reaper share a Stern Upper Section. The top upper section on the
mind link. Once the captain is killed the ship begins to die stern is where the ship’s helm is located. Unlike regular
and will tear itself apart in its death throes, the biomass ships the helm itself is part of the large brain at the tip of
melting and burning away everything it touches. It is not the ship, which the spelldrivers and captain alike connect
known for certain how this link is formed between the with telepathically to control the ship.
captain and the reaper, although some scholars specu-
late that each ship is originally part of the captain, and is
Level 2: Sacrifice Chamber
grown and cultivated using arcane means much like the and Mess Hall / Galley
istari. For this reason armies and raiders alike typically The second level of the ship is where sacrifices stay and
try to capture the ship’s captain, incapacitating them in an the crew eats. It is divided by a full wall and a wooden
attempt to learn the secrets behind the hivemind reapers. door. There is also a small storage hold.
Build Cost. As the knowledge and method behind Storage Hold. The bow of the second level is the ship’s
constructing a hivemind reaper is limited to the cuthari storage hold. This room is usually left empty but on
there is no set price for the ship’s hull. It may be possible diplomatic missions it is filled with goods to trade. It is
for players to bargain with the cuthari to gain access to a separated from the sacrifice chamber by a full wall with a
hivemind reaper, as such it is up to each GM to list a hull wooden door.
price they believe is reasonable. Sacrifice Chamber. The sacrifice chamber is between
Decks. The hivemind reaper has 2 lower decks and 3 the storage hold and the mess hall. Like the storage hold
upper half decks on the stern of the ship. this room is typically empty; however, on longer voyages
Ceilings. The ceilings in the lower decks, holds, and where the brains won’t keep long enough, willing sacri-
cabins are 8 feet high with 6-foot high doorways. fices are held in a drug-fueled state in these chambers.
Doors. The ship’s doors are made of a mix of iron Mess Hall / Galley. The stern of the second level
doors (AC 19, 36 hit points) and wood doors (AC 15, 18 is where the mess hall and galley are located. It also
hit points). The doors are immune to poison and psychic contains a small storage hold with food supplies. Unlike
damage. A lock can be picked with a successful DC 15 most ships this section of the hivemind reaper is particu-
Dexterity check made using thieves’ tools, or the door can larly disturbing for more humanoid races to see. Where
be forced open with a successful DC 20 Strength (Athlet- there would normally be preparation stations for a cook
ics) check. or barrels filled with supplies, there are instead jars of
Light. The ship’s interior is dimly lit by hanging purple preserved brains for the crew to eat on long voyages.
arcane lights.
Hull. The ship’s hull is 125 feet long and 35 feet wide. Level 3: Barracks and Cabins
It is made of sturdy hardwoods fused with the still-living The lowest level of the ship is where the barracks and
flesh of an unknown creature. officers’ cabins are. The two sections are divided by a full
wall and wooden door.
Example Hivemind Crew Barracks. The barracks take up three quarters of the
lower deck’s bow and are mainly hammocks all layered on
The real terror of the hivemind reapers isn’t the ship’s top of one another.
tentacles but the crew aboard it, all linked with each other Cabins. The officers’ cabins are placed at the stern of
via the ship’s brain and their arcane abilities. The typical the third level. While typically reserved for the officers, on
crew for a non-player-operated hivemind reaper includes occasion senior spelldrivers will also use them.
100
Cuthari Hivemind Reaper
Gargantuan vehicle (125 ft. by 35 ft.) SHIP COMPONENTS
Creature Capacity 40 (crew and passengers) Helm (Ship’s Interior)
Cargo Capacity 100 tons Armor Class: 16
Hull Mounts: 3 Left (Port), 3 Right (Starboard) Hit Points: 50
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA Crew Minimum: 2 spelldrivers
24 (+7) 4 (-3) 20 (+5) 0 0 0
Hivemind Tentacles (2)
Saving Throws Dex (+0) Armor Class: 16
Damage Immunities poison, psychic Hit Points: 100
Condition Immunities blinded, charmed, deafened, Crew Minimum: –
exhaustion, frightened, incapacitated, paralyzed,
petrified, poisoned, prone, stunned, unconscious Spell Cannons (2)
Armor Class: 18
HULL Hit Points: 125
Armor Class. 18 (15 natural armor + 3 for more than two Crew Minimum: 3 (1 spelldriver)
spell jet thrusters)
Hit Points. 1,000 (damage threshold 20) Spell Jet Thrusters (4)
Armor Class: 18
HELM Hit Points: 150
Move up to the speed of the ship’s spell jet thrusters, Crew Minimum: –
with one 90-degree turn. If the helm is destroyed, the ship
can’t turn. ACTIONS
HULL MOUNTS On its turn, the airship’s captain can command the ship’s
crew to take two actions from the list detailed below. It can’t
The airship has a combination of hull-mounted modules use an action if the station does not have the requisite crew.
that grant it mobility and additional fighting capabilities.
These hull-mounted modules either add new Actions or Movement: 4 spell jet thrusters. The ship can use its helm
improve the ship’s momentum. to move with its spell jet thrusters. The ship must already
have been moving under its spelldriver’s momentum
Port Mounts. This airship has 3 port side mounts, 2 on the spelldriving mode.
stern of the hull and 1 on the bow of the hull.
Travel Pace: 80 mph Speed (fly): 80 ft.
• Upper Stern: Spell Jet Thruster
Constrict. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit. Reach
• Lower Stern: Spell Jet Thruster 100 ft., one target. Hit: 33 (6d10) bludgeoning and
• Lower Bow: Spell Cannon the target is grappled (escape DC 22). At the start of
Starboard Mounts. This airship has 3 starboard side their turn the tentacles deal an additional 33 (6d10)
mounts, 2 on the stern of the hull and 1 on the bow of bludgeoning damage.
the hull. Pull. The hivemind tentacles begin retracting, pulling
• Upper Stern: Spell Jet Thruster the grappled ship closer. The grappled ship moves 50 ft.
• Lower Stern: Spell Jet Thruster straight back towards the grappling ship.
• Lower Bow: Spell Cannon Disrupt Flow.
Casting time. 1 action
Range. 500 feet
Cost. 4 spelldriving points
Duration. Concentration, up to 1 minute
When this mode is activated the spelldriver can target a
ship’s sordalite crystal within range and interrupt its flow
of power. While affected by this mode the ship’s speed
is halved, and it takes a -2 penalty to AC and Dexterity
saving throws.
101
Carcassite Ship Ship Deck Guide
Rotting wood, torn sails, and no discernable movement The carcassite ship’s top deck is always left bare as an
on the deck: all the hallmarks of a wreck ready to be attempt to lure unsuspecting looters. When corrupted the
plundered. However, if the ship has a purple crystal then ship is left in a state of disrepair to make it look vulnera-
you better turn and flee as fast as you can, for this is a car- ble; however most carcassite ship’s boast heavy firepower.
cassite ship. Not unlike the hollowed ones, a carcassite ship
is held together and animated by the forces of its corrupted Level 1: Top Deck
crystal. This allows it to function far beyond the normal The top deck of the carcassite ship is configured with two
damage threshold of an airship, making it a formidable half levels on the stern and a half level on the bow. There
enemy. On top of that, they are helmed by the dark spelldriv- are no weapons attached to the top deck.
ers of the Umiera cult and their unique spelldriving modes. Half Deck. The bow of the carcassite ship has an open
These ships and their undead crew can be found in the half deck. There are no weapons attached to it.
wilds, looking for lonely or damaged ships far from their Stern Lower Section. The first lower section on the top
home. Their tactics are varied; some charge into battle with deck’s stern is the captain’s quarters.
blazing guns, while others disguise their ship as a wreck and Stern Upper Section. The upper section on the stern is
lure in potential scavengers. Either way, the result is often where the helm is located.
the same, with the unwitting ship ending up purged of all life.
The cultists then tow the ship to one of their secret harbors Level 2: Brig and Gun Deck
and spend a week corrupting the crystal into carcassite. For The second level of the ship is where the first gun deck
this reason there is no singular design for carcassite ships, as is located as well as the ship’s brig. The stern of the ship
any ship can become one. used to be the ship’s mess hall and galley; however, these
Once a ship has been corrupted, it is returned to the skies are no longer in use.
manned by the corpses and spirits of the former crew and Ship’s Brig. The brig is in the bow of the ship’s second
led by an undead Umiera cultist captain. They are given a level. It has 2 main cells that are each 15 ft. x 10 ft. wide in
single command: expand the ranks of their twisted troupe. size. They are made of iron.
Ambushing ships by disguising as a damaged ship adrift the Gun Deck. The middle of the second level is the ship’s
skies, or attacking battleworn ships lacking the firepower to main interior gun deck. It is separated by a full wall and
keep themselves safe from the undead assault. Decimating a wooden door from the front brig. It is equipped with 5
the crew on board and collecting their bodies to expand the light cannons on either side.
cult’s army of hollowed ones. Mess Hall / Galley. The stern of the second level is
Build Cost. A carcassite ship is never built; instead it is where the mess hall and galley are located. It is separated
created when a ship has been captured and a ritual is cast from the middle gun deck by a full wall and a wooden
corrupting the sordalite crystal powering it, twisting it into door. These rooms are now left empty or for storage
carcassite. The ritual used for this process is shrouded should the crew capture another ship.
in mystery, and as such the true cost the cult of Umiera
spends on each ship they convert is not known. For this Level 3: Cabins and Gun Deck
reason it is up to each GM to select a price they believe is The third level of the ship is where the second gun deck
reasonable, should it be necessary. is located. There is a munitions storage hold in the bow of
Decks. The carcassite ship has 3 lower decks and 1 upper the ship, and unused cabins in the stern.
half deck on the bow and stern of the ship. In addition, they Storage Hold. The bow of the third level is separated
typically have a bridge cabin on the upper deck of the stern. from the middle gun deck by a full wall and a wooden
Ceilings. The ceilings in the lower decks, holds, and door. This storage room is used for munitions.
cabins are 8 feet high with 6-foot high doorways. Gun Deck. The middle of the third level is the ship’s
Doors. The ship’s doors are made of wood and have AC 15, main interior gun deck. It is equipped with 6 light cannons
18 hit points, and immunity to poison and psychic damage. A on either side.
lock can be picked with a successful DC 15 Dexterity check Cabins. At the stern of the third level is where the
made using thieves’ tools, or the door can be forced open with officers and diplomats cabins used to be. Now they are
a successful DC 20 Strength (Athletics) check. unused and in disrepair.
Light. Small wisps of green energy sit in hanging lanterns
and float throughout the ship casting a dim sickly green light. Level 4: Engine
Rigging. Rigging on the ship is damaged and requires a The lowest level of the ship is where the crew sleep and
successful DC 14 Strength (Athletics) check to climb. the engine is maintained. The two sections are divided by
Hull. The ship’s hull is 150 ft. long and 30 ft. wide. It is a full wall and a large iron door.
made of sturdy hardwoods. Barracks. The barracks take up three quarters of the deck
and are mainly hammocks all layered on top of one another.
Example Carcassite Crew Engine Room. The stern of the lowest level is where
the engine room is located, separated from the barracks
A carcassite ship is normally manned by the undead by a full wall and a wooden door. In place of a ship’s
spirits of its old crew; however, additional creatures can be regular engine is a large carcassite crystal perpetuating
added at each GMs discretion. the curse on the ship’s crew.
102
Carcassite Ship
Gargantuan vehicle (150 ft. by 30 ft.) Spell Cannons (2)
Armor Class: 18
Creature Capacity 45 (crew and passengers)
Cargo Capacity 85 tons Hit Points: 125
Hull Mounts: 3 Left (Port), 3 Right (Starboard) Crew Minimum: 3 (1 spelldriver)
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA Spell Jet Thrusters (4)
24 (+7) 4 (-3) 20 (+5) 0 0 0 Armor Class: 18
Hit Points: 150
Saving Throws Dex (+0) Crew Minimum: –
Damage Immunities poison, psychic
Condition Immunities blinded, charmed, deafened, Sails
exhaustion, frightened, incapacitated, paralyzed, Armor Class: 12
petrified, poisoned, prone, stunned, unconscious Hit Points: 100
Crew Minimum: –
HULL
Armor Class. 18 (15 natural armor + 3 for more than two ACTIONS
spell jet thrusters) On its turn, the airship’s captain can command the ship’s
Hit Points. 750 (damage threshold 20) crew to take two actions from the list detailed below. It can’t
use an action if the station does not have the requisite crew.
HELM Movement: 4 spell jet thrusters + sails. The ship can use
Move up to the speed of the ship’s spell jet thrusters, its helm to move with its spell jet thrusters and sails. The
with one 90-degree turn. If the helm is destroyed, the ship ship must already have been moving under its spelldriver’s
can’t turn. momentum spelldriving mode. The sails speed may change
depending on the wind (refer to Sails on page 62).
HULL MOUNTS
Sails + Spell Jet Thrusters:
The airship has a combination of hull-mounted modules Travel Pace: 110 mph Speed (fly): 110 ft.
that grant it mobility and additional fighting capabilities.
Spell Jet Thrusters Only:
These hull-mounted modules either add new Actions or
Travel Pace: 80 mph Speed (fly): 80 ft.
improve the ship’s momentum.
Sails Only:
Port Mounts. This airship has 3 port side mounts, 2 on the
Travel Pace: 30 mph Speed (fly): 30 ft.
stern of the hull and 1 on the bow of the hull.
Fire Port Light Cannons (8): Ranged Weapon Attack:
• Upper Stern: Spell Jet Thruster
+6 to hit, range 600/2,400 ft., one target. Hit: 44 (8d10)
• Lower Stern: Spell Jet Thruster bludgeoning damage.
• Lower Bow: Spell Cannon Fire Starboard Light Cannons (8): Ranged Weapon Attack:
Starboard Mounts. This airship has 3 starboard side +6 to hit, range 600/2,400 ft., one target. Hit: 44 (8d10)
mounts, 2 on the stern of the hull and 1 on the bow of bludgeoning damage.
the hull. Incorporeal.
• Upper Stern: Spell Jet Thruster Casting time. 1 action
• Lower Stern: Spell Jet Thruster Cost. 5 spelldriving points
• Lower Bow: Spell Cannon Duration. Concentration, up to 1 hour
For the duration of this mode the carcassite ship loses its
SHIP COMPONENTS physical form, taking on a ghost-like appearance as it enters
the ethereal plane. Any living creatures currently aboard the
Helm (Ship’s Interior) ship begin falling as the footing beneath them vanishes.
Armor Class: 16 While in this mode the carcassite ship can only affect
and be affected by other creatures and objects also in the
Hit Points: 50
ethereal plane.
Crew Minimum: 2 spelldrivers
103
Kraken Class Frigate damage. A lock can be picked with a successful DC 15
Dexterity check made using thieves’ tools, or the door can
While the nations of Sordane spent time and money be forced open with a successful DC 20 Strength (Athlet-
building faster and stronger ships, the scrapper pirates ics) check.
focused their efforts on crippling and destroying ships and Light. Hanging lanterns cast bright light throughout the
salvaging parts to expand their fleets. This method led to ship, although some wealthier pirates have everburning
the construction of the current class of airship being built lights depending on how deep their pockets are.
and traded among pirates, the kraken class frigate. Rigging. Rigging on the ship can be climbed without an
Powered by an unstable-melded cluster of smaller ability check.
sordalite crystals, and built using the salvaged parts of Hull. The ship’s hull is 105 feet long and 25 feet wide.
destroyed airships, no two kraken airships are iden- It is made of sturdy hardwoods and reinforced with
tical, even though the techniques used to build them steel plating.
are widely shared among pirate artificers and ship-
wrights. In fact, aside from being made from scrap, the Example Kraken Crew
only thing these ships have in common is that they are
designed to be slightly smaller than most frigates and A kraken frigate requires a small crew to operate at
as fast as possible. This way the pirates can quickly a maximum combat level. Due to its speed combat is
approach and attack unsuspecting ships with boarding focused on manoeuvrability and crippling enemy ships
parties to minimise damage to the ship and get as much instead of destroying them outright. The typical crew for a
usable salvage as possible to either start construction non-player-operated kraken frigate includes the following
on a new ship or add improvements to current ships in NPCs, all of whom have proficiency with air vehicles in
their fleet. addition to their normal statistics:
Kraken Racing. The pirates of Sordane will occa- • One captain (page 215)
sionally attempt to organise under-the-radar gatherings • Five other officers: a first mate (page 216), a bosun
to test the capabilities of their creations. These kraken (page 215), a navigator (page 216), a medic (page
airship races will take place between two to five ships 216), and a cook (page 215)
usually through mountainous regions or pirate territories; • Four spelldrivers (page 217)
however, some of the more exciting and dangerous kraken • Fifteen soldiers (page 217)
races will see pirates race through all kinds of dangerous
routes such as skipping past soon-to-be-agitated canyon Ship Deck Guide
hessat nests or through known patrol routes of nearby
The ship is typically used for raiding other ships and trans-
cities. Betting and gambling will always have its place in a
porting illegal goods. As such it has a focus on speed and
pirate’s life and they’ll usually win a lot more than brag-
defence over pure firepower.
ging rights for a first place finish, with some crews even
offering up their ships or enormous hauls of loot to make
the races just a bit more entertaining for spectators and
Level 1: Top Deck
The top deck of the kraken is configured with two
crews alike.
enclosed half decks on the stern. There are no weapons
Kraken Variants. Though kraken airships are largely
attached to the top deck.
focused on speed, some pirate captains like to test the
Stern Lower Section. The lower section on the stern
capabilities of their artificers, commissioning airship
is for daily ship operations. This is where the captain will
abominations; focusing on huge amounts of firepower and
meet with the ship’s officers.
strength over the stereotypical speed found elsewhere
Stern Upper Section. The upper section on the top
in Sordane. These behemoths will employ whatever
deck’s stern is the captain’s quarters.
cannons the pirates have salvaged, delicately balancing
the weight of heavy armour plating and firepower against
the capabilities of the sordalite crystal cluster that keeps
Level 2: Mess Hall / Galley Deck
The second level of the ship is where the ship’s brig in
their ship afloat.
addition to the mess hall, galley and officers cabins.
Build Cost. Due to the kraken frigates being built from
Mess Hall / Galley. The middle of the second level is
scavenging other ships’ parts there is no set price for the
where the mess hall and galley are located. It is separated
ship’s hull. It is up to each GM to list a hull price they
from the brig and cabins by a full wall and a wooden door.
believe is reasonable.
Decks. The kraken has 2 lower decks and 1 upper half
deck on the bow and stern of the ship.
Level 3: Barracks
The lowest level of the ship is where the crew sleeps.
Ceilings. Unlike the rest of the ship the second level has
There is also a small storage hold for food and munitions.
lower ceilings, roughly 7 feet high. The rest of the ship’s
Storage Hold. The bow of the third level is separated
ceilings are 9 feet high, with the forward and rear hold
from the barracks by a full wall and a wooden door. This
sharing the same height on average, with 6-foot high door-
storage room is used for munitions and food supplies.
ways.
Barracks. The barracks take up three quarters of the
Doors. The ship’s doors are made of a mix of iron
deck and are mainly hammocks all layered on top of one
doors (AC 19, 36 hit points) and wood doors (AC 15, 18
another.
hit points). The doors are immune to poison and psychic
104
Kraken Class Frigate
Gargantuan vehicle (105 ft. by 25 ft.) Spell Cannons (2)
Armor Class: 20
Creature Capacity 35 (crew and passengers)
Cargo Capacity 50 tons Hit Points: 125
Hull Mounts: 5 Left (Port), 5 Right (Starboard) Crew Minimum: 3 (1 spelldriver)
105
Chapter 5. Spelldriving
T
he airships in Sordane are powered
through magic known as spelldriving; those The Art of Spelldriving
who employ this magic are called spelldriv- When a character becomes proficient in spelldriving, they
ers. Like any arcane path, anyone can learn can exchange the magical energy that they use to fuel their
to be a spelldriver, but very few have the spells to create spelldriving points, which allows them to
ability to master its techniques. This control the ships and create a variety of special effects
chapter outlines how spelldriving works via modes.
and how characters can learn the requisite proficiencies
to spelldrive their own airships.
Spelldriving Ability
Spelldriving Proficiency A spelldriver uses the same ability for spelldriving that
To become a spelldriver, a character must be proficient they do for their magical abilities. For example, wizards
with a new tool proficiency called spelldriving, which is use Intelligence as their spelldriving ability, clerics use
introduced in this ruleset. In order to become proficient in Wisdom as their spelldriving ability, and so on. Spelldriv-
spelldriving, the character must have the ability to cast at ers do not need a focus to use spelldriving abilities.
least one 1st-level spell. Characters can take the profi-
ciency as part of character creation, replacing any tool
proficiencies made available through their racial, class, or
Spelldriving Points
background features. As a bonus action on the character’s turn, they can
Proficiency with spelldriving allows the character to expend one spell slot, or expend a single use of a spell if
add their proficiency bonus to any ability check involved the spell is gained through a racial feature or feat, and
with the airship itself. The spelldriving proficiency also gain a number of spelldriving points equal to the slot or
grants the character the spelldriving feature, described in spell’s base level to their spelldriving point bank. Note that
this chapter. expending spells in this way does not create the normal
effects for the spell.
106
A spelldriver may have as many spelldriving points This mode allows the ship to move at an incredible pace.
in their spelldriving point bank as determined by their When you cast this spell, the speed of each propulsion
character level. See “Spelldriving Point Bank Maximums.” component in use doubles.
A character’s spelldriving point bank is emptied, and
all unused spelldriving points discarded, at the end of a Disguise Ship
long rest. Casting Time: 1 action
For example, a character who can normally cast faerie Cost: 3 spelldriving points
fire, a 1st-level spell, through one of their racial traits can Duration: Concentration, up to 8 hours
expend the spell to convert it into 1 spelldriving point. This mode allows the spelldriver to disguise their attuned
And if that character expended darkness to convert it to ship, appearing as another ship of the same class or
spelldriving points, they would gain 2 spelldriving points. clouds. For the duration of the mode the ship cannot take
As normal, the spelldriver regains use of those spell slots any actions or the illusion fades. A successful DC 18 Intel-
when they complete a long rest. ligence (Investigation) check reveals that this is an illusion.
107
Jetstream Bubble normal means; but the spelldriver can give control back
Casting Time: 1 action to the crew during the mode’s duration in order to focus
Cost: 1 spelldriving point on other tasks. The spelldriver can resume control at any
Duration: 1 hour time until the mode ends.
Creates a bubble made of crackling lightning and energy
around the ship that protects it from the strong winds and Protection
magical turbulence of a jetstream. This mode allows a Casting Time: 1 action
ship to enter or leave a jetstream without risk of suffering Cost: 1 spelldriving point
a jetstream disaster (see page 112). Duration: 1 minute
You ward the ship against attack. For the duration of the
Locate Jetstream mode, any creature that targets the ship with an attack
Casting Time: 1 action or a harmful spell must first make a Wisdom saving
Cost: 3 spelldriving points throw against your spell save DC. If the attack or spell
Duration: 1 hour comes from a ship, the ship’s captain must make the
Target: Self saving throw. On a failed save, the creature must choose
This mode magically enhances the spelldriver’s vision to a new target or lose the attack or spell. This mode doesn’t
make it sensitive to the energy emitted by the jetstreams. protect the warded ship from area effects, such as the
The spelldriver can naturally see any jetstreams within a explosion of a fireball. If the ship or its crew make an
five-mile radius as transparent blue tubes, as well as the attack or cast a spell that affects an enemy creature, this
direction they flow. mode ends.
Momentum Shields
Casting Time: 1 action Casting Time: 1 reaction, which you take when the ship is
Cost: 1 spelldriving point hit by an attack
Duration: 24 hours Cost: 1 spelldriving point
Duration: 1 round
This mode grants the spelldriver control over the airship’s
helm. The spelldriver can make the ship start and stop as An invisible barrier of magical force appears and protects
well as move it in any direction the ship could naturally move. the ship. Until the end of the ship’s next turn, all of its
When the spelldriver controls the ship, it is unusable by components have a +5 bonus to AC, including against the
triggering attack.
108
Spell Cannon
Casting Time: 1 action
Jetstreams
Cost: 1 spelldriving point per spell level (see below) Airships connected the world of Sordane in ways that
Duration: Instantaneous were once unimaginable, shortening the travel time
between locations by large amounts, as well as making it
When you cast a spell while at a spell cannon station on much safer. They completely changed how people handled
a ship, you can choose to spend a number of spelldriving exploration, transport, and, of course, war. Airship tech-
points up to the level of the spell cast (1 for a cantrip) to nology became the main focus of most large factions,
cast the spell through the ship’s spell cannon. as entire nations could fall to an army of faster or more
The spell must have a range of at least 30 feet and it durable airships. Much changed in these times of political
must deal damage. This spell does not use up a normal turbulence, with many settlements sprouting up that were
spell slot for the spelldriver casting the spell. When cast, accessible only by airship.
the spell grants the following benefits: Eventually, sordalite technology plateaued and most fac-
• Damage: For each spelldriving point spent to cast the tions were able to create similar-performing ships. For a
spell, it adds an extra damage die to the spell’s effect. long time after this point it was believed that there was no
• Area of Effect: If the spell targets an area, the spell’s faster way to travel aside from teleportation—that is, until
area of effect increases by a number of feet equal to 10 the jetstreams were discovered. Allegedly this was done
times your spellcasting modifier (minimum of 10 feet). by Rex Coron, a smuggler trying to escape his pursuers by
• Range: The range of the spell doubles. flying higher than most sensible people would recommend
If a concentration spell is cast through the spell cannon, at the time. By chance, he got caught in a massive stream
that cannon becomes unavailable to other spelldrivers of magically turbulent, fast-flowing air—now known as
as long as the spell is still active. Once the spell ends the a jetstream. Swept along with it like a boat in a river, he
cannon can be used as normal. managed to escape the stream after five hours, finding
Example 1: A wizard casts fire bolt through the spell that he had traversed a distance that would otherwise
cannon, spending 2 spelldriving points (minimum of 1 have taken close to a day’s travel.
spelldriving point as a cantrip). The spell’s range doubles This smuggler returned to the jetstream and started
from 120 to 240 feet. On a hit, the damage increases by mapping it, creating the first rough ‘stream map’ that
2d10 for the 2 spelldriving points spent to cast the spell pointed out several streams that connected major cities.
for a total of 3d10 points of fire damage. During this time, Rex also learned the hard way about
Example 2: A wizard casts fireball through the spell the turbulent and chaotic nature of the jetstreams.
cannon, spending 3 spelldriving points (minimum of 3 Along with his trusted crew of powerful spelldrivers
spelldriving points as a third-level spell). The spell’s range and sailors, he devised the basic spelldriving modes
increases from 150 to 300 feet. With an Intelligence of 15, jetstream bubble and locate jetstream, allowing them
and a spellcasting modifier of +2, the spell’s area of effect to find jetstreams easier and travel them safely. Not
increases from a 20-foot-radius sphere to a 40-foot-radius only were Rex and his crew now capable of traveling
sphere (+10 feet per spell casting modifier). On a hit, the between far-off places in staggeringly quick times, but
damage increases by 3d6 for the 3 spelldriving points they were also the only ones who knew, as far as they
spent to cast the spell for a total of 11d6 fire damage. were aware, of their existence. Of course, such a power-
ful thing can not stay secret for long. As people started
Vortex growing suspicious of Rex’s seemingly impossible
Casting Time: 1 action ability to traverse the sky to places of greater distance
Cost: 4 spelldriving points than traditional logic would allow, curious parties
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute began following Rex on his runs and eventually discov-
A strong wind builds up around the ship, encasing it in a ered his secret. Needless to say, when it went public,
fast moving torrent shaped like a bubble. The bubble is 1 the people of Sordane were shaken by this discovery
foot thick and lasts for the duration of the mode. and the ramifications that it had on their security. All
When the torrent of wind surrounds the ship, each nations launched frenzied exploration runs to map the
creature that attempts to pass through it must make a skies above them. Many streams were found but only a
Strength saving throw versus your spell save DC. A crea- small number of them were safe and useful enough to
ture takes 3d8 bludgeoning damage on a failed save and is properly map fully.
pushed out, or half as much damage on a successful one The world of Sordane changed after this discovery, as
and is able to pass through the torrent. trade and war became largely dependent on the jet-
The strong wind keeps fog, smoke, and other gases at streams. Some built large cities at convergences, while
bay. Small or smaller flying creatures or objects can’t pass others moved their seats of power to places without a jet-
through the bubble. Loose, lightweight materials that come stream entry point nearby, preferring the safety that came
into contact with the bubble fly upward. Arrows, bolts, and with this isolation.
bullets from handheld weapons and ballistae fired at targets When a new stream is discovered, it is typically named
behind the wall are deflected upward and automatically after the person who found and charted it, with the most
miss. Light cannons have disadvantage on all targets within prolific being the Coronal stream. It is the longest jet-
the bubble, heavy cannons suffer no penalty. Creatures in stream on the planet and connects to all of the continents
gaseous form can’t pass through the bubble. at several points. The following map outlines the most
109
110
prominent jetstreams found in Sordane; however, there but invisible, but they can be detected with reasonable
are many more covering the skies that either aren’t shown ease when magic is employed. Though they are hard to
or haven’t been fully mapped yet. locate due to their transparency, once you are inside of a
jetstream, what you see changes drastically. The strong
Source of the Jetstreams winds and tiny sordalite dust particles refract the light,
making the inside of the jetstream look like one is travel-
While not everything is known about them, it is thought ling through a tunnel of blue light. A jetstream is typically
that the jetstreams are somehow magically tied to the 1,000 feet wide; however, they can spontaneously fluctu-
planet’s core. This makes them semi-predictable. They ate, causing them to expand or retract. While travelling
may warp and slightly change direction, but in general, through one of these jetstreams a ship moves at five times
the jetstreams remain constant in their structure and its normal speed.
direction. This can change dramatically when conver-
gence storms or other large-scale sordalite-related events Jetstream Access
take place. To enter or leave a jetstream safely, a special spelldriv-
ing mode called jetstream bubble is required. If a ship
Traveling through Jetstreams attempts to enter a jetstream without it, the ship has to
roll a Strength saving throw against DC 18 with a bonus
A jetstream is a fast-flowing, semi-stable air current that
equal to the captain’s proficiency bonus. On failure, the
meanders through the higher layers of the atmosphere,
ship suffers 42 (4d20) force damage to its hull and 1d4
typically at altitudes between 10,000 and 30,000 feet.
random ship modules and it is forced out of the jet-
A single jetstream may start or stop anywhere. Two
stream. All sailors are aware of these risks and typically
streams will never directly cross, but any stream can split
will protest when a spelldriver tries to enter a jetstream
or combine into another. To the naked eye, they are all
without the proper spelldriving mode.
111
Likelihood of Jetstream Disaster
Travelling in Jetstream Likelihood of Disaster (roll 1d20)
Jetstream bubble mode active + buoys No chance of disaster
Buoys without jetstream bubble mode active On a 5 or less, a jetstream disaster occurs
Jetstream bubble mode active without buoys On an 8 or less, a jetstream disaster occurs
No jetstream bubble mode active or buoys On an 15 or less, a jetstream disaster occurs
Jetstream Disaster
d20 Jetstream Disaster
Cold Wind. An extremely cold gust of wind appears through a tear in the stream; the ship and all on it suffer from
1–5 extreme cold conditions for the duration of their stay in the jetstream. Additionally, anyone on top of the deck must
pass a DC 14 Dexterity saving throw or suffer 7 (2d6) bludgeoning damage and be knocked prone.
Strong Wind. The ship swings violently in the strong wind, all creatures on board must pass a DC 16 Dexterity saving
6–10
throw or suffer 14 (4d6) bludgeoning damage and be knocked prone.
Sweeping Wind. An object or creature on the top deck gets torn free and starts flying off the deck. The object or
creature can be secured by passing a collective DC 30 Strength check. All those within 35 feet can try to secure it by
11–12 rolling a Strength check. On failure, the object or creature flies off the deck and out of the jetstream, heading for the
ground. Additionally, any creature that rolls a 1 on the check will get hit by the object and receive 21 (6d6) bludgeon-
ing damage.
Whirlpool Eddy. Turbulence shakes the ship and starts rotating it as if it was stuck in a whirlpool. A spelldriver must
cast the jetstream bubble spelldriving mode or the ship will get smashed against the jetstream’s wall and suffer 21
(2d20) force damage to the hull every turn that it remains inside of the jetstream. In addition, 1d4 random ship
13–14 modules will suffer the same damage.
Every time the ship attempts to leave the jetstream without the jetstream bubble spelldriving mode active, the ship
must pass a DC 24 Strength check. On failure, the ship remains in the jetstream and takes an additional 21 (2d20)
force damage to its hull and 1d4 random ship modules.
Debris Storm. Flying trash and other rubble smashes against the ship, which takes 35 (10d6) bludgeoning damage
15–16 against its hull and 1d4 additional ship modules. Any creatures in or on this section without cover needs to succeed
on a DC 14 Dexterity saving throw or suffer the same damage.
Large Debris. The ship suffers major damage to one of its modules due to a collision with rubble, reducing it to 1d6
17–18
hit points. Randomly determine which module is affected.
Destabilizing Jetstream. A large gust of wind, followed by the appearance of a whirlpool eddy turns the ship upside
down. Anything that is not attached to the ship or below deck falls off the ship and leaves the jetstream. A creature
can try to pass a DC 16 Dexterity saving throw to grab onto a fixed object it can reach, otherwise it falls off the ship.
19–20
This effect lasts until the jetstream bubble spelldriving mode is cast, even if it is already active. It will need to be cast
again, or the ship suffers 1d4 additional airship disasters every minute that it remains in the jetstream. The ship will
right itself automatically when it leaves the jetstream.
112
Chapter 6. Creatures and Monsters
S
ordane is not only a world of high-tech airships Once a dragon becomes an arcane dragon, it stops
and cities, it is also a world filled with magnif- aging and growing entirely. It is suspended in its current
icent constructs ingrained in the societies of state and will live on for eternity or until destroyed or dis-
the world as well as terrifying creatures both missed. Should the master be destroyed, the dragon also
aerial and terrestrial that waylay travelers and dies. On very rare occasions, powerful ancient dragons
airships and bring fortunes crashing down to will survive the death of their masters and live on in
the ground in a very literal sense. arcane undeath as they had in life, with more power.
This chapter of the book outlines a sampling of the Only a true dragon can be turned into an arcane
types of creatures and constructs you may encounter in dragon. Dragons who lack the dragon type or dragons that
a Skies of Sordane campaign in addition to the usual possess another template cannot become arcane dragons.
suspects of any other Fifth Edition setting.
Arcane Dragon Template
Arcane Dragon When a dragon becomes an arcane dragon it retains its
Arcane dragons are an entirely artificial creation, on par statistics except as described below. The arcane dragon
with the creative ambitions of the original creators of might retain or lose any or all of its lair actions or inherit
the shardforged. Aside from the shardforged, the arcane new ones, at the GM’s discretion.
dragons of Sordane are the only other known shard con-
structs that hold sentience or retain it from their previous Arcane Dragon Traits
life as a true dragon. Type. The arcane dragon’s type changes from dragon
Typically a frowned-upon process, the Arcanization to construct.
Ritual to transform a dragon is carried out by powerful Armor Class. The dragon gains a natural +2 bonus to its AC.
artificers and wizards. They take a near death, or cap- Intelligence. Unless it is already higher, the arcane drag-
tured, dragon and turn it into an extremely powerful famil- on’s Intelligence score is 20 (+5).
iar and slave to its master’s will. Though bound to their Damage Resistances. The arcane dragon has resistance
master’s will, they retain their name, personality, intelli- to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage from non-
gence, and memories from their past life. Most arcane magical attacks that aren’t adamantine.
dragons transformed against their will harbor immense ill Damage Immunities. The arcane dragon has immunity
will towards their masters. to poison and it retains any immunities it had prior to
becoming an arcane dragon.
113
Condition Immunities. The arcane dragon is immune to Magic Resistance. The dragon has advantage on saving
the charmed, exhaustion, frightened, paralyzed, petrified, throws against spells and other magical effects.
poisoned, and prone conditions. Spellcasting. The arcane dragon is a 17th-level spell-
Languages. The dragon knows the languages it knew in caster. Its spellcasting ability is Intelligence (spell save
life in addition to the languages of its master. DC 20, +12 to hit with spell attacks). The dragon has the
Saving Throws: Intelligence. The arcane dragon is profi- following wizard spells prepared:
cient with Intelligence saving throws. Cantrips (at will): light, mage hand, message,
Skill Proficiency: Arcana. The arcane dragon is profi- minor illusion, prestidigitation
cient in Arcana. 1st level (4 slots): detect magic, expeditious retreat,
Constructed Nature. An arcane dragon doesn’t require identify, sleep
air, food, drink, or sleep. 2nd level (3 slots): blindness/deafness, darkness,
Counterspell. When the arcane dragon senses a target misty step, suggestion, web
within 60 feet of it casting a spell, it can use its reaction to 3rd level (3 slots): haste, sending, slow, tongues
attempt to interrupt that creature. If the creature is casting 4th level (3 slots): dimension door, greater invisibility,
a spell of 5th level or lower, its spell fails and has no effect. locate creature
If it is casting a spell of 6th level or higher, the arcane 5th level (2 slots): animate objects, creation, wall of force
dragon makes an ability check using its spellcasting ability 6th level (1 slot): globe of invulnerability
(+5). The DC equals 10 + the spell’s level. On a success, 7th level (1 slot): forcecage, reverse gravity
the creature’s spell fails and has no effect. 8th level (1 slot): power word stun
Immutable Form. The dragon is immune to any spell or 9th level (1 slot): time stop
effect that would alter its form.
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Ancient Black Arcane Dragon
Gargantuan construct, chaotic evil ACTIONS
Multiattack. The dragon can use its Frightful Presence. It
Armor Class 24 (natural armor)
then makes three attacks: one with its bite and two with
Hit Points 332 (19d20 + 133) its claws.
Speed 40 ft., fly 80 ft., swim 40 ft. Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +17 to hit, reach 15 ft., one
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA target. Hit: 20 (2d10 + 9) piercing damage plus 9 (2d8)
acid damage.
28 (+9) 14 (+2) 25 (+7) 20 (+5) 15 (+2) 19 (+4)
Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +17 to hit, reach 10 ft., one
Saving Throws Dex +10, Con +15, Int +13, Wis +10, Cha +12 target. Hit: 16 (2d6 + 9) slashing damage.
Skills Arcana +13, Perception +18, Stealth +10 Tail. Melee Weapon Attack: +17 to hit, reach 20 ft., one
Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing and slashing target. Hit: 18 (2d8 + 9) bludgeoning damage.
damage from nonmagical attacks that aren’t adamantine Frightful Presence. Each creature of the dragon’s choice
Damage Immunities acid, poison that is within 120 feet of the dragon and aware of it must
succeed on a DC 16 Wisdom saving throw or become
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, frightened, frightened for 1 minute. A creature can repeat the saving
paralyzed, petrified, poisoned, prone throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on
Senses blindsight 60 ft., darkvision 120 ft., passive itself on a success. If a creature’s saving throw is successful
Perception 28 or the effect ends for it, the creature is immune to the
Languages Common, Draconic, and the languages its dragon’s Frightful Presence for the next 24 hours.
master understands Acid Breath (Recharge 5–6). The dragon exhales acid in
Challenge 25 (75,000 XP) Proficiency Bonus +8 a 90-foot line that is 10 feet wide. Each creature in that
line must make a DC 22 Dexterity saving throw, taking
Immutable Form. The dragon is immune to any spell or
67 (15d8) acid damage on a failed save, or half as much
effect that would alter its form.
damage on a successful one.
Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If the dragon fails a saving
throw, it can choose to succeed instead. REACTIONS
Magic Resistance. The dragon has advantage on saving Counterspell. When the arcane dragon senses a target
throws against spells and other magical effects. within 60 feet of it casting a spell, it can use its reaction to
Spellcasting. The arcane dragon is a 17th-level spellcaster. attempt to interrupt that creature. If the creature is casting
Its spellcasting ability is Intelligence (spell save DC 21, a spell of 5th level or lower, its spell fails and has no effect.
+13 to hit with spell attacks). The dragon has the following If it is casting a spell of 6th level or higher, the arcane
wizard spells prepared: dragon makes an ability check using its spellcasting ability
Cantrips (at will): light, mage hand, message, (+5). The DC equals 10 + the spell’s level. On a success, the
minor illusion, prestidigitation creature’s spell fails and has no effect.
1st level (4 slots): detect magic, expeditious retreat,
identify, sleep LEGENDARY ACTIONS
2nd level (3 slots): blindness/deafness, darkness, misty step, The adult black arcane dragon can take three legendary
suggestion, web actions, choosing from the options below. Only one
legendary action option can be used at a time and only
3rd level (3 slots): haste, sending, slow, tongues at the end of another creature’s turn. Adult black dragons
4th level (3 slots): dimension door, greater invisibility, regain spent legendary actions at the start of their turn.
locate creature Detect. The dragon makes a Wisdom (Perception) check.
5th level (2 slots): animate objects, creation, wall of force Tail Attack. The dragon makes a tail attack.
6th level (1 slot): globe of invulnerability Wing Attack (Costs 2 Actions). The dragon beats its wings.
7th level (1 slot): forcecage, reverse gravity Each creature within 15 feet of the dragon must succeed
8th level (1 slot): power word stun on a DC 23 Dexterity saving throw or take 16 (2d6 + 9)
9th level (1 slot): time stop bludgeoning damage and be knocked prone. The dragon
can then fly up to half its flying speed.
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Canyon Hessat Canyon Hessat
The canyon hessat best exemplifies the trait of patience
Gargantuan beast, unaligned
beyond any predator of Sordane as they have been known
to wait days and weeks for prey to cross their path. With Armor Class 16 (natural armor)
powerful jaws and the ability to strike with lightning quick Hit Points 225 (18d20 + 36)
attacks, they quickly make a meal out of any who may be Speed 0 ft. in lair or fly 60 ft. outside, burrow 30 ft.
foolish enough to venture too close to their lair.
Burrowed into the sides of canyons and gorges, the STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
canyon hessats hide, watching the skies, waiting, always 20 (+5) 25 (+7) 14 (+2) 2 (-4) 18 (+4) 4 (-3)
waiting for just the right prey, which to a canyon hessat
is just about anything it believes it can eat. Since airship Skills Stealth +15
travel is so prevalent, the canyon hessats have picked up Senses darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 14
a trick of snatching sailors right off the deck of unsuspect- Languages —
ing ships flying through canyons and other close quarter Challenge 10 (5,900 XP) Proficiency Bonus +4
routes in the wild. Normally a pack predator, they live
in close proximity to others of their kind. When these Ambusher. In the first round of combat, the hessat has
colonies form, they can shut down whole mountain passes advantage against any creature it has surprised.
and trade routes as the more canyon hessats there are, the Siege Monster. The hessat deals double damage to
bolder they get, attacking larger and larger prey en masse, objects and structures.
making it impossible for many ships to pass through.
Canyon hessats have long ribbon-like bodies that propel ACTIONS
them through the skies like a piece of cloth caught in the Acid Spray (Recharge 5-6).The hessat exhales acid in
wind. When they come to land on what will be their new a 30-foot cone in an area up to 100 feet from where it
home they use their jaws to dig into the solid rock, making is anchored. Each creature in that area must make a
an opening just large enough for their semi-flexible skulls DC 16 Dexterity saving throw, taking 49 (11d8) acid
to fit through and only half as deep as their length. They damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a
successful one.
coil up inside these homes, using the large spiked frill on
the back of their heads to anchor themselves within their Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +11 to hit, reach 100 ft.,
dens and wait until the hunt has begun. Although not one target. Hit: 28 (6d6 + 7) piercing damage plus
10 (3d6) acid damage and the target is grappled
fully nomadic, they move from spot to spot based on the
(escape DC 16). Until this grapple ends, the target is
abundance of food, making their homes on known trade
restrained, and the hessat can’t bite another target.
routes and well-used civilian travel lanes. When their food
Coil Attack. The hessat makes one bite attack against
sources run dry, they move on.
a Large or smaller target it is grappling. If the attack
Many kingdoms employ large scorch barges to clear
hits, the target is swallowed, and the grapple ends.
canyon hessats out of trade routes that lie within or close
The swallowed target is blinded and restrained, it has
to their borders. Hunters will tell you the best way to hunt total cover against attacks and other effects outside
canyon hessats is out in the open when they migrate at the hessat, and it takes 28 (8d6) acid damage at the
night; it takes their best weapon away, the powerful coil start of each of the hessat’s turns. The hessat can have
attack. Hunting them when they leave their dens is still up to 10 targets swallowed at a time. If the hessat
a dangerous endeavour. Even without their most deadly dies, a swallowed creature is no longer restrained
attack, they have surprising dexterity in the air and their by it and can escape from the corpse using 5 feet of
jaws have the power to effortlessly rip a man in half! movement, exiting prone.
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117
Cloud Shark
Large beast, unaligned
ACTIONS
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5ft., one
target. Hit: 15 (3d6 + 5) piercing damage. If the target
is a Large or smaller creature, it is grappled (escape
DC 13). Until this grapple ends, the shark can bite
only the grappled creature and has advantage on
Cloud Shark
It is a beautiful day with a completely clear sky apart
attack rolls to do so. While grappling, it can drag the
from a few tiny puffy clouds moving along overhead. Most
creature with it, but its speed is halved, unless the
people would not even look twice at such trivial things,
creature is two or more sizes smaller than the shark.
and that is exactly what the cloud shark hopes for as the
Ram. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
puffy cloud suddenly engulfs its target and the creature
target. Hit: 12 (2d6 + 5) bludgeoning damage.
within tears it apart. Cloud sharks usually hunt in groups,
Thrash. The shark violently thrashes a creature that
relying on their camouflage to come close enough to
it is grappling. The creature must make a DC 13
their target to get a surprise attack. Their natural habitat
Strength saving throw, taking 15 (3d6 + 5) piercing
is inside of naturally formed clouds, but outside of this
damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a
successful one. climate a cloud shark can open its pores to let out a fine
white mist that can be adapted to match local clouds.
Cloud sharks can be spotted when a cloud moves faster
than its surroundings, changes course or even moves
118
against the wind direction. Cloud sharks can be found been cases where entire schools of cloud shark have fallen
all over Sordane. They usually hunt between 1,500 and from the sky to decimate a town or village or even knock
3,000 feet in altitude, and only come down lower when massive airships out of the skies completely. Cloud sharks
extremely hungry. Due to the way they are built, cloud have a very keen sense of smell. The smallest whiff of prey
sharks must remain in constant motion in order to on the wind can be caught from miles away as they absorb
breathe. They can stop for a few seconds in order to take the air through their pores.
a bite out of their prey, but they will suffocate if they are Although difficult, it is possible to tame a cloud shark
immobilized for more than a minute or two. by bribing it with a steady stream of food in exchange
Their origin is unknown, but it is widely known that the for its obedience. However, this amicable relationship
cloud shark has the ability to absorb magic from the plan- ends as soon as the food does. Some pirates are known
et’s core through the air, giving them their innate flying to house cloud sharks inside their ship’s hull, releasing
ability. They can move at great speeds of nearly 60 miles them during combat to scare and distract their enemies.
per hour or as slow as a few inches at a time, making Some even claim that a particularly bold captain rides
them incredibly dangerous, sneaky, and versatile hunters. such a shark to battle, but most wave it off as a drunken
On rare occasions of magical nulled spaces, there have sailor’s tale.
119
Cursed Kildara it, shackling any prey caught by the destructive force with
the fell power residing in their cleavers, providing the
Fables, ghost stories, and tales told by firelight are cursed kildara with an opening to wield its cursed blade
dismissed by many as nothing more than tall tales of against the shackled prey.
old sailors and wetnurses, but in every story some truth Is it not known where these cursed artifacts and blades
exists. For centuries there have been tales of ancient originated from or how they came to be in the kildara’s
demonic monstrosities that stalk the moonless skies, with possession. But studying them has proven a challenge
blue glowing eyes that will freeze a man in his tracks as to scholars as the blades themselves are tied to the
death glides in on large cursed wings. Wielding a large kildara’s life-force, and should the kildara die the blade
obsidian black cleaver that hums with foul energy, this will irreversibly turn to dust. For this reason, scholars
entity of terror rarely leaves survivors to tell its tale. are attempting to discover the source of their creation in
The cursed kildara are bogeymen even among their order to create a way to counter the corruption stemming
own kind. Wielding ancient corrupted artifacts and fell from them; and to take the fight to the cursed creatures in
blades, they seek nothing but devastation and destruc- hopes of minimising or stopping altogether the warpath a
tion. The longer a kildara wields one of these cursed cursed kildara will inevitably find itself on.
artifacts, the more it transforms them, amplifying its The largest and most dangerous of these Cursed
need for wanton death, which it will seek until it draws its Kildara has been dubbed The Fallen One. His true name
last breath. Wielding these corrupted weapons in such a is unknown by most and has not been spoken in many cen-
fashion causes their bodies to warp and twist, growing to turies. His power is only outdone by his wrath and lust for
a massive stature and fogging their minds to all but the death. The helmet that adorns his foul head is said to have
purpose that drives the tainted item they clutch so closely. belonged to an ancient warlord from the dawn of the world
Some scholars believe that these fell weapons are that harnessed the dark energy of the void. How The Fallen
capable of absorbing the essence of each creature the One came to be in the possession of such a monumentally
kildara slays with it, corrupting their bodies more in this powerful artifact is something that only he would know, but
bid for power. While wielding one of these weapons the one can only assume he defeated the ancient warlord on
kildara is capable of releasing a wave of foul energy from his everlasting conquest for death and desolation.
Cursed Kildara
Large monstrosity, chaotic evil
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121
The Estel (Queen of the Sky)
The Estel is a legendary dragon that became an omen of enveloped in a bright divine light that guides them to safety.
good luck. Sailors who catch a glimpse of this magnificent Or that sailors wounded in battle and at death’s door will
creature at the start of a voyage often think themselves suddenly be healed. All these stories end in the same way:
incredibly blessed and look forward to a profitable and safe once the crew is safe, in the distance the beautiful form of
journey. Not much is known about The Estel or where she The Estel can be seen flying away. For these reasons she is
comes from, but it is believed that she is the last of her kind. often called the Queen of the Sky.
Stories say on occasion a ship that is being attacked will be
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The Estel
Gargantuan dragon, lawful good ACTIONS
Multiattack. The dragon can use her Frightful Presence.
Armor Class 25 (natural armor)
She then makes four attacks: one with her bite, two with her
Hit Points 499 (27d20 + 216) claw and one with her tail.
Speed 40 ft., fly 60 ft. Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +19 to hit, reach 15 ft., one
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA target. Hit: 21 (2d10 + 10) piercing damage plus 18 (4d8)
radiant damage.
30 (+10) 10 (+0) 27 (+8) 25 (+7) 16 (+3) 18 (+4)
Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +19 to hit, reach 10 ft., one
Saving Throws Dex +9, Con +19, Wis +12, Cha +13 target. Hit: 24 (4d6 + 10) slashing damage plus 18 (4d8)
Skills Perception +21, Stealth +9 radiant damage.
Damage Immunities radiant Tail. Melee Weapon Attack: +19 to hit, reach 20 ft., one
target. Hit: 19 (2d8 + 10) bludgeoning damage plus 18
Condition Immunities blinded, charmed, exhaustion, (4d8) radiant damage.
frightened
Healing Touch (3/Day). The dragon touches another
Senses blindsight 60 ft., darkvision 120 ft., passive creature. The target magically regains 32 (8d6 + 4) hit
Perception 31 points and is freed from any curse, disease, poison,
Languages understands and can speak all languages, blindness, or deafness.
telepathy 1 mile Frightful Presence. Each creature of the dragon’s choice
Challenge 30 (155,000 XP) Proficiency Bonus +9 that is within 120 feet of the dragon and aware of her must
Immutable Form. The dragon is immune to any spell or succeed on a DC 22 Wisdom saving throw or become
effect that would alter her form. frightened for 1 minute. A creature can repeat the saving
throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on
Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If the dragon fails a saving
a success. If a creature’s saving throw is successful or the
throw, she can choose to succeed instead.
effect ends for it, the creature is immune to the dragon's
Magic Weapons. The dragon’s weapon attacks are magical. Frightful Presence for the next 24 hours.
When the dragon hits with any weapon, the weapon deals
Searing Burst (Recharge 5-6). The dragon emits magical,
an extra 18 (4d8) radiant damage (included in the attack).
divine energy. Each creature of her choice in a 30-foot
Radiant Aura. As a free action the dragon can emit bright radius must make a DC 22 Dexterity saving throw, taking
magical light in a 300-foot radius and dim light for an 28 (8d6) radiant damage on a failed save, or half as much
additional 300 feet. damage on a successful one. If the creature can see the
Spellcasting. The dragon is a 17th-level spellcaster. Its dragon, it must succeed on a DC 22 Constitution saving
spellcasting ability is Intelligence (spell save DC 24, +16 to throw or be blinded until magic such as the lesser restoration
hit with spell attacks). The dragon has the following wizard spell removes the blindness.
spells prepared:
Cantrips (at will): light, mage hand, message, minor LEGENDARY ACTIONS
illusion, prestidigitation The dragon can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from
1st level (4 slots): detect magic, feather fall, shield, sleep the options below. Only one legendary action option can
2nd level (3 slots): detect thoughts, mirror image, ray be used at a time and only at the end of another creature's
of enfeeblement turn. The dragon regains spent legendary actions at the
start of her turn.
3rd level (3 slots): counterspell, dispel magic, remove curse
Detect. The dragon makes a Wisdom (Perception) check.
4th level (3 slots): dimension door, greater invisibility
Tail Attack. The dragon makes a tail attack.
5th level (2 slots): modify memory, scrying
Cast a Spell (Costs 2 actions). The dragon casts a spell from
6th level (1 slot): mass suggestion, sunbeam
her list of prepared spells, using a spell slot as normal.
7th level (1 slot): project image, teleport
Wing Attack (Costs 2 actions). The dragon beats her wings.
8th level (1 slot): sunburst Each creature within 15 feet of the dragon must succeed
9th level (1 slot): foresight on a DC 25 Dexterity saving throw or take 17 (2d6 + 10)
bludgeoning damage and be knocked prone. The dragon
can then fly up to half her flying speed.
123
Exonids the queen’s chamber to offer the queen additional protec-
tion should the colony come under attack, granting her
Exonids are an insect-like species that live in large under- targets for her premature hatching ability.
ground burrows deep in the wilds of Sordane. Their society
is built around expanding and protecting the burrow Exonid Worker
and their members rarely leave the safety of it. A notable
exception are the flying exonid hunters who can travel hun- Exonid workers are the backbone of the colony, and excel
dreds of miles away from the colony in search of sordalite in digging and burrowing. When they are not digging, they
crystals. Exonids are non-sentient and function purely on will carry broodlings around the colony and use their silk
instinct and in response to complex pheromone trails. This to line the walls for insulation.
makes them predictable and easy to control.
Not much is known about their society, as very few see Exonid Soldier
the inside of a burrow and live to tell the tale.
The soldier caste is hyperaggressive and merciless to any-
Their society is based around a single queen who lays
thing that it does not recognize as being part of the colony.
living broodlings and decides their role in the colony. The
Their specialized fire glands allow their mandibles and
colony itself, consisting mainly of exonid workers, is pro-
claws to glow white hot when attacking, allowing them to
tected by an army of hyperaggressive exonid soldiers and
cut through enemies as if they were butter.
more cunning exonid protectors.
Sordalite Hunger. The exonid queen has a diet that
consists solely of sordalite crystals. Researchers believe Exonid Protector
that this diet gives her the ability to imbue her brood with Exonid protectors are the opposite of the soldiers. They
magic. Because of this, all exonids are drawn to sordalite act with calculated precision and act only to guard the
and attempt to return it to the colony when coming across queen and the burrow. A special organ in their throat
it, especially the exonid hunters. allows them to create frigid air and to freeze enemies into
Telepathic Bond. Exonids are in constant telepathic place for when the soldiers arrive.
contact with their queen and will rarely wander outside
of her range unless ordered to do so. They primarily use
pheromones for communication, but can be telepathically
Exonid Hunter
rallied by the queen when necessary. Hunters are the only caste that leave the burrow for
Dangerous Expansion. Due to the exceptional rate at extended times. Their keen smell and sordalite sense
which exonids grow, colonies are seen as extreme threats allows them to track down crystals within a mile, even if
to the local ecosystem. For this reason, should one be they are deep underground. Captured hunters are often
discovered, nations will stomp it out as fast as possible to used as truffle pigs to locate sordalite veins.
prevent damage to the local wildlife and sordalite veins. If
a colony survives for an extended period of time, allow-
ing the queen to fully mature, unique and more powerful Variant: Brood Caste
exonids have been known to appear. All exonids are born as a specific type. The queen
can decide which type a larva gets at birth. Each of
Exonid Broodling the four types imbues the broodling with its innate
magical abilities.
The exonid queen is constantly laying new broodlings, Fire Brood. The broodling birthed into the fire brood will
although the rate will depend on the availability of sor- become a soldier exonid when it matures. It is resistant
dalite. Broodlings are live-birthed and are immediately to fire damage, inflicts an additional 1d6 fire damage
expected to serve their queen. Mere seconds before their with each melee attack and can cast the firebolt cantrip
birth, the queen decides their caste in the colony, which on each turn.
in turn has an immediate effect on their development Ice Brood. The broodling birthed into the ice brood will
and abilities. On rare occasions a queen will give birth to become a protector exonid when it matures. It is immune
a queen broodling who will start a new offshoot colony. to cold damage and cold effects. Its attacks deal cold
These broodling queens can fly and will leave the burrow damage and on a hit the movement speed of the target is
immediately, looking for a suitable new place to burrow. reduced by 10 feet until the end of their next turn.
After a few days and when it has eaten enough food, Air Brood. The broodling birthed into the air brood
a broodling will move to one of the cocoon chambers in will become a hunter exonid when it matures. It has
the bottom of the colony. Here it will cover itself in silk, an additional 15 feet of movement on each turn and is
forming a hard chrysalis (AC 12, HP 5). After a week in immune to falling damage.
this state the now mature exonid hatches from its cocoon Earth Brood. The broodling birthed into the earth brood
and assumes its job within the colony. After the queen’s will become a worker exonid when it matures. It has an
royal chamber, the cocoon chambers are the best guarded additional 20 ft. burrow speed.
location in the colony. They are hidden deep below the Queen Brood. The broodling birthed into the queen brood
ground and often have one or more resting chambers for will become a queen exonid when it matures. She has
soldiers nearby. In addition to storing eggs in the cocoon an additional 30 ft. fly and burrow speed, is a large-sized
chambers, workers will periodically move several eggs to creature, and has the following hit points: 30 (4d10 + 8).
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Exonid Broodling
Medium beast, unaligned
125
Exonid Worker
Large beast, unaligned Sordalite Sense. The exonid can sense the location
of sordalite within 60 feet of it, regardless of
Armor Class 17 (natural armor) interposing barriers.
Hit Points 30 (4d10 + 8) Tunneler. The exonid can choose to burrow through solid
Speed 30 ft., burrow 30 ft., climb 30 ft. rock at half speed, leaving a 10-foot-diameter tunnel.
Alternatively, the exonid can spend a turn to close up a
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA 5-foot section of such a tunnel.
15 (+2) 12 (+1) 14 (+2) 2 (-4) 10 (+0) 4 (-3)
ACTIONS
Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
from nonmagical attacks and sordalite-powered attacks
Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) piercing damage, and the target is grappled
Damage Immunities psychic (escape DC 12). Until the grapple ends, the target is
Condition Immunities charmed restrained, and the exonid can’t bite another target.
Senses darkvision 60 ft., tremorsense 30 ft., Sting. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
passive Perception 10 target. Hit: 1 piercing damage, and the target must make
Languages — a DC 12 Constitution saving throw, or become poisoned
Challenge 1 (200 xp) Proficiency Bonus +2 for 1 minute. If the save fails by 5 or more, the target falls
unconscious for as long as it remains poisoned in this way,
Keen Smell. The exonid has advantage on Wisdom until it takes damage, or another creature uses its action to
(Perception) checks that rely on smell. slap or shake it awake.
Pack Tactics. The exonid has advantage on an attack roll
against a creature if at least one of the exonid’s allies is
within 5 feet of the creature and the ally isn’t incapacitated.
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Exonid Hunter
Large beast, unaligned Keen Smell. The exonid has advantage on Wisdom
(Perception) checks that rely on smell.
Armor Class 16 (natural armor)
Superior Sordalite Sense. The exonid can sense the
Hit Points 42 (5d10 + 15) location of sordalite within 1 mile of it, regardless of
Speed 30 ft., burrow 20 ft., climb 30 ft., fly 45 ft. interposing barriers.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA ACTIONS
17 (+3) 12 (+1) 16 (+3) 2 (-4) 10 (+0) 4 (-3) Multiattack. The exonid makes one bite and one claw attack
or two claw attacks.
Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing
from nonmagical attacks and sordalite-powered attacks Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 13 (3d6 + 3) piercing damage. If the target is a creature,
Damage Immunities psychic
it is grappled (escape DC 13). Until this grapple ends, the
Condition Immunities charmed target is restrained, and the exonid can’t bite another target.
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 10 Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 10 ft., one
Languages — target. Hit: 10 (2d6 + 3) piercing damage.
Challenge 2 (450 XP) Proficiency Bonus +2 Consume. As a bonus action the exonid can consume a
small shard of sordalite, restoring 5 (1d4 + 3) hit points
and granting it advantage on its next attack.
127
Exonid Soldier
Large beast, unaligned Pack Tactics. The exonid has advantage on an attack roll
against a creature if at least one of the exonids’s allies is
Armor Class 18 (natural armor) within 5 feet of the creature and the ally isn’t incapacitated.
Hit Points 42 (5d10 + 15) Sordalite Sense. The exonid can sense the location
Speed 30 ft., climb 30 ft. of sordalite within 120 feet of it, regardless of
interposing barriers.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
17 (+3) 12 (+1) 16 (+3) 2 (-4) 10 (+0) 4 (-3) ACTIONS
Heated Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing
target. Hit: 13 (3d6 + 3) piercing damage plus 9 (2d8) fire
from nonmagical attacks and sordalite-powered attacks
damage, and the target is grappled (escape DC 13). Until
Damage Immunities fire, psychic the grapple ends, the target is restrained, and the exonid
Condition Immunities charmed, frightened can’t bite another target. While grappled, the target takes
Senses darkvision 60 ft., tremorsense 60 ft., 9 (2d8) fire damage at the start of each of its turns.
passive Perception 10 Fire Breath (Recharge 5–6). The exonid exhales a fiery
Languages — liquid in a 15-foot cone. Each creature in that area must
Challenge 3 (700 XP) Proficiency Bonus +2 make a DC 13 Dexterity saving throw or take 17 (5d6) fire
damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a
Keen Smell. The exonid has advantage on Wisdom successful one.
(Perception) checks that rely on smell.
128
Exonid Protector
Large beast, unaligned ACTIONS
Multiattack. The exonid makes two bite attacks.
Armor Class 18 (natural armor)
Cold Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
Hit Points 119 (14d10 + 42)
target. Hit: 15 (2d10 + 4) piercing damage plus 7 (2d6)
Speed 40 ft., climb 40 ft. cold damage.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA Ice Breath (Recharge 5–6). The exonid exhales a frosty cloud
18 (+4) 12 (+1) 16 (+3) 2 (-4) 10 (+0) 4 (-3)
in a 15-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make a
DC 13 Dexterity saving throw. On a failed saving throw, a
Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing target takes 27 (6d8) cold damage and its movement speed
from nonmagical attacks and sordalite-powered attacks is reduced by 10 feet. On a successful saving throw, a target
Damage Immunities cold, psychic takes half as much damage and its speed is not affected.
Condition Immunities charmed, frightened REACTIONS
Senses darkvision 60 ft., tremorsense 30 ft., Ice Shield (Recharge 6). When hit by an attack, the exonid
passive Perception 10 can create a 10-foot-wide, 5-foot-thick, and 10-foot-high
Languages — wall of ice in front of it. The ice has AC 12 and 60 HP, and
Challenge 7 (2,900 XP) Proficiency Bonus +3 it is vulnerable to fire damage. If the wall cuts through a
creature’s space when it appears, the creature within its
Ice Walk. The exonid can move across and climb icy area is pushed out of the wall in the direction opposite of
surfaces without needing to make an ability check and the exonid and must make a DC 11 Dexterity saving throw.
ignores difficult terrain composed of ice or snow. On a failed save, the creature takes 10 (3d6) cold damage,
Keen Smell. The exonid has advantage on Wisdom or half as much damage on a successful one.
(Perception) checks that rely on smell.
Sordalite Sense. The exonid can sense the location
of sordalite within 120 feet of it, regardless of
interposing barriers.
129
130
Exonid Queen attack rolls, ability checks, and saving throws it makes
before the end of its next turn.
The queen’s insatiable desire for sordalite is what gives • A strange and unpleasant smell fills the air inside the
her sentience and powerful psionic powers and what burrow. Any animals taken inside the burrow must be
makes them grow. A queen is in constant telepathic convinced with a DC 12 Animal Handling check, or will
contact with her colony, and the range of this power is try to flee.
what dictates the size of the burrow. She is aware of
everything that her children see and do and can even The Queen’s Chamber
‘take the reins’ for brief moments when a more intelligent
approach is needed. Exonids, apart from the hunters, rely The royal chamber of the queen always resides in the
on this connection and feel broken without it. They will do dead center of an exonid colony, in order to optimize the
anything to maintain it and protect their queen. reach of her telepathic abilities. Her lair is heavily pro-
tected by her brood. The chamber has only one entrance,
Exonid Burrow and its location changes constantly with workers opening
and closing tunnels to the chamber. The queen is too big
An exonid burrow is a large collection of chambers inter- to ever leave her chamber without having her workers dig
connected by tunnels that make it hard to navigate for her out.
outsiders, especially when combined with the Protectors The room itself is typically round, with a 100-foot diam-
blocking off some of the tunnels and broodling silk making eter and a 40-foot ceiling. It is dark save for the dim glow
them all look identical. The burrow itself is completely of the sordalite crystals that encrust the queen; it is moist
underground, with several entrances dotted across the and completely covered with a thick layer of broodling
landscape. They would be easy to miss, if not for the con- webbing that does not burn.
stant scurry of exonids in the area. Sometimes the colony
digs too many tunnels and parts of the burrow collapse Lair Actions
into a crater-like structure. When fighting inside her lair, an exonid queen can use lair
Silk walking. All terrain inside an exonid burrow actions. On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), an
counts as difficult terrain for non-exonids due to brood- exonid queen can take one lair action to cause one of the
ling silk. It is possible to remove the silk in a 5 foot by 5 following effects, but cannot use the same action twice in
foot area by attacking it with a slashing weapon or with a row.
fire. The silk is flame retardant, and will not spread to • The queen uses her Mind Pulse attack on a creature
other squares. she can sense within 60 feet of her.
A lair for exonids. An exonid burrow functions as their • The queen targets one friendly creature that she can
lair, which means that exonids inside their burrow will sense within 60 feet of her and empowers it. The target
have additional powers and intruders can be affected gains advantage on one attack roll, ability check, or
by the location. The queen’s chamber is its own lair saving throw it makes before the end of its next turn.
with additional actions that stack on top of the exonid Empowerment is lost if it is not used.
lair actions. • The queen targets one friendly creature that she can
sense within 60 feet of her and commands it to protect
Lair Actions her. The creature gets an extra turn at this point, after
The exonid collective can use lair actions during combat. which it returns to its former turn order.
On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), an exonid col-
lective can take one lair action to cause one of the following Regional Effects
effects, but cannot use the same action twice in a row. The territory within 1 mile of an exonid queen is altered
• An exonid can produce a strong attack pheromone in a by her psionic presence, which creates one or
10-foot-radius sphere around itself that lasts for 1 hour more of the following effects:
or until removed with fire or magic. Any exonid inside • Creatures within 1 mile of an exonid queen feel as if
such a cloud has advantage on its attacks. they are being watched and followed, even when they
• An exonid can spend an action to eat the body of a are not.
dead colony member or enemy to regain 2d6 HP. A • The queen can overhear any telepathic conversation
medium-sized target has enough flesh to facilitate this happening within 1 mile of her. The creature that
action three times. Larger bodies gain one extra portion initiated the telepathic conversation makes a DC 19
per size class above medium. Wisdom (Insight) check when telepathic contact is
first established. If the check succeeds, the creature is
Regional Effects aware that something is eavesdropping on the conver-
The territory inside the exonid burrow is altered by its sation. The nature of the eavesdropper isn’t revealed,
inhabitants, which creates one or more of the follow- and the queen can’t participate in the telepathic con-
ing effects: versation.
• Dead exonids release noxious fumes from their bodies • Any creature that faints inside the queen’s 1 mile tele-
in a 5-foot radius around them. Any creature that is not pathic range will hear the thousands of incomprehensi-
an exonid that begins its turn in these fumes must pass ble voices of the colony.
a DC 12 Constitution check or have disadvantage on all If the queen dies, these effects immediately end.
131
Exonid Queen
Huge beast, unaligned ACTIONS
Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 10 ft., one
Armor Class 18 (natural armor)
target. Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4) slashing damage plus 18 (4d8)
Hit Points 210 (20d12 + 80) psychic damage.
Speed 0 ft., fly 10 ft. (hover) Lay Broodling (10/day). As a bonus action the queen can
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA give birth to a broodling of the type of her choosing in an
unoccupied space adjacent to her. The broodling acts last
18 (+4) 12 (+1) 18 (+4) 22 (+6) 18 (+4) 20 (+5)
on the initiative tracker.
Saving Throws Int +11, Wis +9, Cha +10 Psychic Blast (Recharge 5–6). The queen emits a blast of
Skills Arcana +11, Deception +10, lnsight +14, psychic energy. All creatures within 60 feet of the queen
Intimidation +10, Persuasion +10 that she chooses must succeed on a DC 19 Intelligence
saving throw or take 32 (5d10 + 5) psychic damage and be
Damage Resistances cold, fire, lightning; bludgeoning, stunned for 1 minute. A target can repeat the saving throw
piercing, and slashing from magical attacks at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on
Damage Immunities poison, psychic; bludgeoning, a success.
piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks and Sense Thoughts. The queen targets a creature that she can
sordalite-powered attacks see which must succeed on a DC 19 Intelligence saving
Senses blindsight 60 ft., passive Perception 14 throw or she gains insight into the target’s reasoning,
Languages understands all languages but can’t speak, emotional state, and thoughts that loom large in its mind
telepathy 1 mile (including things the target worries about, loves, or hates).
Challenge 15 (13,000 XP) Proficiency Bonus +5 Sordalite Gorged. The queen consumes a 1 lb. sordalite
crystal in melee range absorbing the raw energy within. This
Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If the queen fails a saving
causes the queen’s mind blast ability to recharge and allows
throw, she can choose to succeed instead.
her to regain up to six levels of spell slots, for example one
Magic Resistance. The queen has advantage on saving level 6 spell slot, or two level 3 spell slots. The queen also
throws against spells and other magical effects. regains three uses of the lay broodling ability.
Royal Scent. Exonids within a 60-foot-radius sphere of the
queen gain advantage on all attack rolls. LEGENDARY ACTIONS
Spellcasting. The queen is an 11th-level spellcaster. Its The queen can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from
spellcasting ability is Intelligence (spell save DC 19, the options below. She can take only one legendary action
+11 to hit with spell attacks). The queen has the following at a time and only at the end of another creature’s turn.
spells prepared: The queen regains spent legendary actions at the start of
Cantrips (at will): vicious mockery her turn.
1st level (4 slots): bane, charm person, shield Break Concentration. The queen targets one creature that
2nd level (3 slots): detect thoughts, suggestion, zone of truth she can see within 30 feet of her that is concentrating on
a spell and attacks it telepathically. The targeted creature
3rd level (3 slots): counterspell, fear, hypnotic pattern
must make a DC 19 Intelligence saving throw or have their
4th level (2 slots): compulsion, confusion, concentration broken.
hallucinatory terrain
Mind Pulse. The queen targets a creature within 10 feet of it
5th level (1 slot): mislead, modify memory which must succeed on a DC 19 Intelligence saving throw.
6th level (1 slot): mass suggestion On failure, it takes 10 (3d6) psychic damage. Additionally, it
Telepathic Hub. The queen can use her telepathy to initiate becomes either deafened, frightened, blinded, or paralyzed
a telepathic conversation with all exonids within a 1 mile (roll 1d4 to decide) for 1d6 turns. On success, the creature
radius. The queen can let those creatures telepathically hear takes half damage and suffers no additional effects.
each other while connected in this way. Royal Offering. The queen consumes a living exonid within
Telepathic Sense. The queen is aware of creatures within 1 5 feet of her, regaining 21 (6d6) hit points.
mile of it that have 4 or more Intelligence. She knows the Premature Hatching (Costs 2 actions). The queen
distance and direction to each creature, but can’t sense telepathically targets chrysalis eggs placed within her
anything else about them. This ability does not work for chamber, prematurely hatching three broodlings and
creatures protected by a nondetection spell, mind blank, or summoning them to her aid in combat. The broodlings act
similar magic. last on the initiative tracker.
132
Grimhulk A medium-sized grimhulk only has an aura of several
feet, but this grows up to five miles as it matures into an
The grimhulks of Sordane are an ancient and mysteri- elder grimhulk. Unlike with lycanthropy, this effect is
ous breed of creature. The stand on all four legs like a gradual and transforms the affected creature in a more
gorilla and are completely covered in long fur. They stand permanent manner that can only be undone with a wish
between 5 and 8 feet tall depending on the creature type spell. Those saved from the aura’s influence eventually
they were before becoming a grimhulk. Fully grown elder recover but are never quite the same, which often leads to
hulks can be upwards of 50 feet tall. their becoming outcasts.
Grimhulks reproduce by transforming other creatures. Even more dangerous than the aura is a grimhulk’s bite,
It is not known how this works, but it is believed that the which curses the target with its own transformation aura
grimhulk’s will to survive as a species manifests itself into that affects only itself.
a magical effect.
Greyback Grimhulk
Huge beast, chaotic neutral
Grimhulk Armor Class 15 (natural armor)
Large beast, chaotic neutral
Hit Points 195 (17d12 + 85)
Armor Class 12 (natural armor) Speed 30 ft.
Hit Points 60 (8d10 + 16)
Speed 30 ft. STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
22 (+6) 13 (+1) 20 (+5) 6 (-2) 10 (+0) 10 (+0)
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
18 (+4) 13 (+1) 14 (+2) 6 (-2) 10 (+0) 10 (+0) Senses passive Perception 10
Languages understands the languages it knew but
Senses passive Perception 10 can’t speak
Languages understands the languages it knew but Challenge 11 (7,200 XP) Proficiency Bonus +4
can’t speak
Legendary Resistance (1/Day). If the grimhulk fails a
Challenge 2 (450 XP) Proficiency Bonus +2
saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead.
Regeneration. The grimhulk regains 5 (1d10) hit Regeneration. The grimhulk regains 27 (5d10) hit
points at the start of its turn. The grimhulk dies only if points at the start of its turn. The grimhulk dies only if
it starts its turn with 0 hit points. it starts its turn with 0 hit points.
Berserk. Once the grimhulk starts its turn with 30 hit Berserk. Once the grimhulk starts its turn with 100 hit
points or fewer, the grimhulk goes berserk. On each points or fewer, the grimhulk goes berserk. On each
of its turns while berserk, the grimhulk attacks the of its turns while berserk, the grimhulk attacks the
nearest creature it can see. Once the grimhulk goes nearest creature it can see. Once the grimhulk goes
berserk, it continues in this state until it is killed or berserk, it continues in this state until it is killed or
regains all of its hit points. regains all of its hit points.
ACTIONS ACTIONS
Multiattack. The grimhulk makes two attacks, but only Multiattack. The grimhulk makes two attacks, but only
one bite. one bite.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
target. Hit: 8 (1d8 + 4) piercing damage. If the target target. Hit: 10 (1d8 + 6) piercing damage. If the target
is a creature, it is grappled (escape DC 12). Until this is a creature, it is grappled (escape DC 16). Until this
grapple ends, the target is restrained, and the grimhulk grapple ends, the target is restrained, and the grimhulk
can’t bite another target. If the target is a humanoid, can’t bite another target. If the target is a humanoid,
it must succeed on a DC 8 Constitution saving throw it must succeed on a DC 12 Constitution saving
or be cursed with a grimhulk transformation (see throw or be cursed with a grimhulk transformation (see
Transformation Table on page 135). Transformation Table on page 135).
Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 10 ft.,
target. Hit: 9 (2d4 + 4) slashing damage. one target. Hit: 11 (2d4 + 6) slashing damage.
Horns. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one Horns. Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
target. Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4) piercing damage. one target. Hit: 13 (2d6 + 6) piercing damage.
Heal. As a bonus action, the grimhulk can use its Heal. As a bonus action, the grimhulk can use its
regenerative abilities to end either one disease or one regenerative abilities to end either one disease or one
condition afflicting it. The condition can be blinded, condition afflicting it. The condition can be blinded,
deafened, paralyzed, or poisoned. Once the grimhulk deafened, paralyzed, or poisoned. Once the grimhulk
heals itself in this manner it does not regain health at heals itself in this manner it does not regain health at
the start of its next turn. the start of its next turn.
133
Grimhulks grow incredibly quickly. Going from a newly
transformed grimhulk to a fully grown elder grimhulk
can take only six months depending on available food
sources. They are omnivores and will eat anything they
can get their hands on aside from other grimhulks. They
are often found in remote wildernesses and remote areas
far away from heavily populated areas, but on occasion
one will wander into the area of a town or village and
subconsciously impose its aura on the inhabitants. They
are mostly nocturnal. A grimhulk’s lair is nothing special,
usually in a cave hidden deep in the forest or mountains.
They care nothing for treasures or riches, but their lairs
will often be littered with the remains of adventurers
passing by or those that have failed to slay them.
The combination of their omnivorous nature and
transformative aura can result in entire regions ending up
as a barren desert that is devoid of all life. For this reason
specialized grimhulk hunters are always on the lookout for
these creatures. If the altruistic reason of saving a region
and its inhabitants from certain destruction is not enough,
the promise of riches might be. Grimhulk oil is a valuable
resource that can be extracted from their bones. It is the
oil of choice for lighting as it gives a bright, clear and
smokeless flame. Many tinkerers also use it as lubrication
for mechanics due to its high purity. About 1 gallon of oil
can be extracted from a medium grimhulk by cooking its
bones in a special liquid.
134
Some less ethical grimhulk hunters purposefully turn Transformation Table
kidnapped people and slaves into grimhulks to later
Level Effect
harvest the valuable oil from them.
A grimhulk eats about twice its body weight each day The affected creature does not want to leave the
1
to facilitate the accelerated growth that it undergoes. It aura, and will resist doing so.
will eat anything organic from leaves and twigs to animals The affected creature grows body hair at an accel-
and humans. They will usually settle down in a region 2 erated pace. In one day their hair will grow the
that is rich in resources and move away only when these amount it usually does in a year.
resources are exhausted. A single grimhulk can take a Two limbs of the affected creature change to resem-
long time before it decimates an area, but if there is a 3 ble that of a grimhulk (GMs choice). Additionally,
group of them, then the land can be picked clean in a fur starts to grow all over its body.
matter of days.
Generally, they will first focus on the easy food The affected creature’s Intellect score is reduced to
like plants, fruits and vegetables. Once this supply is 6 and its Strength score becomes 18 if not higher
4
exhausted, they will turn more aggressive and start already. Additionally, the creature feels a strong pull
hunting for prey. to live in the wild.
5 The affected creature fully transforms into a grimhulk.
Elder Grimhulk
Gargantuan beast, chaotic neutral level of grimhulk transformation and an additional level for
every additional 24 hours they spend in it. A creature that
Armor Class 25 (natural armor) succeeds its Constitution save is immune to the effect for
Hit Points 410 (20d20 + 200) 24 hours, but rolls the same saving throw +5 after that. See
Speed 40 ft. the Transformation Table for effects.
135
Hollowed One Hollowed One
Carcassite crystals are an unholy necromantic corruption Medium undead, lawful evil
of sordalite that are banned in most civilized places. When
placed into a body, the crystal infuses it with its energy Armor Class 16 (natural armor)
and animates the body with a purple glow. The resulting Hit Points 110 (17d8 + 34)
creature does not remember its former life and exists Speed 30 ft.
purely to serve its master. Hollowed ones feel no pain or
emotion, which makes them the perfect killing machine. STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
The creation of carcassite is closely guarded by the cult of 18 (+4) 12 (+1) 14 (+2) 8 (-1) 10 (+0) 6 (-2)
Umiera, who make and spread these crystals.
Damage Vulnerabilities bludgeoning from
Hollowed ones are popular servants for those in the
magical attacks
underworld due to their strength, loyalty and exceptional
hardiness and immunity to sordalite attacks. Because Damage Immunities necrotic, poison; bludgeoning,
piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks and
of this, the crystals sell for exorbitant amounts on black
sordalite-powered attacks
markets or get stolen by rivaling gangs. Rumors exist
that the cult of Umiera is plotting something with these Condition Immunities charmed, frightened,
paralyzed, poisoned
crystals and the hollowed ones that are spreading far and
wide; could they somehow override their loyalty? Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 10
Outside of the underworld, the use, possession, and sale Languages understands the languages it knew in life
of carcassite is strictly forbidden, resulting in jail time for but can’t speak
the perpetrator and their associates and potentially can Challenge 5 (1,800 XP) Proficiency Bonus +3
even lead to a death sentence.
Magic Resistance. The hollowed one has advantage on
Undead Nature. A hollowed one doesn’t require air, saving throws against spells and other magical effects.
food, drink, or sleep.
Rejuvenation. If the hollowed one is slain, it regains
all its hit points in 1 hour unless the carcassite
is removed.
ACTIONS
Multiattack. The hollowed one makes two claw attacks
or uses its carcassite blast twice.
Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
target. Hit: 10 (2d6 + 3) slashing damage plus 7 (2d6)
necrotic damage.
Carcassite Blast. Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit,
reach 120 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d10 + 1) necrotic
damage.
136
Morgius Morgius
The morgius is the pinnacle of evolution. Working as the Gargantuan plant, neutral evil
ideal mix between animal and fungus, it has the intelligence
of a human, a slyness comparable to the most cunning of Armor Class 17 (natural armor)
predators, and the regenerative properties of a fungus. Its Hit Points 294 (19d20 + 95)
appearance resembles a flowering bud in a way, with root- Speed fly 30 ft.
like tentacles protruding from the bottom and a large fanged
mouth between the two. It has no eyes but instead uses its STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
overdeveloped brain to sense nearby prey telepathically. 18 (+4) 12 (+1) 21 (+5) 18 (+4) 12 (+1) 3 (-4)
The morgius rarely engages prey on its own, constantly
fearing for its wellbeing. Instead, it uses smaller drone- Damage Vulnerabilities fire
like morgi to do the dirty work for it. These smaller Condition Immunities blinded, deafened
jellyfish-like fungi grow on the morgius’ body and inside Senses blindsight 30 ft., passive Perception 11
its bud. They are telepathically connected to their master, Languages understands all languages but can’t speak,
working as an extension without any form of individuality. telepathy 1 mile
These drones hunt by infecting their prey with their fungal Challenge 10 (5,900 XP) Proficiency Bonus +4
spores which take over the target’s nervous system and
force it to submit to their will. Enslaved creatures either Telepathic Sense. The morgius is aware of creatures
within 1 mile of it that have 1 or more Intelligence. It
gain a role within the morgius’ colony or give themselves
knows the distance and direction to each creature, but
willingly to be eaten by their new master.
can’t sense anything else about them. This ability does
Morgius usually live by drifting on the breeze along with
not work for creatures protected by a nondetection
their morgi ‘offspring,’ but will sometimes seek under- spell, mind blank, or similar magic.
ground lairs in mountains or caves where they can infest
Telepathic Hub. The morgius can use its telepathy
the local wildlife and grow their colony of power.
to send telepathic commands to all morgi within a 1
All morgi and enslaved creatures under the control of mile radius.
the morgius die when it itself dies.
False Appearance. While the morgius remains
motionless, it is indistinguishable from a
Engaging a Morgius fungal growth.
The morgius requires morgi to function and vice versa. In
ACTIONS
order to have a proper CR 10 encounter, we suggest that
you start with five morgi to serve the morgius and add Multiattack. The morgius makes two grasping
tentacle attacks and one bite attack.
spore servants to go above that.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
target. Hit: 17 (3d8 + 4) piercing damage.
Morgius Regional Effects Grasping Tentacles. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to
The territory within 1 mile of a morgius is altered by its psionic hit, reach 15 ft., one creature not grappled by the
presence, which creates one or more of the following effects: morgius. Hit: The target is grappled (escape DC 15).
• The morgius can overhear any telepathic conversation Until the grapple ends, the target takes 11 (2d6 + 4)
happening within 1 mile of it but not partake in them. bludgeoning damage at the start of each of its turns.
All creatures within this radius that are telepathically The tentacle has AC 15 and can be severed by dealing
communicating must make a DC 16 Wisdom saving throw 6 slashing damage or more to it at once. Cutting
or suffer 21 (6d6) psychic damage from the morgius’ the tentacle doesn’t hurt the morgius but ends the
mental screams. grapple. The morgius can grapple up to 6 creatures
and regrows lost tentacles at the end of its turn.
• Any creature that faints inside the morgius’ 1 mile tele-
pathic range will be mentally bombarded by the morgius
LEGENDARY ACTIONS
and has disadvantage on death saving throws.
The morgius can take 1 legendary action, choosing
If the morgius dies, the above effects immediately end.
from the options below. Only one legendary action
• The territory within 100 feet of a morgius is altered by
can be used at a time and only at the end of another
a concoction of gasses and spores emitted by it, which creature’s turn. The morgius regains its legendary
creates one or more of the following effects. action at the start of its turn.
• Any creatures under the morgius’ control are healed
Attack. The morgius uses its multiattack.
when breathing in these gasses and regain 1d6 hit
Move. The morgius can move up to its speed.
points at the end of their turn while inside this area.
• Any creature that starts its turn in this gas and breathes Release Morgi (3/day). The morgius releases two morgi
must succeed on a DC 16 Constitution saving throw or from its body in unoccupied spaces adjacent to it.
become poisoned. The effect ends if they spend 1 minute Psychic Drain. One creature under the morgius’
outside of the cloud breathing fresh air or when cured. control takes an amount of psychic damage equal to
This cloud and its effects dissipate 24 hours after the its hit point total and dies. The morgius regains hit
points equal to the damage the creature takes.
morgius dies.
137
138
Morgi
Medium plant, neutral evil
Armor Class 13 (natural armor) damage, and it is grappled (escape DC 14). Until this
Hit Points 75 (10d8 + 30) grapple ends, the target is restrained, and it takes 21 (6d6)
Speed 0 ft., fly 30 ft. poison damage at the start of each of its turns. The morgi
can constrict only one target at a time.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA Enslave. The morgi targets one creature that it has grappled
18 (+4) 12 (+1) 16 (+3) 1 (-5) 10 (+0) 1 (-5) and injects it with spores through various small spikes
on its tentacles. The target must succeed on a DC 14
Damage Vulnerabilities fire Constitution saving throw or be magically charmed by the
Condition Immunities blinded, charmed, deafened, morgi until the morgius dies or until it is on a different
exhaustion, frightened plane of existence from the target. The charmed target
is under the morgius’ control and can’t take Reactions.
Senses blindsight 30 ft., passive Perception 10
Additionally, the morgius and the target can communicate
Languages — telepathically with each other over a distance of 1 mile.
Challenge 1 (200 XP) Proficiency Bonus +2 The charm can be broken by moving the affected target
out of range of the morgius’ telepathy or by any effect that
False Appearance. While the morgi remains motionless, it is
magically cures disease within an amount of hours equal to
indistinguishable from a fungal growth.
1d12 + the creature’s Constitution score since the moment
of infection. After this time the fungus permanently
ACTIONS
destroys the target’s brain and takes over the body. Apply
Constrict. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 20 ft., one the spore servant template to the affected creature at this
creature. Hit: The target takes 11 (2d6 + 4) bludgeoning point.
139
Noklura
The noklura are an ancient and mysteri-
ous species. They have been around for
millennia and have been the apex preda-
tors for all of that time. Though power-
ful, dangerous, and apparently without
many natural equals, they remain a very
rare and mysterious creature that holds
the status of myth for most people as
they are often not seen for decades due
to their elusive feeding habits and knack
for leaving no survivors—or leftovers.
Old accountings of encounters with
these creatures estimate that they could
grow upwards of 500 feet long. With
massive upper bodies boasting huge
razor-sharp-teeth-filled maws, the fact
that they remain so hidden and elusive
furthers their mystery. They have a jet
black carapace that is unlike anything
else. Its color is blacker than the darkest
moonless night and as strong as the
toughest metals.
Noklura have no known lifespan, and
it’s very possible that the ones encoun-
tered today have lived for thousands
of years.
They hunt entirely at night and use
their luminescent tails to lure prey
to them. Their tails are tipped with
a crystal-like appendage that has the
ability to change shape, color, bright-
ness and hardness. They have evolved
to hunt and feed off other aerial crea-
tures looking to drain sordalite crystals
of their power and energy. In the last
few thousand years, as the intelligent
races of the world have taken to the
skies in their soralite ships, the noklura
have found a new source of food.
On the rare occasion they are
encountered, it is typically anywhere
from 2,000 to 10,000 feet in altitude,
but there are stories of a noklura or two
terrorizing settlements in the past. They
have the ability to fly up to the upper
limits of any creature in Sordane—
around 35,000 ft.
140
Noklura
Gargantuan aberration, chaotic evil the smell or the effect ends. While charmed by the noklura,
the target is incapacitated.
Armor Class 17 (natrual armor)
If the charmed target is more than 5 feet away from the
Hit Points 403 (26d20 + 130) noklura, then it must move on its turn towards the noklura
Speed 20 ft., fly 60 ft. along the most direct path, trying to get within 5 feet. The
target does not avoid opportunity attacks, but it can repeat
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA the saving throw before moving into damaging terrain
22 (+6) 20 (+5) 20 (+5) 16 (+3) 18 (+4) 25 (+7) and whenever it takes damage from a source other than
the noklura.
Saving Throws Int +9, Wis +10, Cha +13
A charmed target can repeat the saving throw at the end
Skills Deception +19, Persuasion +19, Stealth +17 of each of its turns. If the saving throw is successful, the
Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing effect ends. A target that successfully saves is immune to
from magical attacks this noklura’s smell for the next 24 hours.
Damage Immunities bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing Dominate Creature. The noklura targets a creature which
from nonmagical attacks and sordalite-powered attacks has to pass a DC 16 Wisdom saving throw or be charmed
Senses darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 14 by it for 1 minute. While charmed, the creature is under
Languages Abyssal, Common, Draconic, telepathy 1 mile the noklura’s control and can be given simple commands
by use of an action (e.g., ‘Attack him,’ ‘Move there,’ ‘Wait’).
Challenge 20 (25,000 XP) Proficiency Bonus +6
Each time the creature takes damage, it makes a new
High Altitude Acclimatization. The noklura does not suffer Wisdom saving throw against the effect. If the saving throw
from (very) thin air conditions or low temperature conditions. succeeds, the spell effect ends. The noklura has no limit
Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If the noklura fails a saving on the amount of creatures that can be charmed in this
throw, it can choose to succeed instead. way and can use it again on creatures that succeeded their
throw, but if it takes 30 damage or more in one turn, it has
Siege Monster. The noklura deals double damage to objects
to pass a DC 19 Intelligence saving throw or lose concen-
and structures.
tration and thereby end the effect on all creatures.
Telepathic Aura. The noklura is aware of creatures within 1
Lure. As an action, the noklura can change the shape, color,
mile of it that have an Intelligence of 4 or higher. It knows
texture, and light level of its lure into something that would
the distance and direction to each creature as well sensing
interest its prey. If in the shape of a creature, the lure can
the surface thoughts of these creatures.
make basic movements with its limbs like beckoning with
ACTIONS its arms or flapping with its wings. If targeting a specific
creature, the noklura can choose to give its lure the shape
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +12 to hit, reach 10 ft., one
of someone meaningful to the target, drawing this informa-
target. Hit: 19 (3d8 + 6) piercing damage. If the target is
tion from the target’s mind.
a Large or smaller creature charmed by the noklura, that
creature is swallowed. While swallowed, the creature is LEGENDARY ACTIONS
blinded and restrained, it has total cover against attacks
The noklura can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from
and other effects outside the noklura, but it takes 45 (10d6
the options below. It can take only one legendary action
+ 10) acid damage at the start of each of the noklura’s
at a time and only at the end of another creature’s turn.
turns. If the noklura takes 50 damage or more on a single
The noklura regains spent legendary actions at the start of
turn from creatures inside it, the noklura must succeed on
its turn.
a DC 15 Constitution saving throw at the end of that turn
or regurgitate all swallowed creatures, which fall prone in Blind. The noklura can produce a bright flash from its lure,
a space within 10 feet of the noklura. If the noklura dies, blinding all creatures within a 120-foot radius that can see it
a swallowed creature is no longer restrained by it and for 1 minute.
can escape from the corpse using 15 feet of movement, Break Concentration. The noklura targets one creature
exiting prone. that it can see within 30 feet of it that is concentrating on
Tail. Melee Weapon Attack: +12 to hit, reach 60 ft., one a spell and attacks it telepathically. The targeted creature
target. Hit: 42 (8d8 + 6) bludgeoning damage. If the target must make a DC 19 Intelligence saving throw or have their
is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 17 Strength saving concentration broken.
throw or be knocked prone. If the target is on board a ship, Command. The noklura commands one creature under the
the attack also targets the affected area. control of its Dominate Creature ability.
Alluring Smell (5/day). The noklura releases a sweet and Manipulate. The noklura takes the Alluring Smell, Lure, or
wonderful smell from glands on its head. All those within Dominate Creature action.
30 feet who can smell it must succeed on a DC 19 Wisdom Slither. The noklura takes the Disengage or Hide action.
saving throw or be charmed. The noklura must take a
bonus action on its subsequent turns to continue expelling
141
Shard Constructs Shard Constructs in Sordane
Within this chapter, you will find the stats and rules for There are entire economies based on the construction and
multiple shard constructs. A shard construct is simple sale of shard constructs, but shard constructs are more
at its core. It contains a shard core made from sordalite than just products. They are rooted deep into the world’s
crystal and its body is typically built to resemble that of a history and culture.
humanoid in some way, whether it’s arms and legs, a full They are an integral part of almost all nations and
body with a head, or some other minor aesthetic. peoples of Sordane. They do manual labor, fight battles,
Most shard constructs have one or two base functions and provide protection. Some races have contentious
that they are built for such as repairs, labor, fighting, relationships with the existence of the shard constructs.
protection, or even shopping, but some more advanced The shardforged (or Odari, as they prefer to be called),
constructs may have many more functions that their for example, despise the use of shard constructs, for it
masters use. reminds them of the age of when they themselves were
Shard constructs are typically beholden to one master mindless slaves to the other races of the world.
or organization and are linked via shard control devices How you wish to incorporate these themes and elements
from which they take their orders. A shard construct given into your campaign will be completely up to you as a GM.
commands by the wielder of this device cannot resist the
order (nor would ever want to).
Constructed Nature. A shard construct doesn’t require Mechanimals
air, food, drink, or sleep. Mechanimals are a curious type of shard construct. They
are actually the oldest form of constructs still in use today.
Originally made as toy mice and cats for children, their
potential as powerful companions for soldiers, lords, and
Shard Control Devices adventurers was discovered. They were soon expanded to
Shard constructs can be magically bound to an amulet, imitate all forms of natural creatures in Sordane.
coin, brooch, or some other kind of small trinket,
While they are still something of a fashion item among
which acts as its control device. As long as the shard
the higher societies of Sordane, they serve a vital purpose
construct and its control device are on the same plane
for many crews on ships and soldiers in the military. They
of existence, a creature attuned to the shard construct’s
control device can telepathically call the shard construct offer their master added protection and companion ships.
to travel to it, and the shard construct knows the They are not sentient in the sense of the shardforged,
distance and direction to the control device. It must but they imitate the intelligence level of the animal they
obey any and all commands to the best of its ability. are modeled after. Though imitating the intelligence of a
lesser animal, they have superior intelligence and under-
standing. Most mechanimals have basic problem solving
skills and can fully understand spoken commands by
their masters. They can be used in complex plans and
given instructions to follow based on conditional events
happening such as acting on a certain cue or in response
to a specified event.
Aside from the shard drone workforce, mechanimals
are the most common shard constructs in Sordane. More
basic versions of them are still bought for children as toys
and many adventuring parties have a mechanimal for each
member of the party.
Mechanimal Template
Any mechanimal can be made to look like a beast. It has
all the same statistics as its flesh-and-blood counterpart,
except as follows.
Type. The mechanimal’s type is construct, and it loses
any tags.
Alignment. The mechanimal’s alignment is neutral.
Ability Scores. The mechanimal’s Strength and Constitu-
tion scores increase by 2, and its Intelligence and Cha-
risma scores change to 10 (+0) unless it is already higher.
Armor Class. When the mechanimal isn’t wearing armor,
its AC is 15 + its Dexterity modifier. It can use its natural
armor to determine its AC if the armor it wears would
leave it with a lower AC. A shield’s benefits apply as
normal while it uses its natural armor.
142
Damage Resistances. The mechanimal is resistant to Languages. The mechanimal understands all languages
bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical known by its creator but can’t speak.
attacks not made with adamantine weapons. Innate Spellcasting. The mechanimal knows two can-
Condition Immunities. The mechanimal can’t be trips from the wizard spell list and can cast them at will.
charmed, exhausted, frightened, paralyzed, petrified, In addition, the mechanimal knows one 1st-level spell
or poisoned. from the wizard spell list and can cast it at its lowest level
Senses. The mechanimal gains blindsight with a radius of once per day. Its spellcasting ability is Intelligence. It does
30 feet and darkvision with a radius of 60 feet. not require components to cast the spell.
143
Shard Guardians
Shard guardians, while not living, are not simple
machines. They are capable of following orders,
performing tasks on their own and some have even
shown the ability to problem solve. The class of each
guardian seems to have some effect on just how
bright they are. The aerial and sharpshooter guard-
ians seem to sport the closest to real thought, while
the combat and task guardians are on the opposite
side of the scale and will perform their given task
even to the detriment of themselves. The magics
that bind their bodies and awaken the guardian are
some of the most guarded secrets in Sordane; their
creation is tightly regulated and monitored in many
kingdoms. While the price tag alone of many of the
guardians is enough to keep them out of the wrong
hands, they still require licensing and are subject to
inspection at many ports.
Ancient Behemoths
Born in the fever of war and the endless desire for a
bigger stick than your opponent, the shard guardians
were the ultimate weapons of war: all the abilities
and fervor of an elite soldier but without the threat
of loss of life. From their heady military birth, to
the commercial success, little has changed over the
centuries in their construction, only their armaments.
The modern shard guardians trace their origins back
to the dark days of ancient wars and to one large,
and now forbidden, machine: the Skarrow Class
Guardian. These hulking colossi lumbered onto the
battlefield and left nothing but death in their path for
both friend and foe. Where they were deployed, only
scorched earth would remain. The cost of building
one of these beasts, combined with the toll they took
on both sides, saw them quickly forbidden and the
ones that remained hidden away to slumber and be
forgotten, never to rise again. From the roots of these
giants sprang many of the guardians that are still
active today.
144
Aerial Guardian
Nimble, graceful, and deadly, the aerial guard-
ians are the top of the line when it comes to shard
guardians. Used by many kingdoms as naval assault
troops, and by wealthy private citizens as ship security,
these guardians are the most skilled and intelligent of
their kind, capable of multitasking and problem solving
when their ward is in danger. Equipped with some of
the most powerful sensors both mechanical and magical,
nothing escapes or hides from their gaze. Their powerful
sordalite-powered engines give them the ability to move from
ground to sky with a speed thought capable only via teleport
spells. These engines help them escape and manoeuvre both
out of dangerous reach and into the maw of their enemy
where they strike with their arm scythes into the soft under-
belly. Standing nearly 10 feet tall, these guardians take to the
sky or lie in wait on deck ready to dispatch any that would
seek to harm those they are bound to protect.
Aerial Guardian
Large construct, unaligned
Skills Perception +7
Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from
nonmagical attacks that aren’t adamantine
Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, frightened, paralyzed,
petrified, poisoned
Senses blindsight 30 ft., darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 17
Languages understands the languages of the creature holding its
control device, but can’t speak
Challenge 6 (2,300 XP) Proficiency Bonus +3
Deadly Shot. The guardian aims at its target’s vitals, reducing its
chance to hit but increasing the potential damage (included in
the attack).
Flyby. The guardian doesn’t provoke opportunity attacks when it
flies out of an enemy’s reach.
ACTIONS
Multiattack. The guardian makes two scythe attacks or two
ranged attacks.
Scythe. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit:
11 (2d6 + 4) slashing damage.
Arm Cannon. Ranged Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, range 180 ft., one
target. Hit: 14 (2d10 + 3) force damage.
Deadly Shot. Ranged Weapon Attack: +1 to hit, range 180 ft., one
target. Hit: 24 (2d10 + 13) force damage.
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Assault Guardian
Many a sailor will tell you the roar of a dragon or the a long fisherman reeling in a dragonwhale in the deep
hushed wail of the noklura are some of the worst sounds oceans. The want and desire to bring it to them and thrust
to hear while you are on watch. The truth is the heavy their blades into its belly has also brought doom to many
thud of an assault guardian’s harpoon, and the screeching assault guardians and those around them as they forego
of their chains mean only one thing—you’ve been caught any sense of self preservation to haul in their catch.
and there is no escape. The assault guardian has one job
above all, to catch its prey and never let go. It’s a job that
the guardian seems to enjoy with a feverish glee. Some
guardians have been observed revelling in the fight their Assault Guardian
target put up after the harpoons have been set and the Large construct, unaligned
cable starts to reel back in, clashing their large bladed
arms against one another as their motors and gears whine Armor Class 20 (natural armor)
against the struggling prey. Many compare it to watching Hit Points 147 (14d10 + 70)
Speed 40 ft.
ACTIONS
Multiattack. The guardian makes three blade attacks
or two blade attacks and one harpoon attack or
reel action.
Blade. Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 10 ft.,
one target. Hit: 20 (4d6 + 6) slashing damage.
Harpoon. Ranged Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, range
30/100 ft., one target. Hit: 13 (2d6 + 6) piercing
damage and the target is grappled (escape DC
20). Until the grapple ends, the target is restrained
and the guardian can’t use the same harpoon on
another target.
Reel. The guardian pulls each creature grappled by it
up to 25 feet straight toward it.
146
Combat Guardian
The combat guardian is the oldest of the guardians in While not the brightest of the guardians they are highly
design, but they are also the heartiest of the line. Made capable of following multi-point orders and even seem to
for battle, to protect or harm, it makes little difference be able to prioritize those orders to achieve their ulti-
to the combat guardian. They want nothing more than mate goal. The combat guardians also seem to develop
to do their job and destroy whatever they are pointed at. a strange quirk unique among guardians: in combat they
Often paired with a second combat guardian, they seem willingly and without direct orders sacrifice themselves
to fight almost as one, one attacking while the other to save those they are bound to protect. Many bards have
dodges, one sliding out of the way as their partner parries. tales of a combat guardian moving into the line of fire or
These guardians are but a shadow of their fathers, the shielding its ward without orders and some under protest
ancient skarrow class guardians; to watch a pair or more from their owner to do such a thing.
of combat guardians bring death and destruction on the
battlefield gives only the smallest of peeks into the past at
the pure wanton carnage the skarrows were capable of.
Combat Guardian
Large construct, unaligned
Skills Perception +3
Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing, and
slashing from nonmagical attacks that aren’t
adamantine
Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion,
frightened, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned
Senses blindsight 30 ft., darkvision 60 ft.,
passive Perception 13
Languages understands the languages of the creature
holding its control device, but can’t speak
Challenge 5 (1,800 XP) Proficiency Bonus +3
ACTIONS
Multiattack. The guardian makes two melee attacks or
one ranged attack or reel action.
Scimitar. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
one target. Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4) slashing damage.
Fist. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 15 ft., one
target. Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4) bludgeoning damage.
Fist Launcher. Ranged Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, range
35 ft., one target. Hit: 18 (4d6 + 4) bludgeoning
damage and the target is grappled (escape DC 18).
Until the grapple ends, the target is restrained.
Reel. The guardian pulls each creature grappled by it
up to 25 feet straight toward it as its fist retracts.
147
Sharpshooter Guardian
Perhaps the most cunning and most cold of all the Sharpshooter Guardian
guardians, the sharpshooter will go to great lengths to Large construct, unaligned
kill its target while remaining as undetected as possible.
Many see the sharpshooter as a cruel weapon but their Armor Class 17 (natural armor)
track record keeps them in high demand. Able to shoot Hit Points 85 (10d10 + 30)
from a hidden location and hit a moving target in the Speed 40 ft.
gap between the armor has earned them the nickname
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
“Reapers.” Highly prized and very costly, they are normally
kept in reserve and only dispatched when no other path 18 (+4) 20 (+5) 16 (+3) 10 (+0) 10 (+0) 10 (+0)
seems available. They also can be found, though not easily
Skills Perception +6
seen, in the towers and walls of the palaces of the ruling
Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing, and
classes and extremely wealthy. They have been known to
slashing from nonmagical attacks that aren’t
disregard the lives of their fellow constructs to complete
adamantine
their missions; many combat or assault guardians have
Damage Immunities poison
been destroyed by a sharpshooter guardian simply for
being in the way. They seem to hesitate when a living Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion,
being falls between them and their target but that hesita- frightened, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned
tion will only last until the guardian deems it will not get a Senses blindsight 30 ft., darkvision 60 ft.,
better shot. passive Perception 16
Languages understands the languages of the creature
holding its control device, but can’t speak
Challenge 8 (3,900 XP) Proficiency Bonus +3
Cunning Action. On each of its turns, the guardian can
use a bonus action to take the Dash, Disengage, or
Hide action.
Deadly Shot. The guardian aims at its target’s vitals,
reducing its chance to hit but increasing the potential
damage (included in the attack).
Innate Spellcasting (1/Day). The guardian can cast
hunter’s mark. The guardian’s innate spellcasting
ability is Intelligence (spell save DC 11).
ACTIONS
Multiattack. The guardian makes three ranged attacks.
Arm Cannon. Ranged Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, range
100/320 ft., one target. Hit: 21 (3d10 + 5) fire damage.
Deadly Shot. Ranged Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, range
100/320 ft., one target. Hit: 31 (3d10 + 15) fire
damage.
148
Task Guardian
The slowest, cheapest, and least respected of the shard Task Guardian
guardians, the task guardian is only a half step above Large construct, unaligned
a shard drone. Don’t let their appearance or lack of
Armor Class 18 (natural armor)
weapons fool you; they are the true workhorses of their
Hit Points 57 (6d10 + 24)
kind. Used as mechanics, laborers, medics, and even
front line combatives, they lumber onto whatever task has Speed 40 ft.
been assigned to them and will move into harm’s way if STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
it means they can complete their task. Many naval ships
20 (+5) 12 (+1) 18 (+4) 10 (+0) 10 (+0) 10 (+0)
have a few task guardians in the cargo hold just waiting to
be called up and put to work. Nothing seems to please a Skills Perception +6
task guardian more than a job well done. While still very Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing, and
expensive to construct, they also seem to be the easiest of slashing from nonmagical attacks that aren’t
the kind to repair; so much so that half built or partially adamantine
functioning task guardians have been found in the hands Damage Immunities poison
of factories and ships that would never dream of being
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion,
able to afford a new task guardian.
frightened, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned
Due to the high availability of parts and ease of repair,
Senses blindsight 30 ft., darkvision 60 ft.,
some task guardians have been operational for years
passive Perception 16
beyond their original owners. Many have been passed
down for generations and still run like new with minor Languages understands the languages of the creature
holding its control device, but can’t speak
quirks. Due to their long lifespan, they are more suscep-
tible to developing quirks than any other guardian. These Challenge 5 (1,800 XP) Proficiency Bonus +3
quirks can range from a simple tic or making a noise Innate Spellcasting. Its innate spellcasting ability
some have said sounds like humming when performing is Intelligence (spell save DC 10). The task
certain tasks. guardian can cast the following spells requiring no
material components:
At will: floating disk, mage hand, mending
3/day each: bless, cure wounds, lesser restoration
1/day each: creation, haste, telekinesis
ACTIONS
Multiattack. The guardian makes two pincer attacks.
Pincer. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
target. Hit: 12 (2d6 + 5) piercing damage. The target
is grappled (escape DC 15) if it is a Large or smaller
creature and the task guardian doesn’t have two other
creatures grappled.
149
Shard Drones
The shard drones of Sordane are some of the more
diverse shard constructs. The term “shard drone” refers to
any type of shard construct that is tasked with doing any-
thing of a mundane and simple nature: cleaning, manual
labor, lifting and moving crates, etc.
They are built cheaply compared to other shard con-
structs as they have the lowest form of intelligence of all
the shard constructs and are made with the lowest quality
of materials. Their shard cores are often made with cor-
rupted or cracked sordalite crystals. They are produced en
masse to provide cheap, consistent, and good labor.
There are many inhabitants of Sordane that believe the
shard drones take meaningful employment away from the
people. There are also groups that believe they shouldn’t
be used for fear of another construct war.
150
151
Shard Sentry Shard Sentries
Huge construct, unaligned
The shard sentries of Sordane were invented over
Armor Class 17 (natural armor) 1,000 years ago by the brilliant human artificer,
Hit Points 126 (12d12 + 48) Dr. Pulstavo. She was a leader in shard construct
Speed 30 ft. innovation. Inspired as a child by the existence
of the shard guardians and their role within the
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA nations of Sordane, Pulstavo majored in shard
18 (+4) 13 (+1) 18 (+4) 10 (+0) 10 (+0) 10 (+0) tech during university and become the preeminent
shard tech of Cin’dar at the age of 20. Long after
Skills Perception +3
Pulstavo has gone, the shard sentries are still in
Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing, and use. They remain the mainstay of the majority of
slashing from nonmagical attacks that aren’t policing forces. Rich criminal organizations and
adamantine wealthy corporations employ them for security.
Damage Immunities poison They are reliable, cheap, and highly effective.
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, Shard sentries are often assigned to two or
frightened, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned, prone three police officers as a unit and patrol the
Senses blindsight 30 ft., darkvision 60 ft., different districts of the cities with the singular
passive Perception 13 focus of preventing unrest and criminal activities.
Languages understands the languages of the creature They will not stop to ask questions and cannot be
holding its control device, but can’t speak reasoned with. Their singular purpose is to appre-
Challenge 6 (2,300 XP) Proficiency Bonus +3 hend or immobilize suspects and criminals.
Standing 18 feet tall, these towering bipedal
Damage Transfer. While the shard sentry has a
walking cages are built with massive arms and an
creature imprisoned inside it, the shard sentry takes
assortment of armaments, which are suitable for
only half the damage dealt to it (rounded down), and
a wide range of missions and occasions. They can
that creature takes the other half.
be used for brutal riot control, offensive raids, or
Electrified Cage. A creature imprisoned inside the
just for typical policing patrols.
shard sentry that touches the cage or hits it with a
melee attack takes 4 (1d8) lightning damage.
ACTIONS
Multiattack. The shard sentry makes two attacks: one
with its club and one with its claw.
Baton. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 15 ft.,
one target. Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4) bludgeoning damage.
Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 10 ft., one
creature. Hit: 8 (1d8 + 4) piercing damage, and if the
creature is Medium or smaller, it is grappled (escape
DC 18).
Imprison. The shard sentry imprisons a Large or
smaller creature grappled by it. The imprisoned
creature is restrained and if the shard sentry moves,
the imprisoned target moves with it. The shard sentry
can have only one creature imprisoned at a time. If the
shard sentry takes 35 damage or more on a single turn
from a creature imprisoned inside it, the shard sentry
ejects the creature at the end of that turn; it falls
prone in a space within 5 feet of the shard sentry. If
the shard sentry is destroyed, an imprisoned creature
is no longer restrained by it and can escape from the
remains by using 10 feet of movement.
152
Variant: Riot Sentry Variant: Assault Sentry
Riot sentries are deployed to put down unrest in the Assault sentries are equipped for a bust or raid of some
cities. Unlike typical shard sentries, the riot sentry is kind within the city. They are equipped with deadly
equipped with a massive riot shield and power fists harpoons and clamps. Their main tasks are to take down
capable of overpowering large groups and protecting large gatherings of criminals or organized cartels.
their units’ officers. Armor Class 17 (natural armor)
Armor Class 20 (natural armor and riot shield) Hit Points 126 (12d12 + 48)
Hit Points 126 (12d12 + 48) Speed 30 ft.
Speed 30 ft. Challenge 6 (2,300 XP) Proficiency Bonus +3
Challenge 7 (2,900 XP) Proficiency Bonus +3
ACTIONS
ACTIONS Multiattack. The shard sentry makes 2 clamp attacks or
Multiattack. The shard sentry makes 2 power fist 1 clamp attack and 1 harpoon attack or reel action.
attacks or 1 power fist attack and 1 shield bash attack. Clamp. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 10 ft., one
Power Fist. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 10 ft., creature. Hit: 8 (1d8 + 4) bludgeoning damage, and if
one target. Hit: 15 (2d10 + 4) bludgeoning damage. the creature is Medium or smaller, it is grappled (escape
Shield Bash. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 10 ft., DC 18).
one target. Hit: 13 (2d8 + 4) bludgeoning damage. The Harpoon. Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, range 30/100
shard sentry makes a melee attack with its riot shield. ft., one target. Hit: 8 (2d6 + 1) piercing damage and
On a successful hit, if the target is of equal or smaller the target is grappled (escape DC 20). Until the grapple
size, it must make a Strength (Athletics) or Dexterity ends, the target is restrained. The sentry can’t use its
(Acrobatics) saving throw (DC 13) or be knocked prone. harpoon again while the target is restrained.
Reel. The sentry pulls each creature grappled by it up to
25 feet straight toward it.
153
154
Skarrow Class
Shard Guardians
Built for the endless war, total devastation, and the
unflinching destruction of anything that stood before
them, the Skarrow Class had but one purpose in their
creation and deployment: Death. Massive constructs
of metal, gears, magics, and sordalite, no two skarrow
guardians were exactly the same. Although many shared
similar aesthetics or armaments due to where they
were built, each was unique in both build and behavior.
Due to the immense size and power of the skarrow
guardians, regular control devices were insufficient;
special devices unique to each skarrow were created.
The reign of the skarrows was one of the bloodiest ages
in Sordane, with the dead numbering beyond count.
Eventually, the death and destruction wrought by these
terrible machines could no longer be ignored by the
rulers of the world and to prevent them from being used
again an agreement known as the Skarrow Concord
was created. It was the first world wide ban on any kind
of technology and would prevent the creation and use
of these mighty titans. They were all to be destroyed;
however, some were hidden away in deep cavern tombs
by rulers who never accepted the agreement.
The world moved on and from the ashes of the war new
kingdoms rose, lands flourished, and races both new and
old sprang back into the world. As time marched on, the
now-forgotten tombs of the skarrow are at risk of return-
ing to the light as the glyphs put in place all those ages ago
begin to fade. The limbs of the once mighty titans twitch
and the embers of life slowly return....
Guardian Survivors. Each guardian is different in its
own way. Some are larger and stronger, while others are
leaner but have two extra arms. Currently there are two
known guardians, but more could be slumbering deep
under the earth.
The guardian Pyros has been locked away deep beneath
the lower levels of Ezdin, in a large chamber specially
designed to keep it in, and others out. The structure was
closed as soon as the guardian was secured in it. All the
workers and architects that knew of the tomb’s location or
existance were disposed of in secrecy by the royal family
to make sure that this secret would not fall into the wrong
hands. These days, its existence and location are known
only to the emperor, who could awaken the city’s secret
guardian if absolutely needed for the defence of Ezdin and
Cin’dar.
The guardian Brodda stands at the bottom of Lake Silar
on the continent of Lozandar buried up to its knees, but it
is otherwise intact. Legend says that it was knocked into
the lake by an ancient arcane dragon, and was considered
lost after the battle. At the time, its damage was severe,
with the guardian being full of holes and missing most of its
limbs. However, all of its damage has regenerated over the
years, and all that the skarrow requires now is a master to
command it, giving it a reason to move.
155
Pyros
Gargantuan construct, unaligned Stomp. The guardian stomps one of its feet at a point on
the ground within 20 feet of it. Any creature in a 10-foot-
Armor Class 22 (natural armor) radius, 10-foot-high cylinder centered on this point must
Hit Points 410 (20d20 + 200) succeed on a DC 26 Dexterity saving throw or take 21 (6d6)
Speed 60 ft. bludgeoning damage and fall prone. Until the guardian
uses its Stomp with the same foot again or moves, the
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA creature is restrained. While restrained in this way, the
30 (+10) 11 (+0) 30 (+10) 3 (-4) 11 (+0) 8 (-1) creature (or another creature within 5 feet of it) can use
its action to make a DC 26 Strength check. On a success,
Saving Throws Int +4, Wis +8, Cha +7 the creature relocates to an unoccupied space of its choice
Damage Vulnerabilities lightning within 5 feet of the guardian and is no longer restrained.
Damage Resistances cold, fire Structures, as well as nonmagical objects that are neither
being worn nor carried, take double the same amount of
Damage Immunities necrotic, poison; bludgeoning,
damage if they are in the cylinder (no save).
piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks and
sordalite-powered attacks Executioner's Slash (Recharge 6). As an action the guardian
violently swings its glaive in a circle around itself. All
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, frightened,
creatures within 40 feet of the guardian must succeed on
incapacitated, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned, stunned
a DC 26 Dexterity saving throw, suffering 43 (6d10 + 10)
Senses truesight 150 ft., passive Perception 10 slashing damage on a failed save, or half as much on a
Languages understands the languages of the creature successful one.
holding its control device but can’t speak
Challenge 25 (75,000 XP) Proficiency Bonus +8 REACTIONS
Spell Absorption (Recharge: 5-6). The guardian can use its
Drain Immunity. The guardian is immune to any effects
reaction to absorb a spell that it is targeted by. The spell has
that would drain its sordalite crystal.
no effect but is stored within the guardian. On its turn, it may
Immutable Existence. The guardian is immune to any spell choose to convert the spell into energy as a bonus action,
or effect that would alter its form or send it to another healing itself for 22 (4d10) times the level of the spell.
plane of existence.
Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If the guardian fails a saving LEGENDARY ACTIONS
throw, it can choose to succeed instead. The guardian can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from
Magic Resistant Construction. The guardian has advantage the options below. Only one legendary action option can
on saving throws against spells and other magical effects, be used at a time and only at the end of another creature’s
and spell attacks made against it have disadvantage. turn. The guardian regains spent legendary actions at the
Regeneration. The guardian regains 50 hit points at the start of its turn.
start of its turn. If it is reduced to 0 hit points, this trait is Attack. The guardian makes a glaive attack.
reduced to 1 hit point a day and it must reach half of its Move. The guardian can move up to its speed.
maximum hit points to reform itself. The guardian doesn’t
Extreme Heat (Costs 2 Actions). The flame atop the guardian
recover its full regeneration until it reaches its maximum hit
begins burning a brilliant blue, causing the guardian’s body
points again.
to glow as it heats up. Until the end of its next turn the
Siege Monster. The guardian deals double damage to guardian sheds bright light in a 50-foot radius and dim light
objects and structures. for an additional 50 feet. A creature standing within 50 feet
Towering Terror. Any enemy that starts its turn within 30 feet of it that looks directly at it must make a DC 18 Constitution
of the guardian must succeed on a DC 26 Wisdom saving saving throw, or be blinded until the start of their next turn.
throw or be frightened until the start of the enemy’s next While in this state a creature that touches the guardian,
turn. If the enemy’s saving throw is successful, it is immune hits it with a melee attack, or starts its turn within 5 feet of
to this effect for the next 24 hours. it takes 20 (6d6) fire damage. In addition, the guardian’s
attacks deal an additional 11 (2d10) fire damage.
ACTIONS Sordalite Pulse (Costs 2 Actions). The guardian releases a
Multiattack. The guardian makes three attacks with its powerful pulse of energy from the sordalite crystal powering
glaive or sordalite blast and then uses Stomp. it. All creatures within a 30-foot-radius sphere centered
Glaive. Melee Weapon Attack: +18 to hit, reach 40 ft., one on it must succeed on a DC 26 Constitution saving throw,
target. Hit: 37 (5d10 + 10) slashing damage, and the suffering 33 (6d10) force damage on a failed save or half
guardian can push the target up to 20 feet away from it. as much on a successful one. Using this ability causes the
Sordalite Blast. Ranged Spell Attack: +8 to hit, range 500 ft., guardian's sordalite crystal to become temporarily drained;
one target. Hit: 45 (10d8) force damage, and if the target is as such, the guardian loses access to its regeneration ability
a creature, it is knocked prone. until the end of its next turn.
156
Brodda
Gargantuan construct, unaligned Stomp. The guardian stomps one of its feet at a point on
the ground within 20 feet of it. Any creature in a 10-foot-
Armor Class 24 (natural armor + shield) radius, 10-foot-high cylinder centered on this point must
Hit Points 451 (22d20 + 220) succeed on a DC 26 Dexterity saving throw or take 21 (6d6)
Speed 40 ft. bludgeoning damage and fall prone. Until the guardian
uses its Stomp with the same foot again or moves, the
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA creature is restrained. While restrained in this way, the
30 (+10) 11 (+0) 30 (+10) 3 (-4) 11 (+0) 8 (-1) creature (or another creature within 5 feet of it) can use
its action to make a DC 26 Strength check. On a success,
Saving Throws Int +4, Wis +8, Cha +7 the creature relocates to an unoccupied space of its choice
Damage Vulnerabilities lightning within 5 feet of the guardian and is no longer restrained.
Damage Resistances cold, fire Structures, as well as nonmagical objects that are neither
being worn nor carried, take double the same amount of
Damage Immunities necrotic, poison; bludgeoning,
damage if they are in the cylinder (no save).
piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks and
sordalite-powered attacks Shield Slam (Recharge 6). As an action the guardian slams
its enormous shield into the ground. All creatures within
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, frightened,
50 feet of the guardian must succeed on a DC 26 Dexterity
incapacitated, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned, stunned
saving throw, suffering 23 (2d12 + 10) bludgeoning damage
Senses truesight 150 ft., passive Perception 10 on a failed save. Or half as much on a successful one.
Languages understands the languages of the creature
holding its control device but can’t speak REACTIONS
Challenge 25 (75,000 XP) Proficiency Bonus +8 Spell Absorption (Recharge: 5-6). The guardian can use its
reaction to absorb a spell that it is targeted by. The spell has
Drain Immunity. The guardian is immune to any effects
no effect but is stored within the guardian. On its turn, the
that would drain its sordalite crystal.
guardian can choose to convert the spell into energy as a
Immutable Existence. The guardian is immune to any spell bonus action, healing itself for 22 (4d10) times the level of
or effect that would alter its form or send it to another the spell.
plane of existence.
Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If the guardian fails a saving LEGENDARY ACTIONS
throw, it can choose to succeed instead. The guardian can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from
Magic Resistant Construction. The guardian has advantage the options below. Only one legendary action option can
on saving throws against spells and other magical effects, be used at a time and only at the end of another creature’s
and spell attacks made against it have disadvantage. turn. The guardian regains spent legendary actions at the
Regeneration. The guardian regains 50 hit points at the start of its turn.
start of its turn. If it is reduced to 0 hit points, this trait is Attack. The guardian makes a spear attack.
reduced to 1 hit point a day and it must reach half of its Move. The guardian can move up to its speed.
maximum hit points to reform itself. The guardian doesn’t
Lethargy Field (Costs 2 Actions). The guardian surrounds
recover its full regeneration until it reaches its maximum hit
itself in a field of pure sordalite energy. All creatures within
points again.
a 20-foot-radius sphere centered on it must succeed on a
Siege Monster. The guardian deals double damage to DC 26 Wisdom saving throw or be affected by the slow spell
objects and structures. until the end of their next turn.
Towering Terror. Any enemy that starts its turn within 30 feet Harrowing Blast (Costs 2 Actions). The guardian causes the
of the guardian must succeed on a DC 26 Wisdom saving sordalite crystal within it to begin overflowing with energy,
throw or be frightened until the start of the enemy’s next releasing it as a devastating burst from its sordalite core
turn. If the enemy’s saving throw is successful, it is immune in a 50-foot line that is 20 feet wide. Each creature in that
to this effect for the next 24 hours. line must make a DC 26 Dexterity saving throw, taking 33
(6d10) force damage on a failed save, and is pushed to the
ACTIONS end of the line by the burst, or half as much damage on a
Multiattack. The guardian makes three attacks with its successful one and isn’t pushed. Using this ability causes
spear or sordalite blast and then uses Stomp. the guardian’s sordalite crystal to become temporarily
Spear. Melee Weapon Attack: +18 to hit, reach 30 ft., one drained, and the guardian loses access to its regeneration
target. Hit: 24 (4d6 + 10) bludgeoning damage, and the ability until the end of its next turn.
guardian can push the target up to 20 feet away from it.
Sordalite Blast. Ranged Spell Attack: +8 to hit, range 500 ft.,
one target. Hit: 45 (10d8) force damage, and if the target is
a creature, it is knocked prone.
157
Siphit care for their own well-being. Their success as a species
comes from their seemingly unending numbers and
Siphits are a common pest in Sordane. They are not aggressive breeding, not their individuality. However,
pleasant to look at and cause constant issues for the should a siphit manage to live past its short life expectancy
soralite ships in the docks of cities. They are drawn to, and and somehow absorb enough sordalite energy to sustain
feed on, sordalite crystal. They will often try to steal crates itself during this time, then it can mature, growing into an
carrying supplies of crystal, shard weapons, or zap guns. alpha. These matured siphits are armed with heightened
They live in the dark undersides of the sky docks and in intelligence, a natural dominance over regular siphits,
nearby trees, usually in large numbers. Siphits are mostly noc- and a potentially catastrophic sordalite absorption aura
turnal creatures, but have been known to attack during the day that draws energy from all crystals in its surroundings.
if particularly hungry. The most common way of encountering However, the biggest threat they pose is that under the
siphits is to have the crew wake up to a large number of the leadership of an alpha, more siphits will mature into a
creatures draining the power from their soralite ship’s crystal. potentially deadly force.
Alternatively, some miners use chained up siphits (sometimes Siphit alphas will use the strength and intelligence that
with clipped wings) to track down sordalite crystal in the they have over younger siphits to keep them in line and
wilderness. There are other creatures that have this sordalite often keep them alive. The alpha knows that having a pack
sense, but siphits are easier to capture and control compared of siphits at its disposal is a great boon, so where possible
to the other, larger beasts of Sordane. it will intimidate and bully younger siphits into not making
The main characteristic of a siphit is its complete lack reckless errors that would usually get them killed. A large
of tactics, whether the driving force is complete overcon- gathering of siphit alphas is seen as a serious threat by
fidence or an insatiable desire to feed. A siphit will rarely almost all nations of Sordane, and as such lone alpha
stalk its target or wait for openings, jumping on sordalite sightings are taken very seriously, to prevent them from
sources that they see without any regard to how danger- causing more siphits to mature into alphas.
ous their target may be. As such they will be found almost As a result, various groups of siphit hunters have been
anywhere, attacking and trying to make away with the established across the world. These groups will attempt
sordalite being carried by anyone who wanders into the to take care of any siphit threat for a fee. They function in
range of this creature’s sordalite sense. contrast to siphit conservationists and sordalite con-
spiracy theorists, who believe siphits are one of nature’s
Siphit Alpha ways of preventing the increasing usage and refining of
sordalite; that sordalite draws energy from Sordane’s core
Siphits do not tend to live long due to the combination of and excessive usage will eventually lead to a cataclysmic
their insatiable hunger for sordalite and general lack of world-ending event.
Siphit
Small beast, unaligned (Perception) checks that rely on hearing.
Sordalite Absorption. When hit by sordalite powered
Armor Class 15 (natural armor)
attacks, the siphit takes no damage and instead regains a
Hit Points 28 (8d6) number of hit points equal to half the damage dealt.
Speed 10 ft., fly 50 ft. Sordalite Sense. The siphit can sense the location of sordalite
within 60 feet of it, regardless of interposing barriers.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
Pack Tactics. The siphit has advantage on an attack roll
8 (-1) 15 (+2) 10 (+0) 10 (+0) 12 (+1) 8 (-1)
against a creature if at least one of the siphit’s allies is
Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing within 5 feet of the creature and the ally isn’t incapacitated.
from nonmagical attacks
ACTIONS
Damage Immunities sordalite-powered attacks
Multiattack. The siphit makes two claw attacks.
Condition Immunities charmed, frightened, grappled,
paralyzed, petrified, prone, restrained, stunned Attach. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
sordalite source. Hit: 4 (1d4 + 2) piercing damage, and the
Senses blindsight 60 ft., passive Perception 11
siphit attaches to the target.
Languages —
Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
Challenge 2 (450 XP) Proficiency Bonus +2 target. Hit: 9 (2d6 + 2) slashing damage
Attach. The siphit attaches itself to a sordalite source within Drain. The siphit does not attack when attached to a
5 feet of it. While attached, the siphit is only able to use the target. Instead, at the start of its turn it sucks energy from
drain ability, unless it spends an action to detach from the the crystal, inflicting one point of crystal exhaustion. (See
sordalite source. Siphoning Table on page 164.) Each turn only one point of
Echolocation. The siphit can’t use its blindsight crystal exhaustion can be inflicted per crystal, regardless
while deafened. of how many shiphits are draining it. The siphit can detach
itself by spending 5 feet of its movement.
Keen Hearing. The siphit has advantage on Wisdom
158
159
Siphit Alpha
Large beast, unaligned
Armor Class 18 (natural armor) High Altitude Acclimatization. The siphit does
Hit Points 120 (16d10 + 32) not suffer from (very) thin air conditions or low
Speed 30 ft., fly 60 ft. temperature conditions.
Keen Hearing. The siphit has advantage on Wisdom
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA (Perception) checks that rely on hearing.
12 (+1) 16 (+3) 14 (+2) 12 (+1) 14 (+2) 8 (-1) Sordalite Absorption. When hit by sordalite-powered
attacks, the siphit takes none of that damage and instead
Damage Resistances cold; bludgeoning, piercing, and regains a number of hit points equal to the damage.
slashing from nonmagical attacks Sordalite Sense. The siphit can sense the location of sordalite
Damage Immunities sordalite-powered attacks within 300 feet of it, regardless of interposing barriers.
Condition Immunities charmed, frightened, grappled, Pack Tactics. The siphit has advantage on an attack roll
paralyzed, petrified, prone, restrained, stunned against a creature if at least one of the siphit’s allies is
Senses blindsight 120 ft., passive Perception 12 within 5 feet of the creature and the ally isn’t incapacitated.
Languages —
Challenge 8 (3,900 XP) Proficiency Bonus +3
ACTIONS
Multiattack. The siphit makes two claw attacks and a
Draining Aura. At the start of its turn the siphit can drain bite attack.
energy from all crystals within a 30-foot-radius sphere of it, Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
inflicting one point of crystal exhaustion on each of them, target. Hit: 13 (4d4 + 3) piercing damage. If the target is a
regardless of how many shiphit are draining it. Additionally, creature, it must succeed on a DC 14 Strength saving throw
the siphit regains 15 hit points for every point of crystal or be knocked prone.
exhaustion that it inflicts on its turn.
Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
Echolocation. The siphit can’t use its blindsight target. Hit: 17 (4d6 + 3) slashing damage.
while deafened.
160
Sky Jelly
Anyone who has visited a sailor’s pub has heard stories
about strange translucent creatures with long tentacles Sky Jelly
and almost-human faces. While they seem harmless from Medium beast, neutral
a distance, nothing is further from the truth, as these mon- Armor Class 8
sters are incredibly poisonous and always hungry. Hit Points 30 (4d8 + 12)
Sky jellies are, at their core, immobile invertebrates
Speed fly 5 ft.
that use a large sack on top of their head to float along
with the wind, entangling potential prey in their poisonous STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
tentacles. They do not hunt actively, instead depending on 12 (+1) 6 (-2) 16 (+3) 2 (-4) 10 (+0) 3 (-4)
the winds to bring them to their prey. This combined with
their translucent bodies makes it easy for a creature to Damage Immunities poison, psychic
accidentally bump into one. Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion,
frightened, paralyzed, poisoned
Sky Jelly Swarm Senses passive Perception 10
In the spring and early summer when temperatures Languages —
increase and the winds change direction, conditions Challenge 2 (450 XP) Proficiency Bonus +2
become ideal for a jelly bloom. During this period tens Poisonous End. If the jelly is killed by a slashing or
of thousands of sky jellies darken the sky, floating by in piercing attack, its body will rupture and unleash a
unimaginable numbers. These swarms, birthed by a jelly splash of vile liquid in a 5-foot-radius sphere around
titan, are in a perpetual feeding frenzy, ready to devour itself. Any creature inside this sphere must make a
anything in their path. Getting caught in such a migration DC 14 Dexterity saving throw or take 7 (2d6) poison
is certain death, but even a small group of these crea- damage and become paralyzed until the end of its
tures can strand travelers for a long time. There have next turn.
even been reports of pirates using them as a distraction Surprise Attack. If the jelly surprises a creature and
while boarding a ship, but it is not certain how one could hits it with a tentacle attack during the first round of
steer these creatures without changing the wind itself. combat, the target has a disadvantage on its saving
Others have used them as defensive guardians in enclosed throw against the poison caused by the attack.
spaces, taking advantage of the fact that they can’t move Translucent Nature. The jelly has advantage on
without wind. Dexterity (Stealth) checks.
Young sky jellies are easy prey for most predators
and the swarm is the only thing that protects them from ACTIONS
certain death. Still, most sky jellies in the swarm will die Multiattack. The jelly makes four tentacle attacks.
before they reach maturity several weeks after, partially Tentacle. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 15 ft.,
because the strongest individuals often resort to cannibal- one target. Hit: 4 (1d6 +1) bludgeoning damage and
ism. Typically only 1 in 100 sky jellies survive their swarm. the target must succeed a DC 14 Dexterity saving
throw or suffer 3 (1d6) poison damage and become
Jelly Titan paralyzed until the end of its next turn.
Entangle. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 15 ft.,
Sky jellies are born from a single jelly titan who can one target. Hit: 1 bludgeoning damage. The target is
spawn up to a thousand young at a time. This enormous grappled (escape DC 14) Until this grapple ends, the
creature is generally as calm and passive as its smaller target is restrained. The jelly has four tentacles, each
children, but can become enraged when she or her young of which can grapple one target.
are threatened, lashing out with her tentacles at whom-
ever is too close.
Jelly titans are a true rarity of the sky. Perhaps one in
a million sky jellies will ever live long enough to develop
properly into a jelly titan. More often than not, the only
time a jelly titan will come into being is if a school of jellies Wind Effect
is lacking a titan that was either recently killed or sepa- The GM can choose the direction and velocity of the
rated from the school. One of the older, larger sky jellies wind during battle. Sky jellies will generally match the
will suddenly start the process of morphing into a jelly wind and only stay behind to fight a target if they manage
titan over the course of a month. to hold on to something. A fast blowing wind can make
a sky jelly attack swift but deadly, especially when one or
There have been notable instances of multiple jelly more of the crew are grappled and taken away. A slower
titans in one school, but it is a rare occurrence. This is wind will make it easier to pick them off but also prolong
largely due to there being no need for multiple titans, the battle. Players with wind spells or items can use
as one is more than capable of protecting a large school these to blow sky jellies away, or even at their enemies.
of jellies.
161
162
Swarm of Sky Jellies
Large swarm of Medium beasts, neutral
Jelly Titan
Gargantuan beast, neutral
Armor Class 14 throw and suffer 35 (10d6) poison damage and become
Hit Points 297 (22d20 + 66) paralyzed for 1d6 turns on a failed save, or half as much
Speed fly 5 ft. damage and resist the effect on a successful one.
Siege Monster. The titan deals double damage to objects
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA and structures.
22 (+6) 10 (+0) 16 (+3) 2 (-4) 10 (+0) 3 (-4) Surprise Attack. If the titan surprises a creature and hits
it with a tentacle attack during the first round of combat,
Damage Immunities poison, psycic the target has disadvantage on its saving throw against the
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, frightened, poison caused by the attack.
paralyzed, poisoned Translucent Nature. The titan has advantage on Dexterity
Senses passive Perception 10 (Stealth) checks.
Languages —
ACTIONS
Challenge 23 (50,000 XP) Proficiency Bonus +7
Multiattack. The titan makes six tentacle attacks, each of
Fling. One Large or smaller object held or creature grappled which it can replace with one use of Fling or a Smash attack
by the titan is thrown up to 60 feet in a random direction if targeting structures or ships.
and knocked prone. If a thrown target strikes a solid Tentacle. Melee Weapon Attack: +13 to hit, reach 60 ft.,
surface, the target takes 3 (1d6) bludgeoning damage one target. Hit: 16 (3d6 + 6) bludgeoning damage and the
for every 10 feet it was thrown. If the target is thrown at target must succeed at a DC 24 Constitution save or suffer
another creature, that creature must succeed on a DC 24 21 (6d6) poison damage and become paralyzed until the
Dexterity saving throw or take the same damage and be end of its next turn. Additionally, the target is grappled
knocked prone. (escape DC 24). Until this grapple ends, the target is
Poisonous End. If the titan is killed by a slashing or piercing restrained. The titan has six tentacles, each of which can
attack, its body will rupture and unleash a splash of vile grapple one target.
liquid in a 100-foot-radius sphere around itself. Any creature Smash. Melee Weapon Attack: +13 to hit, reach 60 ft., one
inside this sphere must make a DC 24 Dexterity saving target. Hit: 41 (10d6 + 6) bludgeoning damage.
163
Sky Mines Crystal Energy
Over the centuries, many types of sordalite mines were Sordalite crystals all have a set amount of energy; this
designed with various levels of complexity. All of them magic is what powers the devices that the crystal is used
have a half-pound sordalite crystal core that allows them in. Typically the magic replenishes faster than it gets
to float, but their effects can be very different. These days, used. However, various creatures, constructs, and effects
producing mines is strictly forbidden by most nations of can siphon energy away faster than it gets replenished. A
Sordane and most of the mines out there are relics of old crystal replenishes 1 point per minute if not subject to any
wars and conflicts. The larger cities have cleared paths siphoning effect and only 1 point of crystal exhaustion can
for trade and travel, but anyone traveling outside of these be inflicted per turn. As they are powered by sordalite the
routes is at risk of stumbling upon a cluster of mines. It is shardforged race is also sensitive to the effects of draining,
even possible to get mine insurance for certain routes that suffering one level of exhaustion instead of crystal exhaus-
are at a higher risk for exposure to ancient mines. Despite tion.
their illegality, some factions still produce and smuggle Weapons, constructs, and bionics require a fully
them or even move old mines to new locations. charged crystal to function, but ships can function in a
Their shape, size, and even effect depends on the limited manner with a siphoned crystal. If a ship’s crystal
person who invented and constructed them. Some float in is completely drained it will begin falling until the draining
the open, while others can shroud themselves in clouds or ends and the crystal regains enough power to reactivate or
even cast invisibility on themselves. Once triggered, they it crashes.
can explode, pour acid, or cast fireballs. Regardless, some
still hunt for them, hoping to harvest the crystals from Mine Upgrades
them. This is a dangerous task, as a triggered mine can
kill a crew or destroy a ship. Only the most skilled adven- A mine can have any number of upgrades depending on
turers and thieves go mine hunting. the funds available. See page 210 for upgrade costs.
A mine functions at any altitude at which it is released,
typically between 3,500 and 15,000 feet. Mines have
Siphoning Table
several sensors and mechanical eyes on their exterior that Exhaustion
Effect
allow them to have a full 360° panoramic view of their Level
surroundings, as well as measure sound and detect strong Bionics, weapons, gadgets stop working and
magic. This means that ships that are loud or use exces- 1–3
Small sized shard constructs deactivate.
sive amounts of magic can trigger the mine even when
Spelldriving costs double and Medium-
outside of its vision. Surprisingly, this means that the 4–5
sized shard constructs deactivate.
more low-tech version of airships in Sordane, the shard
blimps, are less detectable than the magically infused All spell driving stops working and the ship
soralite ships. 6–8 is adrift and Large-sized shard constructs
It’s a Mine. The mine doesn’t require air, food, drink, deactivate.
or sleep. Ships with a 50 lbs. or smaller sordalite
crystal are drained and begin falling and
9–10
Spotting a mine all shard constructs deactivate regardless
of size.
Most mines are around 3 feet in diameter, which means
Ships with a 75 lbs. or smaller sordalite
that under the best daytime conditions, they can be per- 11–12
crystal are drained and begin falling.
ceived from 1,500 feet away and identified when 300 feet
away or closer. Since most ships are larger, this means that Sordalite crystals regardless of size are
13+
the mine can both perceive and identify a target at distances drained and the ship begins falling.
far beyond that. (See Viewing Distance on page 56.)
A mine has a base stealth modifier of +0. Add 1 Mine Upgrades
for every 500 feet of distance the mine is away from
Upgrade Effect
the target and take upgrades into account. (See Mine
Upgrades table.) Sky blue paint camouflages the mine,
Stealth paint
When introducing one or more mines within the viewing granting +2 Stealth.
distance to the battlefield, roll a Stealth check for each mine A cloud follows the mine enshrouding
Cloud
versus the passive Perception of the crew. On a failure, the it, granting +4 Stealth.
mine(s) are spotted as soon as they enter the visual range of The mine gains invisibility. This effect
the ship. On a success, the mine can move 500 feet closer Minor Invisibility
lasts until it attacks.
and roll its Stealth again with its new modifier. This con-
tinues until spotted or until it is within attack range of the The mine gains invisibility that does
Major Invisibility
ship. At this point, the mine gets a surprise round. not expire, even if it attacks.
To help streamline the encounter, the GM can choose The mine will ignore ships with a
to initiate initiative only when the closest mine enters the Password pattern or flag specified by the individ-
farthest attack range of the crew. ual who applied the upgrade.
164
Fire Mine Fire
Mine
Fire mines are a much newer type of mine, said to be
created by a mysterious faction that forced a group of
kidnapped wizards to enchant the mines with their magic.
Unlike the older smash mines, these mines were capable
of aiming and casting fireball spells, which made them
much more deadly. Where usually several smash mines
are needed to down a ship, a single fire mine can do the
job and even survive the process. Due to their high costs, Smash
these mines are rarer than the other types. They also tend Mine
to be concentrated in seemingly random places.
Mental Mine
Mental mines are perhaps the most dangerous type of Siphon
all, as they turn your own crew against you with power- Mine Mental
ful mind-control techniques. These types of mines are Mine
treasured by pirates and other smaller factions, as they
target the crew but leave the ship intact. In combination
with other mines, they can cause complete obliteration by
taking away the crew’s ability to react.
ACTIONS
Siphon Mine Fireballs. The activated mine will shoot 1d4 level 3
Siphon mines were made by the people of Sordane at fireballs at various parts of the target when within
the height of the Construct Wars. Siphon mines were range (DC 16 Dexterity saving throw).
designed after the creatures known as siphits. The mines
165
Mental Mine Siphon Mine
Large mine Medium mine
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
0 16 (+3) 14 (+2) 18 (+4) 0 0 0 16 (+3) 14 (+2) 18 (+4) 0 0
Damage Immunities poison, psychic Damage Resistances piercing and slashing from
Condition Immunities blinded, charmed, nonmagical attacks
deafened, exhaustion, frightened, paralyzed, Damage Immunities poison, psychic
petrified, poisoned Condition Immunities blinded, charmed,
Senses blindsight 500 ft. (blind beyond this radius) deafened, exhaustion, frightened, paralyzed,
Languages — petrified, poisoned
Challenge 3 (700 XP) Senses blindsight 500 ft. (blind beyond this radius)
Proficiency Bonus +2
Languages —
ACTIONS Challenge 1 (200 XP) Proficiency Bonus +2
Hypnotic Shock. The mine forces itself into the mind
of any sentient creature within a 500-foot-radius sphere. ACTIONS
Anyone within this sphere without mental protection Attach. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
rolls a DC 16 Wisdom saving throw. On failure, they sordalite source. Hit: 5 (1d4 + 3) piercing damage,
are affected and roll 1d4 for the mental mine table and the mine attaches to the target.
(page 165). The effect lasts until the creature receives Drain. The mine does not attack when attached.
damage, passes a Wisdom saving throw at the end of Instead, at the start of its turn it sucks energy from the
its turn, or gets outside the mine’s sphere of influence. crystal, inflicting one point of crystal exhaustion. (See
Siphoning Table on page 164.) The mine can detach
itself by spending 5 feet of its movement.
Smash Mine
Large mine Explode. Once the mine hits a target with its Smash attack,
it explodes in a 25-foot-radius sphere centered on its core.
Armor Class 19 Each creature and target within that radius must make a
Hit Points 30 (4d10 + 8) DC 16 Dexterity saving throw taking 49 (14d6) piercing
Speed 0 ft., fly 100 ft. damage and 49 (14d6) fire damage on a failed save, or half
as much damage on a successful one. The mine and all its
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA components disintegrate.
0 12 (+1) 14 (+2) 18 (+4) 0 0 Siege Weapon. The smash mine deals double damage to
objects and structures.
Damage Resistances piercing and slashing from
nonmagical attacks ACTIONS
Damage Immunities poison, psychic Smash. The mine smashes into its target. The target must
Condition Immunities blinded, charmed, deafened, make a DC 12 Dexterity saving throw suffering 5 (1d10)
exhaustion, frightened, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned bludgeoning damage for every 25 feet that the mine travels
Senses blindsight 250 ft. (blind beyond this radius) on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful
one (minimum 1d10).
Languages —
Challenge 3 (700 XP) Proficiency Bonus +2
166
Cloud Skate
Medium beast, unaligned
167
Giant Night Ray
Night rays are adapted to the darkness of the
night with their pitch-black skin and their
calm silent motions. They roam in large
groups and are constantly on the move west-
wards following the night, never stopping in
fear of the dawn. They eat, sleep, and even
mate while on the move. If they do end up
in the sunlight, they die by overheating in a
matter of hours. Their eyes are adapted for
seeing in the dark; bright lights blind them
almost instantly. In fact, this is the most
popular way of hunting them.
168
Giant Night Ray
Gargantuan beast, unaligned
169
Slyxi Angler Normally found in covered mountainous terrain or deep
within a cave, the slyxi angler tends to live and hunt in
Sordalite is the pulse of the world: it gives flight to the shaded or underground areas. They often find their way
grounded, powers technology across the world and gives deep into mining quarries where people are known to
power to the powerless. The slyxi angler uses this world- search for sordalite and lurk in waiting for prey to enter,
wide reliance on sordalite to its advantage. The long stalk using their stalk to lure prey away from their posts. They
that protrudes from its head glows with a faint light that will use every advantage they gain from their surround-
has tricked a great many into thinking they have found ings to spring traps on unexpecting prey such as miners,
a seam of sordalite hidden in the dark. They are able to surveyors, or small animals when hunting alone.
produce the glow from their stalk at will, typically only Due to their cowardly nature the slyxi angler will
using it when they are hunting prey to avoid drawing any normally travel and hunt in small groups, providing them
unwanted attention. with a sense of safety in numbers and granting them the
The slyxi angler is an extremely capable predator. It bravery to take on more dangerous foes such as adven-
is able to turn completely invisible or can leave the sor- turing parties or larger animals. Though these kinds of
dalite-like bulb visible to entrap prey, using surprise as its team-ups will often result in a small amount of infighting
main weapon. In addition to this it also employs a poison once the time comes to divide the food, slyxi anglers work
tipped tail, a pair of claws on each wing, and rows of razor- well as a pack knowing that there’s strength in numbers.
sharp teeth to rip and tear flesh. While the slyxi angler is a With this in mind they usually travel in packs of three
fierce beast, it’s a creature of opportunity and by no means to five, as dividing food from even the largest creatures
brave, producing bursts of light to temporarily stun any prey between more than five will produce more problems for
that survives its surprise attack. If the slyxi angler feels as the pack than it’s worth. Should a pack be attacked the
though it is outmatched, it will release a pulse of hypnotic slyxi anglers’ cowardice will always be their strongest
light from the stalk on its head and flee without hesitation trait, abandoning their pack without a second thought,
until it can regroup and attack from a position of advantage. hunting alone until they find a new pack to join.
Slyxi Angler
Huge beast, unaligned This effect ends if the creature takes any damage or if
someone else uses an action to shake the creature out of
Armor Class 14 (natural armor) its stupor.
Hit Points 76 (8d12 + 24) Pack Tactics. The slyxi angler has advantage on an attack
Speed 30 ft., climb 30 ft., fly 50 ft. roll against a creature if at least one of the slyxi angler’s
allies is within 5 feet of the creature and the ally is
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA not incapacitated.
17 (+3) 16 (+3) 17 (+3) 7 (-2) 12 (+1) 8 (-1)
ACTIONS
Damage Resistances sordalite-powered attacks Multiattack. The slyxi angler makes three attacks: one with
Damage Immunities poison its bite and two with its claws.
Condition Immunities charmed, poisoned Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 11 target. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) piercing damage and 7 (2d6)
Languages — poison damage.
Challenge 4 (1,100 XP) Proficiency Bonus +2 Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 10 (2d6 + 3) slashing damage.
Ambusher. In the first round of combat, the slyxi angler has Sting. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 10 ft., one
advantage against any creature it has surprised. creature. Hit: 13 (3d6 + 3) piercing damage, and the target
Cloaking Lure (3/day). The slyxi angler may turn itself must succeed on a DC 13 Constitution saving throw or
completely invisible or leave the small glowing bulb at become poisoned for 1 hour. If the saving throw fails by 5
the end of the stalk from its head visible. While the slyxi or more, the target falls unconscious for the same duration,
is invisible it must remain perfectly still or break the or until it takes damage or another creature uses an action
invisibility. It gains advantage on all Wisdom (Perception) to shake it awake.
checks that rely on hearing, sight, and smell. While invisible
it cannot be detected except by magical means. REACTIONS
Hypnotic Light. When the slyxi angler drops below 40 hit Disabling Flash. When a creature within 5 feet of the slyxi
points the bulb at the end of its stalk begins flashing in a angler hits it with a melee attack, the slyxi angler can create
hypnotic pattern. All creatures within 60 feet that can see a burst of light from the bulb on its stalk. All creatures
the light must succeed on a DC 13 Wisdom saving throw or within 5 feet that can see the light must make a DC 13
become charmed. While charmed in this way the creature is Constitution saving throw or be stunned until the start of
incapacitated and its speed becomes 0 for the next minute. their next turn.
170
171
Sorcat
Deadly predators in their own right, sorcats have been hides that are covered in large scales. Tufts of tough
known to cripple and outright destroy full caravans that coarse fur grow on their heads running down their backs
wander into their territory. These massive beasts roam the and along their joints. Their jaws are oversized and lined
grasslands and forests that spread across almost all of the with two rows of razor sharp teeth. Each paw has a set of
continents of Sordane. They make their homes in hidden dagger-like claws that can rend metal armor, both magical
dens that will house the entire pride. and mundane, like a knife through hot butter. The males
They live in small groups with the larger female ruling are easily spotted as they are both smaller in stature and
over the pride. She protects the young ones and keeps sport a pair of ash black horns on the crest of their heads.
the den safe. The smaller males roam the pride’s territory The females are almost double the size of the males.
during the day, hunting for food and keeping their lands They are typically far more cunning and are significantly
free of trespassers. They return each night with whatever more powerful. The males, while less powerful than the
they find to present to the female. females, are quicker and still boast immense power within
The male and female sorcat share many of the same their muscular builds.
qualities and traits. Both have naturally thick and rough
Sorcat (Female)
Huge beast, unaligned
Armor Class 20 (natural armor) performing no actions other than dash, it gains advantage
Hit Points 253 (22d12 + 110) on all Dexterity (Stealth) checks this turn. It may move
Speed 50 ft. through difficult terrain without reduced movement, and all
Wisdom (Perception) checks to spot it have disadvantage.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
ACTIONS
23 (+6) 24 (+7) 20 (+5) 10 (+0) 12 (+1) 10 (+0)
Mulitattack. The sorcat makes three attacks: one with its
Saving Throws Str +12, Dex +13 bite and two with its claws.
Skills Athletics +12, Perception +7, Stealth +13 Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +12 to hit, reach 15 ft., one
target. Hit: 27 (6d6 + 6) piercing damage, and the target is
Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing
grappled (escape DC 19). Until this grapple ends, the target
from nonmagical attacks
is restrained, and the sorcat can’t bite another target.
Senses darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 17
Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +12 to hit, reach 15 ft., one
Languages — target. Hit: 33 (6d8 + 6) slashing damage. If the target is a
Challenge 19 (22,000 XP) Proficiency Bonus +6 creature, it must succeed on a DC 19 Strength saving throw
Cat Reflexes. The sorcat does not receive falling damage if it or be knocked prone.
falls 100 feet or less. Swallow. The sorcat makes one bite attack against a
Charge. If the sorcat moves at least 20 feet straight toward Medium or smaller target it is grappling. If the attack
a target and then hits it with a bite attack on the same turn, hits, the target is swallowed, and the grapple ends. The
the target takes an extra 7 (2d6) piercing damage. If the swallowed target is blinded and restrained, it has total
target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 19 Strength cover against attacks and other effects outside the sorcat,
(Athletics) or Dexterity (Acrobatics) check or be grappled. and it takes 25 (10d4) acid damage at the start of each of
The sorcat can then use its Swallow attack. the sorcat’s turns. The sorcat can have up to three targets
swallowed at a time. If the sorcat dies, all swallowed
Powerful Hind Legs. The sorcat can perform a long or high
creatures are no longer restrained by it and can escape
jump of 35 feet without a running start.
from the corpse using 5 feet of movement, exiting prone.
Predator Senses. Sorcats have advantage on all Wisdom
(Perception) checks as long as they can hear, see, REACTIONS
and smell. Vicious. The sorcat can make a multiattack against a hostile
Rend. A restrained target takes 26 (6d6 + 5) piercing creature that has moved within 5 feet of it since the end of
damage at the end of their turn if they remain restrained as the sorcat’s last turn.
the sorcat bites and rips flesh from bone. Opportunist. The sorcat can use its reaction to restrain a
Stalker. When a sorcat begins and ends its turn in cover prone target within 15 feet of itself.
172
Sorcat (Male)
Large beast, unaligned
Armor Class 17 (natural armor) Predator Senses. Sorcats have advantage on all Wisdom
Hit Points 187 (22d10 + 66) (Perception) checks as long as they can hear, see,
Speed 50 ft. and smell.
Rend. A restrained target takes 15 (3d6 + 5) piercing
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA damage at the end of their turn if they remain restrained as
20 (+5) 20 (+5) 16 (+3) 10 (+0) 10 (+0) 10 (+0) the sorcat bites and rips flesh from bone.
Stalker. When a sorcat begins and ends its turn in cover
Saving Throws Str +10, Dex +10 performing no actions other than dash, it gains advantage
Skills Athletics +10, Perception +5, Stealth +10 on all Dexterity (Stealth) checks this turn. It may move
Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing through difficult terrain without reduced movement, and all
from nonmagical attacks Wisdom (Perception) checks to spot it have disadvantage.
Senses darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 15 ACTIONS
Languages — Mulitattack. The sorcat makes three attacks: one with its
Challenge 13 (10,000 XP) Proficiency Bonus +5 bite and two with its claws.
Cat Reflexes. The sorcat does not receive falling damage if it Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
falls 100 feet or less. Hit: 15 (3d6 + 5) piercing damage.
Pounce. If the sorcat moves at least 30 feet straight toward Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
a creature and then hits it with a multiattack on the same target. Hit: 18 (3d8 + 5) slashing damage.
turn, that target must succeed on a DC 16 Strength saving
throw or be knocked prone and become restrained by REACTIONS
the sorcat. Vicious. The sorcat can make a multiattack against a hostile
Powerful Hind Legs. The sorcat can perform a long or high creature that has moved within 5 feet of it since the end of
jump of 35 feet without a running start. the sorcat’s last turn.
173
174
Sordalite Golems
Unlike the shard guardians of Sordane, sordalite golems are not created by man
or machine, but rather come into existence as a result of a natural disaster or
some other accident. It is not known how these creatures form exactly, but some
scholars theorize that it happens when a sordalite crystal cracks but does not
shatter. A shattered crystal will stop working, but a cracked one can be much
more powerful than even an intact crystal, as they can create a direct conduit to
the planet’s core, drawing upon that energy.
The size of a golem depends on the size of its crystal and its personality is
often tied to the strongest emotion present during its creation. For example,
if a grazing deer is nearby, then the resulting golem may emerge calm and
peaceful, but if it comes to life near a predator, it may become vicious and
bloodthirsty. For this reason, the most dangerous golems are often the ones
that come out of a crashed ship, as the emotions felt by the crew at that time
are seldom positive.
Sordalite golems are very dangerous because of this unpredictability. If one
is created from a crew that collectively wishes that they were home, then the
golem might make its way towards this place, attacking it in confusion when
the welcome is not as it expected. A golem that embodies rage and a thirst for
revenge may actively hunt down a specific ship or even individual, leaving a trail
of destruction in its wake. On the other hand, a golem that embodies the desper-
ation to survive might just want to be left alone in its home. The GM can choose
the personality of the golem or roll for one in the table below.
175
Individual Sordalite Golems
The table below shows all known Sordalite golem types, Sordalite Golem, Type 0
the size of their crystal, and their rarity. Tiny construct, unaligned
type iii
large
176
Sordalite Golem, Type I Sordalite Golem, Type II
Medium construct, unaligned Medium construct, unaligned
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
16 (+3) 10 (+0) 16 (+3) 8 (-1) 9 (-1) 6 (-2) 16 (+3) 10 (+0) 16 (+3) 8 (-1) 9 (-1) 6 (-2)
Damage Immunities poison; bludgeoning, piercing, Damage Immunities poison; bludgeoning, piercing,
and slashing from nonmagical attacks and and slashing from nonmagical attacks and
sordalite-powered attacks sordalite-powered attacks
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion,
frightened, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned frightened, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 9 Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 9
Languages understands the languages of the beings Languages understands the languages of the beings
that died to create it that died to create it
Challenge 1 (200 XP) Proficiency Bonus +2 Challenge 5 (1,800 XP) Proficiency Bonus +3
Draining Susceptibility. The golem is incapacitated Draining Susceptibility. The golem is incapacitated
while the crystal that animates it is being drained. while the crystal that animates it is being drained.
It will remain incapacitated for 1d6 turns after this It will remain incapacitated for 1d4 turns after this
draining effect ends. draining effect ends.
Immutable Form. The golem is immune to any spell or Immutable Form. The golem is immune to any spell or
effect that would alter its form. effect that would alter its form.
Magic Resistance. The golem has advantage on saving Magic Resistance. The golem has advantage on saving
throws against spells and other magical effects. throws against spells and other magical effects.
Magic Weapons. The golem’s weapon attacks Magic Weapons. The golem’s weapon attacks
are magical. are magical.
Sordalite Absorption. Whenever the golem is subjected Sordalite Absorption. Whenever the golem is subjected
to sordalite damage, it takes no damage and instead to sordalite damage, it takes no damage and instead
regains hit points equal to the damage dealt. regains hit points equal to the damage dealt.
ACTIONS ACTIONS
Multiattack. The golem makes two slam attacks. Multiattack. The golem makes two slam attacks.
Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 10 ft., one
target. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) bludgeoning damage. target. Hit: 12 (2d8 + 3) bludgeoning damage.
REACTIONS
Spell Storing (Recharge: 6). The golem can use its
reaction to absorb a single spell of 4th level or lower
that it is targeted by. The spell has no effect but is
stored within the golem. On its turn, the golem can
choose to cast the stored spell as an action. The spell
uses the slot level, spell save DC, spell attack bonus,
and spellcasting ability of the original caster. Only one
type ii spell can be stored at a time.
medium
type i
medium
type 0
tiny
177
Sordalite Golem, Type III
Large construct, unaligned
Armor Class 20 (natural armor) of its turn if it has at least 1 hit point.
Hit Points 189 (18d10 + 90) Siege Monster. The golem deals double damage to objects
Speed 30 ft. and structures.
Sordalite Absorption. Whenever the golem is subjected to
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA sordalite damage, it takes no damage and instead regains
18 (+4) 10 (+0) 20 (+5) 8 (-1) 9 (-1) 6 (-2) hit points equal to the damage dealt.
178
Sordalite Golem, Type IV
Huge construct, unaligned ACTIONS
Multiattack. The golem makes two slam attacks and then
Armor Class 22 (natural armor)
uses Stomp.
Hit Points 387 (25d12 + 225)
Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +15 to hit, reach 50 ft., one
Speed 60 ft. target. Hit: 35 (6d8 + 8) bludgeoning damage.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA Sordalite Blast. Ranged Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, range
500 ft., one target. Hit: 45 (10d8) force damage, and if the
26 (+8) 11 (+0) 28 (+9) 8 (-1) 9 (-1) 6 (-2)
target is a creature, it is knocked prone.
Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing Stomp. The golem stomps one of its feet at a point on
from magical attacks the ground within 30 feet of it. Any creature in a 10-foot-
Damage Immunities poison; bludgeoning, piercing, radius, 10-foot-high-cylinder centered on this point must
and slashing from nonmagical attacks and sordalite- succeed on a DC 20 Dexterity saving throw or take 21 (6d6)
powered attacks bludgeoning damage and fall prone. Until the golem uses
its stomp with the same foot again or moves, the creature
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, frightened, is restrained. While restrained in this way, the creature (or
paralyzed, petrified, poisoned another creature within 5 feet of it) can use its action to
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 9 make a DC 20 Strength (Athletics) check. On a success, the
Languages understands the languages of the beings that creature breaks free and moves to an unoccupied space
created it within 5 feet and is no longer restrained.
Challenge 23 (50,000 XP) Proficiency Bonus +7
REACTIONS
Crumbling Destruction. When the golem drops to 0 hit Spell Storing (Recharge: 5-6). The golem can use its
points, it crumbles and is destroyed. Any creature on the reaction to absorb a single spell of 4th level or lower that it
ground within 30 feet of the golem must make a DC 18 is targeted by. The spell has no effect but is stored within
Dexterity saving throw, taking 44 (8d10) bludgeoning the golem. On its turn, the golem can choose to cast the
damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a stored spell as an action. The spell uses the slot level, spell
successful one. save DC, spell attack bonus, and spellcasting ability of the
Immutable Form. The golem is immune to any spell or original caster. Only one spell can be stored at a time.
effect that would alter its form.
Magic Resistance. The golem has advantage on saving LEGENDARY ACTIONS
throws against spells and other magical effects. The golem can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the
Magic Weapons. The golem’s weapon attacks are magical. options below. Only one legendary action can be used at
Regeneration. The golem regains 50 hit points at the start a time and only at the end of another creature’s turn. The
of its turn if it has at least 1 hit point. golem regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.
Siege Monster. The golem deals double damage to objects Attack. The golem makes a Slam or Sordalite Blast attack.
and structures. Move. The golem can move up to its speed.
Sordalite Absorption. Whenever the golem is subjected to Earthen Skin (Costs 2 Actions). The golem causes the
sordalite damage, it takes no damage and instead regains sordalite crystal powering it to pull in loose earth from the
hit points equal to the damage dealt. area around it. Until the start of its next turn the golem’s
Towering Terror. Any creature that starts its turn within form is encased in a thick layer of dirt and stone, granting it
30 feet of the golem must succeed on a DC 20 Wisdom a +5 bonus to its AC. When this ability ends the earth bursts
saving throw or be frightened until the start of its next off the golem’s body and each creature within a 10-foot-
turn. If the creature’s saving throw is successful, it is radius sphere of the golem must make a DC 18 Dexterity
immune to this golem’s towering terror for the next saving throw, taking 18 (4d8) bludgeoning damage on a
24 hours. failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
golem can take one lair action to cause one of the follow- Create Golem. The golem can activate a cracked crystal
ing effects. to awaken as a Sordalite golem of type I or II. The per-
Corrupt Crystal. The golem can corrupt one sordalite sonality of the golem will be identical to its own.
crystal that is smaller than its own within 30 ft. of Fly. The golem can use the energy from a stored spell to
itself. This crystal, and anything that it is powering, cast the fly spell on itself.
stops functioning as long as it is in the golem’s lair.
Additionally, a successful DC 8 attack on this crystal
will crack it.
179
Suthonaur
The suthonaur is the perfect beast of burden, sporting the fantastic for smaller gadgets, but lacks the stability and
strength of several oxen and a mostly peaceful personal- power to be used to levitate ships and blimps. In fact,
ity. On top of that, they hardly need any food at all. These suthalite has been used in shard blimp furnaces before
massive beasts eat natural sordalite, feeding on the energy only to have the vapors cause a reaction that exploded
from the crystals. Raw sordalite is rare and hard to find, half the ship. Some nations use suthonaurs to farm
but this is no problem for the suthonaur who only needs to suthalite, while others have banned the practice because
eat once every few years, storing the energy from its meals of their dwindling population, since the process required
in large biological crystals on their back. They prefer raw to remove these crystals is likely to kill the suthonaur.
sordalite given the choice, but can also digest a processed Additionally, the inferior nature of these crystals disrupts
crystal. In fact, there are countless stories of suthonaurs their resonant frequency which makes it impossible to
eating unattended equipment that contains sordalite crys- drain them by conventional means, apart from using them
tals. to power machines.
The spike-like crystals look and feel like real sordalite, Wild suthonaurs can often be found near mountain
but are of inferior quality when compared to the real deal, ranges or quarries digging around for crystals. They are
and are commonly referred to as suthalite. Suthalite is nearsighted, very stubborn, and, unlike the tame variants,
can become aggressive if they feel threatened. Luckily
they are quite slow moving. Males are very territorial and
will fight each other to within an inch of their life. Because
of this a suthonaur herd typically consists of one alpha
Suthonaur male and any number of females. In fact, young males get
Huge beast, unaligned chased out of the herd as soon as they mature enough to
Armor Class 18 (natural armor) have the first crystal appear on their back. Females toler-
Hit Points 126 (12d12 + 48) ate each other but will fiercely defend their young, even
against impossible odds.
Speed 20 ft.
REACTIONS REACTIONS
Suthalite Blast (3/day). When hit by a melee weapon Suthalite Blast (1/day). When hit by a melee weapon
attack the suthonaur can release a blast of energy attack the suthonaur can release a blast of energy
from the crystals on its back. All creatures within a from the crystals on its back. All creatures within a
10-foot-radius sphere centered on the suthonaur must 5-foot-radius sphere centered on the suthonaur must
make a DC 12 Dexterity saving throw suffering 11 make a DC 10 Dexterity saving throw suffering 5
(2d10) force damage and be knocked prone on a failed (1d10) force damage and be knocked prone on a failed
save, or half as much damage and isn’t knocked prone save, or half as much damage and isn’t knocked prone
on a successful one. on a successful one.
180
With immense effort a suthonaur can be tamed to the point where it allows the crystals on its back to be refined
while they are still attached. If done correctly, this makes it possible to turn this creature into a living battery of
sorts, with various equipment attached to its back. These monsters are not as useful as shard constructs because
they can get spooked by loud noises and bright flashes. If this happens, an armored suthonaur can trample friendly
creatures in sheer panic as it attempts to protect itself. For this reason suthonaurs are more commonly tamed and
used as portable shields or power supplies by nomadic folk.
181
Terrordactyl
Huge beast, unaligned
Skills Perception +1
Senses passive Perception 11
Languages –
Challenge 1 (200 XP) Proficiency Bonus +2
Flyby. The terrordactyl doesn’t provoke an opportunity
attack when it flies out of an enemy’s reach.
ACTIONS
Multiattack. The terrordactyl makes two claw attacks.
If both claw attacks hit, the target is grappled (escape
DC 12).
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 10 ft., one
target. Hit: 11 (2d8 + 2) piercing damage.
Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
target. Hit: 9 (2d6 + 2) slashing damage.
Terrordactyl
Beasts of the skies are not something uncommon in After a few generations in captivity, with specimens being
Sordane, but ones that can be tamed and ridden as given or sold to other collectors and scholars, it was proven
mounts are a rare commodity. The terrordactyls of that halflings are able to tame these beasts with relative
Sordane are just such a beast, though one of the hardest ease and train them to become battle mounts. Terrordactyls
to tame. are able to carry some of the smaller races without much
Originally found in the darkest jungles of Hexzedal, effort; and there have been some found strong enough to
explorers brought back young specimens thinking they carry even a fully armored kestudo into battle.
were some form of dwarfed lizard-bird. They quickly With proper training the terrordactyls and their riders
learned how mistaken they were as the little ones grew can develop the skills necessary to defeat even the most
double then triple their size in under a year. These exam- agile of aerial guardians, though, this requires quick wit
ples, now dubbed “terrordactyls,” were shipped off to the and a strong bond to be formed between them. A few zoolo-
private menagerie of the expedition’s benefactor. Here a gists have suggested that the terrordactyls more easily trust
curious thing happened: the gamekeeper, a young halfling, the smaller races due to finding them non-threatening and
was able to bond with the creatures with uncanny speed. innocuous. Some historians theorize that these beasts
She was able to walk among their nests, inspect their were once the main battle mounts of a long-forgotten
eggs, and even handle their young with little to no protest kingdom in Hexzedal, and that this genetic memory has
from the beasts. lain dormant in them for countless generations.
182
Void Dragon
Void dragons are among the first voidwalkers that fight relentlessly to defend their new found territory.
appeared near the cracks in the magical barrier that Much like regular dragons, a void dragon will rarely fight
surrounds Sordane, protecting it from the void. These to the death over its territory; if their life is threatened
dragons are not from the void, but are heavily affected they will flee, choosing to strike back when their foe
by its energy. At first glance they can be mistaken for least expects it. The only time a void dragon will fight
white dragons, given their pale scales and skin; however, to the death is if the crack in the barrier is in danger of
that is quickly proven incorrect as soon as one takes a being sealed.
closer look. Where a void dragon exists, magic in the
area begins draining as the void’s essence spreads from Void Transformation
them. Void dragons often start as normal dragons that
are seeking power or wealth before their transformation; Since the transformation the dragon was subjected to
their selfish and egotistical personalities only facilitate happened outside of the void, it is incomplete, leaving
the process. They are drawn to the power of the void most of their external features intact. However, they are
where the cracks in the barrier exist and will make a new almost completely alien on the inside, which is most
home in the vicinity of such cracks through no conscious evident from their ichorous purple blood and the purple
decision of their own. The void acts as a powerful drug, glow emitted from their mouth and eyes. Their organs
and these dragons become addicted, as such they will and muscles are fueled by the corruption coursing
through their veins leaving them without need for food,
183
184
Adult Void Dragon
Huge dragon, chaotic evil Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +12 to hit, reach 10 ft., one
target. Hit: 18 (2d10 + 7) piercing damage plus 5 (1d10)
Armor Class 19 (natural armor) psychic damage.
Hit Points 225 (18d12 + 108) Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +12 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
Speed 40 ft., fly 80 ft., swim 40 ft. target. Hit: 14 (2d6 + 7) slashing damage.
Tail. Melee Weapon Attack: +12 to hit, reach 15 ft., one
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA target. Hit: 16 (2d8 + 7) bludgeoning damage.
25 (+7) 10 (+0) 23 (+6) 16 (+3) 15 (+2) 19 (+4) Frightful Presence. Each creature of the dragon’s choice
that is within 120 feet of the dragon and aware of it must
Saving Throws Dex +5, Con +11, Wis +7, Cha +9
succeed on a DC 17 Wisdom saving throw or become
Skills Perception +12, Stealth +5 frightened for 1 minute. A creature can repeat the saving
Damage Vulnerabilities fire, radiant, thunder throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on
Damage Immunities force, psychic itself on a success. If a creature’s saving throw is successful
Condition Immunities frightened or the effect ends for it, the creature is immune to the
dragon’s Frightful Presence for the next 24 hours.
Senses blindsight 60 ft., darkvision 180 ft., passive
Perception 22 Void Breath (Recharge 5-6). The dragon exhales a wave
of chaotic energy in a 60-foot cone. Each creature in that
Languages Common, Draconic
area must make a DC 19 Wisdom saving throw, taking 66
Challenge 16 (15,000 XP) Proficiency Bonus +5 (12d10) psychic damage on a failed save, or half as much
Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If the dragon fails a saving on a successful one.
throw, it can choose to succeed instead.
LEGENDARY ACTIONS
Void Presence. The dragon has a 40-foot-radius sphere of
void energy centered on itself. Roll 1d20 for any magical The dragon can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from
effects inside of this radius; on a 5 or lower the effect is the options below. Only one legendary action option can
nullified and the dragon heals 11 (2d10) hp. This includes be used at a time and only at the end of another creature’s
spells that are cast inside the radius or have to travel turn. The dragon regains spent legendary actions at the
through it. Anything powered by sordalite that enters this start of its turn.
radius automatically suffers 1 level of crystal exhaustion per Detect. The dragon makes a Wisdom (Perception) check.
turn and the dragon heals 22 (4d10). If the dragon takes Tail Attack. The dragon makes a tail attack.
radiant damage or starts its turn in direct sunlight, this trait Wing Attack (Costs 2 Actions). The dragon beats its wings.
doesn’t function until the start of the dragon’s next turn. Each creature within 10 feet of the dragon must succeed
on a DC 20 Dexterity saving throw or take 14 (2d6 + 7)
ACTIONS bludgeoning damage and be knocked prone. The dragon
Multiattack. The dragon can use its Frightful Presence. It can then fly up to half its flying speed.
then makes three attacks: one with its bite and two with
its claws.
185
The Threat of The Void Lair Actions
Since magic is so heavily relied on in Sordane, the threat On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), the dragon
of a creature that is able to nullify magic, and absorb it is takes a lair action to cause one of the following effects.
too big to ignore. The mere rumour of a void dragon sight- The dragon can’t use the same effect two rounds in a row.
ing is enough to launch a dozen ships full of hunters set on • A shock of void energy echoes through the lair, sapping
claiming glory and bounties for the head of these terrible one available spell slot of the lowest level available from
creatures. Void dragons typically live close to the crack each creature.
that formed them, regularly returning to it to absorb more • A forest of black grasping tentacles created with void
of the essence that transformed them. However, more energy explode from an area within 120 feet that the
powerful dragons may instead choose to send servants dragon can see. The tentacles fill a 20-foot square on
and lesser dragons to retrieve the essence, only coming the ground turning the area into difficult terrain, and
out themselves if their source is threatened. Despite last for 1d4 turns. Any creature in this area must make
drawing so much power from the void, most void dragons a DC 15 Strength or Dexterity saving throw, takes 10
fear what lies beyond. Should this fear grow large enough (3d10) bludgeoning damage, and is restrained by the
some may even maintain the barrier, preventing the crack tentacles until the effect ends. A creature that starts its
from growing large enough to let anything else through. If turn in the area and is already restrained by the tenta-
given the chance, a void dragon would typically refuse to cles takes 11 (3d6) bludgeoning damage. A creature
enter the void to complete its transformation, preferring restrained by the tentacles can use its action to make
to remain within the world it knows, amassing more and a Strength or Dexterity check against DC 15. On a
more power. success, it frees itself. This effect cannot be activated
again as long as it is active.
Void Dragon Lairs • A dark cloud spreads from a point the dragon chooses
within 60 feet of it, filling a 15-foot-radius sphere until
Void dragons live underground in areas close to the the dragon dismisses it as an action, uses this lair
cracks between Sordane and the void, in tunnels that they action again, or dies. The cloud spreads around corners.
have dug themselves or by its twisted servants. The void Creatures inside the cloud get bombarded with visions
energy that seeps from their bodies corrupts the terrain, of the Void. Any creature in the cloud when it appears
twisting and mutating all nearby life above and below must make a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw, taking 10
ground. Unlike most other dragon lairs, these tunnels are (3d10) psychic damage on a failed save, or half as much
usually reasonably clean because the void dragon has damage on a successful one. A creature that ends its
no hunger for things beyond void energy. As such it will turn in the cloud takes 10 (3d10) psychic damage.
lack the treasure a typical dragon lair will house, instead
hosting artifacts corrupted by the void or potentially
knowledge inscribed by whoever opened the crack in the
Regional Effects
first place. With this in mind, a void dragon's lair is very The region containing a legendary void dragon’s lair is
rarely explored by those who manage to defeat or distract warped by the dragon’s magic, which creates one or more
the beast. These groups will almost always opt to take the of the following effects:
bounty as their reward, leaving behind the inordinately • The land within 3 miles of the lair takes twice as long
high risk of venturing through the corrupted tunnels of a as normal to traverse, since the plants grow thick and
void dragon lair. twisted. All animals, plants, and water in this area is
fouled and cannot be eaten or drunk.
Servants to the Corrupted • A foul smelling dark fog blankets the land within 1 mile
of the dragon’s lair. Creatures without darkvision are
Void dragons often have partially mutated servants considered blinded while within this fog as sunlight
working for them, who mostly collect and store void cannot pierce it. Open light sources are snuffed out by
essence inside the lair for the dragon to feast on. These the dampness of the air and closed ones only work to
creatures are often tempted into the service of the 1/10th of the distance.
dragon by the pull of the void’s energy. The thought • Any perishable supplies brought within 3 miles of the
that serving such a powerful creature might lead them dragon’s lair spoil within minutes; long-lasting food
to gaining more power than they previously could ever spoils after 24 hours.
have hoped to attain is far too tempting. Even if given • Any creature attempting to rest in this area is tormented
mundane tasks such as digging tunnels or moving with terrible nightmares, gaining no rest. Levels of
rubble, the pull of the void is overriding. The power they exhaustion and hit points cannot be recovered, although
could gain from being a vessel for such an immense no new levels of exhaustion are added as a result of
energy is often too powerful to not drive many of the not sleeping.
scorned and diminished in search of a taste of what
could be their first step towards becoming something If the dragon dies, vegetation remains as it has grown, but
even more powerful than their wildest fantasies. other effects fade over 1d10 days.
186
Young Void Dragon
Large dragon, chaotic evil effects inside of this radius. On a 5 or lower the effect is
nullified and the dragon heals 11 (2d10) hp. This includes
Armor Class 18 (natural armor) spells that are cast inside the radius or have to travel
Hit Points 152 (16d10 + 64) through it. Anything powered by sordalite that enters this
Speed 40 ft., fly 80 ft., swim 40 ft. radius automatically suffers 1 level of crystal exhaustion per
turn and the dragon heals 22 (4d10). If the dragon takes
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA radiant damage or starts its turn in direct sunlight, this trait
21 (+5) 10 (+0) 19 (+4) 14 (+2) 13 (+1) 17 (+3) doesn’t function until the start of the dragon’s next turn.
Saving Throws Dex +4, Con +8, Wis +5, Cha +7 ACTIONS
Skills Perception +9, Stealth +4 Multiattack. The dragon makes three attacks: one with its
Damage Vulnerabilities fire, radiant, thunder bite and two with its claws.
Damage Immunities force, psychic Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 10 ft., one
target. Hit: 16 (2d10 + 5) piercing damage plus 5 (1d10)
Condition Immunities frightened
psychic damage.
Senses blindsight 10 ft., darkvision 120 ft., passive
Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Perception 19
Hit: 12 (2d6 + 5) slashing damage.
Languages Common, Draconic
Void Breath (Recharge 5-6). The dragon exhales a wave
Challenge 9 (5,000 XP) Proficiency Bonus +4 of chaotic energy in a 30-foot cone. Each creature in that
Void Presence. The dragon has a 15-foot-radius sphere of area must make a DC 16 Wisdom saving throw, taking 55
void energy centered on itself. Roll 1d20 for any magical (10d10) psychic damage on a failed save, or half as much
on a successful one.
187
Chapter 7. Items and Economy
M
agic is so abundant in Sordane that
even the lowliest of peasants use Sordalite Prices
magical conveniences in their every- Below, you will find a general table indicating common
day lives. This chapter will give you prices for one piece of sordalite of any given size.
some premade items and equipment
of both the mundane and magical type. Refining Sordalite
Unrefined sordalite yields half its weight in refined sor-
Sordalite dalite. For example, 1 pound of unrefined sordalite would
be refined down to ½ pound of refined sordalite. Refining
Sordalite is an uncommonly light precious gem. In its sordalite costs 20% of its current value; for example, 100
natural state it is sky blue, nearly translucent. When imbued pounds of unrefined sordalite would cost 10,000 gp to refine.
with different types of magic, it can sometimes change After it is refined, it is worth more. This is reflected in
its color. The color of these changed crystals most often the table below.
reflects the elemental power or focus of the spell that
imbued it. For example, necrotic magic imbued upon a sor- Sordalite Prices
dalite crystal results in carcassite, a p
urple-hued crystal.
Unrefined Cost Refined Cost
Sordalite crystals, while not uncommon, are not cheap.
They are the lifeblood of Sordane, powering technology, Small Chunk 50 gp Small Shard 200 gp
ships, and economies. 1/2 lb. 250 gp 1/2 lb. 1,000 gp
1 lb. 500 gp 1 lb. 2,000 gp
Properties of Sordalite 50 lb. 25,000 gp 50 lb. 100,000 gp
Sordalite is a unique material that exists in a hardened 100 lb. 50,000 gp 100 lb. 200,000 gp
crystal form. It is shaped, mined, and used like any other 200 lb. 100,000 gp 200 lb. 400,000 gp
precious gem, but has several properties that set it apart.
Natural Levitation. Sordalite has the inherent ability
to levitate. A free piece of sordalite will hover several feet
off of the ground. One pound of sordalite has the ability to
levitate up to 100 pounds.
Weight. Sordalite is extremely lightweight. One cubic
foot of refined sordalite weighs 1 pound.
unrefined sordalite chunks
188
The Sordane Beast Markets if you befriend one of these merchants, watch out for they
can betray you in a heartbeat if it proves more lucrative.
Most larger cities in Sordane have markets that deal exclu-
sively in captured beasts and various concoctions distilled Angler’s Lure
from their parts. For this reason many sailors choose to Weapon (any melee weapon) +1, rare (requires attune-
capture any monsters that they come across and defeat on ment)
their travels, selling them to the market. Some even hunt The angler’s lure can be made into any melee weapon,
these creatures for a living. gaining its power from the lure of a slyxi angler built into
the pommel.
The Beast Market You have a +1 bonus to attack and damage rolls made
with this weapon. While attuned to this weapon you may
Beast markets are a staple of Sordane’s common culture, use an action to speak its command word, causing the
with nearly every city and town having some form of lure in its pommel to begin pulsing a hypnotic light. All
them. Larger cities have permanent markets which are creatures of your choice within 30 feet of you that can see
designated to the sale of creatures and products derived the light must succeed on a DC 13 Wisdom saving throw
from them, whereas smaller towns get visited by travelling or become charmed. While charmed in this way a crea-
merchant caravans on a regular basis. At these markets ture is incapacitated and its speed becomes 0 for the next
you can find anything related to beasts and animals such minute. This effect ends if the creature takes any damage
as various feeds, eggs, live specimens, meats, organs, and or someone else uses an action to shake the creature out
products derived from them. The amount of each item and of its stupor.
availability of exotic items will depend on the size of the Once used this ability cannot be activated again until
market and local guidelines. the next day at dawn.
Interestingly enough, there is no one owner of the
market, nor is there a guild that binds the merchants Cloud Skate Coat
together, just people who fulfill the need for such products. Wondrous item, uncommon
Because of this, the approach and ethics of one seller can A large coat lined with the skin of a cloud skate. Once it
be very different from the next. Some will source their was discovered that cloud skates were able to withstand
products from cruelty free breeders, while others might the extreme cold that came with higher altitudes, they
sell the flesh of sentient creatures or even humanoids. were mercilessly hunted to create clothing for sailors. As a
In an attempt to prevent the less ethical side of these result of this, cloud skates learned to avoid both predators
markets from flourishing, some nations have started a and humanoids by hiding within clouds.
committee to regulate these markets within their borders, While wearing this jacket you are immune to low tem-
but this has so far proven difficult at best. perature conditions.
Most beast markets are either run by, or at least While wearing this jacket, if you are hit by a weapon or
influenced by the criminal circuit. New sellers will often spell attack, you may use your reaction to cast the fog cloud
become the victim of protection rackets, sometimes spell centered on yourself. Once this property has been
forced to pay multiple factions at once. In larger cities the used it cannot be used again until the next day at dawn.
governments often try to prevent this by posting guards
and requiring paperwork on a seller's inventory, but still
this rarely stops everything. Often illegal goods peddlers cloud
will pretend to sell one thing while offering something else skate
under the counter to those who come with recommen- coat
dations or have enough coin to be worth the risk. These
same merchants will also employ adventurers to get them
certain beasts, their parts, or sometimes even their young
so that they can be sold as pets to the rich. These mer-
chants are typically not bothered by things like morals,
loyalty, or respect for property, and will gladly take crea-
tures that belong to someone or even kill the owner and
sell their flesh to those interested in cannibalism. So, even angler's
lure
Side Quest Central
Beast markets are great opportunities for easy side
quests when your players need a break from the main
quest line. Simply pick some monster that you like
and have your players hunt it. You could always spice
it up by adding rival hunters, groups that protect these
beasts from poaching or have the players steal a pet
from a house or castle. It is also a good opportunity to
test your party's morals.
189
Exonid Silk Gloves Shark Juice
Wondrous item, rare (requires attunement) Wondrous item, rare
A pair of finely crafted leather gloves, with exonid silk A vial of white liquid obtained from a living cloud
woven through the palms and fingertips. shark’s cloud bladder that it uses to make its clouds. It
While attuned to these gloves, you may speak their is extremely difficult to extract, as the bladder must be
command word, causing the magic within to activate. left intact during a battle and the process is very delicate.
While activated you have a climbing speed equal to your However, despite the difficulties and dangers of obtaining
walking speed; in addition, while active you cannot be dis- shark juice many still hunt cloud sharks for it.
armed, and you have advantage on grapple checks. When If the vial is broken, the liquid has an effect identical to
the gloves’ magic has been used for a total of 30 minutes, that of the cloud in a bottle (page 194). However, when
the magic ceases to function until you finish a long rest. consumed the liquid can work as a performance-en-
hanc-ing drug, granting a +2 boost to Strength, Dexterity
Protector’s Shield and Constitution for 1 minute (to a maximum of 24), as
Armor (shield +1), rare (requires attunement) well as a euphoric high. After the effect has passed, crea-
A large shield made using the chitinous plating off a protec- tures will often hunger for another dose.
tor exonids back. The ice-like spikes adorning the front exude
an aura of frost which grows stronger when hit by an attack. Siphit’s Heart Amulet
While attuned to this shield, you gain resistance to cold Wondrous item, rare
damage and a +1 bonus to AC. This bonus is in addition to This tiny amulet is largely made up of a small sordalite
the shield’s normal bonus to AC. crystal that has been infused with the crushed heart of
When hit by a melee weapon attack, you can use your reac- a siphit during the creation process. This process of life-
tion to release a blast of ice from the shield, dealing 3d6 cold imbuing magic turns the crystal red. These little amulets
damage to the attacker. Once this property has been used it are rare, but not unique. Captains will often be gifted such
cannot be used again until the next day at dawn. amulets by their crew as a sign of good faith and hope for
a safe journey for both the crew and ship.
exonid silk
gloves
shark
juice
potion of
sordalite staff
absorption of the
noklura
night grimhulks
potion fortitude
potion of
sordalite
sense
protector's siphit's
shield heart
amulets
190
If your health drops to zero while wearing this amulet,
the crystal crumbles into dust and the captured energy
Creature Potions
enters your body. At the start of your next turn, instead of
making a death saving throw, you gain hit points equal to Grimhulks Fortitude
your level. Potion, uncommon
A vial filled with a grimhulk’s thick, deep red blood that
Staff of the Noklura has been enchanted to bring out its natural healing
Staff +3, legendary (requires attunement) properties. Due to the volatile nature of grimhulks’
A staff made out of twisted ebony wood, with five small blood, sale of these potions is prohibited in Sordane.
shards of sordalite encased within it. Adorning the staff is However, it doesn’t stop hunters selling the blood to black
a piece of a noklura’s lure. While looking at the staff, the market traders.
lure adorning it seems to shift and warp into a hand as if You regain 6d6 + 6 hit points when you drink
beckoning you towards it. this potion.
This staff can be wielded as a magic quarterstaff that After drinking this potion you must succeed on a DC 14
grants a +3 bonus to attack and damage rolls made with it. Constitution saving throw or go berserk. While berserk,
While you hold it, you gain a +3 bonus to spell attack rolls. you must spend each turn attacking the creature nearest
The staff has 20 charges for the following properties. It to you, friend or foe. This effect lasts for 1 minute or until
regains 2d6 + 3 charges daily at dawn. If you expend the you are incapacitated.
last charge, roll a d20. On a 1, the noklura’s lure shatters If you fail the roll by 5 or more you suffer 1 level of grim-
and the staff loses its properties, becoming a nonmagi- hulk transformation (see Transformation Table on page
cal quarterstaff. 135). Every day at dawn you repeat this saving throw,
Spells. While holding this staff, you can use an action halting the transformation on a success, or suffering
to expend 1 or more of its charges to cast one of the another level of transformation on a failure.
following spells from it, using your spell save DC and
spellcasting ability: dancing lights (1 charge), dominate Night Potion
monster (8 charges), mass suggestion (6 charges), sending Potion, very rare
(3 charges). Made from the saliva and grounded down hide of a giant
If you are holding the staff and you fail a saving throw night ray, it is a single vial of pitch black liquid.
against an enchantment spell that only targets you, you It quickly heats when exposed to bright lights. If left in
may choose to succeed instead by permanently destroying exposed bright light for longer than 3 hours, the vial will
one of the sordalite shards within it. explode and the liquid will disintegrate.
After drinking this potion you gain superior darkvision
Break Concentration. Once per day as a bonus action out to a range of 120 feet.
you can target a creature within 30 feet of you. If it is When you are in dim light or darkness, as a bonus
concentrating on a spell it must succeed on a Constitution action you can teleport up to 60 feet to an unoccupied
saving throw versus your spell save DC. On a failure you space you can see that is also in dim light or darkness.
break its concentration. This effect lasts up to 10 minutes; however, if you spend
While simultaneously attuned to this staff and an more than 1 minute in bright light you suffer 1 level of
airship, the airship gains a +3 bonus to Dexterity (Stealth) exhaustion and the potion’s effect ends.
checks. Additionally, you can activate the invisibility
spelldriving mode for one spelldriving point and the ship is Potion of Sordalite Absorption
able to move while it is active. You also gain access to the Potion, rare
following spelldriving mode: Made using boiled absorption glands of a siphit alpha
and crushed dust of a refined shard of sordalite. This
Alluring Light. potion is a purple and blue liquid constantly swirling in
Casting Time: 1 action its vial.
Cost: 8 spelldriving points After drinking this potion, when you are hit by a
Duration: Instantaneous sordalite-powered attack you take no damage, regaining
When this mode is activated the staff causes the ships sor- hit points equal to half the damage dealt instead. This
dalite crystal to begin emitting a bright light. All creatures effect lasts for 1 minute.
within 300 feet of the ship that can see the light must
make a Wisdom saving throw versus your spell save DC. Potion of Sordalite Sense
On a failure they are charmed and must spend their turn Potion, rare
moving directly toward the crystal. This effect lasts for 10 Made using a mixture of hunter exonid parts and siphit
minutes and each creature can repeat the saving throw at blood, the green liquid in this vial occasionally pulses,
the end of their turn. revealing small clusters of chitin throughout.
After drinking this potion, you are able to sense sor-
dalite within a 240-foot-radius sphere centered on yourself
for the next hour. This effect extends through solid sur-
faces.
191
ace zapix's pendants of calling
alexar's telescope
of truesight
queen's breaker
mace captain votrix's
bounty hook gun
transformations
bane
Queen’s Bounty
Potion, very rare
Magic Items
A vial larger than normal with a metal clasp sealing it. Below are details for magic items that exist in the Skies
Made from the brain of an exonid queen, the vial is filled of Sordane campaign setting. The items are presented in
with an ichorous green liquid, and small flecks of sor- alphabetical order. Each magic item’s description gives the
dalite can occasionally be seen floating within it. While it item’s name, its category, its rarity, and its magical proper-
remains in the vial, small insects are drawn to it, attempt- ties.
ing to get inside.
After drinking this potion, you gain a permanent +1 Ace Zapix’s Pendants of Calling
bonus to your Intelligence score. In addition, you gain Wondrous item, uncommon (requires attunement)
immunity to psychic damage for the next 8 hours. Originally designed as a means of intership communi-
cation by the infamous Ace Zapix, these pendants are
Transformations Bane now commonly seen all over Sordane as a rudimentary
Potion, legendary communication system. Pendants of calling come in many
The only known cure to the grimhulk transformation different forms: earrings, rings, necklaces, watches, etc.
curse, a potion created using the crushed heart of an These pendants all contain a small sliver of sordalite
elder grimhulk. The crimson liquid in this vial occasion- crystal that powers them.
ally pulses as if the heart used to make it is still beating. When worn, this pendant enables the wearer to expend
Drinking this potion can cure up to 4 levels of grimhulk a charge, sending a short telepathic message to a person
transformation (see Transformation Table on page 135), they have met within 5 miles (25,000 ft.). The message
returning a creature’s body to normal over 4 days. Remov- can be no longer than 25 words and the wearer must
ing the grimhulk transformation curse is an ordeal. The speak in a language that the receiver can understand. The
target takes a -4 penalty to all attack rolls, saving throws, receiver can answer in a similar way immediately.
and ability checks. Every time the target finishes a long The pendant has 5 charges and regains 1d4+1 charges
rest, the penalty is reduced by 1 until it disappears along each day at dawn. Creatures with an Intelligence score of
with the curse. This potion will have no effect on a fully 4 or less cannot use these devices.
transformed grimhulk.
192
Alexar’s Telescope of Truesight developed for this, but the extinguisher is perhaps the
Wondrous item, legendary most aggressive, with high chances of collateral damage
The Telescope of Truesight was developed by the astron- to friendlies. The device looks like a glass bauble filled
omer Alexar Enthara as an aid for unlocking the secrets with a dark liquid.
of the cosmos. The telescope looks like an unremarkable As an action, you can throw the extinguisher up to 20
handheld telescope with 4x magnification, making things feet. When thrown so the glass shatters and explodes in
look 4x larger through the telescope. a 15-foot-radius sphere, removing all air from the area
As an action the user can speak the secret command for 1 turn. The explosion immediately stops all fire within
word to activate the telescope. For 1 minute, the user has this radius. Any creature caught within the radius that
truesight when looking through the telescope up to a dis- breathes air must make a DC13 Constitution saving throw
tance of 500 feet. While active, the user can see in normal or suffer 14 (4d6) force damage.
and magical darkness as if it were well lit. They can see
through invisibility and automatically succeed against Bottle o’ Air
detecting visual illusions. Wonderous item, very rare
Additionally they can see the original form of magically The Bottle o’ Air is a limitless air supply in the form of a
transformed creatures and shapeshifters. Finally, they can trapped air elemental. This bottle allows ships to rise to
see into the Ethereal Plane within the same range. heights where the air is too thin for most living things to
The telescope has 3 charges and regains one at the start survive and prevents the effects of being at such high alti-
of every week. tude.
When uncorked the bottle creates a continuous stream
Avenger Pack of air, filling a 30-foot-radius sphere centered on itself with
Wondrous item, very rare breathable air, and another 20 feet with thin air. If broken,
The avenger pack is a true feat of sordalite tinkering and it releases the air elemental trapped within. This item
engineering, functioning as a compact, heavily altered does not help against low temperatures.
version of the spell jet thruster. The avenger pack is
strapped on the user’s back and around their waist, Breaker Mace
featuring two large enchanted chrome cylinders with fins Weapon (mace), rare
and fist-sized sordalite crystals embedded in each. The The breaker mace is the pinnacle of brute force; a large
cylinders have been enchanted to draw power from the spiked metal ball with a sordalite crystal deep in its
sordalite crystals, heating the air inside and forcing it out centre is this weapon’s crowning feature. When activated,
of the ventilation shafts. The expulsion of this air forces lightning arcs between the spikes on the ball, its colour
the user into the air where they can alter their elevation or dependent on the crystal that lies within. This huge mace
hover in place. requires a Strength of 14 to wield, otherwise the wielder
As an action you can speak the command word to has disadvantage on attack rolls.
activate the sordalite crystals in the pack, causing the The mace has 6 charges and regains 1 charge per hour.
cylinders to begin taking in air, heating the crystals. While You can use a bonus action to speak a command word
active you gain a flying speed of 45 feet, and you can hover. expending 1 charge, causing lightning to crackle at the
Super Charger. The avenger pack can also be super- head of the mace, empowering your next strike. On a hit,
charged, increasing the fly speed to 90 feet. After 2 the target takes 2d8 lightning damage, increasing to 3d8
minutes the excess heat produced will start to burn you against targets with metal armor, and it can’t take reac-
for 1d6 fire damage at the start of each of your turns. tions until the start of its next turn.
This damage increases by an additional 1d6 for every
extra minute active up to a maximum of 6 minutes. After Captain Votrix’s Hook Gun
six minutes, the cylinders will start to melt, releasing the Hookshot gun, rare
magic stored in the pack, the damage causing it to cease The hookshot gun is designed with the shape of a zap gun
function entirely. The pack must cool for twice as many in mind, made to be held in one hand comfortably. Unlike
minutes that it has been used for in order to avoid the other smaller zap guns it has a large grip to aid its wielder
effects of overheating. in holding on to the gun as it travels to its target.
High Altitudes. At high altitudes the changes in tempera- The hook gun was made to aid boarding parties to move
ture will alter the functionality of the pack. Operating the from one ship to another, while minimising damage done
pack in the colder climates at higher altitudes will allow it to the ship’s hull. Captain Votrix had his tinkerers combine
to run supercharged for longer, increasing the amount of sordalite technology with a handheld hookshot gun,
minutes before it begins overheating by the coldness modi- producing a tool that would allow his crew to manoeuvre
fier times two (see Altitude Table on page 55). between ships easily, but also be used against his enemies.
The hook gun has 3 charges and regains all expended
Bakhuyzen’s Extinguisher charges each day at dawn.
Wondrous item, common As an action you may expend 1 charge and choose a
Fire is one of the biggest threats on airships. The wind target that you can see within 100 feet to make a ranged
can blow life into the smallest flame and there is hardly weapon attack against it. On a hit the target is embedded
any water to use against it. Various methods have been with a hook and suffers 1d6 + your Dexterity modifier
piercing damage.
193
carcassite captain's
tricorns
cloudplank
cloud in
a bottle captain's
wheel
As a bonus action, while still within range you may have passed since she last fouled the lands, but her twisted
the hook return to the gun, dealing 2d6 piercing damage creations are still everywhere and her followers continue
to the target as it rips out. Alternatively, you may have the her work.
gun travel to the hook, taking the shortest route to the If stabbed into a whole dead body, necrotic magic will
target. You must succeed a DC 13 Strength (Athletics) spread through the carcass and animate it by turning it
check to hold on to the gun as it travels. into a Hollowed One (see page 136).
194
eyepatch of eidella's
all knowing eye
cloudwalker
boots
earrings drain
of life grenade
195
Juno Ianmala’s Door of Expediency of an inch, and weighs about as much as one.
Wondrous item, rare (requires attunement) As an action, you can put the bridge on an edge and
A strange construction that is best described as a wooden speak the command word. The bridge will extend into a
door with two spell thrusters connected to either side of 5-foot-wide, 15-foot-long, and 1-foot-thick structure, bridg-
it powered by a small sordalite crystal. Because of these ing any potential divides. The bridge can hold up to 1,000
engines, it does not function as a normal door. Instead pounds and be shrunk back to its original size by repeat-
it behaves more like a small ship, always hovering a few ing the command word.
feet off the ground. The door has a fly speed of 60 feet. It
has a surface area of 10 feet by 5 feet and can carry up to Navigator’s Pocket Watch
1,200 pounds, but its fly speed halves when carrying over Wondrous item, rare (requires attunement)
600 pounds. A beautifully made silver pocket watch, but instead of a clock
If the command word is spoken, the door will follow you face inside there is only sordalite crystal sitting on a minia-
at a distance of 10 feet. ture map of Sordane. These little contraptions are a highly
sought-after device. They offer the navigator or captain of a
Levibombs ship the ability to easily mark important or secretive loca-
Wondrous item, uncommon tions and return to them without complicated calculations.
Created while trying to enhance the levitation properties As a bonus action you can speak the command word
of sordalite, levibombs are small glass orbs roughly 2 to have the pocket watch project either the time or a
inches in diameter with a small shard of sordalite floating compass above the sordalite clock face in a magically
at their center. Originally used to aid in moving heavy produced hologram.
equipment and cargo before power drones became more As an action you can speak a second command word
widespread, now their main use is to disrupt enemy and have the pocket watch record your current location.
weapons or remove threats from a ship’s deck. The pocket watch is able to store up to six locations at a
As an action, a levibomb can be thrown at a space within time and cannot store more until one is forgotten. Storing
30 feet, causing it to detonate. All creatures within a 10-foot a location can be done by performing a one-minute ritual
radius must succeed on a DC 13 Constitution saving throw and selecting the desired location.
or begin floating up to 20 feet in the air. Objects not being While a location is recorded, the pocket watch is able to
worn or carried in this radius automatically fail the saving project a secondary needle pointing towards this location,
throw. If a creature or object weighs more than 1,000 selecting the recorded location desired whenever the
pounds it is immune to this effect. Objects floating can be compass is activated.
moved by pushing or pulling them and affected creatures Once per day you can cast the augury spell without
can move by pushing or pulling against a fixed object or requiring components.
surface within reach (such as a wall or a ceiling), which
allows them to move as if they were climbing. Pipe of Protection
This effect lasts up to 10 minutes or until dispelled. Wondrous item, rare
Whenever an affected creature takes damage it can repeat An old crooked pipe with runes carved into it, and heavy
the saving throw; on a success the effect ends and the burns adorning its end. While lit, the smoke seems to cling
creature begins falling. to your body instead of dispersing into the air.
The pipe can be lit once per day and lasts for 20
Mechanimal Collar minutes. While smoking this pipe you are immune to air-
Wondrous item, rare borne poisons and gasses and charm effects as the smoke
A small sordalite-encrusted collar designed for a small clings to your body, protecting you. Additionally, once per
mechanimal that pairs with its shard control device. While day you can create a 20-foot-radius sphere of smoke cen-
a mechanimal is wearing this and within 500 feet of you, tered on yourself that lasts for 1 minute or until dispersed
you may use an action to speak a command word, causing by wind; the smoke cloud obscures vision in this area.
it to reappear in an unoccupied space within 30 feet of Each creature that starts its turn within this cloud aside
you. Additionally, as an action, you can see through your from you must succeed on a DC 12 Constitution saving
mechanimal’s eyes and hear what it hears until the start of throw or spend its turn coughing, repeating this save at
your next turn, gaining the benefits of any special senses the end of its turn.
that the mechanimal has. During this time, you are deaf
and blind with regard to your own senses. Pocket Sky Coach
Wondrous item, very rare
Merchant Bridge A detailed figurine of a sky coach with a shard drone oper-
Wondrous item, common ating the helm.
Ports and airship harbors come in as many shapes and As an action you can place the figurine on the ground
sizes as the ships themselves, which can make it difficult and speak the command word causing the figurine to
to disembark, especially when moving cargo up and down. transform into a full-sized sky coach over a minute. It will
The portable bridge is the most common solution to this stay this way until the command word is spoken again or
problem due to its shape-changing capabilities. When its duration expires.
inactive, it looks like a one-foot-long stick with a diameter Each creature in the space where the pocket sky coach
appears must make a DC 13 Dexterity saving throw,
196
levibomb pipes of
protection
pocket
sky coach mechanimal
collars
navigator's
merchant pocket
bridge watch
taking 5d10 bludgeoning damage on a failed save, or half If activated in an opening smaller than its size such as a
as much damage on a successful one. In either case, the doorway, the shield will shrink to fill the opening, creating
creature is pushed to an unoccupied space adjacent to the an impassable wall until destroyed or it deactivates.
sky coach. Once used, the portable shield requires a new sordalite
This effect lasts for up to 4 hours a day, all at once or shard to be placed inside it before it regains this ability.
in several shorter flights, each one using a minimum of 1
minute from the duration. If the ship is still flying when Power Diverter
the duration expires it will descend at a rate of 30 feet Wondrous item, rarity varies
per round until you touch the ground before transforming A short metal cylinder with a sordalite crystal mounted
back into a figurine. on top that varies in size and power. The power diverter is
The pocket sky coach regains 2 hours of flying capability designed to transfer energy to sordalite crystals in range.
for every 12 hours it isn’t in use. Originally created as a way to protect sordalite equipment
from being drained, more powerful versions were created
Portable Shield for use on airships to prevent packs of siphits and other
Wondrous item, rare sordalite-draining creatures from feasting on the ship’s
A small metal cube 4 inches on each side with arcane power before they could be dealt with.
glyphs adorning the exterior of it. The cube is able to be While active, the power diverter projects a sordalite
opened revealing a small shard of sordalite floating in energy field centered on itself. Whenever a sordalite
the center powering the device. These tiny devices were powered creature or object would have its energy drained
created to provide a bit of last-ditch protection to hard- while inside of this field, the power diverter automatically
pressed individuals in the heat of battle. expends 1 charge to transfer energy to itself, preventing
As an action you can place the cube on an empty space a level of crystal exhaustion (see Siphoning Table, page
within 5 feet of you and speak its command word. When 164). The amount of charges required to prevent crystal
activated the sordalite is drained and destroyed as the exhaustion varies depending on the target and the size
cube splits into four parts, creating an invisible shield of of the power diverter. When the power diverter prevents
force 5 feet wide, 10 feet high, and 1 inch thick that lasts a level of crystal exhaustion, that crystal can be drained
for 1 minute. again this round by another draining source. The diverter,
Nothing can physically pass through the shield. It if it has any charges left, will continue to prevent crystal
is immune to all damage and can’t be dispelled by exhaustion until all charges are spent.
dispel magic. A disintegrate spell destroys the shield The amount of charges a power diverter has depends
instantly, however. on the size of its crystal, and it regains 1 charge every
197
Power Diverter Charges
1 pound crystal 10 pound crystal 20 pound crystal
Type and charges required (30 charges) (40 charges) (50 charges)
Bionics, weapons, gadgets, and Small shard constructs 2 1 1
Medium and Large shard constructs 3 2 1
Huge shard constructs and 50 lbs. or less crystals 4 2 2
Gargantuan shard constructs and 75 lbs. or less crystals 5 3 2
100 lbs. or more crystals 6 4 3
rod of
construct
corruption
power diverter
rebreathers
sailor's
rope
rod of sky
scrying weaving
goggles
198
While wearing the rebreather you ignore the effects of thin Sailor’s Rope
air conditions and can breathe underwater. You automati- Wondrous item, common
cally succeed on saving throws against effects and spells that A simple-looking one-foot piece of hemp rope. As a bonus
require you to breathe such as the stinking cloud spell. action you can speak the command word and increase
its length up to fifty feet long. It has the same statistics
Rod of Construct Corruption as ordinary hemp rope, and reverts back to its original
Rod, very rare (requires attunement) length when cut or broken. As a free action you can speak
A silver rod adorned with a small chunk of carcassite on its command word again to revert it back to its origi-
the head. Created by followers of Umiera to sow discord nal length.
in Sordane, it is uncertain how many of these rods
currently exist. Their use is typically frowned upon, if not Scrying Goggles
outright outlawed, but they are still in use in the seedier Wondrous item, rare (requires attunement)
underbellies of the world. Scrying Goggles are typically used by captains to keep
The rod has six charges for the following purposes: an eye on their quarters, cargo holds, or other important
corrupt small shard construct (1 charge), corrupt medium areas of their ships while they are away. They can also
shard construct (2 charges), corrupt large shard construct come in the form of glasses. The goggles have lenses
(3 charges), corrupt huge shard construct (4 charges). made from sordalite crystal and can be of any design or
As an action you can spend the required charges to color. They are accompanied by 3 small circular pendants
attempt to sever the connection between a shard construct each 1 inch in diameter with a metal backing and a loop
and its control device. The shard construct must succeed on top for hanging. These 3 pendants are pure sordalite
on a DC 17 Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save the rod crystal made from the same one as the goggles. The pen-
becomes its new control device for the next 24 hours; on a dants can be worn or hung. Additional pendants can be
success it ignores this effect. crafted to be used with the goggles.
Once the connection is severed from the rod, the con- Three times a day the user can speak the command
struct returns to the control of the original control device. word of the goggles. Immediately, they will be able to see
If the rod is used continuously on the same shard through 1 of the pendants (user’s choice) for 1 minute.
construct for 7 days, the control becomes permanent, During this minute, the user can still see normally, but
breaking its connection with the old control device. While the right lens of the goggles displays whatever the chosen
under control of the rod, a shard construct automatically pendant sees.
fails its saving throw to resist the effect on following con- Once per week, the user may cast the scrying spell
secutive days. using the goggles in place of the required components.
The rod has no effect on sentient shard constructs
that think for themselves, such as shardforged. The rod Shard Weapons
regains 1d4 + 1 charges daily at dawn. Weapon (any), rare (+1), very rare (+2), or legendary (+3)
(requires attunement)
Rod of Sky Weaving Shard weapons can be any kind of weapon. It has been
Rod, very rare (requires attunement) imbued with the magic of a sordalite crystal.
The Rod of Sky Weaving is a powerful item that enhances You have a bonus to attack and damage rolls made
the already considerable ability of the ship’s spelldriver to with this weapon. The bonus is determined by the
a level beyond their peers. It is a 2-foot-long metal scepter w
eapon’s rarity.
with a perfectly smooth ball of sordalite 3 inches in diame- Additionally, you can use a bonus action to speak the
ter on its head. weapon’s command word, causing the weapon to crackle
While simultaneously attuned to this rod and an airship with eldritch energy. While the weapon is radiating this
you can alter the effects of the following spelldriving modes: energy, it deals an extra 2d6 force damage to any target
Accelerate. When activating this mode, you can choose it hits. The energy lasts until you hit a creature with the
to spend an additional 3 spelldriving points. If you do, its weapon, use a bonus action to speak the command word
duration increases to 5 minutes and the ship gains a +1 again, or until you drop or sheathe the weapon. Once this
bonus to AC for all of its components. weapon deals the bonus damage it loses this property
Force Barrier. When activating this mode you can until the next day at dawn.
increase the base spelldriving cost by 2. If you do, all
affected creatures’ speed is halved while they are within Shardjammer
this area and they have disadvantage when making the Wondrous item, rare
saving throw versus this effect. A metal sphere with several pointy antennae coming out
Momentum. When activating this mode you no longer of it small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. It hums
spend any spelldriving points. However, you can spend 1 softly when held up to your ear as if thousands of tiny
spelldriving point to activate it as a bonus action instead of gears are spinning inside. When it comes into contact with
an action. a shard construct’s body, spikes protrude from the anten-
Shields. When activating this mode you can choose to nae causing it to stick.
spend an additional 2 spelldriving points. If you do, the As an action you can throw the shardjammer up to 30
ship and all of its components gain a +10 bonus to AC feet, making a ranged weapon attack against a shard con-
instead of 5.
199
ship in a
beer bottle
ship in a
whiskey bottle
ship in a
wine bottle
shardjammers
shard
weapons
struct. When it comes into contact with a shard construct, throw or be shrunk along with it and trapped inside the
the shardjammer activates and attempts to overload the bottle. On a success, they simply fall to the ground as the
sordalite within the shard construct. The shard construct smoke cloud dissipates. The ship can be taken out of the
must succeed on a DC 14 Constitution saving throw. On bottle by taking out the cork and speaking the command
a success, it is restrained until the end of its turn; on a word again, which reverses the process. Smashing the
failure it is restrained for a number of turns equal to the bottle also lifts the spell, and the ship will appear on top of
amount by which it failed its roll. After this effect ends, the the bottles location. It pushes away anything that stands
shardjammer falls apart. in its way, causing 10d10 bludgeoning damage to those
it displaces.
Ship in a Bottle The bottles come in three main categories:
Wonderous item, rarity varies (requires attunement) Beer Bottle (uncommon) can hold ships of up to 50
Why pay exorbitant mooring and security fees for your feet in length and are mainly used for storing skiffs.
yacht if you can simply store it in your wine cellar? Orig- Whiskey Bottle (rare) can hold ships of up to 300 feet
inally conceived by the legendary archmage Bakhuyzen in length. These bottles are most popular amongst ship
Zar to store bookshelves, the use of these bottles has since collectors and vendors.
become very popular with high society. Wine Bottle (very rare) can hold any ship regardless
The bottle must be attuned to a ship in order to func- of the size and have a save DC of 20. These are typically
tion. The bottle must be in the possession of a user on reserved for military use, but powerful organizations have
the ship for a day to attune to the ship. The bottle itself ways to procure them.
does not require attunement to a user. Another user of
the bottle can use it as long as the bottle is attuned to Sky Board
this ship. Wondrous item, rare (requires attunement)
As an action, the wielder can point the bottle at a ship A single-person sky board outfitted with two modified
that it has been attuned to and say the secret password. spell jet thrusters and sail. A 10-pound sordalite crystal
A large amount of white smoke will pour from the bottle, runs through the center of the board, powering the
completely enveloping the ship in one minute. The ship modified spell jet thruster. Originally created as a luxury
and its contents are then magically shrunk and trans- item for the wealthy, sky boards quickly gained popu-
ported into the bottle. Any creature aboard after the smoke larity across Sordane. These days they are designed for
envelops the ship must succeed a DC 15 Dexterity saving a wide range of uses, the most common being for sky
200
hunters to chase down prey or used by pirates when sky rings
hijacking ships. There is also a growing craze in Sordane
for sky board racing, resulting in more powerful models
being released.
As an action, you may speak the command word that
activates the sordalite crystal, causing the sky board to
begin floating a few feet off the ground. While active, the
sky board has a flying speed of 70 feet (modified spell
jet thruster 60 ft. + sail 10 ft.) and can hold up to 300
pounds. The sky board can carry up to twice its weight
limit; however, its speed is reduced to 5 feet after 300
lbs. If the weight exceeds 600 lbs. its speed is reduced to
0 feet.
spell cannon
Sky Rings focus
Wonderous item, uncommon
Typically made from finely crafted rings, the sky rings
were invented to aid sailors in the skies from grisly fates
below should they fall. There was a time when seemingly
every voyage would incur the loss of at least one sailor.
skycoach
Luckily for them, the sky rings were invented, drastically
service
reducing the frequency of fall-related deaths in the skies. bell
Once per week, the wearer of a sky ring may cast the
levitate spell on themselves only.
Additionally, should the wearer fall over 50 feet the ring
will automatically cast the feather fall spell on the wearer.
The spell’s duration lasts until the wearer stops falling
either by landing on something, or touching the ground.
Once this effect happens, the ring loses all of its power,
including the levitate ability, and becomes a mundane
nonmagical ring.
201
spellcasting ability: call lightning (3 charges), fog cloud increasing its duration by one hour. While a ship is under-
(1 charge), wind walk (6 charges). water it has eight hours of air; for longer periods other
Prediction (1 charge). As an action you create a tiny, means must be utilised to provide the crew with oxygen.
harmless sensory effect that predicts what the weather
will be at your location for the next 24 hours. The effect Zendar’s Bracelet of Ship Command
might manifest as a golden orb for clear skies, a cloud for Wondrous item, rare (requires attunement)
rain, falling snowflakes for snow, and so on. This effect A large metal bracelet that resembles a flask that one can
persists for 1 round. wear around their wrist, enchanted to enhance a spelldriv-
Control Clouds (6 charges). As an action you gain er’s connection to their attuned airship.
control of the clouds within a 1,000-foot-radius sphere If a spelldriver decides to fill it with wood shavings from
centered on you for the next hour, allowing you to use one their ship, they will no longer lose attunement to it, no
of the following effects: matter how far away or on what plane of existence they
• Destroy Clouds. You destroy clouds in a 100-foot cube are. Additionally, they sense when creatures that are not
that are under your control. part of the crew are on the ship, but cannot feel any other
• Move Clouds. You move all clouds within 1,000 feet up detail about them, including the number, their location,
to 100 feet in any direction. or size.
• Part Clouds. You may target any space within 1,000
feet and part the clouds, revealing the sky above. Zendar’s Ultimate Anchor
You can repeat an effect or choose a new one on your Wondrous item, rare (requires attunement)
next turn using a bonus action. A pocket-sized anchor that looks like a decorative paper-
weight. However, do not let its size fool you, as this anchor
Vailan’s Sea Bubble can stop an airship dead in its tracks.
Wondrous item, very rare (requires attunement by a spell-
When thrown overboard by a spelldriver who is attuned
driver)
to the ship in question, the anchor connects itself to the
For as long as there have been people who yearned to
ship through a magical tether. As long as the spelldriver
soar through the boundless skies, there have been those
is on the ship, they can use an action to telepathically
who wished to explore the depths of the sea. Originally
control the anchor and its mass. They can choose from the
designed by an earth elemdar named Vailan, the sea
following options:
bubble was built to allow ships to travel unimpeded
• Immobilize the ship.
underwater. The sea bubble is a clear glass sphere roughly
• Drag the ship down 30 feet per turn on top of its
the size of a cannonball with a piece of sordalite floating
normal movement.
within, that is always cool and wet to the touch.
• Revert the anchor to an inactive state; the anchor
When its command word is spoken, the sea bubble
tethers back to the ship.
projects a field of sordalite energy, encasing a ship smaller
• Deactivate the anchor. When deactivated, the anchor
than one hundred and fifty feet in length, preventing water
untethers and floats back to its user.
from passing through. The field lasts for an hour but is
able to be extended using spelldriving points, each point
zendar's
bracelet
of ship
command
203
acid launcher
basilisk rifle
blaster gun
annihilation
gun
burst
cannon
blaster rifle
204
Burst Cannon Damage Types Flame Cannon
Color Damage Type Weapon (arcane firearm), rare
Range: 60/240 feet
Green Acid
Maximum Charges: 3
Blue Cold Expend 1 charge and choose a target that you can see in
Orange Fire range to make a ranged weapon attack against. On a hit,
Yellow Lightning the target takes 4d10 fire damage. A flammable object hit
by this weapon ignites if it isn’t being worn or carried.
Pink Force
Purple Necrotic Flame Gun
Weapon (arcane firearm), uncommon
Range: 30/120 feet
Dilation Rifle Maximum Charges: 10
Weapon (arcane firearm), very rare
Expend 1 charge and choose a target that you can see in
Range: 300 feet
range to make a ranged weapon attack against. On a hit,
Maximum Charges: 5
the target takes 1d10 fire damage. A flammable object hit
Expend 1 charge and choose a target that you can see
by this weapon ignites if it isn’t being worn or carried.
within range. The target must make a DC 16 Wisdom
saving throw or be affected by the slow spell.
Expend 1 charge and choose a target that you can see
Freeze Gun
Weapon (arcane firearm), uncommon
within range. If the target is willing, they become affected
Range: 20/60 feet
by the haste spell. If the target is unwilling, it must make
Maximum Charges: 10
a DC 16 Wisdom saving throw or be affected by the
Expend 1 charge and choose a target that you can see
haste spell.
in range to make a ranged weapon attack against. On a
hit, the target takes 1d10 cold damage and its speed is
Enfeebling Gun reduced by 10 feet until the start of your next turn.
Weapon (arcane firearm), rare
Range: 30/120 feet
Maximum Charges: 6
Invisibility Gun
Weapon (arcane firearm), rare
Expend 1 charge and choose a target that you can see
Range: 30 feet
within range and make a ranged weapon attack against it.
Maximum Charges: 3
On a hit, the target deals only half damage with weapon
Expend 1 charge and choose a target that you can see
attacks that use Strength for the next minute.
in range to make a ranged weapon attack against. (If the
invisibility gun
enfeebling gun
flame gun
flame
cannon 205
target is willing, the shot automatically succeeds.) On a Meteor Cannon
hit, the target becomes invisible for 10 minutes. Anything Weapon (arcane firearm), uncommon
the target is wearing or carrying is invisible as long as it Range: 90 feet
is on the target’s person. The spell ends for a target that Maximum Charges: 5
attacks or casts a spell. Expend 1 charge and target an area that you can see in
range, firing a magical ball of rock and fire at it. All targets
Levitation Rifle within a 20-foot-radius sphere of this area must succeed
Weapon (arcane firearm), rare on a DC 12 Dexterity saving throw, suffering 2d6 blud-
Range: 150/600 feet geoning and 2d6 fire damage on a failed save, or half as
Maximum Charges: 5 much on a successful one.
Expend 1 charge and choose a target that you can see in
range to make a ranged weapon attack against. On a hit, Necro Gun
the target rises vertically, up to 20 feet, and remains sus- Weapon (arcane firearm), uncommon
pended there for 1 minute. The effect can levitate a target Range: 30/120 feet
that weighs up to 500 pounds. Maximum Charges: 10
The target can move only by pushing or pulling against Expend 1 charge and choose a target that you can see in
a fixed object or surface within reach (such as a wall or range to make a ranged weapon attack against. On a hit,
a ceiling), which allows it to move as if it were climbing. the target takes 1d8 necrotic damage and it can’t regain
When the effect ends, the target floats gently to the ground hit points until the start of your next turn If you hit an
if it is still aloft. undead target, it also has disadvantage on attack rolls
until the end of your next turn.
Lightning Gun
Weapon (arcane firearm), rare Poison Sprayer
Range: 30/120 feet Weapon (arcane firearm), uncommon
Maximum Charges: 7 Range: Special
Expend 1 charge and choose a target that you can see Maximum Charges: 3
in range to make a ranged weapon attack against. On a Expend 1 charge to emit a 15-foot cone of toxic fumes.
hit, the target takes 2d8 lightning damage. If the target is Each creature in the area must succeed on a DC 13 Con-
wearing metal armor this increases to 3d8. stitution saving throw, or take 1d12 poison damage.
rifle of sensory
deprivation
levitation rifle
necro gun
meteor cannon
206
Polymorph Cannon Shockwave Cannon
Weapon (arcane firearm), very rare Weapon (arcane firearm), rare
Range: 1,600 feet Range: Special
Maximum Charges: 3 Maximum Charges: 5
Expend 1 charge and target an area that you can see in Expend 1 charge to emit a wave of energy 20 feet long and
range. All targets within a 20-foot-radius sphere of this 5 feet wide. Each creature in the wave must succeed on a
area have to pass a DC 16 Wisdom saving throw or be DC 14 Constitution saving throw. A creature takes 2d10
polymorphed into a new form. The effect lasts for 1 hour. thunder damage on a failed save and is knocked prone,
or half as much damage and isn’t knocked prone on a
Rifle of Sensory Deprivation successful one.
Weapon (arcane firearm), rare
Range: 150/600 feet Sleep Cannon
Maximum Charges: 5 Weapon (arcane firearm), rare
Expend 1 charge and choose a target that you can see in Range: 60/240 feet
range to make a ranged weapon attack against. On a hit, Maximum Charges: 3
the target becomes blinded and deafened for 1 minute. Expend 1 charge and target an area that you can see in
range. Cast the sleep spell at 5th level. Instead of concen-
Shatter Rifle tration, the effect lasts the full minute.
Weapon (arcane firearm), very rare
Range: 600 feet Stun Gun
Maximum Charges: 4 Weapon (arcane firearm), rare
Expend 1 charge and target a space that you can see Range: 30/120 feet
within range. All creatures within a 10-foot-radius sphere Maximum Charges: 3
centered on that point must make a DC 16 Constitution Expend 1 charge to target a creature within range. The
saving throw. A creature takes 4d8 thunder damage on a target must make a DC 13 Constitution saving throw. On
failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. a failed saving throw, the creature is stunned until the end
A creature made of inorganic material such as stone, of its next turn.
crystal, or metal has disadvantage on this saving throw.
A nonmagical object that isn’t being worn or carried also shockwave
takes the damage if it's in the targeted space. cannon
shatter rifle
stun gun
sleep cannon
polymorph
cannon
207
Sunburst Rifle Transference Gun
Weapon (arcane firearm), very rare Weapon (arcane firearm), rare
Range: 150/600 feet Range: 30/60 feet
Maximum Charges: 4 Maximum Charges: 6
Expend 1 charge and choose a target that you can see in Expend 1 charge and choose a target that you can see in
range to make a ranged weapon attack against. On a hit, range to make a ranged weapon attack against. On a hit,
the target takes 2d10 radiant damage. All creatures within you take 3d8 necrotic damage, which cannot be reduced
20 feet that can see the target must succeed on a DC in any way, and the target regains a number of hit points
15 Constitution saving throw. On a failure, the creature equal to twice the necrotic damage you took.
is blinded for the next minute; on a success, they resist
the effect. Zap Gun
Weapon (arcane firearm), common
Thunderclap Blaster Range: 30/120 feet
Weapon (arcane firearm), very rare Maximum Charges: 10
Range: 1,600 feet Expend 1 charge and choose a target that you can see in
Maximum Charges: 3 range to make a ranged weapon attack against. On a hit,
Expend 1 charge and target an area that you can see in the target takes 1d6 lightning damage, or 1d8 lightning
range. All targets within a 20-foot-radius sphere of the damage if the target is wearing armor made of metal, and
chosen area must succeed on a DC 16 Constitution saving it can’t take reactions until the start of your next turn.
throw, suffering 5d10 thunder damage and are deafened
for the next minute on a failed save, or half as much and Zap Rifle
they resist the effect on a success. Weapon (arcane firearm), common
Range: 80/360 feet
Maximum Charges: 10
Expend 1 charge and choose a target that you can see in
range to make a ranged weapon attack against. On a hit,
the target takes 2d6 lightning damage, or 2d8 lightning
damage if the target is wearing armor made of metal, and
sunburst rifle it can’t take reactions until the start of your next turn.
zap rifle
transference gun
thunderclap
blaster
zap gun
208
Shard Constructs Shard Construct Prices
Construct Price
The markets of Sordane are filled to the brim with
construct salesmen: from small rodent mechanimals for Mechanimals
children, to full-sized shard sentry manufacturers. Tiny 250 gp
All shard constructs come magically tied to a device
Small 500 gp
known as a Shard Control Device (page 142).
The constructs mentioned below are not the limit Medium 1,000 gp
of what one could find within Sordane, but the most Large 2,000 gp
common ones seen. Huge 5,000 gp
Shard Guardians
Mechanimals Aerial guardian 30,000 gp
Mechanimals are typically the most plentiful of the shard
Assault guardian 18,000 gp
constructs that can be found at any one time in any
number of markets. The types of mechanimals available Combat guardian 13,000 gp
may vary as some are more expensive or more difficult to Sharpshooter guardian 25,000 gp
manufacture. Many people of Sordane have mechanimals Task guardian 10,000 gp
as pets and faithful adventuring companions.
Sky Mines
For this reason it is more common to find smaller mech-
animals modelled after animals such as cats and dogs for Fire mine 10,000 gp
sale within towns targeted at families with children. The Mental mine 20,000 gp
larger, more dangerous mechanimals are typically sold in Siphon mine 20,000 gp
cities, aimed at people such as nobles looking for a more
exotic family pet and guard, and monster hunters who Smash mine 5,000 gp
need to quickly bolster their ranks in preparation of a dan- Shard Sentries
gerous hunt, but who cannot afford the more expensive Assault Sentry 5,500 gp
shard guardians.
Riot Sentry 5,500 gp
209
Shard Guardians
The shard guardians of Sordane are sold in a similar The design of the shard guardians has greatly varied
fashion to the shard sentries. Some of them are even over time with the original guardians, the task and combat
closely guarded military secrets. However, they are usually guardians, being outperformed by newer models such as
purchasable in a public capacity since they have been the aerial guardian. The primary goal driving tinkerers
around much longer than the shard sentries and are to improve the shard guardians is attempting to grasp at
part of the seafaring culture of the world. The only real a fraction of the power the skarrow class guardians had.
exemption to this is the sharpshooter guardian, given their Currently the closest form is the assault guardian; while
design and primary use as an assassination construct. For they don’t have the size of the skarrow class or the ability
this reason most governments have limited their sale to to endlessly regenerate, their propensity for death is
peacekeeping, in an attempt to keep them out of the hands second to none of the current shard guardians.
of criminal organizations.
Sky Mines
Most nations have outlawed sky mines. As such, it’s
nearly impossible to find them on the open market. Black
markets are usually the only place to find them and even
then their cost can be hiked up extortionately due to the
nature of contraband like sky mines. Officials from nations
that have outlawed sky mines will attempt to disarm and
confiscate them if they come close enough to a mine to
spot it without triggering it. However, if disarming them
isn’t an option, every attempt should be made to destroy
them without putting the ship in harm’s way.
Even with the development and production of new sky
mines outlawed almost worldwide, it is unknown which
organizations continue to keep the black markets sup-
plied with these mines. For this reason most nations send
undercover agents, such as Ezdin’s shadow caps, to keep
an eye on these markets in an attempt to discover their
suppliers. There are those who believe the cult of Umiera
is behind this, as a way to leave damaged ships ripe for the
picking, stranded in the open skies.
Ships that have had encounters with smash mines,
however, believe the illegal production of the mines is the
work of the cuthari.
Mine Upgrades
A mine can have any number of upgrades depending on
the funds available.
Mine Upgrades
Upgrade Effect Cost
Enchanted paint allows mine
Stealth paint to adapt to its surroundings. 100 gp
Stealth +2.
Mine does not target ships with
Password 500 gp
specific pattern or flag.
Makes a cloud around itself.
Cloud 1,000 gp
Stealth +4
Minor invisibility with no
Minor expiration time cast on mine.
10,000 gp
Invisibility It is effectively invisible until it
attacks.
Major invisibility with no expi-
Major ration time cast on mine. It is
50,000 gp
Invisibility effectively invisible even when
attacking.
210
Bionics
When a humanoid suffers irreparable damage in a Skies
of Sordane campaign, they don’t always turn to magic to
repair the damage. Sometimes, they opt for an upgrade in
the form of bionics.
Equipping Bionics
When a character employs a bionic upgrade, the upgrade
usually replaces a body part. In most cases, the bionic is bionic
created to fit the specific creature and it is not transfer- eyes
able. Furthermore, some bionics can only be equipped
by certain creatures. Use common sense to determine
whether more than one type of bionic can be equipped. A
character can’t normally have three bionic arms. bionic legs
Bionic Enhancements
The bionic enhancements are presented in alphabetical
order. An enhancement’s description gives the item’s name
and its properties.
Bionic Arm
You replace one of your arms with a bionic enhancement.
With this enhancement, you gain a +1 bonus to Strength
(Athletics) checks and damage rolls made with melee
weapons that do not possess the two-handed property. If
you equip a second bionic arm, this bonus increases by an
additional +1, and you can also apply the bonus to melee
weapons that use the two-handed property as well. When
using a two-handed weapon, the bonus increases to +3.
Bionic Eye
You replace one of your eyes with a bionic enhancement.
With this enhancement, you gain a +2 bonus to Wisdom
211
(Perception) checks that rely on sight and you gain a +1
bonus to attack rolls made with ranged weapons.
If you have two bionic eyes, this bonus increases by an
additional +2 (+4) and +1 (+2) respectively.
bionic
wings Bionic Hand
You replace one of your hands with a bionic enhancement.
With this enhancement, you gain a +2 bonus to Dexterity
ability checks made to use your hands. If you have two
bionic hands, this bonus increases by an additional +2 (+4).
Bionic Legs
bionic You replace your legs with bionic enhancements. With
hands bionic legs, your base walking speed increases by 10 feet
and you can jump three times the normal distance, though
you can’t jump farther than your remaining movement
would allow. Also, you count as one size larger when
determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can
push, drag, or lift.
Bionic Organs
With this enhancement, you gain a +2 bonus to Constitu-
tion ability checks and saving throws.
Bionic Wings
You attach a set of mechanical wings to your body. You
gain a flying speed of 60 feet. You can use the wings to fly
for up to 4 hours, all at once or in several shorter flights,
each one using a minimum of 1 minute from the duration.
if you are flying when the duration expires, you descend
at a rate of 30 feet per round until you land. The wings
regain 2 hours of flying capability for every 12 hours they
aren’t in use.
bionic
organs Prehensile Tail
You replace an existing tail which you can use to grasp
things. It has a reach of 5 feet, and it can lift a number of
pounds equal to five times your Strength score. You can
use it to do the following simple tasks: lift, drop, hold, push,
or pull an object or a creature; open or close a door or a
container; grapple someone; or make an unarmed strike.
Your tail can’t wield weapons or shields or do anything that
requires manual precision, such as using tools or magic
items or performing the somatic components of a spell.
212
Weapon Enhancements
Despite originally being invented to benefit people who
lost limbs or damaged organs and were unable to afford
bladed
expensive magic to heal them, the potential for custom-
hands
izable bionic weapons was swiftly capitalized by weapon
manufacturers across Sordane. The notion of a weapon
that could only be used by the individual it was created for
was an enticing prospect for militaries and civilian ships
with enough coin, preventing their weapons from being
used against them, should a raiding party attack them.
Most weapon enhancements are designed to display its
capabilities; however, it is not uncommon for some to be
designed to conceal the weapon within it, allowing the
user to catch their foe by surprise.
Bladed Hands
You replace one of your hands with a bionic hand. While it
looks like a regular bionic hand it is outfitted with hidden blaster
blades able to extend from the end of each finger. While arm
equipped you gain a climbing speed of 10 feet. In addi-
tion, it is a natural weapon, which can be used to make
an unarmed strike. If you hit with it, you deal slashing
damage equal to 1d4 + your Dexterity modifier. If you have
two bladed hands, the climbing speed increases to 20 feet,
and after performing an unarmed strike with them you
may make another unarmed strike with your bonus action.
As a bonus action you may have the blades extend or
retract from your fingers. You have advantage on Dexterity
(Stealth) checks to conceal them.
In addition, bladed hands gain the benefits of a regular
bionic hand enhancement.
Blaster Arm
A bionic arm with a concealed zap gun built into its
forearm. As a bonus action you are able to reveal the
gun, causing it to protrude from your hand and allowing
you to fire it. While the gun is protruding you are unable
to use this arm to grab or interact with objects. As an
action you can perform a ranged weapon attack using
Dexterity as your attack modifier, dealing 1d10 force
damage on a hit. You can retract the gun using a bonus
action, and have advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks
to conceal it.
In addition, the blaster arm gains the benefits of a
regular bionic arm enhancement.
ensnaring
Ensnaring Arm arm
Designed to look like a regular bionic arm, this arm has
a canister attached to it which is able to burst open,
releasing wires which attempt to ensnare a creature.
While grappling a creature you can speak a command
word, causing wires to burst out of the arm to restrain
the target. Perform a Strength (Athletics) grapple check
with advantage contested by the target’s Strength (Ath-
their Dexterity (Acrobatics). On a success the target is
letics) or Dexterity (Acrobatics) check. If you succeed,
grappled as the wires wrap around their legs.
the target is restrained as the wires wrap around its
Once this ability is used the canister within the arm
body, which then detach from the arm allowing you
must be replaced before it can be used again.
to move.
In addition, an ensnaring arm gains the benefits of a
In addition, you may attempt to make a ranged grapple
regular bionic arm enhancement.
check against a target within 10 feet of you contested by
213
Sordalite Blast Eye Weapon Enhancement Costs
A sordalite blast eye is a bionic eye built with a piece of
sordalite taken from a sordalite golem, with a focusing The table below presents the cost for each of the bionic
lens attached to it. Once per day as an action you may weapon enhancements featured in this book.
target a creature you can see within 60 feet of you. The
Weapon Enhancement Costs
creature must succeed on a DC 14 Dexterity saving throw;
on a failed save the target suffers 3d8 force damage and Enhancement Cost
is knocked prone. On a success they take half damage Bladed Hands 750 gp
and aren’t knocked prone. After using this ability the Blaster Arm 1,300 gp
eye deactivates, and you cannot see out of it for the next
Ensnaring Arm 1,100 gp
10 minutes.
In addition, a sordalite blast eye gains the benefits of a Sordalite Blast Eye 1,700 gp
bionic eye enhancement. Tremor Legs 4,000 gp
Vampiric Hand 2,500 gp
Tremor Legs
You replace one of your legs with a reinforced bionic Whip Tail 2,500 gp
leg outfitted with multiple pistons attaching the foot to
the calf. As an action you can speak a command word
activating the sordalite crystal within the leg, causing
the pistons to slam your foot into the ground, releasing a
tremor. All creatures within 10 feet of you must succeed
on a DC 13 Dexterity saving throw, suffering 2d6 blud-
geoning damage on a failed save, or half as much on a
successful one. If this ability is used on unworked earth
it becomes difficult terrain. This ability can only be used
once per short rest.
If you have two tremor legs, after performing this ability sordalite
you can activate the second leg as a bonus action, causing blast eye
another tremor.
You ignore any difficult terrain created by these tremors.
In addition, tremor legs gain the benefits of the bionic
legs enhancement. tremor
leg
Vampiric Hand
A bionic enhancement that has been banned in many
places, vampiric hand is mainly sold among black market
traders. This hand is outfitted with a carcassite crystal
built into its palm, allowing it to drain the life essence
of a living creature that it touches. As an action you may
activate the carcassite within the hand, performing an
unarmed strike against a target within 5 feet of you. On a
hit the target takes 2d6 necrotic damage, and you regain
hit points equal to half the necrotic damage dealt. You may
repeat this attack as an action on each turn for the next
minute. Once used this ability cannot be used until the
next day at dawn.
In addition, a vampiric hand gains the benefits of a
regular bionic hand enhancement. whip
tail
Whip Tail
An existing tail is replaced with a bionic enhancement
that is able to extend up to 15 feet long. During your turn
if you hit a creature as part of the attack action, as a bonus
vampiric
action you can perform an unarmed strike with your tail,
hand
using it like a whip. On a hit the target takes 1d6 pierc-
ing damage.
In addition, a whip tail gains the benefits of a prehensile
tail enhancement.
214
Appendix: People of Sordane
Boatswain
Medium humanoid (any race), any alignment Protector. Whenever a melee weapon attack is made against
a ship component within 5 feet of the boatswain, they can
Armor Class 16 (chainmail) use their reaction to become the target of the attack.
Hit Points 71 (11d8 + 22)
Speed 30 ft. ACTIONS
Multiattack. The boatswain makes two melee attacks: one
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA with their warhammer and one with their light hammer.
18 (+4) 11 (+0) 14 (+2) 16 (+3) 12 (+1) 10 (+0) Warhammer. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
one target. Hit: 8 (1d8 + 4) bludgeoning damage.
Saving Throws Str +6
Light Hammer. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
Skills Athletics +6, Investigation +5
one target. Hit: 6 (1d4 + 4) bludgeoning damage.
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 11
Light Hammer. Ranged Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, range
Languages any one language (usually Common) 20/60ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d4 + 4) bludgeoning damage.
Challenge 2 (450 XP) Proficiency Bonus +2
Captain
Medium humanoid (any race), any alignment ACTIONS
Multiattack. The captain makes three melee attacks: two
Armor Class 16 (leather armor)
with their shortsword and one with their dagger; or two
Hit Points 135 (18d8 + 54) ranged attacks with their blaster gun.
Speed 30 ft. Shortsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA target. Hit: 8 (1d6 + 5) slashing damage.
16 (+3) 20 (+5) 16 (+3) 15 (+2) 12 (+1) 15 (+2)
Dagger. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
target. Hit: 7 (1d4 + 5) slashing damage.
Saving Throws Str +6, Dex +8, Wis +4 Blaster Gun (20 charges). Expend 1 charge and make a
Skills Athletics +6, Perception +4, Persuasion +5 Ranged Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, range 30/120ft., one
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 14 target. Hit: 10 (1d10 + 5) force damage.
Languages any one language (usually Common) REACTIONS
Challenge 6 (2,300 XP) Proficiency Bonus +3 Parry. The captain adds 2 to their AC against one melee
attack that would hit them. To do so, the captain must see
the attacker and be wielding a melee weapon.
Cook
Medium humanoid (any race), any alignment Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 11
Languages any one language (usually Common)
Armor Class 14 (chain shirt)
Challenge 2 (450 XP) Proficiency Bonus +2
Hit Points 85 (10d8 + 40)
Speed 30 ft. ACTIONS
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA Multiattack. The cook makes two melee attacks with
their longsword.
16 (+3) 12 (+1) 18 (+4) 10 (+0) 11 (+0) 12 (+1)
Longsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
Saving Throws Dex +6 one target. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) slashing damage if used with
Skills Performance +3, Sleight of Hand +3 two hands.
215
First Mate
Medium humanoid (any race), any alignment Evasion. If the first mate is subjected to an effect that
allows it to make a Dexterity saving throw to take only half
Armor Class 15 (leather armor) damage, it instead takes no damage if it succeeds on the
Hit Points 91 (14d8 + 28) saving throw, and only half damage if it fails.
Speed 30 ft.
ACTIONS
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA Multiattack. The first mate makes two melee attacks with
14 (+2) 18 (+4) 15 (+2) 13 (+1) 11 (+0) 16 (+3) their shortsword; or two ranged attacks with their zap gun.
Shortsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
Saving Throws Dex +6, Wis +2
target. Hit: 7 (1d6 + 4) slashing damage.
Skills Acrobatics +6, Intimidation +5, Perception +2
Zap Gun (10 charges). Expend 1 charge and make a Ranged
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 12 Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, range 30/120ft., one target.
Languages any one language (usually Common) Hit: 7 (1d6 + 4) lightning damage, or 8 (1d8 + 4) lightning
Challenge 4 (1,100 XP) Proficiency Bonus +2 damage if the target is wearing armor made of metal.
Medic
Medium humanoid (any race), any alignment Spellcasting. The medic is a 5th-level spellcaster. Its
spellcasting ability is Wisdom (spell save DC 13, +5 to
Armor Class 11 (leather armor) hit with spell attacks). The medic has the following cleric
Hit Points 27 (5d8 + 5) spells prepared:
Speed 30 ft. Cantrips (at will): light, sacred flame, thaumaturgy
1st level (4 slots): cure wounds, guiding bolt, sanctuary
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
2nd level (3 slots): lesser restoration, spiritual weapon
12 (+1) 10 (+0) 13 (+1) 12 (+1) 17 (+3) 12 (+1)
3rd level (2 slots): dispel magic, spirit guardians
Saving Throws Wis +5
Skills Medicine +7, Persuasion +3 ACTIONS
Senses passive Perception 13 Scimitar. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
target. Hit: 4 (1d6 + 1) slashing damage.
Languages any one language (usually Common)
Challenge 2 (450 XP) Proficiency Bonus +2
Navigator
Medium humanoid (any race), any alignment Lookout. The navigator can forgo one of their attacks
to perform a Wisdom (Perception) check as part of
Armor Class 13 (leather armor) their multiattack.
Hit Points 71 (13d8 + 13)
Speed 30 ft. ACTIONS
Multiattack. The navigator makes two ranged attacks with
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA their zap rifle.
12 (+1) 15 (+2) 12 (+1) 14 (+2) 18 (+4) 10 (+0) Zap Rifle (10 charges). Expend 1 charge and make a
Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, range 80/360ft., one
Saving Throws Dex +4
target. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) lightning damage, or 6 (1d8 + 2)
Skills Nature +4, Perception +6, Survival +6 lightning damage if the target is wearing armor made
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 16 of metal.
Languages any one language (usually Common)
Challenge 2 (450 XP) Proficiency Bonus +2
216
Sailor
Medium humanoid (any race), any alignment Pack Tactics. The sailor has advantage on an attack
roll against a creature if at least one of the sailor’s
Armor Class 12 (leather armor) allies is within 5 feet of the creature and the ally is
Hit Points 5 (1d8 + 1) not incapacitated.
Speed 30 ft.
ACTIONS
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA Scimitar. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
12 (+1) 13 (+1) 13 (+1) 10 (+0) 10 (+0) 8 (-1) target. Hit: 4 (1d6 + 1) slashing damage.
Light Crossbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, range
Senses passive Perception 10
80/320 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d8 + 1) piercing damage.
Languages any one language (usually Common)
Challenge 1/8 (25 XP) Proficiency Bonus +2
Soldier
Medium humanoid (any race), any alignment Senses passive Perception 12
Languages any one language (usually Common)
Armor Class 17 (chain shirt and shield)
Challenge 1/2 (100 XP) Proficiency Bonus +2
Hit Points 33 (6d8 + 6)
Speed 30 ft. ACTIONS
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA Scimitar. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
target. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) slashing damage.
12 (+1) 14 (+2) 13 (+1) 10 (+0) 10 (+0) 8 (-1)
Light Crossbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, range
Skills Perception +2 80/320 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d8 + 2) piercing damage.
Spelldriver (Beginner)
Medium humanoid (any race), any alignment Challenge 2 (450 XP) Proficiency Bonus +2
Spellcasting. The spelldriver is a 4th-level spellcaster. Its
Armor Class 13 (leather armor)
spellcasting ability is Intelligence (spell save DC 11,
Hit Points 33 (6d8 + 6) +3 to hit with spell attacks). The spelldriver has the
Speed 30 ft. following Wizard spells prepared:
Cantrips (at will): fire bolt, light, mage hand, prestidigitation
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
1st level (4 slots): detect magic, mage armor,
12 (+1) 14 (+2) 13 (+1) 13 (+1) 12 (+1) 15 (+2)
magic missile, shield
Saving Throws Wis +3 2nd level (3 slots): misty step, suggestion
Skills Perception +3, Persuasion +4
ACTIONS
Senses passive Perception 13
Scimitar. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
Languages any one language (usually Common)
target. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) slashing damage.
217
Spelldriver (Seasoned)
Medium humanoid (any race), any alignment
ACTIONS
Scimitar. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
one target. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) slashing damage.
218
Spelldriver (Legendary)
Medium humanoid (any race), any alignment Magic Resistance. The spelldriver has advantage on saving
throws against spells and other magical effects.
Armor Class 13 (leather armor)
Spellcasting. The spelldriver is an 11th-level spellcaster. Its
Hit Points 99 (18d8 + 18) spellcasting ability is Intelligence (spell save DC 16,
Speed 30 ft. +8 to hit with spell attacks). The spelldriver has the
following wizard spells prepared:
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
Cantrips (at will): fire bolt, light, mage hand, prestidigitation
12 (+1) 14 (+2) 13 (+1) 20 (+5) 14 (+2) 17 (+3)
1st level (4 slots): detect magic, mage armor,
Saving Throws Int +8, Wis +5 magic missile, shield
Skills Arcana +11, Perception +8, Persuasion +6 2nd level (3 slots): misty step, suggestion
Damage Resistances cold, fire, lightning, and sordalite- 3rd level (3 slots): counterspell, fireball, fly
powered attacks 4th level (3 slots): greater invisibility, ice storm
Senses passive Perception 18 5th level (2 slot): cone of cold
Languages any six languages 6th level (1 slot): globe of invulnerability
Challenge 8 (3,900 XP) Proficiency Bonus +3
ACTIONS
Scimitar. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
target. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) slashing damage.
Macaw Monkey
Tiny beast, unaligned Tiny beast, unaligned
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
3 (-4) 13 (+1) 8 (-1) 2 (-4) 12 (+1) 7 (-2) 3 (-4) 15 (+2) 10 (+0) 3 (-4) 12 (+1) 7 (-2)
Skills Perception +3, Stealth +3 Skills Acrobatics +4, Sleight of Hand +4, Stealth +4
Senses passive Perception 13 Senses passive Perception 11
Languages understands common but has a Languages –
limited vocabulary Challenge 0 (10 XP) Proficiency Bonus +2
Challenge 0 (10 XP) Proficiency Bonus +2
ACTIONS
Flyby. The macaw provokes no opportunity attacks
Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
when it flies out of an enemy’s reach.
target. Hit: 1 slashing damage.
Keen Hearing and Sight. The macaw has advantage
on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing
and sight.
Message. The macaw’s owner can specify a location,
which they must have visited, and a recipient who
matches a general description along with a message
of up to 10 words. The macaw travels to this location
to deliver the message and back, covering 50 miles
per 24 hours.
ACTIONS
Talons. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
target. Hit: 1 slashing damage.
219
Index
Academy Cognitus, 34 Cloud in a Bottle (item), 194 Ezdin, Bordair’s capital city, 22
Academy Primilitus, 34 Cloudplank (item), 194 map, 28, 220
accelerate (spelldriving mode), 107 cloud shark, 118 Ezdin’s Grand Three, 37
Ace Zapix’s Pendants of Calling (item), 192 cloud skate, 167 Featherhatch Canvas envelope, 59
Acid Launcher (zap gun), 204 Cloud Skate Coat (item), 189 Ferri, god of the waters and weather, 21
adult black arcane dragon, 115 clouds, 56 Ferri’s Blessing, 29
aerial guardian, 145 Cloudwalker Boots (item), 195 Ferri, the Great Lake of, 35
price, 209 cold weather effects, 55 Ferri’s Tears, 29
air broodling, exonid, 124 Combat Experts (crew feat), 52 fighters, 13
airship actions see airship tasks combat, 53 fire broodling, exonid, 124
airship roles, 40 combat guardian, 147 fire mine, 165, 210
airship tasks, 46 price, 209 price, 209
airship upgrades, 60 commissioning an airship, 63 first mate, 41, 216
airships, 39, 57, 59 complications to airship downtime tasks, 46 Flame Cannon (zap gun), 205
Alexar’s Telescope of Truesight (item), 193 confinement shard sentry, 209 Flame Gun (zap gun), 205
algor cruiser, 96 constructs see shard constructs force barrier (spelldriving mode), 107
alignment, 14 continents of Sordane, 15 Freeze Gun (zap gun), 205
altitude effects, 54 cook, 45, 215 full power (spelldriving mode), 107
altitude sickness, 55 Coronal stream, 109 Garden Districts, district of Edzin, 29
Angler’s Lure (item), 189 map, 111 Garret, god of the moon and the hearth, 21
Annihilation Gun (zap gun), 204 corvi (avensari subspecies), 5 geography of Sordane, 15
arcane dragon, 113 Council of Kantra, the government that geshtar dreadnought, 78
Arcanization Ritual, 113 presides over Ezdin, 36 giant night ray, 168
Arrodan Syndicate, 78, 96 crew, 39 gleaming shard, 82
Artan’s Haven, district of Edzin, 27 unit stat block, 53 gnomes, 8
assault guardian, 146 for PC crew member information, goblins, tiltik, 12
price, 209 see Airship Roles, 40 The Gold Shields, 24
assault shard sentry, 153 for NPC crew member information, The Golden Palace, Ezdin, 27
price, 209 see People of Sordane, 215 The Great Lake of Ferri, 35
attuning to an airship, 40 crew combat, 53 green forest ray, 168
auran elves, 7 crew feats, 51 greyback grimhulk, 133
Avenger Pack (item), 193 crew morale, 52 grimhulk, 133
avensari, 5 The Crimson Blade, 37 transformation table, 135
Bakhuyzen’s Extinguisher (item), 193 The Crystal Leaf Trade House, 37 grimhulk oil, 134
ballista deck upgrade, 61, 63 crystal guard, 24 Grimhulk’s Fortitude (item), 191
Ballista Experts (crew feat), 52 The Crystal Venture, 37 guardians see shard guardians
barbarians, 13 cursed kildara, 120 The Guild of the Heart, 33, 34, 38, 82
bards, 13 cuthari hivemind reaper, 100 guilds of Ezdin, 37
Basilisk Rifle (zap gun), 204 Dedicated (crew feat), 52 Haggler’s Court, district of Edzin, 29
beast markets, 189 Defensive Manouvres (crew feat), 52 half-elves, 9
bionic enhancements, 211 deities of Sordane, 20 half-orcs, 9
black arcane dragon, 115 Dhaina, goddess of luck and time, 21 halflings, 8
bladed hands (bionic enhancement), 213 Dilation Rifle (zap gun), 205 helper drones, 150
blaster arm (bionic enhancement), 213 disguise ship (spelldriving mode), 107 price, 209
Blaster Gun (zap gun), 204 districts of Ezdin, 26 Hexzedal, continent of, 18
Blaster Rifle (zap gun), 204 downtime tasks, 46 map, 16
boatswain, 42, 215 dragonborn, 6 Highly Disciplined (crew feat), 52
Bordair, continent of, 15 dragons Hilfain, continent of, 18
map, 17, 220 adult black arcane, 111 map, 16
see also Ezdin, capital of Bordair, 22 arcane, 109 hollowed one, 136
bosun see boatswain random, 57 hookshot cannon, 63
Bottle o’ Air (item), 193 void, 183 hulls
brood castes, exonids, 124 Drain Grenade (zap gun), 195 reinforced, 61
Breaker Mace (item), 193 The Dregs, district of Edzin, 31 steel-plated, 62
Burst Cannon (zap gun), 204 drones see shard drones titanium-plated, 62
Cannon Experts (crew feat), 52 druids, 13 humans, 9
cannons dwarves, 6 ice exonid, 124
heavy, 61 eagalan (avensari subspecies), 5 invisibility (spelldriving mode), 107
hookshot, 63 Earring of Life (item), 195 Invisibility Gun (zap gun), 205
light, 61 earth broodling, exonid, 124 Issenzar, continent of, 18
spell, 62 Eidella’s Eye (item), 195 map, 17
canyon hessat, 116 elder grimhulk, 135 istari frigate, 90
captain elemdar, 6 jelly, sky, 161
hiring of, 39 elves, 7 jelly titan, 161
PC role, 40 encounters in the air, 56 jetstreams, 109
NPC role, 215 Enfeebling Gun (zap gun), 205 jetstream bubble (spelldriving mode), 108
Captain Votrix’s Hook Gun (item), 193 ensnaring arm (bionic enhancement), 213 jet thrusters see spell jet thrusters
Captain’s Tricorn (item), 194 Estara, goddess of war and death, 21 Juno Ianmala’s Door of Expediency (item),
Captain’s Wheel (item), 194 The Estel, 122 196
carcassite crystals, 136, 194 Exceptional Teamwork (crew feat), 52 Kan’tahri, the royal family of Ezdin, 22
carcassite ship, 102 Exonid Silk Gloves (item), 190 Keshtine, continent of, 15
catkind (kizaru), 10 exonids, 124 map, 17
classes of Sordane, 13 extreme cold, 56 kestudo, 9
clerics, 13 Eyepatch of All Knowing (item), 195 kildara, cursed, 120
222
kizaru (catkind), 10 rassen assault frigate, 84 sorcerers, 14
Korta, god of knowledge and law, 21 rays see sky rays sordalite blast eye (bionic enhancement),
kraken class frigate, 104 reapers (sharpshooter guardians), 148 214
Ky’Ren, god of the Titarians, 12 Rebreather (item), 198 sordalite golems, 175
Levibombs (item), 196 reinforced hull, 61 sordalite, 188
Levitation Rifle (zap gun), 206 religion, 20 Sordane, map of, 16
light ballista, 63 repair drones, 150 Sordane beast markets, 189
Lightning Gun (zap gun), 206 price, 209 sparrows, 26
Liladan, elder goddess of creation and the Rifle of Sensory Deprivation (zap gun), 207 spell cannon (spelldriving mode), 109
sky, 20 riot shard sentry, 153 Spell Cannon Focus (item), 201
Liladan’s Causeway, 18 price, 209 spell cannons, 62
Liladan’s Heart, the largest known sordalite Rod of Construct Corruption (item), 199 spell jet thrusters, 62
crystal in Sordane, 23 Rod of Sky Weaving (item), 199 spelldriver, 106, 217
locate jetstream (spelldriving mode), 108 rogues, 14 spelldriving, 106
Lookouts (crew feat), 52 role proficiencies modes, 107
low temperatures, 55 Boatswain, 42 points, 106
Lozandar, continent of, 18 Captain, 40 point bank maximums, 107
map, 16 Cook, 45 proficiency, 106
macaw, 219 First Mate, 41 SRC see Skiff Racing Commission
magic, 15 Medic, 44 Staff of the Noklura (item), 191
see also spelldriving, 106 Navigator, 43 steel-plated hull, 62
making airship task checks, 46 roshan cruiser, 72 strixan (avensari subspecies), 5
markers, marketplace officials in Haggler’s sailor, 217 Stun Gun (zap gun), 207
Court, 30 Sailor’s Rope (item), 199 Sunburst Rifle (zap gun), 208
Marret, goddess of the sun and travel, 21 sails, 62 suthalite, 180
Mechanimal Collar (item), 196 Sanalis Arena, the arena of the gods, 21 suthonaur, 180
mechanimals, 142 sentries, shard, 152 swarm, sky jelly, 161
medic, 44, 216 price, 209 swivel guns, 63
mental mine, 165, 210 sentry drones, 150 Tactician’s Tome of Cloud Control (item), 201
price, 209 Scrying Goggles (item), 199 Take Cover (crew feat), 52
Merchant Bridge (item), 196 Sh’reet, continent of, 18 task guardian, 149
Meteor Cannon (zap gun), 206 map, 16 price, 209
Midsky District, district of Edzin, 31 shadow caps, 25 temperatures, 55
mines see sky mines The Shadow Few, thieves’ guild, 14 terrordactyl, 182
modes, spelldriving, 107 shard blimps, 59 Teyrote, continent of, 18
momentum (spelldriving mode), 108 shard constructs, 142, 209 map, 17
monkey, 219 shard drones, 150 Thassenzar, continent of, 18
monks, 13 price, 209 map, 16
morgius, 137 shard sentries, 152 thin air, 54
Navigator’s Pocket Watch (item), 196 price, 209 titan, sky jelly, 161
navigator, 43, 216 Shard Weapons (zap guns), 199 thrusters see spell jet thrusters
Necro Gun (zap gun), 206 shardforged/odari, 11 Thundercap Blaster (zap gun), 208
the Nest, nickname for the Academy Shardjammer (item), 199 tieflings, 12
Primilitus, 26, 34 Shark Juice (item), 190 tiltik goblins, 12
Night Potion (item), 191 sharpshooter guardian, 148 titanium-plated hull, 62
noklura, 140 price, 209 titarans, 12
noticing threats, 54 Shatter Rifle (zap gun), 207 Transference Gun (zap gun), 208
odari/shardforged, 11 shields (spelldriving mode), 108 transformation table, grimhulk, 135
Olbek’s Creations Crafting Guild (crafters’ Ship in a Bottle (item), 200 Transformations Bane (item), 192
guild, Ezdin), 37 shoal class trade barge, 74 travel pace, 54
orcs, 10 Shockwave Cannon (zap gun), 207 tremor legs (bionic enhancement), 214
paladins, 13 sintel light cruiser, 70 Tripptar District, district of Edzin, 32
Pendants of Calling (items), 192 siphit, 158 umbriel elves, 8
Pillars District (the Pillars), district of Edzin, Siphit’s Heart Amulet (item), 190 Umiera, cult of, 136
32 siphon mine, 165, 210 upgrades, airship, 60
pinnacle luxury yacht, 88 price, 209 Vailan’s Sea Bubble (item), 202
Pipe of Protection (item), 196 size of airships, 60 vampiric hand (bionic enhancement), 214
the planescape, Sordane and, 18 skarrow class shard guardian, 155 Vet, god of life and healing, 21
Pocket Sky Coach (item), 196 the Skarrow Concord, 155 viewing distance, 56
Poison Sprayer (zap gun), 206 the Skiff Racing Commission (SRC), 66 visibility, 56
Polymorph Cannon (zap gun), 207 skiff racing, 66 the Void, 18
Portable Shield (item), 197 Sky Board (item), 200 void dragon, 183
Potion of Sordalite Absorption (item), 191 the Sky Halo, wards of Ezdin, 24 vortex (spelldriving mode), 109
Potion of Sordalite Sense (item), 191 sky jelly, 161 warlocks, 14
Power Diverter (item), 197 sky mines, 164, 210 whip tail (bionic enhancement), 214
power drones, 150 prices, 209 wizards, 14
price, 209 sky rays, 167 Zadden District, district of Edzin, 29
prehensile tail (bionic enhancement), 212 Sky Rings (items), 201 Zap Gun (zap gun), 208
propeller engines, 62 skycoach service bell, 26 zap guns, 203
protection (spelldriving mode), 108 skycoaches, 64 Zap Rifle (zap gun), 208
Protector’s Shield (item), 190 skyskiffs, 59 Zendar’s Bracelet of Ship Command (item),
queen, exonid, 124, 131 Sleep Cannon (zap gun), 207 202
Queen’s Bounty (item), 192 slyxi angler, 170 Zendar’s Ultimate Anchor (item), 202
races of Sordane, 5 smash mine, 165, 210 zephyr assault frigate, 94
racing see skiff racing price, 209
ramphasti (avensari subspecies), 5 soldier, 217
Rangefinding Goggles (item), 198 soralites, 59
rangers, 13 sorcat, 172
223
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